cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beneficial Use Decision Support for Wetlands: Case Study for Mobile Bay, Alabama

Abstract The beneficial use of dredged material (BUDM) for wetland restoration improves coastal wetland resilience and conserves coastal natural infrastructure. Tools, such as biophysical models he...
Another opinion on non-malignant pain management?

My appreciation of what is happening in the real world of pain management was enriched by my assumption of a consultant role for a review organization. As a tyro, I was amazed by the machinations of the various attending physicians their reluctance to approach 'benign pain' with a conservative and systematic regimen. As my experience with this organization deepened, my awe changed into disappointment. The usual slippery slope from non-steroidal meds to oral synthetic narcotics to injectables and ending with morphine pumps. Hardly ever did I see an effort for a comprehensive chronic pain management program. Occasionally, a psychologist would be consulted for an opinion in isolation! Another option often encountered was the continuation of acupuncture forever. While I'm. on the subject, passive physical modalities, e.g. acupuncture, diathermy, trigger point injections, myofascial releases, and massage are overused and abused. What's wrong with a short trial of treatment to see what works and then spend more time in instruction of the patient in a home program? Apparently, our colleagues have lost the notion that chronic pain needs attention by the patient every day.
Highly Infectious CJD Particles Lack Prion Protein but Contain Many Viral‐Linked Peptides by LC‐MS/MS

It is widely believed that host prion protein (PrP), without nucleic acid, converts itself into an infectious form (PrP-res) that causes transmissible encephalopathies (TSEs), such as human sporadic CJD (sCJD), endemic sheep scrapie, and epidemic BSE. There are many detailed investigations of PrP, but proteomic studies of other proteins in verified infectious TSE particles have not been pursued, even though brain homogenates without PrP retain their complete infectious titer. To define proteins that may be integral to, process, or protect an agent genome, we developed a streamlined, high-yield purification of infectious FU-CJD mouse brain particles with minimal PrP. Proteinase K (PK) abolished all residual particle PrP, but did not reduce infectivity, and viral-size particles lacking PrP were ∼70S (vs. 90-120S without PK). Furthermore, over 1,500 non-PrP proteins were still present and positively identified in high titer FU-CJD particles without detectable PrP by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); 114 of these peptides were linked to viral motifs in the environmental-viral database, and not evident in parallel uninfected controls. Host components were also identified in both PK and non-PK treated particles from FU-CJD mouse brain and human sCJD brain. This abundant cellular data had several surprises, including finding Huntingtin in the sCJD but not normal human brain samples. Similarly, the neural Wiskott-Aldrich sequence and multivesicular and endosome components associated with retromer APP (Alzheimer amyloid) processing were only in sCJD. These cellular findings suggest that new therapies directed at retromer-vesicular trafficking in other neurodegenerative diseases may also counteract late-onset sCJD PrP amyloid pathology.
On stress-relaxing solids—I

The rheological equations of state exhibiting the required invariance of an isotropic, stress-relaxing solid are derived from a linear superposition principle. The properties of the material are described by a relaxation function, ψ(t), which is a measure of the rate at which the local stress caused by a change in local strain decays. The equation of state is applied to the simple case of unsteady shearing deformation between parallel plates. It is shown that the material will flow provided the zeroth and first moments of the relaxation function exist; otherwise, the material behaves as an elasticoviscous solid. Expressions for the viscosity and normal stress coefficients are derived and related to the moments of the relaxation function. The expression for the normal stress coefficient is shown to be in qualitative agreement with the experimental data of Toms. Finally, it is shown how the equations reduce to the linear theory of viscoelasticity in the case of small velocity gradients, and how the equations may be generalized to predict a non-Newtonian viscosity.
A maximum a-posteriori (MAP) estimation approach to laser beam control

In laser pointing systems involving Gaussian beams, a symmetrical, rather harsh nonlinearity due to the Gaussian glint sensing process appears in the feedback loop. In the control design, a forced separation approach in which the observer and controller are designed independently is considered. For the observer, the maximum a-posteriori (MAP) estimator criterion is introduced which leads to a nonlinear observer structure. For the controller structure, a multivariable linear time-invariant (LTI) controller is used. An example is presented the design method with simulation illustrating the system performance. >
Spatially Filtering the Binary Confusion Noise for Space Gravitational Wave Detectors

For the last fifteen years, the limiting noise source at the low frequency end of the sensitivity window for space gravitational wave detectors has been expected to be the confusion background of overlapping galactic binary stars. Here, we present results of a study that investigates the correlation between binary star signals and conclude that there is a spatial filter in the position-dependent Doppler shift of each binary that sharply reduces the contribution of the galactic binary confusion to the noise in the detector when a monochromatic source is being detected. The sensitivity is thus determined by the instrument alone, and the confusion noise may effectively be ignored.
Correcting for ascertainment bias in the COGA data set

