cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Exploration of the Influences Contributing to Food Insecurity in Chester County, Pennsylvania:

Food security refers to the ideal state or condition of households that have access at all times to enough food for their members to live an active, healthy life. To better understand local food insecurity, a needs assessment was implemented to explore contributing factors and discuss solutions. A qualitative study including nine focus groups with low-income adults who receive food assistance (N = 82) and four focus groups with emergency food providers (N = 21) was conducted. Focus group data were analyzed using phenomenological methods. Five themes emerged from the residents: (1) food accessibility both contributes to and reduces food insecurity; (2) residents understand the need for and practice the act of preserving foods; (3) food shopping behaviors were similar for the residents and stores were well received; (4) benefits and barriers with food insecurity are similar; and (5) variety and quality of food and food safety of emergency foods are concerns. The food provider focus groups indicated that they recognized similar problems faced by the residents, and they stressed the need for education. Food insecure individuals should continue in the conversations around solutions, and a comprehensive look at food insecurity through local food and health care systems might determine additional needs.
Rapid Voxel-Based Digital-Computation for Complex Microstructured Media

A technique based on voxel (3D “volume pixels”) representation of microstructures and corresponding digital solution methods is developed for representative volume element type calculations, which avoids computationally expensive steps involved in usual Finite Element procedures such as topologically conforming meshing, mapping, volume integration, stiffness matrix generation and matrix-based solution methods. The process proceeds by converting the material microstructure into voxels. The problem then becomes “digital” on a regular “voxel-grid”, directly manipulating voxel values, allowing extremely fast methods to be used to construct derivatives and the solve the system. In this paper, we illustrate the process of voxelization, derivative construction and solution, and also supply an analysis of the operation counts. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the approach.
Accuracy and reliability of the expected root position setup methodology to evaluate root position during orthodontic treatment.

Introduction Current methods to evaluate root position either are inaccurate (panoramic radiograph) or expose patients to relatively large amounts of radiation (cone-beam computed tomography [CBCT]). A method to evaluate root position by generating an expected root position (ERP) setup was recently reported but has not been validated. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the accuracy and reliability of the ERP setup with adequate statistical power. Methods This retrospective study included 15 subjects who had completed phase 2 orthodontic treatment. An ERP setup was generated for all patients after treatment. The ERP setup was compared with the posttreatment CBCT scan, which served as the control. The mesiodistal angulation and buccolingual inclination of all teeth in both the ERP setup and the posttreatment CBCT scan were measured and compared. Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess interoperator reliability, intraoperator reliability, and agreement between the ERP setup and the posttreatment CBCT scan. Results Bland-Altman plots showed high interoperator and intraoperator reliabilities. These plots also showed strong agreement between the ERP setup and the posttreatment CBCT scan; 11.8% of teeth measured for mesiodistal angulation and 9.6% of teeth measured for buccolingual inclination were outside the ±2.5° range of clinical acceptability. Conclusions We validated that the method to generate an ERP setup to evaluate root position for posttreatment orthodontic assessment is accurate and reliable.
Architecture-Dependent Anisotropic Hysteresis in Smooth Muscle Cells.

Abstract Cells within mechanically dynamic tissues like arteries are exposed to ever-changing forces and deformations. In some pathologies, like aneurysms, complex loads may alter how cells transduce forces, driving maladaptive growth and remodeling. Here, we aimed to determine the dynamic mechanical properties of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under biaxial load. Using cellular micro-biaxial stretching microscopy, we measured the large-strain anisotropic stress-strain hysteresis of VSMCs and found that hysteresis is strongly dependent on load orientation and actin organization. Most notably, under some cyclic loads, we found that VSMCs with elongated in-vivo-like architectures display a hysteresis loop that is reverse to what is traditionally measured in polymers, with unloading stresses greater than loading stresses. This reverse hysteresis could not be replicated using a quasilinear viscoelasticity model, but we developed a Hill-type active fiber model that can describe the experimentally observed hysteresis. These results suggest that cells in highly organized tissues, like arteries, can have strongly anisotropic responses to complex loads, which could have important implications in understanding pathological mechanotransduction.
Postoperative Flap Care and Monitoring After Surgical Reconstruction

The success of microsurgical free flap reconstruction does not end at the final stitch but rather the judicious monitoring and postoperative flap care that take place after. Early detection of compromise to flap circulation can lead to a high salvage rate, and in order to do so, clinical judgment is paramount. However, adjuncts to aid the clinician in monitoring flap perfusion have rapidly developed. Various imaging techniques have been developed with the use of infrared Doppler imaging, handheld or implantable Doppler, infrared thermal readings, and telemedicine in routine monitoring of flaps. This chapter aims to provide an overview as well as the routine practices that we use in our unit which sees a high volume of microsurgical reconstruction. Optimizing overall care of the patient can also improve microsurgical flap success rates with the use of various agents postoperatively that promote or improve systemic and local perfusion of the flap. A dedicated team postoperatively with the skills and knowledge in flap monitoring and care ensures a high rate of microsurgical flap success as shown in this chapter.
Spatio-temporal analysis of urban changes and surface water quality

