cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural effects of perlite compaction on cryogenic storage vessels subjected to thermal cycles and vibrations

Abstract Double-wall cryogenic storage vessels containing perlite insulation are used to store LH 2 for test firing of NASA rockets. The vessels have been designed using the assumption that the perlite offers negligible structural resistance thus permitting the vessel to freely expand or contract under thermal cycles. Observation of perlite compaction has led to concern that after many loading cycles the perlite would become compacted enough to cause significant load transfer between the inner and outer tank, possibly causing structural damage. This study describes a detailed analysis of the potential for perlite compaction and assesses the potential for structural damage as a result of compaction. A finite element stress analysis program coded in FORTRAN was developed and implemented for this investigation. The vessel model was examined with dynamic and thermal loads to determine the effects by the given loads. The endochronic theory of plasticity was used to model the perlite insulation. Various tests were performed on the perlite to determine the parameters required by the model constitutive equations. These constitutive equations were then entered into the FEA program and the results compared with the test results.
A RhII-AuII bimetallic core with a direct metal-metal bond

The d8···d10 heterobimetallic RhIAuI(tfepma)2(CNtBu)2Cl2 (1) complex (tfepma = bis[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphino]methylamine) is oxidized by KAuIIICl4 to give the first structurally characterized d...
The relationship between Spanish language use and substance use behaviors among Latino youth: a social network approach.

Abstract Purpose Greater acculturation is associated with higher rates of substance use among Latino adolescents, but the reasons are poorly understood. One potential explanation is that social networks change with acculturation, leading to decreased protection and increased risk. Our objective was to identify Spanish language-sensitive individual and social network attributes associated with substance use in Latino adolescents. Methods Latino eighth-grade students in a Los Angeles public middle school completed a computerized, self-administered survey about tobacco, alcohol, drug use, and parental monitoring; and description of 30 social network members. Regression analyses were used to estimate the independent associations of network-level Spanish language use and other factors with a substance use behavior scale. Mediation analysis identified Spanish language-sensitive attributes. Results Network-level Spanish language use was associated with a substance use scale in bivariate but not multivariate models. Protective Spanish language-sensitive attributes included greater numbers of extended family members in the network, less substance use among network members, and greater perceived parental monitoring. Risky Spanish language-insensitive attributes include more high school aged network members. Conclusions These results suggest that parental monitoring and some characteristics of social networks account for the relationship between Spanish language use and substance use among Latino adolescents. Clinic- or community-based interventions that enhance protective characteristics of social networks in Latino adolescents may be effective.
Channels in transporters

Recent electrophysiological investigations of plasma membrane neurotransmitter transporters have shown that carriers can function in ways similar to ion channels. The results of these studies reveal underlying mechanisms not encompassed by classic carrier models and support an emerging view that transporter-mediated ionic currents may contribute to signaling in the nervous system.
The Retirement Transition and the Later Life Family Unit

The purpose of this investigation was to determine to what extent family worldview and problem-solving communication style influence individual and family unit adaptation during retirement. A cross-sectional correlational survey design utilized Pearson correlations and stepwise multiple regressions. The sample consisted of 368 individuals representing 184 later life family units. Operationalized as family unit data, family worldview and family problem-solving communication style were examined in two series: (1) with outcome variable of family unit adaptation and (2) with outcome variable of individual adaptation. Scoring of family unit data was conceptually, procedurally, and analytically congruent. The investigation extended McCubbins' work into the later life family unit giving empirical support for two propositions of the Resiliency Model (M.A. McCubbin & H.I. McCubbin, 1993). This investigation also extended A. Antonovsky's (1987) work as the second study to apply the Antonovsky Sense of Coherence Scale to a family measurement. Conclusions are that although the way the family views the world is important during retirement, being affirmed by family members is more important. The investigation highlights the importance of a positive problem-solving communication style for a positive level of family adaptation. Individual adaptation during retirement was more influenced by family worldview.
Core cancer length in ultrasound-guided systematic sextant biopsies: a preoperative evaluation of prostate cancer volume

