cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beyond the Culture War: Managing Sexual Relationships Inside a Congregation of Gay Evangelicals

America’s popular culture war narrative has often portrayed the evangelical community and the gay community as fundamentally oppositional groups whose range of disagreements center around arguments over the morality and nature of homosexuality. Against the backdrop of these arguments, we undertake a qualitative study of a congregation of gay evangelicals, specifically investigating how pastoral leadership attempts to manage sexual relationships amid a congregation that is firmly and self-consciously rooted in both its gay and evangelical identities. We look at the particular goals and ideals that pastoral leadership espouses for sexual relationships, and we explore how these goals and ideals represent, draw from, and potentially help integrate the congregation’s competing cultural identities. We find that pastoral leadership strives for what we are calling a “blended approach” to managing sexual relationships—an approach that simultaneously emphasizes traditional evangelical sexual norms (such as commitment, stability, monogamy, and longevity), while allowing these norms to be significantly tempered by a strong recognition of the private and public contexts that have shaped the gay community’s understanding of sexual and relational life. We speculate that this blended approach to managing sexual relationships may be pointing the way toward future developments within some predominantly-heterosexual evangelical congregations.
Measuring digital professional development: analytics for the use of web and social media

Purpose – As faculty professional development increasingly occurs online and through social media, it becomes challenging to assess the quality of learning and effectiveness of programs and resources, yet it is important to evaluate such initiatives. The purpose of this paper is to explore how one faculty development center experimented with using analytics to answer questions about the use and effectiveness of its web and social media resources. Design/methodology/approach – The case study was based on direct observation of the center’s practice and review of selected data generated by the analytic tools. Findings – Unfortunately, while some analytics are available from a variety of sources, they are often distributed across tools and services. The center developed an analytics strategy to use data from Google Analytics and social media reporting tools to assess the use of online and social professional development resources. Initial results show that the center’s online and social professional developme...
Exploring spatiotemporal patterns of phosphorus concentrations in a coastal bay with MODIS images and machine learning models

Abstract This paper explores the spatiotemporal patterns of total phosphorus (TP) in Tampa Bay (Bay), Florida, with the aid of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images and genetic programming (GP) models. The study was designed to link TP concentrations with relevant water quality parameters and remote sensing reflectance bands in aquatic environments using in-situ data from a local database to support the calibration and validation of the GP model. The GP models show the effective capacity to demonstrate snapshots of spatiotemporal distributions of TP across the Bay, which helps to delineate the short-term seasonality effects and the decadal trends of TP in an environmentally sensitive coastal bay area. In the past decade, urban development and agricultural activities in the Bay area have substantially increased the use of fertilizers. Landfall hurricanes, including Frances and Jeanne in 2004 and Wilma in 2005, followed by continuous droughts from 2006 to 2008 in South Florida, made the Bay area an ideal place for a remote sensing impact assessment. A changing hydrological cycle, triggered by climate variations, exhibited unique regional patterns of varying TP waste loads into the Bay over different time scales ranging from seasons to years. With the aid of the derived GP model in this study, we were able to explore these multiple spatiotemporal distributions of TP concentrations in the Tampa Bay area aquatic environment and to elucidate these coupled dynamic impacts induced by both natural hazards and anthropogenic perturbations. This advancement enables us to identify the hot moments and hot spots of TP concentrations in the Tampa Bay region.
Reply by the author to C. V. Rao

First, I would like to point out that the paper by Rao et al. (1973) was cited and acknowledged in the first paragraph of the subject paper. Rereading both papers again, I find the following differences in the approaches.
Learner Control: Beyond Aptitude-Treatment Interactions

Cronbach and Snow (in press) have prepared an extensive review of the theoretical orientation and methodology of an aptitude-treatment interaction (ATI) approach to revision of curriculum and instructional methods, and have summarized related research. In this paper, I attempt to state briefly their theoretical position and examine some of the premises that seem to provide the basis for their argument. Following a synopsis of their views, I propose alternative premises which seem to be less limiting than those of Cronbach and Snow. This paper is not a critique of ATI research. It discusses the philosophy and premises underlying the ATI approach, not ATI procedure and methodology. I have attempted to substantiate that ATI does represent a philosophy. And I suggest an alternative theoretical methodology that follows from revised premises. In my view, the study of aptitudeEditor's Note. The material in this article was prepared pursuant to a contract with the National Institute of Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Contractors undertaking such projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their judgment in professional and technical matters. Points of view or opinions do not necessarily represent the official view or opinions of the National Institute of Education.
The method of Ritz applied to the equation of Hamilton

