cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Playing Both "Inside" and "Outside Games"? Evidence From Expert Interviews in Mature Suburbs in Ohio

In recent years, concern has arisen about decline in mature suburbs, and has been addressed primarily by research that has concentrated on quantitative analyses. Only a few works have used qualitative data to explore policies and tools in mature suburbs. We use expert interviews and Rusk's (1999) "inside game/outside game" framework to explore decline and the status of advocacy among select mature suburbs in three study communities in Ohio. We find a lack of awareness of the "inside game." We attribute this to funding streams that continue to favor suburbs and do not require explicit, repeated appropriations from Washington. On the other hand, we find attention being paid to the "outside game." We conclude that mature suburbs seem to be playing both "inside" and "outside" games, depending on the policy domain and the particular funding stream they require.
Increasing the knowledge base of ocular allergy epidemiology

In this issue of the Jornal de Pediatria, Geraldini et al. attempt to add another piece to the puzzle in order to provide additional insight into ocular symptoms associated with allergies. They used a validated instrument that focuses on the adolescent population in school with more than three episodes of ocular itching, who are more likely to have allergic rather than infectious etiologies, although it may also include a subpopulation with dry eye syndrome. The anterior surface of the eye is not only exposed to allergens such as mold spores and pollen, but also interfaces with environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, cigarette smoke, and other pollutants, which can also generate symptoms of itching, tearing, and redness that are common to allergic conjunctivitis and dry eye syndromes. The authors designed their study to parallel the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC), which provided an interesting overview of the allergyrelated symptoms, and grouped them as nasal, respiratory, and ocular allergies. One of the most unusual findings in their study was the increased correlation of ocular symptoms with asthma (more than nasal), particularly
Thematic mapper detection of changes in the leaf area of closed canopy pine plantations in Central Massachusetts

Consideration is given to the possibility of using Landsat TM data to detect differences and changes in the leaf area index (LAI) of closed canopy pine plantations in central Massachusetts. Field measurements of the LAI were obtained using locally-derived allometric relationships between leaf area and trunk diameter. The relationship between the Landsat TM Band 3/Band 4 ratio and regional differences in LAI is examined. A thinning treatment was conducted to demonstrate the ability of TM to detect a known reduction in LAI. It is concluded that, for the detection of moderate changes and differences in the LAI of closed canopy pine plantations at local scales, the TM sensor is better than field measurements involving allometric equations.
Disposition in the rat of buprenorphine administered parenterally and as a subcutaneous implant

Disposition of [15, 16(n)-3H]buprenorphine in the rat has been investigated after a single 0.2 mg/kg i.v. bolus dose and continuous administration via a s.c. implantable long-acting delivery system. After the i.v. injection, the tri-exponential decay of drug from brain occurred with t1/2 values of 0.6, 2.3 and 7.2 h, respectively (plasma t1/2 0.5, 1.4 h, third phase not estimated due to sustained concn.) Decay of drug from another high-affinity binding site in brain occurred with t1/2 values of 1.1 and 68.7 h, respectively. Fat and lung had higher concn. than other tissues and plasma. No metabolites of drug were detected in brain. Unmetabolized drug excreted in urine and faeces one week after i.v. injection were 1.9 and 22.4% of dose, respectively, and 92% of the dose was accounted for in one week. Urinary metabolites (%) were: conjugated buprenorphine 0.9; norbuprenorphine (free 9.4, conjugated 5.2); tentative 6-O-desmethylnorbuprenorphine (free 5.4, conjugated 15.9). Peak plasma concn. of buprenorphine occurred four weeks after s.c. implantation of a long-acting 10 mg 3H-buprenorphine pellet, and apparent dissociation half-lives of drug from low- and high-affinity binding sites in brain were 4.6 and 6.8 weeks, respectively. Fat, spleen and skeletal muscle had higher concn. than other tissues and plasma. No significant difference in brain morphine concn. was observed in placebo and nonlabelled buprenorphine-pelleted animals after a 2 mg/kg i.v. challenge dose of 3H-morphine. This study emphasizes the importance of high-affinity binding of buprenorphine in brain and subsequent slow dissociation as a prime factor in its prolonged agonist/antagonist effects and higher potency than other narcotic agonists.
Variance of interburst intervals in burst suppression

Each EEG performed over a 3 year period at the University of Michigan with a diagnosis of generalized burst-suppression (BS) was reviewed. Ten EEGs from 10 patients with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE-BS) and 21 records from 8 patients with pentobarbital induced burst-suppression for treatment of status epilepticus (SE-BS) were reviewed. For each EEG, the mean duration of 40 interburst intervals (IBIs) as well as their coefficient of variability were calculated. We found that in the SE-BS group the coefficient of variability of IBI duration was highly correlated with the logarithm of mean IBI duration while in the HIE-BS group, there was no significant correlation between these 2 variables. This suggests that the underlying mechanism causing BS is different in the 2 groups and might be related to a uniform and progressive affection of similar brain structures in the SE-BS group and a more patchy and variable pathology in the HIE-BS group.
Comment: Intraventricular hemorrhage—It's the blood that matters, not the timing