Abstract Objectives Evidence has been presented that biologic aggressiveness of prostate carcinoma increases with volume and that cancers less than 0.5 cc may be regarded as clinically insignificant for immediate treatment. We have analyzed the ability of core cancer length on needle biopsy to predict cancer volumes near the 0.5 cc threshold for distinction between incidental versus clinical carcinoma. Methods Systematic sextant transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies were performed on 110 men who then underwent radical prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma. The core cancer length within each biopsy was compared with the volumes of clinical and incidental carcinomas in the prostatectomy specimen. Results Among incidental (nonpalpable) cancers, 14% of those under 0.2 cc were detected, but 44% at 0.2 to 0.5 cc and 92% of those more than 0.5 cc were detected. Among clinically suspected carcinomas, 2 mm or longer core cancer length reliably predicted a cancer of 0.5 cc or larger, but among incidental cancers, it predicted a tumor of 0.2 cc or larger. A 3-mm core cancer length threshold predicted 0.5 cc for both groups. The high frequency of incidental cancers under 0.5 cc impaired the predictive value of multiple positive needle cores. Bilateral positive biopsy results indicated bilateral extension of clinical cancer in only 59% of cases. Conclusions A core cancer length of 3 mm or more on one or two needle biopsies reliably predicts cancer of clinically significant volume (0.5 cc or larger). The high detection frequency of smaller incidental carcinomas on biopsy impairs the reliability of volume estimation from multiple positive needle cores and mandates that treatment decisions be made with knowledge of core cancer length.
Abstract 3959: MMP13 contributes to metastatic tumor growth in the steatotic liver microenvironment.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The expanding obesity epidemic has led to an escalation in the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis, which are associated with an increase in incidence of primary and metastatic liver cancer. As NAFLD progresses, it is characterized by marked inflammation in the liver described as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The mechanisms by which NASH increases risk of liver cancer are not fully known but complete understanding of these mediators is necessary for effective therapeutic and preventive strategies. Importantly, metastasis represents the final stage in cancer progression and is the most significant cause of cancer related mortality. Using our mouse model of diet induced steatosis, coupled with a model of experimental liver metastasis, we have previously shown a significant increase in the number of metastatic foci in the steatotic liver compared to the normal livers. Microarray analysis revealed that MMP13, a member of the Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) family recognized to be involved in liver disease and cancer progression, is significantly upregulated in the steatotic liver compared to normal livers. Additionally, MMP13 is expressed in several cancer cell types. Emerging data suggests that MMP13 may play a key role in priming the microenvironment for the establishment of liver metastases, by modulation of cytokine profiles and recruitment of inflammatory cells. . We hypothesize that MMP13 is a key modulator of the steatotic microenvironment, and that increased MMP13 levels favor primary tumor growth as well as the establishment of metastases. To determine the role of stromal MMP13 on metastasis to the liver, we are using the experimental splenic injection model of liver metastasis with syngeneic MC38 colon cancer cells in mice genetically deficient in MMP13. Additionally, since the tumor cells themselves express MMP13, wildtype mice are injected with either shRNA control or MMP13 knockdown MC38 colon cancer cells to determine the role of tumor cell derived MMP13. Preliminary data shows localization of MMP13 expression to the hepatic stellate cells as well as CD11b positive myeloid cells from livers with NASH. Further, invitro analysis of migration and invasion ability of parental and MMP13 shRNA knockdown MC38 cells show that MMP13 promotes the invasive and migratory properties of the metastatic cancer cells themselves. MMP13 may thus be a potential mediator of inflammation in the tumor microenvironment as well as of the metastatic capacity of cancer cells to the liver. Citation Format: Alisha M. Mendonsa, Michael VanSaun, David L. Gorden. MMP13 contributes to metastatic tumor growth in the steatotic liver microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3959. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3959
Concentration/response relations for the multiple antiarrhythmic actions of sotalol

Sotalol, one of the first beta-receptor antagonists synthesized, is a promising investigational agent with remarkable efficacy for treatment of patients with ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. Unlike other beta blockers, sotalol also possesses class III antiarrhythmic action, evidenced by prolongation of the myocardial action potential duration. This additional action probably accounts for the greater antiarrhythmic efficacy of sotalol compared with other beta blockers. Sotalol's class III antiarrhythmic action becomes apparent at concentrations higher than those necessary for significant beta-receptor antagonism, both in vitro and in human subjects. In a study correlating dosage and antiarrhythmic response with prolongation of rate-corrected QT (QTc) (a measure of class III action) and the degree of beta-receptor blockade (assessed by the reduction of the maximal exercise-induced heart rate), 11 of 17 patients had an antiarrhythmic response. Eight of these 11 responders had been unresponsive to conventional beta-receptor antagonists. The plasma concentration associated with significant QTc prolongation (2.55 micrograms/ml) was found to be much greater than that associated with 50% reduction in maximal slowing of heart rate (0.8 micrograms/ml). As with other beta-receptor antagonists, the activities of sotalol's 2 stereoisomers differ, with the I-isomer having far more beta-blocking activity. However, both isomers have equal class III antiarrhythmic activity. When increasing doses of the d-isomer of sotalol (50 to 400 mg every 12 hours) were evaluated in patients with chronic ventricular arrhythmias, arrhythmia frequency was suppressed greater than 80% in 3 patients and 50% in 1 patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effect of heat shock proteins on survival of isolated aortic cells from normal and atherosclerotic cynomolgus macaques

