cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What protects Asians from venous thromboembolism

The study of ethnic disparities in the incidence and prevalence of disease is a productive area of observational epidemiology. Explanations, often complex, can include both genetic and environmental influences. The well-established higher prevalence of systemic hypertension and its complications in African Americans compared with whites is an excellent example. Explanatory factors include genetic predisposition plus differences in lifestyle traits, the prevalence of obesity, psychosocial stress, and accessibility to medical care associated with socioeconomic status (1). Increased risk of a condition in an ethnic group often leads to fruitful searches for new predisposing traits. Even without established explanations, known high prevalence properly leads to public health measures to control known risk factors and to ascertain and manage patients with the disease. Reduced risk in a specific population can result from lower prevalence of acquired or genetic risk traits, but such a finding raises the intriguing possibility of protective factors. One example is that persons with pigmented skin have lower risk of basal cell skin cancer, a condition that is 100 times more common in whites than in blacks (1). Use of sun-screening agents for skin protection can be viewed as an attempt to simulate the genetic protection afforded by pigmented skin. The rapidly growing Asian American and Pacific Islander population in the United States (12.1 million in the 2000 census) is a potential gold mine for the study of environmental and genetic traits that influence the incidence and expression of disease. Included among Asian American and Pacific Islanders are ethnic groups with diverse cultures, languages, countries of origin, and immigration histories. Some, such as Vietnamese, Filipinos, and South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, and Bangladeshi) are largely foreign born. The Chinese population in the United States includes a substantial proportion of recent immigrants as well as people born here, and the Japanese have the highest proportion of U.S.‐ born people, with many third and fourth generation family members in the United States. Although considered at high risk for certain cancers, tuberculosis, and hepatitis B, Asian American and Pacific Islanders have been relatively understudied epidemiologically until recently. Observational data suggest interethnic disparities in the risk of coronary disease (high in South Asians, low in Chinese [2]), hypertension (high in Filipinos [3]), and hemorrhagic stroke (high in Filipinos and Japanese) (A. L. Klatsky, MD, unpublished data, 2003). Behavioral traits presumably play an important role in these inter-Asian ethnic disparities, but the relative roles of genetic and
EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of the pancreas: Evaluation of pancreatitis as a complication

Abstract Background: EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration is rapidly becoming the procedure of choice for the diagnostic evaluation of pancreatic masses. Acute pancreatitis has been reported after EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of the pancreas. This study evaluated the effect of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration on the pancreas by serial measurement of amylase and lipase levels and determining the frequency of acute pancreatitis after EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic masses. Methods: In 100 consecutive patients referred for EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of a pancreatic mass, amylase and lipase levels were determined immediately before and within 2 hours after the procedure. Additionally, patients were questioned as to the occurrence of symptoms of acute pancreatitis within 48 hours after EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration. Results: For 2 of 100 patients (2%) there was clinical and biochemical evidence of acute pancreatitis after EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration. Both patients had a history of recent pancreatitis. In addition, there was a significant increase in postprocedure lipase levels ( p = 0.40) compared with amylase levels in this patient subset. Conclusion: The frequency of acute pancreatitis after EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of the pancreas was 2% in this study. A history of recent pancreatitis appears to be a potential risk factor. Amylase and lipase levels can be elevated after EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration and in most cases have no clinical significance. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;56:864-7.)
Diagenetic history of a submerged Pleistocene Jamaican fringing reef

In the Discovery Bay area of northern Jamaica, a fringing reef grew and was subsequently planed off as sea level rose to and fell from a highstand between about 132,000 and 147,000 y B.P. Depositional facies encountered in cores consist of back reef, reef flat, reef crest, and shallow fore-reef zones, and many appear to have a storm-modified fabric analogous to the modern fringing reef. Eustatic changes in sea level resulted in 3 periods of marine submergence, and two periods of emergence in a meteoric vadose regime.
Hematopoietic cell transplantation in Latin America

The first bone marrow transplantation in Latin America was performed more than 30 years ago and since then several countries have started transplant programs. The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research captured information on 13,473 transplants performed in Latin America from 1981 to 2009. The current report summarizes this activity. Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil have the largest activity in the region. Despite increase in the annual number of transplants, the activity is limited to sibling donor and autologous transplants. Indications are similar to other regions with a proportionally higher number of pediatric transplants for treatment of non-malignant diseases. Unrelated donor transplant activity is also increasing through collaborations with international donor registries and the development of the first national donor registry in Brazil. Umbilical cord transplants were also reported in Latin American centers, mainly in Brazil and most commonly used for treatment of children with malignant diseases. In conclusion, hematopoietic cell transplantation is routinely performed in several centers in Latin America. However, the activity is low compared to the population in need. Challenges with costs of transplantation, donor availability, number of centers of excellence, and trained personnel need to be addressed for further development of this field in the region. Additionally, more integration between countries and transplant centers is an important next step and can assist in improving awareness for the field and maximizing the transplant activity in Latin America.
Synthesis and characterization of K(In6.5Ag6.5)

