cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychometric properties of the GAD-Q-IV and DERS in older, community-dwelling GAD patients and controls

Thirty-seven community-dwelling, older generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) patients and 37 nonanxious controls completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire for DSM-IV (GAD-Q-IV; Newman et al., 2002), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004), and other measures of anxiety and depression. The GAD-Q-IV and DERS were assessed for internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and test-retest reliability, with results indicating good psychometric performance. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis conducted on the full sample suggested that the optimal GAD-Q-IV cutoff for classifying GAD cases was 3.71, with .97 sensitivity and .92 specificity. The cutoff score for classifying those participants with GAD and comorbid conditions was higher, however. ROC analysis with the full sample revealed an optimal DERS cutoff score of 62.5, with .76 sensitivity and .86 specificity. Findings support the use of the GAD-Q-IV and DERS as screening instruments for GAD in older, community-dwelling adults in a research setting.
A new non-enzymatic method for isolating human intervertebral disc cells preserves the phenotype of nucleus pulposus cells.

Cells isolated from intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues of human surgical samples are one of potential sources for the IVD cellular therapy. The purpose of this study was to develop a new non-enzymatic method, “tissue incubation”, for isolating human IVD cells. The IVD tissues of annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) were incubated separately in tissue culture flasks with culture medium. After 7–10 days incubation, cells were able to migrate out of IVD tissues and proliferate in vitro. After 3–4 weeks culture, expanded cells were harvested by trypsinization, and the remaining tissues were transferred to a new flask for another round of incubation. The molecular phenotype of IVD cells from juvenile and adult human samples was evaluated by both flow cytometry analysis and immunocytochemical staining for the expression of protein markers of NP cells (CD24, CD54, CD239, integrin α6 and laminin α5). Flow cytometry confirmed that both AF and NP cells of all ages positively expressed CD54 and integrin α6, with higher expression levels in NP cells than in AF cells for the juvenile group sample. However, CD24 expression was only found in juvenile NP cells, and not in AF or older disc cells. Similar expression patterns for NP markers were also confirmed by immunocytochemistry. In summary, this new non-enzymatic tissue incubation method for cell isolation preserves molecular phenotypic markers of NP cells and may provide a valuable cell source for the study of NP regeneration strategies.
Consumer transgressions in the marketplace: Consumers' perspectives

A national sample of 532 consumers was assessed on 15 different scenarios that reflect questionable behaviors by consumers. The results indicate that consumers are ethically predisposed as they generally express little tolerance for behavioral transgressions on the part of the customer. Factor analysis identified two latent dimensions for the scenarios: direct economic consequences and indirect economic consequences. Respondents expressed greater intolerance of those actions that comprise the indirect economic consequences factor. One-way analysis of variance identified several instances where age, gender, education, and income were related to specific responses. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A dynamic model of expectations equilibrium

Abstract This paper describes a dynamic information adjustment process which achieves (rational) expectations equilibria for stochastic exchange environments. An informational temporary equilibrium is an exchange equilibrium in which agents' expectations are conditioned on their initial information and market data generated in previous informational temporary equilibria. An equilibrium is a temporary equilibrium which reveals no further information. This process leads to an equilibrium even when the data observed by agents is insufficient to permit the existence of an expectations equilibrium.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study of the adsorption of multiple amino silane coupling agents on glass surfaces

Abstract The molecular structures of multiple amino coupling agents have been studied on glass surfaces and as solids using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. High specific surface area fumed silica (Cab-O-Sil) was used. N-2-Aminoethyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (AAPS) and trimethoxysilylpropyldiethylenetriamine (TPDT) were deposited on glass surfaces from diluted aqueous and nonaqueous solutions. From toluene solution, the hydrolyzed AAPS was adsorbed onto glass surfaces to form a completely cured coupling agent layer. From aqueous solutions, the AAPS was deposited as an incompletely cured polyaminosiloxane. The band at 940 cm−1 is assigned to the SiO stretching mode of the uncured silanols of polyaminosiloxane. The difference spectra before and after heat treatment of these samples show the disappearance of the SiOH group of coupling agent and the glass surfaces. A model of interpreting the orientation of AAPS and TPDT on the surface of silica is proposed. The infrared integrated absorbance measurements of the amount of the AAPS and TPDT on the silica suggest that the amount of adsorption depends on the concentration of solution and the nature of coupling agents. The effects of hydrogen bonding and orientation on the adsorption mechanism are discussed. The hydrothermal stability of the coupling agents on the glass surfaces are also examined by infrared spectroscopy.
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY OF RU(BPY)2DPPZ2+ IN NAFION. PROBING THE CHEMICAL ENVIRONMENT IN CAST FILMS

The incorporation of Ru(bpy)2dppz2+ (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2‘,3‘-c]phenazine) into Nafion coatings was monitored in situ by electronic absorption, steady-state emission, and lifetime measurements. ...
Lymphatic distribution of the colon and rectum

