cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Adolescent Champion Model: Primary Care Becomes Adolescent-Centered via Targeted Quality Improvement.

Objective To evaluate the effects of implementing the Adolescent Champion model, a novel quality improvement program targeted at helping primary care sites become more adolescent-centered. Study design Nine primary care sites from pediatrics, family medicine, and medicine–pediatrics implemented the Adolescent Champion model. Each site identified a multidisciplinary champion team to undergo training on adolescent-centered care, deliver prepackaged trainings to other staff and providers, make youth-friendly site changes, implement a standardized flow to confidentially screen for risky behaviors, and complete a quality improvement project regarding confidentiality practices. Adolescent patients, staff, and providers were surveyed at baseline, year-end, and 1-year follow-up to assess changes. Results Adolescent patients' experiences with both their provider and the site overall significantly improved (P values from Conclusions Implementing the Adolescent Champion model successfully helped primary care sites become more adolescent-centered. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of this model on patient outcomes.
Abstract 18971: Anti-Tachycardia Pacing After Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation is Associated With Reduced Mortality Compared to Defibrillation

Introduction: Despite a high incidence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) after continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CFLVAD) implantation, the benefit of implantable cardioverter defibrillat...
Characterization of Bacterial Complex I (NDH-1) by a Genetic Engineering Approach

Genetic engineering has been widely adopted in many different fields of research and study on complex I is no exception. Because of current limitations in the technology when studying eukaryotes, most work has been performed using bacterial complex I (NDH-1). The bacterial system has been proven to be an excellent model in which to investigate the structure and mechanism of complex I. Sequence information, from the early days, and the availability of 3D structures, in more recent years, of NDH-1 have significantly boosted the importance of the gene engineering approach. Mutational approach has helped in identifying a number of amino acid residues that are essential not only for structural integrity but also for cofactor ligation, substrate binding and electron transfer. More recently, this approach determined residues essential for proton translocation coupled to the electron transfer from NADH to quinone. Understanding the roles of these residues, together with structural information, should lead to the elucidation of the reaction mechanism of NDH-1/complex I. This chapter is concerned with that knowledge of NDH-1 which has been advanced by a genetic engineering approach and possible applications that may extend the research to mitochondrial complex I.
Coat color differences and runway learning in mice.

Parents and their offspring from a heterogeneous stock (HS/Ibg) of mice were tested for acquisition and extinction of a running response. A polynomial regression function was fitted to the learning curves of each individual and the resulting coefficients were used as the variables in subsequent analyses. Mice homozygous recessive at either thea, b ord locus, i.e., with coat color phenotypes of nonagouti, brown or dilute, did not differ significantly on any of the variables from animals heterozygous or homozygous for the corresponding dominant alleles (agouti, black or full color, respectively). In addition, none of the possible interlocular interactions was significant. Albinos, however, acquired and extinguished the response more slowly than did pigmented mice. Segregation at thec locus was found to account for 10 percent and 24 percent of the additive genetic variance in acquisition and extinction, respectively. These results, taken in conjunction with other findings on the impaired learning ability of albinos, suggest that there is central involvement in the albino syndrome.
Tagline: information extraction for semi-structured text elements in medical progress notes

Text analysis has become an important research activity in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Statistical text mining and natural language processing have been shown to be very effective for extracting useful information from medical documents. However, neither of these techniques is effective at extracting the information stored in semi-structure text elements. A prototype system (TagLine) was developed as a method for extracting information from the semi-structured portions of text using machine learning. Features for the learning machine were suggested by prior work, as well as by examining the text, and selecting those attributes that help distinguish the various classes of text lines. The classes were derived empirically from the text and guided by an ontology developed by the Consortium for Health Informatics Research (CHIR), a nationwide research initiative focused on medical informatics. Decision trees and Levenshtein approximate string matching techniques were tested and compared on 5,055 unseen lines of text. The performance of the decision tree method was found to be superior to the fuzzy string match method on this task. Decision trees achieved an overall accuracy of 98.5 percent, while the string match method only achieved an accuracy of 87 percent. Overall, the results for line classification were very encouraging. The labels applied to the lines were used to evaluate TagLines' performance for identifying the semi-structures text elements, including tables, slots and fillers. Results for slots and fillers were impressive while the results for tables were also acceptable.
Dietary Fiber, Atherosclerosis, and Cardiovascular Disease.