The effects of several corrections for ascertainment bias on a linkage result in the COGA data are examined. A correction that models the complete ascertainment protocol markedly reduces the evidence for linkage. Different partial corrections increase the linkage signal and recover good estimates of the population trait prevalence, but do not represent adequately the complexity of the COGA ascertainment scheme. Evidently the present size of the COGA data set cannot support a complete correction for ascertainment bias, but an effective partial correction can and should be implemented.
Covert sensitization for smoking: In search of efficacy

Abstract Four procedural formats of CS were tested in a multiple baseline design with six persons wanting to quit smoking. Format one employed the standard nausea aversion. Format two selected aveisive themes and varied trial duration according to electrodermal arousal criteria. Format three replicated the second one excepting that an actual cigarette was substituted for its imaginal representation. The fourth format replicated the third except that the five treatment sessions were presented on consecutive days instead of twice weekly. This last format was the most effective one resulting in an 80.5% smoking reduction compared to 12.5%, 28.5%, and 44.0% for formats one, two, and three, respectively. With minor exception, treatment effects for all subjects washed out by two months follow-up. Electrodermal arousal (but not EMG or EKG) and self-report anxiety jointly predicted smoking reduction, R = 40. Methodological limitations were pointed out which limit the power of the conclusions drawn. The advantages of utilizing physiological arousal indices and concentrated session scheduling were discussed. It was emphasized that procedural variations of CS merit further investigation to develop CS as a reliably effective technique.
ATTRIBUTIONS AND THE ORIGINS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING

There is a growing concern with identifying the behavioral components of problem gambling. Using clinical data, advocates of a compulsion model indicate that a big win stimulates an unrealistic opt...
The use of invasive cardiac procedures after acute myocardial infarction in long-term dialysis patients.

Background Dialysis patients have an excessive risk of cardiovascular death after myocardial infarction (MI). Underutilization of cardiac therapies may partially explain this risk, but whether patients on maintenance dialysis have differential rates of coronary angiography or revascularization during admission for MI compared with patients not on dialysis and whether these differences are explained by the presence of comorbid illness were uncertain. Methods We analyzed 154 692 patients with a primary diagnosis of MI in the 2001 National Inpatient Sample, and we compared procedure use in patients on long-term dialysis, patients with non–dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD), or normal renal function. Results Dialysis patients and patients with dialysis-independent CKD were significantly less likely to undergo coronary angiography than patients with normal renal function (39% and 34% vs 56%). They were also less likely to undergo coronary revascularization (19% and 23% vs 41%) or to have a coronary intervention after diagnostic angiography (46% and 62% vs 70%). After adjustment, these differences remained, with a lower likelihood of angiography (42% and 45% vs 56%), revascularization (22% and 31% vs 41%), or coronary intervention after diagnostic angiography (52% and 66% vs 70%). Conclusions Despite a high mortality rate after MI, patients on dialysis are markedly less likely than patients with dialysis-independent CKD or normal renal function to undergo diagnostic angiography or coronary revascularization after admission for MI. Additional studies to determine how these disparities are related to mortality are warranted.
A Silent Witness for Peace: The Case of Schoolteacher Mary Stone McDowell and America at War

A 1964 television series, "Profiles in Courage," based on the late President John F. Kennedy's Pulitzer prize-winning book, featured the life of Mary Stone McDowell, a quiet, yet strong, teacher. 1 Within peace circles, McDowell was a well-known figure. It was not unusual to see her marching in peace demonstrations or handing out antiwar literature at street meetings in the rain, snow, sleet and hot days in the summer. It was not out of the ordinary to read her editorials urging war tax resistance and certainly not surprising to those who knew her to draw strength from her courage and convictions. Yet what captured the interest of the show's producers was the stand she took during World War I. This quiet, unassuming Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Swarthmore College, and
Beiträge zur Chemie der Si‐N‐Bindung, II. Zur Kenntnis von N.N′‐Bis‐trimethylisilyl‐tetramethylcyclodisilazan und anderen 4 gliedrigen Silicium und Stickstoff enthaltenden Ringen

Bei der Thermolyse von N-trimethylsilylierten Hexamethylcyclotri- und Octamethylcyclotetrasilazanen wird das Auftreten von N.N′-Bis-trimethylsilyl-tetramethylcyclodisilazan (III) beobachtet. Der Zerfall von N-trimethylsilyl-substituierten permethylierten Silazanketten sowie die Disproportionierung von Lithium-silazanen liefert ebenfalls III. Dieses (sowie Derivate) wird dargestellt durch die Reaktion von bifunktionellen Lithium-silazanen mit Siliciumchloriden. Die Verwendung von Bor-oder Phosphorchloriden fuhrt zu N.N′-bis-trimethylsilyl-substituierten heterocyclischen Silazanen.
Stimulation of the host immune response by photodynamic therapy(PDT)

