cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiplexed miRNA detection using cationic polythiophene

Detection of short strands of miRNA has significant biomedical and biological implications. We report here the integration of fluorescent conjugated polymers as detection moieties with metallic striped nanorods for multiplexed detection of miR-21 and miR-122 in solution. Specifically, cationic conjugated polymers were used as chemical-coupling-free signal reporters to indicate the presence of specific miRNA molecules in solution and nanorods with self-encoded striping patterns were used as multiplexing assay substrates. A competitive assay format was developed to take advantage of stronger fluorescence output from DNA/DNA duplexes than that from DNA/miRNA duplexes. Upon selection of optimal competing DNA probes, the fluorescence signal collected was inversely proportional to the concentration of target miRNA in the system. A detection limit of fmol amounts of miRNA was achieved, with a linear response spanning across a broad dynamic range. The use of inherently encoded nanorods allowed simultaneous detection of different miRNA targets with good specificity.
Effect of ethics consultations in the intensive care unit

Although evidence-based research is limited, results suggest that ethics consultations are associated with reductions in hospital days and intensive care unit days and in life-sustaining treatments in those patients who ultimately will not survive to discharge. Furthermore, the majority of healthcare providers and patients/surrogates agreed that ethics consultations in the intensive care unit were helpful in addressing treatment conflicts. Ethics consultations also reduce hospital costs without diminishing the quality of care. Hence, ethics consultations seem to be useful in resolving conflicts that may be inappropriately prolonging nonbeneficial or unwanted treatments at the end of life. Further research on whether ethics consultations are beneficial in other settings is needed to establish the optimal scope of this intervention. Also, the benefits described above were achieved by highly skilled and experienced consultants. It is not certain, therefore, how successful other hospitals will be when adopting this intervention.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SUGAR‐SNAP COOKIES USING GRANULE SURFACE DEPROTEINATED WHEAT STARCH

The physical properties of soft wheat starch granule surface proteins and soy flours or isolates, which contribute to the texture of sugar-snap cookies was studied. Soft wheat flour was deproteinated and cookies were produced containing 0, 10, 20 or 30% soy flour, or one of two types of ground, textured soy flour. Color, fracture force and spread ratio of cookies were determined. Cookies formulated with wheat starch stripped of the starch granule surface proteins exhibited significant alterations in diameter, fracture force, thickness and surface cracking. Cookies containing ground, textured soy flour and protein-stripped starch granule wheat flour were larger, thinner and had more surface cracking than those produced with nontextured soy flour. Wheat starch granule surface proteins appear to partially mediate the interaction of proteins and starch in a sugar-snap cookie system.
Modulation of the innate immune response to HSV-1 following acute administration of morphine: role of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis

A single injection of morphine significantly increased interferon (IFN)-beta and IFN-alpha mRNA in spleens from herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 infected male Balb/cByJ mice. However, significant suppression of IFN-gamma and interleukin (IL)-12 production was observed in spleens from morphine-treated mice. Pretreatment with RU486 blocked morphine-induced increases in IFN-beta, and reversed the suppression of IFN-gamma. However, RU486 did not restore IFN-alpha or IL-12. The results suggest that a single exposure to morphine 4 h prior to infection can significantly alter innate immune responses to a viral pathogen, and that these effects are partially mediated by glucocorticoids.
Anatomy and Terminology for the Interpretation and Reporting of Cardiac MDCT: Part 1, Structured Report, Coronary Calcium Screening, and Coronary Artery Anatomy

OBJECTIVE. In this part one of a two-part article, we aim to illustrate our understanding of and approach to comprehensive cardiac CT reporting, cardiac CT technique, and coronary calcium scoring CT, as well as normal and anomalous coronary artery anatomy.CONCLUSION. Structured cardiac CT reporting is important to effectively communicate with referring clinicians. Knowledge of cardiac CT technique, cardiac anatomy, and standard anatomic and physiologic terminology can assist the reader in creating a consistent and comprehensive cardiac CT report.
Techniques of flexible intraocular lens insertion during keratoplasty

Aphakic and pseudophakic corneal edema have become the primary indication for corneal transplantation. At the time of this surgery, implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) may be considered. We describe our technique for inserting a flexible anterior chamber IOL during keratoplasty to avoid any damage to intraocular structures.
Eight half‐truths of strategic planning: A fresh look

For some time now, the business press has been sounding the death knell of strategic planning. Introduced in the mid‐Fifties, formal and comprehensive approaches to strategic planning have gone through a number of evolutionary changes. Beginning with simple, internally oriented annual budgets, they quickly developed into long‐term, externally focused strategic planning systems. Today's sophisticated strategic management systems now combine internal and external analysis into a holistic system. However, these transitions have never been adequately supported by a strong theoretical base distilled from practice.
Deleterious effects of dihydrotestosterone on cerebral ischemic injury.

