cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Natural antisense (rTSα) RNA induces site-specific cleavage of thymidylate synthase mRNA

Abstract The 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of rTSα RNA is complementary (i.e., antisense) to human thymidylate synthase (TS) RNA. When HEp2 cells (human epidermoid carcinoma) progressed from late-log to plateau phase growth, ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) revealed an inverse correlation between the levels of rTSα RNA and TS mRNA, suggesting a possible effect of rTSα RNA on TS mRNA levels. HEp2 cells expressing a Tet-On transactivator were transiently co-transfected with pHook-1 and a construct containing rTSα (protein and antisense RNA), rTSαΔ3′ (rTSα protein only), rTSα-3′ (antisense RNA–luciferase) or luciferase. Transfected cells were selected and evaluated for the effects of induced transgene expression on TS mRNA. Induced expression of transfected rTSα or rTSα-3′, but not rTSαΔ3′ or luciferase, resulted in decreased TS mRNA levels as measured by RPA. These results demonstrated that the antisense region of rTSα RNA is necessary and sufficient for this down-regulation of TS mRNA. RPA for TS mRNA also showed the enhanced appearance of two partial-length protected fragments in rTSα or rTSα-3′ transfected cells. RPA stringency evaluations and primer extension assays indicated that TS mRNA is cleaved in vivo in a site-specific manner. These data demonstrate that rTS gene expression likely plays a role in down-regulating TS through a natural RNA-based antisense mechanism.
Ion milling of materials science specimens for electron microscopy: A review

Ion bombardment to perforation is a common technique in the materials sciences by which thin specimens can be prepared for transmission electron microscopy. The process is not without complication and involves radiation damage to the specimen and tends not to preserve the initial specimen topology. Some of the more important facets of the ion-milling process, pertinent to such specimen preparations, are described.
Review of Bone Substitutes

Bone substitutes are being increasingly used in craniofacial surgery and craniomaxillofacial trauma. We will review the history of the biomaterials and describe the ideal characteristics of bone substitutes, with a specific emphasis on craniofacial reconstruction. Some of the most commonly used bone substitutes are discussed in more depth, such as calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite ceramics and cements, bioactive glass, and polymer products. Areas of active research and future directions include tissue engineering, with an increasing emphasis on bioactivity of the implant.
Gyrotron travelling wave amplifier: I. Analysis of oscillations

The operation of the gyrotron travelling wave amplifier is based on the convective cyclotron maser instability. It is found that this convective instability may become absolute (nonconvective) at a sufficiently high current level, resulting in oscillation instead of amplification. This threshold current for the transition depends sensitively on the applied magnetic field. The axial wavelength and the characteristic frequency of oscillation at the onset of absolute instability are given. It is found that momentum spread has virtually no effect on the threshold current. A small amount of resistive wall loss, however, raises the threshold current significantly. Oscillations due to partial reflection at the ends of the system are also examined. Preliminary experimental results on both types of oscillations are reported and are found to be in good agreement with the theory.
La inmigración extranjera en Chile a revisión: también proletarios, aventureros, desertores y deudores

Este trabajo, apoyado en una sobretasa de informacion archivisticaa inedita, se ocupa del estudio de "la otra inmigracion", hasta ahora invisible, compuesta por los proletarios, aventureros, desertores y deudores. En rigor, los datos colacionados dan por tierra con la creencia, repetida por inercia, de que todos los extranjeros que se radicaron en chile mudaron rapidamente de condicion. Asimismo se rectifican lugares comunes, generalizaciones y errores de bulto que abundan en la literatura de "divulgacion".
Road supply and traffic in California urban areas

Abstract We estimate relationships between the supply of state highways, measured in lane-miles, and the quantity of traffic, measured in vehicle-miles traveled, for urban counties and metropolitan areas in the state of California. The analysis employs a panel data set of annual observations for the years 1973 to 1990. We estimate several versions of a log-linear model including fixed regional and time period effects. Our main concern is with models of state highway (as opposed to total) vehicle-miles traveled. By using two types of models designed to capture long-term effects, we estimate that state highway vehicle-miles traveled has a lanemile elasticity of 0.6–0.7 at the county level and 0.9 at the metropolitan level, and that the full impact of vehicle-miles traveled materializes within five years of the change in road supply. We also consider limited data on off-state highway vehicle-miles traveled, and find no conclusive evidence that increases in state highway lane-miles have affected traffic on other roads. Population, income, and gasoline price elasticities are also discussed. We find that, even when all these factors are accounted for, there has been a sharp increase in the propensity towards vehicle travel over the period of study, particularly during the late 1980s.
News & Views: Guidelines of the American Thyroid Association for the Diagnosis and Management of Thyroid Disease during Pregnancy and Postpartum

