cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMPUTER‐ASSISTED READOUT OF DATA FROM TEXTURE PROFILE ANALYSIS CURVES

The speed of computer readout plus the flexibility of interpretation of the various features of the Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) curves by an experienced operator was accomplished by placing the Instron re- corder charts ouer a digitizer interfaced to a computer. The digitizer provides a 14″× 14″ digitizing area with a resolution of 100 lines per inch. The operator guides a cursor over the TPA curve and the com- puter records X and Y coordinates in units of 0.01 in. A trigger on the cursor allows the operator to select designated foxes, distances and areas to be used by the computer in subsequent calculations of TPA parameters. Correlation coefficients between manually measured TPA parameters and computer-assisted readout of the same force-distance curues using apples, carrots, cream cheese, frankfurters and pretzel sticks were generally higher than r = 0.99.
A study of the effect of perchloroethylene exposure on the reproductive outcomes of wives of dry-cleaning workers.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the reproductive outcomes of wives of men exposed to perchloroethylene in the dry-cleaning industry compared to those of wives of laundry workers. Seventeen female partners of dry cleaners and 32 partners of laundry workers were interviewed. The number of pregnancies and the standardized fertility ratios were similar between the two groups. Wives of dry cleaners did not have higher rates of spontaneous abortions. However, wives of dry cleaners were more than twice as likely to have a history of attempting to become pregnant for more than 12 months or to have sought care for an infertility problem. Cox proportional hazards models indicated that dry-cleaners' wives had half of the per-cycle pregnancy rate of wives of laundry workers, when controlling for other potential confounders (estimated rate ratio of 0.54, 95% C.I. = 0.23, 1.27).
On the present and future of scientific computation

A pessimistic forecast is given of what can be expected to happen in the application of computers to the physical sciences.
DENSE: Displacement Encoding with Stimulated Echoes in Cardiac Functional MRI

Displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) was developed for high-resolution myocardial displacement mapping. Pixel phase is modulated by myocardial displacement and data spatial resolution is limited only by pixel size. 2D displacement vector maps were generated for the systolic action in canines with 0.94 x 1.9 mm nominal in-plane resolution and 2.3 mm/pi displacement encoding. A radial strain of 0.208 was measured across the free left ventricular wall over 105 ms during systole. DENSE displacement maps require small first-order gradient moments for encoding. DENSE magnitude images exhibit black-blood contrast which allows for better myocardial definition and reduced motion-related artifacts.
A Newton Algorithm for Complex Curve Fitting

In this paper the problem of synthesizing transfer functions from frequency response measurements is considered. Given a complex vector representing the measured frequency response of a physical system, a transfer function of specified order is determined that minimizes the sum of the magnitude-squared of the frequency response errors. This nonlinear least squares minimization problem is solved by an iterative global descent algorithm of the Newton type which converges quadratically near the minimum. The unknown transfer function is expressed as a sum of second order rational polynomials, a parameterization that facilitates a numerically robust computer implementation. The algorithm is developed for single-input, single-output, causal, stable transfer functions. Two numerical examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
Mean Relative Intensity Noise Transfer in Fiber Raman Amplifiers Using Multiple-Wavelength Pumps

We present a numerical analysis of mean relative intensity noise (RIN) transfer in a fiber Raman amplifier (FRA) using multiple-wavelength pumps. For the first time, the RIN transfer is investigated to include pump-to-pump and signal-to-signal RIN transfers, together with the ldquotraditionalrdquo pump, to signal transfer in a multiple-wavelength pumped FRA. We show that for a multiple-wavelength pumped FRA, pump-to-pump and signal-to-signal RIN transfers induce an increase of RIN transfer magnitude. For a multiple-wavelength counter pumped FRA, in additional to the major pump to signal RIN transfer, pump-to-pump RIN transfer is considerable, and signal-to-signal RIN transfer is very small. For a multiple-wavelength co-pumped FRA, both pump-to-pump and signal-to-signal RIN transfers increase RIN transfer magnitude significantly. In addition, for both a co- and counter pumped FRAs, particularly for the co-pumped FRA, the longer wavelength signals experience more RIN transfer than the shorter wavelength signals. Furthermore, the bandwidth of RIN transfer is significantly increased in a multiple-wavelength co-pumped FRA with multiple input signals compared to a single-wavelength co-pumped FRA with an input signal.
Dubowitz Syndrome: A Review and Implications for Cognitive, Behavioral, and Psychological Features

