cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two Women and a Baby: The Effect of Same-Sex Marriage on the Presumption of Maternity in a Dual Paternity State

This Article provides a look into the effects of the legalization of same-sex marriage on Louisiana’s family statutory regime. In 2015, same-sex marriage was legalized in the landmark case, Obergefell v. Hodges, which declared any state laws that prohibited the legal union of two people because of their gender or sexual orientation were unconstitutional. Thus, rather than marriage being only between a man and a woman, the scope of marriage was widened to include any two people of legal majority despite their gender. Despite this decision, many issues within the family concerning same-sex couples have not been contemplated; neither have state laws adjusted to address such matters. Using a Florida Supreme Court case, D.M.T. v. T.M.H., the author explored the issue of two mothers in a long-term domestic partnership, who later separated after having a child together using in vitro fertilization, making one the birth mother and the other the biological mother. With same sex marriage being recently legalized, what rules or laws will state courts use when deciding such an issue? How will they apply laws created for heterosexual couples to homosexual couples? Reviewing the majority’s decision in this case and the dissent’s reasoning, the author concludes that applying a set of laws for one class of people to another class may pose difficulties; nevertheless, solutions are possible. Thus, the author gives suggestions on how Louisiana laws (e.g., presumptions of paternity) could be changed to fit all family narratives making the jobs of factfinders, attorneys, and others easier and placing state policy makers at an advantage, i.e., the legislature creating new laws rather than the judiciary.
Absolute cerebral blood flow: Assessment with a novel low-radiation-dose dynamic CT perfusion technique in a swine model.

Abstract Rationale and objectives To validate the accuracy of a novel low-dose dynamic CT perfusion technique in a swine model using fluorescent microsphere measurement as the reference standard. Materials and methods Contrast-enhanced dynamic CT perfusion was performed in five swine at baseline and following brain embolization. Reference microspheres and intravenous contrast (370 mg/ml iodine, 1 ml/kg) were injected (5 ml/s), followed by dynamic CT perfusion. Scan parameters were 320×0.5 mm, 100 kVp and 200 mA. On average, 47 contrast-enhanced volume scans were acquired per acquisition to capture the time attenuation curve. For each acquisition, only two systematically selected volume scans were used to quantify brain perfusion with first-pass analysis technique. The first volume scan was selected at the base, simulating bolus tracking, while the second volume at the peak of the time attenuation curve similar to a CT angiogram. Regional low-dose CT perfusion measurements were compared to the microsphere perfusion measurements with t-test, linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis. The radiation dose of the two-volume CT perfusion technique was determined. Results Low-dose CT perfusion measurements (PCT) showed excellent correlation with reference microsphere perfusion measurements (PMICRO) by PCT = 1.15 PMICRO - 0.01 (r = 0.93, p ≤ 0.01). The CT dose index and dose-length product for the two-volume CT perfusion technique were 25.6 mGy and 409.6 mGy, respectively. Conclusions The accuracy and repeatability of a low-dose dynamic CT perfusion technique was validated in a swine model. This technique has the potential for accurate diagnosis and follow up of stroke and vasospasm.
High-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplant in older adults with multiple myeloma

Randomized trials showing that high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) improved the overall survival (OS) in multiple myeloma (MM) excluded patients over age 65. To compare the outcomes of older adults with MM who underwent ASCT with non-transplant strategies, we identified 146 patients aged 65-77 with newly diagnosed MM seen in the Washington University School of Medicine from 2000 to 2010. Survival among patients who did (N=62) versus did not (N=84) undergo ASCT was compared using Cox proportional hazards modeling, controlling for comorbidities, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) and the propensity to undergo ASCT. Median age was 68 years (range 65-77). PS and comorbidities did not differ significantly between those who did versus those who did not undergo ASCT. Median OS was significantly longer in patients who underwent ASCT than in those who did not (median 56.0 months (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 49.1-65.4) versus 33.1 months (24.3-43.1), P=0.004). Adjusting for PS, comorbidities, Durie-Salmon stage and the propensity to undergo ASCT, ASCT was associated with superior OS (HR for mortality 0.52 (95% CI 0.30-0.91), P=0.02). In a cohort of older adults with MM, undergoing ASCT was associated with a nearly 50% lower mortality, after controlling for PS, comorbidities, stage and the propensity to undergo ASCT.
Modulation of murine herpes simplex virus type 1 retinitis in the uninoculated eye by CD4+T lymphocytes

