cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emergency department visits by children with and without autism spectrum disorder: An initial comparison evaluating multiple outcome measures at one urban children's hospital

Abstract Hospitals everywhere, especially children's hospitals, attempt to give exceptional care to all of their patients regardless of race, religion, socio-economic class, or intellectual ability. We evaluated data collected in the emergency department of a children's hospital, comparing duration of visit in minutes, chief complaint upon arrival to the emergency department, mode of arrival to the emergency department, method of obtaining patient history, demographic information, medications prescribed, medical testing, laboratory testing, diagnosis at discharge, billing code(s) used by the hospital per visit, and the type of insurance billed for services for patients with and without autism spectrum disorder. Results showed no differences were found between the presenting complaint provided by the caretaker upon entering the emergency department and the medical diagnosis for which the patient was actually treated within the emergency department. The tests also showed that there was a significant association between the categories of presenting complaints and whether or not the patient had autism spectrum disorder. The arrival mode to the emergency department was not significantly different between those with and without autism spectrum disorder. There was no significant difference existing between the two groups regarding cost of medical services provided and no significant difference existed between the two groups for the number of laboratory tests, medical tests, or total tests conducted, as well as no significant difference was found between the two groups was found in the length of hospital stay.
Talking about Music: Interviews with Disabled and Nondisabled Children

The purpose of this study was to describe, categorize, and compare data concerning music preferences, experiences, and skills obtained from interviews with 228 students labeled “disabled” (n = 73) ...
Searching under the Streetlight for Useful Software Analytics

For more than 15 years, researchers at the Collaborative Software Development Laboratory at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have looked for analytics that help developers understand and improve development processes and products. This article reviews that research and discusses the trade-off between studying easily obtained analytics and studying richer analytics with higher overhead.
Role of inter-particle collision on solids acceleration in riser

Abstract Collision among particles plays a significant role in governing the structure of gas–solids flow in a riser, especially in the dense and acceleration region. The inter-particle collision is the major cause not only for the kinetic energy dissipation (in terms of additional pressure drop beyond the solids hold-up) but also for the control of solids acceleration (in terms of a balancing force to prevent a free acceleration of solids). A neglect of the balancing force of inter-particle collision against the hydrodynamic force in the solids momentum equation would simply overestimate the solids acceleration or concentration while underestimate the axial gradient of pressure along the riser by a large margin, typically by up to two orders of magnitude. This paper aims to illustrate the importance of the collision on the characteristic of the gas–solids riser flow. Our analysis shows that the collision force should be of the same order of magnitude as that of the drag force in the dense and acceleration region, which can be far beyond that of gravitational force on solids. A simple formulation of the collision force is therefore proposed to bear a similar format of drag force, with regard to the dependence upon local solids properties. With the inclusion of the proposed correlation of collision force in the solids momentum equation, our model would be able to yield reasonable phase distributions of gas–solid flows, which can be validated, in a bulk range, against available measurements of solids volume fraction and axial gradient of pressure.
Analysis of nutR: A region of phage lambda required for antitermination of transcription

The N gene product of coliphage lambda acts with host factors (Nus) through sites (nut) to render subsequent downstream transcription resistant to a variety of termination signals. These sites, nutR and nutL, are downstream, respectively, from the early promoters PR and PL. Thus a complicated set of molecular interactions are likely to occur at the nut sites. We have selected mutations in the nutR region that reduce the effectiveness of pN in altering transcription initiating at the PR promoter. DNA sequence analysis of three independently selected mutations revealed, in each case, a deletion of a single base pair in the cro gene. Consideration of the effect of such mutations on the extension of translation of cro message into the adjacent downstream nut region led to the identification of a consensus sequence CGCTCT(T)TAA that appears to play a role in the recognition of a host factor, possibly the NusA protein.
Tolerating force: a contextual analysis of the meaning of tolerance

This study employs college student survey data to examine the specific social conditions that influence tolerance of the use of force against children. The findings reveal that a certain ambivalence exists regarding parental force to control the behavior of children. Although the respondents are tolerant of parental force used to counteract disrespectful provocations by children, they are less tolerant of force used to counteract age-related misbehaviors. Implications of these findings are discussed in light of current and future social and family policy.
Considerations in dosage selection for third generation cephalosporins.

