cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supratentorial tumors typical of the infantile age: desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma (DIG) and astrocytoma (DIA). A review.

Desmoplastic infantile gangliogliomas (DIGs) and desmoplastic infantile astrocytomas (DIAs) are tumors typical of the infantile age. A large size, with a mixed solid and cystic component, clinical presentation with progressing signs of increased intracranial pressure, a prominent benign desmoplastic structure at histological examination, and a favorable clinical course in the majority of cases are the prominent features of these tumors. The objective of the present paper was to review the pertinent literature on the topic together with our personal experience, with the aim of an updated review of the subject. Only 28 papers are present in the literature devoted to DIGs and DIAs, most of them reporting on single cases or small series, with a total of 107 patients aged from 5 days to 48 months with a slight male prevalence. Most of the reported cases refer to supratentorial and hemispheric locations, a few cases involving the hypothalamic region, the posterior fossa, and the spinal cord. The typical MRI appearance is of large mixed solid and cystic tumors with a spontaneous hyperintense T2 appearance of the solid part which also shows a strong contrast enhancement. Mixed ganglionic and astrocytic cells are identifiable in DIGs, whereas DIAs are typically featured by the exclusive presence of glial cells. In both cases, more primitive cells may be observed, which present a higher number of mitoses and these areas can mimic the features of malignant astrocytomas. Surgery represents the treatment of choice; however, radical removal has been reported as possible only in around 30 % of the cases: the low age of the patients together with their low weight and the large size of and the hyper-vascularized structure of the tumors represent the main factors limiting surgery. Pure observation is considered as first choice in children undergoing a partial/subtotal tumor resection, chemotherapic regimens being considered in cases of recurrences after a second look surgery. Long-term prognosis is favorable with mortality being related mostly to the rare midline (i.e., hypothalamic) locations, which beyond the functionally relevant site, tend to have an unusually more aggressive histological behavior.
Periodic DFT Characterization of NOx Adsorption in Cu-Exchanged SSZ-13 Zeolite Catalysts

We report a density functional theory (generalized gradient approximation (GGA)) and hybrid-exchange (HSE06 and B3LYP) characterization of NOx adsorption on Cu-exchanged SSZ-13, in particular to compare predictions of computational models, to understand the relative stability of adsorbates under reaction conditions, and to aid in the interpretation of experiments. We consider Cu exchanged near a single Al tetrahedral site without and with a proximal Bronsted acid. Computed structures, vibrational spectra, and oxidation states are consistent with prior observations. The GGA generally overpredicts adsorbate binding energies to extents that are species specific. The tendency for a Cu site to coadsorb two species is in particular exaggerated within the GGA. Proximal acid sites generally have a small effect on adsorbate binding. Computed vibrational spectra support the assignment of various experimentally observed features, including the assignment of an experimentally observed feature near 2100 cm–1 to an Al ...
Probing the Spin Structure of the Proton Using Polarized Proton-Proton Collisions and the Production of W Bosons

Author(s): Beaumier, Michael John | Advisor(s): Barish, Kenneth | Abstract: This thesis discusses the process of extracting the longitudinal asymmetry, $A_L^{W\pm}$, describing $W\rightarrow\mu$ production in forward kinematic regimes. This asymmetry is used to constrain our understanding of the polarized parton distribution functions characterizing $\bar{u}$ and $\bar{d}$ sea quarks in the proton. This asymmetry will be used to constrain the overall contribution of the sea-quarks to the total proton spin. The asymmetry is evaluated over the pseudorapidity range of the PHENIX Muon Arms, $2.1 l |\eta|2.6$, for longitudinally polarized proton-proton collisions at 510 GeV $\sqrt{s}$. In particular, I will discuss the statistical methods used to characterize real muonic $W$ decays and the various background processes is presented, including a discussion of likelihood event selection and the Extended Unbinned Maximum Likelihood fit. These statistical methods serve estimate the yields of $W$ muonic decays, which are used to calculate the longitudinal asymmetry.
Heterodyne efficiency in chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy

We present an analysis of diffusive reflection and its effect on heterodyne efficiency in conventional and heterodyne-enhanced chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy motivated by applications in stand-off chemical detection.
Using past as prologue: contemporary perspectives on African American educational history, edited by Dionne Danns, Michelle A. Purdy and Christopher M. Span

One could imagine that the explosion of research in African American educational history has left little room for scholars to explore anything else, but a new book, Using Past as Prologue, demonstr...
Beacon Charter School Needs a School: A Case of Capital Outlay of Charters in a Public District:

The case study presented below is a representation of a real-world, ongoing situation involving a public school district’s capital outlay for charter schools within its boundaries. One particular c...
Intergenerational Forum to Enhance Students’ Engagement and Learning Outcomes: A Community-Based Participatory Research Study

