cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cross-Sectional Analysis of Backward, Forward, and Dual Task Gait Kinematics in People With Parkinson Disease With and Without Freezing of Gait

People with Parkinson disease demonstrate increased gait variability, but the primary variability sources are poorly understood. People with Parkinson disease and freezing of gait (freezers) have greater gait impairments than people with Parkinson disease without freezing of gait (nonfreezers), which may relate to cerebellar dysfunction. Thirteen freezers and 31 nonfreezers completed backward, forward, and forward with dual task gait trials. Sagittal joint angle waveforms were extracted for the hip, knee, and ankle using 3D motion capture. Decomposition indices were calculated for the 3 joint combinations. Principal component analysis extracted variance sources from the joint waveforms. Freezers had significantly greater decomposition between hip-ankle (F1,42 = 5.1, P = .03) and hip-knee (F1,42 = 5.3, P = .03) movements. The principal component analysis did not differentiate freezers and nonfreezers; however, primary variance sources differed between conditions. Primary variance during forward and forward with dual task gait came from joint angle magnitude and peak angle timing. Backward gait showed primary variance from joint angle magnitude and range of motion. The results show that freezers decompose movement more than nonfreezers, implicating cerebellar involvement in freezing of gait. Primary variance differs between gait conditions, and tailoring gait interventions to address variability sources may improve intervention efficacy.
Adolescent and young adult cancer patients' health insurance experiences, expectations, and literacy.

65Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients (15-39 years of age) often report health insurance concerns and financial toxicity due to their life-saving treatment. AYAs often have...
You Get a Modification, and You Get a Modification… Everyone Gets a Modification!

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Sun et al. (2020) identify ERK-mediated phosphorylation of the m6A methyltransferase complex as a regulatory mechanism for m6A and pluripotency and highlight the potential of this interaction as a target for cancer therapy.
8--13 um spectroscopy of YSOs: Evolution of the silicate feature

In order to investigate possible connections between dust processing and disk properties, 8--13 um spectra of 34 young stars, with a range of circumstellar environments and spectral types A to M, were obtained using the Long Wavelength Spectrometer at the W. M. Keck Observatory. The broad 9.7 um amorphous silicate feature which dominates this wavelength regime evolves from absorption in young, embedded sources, to emission in optically revealed stars, and to complete absence in older debris disk systems for both low- and intermediate-mass stars. The peak wavelength and FWHM are centered about 9.7 and ~2.3 um, corresponding to amorphous olivine, with a larger spread in FWHM for embedded sources and in peak wavelength for disks. In a few of our objects that have been previously identified as class I low-mass YSOs, the observed silicate feature is complex, with absorption near 9.5 um and emission peaking around 10 um. Although most of the emission spectra show broad classical features attributed to amorphous silicates, variations in the shape/strength may be linked to dust processing, including grain growth and/or silicate crystallization. We study quantitatively the evidence for evolutionary trends in the 8--13 um spectra through a variety of spectral shape diagnostics. Based on the lack of correlation between these diagnostics and broad-band infrared luminosity characteristics for silicate emission sources, we conclude that although spectral signatures of dust processing are present, they can not be connected clearly to disk evolutionary stage (for optically thick disks) or optical depth (for optically thin disks). The diagnostics of silicate absorption features (other than the central wavelength of the feature), however, are tightly correlated with optical depth.
Pregnancy outcomes following maternal treatment with rituximab prior to or during pregnancy: a case series.

Author(s): Perrotta, Kirstie; Kiernan, Elizabeth; Bandoli, Gretchen; Manaster, Rachel; Chambers, Christina | Abstract: ObjectiveRituximab is a CD20-directed cytolytic antibody used for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and RA, and off label for JIA, multiple sclerosis and lupus. Owing to concerns about infant B cell depletion, the manufacturer recommends avoidance of rituximab throughout pregnancy and for 12 months before conception. The aim of this study was to add to the limited data on pregnancy outcomes in women with exposure to rituximab.MethodsData were obtained from MotherToBaby Pregnancy Studies. Participants were enrolled prospectively into this observational study between 2007 and 2019. Pregnancy exposure and outcome data were collected from medical records, telephone interviews and dysmorphology examinations. The outcomes examined included spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, premature delivery, pregnancy complications, major and minor anomalies, small for gestational age, neonatal complications and serious infections.ResultsWe classified 19 women with exposure to rituximab into three groups. GroupnA included three women who received rituximab during pregnancy. GroupnB included three women who received their last infusion before conception but had assumed pregnancy exposure owing to the long half-life of the drug. GroupnC included 13 women who used rituximab in the 2 years before pregnancy, with the last infusion given no sooner than five half-lives before conception. Three children had a major structural defect. Preterm delivery occurred in two pregnancies, and two infants were small for gestational age on birth weight. No cases of Bncell depletion were reported.ConclusionNo pattern of major structural anomalies or other adverse outcomes was reported in this case series.
Feature engineering and machine learning for causality assessment in pharmacovigilance: Lessons learned from application to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System.

