cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated image analysis system for detecting boundaries of live prostate cancer cells.

Image analysis provides a powerful tool for quantifying cell motility and has been used to correlate motility with metastatic potential in an animal model of prostate cancer. However, widespread use of this image analysis method has been limited because earlier methods of quantitative analysis required time-intensive and subjective manual tracing of cell contours. In this report, we describe a fully automated image segmentation algorithm for detection and morphometric description of prostatic cells. The segmentation system was tested on prostate cell images generated from Hoffman modulation contrast microscopy (47 cells at 64 time points 5 3,008 images) and differential interference contrast microscopy (29 cells at 64 times points plus 1 cell at 62 time points 5 1,918 images). Morphometric measurements were derived from computer-determined cell boundaries and compared with the same measurements derived from manually traced cell boundaries. Final correlation coefficients for area and perimeter measurements for Hoffman and differential interference contrast microscopy were (0.76, 0.62) and (0.93, 0.93), respectively. Results with our differential interference contrast images demonstrate that our segmentation algorithm reliably and efficiently replaces the need for manually traced cell boundaries in addition to eliminating intraobserver variation. Our automated segmentation process will have immediate utility in our motility analysis system that relates cell motility with metastatic potential of prostate cancer. Cytometry 31:287‐294, 1998.
Carbon and nitrogen effects on the elastic constants of a stainless steel at 4 K

Abstract Nine AISI type 304 stainless steel alloys were studied between ambient temperature and liquid helium temperature. The carbon-plus-nitrogen contents of these alloys ranged from 0.080 to 0.359 wt.% (from 0.3 to 1.5 at.%). Five elastic constants (the longitudinal modulus, Young's modulus, the shear modulus, the bulk modulus and Poison's ratio) were determined by a pulse echo ultrasonic method. Except for the bulk modulus, all the elastic stiffnesses increase slightly with increasing interstitial content. Existing elastic theory predicts decreases in elastic stiffness caused by the volume increase. Previously reported ambient temperature results show such elastic constant decreases. Thus, the low temperature results suggest electronic interactions between interstitial atoms and host lattice atoms, interactions that stiffen the lattice more against shear that against dilatation.
Completely Integrable Gradient Flows

In this paper we exhibit the Toda lattice equations in a double bracket form which shows they are gradient flow equations (on their isospectral set) on an adjoint orbit of a compact Lie group. Representations for the flows are given and a convexity result associated with a momentum map is proved. Some general properties of the double bracket equations are demonstrated, including a discussion of their invariant subspaces, and their function as a Lie algebraic sorter.
Nuclear Spin Relaxation in 1,1-Difluoroethylene in Solution

An experimental method for the determination of the relative values of τ1 and τ2 by the nuclear Overhauser effect proposed by Kuhlmann and Baldeschwieler is applied to 1,1‐difluoroethylene, where τ1 and τ2 are the correlation times for the change in rotational quantum number and for molecular reorientation, respectively. The proton transition probability WH, the fluorine transition probability between the levels belonging to the same symmetry representation WF(A), and the fluorine transition probability between states of different symmetry WF(B) are obtained by NMR and NMDR experiments in solutions of CF2CH2 in various solvents. The temperature dependence of these transition probabilities measured between −40° and 33°C shows that τ1≪τ2. The ratio of diagonal and off‐diagonal components of the spin—rotation interaction tensor is (Cxx2+Cyy2+Czz2)/(Cyz2+Czy2)≃40. The change in anisotropic intermolecular interactions obtained by a change of solvent affects τ1 more than τ2.
The SHOOT orbital operations

Abstract The Superfluid Helium On Orbit Transfer (SHOOT) flight demonstration programme will provide the technology necessary to resupply liquid helium in space. If used in a tanker the components in SHOOT will be full scale except for tank size. The SHOOT attached shuttle payload orbital operations are divided roughly into two categories: an experiment and a demonstration. The experiment involves qualitative and quantitative measurements of the behaviour of various liquid management devices such as liquid acquisition devices, phase separators and liquid/vapour discriminators. Total system performance will also be measured in terms of transfer rates, losses, and residual quantities of helium. Parameters such as low level acceleration, temperature and pumping speed will be varied to obtain data needed to verify concepts and theoretical predictions. The demonstration involves combining data from early in the flight with an on board expert system to perform a transfer autonomously from the shuttle, thus simulating an actual superfluid resupply mission. The paper describes the SHOOT on orbit operations, the reasons for the methods used to obtain the experimental data, and the expected results.
The two components of spectrin, filamin, and the heavy chain of smooth muscle myosin show no detectable homologies to one another by two-dimensional mapping of iodinated tryptic peptides.

