cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leadership and its Challenges

This chapter discusses what leadership is and why we often have too small a definition of what a leader really does. It explores why it does matter and why healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, technologists and healthcare administrators should consider taking on greater leadership roles in their institutions. This chapter also discusses why healthcare is different than other sectors and why the 21st century in the US medical system is a particularly challenging time for would be leaders
Synthetic Protein Mimics for Functional Protein Delivery

The use of proteins as biological tools and therapeutic agents is limited due to the fact that proteins do not effectively cross the plasma membrane of cells. Here, we report a novel class of protein transporter molecules based on protein transduction domain mimics (PTDMs) synthesized via ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The PTDMs reported here were specifically inspired by amphiphilic peptides known to deliver functional proteins into cells via noncovalent interactions between the peptide and the cargo. This contrasts with peptides like TAT, penetratin, and R9, which often require covalent fusion to their cargoes. Using the easily tunable synthetic ROMP platform, the importance of a longer hydrophobic segment with cationic guanidinium groups was established through the delivery of EGFP into Jurkat T cells. The most efficient of these protein transporters was used to deliver functional Cre Recombinase with ∼80% knockdown efficiency into hard to transfect human T cells. Additionally, a C-term...
On Separability of Loss Functions, and Revisiting Discriminative Vs Generative Models

We revisit the classical analysis of generative vs discriminative models for general exponential families, and high-dimensional settings. Towards this, we develop novel technical machinery, including a notion of separability of general loss functions, which allow us to provide a general framework to obtain l∞ convergence rates for general M-estimators. We use this machinery to analyze l∞ and l2 convergence rates of generative and discriminative models, and provide insights into their nuanced behaviors in high-dimensions. Our results are also applicable to differential parameter estimation, where the quantity of interest is the difference between generative model parameters.
Personality Dimensions in Reactivity and Cardiovascular Disease

The purposes of the present chapter are to discuss personality dimensions that have been or might be related to reactivity and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and to point out some of the issues that need to be considered by researchers who are interested in the possible link between personality, reactivity, and CVD. A personality dimension does not influence reactivity or the development of CVD in some isolated fashion but in a framework of other variables and processes. One approach for considering the psychological influence of personality dimensions on reactivity and CVD is in the context of a model of affective arousal. Consequently, a cognitive model of affective arousal will be briefly outlined here that emphasizes process, interaction between variables, and transaction with the environment.
Minimum Dissipation And Maximum Entropy

It is argued that for several driven, dissipative, fluid flows, maximum entropy states are the same as minimum energy dissipation states. The demonstration requires a definition of entropy for continuous solenoidal fields that has previously been employed in ideal magnetohydrodynamics.
Perspective—Discovery Within Validation Logic: Deliberately Surfacing, Complementing, and Substituting Abductive Reasoning in Hypothetico-Deductive Inquiry

We propose a more explicit role for abductive reasoning, or the development of initial explanation, in hypothetico-deductive (H-D) inquiry. We begin by describing the roots of abduction in pragmati...
The Mechanism of Gene Amplification in Xenopus Laevis Oöcytes

In somatic cells the DNA coding for 28S and 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is confined to the chromosomal nucleolus organizer (Birnstiel et al., 1966). However, in oocytes from a wide variety of animals, this nucleolar DNA is selectively amplified and accumulated in the nucleus free of the chromosomes (Gall, 1969). In Xenopus laevis, the best studied example, almost three-quarters of the nuclear DNA in a diplotene oocyte codes exclusively for ribosomal RNA (Brown and Dawid, 1968). The extra ribosomal DNA (rDNA) is synthesized during a three-week period in early meiotic prophase (Gall, 1968; Macgregor, 1968; Bird and Birnstiel, 1971; Watson-Coggins and Gall, 1971) and during diplotene it forms hundreds of extrachromosomal nucleoli, which actively engage in rRNA synthesis (Miller and Beatty, 1969). This paper will summarize our recent studies of the amplification mechanism by autoradiography of isolated rDNA using both light and electron microscopy.
Provably Robust Simplification of Component Trees of Multidimensional Images

We are interested in translating n-dimensional arrays of real numbers (images) into simpler structures that nevertheless capture the topological/geometrical essence of the objects in the images. In the case n=3 these structures may be used as descriptors of images in macromolecular databases. A foreground component tree structure (FCTS) contains all the information on the relationships between connected components when the image is thresholded at various levels. But unsimplified FCTSs are too sensitive to errors in the image to be good descriptors. This chapter presents a method of simplifying FCTSs which can be proved to be robust in the sense of producing essentially the same simplifications in the presence of small perturbations. We demonstrate the potential applicability of our methodology to macromolecular databases by showing that the simplified FCTSs can be used to distinguish between two slightly different versions of an adenovirus.
Chronic granulomatous disease and glutathione peroxidase deficiency, revisited

