cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Making a financial market: the economization and topology of Farmland REITs

This article considers how financial mechanisms shape political and economic power around farmland. It draws on political ecology around the financialization of agriculture, and perspectives from Science and Technology Studies about performativity and topology to study how financial mechanisms in agriculture reconfigure networks of access to farmland for farmers, investors, workers and consumers. The article focuses on the case of Farmland Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in the United States and shows REITS as sociotechnical assemblages of economic theories mobilized by investors and their representatives. Building on topologic ideas, the article highlights how financial mechanisms, such as REITs, shift networks of access to land. These mechanisms can profoundly shape landscapes and livelihoods by creating a market for farmland that transforms the connections of different actors with land, distancing workers and consumers from decision making processes while producing fluid and smooth access for investors. By studying REITs from the perspectives of economization and topology this article identifies key actors and mechanisms through which financialization is reconfiguring access to farmland and identifies limitations and opportunities for increased access to decisions about land for farmers, workers and consumers. Keywords: financialization of agriculture, political ecology, performativity, topology, science and technology studies, REITs, farmland
The dimension of entrepreneurial marketing on the performance of fast food restaurants in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria

The increasing competition in the marketing environment has made competition tough in the Nigerian fast food industry, which has become a beehive of activities that seems to be gaining more attention. Conventional marketing practices appear not to be effective for entrepreneurial firms' sustainable competitiveness. This study examined the effect of entrepreneurial marketing on the performance of fast food restaurants in Asaba, Delta State. The survey research design method was employed. The sample objects were 160 staff and customers of some selected Fast Food Restaurants in Asaba, Delta State. A 20-item validated structured questionnaire served as the research instrument. The correlation and multiple regression analysis were used as major analytical tools. The findings revealed that entrepreneurial pro-activeness, entrepreneurial innovation and entrepreneurial opportunity recognition as indicators of entrepreneurial marketing exhibited a significant positive effect on competitive advantage. The study concluded that entrepreneurial innovation determined the development of new markets; products or processes which help firms establish an edge over competitors. Hence, entrepreneurial innovation is pertinent in gaining competitive advantage. The study therefore recommends that firms should display a general innovativeness or openness to newness, and a specific predisposition to be among the first to adopt innovation within a specific domain. Being innovation focused, allows firms to concentrate on new ideas that lead to new markets, products and processes. The study established that entrepreneurial marketing is a multidimensional construct whose aspects have direct effect on competitive advantage in the fast food restaurants.
A GT-seq panel for walleye (Sander vitreus) provides a generalized workflow for efficient development and implementation of amplicon panels in non-model organisms

Targeted amplicon sequencing methods, such as Genotyping-in-Thousands by sequencing (GT-seq), facilitate rapid, accurate, and cost-effective analysis of hundreds of genetic loci in thousands of individuals. Development of amplicon sequencing panels is non-trivial, but studies describing detailed workflows of GTseq panel development are rare. Here, we develop a dual-purpose GT-seq panel for walleye (Sander vitreus), outline a generalized workflow for panel development, and discuss trade-offs associated with different development and genotyping approaches. Our GT-seq panel was developed using an ascertainment set consisting of restriction site-associated DNA data from 954 individuals sampled from 23 populations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA. We then performed simulations to test the utility of all loci for parentage analysis and genetic stock identification and designed 600 primer pairs to maximize joint accuracy for these analyses. We conducted three rounds of primer optimization to remove loci that overamplified, yielding a final panel of 436 loci. We also explored different approaches for DNA extraction, multiplexed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, and cleanup steps during the GT-seq process and discovered the following: (1) inexpensive Chelex extractions performed well for genotyping, (2) the exonuclease I and shrimp alkaline phosphatase (Exo-SAP) procedure included in some current protocols did not improve results substantially and was likely unnecessary, and (3) it was possible to PCR amplify panels separately and combine them prior to adapter ligation. Well-optimized GT-seq panels are valuable resources for conservation genetics and our workflow and findings should aid in their construction in myriad taxa.
CHAPTER 8 – Point Estimation

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of point estimation. The intersection of a nonempty collection of sigma-fields is a sigma-field. In mathematical statistics, there are two synonyms used for the word random variable—estimate and statistic. The word estimate is used in the problems of estimation, and the word statistic is used in the problems of hypothesis testing. The chapter discusses two properties of estimates—unbiasedness and consistency. The random variable U is called an unbiased estimate of θ, if the expectation of U exists and if EU = θ, whatever be the value of θ. Unbiasedness follows from a simple application of the linear properties of expectation. Unbiasedness forces the distribution of the estimator to be centered at the true parameter value. An unbiased estimate, whose variance is the minimum variance in the Cramer–Rao inequality, is a maximum likelihood estimate.
Reasons and the First Person

