cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stress and the cognitive-conversational benefits of social interaction.

The present paper outlines specific coping benefits derived from conversational interactions. Apart from the input of a supportive listener, these benefits occur as a function of the distressed individual's cognitive system and certain processes necessitated by the act of speaking. Distressed individuals often experience cognitive deficits in the form of intrusive thoughts, and a narrowed focus of attention. For example, an individual coping with the death of a spouse may find him/herself repeatedly distracted by memories of the day his/'her spouse died and unable to concentrate on other mental tasks or to experience thoughts and feelings not relevant to the event. The relationship between speaking about one's problems and subsequent adjustment will be outlined. The role of verbal expression in adjustment will be reviewed
The formative role of home literacy experiences across the first three years of life in children from low-income families

This longitudinal investigation focused on the language and literacy environments of 1046 children from low-income families across children's first three years of life. Children's language and cognitive abilities at 14, 24, and 36 months of age were examined in relation to the frequency of children's participation in literacy activities, the quality of mothers' engagements with their children, and the provision of age-appropriate learning materials. Each aspect of the literacy environment uniquely contributed to the prediction of children's language and cognitive skills at each age, beyond child and family characteristics. Similarly, literacy experiences at each of the three ages explained unique variance in children's 36-month language and cognitive skills. These findings point to the importance of targeting multiple aspects of the literacy environment, already by the first year of life, as a means to supporting the development of young children from low-income families.
Inhibition of bacterial wall lysins by lipoteichoic acids and related compounds.

Abstract Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from several Gram-positive microorganisms, Forssman antigen (Fag) from Diplococcus pneumoniae R36A, and an acidic lipopolysaccharide (ALP) from Micrococcus luteus were examined for effects on four wall lysis systems. The LTAs inhibited the N-acetylmuramidases of Streptococcus faecalis and Lactobacillus acidophilus , and the amidase of Bacillus subtilis 168. Deacylated LTA failed to inhibit. LTAs failed to inhibit the amidase of pneumococcus. Fag inhibited the pneumococcal amidase, but had no effect on the other three systems.
Virtual laboratory for experimental structural dynamics

This article presents a Java-powered virtual laboratory (VL) which has been developed to provide a means for on-line interactive structural dynamics experiments for undergraduate and graduate education. This VL intends to provide a conceptual and practical understanding of a wide range of topics related to the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data from dynamic testing, including sensor type and placement, aliasing, windowing, nonlinearities, etc. A multi-story shear building is employed as a test bed and the responses of the structure are obtained through the linear/nonlinear dynamic analysis. The VL is available on-line at http://sstl.cee.uiuc.edu/java/esd/virtuallab.html. This article presents the unique features and usage of this VL. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 17: 80–88, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae20162
Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults Who Do Not Drive: Association With Mobility Resources and Perceived Transportation Barriers

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To examine alternative means of mobility that nondriving older adults rely on and their impact on well-being. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from the 2011 (T1, N = 6,680) and 2012 (T2, N = 5,413) interview waves of the National Health and Aging Trends Study were used to examine sample characteristics by driving status, use of alternative mobility resources, and perceived transportation-related barriers among ex-drivers and nondrivers, and their association with depressive symptoms. RESULTS: A majority of nondrivers relied on their informal support system and/or paid assistance to drive them to places. About half reported walking/using a wheelchair or scooter. A significant proportion of never drivers also used public transportation and van/shuttle services, whereas a smaller proportion of ex-drivers used them. Nondrivers who walked for transport had lower depressive symptoms than those who did not walk at either T1 or T2, and perception of transportation barriers to visiting friends/family was associated with higher depressive symptoms at T1 only. IMPLICATIONS: Older adults' mobility needs should be met through increasing walkability, public and paratransit transportation, supplemental senior transportation, and increasing informal caregivers-transportation providers' ability to aid older adults. Language: en
To be, or not to be, that is the question. Apoptosis in human trophoblast.

Apoptosis, the morphology of cell suicide, may result from programmed cell death or may be a response to exogenous stimuli. Apoptosis can be induced in cultured trophoblast and can be identified in the trophoblast of placental villi. The trophoblast regulates maternal-fetal gas, nutrient and waste product exchange; therefore, the presence of apoptosis in this key cellular interface highlights the importance of understanding what controls apoptosis in the placenta. In this review, we describe the signal transduction pathways that trigger apoptosis in other systems, identify key genetic controls for the process and outline the final common pathway which effects execution in cells committed to suicide. Multiplicity, redundancy and cross talk among pathways characterize the surface membrane signals and exogenous stimuli that trigger apoptosis in other cells. As each step in the apoptotic process is discussed, we describe what is known about the step in human placental villi. Recent studies suggest that a further understanding of receptor-mediated signalling pathways, the Bcl-2 regulators and the caspases and substrates involved in placental apoptosis will surely provide insights into both normal placental development and the placental dysfunction associated with some abnormal pregnancies.
Conditional expression of Spry1 in neural crest causes craniofacial and cardiac defects

