cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The expression of antioxidant enzymes in a mouse model of fetal alcohol syndrome

Objective Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase prevent cellular damage produced by free radicals. Our objective was to evaluate if prenatal alcohol exposure decreased the expression of antioxidant enzymes in the brain, liver, or placenta of fetal mice. Study Design Timed, pregnant C57BL6/J mice were treated on gestational day 8 with intraperitoneal injection of alcohol (0.03 mL/g) or saline (control). Fetuses were harvested on gestational day 18. Fetal brain, liver, and placenta were analyzed for mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase by real-time polymerase chain reaction, with 18S RNA used as reference. Results Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase expression was lower in fetal brains exposed to alcohol with no differences detected in the liver or placenta between the 2 groups. Conclusion Maternal alcohol consumption causes a decrease in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase expression in the fetal brain. This may explain the long-term neurologic findings in fetal alcohol syndrome.
The robust estimation of classification error rates

Recent work on robust error rate estimation in classification analysis is summarized. First, the perspective for the error rate estimation problem is established, and the parameters that are referred to as error rates are described. Next, the bases for comparison of error rate estimators are reviewed and a mean-square error criterion recommended. Then several approaches to robust error rate estimation are introduced. Finally, recommendations for applications based on available evaluations of robust estimators are made, and important unresolved issues are identified.
Bone-forming gastric metastases in muscle—Computed tomographic demonstration

Bone-forming metastases to soft tissues and muscle are a rare entity. An unusual case of heterotopic ossification occurring within metastases to muscle arising from a primary gastric adenocarcinoma is reported. No bone was found in the primary gastric malignancy. There is one prior report of ossification in muscle occurring in metastases from gastric malignancy, but no previous computed tomographic demonstration of this. The mechanism of osseous metaplasia is discussed, but its precise morphogenesis remains obscure.
Eine neue Elektrode aus elektrisch leitendem Kunststoff zur spektrochemischen Analyse von Nichtleitern

Es wird eine Elektrode zur Spektralanalyse von Nichtleitern entwickelt, die dadurch hergestellt wird, das die pulvrige Probe mit leitendem Kunststoff zusammengemischt und das Gemisch in eine Form eingefullt und beim Erwarmen durch chemische Reaktion des Kunststoffes gehartet und geformt wird. Eine Presse erubrigt sich dabei. Die Eigenschaften des elektrisch leitenden Kunststoffes und die Herstellung der Elektrode werden beschrieben. Sie bewahrte sich bei der Analyse von Eu, Sm und Gd im ppm-Bereich als Bestandteil von Silicaten und bei der Bestimmung von Halogenen und Schwefel. Die Spektrenanregung erfolgte im Feusner-Funken.
A technique for the detection of asynergistic motion in the left ventricle.

Abstract A method is described whereby 60/second, monoplane, video images of the opacified left ventricle are digitized and the location of the endocardial surface is determined by a computer-based algorithm. For each contour, representing the location of the endocardial surface in a single plane at a given point in time, a reference point is defined as the midpoint of a straight line connecting the center of the aortic valve to the apex. The radial distances from the reference point to the contour are determined at five-degree increments around the contour for each of the contours during systole. The correlation coefficients and linear regression slopes for each radius sequence versus the mean radius sequence are calculated and plotted. The correlation coefficient and linear regression slope means and ranges are determined for normal hearts and then compared with the values from a heart demonstrating an abnormal pattern. By a computer method, the location and characteristics of the motion abnormality are described.
The effect of metal oxide additives on the activity of V2O5/TiO2 catalysts for the selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide by ammonia

Abstract A systematic investigation of the effect of various metal oxides additives on the reactivity of a 1 wt% V 2 O 5 /TiO 2 catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by NH 3 has been carried out at 623 K. Activity measurements were conducted in a simulated flue gas containing H 2 O and SO 2 , and indicated that the activity of the V 2 O 5 /TiO 2 catalyst can be significantly affected by the presence of an additional metal oxide. MoO 3 and WO 3 were found to have the biggest promoting effect, while ZnO was found to have the biggest poisoning effect. The structure of the surface vanadia species, as well as of some of the other transition metal oxides, was characterized by in situ Raman spectroscopy. Ammonia-temperature programmed desorption (NH 3 -TPD) was used to probe the reducibility and total acidity of the different catalysts. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was used to probe the type of the different acid sites on the catalyst surface. The analysis of our results suggests a strong correlation between the SCR activity and the amount of Bronsted acid sites on the catalyst surface.
Spin-orbit scattering in superconducting thin films

Abstract The ratio of spin-orbit scattering rate to transport scattering rate was deduced from critical field and tunneling measurements of thin-film superconductors. The ratio has a smaller dependence on atomic number than predicted by the Abrikosov-Gorkov theory.
Neoplasms in Cryptorchids