Pharmacokinetic parameters of third generation cephalosporins vary widely, requiring different dosage regimens and adjustment methods for each agent. Although their antibacterial spectrum favours their usage in infections caused by aerobic Gram-negative organisms, due to their limited postantibiotic effect against these organisms, dosage regimens should ensure that free drug concentrations at the site of infection remain above the minimum inhibitory concentration for as much of the dosage interval as possible in patients with normal host defence mechanisms and for the entire dosage interval in immunocompromised patients. Altered protein binding encountered in various disease states can affect both microbiological and pharmacokinetic properties especially for drugs with high protein binding. Since the concentrations at the site of action are often different from those in serum, a higher or lower range of dosages needs to be selected depending on the target site. Decreased renal function affects the elimination of most third generation cephalosporins, whereas the presence of hepatic disease does not generally necessitate dosage adjustment. Because of the complex age-related physiological changes in paediatric and elderly patients, dosage should be adjusted on the basis of the reported pharmacokinetic data in these populations. The usual recommended dose may or may not be optimal in a given condition depending on the complex interactions between pharmacokinetic, microbiological and other host factors.
Heat flow in the Basin and Range province and thermal effects of tectonic extension

In regions of tectonic extension, vertical convective transport of heat in the lithosphere is inevitable. The resulting departure of lithosphere temperature and thickness from conduction-model estimates depends upon the mechanical mode of extension and upon how rapidly extension is (and has been) taking place. Present knowledge of these processes is insufficient to provide adequate constraints on thermal models. The high and variable regional heat flow and the intense local heat discharge at volcanic centers in the Basin and Range province of the United States could be accounted for by regional and local variations in extensional strain rate without invoking anomalous conductive heat flow from the asthenosphere. Anomalous surface heat flow typical of the province could be generated by distributed extension at average rates of about 1/2 to 1%/m.y., similar to rates estimated from structural evidence. To account for higher heat flow in subregions like the Battle mountain High, these rates would be increased by a factor of about 3, and locally at active bimodal volcanic centers, by an order of magnitude more.
Polychromatic energy-dispersive neutron diffraction at a continuous source

A design for a continuous source, polychromatic beam powder neutron diffractometer based on an energy-dispersive detection methodology is proposed. Such an instrument would offer significantly higher incident neutron flux, with an attendant increase in data collection rate, reducing the time per scan from hours to seconds. Completely passive components are conceived for neutron bandwidth shaping, and detection is achieved using a massively parallel analyzer/detector system, making installation and operation of the instrument comparatively simple. The proposed instrument is intended to be used for rapid structural characterizations of small samples or for kinetic studies of materials undergoing structural or magnetic phase changes.
The Relationship of Dissociation Proneness to Secondary Trauma, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction in Mobile Crisis Workers

This study examined the relationship between general dissociation experiences (DES) and dissociation absorption experiences (DESAB) to secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout (BO), and compassion satisfaction (CS). Mobile crisis workers in Maine (N = 30) anonymously completed the Dissociative Experiences Scale II and the Professional Quality of Life Scale; biographical data was masked. Results indicated high resiliency in this sample as 80% of scores reflected CS, while 24% of scores reflected STS and 7% reflected BO. Analysis produced moderate, statistically significant correlations between STS and DES (r = .31); STS and DESAB (r = .32); BO and DES (r = .44); and BO and DESAB (r = .43). CS and DES/DESAB did not yield a significant correlation. This suggests a previously unreported relationship between dissociation vulnerability and the experience of STS and BO. Findings warrant further study of STS as a manifestation of a primary trauma disorder and not a distinct category. Results can inform mental health provider training and burnout prevention efforts.
Ghrelin ameliorates TNF-a induced anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects and promotes intestinal epithelial restitution

Abstract Introduction: TNF-a is one of the major cytokine released by the invading mucosal leukocytes during acute exacerbations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It interferes with the inherent restitutive potential of mucosal epithelial cells through inhibition of proliferation, cell migration and induction of cellular apoptosis. Ghrelin is a recently discovered peptide with mitogenic and anti-apoptotic properties. We hypothesized that ghrelin would modulate the TNF-a induced anti-proliferative, anti-migratory and pro-apoptotic effects to enhance mucosal healing in IBD. Methods: Non-transformed and transformed intestinal epithelial cell lines (FHs74Int, IEC-6 & Caco-2) were treated with TNF-a, ghrelin and ghrelin receptor antagonist in the presence or absence of specific cAMP, PI3K, EGFR, ERK1/2 inhibitors. Proliferation was determined by MTT assay, apoptosis by TUNEL staining and epithelial restitution by Podolsky's cell monolayer repair assay. Western blotting was employed to assess ghrelin's cytoprotective and prolifer ative role in the presence of TNF-a in relation to EGFR, PI3K/Akt, ERK1/2 pathways and caspase-3 profiling. Results: Ghrelin abrogates high dose TNF-alpha induced anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects (p Conclusions: Ghrelin abolishes TNF-a induced anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects and promotes intestinal epithelial restitutive behavior. Therapeutic utility of ghrelin in mucosal protection and regeneration in IBD warrants further investigation.
Understanding least restrictive environment—A key to avoiding parent-school conflict

