cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Drug abuse and pregnancy: some questions on public policy, clinical management, and maternal and fetal rights.

An estimated 9202 drug-exposed infants were born in the United States in 1986 according to the National Center for Health Statistics; the number increased to 13,765 in 1988. These figures were substantially underreported, however, notes the 1990 report by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) (1). It surveyed 10 hospitals, two each in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and San Antonio, accounting for 44,655 births, of which approximately 4000 resulted in drug-exposed infants in 1989. Maternal cocaine use was estimated to range from below 1 to 12 percent among the 10 hospitals. The GAO report concluded that the number of these infants born nationwide each year could be "very high," and that in these five cities the unavailability of drug treatment and lack of adequate prenatal care are contributing to the problem (1). Two health professionals and a health lawyer were invited to respond to some questions about the problems of cocaine and substance abuse by pregnant women and how maternity caregivers, health and social service agencies, law, and society are dealing with the issues.
Distribution of Raptor Foraging in Relation to Prey Biomass and Habitat Structure

The spatial distribution of Red-tailed Hawks (Buteojamaicensis) and Northern Harriers (Circus cyaneus) overwintering in central Arkansas was studied in relation to perch availability, plant cover, and small rodent biomass in six habitat patch types. In general, raptor foraging was distributed nonrandomly among patch types. Red-tailed Hawks occupied corn stubble and old-field patches more frequently than expected by chance and occupied tall corn and bare patches less frequently than expected. Adult male Northern Harriers used corn stubble and wetland patches more frequently than expected and used tall corn and bare patches less frequently than expected, while adult female and juvenile harriers used wetland patches more frequently than expected and used bare patches less frequently than expected. The general distribution of Northern Harriers is interpreted as a response to prey biomass availability (rodent biomass index x 1/plant cover density), while Red-tailed Hawk distribution is interpreted as a response to both prey biomass availability and perch availability.
Value of dobutamine stress myocardial contrast perfusion echocardiography in patients with advanced liver disease

Although dobutamine stress echocardiography has been used for the preoperative evaluation of patients with advanced liver disease (ALD), no data exist regarding the value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) in this patient population. We sought to determine the value of MPI during dobutamine stress RTMCE for predicting prognosis in patients with ALD. We examined both wall motion and MPI in 230 patients with ALD who underwent dobutamine stress RTMCE using intravenous commercially available contrast agents (Optison, GE-Amersham, Princeton, NJ; or Definity, Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging, North Billerica, MA). The prognostic value of clinical variables, including the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, and echocardiographic data were examined using a Cox Hazard model. The primary endpoint was mortality of all causes. Among the 85 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation, 4 had abnormal MPI and 81 had normal perfusion. The hospital mortality rate was 50% (2/4) in patients with abnormal MPI and 2% (2/81) in patients with normal MPI (P = 0.01). Among patients with abnormal MPI, 1 died from myocardial infarction in the first postoperative day and the second 1 from hemorrhagic shock. During a median follow-up of 15 months, 53 (23%) patients died. The independent predictors of death were an age of > or = 65 yr (RR = 2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-4.4; P = 0.03), MELD score of > or = 25 (RR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.8-5.5; P < 0.0001), and abnormal MPI (RR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.1-5.2; P = 0.02). The 2-yr mortality was 24% for patients with normal MPI and 45% for those with inducible MPI abnormalities (P = 0.003). In conclusion, MPI obtained by RTMCE appears to be a useful tool in predicting mortality in patients with ALD. Further studies are required to verify its independent value.
An approach to the development of expanded postgraduate training for agricultural scientists within the Southern African development coordination conference region

Abstract The shortage of agricultural research scientists within the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) Region has serious implications for agricultural production. Although undergraduate training in agriculture is now available within most member countries, postgraduate training opportunities based at regional universities are limited. The reliance on overseas institutions for postgraduate training has inhibited the development of a research capacity at SADCC universities, resulting in poor liaison with agricultural research departments. In addition, the shortage of sufficient numbers of qualified national scientists has meant a continuing heavy reliance on short term expatriate appointments in many development programmes. An approach to postgraduate training which makes greater use of the strengths of regional universities, and which allows larger numbers of scientists to be trained, is outlined. Practical examples of the approach are described, based on experience gained in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Malaŵi. The advantages of such an approach are outlined in the regional context.
The Comprehension of Nephrology in America a Century Ago

In America 100 years ago, the leading clinician pathologists had an understanding of nephrology comparable to that in Europe. Emphasis was on clinical observations devoid of modern clinical laboratory assistance, but verified or disproved at autopsy. The clinician often functioned as the pathologist for his own patients, and although microscopy had been introduced a few decades earlier and many had the benefit of some training in Germany or elsewhere in Europe, diagnostic capabilities remained limited. Renal physiology and pathophysiology were at best embryonic in the United States and elsewhere. The frequency and severity of medical renal diseases maintained the interest of some of the most astute physicians of the late 19th century; however, they had to remain frustrated by their inadequate diagnostic and, especially, therapeutic ability.
Obscured bronchiogenic carcinoma; report of a case with necropsy.