The tumor response to photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves a complex interplay between direct cytotoxicity to the tumor cells and secondary damage as a result of the effects of PDT on the vasculature and stimulation of the host inflammatory response. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have suggested that the combination of direct and indirect effects of PDT culminate in an activation of host anti-tumor immune responses. We have begun to examine the direct effects of PDT on tumor immunogenicity and have made the novel discovery that PDT treatment of tumor cells in vitro enhances tumor cell immunogenicity. We have further demonstrated that the increase in tumor cell immunogenicity by PDT can be correlated with the ability of PDT-generated tumor cell lysates to stimulate dendritic cell maturation and activation. The mechanisms by which PDT is able to enhance tumor cell immunogenicity and stimulate dendritic cell maturation and activation is unclear, however our finding suggest that alterations in tumor immunogenicity correlate with enhanced release of dendritic cell stimulating factors such as heat shock proteins.
H-CAM expression in the human nervous system: Evidence for a role in diverse glial interactions

H-CAM (CD44/Hermes antigen) is an 85–95 kDa widely-distributed cell surface adhesion molecule that participates in diverse cellular interactions. It is an important cell surface receptor of hyaluronate, and has been implicated in the binding of circulating lymphocytes of endothelial cells in the process of lymphocyte homing. Here we define the immunohistological distribution of H-CAM in the human nervous system as a means of assessing its possible participation in nervous system ontogeny and function. H-CAM is widely expressed in human CNS white matter by subsets of glial cells, and within the neuropil of several grey matter structures. Neurons appear uniformly negative. H-CAM+ cells and processes are first detected at 20 weeks gestation in a diffuse subependymal pattern, and staining of the anchoring processes but not the cortical extensions of radial glia is seen by 24 weeks. Beginning at 26 weeks, H-CAM+ astrocytes also demarcate fascicles of axons in developing white matter tracts, becoming diffusely distributed in all CNS white matter by full term gestation. In the mature CNS, fibrous and subpial astrocytes, glial outlines within the glomeruli of the cerebellar granule cell layer, Bergmann glia, and extraneuronal grey matter matrix in certain locations are H-CAM+. In reactive gliosis occurring in foetal and developed brains, H-CAM is strongly and uniformly expressed by GFAP+ astroglial cells. In the PNS, dorsal roots express substantially higher levels of H-CAM than ventral roots, and there is an accompanying inverse staining pattern displayed by weakly immunoreactive posterior horns and positive anterior horns. Also, there is an abrupt cessation of H-CAM expression at the junction of the central and peripheral segments of cranial nerves. These findings indicate the dynamic regulation of H-CAM expression in the developing human nervous system, and suggest the hyaluronate-binding activity and potentially other cell-cell or cell-matrix adhesive functions of H-CAM may play an important role in development of the nervous system.
11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in pregnancies complicated by hydatidiform mole.

PROBLEM 11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD) plays an important role in regulating active glucocorticoid reaching the fetus. In normal pregnancy, placental 11beta-HSD functions primarily in oxidative direction. Placental tissue of patients with pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia exhibit significantly lower type 1 and 2 11beta-HSD activities and significantly high cortisol level in cord blood suggesting fetal exposure to higher level of active glucocorticoids. The activity of 11beta-HSD in gestational trophoblastic disease has not been determined. The objective of this study was to assess 11beta-HSD activity in tissue from normal second trimester and pregnancies complicated by hydatidiform mole. METHOD OF STUDY Normal placental tissues were obtained from patients undergoing termination of pregnancy, and from patients undergoing uterine evacuation for hydatidiform mole. Both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)- and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP)-dependent activities were assayed in central villous tissue. Comparison of groups was performed using Student's t-test. A P-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Data are presented as mean +/- S.D. RESULTS Tissue obtained from five patients with pathology-proven hydatidiform mole demonstrated significantly lower 11beta-HSD activities compared with placental tissue obtained from normal pregnancies. The mean NAD-dependent 11beta-HSD activity in normal placentas was 386 +/- 109 pmol/min/g placenta and in hydatidiform mole was 74 +/- 54 pmol/min/g placenta (P < 0.01). The mean NADP-dependent 11beta-HSD activity in normal placentas was 370 +/- 120 pmol/min/g placenta and in trophoblastic disease was 68 +/- 69 pmol/min/g placenta (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Our data indicate significant impairment in the ability of hydatidiform mole tissue to inactivate glucocorticoids.
Effects of a foot placement constraint on use of motor equivalence during human hopping.