Abstract Alterations in the level and distribution of arterial heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been demonstrated during atherogenesis. The significance of these changes within the developing and dying plaque, however, is not understood. To examine a potential protective effect of HSPs on arterial cells, enzymatically isolated cells from normal and diet-induced atherosclerotic aortas of cynomolgus macaques were stressed for 20 h with and without added 7273 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP-sol7273), over a range of temperatures and dosages. Cells were analyzed for changes in viability and lysosomal membrane integrity. The responses of cells from normal and diseased aortas for all test regimens were similar. Viability and lysosomal membrane integrity of untreated cells were correlated ( r = 0.85), and both factors declined with increasing thermal stress (P
Implications of the Fresnel-zone texture for seismic amplitude interpretation

ABSTRACTThe 3D reflection seismic response is associated with a zone (the Fresnel zone), rather than with a single point used in the idealized 1D convolution model. Unlike a point of incidence, the Fresnel zone is complicated by its textural characters that are defined by the dip and azimuth of microreflectors in the zone. The Fresnel-zone texture makes seismic amplitude interpretation more complicated than previously documented. A conceptual model suggests that seismic amplitude variations with offset (AVO), azimuth (AVAz), and frequency (spectral decomposition) were physically related to textural roughness, textural anisotropy, and textural scale of the Fresnel zone, respectively. Textural roughness is defined by the dip deviation of microreflectors and contributes to the AVO intercept and gradient. Textural anisotropy is defined by the degree of the preferred orientation of the microreflectors and directly affects the AVAz signature. Textural scale is defined by the spacing of the microreflectors and c...
Rapid Quaternary emergence, uplift, and denudation of the Coastal Range, eastern Taiwan

A thick sequence of orogenic strata exposed in the Coastal Range of eastern Taiwan documents uplift of at least 7.5 and 5.9 km at two anticlinal crests following marine deposition of the uppermost preserved beds at ∼1.0 Ma. The resulting mean uplift rates of 7.5 and 5.9 mm/yr are minimum values for localities that represent relative maxima in total uplift, and are consistent with previous studies that document general uplift of about 5 mm/yr in Taiwan. Despite rapid uplift, the Coastal Range is transected by the antecedent course of the Hsiukuluan River. Maintenance of this transverse drainage, rather than defeat and diversion to a ready alternate course to the sea provided by the range-bounding Longitudinal Valley, suggests that uplift has been steady over time and exemplifies a general balance between uplift and denudation rates in Taiwan. Denudation in the Coastal Range approximates the rapid present-day denudation documented in the much higher Central Range, due at least in part to less resistant rock types in the Coastal Range. Uplift of the Coastal Range is driven by the tectonic incorporation of the Luzon island arc into the Taiwan mountain belt (and thus into the Asian continental margin), probably over a west-dipping decollement hypothesized to have formed during eastward propagation of the eastern deformation front of the dominantly west-vergent orogen.
Biological and clinical features of trisomy 21 in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract Introduction Trisomy 21 is frequently noted in patients with AML. In adults, +21 has traditionally been considered an intermediate-risk cytogenetic aberration. Patients and Methods We analyzed 90 patients with newly diagnosed AML harboring +21. Four cytogenetic subgroups were defined based on associated cytogenetic abnormalities: +21 alone, +21 with favorable, +21 with intermediate, and +21 with unfavorable cytogenetics. Results Fifty-four percent of patients with +21 AML achieved a complete remission (CR) or CR with incomplete platelet recovery (CRp) after induction therapy with a trend toward improved CR/CRp rates in patients with +21 alone/+21 with favorable cytogenetics compared with patients with +21 with intermediate/+21 with unfavorable cytogenetics (76% vs. 50%; P = .057). Time to progression (TTP) was 12 months (range, 5-19) and overall survival (OS) was 9 months (range, 7-11) for the entire group. TTP was longer for patients with +21 alone (not reached) or with +21 with favorable cytogenetics (101 months) compared with those with +21 with intermediate cytogenetics (2 months) or +21 with unfavorable cytogenetics (11 months) ( P = .02). Similarly, OS was improved in patients with +21 with favorable cytogenetics (not reached) or +21 alone (107 months), compared with +21 with unfavorable cytogenetics (9 months) or +21 with intermediate cytogenetics (8 months) ( P P = .04 and P = .001; respectively). Conclusion Isolated +21 hitherto classified as intermediate-risk cytogenetics might actually behave as a favorable-risk cytogenetics in adult AML patients.
Clarification of social support.