The concept of least restrictive environment is at the core of federal and state laws governing special education. Unfortunately, the concept is vague and difficult to operationalize. Thus, it is not unusual for parents of educationally handicapped students and school districts to find themselves in conflict over what environment or program is least restrictive for the student. Such conflicts often escalate into acrimonious legal and emotional battles. Understanding the salient characteristics of the least restrictive environment for individual students can preclude or minimize unnecessary conflicts that have little chance of generating creative solutions. This article identifies many of these characteristics and details what administrators can do to assure that placement decisions conform to the requirements of least restrictive environment.
Dynamic integration of distributed semantic services: infrastructure for process queries and question answering

The DARPA IXO mission is to develop "systems for real-time sensing, exploitation, and decision making in a rich tactical environment". The mission includes the development of individual technologies for sensors, sensor exploitation and command/control as well as the technology of information integration. Our research focuses on how to integrate distributed services in a dynamic networked environment to support IXO applications. This dynamic networked environment should include the following capabilities (DARPA, 2002):• Information users should have scalable dynamically changing subscription services to heterogeneous information services;• Information providers should have scalable publishing services for their dynamically changing information products;• Scalable intelligent middleware to dynamically broker, compose, and manage the intermediate services necessary to connect information users to the right information products at the right time.
Improved direct diabatization and coupled potential energy surfaces for the photodissociation of ammonia

Diabatic potential energy surfaces are a convenient starting point for dynamics calculations of photochemical processes, and they can be calculated by the fourfold way direct diabatization scheme. Here we present an improved definition of the reference orbital for applying the fourfold way direct diabatization scheme to ammonia. The improved reference orbital is a geometry-dependent hybrid orbital that allows one to define consistent dominant configuration lists at all geometries important for photodissociation. Using diabatic energies calculated with the new reference orbital and consistent dominant configuration lists, we have refitted the analytical representations of the ground and the first electronically excited singlet-state potential energy surfaces and the diabatic coupling surface. Improved functional forms were used to reproduce the experimental dissociation energies and excitation energies, which will be important for subsequent simulations of photochemical dynamics. We find that the lowest-energy conical intersection point is at 5.16 eV, with C 2v symmetry.
Identification and characterization of a hexameric form of nucleolar phosphoprotein B23.

Abstract Under native purification conditions, an oligomeric form (Mr = 230 000) and monomeric form (37 000) of protein B23 were purified by affinity chromatography. Both forms were identified by Western blot immunoassay and ELISA. The molecular weight of the oligomeric form of protein B23 was estimated to be 230 000 with a Stoke's radius and a sedimentation coefficient of 51 A and 10 S, respectively. The oligomer (230 kDa) of protein B23 was dissociated into monomers (37 kDa) by treatment with 7 M urea. Quantitation of the monomer by gel scanning densitometry indicated that the oligomeric form of protein B23 is a hexamer containing four α and two β monomers (37 kDa). A trace amount of nucleic acids (amounting to less than 3% of the total mass) was detected in the affinity-purified oligomers of protein B23. Protein B23 may be a structural element which is involved in ribosome transport or assembly in the nucleus.
H5N1 Whole-Virus Vaccine Induces Neutralizing Antibodies in Humans Which Are Protective in a Mouse Passive Transfer Model

Background Vero cell culture-derived whole-virus H5N1 vaccines have been extensively tested in clinical trials and consistently demonstrated to be safe and immunogenic; however, clinical efficacy is difficult to evaluate in the absence of wide-spread human disease. A lethal mouse model has been utilized which allows investigation of the protective efficacy of active vaccination or passive transfer of vaccine induced sera following lethal H5N1 challenge. Methods We used passive transfer of immune sera to investigate antibody-mediated protection elicited by a Vero cell-derived, non-adjuvanted inactivated whole-virus H5N1 vaccine. Mice were injected intravenously with H5N1 vaccine-induced rodent or human immune sera and subsequently challenged with a lethal dose of wild-type H5N1 virus. Results Passive transfer of H5N1 vaccine-induced mouse, guinea pig and human immune sera provided dose-dependent protection of recipient mice against lethal challenge with wild-type H5N1 virus. Protective dose fifty values for serum H5N1 neutralizing antibody titers were calculated to be ≤1∶11 for all immune sera, independently of source species. Conclusions These data underpin the confidence that the Vero cell culture-derived, whole-virus H5N1 vaccine will be effective in a pandemic situation and support the use of neutralizing serum antibody titers as a correlate of protection for H5N1 vaccines.
Ultrastructure of mouse foliate taste buds: synaptic and nonsynaptic interactions between taste cells and nerve fibers.