Although the opinion has long been held that undescended testicles are especially prone to undergo malignant change, neoplasms in this site are rare. As in all malignant neoplasms of the testicle, the prognosis is poor and the mortality rate high. Five cases of malignant tumor occurring in undescended testicles are here reported. In each instance quantitative bio-assay of the urinary prolan was carried out. Incidence and Etiology In an analysis of 452 testicular tumors Cunningham (1) found 40 in organs imperfectly descended, from which it would appear that new growths are over ten times as frequent in normally descended as in maldescended testes. In 42 operations for imperfectly descended testes, at the Bellevue Hospital, Keyes and MacKenzie (2) found no instance of malignant growth, and in 105 cases coming to operation at the Royal Victoria Hospital no malignancy was found (Wade, 3). Tanner (4) estimated the incidence of malignant tumors of the testicle, including both descended and undescended, as one in 2,000 male hospital admissions. In a series of over 100 cases of teratoma reported from the Veterans Facility, at Hines, Ill., but 3 were located in undescended testes (Owen and Cutler, 5). Dean (6 and 7), quoting Howard, who examined many thousands of men in London hospitals, reported that 0.06 per cent had undescended testicles. Our figure, calculated from over 40,000 male admissions is closer to 0.03 per cent. Dean has also stated that teratoma occurs about 237 times as frequently in undescended testicles as in those normally descended.
Fiction, Prepositional Attitudes, and Some Truths about Falsehood

This paper presents an anti-realist account of fictional objects. Arguing for the involvement of non-veridical prepositional attitude ascriptions in the understanding of fiction, I maintain that there is no need to invoke Meinongian objects, possibilia or abstract objects for this purpose. In addition I argue against object dependent views (if there is no object, e.g., Sherlock Holmes, then there is no proposition expressed by “Sherlock Holmes lived in London”). I make a case for empty names playing a more significant role than that accorded on direct reference accounts of names. I close by noting points of similarity and of difference with Amie Thomasson and with Kendall Walton.
On Kalecki's theory of income distribution

Kalecki scored a breakthrough by introducing the ‘degree of monopoly’ into his macrodynamic model. He offered a theory of distribution that was independent of the neo-classical tradition. He introduced a promising alternative theory of distribution, even if it lacked a comprehensively formulated theory of market behaviour and was in some respects deficient in dealing with the question of investment decisions. To build a realistic theory of distribution, Kalecki offered an explanation of how prices in fact are formed by mark-ups on prime costs. This use of mark-ups to cover overheads is very important. Though it entails monopoly power it is not synonymous with it.
UNIQUE FEATURES IN THE OAK RIDGE ISOCHRONOUS CYCLOTRON

The results of the initial month of operation of the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron are presented along with a description of the machine. An 8-MeV proton beam was obtained at the full 32-in. radius on 18 March. Beam-phase studies since that time have lowered the threshold voltage from 13 to 8 kV. ORIC is designed as a variable energy, three-sector, 76-inch, fixed-frequency cyclotron to accelerate protons to 75 MeV and nitrogen 4 + to 100 MeV.
PALATABILITY OF PRERIGOR AND MECHANICALLY PROCESSED NITRITE-FREE HAMS

The effects of mechanical treatment (massaging) and prerigor infusion of a nitrite-free salt solution on the palatability of nonheat-processed hams were determined. Massaging in the prerigor state after salt infusion resulted in reduced thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction values in muscle tissue at the end of a 14-day storage period at 3°C as compared to salt infusion alone either pre- or postrigor. Extended frozen storage (13 wk at -40°C) resulted in TBA values in adipose tissue in all treatment groups of a magnitude normally associated with rancid flavors. A meat tenderizing action by the massaging treatment was noted from Warner-Bratzler shear tests performed on several muscles of dry roasted hams. Taste panel data also identified massaging treatment effects on tenderness but not on juiciness or flavor. The taste tests established that all treatment combinations produced nitrite-free hams that were generally acceptable in most sensory attributes. Panel members associated the flavor and texture with that of uncured roasted pork.
Facilitating knowledge transfer with single-center trials.

Objective:To provide perspective for clinicians as they evaluate incorporating single-center trials and small randomized, controlled trials for use in daily practice by reviewing examples from the literature.Methods:Selected examples from the literature, such as check lists, daily screens for weanin
Impaired Calcium Release in Cerebellar Purkinje Neurons Maintained in Culture

Cerebellar Purkinje neurons demonstrate a form of synaptic plasticity that, in acutely prepared brain slices, has been shown to require calcium release from the intracellular calcium stores through inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) receptors. Similar studies performed in cultured Purkinje cells, however, find little evidence for the involvement of InsP3 receptors. To address this discrepancy, the properties of InsP3- and caffeine-evoked calcium release in cultured Purkinje cells were directly examined. Photorelease of InsP3 (up to 100 μM) from its photolabile caged analogue produced no change in calcium levels in 70% of cultured Purkinje cells. In the few cells where a calcium increase was detected, the response was very small and slow to peak. In contrast, the same concentration of InsP3 resulted in large and rapidly rising calcium responses in all acutely dissociated Purkinje cells tested. Similar to InsP3, caffeine also had little effect on calcium levels in cultured Purkinje cells, yet evoked large calcium transients in all acutely dissociated Purkinje cells tested. The results demonstrate that calcium release from intracellular calcium stores is severely impaired in Purkinje cells when they are maintained in culture. Our findings suggest that cultured Purkinje cells are an unfaithful experimental model for the study of the role of calcium release in the induction of cerebellar long term depression.
Further observations on the biochemical lesion in maple syrup urine disease.

