cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Criminality of Female Narcotics Addicts: A Causal Modeling Approach

A longitudinal model was developed relating early deviance, narcotics use, and three types of income-generating crime (property crime, drug dealing, and prostitution) among female narcotics addicts during the first 2 years of the addiction career. The model was tested by a confirmatory structural equation analysis. Early deviance predicted subsequent property crime involvement. Stability across time was demonstrated for narcotics use, property crime, and drug dealing. Strong contemporaneous relationships among these constructs were found. These findings partially replicate patterns found in previous studies for male addicts. In contrast to male addicts, a positive, instead of negative, contemporaneous relationship was found between property crime and drug dealing activities. Between constructs, cross-lag effects were generally small and only that between property crime and later narcotics use was significant. Finally, prostitution was failed to be incorporated in the model. Further research is needed to elucidate the diverse economic support systems among women which may affect the drug-crime relationship.
Second neoplasms in survivors of endometrial cancer: impact of radiation therapy.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the association of radiotherapy to subsequent second cancers in endometrial carcinoma survivors. Methods Subjects with endometrial cancer as their first malignancy were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database from 1973 to 2004 and were divided into radiation (R) and No Radiation (NR) groups. Person years at risk (PYR), observed (O) and expected (E) counts and SIR (standardized incidence ratio) were determined. (%) increase in relative risk (RR) for R vs. NR group was calculated using Poisson regression. Absolute Excess Risk (AER) was ‘O' minus ‘E' per 10,000 PYRs. Results Of 90,502 subjects 31,643 (34.9%) were in R and 52,182 (57.6%) in NR. The radiation status of 6677 (7.3%) was unknown. In the R group 4203 developed second cancers vs. 5563 in NR group; relative risk for R group–1.25 (95% CI 1.20 to 1.29). A total of 17.11 excess tumors were observed in R group (AER). The relative risk increased with latency of exposure and peaked at (>10 years), being 40% ( p Conclusion In the largest study reporting on association of radiotherapy to subsequent second neoplasms in endometrial cancer survivors, the increased risk of second cancers was most pronounced in the field of exposure and was affected by latency since exposure.
Boundary-layer phase transition in nematic liquid crystals

Phase-transition properties of nematic liquid crystals aligned by a short-range, arbitrary-strength-substrate potential are examined in the framework of Landau---de Gennes theory. It is shown that the substrate potential, which can arise from surface treatment of liquid-crystal display cells, not only induces a boundary layer in which the order-parameter values can be significantly different from that of the bulk, but also introduces a new "boundary-layer phase transition" which occurs at temperatures higher than the bulk-transition temperature. This novel transition is found to take place only in a limited range of substrate potential strength. For 4-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (PCB), the limiting values of this range are computed to be \ensuremath{\sim}0.075 and \ensuremath{\sim}0.15 erg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. Calculations are performed for both the semi-infinite-sample case and the finite-thickness-sample case. Various phase diagrams are presented to show the effects of sample thickness and substrate potential on the bulk as well as the boundary-layer phase-transition temperatures. The paper concludes with a discussion of experimental possibilities.
Dual targets of a transcriptional activator that tracks on DNA.

The sliding clamp of the bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase, gp45, is also the proximal effector for activation of transcription of T4 late genes. We have identified the phage T4‐encoded σ factor gp55 and the co‐activator gp33 as targets of gp45 in promoter complexes, and have shown that a conserved carboxy‐terminal amino acid sequence of gp55 and gp33 is required for interaction with gp45. The respective contribution of each target–gp45 interaction to activation of transcription has been assessed by measuring promoter opening rates. The opening rate supported by interaction with both targets is far greater than the arithmetical sum of the separate contributions of each target, implying a synergistic activation of transcription through at least two separate interactions of the trimeric gp45.
Distributed Computation as an Economic System

As computer networks grow and blanket the planet, they become a community of concurrent processes, which, in their interactions, strategies, and lack of perfect knowledge, become analogous to human market economies. Economics may thus offer new ways of designing and understanding the behavior of distributed computer systems.
NORMALIZATION OF THE VASCULATURE FOR TREATMENT OF CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES

New vessel formation (angiogenesis) is an essential physiological process for embryologic development, normal growth, and tissue repair. Angiogenesis is tightly regulated at the molecular level. Dy...
A critical analysis of the double and triple logistic growth curves.