Humans can robustly locomote over complex terrains even while simultaneously attending to other tasks such as accurate foot placement on the ground. We investigated whether subjects would exploit motor redundancy across the joints of the leg to stabilize overall limb kinematics when presented with a hopping task that constrained foot placement position. Subjects hopped in place on one leg (2.2 Hz) while having to place their foot into one of three target sizes upon landing (0.250, 0.063, 0.010 m2). As takeoff and landing angles are critical to this task performance, we hypothesized smaller target sizes would increase the need to stabilize (i.e., make more consistent) the leg orientation through motor equivalent combinations of segment angles. As it was not critical to the targeting task, we hypothesized no changes for leg length stabilization across target size. With smaller target sizes, we saw total segment angle variance increase due to greater signal-dependent noise associated with an increased activation of leg extensor muscles (medial and lateral gastrocnemius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and rectus femoris). At smaller target sizes, more segment angle variance was aligned to kinematic deviations with the goal of maintaining leg orientation trajectory. We also observed a decrease in the variance structure for stabilizing leg length at the smallest target conditions. This trade-off effect is explained by the nearly orthogonal relationship between the two goal-equivalent manifolds for leg length vs. leg orientation stabilization. Our results suggest humans increasingly rely on kinematic redundancy in their legs to achieve robust, consistent locomotion when faced with novel conditions that constrain performance requirements. These principles may generalize to other human locomotor gaits and provide important insights into the control of the legs during human walking and running.
Two-way and one-way video: when is ‘no difference’ significant in distance education?

This study investigated the effects of instructor monitoring on student attitudes in an interactive television course. A comparison was made between learners located at sites with and without video feedback to the instructors. Data were collected for four variables: level of interaction as perceived by the student, value of the content taught, student assessment of gains in knowledge, and overall satisfaction. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) results indicated that student perceptions were not affected by the absence of video monitoring. The effect size was estimated to be practically zero and corroborated by the qualitative evidence collected in a subsequent study using interviews in other television (TV) courses. Findings were discussed in relation to instructional characteristics and system improvement priorities. The paper concluded that given appropriate instructional characteristics, partial absence of video feedback to the instructor may be adequately rectified to justify a wider coverage by interactive TV instruction even where real-time video feedback is not feasible.
On the dynamics of fluid interfaces. Part I

The system of a dispersed phase oscillating in a continuous medium is investigated theoretically with the specific purpose of developing a new technique for the measurement of interfacial viscous and elastic properties. By use of the well-known models of interfacial mechanics, the decay and frequency of liquid drops oscillating in a gas and of gas cavities oscillating in a liquid are computed as functions of dynamic interfacial properties. The results of the theory indicate, for the size range considered, that the elastic properties dominate over the viscous properties and that dilational effects dominate in the case of the drop in air and shear effects dominate in the case of the cavity in a liquid. The frequency does not seem to depend on the dynamic interfacial properties.
A conference gateway supporting interoperability between SIP and H.323

Increased network bandwidth is making desktop video conferencing an attractive application for an increasing number of computer users. Unfortunately, two competing standards for video conferencing signaling are in use, H.323 and SIP. In this paper we look at the interoperability between these two standards by developing a conferencing gateway that supports conferences involving both SIP and H.323 clients. By appropriately translating between H.323 and SIP operations, our prototype gateway supports basic multi-party video conferencing between NetMeeting (an H.323 client) and VIC (a SIP client) without modifications to the clients. However, our experiments also show that seamless interoperation would require changes to the client implementations and the standards.
Parental depressive symptoms and childhood cancer: the importance of financial difficulties.

Purpose Research suggests a relationship between caring for a child with cancer and psychological distress in caregivers. Less evident is the role which financial difficulties might play in this relationship. We sought to determine if caring for a child with cancer was related to clinically relevant depressive symptoms among parents, whether or not financial difficulties mediated this relationship, and if financial difficulties were independently associated with symptoms of depression among parents of children with cancer.
Hand injuries in young children from contact with vacuum cleaners

Objectives: To assess the incidence of injuries to young children sustained by contact with a domestic vacuum cleaner and to highlight the potential for significant injury. An increase in public awareness of these risks might result in a reduction in morbidity. Methods: Over a period of one year, all children attending with an injury sustained because of contact with a domestic vacuum cleaner had review of their case notes by the author. Results: Four children were identified as having sustained friction burns to a hand after contact with a vacuum cleaner. All required treatment and several review appointments before satisfactory resolution was achieved. Conclusions: Although the number of cases seen was small, the potential for significant injury must be emphasised and public awareness increased in an attempt to reduce morbidity.
Evidence for weather on Neptune. II

Between April 1975 and March 1976 the reflectance of Neptune between 1 and 4 microns increased substantially. A spectrum taken at these wavelengths near the period of peak observed brightness showed a low-intensity continuum with weak superposed absorptions caused by CH4 and H2. Photographic spectra of the planet measured during the same period showed no differences from older published data. The gas abundances derived from the infrared spectrum, 5 plus or minus 2 km-amagat of H2 at a base density of 0.26 plus or minus 0.08 am and no more than about 1 m-am of CH4, appear to refer to an effective reflecting level high in the atmosphere of Neptune.
A Real-Time Gridded Crop Model for Assessing Spatial Drought Stress on Crops in the Southeastern United States