ABSTRACTThe Intergenerational Forum (IF) is an innovative intervention that engages students in conducting community-based participatory research (CBPR). This set of guided learning opportunities is designed to improve college students’ understanding of aging and health issues in their communities. In this study, a total of 252 mentoring hours were provided in kind by 78 students. The majority of these youth volunteers were aspiring health professionals who had received intensive academic and field training to strengthen their interpersonal skills and ability to build meaningful one-on-one relationships with vulnerable populations. Additionally, these student volunteers were at higher risk for mental health issues. Findings revealed that as a result of IF, students were able to improve their knowledge and attitudes toward working with older people. Students were able to combine ideas from courses when completing this IF assignment. Particularly, levels of active and collaborative learning were` enriched b...
The Poisson Bracket and Symplectic Geometry

We have seen that the quantum theory of a free particle corresponds to the construction of a representation of the Heisenberg Lie algebra in terms of operators Q and P, together with a choice of Hamiltonian \(H=\frac{1}{2m}P^2\).
Stacked Injections of Biphasic Extractions for Improved Metabolomic Coverage and Sample Throughput.

Omics technologies attempt to provide comprehensive coverage of their target analytes. Comprehensive coverage of metabolites, the aim of nontargeted metabolomics applications, is hindered by the extreme diversity in physiochemical properties of the metabolome. One approach to deal with this challenge is the use of biphasic extractions. These methods generate two largely complementary extracts from a single sample, with an organic lipid-rich fraction and an aqueous fraction containing largely primary and secondary metabolites. To improve metabolite coverage, these two fractions are then independently analyzed resulting in a doubling of the experimental time. In this manuscript, we describe a novel injection approach, stacked injections of a biphasic extraction (SIBE), which enables simultaneous analysis of the two fractions. We demonstrate that SIBE offers nearly 3-fold more total peak area than a monophasic extract without dramatically increasing instrumentation time required for the analysis. The analyti...
Bryoflorula Gaudensis – Ein Beitrag zur Kryptogamenflora der Ägäis

Zusammenfassung: Urmi, E. 2017. Bryoflorula Gaudensis — Ein Beitrag zur Kryptogamenflora der Agais. — Herzogia 30: 327–342. In dieser Arbeit geht es hauptsachlich um die Moosflora von Gavdos, der sudlichsten Insel Europas, die zur griechischen Region Kreta gehort. Sie umfasst 11 Lebermoose und 58 Laubmoose. Zusatzlich werden auch Daten zu Pteridophyten und vor allem Flechten prasentiert. Das Lebensformen- und das Arealtypen-Spektrum der Moosflora zeigen deutlich den mediterranen Charakter des Gebietes. Vergleiche mit anderen Inseln im Mittelmeerraum und Gebieten in Mitteleuropa lassen Ahnlichkeiten und Unterschiede erkennen. Die Insel weist floristische Beziehungen zu Nordafrika auf.
International Students' Cocurricular Involvement at a University in South Africa

Despite a growing body of literature on international student involvement, international students in the South African context have remained understudied. In this quantitative study, we examined international students’ cocurricular involvement and associated learning and development in a South African university. Participants included 198 international students who completed the Student Experiences Survey (SES). We found international students were generally highly involved and reported benefits and barriers to their involvement as well as a strong sense of belonging. Recommendations to better integrate international students into the university by minimizing barriers and increasing opportunities and learning in involvement are included for student affairs practitioners.
A phase I study of veliparib (Vel) in combination with oxaliplatin (Ox) and capecitabine (Cap) in advanced solid tumors.

314Background: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) are activated by DNA strand breaks and important for DNA repair in response to platinum-based chemotherapy. PARP inhibition with Vel might enhance...
Pareto optimization for uplink NOMA power control

Game theory has been employed in the determination of optimum power levels of nodes for uplink power domain non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA). In this paper, a novel closed form utility function with an optimized penalty-to-reward parameter ratio is derived whose outcome gives Pareto optimum power levels. The dynamically determined power levels with this utility function have significant advantage over the static equally allocated power levels in terms of the bit error probability in the practical case of imperfect successive interference cancellation (SIC) at the receiver.
Vastus lateralis muscle tissue composition and motor unit properties in chronically endurance-trained vs. sedentary women

This study examined motor unit (MU) amplitudes (APAMPS) and firing rates during moderate-intensity contractions and muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) and echo intensity (mEI) of the vastus lateralis (VL) in chronically endurance-trained and sedentary females. Eight endurance-trained (ET) and nine sedentary controls (SED) volunteered for this study. Surface electromyographic (EMG) signals from a five-pin electrode array were recorded from the VL during isometric trapezoid muscle actions at 40% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Decomposition methods were applied to the EMG signals to extract the firing events and amplitudes of single MUs. The mean firing rate (MFR) during steady force and MUAPAMP for each MU was regressed against recruitment threshold (RT, expressed as %MVC). The y-intercepts and slopes from the MFR and MUAPAMP vs. RT relationships were calculated. EMG amplitude during steady force was normalized (N-EMGRMS) to peak EMG amplitude recorded during the MVC. Ultrasonography was used to measure mCSA and mEI. Significant differences existed between the ET and SED for the slopes (P = 0.005, P = 0.001) from the MFR and MUAPAMP vs. RT relationships with no differences for the y-intercepts (P > 0.05). N-EMGRMS was significantly (P = 0.033) lower for the ET than SED. There were no differences between groups for mCSA; however, the SED possessed significantly (P = 0.001) greater mEI. Subsequently, the ET likely possessed hypertrophied and stronger MUs that allowed for lower necessary muscle activation to maintain the same relative task as the SED. The larger MUs for the ET is supported via the MFR vs. RT relationships and ultrasound data.
Institutions, Not Culture: Explaining the Failure to Elect Women in Indigenous Southern Mexico

