cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social and Health Risk Factor Levels of Preschool Children Living Along the Texas-Mexico Border.

Background Childhood obesity is a public health concern that disproportionately affects populations from low socioeconomic status (SES) and minority groups. Evaluation of social and health risk factors of preschool children living along the Texas-Mexico border provides feedback to design health interventions. Methods South Texas Early Prevention Study-PreK (STEPS-PreK) is a cluster randomized trial designed to assess the effect of the Bienestar coordinated school health program on children's health outcomes. Family characteristics, dietary intake, fitness, and anthropometric data were collected from 1277 preschool students enrolled in 28 preschools. Results The response rate was 67%. Overall, 57% of families lived in poverty. The mean age of students was 4.7 years, 95% were Hispanic, and 51% were male. The average serving of fruits and vegetables per day were 1 and 1/3, respectively. Of these, students consumed 39.7% of fruits and 18.9% of vegetables. Obesity prevalence for boys was 19.2% and for girls 16.8%. Nearly one-half reported some form of food insecurity. Conclusions Children living in low-income areas are affected by high levels of social and health risk factors. It is these families who should be targeted with early-age and culturally appropriate health programs.
Wavelet Analysis of Properties of Marine Boundary Layer Mesoscale Cells Observed From AMSR-E

Marine boundary layer clouds tend to organize into closed or open mesoscale cellular convection (MCC). Here, two-dimensional wavelet analysis is applied for the first time to passive microwave retr...
Echocardiography-derived septal curvature correlated with invasive hemodynamics in pediatric pulmonary hypertension

Right ventricular function and afterload are associated with clinical outcomes in pulmonary hypertension (PH). MRI-derived interventricular septal curvature has been associated with invasive hemodynamics in PH patients. This study sought to determine the relationship of echocardiography derived septal curvature with invasive hemodynamics in pediatric PH patients. A single center chart review identified 56 pediatric patients with PH and 50 control patients with adequate echocardiography to assess septal curvature within one month of initial cardiac catheterization. Echocardiographic indices of septal flattening including end-systolic eccentricity index (EIs), maximum EI (EImax), minimum septal curvature (SCmin), and average SC (SCavg) were determined. PH patients had a median right ventricular systolic pressure of 64 mmHg (interquartile range (IQR) 48–81), mean pulmonary artery pressure of 44 mmHg (IQR 32–57), pulmonary vascular resistance of 7.9 iWU (IQR 4.8–12.9), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 10 mmHg (IQR 8–12). Patients with PH had higher EIs and EImax and lower SCmin and SCavg compared to control patients. SCavg demonstrated the strongest association with right ventricular systolic pressure (R2 0.73, p < 0.0001), mean pulmonary artery pressure (R2 0.63, p < 0.0001), and pulmonary vascular resistance (R2 0.47, p < 0.0001). All septal curvature indices were associated with the composite adverse outcome, including Potts shunt, lung transplantation, and death. SCmin (HR 0.29; 95%CI 0.07–0.97) and SCavg (HR 0.15; 95%CI 0.03–0.72) were the only septal flattening indices associated with death. Echocardiography derived septal curvature is a non-invasive marker of ventricular afterload and adverse outcomes.
A Frequency-Programmable Miniaturized Radio Frequency Transmitter for Animal Tracking.

In animal tracking applications, smaller transmitters can reduce the impact of the transmitter on the tagged animal and thus provide more accurate data about animal behavior. By combining a novel circuit design and a newly developed micro-battery, we developed frequency-programmable and more powerful radio frequency transmitters that are about 40% smaller and lighter in weight than the smallest commercial counterpart for animal monitoring at the time of development. The new radio frequency transmitter has a miniaturized form factor for studying small animals. Designs of two coding schemes were developed: one transmits unmodulated signals (weight: 152 mg; dimensions: O 2.95 mm × 11.22 mm), and the other transmits modulated signals (weight: 160 mg; dimensions: O 2.95 mm × 11.85 mm). To accommodate different transmitter life requirements, each design can be configured to transmit in high or low signal strength. Prototypes of these transmitters were evaluated in the laboratory and exhibited comparable or longer service life and higher signal strength compared to their smallest commercial counterparts.
Sustainable growth research – A study on the telecom operators in China

In recent years, the telecom industry has faced digital transformation challenges and fierce market competition. The challenges push telecom operators to grow their subscriber bases by offering low...
Distinct effects of trial-driven and task Set-related control in primary visual cortex