AbstractThe severity of drought has many implications for society. Its impacts on rain-fed agriculture are especially direct, however. The southeastern United States, with substantial rain-fed agriculture and large variability in growing-season precipitation, is especially vulnerable to drought. As commodity markets, drought assistance programs, and crop insurance have matured, more advanced information is needed on the evolution and impacts of drought. So far many new drought products and indices have been developed. These products generally do not include spatial details needed in the Southeast or do not include the physiological state of the crop, however. Here, a new type of drought measure is described that incorporates high-resolution physical inputs into a crop model (corn) that evolves based on the physical–biophysical conditions. The inputs include relatively high resolution (as compared with standard surface or NOAA Cooperative Observer Program data) (5 km) radar-derived precipitation, satellite...
“Ridiculous” dream versus social contract: Dostoevskij, Rousseau, and the problem of ideal society

Drawing on the Second Discourse and the Social Contract and Notes from Underground and “The Dream of a Ridiculous Man,” this essay examines the striking similarities and fundamental differences between Dostoevskij’s and Rousseau’s treatment of the problem of individual vs. society and their notions of ideal social relations. The essay investigates Rousseau’s attempt to absorb morality into politics and “to concretize” Diderot’s universal moral man into citizen. It also suggests that Dostoevskij takes Rousseau’s attempt at concretization a step further by exposing humanist conceptions of man and society in general as fiction and creating a model of ideal society that absorbs morality, not into politics (as does Rousseau’s model), but into the sanctity of the Word.
BUNDLE-BRANCH BLOCK: AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDY.

As part of an inclusive health examination of the population of Tecumseh, Michigan, electrocardiograms were recorded from 8,641 persons of all ages, 87.9 per cent of those living in the study area. Eighteen persons, twelve men and six women, had complete right bundle-branch block and a like number, composed of six men and 12 women, had left. All affected persons were past 20 years of age and 67 per cent were past 60. Twenty-five of the 36 persons had no clinical evidence of valvular heart disease, angina pectoris, or myocardial infarction. Bundle-branch block occurred mostly in the older age groups where there was a high prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesteremia, hyperglycemia, and obesity, although these conditions were no more frequent among the affected persons than among others of the same age and sex.
Biofilm effects on the peroxidase-oxidase reaction

In experiments on the kinetics of the peroxidase−oxidase oscillatory reaction in pH 5.l acetate buffer, biofilms form in less than 48 h on the quartz reactor surface. The nominally homogeneous peroxidase system shows dynamical changes in response to this biofilm growth, partially explaining subtle differences among dynamics observed over time and between laboratories. Kinetics data and model computations are correlated with micrographs of biofilm formation. It is evident that bare quartz also interacts with reaction species, so that the surface area-to-volume ratio is an important parameter on which observed dynamics depend.
Role of proteoglycans in renal development

The role of proteoglycans (PGs) in morphogenesis was investigated. Fetal kidneys were obtained from 13-day-old mouse embryos and maintained for 7 days in culture. The biosynthesis of PGs was perturbed by addition of p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xylopyranoside in the culture medium. The kidneys were processed for morphological and biochemical studies. The morphological studies included staining of tissues with anti-basement membrane antibodies and ruthenium red. [35S]sulfate was used as the precursor product for biosynthetic and autoradiographic studies. The kidneys treated with xyloside had loose mesenchyme, inhibition of ureteric bud branching, diminution in the population of developing nephron elements, decreased immunofluorescence with anti-proteoglycan antibodies and staining with ruthenium red, and a reduced [35S]sulfate incorporation into poorly organized extracellular matrices. The biochemical studies included characterization of PGs/glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) by Sepharose CL-4B, -6B, and DEAE-Sephacel chromatographies and cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Under the influence of xyloside, the total radioactivities decreased 2 to 4-fold in tissues and increased 18 to 42-fold in media fractions. A reduction in the size of macromolecular form of PGs, i.e., from MW approximately 2.5 X 10(6) to approximately 2.5 X 10(4), was noted. The PGs/GAGs synthesized were mainly made up of heparan sulfate and small amounts of chondroitin sulfate. They eluted at a lower salt concentration as compared to the controls. A similar diminution in the size of media PGs, i.e., from MW approximately 1.8 X 10(5) to approximately 2.8 X 10(4), was observed. Additional studies with [3H]xyloside indicated that the chains initiated on xyloside residues were similar in size and composition to GAG-chains. These findings indicate that a perturbance in the biosynthesis of PGs/GAGs leads to abnormalities in renal organogenesis.
Separation of longwave climate feedbacks from spectral observations

