cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Head Start's Impact on Cognitive Outcomes for Children in Foster Care

Using the Head Start Impact Study data, this secondary data analysis examines Head Start's impact on cognitive outcomes for children in foster care. Out of 4442 children, 162 children in foster care were selected to examine the following study questions. (1) Do children in foster care who enrol in Head Start have different child and family characteristics than those who do not participate in Head Start? (2) Do children in foster care who participate in Head Start have higher reading and math scores at ages five to six? (3) Do child and family characteristics moderate Head Start's impact on reading and math scores of children in foster care at ages five to six? There was no main Head Start impact on reading and math scores for children in foster care. However, Head Start impact was found for the child's gender and the caregiver's age. Girls who participated in Head Start obtained higher reading and math scores than boys. Children cared for by older caregivers had higher math scores than those cared for by younger caregivers. Baseline variables such as ethnicity, special needs status and cognitive skills prior to Head Start enrolment were directly associated with math and reading scores at ages five to six. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. ‘Examines Head Start's impact on cognitive outcomes for children in foster care’ Key Practitioner Messages Child welfare workers should consider enrolling more children who are in foster care in the Head Start programme. Head Start should address and implement programme performance standards and regulation specifically targeting children in foster care. Head Start should consider various family characteristics to maximise programme benefits for children in foster care. ‘Child welfare workers should consider enrolling more children who are in foster care in the Head Start programme’
Identification and Functional Analysis of Novel Nonstructural Proteins of Human Bocavirus 1

Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) is a single-stranded DNA parvovirus that causes lower respiratory tract infections in young children worldwide. In this study, we identified novel splice acceptor and donor sites, namely, A1′ and D1′, in the large nonstructural protein (NS1)-encoding region of the HBoV1 precursor mRNA. The novel small NS proteins (NS2, NS3, and NS4) were confirmed to be expressed following transfection of an HBoV1 infectious proviral plasmid and viral infection of polarized human airway epithelium cultured at an air-liquid interface (HAE-ALI). We constructed mutant pIHBoV1 infectious plasmids which harbor silent mutations (sm) smA1′ and smD1′ at the A1′ and D1′ splice sites, respectively. The mutant infectious plasmids maintained production of HBoV1 progeny virions at levels less than five times lower than that of the wild-type plasmid. Importantly, the smA1′ mutant virus that does not express NS3 and NS4 replicated in HAE-ALI as effectively as the wild-type virus; however, the smD1′ mutant virus that does not express NS2 and NS4 underwent an abortive infection in HAE-ALI. Thus, our study identified three novel NS proteins, NS2, NS3, and NS4, and suggests an important function of the NS2 protein in HBoV1 replication in HAE-ALI. IMPORTANCE Human bocavirus 1 infection causes respiratory diseases, including acute wheezing in infants, of which life-threatening cases have been reported. In vitro, human bocavirus 1 infects polarized human bronchial airway epithelium cultured at an air-liquid interface that mimics the environment of human lower respiratory airways. Viral nonstructural proteins are often important for virus replication and pathogenesis in infected tissues or cells. In this report, we identified three new nonstructural proteins of human bocavirus 1 that are expressed during infection of polarized human bronchial airway epithelium. Among them, we proved that one nonstructural protein is critical to the replication of the virus in polarized human bronchial airway epithelium. The creation of nonreplicating infectious HBoV1 mutants may have particular utility in vaccine development for this virus.
Towards expressive publish/subscribe systems

Traditional content based publish/subscribe (pub/sub) systems allow users to express stateless subscriptions evaluated on individual events. However, many applications such as monitoring RSS streams, stock tickers, or management of RFID data streams require the ability to handle stateful subscriptions. In this paper, we introduce Cayuga, a stateful pub/sub system based on nondeterministic finite state automata (NFA). Cayuga allows users to express subscriptions that span multiple events, and it supports powerful language features such as parameterization and aggregation, which significantly extend the expressive power of standard pub/sub systems. Based on a set of formally defined language operators, the subscription language of Cayuga provides non-ambiguous subscription semantics as well as unique opportunities for optimizations. We experimentally demonstrate that common optimization techniques used in NFA-based systems such as state merging have only limited effectiveness, and we propose novel efficient indexing methods to speed up subscription processing. In a thorough experimental evaluation we show the efficacy of our approach.
Stable Isotope Ratiometer-Multiple Ion Detector Unit for Quantitative and Qualitative Stable Isotope Studies by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

We have designed and constructed a stable isotope ratiometer-multipie ion detector unit, which can drive existing gas chromatograph-quadrupole or magnetic sector mass spectrometers to monitor up to six ions in turn. Each of the three pairs of ions can be selected for quantitation; thus three different or successive components can be analyzed in a single gas-chromatographic run. A background subtraction option permits the ion intensity in the absence of sample to be subtracted automatically during sample measurement. Displays of accumulated counts and isotope ratio are updated twice per second during the measurement and can be printed out at its conclusion. All six ions can be monitored in the analog mode by parallel outputs to a multipen recorder. Experience gained in the construction of this prototype indicates that such units could be commercially available for $10 000, or about a third to a sixth of the cost of even an inexpensive computer system.
Constraints on the anomalous magnetic moment of the W boson from the magnetic moment of the muon