High voltage electron microscopy and conventional transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the ultrastructure of foliate taste buds of mice. Computer-assisted, three-dimensional reconstructions from serial sections were used to visualize regions of interaction between taste cells and nerve fibers. Based on criteria previously established for murine vallate taste buds (Kinnamon et al., '85), foliate taste cells were classified as dark, light, or intermediate depending on their cytoplasmic content and the characteristics of their nuclei. Cells of foliate taste buds display a continuous range of morphologies, from “typical” dark cells to “typical” light cells. Cells of dark, intermediate, and light morphologies all make afferent synapses onto nerve processes, suggesting that cells of all 3 types are sensory in function. Synapses between taste cells and nerve processes may be either macular or fingerlike in shape. No efferent synapses were found. In addition to conventional synapses, taste cells exhibit 2 other types of specializations at sites of apposition with nerve fibers: subsurface cisternae and atypical mitochondria. Subsurface cisternae are narrow sacs of endoplasmic reticulum that are closely apposed to the inner leaflet of the taste cell membrane. Possible functions of subsurface cisternae include synthesis of synaptic membrane components, modification of the electrical or adhesive properties of the taste cell membrane, and exchange of trophic factors with nerve processes. Atypical mitochondria are usually much larger than typical taste cell mitochondria, and their cristae often display a swollen, twisted configuration. These mitochondria are closely apposed to the inside of the taste cell membrane adjacent to nerve fibers. Atypical mitochondria may be providing unusual amounts of energy for metabolic reactions in their vicinities or participating in calcium buffering in the taste cell. Within taste cells, presynaptic specializations, subsurface cisternae, and mitochondria are often clustered together to form “synaptic ensembles.” We hypothesize that the functions served by the subsurface cisternae and mitochondria, as well as synaptic transmission, may be important in interactions between taste cells and nerve fibers.
A postpartum evaluation tool.

A nursing tool for postpartum evaluation of the mother, neonate, father, and family integration potential is reproduced on the following pages.
A high affinity, high molecular weight juvenile hormone binding protein in the hemolymph of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract Using the hydroxyapatite binding assay, a juvenile hormone III (JH III) binding protein has been identified in the hemolymph of postfeeding third instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster . This binding component was shown by photoaffinity labeling and gel filtration to be a single protein with a native molecular weight of nearly 400 kDa. It has an equilibrium dissociation constant for JH III of 1.5 nM, an affinity 10 times higher than that of similar proteins from other insects. It exhibits high specificity for the natural hormone, with the following order of binding affinities: JH III > JH II > JH I >; JH III acid > methophrene. It is separate from another component in the hemolymph that binds methoprene nonspecifically. The very high binding affinity and high specificity suggest that this JH III binding protein has a critical role in JH transport in the hemolymph.
Utility of cell blocks in the diagnosis of thyroid aspirates.

Cell blocks (CBs) are often prepared with fine-needle aspirates (FNAs) from multiple organs as an adjunct to smears in the diagnosis of aspirated lesions. However, the literature contains few reports on their utility with regard to specific organ sites. At our institution, CBs are made routinely on FNAs when there is sufficient material remaining after smear preparation, with thyroid representing the largest volume. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of CBs in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions. From January 2002 to April 2004, 546 thyroid FNAs were performed. Eighty-two (15%) cases, from 60 females and 20 males (age range, 17–88 yr; mean, 50 yr), had CBs and formed the basis of this study. Seventy-four (90%) of the cases were performed by the radiologist or the clinician and 8 (10%) by the pathologist, all of which had an immediate assessment for adequacy. One to 7 passes were performed with an average of 3/case. The needles were immediately rinsed in Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution after smear preparation. CBs were made on bloody specimens/those with tissue fragments. Cell-block slides were reviewed for the presence of cellular elements and classified into three categories: (1) contributory, (2) noncontributory, or (3) provides additional information. Of the 82 cases, 23 (28%) were neoplastic, 51 (62%) were nonneoplastic, and 8 (10%) were nondiagnostic. Fifteen of the neoplastic cases had confirmatory biopsies, 9 of which were papillary carcinoma. The overall cellularity of the CBs was low, varying from 0 to 2 follicular groups in the noncontributory CBs and 3 to 6 follicular groups or papillary formations in the contributory CBs. CBs were contributory in 25 (31%) cases: 5 neoplastic (1 follicular neoplasm, 3 papillary carcinoma, and 1 suspicious for papillary carcinoma), 18 nonneoplastic, and 2 nondiagnostic. CBs were noncontributory in 56 (68%) cases: 18 neoplastic (4 papillary carcinomas, 1 suspicious for papillary carcinoma, 4 Hurthle cell neoplasms, and 9 follicular neoplasms), 33 nonneoplastic, and 5 nondiagnostic. One case was categorized as provided additional information because the CB showed material that was not present on the slides; however, it was still nondiagnostic. In summary, CBs did not help in the majority of cases. They were contributory in only 25 (31%) of the 82 cases, and of the 23 neoplastic cases, only 5 (22%) CBs were contributory. The contribution of the CBs in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions was minimal because of the low cellularity. On-site assessment of specimen adequacy often results in fewer passes, thus contributing to the low cellularity present in cell-block preparations. Ancillary studies may require additional passes. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006; 34:89–92. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Electronic Technology: Hope for Rural Gifted Students Who have Motor Impairment of the Hands

