cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reconsidering rapport with urban teachers: negotiating shifting boundaries and legitimizing support

This paper addresses Lincoln's [2010. ‘What a long, strange trip it's been … ’: Twenty-five years of qualitative and new paradigm research. Qualitative Inquiry 16, no. 1: 3–9] call for greater attention to the question of rapport in qualitative research through a reflexive examination of researcher–participant relationships in two qualitative studies with urban teachers. In these projects, one a series of case studies and the other an ethnography, we as researchers found ourselves offering various forms of support to struggling teachers in challenging circumstances. These close relationships provided insider data but also raised ethical questions about the boundaries of the Self–Other conjunction. We present three dilemmas from our research in which we struggled to identify the boundaries of support, validation, and friendship in qualitative inquiry. We conclude by re-framing the static notion of rapport as a dynamic and shifting negotiation between a researcher and a participant and expanding the definit...
Quality of life, functional outcome, and costs of early glottic cancer.

Objective: To analyze quality of life, functional outcome, and hidden costs by primary treatment with surgery or radiation therapy in patients with early glottic cancer. Study Design: Retrospective study in a tertiary care facility. Methods: A group of 101 patients with carcinoma in situ and T1 invasive squamous cell carcinoma treated primarily with either surgery or radiation, between January 1990 and December 2000, were identified from searching our tumor registry. Patients completed two previously validated questionnaires and one local questionnaire. Statistical significance was assessed with the rank sum test, X 2 test, or Fisher's Exact test. Results: Questionnaires were completed in 59% (44 of 74) of the surgical cohort and 41% (11 of 27) of the radiation therapy cohort. The primary surgical treatments were endoscopic excision (86%), hemilaryngectomy (12%), and total laryngectomy (1%). Patient-reported problems with swallowing, chewing, speech, taste, saliva, pain, activity, recreation, and appearance showed no difference between the endoscopic excision or radiation therapy cohorts. Comparing endoscopic excision versus radiation therapy, respectively, median number of treatments (2 vs. 35), total median travel distance (150 vs. 660 miles), total median travel time (180 vs. 1440 min), and total median number of hours of work missed (76 vs. 24) all differed significantly (P <.01). Conclusions: Almost all patients with early glottic cancer, whether treated with surgery or radiation therapy, reported excellent quality of life outcomes and functional results. In addition to actual costs, the hidden costs for radiation therapy versus endoscopic excision were all greater in terms of total number of hours of work missed, total travel time, and total travel distance.
Infant feeding in national and international perspective: an examination of the decline in human lactation, and the modern crisis in infant and young child feeding practices.

The practice of breast feeding has declined sharply throughout the world in recent years with great economic and health costs associated with this trend. Today most of North America Western Europe and Australia fall into the group of countries where bottle feeding predominates. Most of Asia including India and China and most of black and brown Africa still breast feed. In many urban areas in Asia and Africa and much of Central and South America and Eastern Europe breast feeding is being replaced with bottle feeding. There is poor correlation between levels of industrialization or of female employment and the rates of bottle feeding. In the countries where breast feeding still prevails government policy has encouraged it and given support to motherhood. Developing countries where there is concern that breast feeding will give way to the less healthy and uneconomical practice of bottle feeding the governments could take steps to ensure that the infants of working mothers retain the right to be breast fed insist that the medical profession give support to breast feeding and control the availability of breast milk substitutes. Among other problems with commercial breast milk substitutes the cost is so great that families cannot afford sufficient supplies and thus malnourish their infants. Improved health care programs could help.
Estimating the spatial resolution of in vivo magnetic resonance images using radiofrequency tagging pulses

The spatial resolution of magnetic resonance (MR) images is usually specified by using nominal spatial resolution, the width of the simulated point-spread function (PSF), or measurement from a resolution phantom. The accuracy of these measures is limited because they do not take into account the effects of in vivo image degradation. In this work, tag lines were used to estimate the spatial resolution of in vivo MR images. The idea of using tag lines to measure resolution was originally proposed by Wayte and Redpath (Magn Reson Imaging 1998;16:37–44), who used sinusoidal tag profiles and calculated an indirect measure of resolution called the modulation percentage. This work uses widely separated thin tag lines to directly measure the shape of the PSF and produce estimates of the PSF width in millimeters. The feasibility of estimating the spatial resolution via tag lines was evaluated using phantom images. The results show that an accurate estimate can be obtained when the tag modulation width is equal to or less than one-half of the best possible resolution. The tag lines are then used to demonstrate the asymmetry and spatial variation of spatial resolution of in vivo images acquired by using a turbo spin-echo (TSE) and a spiral sequence. Magn Reson Med 58:190–199, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Molecular characterization of rat multigene family encoding proline-rich proteins.