PURPOSE To investigate the contribution of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes to retinitis in the contralateral eye after anterior chamber inoculation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (KOS strain). METHODS T-cell-depleted BALB/c mice were prepared by adult thymectomy and treatment with anti-L3T4 (anti-CD4) monoclonal antibody and/or anti-Lyt2.2 (anti-CD8) monoclonal antibody. On days 9 and 14 after inoculation of herpes simplex virus type 1 (KOS strain) via the anterior chamber, the titer of virus in the uninoculated eye was determined by plaque assay. The eyes were examined microscopically, and the severity of retinitis was evaluated using a histopathologic scoring system. RESULTS At day 14 postinoculation, significantly less severe destruction of the parenchyma and less inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in the retina of the uninoculated eye of CD4+ T-cell-depleted mice and of mice depleted of both T-cell subsets. The titer of virus in the uninjected eye of CD4+ T-cell-depleted mice and of mice depleted of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was also significantly higher at day 14 postinoculation. CONCLUSIONS The results of the studies suggest three ways CD4+ T cells might contribute to the pathogenesis of herpes simplex virus type 1 retinitis in the uninoculated contralateral eye: (1) accumulation of massive inflammatory cell infiltrates in the retina, (2) induction of retinal destruction, and (3) clearance of herpes simplex virus type 1 from the contralateral eye. In infection of the contralateral retina of nondepleted mice after uniocular anterior chamber inoculation of KOS, CD4+ T cells are required to induce fulminant retinitis and to mediate clearance of virus from the uninoculated eye by day 14 postinoculation. The exact mechanism by which CD4+ T cells contribute to contralateral retinitis remains to be identified.
A plea for the standardization of underwater connectors

This paper explores common failure modes experienced in underwater connectors by considering Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA). The FMECA presented is general, and serves as a starting point for offering suggestions for underwater connector standardization.
Adapting Web Information to Disabled and Elderly Users

This paper describes work aimed at catering the content of World Wide Web (WWW) pages to the needs of different users, including elderly people and users with vision and motor impairments. An overview is provided of the AVANTI system, a European WWW-based tourist information system that adapts Web pages to each user's individual needs before presenting them to the user. System components (i.e. multimedia databases, the user model server, the information resource control structure, a hyperstructure adapter, and a user interface) are summarized, and the sources of information that the system uses as the basis for its assumptions about the user are described. An example of adaptability in AVANTI is presented, and users' experiences are reported. (Contains 17 references.) (MES) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.
Parental Trigger Laws and the Power of Framing in Educational Politics

This paper examines the discursive strategies employed by advocates of Parent Trigger laws in the United States which allow parents of children in “failing” schools, in some states, to call for interventions in the operation of the schools via petition. The paper reviews the genesis of Parent Trigger laws, the network of conservative political organizations supporting Parent Trigger legislation, and the ways in which Parent Trigger advocates have promoted the concept through the deployment of both material and symbolic resources. The paper argues that Parent Trigger laws promote a “thin” form of democratic participation that equates democracy with consumer choice through the strategic representation of public schools as broken institutions and parent trigger laws as empowering parents to choose. Support for this position is developed through an empirical qualitative analysis of a sample of media texts produced by various organizations within the Parent Trigger policy network including the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), American Enterprise Institute, Heartland Institute, Parent Revolution, and others. By identifying frequently used framing devices such as metaphors, exemplars, catch-phrases, and depictions as well as reasoning devices such as root causes, consequences, and appeals to principle, the study reveals the dominant frames employed by Parent Trigger advocates and contributes to the development of a more critical perspective concerning the media produced by various interest groups.
Cellular Competition Independent of BAFF/B Lymphocyte Stimulator Results in Low Frequency of an Autoreactive Clonotype in Mature Polyclonal B Cell Compartments

The peripheral B cell prosurvival cytokine BAFF/B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) has been proposed to participate in the regulation of immunological tolerance. Selective elimination or reconstitution of B cells expressing transgene-encoded, autoreactive BCRs upon systemic BLyS depletion or supplementation, respectively, was observed in two separate studies. Such findings led to a model positing a higher dependency of autoreactive B cells on BLyS. We tested this model by exploiting two targeted IgH transgenic mice (H chain knock-in [HKI]) that produce large numbers of follicular (FO) B cells that are either weakly or strongly autoreactive with nuclear autoantigens. Even though HKI B cells do not exhibit classical features of anergy, we found that mature, naive, autoreactive HKI B cells are outcompeted for representation in the periphery by a polyclonal B cell population. However, this is not due to a higher dependency of HKI B cells on BLyS for survival. Additionally, excess BLyS does not rescue HKI B cells from selective elimination. These findings suggest that some autoreactive FO B cells can fully develop while in competition with non-autoreactive cells for BLyS, but remain at a competitive disadvantage for other trophic factors that regulate peripheral stability. As such, our data indicate the existence of peripheral tolerance mechanisms that regulate the frequency of autoreactive FO B cells independent of the BLyS pathway.
MEASURING SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST AND DEATH INCIDENCE IN MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES: A COMPARISON OF METHODOLOGY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Background The incidence of SCD in Minnesota high school athletes was recently reported from 1 in 416,666 to 917,069 athlete-years based on search of catastrophic insurance claims data. The low rate of SCD was attributed to the effectiveness of a standardized pre-participation screening program using American Heart Association recommendations. However, in college age populations insurance claims data identified only 20% of SCDs. Objective To determine the incidence of SCA/SCD in Minnesota high school athletes using media reports and compare this to incidence using insurance claims data. Design Retrospective review of the Parent Heart Watch database generated from systematic search of media reports. Each case was reviewed for details. Sport participation numbers were from the National Federation of High Schools. Setting Minnesota. Participants 1 906 014 high school athletes ages 14–18 from 2002–2012. Interventions None. Main outcome measurements Incidence of SCA. Results Media reports identified 14 SCAs, (7 SCDs /7 SCAs who survived), during the 10 year period examined, all in male athletes. The death rate in Minnesota high school athletes was 1 in 102 485. The SCA rate (death+arrests) was 1 in 51 243 athlete-years and 1 in 33 480 athlete-years in males. 43% of events and 29% of deaths identified occurred while participating on a school sponsored team. Seven of 14 events (50%) occurred in male basketball players for an SCA rate of 1 in 17 465 athlete-years. During the same time period there was one death (14%) identified using catastrophic insurance claims data. Conclusions SCA/SCD rates in Minnesota high school athletes are significantly higher than previously reported and the incidence in male basketball players is disproportionately high. Media reports have been shown to underestimate SCD rates by almost 50% so these numbers represent a low estimate. Insurance claims grossly underestimate the incidence of SCD and cannot be used to measure cardiovascular endpoints in athletes or evaluate screening programs.
Trans-illuminated laser speckle imaging of collateral artery blood flow in ischemic mouse hindlimb

