cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical activity participation, flourishing and academic engagement in adolescents with obesity.

BACKGROUND Adolescents with obesity are less likely to flourish and be academically engaged in comparison to their healthy weight peers. However, it is unknown how participation in physical activity influences flourishing and academic engagement in adolescents with obesity. The current study examined engagement in varying levels of physical activity and the likelihood of flourishing and academic engagement in adolescents with obesity. METHODS Analyses included 26 764 adolescents, ages 10-17 years, from the parent-reported, combined 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health. Participants were grouped by physical activity levels (none, low, moderate, daily). Outcome variables included flourishing (finishing tasks, staying calm when faced with a challenge and showing interest in new things) and academic engagement (completing all required homework and caring about doing well in school). Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, race, household income, highest level of education in the household, behavioural conduct problems and depression assessed the likelihood of each outcome comparing physical activity levels among adolescents with obesity. RESULTS Adolescents with obesity who participated in any amount of physical activity (low, moderate and daily) or sports had significantly greater likelihood of flourishing and academic engagement compared those that did not engage in any physical activity (p's < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Participation in even low amounts of physical activity or participation in sports increases the likelihood of flourishing and academic engagement in adolescents with obesity, which expands on previous findings that adolescents with obesity are less likely to flourish and be academically engaged in comparison to their healthy weight peers.
Cellular Aspects of Immunoglobulin A

Publisher Summary Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the principal class of immunoglobulin in most external secretions. It is made by plasma cells in glands and mucous membranes that face the external environment. The secretory form of IgA, known as secretory IgA, has distinctive antigenic and structural characteristics due to the presence of an extra polypeptide chain, the secretory component. This chapter emphasizes the maturation of IgA during ontogeny; synthesis and assembly of IgA; IgA cell cycle; thymus dependency of IgA; and disorders of IgA production. The chapter discusses the functions of IgA antibodies. Commitment of an immunocyte to the production of IgA is the terminal step in a differentiation process that begins with a cell bearing IgM on its surface. On balance, the evidence favors a direct switch from IgM to IgA. Much of the IgA secreted by the plasma cells in exocrine glands and mucous membranes is dimeric. The fully assembled secretory IgA molecule is the synthetic product of two distinct types of cell, both of which reside locally in the mucous membrane or gland. As is the case with IgG and IgE, the secretion of IgA is thymus dependent. In humans, thymic dysfunction is often associated with diminished IgA. The chapter also presents many interesting and important problems related to IgA that remain to be solved.
The Perceived Severity of Tinnitus: Some Observations Concerning a Large Population of Tinnitus Clinic Patients:

Detailed information about tinnitus was obtained from over 1800 patients attending a tinnitus clinic. Patients rated their tinnitus severity on a scale from 1 to 10 and also provided information concerning the quality, duration, localization, and other attributes of their tinnitus. In addition to standard audiometric tests, patients received tests for tinnitus pitch, loudness, maskability, and residual inhibition, and provided a brief medical history. The severity ratings of over 90% were at or above the scale value of 5. There was no correlation between rated severity and the loudness of tinnitus (obtained by a loudness balance procedure using external sounds matching the tinnitus pitch), thus confirming earlier observations. The severity also was not related to the type, quality, or pitch of tinnitus sound heard. However, severity ratings were highly correlated with incidence of sleep disturbance. Additional observations concerning relationships between perceived severity and other patient characteristics are discussed.
Kappa 2 opioid receptors inhibit NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents in guinea pig CA3 pyramidal cells.

The role of the endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin (1–17) in regulating NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents was examined in guinea pig hippocampus. Schaffer collateral/commissural fiber-evoked NMDA synaptic currents were recorded using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques in CA3 pyramidal cells. Dynorphin was found to have dual effects on NMDA synaptic currents, increasing currents at low concentrations and decreasing currents at high concentrations. Only the inhibitory action of dynorphin was sensitive to naloxone, indicating that this effect was mediated by an opioid receptor. The inhibitory effect was mimicked by bremazocine, but not by U69,593, U50,488, [D- Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly-ol]-enkephalin, or [D-Pen2,5]-enkephalin. Bremazocine9s effect was blocked by naloxone, but not by nor- binaltorphimine, cyprodime, or naltrindole. These findings suggest that bremazocine9s effect was mediated by the kappa 2 subtype of opioid receptor. In addition, 1 microM naloxone and antisera to dynorphin (1– 17) were found to increase NMDA-mediated synaptic currents. Nor- binaltorphimine, cyprodime, naltrindole, and antisera to met-enkephalin did not increase the NMDA synaptic current. These findings suggest that endogenous dynorphin was acting at kappa 2 receptors to inhibit NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents. Overall, these findings indicate that dynorphin is an endogenous agonist for kappa 2 receptors in the CA3 region of the guinea pig hippocampus and that these receptors regulate NMDA receptor function.
Applied Numerical Linear Algebra