Abstract Three members of the rat proline-rich protein multigene family have been characterized. Each of these genes, RP4, RP13, and RP15, contains three exons and they are approximately 4.8, 5.7, and 5.4 kb, respectively. The DNA sequences of RP4 and RP13 are greater than 93% homologous in the 3.1-kb segment extending from the 5′-upstream region (approximately nucleotide −930) to 238 nucleotides after the second exon/intron junction; however, regions further downstream, intron II and exon III, share less than 43% identity. In contrast, exon III from RP15, RP13, and the previously sequenced mouse PRP gene MP2 are more than 73% conserved. These analyses suggest that the duplication of the ancestral genes to RP13 and RP4 occurred prior to the divergence of the rat PRP genes. The results also indicate that in the past 21.5 million years, multiple recombination events have resulted in a very high degree of divergence among intron II and exon III of RP4 and RP13. This divergence is due in part to the insertion of members of the rat long interspersed repeat DNA family at −930 bp upstream from the transcription initiation site and within intron II of RP13. Comparisons of the nucleotide sequences and organization of exon I with the genomic organization of PRP and glutamic acid/glutamine-rich protein genes in this and previous studies reveal striking resemblance among these genes. These observations are consistent with the notion that this super multigene family arose from duplication of progenitor genes via unequal crossing over events. In addition, the results suggest that concerted evolution has occurred within the tandemly repeated motif of exon II.
Crystals of Escherichia coli single-strand DNA-binding protein show that the tetramer has D2 symmetry*

Crystals of Escherichia coli single-strand DNA-binding protein (SSB) that are suitable for high-resolution. X-ray crystallographic studies have been obtained. Form I crystals are monoclinic space group C 2 with unit cell dimensions of a = 105·5 A, b = 62·7 A, c = 98·1 A, β = 112·6°, and with an asymmetric unit containing two native and two proteolytically degraded SSB subunits. Form II crystals are hexagonal space group P 6 2(4) 22 with a = b = 61·4 A and c = 264·3 A and with two chymotryptic fragment SSB subunits per asymmetric unit. Calculation of rotation function using 6 A data shows that SSB has D 2 symmetry.
Bilateral and unilateral gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) are not equivalent therapies if unilateral GIFT is chosen to avoid one abnormal tube.

The relative effectiveness of bilateral and unilateral gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) was compared. Bilateral GIFT, where possible, was the preferred method of transfer and occurred in 328 patients. One hundred sixty-seven patients undergoing unilateral GIFT were placed into one of seven categories based on the indication for unilateral GIFT. Three categories included patients with either historical or laparoscopic evidence of unilateral tubal abnormalities, two categories included patients without tubal disease, and two categories contained patients in whom the physician could not choose between unilateral or bilateral GIFT.
Momentum and heat transfer in the entrance region of a parallel plate channel: developing laminar flow with constant wall temperature

A new integral method of solution is presented for developing laminar flow and heat transfer in the entrance region of a parallel plate channel with uniform surface temperature. Unlike earlier Karman-Pohlhausen analyses, the new analysis provides solutions which are free from jump discontinuities in the gradients of the velocity and temperature distributions throughout and at the end of the entrance region. The hydrodynamic and thermal results from the present analysis therefore join smoothly and asymptotically to their fully-developed values. The heat transfer results obtained are further found to agree well with previously published numerical solutions.
Synthesis of dinucleoside acylphosphonites by phosphonodiamidite chemistry and investigation of phosphorus epimerization

The reaction of the diamidite, (iPr2N)2PH, with acyl chlorides proceeds with the loss of HCl to give the corresponding acyl diamidites, RC(O)P(N(iPr)2)2 (R = Me (7), Ph (9)), without the intervention of sodium to give a phosphorus anion. The structure of 9 was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The coupling of the diamidites 7 and 9 with 5′-O-DMTr-thymidine was carried out with N-methylimidazolium triflate as the activator to give the monoamidites 3′-O-(P(N(iPr)2)C(O)R)-5′-O-DMTr-thymidine, and further coupling with 3′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)thymidine was carried out with activation by pyridinium trifluoroacetate/N-methylimidazole. The new dinucleoside acylphosphonites could be further oxidized, hydrolyzed to the H-phosphonates, and sulfurized to give the known mixture of diastereomeric phosphorothioates. The goal of this work was the measurement of the barrier to inversion of the acylphosphonites, which was expected to be low by analogy to the low barrier found in acylphosphines. However, the barrier was found to be high as no epimerization was detected up to 150 °C, and consistent with this, density functional theory calculations give an inversion barrier of over 40 kcal/mol.
PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF GELIDIALES SPECIES IN COSTA RICA