Electronic technology can be used to overcome many restrictive factors or barriers to delivering services to rural schools and it can expand the world of rural gifted students who have motor impairment of the hands. On-line college and high school sites offering courses are listed. Also listed is a site for tutoring and one offering help for teachers of rural gifted students who have motor impairment of the hands. Recommendations are made for legislatures and for rural school districts.
Human KATP channelopathies: diseases of metabolic homeostasis

Assembly of an inward rectifier K+ channel pore (Kir6.1/Kir6.2) and an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding regulatory subunit (SUR1/SUR2A/SUR2B) forms ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel heteromultimers, widely distributed in metabolically active tissues throughout the body. KATP channels are metabolism-gated biosensors functioning as molecular rheostats that adjust membrane potential-dependent functions to match cellular energetic demands. Vital in the adaptive response to (patho)physiological stress, KATP channels serve a homeostatic role ranging from glucose regulation to cardioprotection. Accordingly, genetic variation in KATP channel subunits has been linked to the etiology of life-threatening human diseases. In particular, pathogenic mutations in KATP channels have been identified in insulin secretion disorders, namely, congenital hyperinsulinism and neonatal diabetes. Moreover, KATP channel defects underlie the triad of developmental delay, epilepsy, and neonatal diabetes (DEND syndrome). KATP channelopathies implicated in patients with mechanical and/or electrical heart disease include dilated cardiomyopathy (with ventricular arrhythmia; CMD1O) and adrenergic atrial fibrillation. A common Kir6.2 E23K polymorphism has been associated with late-onset diabetes and as a risk factor for maladaptive cardiac remodeling in the community-at-large and abnormal cardiopulmonary exercise stress performance in patients with heart failure. The overall mutation frequency within KATP channel genes and the spectrum of genotype–phenotype relationships remain to be established, while predicting consequences of a deficit in channel function is becoming increasingly feasible through systems biology approaches. Thus, advances in molecular medicine in the emerging field of human KATP channelopathies offer new opportunities for targeted individualized screening, early diagnosis, and tailored therapy.
Revolutionary War Archaeology at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania:

The Revolutionary War encampment at Valley Forge has been subjected to a number of excavations since the creation of the park in the late nineteenth century. This paper describes the important exca...
Efficacy of combined transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation for treatment of single primary hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) less than 3 cm: a single center experience

Purpose To assess overall survival at 6- and 12-months, 30-day adverse event rate, and recurrence rate within 1 year in patients treated with combination arterial chemoembolization and CT-guided radiofrequency ablation on initial presentation of small HCC Materials and Methods At our institution, 66 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed early HCC were evaluated retrospectively from Jan. 2008 - Aug. 2011 with respect to overall survival at 6- and 12-months, 30-day adverse event rate, and recurrence rate within 1 year. Patients not deemed to be surgical resection candidates as well as those awaiting liver transplant were included. Patients that had undergone prior treatment for HCC (including surgical resection) were excluded. Follow-up imaging (contrast-enhanced CT and MRI) was assessed per mRECIST criteria by a single board-certified reader. Results The 66 patients evaluated included 40 males and 26 females, varying etiologies of liver disease (39 hepatitis C, 10 hepatitis B, 8 alcoholic, 7 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and 2 cryptogenic), average age of presentation of 62.3 years, mean initial MELD score of 9.3, and mean index lesion size of 2.0 cm. Ten patients (15.2%) were lost to follow-up by 1 year. Of the remaining 56 patients evaluated, survival was 96.4% at 6 months and 87.5% at 12 months, including 4 out of 7 mortalities (57.1%) directly related to complications from liver transplant. Overall 30 day adverse event rate was 10.6%, including mostly minor complications: 3 subcapsular hematomas (not requiring transfusion), 3 pneumothoraces (2 requiring chest tube placement), and 1 small groin hematoma. No mortalities were seen related to combined treatment. Two patients required re-treatment due to stable disease on 1 month follow-up imaging, as determined by mRECIST criteria. Overall disease recurrence, including adjacent to and distant from the treated lesion, was seen in 15 patients (26.8%) by 1 year. Conclusion The analysis suggests that combination therapy with transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation is efficacious for the treatment of small HCCs
Soy-based UV-curable thiol–ene coatings

Novel soy-based thiols and enes were synthesized and characterized. Then, soy-based thiol–ene UV-curable coatings were formulated and their coating physiochemical properties were investigated in detail. The use of biorenewable resources, combined with environmentally friendly UV-curable technology, provides a “green + green” solution to the stricter regulations in the coatings industry. Novel soy-based thiols and enes were synthesized through the Lewis acid-catalyzed ring opening reaction of epoxidized soybean oil with multifunctional thiols or hydroxyl functional allyl compounds. FTIR and NMR confirmed the formation of the target compounds. The soy-based thiols and enes were formulated with petrochemical-based enes and thiols, respectively, to make thiol–ene UV-curable coatings. Typical coating film properties, thermal properties, and photopolymerization kinetics of these coatings were studied. Soy-based thiol–ene coatings having lower functionality thiols and enes have poor UV curability and coating properties, which was attributed to the lower crosslink density. Soy-based thiols and enes with higher functionality can be UV-cured in combination with petrochemical-based enes or thiols even without the presence of free radical photoinitiators. Better coating film properties were obtained from these higher functionality thiol–ene systems that were toughened by commercial hyperbranched acrylates.
Interrelations of gender schemas in children and adolescents: Attitudes, preferences, and self-perceptions

