cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations Among Dispositional Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Executive Function Proficiency in Early Adolescents

The study objective was to examine the effects of two conceptually related constructs, self-compassion and dispositional mindfulness, on executive function (EF) proficiency among early adolescents. Executive function refers to a set of psychological processes governing emotional regulation, organization, and planning. While the benefits of positive psychology appear evident for mental health and wellness, little is known about the etiological relationship between dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion in their associations with EF. Two hundred and ten early adolescents attending middle school (age M=12.5 years; SD=0.5; 21% Hispanic, 18% Mixed/bi-racial, 47% White, and 9% Other/Missing; 37.1% on free lunch program) self-reported levels of dispositional mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale; MAAS), self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale; SCS; self-judgment and self-kindness domains), and EF proficiency (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function; BRIEF-SR). A sequential linear regression stepwise approach was taken entering the independent variables as separate models in the following order: self-kindness, self-judgement, and dispositional mindfulness. All models controlled for participant age and sex. SCS self-kindness was not associated with EF proficiency, but SCS self-judgment (reverse-coded) contributed to the variance in EF (β=0.40, p<.001). When adding MAAS to the model, MAAS scores were significantly associated with EF (β=0.64, p<.001) and accounted for the initial variance explained by SCS. When considering the influence of positive psychology constructs on EF proficiency in adolescents, the measure of dispositional mindfulness appears to outweigh that of specific self-compassion domains, when independent of contemplative training.
Recursive Spoke Darts: Local Hyperplane Sampling for Delaunay and Voronoi Meshing in Arbitrary Dimensions

Abstract We introduce Recursive Spoke Darts (RSD): a recursive hyperplane sampling algorithm that exploits the full duality between Voronoi and Delaunay entities of various dimensions. Our algorithm abandons the dependence on the empty sphere principle in the generation of Delaunay simplices providing the foundation needed for scalable consistent meshing. The algorithm relies on two simple operations: line-hyperplane trimming and spherical range search. Consequently, this approach improves scalability as multiple processors can operate on different seeds at the same time. Moreover, generating consistent meshes across processors eliminates the communication needed between them, improving scalability even more. We introduce a simple tweak to the algo- rithm which makes it possible not to visit all vertices of a Voronoi cell, generating almost-exact Delaunay graphs while avoiding the natural curse of dimensionality in high dimensions.
Comprehensive modeling of prompt fission neutrons and γ rays in the spontaneous fission of 252Cf

We present a comprehensive set of calculations performed with the Monte Carlo Hauser-Feshbach code CGMF of the prompt fission neutrons and γ rays emitted in the spontaneous fission of Cf-252. This reaction has been studied in depth over the years and provides an almost perfect test for the assumptions, parameters and output of the CGMF code. Here we present results for prompt neutron observables beyond the ubiquitous average prompt fission neutron spectrum and multiplicity. In particular, we compare CGMF calculations to experimental data on neutron data per fragment mass split, neutron-light fragment and neutron-neutron angular distributions, and on the time dependence of the average prompt γ-ray multiplicity. Finally, we briefly discuss the recent integration of CGMF into the MCNP6.2 transport code.
Self Adjoint Operator Ostrowski Inequalities

We present here several self adjoint operator Ostrowski type inequalities to all directions.
Synthesis and characterization of partially fluorinated aerogels and xerogels from environmentally-compatible precursors

A new fluorocyclic silane monomer was prepared from environmentally benign and commercially available starting reagents in two, high yielding steps. The monomer was characterized by multi-nuclear NMR (1H, 13C, 19F, and 29Si). The monomer was used in the preparation of the first known fluorocyclic aerogels and xerogels. Due to the hydrophobic nature of the fluorocyclic monomer, a modified sol–gel synthesis was utilized in which a minimum amount of water was used. The mol% of the fluorocyclic monomer was systematically varied in both types of silica gels and the effects on the properties of the aerogels and xerogels was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, BET surface area measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. It was determined that in both aerogels and xerogels, increasing the mol% of the fluorocyclic monomer resulted in condensed materials (i.e., pore collapse). Increased monomer concentration affected the gels thermal stability as the monomer is more susceptible to thermal decomposition than the silica gel. Pore collapse accelerates this effect as the condensed medium dissipates heat less efficiently.
Blackademic Negotiations When the Ivory Tower Isn't Enough: Finding Pathways to Activism as an Emerging Black Scholar

This reflexive essay chronicles the last two years of the author's PhD program and the negotiations of an emerging black female critical scholar in response to the growing tensions between academic obligations and growing racial unrest. Guiding questions of, “what are you going to do? And what are you willing to pay?” were used to think through what it meant to dedicate oneself to critical social justice work and apply that dedication to everyday practices despite perceived limitations.
Evaluating Public Health Interventions: 6. Modeling Ratios or Differences? Let the Data Tell Us