This paper argues that the exclusion of women from political offices in Mexico and Latin America’s customary law communities, more broadly, is much more than a problem of the purported patriarchal cultures of indigenous and rural communities. We claim, based on a comprehensive survey of 466 mayors in the indigenous state of Oaxaca, that the underrepresentation of women is a function of institutions limiting female candidates. We test this “candidate pipeline” hypothesis, adapted from U.S.-based studies, against the hypothesis that culture — as measured by indigenous ethnicity — has an independent effect on women’s representation. The paper disconfirms that patriarchal, traditionalist cultures of indigenous communities cause underrepresentation in the election of women and instead finds that a particular set of local institutions, which are more prevalent in indigenous municipalities, blocks the pipeline of potential women candidates. We conclude by considering the normative implications for customary law representation.
Optical Properties of Linear Chain Haloamine Platinum Complexes

Coordination complexes of platinum(H) generally have the coordination number of 4 with a square-planar arrangement of bonds. Such complexes are diamagnetic and with all the electrons paired can be considered as the strong-field type. One platinum d orbital is utilized in the sigma bonds to the four ligands. Since the electronic configuration of PtII is 5d 8, the other four d orbitals are filled. With the chloro- or bromoamine complexes the lowest unoccupied orbital is the σ* orbital based on the platinum d orbital which is isolated from other orbitals. The complexes typically have a number of absorption bands in the visible and near-ultraviolet region which involve excitation of electrons from the d orbitals into this lowest σ* orbital. These ligand-field or d-d transitions are of sufficiently low intensity that the optical absorption for the complexes in the crystalline state is frequently measurable. It is therefore possible to determine differences in the energies and intensities of transitions between a free complex, usually dissolved as an aqueous solute or in some rather polar solvent, and the same complex in different situations of crystal packing.
Cloning of Red Clover and Alfalfa Polyphenol Oxidase Genes and Expression of Active Enzymes in Transgenic Alfalfa

Red clover contains high levels of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and o-diphenol substrates. This results in a characteristic post-harvest browning reaction associated with decreased protein degradation during ensiling. To define PPO’s role in inhibition of post-harvest proteolysis, we are taking both biochemical and molecular approaches. We have cloned three unique PPO cDNAs from red clover leaves, RC PPO1-3. The cDNAs encode proteins that are predicted to be targeted to the chloroplast thylakoid lumen. RNA blotting and immunoblotting experiments indicate RC PPO1 is expressed predominantly in young leaf tissue, RC PPO2 is expressed most highly in flowers and petioles, and RC PPO3 is expressed in both leaves and flowers. We expressed the red clover cDNAs in alfalfa, which lacks both significant endogenous PPO activity and o-diphenol substrates in its leaves, to further characterize the individual proteins encoded by RC PPO1-3. The expressed proteins are active in alfalfa extracts and the individual enzymes show differences in substrate specificity, suggesting different functional roles. Additionally, we have cloned a PPO gene from alfalfa. Preliminary studies indicate alfalfa PPO expression is limited to flowers and seedpods. Expression of the cloned alfalfa PPO gene from a strong constitutive promoter in transgenic alfalfa results in low but measurable enzyme activity, suggesting a low specific activity compared to the red clover enzymes.
Improving Hospital-to-Home Transitions for Children Entering Foster Care.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hospital-to-home transitions present safety risks for patients. Children discharged with new foster caregivers may be especially vulnerable to poor discharge outcomes. With this study, our objective is to identify differences in discharge quality and outcomes for children discharged from the hospital with new foster caregivers compared with children discharged to their preadmission caregivers. METHODS: Pediatric patients discharged from the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center between January 2014 and May 2017 were eligible for inclusion in this retrospective cohort study. Chart review identified patients discharged with new foster caregivers. These patients were compared with a matched cohort of patients discharged with preadmission caregivers for 5 discharge quality process measures and 2 discharge outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-six index cases and 165 matched patients were identified. Index cases had worse performance on 4 of 5 discharge process measures, with significantly lower use of discharge readiness checklists (75% vs 92%; P = .004) and teach-back education of discharge instructions for caregivers (63% vs 79%; P = .02). Index cases had twice the odds of misunderstandings needing clarification at the postdischarge call; this difference was not statistically significant (26% vs 13%; P = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Hospital-to-home transition quality measures were less often implemented for children discharged with new foster caregivers than for the cohort of patients discharged with preadmission caregivers. This may lead to increased morbidity, as suggested by more frequent caregiver misunderstandings. Better prospective identification of these patients and enhanced transition improvement efforts targeted at their new caregivers may be warranted.
The Use and Misuse of Uneven and Combined Development: A Critique of Anievas and Nişancıoğlu

