cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Curriculum standardization, stratification, and students’ STEM-related occupational expectations: Evidence from PISA 2006

Abstract This paper uses data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2006 to examine the associations between characteristics of national education systems (the standardization of curriculum, the number of school types available to 15-year-old students, and early tracking) and students’ STEM occupational expectations. Results show that the associations between characteristics of national education systems and students’ STEM occupational expectations differ by gender as well as across STEM subfields and academic performance levels. Students’ computing and engineering occupational expectations are not associated with the characteristics of secondary education. The negative association between a standardized education system and students’ health service occupational expectations is stronger for students at the bottom of the performance distribution than students at the top.
Requirement for a functional int product in temperature inductions of prophage P22 ts mnt.

Abstract Prophage P22 ts mnt was found to be inducible by high temperatures. This property was maintained when the ts mnt allele was recombined into a phage that cannot synthesize phage deoxyribonucleic acid at high temperature. Prophage P22 int ts mnt, on the other hand, was not inducible at high temperature. This result leads to the suggestion that the int enzyme, which is involved in excision, is regulated by the product of gene mnt.
Tsix , a gene antisense to Xist at the X-inactivation centre

In mammals, dosage compensation is achieved by X inactivation and is regulated in cis by the X-inactivation centre (Xic) and Xist. The Xic controls X-chromosome counting, choice of X to inactivate and initiation of silencing. Xic action culminates in a change in Xist RNA property from a scarce, unstable RNA to highly expressed Xist RNA that coats the future inactive X. Deleting a 65-kb region downstream of Xist results in constitutive Xist expression and X inactivation, implying the presence of a cis-regulatory element. In this region, we now report the discovery of a gene antisense to Xist. Tsix is a 40-kb RNA originating 15 kb downstream of Xist and transcribed across the Xist locus. Tsix sequence is conserved at the human XIC. Tsix RNA has no conserved ORFs, is seen exclusively in the nucleus and is localized at Xic. Before the onset of X inactivation, Tsix is expressed from both X chromosomes. At the onset of X inactivation, Tsix expression becomes monoallelic, is associated with the future active X and persists until Xist is turned off. Tsix is not found on the inactive X once cells enter the X-inactivation pathway. Tsix has features suggesting a role in regulating the early steps of X inactivation, but not the silencing step.
PLEURAL FLUID MOVEMENT

The present study was an attempt to illustrate the differences between ventrodorsal (VD) and dorsoventral (DV) radiographs that result from the movement of free pleural fluid. A volume of 25 ml/kg of normal saline was introduced into the pleural space of a normal dog, and radiographs of the thorax were produced in ventral and dorsal recumbency using a vertical (overhead) x-ray beam and a laterally directed horizontal x-ray beam. On the DV projection (ventral recumbency) the heart, cranial mediastinum, cranial lung lobes, and the ventral aspect of the diaphragm were submersed in fluid, which resulted in the loss of radiographically detectable borders. On the VD projection (dorsal recumbency) radiographic visualization of these structures was improved due to movement of the free pleural fluid away from them, toward the dependent caudodorsal aspect of the thorax. Radiographs of three dogs with spontaneous pleural effusion are presented to illustrate the differences in radiographic appearance of the thorax with pleural effusion when radiographed in DV and VD projections. The movement of fluid to the dorsocaudal thoracic cavity in dorsal recumbency caused lesions that were obscured on the DV projection to be revealed on the VD projection. the authors therefore recommend the use of the VD projection of the thorax in patients with pleural fluid when clinical status permits.
Prime and Primitive Rings

In commutative ring theory, three basic classes of rings are: reduced rings, integral domains, and fields. The defining conditions for these classes do not really make any use of commutativity, so by using exactly the same conditions on rings in general, we can define (and we have defined) the notions of reduced rings, domains, and division rings. However, a little careful thought will show that this is not the only way to generalize the former three classes. In fact, the defining conditions for these classes are conditions on elements of a ring. When we move from commutative rings to noncommutative rings, an alternative way of generalizing an “element-wise” condition should be to replace the role of elements by that of ideals. By making these changes judiciously in the basic definitions, we are led to the notions of semiprime rings, prime rings, and (left or right) primitive rings.
Kac-moody lie algebras and soliton equations. III. Stationary equations associated with A1(1)

Abstract The Hamiltonian structure of stationary soliton equations associated with the AKNS eigenvalue problem is derived in two ways. First, it is shown to arise from the Kostant-Kirillov symplectic structure on a coadjoint orbit in an infinite-dimensional Lie algebra. Second, it is obtained as the restriction to a finite-dimensional manifold of the infinite-dimensional Hamiltonian structure associated with a certain eigenvalue problem polynomial in the eigenvalue parameter.
Systematics of Fragmentation of Nilsson Strength Near A=190

It is shown that the systematics of the fragmentation of Nilsson strength in the Hf-Os region can be understood in terms of varying quadrupole and hexadecapole deformations.
Arsenic in Human History and Modern Societies