MAPLE syrup urine disease is an inherited disorder of amino-acid metabolism characterized clinically by irritability, rigidity, convulsive seizures and coma commonly manifest in the first weeks of life. Menkes1 found that patients afflicted with this neurological disorder excrete large amounts of branched-chain keto-acids in their urine, and Dancis et al.2 demonstrated a deficiency in branched-chain keto-acid decarboxylase in leucocytes. This enzyme defect results in the accumulation of branched-chain keto- and amino-acids in the plasma and tissues of these patients.
Abuse Characteristics and Individual Differences Related to Disclosing Childhood Sexual, Physical, and Emotional Abuse and Witnessed Domestic Violence

Many adult survivors of childhood abuse hide their victimization, avoiding disclosure that could identify perpetrators, end the abuse, and bring help to the victim. We surveyed 1,679 women undergraduates to understand disclosure of childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, and, for the first time, witnessed domestic violence, which many consider to be emotionally abusive. A substantial minority of victims failed to ever disclose their sexual abuse (23%), physical abuse (34%), emotional abuse (20%), and witnessed domestic violence (29%). Overall, abuse-specific factors were better predictors of disclosure than individual-level characteristics. Disclosure of sexual abuse was related to experiencing more frequent abuse (by the same and by multiple perpetrators), being more worried about injury and more upset at the time of the abuse, and self-labeling as a victim of abuse. Disclosure of physical abuse was related to experiencing more frequent abuse (by the same and multiple perpetrators), being less emotionally close to the perpetrator, being older when the abuse ended, being more worried and upset, and self-labeling as a victim. Disclosure of emotional abuse was associated with being older when the abuse ended, and being more worried and upset. Disclosure was unrelated to victim demographic characteristics or defensive reactions (dissociative proneness, fantasy proneness, repressive coping style, and temporary forgetting), except that among physical and emotional abuse victims, repressors were less likely to disclose than non-repressors. Disclosure of witnessing domestic violence was not significantly related to any factors measured.
Clinical implications of silent versus symptomatic exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in patients with stable coronary disease.

Abstract Objectives. This study was undertaken to better understand the functional and prognostic significance of silent relative to symptomatic ischemia. Background. Previous studies have reached conflicting conclusions as to whether painless ischemia identified during noninvasive cardiac testing is related to a lesser extent of myocardial ischemia or a different prognosis than ischemia accompanied by angina, or both. Methods. Nine hundred thirty-six clinically stable patients 1 to 6 months after an acute coronary event, either myocardial infarction or unstable angina, underwent ambulatory monitoring, exercise treadmill testing and stress thallium-201 scintigraphy. They were then followed up prospectively for a mean of 23 months for recurrent cardiac events (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or unstable angina). Results. Compared with patients with symptomatic ischemia during testing (n = 125), those with silent ischemia (n = 378) demonstrated less severe and extensive reversible defects on stress thallium scintigraphy (p = 0.0008), less functional impairment during treadmill testing manifested by longer exercise duration (640 ± 173 vs. 529 ± 190 s, p = 0.002) and longer time to ST segment depression (530 ± 215 vs. 419 ± 205 s, p = 0.0001) and less frequent ST segment depression during ambulatory monitoring (9% vs. 19%, p = 0.005). Patients with symptomatic ischemia had a significantly (p = 0.004) increased number of subsequent recurrent cardiac events (28.8%) versus those with silent (18.0%) or no (17.3%) ischemia. Adverse outcomes were especially concentrated in the subgroup with symptomatic ischemia and poor exercise tolerance. The difference in cardiac event rates between patients with silent versus symptomatic ischemia persisted after adjustment for baseline clinical characteristics by Cox regression analysis. Conclusions. Patients with painless ischemia during exercise testing 1 to 6 months after recovery from a coronary event have less jeopardized ischemic myocardium and fewer recurrent cardiac events than patients with symptomatic ischemia. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:756–63)
How can exercise be incorporated into the routine care of patients on dialysis

Regular physical activity and exercise can have many beneficial effects for dialysis patients. The provision of an opportunity for patients to exercise at their treatment center has several advantages, but almost any method of increasing activity is likely to be beneficial. In addition to in-center programs such as cycling exercise before or during dialysis, other exercise options include participation in community-based walking programs, water exercise or swimming, yoga, Tai Chi, or low-level strengthening programs. Physical therapy that is individualized to meet patients’ needs is also especially appropriate for older persons. The essential condition is that the unit and staff are committed to a treatment culture that makes physical activity a priority. Asking patients what they are doing for regular exercise should be part of routine patient assessment.
The Effects of Affirmative Action on Male-Female Relationships among African Americans.