The difference between the experimental value and the standard model prediction for the magnetic moment of the muon is used to constrain the anomalous magnetic moment κ of the W boson. Even though the constraints depend on a cut-off λ, I find that for λ ⪆ 1 TeV only the range 0<κ<2 is allowed. Implications of this result are discussed.
No eigenvalues outside the support of the limiting empirical spectral distribution of a separable covariance matrix

We consider a class of matrices of the form C"n=(1/N)A"n^1^/^2X"nB"nX"n^*xA"n^1^/^2, where X"n is an nxN matrix consisting of i.i.d. standardized complex entries, A"n^1^/^2 is a nonnegative definite square root of the nonnegative definite Hermitian matrix A"n, and B"n is diagonal with nonnegative diagonal entries. Under the assumption that the distributions of the eigenvalues of A"n and B"n converge to proper probability distributions as nN->[email protected]?(0,~), the empirical spectral distribution of C"n converges a.s. to a non-random limit. We show that, under appropriate conditions on the eigenvalues of A"n and B"n, with probability 1, there will be no eigenvalues in any closed interval outside the support of the limiting distribution, for sufficiently large n. The problem is motivated by applications in spatio-temporal statistics and wireless communications.
Laparoscopic splenectomy using conventional instruments.

INTRODUCTION : Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is an accepted procedure for elective splenectomy. Advancement in technology has extended the possibility of LS in massive splenomegaly [Choy et al., J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 14(4), 197-200 (2004)], trauma [Ren et al., Surg Endosc 15(3), 324 (2001); Mostafa et al., Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech 12(4), 283-286 (2002)], and cirrhosis with portal hypertension [Hashizume et al., Hepatogastroenterology 49(45), 847-852 (2002)]. In a developing country, these advanced gadgets may not be always available. We performed LS using conventional and reusable instruments in a public teaching the hospital without the use of the advanced technology. The technique of LS and the outcome in these patients is reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Patients undergoing LS for various hematological disorders from 1998 to 2004 were included. Electrocoagulation, clips, and intracorporeal knotting were the techniques used for tackling short-gastric vessels and splenic pedicle. Specimen was delivered through a Pfannensteil incision. RESULTS : A total of 26 patients underwent LS. Twenty-two (85%) of patients had spleen size more than 500 g (average weight being 942.55 g). Mean operative time was 214 min (45-390 min). The conversion rate was 11.5% ( n = 3). Average duration of stay was 5.65 days (3-30 days). Accessory spleen was detected and successfully removed in two patients. One patient developed subphrenic abscess. There was no mortality. There was no recurrence of hematological disease. CONCLUSION : Laparoscopic splenectomy using conventional equipment and instruments is safe and effective. Advanced technology has a definite advantage but is not a deterrent to the practice of LS.
Stages of change in dietary fat reduction: Social psychological correlates

Abstract This paper describes the application of the stages-of-change construct to fat intake by examining the association of social psychological variables with stages of change based on dietary fat reduction. The association of stages of change with motivational beliefs, social influence, and self-efficacy variables derived from social psychological theories and with fat intake was assessed in 615 adults. Results indicated that stage assignment of individuals by a short self-report staging instrument was corroborated by their fat intake data and that dietary stage groups differed significantly on most variables in ways predicted by theory. ANOVA and discriminant analyses showed that variables reflecting a state of psychological readiness to change and cues to action were more strongly associated with contemplation of change. Reduction of perceived barriers, mostly in terms of taste and perceived difficulty of performing needed behaviors, and increased overall health concern, social modeling, and self-effcacy were associated with taking action and maintaining the behavior change.
On-chip characterization of fluids using microsurface plasmon resonance sensors

The design of a Micro Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor is proposed. The possibility of implementing the modified Kretschmann-Raether scheme on a chip is investigated. A moving waveguide is used to change the angle of incidence of the beam of light. The main advantages of this sensor are potentially low cost, simplicity of design and very high parallelization. It is possible to have large number of such sensors on one chip, each of them with distinct activated sensing surfaces. The modeling of the sensor, design optimization procedures, and fabrication are also discussed. Computer simulations are used to validate the design.
Electrophysiologic testing in patients with recurrent syncope: Are results predicted by prior ambulatory monitoring?