Summary 1)A case of bronchiogenic carcinoma with massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage due to an adrenal metastasis is reported. 2)The ease with which small areas of blood-borne metastatic bronchiogenic carcinoma in the ipsolateral lung can be obscured by severe chronic pneumonitis is illustrated. 3)Attention is drawn to the occurrence of wide-spread metastases from minute occult bronchiogenic carcinoma.
Hepatic resection enhances growth of residual intrahepatic and subcutaneous hepatoma, which is inhibited by octreotide☆

Abstract Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate whether partial hepatectomy (PH) enhances the growth of implanted intrahepatic and subcutaneous tumor and whether octreotide (OCT) can alter tumor growth. Methods: Ninety-one ACl rats (125 g) underwent a laparotomy; 51 had a 66% PH and 40 were controls. Morris hepatoma 3924A was implanted in the liver (IH) of 29 PH and 26 controls and subcutaneously (SC) in 22 PH and 14 control rats. OCT, 50 mg/kg, was administered intraperitoneally twice a day to 23 PH rats with IH (n = 15) or SC (n = 8) tumor implants. The remaining PH rats received a similar volume of saline (NS). PH and control animals were evaluated for tumor volume, metastases, and tumor and liver weight at 7 and 15 days. Results: Group I (PH + IH + NS) showed a sixfold increase in IH tumor volume and 100% increase in metastases versus group II (controls + IH + NS) at 15 days postimplant ( P P P P P P Conclusion: Growth of IH and SC hepatoma is enhanced after PH and inhibited by OCT. This suggests that factors influencing hepatic replication also affect local and remote tumor growth. OCT action may be related to the presence of somatostatin receptors or caused by a direct antiproliferative effect.
Profiles in Science for Science Librarians: Edward O. Wilson

Edward O. Wilson was introduced to the natural world early in life while living in his native South, near the Gulf of Mexico. His fascination with studying ants, snakes, and other small creatures led to a highly successful career as a prominent scientist and naturalist. Wilson's research and studies in evolutionary biology, entomology, sociobiology, and biogeography produced new insights and exquisite detailed information on how the natural world works. A citation analysis of Wilson's books and research articles shows the enormous impact and reach of his ideas and research in the academic and environmental communities. Wilson's work also informed others who have curiosity for nature and ants in particular. Through programs by the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and in other ways, Wilson has advanced awareness about the condition and plight of the natural world. Wilson's numerous achievements are recognized and acclaimed worldwide.
Using biometrics for sport venue management in a post 9‐11 era

The purpose of this paper is to assess technologies, both currently available and under development, which may be used to assist sport facility and other venue operators in preempting a terrorist act or some other form of organized act of violence. The attack on the World Trade Center on September 11 highlighted the vulnerability of large facilities to attack by committed terrorists. Facility managers and venue operators must face the challenge of protecting physical assets as well as participants and spectators. This technology forecast focuses on technologies associated with biometrics. The proposition presented has been based, in part, on information provided from interviews with industry experts from a variety of professions, including facility management, biometric technologies, event security and anti‐terrorism from both the private and government sectors. A review of published and unpublished materials associated with biometrics is also presented as part of the technology forecast.
Single proton knock-out from 24F

The measurement of the single proton knock-out reaction from 24F on a 12C target at 46.7 MeV/nucleon yielded a 23O ground state population of (6.6±1.0) mb. The data were compared to calculations based on the many-body shell model and the eikonal theory. The results are consistent with a [ 0 d 5 / 2 6 ] ⊗ 1 s 1 / 2 configuration of 23O.
Antenatal Glucocorticoid Treatment Does Not Explain Inter-Hospital Variation in Rates of Chronic Lung Disease Among Surviving Premature Infants. † 1355

Antenatal Glucocorticoid Treatment Does Not Explain Inter-Hospital Variation in Rates of Chronic Lung Disease Among Surviving Premature Infants. † 1355
Diffusion of Contingency Management and Attitudes Regarding Its Effectiveness and Acceptability

Substance abuse counselors are critical as the key arbiters of clients' acceptance and use of innovative treatment techniques, with their potential support embedded in their knowledge of and attitudes towards particular innovations. In this analysis the authors examine the role of substance abuse counselors in the adoption of a psychosocial treatment innovation, contingency management (CM). Using data collected from 1140 counselors employed in a national sample of 318 public treatment centers, the authors examine theoretical predictors of counselors' knowledge of CM, and their attitudes regarding CM's effectiveness and acceptability. Findings suggest that lack of exposure to CM through program use and innovation-specific training is the most salient barrier to CM adoption and diffusion. The study also highlights the importance of social networks in the diffusion and acceptance of treatment innovations.
A mathematical model for estimating the effectiveness of bigram coding