We have restudied two kindreds that formed the basis of the original report of autosomal recessive chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) associated with leukocyte glutathione peroxidase deficiency. Case 1 from the original study and the surviving brother of the originally reported case 2 both have severe CGD, with no detectable respiratory burst activity in purified intact neutrophils. However, their leukocytes exhibit normal glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and gene expression. Examination of phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase components known to be defective in CGD reveals no detectable cytochrome b558 nor any membrane activity in a cell-free NADPH oxidase assay system. Molecular analysis of the genes encoding cytochrome b558 subunits shows, in case 1, a C-->T substitution at nucleotide 688 of the gene encoding the gp91-phox subunit of cytochrome b558, resulting in a termination signal in place of Arginine-226. Levels of gp91-phox mRNA are markedly decreased despite normal levels of gene transcription, indicating a post-transcriptional effect of the nonsense mutation on mRNA processing or stability. The X-linked form of CGD developed in this cytogenetically normal female due to the uniform inactivation of the normal X chromosome in her granulocytes, indicated by the expression in her granulocyte mRNA of only one allele of a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase polymorphisms for which she is heterozygous in genomic DNA. Case 2 (of the present study) has distinct mutations in each allele of the p22-phox gene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Feasibility of a smoking cessation intervention for teens in the emergency department: reach, implementation fidelity, and acceptability.

BACKGROUND Traditional efficacy research alone is insufficient to move interventions from research to practice. Motivational interviewing has been adapted for brief encounters in a variety of health care settings for numerous problem behaviors among adolescents and adults. Some experts suggest that motivational interviewing can support a population health approach to reach large numbers of teen smokers without the resource demands of multi-session interventions. OBJECTIVES To determine the reach, implementation fidelity, and acceptability of a brief motivational tobacco intervention for teens who had treatment in a hospital emergency department. METHODS Among 74 teens 14 to 19 years old, 40 received a brief motivational tobacco intervention and 34 received brief advice/care as usual at baseline. Follow-up data were collected from the interventional group at 1, 3, and 6 months and from the control group at 6 months. For the interventional group, data also were collected from the teens' parents, the health care personnel who provided the intervention, and emergency department personnel. RESULTS Findings indicated low levels of reach, high levels of implementation fidelity, and high levels of acceptability for teen patients, their parents, and emergency department personnel. Data suggest that practitioners can operationalize motivational interventions as planned in a clinical setting and that patients and others with an interest in the outcomes may find the interventions acceptable. However, issues of reach may hinder use of the intervention among teens in clinical settings. CONCLUSIONS Further investigation is needed on mechanisms to reduce barriers to participation, especially barriers related to patient acuity.
Biomechanics of Prophylactic Tethering for Proximal Junctional Kyphosis: Comparison of Posterior Tether Looping Techniques.

Abstract Study Design Biomechanical study. Objectives Compare effects of four spinous process (SP) tether looping methods on segmental flexion range of motion (ROM), intervertebral disc (IVD) pressures, and peak tether forces. Summary of Background Data SP tethering has been gaining interest as a prophylactic technique to prevent PJK caused by ligamentous laxity in ASD corrective surgery. Several SP tether looping methods have been proposed; however, there is no consensus on appropriate technique. No study has investigated the effect of the tether looping method on segmental biomechanics. Methods Nine T1–T4 cadaveric motion segments were tested to 5 Nm of flexion-extension. The uppermost instrumented vertebra (UIV) was located at T3 using standard pedicle screws and fusion rods. A crosslink (CL) was placed inferior to the pedicle screws. A 5-mm polyester tether was looped under the CL at UIV and through holes drilled at the base of UIV + 1 and UIV + 2 SPs. Biomechanical measurements included flexion ROM, IVD pressure, and peak tether forces at UIV/UIV + 1 and UIV + 1/UIV + 2. An untethered test was used for baseline values. Tethered tests included one single-level (SL) method and three double-level (DL) methods: common (CM), chained (CH), and figure-8 (F8). Results SL yielded significant reductions in flexion ROM at UIV/UIV + 1 (p = .001) and in IVD pressure at UIV/UIV + 1 (p = .007). Choice of DL method had a significant effect on flexion ROM at UIV/UIV + 1 (p = .004) but not at UIV + 1/UIV + 2 (p = .14). Choice of DL method also had a significant effect on IVD pressure at UIV/UIV + 1 (p Conclusion Tether looping method significantly alters segmental biomechanics. Tethering with the CM method to UIV + 2 allows for reductions in loads acting on the UIV + 1 SP and posterior ligaments. Level of Evidence Level V, biomechanical study.
Under the Cloud of Deportation Threat: Testimonios Reveal Impact on Mixed-Status Families:

Stress associated with the threat of deportation is not a new facet of daily life for undocumented immigrants in the United States. An upsurge in antiimmigrant rhetoric and policy has contributed t...
Anti-HMGCR myopathy presenting with acute systolic heart failure

Necrotising autoimmune myopathy (NAM) is an immune-mediated myopathy that may be associated with statin use, malignancy or an autoimmune connective tissue disease, but it can also be idiopathic. Anti-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) myopathy is an extremely rare side effect of statin use, occurring in approximately 2–3 out of every 100 000 patients who use statins. Patients typically present with subacute proximal muscle weakness and creatine kinase levels >10 times the upper limit of normal. The diagnosis is suggested by muscle biopsy showing necrotic fibres with minimal inflammation along with positive anti-HMGCR antibodies. Treatment nearly always requires multiple immunosuppressive agents, the earlier use of which is associated with improved outcomes. Reports of statin-induced NAM leading to heart failure are limited. We present the case of a 69-year-old woman with statin-induced NAM who presented with acute systolic heart failure. Early initiation of high-dose corticosteroids and IVIG resulted in significant improvement in her symptoms.
Structure-Function Analysis of the Phosphoesterase Component of the Nucleic Acid End-Healing Enzyme Runella slithyformis HD-Pnk.