Abstract Task sets are task-specific configurations of cognitive processes that facilitate task-appropriate reactions to stimuli. While it is established that the trial-by-trial deployment of visual attention to expected stimuli influences neural responses in primary visual cortex (V1) in a retinotopically specific manner, it is not clear whether the mechanisms that help maintain a task set over many trials also operate with similar retinotopic specificity. Here, we address this question by using BOLD fMRI to characterize how portions of V1 that are specialized for different eccentricities respond during distinct components of an attention-demanding discrimination task: cue-driven preparation for a trial, trial-driven processing, task-initiation at the beginning of a block of trials, and task-maintenance throughout a block of trials. Tasks required either unimodal attention to an auditory or a visual stimulus or selective intermodal attention to the visual or auditory component of simultaneously presented visual and auditory stimuli. We found that while the retinotopic patterns of trial-driven and cue-driven activity depended on the attended stimulus, the retinotopic patterns of task-initiation and task-maintenance activity did not. Further, only the retinotopic patterns of trial-driven activity were found to depend on the presence of inter-modal distraction. Participants who performed well on the intermodal selective attention tasks showed strong task-specific modulations of both trial-driven and task-maintenance activity. Importantly, task-related modulations of trial-driven and task-maintenance activity were in opposite directions. Together, these results confirm that there are (at least) two different processes for top-down control of V1: One, working trial-by-trial, differently modulates activity across different eccentricity sectors – portions of V1 corresponding to different visual eccentricities. The second process works across longer epochs of task performance, and does not differ among eccentricity sectors. These results are discussed in the context of previous literature examining top-down control of visual cortical areas.
Federal Government Requirements for Environmental Impact Assessment

As a result of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U. S. Congress (1969) has directed all agencies of the Federal Government to include in every major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of human environment, a detailed statement by the responsible official on the environmental impact of the proposed action. Because of the broad wording of the legislation, and the lack of specific guidelines as to what the detailed statement should contain, interpretation of the law varies widely and has been challenged in the Federal Courts. Nevertheless, this law, which became effective on Jan. 1, 1970 and ushered in what has been called the “Environmental Decade,” emphasized and systematized the assessment of the environmental impact of such activities as fossil and nuclear power plant construction, forest pesticide spraying, interstate highway development, gas and oil pipeline routing, and offshore oil and gas drilling operations, to name but a few. Up until this time the only systematic assessment done by the Federal Government was the Atomic Energy Commission in the licensing of nuclear power plants as directed by the U.S. Congress (1954). This primarily addressed the radiological impact of the operation of the facility. As a result of NEPA and the so-called Calvert Cliffs Decision (U. S. Court of Appeals, 1971) this was expanded to include such considerations as the environmental effects of possible accidents, transporting radioactive material, water quality changes, and a discussion of possible alternatives to the nuclear facility. We will limit our discussion to the environmental impact as it relates to meteorological factors.
On the Self-Regulation of Behavior: Is Behavior Controlled or Does It Emerge ?

Thus far in the book we've tried to build a conceptual edifice that portrays a self-regulating person, including problems. In this chapter we do something different. We raise the question of whether we've been leading you down a primrose path. In our earlier discussions we evaded some questions. In this chapter we confront one of them, from several different angles (evading others successfully for the rest of the book). In particular, we've assumed that self-regulation at the level of our interest tends to involve something resembling an executive process. People form intentions to do things, then they go and do them. But is this assumption necessary? Is it a mistake? Conceptual bases for raising this question occur in several literatures. The literatures are intriguing, and the points they make are very different from those made elsewhere in this book. We address three of them here: the literature of coordinations (which leads us back into the domain of dynamic systems), the literature of connectionism, and the literature of robotics (see Montefiore & Noble, 1989, for other views on these questions). COORDINATION AND COMPLEXITY EMERGENT FROM SIMPLE SOURCES The literature of coordinations focuses largely on coordination of physical movement. This literature is substantial, dealing with many interesting questions (e.g., Kugler & Turvey, 1987; Turvey, 1990), but our present interest is confined to a few of its themes.
Functions Holomorphic in a Disc

For f in H(U) and t in [0, 2π), $$ f*(t)\mathop = \limits^{def} \left\{ {_0^{\lim _{r \uparrow 1} f\left( {re^{it} } \right)} } \right.\,{\text{when}}\,{\text{the limit}}\,{\text{exists}}\,{\text{otherwise}} $$ is the radial limit function. The (Hardy class) $$ \left\{ {f:f \in H(U),_{z \in U}^{\sup \left| {f(z)} \right| < \infty } } \right\} $$ isH ∞.
Interface passivation of Silicon Dioxide layers on Silicon Carbide

In this paper, the problem of high interface traps at the SiO2/SiC interface is introduced and their possible cause and physical nature are discussed. Different state-of-the-art approaches to chemically modify the interface for 'passivating' such electrically active traps is reviewed. In particular, the significant improvement of the interface by nitridation via nitric oxide post-oxidation annealing is highlighted. Correlations between electrical and physical measurements, which reveal the role of nitrogen in the passivation process, are discussed. Results presented for oxides grown on the conventional (0001) Si-face as well as other 'alternate' crystal faces. Recent work on the use of hydrogenation to obtain additional passivation for nitridated interfaces is also introduced. Finally, the major unresolved issues and opportunities for further research and development on this subject are indicated
Geographical variability in the controls of giant kelp biomass dynamics

