cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enlightened Upheaval and Large-Scale Transformation: The Polish Solidarity Trade Union Case

Most models of large-scale change assume that only outside experts working closely with senior management can initiate and implement change successfully. Using the Polish Solidarity Trade Union case, a model is presented that explains how system insiders-who may or may not have formal status have the potential to initiate and implement transformational change. The following two facets of the model are emphasized: legitimizing, whereby new beliefs, ideas and theories are legitimated; and reconstructive learning, whereby underlying beliefs and assumptions are explored and reformulated into new practices and ideologies. The article also addresses the relationship of legitimizing and reconstructive learning to implementing, the process whereby new practices, systems, and structures are set in place for the purpose of achieving desired objectives. Research propositions and implications for practitioners are presented.
The Relationship of Home Range to Functional Status and Cognitive Status of Frail Elders

SUMMARYAge related declines and chronic illness factors can limit or restrict the independent functioning of the elderly, especially performing such activities as traveling to visit a friend or family member, shopping, worshipping outside the home, or vacationing. To explore the relationship between traveling outside the home, which we call home range, and functional status and cognitive status, 616 older persons with disabilities from Western New York answered questions about places they visit each week and the frequency of their visits. They were also asked what places they would like to go, but don't, and why they don't go to those places. Home range was operationalized as the number of miles traveled, the number of places visited, and the number of trips taken in a typical week. We found a relationship of physical status to home range, but no relationship was found for cognitive status. Places the elderly report they would like to go but don't included leisure and social activities, shopping, travelin...
Coming to terms with “diversity” and “multiculturalism” in teacher education: Learning about our students, changing our practice

Abstract A teacher educator team addressed negative student responses to a multicultural foundations course by designing an action research study to learn more about their student’s identities, experiences and beliefs. Through qualitative analysis of written assignments, they identified three categories of student beliefs about the purposes of schools in relation to cultural diversity in American society. These categories were reinforced through triangulation with data from focus group dialogues. The findings suggest relationships between previous cross-cultural experiences, gender, and beliefs. Focus group data also revealed unrecognized sources of student resistance to multicultural teacher education, even among students who took a transformative position.
A rule-based object-oriented model for security monitoring and control

A new model for security control and monitoring systems can be effectively applied to a variety of security environments. Built on rule-based and object-oriented design paradigms, this model incorporates such functions as intrusion detection, access control, surveillance, and assessment. Recent developments of the Security Console Project at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are presented to illustrate the key concepts of the model.
Adverse Changes in Faculty Behavior Resulting from Use of Student Evaluations of Teaching: A Case Study.

Based on a detailed literature review and longitudinal analysis, this paper explores the possible underlying causes of the decline in the number of hours per week graduating business seniors indicated they studied during their senior year. The study was conducted at an AACSB accredited college of business at a regional university. The study indicates that the decline in hours studied was likely an unintended result of using a process designed to demonstrate continuous improvement in teaching. The process utilized the Educational Testing Service’s SIR II student evaluation instrument as the only measure of teaching quality/effectiveness. The study concludes that the process may have pressured some instructors to sacrifice teaching rigor in an attempt to obtain more favorable student evaluations, thereby precipitating the decline in hours studied.
Mutations that improve export of maltose-binding protein in SecB- cells of Escherichia coli.

Abstract It previously has been proposed that the Escherichia coli SecB protein promotes the export of the maltose-binding protein (MBP) from the cytoplasm by preventing the folding of the precursor MBP (preMBP) into a translocation-incompetent conformation. The export of wild-type MBP is only partially blocked in SecB- cells. In contrast, the export of MBP16-1, an MBP species with a defective signal peptide, is totally dependent on SecB; hence, SecB- cells that synthesize MBP16-1 are unable to utilize maltose as a sole carbon source. The selection of Mal+ revertants primarily yielded mutants with alterations in the MBP16-1 signal peptide that permitted SecB-independent MBP export to the periplasm to various extents. Although each of these alterations increased the overall hydrophobicity of the signal peptide, it was not possible to strictly equate changes in hydrophobicity with the degree of SecB-independent export. Somewhat unexpectedly, two mutants were obtained in which MBP export in SecB- cells was markedly superior to that of the wild-type MBP. Although wild-type MBP is not cotranslationally translocated in SecB- cells, the two mutant proteins designated MBP172 and MBP173 exhibited significant cotranslational export in the absence of SecB. Thus, the role of SecB was partially supplanted by a signal peptide that promoted more rapid movement of MBP through the export pathway. When preMBP included the MBP172 signal peptide as well as an alteration in the mature moiety that slows folding, the SecB requirement for maximal MBP export efficiency was almost totally eliminated. These results provide additional strong support for the proposed antifolding role of SecB in MBP export.
SYNTHESIS AND CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF SILICATE-INTERCALATED LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDES FORMED BY INTRAGALLERY HYDROLYSIS OF TETRAETHYLORTHOSILICATE

