cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a Perinatal Hospice Program.

Background In 2017, the Nebraska Unicameral passed legislative bill 506, which required physicians to inform patients carrying fetuses diagnosed with a life-limiting anomaly of the option to enroll in a comprehensive perinatal hospice program. The bill also required the Department of Health & Human Services to provide information about statewide hospice programs. Families enrolled in hospice programs are better prepared for the birth and death of their child. This large academic medical center was listed on the registry but did not have a formal perinatal hospice program. Purpose Implementation of a comprehensive perinatal hospice program. Methods The program was designed and implemented, beginning with the formation of an interdisciplinary team. Guidelines were developed for program referral, care conferences, team communication, and family follow-up. The team was educated. Electronic record documentation and order set were implemented. A data collection process was developed to track referrals and critical data points. Results The perinatal hospice program has been accepting referrals but has not had any qualifying referrals. Implications for practice The development of an evidence-based guideline for referral that can improve referral consistency. While trisomy 13 and 18 diagnosis was historically considered life-limiting, these families now have the option of full intervention and transfer for specialists. Implications for research Future research will include collecting data from patients who could have benefited from hospice, including infants who were born 20 to 22 weeks, or for maternal reasons. Future research will evaluate the experience after bereavement, the hospice team's experience, and the effectiveness of the referral process.
Comparative analysis on the expression of L1 loci using various RNA-Seq preparations

Retrotransposons are one of the oldest evolutionary forces shaping mammalian genomes, with the ability to mobilize from one genomic location to another. This mobilization is also a significant factor in human disease. The only autonomous human retroelement, L1, has propagated to make up 17% of the human genome, accumulating over 500,000 copies. The majority of these loci are truncated or defective with only a few reported to remain capable of retrotransposition. We have previously published a strand-specific RNA-Seq bioinformatics approach to stringently identify at the locus-specific level the few expressed full-length L1s using cytoplasmic RNA. With growing repositories of RNA-Seq data, there is potential to mine these datasets to identify and study expressed L1s at single-locus resolution, although many datasets are not strand-specific or not generated from cytoplasmic RNA. We developed whole-cell, cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA-Seq datasets from 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells to test the influence of different preparations on the quality and effort needed to measure L1 expression. We found that there was minimal data loss in the identification of full-length expressed L1 s using whole cell, strand-specific RNA-Seq data compared to cytoplasmic, strand-specific RNA-Seq data. However, this was only possible with an increased amount of manual curation of the bioinformatics output to eliminate increased background. About half of the data was lost when the sequenced datasets were non-strand specific. The results of these studies demonstrate that with rigorous manual curation the utilization of stranded RNA-Seq datasets allow identification of expressed L1 loci from either cytoplasmic or whole-cell RNA-Seq datasets.
Street Food Stand Availability, Density, and Distribution Across Income Levels in Mexico City

Street food stands (SFS) are an understudied element of the food environment. Previous SFS studies have not used a rigorous approach to document the availability, density, and distribution of SFS across neighborhood income levels and points of access in Mexico City. A random sample (n = 761) of street segments representing 20 low-, middle-, and high-income neighborhoods were assessed using geographic information system (GIS) and ground-truthing methods. All three income levels contained SFS. However, SFS availability and density were higher in middle-income neighborhoods. The distribution of SFS showed that SFS were most often found near homes, transportation centers, and worksites. SFS availability near schools may have been limited by local school policies. Additional studies are needed to further document relationships between SFS availability, density, and distribution, and current structures and processes.
Failure Analysis of a New Polyamide-Based Fluoropolymer-Free Backsheet After Combined-Accelerated Stress Testing