Abstract The pseudo-ternary compound K ( In 6.5 Ag 6.5 ) has been synthesized from the elements and either excess indium or excess indium and silver. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that K ( In 6.5 Ag 6.5 ) crystallizes in the cubic space group Fm 3 ¯ c , a = 13.5101 ( 6 ) A ( Z = 8 ) , and adopts the NaZn 13 structure type ( R 1 = 0.0338 ) . Four probe resistivity measurements show K ( In 6.5 Ag 6.5 ) to be a metal with a room temperature resistivity of 81 μ Ω cm and a weak temperature dependence.
Regular completions of uniform convergence spaces

A regular completion with universal property is obtained for each member of the class of u –embedded uniform convergence spaces, a class which includes the Hausdorff uniform spaces. This completion is obtained by embedding each u -embedded uniform convergence space ( X , I ) into the dual space of a complete function algebra composed of the uniformly continuous functions from ( X , I ) into the real line.
Effects of copper and vitamin B-6 deficiency on taste sensitivity in the rat: a signal detection analysis.

Abstract The effects of dietary copper and Vitamin B-6 deficiency on NaCl sensitivity in adult male rats were assessed in separate studies using a double-blind protocol, high-precision gustometry, computer-controlled go/no-go operant procedures and signal detection measures of sensitivity and responsivity. The dietary manipulations reduced plasma copper ion content to 40% of baseline levels in the copper deficient group and plasma 5′-pyridoxalphosphate content to 5% of baseline levels in the Vitamin B-6 deficient group and, as expected, altered hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in both groups. These metabolic changes resulted in increased NaCl preference in the Vitamin B-6 deficient group but did not alter sensitivity or responsivity to NaCl, and similar results were obtained in simple and complex taste discrimination tests. The present results demonstrate that dietary copper and Vitamin B-6 deficiencies do not result in altered taste sensitivity in the adult male rat.
Nonlinear regression: a hybrid model

Abstract Using traditional parametric methods of regression analysis, one must make assumption(s) about the form of the regression equation which may not be valid. In high-dimensional cases of a reasonable sample size, nonparametric techniques of regression analysis (kernel, nearest neighbor, and spline smoothing) do not perform well due to the “curse of dimensionality”. This paper proposes a nontraditional nonlinear regression model for cases in which the sample space is high dimensional and the relationship between the independent variables and dependent variable is arbitrary. This research suggests the combination of the linear regression analysis method with the self-organizing feature maps, algorithm for high-dimensional convex polytopes, and back-propagation neural networks. When the sample set is pre-processed by a linear regression function, the self-organizing feature maps can be used to detect clusters of misrepresented sample points when they exist. Using the algorithm for high-dimensional convex polytopes, the sample data points in each of these clusters are sorted into two classes, each of which is supposed to distribute on one of the two sides of the pursued regression function. These groups of data points are then used to train the back-propagation neural network. The function represented by the trained neural network, which represents the boundary between the two groups, is the nonlinear regression function for the original data set. Scope and purpose Neural networks have received a great deal of attention in many research and application areas. One of the advantages of neural networks is the adaptive ability of generalization of data from the real world. Taking this advantage, many researchers use neural networks for nonlinear regression analysis and have reported positive experimental results in their applications. However, little research has addressed two correlated issues concurrently: the unpredictability of a single neural network in nonlinear regression, and a possible way(s) of improving the performance of neural networks in nonlinear regression analysis. In this paper a hybrid model which combines the linear regression method, neural networks, and the algorithm for convex polytopes is developed for nonlinear regression. This paper contests that a neural network model could be a more useful nonlinear regression tool if it successfully incorporates human knowledge (heuristics) and other regression techniques.
Effects of para-methoxyamphetamine and 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine on serotonergic mechanisms

A comparison of serotonergic effects of (±)-para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA) and (±)-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (2,5-DMA) was studied in rats. The activation of myoclonic twitch activity (MTA) of suprahyoideal muscle in urethane-anesthetized rats has been reported previously to involve central serotonergic and dopaminergic mechanisms. PMA (0.1–3.2 mg/kg i.v.) and 2,5-DMA (2–16 mg/kg i.v.) increased the MTA. The increased MTA caused by both PMA and 2,5-DMA was blocked by a 5-HT receptor blocker, methysergide, indicating that a serotonergic mechanism was involved. The increased MTA induced by PMA was reduced by a 5-HT synthesis inhibitor, para-chlorphenylalanine, (pCPA), and by a 5-HT uptake inhibitor, chlorimipramine. On the other hand, the increased MTA induced by 2,5-DMA was not blocked by pCPA or chlorimipramine. Using a ventricular perfusion technique in urethane-anesthetized rats, PMA (1.6 mg/kg) effectively increased the release of 3H-radioactivity from brain preloaded with 3H-5-HT before the initiation of perfusion whereas 2,5-DMA (16 mg/kg) decreased the release of 3H-radioactivity. Analysis of the perfusate by thin layer chromatography for 3H-5-HT and 3H-5-HIAA revealed an increased release of unchanged 3H-5-HT in the perfusate after the injection of PMA. The ratio of 3H-5-HT to 3H-5-HIAA was markedly increased after PMA but no alteration of this ratio was observed after 2,5-DMA. It is concluded that PMA elicits its pharmacological action indirectly by releasing 5-HT while 2,5-DMA acts directly on 5-HT receptors.
Acute Renal Failure in Children

