cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of substrate depth heterogeneity on plant species coexistence on an extensive green roof

Abstract Green roofs are often planted with mixtures of plant species. Studies of green roof plant community composition over time show that species diversity often declines, in part due to competition between plant species. The incorporation of substrate depth heterogeneity into green roof designs is expected to increase habitat heterogeneity, and could reduce interspecific competition among plants, but this has not been tested empirically. Two species with contrasting responses to substrate depth and water availability, Festuca rubra and Sedum acre , were planted in a rooftop substrate depth heterogeneity experiment. There were a total of four treatments: three homogeneous treatments (substrate depth 5 cm, 10 cm, and 15 cm) and one heterogeneous treatment (patches with substrate depths of 5 cm and 15 cm), with the same substrate volume and average depth as the 10 cm homogeneous treatment. By the end of the study period there was little difference in the ratio of species’ cover between the 10 cm and 5/15 cm treatment. However, there was significantly less spread of each species into areas planted with the other species in the 5/15 cm treatment compared to the 10 cm treatment, and the 5/15 cm (heterogeneous treatment) had significantly greater overall plant cover. The results suggest that, while the effects are subtle, soil depth heterogeneity could allow coexistence of species associated with different conditions for longer than homogeneous conditions, and could result in greater plant species diversity in green roof ecosystems.
INCIDENCE OF ROTAVIRUS (RV) REINFECTION AND/OR INFECTION IN CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED WITH DIARRHEA: A PROSPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL STUDY

INCIDENCE OF ROTAVIRUS (RV) REINFECTION AND/OR INFECTION IN CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED WITH DIARRHEA: A PROSPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL STUDY
On some relations between the laplace and mellin transforms

Several earlier papers have applied some identities relating the Laplace and Mellin transforms; this note develops certain such identities, achieving greater generality and rigor. Specifically each of these transforms is expressed as a contour integral involving the other, and an expansion of the Laplace transform is derived in terms of the functions (s ċ d/ds)n (1 + s)-1 with coefficients defined by the Mellin transform.
The struggle for life: III. A predator-prey chain

Ann species predator-prey chain is analyzed to determine what oscillations occur in population sizes. It is found that only the populations of the first and second species in the chain must necessarily oscillate around the point of equilibrium if they do not come to equilibrium. The other species may or may not oscillate.
An Exploration of Ethical Issues in Research in Children’s Health and the Environment

The consideration of ethical issues relating to pediatric environmental health is a recent phenomenon. Discussions of biomedical ethics, research on children, and environmental health research have a longer history. In the late 1990s, researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, undertook a study to compare the effectiveness of several methods of reducing lead risk in housing. In a preliminary finding in the case of Grimes v. Kennedy Krieger Institute, Inc., a Maryland court questioned the ethics of performing research on children when there is no prospect of direct benefit to those children and whether parents can consent to such research. This case dramatically raised the profile of ethical issues among the pediatric environmental health research community. To broaden the discussion of these issues and in response to the Kennedy-Krieger case, the Children's Environmental Health Network held a working meeting on 5 and 6 March 2004 to explore this topic. The articles in this mini-monograph were prepared by the authors as a result of the workshop and represent their opinions. This article is an introduction to the workshop and a summary of the articles to follow.
A Simulation Approach for Bubble Flow in a Glass Melter

Combustion heat is used in glass furnaces to melt sand and cullet (scrap glass) into liquid glass to make products. The glass flow in a melter consists of solid particles of sand/cullet, liquid glass, and bubbles. Bubbles formed in the melting processes due to the glass reactions have strong impacts on glass quality and furnace efficiency. Smaller bubbles entrained in the liquid flow degrade the glass quality. Larger bubbles rise to the top of the melter and form a foam layer that impedes the radiation heat transfer from the combustion space and lowers the furnace efficiency. An Eulerian approach was developed to simulate the bubble flow in a glass melter. The approach divides bubbles into various groups and treats each group of bubbles as a continuum. The mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations of the bubble flow are derived to solve for local bubble properties. The approach was incorporated into a multiphase reacting flow computational fluid dynamics code that simulates overall furnace flows to evaluate the impacts of bubbles on glass quality and furnace efficiency.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Probing the affinity of SecA for signal peptide in different environments.

