cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization and purification of polydisperse reconstituted lipoproteins and nanolipoprotein particles

Heterogeneity is a fact that plagues the characterization and application of many self-assembled biological constructs. The importance of obtaining particle homogeneity in biological assemblies is a critical goal, as bulk analysis tools often require identical species for reliable interpretation of the results—indeed, important tools of analysis such as x-ray diffraction typically require over 90% purity for effectiveness. This issue bears particular importance in the case of lipoproteins. Lipid-binding proteins known as apolipoproteins can self assemble with liposomes to form reconstituted high density lipoproteins (rHDLs) or nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs) when used for biotechnology applications such as the solubilization of membrane proteins. Typically, the apolipoprotein and phospholipids reactants are self assembled and even with careful assembly protocols the product often contains heterogeneous particles. In fact, size polydispersity in rHDLs and NLPs published in the literature are frequently observed, which may confound the accurate use of analytical methods. In this article, we demonstrate a procedure for producing a pure, monodisperse NLP subpopulation from a polydisperse self-assembly using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with high resolution particle imaging by atomic force microscopy (AFM). In addition, NLPs have been shown to self assemble both in the presence and absence of detergents such as cholate, yet the effects of cholate on NLP polydispersity and separation has not been systematically examined. Therefore, we examined the separation properties of NLPs assembled in both the absence and presence of cholate using SEC and native gel electrophoresis. From this analysis, NLPs prepared with and without cholate showed particles with well defined diameters spanning a similar size range. However, cholate was shown to have a dramatic affect on NLP separation by SEC and native gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, under conditions where different sized NLPs were not sufficiently separated or purified by SEC, AFM was used to deconvolute the elution pattern of different sized NLPs. From this analysis we were able to purify an NLP subpopulation to 90% size homogeneity by taking extremely fine elutions from the SEC. With this purity, we generate high quality NLP crystals that were over 100 μm in size with little precipitate, which could not be obtained utilizing the traditional size exclusion techniques. This purification procedure and the methods for validation are broadly applicable to other lipoprotein particles.
Theoretical and conceptual framework for a high school pathways to pharmacy program.

Objectives. To determine whether participation in the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy (UIC-COP) Pathways to Pharmacy, an early urban pipeline program, motivated underrepresented minority students to pursue a prepharmacy curriculum in college and choose pharmacy as a career. Methods. Over a 4-year period, underrepresented minority high school students participated in a comprehensive 6-week program that included 3 weeks of prepharmacy curriculum and intensive socialization and 3 weeks working as a pharmacy technician in a chain pharmacy. The High School Survey of Student Engagement (HSSSE) was administered 3 times to 120 program participants from 2005–2008, with 4 open-ended questions added to the pretest, 3 open-ended questions added to the test administered at the midpoint of the program, and 7 open-ended questions added to the posttest. Results. After completing the program, 88 (75%) of the 120 students enrolled in the college's prepharmacy curriculum and planned to pursue a career ...
The design and implementation of the PartoPen maternal health monitoring system

The World Health Organization advocates the paper partograph as the single most effective tool for monitoring labor and reducing labor complications in developing countries. Used correctly, the partograph can serve as a tool for early detection of serious maternal and fetal complications during labor, allowing sufficient time for an appropriate response. However, in order to be effective, the partograph must be used correctly. Recent studies in Kenya reported that less than one fourth of partographs were completed in accordance with WHO guidelines. In developing countries, lack of training and continuing education, exacerbated by limited resources, represents a serious barrier to effective partograph use. The goal of the PartoPen project is to increase the effectiveness of the partograph using an interactive digital pen with custom software, together with partograph forms printed with a background dot pattern that is recognized by the pen. This paper describes the design and implementation of the PartoPen system, and the technical evolution of the PartoPen system during studies that evaluated the PartoPen in use in Nairobi, Kenya from June 2012 -- August 2012.
What Controls Recent Changes in the Circulation of the Southern Hemisphere: Polar Stratospheric or Equatorial Surface Temperatures?