Observational studies have shown that dietary fiber intake is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary fiber is a non-digestible form of carbohydrates, due to the lack of the digestive enzyme in humans required to digest fiber. Dietary fibers and lignin are intrinsic to plants and are classified according to their water solubility properties as either soluble or insoluble fibers. Water-soluble fibers include pectin, gums, mucilage, fructans, and some resistant starches. They are present in some fruits, vegetables, oats, and barley. Soluble fibers have been shown to lower blood cholesterol by several mechanisms. On the other hand, water-insoluble fibers mainly include lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose; whole-grain foods, bran, nuts, and seeds are rich in these fibers. Water-insoluble fibers have rapid gastric emptying, and as such may decrease the intestinal transit time and increase fecal bulk, thus promoting digestive regularity. In addition to dietary fiber, isolated and extracted fibers are known as functional fiber and have been shown to induce beneficial health effects when added to food during processing. The recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for total fiber intake for men and women aged 19–50 are 38 gram/day and 25 gram/day, respectively. It is worth noting that the RDA recommendations are for healthy people and do not apply to individuals with some chronic diseases. Studies have shown that most Americans do not consume the recommended intake of fiber. This review will summarize the current knowledge regarding dietary fiber, sources of food containing fiber, atherosclerosis, and heart disease risk reduction.
The Effect of Social Networks and Social Constructions on HIV Risk Perceptions.

Roughly 1 in 7 people living with HIV in the United States is unaware of their sero-status, signaling that individuals may be underestimating their risk for HIV. Few studies have examined the effect of socio-structural and socio-cognitive factors on HIV risk perceptions. This analysis identifies individual, interpersonal and network influences on HIV risk perceptions among high-risk heterosexuals. Data come from the Colorado Springs study, a CDC-funded project focused on HIV transmission among high-risk heterosexuals. Using social network data, analyses were first conducted at the individual-level using a partial proportional odds regression to identify predictors of self-perceived HIV risk. Next, multivariate binary logistic regression using GEE was used to examine predictors of perceptions of network member's HIV risk. Interpersonal characteristics such as perceptions of network member's HIV risk, racial homophily, and engagement in multiplexity (co-occurrence of drug-use, needle sharing and sex within relationships) were significantly associated with respondents’ self-perceived HIV risk. Factors associated with perceptions of network member's HIV risk include self-perceived HIV risk, emotional closeness within relationships, and density of drug ties. Analyses found HIV risk perception is the product of not only individual-level factors, but also interpersonal and social network processes. We also found a reciprocal relationship between individuals’ perceptions of their own risk and the risk of their associates/network members. Findings highlight the need for understanding risk perception as a function of interpersonal relationships, social constructions, including socio-cognitive processes.
Low Baseline Pneumococcal Antibody Titers Predict Specific Antibody Deficiency, Increased Upper Respiratory Infections, and Allergy Sensitization.

BackgroundInadequate titers of pneumococcal antibody (PA) are commonly present among patients with recurrent respiratory infections.ObjectiveWe sought to determine the effect of the degree of inade...
Cities on the World Stage

Cities are playing an ever more important role in the mitigation and adaption to climate change. This book examines the politics shaping whether, how and to what extent cities engage in global climate governance. By studying the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and drawing on scholarship from international relations, social movements, global governance and field theory, the book introduces a theory of global urban governance fields. This theory links observed increases in city engagement and coordination to the convergence of C40 cities around particular ways of understanding and enforcing climate governance. The collective capacity of cities to produce effective and socially equitable global climate governance is also analysed. Highlighting the constraints facing city networks and the potential pitfalls associated with a city-driven global response, this assessment of the transformative potential of cities will be of great interest to researchers, graduate students and policymakers in global environmental politics and policy.
Parallel Lives of Spiritual Leaders

Spiritual Leaders serve as role models and symbols; they provide practical approaches and guidance that empower aspirants in their quests.
Breastmilk or infant formula? Content analysis of infant feeding advice on breastmilk substitute manufacturer websites.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate messages about infant feeding on breastmilk substitute (BMS) manufacturer websites directed at US caregivers and compare information and portrayals of breast-feeding/breastmilk with that of infant formula (IF) feeding. DESIGN We conducted a content analysis of US BMS companies' websites. A codebook was created through an iterative process to identify messages and images about breast-feeding/breastmilk and IF feeding, including benefits or issues associated with each, and direct-to-consumer marketing practices that could discourage breast-feeding. SETTING Data were collected in 2019-2020 and analysed in 2020-2021 for US websites of five IF manufacturers. PARTICIPANTS The websites of Similac, Enfamil and Gerber, which collectively represent approximately 98 % of the US IF market, and two US organic brands, Earth's Best and Happy Baby. RESULTS Websites contained more messages about breast-feeding/breastmilk than IF but were significantly more likely to mention benefits to baby of IF (44 %) than breast-feeding/breastmilk (<26 %), including significantly more statements that IF provides brain, neural and gastrointestinal benefits; 40 % of breast-feeding/breastmilk content was dedicated to breast-feeding problems (e.g. sore nipples). Twice as many screenshots compared IF brands favourably to breastmilk than as superior to other brands. Certain companies displayed images indicating ease of IF feeding and difficulty of breast-feeding. CONCLUSIONS Substantial messaging on BMS manufacturer websites encouraged IF feeding and discouraged breast-feeding. Health professionals should discourage their patients from visiting these websites and the US government should regulate misleading claims. Companies should refrain from providing breast-feeding advice and align their US marketing with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
Effect of In-Line Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation on Respiratory Pressures During Simulated Pediatric Invasive Ventilation