We provide an overview of the relative merits of ratio measures (relative risks, risk ratios, and rate ratios) compared with difference measures (risk and rate differences). We discuss evidence that the multiplicative model often fits the data well, so that rarely are interactions with other risk factors for the outcome observed when one uses a logistic, relative risk, or Cox regression model to estimate the intervention effect. As a consequence, additive models, which estimate the risk or rate difference, will often exhibit interactions. Under these circumstances, absolute measures of effect, such as years of life lost, disability- or quality-adjusted years of life lost, and number needed to treat, will not be externally generalizable to populations other than those with similar risk factor distributions as the population in which the intervention effect was estimated. Nevertheless, these absolute measures are often of the greatest importance in public health decision-making. When studies of high-risk study populations are used to more efficiently estimate effects, these populations will not be representative of the general population's risk factor distribution. The relative homogeneity of ratio versus absolute measures will thus have important implications for the generalizability of results across populations.
Particle removal mechanisms in synergistic aging of polymers and glass reinforced polymer composites under combined UV and water

Abstract Complex degradation processes occur during synergistic aging of polymers and Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) by UV radiation and water condensation at elevated temperatures. The damage is associated with the formation of surface micro-particles and their subsequent removal by slowly moving water. The particle removal significantly accelerates the overall degradation process of the materials [1]. In this research, hydrodynamic effects have been analyzed to explain removals of micro-particles from polymeric materials affected by synergistic aging by UV and water. Viscous shear stresses generated by slowly moving water were determined on polymer surfaces as a function of surface morphology, flow rates, and volumetric forces. Subsequently, a new micro-particle removal mechanism was suggested by comparing the adhesion forces calculated using the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) model and the Hamaker approach with the drag forces created by slow water flows. In the experimental part, the particle removal mechanism has been verified on an inclined unidirectional glass/epoxy surface with randomly distributed epoxy particles subjected to a gravitational flow of water. It has been shown that the movement of polymer particles on polymer/composite surfaces depends very strongly on particle sizes, water velocity and surface morphology. The research presented in this study clearly explains why polymer and GRP degradation by UV in the presence of occasional slow water flows is much faster than just by the individual exposure to UV radiation reported in Ref. 1.
Medical Sensors for the Diagnosis and Management of Disease: The Physician Perspective.

The objective of this paper is to assist developers of medical sensors to better formulate the clinically relevant design criteria and required performance characteristics of their novel sensor based on an understanding of how these devices will be used by physicians. Sensor technologies play a central role in medicine, and the most critical aspect of the sensor’s clinical utility relates to these design decisions. Clinically, sensors are used by health care providers to make both diagnostic and management decisions, and the sensors that aid in these decisions are evaluated by certain clinical, as well as analytical, criteria. Failure to adequately address these end-user requirements can lead to the development of sensors without clinical utility.
Regional variation in the cost of infrainguinal lower extremity bypass surgery in the United States.

Abstract Background Lower extremity bypass (LEB) remains the gold standard revascularization procedure in patients with peripheral arterial disease. The cost of LEB substantially varies based on patient's characteristics and comorbidities. The aim of this study was to assess regional variation in infrainguinal LEB cost and to identify the specific health care expenditures per service that are associated with the highest cost in each region. Methods We identified adult patients who underwent infrainguinal LEB in the Premier database between June 2009 and March 2015. Generalized linear regression models were used to report differences between regions in total in-hospital cost and service-specific cost adjusting for patient's demographics, clinical characteristics, and hospital factors. Results A total of 50,131 patients were identified. The median in-hospital cost was $13,259 (interquartile range, $9308-$19,590). The cost of LEB was significantly higher in West and Northeast regions with a median cost of nearly $16,000. The high cost in the Northeast region was driven by the fixed (indirect) cost, whereas the driver of the high cost in the West region was the variable (direct) cost. The adjusted total in-hospital cost was significantly higher in all regions compared with the South (mean difference, West, $3752 [95% confidence interval (CI), 3477-4027]; Northeast, $2959 [95% CI, 2703-3216]; Midwest, 1586 [95% CI, 1364-1808]). Conclusions In this study, we show the marked regional variability in LEB costs. This disparity was independent from patient clinical condition and hospital factors. Cost inequality across the US represents a financial burden on both the patient and the health system.
CHOLESTEROL EMBOLISM: A MULTIPLE-SYSTEM DISEASE MASQUERADING AS POLYARTERITIS NODOSA.