Despite a general paucity of studies on marine algae in Costa Rica, within the red algal order Gelidiales, 9 species are reported from the Caribbean, and 6 species from the Pacific. In this study 5 species from the southeast Caribbean coast and 2 species from the northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica were collected for DNA sequence and morphological analyses. At the time of this writing, morphological observations of four Caribbean taxa have identified them as Gelidium microdonticum, Pterocladiella capillacea, P. melanoidea, and Gelidiella acerosa. In rbcL sequence analyses, Gelidium microdonticum is resolved within a clade of small Gelidium species predominantly found in the south Atlantic. Two collections representing different forms of Pterocladiella melanoidea sensu Dawson were found to have identical rbcL sequences. These samples were resolved in rbcL trees with a taxon from Texas identified as P. bartlettii and not P. melanoidea from Europe. Comparisons with type material are being made to verify these identifications so that the status of P. melanoidea in the Caribbean may be determined. The unidentified Caribbean taxon is resolved as a distinct species within the Pterocladiella clade as well. Gelidiella acerosa from Caribbean Costa Rica is closely allied with other Caribbean G. acerosa samples in rbcL trees. The two pacific taxa are small intertidal turf species and have not yet been identified. Sequence analyses resolve these taxa within a large clade of Indo-Pacific and Caribbean Gelidium species.
Compensation as a signal of organizational culture: the effects of advertising individual or collective incentives

Beyond their impact on current employees, compensation systems are thought to convey important messages about an organization's values and practices to potential hires, but explicit empirical support for this belief is scant. In two experiments, US participants evaluated recruiting advertisements containing simple statements about bonuses, with performance basis manipulated between-subjects in the first experiment and within-subjects in the second. Advertising bonuses based on individual performance caused an organization to be perceived as likely to have a more individualist culture, whereas bonuses based on team or organizational performance led to perceptions of a more collectivist culture. When participants in the second study were asked to choose between hypothetical jobs at organizations with different advertised compensation systems, the relation between individual differences and job preference was contingent on their organizational culture perceptions. In contrast to previous research, no modal p...
Air cavity with variable length under a model hull

The application of air-ventilated cavities for marine vessels can result in substantial drag reduction. Experimental and modelling studies of air cavities formed under a model-scale hull are reported. Experiments were conducted with a simplified stepped hull on the water surface in a recirculating water channel. Stable cavities with different lengths and cavitation numbers were generated at fixed water flow velocity and model position. No air leakage from cavities was observed in a range of cavity lengths. The maximum length of a stable cavity with air leakage was identified. Significant enhancement of the maximum cavity length was achieved by placing an inclined plate under the cavity and supplying a large amount of air during a short period of time. This augmentation of the cavity presents an effective practical means for lengthening air-ventilated cavities and controlling cavity properties. Numerical studies simulating an air-cavity flow were conducted using a linearized potential flow method. Calculations show a qualitative agreement with trends of experimentally observed lengths of air cavities and confirm a possibility of increasing the cavity length by placing a vortex underneath the cavity. A quantitative agreement is obtained for maximum lengths of non-augmented cavities when non-linear and viscous effects are minimal.
Programmed Writing and Therapy with Conflictual Couples

This paper illustrates how programmed writing lessons from a workbook can be used in conjunction with traditional talk psychotherapy. Each couple in this series was involved in inordinate arguing and frequent fighting. Benefits gained from the combination of programmed writing lessons and traditional talk therapy were enumerated.
Total quality management (TQM) practices in Turkish manufacturing organizations

Total quality management (TQM) is one of the most popular modern management concepts. It refers to a quality emphasis that encompasses the entire organization, from supplier to customer. In this paper, the TQM practices in the Turkish manufacturing industry are analyzed, based on a survey conducted among 100 large companies. This paper presents results of a survey of Turkish manufacturing companies. The key finding from the research is that a growing number of companies in Turkey are willing to implement TQM to generate competitive advantage. It was also found that important factors for a successful implementation process are upper management support, employee involvement and commitment, customer focus, quality education and training, teamwork, and use of statistical techniques.
Prevalence and effect of myocardial injury after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

The incidence and prognostic implication of myocardial injury after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have not been consistently studied. We aimed to assess the incidence and extent of myocardial injury after TAVR performed using transfemoral and transapical approaches. The clinical data from patients with aortic stenosis who underwent TAVR were retrospectively analyzed. The myocardial necrosis markers cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase (CK)-MB were assessed during hospitalization. Of the 150 TAVR patients, 95% and 50% had an abnormally elevated cardiac troponin I and CK-MB level, respectively. The transapical patients had significantly greater elevations of both cardiac troponin I (13.8 ± 14.0 vs 2.5 ± 5.8 ng/ml, p 7 ng/ml) in CK-MB after transfemoral TAVR was a surrogate for poor long-term outcomes.
Pulsed twin beams of light

Pulsed twin beams of light have been generated using an optical-parametric amplifier that is pumped by the second harmonic of a mode-locked and Q-switched neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser. The intensity noise levels on the direct-detected signal and idler beams are found to be correlated by more than 15 dB, and the subtracted noise falls below the quantum limit by more than 6 dB (75%). To our knowledge, this is the first observation of pulsed twin beams of light, and yields the highest quantum-noise reduction observed in any experiment to date. Our measurements are in excellent agreement with the quantum theory of a nondegenerate optical-parametric amplifier.
Pulse Radiolysis of Neopentane in the Gas Phase.