Without any reference to the theory of differential equations, the initial value problem of the nonlinear, nonconservative double pendulum system is solved by the application of the method of Ritz to the equation of Hamilton. Also shown is an example of the reduction of the traditional eigenvalue problem of linear, homogeneous, differential equations of motion to the solution of a set of nonhomogeneous algebraic equations. No theory of differential equations is used. Solution of the time-space path of the linear oscillator is demonstrated and compared to the exact solution.
The effects of halothane on abnormal automaticity in canine cardiac Purkinje fibers

UNLABELLED Abnormal automaticity is the spontaneous beating of cardiac cells with abnormally depolarized resting membrane potentials. The effects of halothane on cardiac arrhythmias caused by abnormal automaticity are controversial, with either antiarrhythmic effects or enhancement of abnormal automaticity reported by different authors. The goal of the present investigation was to clarify the effects of halothane on abnormal automaticity induced by superfusing excised canine Purkinje fibers (PF) with barium chloride. Intracellular microelectrodes recorded action potentials from fibers superfused with buffer solution in a tissue bath. Barium chloride 0.25 mM reduced maximal diastolic potential from -82.1 +/- 5.6 mV to -67.4 +/- 9.4 mV (mean +/- SD, P < 0.05). Fibers developed abnormal automatic rhythms at a rate of 47.1 +/- 5.9 bpm. Halothane, 0.5%-4%, was added to the superfusate. Halothane reduced the rate of firing in a dose-dependent manner, so that abnormal automaticity was abolished by 4% halothane and reduced by lesser concentrations. Serendipitously, during barium superfusion, two additional fibers developed early afterdepolarizations, a cause of triggered arrhythmias in patients with long Q-T syndrome. Halothane abolished early afterdepolarizations in each. In this model of barium toxicity in excised canine PF, halothane antagonized both abnormal automaticity and early afterdepolarizations. IMPLICATIONS Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias may occur during anesthesia. An arrhythmia called abnormal automaticity occurs after heart attacks and can be mimicked by adding barium to small segments of heart tissue. Halothane abolished abnormal automaticity in these tissues, which suggests that it or similar agents may benefit patients prone to developing such abnormal rhythms during surgery.
Na/Ca exchange and excitation — contraction coupling in frog fast fibres

A 3 Na/Ca exchanger in the transverse tubular wall is modelled as the coupling mechanism between transverse tubular depolarization and Ca release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. At rest, the Ca-occupied site faces the transverse tubular lumen. Upon depolarization, the difference in chemical potentials of Na and Ca gives a net inward force on Ca resulting in a reorientation of the exchanger so the Ca site now faces the myoplasm and releases Ca to stimulate Ca-induced Ca release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The rotation of the exchanger's asymmetrical charge could generate the ‘charge movement’ signal. As depolarization continues, the site is depleted of Ca and contraction ends spontaneously. Repolarization reorients the exchanger; the depleted Ca site now faces the transverse tubular lumen and slowly refills with Ca (repriming). A kinetic model is capable of controlling both twitch and contracture tension. The Na/Ca exchange blocker dichlorobenzamil (Merck) (10 Μm), elevated external Na and low pH all slowed the rate of rise of potassium contracture tension. The ratios of rates of tension rise were dCB/control=0.4±0.1, elevated external Na/Tris=0.6±0.1, pH 6.3/control=0.7±0.01. These results can be mimicked with the kinetic model by slowing the rate of ‘rotation’ (and hence charge movement) by 50%. Elevated internal Na increases the rate of rise of contracture tension; elevated internal Na/control 1.6±0.3. Dichlorobenzamil also slows the recovery following spontaneous relaxation; the time constant (68s) of repriming is unchanged but shifted to longer recovery times. Reduced external Na and pH 6.3 also slow recovery in a similar manner, consistent with delayed rotation of the Ca-depleted site. These results suggest that Na/Ca exchange is a step in both the excitation contraction coupling chain and the repolarization-repriming sequence.
Effects of Certain Environmental Factors and Sex on Poult Growth with Reference to Future Experimental Design

ABSTRACT DIFFERENCES in growth, which could not be ascribed to given treatments, have been observed for poults reared in batteries. In studies of the influence of antibiotics on poult growth, Atkinson, Boucher and Callenbach (1954) found differences between duplicate lots which were as great as differences between antibiotic treatments. To check possible causes of these differences an experiment was planned in which the objective was evaluation of the effects on poult growth of the factors battery, deck, section, variety, level of crowding and sex. Information concerning the effects of each of the above factors should aid in the design of future experiments conducted in batteries. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE A remodeled pen in the Penn State Instructional Laying House was used for the experiment. Thermostatically controlled steam heat and a thermostatically controlled exhaust fan provided accurate control of room temperature. Vertically mounted fluorescent lights supplied uniform lighting for all battery decks. Poults were . . .
Effect of Water Soluble Fraction of Prudhoe Bay Crude Oil on Embryonic Development of Pacific Herring