This article focuses on the little-discussed issue of the impact of affirmative action on black male-female dynamics and interpersonal relationships. Three decades of civil rights campaigns, including often-controversial affirmative action policies, have produced several unanticipated consequences, one of the most crucial being the great disparity between African American males and females in social and economic advancement. While black women have achieved, black men have fallen behind, in part due to the subtle racism of affirmative action implementation. Using fantasy to search for new truths and better directions, the article presents a fictionalized account of the devastating effect of this disparity on African American women. Black women's reactions to the allegorical symbolism of the “Twenty-Seventh Year Syndrome” are dealt with in the article, and become the basis for reconsidering the message of the “Chronicle” and enlarging upon its meaning for black male-female relationships, and for the future of affirmative action and other programs of “racial uplift.”
Do maternal folate and homocysteine levels play a role in neurodevelopmental processes that increase risk for schizophrenia

Objective: Evidence from many different lines of research supports the hypothesis that schizophrenia is a disorder of development with etiological factors implicated as early as the second trimester in utero. We suggest that low maternal folate, acting to increase homocysteine levels, may provide a functional link between many of the identified prenatal risk factors and the hypothesized mechanisms whereby neurodevelopmental patterning deviates toward a schizophrenic potential. Methods: PubMed was searched from the present back to 1963, when elevated homocysteine was identified as a pathogen in homocystinuria as first described by Carson and colleagues (Arch Dis Child 1963;38:425–36). All articles for homocystinuria, homocysteine, folate, and development with schizophrenia were evaluated. Results: The findings from this review support the hypothesis that maternal low folate and high homocysteine levels may provide a potential teratogenic mechanism that increases the risk for developing schizophrenia. Concl...
Inverter performance of deep-submicrometer MOSFETs

Switching delay measurements are reported for self-aligned, almost fully scaled, liquid-nitrogen-temperature operation NMOS inverters with deep-submicrometer gate lengths. The shortest delay per stage of 13.1 ps was measured in 0.1- mu m gate-length circuits. Circuit simulations based on the measured device characteristics show that still shorter delay times can be reached with such a technology. >
Superconductivity of copper containing small amounts of niobium

Superconductivity of copper containing small amounts of niobium has been investigated by measuring the electrical resistivity, superconducting volume fraction and by metallographic studies. Small amounts of niobium added to copper has a drastic effect on the low temperature resistivity of the alloys, The annealed alloy Cu99.5Nb0.5 shows zero resistance at a current density of 200 A cm−2 below 3K. The estimated superconducting volume fraction of this alloy at 2K is about fifty times the physical volume fraction of the Nb in the alloy.
Quasi-static and ballistic perforation of carbon fiber laminates

Abstract The partial and complete perforation of woven carbon fiber/epoxy laminates with thicknesses ranging from 1.3 to 6.6 mm by 60° cylindro-conical hard steel strikers at normal incidence has been examined under both quasi-static and dynamic conditions. Quasi-static experiments were conducted in a standard experiments were conducted in a standard testing machine at rates ranging from 0.012 to 6.5 s −1 , where the load-deflection was obtained. Ballistic projectile with an aspect ratio of three fired from either a compressed gas or a powder gun at speeds varying from 30 to 310 m/s, with the initial and final velocity (when present) of the striker always measured, in addition to selected high-speed photographic recording. The damaged samples were carefully examined with respect to failure modes. Major mechanisms of the deformation and damage processes were modelled on the basis of energy absorption, including global plate deflection, fiber, breakage, delamination and bending of petals, hole enlargement and friction between striker and sample. For the dynamic case, the predictions were 70–96% of the observed expenditure level. This is considered to be due to the absence in the analysis of factors such as inertia, strain-rate and wave propagation effects, matrix shearing and fragmentation, as well as obliquity and rotation motion of the striker. The correspondence in the case of static loading was considerably poorer, indicating substantial and non-measurable energy absorption by the test apparatus, including substantial frictional dissipation in in the specimen holder and between sample and penetrator.
Remapping, recovery and repair on a staggered grid

Abstract An accurate remapping algorithm is an essential component of many arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) methods. In previous work, we have described a local remapping algorithm for a positive cell-centered scalar function that is second-order accurate, conservative, and sign preserving. However remapping in the context of high speed flow introduces new issues, which include the consistent treatment of the kinetic and internal energies, compatible remapping of mass and momentum on the staggered mesh, and the generalization from sign preservation to monotonicity preservation. We describe a remap strategy that deals with each of these issues. Although the theoretical development of this strategy is intricate, the resulting scheme is both simple to implement and efficient. We provide numerical examples to illustrate the individual steps of the remap and its overall performance.
Construction of Green functions for weighted biharmonic operators