ABSTRACT Runella slithyformis HD-Pnk is the prototype of a family of dual 5′ and 3′ nucleic acid end-healing enzymes that phosphorylate 5′-OH termini and dephosphorylate 2′,3′-cyclic-PO4, 3′-PO4, and 2′-PO4 ends. HD-Pnk is composed of an N-terminal HD phosphohydrolase module and a C-terminal P-loop polynucleotide kinase module. Here, we probed the phosphoesterase activity of HD-Pnk by querying its ability to hydrolyze non-nucleic acid phosphoester substrates and by conducting a mutational analysis of conserved amino acid constituents of the HD domain. We report that HD-Pnk catalyzes vigorous hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylphosphate (Km = 3.13 mM; kcat = 27.8 s−1) using copper as its metal cofactor. Mutagenesis identified Gln28, His33, His73, Asp74, Lys77, His94, His127, Asp162, and Arg166 as essential for p-nitrophenylphosphatase and DNA 3′ phosphatase activities. Structural modeling places these residues at the active site, wherein His33, His73, Asp74, His94, and His127 are predicted to coordinate a binuclear metal complex and Lys77 and Arg166 engage the scissile phosphate. HD-Pnk homologs are distributed broadly (and exclusively) in bacteria, usually in a two-gene cluster with a putative ATP-dependent polynucleotide ligase (LIG). We speculate that HD-Pnk and LIG comprise the end-healing and end-sealing components of a bacterial nucleic acid repair pathway. IMPORTANCE 5′-end healing and 3′-end healing are key steps in nucleic acid break repair in which 5′-OH ends are phosphorylated by a polynucleotide kinase, and 3′-PO4 or 2′,3′-cyclic-PO4 ends are hydrolyzed by a phosphoesterase to generate 5′-PO4 and 3′-OH termini needed for joining by DNA and RNA ligases. This study interrogates, biochemically and via mutagenesis, the phosphoesterase activity of Runella slithyformis HD-Pnk, a bifunctional bacterial 5′- and 3′-end-healing enzyme composed of HD phosphoesterase and P-loop kinase modules. HD-Pnk homologs are found in 129 bacterial genera from 11 phyla. In 123/129 instances, HD-Pnk is encoded in an operon-like gene cluster with a putative ATP-dependent polynucleotide ligase (LIG), suggesting that HD-Pnk and LIG are agents of a conserved bacterial nucleic acid repair pathway.
Government-led Entrepreneurship: Beyond the Boundaries of Public Administration

Weber remarks that public bureaucracy imposes its rationality on every aspect of social life. Today, governments are increasingly tasked with experimenting, being creative, and innovating. How does...
A Sum of Squares Optimization Approach to Uncertainty Quantification

This paper proposes a Sum of Squares (SOS) optimization technique for using multivariate data to estimate the probability density function of a non-Gaussian generating process. The class of distributions over which we optimize, result from using a polynomial map to lift the data into a higher-dimensional space, solving for an optimal Gaussian fit in this space, and then projecting a polynomial slice of the resulting joint density into physical space. The resulting distribution, to be called Sliced Normal, is able to characterize multimodal responses and strong parameter dependencies. We investigate several formulations of the problem, first maximizing a log-likelihood function, then a worst-case log-likelihood function, and finally using a heuristic to increase sparsity within the maximum log-likelihood formulation - thereby identifying independent subsets of the random variables. Using the optimal density functions in each scenario, we then propose semi-algebraic sets representing confidence regions, or “safe sets,” for future data. Finally, we show numerically that these “safe sets” are reliable and, hence, can be used for system identification, fault detection, robustness analysis, and robust control design.
Federal Public Access Policy: A Breach of the First Amendment Rights of Scientists

Federal public access policy requires recipients of federal research grants to place copies of scientific articles they publish based on the awards in a federal repository. Publishers hold the copy...
Secondary Injuries After Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review With Quantitative Analysis:

Background:In the skeletally mature anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction population, patients aged <25 years are at significantly increased risk of graft failure and injury to the contra...
An Energy-Saving Snake Locomotion Gait Policy Obtained Using Deep Reinforcement Learning