1. Dilys A. Whyte, MD* 2. Richard N. Fine, MD* 1. *State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Define acute renal failure (ARF). 2. Differentiate the three forms of ARF. 3. Initiate treatment, including stabilization, of a patient who has ARF. 4. Discuss the various medications necessary for treating a patient who has ARF. Acute renal failure (ARF) is defined as an acute decline in renal function characterized by an increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine values, often accompanied by hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and hypertension. Significant morbidity and mortality can accompany ARF. Patients who have ARF recover their renal function either partially or completely or they develop end-stage renal disease. They also may develop associated multiorgan disease. ARF is divided into three forms: prerenal failure (most common), intrinsic renal failure, and postrenal failure. Treatment ranges from conservative medical management to dialysis or renal transplantation, depending on the severity of kidney disease and degree of renal function recovery. Worldwide, most cases of ARF in children are due to hemolytic-uremic syndrome or volume depletion. ### Causes Prerenal failure refers to hypoperfusion of the kidneys. There are a variety of causes for such hypoperfusion, the most common of which is hypovolemia due to gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, congenital heart disease, and sepsis (Table 1). | Extracellular Fluid Volume Deficits | || | | | Cardiac Dysfunction | | | Table 1. Causes of Prerenal Acute Renal Failure ### Pathophysiology Prerenal ARF …
Population Size and Density as Related to Laying House Performance

Abstract MANY poultry production management recommendations are not based on research results. One such recommendation, floor space per bird, is surprisingly void of supporting research data. The floor space requirements suggested by voluminous extension and commercial management publications are based on size of bird and approximate concentrations of birds that have been shown to be compatible with dry litter under a range of housing designs and quality. Advances in the technology of poultry housing materials, equipment, and ventilation systems have made substantial progress in controlling the litter moisture problem. Bressler (1956) has reported the results of a housing demonstration where satisfactory litter conditions were maintained at bird densities of one square foot floor space per bird. That crowding may provide a potent stress factor is nicely demonstrated by the work of Christian (1957) with mice. Siegel (1958) has studied the effect of floor space allowance on growth, livability and adrenal function …
Production of ethanol from enzymatically hydrolyzed orange peel by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We extended our previous investigations of enzymatic hydrolysis of polysaccharides in orange peel by commercial cellulase and pectinase enzymes to higher, more practical concentrations of orange peel solids. High yields of saccharification could be maintained even at substrate concentrations as high as 22–23%, but the rates of solubilization and saccharification decreased 2-3-fold. We also tested the fermentability of these hydrolysates by the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae, which revealed the presence of inhibitory compounds. These compounds could be removed by the filtration of hydrolyzed peel. Successful fermentations of filtered hydrolysates were achieved after pH adjustment with calcium carbonate.
Hemoglobins Austin and Waco: Two Hemoglobins with substitutions in the α1β2 contact region

Abstract Hemoglobins (Hbs) Austin and Waco were detected by their electrophoretic migration on cellulose acetate (pH 8.4) and citrate agar (pH 6.2). By these methods, both variants migrated between Hbs A and F. Globin chain analysis at pH 8.6 indicated that the mutant β chain of Hb Austin was faster moving than the βA chain; however, the mutant chain of Hb Waco was indistinguishable from the βA chain by this technique. The two variants were isolated by ion-exchange column chromatography. Sequence studies demonstrated a substitution of serine (Hb Austin) and lysine (Hb Waco) for arginine at position 40 in the β chain. These mutations involve an amino acid residue in the α1β2 contact region, which, before this report, had been considered invariant in all hemoglobin sequences. Hb Austin was found to exist as dimers when oxygenated and as tetramers when deoxygenated. The equilibrium constant (Kd) for the tetramer to dimer transition was approximately 300 × 10−6 m , as calculated from sedimentation velocity studies. This variant also had high oxygen affinity, a much reduced heme-heme interaction, and a normal Bohr effect. The functional properties of Hb Waco were similar to those of Hb A.
Abortion Law in Nepal: The Road to Reform

