cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geologies of power: Value transformations of mineral specimens from Guanajuato, Mexico

In this article, I examine the extraction, circulation, and use of mineral specimens from Guanajuato, Mexico. I focus on the actions through which people in Guanajuato transform minerals into social objects and people in gem fairs, museums, and mineral clubs in the United States transform them into “natural” objects. Drawing on the work of Sidney Mintz, Nancy Munn, and others, I study how people use value transformations across global commodity systems to negotiate forms of autonomy within political and economic constraints. In the social relations through which minerals come to the United States and in refashioning stones as “pristine” objects, dealers and collectors also naturalize prevailing relations of power between Latin America and the United States.
ON THE RELIABILITY OF THE REVISED SOCIALIZATION SCALE

The Socialization Scale of the California Psychological Inventory (Gough, 1957, 1987) is a standardized inventory designed to assess and predict nonnormative behavior. The original 1957 version of the scale was revised substantially in 1987. Much of the research, however, is based on the original scale. This study was done to provide additional data on the 1987 version by obtaining estimates of test-retest reliability for a sample of 40 conduct-dsordered adolescents who were referred for psychological assessment. Subjects were all adjudcated males, 4 1 % African American, 34% Euro-American, 20% Hispanic, 5% Other, who had a mean age of 14.4 yr. Youth were administered the Socialization Scale as part of the psychological evaluation process and then readministered the scale after a one-week interval (M, =20.5, SD=5.6 and M,= 19.2, SD=4.4). A Pearson product-moment correlation computed for test-retest scores (r = 39, p < .05) provides addtional evidence that the revised Scale is a reliable and consistent measure with this population. Further, Gough's detailed review (1994) of the So Scale cites mean scores for dhquent and conduct-dsordered male samples ranging from a low of 14.53 to a high of 29.30; the mean scores for the present study would certainly place the test-retest sample within this range.
Optimization of the 3 m TGM beamline, at CAMD, for constant initial state spectroscopy

Abstract The 3 m toroidal grating monochromator (TGM) VUV beamline at CAMD/LSU was realigned to achieve better illumination of the monochromator gratings with the goal of substantially increasing the flux at the higher photon energies. This is partly accomplished through a tilting of the monochromator (by about of 13.5°), with respect to the plane defined by the synchrotron, providing a smaller grazing angle at the initial mirrors. The improved performance of the beamline permits resonant photoemission studies at Gd 4d core threshold without resorting to second order light, which we demonstrate for Gd doped HfO 2 .
Lexical decision and naming asymmetries: influence of response selection and response bias.

Abstract Signal detection measures were used to evaluate the effects of several response variables (manual vs. vocal, Go-NoGo vs. Yes-No) on lexical decision asymmetries. An unvarying right visual field advantage in discriminability (d′) was observed in each condition. However, response criteria (β) varied over visual fields and conditions. Naming and lexical decision were shown to have equivalent asymmetries when the effects of response bias are removed. The results indicate that postaccess decision processes make important contributions to lexical decision asymmetries.
The Kansas-Sudan Missionary Movement in the Y.M.C.A., 1889–1891

Among the significantly great historical achievements of the American Young Men's Christian Associations has been the planting of Associations in foreign countries. Paralleling the notable missionary outburst of the late nineteenth century among the North American churches, this distinctive program of the YMCA was inaugurated in the last years of the 1880's with the sending of Association secretaries to Japan and to India.1 Nourished in the student Y.M.C.A.'s and particularly evangelized at the pioneer student conferences held under the auspices of Dwight L. Moody in Northfield, Massachusetts, beginning in 1886,2 the missionary fervor aroused significant interest in many Associations. By 1916 there were 157 North American secretaries in 55 foreign countries, 140 of them in Asia.
Correlation between Measurements in Quantum Theory

Extension of the postulational basis of quantum theory by introducing correlations between the results of measurements, leads to negative joint probabilities for otherwise meaningful sets of measured values. Since the attempt made is probably the only one compatible with the theory of random variables, and is incompatible with the structure of Hilbert space, it is concluded that correlations are absent. This result, though it is tantamount to a denlal of von Neumann's projection postulate and the reduction of wave packets'' on measurement, is shown to be satisfactory from the physical point of view. (auth)
Elevated Cholesterol Metabolism and Bile Acid Synthesis in Mice Lacking Membrane Tyrosine Kinase Receptor FGFR4