Purpose:To clarify the concept of social support. Design:Template Verification and Expansion Model. Methods:Meta-synthesis strategies. Findings:Social support is composed of emotional and instrumental support. It is an advocative interpersonal process characterized by reciprocal exchange of information, it is context specific, and it results in improved mental health. Antecedents of emotional and instrumental support include a perceived need plus a social network and climate that are conducive to the exchange of social support. Conclusions:In keeping with the nonprofessional nature of social support, nurses are advised to encourage patients to use and enhance personal support networks. For the same reason, nurses should reconsider investigating social support as a nursing intervention. Expanded efforts are needed to differentiate social support from concepts such as caring.
Hemoglobin transitions in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, during spontaneous and induced metamorphosis.

Electrophoretic separation of hemoglobins (Hb) during normal metamorphosis reveals larval Hb starting to disappear and adult Hb appearing during tail regression (Taylor and Kollros stage XXII). This transition is nearly complete by stage XXIV. Labeled amino acid incorporation studies demonstrate selective production of adult Hb at stage XXII, complete suppression of larval Hb by stage XXIII, and continued high levels of adult Hb production in one-week-old froglets. In circulating blood cells DNA synthesis begins to increase after forelimb emergence (stage XX), attains its height at stage XXII, and then declines. These results indicate that after the increase in thyroid hormone during normal metamorphosis, the first event in new blood cells is DNA synthesis. One week later these same new blood cells demonstrate a marked increase in adult Hb production. In triiodothyronine (T3)-induced metamorphosis there is measurable adult Hb production beginning 12 days after hormone treatment, indicating that thyroid hormone treatment can partially mimic the Hb transition of normal metamorphosis. This mimicry is not total because larval Hb continues to be produced and does not disappear, suggesting that other factors besides thyroid hormone may be involved in causing Hb transition during normal metamorphosis.
Cooperation with treatment in adolescent cancer patients

Twenty-seven adolescent cancer patients were rated by two pediatric oncology nurses using a ten-item cooperation questionnaire. Cooperation scores were compared with patient ratings of self-image, perception of cancer, health locus of control, and knowledge of cancer. Although all patients were generally cooperative, younger adolescents appeared to be more cooperative than older adolescents. A significant positive relationship was found between cooperation and self-image whereas a negative relationship emerged between cooperation and an external locus of control orientation. Patients rated high in cooperation perceived cancer to be a more life-threatening disease than patients rated low in cooperation.
Validation of the early childhood attitude toward women in science scale (ECWiSS): A pilot administration

The intention of this research was to measure attitudes of young children toward women scientists. A 27-item instrument, the Early Childhood Women in Science Scale (ECWiSS) was validated in a test case of the proposition that differential socialization predicts entry into the scientific talent pool. Estimates of internal consistency indicated that the scale is highly reliable. Known groups and correlates procedures, employed to determine the validity of the instrument, revealed that the scale is able to discriminate significant differences between groups and distinguishes three dimensions of attitude (role-specific self-concept, home-related sex-role conflict, and work-related sex-role conflict). Results of the analyses also confirmed the anticipated pattern of correlations with measures of another construct. The findings suggest the utility of the ECWiSS for measurement of early childhood attitudes in models of the ascriptive and/or meritocratic processes affecting recruitment to science and more generally in program and curriculum evaluation where attitude toward women in science is the construct of interest.
Light-induced electron transfer in Chromatium strain D III. Photophosphorylation by Chromatium chromatophores

Abstract Photophosphorylation at relatively high rates occurs in light-particle preparations described previously as derived from Chromatium chromatophores. It is shown that the optimal conditions for photophosphyorylation correlate with changes in absorbance established in previous researches as the result of ambient redox potentials between 50 and 100 mV. Effects of various dyes, phenazine methosulfate, oxygen and ascorbate are presented and discussed. Attempts to demonstrate by direct measurement the effective redox potentials for photophosphorylation are described. The evidence accumulated favors occurrence of a cyclic phosphorylation mechanism associated with one of the electron transport pathways (the ‘P-890 pathway’) postulated in a model presented in a previous paper.
A Parallel Algorithm for Variational Assimilation in Oceanography and Meteorology

Abstract A parallel algorithm is described for variational assimilation of observations into oceanic and atmospheric models. The algorithm may be coded first for execution on a serial computer and then trivially modified for execution on a parallel computer such as the Intel iPSC/860. The speedup factor for parallel execution is roughly P(2M+3) (2M+3P)−1, where P is the number of processors and M is the number of observations (M≥P). The speedup factor approaches P from below as M→∞. The algorithm has been applied in serial form to ocean tides (Bennett and McIntosh 1982; McIntosh and Bennett 1984; Bennett 1985) and oceanic equatorial interannual variability (Bennett 1990). It has been applied in parallel form to oceanic synoptic-scale circulation (Bennett and Thorburn 1992); a parallel application to operational forecasting of tropical cyclones is in progress (Bennett et al. 1992). For the sake of simplicity, the parallel algorithm is described here for a model consisting of a linear, first-order wave equa...
Slight mistuning of a cryogenic probe significantly perturbs the water 1H precession frequency.

