cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Low-Intensity Coaching in Parent Implemented Early Start Denver Model Intervention for Early Autism: A Randomized Comparison Treatment Trial.

Short-term low intensity parent implemented intervention studies for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have found it difficult to demonstrate significantly improved developmental scores or autism severity compared to community treatment. We conducted a randomized comparative intent-to-treat study of a parent implemented intervention to (1) test the effects of an enhanced version on parent and child learning, and (2) evaluate the sensitivity to change of proximal versus distal measures of child behavior. We randomized 45 children with ASD, 12–30 months of age, into one of two versions of parent-implemented Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM), the basic model, in which we delivered 1.5 h of clinic-based parent coaching weekly, and an enhanced version that contained three additions: motivational interviewing, multimodal learning tools, and a weekly 1.5-h home visit. We delivered the intervention for 12 weeks and measured child and parent change frequently in multiple settings. We found a time-by-group interaction: parents in the enhanced group demonstrated significantly greater gains in interaction skills than did parents in the non-enhanced group. Both interventions were associated with significant developmental acceleration; however, child outcomes did not differ by group. We found a significant relationship between degree of change in parental interaction skill and rate of children’s improvement on our proximal measure. Parents in both groups reported satisfaction with the intervention. These findings suggest that parent skills improved more in the enhanced group than the comparison group. Children in the two groups showed similar improvements. Rate of individual parent learning was associated with greater individual child progress on a measure quite proximal to the treatment, though not on standardized assessments.
A combination of computer extracted measurements of prostate capsule shape and tumor texture on MRI to predict biochemical recurrence post treatment.

e16554Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) biochemical recurrence (BCR) occurs in a significant proportion of men after treatment and is associated with increased mortality. Identifying PCa patients a...
Analysis of Soft-Switching Performance for a DC-DC Dual Active Bridge Converter with Randomly Varying Loads

This study describes a framework for analyzing the dynamic behavior of power electronic converters with randomly varying loads and sources. A continuous-time load process and dynamic converter model are combined as a stochastic hybrid system (SHS) model. The SHS model enables straightforward calculation of dynamic state moments, which may be used to assess the probability of desirable operating conditions. Zero voltage switching (ZVS) in a dual active bridge (DAB) converter is considered as a case study. The probability that ZVS conditions are satisfied is assessed in two ways. First, an approximation is obtained from first and second moments. Second, a lower bound on the probability of ZVS is determined from Cantelli's inequality.
The "me too" decision: An analog study of therapist self-disclosure of psychological problems.

Objectives To test the exploratory hypothesis that client perceptions of therapists are most favorable when therapists self-disclose their own personal experience with the same psychological problem to a moderate (vs. none, mild, or extreme) extent. Method Undergraduate participants (N = 104; 63.5% female) were randomly assigned to read one of the four vignettes, which differed only in the extent to which the therapist disclosed their own personal experience with the same presenting problem (none, mild, moderate, or extreme). Participants then responded to questions assessing their perceptions of the therapist. Results The data generally supported the hypothesis. The moderate disclosure condition yielded the most favorable client perceptions, which differed significantly from those yielded by the no disclosure condition. Conclusions Despite limitations and need for replication, this study provides perhaps the first empirical data regarding the effect of the extent, rather than the mere presence or absence, of therapist self-disclosure regarding personal psychological experiences.
A writing assignment to address gaps in the nursing curriculum regarding health issues of LGBT+ populations.

BACKGROUND Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) populations account for 4% of the US population, yet health disparities persist, which are considered a priority in health care systems. In nursing education programs, the allotment in time to cover LGBT+ health content is not mandated thus ranges from zero to several hours total in nursing curricula. Therefore, nursing students' education regarding LGBT+ health issues remains minimal and inconsistent throughout the nation's nursing programs. AIM To provide associate degree nursing students with exposure to the health disparities in LGBT+ populations through a reflective writing assignment. METHODS The essays were culled from both sections of an established core course in the nursing curriculum, which was taught by both faculty. Using a retrospective content analysis approach, the essays from 61 associate degree nursing students were read and reread by both authors. Similar statements were grouped together and themes emerged for both authors. RESULTS The content analysis from the students' essays, which exposed the students to LGBT+ health issues, yielded intriguing and encouraging data. Four themes regarding LGBT+ health emerged from the students' essays: (1) communication, (2) advocacy, (3) increased knowledge and awareness, and (4) empathy development. CONCLUSIONS Such results suggested that a reflective writing assignment was beneficial for nursing students and exposed and familiarized them with the disparities of LGBT+ populations. Through an analysis of the students' essay contents, the two faculty researchers were able to identify improved knowledge and awareness from the writing assignment.
Advanced Arsenic Doped Epitaxial Growth for Source Drain Extension Formation in Scaled FinFET Devices

