cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mindfully green: Examining the effect of connectedness to nature on the relationship between mindfulness and engagement in pro-environmental behavior

Abstract Mindfulness reflects heightened awareness and attention to the present moment, in both experience and behavior. Research has begun to examine mindfulness in the domain of pro-environmental behavior, and documents positive relationships with connectedness to nature, and engagement in pro-environmental behavior. Two independent studies with two different samples were conducted to test the study hypotheses. It was hypothesized that mindfulness would be significantly correlated with self-reported pro-environmental behavior (Hypothesis 1) and that that connectedness to nature indirectly affects the relationship between mindfulness and pro-environmental behavior (Hypothesis 2). Participants completed measures of mindfulness across five facets, connectedness to nature, and their engagement in 17 daily pro-environmental behaviors. Results support Hypothesis 1 in that mindfulness is significantly associated with pro-environmental behavior (Studies 1 and 2). Results also support Hypothesis 2 in that connectedness to nature indirectly affects the relationship between mindfulness and pro-environmental behavior (Studies 1 and 2). Post hoc analyses reveal that the facets of observing and nonreactivity are particularly important in the context of pro-environmental behavior (Study 2). We discuss these findings as they relate to the conceptualization of mindfulness as a means of behavioral regulation.
Production of Ethane, Ethylene, and Acetylene from Halogenated Hydrocarbons by Methanogenic Bacteria

Several methanogenic bacteria were shown to produce ethane, ethylene, and acetylene when exposed to the halogenated hydrocarbons bromoethane, dibromo- or dichloroethane, and 1,2-dibromoethylene, respectively. They also produced ethylene when exposed to the coenzyme M analog and specific methanogenic inhibitor bromoethanesulfonic acid. The production of these gases from halogenated hydrocarbons has a variety of implications concerning microbial ecology, agriculture, and toxic waste treatment. All halogenated aliphatic compounds tested were inhibitory to methanogens. Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus, Methanococcus deltae, and Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum ΔH and Marburg were completely inhibited by 7 μM 1,2-dibromoethane and, to various degrees, by 51 to 1,084 μM 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dibromoethylene, 1,2-dichloroethylene, and trichloroethylene. In general, the brominated compounds were more inhibitory. The two Methanococcus species were fully inhibited by 1 μM bromoethanesulfonic acid, whereas both Methanobacterium strains were only partly inhibited by 2,124 μM. Coenzyme M protected cells from bromoethanesulfonic acid but not from any of the other inhibitors.
Tostadas, Tortilla Chips, and Bank Loans: Wells Fargo and Salinas Y Salinas

This case is designed to illustrate the methods that small-business lenders use to evaluate the creditworthiness of potential commercial borrowers. It is set in South Central Los Angeles, the commercial loan officer is of Mexican descent, and the potential borrowers are Mexican immigrants. The unique setting allows students to evaluate the creditworthiness of the borrower, while discussing many of the nonfinancial considerations that accompany the lending process. The case explores several issues, including immigration, urban development, and the challenges facing mainstream banks trying to expand into new markets.
Abstract 2594: Adjuvant cationic nanoliposomes induce anti-cancer immunity in a murine model of breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Nanoparticles, such as liposomes, provide opportunities to simultaneously present antigens and immune modulators. Using a 4T1 murine model of breast cancer, a cationic nanoliposomal formulation containing monophosphoryl lipid A and the cationic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane induced anti-tumor activity following intratumoral administration. Addition of recombinant interleukin-12 (IL-12) further suppressed tumor growth and augmented T helper-1 cell (Th-1) polarization, with enhanced tumor infiltration by cytotoxic T cells, dendritic cells, and M1 macrophages, and amplification of interferon gamma secretion. Mice bearing dual tumors displayed arrest of tumor growth in treated tumors as well as distal, untreated tumors following combination therapy with adjuvant nanoliposomes and IL-12. In summary, adjuvant MPL-liposomes combined with localized IL-12 therapy block tumor growth, stimulate a Th-1 bias of the tumor microenvironment, and induce cancer-specific immune responses. Citation Format: Ismail M. Meraz, David J. Savage, Jianhua Gu, Jessica Rhudy, Rita E. Serda. Adjuvant cationic nanoliposomes induce anti-cancer immunity in a murine model of breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2594. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2594
A Prototype Power Assist EVA Glove

The most recent generation of space suit EVA gloves has addressed the problem of loose fit and stiffness in the fingers, but it remains difficult to build a glove assembly with low metacarpophalangeal joint stiffness. Fatigue due to constantly displacing the glove from a neutral position has been reported as the limiting factor in some EVA activities. This paper outlines an actuation system that uses gas filled bladders attached to the back of the EVA glove to provide the necessary force to bend the glove at the metacarpal joint, thus providing greater endurance during finger grasping tasks. A simple on-off controller senses hand movement through small pressure sensors between the finger and the glove restraint. The controller then fills or exhausts the bladders on the back of the glove to effectively move the neutral position of the glove as the hand inside moves.
How Do Youth with Mental Disorders Fare in the Juvenile Justice System