Dubowitz syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by micorcephaly, short stature, abnormal faces, and mild to severe mental retardation. Growth retardation occurs both intrauterine and postnatal. Behavioral characteristics include hyperactivity, short attention span, and aggressiveness. Behavior problems include difficulty feeding, sleep disturbance, and bedwetting. Individuals with the disorder have displayed shyness, fear of crowds, and dislike of loud noises. A high-pitched or hoarse voice is common. Deficits have been found in speech and language skills, reasoning and memory skills, self-help skills, and psychomotor functioning. Ocular, dental, cutaneous, skeletal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, immunological, and hematological medical difficulties have been noted. Approximately 148 cases have been described in the literature. The cause of the disorder remains unknown, however, research suggests genetic origin. Past research emphasizes physical characteristics and medical complications. There is a lack of cognitive, behavioral, and psychological information available regarding the disorder. This article presents a review of the literature and provides assessment and treatment implications for the cognitive, behavioral, and psychological aspects of Dubowitz syndrome. Keywords Dubowitz; Syndrome; Autosomal; Recessive
On the transport of gaseous matter through permeable media between cylidrical cavities

Abstract The solution of the steady-state diffusion equation is found for a geometry consisting of two parallel, infinitely long cavities carrying unequal pressures. A simple expression for the transport of material between the cavities is developed for a practical case. The expression is then generalized to the case where slightly non-parallel alignment of the cavities exists.
Pd-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Unprotected Indoles Activated by Brønsted Acids

The first highly enantioselective hydrogenation of simple indoles was developed with a Bronsted acid as an activator to form the iminium intermediate in situ, which was hydrogenated using Pd(OCOCF(3))(2)/(R)-H8-BINAP catalyst system with up to 96% ee. The present method provides an efficient route to enantioenriched 2-substituted and 2,3-disubstituted indolines.
Telomere amount and length assay.

Purpose. Telomeres are specific DNA structure at the ends of chromosomes to protect chromosomes from fusion, recombination, and degradation. Telomere length changes are implicated in cell senescence, aging, tumorigenesis, and DNA repair. The standard method for measuring telomere length is Southern blot analysis. This method has several disadvantages, i.e., loss of DNA during membrane blotting, high background due to nonspecific binding of telomere probe to membrane, and loss of telomeric signal due to extensive washing. These limitations resulted in a low signal-to-noise ratio and, therefore, reduced sensitivity and reproducibility. The multi-step Southern blot is also highly labor-intensive. The present study was to develop a more quantitative assay of telomeric amount and length (TALA).
Monolithic millimeter-wave distributed amplifiers using AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

Two monolithic broadband distributed amplifiers have been designed and fabricated using AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. One of them uses a standard HEMT for the unit cell and shows a measured S 21 of 5.2±1dB from 1-50GHz. The second distributed amplifier uses dual-gate HEMTs for the unit cell and achieves a measured S 21 of 12±1dB from 2-32GHz. The process consists of 200nm gate-length HEMTs, CPW transmission lines, MIM capacitors and thin-film resistors. The dual-gate distributed amplifier achieves a CW peak output power of 1W and a PAE of about 16% at 4GHz.
The visual quality of minimally processed lettuces stored in air or controlled atmosphere with emphasis on romaine and iceberg types

Five different types of lettuce (iceberg, romaine, butter, green leaf, and red leaf) were prepared as salad pieces and stored for 16 days at 5°C in air or in a controlled atmosphere (CA) (3% O2 + 10% CO?). Samples were evaluated for overall visual quality, surface and edge browning, and russet spotting. After 8 days, differences in overall visual quality between air and CA-stored samples were observed; after 12 days, air-stored samples were below the limit of salability, whereas visual quality was maintained in CA-stored pieces from all lettuce types except butter lettuce. Transferring lettuce to air for 12 h at 15°C accentuated the differences between storage atmospheres. An analysis of the various components of overall visual quality showed that surface and edge browning were the defects which most contributed to a decrease in quality. Among the lettuce types studied, the CA benefit for overall visual quality was highest for iceberg lettuce, and some differences between cultivars were observed. There was no CA benefit for butter lettuce, but CA induced surface discoloration and tissue softening. Pre-processing storage of lettuce heads at 5°C for 7 and 14 days negatively affected overall visual quality and leaf edge browning of the prepared salad pieces; this intact head storage effect was more evident on romaine than iceberg pieces.
Employees' Perceptions of Their Leaders Is Being Similar Always Better?