Chapter 5 contains a section titled: Arsenic in coal and oil shale utilization and their by-products.
Consensus control protocols for nonlinear dynamical systems via hybrid stabilization of sets

In this paper, we develop a hybrid control framework for addressing multiagent consensus control protocols for general nonlinear dynamical systems using stabilization of sets. The proposed framework develops a novel class of fixed-order, energy-based hybrid controllers that combine a logical switching architecture with the continuous system dynamics to guarantee that a system generalized energy function whose zero level set characterizes a specified system formation is strictly decreasing across switchings. The proposed approach addresses general nonlinear dynamical systems and is not limited to systems involving single integrator dynamics for consensus control.
Novel Potential Treatment Modalities for Ocular Hypertension: Focus on Angiotensin and Bradykinin System Axes

Abstract Despite the availability of modern surgical procedures, new drug delivery techniques, health authority-approved single topical ocular drugs, and combination products thereof, there continues to be an unmet medical need for novel treatment modalities for preserving vision. This is especially true for the treatment of glaucoma and the high risk factor often associated with this ocular disease, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Undesirable local or systemic side effects, frequency of dosing, lack of sustained IOP lowering, and lack of prevention of diurnal IOP spikes are among the greatest challenges. The very recent discovery, characterization, and publication of 2 novel IOP-lowering agents that pertain to the renin–angiotensin and kallikrein–kinin axes potentially offer novel means to treat and control ocular hypertension (OHT). Here, some contextual introductory information is provided first, followed by more detailed discussion of the properties and actions of diminazene aceturate (DIZE; a no...
Risk of de novo hepatitis in liver recipients from hepatitis-B core antibody-positive grafts - a systematic analysis.

Skagen CL, Jou JH, Said A. Risk of de novo hepatitis in liver recipients from hepatitis-B core antibody-positive grafts – a systematic analysis. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E243–E249. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Many transplant programs utilize liver grafts from hepatitis-B core antibody (HBcAb)-positive and hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative donors. However, there is risk for de novo hepatitis B (DNH) in recipients of these grafts. We reviewed 26 studies reporting the rates of DNH in recipients receiving HBcAb-positive liver grafts. Four hundred and sixty-two donor–recipient pairs were included to evaluate the risk of DNH stratified by the recipient’s immune status to hepatitis B and type of prophylactic therapy given, if any. The rate of DNH was highest (58%) in the stratum of hepatitis-B (HBV) naive recipients who did not receive prophylaxis. In HBV naive recipients, prophylactic therapy (lamivudine and/or hepatitis-B immunoglobulin – HBIG) reduced DNH to 11% (odds ratio [OR] = 11.1, 95% CI 4.98–25, p < 0.0001 for DNH without prophylaxis). Recipients with hepatitis-B surface antibody (HBsAb) positivity had DNH rates of 18% without prophylaxis and 0% with prophylaxis (OR = 9.2, 95% CI 1.1–83.3, p = 0.039). Recipients with both HBsAb and HBcAb positivity had DNH rates of 4% without prophylaxis and 3% with prophylaxis (p = 1.00), while recipients with HBcAb positivity alone had DNH rates of 14% without prophylaxis and 3% with prophylaxis (p = 0.21). There was no significant difference between the types of HBV prophylaxis received whether lamivudine, HBIG or both. However, in the subgroup who received HBIG alone, rates of DNH were higher after cessation of HBIG prophylaxis compared to DNH rates with indefinite HBIG (p = 0.0002). In summary, the risk of DNH is highest for HBV naive liver recipients from HBcAb-positive donors. Recipients who are HBV naive as well as those recipients with isolated HBsAb positivity derive significant benefit from HBV prophylaxis after transplantation with a HBcAb-positive graft. The ideal prophylactic regimen for prevention of DNH is unclear, but based on our analysis of the literature, antivirals alone may suffice. More data are needed with the newer antivirals for hepatitis B.
Progressive Refinement of Raster Images

The transmission of high resolution raster images over low-bandwidth communication lines requires a great amount of time. User interaction in such a transmission environment can be frustrating. The problem can be eased somewhat by transmitting a series of low resolution approximations which converge to the final image. Several methods of computing such a series of images are presented. Each is related to a particular type of pyramid data structure. They rely on the ability of the local display device to overpaint an existing image, and generally require some transmission and computation overhead. However, one of the methods requires no transmission overhead and only a small amount of local computation. A notation is introduced that permits concise descriptions of the image refinement processes.
Cytogenetic and molecular genetic methods for diagnosis and treatment response in chronic granulocytic leukemia

Today, laboratory geneticists help clinical hematologists diagnose chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL) and monitor the response of patients undergoing treatment. The most common genetic tests for CGL include quantitative cytogenetic studies, fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes for BCR and ABL, Southern blot analysis, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. No single genetic testing procedure fulfills all the needs of clinicians who care for patients who have CGL. Thus, it has become important to use combinations of testing methods that are both accurate and cost-effective for any given clinical situation in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with CGL.
Distinct breast cancer incidence and prognostic patterns in the NCI's SEER program: suggesting a possible link between etiology and outcome.