Pregnancy has a profound impact on the thyroid gland and thyroid function by increasing the demand for thyroid hormone production, which can lead to hypothyroidism in women with limited thyroidal reserve or iodine deficiency. Thyroid disease in pregnancy is common, clinically important, and time sensitive, and our knowledge about it is rapidly changing. Emerging data clarifying the risks of insufficient thyroid activity (even subclinical) during pregnancy …
Conditions for the size spectrum of aerosols to be self-preserving

Abstract A one-dimensional population balance governing the particle size distribution in a system where particles change their sizes due to both coagulation and individual growth is studied for the possibility of a similarity solution. It is found that when a dimensionless parameter γ is a constant, then the population balance can be transformed into an ordinary integrodifferential equation. Conditions under which the latter equation may have a self-preserving solution are established. Examples related to aerosol dynamics in the continuum regime, the free-molecule regime and the intermediate regime are discussed in detail.
Psychosocial Risks for Disability in Children With Chronic Back Pain

Abstract Psychosocial factors related to disability in adults with chronic back pain have been well studied, but little is known about factors associated with functional impairment in pediatric patients with chronic back pain. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 2 potential risk factors—use of catastrophizing as a coping technique and presence of a familial pain history—were associated with disability in pediatric back pain patients. Participants were 65 patients (ages 8-18) with chronic back pain seen at a multidisciplinary pain clinic. Patients completed measures of pain (visual analog scales), disability (Functional Disability Inventory), and catastrophizing (Internalizing/Catastrophizing subscale of the Pain Coping Questionnaire). Parents provided demographic information and familial pain history. Patients reported that chronic back pain caused disruptions in their daily functioning and they missed, on average, 2.5 days of school every month. Catastrophizing and familial chronic pain history both were significantly associated with greater disability, with use of catastrophizing being the stronger predictor of disability. This study presents important findings on potential psychosocial risk factors of functional disability in children and adolescents with chronic back pain. Future research might clarify mechanisms by which such coping styles are developed and explore how familial communication about pain might influence a child’s coping ability. Perspective Pediatric patients seeking treatment for chronic back pain often present with substantial functional impairment that is not well explained by disease variables or pain intensity. Two important psychosocial variables (catastrophizing and familial pain history) may provide a context for a better understanding of pain-related disability in children.
Benefits and costs associated with mutual-help community-based recovery homes: The Oxford House model

We used data from a randomized controlled study of Oxford House (OH), a self-run, self-supporting recovery home, to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the program. Following substance abuse treatment, individuals that were assigned to an OH condition (n=68) were compared to individuals assigned to a usual care condition (n=61). Economic cost measures were derived from length of stay at an Oxford House residence, and derived from self-reported measures of inpatient and outpatient treatment utilization. Economic benefit measures were derived from self-reported information on monthly income, days participating in illegal activities, binary responses of alcohol and drug use, and incarceration. Results suggest that OH compared quite favorably to usual care: the net benefit of an OH stay was estimated to be roughly $29,000 per person on average. Bootstrapped standard errors suggested that the net benefit was statistically significant. Costs were incrementally higher under OH, but the benefits in terms of reduced illegal activity, incarceration and substance use substantially outweighed the costs. The positive net benefit for Oxford House is primarily driven by a large difference in illegal activity between OH and usual care participants. Using sensitivity analyses, under more conservative assumptions we still arrived at a net benefit favorable to OH of $17,830 per person.
An Empirical Derivation of Career Decision Subtypes in a High School Sample.

Abstract Prior research has emphasized the importance of examining level of goal instability in conjunction with level of career decidedness for the purpose of designing appropriate interventions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether high school students who are either high or low in career decidedness and either high or low in goal instability are significantly different from each other with regard to cognitive and affective characteristics. A discriminant analysis resulted in two significant functions that correctly classified 67.23% of the students in the derivation sample and 50.83% of the cross-validation sample. The primary indicators for the first function included the comfort level of career decision made, knowledge of occupational information, and negative affective disposition. The primary indicators for the second function included self-efficacy and positive affective disposition. Implications for counselors and for future research are discussed.
Ferroelectric transducer arrays for transdermal insulin delivery

The goal of this research was the development of a portable therapeutic device for the treatment of diabetes. A 3×3 cymbal array has been successfully tested in noninvasive insulin delivery experiments. The cymbal is a composite flextensional transducer constructed from a poled PZT ceramic and shaped metal endcaps that amplify the transducer motions by two orders of magnitude. Nine cymbals are wired in parallel and potted in polyurethane to form the flat panel arrays. When driven near resonance (20 kHz), the array generated a low intensity acoustic beam of 100 mW/cm2. Animal experiments on hyperglycemic rats and rabbits demonstrated the ultrasonic enhancement of transdermal insulin delivery.
The Burden of Labour Costs in Mexico