In 2002 Nepal's parliament passed a liberal abortion law, after nearly three decades of reform efforts. This paper reviews the history of the movement for reform and the combination of factors that contributed to its success. These include sustained advocacy for reform; the dissemination of knowledge, information and evidence; adoption of the reform agenda by the public sector and its leadership in involving other stakeholders; the existence of work for safe motherhood as the context in which the initiative could gain support; an active women's rights movement and support from international and multilateral organisations; sustained involvement of local NGOs, civil society and professional organisations; the involvement of journalists and the media; the absence of significant opposition; courageous government officials and an enabling democratic political system. The overriding rationale for reforming the abortion law in Nepal has been to ensure safe motherhood and women's rights. The first government abortion services officially began in March 2004 at the Maternity Hospital in Kathmandu; services will be expanded gradually to other public and private hospitals and private clinics in the coming years.
Large dynamic contact angles

Abstract The relation between the dynamic contact angle and the capillary number is explored by extending de Gennes’ model where viscous dissipation is equated to the surface work. A cutoff is used to eliminate the contact line singularity. The aim has been to increase the applicability of existing results to include higher contact angles. The flow near the contact line is assumed to be in the creeping flow regime. The results uphold Voinov–Hoffman–Tanner rule at small contact angles but only in the liquid–air system and not in the liquid–liquid system. The more prevalent liquid–air system shows a fold at a dynamic contact angle of 180°. This indicates that at 180° the system jumps out of the dynamic contact line arrangement to an entrained system that has no contact line. Liquid–liquid systems have folds at much lower contact angles. Comparisons with experiments show very good agreement up to contact angles of 120° but the comparisons show only qualitative agreement at large contact angles. Possible explanations have been provided for the latter.
Hydrogen embrittlement of niobium—III. High temperature behavior☆

Abstract The deformation behavior of niobium-hydrogen alloys was investigated in the temperature range 125–500°C and at compositions up to H Nb of 0.9. High temperature tensile tests and fractographic studies were applied to determine the fracture mechanisms. It is shown that at T ≲ 450°C and H Nb ≳ 0.3 fracture occurs by a cleavage mode. The mechanism of this high temperature hydrogen embrittlement is discussed. The fracture mechanism is shown to be consistent with the stress induced formation and cleavage of NbH2.
Relationships between scores on Stanford-Binet IV and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised.

Estimations of some relationships among scores on the “General Purpose Abbreviated Battery” of the Stanford-Binet: Fourth Edition and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children—Revised were based...
Photoluminescence in compensated n-type, Si-doped gallium arsenide*

Abstract Band tailing observed in highly doped GaAs and other semiconductors has been attributed to screened coulomb potentials. The amphoteric nature of melt-grown, Si-doped samples, limiting the free electron concentration to below n =5×10 18 cm −3 , permitted the unequivocal study of the band tail parameters as a function of impurity concentration at virtually constant free carrier screening over a silicon concentration range from 2·6×10 18 , to 1·2×10 20 cm −3 . The photoluminescent spectra of such samples consisted of two broad bands, one of which, centered at 1·2 eV, decreased with increasing temperature and vanished at the higher temperatures where accurate analysis of the shape of the other band, centered at any energy close to the band gap, could be made. The intensity of the low energy side of the latter band was found to be exponential and proportional to exp ( hv /E 0 ), and the dependence of E 0 on the concentration of the silicon dopant was determined. Since a change of the excitation intensity over two orders of magnitude did not change the position or shape of the band-to-band ‘line’, it was concluded that the nature of the spectra reflects exponential density-of-states tails at the conduction band edge.
Trends in the Adsorption of Volatile Organic Compounds in a Large-Pore Metal−Organic Framework, IRMOF-1

Metal−organic frameworks have been proposed as useful sorbents for the capture of a variety of compounds. In this work, inverse gas chromatography (IGC) utilizing micropacked capillary columns was used to probe the adsorption of more than 30 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on IRMOF-1. In an attempt to study the effect of structural degradation upon VOC adsorption, multiple samples of IRMOF-1 with widely ranging properties were investigated. Trends in the differential enthalpies and equilibrium constants for the adsorption of VOCs were determined on the basis of the molecular properties of the adsorbate and the structural properties of the MOF sample. The results indicate that samples of IRMOF-1 that are affected by a moderate amount of structural degradation interact with adsorbed species more strongly than does a sample with fewer defects, resulting in higher heats of adsorption. Samples of IRMOF-1 with specific surface areas of around 1000 m2/g show heats of adsorption for alkanes that are higher than...
Piecewise monotone interpolation

Abstract In reaction to a recent paper by E. Passow in this Journal, it is shown that broken line interpolation as a scheme for piecewise monotone interpolation is hard to improve upon. It is also shown that a family of smooth piecewise polynomial interpolants, introduced by Swartz and Varga and noted by Passow to be piecewise monotone, converges monotonely, for fixed data, to a piecewise constant interpolant as the degree goes to infinity. Finally, piecewise monotone interpolation by splines with simple knots is discussed.
The effect of dietary lipids on clotting times and rat serum and urine prostaglandin concentrations.