Late one night, you find yourself in the kitchen, holding the refrigerator door open and peeking inside, but you have forgotten what it is that you are looking for. Is it a piece of cheese, or some orange juice, or perhaps a bottle of beer that you wanted out of the fridge? Perhaps you wanted to check on the supply of milk and eggs. You are befuddled, and feel foolish — even a bit helpless. You feel sort of frozen, as if in a paralysis, in the middle of an action. Here is another such episode: As you are making your way down the stairway from your study, you suddenly realize that you have no idea why you are going downstairs. Are you getting the day’s mail? Are you going to pick up the evening paper? To take a break from your work and listen to some music? To feed the cat? You aren’t sure, and your steps slow down — perhaps you will come to a complete stop. Perhaps, you will continue to proceed downstairs, hoping that you will remember your reason for going down. Or you see no point in continuing your descent and decide to return to your study.1
Using a technology tool to help pre-service teachers notice students’ reasoning and errors on a mathematics problem

The purpose of this study was to investigate the affordances and constraints of a technological tool to foster pre-service teachers’ (PSTs) noticing skills including attending to, interpreting, and responding to students’ mathematical work. Participants were 99 junior or senior PSTs in a mathematics pedagogy course at a large university. Using LessonSketch, a web-based online platform, participants manipulated comics-based teaching scenarios to demonstrate what they attended to in a student’s mathematical written work and their related instructional decisions. Data comprised PSTs’ LessonSketch representations, their responses to prompts related to noticing skills, their reflections on the use of technology, and a focal group interview transcript. Inductive content analyses were applied to these data. The findings show that LessonSketch helped PSTs focus on how to ask questions, predict students’ answers, and respond in ways that supported students’ learning. The PSTs attended well to the student’s mistakes, but many did not clearly interpret her mathematical difficulties. Also, their pedagogical suggestions tended to be teacher-centered and procedural rather than supportive of conceptual learning. PSTs found LessonSketch helpful for locating themselves in the classroom situation and merging into the teaching moment. Despite the limitation of using only one written task, the study supports the critical role of technology in providing preliminary rehearsal of teaching practices and improving PSTs’ noticing skills, warranting further examination of the use of technology to support professional noticing.
Radar Detection of the Aurora

The aurora is as old as the Earth itself. There are many different myths and legends as to what the aurora could be. These include the spirits of dead warriors making their way back home or the souls of loved ones making their way to their final resting place. In Scotland, the aurora was thought to be fallen angels from heaven. There are also myths surrounding fertility—it was once thought that an auroral display signaled the ideal time to conceive, and that a baby born at the time of an auroral display would be lucky.
Antitrust and Competition Issues

This Chapter offers a broad overview of the impact of U.S. antitrust laws on IP licensing and transactions. A basic understanding of antitrust law is critical to the analysis of IP licensing arrangements, whether concerning patents, copyrights or trademarks. This chapter offers a summary of the antitrust doctrines that arise frequently in IP and technology-focused transactions — price fixing and market allocation, resale price maintenance, tying, monopolization, refusals to deal, standard setting and pay-for-delay settlements, with coverage of the major cases and enforcement agency guidance. Antitrust issues also play a role in the analysis of joint ventures, which are discussed in Chapter 26, and IP pools, which are discussed in Chapter 27 (a preview of this topic is presented in Part E below).
Analyzing functional connectivity in the brain using cross-correlation analysis of local field potentials

Measuring and analyzing local field potential (LFP) signals from basolateral amygdala (BLA), hippocampus (HPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) may help understand how they communicate with each other during fear memory formation and extinction. In our research, we have formulated a computationally simple and noise immune instantaneous amplitude cross correlation technique which can deduce lead and lag of LFPs generated in BLA, HPC, and mPFC and the directionality of brain signals exchanged between regions. LFP signals are recorded using depth electrodes in the rat brain and cross correlation analysis is applied to theta wave signals after filtering. We found that rats resilient to traumatic conditions (based on post-stress rapid eye movement sleep (REM)) showed a decrease in LFP signal correlation in REM and non-REM (NREM) sleep cycles between BLA-HPC regions after shock training and one day post shock training compared to vulnerable rats that show stress-induced reductions in REM. It is presumed this difference in neural network behavior may be related to REM sleep differences between resilient and vulnerable rats and may provide clues to help understand how traumatic conditions are processed by the brain.
28GHz RX frontends with sub-harmonic-based mm-wave LO Generation in 16nm FinFET

Power consumption of integrated mm-wave receiver (RX) arrays is a critical barrier for evolution from mm-wave phased arrays to full mm-wave MIMO arrays that support digital multi beam-forming. In this paper, we propose two low-power mm-wave 16nm FinFET RX front-ends that leverage a novel power and area-efficient multi-phase LO approach to enable low-power clock distribution. In the first approach, an injection locked oscillator uses multi-phase signals to produce desired mm-wave LO for the RF mixers. In the second approach, a novel sub-harmonic mixer is used to down-convert the mm-Wave signal using a multi-phase LO at 1/5th the input mm-wave frequency. The two RX implementations achieve 55dB (53dB) gain across an input bandwidth of 23-26GHz with in-band noise figure of 5.4dB (5dB) and consuming 82mW (67mW) power per element. A key contribution is state-of-the-art power consumption in LO distribution of 27mW (24mW) making these approaches amenable to large-scale phased arrays.
Insight into the ecology of vaginal bacteria through integrative analyses of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data