Heparan sulfate-regulated transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor FGFR4 is the major FGFR isotype in mature hepatocytes. Fibroblast growth factor has been implicated in the definition of liver from foregut endoderm where FGFR4 is expressed and stimulation of hepatocyte DNA synthesis in vitro. Here we show that livers of mice lacking FGFR4 exhibited normal morphology and regenerated normally in response to partial hepatectomy. However, the FGFR4 (−/−) mice exhibited depleted gallbladders, an elevated bile acid pool and elevated excretion of bile acids. Cholesterol- and bile acid-controlled liver cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, the limiting enzyme for bile acid synthesis, was elevated, unresponsive to dietary cholesterol, but repressed normally by dietary cholate. Expression pattern and cholate-dependent, cholesterol-induced hepatomegaly in the FGFR4 (−/−) mice suggested that activation of receptor interacting protein 140, a co-repressor of feed-forward activator liver X receptor α, may mediate the negative regulation of cholesterol- and bile acid-controlled liver cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase transcription by FGFR4 and cholate. The results demonstrate that transmembrane sensors interface with metabolite-controlled transcription networks and suggest that pericellular matrix-controlled liver FGFR4 in particular may ensure adequate cholesterol for cell structures and signal transduction.
Loss of selectively neutral alleles in small populations and regular mating systems

Abstract An exact description of the complete process of pure random drift at a multiallelic locus is extremely difficult. However, if we are concerned only with the number of alleles remaining rather than their frequencies, the problem can be reduced to the level of two alleles. General formulas for the mean, variance, and probability distribution of n, the number of alleles remaining after a given number of generations, are obtained and applied to various models of reproduction. For the Wright model of random sampling, n takes on a nearly symmetrical distribution during the early generations, with its first two moments easily approximated for moderately large (> 10 haploids) populations. Diploid systems of random mating, double first-cousin mating, and circular mating are also analyzed. Circular mating loses fewer alleles than the other two systems even though double first-cousin mating preserves more heterozygosity during the early generations. Maintenance of heterozygosity and maintenance of alleles might be considered alternative approaches to the analysis of mating systems.
Ask Systems: interrogative access to multiple ways of thinking

The purpose of this paper is to familiarize instructional designers and researchers with a useful design and research paradigm known as “Ask Systems.” Ask Systems are interrogative interfaces to information and learning environments that model conversations with a skilled, reflective practitioner (Schon, The reflective practitioner, 1983) or teacher. By selecting questions to answer, users access information or scaffolds that help them to solve a problem, perform a task, or comprehend domain knowledge. Ask Systems are potentially effective for designing interactive learning systems because question asking is one of the most fundamental skills in learning that affects comprehension and problem solving (Graesser et al., in: Britton and Graesser (eds.) Models of understanding text, 1996b; Graesser et al., Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 3:235–241, 1992). By selecting questions to answer, students may also learn how to generate their own meaningful questions, because the quality of student-generated questions is strong predictor of domain knowledge and problem solving (Graesser and Olde, Journal of Educational Psychology, 95(3):524–536, 2003). Ask Systems are demonstrated that represent a variety of learning and task structures, including frequently asked questions, problem solving, metacognition, causal understanding, and multiple perspectives. Although empirical research on Ask Systems is very limited, they appear to represent a potentially effective paradigm for designing instruction and conducting research in a variety of learning environments.
Stearic acid modifies very low density lipoprotein lipid composition and particle size differently from shorter-chain saturated fatty acids in cultured rat hepatocytes.

Stearic acid as compared to myristate, palmitate, or oleate is poorly incorporated into triacylglycerol, a major lipid component of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). The present study investigated the effects of these fatty acids on VLDL metabolism in cultured rat hepatocytes. All fatty acids stimulated [2-3H] glycerol incorporation into VLDL lipids and secretion of [3H]-labeled VLDL by hepatocytes. However, the rate of [3H]-labeled VLDL secretion in the presence of nonlabeled stearate (12.8±0.7 pmol/mg protein/4h) was 46, 59, and 22% of that observed for those treated with myristate, palmitate, and oleate, respectively. [1-14C]Stearate as a substrate was also less effective than other labeled fatty acids to be incorporated into VLDL lipids. Of total VLDL lipids synthesized from [1-14C] stearate, triacylglycerol accounted for 78% as compared to 88–97% of that derived from palmitate, myristate, and oleate. The amounts of apoB100 and apoB48 were the same in hepatocytes treated with or without exogenous fatty acids. Similarly, the rate of apoB synthesis from [35S] methionine was not affected by exogenous fatty acids. The treatment of cells with various saturated fatty acids increased the particle size of VLDL to different extents. The largest particles of VLDL, with a mean diameter of 79.3±11.9 nm, were seen in the cells treated with stearate, followed by those treated with palmitate and myristate (45.5±9.8 and 38.6±6.8 nm, diameter, respectively). Clearly, hepatocytes treated with stearate secrete less VLDL and produce larger VLDL particles than those treated with shorter-chain saturated fatty acids.
Stable passivations for high-efficiency silicon solar cells