Abstract The clinical picture and necropsy data of 2 cases of cholesterol embolism, clinically masquerading as polyarteritis nodosa, are described. In 1 case, the correct diagnosis was made during life by biopsy of the skin. The clinical entity of cholesterol embolism is defined as the rupture of intimal atheromas of the aorta causing impaction of cholesterol crystals in small arteries of many organs and a characteristic picture of sudden obliterative arteritis primarily throughout the lower half of the body. Some of the specific clinical features are (1) the abrupt onset of scattered intense pains in the legs and feet with subcutaneous and muscular nodules or gangrene despite, in some cases, paradoxically normal peripheral arterial pulses; (2) abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting suggesting pancreatitis and/or gastrointestinal or splenic infarction; (3) arterial hypertension thought to be secondary to impairment of renal function; (4) livedo reticularis or cyanosis of the legs and lower trunk within a few days after the onset of pain and hypertension; (5) less commonly, neurologic symptoms and possible funduscopic demonstration of retinal emboli; (6) laboratory evidence of neutrophilic leukocytosis, transient eosinophilia, markedly increased sedimentation rate, hematuria, albuminuria, azotemia and melena; and (7) a biopsy showing cholesterol crystal emboli. Although some of the features suggest a state of hypersensitivity, recognition of the distinctive pattern found in our 2 cases may allow the clinician to differentiate cholesterol embolism from polyarteritis nodosa. Final diagnosis rests upon the biopsy showing the characteristic histologic changes. A new gradation of the histologic changes into four stages of evolution is suggested.
Dimensions of Cooperative Classroom Structures

The case for cooperative learning has been made on many grounds; it usually (1) enhances student achievement, especially the achievement of minority and low-achieving students; (2) improves cross-ethnic relations; (3) aids in the successful mainstreaming of handicapped students; (4) facilitates the maintenance of minority cultural values; (5) promotes positive social relations and prosocial development; and (6) increases the liking among students for class, school, learning, and self. The theoretical arguments and the empirical data that support such claims have been presented in various forms (Aronson, 1978; Johnson & Johnson, 1975; Johnson, Maruyama, Johnson, Nelson, & Skon, 1981; Johnson, Rynders, Johnson, Schmidt, & Haider, 1979; Kagan, 1980, 1983; Sharan, 1980; Sharan & Sharan, 1976; Slavin, 1980a, 1983).
Greco-Roman Sex Ratios and Femicide in Comparative Perspective

Is it possible to demonstrate that ancient Greeks or Romans disposed of newborn daughters in ways that skewed sex ratios in favor of males? Epigraphic, papyrological, and archaeological evidence fails to provide reliable empirical support for this notion. At the same time, we cannot rule out the possibility that femicide did in fact occur. Drawing on comparative anthropological and historical evidence, this paper briefly develops two models of femicidal practice.
Community Enforcement of Trust with Bounded Memory

We examine how trust is sustained in large societies with random matching, when records of past transgressions are retained for a finite length of time. To incentivize trustworthiness, defaulters should be punished by temporary exclusion. However, it is profitable to trust defaulters who are on the verge of rehabilitation. With perfect bounded information, defaulter exclusion unravels and trust cannot be sustained, in any purifiable equilibrium. A coarse information structure, that pools recent defaulters with those nearing rehabilitation, endogenously generates adverse selection, sustaining punishments. Equilibria where defaulters are trusted with positive probability improve efficiency, by raising the proportion of likely re-offenders in the pool of defaulters.
Source Locality Effects on Restoration Potential in Sphagnum palustre L. from 3 Ohio Sites

Understanding whether propagules from different donor sources differ in their performance at a site may be important for restoration of many habitats. This study aimed at evaluating source effects in Sphagnum palustre L, a peatland moss species, for potential use in a restoration setting. Tamarack Bog, a remnant peatland in Bath Township, Ohio, is being restored. One goal is to increase Sphagnum coverage. This study focused on the dominant species of peat moss at the bog, S. palustre . To test for source effects, S. palustre and water samples were collected from 3 different locations (Mentor Marsh, Tamarack Bog, and Singer Lake) and used in 2 experiments. Plant performance was assessed by measuring growth in length and increase in mass. In the first experiment, a full factorial test was conducted: moss sampled from each location was grown directly in water collected from each location. In the second experiment—also a full factorial test—moss sampled from each location was separately grown on a uniform, commercially harvested, peat substrate and supplied with water collected from each location. In the design of both experiments, local adaptation would be indicated by better performance (both experiments measured length change and mass change, plus capitulum counts in the second experiment) for plants grown in their home water source than for plants grown in water from other sites. Ultimately, the study team did not observe evidence for local adaptation in these experiments. However, there were strong plant source effects in both experiments and some indication of differences in response to the water from different sources. Interpreting these results from a restoration standpoint, using donor plants from several source sites may improve the success of restoration.
Improving DC Circuit Breaker Performance Through an Alternate Commutating Circuit