Abstract A constructive proof is given of the existence of the weighted biharmonic Green function Γ α for α ⩾0. The method is used to derive the explicit formula for Γ 1 previously stated by Hedenmalm. In addition, a formula for Γ 2 is found, which is then shown to take both positive and negative values in the bidisk D × D .
Effect of Pressurized Solvent Environments on the Alkyl Chain Order of Octadecylsilane Stationary Phases by Raman Spectroscopy

The effect of pressure on solute retention in HPLC has been controversial, since direct evidence for structural changes in the stationary phase due to pressure is not readily available. In this report, the effect of pressurization in four solvent environments on the conformational order of one monomeric and one polymeric octadecylsilane stationary phase is investigated using Raman spectroscopy. Normalized changes in a Raman spectral indicator of conformational order after exposure to these pressurized solvent environments are compared to those observed by exposure to the same solvent at atmospheric pressure. Although solvation has a greater impact on conformational order than pressurization, measurable changes induced by pressure are observed for both stationary phases. Small effects (<2–3% change in order) due to pressure are noted for the monomeric stationary phase in all solvents; the magnitudes of these effects generally correlate with isothermal compressibility of the solvent. Slightly larger pressure effects are observed for the polymeric stationary phase (4–7% change in order), with pressurization in polar solvents inducing greater changes in order than in nonpolar solvents. Collectively, these results are interpreted in terms of differences in the local surface bonding density and interchain spacing of the alkylsilanes of these two stationary phases.
Research in Long-term Care Facilities

Clinical research in geriatrics, to date, has focused on the ambulatory and acutely ill patient populations. However, the unique host, disease, and environmental factors common to the nursing home ...
Teaching conversation skills to behaviorally disordered children

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an instructional package designed to teach conversation skills to behaviorally disordered children. A multiple baseline design with a reversal was employed to assess the effectiveness of this package. Six children were taught in two groups of three. The teachers were taught to use the package prior to implementation to insure standardization across both groups. Data were collected in a contrived setting with a peer trained as a conversant. Observation also took place in the school cafeteria to assess generalization of the training to a naturalistic setting. Social validation data were collected from teachers and children to evaluate their impressions of the instructional package. Results indicated that the instructional package was effective in increasing conversational skills above baseline levels in all children and in both settings.
The Simulation Analysis of Large Cross-Section Soft Rock Tunnel Excavation under the Bias Terrain

Abstract: Taking a High-speed railway tunnel as the background, This paper analyses not only the stress and displacement of surrounding rock , the plastic area distribution and size, but also the size and distribution of initial support internal force in two excavation schemes, based on the criterion of underground engineering structure design theory and rock elastic-plastic succumb Drucker-Prager, Under the guidance of New Austria Tunneling Method, this paper makes numerical simulation of soft rock tunnel excavation in large sections and initial support with the finite software ANSYS11.0. The stress and displacement of surrounding rock and the plastic area distribution and size under two excavation schemes are analyzed, the size and distribution of initial support internal force under two excavation schemes are also investigated .By comprehensive comparing advantages and disadvantages of two schemes, this paper makes some significant conclusions and gives reference for the similar tunnel design and construction.
Predicting Occult Multifocality of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract Background Multifocal renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been reported in up to 25% of all radical nephrectomy specimens. Modern imaging tends to underestimate the rate of multifocality. Recognition of multifocality before treatment may guide physicians and patients to the type of intervention and tailor long-term follow-up. Objective Our aim was to develop and assess preoperative nomograms to predict occult multifocal RCC. Design, setting, and participants We evaluated 560 consecutive patients undergoing radical nephrectomy for clinically localized suspected sporadic RCC between 2000 and 2008 in a tertiary center. Clinically manifest multifocal lesions were excluded. Logistic regression models were used to assess the potential risk factors of occult multifocality with and without pathologic variables that may be available with preoperative biopsy. Nomograms were developed and assessed for diagnostic properties. Interventions All patients underwent radical nephrectomy. Measurements Assessments of risk factors for occult multifocal RCC were obtained using regression models and nomograms. Results and limitations The incidence of occult multifocality was 7.9%. Significantly associated predictors of multifocality were male gender, family history of malignancy other than RCC, radiographic size of the lesion, histologic subtype other than clear cell, and Fuhrman grade IV. The two designed nomograms had 0.75 and 0.82 concordance indices, respectively. Conclusions Our data suggest that occult multifocal RCC is more frequently associated with small (2–4cm) renal lesions. Male gender, family history of kidney cancer, histologic subtype, and grade are strongly associated with an increased risk of occult multifocal RCC. The developed nomograms had good predictive accuracy that was enhanced when combined with pathologic variables.
Examining the Impact of Policy and Practice Interventions on High School Dropout and School Completion Rates A Systematic Review of the Literature