Abstract The main precursor of prostaglandins is arachidonate which is derived from elongation and desaturation of linoleic acid. The influence of increasing dietary levels of linoleate on clotting times and prostaglandin (PG) concentrations of rat serum and urine was evaluated. Five diets varying in linoleate calories between 0.4–28.8% were utilized. The urinary excretion of PGE 2 , PGE 1 , PGF 2α , 6-keto-PGF 1α and thromboxane B 2 doubled when the linoleate calories increased from 0.4 to 13.6% and remained at that level as the percent linoleate calories increased to 28.8. In a second experiment, 3 diets varying in linoleate calories between 0.2 and 11% were utilized. As linoleate calories increased from 7.0 to 11%, the urinary levels of PGE 2 , PGE 1 , thromboxane B 2 , and 6-keto-PGF 1α approximately doubled. No differences in clotting times or in serum PG or thromboxane B 2 values were observed. The lack of effect is discussed.
Efficient, Long-term Hepatic Gene Transfer Using Clinically Relevant HDAd Doses by Balloon Occlusion Catheter Delivery in Nonhuman Primates

Helper-dependent adenoviral vectors (HDAd) are devoid of all viral coding sequences and are thus an improvement over early generation Ad because they can provide long-term transgene expression in vivo without chronic toxicity. However, high vector doses are required to achieve efficient hepatic transduction by systemic intravenous injection, and this unfortunately results in dose-dependent acute toxicity. To overcome this important obstacle, we have developed a minimally invasive method to preferentially deliver HDAd into the liver of nonhuman primates. Briefly, a balloon occlusion catheter was percutaneously positioned in the inferior vena cava to occlude hepatic venous outflow. HDAd was injected directly into the occluded liver via a percutaneously placed hepatic artery catheter. Compared to systemic vector injection, this approach resulted in substantially higher hepatic transduction efficiency using clinically relevant low vector doses and was accompanied by mild-to-moderate acute but transient toxicities. Transgene expression was sustained for up to 964 days. These results suggest that our minimally invasive method of delivery can significantly improve the vector's therapeutic index and may be a first step toward clinical application of HDAd for liver-directed gene therapy.
Evidence against a central bottleneck during the attentional blink : Multiple channels for configural and featural processing

When a visual target is identified, there is a period of several hundred milliseconds when the processing of subsequent targets is impaired, a phenomenon labeled the attentional blink (AB). The emerging consensus is that the identification of a visual target temporarily occupies a limited attentional resource that is essential for all visual perception. The present results challenge this view. With the same digit discrimination task that impaired subsequent letter discrimination for several hundred milliseconds, we found no disruption of subsequent face discrimination. These results suggest that all stimuli do not compete for access to a single resource for visual perception. We propose a multi-channel account of interference in the AB paradigm.
Nonlinearity and Persistence in PPP: Does Controlling for Nonlinearity Solve the PPP Puzzle?

We suggest half-life measures conditional on various regimes to examine persistence in the purchasing power parity (PPP) relations within nonlinear exponential smooth transition autoregressive (ESTAR) models. We use normal sampling and simulated confidence intervals for the regime-dependent half-lives. Statistical testing and simulations suggest that the regime-dependent half-lives work well in characterizing the persistence of departures from PPP in ESTAR models. The analysis reveals considerable persistence in PPP deviations and variation in persistence across currency groups and over time. Findings in the paper suggest that incorporating nonlinearities into PPP may not necessarily solve the PPP puzzle as claimed in some recent studies.
Solvent structural changes in repulsive and attractive supercritical mixtures. a molecular distribution study

Abstract By examination of the molecular distribution functions, we are able to determine the long-range solvent structures that lead to “repulsive” or “attractive” supercritical-fluid behavior. Integral equation theories are used to obtain these distribution functions. Depletion of solvent molecules about the solute molecule over 20 molecular diameters is responsible for the positive growth of the partial molar volumes in repulsive mixtures; just as enrichment of solvent molecules over long ranges causes the collapse of the partial molar volumes in attractive mixtures. In fact, there is a competition between the “compressibility” of the solvent near the critical point and the “affinity” of the solvent toward the solute species. The macroscopic properties derive their major contribution from these long-range solvent-solute correlations, although there is evidence of local rarefaction or densification of solvent molecules in the first solvation shell.
Synthesis and properties of a liquid oligomeric cyanate ester resin