Abstract This project sought to simulate conditions of a crude oil spill to test the effects of low boiling point, water-soluble hydrocarbon components of Prudhoe Bay crude oil on developing Pacific herring, (Clupea harengus pallasi) embryos. Initial hydrocarbon concentrations in the experimental containers were less than 1 μg/g H2O. Exposure for 48 hours led to a significantly higher incidence of gross morphological abnormalities. Exposure for 6 days resulted in 100% mortality of the fertilized embryos. Gross abnormalities usually consisted of flexures in the body which reduced or prevented locomotion. Results of scanning electron microscopy reveal other defects, such as improperly formed mouths, which adversely affect biological fitness yet are difficult to detect. Exposure for 12 hours or longer led to reduced size of newly hatched larvae, suggesting hydrocarbon exposure adversely affects embryonic metabolism.
Performance of the NAS Parallel Benchmarks on PVM-Based Networks

The NAS parallel benchmarks are a set of applications that embody the key characteristics of typical processing in computational aerodynamics. Five of these, the kernel benchmarks, have been implemented on the PVM system, a software system for network-based concurrent computing, with a view to determining the efficacy of networked environments for high-performance computational aerodynamics applications. We present results of porting and executing the NPB kernels in three different duster environments using low- to medium-powered workstations on Ethernet and two types of FDDI networks. Our results indicate that mediocre to good performance could be obtained despite the communications-intensive nature of the applications. In most cases, we were able to achieve performance levels within an order of magnitude of a Cray Y/MP-1 on eight-workstation clusters via optimizations to the PVM infrastructure alone, i.e., with little or no algorithmic modifications. However, our results also indicate that further improvements are possible and that network-based computing has the potential to be a viable technology for high-performance scientific computing.
Visual Factors in Rail-Highway Grade Crossing Accidents

Drivers approaching railroad crossings make the final decision to cross based upon visual information, although auditory information may also be used beforehand. The major sources of information that affect the decision-process are considered, such as the types of warning devices at the crossings and on trains, road geometry, pavement characteristics, obstructions to visibility, traffic density, natural and artificial lighting, vehicle design factors and driver variables, including expectation, attention and search behavior.
Spatial And Temporal Aspects Of Red/Green Opponency

Like other aspects of color vision, interactions between the visual pathways of the long-wave-sensitive (LWS) and the middle-wave-sensitive (MWS) photoreceptors can no longer be regarded only as functions of wavelength. The results of color matching, detection, discrimination and cancellation procedures may also vary with spatial and/or temporal properties of the stimulus. In some ways, the spatial and temporal stimulus dimensions have analogous effects on color perception. For example, the (opponent-color) responses to isoluminant, red/green, sine-wave stimuli are low-pass in both spatial and temporal frequency domains, whereas the (luminous) responses to monochromatic or achromatic stimuli emphasize higher frequencies in both domains. But spatial patterns can have properties that temporal waveforms cannot, involving orientation or symmetry.Thus the simplest model for spatial phase relations--a linear filter with zero phase-shift--is forbidden in the temporal case. This paper emphasizes the properties of 3-way (spatiotemporal-chromatic) interactions, and discusses the role of separability in modelling these interactions.
Studies on the synthesis of bleomycin A2 : observations on a diastereoselective imine addition reaction for C2-acetamido side chain introduction

Abstract A study of the diastereoselective addition of the stannous ( Z )-enolates of optically active N -acyloxazolidinones with the prototype imine 5 is detailed and provides an approach to the stereocontrolled introduction of the C2-acetamido side chain of the pyrimidoblamic subunit of bleomycin A 2 .
Predicting dynamic imbalance in rotors

This paper derives probability models which predict dynamic imbalance of rotors. The models are based on physical laws and specific knowledge of how the rotors are made. Several sources of imbalance are considered. It is shown that wider tolerances in the orientation of a rotor lead to more likely worst-case imbalances. It is shown that the expected dynamic imbalance of a cylinder is proportional to the square root of the feed rate of the cutting tool over the speed. Thus, such models show how various parameters in the manufacturing process affect the distribution of imbalance. In this way, manufacturing decisions on how to effectively reduce imbalance can be made prior to observing any data.
Confirmation of serum salicylate levels in Reye's syndrome: a comparison between the Natelson colorimetric method and high performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract Serum was obtained from 11 patients with Reye's syndrome at admission and analyzed for the presence of salicylates by the Natelson colorimetric technique and high performance liquid chromatography. Salicylate levels obtained by the Natelson method had a mean of 6.00 mg/dl ± 4.58; the mean HPLC salicylic acid level was 5.09 mg/dl ± 5.14. The correlation coefficient was 0.985 with a linear regression line y = 0.8788x + 1.527. No other salicylate metabolites nor interfering substances were identified. Once the accuracy of the Natelson method was confirmed, the charts of 82 patients were reviewed for admission salicylate levels. The overall mean was 8.63 mg/dl (survivors, 8.45 mg/dl ± 8.56; fatalities, 9.28 mg/dl ± 5.34). There was no correlation found between admission salicylate level and peak ammonia level, another important index of disease severity.
Clinical features of atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) remains a common affliction that requires clinical acumen to diagnose. Presently, there is no diagnostic laboratory test, and biopsies primarily are research tools, except when ruling out cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Other than the clinician's ability to recognize AD, the laboratory can only confirm the clinical impression. Deviations from the criteria discussed in this article suggest the possibility of alternative diagnosis.
Differential effects of TrkC isoforms on sensory axon outgrowth