Abstract We may state that the lymphatic ducts of the appendix, cecum, ascending colon, right colic flexure, and right two-thirds of the transverse colon follow in general the distribution of the superior mesenteric artery and end in the superior mesenteric lymph nodes, whence the lymph passes through the gastrointestinal (common intestinal) trunk to the cisterna chyli. Lymph from at least a portion of the left flexure of the colon passes to the superior mesenteric lymph glands and to the lymph glands of the hilum of the spleen. The lymph drainage of the descending colon, pelvic colon, and most of the rectum is through the inferior mesenteric and iliac glands and thence to the left lumbar glands. Lymph from the lower part of the anal canal passes by way of vessels which terminate in the superficial inguinal lymph nodes.
Prism adaptation for spatial neglect after stroke: translational practice gaps

Spatial neglect increases hospital morbidity and costs in around 50% of the 795,000 people per year in the USA who survive stroke, and an urgent need exists to reduce the care burden of this condition. However, effective acute treatment for neglect has been elusive. In this article, we review 48 studies of a treatment of intense neuroscience interest: prism adaptation training. Due to its effects on spatial motor 'aiming', prism adaptation training may act to reduce neglect-related disability. However, research failed, first, to suggest methods to identify the 50-75% of patients who respond to treatment; second, to measure short-term and long-term outcomes in both mechanism-specific and functionally valid ways; third, to confirm treatment utility during the critical first 8 weeks poststroke; and last, to base treatment protocols on systematic dose-response data. Thus, considerable investment in prism adaptation research has not yet touched the fundamentals needed for clinical implementation. We suggest improved standards and better spatial motor models for further research, so as to clarify when, how and for whom prism adaptation should be applied.
Reachability of subspaces

The question of whether or not a given k -dimensional subspace V of R n is reachable by trajectories of a linear control system is examined in this paper.
A faclle enzymatic method for the location of radioactivity associated with the carbons of l-aspartic acid, l-asparagine, and β-cyano-l-alanine

Abstract A radiometric enzymatic technique has been devised for locating radioactivity in the carbon skeleton of l -aspartic acid, l -asparagine, and β-cyano- l -alanine. l -Asparaginase at demonstrably discriminant concentrations is used to hydrolyze l -asparagine and/or β-cyano- l -alanine to l -aspartic acid, which in turn is transaminated to oxaloacetic acid by l -glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase. The β-carboxyl group of oxaloacetate is detached by zinc ions, and the radiolabeled CO 2 is collected in alkali after diffusion. The residual pyruvic acid is α-decarboxylated by pyruvate decarboxylase to CO 2 , which is collected in a second alkaline trap, and the other product of decarboxylation, acetaldehyde, diffuses into a separate semicarbazide trap. Carbons 4, 1, and 3 plus 2 are located in this order. This method is shown to be facile, sensitive, reliable, and applicable to samples of biological origin.
Combined Modality Management of Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: A Single-Institution Series of 121 Patients

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate local control, survival outcomes, and complication rates of patients treated with aggressive surgery and radiation therapy (RT) for retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS). Methods and Materials We reviewed the medical records of 121 consecutive patients treated for RPS with surgery and RT between 1965 and 2012. The most common histology was liposarcoma (n=42; 35%). The median follow-up was 100 months (range: 20-467 months). Eighty-six patients (71%) were treated for initial presentation of RPS, and 35 patients (29%) presented with and were treated for RPS recurrence. RT was preoperative in 88 patients (73%; median dose: 50.4 Gy) and postoperative in 33 patients (27%; median dose: 55 Gy). Results Five-year local control and overall survival rates were 56% and 57%, respectively. Two factors were associated with higher risk of any intra-abdominal recurrence at 5 years: positive or uncertain margins (58% vs 30% for negative margins, P P P P Conclusions Intra-abdominal RPS recurrence continues to be a significant challenge despite the use of aggressive surgery and radiation therapy. Given the complications associated with postoperative radiation therapy, we recommend that preoperative radiation therapy is the preferred strategy when combined modality therapy is recommended.
Prediction of Cerebral Vasospasm in Patients Presenting with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Review

Objective Cerebral vasospasm is a devastating medical complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). It is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, even after the aneurysm has been treated. A substantial amount of experimental and clinical research has been conducted in an effort to predict and prevent its occurrence. This research has contributed to significant advances in the understanding of the mechanisms leading to cerebral vasospasm. The ability to accurately and consistently predict the onset of cerebral vasospasm, however, has been challenging. This topic review describes the various methodologies and approaches that have been studied in an effort to predict the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm in patients presenting with SAH. Methods The English-language literature on the prediction of cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH was reviewed using the MEDLINE PubMed (1966-present) database. Results The risk factors, diagnostic imaging, bedside monitoring approaches, and pathological markers that have been evaluated to predict the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm after SAH are presented. Conclusion To date, a large blood burden is the only consistently demonstrated risk factor for the prediction of cerebral vasospasm after SAH. Because vasospasm is such a multifactorial problem, attempts to predict its occurrence will probably require several different approaches and methodologies, as is done at present. Future improvements in the prevention of cerebral vasospasm from aneurysmal SAH will most likely require advances in our understanding of its pathophysiology and our ability to predict its onset.
GreA protein: a transcription elongation factor from Escherichia coli.

