cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Platelet–monocyte complex formation: effect of blocking PSGL-1 alone, and in combination with αIIbβ3 and αMβ2, in coronary stenting

Abstract Background : Binding of platelet P-selectin to P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) is an initial event in the interactions between platelets and monocytes. Platelet–monocyte complexes (PMCs) have been implicated in several vascular disease processes, including acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and complications after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We investigated the effect of ex vivo blockade of PSGL-1, alone and in combination with blockade of the αMβ 2 (Mac-1) and α IIb β 3 (GP IIb/IIIa) integrins, on PMC formation. Methods and results : Dual-label flow cytometry was used to detect PMCs in the blood of 10 volunteers and 10 patients undergoing PCI who received intravenous GP IIb/IIIa antagonists. PSGL-1 blockade, both prior to and after platelet stimulation, markedly reduced the formation of PMCs. Concomitant ex vivo blockade of the αMβ 2 and α IIb β 3 integrins did not result in further decreases of PMCs compared to PSGL-1 blockade alone. Antagonism of PSGL-1 also led to near elimination of leukocyte–platelet interactions under flowing conditions. Conclusion : Blockade of PSGL-1 alone is sufficient to inhibit and reverse the formation of PMCs following platelet stimulation. Concurrent antagonism of PSGL-1 and the α IIb β 3 and αMβ 2 integrins was not more effective than inhibition of PSGL-1 alone. These results suggest that platelet–monocyte complex formation is mostly dependent on PSGL-1.
Access to the carbamate tunnel of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase

The X-ray crystal structure of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPS) from Escherichia coli revealed the existence of a molecular tunnel that has been proposed to facilitate the translocation of reaction intermediates between remotely located active sites. Five highly conserved glutamate residues, including Glu-25, Glu-383, Glu-577, Glu-604, and Glu-916, are close together in two clusters in the interior wall of the molecular tunnel that enables the intermediate carbamate to migrate from the site of synthesis to the site of utilization. Two arginines, Arg-306 and Arg-848, are located at either end of the carbamate tunnel and participate in the binding of ATP at each of the two active sites within the large subunit of CPS. The mutation of Glu-25 or Glu-577 results in a diminution in the overall rate of carbamoyl phosphate formation. Similar effects are observed upon mutation of Arg-306 and Arg-848 to alanine residues. The conserved glutamate and arginine residues may function in concert with one another to control entry of carbamate into the tunnel prior to phosphorylation to carbamoyl phosphate. The electrostatic environment of tunnel interior may help to stabilize the tunnel architecture and prevent decomposition of carbamate through protonation.
AUTOMATED AUDITORY BRAINSTEM RESPONSE TESTING FOR UNIVERSAL NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING

The goal of universal newborn hearing screening is to identify infants with hearing loss by 3 months of age and to provide appropriate intervention by 6 months of age. Automated auditory brainstem response helps accomplish this goal by providing a test that is easy to use, fast, cost-effective, and accurate. Universal newborn hearing screening with automated auditory brainstem response ensures that children with hearing loss are given the opportunity for early intervention and an improved quality of life.
Simulation of liquid crystal elastomers using Chebyshev spectral method with a new preconditioner

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are soft complex materials of potential technological importance because of their remarkable responsiveness to excitations. In the previous work (Zhu et al. Phys. Rev. E 83, 051703 2011), we proposed a non-local continuum model to explore the dynamical behaviors of LCEs. The preliminary simulation demonstrated that the model can successfully capture the shape changing phenomena and other features of LCEs that were observed in real experiments (Camacho-Lopez et al. Nat. Mat. 3, 307---310 2004). However, due to the complexity of the governing equations, especially the velocity equation, the simulation is very time-consuming and thus efficient methods are imperatively needed. In this work, we propose a novel preconditioner for solving the velocity equation using Chebyshev spectral collocation method. Different from the well-known finite difference preconditioning (Orszag J. Comput. Phys. 37, 70---92 1980), the proposed preconditioner is constructed directly from the coefficient matrix of solving the velocity equation, without resorting to other operators such as the finite difference operator. With this preconditioner, very few inner iterations are needed when solving the resulting large scale linear system using GMRES method (Saad and Schultz SIAM J. Sci. STAT. Comput. 7(3), 856---869 1986). The experiments validate the efficiency of the proposed preconditioner.
Experiment specific processing of residual acceleration data

To date, most Spacelab residual acceleration data collection projects have resulted in data bases that are overwhelming to the investigator of low-gravity experiments. This paper introduces a simple passive accelerometer system to measure low-frequency accelerations. Model responses for experiments using actual acceleration data are produced and correlations are made between experiment response and the accelerometer time history in order to test the idea that recorded acceleration data and experimental responses can be usefully correlated. Spacelab 3 accelerometer data are used as input to a variety of experiment models, and sensitivity limits are obtained for particular experiment classes. The modeling results are being used to create experiment-specific residual acceleration data processing schemes for interested investigators.
The Internet at Play: Child Users of Public Internet Connections