Abstract Background Our objective was to support the automated classification of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) reports for their usefulness in assessing the possibility of a causal relationship between a drug product and an adverse event. Method We used a data set of 326 redacted FAERS reports that was previously annotated using a modified version of the World Health Organization–Uppsala Monitoring Centre criteria for drug causality assessment by a group of SEs at the FDA and supported a similar study on the classification of reports using supervised machine learning and text engineering methods. We explored many potential features, including the incorporation of natural language processing on report text and information from external data sources, for supervised learning and developed models for predicting the classification status of reports. We then evaluated the models on a larger data set of previously unseen reports. Results The best-performing models achieved recall and F1 scores on both data sets above 0.80 for the identification of assessable reports (i.e. those containing enough information to make an informed causality assessment) and above 0.75 for the identification of reports meeting at least a Possible causality threshold. Conclusions Causal inference from FAERS reports depends on many components with complex logical relationships that are yet to be made fully computable. Efforts focused on readily addressable tasks, such as quickly eliminating unassessable reports, fit naturally in SE's thought processes to provide real enhancements for FDA workflows.
THE EUROPEAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS INSTITUTE: A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS

Abstract The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) was formed to accelerate standardization and promote greater harmonization among European telecommunications systems. This article describes ETSI's organization and structure and relates them to its expected behaviour and performance. Some characteristics, such as the use of a weighted majority voting rule, are likely to expedite the setting of standards; others, such as the institute's diverse membership and the decision to avoid recognizing alternative standards, may make it more difficult. Overall, ETSI's structure may be seen as an effort to find the right balance of features.
Intermolecular energy transfer between lanthanide complexes in aqueous solution—II: Transfer from terbium(III) to europium(III) complexes of phthalic and hemimellitic acids

Abstract Intermolecular energy transfer, emission lifetimes, and emission intensity have been used as probes to examine the aqueous solution chemistry of terbium(III) complexes of phthalic and hemimellitic acids. The energy transfer was found to be an excellent probe of these systems and is sensitive toward intermolecular interactions among lanthanide complexes in solution. From comparison of dynamic and static quenching data, it was possible to demonstrate the existence of associated Tb3+/ligand complexes at medium pH and to show that this association was absent at low pH values. These results imply that definitive statements regarding the stereochemistry of lanthanide ion complexes in aqueous solution cannot be made with certainty, but that general speculations regarding probable modes of bonding are possible.
A potential biochemical explanation for the genesis of porphyria cutanea tarda: Studies on the inherent biochemical defect in highly purified human erythrocyte uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase and its amplification by iron

Abstract Familial porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a photocutaneous disease in which subnormal activity of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase is observed both in the liver and red cells. Hepatic iron plays a key role in the genesis of overt biochemical and clinical PCT. In this report, we have studied the properties of 10000-fold purified erythrocyte uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase preparations from two familial PCT patients and a non-porphyric control subject. The apparent Michaelis constants (Km), determined by using uroporphyrinogen III substrate, were approx. 3.2-times higher for the enzyme from the diseased subjects (Km = ~1.0 μM) as compared to the normal (Km = 0.3 μM). Though both abnormal and normal enzymes were inhibited progressively with increasing concentrations of iron, the enzymes from diseased subjects exhibited greater susceptibility e.g. 0.1 mM Fe2+ inhibited the former about 50% and the latter about 20%. These observations suggest that (i) the inherent biochemical defect in PCT is the reduced enzyme-substrate affinity and (ii) the intrinsic abnormal conformation renders the PCT enzyme particularly susceptible to inhibition by iron.
A Block Rotation in Community Pediatrics

Objectives. To develop, implement, and evaluate a 1-month block rotation in community pediatrics. Interventions. Faculty from University of California San Diego and Naval Medical Center San Diego developed a combined and integrated curriculum for second-year residents in community pediatrics. Resident activities included structured site visits to schools, day care centers, and community organizations that participate in child health promotion, advocacy, public health, and prevention activities. Resident school consultation and child advocacy projects were established and mentored during the block rotation. Evaluation. Formative evaluation of the program by residents was used to shape the program design. Residents9 self-perceived competence in eight areas of community pediatrics was measured with questionnaires administered before and after completion of the rotation. Resident involvement in school consultation and child advocacy projects was assessed in a cross-sectional survey. Results. Twenty-three residents completed the rotation during the 1-year study period. Statistically significant improvements in self-perceived competence were noted in all eight areas of community pediatrics. Among residents who were at least 3 months beyond the rotation completion date, 55% (11/20) reported continued involvement with their school consultation or child advocacy project, and 25% (5/20) reported this involvement to be on a quarterly to monthly basis. Conclusions. Two institutions successfully implemented and integrated a block rotation in community pediatrics. Positive short-term improvements were noted in resident self-perceived competence in community pediatrics.
Impaired performance on the angle board test is induced in a model of painful whiplash injury but is only transient in a model of cervical radiculopathy.