Using a sample of middle and upper level managers, the authors examined the effects of employee—supervisor demographic similarity on employees' perceptions of their supervisor's leadership ability. The authors also examined the moderating effects of individuals' needs for self-continuity and the status of the demographic groups on these relationships. Very little evidence was found for direct similarity effects. However, the authors found strong and consistent evidence that employees in high-status demographic groups exhibited a positive relationship between self-continuity and perceptions of their leaders when the leader was demographically similar, whereas employees in low-status demographic groups exhibited a negative relationship between self-continuity and perceptions of their leaders when the leader was demographically similar. Implications for social identity theory and relational demography research are discussed.
High-efficiency GaAs transferred electron device operation and circuit design

In this paper it is shown that a GaAs transferred electron device is adequately described by a simple, static IV characteristic. This characteristic is used in a time domain computer simulation with the microwave circuit represented by transmission line equivalent circuit from which the voltage and current waveforms associated with the device are derived for a particular device IV characteristic and circuit. These data are analyzed for efficiency, frequency of oscillation, and starting transient and then are observed as various device and circuit parameters are changed in the simulation. From this study and parameter scan, the criterion for an efficient GaAs oscillator circuit and the maximum dc to RF conversion efficiency for device of a given quality, as specified by its current peak to valley ratio are found. Experimental observation of waveforms and efficiency and their dependence on the circuit and device parameters were then seen to be in good agreement, thus justifying the use of the phenomenological I-V characteristic. For a device with a current peak to valley ratio of 2, the theoretical and experimentally observed conversion efficiency limit appears to be slightly less than 20 percent. The use of the simple I- V characteristic is appropriate down to frequencies less than the "transit" frequency.
Liver Ultrastructure in Mitochondrial Urea Cycle Enzyme Deficiencies and Comparison with Reye's Syndrome

The liver ultrastructural findings in two girls with partial carbamyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS) deficiency and their heterozygote parents and two siblings with ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency are described. Liver ultrastructure in the four patients with inherited deficiencies of urea cycle enzymes showed minimal alterations with essentially normal mitochondria when biopsy was performed during periods of good control of their hyperammonemia. Mitochondrial ultrastructure was also essentially normal in the heterozygotes for carbamyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency. These findings are in contrast to the marked alterations in mitochondrial ultrastructure found in the study of two cases of Reye's syndrome in which severe depression of ornithine transcarbamylase and carbamyl phosphate synthetase I activities was noted.
Diagnosing myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms: laboratory testing strategies to exclude other disorders.

SUMMARY Introduction: The 2008 World Health Organization classification of myeloid neoplasms includes the diagnostic category, myelodysplastic/ myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN), which encompasses those rare clonal myeloid proliferations that at initial presentation, show overlapping myeloproliferative and myelodysplastic features, making classification as either a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or myelo- proliferative neoplasm (MPN) problematic. There are four main sub- categories, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), atypical chronic myeloid leukemia, BCR-ABL1-negative (aCML), juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), and myelodysplastic/myeloprolif- erative neoplasm, unclassifiable (MDS/MPN-U), which also includes the provisional entity, refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts associ- ated with marked thrombocytosis (RARS-T). Notably, the morpholog- ical features typical of MDS/MPNs are not specific and can be seen in other myeloid neoplasms at presentation or as part of disease pro- gression or transformation. Methods and Results: This review presents a laboratory approach to diagnosing MDS/MPNs in adults that allows for the exclusion of other disorders that may be otherwise indistinguishable. Ancillary studies including cytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, flow cytom- etry, and genetic testing are discussed. Conclusion: The most appropriate classification of myeloid neoplasms presenting with hybrid myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative features requires a comprehensive clinical and laboratory assessment with careful integration of the morphological, immunophenotypic, genetic, and clinical characteristics.
Temporal Trends in Cause-Specific Late Mortality Among 5-Year Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Purpose Five-year survival rates for childhood cancer have improved over the past four decades. However, it is unknown whether changes in primary cancer therapy have improved rates of long-term ( 5 years from diagnosis) durable remissions and reduced treatment-related deaths. We investigated changes in patterns of late mortality over time and cause-specific attribution of late-mortality among 5-year survivors. Patients and Methods Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) population-based registry, we assessed all-cause and cause-specific (recurrence/progression of primary disease, external cause, and nonrecurrence/nonexternal cause) late mortality during four consecutive time periods from 1974 through 2000 among 26,643 5-year survivors of childhood cancer. Results All-cause late mortality improved during more recent eras, dropping from 7.1% (95% CI, 6.4% to 7.8%) among children diagnosed during 1974 to 1980 to 3.9% (95% CI, 3.3% to 4.4%) among children diagnosed during 1995 to 2000 (P .001), largely because of reduced mortality from recurrence or progression. While there was no significant reduction in mortality attributable to other health conditions (including treatment-related health conditions), analysis controlling for demographic characteristics identified a trend toward reduced risk during more recent eras (P .007). Disparity by race/ethnicity was identified, with higher mortality among non-Hispanic blacks than among non-Hispanic whites for all-cause and nonrecurrence/nonexternal -cause late mortality. Conclusion While overall patterns of mortality from other health conditions do not differ over time, adjustment for demographic characteristics provides evidence that risk of treatment-related mortality may be lower in more recent eras. Disparities in health care utilization among survivors should be explored. J Clin Oncol 28:1224-1231. © 2010 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
Prehistoric Occupation of the Interior of Western Santa Cruz Island