Background. Breast cancer is a heterogeneous and chronic disease with relapses and death occurring 25 years or more after primary diagnosis. Standard tumor characteristics are used to predict initial relapse or death, but their ability to estimate long-term patterns of failure may be limited. Methods. To further evaluate the significance of standard tumor features, we compared incidence and prognostic patterns in the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI’s) large-scale population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program for high-risk versus low-risk breast cancers, i.e., size >2.0 versus ≤ 2.0 cm, lymph node positive versus negative, high versus low histologic grade, and hormone receptor negative versus positive expression, respectively. Data were stratified by age 50 years to approximate menopause. Results. High-risk versus low-risk breast cancers demonstrated two very different incidence and prognostic patterns. Age-specific incidence rates among women with high-risk tumors increased until age 50 years then flattened, whereas rates among women with low-risk tumors increased continuously with aging. Hazard rates for breast cancer death spiked sharply two years following primary breast cancer diagnosis among women with high-risk but not with low-risk tumors. Paradoxically, hazard function crossed over 6–8 years following breast cancer diagnosis, with hazard rates lower for high-risk than for low-risk breast cancers. Conclusion. Distinct incidence and prognostic patterns among high-risk and low-risk breast cancers suggest a possible link between breast cancer etiology and outcome. These epidemiologic results appear to complement emerging molecular genetic techniques, showing distinct genotypes for high-risk and low-risk breast cancer phenotypes.
Wilhelmy surface tension data in mixed-lipid cyclic film compression

Abstract The evolution of size and shape changes in the γ-A hysteresis loops of continued cyclic compression of phospholipid-cholesterol films showed differences based on binary molar composition variation. The sensitivity and replicability of the results of the Wilhelmy surface tension testing of cyclic film response indicate that this technique offers certain unique advantages, including a kinetic study of intermediate-period hysteresis resulting from molecular interactions ranging from acyl chains up to lipid domains.
Phenotypic heterogeneity of human T-cell malignancies: Demonstration by monoclonal antibodies and cytochemical markers

The present study sought to delineate the phenotypic heterogeneity of the human T-cell malignancies. Twenty T-cell neoplasms were investigated for reactivity with the OKT hybridoma monoclonal antibodies and expression of acid alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), beta-glucuronidase (BG), and acid phosphatase (AP) activity. Twelve cases (Mycosis fungoides, Sezary syndrome, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia) were OKT3'T4', ie, expressed the phenotype commonly associated with mature T-helper cells. These cases were further divisible into ANAE+BG+ (6 cases), ANAE-BG+ (5 cases), and ANAE-BG- (1 case) phenotypes. In contrast to the 12 OKT3+T4+ cases, the remaining 8 cases showed considerable inter- and intratumor heterogeneity with respect to reactivity with the OKT antibodies. Six of these cases (acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lymphoblastic lymphoma) expressed phenotypes consistent with various intrathymic stages of T-cell differentiation. Five of the latter 6 cases were AP+BG+ANAE-, analogous to the majority of normal cortical thymocytes; an OKT3+T4-T8+T10+ neoplasm was ANAE+, analogous to normal medullary thymocytes. Two cases expressed the previously undescribed OKT3+T4-T8-T10+ phenotype. These studies demonstrate that the T-cell malignancies are divisible into phenotypes which correspond to normal maturational stages of T-cell differentiation and functionally distinct T-cell subsets. Phenotypic analysis of the human T-cell malignancies may provide a basis for understanding their biological heterogeneity and may aid in the identification of transitional stages of T-cell differentiation and minor T-cell subsets.
WHO Knows Best?: National and International Responses to Pandemic Threats and the "Lessons" of 1976

The discovery of a novel influenza strain at Fort Dix, New Jersey, in 1976-dubbed Swine Flu-prompted differing responses from national and international health organizations. The United States crafted a vaccination campaign to inoculate every citizen; conversely, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended a 'wait and see' policy. An examination of the WHO conference that issued the influenza policy reveals the decision was driven by the limits of its member states' ability to produce inactivated vaccine and concern over the premature use of unstable live-virus vaccines. The WHO recommendation's reliance upon an uneven surveillance system would have replicated the 1957 and 1968 vaccination failures if a pandemic had appeared.
The Effect of Population Density on the Production of Market Turkeys

Abstract TURKEY production has become very competitive and highly specialized with more birds being reared in larger production units. Many management recommendations, currently utilized by the turkey industry, lack supporting research data. In fact, most of the recommended procedures are based on research with the chicken or represent the opinions of growers through their own experience. The producer has taken this information, modified it somewhat and applied it to his turkey growing program without really knowing whether his management practices are resulting in maximum growth, feed efficiency, market quality, and maximum returns from his rearing facilities. Population density studies with species other than the domestic turkey have been extensively explored (Smith, 1961; Nishigaki, 1963, with insects; and Clough, 1965, with rodents). Data obtained with swine by Heitman et al. (1961) have shown that maximum rates of body weight gain in confinement increased to a floor space allowance of 186 dm.2/animal. Jensen…
Naming the Rooms: Implications of a Change in the Home Model