Abstract A multiple aromatic ether-containing cyanate ester resin system with high thermal stability and superb processability has been developed. The oligomeric monomer was prepared via a hydroxyl-terminated intermediate synthesized from a modified Ullmann synthesis with bisphenol A and 1,3-dibromobenzene in the presence of potassium carbonate and a catalytic amount of a copper (I) complex in N , N -dimethylformamide. The hydroxyl-terminated intermediate was end-capped with the cyanate moiety by reaction with cyanogen bromide and triethylamine in dry acetone resulting in a resinous material at ambient temperatures. The thermo-oxidative and water absorption properties were determined for the new cyanate ester polymer as well as its flexural strength, flexural modulus and Rockwell hardness. Mechanical tests were also conducted on the commercially available 2,2′-bis(4-cyanatophenyl)isopropylidene cyanate ester resin to investigate the effect of introducing an oligomeric spacer between the terminal end groups on the properties of the material.
Improving Distance Education for Students with Special Needs: A Qualitative Study of Students’ Experiences with an Online Library Research Course

This article describes a study in which seven students with diverse disabilities participated in a one-credit online library research course which had been adapted to be accessible using the best practices literature on distance education for students with special needs. Students provided feedback on the design of the course and participated in in-depth interviews. Results of this study suggest any given class may have students with different types of disabilities, with different paths toward learning. Using the principles of universal design for learning can improve distance education not only for students with special needs, but for all types of learners.
MANAGED COMPETITION IN FLORIDA HEALTH CARE: ITS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Managed competition in health care is a model for reform that has been adopted by several states and considered as a model for national health care reform. This article assesses the strengths and weaknesses of managed competition in Florida based on the responses of essential participants in the managed competition network and data from network documents. Results of the analysis reveal that the strength of the reform has been in offering small employers and their employees a wide choice of health care insurance and in providing them with information to make informed health insurance choices. In addition to increasing choice and information, the managed competition network has become the small group insurance industry watchdog, applying pressure to keep the market fair and functioning. However, cost control difficulties and a continued limited access to health insurance demonstrate the weaknesses of the Florida reform. The article concludes by discussing the politicization of health care reform in Florida and the future of this reform effort in a changing political climate.
On modeling galaxy-scale strong lens systems

I review methods for modeling gravitational lens systems comprising multiple images of a background source surrounding a foreground galaxy. In a Bayesian framework, the likelihood is driven by the nature of the data, which in turn depends on whether the source is point-like or extended. The prior encodes astrophysical expectations about lens galaxy mass distributions, either through a careful choice of model families, or through an explicit Bayesian prior applied to under-constrained free-form models. We can think about different lens modeling methods in terms of their choices of likelihoods and priors.
Pay satisfaction: its multidimensional nature and measurement.

The present study was guided by the general hypothesis that pay satisfaction is multidimensional. The Pay Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) was developed to assess five dimensions of satisfaction with pay (level, benefits, raises, structure, and administration). Results on two heterogeneous samples of employees provided support for the multidimensional hypothesis, although a four-dimensional solution (level, benefits, raises, structure/administration) provided better representation of the variance in the items studied. These four scales showed high internal consistency reliabilities. Comparison of the pay scales of the Job Descriptive Index and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire with the PSQ dimensions suggested that these well-known scales primarily measure satisfaction with pay level. Implications of the findings for pay satisfaction research, both substantive and measurement oriented, are discussed.
Statistical distribution of foveal transverse chromatic aberration, pupil centration, and angle ψ in a population of young adult eyes

Subjective transverse chromatic aberration (sTCA) manifest at the fovea was determined for a population of 85 young adults (19–38 years old) by means of a two-dimensional, two-color, vernier alignment technique. The statistical distribution of sTCA was well fitted by a bivariate Gaussian function with mean values that were not significantly different from zero in either the horizontal or the vertical direction. We conclude from this result that a hypothetical, average eye representing the population mean of human eyes with medium-sized pupils is free of foveal sTCA. However, the absolute magnitude of sTCA for any given individual was often significantly greater than zero and ranged from 0.05 to 2.67 arcmin for the red and the blue lights of a computer monitor (mean wavelengths, 605 and 497 nm, respectively). The statistical distribution of the absolute magnitude of sTCA was well described by a Rayleigh probability distribution with a mean of 0.8 arcmin. A simple device useful for population screening in a clinical setting was also tested and gave concordant results. Assuming that sTCA at the fovea is due to decentering of the pupil with respect to the visual axis, we infer from these results that the pupil is, on average, well centered in human eyes. The average magnitude of pupil decentration in individual eyes is less than 0.5 mm, which corresponds to ψ = 3 deg for the angle between the achromatic and the visual axes of the eye.
Electrophoresis coating of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in anodic nanotemplate