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between mental health problems and justice outcomes. Several studies have documented that individuals with a variety of mental disorders are overrepresented in the justice system. This pattern could result if persons with mental disorders are more likely to commit crimes, or more likely to commit serious crimes, than persons without disorders. In addition, individuals with mental disorders may be more likely than those without disorders to be sanctioned conditional on committing a particular crime. The major public policy concern is around the latter possibility, which has been interpreted as the justice system being biased against those with mental disorders. In this paper we explore several channels through which mental health problems, measured as ADHD and depression, may lead to over-representation in the criminal justice system. Using a large sample of adolescents, our findings show that youth with ADHD fare worse in the juvenile justice system in terms of the probability of being arrested and the probability of conviction once arrested. We find that elevated ADHD symptoms during adolescence are associated with statistically significant and meaningful increases in the probability of arrest and conviction after controlling for preexisting factors and mechanisms that may arise from the disorder itself.
The Binding of Thyroxine by Serum Albumin as Measured by Fluorescence Quenching

Abstract The binding of thyroxine by bovine and human serum albumin has been studied by measurements of the quenching of the ultraviolet fluorescence of the protein. The results obtained by this method have been compared with those of equilibrium dialysis measurements. Both approaches agree in assigning to serum albumin a single binding site of high affinity and three or more weak sites. The binding constant for the combination of albumin with a single molecule of thyroxine is 1.6 x 106 ± 25% at pH 7.4. At pH 7.4 the binding constant for triiodothyronine is about one-sixth that for thyroxine.
A New Procedure for Assessing Reliability of Scoring EEG Sleep Recordings

(1971). A New Procedure for Assessing Reliability of Scoring EEG Sleep Recordings. American Journal of EEG Technology: Vol. 11, Constitution & Bylaws Issue, pp. 101-110.
51INTARGETING THE BCL-2 PATHWAY

ABSTRACT Many, if not most, anti-cancer agents kill cancer cells via the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. We have investigated ways that we can predict whether a particular agent will active apoptotic signaling on a personalized basis. We have found that we can predict response to conventional chemotherapy and to BCL-2 inhibition based on BH3 Profiling. BH3 Profiling is a functional assay that measures, on a single cell basis, mitochondrial sensitivity to BH3 peptides. As such, it can measure how primed a cell is to apoptosis. In a more recent application, we have combined BH3 Profiling with brief ex vivo exposures of patient cancer cells to drugs. We have found that this provides very specific information predicting whether an individuals cancer cells will respond to an individual agent. It can be mutliplexed so that many drugs can be simultaneously evaluated, even in combination. This approach, which we call Dynamic BH3 Profiling, can be applied as a personalization strategy for cancer patients. Most predictive biomarker approaches focus on the study of components of dead, non-functional cells. BH3 Profiling demonstrates the great amount of useful information that can be obtained by the study of strategic perturbations of functional cells. Disclosure: A. Letai: Dr. Letai has received fees for adviding AbbVie. Dr. Letai's laborotary has received funding to support research from AbbVie. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
AQUEOUS TRANSPORT OF GULL NESTS AND EGGS: TAPHONOMIC IMPLICATIONS FOR FOSSIL AMNIOTE NESTS

Abstract We report the flooding and transport of glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens) nests and eggs in response to high tides at a nesting colony in Washington State. Affected nests were located on the beach bordering a small marina. Flooding and transport most commonly occurred during very high tides. Nests with eggs, nests without eggs, and eggs without nests were observed floating offshore. Our observations have implications for the interpretation of fossilized amniote nests and eggs, namely that a given fossil nest cannot be assumed a priori to have been preserved in situ without careful consideration of nest structure and lithological features of the preservation site. Also, prior to preservation, a fossil egg or egg clutch may have been transported by a floating nest functioning as a transport vessel, even if at the time of discovery evidence for the nest has disappeared.
Negative PCAOB Inspections of Triennially Inspected Auditors and Involuntary and Voluntary Client Losses

In 2004, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) began inspecting registered accounting firms performing audits of US publicly-traded companies. We examine triennially inspected auditors' involuntary and voluntary client losses in the period following receipt of a deficient PCAOB report. We find deficiency reports are associated with triennially inspected auditors being involuntarily dismissed by their clients, and companies dismissing triennially inspected auditors are more likely to hire triennially inspected auditors without deficiency reports, suggesting PCAOB inspections may be costly to triennially inspected auditors. We also find deficiency reports are associated with triennially inspected auditors voluntarily resigning from their publicly traded clients, and ceasing to be registered with the PCAOB, suggesting triennially inspected auditors with deficiency reports may be more likely to assess the post-inspection cost of regulatory compliance as greater than the rewards associated with auditing public companies. These findings are important to regulators, market participants, and academics – both in the US and internationally – as they evaluate whether provisions of SOX effectively address concerns about audit quality or may have unintended negative consequences.
A Review and Synthesis of 'Cost Stickiness' Literature