Abstract A protein identified as the 158-amino acid product of the greA gene was isolated from Escherichia coli. When added to a halted ternary transcription complex, the GreA protein induced cleavage and removal of the 3' proximal dinucleotide from the nascent RNA. The new 3' terminus generated by the cleavage could be extended into longer transcripts. GreA-mediated cleavage of a transcript appears to permit a ternary complex to resume transcription from a state of indefinite elongation arrest induced by a specific DNA site. The GreA protein tended to interact with RNA polymerase during purification and recycled between RNA polymerase molecules in the course of the in vitro cleavage reaction. Similar biochemical activities have been reported in eukaryotic RNA polymerases, indicating that transcript cleavage and restart of elongation may be a general transcriptional mechanism.
Transient current response of iron-nickel-chromium alloy rotating cylindrical electrodes scribed with a dropped stylus

Abstract The scribing technique was used to investigate dissolution and repassivation kinetics of three iron-nickel-chromium (Fe-Ni-Cr) electrodes immersed in a 0.01 M potassium chloride (KCl) + 0....
Three-dimensional shear in granular flow

The evolution of granular shear flow is investigated as a function of height in a split-bottom Couette cell. Using particle tracking, magnetic-resonance imaging, and large-scale simulations, we find a transition in the nature of the shear as a characteristic height H* is exceeded. Below H* there is a central stationary core; above H* we observe the onset of additional axial shear associated with torsional failure. Radial and axial shear profiles are qualitatively different: the radial extent is wide and increases with height, while the axial width remains narrow and fixed.
Simple formulae for the optimization of the FEL gain length including the effects of emittance, betatron oscillations and energy spread ☆

Abstract Simple analytical formulae are presented for a quick optimization of the free electron laser (FEL) gain length for given values of radiation wavelength, electron beam current, normalized transverse emittance and energy spread. The optimization parameters include the gap size of the wiggler, the wiggler period and the betatron wavelength (in the case of external focusing). The method is based on the handy formulae for the FEL gain of a Gaussian beam [Y.H. Chin et al., Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A318 (1992) 481] including the effects of energy spread, emittance, and betatron oscillations of the electron beam. We have found a simple relation between the maximum FEL gain length and the optimum betatron wavelength for given energy spread, emittance, and gap size of the wiggler. When the emittance is about the radiation wavelength divided by 4π and the energy spread is negligible, this relation shows that the gain length is optimized if the betatron wavelength is chosen so that the betatron phase advances by a half radian in the gain length.
Frequency selective bolometers.

We propose a concept for radiometry in the millimeter, the submillimeter, and the far-IR spectral regions, the frequency selective bolometer (FSB). This system uses a bolometer as a coupled element of a tuned quasi-optical interference filter in which the absorption, the transmission, and the reflection characteristics of the filter depend on the frequency in a controlled manner. Several FSB’s can be cascaded within a straight light pipe to produce a high-efficiency, compact, multiband radiometer. A prototype design is presented together with its anticipated performance based on a one-dimensional transmission-line model. Instruments based on FSB technology should have several advantages over current multiband bolometric radiometers including smaller and more compact cryogenic optics, reduced demands on cryostat size and weight, high coupling efficiency, minimum constraints on the geometry in the focal plane. An FSB system can be configured as a multiband, close-packed focal-plane array, permitting efficient use of the throughput of a telescope.
Current state of neck dissection in the United States.

The status of the cervical lymph nodes is the most important prognosticator in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The neck dissection is both a therapeutic and staging procedure and has evolved to include various types with standardized level designations (I–VI) for lymph node groups: the radical neck dissection, modified radical neck dissection, the selective neck dissection, and the extended neck dissection. The gross and histologic examination of a neck dissection should provide the critical information (size of metastasis, number of lymph nodes involved) for staging purposes. Additionally, extracapsular spread of lymph node metastasis must be reported because of its significance as an adverse prognosticator. Current dilemmas in nodal disease are the detection of micrometastases, isolated tumor cells, and molecular positivity. The significance of these categories of disease is still unclear, though they may explain a subset of the estimated 10% of the regional recurrences in the neck despite pathologic node negativity by traditional methods of evaluation. Sentinel lymph node biopsy has been recently applied to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to enhance the management of the clinicoradiographically node negative patients. While still investigational, sentinel lymph node biopsy shows promise in selecting patients who require a neck dissection. Rapid highly automated real-time RT-PCR based platforms will allow for incorporation of molecular findings into the intraoperative evaluation of a sentinel lymph node.
Long-Term Artificial Sweetener Acesulfame Potassium Treatment Alters Neurometabolic Functions in C57BL/6J Mice