Initial designs of single-crystal silicon point-contact solar cells have shown a degradation in their efficiency after being exposed to concentrated sunlight. The main mechanism appears to be an increase in recombination centers at the Si/SiO/sub 2/ interface due to ultraviolet light photoinjecting electrons from the silicon conduction band into the silicon dioxide that passivates the cell's front surface. Trichloroethane, texturization, and aluminum during the forming gas anneal all contribute to the instability of the interface. A reasonably good resistance to UV light can be obtained by putting a phosphorus diffusion at the surface and can be improved further by stripping off the deposited oxide after the diffusion and regrowing a dry thermal oxide. A second technique, which utilizes ultrathin oxides and thin polysilicon films and can yield stable point-contact solar cells that are more efficient at higher concentrations, is also described. >
Changing Coverage of Domestic Violence Murders: A Longitudinal Experiment in Participatory Communication

Stressing relation-building and participatory communication approaches, the Rhode Island Coalition against Domestic Violence worked with journalists to develop a best practices handbook on news coverage of domestic violence murders. This study compares print coverage of domestic violence murders prehandbook (1996-1999) and posthandbook (2000-2002). Significant changes include increased labeling of the murder of intimates as domestic violence and doubled usage of advocates as sources. As a result, domestic violence murders, previously framed as unpredictable private tragedies, are more commonly framed posthandbook as social problems warranting public intervention. The authors conclude that relation-building approaches can affect news cultures and public discourse when conducted in conjunction with comprehensive participatory communications strategies.
Effects of Microporous Layers in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Our previous models and a catalyst-layer model are combined to study the effects of microporous layers in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. The combined sandwich model is used to fit data both with and without a microporouslayer with saturated feed conditions. In terms of water management, the simulations clearly show that the effect of a microporous layer is to keep water out of the cathode gas diffusion layer and move it through the anode. Additional effects of microporous layers include better ohmic behavior and perhaps better catalyst utilization, among other things. Optimizations for different structural parameters are investigated, as are the effects of microporous layers under different operating conditions. The discussion is geared toward how microporous layers increase performance and their effect on fuel cell water management.
Network conscious text compression system (NCTCSys)

This paper proposes a "network conscious text compression system" (NCTCSys) to tackle the problem of transmitting explosively increasing data on the Internet. It can be integrated into different text based transfer protocols like FTP, HTTP and SMTP at the application level to handle text data transmission. We apply the newly developed LIPT encoding method along with BZIP2 and GZIP to compress text. The NCTCSys selection algorithm decides on the best compression method. To share a common encoding/decoding dictionary between the client and the server we use the dictionary management protocol. In a typical congestion and fluctuating scenario of bandwidth we have reduced transmission times by 60.24% using LIPT+GZIP, and by 85.20% using LIPT+BZIP2.
Colony-stimulating factor 2 inhibits induction of apoptosis in the bovine preimplantation embryo.

Citation Loureiro B, Oliveira LJ, Favoreto MG, Hansen PJ. Colony-stimulating factor 2 inhibits induction of apoptosis in the bovine preimplantation embryo. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 65: 578–588 Problem Addition of colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) to culture medium increases post-transfer survival of bovine embryos. Here we provide evidence that one mechanism by which CSF2 affects the embryo is through inhibition of apoptosis. Method of study In the first experiment, genes and pathways whose expression were regulated by CSF2 were identified by microarray analysis. Embryos were treated with 10 ng/ml CSF2 or vehicle at Day 5 after insemination; morulae were selected for microarray analysis at Day 6. In a second experiment, antiapoptotic effects of CSF2 were determined. Embryos were treated with CSF2 or vehicle at Day 5. On Day 6 (24 h after treatment), morulae were cultured for 15 h at either 42°C (a temperature that induces apoptosis) or 38.5°C (cow body temperature). Results In the first experiment, a total of 214 genes were differentially regulated and 160 of these could be annotated (67 upregulated genes and 93 downregulated genes). Differentially expressed genes could be placed in 13 biological process ontologies in four functional groups (development and differentiation process, cell communication, apoptosis and cell adhesion). Antiapoptotic effects of CSF2 were confirmed in the second experiment because the magnitude of the increase in TUNEL positive cells caused by heat shock was reduced by CSF2. Conclusion CSF2 blocks apoptosis in bovine embryos through actions associated with regulation of genes controlling apoptosis.
Validating a novel approach to rendering fingertip contact sensations

"Fingertip haptics" refers to the direct exploration of a virtual environment with the fingertips, rather than via an intermediate grasped object, such as a stylus or thimble. We hypothesize that a key psychophysical aspect of finger-tip haptics is the relative motion - slip - that occurs between the fingertip and surface. This paper investigates a novel approach to rendering slip at the finger pad. Our approach uses a rotating drum or sphere to render the velocity, of a surface as it passes beneath the fingertip. We construct a prototype device in one degree of freedom and test two groups of 14 subjects on their ability to sense the nature of the fingertip contact sensation (i.e., whether an actual surface or a rotating drum renders the contact sensation). The experimental results show strong justification of our mechanical approach to rendering relative velocity, at the fingertip. The results also raise several key issues for investigation in subsequent studies including the roles of vibration and apparatus dynamics.
An Examination of Research Methods in Mathematics Education (1995-2005):