Traditional cost accounting holds the assumption that cost changes proportionately with activity. Anderson et al. (2003) show that cost increases more when activity rises than decreases less when activity falls by an equivalent amount, a behavior that they refer to as “cost stickiness”. By following Anderson et al. (2003) researchers investigate the determinants, consequences and different aspects of cost stickiness. However, some studies raise questions about the validity of the inference made by Anderson et al. (2003). Over the last few years many authors highlight some new aspects such as earnings forecasts error, agency problem and earnings management that relate to cost stickiness. The objective of this paper is to review and synthesize the growing body of research on cost stickiness. Lack of theoretical support, merely insights provided by the literature and some inconclusive findings suggest that there are ample research opportunities to improve the understanding in this area.
A study of solitary waves by He's semi-inverse variational principle

The dynamics of solitary waves in the presence of perturbation terms is studied in this paper with the aid of the semi-inverse variational principle. In this paper, shallow water waves as well as internal gravity waves in a density-stratified ocean are considered. These are respectively modeled by the Korteweg–de Vries equation as well as the compound Korteweg–de Vries equation. An analytical solution of the solitary wave is found in each case.
Transition between Cohesive and Interfacial Failure in a Laminate

A theoretical condition has been derived for deflexion of a Griffith crack meeting a plane perpendicular interface in a thick plate of uniform elastic properties. The theory suggests that a short crack should be diverted along the interface when R ad co /4π(1 — V 2 ),
Effective behavior management in preschool classrooms and children's task orientation: Enhancing emergent literacy and language development ☆

Abstract This study investigated the relations among preschool teachers’ behavior management, children's task orientation, and children's emergent literacy and language development, as well as the extent to which task orientation moderated the relation between teachers’ behavior management and children's emergent literacy and language development. Participants included 398 children and 67 preschool teachers from preschool programs serving an at-risk population. Teachers’ behavior management was observationally assessed and children's task orientation was measured via teacher-report. Children's language and emergent literacy skills were directly assessed in the fall and in the spring of the preschool year. Hierarchical linear models were used to predict children's residualized gain in emergent literacy and language (i.e., Spring scores with Fall scores as covariates) from their task orientation and their teachers’ behavior management. Task orientation and behavior management each positively predicted children's emergent literacy development, but not language development. There was a significant interaction between teachers’ behavior management and children's task orientation in predicting children's language development, such that high scores on both variables were associated with the most optimal language outcomes. Implications for research and early education are discussed.
Mitogenic CA2+ entry through ICRAC channels reciprocally regulates the tumor suppressor guanylyl cyclase C (GCC)

Guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) through cyclic GMP (cGMP) inhibits colorectal cancer cell proliferation, serving as a tumor suppressor in intestine. Conversely, Ca2+ entry through calcium release-activated calcium (Icrac) channels promotes colorectal cancer growth. The present study explored the functional relationship between mitogenic signaling by Ca2+ entry through Icrac channels and antiproliferative signaling by GCC in T84 human colon carcinoma cells. The E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin ST, a specific GCC ligand, induced intracellular accumulation of cGMP, Ca2+ entry through CNG channels and inhibition of human colorectal cancer cell proliferation. In contrast, influx of extracellular Ca2+ through Icrac channels, induced by thapsigargin, UTP or carbachol, inhibited GCC-dependent cGMP accumulation. Chelating intracellular Ca2+, removing extracellular Ca2+, or specifically blocking Icrac channels with the antagonist 2-APB reversed this inhibition. Moreover, 2-APB blocked Ca2+-dependent cell proliferation and amplified the anti-proliferative effects of ST. These data suggest that an imbalance of pro- and anti-mitogenic signals mediated by Ca2+ may contribute to mechanisms underlying colorectal carcinogenesis. In addition, they suggest that the combination of GCC agonists and Icrac channel inhibitors represents a novel paradigm for cGMP-directed therapy for colorectal tumors. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P48–P48; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.180
Electronic ionization induced atom migration in spinel MgAl2O4

Abstract We report direct spectroscopic evidence for atom migration during the initial stage of electron irradiation in spinel MgAl2O4. Time-dependent electron energy-loss spectroscopy of the Mg and Al L23 edges shows that both Mg and Al have a tendency to occupy the octahedral interstices under electron irradiation, along with a slight expansion of the Al–O bonding distance, but there is little change in the structural framework of oxygen. The process is irreversible at room temperature.
Economic advantages of familism: The case of the Sicilians of Louisiana