The pulse radiolysis of gaseous neopentane has been investigated in the absence and presence of electron scavengers (SF6, CD3I, CCl4). Deuterium labeling experiments show that the stable product molecules can be accounted for by (a) radical combination reactions involving mainly CH3 and H; (b) hydride ion transfer reactions involving C2H3+, C2H5+, and C3H5+; (c) neutralization reactions of C4H9+ and C5H11+; and (d) unimolecular dissociation of the parent ion (C5H12+) and of electronically excited neopentane. Neutralization of the t-C4H9+ ion, which is the major positive ion in the system occurs as follows: (a) t-C4H9+ + e → i-C4H8 + H and (b) t-C4H9+ + e → 2CH3 + C3H6. It is shown that C5H11+ produced in hydride ion transfer reaction C n H m+ + neo-C5H12 → C n H m+1 + C5H11+ (where C n H m+ = C2H3+, C2H5+, and C3H5+) rearranges to the CH3C+(CH3)CH2CH3 structure prior to neutralization. A detailed accounting of all products produced in the unimolecular and bimolecular reactions led to the conclusion that the ratio of neutral electronically excited molecules to parent ions (Nex/N+) is 0.28.
5-HT1 receptor agonists reduce the Ca+ component of sensory neuron action potentials.

Serotonin (5-HT) agonists, selective for 5-HT1, 5-HT2 or 5-HT3 receptor subtypes, were tested for their ability to mimic 5-HT in narrowing the tetraethylammonium-induced calcium-dependent plateau of action potentials recorded from frog sensory neuroons. 5-Carboxyamidotryptamine, 5-HT, α-methyl 5-HT and 5-methoxy-tryptamine possessed full agonist activity, with EC50s of 19 nM, 210 nM, 3.7 μM, and 1.7 μM, respectively. 2-Methyl 5-HT was inactive. This agonist profile indicates that the calcium-dependent plateau in these sensory somata is modulated by a 5-HT1-like receptor.
Infrared Spectra and Molecular Relaxation Dynamics of LiSCN in Polyethers: Toward the Polymer−Electrolyte

Infrared spectra of the antisymmetric stretching mode (“CN stretch”) of the SCN- anion for LiSCN dissolved in the ethers 1,2-dimethoxyethane (1,2-DME), diglyme, triglyme, and poly(ethylene oxide) d...
Cerebral autoregulation in pediatric traumatic brain injury.

Objective:The aims of this study were to document the incidence of impaired cerebral autoregulation in children with traumatic brain injury using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography and to examine the relationship between autoregulatory capacity and outcome in children following traumatic brain inj
Spectrochemical Analysis of Zirconium Oxide

A spectrochemical method is presented for the quantitative analysis of zirconium oxide for twenty-two impurities. Silver chloride is used as a acarrier in a carrier-distillation type arcing procedure. The general range is 10,000 ppm to 1 ppm on most elements and impurities can be determined by visual comparison to an accuracy of ± 50% of the element present.
Caffeine consumption and the risk of primary open-angle glaucoma: a prospective cohort study.

Purpose We investigated whether caffeine, which transiently increases intraocular pressure (IOP) is associated with risk of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
Polarization controller for hollow-core fiber

We demonstrate a universal polarization controller for hollow-core fibers, a simple device consisting of three twisted fiber sections that makes use of the inherent birefringence of the air-core fiber. The device 5% bandwidth at 1550 nm is calculated from measured data to be ∼13 nm.
Computational Characterization of Sulfur−Oxygen Three-Electron-Bonded Radicals in Methionine and Methionine-Containing Peptides: Important Intermediates in One-Electron Oxidation Processes

Density functional theory and semiempirical methods were employed to characterize the structure and properties of sulfur−oxygen-bonded radical cations formed during the one-electron oxidation of various organic sulfides and methionine-containing peptides. In general, all of the examined sulfur−oxygen bonds can be described as two-center, three-electron-bonded systems. The usefulness of approximate computational approaches (SCC-DFTB, AM1 and PM3) for the reliable description of three-electron-bonded species was examined.
Frequency dependent effects in helicon plasmas

Variations in the plasma parameters of a large volume, helicon source as a function of applied rf power (0–2 kW), driving frequency (8–18 MHz), magnetic field (0–1.4 kG) and fill pressure (2–10 mTorr) have been studied. The transitions between the capacitive, inductive, and resonant helicon mode are consistent with previous experiments. Our data indicate that the transition to the helicon mode occurs at a unique magnetic field, independent of the driving frequency. Based on the helicon wave dispersion relation, from which helicon wavelengths can be calculated, the observed variations in plasma density as a function of driving frequency suggest that the wavelength of the helicon wave is a weak function of driving frequency. Calculation of the electron energies which correspond to the phase velocity of the driving wave (i.e., Landau damping) suggest that either Landau damping cannot be responsible for the efficient ionization of helicon sources, or that the helicon portion of the discharge does not extend o...
The noninvasive measurement of regional cerebral circulation