Abstract The combination of remote sensing techniques and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to measure water quality allows researchers to monitor changes in various water quality parameters over temporal and spatial scales that are not always readily apparent from in situ measurements. This study involves using Landsat images and in situ data within GIS to map urban expansion and its resulting influences on water quality in the Pontchartrain Basin over the last three decades. The Pontchartrain Basin is located in southeast Louisiana and covers an area of 25,000 km2 that encompasses sixteen parishes east of the Mississippi River and four Mississippi Counties. A Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) image from 1985 and a Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI) image from 2015 were processed using the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) algorithm to map urban expansion. In order to estimate how water quality has changed in the Pontchartrain Basin between 1985 and 2015, in situ water quality data from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality was interpolated using Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK). Comparing urban expansion produced from SAM classification with urban indices, impervious surfaces were better identified and distinguished from other land cover features. The results of this study demonstrated that high levels of fecal coliform were consistent with increased urbanization in water bodies in the Pontchartrain Basin. Phosphorous levels were higher in 2015 compared to 1985 and were at levels high enough to lead to eutrophic conditions. Dissolved oxygen levels were lower near the mouth of the Mississippi river in 2015 than in 1985. The results indicated that urbanization has negative impact on water quality. The geospatial model is recommended to effectively manage and reduce the processing time of large water quality datasets.
Early Positive Biopsy in Asymptomatic Post-Allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients Is Not Associated with the Development of Clinical Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Background Histopathology is the gold standard for diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). The phenomenon of a positive early oral biopsy in the absence of clinical symptoms (asymptomatic positive biopsy [APB]) has been previously noted in the literature. but the diagnostic and prognostic value of this finding has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of this phenomenon. Methods Oral buccal mucosal biopsies were taken near day 90 post-transplant from patients who had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) at the NIH Clinical Center (NCT00391170), and who were free of clinical oral GVHD. Scanned, de-identified images of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides of baseline oral biopsies were evaluated by four oral pathologists experienced in evaluating oral GVHD. The incidence of APB and the individual histopathologic features most common in the APB samples were calculated. Pathology data were combined with clinical and demographic data, including pre-transplant conditioning, incidence of acute GVHD, and incidence of mucositis, to determine clinical significance and predictive value of the histopathologic findings. Results At baseline, based on agreement of three of four pathologists' reads, 17 of the 38 biopsies (45%) analyzed were classified as possible or likely oral GVHD. All cases (100%) exhibited inflammation in the lamina propria, and most of this was lymphocytic (94%), while acanthosis was frequently noted (82%). This pathological assessment was not predicted by type of transplant (myeloablative or not), prior acute GVHD or prior mucositis. Patients with cGVHD at more than one site within one year post alloHSCT were likely to also have clinical oral GVHD (Fishers exact test, p Conclusions Oral mucosal biopsies taken early after transplant (
Time-varying moderation of treatment outcomes by illness duration and comorbid depression in generalized anxiety disorder.

Objective To extend the sparse literature on moderators, we used time-varying effect modeling (TVEM; Tan, Shiyko, Li, Li, & Dierker, 2012) to examine how depressive symptoms and duration of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) moderated effects of 3 treatments for GAD (applied relaxation [AR], cognitive-behavioral therapy [CBT], and nondirective therapy [ND]) over time using intensive repeated measures. Method In a secondary analysis of Borkovec and Costello (1993), 66 GAD clients were randomly assigned to AR (n = 23), CBT (n = 23), or ND (n = 20). Clients received 12 therapy sessions over 6 weeks, and after 2 weeks of posttreatment assessment, had 2 additional weekly fading sessions. They completed thrice daily anxiety ratings during this 10-week period. GAD duration (Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-Revised) and depressive symptoms (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) were assessed at baseline. Results Longer GAD duration predicted less anxiety reduction in CBT and ND relative to AR. These effects were pronounced in the later phase of treatment, suggesting benefits of focused relaxation practice for clients with longer duration. Higher depression predicted better response to CBT than AR and ND. The moderation effects were also more noticeable in the later phase. In multilevel analyses, a similar moderation pattern held at 1-year follow-up on clinician-rated measures. Conclusion GAD clients with long-standing symptoms may benefit more from repeatedly practicing fewer skills than learning multiple skills. On the other hand, clients with comorbid depression may respond better to CBT than AR, perhaps because CBT includes cognitive interventions that can generalize to depression. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Addressing the Myths of Terrorism in America

In the aftermath of 9/11, the intersection of sensational media coverage, public fears, and political motivations has contributed to misconceptions about the nature of terrorism and the perpetrator...
Role of graphite crystal structure on the shock-induced formation of cubic and hexagonal diamond

During shock wave compression at about 500,000 atm of pressure and of about 100 nanoseconds duration, graphite is transformed into either hexagonal diamond or cubic diamond, depending on the crystal structure of the graphite crystallites that make up the sample. The figure shows x-ray diffraction data for two types of graphite: (a) and (b) show data for graphite crystallites having hexagonal structure, while (c) and (d) show data for graphite crystallites having turbostratic structure.
Neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of Susac syndrome.