To test developmental aspects of gender schema theories, girls in grades 2 to 12 were given measures of gender role attitudes, self-perceptions on gender related traits, reported participation in gender related activities, preferred occupation, and adult family preferences. Both children’s and adolescents’ results showed a multifactor structure. Children’s results differed from adolescents’ in that children had more measures showing significant age trends, with a general pattern of decreasing stereotyping with age. Children also had stronger associations among diverse measures than did adolescents. Results were consistent with both multifactorial and cognitive-developmental approaches to the development of gender schemas, and provided limited support for adolescent gender intensification hypotheses.
Detection of slow dynamics by solid‐state NMR: Application to L‐phenylalanine hydrochloride

New methods for probing dynamical properties of biological macromolecules on the millisecond timescale will enable a better understanding of the structure–function relationship. In this article, three solid-state NMR detection methods, line-shape analysis, two-dimensional exchange experiments, and a variant of the center-band only detection of exchange (CODEX) experiment called R-CODEX, are used to characterize a crystalline amino acid that serves as a model for motions in solid proteins, L-phenylalanine hydrochloride. The millisecond ring flip motion of the aromatic ring in L-phenylalanine hydrochloride is characterized in detail for the first time. Limitations of these experiments for processes involving submillisecond timescales are also discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 42A: 14–22, 2013.
Nonlinear Frequency Shift of an Electron Plasma Wave

The shift in the complex frequency of a large-amplitude electron plasma wave is formulated in terms of a new subtraction procedure which reproduces the damping coefficient of Mazitov and of O'Neil directly from Poisson's equation. A time-dependent frequency shift is obtained which produces a phase shift that should be amenable to experimental observation. The results are interpretated in terms of simultaneous conservation of momentum and energy in the wave frame.
Automatic vehicle location&#8212;An overview

Automatic vehicle location (AVL) techniques have the potential for improving urban vehicle fleet operations. Various approaches to AVL are discussed and an introductory overview of the current state of the art in AVL technology is presented.
Bivalent inhibitors of protein kinases

Protein kinases are key players in a large number of cellular signaling pathways. Dysregulated kinase activity has been implicated in a number of diseases, and members of this enzyme family are of therapeutic interest. However, due to the fact that most inhibitors interact with the highly conserved ATP-binding sites of kinases, it is a significant challenge to develop pharmacological agents that target only one of the greater than 500 kinases present in humans. A potential solution to this problem is the development of bisubstrate and bivalent kinase inhibitors, in which an active site-directed moiety is tethered to another ligand that targets a location outside of the ATP-binding cleft. Because kinase signaling specificity is modulated by regions outside of the ATP-binding site, strategies that exploit these interactions have the potential to provide reagents with high target selectivity. This review highlights examples of kinase interaction sites that can potentially be exploited by bisubstrate and bivalent inhibitors. Furthermore, an overview of efforts to target these interactions with bisubstrate and bivalent inhibitors is provided. Finally, several examples of the successful application of these reagents in a cellular setting are described.
Addressing dresses: user interface allowing for interdisciplinary design and calibration of LED embedded garments

Wearable technology projects afford the opportunity to work within interdisciplinary teams to create truly innovative solutions. Sometimes it is difficult for teams of designers and engineers to work together because of process differences and communication issues. Here we present a case study that describes how one team developed a system to overcome these obstacles and propose viewing interdisciplinary collaboration tools as boundary objects. The system described here allows designers to work with programmers to create full color light effects in real time, through a calibration process and interface that allows designers an easy entry into discussions about the placement of electronics in an LED-embedded garments.
A mint of mutations in TRPM8 leads to cool results.