Aneivas and Nisancioglu’s provocative book, How the West Came to Rule , attempts to provide an alternative account of the origins of capitalism to both ‘Political Marxism’ and ‘World-Systems Theory’. By making uneven and combined development a universal dynamic of human history and by utilising a flawed concept of ‘Eurocentrism’, however, they introduce a high degree of causal pluralism into their analysis. Despite important insights into the specific dynamics of different pre-capitalist forms of social labour, their account of the origins of capitalism in How the West Came to Rule suffers from causal indeterminacy and historical inaccuracies.
Tensegrity system dynamics with rigid bars and massive strings

This paper provides a single matrix-second-order nonlinear differential equation to simulate the dynamics of tensegrity systems with rigid bars and massive strings. The paper allows one to distribute the string mass into any specified number of point masses along the string while preserving the exact rigid bar dynamics. This formulation also allows modeling of skins and surfaces as a finite set of strings in the tensegrity dynamics. To reduce the complexity of the model, non-minimal coordinates (6 degrees of freedom for each bar instead of 5) were chosen. This is the key to give more accurate results in computer simulations since the mathematical structure of the model is simplified and exploited during numerical computations. A bar length correction algorithm is also provided for both class-1 and class- $k$ tensegrity systems to correct the erroneous change in bar length because of computational errors during numerical integration. We characterize the control variable as the force density in each string. This allows control laws to be developed independently of the material chosen for the structural elements. A nonlinear transformation back to the physical control variables involves the material properties.
Rituximab Decreases Lymphoproliferative Tumor Formation in Hepatopancreaticobiliary and Gastrointestinal Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts

High engraftment rates are critical to any patient-derived xenograft (PDX) program and the loss of PDX models due to the development of lymphoproliferative tumors (LTs) is costly and inefficient. We hypothesized that routine injection of rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody, at the time of implantation would reduce the incidence of LTs. Rituximab injection was added to the standard PDX engraftment protocol. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the significance of various factors. A total of 811 generations of PDX were implanted with 406 receiving rituximab with implantation. On multivariable analysis, rituximab was an independent factor for decreased LT formation across the entire cohort (OR 0.465, 95% CI 0.271–0.797, p = 0.005). Hepatocellular carcinomas (OR 0.319, 95% CI 0.107–0.949, p = 0.040) and cholangiocarcinomas (OR 0.185, 95% CI 0.049–0.696, p = 0.113) were the specific malignant histologic subtypes that demonstrated the greatest benefit. The frequency of LTs decreased across the entire cohort with rituximab administration and PDX tumors that are traditionally associated with higher rates of LT formation, HCCs and CCAs, appear to benefit the most from rituximab treatment. Routine use of rituximab at the time of tumor implantation may have significant programmatic benefits for laboratories that utilize PDX models.
Electronic spectroscopy and excited state dynamics of the Al–N2 complex

Abstract The weakly bound Al⋯N2 complex was prepared in a pulsed supersonic beam and studied with laser fluorescence excitation spectroscopy. Transitions to bound vibrational levels in electronic states correlating with the Al(5s, 4d)+N2 asymptotes have been observed. Resonance fluorescence from the excited levels could not be detected. These excited levels decay nonradiatively, and the excitation spectrum was obtained by monitoring emission from the lower Al atomic levels. The band systems were dominated by progressions in the excited state Al–N stretch vibrational mode. Vibrational assignments were made through analysis of nitrogen isotope shifts. The rotational contours were obscured by Lorentzian line broadening from the nonradiative decay. However, for excitation to the Al(5s)⋯N2 state the rotational structure of bands with small linewidths was consistent with a 2 Σ + – 2 Π electronic transition of a linear molecule, in accord with the previously calculated linear structure of the ground state [G. Chaban, M.S. Gordon, J. Chem. Phys. 107 (1997) 2160]. The excited state binding energies were estimated to be 1218±10 cm−1 for the Al(5s)⋯N2 state [ 2 Σ + symmetry] and 2705±165 cm−1 for the Al(4d)⋯N2 state of 2 Δ symmetry. From the threshold for formation of Al(5s) from the nonradiative decay of Al(4d)⋯N2, an upper bound to the ground state dissociation energy D0″≤354±2 cm−1 was obtained. For comparison with high-resolution scans over Al⋯N2 bands, we have also recorded and analyzed similar scans over several bands of the AlAr H 2 Σ + –X 2 Π 1/2 transition, which correlates with the Al 5s←3p atomic transition. Excited-state rotational constants were derived and employed to obtain Be′=0.1128±0.0020 cm−1, and hence Re′=3.05±0.03 A. A weak predissociation, leading to formation of Al(3d), was observed for AlAr( H 2 Σ + ).
Gas Chromatography Columns Using Ionic Liquids as Stationary Phase