Syncope is a common medical problem which can result from many etiologies, including cardiac dysrhythmias. Because ambulatory monitoring usually fails to capture a syncopal episode, electrophysiologic testing has been used to elucidate dysrhythmic mechanisms in patients with recurrent syncope. To assess whether findings on ambulatory monitoring not obtained during syncope can be used to indicate the results which are found on electrophysiologic testing in patients with recurrent syncope, we reviewed the ambulatory monitoring records of 59 such patients referred for electrophysiologic testing. Although 29 patients had abnormalities on electrophysiologic testing, 13 of which were severe, in only six were the findings suggested by the abnormalities recorded during ambulatory monitoring. Twenty-one patients actually had concordance between electrophysiologic testing and ambulatory monitoring results, but in 15 of the 21 results of both tests were normal. Severe abnormalities were more frequently detected in our patient population by electrophysiologic testing than by ambulatory monitoring, especially if patients had organic heart disease.
Effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on follicular development, oocyte retrieval, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) in ewes during breeding season and seasonal anestrus.

Administration of FSH increases the number of developing follicles, and affects oocyte health and cleavage rate. To determine the optimal level of FSH treatment, studies were conducted during the normal breeding season and seasonal anestrus. In Experiment 1, ewes were implanted with SyncroMate-B (SMB; norgestomet) for 14 days during the breeding season. Beginning on day 12 or 13 after SMB implantation, ewes were treated with saline (control; n=10), or treated with FSH for two days (2D; n=9) or three days (3D; n=10). In Experiment 2, conducted during seasonal anestrus, ewes were implanted with SMB for 14 days (n=23) or were not implanted (n=26). The SMB-implanted and nonimplanted ewes were assigned to one of three treatments as in Experiment 1: control (n=13), 2D (n=21) or 3D (n=15). In Experiments 1 and 2, ewes were laparotomized to count the number of follicles 3 mm and to retrieve oocytes. Healthy oocytes from each treatment were used for IVF. In Experiment 3, ewes (n=6) were implanted twice with SMB for 14 days during seasonal anestrus. Ewes were injected with FSH for 2 days, and the oocytes were collected and fertilized as in Experiments 1 and 2. In Experiment 1, FSH-treatment increased (P 3 mm, the number of oocytes retrieved from follicles 3 mm, the proportion of healthy oocytes, and the number of oocytes used for IVF. Oocytes from control and 2D ewes had greater (P 0.05) numbers of follicles, total oocytes, and healthy oocytes; therefore, data were combined. The FSH treatment increased (P 3 mm, and the number of oocytes recovered from follicles > 3 mm. The recovery rate of oocytes and the percentage of healthy oocytes were similar for control and FSH-treated ewes. The cleavage rate in Experiment 2 ranged from 4 to 16%. In Experiment 3, the cleavage rate for ewes treated twice with SMB was 27% which tended to be greater (P < 0.07) than for the 2D ewes that received one SMB implant in Experiment 2. These data indicate that FSH increased the number of developing follicles and the number of healthy oocytes retrieved from ewes during the breeding season and seasonal anestrus. However, cleavage rates during seasonal anestrus were lower than during the normal breeding season in both FSH-treated and control ewes. Treatment of ewes for 2 days with FSH resulted in a greater cleavage rate than treatment of ewes for 3 days.
Serum calcium as an early indicator for surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism after renal transplantation.

In an attempt to find out if a particular group of patients with hyperparathyroidism after renal transplantation (HRT) are at risk of developing complications, 14 patients with overt untreated HRT who had at least 1 serum calcium determination ≥ 12 mg/100 ml were evaluated and compared retrospectively with 11 normocalcemic transplant recipients at 6 and 30± 8 months after successful renal allografting. Serum calcium was ≥ 12 mg/100 ml within 6 months of transplantation in 13 of the 14 HRT patients. At 6 months significant differences were found between HRT and controls in mean serum calcium (11.6 versus 9.2 mg/100 ml) and alkaline phosphatase (228 versus 120 U/l). At 30±8 months differences were found in serum calcium (10.2 versus 9.4 mg/100 ml), phosphate (2.8 versus 4.8 mg/100 ml), and alkaline phosphatase (180 versus 88 U/l). Serum creatinine levels were similar in the 2 groups. A significant correlation was found between early and late determinations of alkaline phosphatase when all 25 patients were studied as a single group (r=0.72, p<0.001). Bone pain and/or radiological evidence of hyperparathyroid bone disease were significantly associated with HRT (8 versus 1 and 7 versus 0, respectively). A higher but not significant incidence of vascular calcifications (5 versus 1) and acute pancreatitis (2 versus 0) was found in HRT. Patients who develop moderate to severe HRT as defined by at least 1 serum calcium determination ≥ 12 mg/100 ml do so within 6 months of renal transplantation, have increased morbidity, particularly involving the skeleton, and might benefit from early subtotal parathyroidectomy.
How to Control Soaring Costs of Health Care

Managed care is no longer a silver bullet to cure growing corporate health care costs. But innovative new trends in health care benefits can help, say the authors. And they also offer some practical strategies for managing health care costs. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the optimal retaliation against terrorists: The paid-rider option