The purpose of this literature review is to systematically examine policy and practice intervention research and assess the impact of those interventions on high school dropout and school completion rates. This systematic review extends the literature by (a) describing both policy and practice interventions, (b) synthesizing findings from experimental or quasi-experimental research, and (c) examining the common elements of effective interventions. Specifically, this review addresses two main questions. First, what are the characteristics of the empirical literature examining high school dropout or school completion interventions? Second, what are the common elements of effective policy or practice interventions for reducing high school dropout rates or increasing school completion rates? Findings indicate that despite research highlighting the need to address multiple risk factors and the need for early intervention, the bulk of current empirical research is focused on single-component, individual, or sma...
Critical Thinking and Credit for Prior Experiential Learning

This article explores a new model for assessing prior learning that encourages students to think critically. It begins by introducing the reader to the concepts of prior learning assessment and cri...
Purely functional data structures

When a C programmer needs an efficient data structure for a particular problem, he or she can often simply look one up in any of a number of good textbooks or handbooks. Unfortunately, programmers in functional languages such as Standard ML or Haskell do not have this luxury. Although some data structures designed for imperative languages such as C can be quite easily adapted to a functional setting, most cannot, usually because they depend in crucial ways on assignments, which are disallowed, or at least discouraged, in functional languages. To address this imbalance, we describe several techniques for designing functional data structures, and numerous original data structures based on these techniques, including multiple variations of lists, queues, double-ended queues, and heaps, many supporting more exotic features such as random access or efficient catenation. In addition, we expose the fundamental role of lazy evaluation in amortized functional data structures. Traditional methods of amortization break down when old versions of a data structure, not just the most recent, are available for further processing. This property is known as persistence, and is taken for granted in functional languages. On the surface, persistence and amortization appear to be incompatible, but we show how lazy evaluation can be used to resolve this conflict, yielding amortized data structures that are efficient even when used persistently. Turning this relationship between lazy evaluation and amortization around, the notion of amortization also provides the first practical techniques for analyzing the time requirements of non-trivial lazy programs. Finally, our data structures offer numerous hints to programming language designers, illustrating the utility of combining strict and lazy evaluation in a single language, and providing non-trivial examples using polymorphic recursion and higher-order, recursive modules.
Convergence analysis of a frequency domain adaptive filter with constraints on the output weights

The least-mean-square (LMS) algorithm is very popular in adaptive filtering applications due to its robustness and efficiency. The frequency domain implementation of the LMS algorithm offers advantages in both reduced computational complexity for long filter lengths, and improved convergence performance. The frequency response of the filter can also be tailored to specific requirements, for example limiting the magnitude response. In this paper, we present a development, convergence analysis, and mean and mean square stability bounds for a new algorithm that uses a penalty function to limit the adaptive filter magnitude response at any given frequency. This algorithm performed better than existing ones in terms of convergence and gain limiting, especially in colored noise environments.
Meal consumption is ineffective at maintaining or correcting water balance in a desert lizard, Heloderma suspectum.

SUMMARY Many xeric organisms maintain water balance by relying on dietary and metabolic water rather than free water, even when free water may be available. For such organisms, hydric state may influence foraging decisions, since meal consumption is meeting both energy and water demands. To understand foraging decisions it is vital to understand the role of dietary water in maintaining water balance. We investigated whether meal consumption was sufficient to maintain water balance in captive Gila monsters ( Heloderma suspectum ) at varying levels of dehydration. Gila monsters could not maintain water balance over long time scales through meal consumption alone. Animals fed a single meal took no longer to dehydrate than controls when both groups were deprived of free water. Additionally, meal consumption imparts an acute short-term hydric cost regardless of hydration state. Meal consumption typically resulted in a significant elevation in osmolality at 6 h post-feeding, and plasma osmolality never fell below pre-feeding levels despite high water content (~70%) of meals. These results failed to support our hypothesis that dietary water is valuable to Gila monsters during seasonal drought. When considered in conjunction with previous research, these results demonstrate that Gila monsters, unlike many xeric species, are heavily reliant on seasonal rainfall and the resulting free-standing water to maintain water balance.
Functional Analysis of the OCA-B Promoter

OCA-B was identified as a B cell-specific coactivator that functions with either Oct-1 or Oct-2 to mediate efficient cell type-specific transcription via the octamer site (ATGCAAAT) both in vivo and in vitro. Mice lacking OCA-B exhibit normal Ag-independent B cell maturation. In contrast, Ag-dependent functions, including production of secondary Ig isotypes and germinal center formation, are greatly affected. To better understand OCA-B expression and, ultimately, the defects observed in the OCA-B knockout mice, we have cloned the OCA-B promoter and examined its function in both transformed and primary B cells. We show here that the OCA-B promoter is developmentally regulated, with activity increasing throughout B cell differentiation. Through physical and functional assays, we have found an activating transcription factor/cAMP response element binding protein binding site (or cAMP response element) that is crucial for OCA-B promoter activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IL-4 and anti-CD40 induce both the OCA-B promoter and octamer-dependent promoters, thus implicating OCA-B in B cell signaling events in the nucleus.
Frequency of restenosis after balloon pulmonary arterioplasty and its causes.