With the prevalence of obesity, artificial, non-nutritive sweeteners have been widely used as dietary supplements that provide sweet taste without excessive caloric load. In order to better understand the overall actions of artificial sweeteners, especially when they are chronically used, we investigated the peripheral and central nervous system effects of protracted exposure to a widely used artificial sweetener, acesulfame K (ACK). We found that extended ACK exposure (40 weeks) in normal C57BL/6J mice demonstrated a moderate and limited influence on metabolic homeostasis, including altering fasting insulin and leptin levels, pancreatic islet size and lipid levels, without affecting insulin sensitivity and bodyweight. Interestingly, impaired cognitive memory functions (evaluated by Morris Water Maze and Novel Objective Preference tests) were found in ACK-treated C57BL/6J mice, while no differences in motor function and anxiety levels were detected. The generation of an ACK-induced neurological phenotype was associated with metabolic dysregulation (glycolysis inhibition and functional ATP depletion) and neurosynaptic abnormalities (dysregulation of TrkB-mediated BDNF and Akt/Erk-mediated cell growth/survival pathway) in hippocampal neurons. Our data suggest that chronic use of ACK could affect cognitive functions, potentially via altering neuro-metabolic functions in male C57BL/6J mice.
Diagnostic and Treatment Dilemmas From Statewide Newborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

s / Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 19 (2013) S233eS256 S256 Figure 1. RFS by CNS Disease at Diagnosis
Prevention of Shivering During Therapeutic Temperature Modulation: The Columbia Anti-Shivering Protocol

As the practice of aggressive temperature control has become more commonplace, new clinical problems are arising, of which shivering is the most common. Treatment for shivering while avoiding the negative consequences of many anti-shivering therapies is often difficult. We have developed a stepwise protocol that emphasizes use of the least sedating regimen to achieve adequate shiver control. All patients treated with temperature modulating devices in the neurological intensive care unit were prospectively entered into a database. Baseline demographic information, daily temperature goals, best daily GCS, and type and cumulative dose of anti-shivering agents were recorded. We collected 213 patients who underwent 1388 patient days of temperature modulation. Eighty-nine patients underwent hypothermia and 124 patients underwent induced normothermia. In 18% of patients and 33% of the total patient days only none-sedating baseline interventions were needed. The first agent used was most commonly dexmeditomidine at 50% of the time, followed by an opiate and increased doses of propofol. Younger patients, men, and decreased BSA were factors associated with increased number of anti-shivering interventions. A significant proportion of patients undergoing temperature modulation can be effectively treated for shivering without over-sedation and paralysis. Patients at higher risk for needing more interventions are younger men with decreased BSA.
Link-Based Performance Optimization of Spatial Mechanisms

In the design of spatial linkages, the finite-position kinematics is fully specified by the position of the joints in space. However, most of the tasks have additional requirements regarding motion smoothness, obstacle avoidance, force transmission or physical dimensions. Many of these additional performance requirements are independent of the finite-position kinematic task and can be solved using link optimization for an already defined set of joints.In this paper we develop a methodology to optimize spatial mechanisms after a first kinematic synthesis stage, by considering the links as anchored to sliding points of a given set of joint axes, which have to meet constraints including link dimension, restricted region of operation and force transmission. The optimization is performed using a hybrid algorithm, including a genetic algorithm (GA) and a gradient-based minimization solver.The methodology has been applied to a spatial CRR-RRR, one-degree-of-freedom closed linkage. The additional requirements in this example are used to control the position and size of the mechanism, and for reducing friction loads at the joints.The combination of the kinematic synthesis together with the link optimization developed in this paper allows interactive monitoring and control of the objectives and constraints, to yield practical solutions for realistic spatial mechanism design problems.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Thermochemistry of Ti+ hydrocarbon bonds: translational energy dependence of the reactions of Ti+ with ethane, propane, and trans-2-butene

Abstract The reactions of Ti + with ethane and propane are studied as a function of translational energy in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. By varying the conditions for forming Ti + , the effect of electronic excitation is studied. In contrast to previous results for reaction of Ti + with methane, little change in reactivity with electronic state is seen here. With ethane, TiC 2 H + 2 and TiC 2 H + 2 are formed in exothermic reactions. Endothermic processes observed are formation of TiH + and TiCH + n , n = 1–3. With propane, the same products as well as TiC 2 H + 3 , TiC 2 H + 5 , and TiC 3 H + n , n = 2, 4, 6, are observed. Analyses of the kinetic energy dependence of these reactions are used to derive the following 298 K thermochemistry: D ⦵ (Ti +  CH) = 5.27 ± 0.15 eV, D ⦵ (Ti +  CH 3 ) = 2.33 ± 0.08 eV, D ⦵ (Ti +  C 2 H 2 ) ⩾ 3.08 eV, D ⦵ (Ti +  C 2 H 3 ) = 3.46 ± 0.25 eV, D ⦵ (Ti +  C 2 H 4 ) ⩾ 1.38 eV, D ⦵ (Ti +  C 2 H 5 ) = 2.28 ± 0.07 eV, D ⦵ (Ti +  C 3 H 4 ) = 2.85 ± 0.15 eV, and D ⦵ (Ti +  C 3 H 6 ) ⩾ 1.16 eV. The reaction of Ti + with trans -2-butene is also studied to derive thermochemistry for the dimethylitanium ion, D ⦵ (H 3 CTi +  CH 3 ) = 2.80 ± 0.26 eV.
Effect of sodium ion coupled nutrient transport on intestinal permeability in chronically catheterised rats