Recent research suggests that both tropical ocean warming and stratospheric temperature anomalies due to ozone depletion have led to a poleward displacement of the midand high-latitude circulation of the Southern Hemisphere over the past century. In this study, we attempt to distinguish the influences of ocean warming and stratospheric cooling trends on seasonal changes of both the zonally symmetric and asymmetric components of the southern hemisphere circulation. Our analysis makes use of three data sets-the ERA40 reanalysis and results from two different runs of the GFDL global atmosphere and land model (AM2.1) for the period 1870 to 2004. A regression analysis was applied to two variables in each of the three data sets-the zonal component of the surface wind U(10 m) and the height at 300 hPa—to determine their correlation with zonally averaged polar stratospheric temperatures (T_polar—at 150 hPa, averaged over a band from 70S - 80S) and low-level equatorial temperatures (T_equator—at 850 hPa averaged over a band at 5S - 5N). Our analysis shows that the zonally symmetric surface winds have a considerably enhanced intensity in high latitudes of the southern hemisphere over the summer period, and that the stratospheric temperature trend, and thus ozone depletion, is the dominant contributor to that change. However, the climatic change of the asymmetric component of zonal wind component at z = 10 m (U10) as well as of 300hPa heights has been found to be large for both summer and winter periods. Our regression results show that correlation with T_equator (our proxy for global warming) explains most of the climatic changes for the asymmetric component of U10 and 300 hPa heights for summer and winter periods, suggesting the influence of warming of the global oceans on anticyclones south of the Indian Ocean and south-eastern Pacific Ocean.
Late rescue of proximal endograft failure using fenestrated and branched devices.

Objective Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) will fail over time in a percentage of patients. Mechanical failure of the device, progression of aortic disease, or interface complications between the device and the native vasculature may contribute. Our aim was to evaluate the role of fenestrated and branched endografts as treatment options for failed devices. Methods Between January 2001 and June 2013, 970 patients were enrolled into a physician-sponsored investigational device exemption (PSIDE) study and treated with a fenestrated/branched endograft. All patients treated for nonurgent proximal neck failure of an infrarenal endoprosthesis previously implanted during EVAR comprised the study group. Patients treated for a primary aneurysm within the PSIDE were evaluated as a comparison group to identify preoperative risk factors for failure. A retrospective review was undertaken to determine the details of the initial EVAR, whereas the prospective PSIDE database was used to assess outcomes of secondary treatment. Three-dimensional imaging techniques were used to define all morphologic measurements. Statistical analysis included comparisons between categoric variables with the χ 2 test and between continuous variables with the Wilcoxon rank sum test between patients with late failures and those with native aortic repair. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze overall survival. Results Of 970 patients enrolled in the PSIDE, 54 (5.6%) had late failure of a prior endograft. Fenestrated/branched devices were used to address the failure in each patient. The etiology of failure was related to a proximal neck issue in all patients: type Ia endoleak in 38, stent migration in 18, neck degeneration in 28, or some combination of these factors. The endovascular rescue procedure took place a mean of 61 months after the primary procedure. The mean aneurysm diameter at reintervention was 67 mm. Patients requiring a secondary fenestrated procedure were younger at the time of their primary intervention ( P = .039) and were more likely to have a history of chronic renal insufficiency ( P = .05) compared with other patients in the PSIDE. Technical success rate in the study group was 85% (44 of 52). Successful stenting was achieved in 71 of 77 (92%) target vessels. Thirty-day mortality was 3.8% (two of 52). Fluoroscopy dose and operating time were longer in the rescue group ( P = .07) than in the control group ( P = .008). Secondary interventions were required in 36.5% (19 of 52) of patients. Conclusions Our series demonstrates the risk for late failure after EVAR is greater in patients who are younger and have chronic renal impairment at the time of implantation. Branched and fenestrated repair after failed EVAR is more complex than repair in the native aorta. More research is needed to identify patients at higher risk of failure after EVAR to prevent the need for rescue in the future.
VisualWikiCurator: a corporate Wiki plugin

Knowledge workers who maintain corporate wikis face high costs for organizing and updating content on wikis. This problem leads to low adoption rates and compromises the utility of such tools in organizations. We describe a system that seeks to reduce the interactions costs of updating and organizing wiki pages by combining human and machine intelligence. We then present preliminary results of an ongoing evaluation of the tool.
Decision-making and thought processes among poker players

This study was aimed at delineating decision-making and thought processing among poker players who vary in skill-level. Forty-five participants, 15 in each group, comprised expert, intermediate, and novice poker players. They completed the Computer Poker Simulation Task (CPST) comprised of 60 hands of No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em. During the CPST, they were asked to ‘think out loud’ throughout the hand. The 60 hands were broken down into two time conditions (e.g., 15 seconds and no time restriction). Findings indicated that expert and intermediate players outperformed novice players in decision-making (DM) performance. This difference was largest at later stages of the hand. Expert players reported processing more thoughts than intermediate players and novice players. Additionally, experts and intermediates reported attending to situational-relevant cues while novices focused on basic poker considerations and irrelevant cues. Contrary to research in other areas, the novice players displayed the greatest increa...
Dynamic small strain measurements of a metal specimen with a split Hopkinson pressure bar

When a conventional split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) is used to investigate the dynamic flow behavior of ductile metals, the results at small strains (ɛ≲2%) are not considered valid owing to fluctuations associated with the early portion of the reflected signal and the nonequilibrated stress state in the specimen. When small-strain behavior is important, such as in the case of determining the elastic behavior of materials, the accuracy of a conventional SHPB is not acceptable. Using a pulse-shaping technique, the dynamic elastic properties can be determined with a SHPB, as well as the dynamic plastic flow. We present a description of the experimental technique and the experimental results for a mild steel. The dynamic compressive stress-strain curve is composed of a lower strain-rate elastic portion and a high strain-rate plastic flow portion.
Generation of a P1 artificial chromosome library of the Southern pufferfish.