Outcome from cerebral ischemia is sexually dimorphic in many experimental models. Male animals display greater sensitivity to ischemic injury than do their female counterparts; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. The present study determined if the potent and nonaromatizable androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), exacerbates ischemic damage in the male rat and alters postischemic gene expression after middle cerebral artery occlusion. At 22 h reperfusion, removal of androgens by castration provided protection from ischemic injury in both cortex and striatum (2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) histology), whereas DHT replacement (50mg subcutaneous implant) restored infarction volume to that of the intact male; testosterone (50 mg) had similar but less potent effects. We utilized microarray and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify genes differentially expressed at 6 h reperfusion in periinfarct cortex from castrated rats with or without DHT replacement. We identify, for the first time, a number of gene candidates that are induced by DHT with or without ischemia, many of which could account for cell death through enhanced inflammation, dysregulation of blood–brain barrier and the extracellular matrix, apoptosis, and ionic imbalance. Our data suggest that androgens are important mediators of ischemic damage in male brain and that transcriptional mechanisms should be considered as we seek to understand innate male sensitivity to cerebral ischemia.
Antigenic determinant of Salmonella serogroup B. Synthesis of a trisaccharide glycoside for use as an artificial antigen

Considerable effort has been devoted to the synthesis of antigenic determinants related to the O-antigens of Salmonella serogroups A, B, and D,. Thus far, several reportV have appeared on the synthesis of disaccharides and higherorder, linear oligosaccharide haptens of the O-specific chain. In addition, we have recently reported’ the synthesis of two-branched-trisaccharide haptens of Salmonella serogroups A and D,, suitably derivatized to permit covalent attachment to proteins, cell surfaces, and immunoabsorbent supports8. It was anticipated’ that this trisaccharide sequence, namely, a-D-Gal-(1+2)-[3,6-dideoxy-cu-Dhexopyranosyl-(1+3)]-cy_D-M an, would be related to the dominant role played by the 3,6-dideoxyhexoses in Salmonella serology, owing to the considerable conformational rigidity imposed by the pyranosyl substituents at vicinal oxygen atoms (O-2 and O-3)9Jo. We now report the synthesis of the branched trisaccharide structure corresponding to the 0-antigenic determinant of Salmonella serogroup B. The compounds synthesized in this program of research are of interest, as they can be used to infer a model of O-antigen conformation 9Jo, to assist in the selection of hybrid-myeloma antibodies from somatic cell-fusion experiments”J2, and to study the interaction of the Salmonellu antigens with monoclonal antibodies. The synthetic route employed herein utilizes the disaccharide intermediate from our previous work’. The crucial, synthetic step is then the addition of the 3,6-dideoxy-r~-D-xylo-hexopyranose (abequose) residue. Our synthesis of the appropriately protected abequose residue is analogous to that13 of its enantiomer, namely, the 3,6-dideoxy-cw-L-xylo-hexopyranose (colitose) residue. Thus, methyl a-D-fucopyranoside (1) was converted into a mixture of (R) and (S) isomers of the 3,4-O-benzylidene acetals 2a, 2b by use of cr,a-di-
A Re-Examination of the Current Status and Future of Family Therapy in India

Marital and family counseling has existed in India for many decades. However, the formalized discipline of marital and family counseling/therapy has its theoretical foundation in the West. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the need for and the current status of the practice of marriage and family therapy (MFT) in India. Based on our limited experiences we have attempted to prognosticate the future of the profession of family therapy in India by proposing a number of salient issues that we think would be useful discussion points as the development and advancement of family therapy in India is considered.
Diets and Diet Overlap of Nonindigenous Gobies and Small Benthic Native Fishes Co-inhabiting the St. Clair River, Michigan