This article reports an ethnographic study of a subsidized computer center for children in an inner-city library. Unsurprisingly, young children play with the Internet. Surprisingly, this creates conflict with the justifications given for such centers by adults and public policy, leading to an atmosphere of tension between differing understandings of the Internet’s purpose: as a place for ritual and play vs. as a place for the transmission of information and for work (Carey, 1989). Theories of play based on Huizinga (1950) and Gadamer (1989) are used to explain Internet play. The study finds that the narrowly instrumental rationales of public policy about the digital divide are rehearsed and repeated in everyday conversation at the center, even to the extent that child’s play is denaturalized and seen as a problem that must be corrected.
Ion flotation of dichromate and of complexed cyanide: Surfactants for qualitative analysis

Ion flotation studies have shown that a surface-active agent is useful for qualitative analysis of complex ions in dilute aqueous solution, with the surfactant forming a particulate complex with the complex ion of concern. Experiments with a monovalent, cationic surfactant have established the prevalence of Cr2O7 2− (HCrO4 −) and not CrO4 2−; of [Fe(CN)6]4− and [Fe(CN)5H2O]3−; and of [FeFe(CN)6]2− and not [FeFe(CN)6]− or [Fe(CN)6]3−. The results can be contrasted to those with ions that do not form particulate complexes with the surfactant, such as HPO4 2− and phenolate; with the latter, no qualitative analytical information can be gained. Ion flotation appears to be a promising technique in general for the determination of ionic species present in aqueous solution; the surfactant must react with the ion of significance to form a particulate complex and the initial surfactant concentration must be controlled carefully.
Effects of compounds of plant origin on the mutagenicity and metabolism of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine NNK

We have investigated the effects of five phytochemicals on the microsomal-dependent mutagenicity and metabolism of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). Two compounds, d-limonene and silymarin, had no effect on NNK-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535 over the concentration range of 0.1–0.4 μmol/plate. Diallyl sulphide was weakly antimutagenic at a concentration of 0.4 μmol/plate. Both capsaicin and tannic acid showed a dose-dependent inhibition of mutagenesis in TA1535. Metabolism studies using [3H]NNK indicated that the effects of the phytochemicals on NNK-induced mutagenesis did not always correlate with the effects on NNK metabolism. α-Carbon hydroxylation reactions are considered the most significant pathways involved in the metabolic activation of NNK to mutagenic and carcinogenic species. D-Limonene and silymarin (0,4 μmol) had the least inhibitory effect on the total α-carbon hydroxylation reactions, 19% and 28%. Capsaicin and diallyl sulphide inhibited these pathways by 74% and 70%. Tannic acid, the most potent phytochemical tested in this study, inhibited total α-carbon hydroxylation pathways by 99%.
On the Determination of Channel Estimates for Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation in a Peer-to-Peer MF-TDMA Network

Army tactic to expanding the mobile battlefield has created a demand for a highly mobile network centric communication system that provides peer-to-peer communications. To enable this network connectivity over satellite communications (SATCOM) requires a sophisticated scheduling mechanism of satellite resources. The challenge with this new method of satellite utilization is to maximize capacity by dynamically allocating just enough resources between user terminals. Various dynamic bandwidth allocation algorithms have been proposed to optimize ephemeral satellite links. But, ultimately, the determination of signal-to-noise and individual transmitter and receiver channel conditions must be accurately determined. This paper will identify the satellite link variables of a dynamic multi-frequency time division multiple access (MF-TDMA) system and the impact of these variables on determining the accuracy of the channel estimates
It takes an intensivist.

BACKGROUND: Our institution initiated the implementation of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines in 2006. We hypothesize that the addition of a surgical intensivist improved results more than the implementation of the guidelines alone. METHODS: We collected data on 273 patients who were admitted to the surgical intensive care unit for sepsis. The groups were divided into pre-bundle, n = 19; bundle, n = 186; and bundle-plus, n = 68, to denote the method by which the patients were treated for sepsis. RESULTS: There was no difference in age or sex between groups. There was a statistically significant decrease in length of stay (LOS) between the 3 groups, and in mortality between the bundle and bundle-plus treatment groups (P < .01). In addition, there was an average cost savings between each group. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of evidence-based guidelines decreased LOS and decreased cost in our surgical intensive care unit. By adding the expertise of a surgical intensivist, we reduced LOS, cost, and relative risk of death even further than using the guidelines alone.
The photochemical formation of a titan haze analog. Structural analysis by x-ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopy