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a highly morbid form of stroke. Recent research has sought to identify pathologic processes that continue to evolve after patients present for medical care, with the hope that those delayed injuries may be effectively detected and intervened upon to improve outcomes. Our group recently reported an observation that delayed intraventricular hemorrhage (dIVH) developed in 21% of ICH subjects with no intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) present on initial imaging.1 IVH has been characterized as an independent contributor to poor outcomes, and recognizing that delayed development of IVH was fairly common, along with the more widely recognized phenomenon of parenchymal hematoma growth, advanced it as another potential candidate for hemostatic treatments. Moreover, dIVH showed approximately the same effect size in contributing to death within 2 weeks and poor outcomes at 3 months as IVH on initial imaging, suggesting that IVH posed similar morbid consequences regardless of when it occurred.
Prevalence of Newer β-Lactamases in Gram-Negative Clinical Isolates Collected in the United States from 2001 to 2002

Newer β-lactamases such as extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), transferable AmpC β-lactamases, and carbapenemases are associated with laboratory testing problems of false susceptibility that can lead to inappropriate therapy for infected patients. Because there appears to be a lack of awareness of these enzymes, a study was conducted during 2001 to 2002 in which 6,421 consecutive, nonduplicate clinical isolates of aerobically growing gram-negative bacilli from patients at 42 intensive care unit (ICU) and 21 non-ICU sites across the United States were tested on-site for antibiotic susceptibility. From these isolates, 746 screen-positive isolates (11.6%) were referred to a research facility and investigated to determine the prevalence of ESBLs in all gram-negative isolates, transferable AmpC β-lactamases in Klebsiella pneumoniae, and carbapenemases in Enterobacteriaceae. The investigations involved phenotypic tests, isoelectric focusing, β-lactamase inhibitor studies, spectrophotometric assays, induction assays, and molecular analyses. ESBLs were detected only in Enterobacteriaceae (4.9% of all Enterobacteriaceae) and were found in species other than those currently recommended for ESBL testing by the CLSI (formerly NCCLS). These isolates occurred at 74% of the ICU sites and 43% of the non-ICU sites. Transferable AmpC β-lactamases were detected in 3.3% of K. pneumoniae isolates and at 16 of the 63 sites (25%) with no difference between ICU and non-ICU sites. Three sites submitted isolates that produced class A carbapenemases. No class B or D carbapenemases were detected. In conclusion, organisms producing ESBLs and transferable AmpC β-lactamases were widespread. Clinical laboratories must be able to detect important β-lactamases to ensure optimal patient care and infection control.
The Impact of Relationship Status, Gender, and Minor Status in the Police Response to Domestic Assaults

Abstract Data from police records on 320 domestic violence calls for assistance collected during a four-month period from five jurisdictions operating under a pro-arrest statute in a Northeastern state were examined to determine the distribution of incidents by victim-suspect household relationship. It was hypothesized that, despite the lack of any statutory distinction, police compliance with the requirements of a pro-arrest statute—and mandatory arrest policies—would be higher in incidents involving a parent complainant than in incidents between other household members. Logistic and ordinary least-squares regression indicated that the odds of arrest for cases of child to parent and sibling assault were significantly higher than for other kinds of relationships, especially adult partner cases. Analyses also revealed that police compliance with victim assistance actions was significantly less likely for victims of parent to child and sibling violence relative to other victim-suspect relationships. The pol...
THE ELDERLY: NEGLECTED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

It is the intent of this article to show that the elderly, an important but neglected market segment, could be a viable segment for many businesses by the criteria of accessibility, responsiveness, identifiability, and size. This market itself comprises several segments, and these segments are identified. Finally, the article focuses on actions marketers can take in the component areas of marketing mix—product, price, promotion, place, and packaging—to meet the neglected needs of this consumer group. The paper emphasizes actions that not only contribute to the welfare of senior citizens, but are likely to be profitable as well.
Option Delisting of Stocks That Continue Trading: An Examination of Welfare Effects