Neurotrophins are powerful regulators of neuronal morphology. Several lines of evidence are consistent with the idea that characteristic axonal and dendritic morphologies throughout the nervous system may be determined by local patterns of neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptor expression. Neurotrophin receptor tryosine kinases (Trks) exist in both tyrosine-containing (TK+) and tyrosine-lacking (TK-) isoforms, both of which are expressed in many neuronal populations. However, ratios of TK+ to TK- isoforms may vary at different stages of development and may be differentially distributed to cellular compartments. To test whether these isoforms have different functions related to axon outgrowth, full-length or tyrosine kinase-lacking TrkC receptors were overexpressed in embryonic dorsal root ganglion neurons maintained in explant cultures in neurotrophin-3 (NT-3)-containing media. Neurons were transfected with plasmid DNA encoding enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) and TrkC receptor isoforms by particle-mediated gene transfer. Control neurons possessed 3.7 +/- 1.3 primary processes and 113.8 +/- 46 branch points. About 80% of the branches were located along the distal part of the axon. Transfection with the trkC TK+ increased the number of primary processes (6.5 +/- 2.8), whereas transfection with trkC TK- reduced the formation of primary processes (3.0 +/- 1.3). Surprisingly, the distribution of branch points was shifted to the proximal region of axons in neurons transfected with trkC TK-. These observations are consistent with the idea that differential expression of Trk isoforms during development may sculpt axonal morphology.
Evidence of High Harmonics from Echo-Enabled Harmonic Generation for Seeding X-Ray Free Electron Lasers

Echo-enabled harmonic generation free electron lasers hold great promise for the generation of fully coherent radiation in x-ray wavelengths. Here we report the first evidence of high harmonics from the echo-enabled harmonic generation technique in the realistic scenario where the laser energy modulation is comparable to the beam slice energy spread. In this experiment, coherent radiation at the seventh harmonic of the second seed laser is generated when the energy modulation amplitude is about 2-3 times the slice energy spread. The experiment confirms the underlying physics of echo-enabled harmonic generation and may have a strong impact on emerging seeded x-ray free electron lasers that are capable of generating laserlike x rays which will advance many areas of science.
Storage administration: field findings and software design guidelines

This paper reports field research of Enterprise Storage Administration. We observed that Storage Administration was complex and not always optimally supported by software tools. The findings highlight Storage Administrator work practices and challenges, and inform guidelines for designing software tools that support Storage Administrators' work.
Comparative impact of diverse regulatory loci on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation

The relative impact of 23 mutations on biofilm formation was evaluated in the USA300, methicillin-resistant strain LAC. Mutation of sarA, atl, codY, rsbU, and sigB limited biofilm formation in comparison to the parent strain, but the limitation imposed by mutation of sarA was greater than that imposed by mutation of any of these other genes. The reduced biofilm formation of all mutants other than the atl mutant was correlated with increased levels of extracellular proteases. Mutation of fur- and mgrA-enhanced biofilm formation but in LAC had no impact on protease activity, nuclease activity, or accumulation of the polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA). The increased capacity of these mutants to form a biofilm was reversed by mutation of sarA, and this was correlated with increased protease production. Mutation of sarA, mgrA, and sigB had the same phenotypic effect in the methicillin-sensitive strain UAMS-1, but mutation of codY increased rather than decreased biofilm formation. As with the UAMS-1 mgrA mutant, this was correlated with increased production of PIA. Examination of four additional clinical isolates suggests that the differential impact of codY on biofilm formation may be a conserved characteristic of methicillin-resistant versus methicillin-sensitive strains.
Viral vectors for gene transfer into corneal endothelial cells