Vaginal bacterial communities dominated by Lactobacillus species are associated with a reduced risk to various adverse health outcomes. However, somewhat unexpectedly many healthy women have microbiota that are not dominated by lactobacilli. To determine the factors that drive vaginal community composition we characterized the genetic composition and transcriptional activities of vaginal microbiota in healthy women. We demonstrated that the abundance of a species is not always indicative of its transcriptional activity and that impending changes in community composition can be predicted from metatranscriptomic data. Functional comparisons highlight differences in the metabolic activities of these communities, notably in their degradation of host-produced mucin but not glycogen. Degradation of mucin by communities not dominated by Lactobacillus may play a role in their association with adverse health outcomes. Finally, we show that the transcriptional activities of L. crispatus, L. iners, and G. vaginalis vary with the taxonomic composition of the communities in which they reside. Notably, L. iners and G. vaginalis both demonstrated lower expression of their cholesterol-dependent cytolysins when co-resident with Lactobacillus spp. and higher expression when co-resident with other facultative and obligate anaerobes. The pathogenic potential of these species may depend on the communities in which they reside and thus could be modulated by interventional strategies. Our results provide insight to the functional ecology of vaginal microbiota and reveal strategies for management of these ecosystems.
Terminal ileal micro-perforation from an ingested fish bone incidentally diagnosed with 111In-leukocyte scintigraphy in an asymptomatic patient.

Abstract 111In-leukocyte scintigraphy has generally been considered a sensitive diagnostic test for the evaluation of infectious or inflammatory processes in the abdomen due to a lack of normal physiologic bowel activity. Herein we present a case of a patient status post endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm for which an 111In-leukocyte scan was ordered to assess for graft infection. Planar imaging revealed an abnormal focus of radiotracer activity in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. A SPECT-CT obtained to further delineate the anatomic location of abnormal activity showed abnormal leukocyte activity localizing to the terminal ileum secondary to a micro-perforation from an ingested fishbone. This case underscores the principle that in the absence of known intra-abdominal pathology, 111In-leukocyte activity in the abdomen should always be considered abnormal, and that further evaluation with dedicated cross-sectional imaging should be performed to assist with the localization of abnormal activity.
ServerMore: Opportunistic Execution of Serverless Functions in the Cloud

Serverless computing allows customers to submit their jobs to the cloud for execution, with the resource provisioning being taken care of by the cloud provider. Serverless functions are often short-lived and have modest resource requirements, thereby presenting an opportunity to improve server utilization by colocating with latency-sensitive customer workloads. This paper presents ServerMore, a server-level resource manager that opportunistically colocates customer serverless jobs with serverful customer VMs. ServerMore dynamically regulates the CPU, memory bandwidth, and LLC resources on the server to ensure that the colocation between serverful and serverless workloads does not impact application tail latencies. By selectively admitting serverless functions and inferring the performance of black-box serverful workloads, ServerMore improves resource utilization on average by 35.9% to 245% compared to prior works; while having a minimal impact on the latency of both serverful applications and serverless functions.
STUDENT SUCCESS IN COLLEGE: AN EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIPBETWEEN INSTITUTIONAL EXPENDITURES AND PERSISTENCE

This study examined the relationships between 1. institutional expenditures on academic support as measured by total amount and student persistence; 2. institutional expenditures on academic support as measured by amount per student FTE and student persistence; 3. institutional expenditures on student services as measured by total amount and student persistence; and 4. institutional expenditures on student services as measured by amount per FTE. It also explored the relationship between student engagement as measured by the five benchmarks (Academic Challenge, Active & Collaborative Learning, Student Faculty Interaction, Enriching Education Experience, and Supportive Campus Environment) and student persistence. Finally, it explored relationships among institutional expenditures, student engagement and student persistence. The study is a non experimental quantitative study utilizing two data sources, NSSE 2005 survey data and IPEDS data source. The study utilized data from 71 public Research Institutions Extensive and Intensive on the 2000 Carnegie Classification of institutions. The findings showed that institutional expenditures on academic support are positively significantly related to persistence. Institutional expenditures on student services are also positively significantly related to persistence. The variance in persistence attributed to difference in total academic support is higher than that attributed to by student services. Likewise, the variance attributed to student support total amount is higher than variance attributed to by student support per student FTE.
COMPARISION OF HIGH ACHIEVERS WITH LOW ACHIEVERS: Discussion of Juter’s (2007) article

The use of questionnaires and interviews to compare the responses to a mathematical task of high achievers with low achievers has limitations. The partial information that they have provides a way of comparing high and low achievers. Some references are given here to relevant task formats and theories. An example is given of how examinees’ performance with unusual task formats (specifically, answer-until-correct) may be analysed to throw light on the mathematical description of partial information.
Posttranscriptional regulation of T-type Ca(2+) channel expression by interleukin-6 in prostate cancer cells.