Preface 1. Introduction 2. Linear equation solving 3. Linear least squares problems 4. Nonsymmetric Eigenvalue problems 5. The symmetric Eigenproblem and singular value decomposition 6. Iterative methods for linear systems 7. Iterative methods for Eigenvalue problems Bibliography Index.
Drafting New York Civil-Litigation Documents: Part XXV — Notices to Admit

This column, the twenty-fifth in a series on drafting New York civil-litigation documents, is the first part of two parts on notices to admit.
The Role of the Private Sector in Higher Education in Malaysia

Malaysia’s economic growth since Independence in 1957 has been impressive. The real gross domestic product (GDP) averaged a growth of 6.5% per annum between 1957 and 2005. Malaysia is one of the fastest growing nations amongst the developing countries. It has made great strides in improving the quality of life of its people as well as making advances in the areas of education, health, infrastructure and industry. The country has been transformed from an export oriented economy, which relied mainly on its primary commodities such as rubber, tin and palm oil, a diversified industrial nation. In 1965, Malaysia was the world’s largest producer of both natural rubber and tin, which together accounted for 55% of the country’s export and about 30% of GNP. In fact agriculture alone contributed 34% of the GDP in the same year. In 2005 the share of agriculture was only 8.2%, whereas manufacturing (31.4%) and services (58.1%) contributed substantially to the GDP’s growth. It is evident that Malaysia has made a major shift from an agrarian to an industrial economy. The onset of globalization, combined with the technological revolution, especially in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), has given rise to the knowledge economy, which needs an educated, highly skilled workforce. In 1991, Vision 2020 was announced by the former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad which set the target for the country to be a developed nation by that year. The attainment of Vision 2020 will be accelerated by the strategies enshrined in the National Development Policy (NDP) 1991–2000 and the National Vision Policy (NVP) 2001–2010. The New Economic Policy (NEP) 1971–1990 laid the foundation for the launch of Vision 2020. In 1996, the Multimedia Super Corridor was established with the purpose of making Malaysia one of the leading global ICT and multimedia hubs in the region. Information and communication technology was considered as the next engine of growth in the knowledge economy. This information superhighway project has involved both international and local companies which needed about 30,000 knowledge workers.
Perturbation Dynamics of the Rumen Microbiota in Response to Exogenous Butyrate

The capacity of the rumen microbiota to produce volatile fatty acids (VFAs) has important implications in animal well-being and production. We investigated temporal changes of the rumen microbiota in response to butyrate infusion using pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Twenty one phyla were identified in the rumen microbiota of dairy cows. The rumen microbiota harbored 54.5±6.1 genera (mean ± SD) and 127.3±4.4 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), respectively. However, the core microbiome comprised of 26 genera and 82 OTUs. Butyrate infusion altered molar percentages of 3 major VFAs. Butyrate perturbation had a profound impact on the rumen microbial composition. A 72 h-infusion led to a significant change in the numbers of sequence reads derived from 4 phyla, including 2 most abundant phyla, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. As many as 19 genera and 43 OTUs were significantly impacted by butyrate infusion. Elevated butyrate levels in the rumen seemingly had a stimulating effect on butyrate-producing bacteria populations. The resilience of the rumen microbial ecosystem was evident as the abundance of the microorganisms returned to their pre-disturbed status after infusion withdrawal. Our findings provide insight into perturbation dynamics of the rumen microbial ecosystem and should guide efforts in formulating optimal uses of probiotic bacteria treating human diseases.
Histone proteases and the distribution of retained histones in nuclei from rat ventral prostate cells undergoing hypertrophy or hyperplasia

Abstract 1. 1. The distribution of histones retained by ventral prostate nuclei from normal rats, short (3 day) or long-term castrates (7 day), or short-term castrates treated with testosterone propionate for 3 days to induce cellular hypertrophy (growth) did not differ. 2. 2. Long-term castrates treated with androgen to induce cell division (hyperplasia) contained less histone F2a2, particularly if minced prostate was first incubated at 37°C before isolation of nuclei. 3. 3. When prostate nuclear proteins were dissociated in high ionic strength at alkaline pH, marked proteolysis of histones occurred in the five groups of animals examined. 4. 4. The distribution of partially degraded histones in nuclear extracts from growing or dividing ventral prostate cells differed from each other and from their castrated controls. 5. 5. Limited selective proteolysis of histones in nuclei from regressing, hypertrophie or hyperplastic prostate cells may be necessary to prepare chromatin for the subsequent molecular events required for these processes.
Mythic rhetoric in Mein Kampf: A structuralist critique