The viability of novel coextruded, fluoropolymer-free backsheets for photovoltaic (PV) modules has been questioned as a result of a large number of early-life backsheet failures in PV installations containing one of the earliest co-extruded polyamide (PA)-based backsheet to reach the market, “AAA.” New PV reliability testing protocols have been recently developed and applied to backsheets to reproduce failures observed in the field and evaluate the durability of novel backsheet materials and designs prior to commercialization. A new co-extruded PA-based backsheet was tested using combined-accelerated stress testing (C-AST) and demonstrated a greater lifetime than AAA, and some other fluoropolymer-based backsheets such as polyvinylidene fluoride. The improved PA-based backsheet also eventually failed by through-thickness cracking. Using surface and bulk material characterization techniques, we performed a comprehensive study of material properties before and after the stress testing. Aging of the backsheet resulted in an increase of surface roughness by erosion of the outer PA layer. However the failure is more likely related to an increase in crystallinity of the polyolefin core layer reducing the backsheet tearing energy. The analysis can ultimately inform on the specific weaknesses of the materials so that the manufacturer can improve the backsheet design to extend its lifetime.
Inferior Disagreement

Literature in the epistemology of disagreement has focused on peer disagreement: disagreement between those with shared evidence and equal cognitive abilities. Additional literature focuses on the perspective of amateurs who disagree with experts. However, the appropriate epistemic reaction from superiors who disagree with inferiors remains underexplored. Prima facie, this may seem an uninteresting set of affairs. If A is B’s superior, and A has good reason to believe she is B’s superior, A appears free to dismiss B’s disagreement. However, a closer look will show otherwise. I first distinguish competent from incompetent inferiors and then argue that disagreement from the former often gives superiors reason to adjust credence and reevaluate belief. In other words, epistemic inferiority alone is insufficient grounds for dismissing opinion. More nuanced difficulties arise with incompetent inferiors. When superiors disagree with incompetents, this might provide evidence to bolster belief credence; however, agreement from incompetents can defeat justification. In either instance, inferior opinion carries epistemic weight. Yet, this fails to cover all ground; at times, superiors learn nothing from inferior disagreement. I finish by exploring these uninformative disagreements, how to distinguish them from the informative cases, and the proper epistemic reactions thereof.
The Consumption of Energy Drinks Among a Sample of College Students and College Student Athletes

To assess energy drink (ED) consumption, potential ED correlates, and ED-related motivations among a sample of college students to determine differences based on athlete status (student athlete vs. non-athlete). Six hundred and ninety-two college students completed surveys at a large private university in the United States. Participants completed a paper based questionnaire assessing ED and ED-related variables. Over thirty-six percent (197 non-athletes, 58 student athletes) of participants reported ED consumption in the preceding 30 days. Multivariately, there was no difference in ED consumption based on athlete status. Heavy episodic drinking and prescription stimulant misuse were both correlated with increased ED consumption. ED motivations differed based on the frequency of ED consumption. ED use was common among student athletes and non-athletes in our sample. It is important to be aware of the correlation between heavy episodic drinking, prescription stimulant misuse, and ED consumption among college student populations because of the adverse consequences associated with these behaviors.
SECTION 7.13 – Dynamic Fracture

This chapter examines the understanding of dynamic fracture processes based primarily on experimental results, with purely analytical treatments taking on a decidedly secondary character. The specific field of dynamic fracture mechanics is typically characterized in terms of far-field loading and crack-tip local response characteristics that invoke motions strongly influenced by material inertia and high rates of deformation of the material in the crack tip vicinity. These latter conditions generate a constitutive response that is significantly different from its quasi-static counterpart. Constitutive behavior that is independent of deformation magnitude and rate is the classical basis for all elastodynamic analyses. Sufficient information has surfaced during the last two decades which explains the significant differences between elastodynamic analyses and laboratory experiments: on the one hand, these discrepancies are the result of the idealization of the fracture process in the analyses, and, on the other, of the truly complicated details accompanying fracture in the small region around the crack tip when a crack propagates rapidly.
The U.S. Government as Control Shareholder of the Financial and Automotive Sector: Implications and Analysis