Fault interruption in de circuits is more challenging than in their ac counterparts. The absence of natural current zero crossing along with resistive nature of the dc grids creates a significantly higher fault current to disrupt at the dc circuit breakers. Available approaches to break dc fault currents include creating forced zero-crossing current at the breaker or employing solid-state circuit breakers. This paper summarizes the current dc breaker technologies and proposes a new alternate method. The proposed mechanism is a mechanical circuit breaker that utilizes two switches, of which one generates zero-crossing with an alternate oscillatory circuit for the other one, which can be a conventional zero crossing-based ac breaker and is used in the main circuit. This is different than the conventional single-switch commute-and-absorb method currently used. It is shown that the proposed oscillatory circuit improves the fault current extinction and significantly reduces the voltage rate-of-change while creating the current zero-crossing faster, when compared to the available technology. Thus, the proposed mechanism is capable of interrupting high de currents with minimal arc through a less expensive ac circuit breaker. Simulation and hardware results are provided to show the efficiency of the proposed breaker.
Deformable Part Models for Complex Object Detection in Remote Sensing Imagery

Image understanding is a difficult problem even in its simplest form because, objects, based on a variety of factors, can have a wide range of intra-class variability. Consider people standing, sitting, facing backward, etc. Beyond recognition, detection requires the localization of the object which can become a costly search problem of the image if not given any heuristics. The problem of detecting objects within in an image has been a vastly investigated problem, but if we consider entities of an even higher, more complex level, such as nuclear plants, how do we begin to approach a solution? In this paper, we explore the state of the art, deformable part models (DPMs), and their applicability for complex object detection in very high-resolution satellite images. A deformable part model, or DPM, is a method used for object detection in images that leverages the fact that objects are inherently made up of a collection of parts. Each part of an object is connected to one or more other parts in a treelike structure. These parts can vary in distance, orientation, or pose with respect to one another but, within some reasonable range, still be considered the skeleton of the same object. DPMs compensate for this property of various objects by utilizing histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) features for object representation at coarse and fine scales, pictorial structures [8], and application of a deformation cost on that pictorial structure. As such, these models can allow for variations in object pose, shape, and viewpoints while still remaining a very specific representation of that object describing not only the object as a whole, but also each of its distinct parts and their spatial relationships. In this paper, we investigate the landscape of research regarding DPMs, how this class of methods for object detection have evolved, and what remains to be explored to make the method more suitable for high-level, complex geospatial object understanding.
Assessing Implicit and Explicit Attitudes about Classism

ABSTRACTExtensive research demonstrates that corresponding implicit and explicit attitudes are less similar when examined socially sensitive topics. However, little research has examined attitudes ...
Haunted by Chaos: China’s Grand Strategy from Mao Zedong to Xi Jinping

“Empires arise from chaos and empires collapse back into chaos. This we have known since time began.” (Luo Guanzhong, 2017. p. 1.)Sulmaan Wasif Khan opens Haunted by Chaos: China’s Grand Strategy f...
Nitric oxide metabolism in the human placenta during aberrant maternal inflammation

Key points Nitric oxide (NO) is a gasotransmitter with important physiological and pathophysiological roles in pregnancy. There is limited information available about the sources and metabolism of NO and its bioactive metabolites (NOx) in both normal and complicated pregnancies. The present study characterized and quantified endogenous NOx in human and mouse placenta following determination of the stability of exogenous NOx in placental homogenates. NOx have differential stability in placental homogenates. NO and iron nitrosyl species (FeNOs), are relatively unstable in placental homogenates from normal placentas. Exogenous NO, nitrite and nitrosothiols react with placental homogenates to form iron nitrosyl complexes. FeNOs were also detected endogenously in mouse and human placenta. NOx levels in placental villous tissue are increased in fetal growth restriction vs. placentas from women with normal pregnancies, particularly in fetal growth restriction associated with pre-eclampsia. Villitis was not associated, however, with an increase in NOx levels in either normotensive or pre-eclamptic placentas. The results call for further investigation of FeNOs in normal and complicated pregnancies. Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is a gasotransmitter with important roles in pregnancy under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Although products of NO metabolism (NOx) also have significant bioactivity, little is known about the role of NO and NOx under conditions of aberrant placental inflammation during pregnancy. An ozone-based chemiluminescence approach was used to investigate the stability and metabolic fate of NOx in human placental homogenates from uncomplicated pregnancies in healthy mothers compared to that in placental tissue from normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies complicated with fetal growth restriction (FGR) with and without villitis of unknown aetiology. We hypothesized that placental NOx would be increased in FGR vs. normal tissue, and be further increased in villitis vs. non-villitis placentas. Findings indicate that nitrate, nitrite and nitrosothiols, but not NO or iron nitrosyl species (FeNOs), are relatively stable in placental homogenates from normal placentas, and that NO, nitrite and nitrosothiols react with placental homogenates to form iron nitrosyl complexes. Furthermore, NOx levels in placental villous tissue are increased in FGR vs. placentas from women with normal pregnancies, particularly in FGR associated with pre-eclampsia. However, in contrast to our hypothesis, villitis was not associated with an increase in NOx levels in either normotensive or pre-eclamptic placentas. Our results also strongly support the involvement of FeNOs in both mouse and human placenta, and call for their further study as a critical mechanistic link between pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction.
Vulnerable robots positively shape human conversational dynamics in a human-robot team.