Round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus), after successfully reproducing in the early 1990s, decimated populations of mottled sculpins (Cottus bairdi) and possibly logperch (Percina caprodes) in the St. Clair River. Studies were conducted during 1994 to determine whether diets of round and tubenose (Proterorhinus marmoratus) gobies overlapped with those of native forage fishes. In the nearshore zone (depth ≤ 1 m), round and tubenose gobies, logperch, and rainbow darters (Etheostoma caeruleum) of similar sizes (total lengths < 75 mm) consumed mainly small-sized macroinvertebrates (dipterans, Caenis, and amphipods) during June 1994. Logperch and rainbow darters were present in the nearshore zone only during this month. At the crest of the channel slope (depth = 3 m), round gobies and northern madtoms (Noturus stigmosus) ate mostly ephemeropteran nymphs (Hexagenia and Baetisca), while predation on zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and other mollusks by round gobies was minimal. Northern madtoms did not feed on mollusks. Diet overlap between round gobies and native fishes was not observed at the channel slope (depth = 5 m and 7 m) due to heavy predation on mollusks by round gobies. Young-of-the-year (YOY) round gobies migrated to deeper water in autumn and became prey of mottled sculpins and northern madtoms. Eggs and YOY of mottled sculpins may have become vulnerable to predation by both round gobies and native fishes in deeper water, since adult mottled sculpins were apparently confined to the channel with limited home range because aggressive round gobies occupied preferred shallow habitat, including spawning sites.
Sexual Self-Schemas, Sexual Dysfunction, and the Sexual Responses of Women with a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Accumulating evidence points to the mediating effects of sexual self-schemas on the sexual difficulties of women with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The following study adds to the extant literature by investigating (1) sexual function and (2) sexual satisfaction utilizing validated measures, and reporting on the relationship between sexual self-schemas and physiological (vaginal photoplethysmography), subjective, and affective responses during laboratory exposure to sexual stimuli. In a community sample of women with (N = 48) and without (N = 48) a history of CSA, we tested (1) the mediation of negative affect on the relation between sexual self-schemas and sexual function/satisfaction, (2) the mediation of negative affect in the relation between CSA and sexual function/satisfaction, and (3) the mediation of sexual self-schemas in the relation between a history of CSA and negative affect prior to sexual stimuli. We found that more Embarrassed/Conservative and less Romantic/Passionate sexual self-schemas predicted negative affect prior to exposure to sexual stimuli which, in turn, predicted levels of sexual satisfaction. The lower sexual satisfaction of CSA survivors was partially mediated by higher reports of negative affect prior to sexual stimuli. However, negative affect prior to sexual stimuli was not mediated by the sexual self-schemas of CSA survivors. Thus, although sexual self-schemas predicted sexual satisfaction, they did not predict variance in negative affect prior to sexual videos experienced by women with a history of CSA.
RICE STRAW AS A FEED SUPPLEMENT FOR Macrobrachium rosenbergii IN PONDS

A pilot study was conducted to evaluate air dried rice hay as a detrital feeding substrate for culture of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Six 0.13 ha earthen ponds were stocked with post-larval prawns at a rate of 30,000/ha on 25 May 1982. Two ponds received rice hay biweekly at 9.8 g/m2/week; two ponds received a pelleted ration 5 days/week at 6.2 g/m2/week, and two ponds received both rice hay at 9.8 g/m2/week and the pelleted ration at 3.1 g/m2/week. “Boom and bust” phytoplankton cycles prevailed in ponds receiving rice hay, and sub-lethal dissolved oxygen levels resulted in reduced prawn survival in ponds. One hay-only pond had complete prawn mortality due to a sudden die-off of an algal bloom. Prawns were harvested 12 October after a 133-day grow-out period. Prawn yield from a single hay-only pond was 439 kg/ha; survival was 97.5% and individuals averaged 15 g. Prawn yield in the pellet-only treatment averaged 600 kg/ha; survival was 90% and individuals averaged 22 g. Prawn yield in ponds receiving both hay and pellets averaged 427 kg/ha; survival was 48%, and individual prawns averaged 29 g. Rice hay or similar agricultural by-products may have promise as detrital forage to supplement pelletized rations in prawn culture ponds, but further research is required to quantify optimum loading rates, nutritional contribution, and effects on water quality.
Investigation of a Novel Optical Phase Demodulator Based on a Sampling Phase-Locked Loop

A novel phase-locked coherent demodulator, based on a sampling phase-locked loop, is presented and investigated theoretically. The demodulator is capable of operating at high-frequencies, by using optical sampling to downconvert the high-frequency input RF signal to the frequency range of the baseband loop. We develop a detailed theoretical model of the (sampling) phase-locked coherent demodulator and perform detailed numerical simulations. The simulation results show that the operation of the sampling demodulator resembles the operation of the baseband demodulator for very short optical pulses (<2 ps). Furthermore, the model is shown to be in good agreement with experimental results.
Common language assessment for English learners

In recent decades, US primary and secondary schools have experienced demographic changes in student populations and as a result, an increase in English learners. In spite of the great diversity in ...
Design elements of a small AUV for bathymetric surveys

We describe the principal design elements of the Virginia Tech 690 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The 690 AUV is designed for bathymetric surveys up to 500 m deep. It displaces less than 45 kg (100 lbs) and can operate for up to 24 hours at 4 knots.
One-Dimensional Scan Selection for Two-Dimensional Signal Restoration

The problem of m-D filtering using sequential scanning is considered. It is shown that the optimal causal filter and the performance measure depend on the scan selected. Examples show that this effect can be significant. Possible techniques to select a suitable scan are analyzed.
Detailed Structural Characterization of Unbound Protein Phosphatase 1 Inhibitors

Protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) is an essential and ubiquitous serine/threonine protein phosphatase that is regulated by more than 100 known inhibitor and targeting proteins. It is currently unclear how protein inhibitors distinctly and specifically regulate PP1 to enable rapid responses to cellular alterations. We demonstrate that two PP1 inhibitors, I-2 and DARPP-32, belong to the class of intrinsically unstructured proteins (IUPs). We show that both inhibitors have distinct preferences for transient local and long-range structure. These preferences are likely their structural signature for their interaction with PP1. Furthermore, we show that upon phosphorylation of Thr(34) in DARPP-32, which turns DARPP-32 into a potent inhibitor of PP1, neither local nor long-range structure of DARPP-32 is altered. Therefore, our data suggest a role for these transient three-dimensional topologies in binding mechanisms that enable extensive contacts with PP1's invariant surfaces. Together, these interactions enable potent and selective inhibition of PP1.
Alternative methods of preparation and analysis of quasicrystalline protein from Neurospora crassa