Aim Coastal marine environments experience a wide range of biotic and abiotic forces that can limit and punctuate the geographical range and abundance of species through time. Determining the relative strengths and nonlinear effects of these processes is vital to understanding the biogeographical structures of species. There has been an ongoing discussion concerning the relative importance of these processes in controlling the dynamics of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, an important structure-forming species on shallow reefs in the eastern Pacific. We used novel spatial time-series that span nearly three decades to determine the dominant drivers of giant kelp canopy biomass and the temporal and spatial scales over which they operate across the dominant range of the giant kelp in North America. Location Near-shore areas from Ano Nuevo, California, to the USA/Mexico border. Methods We employed empirical orthogonal functions to elucidate the primary drivers of giant kelp canopy biomass across space and time and then fit generalized additive and linear models to determine the nonlinear effect and relative importance of each of these potential drivers along the c. 1500-km study region over a 25-year period. Results Wave disturbance, nitrate availability and the state of the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation were the most important environmental predictors of giant kelp canopy biomass, explaining 24.5%, 12.7% and 6.1% of the variance, respectively. Environmental drivers of canopy biomass exhibited profound spatial differences in relative effect sizes. Nonlinear effect shapes of each potential biomass driver were determined, which explained these spatial differences. Main conclusions These large-scale analyses help to reconcile the local-scale conclusions of canopy biomass dynamics across the California coastline and show that these dynamics differ predictably in space and time in accordance with local and regional differences in environmental drivers. By characterizing the nonlinear effects of these drivers, we identified spatio-temporal patterns of processes that cannot be detected by remote sensing.
Domesticity and Consumer Culture in Iran: Interior Revolutions of the Modern Era

Examining Iran’s recent history through the double lens of domesticity and consumer culture, Domesticity and Consumer Culture in Iran demonstrates that a significant component of the modernization process in Iran advanced beyond political and public spheres. On the cusp of Iran’s entry into modernity, the rules and tenets that had traditionally defined the Iranian home began to vanish and the influx of new household goods gradually led to the substantial physical expansion of the domestic milieu. Subsequently, architects, designers, and commercial advertisers shifted their attention from commercial and public architecture to the new home and its contents. Domesticity and consumer culture also became topics of interest among politicians, Shiite religious scholars, and the Left, who communicated their respective views via the popular media and numerous other means. In the interim, ordinary Iranian families, who were capable of selectively appropriating aspects of their immediate surroundings, demonstrated their resistance toward the officially sanctioned transformations. Through analyzing a series of case studies that elucidate such phenomena and appraising a wide range of objects and archival documents—from furnishings, appliances, architectural blueprints, and maps to photographs, films, TV series, novels, artworks, scrapbooks, work-logs, personal letters and reports—this book highlights the significance of private life in social, economic, and political contexts of modern Iran. Tackling the subject of home from a variety of perspectives, Domesticity and Consumer Culture in Iran thus shows the interplay between local aspirations, foreign influences, gender roles, consumer culture and women’s education as they intersect with taste, fashion, domestic architecture and interior design.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The call for school psychologists to demonstrate accountability in the evaluation of services at the individual, group, and system levels comes at a time when school districts nationally are pursuing personnel evaluation models that link teachers’ instructional practices to student achievement. School psychologists have an opportunity to take a leadership role in determining how the impact of their service delivery will be evaluated. The purpose of this article is to: (a) describe the legislative context and historical trends for professional accountability for school psychologists; (b) provide four key principles to consider in designing an accountability system for school psychologists; (c) outline the advantages, disadvantages, and recommended guidelines for using case studies (i.e., single-case designs) and rubric-based approaches for evaluating school psychological services; (d) illustrate how case studies are used to demonstrate accountability in a state-wide school psychology internship program; and (e) discuss the implications for the graduate preparation of school psychologists.
Phycology: The prokaryotic algae

The cyanobacteria or blue-green algae form a natural group by virtue of being the only prokaryotic algae. Prokaryotic algae have an outer plasma membrane enclosing protoplasm containing photosynthetic thylakoids, 70S ribosomes, and DNA fibrils not enclosed within a separate membrane. Chlorophyll a is the main photosynthetic pigment, and oxygen is evolved during photosynthesis.
Women at Midlife

This paper considers changes in theoretical perspectives with regard to studying women. Findings from research in three areas illustrate ways in which emerging perspectives reframed questions about midlife women and, as a result, are providing myth-defying knowledge about the life experience of women in their 40's and 50's. These areas are: women's diversity, women's health, and women and work.
Quantitative comparison of canopy conductance models using a Bayesian approach