Background: Children requiring invasive mechanical ventilation are often administered aerosol and airway clearance therapies. Certain modalities require disconnection from the ventilator and some children may be unable to tolerate interruption of ventilation. Intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV, Percussionaire) therapy is frequently used as it delivers both aerosol and airway clearance. A new in-line adapter (True IPV in-line adapter) that remains in the ventilator circuit allows for therapy during ventilation without disconnection. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of IPV used with the in-line adapter on respiratory pressures using an in-vitro pediatric lung model and ventilator. Methods: A ventilator (Servo-i, Maquet) was connected in series to a dual limb circuit, 5.5 pediatric endotracheal tube with cuff inflated, flow analyzer, and test lung (ARDS conditions: resistance Rp20, compliance 10 mL/mbar). The adapter was placed in the inspiratory limb of the circuit at the Y-piece. Ventilator settings: RR 20 breaths/min, VT 100, PEEP 10 cm H2O, inspiratory time 1 in volume control (VC), pressure regulated volume control (PRVC), and pressure control (PC) modes. IPV settings: pressure 25, and easy or hard percussion. The adapter was closed or 50% open. Respiratory pressures (PIP, MAP, PEEP) were measured at baseline and during IPV. The manufacturer recommends opening the adapter during volume ventilation. Results: Mean PIP and MAP without IPV were 30 cm H2O and 16 cm H2O respectively (all modes). During PC ventilation, pressures were least affected. When the adapter was open, PIP and MAP decreased below baseline (all modes). PRVC and VC had greater changes than PC with a closed adapter. Easy settings resulted in higher PIP than hard settings (closed adapter) but the opposite occurred with MAP. PEEP increased with closed adapter by 1-2 cm H2O and decreased by half when opened (all modes). Percussion setting did not affect PEEP (open/closed adapter). However, easy settings had a higher PIP than hard settings (closed adapter) but the opposite occurred with MAP. Conclusions: The use of in-line IPV affects respiratory pressures (PIP, MAP, PEEP). These changes were more evident during PRVC and VC than in PC ventilation mode in a closed system. Keeping the adapter closed resulted in an increase in PIP, MAP and PEEP (VC > PRVC > PC). Opening the adapter 50% resulted in decreased PIP, MAP, and PEEP. The findings in this in-vitro model need to be validated in an animal model before clinical recommendations can be made.
Understanding the Authoritative Parenting-Early Adolescent Tobacco Use Link; The Mediating Role of Peer Tobacco Use.

Eighth-grade students (N = 156) completed questionnaires in which they reported on their perceptions of parents' warmth. structure, and psychological autonomy granting (used to create an index of authoritative parenting) and their own levels of tobacco use. Adolescents were also asked to list the names of other students at their school with whom they spent time ("friends"). Independent reports obtained from these friends were used to toms an index of the mean level of tobacco use among each adolescent's friends. Higher levels of authoritative parenting were associated with lower levels of tobacco use among target adolescents. The association between parental authoritativeness and adolescent tobacco use was mediated by levels of tobacco use among peers. An amplification effect was observed in which adolescents were particularly unlikely to use tobacco products when they both received authoritative parenting at home and were members of non-tobacco-using peer groups.
Chapter 22 Fever and antipyresis

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the role of endogenous pyrogens and endogenous cryogens in the regulation of body temperature during fever. Fevers are triggered by the release of endogenous pyrogens from a large number of different types of macrophage-like cells. These endogenous pyrogens include the cytokines interleukin-1 (IL- 1), IL-6, and others. In addition to the release of endogenous pyrogens, there are also endogenous antipyretics or cryogens, which act to modulate the febrile rise in body temperature, thus generally preventing the body temperature from rising to the dangerous levels. Over the past few years, investigators have shown that arginine vasopressin, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone, glucocorticoids, and, in some cases, tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) may act as endogenous antipyretics. This highly regulated nature of fever, containing factors that raise body temperature and others that prevent this rise in body temperature from becoming too high, supports the hypothesis that fever has evolved as a beneficial host defence response. There are considerable data supporting the hypothesis that cytokines are responsible for the fever associated with infection and cancer.
Momentum Theory of a Propeller in a Shear Flow

The momentum theory of moderately loaded propellers has been generalized to account for the effects of shear in the oncoming stream. A condition to determine the distribution of thrust for optimum efficiency is derived which generalizes a condition derived by Betz for a propeller in a uniform flow. This condition leads to a nonlinear integral equation, and a computer program has been developed for solving it. Results for a propeller of a given radius in particular wakes at different Reynolds numbers are presented and discussed.
THE GENUS VEILLONELLA III. Hydrogen Sulfide Production by Growing Cultures