Quasicrystalline protein from Neurospora crassa, prepared by three different methods, was analyzed for the presence of free N-terminal groups. It was found that quasicrystalline protein prepared with alkali treatment, but not material prepared without alkali, had free terminal amino groups. It was concluded that use of alkali to digest uv-absorbing material normally associated with quasicrystalline protein also caused hydrolysis of peptide bonds. An alternative method using short exposures to perchloric acid is suggested as an alternative step for the preparation of this protein fraction.
Drug-induced skin disease

Drug-induced cutaneous reactions encompass a wide variety of rashes that depend in part on route of administration (e.g., contact versus systemic) as well as type of cutaneous response and molecular mechanism underlying the reaction. One such reaction is a type IV immunologic reaction (delayed hypersensitivity) manifest as contact dermatitis and commonly elicited by drugs such as antihistamines, antibiotic ointments, local anesthetics, and paraben esters in cosmetic creams and lotions. A generalized eruption of this sort will occasionally occur with systemic administration of a drug to someone previously sensitized by topical application. Systemic administration of agents can cause nonspecific pruritus or maculopapular eruptions that resemble visual exanthemas. The pathogenesis is unclear and no immune mechanism has been demonstrated. If the drug is continued, exfoliative dermatitis can result. Other types of reactions are urticarial in nature and include acute urticaria/angioedema, erythema multiforme (bullous and nonbullous), Stevens-Johnson syndrome, urticaria in association with serum sickness-like reactions, and urticaria associated with anaphylactoid reactions. In many of these, an allergic reaction in which there is an immunoglobulin (Ig) E-dependent release of mediators in the skin causes hives or swelling. In others, circulating immune complexes may be present, often involving IgG antibody complexed with drug and complement fixation; hives may then be caused by anaphylatoxin release or a concomitant IgE-mediated reaction. In some instances, a cellular reaction may augment the aforementioned inflammatory reactions, perhaps as part of a late-phase reaction or a true delayed hypersensitivity component.
Hepatic peliosis (bacillary angiomatosis) in AIDS: CT findings.

The lack of pathologic proof of bacillary angiomatosis (BA) in the abdomen is an important element in this case. Although the Bartonella organism was found in a skin lesion aspirate, this does not confirm abdominal infection. Because the patient in this case report had AIDS with a CD4 count of 138 cells/mm, numerous infections and neoplasms may coexist. The constellation of CT findings in this case of hypoattenuating liver lesions, splenomegaly, and abdominal adenopathy may be seen in many other infectious or neoplastic entities such as mycobacterial infection (including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium/Mycobacterium intracellulare complex [MAC]), fungal infections, and lymphoma. The lack of acid-fast bacilli in the bone marrow does not exclude abdominal disease. The authors state that MAC is typically seen in patients with a CD4 count lower than 100 cells/mm; however, BA also occurs in patients with a very low CD4 count, typically lower than 100 cells/mm [2, 3]. The CD4 count cannot be used to differentiate these two entities. The CT imaging findings of BA in the patient with AIDS have been described in the radiologic literature [2–5]. Marked vascular proliferation in involved lymph nodes in BA results in hyperattenuating or enhancing nodes on CT performed with intravenous contrast [2–6]. The combination of hyperattenuating adenopathy and skin lesions seen in BA is therefore often confused with Kaposi sarcoma. The nodes in this case do not appear to be enhancing. In addition, the patients with BA in AIDS reported in the literature rapidly improved with regard to clinical symptomatology and imaging findings within only a few days of appropriate antibiotic therapy, with a subtotal or complete resolution in 3 weeks [3, 4, 6]. In this case, abdominal imaging findings progressed despite seemingly appropriate therapy for BA. As the authors state, the diagnosis of BA must be considered to provide effective treatment because the infection is potentially life threatening without proper therapy. However, in this case, it is difficult to attribute the imaging findings to a definitive diagnosis of BA without pathologic proof and with imaging findings that are not entirely consistent with those described in the radiologic literature.
Role of endothelium in chronic inflammation.