Background —The significance of Na-nutrient cotransport induced alterations in paracellular permeability is controversial. Most previous studies have measured intestinal permeability using in vitro methods or in vivo methods immediately after surgical bowel manipulation, and therefore may not be applicable to normal physiological conditions. Aims —To determine whether activation of Na coupled nutrient transport increases intestinal permeability under normal physiological conditions. Methods —The effect of Na-nutrient cotransport on intestinal permeability was measured in unrestrained, unanaesthetised, chronically catheterised male Sprague-Dawley rats using two different methods: measurement of the rate of absorption of passively absorbed hexoses, mannitol and l-glucose; and measurement of the mannitol:urea diffusion ratio. Results —l-Glucose and mannitol absorption were not increased in the presence ofd-glucose, alanine, maltose, or peptides. The mannitol:urea diffusion ratio was not increased by the presence ofd-glucose. The presence of d-glucose in the intestinal lumen for 20 minutes did not alter intestinal permeability. Conclusions —Under normal physiological conditions, Na coupled nutrient transport does not increase intestinal permeability.
Mechanical and thermal properties, morphology and relaxation characteristics of poly(lactic acid) and soy flour/wood flour blends

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer derived from sugar-based materials, and its applications are varied. PLA blends are commonly employed to overcome certain disadvantages such as poor impact strength, low heat distortion temperature, poor processability and relatively high cost. In this study, blending PLA with soy flour (SF), wood flour (WF) and sodium bisulfite-modified SF was used to improve the adhesion to PLA. In all cases, 0.5 wt% methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) was used as a coupling agent. Mechanical and thermal properties, morphology and relaxation characteristics of the blends were investigated. The results showed that MDI was an effective coupling agent for the WF/PLA system in improving tensile strength and elongation. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that SF and modified SF act as nucleation agents and facilitate the crystallization behavior of PLA by increasing the percentage crystallinity. From mechanical relaxation of the temperature-variant system, we determined how the mechanical relaxation time evolves during the course of heating and obtained the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts parameter and activation energy (ΔE). PLA and its blends exhibited highly homogeneous relaxational dynamics in their transition from glass to liquid, and ΔE of PLA and its blends is mainly affected by their densities and compositions. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Impeller speed, air, and power requirements in flotation machine scale-up

Abstract Experimental and operational data, flotation criteria, machine design and scale-up principles are reviewed and combined in a chart encompassing scale-up detail for various machine types. Topics requiring further study are mentioned.
Implementation and accuracy of genomic selection

Genomic selection is emerging as a powerful tool for the estimation of breeding values in plant and animal breeding. While many analytical approaches have been proposed for the joint estimation of high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) effects, within the framework of best linear unbiased estimation, genomic selection is equivalent to the prediction of breeding values for individuals with no phenotypes, for which the theoretical solution was first published in 1974. Genomic selection simply replaces the pedigree-derived numerator relationship matrix with the marker-derived realized genomic relationship matrix, an approach first proposed in 1997. The advance facilitated by the availability of high-density SNP genotypes is the ability to precisely estimate realized relationship coefficients among individuals regardless of the availability of pedigree information or the history of selection that has been applied to the population. However, genomic relationship coefficients are usually estimated assuming the independence of SNP genotypes, thus ignoring the effects of linkage disequilibrium, and the utilized SNPs are invariably ascertained to be common variants within the specie's genome which leads to the overestimation of relationship coefficients. The accuracy of the produced genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) is often evaluated using variously formed validation populations incorporating individuals with genotypes and phenotypes that were not used for the estimation of SNP effects in the training population. However, GEBV accuracies are shown here to be a function of the accuracy of training population GEBV and the magnitudes of genomic relationships between individuals in the training and validation populations. Consequently, genomic selection is ideally suited to populations in which highly accurate GEBV are available for training population individuals and whose marker-selected progeny go on to produce phenotypes and reenter the training population which then becomes dynamic. Conversely, genomic selection is not well suited to the identification of elite individuals within families that have not historically contributed to breeding programs, to static training populations, or to training and implementation in distantly related populations. Thus, the implementation of genomic selection for costly or difficult to measure phenotypes such as feed efficiency or disease resistance will require the periodic regeneration of phenotyped populations for the retraining of GEBV prediction equations or the identification of the causal variants which underlie variation in these traits. The exponentially reducing cost of whole genome resequencing may soon allow the identification of at least the large effect variants.
The Langley 15-inch Mach 6 High Temperature Tunnel