Both menthol and cool temperatures activate the cation channel TRPM8, but whether they do so via distinct domains was unclear. A new paper shows that activation of TRPM8 by these two stimuli can be separated.
Effect of Water Content on Glass Transition and Protein Aggregation of Whey Protein Powders During Short-Term Storage

The objectives of this study were to investigate the moisture-induced protein aggregation of whey protein powders and to elucidate the relationship of protein stability with respect to water content and glass transition. Three whey protein powder types were studied: whey protein isolate (WPI), whey protein hydrolysates (WPH), and beta-lactoglobulin (BLG). The water sorption isotherms were determined at 23 and 45°C, and they fit the Guggenheim–Andersson–DeBoer (GAB) model well. Glass transition was determined by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The heat capacity changes of WPI and BLG during glass transition were small (0.1 to 0.2 Jg−1 °C−1), and the glass transition temperature (T g) could not be detected for all samples. An increase in water content in the range of 7 to 16% caused a decrease in T g from 119 down to 75°C for WPI, and a decrease from 93 to 47°C for WPH. Protein aggregation after 2 weeks’ storage was measured by the increase in insoluble aggregates and change in soluble protein fractions. For WPI and BLG, no protein aggregation was observed over the range of 0 to 85% RH, whereas for WPH, ∼50% of proteins became insoluble after storage at 23°C and 85% RH or at 45°C and ≥73% RH, caused mainly by the formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds. This suggests that, at increased water content, a decrease in the T g of whey protein powders results in a dramatic increase in the mobility of protein molecules, leading to protein aggregation in short-term storage.
Appearance of Atrial Rhythm with Absent P Wave in Longstanding Atrial Fibrillation

A man with rheumatic heart disease and longstanding atrial fibrillation had an electrocardiogram that showed a regular rhythm without atrial activity. Through use of various techniques atrial depolarization was identified Other features of this rhythm disturbance included digitalis-induced Mobitz type 2 AV block, concomitant Mobitz type 1 and type 2 AY block and possible “lone left atrial rhythm” with electromechanical dissociation.
Early Metoprolol Administration Before Coronary Reperfusion Results in Increased Myocardial Salvage Analysis of Ischemic Myocardium at Risk Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

Background— β-Blockers improve clinical outcome when administered early after acute myocardial infarction. However, whether β-blockers actually reduce the myocardial infarction size is still in dis...
Analysis of cooperative robot manipulators on a mobile platform

When robot manipulators are to be used in a space environment, the interactions between the manipulators and the platform upon which they are mounted increases the complexity of the dynamic model. The situation is further complicated when the manipulators must cooperate with each other to move objects or to perform assembly and disassembly operations. In this work, the dynamic equations of motion for two or more cooperating manipulators on a freely-moving mobile platform are presented. The formulation includes the full dynamic interactions from arms-to-platform and arm-tip to arm-tip and the possible translation and rotation of the platform. The equations of motion are shown to be identical in structure to the fixed-platform, cooperative manipulator dynamics. The system of cooperating robot manipulators forms a closed kinematic chain where the forces of interaction must be included in the simulation of robot and platform dynamics. The structure of the closed-chain dynamics allows the use of any solution for the open topological tree of base and manipulator links. A MATLAB simulation of two cooperating PUMA manipulators on a mobile platform is presented and displayed through SILMA Cimstation.
Chronic Care Initiatives for the Elderly: Can They Bridge the Gerontology-Medicine Gap?

The authors describe initiatives designed to meet the chronic health needs of the elderly. These programs include demonstration programs such as Program of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly, Social He...
The Effect of Pentoxifylline on Current Perception Thresholds in Patients With Diabetic Sensory Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common, painful, and disabling condition that is known to occur by two mechanisms: hyperglycemia and arterial blood flow occlusion. Pentoxifylline (Trental) functions by improving erythrocyte flexibility in blood vessels, which could increase the delivery of oxygen to occluded nerve vessels. This 1-year clinical trial was aimed at ascertaining the effects of pentoxifylline on diabetic sensory neuropathy. Fifty patients with type I or II diabetes were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, parallel group and placebo-controlled study. Pentoxifylline effectiveness was evaluated by measuring glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure and current perception threshold (CPT). The CPT results showed no statistically significant effect of pentoxifylline on mean nerve sensory perception thresholds in ankle and toe at 5, 250 and 2000 Hz. There were no significant changes in glycated hemoglobin or in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the trial. Thus, glycated hemoglobin and blood pressure did not explain the lack of pentoxifylline effect on diabetic neuropathy. In conclusion, pentoxifylline appears not to add benefits to the clinical treatment of diabetic sensory neuropathy of the lower extremity.
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION: EVIDENCE FROM TAIWAN

Generous health-insurance coverage may encourage hospitals to acquire and employ more advanced medical technologies. The authors examine the effects of Taiwan’s 1995 implementation of National Health Insurance on technology adoption, ownership, and use by comparing changes in adoption, ownership, and use rates by private hospitals with changes by public nonteaching and public teaching hospitals. Using random-effect panel probit and tobit models, the article finds strong empirical evidence that thirdparty payment increases the probability of technology adoption, ownership, and use. (JEL H4, I) I. INTRODUCTION Persistent growth of health-care expenditures, extensive use of third-party payment mechanisms, and rapid technological progress have been prominent features of the medical-care sector over recent decades (Weisbrod, 1991). A more generous health-insurance system results in higher expected health-care utilization due to moral hazard and thus higher expected returns for health-care providers. This mechanism motivates the growth of biomedical research and encourages hospitals to adopt and use expensive medical technologies. Reciprocally, the dramatic progress of medical technology changes the demand for health insurance. Given that technological change is predominantly cost-increasing, people respond to higher levels of uncertainty about medical costs by demanding more insurance. 1
Response of Chinese hamster ovary cells to DNA damage after a conditioning exposure to ultraviolet light.