Drawing upon diverse sources, including the Census of 1900, we argue that a somewhat unique pattern of settlement and adjustment of Sicilians took place in Louisiana. Sicilians began arriving in Louisiana in the 1880's, typically with their families. Comparatively speaking, they experienced more occupational success than their New York counterparts. By 1900, nearly half were shopkeepers, merchants, and peddlers. They were particularly concentrated in the food industry (grocers, truck farmers, restauranteurs, wholesale and retail produce dealers, imports and exports of agricultural products). We argue that their success was, at least in part, due to their familistic orientation. We explore the direct and indirect ways their familism gave them a competitive advantage in the Louisiana market place.
NMR analysis of cardiac troponin C-troponin I complexes: effects of phosphorylation

Phosphorylation of the cardiac specific amino-terminus of troponin I has been demonstrated to reduce the Ca2+ affinity of the cardiac troponin C regulatory site. Recombinant N-terminal cardiac troponin I proteins, cardiac troponin I(33–80), cardiac troponin I(1–80), cardiac troponin I(1–80)DD and cardiac troponin I(1–80)pp, phosphorylated by protein kinase A, were used to form stable binary complexes with recombinant cardiac troponin C. Cardiac troponin I(1–80)DD, having phosphorylated Ser residues mutated to Asp, provided a stable mimetic of the phosphorylated state. In all complexes, the N-terminal domain of cardiac troponin I primarily makes contact with the C-terminal domain of cardiac troponin C. The non-phosphorylated cardiac specific amino-terminus, cardiac troponin I(1–80), was found to make additional interactions with the N-terminal domain of cardiac troponin C.
Through a glass darkly: Personal reflections on the role of meaning in response to trauma

Meaning making is an intentional process, whereby the use of stories and similar narrative forms of communication with others and with oneself create the context in which meaning can develop. The contribution to this sequence from religion and spirituality occurs through routes pertaining to both content and process. Various beliefs, such as those pertaining to the ultimate purpose in life, contribute to development of meaning after trauma. Religion and spirituality may also provide a holding context in which to experience deep and frightening emotions. Developing meaning is a primary way in which individuals respond to traumatic events that allow them to achieve a deep assimilation of previously unacceptable events and to experience emotional and behavioral resolution.
A35: Differential Benefit of Temporomandibular Joint Steroid Injections by Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Subtype

Background/Purpose: 20–70% of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients have radiographic involvement of temporomandibular joints (TMJs), often reflective of cartilage loss and erosive bony changes. Intra-articular steroid (IAS) injections have been shown by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to reduce TMJ inflammation; however, it is less clear that this therapy provides longer term benefit in terms of preventing or retarding structural changes. Herein, we review the outcomes of our JIA patients treated with IAS for TMJ synovitis. Methods: Records of JIA patients treated with IAS for TMJ synovitis between January of 2003 and March of 2013 were reviewed. Determinations of symptomatic relief and duration of relief were made from both subjective and objective portions of notes generated at clinic visits subsequent to an initial IAS procedure. Determinations of radiographic progression were based on structural changes occurring between 1st and 2nd IAS procedures. The IAS used was triamcinolone hexacetonide in doses of 5–20 mg per joint. Results: 63 patients received IAS at least once for TMJ synovitis, almost all for bilateral disease activity by MRI. Within this cohort, 55% of patients had received g1 injection per TMJ (mean of 2.75 for enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) patients vs. 1.95 for other combined JIA subtypes, p = 0.03). For 25% of patients, the TMJ was their first synovitic joint (58 % of ERA vs. 7.5% of other JIA subtypes, p < 0.001). ERA patients were older at at the time of TMJ diagnosis than the other JIA subtypes (mean age 14.0 vs. 11.5 years respectively, p = 0.003) and more likely to be symptomatic at the TMJ(s) than the other JIA subtypes (79% vs. 48% respectively, p = 0.018). Symptomatic ERA patients had a shorter mean duration of pain relief than the other symptomatic JIA subtypes (107 vs. 363 days respectively, p = 0.001). Second MR studies indicated progressive structural damage in all (32/32) patients re-imaged at intervals of 6N36 months following their initial study. More acute TMJ symptoms and heightened concern for progression in the ERA patients resulted in a shorter mean inter-injection interval of 10.9 vs. 19.9 months in the other JIA subtypes (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Of the JIA patients in clinic who have received IAS for TMJ synovitis, those with ERA benefitted the least in terms of pain relief duration and slowing of structural damage. In light of the higher frequency of IAS and the shorter duration of symptomatic relief in ERA patients, it is possible that TMJ synovitis is more aggressive in this subtype, or that a symptom-driven increase in the frequency of IAS therapy has contributed to the rate and extent of structural damage. IAS therapy, in our experience, has not prevented the progression of TMJ damage in any JIA variant.
Clinical implications of pervasive manic symptoms in children