SummaryRecently a model of human growth from the age of one year to maturity, based on two logistic terms, has been proposed. The originators of the model claim that it provides biologically meaningful parameters, and allows total growth to be partitioned into a pre-pubertal and an adolescent component. More recently, they have suggested an improved model, with three logistic terms, which gives a better fit. While the double logistic model gives an adequate fit to the observed height curve, differentiating it leads to a height velocity curve which differs considerably from the observed velocity curve. The triple logistic model gives an excellent fit to both the attained height and height velocity curves. Both models, however, imply a considerable time interval during which both the pre-pubertal and adolescent components are simultaneously contributing to growth, a situation that is difficult to justify biologically. The double model should therefore be discarded, and the triple logistic model considered t...
Glutamic acid decarboxylase-like immunoreactivity in brainstem auditory nuclei of the rat

The distribution of GABA-producing neurons in the brainstem auditory nuclei of the rat was investigated immunohistochemically by using an antibody to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). In the cochlear nuclei, GAD immunoreactive neurons are present only in the superficial granular and molecular layers, whereas terminals are found in all subdivisions of the nuclei and are particularly dense surrounding large spherical cells and one type of stellate cell. In the superior olivary complex, GAD immunoreactive neurons are located in the lateral olivary nucleus and throughout the periolivary region. Immunoreactive terminals are distributed along dendrites of principal cells of the medial and lateral olivary nuclei and are clustered around somata of globular neurons of the nucleus of the trapezoid body. An extremely dense band of immunoreactive somata and terminals is present along the ventral edge of the olivary complex. The ventral, intermediate, and dorsal nuclei of the lateral lemniscus contain small fusiform GAD-immunoreactive neurons and a moderately dense plexus of immunoreactive terminals. The inferior colliculus contains a large population of GAD-immunoreactive perikarya and an extremely dense accumulation of immunoreactive terminals in the central, dorsomedial, and external nuclei. These observations indicate that GABA systems are involved in function at all levels of the brainstem auditory pathway.
Molecular modeling of alkyl monolayers on the Si(100)-2 x 1 surface.

Molecular modeling was used to simulate various surfaces derived from the addition of 1-alkenes and 1-alkynes to Si=Si dimers on the Si(100)-2 × 1 surface. The primary aim was to better understand the interactions between adsorbates on the surface and distortions of the underlying silicon crystal due to functionalization. Random addition of ethylene and acetylene was used to determine how the addition of an adduct molecule affects subsequent additions for coverages up to one molecule per silicon dimer, that is, 100% coverage. Randomization subdues the effect that the relative positions of the adsorbates have on the enthalpy of the system. For ethylene and acetylene, the enthalpy of reaction changes less than 3 and 5 kcal/mol, respectively, from the first reacted species up to 100% coverage. As a result, a (near-)complete coverage is predicted, which is in line with experimental data. When 1-alkenes and 1-alkynes add by [2 + 2] addition, the hydrocarbon chains interact differently depending on the direction they project from the surface. These effects were investigated for four-carbon chains: 1-butene and 1-butyne. As expected, the chains that would otherwise intersect bend to avoid each other, raising the enthalpy of the system. For alkyl chains longer than four carbons, the chains are able to reorient themselves in a favorable manner, thus, resulting in a steady reduction in reaction enthalpy of about 2 kcal/mol for each additional methylene unit.
Fast scale prototyping for folded millirobots

We present a set of tools and a process, making use of inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials, that enable the rapid realization of fully functional large scale prototypes of folded mobile millirobots. By mimicking the smart composite microstructure (SCM) process at a 2-10X scale using posterboard, and commonly available polymer films, we can realize a prototype design in a matter of minutes compared with days for a complicated SCM design at the small scale. The time savings enable a significantly shorter design cycle by allowing for immediate discovery of design flaws and introduction of design improvements prior to beginning construction at the small scale. In addition, the technology eases the difficulty of visualizing and creating folded 3D structures from 2D parts. We use the example of a fully functional hexapedal crawling robot design to illustrate the process and to verify a scaling law which we propose.
Experiences of a seismologist with “Seismic methods”

To be the speaker immediately following Dr. DeGolyer is an unexpected pleasure for he has presented to you a very clear picture of the kind of tools which the oil explorations of recent years have made available for geological studies of various kinds. My purpose, following him, is to give you an account of an attempt which was made to go beyond the oil regions with the same equipment in the hope of getting more information of geological value.
Distributed detection of a nuclear radioactive source using fusion of correlated decisions

A distributed detection method is developed for the detection of a nuclear radioactive source using a small number of radiation counters. Local one bit decisions are made at each sensor over a period of time and a fusion center makes the global decision. A novel test for the fusion of correlated decisions is derived using the theory of copulas and optimal sensor thresholds are obtained using the Normal copula function. The performance of the derived fusion rule is compared with that of the Chair-Varshney rule. An increase in detection performance is observed. A method to estimate the correlation between the sensor observations using only the vector of sensor decisions is also proposed.
Existential Anthropology: Events, Exigencies, and Effects

Existential Anthropology: Events, Exigencies, and Effects. Michael Jackson. New York: Berghan Books, 2005. 216 pp.
Comparison of limbus-based and fornix-based trabeculectomy: success, bleb-related complications, and bleb morphology.