Abstract We describe the generation of a P1 artificial chromosome genomic library from the Southern pufferfish, Spheroides nephelus. The arrayed library consists of ∼30,000 clones and has an average insert size of 125–150 kb. The coverage is estimated to encompass seven to eight genome equivalents. The library has been used for isolating numerous genomic clones and for establishing contigs of several multigene families. Analysis of several of the clones from this library suggests a preponderance of CA repeat tracts relative to their abundance in humans. The library and high-density filters have been made available to the scientific public through genomics distribution companies.
Linear summation of tilt illusion and tilt aftereffect.

Abstract A comparison of the tilt aftereffect (TAE) and the simultaneous tilt illusion (TI) revealed very similar angular functions. When an aftereffect and a simultaneous illusion of opposite signs were paired by first adapting to a clockwise orientation and then presenting the vertical test line together with a counterclockwise inducing line, the two effects summed linearly. The results suggest a unitary mechanism of TAE and TI. and are consistent with the hypothesis that they are manifestations of lateral inhibition between orientation detectors.
Warm Dense Matter - An Emerging Frontier in Plasma and Condensed Matter Science

Summary form only given. Warm Dense Matter is a name I used in 2000 to draw attention to the missing link between condensed matter and plasma physics, one that has broad relevance to other disciplines such as shock physics, material science, astrophysics, and Inertial Confinement Fusion science. By Warm Dense Matter I am referring to states with temperatures comparable to their Fermi energy, and densities that are sufficiently high that the Coulomb potential energy of interaction among ions exceeds their kinetic energy. Such a temperature-density condition brings to bear all the complexities including structural disorder, electronic excitation, electron degeneracy and ion-ion correlation. It renders conventional theories inadequate and Warm Dense Matter is a unique challenge and a new frontier in modern-day plasma and condensed matter science. This is also the temperature-density condition that places Warm Dense Matter in the region of the phase diagram that describes the transformation of a solid into a plasma, a process central to the production of laboratory high-energy-density plasmas using pulsed power or lasers. At LLNL, we have developed a unique approach of Isochoric Laser Heating for the production of well-defined Warm Dense Matter states. This has enabled us to obtain the first data on electrical conductivity, critical energy density for lattice disassembly, as well as intraband and interband transitions for warm dense gold at energy densities up to 1012 J/m3. The results have far reaching significance including the impetus to advance condensed matter physics beyond the adiabatic approximation.
A stable cyclopentenyl trication derivative

Abstract A cyclopentenyl trication stabilized by five propylamino substituents was prepared, as well as a related cyclopentadienone derivative.
Effects of shear deformation on buckling and free vibration of laminated composite beams

Abstract Buckling and free vibration of stepped laminated composite beams were studied using simple higher-order theory (SHOT) which assumes a cubic distribution for the displacement field through the thickness. The results were compared to those from Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and Timoshenko's first-order shear beam theory. The results from SHOT did not show significant differences to those from Timoshenko theory for a wide range of aspect ratios of the beam geometry and material properties. In addition, the results from SHOT did not necessarily show more compliant results than those from Timoshenko beam theory. A two-dimensional (2-D) elasticity solution was obtained for the buckling of clamped-clamped beams to further investigate this phenomenon. The 1-D shear beam theories of Timoshenko and SHOT resulted in more compliant responses than 2-D solutions. The shear beam theories approached the 2-D solution from below while Euler-Bernoulli beam theory approached the 2-D solution from above.
Post-hospitalization transitional care needs of depressed elderly patients: models for improvement.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In the weeks immediately following psychiatric hospital discharge, severely depressed elderly patients are at risk of 'falling through the cracks' in a complex health care system: becoming lost to follow-up, receiving inadequate care, or requiring prompt readmission. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent literature on the comorbid physical health problems and complex care needs of elderly patients hospitalized for depression. This paper will also review recent initiatives to improve the quality of care transitions for elderly patients discharged from medical hospitals that may be adaptable to a severely depressed population. RECENT FINDINGS: Due to shorter hospital stays, comorbid physical health problems, and limitations in functional capacity, severely depressed elderly patients discharged from psychiatric hospitals have complex service needs, and numerous barriers to care, immediately following hospital discharge. There is a lack of research specifically addressing the transitional care needs of this population. Improvement interventions assigning transitional care providers to chronically medically ill elderly patients immediately after medical hospital discharge have shown decreased rates of rehospitalization and emergency services utilization, and appear to be cost-effective. SUMMARY: Further research is needed to adapt successful transitional care interventions targeting chronically ill elderly patients in medical hospitals to severely depressed elderly patients being discharged from psychiatric hospitals.
Predictive value of the presence of an embryonic heartbeat for live birth: comparison of women with and without recurrent pregnancy loss

