cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Motor adaptation to real-life external environments using immersive virtual reality: A pilot study

Abstract Introduction Virtual reality (VR) has been described as an emerging therapeutic strategy to promote motor adaptation in different populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of virtual environment demands, provided by an immersive VR system, on kinematic and spatio-temporal gait parameters in healthy young participants. Methods Fifteen healthy young participants participated in this experimental study performing, in sequence, a baseline natural walking (NW) block, two different virtual environment walking blocks (snowy and crowded conditions), and a mixed walking block (including NW, snowy, and crowded conditions). Participants’ Center-of-Mass (COM) excursion angle, medio-lateral (ML) COM excursion, step length, and walking speed were analyzed for each trial. Results COM excursion angle and ML-COM excursion increased significantly during the first snowy and crowded VR trials compared to NW trials, while walking speed and step length decreased only for the snowy conditions. COM excursion angle and ML-COM excursion increased significantly from the first to the fourth VR snowy trial and decreased from the first to the fourth VR crowded trial. Participants retained the acquired motor adaptations even after the mixed block. Conclusion This study showed that kinematic and spatio-temporal gait parameters of young participants changed according to the virtual environment demands provided for each virtual scenario. In addition, all participants showed a consistent gait adaptation process to each virtual environment across the VR trials. The present findings highlight the impact of VR for gait adaptation, suggesting that VR training could modify motor behavior and enhance the motor adaptation process in healthy young participants.
Self-Efficacy Sydney: An EHWLT for Young Children with Chronic Illness

Pediatric chronic illnesses continue to rise in the U.S. Prepubescent children often develop delays in learning about their health that can lead to unhealthy habits, mental health problems, and feelings that managing their disease is almost impossible. With health and emotional support tools often being inaccessible to families, the need for an accessible, mainstream, and fun emphatic health and wellness learning tool (EHWLT) has increased. This work-in-progress describes a web-based children's tool known as Sydney that is designed to teach young children how to manage their chronic illness symptoms using playful stories.
Closed Reduction Percutaneous Pinning Management of a Cuboid Fracture-Dislocation in a 70-Year-Old Man: A Case Report.

Case A 70-year-old man sustained a traumatic injury to his right foot after falling from a 3-foot height. Imaging demonstrated a cuboid fracture with inferomedial dislocation and associated nondisplaced midfoot fractures. Treatment consisted of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (CRPP) using Kirschner wire fixation. His postoperative recovery was uneventful with full return to activities. Conclusion Cuboid fracture-dislocations are exceedingly rare, and subsequently, there is a paucity of treatment recommendations in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported successful closed reduction with percutaneous pinning for a cuboid fracture with associated dislocation. CRPP is a potential treatment option for this injury.
Clinical Implications of Bone Bruise Patterns Accompanying Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears

Background:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are common injuries; they are often associated with concomitant injuries to other structures in the knee, including bone bruises. While there is li...
Professional Learning and Development in Classroom Management for Novice Teachers: A Systematic Review

There is a growing awareness that novice teachers in particular are in need of support and additional professional learning and development (PLD), especially in the area of classroom management. Yet there is limited information regarding effective approaches for building novice teachers’ skills related to classroom management. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review of experimental studies related to novice teacher PLD in classroom management. We identified eight original experimental peer-reviewed studies published. We explored the research base, applying the Council for Exceptional Children Quality Indicators and coding studies to identify elements of practice-based professional development. Together, the available studies suggested that providing PLD increases classroom management practices while increasing student engagement. We discuss the implications of this review and conclude with implications for practice and future research related to novice teacher PLD.
flip-hoisting: Exploiting Repeated Parameters in Discrete Probabilistic Programs.

Probabilistic programming is emerging as a popular and effective means of probabilistic modeling and an alternative to probabilistic graphical models. Probabilistic programs provide greater expressivity and flexibility in modeling probabilistic systems than graphical models, but this flexibility comes at a cost: there remains a significant disparity in performance between specialized Bayesian network solvers and probabilistic program inference algorithms. In this work we present a program analysis and associated optimization, flip-hoisting, that collapses repetitious parameters in discrete probabilistic programs to improve inference performance. flip-hoisting generalizes parameter sharing - a well-known important optimization from discrete graphical models - to probabilistic programs. We implement flip-hoisting in an existing probabilistic programming language and show empirically that it significantly improves inference performance, narrowing the gap between the performances of probabilistic programs and probabilistic graphical models.
An Open Trial of the Anxiety Action Plan (AxAP): A Brief Pediatrician-Delivered Intervention for Anxious Youth

Background Anxiety disorders in youth are among the most common psychiatric disorders, yet the majority of affected youth do not receive treatment. One approach to improving access to care is identification and intervention within the primary care setting.
Evidence for a dissociable glucagon binding site in a solubilized preparation of myocardial adenylate cyclase.