SecA, the peripheral subunit of the Escherichia coli preprotein translocase, interacts with a number of ligands during export, including signal peptides, membrane phospholipids, and nucleotides. Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), we studied the interactions of wild-type (WT) and mutant SecAs with IAEDANS-labeled signal peptide, and how these interactions are modified in the presence of other transport ligands. We find that residues on the third α-helix in the preprotein cross-linking domain (PPXD) are important for the interaction of SecA and signal peptide. For SecA in aqueous solution, saturation binding data using FRET analysis fit a single-site binding model and yielded a Kd of 2.4 μM. FRET is inhibited for SecA in lipid vesicles relative to that in aqueous solution at a low signal peptide concentration. The sigmoidal nature of the binding curve suggests that SecA in lipids has two conformational states; our results do not support different oligomeric states of SecA. Using native gel...
Bacterial and viral protein tyrosine phosphatases

Unrestricted protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity may play a role in pathogenesis. For instance, the virulence determinant gene, yopH, of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis encodes a PTPase. The phosphatase activity of the YopH protein is essential for the pathogenesis of Y. pseudotuberculosis. Yersinia pestis, the bacterium which causes the bubonic plague, also contains a gene closely related to yopH. The action of YopH on host proteins appears to break down signal transduction mechanisms in many cell types including those of the immune system. This may contribute to the ability of the bacterium to escape effective surveillance by the immune system. The vaccinia virus VH1 gene, like yopH in the Yersinia bacteria, encodes a protein phosphatase. The VH1 PTPase defines a new class of phosphatases capable of dephosphorylating both phosphoserine/threonine and tyrosine containing substrates. Proteins sharing sequence identity to this dual-specificity phosphatase have been identified from other viruses, yeast and man. Although a complete understanding of the function of these dual-specificity phosphatases is not presently available, they clearly play important roles in cell cycle regulation, growth control and mitogenic signaling mechanisms. The unique catalytic properties of the dual specificity phosphatases suggest that these catalysts constitute a distinct subfamily of phosphatases.
Notch signaling components are upregulated during both endochondral and intramembranous bone regeneration

Previous studies have demonstrated that Notch signaling regulates endochondral and intramembranous bone formation by controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. Notch signaling has also been shown to regulate healing in a variety of tissues. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare activation of the Notch signaling pathway during endochondral and intramembranous bone healing using tibial fracture and calvarial defect injury models, respectively. Bilateral tibial fractures or bilateral 1.5 mm diameter calvarial defects were created in mice, and tissues were harvested at 0, 5, 10, and 20 days post-fracture. Gene expression of Notch signaling components was upregulated during both tibial fracture and calvarial defect healing, with expression generally higher during tibial fracture healing. The most highly expressed ligand and receptor during healing, Jag1 and Notch2 (specifically the activated receptor, known as NICD2), were similarly localized in mesenchymal cells during both modes of healing, with expression decreasing during chondrogenesis, but remaining present in osteoblasts at all stages of maturity. Results suggest that in addition to embryological bone development, Notch signaling regulates both endochondral and intramembranous bone healing.
Adaptive vector quantization with fuzzy distortion measure for image coding

Despite the proven superiority of vector quantization (VQ) over scalar quantization (SQ) in terms of rate distortion theory, currently existing vector quantization algorithms, still, suffer from several practical drawbacks, such as codebook initialization, long search-process, and optimization of the distortion measure. We present a new adaptive vector quantization algorithm that uses a fuzzy distortion measure to find a globally optimum codebook. The generation of codebooks is facilitated by a self-organizing neural network-based clustering that eliminates adhoc assignment of the codebook size as required by standard statistical clustering. In addition, a multiresolution wavelet decomposition of the original image enhances the process of codebook generation. Preliminary results using standard monochrome images demonstrate excellent convergence of the algorithm, significant bit rate reduction, and yield reconstructed images with high visual quality and good PSNR and MSE. Extension of this adaptive VQ to color image compression is currently under investigation.
Vapor mixture generation for infrared sensor evaluation

The use of the equilibrium vapor cell method quantitatively supplies one or more analytes in the presence of water vapor by using the vapor liquid equilibrium properties of aqueous solutions to delivery target vapors. This study demonstrates vapor generation of ammonia, ethanol, and ammonia/ethanol mixtures from aqueous solutions. Gravimetrically prepared aqueous solutions of ethanol and/or ammonia along with vapor liquid equilibrium data permits assessment of the mixed vapor target amounts delivered into an optical cell. Acquisition of the infrared vapor phase spectra is completed with a laboratory spectrometer for the target vapors in the Beer's law concentration region using a fixed pathlength optical cell. Even though ideal solution behavior is assumed for the ethanol/ammonia interactions in the ternary solutions, the infrared spectral results between the binary and ternary solutions are shown to compare favorably.
Calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 regulation of adipokine expression.