Abstract A brief introduction to the history and development of the noninvasive regional cerebral blood flow technique is presented. The procedures and apparatus are described in a nontechnical manner to provide a resource background for the other papers in this issue.
Operational multivariate ocean data assimilation

A fully three-dimensional, multivariate, optimum-interpolation ocean data assimilation system has been developed that produces simultaneous analyses of temperature, salinity, geopotential and vector velocity. The system is run in real-time, and can be executed as a stand-alone analysis or cycled with an ocean forecast model in a sequential incremental update cycle. Additional capabilities have been built into the system, including flow-dependent background-error correlations and background-error variances that vary in space and evolve from one analysis cycle to the next. The ocean data types assimilated include: remotely sensed sea surface temperature, sea surface height, and sea-ice concentration; plus in situ surface and sub-surface observations of temperature, salinity, and currents from a variety of sources, such as ships, buoys, expendable bathythermographs, conductivity-temperature-depth sensors, and profiling floats. An ocean data quality-control system is fully integrated with the multivariate analysis, and includes feedback of forecast fields and prediction errors in the quality control of new observations. The system is operational at the US Navy oceanographic production centres both in global and in regional applications. It is being implemented as the data assimilation component of the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model as part of the US contribution to the Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment, and in a limited-area ensemble-based forecasting system that will be used in an adaptive sampling, targeted observation application.
Expression of steroid hormone receptors in the fetal sheep brain during the critical period for sexual differentiation

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the expression of receptors for androgen, estrogen, and progesterone in the fetal sheep brain during the critical period for sexual differentiation. We isolated mRNA from the hypothalamus–preoptic area (HPOA), amygdala (AMYG), medulla (MD), frontal cortex (FCTX) and olfactory bulbs (OB) of fetal sheep that were delivered on day 64 of gestation. Using a ribonuclease protection assay and species-specific cRNA probes, we measured mRNA expression levels of androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR). ERα and AR mRNA were expressed in all of the tissues tested and highest in the HPOA. PR mRNA was measured in HPOA and AMYG only and was significantly higher in male than in female fetuses. We conclude that the fetal brain is a target site for circulating steroid hormones. These data have implications for the steroid dependent development of sexually dimorphic brain functions in sheep.
Genetic analysis and quantitative trait locus mapping of PEG‐induced osmotic stress tolerance in cotton

Water stress is one of the major abiotic stresses that adversely affect cotton production. Seedlings of 142 backcross inbred lines (BILs) derived from Pima cotton ‘Pima S-7’ (Gossypium barbadense L.) × Upland cotton ‘Sure-Grow 747’(G. hirsutum L.) were evaluated in two tests for plant height, fresh shoot weight and root weight under two treatments (5% PEG and water-control conditions) using a hydroponic system in the greenhouse. The experiment in each test was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The analysis of variance for the two tests detected significant genotypic variation in PEG-induced stress tolerance within the BIL population and between the parents. Heritabilities were moderate to high and were higher under the control conditions than under the PEG treatment, and the three traits were also significantly and positively correlated. Based on a linkage map with 292 loci, six QTLs were detected including two for plant height, and two each for fresh shoot weight and root weight. This study represents the first report in using a permanent mapping population in genetic and linkage analysis of water stress tolerance in cotton.
Effects of Atmospheric Precipitation Additions on Phytoplankton Photosynthesis in Lake Michigan Water Samples

Abstract The effects of incremental additions (0.1-50% v/v) of atmospheric precipitation on phytoplankton photosynthesis ( 14 C uptake) were tested in Lake Michigan water samples. Wet deposition was used in experiments I, III, and IV, and a melted snow core was used in experiment II. Additions of precipitation significantly reduced photosynthesis in the first three experiments, starting at about the 5-15% treatment level. No significant difference occurred in experiment IV, but photosynthesis was greater than in the control samples and this precipitation sample appeared to stimulate primary productivity. Soluble reactive phosphate, nitrate, and ammonia levels in the precipitation samples exceeded the lake water averages by factors of 10, 2, and 50, respectively. Silicon levels in precipitation were lower than the lake water, but likely did not limit photosynthesis. The additions of precipitation reduced pH very little and no consistent relationship was observed with reduced photosynthesis. Alkalinity was greatly reduced in the treated samples and special precautions were required in calculating photosynthetic rates as a result. Zn, Cd, and Cu levels in the precipitation samples greatly exceeded the lake water averages, producing a high potential for toxic effects on photosynthesis at treatment levels >10%. These experiments suggest that algal nutrients and toxic trace elements in atmospheric precipitation may competitively interact to either stimulate or depress phytoplankton photosynthesis in Lake Michigan water samples.
Prostate-specific antigen, sex steroid hormones, and the insulin-like growth factor axis in U.S.-born, Jamaican, and Haitian black men: a pilot study.