Abstract This paper discusses bigram coding as a technique for compacting data. A mathematical model is developed that estimates the effectiveness of such a code as a function of the fraction of bigram tokens that are encodeable: this model accounts for the degree of overlap of encodeable tokens by assuming that bigram token occurrences have a Markov property. The model requires that a single parameter be fit to the data. The results of an experiment testing this model on a file of catalog data in a library is given, and excellent agreement is found. This model provides substantial improvement over an earlier model in which bigrams are assumed to occur independently of each other.
FUNCTIONAL COMPARTMENTS OF ADENINE NUCLEOTIDES SERVING AS PRECURSORS OF ADENOSINE 3′,5′-MONOPHOSPHATE IN MOUSE CEREBRAL CORTEX

— Cyclic AMP accumulates in cerebral cortical slices from the C57B1/6J mouse incubated with the following stimulatory agents: norepinephrine, adenosine, veratridine and adenosine-biogenic amine combinations. The results with slices labelled with radioactive adenine or adenosine provide evidence for the existence of distinct functional compartments of adenine nuclcotides which serve as precursors of cyclic AMP on stimulation with specific agents. Thus, in slices labelled with [14C]adenine or [3H]adenosine the ratio of [14C] to [3H]cyclic AMP was dependent on the stimulatory agent; with veratridinc the ratio was 1.4 while with adenosine the ratio was 3.0. In addition, a greater than 2-fold difference in the ratio of endogenous/radioactive cyclic AMP was observed in adenine or adenosine-labelled slices after incubation with veratridine, norepinephrine, adenosine or adenosine-amine combinations; the lowest ratios after stimulation with veratridine and the highest after adenosine or adenosine-amine combinations. The high ratio observed with adenosine was in part due to a quite marked incorporation of the stimulant, adenosine, into the accumulating cyclic AMP. Such distinct functional compartments of cyclic AMP precursors may represent different cell types and/or morphological entities within one cell type.
Rumination and Vegetative Symptoms: A Test of the Dual Vulnerability Model of Seasonal Depression

The Dual Vulnerability Model of seasonal affective disorder proposes that the cognitive-affective symptoms of seasonal depression are the result of an interaction of a diathesis of cognitive vulnerability to depression and the stressor of seasonal vegetative change. Two studies examined this hypothesis employing a within-subject design with daily data on vegetative and cognitive-affective depressive symptoms. Study 1 included a subclinical sample and a trait measure of ruminative response style. Study 2 included a clinical sample and reports of actual ruminative thoughts and behaviors in response to fatigue. Results of mixed linear model analyses in both studies supported the hypothesis that rumination moderates the relationship between the vegetative symptoms and the cognitive-affective symptoms of seasonal depression. The extension of the model to other subtypes of depression is considered.
The wetting angle of very small and large drops

Abstract On the basis of Born-Green-Yvon integral equations for the density distribution functions, an approximate integral equation is established for the profile of the surface of the drop. Numerical solutions and analytical solutions for limiting cases are obtained for this profile. Equations relating the angle at the leading edge and in its vicinity to parameters characterizing the interaction forces between the molecules of the liquid and between those of the liquid and solid are derived for large and for very small drops on a horizontal solid surface. One concludes that there is a rapid spatial variation of shape near the leading edge, that for large drops the measured macroscopic wetting angle is reached at a distance of about 20 to 40 A from the leading edge, and that for very small drops the wetting angle is weakly size dependent. A condition for drop stability is established, which if not satisfied, the liquid will spread over the surface of the solid.
Heart rate as a minimal cue for the occurrence of conditioned vicarious autonomic responses

Three groups of Ss participated in a vicarious conditioning experiment. Ss heard the heart beats of a model who ostensibly was either being shocked following a tone or who was exercising. Among those hearing a model being shocked, half heard a change in heart rate after each shock; for the remaining half no change in heart rate occurred. Heart rate and GSR of the actual Ss were collected as measures of vicarious conditioning. GSR data showed no significant effects. However, heart-rate changes showed that conditioning occurred in the experimental condition and in one of the control conditions. The results of this study suggest that heart rate of a model is a salient cue for the occurrence of vicarious classical conditioning.
The relationship of climatic indices and variables to corn (maize) yields: a principal components analysis

Abstract The multivariate statistical technique of principal components analysis was used to evaluate the relationship of climatic indices and variables to corn ( Zea mays L.) yields in the Great Plains and Midwest of the United States. Results demonstrated that during years in which precipitation was consistently above or below normal throughout the growing season, the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and the Crop Moisture Index (CMI) related well to actual yield. However, during years in which there was an occurrence of dry or wet spells lasting for several weeks (particularly during pollination), the magnitude of the PDSI and the CMI did not adequately reflect the impact of that dry or wet period on the crop. The results of this analysis demonstrate that principal components analysis is a powerful statistical tool for evaluating the relationship between crop yield and climatic variables and the associated regional patterns for these relationships.
Recruitment of cells into the Drosophila wing primordium by a feed-forward circuit of vestigial autoregulation.