Layered double hydroxides (LDH's) intedayered with silicate anions were prepared by reaction of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS)with synthetic meixnerite-like precursors of the type (MgI_~Al~(OH)2)(OH-)~'zH20, where (1 - x)/x ~- 2, 3, or 4. TEOS hydrolysis at ambient temperature occurred readily in the galleries of the hydroxide precursors with (1 - x)/x ~- 3 or 4, but a temperature of ~ 100*C was required to achieve silicate intercalation for the LDH composition with (1 - x)/x ~ 2. On the basis of the observed gallery heights (~7.0-~7.2 ~) and 29Si MAS NMR spectra that indicated the presence of Q 2, Q3, and Q4 SiO4 sites, the intercalated silicate anions, which are formed by condensation reactions of silanol groups and partial neutralization of SiOH groups with gallery hydroxide ions, are assigned short chain structures. Also, some O3SiOH groups become grafted to the LDH layers by con- densation with MOH groups on the gallery surfaces. The LDH-silicates exhibited comparable non- microporous N2 BET surface areas in the range 59-85 m2/g, but they differed substantially in acid/base reactivities, as judged by their relative activities for the catalytic dehydration/disproportionation of 2-methyl- 3-butyn-2-ol (MBOH). Under reaction conditions where the LDH structure is retained (150"C), all the silicate intercalates showed mainly basic reactivities for the disproportionation of MBOH to acetone and acetylene. However, all the LDH silicates were less reactive than the corresponding LDH carbonates. Conversion of the LDH silicates to metal oxides at 450"C introduced acidic activity for MBOH dehy- dration, whereas the metal oxides formed by LDH carbonate decomposition were exclusivity basic under analogous conditions.
Exploratory Factor Analysis of the Anxiety Control Questionnaire Among Older Adults

Among young adults and clinical populations, perceived inability to control internal and external events is associated with anxiety. At present, it is unclear what role perceived anxiety control plays in anxiety among older adults. The Anxiety Control Questionnaire (ACQ) was developed to assess one's perceived ability to cope with anxiety-related symptoms, reactions, and external threats but has limited psychometric support for use with older adults. Psychometric evaluations of other measures often reveal that factor structures differ among older adults compared with other age groups. The present study examined the factor structure of the ACQ in a sample of community-dwelling older adults in an attempt to understand the construct of perceived anxiety control in this population. A total of 135 adults aged 60 to 94 completed the ACQ and a demographics questionnaire. An exploratory factor analysis was accomplished using maximum likelihood extraction with equamax rotation. Parallel analysis indicated that a four-factor structure be retained. The four-factor solution explained 40.80% of variance and provided a good fit to the data. The four factors were Internal Control, External Lack of Control, Internal Lack of Control, and Effective Coping. Each factor contained an adequate number of items and had good internal consistency. The four-factor solution suggests that a previous recommendation to shorten the ACQ, based on factor analysis with young adults, may be imprudent for older adults. The authors also discuss implications for the understanding of perceived anxiety control among older adults and assessment of anxiety in older adults.
Piloting TrACE: Exploring Spatiotemporal Anchored Collaboration in Asynchronous Learning

The use of multimedia content such as video is becoming more prevalent in educational environments. However, current platforms for hosting these media provide few collaborative tools to foster social learning between students or request help from instructors. In this paper, we explore the potential of spatiotemporal anchored collaboration, and we present a prototype media-playback environment called TrACE that exemplifies the approach. We examine a first design-based research (DBR) pilot deployment of TrACE in two post-secondary courses. Results indicate that students do take advantage of the system's affordances to interact in meaningful ways, though overall student annotation authoring was limited. Using the pilot data, we propose socio-technical modifications for the next iteration in the DBR cycle. Specifically we focus on tools to support instructors' use of the system and for promoting collaboration between students.
Visuospatial interpolation in typically developing children and in people with Williams Syndrome

Abstract Visuospatial interpolation is the estimation of object position or contour shape computed from known “anchor” positions. We characterized the developmental profile of interpolation by measuring positional thresholds as a function of inter-element separation without (Experiment 1) and with (Experiment 2) the context of illusory contours in typically developing children, typical adults and individuals with Williams Syndrome (WS), a genetic disorder that causes impaired global visuospatial abilities. We found that typically developing children and WS individuals had more difficulty integrating information across distant elements than typical adults. However, illusory contours improved thresholds in all participant groups in a similar way. Our results suggest that in WS individuals, and in typically developing children, the grouping mechanisms that enable long-range spatial integration are immature. We hypothesize that WS individuals and young children can use stimulus-driven grouping cues for bottom–up integration, but have immature mechanisms for top–down integration of spatial information.
Vortex Formation of Plunging Flat Plates