Purpose of review This review discusses general features and organ-specific presentations of Susac syndrome as well as diagnosis and treatment. Recent findings Latest literature regarding demographics, new diagnostic modalities such as optical coherence tomography and treatment options for Susac syndrome are discussed in detail in this review, summarizing the most recent updated information. Summary Susac syndrome is a rare, underdiagnosed, and often misdiagnosed disease that can lead to severe complications such as deafness, vision loss, dementia, and death. It involves the central nervous system and may mimic other neurological and neuro-ophthalmological diseases.
Effects of Structural and Trait Competitiveness Stimulated by Points and Leaderboards on User Engagement and Performance Growth: A Natural Experiment With Gamification in an Informal Learning Environment

Rooted in theories of competitiveness and social comparison, we model the effects of users’ structural and trait competitiveness on their engagement and performance growth in an informal learning e...
Asset Limits in Public Assistance and Savings Behavior Among Low‐Income Families

Objectives Low‐income families receiving public benefits in the United States are often subject to asset limits for eligibility, which some argue to be counterproductive to their long‐term economic stability. Previous research suggests that families were more likely to save when asset limits increased after welfare reform in 1996. The current study builds upon this work for the years before and after the Great Recession. Methods This study utilized data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Assets and bank account ownership of low‐income female‐headed households were compared to multiple control groups for the years 2003–2013 using a difference‐in‐difference analytical approach. Results Results suggest that wealth is associated with race and income, but not with asset limit policies. Bank account ownership was similarly unaffected by Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) policy. Conclusions It is likely that TANF policies are only one of the many barriers to asset accumulation faced by low‐income families, especially in a period of recession.
Establishment of Heterotopic Hind Limb Transplantation Model in the Mouse

Abstract Background The mouse is the most widely used animal for establishing in vivo models in transplant research. However, because of the advanced microsurgical skills required for these operations, the vascularized composite transplantation model in mouse has proven to be technically challenging. The purpose of this report is to describe novel modifications in surgical techniques to establish a consistent and reliable mouse model of hind limb transplantation. Methods Forty C57BL/6 male mice, half as donors and half as recipients, were used in this study. The donor hind limb was harvested and transplanted into the recipient’s ipsilateral cervical region by anastomosing the donor femoral artery to the recipient common carotid artery with a modified sleeve technique. The donor femoral vein was mounted with a modified cuff and inserted into the recipient external jugular vein. The graft was evaluated at 2 weeks postoperatively. Results The modified cuff and modified sleeve technique facilitated anastomoses. The time spent on either of the donor operation and recipient operation was about 45 minutes. The graft survival rate was 80% (16 of 20) at 2 weeks after transplant. There was minimal blood loss and no infections were noted. Conclusions Revised surgical techniques using a modified cuff proved to be a safe, reliable, and reproducible strategy in establishing a mouse model of hind limb heterotopic transplantation. The consistent graft survival in this syngeneic study demonstrates that this model can serve as a useful tool for further studies in vascularized composite transplantation.
34. Prepubertal Vaginal Bleeding: A Rare Presentation of Prepubertal Metastatic Vulvar Crohn's Disease