The Drosophila wing primordium is defined by expression of the selector gene vestigial ( vg ) in a discrete subpopulation of cells within the wing imaginal disc. Following the early segregation of the disc into dorsal (D) and ventral (V) compartments, vg expression is governed by signals generated along the boundary between the two compartments. Short-range DSL (Delta/Serrate/LAG-2)-Notch signaling between D and V cells drives vg expression in `border9 cells that flank the boundary. It also induces these same cells to secrete the long-range morphogen Wingless (Wg), which drives vg expression in surrounding cells up to 25-30 cell diameters away. Here, we show that Wg signaling is not sufficient to activate vg expression away from the D-V boundary. Instead, Wg must act in combination with a short-range signal produced by cells that already express vg . We present evidence that this vg -dependent, vg -inducing signal feeds forward from one cell to the next to entrain surrounding cells to join the growing wing primordium in response to Wg. We propose that Wg promotes the expansion of the wing primordium following the D-V segregation by fueling this non-autonomous autoregulatory mechanism.
A Theory for Strong, Long-Lived Squall Lines

Abstract We study herein the mechanics of long-lived, line-oriented, precipitating cumulus convection (squall lines) using two- and three-dimensional numerical models of moist convection. These models, used in juxtaposition, enable us to address the important theoretical issue of whether a squall line is a system of special, long-lived cells, or whether it is a long-lived system of ordinary, short-lived cells. Our review of the observational literature indicates that the latter is the most consistent paradigm for the vast majority of cases but, on occasion, a squall line may be composed of essentially steady, supercell thunderstorms. The numerical experiments presented herein show that either type of squall line may develop from an initial line-like disturbance depending on the magnitude and orientation of the environmental shear with respect to the line. With shallow shear, oriented perpendicular to the line, a long-lived line evolves containing individually short-lived cells. Our analysis of this type o...
Partial blocking and the frustration effect

Nine Sprague-Dawley female rats were trained for 10 days in a straight alley with no obstruction of approach to the goal (four 45-mg pellets). During testing the rats received two nonblocked (0-sec delay) and four partially blocked trials (4-, 8-, 12-, and 20-sec delay with a clear Plexiglas door) per day for 12 days. The 4-sec delay produced significantly faster running than the 8-sec delay; however, contrary to previous research using an opaque blocking door, no significant frustration effect for running or ingestion was obtained. A competing response interpretation is offered as a possible explanation for this discrepancy.
Decentralization of large-scale systems: A new canonical form for linear multivariable systems

This note presents a new canonical form for linear multivariable systems. This canonical form casts and partitions the system to the so-called component connection model (CCM). The application of this canonical form to the problem of decentralized stabilization and estimation is discussed.
Post-Paleozoic Radiometric Ages and Their Relevance to Fault Movements, Northern Southeastern Alaska

Recently determined lead-alpha and potassium-argon ages from northern southeastern Alaska indicate major plutonic events in the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Tertiary; in contrast, previous studies suggested that only one complex Jurassic and Cretaceous event occurred. The ages presented in this paper indicate the following Mesozoic and Tertiary plutonic events: Middle or Late Jurassic (144–164 m.y.); Early Cretaceous (103–117 m.y.); Eocene (42–48 m.y.); and Oligocene to Miocene (24–31 m.y.). The present data show no distinctive a real pattern for the Mesozoic plutons, but those of known Tertiary age are restricted to Baranof and Kruzof islands, a distribution that suggests a belt of Tertiary plutonism along the margin of the Pacific Ocean. Stratigraphic evidence and radiometric ages indicate that Baranof Island and possibly Chichagof Island have been uplifted several kilometers since Miocene time, whereas Admiralty Island to the east appears to have been relatively stable since Paleocene time. This movement apparently took place on the north-striking Chatham Strait fault, which separates the islands, and probably also had a large right-lateral component. Northwest-striking faults in Chichagof and Baranof islands were probably active during at least part of the movement on the Chatham Strait fault. Movement on one of the northwest-striking faults, the Patterson Bay fault of Baranof Island, took place some time between the Eocene and the Miocene and produced a 5-km, right-lateral separation. The inferred uplift of Baranof Island relative to Admiralty Island is based on the present-day exposure on Baranof Island of mesozonal Tertiary plutons, which were probably intruded at a depth of several kilometers, contrasted with the present-day exposure on Admiralty Island of continental sedimentary and volcanic rocks that were being deposited near sea level during the Tertiary. The uplift of the Baranof Island plutons to the surface in post-Miocene time contrasts sharply with the stable or weakly negative tectonic conditions that have prevailed on Admiralty Island since the Paleocene.
Observations relevant to the differential intercalation of enantiomers between the strands of brush-type chiral stationary phases

