cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leukemogenic Transformation of Hematopoietic Cells by Constitutive Activation of Canonical Wnt Signaling in Osteoblast Precursors

Abstract 509 Osteoblasts, the bone forming cells, are implicated in the fate of healthy and malignant stem cells. They affect self-renewal and expansion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and homing of tumor cells into the bone marrow. Here we show that constitutive activation of canonical Wnt signaling in osteoblast precursors disrupts hematopoiesis in mice by shifting the differentiation potential of HSC progenitors to the myeloid lineage which results in accumulation of granulocyte/monocyte progenitors and concomitant development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). B-lymphopoiesis is also decreased. The AML phenotype is associated with clonal evolution at the cytogenetic level since clonal abnormalities could be detected in leukemic blasts from mice with constitutive activation of the canonical Wnt target β-catenin in osteoblast precursors ( β catenin osb mice). Bone marrow transplantation experiments from β catenin osb mice to wild type lethally irradiated mice resulted in development of AML within 8 weeks following transplantation, demonstrating progression towards AML. At the molecular level, cell-specific gene inactivation mouse models demonstrate that β-catenin interacts with FoxO1 in osteoblasts to induce development of AML. Downstream signaling events that confer osteoblast signaling to normal HSCs and lead to their leukemogenic transformation will be presented. Importantly, malignancy-inducing osteoblasts, detected by nuclear accumulation of β-catenin in bone marrow biopsies, were identified in > 25% of patients with myelodysplasia (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or AML arising from a prior MDS. Specifically, 15 out of 53 patients with MDS (n=17 patients), AML (n=20 patients), or MDS that had transformed to AML (n=16) chosen at random showed nuclear localization of β-catenin in osteoblasts. Of note, 12 of the 15 (80%) patients with nuclear localization of β-catenin in osteoblasts had abnormalities of chromosome 5 and/or 7, very common cytogenetic abnormalities in patients with MDS and AML. The same signaling pathways mediating AML development in β catenin osb mice were also found to be activated in osteoblasts and hematopoietic cells from the patients with nuclear accumulation of β-catenin in osteoblasts. These findings demonstrate that genetic alterations in osteoblast precursors (1) can induce AML in mice and (2) are associated with AML development in humans. They also provide a molecular basis for the leukemogenic transformation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A Sub-60- $\mu \text{A}$ Multimodal Smart Biosensing SoC With >80-dB SNR, 35- $\mu \text{A}$ Photoplethysmography Signal Chain

A sub-60- $\mu \text{A}$ multimodal analog front-end and ultralow energy biosensing CMOS SoC is presented. A 35- $\mu \text{A}$ photoplethysmography (PPG) signal chain that consumes five times lower power than state of the art has been demonstrated. An SNR of >80 dBFS was achieved using circuit and system techniques that enable sub-1% analog duty cycling. Input signal-aware, on-the-fly, real-time data path adaptation algorithms implemented on an external microcontroller and synchronized by an ultralow power on-chip FSM along with a 1.3- $\mu \text{W}$ , 14-b, 1-kSPS SAR ADC further lower system energy. A programmable, asynchronous reset capacitive amplifier (PARCA) with noise efficiency factor (NEF) of 4.8 and $dx$ / $dt$ analog feature extractor demonstrates energy efficient electrocardiogram (ECG) capture. A wearable platform using this SoC that simultaneously captures ECG plus PPG and wirelessly transmits the heart rate using Bluetooth low energy every 2 s to a smartphone lasts for greater than five days from a 250-mAhr battery.
Parent Participation in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Rounds via Telemedicine: Feasibility and Impact

Objectives To evaluate feasibility and impact of telemedicine for remote parent participation in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) rounds when parents are unable to be present at their child's bedside. Study design Parents of patients admitted to a 14-bed PICU were approached, and those unable to attend rounds were eligible subjects. Nurse and physician caregivers were also surveyed. Parents received an iPad (Apple Inc, Cupertino, California) with an application enabling audio-video connectivity with the care team. At a predetermined time for bedside rounds with the PICU team, parents entered a virtual meeting room to participate. Following each telemedicine encounter, participants (parent, physician, nurse) completed a brief survey rating satisfaction (0 = not satisfied, 10 = completely satisfied) and disruption (0 = no disruption at all, 10 = very disruptive). Results A total of 153 surveys were completed following 51 telemedicine encounters involving 13 patients. Parents of enrolled patients cited work demands (62%), care for other dependents (46%), and transportation difficulties (31%) as reasons for study participation. The median levels of satisfaction and disruption were 10 (range 5-10) and 0 (range 0-5), respectively. All parents reported that telemedicine encounters had a positive effect on their level of reassurance regarding their child's care and improved communication with the care team. Conclusions This proof-of-concept study indicates that remote parent participation in PICU rounds is feasible, enhances parent-provider communication, and offers parents reassurance. Providers reported a high level of satisfaction with minimal disruption. Technological advancements to streamline teleconferencing workflow are needed to ensure program sustainability.
New Standards Require Teaching More Statistics: Are Preservice Secondary Mathematics Teachers Ready?

