cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Becoming a Teacher of Literacy: The struggle between authoritative discourses

This study describes and analyzes the influence of an ideological conflict between a teacher education program and a school district upon one pre‐service teacher's emerging identity as a teacher of literacy. Using poststructural feminism as the theoretical framework and a single case study analysis, the study illustrates how the discourse of the school district's scripted reading program and the discourse of the university's comprehensive literacy positions Claire, the pre‐service teacher. The data analysis demonstrates how being positioned between these two competing and authoritative discourses conflicts with her understanding of reading and reading instruction. Reflecting upon the data, the research becomes a self‐study of the teacher educator/researchers. Four unresolved tensions seek to create spaces of resistance and change.
Alprazolam withdrawal presenting as delirium after cardiac surgery

A 4%year-old white man experienced delirium after coronary revascularization. The patient had had increasing frequency of exertional angina over a 4-month period. His past medical history included an uncomplicated inferior wal1 myocardial infarction (MI) 2 years prior to admission for which he had been treated with diltiazem, 60 mg, four times daily, atenolol, 50 mg, twice daily, and isosorbide dinitrate, 30 mg, four times daily. He also quit smoking at that time. At the time of this admission, he was exercising regularly and appeared to be an exceptionally fit, yet anxious individual. He weighed 76 kg and was 178 cm tal], had a normal physical examination, and had no other medical conditions or cardiac risk factors. He reported an allergy to penicillin, minimal alcohol use, and no recreational drug use. Cardiac catheterization showed lesions in the left anterior descending, total occlusion of the distal circumflex, and total occlusion of the posterior descending and posterior lateral right coronary systems. He desired the operation and was scheduled for coronary revascularization involving three distal grafts. Premedication consisted of 2 mg of lorazepam, orally, the night prior to surgery, nifedipine, 30 mg, propranolol, 30 mg, isosorbide dinitrate, 30 mg, morphine, 5 mg, intramuscularly (IM), and an additiona12 mg of lorazepam the morning of operation. On arrival in the operating room, the patient appeared drowsy, yet claimed to be fully alert. Blood pressure (BP) varied between 110170 and 80/40 mm Hg with a heart rate (HR) of 55 beats/min, and arterial oxygen saturation was 97% by pulse oximeter. Invasive monitors were placed without incident during which time an additional 3 mg of lorazepam was given for sedation. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), pulmonary capillaty wedge pressure (PCWP), and cardiac output (CO) were 26/15 mm Hg, 12 mm Hg, and 5.6 Umin, respectively. Mixed venous oxygen saturation was 81% at the time of the pulmonary artery catheter insertion, and increased to 91% with intubation, after anesthesia was uneventfully induced with 1,000 ug of fentanyl, 4 mg of midazolam, and 8 mg of vecuronium. Nitroglycerin, 0.5 &kg/min, was given intravenously prior to and during induction. One unit of blood was phlebotomized at that
Bayesian nonparametric adaptive control of time-varying systems using Gaussian processes

Real-world dynamical variations make adaptive control of time-varying systems highly relevant. However, most adaptive control literature focuses on analyzing systems where the uncertainty is represented as a weighted linear combination of fixed number of basis functions, with constant weights. One approach to modeling time variations is to assume time varying ideal weights, and use difference integration to accommodate weight variation. However, this approach reactively suppresses the uncertainty, and has little ability to predict system behavior locally. We present an alternate formulation by leveraging Bayesian nonparametric Gaussian Process adaptive elements. We show that almost surely bounded adaptive controllers for a class of nonlinear time varying system can be formulated by incorporating time as an additional input to the Gaussian kernel. Analysis and simulations show that the learning-enabled local predictive ability of our adaptive controllers significantly improves performance.
On the risk of false positive identification using multiple ion monitoring in qualitative mass spectrometry: Large-scale intercomparisons with a comprehensive mass spectral library

