cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between albuminuria and hormone therapy in postmenopausal women.

Background: Elevated urinary albumin excretion and hormone therapy (HT) are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events. We assessed the relationship between albuminuria and the use of hormonal preparations in postmenopausal women. Methods: Data from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study were obtained at baseline and 5-year follow-up for analysis. The generalized estimating equation procedure accounting for repeated measures was used for this analysis. HT was the main predictor variable, and loge urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was the main outcome variable. Results: Four hundred ninety-one menopausal women were included in the analysis, 36% (n = 179) of whom received HT (either oral estrogen, progesterone, or combination therapy). At baseline, abnormal albuminuria (ACR ≥ 25 mg/g) was present in 11% of women on HT and 17% not on HT (P = 0.02). After adjusting for demographics, the presence of diabetes and hypertension, and kidney function, HT was associated with a 19% reduction in ACR (P = 0.008) and an odds ratio of 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.43 to 1.01; P = 0.06) for the presence of abnormal albuminuria. Other predictors of abnormal albuminuria included diabetes, blood pressure, and triglyceride level. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that HT is associated with a reduction in urinary albumin excretion in postmenopausal women.
Thermoelastic Cracked Plates Carrying Nonstationary Electrical Current

ABSTRACT Problems related to the distribution of electromagnetic field and of the Joule heating along/around the cracks in a thermo- and electroconductive plate are addressed. It is assumed that the plate carries a nonstationary electrical current and contains two finite collinear cracks that are located perpendicular to the current direction. The cracks are free of mechanical loads. The formulated problem is reduced to a system of singular integral equations with Cauchy-type singular kernels and solved numerically. The influence of interaction of the cracks as well as non-stationarity of the current on the distribution of current and Joule heating are clarified. The results are instrumental toward arrest and de-acceleration of crack propagation in electro-conductive material structures.
Parallel implementation of a divide and conquer semiempirical algorithm

We have implemented a parallel version of the semiempirical divide and conquer program DivCon previously developed in our laboratory. By utilizing a parallel machine we are able to leverage the linear scaling of the divide and conquer algorithm itself to perform semiempirical calculations on large bio-molecules. The utility of the implementation is demonstrated with a partial geometry optimization of hen egg white lysozyme in the gas phase.
A sensitized luminescence study of a ground-state triplet impurity in benzophenone single crystals

Abstract A low-temperature, sensitized luminescence study of diphenylmethylene dispersed in benzophenone single crystals is presented. The time dependence of the triplet-triplet fluorescence is examined with respect to the impurity concentration.
The socio‐economic time dimension in Talmudic literature

Attempts to analyse some of the aspects of economic time as presented in biblical and apocryphal sources, and as debated in the Talmudic tomes. Also asks, what is time and what is its social significance? The notion of time and its proper utilization is a major topic of discussion and significance in Hebrew scriptures, Talmudic literature and in subsequent Jewish thought. Demonstrates the scriptural and Talmudic approach towards the time phenomenon and, in particular, the utilization of time as an economic vehicle with respect to “time preference” ‐ the placing of a higher value on present rather than future goods; “waiting time” ‐ the Talmudic theory of interest; “lost time” ‐ the Talmudic theory of foregone opportunities or opportunity lost, and the subtle distinction between “waiting time” and “lost time”, all theoretically insightful and economically significant.
Teaching the Nature of Science through Inquiry to Prospective Elementary Teachers: A Tale of Two Researchers

The teacher as researcher, Colburn, and the researcher, Bianchini, investigated Colburn's use of inquiry to teach the nature of science to prospective elementary teachers; we attempted to identify those aspects of the nature of science addressed through inquiry instruction and the varied contexts in which such insights arose. We began by videotaping small group inquiries and whole class deliberations during three units of Colburn's inquiry-oriented general science course. We then conducted separate qualitative analyses of the resulting 20 h of videotaped data. Colburn, the teacher and informant, adopted an emic perspective and employed examples of explicit and implicit deliberations and demonstrations of the nature of science to construct his case. Bianchini also used an emic perspective, but examined only what teacher and students explicitly identified as examples of and insights into the nature of science. Taken together, our analyses highlight the difficulties in presenting a cogent and comprehensive picture of the nature of science to students, the teacher's pivotal role in initiating discussions of what science is and how scientists work, and the strengths and limitations of using classroom-based research to investigate nature of science instruction. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 37: 177–209, 2000
Clinical effectiveness of calcium entry blockers in prophylactic treatment of migraine and cluster headaches