Mathematics teacher education programs often need to respond to changing expectations and standards for K-12 curriculum and accreditation. New standards for high school mathematics in the United States include a strong emphasis in statistics. This article reports results from a mixed methods cross-institutional study examining the preparedness of preservice secondary mathematics teachers to teach statistics and identifying factors and experiences that influence their preparedness. Our results suggest that the cohort of teachers entering secondary mathematics classrooms in 2015-2016 were not well prepared to teach statistics. Specific suggestions are given for how teacher education programs must rise to the challenge of preparing their graduates to teach statistics.
Implementation of a pragmatic randomized trial of screening for chronic kidney disease to improve care among non-diabetic hypertensive veterans.

Whether screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) can improve the care of persons at high risk for complications remains uncertain. We describe the design and early implementation experience of a pilot, cluster-randomized pragmatic trial to evaluate the feasibility, implementation, and effectiveness of a “triple marker” CKD screening program (creatinine, cystatin C and albumin to creatinine ratio) for improving care among hypertensive veterans seen in primary care at one Veterans Administration Hospital. Non-diabetic hypertensive veterans age 18–80 without known CKD were randomized in clusters determined by primary care provider (unit of randomization) into three arms. Usual care will be compared with two incrementally intensified treatment strategies: (1) screen for CKD followed by patient and provider education or (2) screen-educate plus a clinical pharmacist-led CKD and BP management program. The primary clinical outcome is systolic blood pressure (BP) change from baseline. Secondary clinical outcome is BP control. The primary process outcomes is triple marker screening (across three arms), and secondary process outcomes include use of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system (ACE/ARB) overall and in persons with albuminuria, CKD recognition by PCP, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and NSAID education by PCP. The design uses the Veterans Health Administration electronic health record (EHR) to identify participants, deliver the interventions and ascertain study outcomes. Assessment of the program implementation will use the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Study duration is 12 months. A total of 1,819 patients have been randomized within 41 provider clusters. The median age (interquartile range) is 68 years (61–72), and 99% of participants are male. Approximately 16% are Black, and 5% Hispanic. In the first 6 months of the trial, 434 triple marker screening tests have been ordered, and 217(50%) have been tested. A total of 48 new CKD cases have been identified among those tested, for a preliminary yield of 22%. We have successfully implemented a pragmatic protocol that uses the EHR to identify and characterize eligible participants, deliver the intervention, and ascertain study outcomes with high rates of participation by providers and patients. Results from this study can guide design of pragmatic trials in the field of CKD. NCT02059408 ; Date or Registration: 1/17/2014.
Semiotics in the U.S.S.R.

Nowhere has semiotics emerged as a scientific discipline with such vigor and sweeping theoretical ambition as it has in the Soviet Union in the last two decades. The developments in structural linguistics in the 1950s, in particular work on machine translation and the application of mathematical models to language, were an important prelude to the emergence of the movement, discussed in detail in the previous literature.2 The genealogy of Russian semiotics, which is vital for an understanding of what D. M. Segal terms the “essential hetereogeneity and freedom of scholarly approach” of the movement,3 is examined in Section II of the present survey. As an introduction to the subject I shall briefly sketch the main features of the movement’s external history and its key members.
(Ba,Sr)TiO3 Thin Films for Dram’s

The DRAM (dynamic random access memory) has been the dominant solid state memory since it was patented in 1967 [1] and first mass marketed as a 4 Kb DRAM by Intel Corporation in 1972 [2]. The success of this memory device over its competitors was its simple and small cell design consisting of one transistor and one capacitor (1T-1C) per bit. A schematic diagram of a DRAM cell and array is shown in Figure 1. Data are stored in an array of capacitors at the intersection of columns of bit lines and rows of word lines. Applying a voltage to one row of word lines turns “on” a row of transistors, allowing a row of capacitors to discharge onto their individual bit lines. During a read operation, a “sense amplifier” at the end of each bit line determines if the capacitor was charged 1 or 0 and then rewrites that charge by applying the appropriate voltage prior to the word line turning “off”. Most DRAMs set the value of the ground electrode of the capacitor to half of the operating voltage of the chip (Vcc) and then a 1 or 0 is stored by applying either Vcc or OV to the capacitor. One advantage of this approach is that the voltage across the capacitor is only +/- Vcc/2. The minimum size of the cell capacitance is determined by the bit line capacitance, the leakage current through the transistor and the cell capacitor, and the charge collected from an α-particle traveling in the Si near the transistor. The α-particles are generated from the decay of naturally occurring isotopes such as Ur which are considered to be contaminants. Since the capacitors lose charge, the cells are recharged using a refresh operation; therefore, DRAM is a volatile memory device.
Secondary tracheal tumors: a systematic review.