. We analysed labour costs in Mexico and evaluated their impact in terms of firm performance. Using a new survey, we studied how firms chose to conduct a firing procedure (i.e. mandatory payment, negotiation, or legal dispute) and the actual costs derived from that decision. We found that firms that negotiate have, on average, lower costs. This may mean that workers subvaluate the legal benefits. Moreover, legal disputes may increase firing costs by 50 per cent. We contributed to the analysis of the impact of such costs on employment and found that, when firms negotiate or pay higher costs, this decreases the level of employment. We also analysed the impact of Social Benefits on employment using an industrial survey. We found that a 10 per cent increment in these benefits may have a negative long-term impact of 9 per cent on the level of employment.
Improving nursing home quality of care through outcomes data: the MDS quality indicators.

SUMMARY Background The quality of care provided to nursing home residents is a continuing source of concern throughout the world. In the United States, the Health Care Financing Administration mandated the use of a standardised resident assessment instrument, called the Minimum Data Set (MDS) which facilitated the development of a set of nursing home quality of care indicators. Methods The MDS Quality Indicators were developed by a team of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and covered 12 domains, as well as associated risk factors. This initial set of indicators then went through an iterative process of review by national clinical panels, further empirical analysis, validation studies, and pilot tests, to confirm whether they were accurate, reliable and useful tools for identifying quality problems. Results The final set of MDS Quality Indicators includes 24 variables that include both processes and outcomes of care and prevalence and incidence measures. They are defined at both the resident and facility level. Four of the indicators are risk-adjusted. Conclusion The indicators have several possible applications: a source of consumer information; to help guide policy makers; and to assist providers in conducting quality improvement initiatives and to evaluate the impact of these efforts. Copyright # 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Midterm results of the multicenter trial of the powerlink bifurcated system for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

Purpose We assessed the results of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with the Powerlink bifurcated endovascular graft compared with open AAA repair. Method A prospective controlled multicenter trial of the Powerlink system for endovascular aneurysm repair was conducted at 15 sites as part of a pivotal US Food and Drug Administration trial. Between July 2000 and March 2003, 258 patients (192 test patients, 66 control patients) were enrolled. Stent grafts were oversized by 10% to 20% relative to computed tomography scan (CT)–based diameter measurements. All repairs were performed in the operating room through 1 surgically exposed femoral artery and a contralateral 9F sheath percutaneously placed. Results were assessed with contrast material–enhanced CT scans and plain abdominal x-ray studies at 1, 6, and 12 months, and annually postoperatively. Results Patients were followed up for a mean of 22 months (median, 24 months). Technical success was achieved in 97.9% of patients, with 4 failed insertions (3 early conversions because of deployment issues, 1 access failure). There were no significant differences in mortality between the Powerlink and control groups, and only 1 death was procedure-related. Blood loss (341 mL vs 1583 mL; P P P P P = .0131; renal failure, P = .0042; gastrointestinal complications, P = .0125) in the perioperative period in the Powerlink cohort compared with the control group, but in the longer follow-up interval adverse event-free survival was equivalent between groups ( P = .456, log-rank test). At the time of the first-month CT scan, endoleaks were noted in 25 patients, yielding a 30-day endoleak rate of 22.7%. Type II endoleaks predominated, and there were no type III or IV endoleaks. Secondary procedures were performed in 19 patients (10%), for treatment of endoleak (n = 10), limb obstruction (n = 7), and other causes (n = 2). There were 3 graft migrations (2.2%), 1 of which resulted in an endoleak. There were no ruptures, graft fabric defects, or wire fractures. Significant reduction in mean AAA diameter and volume was noted at every follow-up interval. Increase in AAA diameter was noted in only 1.5% of patients at 24 months. Conclusion The Powerlink system appears safe, and effectively protects patients from AAA rupture over the intermediate term. The graft and stent materials have thus far been free from failure and fatigue. Percutaneous contralateral limb access facilitates graft placement in patients with disadvantaged access routes. Endovascular aneurysm repair with the Powerlink system produces significantly fewer early adverse events compared with open AAA repair, but mortality is equivalent with both procedures. Careful follow-up over the longer term is necessary to ensure the durability of these results.
Interpolation in triangles

Several new methods of approximation which assume arbitrary values on the boundary of a triangular domain are presented. All of the methods are affine invariant and have optimal algebraic precision. Nine parameter discrete interpolants which result from these methods are also given.
The thermal inactivation of transforming activity at low ionic strength