Vortex formation during pure plunge was studied using constant plunge velocity and quartersine plunge velocity profiles and three fixed pitch angles. A plunging infinite carbon composite flat plate with square edges was used to simulate a simplified mode of flapping wing flight in quiescent water. No imposed freestream was used. The Reynolds numbers for all cases was 3000 based on an average plate velocity assumption for the freestream. Concepts developed in the study of vortex rings to characterize the vortex formation around flat plates in pure plunge were employed. In the study of vortex rings the formation parameter has been found to be a relevant scaling parameter for the growth and optimal circulation in vortices. In the present study, measurements of the wake behind a flat plate were made using Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV) and a quantitative analysis was performed on unsteady vortex formation through the analysis of normalized circulation. The results showed that the formation parameter was unable to predict optimal circulation for all cases but the formation parameter was a relevant scaling parameter during the growth of vortices at low formation times (approximately T = 1-3). The plate plunge velocity profiles selected examined the dependence of normalized vortex circulation on plate velocity profile. The quarter-sine velocity profile produced larger maximum values for normalized circulation. The fixed pitch angle variation selected examined the sensitivity of normalized vortex circulation to deviations from symmetric vortex generation. When an angle of attack is used other than one that is normal to the induced freestream an upstream and downstream vortex were created where the upstream had preferential growth. The two paramount observations of the DPIV results are twofold. First, the maximum circulation and separation of vortices was independent of formation time and dependent on parametric variations. Second, a region of linear normalized circulation exists for the upstream vortices from approximately T = 1-3 independent of parametric variation An ancillary observation of the DPIV was based on the approximate forces extracted from the velocity field for two of the constant velocity profile experiments. The forces compare well with the direct force measurement results from literature and the steady state drag coefficient for a normal flat plate. Nomenclature
The Natural History of Night Terrors

Night terrors are a sleep disorder, resulting from a partial arousal during slow-wave sleep. They usually occur within 2 hours of sleep onset and are characterized by agitation and unresponsiveness to external stimuli. Nineteen children (ten males, nine females) with onset of night terrors before age 7.5 years were studied by means of a questionnaire. Mean observation time (time from onset age to age at survey) was 8.5 years, but longer than 10 years in nine subjects. Seventy percent of the children had their initial frequency of night terrors as their peak frequency, with a tendency for shorter duration of the parasomnia in this group. Children with onset age less than 3.5 years may be expected to attain a peak frequency of at least one episode per week. Children with onset after 3.5 years, but before 7.5 years, may expect to attain a peak frequency of 1-2 episodes per month. There was a mean duration of 3.9 years, with a tendency for longer duration in children with positive family histories of sleep walking. Fifty percent stopped by age 8 years; 36 percent continued into adolescence. No common abnormal behavioral profile or psychopathology was found. Common precipitants of attacks were not identified.
HIV Antiretroviral Postexposure Prophylaxis: A Cautionary Note

Antiretroviral therapy can be used in 3 ways to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV infection: (1) to reduce an infected persons viral burden below a critical threshold; (2) as preexposure prophylaxis for people with persistent high-risk behavior(s); and (3) as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) to be used after occupational needlesticks or sexual or other nonoccupational risks. The first 2 approaches are currently being tested in clinical trials to evaluate their efficacy. However PEP has already found its way into widespread clinical practice. Antiretroviral PEP initiated after occupational needlesticks has been used in an attempt to protect health care workers after exposure to HIV. On the basis of historical data Cardo et al. used a casecontrol design and reported that zidovudine appeared to reduce the risk of HIV infection by 81% from ~1 in 200 to 1 in 10000. But it has been impossible to design case-control or prospective studies to determine the efficacy of the nonoccupational use of PEP against sexual transmission when a partners HIV infection status is unknown and given the poor efficiency of the transmission of HIV infection. Data generated in studies of macaques suggest that therapy for HIV infection initiated within 72 h after genital tract exposure and continued for 28 days can prevent sexual acquisition of HIV infection in the majority of animals. (excerpt)
Strategies for Enabling Bilingual Program Development in American Indian Schools.

Abstract Using comparative data from two Navajo community-school contexts, this article details the conditions within these and similar contexts that enable schools to authentically use and validate the local language. In particular, the article addresses concerns about the schools’ role in reversing indigenous language loss and a shift toward English monolingualism. Six social engineering strategies are presented as a means to build dual-language programs, and more importantly, as a means to connect with parents and families so that American Indian children grow up with the personal, social and cultural benefits of full proficiency in the native language.
Dimensionally and thermally stable polymer, containing disordered graphitic structure and adamantane