Abstract Background Prior investigations of cross-informant agreement among parents, teachers, and clinicians about externalizing and internalizing problems have not directly addressed agreement about manic symptoms. Methods We identified three groups from a large cohort of youths, aged 8–12 years, treated on an inpatient unit. All 108 participants met criteria for an externalizing disorder, based on a semi-structured diagnostic interview. Of these, 49 did not have manic symptoms endorsed by either the parent or a teacher; 34 had manic symptoms reported by the parent only, and 25 had pervasive manic symptoms (i.e., corroborated by both sources). Results The “corroborated mania” group consistently showed the most disruptive behavior on the inpatient unit, the worst behavior problems on multiple scales, and the longest admission durations. The “parent-only” group scored in the midrange on all of these measures, with group differences typically representing small to medium effect sizes. The “externalizing only” group consistently scored lowest on all dependent measures, with the differences representing large to extremely large effects when compared with the corroborated mania group and medium effects as compared with the parent-only group. Conclusions Youths for whom multiple informants report manic symptoms appear likely to have more severe symptom presentation and more complicated, refractory courses than do youths without manic symptoms.
Bootstrapping rule induction to achieve rule stability and reduction

Most rule learning systems posit hard decision boundaries for continuous attributes and point estimates of rule accuracy, with no measures of variance, which may seem arbitrary to a domain expert. These hard boundaries/points change with small perturbations to the training data due to algorithm instability. Moreover, rule induction typically produces a large number of rules that must be filtered and interpreted by an analyst. This paper describes a method of combining rules over multiple bootstrap replications of rule induction so as to reduce the total number of rules presented to an analyst, to measure and increase the stability of the rule induction process, and to provide a measure of variance to continuous attribute decision boundaries and accuracy point estimates. A measure of similarity between rules is also introduced as a basis of multidimensional scaling to visualize rule similarity. The method was applied to perioperative data and to the UCI (University of California, Irvine) thyroid dataset.
Cost-effectiveness of endometrial evaluation prior to morcellation in surgical procedures for prolapse.

Objective The objective of the study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of 3 screening options for endometrial cancer in asymptomatic, postmenopausal women prior to undergoing morcellation in minimally invasive supracervical hysterectomy and minimally invasive sacral colpopexy for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. Study Design A decision tree model was constructed to compare no screening, endometrial biopsy, and transvaginal ultrasound for asymptomatic, postmenopausal women prior to surgery. Effectiveness was measured by life-years. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, defined as the difference in cost between 2 screening options divided by the difference in life-years between the 2 options, was calculated in 2012 US dollars for endometrial biopsy and transvaginal ultrasound, in comparison with no screening. Results Using an endometrial cancer prevalence of 0.6% and a 40% risk of upstaging after morcellation, the expected per-patient cost was $8800, $9023, and $9112 over 5 years for no screening, endometrial biopsy, and transvaginal ultrasound, respectively. The expected life-years saved compared with no screening were 0.00108 for endometrial biopsy and 0.00105 for transvaginal ultrasound, ie, 0.39 and 0.38 days, respectively. The estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $207,348 for endometrial biopsy and $298,038 for transvaginal ultrasound compared with no screening. A sensitivity analysis showed that the prevalence of endometrial cancer and the risk of endometrial cancer upstaging after morcellation had the greatest impact on the cost-effectiveness of screening. Conclusion For asymptomatic, postmenopausal women, preoperative endometrial evaluation via endometrial biopsy or transvaginal ultrasound helps improve the preoperative detection of endometrial cancer, but universal screening is not cost effective.
Mystery of thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia unlocked

Megaloblastic changes in the bone marrow are morphologically quite distinctive, and the several causes of this condition, including specific nutrient deficiencies, metabolic errors, and certain drugs, are well described. The underlying biochemical mechanisms responsible for these conspicuous changes
Asymptotic Unfoldings of Dynamical Systems by Normalizing beyond the Normal Form

Abstract Systematic methods are given for simplification of the normal form of a perturbed dynamical system near a rest point. It then becomes easy to write down an unfolding of the dynamical system which can be rigorously justified as a universal unfolding with respect to asymptotic equivalence. These unfoldings always have finite codimension. They are both weaker and stronger than topological unfoldings: they may fail to be universal unfoldings in the topological sense because of behavior which escapes detection by asymptotic methods, and they also may distinguish asymptotic behaviors that are topologically equivalent. The method is illustrated by computing an unfolding of codimension 14, as well as some standard examples of codimension 2 and 3.
Types I, II, III, and IV Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity refers to an increased reactivity or increased sensitivity by the animal body to an antigen to which it has been previously exposed. The term is often used as a synonym for allergy which describes a state of altered reactivity to an antigen. Hypersensitivity has been divided into categories based upon whether it can be passively transferred by antibodies or by specifically immune lymphoid cells. The most widely adopted current classification is that of Coombs and Gell that designates immunoglobulin-mediated (immediate) hypersensitivity reactions as types I, II and III and lymphoid cell-mediated (delayed-type) hypersensitivity/cell-mediated immunity as a type IV reaction. Hypersensitivity generally represents the “dark side” signifying the undesirable aspects of an immune reaction whereas the term immunity implies a desirable effect.
Permeability of graft-polymerized polyvinylpyrrolidone-silica resin in packed columns