Purpose To compare the success and complications of trabeculectomy performed with limbus-based and fornix-based conjunctival approaches. Design Retrospective case series with some prospective data collection. Participants Consecutive patients undergoing trabeculectomy by 2 surgeons between May 2000 and October 2008. Intervention We performed limbus-based operations during the first 4 years and fornix-based operations during the last 4 years. We collected data by chart review and by examination at the most recent visit. For each follow-up visit, we defined success as undergoing no further glaucoma procedure and achieving one of our intraocular pressure (IOP) criteria. We used Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, Cox proportional hazards models, and generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis. During 2009, 439 trabeculectomy sites of 347 patients were quantitatively assessed by the Indiana bleb grading system. Main Outcome Measures (1) Success rate of trabeculectomy, as determined by the achievement of each of our different IOP goals, with or without IOP-lowering medications; and (2) incidence of surgical complications. Results During the 4 years after surgery, the success rates of limbus-based and fornix-based trabeculectomy were not statistically different for any of our IOP criteria. Blebs after limbus-based surgery were more likely to be graded as higher and to be avascular (GEE model, both P P= 0.002, GEE model). Late bleb-associated infection during the first 4 years after surgery occurred more often in limbus-based operations, although statistical significance was borderline ( P= 0.054, Cox model). Symptomatic hypotony during all available follow-up was more common with fornix-based operations ( P= 0.01, GEE model). Eyes undergoing the fornix-based operation had a greater risk of cataract surgery in the 4-year period after surgery ( P= 0.02, Cox model), and fornix-based cases requiring cataract surgery had the operation earlier than limbus-based cases ( P= 0.002, GEE model). Conclusions Success rates are similar between limbus-based and fornix-based trabeculectomy. Limbus-based procedures produce higher, more avascular blebs, with a greater risk of infection. Fornix-based procedures have more symptomatic hypotony and more and earlier cataract development. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Electrical properties of nude rat skin and design of implantable antennas for wireless data telemetry

The main objective of this study is to design and testing of a small size dual band implantable antenna operating in Medical Implant Communications Service (MICS) (402 MHz–405 MHz) and Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) (2.4 GHz–2.48 GHz) bands. The antenna is intended for wireless medical monitoring of the physiological parameters such as glucose, pressure, temperature etc. First, the electrical properties (e r and σ) of skin samples from donor rats were measured at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and then a computer model was created. The dual band antenna was then designed using an in-house Finite Element Boundary Integral solvers in conjunction with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. In vitro tests are performed using skin mimicking materials. Results regarding the return loss and gain of the designed antenna were given and discussed in detail.
Bleomycin upregulates expression of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase in pulmonary artery endothelial cells

The chemotherapeutic agent bleomycin induces pulmonary fibrosis through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are thought to contribute to cellular damage and pulmonary injury. We ...
The Digital Economy: Business Organization, Production Processes and Regional Developments – By Edward J. Malecki and Bruno Moriset

The Digital Economy is a well-written book on a topic currently of interest to geographers and those who are interested in the interconnections of science, technology, and society. The book examine...
A low power fully integrated bandpass operational amplifier for biomedical neural recording applications

This paper presents a low power fully integrated bandpass amplifier for a variety of biomedical neural recording applications. A standard two-stage CMOS amplifier in a closed-loop resistive feedback configuration provides stable AC gain of 39.5 dB at 1 kHz. A PMOS input transistor, biased near the sub-threshold region acting as a high value resistor in the range of hundreds of mega ohms, is utilized to clamp the large and random DC open circuit potential that normally exists at the electrode-electrolyte interface. The 3 dB bandwidth of the amplifier is measured to be 26 Hz - 6.5 kHz and the tolerable DC input range is measured to be at least 1 V. The amplifier measures 0.107 mm/sup 2/ in die area and dissipates 133 /spl mu/W from a 3 V power supply. It is fabricated in MOSIS AMI 1.5 /spl mu/m double poly double metal n-well CMOS process. Bench tests show complete functionality of the amplifier in both light and dark conditions and for a wide range of recording electrode capacitance.
Multi-level spectral hypergraph partitioning with arbitrary vertex sizes

