cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Special Considerations: Adolescent Pregnancy

The number of adolescent pregnancies in the United States has continued to decline; however, there remains significant concern that racial as well as social disparities contribute to a disproportionate risk for certain vulnerable populations. Many of these same social and demographic factors negatively impact the risk for mental health disorders. Certain mental health disorders, particularly those that more commonly present with impulsive or risky behaviors as part of their symptom complex, pose a higher risk of resulting in an unplanned pregnancy during adolescence. Although there is mixed evidence that adolescent pregnancy alone is causative of mental health disorders for the adolescent parent, there is robust evidence that links adolescent pregnancy to an increased risk of mental, physical, and developmental health concerns for the resulting child. Additionally, there are a myriad of long-term biopsychosocial consequences that can extend into both the adolescent mother and child’s life far beyond the perinatal period.
Six-phase Fractional-slot Concentrated Winding Ferrite Spoke-type Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor for Electric Truck

This paper presents a novel stator-shifted six-phase fractional-slot concentrated winding ferrite spoke-type permanent magnet synchronous machine for an electric truck application. The proposed motor consists of a stator with dual three-phase windings that are 75 degrees apart and a rotor with a ferrite permanent magnet in spoke configuration. To further reduce the torque ripple, one circular void and notch are introduced on the stator and rotor, respectively. The simulation results show that the proposed motor exhibits 138% lower torque ripple, 108% lower back-EMF at 3000 rpm, and 95.5% higher maximum speed with a maximum torque of 2150 Nm and no demagnetization, compared to three-phase integrated-slot distributed winding NdFeB V-type PMSM of Prius 2010.
David Oliver: Has the term "front line" had its day?

The March issue of the London Royal College of Physicians’ Commentary included an excellent essay by Derek Macallan, an infectious diseases specialist, arguing that it was time to stop using the term “front line” in a medical context. The piece finished by asking what, if anything, could replace it.1 Macallan made his case in the context of the pandemic medicine many of us have practised for a year or so. He was concerned that battle metaphors mis-described our roles in caring professions, that they gave an inadvertent message that self-sacrifice and acceptance of personal risk were part of our professional identity, and that being “on the front line” of a “battle” could be used to legitimise an unacceptable drop in standards of conduct, care, or communication. Similarly, in discussions of burnout or moral distress …
Rescue of BDNF expression by the thalamic parafascicular nucleus with chronic treatment with the mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 may contribute to the LY379268 rescue of enkephalinergic striatal projection neurons in R6/2 Huntington’s disease mice

Abstract We have found that daily subcutaneous injection with a maximum tolerated dose of the mGluR2/3 agonist LY379268 (20 mg/kg) beginning at 4 weeks of age dramatically improves the motor, neuronal and neurochemical phenotype in R6/2 mice, a rapidly progressing transgenic model of Huntington’s disease (HD). We also previously showed that the benefit of daily LY379268 in R6/2 mice was associated with increases in corticostriatal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and in particular was associated with a reduction in enkephalinergic striatal projection neuron loss. In the present study, we show that daily LY379268 also rescues expression of BDNF by neurons of the thalamic parafascicular nucleus in R6/2 mice, which projects prominently to the striatum, and this increase too is linked to the rescue of enkephalinergic striatal neurons. Thus, LY379268 may protect enkephalinergic striatal projection neurons from loss by boosting BDNF production and delivery via both the corticostriatal and thalamostriatal projection systems. These results suggest that chronic treatment with mGluR2/3 agonists may represent an approach for slowing enkephalinergic neuron loss in HD, and perhaps progression in general.
Using D-STATCOM in Voltage Regulation of Future Distribution Systems

Due to the development of Distributed Generation (DG), which is installed in Medium-Voltage Distribution Networks such as generators based on renewable energy, voltage control is currently a very important issue. The voltage is now regulated at the MV bus bars acting on the On-Load Tap Changer (OLTC) of the HV/MV transformer. This method does not guarantee the correct voltage value in the network nodes when the distributed generators deliver their power. In this study, the problem of using OLTC for the voltage regulation of a radial distribution feeder will be solved by using reactive power compensation using D-STATCOM at the DG connected bus. Simulation results reveal that the proposed control method is capable of maintaining the system voltage within the permitted range in the worst scenarios of the test system.
Retinal and Choroidal Manifestations of Viral Diseases

Several viral infections may involve the retina and choroid. These viruses include herpesviruses, rubella, rubeola, influenza, Epstein-Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and West Nile virus. The predominant causes of viral retinitis and choroiditis are viruses of the Herpesviridae family. Classic findings of infection include vitritis, periarteritis, necrotizing retinitis, and optic neuropathy.
The Challenges of Creating a Gold Standard for De-identification Research

We created a Gold Standard corpus comprised over 20,000 records of annotated narrative clinical reports for use in the training and evaluation of NLM Scrubber, a de-identification software system for medical records. Our experience with designing the corpus demonstrated the conceptual complexity of the task.
Flowfield Analysis of a Scramjet Combustor with a Coaxial Fuel Jet