In this paper, we demonstrate a novel Source Drain Extension (SDE) approach to enable NMOS device scaling along with improved performance. For the first time, SDE formation with epitaxially grown As doped Si (Si:As) has been examined and compared to the current state-of-the-art SDE formation in FinFET at 10nm logic ground rules. It is found that a Si:As layer based SDE provides a clear improvement in the short channel effect and a significant device performance increase. It is also shown that a careful co-optimization of the Si:As layer and Source / Drain (S/D) lateral recess is required to achieve the optimum device gain. This paves the way for the ultimate nSDE formation for current and next generation CMOS devices.
Influence of Previous Iliotibial Band Syndrome on Coordination Patterns and Coordination Variability in Female Runners

It is unknown if female runners that have sustained multiple iliotibial band syndrome occurrences run differently compared to runners that developed the injury once or controls. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if differences existed in coordination patterns and coordination variability among female runners with recurrent iliotibial band syndrome, one iliotibial band syndrome occurrence, and controls. Overground running trials were collected for 36 female runners (n = 18 controls). Lower extremity coordination patterns were examined during running via a vector coding analysis. Coordination variability was calculated via the ellipse area method. Separate one-way (group) Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to compare each coordination pattern and coordination variability. Lower extremity coordination between frontal plane hip - transverse plane hip, frontal plane pelvis - frontal plane thigh, and frontal plane thigh - transverse plane shank was similar among groups and so may not be related to the risk of iliotibial band syndrome. Runners with one iliotibial band syndrome occurrence demonstrated greater coordination variability for two of three couplings compared to both controls and runners with recurrent iliotibial band syndrome. Thus, the number of previous injury episodes may influence coordination variability in female runners with a history of iliotibial band syndrome.
Finding the “Golden Moments”: Strategies of Perseverance Among Parents and Siblings of Persons With Severe Mental Illness and Violent Tendencies:

This article examines strategies family members identify as being helpful when challenged by stressors related to living with an aggressive child or sibling with severe mental illness. Data from in...
A socio-technical-based process for questionnaire development in requirements elicitation via interviews

Software development is the process of building systems that solve users’ need and satisfy stakeholders’ objectives. Such needs are determined through requirements elicitation, which is considered an intensive, complex, and multi-disciplinary process. Traditional methods of elicitation often fail to uncover requirements that are critical for successful and wide-scale user adoption because these methods primarily focus on the technical aspects and constraints of the systems rather than considering a socio-technical perspective. The success of information system development involves the identification of the social, organizational and technical features of the systems, which in turn can result in a more acceptable system by users. In this paper, we propose a requirements elicitation process based on socio-technical (ST) systems theory. The process leverages ST system components to help identify a set of ST imbalances, which in turn help in requirements elicitation. The applicability of the process is demonstrated using empirical investigation with a randomized two-group experimental design, where the objective is to see the potential of the proposed process to enhance analysts’ understanding of socio-technical aspects of a domain, interview readiness, and questionnaire quality.
Cribriform pattern and perineural invasion on MR/US fusion biopsy predict failure of selection criteria for prostatic hemigland ablation.

Abstract Objectives To assess clinicopathologic factors on MR/US fusion biopsy that might predict failure of theoretical selection criteria for prostatic hemigland ablation (HA). Subjects and methods A retrospectively maintained single institution multiparametric MRI database (n = 1667) was queried to identify 355 patients who underwent MR/US fusion biopsy, including both targeted biopsy and concurrent systematic biopsy from December 1, 2014 to June 1, 2018. Clinical, pathological, and imaging variables were assessed on fusion biopsy (Table 1) to determine who met theoretical selection criteria for HA, defined as unilateral intermediate-risk prostate cancer per NCCN criteria (Grade Group [GG] 2 or 3 with prostate-specific antigen Results Of the 355 patients who underwent fusion biopsy, 84 patients met the theoretical selection criteria for HA. Of those patients eligible, 54 underwent RP, 37 (68.5%) of which represented unsuccessful HA selection criteria. Patients no longer met HA selection criteria on the basis of upgrading alone in 6/54 (11.1%), EPE alone in 9/54 (16.7%), bilateral GG 2 or 3 in 16/54 (29.6%) or combined EPE and bilateral GG 2 or 3 in 6/54 (11.1%) cases. In the HA selection failures due to upgrading, three also had EPE, one of whom also had missed contralateral GG ≧ 2 disease. The only factor independently associated with HA failure was any presence of cribriform pattern (HR 7.01, P = 0.021). Perineural invasion on systematic biopsyalso appeared to improve the performance of our multivariable model (HR 5.33, P = 0.052), though it was not statistically significant when using a cutoff of Conclusions In a retrospective analysis of RP patients who underwent preoperative MRI/US fusion biopsy, current selection criteria for prostatic HA based on NCCN intermediate-risk stratification failed to accurately identify appropriate candidates in 68.5% of patients. Cribriform pattern and PNI detected on biopsy reduced the failure of hemigland selection criteria to 43%. These criteria should be routinely reported on biopsy pathology and taken into consideration when selecting patients for HA in prospective clinical trials.
Democratic Families: "The Logic of Congruence" and Political Identity