The Langley 15-Inch Mach 6 High Temperature Tunnel was recently converted from the former Mach 10 Hypersonic Flow Apparatus. This conversion was made primarily to provide the capability of testing in Mach 6 air at higher reservoir temperatures than previously possible at Langley. These elevated temperatures allow the matching of the Mach number, Reynolds number, and ratio of wall-to-adiabatic-wall temperatures (Tw/Taw) between this facility and the Langley 20-Inch Mach 6 CF4 Tunnel; Tw/Taw is also matched for Langley's 31-Inch Mach 10 Tunnel. A brief history and general description of this facility are presented along with a discussion of the recently completed modifications and upgrades.
Accurate predictions from noisy data: replication versus exploration with applications to structural failure

This paper investigates an effective test strategy for structural failure criterion characterization. The goals include identification of potential failure modes and a better approximation of failure boundary, e.g., failure load mapping with respect to geometry and load conditions. We typically replicate and test the same structural configuration several times in order to deal with noisy observation. However, our study shows that replication is not necessarily needed, because of the smoothing effect of surrogate models, and we show that exploring with as many different configurations as possible is more important. We illustrate the failure criterion characterization with two structural examples with various surrogate models, including polynomial response surface (PRS), support vector regression (SVR) and Gaussian process regression (GPR). We also examine the treatment of replicated test data for surrogate fitting. While fitting to all replicated test data works well for GPR, fitting only to the mean values of the replicated data helps a not-well-tuned surrogate (SVR in this paper) by compensating for the proneness to overfitting. When the noise level is significant as compared to the error due to surrogate modeling, a denser matrix might be prone to overfitting for GPR and SVR.
The Conceptualization and Representations of Adolescence in Vietnamese Media during the “Reform Era” of Vietnam (1986–1995)

The purpose of this article is to explore the conceptualization and representations of adolescence in the Vietnamese media during the Reform era (1986–1995). Analyzing newspapers targeting adolesce...
A General Formulation for the Distribution of Impacts and Ejecta from Small Planetary Satellites

Abstract Small planetary satellites and ring moons are the source of dust rings around each of the giant planets, and presumably Mars, by cratering impacts from interplanetary material. The relative velocities of planetary satellites and interplanetary impactors lead to an anisotropic flux of impactors onto planetary satellites. The anistropy in the impactor flux seen from the frame of the satellite results in an anisotropic production of dust from the surface of the satellite. This anisotropy can have observable consequences for the distribution of material in dust rings. In this paper, an expression for the angular distribution of meteoroid ejecta from impacts onto a single moon or ring particle orbiting a planet with arbitrary obliquity is derived. I allow for any distribution of orbits of the impactors by using a Monte Carlo approach for the micrometeoroid orbits. Ejecta distributions are prograde due to the enhanced impact velocity on the leading face of the target. Ejecta orbits are therefore concentrated in the region exterior to the source satellite. Orbitally averaged ejecta distributions are weakly dependent on the planetary obliquity. Ejecta distributions vary with orbital season for planets with a significant obliquity. The orbitally averaged ejecta distribution is weakly dependent on the orbital distribution of the impactor population, largely due to the smearing effect of the assumed ejects "phase function." The impact velocity of micrometeoroids in the frame of the satellite is correlated with the orbital element distribution of the micrometeoroid population, allowing the orbital elements of interplanetary dust to be inferred from dust impact experiments, such as those on Galileo and Cassini. Dust rings derived from micrometeoroid ejecta from small planetary satellites may show seasonal variations in the vertical distribution of dust as the planet orbits the Sun.
Association of a maternal CD14 −159 gene polymorphism with preterm premature rupture of membranes and spontaneous preterm birth in multi-fetal pregnancies

Abstract CD14, the major receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as well as other microbial antigens, is a component of the innate immune system. We hypothesized that a single nucleotide C>T polymorphism at position −159 in the CD14 gene that results in elevated CD14 production would influence susceptibility to preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) in multi-fetal pregnancies. DNA from 107 mother–twin and three mother–triplet pairs was analyzed. Pregnancy outcomes were obtained after completion of testing. CD14*T homozygosity was present in 39.3% of 28 women whose pregnancies ended with PPROM, as opposed to 18.1% of 72 pregnancies without a SPTB ( P =0.03). There was no relation between the fetal CD14 genotype and PPROM. The likelihood ratio (LR) for PPROM was 2.2 for women homozygous for CD14*T. The LR increased to 3.3 and 3.6 if the CD14 polymorphism was present in combination with previously determined maternal polymorphisms in the genes coding for the inducible 70kDa heat shock protein ( hsp70-2 ) and the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN), respectively. Thus, an enhanced maternal pro-inflammatory immune response to LPS may increase susceptibility to PPROM in multi-fetal pregnancies.
Learning in Collaborative Settings: Students Building on Each Other's Ideas to Promote Their Mathematical Understanding.