SYNOPSIS Since Wolff's original proposal regarding the vascular etiology of cyclic head pain, evidence has accumulated that the prodromes of migraine are due to cerebral vasoconstriction and headaches of both cluster and migraine are due to painful dilatation. Theories regarding their pathogenesis include cyclic release of vasoactive substances from platelets and/or other sources (such as serotonin, catecholamines, histamine, acetyl choline, prostaglandins, substance P, endogenous opiates). These substances influence vasomotor receptors bringing about abnormal constriction and/or dilatation. Drugs which modify receptors (such as methysergide, alpha and beta blockers, antihistaminics, anticholinergics, steroids and non-steriodal anti-inflammatory agents) have had some therapeutic success in migraine but provide little benefit for cluster patients. Ca2+ entry blockers (including nimodipine, nifedipine, verapamil) theoretically should diminish cephalic vasoconstriction and -dilatation no matter what their cause. To test this, 35 headache patients with classic (N = 13), common (N = 14) migraine or cluster (N=8) were evaluated by double-blind, cross-over, randomized assignment to high or low dose nimodipine therapy. Within 10 days migraine prodromes became infrequent and after 2–4 weeks headache frequency was significantly reduced for migraine and within 4–6 weeks for cluster. CBF measurements during oxygen inhalation showed reduced cerebral vasoconstrictive responses after high dose nimodipine. Associated muscular contraction headaches were not altered. Nifedipine and verapamil provided equivalent relief for cluster but produced more side effects, and were less effective, than nimodipine in control of migraine.
Mind the Gap: Formal Ethics Policies and Chemical Scientists' Everyday Practices in Academia and Industry

Asymmetrical convergence is the increasing overlap between academic and industrial sectors, but with academia moving closer toward for-profit industrial norms than vice versa. Although this concept, developed by Kleinman and Vallas, is useful, processes of asymmetrical convergence in daily laboratory life are largely unexplored. Here, observations of three lab groups of chemical scientists in academic and industry contexts illustrate variation in interactions with ethics-related policies (as defined by the respondents). Findings show more tension for academic science with business-based practices, such as the move toward greater accountability, than for industrial science with academic practices. This asymmetry is evident in the process of purposive decoupling: for example, where academic scientists use humor to distance themselves from the performance of compliance in required reporting and top-down ethics training requirements. This distancing from meaningless requirements (formalism) contrasts with men...
Empirical development of an exponential probabilistic model for text retrieval: using textual analysis to build a better model

Much work in information retrieval focuses on using a model of documents and queries to derive retrieval algorithms. Model based development is a useful alternative to heuristic development because in a model the assumptions are explicit and can be examined and refined independent of the particular retrieval algorithm. We explore the explicit assumptions underlying the naive framework by performing computational analysis of actual corpora and queries to devise a generative document model that closely matches text. Our thesis is that a model so developed will be more accurate than existing models, and thus more useful in retrieval, as well as other applications. We test this by learning from a corpus the best document model. We find the learned model better predicts the existence of text data and has improved performance on certain IR tasks.
Expertise in Law, Medicine, and Health Care

As the practice of science-based medical evidence has challenged the medical profession to consider the scientific bases for its methods and procedures, on a seemingly parallel path, the United States Supreme Court's 1993 decision in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals has challenged the legal system to consider the science underlying claims of medical expertise. This article examines how the legal system has responded to that challenge and why the response has been more limited than many had expected; the implications of the legal system's approach to scrutiny of claims of medical expertise for the practice of science-based medical evidence; and, the central elements of any meaningful change in legal assessments of expertise in medicine and health care.
Comparative ADC performance evaluation using a new emulation model for flash ADC architectures

This paper investigates various flash A/D converters (ADC's) using a new emulation model which mimics the gate-level architecture of a flash ADC with any number of bits, n. The model is used for studying the effects of noise and offset voltages at the comparator inputs on the ADC output deviation using a mean-square error criterion. The first ADC investigated is the full-flash one, which is compared with the successive-approximation ADC for the same n. Then, two-step flash ADC's (i.e. half-flash) are investigated, with and without an interstage gain. Finally, error correction is attempted in conjunction with the later half-flash type.
Correlation between rotation and translation in chiral ensembles: Comparison of molecule fixed and laboratory frame time correlation functions

Abstract A computer simulation of diagonal and off diagonal elements of the time correlation function between the linear and angular velocities of a chiral ensemble of R CHBrClF molecules shows that it vanishes in the noise of the simulation, despite the fact that its symmetry in the group of all rotations, R(3), is the totally symmetric irreducible representation. This is in distinct contrast to the result in the molecule fixed frame of the principal molecular moments of inertia, where all off diagonal elements of the same cross correlation function (c.c.f.) are easily measurable The c.c.f. in symmetry allowed in both frames, but is measurable in only one.
Early neurological deterioration after subarachnoid haemorrhage: risk factors and impact on outcome