Snake robots, comprised of sequentially connected joint actuators, have recently gained increasing attention in the industrial field, like life detection in narrow space. Such robots can navigate through the complex environment via the cooperation of multiple motors located on the backbone. However, controlling the robots in an unknown environment is challenging, and conventional control strategies can be energy inefficient or even fail to navigate to the destination. In this work, a snake locomotion gait policy is developed via deep reinforcement learning (DRL) for energy-efficient control. We apply proximal policy optimization (PPO) to each joint motor parameterized by angular velocity and the DRL agent learns the standard serpenoid curve at each timestep. The robot simulator and task environment are built upon PyBullet. Comparing to conventional control strategies, the snake robots controlled by the trained PPO agent can achieve faster movement and more energy-efficient locomotion gait. This work demonstrates that DRL provides an energy-efficient solution for robot control.
Clusters of histologic characteristics in children with infratentorial neuroglial tumors

Five quantitative histologic factors, differing linear combinations of 26 reliably recognized histologic features, account for much of the histologic variance in 1068 children with infratentorial neuroglial tumors in the Childhood Brain Tumor Consortium (CBTC) database. In this study, we used the scores on the Spongy, Proliferative, Ring, Fibrillary, and Nuclear factors in cluster analyses and identified 11 clusters of children's tumors. Each had statistically significant differences in histology and relative histologic homogeneity. Three clusters had ependymoma-like histologic features; 4 had astrocytoma-like features; and 4 had primitive neuroectodermal-like (PNET or medulloblastoma) features. Each cluster had a unique high/low mean factor score pattern. Multiple operative and other clinical features characterized the three groups of clusters. We used Kaplan-Meier survival models to test for differences in survival among clusters and proportional hazards survival models to adjust for associated covariates. Among the 'ependymoma' clusters the 5 year survival probability ranged from 0.25 to 0.54. Among the 4 'astrocytoma' clusters, 5 year survival probability ranged from 0.59 to 0.94. The 5 year survival probability for the 'medulloblastoma' clusters ranged from 0.20 to 0.44. Within the three groups, clusters had differing covariates associated with survival. The tumor clusters identified in this study ensure relatively homogeneous histologic subsets. The five factor scores of a child's tumor provide the basis for finding the cluster nearest to that tumor. We propose that this tumor clustering strategy be employed for selection of children and for analyses of therapeutic clinical trials.
SpringFS: bridging agility and performance in elastic distributed storage

Elastic storage systems can be expanded or contracted to meet current demand, allowing servers to be turned off or used for other tasks. However, the usefulness of an elastic distributed storage system is limited by its agility: how quickly it can increase or decrease its number of servers. Due to the large amount of data they must migrate during elastic resizing, state-of-the-art designs usually have to make painful tradeoffs among performance, elasticity and agility.This paper describes an elastic storage system, called SpringFS, that can quickly change its number of active servers, while retaining elasticity and performance goals. SpringFS uses a novel technique, termed bounded write offloading, that restricts the set of servers where writes to overloaded servers are redirected. This technique, combined with the read offloading and passive migration policies used in SpringFS, minimizes the work needed before deactivation or activation of servers. Analysis of real-world traces from Hadoop deployments at Facebook and various Cloudera customers and experiments with the SpringFS prototype confirm SpringFS's agility, show that it reduces the amount of data migrated for elastic resizing by up to two orders of magnitude, and show that it cuts the percentage of active servers required by 67- 82%, outdoing state-of-the-art designs by 6-120%.
Amperozide Attenuates the Reinforcing Effects of Cocaine in the Conditioned Place Preference Paradigm in Rats

The novel antipsychotic 5-HT2a-receptor antagonist, amperozide, significantly reduces oral consumption of cocaine during and after three days of treatment (0·5, 1·0 or 2·5 mg kg−1, b.i.d.) in rats. In this experiment the effect of amperozide on the reinforcing properties of cocaine was tested utilizing the conditioned place preference paradigm. Intraperitoneal doses of cocaine from 2·5 to 10 mg kg−1, but not saline, increased the time rats spent in the drug-paired compartment of a three-compartment shuttle box. Both doses of amperozide tested subcutaneously, 0·5 and 1·0 mg kg−1, administered 1 h before cocaine or saline administration during the conditioning phase, significantly reduced the time the drug-free rats spent in the cocaine-paired compartment on the test day. The findings suggest that amperozide reduces the reinforcing properties of cocaine exhibited in the conditioned place preference paradigm.
Applications of Extraterrestrial Surveying and Mapping

Extraterrestrial surveying and mapping is part of the profession of civil engineering. The ASCE Committee on Extraterrestrial Surveying and Mapping is preparing articles and bibliographies, such as this paper, to aid civil engineers who can use some of the instrumentation and techniques. Geodetic positions with accuracies of 33 ft (10 m) or better can be obtained anywhere with Doppler navigation satellites. Earth resource satellites such as ERTS and Skylab will carry high-resolution television and photographic sensors to image details of the earth surface over large areas. Photogrammetric distortions must be calibrated and removed to prepare photomaps in an accepted map projection such as the UTM. Other extraterrestrial programs are preparing maps of the moon and Mars. All exploration requires maps, and civil engineers can provide important contributions.
Fast maximum likelihood decoding of quasi-orthogonal codes

In this paper, we present a new fast maximum likelihood (ML) detection algorithm for quasi-orthogonal space-time block codes ( QO-STBC). Observed in a transformed signal space, the QO-STBC encoder embeds information into a group of orthogonal subspaces of rank two. We propose a fast technique that separates information embedded in each rank-two subspace by a simple linear processing, and decodes the separated information independently. For a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) system, decoding algorithm decomposes the original N /spl times/ N system into N/2 parallel 2 /spl times/ 2 MIMO sub-systems without information loss followed by MRC. It then detects symbols contained in each 2 /spl times/ 2 MIMO sub-system using a sphere decoder of reduced computational complexity.
L-Type calcium channel blockade reduces network activity in human epileptic hypothalamic hamartoma tissue.