Analysts involved in qualitative mass spectrometry have long debated the minimum data requirements for demonstrating that signals from an unknown sample are identical to those from a known compound. Often this process is carried out by comparing a few selected ions acquired by multiple ion monitoring (MIM), with due allowance for expected variability in response. In a few past experiments with electron-ionization mass spectrometry (EI-MS), the number of ions selected and the allowable variability in relative abundance were tested by comparing one spectrum against a library of mass spectra, where library spectra served to represent potential false positive signals in an analysis. We extended these experiments by carrying out large-scale intercomparisons between thousands of spectra and a library of one hundred thousand EI mass spectra. The results were analyzed to gain insights into the identification confidence associated with various numbers of selected ions. A new parameter was investigated for the first time, to take into account that a library spectrum with a different base peak than the search spectrum may still cause a false positive identification. The influence of peak correlation among the specific ions in all the library mass spectra was also studied. Our computations showed that (1) false positive identifications can result from similar compounds, or low-abundance peaks in unrelated compounds if the method calls for detection at very low levels; (2) a MIM method’s identification confidence improves in a roughly continuous manner as more ions are monitored, about one order of magnitude for each additional ion selected; (3) full scan spectra still represent the best alternative, if instrument sensitivity is adequate. The use of large scale intercomparisons with a comprehensive library is the only way to provide direct evidence in support of these conclusions, which otherwise depend on the judgment and experience of individual analysts. There are implications for residue chemists who would rely on standardized confirmation criteria to assess the validity of a given confirmatory method. For example, standardized confirmation criteria should not be used in the absence of interference testing and rational selection of diagnostic ions.
Cystatin C is associated with inflammation but not atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Even mild renal impairment is associated with increased atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality. Cystatin C, a novel measure of renal function, is more sensitive than conventional creatinine-based measures for the detection of subtle renal impairment. Increased cystatin concentrations are also associated with cardiovascular risk, independently of conventional measures of renal function. This study examined the hypothesis that cystatin C is elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is associated with coronary atherosclerosis.Methods: Serum cystatin C, creatinine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, coronary artery calcium score (CACS), Framingham risk score (FRS), Modified Diet in Renal Disease estimated glomerular filtration rate (MDRD-eGFR), and other clinical parameters were measured in 118 patients with SLE and 83 control subjects. The independent association between concentrations of cystatin C and SLE was evaluated using multivariable linear regression models,...
Age Differences in Adaptive Decision Making: The Role of Numeracy.

The primary purposes of the present study were to examine age differences in adaptive decision making and to evaluate the role of numeracy in mediating the relationship between age and adaptive decision making. Adaptive decision making was assessed by the Cups task (Levin, Weller, Pederson, & Harshman, 2007). Forty-six younger (18 to 24 years old) and 37 older adults (61 to 89 years old) completed the Cups task. In addition, the Numeracy Scale (Lipkus, Samsa, & Rimer, 2001) was used to measure individual numeric ability. Adaptive decision making was operationalized by the Expected Value sensitivity (i.e., the product of probability and outcome magnitudes) across the gain and the loss domains. Older adults had significantly lower Expected Value sensitivity than young adults. In addition, older adults demonstrated significantly lower numeracy than younger adults. Finally, numeracy partially mediated the relationship between age and adaptive decision making. It is suggested that older adults’ declined decisi...
On the Nature of the 7‐Norbornadienyllithiums. Preliminary Communication

Lithium reductions of 7-chloronorbornadiene and of bis(7-norbornadienyl)mercury both provide (C7H7)2Li2 (5a). This product is accompanied by C7H7Li2Cl (5c) in the first case, and by C7H7Li (5b) in the second. The theoretically anticipated properties of all three organolithiums are apparent in the consistent Cs symmetry of their hydrocarbon ligands, their protolytic destruction by 12-crown-4, and their significant J(C(7), Li) (5a, 7.6; 5b, 16.0; 5c 8.9 Hz).
Associations between academic achievement and psychosocial variables in adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic genetic disease that leads to the accumulation of thick mucus in multiple organ systems, leading to chronic lung infection and affecting the body's ability to absorb nutrients necessary for growth and development. This cross-sectional, correlational study examined the potential effects of CF on students' psychosocial and academic development. METHODS: Forty adolescents with CF completed a battery of neuropsychological and psychosocial measures. Their school records were reviewed to abstract information about standardized achievement testing results and grade point average (GPA). Academic outcomes were hypothesized to be associated with (1) self-efficacy, (2) disease and school-specific coping strategies, (3) attitude to school, and (4) depression. RESULTS: Cognitive and academic scores were within the normal range, and self-efficacy had the strongest association with standardized cognitive and academic measures and high school grades. School absences were associated with GPA, but not standardized test scores. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with CF require supports in school that foster their sense of self-efficacy and accommodations that address the learning time lost from extended health-related absences.
FPGA Implementation of Tiger Hash Function

New hash function algorithms have a potential application compared to the conventional MD family hash functions. The architecture and FPGA implementation of a secure hash function Tiger is introduced in this paper. The design was coded using VHDL and for the hardware implementation a Xilinx FPGA device was used. While no other previous Tiger implementations exist, the comparisons are conducted with previous hash functions especially Whirlpool function. The comparisons show that the proposed Tiger function could be used in the application where area is a design constraint, and where a different hash function from MD family of hash function such as Tiger, Whirlpool, is needed for the design.
Dynamic triggering: Stress modeling and a case study

[1] Changes in the static stress can trigger nearby earthquakes that occur within a few fault lengths from the causative event. Transient stresses caused by passage of surface waves commonly trigger events at remote distances, yet little is documented or understood about the processes and stresses necessary for remote triggering. To understand the causative stresses and environments behind remote, or dynamic, triggering, we must decipher the stresses caused by the passage of the surface waves in relation to the local stress field and fault conditions where the triggered events occur. In this study, we model the change in the stress field that the passing of Rayleigh and Love waves causes on a fault plane of arbitrary orientation relative to the direction of propagation of the waves, and we apply a Coulomb failure criterion to calculate the potential of these stress changes to trigger reverse, normal, or strike-slip failure. We compare these model results with data from dynamically triggered earthquakes in the Australian Bowen Basin, an area with low seismicity and mapped regional stress and that is at the margin of a stable continental craton. Our data analysis shows that for this region, surface waves arriving at 45° from the average strike direction are the most likely to trigger local seismicity. This agrees with our observations.
Utilization and costs of health care after geriatric traumatic brain injury.