Abstract A solubilized preparation of myocardial adenylate cyclase was chromatographed on Sephadex G-100. Binding of 125I-glucagon and fluoride-stimulatable adenylate cyclase activity occurred in the elution fractions excluded from the gel suggesting a molecular weight greater than 100,000 for the enzyme-receptor site complex. Prior incubation of the binding peak with glucagon shifted its elution pattern on Sephadex G-100 to a smaller molecular weight peak of approximately 20,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The findings are consistent with a dissociable receptor site for glucagon on myocardial adenylate cyclase and may provide a mechanism for activation-inactivation of the enzyme following hormone binding.
A role for GABA in alcohol dependence.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the role for γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in alcohol dependence. Low doses of alcohol are hypothesized to act directly through proteins that form ligand‐gated receptor channels, such as the GABA receptor complex, to allosterically alter function, particularly in speciﬁc brain areas such as those hypothesized to be involved in alcohol reinforcement. Speciﬁc GABA subunits involving the α4, α6, β3, and δ subunits are found to be particularly sensitive to alcohol. At the pharmacological level, the effects of alcohol with GABA antagonists and GABA B agonists can be antagonized, particularly its sedative, anxiolytic‐like, and acute reinforcing actions. Brain sites involved in the GABAergic component of alcohol reinforcement include the ventral tegmental area, elements of the extended amygdala, and the globus pallidus. Chronic administration of alcohol sufficient to produce dependence and increased alcohol intake is associated with increased GABA release in the amygdala, and GABA agonists block alcohol withdrawal and reduce excessive alcohol intake in dependent animals during withdrawal. A hypothesis is proposed in the chapter that GABAergic interactions with the brain stress neurotransmitter corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) in speciﬁc elements of the extended amygdale may be an important component for the motivation for excessive drinking associated with the transition from social drinking to addiction.
SIFFEA: Scalable Integrated Framework for Finite Element Analysis

SIFFEA is an automated system for parallel finite element method (PFEM) with unstructured meshes on distributed memory machines. It synthesizes mesh generator, mesh partitioner, linear system assembler and solver, and adaptive mesh refiner. SIFFEA is an implicit parallel environment: The user need only specify the application model in serial semantics; all internal communications are transparent to the user. SIFFEA is designed based on the object-oriented philosophy, which enables easy extensibility, and a clear and simple user interface for PFEM.
Measurement of radiation exposure of astronauts by radiochemical techniques

Only two of the fecal specimens collected inflight during the Apollo 15 mission were returned for analysis. Difficulty in obtaining reasonably accurate radiation dose estimates based on the cosmogenic radionuclide content of the specimens was encountered due to the limited sampling. The concentrations of Na-22, K-40, Cr-51, Fe-59, and Cs-137 are reported. The concentrations of 24 major, minor, and trace elements in these two specimens were determined. Most concentrations are typical of those observed previously. Major exceptions are extremely low values for selenium and extraordinarily high values for rare earth elements. The net Po-210 activities in the Apollo 11 and 12 Solar Wind Composition foils and in the Apollo 8 and 12 spacecraft reflective coatings due to lunar exposure have been determined. Equilibrium concentrations of 0.082 + or - 0.012 disintegrations /sq cm sec of Rn-222 in the lunar atmosphere and 0.0238 + or - 0.0035 disintegrations /sq cm sec of Po-210 on the lunar surface have been calculated for Oceanus Procellarum.
A Simple Approximation for Bivariate Normal Probabilities

The bivariate normal distribution function may be expressed as the product of a marginal normal distribution times a conditional distribution. By approximating this conditional distribution, we obtain a simple method for approximating bivariate normal p..
A voice-controlled mechanical arm for immobilized patients

This work describes a system developed on a PDP 11/45 computer which recognizes spoken commands and controls a Scheinmann MIT mechanical arm to serve the needs of an immobilized patient. The speech recognition is discrete word with template matching, using as features zero crossing rate, average absolute magnitude, and frequency and normalized error as derived from the two pole linear predictive analysis. Commands are made up of words from a 16-word vocabulary obeying a specified, syntax. Upon recognition of a command the arm performs the corresponding pre-programmed task. A recognition time of two seconds is attained (including the one second sampling interval), plus an additional one second to verify the word. With the command syntax a recognition rate of 88% is attained, as compared with only 56% when each word is matched against every word in the vocabulary.
Thiol and hydroxamic acid containing inhibitors of endothelin converting enzyme

Abstract A group of peptido-mimetic molecules containing either a thiol or hydroxamic acid moiety were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro inhibition of a putative endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) partially purified from rabbit lung membranes. These compounds were envisioned as analogs of the phosphoramide containing metalloprotease inhibitor phosphoramidon.
Osteopenia and Osteoporosis in Adult Baboons (Papio hamadryas)

