cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear Elastic Behavior of Achilles Tendon at the Fascicle Scale

Parallel collagen fibers such as ligaments and tendons are composed of fiber bundles, or fascicles, enclosed in a sheath of reticular membrane. In the Achilles tendon, these fascicles can be long, extending from the gastro-soleus unit to the calcaneal insertion site (Fig. 1). Although the overall functional behavior of the whole tendon is well established[1], there is little information detailing properties of individual fascicles or their interactions. Knowledge of the structural and biomechanical properties at the “mesostructural” scale (i.e. fascicle-scale) is critical to understanding tissue pathologies; in particular the processes involved in injury and healing, and the development of improved computational models and functional tissue engineered constructs.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Conformal anomaly of super Wilson loop

Abstract Classically supersymmetric Wilson loop on a null polygonal contour possesses all symmetries required to match it onto non-MHV amplitudes in maximally supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory. However, to define it quantum mechanically, one is forced to regularize it since perturbative loop diagrams are not well defined due to presence of ultraviolet divergences stemming from integration in the vicinity of the cusps. A regularization that is adopted by practitioners by allowing one to use spinor helicity formalism, on the one hand, and systematically go to higher orders of perturbation theory is based on a version of dimensional regularization, known as Four-Dimensional Helicity scheme. Recently it was demonstrated that its use for the super Wilson loop at one loop breaks both conformal symmetry and Poincare supersymmetry. Presently, we exhibit the origin for these effects and demonstrate how one can undo this breaking. The phenomenon is alike the one emerging in renormalization group mixing of conformal operators in conformal theories when one uses dimensional regularization. The rotation matrix to the diagonal basis is found by means of computing the anomaly in the Ward identity for the conformal boost. Presently, we apply this ideology to the super Wilson loop. We compute the one-loop conformal anomaly for the super Wilson loop and find that the anomaly depends on its Grassmann coordinates. By subtracting this anomalous contribution from the super Wilson loop we restore its interpretation as a dual description for reduced non-MHV amplitudes which are expressed in terms of superconformal invariants.
Inductive flux usage and its optimization in tokamak operation

The energy flow from the poloidal field coils of a tokamak to the electromagnetic and kinetic stored energy of the plasma is considered in the context of optimizing the operation of ITER. The goal is to optimize the flux usage in order to allow the longest possible burn in ITER at the desired conditions to meet the physics objectives (500 MW fusion power with energy gain of 10). A mathematical formulation of the energy flow is derived and applied to experiments in the DIII-D tokamak that simulate the ITER design shape and relevant normalized current and pressure. The rate of rise of the plasma current was varied, and the fastest stable current rise is found to be the optimum for flux usage in DIII-D. A method to project the results to ITER is formulated. The constraints of the ITER poloidal field coil set yield an optimum at ramp rates slower than the maximum stable rate for plasmas similar to the DIII-D plasmas. Experiments in present-day tokamaks for further optimization of the current rise and validation of the projections are suggested.
THE PSYCHOEPISTEMOLOGICAL PROFILE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS

The epistemic hierarchies of a sample of 360 African-American college students were assessed using the Psycho-Epistemological Profile and compared with norms for white college students (N = 1342). A much lower proportion of the black students had Metaphorism as the dominant mode than their white peers. Large differences were also found in the proportions of black (n = 229) and white (n = 417) women with the preference for Empiricism as their primary epistemic tool. The results do seem to support the notion of black/white differences in “cognitive style.”
Risk Factors, Complication and Measures to Prevent or Reverse Catastrophic Sodium Overcorrection in Chronic Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder encountered in clinical practice. Patients who develop this condition for more than 48 hours are at risk for severe neurological sequelae if correction of the serum sodium occurs too rapidly. Certain medical disorders are known to place patients at an increased risk for rapid correction of serum sodium concentration. Large-volume polyuria in this setting is an ominous sign. For these patients, early identification of risk factors, close monitoring of serum sodium correction and the use of 5% dextrose with or without desmopressin to prevent or reverse overcorrection are important components of treatment.
Strong oxide-oxide interactions in silica-supported magnetite catalysts: IV. Catalytic consequences of the interaction in water-gas shift