[1] A quantitative model comparison methodology based on deviance information criterion, a Bayesian measure of the trade-off between model complexity and goodness of fit, is developed and demonstrated by comparing semiempirical transpiration models. This methodology accounts for parameter and prediction uncertainties associated with such models and facilitates objective selection of the simplest model, out of available alternatives, which does not significantly compromise the ability to accurately model observations. We use this methodology to compare various Jarvis canopy conductance model configurations, embedded within a larger transpiration model, against canopy transpiration measured by sap flux. The results indicate that descriptions of the dependence of stomatal conductance on vapor pressure deficit, photosynthetic radiation, and temperature, as well as the gradual variation in canopy conductance through the season are essential in the transpiration model. Use of soil moisture was moderately significant, but only when used with a hyperbolic vapor pressure deficit relationship. Subtle differences in model quality could be clearly associated with small structural changes through the use of this methodology. The results also indicate that increments in model complexity are not always accompanied by improvements in model quality and that such improvements are conditional on model structure. Possible application of this methodology to compare complex semiempirical models of natural systems in general is also discussed.
Cosecha temprana, apertura forzada y vida en el vaso de flores de cuatro variedades de clavel (Dianthus cariophyllus L.), en invierno y en verano

Se evaluo la cosecha temprana y la apertura forzada de pimpollos con sacarosa,en invierno y en verano, en flores de 4 variedades de clavel (Moresco, Mabel, Novy Golden Odino). Las flores fueron cosechadas en cinco estados de desarrollo,desde boton cerrado hasta flor abierta (estados 0 al 4), hidratadas en frio (2 oC)con una solucion de tiosulfato de plata (0,1 M) durante 24 horas y luego transferidas a una solucion de acido citrico (500 mg l- 1) y citrato de hydroxyquinoleina (60 mg l- 1); la solucion de apertura contenia, ademas, 100 g l- 1 de sacarosa.Cuando se completo la apertura de la flor se evaluo tamano, intensidad de color y vida en el vaso. El tamano de la flor fue similar en invierno y verano en las variedades Moresco, Golden Odino y Nov, sin embargo, en todas las variedades la vida en el vaso fue menor en verano. El agregado de sacarosa mejoro la apertura,el tamano de las flores e intensifico los colores en todas las variedades y estados de corte. La mayor calidad se logro combinando el agregado de sacarosa y la cosecha en estado 0 - 1 en verano y 2 - 3 en invierno.
Re-examining the electronic structure of germanium: A first-principle study

Abstract We report results from an efficient, ab initio method for self-consistent calculations of electronic and structural properties of Ge. Our non-relativistic calculations employed a GGA potential and LCAO formalism. The distinctive feature of our computations stem from the use of Bagayoko–Zhao–Williams–Ekuma–Franklin method. Our results are in agreement with experimental ones where the latter are available. In particular, our theoretical, indirect band gap ( E g Γ – L ) of 0.65 eV, at the experimental lattice constant of 5.66 A, is in excellent agreement with experiment. Our predicted, equilibrium lattice constant is 5.63 A, with corresponding E g Γ – L of 0.65 eV and a bulk modulus of 80 GPa.
A Microdischarge-Based Neutron Radiation Detector Utilizing a Stacked Arrangement of Micromachined Steel Electrodes With Gadolinium Film for Neutron Conversion

Microfabricated detectors can be used to provide first alert information about the presence of radiation sources. This paper describes a micromachined neutron detector that operates in the Geiger-Muller regime. It utilizes electrodes that are lithographically micromachined from 50-μm thick stainless steel #304 foil. The cathode is coated with a 2.9-μm thick layer of Gd on one side to convert thermal neutrons into fast electrons and gamma rays, which are then detected by ionization of the fill gas (Ar). Three electrodes are stacked in a cathode-anode-cathode arrangement, separated by 70-μm thick Kapton spacers, and assembled within a commercial TO-5 package. The detector diameter and height are 9 and 9.6 mm and it weighs 0.97 g. Detector performance is characterized using a 90 μCi 252 Cf neutron source placed at a distance of 10 cm from the detector. Using Pb blocks between the source and detector to block gamma rays, the typical detector response at 285 V bias is ~8.7 counts per minute (cpm), with background radiation count of 1.2 cpm. The typical dead time is 5.3 ms. Compared with commercial devices which operate at >900 V, have detector volumes of 2000-100000 mm 3 and can only detect a subset of radiation types (i.e., beta particles, gamma rays, and neutrons), this device offers lower operating voltages smaller volume and the ability to detect all three types of radiation.
Evaluation of piezoelectric PVDF polymers for use in space environments. III. Comparison of the effects of vacuum UV and gamma radiation