A calculation procedure for predicting turbulent mixing and burning.and skin friction and wall heat transfer in a scramjet combustor with a central fuel jet from a gas generator has been developed. All the important physical and chemical processes have been modeled, including the upstream influence of heat release on the initial conditions and the pressure distribution in the duct. Calculations for a representative engine with Shelldyne H fuel at Mach 4 and 7 indicate that a combustor 1 to 2 m long is sufficient to insure complete heat release but that substantial nonuniformity of the combustor exit flow would still exist. The skin friction and wall heat transfer are both shown to be very sensitive to the local pressure gradient and to the impingement of combustion products and turbulence from the central jet mixing and burning zone. However, the responses of these two quantities are not of the same importance, and they are not in phase.
Thermal stability of amorphous Ti 3 Si 1 O 8 thin films

Abstract Films (220 nm-thick) deposited by reactive rf sputtering from a Ti 3 Si target with an argon/oxygen gas mixture were annealed for 30 min in vacuum at temperatures between 400 and 900°C. The films were characterized by 2 MeV He 2+ backscattering spectrometry and X-ray diffraction to monitor thermally induced changes. As-deposited, the films are X-ray-amorphous. First signs of crystallization appear at 600°C. Their composition remains constant and uniform throughout that temperature range, except for the loss of argon that is initially present in the film at a concentration of about 1 at.% and that fully escapes within 5 min at 650°C. Films without silicon obtained from a pure titanium target by reactive rf sputtering with oxygen and of a composition of Ti 1 O 2 are also X-ray-amorphous but crystallize much more readily. The significance of these results is discussed relative to other ternary films of analogous compositions that also tend to form highly stable amorphous or near-amorphous phases (‘mictamict’ alloys).
Coagulation and reversal of charge of lyophobic colloids by hydrolyzed metal ions: IV. Chromium(III) nitrate and perchlorate☆☆☆

Abstract The coagulation and the reversal of charge of silver bromide sols by freshly prepared and aged solutions of chromium(III) nitrate and chromium(III) perchlorate has been investigated. The aging was accomplished either by storing the chromium salt solutions at room temperature or by heating these at 90°C. for various periods of time. The “log. concentration chromium salt vs. pH” domains of coagulation and of stabilization due to the reversal of charge have been determined. The results are discussed in light of the existing information on the hydrolysis and polymerization of chromium(III) ion.
Parallel multilevel methods

Chapter 7 is concerned with iterative methods for solving the linear system $$Au = b$$ (1) where A is a given square nonsingular N × N matrix and b is a given vector. A frequently used procedure for solving Equation 1 involves choosing a standard basic iterative method of the form $$u^{\left( {n + 1} \right)} = G_s u^{\left( n \right)} + k_s $$ (2) where for some nonsingular (splitting) matrix Q s we have $$\left\{ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} {G_s = I - Q_s^{ - 1} A} \\ {k_s = Q_s^{ - 1} b} \\ \end{array} } \right.$$ (3) Examples of such iterative procedures are Richardson’s method, where Q s = I, and the Jacobi method, where Q s = D.
MEDICAID REFORM IN OKLAHOMA: LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION SOURCES ON A COMPLICATED ISSUE

How do legislators make up their minds when voting on complex issues such as health care reform? This paper seeks to answer that question and provide insight as to which sources legislators rely on for information. This paper uses a research strategy similar to that used by John Kingdon (1989) in his study of congressional voting decisions and David Ray's 1982 study of voting cues in state legislatures. The research is based on the Oklahoma Legislature's adoption of a managed care system for its Medicaid program in 1993. The data for this study are drawn from a survey sent to members of the Oklahoma Legislature and interviews with 25 legislators and others involved in the policy process.
Different Requirements for cAMP Response Element Binding Protein in Positive and Negative Reinforcing Properties of Drugs of Abuse

Addiction is a complex process that relies on the ability of an organism to integrate positive and negative properties of drugs of abuse. Therefore, studying the reinforcing as well as aversive components of drugs of abuse in a single model system will enable us to understand the role of final common mediators, such as cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), in the addiction process. To this end, we analyzed mice with a mutation in the α and Δ isoforms of the CREB gene. Previously we have shown that CREBαΔmutant mice in a mixed genetic background show attenuated signs of physical dependence, as measured by the classic signs of withdrawal. We have generated a uniform genetically stable F1 hybrid (129SvEv/C57BL/6) mouse line harboring the CREB mutation. We have found the functional activity of CREB in these F1 hybrid mice to be dramatically reduced compared with their wild-type littermates. These mice maintain a reduced withdrawal phenotype after chronic morphine. We are now poised to examine a number of complex behavioral phenotypes related to addiction in a well defined CREB-deficient mouse model. We demonstrate that the aversive properties of morphine are still present in CREB mutant mice despite a reduction of physical withdrawal. On the other hand, these mice do not respond to the reinforcing properties of morphine in a conditioned place preference paradigm. In contrast, CREB mutant mice demonstrate an enhanced response to the reinforcing properties of cocaine compared with their wild-type controls in both conditioned place preference and sensitization behaviors. These data may provide the first paradigm for differential vulnerability to various drugs of abuse.
Detection of interval distant metastases: clinical utility of integrated CT-PET imaging in patients with esophageal carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy.