This Article consists of a set of reflections on discussions of the family as they exist in contemporary democratic theory. It takes the form of contrasts and challenges. In Part I, I show that contemporary political theory on the family departs strikingly from main currents in the history of political thought by retreating from views of the family as erotic and affective in favor of an account of the family as a principled “school of justice.” In Part II, I pose a series of challenges to commonplace assumptions about the need for congruence between public liberal democratic norms and the internal organization of family life as a condition for democratic education at home. I argue that the prevailing “logic of congruence” is simplistic. Political theorists have not taken care to examine what aspects of democratic education are appropriate for children rather than adults. Nor have they taken care to examine what aspects of democratic education for children are the exclusive domain of the family rather than other institutions. It is a weakness of democratic theory that proponents rarely seek and are unlikely to find confirmation of the congruence thesis in empirical accounts of the sites and stages of moral development. Admittedly, there are other normative reasons for wanting democratic families besides producing democratic character in children, and thus other justifications for affirming “the logic of congruence.” But the standard focus today is the family as a school of justice, and I challenge the prevailing assumptions behind that view. I
Can there be another Vikalp? Documentary film, censorship histories, and film festival publics in India

The Vikalp Film Festival of 2004 (Vikalp, meaning ‘alternative’ in Hindi) has been celebrated as a seminal event in Indian documentary history, an unprecedented, collective mobilization against cen...
Under-documentation of psychiatric diagnoses among persons living with HIV in electronic medical records

Persons living with HIV (PLWH) are significantly more likely to meet criteria for a psychiatric disorder compared to the general population. To our knowledge there are no prior studies that report ...
Abstract WMP87: A Quality Improvement Program’s Impact on Stroke Readmission Rates

Background/Objectives: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), as part of its Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, examines risk-standardized 30-day hospital readmissions for...
Periodic solutions of an age-structured epidemic model with periodic infection rate

In this paper we consider an age-structured epidemic model of the susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) type. To characterize the seasonality of some infectious diseases such as measles, it is assumed that the infection rate is time periodic. After establishing the well-posedness of the initial-boundary value problem, we study existence of time periodic solutions of the model by using a fixed point theorem. Some numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the obtained results.
A Five-Year Engagement

In this editorial essay, Abby Kinchy, Shobita Parthasarathy, and Jason Delborne look back at the editorial and publishing practices of the first five years of the journal Engaging Science, Technology, and Society (ESTS), the open access journal of The Society for Social Studies of Science (4S). As three members of the inaugural ESTS Editorial Board, Kinchy, Parthasarathy, and Delborne reflect on what they value in academic practice, including publishing, and consider some of the highlights and accomplishments of ESTS ’s first five years (2015-2020).
Abstract 15821: Patients With Amyloid Cardiomyopathy Who Receive Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support Are at Increased Risk for Mortality and Early Adverse Events

Introduction: Amyloid cardiomyopathy (ACM) is recognized increasingly as a cause of advanced heart failure. There are limited data describing clinical outcomes for ACM patients who receive durable ...
Mehr Dinge zwischen Himmel und Erde

Die Luft roch nach abgestandenem Hopfen, wie immer, und der Himmel uber der Stadt war nur ein trubes, tief hangendes Grau. Die Kopfsteinpflasterstrase verlief in einem Bogen um den Hugel und stieg leicht an. Der Hugel selbst war schon allein dadurch beachtenswert, weil es ihn gab, denn die ganze Stadt war auf einer tief liegenden Insel erbaut. Trotzdem gab es ihn, einen kleinen grunen Hugel, der von einer niedrigen Steinmauer umgeben war und in den Ausenbezirken von Kopenhagen lag. Ein Mann tauchte auf. Er war mittleren Alters, trug einen Anzug und eine dicke, schwarz umrandete Brille: Thomas Kuhn. Er war hier, um Niels Bohr zu interviewen.
Universal Suffrage: The Century of Corrupting Incentives?

Conflict of interest of welfare dependent voter creates wrong incentives. These incentives inherent to universal suffrage, yield consequences, as predicted by John Adams back in the 18-th century. Historically the rise of the modern welfare state might be traced to the emergence of mainstream left parties, which promoted government care “from the cradle to the grave”. This paper will address the damages to Democracy caused by conflict of interest, which led to irresponsible leadership and permanent peacetime budget deficit. Historical examples from the 1990s show possible escapes from the trap of universal suffrage.
The Neurologist as an Agent of Exercise Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis.

