cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agglomeration-flotation: recovery of hydrophobic components from oil sands fine tailings

Laboratory agglomeration-flotation tests were used to evaluate the recovery of residual bitumen from a sample of Suncor oil sands fine tailings, using ground coal as a bitumen absorbent. To improve its effectivness, the coal was preconditioned with no. 2 fuel oil, subjected to 30 s high-shear mixing and collected by flotation over 3 min. This oil-conditioned coal was then contacted with mature fine tailings for 5 min with low-shear mixing. Flotation for 5 min resulted in the recovery of 93% of the residual bitumen, compared with 85% after 40 min mixing achieved in earlier tests. Equipment to accomplish this separation has already been designed, scaled and operated for fine coal recovery from washery wastes.
Self-duality in odd dimensions

Abstract For spacetime dimension d = 4 k − 1 one may take the “square root” of the Proca equation for a massive antisymmetric tensor field. The result is a “self-dual” field which propagates half as many massive modes. We present a simple supersymmetric model for d = 3. We also discuss other types of odd-dimensional self-duality, in d = 4 k + 1 and in euclidean spaces.
Targeted therapy of thyroid cancer

Systemic chemotherapies for advanced or metastatic thyroid carcinomas have been of only limited effectiveness. For patients with differentiated or medullary carcinomas unresponsive to conventional treatments, novel therapies are needed to improve disease outcomes. Multiple novel therapies primarily targeting angiogenesis have entered clinical trials for metastatic thyroid carcinoma. Partial response rates up to 30% have been reported in single agent studies, but prolonged disease stabilization is more commonly seen. The most successful agents target the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, with potential targets including the mutant kinases associated with papillary and medullary oncogenesis. Two drugs approved for other malignancies, sorafenib and sunitinib, have had promising preliminary results reported, and are being used selectively for patients who do not qualify for clinical trials. Additional agents targeting tumor vasculature, nuclear receptors, epigenetic abnormalities, and the immune response to neoplasia have also been investigated. Randomized trials for several agents are underway that may lead to eventual drug approval for thyroid cancer. Treatment for patients with metastatic or advanced thyroid carcinoma now emphasizes clinical trial opportunities for novel agents with considerable promise. Alternative options now exist for use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are well tolerated and may prove worthy of regulatory approval for this disease.
Local investigation of the electronic properties of size-selected Au nanoparticles by scanning tunneling spectroscopy

The relationship between the structural/morphological and electronic properties of size-selected gold nanoparticles was investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. The nanoparticles were synthesized by inverse micelle encapsulation and were dip-coated on TiO2∕Ti(15nm)∕Si(111). Annealing in vacuum to 500°C resulted in the removal of the polymer and the formation of an ultrathin TiC support. Significant changes in the electronic local density of states (LDOS) of the nanoparticles, in particular, the onset of nonmetallic behavior, were observed with decreasing particle size. The nanoparticle-support interactions were studied and evidence for substrate-induced modifications in the LDOS of interfacial gold atoms is found.
Pb212 (ThB) tracer studies in adult beagle dogs.

SummaryBeagle metabolism of short-lived Pb212 has been studied following intravenous injection, and after transfusion of blood cells tagged with Pb212in vitro. The latter proved to be a satisfactory method to determine blood volume. When Pb212 was given intravenously, in vivo tagging of blood cells occurred. A maximum of 65% of the activity in cells was reached at 2 to 3 hours after injection, then Pb212 in blood cells decreased with a biological t1/2 = 37 hours and an effective t1/2 = 8.2 hours. The same decrease occurred after injection of in vitro tagged cells. In both experiments essentially all Pb212 decayed inside the dog. Half decayed in blood in the in vivo tagging experiment: 4′5 decayed in blood when tagging was done in vitro.
Reliability analysis of fault tolerant pipeline ring networks

Abstract In this paper the application of software implemented voting (ring structures) to pipeline networks is presented. The TMR characterization of the ring is extended to various topologies such as trees, cascade and locally voted pipelines. Both the aspects of reliability and data flow are analyzed in detail.
Prepregnancy body mass index and the length of gestation at term.