Background Early neurological deterioration occurs frequently after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The impact on hospital course and outcome remains poorly defined. Methods We identified risk factors for worsening on the Hunt–Hess grading scale within the first 24 h after admission in 609 consecutively admitted aneurysmal SAH patients. Admission risk factors and the impact of early worsening on outcome was evaluated using multivariable analysis adjusting for age, gender, admission clinical grade, admission year and procedure type. Outcome was evaluated at 12 months using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results 211 patients worsened within the first 24 h of admission (35%). In a multivariate adjusted model, early worsening was associated with older age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.001 to 1.03; p=0.04), the presence of intracerebral haematoma on initial CT scan (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.5; p=0.01) and higher SAH and intraventricular haemorrhage sum scores (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.08 and 1.1, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.2; p Conclusions Early worsening after SAH occurs in 35% of patients, is predicted by clot burden and is associated with mortality and poor functional outcome at 1 year.
Issues in developing a high school pre-engineering program

In an effort to increase awareness in science and engineering education in the Northwest Florida region, the University of West Florida Engineering Department in conjunction with a local Northwest Florida high school initiated a high school level pre-engineering program. Many issues were encountered in the first two years of the program. Primary issues in the deployment of the program included staffing, finance, enrollment, curriculum development, the development of instructional materials, and college credit award. Faculty level issues included the assimilation of university level faculty to the high school environment and the duality of faculty working between the university and high school systems. Student specific issues included student learning disabilities, English as a Second Language, and discipline in the classroom. Unique solutions were developed and applied to make the program a success. The following paper gives an overview of the program and solutions to some of the issues that were encountered. The goal is to present the approach taken in this particular program to give others who are developing similar programs insight into possible issues they may encounter
Examining Rape Empathy From the Perspective of the Victim and the Assailant1

Two studies using college student samples were conducted to establish reliability and validity for new scales measuring rape victim empathy and rape perpetrator empathy separately. In Experiment 1, two 13-item measures of rape empathy were developed. Variables examined for purposes of construct validity included personal sexual assault experience, general empathy, and perceived rape victim responsibility. In Experiment 2, we added 5 new items to each scale. The final scales were two 18-item measures with high reliability. Variables examined in Experiment 2 included personal sexual assault, general empathy, and acquaintanceship with a victim or a perpetrator. Both studies found gender differences for empathy scores, with women tending to be higher on rape victim empathy, and men tending to be higher on rape perpetrator empathy. Personal sexual experience was related to rape empathy scores. Perceived victim responsibility was negatively correlated with rape victim empathy and positively correlated with rape perpetrator empathy.
The Role of Sonography in Evaluating Right Upper Quadrant Disease in Children A Clinical Report

Since 1974, grey scale sonography has been used with increasing frequency in evaluating abdominal masses in children. Because sonography is nonin vasive and does not involve ionizing radiation, it is of particular value in the evaluation of pediatric patients. This paper focuses on right upper quadrant masses in children. The liver and gallbladder have been easy to image sonographically. It should be noted that sonography cannot accurately differ entiate between benign and malignant lesions. The pancreas, previously a difficult organ to appreciate radiographically, can be visualized with both ultrasound and computerized tomography. Both history and physical examina tion are important to the sonographic evaluation of masses in children.
An algorithm for modelling the interaction of a flexible rod with a two‐dimensional high‐speed flow

SUMMARY We present an algorithm for modelling coupled dynamic interactions of a very thin flexible structure immersed in a high-speed flow. The modelling approach is based on combining an Eulerian finite volume formulation for the fluid flow and a Lagrangian large-deformation formulation for the dynamic response of the structure. The coupling between the fluid and the solid response is achieved via an approach based on extrapolation and velocity reconstruction inspired in the Ghost Fluid Method. The algorithm presented does not assume the existence of a region exterior to the fluid domain as it was previously proposed and, thus, enables the consideration of very thin open boundaries and structures where the flow may be relevant on both sides of the interface. We demonstrate the accuracy of the method and its ability to describe disparate flow conditions across a fixed thin rigid interface without pollution of the flow field across the solid interface by comparing with analytical solutions of compressible flows. We also demonstrate the versatility and robustness of the method in a complex fluid–structure interaction problem corresponding to the transient supersonic flow past a highly flexible structure. Copyright 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic example queries for ad hoc databases

Motivated by eScience applications, we explore automatic generation of example "starter" queries over unstructured collections of tables without relying on a schema, a query log, or prior input from users. Such example queries are demonstrably sufficient to have non-experts self-train and become productive using SQL, helping to increase the uptake of database technology among scientists.Our method is to learn a model for each relational operator based on example queries from public databases, then assemble queries syntactically operator-by-operator. For example, the likelihood that a pair of attributes will be used as a join condition in an example query depends on the cardinality of their intersection, among other features. Our demonstration illustrates that datasets with different statistical properties lead to different sets of example queries with different properties.
Motivation of Video Game Players

44 men and 73 women, freshman college students, rated statements about video games. Analyses indicated those who played frequently were motivated both to master the games and to compete with others...
Topoclimatic studies of a High Arctic plateau ice cap