Growth factors and their receptors are mediators of organogenesis and must be tightly regulated in a temporal and spatial manner for proper tissue morphogenesis. Intracellular regulators of growth factor signaling pathways provide an additional level of control. Members of the Sprouty family negatively regulate receptor tyrosine kinase pathways in several developmental contexts. To gain insight into the role of Spry1 in neural crest development, we analyzed the developmental effects of conditional expression of Spry1 in neural crest-derived tissues. Here we report that conditional expression of Spry1 in neural crest cells causes defects in craniofacial and cardiac development in mice. Spry1;Wnt1-Cre embryos die perinatally and exhibit facial clefting, cleft palate, cardiac and cranial nerve defects. These defects appear to be the result of decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of neural crest and neural crest-derived cell populations. In addition, the domains of expression of several key transcription factors important to normal craniofacial and cardiac development including AP2, Msx2, Dlx5, and Dlx6 were reduced in Spry1;Wnt1-Cre transgenic embryos. Collectively, these data suggest that Spry1 is an important regulator of craniofacial and cardiac morphogenesis and perturbations in Spry1 levels may contribute to congenital disorders involving tissues of neural crest origin.
Gaze-evoked visual seizures in nonketotic hyperglycemia.

Summary: Focal motor seizures are commonly a symptom of nonketotic hyperglycemia (NKH). Posture-induced motor seizures are less common but have been reported in some patients with this disorder. We report the first case of gaze-evoked sensory (visual) seizures in nonketotic hyperglycemia. Both seizures and ictal EEG findings disappeared shortly after hyperglycemia was corrected. RESUME Des crises motrices focales sont un symptome frequent de l'hyperglycemie non cetosique. Des crises motrices induites par la posture sont moins frequentes et ont ete rapportees chez quelques patients presentant cette affection. Les auteurs rapportent le premier cas de crises sensorielles (visuelles) provoquees par la fixation dans le cadre d'une hyperglycemic non cetosique. Les crises et les constatations EEG critiques ont disparu rapidement apres correction de l'hyperglycemie. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Ein Symptom der nicht-ketotischen Hyperglykamie sind gewohnlich fokal-motorische Anfalle. Haltungsinduzierte motorische Anfalle sind weniger haufig, wurden jedoch bei einigen Patienten mit dieser Erkrankung berichtet. Wir berichten uber den ersten Fall von durch Starren hervorgerufenen, sensorischen (visuellen) Anfallen bei nichtketotischer Hyperglykamie. Sowohl Anfalle als auch iktale EEG-Befunde verschwanden kurz nach Besserung der Hyperglykamie.
Circle of Care Extending Beyond Primary Caregivers to Examine Collaborative Caretaking in Adolescent Development

In the contemporary family, which is increasingly shaped by multicultural influences, parents rarely are the sole caretakers of their children. To improve understanding of family dynamics, researchers must redefine caregiving networks to include multiple caregivers, such as extended family members. This study explored the influences of caregiving networks on youth depression by examining who youths perceived as caretakers, how many caretakers were in their networks, the youths’ connectedness with adults in their network, and harmony of relationships among adults within the network. Data from an ethnically diverse, urban sample of 180 middle school youths revealed participation of multiple caregivers for all groups, but ethnic differences existed in network composition. These differences in network composition are discussed within a sociocultural context, considering how positive relationships with specific caregivers may buffer future depression. Longitudinal analyses confirmed the importance of positive ...
Optimal and central-place foraging theory applied to a desert harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex californicus

Certain predictions of optimal- and central place-foraging theory were tested on the desert harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex californicus. Colonies were offered three different sizes of oat seed and found to maximize net energy intake (ei) over time (t i ) by harvesting the seed sizes with the highest e i /t i rank. Two aspects of t i were measured that were assumed constant in previous studies. The handling components of t i (time required to manipulate the seed and travel time back to the colony with the food) were measured and found to be positively correlated with seed size. The manipulation success rate (the percentage of handled seeds successfully picked up) decreased with increased seed size. These results point out how important it is to measure all parameters of e i /t i rather than to assume constancy with both prey type and foraging distance. The relative abundance of less preferred food types was important in determining the proportion of preferred types in the diet. The food supply of eight colonies was manipulated experimentally over a 25-day period. Four "deprived" colonies were constrained within aluminum enclosures to prevented foraging. The remaining four "satiated" colonies were given food ad libitum. The niche breadths of the treated colonies were then compared to controls, but found not to differ significantly. Seed baits were offered at three distances from the colony to test whether selectivity increased with disance. Contrary to theoretical predictions, all colonies harcested about the same proportion of each seed size at each distance.
Is sceptical religion adequate as a religion