Objective To determine the predictive value of an embryonic heart rate (EHR) for a live birth in women with and without a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Design Prospective cohort study with concurrent controls. Setting A subspecialty clinic for couples with RPL. Patient(s) Three hundred pregnant women who previously had been diagnosed with RPL, followed prospectively compared with 300 age-, race-, and gestational age–matched pregnant control women. Intervention(s) Transvaginal sonography between 6 to 8 weeks of gestation. Main outcome measure(s) The EHR was determined between 6 and 8 weeks of gestation by transvaginal sonography. Obstetrical history and current pregnancy outcome were evaluated. Result(s) Data were analyzed by using the two-tailed t test and Fisher's exact test. In women with RPL, an EHR predicted a successful live birth in 246 (82%) of 300, compared with 294 (98%) of 300 in control women. The mean (± SD) EHR from successful pregnancies in the control group (143.2 ± 20.8 beats per minute) was significantly higher than the mean in women with a history of RPL (131.4 ± 22.9 beats per minute). Conclusion(s) An EHR in women with RPL is associated with a live birth rate of 82% and is significantly lower than EHR in controls. Clinicians should use this information to counsel patients with RPL.
Therapeutic Intervention of Trauma and Stress Brought on by Divorce

Abstract The trials and tribulations of experiencing a divorce are not easy for anyone who has seen it firsthand. Regardless of how the divorce occurs, it is important to note that there are hurt parties in need of healing. This article suggests a model based on EMDR, hypnosis, and NLP that may be combined with the efforts of mediation, divorce education, and support and counseling groups to reduce the pain and anguish being experienced. It is only when the parent(s) are free from the trauma associated from divorce that they may serve as a positive influence on their children.
MIRROR REFLECTION METHOD FOR NEUTRON SPECTRAL MEASUREMENT

Abstract A mirror reflection method (MR) was developed and tested for analyzing the wavelength distribution of a thermal neutron beam. The working principle of this method is that, at a given angle of incidence, a neutron mirror totally reflects neutrons whose wavelengths are longer than the critical wavelength while weakly reflects neutrons whose wavelengths are shorter than the critical wavelength. As the critical wavelength is proportional to the incident angle, the incident angle can be scanned at small intervals so that the critical wavelength sweeps through the entire spectrum of the beam. It is shown that the spectral density at the critical wavelength is proportional to the derivative of the count rate with respect to the incident angle. Reflection experiments were carried out at the MIT research reactor using a nickel-coated glass plate and the results were compared with the time-of-flight spectrum. It was shown that the mirror method is capable of measuring a thermal spectrum with a wavelength resolution of 1% at 3 A and 10% at 0.5 A. Potential applications of this method may be found in neutron and X-ray scattering spectroscopies. The method may apply to energy analysis of cold neutrons and X-rays used in materials research since they also experience total reflection at small angles.
Clinical relevance of MRD in children undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation for ALL.

The toxicity and expense of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is such that it is currently reserved for the treatment of children deemed to be at unacceptable risk of relapse when treated with chemotherapy alone. Although ASCT carries at least 10% treatment-related mortality, the commonest cause of death in transplant recipients is relapse of the original disease. This chapter reviews the literature pertaining to the clinical significance of minimal residual disease (MRD) in ASCT. Particular emphasis is placed on the strong correlation between pre-transplant minimal residual disease burden and clinical outcome. Recommendations for the design of MRD-based therapeutic trials are given.
Origins of Fluorine NMR Chemical Shifts in Fluorine-Containing Proteins†

Fluorine NMR chemical shifts from proteins containing fluorinated amino acids are usually dispersed over a wide range when the protein is in its native conformation. The shift dispersion essentiall...
Differential enrichment of cells from embryonic rat cerebra by centrifugal elutriation.