Meteorological observations on and around a small, exposed plateau ice cap on north-eastern Ellesmere Island, N.W.T., Canada, were carried out in the northern summers of 1982 and 1983. The objective was to assess the effect of the ice cap on local climate as the melt season progressed. In 1982, seasonal net radiation totals were lowest on the ice cap and greatest at the site farthest from the ice cap. The ice-cap site received only 35% of net radiation totals on the surrounding tundra. This reflects a gradient in albedo; albedo changed most markedly away from the ice cap as the summer progressed. A thermal gradient was observed along a transect perpendicular to the ice-cap edge; this gradient was greatest at low levels (I5 cm) and was maximized under cloud-free conditions. The "cooling effect" of the ice cap was less at the start of the ablation season than later. Low-level inversions occurred more frequently over the ice cap than over the snow-free tundra. Overall, melting degree days on the ice cap were only 40-{i5% of those on the adjacent tundra. A model of interactions between the atmosphere and a snow and ice cover, or a snow-free tundra/felsenmeer surface is proposed. Observations indicate that the ice cap has a cooling effect on the lower atmosphere relative to the adjacent snow-free tundra; this effect is absent when snow cover is extensive (as in 1983).
DINITROBENZENES STIMULATE ELECTRON FLUX WITHIN NEURONAL NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE IN THE ABSENCE OF CALMODULIN

Efficient electron transfer and conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline and nitric oxide NOâ—) by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) requires calmodulin (CaM) binding. The resent study focused on electron transfer ability of resting state CaM-free nNOS in resence of dinitrobenzene isomers (DNBs). NADPH oxidation (NADPHox) and acetylated cytochrome-c reduction (AcCyt-cred) catalyzed by nNOS and the CaM binding sequencedeficient nNOS reductase construct (nNOS-FP) were estimates of total electron flux and O2â— production respectively. All the DNBs (o- m- p-) independently stimulated rates of NADPHox by CaM-free nNOS and by nNOS-FP in isomer- and concentration-dependent manner. Blocking nNOS heme by imidazole or L-arginine did not affect CaM-free nNOS catalyzed NADPHox stimulated by DNBs. This stimulated electron flux by DNBs did not support NOâ— formation by CaM-free nNOS. The DNBs like FeCN extract electrons from both FMN and FAD of the nNOS reductase domain. All three DNBs greatly stimulated nNOS and nNOS-FP catalyzed AcCyt-cred that was significantly inhibited by SOD demonstrating O2â— formation. Thus in presence of DNBs resting-state CaM-deficient nNOS efficiently transfers electrons generating O2 — inferring that additional metabolic roles for nNOS exist that are not yet explored.
The effect of various dietary regimens and cholestyramine on aortic glycosaminoglycans during regression of atherosclerotic lesions in rhesus monkeys.

Abstract The effect of various diets on the aortic glycosaminoglycan (GAG) composition was studied in rhesus monkeys. Aortas were obtained from monkeys fed diets containing cholesterol and comparative fats including coconut oil-butter and peanut oil and with and without cholestyramine. Additional groups in each experiment were placed on regression diets of low-fat, low-cholesterol with and without cholestyramine. Further, an atherogenic diet of coconut oil-butter was alternated every 2 months with a diet enriched with corn oil. GAG isolated from intima and media-adventitia indicated slight variations in the concentration of total GAG among different dietary groups but major differences in the concentration of individual GAG. The concentrations of hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate were generally greater in aortas of monkeys fed corn oil diets than in those fed coconut oil-butter or peanut oil diets. The concentration of dermatan sulfate generally decreased during regression of lesions induced by the saturated fat-cholesterol diet. Furthermore, the aortas of monkeys with lesions from feeding peanut oil showed higher levels of dermatan sulfate and lower levels of chondroitin 4-sulfate than the saturated fat-fed groups. The addition of cholestyramine enhanced the effects of regression. These observations show that the composition of GAG of the arterial wall can be influenced by various dietary programs and that GAG play a role in induction and regression of experimental atherosclerotic lesions.
EEG signal classification using nonlinear independent component analysis

One of the preprocessors can be used to improve the performance of brain-computer interface (BCI) systems is independent component analysis (ICA). ICA is a signal processing technique in which observed random data are transformed into components that are statistically independent from each other. This suggests the possibility of using ICA to separate different independent brain activities during motor imagery into separate components. However, there is no guarantee for linear combination of brain sources in EEG signals. Thus the identification of nonlinear dynamic of EEG signals should be taken into consideration. In this paper, a new method is proposed for EEG signal classification in BCI systems by using nonlinear ICA algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated by using the classification of EEG signals. The tasks to be discriminated are the imaginative hand movement and the resting state. The results demonstrate that the proposed method performed well in several experiments on different subjects and can improve the classification accuracy in the BCI systems.
Hoshin Kanri planning: the system of five alignments behind the Toyota Production System