Abstract Water-gas shift was studied at 663 K and 0.1 MPa over a series of silica-supported magnetite (Fe3O4) catalysts having magnetite particles from ca. 10 to 160 nm in size. The surface sites on these catalysts were titrated using NO adsorption at 273 K and adsorption from a CO 2 CO gas mixture (CO2:CO = 85: 15) at 663 K. For these silica-supported catalysts, the water-gas shift turnover frequency, based on NO adsorption for site titration, decreased with decreasing particle size. In contrast, unsupported magnetite did not show this particle size dependence. For the smallest silica-supported magnetite particles, the turnover frequency was three orders of magnitude lower than over unsupported magnetite. The extent of CO and CO2 adsorption, per surface site as titrated by NO, was also observed to decrease with decreasing particle size; and, the water-gas shift turnover frequency, based on CO 2 CO adsorption for site titration, is independent of particle size. Thus, while NO adsorption can be used to measure the magnetite surface area of silica-supported samples, the CO 2 CO adsorption uptake is proportional to the number of active sites on the magnetite surface. Compared to unsupported magnetite, the origin of the low catalytic activity of silica-supported magnetite (based on NO adsorption for site titration) is interpreted as being due to the effects of Si4+ substitution into the surface of magnetite, which causes the iron cations at the surface to become electron deficient and coordinatively more saturated with oxygen anions.
Volatile profiles of aromatic and non-aromatic rice cultivars using SPME/GC–MS

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is enjoyed by many people as a staple food because of its flavour and texture. Some cultivars, like scented rice, are preferred over others due to their distinctive aroma and flavour. The volatile profile of rice has been explored by other investigators, some of whom have also determined a corresponding aroma using GC/olfactometry. However, little research has been done to determine if different aromatic rice cultivars produce different flavour volatiles that would make them more desirable than others when cooked. In this study, seven aromatic and two non-aromatic cultivars were examined for their volatile profiles both before and after storage using solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibres in conjunction with gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC–MS). Ninety-three volatile compounds were identified, 64 of which had not been previously reported in rice. Differences were found in the volatile compounds of aromatic and non-aromatic rice besides 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP). Most of the volatile compounds were present in freshly harvested rice and rice following storage, with very few new compounds being identified only after storage. Dellrose, an aromatic cultivar, and Cocodrie, a non-aromatic cultivar, had the most complex volatile profiles (over 64 volatiles). Sixteen compounds were found only in the aromatic cultivars, and some volatiles were found to be unique to specific aromatic cultivars. However, no distinctive pattern was observed that would identify a cultivar as being derived from Basmati, Khao Dawk Mali 105 (i.e. jasmine), or other sources of aroma. This study showed that there is a great diversity of volatiles in both aromatic and non-aromatic rice cultivars and, with further research, this may lead to a better understanding of the combination of compounds that gives a cultivar a unique flavour.
Is John Henryism a resilience factor in women experiencing intimate partner violence

Background: Research suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are two common mental health problems in intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors. Research has found that while Black women consistently report higher rates of victimization than White women, they also report less severe PTSD and depressive symptoms, suggesting that Black IPV survivors might be more resilient to PTSD and depression than are White survivors. Design: We implemented a correlational study with 81 Black and 100 White female survivors of IPV to determine if John Henryism (JH; i.e., a predisposed active coping mechanism) contributes to the resilience observed in Black IPV survivors. Methods: Participants completed the John Henryism Active Coping Scale, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Davidson Trauma Scale, and the Abusive Behavior Inventory. Results: Results demonstrated that White woman endorsed more severe depressive symptoms as compared to Black women. Severity of PTSD symptoms and JH...
Increased platelet intracellular calcium ion concentration is specific to bipolar disorder.

Abstract Background Increased baseline ([Ca2+]B) and agonist-stimulated ([Ca2+]s) free intracellular calcium ion concentrations ([Ca2+]i) are well-replicated findings in bipolar disorder, but whether this finding is specific to that condition and if so, whether it is a marker of the mood disorder or a feature seen in other disorders such as psychosis has remained unclear. Methods Platelet [Ca2+]i was assessed in 15 inpatients with psychotic and nonpsychotic mania, 17 schizophrenia inpatients, and 17 matched controls. Results Platelet [Ca2+]B and [Ca2+]s were significantly higher than controls in bipolar disorder but not schizophrenia. Variability of [Ca2+]B was significantly increased in bipolar disorder regardless of the presence of psychosis, but not in schizophrenia. Limitations Use of antipsychotic drugs by the majority of both patient groups may have obscured elevated [Ca2+]i in schizophrenia, or may have masked a difference between psychotic and nonpsychotic bipolar disorder. Measurement of [Ca2+]i is too labor intensive to become a routine test for diagnosis or prediction of treatment response. Conclusions Elevated intracellular Ca2+ signaling may be a marker of primary cellular hyperactivity that could contribute to comorbid conditions such as hypertension and neuronal apoptosis. Since lithium and carbamazepine attenuate increased [Ca2+]i, further research may demonstrate a correlation between normalization of [Ca2+]i and response to one of these medications, and further research may clarify whether a subgroup of patients may respond well to calcium channel antagonists.
Neuroimaging correlates of HIV-associated BBB compromise