We examine whether nations, faced with the threat of terrorism, will be motivated to engage in the efficient amount of retaliation against terrorists. We demonstrate that the problem confronting the efforts of nations to achieve an optimal retaliation against terrorists is understated by the traditional free-rider analysis. In particular, nations have the option of actually selling or reducing the public good of retaliation, provided through the efforts of others, by offering safe havens to terrorists in return for the terrorists' pledge to attack elsewhere. This paid-rider behavior is also shown to apply to other public good scenarios.
Improved spatial resolution in the imaging of biological tissue using desorption electrospray ionization

Desorption electrospray ionization imaging allows biomarker discovery and disease diagnosis through chemical characterization of biological samples in their native environment. Optimization of experimental parameters including emitter capillary size, solvent composition, solvent flow rate, mass spectrometry scan-rate and step-size is shown here to improve the resolution available in the study of biological tissue from 180 μm to about 35 μm using an unmodified commercial mass spectrometer. Mouse brain tissue was used to optimize and measure resolution based on known morphological features and their known relationships to major phospholipid components. Features of approximately 35 μm were resolved and correlations drawn between features in grey matter (principally PS (18:0/22:6), m/z 834) and in white matter (principally ST (24:1), m/z 888). The improved spatial resolution allowed characterization of the temporal changes in lipid profiles occurring within mouse ovaries during the ovulatory cycle. An increase in the production of phosphatidylinositol (PI 38:4) m/z 885 and associated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid (FA 20:4) m/z 303 and adrenic acid (FA 22:4) m/z 331was seen with the postovulatory formation of the corpus luteum.
The mechanisms of spin delocalization through sigma bonds delocalization to gamma protons [1]

A study of the mechanisms of spin delocalization to γ hydrogens was conducted by investigating the change in spin density distribution upon geometrical deformation. The mechanisms are expressed in valence bond pictures. The spin densities were calculated using the SCF-MO-INDO method for the propyl radical. An empirical expression for γ-hydrogen hfsc's is proposed.
Calibration of optimal use parameters for an ultraviolet light-emitting diode in eliminating bacterial contamination on needleless connectors.

Aims Needleless connectors may develop bacterial contamination and cause central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) despite rigorous application of best-practice. Ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LED) are an emerging, increasingly affordable disinfection technology. We tested the hypothesis that a low-power UV LED could reliably eliminate bacteria on needleless central-line ports in a laboratory model of central-line contamination. Methods and Results Needleless central-line connectors were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus. A 285 nm UV LED was used in calibrated fashion to expose contaminated connectors. Ports were directly applied to agar plates and flushed with sterile saline, allowing assessment of bacterial survival on the port surface and in simulated usage flow-through fluid. UV applied to needleless central-line connectors was highly lethal at 0·5 cm distance at all tested exposure times. At distances >1·5 cm both simulated flow-through and port surface cultures demonstrated significant bacterial growth following UV exposure. Logarithmic-phase S. aureus subcultures were highly susceptible to UV induction/maintenance dosing. Conclusions Low-power UV LED doses at fixed time and distance from needleless central-line connector ports reduced cultivable S. aureus from >106 CFU to below detectable levels in this laboratory simulation of central-line port contamination. Significance and Impact of the study Low-power UV LEDs may represent a feasible alternative to current best-practice in connector decontamination.
Role of nitric oxide in the regulation of myocardial function

Nitric oxide (NO), produced by either constitutive or inducible isoforms of NO synthase (cNOS or iNOS), influences myocardial inotropic and chronotropic responses. This pathway has been studied using NO donors or NOS inhibitors or by immune-mediated stimulation of iNOS. Although inhibition of constitutive NO activity in the heart does not influence indices of myocardial contractility, NO donors, in some species and preparations, may exert a negative inotropic effect as well as an enhancement of diastolic relaxation. The best documented cardiac action of NO is inhibition of the positive inotropic and chronotropic responses to β-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Basal NO production, presumable via cNOS, appears to exert a mild tonic inhibition of β-adrenergic responses. On the other hand, excessive NO production mediated by iNOS may contribute to the myocardial depression and β-adrenergic hyporesponsiveness associated with conditions such as sepsis, myocarditis, cardiac transplant rejection, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Muscarinic cholinergic stimulation of the heart appears to stimulate NO production that mediates, at least partially, parasympathetic slowing of heart rate and inhibition of β-adrenergic contractility. NO-stimulated production of 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate via guanylyl cyclase accounts for many of the observed physiological actions of NO. 3′,5′-Cyclic guanosine monophosphate inhibits the β-adrenergic-stimulated increase in the slow-inward calcium current and reduces the calcium affinity of the contractile apparatus, actions that could contribute to a negative inotropic effect, an abbreviation of contraction, and an enhancement of diastolic relaxation. Biochemical, immunocytochemical, and molecular biological techniques have been used to show the presence of both cNOS and iNOS within the myocardium. cNOS is expressed in myocytes, endothelial cells, and neurons in the myocardium, and there is evidence for iNOS in myocytes, small vessel endothelium, vascular smooth muscle cells, and immune cells that infiltrate the heart. Taken together, these observations suggest that NO influences normal cardiac physiology and may play an important role in the pathophysiology of certain disease states associated with cardiac dysfunction.
Shelters-an alternative to violence: A psychosocial case study