Abstract Objectives African-Caribbean men have a risk of prostate cancer comparable to that of African-American men. To begin exploring potential risk factors for prostate cancer in these high-risk black subgroups, we conducted a pilot study in Brooklyn, New York, a community with large numbers of African-Americans and immigrants from Jamaica and Haiti. Methods Black men, 35 to 65 years of age, who were born in the United States, Jamaica, or Haiti were recruited in Brooklyn. The subjects' serum samples were analyzed for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the following hormones, which may be related to prostate cancer: testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, 3α-androstanediol glucuronide, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). Subgroup differences in PSA and hormonal levels, adjusted for relevant covariates, were explored using analysis of variance techniques. Results For 3 months, we recruited 21 U.S.-born, 20 Jamaican-born, and 24 Haitian-born black men using various methods. The mean age-adjusted PSA level was 1.04 ng/mL in the U.S.-born men, 1.09 ng/mL in the Jamaican-born men, and 0.85 ng/mL in the Haitian-born men (P = 0.55). The mean age-adjusted hormone levels, as well as testosterone/sex hormone-binding globulin and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratios, also were not significantly different statistically across the subgroups. Conclusions It is feasible to conduct epidemiologic studies of prostate cancer in these high-risk black subgroups in Brooklyn. Our preliminary data suggest that the serum levels of PSA and potential hormonal risk factors are similar among U.S.-born, Jamaican-born, and Haitian-born black men. Larger follow-up studies are being planned to confirm these findings.
Carbon dioxide and temperature interactions on stem extension, node initiation, and fruiting in cotton

Understanding the response of agricultural crops to rising carbon dioxide concentration (CO2) and temperature is critical for modeling the effects of future climate change on crop productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the direct and interactive effects of temperature and CO2 on mainstem and branch expansion rates, node initiation rates, and fruiting in cotton to be used for the development of a cotton simulation model. Cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L., cv. DPL 50) were grown in plant growth chambers exposed to natural light levels with temperature and CO2 as treatments. The average temperatures were 17.8, 18.7, 22.7, 26.6, and 30.6°C during a 70 day experimental period with CO2 treatments of 350 and 700/zl 1-' at each temperature. Plant height and number of mainstem nodes increased with increase in temperature and CO2. A nine-fold increase was observed in number of fruiting branches with increase in temperature from 17.8 to 30.6°C, however, no significant differences were observed in fruiting branch number due to doubling of CO2 except at 30.6°C. The number of days from emergence to first square was strongly influenced by temperature, and CO2 had no effect on this process. The number of squares and bolls were increased at higher temperatures, and the rate of increase was greater at 700/zl 1-1 CO2.
Your Urgent Assistance is Requested: The Intersection of 419 Spam and New Networks of Imagination

This article introduces a series of measures of the geographical manifestation of a subset of unsolicited commercial email, i.e. spam, used to perpetrate ‘advanced fee fraud’. Known as ‘419 spam’, this activity has strong historic ties to Nigeria, where similar frauds were operated via physical letters and faxes during the 1970s and 1980s. This article's analysis reveals that 419 spam operates via a globally dispersed network that nevertheless contains a clear agglomeration of activity in West Africa. Building upon theories of the intersection of cyberspace, states, and individuals, this article argues that 419 spam exemplifies the challenge offered by the Internet to the dominance of states by allowing individuals and movements to create social space that transcends borders. This process is an intriguing and ironic parallel to the description of the rise of the European nation-state as an ‘imagined community’ that challenged medieval systems of authority and existing social epistemologies. The emerging ‘...
The expression of genes in the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway is increased in skeletal muscle from patients with cancer

Abstract Background: The intracellular mechanisms of muscle cachexia in patients with cancer are not known. To assess the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway in cancer-induced muscle breakdown, we determined messenger RNA levels for ubiquitin and several 20S proteasome subunits in muscle from patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Methods: A biopsy specimen was obtained from the rectus abdominis muscle in patients undergoing laparotomy for cancer (n = 6) or noncancer disease (n = 6). Tissue levels of mRNA for ubiquitin and the 20S proteasome subunits HC3, HC5, HC7, and HC9 were determined by dot blot analysis. Results: The mRNA levels for ubiquitin and the 20S proteasome subunits were 2 to 4 times higher in muscle from patients with cancer than in muscle from control patients. Conclusion: This is the first report of increased expression of genes in the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway in muscle tissue from patients with cancer. Cancer-induced muscle catabolism may at least in part reflect ubiquitin-proteasome–dependent protein breakdown. (Surgery 1999:126:744-50.)
What Works in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs for Offenders