The chronic inflammatory reaction that occurs in the sublining layer of the rheumatoid synovial membrane has the features of a cellular immune response. The response is of sufficient intensity and chronicity to result in the synthesis of large amounts of antibody. The amounts of antibody and the proportions of the immunoglobulin classes of antibody synthesized are similar to those produced by normal lymphoid tissue (Smiley et al.,1968). The pattern of distribution of the mononuclear cells in rheumatoid synovial tissue into lymphocyte-rich areas and into transitional areas containing plasma cells and macrophages also has similarities to that in lymphoid tissue, in which lymphocyte-rich areas compose the paracortical region of the node, and antibody-producing cells with macrophages are present in the follicular and medullary regions.
Flexible-Matching Data-Comparison Tool with the Cloud Applications

Cloud computing provides an infrastructure that enables rapid delivery of computing resources in a scalable virtualized manner. Software residing on the clouds, often called Software-a-a-Service (SaaS), is exposed to end users as web applications in browsers or apps on thin clients such as mobile devices and netbooks. Data on clouds are often huge in size, and they are processed in the MapReduce manner in real time. A data differencer is needed to compare the data for regression testing and data filtering. However, traditional data comparison techniques for relational or semi-structured data such as XML files do not take unique issues brought by cloud computing into account. This paper presents a fine-grained flexible-matching data comparison algorithm that can compare encoded data according to users’ specific interests and visualize differences in a user friendly manner. This paper uses a weather forecasting problem to illustrate the algorithm by running it on a cloud environment using Protocol Buffer data format. The experiment results show that the proposed algorithm is effective and efficient in identifying data differences in real time on the GAE.
Role of Aerobic and Anaerobic Circular Mantle Muscle Fibers in Swimming Squid: Electromyography

Circular mantle muscle of squids and cuttle- fishes consists of distinct zones of aerobic and anaerobic muscle fibers that are thought to have functional roles analogous to red and white muscle in fishes. To test predic- tions of the functional role of the circular muscle zones during swimming, electromyograms (EMGs) in conjunction with video footage were recorded from brief squid Lolli- guncula brevis (5.0 - 6.8 cm dorsal mantle length, 10.9 - 18.3 g) swimming in a flume at speeds of 3-27 cm s 21 .I n one set of experiments, in which EMGs were recorded from electrodes intersecting both the central anaerobic and pe- ripheral aerobic circular mantle muscles, electrical activity was detected during each mantle contraction at all swim- ming speeds, and the amplitude and frequency of responses increased with speed. In another set of experiments, in which EMGs were recorded from electrodes placed in the central anaerobic circular muscle fibers alone, electrical activity was not detected during mantle contraction until speeds of about 15 cm s 21 , when EMG activity was spo- radic. At speeds greater than 15 cm s 21 , the frequency of central circular muscle activity subsequently increased with swimming speed until maximum speeds of 21-27 cm s 21 , when muscular activity coincided with the majority of man- tle contractions. These results indicate that peripheral aero- bic circular muscle is used for low, intermediate, and prob- ably high speeds, whereas central anaerobic circular muscle is recruited at intermediate speeds and used progressively more with speed for powerful, unsteady jetting. This is significant because it suggests that there is specialization and efficient use of locomotive muscle in squids.
Cognitive decline strongly correlates with cortical atrophy in Alzheimer’s dementia

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive dementia and distinct neuropathology at autopsy. In order to test the relationship between dementia severity and loss of brain volumes, we prospectively documented the neurological/medical health of 26 male and 26 female controls and AD cases, and evaluated a subset of controls and AD cases using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). At autopsy, Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) criteria confirmed diagnoses in 33 AD cases and 19 controls, and using unbiased stereology we quantified total volumes of cortical gray matter, subcortical grey matter including white matter, and forebrain. For ages of death between 50 to 100 years, controls showed minor cortical atrophy in the absence of cognitive decline. Cortical atrophy in AD cases was 20 to 25% greater than that in controls; AD patients dying at older ages showed less severe cortical atrophy than those dying at younger ages. Across all AD cases there was a strong correlation between cognitive performance on the Mini Mental State Examination and cortical volume loss. These findings confirm fundamental differences in the temporal patterns of cortical volume loss in aging and AD, and support cortical degeneration as the primary basis for cognitive decline in AD.
Characterization of maize amylose-extender (ae) mutant starches. Part III: Structures and properties of the Naegeli dextrins

Abstract The objective of this study was to understand the crystalline structures of maize ae-mutant starches by analyzing the structures and properties of their Naegeli dextrins. After an exhaustive acid hydrolysis of the starch granules with sulfuric acid (15.3%, v/v) at 38 °C for up to 102 days, the maize ae-mutant starches produced 18.3–39.5% Naegeli dextrins. The Naegeli dextrins showed the B-type polymorph and displayed similar onset (45.1–51.4 °C), peak (113.9–122.2 °C), and conclusion (148.0–160.0 °C) gelatinization-temperatures and large enthalpy changes (21.8–31.3 J/g) and percentage crystallinity (77.0–79.2%). The Naegeli dextrins showed unimodal molecular-size distributions with the peak molecular-size at degree of polymerization (DP) 16. The molecular-size distributions of the Naegeli dextrins did not significantly change after debranching with isoamylase, indicating predominantly linear molecules. The isoamylase-treated Naegeli dextrins had average chain lengths of DP 23.8–27.5 and large proportions of long chains (DP ≥ 25, 36.7–52.7%), resulting from hydrolysis of amylose double helices.
Instantaneous Information Propagation in a Traffic Stream Through Inter-Vehicle Communication