This paper addresses the resulting effects from the delisting of options on underlying stocks that continue to trade. The evidence generally supports the argument that options in this sample are delisted as a result of financial difficulty and/or a lack of interest. An insignificant average abnormal return and a small significantly negative average standardized abnormal return are observed around the delisting date, but the average price effect is determined to be considerably less than the normal discrete trading intervals at which stocks trade on exchanges. There are no effects found on volatility measures directly attributable to option delisting.
Effects of sodium chloride, Triton X-100, and alkaline pH on the measurable contents and sedimentability of the nerve growth factor (NGF) antigen in adult rat hippocampal tissue extracts.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) was found to be largely associated with sedimentable fractions of hippocampal and other neural tissues of the adult rat (Hoener et al.: Brain Res 728:47–56, 1996), verified by both bioassay and ELISA techniques. In the present study, the ELISA assay conditions were improved and simplified. Bovine serum albumin was needed in the phosphate buffered saline for maximal measurability of NGF antigen. Hippocampal tissue sonicates were separated into nonsedimentable supernatant and sedimentable pellet fractions. Individual or combined treatments with sodium chloride, Triton X-100, and pH were applied to the samples for possible effects on the i) measurable content of NGF antigen and ii) distribution of sedimentable and nonsedimentable forms. The amount of measurable NGF antigen was found to be increased in a dose dependent fashion by sodium chloride between 0.15 and 0.35 M, Triton X-100 between 0 and 0.5%, and pH between 8.5 and 10.5. The same treatment that led to maximal measurable NGF levels (0.7% Triton X-100 and pH 10.5) also caused the release of the NGF antigen from sedimentable to nonsedimentable fractions. Similar findings regarding maximal NGF antigen levels and release were seen for treatments applied to the sonicate before separation into a supernatant and pellet fraction. J. Neurosci. Res. 49:508–514, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pharmacological effects of phenylalanine on seizure susceptibility: an overview.

The effects of excessive doses of phenylalanine on seizure susceptibility were examined in animal models in the past, primarily because of their relevance to phenylketonuria. It was thought that such effects might involve brain monoaminergic mechanisms. Recently, this issue has been pursued with a renewed interest but for a different reason. The dipeptide sweetener, aspartame, contains a phenylalanine residue. In the last three years, a number of studies involving as many as nine animal models of seizures have reexamined the effects of phenylalanine (and aspartame) on seizure thresholds. Data from these studies are in general aggreement that aspartame at dosage levels below 1,000 mg/kg, or phenylalanine at equimolar doses, is without an effect on seizure susceptibility in animals. When the dosage level of aspartame reaches 1,000 mg/kg, the findings between various laboratories and from different animal models of seizures are inconsistent, showing either no effect or a proconvulsant effect. The Acceptable Daily Intake of aspartame in humans set by the Food and Drug Administration is 50 mg/kg/day. Thus, the data from the excessive bolus doses in rodents do not appear to be relevant to human use. This article provides a detailed review of the data from both early and recent studies and points out the methodological problems apparent at such high doses.
Simple multiresolution approach for representing multiple regions of interest (ROIs)

A simple spatial-domain multiresolution scheme is presented for preserving multiple regions of interest (ROIs) in images. User-selected ROIs are maintained at high (original) resolution while peripheral areas are degraded. The presented method is based on the well-known MIP texture mapping algorithm used extensively in computer graphics. Most ROI schemes concentrate on preserving a single foveal region, usually attempting to match the visual acuity of the human visual system (HVS). The multiple ROI scheme presented here offers three variants of peripheral degradation, including linear and nonlinear resolution mapping, as well as a mapping matching HVS acuity. Degradation of image pixels is carried out relative to each ROI. A simple criterion is used to determine screen pixel membership in given image ROIs. Results suggest that the proposed multiple ROI representation scheme may be suitable for gaze-contingent displays as well as for encoding sparse images while optimizing compression and visual fidelity.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Prostate cancer: Primary ADT monotherapy not suitable for localized disease

Although current guidelines do not endorse the use of primary androgen deprivation therapy (PADT) as monotherapy for localized prostate cancer, many patients continue to receive this treatment. New outcomes research confirms that there is no clear reason for use of PADT in men with localized prostate cancer.
Antioxidant properties of S-adenosyl-l-methionine in Fe2+-initiated oxidations

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) is protective against a variety of toxic agents that promote oxidative stress. One mechanism for this protective effect of SAM is increased synthesis of glutathione. We evaluated whether SAM is protective via possible antioxidant-like activities. Aerobic Hepes-buffered solutions of Fe2+ spontaneously oxidize and consume O2 with concomitant production of reactive oxygen species and oxidation of substrates to radical products, e.g., ethanol to hydroxyethyl radical. SAM inhibited this oxidation of ethanol and inhibited aerobic Fe2+ oxidation and consumption of O2. SAM did not regenerate Fe2+ from Fe3+ and was not consumed after incubation with Fe2+. SAM less effectively inhibited aerobic Fe2+ oxidation in the presence of competing chelating agents such as EDTA, citrate, and ADP. The effects of SAM were mimicked by S-adenosylhomocysteine, but not by methionine or methylthioadenosine. SAM did not inhibit Fe2+ oxidation by H2O2 and was a relatively poor inhibitor of the Fenton reaction. Lipid peroxidation initiated by Fe2+ in liposomes was associated with Fe2+ oxidation; these two processes were inhibited by SAM. However, SAM did not show significant peroxyl radical scavenging activity. SAM also inhibited the nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation initiated by Fe2+ + ascorbate in rat liver microsomes. These results suggest that SAM inhibits alcohol and lipid oxidation mainly by Fe2+ chelation and inhibition of Fe2+ autoxidation. This could represent an important mechanism by which SAM exerts cellular protective actions and reduces oxidative stress in biological systems.
Design and Analysis of 250-nm AlInN Laser Diodes on AlN Substrates Using Tapered Electron Blocking Layers