This mixed methods examination of 710 research articles in mathematics education published in six prominent educational journals during the period 1995-2005 finds that 50% of the studies used qualitative methods only, 21% used quantitative methods only, and 29% mixed qualitative and quantitative methods in various ways. Although the number of mixed methods articles show some variation year to year and journal to journal, there is no discernible trend in the aggregate across this time period for the collection of journals studied. Issues explored include defining research categories and subsequently categorizing studies, balance and dominance between quantitative and qualitative strands, and integration within conclusions.
Vitamin D and breast cancer: Emerging concepts

The benefit of vitamin D in cancer prevention and to certain extent therapy has been well recognized. The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2 D3) is a natural ligand for vitamin D receptor (VDR). Since 1,25(OH)2D3 exerts toxic effects at a concentration that is beneficial, nearly 1500 analogs of vitamin D have been synthesized and evaluated for their efficacy in a variety of carcinogenesis and human cancer models both in vitro and in vivo. Among these only a handful of them have been approved for evaluation in clinical trials for leukemia, breast, prostate and colon cancers. The mechanism of vitamin D action is mediated by the nuclear VDR and the signaling cascade for its action is extensively reported. In this review we focus on the newer concepts for vitamin D action. These include (1) differential effects of vitamin D in maintaining cell proliferation when the cells are under stress but suppressing cell growth when the cells are transformed; (2) functional significance of VDR polymorphism in potential vitamin D responsiveness; (3) regulation of constitutive splicing of vitamin D target gene, CYP24a, by the hormone and its significance; and (4) regulation of microRNA by vitamin D in breast cancer. It is anticipated that the new work in these selective areas would expand the understanding of vitamin D in breast cancer prevention and therapy.
Tweet Up? Examining Twitter's Impact on Social Capital and?Digital Citizenship in Higher Education.

Twitter is a highly accessible communication venue that is embraced by great numbers of traditionally aged and ethnically diverse college students. Danielle Morgan Acosta challenges us to turn our research and teaching attention to the potential of Twitter to support student learning.
Comparing the reproductive success and pollination biology of an invasive plant to its rare and common native congeners: a case study in the genus Cirsium (Asteraceae)

Previous studies have examined an association between reproductive success and pollination biology of rare versus widespread species through pair-wise comparisons of native and invasive congeners or rare and common congeners. To determine the importance of reproductive success and pollination biology for an invasive thistle, Cirsium vulgare, we compared it in its invaded range to five, co-occurring native Cirsium species that range from rare to common. Native study species include C. fontinale var. fontinale, C. andrewsii, C. brevistylum, C. occidentale, and C. quercetorum. We compared all species’ reproductive success, insect visitation rate and composition, autonomous self-pollination, and level of pollen limitation in multiple populations. Species differed in their reproductive success; the invasive C. vulgare produced more flower heads per plant than most native species. C. vulgare attracted more visitors than its congeners. In addition, reproductive success and insect visitation significantly varied between populations within species, mainly due to aphid infestation in one population of C. occidentale. Unlike the rare species (C. fontinale and andrewsii), C. vulgare did not require a pollinator for high-levels of seed production. The remaining native species set fewer seeds than C. vulgare without a pollinator. However, differences in insect visitation and autonomous self-pollination did not lead to differences in pollen limitation across species or between populations. This result suggests that factors other than pollination biology determine the difference in reproductive success of these species. However, high levels of autonomous self-pollination and generalist insect visitation may allow the invasive C. vulgare to easily establish new populations from low numbers of propagules. Our study provides one contrast that should build towards a larger comparative analysis to examine general patterns in the relationship between reproductive success, pollination biology, rare and invasive species, and our ability to predict biological invasions in introduced species.
Ultrafast Time-Evolution of the Nonlinear Susceptibility of Hot Carriers at the Ge(111)−GeO2 Interface As Probed by SHG

Time-resolved second harmonic generation (SHG) was used to study hot carrier dynamics at the Ge(111)GeO2 interface on the femtosecond time scale. A linear dependence of the change in SHG on the pump power was observed for the carrier density range of 3 10 18 to 2.2 10 19 cm -3 . The ratio of the hot carrier to valence band nonlinear susceptibilities was determined to be 924 ( 40 in the Ge(111)-GeO2 system, an order of magnitude greater than for Si(111)-SiO2. The dynamic SHG response is attributed to a change in the nonlinear susceptibility of the excited carriers and the diffusion of excited carriers away from the interface. The time to reach SHG steady-state response (410 ( 70 fs) appears independent of carrier density in the range explored. The time evolution of the hot carrier nonlinear susceptibilities for Ge(111) -GeO2 at the 211 azimuth was extracted and shown to follow a double exponential evolution with time constants of 170 ( 50 fs and 3500 ( 1450 fs, similar to the literature values for bulk scattering times of electrons out of the i valley (100 fs) and into the L valley (3.7 ps).
Opticim: a computer-integrated manufacturing system for Opticam