—Centrifugal elutriation was used to obtain different populations of cells dissociated from 16-day-old rat embryo cerebra. The cell populations recovered were viable and could be maintained for several weeks in vitro. Sterile conditions were maintained throughout a preparation. Rat pups were removed by Caesarean section, the cerebra dissected and the cells dissociated by brief exposure to trypsin (0.125%, 6 min). An equivalent volume of elutriation medium (Dulbecco's medium containing 1% fetal calf serum, sodium bicarbonate, penicillin and streptomycin, EDTA, and deoxyribonuclease) was added to the trypsin-cell suspension, the dissociated cells pelleted, resuspended in elutriation medium and counted. Up to 4 x 108 cells were injected into the previously sterilized elutriator. Seven fractions were usually recovered from a preparation. The first fraction contained primarily red blood cells and cell debris, which could not be maintained in vitro. Upon culture, fraction 2 consisted of predominantly non-neuronal cells, while fractions 3–6 contained neuronal and non-neuronal cells. The morphological characteristics of the neurons differed in these fractions. Fraction 7 contained cells that had reaggregated during the elutriation procedure and exhibited a variety of cell types in vitro.
Characterization of Polypropylene Nanocomposite Structures

This study describes the synthesis, mechanical properties, and morphology of nanophased polypropylene structures. The structures were manufactured by melt-blending low weight percentages of montmorillonite nanoclays and polypropylene thermoplastic. Both virgin and infused polypropylene structures were then subjected to quasi-static tensile, flexural, hardness and impact tests. Analysis of test data show that the mechanical properties increase with an increase in nanoclay loading up to a threshold of 2 wt. %; thereafter, the material properties degrade. At low weight nanoclay loadings the enhancement of properties is attributed to the lower percolation points created by the high aspect ratio nanoclays. The increase in properties may also be attributed to the formation of intercalated and exfoliated nanocomposite structures formed at these loadings of clay. At higher weight loading, degradation in mechanical properties may be attributed to the formation of agglomerated clay tactoids. Results of transmission electron microscopy studies and scanning electron microscopy studies of the fractured surface of tensile specimens verify these hypotheses.
Hypercoagulability in athletes

Risk factors for thromboembolism are well known, and athletes are placed under conditions that can result in exposure to several of these risk factors, which include travel, trauma, immobilization, hemoconcentration, and polycythemia. Presence of a genetic hypercoagulable disorder adds additional risk. Overall management is no different than in nonathletes. Thrombolysis is strongly recommended for upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) coupled with surgical decompression of obstructive structures if indicated. Thrombolytic therapy does not appear to be necessary for treatment of lower extremity DVT. Prevention of DVT with travel can be achieved through general techniques such as leg exercises, hydration, and loose fitting clothes. Aspirin before travel shows some benefits of protection, but individuals at higher risk may need low molecular weight heparin. Athletes should be screened during preparticipation physicals for thromboembolic risk. Individuals on anticoagulation therapy should not participate in collision or contact sports. Return to play with gradual increase in intensity is recommended with careful monitoring for recurrent venous thromboembolism and management of post-thrombotic symptoms.
Resolving ambiguity in nonmonotonic inheritance hierarchies

Abstract This paper describes a theory of inheritance theories. We present an original theory of inheritance in nonmonotonic hierarchies. The structures on which this theory is based delineate a framework that subsumes most inheritance theories in the literature, providing a new foundation for inheritance. • • Our path-based theory is sound and complete w.r.t. a direct model-theoretic semantics. • • Both the credulous and the skeptical conclusions of this theory are polynomial-time computable. • • We prove that true skeptical inheritance is not contained in the language of path-based inheritance. Because our techniques are modular w.r.t. the definition of specificity, they generalize to provide a unified framework for a broad class of inheritance theories. By describing multiple inheritance theories in the same “language” of credulous extensions, we make principled comparisons rather than the ad hoc examination of specific examples that makes up most of the comparative inheritance work.
EUV mask absorber defect repair with focused ion beam

In this paper, the Extreme Ultra Violet (EUV) mask absorber repair using focused ion beam (FIB) is investigated. It is well known that focused ion beam repair for the opaque defect removal can easily cause both damage and gallium staining or contamination to the substrate. The damage and gallium staining will induce a localized transmission loss in the case of conventional transmission optical mask. The situation become even worse in the case of reflective EUV mask since gallium is very absorbent at EUV wavelength of 13.4 nm. In addition, the incident beam travels double path through the damaged region due to the reflective nature of the mask. To minimize or even eliminate the repair induced damage, we designed a mask flow to incorporate a SiO 2 sacrificial layer beneath the metal absorber layer. This sacrificial layer will become a buffer layer for the metal defect repair. The repair, therefore, will only result in the damage on the sacrificial SiO 2 layer instead of EUV reflective multilayer (ML). After the repair, the damaged and contaminated SiO 2 layer will be etched away by either wet or dry etch. In the study, we performed both high voltage of 30 kv repair and low voltage of 10 kv repair. We found that in addition to use a sacrifice layer, low voltage focused ion beam repair is also necessary to ensure the damage and contamination free ML substrate.
Geometrical Criteria to Guarantee Curvature Continuity of Blend Surfaces