Background Little is known about the degree to which baboons, an important animal model in skeletal research, spontaneously experience age-related osteopenia and osteoporosis. Methods We measured bone mineral density (BMD) in 667 baboons, assigned T-scores to older animals based on sex-specific young adult reference groups, and compared reproductive history in older females with low BMD to those with normal BMD. Results Approximately 25% of older baboon females were osteopenic. No females or males were osteoporotic. Neither parity nor interbirth interval spine clearly distinguished low vs. normal BMD groups. Intersite correspondence in low BMD was highest between sites in the same region rather than sites of the same bone type. Conclusion As with humans, osteopenia is common among older females. The absence of osteoporotic animals may be due to colony maintenance resulting in truncation of the aged population and selection for healthier animals in the oldest ranges.
Galloping induced by pontine tegmentum damage in rats: a form of "Parkinsonian festination" not blocked by haloperidol

Abstract Localized lesions or local applications of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pontis (NRTP) of rats cause rapidly accelerating forward locomotion. Such "festination" can coexist with blockade of the dopamine system. We suggest that (i) the akinesia produced by dopamine deficiency results at least in part from release of excessive inhibition of locomotion by a neural system whose final common inhibitory path includes the region of the NRTP and (ii) when it occurs in addition to nigrostriatal damage, destruction in the region of the NRTP might be the cause of a form of festination seen in some patients suffering from Parkinsonism.
Juxtamembrane autoinhibition in receptor tyrosine kinases

Receptor tyrosine kinases are essential mediators of cell growth, differentiation, migration and metabolism. Accordingly, their catalytic activity is tightly regulated by several mechanisms including autoinhibition. Recent structural studies, together with biochemical experiments, are now unravelling the molecular mechanisms by which the juxtamembrane region (between the transmembrane helix and the cytoplasmic kinase domain) negatively regulates catalytic activity in various receptor tyrosine kinases.
Role of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in preventing left ventricular remodelling following myocardial infarction

Progressive changes typically occur in left ventricular (LV) architecture following moderate- to large-sized myocardial infarction (MI). These changes include early expansion and thinning of the infarct zone and subsequent increase in myocardial mass within the non-infarcted zone, with LV dilatation and loss of the normal elliptical configuration of the LV cavity. These changes are accompanied by impaired myocyte function and advancing clinical expression of heart failure. Numerous animal and human studies have documented inhibition of LV remodelling post-MI by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Although the ideal timing for initiating treatment remains uncertain, evidence exists that benefit persists long after the time of initial injury. Mechanisms for the effects of ACE inhibitors on LV remodelling may be dependent on changes in myocardial load may be load independent, or both. These effects are likely to be mediated by reductions in circulating and local tissue concentrations of angiotensin II and in bradykinin degradation. Regardless of the exact mechanism or mechanisms by which ACE inhibitors exert their favourable influence on LV remodelling, it is likely that this effect is a key mediator of the documented clinical benefits afforded by treatment with this class of agents.
A flow through analysis biosensor system for cyanide

Abstract A flow through biosensor system has been developed for the determination of free cyanide in brass plating and rinsing solutions. The system consisted of rhodanese immobilized on aminopropyl glass beads via glutaraldehyde activation to form an enzyme column and sulfite oxidase immobilized on a preactivated nylon membrane and attached to the surface of a hydrogen peroxide electrode (platinum vs silver/silver chloride at 0.7 V). The immobilized rhodanese first converted cyanide to thiocyanate in the presence of thiosulfate and produced sulfite which was, in turn, converted to sulfate by immobilized sulfate oxidase. The latter enzymatic reaction also released hydrogen peroxide which was amperometrically detected at the platinum anode. The biosensor system exhibited a linear response from 5 to 1000 μM cyanide and could be reused for 35 repeated analyses. The system was stable for at least 18 h of continuous operation at 25°C. The immobilized rhodanese and sulfite oxidase stored in 3 M ammonium sulfate were stable for 4 months at −20°C and 50 days at 4°C, respectively. When measuring cyanide in metal plating solutions, the results obtained by the biosensor system agreed well with that of soluble enzymatic and the colorimetric assays. The data obtained, however, was not in agreement to those of the commercially available Orion cyanide electrode.
Infrared flame radiation

Abstract Gaseous and particulate absorption for a non-homogeneous medium is considered both analytically and experimentally. A simple peak partial pressure and peak temperature scaling method applicable to combustion zones is successfully employed for non-homogeneous intensity calculations. Experimentally, natural convection controlled diffusion flame radiation is investigated. Spectral measurements of the radiance and transmittance are reported for polystyrene, Delrin, and Plexiglas fuels. The homogeneous gray model is shown to predict the experimental results reasonably well, yet is useful only when experimental data exist. The homogeneous nongray approximation is found to be inapplicable to highly non-homogeneous pathlengths. Non-homogeneous nongray calculations are shown to be accurate and with the peak partial pressure and peak temperature scaling method, simple calculations are possible from fundamental properties of the flames.
A bio-inspired, high-authority actuator for shape morphing structures

Lightweight structures capable of changing their shape on demand are of interest for a number of applications, including aerospace, power generation, and undersea vehicles. This paper describes a bio-inspired cellular metal vertebrate structure which relies on shape memory alloy (SMA) faces to achieve fully reversing shape change. The resulting vertebrate actuators can be combined with flexible face sheets to create a load-bearing, shape morphing panel. Performance of the vertebrate actuator in terms of maximum curvature and moment is analyzed and discussed. A recently constructed, prototype shape morphing airfoil is used to illustrate the concept.
The sense of the helix of paramyxovirus nucleocapsids.