The advancement of wireless communication technology has made possible the consideration of inter-vehicle communication as a foundation for developing decentralized advanced transportation information systems that would function as a sort of “internet on the road”. In this paper, we discuss the reliability of inter-vehicle communication in a traffic stream, dependent on the distribution of equipped vehicles. With the assumption that information propagation is instantaneous compared to vehicle movements, the reliability is measured by the probability of success for information to travel beyond a location; stochastic models are presented for both uniform and general traffic streams. In the models, the traffic s tream is divided into a series of cells based on the transmission range, the structure of possible most-forward-within-range communication chains is clarified, the probabilities for information to travel to and beyond a vehicle at a certain hop are computed regressively, and the lower bound of the absolute success rate for information to travel beyond a point is determined. Based on the models, we examine the performance of information propagation for different penetration rates, transmission ranges, and traffic scenarios that include gaps and shock waves. Finally, some implications and future extensions of this effort are discussed.
The effect of fiscal stress and balanced budget requirements on the funding and measurement of state pension obligations

Abstract We examine the extent to which fiscal stress and state balanced budget restrictions affect the funding of state public employee retirement systems. Our results indicate a negative relation between pension funding levels and measures of both: (a) state fiscal stress and (b) the existence of balanced budget requirements. Our finding that fiscally stressed states meet balanced budget requirements through reduced funding of pensions raises public policy concerns over the fiscal integrity of employee pension funds in the public sector and the effectiveness of balanced budget requirements. Additionally, we find evidence that choice of pension discount rate is associated with states’ fiscal condition and the requirement to balance the budget. Our findings are consistent with the proposition that fiscally stressed states that are required to balance their budgets both underfund their pensions and select discount rates which obscure the underfunding.
The relationship of student characteristics and student performance in science as viewed by meta‐analysis research

Relationships of student characteristics to student performance and attitudes were explored by meta-analysis for studies conducted in kindergarten through twelfth grade since 1960. Six student characteristics (general ability, language ability, mathematics ability, socio-economic status, gender, and race) were selected for inclusion in this investigation based on their frequency of use in the literature. Studies in which these student characteristics were associated with student science performance or science attitudes were included in this investigation. Associations of ability and socio-economic status with science performance and attitudes were summarized by correlational analysis. An effect size measure was used to summarize associations of gender and race with science performance and attitudes.
Analysis of the double occlusion which provides four pressure gradients

The arterial, double and venous occlusions are used to partition pulmonary vascular resistance into four segments. In this study, we tested whether the same can be accomplished from one double occlusion. In an isolated canine lung left lower lobe perfused with blood (flow rate = 500 mL.min-1), the pulmonary arterial and venous pressures (Pa and Pv, respectively) were measured directly. Arterial, double, and venous occlusions were performed and analysed as usual (Method 1) to measure pressures in small arteries and small veins (Pa' and Pv', respectively) and capillary pressure (Pc). Alternatively, one double occlusion was analysed (Method 2), not only for Pa, Pv and Pc, but also as independent arterial and venous occlusions to measure Pa' and Pv'. Method 1 yielded Pa, Pa', Pc, Pv', and Pv (Baseline) of 14.2 +/- 1.7, 10.8 +/- 1.6, 8.9 +/- 1.9, 7.3 +/- 1.5 and 1.3 +/- 0.6 mmHg, respectively (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa). Method 2 yielded values for the same five pressures equal to 14.7 +/- 2.1, 11.0 +/- 2.2, 8.9 +/- 1.9, 7.3 +/- 1.3 and 1.3 +/- 0.6 mmHg, respectively. There was no significant difference in the pressure profile obtained using the two methods, nor were there differences during hypoxia and angiotensin infusion. These results suggest that a more thorough analysis of the double occlusion can provide the same information about distribution of vascular resistance as provided by a combination of the three occlusions. The advantage of the new approach is that fewer occlusions are needed and resistance distribution can be assessed during a transient response. Because all pressures are derived from one occlusion, the pressures would be more accurate relative to each other.
Children and Death: New Horizons in Theory and Measurement

Recent research in the area of children and death is reviewed in this article, focusing on the two broad domains of childrens' death concept development and children and bereavement. The kinds of psychometric instrumentation used in current projects within these areas is then reviewed. These instruments can be broadly classified as structured interview formats (standardized and unstandardized), paper and pencil formats (standardized and unstandardized), and phenomenographic methodology. The bulk of research in the field has relied upon structured interview formats. The Development of Death Concept Questionnaire and the Derry Death Concept Scale are the two standardized structured interview formats that are reviewed, along with a number of unstandardized structured interview formats. The Mourning Behavior Checklist and the Child Behavior Checklist are the two standardized paper and pencil formats that are reviewed, along with a number of unstandardized paper and pencil formats. A relatively new phenomenogr...
Near-critical path analysis of program activity graphs