Abstract The photochemical flow reactor (D.W. Clarke et al., 2000 , Icarus 147, 282–291) has been modified to minimize the incorporation of oxygen and other impurities in the photoproducts. A mixture of gases that approximate their mixing ratios on Titan (N2, CH4, H2, C2H2, C2H4, and HC3N) (0.98, 0.018, 0.002, 3.5 × 10−4, 3 × 10−4, 1.7 × 10−5, respectively) was irradiated in the flow photochemical reactor using a 185-nm source to give a Titan haze analog as a solid product. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) gave a composition of 93.3% C, 5.3% N, and 1.4% O. Of the 93.3% carbon, high-resolution XPS revealed that 81.2% was present as CH, CC, and CC groups, 12.1% may be CO, CN, CN, CN, and/or CN groups, 5.3% as a CN group. The peak for N was symmetrical and was assigned to the CN while that for oxygen was assigned to the CO and/or the CO group. Some of these assignments were confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The polymeric product had a C:N ratio of 17.6, which is significantly greater than that for Titan haze analogs prepared in discharge reactions. When the polymer was exposed to air for seven days the oxygen content increased by 6% along with an increase in the infrared absorption at 1710 cm−1 assigned to the CO group of a ketone. The oxidation is attributed to the reaction of oxygen with free radicals trapped in the polymer matrix. It is proposed that the photochemical initiation of Titan haze formation from compounds formed from starting materials formed high in Titan’s atmosphere is a more plausible model than haze formed in reactions initiated by solely by discharges. These data will be helpful in the interpretation of the data returned from the Huygens probe of the Cassini mission.
The effects of brain-stem stimulation on hind-leg movements in the hooded rat.

Abstract The aim of the experiment was to ascertain how specific is the influence of the lower brain stem of the hooded rat on the animal's hind-leg movements. To accomplish this aim, stereotaxically oriented bipolar electrodes were used to stimulate brain-stem sites with a 60 cycle alternating current. The electrodes were approximately 60 μ at the tips separated by 0.9 mm. The flexor reflex was elicited in the right hind leg of decerebrate preparations once every 5 seconds by single square wave pulses of 2.5-milliseconds duration at 4 to 14 volts. It was recorded kymographically. A conditioning stimulus was applied to a definite brain-stem site for 15 to 25 seconds, and a record was obtained of the medification of the reflex during the administration of this stimulus. The results were based on 51 preparations. From 348 different sites stimulated, 75 sites facilitated flexion, 39 inhibited it, 78 had no effect on this reflex, and 59 produced motor responses. Stimulation of 97 sites yielded complex modifications of flexion. From some of these sites both facilitation and inhibition could be obtained simply by changing the intensity of the conditioning stimulus. Facilitatory areas were concentrated in the dorsomedial portion, while the inhibitory sites were found in the ventrolateral portion of the brain stem. Inhibition of flexion, observed during the stimulation of the medial vestibular nucleus and other structures which produced contraction of extensor muscles, was interpreted in terms of spinal reciprocal activity controlled by the brain stem.
Variation in Surface Turbulence and the Gas Transfer Velocity over a Tidal Cycle in a Macro-tidal Estuary

The gradient flux technique, which measures the gas transfer velocity (k), and new observational techniques that probe turbulence in the aqueous surface boundary layers were conducted over a tidal cycle in the Plum Island Sound, Massachusetts. Efforts were aimed at testing new methods in an estuarine system and to determine if turbulence created by tidal velocity can be responsible for the short-term variability ink. Measurements were made during a low wind day, at a site with tidal excursions of 2.7 m and a range in tidal velocity of nearly 1 m s−1. Estimates ofk using the gradient flux technique were made simultaneously with the Controlled Flux Technique (CFT), infrared imagery, and high-resolution turbulence measurements, which measure the surface renewal rate, turbulent scales, and the turbulent dissipation rate, respectively. All measurements were conducted from a small mobile catamaran that minimizes air- and water-side flow distortions. Infrared imagery showed considerable variability in the turbulent scales that affect air-water gas exchange. These measurements were consistent with variation in the surface renewal rate (range 0.02 to 2 s−1), the turbulent dissipation rate (range 10−7 to 10−5 W kg−1), andk (range 2.2 to 12.0 cm hr−1). During this low wind day, all variables were shown to correlate with tidal speed. Taken collectively our results indicate the promise of these methods for determining short-term variability in gas transfer and near surface turbulence in estuaries and demonstrate that turbulent transport associated with tidal velocity is a potentially important factor with respect to gas exchange in coastal systems.
Emotional/Behavioral Problems in Clinic and Nonclinic Children: Correspondence Among Child, Parent and Teacher Reports

This study examined the correspondence among child, parent and teacher reports, in rating emotional and behavioral problems of 98 community nonpatients and 64 clinically referred children (ages 6-13). The mean ratings differed significantly for the three sources and for the two samples, and there were a few significant interactions. Correlations of the scores between sources, especially parents and teachers, were in the moderate range and were not significantly different from one another. Informant correspondence was higher for externalizing than internalizing problems in both patient and nonpatient samples, and was higher for nonpatients than patients. In general, informant agreement was higher for cases characterized by lower family stress and higher child acceptance, among other clinical variables.
Reward, punishment or inducement? US economic and military aid, 1946–1996