This review hypothesizes that the neurologist represents the linchpin of exercise behavior change within comprehensive multiple sclerosis (MS) care settings. This is based on a series of recent papers that developed actionable practice models for accomplishing such behavior change through the neurologist as the primary agent. This provides tangible, next steps for exercise promotion in MS.
Sex-Specific Differences Following Lateral Ankle Ligament Repair.

Background:Chronic ankle instability is a common condition that can be treated with lateral ankle ligament repair. These procedures have a reported success rate greater than 85% in the literature, ...
Alignment of Au nanorods along de novo designed protein nanofibers studied with automated image analysis

In this study, we focus on exploring the directional assembly of anisotropic Au nanorods along de novo designed 1D protein nanofiber templates. Using machine learning and automated image processing, we analyze scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images to study how the attachment density and alignment fidelity are influenced by variables such as the aspect ratio of the Au nanorods, and the salt concentration of the solution. We find that the Au nanorods prefer to align parallel to the protein nanofibers. This preference decreases with increasing salt concentration, but is only weakly sensitive to the nanorod aspect ratio. While the overall specific Au nanorod attachment density to the protein fibers increases with increasing solution ionic strength, this increase is dominated primarily by non-specific binding to the substrate background, and we find that greater specific attachment (nanorods attached to the nanofiber template as compared to the substrates) occurs at the lower studied salt concentrations, with the maximum ratio of specific to non-specific binding occurring when the protein fiber solutions are prepared in 75 mM NaCl concentration.
Effects of maternal obesity on breastmilk composition and infant growth (247.7)

Human and animal studies have suggested that maternal body composition and diet affects breastmilk (BM) composition, but there is no data on the effect of maternal obesity on BM composition. Hypothesis: BM composition of obese (Ob) mothers differs and predisposes their infants to increased adiposity and accelerated infant growth compared to lean control (Lc) mothers. Methods: This was a single center, prospective, case control study. BM was collected between 6 and 10 weeks postpartum from Lc (BMI 18-25 kg/m2) and Ob (BMI >30 kg/m2) mothers. Results: BM from Ob mothers had increased saturated FA and trans FA and decreased monounsaturated FA and polyunsaturated FA content (p<0.05 by the Mann Whitney U test). FA’s with pro-inflammatory properties (palmitic, docosatetranoic, and stearidonic acids) were increased, and those with anti-inflammatory properties (gondoic, erucic, nervonic acids) were decreased, in BM from Ob mothers compared to Lc mothers. Total protein, lactose, fat, and calories of BM did not dif...
Sequential solubilization of microsomal mixed function oxidases.

Abstract Addition of increasing levels of sodium deoxycholate to fixed quantities of liver microsomes from noninduced mice reveals a sequential release, in three discrete steps, of certain elements of the mixed function oxidase system. Only one of these stages influences aniline and naphthalene oxidase activity, suggesting the possibility that sequential release is related to differentiation of function. The cytochrome P-450 and the NADPH2-dependent cytochrome c reductase (EC 1.6.2.3) components can be separated by ammonium sulfate precipitation and reconstituted to form a system active against naphthalene. The partial removal of sodium deoxycholate from solubilized cytochrome P-450 by the addition of Dowex 1X 2-400 results in a decrease of contaminant cytochrome P-420 with a concomitant increase in the amount of cytochrome P-450, a phenomenon which suggests renaturation of cytochrome P-420 into cytochrome P-450.
Behavior therapy for irritable bowel syndrome: A case report

The behavior analysis and treatment of a patient with chronic irritable bowel syndrome are presented. The usefulness of this approach in a patient with a poor treatment prognosis is discussed.
Overhead-Free Computation, DCFLs, and CFLs

We study Turing machines that are allowed absolutely no space overhead. The only work space the machines have, beyond the fixed amount of memory implicit in their finite-state control, is that which they can create by cannibalizing the input bits' own space. This model more closely reflects the fixed-sized memory of real computers than does the standard complexity-theoretic model of linear space. Though some context-sensitive languages cannot be accepted by such machines, we show that all context-free languages can be accepted nondeterministically in polynomial time with absolutely no space overhead, and that all deterministic context-free languages can be accepted deterministically in polynomial time with absolutely no space overhead.
Regression models for patient‐reported measures having ordered categories recorded on multiple occasions

Preisser JS, Phillips C, Perin J, Schwartz TA. Regression models for patient-reported measures having ordered categories recorded on multiple occasions. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2011; 39: 154–163. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Objectives: The article reviews proportional and partial proportional odds regression for ordered categorical outcomes, such as patient-reported measures, that are frequently used in clinical research in dentistry. Methods: The proportional odds regression model for ordinal data is a generalization of ordinary logistic regression for dichotomous responses. When the proportional odds assumption holds for some but not all of the covariates, the lesser known partial proportional odds model is shown to provide a useful extension. Results: The ordinal data models are illustrated for the analysis of repeated ordinal outcomes to determine whether the burden associated with sensory alteration following a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy procedure differed for those patients who were given opening exercises only following surgery and those who received sensory retraining exercises in conjunction with standard opening exercises. Conclusions: Proportional and partial proportional odds models are broadly applicable to the analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal ordinal data in dental research.
Tool demonstration: JIVE and JOVE: Java as it happens