Abstract The mechanisms underlying blood–brain barrier (BBB) compromise in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the ways in which BBB compromise might impair neurocognitive function remain poorly understood. This study had two aims: (1) to examine the relationship between BBB breakdown, measured using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI), plasma viral load, and neurological status; and (2) to examine the influence of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the relationship between neuroinflammation using myoinositol/creatine (mI/Cr), a surrogate marker of glial activation as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and BBB compromise determined by CE-MRI. In 25 HIV-infected patients, we found that: (1) the severity of neurocognitive impairment correlated with the degree of BBB breakdown in the basal ganglia; (2) for any given degree of BBB compromise, patients with high plasma viral load were more severely impaired; (3) BBB compromise correlated with mI/Cr in the basal ganglia; and (4) for any given level of mI/Cr, the severity of BBB compromise and the severity of neurocognitive impairment were significantly less in patients on HAART than in those who were HAART-naive. These results confirm a role for BBB compromise in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment and suggest that elevated plasma viral load in the presence of BBB compromise may increase the risk for development of HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Additionally, they suggest a salutary effect of HAART on the incidence and severity of HAD, which may, in part, be due to protection of BBB integrity.
Pilot testing of a portion-controlled, commercially available diet on presurgical weight loss and metabolic outcomes in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

Weight loss prior to bariatric surgery is often recommended, but success with weight loss varies. The current study piloted the efficacy of a structured, low-glycemic portion-controlled diet (PCD) intervention compared to usual dietary care (UDC). The study randomized 73 subjects in a 12-week, controlled, randomized design. Participants’ height, weight, BMI, percent body fat, fasting lipids, and glucose were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. Although both groups had significant BMI reductions, there were no differences based upon diet and no effect on percent body fat or metabolic outcomes (all p values >0.10). Although patients were able to reduce their BMI through dietary intervention, losses were minimal. Both groups may have been less adherent or motivated to adopt dietary recommendations because of their upcoming bariatric surgery.
Stochastic generation of temperature and solar radiation data

Abstract Meteorological data-generating models were developed that are capable of stochastically generating daily maximum and minimum temperature and total solar radiation data. Data generated from these models were tested against historical records and were found adequate, representing the observed data for 11 of 12 months. Monthly evapotranspiration calculated by using the simulated daily temperature and solar radiation data did not differ statistically from the mean monthly evapotranspiration calculated from historical data. Simulated data such as these, fill the meteorological input data requirements for a variety of hydrologic models now in use.
Integrating electromagnetics and signal processing into new radar algorithms

Modern remote sensing applications, including radar, require thoughtful consideration of electromagnetic principles for constructing advanced signal processing algorithms for detection, estimation, tracking, imaging and feature extraction. Starting from a generalized picture of the distributed sensing paradigm, this paper presents current efforts at the Radar Instrumentation Laboratory, Air Force Institute of Technology to develop efficient target models for use in integrated imaging and feature extraction algorithms for fully polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In continuing the development of anisotropic target models, closed form expressions are presented for canonical objects, and using both simulation and measurement from the Gotcha challenge data, a new and efficient integrated algorithm is demonstrated for finding distributed objects in SAR imagery.
Reliability Optimization in Multiloop Communication Networks

The rapidly growing interest in loop communication systems is accompanied by an increasing need to improve their reliability and reduce their vulnerability. This paper analyzes the reliability of multistage loop networks. Analytical expressions for topologies exhibiting maximum availability are obtained in terms of key-component down-time ratios. These optimal topologies are expressed in terms of terminal connections per subloop and subloops per higher level loops. The availability performance of these optimal topologies is investigated. Finally, the availability improvement obtainable by going to higher stage loop networks is investigated.
Patterns of Compensatory Behaviors and Disordered Eating in College Students.

Abstract. Objective: The current study investigated rates of endorsement of eating-related compensatory behaviors within a college sample. Participants: This sample included male and female students (N = 1,158). Methods: Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q). The study defined 3 groups of students: those who did not endorse purging behaviors, those who endorsed only exercise, and those who endorsed laxative use or vomiting. Rates of related eating disorder risk variables were compared across the 3 groups. Results: Almost half of college students reported utilizing exercise as a compensatory strategy over the past 28 days. Those reporting compensatory exercise did not differ from other community and college samples on EDE-Q subscales. Conclusions: Findings suggest that college students report significant rates of compensatory exercise, and those who report exercise as their only compensatory behavior also report relatively low levels of eating disorder risk.
Antilocalization sensing of interactions between two-dimensional electrons and surface species