If the US has wielded power as global hegemon, then there should be evidence of a linkage between American resources and the ability to influence behavior. However, there is widespread disagreement on how this power is manifested (see Krause, 1991). Methodological and epistemological issues have hampered empirical studies of US hegemonic behavior. For example, does the US reward past behavior or does it offer inducements for future behavior? We document and discuss these issues in terms of the aid–foreign policy compliance nexus. The empirical portion of our paper tests whether US military and non‐military aid are correlated with foreign policy similarity. The main merits of our study are that: (1) we test a new measure of foreign policy similarity developed by Signorino and Ritter (1999) and compiled by Gartzke et al. (1999); (2) we relax the causality issue and test using vector autoregression (VAR) for 76 developing countries; and (3) our time horizon is a minimum of 30 years for each country. Our cent...
The Orient Express

Abstract The changing health care environment makes customer satisfaction a primary concern for all areas of food service. Well-trained, enthusiastic employees are a food service's most valuable asset in achieving superior customer satisfaction. New employee orientation sets the stage for developing a dynamic team committed to customer service. Recognizing this fact, Nutrition and Food Service formed a Process Action Team (PAT) including employees from all levels of the service to design a comprehensive orientation program for new employees. The PAT's goal was to develop a flexible orientation packet that could be used at all levels of the service. The team initially used flowcharts and variance matrix charts to evaluate the existing orientation program, identifying its strengths and weaknesses. PAT members also sought input from employees throughout the service as well as from neighboring institutions of similar complexity regarding the ideal orientation program. From this information, the PAT developed an orientation checklist, and each PAT member expanded upon particular sections of the checklist. The checklist served as a starting point for developing informational sheets that described the service: for example, vignettes of management positions, do's and don'ts for requesting leave, safety tips, important telephone numbers. The sheets were tailored to the type of employee. For example, the clinical staff and the food service workers have somewhat different dress codes, thus distinct sheets were developed. The orientation packet also included an evaluation component, and the feedback from this instrument suggests that the PAT accomplished its goal of developing a flexible, comprehensive orientation packet that meets the needs of new employees at all levels of the service.
A positive-energy relativistic wave equation

The relativistic wave equations currently used in physical theory are symmetrical between positive and negative energies. A new relativistic wave equation for particles of non-zero rest-mass is here proposed, allowing only positive values for the energy. There is great formal similarity between it and the usual relativistic wave equation for the electron, but the physical significance is very different. In particular, the new equation gives integral values for the spin.
Inference attack against encrypted range queries on outsourced databases

To mitigate security concerns of outsourced databases, quite a few protocols have been proposed that outsource data in encrypted format and allow encrypted query execution on the server side. Among the more practical protocols, the "bucketization" approach facilitates query execution at the cost of reduced efficiency by allowing some false positives in the query results. Precise Query Protocols (PQPs), on the other hand, enable the server to execute queries without incurring any false positives. Even though these protocols do not reveal the underlying data, they reveal query access pattern to an adversary. In this paper, we introduce a general attack on PQPs based on access pattern disclosure in the context of secure range queries. Our empirical analysis on several real world datasets shows that the proposed attack is able to disclose significant amount of sensitive data with high accuracy provided that the attacker has reasonable amount of background knowledge. We further demonstrate that a slight variation of such an attack can also be used on imprecise protocols (e.g., bucketization) to disclose significant amount of sensitive information.
Involvement of different mesotocin (oxytocin homologue) populations in sexual and aggressive behaviours of the brown anole

The oxytocin (OT) family of neuropeptides are known to modulate social behaviours and anxiety in mammals and birds. We investigated cell numbers and neural activity, assessed as Fos induction, within magnocellular and parvocellular populations of neurons producing the OT homologue mesotocin (MT, Ile 8 -oxytocin). This was conducted within the male brown anole lizard, Anolis sagrei , following agonistic or courtship encounters with a conspecific. Both neurons colocalizing and not colocalizing corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) were examined. Parvocellular neurons of the paraventricular nucleus exhibited a positive correlation between courtship frequency and Fos colocalization, regardless of whether they produce just MT or MT + CRF. Magnocellular populations showed only trends towards positive relationships with courtship and no cell populations showed aggression-related Fos induction. These findings are novel because they demonstrate the involvement of MT neurons in male social behaviour, especially in reptiles for whom the involvement of MT in social behaviour was previously unknown.
Studies of the 5 Exonuclease and Endonuclease Activities of CPSF-73 in Histone Pre-mRNA Processing†