A shift of the water proton precession frequency is described that can introduce errors in chemical shifts derived using the water signal as the chemical shift reference. This shift, fs, arises as a consequence of radiation damping when the water proton and detector circuit resonance frequencies differ. Herein it is shown that experimental values of fs, measured as a function of detector circuit tuning offset for 500 and 900 MHz cryogenic probes, are in good agreement with theory. Of importance is the fact that even a small degree of mistuning, which does not significantly impact the performance of a pulse sequence, introduces chemical shift errors of ±0.03 ppm, that negatively impact many types of experiments. A simple remedy that attenuates the frequency shift is presented.
31P NMR identification of metabolites and pH determination in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6308

The identity of a number of phosphorus-containing metabolites present in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6308 has been confirmed by 31P NMR spectroscopy. The presence of D-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP); DL-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GlyP); D(-)3-phosphoglyceric acid (3PGA); D-ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P);6-phosphogluconic acid (6PGA); phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP); inorganic phosphate (Pi); uridine diphosphoglucose (UDPG); ADP and ATP were demonstrated by the pH dependence of their 31P NMR chemical shifts in spectra of perchloric acid cell extracts. Intracellular pH of cells was determined to be 7.5-7.7.
Species Selection: Theory and Data

Species selection in the broad sense—also termed species sorting—shapes evolutionary patterns through differences in speciation and extinction rates (and their net outcome, often termed the emergent fitness of clades) that arise by interaction of intrinsic biological traits with the environment. Effectmacroevolution occurs when those biotic traits, such as body size or fecundity, reside at the organismic level. Strict-sense species selection occurs when those traits are emergent at the species level, such as geographic range or population size. The fields of paleontology, comparative phylogenetic analysis, macroecology, and conservation biology are rich in examples of species sorting, but relatively few instances have been well documented, so the extent and efficacy of the specific processes remain poorly known. A general formalization of these processes remains challenging, but approaches drawing on hierarchical covariance models appear promising. Analyses integrating paleontological and neontological data for a single set of clades would be especially powerful.
Confessions of a Wannabe Home-Schooler.

This article addresses the social—emotional aspect of early childhood learning, specifically within the context of the transition to kindergarten. The author writes from a mother's point of view, and through focusing on her son's transition to kindergarten, she critiques the ways in which teachers too often ignore the social—emotional learning that takes place within schools. Arguing that ‘academics' cannot be separated from the emotional aspect of schooling, the author asserts that there are many key ‘lessons' that students learn outside the official curriculum and calls for teachers to heighten their awareness of these lessons.
Effect of entrainment on the heat transfer to a heated circular air jet impinging on a flat surface

An experimental investigation is described that characterizes the convective heat transfer of a heated circular air jet impinging on a flat surface. The radial distributions of the recovery factor, the effectiveness, and the local heat transfer coefficient are presented. The recovery factor and the effectiveness depend on the spacing from jet exit to the impingement plate, but do not depend on jet Reynolds number. The effectiveness does not depend on the temperature difference between the jet and the ambient. A correlation is obtained for the effectiveness. The heat transfer coefficient is independent of the temperature difference between the jet and the ambient if it is defined with the difference between the heated wall temperature and the adiabatic wall temperature.
The Prevalence and Clinical Features of Musculoskeletal Diseases in Incheon: Results from Chronic Disease Management Surveys

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal diseases in Incheon. Methods: This study was based on data from chronic disease management surveys of Incheon. The surveys were conducted from 12 Sept 2005 to 7 Oct 2005 on 5,144 households using proportional stratified sampling methods. Three questionnaires were performed on all study subjects. All analyses were done using SPSS version 11.5. Results: Out of 16,623 subjects, the mean age was 34.5±20.2 (years, ±SD). The crude prevalence rate of musculoskeletal diseases were as follows: osteoarthritis 3.2%, rheumatoid arthritis 1.1%, spondyloarthropathy 0.3%, gouty arthritis 0.1%, Behcet’s disease 0.04%, herniated disc 1.1%, and osteoporosis 0.8%. Age-standardized prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis was 1.6%, and osteoarthritis 5.2%. The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis tended to be higher among older age groups, low socioeconomic/education state, and homemakers. The age-standardized prevalence of arthritis was higher in rural than in urban area. There were more concurrent chronic diseases such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus in the arthritis group than in the whole population. Questionnaires were performed on subjects with musculoskeletal disease. It revealed chronic arthralgia at 3%, spine arthralgia 2.5%, and chronic myalgia 2.8%.
Oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA shows marked age-dependent increases in human brain