OBJECTIVE Obesity is associated with elevated oxidative stress and low-grade systemic inflammation. We have demonstrated recently that 1alpha,25-(OH)(2)-D(3) promotes reactive oxygen species production in cultured adipocytes, whereas suppression of 1alpha,25-(OH)(2)-D(3) by increasing dietary calcium down-regulates diet-induced oxidative stress in aP2-agouti transgenic mice. However, whether the anti-obesity effect of dietary calcium plays a role in regulation of obesity-associated inflammation is not clear. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES We investigated the role of dietary calcium in the regulation of inflammatory cytokine production in aP2-agouti transgenic mice fed low- and high-calcium obesigenic diets and in the modulation of cytokine production by 1alpha,25-(OH)(2)-D(3) in cultured murine and human adipocytes. RESULTS The high-calcium diet inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 by 64% and 51%, respectively (p < 0.001), in visceral fat, stimulated the expression of the anti-inflammatory factors IL-15 and adiponectin by 52% (p = 0.001) and 54% (p = 0.025), respectively, in visceral fat, and induced a 2-fold increase in IL-15 expression in soleus muscle (p = 0.01) compared with litter mate controls on a low-calcium diet. 1alpha,25-(OH)(2)-D(3) also markedly stimulated the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (p < 0.001) and IL-6 (p = 0.016) in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and increased IL-6 (p = 0.004) and IL-8 (p < 0.001) production in differentiated human adipocytes. These effects were blocked by calcium channel antagonism with nifedipine. DISCUSSION These data demonstrate that 1alpha,25-(OH)(2)-D(3) favors inflammatory cytokine expression and inhibits anti-inflammatory cytokine expression; accordingly, suppression of 1alpha,25-(OH)(2)-D(3) by dietary calcium inhibits adipocyte-derived inflammation associated with obesity.
Long-term limb salvage and survival after endovascular and open revascularization for critical limb ischemia after adoption of endovascular-first approach by vascular surgeons.

Objective The adoption of endovascular interventions has been reported to lower amputation rates, but patients who undergo endovascular and open revascularization are not directly comparable. We have adopted an endovascular-first approach but individualize the revascularization technique according to patient characteristics. This study compared characteristics of patients who had endovascular and open procedures and assessed the long-term outcomes. Methods From December 2002 to September 2010, 433 patients underwent infrainguinal revascularization for critical limb ischemia (CLI; Rutherford IV-VI) of 514 limbs (endovascular: 295 patients, 363 limbs; open: 138 patients, 151 limbs). Patency rates, limb salvage (LS), and survival, as also their predictors, were calculated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analysis. Results The endovascular group was older, with more diabetes, renal insufficiency, and tissue loss. More reconstructions were multilevel (72% vs 39%; P Conclusions Patients who undergo endovascular revascularization for CLI are medically higher-risk patients. Those who have bypass have more complex disease and are more likely to require multilevel reconstruction and infrapopliteal intervention. Individualizing revascularization results in optimization of early and late outcomes with acceptable LS, although survival remains low in those with poor health status.
Characteristics of Transgender Individuals Entering Substance Abuse Treatment

Little is known about the needs or characteristics of transgender individuals in substance abuse treatment settings. Transgender (n=199) and non-transgender (cisgender, n=13,440) individuals were compared on psychosocial factors related to treatment, health risk behaviors, medical and mental health status and utilization, and substance use behaviors within a database that documented individuals entering substance abuse treatment in San Francisco, CA from 2007 to 2009 using logistic and linear regression analyses (run separately by identified gender). Transgender men (assigned birth sex of female) differed from cisgender men across many psychosocial factors, including having more recent employment, less legal system involvement, greater incidence of living with a substance abuser, and greater family conflict, while transgender women (assigned birth sex of male) were less likely to have minor children than cisgender women. Transgender women reported greater needle use, and HIV testing rates were greater among transgender women. Transgender men and women reported higher rates of physical health problems, mental health diagnoses, and psychiatric medications, but there were no differences in service utilization. There were no differences in substance use behaviors except that transgender women were more likely to endorse primary methamphetamine use. Transgender individuals evidence unique strengths and challenges that could inform targeted services in substance abuse treatment.
Shock Train Leading-Edge Detection in a Dual-Mode Scramjet

Time-resolved pressure measurements in a dual-mode scramjet isolator were examined to investigate the potential for using the measurements for shock train leading-edge detection. Changes in the pressure magnitude, standard deviation levels, and frequency content were observed as the shock train advanced upstream past each pressure measurement station. Three detection criteria were defined and examined: 1) 150% of the normalized pressure magnitude upstream of combustion influences, 2) 150% of the normalized pressure standard deviation level upstream of combustion influences, and 3) the maximum value of the normalized pressure standard deviation. Another method of shock train leading-edge detection involved the examination of the frequency content of the pressure signal using power spectra analysis. Results indicated that the second detection criterion provided the earliest method of shock train detection as the shock train moved upstream, followed by the first and third criteria. Also, the frequency content of the pressure signals significantly changed near the shock train leading edge. However, a comparison of this method to the three criteria first examined showed that it did not provide earlier shock train detection.
The proliferative capacity of neonatal skin fibroblasts is reduced after exposure to venous ulcer wound fluid: A potential mechanism for senescence in venous ulcers.