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and length of gestation at term. Study Design This was a retrospective study of 9336 births at the University of California, San Francisco, at ≥37 weeks’ gestation. We performed univariate and multivariable analyses of the associations between prepregnancy BMI and length of gestation (≥40, ≥41, and ≥42 weeks’ gestation). Results Overweight women were more likely to deliver at ≥40, ≥41, and ≥42 weeks’ gestation than were women who were underweight or normal weight. In multivariable analyses, higher prepregnancy BMI was associated with higher risk of progressing past 40 weeks. Obese women had 69% higher adjusted odds of reaching 42 weeks’ gestation, compared with women of normal prepregnancy BMI (adjusted odds ratio, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.31). Conclusion Higher BMI is associated with prolonged gestation at term. Achieving optimal BMI before conception may reduce the risk of postterm pregnancy and its associated complications.
Improving the specificity and stability of label-free optical biosensors

The detection of antigens, bacteria, and viruses for medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring requires the development of highly sensitive and selective biosensors. Conventionally, fluorescent immunoassays have been the primary detection platforms in complex environments, such as serum or whole blood.1–5 This technique is particularly successful due to its high specificity to the target molecule and the good signal-to-noise provided by the fluorescent molecule. However, because a dye molecule is required as a read-out mechanism, these approaches are not suitable for real-time, in-line monitoring of biological processes. In contrast, label-free optical sensors, such as those based on optical waveguides and resonant cavity devices, are able to detect the molecule itself, without the use of a secondary fluorescent probe. However, while many of these optical devices are inherently sensitive transducers, detection specificity is equally, if not more, important in many applications. Therefore, it is critical to improve the specificity of detection without degrading the device performance.6
Heart period variability and psychopathology in urban boys at risk for delinquency

To examine associations between heart period variability (HPV) and psychopathology in young urban boys at risk for delinquency, a series of 697-11-year-old younger brothers of adjudicated delinquents received a standardized psychiatric evaluation and an assessment of heart period variability (HPV). Psychiatric symptoms were rated in two domains: externalizing and internalizing psychopathology. Continuous measures of both externalizing and internalizing psychopathology were associated with reductions in HPV components related to parasympathetic activity. These associations could not be explained by a number of potentially confounding variables, such as age, ethnicity, social class, body size, or family history of hypertension. Although familial hypertension predicted reduced HPV and externalizing psychopathology, associations between externalizing psychopathology and HPV were independent of familial hypertension. Psychiatric symptoms are associated with reduced HPV in young urban boys at risk for delinquency.
AC stark effect and multiphoton processes in atoms

Abstract The strong light field of a laser induces multiphoton processes in atoms. Simultaneously, this light field causes distortion of the atomic spectra — it shifts, splits, and broadens the levels. These phenomena have to be taken into account in interpreting experimental results of multiphoton processes. The basic phenomenon of level distortion in a light field is reviewed and the effects caused by the level distortions in some multiphoton processes is discussed.
Oligosaccharide trimming plays a role in the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation of tyrosinase.

The effect of glucosidase and mannosidase inhibitors on the ER-associated degradation of tyrosinase was assessed in transiently transfected COS-7 cells. We found that the glucosidase inhibitors castanospermine and deoxynojirimycin had very little effect on tyrosinase degradation, whereas the mannosidase inhibitors deoxymannojirimycin and kifunensine significantly delayed the rate of tyrosinase degradation as measured by pulse-chase analysis. In addition, we show that tyrosinase degradation is sensitive to the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin and that tyrosinase associates with endogenous calnexin in COS-7 cells. Our data support a model of tyrosinase degradation that involves mannose trimming, calnexin association, and the retrograde transport of tyrosinase from the ER to the cytosol for proteasomal degradation. The pathways of tyrosinase degradation have important ramifications with regard to the exact types of antigenic epitopes that are presented to the immune system.
Depressive disorders in childhood III. A longitudinal study of comorbidity with and risk for conduct disorders

As part of a longitudinal nosologic study of major depressive disorder (MDD), dysthymic disorder, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood in 104 school-aged probands, the prevalence and consequences of comorbid conduct disorders (CD) were examined. During the index depressive episodes, 16% of the patients had comorbid CD; during the full study observation 23% had CD; and the estimated time-dependent risk of conduct disorder developing was 36% by age 19. For most cases, comorbid CD developed as a complication of the depression and persisted after the depression remitted. Comorbid CD was not differentially associated with the type of depression at study entry, did not affect depressive symptom presentation, was similarly distributed among boys and girls, and was unrelated to demographic factors. Additionally, comorbid CD did not affect recovery from the index depressive episodes and did not influence the symptom-free interval before a recurrent depression among cases with MDD. The risk of CD developing was not altered by chronologically earlier family variables or demographic factors. But girls who had attention deficit disorder, compared to those who did not, seemed to be at higher risk for CD during study observation. Finally, in this depressed cohort, having CD any time was associated with an increased rate of long-term functional problems.
Delayed Treatment for Rectal Cancer