This essay considers the implications of Treasury holding common equity in banks participating in the federal government's bailout under the TARP program. The federal government's position as the dominant shareholder in the financial services and automotive sectors requires careful consideration of its shareholder rights. Governments are a very unique brand of shareholder. Without careful consideration and advance planning for how those shareholder rights and responsibilities will be managed, the unintended consequences to capital markets could be dramatic.
Bucherer carbazole synthesis

Carbazole formation from naphthols and aryl hydrazines promoted by sodium bisulfite. Another variant of the Fischer indole synthesis.
Conversion of bone marrow blood vessels into bone leads to “microvascular dead space”: A potential etiology for bone and bone marrow disease with advancing age

Age-related alterations in bone and bone marrow (i.e., lower mass, vascular dysfunction, reduced and centripetal blood flow, and marrow ischemia and adiposity) coincide with the ossification of bone marrow blood vessels. Diaphyseal bone marrow blood vessels from young (4-6 mon) and old (22-24 mon) male Fischer-344 rats and humans (n=3; 59-75 yrs.) were examined via transmitted light-, stereo-, scanning electron [SEM]- and transmission electron [TEM]-microscopy. Cortical bone fragments and bone marrow blood vessels from rats (n=3/4 per age group) were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Femora were scanned by μCT for determination of ossified vessel volume in the diaphyseal marrow (n=5 per age group) and bone volume in the distal metaphysis (n=4 per age group). In a separate group of young (n=8) and old (n=8) male Fischer-344 rats, the circulatory system was perfused with a barium sulfate solution to visualize patent bone marrow blood vessels via histology. Subsequently, femoral sh...
The Simplex Algorithm

In this chapter, we present the simplex algorithm, an effective method for solving the canonical maximization and canonical minimization linear programming problems of 1§2. The simplex algorithm was developed in the 1940’s by George B. Dantzig. We will employ certain refinements in Dantzig’s original technique developed in the 1960’s by A.W. Tucker. In particular, we will record our linear programming problems in what is called a Tucker tableau, a more compact version of the original Dantzig tableau and considerably easier to use.
Teaching through Composition: The Choral Music of alcides lanza

This presentation will demonstrate how lanza1 teaches his students though composition. Information gathered from lanza’s former students, will show how his compositions taught and inspired them. By teaching his students to be individual, independent, artistic, creative, and playful he inspired many generation of Canadian composers. Through a detailed study of lanza’s un mundo imaginario, this presentation will illustrate the challenges faced when preparing a graphic score, working with computer generated sounds, and most importantly telling a meaningful story to the listener. Argentinean-born, Canadian composer, alcides lanza, began studying music theory, counterpoint, and piano at the age of nine. Upon finishing high school, he began studying architecture at the University of Rosario, but he cut his studies short to become a musician. lanza then moved to Buenos Aires where he studied composition and became intrigued with electro acoustic music. In 1964, the Institute di Tella in Buenos Aires opened an electro acoustic music studio, but lanza was looking for more. He moved to New York in 1965 to study at the Columbia Princeton Electronic Music Centre. In 1970, lanza became director of the electro acoustic studies of McGill University. Since moving to Montreal, lanza has become known as a talented teacher and composer. His works with Group of the Electronic Music Studio (GEMS) at McGill University and his personal attention to each of his composition students, and the student body at large, demonstrate his dedication to the guiding of young musicians and composers. alcides lanza, Biography Composer alcides lanza was born into a musical family on June 2, 1929, in Rosario, Argentina. lanza’s father, Antonio, was a conductor and guitarist with an Argentinean tango group in their hometown of Timbues. When lanza was nine years old, his father won the lottery and offered his two sons their choice of gifts. The older son, Edgardo, chose a bicycle, while the youngest, alcides, chose a piano. This was the beginning of lanza’s career as a musician. Though lanza was a very active child, in 1933, he was stricken with a kidney disease and was not permitted to practice sports for the following nine years. As a result, lanza became very interested in both music and visual art, which may be the root of his passion for beautiful graphic scores. At the age of nine, lanza left his family and moved to Rosario to live with his uncle, a famous author and playwright. During his time with his uncle, lanza studied music theory, counterpoint, and piano. Upon finishing high school, he began his studies in architecture at the University of Rosario; however, he cut his studies short to become a musician. After moving to Buenos Aires to study composition with the famous Spanish composer, Julian Bautista, lanza began exploring various compositional techniques and styles. Studying
Bootstrap estimated seasonal potential predictability of global temperature and precipitation