The problems facing battered women today are being resolved through the use of various intervention strategies. Shelters are a growing phenomenon and are relatively unstudied by social scientists. Although research has focused on organizational issues and features characteristic of shelters, less attention has been given to the effects of shelters upon their residents. There is a need for better understanding of the dynamics of shelters and their psychological and sociological impact upon battered women over time. This article examines the perceptions, attitudes, levels of acceptance, and experiences of battered women residing at “Shelter W.”The impact of this specific shelter upon battered women is analyzed from a pre- to post shelter perspective. The descriptive case study, based upon data obtained from documented analyses, participant observation, and questionnaire forms, presents a multiperspective view of shelter impact and demonstrates how the realities of abusive relationships affect not only residents' perceptions of the shelter, but also their psychological reactions to it and personal experiences within it.
Substrate recognition of PLCγ1 via a specific docking surface on Itk.

Abstract Itk (interleukin-2 inducible T cell kinase) is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase expressed primarily in T cells. Itk catalyzes phosphorylation on tyrosine residues within a number of its natural substrates, including the well-characterized Y783 of PLCγ1. However, the molecular mechanisms Itk exploits to recognize its substrates are not completely understood. We have previously identified a specific docking interaction between the kinase domain of Itk and the C-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2C) domain of PLCγ1 that promotes substrate specificity for this enzyme/substrate pair. In the current study, we identify and map the interaction surface on the Itk kinase domain as an acidic patch centered on the G helix. Mutation of the residues on and adjacent to the G helix within the Itk kinase domain impairs the catalytic efficacy of PLCγ1 substrate phosphorylation by specifically altering the protein–protein interaction interface and not the inherent catalytic activity of Itk. NMR titration experiments using a Btk (Bruton's tyrosine kinase) kinase domain as a surrogate for the Itk kinase domain provide further support for an Itk/PLCγ1 SH2C interaction surrounding the G helix of the kinase domain. The work presented here provides structural insight into how the Itk kinase uses the G helix to single out Y783 of PLCγ1 for specific phosphorylation. Comparing these results to other well-characterized kinase/substrate systems suggests that the G helix is a general structural feature used by kinases for substrate recognition during signaling.
Adsorption and thermally induced reactions of halocyclohexanes on a Cu3Pt(111) surface

Abstract The chemistry of iodocyclohexane, bromocyclohexane and chlorocyclohexane on a Cu 3 Pt(1 1 1) surface has been investigated by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements. Overall, the three halocyclohexanes undergo similar transformations on a Cu 3 Pt(1 1 1) surface. C–I, C–Br and C–Cl bonds break between the corresponding temperatures on Cu(1 1 1) and Pt(1 1 1), leaving cyclohexyl species on the surface. The dehydrogenation reaction leading to the formation of benzene takes place at a very low coverage of cyclohexyl. As the surface concentration of halocyclohexane is increased, the dehydrogenation and hydrogenation of cyclohexyl leading to the formation of cyclohexane and cyclohexene dominates surface processes. The ratio of cyclohexene to cyclohexane produced during thermal annealing depends on the halogen involved. The lower C–X dissociation temperature for C–I, as compared to C–Cl and C–Br seems to favor cyclohexane formation. Molecular desorption of halocyclohexanes from monolayer and multilayer becomes significant at a higher dose. No surface carbon was found after thermal desorption under any coverage.
Removal of Plant Pathogen Propagules from Irrigation Runoff using Slow Filtration Systems: Quantifying Physical and Biological Components

Recycling irrigation water is a common practice at ornamental plant nurseries for conserving water; however, it poses the risk of sourcing and dispersing waterborne plant pathogens, especially species of Phytophthora. Slow sand filtration is a water treatment process that can remove pathogens from water, but the slow rate of water treatment may limit its application at nursery operations. In this study, four novel substrates (crushed brick, calcined clay, polyethylene beads, and Kaldnes® medium) in addition to sand were examined to determine how effective each substrate was at removing zoospores of Phytophthora nicotianae from water. The effects of substrate physical parameters, substrate depths (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 cm), and microbe density (after nursery effluent was recirculated through each substrate for 21 days) on zoospore removal by each substrate were quantified. Sand was the most effective physical filter and supported development of the best biological filter for removing zoospores. Sand columns 40 and 60 cm deep removed zoospores completely using physical filtration alone, and zoospore removal by sand at 10- and 20-cm depths was increased with the addition of biological filtration. Kaldnes® medium and polyethylene beads were the least effective filtration substrates under all conditions tested. After 21 days of recirculating nursery effluent through substrate columns, microbe density in and zoospore removal by all substrates increased. With further optimization, crushed brick may have potential to be utilized as a recycled material for a slow filtration system focused on removing plant pathogens from irrigation water.
Surface friction guiding for reduced high-frequency lateral vibration of moving media