Abstract Background At early stages, the growth of prostate cancers is androgen dependent. At later stages, however, the growth of prostate cancers becomes androgen independent, which leads to an increase in mortality. The switch to an androgen-refractory state is associated with neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) of prostate cancer cells. Several factors including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and increased cAMP production promote NED of prostate cancer cells. In this work we investigated whether IL-6 evoked NED of LNCaP cells results in a significant change in T-type Ca 2+ channel expression in comparison to non-stimulated LNCaP cells. Methods T-type Ca 2+ channel subunit Ca v 3.2 expression was studied using PCR analysis, western blot and whole cell recordings. Tubulin IIIβ expression and neurite-like morphology was assessed to investigate the role of T-type Ca 2+ channels in the differentiation of prostate cancer cells. Results Treatment of LNCaP cells with IL-6 for 4 days evokes considerable morphological and biochemical changes consistent with NED. Transcripts of the T-type Ca 2+ channel subunit Ca v 3.2 but not Ca v 3.1 or Ca v 3.3 are detected in IL-6 stimulated cells. Real time PCR analysis of IL-6 stimulated cells indicates no significant change in Ca v 3.2 mRNA expression in comparison to non-stimulated cells. LNCaP cells stimulated with IL-6 show a threefold increase in T-type Ca 2+ channel subunit Ca v 3.2 protein expression, suggesting that channel expression is upregulated by a posttranscriptional mechanism. Electrophysiological recordings reveal that increased Ca v 3.2 protein expression following IL-6 stimulation of LNCaP cells does not result in increased expression of functional channels in the membrane. Functional expression of Ca v 3.2 channels in LNCaP cells is facilitated by co-stimulation with IL-6 and the cAMP-stimulating agent, forskolin (FSK). Inhibition of T-type Ca 2+ channel activity in IL-6 stimulated LNCaP cells prevents the development of morphological characteristics consistent with NED. Conclusions These results indicate that the functional expression of T-type Ca 2+ channels is regulated by the interplay of multiple factors in LNCaP cells.
Reforming municipal services after amalgamation

The differing perspectives of decision makers in a newly‐amalgamated municipality may hinder the reduction of costs or introduction of efficient organizational change. Accepting differences may be essential, at least initially, to achieve efficiencies. During amalgamation the pursuit of uniformity of services in combination with a weak and/or chaotic change process (lack of committee structure, poor information, vague deadlines, shifting relationships and assertion of power) may undermine efforts to obtain efficiencies.
A noninvasive test for vesico-ureteric reflux in children.

Objective To report the development and testing of a device for the noninvasive diagnosis of vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) which avoids the need for urethral catheterization (currently required to reliably determine the presence of VUR), and which thus avoids the anxiety of parents and patients that causes many families to refuse such evaluation. Patients and methods Fifty-four children (49 girls and five boys, mean age 7.2 years, range 4–14) previously evaluated as having VUR volunteered to participate; no child was symptomatic at the time of the study. Refluxing units were known to be present by voiding cysto-urethrography (within 1 year, mean 7 months) in 45 and absent in 16. The device developed acquires electronically processed acoustic signals from the child during an observed urination. The signals are then analysed ‘off-line’ to determine the presence or absence of VUR. The initial preparation for the test included: (i) a full bladder [at least 0.80 × {(2 + age) × 30 mL}] measured by ultrasonography; and (ii) localization of the pelvi-ureteric junction by ultrasonography to accurately place the device's sensors on the child's back. The children were then positioned at a commode after placing the sensors; the recording was started and continued until voiding occurred. The children were tested with the recording and analysis team unaware of the presence and/or degree of VUR. The first 47 studies were single-kidney examinations and the remaining seven included simultaneous monitoring of both kidneys. Results Sixty-one renal units were assessed and interpretable signals were obtained from 54 (89%). There were seven episodes of ‘system failure’ when no interpretable data were obtained. One unit with no VUR had a ‘reflux’ signal; in four kidneys, spontaneous (two) and postsurgical (two) resolution of reflux was predicted by the testing and subsequently verified by cyclic radionuclide cystography. Conclusions This noninvasive diagnostic technique detected VUR in 35 of 37 refluxing units and verified no reflux in 16 of 17 units without VUR. Further refinements may allow this technology to be used in all children with suspected VUR.
Why did fertility decline?: an analysis of the individual level economics correlates of the nineteenth century fertility transition in England and France