Abstract The sense of the helix of the nucleocapsid of the parainfluenza virus SV5 is left-handed, and evidence has been found suggesting that the nucleocapsid of mumps virus is also left-handed.
Work in progress — Using multiple methods to investigate the role of feedback in open-ended activities

While providing opportunities for students to engage in open-ended, ambiguous problems allows students to develop skills for responding to ambiguity and applying knowledge in practical ways, it can be difficult for instructors to assess student work when students' solutions are very different from each other. However, to promote student learning, it is essential that instructors provide feedback — particularly in the form of formative feedback that allows students to revise their work before submitting their final solution. In this study, we investigate the challenges associated with providing feedback, the challenges that students face in responding to feedback, and the impact of the feedback on student work. We do this by investigating the role of feedback through multiple data collection methods: collection of artifacts - copies of student work (and copies of instructor and peer feedback), interviews conducted with students and with teaching assistants, and video recordings of the students as they work to address the feedback and revise their solution. Through these multiple lenses, we are beginning to uncover challenges and strategies for success in both providing and responding to feedback. These findings provide opportunities to design and re-design instructional materials that equip teaching assistants and students with skills to provide feedback, and to equip student with skills to respond to feedback.
Co-option of an anteroposterior head axis patterning system for proximodistal patterning of appendages in early bilaterian evolution

The enormous diversity of extant animal forms is a testament to the power of evolution, and much of this diversity has been achieved through the emergence of novel morphological traits. The origin of novel morphological traits is an extremely important issue in biology, and a frequent source of this novelty is co-option of pre-existing genetic systems for new purposes (Carroll et al., 2008). Appendages, such as limbs, fins and antennae, are structures common to many animal body plans which must have arisen at least once, and probably multiple times, in lineages which lacked appendages. We provide evidence that appendage proximodistal patterning genes are expressed in similar registers in the anterior embryonic neurectoderm of Drosophila melanogaster and Saccoglossus kowalevskii (a hemichordate). These results, in concert with existing expression data from a variety of other animals suggest that a pre-existing genetic system for anteroposterior head patterning was co-opted for patterning of the proximodistal axis of appendages of bilaterian animals.
Protein phosphatase PHLPP1 controls the light-induced resetting of the circadian clock

The pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 1 (PHLPP1) differentially attenuates Akt, PKC, and ERK1/2 signaling, thereby controlling the duration and amplitude of responses evoked by these kinases. PHLPP1 is expressed in the mammalian central clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, where it oscillates in a circadian fashion. To explore the role of PHLPP1 in vivo, we have generated mice with a targeted deletion of the PHLPP1 gene. Here we show that PHLPP1-null mice, although displaying normal circadian rhythmicity, have a drastically impaired capacity to stabilize the circadian period after light-induced resetting, producing a large phase shift after light resetting. Our findings reveal that PHLPP1 exerts a previously unappreciated role in circadian control, governing the consolidation of circadian periodicity after resetting.
An electrophysiological freeze fracture assessment of cadmium nephrotoxicity in vitro

Human proximal tubule cell cultures exposed to doses of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) between 0.05 μg/ml and 0.5 μg/ml exhibited alterations in cell membrane structure and transport function. At these Cd concentrations, cell numbers were not significantly altered from control values in either nonreplicating confluent, or actively replicating subconfluent cultures. Transmission electron microscopy revealed few alterations in cultures treated with 0.05 μg/ml Cd. Tight junctions were intact; organelles and myeloid body formation appeared normal. Freeze fracture analysis confirmed the integrity of the tight junctions as well as increased numbers of vesicles or pits along the lateral cell membrane, indicating increased endocytotic activity. Cells exposed to 0.1 μg/ml Cd were characterized by decreased numbers of microvilli and inhibited myeloid body formation. Cd doses of 0.5 μg/ml elicited nuclear chromatin condensation, fragmented sealing strands in 5 to 10% of the tight junction profiles, sparse microvilli, and inhibited myeloid body formation. Electrophysiologic assessments of transport function by Ussing chamber analysis revealed decreases in transepithelial potentials for all three concentrations, with significant differences at Cd concentrations of 0.5 to 0.1 μg/ml. Cells treated with 0.5 μg/ml Cd also exhibited slight decreases in electrical resistance, consistent with the minimal fragmentation of sealing strands observed in freeze fracture replicas. Resistance in cultures treated with 0.1 or 0.05 μg/ml Cd remained within control values and indicated that drops in potential difference and short circuit current in these cells reflected true alterations in ion transport.
Examination of the role of Gln-158 in the mechanism of CO2 hydration catalyzed by β-carbonic anhydrase from Arabidopsis thaliana