I argue that J. L. Schellenberg's sceptical religion faces two problems of religious adequacy. The first has to do with its relationship to the goal of bringing persons into proper alignment with an ultimate good; the second, with the desideratum of sceptical religion's becoming sufficiently well-established as to be a vehicle for the accomplishment of great things on the stage of history. I argue that actual sceptical religion would need to accommodate itself to the requirements of historical existence, and that such accommodation might well lead to a blurring of the distinctions Schellenberg draws between ‘sectarian’ and sceptical religion.
Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase: Mechanism of action and role in regulating oxidative phosphorylation: Reply to Pannala, Beard, and Dash.

to the editor: We are pleased that the authors have read our paper ([2][1]) and consider it of sufficient importance to critique it ([1][2]). There is an error in our program: the rate constants k 4a and k 4b are interchanged in Eq. A15 . The error was introduced before fitting of the equations
Prospective evaluation of sestamibi scan, ultrasonography, and rapid PTH to predict the success of limited exploration for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism

Background The aim of this study was to determine the ability of localizing studies and rapid intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) to predict the success of a limited approach in patients who then underwent bilateral exploration. Methods Preoperative sestamibi-iodine subtraction scan and neck ultrasonography (US) were used to direct a focal (1-gland) and unilateral (1-sided) parathyroid exploration by using rapid intraoperative PTH determinations in 350 patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. Regardless of the findings, the contralateral side was then explored. Results A single gland was predicted by sestamibi in 290 patients (83%), US in 298 patients (85%), and concordance of both in 205 patients (59%). Unilateral parathyroid exploration, directed by these studies, would correctly identify single-gland disease in only 68%, 74%, and 79%, respectively. The addition of intraoperative PTH would increase the success rate to 73%, 77%, and 82%, respectively. The finding of 2 normal or 2 abnormal glands on 1 side would force bilateral exploration, and additional unsuspected pathology was found in 13%, 13%, and 9%, respectively. This failure rate would increase to 21%, 18%, and 15%, respectively, if the analysis assumed a focal rather than unilateral approach to the initial exploration. Conclusions Even in patients with concordant sestamibi and US scans, and an appropriate PTH drop, additional abnormal parathyroid glands were found on complete exploration in 15%. A bilateral approach offers the best opportunity for the long-term cure of primary hyperparathyroidism.
Transposition of the Inverted Repeats of Tn5

The defining characteristic of bacterial transposons is their ability to move to new loci in the absence of extensive DNA sequence homology. Some, designated IS elements, contain only the genes and sites necessary for their own transposition; other transposons are composites of genes necessary for transposition and genes for auxiliary traits (such as antibiotic resistance or virulence)1. Although the mechanism of transposition is unknown, plausible models involving breakage and reunion2 or replication3,4 have been proposed.
Guilt Shall Not Escape or Innocence Suffer? The Limits of Plea Bargaining When Defendant Guilt is Uncertain

This article examines optimal prosecutor behavior with respect to plea bargaining when defendant guilt is uncertain. I show that when jury beliefs and behavior are determined endogenously in equilibrium along with defendant and prosecutor behavior, plea bargaining can play only a limited role in managing society's conflicting desires to maximize punishment of the guilty and minimize punishment of the falsely accused. In particular, while it can be optimal for prosecutors to use plea bargaining to induce a large fraction of guilty defendants to voluntarily sort themselves from the innocent, such sorting must come at the cost of imposing relatively short sentences on such guilty defendants who accept plea bargains.
PicFS: The Privacy-Enhancing Image-Based Collaborative File System

Cloud computing makes available a vast amount of computation and storage resources in the pay-as-you-go manner. However, the users of cloud storage have to trust the providers to ensure the data privacy and confidentiality. In this paper, we present the Privacy-enhancing Image-based Collaborative File System (PicFS), a network file system that steganographically encodes itself into images and provides anonymous uploads and downloads from a media sharing website. PicFS provides plausible deniability by preventing traffic and image analysis by any third party from revealing the existence of PicFS or compromising its data. Because all accesses are anonymized, users of PicFS are dissociated from their data, which protects users against being compelled to release their keys. For further security and ease of use, we develop a method for automatically generating a large set of non-suspicious images to serve as input to the system. Our prototype leverages a number of existing technologies, including the F5 algorithm for steganography, Quick-Flickr for Flickr API access, Tor for anonymization, and FUSE-J for user-level file system calls. We show that the PicFS is indeed practical as the prototype demonstrates satisfactory performance in the real-world environment.
Computer Simulations of the Static Scattering from Model Polymer Blends