Abstract Differential penetration of the enantiomers of certain analytes between the strands of “brush-type” liquid chromatographic chiral stationary phases (CSPs) has been invoked in several instances to explain the progressive change in separation factors as one proceeds, chromatographically, through a homologous series of these analytes. These “intercalative effects” are presumed to arise as a consequence of the semi-ordered, side-by-side bonding of selector strands in conventional brush-type CSPs. Thus, they are not expected to occur in the absence of the stationary phase. A recently developed proline-derived CSP affords large separation factors for the enantiomers of some esters, thioesters, and amides of N-acylated α -amino acids, the separation factor being dependent upon the length of the C-terminal substituent of the analyte. For example, the separation factors increase with the length of the linear thioalkyl substituent when N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)leucine thioesters are chromatographed on the proline-derived CSP. However, the length of this substituent does not affect the enantiomeric purity attained when the enantiomers of these thioesters are stereochemically equilibrated in solution in the presence of the proline-derived selector employed in the CSP. These observations further support the concept of differential intercalation of enantiomers between the strands of brush-type CSPs and may have implications for asymmetric syntheses conducted with immobilized catalysts or reagents.
Commutators of diffeomorphisms, III: a group which is not perfect

The group of C" diffeomorphisms of the real line with compact support is perfect if r~ 2 (cf. [1-3]). It is unknown whether this is the case if r -- 2 (cf. [4]). In this note, we will give a very simple proof that the group G of compactly supported C 1 diffeomorphisms of the real line whose first derivative has bounded variation is not perfect. For f~ G, log Df is a compactly supported function of bounded variation. Let D log Df denote the derivative of log Df in the sense of the theory of distributions. It is well known that D log Df is a compactly supported Radon measure. In other words, if we think of D log Df as a linear functional on the space of C~ functions on , then D log Df has a unique linear continuous extension to the space of continuous functions on R, where we provide this last space with the C ~ topology. A self homeomorphism f of R induces automorphism f* of the continuous functions on R, defined by f*u = u of. The dual of f* is an automorphism f, of the space of compactly supported Radon measures on R. Another way of describing f. is to observe that if X is a Borel subset of R, then (f./~)(X) = ~(f-lX), for any Radon measure tL. If u is a compactly supported function of bounded variation, then
Reference model of mesospheric atomic hydrogen

Abstract Atomic hydrogen for this model has been inferred from the hydroxyl airglow measurements on Solar Mesosphere Explorer (SME) spacecraft between 10 and 1.3 μbar (80–93 km). During the day Meinel band emission of OH is proportional to the product of ozone and hydrogen. Since daytime ozone has been inferred from the O 2 ( 1 Δ g ) emission, daytime hydrogen can be inferred. Very large annual and semiannual changes are found in this region. At 40°N the summer-to-spring ratio of atomic hydrogen exceeds a factor of 4 at 10 μbar (80 km).
Analytically based finite elements for rods, plates, and shells

Abstract Structural member analyses can be approached from a semi-analytical viewpoint by using shape functions based on solutions to differential governing equations. A unified notation and systematic formulation are presented for the static and dynamic analysis of such structural members as rods, plates, and shells of revolution.
Response to Henry Heller's 'The Longue Durée of the French Bourgeoisie'

Beik criticises Heller's mechanical view of the dynamic role of the bourgeoisie in the rise of capitalism in early-modern France. While they agree that the primary class-conflict was between the nobility and the peasantry, Beik stresses the slow emergence of genuine capitalist social relations and the cooptation of the bourgeoisie by a monarchical state which was still propping up the feudal regime, whereas Heller views mercantile activity and production increases as evidence of rising capitalism.
A theoretical characterization of linear SVM-based feature selection

Most prevalent techniques in Support Vector Machine (SVM) feature selection are based on the intuition that the weights of features that are close to zero are not required for optimal classification. In this paper we show that indeed, in the sample limit, the irrelevant variables (in a theoretical and optimal sense) will be given zero weight by a linear SVM, both in the soft and the hard margin case. However, SVM-based methods have certain theoretical disadvantages too. We present examples where the linear SVM may assign zero weights to strongly relevant variables (i.e., variables required for optimal estimation of the distribution of the target variable) and where weakly relevant features (i.e., features that are superfluous for optimal feature selection given other features) may get non-zero weights. We contrast and theoretically compare with Markov-Blanket based feature selection algorithms that do not have such disadvantages in a broad class of distributions and could also be used for causal discovery.
The Bacillus subtilis sin Operon: An Evolvable Network Motif