In an attempt to develop a low-k interlayer dielectric, adamantane-diphenyldiethynyl moiety containing oligomer is prepared. Oligomerization of 1,3,5,7-tetrakis[3/4-ethynylphenyl]adamantane (4) is accomplished by a Glaser–Hay oxidative coupling with 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene and phenylacetylene end-capping agent. The CHCl3 soluble oligomer is then thermally treated by step-curing at 200, 300, 380, and 450 °C for 30 min at each temperature under nitrogen flow to render a shiny void-free black polymer. TGA analysis indicates that the polymer is stable under nitrogen up to 500 °C with a marginal decomposition up to 800 °C. Solid-state 13C NMR, Raman scattering, and FTIR are used to characterize the structure of the polymer. The polymer consists of amorphous carbon networks with the adamantane moieties and nanosized graphitic regions (clusters), which are generated from the thermal crosslinking of the diphenyldiethynyl units. It shows a remarkably low linear coefficient of thermal expansion (∼25 ppm/°C), presumably due to the presence of the disordered graphitic structure. Its high density (∼1.21 g/cm3), refractive index (∼1.80 at 632 nm), and Young's modulus (∼17.0 GPa) are also consistent with the interpretation. This study reveals important details about the effect of microscopic structure on the macroscopic properties of the highly crosslinked polymer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6909–6925, 2006
Modelling Whitewater Park Hydraulics and Fish Habitat in Colorado

Whitewater parks (WWPs) are increasingly popular recreational amenities, but the effects of WWPs on fish habitat and passage are poorly understood. This study investigated the use of a two-dimensional (2-D) model as compared with a three-dimensional (3-D) hydrodynamic model (FLOW-3D ® ) for assessing effects of WWPs on fish habitat. The primary aims of this study were to (1) examine the utility of 3-D modelling versus 2-D modelling in a hydraulically complex WWP and (2) compare modelled habitat quality for resident fishes with actual fish abundance and biomass generated from field sampling surveys. Two reaches of a wadeable river in Colorado were modelled: a natural reach and a reach containing a WWP. A 2-D habitat suitability analysis for juvenile and adult brown trout, juvenile and adult rainbow trout, longnose dace and longnose sucker predicted the same or higher habitat quality in the WWPs than the natural pools for all four species and for all modelled flow rates; however, results from fish sampling found significantly higher fish biomass for all four species in natural pools compared with WWP pools. All hydraulic metrics (depth, depth-averaged velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, 2-D and 3-D vorticity) had higher magnitudes in WWP pools than in natural pools. In the WWP pools, 3-D model results described the spatial distribution of flow characteristics or the magnitude of variables better than 2-D results. This supports the use of 3-D modelling for complex flows found in WWPs, but improved understanding of linkages between fish habitat quality and 3-D hydraulic descriptors is needed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Qualities of memories for performed and imagined actions

When people imagine performing simple actions they can sometimes become confused about whether they actually performed the actions or only imagined doing so. In the present study participants performed, imagined, and heard groups of actions. During a second session participants imagined some of the earlier actions as well as some entirely new actions. On a later memory test participants sometimes falsely indicated that they had performed actions that they had only imagined and this tendency was a positive function of number of imaginings. We also found that true and false memories differed in terms of degree of perceptual detail, associated thoughts, emotions, contextual information, and kinesthetic detail. Differences between true and false memories were smaller when the action was imagined five times but were not entirely eliminated. These findings suggest that false memories produced in this paradigm can be both compelling and yet subtly different from true memories. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
v-Ha-RaS oncogene upregulates the 92-kDa type IV collagenase (MMP-9) gene by increasing cellular superoxide production and activating NF-κB

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) degrades basement membrane type IV collagen and is expressed during cellular migration and invasion. Here we show that v-Ha-Ras overexpression in rat kidney epithelial cells (REC) caused upregulation of MMP-9 gene expression in part by increasing cellular oxidant levels. v-Ha-Ras mediated the production of superoxide in Ras-transfected cells, which was associated with upregulated MMP-9 gene expression. Conversely, v-Ha-Ras expression decreased steady-state levels of mRNAs from tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), an inhibitor of MMP-9; plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), which indirectly activates MMP-9 by increasing plasmin levels; and collagen IV, a substrate of MMP-9 and a major component of basement membrane. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrated that Ras overexpression enhanced NF-kappaB, but not AP-1 DNA binding to motifs in the MMP-9 gene promoter. The Ras-induced increase in NF-kappaB DNA binding could be inhibited by treatment with the antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine and glutathione monoester, suggesting that intracellular oxidant levels can mediate MMP-9 transcription. Our findings identify an important role for Ras in the regulation of MMP-9 expression, and suggest that increased superoxide production can upregulate MMP-9 expression and thus contribute to malignant conversion.
Restoration of an Indiana, USA, stream: bridging the gap between basic and applied lotic ecology

AbstractStream restoration attempts to reverse the global degradation of rivers and streams, but rigorous evaluations are needed to advance the science. We evaluated a 3rd-order channelized Indiana (USA) stream that was restored in 1997 by constructing two meanders, each ∼400 m long. Pool and riffle sequences were constructed, coarse substrate and wood were added to the channel, banks were stabilized and revegetated, and sedimentation was reduced by creating a sediment retention basin upstream. Habitat, periphyton, macroinvertebrates, and fishes were measured before restoration and for 5 y after restoration in the restored reaches and in an upstream, unrestored reach. Restoration improved habitat conditions (e.g., more pools, fewer fine sediments) in both restored reaches compared to the unrestored reach. Within 1 y after restoration, major trophic groups (i.e., periphyton, macroinvertebrates, and fishes) recovered to or exceeded levels in the degraded, unrestored reach. However, biotic responses varied w...
Photosynthetic H2 metabolism in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (unicellular green algae).