Although clinical studies report motor impairment associated with some painful injuries of the neck, assessment of motor function in animal models has been largely limited only to studies of direct trauma to the nervous system. The incline plane test was modified to evaluate motor function in two rodent pain models of facet joint distraction (FJD) and nerve root compression (NRC) injury (n = 5/group). Sham groups were also included as controls. Motor function was measured using the modified inclined plane test with rats facing downward before surgery (baseline) and following surgery on days corresponding to when mechanical sensitivity is established and remains elevated. Mean baseline values of the board angle inducing slip for FJD (45.8 ± 3.1°) was significantly greater (p = 0.014) than that for NRC (43.5 ± 2.5°), but baseline measurements did not vary for either group over time. No changes in motor function were found for shams. Motor function after FJD significantly decreased (p < 0.001) at days 1 and 7 after injury. In contrast, at day 1 after NRC injury, slip occurred at significantly lower (p = 0.0016) incline angles, but returned to baseline levels by day 7. These results show motor function impairment is induced following painful FJD and suggest the incline plane test offers utility to evaluate functional deficits in painful injuries. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:562–566, 2011
Specific Impairment of Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Independent of Obesity

In subjects with type 2 diabetes in whom an impaired response to an endothelial-dependent vasodilator has been characterized, the populations have also been at least moderately obese. Obesity has been characterized as an independent predictor of endothelial dysfunction in nondiabetic subjects. We hypothesized that in normotensive subjects with type 2 diabetes compared with age-matched control subjects, 1) endothelium-dependent vasodilation, as demonstrated by the forearm blood flow (FABF) response to intraarterial acetylcholine, would be decreased; 2) endothelium-independent vasodilation, as demonstrated by the FABF response to intraarterial nitroprusside, would be similar; 3) the degree of insulin resistance, as measured by the insulin sensitivity index (SI), would predict greater impairment in the FABF response to acetylcholine; and 4) these relationships would be independent of obesity. We measured FABF by venous occlusion plethysmography during brachial arterial infusions of the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine and the endothelium-independent vasodilator nitroprusside in 20 control and 17 subjects with type 2 diabetes. We measured SI using the frequently sampled i.v. glucose tolerance test. Among the diabetic relative to the control subjects we identified a decrease in the acetylcholine-mediated percent increase in FABF (P = 0.02). Using the absolute FABF response to acetylcholine and including adjustments for body mass index and other covariates, the overall group difference remained and was noted to be greatest in those subjects who had lower baseline FABFs. In contrast, no significant difference in the nitroprusside-mediated increase in the percent change FABF was identified between groups (P = 0.30). Finally, the degree of insulin resistance, as measured by SI, did not independently predict greater impairment of the FABF response to acetylcholine. This study is the first to identify specific endothelial cell dysfunction that remains significant after adjustment for obesity in a population of normotensive subjects with type 2 diabetes.
Oxygenation of monounsaturated fatty acids by soybean lipoxygenase-1: evidence for transient hydroperoxide formation.

Soybean lipoxygenase-1 (SBLO-1) catalyzes the oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids to produce conjugated diene hydroperoxides. Previous work from our laboratories has demonstrated that SBLO-1 will also catalyze the oxygenation of monounsaturated acids (Clapp, C. H., Senchak, S. E., Stover, T. J., Potter, T. C., Findeis, P. M., and Novak, M. J. (2001) Soybean Lipoxygenase-Mediated Oxygenation of Monounsaturated Fatty Acids to Enones, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 123, 747−748). Interestingly, the products are α,β-unsaturated ketones rather than the expected allylic hydroperoxides. In the present work, we provide evidence that the monoolefin substrates are initially converted to allylic hydroperoxides, which are subsequently converted to the enone products. The hydroperoxide intermediates can be trapped by reduction to the corresponding allylic alcohols with glutathione peroxidase plus glutathione or with SnCl2. Under some conditions, the hydroperoxide intermediates accumulate and can be detected by HPLC and pero...
Comparative power structures in American communities

Abstract This is an argument for the plausibility of comparative network analyses of power in American cities. In terms of structural analyses of community power and decision-making, traditional methods of obtaining network data have fostered and enervating gap between the substantive richness of case studies and the generalizability of comparative studies. The purpose here is to describe a practical method of gathering ersatz network data from interviews with a small number of strategically chosen informants so as to conduct comparative network analyses of community power. The ersatz network element z ij is the extent to which two types of actors I and J are perceived by informants as having simultaneous control over community issues. Using data from interviews with informants in 51 American cities, the ersatz network data are shown to be efficient, reliable and substantively valid despite their low cost. The data are efficient in the sense that the proportion of sampling variance in an estimated network element declines exponentially with increase in the element's magnitude. The data are reliable in the sense that estimated structures are stable over issue and informant bias per se. The data are valid in the sense that they are consistent with previous community research; types of ersatz power structures are located in the 51 cities (a machine structure, an urban structure, a faction structure, and a class of reform government structures) and these types occur in cities with characteristics known to be associated with each type of power structure. I conclude with a summary and comments regarding future research; the selection of informants and the use of a computer program in which easily available characteristics of a community are the basis for predicting the type of power structure it most likely exhibited during the late 1960s.
Using minnow traps to estimate fish population size: the importance of spatial distribution and relative species abundance