Although the majority of prehistoric habitation sites on Santa Cruz Island are located within interior areas more than 0.5 km from the coast, little is known about these sites and how their occupation articulated with coastal settlement. To address this lack of knowledge, small-scale excavation was undertaken at 2 interior habitation sites (CA-SCRI-555 and CA-SCRI-574) in the western sector of the island. Habitation deposits at both sites are <60 cm deep. Radiocarbon dating reveals that CA-SCRI-555 experienced occupation during 3 time intervals: 1800–1400 cal BC, ~2400 cal BC, and ~4400 cal BC. In contrast, dates for CA-SCRI-574 indicate only one time interval: 2800–1900 cal BC. Remains of marine shellfish and vertebrates in the deposits indicate transport of marine foods to both sites. The repertoire of shellfish remains implies that site inhabitants obtained marine foods from coastal areas closest to each site. These interior sites may have been occupied for one or more reasons: (1) as habitation sites occupied occasionally for the purpose of acquiring and perhaps consuming plant food or other interior resources; (2) as easily defended locations given their placement on ridgetops; (3) as way stations during travel to distant parts of the island; and (4) as locations where freshwater is available during dry seasons or years when water is scare at nearby coastal locations. The data resulting from small-scale testing makes evaluating these alternatives difficult, but the variety of food remains, the various types of stone tools, and the wood charcoal from hearth fires all indicate that at least some intervals of occupation were for periods that exceeded a few days. The results highlight the need for data from a large number of interior sites to understand island settlement patterns and ecological adaptation of the island's prehistoric inhabitants.
Parietal cortex and a spatial cognitive map

A framework is proposed, based on the assumption that the posterior parietal cortex stores long-term memory information in the form of a spatial cognitive map, reflecting the operation of perceptual representations of relations among spatial features and landmarks as well as the operation of attentional processes to bind spatial features and landmarks and to selectively attend to the critical features that form spatial cognitive maps. Evidence in support of this assumption, based on an analysis of specific properties of neural systems that store long-term memory information, is presented.
Leveraging CS Teachable Moments in the Maker Movement (Abstract Only)

The growing do-it-yourself movement relies heavily on electronics, code, and data. Abundant resources and low cost materials result in people of all ages seeking to learn how to master these modern creative supplies. We will discuss how computer science educators might tap into teachable moments provided by this voluntary, informal, enthusiastic movement to promote formal computer science study. The success of introducing formal computer science skills in the context of computing as a creative tool has been well established in the areas of media computation and digital art. It is natural to extend this idea to computing as a tool for creating physical objects and for interacting with the physical world in different ways. This discussion will focus on examples of creative projects that expose topics in computer science, including microcontrollers, 3D printing, laser cutting, toy hacking, and environmental sensing. The session will emphasize the types of computer science concepts that naturally tie into each project. Attendees are encouraged to share their own project experiences and to reflect on lessons learned, accessibility of concepts, and practical issues of class management.
Synthesis and Physicochemical Properties of Metallobacteriochlorins

Access to metallobacteriochlorins is essential for investigation of a wide variety of fundamental photochemical processes, yet relatively few synthetic metallobacteriochlorins have been prepared. Members of a set of synthetic bacteriochlorins bearing 0–4 carbonyl groups (1, 2, or 4 carboethoxy substituents, or an annulated imide moiety) were examined under two conditions: (i) standard conditions for zincation of porphyrins [Zn(OAc)2·2H2O in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at 60–80 °C], and (ii) treatment in tetrahydrofuran (THF) with a strong base [e.g., NaH or lithium diisopropylamide (LDA)] followed by a metal reagent MXn. Zincation of bacteriochlorins that bear 2–4 carbonyl groups proceeded under the former method whereas those with 0–2 carbonyl groups proceeded with NaH or LDA/THF followed by Zn(OTf)2. The scope of metalation (via NaH or LDA in THF) is as follows: (a) for bacteriochlorins that bear two electron-releasing aryl groups, M = Cu, Zn, Pd, and InCl (but not Mg, Al, Ni, Sn, or Au); (b) for bacter...
Subfilter scalar-flux vector orientation in homogeneous isotropic turbulence

The geometric orientation of the subfilter-scale scalar-flux vector is examined in homogeneous isotropic turbulence. Vector orientation is determined using the eigenframe of the resolved strain-rate tensor. The Schmidt number is kept sufficiently large so as to leave the velocity field, and hence the strain-rate tensor, unaltered by filtering in the viscous-convective subrange. Strong preferential alignment is observed for the case of Gaussian and box filters, whereas the sharp-spectral filter leads to close to a random orientation. The orientation angle obtained with the Gaussian and box filters is largely independent of the filter width and the Schmidt number. It is shown that the alignment direction observed numerically using these two filters is predicted very well by the tensor-diffusivity model. Moreover, preferred alignment of the scalar gradient vector in the eigenframe is shown to mitigate any probable issues of negative diffusivity in the tensor-diffusivity model. Consequentially, the model might not suffer from solution instability when used for large eddy simulations of scalar transport in homogeneous isotropic turbulence. Further a priori tests indicate poor alignment of the Smagorinsky and stretched vortex model predictions with the exact subfilter flux. Finally, strong filter dependence of subfilter scalar-flux orientation suggests that explicit filtering may be preferable to implicit filtering in large eddy simulations.
Abstract #2505: G-protein synergies promoting Her2/neu-induced mammary tumor growth