The Toyota Production System (TPS), also termed lean manufacturing, is famous for its ability to improve productivity, quality, space utilisation, customer focus, suggestions and positive employee outcomes. It is also known to be difficult to imitate and implement. This paper explores the secrets to the successful implementation of TPS/lean production. The discovery that the TPS is grounded in a Hoshin Kanri planning system composed of five major alignments is reported. Characteristics of each Toyota alignment and linkages to US planning literatures are explicated. The US alignment literature is critically analysed using the Toyota framework. Examples from the field are provided. Implications for operations management practitioners, consultants and those attempting mass to lean conversions or lean launches are drawn. A call for research on a taxonomy of alignments is provided.
Design, implementation and use of a remote network lab as an aid to support teaching computer network

This article presents the design, implementation and use of a remote network lab as an aid to support teaching computer networks. The purpose is to enable students complement the learning of the theory with practical experimentation in networking devices from any room with Internet access. Unlike the current solutions based on mainly emulation and simulation software, the remote laboratory presented is a server and a Web application that allows the students to interact remotely with commercial network devices, such as cutting-edge switches, routers and firewall that are widely used in the workplace. This proposal reduces the expenses of installing new laboratories and moving students who are far from their classrooms. The use of the remote laboratory has been compared, by means of a quasi- experiment, to the use of traditional network labs with seniors students of computing engineering. The outcomes show a similarity between both approaches, turning the remote network lab an effective tool to support teaching computer network.
The decision process in selective attention

A learning system that can be trained to generate the necessary sequential decision policy for maneuvering through a multiple T-maze is proposed. The selectively attentive environmental learning system (SAELS) has an architecture with two types of neurally inspired learning mechanisms to model and act on its environment. The development of a correct policy of selective attention is dependent on the reinforcement the natural system receives during learning. The authors concentrate upon a specific type of reinforcement, namely, minimally descriptive, terminally applied reinforcement. It is shown that SAELS solves the temporal credit assignment problem that arises when reinforcement is only available at the end of a sequence of actions. The general requirements of a system of selective attention and how SAELS meets these requirements are discussed. >
Frictional Moisture Convergence in a Composite Life Cycle of the Madden–Julian Oscillation

Abstract A composite life cycle of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is constructed using an index based on the first two EOFs of the bandpass-filtered (20–80 days) 850-mb zonal wind averaged from 5°N to 5°S every 2.5° around the equator. Precipitation, 1000-mb convergence, 850-mb wind, and 200-mb wind are composited for the period 1979–95. Water vapor integrated from the surface to 300 mb is composited for the period 1988–92. Frictional moisture convergence at the equator is shown to play an important role in the life cycle of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). Regions of boundary layer convergence foster growth of positive water vapor anomalies to the east of convection. This convergence coincides with 850-mb easterly wind anomalies, as is consistent with Kelvin wave dynamics. Drying of the atmosphere occurs rapidly after the passage of convection with the onset of 850-mb westerly perturbations. Possible mechanisms for this drying include boundary layer divergence and subsidence or horizontal advect...
Habitat Selection by Tundra Swans on Northern Alaska Breeding Grounds

Abstract Habitat selection by the Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus columbianus) was evaluated on the Colville River Delta prior to oil field development (1982-1989). Tundra Swan territories comprised a lake, used for refuge and foraging, and terrestrial habitats and ponds near the lake’s perimeter used for foraging and nesting. Tundra swan sightings from early and late summer aerial surveys were used to investigate habitat selection at the territory and within-territory scale. At the territory or lake scale, swan sightings/lake increased with lake size, and increased from discrete to tapped (i.e., connected to a river channel) to drained lakes within size categories. Overall, 49% of the variation in swan sightings/lake was explained by lake size and type, a size-x-type interaction term, and the proportion of lake perimeter comprised of Halophytic Ponds and Halophytic Wet Meadows. At the within-territory or within-lake scale, foraging swans significantly selected Halophytic Ponds, Halophytic Wet Meadows, an...
Reduced Food Intake in Zinc Deficient Rats Is Normalized by Megestrol Acetate but not by Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I

Zinc deficiency in rats results in impaired growth accompanied by decreased and cyclic food intake. These signs are associated with decreased plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a major mediator of growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between decreased plasma IGF-I and the impairment of appetite and growth in zinc deficiency. Immature male rats were fed free choice a low zinc (<1 mg/kg) diet (-Zn) or a zinc adequate (100 mg/kg) control diet (+Zn). Plasma IGF-I concentrations were normalized in zinc-deficient rats by the following two methods: osmotic pump infusion of IGF-I (2.4 mg/kg body weight daily) and oral administration (50 mg/kg body weight twice daily) of the synthetic progestin, megestrol acetate (MA). Infusion of IGF-I for 8 d sustained plasma IGF-I concentrations in zinc-deficient rats at control levels but had no effect on either food intake or growth rate. MA administration for 8 d maintained the plasma IGF-I of deficient rats and significantly increased food intake. The early aspects of cyclic food intake were eliminated, and, after a few days, food intake of deficient rats given MA was not different than that of controls. MA increased food intake and fat deposition regardless of zinc status, but it had no effect on the growth rate of deficient rats. MA significantly decreased body weight of controls, uncoupling energy intake and gain. The results suggest that reduced food intake precedes the decreased plasma IGF-I concentration and that IGF-I is not responsible for the decreased growth and food intake of zinc-deficient rats. The appetite and growth impairment of zinc-deficient rats may arise from disrupted function of IGF-I receptors in the brain and peripheral tissues, but not from low circulating levels of IGF-I.
Toward Equilibrium: Fluctuations in Candidate Support during Presidential Campaigns