The mouse ischemic hindlimb model is used widely for studying collateral artery growth (i.e., arterio- genesis) in response to increased shear stress. Nonetheless, precise measurements of regional shear stress changes along individual collateral arteries are lacking. Our goal is to develop and verify trans-illumination laser speckle flowmetry (LSF) for this purpose. Studies of defibrinated bovine blood flow through tubes embedded in tissue-mim- icking phantoms indicate that trans-illumination LSF better maintains sensitivity with an increasing tissue depth when compared to epi-illumination, with an ∼50% reduction in the exponential decay of the speckle velocity signal. Applying trans-illuminated LSF to the gracilis muscle collateral artery network in vivo yields both improved sensitivity and reduced noise when compared to epi-illumination. Trans-illuminated LSF images reveal regional differences in collateral artery blood velocity after femoral artery ligation and are used to measure an ∼2-fold increase in the shear stress at the entrance regions to the muscle. We believe these represent the first direct measurements of regional shear stress changes in individual mouse collateral arteries. The ability to capture deeper vascular signals using a trans-illumination configuration for LSF may expand the current applications for LSF, which could have bearing on determining how shear stress magnitude and direction regulate arteriogenesis. © The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full
Toward a Definition of Ethnomusicology1

THE increasing interest in music and awareness of its significance as a revealing expression of man and his culture have given a fresh impetus to ethnomusicological research and investigation. Employing the techniques and methods of cultural anthropology and musicology, the discipline has struggled along these past seventy years as a stepchild of both parents, a second class citizen in the society of the social sciences and the humanities. This unenviable position results in part from the cross-relationship of ethnomusicology and the demands which it imposes on the student and scholar, for he must have a working knowledge and facility with the theoretical and empirical aspects of both disciplines if he would deal adequately with his material. The ethnologist with a basic training in musicology is as rare as the musicologist who has worked seriously in anthropology. The progress of ethnomusicology has been limited by the small number of workers who have been able to meet the double qualifications of the discipline. Why has man's music, so rich and varied and so overtly expressive of his inner life, attracted so few students and scholars? The heavy demands of preparation in two disciplines and the limited opportunities for professional practice of ethnomusicology have conspired to repel all but those persons who, despite lack of support and opportunities, have dedicated themselves to the study of this aspect of culture. But is not the fraternity of ethnomusicologists also responsible for this situation? Have we been as diligent in the promotion and publication of our work as our colleagues in other fields? And have we not been over-zealous in the trusteeship of the discipline and its tradition? A field of investigation already highly specialized has often been made to appear more esoteric and forbidding than was necessary. How many potential workers and patrons have been lost because we failed to communicate with them? Without lowering standards of scholarship we must somehow manage to enlist more workers in ethnomusicology and gain a wider interest and support not only among our colleagues in the related disciplines but among all those who find in man's music an expression of his thoughts and feelings, his inner life. It may appear pretentious to attempt a definition of ethnomusicology at this late date, but if this paper stimulates thinking and discussion on the subject and contributes in a small way toward a clearer focus on the scope, objectives, problems and methods of our discipline, it will have fulfilled its purpose. The term musicology, recently adopted from French musicologie into English usage to denote the scientific study of music, is the equivalent of the German Musikwissenschaft. The German term was first used by F. Chrysander in the preface to his Jahrbiicher fiir musikalische Wissenschaft (1863) to emphasize the importance of applying scientific and scholarly standards and methods in musical studies, and since that time scholars of the Western world
A low-energy optical-model analysis of 208Pb and 209Bi☆