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) are intrinsically epileptogenic and are the origin of the characteristic medically refractory gelastic seizures (Munari et al., 1995; Arroyo et al., 1997; Kuzniecky et al., 1997). HH tissue is composed of small-neuron clusters that are interspersed with large neurons (Coons et al., 2007). Although small γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons (10–16 μm) spontaneously fire action potentials (Wu et al., 2005; Kim do et al., 2008), the large neurons (20–28 μm and often embedded in a GABA-rich neuropil) are quiescent at resting membrane potential and depolarize in response to GABAA-receptor activation (Kim do et al., 2008; Kim et al., 2009; We et al., 2008). Serial reconstruction studies traced axonal projections from small neurons to symmetric (putative inhibitory) terminal synapses onto the soma of large neurons (Beggs et al., 2008), further supporting our current working hypothesis of HH tissue epileptogenicity (see Fenoglio et al., 2007): Clusters of small, spontaneously firing neurons release GABA onto large neurons and activate GABAA receptors, inducing depolarization and action potential firing of large neurons. This hypothesis accounts for a hyperexcitable (and potentially epileptogenic) mechanism that is initiated by an intrinsic pacemaker, that is, the spontaneous firing of small neurons. Blockade of L-type calcium channels with nifedipine abolishes GABA depolarization in 90% of large neurons and attenuates the spontaneous firing of small neurons, thereby dampening both modes of excitability within HH tissue (Kim do et al., 2008). However, whether these individual neuronal types collectively generate an epileptic network and whether network activity is attenuated after blocking L-type calcium channels remain unknown. A critical component of translational neuropharmacology research lies in understanding how the emergent properties of neuronal networks respond to pharmacotherapies (Faingold, 2004). Therefore, the goal of the current study was to examine the network activity of HH tissue in vitro using a multielectrode array. This study is significant because it bridges the gap between previously reported single-cell pharmacology and potential translational use of L-type calcium channel blockers as an anticonvulsant treatment. Specifically, we tested two hypotheses: (1) HH tissue is a spontaneously active neuronal network capable of generating epileptiform-like discharges; and (2) pharmacologic blockade of L-type calcium channels reduces epileptiform-like activity in HH tissue slices under normal and provoked conditions.
Construindo informações históricas sobre a formação de professores: as Escolas Normais La Salle de Canoas e de Cerro Largo.

Esse artigo e resultado de pesquisa que se situa no campo da historia da educacao e tem como objetivo, investigar o processo historico de constituicao dos cursos de formacao de professores na Rede La Salle, particularizando a Escola Normal Rural La Salle de Cerro Largo e a Escola Normal de Canoas, ambas criadas em 1941, no Rio Grande do Sul. Metodologicamente, dialoga com diversas fontes, incluindo testemunhos orais. Teoricamente, aborda o tema a partir da historia cultural. A criacao dos citados cursos de formacao de professores atendeu expectativas da Igreja Catolica, dos Irmaos Lassalistas, das comunidades onde as escolas se achavam inseridas e se constituiram como facilitadoras do acesso de muitos de seus alunos a cursos superiores e a bem sucedidas carreiras profissionais. Isso auxiliou a reforcar elementos de positividade das representacoes construidas sobre as escolas e a educacao lassalistas. Palavras-chave : Historia da Educacao; Escolas Normais; Formacao de professores; Irmaos Lassalistas; Memoria. Building historical information about the formation of teachers: the teachers formation Schools La Salle from Canoas and Cerro Largo Abstract This article is the result of a research situated in the field of history of education and has as goal to investigate the historical process of constitution of the courses of formation of teachers in the La Salle network, taking special interest in two schools, the Escola Normal Rural La Salle, from the town of Cerro Largo, and the Escola Normal de Canoas, From the city of Canoas, both created in 1941, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. Methodologically, dialogs with several sources, including oral testimonies. Theoretically, discusses the theme starting from the cultural history. The creation of the mentioned courses of formation of teachers attended to the expectation of the Catholic Church, of the Lassalian Brothers, and of the communities inserted in the area, and they became a way to facilitate the access of many of its students in to colleges and successful professional careers. This helped to reinforce elements of positivity of the representations build about the schools and the Lassalian Education. Key-words : History of education. Teacher’s formation. Lassalian Brothers. Memory
Spectroscopy and Atomic Physics

The Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite enabled solar physicists to gain important insights into the physics of flares and active regions, and although it cannot be said that solutions to all the problems were provided, we now have observational data that go a long way toward constraining theoretical models. With the era of Yohkoh and other high-resolution spacecraft just dawning, there is very real hope that, armed with the SMM findings, we shall at last be able to understand the fundamental mechanisms of solar activity.
EFFECT OF HEPARIN ON DISAPPEARANCE OF THE CHOLESTEROL MOIETY OF AN INJECTED CHOLESTEROL-C14-LABELED, VERY LOW-DENSITY CHYLE LIPOPROTEIN FRACTION FROM THE CIRCULATION OF THE RAT.