A sample of triply marked pneumococcal DNA has been thermally denatured at pH 7 and ionic strengths of 0·1 M and 3 × 10 −4 M . The inactivation temperatures for the markers have been compared to the hyperchromicity midpoint and the marker densities reported by Rolfe & Ephrussi-Taylor (1961). We find that: (1) at low ionic strength, the transition breadth for inactivation is much greater than at high μ ; (2) the inactivation midpoint temperatures at low μ are much greater than the ambient hyperchromicity T m , while at high μ , this difference is small; ( c ) the differences between inactivation midpoints for different markers are increased at low μ . We suggest that the inactivation of each marker involves the denaturation of CG-rich critical regions. The critical regions for low ionic strength denaturation are shorter than the critical regions for high ionic strength denaturation. They are richer in GC content and more heterogeneous in base composition. We interpret the increased transition breadth at low ionic strength as evidence for a series of partially denatured states for each marker molecule.
Benchmarking as an Assessment Tool for Cataloging

The authors conducted a survey on the topic of benchmarking as a tool for assessment in cataloging. While assessment is popular in libraries, little research has been done on benchmarking in cataloging, a gap that this study attempts to fill. The authors developed a survey that gauged the respondents' use of benchmarking, their goals for benchmarking, and how they applied what they learned to make improvements. The survey was administered on the AUTOCAT electronic distribution list in May 2013. There were 92 completed surveys, with 20 libraries reporting that they had used benchmarking as an assessment tool.
Carbon dioxide-induced retinopathy in the neonatal rat

Purpose. Hypercarbia has been suggested as a risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We investigated the effect of hypercarbia on the retinal vasculature of the neonatal rat to determine whether hypercarbia alone could induce preretinal neovascularization analogous to ROP.Methods. In a preliminary blood gas study, 8–11-day-old rats were exposed to specific levels of inspired O2 and either 0.2% CO2 or 10% CO2. Arterial blood gases were obtained, and a level of inspired O2 was determined that, when combined with inspired 10% CO2, would produce a PaO2 equivalent to room air (pure hypercarbia). In the formal retinopathy study, 300 newborn rats raised in 12 expanded litters (n = 25 each) were exposed for 7 days to either room air, 10% CO2 in 21% O2 and nitrogen (high-inspired CO2 group) or 10% CO2 in 12.5% O2 and nitrogen (pure-hypercarbia group). Each type of exposure was followed by recovery in room air for 5 days. Animals were sacrificed on day 13 and retinae were analyzed, using fluorescein perfu...
Simulation of ocular dysmetria using a sampled-data model of the human saccadic system.

Simulation studies of a sampled-data model of the human saccadic eye movement system show that saccadic ocular dysmetria could be caused by fluctuations in the controller gain of the system. In normal subjects these gain fluctuations may be adaptively corrected by the cerebellum. Our model shows that the loss of this adaptive controller function in patients with cerebellar lesions results in oscillatory eye movements characteristic of saccadic ocular dysmetria.
Meanings of Play for Older Adults

Objectives. This study explored meanings that older adults attribute to games they regularly play.Method. Twenty informants, aged 62-89, were asked open-ended questions about why they engaged in playing games. Recurrent themes of meaning were identified.Results. Five recurrent themes of meaning were addressed by a majority of subjects: mental and physical fitness, continuity, competition, temporal structure, and belonging.Conclusion. Game-play carries meanings with significant resonance for older adults.
Dispelling desperation in nursing education.

Abstract This analytic commentary is intended to promote dialogue about dehumanizing practices in nursing education which affect students as well as faculty. The commentary focuses on nursing education practices as they affect student distress and desperation. Such desperation is related to multiple educational factors, including the relative lack of minorities in nursing, expectations of conformity, hierarchical dynamics, and increased work expectations of faculty. Through selected review of literature and personal observation, patterns in nursing education are identified and related to student distress and desperation. Ideas for change in nursing education, as well as preservation of what is working well are discussed.
Articular to diaphyseal proportions of human and great ape metatarsals

This study proposes a new way to use metatarsals to identify locomotor behavior of fossil hominins. Metatarsal head articular dimensions and diaphyseal strength in a sample of chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and humans (n = 76) are used to explore the relationships of these parameters with different locomotor modes. Results show that ratios between metatarsal head articular proportions and diaphyseal strength of the hallucal and fifth metatarsal discriminate among extant great apes and humans based on their different locomotor modes. In particular, the hallucal and fifth metatarsal characteristics of humans are functionally related to the different ranges of motion and load patterns during stance phase in the forefoot of humans in bipedal locomotion. This method may be applicable to isolated fossil hominin metatarsals to provide new information relevant to debates regarding the evolution of human bipedal locomotion. The second to fourth metatarsals are not useful in distinguishing among hominoids. Further studies should concentrate on measuring other important qualitative and quantitative differences in the shape of the metatarsal head of hominoids that are not reflected in simple geometric reconstructions of the articulation, and gathering more forefoot kinematic data on great apes to better understand differences in range of motion and loading patterns of the metatarsals.
Adult Panhypopituitarism Presenting as Idiopathic Growth Hormone Deficiency in Childhood