Abstract Purpose: We have previously shown that fibroblasts cultured from venous ulcers display characteristics of senescence and have reduced growth rates. Susceptibility of young fibroblasts to the microcirculatory changes associated with venous ulcers, such as macrophage trapping and activation, could explain the prevalence of senescent fibroblasts in these wounds. Methods: We tested the in vitro effect of venous ulcer wound fluid (VUWF), as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines known to be present in VUWF (TNF-α, IL-1β, and TGF-β1), on neonatal foreskin fibroblasts (NFFs). NFF growth rates, cellular morphology, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity were determined in the presence or absence of VUWF and the above cytokines. VUWF TNF-α concentration and the effect of anti–TNF-α antibody on VUWF inhibitory activity were determined in samples obtained from four patients with venous ulcers. Results: NFF growth rates were significantly reduced by VUWF (42,727 ± 6301 vs 3902 ± 2191 P = .006). TNF-α also significantly reduced NFF growth rates in a dose-dependent manner ( P = .01). No significant growth-inhibitory activity was seen for IL-1α or TGF-β. Incubation with VUWF significantly increased the percentage of SA-β-Gal–positive fibroblasts in vitro on culture day 12 ( P = .02). TNF-α and TGF-β1 had similar effects. TNF-α was detected in all VUWF tested, with a mean of 254 ± 19 pg/mL. Conclusion: These data suggest that the venous ulcer microenvironment adversely affects young, rapidly proliferating fibroblasts such as NFFs and induces fibroblast senescence. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and TGF-β1 might be involved in this process. The role of other unknown inhibitory mediators, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, in venous ulcer development and impaired healing must be considered. (J Vasc Surg 1999;30:734-43.)
Detection of Chromosome 6 Abnormalities in Melanoma Cell Lines by Chromosome Arm Painting Probes

Chromosome 6 abnormalities, particularly the deletion of 6q, are among the most frequent chromosomal changes in human malignant melanoma. In this study, chromosome 6 rearrangements in 21 melanoma cell lines were identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with the use of chromosome 6 arm specific painting probes (CAPs). Structural abnormalities of chromosome 6 were detectable in 18 of 21 (86%) cases, including the identification of structural abnormalities that were not detectable by routine G-banding analysis. The results of this study correlate the frequency of 6q alterations and demonstrate that FISH with CAPs can be of considerable use for rapid screening of specific chromosome abnormalities in melanoma.
Mutual exclusion with linear waiting using binary shared variables

The problem of mutual exclusion among N asynchronous, parallel processes using only shared binary variables for communication is considered. Upper and lower bounds of N+1 and N shared binary variables, respectively, are shown for the problem of mutual exclusion with linear waiting. Lockout-free mutual exclusion is shown to require at least N shared binary variables when the primitive operations are suitably restricted. This latter bound is tight for N=2.
Optimal linear-time algorithm for the shortest illuminating line segment in a polygon

Given a simple polygon, we present an optimal linear-time algorithm that computes the shortest illuminating line segment, if one exists; else it reports that none exists. This solves an intriguing open problem by improving the O(nlogn)-time algorithm for computing such a segment.
First-order correlation orbitals for the MCSCF zeroth-order wave function

Abstract The originally proposed first-order correlation orbital method (L. Adamowicz and R.J. Bartlett, J. Chem. Phys. 86 (1987) 6314) has been extended in order to include the MCSCF zeroth-order wave function. The present method is based on the perturbation theory with the zeroth-order Hamiltonian suggested by Andersson (J. Phys. Chem. 94 (1990) 5483). In the present work we restrict our consideration to the simplest case, i.e. the two-electron/two-orbital MCSCF reference wave function. The procedure is tested on the model system — lithium dimer — at a variety of interatomic distances. The results show that the calculated second-order correlation energy as well as the value of the second-order Hylleraas functional in the reduced space of the first-order correlation orbitals behave correctly upon dissociation of the system.
Transpiration-induced changes in the photosynthetic capacity of leaves

High transpiration rates were found to affect the photosynthetic capacity of Xanthium strumarium L. leaves in a manner analagous to that of low soil water potential. The effect was also looked for and found in Gossypium hirsutum L., Agathis robusta (C. Moore ex Muell.) Bailey, Eucalyptus microcarpa Maiden, Larrea divaricata Cav., the wilty flacca tomato mutant (Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill.) and Scrophularia desertorum (Munz) Shaw. Two methods were used to distinguish between effects on stomatal conductance, which can lower assimilation by reducing CO2 availability, and effects on the photosynthetic capacity of the mesophyll. First, the response of assimilation to intercellular CO2 pressure (C i) was compared under conditions of high and low transpiration. Second, in addition to estimating C i using the usual Ohm's law analogy, C i was measured directly using the closed-loop technique of T.D. Sharkey, K. Imai, G.D. Farquhar and I.R. Cowan (1982, Plant Physiol, 60, 657–659). Transpiration stress responses of Xanthium strumarium were compared with soil drought effects. Both stresses reduced photosynthesis at high C i but not at low C i; transpiration stress increased the quantum requirement of photosynthesis. Transpiration stress could be induced in small sections of leaves. Total transpiration from the plant did not influence the photosynthetic capacity of a leaf kept under constant conditions, indicating that water deficits develop over small areas within the leaf. The effect of high transpiration on photosynthesis was reversed approximately half-way by returning the plants to low-transpiration conditions. This reversal occurred as fast as measurements could be made (5 min), but little further recovery was observed in subsequent hours.
Information extraction from multivariate images