The purpose of this study is to contribute insights into how collaborative activity can help promote students’ mathematical understanding. A group of six high school students (15- to 16-year olds) worked together on a challenging probability task as part of a larger, after-school, longitudinal study on students’ development of mathematical ideas in problem-solving settings. The students solved the problem and produced a valid justification of their solution. This study shows that collaborative activity can help promote students’ mathematical understanding by providing opportunities for students to critically reexamine how they make claims from facts and also enable them to build on one another’s ideas to construct more sophisticated ways of reasoning. Implications for classroom teaching and ideas for future research are also discussed. The study helps address a documented need for a better understanding of how mathematical learning evolves in social settings.
Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody Recognizes a Unique Epitope on Varicella-Zoster Virus Immediate-Early 63 Protein

We previously constructed a recombinant monoclonal antibody (rec-MAb 63P4) that detects immediate-early protein IE63 encoded by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the cytoplasm of productively infected cells. Here, we used ORF63 truncation mutants to map the rec-MAb 63P4 binding epitope to amino acids 141 to 150 of VZV IE63, a region not shared with other widely used anti-IE63 antibodies, and found that the recombinant antibody does not bind to the simian IE63 counterpart.
School-Based Vaccination Programs and the HPV Vaccine in 16 Appalachian Kentucky School Districts: Results from a Pilot Study

The purpose of this article is to describe a pilot study of 16 Appalachian Kentucky school districts designed to gather information about their school vaccination and health education programs in relation to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. School district administrators were contacted by a professional telephone interviewer and asked to participate in a structured interview that also included open-ended questions. Results suggest that few schools have school-based vaccination programs, and of those that do, very few programs include the HPV vaccine. A majority of respondents reported that information leaflets about HPV are available in the schools, whereas few schools include discussions of HPV in their health programs. Almost all respondents reported an excellent relationship with their county health departments, school nurses, and school social workers, although most schools lacked the presence of a school social worker. Implications for social work practice and policy and directions for future research are also discussed.
On the accuracy of XBT temperature profiles

An evaluation of the performance of XBTs on the continental shelf off eastern Newfoundland (Northwest Atlantic) revealed that XBT temperature profiles could have significant depth offsets that vary randomly from profile to profile and are unrelated to the drop equation error identified previously. When the profiles were adjusted by applying a uniform depth offset estimated from CTD data, the depth error was significantly reduced, in most cases, to levels within the manufacturer's specifications. Thus, even at shallow water depths, where the drop equation error is not significant, XBT profiles may have significant depth offsets unless each profile is calibrated using in situ temperature data. An examination of temperature profiles from a long-term monitoring station off Newfoundland indicates that the depth offset identified in this study could be a major contributor to noise in the data.
Joint similarity problems and the generation of operator algebras with bounded length

There is a pair of commuting operators (T1,T2) on Hilbert space such that eachT1 andT2 is similar to a contraction but the pair (T1,T2) is not similar to a pair of contractions. There is a pair of commuting unitarizable representations (π1,π2) on the free group withN≥2 generators such that (π1,π2) is not similar to a pair of unitary representations. In connection with these examples, we introduce and study a notion of “length” for aC*-algebra (or an operator algebra) generated by two subalgebras, which is analogous to the minimum length of a word in the generators of a group.
Direct numerical simulation of reacting scalar mixing layers

Understanding the passive reaction of two chemical species in shear-free turbulence with order unity Schmidt number is important in atmospheric and turbulent combustion research. The canonical configuration considered here is the reacting scalar mixing layer; in this problem two initially separated species mix and react downstream of a turbulence generating grid in a wind tunnel. A conserved scalar in this flow is, with some restrictions, analogous to temperature in a thermal mixing layer, and considerable laboratory data are available on the latter. In this paper, results are reported from high resolution, direct numerical simulations in which the evolution of the conserved scalar field accurately matches that of the temperature field in existing laboratory experiments. Superimposed on the flow are passive, single-step reactions with a wide range of activation energies and stoichiometric ratios (r). The resulting data include species concentrations as a function of three spatial dimensions plus time, and...
On blanketing sporadic E and polarization effects near the equatorial electrojet