Processing of histone pre-mRNA requires a single 3' endonucleolytic cleavage guided by the U7 snRNP that binds downstream of the cleavage site. Following cleavage, the downstream cleavage product (DCP) is rapidly degraded in vitro by a nuclease that also depends on the U7 snRNP. Our previous studies demonstrated that the endonucleolytic cleavage is catalyzed by the cleavage/polyadenylation factor CPSF-73. Here, by using RNA substrates with different nucleotide modifications, we characterize the activity that degrades the DCP. We show that the degradation is blocked by a 2'-O-methyl nucleotide and occurs in the 5'-to-3' direction. The U7-dependent 5' exonuclease activity is processive and continues degrading the DCP substrate even after complete removal of the U7-binding site. Thus, U7 snRNP is required only to initiate the degradation. UV cross-linking studies demonstrate that the DCP and its 5'-truncated version specifically interact with CPSF-73, strongly suggesting that in vitro, the same protein is responsible for the endonucleolytic cleavage of histone pre-mRNA and the subsequent degradation of the DCP. By using various RNA substrates, we define important space requirements upstream and downstream of the cleavage site that dictate whether CPSF-73 functions as an endonuclease or a 5' exonuclease. RNA interference experiments with HeLa cells indicate that degradation of the DCP does not depend on the Xrn2 5' exonuclease, suggesting that CPSF-73 degrades the DCP both in vitro and in vivo.
RF MEMS for digitally-controlled front-end components

Summary form only given, as follows. In recent years the field of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) has grown very fast and merged with many defense and commercial applications. Much of this activity has been driven by the ability of MEMS to miniaturize, reduce the cost, and improve the performance of transducers and actuators previously fabricated by hybrid techniques. These benefits have stemmed from the compatibility of MEMS with silicon-based microelectronics and surface micromachining. A recent development along these lines is RF MEMS which, broadly speaking, is a new class of passive devices (e.g., switches) and circuit components (e.g., tunable transmission lines) composed of or controlled by MEMS. The most investigated RF MEMS device has been the electrostatic switch, consisting of either a thin metallic cantilever, diaphragm, or some other form of membrane that when pulled down to a bottom electrode shorts or opens a high frequency transmission line. For example, working on the DARPA MAFET-3 Program, Texas Instruments has recently demonstrated a "BowTIe" switch having an on-state-insertion and return loss of 0.15 dB and -20 dB, respectively, at 20 GHz when fabricated across the center conductor of a coplanar waveguide. Other organizations in the DARPA Program are pursuing RF MEMS cantilevers for switchable antennas and filters (Hughes Research Labs), and quasioptical beam-steering grids (Rockwell and Northrop Grumman). In all of these applications, the RF MEMS is promising a major positive impact on performance and cost-a rare occurrence for any technology just entering the RF arena.
Longitudinal risk of std acquisition in adolescent girls using a generalized estimating equations model

Background: To date, few studies have used a longitudinal approach in examining risk factors for STD acquisition in teenage girls. In the present study, we examined risk of STD acquisition in adolescent girls over a three-year period using longitudinal analyses. Methods: One hundred and seventy-four girls between the ages of 12 and 16 (mean age = 14.5) participated in a longitudinal study of adolescent romantic relationships. The racial composition of the subject pool was 80% African-American and 20% Caucasian. These girls were followed for three years at six-month intervals. By the end of the study, 127 of the girls were sexually experienced, and thus, were included in the analyses regarding risk for STDs. The risk for history of STD was evaluated using a generalized estimating equations (GEE) model, which allows for the inclusion of data from subjects with missing visits. The following independent variables were entered into the model: age, race, screening IQ score, qualitative cognitive functioning, perceptions of STD prevalence among female friends, and whether a condom was used at last intercourse. Additional independent variables included number of lifetime partners (4 or more lifetime partners, 2 to 3 lifetime partners, only one partner) and age of sexual debut (less than 14 years, 14–16 years, and 17 years and older), five factors from the Family Environment Scale, and three types of parental monitoring (direct, direct when with peers, and indirect). Results: The results of the longitudinal (GEE) model indicated that having a history of an STD was significantly related to a younger age of sexual debut (p < .01), having more partners (p < .0001), being African-American (p = .01), and having a lower screening IQ score (p < .01). Conclusions: These results suggest that risk of STD is associated with both modifiable and non-modifiable variables. Race and intellectual functioning independently contributed to STD risk, stressing the importance of utilizing prevention programs that are culturally and developmentally specific. For example, less intelligent girls may need to have information presented in a more concrete manner, with a focus on the present rather than the future. The targets of these prevention programs should continue to emphasize delaying initiation, as well as partner selection. Finally, the fact that variables for STD acquisition in this longitudinal model are comparable to previous cross-sectional studies of STD acquisition suggests that these are potent predictors of risk.
On Designing Change

The demands of educating today’s emerging design professionals necessarily fixes our focus on the more immediate issues facing graduates such as professional qualifications and credentialing, professional identity and the growth of professional associations. But, although such issues are important to the evolution of the discipline, too much emphasis on professional practice can lead to myopia, limiting the ability to step back and discover a larger sense of self and one’s place in the world. By focusing too closely on the traditional practice of interior design, we risk losing perspective on our broader roles as educators, scholars, and practitioners—and ultimately on the goal of higher education—which is about cultivating an informed citizenry capable of leading change (Diamond, 1998). Perhaps it is time to expand our focus from designing the material world to designing change.
A Building-Based Case Study of Evidence-Based Literacy Practices: Implementation, Reading Behavior, and Growth in Reading Fluency, K—4