Self-assembling is a widely accepted for manufacturing of nanostructured materials and nanometer-scale devices. In this paper, coating of titanium oxide nanoparticles into a porous alumina template by electrophoresis technique was investigated. Aluminum template was made by anodization of aluminum plate in an oxalic acid solution. The diameter of porous aluminum was in the range of 35-45 nm. The electrophoresis deposition of nanoparticles of titanium oxide was carried put using a colloidal titanium oxide complex. The structural and composition of these films were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. It was found that the titanium particles were loaded into the porous cavity of nanotemplate under bias conditions. Self-assembled titanium dioxide nanoparticles can be used in different applications including catalysts, sensors, photonics and biomedical devices. In this paper, results of our preliminary experiments are reported.
Occurrence of Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD) in Infants ≥ 34 Weeks Gestation Is Not Explained by Carrier State for Surfactant Protein-B (SP-B) Mutation 121ins2

Occurrence of Hyaline Membrane Disease (HMD) in Infants ≥ 34 Weeks Gestation Is Not Explained by Carrier State for Surfactant Protein-B (SP-B) Mutation 121ins2
Social support in inclusive middle schools: Perceptions of youth with learning disabilities

This cross-sectional study examined the perceptions of social support reported by middle-school students with multiple learning disabilities (LD) (reading + math) in inclusive settings. Comparison groups included youths with a learning disability in reading only (RD), mathematics only (MD), and no LD (i.e., normally achieving) (NA). One hundred twenty middle-school students, 15 boys and 15 girls in each group, were included in the current study. Participants were surveyed using an established measure of perceived social support. Effect size differences and MANOVA were used in the data analyses. Learning disability type explained 21% ( p < .001) of the variance in perceptions of parent, classmate, and friend support. Students with multiple LD (RD + MD) reported the lowest perceived social support on these dependent variables. Follow-up analyses revealed that eighth-grade boys reported the lowest perceived parent support and that boys in general reported lower perceived friend support than girls. Sixth-grade students with multiple LD reported the lowest perceived friend support, and sixth-grade males reported the lowest perceived teacher support. Implications for practicing school psychologists and recommendations for future research are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 197–209, 2006.
Semiconductor Photocatalysis: Photodegradation and Trans−Cis Photoisomerization of Carotenoids

In the presence of semiconductor CdS or ZnO particles, irradiation (>350 nm) of all-trans-β-carotene (II) in dichloromethane leads to rapid degradation of the carotenoid, which is relatively stable in the absence of the semiconductors. Canthaxanthin (I), however, undergoes significant photocatalyzed degradation only on ZnO, not on CdS. High-performance liquid chromatographic studies indicate that CdS catalyzes trans−cis photoisomerization of both I and II. As in the photoisomerization in the absence of semiconductor, the major cis isomers have the 9-cis and 13-cis configuration, but, under otherwise the same condition, the ratio of cis/trans isomers has doubled. In contrast to CdS, ZnO does not catalyze the photoisomerization of either I or II, although it enhances their rate of degradation. A photoisomerization mechanism involving carotenoid radicals formed by reaction with interstitial sulfur on the CdS surface is proposed.
Neoplastic development in B-lymphocytes.

The differentiation of B-cells, unlike other hematopoietic cells that develop in a single burst, occurs in interrupted steps. As a consequence there are different types of B-cells that are distinguished by their level of development. Accordingly there are a variety of different kinds of B-cell tumors. The most common proto-oncogene that is mutated in B-cell tumors is c-myc. In mammalian systems c-myc is mutated by chromosomal rearrangements with immunoglobulin-gene-bearing chromosomes. The c-myc gene may be directly rearranged in some translocations but in a number of others the breaksites are only near the c-myc locus. The mechanism of dysregulation of myc transcription in the latter is currently being investigated. Probably the most striking finding is the number of different B-cell tumor-forming systems in different species in which one or more of the characteristic 'myc' chromosomal translocations occur. In humans these occur in eBL, sBL and AIDS-associated lymphomas. B-cell lymphomas. Dysregulation of c-myc is a major phenotype in many (but not all) B-cell tumors and further does not appear to be sufficient to establish an autonomously growing B-cell. Surprisingly the nature of the additional changes has not been determined in B-cell tumor systems. It is known though that when certain other oncogenes are passively introduced into cells with dysregulated c-myc genes autonomously growing phenotypes do emerge. The oncogenes known to cooperate with a dysregulated myc (e.g. Ha-ras, raf-1 and v-abl) are thought to code for proteins that participate in growth-factor-induced signal transductions.
Justice Antonin Scalia and the Long Game

This essay is a brief assessment of Justice Antonin Scalia's impact on the work of the Supreme Court over the last 25 years. Justice Scalia's appointment was marked by predictions that he would use his personality to help persuade his colleagues to his doctrinal views, much as Justice William Brennan had reportedly been able to do, Instead, Justice Scalia pursued what the essay calls a jurisprudential long game, emphasizing theory -- both in his devotion to textualism in the statutory arena, and originalism in constitutional law -- instead of coalition-building on a case by case basis. By doing so, he has had a significant impact on the Court's jurisprudence across doctrinal lines, and in ways that has greatly influenced both the Court and the legal system at large.
Unifying model for molecular determinants of the preselection Vβ repertoire