Abstract The possible structural relationships among four high molecular weight mechanochemical proteins has been examined using two-dimensional mapping of the tryptic peptide fragments prepared from 125I-labeled proteins (Elder et al., J. Biol. Chem. 252 :6510–6515 (1977)). Erythrocyte spectrin bands 1 and 2 protein, the heavy chain of smooth muscle (uterine) myosin, a filamin from human and rabbit were studied. The maps of the four proteins within each species differed considerably from each other, with no apparent homologies evident among them, whereas maps of the same individual protein between the two species showed a high degree of homology.
Childhood Behavior Problems Linked to Sexual Risk Taking in Young Adulthood: A Birth Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT Objective To study whether behavioral and emotional problems during childhood predicted early sexual debut, risky sex at age 21 years, and sexually transmitted infections up to age 21 years. Some possible mediational pathways were also explored. Method Participants were enrolled in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study ( n = 1,037), a prospective, longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort born in 1972-1973. Data obtained at ages 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 21 years were used. Adjustment was made for gender, socioeconomic status, parenting factors, and residence changes. Results High levels of antisocial behavior between age 5 and 11 years were associated with increased odds of early sexual debut (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.17, 95% confidence [CI] 1.34-3.54) and risky sex (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.04-3.40). No relationship was observed between hyperactivity and later sexual health outcomes. In contrast, high levels of anxiety were associated with reduced odds of risky sex (AOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.80) and sexually transmitted infections (AOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.17-0.70). Involvement with delinquent peers explained some of the association between antisocial behavior and early sexual debut and risky sex. A poor relationship with parents also explained some of the association between antisocial behavior and early sexual debut. Conclusions The findings demonstrate links between behavioral and emotional problems occurring early in life and later deleterious sexual health outcomes. Targeting antisocial behavior and teaching accurate appraisals of danger during childhood may help mitigate these negative consequences.
Highly efficient formation of nitriles and alkoxy radicals from N-alkoxybenziminoyl chlorides in solution.

A series of N-alkoxybenziminoyl chlorides were synthesized and reacted with tributyltin hydride in the presence of AIBN to generate the corresponding N-alkoxybenziminoyl radicals. This methodology successfully generates the desired radicals, which undergo a rapid and highly efficient β-scission reaction, as shown by the formation of the corresponding nitriles and products derived from alkoxy radicals. The intermediate N-alkoxybenziminoyl radical could not be trapped by employing high concentrations of Bu3SnH or by using a hydrogen atom donating solvent such as toluene. The fast β-scission reaction was found to be independent of the structure of the iminoyl chloride. These results are different from studies on the similar N-alkyliminoyl radicals, which typically give products from both β-scission hydrogen atom transfer pathways. Using the data from this study as well as some reported rate constants for different hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) processes, we conclude that the lower limit for the rate constant ...
Nonequilibrium Phase Transitions in a Simple Three-State Lattice Gas

We investigate the dynamics of a three-state stochastic lattice gas consisting of holes and two oppositely "charged" species of particles, under the influence of an "electric" field at zero total charge. Interacting only through an excludedvolume constraint, particles exchange with holes and, on a slower time scale, with each other. Using a combination of Monte Carlo simulations and meanfield equations of motion, we study a set of suitably defined order parameters, their histograms and fluctuations, as well as the current through the system. With increasing particle density and drive, the system first orders into a chargesegregated state, and then disorders again near complete filling. The transition is lirst order at low densities and turns second order at higher ones. The finitesize and aspect-ratio dependence of characteristic quantities is discussed at the mean-field level.
Congenital heart disease in dogs: epidemiologic similarities to man.

In a study of 700 congenital cardiac defects in dogs there were similarities, anatomic and epidemiologic, to defects occurring in man. Marked excesses of certain anomalies observed in specific breeds can serve as models for genetic and environmental studies.
Precarious Politics: Experiments in Market-Socialism and the Prospects for Cuban Women's Unfinished Revolution

For more than 150 years, feminists have debated the comparative merits of capitalism and socialism for women's emancipation. This article explores the transition in Cuba as President Raul Castro experiments with market liberalization to shed light on that debate. Toward that end, it considers the many gender equity policies developed in Cuba since 1959 as well as the factors that contribute to women's unfinished “revolution within the revolution.” The article then turns to assessing the gendered economic and political effects of market liberalization in Cuba, 1990–2004, and socialist Nicaragua, 1985–1990, and argues that further market liberalization in socialist Cuba will threaten gender equity by its effects on an array of social domains, including healthcare, education, transportation, consumption, and others.
Pheromonal control of mating patterns inDrosophila melanogaster