Films of piezoelectric PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE) were exposed to vacuum UV (115-300 nm VUV) and -radiation to investigate how these two forms of radiation affect the chemical, morphological, and piezoelectric properties of the polymers. The extent of crosslinking was almost identical in both polymers after -irradiation, but surprisingly, was significantly higher for the TrFE copolymer after VUV-irradiation. Changes in the melting behavior were also more significant in the TrFE copolymer after VUV-irradiation due to both surface and bulk crosslinking, compared with only surface crosslinking for the PVDF films. The piezoelectric properties (measured using d33 piezoelectric coefficients and D-E hysteresis loops) were unchanged in the PVDF homopolymer, while the TrFE copolymer exhibited more narrow D-E loops after exposure to either - or VUV-radiation. The more severe damage to the TrFE copolymer in comparison with the PVDF homopolymer after VUV-irradiation is explained by different energy deposition characteristics. The short wavelength, highly energetic photons are undoubtedly absorbed in the surface layers of both polymers, and we propose that while the longer wavelength components of the VUV-radiation are absorbed by the bulk of the TrFE copolymer causing crosslinking, they are transmitted harmlessly in the PVDF homopolymer.
The intracellular distribution of vinculin and alpha2 integrin in epithelial cells and chondrocytes

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the presence of vinculin and alpha 2 integrin in chondrocytes in situ and epithelial cells. We also determined that the appropriate fixation and extraction protocols for immunohistochemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy for an integral membrane protein and an actin-associated protein in cultured cells and whole tissue was different. Cultured epithelial cells, whole mount human cornea and avian cartilage were fixed and prepared using a number of standard procedures used for indirect fluorescence immunohistochemistry. The distribution of vinculin was cell-type and fixation-specific. Chondrocytes and cultured epithelial cells demonstrated vinculin in areas that appear to be associated with filamentous actin. Vinculin was associated with cell membranes in human cornea. The expression of alpha 2 integrin observed in chondrocytes fixed with methanol, paraformaldehyde, or formaldehyde is consistent with its role in cell-substrate interaction, but may also suggest a role in dividing and differentiating cells. The localization of alpha 2 integrin in human corneal epithelia supports its role as a cell-cell adhesion molecule. The cytoplasmic distribution of vinculin and alpha 2 integrin in tissues fixed without detergent extraction suggests that the fixation step may be sufficient for antibody penetration and antigen extraction. These studies are the first report of vinculin and alpha 2 integrin in embryonic chondrocytes. In addition we have shown that confocal laser scanning microscopy combined with proper fixation and extraction protocols may optimize the localization of antigens in cultured and whole mount cells.
Mixed morphology by the extrusion of phase‐separated blends of a melt‐processed polymer and polymer solution

The phase behavior and structure development in immiscible blends of melt-extruded polycaprolactone and a viscous aqueous poly(ethylene oxide) solution were investigated. The coextrusion of an aqueous polymer solution and a molten polymer is a largely unexplored technique and offers exciting potential for creating new materials via the execution of chemical reactions in the aqueous phase. Samples were prepared both with and without a block copolymer acting as a surface-active agent. The resulting morphology was characterized with scanning electron microscopy after the removal of the water-soluble phase. Spheres, rods, fibers, and cocontinuous gyroidal structures were observed, yet the exact phase inversion was not observed, and the changes in the feature shape depended on which component composed the major phase. Significant orientation in the flow direction was observed when the less viscous poly(ethylene oxide) was the major phase, whereas orientation was minimal when polycaprolactone was the major phase. These observations indicate that control of the feature shape and orientation may be accomplished through the control of the viscosity. The spontaneous formation of an outer layer of polycaprolactone in all samples was observed, suggesting that the morphology could be induced by control of the material interaction with the extruder die wall. The inclusion of a diblock copolymer significantly reduced the feature size but did not alter the morphology type. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Cytoplasmic/nuclear shuttling and tumor progression

Protein localization is a highly dynamic biological process. To ensure a proper cellular function, the spatial distribution of different proteins needs to be delicately regulated and coordinated. In cancer, this process is tightly correlated with the outcome of cell proliferation and the response to apoptotic stress. Here we summarize our recent studies regarding the role of subcellular trafficking on cancer cell growth through an AKT-independent regulation of the forkhead transcription factor and, on cancer metastasis, through the regulated localization and subsequent protein degradation of the Snail protein, a key transcription factor involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In both cases, cellular signaling pathways mediated by distinct protein kinases modulate the appropriate protein localization and functioning. Finally, we address a novel translocation pathway for tyrosine kinase receptors between the cell membrane and the nucleus. We demonstrate that the ErbB family proteins are also expressed in the nucleus and can function as transcriptional regulators. Using a genomic approach, we have identified a number of the target genes regulated by this pathway that are closely related to cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Our findings, together with the seminal discoveries by other groups, highlight the importance of protein localization in cancer biology and its potential to be a therapeutic target for cancer.
Effect of vitamin E on tamoxifen-treated breast cancer cells.