Abstract The effect of solvent power and flow rate on the permeability of a size exclusion chromatography (SEC) column packed with a novel polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-grafted porous silica resin was studied. The PVP-silica resin was prepared from a porous silica size exclusion resin onto which a terminally anchored PVP layer was graft polymerized. The terminally anchored PVP layer was synthesized via a free radical graft polymerization method. The permeability of the PVP-grafted silica columns was determined from simple flow rate-pressure drop measurements. Qualitatively, as the solvent power increased, the permeability of the PVP-silica-packed column decreased. This behavior was consistent with the expected higher degree of swelling of PVP with increasing solvent power. The permeability was also lower for longer PVP surface-anchored chains. The change in the permeability of the PVP-grafted columns with shear stress was negligible, consistent with the estimate of a dense brush-like surface coverage by terminally anchored PVP molecules. The possibility of controlling the surface conformation of the PVP layer by changing the solvent power and possibly shear rate (for nonbrush coverage) suggests an additional degree of freedom in operating SEC columns. The use of polymer-silica matrix resins in size exclusion chromatography may be of special interest since one can tailor-design the surface by controlling the degrees of surface density and grafted polymer molecular weight.
Neurobehavioural symptoms 1 year after traumatic brain injury: A preliminary study of the relationship between race/ethnicity and symptoms

Objective: To investigate whether White, African American and Hispanic individuals with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) express differences in neurobehavioural symptoms at 1 year post-injury after adjusting for demographic and injury characteristics.Design: Retrospective study.Participants: One thousand, three hundred and thirty-nine individuals from the TBI Model Systems National Database with primarily moderate-to-severe TBI (978 White, 288 African American and 73 Hispanic) hospitalized between 1996 and 2001.Main outcome measures: Neurobehavioural Functioning Inventory (NFI) at 1 year post-injury.Results: There were significant differences in NFI scores among the races/ethnicities for the depression, somatic, memory/attention, communication and motor subscales, after adjusting for demographic and injury characteristics; there were not significant differences in the aggression sub-scale. Hispanics had higher levels of symptom reporting than African Americans and Whites, while differences between African A...
Rapid, non-perfusion-limited calcium exchange in cultured neonatal myocardial cells

Abstract Neontal rat myocardial cells culture are used to study the effects of zero [Ca]0 and lanthanum (La3+) on contractile function and to correlate these findings with steady-state 45Ca exchange. A rapid superfusion system is used to study cell shortening. At a stimulation rate of 1 Hz exposure to Ca2+ free solution for 900 ms abolishes contraction. Contraction is fully restored within 900 ms after return to 1 m m Ca2+ solution. Similarly, contraction is abolished 800 ms after changing to a 1 m m La3+ solution, but does not return for several min after removal of La3+. A modification of the scintillation-disc flow cell technique is used to study steady-state 45Ca exchange. Cells are grown directly on scintillant plastic discs pre-treated by the Primaria process which enhances cell adhesiveness. The cells on the discs are inserted into a specially designed flow cell which is then perfused at a rate of 500 ml/min. In this manner the labeling period, intervention and washout are performed while instantaneously and continuously monitoring the 43Ca activity without the need to interpose an unmonitored wash period. In addition, the use of on-line computer monitoring allows an accurate and precise recording of data as often as 6 times/s. This permits the identification of the following four Ca2+ compartments: (1) A rapidly exchanging compartment which is La3+ displaceable, contains 2.59 mmols Ca2+/kg dry cells and has a t 1 2 = 1.5 s ; (2) An intermediate component composed of two compartments which contain 0.43 and 0.22 mmols Ca2+/kg dry cells and exchange with t 1 2 of 19 and 103 s respectively; (3) A slowly exchangeable compartment which contains 0.69 mmols Ca2+/kg dry cells with t 1 2 = 19 min ; (4) An inexchangeable compartment which contains 6.24 mmols Ca2+/kg dry cells. The rapid compartment is La3+ displaceable and has a flux of > 1100 μmols Ca2+/kg dry cells/s. This is the first time that the kinetics and sizes of the rapid Ca2+ compartment and intermediate compartments have been measured. Correlation of contractile response to zero [Ca]0 and La3+ administration with 45Ca exchange measurements under conditions of ultra-rapid perfusion indicate that at least a portion of the La3+-displaceable rapid component is critical in the beat-to-beat control of contractile force.
Microstructure of TRISO coated particles from the AGR-1 experiment: SiC grain size and grain boundary character

Abstract Pre-irradiation SiC microstructures in tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) coated fuel particles from the Advanced Gas Reactor Fuel Development and Qualification program’s first irradiation experiment (AGR-1) were quantitatively characterized using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From EBSD, it was determined that only the cubic polymorph of as-deposited SiC was present and the SiC had a high fraction of coincident site lattice (CSL) Σ3 grain boundaries. Additionally, the local area misorientation (LAM), which is a qualitative measurement of strain in the SiC lattice, was mapped for each sample fuel variant. The morphology of the SiC/IPyC interfaces were characterized by TEM following site-specific focused ion beam (FIB) specimen preparation. It was determined that the SiC layer had a heavily faulted microstructure typical of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) SiC and that the average grain diameter increased radially from the SiC/IPyC interface for the samples manufactured with similar CVD conditions, while the last sample showed a nearly constant grain size across the layer.
Development of low-dislocation-density SI long 2-inch InP single crystals by the VCZ method