The strategy of combining genes from a regulatory protein and its antagonist within the same operon, but controlling their activities differentially, can lead to diverse regulatory functions. This protein-antagonist motif is ubiquitous and present in evolutionarily unrelated regulatory pathways. Using the sin operon from the Bacillus subtilis sporulation pathway as a model system, we built a theoretical model, parameterized it using data from the literature, and used bifurcation analyses to determine the circuit functions it could encode. The model demonstrated that this motif can generate a bistable switch with tunable control over the switching threshold and the degree of population heterogeneity. Further, the model predicted that a small perturbation of a single critical parameter can bias this architecture into functioning like a graded response, a bistable switch, an oscillator, or a pulse generator. By mapping the parameters of the model to specific DNA regions and comparing the genomic sequences of Bacillus species, we showed that phylogenetic variation tends to occur in those regions that tune the switch threshold without disturbing the circuit function. The dynamical plasticity of the protein-antagonist operon motif suggests that it is an evolutionarily convergent design selected not only for particular immediate function but also for its evolvability.
Cystic renal disease and tuberous sclerosisin infants

We describe 2 infants who presented with autosomal dominant-like polycystic kidney disease. Evaluation revealed that both children had tuberous sclerosis, with resulting cystic kidney disease. This diagnosis should be suspected in infants who present with bilateral, large renal cysts, and no family history of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
Extensions of the first and second complex-step derivative approximations

A general framework for the first and second complex-step derivative approximation to compute numerical derivatives is presented. For first derivatives the complex-step approach does not suffer roundoff errors as in standard numerical finite-difference approaches. Therefore, since an arbitrarily small step size can be chosen, the complex-step approach can achieve near analytical accuracy. However, for second derivatives straight implementation of the complex-step approach does suffer from roundoff errors. Therefore, an arbitrarily small step size cannot be chosen. In this paper the standard complex-step approach is expanded by using general complex-step sizes to provide a wider range of accuracy for both the first- and second-derivative approximations. Even higher accuracy formulations are obtained by repetitively applying Richardson extrapolations. The new extensions can allow the use of one step size to provide optimal accuracy for both derivative approximations.
An integrated digital microfluidic chip for multiplexed proteomic sample preparation and analysis by MALDI-MS.

To realize multiplexed sample preparation on a digital microfluidic chip for high-throughput Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS), several fluidic functions need to be integrated. These include the generation of multiple droplets from a reservoir and parallel in-line sample purification. In this paper, we develop two critical new functions in handling protein solutions and standard proteomic reagents with electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) actuation, leading to an integrated chip for multiplexed sample preparation for MALDI-MS. The first is a voltage sequence designed to generate a series of droplets from each of the three reservoirs—proteomic sample, rinsing fluid, and MALDI reagents. It is the first time that proteomic reagents have been dispensed using EWOD in an air (as opposed to oil) environment. The second is a box-in-box electrode pattern developed to allow droplet passing over dried sample spots, making the process of in-line sample purification robust for parallel processing. As a result, parallel processing of multiple sample droplets is demonstrated on the integrated EWOD-MALDI-MS chip, an important step towards high-throughput MALDI-MS. The MS results, collected directly from the integrated devices, are of good quality, suggesting that the tedious process of sample preparation can be automated on-chip for MALDI-MS applications as well as other high-throughput proteomics applications.
Last exit clofarabine

Patients with acute leukemias are difficult to manage. Notwithstanding the complexity of treatment regimens, the often narrow therapeutic index of the drugs involved associated with multiple complications rooted in the host’s severely immunocompromised condition provide challenges under the best of circumstances. Any of the challenges are multiplied manifold under the worst of circumstances, i.e. in relapsed and refractory cases. Although not all relapses are the same and subgroups can be identified with more favorable odds [1], all too often available therapies become frustratingly ineffective and the only glimmer of hope for longer-term survival will eventually be reduced to whether or not a patient can be transplanted expeditiously and effectively. Yet, the road to transplant is strewn with multiple obstacles. One of the biggest remains the question of how to optimally control the proliferation of the leukemic blasts and to bring patients into the best possible condition for subsequent therapy. Drugs that still show activity where conventional chemotherapy has failed are therefore in high demand. The case study by Grigoleit et al. attempts to address this issue using Clofarabine [2]. Clofarabine is a second generation purine deoxyadenosine analog which has been engineered out of the structures of its first generation relatives fludarabine and cladribine. Characteristic to nucleoside analogs, seemingly trivial differences in structure can lead to significant differences in their mechanisms of action and spectrum of activity. In that sense clofarabine has been endowed with a higher affinity to deoxycytidine kinase (rate-limiting enzyme for nucleoside phosphorylation following intracellular uptake), longer intracellular retention of its active triphosphate compound, and more profound inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase (an enzyme important for maintenance of intracellular nucleotides) than some of its ancestors [3]. Single agent clofarabine has proved active in children with relapsed ALL and has receive FDA approval for this indication in 2004 [4]. In adults, emphasis has been on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) although trials in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are ongoing as well. More intriguing than using clofarabine by itself have been combinations; mainly with cytarabine in AML, but increasingly also in ALL where cyclophosphamide has become the preferred combination partner
FRETcalc plugin for calculation of FRET in non-continuous intracellular compartments.