Background Metastatic Crohn's disease (MCD) is a rare manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease. Vulvar lesions are seen in only 2% of female patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and frequently predate gastrointestinal manifestations in the pediatric population. Subsequently, MCD is a particularly challenging diagnosis in pediatric and adolescent patients with long-term comorbidities and overall decreased quality of life (QOL). Case An 8-year-old female presented to her pediatrician with prepubertal vaginal bleeding, described as initially light pink spotting with wiping that progressed to episodes of bright red bleeding that worsened with activity. Her only other complaints were constipation and generalized groin discomfort. Prior work up from her pediatrician included labs which were significant for iron deficiency anemia out of proportion to her described blood loss. Imaging had also been obtained including a normal pelvic ultrasound and a CT scan which showed diffuse mesenteric fat stranding, characterized as nonspecific but possibly secondary to underlying inflammatory process, and prominent lymph nodes noted within the colon. On physical exam, she was Tanner stage I with significant bilateral vulvar edema and erythema without obvious lesions. The urethral meatus was normal, but the vaginal introitus was difficult to visualize in the office due to the vulvar edema. She was also noted to be at the first percentile for weight and zero percentile for height. She was taken to the operating room for further evaluation, and underwent exam under anesthesia (EUA) with vaginoscopy and vulvar biopsies. EUA again showed significant bilateral vulvar edema with no visible lesions; vaginoscopy showed diffuse inflammation of the vagina and cervix but otherwise no lesions or other abnormalities. Vulvar biopsies revealed lymphangiectasia circumscriptum, which has been associated with CD, neoplasia, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Completion of work up with pediatric gastroenterology is pending at time of this submission, but we anticipate confirmation of diagnosis of CD in the next couple of weeks. Comments Chronic, untreated MCD can lead to significant scarring, disfigurement, increased morbidity, and overall decreased QOL. Unfortunately MCD manifestations do not consistently correspond with gastrointestinal symptoms or flares, and thus require frequent follow-up and surveillance. Given the rarity of the condition, there is limited data regarding vulvar MCD, and first line treatment remains corticosteroids with compression garments for symptomatic control of vulvar edema. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for these patients, and a high degree of suspicion is necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
An Elementary Introduction to Mathematical Finance: Pricing Contracts via Arbitrage

An Example in Options Pricing Suppose that the nominal interest rate is r , and consider the following model for pricing an option to purchase a stock at a future time at a fixed price. Let the present price (in dollars) of the stock be 100 per share, and suppose we know that, after one time period, its price will be either 200 or 50 (see Figure 5.1). Suppose further that, for any y , at a cost of Cy you can purchase at time 0 the option to buy y shares of the stock at time 1 at a price of 150 per share. Thus, for instance, if you purchase this option and the stock rises to 200, then you would exercise the option at time 1 and realize a gain of 200 – 150 = 50 for each of the y options purchased. On the other hand, if the price of the stock at time 1 is 50 then the option would be worthless. In addition to the options, you may also purchase x shares of the stock at time 0 at a cost of 100 x , and each share would be worth either 200 or 50 at time 1. We will suppose that both x and y can be positive, negative, or zero. That is, you can either buy or sell both the stock and the option.
STK11/LKB1 Loss of Function Is Associated with Global DNA Hypomethylation and S-Adenosyl-Methionine Depletion in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma.

STK11 (Liver Kinase B1, LKB1) is the fourth-most frequently mutated gene in lung adenocarcinoma, with loss of function observed in up to 30% of all cases. Our previous work identified a 16-gene signature for LKB1 loss of function through mutational and non-mutational mechanisms. In this study, we applied this genetic signature to TCGA lung adenocarcinoma samples and discovered a novel association between LKB1 loss and widespread DNA demethylation. LKB1-deficient tumors showed depletion of S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e), which is the primary substrate for DNMT1 activity. Lower methylation following LKB1 loss involved repetitive elements (RE) and altered RE transcription, as well as decreased sensitivity to azacytidine. Demethylated CpGs were enriched for FOXA family consensus binding sites, and nuclear expression, localization, and turnover of FOXA was dependent upon LKB1. Overall, these findings demonstrate that a large number of lung adenocarcinomas exhibit global hypomethylation driven by LKB1 loss, which has implications for both epigenetic therapy and immunotherapy in these cancers.
Music, Wellness, and Aging: Defining, Directing, and Celebrating Life

Music is a metaphor that connects people to a profound sense of life. In this book, music intersects with wellness and aging as humans adapt to life changes, stay engaged, remain creative, and achieve self-actualization. Along with discussion of cutting-edge research, the book presents stories and interviews from everyday people as well as professional and non-professional musicians. It discusses individual and social wellness, age-related and pathological changes in health, music therapies, personal resilience and growth, interpersonal and community relationships, work and retirement, spirituality, and the psychology of aging. The case studies show how music, wellness, and aging connect to define, direct, and celebrate life, as these three concepts allow people to connect with others, break down barriers, and find common ground.
Comparison of the condyle-fossa relationship and resorption between patients with and without Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA).