[1] A number of puzzling features have been observed that occur during the day in the vicinity of the equatorial electrojet (EEJ). They include (1) an equatorial belt, essentially collocated with the EEJ, that is virtually devoid of blanketing sporadic E (Esb); (2) appearances of Esb within that “forbidden” belt but only when the EEJ is weak or reversed (i.e., a counterelectrojet); (3) occasional appearances of a secondary current layer above the EEJ; and (4) observations at 4.3°N dip latitude of a latitudinal tilt in the bottomside E layer on one occasion and an unexpectedly large electron drift velocity on another. These features are shown to be accountable if the usual framework for electrodynamics in this region is modified to include the following: (1) transport of Esb that is controlled by a shear in the neutral wind with a crucial contribution from the polarization electric field of the EEJ; (2) the formation of an equatorward boundary for Esb by a dynamical balance between the neutral wind and the polarization electric field; (3) a buildup in conductivity within a band-like region, just poleward of the Esb boundary, from an accumulation of metallic ions; and (4) the appearance of a secondary polarization electric field across the band of enhanced conductivity and current flow throughout the region pervaded by that secondary electric field.
Some factors influencing the contractility of a non-conducting fiber preparation.

Abstract A preparation of muscle fibers preserved in glycerol has been described by Szent-Gyorgyi , in which the contractile elements remain intact whereas the conductive membrane is not functioning. Properties of such fibers and factors influencing the contractile mechanism independent of conduction have been studied. The following essential results have been obtained. 1. 1. Of a great number of compounds tested, only ATP and ADP induced contraction. The concentration of ADP required was more than ten times higher than that of ATP. Adenylic acid and inorganic pyrophosphate had no effect in high concentrations. The same is true for a great number of compounds like acetylcholine, adrenaline, DFP, eserine and many others which are known to affect the normal muscle fiber preparation. 2. 2. Quantitative evaluations have shown that 4 · 10 −2 M of ATP is close to the optimum to induce the contraction of the non-conducting fiber but concentrations as low as 1 · 10 −3 M had a measurable effect. 3. 3. The extent of shortening increased strongly with temperature, for each 10° C rise between 10° and 37° C by a factor of 1.9. 4. 4. The pH optimum was found to be between 7.4 and 7.6. The fibers deteriorated rapidly in solutions beyond the limits of 6.8 and 7.8. 5. 5. Magnesium ions activate the reaction of ATP with the contractile proteins. The optimal concentration was 1 · 10 −2 M. 6. 6. The ATPase activity in the fiber preparation declined greatly during the first three weeks to about 20% of the initial value at which level the activity appears to remain stable. 7. 7. The effect of —SH inhibitors has been studied. Two of these compounds, o -iodosobenzoate and mapharsen, proved to be reversible inhibitors of the contractile process.
Successful Daptomycin Treatment for Staphylococcus lugdunensis Endocarditis

Staphylococcus lugdunensis, a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species, is an increasingly relevant pathogen in the clinical setting. The organism has been isolated as a source of multiple clinical manifestations, including endocarditis. Herein, the authors present 2 cases of Staphylococcus lugdunensis endocarditis. These cases demonstrate the enhanced virulence and wide range of disease severity this organism creates. This enhanced virulence, undoubtedly present in these cases, led to novel daptomycin antibiotic regimen. To the best of the authors knowledge, these are the first reported cases using daptomycin in the treatment of Staphylococcus lugdunensis endocarditis.
Intercellular junctions in the developing neural retina of the chick embryo

The development of intercellular junctions in the neural retina of the chick embryo between the seventh and nineteenth day of incubation has been studied. The main findings are: 1. The zonulae adhaerentes, which make up the outer limiting membrane of the adult retina, are present throughout the period of development covered by this study. 2. Small intercellular junctions of the macula adhaerens diminuta type appear in large numbers in the plexiform layers of the retina of 10 days incubation and are retained throughout development. 3. Synapse-like structures appear in the inner plexiform layer of the retina after 14 days of incubation.
Quantitative determination of PCBs in soil and water by a magnetic particle-based immunoassay

A competitive enzyme immunoassay for the quantification of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soil and water was developed utilizing amine-terminated superparamagnetic particles as the solid phase...
Data completeness: a key to effective net-based customer service systems

To gain and maintain customer loyalty, a firm must learn how to best translate and mine the data they have on those customers.
Loss of heterozygosity of p53 in oral cancers demonstrated by the polymerase chain reaction.

Background. Alterations in the tumor suppressor gene p53 are the most frequently detected genetic abnormalities in human cancers. Inactivated tumor suppressor genes, including p53, often are suggested by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies. p53 gene inactivation has been reported in esophageal cancers. Because the etiologic factors for esophageal and intraoral carcinomas often are the same, corresponding molecular events may occur in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) development. Methods. The authors investigated LOH of the p53 gene in DNA from 27 primary oral cancers using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. DNA from fixed specimens of SCC and normal tissues was isolated and amplified at two p53 gene polymorphic restriction sites. Results. In heterozygous individuals, 10 of 14 (71%) intraoral SCC demonstrated loss of p53 heterozygosity at one polymorphic restriction site. Two of five carcinomas showed LOH at a second site. Conclusions. These results suggest that inactivation of p53 is involved in the development or progression of SCC of the oral cavity.