This study investigated the multiyear effects of a school-wide implementation of evidence-based literacy practices and a program to prevent early reading failure in one elementary school. Guided by a collaborative partnership/professional development model, the researchers hypothesized that teachers would implement and sustain their use of a range of new evidence-based practices and that these practices would produced accelerated levels and rates of growth in classroom reading behaviors broadly across students and in curriculum-based measurement (CBM) reading fluency. Results over 3 years indicated the following: (a) teachers did implement new evidence-based practices; (b) use of these practices with kindergarten and first-grade cohorts was associated with larger slopes in silent reading in second grade, a common point in time, compared to an older third-grade cohort not exposed to these strategies and to students at risk and with disabilities, who did not differ in their levels of classroom reading behav...
Reference limits for N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in healthy individuals (from the Framingham Heart Study).

N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT–pro-BNP) is a commonly measured cardiovascular biomarker in ambulatory and hospital settings. Nonetheless, there are limited data regarding “normal” ranges for NT–pro-BNP in healthy subjects, despite the importance of such information for interpreting natriuretic peptide measurements. In this study, a healthy reference sample free of cardiovascular disease from the Framingham Heart Study Generation 3 cohort was examined; there were 2,285 subjects (mean age 38 years, 56% women). Plasma NT–pro-BNP levels were measured using the Roche Diagnostics Elecsys 2010 assay, and reference values (2.5th, 50th, and 97.5th quantiles) were determined using empiric and quantile regression methods. Gender, age, blood pressure, and body mass index accounted for approximately 33% of the interindividual variability in NT–pro-BNP in the reference sample. NT–pro-BNP values were substantially higher in women compared to men at every age, and levels increased with increasing age for both genders. Using quantile regression, the upper reference values (97.5th quantile) for NT–pro-BNP were 42.5 to 106.4 pg/ml in men (depending on age) and 111.0 to 215.9 pg/ml in women. Intraindividual variability was assessed in an additional 12 healthy subjects, who had serial NT–pro-BNP measurements over 1 month. Intraclass correlation was 0.85, indicating that most of the variability in NT–pro-BNP concentrations was among rather than within subjects. However, the reference change value was 100%, suggesting that small proportional differences in NT–pro-BNP could be attributable to analytic variability. In conclusion, the reference limits obtained from this large, healthy, community-based sample may aid in the evaluation of NT–pro-BNP concentrations measured for clinical and research purposes.
COEXISTENCE AND ANATOMICAL SIMILARITY IN TWO GENERA OF MITES, VEIGAIA AND ASCA

Ecologic characteristics of species of two genera of soil mites, Veigaia and Asca, were investigated. Among ten species of Veigaia, all collected from deciduous forests in central Maryland, there were considerable differences in vertical distribution; some species were restricted to leaf litter, some occurred mainly down in the A, layer, and others were intermediate. There were also marked dissimilarities in overall size and in length and form of the chelicerae. These differences probably were related to differences in kinds of prey captured. Species of Asca were separated partly by habitat and partly by differences in cheliceral dentition. The relationship between anatomical similarity and frequency of coexistence was investigated. Moderately similar species were found together more often than markedly dissimilar forms. Very similar species were found together rarely or not at all.
Variable-dimension vector quantization

In many signal compression applications, the evolution of the signal over time can be represented by a sequence of random vectors with varying dimensionality. Frequently, the generation of such variable-dimension vectors can be modeled as a random sampling of another signal vector with a large but fixed dimension. Efficient quantization of these variable-dimension vectors is a challenging task and a critical issue in speech coding algorithms based on harmonic spectral modeling. We introduce a simple and effective formulation of the problem and present a novel technique, called variable-dimension vector quantization (VDVQ), where the input variable-dimension vector is directly quantized with a single universal codebook. The application of VDVQ to low bit-rate speech coding demonstrates significant gain in subjective quality as well as in rate-distortion performance over prior indirect methods.
Operation of a versatile multi-power supply system driving non-axisymmetric coil sets on the DIII-D tokamak

We describe the development, and implementation of the DIII-D tokamak power supply system driving non-axisymmetric coil sets. The coil system operates in a broad range of 0 to 7 kA and dc up to 40 kHz using different combinations of power supplies. Three types of power supplies drive the tokamak's non-axisymmetric coil sets; variable unipolar quasi-dc SCR supplies, bi-polar switching power amplifiers, and linear amplifiers. The coils are used primarily for error field correction, resistive wall mode studies, and edge localized mode suppression. A versatile computer program generates the power supply — coil interconnections in the patch panel area for a specific experiment. Control of individual coils, or combinations of coils, is accomplished using the plasma control system (PCS). An upgrade to a precision response of the high current unipolar SCR power supplies has been under development. We discuss routine operation, coil control using the PCS, and challenges in maintaining this complex system.
Reactive Al-Li Powders Prepared by Mechanical Alloying