Background Induction of apoptosis by tamoxifen has been postulated to involve oxidative stress. Tamoxifen (TAM) may act on estrogen receptors (ER) located in the plasma membrane. Our hypothesis that supplemental antioxidant vitamin E (α-tocopherol) acts at the plasma membrane to alter the effectiveness of tamoxifen was tested in ER-positive breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and T47D. Methods Cells were treated in vitro with 20-μM TAM alone and in combination with 10-μM α-tocopherol (AT). Estrogen growth signals were quantified by immunohistochemical staining for the mitogen-activated protein kinase p-ERK. Rapid changes in intracellular calcium were detected in TAM-treated MCF-7 and T-47D cells by fluorescence microscopy of cells loaded with the calcium-sensitive dye Fluo 4AM. Apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry. Results Proliferating cells in normal medium exhibited strong p-ERK staining. Addition of TAM abolished p-ERK staining and caused cell rounding and death. The addition of AT led to the restoration of cell proliferation and p-ERK expression even in the presence of high-dose TAM. Intracellular calcium rapidly increased in MCF-7 and T47D cells upon exposure to TAM, followed by an increase in caspase activation and eventual apoptosis. The increase in intracellular calcium was abolished by the addition of 10μM AT to TAM, and pan-caspase staining decreased at 5 hours from 72% to 41%. Conclusions These studies suggest that supplemental vitamin E decreases the inhibitory effect of TAM on the proliferation of ER+ breast cancer cells and eliminates the rapid rise in intracellular calcium that leads to apoptosis stimulated by TAM. The use of vitamin E acetate supplements may be inadvisable for women taking tamoxifen.
Social Rejection: How Best to Think About It?

College students who wrote about the abstract context of a recent social rejection (e.g., “How do you think you will view this event in 1–2 years?”) subsequently reported lower levels of depression and rumination symptoms than those who wrote about the abstract reasons or implications (e.g., “Why do you think this happened?”) or those given no writing instructions. A third group who wrote about concrete aspects of their experience (e.g., “As you recall the event, what physical sensations do you notice?”) had lower rumination scores than the no-writing control. Results are discussed in terms of the relative contributions of level of abstraction, contextual focus, and negative self-judgment in emotional processing.
Is pegfilgrastim appropriate for the treatment of established febrile neutropenia

Objective. To report a case where both pegfilgrastim and filgrastim were considered in the treatment of febrile neutropenia in a hospitalized patient and assess the most cost-effective option.Case summary. A 77-year-old white female was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus and adjuvant chemotherapy was ordered. She subsequently developed Grade 4 neutropenia, a wound infection and her Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status declined to 4. Antibiotics were started and growth factor therapy was considered as part of her treatment. Filgrastim 480 g subcutaneously every day was chosen and her absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovered after seven days of therapy.Discussion. This case illustrates the potential cost benefits of using filgrastim over pegfilgrastim in hospitalized patients. The choice of filgrastim in our patient resulted in only seven days of filgrastim therapy at a cost of $2205.70. A 6 mg dose of pegfilgrastim is priced similarly to 10 days of filgrastim 480 g,...
Efficiency of dioxin recovery from fly ash samples during extraction and cleanup process

Abstract The data from preliminary investigations of the efficiency of dioxin recovery from fly ash samples during sample extraction and subsequent column cleanup of sample extracts are discussed. Steps of the extraction and the column cleanup procedures were evaluated by using radiolabeled 14C-dioxins as tracers. Recovery data of spiked 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-14C (TCDD-14C) and octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-14C (OCDD-14C) in carbon-free fly ash and fly ash containing from 0.1 to 10% carbon are discussed. The data indicate that the amount of carbon in the fly ash may affect the recovery of dioxins. The data from this study will be used to determine procedural areas that need improvements or modifications to allow the accurate determination of trace levels of dioxins and furans in fly ash.
Is parenting the mediator of change in behavioral parent training for externalizing problems of youth

Change in parenting behavior is theorized to be the mediator accounting for change in child and adolescent externalizing problems in behavioral parent training (BPT). The purpose of this review is to examine this assumption in BPT prevention and intervention programs. Eight intervention and 17 prevention studies were identified as meeting all criteria or all but one criterion for testing mediation. Parenting behaviors were classified as positive, negative, discipline, monitoring/supervision, or a composite measure. Forty-five percent of the tests performed across studies to test mediation supported parenting as a mediator. A composite measure of parenting and discipline received the most support, whereas monitoring/supervision was rarely examined. More support for the mediating role of parenting emerged for prevention than intervention studies and when meeting all criteria for testing mediation was not required. Although the findings do not call BPT into question as an efficacious treatment, they do suggest more attention should be focused on examining parenting as a putative mediator in BPT.
Effect of Tungsten Oxide Addition on the Catalytic Activity of γ-Al2O3 for NOx Reduction from Fuel-Lean Gas Mixtures

Non-zeolitic catalysts are increasingly being considered as durable alternatives in automotive lean-NOx catalysis. This study focused on increasing the acidity of γ-Al2O3 through the addition of tungsta (WO3) and increasing the resulting catalytic activity using simulated lean-burn engine exhaust. The effects of WO3 loading, space velocity, catalyst temperature, hydrocarbon and sulfur dioxide concentrations, and hydrothermal aging on the NOx reduction activity of WO3/Al2O3 composite oxides were studied. It was found that tungsta-modified alumina compositions had higher NOx removal activity under lean-burn conditions than the unmodified γ-Al2O3. Maximum NOx conversion occurred at a 1 wt % loading of WO3 on γ-Al2O3 at a temperature of 580 °C.
The Saint and Siren: Liberation Hagiography in a Haitian Village