This paper takes a step towards a better understanding of the context within which campaign events influence public support for candidates in presidential general election campaigns. I revisit Holbrook’s (1996) hypothesis that public support tends to move toward the equilibrium (forecast). Holbrook tested the hypothesis for the 1984-92 campaigns (six conventions, seven debates). I extend the analysis to 1964-2008 for the conventions and 1976-2008 for the debates (24 conventions, 22 debates). In addition, I measure the impact of systematic and unsystematic campaign effects for 1948-2008 using a variation of Campbell’s (2008) approach.
Abstract 653: G-protein-coupled Receptor Kinase 4 Binds Preferentially To The Caveolin-1{alpha} Isoform In Rat Renal Proximal Tubule Cells

Caveolins, localized in lipid rafts of plasma membranes, tether and regulate signaling complexes into functional units and have been shown to inhibit g-protein-coupled receptor kinases GRK2 and GRK5 via the caveolin scaffolding domain. In human renal proximal tubule cells (RPTC), the dopamine-1-receptor (D1R) is phosphorylated and inhibited by G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4). Defects in D1R coupling leads to sodium-retention and a rise in blood pressure. We showed earlier that chronic disruption of lipid rafts or Caveolin-1 (Cav1) protein expression in the kidney induces hypertension in rats by relieving the steric inhibition of Cav1 on GRK4. Here we extend these studies by examining caveolin expression in renal proximal tubule cells microdissected from Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). We discovered a significant decrease in Cav1 and Cav2 expression in SHR compared to WKY (98 ±1.2% reduction; n=3, P
Effectiveness of Broad-Spectrum Chemical Produce Sanitizers against Foodborne Pathogens as In Vitro Planktonic Cells and on the Surface of Whole Cantaloupes and Watermelons.

ABSTRACT Over the past few years, foodborne disease outbreaks linked to enteric pathogens present on cantaloupe and watermelon surfaces have raised concerns in the melon industry. This research evaluated the effectiveness of commercially available produce sanitizers against selected foodborne pathogens, both in cell suspensions and on the outer rind surface of melons. The sanitizers (65 and 200 ppm of chlorine, 5 and 35% hydrogen peroxide, 5 and 50 ppm of liquid chlorine dioxide, various hydrogen peroxide–acid combinations, 0.78 and 2.5% organic acids, and 300 ppm of quaternary ammonium) were tested against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and non-O157 Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145). The cell suspension study revealed the ability of all tested sanitizers to reduce all selected pathogens by 0.6 to 9.6 log CFU/ml in vitro. In the melon study, significant differences in pathogen reduction were observed between sanitizers but not between melon...
Neonatal Periventricular Leukomalacia: Real-Time Sonographic Diagnosis with CT Correlation

The utility of real-time sonography in the diagnosis of neonatal periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) has been described only recently. Six cases are reported of PVL diagnosed by serial real-time scanning. The sonographic findings were correlated with the computed tomographic findings and the clinical history. In five of six infants in whom scanning was performed, characteristic multiseptated periventricular cavitations developed 2–3 weeks after birth or later. A transition from normal to increased periventricular echogenicity was often observed before the development of the periventricular cavitations in nonhemorrhagic PVL. The parenchymal abnormality demonstrated by sonography correlated well with an abnormal neurologic outcome. It is suggested that serial real-time scanning be performed in neonates whose history suggests the possibility of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Nonspecific predictors of PVL include seizures, apnea, disturbed mental status, abnormal muscle tone, and leg weakness.
CLOSING IN ON THE CRACK TIP

This paper addresses some of the issues involved in predicting fracture toughness of structural metals by linking the fracture process occurring at the crack tip through the plastic zone to the outer elastic field of a macroscopic crack. The link is extremely nonlinear giving rise to a macroscopic toughness which can be magnified many times the intrinsic work of the fracture process. The two principal fracture mechanisms considered are cleavage and void nucleation, growth and coalescence.
Void Evolution via Coupled Creep, Diffusion and Electromigration in Confined Nano-interconnects

A three dimensional electromigration model is presented to account for void evolution in small scale interconnects. The model provides better understanding of the evolution process by considering concurrent kinetics of creep flow and surface diffusion. The multiple kinetics and energetics are incorporated into a diffusive interface model. Simulations show that a shape stable in surface diffusion can become unstable in a creep dominated process, which leads to a quite different void morphology.
Distinct Cellular Mechanisms Underlie Anti-CTLA-4 and Anti-PD-1 Checkpoint Blockade