(1977). Mythic rhetoric in Mein Kampf: A structuralist critique. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 63, No. 1, pp. 1-13.
Analytical time-domain turning model with multiple modes

Abstract An analytical time domain model is developed to predict the motion of a multi-mode cutting tool during orthogonal turning operations. This model is an extension of a single mode model that finds the solution to the governing delay differential equation (DDE) as a combination of constituent curves (sequential responses) which are independent of the delay term, τ. In the current model, the delay independent constituent curves are found through a recursive state-space solution wherein the individual modal displacements are determined for each sequential response. In this paper, the solution process is described in detail for a two mode system and the resulting analytical time responses are compared with numerical simulations.
Stability of the Consensus of a Group of Second Order Agents With Time Delayed Communications

This study addresses the consensus problem and its stability for a group of agents with second order dynamics and feedback time delays. It is assumed that all the agents in the group communicate with the same number of agents, and that the time delay incurred remains constant and the same for all the interagent communication channels. A decentralized control structure of PD type is proposed to create consensus in the position and velocity of the agents. Contribution of the paper is in the peculiar construction of the system characteristic equation owing to the proposed control law, which is exploited to effectively execute the stability analysis in the delay space. A complete stability picture is obtained taking into account the variations in both the control parameters and the communication delay. Case studies and simulations results are presented to verify the analytical derivations.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Identification of the lampbrush chromosome loops which transcribe 5S ribosomal RNA in Notophthalmus (Triturus) viridescens.

The loops which transcribe 5S ribosomal RNA in lampbrush chromosomes of the newt, Notophthalmus (Triturus) viridescens, were identified by hybridizing purified 5S DNA to nascent 5S RNA in situ. The genes which code for 5S RNA were found near the centromeres of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, and 7 by hybridizing iodinated 5S RNA to denatured lampbrush and mitotic chromosomes in situ. These genes and their intervening spacer DNA were isolated from Xenopus laevis using sequential silver-cesium sulfate equilibrium centrifugations. This purified 5S DNA was iodinated and hybridized to non-denatured lampbrush chromosomes in situ, where it bound to nascent 5S RNA on loops at the base of the centromeres of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, and 7. The number of 5S genes present in the haploid chromosome complement of N. viridescens was determined. — The 5S loops were chosen for study, since (1) the synthesis of 5S RNA has been demonstrated during the lampbrush stage, (2) both 5S RNA and 5S DNA could be isolated in pure form, and (3) the localization of the repetitive 5S genes could be verified by conventional in situ hybridization procedures. These methods may be applicable to the identification of other loops, leading to a better understanding of lampbrush chromosome function.
A neural network based 3D∕3D image registration quality evaluator for the head-and-neck patient setup in the absence of a ground truth

Purpose: To develop a neural network based registration quality evaluator (RQE) that can identify unsuccessful 3D/3D image registrations for the head-and-neck patient setup in radiotherapy. Methods: A two-layer feed-forward neural network was used as a RQE to classify 3D/3D rigid registration solutions as successful or unsuccessful based on the features of the similarity surface near the point-of-solution. The supervised training and test data sets were generated by rigidly registering daily cone-beam CTs to the treatment planning fan-beam CTs of six patients with head-and-neck tumors. Two different similarity metrics (mutual information and mean-squared intensity difference) and two different types of image content (entire image versus bony landmarks) were used. The best solution for each registration pair was selected from 50 optimizing attempts that differed only by the initial transformation parameters. The distance from each individual solution to the best solution in the normalized parametrical space was compared to a user-defined error threshold to determine whether that solution was successful or not. The supervised training was then used to train the RQE. The performance of the RQE was evaluated using the test data set that consisted of registration results that were not used in training. Results: The RQE constructed using the mutual information had very good performance when tested using the test data sets, yielding the sensitivity, the specificity, the positive predictive value, and the negative predictive value in the ranges of 0.960–1.000, 0.993–1.000, 0.983–1.000, and 0.909–1.000, respectively. Adding a RQE into a conventional 3D/3D image registration system incurs only about 10%–20% increase of the overall processing time. Conclusions: The authors’ patient study has demonstrated very good performance of the proposed RQE when used with the mutual information in identifying unsuccessful 3D/3D registrations for daily patient setup. The classifier had very good generality and required only to be trained once for each implementation. When the RQE is incorporated with an automated 3D/3D image registration system, it can improve the robustness of the system.
Secure deletion for a versioning file system