This article explores the lexical behavior of a sample of Italian subjects as regards the name given to the social space in their home. It is argued that differences in labeling the rooms can be accounted for by differences in the reference models adopted by the inhabitants. The article develops this hypothesis analyzing physical properties, activity patterns, and values expressed by the subjects in the framework of three different dwelling models related to recent changes in the structure of Italian society.
Cu electrodeposition on Ru(0001): Perchlorate dissociation and its effects on Cu deposition

Abstract The electrodeposition of Cu on Ru(0001) and polycrystalline Ru was studied in a combined ultrahigh vacuum/electrochemistry system (UHV-EC) in 0.1 M HClO4. The Cu(ClO4)2 concentrations were varied from 0.005 M to 0.0005 M for deposition on Ru(0001), while a solution of 0.05M H2SO4/0.005 M CuSO4/0.001 M NaCl was used for deposition on Ru(poly). Cyclic voltammograms show well-defined Cu underpotential (UPD) and overpotential deposition (OPD) peaks. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to determine surface composition. Photoelectron spectra of Ru electrodes emersed from perchloric acid solution at cathodic potentials show that ClO4− dissociates into adsorbed Cl− and ClOx− species. The deposited Cu film consists of a bottom layer of Cu(I) and a top layer of insoluble Cu(II). In contrast, only Cu(0) is obtained when Cu is deposited on polycrystalline Ru in a solution consisting of H2SO4, CuSO4 and NaCl, indicating that the formation of Cu(II) and Cu(I) involves both Cl− and ClO4− interactions with the deposited Cu. A pre-adsorbed layer of iodine on the Ru(0001) surface inhibits perchlorate dissociation and promotes the deposition of Cu(0) in the perchlorate bath. XPS depth profile analysis demonstrates that the iodine monolayer “floats” on top of the deposited film, in agreement with previous results, effectively protecting the Cu film from air oxidation.
Survey Analysis of Volatile Organics Released from Plastics Under Thermal Stress

Irritating or toxic vapors can be produced from plastic process materials by a variety of operations, such as injection molding, hot wire cutting, bandsa wing and milling. These components typically are not reported in the combustion toxicology literature for the materials used, but rather represent the volatilization of plasticizers, unreacted monomer, mold-release agents or other additives, or lubricants. A method for the characterization of the complex mixtures that can result from thermal stressing of plastic and of relating quantitatively to process temperatures and amounts of plastic used is presented. The method utilizes both Thermo-Gravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic headspace GC/MS with on-column cryogenic focusing. Application to actual occupational situations is illustrated with three examples.
The boson transformation and the vortex solutions

Abstract The boson transformation, which allows the construction of spontaneously broken solutions with space and/or time-dependent vacuum directly from the translationally invariant ones, is examined in the context of the Higgs mechanism. Both the Lorentz and the radiation gauge are treated in detail. The classical vortex solution is derived by fully quantum field theoretical considerations. The general form of the vortex solution is presented, and various special cases of interest are examined in detail.
Contrasting effects of sewage sludge and commercial fertilizer on egg to adult development of two herbivorous insect species.

Municipal sewage sludge containing heavy metals had a toxic effect on the development of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), one of two herbivorous insects commonly found in an Ohio old-field which had been subjected to long-term sewage sludge application. Soils were removed in 1992 from an old-field following 11 years of heavy nutrient enrichment (1978 to 1988) with applications of either sewage sludge (Milorganite®) containing heavy metal contaminants or urea-phosphate fertilizer. Egg to adult development rate and survival of the blackfaced leafhopper, Graminella nigrifrons (Homoptera: Cicadellidae), and the cabbage looper was determined on maize (leafhopper) and broccoli (looper) seedlings grown in soils from sludge-treated, fertilizer-treated, or untreated control plots of the old-field. Fertilizer and sludgetreated soils had higher levels of N. P and organic matter, and a lower pH than the untreated control soils, while sludge-treated soils contained significantly higher concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Maize appeared to be unaffected by the three soil treatments, and survival and rate of egg to adult development of the leafhopper was not affected. Broccoli seedlings grown in both the high nutrient fertilizer and sludge soils were greener and larger than broccoli grown in control soils. However, the cabbage looper had significant larval and pupal mortality (25 to 40%) and prolonged egg to adult development on sludge-grown broccoli compared to control and fertilizer treatments. As assimilation into the food chain of heavy metals and other organic pollutants, such as PCBs, is in part a function of the interaction of soil chemistry and type of plant, the application of municipal sludges to old-fields needs to be carefully monitored, as contaminants may have significant developmental and behavioural effects on some secondary links in the old-field food chain.
Synthesis, antibody conjugation, radiolabeling, and biodistribution of the first diethylene triamine pentahydroxamate (DTPH) bifunctional chelating agent