Reports of the relationship between length of delay before diagnosis of rectal cancer and stage of the disease have been mixed. The present study documented the magnitude and medical ramifications of delay in diagnosing rectal cancer. One hundred twenty patients who had been recently diagnosed with rectal cancer provided information regarding history of symptoms and initial perceptions of those symptoms. Patients also estimated the time elapsed from onset of symptoms until their first consultation with a physician, as well as time elapsed from consultation until the diagnosis of rectal cancer was made. Stage information was gathered from patient charts. For 106 of the patients, the first sign of rectal cancer was in the form of symptoms, and the most common first symptom was rectal bleeding. For the remaining 14 patients, their cancer was first discovered through routine examination. Over 75 percent of patients with symptoms did not initially believe that they were caused by cancer or any other serious problem, and over 50 percent attributed their symptoms to hemorrhoids. There was a clear trend, albeit statistically nonsignificant, toward worsening disease with longer delays. Median delay times in weeks were Stage I (10.0 weeks), Stage II (14.0 weeks), Stage III (18.5 weeks), and Stage IV (26.0 weeks). Delayed diagnosis for rectal cancer remains a significant problem, with instances of delay attributable to both patient and physician. Delayed diagnosis can result in more serious disease and, when attributable to the physician, can result in damaged trust and sometimes legal action.
Quantum dots and microfluidic single-molecule detection for screening genetic and epigenetic cancer markers in clinical samples

Genomic analysis of biomarkers, including genetic markers such as point mutations and epigenetic markers such as DNA methylation, has become a central theme in modern disease diagnosis and prognosis. Recently there is an increasing interest in using single-molecule detection (SMD) for genomic detection. The driving force not only comes from its ultrahigh sensitivity that can allow the detection of low-abundance nucleic acids with reduced or without the need of amplification but also from its potential in achieving high-accuracy quantification of rare targets via singlemolecule sorting. The unique photophysical properties of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have made them ideal for use as spectral labels and luminescent probes. QDs also make excellent donors to pair with organic dyes in the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) process due to the features of narrow emission spectra and small Stokes shift. We have developed highly sensitive, quantitative and clinically relevant technologies for analysis of genomic markers based on the convergence of SMD, microfluidic manipulations, and quantum dot fluorescence resonance energy transfer technology (QD-FRET). Extraordinary performances of these new technologies have been exemplified by analysis of a variety of biomarkers including point mutations, DNA integrity and DNA methylation in clinical samples.
Stabilizing new morphologies by blending homopolymer with block copolymer.

We examine weakly segregated blends of $\mathrm{AB}$ diblock copolymer and $A$ homopolymer using self-consistent field theory. The addition of homopolymer to a diblock melt is found to stabilize new ordered morphologies: close-packed spheres, hexagonally perforated lamellae, and bicontinuous cubic ( ${\mathrm{Q}}_{\mathrm{Pn}\overline{3}m}$ and ${\mathrm{Q}}_{\mathrm{Ia}\overline{3}d}$) phases. We find highly swollen phases that we associate with spherical, cylindrical, and lamellar micellar regions, and with disordered struts.
Protein−solute interactions affect the outcome of ultrafiltration/diafiltration operations

Protein production operations often involve a final diafiltration of the protein into formulation buffer. For several Amgen product proteins, post-diafiltration assays revealed a significant difference in molar excipient concentrations on the retentate and the permeate side of the membrane. For example, post-diafiltration assays of formulated 200 mg/mL human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist showed molar chloride concentrations up to 30% lower than those of the diafiltration buffer. Deviations from expected results were also observed in cases where a fusion conjugate protein (AMG-719) was formulated by dialysis in 10 mM acetate and where PEGylated soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (PEG-sTNF-RI) was formulated in 270 mM glycine and 10 mM histidine. Classical thermodynamic theory describing intermolecular interactions predicts that the partitioning of small solutes during dialysis will be dependent on the protein concentration, charge, and surface area. This study illustrates methods to approximate these effects using readily available protein data (theoretical titration curves based on protein sequence, density information, etc.). Additionally, guidelines are provided to determine when intermolecular interactions are likely to significantly impact the outcome of dialysis/diafiltration operations.
Nature of oxygen dopant-induced states in high-temperature Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x superconductors: A photoemission investigation

We investigate the nature of oxygen dopant-induced electronic states in the high-temperature Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x superconductor by measuring photoemission spectra of underdoped, optimally doped, and overdoped samples using a wide photon energy range (15-100 e
Larval retention, entrainment, and accumulation in the lee of a small headland: Recruitment hotspots along windy coasts