Multiple-choice mating tests comparing the mating propensity among and within inbred lines were performed forDrosophila melanogaster. Courtship activity, time to copulation, and assortative mating were all directly correlated with the degree of inbreeding. By the eighth generation of sib mating, there was a 76% incidence of negative assortative mating in multiple-choice tests and a marked reduction of courtship behavior among sibs. Furthermore, absence of sperm in the females of nonreproductive pairs indicated that much of the attrition of inbred lines was due to failure of sibs to mate. When individuals of “sterile cultures” were allowed an opportunity to outcross, most were fertile and exhibited normal mating and courtship activity. Olfactometer tests with either unrelated flies or collected pheromone samples as source material indicated that airborne chemosignals are required for initiation of courtship inD. melanogaster. Visual and audio cues were found to be noncritical inD. melanogaster courtship and mating. Intraspecific qualitative pheromone variation, at one or a few loci, is thought to be functioning as the control mechanism in selective mating.
Dopant Effects on Single and Multiple Excitons in Small Si Clusters: High-Level Ab Initio Calculations

Doping has been critical to the realization of current semiconductor devices, allowing for control and tuning of the electronic properties. Whereas doping is now common in bulk, its extension to spatially confined materials has not been easy. Recently, suitable synthetic methods have been developed, and it has become vital to understand the changes doping affects in spatially confined materials. For this purpose, we performed high-level, ab initio quantum-chemical calculations on small boron- and phosphorus-doped Si clusters, and obtained optical absorption spectra and excited states properties over a broad energy range, including single and multiple excitons. We find that doping blue-shifts the optical absorption spectra and moves the onset of multiexciton configurations to significantly higher energies. The latter factor can be very important in photovoltaic applications. The effect of doping on the cluster properties is similar to that of charging.
Magnetically induced nematic phase at a smectic A-isotropic transition

Abstract Numerical calculations using the model of Ronis and Rosenblatt suggest that a sufficiently strong magnetic field can induce a nematic phase in a material which inherently exhibits a smectic A-isotropic transition at zero field.
Kinetic and thermodynamic properties of a convecting plasma in a two-dimensional dipole field

Charged particle guiding center motion is considered in the magnetic field of a two-dimensional ('line') dipole on which is superimposed a small, static, perpendicular electric field. The parallel equation of motion is that of a simple harmonic oscillator for cos theta, the cosine of magnetic colatitude theta. Equations for the perpendicular electric and magnetic drifts are derived as well as their bounce-averaged forms. The latter are solved to yield a bounce-averaged guiding center trajectory, which is the same as that obtained from conversation of magnetic moment mu, longitudinal invariant J, and total (kinetic plus electrostatic) energy K. The algebraic simplicity of the trajectory equations is also manifest in the forms of the invariants. An interesting result is that guiding centers drift in such a way that they preserve the values of their equatorial pitch angles and (equivalently) mirror latitudes. The most general Maxwellian form of the equilibrium one-particle distribution function f is constructed from the invariants, and spatially varying density and pressure moments, parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field, are identified. Much of the paper deals with the more restricted problem in which f is specified as a bi-Maxwellian over a straight line of finite length in the equatorial plane of the dipole and perpendicular to field lines. This might be thought of as specifying a cross-tail ion injection source; our formalism then describes the subsequent spatial development. The distribution away from the source is a scaled bi-Maxwellian but one that is cut off at large and small kinetic energies, which depend on position. Density and pressure components are reduced from the values they would have if the total content of individual flux tubes convected intact. The equatorial and meridional variations of density and pressure components are examined and compared systematically for the isotropic and highly anisotropic situations. There appears to be little qualitative difference due to anisotropy. An anisotropy measure is defined, and its spatial variation determined as a signature of possible MHD instability. Extreme values are found, larger than at the source, but the plasma beta in such regions is probably so low as to render the effect inconsequential energetically. Finally, the possible consequence of 'nonadia- batic' pressure profiles on electrostatic interchanges is considered, and a boundary delineating stabilizing and destabilizing regions determined.
Chlorophyll Chemistry Before and After Crystals of Photosynthetic Reaction Centers

The experimental, theoretical and structural research leading to the identification and characterization of the (bacterio) chlorophyll species that mediate the primary events of solar energy transduction and dynamics is reviewed and examined from the author’s perspective.
Combining stochastic average gradient and Hessian-free optimization for sequence training of deep neural networks