BACKGROUND. The objective of the study was to determine the utility of integrated computed tomography / positron emission tomography (CT-PET) imaging for detecting interval distant metastases and assessing therapeutic response in patients with locally advanced, potentially resectable esophageal carcinoma after neoadjuvant therapy. METHODS. A retrospective study was performed of 88 patients with potentially resectable esophageal carcinoma who received neoadjuvant therapy before planned surgical resection. CT-PET before and after completion of neoadjuvant was used for evaluating therapeutic response; response criteria were based on qualitative and semiquantitative analyses. RESULTS. Neoadjuvant therapy comprised chemoradiotherapy in 85 patients, with prior induction chemotherapy in 39 patients. Fifty-five patients proceeded to esophagectomy. Repeat CT-PET was performed after induction chemotherapy (n = 23) and after completing chemoradiotherapy (n = 85). CT-PET identified the interval appearance of metastatic disease in 7 (8%) patients. For assessment of locoregional therapeutic response, CT-PET was unable to predict pathological response to neoadjuvant therapy in the primary tumor or locoregional lymph nodes. CT-PET had sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 57%, 46%, 39%, and 64%, respectively, for detection of residual macroscopic malignancy within the primary tumor; and sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 0%, 90%, 0%, and 69% for detection of residual malignancy within resected lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS. CT-PET performed after neoadjuvant therapy in patients with potentially resectable esophageal carcinoma is important for detecting interval metastases that preclude surgical resection, but is of limited utility for assessing locoregional therapeutic response. Cancer 2007. © 2006 American Cancer Society
Robustness and Variability of Neuronal Coding by Amplitude-Sensitive Afferents in the Weakly Electric Fish Eigenmannia

We investigated the variability of P-receptor afferent spike trains in the weakly electric fish, Eigenmannia, to repeated presentations of random electric field AMs (RAMs) and quantified its impact on the encoding of time-varying stimuli. A new measure of spike timing jitter was developed using the notion of spike train distances recently introduced by Victor and Purpura. This measure of variability is widely applicable to neuronal responses, irrespective of the type of stimuli used (deterministic vs. random) or the reliability of the recorded spike trains. In our data, the mean spike count and its variance measured in short time windows were poorly correlated with the reliability of P-receptor afferent spike trains, implying that such measures provide unreliable indices of trial-to-trial variability. P-receptor afferent spike trains were considerably less variable than those of Poisson model neurons. The average timing jitter of spikes lay within 1–2 cycles of the electric organ discharge (EOD). At low, but not at high firing rates, the timing jitter was dependent on the cutoff frequency of the stimulus and, to a lesser extent, on its contrast. When spikes were artificially manipulated to increase jitter, information conveyed by P-receptor afferents was degraded only for average jitters considerably larger than those observed experimentally. This suggests that the intrinsic variability of single spike trains lies outside of the range where it might degrade the information conveyed, yet still allows for improvement in coding by averaging across multiple afferent fibers. Our results were summarized in a phenomenological model of P-receptor afferents, incorporating both their linear transfer properties and the variability of their spike trains. This model complements an earlier one proposed by Nelson et al. for P-receptor afferents of Apteronotus. Because of their relatively high precision with respect to the EOD cycle frequency, P-receptor afferent spike trains possess the temporal resolution necessary to support coincidence detection operations at the next stage in the amplitude-coding pathway.
Frontotemporal Cerebral Blood Flow Change During Executive and Declarative Memory Tasks in Schizophrenia: A Positron Emission Tomography Study

Schizophrenia affects prefrontal and temporal-limbic networks. These regions were examined by contrasting regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during executive (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test [WCST]), and declarative memory tasks (Paired Associate Recognition Test [PART]). The tasks, and a resting baseline, were administered to 15 patients with schizophrenia and 15 healthy controls during 10 min positron emission tomography 15O-water measures of rCBF. Patients were worse on both tasks. Controls activated inferior frontal, occipitotemporal, and temporal pole regions for both tasks. Similar results were obtained for controls matched to level of patient performance. Patients showed no activation of hypothesized regions during the WCST and activated the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during the PART. On the PART, occipitotemporal activation correlated with better performance for controls only. Better WCST performance correlated with CBF increase in prefrontal regions for controls and in the parahippocampal gyrus for patients. Results suggest that schizophrenia may involve a breakdown in the integration of a frontotemporal network that is responsive to executive and declarative memory demands in healthy individuals.
Palatal cytosol cortisol-binding protein associated with cleft palate susceptibility and H–2 genotype