We apply antilocalization measurements to experimentally study the interactions and exchange between InAs surface accumulation electrons and local magnetic moments of the rare earth ions Sm3+, Gd3+, Ho3+, and Dy3+, of the transition metal ions Ni2+, Co2+, and Fe3+, and of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and Fe3+-phthalocyanine deposited on the surface. The influence of the deposited species on the surface electrons is observed through the changes in the spin–orbit scattering and magnetic spin-flip scattering rates, which carry information about magnetic interactions. Experiments indicate a temperature-dependent magnetic spin-flip scattering for Ho3+, Dy3+, Ni2+, and Co2+. Concerning the spin–orbit scattering rate, we observe an increase, except for the cases of Ni2+, Fe3+, Fe3O4 nanoparticles and Fe3+-phthalocyanine. We also observe an increase in SO scattering in another system where we study the interactions of Au nanoparticles and ferromagnetic Co0.6Fe0.4 nanopillars and an In0.53Ga0.47As quantum well. Experimental results are analyzed and compared to theoretical models. Our method provides a controlled way to probe the quantum properties of two-dimensional electron systems, either on the surface of InAs or in a quantum well.
The Use of a Curved Ophthalmic Blade to Facilitate Incising Mohs Micrographic Sections with the Desired Bevel despite Anatomic Obstructions

background. Mohs micrographic surgery involves incising the specimen with a bevel, which allows for inversion so that the entire surgical margin may rest in the same plane. Anatomic obstructions occasionally preclude this angle of incision. objective. The purpose of this study is to find a curved blade that can be used for harvesting Mohs specimens when the handle of the blade can not be passed tangentially around the tumor because of anatomic obstructions. methods. A Beaver Eye Blade and arthroscopic blade, both of which are curved and have two cutting edges, were used to incise Mohs specimens. results. The ophthalmic blade was easier to use and has a better angle than the arthroscopic blade. Where the straight blade would only allow for a perpendicular or obtuse angle of incision, the Eye Blade facilitated an acute or a 90-degree angle, respectively. conclusions. The Beaver Eye Blade is a welcomed addition to the armamentarium of the Mohs surgeon for difficult-to-harvest sections, especially in the helix or internal nose.
Digital Flowfield Imaging

Digital imaging techniques are being developed for analysis of gaseous flowfields. Methods for acquiring single frames ("snapshots"), sequences of frames ("movies") and three-dimensional images are described. The data can be processed to yield distributions of chemical species, density, pressure, temperature and velocity.
An evaluation of cellular lineages in the pathogenesis of experimental hepatocellular carcinoma.

Analysis of liver from rats exposed to chemical hepatocarcinogens has led to a model that postulates sequential premalignant changes, culminating in hepatoma formation from neoplastic nodules. Several experimental protocols devised during the last quarter century have focused upon this lineage model. But proof that neoplastic nodules are the definitive premalignant lesions has not been achieved. Recent work, using α-fetoprotein as a marker for liver cell alterations induced by different carcinogen-feeding regimens, suggests that chemically induced hepatomas may also arise from nonnodular cell populations. Therefore, the extensive biochemical and biological studies of presumed “premalignant” cells may have utilized the wrong cells. Unequivocal identification of the cell population at risk for malignancy is needed to delineate mechanisms by which chemicals cause hepatocellular carcinoma.
Molecular epidemiology of blaCMY-2 plasmids carried by Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli isolates from cattle in the Pacific Northwest.

Restriction analyses of blaCMY-2-bearing plasmids and Salmonella and Escherichia coli hosts identified (i) shared highly similar plasmids in these species in rare cases, (ii) a clonal host-plasmid relationship in Salmonella enterica serotype Newport, and (iii) a very high diversity of strain types and plasmids among commensal E. coli isolates.
The effects of the distribution of training on learning feedback-assisted cardiac acceleration

In order to test a hypothesis derived from a motor skills learning model of cardiac acceleration control, groups of subjects were given biofeedback training for four sessions to learn cardiac acceleration under four different training schedules: (1) all sessions in one day, (2) daily sessions, (3) sessions every other day, and (4) weekly sessions. Ability to accelerate heart rate both with and without feedback was determined at each session. Also ability to accelerate heart rate without feedback was determined 1 week after the last training session as a measure of retention. Although there was highly significant (p<.0001) evidence of heart rate control both with and without feedback, there were no differences in degree of control attributable to distribution of training sessions. There was, however, a trend (p<.10) for subjects trained under the most distributed training schedule (weekly) to show more retention than subjects trained under a less distributed schedule (daily).
Study of the Dynamics of the Intertropical Convergence Zone with a Symmetric Version of the GLAS Climate Model

Abstract The results of some calculations with a zonally symmetric version of the Goddard Laboratory of Atmospheric Sciences (GLAS) climate model are described. The model was first used to study the nature of symmetric circulation in response to various zonally-averaged latent heating fields based on observations. Three experiments with distribution of Intent beating corresponding to the equinox condition, Northern Hemisphere summer condition and south Asian monsoon condition showed reasonable similarity to the observed distribution of surface easterlies and westerlies and the subtropical westerly jets. In the south Asian monsoon experiment, surface westerlies as well as the upper-level easterly jet in the subtropics of the Northern Hemisphere were found. The strength of the subtropical westerly jet increased with decrease in the vertical eddy viscosity. Additional experiments were carried out in which the model was allowed to determine its own latent beat sources and the results were analyzed to examine ...
Impaired early growth of infants perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus: Correlation with viral load