Computer Aided Geometric Design (CAGD) of surfaces sometimes presents problems that were not envisioned in classical differential geometry. This paper presents mathematical results that pertain to the design of curvature continuous blending surfaces. Curvature continuity across normal continuous surface patches requires that normal curvatures agree along all tangent directions at all points of the common boundary of two patches, called the linkage curve. The Linkage Curve theorem proved here shows that, for the blend to be curvature continuous when it is already normal continuous, it is sufficient that normal curvatures agree in one direction other than the tangent to a first order continuous linkage curve. This result is significant for it substantiates earlier works in computer aided geometric design. It also offers simple practical means of generating second order blends for it reduces the dimensionality of the problem to that of curve fairing, and is well adapted to a formulation of the blend surface using sweeps. From a theoretical viewpoint, it is remarkable that one can generate second order smooth blends with the assumption that the linkage curve is only first order smooth. The geometric criteria presented may be helpful to the designer since curvature continuity is a technical requirement in hull or cam design problems. The usefulness of the linkage curve theorem is illustrated with a second order blending problem whose implementation will not be detailed here.
Attribute transformations for data mining I: Theoretical explorations

Attribute (feature) transformations on databases are examined from a data mining prospect. Theoretical examples from classical mathematics are used to illustrate the effects of the transformations: (1) Certain examples show that attribute transformations are the only means to bring out the patterns to visible states. (2) There are no apparent hints from the raw data as to what transformations could be employed; domain experts need to be in the loop of data mining. (3) All transformations can be expressed, or more precisely approximated, by polynomials. Such expressions provide some means for a brute force search (one degree at a time) of the transformations. A reasonable success in a linear case (degree one) is reported in Ref. 2. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Schools, Families, and the Development of Young Children.

Abstract From a developmental perspective, hothousing is a matter of concern, for it is based on a conception of the preschool child's future which is too narrow to include the complex creative and social needs these children will face. The idea that children must be prepared for a technologically dominant future may be responsible for a mandate for hothousing. Preschool children need a “Back to Basics” preschool program which focuses on broad psychological goals and a developmental base rather than the limited achievement goals usually associated with such programs. Outside of the school, parents influence the preschool child's attitudes about intellectual growth, individuality and belonging, and coping with change. Parents and schools should provide complementary systems to deal with the challenging developmental needs of preschoolers.
Parenting practices in pregnancy smokers compared to non smokers

Background: The present investigation compared parenting practices in a sample of preschoolers whose mothers reported smoking during pregnancy versus those who did not. Methods: A sample of n = 21 6, 3.0- to 5.11-year-old children, participants in an ongoing longitudinal study, was separated into those reportedly exposed to smoking in utero and those who were not. Parenting practices were compared between the two groups, using T-tests and exact logistic regressions. Multiple linear regressions and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the association between smoking status and parenting, controlling for variables also known to be associated with parenting practices. Results: Current study findings suggest that smoking during pregnancy is associated with harsh parenting practices. Conclusions: Study results highlight the possible role of parenting in disruptive outcomes well-known in toddlers exposed to nicotine in utero and have implications for targeting early interventions in these populations. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jocmr1283w
Report on the utilization of ethanolamine-1-14C by Mycobacterium 607.

Abstract Ethanolamine utilization by cell-free extracts of M 607 reveals that the 14C of ethanolamine-1-14C is incorporated into glycine, serine and alanine. The proposed pathway for the formation of these components is closer to bacterial systems. However, the formation of ethanolamine phosphate suggests its role as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, a major nitrogen-containing phosphatide.
Environmental regulations and the problem of sustainability: Moving beyond "market failure"

Abstract The standard metaphor of market failure is an impediment to the crafting of environmental policy that can escape policy lock in. Sustainability requires a policy process that can avoid this lock in. Sustainability concerns the creation of dynamic human processes that can respond to—indeed anticipate—unanticipated feedback from biological processes.
Practical global oceanic state estimation

Abstract The problem of oceanographic state estimation, by means of an ocean general circulation model (GCM) and a multitude of observations, is described and contrasted with the meteorological process of data assimilation. In practice, all such methods reduce, on the computer, to forms of least-squares. The global oceanographic problem is at the present time focussed primarily on smoothing, rather than forecasting, and the data types are unlike meteorological ones. As formulated in the consortium Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO), an automatic differentiation tool is used to calculate the so-called adjoint code of the GCM, and the method of Lagrange multipliers used to render the problem one of unconstrained least-squares minimization. Major problems today lie less with the numerical algorithms (least-squares problems can be solved by many means) than with the issues of data and model error. Results of ongoing calculations covering the period of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment, and including among other data, satellite altimetry from TOPEX/POSEIDON, Jason-1, ERS- 1/2, ENVISAT, and GFO, a global array of profiling floats from the Argo program, and satellite gravity data from the GRACE mission, suggest that the solutions are now useful for scientific purposes. Both methodology and applications are developing in a number of different directions.
Comparison of Two Methods of Goniometry