Purpose Corneal endothelium is an ideal target fot gene therapy approached thanks to its anatomical location at the posterior surface of the cornea and its monolayer character. Lentiviral vectors have been shown by our group to be suitable vectors for the transfer of DNA into corneal endothelial cells (EC). Searching for an alternative to these HIV-based vectors, aim of this study was to determine the suitability of non-pathogenic adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) for gene transfer to EC. Methods Flowcytometric comparison of protein expression after transduction of EC using a lentiviral vector or AAV 2/2 with GFP in murine EC (Balb/C) and in human EC (cell line and primary cells). Proof of principle experiment to demonstrate the functionality of lentiviral gene transfer of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL. Results Kinetics of the protein expression after transduction of EC using lentiviral vector are considerably different compared to gene transfer using AAV. Contrary to AAV overexpression of the reporter protein after lentiviral gene transfer occurs very rapid. Moreover, we detected significant differences in transduction rates between human and murine EC lines as well as betweeen human EC lines and human corneas. Conclusion AAV vectors seem to be an alternative to lentiviral vectors for gene tranfer to EC. Considering the storage of human donor corneas in eye banks in organ culture over four weeks, translation of AAV from bech to bedside, e.g. to reduce apoptosis in corneas, seems to be feasible.
Context‐Specific Variation in Humoral Classification

L'A. presente des donnees reunies a Oaxaca (Mexique) montrant que la classification des systemes humoraux (produits alimentaires) est organisee selon le contexte, de telle facon que la valeur assignee a ses elements varie selon le but a atteindre. Un certain nombre de structures cognitives gouvernent ce processus fournissant aux individus differents outils de classification.
Some other Pulse Cycles and Procedures

The pulse cycle for inversion recovery consists of a 180° pulse followed by a 90° pulse (exactly the reverse of a spin-echo) followed by measurement of the signal. After the M vector is flipped 180°, it points directly downward in the z axis. As T1 relaxation occurs, the Mz vectors re-grow in a superior direction. After a period of time, the 90° pulse is applied and flips the partially reconstituted Mz vectors into the x-y plane. Since different tissues have different Ti relaxation times, the Mz vector for each tissue will be at a different height just before application of the 90° pulse, and therefore the resulting Mx vectors for the different tissues will have varying magnitudes reflecting the different T1’s of the tissues. This is illustrated in fig. 14.1 below. Hence, the inversion recovery pulse sequence is one method of producing T1 weighted images. Often, the inversion recovery cycle described above is converted to a type of spin-echo by adding a 180° pulse. In that case, the pulse cycle would consist of a 180°, 90°, and then a sequence of 180° pulses.
The brief resilience scale: assessing the ability to bounce back.

Background: While resilience has been defined as resistance to illness, adaptation, and thriving, the ability to bounce back or recover from stress is closest to its original meaning. Previous resilience measures assess resources that may promote resilience rather than recovery, resistance, adaptation, or thriving. Purpose: To test a new brief resilience scale. Method: The brief resilience scale (BRS) was created to assess the ability to bounce back or recover from stress. Its psychometric characteristics were examined in four samples, including two student samples and samples with cardiac and chronic pain patients. Results: The BRS was reliable and measured as a unitary construct. It was predictably related to personal characteristics, social relations, coping, and health in all samples. It was negatively related to anxiety, depression, negative affect, and physical symptoms when other resilience measures and optimism, social support, and Type D personality (high negative affect and high social inhibition) were controlled. There were large differences in BRS scores between cardiac patients with and without Type D and women with and without fibromyalgia. Conclusion: The BRS is a reliable means of assessing resilience as the ability to bounce back or recover from stress and may provide unique and important information about people coping with health-related stressors.
Low‐Temperature Formation of Fluorapatite in Aqueous Solution

The low-temperature formation of Fluorapatite by the reaction of particulate calcium phosphate precursors in aqueous solution was investigated: Variations in the aqueous phase were measured and these corelated with the consumption of reations and the formation of apatitic phases. The variations in solution pH and fluoide are in accord with a mechanism by which CaF2 precipitates relatively early in the reaction. After this, minimal fluoride is consumed until the formation of an apatitic phase reaches substantial for hydroxl and the pH increase. The extent of aptite formation exhibits a storong dependence on the concetration of the NaF solution in which reation is occuring. Analysis of reaction is saturated CaF2 solution indicates that apatite formation precedes the uptake of fluoride from solution. For reaction in dilute suspension, a low concentration of NaF retards apatite formation whereas a higher one accelerates it. Alternatively, when reaction is carried outa low liquid-to-solids rario, apatite formation is accelerated in NaF solution regardless of concetration.
Feasibility, safety, and indications for surgical biopsy of intrinsic brainstem tumors in children

Purpose Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs) are rapidly progressive and aggressive tumors that usually arise in children. Their anatomic location makes gross total surgical resection impossible, and fewer than 10 % of patients survive more than 2 years after diagnosis. Often, these lesions are treated based on imaging characteristics alone. However, despite aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments available, prognosis remains poor. There is therefore a need for new therapies directed by biologic profiling. This necessitates a tissue diagnosis and, therefore, surgical biopsy. We have reviewed the results of biopsy for DIPGs in children at a single institution and compared our results to those available in the literature to elucidate the utility of biopsy for DIPGs.
Xenopus δ-catenin is essential in early embryogenesis and is functionally linked to cadherins and small GTPases