We surveyed crustacean larvae in the plankton in the lee of Bodega Head, California, for 2 months during late spring and summer and cross-correlated the larval abundance and stage of development of 16 taxa with 8 indicators of upwelling-relaxation conditions. Larvae in all stages of development for 11 of these taxa were entrained and accumulated in a recirculation feature in Bodega Bay, found in the lee of this small headland as soon as upwelling-favorable winds began, and persisted until winds weakened. The remaining taxa were more prevalent during relaxation events when the recirculation feature dissipated and a poleward coastal current transported larvae into and through the bay. During upwelling conditions, a vertically sheared flow occurs in the lee of the headland that accounts for the accumulation of plankton. However, larval behavior did not have a substantial effect on density and persistence in the lee of the headland, regardless of whether taxa were more prevalent during upwelling or relaxation conditions or whether they developed entirely nearshore or migrated offshore later in development. Thus, larvae and postlarvae of many, diverse taxa are concentrated in the plankton in the lee of small headlands in upwelling areas, which is consistent with previously reported recruitment hot spots in small upwelling bays. These headland-related hot spots increase spatial structure in population density and community structure in recruitment-limited upwelling regions and other wind-driven coasts.
Reaction-Path Dynamics and Theoretical Rate Constants for the CH3F + Cl → HCl + CH2F Reaction by Direct Dynamics Method

Ab initio calculations were carried out for the hydrogen abstraction reaction from fluoromethane by chlorine atom. Optimized geometries and frequencies were computed at the MP2/6-31+G(d) level of theory for reactants, products, and transition state, as well as 15 points along the minimum energy path (MEP). Energies were obtained by a single-point calculation at the QCISD(T)/6-311G(d,p) and MP2/6-311+G(3df,2p) levels of theory to produce the potential energy information at the G2(MP2) level of theory. The vibrational adiabatic potential curve was found to have two barriers due to large variational effects in this system. The rate constants were calculated for the temperature range 200−700 K by using variational transition state theory (VTST) with simple tunneling corrections. While a general agreement was found with experimental values when using improved canonical VTST for most of the temperature range, the calculated Arrhenius slope was too steep in comparison to experiment for lower temperatures.
Luminescence Properties of Silicon Nanocrystals

Weblike aggregates of coalesced Si nanocrystals are produced by a laser vaporization -controlled condensation technique. SEM micrographs show particles with ~ 10 nm diameters but the Raman shift suggests the presence of particles as small as ~ 4 nm. FTIR of the freshly prepared particles shows weak peaks due to the stretching, bending and rocking vibrations of the Si-O-Si bonds indicating the presence of a surface oxidized layer SiOx (x<2). The particles show luminescence properties that are similar to those of porous Si and Si nanoparticles produced by other techniques. The nanoparticles do not luminesce unless, by exposure to air, they acquire the SiOx passivated coating. They show a short-lived blue emission characteristic of the SiO2 coating and a biexponential longer-lived red emission. The short lifetime component of the red emission, about 12 μs, does not depend on emission wavelength. The longer-lived component has a lifetime that ranges from 90 to over 130 μs (at 300 K), increasing with emission wavelength. The results are consistent with the quantum confinement mechanism as the source of the red photoluminescence.
Phase transfer catalyzed synthesis of indazoles from o‐alkylbenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborates

Reactions of o-methyl- and o-ethylbenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborates with two equivalents of potassium acetate and five mole percent of 18-crown-6 in ethanol-free chloroform produce indazoles in good to excellent yields. Indazoles bearing either electron-withdrawing or electron-donating substituents may be prepared.
Technical Report: Computation on the Extended Complex Plane and Conformal Mapping of Multiply-connected Domains

We introduce a system for computation on the extended complex plane based on the Type-Two Effectivity approach to computable analysis. Included are computations on meromorphic functions, open sets, and closed sets. Applications to Mobius transformations, boundaries of multiply connected domains, and conformal mapping of multiply connected domains are considered.
Establishing a Behavioral Context for Learning for Students with Autism

The principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) have demonstrated utility for promoting learning and behavior change in students with autism spectrum disorders. ABA provides an effective technolo...
Complex Visual Hallucinations as Post-Ictal Cortical Release Phenomena

Visual hallucinations can be elementary or complex and appear in a wide variety of neurological disorders. Hallucinations associated with seizures can either be ictal or part of a post-ictal cortical release phenomenon, and their features may help distinguish their etiology. We describe two patients with suspected ictal occipital lobe lesions with elementary hallucinations that were followed by post-ictal complex hallucinations. The pathophysiologies of elementary and complex hallucinations are reviewed. The sequential occurrence of these two distinct types of hallucinations in these patients emphasizes the observation that hallucinations associated with seizures can result from both irritative and cortical release mechanisms.
Varenicline may reduce negative effect while aiding smoking cessation

Commentary on: Cinciripini PM, Robinson JD, Karam-Hage M, et al. Effects of varenicline and bupropion sustained-release use plus intensive smoking cessation counseling on prolonged abstinence from smoking and on depression, negative affect, and other symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. JAMA Psychiatry 2013;70:522–33.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Cigarette smoking remains the most important cause of preventable morbidity and premature mortality, with projected annual tobacco-attributable deaths worldwide estimated to reach nearly 6.5 million by 2015.1 The most effective treatment for tobacco dependence is combined behavioural and pharmacological therapy, which is widely available yet underemployed. Most attempts to quit smoking are still unaided, and surveys suggest that pharmacological treatment is often not used optimally.2 Even when used effectively, most attempts to quit smoking with pharmacological support still result in relapse … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%2BPsychiatry%26rft.volume%253D70%26rft.spage%253D522%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjamapsychiatry.2013.678%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F23536105%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.678&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=23536105&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F19%2F1%2F23.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000322204200009&link_type=ISI
Transport, metabolism and elimination mechanisms of anti-HIV agents.