Abstract At Sumitomo Electric, 2-inch diameter 220mm-long semi-insulating InP single crystals with low dislocation density have been successfully developed by VCZ (Vapor pressure controlled Czochralski) method. This article describes the growth technique and characterization of low-dislocation-density semi-insulating long 2-inch InP single crystals.
Computational complexity of planning and approximate planning in the presence of incompleteness

Abstract In the last several years, there have been several studies about the computational complexity of classical planning assuming that the planner has complete knowledge about the initial situation. Recently, there have been proposals to use `sensing' actions to plan in the presence of incompleteness. In this paper we study the complexity of planning in such cases. In our study we use the action description language A proposed in 1991 by Gelfond and Lifschitz, and its extensions. It is known that if we consider only plans of tractable (polynomial) duration, planning in A —with complete information about the initial situation—is NP -complete: even checking whether a given objective is attainable from a given initial state is NP -complete. In this paper, we show that the planning problem in the presence of incompleteness is indeed harder: it belongs to the next level of the complexity hierarchy (in precise terms, it is Σ 2 P -complete). To overcome the complexity of this problem, Baral and Son have proposed several approximations. We show that under certain conditions, one of these approximations—0-approximation—makes the problem NP -complete (thus indeed reducing its complexity).
TH-C-M100E-03: A New Generation of Electronic Portal Imaging Devices (EPID) Using Thin-Film CdTe for Radiation Oncology Applications

Purpose: The commercially available EPIDs today commonly manufactured from amorphous‐Silicone (a‐Si) materials display numerous problems in imagecontrast & resolution. These are related to poor radiationhardness and low Z which is detrimental to their detecting capabilities. The CdTe‐based thin film devices with superior radiationhardness and much higher Z (∼50) have not yet found many applications in medical physics. Here we report first promising results on polycrystallinethin film CdTe‐based prototype EPID.Method and Materials: The proposed design utilizes a layer of high atomic number and density functioning as a converter transforming high energy X‐rays into the Compton electrons impeding onto CdTe detector operating in pulse mode. Such a converter can replace the standard scintillators used with a‐Si devices. We conducted Monte Carlo simulations testing the proposed structure and verified them with measurements using a prototype thin filmCdTe cells. Our modeling was amplified with a semi‐empirical algorithm accounting for the processes of device degradation, simultaneously applied to the a‐Si devices for comparative study. Results: We found that a layer of Pb less than 3 mm thick in combination with low‐Z material such as polystyrene, used for filtering out low‐energy scatter, is suitable for the converter. Detector output voltage in the range of the tenths of Volt for the typical radiation therapy dose rates allowed for a possibility of using the device without biasing. We have carried out verifying experiments with polycrystallineCdTe based cells: good agreement with our MC simulations was obtained. Conclusion:CdTe based thin film detectors have a high potential to become the next generation EPID's. They feature: small thickness <10 μm; efficient collection; exceptional radiationhardness; inexpensive deposition technology; sensitivity to low intensity radiation; excellent room temperature characteristics without biasing; small integration time < 500 ns.
Ambiguity and Communication Effects on Small Group Decision-Making Performance.

The literature that has characterized the field of group studies has been controversial and confusing with regard to the effect of communicative and noncommunicative variables on group decision making. The research reported here seeks further understanding of the communication-performance relationship. It is postulated that two classes of variables (homogeneity and task) moderate the relationship between group communication and group performance. This is because the variables contribute to the overall ambiguity found in the decision-making situation. The ambiguity model is advanced in an effort to reconcile the contradictory findings, where they exist, and to propose new hypotheses regarding the communication-group performance relationship.
Dysphoria among Hispanic Working Women: A Research Note

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which role conflict, life satisfaction, self-esteem, instrumentality, expressiveness, age, and education predicts dysphoria among a community sample of Hispanic working women. The sample consisted of a total of 126 Hispanic women, ranging in age from 18 to 65. Participants completed five instruments assessing gender-related traits of instrumentality and expressiveness, selfesteem, depression, life satisfaction, role conflict, and sociodemographic information. A forced entry stepwise multiple regression was conducted that included all the designated predictor variables with log transformed depression scores as the dependent variable. The significant negative beta in Step 3 indicated that women scoring high on the Masculinity (instrumentality) subscale were less likely to have a high depression score. The prediction of dysphoria by self-esteem was maintained after the masculinity score was added to the equation in Step 3. There was a significant inverse...
Stability of the Le Fort I Osteotomy With Anterior Internal Fixation Alone: A Case Series