Relative abundance and within-lake distributions of three fishes, northern redbelly dace (Phoxinus eos), finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus), and central mudminnow (Umbra limi), were examined using minnow traps in Tuesday Lake, a small bog lake in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. For these species, catches in minnow traps placed at the perimeter of the lake were 21 to 52 times higher than catches in midlake traps. Variance: mean ratios of perimeter trap catches indicated that both dace species were highly aggregated while the distribution of mudminnows was less aggregated or random. Over an 11 day period during which all fish caught were removed from the lake, catch per unit effort (CPUE) of both dace species declined in response to fish removal. In contrast, CPUE for mudminnows was low initially, increased to an asymptote and then declined only in the last 5 days of the fish removal. The patterns of CPUE for mudminnows indicated that mudminnow trapability and/or activity was reduced in the presence of high densities of dace. The low abundance of dace in traps with many mudminnows suggested mudminnows avoided traps already containing dace. Throughout the removal period, CPUE provided an accurate index of dace abundance, whereas this was true for mudmnnows only after dace populations had been reduced drastically. Therefore, in any use of minnow traps to estimate populations, both spatial distributions and relative species abundance of small fishes must be taken into account.
Localization of lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral lymphoid organs: Directed lymphocyte migration and segregation into specific microenvironments

The distribution of lymphocytes in the peripheral lymphoid organs is controlled by recirculatory and microenvironmental factors. Specific interactions between recirculating lymphocytes and high endothelial venules in various lymphoid organs determine the presence and proportions of the various lymphoid sets and subsets in those organs. Separate endothelial determinants on peripheral node and Peyer's patch endothelium along with complementary lymphocyte receptors mediate this organ specificity. B and T cells also exhibit nonrandom organization within lymphoid tissues; after entry via high endothelial venules they segregate into their respective domains, which appear to be determined by distinct types of nonlymphoid stromal cells. Antigenic stimulation results in changes in lymphocyte phenotype as well as in the lymphoid microenvironment. The response to most complex antigens is the formation of germinal centers (GC) composed primarily of proliferating B cells; the phenotype of the few T cells therein is supportive of the GC as a site of B-T interaction. The phenotype of the B cells in GCs suggest a role for GCs in immunoglobulin class switching and the determination of subsequent homing specificity.
Clinical outcome in the Marfan syndrome with ascending aortic dilatation followed annually by echocardiography.

The aim of this study was to define the rate of progression of aortic dilatation in patients with the Marfan syndrome who were followed at the Stanford University Marfan clinic, and to review the utility of echocardiography in monitoring these patients. ••• A total of 76 adult patients with a diagnosis of the Marfan syndrome were evaluated in our clinic from 1989 to 1997. Of these, 19 patients were excluded from this study because of a history of aortic surgery or aortic dissection. The remaining 57 patients with confirmed Marfan syndrome (age range 14 to 64 years, mean 30) were studied with a baseline transthoracic echocardiogram. Of these patients, 34 had follow-up echocardiograms. Patients were referred by their local practitioners, internists, and cardiologists. At the initial clinic visit, a family history was documented for each patient with careful attention paid to a history of aortic aneurysm and sudden death. All patients underwent a detailed physical examination, including refraction examination, retinoscopy, and slit-lamp examination by an ophthalmologist. A spot urine test was performed to exclude homocystinuria when appropriate. A diagnosis of the Marfan syndrome was established if a patient satisfied the revised diagnostic criteria for the Marfan syndrome as proposed by De Paepe et al. 1 Briefly, for the index case, if the family and/or genetic history was not contributory, evidence for major criteria in at least 2 different organ systems and involvement of a third organ system was required. If a mutation known to cause the Marfan syndrome in others was detected, 1 major criterion in an organ and involvement of a second organ system was necessary to establish a diagnosis. Pertinent organ systems include the skeletal system, ocular system, cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, skin, and dura. Each patient underwent 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography to assess both the thoracic and abdominal aorta. We routinely measured aortic diameter at 7 discrete points along the course of the ascending and descending aorta (Figure 1): (1) aortic annulus, (2) 1 cm above the annulus, (3) maximum diameter of the ascending aorta, (4) narrow constant region in the ascending aorta, (5) takeoff of the left subclavian artery, (6) takeoff of the superior mesenteric artery, and (7) takeoff of the left renal artery. The aortic diameter was measured at end-diastole (peak of the R wave on the electrocardiogram) using the leading-edge-to-leading-edge technique. Measurements at sites 1 to 4 were obtained from the parasternal longaxis view, whereas those at site 5 and sites 6 to 7 were obtained from the suprasternal and subcostal views, respectively. Asymptomatic patients whose aortic measurements
Nuclear relaxation in a randomly diluted Heisenberg paramagnet