Abstract We have cloned and overexpressed a variant of Arabidopsis thaliana β-carbonic anhydrase (Q158A) that deletes the functional equivalent of the backbone amide NH of Thr-199 in human α-carbonic anhydrase II. The latter residue is hypothesized to be important in catalyzing the rate of CO 2 –HCO 3 − interconversion in α-carbonic anhydrase but this hypothesis is not directly testable in that enzyme. Kinetic studies of a variant of the functionally equivalent residue in A. thaliana β-carbonic anhydrase provide direct evidence for the role of this residue in β-carbonic anhydrase. Namely, the mutation of Gln-158 to Ala results in a significant decrease in the maximal k cat / K m (33% of wild type) at steady state and the maximal rate of CO 2 –HCO 3 − exchange at chemical equilibrium as measured by R 1 /[E] (7% of wild type), while leaving the maximal rate of H + transfer, as measured by k cat at steady state, or R H 2 O /[E] at chemical equilibrium, largely unaffected.
Momentary fluctuations of intraocular pressure in normal and glaucomatous eyes.

To examine the range of momentary fluctuations of intraocular pressure caused by vascular pulsations in 42 glaucomatous and 18 normal eyes, we obtained consecutive intraocular pressure measurements at hourly intervals with a noncontact air tonometer. Glaucomatous eyes had a significantly (P
Morphologic changes in superior vestibulo-ocular neurons and vestibular nerve following labyrinthectomy in the cat

Morphologic changes in ipsilateral superior vestibulo-ocular neurons (SVON) and the vestibular nerve were measured in 4 cats 8 weeks after labyrinthectomy and 4 cats 1 year after labyrinthectomy. There is a 20% decrease in SVON size and 30% decrease in rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes with no change in the volume fractions of Golgi apparatus or mitochondria. In the central nervous system degeneration of the vestibular nerve terminals ipsilateral to the labyrinthectomy was represented by a 25% loss of synaptic profiles (SP) on SVON at 8 weeks and 57% loss of SP at 1 year after labyrinthectomy. There was no significant loss of fiber number in the vestibular nerve at 8 weeks post lesion but a 35% loss of fibers primarily of the large size at 1 year post lesion.
Memory B Cells in Systemic and Mucosal Immune Response: Implications for Successful Vaccination

B-cell memory has been extensively analyzed in the systemic immune response elicited by hapten-carrier antigens, and the regulatory mechanisms underlying the process are beginning to be elucidated. Memory B cells can be generated through heterogeneous pathways within and outside germinal centers (GCs). Once developed, they appear to be maintained like stem cells for long periods by homeostatic proliferation. In response to reencountered antigens, memory B cells robustly secrete antibodies with help of the anti-apoptotic effect of Ras-mediated signals. We have recently found that following intranasal infection with an influenza virus, virus-specific memory B cells develop in the lungs and persist for a long time along with GC B cells and plasma cells; this appears to be unique feature of the mucosal memory response. Thus memory B cell responses in the systemic and mucosal sites are regulated by distinct processes and further understanding of them should provide a theoretical framework for the development o...
Current knowledge and future directions in the complex field of pediatric overweight

Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence is a very interesting compendium focusing on overweight in childhood and adolescence with a comprehensive discussion of aspects also pertinent to the epidemiology of overweight. The information and data provided flow very well and cover everything from definition, diagnosis and genetic aspects to ecological and socio-ecological factors, co-morbidities, treatments and health economics. Where there is overlap of topics, it is not redundant but rather conducive to providing different approaches or opinions about the same aspect of obesity.
Perverse economic incentives and energy conservation

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to survey the salient economic and institutional incentives which provide perverse economic signals to energy consumers, thereby causing national energy consumption to be excessive relative to what it would be in the absense of these perverse incentives. Salient examples of these perverse incentives include artificially low energy prices due to regulated natural gas and oil prices and only partially internalized energy related external costs, non-cost justified declining block rate structures and many other subsidies. Numerous regulatory requirements such as those imposed by the Interstate Commerce Commission, also exist which promote wasteful patterns of energy use. The main argument presented in this paper is that historically the U.S. energy consumers have responded to many sets of incorrect price and non-price signals. This has led to the emergence of a wasteful energy use pattern. The best course to encourage energy conservation, therefore, is to remove these root causes of excessive use. The policy of providing off-setting financial incentives tantamounts to fighting effects rather than curing causes and is therefore unlikely to be too effective in the long-run.
A follow-up study of ambulatory children with tuberculosis infection