ABSTRACTOpticim is one component of the overall Opticam program being implemented at the Center for OpticsManufacturing (COM) at the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. Figure 1 shows the positioning ofOpticirn relative to the entire Opticam program. As indicated, Opticim is that part of the program dealingwith Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). ManufacturingTechnology IBM Federal Systems Company, Owego, NY has been the System Integrator responsible for implementingthe initial CIM solution for the Opticam Program. It is important to mention, however, that the solution 164 ISPIE Vol. 1752 (1992) O-8194-0925-1192/$4.OO OPTICS MANUFACTURINGINDUSTRY 1991OPTICS MANUFACTURINGINDUSTRY 199X Center for Optice ManufacturingOpticam Program f: ProceecScienceaComputerIntegratedManufacturing $1 Figure 1 . Opticam Program Overview OpticimInitlativeeDownloaded From: http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/pdfaccess.ashx?url=/data/conferences/spiep/54883/ on 06/24/2017 Terms of Use: http://spiedigitallibrary.org/ss/termsofuse.aspx
Topological sorting as a tool in curriculum planning

Topological sorting provides a partial ordering for a group of data items for which a partial linear ordering exists.Our use of the topological sorting algorithm has been in the logical organization of curriculum content. Curriculum content can vary from organizing a forty minute lecture to planning a four year sequence of courses. Application of topological sorting to the curriculum content results in a logical organization of the concepts, which may or may not be unique. Users of TOPSORT claim a major time savings in the long run. Backtracking to cover prerequisite concepts in teaching is reduced.
Cloning Adult Farm Animals: A Review of the Possibilities and Problems Associated with Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

In 1997, Wilmut et al. announced the birth of Dolly, the first ever clone of an adult animal. To date, adult sheep, goats, cattle, mice, pigs, cats and rabbits have been cloned using somatic cell nuclear transfer. The ultimate challenge of cloning procedures is to reprogram the somatic cell nucleus for development of the early embryo. The cell type of choice for reprogramming the somatic nucleus is an enucleated oocyte. Given that somatic cells are easily obtained from adult animals, cultured in the laboratory and then genetically modified, cloning procedures are ideal for introducing specific genetic modifications in farm animals. Genetic modification of farm animals provides a means of studying genes involved in a variety of biological systems and disease processes. Moreover, genetically modified farm animals have created a new form of 'pharming' whereby farm animals serve as bioreactors for production of pharmaceuticals or organ donors. A major limitation of cloning procedures is the extreme inefficiency for producing live offspring. Dolly was the only live offspring produced after 277 attempts. Similar inefficiencies for cloning adult animals of other species have been described by others. Many factors related to cloning procedures and culture environment contribute to the death of clones, both in the embryonic and fetal periods as well as during neonatal life. Extreme inefficiencies of this magnitude, along with the fact that death of the surrogate may occur, continue to raise great concerns with cloning humans.
Predicting species’ geographic distributions based on ecological niche modeling

Abstract Recent developments in geographic information systems and their application to conservation biology open doors to exciting new synthetic analyses. Exploration of these possibilities, however, is limited by the quality of information available: most biodiversity data are incomplete and characterized by biased sampling. Inferential procedures that provide robust and reliable predictions of species' geographic distributions thus become critical to biodiversity analyses. In this contribution, models of species' ecological niches are developed using an artificial-intelligence algorithm, and projected onto geography to predict species' distributions. To test the validity of this approach, I used North American Breeding Bird Survey data, with large sample sizes for many species. I omitted randomly selected states from model building, and tested models using the omitted states. For the 34 species tested, all predictions were highly statistically significant (all P < 0.001), indicating excellent predictiv...
Hydroxyurea and infected stones

The formation of struvite stones is closely linked to the enzyme urease produced by certain bacteria found in urine. It has been shown that hydroxamic acids will block the activity of this enzyme. One of these, hydroxyurea, in a morning dose of 500 mg. was used in 21 patients for three months or longer. Most were then able to acidify their urine despite persistent urinary infection. After three months, treatment with nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin and hydroxyurea (Hydrea), 78.6 per cent of patients had persistently sterile urine. There are 11 patients who have been observed for one year, and no toxic effect of the drug has been found. Three patients have shown some decrease in size of their retained calculus. This experimental study has shown that hydroxyurea may be useful in the management of struvite stones and deserves further study.
THE PRECAMBRIAN-CAMBRIAN BOUNDARY PROBLEM: PALEOMAGNETIC DIRECTIONS FROM THE AMADEUS BASIN, CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

Late Precambrian to early Cambrian sediments of the Amadeus Basin, Central Australia, contain two stable directions of magnetization. Lithologies are diverse and include red beds, green beds, and carbonates, all of which respond to thermal cleaning. Positive fold and unconformity tests, and a well-defined polarity zonation reveal the primary component and direction of magnetization. This direction lies between those reported for the Proterozoic lower Pound Quartzite and the lower Cambrian Antrim Plateau Volcanics of Australia. Poles calculated from the primary direction of magnetization for three stratigraphic units in the sequence overlap at the 95% confidence level, indicating that little apparent polar wander occurred in the Australian part of Gondwana at this time.
EEG neurofeedback for ADHD: double-blind sham-controlled randomized pilot feasibility trial.