Rogosa, Morrison (National Institute of Dental Research, Bethesda, Md.), and Ferial S. Bishop. The genus Veillonella. III. Hydrogen sulfide production by growing cultures. J. Bacteriol. 88:37-41. 1964.-The conditions necessary for H(2)S production by 105 strains of Veillonella, from a variety of sources and comprising seven anti-genic groups, are presented and discussed. All strains, during 1 to 2 days of growth, produced H(2)S in a defined medium supplemented with proper amounts of l-cysteine, l-cystine, reduced glutathione, thiosulfate, thiocyanate, or thioglycolate. Erratic or negative results were obtained with some commonly used media containing yeast extract and casein digest, but which were not supplemented with appropriate substrates for H(2)S production. Previous literature descriptions of V. alcalescens as not producing H(2)S are incorrect; H(2)S production, or the previously presumed lack of it, cannot be used as a criterion differentiating V. alcalescens from V. parvula.
Thermal Structure of Magnetic Funnel Flows

The thermodynamic structure of gas that is channeled by stellar magnetic fields onto a young (pre-main-sequence) star is presented. In this model, the star possesses a dipole magnetic field which disrupts the inner regions of a geometrically thin accretion disk and channels the inflowing gas onto the stellar surface, thereby forming an accretion funnel The temperature and ionization degree of the inflowing gas is calculated by solving the heat equation coupled to statistical rate equations for hydrogen. It is found that for typical accretion rates of ~ 10-7 M ⊙ yr -1, temperatures of ~ 7000 K and hydrogen ionization fractions (n H +/n H ) of ~ 10-2 can be attained in the funnel flow. The principal heat source is found to be adiabatic compression, and coolants include bremsstrahlung radiation as well as line emission from the Ca II and Mg II ions. The relatively hot and ionized funnel flow lead to observational signatures such as inverse P Cygni line profiles seen in upper Balmer and near-infrared lines. In addition, carbon monoxide bandhead emission may be an important tracer of the outer portions of the funnel flow.
Red blood cell alloimmunization in sickle cell disease: prevalence in 2010.

Background Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) is frequently required for care of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD). Alloimmunization rates are high and may be reduced by matching for RBC antigens that can cause alloimmunization. Study design and methods During the PROACTIVE Feasibility Study, patients with SCD age 2 years or older admitted for pain without acute chest syndrome were enrolled for possible randomization to preventive blood transfusion or standard care. Transfusion and antibody histories were obtained at each site, and antibody screening was done, to assess transfusion burden and alloimmunization prevalence. Participating sites were surveyed regarding antigen matching practice. Results A total of 237 patients (169 SS, 42 SC, 15 Sβ(0) -thalassemia, 11 Sβ(+) -thalassemia), 118 males and 119 females, were enrolled. Mean age was 19.3 years (range, 2.0-68.0); there were 122 children and 115 adults. A total of 75.8% had received at least a single transfusion of RBCs before the study. Thirty-four patients (14.4%) had a history of at least one alloantibody and 17 of these had more than one. When surveyed, 19 sites (83% of responders) reported antigen matching to at least include C, E, and K for transfusion of all patients with SCD. Conclusion Though antigen typing before transfusion of people with SCD and providing antigen-negative units is now widely employed by sickle cell centers, the alloimmunization rate remains quite high in contemporary sickle cell populations and may be due in large part to transfusions received at institutions not providing extended matching.
Dietary Zinc Requirement of Fingerling Channel Catfish

Two experiments were conducted in order to establish the essentiality of zinc for fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and to determine their dietary zinc requirement. Purified egg white diets with and without supplemental zinc were fed to channel catfish fingerlings for 12 weeks in the essentiality experiment. Catfish fed the basal diet containing 1.0 - 1.5 mg Zn/kg diet developed deficiency signs such as anorexia and suppressed growth. After week 8 of this experiment, two groups of fish fed the basal diet were converted to the zinc-supplemented diet, which contained 28 mg Zn/kg diet. Deficiency signs in these fish were alleviated after consumption of the zinc-supplemented diet. In the requirement experiment, graded levels of a zinc premix were added to egg white diets and fed to fingerling channel catfish for 14 weeks. Serum alkaline phosphatase, serum zinc, bone zinc and bone calcium data indicated that the minimum zinc requirement of fingerling channel catfish was 20 mg Zn/kg dry diet.
The chelometric determination of chromium, cobalt(iii) and copper with a metalfluorechromic indicator

Abstract Calcein has been applied as a metalfluorechromic indicator for the back titration of relatively large amounts of cobalt(III), chromium(III) and copper(II). The fluorescent end-point is not impaired by the presence of the highly colored EDTA complexes with these ions. Calcein is suitable as an indicator which is not sensitive to oxidation in alkaline solutions.
The transcriptome of fracture healing defines mechanisms of coordination of skeletal and vascular development during endochondral bone formation