Abstract Despite the growing number of older adults experiencing traumatic brain injury (TBI), little information exists regarding their utilization and cost of health care services. Identifying patterns in the type of care received and determining their costs is an important first step toward understanding the return on investment and potential areas for improvement. We performed a health care utilization and cost analysis using the National Study on the Costs and Outcomes of Trauma (NSCOT) dataset. Subjects were persons 55–84 years of age with TBI treated in 69 U.S. hospitals located in 14 states (n=414, weighted n=1038). Health outcomes, health care utilization, and 1-year costs of care following TBI in 2005 U.S. dollars were estimated from hospital bills, patient surveys, medical records, and Medicare claims data. The subjects were further analyzed in three subgroups (55–64, 65–74, and 75–84 years of age). Unadjusted cost models were built, followed by a second set of models adjusting for demographic ...
Dispersion Characterization of Highly Nonlinear Fiber Over a 700-nm Band

We demonstrate a new method for wideband dispersion characterization of highly nonlinear fibers with very low dispersion. The new method uses a wideband supercontinuum source and a balanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer architecture. The new dispersion reconstruction algorithm allowed dispersive measurement accuracy of 0.05 ps/km-nm over a 700-nm spectral band for standard (sloped) highly nonlinear fiber.
Evaluation of WRF model seasonal forecasts for tropical region of Singapore

Abstract. The Weather and Research Forecast (WRF) model is evaluated for the monsoon and inter-monsoon seasons over the tropical region of Singapore. The model configuration, physical parameterizations and performance results are described in this paper. In addition to the ready-to-use data available with the WRF model, the model configuration includes high resolution MODIS land use (500 m horizontal resolution) and JPL-NASA sea surface temperature (1 km horizontal resolution) data. The model evaluation is performed against near surface observations for temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, available from a dense network of weather monitoring stations across Singapore. It is found that the high resolution data sets bring significant improvement in the model forecasts. The results also indicate that the model forecasts are more accurate in the monsoon seasons compared to the inter-monsoon seasons.
Phenylalanine Lowers Melanin Synthesis in Mammalian Melanocytes by Reducing Tyrosinase Uptake: Implications for Pigment Reduction in Phenylketonuria

The effect of phenylalanine on melanogenesis was studied in the RPMI-3460 hamster melanoma cell line. L-phenylalanine was a relatively weak competitive inhibitor of the tyrosinase activity in pigment cell homogenates but D-phenylalanine did not affect this tyrosinase activity. In vivo , 10mM L- or D-phenylalanine inhibited the incorporation of labeled tyrosine into melanin. Since phenylalanine reduced the size of the acid-soluble intracellular tyrosine pool relative to controls, this reduction is proposed as the cause of the diminished incorporation of tyrosine into melanin. In addition, melanin synthesis generated from endogenous tyrosine, in the absence of tyrosine in the culture medium, was not affected by the presence of L- or D-phenylalanine. Phenylalanine-related depression of melanin synthesis in cell culture therefore, was not caused by inhibition of tyrosinase activity, but by restriction of tyrosine uptake by phenylalanine. The results with this mammalian cell model suggest that the pathologic phenylalanine:tyrosine imbalance found in phenylketonuria (PKU) may cause a reduction of melanin synthesis in hair follicles and normally pigmented areas of the brain by affecting uptake of tyrosine by melanocytes. The reduced pigmentation in PKU is more likely to be caused by reduced serum tyrosine levels and by competition for tyrosine uptake with phenylalanine than by phenylalanine inhibition of tyrosinase activity.
Ethanolamine phosphokinase: activity and properties during liver development.

The conditions for maximal activity of ethanolamine phosphokinase from rat liver were determined. All of the activity was located in the supernatant fraction after centrifugation at 100 000 × g for 60 min. The enzyme activity had a pH optimum at 8.5 and an apparent Km for ethanolamine of 1·10−4 M at an ATP and Mg2+ concentration of 3.0 mM. The enzyme uses the Mg-ATP complex as substrate and is inhibited by free ATP. Choline inhibits ethanolamine phosphokinase. Maximal inhibition is obtained at choline concentrations of 0.4 mM. Treatment of the supernatant with Sephadex G-25 or by dialysis causes an increase in the maximal amount of inhibition obtained with choline. The inhibition by choline is non-competitive with ethanolamine and competitive with ATP. Ethanolamine phosphokinase is inhibited by N,N-dimethylethanolamine and N-methylethanolamine but not by betaine, phosphoryl choline, CDP-choline or phosphorylethanolamine. The activity of ethanolamine phosphokinase is low in −5-day fetal liver. The activity increases from −5 days to −2 days and drops at 1 day after birth. An endogenous inhibitor of ethanolamine phosphokinase is present in all preparations but at different levels. The drop in activity in 1-day-old animals is due to the presence of higher amounts of inhibition by the endogenous inhibitor within the preparation. Evidence indicates that the endogenous inhibitor is choline.
Response to an Automated Function Failure Cue: An Operational Measure of Complacency