[1] We conduct a theoretical investigation into whether changes in the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) spectrum can be used to constrain longwave greenhouse-gas forcing and climate feedbacks, with a focus on isolating and quantifying their contributions to the total OLR change in all-sky conditions. First, we numerically compute the spectral signals of CO2 forcing and feedbacks of temperature, water vapor, and cloud. Then, we investigate whether we can separate these signals from the total change in the OLR spectrum through an optimal detection method. Uncertainty in optimal detection arises from the uncertainty in the shape of the spectral fingerprints, the natural variability of the OLR spectrum, and a nonlinearity effect due to the cross-correlation of different climate responses. We find that the uncertainties in optimally detected greenhouse-gas forcing, water vapor, and temperature feedbacks are substantially less than their overall magnitudes in a double-CO2 experiment, and thus the detection results are robust. The accuracy in surface temperature and cloud feedbacks, however, is limited by the ambiguity in their fingerprints. Combining ambiguous feedback signals reduces the uncertainty in the combined signal. Auxiliary data are required to fully resolve the difficulty.
Towards curricular coherence in integers and fractions: a study of the efficacy of a lesson sequence that uses the number line as the principal representational context

This paper reports a study of the efficacy of Learning Mathematics through Representations (LMR), an innovative curriculum unit designed to support upper elementary students’ understandings of integers and fractions. The unit supports an integrated treatment of integers and fractions through (a) the use of the number line as a cross-domain representational context, and (b) the building of mathematical definitions in classroom communities that become resources to support student argumentation, generalization, and problem solving. In the efficacy study, fourth and fifth grade teachers employing the same district curriculum (Everyday Mathematics) were matched on background indicators and then assigned to either the LMR experimental classrooms (n = 11) or the comparison group (n = 8 with 10 classrooms). During the fall semester, LMR teachers implemented the LMR unit on 19 days and district curriculum on other days of mathematics instruction. HLM analyses documented greater achievement for LMR students than Comparison students on both the end-of-unit and the end-of year assessments of integers and fractions knowledge; the growth rates of LMR students were similar regardless of entering ability level, and gains for LMR students occurred on item types that included number line representations and those that did not. The findings point to the efficacy of the LMR sequence in supporting teaching and learning in the domains of integers and fractions.
The Relationship of Knee and Ankle Weakness to Falls in Nursing Home Residents: An Isokinetic Study

The strength of the knees and ankles of a group of nursing home residents with a history of falls was compared to age-matched controls. Peak torque (PT) and power (POW) were recorded at two limb velocities (60 degrees/s and 120 degrees/s) on a Cybex II Isokinetic dynamometer for four muscle groups: knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantar flexors and ankle dorsiflexors. The PT and POW of fallers were significantly decreased for all four muscle groups in comparison to controls, with the ankles showing the greatest decrements. Although POW in fallers was significantly lower at the higher velocity in both joints, the decrease was most prominent in the ankles. Dorsiflexion POW production in fallers was the most affected of all the motions (7.5 times less than the control value). At the higher, more functional limb velocities, ankle weakness particularly involving the dorsiflexors appears to be an important factor underlying poor balance. Language: en
Correlations between secondary-product chemistry and ecogeography in theRamalina siliquosa group (Lichens)

The increasing degree of oxidation of the major secondary products characterizing six sibling species of theRamalina siliquosa complex is directly correlated with the northern limits of the ranges of the chemotypes in Europe. In the telescoped environments on maritime cliffs, the zonation of sympatric chemotypes shows similarities to this correlation.
Host Susceptibility is Altered by Light Intensity After Exposure to Parasites

Abstract: Translating research advances to natural systems using experimental laboratory studies is often difficult because of the variability between the natural environment and experimental conditions. Because environmental conditions have a large effect on an organism's physiology, responses to stressors like nutrient limitation, temperature, oxygen deprivation, predation, and parasite/pathogen infection are likely to be context dependent. Therefore, it is essential to examine the impact the study environment has on the experimental outcome. Here, we explored the effect of light exposure on susceptibility to parasite infection. The Biomphalaria glabrata/Schistosoma mansoni study system is a well-established model for studying schistosomiasis. It has been general practice to maintain the vector, B. glabrata, in dark conditions after exposure to miracidia of the human pathogen S. mansoni. We evaluated susceptibility of B. glabrata to S. mansoni under 3 different light conditions during the prepatent per...
Abstract 3359: Maspin induces MET in prostate cancer cells cultured in 3D-collagen I