FRET has emerged as an important tool for studying intracellular processes and interactions between biomolecules. Intracellular donor and acceptor molecules are distributed in individual organelles that usually have complex non-continuous shape. Consequently, background pixels arising from fluorophore-free regions of the cell are proximal to FRET-positive pixels, leading to systemic errors in the estimated FRET values. This study introduces a new FRETTH algorithm for FRET estimation by acceptor photobleaching that separates the FRET-positive pixels from the background by applying user-defined thresholds for pixel selection. The FRETTH algorithm was validated by analysis of interactions between fluorescently tagged proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum using acquired and simulated images. The novel algorithm showed superior performance to the regular FRET calculation algorithm in acquired images and in most simulations. The developed algorithm was incorporated into the FRETcalc plugin for ImageJ program that enables user-defined choices of thresholds for calculation of FRET by acceptor photobleaching.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL AS A PUBLIC GOOD: DIRECT AND INDIRECT PATHWAYS TO COMMUNITY SATISFACTION

Individuals’ satisfaction with their community can play an important role in urban politics, and the quality of public schools is a key predictor of community satisfaction. However, most discussion...
In Vitro Targeting of Strand Transfer by the Ty3 Retroelement Integrase

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae long terminal repeat retrotransposon Ty3 integrates within one or two nucleotides of the transcription initiation sites of genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III. In this study the minimal components required to re-constitute position-specific strand transfer by Ty3 integrase are defined. Ty3 integrase targeted by a synthetic fusion of RNA polymerase III transcription factor IIIB subunits, Brf1 and TBP, mediated position-specific strand transfer of duplex oligonucleotides representing the ends of the Ty3 cDNA. These results further delimit the TFIIIB domains targeted by the Ty3 element and show that IN is the Ty3 component sufficient in vitro to target integration. These results underscore the commonality of protein interactions that mediate transcription and retrotransposon targeting. Surprisingly, in the presence of MnCl2, strand transfer was TFIIIB-independent and targeted sequences resembling the Ty3 terminal inverted repeat.
The relation between comprehending and remembering some complex sentences.

This research concerns the distinction between processes in sentence comprehension and those in sentence memory. Comprehension was monitored by timing subjects while they decided whether a sentence was true or false of their knowledge of the world. The memory process was tapped by examining subjects’ incidental memory for the sentences they had previously verified. The verification latencies indicated that at the time of comprehension, sentences likeIt is true that a fire isn’t cold were often recoded into an equivalent affirmative form, namely,It is true that a fire is hot. However, negative sentences likeIt isn’t true that a fire is cold were not recoded during comprehension. Recoding in recall occurred only for those types of sentences that were recoded at the time of comprehension.
Disordered Eating in Active Middle-Aged Women

After completing this chapter, you should have an understanding of the following: • The risk factors for developing disordered eating in middle-aged women. • Life stressors in midlife that may predispose women to disordered eating. • Thirty Something and Beyond (TSAB) treatment programs.
Pharmacokinetics of a human monoclonal antibody to IL‐12 P40 following single intravenous infusion in patients with moderate to severe plaque‐type psoriasis

Purpose To assess the pharmacokinetics (PK) of a human monoclonal antibody to IL-12 p40 (anti-IL-12 p40 mAb) following single intravenous (IV) infusion in patients with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis as part of a Phase I study. Methods. Patients (n = 18) were randomly assigned to receive a single ascending IV dose of the mAb (n = 4–5 per group). Blood samples were collected and serum mAb levels were measured using an ELISA method. Non-compartmental analysis was employed to calculate the PK parameters of the mAb. The relationship between PK and the severity of psoriatic lesions (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, PASI) was also investigated to explore the relationship between drug exposure and efficacy. Results. The mAb was slowly eliminated from the circulation after a single IV infusion. The Cmax and AUC were linearly correlated with the dose. Dose-dependent sustained improvements in PASI were observed. Conclusions. PK of the mAb following a single IV infusion were linear and dose-independent, and the systemic exposure increased in a dose-proportional manner. IV administration to patients is feasible in terms of its favorable elimination half-life and sustained clinical response. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P9–P9; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.034
CHILDREN'S POSITIVE SCHOOL BEHAVIORS AND SOCIAL PREFERENCE IN URBAN ELEMENTARY CLASSROOMS

This study examined the associations between prosocial and academically oriented behaviors and social preference as a function of individual (i.e., gender), developmental (i.e., grade) and contextual factors (i.e., group descriptive norms). Data were gathered from a sample of 2 nd ,3 rd and 4 th grade children (51% male, 97.5% African American) in 34 classrooms from high-poverty inner-city neighborhoods. Multilevel analyses indicated that individual, developmental, and contextual factors moderated the association between children’s prosocial and academically oriented behaviors and social preference. Taken together, results from this study support theoretical models emphasizing the relational and contextual nature of children’s social preference in the peer group. C � 2014 Wiley
Evaluation of wiring constructions for space applications