Currently available anti-HIV drugs can be classified into three categories: nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and protease inhibitors. Knowledge of these anti-HIV drugs in various physiological or pharmacokinetic compartments is essential for design and development of drug delivery systems for the treatment of HIV infection. The input and output of anti-HIV drugs in the biological systems are described by their transport and metabolism/elimination in this review. Transport mechanisms of anti-HIV agents across various biological barriers, i.e., gastrointestinal wall, skin, mucosa, blood cerebrospinal barrier, blood-brain barrier, placenta, and cellular membranes, are discussed. Their fates during and after systemic absorption and their metabolism-related drug interactions are reviewed. Many anti-HIV drugs presently marketed in the US bear some significant drawbacks such as relatively short half-life, low bioavailability, poor penetration into the central nervous system, and undesirable side effects. Efforts have been made to design drug delivery systems for the anti-HIV agents to: (1) reduce the dosing frequency; (2) increase the bioavailability and decrease the degradation/metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract; (3) improve the CNS penetration and inhibit the CNS efflux; and (4) deliver them to target cells selectively with minimal side effects. We hope to stimulate further interests in the area of controlled delivery of anti-HIV agents by providing current status of transport and metabolism/elimination of these agents.
Information-theoretic CAD system in mammography: Entropy-based indexing for computational efficiency and robust performance

We have previously presented a knowledge-based computer-assisted detection (KB-CADe) system for the detection of mammographic masses. The system is designed to compare a query mammographic region with mammographic templates of known ground truth. The templates are stored in an adaptive knowledge database. Image similarity is assessed with information theoretic measures (e.g., mutual information) derived directly from the image histograms. A previous study suggested that the diagnostic performance of the system steadily improves as the knowledge database is initially enriched with more templates. However, as the database increases in size, an exhaustive comparison of the query case with each stored template becomes computationally burdensome. Furthermore, blind storing of new templates may result in redundancies that do not necessarily improve diagnostic performance. To address these concerns we investigated an entropy-based indexing scheme for improving the speed of analysis and for satisfying database storage restrictions without compromising the overall diagnostic performance of our KB-CADe system. The indexing scheme was evaluated on two different datasets as (i) a search mechanism to sort through the knowledge database, and (ii) a selection mechanism to build a smaller, concise knowledge database that is easier to maintain but still effective. There were two important findings in the study. First, entropy-based indexing is an effective strategy to identify fast a subset of templates that are most relevant to a given query. Only this subset could be analyzed in more detail using mutual information for optimized decision making regarding the query. Second, a selective entropy-based deposit strategy may be preferable where only high entropy cases are maintained in the knowledge database. Overall, the proposed entropy-based indexing scheme was shown to reduce the computational cost of our KB-CADe system by 55% to 80% while maintaining the system's diagnostic performance.
Sonograhic Evaluation of Scrotal and Penile Trauma

Although physical examination is adequate in evaluating superficial injuries of scrotal and penile trauma, imaging is frequently performed to assess the vascular integrity and severity of injury. Ultrasound plays a significant role in evaluating the morphologic changes to the testis and penis. Color flow Doppler assesses the organ blood perfusion and localizes the vascular disruption, if any. The commonest scrotal injury is sports related, followed by motor vehicle accidents. Scrotal trauma can result in testicular rupture, fracture, dislocation, torsion, and hematocele. The major cause of penile injury is sex-related activity that results in penile fracture. This article discusses the role of sonography in scrotal and penile trauma and emphasizes the role of color and power Doppler and gray-scale imaging.
Declining ovarian reserve adversely influences granulosa cell viability.

Objective To identify if declining ovarian reserve adversely influences granulosa cell (GC) parameters in patients undergoing IVF. Design Prospective study. Setting Academic IVF Center. Patient(s) Twenty-four women undergoing IVF. Intervention(s) Mural and cumulus GCs were harvested (at time of egg retrieval). Main Outcome Measure(s) Influence of ovarian reserve, reflected by maximal basal FSH levels, on GC (cumulative, mural, and cumulus) counts and viability were investigated. Result(s) The FSH levels demonstrated an inverse correlation with cumulative and mural, but not cumulus, GC viability. Adverse influence of increasing FSH on cumulative GC viability was independent of patient's age. The GC counts were uninfluenced by ovarian reserve status. Neither GC count nor viability demonstrated any relationship with clinical pregnancy after IVF. Conclusion(s) We observed an adverse association between declining ovarian reserve and GC parameters. We believe these findings may partly explain the suboptimal reproductive performance in these women.
Public perceptions of global warming