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effect of viral load on the early growth of infants infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods: Plasma concentrations of p24-antigen and HIV ribonucleic acid were measured retrospectively and correlated with growth parameters for the` first 18 months of life in a cohort of 47 term infants born to HIV-infected mothers prospectively enrolled in a study of perinatal HIV transmission. Comparisons of the mean weight and length of the 18 HIV-infected and 29 uninfected infants for each interval and across intervals were made. Viral load was correlated with standard deviation scores. Infants were stratified by high and low viral load during the first 6 months of life. Results: At birth, no difference in weight and length was observed between HIV-infected and uninfected infants. Between birth and 6 months of age, the infected infants grew less rapidly than the uninfected infants, a finding temporally associated with an exponential increase in HIV viremia. The linear growth of infected infants remained consistently less than that of the uninfected infants after 6 months of life, although the differences were no longer statistically significant and tended to decrease with age in parallel with declines in viral load. The median plasma concentration of HIV ribonucleic acid was significantly higher at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months in infected infants in whom growth failure developed. Infants who had a high viral load in the first 6 months of life were significantly more likely to have severe growth failure. Though the mean SD for weight of the infected infants was always less than that of the uninfected infants, the differences were small and not significant. Conclusions: Our results confirm the observation that stunting is an early frequent finding in perinatal HIV infection. The deleterious effect of HIV on linear growth appears to be correlated with the level of postnatal HIV viremia, although the exact mechanism of this association remains to be elucidated.(J Pediatr 1997; 130:915-22)
Flight control design using non-linear inverse dynamics

Abstract Aircraft in extreme flight conditions can encounter severe non-linear effects generated from high angles of attack and high angular rates. Flight control systems based upon non-linear inverse dynamics offer the potential for providing improved levels of safety and performance in these flight conditions over the competing designs developed using linearizing assumptions. Inverse dynamics are generated for specific command variable sets of a 12-state non-linear aircraft model to develop a control system which is valid over the entire flight envelope. Detailed descriptions of the inertial dynamic and aerodynamic models are given, and it is shown how the command variable sets are altered as a function of the system state to add stall prevention features to the system. Simulation results are presented for various mission objectives over a range of flight conditions to confirm the effectiveness of the design.
Early ultrastructural changes in the myocardium following thyroxine-induced hypertrophy.

The model of myocardial hypertrophy induced by thyroxine was studied with particular regard to the early ultrastructural changes in fractional volume of the mitochondria and myofibrils, and capillary distribution. Following injections of L-thyroxine (25 mg/kg IP) for 9 consecutive days, rats were sacrificed by vascular perfusion and cardiac tissue samples from the mid-wall zone of the left ventricle were processed routinely for electron microscopy. Heart weight/body weight ratios of thyroxine treated (T) rats showed a significant increase (P<0.001) over the ratios in control (C) rats. Likewise, the fractional volume of mitochondria (42%) was significantly increased (P<0.001) in the myocardium of T rats when compared with C rats (31%). However, the fractional volume of myofibrils was significantly decreased in the myocardium of T rats (P<0.001) and there was no significant difference between the hearts of T and C rats with respect to capillary luminal area/myocyte area. The mitochondria/myofibril ratio was increased in the hearts of T rats (0.82) over that found in control hearts (0.52). These results suggest that in the early stages of thyroxine-induced myocardial hypertrophy there is not an immediate increase in capillary area which may account for the ischemia and significant increase in mitochondrial volume which characterizes myocardial hypertrophy in this model.
Introduction to Special Section on the System of Care Implementation Survey (SOCIS).

Measuring complex systems is a major challenge confronting children’s mental health and other human service systems. Within the past 25 years, there has been increasing recognition that effective services for children and youth with serious emotional disturbances and their families requires, for example,a range of services; collaboration between a variety of service sectors, multiple organizations, parents and professionals; attention to careful planning; adaptation to change; performance measurement; and continuous quality improvement. While it has taken time for the field to distinguish these and other nuanced and multifaceted features of an effective system of care, the greater challenge may be to measure how well communities are doing in implementing such systems. The field is much more adept at measuring characteristics of individuals, or of discrete programs, than measuring complex systems with multiple components that connect and interact with each other in myriad and changing ways. The difficulty in measuring complex systems has held back progress in the field. The absence of an approach that can be used to assess how well individual communities and states are doing in implementing systems of care, in what areas they are doing well and not so well, and what the status of systems of care nationally has slowed progress in successfully developing such systems. The articles in this Special Section of the Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research examine the national level of implementation of the core concepts contained within the Systems of Care (SOC) approach using a sample of 225 randomly selected counties stratified by population size and poverty level. Implementation was measured using the Systems of Care Implementation Survey (SOCIS), which was completed by 910 informants representing the major child serving systems (i.e., mental health, school, and other child agencies, such as child welfare and Juvenile Justice) and child mental health advocacy groups. In the article by Boothroyd, Greenbaum, and Wang et al., 1 the research design, instrument development, and pilot testing of the data collection strategy for assessing the level of SOC implementation is described. The results illustrate a strategy that would permit the collection of data on the level of implementation of children’s systems of care principles from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders in a nationally representative sample of counties. The article by Greenbaum, Wang, and Boothroyd et al. 2 provides a detailed summary of the psychometric properties of the SOCIS, including documenting the factor structure, item performance, reliability, validity, and their association with different informant groups.
Relation of baseline plasma phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activity to left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients referred for coronary angiography.