A cholesterol-4-C14-labeled, very low-density, lipoprotein fraction of chyle was injected into heparin-treated and control rats. The disappearance of the C14 from the whole blood was followed at intervals up to 25 min after the injection. Heparin increased the rate at which the injected cholesterol-C14 left the circulation during the first 10 min. Determination of the distribution of isotope among ultracentrifugally separated Sf > 20, Sf 0–20, and high-density plasma lipoproteins revealed that, at 10 min after the administration of the cholesterol-labeled chyle preparation, a much greater proportion of the plasma lipid-C14 was present in the Sf 0–20 lipoproteins isolated from the heparin-treated than from the control rats. The in vitro mixing of the cholesterol-labeled, very low-density chyle lipoproteins with blood obtained from heparin-treated and control rats also resulted in recovery of a disproportionately high percentage of the isotope in the Sf 0–20 lipoproteins of the heparin-treated rats. Such a distribution of isotope among the plasma lipoproteins in heparin-treated rats is compatible with the scheme of Lindgren and co-workers for the action of clearing factor lipase in which chylomicrons are degraded through a series of lipoprotein complexes to lipoproteins of the Sf 0–20 class, the cholesterol and phospholipid components of the original chylomicrons becoming part of the final end products. A very rapid removal of any of the lipoproteins resulting from the heparin-induced lipolysis could account for the effect of heparin on the disappearance of the injected cholesterol-C14 of the chyle lipoproteins from the circulation.
Indicators for separating undesirable and well-delineated tree crowns in high spatial resolution images

Much effort has been spent on the automatic detection and delineation of individual trees from high spatial resolution images. However, delineation errors may lead to an inaccurate crown size when compared with ground measurements. Thus, it is problematic to use delineated crowns to derive information on tree variables, e.g. crown diameter, tree height, diameter at breast height DBH, stand volume, stem volume or stand competition index. In this study, we investigated two indicators – the mean digital number MDN within each delineated crown and the difference between MDNs DMDNs for 0.6 m buffer zones outside and inside the boundary of each delineated crown – to separate poorly delineated crowns from well-delineated ones. We modelled the relationships between delineated crowns and field-based crown size, between delineated crowns and tree height, and between delineated crowns and DBH observations in a Norway spruce Picea abies stand, separately considering models based on all delineated results and crowns identified as being well delineated. Our results showed that the capability of the two indicators in separating poorly and well-delineated crowns varied under different thresholds. The results also indicated that models considering only well-delineated crowns were more robust and effective in estimating and predicting tree crown diameter, DBH and tree height than models that considered all delineated results.
Stress state of a body with heat-generating spherical inclusions

We solve the problems of stationary heat conduction and thermoelasticity for a body with one heatgenerating spherical inclusion and a body with an axially symmetric system of spherical inclusions. The elastic properties of the inclusions and the matrix are identical, and the coefficients of linear thermal expansion of the inclusions and the matrix are different. The distributions of displacements and stresses depending on shear moduli and coefficients of linear thermal expansion for one and two inclusions are studied.
Speciation and Photochemistry of Mercury in Rainwater

Mercury speciation was determined in rainwater from 76 storms in southeastern North Carolina between September 1, 2003 and September 30, 2005. Volume-weighted average concentrations of total Hg (THg), total dissolved Hg (TDHg), particulate Hg (Hgpart) and dissolved monomethyl Hg (MMHg) were 45.5 pM, 34.8 pM, 12.0 pM and 1.1 pM respectively. TDHg accounted for 77% of THg in precipitation which is similar to Cu but significantly higher than Cr or Fe. Concentrations of the various Hg species were very similar during summer and winter indicating that there was not a dominant seasonal influence on Hg speciation in rainwater at this location. THg, TDHg, and MMHg concentrations were also not significantly impacted by storm origin suggesting that they are relatively well mixed regionally and that air mass back trajectory is not the dominant factor controlling their concentration at this location. Concentrations of TDHg and Hgpart were inversely correlated in rainwater samples subjected to irradiation with simulated sunlight, suggesting the distribution between dissolved and particulate Hg may be controlled by photochemical transformations. Unlike TDHg and Hgpart, no significant changes in MMHg were observed upon photolysis of rainwater indicating that its distribution is not significantly driven by sunlight-mediated reactions, in contrast to what has been observed in surface waters. Results presented in this study indicate that the speciation of Hg in rainwater is dynamic and is driven by a complex combination of natural and anthropogenic processes as well as interactions with sunlight.
Interpolymer complexation. II. Entrapment of ibuprofen by in-situ complexation between polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and development of a chewable tablet formulation