Summary One hundred and sixty-two ambulatory children with pulmonary tuberculous infection were followed over an average period of approximately seven years. Initial and subsequent studies included tuberculin testing and complete physical and roentgenologic examinations. Clinically all patients, with four exceptions, are now perfectly healthy. These latter cases belong in the group of eight, in which exposure continued. In the whole series there was but one death; this caused by tuberculous meningitis occurred in the 0–4 year division. The roentgen ray findings became negative or latent in 98 per cent of all cases. The 12 per cent initially active lesions diminished to 2 per cent at the last recheck. The majority of patients with doubtful x-ray shadows at the commencement later revealed evidence of latent tuberculous processes. Four patients initially positive to 0.1 mg. of old tuberculin intradermally showed altered skin sensitivity on follow-up. Three were negative to old tuberculin in dilution up to 10 mg. and have always had negative chest plates. One individual did not react to 0.1 mg. of tuberculin but could not be tested with stronger dilutions. Her roentgenogram revealed calcification at the tracheal bifurcation.
Estrogen binding macromolecules in hypothalamus-preoptic area of male and female gray short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica)

Estrogen binding sites in the hypothalamus-preoptic area (HPOA) of adult male and female gray opossums (Monodelphis domestica) were characterized by incubating cytosols from gonadectomized animals with [3H]estradiol (E2) in the presence or absence of excess unlabeled E2. Scatchard analyses revealed that HPOA cytosols from both males and females contained high concentrations (25-30 fmol/mg protein) of binding sites with a very high affinity (Kd = 0.08-0.12 nM) for E2. There was no sex difference in either the number or the affinity of estrogen binding sites. Competition studies indicated that estrogen agonists and antagonists displaced [3H]E2 from binding sites in HPOA cytosols more effectively than did progestins, androgens, or adrenal corticoids. These data suggest that the HPOA of both male and female gray opossums contains macromolecules with several of the steroid binding properties characteristic of estrogen receptors.
Liposome-cell interactions. A rapid assay for cells in suspension culture

Abstract A method has been developed for the rapid separation of cells in suspension from non-cell associated lipid vesicles in various assays for vesicle-cell interaction. Separation is achieved on a discontinuous Ficoll-Paque gradient. Cells and free vesicles are totally separated, as evidenced by both radiolabelled vesicles, and vesicles containing the fluorescent dye 6-carboxyfluorescein. The main advantages of this method are the rapidity, efficacy, and gentleness of the separation. Viability of the cells remains consistently high (greater than 96%) throughout the separation. Since this method involves a one-step centrifugation, it precludes the necessity for repeated washings of cells which have been incubated with lipid vesicles.
Quality, antioxidative ability, and cell proliferation-enhancing activity of fermented black soybean broths with various supplemental culture medium.

: The fermented soybean-based foods have played an important role in traditional diets around the world for many centuries, and Bacillus subtilis is typically used in the fermentation of soybean-based foods. The fermentation process may improve not only the flavor but also the nutritional value of food, and substances produced in this fermented broth were affected by many factors including culture medium and the selected soybeans. In this study, we use 3 potential culture mediums in the fermentation of black soybean and the fermented black soybean broths were used for the examination of amino acid composition, total phenolics content, flavonoids and anthocyanins contents, the antioxidant properties, and cytotoxicity. Our results indicated that the fermented black soybean broth, fermentation III, have the most abundant essential amino acid (79.77 mg/g), phenolics (19.33 mg/g), flavonoids (46.01 mg/g), and anthocyanins (1.06 mg/g). Besides, all of the fermented black soybean broths exhibited the significant antioxidative abilities with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect, reducing power and ferrous ion chelating effect. In addition, the fermented black soybean broths demonstrated the cell proliferation-enhancing activity in Detroit 551 cells. The cells were augmented up to the maximum value of 183.6% (compared with control) at 10 mg/mL of the fermentation I. Therefore, the different supplemental culture medium fermented black soybean broths may be used as a functional ingredient in the products of nutritional drinks and health foods. Practical Application: The present study illustrated the potential of various supplemental culture medium fermented black soybean broths in the application of functional ingredient for nutritional drinks and health foods.
Dynamization of learning for sustainability in the electronics industry: studies in electromedical equipment manufacturers

Abstract This paper proposes the promotion of learning in companies involved as a mean to overcome the challenges that exist in today's markets, which are dynamic, competitive and demanding environmental requirements. Strategies that value the intellectual capital can provide the means to generate sustainable competitive advantages necessary to overcome these challenges, while contributing to the enhancement of human capital. The paper presents the TCD approach (acronym for “Work, Training and Personal Development” in portuguese), with theoretical contributions that aim to integrate organizational learning to work in order to humanize organizations towards their economic and social sustainability.
Polarization of Recoil Protons in π ± p Elastic Scattering Near 600 MeV