Abstract New measurements of differential elastic and inelastic neutron scattering cross sections for 208Pb and 209Bi at energies 4–7 MeV are presented. Elastic scattering data have sufficient accuracy to reveal clearly differences between cross sections in these neighboring nuclei. Phenomenological and microscopic, spherical, optical-model analyses are performed with compound elastic scattering accounted for using the statistical model. The methods of Moldauer, Tepel et al. and Hofmann et al. for calculating the latter are compared. The improvement to the low-energy phenomenological description resulting from inclusion of a surface-peaked real component to the potential is examined. A possible connection between the observed energy dependence of the real potential and the anomalous behavior of the nucleon reduced mass near the Fermi energy is discussed. Microscopic calculations of the optical potential are made using the methods of Brieva and Rook and Jeukenne et al. Inelastic scattering cross sections for the 7 2 − and 13 2 + single-particle states of 209Bi and the first two excited states of 208Pb, the 3− and 5− collective states, are presented. Direct inelastic scattering from these states is calculated using the DWBA or coupled-channel formalism. Compound inelastic scattering is calculated using the statistical model.
Immunohistochemical evaluation of adenomatous polyposis coli, β-catenin, c-Myc, cyclin D1, p53, and retinoblastoma protein expression in syndromic and sporadic fundic gland polyps

Syndromic and sporadic fundic gland polyps are morphologically indistinguishable but may arise via different pathogenetic mechanisms involving mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and its downstream target beta-catenin genes. Although a higher frequency of dysplasia has been reported in syndromic forms, the risk of developing invasive carcinoma is exceedingly low. The current study was designed to investigate whether syndromic and sporadic fundic gland polyps differ in protein expression of a number of genes that are thought to be important in the control of neoplastic transformation. A total of 262 fundic gland polyps, including 155 syndromic polyps obtained from 35 patients with familial adenomatous polyposis or Gardner's syndrome and 107 sporadic polyps randomly selected from 45 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease or Barrett's esophagus, were included in this study. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed that loss of immunoreactivity to the antibody against the carboxyl terminus of the APC protein, presumably resulting from APC gene mutations, was more frequent in syndromic than in sporadic cases (40% versus 6.7%, P<0.001). However, immunostaining failed to show aberrant nuclear localization of beta-catenin, a protein regulated by APC, in any of the polyps, irrespective of syndromic or sporadic types. Instead, positive membranous staining for beta-catenin was observed in all the cases. In addition, the expression characteristics of 2 other proteins, c-Myc and cyclin D1, whose genes have been reported to be transcriptionally regulated by the APC/beta-catenin pathway, were similar in these two types of polyps. Furthermore, all cases, including those harboring dysplasia, showed negative nuclear staining for p53 and positive nuclear staining for retinoblastoma (RB). Taken together, these data show a lack of dysregulation in the APC/beta-catenin signaling pathway and in the expression of p53 and RB in fundic gland polyps despite a high frequency of somatic mutations of the APC and beta-catenin genes reported in these polyps. These findings may explain at least in part why fundic gland polyps show a negligible malignant potential even in the presence of dysplasia.
Estimation of particle volume fraction, mass fraction and number density in thermophoretic deposition systems

Abstract A method is presented to predict the soot volume fraction in soot-laden gas streams in systems where thermophoresis is the dominant mechanism of particle deposition onto adjoining surfaces. In particular, we considered deposition of silica particles on a circular cylinder in cross-flow to a premix CH4/O2 flame, a setup similar to the one used in the outside vapor deposition process used for making optical fibers. Silica particles were produced by introducing SiCl4 along with the premix gases to the burner and were collected on a cylinder. Heat flux and mass deposition rate measurements on the cylinder were performed and recorded as a function of time. Considering thermophoresis to be the dominant mechanism of particle deposition, a simple theory was developed to establish the relationship between the measured quantities. The theory predicted that the thickness at any given time t was expected to increase linearly with the integral of q ′′ (t) d t (integrated from t=0 to t=t), where q′′(t) is the heat flux. Such a linear relationship was observed for five different reactant flow rates confirming thermophoresis to be the dominant mechanism of particle deposition. Soot volume fraction and soot mass fraction were calculated from the slope of these linear fits and were seen to be in good agreement with the estimates of the soot fraction from light scattering measurements. Based on the light scattering estimates of particle diameter, particle number densities were also estimated.
Binding and internalization of epidermal growth factor by rat pituitary tumor cells.

Abstract Epidermal growth factor (EGF) regulates hormone synthesis and decreases the growth rate of clonal lines of rat pituitary tumor cells. [ 125 I]iodo-EGF bound to specific receptors on GH 4 C 1 rat pituitary cells with an apparent K d of 0.34 nM. At 0°C, 84% of specifically bound [ 125 I]iodo-EGF appeared to be on the cell surface, while at 37°C, 84% of bound [ 125 I]iodo-EGF appeared to be internalized and could not be removed by treatment with an acidic high-salt buffer. Internalization of surface-bound [ 125 I]iodo-EGF required 10 min to reach completion and was markedly temperature-dependent. Monodansylcadaverine, bacitracin, ammonium chloride, chloroquine, quinacrine and vinblastin did not inhibit internalization of [ 125 I]iodo-EGF, suggesting that transglutaminase is not involved; but these drugs did cause an increased accumulation of radioactivity, probably by inhibiting degradation. In 2 h at 37°C, approx. 35% of cell-associated [ 125 I]iodo-EGF was degraded as analyzed by gel filtration, and 72% of the material that dissociated from the cells migrated as low molecular weight material or iodo-Tyr. Incubation of GH 4 C 1 cells with unlabeled EGF caused a prolonged and dose-related decrease in the ability of the cells to bind [ 125 I]iodo-EGF in a subsequent incubation, i.e. down-regulation. The pathway for internalization and degradation of the EGF-receptor complex in GH 4 C 1 cells resembles that described for fibroblasts, in which the cellular response is different, but differs from the behavior of other hormone-receptor complexes in GH 4 C 1 pituitary cells.
Acute rheumatic heart disease in the aged, with report of a case with Stokes-Adams syndrome treated with paredrine