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO Only about 30% of Her 2 expressing breast cancers respond to therapeutic antibodies and these cancers eventually become refractory to this therapy. These outcomes suggest that therapies targeting as yet unknown Her 2 related synergistic pathways remain to be elucidated and exploited for their therapeutic potential. These pathways may well involve local and systemic factors and pathways that affect Her2 oncogenesis. The model system used for these studies was primary mouse mammary tumor cells expressing MMTV-driven activated Her 2/neu cultured within collagen gels and in serum-free medium. A key factor enabling the proliferation of these cells in the absence of serum was lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). LPA's primary role was found to be that of a synergist allowing the growth-stimulatory potential of specific growth factors to be expressed. LPA had limited proliferative capacity alone but synergized with EGF, FGF-2 and FGF-7 to stimulate multifold (10-fold) proliferation in serum-free culture media. EGF alone could stimulate limited growth (2-fold) while FGFs-2, -7 alone were relatively less stimulatory to growth. Real time RTPCR shows that G protein-coupled LPA receptors (LPAR1, 2, 3) are expressed in the tumor cells. Furthermore, proliferative synergy between LPA and growth factors was inhibited by pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of Gαi signaling suggesting that this G-protein-coupled receptor pathway can have a critical impact upon Her 2/neu tumor cell proliferation. LPA receptors are also expressed in the stroma of mouse mammary glands raising the possibility that the growth and progression of Her 2/neu mammary tumors is potentially dependent upon synergistic interactions between bioactive lipids and growth factors, both of which can be synthesized locally as components of a stromal-epithelial regulatory network. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 2505.
American libraries in 2016 Creating their future by connecting, collaborating and building community

This article presents an overview of the American library landscape and explains the trends and challenges American libraries are facing. US libraries provide people of all ages and backgrounds with access to information and technology. They are community and campus hubs, relied upon to provide the services and support that people need for study, research and lifelong learning. They continue to reinvent themselves to meet the emerging demands in the digital age while retaining their core values of cooperation, sharing and service.
Stem Cells in Bone Regeneration

Bone has the capacity to regenerate and repair itself. However, this capacity may be impaired or lost depending on the size of the defect or the presence of certain disease states. In this review, we discuss the key principles underlying bone healing, efforts to characterize bone stem and progenitor cell populations, and the current status of translational and clinical studies in cell-based bone tissue engineering. Though barriers to clinical implementation still exist, the application of stem and progenitor cell populations to bone engineering strategies has the potential to profoundly impact regenerative medicine.
Marvelous Improvements Everywhere

After two full years of hardship, the American economy began to emerge from the Panic of 1819, shaken by the experience but still possessed of the deep roots of optimism and promise that had been planted since the time of Independence. The foundations of American prosperity survived; fundamental resources, energy, and innovative habits persisted; and the shape of what might be was apparent to perceptive entrepreneurs. And even as the speculative boom of the late 'teens marched toward its disastrous resolution, crucial structural changes had begun that pointed the way toward an era of “marvelous improvements” that would capture the imagination of a generation and set the agenda for American economic growth through the rest of the antebellum period. Nothing better symbolized the pluck and drive, the audacious ambition, and the breath-taking confidence of men with little more than a layman's hunch about what they were doing than New York's magnificent Erie Canal. THE RISE OF NEW YORK PORT Since the late colonial era, New Yorkers had dreamed of improving the “water-level” route to the West that nature conveniently laid out within the confines of their state. From Maine to Georgia, elevations of two or three thousand feet separated the Atlantic from the interior waters – except in New York. In the Empire State, the east-west valley of the Mohawk River offered a link between the Great Lakes and the Hudson River – a route 360 miles long – with an elevation gain less than 600 feet.
The Uncertain Relationship between Air Pollution and Risk of Preterm Birth: Does Spatial Variation Drive Disparate Findings?