Catenins of the p120 subclass display an array of intracellular localizations and functions. Although the genetic knockout of mouse δ-catenin results in mild cognitive dysfunction, we found severe effects of its depletion in Xenopus. δ-catenin in Xenopus is transcribed as a full-length mRNA, or as three (or more) alternatively spliced isoforms designated A, B and C. Further structural and functional complexity is suggested by three predicted and alternative translation initiation sites. Transcript analysis suggests that each splice isoform is expressed during embryogenesis, with the B and C transcript levels varying according to developmental stage. Unlike the primarily neural expression of δ-catenin reported in mammals, δ-catenin is detectable in most adult Xenopus tissues, although it is enriched in neural structures. δ-catenin associates with classical cadherins, with crude embryo fractionations further revealing non-plasma-membrane pools that might be involved in cytoplasmic and/or nuclear functions. Depletion of δ-catenin caused gastrulation defects, phenotypes that were further enhanced by co-depletion of the related p120-catenin. Depletion was significantly rescued by titrated p120-catenin expression, suggesting that these catenins have shared roles. Biochemical assays indicated that δ-catenin depletion results in reduced cadherin levels and cell adhesion, as well as perturbation of RhoA and Rac1. Titrated doses of C-cadherin, dominant-negative RhoA or constitutively active Rac1 significantly rescued δ-catenin depletion. Collectively, our experiments indicate that δ-catenin has an essential role in amphibian development, and has functional links to cadherins and Rho-family GTPases.
The High‐Silica Liquidus Surface of the System Na2O‐B2O3‐SiO2

The liquidus surface for the high silica (>60 wt%) portion of the ternary system Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 is presented. Determinations were made by quench runs and solubility studies. The compound, reedmergnerite, NaBSi3O8 was not observed. Tridymite is the major primary phase.
Two-tone auditory suppression in younger and older normal-hearing adults and its relationship to speech perception in noise

One approach for establishing how age affects psychoacoustic abilities is to compare the performance of young and older adults with normal auditory sensitivity. The present study used this approach to determine if age affects two-tone suppression - a reduction in masked thresholds (henceforth, unmasking) following the introduction of a second (suppressing) tone to a masker-plus-signal stimulus complex. A secondary goal of the study was to assess whether individual differences in suppression would predict identification scores for words presented in a forward masking noise. Unmasking was measured by comparing forward-masked thresholds for a 2000 Hz signal with a tonal (2000 Hz) masker alone or the tonal masker plus a 2300 Hz tonal suppressor. Speech perception in noise was assessed by obtaining forward-masked speech reception thresholds (SRTs) for isolated words presented with speech-shaped noise. Young, but not older, normal-hearing adults exhibited significant amounts of unmasking. Nineteen of the 20 young adults tested exhibited unmasking, whereas less that half of the 25 older participants exhibited any unmasking. The correlation between suppression as indexed by unmasking and SRTs in young adults was approximately -0.6, suggesting that more suppression was associated with lower SRTs. The findings suggest that auditory suppression is one of the few psychoacoustic abilities that demonstrate significant changes with age even for older adults with minimal hearing loss.
Severe frequent ventricular ectopy after exercise as a predictor of death in patients with heart failure

Objectives The study was done to determine the prognostic importance of frequent ventricular ectopy in recovery after exercise among patients with systolic heart failure (HF). Background Although ventricular ectopy during recovery after exercise predicts death in patients without HF, its prognostic importance in patients with significant ventricular dysfunction is unknown. Methods Systematic electrocardiographic data during rest, exercise, and recovery were gathered on 2,123 consecutive patients with left ventricular systolic ejection fraction ≤35% who were referred for symptom-limited metabolic treadmill exercise testing. Severe ventricular ectopy was defined as the presence of ventricular triplets, sustained or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular flutter, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation. The primary end point was all-cause mortality, with censoring for interval cardiac transplantation. Results Of 2,123 patients, 140 (7%) had severe ventricular ectopy during recovery. There were 530 deaths (median follow-up among survivors 2.9 years). Severe ventricular ectopy during recovery was associated with an increased risk of death (three-year death rates 37% vs. 22%, hazard ratio [HR] 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32 to 2.34, p Conclusions Severe ventricular ectopy during recovery after exercise is predictive of increased mortality in patients with severe HF and can be used as a prognostic indicator of adverse outcomes in HF cohorts.
Alcohol use and sexual risk taking among hazardously drinking drug injectors who attend needle exchange.