An overview of several multivariate image processing techniques is presented, with emphasis on techniques based upon the principal component transformation (PCT). Multiimages in various formats have a multivariate pixel value, associated with each pixel location, which has been scaled and quantized into a gray level vector, and the bivariate of the extent to which two images are correlated. The PCT of a multiimage decorrelates the multiimage to reduce its dimensionality and reveal its intercomponent dependencies if some off-diagonal elements are not small, and for the purposes of display the principal component images must be postprocessed into multiimage format. The principal component analysis of a multiimage is a statistical analysis based upon the PCT whose primary application is to determine the intrinsic component dimensionality of the multiimage. Computational considerations are also discussed.
Marketing Marvel: Extending the Life of a Scribner's Bestseller

Paru pour la premiere fois en 1850, Reveries of a Bachelor de Donald Grant Mitchell a ete l'un des livres americains les plus populaires du 19eme siecle. Les cinq editions autorisees publiees par la maison d'edition de Charles Scribner entre 1883 et 1907 illustrent les strategies employees pour vendre le livre, et l'image personnelle de l'auteur, a des publics divers, gerer l'expiration des droits d'auteurs en 1892 et faire face aux editions pirates. L'analyse des lettres echangees entre Mitchell et Scribner souligne l'importance de relations humaines entre auteur et editeur.
Chaos in the 3 : 1 mean-motion resonance revisited

Abstract Numerical simulations of orbits in the 3 : 1 mean-motion resonance reveal the existence of nearly closed homoclinic loops attached to a periodic orbit. Chaos in the vicinity of these loops is associated not with the separatrix of libration as in Wisdoms study but with secular instabilities first noted by Henrard and Caranicolas.
Nonmuscle myosin IIb is involved in the guidance of fibroblast migration

Although myosin II is known to play an important role in cell migration, little is known about its specific functions. We have addressed the function of one of the isoforms of myosin II, myosin IIB, by analyzing the movement and mechanical characteristics of fibroblasts where this protein has been ablated by gene disruption. Myosin IIB null cells displayed multiple unstable and disorganized protrusions, although they were still able to generate a large fraction of traction forces when cultured on flexible polyacrylamide substrates. However, the traction forces were highly disorganized relative to the direction of cell migration. Analysis of cell migration patterns indicated an increase in speed and decrease in persistence, which were likely responsible for the defects in directional movements as demonstrated with Boyden chambers. In addition, unlike control cells, mutant cells failed to respond to mechanical signals such as compressing forces and changes in substrate rigidity. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that myosin IIB was localized preferentially along stress fibers in the interior region of the cell. Our results suggest that myosin IIB is involved not in propelling but in directing the cell movement, by coordinating protrusive activities and stabilizing the cell polarity.
The technical communicator as independent scholar

Technical communicators are ideally suited for contributing serious independent research and scholarship. Their experience in providing clear technical information brings them in touch with many technical disciplines. An expertise often develops in a technical subject area through assimilation, self-education, or passion (or a combination of these elements), which frequently leads to scholarly achievement and recognition from peers and larger audiences. Outside of on-the-job contributions, partnerships with think tanks, academic- and government-affiliate research institutions offer opportunities for technical communicators to become independent scholars. The paper examines the various contributions technical communicators can make to independent scholarly research, attaining recognition for their efforts, and starting a local independent scholars' network.
Reproductive Life Plan Counseling and Effective Contraceptive Use among Urban Women Utilizing Title X Services.

Abstract Background Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Office of Population Affairs recommend inclusion of reproductive life plan counseling (RLPC) in all well-woman health care visits, no studies have examined the effect of RLPC sessions on the decision to use effective contraception at publicly funded family planning sites. RLPC could be a particularly impactful intervention for disadvantaged social groups who are less likely to use the most effective contraceptive methods. Methods Using data from 771 nonpregnant, non–pregnancy-seeking women receiving gynecological services in the Cincinnati—Hamilton County Reproductive Health and Wellness Program, multinomial logistic regression models compared users of nonmedical/no method with users of 1) the pill, patch, or ring, 2) depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, and 3) long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). The effect of RLPC on the use of each form of contraception, and whether it mediated the effect of race/ethnicity and education on contraceptive use, was examined while controlling for age, insurance status, and birth history. The interaction between RLPC and race/ethnicity and the interaction between RLPC and educational attainment was also assessed. Findings RLPC was not associated with contraceptive use. The data suggested that RLPC may increase LARC use over nonmedical/no method use. RLPC did not mediate or moderate the effect of race/ethnicity or educational attainment on contraceptive use in any comparison. Conclusions In this system of publicly funded family planning clinics, RLPC seems not to encourage effective method use, providing no support for the efficacy of the RLPC intervention. The results suggest that this intervention requires further development and evaluation.
The emerging pathophysiology of age-related testicular degeneration with a focus on the stallion and an update on potential therapies.