Background: Secondary tracheal tumors arise from mural invasion by primary tumors in adjacent organs, metastatic lymph nodes or blood-born metastasis from distant sites. This systematic review aims to assess the presentation, management options, and clinical outcomes of these uncommon non-tracheal malignancies. Methods: Electronic searches of the MEDLINE database were performed to identify case series and individual case reports of tracheal invasion by primary non-tracheal tumors or metastatic disease. All English-language studies with available abstracts or articles containing primary data were included. Results: From 1978 to 2017, a total of 160 case reports or case series identified 2,242 patients with invasion of the trachea by tumors of adjacent organs (n=1,853) or by metastatic lymph nodes or hematogenous spread (n=389). Common primary sites of origin were thyroid, esophagus, and lung, and the most common presentation was metachronous (range of interval: 0 to 564 months) with dyspnea, neck mass, voice change and/or hemoptysis. A majority of patients in case reports (77.9%) and case series (66.0%) underwent resection and the most common reported operation was segmental tracheal resection. Fewer patients underwent bronchoscopic intervention (21.7%) and radiation was used in 32.2% of patients. Complications after bronchoscopic treatment included bleeding, granulation tissue, and retained secretions, while anastomotic leak, unplanned tracheostomy, and new recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis were observed after surgical resection. The rate of 30-day mortality was low (0.01–1.80%). Median survival was higher in patients with thyroid malignancy and in patients who underwent surgical management. Follow-up time ranged from 0.03 to 183 months. Conclusions: Patients with tracheal invasion by metastatic or primary non-tracheal malignancies should be assessed for symptoms, tumor grade, tumor recurrence and concurrent metastases to decide on optimal surgical, bronchoscopic or noninterventional therapy. Clinical experience suggests that palliative endoscopic intervention for tracheal obstruction by metastasis-bearing lymph nodes is underreported.
Large Interfacial Magnetostriction in (Co/Ni)4/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 Multiferroic Heterostructures.

The magnetoelastic behavior of multiferroic heterostructures—coupling of magnetic anisotropy or domain dynamics to structural deformations—has been intensively studied for developing materials for energy-efficient, spin-based applications. Here, we report on a large, interface-dominated magnetostriction in (Co/Ni)4/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 multiferroic heterostructures. Ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy under voltage-induced strains enabled estimation of the saturation magnetostriction as a function of Ni thickness. The volume and the interface components to the saturation magnetostriction are (6.6 ± 0.9) × 10–6 and (−2.2 ± 0.2) × 10–14 m, respectively. Similar to perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Co/Ni, the large, negative magnetostriction originates from the Co/Ni interfaces. This interfacial functionality delivers an effect over 300% larger than the bulk contribution and can enable low-energy, nanoelectronic devices that combine the tunable magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of Co/Ni multila...
Mathematical Operations on Numbers, Expressions, and Functions

This chapter presents an introduction to the essential commands of Mathematica. Basic operations on numbers, expressions, and functions are also discussed in the chapter. The basic arithmetic operations—such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—are performed in the natural way with Mathematica. For a variety of reasons, however, numerical approximations of results are often either more meaningful or more desirable. Every built-in Mathematica object begins with a capital letter, and arguments of functions are always contained in brackets. If capital letters are not used or brackets are omitted, errors result. Expressions involving unknowns are entered in the same way as numbers. Mathematica performs standard algebraic operations on mathematical expressions. In Mathematica, mathematical objects can be named. Naming objects is convenient; typing the same mathematical expression repeatedly can be avoided, and the named expressions can be referenced throughout a notebook or a Mathematica session. Because every built-in Mathematica function begins with a capital letter, the convention is adopted that every mathematical object name begins with a lower case letter.
The Electronic Band Structure of Strontium Titanate: Theory and Experiment

The appropriate description of the 3d-valence electrons in transition metal oxides has been a subject of discussion for many years. Considering the heavy mass and low mobility of 3d-electrons (as compared to the values for these parameters in the “conventional” semiconductors), the question arises whether the band model is a legitimate representation of the energy states. Several features of the transition metal compounds have slowed down progress towards solution of this problem: magnetic ordering (NiO, CoO, MnO), complicated crystal structure (Fe2O3, Ti2O3), and low quality monocrystalline or polycrystalline samples. However, during the last few years considerable advances have been made. Better crystals have opened the door to more and better experiments. Although the nature of the transitions in many of these solids is extremely complex, some understanding of the mechanisms involved has been achieved (see the lecture by Dr. J. Feinleib). It has been established that the band model is more widely applicable than was previously assumed. In this area the theoretical and experimental work on SrTiO3 (and related compounds) has been of major importance. The material has proven to be an ideal representative of the oxide family.
Chapter 4 Two-photon lasers