To understand the unusual composition and wave vector, q, dependent Flory interaction parameters, χ, obtained from small angle neutron scattering (SANS), we have calculated the three partial structure factors for symmetric binary polymer blends with relatively strong interactions between dissimilar monomers using molecular dynamics simulations. In agreement with past work we find that the radii of gyration of the chains are altered on blending. The following new results emerged from our simulations. The single-chain form factors in the blends follow Gaussian statistics at all distances larger than a monomer diameter, confirming the Flory−de Gennes conjecture that correlations in condensed polymer phases are screened over short length scales. The Rg's deduced from these form factors are in agreement with simulation-determined values and illustrate conclusively that the single chain term in the incompressible random-phase approximation (i-RPA) is altered on blending. The three partial structure factors obta...
The snake in the box problem: mathematical conjecture and a genetic algorithm approach

With applications in coding theory and hypercube-based computing and networking, the "snake in the box" problem is of great practical importance. Moreover, it is both mathematically elegant and highly difficult. The problem is simply to find the longest "snake" in a hypercube. However, as the hypercube grows in dimensionality, the size of the search space increases exponentially. Moreover, as the maximum snake length is only known for the smallest dimensions (where the snakes themselves have already been identified), there is no known stopping criterion for the search in higher dimensions. In this paper we make a mathematical conjecture about the possible maximum length of a snake in a hypercube of dimension d. We use a genetic algorithm for finding snakes in a 8 hypercube to show some results.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED IN‐LINE VISCOMETERS ON NEWTONIAN AND SHEAR‐THINNING FLUIDS*

Three commercial instruments for in-line process measurement of fluid viscosity (an oscillating sphere viscometer, a tube viscometer and a coaxial cylinder viscometer) were evaluated using a Newtonian (60% sucrose) and two shear-thinning fluids (0.5% xanthan gum and 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellu-lose). The oscillating sphere viscometer required little or no calibration to measure the viscosity of Newtonian fluids. Otherwise, when compared to results given by analytical off-line rheometry, the in-line viscometers were found to be grossly inaccurate in predicting viscosity. A methodology is presented to correct the flow curves generated by each in-line instrument such that the output measurements are consistent with that given by off-line rheometry. Additional characteristics of each instrument that should be considered when choosing an instrument for in-line process application are presented.
Shifting Priorities: Congressional Incentives and the Homeland Security Granting Process

Small states receive more homeland security grant money per capita than large states because of the structure of representation and decision making in Congress. Beyond per capita allocations, the home- land security granting process affects the structure of state and local emergency management agencies, shifting priorities away from natural and technological disasters toward counterterrorism. I suggest using competitive grants, increasing the salience of the granting process, and changing the institutional setting in order to rationalize the granting process. But rather than textbook efficiency, the federal government's response to the threat of terrorism is an example of the triumph of symbolic and distributive poli- cies over more straightforward attempts to address the real problems of homeland security. I show how Congress has funded counterterrorism initiatives without serious risk analysis while reducing its commitment to emergency preparedness and response to natural and technological disasters. Small isolated states receive far more money per capita for homeland security than do large high-risk states, and furthermore within each state money and attention appear to be diverted from more frequent natural disasters toward the terrorist threat. The essential reason for this imbalance is that the incentives for public agencies are different than they are for private firms. Scholars such as Mayhew (1974) and Fiorina (1977) have shown how Congress structures policies to further the reelection ambitions of indi- vidual members, resulting in outcomes that may be optimal for an individual member's district but suboptimal for the country as a whole. In practice, Congress often uses spending as wealth transfers—in other words, "pork"—rather than as coherent solutions to policy problems. Faced with these structural limitations, the best strategy for policymakers interested in a coherent approach to emergency management is to make the issue of risk analysis salient to the public in order to bypass the usual veto points while employing risk analysis during funding deci- sions as much as possible through the use of competitive grants.
All in the family?: Family composition, resources, and sibling similarity in socioeconomic status

Abstract Numerous studies have analyzed the effects of family structure, composition, and resources on socioeconomic status attainment. Fewer studies have explored how these family-based factors affect the variation—or the correlation—between siblings in socioeconomic status. The current study draws on data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics and provides a descriptive account of the correlations between siblings along a number of family composition and resource dimensions. We report two main findings. First, correlations do not vary by siblings’ sex mix. That is, brothers’ correlations in education, earnings, and family income are similar to sisters’ correlations. Second, siblings from relatively disadvantaged families—those with more siblings and lower educated, younger, and unmarried mothers—have lower correlations in socioeconomic status than siblings from more advantaged families. In general, family background has a weaker effect on adults who begin life from disadvantaged positions. These findings suggest that social reproduction and mobility processes are complex and shaped by family-level dynamics and resources.
SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT AND FLIGHT ACTIVITY OF THE SPOTTED TENTIFORM LEAFMINER, PHYLLONORYCTER BLANCARDELLA (LEPIDOPTERA: GRACILLARIIDAE), IN CONNECTICUT