Ionic liquids satisfy the requirements of a gas chromatography stationary phase, among which characteristics include high viscosity, tunable selectivity through structural modifications, good wettability with respect to fused silica capillaries, and high thermal stability. When incorporated in either the first or second dimension of multidimensional gas chromatography, they offer unique selectivity compared to conventional gas chromatography stationary phases. The utilization of commercial ionic liquid columns for analysis of various analytes (i.e., fatty acids, flavors and fragrances, organic pollutants, and petrochemical samples) in complex matrices is described in this chapter. Thanks to their dual-nature behavior, IL-based stationary phases provide unique separation for both polar and nonpolar molecules in complex samples, such as essential oils. Moderately polar phosphonium-based ionic liquid columns (i.e., SLB-IL59, SLB-IL60, and SLB-IL61) with high operating temperature are suitable for analysis of complex petrochemical and environmental samples. The high polarity of ionic liquid columns allows analysis of positional isomers including those of unsaturated fatty acids. The other exceptional feature of ionic liquid columns is their stability in the presence of water and oxygen at high temperatures. Water-compatible ionic liquid-based gas chromatography capillary columns facilitate the direct injection of aqueous samples without the requirement of time-consuming sample pretreatment techniques.
Multiple imputation by predictive mean matching in cluster-randomized trials

Random effects regression imputation has been recommended for multiple imputation (MI) in cluster randomized trials (CRTs) because it is congenial to analyses that use random effects regression. This method relies heavily on model assumptions and may not be robust to misspecification of the imputation model. MI by predictive mean matching (PMM) is a semiparametric alternative, but current software for multilevel data relies on imputation models that ignore clustering or use fixed effects for clusters. When used directly for imputation, these two models result in underestimation (ignoring clustering) or overestimation (fixed effects for clusters) of variance estimates. We develop MI procedures based on PMM that leverage these opposing estimated biases in the variance estimates in one of three ways: weighting the distance metric (PMM-dist), weighting the average of the final imputed values from two PMM procedures (PMM-avg), or performing a weighted draw from the final imputed values from the two PMM procedures (PMM-draw). We use Monte-Carlo simulations to evaluate our newly proposed methods relative to established MI procedures, focusing on estimation of treatment group means and their variances after MI. The proposed PMM procedures reduce the bias in the MI variance estimator relative to established methods when the imputation model is correctly specified, and are generally more robust to model misspecification than even the random effects imputation methods. The PMM-draw procedure in particular is a promising method for multiply imputing missing data from CRTs that can be readily implemented in existing statistical software.
Gastric emptying in healthy children using the Spirulina breath test: The impact of gender, body size, and pubertal development.

BACKGROUND There are no pediatric norms for gastric emptying (GE) measured by nuclear scintigraphy. The 13 C-labeled, stable isotope GE breath test (GEBT) is a non-radioactive alternative. We aimed to determine normative GEBT ranges in a cohort of healthy children and examine the influence of age, gender, puberty, and body surface area (BSA). METHODS Healthy children ages 8-18 years completed the [13 C]-Spirulina platensis GEBT after an overnight fast. Breath samples were collected at baseline, every 15 min × 1 h, then every 30 min for 4 h total. The 13 CO2 excretion rate was determined by the change in 13 CO2 /12 CO2 over time in each breath sample, expressed as kPCD (Percent 13 C Dose excreted/min). A mixed model with random time was used for multivariable analysis and outcome fit into a quadratic model. KEY RESULTS The 100 subjects completed the test meal within allotted time. Median (IQR) age was 13.5 (11.3-15.5) years; 51% were female. Females had lower 13 CO2 excretion rates (slower GE) than males across time (p < 0.001) while decreased excretion rates correlated with higher BSA (p = 0.015). Gender differences were also noted within pubertal stages with females showing slower GE. Multivariable analysis suggested that pre-pubertal children have faster GE than both peri- and post-pubertal groups (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES Gender, puberty, and BSA influence GE rates in healthy children more than age. Although further data are needed, pubertal stage and hormonal influences may be unique factors to consider when assessing GE in children.
From Good to Bad Concentration? U.S. Industries Over the Past 30 Years

We study the evolution of profits, investment and market shares in US industries over the past 40 years. During the 1990’s, and at low levels of initial concentration, we find evidence of efficient concentration driven by tougher price competition, intangible investment, and increasing productivity of leaders. After 2000, however, the evidence suggests inefficient concentration, decreasing competition and increasing barriers to entry, as leaders become more entrenched and concentration is associated with lower investment, higher prices and lower productivity growth.
Paracelsus: An Alchemical Life: By Bruce T. Moran. Pp. 216, illus., index. Reaktion Books: London. 2020. £15.95. ISBN: 978-1-78914-144-3.

Theophrastus Philippus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim, aka Paracelsus: the name itself evokes eccentricity and the prating of a braggart. Never mind that Bombastus was part of his family name and...
Interdisciplinary Geriatric Education: The New Kid on the Block

There is an absence of adequately trained social workers to meet the health and social service needs of a rapidly increasing aging population. Educators face the challenge of helping social workers...
Accepting educational responsibility for whiteness in academic advising: moving towards anti-racist advising practices

Academic advisors serve as a front-line resource for college students and greatly contribute to student success. However, the presence of whiteness-at-work, or the everyday yet insidious practices ...
The fluorometric determination of indolealkylamines in brain and pineal gland.