Unicellular green algae have the ability to operate in two distinctly different environments (aerobic and anaerobic), and to photosynthetically generate molecular hydrogen (H2). A recently developed metabolic protocol in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii permitted separation of photosynthetic O2-evolution and carbon accumulation from anaerobic consumption of cellular metabolites and concomitant photosynthetic H2-evolution. The H2 evolution process was induced upon sulfate nutrient deprivation of the cells, which reversibly inhibits photosystem-II and O2-evolution in their chloroplast. In the absence of O2, and in order to generate ATP, green algae resorted to anaerobic photosynthetic metabolism, evolved H2 in the light and consumed endogenous substrate. This study summarizes recent advances on green algal hydrogen metabolism and discusses avenues of research for the further development of this method. Included is the mechanism of a substantial tenfold starch accumulation in the cells, observed promptly upon S-deprivation, and the regulated starch and protein catabolism during the subsequent H2-evolution. Also discussed is the function of a chloroplast envelope-localized sulfate permease, and the photosynthesis–respiration relationship in green algae as potential tools by which to stabilize and enhance H2 metabolism. In addition to potential practical applications of H2, approaches discussed in this work are beginning to address the biochemistry of anaerobic H2 photoproduction, its genes, proteins, regulation, and communication with other metabolic pathways in microalgae. Photosynthetic H2 production by green algae may hold the promise of generating a renewable fuel from nature’s most plentiful resources, sunlight and water. The process potentially concerns global warming and the question of energy supply and demand.
Broadband second-harmonic phase-matching in dispersion engineered slot waveguides

Parametric optical nonlinearities are usually weak and require both high optical field intensity and phase-matching. Micro/nanophotonics, with strong confinement of light in waveguides of nanometer-scale cross-sections, can provide high field intensity, but is still in need of a solution for phase-matching across a broad bandwidth. In this article, we show that mode-coupling in slot waveguides can engineer the waveguide modal dispersion, and with proper choice of materials, can achieve on-chip broadband second-harmonic phase-matching. A phase-matching bandwidth in the range of 220 nm at mid-infrared can occur for a hetero-slot waveguide consisting of aluminum nitride (AlN) and silicon nitride (SiN). With a high-nonlinearity polymer as cladding material, about 1.76 W(-1)cm(-2) of normalized conversion efficiency in second-harmonic-generation (SHG) and about 23 dB signal gain in degenerate optical parametric amplification (DOPA) can be achieved over a broad bandwidth. An asymmetric-slot waveguide configuration and a thermal tuning scheme are proposed to reduce the fabrication difficulty. This concept of broadband second-harmonic phase-matching can be extended to other nonlinear optical frequency mixing processes, thus expanding the scope of on-chip nonlinear optical applications.
Preventive Agricultural Medicine: A Medical Student's Perspective on an Important Component of Rural Community Health

ABSTRACT Farming and keeping livestock are the oldest professions in the world. Some of their hazards have been known from the earliest of times and farming is now the most dangerous profession in terms of mortality. Despite progress in other areas of occupational medicine, agriculture's occupational health issues have been subordinate to those of industry until only very recently. This report tells of a visit I took to a cotton farm in West Alabama as part of a Rural Medicine rotation as a third year medical student. I used the things I learned as a springboard for a focused literature review on various issues in agricultural health. Pressing health issues for farmers include toxic exposure to chemicals, trauma and injury, respiratory disease, infections, stress, and additional issues for family members. The Rural Family Physician is in a unique position to prevent morbidity and mortality by social action and early diagnosis.
We Are Not Alone: Understanding the Contributions of Intestinal Microbial Communities and the Congested Gut in Heart Failure.

Altered intestinal function is prevalent in patients with advanced heart failure (HF), and abdominal contributions to progressive cardiorenal dysregulation have long been recognized [(1–4)][1]. Clinically, patients with HF may present with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms (anorexia, nausea,
What to Look for in Groups: The Tools of Observing Process

This note discusses the importance of observing process in teams. It outlines specific areas to observe and suggestions on how to observe.
Tool-Tissue Force Estimation for a 3-DOF Robotic Surgical Tool

Robotic minimally invasive surgery has achieved success in various procedures; however, the lack of haptic feedback is considered by some to be a limiting factor. The typical method to acquire tool-tissue reaction forces is attaching force sensors on surgical tools, but this complicates sterilization and makes the tool bulky. This paper explores the feasibility of using motor current to estimate tool-tissue forces, and demonstrates acceptable results in terms of time delay and accuracy. This sensorless force estimation method sheds new light on the possibility of equipping existing robotic surgical systems with haptic interfaces that require no sensors and are compatible with existing sterilization methods.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Effects of crowd size on exhibit use by and behavior of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and Western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) at a zoo