A theoretical investigation into the operation of AlInN ultraviolet laser (UV) diodes on AlN substrates is presented. 2-D optoelectronic simulation of a prototypical design predicts lasing at a target wavelength of 250 nm. Simulations indicate optical gain degradation attributable to a parasitic inversion layer, which forms as a result of polarization charge associated with homogeneous electron blocking layers. Appreciable improvement in optical gain is demonstrated in designs featuring inhomogeneous electron blocking layers, by virtue of a volumetric redistribution of polarization charge. Numerical simulations inspire confidence in AlInN as a viable alternative to AlGaN technologies for UV laser-diode operation.
Itching for Answers: How Histamine Relaxes Lymphatic Vessels

In the current issue of Microcirculation, studies by Kurtz et al. and Nizamutdinova et al. together provide new evidence supporting a role for histamine as an endothelial-derived molecule that inhibits lymphatic muscle contraction. In particular, Nizamutdinova et al. show that the effects of flow-induced shear stress on lymphatic endothelium are mediated by both nitric oxide and histamine, since only blockade of both prevents contraction strength and frequency from being altered by flow. Separately, Kurtz et al. used confocal microscopy to determine a preferential expression of histamine receptors on the lymphatic endothelium and demonstrated that histamine applied to spontaneously contracting collecting lymphatics inhibits contractions. Previous studies disagreed on whether histamine stimulates or inhibits lymphatic contractions, but also used differing concentrations, species, and preparations. Together these new reports shed light on how histamine acts within the lymphatic vasculature, but also raise important questions about the cell type on which histamine exerts its effects and the signaling pathways involved. This editorial briefly discusses the contribution of each study and its relevance to lymphatic biology.
Combustion behavior and thermophysical properties of metal-based solid fuels

Two metal-based solid fuels (magnesium-based and boron-based) have been studied to determine their combustion behavior and thermophysical properties. The burning rate for the magnesium-based (Mg/PTFE/Viton A) solid fuel was found to increase monotonically with ambient pressure and to follow the Saint Robert's law in both air and nitrogen environments. The fuel, however, burned 10% slower in air than in nitrogen. The slower burning rate in air is postulated to result from the entrained oxygen which competes with fluorine to react with magnesium. Because of the lower heat of formation of MgO vs MgF2, the near-surface heat release is reduced when the oxygen is present, thus reducing the burning rate. This reasoning is also supported by results obtained from the companion pressure deflagration limit (PDL) and ignition tests, which show that the combustion of the magnesium-based fuel has a higher PDL and a longer ignition delay time in air than in nitrogen. Results from the study of ignition and combustion characteristics of boron-based solid fuels show that boron can significantly reduce the ignition delay times of poly(BAMO/NMMO). In determining the thermophysical properties of fuel samples, a subsurface temperature-measurement method was developed to quantify the temperature dependence of the thermal diffusivities of fuel samples. Results show good agreement with those obtained with the laser-flash method.
Antillatoxin and kalkitoxin, ichthyotoxins from the tropical cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula, induce distinct temporal patterns of NMDA receptor-mediated neurotoxicity

Curacin-A, antillatoxin and kalkitoxin, natural products from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula, were tested for neurotoxicity in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons. Curacin-A was non-toxic, whereas antillatoxin and kalkitoxin produced concentration-dependent cytotoxicity with LC50 values of 20.1+/-6.4 and 3.86+/-1.91 nM, respectively. Antillatoxin neurotoxicity was produced acutely, whereas kalkitoxin caused a delayed neurotoxic response. The cytotoxicity produced by both antillatoxin and kalkitoxin was prevented by the non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists dextrorphan and MK-801.
Computerized tomography in the diagnosis of central and extrapontine myelinolysis.

• In two patients the diagnosis of central pontine myelinolysis (CPM), suspected on clinical grounds, was supported by computerized tomographic (CT) sections made perpendicular to the pons, and confirmed on postmortem examination. Extrapontine myelinolysis was suggested on CT scans in both cases, and confirmed in one. Computerized tomography may prove to be a sensitive and accurate diagnostic test for CPM, and may aid in the detection of associated extrapontine lesions.
Detecting Hidden Messages Using Image Power Spectrum

In this paper we present a study of the effects of data hiding on the power spectra of digital images. Several imperceptible data hiding techniques have been proposed that provide strong visual security and robustness. Although imperceptible to the human visual system, the hidden data affects the natural qualities of the image, such as the image power spectrum. In this study, we classify a large image database into a number of categories. For each category, we calculate the slope of the power spectra for the marked and unmarked images. We note that in the case of spatial data hiding the average slope of the power spectra of marked images is 54.93% higher compared to that of the unmarked images. Also in the cases of transform domain data hiding we note that the average slope of the power spectra of the images marked using a discrete cosine (wavelet) transform (DC(W)T) based technique is higher by 9.12% (38.39%). We also test a commercially available data hiding software namely Digimarc Corp.'s MyPictureMarc 2005 VI.0. In this case the average power spectra of the marked images is 35.99% higher. Hence we see that the proposed scheme is a tool for universal steganalysis with varying degrees of success depending on the type of embedding.
Synthesis and Light Scattering Study of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Microgels