This report describes an experiment whose purpose was to operationally define complacency. Non-pilots performed an airspeed and altitude maintenance task on a desktop approach procedures trainer, while responding to three unpredictable reaction time cues each minute during a 20 minute trial. A separate reaction time cue was yoked to come on with this cue and extinguish automatically with it; but subjects were instructed that they had to respond to this second cue if it failed to extinguish by itself. This otherwise irrelevant cue simulated an automated function whose persistence signaled a system failure and called for detection and response on the part of the subject. The delay in response to this “complacency” probe, compared with the latencies of the ongoing reaction time task, comprised the measure of complacency. Complacency reaction time was significantly longer and, while a second complacency probe led to improved response times, evidence for complacency persisted. Non-pilot subjects tended to keep...
Activin A and TGF-β promote TH9 cell–mediated pulmonary allergic pathology

Background—IL-9-secreting (TH9) T cells are thought to represent a distinct T-cell subset. However, evidence for their functionality in disease is uncertain. Objective—To define a functional phenotype for TH9-driven pathology in vivo. Methods—We used fluorescence-activated cell sorting to identify circulating TH9 cells in atopic and nonatopic subjects. In mice we utilized a model of allergic airways disease induced by house dust mite to determine TH9 cell function in vivo and the role of activin A in TH9 generation. Results—Allergic patients have elevated TH9 cell numbers in comparison to nonatopic donors, which correlates with elevated IgE levels. In a murine model, allergen challenge with house dust mite leads to rapid TH9 differentiation and proliferation, with much faster kinetics than for TH2 cell differentiation, resulting in the specific recruitment and activation of mast cells. The TGF-β superfamily member activin A replicates the function of TGF-β1 in driving the in vitro generation of TH9 cells. Importantly, the in vivo inhibition of TH9 differentiation induced by allergen was achieved only when activin A and TGF-β were blocked in conjunction but not alone, resulting in reduced airway hyperreactivity and collagen deposition. Conversely, adoptive transfer of TH9 cells results in enhanced pathology. Conclusion—Our data identify a distinct functional role for TH9 cells and outline a novel pathway for their generation in vitro and in vivo. Functionally, TH9 cells promote allergic responses resulting in enhanced pathology mediated by the specific recruitment and activation of mast cells in the lungs.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Ammonia Synthesis

Abstract Synthesis of ammonia on iron catalysts was discovered in 1905. Five years later, an iron catalyst containing two promoters, alumina and potassium oxide, was invented by a team of Badische Anilin und Soda Fabrik (BASF). The first high-pressure ammonia plant went on stream in 1913. Thus it took only 8 years between discovery, invention, and innovation, a remarkable record considering the novelty at the time of high-pressure operation [1]. Also noteworthy is the fact that the original BASF iron catalyst is still in use today although additional promoters are added to the two original ones in various commercial formulations [2]. In fact, recent advances in ammonia manufacture have been largely of an engineering nature [3]. This is so in spite of a very large amount of fundamental and applied work designed to elucidate the mechanism of the reaction and the surface chemistry of commercial or alternative catalysts.
Fast-Adapting Matrix Filtering

Implementation and convergence of adaptive processors are of continuing interest. To this end, a fast-adapting, linear, general recursive matrix-filtering algorithm is described. Two complex xoefficients are optimized at each recursion. A signal and interference estimation procedure is included. Results for some low-resolution, frequency domain beamformer trials with two targets, and using a single sample set, are presented. Considerable adaptive improvement occurs, along with target resolution, compared with a correlation beamformer. The algorithm shows rapid and direct convergence.
Acute and long-term effectiveness of clozapine in treatment-resistant psychotic depression

The treatment of refractory major depression, including the psychotic subtype, is a therapeutic challenge. Three cases of resistant psychotic depression were treated with clozapine monotherapy, an atypical antipsychotic drug effective in treatment-resistant schizophrenia and mania. Both psychotic and mood symptoms responded well to clozapine monotherapy, although response was delayed in one case. Tardive dyskinesia improved markedly, and tardive dystonia improved moderately in one patient. No patient relapsed during a follow-up period of 4-6 years of clozapine treatment. Clozapine was well-tolerated with few side effects. These observations suggest controlled trials of clozapine in the treatment of psychotic depression that fails to respond to electroconvulsive therapy or typical neuroleptics plus tricyclic antidepressants are indicated. The same is true for the use of clozapine in maintenance treatment for psychotic depression in those cases in which typical neuroleptic drugs are required, in order to reduce the risk of tardive dyskinesia and dystonia.
A note on designing a comprehensive scanning electron microscopy test structure (for VLSI)