GENETICALLY different inbred strains of mice have different susceptibilities to the production of cleft palate by a standard dose regimen of corticoids at the critical period during palatal organogenesis1. Because in target tissues corticoids form a specific cytoplasmic cortisol–receptor complex which interacts with the genome, resulting in activation or depression of transcription2,3, we have postulated that susceptibility to corticoid-induced cleft palate is mediated by genetic differences in a cytosolic corticoid receptor protein(s) in palatal anlagen4. Other studies have suggested that susceptibility to cortisone-induced cleft palate is regulated by genes closely linked to the H–2 locus5. We report here that the total level of cytosolic protein binders of 3H-cortisol in maternal and foetal palates on day 11 of gestation correlates with susceptibility to cleft palate and with the H–2 genotype. After separation of macromolecular bound hormone from free hormone on columns of Sephadex G-25 and further separation by microelectrofocusing6, only one maternal and foetal palatal cytosol binder for 3H-cortisol (pI 6.9–7.0) was found to correlate with susceptibility to cleft palate and the H–2 genotype. Thus, a product of a gene in or near the H–2 locus seems to be the glucocorticoid receptor, the level of which must be increased for a congenital malformation to occur.
Conducting Health Disparities Research with Criminal Justice Populations: Examining Research, Ethics, and Participation

This study explored the challenges of informed consent and understanding of the research process among Black and Latino men under community supervision (e.g., parole and/or probation). Between February and October 2012, we conducted cognitive face-to-face interviews using open-ended questions on the significant areas of research participation (i.e., the informed consent process, confidentiality, compensation, what is meant by human subject and clinical trials) among 259 men aged 35 to 67 under community supervision in Bronx, New York. Content analysis of the open-ended questions revealed limited knowledge concerning the understanding of research participation. The study participants appeared to generally understand concepts such as compensation after research participation and confidentiality. Participants demonstrated a lack of understanding of certain aspects of the research process-informed consent, human subject, Institutional Review Board, and clinical trials. These findings are informative to researchers conducting studies with criminal justice populations and Institutional Review Boards reviewing research studies.
Pranayama: Breathing From The Heart

This essay is a testimonial account of the author's apprenticeship with a yoga teacher in the Hindu pilgrimage town of Rishikesh, Northern India. It explores the meeting of Western and Eastern attitudes to spirituality, desire, the body, study, and breathing. In particular, it seeks to register the encounter with the Vedantin and yogic notions of the "cave of the heart" as privileged space for prayer, peace, and meditation.
A method of scaling and checking computer circuits

IN RECENT YEARS the analog computer has become available to a large number of design and development engineers. It is not difficult for an engineer to become proficient in the use of the analog computer, but one problem which confronts all who use it is that of scaling: How many volts represent one inch? Three popular scaling methods are: (1) the ?actual equation-machine equation method,?1?2 (2) the ?per-unit method,? and (3) the ?direct analogy method.? The first method is better suited to the mathematician than to the engineer because it deals with equations of the system being studied. The system equations are rewritten in terms of computer voltages and are then called ?machine equations.? This tends to cause the engineer to think in terms of the computer rather than to retain a physical picture of the actual equipment he is developing. The other two methods are better in this respect since the thinking tends to be more in terms of actual physical variables. However, when using either of these two methods, many engineers feel that the tie between actual and computer variables is not firm or concrete and that the probability of making a mistake is high enough to introduce uncertainty, especially when integrators or differentiators are involved.
Spirituality and Uncertainty at the End of Life

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To examine the theoretical congruency between uncertainty and spirituality at the end of life (EOL). DATA SOURCES Relevant empirical and theoretical articles using the key words spirituality, uncertainty, terminal illness, and similar derivatives were drawn from the databases of CINAHL®, MEDLINE®, PsycINFO, and SocINDEX. DATA SYNTHESIS Spirituality and uncertainty were compared for theoretical congruency based on five general categories: prevalence, temporality, interpretation, quality, and directionality. The categories were drawn from the uncertainty literature and looked at the ability of spirituality and uncertainty to contribute to or detract from health. CONCLUSIONS This article presents an innovative way of viewing how spirituality is experienced at the EOL. The likelihood that uncertainty and spirituality can coexist as a simultaneous and even blended construct that influences the EOL is supported and warrants additional exploration. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Health professionals must recognize the prevalence of spiritual uncertainty in the lives of their patients and understand the need to frequently assess for spiritual uncertainty. Specific recommendations are provided to guide professionals in addressing spiritual uncertainty with patients.
Inverse dielectric function of a periodic-superlattice.