Immune-checkpoint blockade is able to achieve durable responses in a subset of patients; however, we lack a satisfying comprehension of the underlying mechanisms of anti-CTLA-4- and anti-PD-1-induced tumor rejection. To address these issues, we utilized mass cytometry to comprehensively profile the effects of checkpoint blockade on tumor immune infiltrates in human melanoma and murine tumor models. These analyses reveal a spectrum of tumor-infiltrating T cell populations that are highly similar between tumor models and indicate that checkpoint blockade targets only specific subsets of tumor-infiltrating T cell populations. Anti-PD-1 predominantly induces the expansion of specific tumor-infiltrating exhausted-like CD8 T cell subsets. In contrast, anti-CTLA-4 induces the expansion of an ICOS+ Th1-like CD4 effector population in addition to engaging specific subsets of exhausted-like CD8 T cells. Thus, our findings indicate that anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 checkpoint-blockade-induced immune responses are driven by distinct cellular mechanisms.
Investigating Projectile Point Raw Material Choices and Stylistic Variability in the Gallina Area of Northwestern New Mexico

Relatively little attention has been given to projectile point morphology and raw material use in the Gallina (AD 1100–1300) area of northwestern New Mexico. Analysis of projectile points among six...
Research on load curve clustering of distribution transformer based on wavelet transform and big data processing

It is very important to study the characteristics of the load curve of the distribution transformer for the low voltage transformation and transformer capacity of the distribution network. A clustering algorithm based on wavelet transform and big data processing method is proposed in this paper. The wavelet transform is applied to the feature extraction of the distribution load curve, and the clustering is improved by the improved quadratic clustering algorithm. It overcomes the shortcomings of traditional clustering convergence and sensitivity to the initial clustering center. By using the big data processing method in the Spark parallel processing framework to achieve the algorithm. Experiments show that the efficiency and accuracy of the algorithm are improved obviously.
Challenges associated with nerve conduction block using kilohertz electrical stimulation

Neuromodulation therapies, which electrically stimulate parts of the nervous system, have traditionally attempted to activate neurons or axons to restore function or alleviate disease symptoms. In stark contrast to this approach is inhibiting neural activity to relieve disease symptoms and/or restore homeostasis. One potential approach is kilohertz electrical stimulation (KES) of peripheral nerves-which enables a rapid, reversible, and localized block of conduction. This review highlights the existing scientific and clinical utility of KES and discusses the technical and physiological challenges that must be addressed for successful translation of KES nerve conduction block therapies.
How Risky Are ADHD Teen Drivers? Analysis of ADHD Teen Drivers Using Naturalistic Driving Data

Background Teens diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are involved in higher number of crashes (4 times higher) than non-ADHD teens. However, the specific behavioral factors behind this large discrepancy are largely unknown. Naturalistic driving studies (NDSs) offer a novel solution to obtaining objective measures of teens’ behavior, particularly those teens with ADHD. Methods A total of 100 teens who received a learner's permit and one of their parents from Southwest Virginia were recruited to participate in this study. Among the 100 participants, 10 were diagnosed with ADHD through reliable clinical assessment procedures and diagnoses. Participant's vehicles were instrumented with data acquisition system (DAS) that collected continuous driving performance data, vehicle data along with audio and video data for 15 to 24 months. Results Various objective driving measures were collected and this analysis focused on Crashes and Near Crashes (CNC) (measureable physical contact or near contact). Trained data coders have watched videos of CNC to determine the behavioral and environmental factors present 5 seconds prior and 1 sec after the onset of CNC events. This study has collected driving data for 305,185 trips totaling over 35,000 hours of driving. Preliminary coding efforts identified 82 crashes and 114 near-crashes. Analyses indicated that the ADHD teens had higher rates of CNC than their non-ADHD peers (22.6 vs. 11.5; p Conclusions These results provide corroborating information regarding higher crash rates for ADHD teens as well as further insight into the types of behaviors that ADHD teens are performing that contribute to this heightened crash risk. Identification of the specific driving behaviors that increase crash risks in novice teens, particularly teens with ADHD, will allow for the development of effective countermeasures to reduce and prevent injury in this vulnerable population.
Freedom of religion : a case study of the Church of Lukumí Babalú Ayé v. City of Hialeah

OF THE THESIS FREEDOM OF RELIGION: A CASE STUDY OF THE CHURCH OF LUKUMI BABALU AYE V. CITY OF HIALEAH by David Maurice Aelion Florida International University, 2010 Miami, Florida Professor Albert Wuaku, Major Professor This thesis attempted to explain society's worldview of Santeria and its practice of animal sacrifice, and the breakdown between the federal and local government after a 1993 Supreme Court ruling affirming their right to engage in this sacred ritual. Santeria practitioners are harassed and prosecuted for exercising their right to practice animal sacrifice. The research was intended to present the cosmology of the Lukumi tradition, the intellectual framework explored, a review of Freedom of Religion and the case of Lukumi v. Hialeah, and finally the media's role in shaping the worldview of Santeria that have perpetuated this breakdown. The thesis consisted of 87 research items, a community survey, interviews, a Santeria divination, and review of case law, books, newspaper and online journals. These findings demonstrated that freedom of religion is not so free in the U.S., and exists only to the extent the media and municipal laws choose to allow.
Families of Almost Disjoint Sets