Objective: Preparing for a definitive randomized clinical trial (RCT) of neurofeedback (NF) for ADHD, this pilot trial explored feasibility of a double-blind, sham-controlled design and adherence/p...
New strategies and findings for behavioral interventions in autism spectrum disorders

Behavioral interventions are the major source of change for children with autism spectrum disorders and a major cost to families and government. In the last 5 years, a number of carefully designed intervention studies have provided new information about the effects of caregiver training and direct instruction on behavior treatments. Outcomes of these interventions are neither easily assessed nor simple, but are dependent on child characteristics as well as caregiver skills and attitudes. Some interventions aimed at specific skills have similar results, yet there is growing evidence that child interventions may have different effects than caregiver training, although both may affect outcomes in the long term. New research strategies and findings are discussed, with a focus on how underlying behaviors and specific components may contribute to intervention outcomes.
Transient scattering by conducting surfaces of arbitrary shape

The time-domain electric field integral equation (EFIE) is used along with the method of moments to develop a simple and efficient numerical procedure for treating problems of transient scattering by arbitrary shaped conducting objects. The conducting surface is modeled by planar triangular patches for numerical purposes. Because the EFIE is used in the solution procedure, the method is applicable to both open and closed bodies. the EFIE approach is applied to the scattering problems of Gaussian plane wave illumination of a flat square plate and sphere. Comparisons of surface current densities and far-scattered fields are made with previous computations and good agreement is obtained in each case. >
Value engineering: A new approach to preventing MIS project failures

Despite the enormous amount of studies conducted on the issues, management information system (MIS) project schedule/cost overruns, project abandonment, and project failures continue to occur on a regular basis in organisations. Whereas the existing MIS project management techniques are not effective enough, MIS project managers have not looked into other fields for solutions. This paper overviews the value engineering (VE) approach to project management, and uses a specific example of MIS project selection to illustrate how the approach can be used in MIS projection selection to avoid schedule and cost overruns, organisational dissatisfaction with the project, project abandonment, or project failure. A VE approach is easy to follow, cost–effective, risk–free, and goal–oriented.It has the potential to remove or reduce the major causes of MIS project failures and thus guarantees top value for every dollar spent on projects.
The control of blood pressure during external hypercapnia in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Adult freshwater rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were exposed acutely (approximately 20 min) in a stepwise manner to increasing levels of environmental carbon dioxide ranging between 1.7 and 9.0 mmHg (0.23-1.2 kPa). Experiments were performed to examine, for the first time, the influence of hypercapnic acidosis on aspects of cardiovascular physiology including blood pressure, cardiac output and vascular resistance. Fish displayed dose (water CO(2) partial pressure) -dependent increases in ventral aortic (13–39 %) and dorsal aortic (17–54 %) blood pressures that reflected marked increases in systemic vascular resistance (16–78 %); branchial vascular resistance was unaffected by hypercapnia. At the highest level of hypercapnia (9.0 mmHg), central venous pressure was significantly elevated by 54 %. Although cardiac output remained constant, heart rate was significantly lowered by 4–7 beats min(−)(1) at the two highest levels of hypercapnia. To determine whether the cardiovascular responses to hypercapnia were being blunted by the stepwise increase in external P(CO2), a separate group of fish was exposed directly to a single step of hypercapnia (water P(CO2) 8.0 mmHg). The cardiovascular responses were similar to those exhibited by the more gradually exposed fish except that central venous pressure did not increase and the extent of the bradycardia was greater (13 beats min(−)(1)). After confirming the effectiveness of yohimbine in blocking the vasoconstrictory (α)-adrenoreceptors of the systemic vasculature, this antagonist was used as a tool to assess the importance of (α)-adrenoreceptor stimulation in promoting the cardiovascular responses during hypercapnia. Prior treatment of fish with yohimbine prevented the increased blood pressures and systemic vascular resistance during hypercapnia but did not influence the CO(2)-induced bradycardia. Plasma levels of catecholamines did not change during hypercapnia, and therefore the stimulation of the systemic (α)-adrenoreceptors presumably reflected increased sympathetic nerve activity. To determine whether the cardiovascular changes elicited by hypercapnia were related to acidosis-induced hypoxaemia, fish were exposed to hypoxia in a stepwise manner (water P(O2) 65–151 mmHg). The cardiovascular responses to hypoxia were markedly different from those to hypercapnia and consisted of pronounced increases in systemic and branchial vascular resistance, but only at the most severe level of hypoxia; ventral and dorsal aortic pressures were unaffected. The differences between the responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia, coupled with the smaller reductions in blood oxygen content during hypercapnia, support the hypothesis that the cardiovascular responses to CO(2) are direct and are unrelated to hypoxaemia.
Predictive factors for knee stiffness after periarticular fracture: a case-control study.