Synthesis of a novel pentahydroxamic acid bifunctional chelating agent (BCA) constructed on the diethylene triamine core of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) is reported. Thus, the Nα, Nζ-[tetrakis((N-hydroxy-N-methyl)carbonyl)]-N4-[((N-hydroxy-N-methyl)carbonyl)]-4-(2, 6-diamino)-4-azahexanoic hydrazide (DTPH, 1) was synthesized through a convergent synthetic strategy, in 14 steps and in 8% overall yield. The BCA was conjugated to the monoclonal antibody (MAb) ?CH2HuCC49 and the conjugate was radiolabeled with 177Lu. Results of biodistribution of this labeled conjugate in athymic nude mice are reported.
The physics of ternary graphite intercalation compounds

Abstract A critical review of the novel physical properties and physical phenomena exhibited by ternary graphite intercalation compounds (TGICs) is presented. To facilitate discussion of TGICs they are classified according to their major structural features into four specific subgroups, namely homogeneous, heterogeneous, trilayer and localized. Within each subgroup particular compounds are further characterized as donor-donor, donor-acceptor and acceptor-acceptor. The preparation methods used to synthesize the materials addressed are briefly discussed as are the relevant chemical properties. The emphasis of this review is on the physics of TGICs and in particular the consequences of low-dimensionality. We show that, unlike binary graphite intercalation compounds, TGICs can be prepared with a broad range of compositions at constant stage. This feature and the enhanced interplanar and intraplanar structural variety exhibited by TGICs have stimulated a host of investigations which have extended our understan...
Patient-Activated Antitachycardia Pacing to Terminate Atrial Tachycardias with 1:1 Atrioventricular Conduction in Congenital Heart Disease

A young girl with complex congenital heart disease and a Fontan procedure presented with frequent episodes of atrial tachycardias with 1:1 atrioventricular conduction. The patient underwent placement of a dual-chamber AT500 pacemaker with epicardial leads but because of the detection algorithm requiring > or = 2:1 AV relation, she received no antitachycardia therapy. Installation of special software AT500 TPARx v2.1 allowed use of patient-activated antitachycardia pacing for 1:1 atrial tachycardias. Since the installation of this application, the patient has successfully pace-terminated her tachycardia multiple times.
Predicting Storm-Induced Beach Erosion in Caribbean Small Islands

Abstract Storm episodes often cause extensive beach erosion that has severe economic impacts in most Caribbean Small Islands (CSIs). To better understand beach erosion hazard and manage its impacts, research has been directed at utilizing existing coastal data, geographic information systems (GIS), and other technologies to develop a prototype beach analysis and management system (BAMS) for CSIs. This article presents the results of phase II of the research effort, which includes the development of tools for predicting episodic beach erosion and potential for erosion damage. The Southeast Peninsula, St. Kitts, is used as a case study to develop these tools and demonstrate system functionality.
Engagement, Residential Treatment Staff Cognitive and Behavioral Disputations, and Youths' Problem-Solving

In this study, the researchers examined the relationship between residential treatment staff members’ use of cognitive and behavioral disputations and problem-solving skills just prior to discharge for 59 youths with emotional and behavioral disorders. The researchers also assessed the direct and indirect effects of engagement in treatment on problem-solving. Measures completed by youths, childcare staff, and clinicians were used in order to comprehensively understand these relationships. The relationship between cognitive and behavioral disputations, as measured by both youth and staff, and problem-solving skills was not significant. Youth and staff reports of engagement in treatment related directly to youth report, but not staff report, of cognitive and behavioral disputations. Youth report of engagement was the only predictor of problem-solving just prior to discharge. Implications for engaging youth in treatment are discussed.
Structural change for the future of Japan: some recent thoughts

Abstract The paper examines the structural changes taking place in Japan and how these affect the political situation, fiscal policy, exchange rate and foreign investments, and delivery of health care.
Luminescence and recombination in hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Abstract Luminescence and related investigations of recombination in hydrogenated amorphous silicon prepared by glow discharge and sputtering are described. Emphasis is given to a detailed discussion of the various competing radiative and non-radiative recombination mechanisms. The evidence of the luminescence data is compared to other measurements that involve recombination processes. The experiments demonstrate that the dominant luminescence is a tunnelling transition between band tail electrons and holes. Other luminescence transitions involving defects and impurities, and the role of phonon interactions in the transition are discussed. Experiments in which luminescence is used as a probe of the properties of a-Si:H and related materials are also discussed.
Physical model study of wave and current conditions at 17th Street Canal breach due to Hurricane Katrina