Abstract [ 3 H]Thymidine pulse-labeling and pulse-chasing of DNA in ultraviolet-irradiated cells was examined in detail by alkaline sucrose gradient velocity sedimentation. In cells exposed to 2.5 J/m 2 2 h earlier, a higher percentage of 3 H-labeled DNA accumulated at high molecular weight during the 1.5 h after 5.0 J/m 2 than in cells exposed to 5.0 J/m 2 alone. This increased percentage can be accounted for by the fact that there was already a component of 3 H-labeled DNA at high molecular weight at the time of the 5.0 J/m 2 exposure in those cells that had been previously exposed to 2.5 J/m 2 ; this component was not observed in cells exposed only to 5.0 J/m 2 . Moreover, when cells were treated with cycloheximide for the 2 h between the two exposures, there was no component of high molecular weight DNA at the time of the second exposure. These results indicate that the apparently more rapid shift of pulse-chased DNA to high molecular weight in cells exposed twice to ultraviolet light is due to accumulation of high molecular weight DNA precursors that act as substrates for further elongation after the second irradiation.
An approximation for multi-server queues with deterministic reneging times

This work was motivated by the timeout mechanism used in managing application servers in transaction processing environments. In such systems, a customer who stays in the queue longer than the timeout period is lost. We modeled a server node with a timeout threshold as a multi-server queue with Poisson arrivals, general service time distribution and deterministic reneging times. We proposed a scaling approach, and a fast and accurate approximation for the expected waiting time in the queue.
Expression and characterization of a 159 amino acid, N-terminal fragment of human complement component Cls☆

Abstract A 159 residue, N-terminal fragment of the human Cls complement component. Clsα(159), was expressed in the baculovirus, insect cell system. The protein was abundantly produced 3 days after infection, reaching levels as high as 40 μg/ml in cell culture media. It had a molecular weight of 18.100 (±4.9) Da by laser desorption mass spectrometry, close to the theoretical value of 18.111 Da, confirmed by sequencing. Sedimentation equilibrium and gel filtration column chromatography showed that Clsα(159) was a monomer in the presence of EDTA, and a dimer in the presence of Ca2+. The Clsα(159)2 dimer had a sedimentation coefficient of 3.1 S. When the Clsα(159)2 was mixed with Clq, there was little or no interaction. Likewise, unactivated Clr2 dimer had a sedimentation coefficient of 6.8 S, and when mixed with Clq little or no interaction was observed. When Clsα(159)2 was mixed with the 6.8 S Clr2 in Ca2+, a 7.5 S complex was formed, presumably the Clsα(159)·Clr·Clr·Clsα(159) tetramer. When Clq, which migrated at 10.1 S was mixed with Clsα(159)2 and Clr2 in the presence of Ca2+, a Cl-like complex, but containing Clsα(159) instead of Cls, was formed which migrated at 14.0 S. This Cl-like molecule remained unactivated unless challenged with an ovalbumin-antiovalbumin immune complex. In the presence of immune complex, the Clr became activated. This suggested that the presence of the 159 amino acid Clsα domain, which held the Clr to the Clq, was sufficient to permit activation by an immune complex, even though the catalytic domains of Cls were not present.
Radiolytic mapping of solvent-contact surfaces in Photosystem II of higher plants: experimental identification of putative water channels within the photosystem.

Photosystem II uses water as an enzymatic substrate. It has been hypothesized that this water is vectored to the active site for water oxidation via water channels that lead from the surface of the protein complex to the Mn4O5Ca metal cluster. The radiolysis of water by synchrotron radiation produces amino acid residue-modifying OH• and is a powerful technique to identify regions of proteins that are in contact with water. In this study, we have used this technique to oxidatively modify buried amino acid residues in higher plant Photosystem II membranes. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was then used to identify these oxidized amino acid residues that were located in several core Photosystem II subunits (D1, D2, CP43, and CP47). While, as expected, the majority of the identified oxidized residues (≈75%) are located on the solvent-exposed surface of the complex, a number of buried residues on these proteins were also modified. These residues form groups which appear to lead from the surface of the complex to the Mn4O5Ca cluster. These residues may be in contact with putative water channels in the photosystem. These results are discussed within the context of a number of largely computational studies that have identified putative water channels in Photosystem II.
The effect of grapefruit juice on drug disposition

Introduction: Since their initial discovery in 1989, grapefruit juice (GFJ)–drug interactions have received extensive interest from the scientific, medical, regulatory and lay communities. Although...