The purpose of this article is to review current empirical research on the effectiveness of drug treatment programs, particularly those for prisoners, parolees, and probationers. The authors reviewed empirical research published after the year 2000 that they classified as Level 3 or higher on the Maryland Scale. Participants in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), therapeutic communities, and drug courts had lower rates of drug use and crime than comparable individuals who did not receive treatment. Several different types of pharmacological treatments were associated with a reduced frequency of drug use. Those who received contingency management tended to use drugs less frequently, particularly if they also received cognitive-behavioral therapy. Finally, researchers reported that drug use and crime were lower among individuals whose treatment was followed by an aftercare program. Effective treatment programs tend to (a) focus on high-risk offenders, (b) provide strong inducements to receive treatment, (c)...
Origin of mammalian thalamocortical projections. I. Telencephalic projections of the medial geniculate body in the opossum (Didelphis virginiana).

Telencephalic projections from the medial geniculate nucleus (MG) in opossum were traced with tritiated leucine autoradiography and by horseradish peroxidase and fluorescent dye retrograde labeling techniques. The results show that the opossum's MG contains two separate populations of neurons-one in the anterior two-thirds of MG projecting to auditory neocortex, the other occupying the entire caudal one-third of MG and projecting mostly to lateral amygdala and putamen. Because the subcortical projection of the MG in opossum is larger than that seen in any other mammal to date, it is reminiscent of the subcortical projections off the MG in reptiles and birds. Furthermore, when the subcortical projections of the MG in reptiles and opossums are compared with % similar-subcortical projections of the MG in rats, cats, and monkeys, the proportion of the MG neurons projecting to subcortical structures is seen to be inversely related to the recency of each-Animal's common ancestry with primates. The possibility that the subcortical projection of the MG in mammals is homologous with that seen in reptiles or birds implies that it might be a dwindling vestige of the projection present in the common ancestry of reptiles and mammals.
Clinical Pharmacy Care in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) continues to grow as a treatment modality for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The high cost of care, multiplicity of drugs used by each patient, high cost of individual drugs, and high incidence of complications, make this patient population a challenging area for clinical pharmacy input. This article discusses the mechanics of CAPD, together with patient selection criteria, monitoring of the dialysis prescription, and infectious complications. The potential for research involving clinical pharmacists is discussed. Apart from studies on the pharmacokinetic disposition of drugs administered to CAPD patients, there remains a relative lack of information on many aspects of drug therapy. Recommendations for areas of continued study include the optimization of antibiotic therapy for peritonitis and exit-site infections, use of the intraperitoneal route for systemic effects of drugs, quality-of-life investigations, and stability studies of drugs in dialysate.
Chief nursing officers’ perspectives on Medicare’s hospital-acquired conditions non-payment policy: implications for policy design and implementation

Preventable adverse events from hospital care are a common patient safety problem, often resulting in medical complications and additional costs. In 2008, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a policy, mandated by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, targeting a list of these ‘reasonably’ preventable hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) for reduced reimbursement. Extensive debate ensued about the potential adverse effects of the policy, but there was little discussion of its impact on hospitals’ quality improvement (QI) activities. This study’s goals were to understand organizational responses to the HAC policy, including internal and external influences that moderated the success or failure of QI efforts. We employed a qualitative descriptive design. Representatives from 14 Nurses Improving Care of Health System Elders (NICHE) hospitals participated in semi-structured interviews addressing the impact of the HAC policy generally, and for two indicator conditions: central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). Within-case analysis identified the key components of each institution’s response to the policy; across-case analysis identified themes. Exemplar cases were used to explicate findings. Interviewees reported that the HAC policy is one of many internal and external factors motivating hospitals to address HACs. They agreed the policy focused attention on prevention of HACs that had previously received fewer dedicated resources. The impact of the policy on prevention activities, barriers, and facilitators was condition-specific. CLABSI efforts were in place prior to the policy, whereas CAUTI efforts were less mature. Nearly all respondents noted that pressure ulcer detection and documentation became a larger focus stemming from the policy change. A major challenge was the determination of which conditions were ‘hospital-acquired.’ One opportunity arising from the policy has been the focus on nursing leadership in patient safety efforts. While the CMS’s HAC policy was just one of many factors influencing QI efforts, it may have served the important role of drawing attention and resources to the targeted conditions—particularly those not previously in the spotlight. The translational research paradigm is helpful in the interpretation of the findings, illustrating how the policy can advance prevention efforts for HACs at earlier phases of research translation as well as pitfalls associated with earlier phase implementation. To maximize their impact, such policies should consider condition-specific contextual factors influencing policy uptake and provide condition-specific implementation support.
Use of Analogy in Learning Physics: The Role of Representations.