The authors have developed a family of computer generated test structures for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sectioning. These test structures were designed to provide maximum topography and design rule process data with minimum sample preparation. The test structures were designed to be large enough to allow cleaving through the structures. The individual layout geometries were repeated in a staggered fashion across the structure to maximize the probability that a cleave will not require multiple passes of polishing to locate the position of interest. All the SEM structures were placed together so that a single sample makes all included physical parameters observable. >
Mapping New Hiv Infections In Morocco By Modes Of Transmission Model In 2013

Background Countries in the Middle East and North Africa are experiencing emerging HIV epidemics in high-risk populations, including people who inject drugs (PWID), men who have sex with men (MSM), and female sex workers (FSWs). This study was initiated by the Morocco Ministry of Health to identify the key modes of exposure to HIV infection among the Moroccan population and to provide recommendations for national HIV prevention strategies for the coming years. This work represents the second national modes of transmission (MoT) analysis in Morocco after the 2010 MoT study. Methods The MoT mathematical model developed by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS was used to update the 2010 model results. The model was parameterized based on recent integrated bio-behavioral surveillance survey (IBBSS) studies and quality data provided by the Morocco Ministry of Health and through a comprehensive review and synthesis of HIV and risk behavior data in Morocco. Uncertainty analyses were used to assess the reliability of, and uncertainty around, our calculated estimates. Results FSWs, clients of FSWs, MSM, and PWID contributed 11.1%, 24.7%, 22.4%, and 4.8% of new HIV infections, respectively. More than two-thirds (70%) of new HIV infections occurred among FSWs, clients of FSWs, MSM, and PWID, or among the stable sexual partners of these populations. Casual heterosexual sex contributed 8% of HIV infections. About half (44%) of HIV incidence was among females, but 73% of these infections were due to an infected spouse. The vast majority of HIV infections among men (92%) were due to high-risk behavior. A very small HIV incidence was predicted to be arising from medical injections or blood transfusion (0.1%). Conclusions The HIV epidemic in Morocco is driven by HIV incidence in high-risk groups, with commercial heterosexual sex networks being the leading driver of the epidemic, and MSM networks contributing to a larger share of new HIV infections than the 2010 model estimates (24% versus 14%). There is a need to further focus HIV response on high-risk populations through scaling up of prevention services such as condom promotion among FSWs and their clients, voluntary counseling and testing, harm reduction, and expanded treatment coverage. It is also essential to continue with repeated rounds of IBBSS studies among these population groups.
Dynamic memory disambiguation using the memory conflict buffer

To exploit instruction level parallelism, compilers for VLIW and superscalar processors often employ static code scheduling. However, the available code reordering may be severely restricted due to ambiguous dependences between memory instructions. This paper introduces a simple hardware mechanism, referred to as the memory conflict buffer, which facilitates static code scheduling in the presence of memory store/load dependences. Correct program execution is ensured by the memory conflict buffer and repair code provided by the compiler. With this addition, significant speedup over an aggressive code scheduling model can be achieved for both non-numerical and numerical programs.
Improved spliced alignment from an information theoretic approach

Motivation: mRNA sequences and expressed sequence tags represent some of the most abundant experimental data for identifying genes and alternatively spliced products in metazoans. These transcript sequences are frequently studied by aligning them to a genomic sequence template. For existing programs, error-prone, polymorphic and cross-species data, as well as non-canonical splice sites, still present significant barriers to producing accurate, complete alignments. Results: We took a novel approach to spliced alignment that meaningfully combined information from sequence similarity with that obtained from PSSM splice site models. Scoring systems were chosen to maximize their power of discrimination, and dynamic programming (DP) was employed to guarantee optimal solutions would be found. The resultant program, EXALIN, performed better than other popular tools tested under a wide range of conditions that included detection of micro-exons and human--mouse cross-species comparisons. For improved speed with only a marginal decrease in splice site prediction accuracy, EXALIN could perform limited DP guided by a result from BLASTN. Availability: The source code, binaries, scripts, scoring matrices and splice site models for human, mouse, rice and Caenorhabditis elegans utilized in this study are posted at http://blast.wustl.edu/exalin. The software (scripts, source code and binaries) is copyrighted but free for all to use. Contact: gish@blast.wustl.edu Supplementary information: http://blast.wustl.edu/exalin/exalin-supplement.pdf
Gene expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma reveals highly consistent profiles