This paper presents a new spectral partitioning formulation which directly incorporates vertex size information by modifying the Laplacian of the graph. Modifying the Laplacian produces a generalized eigenvalue problem, which is reduced to the standard eigenvalue problem. Experiments show that the scaled ratio-cut costs of results on benchmarks with arbitrary vertex size improve by 22% when the eigenvectors of the Laplacian in the spectral partitioner KP are replaced by the eigenvectors of our modified Laplacian. The inability to handle vertex sizes in the spectral partitioning formulation has been a limitation in applying spectral partitioning in a multilevel setting. We investigate whether our new formulation effectively removes this limitation by combining it with a simple multilevel bottom-up clustering algorithm and an iterative improvement algorithm for partition refinement. Experiments show that in a multilevel setting where the spectral partitioner KP provides the initial partitions of the most contracted graph, using the modified Laplacian in place of the standard Laplacian is more efficient and more effective in the partitioning of graphs with arbitrary-size and unit-size vertices; average improvements of 17% and 18% are observed for graphs with arbitrary-size and unit-size vertices, respectively. Comparisons with other ratio-cut based partitioners on hypergraphs with unit-size as well as arbitrary-size vertices, show that the multilevel spectral partitioner produces either better results or almost identical results more efficiently.
Liver transplantation in children

Abstract With increasing experience and improving results, liver transplantation is now a standard treatment for a wide range of liver diseases in children. It is now clear that patients will benefit mostly from early elective transplant before the development of severe liver dysfunction, malnutrition, significant growth and psycho-motor retardation, or other disease-related morbidity. Therefore, attention must be given to early referral to transplant centres, and also to preserve adequate clinical condition while waiting. Innovative surgical techniques such as liver reduction or splitting still play a major role in facing the ever-increasing problem of relative donor shortage. Long-term survival rates after elective transplants are 85–90%, and most children enjoy a good quality of life, close to normal, with a high chance of normal growth, motor development and school attendance. However, increasing attention must be given to prevent possible late chronic disabilities, especially renal dysfunction.
Accuracy Limits for Synchrophasor Measurements and the IEEE standard

The IEEE synchrophasor standard for power systems C37.118 provides a basis for interoperability of compliant phasor measurement units. A section of this standard deals with tests to enforce measurements error limits. In this letter, we review the verification tests, we point out an ambiguity in the tests, and propose additional conditions to avoid the ambiguity.
Families of Children with Disabilities: Normative Data and Other Considerations on Parenting Stress.

The parenting stress of families who have a child with a disability is an area receiving considerable research. The present study used a family strengths or “normality” perspective to investigate three issues regarding parent-related and child-related parenting stress, as measured by the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) (Abidin, 1990). A large sample (n = 725) of families who had a young child with disabilities participated. A comparison of parent-related and child-related parenting stress between the sample of families with a child with disabilities and the PSI normative sample was conducted. The distribution of PSI scores for the sample of families of children with disabilities was examined for statistical normality, and normative data for these families were presented. An item analysis was conducted on child-related parenting stress to examine issues regarding its construct validity for families of children with disabilities. Issues regarding the use of stress measures and to the construct of child-related...
An information development/knowledge transfer initiative to help achieve total customer satisfaction and ISO 9000 registration

An information development knowledge transfer (ID/KT) initiative, when properly implemented, can lead not only total customer satisfaction, but registration with any of the widely recognized quality programs (ISO 9000, SEI, Malcolm Baldrige). A true ID/KT initiative involves everyone in the content development stream: technical writers, editors, Web site programmers/developers, multimedia developers, trainers, and graphics designers. Each has specific knowledge and skills that transform technical content into knowledge that is transferable to users of that information and manageable as a corporate (intellectual) asset. Organisations wanting to achieve ISO 9000 status or just deliver the best customer documentation possible need to reduce or even eliminate variability in their documentation process. This paper explores the contribution that content developers provide and offers suggestions for organizations on how to plan a coordinated ID/KT initiative.
AC output conductance of SOI MOSFETs and impact on analog applications

We report a frequency-dependent output conductance of partially depleted SOI MOSFETs. For high-frequency analog applications, the output conductance is less than half and the dynamic range of V/sub d/ is two times higher than the dc I-V characteristics would indicate. A simple physical model for the phenomenon that involves a phenomenological body charging capacitance and can fit data within 10% is presented.
BMP signaling in the development of the mouse esophagus and forestomach

The stratification and differentiation of the epidermis are known to involve the precise control of multiple signaling pathways. By contrast, little is known about the development of the mouse esophagus and forestomach, which are composed of a stratified squamous epithelium. Based on prior work in the skin, we hypothesized that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is a central player. To test this hypothesis, we first used a BMP reporter mouse line harboring a BRE-lacZ allele, along with in situ hybridization to localize transcripts for BMP signaling components, including various antagonists. We then exploited a Shh-Cre allele that drives recombination in the embryonic foregut epithelium to generate gain- or loss-of-function models for the Bmpr1a (Alk3) receptor. In gain-of-function (Shh-Cre;Rosa26CAG-loxpstoploxp-caBmprIa) embryos, high levels of ectopic BMP signaling stall the transition from simple columnar to multilayered undifferentiated epithelium in the esophagus and forestomach. In loss-of-function experiments, conditional deletion of the BMP receptor in Shh-Cre;Bmpr1aflox/flox embryos allows the formation of a multilayered squamous epithelium but this fails to differentiate, as shown by the absence of expression of the suprabasal markers loricrin and involucrin. Together, these findings suggest multiple roles for BMP signaling in the developing esophagus and forestomach.
Changes in infant mortality among extremely preterm infants: US vital statistics data 1990 vs 2000 vs 2010.