Social robots are becoming increasingly influential in shaping the behavior of humans with whom they interact. Here, we examine how the actions of a social robot can influence human-to-human communication, and not just robot–human communication, using groups of three humans and one robot playing 30 rounds of a collaborative game (n = 51 groups). We find that people in groups with a robot making vulnerable statements converse substantially more with each other, distribute their conversation somewhat more equally, and perceive their groups more positively compared to control groups with a robot that either makes neutral statements or no statements at the end of each round. Shifts in robot speech have the power not only to affect how people interact with robots, but also how people interact with each other, offering the prospect for modifying social interactions via the introduction of artificial agents into hybrid systems of humans and machines.
Communication: Variation after response in quantum Monte Carlo

We present a new method for modeling electronically excited states that overcomes a key failing of linear response theory by allowing the underlying ground state ansatz to relax in the presence of an excitation. The method is variational, has a cost similar to ground state variational Monte Carlo, and admits both open and periodic boundary conditions. We present preliminary numerical results showing that, when paired with the Jastrow antisymmetric geminal power ansatz, the variation-after-response formalism delivers accuracies for valence and charge transfer single excitations on par with equation of motion coupled cluster, while surpassing coupled cluster’s accuracy for excitations with significant doubly excited character.
Multi-Hop Network Based Coordination of Converters in DC Microgrids

Microgrids with power electronic converters at major interfaces between sources and sinks of energy, such as DC microgrids, present an opportunity for highly specific routing of energy if converters are coordinated appropriately. Developments in SiC power devices are yielding converters with far greater switching frequencies than Si based devices resulting in an order of magnitude reduction of the control time scales as compared to converter systems utilizing conventional IGBTs. In addition there has been continued development toward more modular converter systems. Both of those trends have resulted in the use of FPGA-based control platforms for power electronic systems. Increasing communication and computational capabilities of new FPGA based controllers provides opportunities beyond simply supporting high speed converters. Fast control coordination across the system using a multi-hop communication architecture provides a degree of energy management not previously realizable in microgrids.
Quantitative Analysis of the Internet Economy

Since the beginning of the 21st century, China has made great strides in the development of the Internet, which has had an extensive and far-reaching impact on the economy and society. This has led to a growing number of scholars’ attention paid to issues related to the Internet and economic development. The Internet provides a superior information platform for all economic entities, enabling economic exchanges to transcend the constraints of time and space. And on the basis of expanding the scope of transactions, reducing transaction costs, it deepens the social division of labor, creating more job vacancies, which is one of the crucial driving forces of economic development in the new era, whose role has been irreplaceable: On the one hand, as an important symbol of the knowledge economy era and the main carrier of information life, the Internet serves as the bearer of the development of a new industry - the Internet industry, making it grow and expand at an alarming rate and transform into a new force in China’s industry, injecting vitality into economic growth; besides, the Internet, by virtue of its information platform and technological advantages, has brought opportunities and changes to traditional industries in many aspects. As can be seen, it is no longer possible to study economic growth without paying attention to the role of Internet factors. Therefore, this paper builds an economic growth model, selects appropriate variables and data, studies the magnitude of Internet development’s contribution to the economy, and discusses the characteristics of the Internet’s economic promotion effect under the analysis of the current situation, characteristics and trends of China’s Internet development.
“The hardest thing was being there and the most rewarding thing was being there”: Nursing in Vietnam

Focusing on women’s responsibilities as nurses in the Vietnam War, this chapter describes the care they provided to the wounded and dying American soldiers as well as Vietnamese civilians, North and South Vietnamese military, and the Viet Cong. The graphic descriptions of the injuries they treated illustrate the traumatic nature of their work and reveal the psychological and physical stress they endured and the defense mechanisms they developed to protect themselves from the emotional nature of their work. Women also reflect on the moral and ethical dilemmas of wartime nursing and describe the military protocol for treating patients. This chapter also discusses humanitarian missions in Vietnam including the Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP). In addition, women also reflect on the rewarding aspects of nursing in Vietnam.
Synthetic fuel development: Potential socioeconomic impacts of single and multiple projects