For at least 125 years, the cult of St Philomena has enjoyed tremendous popularity in and around the northern Haitian seaside village of Bord de Mer de Limonade, just ten kilometers east of Cape Haitian, the country’s second largest city. Though periodically suppressed by the Catholic Church hierarchy because of freewheeling syncretism between the saint and the maritime Vodou spirit Lasyrenn (The Siren), devotion to St Philomena thrives in Bord de Mer, whose shrine attracts hundreds of pilgrims each week and thousands during her early September feast day celebrations. This paper explores the history and present of devotion to St Philomena and Lasyrenn in Bord de Mer, arguing that the association of the two spiritual beings amounts to a popular liberation hagiography that flouts ecclesial and state authority while anchoring and asserting local Haitian identity and feminine power.Depuis au moins 125 ans, le culte de sainte Philomene a connu une enorme popularite autour du village cotiere du nord d’Haiti de ...
CONTEXTUAL CONVERSION: AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract Understanding the Western emphasis on individualism, we can urge missions toward greater cultural sensitivity in non-Western, high-group societies. The models of contextual conversion suggested here have as their goal authentic allegiance to Jesus Christ that transforms but does not up-root the social identity of the convert. One model is the “insider movement” that has begun among many Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists. A second model proposes that people from high group societies will be able to associate with the institutional church. This model requires careful and patient communication of allegiance to Christ while demonstrating an understanding of the convert's obligations to the community.
Flexible web visualization for alert-based network security analytics

This paper describes a web-based visualization system designed for network security analysts at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL). Our goal is to provide visual support to the analysts as they investigate security alerts for malicious activity within their systems. Our ARL collaborators identified a number of important requirements for any candidate visualization system. These relate to the analyst's mental models and working environment, and to the visualization tool's configurability, accessibility, scalability, and "fit" with existing analysis strategies. To meet these requirements, we designed and implement a web-based tool that uses different types of charts as its core representation framework. A JavaScript charting library (RGraph) was extended to provide the interface flexibility and correlation capabilities needed to support analysts as they explore different hypotheses about a potential attack. We describe key elements of our design, explain how an analyst's intent is used to generate different visualizations, and show how the system's interface allows an analyst to rapidly produce a sequence of visualizations to explore specific details about a potential attack as they arise. We conclude with a discussion of plans to further improve the system, and to collect feedback from our ARL colleagues on its strengths and limitations in real-world analysis scenarios.
Sex-related motor behavior: effects on social impressions and social cooperation.

Advances have been made recently in the measurement of sex-related motor behaviors (i.e., sex-typed ways of standing, sitting, walking, and gesturing). While these behaviors are an important dependent variable (e.g., as a measure of sex role), they can also be viewed as an independent variable. The present paper reports two experiments on the effect of sex-related motor behaviors. In the first, videotapes of males and females behaving in extremely sex-typed ways (both “masculine” and “feminine”) were rated on a number of dimensions (e.g., sexual orientation, likeability). In the second, male and female confederates behaving in extremely sex-typed ways approached people and asked for their cooperation in filling out a long survey. Females showing “masculine” motor behavior were thought to be more masculine and unnatural appearing but also elicited significantly more cooperation than when acting feminine. Males showing “feminine” mannerisms were thought to be feminine, unnatural, unlikeable, unconfident, and probably homosexual, and elicited less actual cooperation than when acting masculine. In general, cross-sex motor behavior had mixed social effects with females and consistently negative social effects with males.
Rheumatoid factors from patients with rheumatoid arthritis react with tryptophan 60 and 95, lysine 58, and arginine 97, on human β2‐microglobulin

Objective. To define precise epitopes on human β2-microglobulin (β2m) reacting with polyclonal IgM rheumatoid factors (RF) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Ten polyclonal RF were tested for their human β2m epitope–binding specificities using the entire 99–amino acid sequence synthesized as overlapping 7-mers in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Glycine substitution for each residue within RF-reacting linear regions was employed to define major reactive sites. Results and Conclusion. Major β2m residues contributing to RF reactivity were tryptophans at positions 60 and 95, lysine at 58, and arginine at position 97.
The Job Change: A Three-Part Process with Variations for Men and Women

Abstract There are three essential elements in the job-change process: 1) reasons for quitting the previous job; 2) unemployment between jobs; and 3) job search strategy in getting the present job. Of these three, job search has most often been the topic of prior sociological research. Using earnings as an indicator of job quality, I find that job-quit type is a more important factor than job-search type, and continuity of employment between jobs is a better predictor than either of these. There are variations by gender: Women report quitting for personal reasons much more often than men, but are similar to other women in present earnings. Men who quit for personal reasons are in the lowest present-pay group. Both women and men suffer earnings penalties when unemployed between jobs, but females' penalties are greater. Overall, the best outcomes are found for workers who are able to maximize their job-change choices by securing a new job before the job-quit and having no break in employment between jobs.
Membrane protein structural biology: the high throughput challenge