We present here explicit analytic results for the inversion of the longitudinal dielectric function of an infinite periodic superlattice of identical plane sheets of mobile electrons. The results are expressed in terms of the dynamic nonlocal two-dimensional polarizability of a single sheet of electrons. The inverse dielectric function developed here for a periodic superlattice is also extended to incorporate the role of optical phonons of the background host material.
Structural probe of a glass-forming liquid: Generalized compressibility

We introduce a structural quantity to probe the glass transition. This quantity is a linear generalized compressibility which depends solely on the positions of the particles. We have performed a molecular dynamics simulation on a glass-forming liquid consisting of a two-component mixture of soft spheres in three dimensions. As the temperature is lowered (or as the density is increased), the generalized compressibility drops sharply at the glass transition, with the drop becoming more and more abrupt as the measurement time increases. At our longest measurement times, the drop occurs approximately at the mode coupling temperature T C . The drop in the linear generalized compressibility occurs at the some temperature as the peak in the specific heat. By examining the inherent structure energy as a function of temperature, we find that our results are consistent with the kinetic view of the glass transition in which the system falls out of equilibrium. We find no size dependence and no evidence for a second order phase transition, though this does not exclude the possibility of a phase transition below the observed glass transition temperature. We discuss the relation between the linear generalized compressibility and the ordinary isothermal compressibility, as well as the static structure factor.
Excited states and emission spectroscopy of organometallic compounds interpreted by time-dependent theory

Abstract Luminescence spectra of organometallic molecules in crystals or glasses are discussed and interpreted by using the time-dependent theory of electronic spectroscopy. Emphasis is placed on determining bond length and bond angle changes (excited-state distortions) between the ground and excited electronic states. The physical meaning of the dynamic processes and the molecular properties are described and illustrated with both theoretical calculations and experimental spectra. The discussion begins with spectra involving only one displaced normal mode, and continues with the effects of multiple normal modes. Both common features and unusual effects (the `Beat' and the `MIME') are described and interpreted. Finally, the effects of normal mode coupling and of electronic state coupling are briefly described.
Repair of radiation complications in the head and neck.

Complications attendant on the use of irradiation in the head and neck occurred in 72 of 128 patients at the M. D. Anderson Hospital. The author outlines a rational approach to the patient with head and neck cancer that can help in preventing undesirable sequelae. Dental status, tumor location, and patient compliance are major factors that bear on incidence of major complications of radiation. Recent advances in reconstructive surgery now permit safe transfer of tissue with its intrinsic blood supply-not dependent, as in the past, on the local radiated area for its vascularity. When complications of radiation therapy occur, they are usually late and in some instances no treatment is indicated or desired. Clinical examples are used to identify specific areas of concern.
Prognostic impact of human epidermal growth factor-like receptor 2 and hormone receptor status in inflammatory breast cancer (IBC): analysis of 2,014 IBC patient cases from the California Cancer Registry

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer associated with overexpression of Her2/Neu (human epidermal growth factor-like receptor 2 (HER2)) and poor survival. We investigated survival differences for IBC patient cases based on hormone receptor status and HER2 receptor status using data from the California Cancer Registry, as contrasted with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and non-T4 breast cancer. A case-only analysis of 80,099 incident female breast cancer patient cases in the California Cancer Registry during 1999 to 2003 was performed, with follow-up through March 2007. Overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BC-SS) were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards ratios. A total of 2,014 IBC, 1,268 LABC, 3,059 MBC, and 73,758 non-T4 breast cancer patient cases were identified. HER2+ was associated with advanced tumor stage (P < 0.0001). IBC patient cases were more likely to be HER2+ (40%) and less likely to be hormone receptor-positive (HmR+) (59%) compared with LABC (35% and 69%, respectively), MBC (35% and 74%), and non-T4 patient cases (22% and 82%). HmR+ status was associated with improved OS and BC-SS for each breast cancer subtype after adjustment for clinically relevant factors. In multivariate analysis, HER2+ (versus HER2-) status was associated with poor BC-SS for non-T4 patient cases (hazards ratio = 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.28) and had a borderline significant association with improved BC-SS for IBC (hazards ratio = 0.82, 95% confidence interval = 0.68 to 0.99). Despite an association with advanced tumor stage, HER2+ status is not an independent adverse prognostic factor for survival among IBC patient cases.
The regulation of nuclear DNA template restrictions by acidic polymers.

Abstract As presented in the Introduction it is now apparent that in heterokaryon cells cytoplasmic factors are capable of interacting with mammalian nuclei and inducing nucleic acid synthesis. These nucleocytoplasmic interactions are accompanied by a marked increase in nuclear volume, dispersion of chromatin and increase in nuclear DNA template function. To our knowledge the only factors which are capable of mimicking all of these cellular effects on isolated nuclei are specific large acidic polymers such as acidic proteins, acidic polysaccharides and ribonucleic acids. We have initiated a detailed study of the interactions of various types of acidic polymers on isolated nuclei and chromatin and our observations have formed the basis for this review. The regulation of DNA synthesis in mammalian cells may be a complex process involving multiple enzyme systems and initiating factors (see reviews by Simpson (1), Stein and Baserga (66) and Barlow (115)). Many of these regulatory processes require specific events at various phases of the cell cycle (65). Increasing attention has been focused on the possible role of nuclear acidic proteins as one of the important factors in regulating nucleic acid synthesis in the cell (66). The models which we have proposed in our studies may provide new insight into this problem.
Improving student learning by addressing misconceptions