This chapter shows how two-photon effects can change the properties of laser light. The chapter reviews the research on two-photon quantum processes, leading up to the development and characterization of continuous-wave two-photon masers and lasers. The chapter focuses on an experimental perspective and describes simple theoretical models of two-photon lasers to develop a conceptual foundation for their behavior. A technique for modifying the coherence properties of laser light is to operate the device in the “cavity quantum electrodynamics regime” where only a small number of atoms and photons interact with and are strongly coupled to the optical resonator. The coherence properties of laser light can also be modified by exploiting different types of light-matter interactions. Thus, the two-photon laser is a unique class of quantum oscillator that has an unusual threshold behavior, displays nonlinear dynamical instabilities, and is predicted to produce beams of light with interesting quantum statistical properties.
The effect of mass spectrometry tuning frequency and criteria on ion relative abundances of cathinones and cannabinoids

Abstract Gas chromatography mass spectrometry is the most common instrument used for compound identification in untargeted seized drug analysis. Compound identification using this technique relies on mass spectra where the relative abundances (RAs) of all m/z values are compared manually or searched against a library database. An often-unappreciated aspect to any mass spectral comparison or search is the inherent variation in RAs. To address this, decades ago the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established tune check compounds as a means to control variation across vendor platforms. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the DFTPP criteria, as defined by the EPA, could be used to reduce the RA variation in mass spectra produced by novel psychoactive substances (NPSs). Instruments from two vendors were used to analyze 6 NPSs: 4 cannabinoids and 2 cathinones. Each NPS was analyzed 100 times per instrument; 10 replicates per tune repeated under 10 different tunes. Results showed that passing a DFTPP tune check was not correlated with reduced RA variation. Tuning algorithm differences between vendors impacted variation, but the frequency of instrument tuning was found to be the most critical factor for controlling RA variation. The results of this work suggest that forensic laboratories should develop quantitative metrics to evaluate autotuning results and define how these metrics will be used to dictate maintenance. This practice, coupled with tuning before each analytical batch, will reduce the variation of %RA values as much as practicable.
The great escape: How metastases of melanoma, and other carcinomas, avoid elimination.

Cancer mortality ensues from metastatic growths. Cancers use two strategies to allow for this unrelenting expansion. The first way is that early metastases are often cryptic or dormant, being invis...
A Collaborative Algorithmic Framework to Track Objects And Events

One faces several challenges when tracking objects and events simultaneously in multi-camera environments — especially if the events associated with the object require precise knowledge of the pose of the object at each instant of time. To illustrate the challenges involved, we consider the problem of tracking bins and their contents at airport security checkpoints. The pose of each bin must be tracked with precision in order to minimize the errors associated with the detection of the various items that the passengers may place in the bins and/or take out of them. Unfortunately, pose estimation of the bins is made difficult by the fact that as a bin moves away from the camera’s optic axis, its appearance changes nonlinearly. This paper presents a collaborative algorithmic framework to address this complexity: The framework includes simple and fast 2D trackers when such tracking can be carried out reliably, and more sophisticated 2.5D trackers when the bins move away from the cameras’ optic axes. The system decides automatically as to which tracker to trust the most. We validate the framework with a ground-truth dataset.
Advertising and Competition

This chapter provides an introduction to the economic analysis of advertising, providing the foundation that is needed to understand how advertising relates to product differentiation and to various antitrust theories that directly involve advertising. As explained below, advertising is an important competitive tool that firms use to convey information to potential purchasers about their products’ performance characteristics and price. This makes advertising conduct an important market attribute.
Socioeconomic and Demographic Status and Perceived Health Risks of E-Cigarette Product Contents Among Youth: Results From a National Survey

Background. The prevalence of e-cigarette use among youth is rising and may be associated with perceptions of health risks for these products. We examined how demographic factors and socioeconomic status (SES) are correlated with the perceived health risks of e-cigarette product contents among youth. Method. Data were from a national online survey of youth aged 13 to 18 between August and October 2017, weighted to be representative of the overall U.S. population in age, sex, race/ethnicity, and region. Survey analysis procedures were used. Results. Of 1,549 e-cigarette users and 1,451 never-e-cigarette users, 20.9% were Hispanic, 13.7% Black, 21.7% LGBTQ (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/queer), and 49.3% in low-income families. With adjustment for e-cigarette use status, perceived health risks of nicotine and toxins/chemicals in e-cigarettes significantly differed by gender, race, sexual orientation, and SES (ps < .05). For example, adjusted odds of perceiving harm from nicotine were 60% higher in girls versus boys, 34% lower in non-Hispanic Blacks versus non-Hispanic Whites, 33% lower in urban versus suburban residents, 40% higher in LGBTQ versus straight-identifying individuals, and 28% lower in low-income versus high-income families. Lower parental education level also was associated with children's lower health risk perception of e-cigarette product contents. Conclusions. For youth, the perceived health risks of e-cigarette product contents were associated with demographics, sexual orientation, and SES. The findings may have relevance for developing communication and education strategies addressing specific youth audiences, especially those in vulnerable groups. These strategies could improve awareness among youth concerning the health risks of e-cigarettes, helping to prevent or reduce e-cigarette uptake and continued use.
Modulation of IL10 and Its Receptor Subunits in Normal and Progesterone-Prolonged Gestation in the Mouse