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The aggressiveness of carcinoma is typically associated with a significant epithelial-to-mesenchymal phenotypical shift (EMT). While several pathways have been identified as the driving force for EMT, mechanisms that epithelial cells depend on to prevent or reverse EMT are largely unknown. To this end, the tumor suppressive maspin inhibits tumor cell motility, invasion, pericellular plasminogen activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, and blocks the prostate tumor-induced bone remodeling. Furthermore, a general correlation between maspin expression and better differentiated epithelial phenotypes has been noted, with established cell lines, in an in vivo model for prostate tumor bone metastasis and in human prostate tissue specimens. The objective of the current study is to test whether maspin is sufficient to drive the program of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET). We showed that stably transfected DU145 that express maspin (M7) formed spheroid structures of polarized cells with a hollow lumen in 3D collagen I culture. The M7 acini in 3D collagen were encircled with reorganized fibrillar collagen, while the Neo control cells degraded collagen fibrils. The spheroid formation was abolished when M7 cells were transfected with maspin shRNA. Under the same condition, no redifferentiation of DU145 cells, with or without maspin, occurred in 3D Matrigel. To examine what other cellular and molecular changes are associated with the maspin-led tumor cell redifferentiation, we performed immunofluorescent staining and found that maspin correlated with highly organized β1-integrin localized on the periphery of the M7 spheroids. We confirmed the secretion of maspin protein by prostate epithelial cells. To test whether the effect of maspin on prostate epithelial cell differentiation depends on uPA or uPAR, we performed the 3D collagen spheroid formation assay in the presence of specific neutralizing antibodies. We found that only the neutralizing antibodies of either uPA or uPAR led to a slight increase of the size of the spheroids. While uPA and uPAR may be targeted as a part of the biological activities of maspin, our results suggest that the effect of maspin more than just blocks the uPA/uPAR cascade. Indeed, mRNA microarray, with cDNA derived from Neo and M7 cells grown in 2D cultures, 3D culture in collagen I and bone tumors in the Scid-Hu model, identified 32 commonly up-regulated genes and commonly down-regulated genes upon maspin expression. These epigenetic changes, along with other evidence, support the hypothesis that maspin induces MET in prostate tumor cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3359. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3359
Minimal circuit and state space realization of generalized 3-D lattice-ladder discrete filters

In this paper a circuit realization is presented for generalized three-dimensional (3D) lattice discrete systems/filters. The proposed structure has minimum number of delay elements. Based on this circuit realization the corresponding state space realization-representation is derived. The dimension of the 3D state space vector is minimal and the corresponding transfer function is characterized by the well known all-pass filter property.
Tsc10p and FVT1: topologically distinct short-chain reductases required for long-chain base synthesis in yeast and mammals

In yeast, Tsc10p catalyzes reduction of 3-ketosphinganine to dihydrosphingosine. In mammals, it has been proposed that this reaction is catalyzed by FVT1, which despite limited homology and a different predicted topology, can replace Tsc10p in yeast. Silencing of FVT1 revealed a direct correlation between FVT1 levels and reductase activity, showing that FVT1 is the principal 3-ketosphinganine reductase in mammalian cells. Localization and topology studies identified an N-terminal membrane-spanning domain in FVT1 (absent in Tsc10p) oriented to place it in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen. In contrast, protease digestion studies showed that the N terminus of Tsc10p is cytoplasmic. Fusion of the N-terminal domain of FVT1 to green fluorescent protein directed the fusion protein to the ER, demonstrating that it is sufficient for targeting. Although both proteins have two predicted transmembrane domains C-terminal to a cytoplasmic catalytic domain, neither had an identifiable lumenal loop. Nevertheless, both Tsc10p and the residual fragment of FVT1 produced by removal of the N-terminal domain with factor Xa protease behave as integral membrane proteins. In addition to their topological differences, mutation of conserved catalytic residues had different effects on the activities of the two enzymes. Thus, while FVT1 can replace Tsc10p in yeast, there are substantial differences between the two enzymes that may be important for regulation of sphingolipid biosynthesis in higher eukaryotes.
A comparative analysis of the feeding apparatus in pomacanthids, with special emphasis of oesophageal papillae in Genicanthus personatus

Of the pomacanthids examined in the present study (22 species; seven genera), only Genicanthus (eight species) had unique oesophageal papillae. The papillae of the masked angelfish, Genicanthus personatus are arranged in a radial fashion, finger-like or polypoid in shape, very abundant, fill the lumen, and vary considerably in length (0·38–2.40 mm) and width (0·12–1·18 mm). The surface pores (2.8–45.2 μm in diameter) of each papilla are part of the gastric or mucus-secreting oesophageal glands as determined by histological examination. Preliminary stomach content analyses revealed that G personatus consumes a variety of animal and plant material, including algae, copepods, diatoms, and eggs, but dominated in volume by plant material. The oesophageal papillae may constitute a morphological specialization of the digestive tract at the genus level. This may enable Genicanthus spp. to utilize and process a food source not readily available to other pomacanthid species. Additional studies are necessary to determine other ecological, behavioural, social, and morphological variables that separate this large and diverse group of fishes ecologically.
Set based framework for Gibbs energy minimization