Minimum phone error (MPE) training of deep neural networks (DNN) is an effective technique for reducing word error rate of automatic speech recognition tasks. This training is often carried out using a Hessian-free (HF) quasi-Newton approach, although other methods such as stochastic gradient descent have also been applied successfully. In this paper we present a novel stochastic approach to HF sequence training inspired by recently proposed stochastic average gradient (SAG) method. SAG reuses gradient information from past updates, and consequently simulates the presence of more training data than is really observed for each model update. We extend SAG by dynamically weighting the contribution of previous gradients, and by combining it to a stochastic HF optimization. We term the resulting procedure DSAG-HF. Experimental results for training DNNs on 1500h of audio data show that compared to baseline HF training, DSAG-HF leads to better held-out MPE loss after each model parameter update, and converges to an overall better loss value. Furthermore, since each update in DSAG-HF takes place over smaller amount of data, this procedure converges in about half the time as baseline HF sequence training.
Prospective Study of Functional Status and Quality of Life Before and After Lung Transplantation

Study objectives: To determine the impact of lung transplantation on patients’ function and quality of life (QOL), 10 lung transplant patients were followed from before transplantation to 3 months after transplantation. The following variables were examined: (1) perceived functional status; (2) respiratory function; (3) moods; (4) satisfaction with overall QOL and health; and (5) thoughts about the decision to undergo lung transplantation. Design: A longitudinal, small-group, repeated-measures design. Setting: A large Midwest university medical center. Measurements and results: Several instruments were used to measure perceived health, QOL, functional status, and respiratory function. The perceived improvement in physical function after transplantation was accompanied by increased satisfaction with physical strength, current health, and QOL. In addition, dramatic improvements in pulmonary function were seen after transplantation (FVC, FEV1, and forced expiratory flow at 25 to 75% of FVC); however, only the FEV1 values significantly improved between 1 and 3 months after transplantation. For example, the FEV1 (mean 6 SD) increased from 22 6 11% of predicted before transplantation to 46 6 12% and 55 6 14% of predicted at 1 month and 3 months after transplantation, respectively. Although the total number of psychological symptoms did not decrease significantly over time, the intensity and distress associated with the symptoms did. Psychological function scores did not change significantly. Ninety percent of the subjects reported being very satisfied with their transplant decision. Conclusions: Lung transplantation significantly improved the subjects’ overall function and their satisfaction with their QOL and health status. However, since this report only addressed data for the first 3 months after transplantation, additional longitudinal research is needed to further elucidate the experiences and outcomes associated with lung transplantation. (CHEST 2000; 118:115‐122)
The SNAP project: design of floating point arithmetic units

In recent years computer applications have increased in their computational complexity. The industry wide usage of performance benchmarks, such as SPECmarks, and the popularity of 3D graphics applications forces processor designers to pay particular attention to implementation of the floating point unit, or FPU. The paper presents results of the Stanford subnanosecond arithmetic processor (SNAP) research effort in the design of hardware for floating point addition, multiplication and division. We show that one cycle FP addition is achievable 32% of the time using a variable latency algorithm. For multiplication, a binary tree is often inferior to a Wallace tree designed using an algorithmic layout approach for contemporary feature sizes (0.3 /spl mu/m). Further, in most cases two bit Booth encoding of the multiplier is preferable to non Booth encoding for partial product generation. It appears that for division, optimum area performance is achieved using functional iteration, and we present two techniques to further reduce average division latency.
A Possible Mechanism for Synergy between Antifungal Therapy and Immune Defenses

The host immune response [1, 2] and therapy with antifungal drugs [3] are the major determinants of the outcome of fungal infections. Evidence that these 2 forces often act synergistically has been amassed [4]. The newest available antifiingals are the echinocandins, and caspofiingin was the initial echinocandin studied and introduced into clinical medicine [5]. These agents act by inhibiting fungal glucan synthase [6], interfering with production of j31 ,3-glucan for the fungal cell wall. Although the echinocandins are fungicidal for yeasts (e.g., Candida organisms) [5], and although they are inhibitory for the filamentous Aspergillus molds, they are not fungicidal for Aspergillus species in vitro, and it has been shown that they are active only at the tips and the branch points of the filaments, where /3-1,3-glucan synthesis is most active [7]. However, very encouraging re-
Hemodynamic effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, ramipril, in patients with mild to moderate aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular function.