Abstract Several factors are known to affect the overall well-being of captive apes, including facility design and the presence of and interaction with both familiar and unfamiliar humans. Several studies have examined the effects crowds of varying sizes have on the behavior of a wide taxonomic range of zoo-housed animals, including apes. However, previous investigations of visitor effects on ape behavior vary in scope and methodology, leading to inconsistent results across groups and institutions. Using data gathered through two long-term observation protocols, we aimed to determine how 6 chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) and 5 Western lowland gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla ) housed at Lincoln Park Zoo responded to visitor crowds of various sizes. The dataset, gathered over 12 consecutive months, included both behavioral data collected via focal animal follows, and exhibit use data collected via whole group scans. As with previous studies, we investigated if and how the behavior of the apes varied as the number of visitors near their exhibits increased across several levels of visitor density. In addition, we looked at whether the apes in this study use the indoor areas of their exhibits that are nearest the public (within one meter) at a rate proportional to the size of that area, and whether their use of this space changed as crowd size varied. As crowd size increased, neither chimpanzees (P=0.97) nor gorillas (P=0.18) were observed to alter their use of the areas of their exhibit closest to zoo visitors. In addition, both chimpanzees and gorillas were observed in this area at a rate equal to or greater than expected by random movements at all three levels of crowd size analyzed. Crowd size had no effect on the frequency of most behaviors analyzed including abnormal, agonism, and grooming (P>0.05). We observed a slight effect of crowd size on self-directed behaviors in both species though it was not the case that the largest crowds caused the highest rates of self-directed behavior. Although these data were collected at a single institution, our findings support the argument that well-designed zoo exhibits can be effective in removing the potentially negative effects of large crowds.
Quality Characteristics of Eggs from Hens Indexed for Lysozyme Content of Egg White

Abstract One hundred White Leghorn hens in each of two experiments were divided into two groups based on lysozyme content (negative moving fraction at pH 8.5) of the thick egg white. Paper electrophoresis was used to index 260 pullets for experiment 1 and 100 pullets in experiment 2. Fifty birds producing eggs of the highest and 50 with the lowest lysozyme content were used for egg quality studies in each experiment. Data were obtained on an individual hen basis for interior quality of fresh eggs, in Haugh units (H.U.), quality loss during storage, egg weight, shell quality and percent solids of albumen and yolk. Haugh unit values of fresh eggs were similar for high and low lysozyme eggs in both experiments. Differences in shell quality, egg weight and solids content of albumen were not significantly different in either experiment. Quality losses during storage were significantly different in both experiments. Quality losses during storage were significantly (P Differences in solids content of egg yolks were statistically significant (P
Testing nonlinear regression parameters under heteroscedastic, normally distributed errors.

SUMMARY Likelihood ratio tests for parameters estimated assuming normally distributed errors are examined under a variety of homoscedastic and heteroscedastic variance assumptions. It is assumed that yij, the jth observation from the ith population, is distributed as N[u(xij, WBi), {ai A(xij, )Oi }2]. By varying a, and Oi, this model contains the most obvious examples of homoscedastic and heteroscedastic variability. Under this model, the null hypothesis of equal jBi's can easily be tested using the likelihood ratio criterion. Also considered is the two-sample chi-square statistic, x = U' S- U, where U is the difference vector of nonlinear least squares parameter estimates and S is an estimate of the covariance matrix of U. Monte Carlo simulation using the von Bertalanffy growth curve as an example is used to evaluate several test statistics for Type I error rates under different sampling assumptions.
O01.1 Association of Genetic Variants with Chlamydia Trachomatis Reinfection

Background Up to 20% of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT)-infected patients are reinfected within months after treatment, suggesting some fail to develop protective immunity. Genetic determinants influencing CT reinfection risk have not been fully elucidated. Our primary research objective is to identify genetic determinants of CT reinfection. Based on previously reported associations of HLA class II alleles with CT complications, our initial investigations focus on HLA class II genes. Methods In an ongoing prospective natural history study, CT-infected subjects are enrolled, treated with azithromycin 1 g single dose, and return for a 6-month follow-up visit for repeat CT testing using the Gen-Probe APTIMA Combo 2 assay (Gen-Probe, Inc., San Diego, CA). HLA class II alleles are resolved by a combination of PCR-based techniques. Genomic DNA is stored for further genotyping. Results A total of 199 African American subjects have been studied to date: 90% women and median age 23. CT reinfection at follow-up was noted in 18%. Subjects with HLA-DQB1*05 more often had reinfection (20 [26%] vs. 16 [13%], P = 0.018), which remained significant after controlling for age and gender (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2–5.6, P = 0.012). Other HLA-DQB1 alleles were not significantly associated with reinfection (P ≥ 0.1). Conclusion HLA-DQB1 * 05 was associated with CT reinfection, suggesting it could influence protective immunity. More comprehensive genotyping from larger prospectively studied cohorts should help confirm or refine this observation. Analysis of additional HLA class II genes and genes beyond the human MHC is in progress.
Bilateral luteal maintenance in unilaterally pregnant pigs with infusions of embryonic extracts.