This study explored public perceptions of global warming and the diverse meanings that lay people attribute to the phenomenon. The data came from six weeks of observation of visitors to a special Smithsonian Institution exhibit on global warming. The focus of the fieldwork was to document the meanings that people gave to global warming and related concepts during their tour of the exhibit by recording the comments, questions, and other narrative accounts of the visitors. Six weeks of field research yielded approximately 150 individual observations of visitor’s interpretations of global warming, energy consumption, the greenhouse effect, nonrenewable resources, pollution, and ozone depletion. Three patterns emerged from the data: a gradient of knowledge with the attentive public falling between the average citizen and those who have become engaged, a catastrophism that represents a reverse availability heuristic, and a belief in the robustness of the biosphere. While each of these have some relation to previous work, it would be useful to see if survey-based or experimental studies confirm these tentative conclusions.
Incremental Hybrid Approach for Microarray Classification

The work presented in this paper describes an incremental hybrid approach that employs principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) methods for microarray classification. The paper first describes a hybrid approach that incorporates PCA and Fisher linear discriminant analysis (FDA) for microarray classification. This hybrid approach effectively solves the singular scatter matrix problem caused by small training samples. To increase the effective dimension of the projected subspace the use of MDA instead of FDA is explored. To improve the performance of the system the data is projected to several subspaces incrementally. The resulting incremental hybrid system improves the accuracy of classification. The paper discusses a comprehensive evaluation of the hybrid systems. The hybrid systems were tested on a dataset of 62 samples (40 colon tumor and 22 normal colon tissue). The results show that the use of incremental hybrid system increased the accuracy of classification of microarray data which will lead to better diagnosis of cancer and other diseases.
Assessing Self-Efficacy for Safe and Independent Living: A Cross-Sectional Study in Vulnerable Older Adults

In older adults, impaired performance in instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) is associated with vulnerability to harm and diminished capability for safe and independent living. Self-reported measures, despite their limitations, are increasingly used to identify vulnerability in community-living older adults and may not provide accurate evidence of an older adults ability to live safely an independently. A cross-sectional study of 100 older adults with adult protective service substanitated self-neglecting behavior(s), and 100 matched community-living comparisons was conducted to evalaute the association between ADL self-efficacy (ADL-SE) and performance on standardized testing. The Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS) and a validated self-report measure of efficacy to perform activities of daily living (ADL) are used. In older adults whose vulnerability presents as self-neglecting behaviors, ADL-SE may not be associated with ADL performance on standardized testing but may still reflect the...
The dependence of the output of an external-cavity laser on the relative phases of inputs from five gain elements

Five diode lasers that each have one facet antireflection (AR) coated are fiber coupled into an external-cavity and operated as a coherent ensemble. The external-cavity laser output power and spectrum are functions of the relative phases of the inputs from the optical fibers. The phases can be adjusted for an optimum single-mode spectrum simultaneous with maximum output power. In this case, the residual reflections from the AR-coated facets are also properly phased. Dephasing reduces the output power and tunes the wavelength through a series of discrete, lower-power maxima. These maxima occur at wavelengths for which the fiber inputs to the cavity are again in phase but the reflections from the AR-coated facets are not in phase. >
Effects of Training and Feedback on Teachers’ Use of Classroom Preventive Practices

This study examined the effects of in-service training with performance feedback on preschool teachers’ use of classroom preventive practices. Three practices designed to prevent challenging behavi...
Longitudinal models of socio-economic status Impact on positive parenting behaviors

Parenting research is frequently conducted without a thorough examination of socio-economic characteristics. In this study, longitudinal observations of positive parenting were conducted across six time points. Participants were 219 mothers of children with and without developmental delays. Mothers’ positive parenting increased during early and middle childhood in children with and without developmental delays. Mothers who reported more education had significantly higher levels of positive parenting when their children were 3 years old. Mothers who reported more family income grew at a significantly faster rate in positive parenting. There was preliminary support that mothers with more income were more likely to be members of a class that started off and remained at a higher level of positive parenting over time. Implications are discussed.
Renal transplantation using belatacept without maintenance steroids or calcineurin inhibitors