] Potentialpredictabilityofseasonalmeantemperatureandprecipitation is assessed using a moving blocks bootstrapmethod. The bootstrap method allows the potentialpredictability of seasonal means to be assessed even forautocorrelated, highly non‐Gaussian, intermittent data. Theresults reveal that the largest fraction of predictable variancefor both temperature and precipitation occur mainly overthe tropics where El Nino/Southern Oscillation dominatesthe interannual variability. Statistically significant potentialpredictability also is found in extratropics for temperature,particularly over most oceans and appreciable land areas.The potential predictability of temperature is generally smallerover land than over ocean and displays a significant annualcycle. Potential predictability of precipitation displays spottyand less continuous spatial patterns over extratropical regionsand also undergoes a significant annual cycle. The potentialpredictability estimates are generally consistent with previousstudies, but some inconsistency is also observed, such as thelack of significant potential predictability for temperature overNorthAmericanwinter.
Become a Top-Notch Teacher

(1962). Become a Top-Notch Teacher. The Journal of Business Education: Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 115-115.
Evidence of isometric function of the flexor hallucis longus muscle in normal gait

Studying mechanics of the muscles spanning multiple joints provides insights into intersegmental dynamics and movement coordination. Multiarticular muscles are thought to function at "near-isometric" lengths to transfer mechanical energy between the adjacent body segments. Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) is a multiarticular flexor of the great toe; however, its potential isometric function has received little attention. We used a robotic loading apparatus to investigate FHL mechanics during simulated walking in cadaver feet, and hypothesized that physiological force transmission across the foot can occur with isometric FHL function. The extrinsic foot tendons, stripped of the muscle fibers, were connected to computer-controlled linear actuators. The FHL activity was controlled using force-feedback (FC) based upon electromyographic data from healthy subjects, and subsequently, isometric positional feedback (PC), maintaining the FHL myotendinous junction stationary during simulated walking. Tendon forces and excursions were recorded, as were the strains within the first metatarsal. Forces in the metatarsal and metatarsophalangeal joint were derived from these strains. The FHL tendon excursion under FC was 6.57+/-3.13mm. The forces generated in the FHL tendon, metatarsal and metatarsophalangeal joint with the FHL under isometric PC were not significantly different in pattern from FC. These observations provide evidence that physiological forces could be generated along the great toe with isometric FHL function. A length servo mechanism such as the stretch reflex could likely control the isometric FHL function during in vivo locomotion; this could have interesting implications regarding the conditions of impaired stretch reflex such as spastic paresis and peripheral neuropathies.
Physiology, Not Chronology, Dictates Outcomes after Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: Outcomes in Patients 80 Years and Older

To assess short and long-term outcomes for patients aged ≥80 years undergoing esophagectomy for malignancy. All patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer between 1991 and 2011 had information prospectively entered into a database; patients were divided into elderly (≥80 years) and younger (<80 years) groups. Of the 500 patients included, 32 (6.4 %) were ≥80 years of age. Octogenarians had increased Charlson comorbidity index and were less likely to receive neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (6.3 vs. 39.7 %). Analysis of operative time, estimated blood loss, and length of intensive care unit and hospital stay revealed no significant differences between the groups. Patients ≥80 years old had increased total postoperative morbidity (68.8 vs. 44.9 %), specifically arrhythmia (31.3 vs. 16.7 %) and pneumonia (18.8 vs. 8.3 %). There were no in-hospital mortalities in patients ≥80 years (0 vs. 0.4 %), and there was no significant difference in overall survival between the groups (53.2 ± 9.1 vs. 77.6 ± 4.8 months; P = 0.58). Subset analysis demonstrated similar morbidity and length of hospital stay for patients between 70 and 79 years (n = 132) and those ≥80 years. Elderly patients undergoing esophagectomy are at greater risk of postoperative complications. However, there were no significant differences in other major parameters, including length of hospital stay, mortality, and survival, indicating that selected patients ≥80 years old can and should be assessed by an experienced surgeon.
Stress and Delayed Mortality Induced in Pacific Halibut by Exposure to Hooking, Net Towing, Elevated Seawater Temperature and Air: Implications for Management of Bycatch