Program activity graphs can be constructed from time-stamped traces of appropriate execution events. Information about the activities on the k longest execution paths is useful in the analysis of parallel program performance. In this paper, four algorithms for finding the near-critical paths of program activity graphs are presented and compared, including an efficient new algorithm that utilizes slack values calculated by the critical path method to perform a best-first search in linear space. The worst-case time and memory requirements of the new algorithm are in O(ke) and O(k+e), where e is the number of edges in the graph. Results confirming the efficiency of the algorithm are presented for five application programs. A framework for utilizing the near-critical path information is also described. The framework includes both statistical summaries and visualization capabilities. >
Ornamented Worlds and Textures of Feeling: The Power of Abundance

Human development takes place in an ornamented – redundantly patterned and highly repetitive – world. The emergence of knowledge takes the form of episodic unpredictable synthetic events at the intersection of the fields of internal and external cultural meaning systems – through the mutually linked processes of constructive internalization and externalization. Patterns of decorations – ornaments – are relevant as redundant “inputs” into the internalization/externalization processes. Ornaments can be viewed not merely as "aesthetic accessories" to human activity contexts but as holistic devices of cultural guidance of human conduct that acts through the subjectivity of personal feelings. This guidance is peripheral in its nature – surrounding the ordinary life activities with affectively oriented textures of cultural meanings.
A Vision of Learning To Teach for the 21st Century.

Glenda Lappan received her Ed. D. in mathematics and education from the University of Georgia in 1965 and has since worked at Michigan State University. From 1989–91 she took leave to serve as the program director for Teacher Preparation at the National Science Foundation. From 1997–2001 she is on leave to serve as president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Her research and development interests are in the connected areas of students' learning of mathematics and mathematics teacher professional growth and change at the middle and secondary levels. She has published over a hundred scholarly papers and numerous books for middle grades students and teachers. She is currently the codirector of the Connected Mathematics Project II, which is funded by the National Science Foundation to revise and continue development of a complete middle school curriculum for teachers and for students. She served as the chair of the middle school writing group for the NCTM Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics (1989), and as Chair of the Commission that developed the NCTM Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics (1991). She served on the NCTM Board of Directors from 1989 to 1992 and from 1997–2001. She has been a member of many national advisory boards, including the following: Glenn T. Seaborg Center for Teaching and Learning Science and Mathematics, the Ford Foundation/University of Pittsburgh QUASAR Project, the NSF/University of Maryland Teacher Preparation Collaborative, and the NSF/San Diego State University Mathematics for Elementary Teacher Preparation Materials Development Project.
Experiments with Storage and Preservation of NASA's Planetary Data via the Cloud

The computing and storage demands force to optimize and manage complex and often conflicting software engineering challenges. Several domain-specific, independent software solutions have been developed to manage large amounts of data, including grid computing platforms- specifically, data-grid software packages such as the Globus Toolkit, DSpace, and OODT (ObjectOriented Data Technology). In addition, several computationally focused software products are geared toward executing large numbers of jobs, including workflow technologies such as Condor and Pegasus, and batch submission systems like the Portable Batch System (PBS) and Torque. The use of cloud computing in NASA's Planetary Data System for large-volume data storage and preservation illustrates how clouds can help researchers meet modern data backup demands, which are approaching the petabyte scale.
Pulmonary langerhans cell histiocytosis

Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (PLCH) is a relatively uncommon lung disease that generally, but not invariably, occurs in cigarette smokers. The pathologic hallmark of PLCH is the accumulation of Langerhans and other inflammatory cells in small airways, resulting in the formation of nodular inflammatory lesions. While the overwhelming majority of patients are smokers, mechanisms by which smoking induces this disease are not known, but likely involve a combination of events resulting in enhanced recruitment and activation of Langerhans cells in small airways. Bronchiolar inflammation may be accompanied by variable lung interstitial and vascular involvement. While cellular inflammation is prominent in early disease, more advanced stages are characterized by cystic lung destruction, cicatricial scarring of airways, and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Pulmonary function is frequently abnormal at presentation. Imaging of the chest with high resolution chest CT scanning may show characteristic nodular and cystic abnormalities. Lung biopsy is necessary for a definitive diagnosis, although may not be required in instances were imaging findings are highly characteristic. There is no general consensus regarding the role of immunosuppressive therapy in smokers with PLCH. All smokers must be counseled on the importance of smoking cessation, which may result in regression of disease and obviate the need for systemic immunosuppressive therapy. The prognosis for most patients is relatively good, particularly if longitudinal lung function testing shows stability. Complications like pneumothoraces and secondary pulmonary hypertension may shorten life expectancy. Patients with progressive disease may require lung transplantation.
TANGENTIAL RADIOTHERAPY WITHOUT AXILLARY SURGERY IN EARLY-STAGE BREAST CANCER: RESULTS OF A PROSPECTIVE TRIAL