These experiments aimed to understand the relationship between interleukin 10 (IL10), the IL10 receptor subunits, and progesterone (P4) at the time of parturition. We hypothesized that there is a biologic connection between IL10 and P4, supporting an immunomodulatory mechanism for the onset of labor. Using samples from control and P4-treated pregnant mice, we assessed the production of IL10 and its receptor subunits (IL10Rα and IL10Rβ) in gestational tissues. After preliminary studies, P4-treated pregnant mice were compared with controls to assess for differences in IL10 and IL10 receptor subunit expression throughout gestation. To investigate the contribution of the P4 receptor at the onset of labor, we performed timed studies on pregnant mice after treatment with RU486. Samples collected included placentas, placentation sites, and maternal livers. IL10, IL10Rα, and IL10Rβ levels were measured in homogenized tissue using ELISA assays; the cytokine results were normalized for homogenate protein concentration. Control mice delivered on gd 18-19, and P4 treatment prevented parturition to beyond gd 20, as expected. In treated mice, P4 not only prevented the anticipated nadir of IL10 at term, but maintained elevated levels of IL10 through gd 20 (p < 0.05). P4 also reversed the anticipated decrease of the IL10Rα, which was increased in P4-treated mice (p < 0.05). Treatment with RU486 did not modulate the expression of IL10 or IL10Rα, but showed a significant decrease in the level of IL10Rβ (p < 0.05). Progesterone functions at least in part through the IL10 signaling pathway to prolong gestation.
Recessive ACO2 variants as a cause of isolated ophthalmologic phenotypes

The mitochondrial aconitase gene (ACO2) encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of citrate to isocitrate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Biallelic variants in ACO2 are purported to cause two distinct disorders: infantile cerebellar-retinal degeneration (ICRD) which is characterized by CNS abnormalities, neurodevelopmental phenotypes, optic atrophy and retinal degeneration; and optic atrophy 9 (OPA9), characterized by isolated ophthalmologic phenotypes including optic atrophy and low vision. However, some doubt remains as to whether biallelic ACO2 variants can cause isolated ophthalmologic phenotypes. A review of the literature revealed five individuals from three families who carry biallelic ACO2 variants whose phenotypes are consistent with OPA9. Here, we describe a brother and sister with OPA9 who are compound heterozygous for novel missense variants in ACO2; c.[487G>T];[1894G>A], p.[(Val163Leu)];[(Val632Met)]. A review of pathogenic ACO2 variants revealed that those associated with OPA9 are distinct from those associated with ICRD. Missense variants associated with either OPA9 or ICRD do not cluster in distinct ACO2 domains, making it difficult to predict the severity of a variant based on position alone. We conclude that biallelic variants in ACO2 can cause the milder OPA9 phenotype, and that the OPA9-related ACO2 variants identified to date are distinct from those that cause ICRD.
The Triad Approach for Human Identification: The Role of Biological Anthropologists in Collaborative Forensic Genetic Genealogy Efforts

Forensic anthropologists and bioarchaeologists (FAs/BAs) are often the curators (and researchers) of the most difficult types of unidentified human remains: skeletonized, fragmented, mummified, bur...
In ASCVD, 81 mg and 325 mg of aspirin did not differ for CV or bleeding events.

SOURCE CITATION Jones WS, Mulder H, Wruck LM, et al. Comparative effectiveness of aspirin dosing in cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med. 2021;384:1981-90. 33999548.
Hydrocarbon potential and Organofacies of the Devonian Antrim Shale, Michigan Basin

Abstract The Devonian Antrim Shale is an unconventional biogenic gas accumulation with a technical recoverable resource of 19.9 Tcf. However, major knowledge gaps remain regarding understanding of the source rock potential, organic facies assemblages and paleo-depositional conditions of the Antrim Shale members. This work utilized Rock-Eval pyrolysis, reflected light microscopy and solid bitumen reflectance to characterize the source rock quality, organo-facies assemblages, and thermal maturity of the various Antrim Shale members at three different localities in the Michigan Basin. Results showed that the Lachine and Norwood members are richer in organic matter (up to 24 wt%) than the Upper and Paxton members (
Interprofessional Communication Patterns During Patient Discharges: A Social Network Analysis.