Abstract A case is reported in which the initial attack of rheumatic heart disease occurred at 64 years of age, and was characterized by complete heart block and a Stokes-Adams syndrome of unusual severity and duration; the latter was treated with unusually large doses of paredrine.
Comments on "Adaptive controller designs for robot manipulator systems using Lyapunov direct method"

The asymptotic stability result claimed in the paper is modified. Ihe proof shown there is also improved.
Rethinking culture in the pedagogy and practices of preservice teachers

Abstract In this article, the author considers questions about culture and cultural identity which surfaced as student teachers in their full-time practicum in elementary classrooms engaged in efforts to learn about the communities of their students and to use culture in the classroom. This author argues that, in elementary classrooms, conceptions of culture can be limited to celebrations of holidays, heroes, ethnic festivals and food fairs which obscure the controversies and complexities about how cultural knowledge is formed and to what ends it is used. Drawing upon the work of cultural and literary critics as well as scholars writing about multicultural and anti-racist pedagogy, this author expands upon conceptions of culture to consider the ways that cultural forms expressed in music, literature, art, and the social sciences inform and are informed by relations of power, and that these cultural forms and characteristics can be the sites through which power operates as they both set the boundaries and provide the resources through which group members come to identify themselves. Returning to the work and words of student teachers, this author illustrates how culture can be used in the classroom to frame and limit children, and how the classroom might be a space in which culture and cultural identity is explored, challenged, and recreated.
Theories of education among academically able adolescents

Abstract The associations among views about the purposes of school, motivational orientations, and beliefs about the causes of academic success were examined in a sample of students of very high academic ability and attainment. The abilities of these students would make them especially well placed to outperform their peers academically and to attain those occupations of high status and income that require high academic attainment. Nevertheless, the view that school should help one gain status and wealth was not (whereas views that school should make one a responsible citizen were) associated with an orientation to learning for its own sake, satisfaction with school learning, or beliefs that success comes from attempts to learn. Similarly, despite the manifest competence of the sample, a competitive ego orientation was not associated with satisfaction with school learning, whereas a task orientation was. These results strengthen previous conclusions that a competitive orientation to schoolwork and the view that school should promote one's chances of gaining wealth and occupational status might be relatively incompatible with interest in learning and satisfaction with school. They also add to our understanding of the highly able.
A Tag based solution for efficient utilization of efuse for memory repair

Efuse or FuseROMs play a major role in embedded memory BIST and repair flows. The trend of increasing demand for SRAMs in SoCs for graphics, DSP and application processors have resulted in the need for more efuses on die to repair these memories. Efuse bit cell is comparatively large in size and does not scale well at lower technology nodes, thus becoming a floor plan nightmare. All these factors call for an efficient use of available efuses. This paper describes the implementation of an efuse compression scheme that identifies repair registers by tags and allocates efuse to only the repair registers that need a repair code. Linked list based data structure was utilized for storing and retrieving repair codes from the FuseROM. This implementation was designed with the goal of achieving good compression when using incremental repair. Analysis indicate compression ratio as high as 88.5% and a max improvement of 35% over RLE based compression schemes with logic overhead of ∼10K gates.
Effects of sediment load on various stages in the life and death of cattail (Typha × glauca)

We examined the effects of burial by sediment on seed germination, seedling survival, growth of adults, and litter decomposition of cattail (Typha × glauca). Seed germination and seedling survival were studied in the greenhouse, while adult plant growth and litter decomposition were studied outdoors in 3-m-diameter experimental tanks (mesocosms) at the Iowa State University Experimental Wetlands Complex near Ames, IA. The effect of burial on litter decomposition was also examined in the field at the Des Plaines River Wetlands Demonstration Project near Wadsworth, IL. Seed germination was decreased by 60–90% when sediment loads of 0.2 to 0.4 cm were applied to the surface of the soil. Seedling survivorship increased with increasing age and size of seedlings and decreased as sediment load increased from 0.2 to 1.0 cm. Sediment loads of 0, 1, 2, or 4 cm had no effect on adult plant density, number of leaves produced per plant, or leaf photosynthetic characteristics of plants grown in the mesocosms. Burial by sediment led to an initial decline in rate of cattail litter decay, for two months, but thereafter, rates for buried and unburied litter were similar. Small amounts of sediment had large effects on seed germination and growth of small seedlings, but adult plants and litter decomposition were largely unaffected by sediment.
At Fission Weapon Tests and at LAMPF

Two v? oscillation experiments are planned, incorporating large volume (4400 liter) liquid scintillation detectors 1) at large distances (200-900 m) from fission weapon tests and 2) at 33 m from LAMPF beam stop where significant v?e events are detected only if some oscillation operates, such as v?? ? v?e. Design criteria, detector characteristics, and experimental considerations are given.
Hispanic Ethnicity and Fatal Fall Risk: Do Age, Gender, and Community Modify the Relationship?