Background Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use is presumed to be contraindicated in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). We determined the hemodynamic effects of ACE inhibitors in patients with mild to moderate aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved left ventricular function. Methods Thirteen elderly patients (mean [SD] age = 65 [17] years), with mild to moderate AS (aortic jet velocity 2.5-4.0 m/s), normal left ventricular and renal function, and no clinical coronary artery disease, were enrolled in a single-center, open-label trial comparing the hemodynamic effects at baseline and following titration of ramipril to a maximum dose of 7.5 mg twice daily. Patients were identified from echocardiography laboratory logs. Despite a presumed contraindication to ACE inhibitor use in AS patients, 30% (71 of 235) of patients otherwise meeting inclusion or exclusion criteria were excluded owing to current ACE inhibitor use. Patients were monitored with weekly clinic visits, biweekly laboratory tests, and monthly echocardiograms. Results There were no significant changes from baseline to week 8 in echocardiographic parameters, including mean (SD) aortic jet velocity [2.9 (0.4) vs 2.9 (0.4) m/s], calculated aortic transvalvular gradient [18 (6) vs 18 (6) mm Hg], or cardiac output [5.5 (1.2) vs 6.0 (2.1) L/min], or significant changes in blood pressure or heart rate. Early discontinuations were for asymptomatic low blood pressure (one patient) or a reversible creatinine increase of 0.3 mg/dL (one patient). Conclusions Short-term treatment with up to 7.5 mg twice daily of ramipril was well tolerated in patients with mild to moderate AS and preserved left ventricular function. A surprisingly high proportion of patients with documented AS were already receiving ACE inhibitors.
Abuse during Pregnancy: Frequency, Severity, Perpetrator, and Risk Factors of Homicide

To determine the frequency, severity, and perpetrator of abuse during pregnancy as well as the occurrence of risk factors of homicide, a stratified, prospective cohort analysis was completed on 1,203 African-American, Hispanic, and Anglo women in urban public health prenatal clinics. All women were assessed for abuse at the first prenatal visit and twice again during the pregnancy. All women were administered the Conflicts Tactics Scale, the Index of Spouse Abuse and the Danger Assessment Scale. Prevalence of physical abuse during pregnancy was 16%, one in every six women. Women abused during pregnancy had significantly higher scores on all instruments and more risk factors of homicide when compared with women abused prior to but not during pregnancy. To protect women's safety, a protocol of assessment and intervention for abuse must be standard care for all pregnant women.
Learning hidden curved exponential family models to infer face-to-face interaction networks from situated speech data

In this paper, we present a novel probabilistic framework for recovering global, latent social network structure from local, noisy observations. We extend curved exponential random graph models to include two types of variables: hidden variables that capture the structure of the network and observational variables that capture the behavior between actors in the network. We develop a novel combination of informative and intuitive conversational (local) and structural (global) features to specify our model. The model learns, in an unsupervised manner, the relationship between observable behavior and hidden social structure while simultaneously learning properties of the latent structure itself. We present empirical results on both synthetic data and a real world dataset of face-to-face conversations collected from 24 individuals using wearable sensors over the course of 6 months.
The search for DNA homology does not limit stable homologous pairing promoted by RecA protein

Abstract Background: The basic molecular mechanisms that govern the search for DNA homology and subsequent homologous pairing during genetic recombination are not understood. RecA is the central homologous recombination protein of Escherichia coli; because several RecA homologues have been identified in eukaryotic cells, it is likely that the mechanisms employed by RecA are conserved throughout evolution. Analysis of the kinetics of the homologous search and pairing reactions catalyzed by RecA should therefore provide insights of general relevance into the mechanisms by which macromolecules locate, and interact with, specific DNA targets. Results RecA forms three-stranded synaptic complexes with a single-stranded oligonucleotide and a homologous region in duplex DNA. The kinetics of this initial pairing reaction were characterized using duplex DNA molecules of various concentrations and complexities containing a single target site, as well as various concentrations of homologous single-stranded oligonucleotides. The formation of the synaptic complex follows apparent second-order reaction kinetics with a rate proportional to the concentrations of both the homologous single-stranded oligonucleotide and the target sites within the duplex DNA. The reaction rate is independent of the complexity of duplex DNA in the reaction. We propose a kinetic scheme in which the RecA–single-stranded DNA filament interacts with duplex DNA and locates its target in a relatively fast reaction. We also suggest that complex conformational changes occur during the subsequent rate-limiting step. Conclusion We conclude that, during the formation of synaptic complexes by RecA, the search for homology is not rate-limiting, and that the iteration frequency of the search is around 10 2 –10 3 s –1 . This value agrees well with what has been calculated as the minimum number for such a frequency in genome-wide searches, and limits the possible structures involved in the search for homology to those involving very soft (low energy) interactions. Furthermore, from the order of the reaction at the DNA concentrations found in eukaryotic nuclei, and the rate constant of the overall reaction, we predict that the search for homology is also not the rate-limiting step in the genome-wide searches implicated in meiosis and in gene targeting.
The Unfolded Protein Response Induces the Angiogenic Switch in Human Tumor Cells through the PERK/ATF4 Pathway