The thermally responsive hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) microgels have been synthesized and characterized. The microgel particles were obtained by chemically cross-linking collapsed HPC polymer chains in water−surfactant (dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide) dispersion above the lower critical solution temperature of the HPC. The size distributions of microgel particles, measured by dynamic light scattering, have been correlated with synthesis conditions including surfactant concentration, polymer concentration, and reaction temperature. The final microgel size is determined by the balance between the hydrophobic interaction among HPC polymer chains and intermicelle electrostatic repulsion. The swelling and phase transition properties of resultant HPC microgels have been analyzed using both static and dynamic light scattering techniques as a function of temperature and cross-linker concentration. It is found that the increase in the cross-linker concentration reduces the shrinkage extent. The dilute HPC micro...
A methodology for concurrent fabrication process/cell library optimization

The paper presents a methodology for concurrently optimizing an IC fabrication process and a standard cell library in order to maximize overall yield. The approach uses the Concurrent Subspace Optimization (CSSO) algorithm, which has been developed for general coupled, multidisciplinary optimization problems. An example is provided showing the application of the algorithm to optimizing a mixed analog/digital library on a CMOS process.
Attributing scatterer anisotropy for model-based ATR

Scattering from man-made objects in SAR imagery often exhibit aspect and frequency dependences which are not well modeled by standard SAR imaging techniques. If ignored, these deviations may reduce recognition performance due to model mismatch, but when appropriately accounted for, these deviations can be exploited as attributes to better distinguish scatterers and their respective targets. Chiang and Moses developed an ATR system that allows the study of performance under various scatterer attributions. Kim et. al. examined a nonparametric approach for exploiting non-ideal scattering using a multi- resolution sub-aperture representation. Both of these works are extended here to examine the effect of anisotropic scattering attribution for model-based ATR. In particular, predicted and extracted peak scatterers are attributed with a discrete anisotropy feature. This feature can be obtained in a computationally efficient manner by performing a set of generalized log-likelihood ratio (GLLR) tests over a pyramidal sub-aperture representation. Furthermore, an approximate probabilistic characterization of the feature set allows for a natural inclusion into the approach of Chiang and Moses which will be used to evaluate the benefit of our attribution to the X-band MSTAR data and infer the phenomenology behind anisotropic scattering.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Montmorillonite-levan nanocomposites with improved thermal and mechanical properties.

Abstract This work reports on the structure and properties of novel nanocomposites composed of exfoliated montmorillonite clay blended with levan, a polysaccharide produced by Bacillus sp. Dry levan is very brittle, making it difficult to obtain stand-alone films. MMT–levan composites were prepared by solution blending in water, coating on plastic surfaces, partial drying at 50 °C, and conditioning in air at 50–60% relative humidity. This process results in freestanding, transparent, and flexible films of pure levan and MMT–levan composites plasticized by 10–15 wt% water. XRD patterns from levan–MMT composites indicate an MMT interlayer spacing 0.62 nm greater than that of the starting MMT, suggesting re-stacking of MMT platelets coated by adsorbed, uncoiled levan molecules. FTIR results suggest that levan adheres to MMT via water-mediated hydrogen bonding between the levan's hydroxyl groups and MMT surface oxygens. MMT–levan composites have improved thermal stability and a well-defined glass transition temperature that increases with MMT loading. The tensile moduli of levan–MMT composites increase by as much as 480% relative to pure levan. The XRD and mechanical property results suggest that MMT reinforces levan through a filler network structure composed of MMT platelets bridged by adsorbed levan molecules, enhanced when the MMT loading becomes high enough (5–10 wt% MMT) to induce an isotropic–nematic transition in MMT platelet orientation.
An Investigation of Factors Influencing the Use of Computer‐Related Audit Procedures

ABSTRACT: We provide data on the extent to which computer‐related audit procedures are used and whether two factors, control risk assessment and audit firm size, influence computer‐related audit pr...
A Modified Rule of Thumb for Evaluating Scale Reproducibilities Determined By Electronic Computers

The Goodenough technique for determining scale error is compared to the Guttman technique and demonstrated to be more conservative than the Guttman technique. Implications with regard to Guttman's evaluative rule of thumb for evaluating a reproducibility are noted.
Boundaries and roles: Positioning and social location in the Virtual Math Teams (VMT) online community