Background Hispanic ethnicity is associated with a reduced risk of fatal falls in the elderly despite lower socioeconomic standing. The factors responsible for this “Hispanic paradox” are unknown. We hypothesized that age and gender would modify this relationship and that the association would be accentuated in a community with prominent Hispanic culture. Materials and Methods The number of fatal falls in a 3-year period in the United States (US) and in Miami-Dade County, Florida (MDC) were obtained through the CDC’s WISQARS database and the Florida Office of Vital Statistics. US Census Bureau data were used to define the total at-risk populations by age group and gender. Age group- and gender-specific ratios of the risk of fatal fall in Hispanic to white non-Hispanic individuals were calculated. Results In the US and MDC, Hispanic ethnicity was associated with a reduced risk of fatal fall across all age and gender subgroups. In the US, the risk reduction associated with Hispanic ethnicity grew from 11% and 23% in 65- to 74-year-old men and women, respectively, to 43% for both men and women over 84-years-old. This relationship was stronger in MDC than nationally in five of the six age and gender subgroups examined. Conclusions Older individuals, women, and residents of communities with prominent Hispanic culture have the greatest reduction in fatal fall risk associated with Hispanic ethnicity.
Valve-based comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometric detection: instrumentation and figures-of-merit.

Abstract A valve-based comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatograph coupled to a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (GC×GC/TOFMS) is demonstrated. The performance characteristics of the instrument were evaluated using a complex sample containing a mixture of fuel components, natural products, and organo-phosphorous compounds. The valve-based GC×GC, designed to function with an extended temperature of operation range, is shown to have high chromatographic resolution, high separation efficiency and low detection limits. Typical peak widths at base are nominally from 100 to 300 ms on column 2 and nominally 10 s on column 1. The injected mass and injected concentration limit of detection (LOD), defined as 3 standard deviations above the mean baseline noise, for three organo-phosphorous compounds (triethylphosphorothioate (TEPT), dimethyl methyl phosphonate (DMMP) and dimethyl phosphite (DMP)) in a complex environmental sample were from 6 to 38 pg, and 3 to 17 ng/ml, respectively. The temperature program for the environmental sample ranged from 40 to 230 °C, a temperature range capable of analyzing semi-volatile compounds. A new compact, stand-alone, valve-pulse generator device has been implemented and is also reported. The valve-based GC×GC instrument, therefore, offers a simple, rugged and less expensive alternative to thermally modulated instruments.
Real-time measurements of deposit formation from sodium sulfate-seeded flames

Abstract The formation of deposits on substrates immersed in the exhaust gases of a sodium sulfate-seeded flame has been studied in real time using surface Raman scattering and interferometry. Deposits were produced on Pt/10% Rh or Incoloy 800 substrates maintained at 825 K by injecting solid Na2SO4 particles into a CH4/O2/N2 flat-flame burner. For Na2SO4 deposits grown on inert substrates (Pt/10% Rh), the relationship between the sulfate Raman scattering signal and the interferometrically-determined deposit thickness was investigated. The composition of deposits produced from flames of varying stoichiometry was characterized by in situ Raman scattering. Na2CO3 was produced from fuel-rich flames, while Na2SO4 was produced from fuel-lean flames. Mixtures of Na2CO3 and Na2SO4 were obtained from flames of intermediate stoichiometry. For Na2SO4 deposits grown on reactive substrates (Incoloy 800), a rapid reaction occurred between the Na2SO4 deposit and the substrate, producing a salt film containing chromate ...
Meta-analysis of patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 6: 48 weeks with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is superior to 24 weeks