Abstract Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) is an important modulator of phospholipid transfer and exchange among proteins. It also plays a role in inflammation and oxidative stress. Accordingly, PLTP has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is common in patients with atherosclerosis, and both inflammation and oxidative stress have also been implicated in its development and progression. The goal of the present study was to examine the relation between plasma PLTP activity and LV systolic function. Baseline plasma PLTP activity was measured in 389 male patients referred for coronary angiography for a variety of indications. Detailed clinical, angiographic and laboratory characteristics were available for the patients. Compared to those patients with normal LV function (defined as an ejection fraction of ≥55% on ventriculography), patients with any degree of LV dysfunction had elevated PLTP activity (median PLTP 17.8 pmol/μl/h versus 15.9 pmol/μl/h, p = 0.0038). Using multivariate analysis, and adjusting for a variety of confounding variables known to affect both LV function and PLTP activity, PLTP activity was an independent predictor of the presence of any left ventricular systolic dysfunction in the entire population (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.12–1.93, p = 0.0052). Furthermore, PLTP activity was an independent predictor of the presence of LV dysfunction in both patients with and without myocardial infarction on presentation (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.18–4.86, p = 0.0161 and OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.05–1.89, p = 0.0206, respectively). In conclusion, PLTP activity may represent a novel marker of LV systolic dysfunction in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.
Determination of Calcium, Sodium, and Silicate Ions in Extracts from Chemical Durability Tests on Glass

This study was undertaken to establish a method of determining the calcium ion that would be suitable for application to extracts obtained from glass durability tests. The oxalate-perman-ganate method proved to be satisfactory. It consisted essentially of precipitating tpe calcium ion as oxalate at a suitable pH and filtering, washing, and dissolving the precipitate in 9 N sulfuric acid. Standard potassium permanganate solution was added and the excess was determined photometrically after proper dilution. The sodium zinc uranyl acetate method of determining the sodium ion and the molybdenum blue method of determining the silicttte ion were also studied in order to permit their application to smaller volumes of extracts. Several determinations of Na20, CaO, and SiOz were made on extracts from soda-lime-silica glass.
The effectiveness of classroom technology in small engineering institutions

There is no question that the use of technology in the learning process is a viable tool. In large institutions the rapid move to adopt classroom technology is motivated in part by the desire to reduce costs and to enhance learning in large undergraduate classes. The approach brought faculty and students closer, made large sections manageable, and reduced the heavy dependency on teaching assistants. However, this movement is creating the unexpected perception that technology in the classroom is synopsis with good engineering education. The perception poses a dilemma for the limited enrollment institutions such as Wilkes where the presence of faculty in small classrooms is a tradition as is the close working relationship between the faculty and students. Are we to encourage and propagate the myth, or are we to resist and spend our time explaining why we are not doing it? This paper attempts to outline the plans used by Wilkes University's science and engineering departments to meet the dichotomy posed by this technology challenge.
Clear cell "sugar" tumor of the lung: benign or malignant?

Clear cell “sugar” tumors of the lung are rare pulmonary tumors. This case study illustrates a patient who was found to have a persistent nodule in the left-upper lobe of the lung. Positron emission tomographic scanning showed mild-moderate 18-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake. Based on these findings, a video-assisted resection of the tumor was undertaken. The mass was identified histologically, as a clear cell “sugar” tumor of the lung. This case report discusses the benign versus malignant nature of this rare tumor.
The structure of Sif2p, a WD repeat protein functioning in the SET3 corepressor complex