Membrane proteins represent roughly one-third of the proteins encoded in the genome, yet fewer than 1% of the proteins are of known structure. High-throughput crystallography offers the hope of correcting this imbalance. In order for large-scale membrane protein structural biology to realize its full promise, however, significant technical challenges must be overcome, the two most substantial being facile protein overexpression and reliable methods for crystal growth.
An assessment of estimation procedures for multilevel models with binary responses

We evaluate two software packages that are available for fitting multilevel models to binary response data, namely VARCL and ML3, by using a Monte Carlo study designed to represent quite closely the actual structure of a data set used in an analysis of health care utilization in Guatemala. We find that the estimates of fixed effects and variance components produced by the software packages are subject to very substantial downward bias when the random effects are sufficiently large to be interesting. In fact, the fixed effect estimates are no better than the estimates obtained by using standard logit models that ignore the hierarchical structure of the data. The estimates of standard errors appear to be reasonably accurate and superior to those obtained by ignoring clustering, although one might question their utility in the presence of large biases. We conclude that alternative estimation procedures need to be developed and implemented for the binary response case
Non-heme iron (iron-sulfur) proteins of Azotobacter vinelandii.

Abstract A non-heme (iron-sulfura) protein has been purified from Azotobacter vinelandii Strain OP, which is similar in many properties to the clostridial type ferredoxin. It has 6–7 iron atoms and equivalent labile sulfides in a molecular weight of 13000 ± 1000. Optical and electron spin resonance spectra have been recorded.
A potential role for CXCR3 chemokines in the response to ocular HSV infection

Corneal infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV) leads to the recruitment of immune cells to the eye itself, the trigeminal ganglion and the brainstem. In addition, some resident cells in these target tissues are infected by HSV, activated during the inflammatory response or both. Chemokine signaling is an important component of the regulatory circuit governing the host immune response to virus infection. This review discusses chemokine responses in relation to HSV infection of the cornea emphasizing the role of CXCR3 chemokine signaling by the IFN-gamma inducible ligands MIG, IP10 and I-TAC and includes discussion of their potential role in immunopathology in the nervous system.
Assessment of Individual Differences in Preferences for Holistic-Analytic Strategies: Evaluation of Some Commonly Available Instruments:

Recently, it has become more acceptable to assume two different types of cognitive processes: analytic, rule-based, and sequential versus holistic, episode-based, or simply "nonanalytic." Results of both educational research and cognitive laboratory research suggest the presence of a holistic-analytic continuum of individual differences in cognitive functioning. The present investigation was designed to compare several potential measures of the holistic-analytic dimension. Evidence for construct validity comes from the convergence of measures that should theoretically assess the holistic-analytic dimension (i.e., sensing, intuiting, judging, and perceiving on Myers-Briggs Type Indicator; the left and right hemispheric preferences of the Human Information Processing Survey; and the Fact Retention, Methodical Study, Holist and Serialist scales of the Inventory of Learning Processes). Construct validity of the holist-analytic dimension was also supported by the divergence of measures assessing a dimension th...
Neutron damage microstructures of high-conductivity copper alloys

Abstract Four high-conductivity copper alloys and two elemental coppers were neutron irradiated in the Experimental Breeder Reactor (EBR-II) at 385°C to a maximum fluence of 2.0 × 10 26 n/m 2 . Microstructural characterization using transmission electron microscopy revealed that large, faceted voids were produced in the MARZ-grade and oxygen-free coppers by the irradiation. The Cu-Cr-Zr-Mg (MZC) alloy did not show evidence of microstructural alterations after irradiation. In contrast to the MZC alloy, the Cu-Zr (AMZIRC) alloy underwent recrystallization and softening during irradiation. The alumina-dispersed copper alloys (Glidcop Al-20 and Al-60) exhibited the greatest resistance to neutron damage among the six materials tested.
System design for usability

The factors underlying system design for usability are examined and the role and responsibilities of a usability committee described. Under the control of a usability committee, a balance between high levels of system function and usability was reached for the IBM System/38. The System/38 command language is presented to illustrate this balance.
The Underrepresentation of Blacks on City Councils: Comparing the Structural and Socioeconomic Explanations for South/Non-South Differences

The more extensive use of at-large elections and the greater disparity in politically relevant socioeconomic resources each have been cited as the primary reason why blacks are underrepresented more severely on city councils in the South than on those outside the South. These two explanations for the regional difference in black councilmanic representation are compared through a design which treats electoral arrangements and resource disparities as specifying variables affecting the rate at which minority votes convert into minority council members. The findings show that the more severe underrepresentation in the South is explained best by the differences in electoral arrangements.