This investigation was conducted to determine if there are significant differences between the lateral and the over-the-joint methods of goniometry for measurements of the elbow joint. Forty physical therapy students with previous goniometric training were divided randomly into four goniometric measurement groups: 1) lateral method for an obtuse angle, 2) lateral method for an acute angle, 3) over-the-joint method for an obtuse angle, and 4) over-the-joint method for an acute angle. All students in each group participated in four sessions during which a proctor's elbow joint was measured according to the method of the assigned goniometric measurement group. The joint was held in a fixed position by a plywood stabilizing device. The results of a three-factor analysis of variance with repeated measures on one factor showed that there was no difference between the lateral and the over-the-joint methods of goniometric measurement of the elbow joint.
Shape and Illumination from Shading using the Generic Viewpoint Assumption

The Generic Viewpoint Assumption (GVA) states that the position of the viewer or the light in a scene is not special. Thus, any estimated parameters from an observation should be stable under small perturbations such as object, viewpoint or light positions. The GVA has been analyzed and quantified in previous works, but has not been put to practical use in actual vision tasks. In this paper, we show how to utilize the GVA to estimate shape and illumination from a single shading image, without the use of other priors. We propose a novel linearized Spherical Harmonics (SH) shading model which enables us to obtain a computationally efficient form of the GVA term. Together with a data term, we build a model whose unknowns are shape and SH illumination. The model parameters are estimated using the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers embedded in a multi-scale estimation framework. In this prior-free framework, we obtain competitive shape and illumination estimation results under a variety of models and lighting conditions, requiring fewer assumptions than competing methods.
Increased TGF-β1-mediated suppression of growth and motility in castrate-resistant prostate cancer cells is consistent with Smad2/3 signaling

BACKGROUND Elevated TGF-β levels are associated with prostate cancer progression. Although TGF-β is a tumor suppressor for normal epithelial and early-stage cancer cells, it may act paradoxically as a tumor promoter in more advanced cancers, although its effects are largely cell and context dependent. This study analyzed prostate cancer responses to TGF-β signaling in an isogenic model of androgen-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. METHODS Phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2 and Smad3 were analyzed using immunoblotting. Proliferation and cell cycle responses to TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml) were assessed using growth assays and flow cytometry for DNA content, as well as Western blot and immunoprecipitation of cell cycle proteins. RESULTS Both androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and castration-resistant (C4-2 and C4-2B) prostate cancer cell lines demonstrated TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad2/3 that was robust in metastatic lines. Smad phosphorylation was completely abrogated with inhibition of ALK-5 kinase activity using the kinase inhibitor, SB-431542. Increased sensitivity to TGF-β1-mediated growth inhibition was observed in C4-2 and C4-2B cells, as compared to LNCaP cells. This was paralleled with downregulation of Cyclin D and increased association of p15Ink4b or p27Kip with CDK's. Additionally, TGF-β1 inhibited motility and invasion of metastatic cell lines. CONCLUSIONS TGF-β-mediated suppression of growth and motility is enhanced in metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. Enhanced TGF-β1-induced Smad2 and -3 signaling in prostate cancer cells may correlate with tumor suppressive activity. Therefore, the direct effects of TGF-β1 on prostate cancer cells post-castration may be anti-tumorigenic and growth-suppressive. Prostate 72:1339–1350, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elements of low power design for integrated systems

The increasing prominence of portable systems and the need to limit power consumption and hence, heat dissipation in very high density VLSI chips have led to rapid and innovative developments in low power design recently. Leakage control is becoming critically important for deep sub-100 nm technologies due to the scaling down of threshold voltage and gate oxide thickness of transistors. In this paper, we discuss major sources of power dissipation in VLSI systems, and various low power design techniques on the technology and circuit level, logic level, and system level.
Application of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound to the Study of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Though intrinsically of much higher frequency than open-field blast overpressures, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) pulse trains can be frequency modulated to produce a radiation pressure having a similar form. In this study, 1.5-MHz HIFU pulse trains of 1-ms duration were applied to intact skulls of mice in vivo and resulted in blood-brain barrier disruption and immune responses (astrocyte reactivity and microglial activation). Analyses of variance indicated that 24 h after HIFU exposure, staining density for glialfibrillary acidic protein was elevated in the parietal and temporal regions of the cerebral cortex, corpus callosum and hippocam- pus, and staining density for the microglial marker, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule, was elevated 2 and 24 h after exposure in the corpus callosum and hippocampus (all statistical test results, p , 0.05). HIFU shows promise for the study of some bio-effect aspects of blast-related, non-impact mild traumatic brain injuries in animals. (E-mail: Joseph.McCabe@usuhs.edu) Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.
Repression and solidary cultures of resistance: Irish political prisoners on protest.