The fertility transition in nineteenth century Europe is one of economic history’s greatest puzzles. There is no consensus in the literature on the causes of this ‘fertility revolution’. Following a critical review of the empirical and theoretical literature, this thesis re-examines the economic correlates of the fertility decline through the analysis of two new datasets from England and France. For the first time, the relationship between wealth and fertility can be studied over the period of the fertility transition. Clear patterns are discovered, namely a strong positive relationship pre-transition which switches to a strongly negative relationship during the onset of the transition. Family limitation is initiated by the richest segments of society. I then introduce a simple model which links fertility and social mobility to levels of economic inequality. I argue that parents are motivated by relative status concerns and the fertility transition is a response to changes in the environment for social mobility, where increased mobility becomes obtainable through fertility limitation. This hypothesis is tested with the new micro data in England and France. Fertility decline is strongly associated with decreased levels of inequality and increased levels of social mobility. The analysis finds strong support for the role of changes in inequality and the environment for social mobility as central factors in our understandings of Europe’s fertility transition.
Development and Evaluation of a Proposed Neck Shield for the 5th Percentile Hybrid III Female Dummy

Frontal airbag interaction with the head and neck of the Hybrid III family of dummies may involve a non-biofidelic interaction due to the deploying airbag becoming entrapped in the hollow cavity behind the dummy chin. This study evaluated a prototype neck shield design, the Flap Neck Shield, for biofidelic response and the ability to prevent airbag entrapment in the chin/jaw cavity. Neck pendulum calibration tests were conducted for biofidelity evaluation. Static and dynamic airbag deployments were conducted to evaluate neck shield performance. Results showed that the Flap Neck Shield behaved in a biofidelic manner with neck loads and head motion within established biofidelic limits. The Flap Neck Shield did not alter the neck loads during static or dynamic airbag interactions, but it did consistently prevent the airbag from penetrating the chin/jaw cavity. Use of the Flap Neck Shield with the 5th percentile Hybrid III female dummy is recommended for frontal airbag deployments.
Identification of mitogen-activated protein kinase docking sites in enzymes that metabolize phosphatidylinositols and inositol phosphates

Background Reversible interactions between the components of cellular signaling pathways allow for the formation and dissociation of multimolecular complexes with spatial and temporal resolution and, thus, are an important means of integrating multiple signals into a coordinated cellular response. Several mechanisms that underlie these interactions have been identified, including the recognition of specific docking sites, termed a D-domain and FXFP motif, on proteins that bind mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). We recently found that phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-γ1 (PLC-γ1) directly binds to extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), a MAPK, via a D-domain-dependent mechanism. In addition, we identified D-domain sequences in several other PLC isozymes. In the present studies we sought to determine whether MAPK docking sequences could be recognized in other enzymes that metabolize phosphatidylinositols (PIs), as well as in enzymes that metabolize inositol phosphates (IPs).
Adaptive coherence imaging system with time-domain filtering

Summary form only given. For some sensing applications, even the seemingly fundamental process of breaking a spectrum into frequency components may not be the best way to look for features in the spectrum. We have demonstrated a coherent imaging architecture, with inherent decomposition of the image into coherent and incoherent components. The decomposition at a very early stage of the physical measurement process means that 1) minimal data analysis is needed, and 2) the system never needs to have the resolution that would conventionally be required to resolve the spectral features of interest. These advantages translate into relaxed requirements on the hardware design and faster data collection, and will aid the design and expand the applications of inexpensive, mobile hyperspectral and multispectral imaging systems.
Comment on “Adsorption of Polyelectrolyte onto a Colloid of Opposite Charge”

A Comment on the Letter by E. Gurovitch and P. Sens, Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 339 (1999). The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.
Brain activity for spontaneous pain of postherpetic neuralgia and its modulation by lidocaine patch therapy.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a debilitating chronic pain condition, yet there is a lack of knowledge regarding underlying brain activity. Here we identify brain regions involved in spontaneous pain of PHN (n = 11) and determine its modulation with Lidoderm therapy (patches of 5% lidocaine applied to the PHN affected body part). Continuous ratings of fluctuations of spontaneous pain during fMRI were contrasted to ratings of fluctuations of a bar observed during scanning, at three sessions: (1) pre-treatment baseline, (2) after 6 h of Lidoderm treatment, and (3) after 2 weeks of Lidoderm use. Overall brain activity for spontaneous pain of PHN involved affective and sensory-discriminative areas: thalamus, primary and secondary somatosensory, insula and anterior cingulate cortices, as well as areas involved in emotion, hedonics, reward, and punishment: ventral striatum, amygdala, orbital frontal cortex, and ventral tegmental area. Generally, these activations decreased at sessions 2 and 3, except right anterior insular activity which increased with treatment. The sensory and affective activations only responded to the short-term treatment (6 h of Lidoderm); while the ventral striatum and amygdala (reward-related regions) decreased mainly with longer-term treatment (2 weeks of Lidoderm). Pain properties: average magnitude of spontaneous pain, and responses on Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS), decreased with treatment. The ventral striatal and amygdala activity best reflected changes in NPS, which was modulated only with longer-term treatment. The results show a specific brain activity pattern for PHN spontaneous pain, and implicate areas involved in emotions and reward as best reflecting changes in pain with treatment.
Secondary Structure of Albumin Acquired Rapidly by Modified Conventional ATR-FTIR Is Comparable to CD Spectral Data