Contents Studies in laboratory rodents are shedding light on the pathophysiology of testicular ageing and now suggest a complicated basis for age-related declines in testicular function. A highly significant contributor to infertility may involve failure of specific and complex testicular microenvironments (niches) comprised of a variety of cellular and molecular components. Our laboratory has applied testis tissue xenografting to the study of testicular ageing in the stallion. Using this technique, we have confirmed that the disease is tissue autologous. As would be expected from a tissue autologous disease, hormonal and non-hormonal therapies designed to drive the function of the diseased testis are ineffective. However, we have some evidence that contact with young, normal testicular tissue may improve the condition of aged, degenerate testes. Perhaps, paracrine factors from young testicular cells may partially restore a young microenvironment and allow for the maintenance of testicular function. These findings form the basis for future studies designed to determine whether cells, genes or proteins from a normal testis can aid the function of a degenerate testis.
Large-margin feature adaptation for automatic speech recognition

We consider how to optimize the acoustic features used by hidden Markov models (HMMs) for automatic speech recognition (ASR). We investigate a mistake-driven algorithm that discriminatively reweights the acoustic features in order to separate the log-likelihoods of correct and incorrect transcriptions by a large margin. The algorithm simultaneously optimizes the HMM parameters in the back end by adapting them to the reweighted features computed by the front end. Using an online approach, we incrementally update feature weights and model parameters after the decoding of each training utterance. To mitigate the strongly biased gradients from individual training utterances, we train several different recognizers in parallel while tying the feature transformations in their front ends. We show that this parameter-tying across different recognizers leads to more stable updates and generally fewer recognition errors.
Localized intermittent delivery of simvastatin hydroxyacid stimulates bone formation in rats.

Background: The cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin promotes bone formation in cell cultures and animal models. In previous studies, devices for the controlled, localized delivery of simvastatin hydroxyacid enhanced osteoblastic activity in vitro. The objective of this investigation was to determine bioactivity of the delivery system in vivo.Methods: Devices for sustained or intermittent release of simvastatin hydroxyacid were formed using a blend of cellulose acetate phthalate and a poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) block copolymer, and they were implanted directly over the calvarium of young male rats. Drug-free devices were used as controls. After 9, 18, or 28 days, specimens were histologically evaluated for new bone formation.Results: All three groups showed some level of new bone formation, but the extent of osteogenesis depended on the type of implant. Devices delivering simvastatin hydroxyacid were associated with a 77.5% to 133% increase in new woven bone thickness compared to cont...
REVIEW OF MILTENBERGER'S BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES (2ND ED.)

The second edition of Raymond G. Miltenberger’s Behavior Modification: Principles and Procedures is reviewed. The first section of the review discusses the structure of the book. The second section of the review discusses its content. The third section offers some conclusions and describes a need for more advanced applied behavior analysis textbooks. Overall, the findings of the review are that the text is one of the best available for undergraduate instruction in applied behavior analysis. DESCRIPTORS: applied behavior analysis, textbooks, behavior modification
Decision-making Under Uncertainty in the Cash Cab

Department of Economics, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, USASummary: Television game shows have long been used to analyze risk-taking behavior. We used episodes of Cash Cab to inves-tigate how a variety of pre-game and in-game factors affected contestants’ decisions to accept or reject a double-or-nothing gambleoffered at the end of the game. As expected, the analysis conﬁrmed the standard inﬂuences of gender, age, and group size on thewillingness toaccept thegamble.Moreinterestingly,however,thedata suggestedthatcontestantsalsoused in-gameexperiences toupdate their subjective probability of success when considering the ﬁnal gamble. Surprisingly, contestants did not appear to usecorrect performance (e.g., number correct, and streaks of correct) when updating, but the number and distribution of highly con-ﬁdent and correct responses were important when assessing the ﬁnal gamble. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved rechargeability of manganese oxide cathodes in alkaline cells in the presence of TiB2 and TiS2

Abstract The rechargeability of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) cathodes in the presence of small amounts (
Protein interface remodeling in a chemically induced protein dimer

Although the development of chemically induced, self-assembled protein-based materials is rapidly expanding, methods for directing their assembly in solution are sparse, and problems of population heterogeneity remain. By exerting control over the assembly of advanced protein structures, new classes of ordered protein nanomaterials become feasible, affecting numerous applications ranging from therapeutics to nanostructural engineering. Focusing on a protein-based method for modulating the stability of a chemically induced dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) dimer, we demonstrate the sensitivity of a methotrexate competition assay in determining the change in DHFR–DHFR binding cooperativity via interfacial mutations over a 1.3 kcal/mol range. This represents a change of more than 40% of the dimer complex binding energy conferred from protein–protein cooperativity (~3.1 kcal/mol). With the development of this investigative system and refinement of protein-based techniques for complex stability modulation, the directed assembly of protein nanomaterials into heterocomplexes and a concomitant decrease in population heterogeneity becomes a realizable goal. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extracellular Matrix Differentiating Good Flow Versus Bad Flow