Angular distributions of recoil-proton polarization in elastic ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}p$ scattering were measured at 523-, 572-, and 689-MeV incident pion kinetic energy. Polarization measurements were made by observing the azimuthal asymmetry in the subsequent scattering of recoil protons in large carbon-plate spark chambers. Typical strong variation of the polarization with pion scattering angle near the $\ensuremath{\pi}p$ diffraction minima was observed. Since existing opinion favors a ${D}_{13}$ resonance at 600 MeV, a phase-shift analysis was attempted in order to confirm the existence and parity of this resonance. Available $\ensuremath{\pi}p$ total and differential cross sections, these polarization data, and some possible restrictive assumptions related to the 600-MeV resonance were used in the analysis. Though the polarization results aided significantly in restricting the number of acceptable phase-shift sets, still, many plausible and qualitatively different sets were found.
Improving intranasal delivery of neurological nanomedicine to the olfactory region using magnetophoretic guidance of microsphere carriers

BACKGROUND Although direct nose-to-brain drug delivery has multiple advantages, its application is limited by the extremely low delivery efficiency (<1%) to the olfactory region where drugs can enter the brain. It is crucial to developing new methods that can deliver drug particles more effectively to the olfactory region. MATERIALS AND METHODS We introduced a delivery method that used magnetophoresis to improve olfactory delivery efficiency. The performance of the proposed method was assessed numerically in an image-based human nose model. Influences of the magnet layout, magnet strength, drug-release position, and particle diameter on the olfactory dosage were examined. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Results showed that particle diameter was a critical factor in controlling the motion of nasally inhaled ferromagnetic drug particles. The optimal particle size was found to be approximately 15 μm for effective magnetophoretic guidance while avoiding loss of particles to the walls in the anterior nose. Olfactory delivery efficiency was shown to be sensitive to the position and strength of magnets and the release position of drug particles. The results of this study showed that clinically significant olfactory doses (up to 45%) were feasible using the optimal combination of magnet layout, selective drug release, and microsphere-carrier diameter. A 64-fold-higher delivery of dosage was predicted in the magnetized nose compared to the control case, which did not have a magnetic field. However, the sensitivity of olfactory dosage to operating conditions and the unstable nature of magnetophoresis make controlled guidance of nasally inhaled aerosols still highly challenging.
Clinically useful, research validated assessment of persons with alcohol problems.

Advances in treatment approaches available for persons with alcohol problems, particularly the advent of cognitive behavioral and motivational approaches, have made systematic assessment of these problems more important than ever for clinicians. There is a plethora of assessment instruments available, and it is a difficult task for clinicians to conceptualize, select and use these instruments in a coherent fashion. Particularly important in this task is the identification of research validated instruments that provide both clinically useful and psychometrically sound data. This paper presents a model of alcohol assessment and reviews selected research validated instruments that can be assembled into an assessment battery that provides useful data to guide treatment of alcohol problems while also addressing practical concerns encountered by clinicians in practice.
Boomerang: Opinion versus action in the radicalization of Abu-Mulal al-Balawi

Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi, recruited by Jordanian intelligence as a double agent to gather information on high-profile Taliban leaders, blew himself up on 30 December 2009, in Khost province of Afghanistan. He killed seven CIA agents and one Jordanian agent. We distinguish two phases in al-Balawi's trajectory to violence: radicalization of opinion during his life in Jordan working as a physician from 2002 to 2009, and radicalization of action in Pakistan between March and December 2009. Mechanisms of radicalization, including personal and group grievances and “slippery-slope” increments of commitment, can make sense of al-Balawi's radicalization of opinion, but his turn to violent action requires consideration of his Internet identity as a warrior, Abu Dujana. In our interpretation, his radicalization in action depended on the means and opportunity offered by Jordanian intelligence and the CIA.
Evaluating the function of the male harbour seal, Phoca vitulina, roar through playback experiments

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of vocalizations produced during the breeding season by the male harbour seal, an aquatically breeding pinniped. During the spring of 1999, playback experiments were conducted at eight locations in Elkhorn Slough, California, U.S.A. Through an underwater speaker, we presented male harbour seals with three acoustic stimuli: a long-duration, low-frequency roar (LL), a short-duration, high-frequency roar (SH) and amplified water noise (control). Male responses to the playback boat were characterized by increased approach rates and aggressive flipper slapping during 62.5% of SH sessions ( N =8), 25% of LL sessions ( N =8) and 0% of control sessions ( N =8). No more than one identifiable seal responded during each playback location. We observed no responses by female harbour seals to playbacks. We conclude from these experiments that territorial male harbour seals use roars given by intruders to locate and challenge intruders.
Global Cooling: Increasing World-Wide Urban Albedos to Offset CO2