The spring emergence and seasonal abundance of the trivoltine spotted tentiform leafminer, Phyllonorycter blancardella (Fabr.), were monitored in a Connecticut apple orchard to provide phenological data for control programs. Spring emergence of each sex lasted 28 or 29 days in 1980 and 1981 although large emergences (≥5% of the total) occurred over a period of 12 to 18 days. When spring emergence was forecast in 1981 by using degree-day accumulations (above 5 °C) from the 1980 emergence, the predicted and actual 10 and 50% emergence time differed by 4 or 5 days. Even though daily catches of moths in pheromone traps preceded those in emergence traps, the abundance patterns indicated by these traps were similar. Low temperature and rain reduced emergence and flight activity. Seasonal abundance in pheromone traps showed three or four peaks, which usually decreased in size as the year progressed. From 1978 to 1981, the onset of male flight activity varied by as much as 3 wk. When emergence and pheromone traps are used together, they indicate the duration and peaks of emergence and flight activity.
Investigation of peanut oral immunotherapy with CpG/peanut nanoparticles in a murine model of peanut allergy

Background Treatments to reverse peanut allergy remain elusive. Current clinical approaches using peanut oral/sublingual immunotherapy are promising, but concerns about safety and long-term benefit remain a barrier to wide use. Improved methods of delivering peanut-specific immunotherapy are needed. Objective We sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of peanut oral immunotherapy using CpG-coated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles containing peanut extract (CpG/PN-NPs) in a murine model of peanut allergy. Methods C3H/HeJ mice were rendered peanut allergic by means of oral sensitization with peanut and cholera toxin. Mice were then subjected to 4 weekly gavages with CpG/PN-NPs, vehicle (PBS), nanoparticles alone, peanut alone, CpG nanoparticles, or peanut nanoparticles. Untreated mice served as naive controls. After completing therapy, mice underwent 5 monthly oral peanut challenges. Anaphylaxis was evaluated by means of visual assessment of symptom scores and measurement of body temperature and plasma histamine levels. Peanut-specific serum IgE, IgG 1 , and IgG 2a levels were measured by using ELISA, as were cytokine recall responses in splenocyte cultures. Results Mice with peanut allergy treated with CpG/PN-NPs but not vehicle or other treatment components were significantly protected from anaphylaxis to all 5 oral peanut challenges, as indicated by lower symptom scores, less change in body temperature, and a lower increase of plasma histamine levels. Importantly, CpG/PN-NP treatment did not cause anaphylactic reactions. Treatment was associated with a sustained and significant decrease in peanut-specific IgE/IgG 1 levels and an increase in peanut-specific IgG 2a levels. Compared with vehicle control animals, peanut recall responses in splenocyte cultures from nanoparticle-treated mice showed significantly decreased levels of T H 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) but increased IFN-γ levels in cell supernatants. Conclusions Preclinical findings indicate that peanut oral immunotherapy with CpG/PN-NPs might be a valuable strategy for peanut-specific immunotherapy in human subjects.
The defence of conservation is not an attack on the poor

The relationship between poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation continues to vex conservationists and social analysts alike. The three responses to our earlier Guest Editorial (Sanderson & Redford, 2003) help refine the arguments and shape the angles from which to approach the debate, but neither the editorial nor the responses satisfy entirely. What missing pieces must be found and fitted to the puzzle?
Monitoring nanoparticle-mediated cellular hyperthermia with a high-sensitivity biosensor

Aim: To develop and apply a heat-responsive and secreted reporter assay for comparing cellular response to nanoparticle (NP)- and macroscopic-mediated sublethal hyperthermia. Materials & methods: Reporter cells were heated by water bath (macroscopic heating) or iron oxide NPs activated by alternating magnetic fields (nanoscopic heating). Cellular responses to these thermal stresses were measured in the conditioned media by secreted luciferase assay. Results & conclusion: Reporter activity was responsive to macroscopic and nanoparticle heating and activity correlated with measured macroscopic thermal dose. Significant cellular responses were observed with NP heating under doses that were insufficient to measurably change the temperature of the system. Under these conditions, the reporter response correlated with proximity to cells loaded with heated nanoparticles. These results suggest that NP and macroscopic hyperthermia may be distinctive under conditions of mild hyperthermia. Original submitted 10 May 2...
Differential Police Treatment of Male-on-Female Spousal Violence: Additional Evidence on the Leniency Thesis