See related article, pages 995–1003 Mounting evidence indicates that shear stress, the tangential component of blood flow acting on the vessel wall, is crucial for endothelial functions and pathophysiology. From the vascular biology point of view, arterial areas under laminar flow, with high mean shear stress and little bidirectional oscillation, are atheroprotective, whereas areas under disturbed flow, with oscillation, reverse flow, and low mean shear stress, are atheroprone. This principle holds true for vessel specimens from both human patients and various animal models. To assess the effect of distinct flow patterns at the molecular level, immunocytochemical methods are commonly used to detect the expression of genes in areas experiencing laminar versus disturbed flow. For example, the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, indicative of vascular inflammation, is markedly enhanced in regions prone to atherosclerosis in low-density lipoprotein receptor-null mice fed an atherogenic diet.1 From the perspective of fluid mechanics, laminar flow has low Reynolds number and is characterized by smooth, constant fluid motion. In contrast, turbulent flow has high Reynolds number and tends to cause eddies, vortices, and other flow disturbances. Flow channels have been used as in vitro models to investigate the mechanisms by which shear stress modulates endothelial functions, because they permit close control over the fluid mechanics imposed on cultured vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Advances in molecular and cell biology, in conjunction with flow channel experiments, have facilitated investigations into the mechanotransduction mechanism by which shear stress modulates gene expression in cultured ECs. Many second-messenger systems in ECs have been shown to be mechanosensitive. More than a decade ago, several research groups reported that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including c-Jun N-terminal kinase …
Language Maintenance and Loss in Preschool-Age Children of Mexican Immigrants Longitudinal Study

In this study, the authors plotted the Spanish language usage of 10 preschool-age children over the course of 3 years and assigned them to one of two groups: language maintenance and language loss....
Impending Paradoxical Embolism: Systematic Review of Prognostic Factors and Treatment

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the optimal management of impending paradoxical embolism (IPDE), a biatrial thromboembolus caught in transit across a patent foramen ovale. Our aim was to review observational studies on this subject to identify prognostic factors and to compare mortality and systemic embolism between treatments. METHODS: Systematic literature searches in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library identified 154 studies (174 patients). The primary end point was 30-day mortality. The secondary end point was systemic embolism during treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality was 18.4%. On univariate analysis, age (64+/-13.9 vs 56.7+/-16.5; P = .01), coma (12.9% vs 2.2%; P = .02), and systemic embolism (71.9% vs 51.4%; P = .048) at presentation were significantly increased among nonsurvivors. Surgical thromboembolectomy had lower mortality than other treatment groups (10.6%; P = .04). In multivariable models, no prognostic factor was a significant independent predictor of mortality. Surgically treated patients had nonsignificantly reduced mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.65 [0.24-1.72]; P = .65) and thrombolysis-treated patients had increased mortality (OR, 1.62 [0.43-5.97]; P = .47). However, systemic embolism during treatment and combined mortality and systemic embolism was decreased in the surgery group (OR, 0.13 [0.03-0.67]; P = .02 and OR, 0.26 [0.11-0.60]; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: This review attempts to help guide what to do in IPDE, despite severe limitations of the methods. Surgical thromboembolectomy showed a nonsignificant trend toward improved survival, significantly reduced systemic embolism, and composite of mortality and systemic embolism, compared with anticoagulation alone. Thrombolysis, on the other hand, had the opposite effect, although not significantly.
The Wabash Center in the Scholarship of Teaching

. The Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning was established in the wake of heightened interest in teaching and learning following Ernest L. Boyer's 1990 Carnegie Foundation report on the professoriate. The Center was established specifically to strengthen teaching and learning in theology and religion. The praxis of Wabash Center programs directed to that quest, however, inevitably engaged participants in the scholarship of teaching and learning by highlighting questions from their teaching practice, the disciplinary shape of their teaching, and the influence of multiple publics on what and how they taught.
Coenzyme Q Intake Elevates the Mitochondrial and Tissue Levels of Coenzyme Q and α-Tocopherol in Young Mice