Neovascularization is a limiting factor in tumor growth and progression. It is well known that changes in the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxia and glucose deprivation (GD), can induce VEGF production. However, the mechanism linking GD to tumor growth and angiogenesis is unclear. We hypothesize that GD induces the angiogenic switch in tumors through activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). We report that UPR activation in human tumors results in elevated expression of proangiogenic mediators and a concomitant decrease in angiogenesis inhibitors. cDNA microarray results showed that GD-induced UPR activation promoted upregulation of a number of proangiogenic mediators (VEGF, FGF-2, IL-6, etc.) and downregulation of several angiogenic inhibitors (THBS1, CXCL14, and CXCL10). In vitro studies revealed that partially blocking UPR signaling by silencing protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK) or activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) significantly reduced the production of angiogenesis mediators induced by GD. However, suppressing the alpha subunit of hypoxia-inducible factors had no effect on this process. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) confirmed binding of ATF4 to a regulatory site in the VEGF gene. In vivo results confirmed that knockdown of PERK in tumor cells slows down tumor growth and decreases tumor blood vessel density. Collectively, these results show that the PERK/ATF4 arm of UPR mediates the angiogenic switch and is a potential target for antiangiogenic cancer therapy.
Co-transmission of dopamine and glutamate.

In the 1934 Dixon lectures, Sir Henry Dale articulated that the chemical nature of each neuron is fixed and unchangeable ([Dale, 1935][1]). John Eccles elevated these observations to a principle in 1954 when he and colleagues postulated that “the same chemical transmitting substance is used at all
Sociodemographic, Insurance, and Risk Profiles of Maternal Smokers Post the 1990s: How Can We Reach Them?

Declines in prenatal smoking rates have changed the composition of maternal smokers while public policy during the 1990s has likely made it more difficult to reach them. Medicaid expansions during the 1980s/early 1990s insured more women some time during pregnancy, but the 1996 welfare reform unexpectedly reduced enrollment in Medicaid by eligible pregnant women; overall, insurance coverage has declined since 2000. As the public sector struggles with fewer resources, it is important to understand the sociodemographic characteristics of prenatal smokers, their patterns of care, and nonsmoking risk behaviors. Targeting scarce dollars to certain settings or sub-populations can strengthen the infrastructure for tobacco policy change. We provide more current information on maternal smokers in 2002 based on the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for 21 states. Data on urban/rural location, insurance coverage, access patterns, and nonsmoking risk behaviors (e.g., abuse) among low-income (<16,000) and other maternal smokers are included. Low-income maternal smokers are the working poor living in predominately urban areas with fewer health care resources than low-income nonsmokers. Over 50% of low-income maternal smokers are uninsured pre-pregnancy and use a clinic as their usual source of care. Regardless of income, smokers exhibit rates of nonsmoking risks that are two to three times those of nonsmokers and high rates of unintended pregnancy (68%) of low-income smokers. These characteristics likely call for a bundle of social support services beyond cessation for smokers to quit and remain smoke-free postpartum.
What Would You Tell Professor Wundt

There is great recent concern with the "value added" concept in assessing quality of instruction. Although it is relatively easy to measure some aspects of learning, more general skills and attitudes are harder to assess. In order to measure some of these less accessible changes, students in three history of psychology classes were given a "semiprojective" pretest and posttest. Over the term, student responses increased in level of abstraction, concentrating more on philosophical and general methodological issues and less on specific methodology and empirical findings. Our results suggest that students change their attitudes about what course material is important without being taught specifically to attend to broader issues and that these changes can be measured.
Challenges and opportunities in restructuring radiology residencies: the APDR Residency Restructuring Committee report

Changes to the ABR certification process are imminent, with a core examination after 36 months of training and a certifying examination 15 months after the completion of training replacing the current examination structure for residents entering training in July 2010 and beyond. The Residency Restructuring Committee of the Association of Program Directors in Radiology was developed to analyze the challenges and opportunities of these upcoming changes and provide recommendations to programs. The guidelines included in this article represent a summary of the work of this committee to date.
Broad, flat fluorescence emissions from nanostructured rare-earth doped silicates

We have synthesized nanostructured rare-earth doped silicates by two different methods: combustion flame - chemical vapor condensation (CF-CVC) and sol-gel processing. Substantial rare-earth concentrations (~ 8 wt. %) were achieved with no signs of concentration quenching. We have observed unprecedented spectrally broad/flat fluorescence emissions at 1.55 μm from the Er 3+ -doped materials, which we attribute to their unique nanostructures developed during heat treatments. In depth results of a combined XRD/TEM study monitoring the evolution of the nanostructure will be presented. The role of processing conditions, chemistry, and particle size will also be discussed.
Scholarship of practice: Reflections on Gary Kielhofner's legendary vision for occupational therapy

Professor Gary Kielhofner, laid to rest on September 2, 2010, was a world-renowned educator, researcher, and scholar ardently dedicated to the practice of occupational therapy and, most importantly...
Digital Templating and Preoperative Deformity Analysis with Standard Imaging Software