In this section we collect a number of results which are loosely related by the use of families of almost disjoint sets.
Change of Epithelial Fate

Change of epithelial cell fate occurs in developmental, physiological, and pathological processes. While the initiation and outcome of the various processes may differ, many of the cellular and molecular controls are common. Using Drosophila gastrulation as a model, we describe in this chapter the molecular genetics of cell shape changes of the epithelial cells in the blastoderm. The columnar epithelial cells in the ventral region, which are destined to become mesodermal precursors, behave differently from cells in other regions of the early embryo and invaginate to the appropriate position during gastrulation. Genetic studies point to the involvement of the region specific transcription factor Snail and the ubiquitous adherens junctions and cytoskeleton. How cell fate determinants turn on ubiquitous machineries to achieve the coordinated cell movements during gastrulation is being elucidated and is a fascinating area of research that attracts the attention of scientists from various disciplines.
Some Small Fever: Picturing the Queer Domestic Uncanny—A Conversation with Bryson Rand

Emerging out of in-person conversations, this interview was conducted over e-mail between May and September 2017. This is an edited version of that conversation. Max J. Andrucki and New York photog...
Measuring Metacognitive Awareness: Applying Multiple, Triangulated, and Mixed-Methods Approaches for an Encompassing Measure of Metacognitive Awareness

The article provides an overview of the quantitative analysis of teachers’ metacognitive awareness. The purpose of the overview is to express the need for encompassing measures of metacognition for improving metacognitive awareness in the field of technology and engineering education. The data presented come from using the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory to measure technology and engineering teachers’ metacognitive awareness at the end of 2 specific professional development (PD) programs. The study had a sample size of 21. Participants were combined into 3 groups based on their participation in the PD programs. Group 1 consisted of teachers that actively participated in the Transforming Teaching through Implementing Inquiry (T2I2) PD program. Group 2 consisted of teachers that were selected for but did not actively participate in T2I2 PD program. Group 3 consisted of teachers that completed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards PD program.
388 OXIDATIVE STRESS IN OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

Background In adult studies, elevated concentrations of oxidative stress markers have been associated with obesity and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Objective To compare concentrations of urinary oxidative stress markers between overweight and normal-weight children and adolescents. Methods and Patients This pilot study compared data from 23 children and adolescents with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile, in good health conditions except for their obesity, with a group of 17 normal BMI percentile peers. Oxidative stress test, which includes 8-epi-PGF2£ and 8-epi-PGF2£/creatinine ratio, were measured in a spot urine morning sample. Spearman correlation and nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis. Results The group of overweight children was composed of 14 boys and 9 females, with a mean age of 12.3 ± 2.0 years and a mean BMI Z-score of 2.1 ± 0.4; the group of normal-weight children had 12 boys and 5 girls, with a mean age of 13.7 ± 2.2 and a mean BMI Z-score of −0.5 ± 1.3. There was no significant difference between groups in 8-epi-PG F2£ (2,561.8 ± 1,578.2 vs 2,601.5 ± 1,337.2 pg/mL, p = .7) or 8-epi-PGF2£/creatinine ratio (17.2 ± 5.2 vs 17.9 ± 5.9, p = .8). 8-epi-PG F2£ was not correlated with BMI or BMI Z-score. Conclusion In this group of overweight children and adolescents, oxidative stress markers were not significantly elevated or correlated with BMI.
Detecting Endogenous Microbial Metabolism and Differentiating Between Abiotic and Biotic Signals Observed by Bioelectrochemical Systems in Soils.

Unambiguous detection of chemical and physical signatures of microbial life on Mars or other solar system bodies requires differentiation between signals produced by biotic and abiotic processes; i...
TNF controls a speed-accuracy tradeoff in apoptotic decision to restrict viral spread

To prevent viral spread cells must commit apoptosis upon initial indications of infection. However, decisions based on limited evidence can be erroneous and cause unnecessary tissue damage. How cells optimize their decision making strategy is unclear. Here we show that exposure to TNF, which is secreted by macrophages during viral infection, causes cells to change their decision strategy from "slow and accurate" to a "fast and error-prone". Mathematical modeling combined with experiments in cell culture and mouse corneas shows that the regulation of the apoptotic decision strategy is critical to prevent HSV-1 spread. These findings demonstrate that immune regulation of cellular cognitive processes dynamically changes a tissues9 tolerance to damage, which is required to protect against pathogen spread.