The main objective of this study was to resolve the issue of whether the amounts of Coenzyme Q (CoQ), which is endogenously synthesized in cells, can be elevated in tissues and mitochondria of young mice by dietary supplementation with CoQ10. The prevalent view is that the uptake of exogenous CoQ by tissues other than plasma and liver either does not occur or is quite minimal. Mice, 6 mo of age, were fed 0, 148 or 654 mg CoQ10/(kg bodyd) in their diets for 11 wk. CoQ10 intake enhanced both CoQ9 and CoQ10 homologues in the plasma, and in homogenates and mitochondria of liver, heart and skeletal muscle. CoQ was elevated in brain mitochondria, but not in the brain homogenate. The uptake of exogenous CoQ was higher in mitochondria of heart and skeletal muscle than those in liver. CoQ10 administration also elevated the -tocopherol concentration in tissue homoge- nates and their mitochondria, thereby providing an in vivo indication of the "sparing" effect of CoQ on -tocopherol. Results of this study demonstrate that, contrary to the historical view, both total and mitochondrial CoQ concen- trations in the heart and skeletal muscle and in the mitochondria of brain of young mice can be augmented by dietary supplementation. Furthermore, CoQ intake enhances the antioxidative potential of tissues by elevating the endogenous amounts of -tocopherol. J. Nutr. 133: 3175-3180, 2003.
Transference Numbers for In‐Plane Carrier Conduction in Thin Film Nanostructured Gadolinia‐Doped Ceria Under Varying Oxygen Partial Pressure

We demonstrate a modified Hebb-Wagner approach to quantitatively estimate transference numbers for carrier conduction in thin film oxide conductors using blocking electrodes in an in-plane geometry. We report ionic transference numbers, t i , for gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) thin films, a model mixed ion-electron conductor, at 973K and oxygen partial pressure ranging from 0.21 atm down to approximately 10 ―22 atm. Our results indicate that GDC reaches the electrolytic regime (t i = 0.5) at an oxygen partial pressure of 5 x 10 ―19 atm at 973K. This approach may be useful for understanding carrier transport mechanisms in low-dimensional oxide heterostructures with specific relevance to nanostructured energy materials.
Cues Used in Patch Selection by Praying Mantis Nymphs (Mantodea, Mantidae)

Abstract Visual and chemical cues may provide predators with information on the abundance and quality of prey in a particular area. In a laboratory study we investigated if general cues of prey and prey habitat had an effect on the patch selection and orientation of Chinese praying mantis nymphs (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis Saussure). For location, juvenile mantids spent more time on the side of the arena with chemical cues from crickets relative to a blank control and more time on the side with brightly colored images of flowers relative to a “grass” control. For orientation, individuals spent more time oriented toward moving crickets and images of flowers than control sides of the arenas. Use of these cues may aid mantis nymphs in locating prey in nature.
Responsiveness of canine bronchial vasculature to excitatory stimuli and to cooling.

Changes in bronchial vascular tone, in part due to cooling during ventilation, may contribute to altered control of airflow during airway inflammation, asthma, and exercise-induced bronchoconstrict...
Visual presentations of efficacy data in direct-to-consumer prescription drug print and television advertisements: A randomized study

Abstract Objective To determine whether visual aids help people recall quantitative efficacy information in direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertisements, and if so, which types of visual aids are most helpful. Methods Individuals diagnosed with high cholesterol ( n = 2504) were randomized to view a fictional DTC print or television advertisement with no visual aid or one of four visual aids (pie chart, bar chart, table, or pictograph) depicting drug efficacy. We measured drug efficacy and risk recall, drug perceptions and attitudes, and behavioral intentions. Results For print advertisements, a bar chart or table, compared with no visual aid, elicited more accurate drug efficacy recall. The bar chart was better at this than the pictograph and the table was better than the pie chart. For television advertisements, any visual aid, compared with no visual aid, elicited more accurate drug efficacy recall. The bar chart was better at this than the pictograph or the table. Conclusion Visual aids depicting quantitative efficacy information in DTC print and television advertisements increased drug efficacy recall, which may help people make informed decisions about prescription drugs. Practice implications Adding visual aids to DTC advertising may increase the public’s knowledge of how well prescription drugs work.
Genetic Method for Labeling Electrically Coupled Cells: Application to Retina.

Understanding how the nervous system functions requires mapping synaptic connections between neurons. Several methods are available for imaging neurons connected by chemical synapses, but few enable marking neurons connected by electrical synapses. Here, we demonstrate that a peptide transporter, Pept2, can be used for this purpose. Pept2 transports a gap junction-permeable fluorophore-coupled dipeptide, beta-alanine-lysine-N-7-amino-4-methyl coumarin-3-acid (βALA). Cre-dependent expression of pept2 in specific neurons followed by incubation in βALA labeled electrically-coupled synaptic partners. Using this method, we analyze light-dependent modulation of electrical connectivity among retinal horizontal cells.
Testing the Theory of Rational Crime with United States Data, 1994-2002

Do criminals in the United States respond rationally to changes in incentives, or is crime inherently an irrational phenomenon? Building upon models used by Ehrlich (1973), Levitt (2002), and others, this paper uses a model of rational crime to examine the elasticities of seven index crimes with respect to changes in law enforcement expenditures and economic incentives using state-level United States data from the years 1994 through 2002. Our empirical results are consistent with the economic model of criminal behavior first proposed by Becker (1968), in which higher levels of law enforcement reduce crime through a deterrence effect, and other recent studies suggesting that aggregate crime rates have a significant rational component.