Students—and often those who teach them—come to class with preconceptions and misconceptions that hinder their learning. For instance, many K–12 students and teachers believe groundwater exists in the ground in actual rivers or lakes, but in fact, groundwater is found in permeable rock layers called aquifers. Such misconceptions need to be addressed before students can learn scientific concepts correctly. While other science disciplines have been addressing preconceptions and misconceptions for many years, the geoscience community has only recently begun to concentrate on the impact these have on students' learning. Valuable research is being done that illuminates how geologic thinking evolves from the “novice” to “expert” level. The expert is defined as an individual with deep understanding of Earth science concepts. As research progresses, geoscientists are realizing that correcting preconceptions and misconceptions can move teachers and students closer to the “expert” level [Libarkin, 2005].
Exploring Periods of Psychological Development in MENA (Middle East North Africa) Societies: A Tentative Model

This article draws upon insights from Gary S. Gregg to sketch an outline of periods of psychological development in one MENA (Middle East North Africa) society, ancient Israel, fleshing it out with select examples from the Bible. Cross-cultural psychology is the most appropriate discipline for pursuing this project. Six stages from infancy to adulthood are investigated constituting a first step in developing a suitable model for similar future research.
Predictors of positive cooperative behavior in youths.

This chapter explores factors that predict adolescent participation in cooperative activities, which may indicate a predisposition to become involved in community activities later in life. It specifically examines the idea that middle schoolers' subjective experience of challenge may be linked to cooperative behavior later in adolescence.
Basis for the barrier abnormality in atopic dermatitis: Outside-inside-outside pathogenic mechanisms

Until quite recently, the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) has been attributed to primary abnormalities of the immune system. Intensive study revealed the key roles played by TH1/TH2 cell dysregulation, IgE production, mast cell hyperactivity, and dendritic cell signaling in the evolution of the chronic, pruritic, inflammatory dermatosis that characterizes AD. Accordingly, current therapy has been largely directed toward ameliorating TH2-mediated inflammation and pruritus. In this review we will assess emerging evidence that inflammation in AD results from inherited and acquired insults to the barrier and the therapeutic implications of this paradigm.
Biosynthesis and intracellular movement of the melanosomal membrane glycoprotein gp75, the human b (brown) locus product.

Abstract A 75-kDa melanosomal glycoprotein (gp75) is the product of a gene that maps to the b (brown) locus, a genetic locus that determines coat color in the mouse. The b locus is conserved (88% identity) between mouse and human. The mouse monoclonal antibody TA99 was used to study the biosynthesis and processing of gp75. gp75 was synthesized as a 55-kDa polypeptide, glycosylated by addition and processing of five or more Asnlinked carbohydrate chains through the cis and trans Golgi, and transported to melanosomes as a mature 75kDa form. Synthesis and processing of gp75 was rapid ( T 1 2 min ), and early steps in processing were required for efficient export of gp75 to melanosomes. Fully processed mature gp75 was quite stable ( T 1 2 = 22–24 h ) in the melanosome. Digestion of high-mannose carbohydrate chains with endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H revealed two alternative processed forms of gp75 that differed in the number or composition of complex-type carbohydrate chains. The rate of synthesis and movement through intracellular membrane compartments was the same for both glycosylated forms. Studies with inhibitors of steps in oligosaccharide processing showed that alternative forms of gp75 were generated during trimming reactions by mannosidase IA/IB and that further maturation resulted in the two mature forms of gp75. We propose that the kinetics of biosynthesis and processing reflect events in the biogenesis and maturation of melanosomes.
In situ monitoring of the electrochemical absorption of deuterium into palladium by x-ray diffraction using synchrotron-wiggler radiation

With low energy x-rays, such as those from a Cu x-ray tube, only the outer few microns of a metallic sample can be probed. This low penetrating power prohibits structural studies from being carried out on the interior of an electrode in an electrochemical cell because of absorption by the cell material, electrodes and the electrolyte. The work described in this paper circumvents this problem by utilizing high energy, high brightness x-rays produced on the superconducting wiggler beam line, X-17C, at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The penetrating power of the higher energy x-rays allowed Pd diffraction spectra to be obtained in-situ on a 1 mm diameter Pd wire cathode during electrolysis of heavy water. Moreover, the beam (28 × 28 μm in cross-section) allowed diffraction spectra to be acquired as a function of distance across the sample. Spectra were recorded in 50 μm steps from the edge of the Pd wire to its core. This was done at 2 minute intervals as a function of electrolysis time. The α-β phase transition induced in the Pd while deuterium was electrochemically absorbed was observed by monitoring the Pd-(422) diffraction peaks. Results allowed the diffusion rate and the diffusivity of deuterium atoms in the Pd wire to be determined. Other features of the structural changes associated with the absorption of deuterium into Pd are reported.
CD28 blockade induces division-dependent downregulation of interleukin-2 receptor alpha.