Dynamic software visualization is designed to provide programmers with insights as to what the program is doing. Most current visualizations either use program traces to show information about prior runs, slow the program down substantially, show only minimal information, or force the programmer to indicate when to turn visualizations on or off. We have developed a dynamic Java visualizer that provides a statement-level view of a Java program in action with low enough overhead so that it can be used almost all the time by programmers to understand what their program is doing while it is doing it.
A Study on Minimum Rolling Resistance

ABSTRACT: Tire rolling resistance has been a topic of study since the invention of the pneumatic tire. There is currently a heightened interest in this topic because of the need to minimize fuel consumption of vehicles and the introduction of regulations regarding both the maximum allowable rolling resistance and consumer labeling for rolling resistance. The question arises as to how low tire rolling resistance can go. Tire energy loss can be written as the product of the material deformations, the volume of material deformed, and the loss property of the material. The last two terms of the energy loss equation will be considered fixed. This article concentrates on the deformation term. The current paradigm of the steel-belted radial tire is assumed. The minimum deformations required for the function of the tire are established, and the assumption is made that all other deformations are parasitic and can in theory be eliminated. Analytical expressions for the dominant necessary deformations are developed,...
Network Modeling Approach to Predict Myofibroblast Differentiation

Fibrotic disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is characterized by the transition of resident fibroblast cells into active myofibroblasts, identified by their expression of alpha smooth muscle actin. Myofibroblast differentiation is regulated by growth factor signaling and mechanical signals transduced through integrins, which converge at focal adhesion proteins (Src and FAK) and MAPK signaling, but lead to divergent outcomes. While details are known about individual pathways, little is known about their interactions. To this end, an ODE-based model of this cell signaling network was developed in parallel with in vitro experiments to analyze potential mechanisms of crosstalk and regulation of αSMA production. We found that cells lacking Src or FAK produce significantly less or more αSMA than wild type cells, respectively. Transforming growth factor beta 1 and fibroblast growth factor signal through ERK and MAPK p38 with different dynamic profiles to increase or decrease αSMA expression, respectively. Our model effectively recreated αSMA expression levels across a set of 22 experimental conditions and matched some features of transient phosphorylation of ERK and p38. These results support a potential mechanism for regulation of fibroblast differentiation: αSMA production is promoted by active p38 and Src and opposed by ERK.
Transmission electron microscopy study of defects in Sn-doped GaAs films grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Films of GaAs, heavily doped with Sn, which have been grown by molecular-beam epitaxy are found to contain single-crystal Sn particles situated in the nearsurface region of the epilayer GaAs. The morphology and chemical composition of the particles have been examined by using cross-section transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Different growth conditions were used to study the Sn-particle formation and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate microstructures. The observations are discussed in terms of several models previously proposed for these phenomena.
Teratogenic effects of 27.12 MHz radiofrequency radiation in rats

High-intensity 27.12 MHz radiofrequency (RF) radiation was determined to be teratogenic in rats during most of the gestation period. Eight groups of pregnant rats were exposed to a magnetic field strength of 55 amps/meter and an electric field strength of 300 volts/meter on gestation days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, or 15. Exposures ceased once the dam's colonic temperature reached 43.0 degrees C (about 20-40 minutes' duration). Eight matching control groups were sham-irradiated for 30 minutes at 0 amps/meter and 0 volts/meter. An additional group of pregnant rats received no treatment. With one exception, no significant differences occurred between sham-irradiated and untreated control groups. RF exposure, however, caused a significant incidence of fetal malformations throughout the postimplantation period (days 7 through 15). It also caused a low but significant incidence of preimplantation malformations. Fetal weight and crown-rump length were reduced in all postimplantation exposure groups but were not affected by preimplantation exposure. The incidence of dead or resorbed fetuses was significantly increased in rats irradiated on days 7 or 9. The effects observed appeared to be caused by RF-induced hyperthermia in the treated dams. Since a number of industrial, scientific, and medical devices operating at or near 27.12 MHz can cause hyperthermia in humans, women of childbearing age should avoid exposure to RF-radiation levels that exceed current US occupational standards.
Translation invariance and instability of phase coexistence in the two-dimensional Ising system