Increasing urban albedo can reduce summertime temperatures, resulting in better air quality and savings from reduced air-conditioning costs. In addition, increasing urban albedo can result in less absorption of incoming solar radiation by the surface-troposphere system, countering to some extent the global scale effects of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. Pavements and roofs typically constitute over 60% of urban surfaces (roof 20–25%, pavements about 40%). Using reflective materials, both roof and pavement albedos can be increased by about 0.25 and 0.15, respectively, resulting in a net albedo increase for urban areas of about 0.1. On a global basis, we estimate that increasing the world-wide albedos of urban roofs and paved surfaces will induce a negative radiative forcing on the earth equivalent to offsetting about 44 Gt of CO2 emissions. At ∼$25/tonne of CO2, a 44 Gt CO2 emission offset from changing the albedo of roofs and paved surfaces is worth about $1,100 billion. Furthermore, many studies have demonstrated reductions of more than 20% in cooling costs for buildings whose rooftop albedo has been increased from 10–20% to about 60% (in the US, potential savings exceed $1 billion per year). Our estimated CO2 offsets from albedo modifications are dependent on assumptions used in this study, but nevertheless demonstrate remarkable global cooling potentials that may be obtained from cooler roofs and pavements.
Solute concentration prediction using chemometrics and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

The fundamental processes of crystal nucleation and growth are strongly dependent on the solute concentration. A significant limitation to the development of reliable techniques for the modeling, design, and control of crystallization processes has been the difficulty in obtaining highly accurate supersaturation measurements for dense suspensions. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is coupled with chemometrics to provide highly accurate in situ solute concentration measurement in dense crystal slurries. At the 95% confidence level, the chemometric techniques provided solute concentration estimates with an accuracy of 70:12 wt% for potassium dihydrogen phosphate. r 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
S-R separation with monkeys

Four monkeys were tested on successive problems involving cue-response separations. The usual AA go left/BB go right paradigm was altered by introducing neutral (N) stimuli in place of one of the As or Bs to create NA, AN, BN, and NB configurations. The neutral stimulus created cue-response separations equal to the foodwell separation in two of the configurations (NA, and BN, where A signals go left and B signals go right). Three of the four monkeys were able to solve these cue-response separation problems. Performance was discussed in terms of observing response theory and with respect to differences between the simultaneous and successive problem paradigms.
IpaC of Shigella binds to the C-terminal domain of β-catenin

Abstract IpaC of Shigella is essential for initial bacterial entry into epithelial cells. We report here that IpaC interacts with β-catenin and destabilizes the cadherin-mediated cell adhesion complex. Using a yeast two-hybrid system, we identified β-catenin as a binding partner of IpaC within the host cell after cell entry, but not in the initial entry. Co-immunoprecipitation, confocal microscopy, and GST pull-down experiments confirmed the intracellular and cell-free interactions between these two proteins. The interaction sites were mapped to the ninth armadillo repeat of β-catenin and to the C-terminus of IpaC. IpaC-associated β-catenin was phosphorylated at tyrosine residues. This phosphorylation led to the destabilization of the functional cadherin–catenin complex, which could be a mechanism whereby the epithelial cell–cell tight adhesion is disrupted. These events may facilitate the further basolateral invasion of bacteria through the disrupted space and/or modulate the cell-to-cell spread of Shigella.
Low-Noise Parametric Amplifier

The theory of the parametric amplifier has been reformulated to permit the prediction of noise temperature and pump power in terms of the physical parameters of the nonlinear element and circuit. The results of this analysis are supported by careful experiments at S-band using a gold-bonded germanium semiconductor diode. They can be summarized as follows. 1) Performance of a parametric amplifier using semiconductor diodes with respect to noise temperature and pump power can be accurately predicted, once the diode and circuit parameters have been measured. 2) It is shown that the ultimate limitation on noise temperature depends simply on the product of the diode cutoff frequency and the normalized capacitance swing. 3) The derived figure of merit for the diode can serve as a basis for optimum design of the semiconductor parameters.
EFFECT OF DEGREE OF WEATHERING ON DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF RESIDUAL SOILS

The process of soil formation in the tropics is quite different than that of more temperate regions. The weathering processes tend to be intensified by the warm and humid climates that are prevalent in tropical regions. Chemical weathering processes that dominate in these regions, such as decomposition and dissolution, are fairly well understood phenomena. However, the effect this weathering has on the physical, mechanical, and dynamic properties of the rock/soil is not fully understood. This paper presents some laboratory test results and correlations that indicate behavioral trends to be caused by the effects that weathering has on a residual soil from the western coast of Puerto Rico. The study focuses on the dynamic shear modulus G and material damping ratio D of both natural (undisturbed) and remolded samples, for low- to mid-level amplitudes of vibration. The understanding of these effects will allow for a better prediction of phenomena such as soil amplification that may trigger landslides in such soil formations. This study was accomplished with the aid of a computerized resonant column device. Correlations and empirical formulations are presented that demonstrate the effects that the degree of weathering has on the dynamic properties of these residual soils for undisturbed andmore » remolded samples.« less