As research in Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) expands its understanding of joint knowledge building, new perspectives on how social reality is constructed become necessary. Our research concentrates on the longitudinal or diachronic trajectories of Virtual Math Teams (VMT) at The Math Forum, an online community supporting mathematical inquiry. We investigate how these virtual teams constitute themselves while engaged in building collaborative knowledge. We describe as well, through the lens of positioning theory, the interactional activities that allow participants to situate themselves, others, and their collective knowledge resources over time. Our analysis suggests that positioning work is central to constructing a sustained problem space and illustrates how the configurations of positions and resources that co-participants put forward through interaction might change across a team's trajectory. These changes constitute and are sensitive to the participants' evolving reasoning routines and other forms of joint participation uniquely related knowledge building. In addition, we show that the VMT activity system affords participants a level of disciplinary engagement which is partly illustrated by active engagement in positioning work. Finally, we suggest that an interactional approach to roles and participation provides a fruitful framework for researchers, designers, and practitioners interested in understanding and creating engaging CSCL interactions.
Tagesschwankung der Konzentrationen von Follikelstimulierendem (FSH) und Luteinisierendem (LH) Hormon im menschlichen Plasma

Eine statistisch signifikante Tagesschwankung von FSH und LH im Plasma von geschlechtsreifen Mannern und Frauen sowohl in der Follikel- als auch in der Lutealphase des Cyclus wird berichtet. Diese besteht auch bei 3 Frauen unter ovulationshemmender Therapie, bei einer Frau in der Postmenopause und einer Kastratin.
Effects of Gestational Exposure to Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in Rats: Preliminary Behavioral and Neurochemical Studies

Monoamine neurotransmitters are important in the development of the immature mammalian brain, prior to assuming their role as neurotransmitters. The endogenous levels of these transmitters are highly regulated by the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO). Thus, any change in this enzyme should have a profound effect on brain development. In order to test this hypothesis, we treated developing rat pups with the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-Is), clorgyline (MAO-A, 3 mg/kg), and deprenyl (MAO-B, 3 mg/kg) throughout gestation (MAO-I-birth), or throughout gestation and to sacrifice (MAO-I-sac). The animals were analyzed for serotonin and dopamine terminal density, using 3H-paroxetine and 3H-GBR 12935, respectively. Whereas there were no changes in the development of the dopamine system, the serotonin system was severely affected, particularly in the cortex that showed a significant reduction of innervation at 30 days postnatal. The animals reached all normal development milestones on schedule, and had no changes in measures of anxiety (% light/dark); however, the animals showed increased open field activity and deficits in a passive avoidance paradigm, which may be a measure of impulsivity. The MAO-I-sac animals were severely impaired, showing stereotypic behavior, seizures, and eventually visual impairments. Our results are discussed in terms of relevance to human disease states, such as atypical Norrie's disease, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. As well, our results should be used to caution against the use of MAO-Is in women of child-bearing age.
Lateral interactions and structural phase transitions in ultrathin Hg films

Abstract We have investigated the energetics and lateral interactions of ordered mercury overlayers on Cu(100) and Ag(100) by thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). We find evidence for the coexistence of phases on Cu(100) from thermal desorption spectroscopy. Hg adsorbs on both Cu(100) and Ag(100) with a coverage-independent sticking coefficient indicative of a mobile precursor state. Hg on Cu(100) is observed to have a barrier to desorption consistent with the existence of a precursor state. The two equilibrium phases of Hg on Cu(100) have zero coverage heats of desorption of 0.74 eV (c(2×2)) and 0.70 eV (c(4×4)) with pairwise attractive interactions of 0.21 and 0.13 eV, respectively. The ordered 1×1 phase of Hg on Ag(100) has a zero coverage heat of desorption of 0.63 eV with pairwise repulsive interactions of 0.38 eV.
PTSD and Epigenetic Research: Decentering the Physical Body

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been described as a multisystem disorder (Everly & Lating, 1995). The various components of this mental illness include the original distressing event, the experience of the individual, the activation and suppression of certain neurobiological systems, and the persistence of PTSD symptomatology over time. This article presents a systemic framework based on epigenetic, neurological, and psychological research that implicates the importance of both quantitative and qualitative human factors in the etiology and treatment of PTSD. Wilber's (2000a) integral theory will serve as the central organization for the conceptual framework. Last, PTSD treatment recommendations informed by Herman (1997), exposure therapy, stress inoculation therapy, mindfulness, narrative therapy, existential therapy, and relational psychodynamics are mapped onto the elaborated model.
Consumption and Consummation: Domestic Tales of the Economic Miracle in Arno Schmidt's Das steinerne Herz1

In this article I read Arno Schmidt's 1956 novel Das steinerne Herz: Historischer Roman aus dem Jahre 1954 nach Christi as a social commentary on the dynamics of gender relations during the time of the emerging West German economic miracle. I focus on Schmidt's presentation of the reinstatement of traditional bourgeois gender norms in Germany during the 1950's culture of female domesticity. To make my case, I concentrate upon the way Schmidt organizes the novel around genre conventions, a decision that reinforces the novel's specific, parodic realism. I argue that the novel's parody is designed to highlight how the reinstatement of male authority in the private sphere coincided with relationships based upon exchange values. The West German 1950s are thereby depicted as a time during which notions of gender and consumption were intrinsically connected in an environment where economic restoration outweighed most other social considerations.
Diagnosis of a viable abdominal pregnancy by magnetic resonance imaging