Publisher Summary The chapter focuses on the determination of various indolealkylamines in the pineal gland. The biosynthesis of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) in the pineal gland is described along the pathway: 5-HT → N-acetylserotonin → melatonin. Indoles containing HO- or CH3O- substituents in the 5-position and a side chain of at least one carbon atom on the 3-position are heated with o-phthalaldehyde (OPT) in strong mineral acid, they react to yield highly fluorescent products. The fluorescent products formed by reaction of a variety of indolealkylamines with OPT are similar with activation maxima at 360 mμ and emission maxima at 470 mμ. The basic procedure for determination of 5-HT, 5-MT, N-acetylserotonin (NAS), and melatonin in pineal tissue is described in the chapter. The data indicate that 5-HT is present in considerable quantity NAS in somewhat lesser amounts, and 5-MT and melatonin are virtually undetectable. This procedure has also been applied to the determination of the various indolealkylamines in some areas of rat brain. The fluorescence of the reaction products formed from indolealkylamines and OPT is sufficient to permit the accurate measurement of 10–20 ng of 5-HT, 5-MT, NAS, and melatonin. The versatility of the OPT reaction permit its ready application to determination of various indolealkylamines in biological materials.
IT Project Failure: Causes and Response Strategies

An information technology (IT) project is a planned organizational change that requires significant financial investments and human efforts, and failed projects can cause significant damage to entire organizations. Despite advances in the project management discipline, recent research continues to show alarming numbers of project failures and many of these project failures are associated with management issues as opposed to technical issues. In this article, I discuss three causes underlying many of the IT project failures (escalation of commitment, communication failures, and risk management) and response strategies to each failure causes. Keywords: IT project management; escalation of commitment; mum effect; deaf effect; project risk management
Orbital Clues to the Nature of Meteorite Parent Bodies

A modified version of Arnold’s Monte Carlo model has been used to follow the evolution of meteorite orbits on a computer. To simulate secular perturbations, a sinusoidal variation was imposed on the orbital elements of the meteorite. To improve statistics, all close encounters with the earth were recorded, not only actual impacts. Being drawn at random from the same population, impacts and near misses are virtually equivalent.
INCIPIENT GENOME DIFFERENTIATION IN GOSSYPIUM. II. COMPARISON OF 12 CHROMOSOMES IN G. HIRSUTUM, G. MUSTELINUM AND G. TOMENTOSUM USING HETEROZYGOUS TRANSLOCATIONS

ABSTRACT Eight homozygous translocation lines (TT) of G. hirsutum marking 3 chromosomes of the A genome and 9 chromosomes of the D genome were crossed with G. hirsutum, G. mustelinum and G. tomentosum, all homozygous for the standard end arrangements (tt). Chiasma frequencies in the G. hirsutum Tt controls were compared with those in the G. hirsutum × G. mustelinum and the G. hirsutum × G. tomentosum Tt hybrids. Both nucleus-wide and regionspecific chiasma frequencies were compared.—Some genome differentiation appears to have arisen between G. hirsutum and G. mustelinum. The G. hirsutum × G. mustelinum hybrids had a 1.8 to 1.9% reduction in the nucleus-wide chiasma frequency. Four of the eight TT lines showed a 3.4 to 10.5% reduction in chiasmata in the hybrid translocation quadrivalents, suggesting that chromosomes 1, 21, 23 and 24 may have undergone localized genome differentiation. The two species may differ naturally in the end arrangement of two chromosomes, since a quadrivalent not due to experimentally introduced translocations was observed in 13% of the PMC9s of two G. hirsutum × G. mutelinum hybrids.—Very little genome differentiation has occurred between G. hirsutum and G. tomentosum. In the G. hirsutum × G. tomentosum hybrids, the nucleus-wide estimates showed only a very small (0.1 to 0.2%), though statistically significant, lowering of the chiasma frequency, and there was no reduction in chiasma frequency in the more sensitive readings for specific translocation quadrivalents.
Students authoring personalized “algebra stories”: Problem-posing in the context of out-of-school interests

Abstract Algebra is an important subject for students’ educational and economic futures; however student interest in mathematics declines over adolescence. Bringing together research on personalizing learning to students’ interests and research on student problem-posing offers a potentially important approach to enhancing algebraic understanding. We engaged 24 students in one-on-one interview sessions where they solved and posed algebra story problems based on their out-of-school interests in topics like sports, video games, and social networking. We found that participating in the session enhanced interest in mathematics. However students encountered some difficulties with algebraic problem-posing, including using precise language, accounting for the intercept term, and conceptualizing a relationship between unknown quantities. Using six cases of more successful and less successful students, we uncovered three themes: students’ “funds of knowledge” about their interest areas acted as an important scaffold, as did prior knowledge of algebra and a grasp of school norms related to story problems. This study reveals how students’ out-of-school interests can support the learning of algebra, while also providing a critical examination of the assumptions underlying problem-posing.
Application of multi-scale finite element methods to the solution of the Fokker–Planck equation