A major theory of aging is that oxidative damage may accumulate in DNA and contribute to physiological changes associated with aging. We examined age-related accumulation of oxidative damage to both nuclear DNA (nDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in human brain tissue. We measured the oxidized nucleoside, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (OH8dG), in DNA isolated from 3 regions of cerebral cortex and cerebellum from 10 normal humans aged 42 to 97 years. The amount of OH8dG, expressed as a ratio of the amount of deoxyguanosine (dG) or as fmol/micrograms of DNA, increased progressively with normal aging in both nDNA and mtDNA; however, the rate of increase with age was much greater in mtDNA. There was a significant 10-fold increase in the amount of OH8dG in mtDNA as compared with nDNA in the entire group of samples, and a 15-fold significant increase in patients older than 70 years. These results show for the first time that there is a progressive age-related accumulation in oxidative damage to DNA in human brain, and that the mtDNA is preferentially affected. It is possible that such damage may contribute to age-dependent increases in incidence of neurodegenerative diseases.
The Influence of Social Capital on Starting Wage for People With and Without Disabilities

Disability is associated with low employment rates and earnings. The gap in earnings between people with and without disabilities continues among those who exit vocational rehabilitation (VR) servi...
The center for causal discovery of biomedical knowledge from big data

The Big Data to Knowledge (BD2K) Center for Causal Discovery is developing and disseminating an integrated set of open source tools that support causal modeling and discovery of biomedical knowledge from large and complex biomedical datasets. The Center integrates teams of biomedical and data scientists focused on the refinement of existing and the development of new constraint-based and Bayesian algorithms based on causal Bayesian networks, the optimization of software for efficient operation in a supercomputing environment, and the testing of algorithms and software developed using real data from 3 representative driving biomedical projects: cancer driver mutations, lung disease, and the functional connectome of the human brain. Associated training activities provide both biomedical and data scientists with the knowledge and skills needed to apply and extend these tools. Collaborative activities with the BD2K Consortium further advance causal discovery tools and integrate tools and resources developed by other centers.
Plasma Ghrelin Concentrations Are Lower in Binge-Eating Disorder

Binge-eating disorder (BED), characterized by binge meals without purging afterward, is found in about 30% of obese individuals seeking treatment. The study objective was to ascertain abnormalities in hormones influencing appetite in BED, especially ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating peptide, which was expected to be elevated. Measurements were made of plasma insulin, leptin, glucagon, cholecystokinin, and ghrelin, as well as glucose following an overnight 12-h fast, prior to and after ingestion (from 0 to 5 min) of a nutritionally complete liquid meal (1254 kJ) at 0830 h, at -15, 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Appetite ratings including hunger and fullness were also obtained. An acetaminophen tracer was used to assess gastric emptying rate. Three groups of comparably obese women (BMI = 35.9 +/- 5.5; % body fat = 44.9 +/- 4.7) participated: 12 nonbinge eating normals (NB), 14 subthreshold BED, and 11 BED. The BED subjects, compared to NB subjects, had lower baseline ghrelin concentrations prior to the meal, a lower area under the curve (AUC), with lower levels at 5, 15, 30, 90, and 120 min, and a smaller decline in ghrelin postmeal (all P < 0.03). The other blood values did not differ among groups, and neither did gastric emptying rate nor ratings of fullness. The BED subjects were then randomly assigned to treatment with cognitive-behavior therapy and diet (n = 5) or to a wait-list control (n = 4). Baseline ghrelin (P = 0.01) and AUC increased (P = 0.02), across both conditions, in which most subjects (7 of 9) stopped binge eating. The lower fasting and postmeal plasma ghrelin levels in BED are consistent with lower ghrelin levels in obese compared to lean individuals and suggests downregulation by binge eating.
How far can you go with block towers

Abstract This report focuses on the development of combinatorial reasoning of a 14-year-old child, Stephanie, who is investigating binomial coefficients and combinations in relationship to the binomial expansion and the mapping of the binomial expansion to Pascal's triangle. This research reports on Stephanie's examination of patterns and symbolic representations of the coefficients in the binomial expansion using ideas from earlier explorations with towers in grades 3–5 to examine recursive processes and to explain the addition rule in Pascal's triangle. This early work enabled her to build particular organization and classification schemes that she draws upon to explain her more abstract ideas.
Sampling Considerations for Multilevel Crossing Analysis