A new unified approach to Gibbs energy minimization is introduced. While it has only been tested on binary and ternary systems so far, it has a built in capability of handling arbitrary multicomponent multiphase systems with any number of sublattices, miscibility gaps, order–disorder transitions, and magnetic contributions. This new unified AMPL set-based Gibbs energy description optimizes the data representation and makes it possible to subject the task of phase diagram calculation to numerous existing general purpose optimization strategies as well as custom-made solvers. The approach is tested on a variety of systems, including Co–Mo, Al–Pt and Ca–Li–Na, all known to be computationally challenging for other approaches. In most of the tested systems, the AMPL code reproduces phase diagrams obtained via Thermo-Calc. In other systems, in-depth comparison of results suggests that in prior work a sub-optimal equilibrium might have been identified as a global one, and re-evaluation of previously published diagrams and databases might be necessary.
Parental Combat Injury and Early Child Development: A Conceptual Model for Differentiating Effects of Visible and Invisible Injuries

The injuries (physical and emotional) sustained by service members during combat influence all members of a family system. This review used a systemic framework to conceptualize the direct and indirect effects of a service member's injury on family functioning, with a specific focus on young children. Using a meta-ethnographic approach to synthesize the health research literature from a variety of disciplines, this review makes relevant linkages to health care professionals working with injured veterans. Studies were included that examined how family functioning (psychological and physical) is impacted by parental illness; parental injury; and posttraumatic stress disorder. The synthesis of literature led to the development of a heuristic model that illustrates both direct and indirect effects of parental injury on family functioning and the development of young children. It further illustrates the contextual factors or moderating variables that buffer detrimental effects and promote family resilience. This model can be a foundation for future research, intervention, and policy.
Thiol-dependent lipid peroxidation.

Abstract Initiation of lipid peroxidation in liposomes by cysteine, glutathione, or dithiothreitol required iron, and was not inhibited by superoxide dismutase. The absence of superoxide involvement in thiol autoxidation was confirmed by the inability of superoxide dismutase to inhibit thiol reduction of cytochrome c. Furthermore, the rate of cytochrome c reduction by thiols was not decreased under anaerobic conditions. We suggest that lipid peroxidation initiated by thiols and iron occurs via direct reduction of iron. Control of cellular thiol autoxidation, and reactions occurring as a consequence, such as lipid peroxidation, must therefore involve chelation of transition metals to control their redox reactions.
The Impact of Age on Utilization of Intensive Care Resources

The impact of age on admission practices and pattern of care were examined in 599 admissions to a medical intensive care unit (MICU) and 290 patients on the conventional medical care divisions of the same hospital. Four age groups were compared: under 55, 55 to 64, 65 to 74, and 75 years of age and over. Severity of illness and prior health were assessed using the Acute Physiology Score (APS) and the Chronic Health Evaluation (CHE) instruments. Resource utilization was assessed using the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS) and hospital charges. Patients 65 years of age and over comprised 48% of the MICU sample. The distribution of CHE was different among the four groups. Twenty-one percent of patients under 55 years of age had no prior chronic illness, as compared to less than 8% of older patients. The APS at admission was similar for all age groups, as was admission, daily, and total TISS. Hospital survival declined with age from 85% to 70%, while the likelihood of being designated do not resuscitate (DNR) increased from 10% to 24%. Differences in hospital survival disappeared when controlling for severity of illness and prior health, but differences in DNR status did not. Still, elderly DNR patients received as much resources as younger DNR patients and this was more than non-DNR patients. The sample of patients treated on conventional medical divisions had age distribution similar to the MICU sample. There was some evidence that admission APS (median, 5, 5, 6, 6, respectively, P = .055) and maximum APS (median, 5, 5, 7, 8, respectively, P = .023) differed slightly across age groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of methoxychlor on the reproductive system of the adult female mouse. 1. Gross and histologic observations.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the pesticide methoxychlor (MXC) on the reproductive system of the adult female mouse. Sexually mature (7- to 8-week) virgin female CD-1 mice were exposed to 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0 mg MXC (50% technical grade) via oral gavage for 5 consecutive days each week for either 2 or 4 weeks. Control groups received either 0.025 mg estradiol-17β (E-17β) or the sesame oil vehicle for the same time period. Vaginal smears were taken daily, and weights were recorded weekly. Twenty-four hours following the final exposure, animals were sacrificed. Ovaries and reproductive tracts were removed and weighed. One ovary from each animal was prepared for light microscopic evaluation. Results revealed a dose dependency of MXC in inducing persistent vaginal estrus (PVE). Ovaries of MXC-exposed and E-17β-exposed animals weighed significantly less than the sesame oil controls. In addition, there was an increase in the number of atretic large follicles in the E-17β group and in those mice treated with the two highes doses of MXC, indicating a potential reduction in the immediate fertility of the animal. Thus, this commonly employed pesticide appears to mimic closely those effects on the female reproductive system induced by estrogens.