Kidney transplantation remains limited by toxicities of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) and steroids. Belatacept is a less toxic CNI alternative, but existing regimens rely on steroids and have higher rejection rates. Experimentally, donor bone marrow and sirolimus promote belatacept's efficacy. To investigate a belatacept-based regimen without CNIs or steroids, we transplanted recipients of live donor kidneys using alemtuzumab induction, monthly belatacept and daily sirolimus. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive unfractionated donor bone marrow. After 1 year, patients were allowed to wean from sirolimus. Patients were followed clinically and with surveillance biopsies. Twenty patients were transplanted, all successfully. Mean creatinine (estimated GFR) was 1.10 ± 0.07 mg/dL (89 ± 3.56 mL/min) and 1.13 ± 0.07 mg/dL (and 88 ± 3.48 mL/min) at 12 and 36 months, respectively. Excellent results were achieved irrespective of bone marrow infusion. Ten patients elected oral immunosuppressant weaning, seven of whom were maintained rejection-free on monotherapy belatacept. Those failing to wean were successfully maintained on belatacept-based regimens supplemented by oral immunosuppression. Seven patients declined immunosuppressant weaning and three patients were denied weaning for associated medical conditions; all remained rejection-free. Belatacept and sirolimus effectively prevent kidney allograft rejection without CNIs or steroids when used following alemtuzumab induction. Selected, immunologically low-risk patients can be maintained solely on once monthly intravenous belatacept.
Supporting Change in Teacher Education

Abstract Sponsored by a Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology(PT3) grant, we participated in various activities designed to help us learn to infuse technology in our teacher education courses. The purpose of this paper is to describe the specific impact of the PT3 project activities on our change process-including the formation, evolution, and efforts of our curriculum design team-and to share the activities and products that we developed through participation in the grant activities.
Severe venous neointimal hyperplasia prior to dialysis access surgery.

Background. Venous neointimal hyperplasia is the most common cause of arteriovenous (AV) fistula and graft dysfunction following dialysis access surgery. However, the pathogenetic impact of pre-existing venous neointimal hyperplasia at the time of AV access creation on final clinical success is currently unknown in the setting of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The aim of this study was to perform a detailed histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical analysis of vein specimens in advanced CKD and ESRD patients collected at the time of new vascular access placement. Methods. Vein samples from 12 patients were collected at the time of AV access creation near the site of AV anastomosis. Histological, immunohistochemistry and morphometric studies were performed on these vein samples. Results. Examination of the tissue specimens obtained at the time of surgery showed neointimal hyperplasia in 10 of 12 specimens, ranging from minimal to very severe. The majority of cells within the neointima were myofibroblasts with a minority of contractile smooth muscle cells present. Conclusion. Our work represents a detailed description of the morphometric and cellular phenotypic lesions present in the veins of CKD and ESRD patients, prior to dialysis access placement. These studies (i) suggest the future possibility of a new predictive marker (pre-existing venous neointimal hyperplasia) for AV dialysis access dysfunction and (ii) open the door for the future development of novel local therapies for optimization of the venous substrate on which the dialysis access is created.
Weight-based rejection sensitivity: Scale development and implications for well-being

We integrated theories of social stigma and rejection sensitivity to develop a new construct for understanding the effects of day-to-day experiences of interpersonal weight stigma: weight-based rejection sensitivity (W-RS), or a tendency to anxiously expect weight-based rejection. We created a new scale to measure W-RS. Studies 1 and 2 together established the scale as valid and reliable in a college student population. Study 3 examined the outcomes and predictive validity of W-RS by testing the effects of W-RS longitudinally across college students' first semester. Those who were high in W-RS were found to be at additional risk for compromised psychological and physical well-being over time. W-RS also predicted poorer adjustment to college. Overall, W-RS could help to explain individual reactions to stigma and to predict when weight stigmatization may have a greater likelihood of impacting a target.
Abstract 20: Vitamin D Deficiency Exacerbates Ischemic Cell Loss and Sensory Motor Dysfunction in an Experimental Stroke Model.

Vitamin D deficiency is widespread and considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and events such as stroke, and low Vitamin D (VD) levels are predictive for stroke and more fatal strokes in humans. VD’s ability to act as a selective endocrine and immunomodulator suggests a role for this hormone in reducing stroke-induced inflammation in the brain. However, the specific contribution of Vitamin D deficiency to stroke is not clear since it occurs with other co-morbid conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, which are also risk factors for cerebrovascular disease. To directly assess the impact of VD deficiency on stroke severity, adult female rats were fed control or VD deficient (VDD) diet for 6 weeks. The VDD diet reduced circulating VD levels to 25% of controls (p
Genetics of superoxide dismutase in the forest tent caterpillar and other organisms

The electrophoretic assay of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in Malacosoma disstria revealed a total of 13 bands arranged in 9 patterns. One locus, composed of bands 28, 32, 36 was polymorphic in some locations. Band frequencies varied by location, but not by generation or by time in the laboratory. Significant interactions between sibling groups and SOD types for development time suggest that selective advantage is a function of genetic background. SOD, an important enzyme protecting diverse organisms against the toxic radicals of oxygen, has been extensively analyzed by biochemists. Geneticists have assayed individuals and populations for the smae enzyme, calling it tetrazolium oxidase (TO). The biochemistry and genetics literatures were reviewed and results from the two disciplines were discussed.
Parasites of mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi Girard, from five locations in Utah and Wasatch counties, Utah