Abstract Protein secondary structure in the bulk aqueous state is technically challenging to obtain by direct FTIR measurement. A new convenient technique for secondary structure analysis using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy is described in which the aqueous conformation of albumin appears to be preserved. A disaccharide, cellobiose, is lyophilized onto the zinc selenide ATR specimen holder, producing a glassy film onto which the protein is subsequently layered and dried. Curve fitting analysis of the deconvoluted spectra obtained in the presence of the cellobiose film showed that bovine serum albumin contained 64 (±0.5%) αhelix, a value similar to published "aqueous-simulated CD" values. The simple and rapid technique of coating an ATR crystal with cellobiose for FTIR spectroscopy may be useful for studying the aqueous conformation of other surface interactive proteins and may present several advantages over more cumbersome approaches.
Osteosarcoma: Review of the Various Types with Emphasis on Recent Advancements in Imaging

Osteosarcoma is the classic malignant osteoid-forming bone tumor. The typical clinical presentation, histology, imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis for each subtype of osteosarcoma is provided. Particular emphasis is placed on more current magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine imaging techniques that may soon improve the ability to determine the most appropriate therapy and ultimately improve patient survival.
Examining Coming Out, Loneliness, and Self-esteem as Predictors of Sexual Compulsivity in Gay and Bisexual Men

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of loneliness, self-esteem, disclosure of sexual orientation, and other personal characteristics on sexual compulsivity. Using data from 305 gay and bisexual men, results indicated not coming out to one's mother was significantly associated with higher sexual compulsivity scores. Self-esteem was significantly associated with current HIV serostatus and date of last HIV test. Stepwise regression analyses suggest loneliness, self-esteem, and non-disclosure of sexual orientation to one's mother have the capacity to predict sexual compulsivity among gay and bisexual men. Based on these results, counseling and sexual health practice implications are presented.
Brassicaceae Cover-Crop Effects on Weed Management in Plasticulture Tomato

Weed control options are limited in plasticulture vegetables in the absence of methyl bromide. Field and laboratory studies were conducted to test the efficacy of soil amendment with Brassicaceae cover crops in combination with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and virtually impermeable film (VIF) mulches for weed control in fresh-market tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Three Brassicaceae cover crops, ‘Seventop’ turnip (Brassica rapa), ‘Pacific Gold’ oriental mustard (Brassica juncea), and ‘Caliente’, a blend of brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and white mustard (Sinapis alba), were tested along with methyl bromide for yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) control in tomato. Glucosinoate (GSL) analysis indicated that ‘Caliente’ mustard, ‘Pacific Gold’ oriental mustard, and ‘Seventop’ turnip produced GSLs totaling 26,399, 16,798, and 18,847 μmol m−2, respectively, prior to termination. The VIF mulch was neither effective in increasing weed control nor in improving tomato yiel...
Immunohistochemical study of folliculostellate cells in pituitary lesions.

This immunohistochemical study of the folliculostellate (FS) cells of the pituitary gland demonstrated that these cells have strong reactivity for S-100 protein, some reactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein, keratin, and vimentin, and no reactivity for NSE and epithelial membrane antigen. An increased number of FS cells was seen at the margin of pituitary adenoma, abscess, and amyloid deposits, and in residual adenohypophysis after-hypophysectomy, whereas no FS cells were seen in the margin of metastatic tumor, Rathke’s cyst, and both recent and old infarcts. Our findings affirm the supportive function of FS cells.
Magnetostrictive Sensor for Generating and Detecting Plate Guided Waves

The development of a magnetostrictive sensor for generating and detecting guided waves in ferromagnetic plate is described. The sensor consists of a channel-shaped core and coils wound around the core along its length. It is shown that the sensor is capable of generating and detecting both the symmetric and antisymmetric Lamb wave modes and the shear horizontal wave modes in plates. It is also found that the beam pattern produced by the sensor follows the pattern expected for a line source in a two-dimensional medium.
Morphology of PI-PEO block copolymers for lithium batteries