. We report two patients who presented in childhood with isolated growth hormone deficiency and in whom progressive loss of anterior function led to panhypopituitarism in early adult life. The need for continued follow-up and reassessment of pituitary function in adult life is stressed in the light of the natural history of these patients.
Coherent state monitoring in quantum dots

We study the dynamics of excitonic states in dimer and trimer arrangements of colloidal quantum dots using a density-matrix approach. The dots are coupled via a dipole-dipole interaction akin to the F\"orster mechanism. Coherent oscillations of tuned donor dots are shown to appear as plateaus in the acceptor dot, and therefore in its optical response. This behavior provides one with an interesting and unique handle to monitor the quantum state of the dimer, an ``eavesdroping arrangement.'' A trimer cluster in a symmetrical loop shows steady states in a shorter characteristic time than the typical radiative lifetime of the dots. Breaking the symmetry of the loop results again in damping oscillatory states in the donor dots and plateaus in the eavesdropping∕acceptor dot. The use of realistic parameters allows direct comparison with recent experiments and indicates that coherent-state monitoring is possible in real experiments.
Determination of vitamin K1 in emulsified nutritional supplements by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography with postcolumn reduction on a platinum catalyst and fluorescece detection

Abstract Determination of small amounts of vitamin K1 (0.8 μg/g) in nutritional supplements with high fat content (20 mg/g) was performed by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection after reduction on a platinum oxide catalyst. The concentration ratio of plant oils to vitamin K1 (0.8 μg/g) was about 25 000:1. A sample solution was applied to a solid-phase extraction cartridge and vitamin K1 was eluted with ethanol, followed by HPLC. The proposed method was simple, rapid (analysis time: ca. 12 min), sensitive [detection limit: ca. 0.1 pg per injection (100 μl) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1], highly selective and reproducible [relative standard deviation: ca. 1.3% (n=5)]. The calibration graph of vitamin K1 was linear in the range of 0–2 pg per injection (100 μl). Recovery of vitamin K1 was over 90% by the standard addition method.
Use of i-scan Endoscopic Image Enhancement Technology in Clinical Practice to Assist in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopy: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Background. i-scan is a software-driven technology that allows modifications of sharpness, hue, and contrast to enhance mucosal imaging. It uses postimage acquisition software with real-time mapping technology embedded in the endoscopic processor. Aims. To review applications of i-scan technology in clinical endoscopic practice. Methods. This is a case series of 20 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic procedures where i-scan image enhancement algorithms were applied. The main outcome measures were to compare mucosal lesions with high-definition white light endoscopy (HD-WLE) and i-scan image enhancement for the application of diagnostic sampling and therapy. Results. 13 cases involving the upper GI tract and 7 cases of the lower GI tract are included. For upper GI tract pathology i-scan assisted in diagnosis or therapy of Barrett's esophagus with dysplasia, esophageal adenocarcinoma, HSV esophagitis, gastric MALT lymphoma, gastric antral intestinal metaplasia with dysplasia, duodenal follicular lymphoma, and a flat duodenal adenoma. For lower GI tract pathology i-scan assisted in diagnosis or therapy of right-sided serrated adenomas, flat tubular adenoma, rectal adenocarcinoma, anal squamous cell cancer, solitary rectal ulcer, and radiation proctitis. Conclusions. i-scan imaging provides detailed topography of mucosal surfaces and delineates lesion edges, which can directly impact endoscopic management.
σ-π conjugation in group IVA compounds of indene and indane

Abstract A series of indanyl and indenyl derivaties of silicon and tin has been prepared and the molecular ionization potentials determined by electron impact mass spectrometry. Substitution of the hydrogen at C(1) by an organosilicon group results in a decrease of the ionization potential by ∼0.6–0.8 eV, while extension of the π-system into the five-membered ring via the double bond produces a further decrease of the ionization potential by ∼0.2–0.3 eV. The results are consistent with the postulate of a σ-gp hyperconjugative interaction between the β metal-carbon bond and the aromatic π-system.
Self-Routing Photonic Switching Demonstration With Optical Control

The self-routing of optical information through a photonic switch using optically processed control is reported. Routing decisions are made on a bit-by-bit basis. Destination information is encoded in each data bit using optical spread spectrum techniques. Switching of 3.125 Mbits/s data is experimentally demonstrated. Extension of this Technique to a self-routing N x N switch is discussed.
Attraction of Plecia nearctica (Diptera: Bibionidae) to Floral Lures Containing Phenylacetaldehyde