Between 1983 and 1985, 97 mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi Girard, were examined from five collection sites in central Utah for parasites. Eight different species of parasites were observed, representing seven genera of Protozoa ( Plistophora, Myxidium, Myxobolus, Ichthyophthirius, Trichodina, Apiosoma, Eimeria ) and one genus of Nematoda ( Rhabdochona ). The highest number of parasites was found in sculpin from the Provo River near residential areas, while the lowest number was recorded from Hobble Creek, a nearby pristine area. A complete list of parasites for C. bairdi with literature citations is presented. Each observed parasite is discussed emphasizing pathogenesis to the host.
Medical Imaging Techniques Combining Light and Ultrasound

The combination of light and ultrasound can lead to new medical imaging techniques combining the spectroscopic capability of light with the spatial resolution of ultrasound. Spectroscopy can be used to measure blood volume and blood oxygen, but because most biological tissues are highly scattering at optical wavelengths, spatial resolution is poor. Ultrasound provides excellent resolution, but not good soft-tissue contrast. There are many techniques for combining light and ultrasound, but the two discussed in this paper have emerged as having the most promise for medical applications. In the first, optoacoustic imaging, an acoustic pulse is generated by a pulse of laser light, and the detected sound is used to produce an image. In the second, acousto-photonic imaging, ultrasound modulates laser light used for diffusive optical tomography. Both of these techniques show promise for a variety of medical applications.
Precipitation of blood sera with a cationic detergent. A clinical evaluation.

Summary1. The sera of 234 subjects were tested with Bradosol, a total of 294 tests being carried out. 2. A significatly greater percentage of positive reactions was noted in malignancy than in non—malignant disease.
Frankfurters Made from Broiler and Turkey Necks Mechanically Deboned Using Two Different Machines

Abstract Comparisons were made of frankfurters prepared from separate batches of skinned broiler and turkey necks, mechanically deboned in two different machines. Raw, mechanically deboned poultry meat was sampled for water, fat, ash, and protein analysis; frankfurter batches were formulated to have approximately the same seasoning and finished proximate composition. Evaluations included shear-press values, yields, proximate analyses, and sensory examinations, using triangle difference-testing. Raw, mechanically deboned (MD) broiler meat contained significantly more fat and significantly less protein than raw MD turkey meat, although the differences were less than 3%. Ash contents for both species were slightly higher from one of the deboning machines; the MD turkey meat had more ash than the broiler meat. There were no differences in the moisture contents of the raw meats. No significant differences were observed in the moisture, fat, ash, and protein contents for any of the frankfurters. There were no differences in yields. Shear data indicated that the MD turkey-meat frankfurters were significantly firmer than the MD broiler-meat frankfurters. In the triangle test, panelists were able to distinguish between frankfurters made from two types of MD poultry meat (due to texture) but not between MD poultry-meat frankfurters using meat from the two deboning machines.
Shape of scapular fossae in freshwater and marine dolphins

Recent studies of the cetacean shoulder attributed variation in morphology to differences in behavior. However, the extent to which such variations are phylogenetic versus functional in origin remains unresolved. Scapular morphology as a function of taxonomic affinity and environment in three species of dolphins was examined in the present study. Data were based on linear measurements from cleaned and dried right scapulae of adult specimens of Pontoporia blainvillei, Inia geoffrensis , and Delphinus delphis . Triangles were constructed to represent shapes of supraspinous, infraspinous, and teres major fossae and subjected to tensor biometric analysis. Significant differences existed between species for mean relative size and shape of these fossae. The marine P. blainvillei differed from another iniid, I. geoffrensis (freshwater), in the shape of scapular fossae related to forelimb rotation, but was similar in these fossae to D. delphis . The latter was a more distantly related marine dolphin. The musculature of these fossae may be of particular interest for future biomechanical studies of the forelimb of marine dolphins.
Shock/Nonlinear Harmonic Wave Interaction

*† ‡ This study is a computational investigation of a normal shock wave interacting with strongly and weakly nonlinear, longitudinal harmonic waves created by an oscillating wall. The interaction is examined over a range of oscillating amplitudes and incident shock Mach numbers. The effects of the interaction on fluctuating kinetic energy, observed frequency of oscillation, and shock speed are presented. Departures from the observations of previous investigations based on linear oscillations are noted. Nomenclature I a = speed of sound at initial conditions (dimensional) f = non-dimensional fundamental frequency of fluctuating velocity S M = shock Mach number referenced to I a W M = amplitude Mach number of oscillating wall referenced to I a