Abstract This paper presents an application of multi-scale finite element methods to the solution of the multi-dimensional Fokker–Planck equation. The Fokker–Planck, or forward Kolmogorov, equation is a degenerate convective–diffusion equation arising in Markov-Process theory. It governs the evolution of the transition probability density function of the response of a broad class of dynamical systems driven by Gaussian noise, and completely describes the response process. Analytical solutions for the Fokker–Planck equation have been developed for only a limited number of low-dimensional systems, leading to a large body of approximation theory. One such approach successfully applied to the solution of these problems in the past is the finite element method, though for systems of dimension three or less. In this paper, a multi-scale finite element method is applied to the Fokker–Planck equation in an effort to develop a formulation that can yield higher accuracy on cruder spatial discretizations, thus reducing the computational overhead associated with large scale problems that arise in higher dimensions.
Characteristics of innocent and stenotic cervical bruits.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify the stenotic and innocent bruit and to recognize possible identifying features of each. Treating the acoustical signal as random stationary noise and examining the histogram for differences in variation, the first moment was found to be unsatisfactory for differentiating between innocent and stenotic bruits. It was found that the two families of bruits could be reliably separated (with up to 85 per cent accuracy) by counting the number of major peaks in a periodogram (a form of the energy density spectrum) of the bruit. From the results of a t test, rejecting the null hypothesis at the 0.01 level, significant differences were also found between the following: the mean zero-crossing frequency for stenotic bruits (273.5 Hz) and for innocent bruits (175.3 Hz); the average energy-spectrum mean frequency for stenotic bruits (130.7 Hz) and for innocent bruits (82.0 Hz); the mean of the energy-spectrum 90 per cent bandwidth for stenotic bruits (188.4 Hz) and for innocent bruits (123.3 Hz). It is then possible to construct a reliable method of diagnosis for the cervical bruit based on the energy density spectrum. Employment of additional analysis could considerably increase this reliability. Such a method of diagnosis could employ recordings make by individual physicians and analyzed in a central location and/or a central facility to which patients would be sent. It is also possible to construct an electronic system which would have as its purpose the analysis of, or diagnosis of, bruits. For example, instruments ★ ★Saicor Real Time Spectrum Analyzer, Signal Analysis Industries Corp., 12 Di Tomas Court, Copiague, N. Y. 11726. are commercially available which will produce the energy-density spectrum directly from the analogue signal from a contact microphone. Using one of these instruments and the appropriate associated electronics, it would be possible to construct a system which could be used for the diagnosis of bruits either from a recording of the sounds or from a direct microphone input of the sounds from the patient. No method will be 100 per cent reliable, but the complementary methods of signal analysis, and the experience of the physician should lead to increased reliability in the diagnosis of cervical bruits.
Adding meta rules to OPS5 a proposed extension

OPS5 is a rule-based, non-procedural programming language rapidly gaining popularity. It is a pure "object level" programming language, as it provides the programmer with no control constructs. The approach taken when using OPS5 is to generate a rule base such that, during program execution the most appropriate rule will "select itself" and be applied at the appropriate time. Because production memory (the rule base) in OPS5 is strictly segregated from working memory (data) and the conflict set (currently applicable rules), an OPS5 program cannot direct the conflict resolution strategy of the interpreter. This can lead to situations where the OPS5 programmer may feel forced to write rules which "trick" the interpreter into boosting a rule's priority. Such artificial constructs are clearly harmful. An extension to OPS5 is proposed which allows the user to affect conflict resolution through the mechanism of meta-rules. A further refinement proposes implementing meta-rules via a programmable conflict resolution strategy. It is felt that these extensions represent a considerable enhancement of the expressiveness of the present language, with little modification to existing implementations. They are felt to be in keeping with the OPS5 programming style, and, in addition, would preserve compatibilty with existing OPS5 code.
Nanostructure Formation through β-Sheet Self-Assembly in Silk-Based Materials

Biomolecular Bombyx mori silk-based multiblock copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO) and GlyAlaGlyAla prepared by step-growth polymerization based on a modular chemical method have been found to self-assemble into nanostructures. Solid-state 13C NMR, solid-state FTIR, and powder X-ray diffraction provided evidence for the β-sheet self-assembly. The overall β-sheet content was as high as 90%. The building blocks had significant impact on the solid-state structure of the resulting polymer. Longer PEO spacers lowered the tendency to self-assemble into antiparallel β-sheets and implicated the existence of PEO-sequestered isolated β-sheets. Differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy confirmed nanostructure formation and microphase separation. The microphase-separated morphology of the polymers contained 20−50 nm peptide domains dispersed in a continuous PEO phase on which was superimposed a 100−150 nm superstructure due to the polymers' polydispersity and...
The interfacial orientation relationship of oxide nanoparticles in a hafnium-containing oxide dispersion-strengthened austenitic stainless steel