A NASA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (OS&MA) program to develop lightweight, reliable, and safe wiring insulations for aerospace applications is being performed by the NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC). As part of this effort, a new wiring construction utilizing high strength PTFE (Poly Tetrafluoroethylene) as the insulation has been tested and compared with the existing military standard polyimide-based MIL-W-81381 wire construction. Electrical properties which were investigated included ac corona inception and extinction voltages (sea level and 60.000 feet), time/current to smoke, and wire fusing time. The two constructions were also characterized in terms of their mechanical properties of flexural strength, abrasion resistance (23/spl deg/C and 150/spl deg/C), and dynamic cut-through (23/spl deg/C to 200/spl deg/C). The results obtained in this testing effort are presented and discussed in this paper. >
On-line testing of multi-source noise-induced errors on the interconnects and buses of system-on-chips

With processors and system-on-chips using nano-meter technologies, several design and test efforts have been recently developed to eliminate and test for many emerging DSM (deep sub-micron) noise effects. In this paper, we show the emergence of multi-source noise effects, where multiple DSM noise sources combine to produce functional and timing errors even when each separate noise source itself does not. We show the dynamic nature of multi-source noise, and the need for on-line testing to detect such noise errors. We propose a double-sampling data checking based low-cost on-line error detection circuit to test for such noise effects in on-chip buses. Based on the proposed circuit, an effective and efficient testing methodology has been developed to facilitate online testing for generic on-chip buses. The applicability of this methodology is demonstrated through embedding the on-line detection circuit in a bus design. The validated design shows the effectiveness of the proposed testing methodology for multi-source noise-induced errors in global interconnects and buses.
Total knee arthroplasty after previous knee surgery: expected interval and the effect on patient age.

Background: With more than 650,000 knee arthroscopies and 175,000 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions performed annually in the United States, patients presenting for total knee arthroplasty are increasingly likely to have had previous knee surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of previous knee surgery in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and to test the hypothesis that patients with previous knee surgery undergo total knee arthroplasty at a younger age. Methods: All patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty over the study period who consented to enroll in a prospective total joint registry were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of osteoarthritis or posttraumatic arthritis. Results: Of 1372 patients in the registry, 1286 met inclusion criteria. Twenty-nine percent had a history of knee surgery, and significantly more men (39%) than women (24%) had a history of knee surgery (p < 0.0001). Patients with previous knee surgery were significantly younger (p < 0.0001) at total knee arthroplasty; the mean age (and standard deviation) was 59 ± 10 years for patients with previous knee surgery compared with 66.6 ± 10.4 years for patients without previous knee surgery. Patients with a history of ligament reconstruction underwent total knee arthroplasty at a significantly younger age (p < 0.0001) than patients with a history of other knee surgery; the mean age (and standard deviation) was 50.2 ± 9.1 years for patients with a history of ligament reconstruction and 59.9 ± 9.6 years for patients with a history of other knee surgery. Among patients who had not undergone previous knee surgery, women underwent total knee arthroplasty at a significantly younger age (p < 0.001) than men; the mean age (and standard deviation) was 65.4 ± 10.3 years for women and 69.3 ± 10 years for men. However, there was no difference in age between the sexes in those with previous knee surgery; the mean age (and standard deviation) was 58.6 ± 10.1 years for women and 59.6 ± 9.8 years for men. The average interval (and standard deviation) from previous knee surgery to total knee arthroplasty is 13.1 ± 12.6 years, longer in men (17.7 ± 13.8 years) than in women (9.1 ± 9.8 years) (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Patients with previous knee surgery undergo total knee arthroplasty at a significantly younger age than patients without previous knee surgery, especially men and patients with a history of ligament reconstruction. This may be a factor in the rising demand for total knee arthroplasty. Future investigation to identify those at risk for early total knee arthroplasty after knee surgery and to develop methods to delay or to prevent the need for future total knee arthroplasty in these patients is warranted. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Cliques on the Supreme Court: Myth or Reality

ONE OF the earliest and most stable products of behavioral research in the judicial process is the finding that judges' votes are subject to group patterning. This phenomenon has been variously labeled bloc, group, or clique voting. Attempts to make use of this data have led to explorations of judicial behavior using small group theory,' reference and classification group theory,2 and attitude theory.3 Directly, or by implication, these authors have argued that the generalizations based on these bodies of theory apply to the behavior of judges. Thus, in presenting a small group theoretic study of judicial behavior, there is the implication that a significant part of the behavior of judges, in their judicial activity, is motivated by considerations of group solidarity and intragroup harmony rather than by considerations of "objectivity" or "judicial temperament."4 Explicit statement and testing of group theory hypotheses using judicial data have been more the exception than the rule.5