Abstract A 1:50 scale physical model was constructed for the 17th Street Canal region, New Orleans, on the southern coast of Lake Pontchartrain, as part of the Interagency Performance Evaluation Task Force (IPET) study of Hurricane Katrina. The purpose of the 1350 m2 physical model that represented about 3.4 km2 of the local area was to aid in defining wave and water velocity conditions in the 17th Street Canal during the time period leading up to the breaching of the floodwall within the Canal. In the immediate period following this disaster, there were many hypothesis of failure put forth in the media. Some of these hypothesis indicated wave action may have been the underlying cause of the failure of the 17th Street Canal floodwall. Some performed numerical work with inappropriate boundary conditions, which indicated strong wave-generated currents may have caused erosion along the floodwalls. This physical model study indicated a number of wave-attenuating processes occurring as waves approached the location of the breach. Wave height reduction resulted due to: (1) refraction of wave energy over the shallower submerged land areas surrounding the harbor away from the canal; (2) reflection of energy off vertical walls in the region between the entrance to the canal near the Coast Guard Harbor and the bridge; and (3) interaction of the wave with the Hammond Highway bridge, including reflection and transmission loss. Wave heights near the lakeside of the bridge were 0.3–0.9 m in height, reduced from 1.8 to 2.7 m wave heights in the open lake. Waves on the south side of the bridge, near the breach, were further reduced to heights below 0.3 m. These results supported the conclusion that waves were not a significant factor for the 17th Street Canal floodwall failure. Other IPET investigations determined floodwall failure was of a geotechnical nature due to the high surge water level. The physical model also provided calibration information for numerical wave models. The effects of debris on flow and waves after the breach was formed were also investigated.
OPTIMOL: Automatic Online Picture Collection via Incremental Model Learning

The explosion of the Internet provides us with a tremendous resource of images shared online. It also confronts vision researchers the problem of finding effective methods to navigate the vast amount of visual information. Semantic image understanding plays a vital role towards solving this problem. One important task in image understanding is object recognition, in particular, generic object categorization. Critical to this problem are the issues of learning and dataset. Abundant data helps to train a robust recognition system, while a good object classifier can help to collect a large amount of images. This paper presents a novel object recognition algorithm that performs automatic dataset collecting and incremental model learning simultaneously. The goal of this work is to use the tremendous resources of the web to learn robust object category models for detecting and searching for objects in real-world cluttered scenes. Humans contiguously update the knowledge of objects when new examples are observed. Our framework emulates this human learning process by iteratively accumulating model knowledge and image examples. We adapt a non-parametric latent topic model and propose an incremental learning framework. Our algorithm is capable of automatically collecting much larger object category datasets for 22 randomly selected classes from the Caltech 101 dataset. Furthermore, our system offers not only more images in each object category but also a robust object category model and meaningful image annotation. Our experiments show that OPTIMOL is capable of collecting image datasets that are superior to the well known manually collected object datasets Caltech 101 and LabelMe.
Does the Taurine Transporter Gene Play a Role in 3p-Syndrome?

Taurine has been shown to be essential for the development and survival of mammalian cells, especially cells of the cerebellum and retina18. Notably, taurine concentration reaches the mM range in the CNS20. The highest intracellular concentration of taurine is found in neonatal and early postnatal brain, suggesting a developmental role. Sturman's group found that the surviving F1 offspring of taurine-deficient female cats have a large number of neurologic defects, including degeneration of retinal pigmented epithelium and ocular tapetum, delayed cerebellar granule cell division and migration, and abnormal cerebral cortical development. Taurine also appears to optimize the proliferation and differentiation of human fetal cerebral brain cells in culture. Addition of taurine to the medium improves neuron growth, neurite expansion, and neuronal survival2. Taurine is considered a conditionally essential amino acid in man, as the enzymatic activity of cysteine sulfonic acid decarboxylase (CSAD), which catalyzes the formation of taurine from cysteine, is low in humans, and even lower or absent in term and preterm infant liver28. This ontogeny of catalytic enzyme activity is also true in other primates21. In children with short gut syndrome, taurine is an essential component of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions to prevent a defined retinopathy, which is reversed only by taurine administration. Human milk also contains high concentrations of taurine11. We have shown previously that taurine is a semi-conditionally essential amino acid in very low birth weight premature infants, especially those who cannot ingest food and are obliged to be fed by TPN28. Plasma taurine values in preterm infants fall to almost non-detectable values,
Determination of cellulose in municipal solid wastes contaminated with synthetic materials

An analytical method is described for a more accurate determination of cellulose in lignocellulosic waste streams contaminated with synthetic materials. Lignin, hemicellulose, polyurethane, and nylon are extracted with the acetic acid/nitric acid reagent. Cellulose is extracted with 72% H2SO4 while virtually all other synthetics found in appreciable quantities in MSW remain unextracted. This cellulose determination compares favorably with other accepted methods when synthetics are absent and is more accurate when synthetics are present.
Hydroxamate Complexes in Solution and at the Goethite−Water Interface: A Cylindrical Internal Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Study

The infrared spectra of aqueous solutions of acetohydroxamic acid (aHA), an analogue for important iron(III) chelating ligands in soils and groundwaters, and of suspensions of goethite with adsorbed aHA were measured using a cylindrical internal reflectance cell. Using molecular orbital theory and data from the literature on the infrared spectra of solid hydroxamates and metal−hydroxamate complexes, we identify the spectral changes occurring upon complexation with both aqueous Fe(III) and Fe atoms on the surface of goethite. The effect of pH upon the solution and surface spectra and the possibility of aHA hydrolysis at the goethite surface at pH = 3 were also examined. There was no significant difference in adsorbed aHA spectra between pH = 3 and pH = 6, indicating identical surface complexes form over the pH range where the solution phase complex changes from the bis- to the tris(hydroxamato)iron(III) complex. The infrared technique was not capable of detecting the low concentrations of hydrolysis produc...
Failure of Ductus Arteriosus Closure Is Associated With Increased Mortality in Preterm Infants