We report comprehensive investigations on the orientation relationship of the oxide nanoparticles in a hafnium-containing austenitic oxide dispersion-strengthened 316 stainless steel. The phases of the oxide nanoparticles were determined by a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy–electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atom probe tomography and synchrotron X-ray diffraction to be complex Y–Ti–Hf–O compounds with similar crystal structures, including bixbyite Y2O3, fluorite Y2O3–HfO2 solid solution and pyrochlore (or fluorite) Y2(Ti,Hf)2 - xO7 - x. High resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the particle–matrix interfaces. Moreover, two different coherency relationships along with one axis-parallel relation between the oxide nanoparticles and the steel matrix were found. The size of the nanoparticles significantly influences the orientation relationship. Our results provide insight into the relationship of these nanoparticles with the matrix, which has implications for interpreting material properties as well as responses to radiation.
“Robo‐Diva R&B”: Aesthetics, Politics, and Black Female Robots in Contemporary Popular Music

Abstract: From Beyonce's Metropolis-suit at the 2007 BET Awards1 to critic Tom Breihan's identification of a subgenre of “robo-diva” RB and (2) in critiquing the race–gender politics of mainstream Anglo-American popular music aesthetics, deconstructs many of its values (e.g., personal and cultural authenticity, expressivity, virtuosity).
Performance evaluation of a surface acoustic wave analyzer to measure vocs in air and water

The performance of a fast gas chromatograph equipped with a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) detector is evaluated in this paper. The instrument was developed for the rapid analysis of volatile organic compounds in air or water. The SAW detector, the first and only known integrating detector for gas chromatographs (GCs), operates by responding to the mass of material exiting the GC column. Material adhering to the SAW surface changes its operating frequency, which is detected by the system electronics and converted into a chromatogram. The system requires no high voltages or radioactive ionization sources, and is compact and portable. The millisecond response of the detector allows high speed analysis—measured in seconds—to take place. The performance of the GC/SAW system is comparable to laboratory GCs in terms of limit of detection, precision, accuracy, and interference while screening environments in essentially real time (10 seconds). The results of the instrument evaluation for 10 common organic compounds in air and water matrices are presented.
Central Role of Fas-associated Death Domain Protein in Apoptosis Induction by the Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Kinase Inhibitor CI-1040 (PD184352) in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells in Vitro

Because the MAPK pathway plays important roles in cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis, this pathway has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for solid tumors and leukemia. At the present time there is little information about activation of this pathway and the consequences of its inhibition in acute lymphocytic leukemia cells (ALL). In the present study, constitutive MAPK pathway activation, as evidenced by phosphorylation of ERK1 and ERK2, was observed in 8 of 8 human lymphoid cell lines and 33% (8:24) of pretreatment ALL bone marrows. Inhibition of this pathway by the MEK inhibitors CI-1040 and PD098059 induced apoptosis through a unique pathway involving dephosphorylation and aggregation of Fas-associated death domain protein followed by death receptor-independent caspase-8 activation. Jurkat cell variants lacking Fas-associated death domain protein or procaspase-8 were resistant to CI-1040-induced apoptosis, as were Jurkat or Molt3 cells treated with the O-methyl ester of the caspase-8 inhibitor N-(Nalpha-benzyloxycarbonylisoleucylglutamyl) aspartate fluoromethyl ketone. In contrast, CI-1040-induced apoptosis was unaffected by blocking anti-Fas antibody, soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha-related apoptosis-inducing ligand decoy receptor, or transfection with cDNA encoding the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Mcl-1 or dominant negative caspase-9. Collectively, these results identify the MAPK pathway as a potential therapeutic target in ALL and delineate a mechanism by which MEK inhibition triggers apoptosis in ALL cells.
Thymidine kinase and mtDNA depletion in human cardiomyopathy: epigenetic and translational evidence for energy starvation

This study addresses how depletion of human cardiac left ventricle (LV) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and epigenetic nuclear DNA methylation promote cardiac dysfunction in human dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) through regulation of pyrimidine nucleotide kinases. Samples of DCM LV and right ventricle (n = 18) were obtained fresh at heart transplant surgery. Parallel samples from nonfailing (NF) controls (n = 12) were from donor hearts found unsuitable for clinical use. We analyzed abundance of mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nDNA) using qPCR. LV mtDNA was depleted in DCM (50%, P < 0.05 each) compared with NF. No detectable change in RV mtDNA abundance occurred. DNA methylation and gene expression were determined using microarray analysis (GEO accession number: GSE43435). Fifty-seven gene promoters exhibited DNA hypermethylation or hypomethylation in DCM LVs. Among those, cytosolic thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) was hypermethylated. Expression arrays revealed decreased abundance of the TK1 mRNA transcript with no change in transcripts for other relevant thymidine metabolism enzymes. Quantitative immunoblots confirmed decreased TK1 polypeptide steady state abundance. TK1 activity remained unchanged in DCM samples while mitochondrial thymidine kinase (TK2) activity was significantly reduced. Compensatory TK activity was found in cardiac myocytes in the DCM LV. Diminished TK2 activity is mechanistically important to reduced mtDNA abundance and identified in DCM LV samples here. Epigenetic and genetic changes result in changes in mtDNA and in nucleotide substrates for mtDNA replication and underpin energy starvation in DCM.