Previous studies have demonstrated that analogies can promote student learning in physics and can be productively taught to students to support their learning, under certain conditions. We build on these studies to explore the use of analogy by students in a large introductory college physics course. In the first large-scale study of its kind, we demonstrate that different analogies can lead to varied student reasoning. When different analogies were used to teach electromagnetic (EM) waves, we found that students explicitly mapped characteristics either of waves on strings or sound waves to EM waves, depending upon which analogy students were taught. We extend these results by investigating how students use analogies. Our findings suggest that representational format plays a key role in the use of analogy.
Low-Power Buffer Management for Streaming Data

In this paper, a method for reducing the power consumption in a pipeline of streaming data is presented. The pipeline is divided into multiple stages and buffer memories are inserted between adjacent stages. By dynamically changing the power state of each stage, the overall power consumption of the pipeline, including the power consumed by each stage and by each buffer, can be reduced. For example, when a buffer is full, the stage immediately before it can be turned off for a certain time period to save power. In this paper, the problem of finding the optimal strategy for managing the power state to minimize average power consumption is studied for a pipeline of data consisting of three stages with two buffers in between. The problem is formulated as an optimal control problem of a hybrid system, namely, a dynamical system with both continuous dynamics and discrete transitions. Several important properties of the optimal solutions are derived. Using these properties, the optimal periodic solutions are obtained analytically for the special case when each stage is allowed to turn on and off at most once during each period. Simulation results using practical data are presented. The results show substantial power savings of the proposed method over heuristic buffering strategies
Quantitative Image Analysis Reveals Distinct Structural Transitions during Aging in Caenorhabditis elegans Tissues

Aging is associated with functional and structural declines in many body systems, even in the absence of underlying disease. In particular, skeletal muscles experience severe declines during aging, a phenomenon termed sarcopenia. Despite the high incidence and severity of sarcopenia, little is known about contributing factors and development. Many studies focus on functional aspects of aging-related tissue decline, while structural details remain understudied. Traditional approaches for quantifying structural changes have assessed individual markers at discrete intervals. Such approaches are inadequate for the complex changes associated with aging. An alternative is to consider changes in overall morphology rather than in specific markers. We have used this approach to quantitatively track tissue architecture during adulthood and aging in the C. elegans pharynx, the neuromuscular feeding organ. Using pattern recognition to analyze aged-grouped pharynx images, we identified discrete step-wise transitions between distinct morphologies. The morphology state transitions were maintained in mutants with pharynx neurotransmission defects, although the pace of the transitions was altered. Longitudinal measurements of pharynx function identified a predictive relationship between mid-life pharynx morphology and function at later ages. These studies demonstrate for the first time that adult tissues undergo distinct structural transitions reflecting postdevelopmental events. The processes that underlie these architectural changes may contribute to increased disease risk during aging, and may be targets for factors that alter the aging rate. This work further demonstrates that pattern analysis of an image series offers a novel and generally accessible approach for quantifying morphological changes and identifying structural biomarkers.
Vision-based vehicle detection and tracking method for forward collision warning in automobiles

We describe a vision-based vehicle detection and tracking method for forward collision warning in automobiles. The approach is based on a set of edge-based constraint filters that assist in the segmentation of vehicles from background clutter. The detected vehicles are then tracked using a combination of distance based matching, sum-of-square-of-difference in intensity (SSD) and edge density of detected vehicle regions. The computational load for tracking is minimized using a vehicle-clustering algorithm. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the performance of the algorithm.
A Critical Review and Synthesis of Student-Athlete College Choice Factors: Recruiting Effectiveness in NCAA Sports

ACADEMIC, ATHLETIC AND SOCIAL FIT The recruiting process for the Florida State University (FSU) women’s soccer team focuses on ensuring a good academic, athletic, and social fit. Academically, each recruit must meet certain standards to ensure their success in a chosen major. Athletically, prospective studentathletes must understand the style of play and expectations of the program and coaches. A good social fit means the recruit feels comfortable in the campus environment and community, and gets along well with future teammates. I believe that a student-athlete can be exceptional in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. At Florida State University, we have had great success recruiting a diverse population. We have players from around the world and we have blended their cultures, playing styles, and personalities into a highly successful program. Our team grade point average is consistently above a 3.0. During my nine years at FSU, we have always finished ranked in the top 10 in the country and our players have done an excellent job giving back to the greater Tallahassee area with countless community service hours. It is my belief that all of this begins with finding the right student-athletes; in other words, it starts with the recruiting process.
A dialectic of dreams and dispossession: the school-to-sweatshop pipeline

Engaging the contradictions of global restructuring that produce the school-to-sweatshop pipeline for undocumented students, our analysis makes visible the relationship between racialized cultural practices of exclusion in educational spaces and the production of ‘illegality’. Our theorizing draws upon participatory action research with intergenerational community partnerships based in Salt Lake City, Utah, that share commitments to the collective participation and action of those most affected by the ‘intimate dispossessions’ of capital accumulation. In our inquiry, we attend to the places and practices of social reproduction – the school, family and home – mining the loopholes of policy and the contours of subjectivity to uncover the critical potential of everyday struggles.