Background: To determine if sex-risk days are also alcohol use days for active injection drug users. Methods: Cross-sectional interview of 187 active injection drug users who scored positively (≥8) on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test who were recruited between February 1998 and October 1999 from a needle exchange program in Providence, Rhode Island. A sex-risk day was defined as “vaginal sex, anal sex or oral sex without a condom,” measured by using a 30 day timeline follow-back procedure. Results: The sample was 64% male and 87% white, and 85% met DSM-IV criteria for alcohol abuse/dependence. Of the total days analyzed (n= 5610), 19% were sex-risk days; on 52% of these days drinking also occurred. By using a generalized estimating equation model to cluster by subject, alcohol use was associated with sex-risk days (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–2.29;p < 0.001), when we controlled for gender, age, race, education, cocaine use, injection frequency, exchanging sex for money or drugs, number of sexual partners, and perceived sexual risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus from partners. Conclusions: Alcohol use is associated with sex risk-taking behavior among injection drug users. A substantial majority of participants reported using alcohol before or during sexual relations, which temporally links alcohol use with human immunodeficiency virus injection risk.
Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a novel mobility training intervention in infants and toddlers with cerebral palsy.

Objective: To design a novel mobility training intervention incorporating infant motor learning and neurorehabilitation principles and investigate its feasibility, tolerability and effect on motor development in toddlers with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods: A single-subject research design with repeated measures during 6-week baseline and intervention phases and after treatment withdrawal was used. Five participants attended therapy utilizing novel dynamic weight assistance technology, which allowed practice of motor skills beyond participants’ current abilities.Results: Average attendance and engagement rates exceeded 90%. Gains in gross motor function were observed after treatment that exceeded the expected rate in four of the five participants. Rates of motor development during treatment were 10.8, 3.8, 7.0, 15.1, and 0.3 times greater than during baseline for the five participants, respectively.Conclusions: This intervention was tolerated and demonstrated the potential to alter the trajectory of motor de...
Oral epithelial cell reaction after exposure to Invisalign plastic material

Introduction Invisalign plastic aligners (Align Technology, Santa Clara, Calif) are used to correct malocclusions. The aligners wrap around the teeth and are in contact with gingival epithelium during treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cellular responses of oral epithelium exposed to Invisalign plastic in vitro. Methods Oral epithelial cells were exposed to eluate obtained by soaking Invisalign plastic in either saline solution or artificial saliva for 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Cells grown in media containing saline solution or saliva served as controls. Morphologic changes were assessed by light microscopy. The 3-[4, 5-dimethythiazol- 2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometry were used to determine cell viability and membrane integrity, respectively. Cellular adhesion and micromotion of epithelial cells were measured in real time by electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing. Results Cells exposed to saline-solution eluate appeared rounded, were lifted from the culture plates, and demonstrated significantly increased metabolic inactivity or cell death ( P Conclusions Exposure to Invisalign plastic caused changes in viability, membrane permeability, and adhesion of epithelial cells in a saline-solution environment. Microleakage and hapten formation secondary to compromised epithelial integrity might lead to isocyanate allergy, which could be systemic or localized to gingiva. However, these results suggest that saliva might offer protection.
Solving the fully-connected 15-city TSP using probabilistic DNA computing

Implementation of DNA computers has lagged behind the theoretical advances due to several technical limitations. These limitations include the amount of DNA required, the efficiency and accuracy of methods to generate and purify answers, and the lack of a reliable method to read the answer. Here we show how to perform calculations using a reasonable amount of DNA with greater efficiency and accuracy and a new readout method that was used to successfully solve a problem with 15 vertices and 210 edges, the largest problem ever solved with DNA. These advances will provide new opportunities for DNA computing to perform practical computations that utilize the massively parallel nature of DNA hybridization.
Characterizing the MVDs That Hold in a Connected Subtree of a Join Tree: A Correction

Given an acyclic database scheme R and a connected subtree T of a join tree for R, this paper provides a characterization of the set of multivalued dependencies (MVDs) that hold over T with respect to infinR, the corresponding join dependency (JD) of R. This result corrects an error in one of my previous papers "A Comparative Study of Various Nested Normal Forms," which was published in vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 369-385, Mar./Apr. 2002.
Is dietary supplementation more common among adults with psoriasis? Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Summary Objectives Individuals with psoriasis are often unsatisfied with traditional medical treatments and may be more likely to use dietary supplements as alternative or complementary treatment. Limited data is available on the prevalence of dietary supplement use amongst individuals with psoriasis in the general population. The aim was to utilize a representative sample of the United States to estimate the prevalence of dietary supplement use among adults self-reporting psoriasis. Design and setting Cross-sectional data analysis from the 2009 to 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Dietary supplementation over the past 30 days was ascertained and population weights were used to obtain estimates representative of the general population. Logistic regression was used to determine whether psoriasis was associated with higher odds of supplement use. Results This study consisted of 6211 participants aged ≥20 years (representing 219 million Americans). Among the 184 participants reporting psoriasis (representing 6.9 million Americans), 53% reported using at least one dietary supplement, which was not different from participants without psoriasis (49.5%, P = 0.416). Participants with psoriasis did not have higher odds of supplement use after adjusting for covariates. Multivitamin/mineral supplements were the most common dietary supplements used by participants with psoriasis (29.6%), and the most common reasons for taking them were to maintain and improve health. Only 12 supplements taken by participants with psoriasis were intended to improve skin health. Conclusions Dietary supplementation over the past 30 days was reported by half of adults with psoriasis amongst the United States general population. Few individuals with psoriasis took dietary supplements specifically to improve skin health.
Energy security as a rationale for governmental action