The free and forced vibration of a moving medium is examined in an application where distributed friction guiding is used to control lateral position passively. Subambient pressure features formed in the guides intentionally modify the naturally occurring self-pressurized air bearing and increase the contact force between the medium and the guide's surface. These features increase friction to a level beyond that achievable based on the nominal wrap pressure. The moving medium is modeled as a beam that is transported over frictional regions and subjected to prescribed boundary disturbances arising from runout of a supply or take-up roll. For axial transport at a speed that is high compared to the velocity of lateral vibration, Coulomb friction between the guides and the moving medium can be well approximated by a derived expression for equivalent viscous damping. The equation of motion is developed for the cases of a single cylindrical guide and of a multiplicity of guides having arbitrary placement. The level of equivalent damping for each mode decreases with transport speed, and critical speeds exist where each vibration mode transitions between the overdamped and underdamped regimes. Parameter studies in the contact pressure, transport speed, and guide geometry identify preferred design configurations for maximizing dissipation in particular modes and for attenuating high-frequency response.
Domain size, closure domains, and the importance of magnetostriction in magnetite

Abstract Previous micromagnetic calculations invoking magnetostatic, exchange and crystalline anisotropy energies predict about an order of magnitude more domains in magnetite than have experimentally been observed. Domains observed on magnetite by the magneto-optic Kerr effect are of similar size as previously observed ones by the Bitter technique. Simple but quite accurate domain calculations show that for rectangular parallelepipeds of magnetite it is the closure-four domain configuration that should be of lowest energy for all multidomain grain sizes unless magnetostrictive energies are considered. For the observed domain pattern it is shown that the domains themselves must carry significant magnetoelastic energies.
Baseline bone mineral density of the total lumbar spine may predict for chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure.

Age at treatment and the total cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide are established predictors of chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure in premenopausal women with breast cancer. In a prospective trial of 49 women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, we sought to identify whether other factors including family history of osteoporosis, lifestyle factors, reproductive hormones, bone turnover markers, or bone mineral density (BMD) of the hip or total spine measured before (baseline) and 6 months after chemotherapy increased the risk of ovarian failure. Univariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the variables related to the risk of ovarian failure, and a multivariate logistic regression model was used to find the best of predictors of ovarian failure among the variables. In the multivariate model a higher total spine BMD at baseline (OR=6.0, p=0.02, 95% CI 1.4–27.3), and a 10% change in estradiol (E2) from baseline to six months (OR=0.80, p=0.02, 95% CI 0.67–0.97) were predictive of ovarian failure adjusted for age. In particular, as total spine BMD at baseline increases by 0.1 g/cm2 the odds of developing chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure increases by 6-fold. The multivariate model provides a good fit to the data (GOF p-value=0.8852), and provides excellent discrimination between those women who will and will not develop ovarian failure (Area under ROC=0.9487). If confirmed in larger data sets, using baseline spinal BMD to identify women who are at higher risk of developing ovarian failure independent of their age would be of value.
Progressive dysregulation of transcription factors NF-κB and STAT1 in prostate cancer cells causes proangiogenic production of CXC chemokines

The CXC chemokine family includes members that possess angiogenic and angiostatic properties. Angiogenic CXC chemokines are produced by prostate cancer cells and contribute to prostate tumor growth...
Discrete approximation of multivariate densities with application to Bayesian estimation

A procedure is presented for finding a discrete approximation to a continuous multivariate density function. It is based on a previously developed algorithm [2] for determining the L1 optimal discrete approximation to a univariate density. Results of approximating continuous bivariate density functions, which represent distributions of the parameters of a pharmacokinetic model, show good agreement between the mean and covariance matrix of the approximated and approximating densities. The distribution of a predicted drug conceptration was also calculated using a continuous density and discrete approximations with both 25 and 81 points. The expected values of the predicted concentration, as well as selected percentile points, obtained using each density are in close agreement.
A direct nitrogen-15 NMR study of cerium(III)-nitrate complexes in aqueous solvent mixtures

A study of the complex formation which occurs between cerium(III) and nitrate ions in aqueous solvent mixtures has been carried out by a direct, low-temperature, nitrogen-15 (15N) NMR technique. At temperatures in the range of −95 to −110°C, ligand exchange is slow enough to permit the observation of separate15N NMR signals for bulk nitrate, and this anion in the cerium(III) principal coordination shell. In water-acetone-Freon-12 mixtures, the spectra reveal the nitrato complexes do not form consecutively. Rather, signals are observed for Ce(NO3)2+, Ce(NO3) 2 1+ , and only two other higher order complexes, even at very high NO 3 − to Ce(III) mole ratios. Signal area evaluations were used to identify the possible higher order complexes. At comparable salt concentrations in aqueous-methanol mixtures, only Ce(NO3)2+ and Ce(NO3) 2 1+ are formed, reflecting a decreased tendency for complexation in media of higher dielectric constant.
Glyphosate efficacy is contributed by its tissue concentration and sensitivity in velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