Background: Knee stiffness is an important complication after periarticular fracture, but a systematic evaluation of risk factors for this complication and outcomes of treatment has not been undertaken, to our knowledge. The aims of this study were to evaluate risk factors for knee stiffness requiring manipulation after periarticular fracture and to document the clinical outcomes of the manipulation. Methods: This study was designed as a case-control study in which patients requiring manipulation under anesthesia after periarticular fracture were compared with those who did not require manipulation. Using billing data from a regional level-I trauma center, we identified twenty-four knees requiring manipulation for refractory stiffness over a six-year period. These were matched, on the basis of the AO/OTA classification, with forty-three control knees that did not develop stiffness requiring manipulation. Descriptive statistics were used for frequency and mean analysis. Results: Univariate analysis revealed that extensor mechanism disruption (chi square = 0.05), fasciotomy (chi square = 0.020), wounds requiring ongoing management and precluding knee motion (p = 0.001), and the need for more than two surgical procedures to achieve definitive fracture fixation and soft-tissue coverage (p = 0.003) all placed patients at increased risk for knee stiffness requiring manipulation. The mean improvement in knee motion following all procedures targeting knee stiffness was 62°. Mean final flexion was significantly less in the case group (107°) compared with the control group (124°; p = 0.01). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically evaluate the risk factors for knee stiffness after periarticular fracture and document the outcomes of manipulation under anesthesia. It demonstrates that injury characteristics that delay or prevent postoperative knee motion place patients at increased risk for refractory knee stiffness. Although knee motion remains compromised, late surgery aimed at improving knee motion leads to improvements in flexion. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
From Pressure to Path: Barometer-based Vehicle Tracking

Pervasive mobile devices have enabled countless context- and location-based applications that facilitate navigation, life-logging, and more. As we build the next generation of smart cities, it is important to leverage the rich sensing modalities that these numerous devices have to offer. This work demonstrates how mobile devices can be used to accurately track driving patterns based solely on pressure data collected from the device's barometer. Specifically, by correlating pressure time-series data against topographic elevation data and road maps for a given region, a centralized computer can estimate the likely paths through which individual users have driven, providing an exceptionally low-power method for measuring driving patterns of a given individual or for analyzing group behavior across multiple users. This work also brings to bear a more nefarious side effect of pressure-based path estimation: a mobile application can, without consent and without notifying the user, use pressure data to accurately detect an individual's driving behavior, compromising both user privacy and security. We further analyze the ability to predict driving trajectories in terms of the variance in barometer pressure and geographical elevation, demonstrating cases in which more than 80% of paths can be accurately predicted.
Abstract PR03: The Hippo pathway effector YAP1 contributes to escape from proliferation arrest under chronic PI3K/mTOR inhibition

The PI3K/mTOR pathway is one of the most frequently mutated pathways in cancer. This pathway controls cell proliferation and cell survival, and represents an attractive target for cancer intervention. In animal tumor models, chronic treatment with PI3K/mTOR inhibitors initially induces tumor cytostasis. However, over time, tumor cells escape from drug-mediated proliferative suppression, resulting in relapse and tumor growth even in the presence of continued PI3K/mTOR inhibition. In this study we investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms that allow outgrowth of drug resistant tumor cells (“PI3K escapers”) after long-term treatment of tumor cell spheroids with PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. We identified several signaling pathways that were distinguishably altered in tumor cells that escaped proliferative suppression after chronic drug treatment compared to tumor cells acutely treated with inhibitor. Both MYC, which has been previously implicated in resistance to PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, and the Hippo pathway effector, YAP, were significantly upregulated in the “PI3K escapers” as well as multiple tumor cells lines that are resistant to PI3K/mTOR inhibition. Downregulation of either MYC or YAP abrogated the drug resistance. Although over-expression of MYC alone was sufficient to induce drug resistance, YAP was required for the MYC-induced resistant state, as knock-down of endogenous YAP resulted in loss of MYC-mediated resistance. Interestingly this resistance phenotype was associated with a KRAS or BRAF mutation, suggesting that MYC and YAP confer resistance in tumor cells in the context of ERK pathway activation. These data suggest that escape from proliferation suppression after chronic treatment with PI3K/mTOR in the context of activation of the KRAS pathway can be mediated by upregulation of MYC and YAP, which coordinately confer resistance. This abstract is also being presented as Poster B41. Citation Format: Taru Muranen, Laura M. Selfors, Carson C. Thoreen, Lisa L. Gallegos, Jonathan L. Coloff, Gordon B. Mills, Joan S. Brugge. The Hippo pathway effector YAP1 contributes to escape from proliferation arrest under chronic PI3K/mTOR inhibition. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Targeting the PI3K-mTOR Network in Cancer; Sep 14-17, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(7 Suppl):Abstract nr PR03.
Turbulence-induced Optical Vortex Trails in Light from HR 1577