We present algorithms and an architecture for the secure deletion of individual versions of a file. The principal application of this technology is federally compliant storage; it is designed to eliminate data after a mandatory retention period. However, it applies to any storage system that shares data between files, most notably versioning file systems. We compare two methods for secure deletion that use a combination of authenticated encryption and secure overwriting. We also discuss implementation issues, such as the demands that secure deletion places on version creation and the composition of file system metadata. Results show that new secure deletion techniques perform orders of magnitude better than previous methods.
Multiculturalism, Social Policy and the New Aging

Abstract This paper examines the nature of multiculturalism, demographics and social policy. In an aging society, we will see a nexus between aging and diversity, accompanied by changing views about gerontology and social policy. Growth of minority populations, continued immigration, increases in longevity, the aging of the baby boomer and public policy responses to these trends will affect the design and provision of human services to older persons, caregivers and providers. The article provides a conceptual framework for understanding the complex intersection of these trends, suggests that social work move beyond narrow parameters of race, assimilation and acculturation, and raises implications for social policy and social work practice.
The utility of a tissue slice model system to determine breast cancer infectivity by oncolytic adenoviruses.

Background Due to advances in viral design, oncolytic adenoviruses have emerged as a promising approach for treatment of breast cancer. Tumor tissue slices offer a stringent model system for preclinical evaluation of adenovirus therapies, since the slices retain a morphology and phenotype that more closely resembles the in vivo setting than cell line cultures, and this system has been shown to have utility in the evaluation of viral infectivity and replication. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of viral infection and replication using a tropism-modified oncolytic adenovirus. Methods Breast tumor tissue slices were infected with a tropism-modified oncolytic adenovirus, and a wild-type adenovirus for comparison. Efficiency of infection was evaluated using fluorescent microscopy, as the viruses used have been modified to express red fluorescent protein. Replication of the viruses was evaluated with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assay viral E4 genome copy number, a surrogate indicator for the number of virions. The breast tumor tissue slices were evaluated for the expression of CD46 expression by immunohistochemistry. Results Infection and replication of our tropism modified oncolytic virus has been observed in the breast cancer tissue slice model system and is comparative to wild-type virus. A qualitative increase in the number of cells showing red fluorescent protein (RFP) expression was observed correlating with increasing multiplicity of infection. Higher relative infectivity of the virus was observed in tumor tissue compared with normal breast tissue. Replication of the virus was demonstrated through increases in E4 copy number at 48 and 72 h after infection in human breast tumor slices. Conclusions We have shown that a tropism modified oncolytic adenovirus can infect and replicate in breast cancer tissue slices, which may be an important preclinical indicator for its therapeutic utility.
Genetic Absence of nNOS Worsens Fetal Alcohol Effects in Mice. I: Behavioral Deficits

Background Alcohol abuse during pregnancy often induces neuropsychological problems in the offspring, including learning disorders, attention deficits, and behavior problems, all of which are prominent components of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). However, not all children who were exposed to alcohol in utero are equally affected by it. While some children have major deficits, others are spared. This unequal vulnerability is likely due largely to differences in fetal genetics. Some fetuses appear to have certain genotypes that make them much more prone to FASD. However, to date, no gene has been identified that worsens alcohol-induced brain dysfunction. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous molecule that can protect developing neurons against alcohol-induced death. In the brain, NO is produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). In this study, we examined whether homozygous mutation of the nNOS gene in mice worsens the behavioral deficits of developmental alcohol exposure. Methods Wild-type and nNOS−/− mice received alcohol (0.0, 2.2, or 4.4 mg/g) daily over postnatal days (PDs) 4 to 9. Beginning on PD 85, the mice underwent a series of behavioral tests, including open field activity, the Morris water maze, and paired pulse inhibition. Results For the wild-type mice, alcohol impaired performance only in the water maze. In contrast, for the nNOS−/− mice, alcohol impaired performance on all 3 tasks. Furthermore, the nNOS−/− mice were substantially more impaired than wild-type mice in their performance on all 3 of the behavioral tests and at both the low (2.2) and high (4.4) doses of alcohol. Conclusions Targeted disruption of the nNOS gene worsens the behavioral impact of developmental alcohol exposure and allows alcohol-induced learning problems to emerge that are not seen in wild type. This is the first demonstration that a specific genotype can interact with alcohol to worsen functional brain deficits in an animal model of FASD.
Rate studies of the amylose–iodine reaction in unfractionated starch samples of various plant origin