In this article, a brief examination of the histories of oil and electricity confirms that unfettered markets do not ensure adequate energy security, that rationales for governmental interventions have evolved over time, and that economic and political interests have been inextricably interlinked throughout. The energy security lens also has significant implications in the current policy debate over the "hydrogen economy".
Social Capital and Building An Institutional Investor's Collaborative Network

One of the major trends over the past decade among Long-Term Investors (LTIs), such as pension funds and government funds, has been to move towards a more direct method of investing. The financial crisis of 2008-09 accelerated this ‘disintermediation’, in particular within long-term private market asset classes, where the drawbacks of short-termism and principal agent issues of using certain intermediaries were exposed with disastrous consequences. While disintermediation and in-sourcing offer an obvious path to ensuring a better alignment of interests, the large majority of institutional investors will not have the capabilities to in-source due to the high resource requirements. As such, they need to develop novel, and less resource intensive, mechanisms to overcome the barriers to efficient long-term investment and aligned access to private markets. In this paper, we suggest a networking strategy for institutional investors that may help them achieve their long-term investment objectives creatively. Specifically, we draw upon social capital theory to validate a strategy that involves asset owners comparing, collaborating and ultimately co-investing in private market assets. Such a strategy is central to the new ‘collaborative’ model of institutional investment being used by LTIs.
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome

The case of a patient with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is presented. Lessons learned from this case include a discussion of what is obesity hypoventilation syndrome, why a patient with OHS would reset their resting PaCO2 level, the analysis of arterial blood gases in patients with OHS, the definition of BiPAP and how can it be used in patients with OHS, and lastly a discussion of the components and preparation for an awake fiberoptic intubation.
Effects of back contact resistance, depletion width and relaxation time distributions in admittance spectroscopy of CZTSe devices

We present an updated equivalent circuit model based in the physics of heterojunction devices and apply it in the interpretation of admittance spectroscopy from CZTSe photovoltaic devices. We investigate the effects of fundamental device parameters on capacitance-frequency profiles and show that the widely-used derivative analysis method is only accurate for secondary capacitance steps, which may not be easily distinguished from the main junction capacitance-frequency step. We investigate whether a distribution of depletion widths or other temperature dependencies in the capacitance can account for the behavior of the main capacitance step and find that only a strong temperature-dependent series resistance can explain the frequency shift of the main capacitance step. For the samples studied, this resistance appears to be non-monotonic. We discuss the validity of this result within a model of thermionic emission over a back contact having a distribution of barrier heights.
Coherent Soft-Photon States and Infrared Divergences. III. Asymptotic States and Reduction Formulas

In paper II of this series, the mass-shell singularities of the Green's functions of quantum electrodynamics were investigated. In this paper, the relationship between these singularities and the asymptotic states of the theory is studied by considering the nature of the intermediate states that can contribute to the corresponding discontinuity functions. The basic principle underlying this work is that the asymptotic states of the theory should not be specified a priori but should be determined from the structure of the Green's functions themselves. The pure soft-photon asymptotic states, which can be created from the vacuum by operators constructed from the soft-photon part of the electromagnetic field, are studied first. These states are defined by appropriate weak limits and are shown to span a space with the same structure as in the noninteracting case. Next, states containing a single particle (massive particle or hard photon), together with soft photons, are investigated. These states can appear as intermediate states in the two-point function. They are again defined by weak limits, and are shown to be stable in the absence of external currents. It is demonstrated that the near-mass-shell components of the field operator, acting on the vacuum or on a soft-photon coherent state, yield a state containing one particle and a soft-photon coherent state. Finally, the analysis is extended to two-particle and multiparticle states. The only essentially new feature here is the appearance of factors related to the "Coulomb phases." General reduction formulas are obtained that permit matrix elements between arbitrary asymptotic states to be extracted from the Green's functions. In effect, these matrix elements may be identified with the coefficients not of poles but of branch-point singularities.