Purpose The purpose of this case series was to evaluate the late postsurgical stability of the Le Fort I osteotomy with anterior internal fixation alone and no posterior zygomaticomaxillary buttress internal fixation. Patients and methods Sixty patients with maxillary vertical hyperplasia and mandibular retrognathia underwent a 1-piece Le Fort I osteotomy of the maxilla with superior repositioning and advancement or setback. A bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy for mandibular advancement was also performed in 22 patients. Stabilization of each maxillary osteotomy was achieved using transosseous stainless steel wires and/or 3-hole titanium miniplates in the piriform aperture region bilaterally, with no zygomaticomaxillary buttress internal fixation. (Twelve of the 60 identified patients were available for a late postoperative radiographic evaluation.) Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken preoperatively (T1), early postoperatively (T2), and late postoperatively (T3) to analyze skeletal movement. Results These 12 patients (5 male, 7 female) had a mean age of 24.5 years at surgery. Mean time from surgery to T2 was 41.2 days; mean time from surgery to T3 was 14.8 months. One patient received anterior wire osteosynthesis fixation, while 11 patients received both anterior titanium miniplate internal skeletal fixation and anterior wire osteosynthesis fixation. Six patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomy with genioplasty, 1 patient underwent Le Fort I osteotomy with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy, and 5 patients underwent Le Fort I osteotomy with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy and genioplasty. These 12 patients all underwent maxillary superior repositioning with either advancement (11 patients) or setback (1 patient). Statistically significant surgical (T2-T1) changes were found in all variables measured. In late postsurgical measurements (T3-T2), all landmarks in the horizontal and vertical plane showed statistically significant skeletal stability. Conclusion This case series suggests that anterior internal fixation alone in cases of 1-piece Le Fort I maxillary superior repositioning with advancement has good late postoperative skeletal stability.
Good teachers are needed

Contemporary academic use of a number of typically seen items on teaching evaluation devices appears to be counterproductive. That is, attempts to identify teachers who have the qualities on the evaluation instruments and those who lack these qualities (with the idea of changing the have-nots to haves) will too often locate well-liked, affable, interesting lecturers who produce students who do not learn very much.
Semiparametric proper efficiency principles and duality models for constrained multiobjective fractional optimal control problems containing arbitrary norms

Semiparametric necessary and sufficient proper efficiency conditions are established for a class of constrained multiobjective fractional optimal control problems with linear dynamics, containing arbitrary norms. Moreover, utilizing these proper efficiency results, eight semiparametric duality models are formulated and appropriate duality theorems are proved. These proper efficiency and duality criteria contain, as special cases, similar results for several classes of unorthodox optimal control problems with multiple, fractional, and conventional objective functions, which are particular cases of the main problem considered in this paper.
ProCel: smart traffic handling for a scalable software EPC

Current architecture of cellular core networks results in centralized data plane elements that maintain stateful connections, are expensive and inflexible. Software Defined Networking (SDN) based solutions for cellular core networks have been proposed both in industry and academia to increase flexibility and manageability of these networks. But, all these solutions are plagued by scalability issues that challenge the deployment of SDN in networks with high signaling traffic and large number of policy rules. In ProCel, we propose a novel design for cellular core networks, which eliminates unnecessary conscientious handling of flows in LTE core network. ProCel can potentially reduce up to 70% of data and signaling traffic at cellular core. This enables deployment of SDN technology in core networks making them flexible and evolvable. Our solution decreases application response times, allows operators to deploy virtualized network functions and better utilize CDN caches. In the long run, the programmability of ProCel system can be utilized by cellular operators to effortlessly integrate innovative services in their network.
Benefits with Risks — Bush's Tax-Based Health Care Proposals

In January, President George W. Bush announced a major two-part health initiative. Robert Reischauer writes that if adopted as proposed, the initiative would take half a step toward a more equitable system, but it would have an uncertain effect on the expansion of coverage and could expose insured Americans to some significant risks. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) debate President Bush's proposal on health insurance and other approaches to expanding coverage to more Americans.
Lipid Oxidation in Ground Beef Patties as Affected by Time-Temperature and Product Packaging Parameters

Oxidative rancidity in fresh and stored ground beef samples was measured using a thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay with antioxidant protection. The independent variables were fat concentration (15 or 30%), package type (polyethylene or vacuum-packaged), freezer storage temperature (-12.2°, -23.3° or -34.4°C) and storage time (4, 8, 12, 16, or 20 weeks). At the end of each storage time samples were thawed and TBA values were determined on the samples before and after cooking. TBA values increased during the first 12 to 16 weeks after which time it decreased for both the cooked and uncooked samples. The higher fat samples, packaged in polyethylene, had higher TBA values for both cooked and uncooked patties. Uncooked patties stored at - 12.2°C had higher TBA values than those stored at -23.3°C or -34.4°C but cooked sample TBA values showed no dependence on storage temperature.