Changes in infant mortality among extremely preterm infants: US vital statistics data 1990 vs 2000 vs 2010
Regulation of Mammary Gland Growth and Morphogenesis by the Mammary Fat Pad: A Species Comparison

The growth and morphogenesis of mammary parenchyma varies substantially between species and is regulated by an array of systemic and local factors. Central to this regulation is the mammary fat pad, a matrix of adipose and connective tissue capable of mediating hormone action and synthesizing an array of growth regulatory molecules. In this article we highlight differences between the morphological development of the mammary parenchyma in rodents, humans, and ruminant dairy animals, placing emphasis on differences in the cellular composition and structure of the mammary fat pad. While a great deal remains to be understood about the ability of stroma to locally regulate mammary development, the significance of its contribution is becoming increasingly apparent. The actions of several steroid and peptide hormones appear to be mediated by an array of growth factors, proteases and extracellular matrix components synthesized by constituents of the mammary fat pad. Further, mammary adipose tissue represents a significant store of lipid which, by itself and through its derivatives, could influence the growth of mammary epithelium in diverse ways. This review describes the integral role of the mammary fat pad during mammogenesis, emphasizing the point that species differences must be addressed if local growth and morphogenic mechanisms within the mammary gland are to be resolved.
Effects of breast cancer on chronic disease medication adherence among older women.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of breast cancer on chronic disease medication adherence among older women. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked data and a 5% random sample of Medicare enrollees were used. Stage I–III breast cancer patients diagnosed in 2008 and women without cancer were eligible. Three cohorts of medication users 66+ years were identified using diagnosis codes and prescription fill records: diabetes, hypertension, and lipid disorders. For each cohort, breast cancer patients were frequency matched to comparison women by age and geographic area. Medication adherence was measured by the proportion of days covered and medication persistence. Results During the post-baseline period, the percentage of breast cancer patients who were non-adherent was 26.2% for diabetes medication, 28.9% for lipid-lowering medication, and 14.2% for hypertension medication. Breast cancer patients experienced an increased odds of diabetes medication non-adherence [odds ratio (OR) = 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07 to 1.95] and were more likely to be non-persistent with diabetes medication (hazard ratio = 1.31; 95%CI: 1.04 to 1.66) relative to women without cancer. The study failed to show a difference between breast cancer and comparison women in the odds of non-adherence to hypertensive (OR = 0.87; 95%CI: 0.71 to 1.05) or lipid-lowering medication (OR = 0. 91; 95%CI: 0.73 to 1.13) with a proportion of days covered threshold of 80%. Conclusion Special attention should be given to the coordination of primary care for older breast cancer patients with diabetes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
School-related victimizations among adolescents: An analysis of National Crime Survey (NCS) narratives

This paper uses a heretofore untapped source of information in the National Crime Survey (NCS) victimization data—the interviewer narratives—to explore school-related victimizations among adolescents. These narrative reports provide important information bearing on lifestyle and routine activity theories of victimization that is simply not available from the more familiar, highly structured portions of the NCS questionnaire. The NCS narratives suggest that a large proportion of school-related victimizations stems from peer interactions that occur in the course of routine daily activities and escalate into victimizations. Students represent pools of both potential offenders and potential victims who come in frequent contact with each other, often in the absence of capable guardians. However, rather than predatory, calculated attempts to harm, school-related victimizations among adolescents appear to consist primarily of bullying, injured pride, and misguided mischief. The theoretical and methodological implications of this study are highlighted.
Multimedia and the College of Business

AbstractSocietal institutions, including colleges of business, are being affected by technological change that, in turn, fosters change in institutional missions and structure. As a result of an exhaustive review of the literature, we make the case that a new technology-based learning environment is developing as a result of (a) the decrease in federal, state, and local funding; (b) the increase in educational costs, including space, staffing, and transport; (c) the increase in local and global competition; (d) the change in student expectations and background; and (e) the necessity for students and communities to engage in continuous lifelong learning. In addition, we believe that the integration of technology into the learning environment of schools has the potential to create a student-centered, technology-based learning environment that allows the student to have greater control and responsibility of the learning process. The role of the teacher changes from knowledge provider to facilitator of learni...
Research progress on influencing factors of air quality in carriage of passenger train