Abstract Glyphosate efficacy was examined in young velvetleaf plants from the standpoint of its tissue distribution and sensitivity. In whole plant assays, manual application of a sub-lethal dose to the first leaf resulted only in meristem injury while other tissues remained visually healthy. Our studies showed that this differential tissue response was caused by a combination of differential distribution as well as sensitivity to glyphosate. Using [14C]glyphosate, we measured tissue injury and glyphosate residue, and calculated tissue threshold for 50% growth inhibition. Our studies showed that roots and meristem have high glyphosate distribution (45 and 34% of translocated, respectively) and low inhibition thresholds (0.23 and 0.21 ppm, respectively) resulting in tissues that were easily killed by glyphosate. In contrast, the base stem contained a much higher inhibition threshold (8.4 ppm) with only intermediate distribution (10%) resulting in a tissue that was most difficult to kill. We observed a linear relationship between glyphosate dose and tissue concentration; furthermore, tissue distribution pattern was independent of dose or surfactants class. At a sub-lethal dose, sensitive tissues that received a large distribution of glyphosate were preferentially killed. As the dose was increased, more glyphosate was available for distribution, and all tissues received a proportionately greater amount of glyphosate. Plant death occurred when the applied dose was sufficient to attain the lethal threshold in all tissues.
Optimal simplex tableau characterization of unique and bounded solutions of linear programs

Uniqueness and boundedness of solutions of linear programs are characterized in terms of an optimal simplex tableau. LetM denote the submatrix in an optimal simplex tableau with columns corresponding to degenerate optimal dual basic variables. A primal optimal solution is unique iff there exists a nonvacuous nonnegative linear combination of the rows ofM, corresponding to degenerate optimal primal basic variables, which is positive. The set of primal optimal solutions is bounded iff there exists a nonnegative linear combination of the rows ofM which is positive. WhenM is empty, the primal optimal solution is unique.
Response of the ventral pallidal/mediodorsal thalamic system to antipsychotic drug administration : Involvement of the prefrontal cortex

Intracellular recordings were obtained from rat ventral pallidal (VP) and mediodorsal thalamic (MD) cells in vivo and the effects of antipsychotic drugs on their basal and evoked electrophysiological characteristics were assessed. Administration of either haloperidol or clozapine caused a significant decrease in the average firing rate, accompanied by a hyperpolarization of the membrane potential in the VP cells recorded. However, neither drug induced a substantial change in the other basic membrane properties of the MD cells or VP cells tested. In addition, in 50% of the MD cells tested, both antipsychotic drugs caused a change in spike discharge from an oscillatory pattern to a tonic discharge mode. In rats that had received ibotenic acid lesions of the prefrontal cortex (PFCtx) 4–8 weeks prior to recording, cells in the VP exhibited similar changes in firing frequency in response to haloperidol administration as those in the intact rats. However, in contrast to the intact rats, MD cells recorded from rats with PFCtx lesions exhibited a significant increase in firing rate after haloperidol administration. The results from this study suggest that the prefrontal cortex plays a role in modulating the response of the thalamus to antipsychotic drugs.
Internet Sex Addiction Treated With Naltrexone

Malfunctioning of the brain's reward center is increasingly understood to underlie all addictive behavior. Composed of mesolimbic incentive salience circuitry, the reward center governs all behavior in which motivation has a central role, including acquiring food, nurturing young, and having sex. To the detriment of normal functioning, basic survival activities can pale in importance when challenged by the allure of addictive substances or behaviors. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter driving both normal and addictive behavior. Other neurotransmitters modulate the amount of dopamine released in response to a stimulus, with the salience determined by the intensity of the dopamine pulse. Opiates (either endogenous or exogenous) exemplify such modulators. Prescribed for treating alcoholism, naltrexone blocks opiates' capacity to augment dopamine release. This article reviews naltrexone's mechanism of action in the reward center and describes a novel use for naltrexone in suppressing a euphorically compulsive and interpersonally devastating addiction to Internet pornography.
Giant pelvic retroperitoneal leiomyoma arising from the rectal wall.