A new method involving in situ complexation between polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) has been developed for the entrapment of ibuprofen, a bitter tasting anti-inflammatory drug. The procedure involved dissolving ibuprofen in a thoroughly mixed aqueous alkaline solution of PVAP and PVP, and subsequently slowly adjusting the pH of the solution to 1 with dilute HCl. The yield of the entrapped product, and the percent entrapment of ibuprofen, were 85-90%, and 90-98%, respectively. The PVAP-PVP entrapped granules showed no bitter taste due to ibuprofen. The chewable tablets, prepared by mixing the granules with a cherry-flavored directly compressible tableting excipient, exhibited a release of less than 2% of ibuprofen in pH 1.2 buffer over a period of three hours. In pH 7.4, 100% of ibuprofen was released in six hours. The results presented show that in situ complexation between PVAP and PVP may be useful to produce palatable ibuprofen granules suitable for use in the development of chewable tablets.
Drop size measurement in a two-phase swirling flow using image processing techniques

Abstract An experimental study of two-liquid swirling flows in a cylindrical hydrocyclone was conducted using flow visualization and digital image processing. The flow pattern was recorded using a video camera and the resulting flow images at cross-sectional planes were digitized in a personal computer. A technique was developed to measure drop sizes and areas using image enhancement and segmentation techniques. The image was cleaned of noise using a set of image processing algorithms. These algorithms included background noise subtraction, contrast enhancement, median and smoothing filters and gray level thresholding, and had to be applied in that order for accurate drop size measurement. The errors and the uncertainties associated with the technique have been addressed. For the range of oil and water flow rates studied, it was seen that the concentration of oil in any plane of cross section of the cyclone reaches a constant value. For the low flow rates studied, the cyclone behaved more as a mixer than a separator due to a weaker radial pressure gradient. Hence, a simple first order model was used to predict time constants for the two water flow rates used. The possibility of introducing this time constant as a suitable time scale was investigated. An attempt was also made to normalize the data using oil-water flow rate as a parameter. There was not sufficient evidence to show that such a ratio could be a flow parameter in this problem.
Atorvastatin reduces functional deficits caused by photodynamic therapy in rats

Clinical studies have indicated that photodynamic therapy (PDT) significantly prolonged the median survival of patients with gliomas. Experimental studies demonstrate that increasing optical energy and photosensitizer dose leads to increased volume of tumor necrosis. However, increasing the light dose delivered to the tumor may increase the risks of inducing permanent neurological deficits. In the current study, we sought to test the behavioral deficits induced in normal rats by brain PDT and the neurorestorative effects of atorvastatin on PDT-induced behavioral deficits. Considering its potential as a combination treatment of brain tumors, we investigated both in vitro and in vivo whether atorvastatin treatment promotes brain tumor growth. Non-tumored Fischer rats received PDT (n=18). Nine of the PDT-treated animals were treated with atorvastatin. Control animals underwent the same surgical procedure, but did not receive Photofrin and laser light. PDT-treated animals had significant behavioral deficits on days 2, 5, 7, 9 and 14 after PDT, compared with surgery controls. PDT-treated animals receiving atorvastatin displayed significantly ameliorated behavioral deficits on days 7, 9 and 14 after PDT, compared to PDT-treated rats. In vitro tumor cell viability and growth were evaluated. Atorvastatin did not affect the growth of glioma cells. Fischer rats with intracranial 7-day-old 9L glioma tumor cell implantation were randomly subjected to no treatment, PDT alone, atorvastatin alone, or combined treatment with atorvastatin and PDT (6 rats/group). Our data indicate that atorvastatin did not promote tumor growth in either PDT treated and non-treated rats. However, atorvastatin significantly reduced the cell damage caused by PDT. To further test the mechanisms underlying the atorvastatin-mediated reduction of functional deficits, we investigated the effects of atorvastatin on angiogenesis and synaptogenesis. Our data demonstrate that atorvastatin significantly induced angiogenesis and synaptogenesis in the PDT-damaged brain tissue. Our data indicate that PDT induces functional deficits. Atorvastatin treatment promotes functional restoration after PDT, but does not promote glioma growth in vitro and in vivo. Atorvastatin reduces astrocyte and endothelial cell damage caused by PDT and induces angiogenesis and synaptogenesis after PDT. Thus consideration and further testing of the combination of atorvastatin and PDT for the treatment of glioma is warranted.
In situ control and monitoring of doped and compositionally graded SiGe films using spectroscopic ellipsometry and second harmonic generation

We have implemented linear and nonlinear optical spectroscopies to monitor and control the growth of SixGe1−x films. Using spectroscopic ellipsometry and the virtual substrate approximation (VSA), controlled growth of compositionally graded SiGe films deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is achieved by adjustment of disilane flow based on feedback from ellipsometric inputs. Stepped and linear growth profiles are investigated. Using spectroscopic, surface second harmonic generation (SHG) by a tunable, unamplified Ti:sapphire 100 femtosecond (fs) laser, shifts of the SH spectral feature near the Si E1 critical point with varying Ge composition are observed. A comparison is made to linear spectroscopy and related qualitatively to surface composition. Data acquisition time is then reduced to a few seconds by substituting a 10 fs laser and spectrally dispersing generated SH radiation onto an array detector, thus enabling real-time spectroscopic SHG. The reflected SH spectrum near the E1 region is also highly sensitive to bulk boron doping of SiGe. Definite trends in the peak positions and amplitudes as a function of boron incorporation are observed and interpreted qualitatively in terms of dc-electric-field-induced SHG in the depletion region. The results demonstrate the feasibility of SE and spectroscopic SHG operating as complementary, in situ sensors of SiGe CVD.
Innate lymphoid cells wield a double-edged sword