Abstract Polyimide (PI)–polyethylene oxide (PEO) block copolymers have a wide variety of applications in microelectronics, since PI–PEO films exhibit a high degree of thermal and chemical stability. The polymers consist of short, rigid rod T-shaped PI segments, alternating with flexible, PEO coil segments. The highly incompatible PI rods and PEO coils should phase-separate, especially in the presence of lithium ions used as electrolytes for lithium polymer batteries. The rigid rod phase provides a high degree of dimensional stability. In this paper, we provide evidence by DSC that the self-assembled ordered structure of the PI–PEO molecules is formed from concentrated solution rather than the bulk state. Tapping mode AFM and X-ray diffraction are applied to observe the nanodomains in the phase separation of the PI and PEO before and after doping with lithium ions. In addition, we report evidence of the ion transport primary mechanism, in the amorphous phase of the lithium salt-doped PI–PEO block copolymers' multinuclear NMR linewidth, spin-lattice relaxation time, and pulsed field gradient diffusion measurements.
Torticollis Associated With Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy

We investigate the incidence of torticollis associated with neonatal brachial plexus palsy, whether the severity of brachial plexus palsy affects outcomes and the rate of recovery. We performed a retrospective review of 128 consecutive neonatal brachial plexus palsy patients evaluated at the University of Michigan from 2005-2009. Patients were followed for at least 3 months, with regular physical examinations and imaging. Forty-three percent presented concurrently with torticollis. Significant differences were evident in mean age at first brachial plexus examination, suggesting that patients with concurrent torticollis present earlier for clinical examination. Recovery from torticollis was evident in 62% of patients by 23 ± 12 weeks with conservative management. No statistically significant differences were evident between torticollis and nontorticollis groups after reviewing their severity of neonatal brachial plexus palsy (Narakas score), recovery from neonatal brachial plexus palsy (biceps function at 6 months), need for nerve repair or reconstructive procedures, or infant, maternal, or other factors associated with labor. Results suggest that although torticollis occurs with increased frequency in children with brachial plexus palsy, its presence is not related to severity and does not affect the probability of recovery from brachial plexus palsy. Conservative management for torticollis yields reasonable recovery.
Silicide formation in contacts to Si nanowires

Silicides, intermetallic compounds formed by the reaction of a metal and Si, have long been used as contacts for metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors and have more become interesting for other Si nanowire (SiNW) devices. In the following, experimental results for the Ti, V, Pt, Pd, Fe, and Ni–Si systems are reported and placed in the context of prior work on silicide formation from metal films on Si wafers. For the early transition metals Ti and V, the silicide is formed only underneath the contact pad and is Si-rich (MSi2). For the middle transition metal Fe and late transition metals Pt and Pd, a metal-rich silicide was the first phase observed to form, but poor morphologies were common, making it a challenge to incorporate these contacts into nanowire devices. Nickel contacts were the only ones with well-behaved axial silicide growth away from the contact pad, and silicide formation was strongly dependent on the original SiNW orientation. These findings are discussed in terms of kinetic features of the metal-SiNW systems.
Select Parent and Family System Correlates of Adolescent Current Weight Status: A Pilot Study.

In this exploratory, correlational study, the researchers examined the extent to which select family systems theory constructs were associated with self-reported current weight among a sample of 77 primarily non-Hispanic Black adolescents. We also explored the extent to which select parental and familial constructs (family cohesion, family conflict, family resources, and perceptions of weight), and parents' current weight status separately and taken together predicted adolescents' current weight. Bivariate analyses suggested that adolescents' self-reported weight status is correlated with factors from multiple levels in which the adolescent is embedded; adolescent weight status was positively associated with parent- and family-level factors. Furthermore, the exploratory regression model established the existence of a small significant relationship (22% of the variance) between the parent- and family-level constructs and adolescent weight status, with parents' perception of his or her own weight status and...
BAFF and selection of autoreactive B cells

B cell activating factor (BAFF) is a crucial survival factor for transitional and mature B cells, and is a promising therapeutic target for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A BAFF inhibitor, belimumab, is the first new drug in 50 years to be approved for the treatment of SLE. However, the mechanism of action of this drug is not entirely clear. In this review we will focus on the role of the BAFF-APRIL signaling pathway in the selection of autoreactive B cells, and discuss whether altered selection is the mechanism for the therapeutic efficacy of BAFF inhibition in SLE.
Unmasking the mitochondrial KH exchanger: Swelling-induced K+-loss

Abstract Matrix swelling induces a rapid, transient, energy-independent potassium efflux in rat liver mitochondria. Swelling-induced K+-loss is electroneutral; therefore it does not reflect electrophoretic diffusion secondary to increased membrane permeability. Matrix swelling unmasks an endogenous K H transport mechanism in the mitochondrial membrane, providing a valuable experimental approach to the study of K+ transport in mitochondria.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MATERNAL SOCIAL SUPPORT INDEX AND THE PARENTING STRESS INDEX IN MOTHERS OF VERY-LOW-BIRTHWEIGHT CHILDREN NOW AGE 7 '