Abstract Background Blockade of T cell costimulatory molecules represents a promising new method of attenuating donor-reactive T cell responses to promote graft survival following transplantation. However, recent studies in murine models have shown the presence of an initial high frequency of naive donor-reactive T cells may render this strategy ineffective. Methods In this report, we examined the phenotypic changes associated with CD28 blockade on T cells stimulated at increasing precursor frequencies in vitro . Results We found that treatment with the CD28 blocker CTLA-4 Ig resulted in downregulation of the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor (CD25) in a division-dependent manner. Significantly, blockade of the CD28 pathway was more effective in down-regulating CD25 when the donor-reactive T cell population was present at low as compared to high precursor frequency. Conclusions These results imply that treatment with CD28 blockers and anti-CD25 mAbs may cooperate in promoting graft survival under conditions of low MHC matching where the donor-reactive T cell precursor frequency is high.
Ultrafast Time-Resolved Transient Structures of Solids and Liquids Studied by Means of X-ray Diffraction and EXAFS

Picosecond and nanosecond transient structures have been observed directly using time-resolved X-ray diffraction and absorption. These experiments provide insight on the evolution of transient molecular structure on the atomic length scale during the course of a chemical reaction. Recent advances in the generation of short X-ray pulses and detectors have made time-resolved X-ray studies a reality. We discuss a few of the vast number of possible time-resolved structure studies in solids and fluids. Ultrafast relaxation dynamics of crystal lattice structures induced by picosecond and nanosecond laser pulses have been observed by means of time-resolved picosecond and nanosecond X-ray diffraction. Lattice deformation with 10 ps and 10-3 A resolution have been performed. The picosecond X-ray system, which we have used, is described, and its application to time-resolved ultrafast X-ray diffraction in crystals and EXAFS in liquids is discussed.
Characterization of three-dimensional crystallographic distributions using polychromatic X-ray microdiffraction

Abstract Polychromatic microdiffraction uses small X-ray beams to characterize the local crystallographic structure of materials. When combined with a depth resolving technique called differential aperture microscopy, the phase and local orientation of femto-liter volumes (0.5 × 0.5 × 0.7 μm 3 ) can be resolved beneath the surface of a sample. In addition, the local elastic strain and dislocation tensors can also be determined and the local dislocation type can be modeled. Here we present recent technical developments, including example applications and emerging research directions.
Optical control of coherent lattice vibrations in tellurium

We present femtosecond time-resolved measurements of the dielectric tensor of tellurium under single and double pulse excitation. We demonstrate the ability to both enhance and cancel coherent lattice vibrations for large lattice shifts under near-damage threshold excitation. The excitation conditions for which cancellation is achieved in tellurium reveal a departure from the low-excitation strength behavior of similar materials.
Designing Stem-Cell Based Anti-HIV Therapies using Molecular-Detailed Multiscale Models

Although HAART ensures normal lives for HIV-infected individuals, it does not lead to a functional cure. In 2008, the “Berlin patient”, a HIV-infected cancer patient, underwent a bone marrow transplant from a CCR5-/- donor. Since then, he has shown no signs of active HIV-1 replication in the absence of HAART. However, finding such a matched donor for each HIV patient is challenging; instead, inserting anti-HIV genes into patients’ or matched donors’ stem cells before transplantation could provide HIV-resistance to the progeny target cells and lead to a functional cure.We developed a molecular-detailed, mechanistic model of HIV infection to design stem-cell therapies using endogenous anti-HIV genes and to identify logistics of successful treatment. The model simulates the dynamics of HIV infection to track key restriction factors and their interactions with HIV-encoded proteins, the virus, and multiple immune cell types: CD4+ T-cells, macrophages, latently-infected T-cells, and CTLs. Using viral load and T-cell count data from HIV-infected individuals, we explored interpatient variability of stem-cell therapies by creating a virtual population of HIV patients.Our model predicted that APOBEC3G overexpression at medium or high transduction efficiency could effectively stop HIV replication and increase the T-cell count to normal levels. SAMHD1 overexpression in macrophages even at high transduction efficiency is not by itself a potent inhibitor of HIV replication; it stabilizes the viral load and slightly improves the T-cell count. However, the model predicted APOBEC3G-SAMHD1 synergy: faster viral decay and return to normal T-cell counts at lower overexpression levels. Surprisingly, HIV-triggered pro-apoptosis gene circuits combined with APOBEC3G overexpression were predicted to negatively impact HIV replication blockade if expressed at low transduction efficiency. This is because some infected T-cells die at a faster rate, weakening the effect of immune response in killing the remaining infected cells.
Hamilton weights and Petersen minors