Abstract Background Pelvic retroperitoneal leiomyomas arising from the rectal wall are rare. We present a case of a giant retroperitoneal leiomyoma mimicking bilateral solid adnexal masses in a postmenopausal woman. Case A 54-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with a large abdominopelvic mass. At surgery, the uterus was displaced anteriorly by a large retroperitoneal mass. The rectosigmoid colon was noted to course through the retroperitoneal mass. The patient underwent complete excision of the retroperitoneal mass along with a rectosigmoid resection of the involved colon with primary reanastomosis. Histopathology showed a leiomyoma arising from the muscularis propria of the rectum wall. Conclusion Retroperitoneal masses that extend into the pelvis may mimic adnexal masses and, therefore, represent a rare finding at gynecologic surgery.
Confronting prejudice: The who, what, and why of confrontation effectiveness

Following a task that ostensibly revealed implicit racism or sexism, participants were confronted about their bias. The confronter's race and gender were manipulated to test whether group membership (whether one is part of the group experiencing prejudice) determined confrontation effectiveness. Results showed that the confrontation of racism met with greater acceptance when performed by a White than a Black confronter, indicating that group membership drives confrontation impact. Further, tests of two possible mediational accounts showed mediation by perceptions of the Black confronter as a complainer. Participants trivialized the confrontation concerning sexism, underscoring the need to strengthen social norms against sexism. Implications for engaging in confrontation are discussed.
THE STRUCTURE AND TENSILE PROPERTIES OF THE SKIN OF TIGHT-SKIN (Tsk) MUTANT MICE

In this study we examine the structure and tensile properties of the skin of tight-skin (Tsk/+) mice. The effects of this mutation appear to be confined to the connective tissues and are particularly manifest in the skin which feels abnormally tight. A comparison of the load/extension relationship of dorsal skin from Tsk/+ and normal (+/+) siblings was evaluated by means of an Instron extensometer. The skin of Tsk/+ mice was found to be stiffer than normal when stretched in the long axis of the body and in addition appeared to lack much of the directional difference in tensile properties which characterizes normal skin. Light microscopical study of skin from the ear, back, and abdomen showed that the dermis of Tsk animals is substantially thicker than normal and lacks the regular weave typical of normal dermal collagen fibers. The hypodermis of Tsk mice is also hypertrophic and in places appears to be firmly attached to deeper tissues. These data suggest that while the "tightness" of Tsk skin is most likely a result of dermal attachment to deep tissues, the unusual tensile properties of the excised skin may be at least in part a result of an alteration in the fibrous architecture of the dermis. Finally, certain similarities are noted between the cutaneous abnormalities of Tsk/+ mice and that of systemic scleroderma in man.
On algebraic structures of spatial ordering and location code

The methodology of spatial ordering has been widely applied to many computational paradigms. A spatial ordering is usually expressed as a location code. This paper tries to fill the gap on the algebraic structures of spatial ordering. Several theorems on existence of the linear location code are stated and proved. The quadrant-recursive orders are characterized with Kronecker algebra. The generalized linear code and binomial location code are introduced to represent most applicable spatial orders. The outstanding sparsity presented in their characteristic matrices may significantly improve the computability of concerned paradigms.
Workforce diversity and shareholder value: a multi-level perspective

Our study examines the effects of the racial diversity of a firm’s workforce on shareholder value. We show that the disclosure of racial diversity in firms yields significant, positive abnormal returns. We further test the effects of several indicators of both lower-level and upper-level workforce diversity in explaining variations in abnormal returns. Our results indicate that two measures of lower-level diversity, workforce heterogeneity and percent of minority new hires, and one measure of upper-level diversity, percent of minorities among the firm’s top paid executives, are significantly related to shareholder value. Also, research expenditures, is an important driver of shareholder value in diverse firms. Moreover, workforce heterogeneity is more essential to creating shareholder value in service firms where there is more direct interaction with end-user customers. Thus, consistent with arguments related to the resource-based view and the innovation hypothesis, our study provides empirical support that firms benefit from developing a racially diverse workforce at multiple levels within the organization.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Porphyrinatorhodium(II)-Triethylphosphine Adducts: The Role of PEt3 in Stabilizing a Formal Rh(II) State

Rh(por)H, where por is an octaethyl- or meso−tetraphenylporphyrin dianion, reacts with triethylphosphine to form stable mononuclear paramagnetic formally-RhII complexes, Rh(OEP)(PEt3) and Rh(TPP)(PEt3)2. The former adduct is also obtained as the sole product of the reaction between Rh2(OEP)2 and PEt3. The EPR spectroscopy at 77 K shows both complexes to have mainly porphyrin-based HOMOs. The composition and the reactivity of Rh(TPP)(PEt3)2 support its formulation as RhIII(TPP•-)(PEt3)2. In contrast, Rh(OEP)(PEt3) demonstrates the reactivity of both a RhII d7 center and a porphyrin π-anion radical. The adduct reacts with O2 as a RhII(por) species, originally forming a RhIII-superoxido derivative. In contrast, with water Rh(OEP)(PEt3) reacts as a porphyrin π-anion radical, yielding a RhIII−octaethylphlorin complex. The latter is the first characterized phlorin complex of a heavy transition metal. The dual reactivity of Rh(OEP)(PEt3) is proposed to arise from thermal excitation of the unpaired electron from ...