Restenosis has been described after balloon pulmonary arterioplasty (BPA), but little is known about its frequency, settings, and time course. We undertook this study to (1) determine the incidence of restenosis after BPA, and (2) identify its potential determinants. We reviewed clinical data and measured pulmonary artery diameters from angiograms of 134 dilations on 75 patients (median 2.1 years, range 0.3 to 32) who had BPA from January 1990 to June 1998. Successful BPA was defined as a ≥50% increase in predilation diameter, whereas restenosis was said to occur if there was a ≥50% loss in initial diameter gain. The success rate after BPA by angiographic criteria was 64% (95% confidence interval 56% to 73%). Seventy-four percent of BPAs were successful by published standard criteria (angiographic criteria or ≥20% change in right ventricular/aortic pressure). Baseline demographic variables and predilation parameters were not predictive of initial dilation success. Restenosis occurred in 35% (95% confidence interval 22% to 49%) of successfully dilated vessels. Only weight at follow-up (p = 0.02) was associated with an increased likelihood of restenosis. Predilation parameters, technical aspects of dilation, or immediate results of BPA were not predictive of restenosis. We therefore conclude that restenosis is unpredictable and more common after BPA than previously recognized.
Palladium, Bis[tris(1,1‐dimethylethyl)phosphine]

[53199-31-8] C24H54P2Pd (MW 511.01) InChI = 1S/2C12H27P.Pd/c2*1-10(2,3)13(11(4,5)6)12(7,8)9;/h2*1-9H3; InChIKey = MXQOYLRVSVOCQT-UHFFFAOYSA-N (precatalyst for cross-coupling reactions of aryl and alkenyl halides1) Physical Data: mp 160–163 °C (decomposes in air). Solubility: very soluble in hydrocarbon and aromatic solvents; insoluble in H2O and CH3OH. Form Supplied in: colorless crystalline solid; widely available. Analysis of Reagent Purity: by NMR spectroscopy. 1H NMR (C6D6): δ 1.51 ppm (t, J = 12 Hz). 31P{1H} NMR (THF-d8): δ 85.6 ppm. Preparation: reaction of tris(1,1-dimethylethyl)phosphine with CpPd(η3-allyl) at 80 °C in toluene gives bis[tris(1,1-dimethylethyl)phosphine] palladium in 60% yield.2 Purification: recrystallization from hexane at −20 °C. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the crystalline material is reported to be air-stable.2 The complex can be handled in air for a short time with no degradation, but long-term storage under dry nitrogen is recommended. The complexes can be stored under dry nitrogen for over a year with no degradation. Improperly stored samples undergo decomposition in a matter of hours.3
Darwin’s Error: Using the Story of Pangenesis to Illustrate Aspects of Nature of Science in the Classroom

This article discusses a number of aspects of the nature of science that can be illustrated by considering the development of pangenesis, a principle proposed by Charles Darwin to describe the rules of inheritance, explain the source of new variation, and solve other natural history puzzles. Pangenesis – although false – can be used to illustrate important nature of science ideas such as the need for empirical evidence, the use of inductive reasoning, the creative component of science, the role of bias and subjectivity, social and personal influences on science, and the notion that scientific knowledge is tentative but durable, yet self correcting.
Effect of phosphate electrolyte buffer on the dynamics of water in tendon and cartilage.

A number of NMR spectroscopic and microscopic MRI (µMRI) techniques were used to study proton dynamics in canine tendon and articular cartilage immersed in normal saline solution (NaCl solution) and high-concentration phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. In a proton CPMG experiment on tendons, the T2 relaxation of the tissue was found to be anisotropic and had two populations. When immersed in saline, the T2 values were short and their relative populations were anisotropic. When immersed in PBS, the T2 values increased and their relative populations became isotropic. These phenomena, also verified by proton double-quantum-filtered (DQF) NMR spectroscopy, were interpreted as the catalyzing effect of phosphate ions on proton exchange between water molecules. In the experiment on articular cartilage, the immersion of cartilage–bone blocks in PBS resulted in a significant reduction in the laminar appearance of cartilage on MRI (the magic angle effect). The quantitative T2 anisotropy by µMRI at 13 µm pixel resolution and DQF NMR spectroscopy confirmed the substantial effect of PBS on the water dynamics in cartilage tissue blocks. This preliminary study has two important implications. For in vitro cartilage research, this work confirms the importance of the salt solution in which the specimen is stored – not all salts have the same effect on the measurable quantities in NMR and MRI. For in vivo cartilage diagnosis, especially using whole-body MRI scanners, this work suggests the possibility of using a suitable electrolyte as a novel contrast agent to assess the ultrastructural changes in cartilage due to tissue degradation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing the risk of epstein-barr virus-related lymphoproliferative disorders before administration of visilizumab.