The influencing factors of air quality in carriage of passenger train are related to type of train and season.The influencing factors of air quality in carriage are distrinct in different types of train,and the qualified rates of various indexes are distrinct in different seasons.The environmental quality of air-conditioned train is better than that in train without air-conditioning.The qualified rate of noise in train without air-conditioning is lower than that in air-conditioned train,and there is difference in qualified rate of noise between different types of train.The paper summarizes 12 factors that influence the air quality in carriage.
Qualitative and Quantitative Relationships of the Fecal Flora in Cirrhotic Patients with Portal Systemic Encephalopathy and Following Portacaval Anastomosis

Quantitative and qualitative aerobic and anaerobic bacteriological techniques were employed to evaluate the fecal microflora of normal subjects and cirrhotic patients with and without portacaval anastamosis and portal systemic encephalopathy. In all groups of subjects total anaerobes significantly outnumbered total aerobes. Bacteroides species were the most common organisms and anaerobes encountered, while total aerobic and anaerobic lactobaccilli were the next most frequent. The two most common aerobes were coliforms and streptococci in that order. The only quantitative difference between microflora from normal and cirrhotic subjects was a slight but significant (P
Redox-electrodes for selective electrochemical separations

Redox-active materials hold great promise as platforms for selective liquid-phase separations. In contrast to capacitive electrodes that rely purely on double-layer charge for deionization, redox-modified electrodes can be used to control Faradaic reactions at the interface to selectively bind various charged and uncharged molecules, thus modulating surface interactions through electrochemical potential solely. These electrodes can be composed of a range of functional materials, from organic and organometallic polymers to inorganic crystalline compounds, each relying on its own distinct ion-exchange process. Often, redox electrochemical systems can serve as pseudocapacitors or batteries, thus offering an advantageous combination of adsorption selectivity and energy storage/recovery. This review summarizes redox-interfaces for electrosorption and release, outlines methods for preparation and synthesis, discusses the diverse mechanisms for interaction, and gives a perspective on the future of redox-mediated separations.
English Language Learner Teacher Effectiveness and the Common Core.

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and teacher effectiveness are among the most contentious issues in education today. With an increase in English language learners (ELLs) and the rigorous requirements imposed by the CCSS, teachers are left unprepared and ELLs struggle to stay afloat. Using California as a case study, this research synthesis outlines the current problem, which includes the complexity of the CCSS, the achievement gap between ELLs and their peers, and ill-equipped teachers. In addition, present-day efforts to alleviate such difficulties like the revised World Language: English Language Development credential and multicultural training are outlined. Based on our review, we recommend targeted policy changes, which include preservice teachers’ participation in extensive fieldwork with ELLs, in-service teachers’ comprehensive professional development connected to practice, as well as a systematic evaluation process to measure ELL teacher effectiveness.
Data-driven models and approaches for imaging

Data-driven techniques are becoming popular in imaging. There is growing interest in learning signal models for various applications. We describe recent research that developed efficient, scalable, and effective data-driven models and methodologies for imaging and image processing. Efficient sparsifying transform learning methods have been proposed, often incorporating various properties such as union-of-transforms, rotation invariance, etc. Transform learning-based approaches achieve high-quality results for X-ray computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance image (MRI) reconstruction from limited data. We also discuss recent work on efficient methods for synthesis dictionary learning, including in combination with low-rank models. Newly proposed dictionary-based algorithms provide promising results for dynamic MRI reconstruction from limited measurements.
Computational study of glow corona discharge in wind: Biased conductor

Abstract Corona discharges in flowing gas are of technological significance for a wide range of applications, ranging from plasma reactors to lightning protection systems. Numerous experimental studies of corona discharges in wind have confirmed the strong influence of wind on the corona current. Many of these studies report global electrical characteristics of the gaseous discharge but do not present details of the spatial structure of the potential field and charge distribution. Numerical simulation can help clarify the role of wind on the ion redistribution and the electric field shielding. In this work, we propose a methodology to solve numerically for the drift region of a DC glow corona using the usual approach of collapsing the ionization region to the electrode surface, but allowing for strong inhomogeneities in the electrical and flow setup. Numerical results for a grounded wire in the presence of an ambient electric field and wind are presented. The model predicts that the effect of the wind is to reduce the extension of the corona over the wire and to shift the center of the ion distribution upstream of the flow. In addition, we find that, even though the near-surface ion distribution is strongly affected by the ion injection law used, the current characteristics and the far field solution remain pretty much unaffected.
Pituitary apoplexy: a rare complication of leuprolide therapy in prostate cancer treatment

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, used widely in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, are associated with a rare but potentially fatal outcome of pituitary apoplexy (PA). An 85-year-old man presented with sudden onset of headache, left eye pain, sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting. The symptoms started 4 hours after initiation of leuprolide therapy for treatment of recently diagnosed metastatic prostate carcinoma. Radiological imaging of the brain demonstrated a heterogeneously enlarged pituitary gland measuring 19×16×13 mm and T1-hyperintense signal compatible with pituitary haemorrhage. Hormone function tests were indicative of panhypopituitarism, confirming the diagnosis of PA. Due to age, the patient was started on hormonal replacement therapy and eventually symptoms improved.
Firearm Storage Practices in Households of Adolescents With and Without Mental Illness.