Introduction The most common disease in pediatric rheumatology is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). JIA is considered to be an autoimmune disease with an onset before the age of 16. The temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) has been reported to be involved in up to 87% of patients with JIA. Even though substantial research has been conducted on JIA, limited research has studied to understand its effect on the condyle-fossa relationship and to evaluate resorption amount on condyle by using a scoring system. Aim The purpose of this study was 1) to compare condyle - fossa relationships in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), 2) was to score condylar resorption by using a TMJ indexing system in patients with JIA and without JIA. Methods The present retrospective cross-sectional study included cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images obtained from the sagittal, coronal, and axial slices. In the multidisciplinary Pediatric Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) children with JIA are also examined by a group of orthodontists working in the same institute from October 2018 to July 2019. The predictor variable consists of patients with JIA and without JIA. The primary outcome variables are the depth of the mandibular fossa, joint spaces, axial angles, medio-lateral width, and condyle resorption. Other study variables were age and sex. In this study, the measurements obtained from 2 different groups (with JIA and without JIA) are compared using a t-test, where Tukey is utilized to adjust for multiple comparisons. The left and right joints are analyzed separately as the paired t test conducted showed a significant difference between the 2 joints (P Results The study was comprised of 34 patients diagnosed with JIA and 34 healthy subjects. The depth of the mandibular fossa, the anterior joint spaces, the axial angles, and the resorption index showed statistically significant differences between the JIA and healthy groups in both left and right sides (P .05). Conclusions The results of our study presented the destructive potential of juvenile idiopathic arthritis by using CBCT. CBCT scanning is a helpful tool in the evaluation of the radiographic result of TMJ.
IL-23-dependent IL-17 drives Th1-cell responses following Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination.

Generation of effective T helper cell type 1 (Th1) responses are required for immunity against intracellular bacteria. However, some intracellular bacteria require Interleukin (IL)-17 to drive Th1 immunity and subsequent protective host immunity. Here, in a model of Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination in mice, we demonstrate that the dependence on IL-17 to drive Th1 responses is a host mechanism to overcome bacteria-induced IL-10 inhibitory effects. We show that BCG-induced Prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) promotes the production of IL-10 which limits Th1 responses, while simultaneously inducing IL-23 and Th17 differentiation. The ability of IL-17 to down-regulate IL-10 and induce IL-12 production allows the generation of subsequent Th1 responses. Accordingly, BCG-induced Th17 responses precedes generation of Th1 responses in vivo, while absence of IL-23 pathway decreases BCG vaccine-induced Th17 and Th1 immunity and subsequent vaccine-induced protection upon M.tuberculosis challenge. Importantly, in the absence of IL-10, BCG-induced Th1 responses occurs in an IL-17-independent manner. These novel data project the IL-23/IL-17 pathway in driving Th1 responses, specifically, to overcome IL-10 mediated inhibition and that in absence of IL-10, the generation of BCG induced Th1 immunity is IL-17-independent.
Virtual teaming: Experiments and experiences with distributed pair programming

Pair programming is a practice in which two programmers work together at one computer, collaborating on the same design, algorithm, code or test. Previous studies have shown that pair programmers produce higher quality code in essentially the same amount of time as solo programmers. Additional benefits include increased job satisfaction, improved team communication, and efficient tacit knowledge sharing. However, it may not always be possible for all team members to be collocated due to the rise in teleworking and geographically distributed teams. This paper analyzes the results of two distributed pair programming case studies done at UNC Chapel Hill and at NC State University. Participants used readily available off-the-shelf applications for collaborative software development. The results indicate that software development collaboratively “over the wire” is feasible, effective, and pleasant for the participants; distributed development is better done as synchronous pairs than as individuals who integrate; and distributed pairs maintain many of the advantages of collocated pairs.
Towards scaling laws for subduction initiation on terrestrial planets: constraints from two-dimensional steady-state convection simulations

The strongly temperature-dependent viscosity of rocks leads to the formation of nearly rigid lithospheric plates. Previous studies showed that a very low yield stress might be necessary to weaken and mobilize the plates, for example, due to water. However, the magnitude of the yield stress remains poorly understood. While the convective stresses below the lithosphere are relatively small, sublithospheric convection can induce large stresses in the lithosphere indirectly, through thermal thinning of the lithosphere. The magnitude of the thermal thinning, the stresses associated with it, and the critical yield stress to initiate subduction depend on several factors including the viscosity law, the Rayleigh number, and the aspect ratio of the convective cells. We conduct a systematic numerical analysis of lithospheric stresses and other convective parameters for single steady-state convection cells. Such cells can be considered as part of a multi-cell, time-dependent convective system. This allows us a better control of convective solutions and a relatively simple scaling analysis. We find that subduction initiation depends much stronger on the aspect ratio than in previous studies and speculate that plate tectonics initiation may not necessarily require significant weakening and can, at least in principle, start if a sufficiently long cell develops during planetary evolution.
Shares Outstanding and Cross-Sectional Returns

Post-1970, the change in shares outstanding exhibits a strong cross-sectional ability to predict stock returns. This predictive ability is more statistically significant than the individual predictive ability of size, book-to-market, or momentum. Our finding is related to research that finds that long-run returns are associated with share repurchase announcements, seasoned equity offerings, and stock mergers, although our results remain strong even after exclusion of the data used in these studies. We also provide estimation of the share change relation pre-1970 and find no statistically significant predictive ability for most holding periods.
Key Enabling Technologies for Virtual Private Clouds