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the SIF2 gene product is an integral component of the Set3 complex (SET3C), an assembly of proteins with some homology to the human SMRT and N-CoR corepressor complexes. SET3C has histone deacetylase activity that is responsible for repressing a set of meiotic genes. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of a 46 kDa C-terminal domain of a SET3C core protein, Sif2p to 1.55 A resolution and a crystallographic R-factor of 19.0%. This domain contains an unusual eight-bladed β-propeller structure, which differs from other transcriptional corepressor structures such as yeast Tup1p and human groucho (Gro)/TLE1, which have only seven. We have demonstrated intact Sif2p is a tetramer and the N-terminal LisH (Lis-homology)-containing domain mediates tetramerization and interaction with another component of SET3C, Snt1p. Multiple sequence alignments indicate that a surface on the “top” of the protein is conserved among species, suggesting that it may play a common role in binding partner proteins. Since Sif2p appears to be the yeast homolog of human TBL1 and TBLR1, which function in the N-CoR/SMRT complexes, its structural and oligomeric properties are likely to be very similar.
Historical Perspectives: Perinatal Profiles: Dr Julius Hess and His Incubator

Historians trace the beginnings of incubator care to Johann Georg von Ruehl in 1835 at the Imperial Foundling Hospital in St Petersburg, Russia. However, the French obstetrician Stephane Tarnier (1828–1897) is credited with having conceived the development of “incubators” for preterm infants similar to those used for “brooding hens” (couveuses). Collaborating with an engineer from Paris, he developed an ingenious “thermo-siphon” heating system that circulated hot water between a double-walled metallic cage that could hold two preterm infants comfortably. In 1880, the Tarnier incubators were installed at the Paris Maternity Hospital, which became the world’s first neonatal intensive care unit (ICU). In 1915, Dr Julius Hess (1876–1955) introduced an electric-heated water-jacketed infant incubator and bed at the Sarah Morris …
A typology of teaching roles and relationships for medical education

AbstractBackground: Educational programs involve interactions between the instructors and the learners. In these interactions, instructors may play various roles. However, a nomenclature for relationships with learners appropriate to those roles has not been developed for medical education.Aims: This article presents a typology of instructor’s roles to facilitate the connection of outcomes with instructional methods and to inform training sessions for instructors.Method: Published articles in general education and medical education were searched for examples of terms used for instructor’s roles in developmental interactions. Examples were grouped and classified to develop a two-dimensional typology.Results: The typology has eight categories on two dimensions. One dimension is the purpose for interaction: (1) knowledge transmission, (2) professional identity formation, (3) negotiating the institutional milieu, and (4) relationship building. The other dimension is dichotomous on whether the instructor is a ...
How Pleasant Was Your Childhood? Beliefs About Memory Shape Inferences From Experienced Difficulty of Recall

People's beliefs about how memory works can affect their inferences from experienced difficulty of recall. Participants were asked to recall either 4 childhood events (experienced as an easy task) or 12 childhood events (experienced as a difficult task). Subsequently, they were led to believe that either pleasant or unpleasant periods of one's life fade from memory. When the recall task was difficult (12 events), participants who believed that memories from unpleasant periods fade away rated their childhood as less happy than participants who believed that memories from pleasant periods fade away. The opposite pattern was observed when the recall task was easy (4 events). This interplay of recall experiences and memory beliefs suggests that the judgmental impact of subjective experiences is shaped by beliefs about their meaning. It also suggests that the recall difficulty in clinical memory work may lead a person to make negative inferences about his or her childhood, provided the person shares the popula...
Time until first dental caries for young children first seen in Federally Qualified Health Centers: a retrospective cohort study

Objective The study assessed the time until first dental caries for young children seen at 5 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in Iowa and the relationship with the frequency and gaps (in months) of dental episodes, the number of topical fluoride treatments, and the number of dentists caring for the subject.
Association between human μ-opioid receptor gene polymorphism, pain tolerance, and opioid addiction

Central to both pain responses and opioid addiction is activity at the μ-opioid receptor. To explore the role of the μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM) in human pain tolerance and opioid addiction, we examined the relationships among OPRM genotype and experimental pain tolerance in opioid addicts in methadone treatment (n = 50) and healthy normal controls (n = 59). Pain phenotype (pain tolerant vs. pain intolerant) was operationalized as tolerance to a standardized noxious stimulus (either thermal or mechanical), and dichotomized based on distribution. One microsatellite and two single nucleotide polymorphisms, A118G and C17T, in exon 1 were typed to study the OPRM gene. Although the established relationship between the phenotypes of opioid addiction and pain intolerance was validated (P = 0.02), genotype differed neither between addict-affected vs. control, nor pain tolerant vs. intolerant subjects. The variant A118G was absent in all individuals and the C17T polymorphism appeared in only three African-American individuals (two addicts and one control). The absence of this polymorphism, the small sample size and the heterogeneous ethnic backgrounds of participants in the pilot study allow only tentative conclusions based on the results, thus the role of the opioid receptor in pain and opioid reward response remains uncertain. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hepatic cholesterol crystals and crown-like structures distinguish NASH from simple steatosis