The assumption that police are relatively lenient with men who assault their spouses has led several U.S. political jurisdictions to enact mandatory arrest-for-wife-assault legislation. Although the leniency thesis underlying this legislation is widely believed, it is directly addressed by only three studies of varying rigor and generalizability. With new data, the present research uses multivariate techniques to reexamine the hypothesis that police are less aggressive in arresting wife assaulters, with results that support the leniency thesis. In addition, results suggest that police are more likely to arrest if the victim of spousal violence is a woman who is affluent, White, older, or suburban. The implications of these findings for mandatory arrest laws, crime control, and the debate on race and crime are discussed.
Del dicterio al encomio. Estrategias semánticas generales y la imagen de las superpotencias en El Siglo de Chile (1957-1962)

Chile no escapo a la pugna ideologica durante la Guerra Fria. Esta se manifesto claramente en editoriales y articulos de opinion. 45 textos de El Siglo entre 1957 y 1962 fueron examinados segun criterios derivados del analisis del discurso racista y sexista. Se discute el papel de la ideologia en la estructuracion textual. Dos estrategias semanticas aparecen como mayoritarias: la acusacion y la autopresentacion positiva. La investigacion indica que las categorias discursivas observadas en la discriminacion deben ser redefinidas para presentar una vision mas coherente de la estructura de textos periodisticos con base ideologica. La evidencia textual tambien permite proponer una hipotesis acerca de los posibles lectores hacia los cuales van dirigidos los articulos y editoriales. El estudio es parte de un proyecto mayor sobre la imagen de las superpotencias desde la perspectiva chilena.
Death Education: Accountable to Whom? For What?:

Establishing and evaluating some learning objectives for death education courses was the focus of a study comparing two groups of college students on attitudes toward relevant themes on dying and death. Less than definitive results suggest that several factors bear closer attention. Discussion centers about elements for consideration in rendering teaching about death and dying more meaningfully accountable.
Renal Substance P–Containing Neurons and Substance P Receptors Impaired in Hypertension

Abstract —In normotensive rats, increased renal pelvic pressure stimulates the release of prostaglandin E and substance P, which in turn leads to an increase in afferent renal nerve activity (ARNA) and a contralateral natriuresis, a contralateral inhibitory renorenal reflex. In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), increasing renal pelvic pressure failed to increase afferent renal nerve activity. The inhibitory nature of renorenal reflexes indicates that impaired renorenal reflexes could contribute to increased sodium retention in SHR. Phorbol esters, known to activate protein kinase C, increase afferent renal nerve activity in Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) but not in SHR. We examined the mechanisms involved in the impaired responses to renal sensory receptor activation in SHR. The phorbol ester 4β-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate increased renal pelvic protein kinase C activity similarly in SHR and WKY. Increasing renal pelvic pressure increased afferent renal nerve activity in WKY (27±2%) but not in SHR. Renal pelvic release of prostaglandin E increased similarly in WKY and SHR, from 0.8±0.1 to 2.0±0.4 ng/min and 0.7±0.1 to 1.4±0.2 ng/min. Renal pelvic release of substance P was greater ( P
Incomplete processing of progastrin expressed by human colon cancer cells: role of noncarboxyamidated gastrins

Gastrin is mitogenic for several colon cancers. To assess a possible autocrine role of gastrin in colon cancers, we examined human colon cancer cell lines for expression of gastrin mRNA and various...
Serum insulin levels of "diabetic" and "nondiabetic" patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Patients with chronic renal failure have abnormalities of glucose metabolism. Many factors have been proposed as causes. Insulin levels and reserves in nine patients on chronic hemodialysis were studied. Four patients had the diagnosis of maturity-onset diabetes mellitus. The other five were “nondiabetic.” Proposed diagnoses of the causes of renal failure, ages, clinical status, blood urea nitrogen, and electrolyte measurements were comparable in the “diabetic” and “nondiabetic” groups. Serum insulin levels were measured before and immediately after hemodialysis. The predialysis samples averaged 26 micro units insulin per ml. serum for the “nondiabetic” group and 65 micro units per ml. serum for the “diabetic” group. Postdialysis figures were 35 micro units insulin per ml. and 78 micro units insulin per ml. for the “nondiabetic” and “diabetic” groups, respectively. Fasting serum levels and reserves as measured by immunoassay do not appear to be influenced by the uremic state, but rather reflect the pre-existing diabetic or nondiabetic status.
AB1319 Examination of determinants of patient preferences for total knee replacement (TKR) among men and women