Air pollution isn’t just bad for those who breathe it; it also could potentially impact the future health of unborn babies. For instance, maternal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) have been associated with small but consistent decreases in birth weight. 1 , 2 , 3 However, associations with preterm birth have been less consistent. A new study of more than 258,000 New York City births published this month in EHP takes an innovative approach to this question by considering the hospital where a baby is born as a factor that may explain the results of studies of air pollution and preterm birth. 4
Fibrosis and Cirrhosis

This brief chapter will discuss usual and unusual patterns of fibrosis, along with approaches to cirrhosis in a patient without a known history of liver disease. Cirrhosis in the pediatric population is discussed in Chap. 15.
Assessment and Collaboration in School and Child Care Settings

Nonparental childcare settings encompass a wide spectrum of quality, ranging from publicly funded preschools with clearly defined standards and expected outcomes, to family day care providers who may not be subject to licensing standard. Within the array of early childhood settings, assessment is a core component of high-quality school and childcare programs. This chapter provides a broad overview of policy driving the assessment of children and of their care and educational settings. Both child-focused and setting-focused assessment practices are reviewed and described. Consultation and collaboration in early childcare settings are discussed as means of using assessment data to facilitate positive outcomes for children. Finally, a case study illustrates the use of assessment data to improve practice within a preschool classroom in order to bring about enhanced growth and development for young learners.
Associations Between Consultation and Provider Satisfaction With Evidence-Based Treatment

ABSTRACTGiven that providers’ perceptions of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) can influence their implementation and sustainment of these treatments, it is important to identify factors that promote provider satisfaction with EBTs. Despite literature suggesting that consultation (i.e., ongoing implementation support provided by a treatment expert) can enhance provider and client outcomes, little is known about the relationship between consultation and provider satisfaction with EBTs. The present study investigated associations between consultants and provider satisfaction with a modular EBT protocol for youth. Measures of the consultation process (i.e., frequency of discussion, modeling, and role-playing strategies; consultant–manual agreement, defined as consultant recommendation of practices that correspond to the treatment manual) were also explored as predictors of satisfaction. Data were drawn from 64 youth served by 26 providers and 5 consultants as part of a randomized effectiveness trial. Provider...
Optimization-Based Estimator Design for Vision-Aided Inertial Navigation

This paper focuses on the problem of real-time pose tracking using visual and inertial sensors in systems with limited processing power. Our main contribution is a novel approach to the design of estimators for these systems, which optimally utilizes the available resources. Specifically, we design a hybrid estimator that integrates two algorithms with complementary computational characteristics, namely a sliding-window EKF and EKF-SLAM. To decide which algorithm is best suited to process each of the available features at runtime, we learn the distribution of the feature number and of the lengths of the feature tracks. We show that using this information, we can predict the expected computational cost of each feature-allocation policy, and formulate an objective function whose minimization determines the optimal way to process the feature data. Our results demonstrate that the hybrid algorithm outperforms each individual method (EKF-SLAM and sliding-window EKF) by a wide margin, and allows processing the sensor data at real-time speed on the processor of a mobile phone.
Multivariate Input Uncertainty in Output Analysis for Stochastic Simulation

When we use simulations to estimate the performance of stochastic systems, the simulation is often driven by input models estimated from finite real-world data. A complete statistical characterization of system performance estimates requires quantifying both input model and simulation estimation errors. The components of input models in many complex systems could be dependent. In this paper, we represent the distribution of a random vector by its marginal distributions and a dependence measure: either product-moment or Spearman rank correlations. To quantify the impact from dependent input model and simulation estimation errors on system performance estimates, we propose a metamodel-assisted bootstrap framework that is applicable to cases when the parametric family of multivariate input distributions is known or unknown. In either case, we first characterize the input models by their moments that are estimated using real-world data. Then, we employ the bootstrap to quantify the input estimation error, and an equation-based stochastic kriging metamodel to propagate the input uncertainty to the output mean, which can also reduce the influence of simulation estimation error due to output variability. Asymptotic analysis provides theoretical support for our approach, while an empirical study demonstrates that it has good finite-sample performance.
Impact of circulating endothelial progenitor cells on the growth of viable tumor rim after treatment with a vascular disrupting agent.

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 5710 Unlike most antiangiogenic drugs, vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) can cause an acute shutdown in tumor blood flow, leading to a subsequent rapid cytotoxic-like process of extensive tumor necrosis. However, the impact of this therapeutic effect is compromised by a remaining viable tumor rim, from which the tumors can rapidly re-grow, a process accompanied by robust angiogenesis. This suggests that the use of a VDA with an antiangiogenic agent e.g., anti-VEGFR-2 antibodies, could be a very effective combination vascular targeting treatment, for which there is some evidence. The basis for rapid and robust angiogenesis at the viable tumor rim after VDA treatment is unclear. We hypothesized that in addition to exploiting the vasculature of the surrounding normal tissue, angiogenesis at the viable rim after VDA treatment must be facilitated by a compensatory host process. We present evidence that the immediate influence of bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells (CEPs) homing to the rim, may indeed represent such a contributory mechanism. Thus we found the following: i) administration of a VDA (CA4P or Oxi-4503) to normal (non tumor bearing) mice leads to a marked (3 fold) increase in CEP levels in peripheral blood within 4 hours - in contrast to antiangiogenic agents such as anti-VEGFR-2 antibody (e.g. DC101), which suppress CEPs levels; ii) the CEPs ‘home’ to the viable tumor rim after VDA treatment in two distinct tumor models (human melanoma xenograft and Lewis lung mouse carcinoma); iii) administration of DC101 24 hours prior to the VDA prevents the spike in CEPs which leads to virtually complete obliteration of the viable tumor rim; iv) administration of Oxi-4503 to Id mutant tumor-bearing mice, which cannot mobilize CEPs, leads to a powerful anti-tumor effect, compared to wild type control mice. Overall, our results suggest a compelling role for CEPs in the response to VDAs, and hence, a strategy to maximize the therapeutic potential of both VDAs and antiangiogenic drugs.
Selected wildlife trematodiasis.