BACKGROUND Optimal care delivery requires timely, efficient, and accurate communication among numerous providers and their patients, especially during hospital discharge. Little is known about communication patterns during this process.
Degrees of explicitness

This book explores factors relevant in the choices speakers and writers make in regard to explicitness of reference to the subjects and objects in their utterances. Bulgarian is a particularly felicitous target language for this type of study, since it possesses a rich inventory of available packaging techniques, ranging from zero reference, to various stressed and unstressed single forms, to actual doubled (“reduplicated”) constructions. The study systematically addresses the need to avoid referential and grammatical ambiguity, and the crucial influence of emphasis. Another, and perhaps most interesting central factor is the status of what the communication is about, which is assessed on two different levels. The book makes use of data from both published Bulgarian fiction and naturally occurring oral conversations. The fundamental similarities between these modes of communication with respect to noun phrase selection is demonstrated, but explanations are also proposed for the observable differences.
Comments: Analytic Premises and Existential Conclusions

Professor Moore’s stimulating paper ‘The Center of the World’ is a most interesting and unusual blend of continental existentialism and Anglo-American linguistic analysis. However, in Moore’s paper linguistic analysis is not used in an attempt to refute existentialism, as is often the case among American and British philosophers. On the contrary, I interpret Moore to be using linguistic analysis to try to substantiate and demonstrate the truth of some conclusions and insights of existentialism. Now even if Moore is unsuccessful in his attempt to do this, the effort is surely worth the try. As Moore himself points out, a great gulf separates continental and Anglo-American philosophy and much misunderstanding and mistrust prevail. An effort like Moore’s to bridge this gulf, to show, e.g., how the techniques of linguistic analysis may illuminate the major insights of existentialism, must surely be applauded as a courageous attempt at international philosophical peace-making.1
APPLICATIONS OF SOCIAL CAPITAL THEORY

Experiments and studies were conducted to investigate the role of social capital. Social capital (relationship to others) is a productive asset which is a substitute for and complement to other productive assets. The productivity of social capital leads to the expectation that firms and individuals invest in relationships. Data were collected to answer the following questions: Does the identity (relationship) of trading partners affect selling and buying prices; the acceptance of catastrophic risk; the choice of share or cash leases in agriculture; loan approval; and banks investment to retain customers? The evidence is in the afffirmative.
Susceptibility of Genital Mycoplasmas to Antimicrobial Agents

The susceptibility of 11 T-strains, 12 strains of Mycoplasma hominis, and a single strain of M. fermentans to 15 antimicrobial agents was determined by study of inhibition of metabolic activity in a broth dilution system. All three species were inhibited by tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, gentamicin, and kanamycin, and were relatively resistant to cephalothin, cephaloridine, polymyxin, vancomycin, and ampicillin. Three antimicrobial agents had significant differential effects on these species. Erythromycin was more active against T-strains than against M. hominis or M. fermentans. Lincomycin, clindamycin, and nitrofurantoin had greater activity against M. hominis and M. fermentans than against T-strains. The activity of the drugs tested was generally uniform over a wide range of inocula. The effect of pH and the difference between minimal inhibiting and minimal mycoplasmacidal concentrations of the drugs tested were consistent with expectations based on the effects of these drugs on bacteria.
Exploring Intensive Longitudinal Measures of Student Engagement in Blended Learning

In this exploratory study we used an intensive longitudinal approach to measure student engagement in a blended educational technology course, collecting both self-report and observational data. The self-report measure included a simple survey of Likert-scale and open-ended questions given repeatedly during the semester. Observational data were student activity data extracted from the learning management system. We explored how engagement varied over time, both at the course level and between students, to identify patterns and influences of student engagement in a blended course. We found that clarity of instruction and relevance of activities influenced student satisfaction more than the medium of instruction. Student engagement patterns observed in the log data revealed that exploring learning tools and previewing upcoming assignments and learning activities can be useful indicators of a successful learning experience. Future work will investigate these findings on a larger scale.
Toward High Speed: Supersonic and Hypersonic Flight

Just like that of trains and automobiles, the speed of aircraft has increased with time. Indeed, aircraft have raced ahead to make the most substantial progress in the shortest time. This is shown in Figure 10.1, where an exponential increase of cruising speed with time up to about 1960 is apparent. The curve is a rough average drawn through points that designate the cruising speed of well-known airliners marked at the time of their initial service. We see, of course, what the experimentalist calls “scatter”—deviations from the mean— because no smooth curve can possibly be expected to apply to such a human endeavor.
Self-Regulation in Early Childhood: Nature and Nurture

Introduction and Overview I. Theoretical and Research Perspectives on Self-Regulation 1. Overview of Theoretical Perspectives on Self-Regulation 2. Interrelation of Motivation and Self-Regulation 3. Controlling Emotion and Behavior 4. Engaging in Prosocial Behavior 5. Controlling Cognitive Processing 6. Self-Regulation and Control Systems in the Brain II. Research to Practice: Supporting Self-Regulation in Early Childhood 7. Supporting Self-Regulation in Infants and Toddlers 8. Supporting Self-Regulation in Preschool and Kindergarten Children 9. Supporting Self-Regulation in Primary School Children Epilogue
Bidirectional transcription of the Epstein-Barr virus major internal repeat.