OBJECTIVE. Because the standard of care has been to attempt to close the patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates, there is a paucity of information on the outcome of patients with a persistent patent ductus arteriosus. Our objective was to compare the mortality of preterm infants with and without a persistent patent ductus arteriosus. METHODS. This was a single-center, retrospective study. Very preterm infants (birth weight ≤ 1500 g and gestational age ≤ 29 weeks) who survived beyond the first 3 postnatal days and did not undergo surgical ligation were included in the primary analysis. Mortality of neonates with a persistent and a closed patent ductus arteriosus was compared during the initial hospitalization by using the χ2 test. Cox proportional hazard regression and logistic regression were used to take into account the time until death and assess the independent effect of each risk factor on mortality. We also performed 3 secondary analyses by excluding patients who died during the first 7 and 14 postnatal days and including patients who underwent surgical ligation by using different group assignments. A persistent patent ductus arteriosus was defined as a failure of either spontaneous or pharmacologic ductal closure during the initial hospitalization. RESULTS. Patients with a persistent patent ductus arteriosus (n = 41) had lower birth weight and were less mature than those with a closed ductus (n = 260). Unadjusted mortality rate was higher in patients with a persistent (70.7%) than with a closed (11.2%) ductus. After adjustment for perinatal factors, level of maturity, disease severity, and morbid pathologies, the hazard for death in neonates with a persistent ductus was eightfold higher than in those with a closed ductus. Exclusion of patients who died during the first 2 weeks or inclusion of those who underwent ductal ligation did not change the findings. CONCLUSION. Failure of ductal closure is associated with an increase in mortality in very preterm infants.
Effect of dopamine agonists or antagonists, TRH, stress and piglet removal on plasma prolactin concentrations in lactating gilts☆☆☆

The effect of dopamine agonists (ergocryptine), antagonists (chlorpromazine, haloperidol, reserpine, pimozide), thyrotropin releasing hormone or stress (restraint, piglet removal) on prolactin release was studied in primiparous lactating gilts. All animals were fitted with surgically implanted jugular catheters before farrowing. The only drug treatments which resulted in a significant change in PRL concentrations in blood were thyrotropin releasing hormone (increase) and ergocryptine (decrease). The results suggest that dopamine may not be the only regulator of prolactin in lactating pigs. Further studies are needed to identify drugs which would be useful in clinical situations for treatment of lactation failure due to low prolactin secretion. In the two stress-exposed groups, there was a gradual, steady decline in the plasma concentration of prolactin which resulted from loss of suckling contact with the piglets. Thus, snare restraint does not increase prolactin secretion in lactating sows confirming the results of other studies on pigs in different physiologic states.
Peptide Release from Milk During Treatment with Immobilized Pepsin and Totality of Clotting of Treated Milk

Abstract Raw skim milk was treated with pepsin immobilized on porous glass in a fluidized bed reactor at 6C. Clotting times of treated milk as well as a 1:1 mixture of treated and untreated milk increased at a logarithmic rate during continuous operation of the immobilized pepsin reactor. Clotting times of 1:1 mixture of immobilized-pepsin-treated and untreated milk were over twice that of treated milk indicating some interference of rate of clotting by untreated milk. Linear relationships existed between amounts of macropeptides released and reciprocals of clotting times of milk treated with immobilized pepsin. Percentage recoveries of casein in clots formed from treated milk and from the 1:1 mixture were 95.3 to 95.6% which were similar to that with soluble rennet.
Disabling the folding catalyst is the last critical step in alpha-lytic protease folding

Alpha-Lytic protease (alphaLP) is an extracellular bacterial pro-protease marked by extraordinary conformational rigidity and a highly cooperative barrier to unfolding. Although these properties successfully limit its proteolytic destruction, thereby extending the functional lifetime of the protease, they come at the expense of foldability (t(1/2) = 1800 yr) and thermodynamic stability (native alphaLP is less stable than the unfolded species). Efficient folding has required the coevolution of a large N-terminal pro region (Pro) that rapidly catalyzes alphaLP folding (t(1/2) = 23 sec) and shifts the thermodynamic equilibrium in favor of folded protease through tight native-state binding. Release of active alphaLP from this stabilizing, but strongly inhibitory, complex requires the proteolytic destruction of Pro. alphaLP is capable of initiating Pro degradation via cleavage of a flexible loop within the Pro C-terminal domain. This single cleavage event abolishes Pro catalysis while maintaining strong native-state binding. Thus, the loop acts as an Achilles' heel by which the Pro foldase machinery can be safely dismantled, preventing Pro-catalyzed unfolding, without compromising alphaLP native-state stability. Once the loop is cleaved, Pro is rapidly degraded, releasing active alphaLP.
Diverticula of the mid- and lower esophagus: pathogenesis and surgical management.