The primary antigen receptor repertoire is sculpted by the process of V(D)J recombination, which must strike a balance between diversification and favoring gene segments with specialized functions. The precise determinants of how often gene segments are chosen to complete variable region coding exons remain elusive. We quantified Vβ use in the preselection Tcrb repertoire and report relative contributions of 13 distinct features that may shape their recombination efficiencies, including transcription, chromatin environment, spatial proximity to their DβJβ targets, and predicted quality of recombination signal sequences (RSSs). We show that, in contrast to functional Vβ gene segments, all pseudo-Vβ segments are sequestered in transcriptionally silent chromatin, which effectively suppresses wasteful recombination. Importantly, computational analyses provide a unifying model, revealing a minimum set of five parameters that are predictive of Vβ use, dominated by chromatin modifications associated with transcription, but largely independent of precise spatial proximity to DβJβ clusters. This learned model-building strategy may be useful in predicting the relative contributions of epigenetic, spatial, and RSS features in shaping preselection V repertoires at other antigen receptor loci. Ultimately, such models may also predict how designed or naturally occurring alterations of these loci perturb the preselection use of variable gene segments.
Molecular biology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, the JC virus-induced demyelinating disease of the human brain.

Summary: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a debilitating and frequently fatal central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease caused by JC virus (JCV), for which there is currently no effective treatment. Lytic infection of oligodendrocytes in the brain leads to their eventual destruction and progressive demyelination, resulting in multiple foci of lesions in the white matter of the brain. Before the mid-1980s, PML was a relatively rare disease, reported to occur primarily in those with underlying neoplastic conditions affecting immune function and, more rarely, in allograft recipients receiving immunosuppressive drugs. However, with the onset of the AIDS pandemic, the incidence of PML has increased dramatically. Approximately 3 to 5% of HIV-infected individuals will develop PML, which is classified as an AIDS-defining illness. In addition, the recent advent of humanized monoclonal antibody therapy for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn's disease has also led to an increased risk of PML as a side effect of immunotherapy. Thus, the study of JCV and the elucidation of the underlying causes of PML are important and active areas of research that may lead to new insights into immune function and host antiviral defense, as well as to potential new therapies.
OS-level power minimization under tight performance constraints in general purpose systems

We propose a new DVFS algorithm for enterprise systems that elevates performance as a first order control parameter and manages frequency and voltage as a function of performance requirements. We implement our algorithm on real Intel Westmere platform in Linux and demonstrate its ability to reduce the standard deviation from target performance by more than 90% over state of the art policies while reducing average power by 17%.
Market Reform, Programmatic (De)alignment, and Party System Stability in Latin America

Although democratic regimes in Latin America since the early 1980s have been surprisingly durable, party systems in much of the region continue to experience very high levels of electoral instability. A critical juncture approach to institutional change suggests that variation in party system stability is related to the impact of market liberalization in the 1980s and 1990s on the programmatic alignment—or dealignment—of partisan competition. Market reforms that were adopted by conservative leaders and opposed by a major leftist rival aligned party systems programmatically, allowing societal opposition to be channeled into institutionalized forms of competition that were highly stable in the postadjustment era. By contrast, bait-and-switch reforms adopted by populist or leftist leaders were programmatically dealigning for party systems, leaving them vulnerable to highly destabilizing reactive sequences in the aftermath to the reform process—including mass social protests, the demise of historic conservati...
Inclusion as an instructional approach: Fostering inclusive writing communities in preschool classrooms:

Preschool students with disabilities engage in social interaction with peers less often than children developing typically in inclusive classrooms. This research explores how divergent theories of literacy learning, those inherent in the structure of special education and those promoted by scholars interested in emergent literacy learning, impact upon inclusive classrooms. This qualitative case study details how a writing community in an inclusive preschool classroom promoted social engagement and literacy learning of all students. The study highlights one preschooler with a disability to showcase one way in which these divergent theories of learning might be bridged.
Energy efficient virtual MIMO-based cooperative communications for wireless sensor networks

An energy-efficient virtual multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)-based communications architecture is proposed for energy-limited, distributed and cooperative wireless sensor networks. Assuming a space-time block coding (STBC) based MIMO system, the energy and delay efficiencies of the proposed MIMO-based communications scheme are derived using analytic techniques. The efficiency of the proposed MIMO-based communication system is related to the system and channel propagation parameters. These investigations show that MIMO techniques can be made to provide significant energy savings and delay efficiencies at the same time with judicious choice of system parameters at the design level. Further, the dependence of energy efficiency of proposed MIMO-based wireless sensor network on fading coherence time and the required amount of training is analyzed. These results justify the application of proposed cooperative MIMO-based scheme in wireless sensor networks even after allowing for additional training overheads.