Although overextension of laparoscopic expertise and/or lack of laparoscopic experience can lead to iatrogenic injury, a surgeon must occasionally accept difficult cases to strengthen his or her surgical skills and decision making. Patients who desire the benefits of laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy should be informed of the associated risks, including but not limited to biliary injury. Certain biliary injuries require bile duct suturing, and others may involve reconstruction of hepatic vessels and bile ducts. Biliary injury must then be evaluated for duration of injury before detection as well as classification of the injury to dictate the severity and treatment for correction as described by Lau and Lai. 2 With the management of biliary injury depending on the classification of injury, appropriate versus inappropriate risk taking should be addressed. Further investigation is warranted to establish what factors equate to inappropriate risk taking or appropriate risk taking for surgeons in training who desire laparoscopic experience. By determining these risks on an individual, case-by-case basis that takes into account the surgeon and the patient, surgeons can better determine how the cholecystectomy should be performed. Boddy et al, 3 in “Who should perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy? A ten-year audit,” observed in a retrospective study of 4139 cholecystectomies in a single hospital over a 10-year period from 1996 to 2005 that, in agreement with growing evidence involving laparoscopic cholecystectomies, the outcome may be influenced by expertise and special interest. This expertise being derived from experience emphasizes the value in accepting challenging laparoscopic cases and then determining whether the risk of iatrogenic biliary injury is appropriate or inappropriate.
Inferring Directional Migration Propensities from the Migration Propensities of Infants in the United States

Beginning with the 2010 decennial census, the U.S. Census Bureau plans to drop its long-form questionnaire and to replace it with the American Community Survey (ACS). The resulting absence of the larger sample provided by the census count will complicate the measurement and analysis of internal migration flows. In addition, the strategy of averaging accumulated samples over time will mix changing migration patterns. The migration question will refer to a one-year time interval instead of the five-year interval used in the censuses between 1960 and 2000, complicating historical comparisons and the production of multiregional projections based on five-year age groups. Consequently, students of territorial mobility increasingly will find it necessary to complement or augment possibly inadequate data collected on migration with estimates obtained by means of “indirect estimation.” A method is presented that allows one to infer age-specific directional migration propensities at the regional level from birthpla...
Atmospheric pressure plasma of dielectric barrier discharges

The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) has a number of industrial applications and has been a subject of research for many years. Many studies have been carried out to under- stand the underlying DBD physics. Despite the fact that much progress has been made, some important issues are still far from being clear. In this work, we summarize the basics of DBD physics and introduce innovative concepts of discharge behavior that were discovered re- cently.
Acquired thrombocytopenia after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: clinical correlates and association with outcomes

Aims This study aimed to evaluate incidence and correlates for low platelet count after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and to determine a possible association between acquired thrombocytopenia and clinical outcomes. Methods and results Patients undergoing TAVR from two medical centres were included in the study. They were stratified according to nadir platelet count post procedure: no/mild thrombocytopenia, ≥100 × 109/L; moderate, 50–99 × 109/L; and severe, <50 × 109/L. A total of 488 patients composed of the study population (age 84.7 ± 7.5 years). At a median time of 2 days after TAVR, 176 patients (36.1%) developed significant thrombocytopenia: 149 (30.5%) moderate; 27 patients (5.5%) severe. Upon discharge, the vast majority of patients (90.2%) had no/mild thrombocytopenia. Nadir platelet count <50 × 109/L was highly specific (96.3%), and a count <150 × 109/L highly sensitive (91.2%), for predicting 30-day death ( C -statistic 0.76). Patients with severe acquired thrombocytopenia had a significantly higher mortality rate at 1 year (66.7% for severe vs. 16.0% for no/mild vs. 20.1% for moderate; P < 0.001). In multivariate logistic regression, severe thrombocytopenia was independently associated with 1-year mortality (hazard ratio 3.44, CI: 1.02–11.6; P = 0.046). Conclusions Acquired thrombocytopenia was common after TAVR and was mostly resolved at patient discharge. The severity of thrombocytopenia after TAVR could be used as an excellent, easily obtainable, marker for worse short- and long-term outcomes after the procedure.
EVALUATION OF THE SEMI-AUTOMATED CRIME-SPECIFIC DIGITAL TRIAGE PROCESS MODEL

The digital forensic process as traditionally laid out is very time intensive – it begins with the collection, duplication and authentication of every piece of digital media prior to examination. Digital triage, a process that takes place prior to this standard methodology, can be used to speed up the process and provide valuable intelligence without subjecting digital evidence to a full examination. This quick intelligence can be used in the field for search and seizure guidance, in the office to determine if media is worth sending out for an examination, or in the laboratory to prioritize cases for analysis. For digital triage to become accepted by the forensic community, it must be modeled, tested and peer reviewed, but there have been very few attempts to model digital triage. This work describes the evaluation of the Semi-Automated Crime-Specific Digital Triage Process Model, and presents the results of five experimental trials.