Ten patients with diverticula of the mid- or lower esophagus are reviewed with a focus on esophageal function, particularly motility, and its relation to surgical treatment. Median age is 56 years (range 16–79). There are 5 males and 5 females. The predominant symptoms were dysphagia and regurgitation, generally of 3 to 4 years' duration. All diverticula were identified by both barium upper gastrointestinal tract series and endoscopy. Three patients had 2 diverticula. The lower esophageal high pressure zone (LEHPZ) was assessed manometrically in 7 patients and the function of the esophageal body in all. LEHPZ pressure, length, and relaxation were normal in 4 patients, incomplete relaxation was present in 1 patient, and 2 had increased pressure. All 10 had abnormal esophageal body function including abnormalities of amplitude, duration, or propagation of contractions. pH assessment for reflux and clearance was performed in 4 patients. The acid clearance test was abnormal in all 4, and 2 patients had gastroesophageal reflux. One patient was managed medically and the other 9 surgically. Surgical treatment included diverticulectomy, myotomy, and an antireflux procedure in 7 patients; diverticulopexy, myotomy, and antireflux procedure in 1, and myotomy and antireflux procedure in 1. There was no operative mortality. Longterm clinical results are good. We conclude that symptomatic midesophageal and epiphrenic diverticula are caused by an abnormality of esophageal body or LEHPZ function which can be identified manometrically. These should, therefore, be thought of as pulsion diverticula. Surgery that addresses the underlying motor disorder can be performed safely and provides relief of symptoms.
Parenting and Early Adolescent Internalizing The Importance of Teasing Apart Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms

This community-based study examined differences in parenting quality and parent symptoms for youth in four categories: anxious (elevated anxiety symptoms), depressed (elevated depressive symptoms),...
On the Geometry of Low Degree-of-Freedom Digital Clay Human-Computer Interface Devices

Digital clay represents a new type of 3-D human-computer interface device that enables tactile and haptic interactions. The digital clay surface is computer controlled and can be commanded to acquire a wide variety of desired shapes, or be deformed by the user in a manner similar to that of real clay. In this paper, we present the ideas underlying digital clay and an example design of a digital clay device meant for generalpurpose modeling. We also introduce the concept of low degree-of-freedom digital clay devices, in which the clay surface can acquire a limited range of shapes, for example, to describe the shapes of automotive front-ends. Each degree of freedom moves a region of the clay surface through a range of predefined shapes. We investigate geometric modeling techniques for defining the ranges of shapes and relate the shapes to forward and inverse kinematics of the deformable structures that control surface shape. To illustrate the application of the digital clay concept, an example low degreeof-freedom clay device for modeling automotive front ends is presented and discussed. 1 DIGITAL CLAY CONCEPTS AND CONTEXT Shape is a key element in successful communication, interpretation, and understanding of complex data in virtually every area of engineering, art, science, and medicine. In recent years, the communication of both form and complex data has been greatly enhanced by visualization technologies.
Mitochondrial adenine nucleotide transport and cardioprotection

Mitochondria are highly metabolically active cell organelles that not only act as the powerhouse of the cell by supplying energy through ATP production, but also play a destructive role by initiating cell death pathways. Growing evidence recognizes that mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease. Under de-energized conditions, slowing of adenine nucleotide transport in and out of the mitochondria significantly attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. The purpose of this review is to elaborate on and update the mechanistic pathways which may explain how altered adenine nucleotide transport can influence cardiovascular function. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Local Signaling in Myocytes".
Deliberative Democracy Online: Bridging Networks With Digital Technologies

This article applies a network metaphor to an examination of the mediated public sphere. The analysis focuses on the deliberative spaces afforded by traditional and alternative media technologies, concluding that participatory digital technologies best support interactive and adaptable networks for deliberation. These networks sustain enclave and shared nodes where multiple publics can engage in deliberation within and across public boundaries. This argument informs decisions regarding broadband policy by focusing attention on values of openness, access, and freedom.
Extension of Koiter’s linear shell theory to materials exhibiting arbitrary symmetry

Abstract Koiter’s linear shell theory applies to isotropic elastic materials and to anisotropic materials that exhibit reflection symmetry of the elastic properties with respect to the shell mid-surface. To the extent that such shells are exceptional, classical linear shell theory is incomplete. This lacuna is addressed here through a systematic procedure, applicable equally to all kinds of material symmetry, which entails an expansion of the potential energy of the shell in powers of its thickness in a manner reminiscent of Koiter’s work. The variables are the displacement field of the shell mid-surface and certain director fields that arise in the course of the expansion procedure. The directors are constrained in accordance with necessary conditions arising in the exact three-dimensional theory, yielding the optimal expression for the potential energy among those of third order in the small thickness. For materials lacking reflection symmetry, it is found that the strain energy of the shell is sensitive to tangential gradients of strain in addition to the usual strain and bending strain of the conventional theory.