A (1, 2)-eulerian weight w of a cubic graph is called a Hamilton weight if every faithful circuit cover of the graph with respect to w is a set of two Hamilton circuits. Let G be a 3-connected cubic graph containing no Petersen minor. It is proved in this paper that G admits a Hamilton weight if and only if G can be obtained from K4 by a series of Δ↔Y-operations. As a byproduct of the proof of the main theorem, we also prove that if G is a permutation graph and w is a (1,2)-eulerian weight of G such that (G, w) is a critical contra pair, then the Petersen minor appears “almost everywhere” in the graph G. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 38: 197–219, 2001 Dedicated to Professor Yong-Jin Zhu for his 70th Birthday.
The Theory of a Three-Terminal Capacitor

Theoretical equations are derived for the insertion loss of a three-terminal capacitor which check the experimental curves within their precision of measure. The condenser is assumed to behave like some equivalent transmission line and the line constants of this line determined as a function of frequency. Skin effect and proximity effect are taken into consideration, and engineering curves are plotted to make the prediction of the behavior of such a condenser easy to determine.
Minor sesquiterpene lactones of Helianthus pumilus

Abstract The isolation of four known and two new germacradienolides and one known heliangolide from Helianthus pumilus , in addition to the previously report
Debris Denting Effects on Elastohydrodynamic Lubricated Contacts

A finite element model was developed to investigate the effects of a spherical debris on elastohydrodynamically lubricated rolling/sliding contacts. Three dimensional dent profiles were obtained using finite element method showing horseshoe shape material pile-up along the rolling direction. The dent profiles obtained from the finite element analysis (FEA) were compared with the experimental results. There is good qualitative agreement between FEA and experimental dent profiles. The FEA dent profiles were then used in a time dependent thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) point contact model to analyze the dent effects on the pressure, film thickness and temperature profiles. The presence of a dent in lubricated contacts generates high pressure spikes and increases the peak temperature. The internal stresses were calculated based on the pressure and traction data obtained from the EHL analysis. The results indicate that a dent created by a debris will cause the internal maximum Von Mises stress to occur near the surface, which contributes to surface initiated failures.
Tracking Fiber Formation in Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide with Automated 2D-IR Spectroscopy

Amyloid forming proteins have been implicated in many human diseases. The kinetics of amyloid fiber formation are of particular interest because evidence points to intermediate folding structures as potential cytotoxic species. The standard methods for monitoring the kinetics are to use fluorescence or circular dichroism spectroscopy, which do not uniquely resolve secondary structures. In this work, we use a new technology for rapidly scanning 2D-IR spectra that allows us to follow the fiber formation kinetics of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) that is involved in type II diabetes. Spectroscopic markers are identified that uniquely monitor random coil versus β-sheet secondary structures as well as probe β-sheet elongation and stacking. Our measurements provide more rigorous kinetics for the secondary structure evolution of amyloid formation than is available with other techniques.
Testing measurement reliability in older populations: methods for informed discrimination in instrument selection and application.

Objective: The authors recommend confidence intervals as measures of precision for reliability coefficients, regression modeling as supplements for such omnibus reliability statistics, and unreliability detection as a goal of reliability testing distinct from reliability inference. Methods: Illustrative reliability analyses are conducted on measures selected from a study of clinical features associated with urinary tract infection in older nursing home residents. Results: Standard methods for reliability testing (e.g., kappa coefficients) are often inappropriate for small samples, and exact methods or descriptive reliability statistics are viable alternatives. Discussion: Supplementation of omnibus statistics by loglinear regression modeling is especially appropriate for aging research because it facilitates tests of marginal homogeneity and comparisons of reliability results for relatively young and old subgroups. Latent class regression analysis is useful for older samples because multifactorial health ...
Thermal desorption study of the acetic acid decomposition on clean Ni/Cu(110) alloy surfaces

Abstract The decomposition of acetic acid was studied on a clean Ni/Cu(110) alloy single crystal by means of thermal desorption spectroscopy. The primary alloy surface composition employed in this work was 37% Ni and 63% Cu as measured by Auger electron spectroscopy. Acetate was the predominant surface intermediate observed, giving rise to the CO2 and H2 decomposition products observed, in analogous fashion to the decomposition of formic acid. Surface carbon residue was also detected and could be driven into the bulk by annealing the sample above 900 °K. The rate constant for the decomposition of the acetate intermediate on the alloy was found to be 1013.5 exp(−33(kcal/mol)/RT)sec−1. The autocatalytic decomposition of both carboxylic acids previously observed on a clean Ni(110) surface was totally suppressed. The product distribution from acetic acid observed on both the 37% Ni/65% Cu alloy and the carburized Ni(110) surfaces were very similar, indicating chemical similarities between these two surfaces. At high coverages of the acetate intermediate the activation energy for CO2 formation increased by 14 kcal/gmol. This effect was attributed to strong attractive interactions in the adsorbate layer.
Multimode fiber-optics coupler with low insertion loss

A fiber-optics coupler is described which is simple to fabricate, is directional, leaves the fiber intact, and has an insertion loss of <0.05 dB. The coupler utilizes the energy contained in the leaky modes of the fiber. The coupling ratio may be varied by changing the type of light source and input conditions. Possible applications are to optical data bus links of up to a few hundred meters or as power or mode monitors.