The initial rate of the fast reaction among amylose, iodine, and iodide ions was studied in unfractionated corn, potato, rice, wheat, and arrowroot starches. It was found that the reaction followed the same rate equation as the one established in a previous study using pure amylose fractions containing no amylopectin. There were significant differences, however, among the rate constants of the various starches investigated. These variations were explained in terms of the different average molecular weights of the amylose fractions of these starches. Since whole potato starch indicated a rate constant well within the fange of those of pure amylose fraction (obtained from the same potato starch samples), it was concluded, that amylopectin did not interfere significantly with the rate of the complexation reaction.
PROGRESS REPORT: REVIEW OF URBAN IMAGERY: COGNITIVE MAPPING

(1987). PROGRESS REPORT: REVIEW OF URBAN IMAGERY: COGNITIVE MAPPING. Urban Geography: Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 264-272.
A Woman for U.S. President? Gender and Leadership Traits Before and After 9/11

ABSTRACT A public agenda focused on terrorism and war may have added to voters' doubts about women's leadership, but popular support for electing a woman has rebounded since 2001–2003. An analysis of candidates' traits using American National Election Studies (ANES) surveys found that the “strong leader” cue actually became less rather than more important as a predictor of the presidential vote in 2004 than in 2000. The trait “candidate cares about you” was significantly more important in 2004 than in many previous election years, especially for women. Women politicians who can prove their “toughness” or their skills at crisis management may have an advantage with voters (especially women voters) if they can take advantage of their perceived edge in compassion.
Right ventricular outflow tract resection for treatment of refractory ventricular tachycardia in a 2-year-old child

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) of right ventricular origin in young children might be due to Purkinje cell tumors, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), or Uhl’s anomaly, or it might be idiopathic. Surgical intervention has been used in adults when medical or catheter ablative therapy is ineffective. We describe a unique cause of VT of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) origin in a young child that was successfully managed with surgical resection. Clinical Summary A 2-year-old child presented with syncope and near-incessant VT at a rate of 270 beats/min. The tachycardia was notable for subtle irregularities in both cycle length and QRS morphology (Figure 1). However, all QRS complexes suggested an RVOT origin, with positive vectors in leads II, III, and aVF. Transthoracic echocardiography showed marked dilation of the RVOT, which was confirmed by means of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. At electrophysiologic testing, the arrhythmia could not be terminated with overdrive pacing but did temporarily stop with adenosine. Activation mapping defined the onset of activation at the anterior RVOT immediately inferior to the pulmonary valve annulus. Catheter probing of this area resulted in marked acceleration of the arrhythmia and hypotension. Because of the marked dilation and attenuation of tissue in this region and hemodynamic instability with mapping, catheter ablation was not performed. Despite pharmacologic therapy with amiodarone, lidocaine, and class 1C agents, recurrences of sustained VT with hemodynamic compromise persisted. Thus surgical intervention was recommended, with anticipation that discrete myocardial tumors would be identified. At the time of the operation, the anterior free wall of the RVOT was dilated and visibly thin, and it collapsed when the patient was From the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.
Proportionality of hazards in competing risk analysis

The proportional cause-specific hazards (CSHs) model and the proportional subdistribution (cumulative incidence function (CIF)) hazards model are widely used in competing risk analysis. In this paper, we prove that these two kinds of proportionalities cannot hold simultaneously for all CSH functions and all CIFs.
Numerical computation of the flux-line-lattice structure of an inhomogeneous material in the London approximation.

We present the basic equations that permit the efficient simulation of vortex structures in inhomogeneous materials whose superconducting behavior is described by the London equations. In analogy to homogeneous materials, we show that the energy of such structures is the sum of a self-interaction part, which depends on the local variation of the penetration depth, and a sum of pair interactions, which are the Green's functions of the London equation for an inhomogeneous material. This formalism permits simulations in which the exact, long-range London interactions between flux lines are used. In addition, the realistic modeling of defects by allowing the penetration depth to vary spatially is possible, and pinning, instead of being assumed, arises in a natural manner by local variations in Lorentz forces. The equations were solved for a variety of one-dimensional models of inhomogeneities, and physically reasonable flux-line lattices were found. A suggestion for the use of the formalism to study the dynamic properties of flux-line lattices is made.
Social and Nonsocial Determinants of Acceptability in Handicapped Preschool Children

Various social and nonsocial behaviors of 72 severely handicapped preschool children were assessed. One-half of these children were judged to be more highly rated sociometrically (by normal peers) ...
Xeroderma pigmentosum variants have a slow recovery of DNA synthesis after irradiation with ultraviolet light