Background Elective TKR is an effective treatment option for end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) that is rapidly growing. Although women have as much or greater prevalence of knee OA than men, men undergo TKR more often than women. Patient preference is emerging as an important consideration in TKR gender disparities. However, few studies have examined the determinants of patients’ preference in a racially diverse sample of men and women. Objectives We sought to identify whether determinants of patients’ preference for TKR differ by gender. Methods Our sample consisted of 509 women (59% white) and 290 men (73% white) with chronic, frequent knee pain and radiographic evidence of knee OA. We used logistic regression models, stratified by gender, to identify clinical and socio-cultural determinants of patients’ preference for TKR. Clinical and socio-cultural factors were entered simultaneously into the stratified models. Stepwise selection methods were used to select socio-cultural items to be included in the final models, using a criterion of p<0.20. All models were adjusted for age, income level, disease severity (using the WOMAC), and study site. Results White women had lower preference for TKR compared to white men (adjusted OR=0.56, 95%CI 0.34 to 0.94), whereas African-American (AA) women had higher preference for TKR compared to AA men (adjusted OR=1.24, 95%CI 0.70 to 2.18). Among women, items related to knowledge (p<0.001) and expectations (p=0.007) regarding surgical outcomes, and religiosity (p=0.045) were selected for inclusion in the multivariate model. Among men, items related to knowledge (p=0.46) and expectations regarding surgical outcomes (p=0.027) were selected for inclusion in the multivariate model (see [Table 1][1]). View this table: Conclusions Expectations regarding surgical outcomes are important for both men and women with regard to their preferences for TKR, but the genders differ with regard to which other socio-cultural determinants impact these preferences. Interventions to reduce or eliminate gender disparities in the utilization of TKR should consider and target these factors. Disclosure of Interest None Declared [1]: #T1
Lyapunov-Based Nonlinear Control of Wind Tunnel Supersonic Nozzle Contour

M. Sadraey Daniel Webster College Nashua, NH, 03063 Abstract Supersonic wind tunnels must be capable of delivering the required performance while handling nonlinearities in the tunnel structural model, the variation in Mach number, and a need to speed up the process. These factors necessitate the application of nonlinear design techniques that can handle large nonlinearities in Supersonic Wind Tunnels (SWT) and facilitate a shock-free nozzle. The method of characteristics provides the technique for properly designing the contour of a supersonic nozzle for shock-free, taking into account the multidimensional flow inside the duct. Then the wind tunnel walls are moved to achieve the predetermined contours via hydraulic jacks. This paper discusses the nonlinear control of such nozzle walls using a Lyapunov-based approach. This control strategy takes into account the nonlinear behavior of walls and provides significant advantages for a broader class of supersonic wind tunnels. The technique guarantees the stability of the nozzle flow while improves the performance of SWT. The verification and validation of the technique are documented using MATLAB simulation.
Rule-based Consistency Checking for UML Models

UML(Unifying Modeling Language) is the well-known object-oriented modeling language,which provides anumber of visual notations for the system development.As there is no precisely defined relationship between these modeling elements,the consistency problem is often caused for UML models.This paper proposes a rule-based approach to checking the consistency problem.We map UML models and consistency conditions to the fact library and the rule library of the rule-based system respectively.If the facts do not match the rules,we can determine there must exist inconsistencies in the UML models.We use a hybrid rule-based system as the rule engine to check the consistency,which combines the object-oriented and the rule-based paradigms.The advantages of this system allow us to design and implement a checking tool by using C++ language,and to improve the performance of the consistency checking.
Efficient codes for inverse dynamics during walking

Efficient codes have been used effectively in both computer science and neuroscience to better understand the information processing in visual and auditory encoding and discrimination tasks. In this paper, we explore the use of efficient codes for representing information relevant to human movements during locomotion. Specifically, we apply motion capture data to a physical model of the human skeleton to compute joint angles (inverse kinematics) and joint torques (inverse dynamics); then, by treating the resulting paired dataset as a supervised regression problem, we investigate the effect of sparsity in mapping from angles to torques. The results of our investigation suggest that sparse codes can indeed represent salient features of both the kinematic and dynamic views of human locomotion movements. However, sparsity appears to be only one parameter in building a model of inverse dynamics; we also show that the "encoding" process benefits significantly by integrating with the "regression" process for this task. In addition, we show that, for this task, simple coding and decoding methods are not sufficient to model the extremely complex inverse dynamics mapping. Finally, we use our results to argue that representations of movement are critical to modeling and understanding these movements.
Liberty, equality, fraternity and the delivery of health care in France.