Analysis of deformity and subsequent correction are the basis for many orthopaedic surgical procedures. In advanced cases of joint degeneration, arthroplasty may be the only available treatment option. Until recently, these analyses and preoperative surgical plans have been performed using standard radiographs, tracing paper, and/or plastic overlays. Numerous customized, commercially available, computer-based preoperative planning software programs have been introduced. The purposes of this study were to describe (1) the techniques used in deformity analysis and preoperative surgical planning using standard radiographs for joint arthroplasty and corrective osteotomies of the extremities, (2) the use of computed tomography (CT) scans to analyze rotational deformities in the presence and absence of joint prostheses and in planning corrective rotational osteotomies or revision joint replacement, and (3) the techniques for analyzing angular deformities of the spine. All these applications were performed with a widely available image analysis software.
Engaging school personnel in making schools safe for girls in Botswana, Malawi, and Mozambique

Girls are vulnerable to HIV in part because the social systems in which they live have failed to protect them. This study evaluates a program aimed at making schools safe for girl learners in order to reduce girls’ vulnerability to HIV in Botswana, Malawi, and Mozambique. In addition to an extensive process evaluation with school personnel program participants, program facilitators, and community members, a cross-sectional post-intervention survey was conducted among adolescent girls in the three countries. The total sample size was 1249 adolescent girls (ages 11–18). Bivariate and multilevel, multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the association between school participation in the intervention and a decrease in teachers offering sex in exchange for academic favors. In Botswana, girls who attended an intervention school, as compared to girls who attended a non-intervention school, were significantly more likely to report a reduction in teachers offering sex in exchange for favors. Communication interventions that both challenge and empower school personnel to create safer environments for schoolgirls can have positive effects, particularly in settings with sufficient resources to support change.
Introduction to Descriptive Analysis

This exercise provides basic exposure to quantitative descriptive analysis procedures. It demonstrates how term generation works in a group setting with several sample products from the same category. Using the terms generated for the products, a ballot is then constructed, and students evaluate blind samples on intensity scales. Basic analysis of variance and planned comparisons between means are used for data analysis. This exercise is best performed by an instructor who is familiar with panel leadership and term generation.
Shock Dynamics for Cylindrical/Spherical Converging Shocks in Elastic-Plastic Solids

The study of cylindrical and spherical converging shock waves propagating in solid materials is relevant to the production of high temperatures and pressures in condensed matter with applications to inertial confinement fusion [1]. However, experimental studies conducted in the area are prone to complications derived from the measurement techniques available and the difficulty of producing a quasi-radially symmetric flow.
Raman Scattering in Electrochemically Prepared Porous Silicon

Porous silicon of various porosity has been prepared by electrochemical etching of silicon with different doping levels. Room temperature photoluminescence in the visible range is observed from the powder scraped from the top layer of the etched samples. In this paper we use Raman scattering to characterize the source of the high efficiency photoluminescence. We have also studied microcrystalline silicon prepared by thermal annealing of hydrogenated amorphous silicon/amorphous silicon oxide multilayers.
Comparison of second-degree and traditional baccalaureate nursing students' performance in managing acute patient deterioration events

Background: Students in accelerated second-degree programs are reported to be highly motivated, older, competitive, maintain higher grade point averages than their traditional counterparts, and score higher on standardized nursing achievement tests. However, studies that directly measure clinical performance parameters of students in accelerated second-degree programs in direct side-by-side comparison with traditional students under similarly controlled conditions have not been reported. Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare traditional and second-degree baccalaureate nursing students’ performance of key assessments and interventions in the management of deteriorating patients in a simulated task environment. Methods: A convenience sample of 20 traditional and 20 accelerated undergraduate baccalaureate-nursing students participated. The four high-fidelity simulation exercises required the participants to detect early signs of patient deterioration and initiate treatment-based interventions. Two research personnel independently coded audio and videotaped data. The coders recorded the first time in which an assessment or intervention was performed. An independent samples t -test was performed to determine differences in nursing students’ performance of key assessments and interventions. Results: Second-degree accelerated nursing students were in general more likely to recognize and respond to indicators of patient deterioration more promptly than their traditional counterparts. Conclusions: Second-degree students appear to possess attributes that increase the likelihood that they will appreciate stimuli in the clinical environment, which is a precursor to effective intervention. Further research is required to substantiate the factors that account for performance differences between these traditional and second-degree baccalaureate nursing students.
Mining Biomedical Text towards Building a Quantitative Food-Disease-Gene Network