Abstract In latently infected cell lines, the Epstein-Barr virus BamHI W fragment (major internal repeat) is transcribed in a rightward direction to yield exons common to several alternatively spliced messages which encode the six known viral nuclear antigens. A substantial steady-state population of very large (up to 20-kilobase) rightward transcripts is nuclear, much of it being polyadenylated. We report a rise in the levels of rightward transcripts hybridizing to BamHI-W sequences upon phorbol ester treatment of the clone-13 Burkitt's lymphoma cell line. We also report large (up to 15-kilobase) leftward transcripts hybridizing to BamHI-W sequences which occurred late in the viral lytic cycle in B95-8 and clone-13 cells. These leftward transcripts may antagonize the expression of the viral nuclear antigen messages by the formation of RNA duplexes.
Longitudinal Description of Developmental Youth Assets and Substance Use: A Cohort Study of Rural Youth

Rural communities seeking strategies to enhance the well-being of their youth must have local data for guidance. As a concept, developmental youth assets is increasingly used in measuring the psycho-social health of adolescents. This longitudinal study focuses on a cohort of over 200 youths residing in a rural community located in northeast Ohio. This five-year study observes trends of eight assets and the use of three substances. Results show that a decrease in asset scores took place between the sixth and eighth grade while the use of substances increased between the eighth and tenth grades. Additionally, outcomes show that youths coming from households without two parents have lower assets scores and higher substance use rates compared to youth residing in two-parent households. Strategies used by this community upon obtaining results are discussed.
Simulation Output Analysis

The goal in analyzing output data from running a simulation model is to make a valid statistical inference about the initial and long-term average behavior of the system based on the sample average from N replicate simulation runs. Output Analysis is the analysis of data generated by a simulation run to predict system performance or compare performance of two or more system designs. In stochastic simulations, multiple runs are always necessary. The output of a single run can be viewed as a sample of size 1. Output analysis is needed because output data from a simulation exhibits random variability when random number generators are used. i.e., two different random number streams will produce two sets of output which (probably) will differ. The statistical tool mainly used is the confidence interval for the mean.
Influence of gender on thoracoabdominal volumes and inspiratory muscular activity during quiet and deep breathings: A cross-sectional study

Differences between gender on resting pulmonary volumes and inspiratory muscular activity during quiet and deep breathings remains unknown. Objective: To investigate the influence of gender on thoracoabdominal volumes and inspiratory muscular activity analyzed concurrently during quiet and deep breathings. Methods: 136 subjects with normal lung function: 55 males (61±13 yrs, 25.2±4.6 Kg/m2) and 81 females (55±15 yrs, 25.0±5.1 Kg/m2) performed quiet followed by deep breaths. Total Chest wall (VCW), upper (VURC) and lower ribcage (VLRC) and abdominal (VABD) compartmental volumes were quantified by optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP) concurrently with sternocleidomastoid (SCM), upper (UIC) and lower intercostals (LIC) activity quantified by surface electromyography. One way repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc Student Newman-Keuls were used and significance level was set at 5%. Results: During deep breathing all volumes, except VLRC, were greater in males than in females (VCW=1,845±426 mL vs. 1,313±350 mL, VPRC=563±206mL vs. 481±203mL, VABD=886±306mL vs. 466±197mL, p<0.001). In contrary, inspiratory muscular activity was higher in females than in males in LIC (11.0±8.5µV vs. 8.2±5.1µV, p<0.05) and SCM (23.9±25.0µV vs. 17.3±12.6µV, p<0.01). No differences were observed during quiet breathing. Conclusion: Males breathes greater thoracoabdominal volumes; however, deep breaths require higher inspiratory muscular activity by females.
Dynamic analysis of viscoelastoplastic anisotropic shells

Abstract This paper is concerned with an application of the finite elementmethod to the viscoelastoplastic response of an anisotropic shell under dynamic loads. The generalized Maxwell model is incorporated into the von Mises' anisotropic yield function. This permits a derivation of the incremental stress as functions of elastic, viscous, and plastic strains. This relationship is then inserted into the incremental equation of motion for direct numerical integration. Anisotropic parameters and plastic tangent stiffness matrices are updated at each incremental time step. Numerical results are presented for a spherical cap subjected to uniformly distributed transverse dynamic loads of infinite duration.
An analysis of three study skills: Notetaking, summarizing, and rereading.