Abstract Purpose Safe firearm storage practices are associated with a lower risk of self-inflicted injury and death. Whether such practices and relevant beliefs differ between households of adolescents with and without mental illness is unknown. Methods We used survey and administrative data to perform a two-stage cross-sectional study of parents/guardians of adolescents who were 11–17 years, enrolled in a managed care plan in 2004 and living in a household with a firearm. Multivariable Poisson models compared the prevalence of three firearm storage practices between households of adolescents with (depression or bipolar disorder) and without mental illness (no psychiatric or substance use disorder), including whether all firearms were locked, any firearms were loaded, and all firearms were locked and unloaded. We used chi-square tests to compare responses to Likert items assessing beliefs relevant to storage practices between households. Results Adolescents with mental illness were present in 141 (50.5%) of 279 study households. Their mean age was 14.5 years, and 54.8% were male. The mean age of parent/guardian respondents was 47.0 years, and 17.9% were male. Respondents from nearly 70% of households reported that all household firearms were stored locked and unloaded. In unadjusted and adjusted analyses, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of three firearm storage practices or in beliefs relevant to those practices between households of adolescents with and without mental illness. Conclusions These findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that firearm storage practices do not differ based on household mental health risk factors for self-harm.
Representation Learning for Retinal Vasculature Embeddings

The retinal vasculature imaged with fundus photography has the potential of encoding precious information for image-based retinal biomarkers, however, progress in their development is slow due to the need of defining vasculature morphology variables a priori and developing algorithms specific to these variables. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach to learn a general descriptor (or embedding) that captures the vasculature morphology in a numerically compact vector with minimal feature engineering. The vasculature embedding is computed by leveraging the internal representation of a new encoder-enhanced fully convolutional neural network, trained end-to-end with the raw pixels and manually segmented vessels. This approach effectively transfers the vasculature patterns learned by the network into a general purpose vasculature embedding vector. Using Messidor and Messidor-2, two publicly available datasets, we test the vasculature embeddings on two tasks: (1) an image retrieval task, which retrieved similar images according to their vasculature; (2) a diabetic retinopathy classification task, where we show how the vasculature embeddings improve the classification of an algorithm based on microaneurysms detection by 0.04 AUC on average.
Liver Kinase B1 Links Macrophage Metabolism Sensing and Atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol-laden macrophages at susceptible sites in the artery wall. Altered cellular metabolism plays an important role in the conversion of a macrophage into a lipid-laden foam cell and also in the ability of the macrophage to mount an inflammatory response. In the atherosclerotic lesion environment, the macrophage is exposed to a plethora of extracellular molecules that govern its phenotype, including cytokines, modified lipids, nutrients, and extracellular matrix components. Intracellular metabolic sensors allow the macrophage to adjust to the lesional environment and to alter its cellular functions accordingly. The molecular mechanisms underlying pathophysiological changes in the metabolism sensing machinery are not fully understood. In the current issue of Circulation Research ,1 Liu et al enhance our understanding of foam cell formation by reporting that loss of expression of the metabolic sensor LKB1 (liver kinase B1) in macrophages results in increased uptake of modified lipoproteins, increased foam cell formation, and subsequently, increased atherosclerosis in 2 different mouse models. This study provides new links between macrophage metabolic sensing and atherosclerosis. Article, see p 1047 LKB1, also known as STK11 (serine/threonine kinase 11), is a kinase originally identified as a tumor suppressor in patients with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome—an autosomal dominant genetic disorder associated with increased risk of developing cancer in the gastrointestinal tract and other organs.2 Later studies revealed that LKB1 acts in part as an upstream activator of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase)—an intracellular energy sensor activated by low nutrient status in cells as a mechanism to preserve energy.3 However, LKB1 also has AMPK-independent targets in cells. Recent studies have shown that the LKB1/AMPK pathway is activated by glucose deprivation and that reduced levels of the glycolytic intermediate fructose-1,6-bisphosphate …
Using pattern recognition techniques to analyze educational data