Human cells (normal and xeroderma pigmentosum variant) irradiated with ultraviolet light and pulse-labelled with (/sup 3/H)thymidine underwent transient decline and recovery of molecular weights of newly synthesized DNA and rates of (/sup 3/H)thymidine incorporation. The ability to synthesize normal-sized DNA recovered more rapidly in both cell types than thymidine incorporation. During recovery cells steadily increased in their ability to replicate normal-sized DNA on damaged templates. The molecular weight versus time curves fitted exponential functions with similar rate constants in normal and heterozygous xeroderma pigmentosum cells, but with a slower rate in two xeroderma pigmentosum variant cell lines. Caffeine added during the post-irradiation period eliminated the recovery of molecular weights in xeroderma pigmentosum variant but not in normal cells. The recovery of the ability to synthesize normal-sized DNA represents a combination of a number of cellular regulatory processes, some of which are constitutive, and one of which is altered in the xeroderma pigmentosum variant such that recovery becomes slow and caffeine sensitive.
The benefits of a camp designed for children with epilepsy: Evaluating adaptive behaviors over 3 years

Abstract Objective Children with epilepsy attending a condition-specific overnight camp were evaluated for behavioral changes over 3 consecutive years, using a modification of the Vineland Adaptive Behavioral Scale. Methods Trained counselors completed pre- and postcamp assessments for each camper. Repeated-measures MANOVA was used to analyze effects of the camp experience for each year, with respect to gender and age. Repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to evaluate long-term effects from year-to-year comparisons for return campers, following three successive camp experiences. Results A significant change in social interaction was observed over 3 years. Despite some decline at the start of camp in consecutive years, the overall trend for return campers suggests a positive cumulative impact of continued camp participation, with improvements in the domains of social interaction, responsibility, and communication. Conclusion A condition-specific camp designed for children with epilepsy can improve adaptive behaviors and social interactions. Overall net gains appear to increase over time, suggesting additional benefits for return campers.
Absolute memory for musical pitch: Evidence from the production of learned melodies

Evidence for the absolute nature of long-term auditory memory is provided by analyzing the production of familiar melodies. Additionally, a two-component theory of absolute pitch is presented, in which this rare ability is conceived as consisting of a more common ability,pitch memory, and a separate, less common ability,pitch labeling. Forty-six subjects sang two different popular songs, and their productions were compared with the actual pitches used in recordings of those songs. Forty percent of the subjects sang the correct pitch on at least one trial; 12% of the subjects hit the correct pitch on both trials, and 44% came within two semitones of the correct pitch on both trials. The results show a convergence with previous studies on the stability of auditory imagery and latent absolute pitch ability; the results further suggest that individuals might possess representations of pitch that are more stable and accurate than previously recognized.
NMR Coupling versus NMR Chemical Shift Information in Metallobiochemistry. High-Resolution One-Bond 1H−13C Coupling Constants Obtained by a Sensitive Reverse Detection Method

Imidazole rings are involved in acid/base chemistry, catalysis, H-bonding, and metal complexation throughout biochemistry; these rings are frequently targets for anticancer drugs and carcinogens. H...
Detecting human bladder carcinoma cells in voided urine samples by assaying for the presence of telomerase activity

BACKGROUND In an attempt to find a more sensitive and specific noninvasive assay for the detection of bladder carcinoma, the authors assayed exfoliated cells from patients' voided urine for the presence of telomerase, an enzyme that maintains a cell's chromosomal length and is thought to be active in the transformation of normal somatic cells into immortal human tumor cells. METHODS The authors used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay to determine the presence of telomerase activity in voided urine samples from patients with known but yet untreated bladder carcinoma (n = 104) and from patients with hematuria of benign causes (n = 47). For 88 of the patients with bladder carcinoma, cytology was determined independently of the telomerase results or the pathology findings. RESULTS Of the 104 bladder carcinoma specimens, 88 (85%) tested positive for the presence of telomerase. Seventy-nine percent (23 of 29) of the Grade 1 tumors, 84% (32 of 38) of the Grade 2 tumors, and 87.5% (28 of 32) of the Grade 3 tumors were positive for telomerase activity. Five patients with carcinoma in situ (100%) were also positive. Telomerase activity was not found in 31 of 47 patients with bladder calculi, benign urethral stricture, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or inflammation. In the 16 patients (34%) who did have a false-positive result when tested for telomerase, all had either chronic or severe inflammation, including 1 patient with an inverted papilloma, 1 patient with cystitis cystica, and 1 patient with cystitis glandularis. However, for 35 normal, healthy volunteers whose voided urine samples were also assayed for the presence of telomerase activity, none was found. By comparison, only 51% (45 of 88) of the cytology samples from patients with bladder carcinoma yielded positive findings, whereas 49% (43 of 88) resulted in false-negative readings for tumors. Only 13% (3 of 23) of the Grade 1 tumors, 44% (14 of 32) of the Grade 2 tumors, and 82% (23 of 28) of the Grade 3 tumors were diagnosed by cytology. All five patients with carcinoma in situ were positive for cytology as well as for telomerase activity. When cytology was compared with the PCR-based telomerase assay in determining the presence of bladder carcinoma, the difference in the overall detection rates (85% for telomerase vs. 51% for cytology) was significant (P < 0.001). Furthermore, when telomerase activity was compared with cytology for low grade lesions (Grades 1 and 2), the difference in the detection rates (82% for telomerase vs. 31% for cytology) was also significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Urinary cytology yields poor results for low grade tumors. This study shows the possible application of the telomerase assay in detecting bladder carcinoma, in particular low grade tumors, in voided urine samples. Cancer 1998;82:708-14. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Responses of hardwood regeneration to fire in mesic forest openings. II. Leaf gas exchange, nitrogen concentration, and water status