The bibionid fly Plecia nearctica Hardy, com monly called the 'lovebug', is a widely recognized insect found alongside roadways in all southern states bordering the Gulf of Mexico as well as Georgia, and North and South Carolina (Den mark et al. 2010). In Florida, descriptions of this insect in large numbers coincide with peak sea sonal flight periods inApr-May and Aug-Sep, with a smaller third flight in Dec in southern Florida (Cherry & Raid 2000). While testing for attrac tiveness of floral-based lures to lepidopteran turf pests in 2011, we noticed a large number of P. nearctica adults in traps containing phenylac etaldehyde (PAA), an aromatic compound found in many foods and flowers. Previously described attractants for adult P. nearctica include automo bile exhausts irradiated with UV-light (Callahan & Denmark 1973; Callahan et al. 1985), localized heat sources (Whitesell 1974) and the aromatic oil anethole (Cherry 1998). However, information on the attractiveness of floral (food)-based lures has not been previously reported for this species. To investigate this further, we tested traps con taining different floral baits that are known attrac tants to noctuid and pyralid moths in central and southern Florida. Green delta-shaped sticky traps (Pherocon HID, Trece Inc., Adair, Oklahoma) sus pended from 1 m PCV poles (Fig. 1A) were placed
Development: Compared to what?: Contrast effects in age-comparative paradigms

Abstract Recent controversies about judgment competence of preschool and adolescent children are considered as being a possible product of contrast effects. That is, perceived abilities of children of a given age group may depend on the ages of the other subjects in the experiment. An experiment was done to test the possibility of contrast effects in age-comparative experiments. One group of subjects read about three experimental tasks in which 6-year-old children performed better than 4-year-olds. A second group read about 6-year-olds performing worse than 8-year-olds on the same tasks. Performance levels of 6-year-olds were the same on the two forms. For each task subjects rated the competence of each of the two age groups on the task and predicted the performance of the two groups on a related task. Undergraduate subjects' competence ratings and predictions were higher for 6-year-olds when compared to 4-year-olds than when compared to 8-year-olds. Psychology graduate students showed the same contrast effect for predictions but not for competence ratings. The results are discussed in terms of potential biases in age-comparative methods in developmental psychology.
Pumpkin carving as an exercise in design process thinking

As digital imaging technology has improved and simple-to-use media sharing websites have appeared, the complexity of Halloween jack-o-lanterns being created has been increasing. In response to this trend, a team of faculty at Kansas State University teaching beginning design courses in Engineering Technology and Interior Architecture and Product Design has developed an interdisciplinary pumpkin design project. Students in Manhattan, Kansas and Salina, Kansas practice design skills in pumpkin carving using techniques such as information gathering, digital photography, and drawing by hand or using vector drawing software. Students completing this project must consider the fragility of the pumpkin material being carved while addressing the challenge of converting a two-dimensional design into a three-dimensional object. The exercise is continually improved and revised as participating faculty electronically share syllabi, rubrics, lesson plans, and finished carved pumpkin examples. Community engagement and service learning is a key component of this project. Partnerships with the zoos in both communities have been established. The students display their completed work, or publicly demonstrate their design and carving techniques at their respective zoos.
Is food insecurity associated with HIV risk? Cross-sectional evidence from sexually active women in Brazil.

Background Understanding how food insecurity among women gives rise to differential patterning in HIV risks is critical for policy and programming in resource-limited settings. This is particularly the case in Brazil, which has undergone successive changes in the gender and socio-geographic composition of its complex epidemic over the past three decades. We used data from a national survey of Brazilian women to estimate the relationship between food insecurity and HIV risk. Methods and Findings We used data on 12,684 sexually active women from a national survey conducted in Brazil in 2006–2007. Self-reported outcomes were (a) consistent condom use, defined as using a condom at each occasion of sexual intercourse in the previous 12 mo; (b) recent condom use, less stringently defined as using a condom with the most recent sexual partner; and (c) itchy vaginal discharge in the previous 30 d, possibly indicating presence of a sexually transmitted infection. The primary explanatory variable of interest was food insecurity, measured using the culturally adapted and validated Escala Brasiliera de Seguranca Alimentar. In multivariable logistic regression models, severe food insecurity with hunger was associated with a reduced odds of consistent condom use in the past 12 mo (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.48–0.92) and condom use at last sexual intercourse (AOR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57–0.98). Self-reported itchy vaginal discharge was associated with all categories of food insecurity (with AORs ranging from 1.46 to 1.94). In absolute terms, the effect sizes were large in magnitude across all outcomes. Underweight and/or lack of control in sexual relations did not appear to mediate the observed associations. Conclusions Severe food insecurity with hunger was associated with reduced odds of condom use and increased odds of itchy vaginal discharge, which is potentially indicative of sexually transmitted infection, among sexually active women in Brazil. Interventions targeting food insecurity may have beneficial implications for HIV prevention in resource-limited settings. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary
Differential Social and Academic Effects of Developmentally Appropriate Practices and Beliefs