Thirty unilaterally pregnant gilts with bilateral corpora lutea received infusions three times daily into a surgically isolated, nonpregnant uterine horn from d 12 through d 19 after mating. The infusions consisted of either saline alone or embryonic extracts in saline which were either untreated, heat-treated or charcoal-absorbed. The extracts were from porcine embryos, embryonic membranes and fluids between d 16 and 25 of pregnancy. While only 20% of the gilts infused with saline alone and none of those infused with charcoal-absorbed embryonic extracts maintained pregnancy to d 19, 100 and 83% of the gilts infused with untreated and heal-treated embryonic extracts, respectively, were pregnant on d 19. Similar treatment effects were observed for the incidence of bilateral luteal maintenance. No gilts receiving infusions of either saline or charcoal-absorbed embryonic extracts exhibited bilateral luteal maintenance. However, 67% of the gilts infused with untreated embryonic extracts and 67% of those infused with heated extracts had bilateral luteal maintenance on d 19. Additionally, the weights and progesterone concentrations of corpora lutea adjacent to the infused uterine horns were not different (P less than .05) from those of the corpora lutea adjacent the to pregnant uterine horns in gilts with bilateral luteal maintenance.
Population pharmacokinetic modelling of factor IX activity after administration of recombinant factor IX in patients with haemophilia B

Purpose The aim is to develop a pharmacokinetic model for factor IX activity (FIX) after BeneFIX (nonacog alfa, rFIX) administration and assess potential covariates using all available clinical data collected during development. Methods The data set for model development combined observations from eight studies. Postdose FIX observations were adjusted by subtracting predose FIX if these were above the lower limit of quantification (BLQ) and all BLQ observations were removed. A population pharmacokinetic model was then developed with 4936 observations from 201 patients. Two additional studies (385 observations from 72 patients) became available and were used to evaluate the model. Results A two-compartment model, parameterized for clearance (CL), volume of distribution of the central (V1) and peripheral (V2) compartments, and intercompartmental clearance (Q), with an effect of weight on all parameters was the final model. Weight was incorporated as a power function with exponent estimates close to conventional allometric scaling. Including interoccasion variability (IOV) on CL and V1 showed decreases in the objective function. Investigations of a full block omega matrix lead to the retention of a correlation between V2 and Q. Age was not a significant covariate with weight already included in the model. Observations in the studies used for evaluation were found to be higher than simulated values immediately after dosing, as well as a week after dosing. The differences may be due perhaps to differences in the patients enrolled in the evaluation studies (all were adults) as well as the sample collection time after dosing (longer after dosing in the evaluation studies). Conclusions FIX is appropriately modelled as a two-compartment model after rFIX administration. When weight is included, no additional effect of age is observed. Longer times of observation after dosing may be helpful in refining the model.
Assessment of Endothelial Function in Clinical Practice

Endothelial cell function represents an important marker of vascular health. The clinical evaluation of vascular function has become an important tool to assess cardiovascular risk and prognosis. Vasorelaxation, a measure of endothelial function, can be measured by assessing the response to pharmacological or other stressors in the vasculature. Coronary artery endothelial testing assesses the vascular bed of most clinical interest; however, peripheral vascular testing offers a more practical approach to testing a variety of patient populations and clinical scenarios. Recently, clinical applications have been developed to allow for real-time assessment of vascular function. Tools that are portable and can be used in the ambulatory setting to assess endothelial function testing are now available. Knowledge regarding a patient’s endothelial health appears to be useful for identifying patient subgroups at risk for future cardiovascular events, determining response to treatments, and perhaps evaluating individuals who should receive medical therapy, but do not qualify according to present guidelines. The true clinical utility of vascular function testing has not yet been determined; however, physiologic testing provides unique information about the health on an individuals’ vasculature. The search for reliable, robust markers of endothelial function and their potential use in clinical practice are discussed further in this chapter.
Influence of age on androgen deprivation therapy-associated Alzheimer’s disease