AbstractCollege students read a 2,000-word text with or without taking notes. Afterwards, one-half of the learners wrote passage summaries without referring to the text, while the remainder completed a spatial relations task. Subjects then either reread the original passage or engaged in placebo work. All subjects subsequently took both a 30- item immediate test and a seven-day delayed test composed of equal numbers of factual and idea questions. Both notetaking and rereading strategies improved recall; however, these effects were nonadditive. Participants recalled more substantive information, but rereading increased factual recall. The time and conditional probability analyses supported these findings. The authors concluded that the presence of the original text was essential to further learning.
Rapid preparation of high surface area iron oxide and alumina nanoclusters through a soft templating approach of sol–gel precursors

A facile, one-pot and organic-solvent free strategy for the synthesis of Fe2O3/Fe3O4 and Al2O3 nanoparticles has been explored. Our synthesis combines the simple preparation of small particles from an epoxide assisted, sol–gel method with the rapid through-put of soft-template processing to yield highly porous metal oxides. The role of the supporting dextran template is investigated and is found to be crucial in tuning surface area and morphological shape. In all, we show this process to be a simple, low-cost approach that could be amended to other metal systems. The resulting porous Fe and Al materials was investigated using gas adsorption/desorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The annealed materials were analyzed using powder X-ray diffraction.
Interannual and seasonal variation in the Western Mediterranean Circulation

There is increasing evidence that seasonal and interannual variation in the western Mediterranean circulation is due to the seasonal formation of dense intermediate and deep water. This theory and the attendant questions it raises have been the topic of several papers and meeting sessions conducted as a result of analyses of the data from the Western Mediterranean Circulation Experiment (WMCE). This article summarizes recent thinking on this topic.
Effects of bilayer phases on phospholipid-poloxamer interactions

Poloxamers are amphiphilic copolymers capable of interacting with biological membranes, while the fundamental mechanism of the interactions is not yet fully understood. Using liposomes as model membranes, we have investigated the interactions of the poloxamer with phospholipids bilayers by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM). The results suggest that the phase structure of the lipid bilayer plays a critical role in regulating poloxamer insertion into lipid bilayers. ITC shows that the poloxamer is incorporated into the liposome at temperatures (T) above the bilayer main phase transition temperature (Tm) but the incorporation is completely inhibited otherwise. This distinct effect from the phase structure of the lipid bilayer determines the concentration of poloxamer incorporated into the membrane and affects the morphology of the self-assembled structure of lipid-poloxamer mixtures. When poloxamers are introduced at concentrations above the critical micelle concentration to pre-formed liposomes, liposomes are disrupted into flat discs at temperatures above Tm but remain as spherical shells at temperatures below Tm, as evidenced by cryo-EM. With relatively low concentrations of poloxamers introduced during liposome formation, spherical poloxamer-lipid vesicles are formed at T > Tm; The spherical-shell structure of binary poloxamer-lipid liposomes changes to flat discs over a short time scale when the temperature is dropped below Tm. These flat discs are capable of reverting to the spherical vesicular structure when the temperature is raised above Tm, though a much longer time is needed. Understanding the effects of the bilayer phase in lipid-poloxamer interactions can help improve the design of poloxamers for pharmaceutical use.
Efforts to locate low-income women for a study on mammography rescreening: implications for public health practice.

Public health practice often requires locating individuals in the community. This article presents information on the methods and amount of time and effort required to locate over 2300 low-income and minority women in Maryland, New York, Ohio, and Texas for a mammography rescreening study. In 1999, we identified 2528 low-income women who had a mammogram in 1997 funded by the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Starting 30 months after that mammogram, we made numerous attempts to locate each woman while recording the number of calls, letters, and tracing attempts used and the date she was found. More than 93% of the women were located. On average, it took 73.8 days (range 1–492 days) and 7.2 calls and letters (range 1–48) to reach each woman. Locating women in racial and ethnic minority groups required more time and effort. About 10% of all located women were found only after our subject tracing protocol was implemented. The percentage of located women increased markedly with more months of effort and additional calls and letters. Because women who were more difficult to locate were less likely to have been rescreened, the mammography rescreening percentages at the end of the study were slightly lower than they would have been had we terminated location efforts after 1–3 months. Locating low-income women in the community is difficult, particularly when obtaining a high response rate from all groups is important. Terminating data collection prematurely may decrease minority group representation and introduce bias.
Hierarchical Modeling of Creep Behavior of SnAg Solder Alloys

In this paper, a microstructure-dependent creep model is developed that accounts for the hierarchal micro structure at multiple length scales. The model considers three distinguishable phases in the solder alloy at two different length scales: at the larger scale Sn dendrites of micrometer size are embedded in a homogeneous eutectic phase; at a much smaller length scale the eutectic phase consists of sub-micron size Ag3Sn particles embedded in a homogeneous Sn matrix. The model predictions agree well with creep test data of RE doped SnAg solders.