Purpose To determine the risk of regional-nodal recurrence in patients with early-stage, invasive breast cancer, with clinically negative axillary nodes, who were treated with breast-conserving surgery, “high tangential” breast radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy, without axillary surgery or the use of a separate nodal radiation field. Methods and Materials Between September 1998 and November 2003, 74 patients who were ≥55 years of age with Stage I-II clinically node-negative, hormone-receptor–positive breast cancer underwent tumor excision to negative margins without axillary surgery as a part of a multi-institutional prospective study. Postoperatively, all underwent high-tangential, whole-breast radiotherapy with a boost to the tumor bed, followed by 5 years of hormonal therapy. Results For the 74 patients enrolled, the median age was 74.5 years, and the median pathologic tumor size was 1.2 cm. Lymphatic vessel invasion was present in 5 patients (7%). At a median follow-up of 52 months, no regional-nodal failures or ipsilateral breast recurrences had been identified (95% confidence interval, 0–4%). Eight patients died, one of metastatic disease and seven of other causes. Conclusion In this select group of mainly older patients with early-stage hormone-responsive breast cancer and clinically negative axillary nodes, treatment with high-tangential breast radiotherapy and hormonal therapy, without axillary surgery, yielded a low regional recurrence rate. Such patients might be spared more extensive axillary treatment (axillary surgery, including sentinel node biopsy, or a separate nodal radiation field), with its associated time, expense, and morbidity.
Role of routine cystoscopy and cystography in exstrophy-epispadias complex.

Objective Our institutional protocol for the treatment of exstrophy-epispadias complex includes routine endoscopic and cystographic evaluation of the bladder with the child under general anesthesia. The protocols briefly described in the literature include a cystographic evaluation and the measurement of bladder capacity, but there are no reports on concurrent endoscopic findings and the value of examinations in this setting. Our objective is to evaluate the role and necessity of our management protocol by reviewing the findings in our patients' medical charts. Study design Cystoscopies are performed in children with exstrophy-epispadias complex during the second year of life and then every 18 months until a capacity of 90 mL has been reached and bladder neck reconstruction, the last stage of modern staged repair, is performed. Patients referred from other institutions are evaluated on presentation. The examinations are performed by means of a pediatric cystoscope with the child under general anesthesia. Cystography is performed under a pressure of 30 cm/H2O. The contribution of the findings of these periodic evaluations vis-a-vis the surgical findings were studied. Results The medical charts of 49 patients who had been surgically treated for exstrophy-epispadias complex in our institution between 2000 and 2014 were reviewed. Thirty patients underwent at least one evaluation. Eighteen underwent serial examinations: four underwent two procedures, eleven underwent three procedures, and three underwent four procedures. The findings in eight cases were significant and they were treated on detection: bladder neck stricture (n = 5), bladder scar bridge (n = 2), and bladder stone (n = 1). Vesicoureteral reflux was present in all 30 patients, and high-grade reflux was present in 10 patients, of whom four had a bladder neck stricture. Fourteen of the 30 patients had a bladder capacity of 90 mL on the first evaluation, as did an additional eight children during later evaluations. Bladder capacity decreased below 90 mL in one child. Seven children did not reach the target capacity (Figure). Conclusion Cystoscopic and cystometrographic evaluation of an exstrophic bladder allows early diagnosis of treatable bladder pathologies and monitoring of bladder capacity. It is a valuable tool in the follow-up period preceding bladder neck reconstruction. Figure. (A), (B) Good bladder capacity (95 mL), bilateral low-grade VUR, smooth bladder contour. Scheduled for bladder neck reconstruction. (C), (D) Small bladder capacity (55 mL), unilateral VUR, smooth bladder contour. (E), (F) High-grade bilateral VUR, bladder outlet obstruction, irregular bladder contour. A fibrotic bladder scar bridge was incised. Figure options Download full-size image Download high-quality image (848 K) Download as PowerPoint slide
European LGBT Elders

The focus of this chapter is on understanding relevant factors that may contribute to the unique experiences and challenges faced by LGBT elders of European descent. While it is often assumed that all white LGBT elders are part of a homogeneous group, the diverse cultures that can be found across the fifty countries that comprise Europe suggest that such an assumption would be misguided. In addition to the misconceptions that may result from researchers and helping professionals viewing European elders of LGBT descent as a monolithic group, is the fact that the heritage of many LGBT elders of European descent may encompass more than one country, and thus include influences from more than a single culture. This chapter considers the ways human service professionals can improve their capacity to meet the needs of all LGBT elders by considering the myriad factors that make individuals unique.
Electrochemically Preadsorbed Collagen Promotes Adult Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Adhesion

The present article reports on the effect of electric potential on the adsorption of collagen type I (the most abundant component of the organic phase of bone) onto optically transparent carbon electrodes (OTCE) and its mediation on subsequent adhesion of adult, human, mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). For this purpose, adsorption of collagen type I was investigated as a function of the protein concentration (0.01, 0.1, and 0.25 mg/mL) and applied potential (open circuit potential [OCP; control], +400, +800, and +1500 mV). The resulting substrate surfaces were characterized using spectroscopic ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Adsorption of collagen type I onto OTCE was affected by the potential applied to the sorbent surface and the concentration of protein. The higher the applied potential and protein concentration, the higher the adsorbed amount (Γcollagen). It was also observed that the application of potential values higher than +800 mV resulted in the oxidation of the adso...