The high (room)-temperature relaxation rates of those $^{19}\mathrm{F}$ nuclei which are not transfer hyperfine coupled to Mn spins in $\mathrm{K}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{x}{\mathrm{Mg}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ are calculated as a function of Mn concentration. Good agreement with experiment is found for the theoretical results, which have been obtained in the concentration range $0.02l~xl1$ (excluding values near the critical percolation concentration ${x}_{c}=0.31$). The time dependence of the nuclear-spin decay is found to be well represented by $\mathrm{exp}[\ensuremath{-}{(\frac{t}{\ensuremath{\tau}})}^{n}]$, with $n$ varying smoothly from $n=1$ at $x=1$ to $n\ensuremath{\approx}0.5$ for $x\ensuremath{\ll}1$. The secondneighbor exchange constant between Mn spins needed for agreement with experiment is found to be smaller than an independently, but also indirectly, measured value.
X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure of Grain-Boundary-Segregated Y and Zr in Creep-Resistant Alumina

X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) depends on stereochemical features of coordination polyhedra around probe atoms. K-edge XANES of Y and Zr segregated in alumina grain boundaries has been obtained and analyzed using metallic Y and Zr, Y2O3, YAG, and monoclinic ZrO2 as standards. Grain-boundary-segregated Y and Zr show a positive chemical shift, and the magnitude of the shift, as compared with that of Y2O3 and ZrO2, respectively, is different for Y and Zr, indicating that, relative to Y2O3 and ZrO2, charge transfers for the grain-boundary-segregated Y and Zr are different. This result is also supported by the strength of the threshold resonance. A pre-edge shoulder is seen in K-edge XANES for grain-boundary-segregated Y and Zr but not for Y2O3 and ZrO2. This shoulder is attributed to the 1s→ 4d transition, which is normally forbidden, but can occur because of d–p mixing, which is favored by a tetrahedral coordination configuration. These results suggest that some of the grain-boundary-segregated Y and Zr have coordination configurations with a well-defined tetrahedral symmetry. The XANES results are compared with those obtained from EXAFS. Implications of these results for understanding of the enhanced creep resistance in alumina are also discussed.
Curing of epoxy resins with 1-[di(2-chloroethoxyphosphinyl) methyl]-2,4-and -2,6-diaminobenzene

Fire resistant compositions were prepared using 1-di(2-chloroethoxy-phosphinyl)methyl-2,4- and -2,6-diaminobenzene (DCEPD) as a curing agent for typical epoxy resins such as EPON 828 (Shell), XD 7342 (Dow), and My 720 (Ciba Geigy). In addition, compositions of these three epoxy resins with common curing agents such as m-phenylenediamine (MPD) or 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulphone (DDS) were studied to compare their reactions with those of DCEPD. The reactivity of the three curing agents toward the epoxy resins, measured by differential calorimetry (DSC), was of the order MPD DCEPD DDS. The relatively lower reactivity of DCEPD toward epoxy resins was attributed to electronic effects.
The parameterization of the planetary boundary layer in the UCLA general circulation model - Formulation and results

A planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization for general circulation models (GCMs) is presented. It uses a mixed-layer approach in which the PBL is assumed to be capped by discontinuities in the mean vertical profiles. Both clear and cloud-topped boundary layers are parameterized. Particular emphasis is placed on the formulation of the coupling between the PBL and both the free atmosphere and cumulus convection. For this purpose a modified sigma-coordinate is introduced in which the PBL top and the lower boundary are both coordinate surfaces. The use of a bulk PBL formulation with this coordinate is extensively discussed. Results are presented from a July simulation produced by the UCLA GCM. PBL-related variables are shown, to illustrate the various regimes the parameterization is capable of simulating.
A generalized probabilistic approach for slope analysis

A new probabilistic approach is introduced for slope stability analysis, which is general in types of variable distributions and correlations or dependency between variables, and flexible enough to include any adverse impact analysis for blasting vibrations and groundwater conditions.
Controlled Clinical Trials and Practice-based Research in Dentistry:

In his recent editorial (Mjor, 2008), Ivar Mjor extolled the virtues of practice-based research, but seemed to suggest that practice-based settings may not be conducive to the conduct of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). His point depends on the perception of a RCT as done to demonstrate efficacy in a very controlled environment by one or two highly trained and calibrated expert clinicians who are able to devote extraordinary time and attention to it. However, there is no reason why RCTs cannot be used in a practice-based setting to demonstrate effectiveness (the outcome in practice). One would focus on the intervention as used in practice, with simple clinical outcomes. Variations of participating dentists in background and skill would be present, but are part of the background noise. If the outcome is not significantly greater than the background noise, then it won’t have any impact on practice. An example is an upcoming RCT in NW PRECEDENT in which we will compare mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium hydroxide as pulp-capping materials in member practices. Each dentist will be randomized to use only one of the two for all pulp caps needed over a specified period. Outcomes after two years will be whether the treated tooth required endodontic treatment or extraction, or if it remains vital. This addresses the kind of “identified” and ”recurring” clinical problem Dr. Mjor suggests should be pursued in dental practice-based research networks, but does so with a RCT design that should produce the highest-quality evidence of effectiveness.
Generalized vector dominance and inelastic electron nucleon scattering — the small ω′ region

Abstract The generalized vector dominance model for inelastic electron nucleon scattering is extended to the small ω′ region by taking into account the increase of − t min with q 2 in exclusive electroproduction.
Robert Ulanowicz and the Possibility of a Theology of Evolution

In A Third Window Robert Ulanowicz exposes the explanatory weaknesses of both classical and statistical methods in scientific inquiry. His book, however, does much more than that. While being completely grounded in empirical science, it also outlines a worldview, or a metaphysics, that renders intelligible the fact of chance and emergent novelty. Ulanowicz establishes his position by comparing his “third window” onto nature with two others conventional scientific approaches. The purpose of this essay is to point out the value of Ulanowicz’s approach for improving the quality of conversation between science and theology.
Support Vector Machines Based Mobile Robot Path Planning in an Unknown Environment

In this paper the use of support vector machines (SVM) for path planning has been investigated through a Player/Stage simulation for various case studies. SVMs are maximum margin classifiers that obtain a non-linear class boundary between the data sets. In order to apply SVM to the path planning problem, the entire obstacle course is divided in to two classes of data sets and a separating class boundary is obtained using SVM. This non-linear class boundary line determines the heading of the robot for a collision-free path. Complex obstacles and maps have been created in the simulation environment of Player/Stage. The effectiveness of SVM for path planning on unknown tracks has been studied and the results have been presented. For the classification of newly detected data points in the unknown environment, the k-nearest neighbors algorithm has been studied and implemented.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
One-year results of growth hormone treatment of short stature in Prader-Willi syndrome.

At least part of the short stature in Prader-Willi syndrome may be explained by a decreased growth hormone (GH) secretory capacity, which occurs in most patients. To study the effects of exogenous GH on growth and body composition, 17 prepubertal children with Prader-Willi syndrome, with a short projected final height, were randomized to a control group (n = 9) or a treatment group (n = 8). Children in the treatment group received GH (0.15 IU/kg/day s.c.) for 1 year. One patient in the treatment group developed pseudotumour cerebri, which resolved after discontinuation of GH; this patient was omitted from further analysis. After 1 year, height velocity in the GH-treated group was significantly increased (+5.5 SD) compared with reference values for normal healthy children, whereas there was a decreased in the control group (-2.3 SD). The difference in height velocity between the treated and control groups was significant (p = 0.0012). Concentrations of both insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 increased significantly in the GH-treated group (p < 0.008). A gain in height was noted for chronological age (+1.07 SD) after 1 year of GH treatment. Height gain (+1.02 SD) remained unchanged when analysed in relation to bone age. No differences between the groups were found for parameters of weight and body composition. In conclusion, although GH appears to have beneficial effects on height, long-term studies are necessary before recommendations can be made concerning GH treatment in children with Prader-Willi syndrome.
A longitudinal approach to the study of the police personality: Race/gender differences

Research on the police personality suggests that, although most individuals entering police work are idealistic, service-oriented and outgoing, by about the fifth year in the profession some officers tend to develop attitudes that are cynical, defensive, alienated, authoritarian, and often racist. The question is, “Why does the policing environment negatively impact some officers and not others?” Past research has attempted to address this question through the use of cross-sectional research designs. Prior research has also tendedto, ignore the race and gender of the officers and has only rarely linked measures of attitude to behavior. In sum, the three most prevalent criticisms of previous research have been the use of crosssectional rather than longitudinal designs, failure to link attitudes to behavior, and failure to address the differing effect of the policing environment on men and women. The purpose of this project is to continue expansion of the existing research on the questions of both the existence and the development of the police personality. Additionally the project investigates the differences in the personality brought to policing by males and females, while testing for the effect of the police environment on males and females. It is too early in the data collection stage of this research to attempt an answer to the pressing issue concerning patterns of behavioral effect on policing officers as a result of exposure to the policing environment. Thus the scope of this paper is limited to a description of the changes in personality which are occurring in a panel group of police officers.
Social Relationships, Peer Collaboration and Children's Oral Language