Abstract As a result of the perceived vulnerability of the USA due to dependency on foreign petroleum supply sources, both public and private agencies have sought to speed the development of synthetic fuels. Given the concentration of the necessary natural resources, such development is likely to have significant social consequences. In this paper, the authors draw upon experience gained in conducting social impact analyses on six proposed Department of Energy demonstration facilities. Attention is focused on the cumulative impacts anticipated in the region surrounding the Newman, Kentucky, site of the Solvent Refined Coal-I project. The authors offer generalizations about community impacts and policy implications, relevant not only to synthetic fuels but also to other high technology energy systems.
Properties of virus-induced NK cells correlating with their ability to kill activated CD4 T cells (IRM7P.489)

Activated natural killer (NK) cells induced during viral infections of mice can regulate adaptive immunity by lysing activated CD4 T cells. This seems to be a general property of interferon-inducing viruses, but the efficiency of this process is in part dependent on the nature of the instigating virus. Here we examined the differential expression of activating and inhibitory receptors on NK cells from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and vaccinia virus (VACV)-infected mice, because NK cells from VACV-infected mice were far less efficient at killing activated CD4 T cells than those from LCMV-infected mice. Relative to expression levels on LCMV-activated NK cells, NKG2A expression was higher in VACV-induced NK cells while NKG2D was lower. NK cells activated by infections with LCMV, Pichinde virus (PV), mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) displayed similar expression patterns for all of the examined receptors, whereas VACV-induced cells had a distinct expression pattern. Another major difference between VACV-induced NK cells and NK cells activated by the other viruses was in the expression of granzyme B, an essential component of NK cell-mediated cytolysis. VACV-induced NK cells expressed granzyme B at lower levels than NK cells from mice infected with LCMV, PV, MHV A59, or MCMV. These results indicate that the NK cell receptor expression and the cytolytic activity of NK cells can vary with the infecting virus.
Historical Overview of Vitamin D

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the discovery of vitamin D and its uses. It begins with a critical description of the early nutritional views on vitamins. Following this, it presents the experiment carried out by McCollum and Osborne and Mendel, which lead to the discovery of Vitamin A and B Complex. From irradiation of mixtures of plant sterols, Windaus and colleagues isolated a material that was active in healing rickets. This substance was called “vitamin D 1 ,” but its structure was not determined. Vitamin D 1 proved to be an adduct of tachysterol and vitamin D 2 , and thus vitamin D 1 was actually an error in identification. Besides bone mineralization, the earliest discovered function of vitamin D is its important role in the absorption and utilization of calcium. For many years, investigators have attempted to show that vitamin D plays a role directly on the mineralization process of the skeleton. Experiments have shown that vitamin D does not play a significant role in the actual mineralization process of the skeleton but that the failure to mineralize the skeleton in vitamin D deficiency is due to inadequate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the plasma. Thus, the action of vitamin D in mineralizing the skeleton and in preventing hypocalcemic tetany is the elevation of plasma calcium and phosphorus. These discoveries finally laid to rest the concept of a role of vitamin D in mineralization.
The Campylobacter jejuni stringent response controls specific stress survival and virulence‐associated phenotypes

Campylobacter jejuni is a highly prevalent food-borne pathogen that causes diarrhoeal disease in humans. A natural zoonotic, it must overcome significant stresses both in vivo and during transmission despite the absence of several traditional stress response genes. Although relatively little is understood about its mechanisms of pathogenesis, its ability to interact with and invade human intestinal epithelial cells closely correlates with virulence. A C. jejuni microarray-based screen revealed that several known virulence genes and several uncharacterized genes, including spoT, were rapidly upregulated during infection of human epithelial cells. spoT and its homologue relA have been shown in other bacteria to regulate the stringent response, an important stress response that to date had not been demonstrated for C. jejuni or any other epsilon-proteobacteria. We have found that C. jejuni mounts a stringent response that is regulated by spoT. Detailed analyses of a C. jejuni delta spoT mutant revealed that the stringent response is required for several specific stress, transmission and antibiotic resistance-related phenotypes. These include stationary phase survival, growth and survival under low CO2/high O2 conditions, and rifampicin resistance. A secondary suppressor strain that specifically rescues the low CO2 growth defect of the delta spoT mutant was also isolated. The stringent response additionally proved to be required for the virulence-related phenotypes of adherence, invasion, and intracellular survival in two human epithelial cell culture models of infection; spoT is the first C. jejuni gene shown to participate in longer term survival in epithelial cells. Microarray analyses comparing wild-type to the delta spoT mutant also revealed a strong correlation between gene expression profiles and phenotype differences observed. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role for the C. jejuni stringent response in multiple aspects of C. jejuni biology and pathogenesis and, further, may lend novel insight into unexplored features of the stringent response in other prokaryotic organisms.
Subnatural linewidths in two-photon excited-state spectroscopy.