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is clinically heterogeneous. Apart from an association with ionizing radiation, the etiology and molecular biology of PTC is poorly understood. We used oligo-based DNA arrays to study the expression profiles of eight matched pairs of normal thyroid and PTC tissues. Additional PTC tumors and other tissues were studied by reverse transcriptase-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The PTCs showed concordant expression of many genes and distinct clustered profiles. Genes with increased expression in PTC included many encoding adhesion and extracellular matrix proteins. Expression was increased in 8/8 tumors for 24 genes and in 7/8 tumors for 22 genes. Among these genes were several previously known to be overexpressed in PTC, such as MET, LGALS3, KRT19, DPP4, MDK, TIMP1, and FN1. The numerous additional genes include CITED1, CHI3L1, ODZ1, N33, SFTPB, and SCEL. Reverse transcriptase-PCR showed high expression of CITED1, CHI3L1, ODZ1, and SCEL in 6/6 additional PTCs. Immunohistochemical analysis detected CITED1 and SFTPB in 49/52 and 39/52 PTCs, respectively, but not in follicular thyroid carcinoma and normal thyroid tissue. Genes underexpressed in PTC included tumor suppressors, thyroid function-related proteins, and fatty acid binding proteins. Expression was decreased in 7/8 tumors for eight genes and decreased in 6/8 tumors for 19 genes. We conclude that, despite its clinical heterogeneity, PTC is characterized by consistent and specific molecular changes. These findings reveal clues to the molecular pathways involved in PTC and may provide biomarkers for clinical use.
Differential Effects of Phthalates on the Testis and the Liver

Phthalates have been shown to elicit contrasting effects on the testis and the liver, causing testicular degeneration and promoting abnormal hepatocyte proliferation and carcinogenesis. In the present study, we compared the effects of phthalates on testicular and liver cells to better understand the mechanisms by which phthalates cause testicular degeneration. In vivo treatment of rats with di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) caused a threefold increase of germ cell apoptosis in the testis, whereas apoptosis was not changed significantly in livers from the same animals. Western blot analyses revealed that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha is equally abundant in the liver and the testis, whereas PPAR gamma and retinoic acid receptor (RAR) alpha are expressed more in the testis. To determine whether the principal metabolite of DEHP, mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), or a strong peroxisome proliferator, 4-chloro-6(2,3-xylindino)-2-pyrimidinylthioacetic acid (Wy-14,643), have a differential effect in Sertoli and liver cells by altering the function of RAR alpha and PPARs, their nuclear trafficking patterns were compared in Sertoli and liver cells after treatment. Both MEHP and Wy-14,643 increased the nuclear localization of PPAR alpha and PPAR gamma in Sertoli cells, but they decreased the nuclear localization of RAR alpha, as previously shown. Both PPAR alpha and PPAR gamma were in the nucleus and cytoplasm of liver cells, but RAR alpha was predominant in the cytoplasm, regardless of the treatment. At the molecular level, MEHP and Wy-14,643 reduced the amount of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (activated MAPK) in Sertoli cells. In comparison, both MEHP and Wy-14,643 increased phosphorylated MAPK in liver cells. These results suggest that phthalates may cause contrasting effects on the testis and the liver by differential activation of the MAPK pathway, RAR alpha, PPAR alpha, and PPAR gamma in these organs.
Neurological and functional outcomes of subdural hematoma evacuation in patients over 70 years of age.

Background: Subdural hematoma (SDH) is a common disease entity treated by neurosurgical intervention. Although the incidence increases in the elderly population, there is a paucity of studies examining their surgical outcomes. Objectives: To determine the neurological and functional outcomes of patients over 70 years of age undergoing surgical decompression for subdural hematoma. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on 45 patients above 70 years who underwent craniotomy or burr holes for acute, chronic or mixed subdural hematomas. We analyzed both neurological and functional status before and after surgery. Results: Forty-five patients 70 years of age or older were treated in our department during the study period. There was a significant improvement in the neurological status of patients from admission to follow up as assessed using the Markwalder grading scale (1.98 vs. 1.39; P =0.005), yet no improvement in functional outcome was observed as assessed by Glasgow Outcome Score. Forty-one patients were admitted from home, however only 20 patients (44%) were discharged home, 16 (36%) discharged to nursing home or rehab, 6 (13%) to hospice and 3 (7%) died in the postoperative period. Neurological function improved in patients who were older, had a worse pre-operative neurological status, were on anticoagulation and had chronic or mixed acute and chronic hematoma. However, no improvement in functional status was observed. Conclusion: Surgical management of SDH in patients over 70 years of age provides significant improvement in neurological status, but does not change functional status.
Utility-Based Opportunistic Routing in Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

Recently, opportunistic routing (OR) has been widely used to compensate for the low packet delivery ratio of multi-hop wireless networks. Previous works either provide heuristic solutions without optimality analysis, or assume that unlimited retransmission is available for delivering a data packet. In this paper, we apply OR to a utility-based routing where the successful delivery of a data packet generates benefit. The objective is to maximize utility, defined as a function of benefit and cost of transmission. As the link reliability of each relay determines eventual packet delivery and hence utility, OR offers the ability to increase reliability through opportunistic relays. We explore the optimality of utility-based routing through OR without allowing retransmission, and observe that the optimal scheme requires exhaustive searching of all paths from source to destination. We then propose a heuristic solution to select relays and determine priorities among them. Finally, we provide distributed implementations for both schemes. Simulations on NS-2 and our customized simulator are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the heuristic compared with the optimal.
Risk factors for amblyopia in the vision in preschoolers study.