Trematodes may affect their hosts in a variety of ways: destruction of host tissue and mechanical irritation. Trematodes may bring about a change in the normal blood parameters (anemia, leukocytosis, lymphocytosis, eosinophilia). Wildlife infected with trematodes may show no signs or symptoms of disease or only slight disturbances. The host may show morbidity or the infection may result in death. This chapter presents a review of the characteristic processes of pathology demonstrated by the action of trematodes in selected groups of mammals.
The Road to Microbial Endocrinology

The emergence of the field of microbial endocrinology did not follow a straight course, nor was the destination intuitively obvious at the start. Like many research paths before it, the theoretical underpinnings of the field only emerged when it became obvious that the only explanation for the facts was a new awareness, in this case the realization that microorganisms are more interactive with the host than previously recognized.
p16 controls epithelial cell growth and suppresses carcinogenesis through mechanisms that do not require RB1 function

The p16/RB1 tumor suppressor pathway is inactivated in the vast majority, if not all, human cancers. The current paradigm is that p16 and RB1 function in a linear pathway to suppress tumorigenesis; however p16 is preferentially lost in human cancers suggesting that p16 has critical tumor suppressive functions not mediated through RB1. Carcinomas arise from transformed epithelial cells and account for 80% of adult malignancies highlighting the need to understand p16/RB1 pathway function in organ epithelia. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths and is associated with p16/RB1 pathway deregulation. We demonstrate that p16 is upregulated in the lung epithelium after Rb1 ablation in genetically engineered mouse models. In contrast to fibroblasts, loss of RB1 family proteins, p107 or p130, did not result in p16 induction, demonstrating that p16 suppression is a unique RB1 pocket protein function in the lung epithelium in vivo. p16 upregulation did not induce cellular senescence but rather promoted survival of RB1-deficient lung epithelial progenitor cells. Mechanistic studies show that p16 protects RB1-deficient cells from DNA damage. Consequently, additional loss of p16 led to genetic instability and increased susceptibility to cellular immortalization and transformation. Mice with combined RB1/p16-deficient lungs developed lung tumors including aggressive metastatic lung cancers. These studies identify p16 loss as a molecular event that causes genetic instability and directly demonstrate that p16 protects against DNA damage in the absence of RB1 function providing an explanation for why p16 is preferentially targeted in human cancers.
The Influence of Event and Reaction Context on Clinicians’ Disorder Diagnoses:

Clinicians’ judgments about clients can be influenced by the causal context (e.g., life events) preceding behavioral symptoms. However, it is unclear whether this influence extends to diagnosis judgments. In diagnosing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic event context must be present, and severe immediate reaction context was formerly required for many years. In a vignette study, we systematically examined whether event and reaction severity influence clinicians’ open-ended diagnoses of PTSD behaviors, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) behaviors, and nondisordered behaviors. Clinicians made more diagnoses of PTSD for all three types of behaviors (PTSD, MDD, distressed) given a traumatic event than a mildly stressful event but simultaneously found the behaviors to be less abnormal. We found no evidence that reaction context influenced diagnoses. Future directions and the role of causal context in clinical diagnosis are discussed.
Duration of tracheostomy dependence and development of tracheocutaneous fistula in children.