Hepatitis C virus genotype 6 (HCV-6) is common in patients from Southeast Asia and the surrounding regions. Optimal treatment duration for HCV-6 is unknown given the inconclusive evidence from studies with varying methodologies and small sample sizes. A literature search for ‘genotype 6’ in MEDLINE and EMBASE in October 2013 produced 161 and 251 articles, respectively. Additional abstracts were identified from four major international GI/liver conferences in 2012/2013. Inclusion criteria were original studies with ≥10 HCV-6 treatment-naive patients treated with pegylated interferon + ribavirin (PEG IFN+RBV). Exclusion criteria were coinfections with HBV, HIV, other HCV genotypes, and/or other liver diseases. Primary outcome was pooled sustained virologic response (SVR). Heterogeneity was defined by Cochrane Q test (p value of 0.10) and I 2 statistic (≥50 %). A total of 13 studies with 641 patients were included. The pooled SVR estimate was 77 % (CI 70–83 %) (Q value = 38.4, p value <0.001, I 2 = 68.7 %) overall, 79 % (CI 73–84 %) for the 48-week group and 59 % (CI 46–70 %) for 24-week group, respectively. In studies with direct comparison of the two groups, SVR was superior in patients treated for 48 versus 24 weeks, OR 1.9 (CI 1.08–3.2, p = 0.026). In studies with direct comparison of patients with rapid virologic response (RVR), there was no difference in SVR between 48 versus 24 weeks, OR 1.74 (CI 0.65–4.64, p = 0.27). Hepatitis C virus genotype 6 patients should be treated for 48 weeks, and those who achieve RVR may receive the shorter 24-week treatment duration. The high SVR (~80 %) with 48 weeks of PEG IFN+RBV therapy may be a cost-effective option for HCV-6 patients from resource-poor regions.
The challenge of distinguishing figure from ground: reaction to Gelso's work on the real relationship.

Abstract The motives of the beginning psychotherapist for choosing his or her orientation are an underresearched issue in psychotherapy training. This study focuses on the role of personality-based factors, specifically the epistemological preferences of the therapist that Kolb (1984) has termed “learning style” (LS). The aim of the present study was to explore possible associations between psychology students’ developing LSs and their choice of psychotherapeutic orientation (psychodynamic [PDT] vs. cognitive–behavioural [CBT]). Students in a psychologist's program (N = 175) took the Learning Style Inventory in their third semester and, before their formal choice, in their seventh semester. Besides a common trend toward radicalization or purification of their LS, the average PDT student tended to stick to the “feel and watch” style from the third semester to the seventh, whereas the CBT student tended to move toward “think and do.” A cluster analysis revealed that the average movement among the CBT studen...
School Climate and Staff Development: Keys to School Reform

Some school administrators meet the challenge of school improvement with uncertainty and reluctance. However, a strong leader who strives for an effective school climate and encourages staff involv...
Plasma endothelin-1 and nitrate levels in Down’s syndrome with complete atrioventricular septal defect-associated pulmonary hypertension: a comparison with non-Down’s syndrome children

Children with Down's syndrome (DS)-associated complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) have rapid and aggressive development of pulmonary vascular disease when compared with non-Down's syndrome (ND) children. We aimed to evaluate the role of plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitrate levels in DS children with complete AVSD-associated pulmonary hypertension (PH) and compare this to ND patients. The study included 20 patients (11 males, nine females) who had complete AVSD associated with PH. Comparisons were made between DS patients (n=12) aged 4 to 8 months (median 5 months) and ND patients (n=8) aged 4 to 12 months (median 7 months). Blood samples were drawn from the inferior vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, and aorta. The plasma ET-1 concentrations of the two groups were compared to the peripheral venous and arterial ET-1 levels, and pulmonary vein nitrate was compared to the peripheral arterial nitrate levels of ten healthy infants. The mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance (Rp) were significantly higher in the DS group than ND patients, and the pulmonary blood flow (Qp) in ND patients was higher than DS patients. There were no differences between the two study groups in regard to plasma ET-1 and nitrate levels obtained from matched sampling sites. The plasma ET-1 and nitrate levels were significantly higher in both study groups compared to the control subjects. The plasma ET-1 and nitrate levels in DS patients with PH were not different when compared to those of ND patients.
A fatal case of gastrointestinal mucormycosis in immunosuppressed host.

A 62-year-old white male patient with history of compoundinherited coagulopathy (heterozygous factor V Leiden andMTHFR) and 6 months history of biopsy proven Wegener’sgranulomatosis with lung and renal involvement, presents tothe ER with severe abdominal discomfort, fever and loss ofappetite. He was admittedto an other facility a month prior tothis hospital admission for dyspnea for a right-sided pneu-mothorax requiring tube thoracostomy. He also under wentbronchoscopy with biopsy of the cavitating pulmonary lesionfor suspicion of infection. Biopsy results conformed invasiveaspergillosis and he was started on Voriconazole and Caspo-fungin. His other medications include warfarin, Rituximab,Prednisone and Cyclophosphamide.On examination, vitals were; Temp 96.6, BP 110/65, PR105; he appeared malnourished, lethargic but in no acutedistress. Abdominal examination showed epigastric tender-ness, guarding with sluggish bowel sounds. Rectal examina-tion was guaiac negative. CT abdomenshowedfree peritonealair with possible distal ileal perforation (Fig. 1). At exploratorylaparotomy, multiple areas of full thickness perforationinvolving the proximal jejunum and the distal ileal were seenrequiringsegmentalresection.Histopathologicalexaminationrevealed ischemic necrosis of the bowel wall with gross andmicroscopic evidence of perforation, infarction and trans-mural inﬁltration by nonseptate, fungal hyphae consistentwith Rhizopus species. The patient died within 24 h fromoverwhelming sepsis despite aggressive surgical interventionand antifungal therapy (Fig. 2).
Overexpression of a glutamate receptor (GluR2) ligand binding domain in Escherichia coli: Application of a novel protein folding screen