Type 2 cytokine–producing innate lymphoid cells are present in human and mouse lungs, where they contribute to both type 2 immune responses and tissue repair.
The behavior of the plasmapause at mid‐latitudes: Isis 1 Langmuir probe measurements

Observations of the electron concentration, N sub e, and temperature, T sub e, from the electrostatic probes on the ISIS-1 satellite were used to examine the location and behavior of the plasmapause at about 3000 kilometers altitude in the vicinity of L = 4. At these altitudes, the N sub e measurements are equivalent to measurements of H(+) since the satellite is well into the protonosphere. The plasmapause as is evident as a sharp drop in N sub e by a factor of 10 to 100 as the satellite passes into the polar cap, and a corresponding increase is observed as it enters the plasmasphere on the opposite side of the Earth. An enhancement of T sub e is also observed at the plasmapause, an effect that is most visible at night when the temperatures at latitudes above and below the plasmapause are usually very low. The position of the plasmapause decreases with magnetic activity but is found to be somewhat less sensitive to K sub p than is the equatorial plasmapause. Also unlike its equatorial behavior, the mid-latitude plasmapause exhibits no detectable late afternoon bulge. These differences imply rather complex coupling of the thermal plasma along the field lines that link these two regions of the plasmasphere. An additional factor may be the recently observed axial asymmetry in the geomagnetic field at high altitudes.
Number of spanning trees on a lattice

The number of spanning trees on a large lattice is evaluated exactly for the square, triangular and honeycomb lattices.
Deficient natural killer cell activity in x-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome

The activity of natural killer cells was found to be deficient in 10 of 12 males with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome, a life-threatening proliferation of lymphocytes after infection by Epstein-Barr virus. The activity levels of natural killer cells from affected males were increased after treatment with interferon in vitro, but normal levels of killing were not obtained. Deficient activity of killer cells in individuals with immunodeficiency and chronic infection by Epstein-Barr virus may contribute to the development of lymphoproliferative disorders.
The new GRACE gravity mission and its value to exploration

Summary We describe results of the new Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) including the error characteristics and resolution of satellite only and combined satellite and terrestrial global gravity models. A method for combining sea surface and terrestrial gravity data with the new precise GRACE gravity data into a global geopotential model is also described. The motivation for the paper is to present the results and activities of the mission from the point of view of exploration and how the new data might be used.
Six Dilemmas in Teacher Education

The major issues of concern to those who have a stake in the preparation of teachers are discussed in terms of a set of six dilemmas: coverage versus mastery; evaluative versus affective emphases; emphasis on current versus future needs of candidates; thematic versus eclectic approaches; emphasis on current practice versus innovative practice; and specific versus global assessment criteria. These dilemmas are endemic to teacher education and may account for both the dissatisfaction with teacher education and the low level of impact attributed to it.
Silicone occlusive treatment of hypertrophic scar in the rabbit model.

Background: Hypertrophic scar formation at sites of healed cutaneous injury often produces functional and esthetic deficits. Treatments have been limited in part by a lack of understanding of scar etiology and the lack of animal models of hypertrophic scarring. Silicone dressing is reported to provide positive outcomes with respect to a reduction in scar hypertrophy and an improvement in color differences, although the exact mechanism is unknown. Objective: We tested the effectiveness of silicone adhesive gel in the reduction of scar hypertrophy in an animal model of scarring. Methods: Silicone adhesive gel was applied to scars in a rabbit ear model of hypertrophic scarring. Scarring in this model, which displays reduced hypertrophy in response to steroid injections and aging similar to that of human beings, was measured by the Scar Elevation Index (SEI), a ratio of the scar height over normal skin, in which readings greater than 1.0 represent a raised scar. Results: SEIs were significantly reduced after 4-week applications of silicone gel (1.15 ± 0.15 vs 1.71 ± 0.33, respectively; P < .001) versus untreated scars. Nonsilicone control dressings did not alter SEIs in comparison with those found for controls. No histologic differences in scar cellularity, inflammation, or matrix organization were found between treatment groups; however, ultrastructural observation revealed numerous vacuoles in basal cells of control and nonsilicone-treated scars that were not found in unwounded skin or silicone gel-treated scars. The similarity in water vapor transmission rates for silicone gel and a nonsilicone dressing eliminated scar hydration as the sole mechanism of action of the silicone dressings. Conclusions: Our findings with the rabbit model demonstrate the effectiveness of silicone gel for hypertrophic scar treatment and confirm the usefulness of this model for further study of the mechanism of occlusion.