Objective To determine whether the risk of developing a tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) increases with longer tracheostomy dependence times in children. Study Design Retrospective review of medical records. Method A retrospective chart review was conducted for all children who both underwent tracheotomy and were decannulated between 2002 and 2011 at a tertiary children's hospital. Charts were analyzed for duration of tracheostomy and evidence of TCF up to 12 months. Data for these criteria was available on 164 out of 182 patients. Results A significant difference in the duration of tracheostomy dependence between children with and without resultant TCF was determined by the Wilcoxon signed rank test (P = 0.0003). The relative risk (RR) of a persistent TCF was significantly increased when the duration of tracheostomy dependence was greater than 24 months (RR = 2.5217, P < 0.005) when compared to those decannulated before 12 months. The mean tracheostomy dependence times for children with and without TCF were 33.1 and 23.4 months, respectively. Overall, 94 children (57.3%) developed a TCF. Conclusion To our knowledge, this study represents the largest collection of data for children who have been decannulated following tracheostomy placement. These data demonstrate that the risk of developing a TCF increases with longer tracheostomy dependence times in children. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2017
Package color saturation and food healthfulness perceptions

Abstract Vivid, highly saturated colors are often perceived as exciting and arousing, making them popular in branding and package design. However, are foods packaged in vivid colors also perceived as unhealthful? Across four experiments, we demonstrate that consumers appear to perceive foods in vivid, highly color-saturated food packaging as less healthful than foods in muted, less color-saturated packaging. Further, we demonstrate that conceptual fluency mediates the effect, subjective nutrition knowledge weakens the effect, and restrained eating behavior strengthens the effect. We contribute to the color literature that explores the distinct effects of different color elements on consumer perceptions. We also advance the food well-being literature by identifying a new heuristic that affects food well-being, and in doing so, join other researchers who have connected learned color associations to substantive consumer outcomes. Finally, we offer food marketers new insights into consumers' evaluations of their products.
EARLY CHINESE MANUSCRIPT WRITINGS FOR THE NAME OF THE SAGE EMPEROR SHUN 舜, AND THE LEGACY OF WARRING STATES-PERIOD ORTHOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN EARLY CHINESE RECEIVED TEXTS

The graph used to write the name of the mythical emperor Shun 舜 in received texts is a puzzling one. It is not obvious that any component in the graph, as it appears today, is semantically motivated, nor is there any element well suited to representing the name Shun phonetically. Texts like the Shuowen jiezi 說文解字 preserve an alternate writing of the name under the rubric “guwen 古文,” but this too is hard to analyze in terms of the semantic and phonological motivation of the graph components. Without a clear understanding of why the name Shun is written the way it is, a reliable reconstruction of its Old Chinese pronunciation is difficult, and many of the graphic and phonological associations with “Shun” and related words made by early Chinese script, texts, and commentaries would be opaque. A graph that is clearly writing the name Shun, seen for the first time in two of the Warring States-period manuscripts from Guodian 郭店, partially resolved these difficulties, and in particular the question of the phonological spelling of the name. This in turn allows a series of interesting textual problems to be resolved. This article presents a selection of these, and discusses their implications for the history of the Chinese script and for textual transmission.
Block sparse vector recovery via weighted generalized range space property

In block sparse vector recovery problems we are interested in finding the vector with the least number of active blocks that best describes the observation. The convex relaxation of that problem, typically used to reduce complexity, is strictly equivalent with the original problem only when certain conditions are met, such as Restricted Isometry Property, Null Space Characterization, and Block Mutual Coherence. In practice, those conditions may not be satisfied, which implies that solving the relaxed problem may not retrieve the block sparsest solution. In this paper, we propose a weighted approach, which, in the noise free case and under certain conditions guarantees that the relaxed problem solution has the same support as the sparsest block vector. The weights can be obtained based on a low resolution estimate of the group sparse signal.
Personalizing Type 2 Diabetes Management: Use of a Patient-Centered Approach to Individualizing A1C Goals and Pharmacological Regimens

IN BRIEF Caring for people with type 2 diabetes requires a patient-centered approach to treatment targets and medication regimens. Focusing on patients’ individual characteristics, needs, and treatment responses can improve compliance and clinical outcomes. Medication selection can be guided by the mechanisms of action, advantages, disadvantages, and costs of available options; patients’ behavioral and psychological variables, personal preferences, and socioeconomic status also should be taken into account. This article provides an overview of patient-centered and individualized diabetes management, offers pharmacological recommendations for specific clinical scenarios, and describes a complicated case illustrating the patient-centered approach in clinical practice.
Multi-dimensional Modelling of Diesel Combustion: Applications

Various successful applications have proven the reliability of using multi-dimensional CFD tools to assist in diesel engine research, design and development. Those applications can be categorized as follows: using CFD tools to reveal details about invisible (or technically difficult and/or costly) in-cylinder processes of diesel combustion, so that guidance can be provided to improve engine designs in terms of emissions reduction and fuel economy; innovative combustion concepts can be evaluated numerically prior to experimental tests to reduce the number of investigated parameters and thus costs; important design parameters can be discovered by modelling engines of different sizes to establish engine size-scaling relationships and thus non-dimensionalize engine designs; by integration with optimization methodologies, CFD tools can also directly impact the design of optimum engine systems, such as piston geometry and injection parameters. Each of these aspects is described by relevant case studies in this chapter. The corresponding simulations were conducted with an improved version of the KIVA-3v2 code.