Objective To evaluate risk factors for unilateral amblyopia and for bilateral amblyopia in the Vision in Preschoolers (VIP) study. Design Multicenter, cross-sectional study. Participants Three- to 5-year-old Head Start preschoolers from 5 clinical centers, overrepresenting children with vision disorders. Methods All children underwent comprehensive eye examinations, including threshold visual acuity (VA), cover testing, and cycloplegic retinoscopy, performed by VIP-certified optometrists and ophthalmologists who were experienced in providing care to children. Monocular threshold VA was tested using a single-surround HOTV letter protocol without correction, and retested with full cycloplegic correction when retest criteria were met. Unilateral amblyopia was defined as an interocular difference in best-corrected VA of 2 lines or more. Bilateral amblyopia was defined as best-corrected VA in each eye worse than 20/50 for 3-year-olds and worse than 20/40 for 4- to 5-year-olds. Main Outcome Measures Risk of amblyopia was summarized by the odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals estimated from logistic regression models. Results In this enriched sample of Head Start children (n = 3869), 296 children (7.7%) had unilateral amblyopia, and 144 children (3.7%) had bilateral amblyopia. Presence of strabismus ( P P P P Conclusions Strabismus and significant refractive errors were risk factors for unilateral amblyopia. Bilateral astigmatism and bilateral hyperopia were risk factors for bilateral amblyopia. Despite differences in selection of the study population, these results validated the findings from the Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Disease Study and Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease Study.
A simple chaotic delay differential equation

The simplest chaotic delay differential equation with a sinusoidal nonlinearity is described, including the route to chaos, Lyapunov exponent spectrum, and chaotic diffusion. It is prototypical of many other high-dimensional chaotic systems.
Arterial Stiffness and Cognitive Function in the Elderly

Cognitive decline and dementia are a major cause of disability and mortality among older adults. Cross-sectional evidence from observational studies suggests that greater arterial stiffness is associated with worse cognitive performance. These associations have been observed on measures of global cognition and across multiple domains of cognition. Epidemiologic evidence on the association between arterial stiffness and rate of cognitive decline has been less definitive, and very few studies have investigated the risk of developing dementia. This review summarizes the current research on arterial stiffness and cognition, issues around measurement, and the effect that potential intervention might have on the course of cognitive aging. The evidence on pharmacological and non-pharmacological (exercise, nutrition, etc.) interventions in older adults with arterial stiffness is promising. Yet there are no studies or trials that directly evaluate how interventions of arterial stiffness reduce or prevent cognitive impairment and risk of developing dementia. More research is needed to elucidate the causal link between arterial stiffness and cognitive decline and dementia, and to identify whether potential interventions to prevent or reduce arterial stiffness may benefit cognitive health of the elderly.
Effect of Calcium on the Incorporation of Proline into Hydroxyproline of Collagen Fractions from Normal and Lathyritic Chick Embryos

Abstract INTRODUCTION LATHYRISM induced in the developing chick embryo has been shown by Levene and Gross (1959) to increase fragility of collagen containing tissues and to increase the solubility of collagen in cold neutral saline. Skeletal and vascular lesions associated with this condition can largely be attributed to inadequate formation or breakdown of the collagen containing tissues. Smiley et al. (1962) administered proline-C14 to normal chick embryos and to embryos rendered lathyritic by beta-aminopropionitrile. Increased amounts of extractible collagen from lathyritic embryos exhibited higher hydroxyproline specific activity than did collagen from normal embryos. Residue collagen in treated embryos had a lower hydroxyproline specific activity than did residue collagen from normal embryos. Their (Smiley et al., 1962) results suggest that the increased amount of soluble collagen in lathyrism induced by beta-aminopropionitrile is largely due to a blockage in the formation of mature insoluble collagen fibrils. Through prior labeling of the insoluble collagen,…
Paleogeographic Setting and Depositional Architecture of a Sand-Dominated Shelf Depositional System, Miocene Utsira Formation, North Sea Basin

ABSTRACT The middle-late Miocene Utsira sandstone of the North Sea Basin contains a fully preserved, regional marine sand deposit that records a stable paleogeographic setting of shelf sand transport and accumulation within an epeiric shelf sea which persisted for ca. 8 Myr. The sediment dispersal system was defined by (1) sediment input through a prograding strandplain platform, coast-to-shelf bypass, and regional basin-centered transport and deposition within an elongate seaway; (2) a high-energy marine regime; (3) very low rates of sediment supply and accumulation in the accommodation-dominated seaway; (4) high sediment reworking ratio and consequent abundance of autochthonous sediment; (5) regional along-strike sediment transport; and (6) local to subregional landward sediment transport. Shelf systems were primarily nourished by sediment reworked from the Shetland strandplain, which prograded eastward into the central Viking Trough. The Viking strait lay between the constructional platform and the nondepositional Horda Platform. Southward longshore transport on the high-energy shoreface and shallow shelf platform constructed the mounded south Viking shelf shoal. Southward-building sandy banner banks that formed along the recurved arc of the platform margin nourished the shoal system. Low-angle sigmoid clinoforms with downstepping, aggradational tops are distinctive architectures of the strike-fed sand bodies. The combination of strong marine currents and slow but continual sand supply from the Shetland strandplain created regional, sandy shelf depositional systems that individually covered 3500 to 6000 sq. km. of basin floor. Defining elements of the shelf shoal systems include their location within the basin axis, mounded morphology, stratal architecture, and construction by amalgamated marine sand facies.
Reconstruction of the right anterior circulation with the Pipeline embolization device to achieve treatment of a progressively symptomatic, large carotid aneurysm