Abdominal pregnancy is an uncommon occurrence, and diagnosis by conventional means is often difficult. A case is presented in which a 29-week viable abdominal pregnancy was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging.
Comments on “Discussion of the Elsasser Formulation for Infrared Fluxes”

Abstract Charlock and Herman (1976, hereafter CH) have criticized the formulation of the radiative flux equation of Zdunkowski et al. (ZBL), 1966. While Zdunkowski (Z) finds their paper very interesting, he does not agree with all of their arguments. Instead of writing a comment on their paper, which would precipitate a reply from CH without satisfactorily resolving the argument, we believe it is best to jointly write some comments. This will eliminate misunderstandings since all three authors are in agreement on the basic physics of the problem, but differ in the point of view of how best to apply the Elsasser scheme. In the following we will try to clarify our positions.
The Islamization of Rhetoric: Ibn Rushd and the Reintroduction of Aristotle into Medieval Europe

The development of the rhetorical tradition in the West owes a largely unacknowledged debt to Islamic scholars. Between 711 and 1492 CE, Muslim-controlled Spain became a significant site of scholarly inquiry into the European Classical heritage—often involving the efforts of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim thinkers. One of the luminaries of this scholarly tradition is Ibn Rushd (known more generally by his Latinized name, Averroes), known to Medieval thinkers as “The Commentator” for his vast, multifaceted corpus of work on Aristotle, The Master of Those Who Know.
What do reflections tell us about the shape of a mirror

Three-dimensional shape may be perceived from static images. Contours, shading, texture gradients, perspective and occlusion are well-studied cues to this percept. When looking at a picture of a specular object, such as a silver vase, one additional cue is potentially available: a deformed picture of the reflected environment is seen in the surface of the object and the amount and type of deformation depend on its shape. Can specular reflections be used as a visual cue for shape perception? Our experiments show that our subjects are very poor at judging the shape of mirror surfaces in absence of other visual cues. However, for a considerable subset of the stimuli, subjects are highly consistent in their (most often wrong) perception. This observation leads us to the hypothesis that our subjects rather than 'computing' a percept from each image based on geometrical considerations, may be associating a shape to each pattern in a stereotypical way, akin to pattern-matching. This behavior is reasonable since, as suggested by our ideal observer analysis, the information available from specular reflections is ambiguous when the surrounding world is (partially) unknown.
Open structure tungstates : synthesis, reactivity and ionic mobility

Abstract Sodium tungstates with the hexagonal tungsten bronze and the pyrochlore structure have been synthesized at around 150°C using hydrothermal methods. The phase formed is a function of the pH of the reaction medium. Their structures have been determined using Rietveld analysis on X-ray and neutron powder data. The pyrochlore phase readily undergoes ion-exchange with a wide range of monovalent cations giving the compounds, M x W 2 O 6+ x 2 ·y H 2 O ; the value of y is strongly dependent on the identity of the cation, M. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the water content and the thermal stability of the cation exchanged compounds. WO3 with the pyrochlore structure could be formed from the hydronium and ammonium complexes. Lithium can be readily intercalated both chemically and electrochemically into both phases. Surprisingly more lithium is incorporated in most cases in the hexagonal than in the pyrochlore phase. Silver is ion-exchanged most rapidly into the pyrochlore structure, and this compound also reacts with the most lithium. The ionic mobility has been determined by complex impedance methods, with the hydronium ion showing the greatest mobility.
Criteria for Effective University Teaching.

It was easier a century ago than it is today to define "effective teaching," and to determine criteria and means for evaluating it. Definition is also an easier task at the basic education level, where teachers are held respon sible for having students prepared to progress to the next grade level and for maintaining reasonable order in the classroom, than it is at the higher level. The century-old paradigm of the ideal in university teaching "Mark Hop kins on one end of a log and a student on the other," is a luxury few colleges can emulate today. It would be too unproductive in terms of student credit hours.
MODIS land surface temperature composite data and their relationships with climatic water budget factors in the central Great Plains

Daily land surface temperatures (Ts ) derived from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) data were correlated with concurrent climatic water budget variables. Using a climatic water budget program, four daily water budget factors—percentage soil moisture (SM), actual/potential evapotranspiration ratio (AE/PE), moisture deficit (MD), and moisture deficit/potential evapotranspiration ratio (MD/PE)—were calculated at six weather stations across western and central Kansas. Correlation analysis showed that Ts deviations from air temperature had a significant relationship with the water budget factors. To do the analysis on a weekly basis, daily MODIS data were integrated into three different types of weekly composites, including maximum Ts , driest‐day, and maximum Ts deviation (from maximum air temperature, or maxTa ). Results showed that the maximum Ts deviation (Ts –maxTa ) temperature composite had the highest correlation with the climatic water budget parameters. Time‐integrated, or cumula...
New Ideas for Research on Classroom Discourse