Abstract This investigation examined the prevalence of developmentally appropriate practices in the primary grades and the effects of teachers' developmentally appropriate beliefs and practices on 1st-grade students' social skills and academic achievement in the areas of language and mathematics. The participants were 293 first-grade students attending four inner-city public schools and their teachers. An instrument was administered to the teachers in order to measure the degree to which their beliefs and instructional practices reflect the tenets of developmentally appropriate practices. Academic achievement tests were administered to the 1st-grade students, and their social behavior was assessed using the Social Skills Rating Scale (Gresham & Elliott, 1990). The analyses examined differences in the academic achievement and social skills of students who were taught by teachers whose beliefs and practices were consistent with developmentally appropriate practices, developmentally inappropriate practices, ...
Robust stability of polynomials, univariate and multivariate: system-theoretic approach

A system-theoretic approach provides a unified framework within which the boundary implications in parameter space of univariate as well as multivariate polynomials can be analyzed in order that specified domains or polydomains are devoid of zeros of such polynomials. The approach also suggests generalizations to noninterval polynomials and interval rational functions of the analysis of properties that include robust stability as a special case. >
High-resolution lithography with projection printing

Very large-scale integration (VLSI) will want to increase circuit density and to reduce power dissipation at no sacrifice in speed. It will, therefore, ask for ever smaller circuit geometries, which, because of the increased sensitivity to defects, can economically be only projection printed. Projection optics are diffraction limited. Only blurred images of the mask expose the photoresist on the silicon wafer: the whole photoprocess becomes increasingly sensitive to variations of its many parameters. The parameters' interdependencies have been modeled identifying four distinct process steps. Measurement techniques are described, which allow to quantize each step independently. With standard IC technology one may measure the illumination profiles of the mask image directly in the projection printer. Characteristic curves describe the photoresist response to exposure. A simple time measurement allows to real-time control the photoresist development. Finally, the concept of an operating point on a characteristic is introduced. It helps to define an optimized set of process parameters.
‘Unrelenting toil’: Expanding archaeological interpretations of the female slave experience

Archaeological excavations conducted at the site of a former washing place in Cape Town, South Africa, resulted in the recovery of thousands of artefacts, many of which constitute the material signature of washing. In this paper, it is argued that clothing-related artefacts, such as buttons, buckles, and beads, should not be viewed merely as objects of personal adornment, but more broadly, as the by-products of women's labour. When considered as such, these artefacts not only help to engender archaeological interpretations of slavery, but can be used to explore the social, cultural and economic significance of slave women's work.
Retrieval of above-ground biomass and detection of forest disturbance using SIR-C/X-SAR

A three-step process is presented for estimation of forest biophysical properties from orbital polarimetric SAR data. Simple direct retrieval of total above ground biomass is shown to be ill-posed unless the effects of forest structure are explicitly taken into account. The process involves classification by using SAR data to classify terrain on the basis of structural categories. Next, polarimetric SAR data at L- and C-bands are used to estimate basal area, height and dry crown biomass for forested areas. The estimation algorithms are empirically determined and are specific to each structural class. The last step uses a simple biophysical model to combine the estimates of basal area and height with ancillary information on trunk taper factor and wood density to estimate trunk biomass. Total biomass is estimated as the sum of crown and trunk biomass. The methodology is tested using SIR-C data obtained from the Raco Supersite in Northern Michigan on April 15, 1994. This site is located at the ecotone between the boreal forest and northern temperate forests, and includes forest communities common to both. Estimates of basal area, average height and biomass are highly correlated with in situ observations at 70 forest stands of 4-ha size; linear correlations (r/sup 2/) are 0.92, 0.59 and 0.95. Biophysical attributes are estimated with relatively small rms errors (over the range examined): (1) 2.4 m for height (h<23 m), (2) 3.5 m/sup 2//ha for basal area (b/sub a/<72 m/sup 2//ha), (3) 1.1 kg/m/sup 2/ for trunk biomass (B/sub t/<19 kg/m/sup 2/), (4) 0.5 kg/m/sup 2/ for crown biomass (B/sub c/<6 kg/m/sup 2/) and (5) 1.4 kg/m/sup 2/ for total aboveground biomass (B<25 kg/m/sup 2/).
Correctional officer attitudes toward inmates and working with inmates in a “get tough” era

The past few decades have seen an ideological shift to a more punitive attitude in policy and practice toward crime and criminal offenders. This study examined the orientation of local correctional officers toward inmates and worked with inmates to ascertain whether their attitudes mirror this punitive inclination. Findings indicate that despite the more punitive sentiment among the public and policymakers, officers still do not express a punitive attitude toward inmates and generally support rehabilitation programs for inmates. The study also looked at the impact of several individual characteristic and work variables on officer attitudes. Results show work variables are more strongly associated with attitudes among correctional officers. The implications of this research for correctional management are discussed.
UNICEF's contribution to address the social determinants of health.