We investigate, theoretically and experimentally, absorption on an excited-state atomic transition in a thermal vapor where the lower state is coherently pumped. We find that the transition linewidth can be subnatural, that is, less than the combined linewidth of the lower and upper state. For the specific case of the $6{P}_{3/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}7{S}_{1/2}$ transition in room temperature cesium vapor, we measure a minimum linewidth of 6.6 MHz compared with the natural width of 8.5 MHz. Using perturbation techniques, an expression for the complex susceptibility is obtained which provides excellent agreement with the measured spectra.
20/20 Analysis: Taking a Close Look at the Margins

This article presents "20/20 Analysis" as an experimental, output-oriented, noncategorical alternative to traditional approaches to identification of students for special education. 20/20 Analysis identifies students showing least (below 20th percentile) and most (above 80th percentile) progress toward important objectives of education in a school. The situation of each student in low 20% and high 20% groups is then examined as a basis for broad (noncategorical) approaches to improvement of learning opportunities. Case studies of two schools are present. Policy implications are considered briefly.
Optical and Motor Factors in the Formation of the Retinal Image

Recent work on eye movement, pupil and accommodation responses is reviewed with emphasis on the relevance of the results to retinal-image formation. Diffraction, chromatic and spherical aberration, and transmission characteristics of the eye, and also new findings concerning the light distribution in the image in the intact human eye are discussed. An introduction is given to the Fourier approach to the analysis of the preformance of the eye and visual system.
Sedation of newborn infants for the INSURE procedure, are we sure?

Background. Neonatal intubation is a stressful procedure that requires premedication to improve intubation conditions and reduce stress and adverse physiological responses. Premedication used during the INSURE (INtubation, SURfactant therapy, Extubation) procedure should have a very short duration of action with restoration of spontaneous breathing within a few minutes. Aims. To determine the best sedative for intubation during the INSURE procedure by systematic review of the literature. Methods. We reviewed all relevant studies reporting on premedication, distress, and time to restoration of spontaneous breathing during the INSURE procedure. Results. This review included 12 studies: two relatively small studies explicitly evaluated the effect of premedication (propofol and remifentanil) during the INSURE procedure, both showing good intubation conditions and an average extubation time of about 20 minutes. Ten studies reporting on fentanyl or morphine provided insufficient information about these items. Conclusions. Too little is known in the literature to draw a solid conclusion on which premedication could be best used during the INSURE procedure. Both remifentanil and propofol are suitable candidates but dose-finding studies to detect effective nontoxic doses in newborns with different gestational ages are necessary.
Correlation between herpes simplex virus type 1 rate of reactivation from latent infection and the number of infected neurons in trigeminal ganglia.

Abstract The presence of wild-type herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and several latency associated transcript (LAT) region mutants within the trigeminal ganglia (TG) of latently infected mice was examined. A combination of methods including conventional in situ hybridization to detect viral LAT and an in situ DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect viral DNA was used. These data show that, for all virus strains in which a comparison was possible, the population of neurons expressing detectable levels of LAT was approximately one-third the total number of viral DNA-containing cells. In addition, in situ PCR analysis revealed that mutants such as 17ΔSty, 17ΔBstE, and 17ΔS/N, which contain deletions within the LAT locus which do not affect the kinetics of viral reactivation from explanted murine TG, are present in as many neurons as wild-type virus. This was true regardless of the ability to induce accumulation of intact 2.0-kb LAT. On the other hand, mutant 17ΔN/H, which contains a deletion removing the LAT promoter and surrounding genomic region and reactivates slowly from explanted TG, was present in only one-sixth as many neurons as wild-type virus. These data show that detection of mutants unable to synthesize or accumulate 2.0-kb LAT (such as 17ΔN/H) is possible with in situ DNA PCR and that the slow reactivation phenotype of 17ΔN/H correlates with a reduced number of HSV DNA-containing neurons.
Quality of care in labor and delivery: a paradox in the Dominican Republic; commentary

Overall the issues contributing to maternal mortality in the Dominican Republic as described in the Miller paper were issues of quality of care. These can be addressed by increased organizational commitment to high quality institutional care at delivery and supporting medical staff through improving knowledge attitudes and skills supportive supervision supplies and infrastructure. Women in the Dominican Republic have embraced the notion of deliveries in hospitals and they have a right to expect quality obstetric services to be provided that the institutions will be appropriately staffed with trained providers and with the appropriate organizational support. At the same time to provide competent care and be held accountable for fulfilling their clients’ rights to quality services providers must be able to count on organizational support in terms of adequate and appropriate management and supervision training infrastructure equipment and supplies. The service provision system in the Dominican Republic needs to be reviewed and reorganized to ensure the appropriate utilization of available resources. It is imperative that peripheral facilities are strengthened (in terms of staff skills resource allocation implementation and operationalization of standards and norms). This would reduce overutilization of referral centers for basic obstetric care and focus attention at referral centers on responding to those who need emergency obstetric care. (excerpt)
Analysis of the 5′ flanking region of the human β-glucuronidase gene