The concept of a virtual private cloud (VPC) has emerged recently as a way of managing information technology resources so that they appear to be operated for a single organization from a logical point of view, but may be built from underlying physical resources that belong to the organization, an external service provider, or a combination of both. Several technologies are essential to the effective implementation of a VPC. Virtual data centers provide the insulation that sets one organization’s virtual resources apart from those of other organizations and from the underlying physical infrastructure. Virtual applications collect those resources into separately manageable units. Policy-based deployment and policy compliance offer a means of control and verification of the operation of the virtual applications across the virtual data centers. Finally, service management integration bridges across the underlying resources to give an overall, logical and actionable view. These key technologies enable cloud providers to offer organizations the cost and efficiency benefits of cloud computing as well as the operational autonomy and flexibility to which they have been accustomed.
KNOWLEDGE OF CORONAL HEATING AND SOLAR-WIND ACCELERATION OBTAINED FROM OBSERVATIONS OF THE SOLAR WIND NEAR 1 AU

Clues to the nature of the mechanisms responsible for heating the corona and accelerating the solar wind can be obtained by contrasting the properties of the quasi-stationary and transient states of the solar wind. Substantial differences exist in the proton temperatures and anisotropies, the entropy, the field strength, the Alfvenicity of fluctuations in the field, the distribution of MHD discontinuities, and the helium abundance of the two types of flow. Those differences are displayed as a function of the solar wind speed. Several signals of wave acceleration can be found in the data for quasi-stationary flows. The relatively smooth velocity dependences of proton temperature, helium abundance, and frequency of occurrence of rotational discontinuities suggest that the acceleration mechanisms for flow from coronal holes, coronal streamers, and the quasi-stationary low-speed flows between them may be basically the same, differing only in degree.
CEREBRAL PALSY IN MINNESOTA. STUDY OF PATIENT CARE AND PATIENT NEEDS.

Abstract The Minnesota state-wide cerebral palsy study consisted of promotion of voluntary reporting of known cases, the establishment of an unduplicated register, and the use of a questionnaire to extract from the families information about patient status, care and needs. The study has produced considerable information concerning unmet needs and has provided significant clues so that the care of patients with cerebral palsy may be improved—case finding, medical care, therapy services, education, vocational assistance, and recreation. It should enable the major agencies in Minnesota, concerned with the care of the cerebral palsied, to plan together and pool their funds and efforts, so that the rehabilitation of cerebral palsied patients will be strengthened.
Wearing Qualities of Selected New Mexico Wools Part I: Strength and Elongation

Four lots of wool fiber, selected for fineness and crimp, were manufactured into comparable tropical worsted fabrics for wear in outer garments by girls six to 16 years of age.Breaking strength and elongation were used to measure the changes in the fabrics with wear. The breaking strength of the warp and of the filling of the fabrics made from the fine wools was greater than for the medium wool. Loss in fabric strength was a linear function of the hours of wear. Fabric elongation decreased with hours of wear, but generally, in a less direct fashion than did the strength. ,The backs of the garments and the filling yarns in the backs lost most strength and elongation with wear.
Studies upon the virus of measles

SummaryThe causal excitant of measles exists in the circulating blood during the febrile stage of the disease. The Berkfeld filtered virus blood induces in the monkey, rabbit and guinea pig the symptom complex of human measles.A living agent capable of causing in the experimental animal a concomitant leucopenia and pyrexia may be propagated and subcultured in vitro through several generations upon hydrocele or semi-solid plasma Ringer medium. In the cultures prepared from the unfiltered human measles blood of reacting animals there frequently occurs a small gram positive coccus, which in subplants to blood agar medium grows readily and under aerobic conditions. Cultures of this coccus are likewise capable of inducing in the rabbit a leucopenia and pyrexia following an incubation period of seven to eight days. The coccus culturally and tinctorially corresponds to the culture reported by Tunnicliff. Since the COCCUS was cultured from the unfiltered measles blood, we prefer to reserve opinion at this writing...
Adaptation to sexual orientation stigma: A comparison of bisexual and lesbian/gay adults.