Fractures initiate one round of endochondral bone formation in which callus cells differentiate in a synchronous manner that temporally phenocopies the spatial variation of endochondral development of a growth plate. During fracture healing C57BL/6J (B6) mice initiate chondrogenesis earlier and develop more cartilage than bone, whereas C3H/HeJ (C3H) mice initiate osteogenesis earlier and develop more bone than cartilage. Comparison of the transcriptomes of fracture healing in these strains of mice identified the genes that showed differences in timing and quantitative expression and encode for the variations in endochondral bone development of the two mouse strains. The complement of strain-dependent differences in gene expression was specifically associated with ontologies related to both skeletal and vascular formation. Moreover, the differences in gene expression associated with vascular tissue formation during fracture healing were correlated with the underlying differences in development and function of the cardiovascular systems of these two strains of mice. Significant differences in gene expression associated with bone morphogenetic protein/transforming growth factor β (BMP/TGF-β) signal-transduction pathways were identified between the two strains, and a network of differentially expressed genes specific to the MAP kinase cascade was further defined as a subset of the genes of the BMP/TGF-β pathways. Other signal-transduction pathways that showed significant strain-specific differences in gene expression included the RXR/PPAR and G protein-related pathways. These data identify how bone and vascular regeneration are coordinated through expression of common sets of transcription and morphogenetic factors and suggest that there is heritable linkage between vascular and skeletal tissue development during postnatal regeneration.
Cell-inspired electroactive polymer materials incorporating biomolecular materials

In this paper, we discuss a new form of electroactive material that consists of both synthetic polymers and biological molecules. This modular material system is inspired by the compartmentalized and hierarchical organization of cellular systems and features an artificial cell membrane, or lipid bilayer, which acts as the primary transduction element in the material. Building on recent developments by our group, the lipid bilayer is formed at the interface between phospholipid-encased hydrogel volumes surrounded by oil and contained in a solid substrate. Results are presented that demonstrate how the electromechanical properties of the lipid bilayer can be used for both static and dynamic sensing and actuation. Specifically, a relative change in length of the outer substrate of 10-15% due to an applied force yields large changes in capacitance (> 90% reduction) or resistance (20-30% increase) depending on the composition of the bilayer. The capacitive nature of the membrane is also used in a dynamic sensing application, whereby the perturbation of an artificial hair structure induces bending in a bilayer formed at the base of the hair. This oscillation results in a time-varying membrane capacitance that in turn produces an electrical current on the order of 1 - 100pA. The ability to actuate the amount of contact between neighboring modules is also discussed and a concept for fabricating higher-order biomolecular arrays that connect internally to form networks of lipid bilayers is also presented.
Analytic/synthetic and semantic theory

A somewhat simplified version of Jerrold J. Katz’s theory of the analytic/ synthetic distinction for natural languages is presented. Katz’s account is criticized on the following grounds. (1) the ‘antonymy operator’ is not well defined; it leaves certain sentences without readings. (2) The account of negation is defective; it has the consequence that certain nonsynonymous sentences are marked as synonymous. (3) The account of entailment is defective; it has the consequence that analytic sentences entail synthetic ones. (4) Katz’s account of “indeterminable sentences” is criticized; it has the consequence that certain logical truths are not marked as analytic. (5) Katz’s semantics provides no account of truth, so that he is unable to show that analytic sentences are true and that ‘indeterminable’ sentences are not.
Structural analysis by energy dot plot of a large mRNA

Abstract We have predicted the secondary structure of the entire 4217 nucleotide sequence of the genomic RNA of coliphage Qβ in one computer run using the computer program MFOLD that computes RNA structures within any prescribed increment of the computed minimum free energy. The results are presented in the form of an "energy dot plot" that shows both an optimal folding as well as the superposition of all base-pairs that can form in slightly suboptimal foldings. The plot reveals five large, well-determined, independent structural domains that cover approximately 50% of the viral genome. The predicted structural domains are consistent with and provide support for five large structural domains identified previously by quantitative electron microscopy in Qβ RNA. The dot plot also contains cluttered regions that indicate large numbers of alternative foldings within or between segments of an RNA molecule. These reflect the impossibility of accurate structure prediction and/or the biological reality of more than one folding. Weaker, long range structures, that are observed by electron microscopy in two alternate competing conformations, are located in the regions of the Qβ sequence that correspond to cluttered regions of the dot plot. The potential biological significance of these secondary structures is discussed.
A Program System for the Estimation of Characteristics of the Test Score Distribution Resulting From Test Items with Given Statistics

This paper describes a program system which was developed for the purpose of making estimates about the nature of the distribution of test scores which will result from an administration of a test composed of items on which estimates of item-difficulty and discrimination are available. In developing these estimates, the test constructor is free to make assumptions about the nature of the group of examinees and the number of examinees to be tested. It is expected that test developers will find this program system useful in the test development process.
Temporal patterns of protein synthesis inManduca epidermis during the change to pupal commitment in vitro: their modulation by 20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone

The epidermis of final instar tobacco hornworm larvae,Manduca sexta, becomes committed to pupal differentiation in response to ecdysteroid in the absence of juvenile hormone (JH). Many changes in protein synthetic patterns have been noted during this time (Kiely and Riddiford 1985). To determine which of these changes are caused by ecdysteroid and which are important for the change of commitment, we have incubated larvally-committed epidermis for 24 h with 1 μg/ml 20-hydroxyecdysone (20HE) and 3 μg/ml epoxygeranylsesamole (EGS) (a JH mimic), with 3 μg/ml EGS alone, or in hormone-free medium. Synthesis of larval-specific proteins such as insecticyanin and larval cuticular proteins was reduced to trace amounts or was undetectable after culture with 20HE for 24 h. The larval cuticular proteins that are greatly increasedin vivo on day 3 were not synthesized after exposure to 20HEin vitro. Ecdysteroid increased the synthesis of many of the proteins first seenin vivo on day 3 or during the wandering stage. The synthesis of about half of these latter proteins was inhibited by JH, indicating that they were likely part of the change of commitment. Other proteins that appear at this stagein vivo showed increased synthesis also in hormone-free medium and therefore were independent of the change of commitment.
Laser-Machined Shape Memory Alloy Actuators for Active Catheters

Medicine is undergoing a transformation toward minimally invasive surgery, and with it comes an increasing need for more precise miniature instruments to accurately execute complex procedures. In catheter-based surgeries, the physician must control the tip of the catheter from a distal point outside the body, which makes it difficult to achieve precise manipulative control. Providing actuation local to the desired point of manipulation will greatly improve the physician's ability to intervene on diseases in a minimally invasive fashion. We present a new actuator made from laser machining shape memory alloy (SMA) tubes for use in an active steerable catheter. Using finite-element analysis and experimental verification, we have designed a 1.5-mm-long SMA actuator cut from 1.27-mm-diameter NiTi tubing that exhibits good fatigue properties, and can produce forces of 12 N at 20% elongation. We use an iterative rapid design process, so that many actuator geometries can be tested quickly to achieve the desired mechanical properties without complex material models. In this paper, we describe the design and testing of the actuator, and verify its force, elongation, and fatigue properties.
Direction of chain growth in enzymic RNA synthesis

The terminal nucleotides of poly-A and RNA synthesized enzymically in vitro were identified by eleetrophoretie analysis of alkaline hydrolysates of the polymers. It was ascertained which terminus represents the starting and which the growing end of the polynucleotide chains, by changing the specific activity of the radioactive substrate during the polymerization reaction. The following results were obtained. (1) In alkaline hydrolysates of both poly-A and RNA the 3′-terminal nucleotide appears as a nucleoside, and the 5′-terminal nucleotide as the nucleoside tetraphosphate pppXp. (2) RNA synthesis proceeds from the 5′-to the 3′-end of the molecule. (3) RNA chains are initiated predominantly by pppA. (4) Throughout the first 60 minutes of poly-A synthesis, growth of new chains is initiated and growth of old chains is terminated, the average poly-A molecule growing for ten minutes at a rate of 0·6 nucleotide/sec to an ultimate length of 360 nucleotides. (5) In RNA synthesis, growth of most chains is initiated during the first ten minutes of reaction. Growth of about half of the chains stops after a few minutes, whereas growth of the remainder continues for a much longer period at a rate, depending on the substrate concentration, from 0·7 to 2·5 nucleotides/sec/chain.
The Signature Molecular Descriptor. 5. The Design of Hydrofluoroether Foam Blowing Agents Using Inverse-QSAR

In this work, a novel technique for molecular design is explored by generating compounds to replace R-141b in polyurethane foam blowing applications. This technique, which is known as the inverse quantitative structure−activity relationship (I-QSAR) method, is based on solving the inverse problem of molecular design, using a newly developed descriptor called Signature. In this work, we optimize the properties of the candidate solutions based on the normal boiling point and the vapor-phase thermal conductivity. After generating more than 3 million solutions with this technique, we have identified seven compounds for further study. Unlike other inverse design techniques, I-QSAR with Signature does not use a template compound and, thus, nonintuitive candidates with optimal predicted properties can result. The seven best candidates that form the focused database include straight chains and rings of a variety of sizes with one or two O atoms in the ring.
Osteochondral Tissue Formation Through Adipose-Derived Stromal Cell Differentiation on Biomimetic Polycaprolactone Nanofibrous Scaffolds with Graded Insulin and Beta-Glycerophosphate Concentrations

The ability to fabricate tissue engineering scaffolds containing systematic gradients in the distributions of stimulators provides additional means for the mimicking of the important gradients observed in native tissues. Here the concentration distributions of two bioactive agents were varied concomitantly for the first time (one increasing, whereas the other decreasing monotonically) in between the two sides of a nanofibrous scaffold. This was achieved via the application of a new processing method, that is, the twin-screw extrusion and electrospinning method, to generate gradients of insulin, a stimulator of chondrogenic differentiation, and β-glycerophosphate (β-GP), for mineralization. The graded poly(ɛ-caprolactone) mesh was seeded with human adipose-derived stromal cells and cultured over 8 weeks. The resulting tissue constructs were analyzed for and revealed indications of selective differentiation of human adipose-derived stromal cells toward chondrogenic lineage and mineralization as functions of position as a result of the corresponding concentrations of insulin and β-GP. Chondrogenic differentiation of the stem cells increased at insulin-rich locations and mineralization increased at β-GP-rich locations.
Modal demand: A user perception model