This paper proposed a workshop to introduce the use of computational tools and methods to analyze educational data. The workshop will demonstrate three different contexts in which these tools can be used to visualize and characterize patterns within educational data, and validate them using statistical techniques. Participants in this workshop will have the opportunity to learn how to implement these methods using R programming language.
Brand-Level Analysis of Demand For Mayonnaise in Northeast Texas

Mayonnaise is one of the most important condiments in the U.S. with average annual sales of $2 billion and is mostly provided by a few major manufacturers. This makes the mayonnaise market resemble an oligopoly with various competitive forces and strategic firm interactions determining final mayonnaise prices. Therefore, there is an increasing need to better understand consumer preferences for mayonnaise and the market power potential of the major brands. Given that previous literature has been relatively quiet on the issue of brand-level analysis, this study offers a brand-level empirical investigation of consumer preferences for mayonnaise along with the analysis of competition among the major mayonnaise brands such as Hellmann’s, Kraft, and various store brands. The analysis estimates the Barten synthetic model using data from the Northeast Texas. Our findings reveal inelastic demand for private label, as well as Hellmann’s and Kraft mayonnaise, while that for the remaining brands being elastic. Further, Kraft is found to be a major competitor to private label and other brands, while private label is shown to be a major competitor to Kraft. Finally, based on the expenditure elasticity estimates all the brands under study appear to be normal goods.
Spacing of Fractures in a Multilayer at Fracture Saturation

Using a three-layer model with a fractured central layer, and with a top layer and a bottom layer of the same thickness, we study the change of the critical fracture spacing to layer thickness ratio (i.e., the ratio at fracture saturation) as a function of the thickness of the top and bottom layers. Results show that, with increasing thickness of these layers, the critical spacing to layer thickness ratio decreases rapidly from infinity to a constant value, corresponding to that for very thick top and bottom layers. Also, we study the change of the critical spacing ratio as a function of the thickness of the top layer where the bottom layer is much thicker (5 times) than the fractured layer. In this case, the critical spacing to layer thickness ratio decreases rapidly from the value for edge fractures to the same constant value as the thickness of the top layer increases. These results imply that if the adjacent layers are thicker than 1.5 times the thickness of the fractured layer, the multilayer can be treated approximately as a system with infinitely thick top and bottom layers in terms of spacing at fracture saturation.
In vitro purging with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide and its effects on the hematopoietic and stromal elements of human bone marrow

The use of a combination of high-dose chemoradiotherapy and transplantation of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) purged autologous bone marrow is a promising approach to the treatment of leukemia [1] and lymphoma [2, 3]. The rationale supporting this therapeutic modality was provided in 1980 by Sharkes et al. who showed that 4-HC can selectively purge murine acute leukemia cells from marrow suspensions in a dose-related manner without affecting the viability and self-renewal capacity of the non-leukemic pluripotential hematopoietic stem cells (CFU-s) [4].
Large-scale QM/MM free energy simulations of enzyme catalysis reveal the influence of charge transfer.

Hybrid quantum mechanical–molecular mechanical (QM/MM) simulations provide key insights into enzyme structure–function relationships. Numerous studies have demonstrated that large QM regions are needed to systematically converge ground state, zero temperature properties with electrostatic embedding QM/MM. However, it is not well known if ab initio QM/MM free energy simulations have this same dependence, in part due to the hundreds of thousands of energy evaluations required for free energy estimations that in turn limit QM region size. Here, we leverage recent advances in electronic structure efficiency and accuracy to carry out range-separated hybrid density functional theory free energy simulations in a representative methyltransferase. By studying 200 ps of ab initio QM/MM dynamics for each of five QM regions from minimal (64 atoms) to one-sixth of the protein (544 atoms), we identify critical differences between large and small QM region QM/MM in charge transfer between substrates and active site residues as well as in geometric structure and dynamics that coincide with differences in predicted free energy barriers. Distinct geometric and electronic structure features in the largest QM region indicate that important aspects of enzymatic rate enhancement in methyltransferases are identified with large-scale electronic structure.
The Lost Settler Child

This chapter includes tales of children lost or dying, as in Ethel Pedley’s Australian children’s classic Dot and the Kangaroo (1899), Catherine Parr Traill’s novel, The Canadian Crusoes (1852), Timothy Flint’s American tale Little Henry, The Stolen Child (1847), and “Beta’s” South African Stories (1901). White children symbolize the contact settler writ large, typically, as in the Australian Henry Kingsley’s Recollections of Geoffrey Hamlyn, wandering out into the bush only to become lost and either die or be rescued, often by animals or indigenous people. This chapter connects texts as part of examining “lost” children as an expression of the all-too-common experience of childhood mortality, which was as threatening to the nineteenth-century settler community as the landscape or animals.