This study extends research on dimensions of sexual minority experience by examining differences between bisexual and lesbian/gay adults in adaptation to sexual orientation stigma. The authors investigated sexual orientation self-disclosure, connection to community, and 4 identity-related variables (internalized homonegativity, stigma sensitivity, identity confusion, and identity superiority) in a community sample of 613 lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. Sexual orientation effects were found on 3 of these 6 variables: Bisexual participants reported higher levels of identity confusion and lower levels of both self-disclosure and community connection relative to their lesbian/gay peers. Taken together, the 6 variables predicted indicators of psychosocial functioning. Associations among the 6 dimensions of sexual minority experience and psychosocial functioning did not differ for bisexual and lesbian/gay participants.
A controllable piecewise linear-output circuit for CCD multiplexers

In certain applications, the single gain of the familiar reset-gate floating-diffusion output circuit limits the performance of a charge-coupled device (CCD) multiplexer used in a focal-plane array (FPA). Incorporation of an additional capacitor at the floating-diffusion node along with a switching MOSFET allows the output circuit to controllably switch from a high-gain to a low-gain state, thereby increasing the performance when detecting both large and small charge packets. This paper first describes such a circuit and then presents experimental results to verify its theory of operation. Discussion of a particular application is also given.
Ovarian vein vs peripheral blood CA125 serum levels : A comparative study

Abstract Objective. Direct sampling from the ovarian vessels may be considered as a supplementary method of ovarian cancer diagnosis providing further clinical information for the staging and localization of ovarian carcinoma. This present multi-institutional study evaluates and compares the clinical values of CA125 serum levels sampled directly from the right and left ovarian veins to the peripheral blood supply in an effort to correlate CA125 values to tumor volume and location. Methods. Serum samples from 43 patients with primary ovarian carcinoma were evaluated for the presence of CA125. All patients underwent surgery for the primary tumor, and stage was defined according to the classification of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The measurement of CA125 was accomplished by radioimmunoassay. Results. Twenty of 20 patients with serous papillary adenocarcinoma, 8/12 patients with tumors of low malignant potential, 6/6 patients with endometrioid carcinoma, 2/4 patients with clear cell adenocarcinoma, and 1/1 patients with mucinous adenocarcinoma had elevated (>35 U/mL) peripheral CA125 levels. Peripheral blood CA125 values had Spearman correlation coefficients of 0.96 and 0.95 with left and right ovarian vein CA125 values, respectively. Similarly, left and right ovarian vein CA125 values had a correlation coefficient of 0.98. CA125 values were moderately correlated with tumor volume in this sample. Spearman correlation coefficients between left ovarian vein CA125 values and left and right tumor volume were 0.51 and 0.43, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficients between right ovarian vein CA125 levels and left and right tumor volume were 0.41 and 0.46, respectively. Those between peripheral CA125 values and left and right tumor volume were 0.56 and 0.36, respectively. Median CA125 values for stage I diseases were elevated (53.25, 101.5, and 74.50 for left, right, and peripheral, respectively). Discussion. Direct sampling from the ovarian veins compared to that from the peripheral veins did not appear to offer additional information regarding ovarian tumor volume and location.
Effect of fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) venom alkaloids on the in vitro germination and development of selected entomogenous fungi

Abstract Solenopsis invicta venom alkaloids were evaluated for antimycotic activity against Beauveria bassiana isolates, AF-4 and 447, Metarhizium anisopliae , and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus . Conidial germination of all isolates after 24 hr decreased with an increase in venom alkaloid concentration in both solid and liquid culture. Percentage germination of all isolates except P. fumosoroseus increased within 48 hr, indicating that the venom alkaloids act fungistatically on B. bassiana and M. anisopliae . Both P. fumosoroseus and M. anisopliae conidia were more sensitive to venom alkaloids than either of the B. bassiana isolates. P. fumosoroseus conidia were the most sensitive to venom alkaloids, since complete inhibition occurred at all concentrations >0.41 μg of alkaloid/cm 2 . B. bassiana (AF-4) was more tolerant to alkaloids than the 447 isolate with significantly higher ( P = 0.05) germination rates at 10, 20, and 30 μg of alkaloid/cm 2 . Vegetative growth of the B. bassiana isolates was also modified by the alkaloids in liquid culture. The hyphal body phase was induced at concentrations above 5 μg/cm 2 after 48 hr. No hyphal bodies were observed in media containing M. anisopliae or P. fumosoroseus at any alkaloid concentration.
Web-Supported Chemistry Education: Design of an Online Tutorial for Learning Molecular Symmetry.

This paper describes our use of the ADDIE protocol to design and develop an interactive tutorial for students learning molecular symmetry operations and point groups. The tutorial provides a 3-D environment where students can examine molecules, structures, and symmetry elements. Most such tutorials are connected to courses or instructors in ways that make them difficult for others to use. Our goal was to create a freely available tutorial that would be independent of course, textbook, or instructor but would scaffold student learning of these abstract concepts. A usability study was also conducted in order to assist the designers in creating or improving key features of the tutorial and to determine whether the tutorial would be viewed as valuable to students. We found that students appreciated the features, especially mouse-overs and applets that afforded the opportunity to freely rotate accurate images of molecules.
Fertilization, Meiosis and Cleavage in Eggs from Large Mass Spawnings of Crassostrea Virginica Gmelin, the Commercial American Oyster