It is shown that any Gibbs state of the two dimensional ferromagnetic Ising system is of the form λμ++(1−λ)μ−, with some λ∈ [0, 1]. This excludes the possibility of a locally stable phase coexistence and of translation symmetry breaking, which are known to occur in higher dimensions. Use is made in the proof of the stochastic aspects of the geometry of the interface lines.
Dysferlin is Dispensable for Recovering Saponin-Induced Membrnane Damage but Essential for Recovering Lengthening-Contraction-Induced Injury in mdx Mice

Dysferlin plays an important role in repairing membrane damage and dysferlin deficiency causes muscular dystrophy. Proteins such as perforin, complement component C9, and bacteria-derived cytolysins, as well as the natural detergent saponin can form large pores on the cell membrane via complexation with cholesterol. However, it is not clear whether dysferlin plays a role in repairing membrane damage induced by pore-forming reagents. Here we showed that dysferlin-deficient muscles recovered the tetanic force production to the same extent as their WT counterparts following a 5-min saponin exposure (50 μg/ml). Interestingly, the slow soleus muscles recovered significantly better than the fast extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. These data suggest that dysferlin is unlikely involved in repairing saponin-induced membrane damage, and that the slow muscle is more efficient than the fast muscle in repairing such damage. Furthermore, the mice deficient in both dystrophin and dysferlin (DD-null) exhibited more severe muscle pathology than either mdx or dysferlin-null mice. Although lengthening contractions (LCs) caused similar force deficits regardless of dysferlin expression, we observed that the recovery of force within 45 minutes following LCs was hampered in DD-null muscles compared to mdx muscles. These data suggest that dysferlin plays a role in recovering the initial LCs-induced muscle injury of the DGC-compromised muscles. Dystrophin deficiency unmasks the function of dysferlin in membrane repair during LCs, providing a useful assay to evaluate the effectiveness of therapies designed to treat dysferlin deficiency.
The Determinants of a Quality of Life Indicator for Farm Operator Households: Application of Zero-Inflated Count-Data Models

The assessment of the determinants of quality of life in the USA has long been a focus of many researchers. This paper contributes towards that effort by focusing on the quality of life attributes of a segment of the population; namely, farm operator households. To assist in this effort, a quality of life indicator is constructed based on data from the 2004 Agricultural Resource Management Survey along with some auxiliary databases. The determinants of this indicator have been assessed by means of count-data models with special emphasis being given to the role of the preponderance of zeros in the constructed index. Based on the findings, some policy recommendations on how to improve the quality of life in the rural communities are provided.
Novel insights into the disease etiology of laminopathies

Laminopathies are a heterogeneous group of diseases that are caused by mutations in the nuclear envelope proteins lamins A and C. Laminopathies include dilated cardiomyopathy, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, and familial partial lipodystrophy. Despite their near-ubiquitous expression, most laminopathies involve highly tissue-specific phenotypes, often affecting skeletal and cardiac muscle. The underlying mechanism(s) remain incompletely understood. We recently reported that altered actin dynamics in lamin A/C-deficient and mutant cells disturb nuclear shuttling of the transcriptional co-activator MKL1, which is critical for cardiac function. Expression of the inner nuclear membrane protein emerin rescues MKL1 translocation through modulating actin dynamics. Here, we elaborate on these findings, discuss new insights into the role of nuclear actin in MKL1activity, and demonstrate that primary human skin fibroblasts from a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy have impaired MKL1 nuclear translocation. These findings further strengthen the relevance of impaired MKL1 signaling as a potential contributor to the disease mechanism in laminopathies.
A simple model of the electrical properties of magnetite

A single long range order parameter, evaluated in mean field approximation, is used to describe the density of states in Fe3O4. The Fermi potential of a free electron gas for the model system and the associated conductivity and Seebeck coefficient are calculated as a function of temperature and compared with experimental data.
Triggered massive star formation in the LMC HII complex N44

We have used Spitzer IRAC and MIPS observations of N44 to identify young stellar objects (YSOs). Sixty YSO candidates with masses ≳4M are identified. We have compared the distribution of YSOs with those of the ionized gas, molecular clouds, and HI gas to study the properties of star formation.
Loss of Quantum Efficiency in Green Light Emitting Diode Dies at Low Temperature

The electroluminescence, photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence of GaInN/GaN multiple quantum well light emitting diode dies are analyzed at variable low temperature. Three dies of nominally identical structure but strongly different RT performance from 510 nm to 525 nm have been studied. The electroluminescence peak energy exhibits a blue shift from RT to 158 K followed by a red shift for lower temperature. In the same low-temperature range, a secondary emission peak appears near 390 nm (3.18 eV) that resembles a donor-acceptor pair transition from GaN. Depth profiling spectroscopy of this transition at 77 K reveals its location either in the unintentionally doped quantum barriers or within the n-GaN layer, rather than the commonly believed Mg doped p-type GaN layers. The external quantum efficiency of each die increases as the temperature is lowered. A maximum is reached for all near 158 K while for lower temperature as low as 7.7 K, the efficiency continuously drops. The pronounced efficiency maximum is tentatively assigned to a combination of temperature dependent mobility and shift of the actual pn-junction location.
Incidental bilateral adrenal calcification

incidental bilateral adrenal calcification was detected in a man during evaluation for low back pain. He had been born a double footling breech at home, and probably had bilateral adrenal hemorrhage. He now has normal adrenal function. This case is discussed, and the literature is reviewed.
Anomalous reactions of ninhydrin.