This study examined the influence of peer collaboration and social context on children's use of literate language. Literate language is defined as a specific oral language register. It was hypothesised that friend, compared to non-friend dyads would evidence more literate language in the form of talk about cognitive and linguistic processes. Same gender dyads of 7- and 8-year-old children were observed during collaborative writing tasks in friend or non-friend groups, and measures of oral language were collected. The findings suggested that different peer relationships differentially effect children's oral language in the areas of conflicts, social regulation, and metacognitive and literate language. The data support the proposition that different sorts of peer relationships and instructional settings affect children's interactions and early literacy development. The results are discussed in terms of the role of social regulation in the context of peer collaboration.
The Peace Corps and Foreign Language Education—A Foreword

IT IS indeed most appropriate that an entire issue of The Modern Language Journal be devoted to the Peace Corps. In the brief span of less than three years the Peace Corps has achieved recognition as one of America's really significant successes in international relations. Although this remarkable record is primarily the result of the quality of the men and women serving in the Peace Corps, an important contributing factor is the training the volunteers receive before they are sent overseas. Of all the components of this training by far the greatest emphasis is placed on the necessity to learn the language of the host country. No other agency of the United States Government perceives more clearly than the Peace Corps the importance of foreign language training. The success of the Peace Corps would suggest that it is likely to become a permanent part of our overseas programs. By the end of 1963 more than 7,000 Peace Corps volunteers will be in service in 48 countries. In 1964 the number will
D433 Does Not Determine Ion Selectivity in ASIC1

ASICs (Acid Sensing Ion Channels) are ion channels activated by external protons. They belong to the family of ion channels known as ENaC/Degenerin, which has a distinctive high selectivity for Na+ ions. The atomic structure of chicken ASIC1 solved by Gonzales (Gonzales et al., Nature 460: 599604, 2009) shows the transmembrane segments, TM1 and TM2, of three subunits around the pore. The TM2s are tilted ∼50 degrees to the normal of the membrane producing a constriction that closes the lumen of the pore near the external side of the ion pathway. The side chain of D433 in TM2 defines the narrowest segment of the pore in the desensitized state and the carboxyl group coordinates a Cs+ ion, suggesting that D433 forms both the desensitization gate and the selectivity filter. We show here that most substitutions of residue D433 reduce or abolish ASIC1 currents and change the kinetics of desensitization. The polar residues Q and N decrease the mean duration of open events to a few milliseconds but maintain the ion selectivity sequence: Na+>Li+>K+>>>Cs+, and the value of the unitary conductance: 17 pS (120 mM symmetric Na+, V range −80 to −20 mV) indicating that D433 participates in shutting the pore but not in setting ion selectivity. Hence, the narrowest segment of the ion pathway is not the same in the open and desensitized states. Together, the results predict a significant change in the architecture of the transmembrane segments when the channel adopts the open conformation.
Aflatoxin B1 epoxidation catalysed by partially purified human liver lipoxygenase

(1) This study demonstrates for the first time the human liver lipoxygenase-mediated co-oxidation of aflatoxin B1 to the reactive metabolite, aflatoxin B1-8,9-epoxide, which rapidly hydrolyzes to dihydrodiol and preferentially binds to Tris. (2) The Tris-diol complex formed was quantitated fluorimetrically, based on its characteristic excitation at lambda ex = 395 nm and emission at lambda em = 435 nm. (3) The incubation of partially purified human liver lipoxygenase for 30 min under optimum assay conditions (3.5 mM linoleic acid and 50 microM aflatoxin B1 in Tris buffer at pH 7.2) resulted in the formation of 10.6 +/- 1.7 nmol Tris-diol/mg protein. (4) In addition to linoleic acid, other unsaturated fatty acids namely gamma-linolenic acid, cis-11, 14-eicosadienoic acid and arachidonic acid also supported the lipoxygenase mediated epoxidation of aflatoxin B1. (5) The enzymatic Tris-diol formation was significantly inhibited by all the lipoxygenase inhibitors tested in a concentration-dependent manner. (6) These results strongly suggest that lipoxygenase is capable of aflatoxin B1 metabolism and this may represent yet another pathway for the bioactivation of this hepatocarcinogen in the human liver.
Genetic algorithm parameter optimization: applied to sensor coverage

Genetic Algorithms are powerful tools, which when set upon a solution space will search for the optimal answer. These algorithms though have some associated problems, which are inherent to the method such as pre-mature convergence and lack of population diversity. These problems can be controlled with changes to certain parameters such as crossover, selection, and mutation. This paper attempts to tackle these problems in GA by having another GA controlling these parameters. The values for crossover parameter are: one point, two point, and uniform. The values for selection parameters are: best, worst, roulette wheel, inside 50%, outside 50%. The values for the mutation parameter are: random and swap. The system will include a control GA whose population will consist of different parameters settings. While this GA is attempting to find the best parameters it will be advancing into the search space of the problem and refining the population. As the population changes due to the search so will the optimal parameters. For every control GA generation each of the individuals in the population will be tested for fitness by being run through the problem GA with the assigned parameters. During these runs the population used in the next control generation is compiled. Thus, both the issue of finding the best parameters and the solution to the problem are attacked at the same time. The goal is to optimize the sensor coverage in a square field. The test case used was a 30 by 30 unit field with 100 sensor nodes. Each sensor node had a coverage area of 3 by 3 units. The algorithm attempts to optimize the sensor coverage in the field by moving the nodes. The results show that the control GA will provide better results when compared to a system with no parameter changes.
Argos inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor signalling by ligand sequestration