Advances in bio-technology and life sciences are leading to an ever-increasing volume of published research data, predominantly in unstructured text. To uncover the underlying knowledge base hidden in such data, text mining techniques have been utilized. Past and current efforts in this area have been largely focusing on recognizing gene and protein names, and identifying binary relationships among genes or proteins. In this chapter, we present an information extraction system that analyzes publications in an emerging discipline–Nutritional Genomics, a discipline that studies the interactions amongst genes, foods and diseases–aiming to build a quantitative food-disease-gene network. To this end, we adopt a host of techniques including natural language processing (NLP) techniques, domain ontology, and machine learning approaches.
Stapled and Nonstapled Tapered Distal Ileum for Construction of a Continent Colonic Urinary Reservoir

AbstractA continent colonic urinary reservoir was created in 10 patients who had undergone anterior exenteration for invasive bladder carcinoma. A tapered distal ileal segment with a catheterizable abdominal stoma provided full continence in all 10 patients. Tapering of the terminal ileum was achieved with a gastrointestinal anastomosis stapler in 5 patients or with a bowel clamp in 5 others. Three purse-string sutures of 2-zero silk were placed on the tapered ileal segment to increase the intraluminal pressure. A nontunneled ureterocolonic anastomosis was performed in all 20 ureters. No obstruction or reflux was noted in 19 ureters (95 per cent). Hydronephrosis at the anastomotic site was noted in 1 ureter and was successfully dilated percutaneously.
Comorbidity: Reconsidering the Unit of Analysis

In this short essay, I wish to briefly discuss smoking, polypharmacy, the human biome and multispecies relations, and biomedicalization as a means of stretching the common ways we think about comorbidity. My intent is to expand our thinking about comorbidity and multimorbidity beyond the individual as a unit of analysis, to reframe comorbidity in relation to trajectories of risk, and to address comorbid states of our own making when the treatment of one health problem results in the experience of additional health problems. I do so as a corrective to what I see as an overly narrow focus on comorbidity as co-occurring illnesses within a single individual, and as a complement to critical medical anthropological assessments of synergistic comorbid conditions (syndemics) occurring in structurally vulnerable populations living in environments of risk exposed to macro and micro pathogenic agents.
Isolation and Characterization of Human Cytotrophoblast Cells

One of the unique features of the placenta is its continued differentiation during gestation. We have previously shown by in situ hybridization, that human choriogonadotropin (hCG) α and β subunit mRNAs are expressed in both the cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast regions of the placenta whereas human placental lactogen (hPL) mRNA was expressed only in the syncytium. HCGα mRNA is reduced 6-fold between first trimester and term, and hCGβ mRNA falls to undetectable levels (Boothby et al., 1983). HPL, on the other hand, attains maximal levels at term although the amount of mRNA per gram of tissue is not greatly altered (Hoshina et al., 1982). Based on these data we proposed that the hormonal genes are activated at different stages of placental differentiation (Hoshina et al., 1982, 1983, 1985). We also suggested that hCG α and β subunit expression is dependent on the presence of proliferating cytotrophoblasts whereas hPL expression is sustained in differentiated syncytium.
Effect of Zinc Deficiency on Lipid and Protein Profiles of the Rat Erythrocyte Membrane

Numerous studies indicate that zinc plays a role in preserving the structural integrity of cell membranes1. The osmotic fragility of rat erythrocytes is increased by dietary zinc deficiency2, and the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of zinc deficiency on the protein and phospholipid (PL) fatty acid (FA) compositions of the rat erythrocyte membrane as they relate to fragility.
Alternating sign matrices and their Bruhat order

The set Sn of nn permutation matrices forms a ranked partially ordered set under the Bruhat order. The Bruhat order on Sn can be equivalently defined by means of an entrywise partial order on an associated matrix. Lascoux and Schtzenberger proved that the MacNeille completion (the unique smallest lattice containing a partially ordered set) of the Bruhat order on Sn is the set An of nn alternating sign matrices (ASMs) with a partial order defined by this same entrywise order giving a ranked lattice. We continue investigations of the structure of this lattice. We show that the lattice contains some special dense ASMs defining intervals which are Boolean lattices which together span (in terms of hitting all ranks) the lattice from its minimal element to its maximal element. We also show that the number of ASMs of a given rank is a polynomial in n of degree r and obtain a natural maximal saturated chain. The Hasse diagram of a poset can be regarded as a (directed) graph, and we determine the maximal indegree, outdegree, and total degree of ASMs in An; a similar determination was done by Adin and Roichman for the Bruhat order on Sn. The join-irreducible permutations in Pn are the bigrassmanians, that is, permutations such that both and its inverse 1 have exactly one descent. The bigrassmanians are also the join-irreducible elements of the lattice on An. We determine the minimal set of bigrassmanians whose joins are the special dense ASMs.