THIS PAPER ANALYZES THREE DIFFERENT METHODS FOR SPECIFYING THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS IN AN INTRAURBAN BEHAVIORAL MODAL SPLIT MODEL. THE PROCEDURES INVESTIGATED INCLUDE A NULL CASE WHERE NO SYSTEM INFORMATION IS USED, DIRECT COMPARISONS OF INTERMODAL TRAVEL TIMES, AND A METHODOLOGY EMPLOYING USER PERCEPTIONS OF THE MODAL CHARACTERISTICS. THE LATTER APPROACH IS AN INNOVATION WHICH IS DERIVED FROM UTILITY THEORY AND SYNTHESIZES ORIGIN-DESTINATION DATA AND ATTITUDINAL SURVEY INFORMATION. THE RESULTS INDICATE THAT THE MODAL CHOICE DECISION MODEL IMPROVES AS THE SOPHISTICATION IN METHOD FOR REPRESENTING THE SYSTEM ATTRIBUTES INCREASES. A THEORY OF MODAL CHOICE BEHAVIOR IS FORMULATED IN VIEW OF USER PERCEPTIONS OF PREFERRED STANDARDS FOR TRANSIT SERVICE. /AUTHOR/
Precisely exploring medical models and volumes in collaborative virtual reality

We describe a virtual-reality widget library and two medical applications built on the widget library. These two applications, education using surface models and radiological volume visualization, make use of collaborative interaction techniques. These techniques support a high degree of precision with respect to manipulation of data and data parameters. The 3D widgets instantiated in these applications are synchronized between clients in order to facilitate the high degree of interactivity necessary for productive investigation of shared medical models and volume data. We discuss challenges that face the investigator in an immersive 3D environment as opposed to that of a 2D desktop environment. We describe how these differences have led us to criteria for development of the shared 3D Virtual Reality (VR) graphical user interfaces (GUIs) used in the biomedical applications presented. We review our educational validations already conducted for the surface model exploration application and preview our future work toward a single advanced biomedical collaboration environment.
Amine-Cured Bisphenol-Linked Phthalonitrile Resins

Abstract Neat polymerization of bisphenol-linked phthalonitrile monomers, which contain no active hydrogen atoms, is extremely difficult and requires several days of continuous heating at 260–290°C before a viscosity increase becomes evident. In the presence of a nucleophilic compound such as an organic amine, the cure time and temperature can be greatly reduced. The amine-cured polymers are more thermally stable than their neat cured counterparts. Preliminary results indicate that the amine causes no significant changes in the mechanical properties of the cured polymer. The bisphenol-linked phthalonitrile resins are particularly appealing as matrices for composite formulations due to the projected low material cost, the greatly improved processability, and the nonreactivity of the prepolymer at ambient temperature.
Flux Compactifications Grow Lumps

The simplest flux compactifications are highly symmetric---a $q$-form flux is wrapped uniformly around an extra-dimensional $q$-sphere. In this paper, we investigate solutions that break the internal $\mathrm{SO}(q+1)$ symmetry down to $\mathrm{SO}(q)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$; we find a large number of such lumpy solutions, and show that often at least one of them has lower vacuum energy, larger entropy, and is more stable than the symmetric solution. We construct the phase diagram of lumpy solutions, and provide an interpretation in terms of an effective potential. Finally, we provide evidence that the perturbatively stable vacua have a nonperturbative instability to spontaneously sprout lumps. We give an estimate of the decay rate and argue that generically it is exponentially faster than all other known decays.
Evidence for rapid displacement on Himalayan normal faults and the importance of tectonic denudation in the evolution of mountain ranges

East-striking, low-angle normal faults of the South Tibetan detachment system have played an important role in exposing the high-grade metamorphic core of the Himalayan orogen. In the Mount Everest region of southern Tibet, granites both pre- and postdate an important fault of the system, the Qomolangma detachment. New U-Pb and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar geochronologic data for these rocks constrain the age of brittle faulting to between 16.67 ± 0.04 and 16.37 ± 0.40 Ma, significantly expanding the known age range for extension in the central Himalaya (widely regarded as ca. 20–22 Ma). More importantly, they indicate an average displacement rate of ≥47 mm/yr and a consequent tectonic unroofing rate of ≥8.2 mm/yr. Such unroofing is faster than all but the highest estimates of combined physical and chemical erosion rates in mountainous regions, suggesting that large-displacement normal faulting can be an extremely efficient agent of mass redistribution in orogenic systems.
Ecotherapy: A Counter to Society's Unhealthy Trend?