The 2011 SOR observations of HR 1577 were reanalyzed using projections of the helicity spectrum. The method demonstrated optical vortex trails in each of the HR 1577 observations.
Stereotactic Radiofrequency Ablation of Trigeminal Ganglion with Intraoperative CT Scans and under General Anesthesia

Introduction: Traditionally radiofrequency ablation of the trigeminal ganglion is performed using fluoroscopy and under heavy sedation. Intra-operative stimulation studies are used in order to confirm the presence of the probe tip in the appropriate division. Unfortunately, in older patients it becomes challenging to transition between heavy sedation (for probe insertion and lesion generation) and light sedation (for stimulation studies). To solve this problem, the authors describe a method in which the procedure was performed under general anesthesia and appropriate needle position was confirmed by intraoperative CT scans. Furthermore, to make the procedure more accurate a stereotactic frame was used. Methods: Eleven procedures were performed on 10 patients from 2012-2015 with a median follow-up of 21 months. The age range of the patients was 33 - 90 years (median of 55), and with a male to female ratio of 6:4. Ablations were accomplished on the 3rd division in five patients, the 2nd division in three patients, and 2nd and 3rd divisions in two patients (one of them underwent bilateral procedures). The procedures were performed under general anesthesia, using a Patil stereotactic frame on the CT table. The center of the foramen ovale was chosen as the target. The probe insertion point was approximately 2.5 cm lateral to the angle of the mouth. To place the probe tip in the 3rd division it was advanced through the foramen ovale into the trigeminal ganglion until its tip was 5 mm anterior to the clival plane. To place it in the 2nd division, it was advanced until it was in the clival plane. The probe had an exposed tip of 8 mm and heating was done at 75?C for 60 seconds. Results: Nine patients are pain-free; one patient, who had atypical facial pain did not benefit from the procedure; and one patient (with bilateral pain) has hyperesthesia on one side. Conclusion: Trigeminal ganglion ablation under general anesthesia is a good option for older patients and for those who cannot tolerate being awakened during the procedure. The stereotactic method enables easy placement of the probe and intraoperative CT scans affords confirmation of accurate probe placement.
A Quasi-experimental Study of Contract Learning in Physical Education——A case study of no.1 middle school of Shanghai

With experimental study,the author carried out contract learning in physical education and the students' extra exercises in high school in order to prove the good effects of contract learning method,such as improving the situation of the students' body qualities,their skill learning,and their habits of joining physical exercises and so on.The results show that the learning effects in experimental classes are better than in non-experimental classes,and it is better for the boys to use the style of self-contract learning.But for girls multi-contract learning is better;applying contract learning method in high school can facilitate the change of body shape of the students and to decrease the ratio of obesity and control their weight,so as to promote well physical growth of the students.It also can help the high school students to learn and master exercise skills effectively,especially for the girls.
Abstract 823: Prevention of pancreatic cancer by cAMP control

Smoking and alcoholism are risk factors for the development of pancreatitis-associated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Using a hamster model of pancreatitis-associated PDAC induced by treatment with ethanol in the drinking water and the nicotine-derived nitrosamine 4-methylnitrosamino-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) by subcutaneous injection as well as immunohistochemistry of human PDAC tissue microarrays, we have previously shown that these cancers overexpressed stress neurotransmitters and cAMP while the inhibitory neurotransmitter a-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was suppressed. Using our hamster model, the current study has tested the hypothesis that cAMP control by GABA supplementation in the drinking water prevents the development of pancreatitis-associated PDAC. Our data reveal strong preventive effects of GABA supplementation on the development of PDAC and pancreatic intraductal neoplasia (PanIN). ELISA assays and immunohistochemistry revealed significant decreases in the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and interleukin 6 accompanied by reductions in the expression of several cancer stem cell markers, phosphorylated signaling proteins associated with cell proliferation and migration in pancreatic exocrine cells of GABA treated animals. We conclude that cAMP control by GABA supplementation inhibits multiple cancer supporting pathways at the level of cancer stem cells, differentiated cancer cells and the immune system, identifying this approach as promising novel tool for the prevention of PDAC in individuals with a history of smoking and alcoholism. Citation Format: Jheelam Banerjee, Arokya M. Papu John, Mohammed H. Al-Wadei, Hildegard M. Schuller. Prevention of pancreatic cancer by cAMP control. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 823.