Mechanically alloyed powders with the composition Al0.7Li0.3 are synthesized. Materials milled for different times are studied using electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis. A solid solution of Li in Al (α-phase) is formed with as much as 10 at % of dissolved Li. The LiAl intermetallic δ-phase is readily produced by mechanical alloying but disappears after extended milling times. The final product of milling for 102 hours consists of an x-ray amorphous phase. Mechanically alloyed powders heated in inert environment exhibit several weak exothermic reactions between 420 and 700 K, and two endothermic reactions, around 810 and 870 K. All the observed relaxation processes become less pronounced and eventually become undetectable as the milling time increases and an amorphous material is produced. Ignition experiments performed for the powders coated on an electrically heated filament showed that the powders ignited in the vicinity of 1250 K. An experimental setup for studying combustion of reactive mechanically alloyed powders is developed and initial experimental results are described.
An Overview of Mechanical Theorem Proving

The majority of the theorem proving algorithms which have been studied over the past decade are for the first order predicate calculus. One or two very tentative papers (Gould (1966), Robinson (1968 IFIPS), Robinson (1969)) discuss theorem proving algorithms for the higher order predicate calculus. We shall deal in this paper only with the first category. It is too early yet to form any useful appraisal of the work now being done on algorithms in the second category.
SU-E-T-18: A Comparison of Planning Techniques for Bilateral Reconstructed Chest Wall Patients Undergoing Whole Breast Irradiation

Purpose: As we continuously see more bilateral reconstructed chest wall cases, new challenges are being presented to deliver left-sided breast irradiation. We herein compare three Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) planning techniques (tangents, VMAT, and IMRT) and two free breathing techniques (VMAT and IMRT). Methods: Three left-sided chest wall patients with bilateral implants were studied. Tangents, VMAT, and IMRT plans were created for DIBH scans. VMAT and IMRT plans were created for free breathing scans. All plans were normalized so that 95% of the prescription dose was delivered to 95% of the planning target volume (PTV). The maximum point dose was constrained to less than 120% of the prescription dose. Since the success of DIBH delivery largely depends on patient’s ability to perform consistent breath hold during beam on time, smaller number of Monitor Units (MU) is in general desired. For each patient, the following information was collected to compare the planning techniques: heart mean dose, left and right lung V20 Gy, contra-lateral (right) breast mean dose, cord max dose, and MU. Results: The average heart mean dose over all patients are 1561, 692, 985, 1245, and 1121 cGy, for DIBH tangents, VMAT, IMRT, free breathing VMAT and IMRT, respectively. For left lung V20 are 60%, 28%, 26%, 30%, and 29%. For contra-lateral breast mean dose are 244, 687, 616, 783, 438 cGy. MU are 253, 853, 2048, 1035, and 1874 MUs. Conclusion: In the setting of bilateral chest wall reconstruction, opposed tangent beams cannot consistently achieve desired heart and left lung sparing. DIBH consistently achieves better healthy tissue sparing. VMAT appears to be preferential to IMRT for planning and delivering radiation to patients with bilaterally reconstructed chest walls being treated with DIBH.
Producing ultrashort Terahertz to UV photons at high repetition rates for research into materials

A new THz/IR/UV photon source at Jefferson Lab is the first of a new generation of light sources based on a Energy-Recovered, (superconducting) Linac (ERL). The machine has a 160 MeV electron beam and an average current of 10 mA in 75 MHz repetition rate hundred femtosecond bunches. These electron bunches pass through a magnetic chicane and therefore emit synchrotron radiation. For wavelengths longer than the electron bunch the electrons radiate coherently a broadband THz ~ half cycle pulse whose average brightness is > 5 orders of magnitude higher than synchrotron IR sources. Previous measurements showed 20 W of average power extracted[1]. The new facility offers simultaneous synchrotron light from the visible through the FIR along with broadband THz production of 100 fs pulses with >200 W of average power (see G. P. Williams, this conference). The FELs also provide record-breaking laser power [2]: up to 10 kW of average power in the IR from 1 to 14 microns in 400 fs pulses at up to 74.85 MHz repetition rates and soon will produce similar pulses of 300–1000 nm light at up to 3 kW of average power from the UV FEL. These ultrashort pulses are ideal for maximizing the interaction with material surfaces. The optical beams are Gaussian with nearly perfect beam quality. See www.jlab.org/FEL for details of the operating characteristics; a wide variety of pulse train configurations are feasible from 10 microseconds long at high repetition rates to continuous operation. The THz and IR system has been commissioned. The UV system is to follow in 2005. The light is transported to user laboratories for basic and applied research. Additional lasers synchronized to the FEL are also available. Past activities have included production of carbon nanotubes, studies of vibrational relaxation of interstitial hydrogen in silicon, pulsed laser vapor deposition, nitriding of metals, and energy flow in proteins. This paper will present the status of the system and discuss some of the opportunities provided by this unique light source for modifying and studying materials.
Diffusion-free back-contact solar cells on S-passivated p-type Si(100) substrates