Les reactions physiologiques au passage du feu de la regeneration forestiere installee dans des trouees d'une foret de feuillus mesique ont ete etudiees. A la suite de brulages printaniers realises en 1989 et 1990, on a mesure les echanges gazeux, la concentration en azote foliaire ainsi que le potentiel hydrique de la regeneration de chene rouge (Quercus rubra L.), de frene d'Amerique (Fraxinus americana L.) et d'erable a sucre (Acer saccaharum Marsh.) dans des parcelles brulees et non brulees. Le feu a entraine une stimulation de la photosynthese en condition de lumiere saturee dans le feuillage des rejets de feuillus mais les effets variaient en importance selon les especes. En moyenne, la photosynthese de l'erable etait de 42% plus elevee dans les parcelles brulees que dans les parcelles non brulees, accompagnee d'une augmentation correspondante de la conductivite stomatique et de la concentration en N foliaire. En general, le feu a exerce un effet marginal sur les proprietes foliaires du chene et du frene. En 1990, le rapport de la surface racinaire sur la surface foliaire et le potentiel hydrique des feuilles exposees a la lumiere etaient significativement plus eleves dans les parcelles brulees que dans les parcelles non brulees pour l'erable mais non pour le chene ou le frene, imitant de la sorte les tendances observees a l'egard de la photosynthese. Il n'est pas evident qu'il existe une difference entre les traitements au sujet de la disponibilite de l'azote ou de l'humidite du sol. Il semble que la stimulation de la photosynthese induite par le feu provienne de changements dans les facteurs intrinseques (p. ex. le rapport surface racinaire sur surface foliaire), par opposition aux facteurs extrinseques (p. ex. humidite du sol), regissant la disponibilite des ressources dans le couvert des rejets qui emergent apres feu.
A Critical Look at Ourselves: Do Male and Female Professors Respond the Same to Environment Characteristics?

We examined the relationship between gender and both job satisfaction and research productivity using data from 1,135 psychology faculty working in 229 academic departments. We found that gender differences in job satisfaction and research productivity were related to elements of the department (i.e., teaching orientation and structure). Overall, women reported lower levels of productivity than their male counterparts. Women also reported higher levels of job satisfaction in more teaching-oriented departments whereas men reported higher levels job satisfaction in more research-oriented departments. We suggest that these findings might be the result of gender differences in preferences with women preferring more socially-oriented positions and men prefer more “things/data”-oriented positions.
Ultrasonic Evaluation of Prosthetic Valve Motion

1. Ultrasound echo tracing is a simple, atraumatic method for examining prosthetic valve function. 2. In vitro experiments have elucidated the meaning of traces obtained from various types of caged balls. 3. By the use of this method ball diameter, poppet excursion, and opening and closing velocities can be measured in patients. 4. Both in vitro and in vivo experience has demonstrated that the measurements obtained are accurate and reproducible.
Phasor Measurement Unit Placement for Identifying Power Line Outages in Wide-Area Transmission System Monitoring

Phasor measurement units (PMUs) are widely recognized to be instrumental for enhancing the power system situational awareness - a key step toward the future power grid. With limited PMU resources and high installation costs, it is of great importance to develop strategic PMU deployment methods. This paper focuses on optimally selecting PMU locations for monitoring transmission line status across the wide-area grid. To bypass the combinatorial search involved, a linear programming reformulation is first developed to provide an upper bound estimate for the global optimum. Furthermore, a greedy heuristic method is adopted with the complexity only linearly in the number of PMUs, while leveraging on the upper bound estimate a branch-and-bound algorithm is also developed to achieve a near-optimal performance at a reduced complexity. Numerical tests on various IEEE test cases demonstrate the validity of our proposed methods, greatly advocating the satisfactory performance the simple greedy method at only linear complexity. This suggests a hybrid method by using the greedy solution as a warm start to reduce the number of BB iterations.
A multitasking oncolytic adenovirus vector.