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has critical functions in development and in many human cancers1,2,3. During development, the spatial extent of EGFR signalling is regulated by feedback loops comprising both well-understood activators and less well-characterized inhibitors3,4. In Drosophila melanogaster the secreted protein Argos functions as the only known extracellular inhibitor of EGFR5, with clearly identified roles in multiple stages of development3. Argos is only expressed when the Drosophila EGFR (DER) is activated at high levels6, and downregulates further DER signalling. Although there is ample genetic evidence that Argos inhibits DER activation, the biochemical mechanism has not been established. Here we show that Argos inhibits DER signalling without interacting directly with the receptor, but instead by sequestering the DER-activating ligand Spitz. Argos binds tightly to the EGF motif of Spitz and forms a 1:1 (Spitz:Argos) complex that does not bind DER in vitro or at the cell surface. Our results provide an insight into the mechanism of Argos function, and suggest new strategies for EGFR inhibitor design.
How HMOs can effectively manage mental health services in the 1990S

The performance of managed mental health programs has helped employers overcome their reluctance to provide coverage for services that were considered difficult to control. The emergence of the carve out as an alternative to existing behavioral health programs, including those offered by HMOs, had led to increased expectations for higher levels of performance. This paper argues that HMOs, by strengthening their commitment to integrated care, can meet the challenge.
The occurrence of phytoene in various plant materials.

Abstract A method of assay for phytoene in plant materials is presented which involves isooctane-ethanol extraction, adsorption of the interfering substances on a magnesia-Super Cel column, and absorptimetric determination of phytoene at 286 mμ. Twenty plant materials were analyzed for phytoene by this method. Phytoene was detected in eleven different fruits and vegetables and in one chlorophyllous tissue, alfalfa.
Microscopic approach to hadrons and nuclei using quarks

Abstract These lecture notes show how quark degrees of freedom can be used in potential model theories of strongly interacting systems ranging from pions and nucleons to nuclei. The implications and limitations of the pseudo-relativistic Hamiltonian model of Stanley and Robson are discussed. The main subjects touched upon are a) meson and baryon spectroscopy, b) nucleon-nucleon interactions and c) the structure of light nuclei. Particular attention is given to the effects of hidden color states, moving frame Lorentz contractions in electron-hadron scattering calculations and tetrahedral symmetries in light nuclei.
Temperature Dependence of HNE Formation in Vegetable Oils and Butter Oil

The temperature dependence of the formation of toxic 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (HNE) was investigated in high and low linoleic acid (LA) containing oils such as corn, soybean and butter oils. These oils contain about 60, 54 and 3–4% of LA for corn, soybean and butter oils, respectively. The oils were heated for 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 h at 190 °C and for 0, 5, 15 and 30 min at 218 °C. HNE concentrations in the oils were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The maximum HNE concentrations in heated (190 °C) corn, soybean and butter oils were 5.46, 3.73 and 1.85 μg HNE/g oil, respectively. The concentration of HNE at 218 °C increased continuously for all the three oils, although they were heated for much shorter periods compared to the lower temperature of heating (190 °C). HNE concentration at 30 min reached the maximum of 15.48, 10.72 and 6.71 μg HNE/g oil for corn, soybean and butter oils, respectively. HNE concentration at higher temperature (218 °C) was 4.9, 3.7, and 8.7 times higher than at the lower temperature (190 °C) and 30 min of heating for corn, soybean and butter oils, respectively. It was found that HNE formation was temperature dependant in the tested oils.
Emission-free fuel reformers for mobile and portable fuel cell applications

Abstract Conventional fuel reformers are complex, multi-component devices which produce large amounts of CO2 emissions. The main objective of this work is to develop an efficient, compact and emission-free fuel reformer for mobile and portable fuel cell (FC) applications. The concept is based on single-stage catalytic pyrolysis of hydrocarbon fuels into hydrogen-rich gas and carbon products. This approach allows to eliminate the production of carbon oxides (CO and CO2) and, consequently, the need for the water–gas shift (WGS) and gas separation stages which significantly simplifies the process. The paper presents the experimental results of CO2-free production of hydrogen-rich gas via catalytic pyrolysis of hydrocarbon fuels (propane, methane and gasoline). The perspectives of CO2-free fuel reformers for mobile and portable fuel cell applications are discussed in this paper.