Abstract We have sequenced 4.2 kb of the 5′ flanking region of the human β-glucuronidase gene, compared this sequence to the 5′ upstream sequence reported for the murine gene, determined the transcription start sites of the human gene, and studied expression of human minigene deletion constructs in COS cells. The 200 bp immediately 5′ to the translation initiation codon have a high G + C content (72%) and contain no TATA box, two properties commonly associated with “housekeeping genes.” The sequence 5′ to −200 bp contains seven Alu repetitive elements which account for more than 50% of this flanking sequence. From deletion analysis of minigene constructs, 200 bp of 5′ sequence appeared sufficient for maximal expression in transfected COS cells. S1 nuclease protection analysis showed that transcription initiates from a cluster of sites around −30 bp in all tissues examined. In some cases, a low but detectable level of transcription also initiates 126 bp upstream of the ATG. Inspection of the sequence surrounding both start sites revealed some similarity to the recently described “initiator” transcriptional control element ( S. T. Smale and D. Baltimore (1989) , Cell 57: 103–113). Comparison of the 5′ flanking sequence with that available from the murine β-glucuronidase gene reveals only one 28-bp highly conserved region, which surrounds the −126 start site.
Determination of ethynylestradiol and norethindrone in synthetic intestinal fluid and in timed-release oral formulations.

Abstract High performance liquid chromatographic methods are described for the rapid assay of the antifertility steroids ethynylestradiol and norethindrone in sustained-release oral formulations. A novel method is reported for isolation of these hormones from the synthetic intestinal fluid used for in-vitro release rate studies.
Finding items cannibalization and synergy by BWS data

Best-Worst Scaling (BWS) modeling is widely used for finding probabilities of choice among multiple items. The paper considers how to apply BWS data to another problem – of finding the items׳ cannibalization and synergy. For a product of primary interest, we estimate its probability to be chosen as the best one out of all the data, and also conditionally to each product׳s presence or absence. For a given product, each other one behaves as a catalyzer or inhibitor of the choice. Constructing the entire matrix of such relations for all the products, we compare its symmetrical elements for each pair of products. It shows which pairs of products are mutually synergic, or complementary, so their chances to be chosen as the best ones are higher in the presence of each other. In other cases, the products can be of negative impact on one another, so one is a cannibalizer of another; or both products suppress each other. Estimations on real marketing data are considered, including the Shapley value for key driver analysis.
Teachers' Sense of Efficacy and Commitment to Teaching

Abstract The present study examined the degree to which teachers' sense of efficacy, as well as other hypothesized influences on commitment to teaching, predicted 170 teachers' responses to the question, “Suppose you had it to do all over again: In view of your present knowledge, would you become a teacher?” General and personal efficacy emerged as the two strongest predictors of teaching commitment, along with teacher-student ratio, school climate, and sex. In short, greater teaching commitment tended to be expressed by those teachers who were higher in both general and personal efficacy; who taught in schools with fewer students per teacher; and who worked under a principal regarded positively in the areas of instructional leadership, school advocacy, decision making, and relations with students and staff. Teaching commitment also was higher for female teachers.
Workspace Analysis of 4R Manipulators With Various Degrees of Dexterity

Analyse de l'espace de travail d'un manipulateur a quatre articulations de rotation avec differents degres de dexterite
Psammoma bodies in endometriosis: Clinical, cytological, and physiopathological implications

This, to the best of our knowledge, is the first report of the cytological observation of psammoma bodies in an endometrioma. Psammoma bodies are laminated, calcified spherites, commonly associated with meningiomas, ovarian serous cystadenocarcinomas, and papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Many other pathologic processes can produce dystrophic calcification in the form of psammoma bodies. The physiopathological theories of the origin of dystrophic calcification and psammoma bodies will be discussed. The most promising theory implicates matrix vesicles as the nidus for calcification.
Topology of the magnetic field and geomagnetism

We define the topology of an (axisymmetric) magnetic field, a set of qualitative labels characterizing the connectivity of the lines of force. Under the special continuous deformations of theB-field defined by time evolution under the dynamo equation in the ‘convective’ regime (where the frozen-in behavior dominates the diffusion), this topology is preserved. This theorem should have applications to the study of time-varying magnetic fields in that regime in the case that exact or even approximate solutions are difficult to obtain. A partial generalization to the general case of convection and diffusion is made. As an application, a critique of Hibberd's recent theory of a time-dependent axisymmetric geomagnetic dynamo whose dipole-like field undergoes successive reversals is given.