In back-contact solar cells, the emitter is conventionally formed by diffusion of a n-type dopant into a p-type substrate. We demonstrate a back-contact solar cell without diffusion. The p-n junction in our cell is formed by the record-high Schottky barrier of 1.1 eV between low work-function aluminum and sulfur-passivated p-type Si(100) surface. The high Schottky barrier induces degenerate inversion on the surface of p-type Si, leading to the formation of a p-n junction without diffusion. The sulfur passivation process is performed by immersing the Si substrate in an aqueous solution containing ammonium sulfide. Although the conversion efficiency is low in this cell (∼1%), it can be significantly increased by employing a chemical vapor deposition process for passivation and by optimizing several material/device parameters.
Experiences with Extreme Programming in Telehealth: Developing and Implementing a Biosecurity Health Care Application

There has been limited research on how non-conventional system development methodologies such as, Agile modeling methods could improve the successful development and implementation of telehealth services. The goal of this research was to increase the understanding of the impact of using the Extreme Programming process, an Agile modeling approach, to the development effort of a biosecurity telehealth project. Overall, the research indicates that Extreme Programming is an effective methodology to develop health care applications. The rapid prototyping enabled IT developers and health care users to clarify system requirements, communicate openly, and quickly build rapport. Further, the research found that that where the technology was new or foreign, the Extreme Programming process was flexible enough to support several iterations of technology and produce prototypes in a timely manner.
fringe and Notch specify polar cell fate during Drosophila oogenesis

fringe encodes a glycosyltransferase that modulates the ability of the Notch receptor to be activated by its ligands. We describe studies of fringe function during early stages of Drosophila oogenesis. Animals mutant for hypomorphic alleles of fringe contain follicles with an incorrect number of germline cells, which are separated by abnormally long and disorganized stalks. Analysis of clones of somatic cells mutant for a null allele of fringe localizes the requirement for fringe in follicle formation to the polar cells, and demonstrates that fringe is required for polar cell fate. Clones of cells mutant for Notch also lack polar cells and the requirement for Notch in follicle formation appears to map to the polar cells. Ectopic expression of fringe or of an activated form of Notch can generate an extra polar cell. Our results indicate that fringe plays a key role in positioning Notch activation during early oogenesis, and establish a function for the polar cells in separating germline cysts into individual follicles.
Terahertz pulse shaping using structured metal films

We demonstrate a novel passive approach to terahertz pulse shaping based on altering the properties of surface waves propagating along a metal-dielectric interface. A simple time-domain numerical model explaining our observations is presented.
A density-based material balance equation for the analysis of liquid-rich natural gas systems

This study analytically cross examines the consistency among available zero-dimensional material balance equations (MBEs) for liquid-rich gas equations and derive a new simple yet rigorous MBE starting from governing equations applicable to these systems. We propose a new zero-dimensional (tank) material balance equation directly applicable to the analysis of liquid-rich (wet and retrograde) gas reservoirs expressed as a function of an equivalent gas molar density, as well as investigate and critically compare its predictions against other zero-dimensional (tank) models proposed in the past for gas reservoir cases with different amounts of condensate content (lean, intermediate and rich). All models are employed to predict reservoir performance given reservoir original-fluids-in-place and compared against benchmark examples created by numerical simulation. Actual field examples are also analyzed using existing and proposed models to test their ability to provide reliable reserve estimations using straight-line methods. The proposed density-based equation is proven to be straightforward to implement since it is written in terms of density, which allows it be directly expressed as an extension of the dry gas MBE, while not requiring the implementation of two-phase Z-factors.
Serve the Cheerleader - Serve the World: Representation in Estate and Trust Proceedings and under the Uniform Trust Code and other Modern Trust Codes

This article is an in-depth examination of representation in estate and trust proceedings of one person (or class of persons) by a person who is already a party to the action. A person who is represented by another party need not be made a party to the proceeding for the judgment to be binding on such person, thus enabling the action to proceed without minors, unborns and persons under disability. The doctrine arose in England and was used in the United States in the early 1800's in cases involving multiple parties. In estate and trust proceedings, a restricted form of the doctrine was recognized at common law and in the first Restatement of Property. The doctrine was greatly expanded by New York legislation enacted in 1967, the elements of which have been adopted by many other jurisdictions, either by statute or case law. The use of representation is desired by attorneys, since it avoids the expense of appointing a guardian ad litem for unborns, minors and persons under a disability. The Uniform Trust Code and other modern trust codes have greatly expanded the uses of representation, creating substantial risks that judgments will not be binding on parties alleged to be represented. This article explores those risks and suggests changes in the representation doctrine. This draft of the article has not yet been edited by the Real Property, Probate and Trust Journal.
Nanoceria: a Potential Therapeutic for Dry AMD.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blinding diseases. The “dry” form of AMD is the most common form of AMD. In contrast to the treatable neovascular (wet) AMD, no effective treatment is available for dry AMD. In this review, we summarize the animal models and therapeutic strategies for dry AMD. The novel candidates as potential treatment targets and the potential effectiveness of nanoceria as a treatment of dry AMD are also discussed.