* In the years since I finished writing Classroom Discourse (1988), there have been two important changes in analyses of talk in classrooms: (a) research by outsiders is increasingly being supplemented by research by teachers themselves; and (b) the focus has enlarged beyond features inherent in all discourse, such as who gets and maintains the floor, to relations between the content of talk and specific curriculum goals. I want to support both changes with three suggestions (and recommend Edwards & Westgate, 1994, as an excellent accessible source of further guidance). First, consider the features inherent in all discourse. How is participation distributed among the classroom members? A tape recording is easy to make but not so easy to listen to. The results usually shock teachers when they hear their own voice filling so much air time (typically two thirds), and the rest filled disproportionately by a few confident students. A more subtle question is how much those students who do speak show evidence of really hearing, and taking into account, what others before them have said. In short, is the content of their speech responsive as well as expressive? To work toward more equitably distributed and more responsive voices, some teachers (e.g., Allen, 1992) have successfully videotaped their classrooms, shown the video to the class, and discussed desirable changes together. Students then become co-researchers, with their participation in that role valuable talk in itself. Together, teacher and students can look for processes of getting and keeping the floor, being explicit in expressing one's own ideas, and helping to clarify those of others. In Allen's case, some of the boys dominated discussions. "Classes were lively, students were engaged, but too many people felt excluded" (Allen, 1992, p. 94). When collective reflection about the videotaped evidence was not enough to achieve more affirmative interaction, Allen intervened more directly. She spoke to some of the students privately; she suggested that students not sit in the same seats every day; and at
Role of mutant CFTR in hypersusceptibility of cystic fibrosis patients to lung infections

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are hypersusceptible to chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections. Cultured human airway epithelial cells expressing the delta F508 allele of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) were defective in uptake of P. aeruginosa compared with cells expressing the wild-type allele. Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-core oligosaccharide was identified as the bacterial ligand for epithelial cell ingestion; exogenous oligosaccharide inhibited bacterial ingestion in a neonatal mouse model, resulting in increased amounts of bacteria in the lungs. CFTR may contribute to a host-defense mechanism that is important for clearance of P. aeruginosa from the respiratory tract.
Multi-test cervical cancer diagnosis with missing data estimation

Cervical cancer is a leading most common type of cancer for women worldwide. Existing screening programs for cervical cancer suffer from low sensitivity. Using images of the cervix (cervigrams) as an aid in detecting pre-cancerous changes to the cervix has good potential to improve sensitivity and help reduce the number of cervical cancer cases. In this paper, we present a method that utilizes multi-modality information extracted from multiple tests of a patient’s visit to classify the patient visit to be either low-risk or high-risk. Our algorithm integrates image features and text features to make a diagnosis. We also present two strategies to estimate the missing values in text features: Image Classifier Supervised Mean Imputation (ICSMI) and Image Classifier Supervised Linear Interpolation (ICSLI). We evaluate our method on a large medical dataset and compare it with several alternative approaches. The results show that the proposed method with ICSLI strategy achieves the best result of 83.03% specificity and 76.36% sensitivity. When higher specificity is desired, our method can achieve 90% specificity with 62.12% sensitivity.
Chemotherapeutic management of advanced ovarian cancer

Abstract Objective: To review current treatment strategies for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Factors for treatment selection are discussed. Data sources: Research articles and textbooks. Conclusion: Research efforts continue to identify novel agents and/or combination therapies that can effect a cure or prolong survival. Several agents offer similar efficacy outcomes but vary in safety aspects and administration requirements. Implications for nursing practice: Numerous clinical trials have defined the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer. Oncology nurses can prepare patients to make treatment decisions; educate them about treatment-related side effects; and develop an ongoing relationship as patient advocates to ensure quality of life.
Relationship Between Obesity and Diabetes in a US Adult Population: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2006

Obesity is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for the prevention of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of diabetes with increasing severity of obesity and the distribution of HbA1c levels in diabetics participating in the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Data from a representative sample of adults with diabetes participating in the NHANES between 1999 and 2006 were reviewed. The prevalence of diabetes and levels of fasting glucose, insulin, c-peptide, and HbA1c were examined across different weight classes with normal weight, overweight, and obesity classes 1, 2, and 3 were defined as body mass index (BMI) of 8.0%) in 23%. The mean fasting glucose and HbA1c levels were highest for diabetics with BMI <25.0, suggesting a state of higher severity of disease. Mean insulin and c-peptide levels were highest for diabetics with BMI = 35.0, suggesting a state of insulin resistance. In a nationally representative sample of US adults, the prevalence of diabetes increases with increasing weight classes. Nearly one fourth of adults with diabetes have poor glycemic control and nearly half of adult diabetics are considered obese suggesting that weight loss is an important intervention in an effort to reduce the impact of diabetes on the health care system.