SUMMARYA cytogenetic study was made of over 1600 eggs from 17 mass-spawned groups of 835 wild spawners of the commercial American oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Composition of the several groups varied from all Long Island Sound oysters to two-thirds from other geographic areas, ranging from Prince Edward Island, Canada, to Virginia. The addition of oysters to the spawning groups from outside of Long Island Sound did not have any adverse effects on rate of fertilization, meiosis, cleavage, development to the first larval stage, or metamorphosis to the adult form. Polyspermy though was increased.Abnormalities of fertilization, meiosis, cleavage and heteroploidy occurred in 10 to 86% of the different mass-spawned populations.Evolution must tolerate considerable wastage of eggs and zygotes in a species such as the oyster where a single adult can produce as many as 35 to 65 million eggs. However, this zygotic wastefulness assumes a practical importance now. This is because of the decline of oyster populations...
A Multiple Mediational Test of the Relationship between Childhood Maltreatment and Non-suicidal Self-injury

Post-traumatic stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, and psychological dysregulation have been shown to mediate the relationship between child maltreatment and non-suicidal self-injury. However, these proposed mediators often co-occur and previous research has not tested mediation when all variables are assessed simultaneously. The current study sought to advance the literature on maltreatment and self-injury by estimating the mediational effects of post-traumatic stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, and psychological dysregulation in the same multiple mediator model. Both maltreated (n = 129) and non-maltreated (n = 82) adolescent females, consisting of Caucasian (55%), African-American (37%), and Bi-racial (8%) backgrounds, participated in the study. Results indicated that only post-traumatic stress symptoms mediated the relationship between maltreatment and self-injury when all variables were included in the model. Overall, post-traumatic symptoms represented a unique pathway from maltreatment to self-injury and warrant special attention when assessing and treating such behavior with adolescent females.
Multiple Linear Regression Analysis and Optimal Descriptors: Predicting the Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Inhibition Activity

Quantitative structure–activity relationships have been developed for a set of 40 halogenated substituted N-benzyl-N-phenyl aminoalcohol compounds. IC50 values for Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) inhibition activity for these compounds expressed in log units have been modeled by Multiple Linear Regression Analysis (MLRA) based on descriptors generated by DRAGON software and optimal descriptors approach. Forty benzene derivatives have been divided into training (n=20) and test (n=20) sets. In the case of the MLRA, the three-variable model has the best predictive potential. Comparison of the quality of MLRA and optimal descriptor models shows that the predictive potential of the one-variable model, based on the optimal descriptor, provides a low correlation coefficient in the training set. However, this one-variable model performs better for the test set when compared to the two- and three-variable MLRA models.
Arginine enhances T-cell responses in athymic nude mice.

Supplemental L-arginine has been shown to enhance thymic and T-cell responses in rodents. We examined the ability of supplemental dietary L-arginine to induce T-cell function in athymic nude mice that lack a normally developed T-cell system. Groups of male nude (nu/nu) mice (Balb/c background) 7 to 8 weeks old were given for 2 weeks 1.2% arginine hydrochloride solution for drinking, whereas controls received acidified tap water. All mice ingested a standard laboratory chow. In the first experiment, the arginine-supplemented animals had significantly greater number of T cells in the spleen (assessed by the number of Thy 1.2-positive lymphocytes) and these cells had enhanced mitogenic responses to mitogenic stimulation (phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A). In vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to 2,4-dinitro-1-difluorobenzene were also significantly increased after the 2 weeks of arginine supplementation. In a second experiment, mice maintained under the same conditions were skin grafted with r...
Pros and cons of permutation tests in clinical trials

Hypothesis testing, in which the null hypothesis specifies no difference between treatment groups, is an important tool in the assessment of new medical interventions. For randomized clinical trials, permutation tests that reflect the actual randomization are design-based analyses for such hypotheses. This means that only such design-based permutation tests can ensure internal validity, without which external validity is irrelevant. However, because of the conservatism of permutation tests, the virtues of permutation tests continue to be debated in the literature, and conclusions are generally of the type that permutation tests should always be used or permutation tests should never be used. A better conclusion might be that there are situations in which permutation tests should be used, and other situations in which permutation tests should not be used. This approach opens the door to broader agreement, but begs the obvious question of when to use permutation tests. We consider this issue from a variety of perspectives, and conclude that permutation tests are ideal to study efficacy in a randomized clinical trial which compares, in a heterogeneous patient population, two or more treatments, each of which may be most effective in some patients, when the primary analysis does not adjust for covariates. We propose the p-value interval as a novel measure of the conservatism of a permutation test that can be defined independently of the significance level. This p-value interval can be used to ensure that the permutation test have both good global power and an acceptable degree of conservatism.