Expression of the S1S2 ligand binding domain [Kuusinen, A., Arvola, M. & Keinanen, K. (1995) EMBO J. 14, 6327–6332] of the rat α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid-selective glutamate receptor GluR2 in Escherichia coli under control of a T7 promoter leads to production of >100 mg/liter of histidine-tagged S1S2 protein (HS1S2) in the form of inclusion bodies. Using a novel fractional factorial folding screen and a rational, step-by-step approach, multiple conditions were determined for the folding of the HS1S2 α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid binding domain. Characterization of the HS1S2 ligand binding domain showed that it is water-soluble, monomeric, has significant secondary structure, and is sensitive to trypsinolysis at sites close to the beginning of the putative transmembrane regions. Application of a fractional factorial folding screen to other proteins may provide a useful means to evaluate E. coli as an economical and convenient expression host.
Effects of density and predation on Scaphiopus couchi tadpoles in desert ponds

The effects of density on growth and development of Scaphiopus couchi tadpoles in desert ponds were investigated, and sources of mortality over a three-year period were documented. In 16 of the 82 ponds monitored, predation was the principal cause of death, demonstrating that tadpoles in desert ponds may be exposed to high levels of predation, although the overall importance of predation is less here than in more mesic areas. Desiccation was the primary cause of mortality in 49 ponds. Growth and development were extremely slow in most high density ponds and as a result most tadpoles were unable to metamorphose before ponds dried. Only 8 ponds produced metamorphs, and mortality was high even in these. Food-supplementation resulted in some metamorphosis in high density ponds, although the effect was diminished by the extreme crowding in most ponds. In low density ponds, S. couchi tadpoles can develop very quickly and metamorphose. High mortality due to desiccation is largely a consequence of high density: tadpoles rarely completed development in high density ponds, regardless of pond duration.
Selective Detection of Cathepsin E Proteolytic Activity

Abstract Background Aspartic proteases Cathepsin (Cath) E and D are two different proteases, but they share many common characteristics, including molecular weight, catalytic mechanism, substrate preferences, proteolytic conditions and inhibition susceptibility. To define the biological roles of these proteases, it is necessary to elucidate their substrate specificity. In the present study, we report a new peptide–substrate that is only sensitive to Cath E but not Cath D. Methods Substrate e , Mca-Ala-Gly-Phe-Ser-Leu-Pro-Ala-Lys(Dnp)- D Arg-CONH 2 , designed in such a way that due to the close proximity of a Mca-donor and a Dnp-acceptor, near complete intramolecular quenching effect was achieved in its intact state. After the proteolytic cleavage of the hydrophobic motif of peptide substrate, both Mca and Dnp would be further apart, resulting in bright fluorescence. Results Substrate e showed a 265 fold difference in the net fluorescence signals between Cath E and D. This Cath E selectivity was established by having -Leu**Pro- residues at the scissile peptide bond. The confined cleavage site of substrate e was confirmed by LC-MS. The catalytic efficiency (K cat /K M ) of Cath E for substrate e was 16.7 μM − 1 S − 1 . No measurable catalytic efficiency was observed using Cath D and no detectable fluorescent changes when incubated with Cath S and Cath B. Conclusions This study demonstrated the promise of using the developed fluorogenic substrate e as a selective probe for Cath E proteolytic activity measurement. General significance This study forms the foundation of Cath E specific inhibitor development in further studies.
Fabrication of Self-Aligned Graphene FETs with Low Fringing Capacitance and Series Resistance

Graphene FETs with top-gate and buried-gate structure has been studied. The buried-gate structure shows less fringing capacitance and more reliable contacts. High-performance graphene transistors with self-aligned buried gates have been fabricated. The graphene transistor shows field-effect mobility of over 6,000 cm2/V · s according to the transconductance measurement. The contact resistance and intrinsic mobility have been extracted from both curve fitting and transfer length measurement, and the two results agree well. This result paves the way of high-quality graphene transistor technology for the RF application.
Dental caries, oral health, and pediatricians.

We all know how important dental health is for our pediatric and adolescent patients. Despite this knowledge, we tend to begin and end our involvement with a referral to a pediatric dentist, if we are lucky enough to live in a community that has one. The intimate connection between oral health and general health, for people of all ages, is only now being recognized and understood. Surgeon General David Satcher acknowledged this with an important report on oral health in America in 2000. For children, the primary dental health issue is dental caries, a widespread disease that most of us know far too little about. In this issue of Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, Dr David Krol thoroughly describes dental caries—the disease, what we know about its causes and outcomes, how it can be prevented, and the pediatrician’s role in all of this. This information is important for all pediatricians, especially those who care for children with limited access to care. Minority children and those who live in poverty are affected by adverse oral health to a far greater extent than other children are. The first two components of the framework for action of the Surgeon General’s report are to change perceptions about oral health as part of general health and to expand the scientific evidence base for oral health. After reading Dr Krol’s article, our readers will have a “leg up” on accomplishing these goals.