UNICEF is aptly placed to address the social determinants of health. While the health programme division plays a central role in addressing child survival, UNICEF also engages in programmatic and policy interventions regarding education, early childhood development, social protection, water and sanitation and nutrition in development and humanitarian/emergency contexts. While the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) has focused on forging partnerships between civil society, health ministries, international agencies and the private sector, the health programme division at UNICEF has been fostering partnerships that support the ‘Continuum of Care’ by bringing together partners working on maternal, neonatal and child survival.Thiswork exemplifiedby theCountdown 2015 has highlighted how significant progress has been made in terms of routinely scheduled preventive measures like immunization, most notable with tetanus andmeasles, and other outreach activities like vitamin A and bed net distribution. Nonetheless significant challenges remain in improving timely access to clinical skills required to address the unpredictable survival needs of children sick with pneumonia or women suffering from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Indeed the reach of our health systems fails at the time most crucial for maternal and neonatal survival: at the time of birth and the first few hours and days after birth (1). As a consequence of these health system challenges, the inequalities that characterise maternal survival are one of the most stark in the health arena both across and within countries. While the life time risk of maternal mortality for pregnant women is 1 in 7 in Niger, it is 1 in 47,600 in Ireland (2). Within nations, the CSDH reiterates evidence from the Countdown 2015 detailing that access to skilled birth attendance as one of the greatest equity divides between the rich and the poor (3). Apart from focusing across countries and within nations, UNICEF also calls to attention regional dimensions of inequity. Sub-Saharan Africa bears roughly half of the world’s maternal-newborn and child mortality, even though it only has 11% of the world’s population. This burden is followed by south Asia, so that together they contribute to 84% of maternal-newborn and child mortality (4). The health sector has a direct contribution to make in addressing these burdens. As noted by the CSDH within countries, half or more of child
Compromising positions: emergent neo-Fordisms and embedded gender contracts.

This paper adopts a regulation framework to chart the emergence of neo-Fordism as a flexible accumulation regime and mode of social regulation. Neo-Fordism relies on old Fordist principles as well as incorporating new models of emergent post-Fordisms; old and new social relationships, in their particular combination, specify the trajectory of national variants. It is argued that Fordist bargains institutionalized the terms of a compromise between labor, capital and the state. These bargains embedded a male-breadwinner gender contract compromising women's positions and standardardizing employment contracts around the needs, interests and authority of men. A focus on compromises and contracts makes visible the differentiated gender effects of work transformation in each country.
Hindered settling of semidilute monodisperse and polydisperse suspensions

Etude experimentale menee sur des solutions mono, bi et tridispersees de particules non colloidales pour de faibles nombres de Reynolds. La correlation de Richardson et Iaki est satisfaisante pour les particules monodispersees. Pour les solutions diluees les valeurs experimentales sont en accord avec la theorie de Batchelor qui predit une decroissance lineaire de la vitesse de sedimentation avec l'accroissement de la concentration en particules
Recent Studies of the Rhinencephalon in Relation to Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Behavior Disorders

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the recent studies of the rhinencephalon in relation to temporal lobe epilepsy and behavior disorders. There is a review of the willed movements and abnormalities of movement, observing the interrelations between the rhinencephalon and the deep centers of the thalamus. Basal ganglia may play a part in such neural integration. On the basis of Sherrington's conclusion that mind is not a form of energy, a theory has evolved as to how non-energy mind can act on matter, and looks to telepathy as the supporting evidence. The principle of uncertainty is used to show that a minute influence can act upon a synaptic junction and modify behavior. This point of view has been criticized because the principle of uncertainty is entirely irrelevant to the question of causal determination. The attention is drawn to the role of the tonic background in the formation of associations essential to the learning process, stressing the view that the importance of repetition has been greatly exaggerated, and that an organization of associated neurons excited at sub-threshold levels is an almost necessary consequence of the structure and known physiological properties of the cerebral cortex. The interplay of such systems might provide a mechanism for a large proportion of the selective activities of mind. It is particularly in the anterior deep temporal regions, that the integration of body functions, visceral and somatic, is performed, and where complex intellectual functions important for conscious awareness of experience and rational responsiveness are achieved.
Central Obesity and Elevated Liver Enzymes

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is commonly associated with obesity, a growing epidemic worldwide. A new large, population-based investigation has shown a statistically significant association between central adiposity and elevated liver enzymes. This finding adds to the growing research specifically linking central adiposity, and more specifically, visceral adiposity, with adverse health effects.