Abstract The structure of a colorless ninhydrin-levulinic acid reaction product has been established. The ninhydrin-“positive” reaction of more than 20 nitrogen-free aldehydes, ketones, keto acids, and monosaccharides has been discussed. The chromatographic behavior of these compounds was determined with an automatic amino acid analyzer. The results of this study suggest that caution should be exercised in the interpretation of “positive” ninhydrin reactions.
Abrasive wear, tensile strength, and hardness of dental composite resins—Is there a relationship?

The in vitro abrasive wear resistance, tensile strength, and hardness of seven widely used composite restorative resins have been measured. Findings indicate that the values of tensile strength and hardness are not related to the measured abrasion rates. It is apparent that abrasive wear is a complex phenomenon and that materials which have high values for strength and/or hardness do not necessarily have high resistance to abrasive wear.
Impact of Agriculture on Water Quality in the North Carolina Middle Coastal Plain

Water quality in the Middle Coastal Plain of North Carolina has been impacted by agriculture; however, the water quality impacts in these areas over time have not been studied in detail. The surface water quality of several streams in the Neuse River Watershed along the Middle Coastal Plain of North Carolina was monitored for approximately five years, while shallow groundwater in cropped fields and adjacent to drainage ditches was monitored for three years. Surface water samples were collected biweekly and analyzed for nitrate nitrogen (N O3 -N) , ammonium nitrogen (N H4 -N) , total Kjeldahl nitrogen, orthophosphate (P O4 -P) , total phosphate, and total suspended solids, and approximately monthly groundwater samples were collected from wells and analyzed for N O3 -N . Trends relating to seasonal changes in stream water quality as a function of land use and soil type were analyzed, as well as long term changes. Generally, upstream sampling points showed low levels of all constituents. Nutrient and sedimen...
The formation and activity of PP2A holoenzymes do not depend on the isoform of the catalytic subunit

Abstract The protein phosphatase 2A holoenzyme is composed of one catalytic C subunit, one regulatory/scaffolding A subunit, and one regulatory B subunit. The core enzyme consists of A and C subunits only. The A and C subunits both exist as two closely related isoforms, α and β. The B subunits belong to four weakly related or unrelated families, designated B, B′, B", and B‴, with multiple members in each family. The existence of two A and two C subunit isoforms permits the formation of four core enzymes, AαCα, AαCβ, AβCα, and AβCβ, and each core enzyme could in theory give rise to multiple holoenzymes. Differences between Cα and Cβ in expression and subcellular localization during early embryonic development have been reported, which imply that Cα and Cβ have different functions. To address the question of whether these differences might be caused by enzymatic differences between Cα and Cβ, we purified six holoenzymes composed of AαCα or AαCβ core enzyme and B subunits from the B, B′, or B" families. In addition, we purified four holoenzymes composed of AβCα or AβCβ and B′α1 or B"/PR72. The phosphatase activity of each purified form was assayed using myelin basic protein and histone H1 as substrates. We found that Cα and Cβ have identical phosphatase activities when associated with the same A and B subunits. Furthermore, no difference was found between Cα and Cβ in binding A or B subunits. These data suggest that the distinct functions of Cα and Cβ are not based on differences in enzymatic activity or subunit interaction. The implications for the relationship between the structure and function of Cα and Cβ are discussed.
Source-to-Source Translation and Software Engineering

Source-to-source translation of programs from one high level language to another has been shown to be an effective aid to programming in many cases. By the use of this approach, it is sometimes possible to produce software more cheaply and reliably. However, the full potential of this technique has not yet been realized. It is proposed to make source-to-source translation more effective by the use of abstract languages, which are imperative languages with a simple syntax and semantics that facilitate their translation into many different languages. By the use of such abstract languages and by translating only often-used fragments of programs rather than whole programs, the need to avoid writing the same program or algorithm over and over again in different languages can be reduced. It is further proposed that programmers be encouraged to write often-used algorithms and program fragments in such abstract languages. Libraries of such abstract programs and program fragments can then be constructed, and programmers can be encouraged to make use of such libraries by translating their abstract programs into application languages and adding code to join things together when coding in various application languages. This approach can also improve program reliability, because it is only necessary to verify the abstract programs once instead of verifying them separately in each application language. Also, this approach makes it possible to generate code faster than programming from scratch each time. This approach is compared to the use of libraries and to other methods in current use for communication between programming languages and translation between languages.
Effect of composition and temperature on the burning velocity of the nitric oxide—hydrogen flame