We sought to determine whether hepatic cholesterol crystals are present in patients or mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and whether their presence or distribution correlates with the presence of NASH as compared with simple steatosis. We identified, by filipin staining, free cholesterol within hepatocyte lipid droplets in patients with NASH and in C57BL/6J mice that developed NASH following a high-fat high-cholesterol diet. Under polarized light these lipid droplets exhibited strong birefringence suggesting that some of the cholesterol was present in the form of crystals. Activated Kupffer cells aggregated around dead hepatocytes that included strongly birefringent cholesterol crystals, forming "crown-like structures" similar to those recently described in inflamed visceral adipose tissue. These Kupffer cells appeared to process the lipid of dead hepatocytes turning it into activated lipid-laden "foam cells" with numerous small cholesterol-containing droplets. In contrast, hepatocyte lipid droplets in patients and mice with simple steatosis did not exhibit cholesterol crystals and their Kupffer cells did not form crown-like structures or transform into foam cells. Our results suggest that cholesterol crystallization within hepatocyte lipid droplets and aggregation and activation of Kupffer cells in crown-like structures around such droplets represent an important, novel mechanism for progression of simple steatosis to NASH.
1A-4 Acoustoelectric Detection of Current Flow in a Neural Recording Chamber

Acoustic pressure (P) traveling in a biologic fluid or tissue generates a local change in electrical conductivity. This acoustoelectric interaction (AE) induces a voltage modulation that depends on local current, resistance, and pressure. We explore the AE signal as a way to enhance traditional electrophysiology or surface recording of neural signals. A thin stretch tube mimicking an enlarged axon and an abdominal segment of a fresh lobster nerve cord were used as test structures for AE detection in a tri-compartment neural recording chamber. Stimulating electrodes passed low frequency current through the structures, while a pair of recording electrodes detected the high frequency AE signal. Ultrasound transducers from 0.5 to 7.5 MHz delivered P up to 2 MPa. The differentially-recorded AE signal was captured on a fast data acquisition board and saved for post processing. In the lobster nerve cord, the AE signal was linear between the tested range of current densities of 9 to 86 mA/cM2 [18 dB/log(J), r 2=0.96] and P of 0.5 to 2 MPa [21 dB/log(P), r 2 =0.96]. In addition, a transverse scan of the structures produced cross-sectional AE images of current flow with remote detection by the recording electrodes. Results were consistent with AE simulations. This study demonstrates that the AF signal can be used to detect and image current flow in a biologic environment with physiologically relevant current densities and acoustic pressures on par with clinical ultrasound imaging
Dimensions of pornography

In this article, definitions and dimensions of pornography are analyzed. College students (N =201) reported the degree to which they believed items in a series of statements reflecting sexual images were pornographic. Factor analysis is used to explore the multidimensional nature of pornographic imagery and produce item indices of perceived pornographic content. The analysis delineates five dimensions of pornography: consensual heterosexual and lesbian sexual images, consensual male homosexual images, skin magazines, rape images, and art. These five dimensions of pornography are interpreted as reflecting dimensions of exploitation, degradation, and objectification. It is concluded that future research on pornography should consistently implement measures of multiple dimensions of pornography. This will allow future research findings on pornography to be aggregated and, thereby, better inform social policy.
Parallel Data Mining for Association Rules on Shared-Memory Multi-Processors

Data mining is an emerging research area, whose goal is to extract significant patterns or interesting rules from large databases. High-level inference from large volumes of routine business data can provide valuable information to businesses, such as customer buying patterns, shelving criterion in supermarkets and stock trends. Many algorithms have been proposed for data mining of association rules. However, research so far has mainly focused on sequential algorithms. In this paper we present parallel algorithms for data mining of association rules, and study the degree of parallelism, synchronization, and data locality issues on the SGI Power Challenge shared-memory multi-processor. We further present a set of optimizations for the sequential and parallel algorithms.Experiments show that a significant improvement of performance is achieved using our proposed optimizations. We also achieved good speed-up for the parallel algorithm, but we observe a need for parallel I/O techniques for further performance gains.
The Effects of Feed and Water Withdrawal and Holding Shed Treatments on Broiler Yield Parameters

Abstract Eight trials were conducted using broiler chickens between 52 to 58 days of age to study the effect of 10, 15, and 20 hr of feed and water withdrawal periods and five environmental holding shed treatments [open shed, air-conditioning (A/C), fanning and fogging (FF), fanning (F), and evaporative cooling (E/C)] on broiler yield parameters. Twelve birds of each sex were used for each withdrawal and shed combination making a total of 120 birds per trial. Live weight shrinkage increased with increasing length of withdrawal and male birds showed the highest weight loss. Dressed and chilled carcass weights, eviscerated yield, and chilled carcass yield based on farm weight decreased significantly with each increase in withdrawal period. The A/C, FF, F, and E/C sheds significantly reduced live shrinkage and improved broiler yields when compared with the open shed treatment. Preslaughter treatments did not influence carcass moisture uptake during chilling.