Social activists and especially insurgents have created solidary cultures of resistance in conditions of high risk and repression. One such instance is an episode of contention by Irish political prisoners in the late 1970s. The “blanketmen” appropriated and then built a solidary culture within spaces that had been under official control. Their ability to maintain such a collective response was enhanced by an intensifying cycle of protest and violent reprisal, including extreme stripping of their material environment, in which the prisoners gained considerable initiative. This study uses interviews and contemporary writings by prisoners, prison authorities, visitors, and movement activists to examine how the dynamic of protest and repression transformed insurgent prison culture—through material, emotional, and perceptive changes—and the importance of leadership in the transformation. Special attention is given to prisoner activities in appropriated spaces that reinforced the culture of resistance: promoti...
Subclinical thyroid disease after radiation therapy detected by radionuclide scanning.

Results: Seven patients (21.6%) had abnormal scans, and the percentage was higher among children (25%) and females (25%) compared to adults (16.7%) and males (16.7%), respectively. Two of 34 patients (5.9%) were discovered to have a thyroid cancer; histopathologies were papillary and follicular carcinoma. Conclusion: In this population of clinically normal cancer survivors who had been irradiated to the cervical region, subclinical thyroid disease, of potential clinical significance, was detected by 99m Tc TcO4 2 in about 20%. Children may be more commonly affected. Although the cost effectiveness of screening will require a larger sample number, we propose a surveillance schema for this patient population. © 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. Thyroid cancer, Cancer screening, Thyroid scanning, Second malignant neoplasm (SMN).
Development of an Instrument to Measure the Behaviors and Expectations of Parents of Young Children

Designed a study to develop an instrument, the Parenting Inventory: Young Children (PI), to assess the behaviors and developmental expectations of parents who have a child between 1 and 4 years of age. Item development for the PI occurred within a developmental-environmental theoretical framework and was based on literature reviews and clinical experience. Experts working with parents and/or children and parents of young children established the content validity of the items. The PI was tested with a sample of 1,140 mothers. This sample was representative of the population from which it was drawn, a large urban area, in terms of the sample children's sex and ethnicity. A diverse range of socioeconomic levels were included. The resulting 100-item PI was found to reliably measure three aspects of parenting: Expectations, Discipline, and Nurturing. These factors demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Future research needs relative to the continued development of the PI are addressed.
Frequency Offset Estimation Technique Based on Error Characterization for OFDM Communications on Time-Varying Multipath Fading Channels

A novel frequency offset estimation technique based on maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE) for wireless OFDM communications over a doubly-selective fading channel is proposed. By taking advantage of subcarrier-level differential operation and coherent error characterization, the proposed estimator can effectively overcome frequency-selective fading effects. Frequency error characterization is achieved by pseudo-noise (PN) matched filters (MF) in the frequency direction; thus, the proposed estimation technique exploits frequency diversity with the maximum ratio combining (MRC). In addition, the proposed technique can combat the rapid time-selectivity caused by a wide Doppler spread because it requires channel stationarity for only a short duration due to the exploitation of both a single preamble in its training operation and the following semi-blind estimation aided from several pilot subchannels. The proposed technique can not only easily switch between training mode and semi-blind mode, but also easily swap from a coarse frequency offset estimation operation to a fine frequency offset estimation operation by sharing the same preamble block and the same system architecture. Extensive simulation results in conjunction with statistical analysis verify the superiority of the proposed technique.
The use of the cryostat for histographic surgery.

Microscopically monitored excision for the treatment of skin cancer is becoming increasingly popular among dermatologists. One decision faced by beginning histographic surgeons involves the choice of apparatus for making the frozen sections. This paper compares the freezing microtome with the cryostat and gives details of the University of Iowa method, which employs the Slee© cryostat.
Cotton responses to nitrophenolate-based stimulant : Effects of foliar application rates on yield and fiber quality

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of the nitrophenolate-based protein enhancer Chaperone™ on yield and fiber quality of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown under two irrigated and two rain-fed growing conditions. Treatments included four foliar spray rates: 0.183, 0.365, 0.731, and 1.462 L ha− 1 applied at early bloom when plants had between 8 and 10 nodes above white flower. Results showed that Chaperone™ applied at 0.365 L ha− 1 increased lint yields significantly (at 5% probability level) over the untreated check (UTC) in one of the two irrigated experiments and marginally (10% probability level) in the other irrigated experiment and one of the two rain-fed experiments, when water supply, during the rapid boll growth stage, was adequate. Yield increases in these experiments were related to increases in boll mass. Chaperone™ also affected fiber quality properties, specifically, decreased micronaire values and increased fiber strength, but only in the highest yielding irrigated conditions and th...