Abstract The burning velocity of the nitric oxide-hydrogen flame has been measured at 1 atm, over the composition range 35–70% NO, for two initial temperatures, 298°K and 1023°K. In addition, the burning velocity of the 50% NO mixture was determined as a function of initial temperature over the temperature range 300 to 1000°K. A free radical mechanism is proposed in which the principal nitro-oxide destruction reaction is: H + NO = OH + N.
Cutaneous manifestations and consequences of smoking

Cigarette smoking is strongly linked to serious internal diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and lung disease. However, the external manifestations and consequences of smoking are relatively unknown. Although generally less ominous, the cutaneous manifestations of smoking may be associated with significant morbidity. This article reviews the known adverse effects on the skin of smoking.
Studies of electron-polyatomic-molecule collisions: Applications to e-CH4.

We report the first application of the Schwinger multichannel formulation to low-energy electron collisions with a nonlinear polyatomic target. Integral and differential cross sections are obtained for e-CH4 collisions from 3 to 20 eV at the static-plus-exchange interaction level. In these studies the exchange potential is directly evaluated and not approximated by local models. An interesting feature of the small-angle differential cross section is ascribed to polarization effects and not reproduced at the static-plus-exchange level. Our differential cross sections are found to be in reasonable agreement with existing measurements at 7.5 eV and higher energies.
Joint Costs with Especial Regard to Railways

Introductory: Pigou's theory of joint cost, 233. — I. Joint cost defined and analyzed. (1) Different utilities. Difference in utility capacity, 234; in market, 236. — Difference in utility means difference in assigning costs, hence discrimination, 236. — Difference in market may make joint expense in case of single commodities, 237. — (2) Necessity of common dependence on same expense. Physical v. economic necessity, 238. — Primary and secondary jointness, 239. — Mixed primary and secondary jointness, 240. — Wide range of necessary joint production, 241. — (3) No direct relation between expense and output, 242. — Constant and variable joint expenses, 243. — Vahdity of this distinction; overworked marginal analysis, 243. — II. Conclusions: (a) Complexity of the joint-cost concept, 245. — (b) Expediency of broad definition, 246. — (c) Relation between joint cost and monopoly as causes of discrimination, 247. — Suggestions for rate regulation, 249.
Corneal endothelial deposits in children positive for human immunodeficiency virus receiving rifabutin prophylaxis for Mycobacterium avium complex bacteremia

Abstract PURPOSE: To assess the potential ocular effects of prophylactic administration of rifabutin in children with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and CD4 counts less than 50 cells per mm 3 . METHODS: Twenty-five children with HIV infection were enrolled in a phase I-II study of prophylactic administration of systemic rifabutin for prevention of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection and monitored prospectively for the development of ocular complications secondary to HIV infection or drug toxicity. RESULTS: The dose of rifabutin ranged from 5.0 mg to 15.0 mg per kg, and the median ophthalmic follow-up was 24 months. During the study period, six of the children receiving rifabutin prophylaxis for M. avium complex developed unusual bilateral, initially peripheral, stellate, corneal endothelial deposits without associated uveitis. Review of serial corneal drawings and photographs showed an increase in the number of corneal deposits with continued administration of rifabutin. The duration of rifabutin treatment ( P = .017) and follow-up ( P = .0011) was significantly longer in patients who developed these corneal endothelial changes. CONCLUSION: Corneal endothelial deposits should be considered a potential side effect of rifabutin therapy. To date, these findings have not been sight threatening.
“The Natural History of the Crustacea”: Volume 3, “Nervous Systems and Control of Behavior,” edited by Charles Derby and Martin Thiel, and Volume 4 “Physiology,” edited by Ernest Chang and Martin Thiel

In these handsomely produced new volumes in “The Natural History of the Crustacea” series (series editor Martin Thiel), the Editors have assembled a comprehensive and authoritative series of reviews exploring all aspects of the neurobiology and physiology of crustaceans.
Using Biodata to Select Air Traffic Controllers

Biodata factors were examined as predictors of training performance for candidate air traffic control specialists (ATCSs). These factors, which have been shown to predict controller training performance in previous research, were highest educational degree achieved, grade point average both in high school overall and in high school math courses, aviation operations experience, pilot licenses held, and age. Results from logistic regression analyses were only partially supportive of previous research. Age was the most consistent (inverse) predictor of training success. Most of the other factors did not predict training success. Differences between these results and previous research might be attributed to differences in the criterion measures, samples, and generational differences. Overall, the evidence for using the assessed biodata factors for selection was weak. We suggested that a new biodata instrument be developed to assess and identify experiences to predict performance of the next generation of cont...