Szrmmay.-Two measures, the Maternal Social Support Index and the Parenting Stress Index were used to assess parents' stress and social support among mothers of 7-yr.-old children born at very low birthweight. The MSSI Total scores did not sign&candy correlate with the PSI Total Child, Total Parent, or Total Stress Indices, although they were significant, but modestly correlated with scores on the Parent subscale of Social Isolation. The relacionship between parental stress and maternal social support requires continued invesc~gac~on. The Maternal Social Support Index (MSSI) is an 18-item questionnaire designed to assess the tangible and emotional support provided by a mother's social network as reported by the mother. This brief scale measures the perceived support and reported satisfaction with support rather than the structure of the support system. The Index has been used to assess the effects of social support on a mother's ability to provide a stimulating home environment for preschool children and has indicated that mothers with higher social support provide more stimulation for their preschool-age children (Pascoe & French, 1990). The Parenting Stress Index is a parent rating device that has been used widely in chical and research settings (Abidm, 1990). It is based on a parenting stress model comprised of specific characteristics of child and parent and several key situational variables related directly to the role of parent. We hypothesized that scores on the support Index would correlate significantly with the over-all domain scores on the stress index. All 45 subjects were participants in a study of the effects of chronic lung disease on school performance among a cohort of children with birthweights 11500 g. The sample was composed of 20 boys and 25 girls, with an average age of 7.04 f .14 years. Seventeen children were Euro-American, 27 children were African-American, and 1 was Native American. Mean birthweight was 1047.11 gf 240.65. Mothers had completed about a mean of 13.3 (SD: 1.99) years of education. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to examine the associa
Phase field formulations for modeling the Ostwald ripening in two-phase systems

Abstract Phase field formulations have been constructed for modeling Ostwald ripening in two-phase systems. The microstructural evolution and the kinetics of Ostwald ripening were studied by numerically solving the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau (TDGL) equations. The simulated microstructures are in a striking resemblance with experimental observations. The shape accommodation of second phase particles occurs as the volume fraction increases. It was observed that these two-phase systems reach the steady state or scaling state after a short transient time and the scaling functions are independent of time for all volume fractions of the second phase. The kinetics of Ostwald ripening in a two-phase mixture have been studied over a range of volume fractions of the coarsening phase. It was found that the coarsening kinetics of second phase particles follows the power growth law R t m − R 0 m = kt with m = 3, which is independent of the volume fraction of the coarsening phase. The kinetic coefficient k increases significantly as the volume fraction of the coarsening phase increases.
Oscillation of the human ankle joint in response to applied sinusoidal torque on the foot.

1. Low-frequency (3-30 Hz) oscillatory rotation of the ankle joint in plantarflexion—dorsiflexion was generated with a torque motor. Torque, rotation about the ankle and electromyograms (e.m.g.s) for the gastrocnemius—soleus and the anterior tibial muscles were recorded. 2. Fourier coefficients at each drive frequency were used to calculate the effective compliance (ratio of rotation and torque). The compliance has a sharp resonance when tonic, voluntary muscle activity is present. 3. The resonant frequency of compliance is between 3 and 8 Hz. The location of the resonant frequency and the magnitude of the compliance at resonance depend upon both the degree of tonic muscle activity and the amplitude of the driving torque. The resonant frequency increases with increasing tonic activity. 4. With tonic muscle activity, the compliance in the frequency range below resonance increases with increasing amplitudes of driving torque. 5. The e.m.g., when evoked by the rhythmic stretch, lags the start of stretching by between 50 and 70 msec. 6. When tonic muscle activity is present, the resonant frequency of the stretch reflex is between 5 and 6·5 Hz. 7. Following the start of driven oscillation at frequencies near resonance, slowly increasing amplitudes of angular rotation (to a limit) are observed. 8. Distortion (from the sinusoidal wave shape) of angular rotation is frequently observed with drive frequencies between 8 and 12 Hz during which there sometimes occur spontaneous recurrences of oscillation at the drive frequency. For the angular rotation, a significant portion of the power may be in subharmonic frequency components of the drive frequency when that frequency is between 8 and 12 Hz. 9. Self-sustaining oscillation (clonus) near the resonant frequency of the compliance is sometimes observed after the modulation signal to the motor is turned off. This is most often seen when the gastrocnemius—soleus muscles are fatigued. Clonus may be evoked by driven oscillation at any frequency. 10. The hypothesis that physiological tremor, which occurs between 8 and 12 Hz, is a consequence of stretch reflex servo properties seems to be at odds with the observations of resonance in the compliance and of self-generated clonus both occurring in the 5-8 Hz region.
Anomalous lattice expansion of the electrodeposited Ag bilayer on Pt(111)

Abstract A 2.2% lateral and 8.5% vertical lattice expansion, as compared to bulk Ag(111), has been found in a high resolution surface X-ray scattering study for the underpotentially deposited Ag bilayer on Pt(111). The larger-than-bulk lattice constants are unusual for an incommensurate adlayer. It presumably arises from a considerable charge transfer from Ag to Pt, which results in an additional repulsion among the adatoms.