We recently found an association between androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and Alzheimer’s disease. As Alzheimer’s disease is a disease of advanced age, we hypothesize that older individuals on ADT may be at greatest risk. We conducted a retrospective multi-institutional analysis among 16,888 individuals with prostate cancer using an informatics approach. We tested the effect of ADT on Alzheimer’s disease using Kaplan–Meier age stratified analyses in a propensity score matched cohort. We found a lower cumulative probability of remaining Alzheimer’s disease-free between non-ADT users age ≥70 versus those age <70 years (p < 0.001) and between ADT versus non-ADT users ≥70 years (p = 0.034). The 5-year probability of developing Alzheimer’s disease was 2.9%, 1.9% and 0.5% among ADT users ≥70, non-ADT users ≥70 and individuals <70 years, respectively. Compared to younger individuals older men on ADT may have the greatest absolute Alzheimer’s disease risk. Future work should investigate the ADT Alzheimer’s disease association in advanced age populations given the greater potential clinical impact.
Characterization of the S Protein of Enterotropic Murine Coronavirus Strain-Y

The pathogenesis of enterotropic murine coronavirus strain MHV-Y differs extensively from that of prototypic respiratory strains of murine coronaviruses. The S protein of MHV-Y was characterized as a first step towards identifying viral determinants of enterotropism. Immunoblots of MHV-Y virions using anti-S protein specific antiserum revealed that the MHV-Y S protein was inefficiently cleaved. The MHV-Y S gene was cloned and sequenced. It encodes a protein predicted to be 1361 amino acids long. The presence of several amino acids changes within and surrounding the predicted cleavage site of the MHV-Y S protein may contribute to its inefficient cleavage.
Integrated and Fiber Optics Sensors “Basic Concepts and Devices”

This chapter discusses fiber optic and integrated optic sensor concepts. Unfortunately, there is no standard method to categorize these sensor concepts. Here, fiber optic and integrated optic sensor concepts will be categorized by the primary modulation technique. These modulation techniques have been classified as [1–4]: 1 Intensity modulation 2 Phase modulation 3 Wavelength modulation 4 Polarization modulation 5 Time/frequency modulation
Bi-level stochastic approximation for joint optimization of hydroelectric dispatch and spot-market operations

We propose a bi-level formulation for the joint optimization of spot-market operations and optimal dispatch of hydroelectric power generation. The outer problem maximizes the net-profit from interacting with neighbours in the wider energy spot-market, where profit is the difference between the (non-convex) revenue generated from export and the cost for generating and transmitting the exported power. The latter is the optimal solution of the inner optimization problem, a stochastic linear program that determines the minimum-cost dispatch solution that meets existing local demand and planned export, subject to uncertainty in local demand and generation from run-of-the-river dams. The outer problem is solved using stochastic approximation, where the cost function gradient is obtained using parametric programming techniques on the inner problem. Experimental results establish the efficacy of this bi-level approach. We also provide some preliminary analysis of the convergence of this method.
Prospective Study of Insufficient Sleep and Neurobehavioral Functioning Among School-Age Children

Abstract Objective To examine associations between insufficient sleep and neurobehavioral functioning in childhood as reported by mothers and teachers. Methods Participants were 1046 children in a prebirth cohort study. Main exposures were insufficient sleep durations at 3 time points: 6 months to 2 years, defined as sleep Results At age 7 years, mean (SD) mother and teacher report of the BRIEF global executive composite scale were 48.3 (7.9) and 50.7 (9.4) points, respectively, and of the SDQ total difficulties score was 6.5 (4.7) and 6.2 (5.7). In multivariable models, children who slept Conclusions Insufficient sleep in the preschool and early school years is associated with poorer mother- and teacher-reported neurobehavioral processes in midchildhood.
Partitioning Surfaces Into Quadrilateral Patches: A Survey

The efficient and practical representation and processing of geometrically or topologically complex shapes often demands a partitioning into simpler patches. Possibilities range from unstructured arrangements of arbitrarily shaped patches on the one end, to highly structured conforming networks of all-quadrilateral patches on the other end of the spectrum. Due to its regularity, this latter extreme of conforming partitions with quadrilateral patches, called quad layouts, is most beneficial in many application scenarios, for instance enabling the use of tensor-product representations based on splines or Bezier patches, grid-based multi-resolution techniques and discrete pixel-based map representations. However, this type of partition is also most complicated to create due to the strict inherent structural restrictions. Traditionally often performed manually in a tedious and demanding process, research in computer graphics and geometry processing has led to a number of computer-assisted, semi-automatic, as well as fully automatic approaches to address this problem more efficiently. This survey provides a detailed discussion of this range of methods, treats their strengths and weaknesses and outlines open problems in this field of research.
Messengers of Hope: A Boy With Autism, His Church, and the Special Olympics

ABSTRACTMessengers of Hope is the story of Michael Leon, an adolescent on the autistic spectrum, his church, and the Special Olympics. It is a story of transformation. Michael's parents and family, Michael, and Montrose Church are all transformed through their participation in the Special Olympics. This article is primarily constructed by the author summarizing what he believes are the key elements of a 23-minute documentary movie. The author concludes with reflections, including thoughts from Brian Brock, John Swinton, and Amos Yong, as expressed in a separate, as-yet partially completed video project. Both video projects are intended to encourage churches and individuals to become involved with people with disabilities.