As U.S. policy makers debate President Clinton's health care reform proposal, we need to remind ourselves that no other country has actually solved the health care cost problem. There are no solutions, only alternative approaches to the problem. Proponents of the social insurance model will argue that countries like France have a better system--one that delivers high-quality medical care to everyone with no financial barriers. If the evidence is examined honestly, it becomes clear that the French system, while meeting the goal of universal access, has a long way to go before it solves the spending problem. National health insurance does not guarantee public satisfaction with the system. In a recent survey, over half of the French citizens responded that they felt that their health care system needed fundamental changes or should be completely rebuilt, and only 41 percent were happy with the way the system worked. Citizens in all but two of the ten countries studied by Blendon et al. (1990) had similar responses. Only in Canada and Germany did fewer than half of the respondents desire significant change. A nationalized system can eliminate financial barriers to access but it cannot guarantee that social disparities will be eliminated. National health insurance has actually exacerbated inequalities across social classes in France. Per capita consumption varies as much as 50 percent across income levels and 100 percent between occupational categories. In their quest for social solidarity and equality, the French have given up a lot. Practitioners have suffered an erosion in their real incomes relative to the rest of the population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Direct and Efficient Dehydrogenation of Tetrahydroquinolines and Primary Amines Using Corona Discharge Generated on Ambient Hydrophobic Paper Substrate

The exposure of an aqueous-based liquid drop containing amines and graphite particles to plasma generated by a corona discharge results in heterogeneous aerobic dehydrogenation reactions. This green oxidation reaction occurring in ambient air afforded the corresponding quinolines and nitriles from tetrahydroquinolines and primary amines, respectively, at >96% yields in less than 2 min of reaction time. The accelerated dehydrogenation reactions occurred on the surface of a low energy hydrophobic paper, which served both as container for holding the reacting liquid drop and as a medium for achieving paper spray ionization of reaction products for subsequent characterization by ambient mass spectrometry. Control experiments indicate superoxide anions (O2 •–) are the main reactive species; the presence of graphite particles introduced heterogeneous surface effects, and enabled the efficient sampling of the plasma into the grounded analyte droplet solution.
Platelet Binding to Leukocytes as a Determinant of Leukocyte Activation In Vivo.

Background: Platelet binding to leukocytes has been shown to induce leukocyte activation in vitro. It is unknown to what extent platelet binding to leukocytes regulates leukocyte activation in vivo . We examined the correlation between platelet binding to leukocytes (platelet-leukocytes conjugates) and leukocyte activation in various clinical conditions. Methods: We studied a total of 321 venous blood samples from 291 subjects with acute venous thromboembolism (n=25), atrial fibrillation (n=48), metabolic syndrome (n=37), congestive heart failure (n=44), antiphospholipid syndrome (n=70), early sepsis (n=35), late sepsis (n=30) and normal controls. Using flow cytometry, we measured leukocyte expression of activation marker CD11b. Platelet-leukocyte conjugate measurement was based on co-expression of CD41 and CD45. Results: Levels of platelet-leukocyte conjugates strongly correlated with CD11b expression. This finding was present in congestive heart failure (r=0.47; p=0.001), atrial fibrillation (r=0.32; p=0.02), metabolic syndrome (r=0.51; p=0.001), venous thromboembolism (r=0.74; p nd -degree polynomial model, which included the quadratic term platelet-leukocyte conjugates squared, suggesting a threshold effect. The quadratic term added significant prediction of CD11b expression, demonstrating a highly significant exponential increase in CD11b expression after a threshold level of platelet-leukocyte conjugates is reached (model R 2 =0.57; r 2 increase from quadratic term=29%; p=0.0001), as shown in Figure 1. This threshold was not seen in any disease state examined (all p for quadratic terms > 0.05). For example, the relation between platelet-leukocyte conjugates and CD11b expression in venous thromboembolism is shown in Figure 2, and is best described by a straight line. The addition of quadratic term did not add any prediction of CD11b expression, as shown. Conclusions: Our findings strongly suggest that platelet binding to leukocytes is a key determinant of leukocyte activation in vivo . The degree of platelet binding to leukocytes strongly correlates with leukocyte activation after a threshold is reached in normal adults. This threshold is lost in pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory disease states, in which a linear increase in leukocyte activation is seen with increasing platelet binding to leukocytes.
Demystifying the Decline in the Labor Force Participation Rate

The attached article attempts to demystify the decline in the Labor Force Participation Rate by addressing the route causes, namely structural/demographic issues, which would have reduced the LFPR anyway no matter who was running the U.S. Government. The article provides a mathematical reconciliation of the change in the LFPR from 2007 to 2015, provides a thorough review by age cohort, and provides a rational explanation for why 70% of the decline is due to structural/demographic issues and not due to policy issues. The article concludes by suggesting that the although the LFPR has declined, the paranoia over the degree of the decline is way overblown.
Incidence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in a large prospective cohort of U.S. nurses

Background: The incidence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), the rates of both under-diagnosis and over-diagnosis, and the nature of the onset of the condition have not...
A Specialized Interactive Data Application for EEG- Based Sleep Studies

In this paper we present an approach for multimodal visualization of a subject's EEG recordings, specialized for sleep studies. A web application was developed and a real test case from asleep study with a clinically-anxious child (age 7, male) were exploited in order to showcase the operation and use of the tool.