This paper examines the amplitude fluctuations of band-limited functions with bounded zeroth absolute moments, and the problems associated with estimating the level crossing profiles of these functions. Level crossings have received increased attention as features for pattern recognition because of their capability to provide information related to both amplitude and frequency behavior. A detailed analysis of the average rate of change of band-limited functions is presented, including a derivation of the least upper bound on functions for which the zeroth absolute moments of the functions are bounded. The average rate of change of a function over an interval in which one endpoint of the interval is an extremum of the function is similarly bounded and used to establish a sampling rate which guarantees that between successive samples of a band-limited function with bounded zeroth absolute moment the function itself does not deviate from the amplitude interval defined by the samples by more than some predefined amplitude change. Based on these results, a theorem is developed which defines the sampling rate required to ensure that, in the estimation of level crossing profiles, no more than 2m (m >> 1) level crossings of m levels are missed per extremum of the sampled function. It is shown that the sampling rate defined by this theorem reduces to the well-known Nyquist rate for the special case of zero crossing analysis.
Flexible Three-Dimensional Nanoporous Metal-Based Energy Devices

A flexible three-dimensional (3-D) nanoporous NiF2-dominant layer on poly(ethylene terephthalate) has been developed. The nanoporous layer itself can be freestanding without adding any supporting carbon materials or conducting polymers. By assembling the nanoporous layer into two-electrode symmetric devices, the inorganic material delivers battery-like thin-film supercapacitive performance with a maximum capacitance of 66 mF cm(-2) (733 F cm(-3) or 358 F g(-1)), energy density of 384 Wh kg(-1), and power density of 112 kW kg(-1). Flexibility and cyclability tests show that the nanoporous layer maintains its high performance under long-term cycling and different bending conditions. The fabrication of the 3-D nanoporous NiF2 flexible electrode could be easily scaled.
Fibers of Polynomial Mappings at Infinity and a Generalized Malgrange Condition

Let f be a complex polynomial mapping. We relate the behaviour of f ‘at infinity’ to the characteristic cycle associated to the projective closures of fibres of f. We obtain a condition on the characteristic cycle which is equivalent to a condition on the asymptotic behaviour of some of the minors of the Jacobian matrix of f. This condition generalizes the condition in the hypersurface case known as Malgrange's condition. The relation between this condition and the behavior of the characteristic cycle is a partial generalization of Parusinski's result in the hypersurface case. We show that the new condition implies the C∞-triviality of f.
BECAUSE IT'S FREE POKER! A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FREE TEXAS HOLD'EM POKER TOURNAMENTS

The game of poker has dramatically increased in popularity in America over the past decade, and includes a new trend in poker in which tournaments are played with no monetary wagering. These “free” poker tournaments are the primary focus of this project. Our interest in these free poker tournaments was twofold: first, we wished to identify what would motivate a person to play poker when there is no profit motive; second, we wanted to learn how the social dynamics of the game itself may or may not change when monetary risk is not present. Through covert participant observation of free poker tournaments at four different locations we were able to discover three main motivations among the players: sharpening skills for later cash games, sociability, and gaining the status of a “regular player.” We also discovered that the tenor and tempo of the game tended to vary not as a function of the location, but rather because of the social class of the players. We offer several hypotheses to guide future research end...
The Psychological Evaluation of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in School-Aged Children

Through the early 1990s, the evaluation and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was often directed by the theoretical orientation and professional experience of each clinician. Though important empirically driven clinical guides were published (e.g., ref. 1), their impact was diluted by the sheer volume of clinical approaches that largely ignored the growing research literature. Thankfully, recent years have witnessed the development and dissemination of well-articulated practice parameters that are guided by research and the consensus of recognized experts. These include guidelines for the assessment of individuals with ADHD published by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 1997(2), the National Institutes of Health in 1998 (3), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2000 (4), and the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement in 2003 (5).
New genera and species of Middle Pennsylvanian gastropods from west Texas

Abstract Desmoinesian strata of the lower Bishop Cap Formation in Vinton Canyon, northern Franklin Mountains, west Texas, contain a rich gastropod fauna, in general resembling that of the upper Flechado Formation in north-central New Mexico. Distinctive elements of the Bishop Cap fauna include two new genera and five new species. Each species is represented by 30 or more specimens, sufficient to document ontogenetic change and intraspecific variability. The new taxa described here include the murchisonioid Altadema convexa new genus and species; the pseudozygopleurids Microptychis insolita new species, Trepsipleura chordanodosa new genus and species, and T. nodosa new species; and the orthonemid Hermosanema carinatum new species.
Present Trends in Glaucoma Research

The major discoveries pertaining to a disease process are firmly rooted in a scientific milieu of basic observations, often from diverse and apparently unrelated sources (5). Thus, being asked to review results in recent glaucoma research that are of greatest importance and on which areas such investigations should concentrate in the future may produce answers that are both presumptuous and misleading. Nevertheless, one can try to point out major problems, give examples of progress made in areas stressing basic and clinical interactions, and in so doing suggest many more questions that need to be answered. In brief summary fashion, necessarily incomplete, I shall attempt to do this for the disease primary open-angle glaucoma, considering etiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy.
Overview of Pulmonary Embolism