Introduction We present the use of the Pipeline embolization device (PED) to achieve reconstruction of the right anterior circulation in a patient with a dolichoectatic internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) and an associated symptomatic, large, carotid-ophthalmic segment aneurysm. Clinical presentation A 36-year-old man presented with progressive right eye vision loss followed by sudden severe headache. Subsequent neuroimaging revealed a large right carotid-ophthalmic segment aneurysm and diffuse ectasia of the supraclinoid ICA and proximal MCA. A coil embolization of the aneurysm was performed without stent support. Over the next year, the patient experienced increasing headache and progressive bitemporal vision loss. Serial MRI showed progressive coil compaction and recanalization of the aneurysm. Treatment The right anterior circulation was reconstructed with a total of six PEDs that extended from the distal M1 segment of the MCA proximally into the distal cavernous segment of the ICA. Follow-up angiography at 1 and 4 months demonstrated progressive complete occlusion of the aneurysm and a reorganization of blood flow to the anterior cerebral and anterior choroidal arteries. MRI and radiographic imaging provided evidence of progressive contraction of the intra-aneurysmal thrombus. The patient9s headaches resolved and serial visual field examinations have demonstrated gradual improvement after treatment. Conclusion Extensive cerebrovascular reconstructions that are not possible using commercially available endovascular devices can be achieved with Pipeline. The safety, efficacy and long term implications of such reconstructions are currently being defined.
Transnational Political Cosmology: A Central Mediterranean Example

This paper examines the workings of kinship and marriage idioms in transnational political imaginary in the central Mediterranean to challenge current academic reliance on the notion of fraternity as the symbolic building block of both national and global political relations. Since the 1960s, the Sicilian town of Mazara del Vallo and its fishing fleet have become entwined in intensifying interactions with Tunisia and the wider Maghreb. These interactions—specifically the Tunisian-Italian “Fish War” and construction of a trans-Mediterranean natural gas pipeline between North Africa and Europe—rejuvenated the old geopolitical imagination of the Mediterranean and helped produce the central Mediterranean as a spatio-temporal field of political action. Italians and Tunisians perceived each other as related, and staged the trans-Mediterranean infrastructural project as a sort of European-African (cross-cousin) marriage. I begin by examining the tensions between two central kinship idioms—fraternity and cousinage—in current understandings of transnational relations. I then discuss the growing prevalence of a transnational political cosmology of affinity across difference over that of shared descent and sameness that characterize national alignments. I conclude by examining how Tunisians and Sicilians in Mazara today cast each other in roles deriving from segmentary schemes they share, but on the content of which they disagree. By applying concepts associated with kinship and marriage studies to recent Mediterranean history, I show how segmentation, a concept anthropologists abandoned when they crossed the Mediterranean on their way into Europe, can help us understand transnational politics.
Agile Software Factory for Student Service Learning

Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. By incorporating service-learning in Software Engineering classes, the student experience can be enhanced. Our approach was to create the Agile Software Factory within the department of Computer Science to handle the administrative tasks associated with a quality classroom service-learning experience. This paper describes the mission and the objectives of the Factory.
Integrated Conditional Moment Tests for Parametric Conditional Distributions

This paper extends the Integrated Conditional Moment (ICM) test for the functional form of nonlinear regression models to tests for parametric conditional distributions. This test is formed on the basis of the integrated squared difference between the empirical characteristic function of the actual data and the characteristic function implied by the model. This test is consistent, and has nontrivial power against √ n -local alternatives. To avoid numerical evaluation of the conditional characteristic function of the model distribution, a simulated integrated conditional moment (SICM) test is proposed, where each theoretical conditional characteristic function is replaced by a simulated counterpart, based on a single random drawing from the corresponding conditional distribution. All the properties of the exact ICM test carry over to the SICM test. ∗ A previous version of this paper was presented by Herman Bierens at the ”Symposium on Nonparametric Testing in Econometrics”, March 21, 2008, Indiana University. The helpful comments of Juan Carlos Escanciano are gratefully acknowledged. † Support for research within the Center for the Study of Auctions, Procurements, and Competition Policy (CAPCP) at Penn State has been provided by a gift from the Human Capital Foundation