We are facing a societal trend of lethargy in today's youth. Technology, fear, and limited green spaces keep our children inside and inactive. This article explores this trend and proposes ecotherapy, which promotes mental health in the context of the environment and through the use of green spaces, as a method the counseling profession can utilize to benefit our clients and society as a whole. A case example illustrates this concept.
Infrared collimator calibrations using regular glass optics and short-wave infrared detectors

Short-wave infrared detectors and regular-glass optics are used to construct a calibrator for infrared collimators. The advantages of using short-wave infrared detectors with thermo-electric cooling instead of cryogenically-cooled infrared detectors are shown. Diffraction-limited imaging is obtained using off-the-shelf achromats for rejection of stray radiation and for collection of the thermal radiation. The design of a prototype calibrator is shown and the noise-equivalent irradiances (NEI) are determined using a separately calibrated, off-axis infrared collimator. The measured NEI of 7 fW/cm2 demonstrates at least several orders of magnitude better performance than existing infrared calibrators.
A contemporary mass extinction; deforestation at tropical rain forests and faunal effects

In order to assay the magnitude of potential extinctions resulting from the current deforestation of tropical rain forests, I compared the changes in mammalian faunas in Amazonia, Central and Western Africa, SoutheastAsia, and Madagascar to background extinction rates and mass extinctions at other times in the Cenozoic. Within 165 years human-mediated extinctions will have befallen 45% of the genera and 54% of the families within tropical forests. These taxa are mainly members of endemic and relict faunas. This contemporary event is comparable to other Cenozoic extinctions, with extinction rates much greater than the background extinction rates affecting earlier Cenozoic mammals. These comparisons are based on the following assumptions: within-habitat extinction rates are comparable to mean extinction rates from multiple-habitat ecosystems; and all threatened genera go extinct and are preserved. However, constraints on my assumptions will reduce the perceived magnitude when viewed historically. The distinctness of this extinction is questioned with reference to the Pleistocene events.
Leisure-time physical activity in relation to occupational physical activity among women.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to examine the association between occupational physical activity and leisure-time physical activity among US women in the Sister Study. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 26,334 women who had been employed in their current job for at least 1 year at baseline (2004–2009). Occupational physical activity was self-reported and leisure-time physical activity was estimated in metabolic equivalent hours per week. Log multinomial regression was used to evaluate associations between occupational (sitting, standing, manually active) and leisure-time (insufficient, moderate, high) activity. Models were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, geographic region, and body mass index. Results Only 54% of women met or exceeded minimum recommended levels of leisure-time physical activity (moderate 32% and high 22%). Women who reported sitting (prevalence ratio (PR) = 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74–0.92) or standing (PR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75–0.94) most of the time at work were less likely to meet the requirements for high leisure-time physical activity than manually active workers. Associations were strongest among women living in the Northeast and the South. Conclusion In this nationwide study, low occupational activity was associated with lower leisure-time physical activity. Women who are not active in the workplace may benefit from strategies to promote leisure-time physical activity.
The Architectural Expression of Primitive Christianity: William Beveridge and the Temple of Solomon

On the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, a resurgent religious identity in church and state was informed by identifying the English nation with the biblical Israel, and the worship and buildings of the Church of England with those of the Temple in Jerusalem. The dedication of the Church of St Peter, Cornhill (rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666 and designed by Christopher Wren) in 1681 by the Revd William Beveridge was an expression of the Church of England's confidence in its identity with the ‘primitive Church,’ and as the Church of a chosen and favoured people.
Regulating informed trading before merger bids in Canada

We examine the impact of an amendment to Canadian law in 2004 which was intended to increase penalties on insider trading in Canada. We suggest that the effectiveness of the law can best be measured by its effect on the level of informed trading activity rather than the prosecution activity. We find that the mean information leakage of Canadian targets has declined significantly since the amendment, even after controlling for changes in the profile of announced bids. Thus, our results suggest that the level of illegal insider trading in Canada has declined since the amendment was implemented. We also find that the reduction in information leakage resulted in a lower premium offered by bidders for targets, which can encourage more merger activity. Thus, the amendment may not only allow for greater trust among investors and therefore liquidity in capital markets, but could also improve the market for corporate control.
Congenital Subclavian Steal Syndrome: Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology and Surgical Correction

A 22-year old man with right aortic arch and congenital subclavian steal syndrome secondary to hypoplastic malformation of the left subclavian artery proximal to the ostium of the vertebral artery is presented. Surgical correction of the hypoplastic segment was performed with the use of knitted Dacron graft. The patient has subsequently been asymptomatic, and the graft is patent as demonstrated by postoperative aortography.
Comments on “Rotating hydraulics in deep‐water channel flow” by Lars Rydberg

The author refers to a rich selection of papers dealing with rotating hydraulics and selects the paper by Whitehead, Leetma and Knox (WLK) (1974) for a detailed comparison with his own results. I am perplexed as to why two theories based on the same laws of mechanics should give such radically different results, particularly in the matter of cross stream velocity distributions. On the strength of Rydberg’s experimental evidence, I am prepared to put my money on his version, but I confess to remaining somewhat skeptical and more than a little confused. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1980.tb01725.x