For too long, Eastern and Western cultures have approached the epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of pulmonary embolism in cultural isolation. Although the discovery of the factor V Leiden genetic mutation has revolutionized the epidemiology of venous thromboembolism in Caucasian populations of European ancestry, this finding has not advanced the epidemiological approach to pulmonary embolism in Japan, because this genetic mutation is so rare in Asians. However, advances in reliable noninvasive diagnostic techniques have been welcomed in the East and the West, particularly the D-dimer ELISA, echocardiography, spiral chest CT scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging. The use of subcutaneously administered low molecular weight heparins has made home treatment possible for pulmonary embolism patients at low risk. Perhaps the most exciting advance in therapy is implementation of routine risk stratification, especially by establishing the status of the right ventricle. Right ventricular hypokinesis on echocardiography is becoming increasingly recognized as a poor prognostic sign. By understanding that pulmonary embolism encompasses a wide clinical spectrum, those patients at high risk of an adverse outcome can be selected for thrombolysis or catheter-based or surgical embolectomy in addition to anticoagulation. Finally, prevention of venous thromboembolism is crucially important. While effective pharmacologic strategies can be implemented, especially with low molecular weight heparins, mechanical measures such as insertion of an inferior vena caval filter are also effective.
Anticipated work discrimination scale: a chronic illness application

Purpose – The authors sought initial validity evidence for a measure of anticipated discrimination in the workplace using three samples of working adults with various chronic illnesses. The purpose of this paper is to propose a single factor structure, correlations with stigma dimensions, discriminant validity from similar scales, and incremental validity in predicting work-related outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – Adults working at least 20 hours per week with various chronic illnesses (Sample 1 n=332, Sample 2 n=193, Sample 3 n=230) voluntarily completed an online survey. Structural equation modeling and hierarchical multiple regression were used to analyze the data. Findings – Results supported the proposed single-factor structure, along with proposed correlations with strain, and job attitudes (job satisfaction, affective commitment, and both procedural justice). Discriminant validity was observed between anticipated discrimination and procedural justice perceptions and perceived impact on perfo...
A Modeling Framework for Wind Farm Analysis: Wind Turbine Wake Interactions

A new Kinematic Simulation based modeling framework for the wind farm-PBL interactions is introduced. The framework allows for analysis of large wind farms under varying conditions of atmospheric stability (neutral to moderately stable). The effect of stable stratification on HAWT performance is investigated for the tandem turbine problem and results demonstrate significant impact on both power yield and structural damage. The modeling framework is intended to bridge the gap between existing data-driven models and high-fidelity LES to allow rapid design and optimization at farm scale.
Atomic Layer Deposition of TiO2 on Mesoporous nanoITO: Conductive Core–Shell Photoanodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Core–shell structures consisting of thin shells of conformal TiO2 deposited on high surface area, conductive Sn-doped In2O3 nanoparticle. Mesoscopic films were synthesized by atomic layer deposition and studied for application in dye-sensitized solar cells. Results obtained with the N719 dye show that short-circuit current densities, open-circuit voltages, and back electron transfer lifetimes all increased with increasing TiO2 shell thickness up to 1.8–2.4 nm and then decline as the thickness was increased further. At higher shell thicknesses, back electron transfer to −RuIII is increasingly competitive with transport to the nanoITO core resulting in decreased device efficiencies.
Hibernation in Mesocricetus auratus

As a check on laboratory conditions designed primarily for a study of the hibernation of Tamias striatus , hamsters were exposed to cold. Although the hibernation of hamsters has been discussed by Lyman (Jour. Exp. Zool., 109: 55, 1948; Jour. Mamm., 35: 545, 1954), Chatfield and Lyman (Amer. Jour. Physiol., 163: 566, 1950), Kayser (Annee Biol., 29: 109, 1953) and others, the present complementary observations merit brief mention. Fourteen six-month-old Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse, half of them males, were placed in a cold room at 3°±.5°C. Eight of these were of the white variety and were refrigerated on December 22, 1955. Three white hamsters of the same age were maintained in a constant-temperature warm room at about 20°c. as controls. Six of the …
Type Designations of Some Fabrician Coreidae in the Banks Collection at the British Museum (Natural History)

Fahricius (1775, 1781, 1787) described numerous new species from the collection of “Mus. Banks” or “Mus. Dom. Banks.” This collection of Sir Joseph Banks is now held at the British Museum (Natural History) (Zimsen 1964). I am grateful to the trustees and staff of the British Museum for permission to examine specimens in their care and for use of the library.