Human adenovirus vectors hold great promise as "drugs" to treat cancer. They are relatively easy to grow and manipulate, are very well understood, infect dividing and non-dividing cells from a variety of tissues, and do not cause serious disease in adults. Thousands of papers have been published by many academic and industrial groups on the potential use of adenovirus vectors in cancer gene therapy. These vectors fall into two general categories: replication-defective and replication-competent (oncolytic) 1. In this issue of Molecular Therapy, Bauzon et al. 2 describe a potential step forward in the design of replication-competent adenovirus vectors.
Membrane protein phosphorylation during stomatocyte-echinocyte transformation of human erythrocytes

The normal, discoid shape of red blood cells represents an equilibrium between two opposing factors, i.e., stomatocytic and echinocytic transformations. Most stomatocytic agents were found to be inhibitors of calmodulin, a regulator of the phosphorylation of membrane proteins. We determined whether red cell shape transformations could be caused by changes in phosphorylation of membrane proteins, specifically the cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of ankyrin and band 4.1. Red blood cells were incubated with 32P and 100 microM chlorpromazine (stomatocytic transformation) or 30 mM sodium salicylate (echinocytic transformation) for various time intervals. Ghost membrane proteins were examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Spectrin (beta-chain), ankyrin, band 3, band 4.1 and 4.9 were phosphorylated. No change was found in the degree and pattern of phosphorylation after stomatocytic transformation. Salicylate caused a reversible inhibition of transmembranous phosphate transport in both directions. The results indicate that the stomatocytic transformation induced by chlorpromazine and the echinocytic transformation induced by salicylate do not involve a change in phosphorylation, but that the echinocytic transformation induced by salicylate is associated with an inhibition of transmembranous transport of phosphate. Studies with salicylate suggest that the phosphorylation sites of band 3 are found mainly on the endofacial side of the membrane.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice

The recognition of nursing's contributions to initiatives that improve health care and its leadership role in many of these initiatives led the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to propose the doctor of nursing practice (DNP). The DNP is a practice-focused doctoral program that prepares nurses with clinical, organizational, economic, and leadership skills. Such educational preparation goes beyond the clinical expert role of the advanced practice nurse, allowing the DNP not only to critique nursing research and other clinical scientific findings, but also to design programs of care delivery that are locally relevant, are economically feasible, and have the potential to significantly impact health care outcomes.
Art versus Commerce as a Macromarketing Theme in Three Films from the Young-Man-with-a-Horn Genre

Readers interested in macro marketing likely surpass traditional marketers in their concern for aspects of art for art’s sake as opposed to art for mart’s sake. Macromarketers also likely are keen to expand their influence and to make broader contributions. In this spirit, this article examines the theme of art versus commerce via a semiotic analysis of cinemusical moments in three films from the young-man-with-a-horn genre. Specifically, in the film industry during the latter half of the past century, the stature of jazz shifted from America’s commercially successful popular music (swing) to an esoteric, elitist, and even exclusionary art form (bebop and beyond). The article ends with a coda sharing thoughts on the social trap and possible societal costs manifest in conflicts between commercial and artistic interests and pressures.
Environmental Reactivity of Solid State Hydride Materials: Modeling and Testing for Air and Water Exposure

To make commercially acceptable condensed phase hydrogen storage systems, it is important to understand quantitatively the risks involved in using these materials. A rigorous set of environmental reactivity tests have been developed based on modified testing procedures codified by the United Nations for the transportation of dangerous goods. Potential hydrogen storage material, 2LiBH4{center_dot}MgH2 and NH3BH3, have been tested using these modified procedures to evaluate the relative risks of these materials coming in contact with the environment in hypothetical accident scenarios. It is apparent that an ignition event will only occur if both a flammable concentration of hydrogen and sufficient thermal energy were available to ignite the hydrogen gas mixture. In order to predict hydride behavior for hypothesized accident scenarios, an idealized finite element model was developed for dispersed hydride from a breached system. Empirical thermodynamic calculations based on precise calorimetric experiments were performed in order to quantify the energy and hydrogen release rates and to quantify the reaction products resulting from water and air exposure. Both thermal and compositional predictions were made with identification of potential ignition event scenarios.
Anti-phase solutions in relaxation oscillators coupled through excitatory interactions.

Relaxation oscillators interacting via models of excitatory chemical synapses with sharp thresholds can have stable anti-phase as well as in-phase solutions. The mechanism for anti-phase demonstrated in this paper relies on the fact that, in a large class of neural models, excitatory input slows down the receiving oscillator over a portion of its trajectory. We analyze the effect of this “virtual delay” in an abstract model, and then show that the hypotheses of that model hold for widely used descriptions of bursting neurons.