Abstract The extent of stress and eventual mortality in Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis that resulted from simulated capture by hooking or towing in a net, followed by abrupt exposure to warmer seawater temperature and air, were determined under laboratory conditions. Abrupt exposure to 16°C seawater and air after either method of capture increased capture-induced stress, with accompanying mortality of 33% for hooked fish and 78% for fish towed in a net. Moreover, these deaths occurred as long as 30 d after experimental treatment, suggesting that delayed mortality should be considered in any study of Pacific halibut bycatch mortality. Stress induced by hooking or towing in a net followed by air exposure was reflected in cessation of negative phototaxis and feeding, both of which were resumed after 5 d with no mortality occurring. The results of this study clearly show that seasonal increases in temperature associated with thermoclines and deck conditions have the potential for markedly increasing ...
Between 2- and 3-colorability

The recognition of 3-colorable graphs is an NP-complete problem, while 2-colorable (i.e., bipartite) graphs can be recognized in polynomial time. To make the complexity gap more precise, we study intermediate graph classes and respective problems. This note proposes a conjecture that separates difficult instances of the problem from polynomially solvable ones and proves the "polynomial" part of the conjecture.
Domain Interactions in E. coli SRP: Stabilization of M Domain by RNA Is Required for Effective Signal Sequence Modulation of NG Domain

Abstract The E. coli protein, Ffh, binds to 4.5S RNA through its M domain to form the signal recognition particle (SRP). The other domain of Ffh (NG) is a GTPase, which binds and is coordinately regulated by its receptor, FtsY. We find that the helical M domain is inherently flexible. Binding of 4.5S RNA to Ffh stabilizes the M domain yet has little apparent effect on the binding of signal peptides. However, in the absence of the RNA, signal peptide binding results in a global destabilization of Ffh, which is prevented by binding of 4.5S RNA. Signal peptide binding to isolated NG domain also causes a pronounced destabilization, implicating the NG domain in direct recognition of signal peptide.
Effect of iodinated water supplies on thyroid function.

Iodine, long recognized as an effective agent for providing potable water, was used as the means of disinfecting the water supply of an entire prison community. The general health and thyroid function of representative inmates were assayed before and during usage of iodinated water for 9 months. Water containing 1 mg of iodine/I induced a marked decrease in RAI uptake, but PBI values of test subjects changed relatively little until the iodide concentration was increased to 5 mg/l. However, serum thyroxine concentrations remained unchanged irrespective of the amount of iodine in the water. No evidence of hypersensitivity or other adverse effects of iodine were detected during this study. At a concentration of iodine (1 mg/l) adequate to provide bacteriological control of the water, only 2 of 15 inmates tested had impaired “organification” of thyroidal iodide. Ancillary studies on nonprison personnel indicated that swimming in iodinated water (5 mg iodide/l) induced no change in any of the parameters of thy...
Making healthy stem cells: the new role of TPO.

Thrombopoietin (TPO) attracts much attention as an effective stimulus for blood cell formation in patients with hematopoietic disorders. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, de Laval et al. (2013) show that TPO can also promote "healthy" hematopoietic stem cells when administered before radiotherapy to minimize HSC injury and mutagenesis in mice.
A hardware-software real-time operating system framework for SoCs

The /spl delta/ framework for RTOS-SoC codesign helps designers simultaneously build a SoC or platform-ASIC architecture and a customized hardware-software RTOS. Examples generated by this prototype tool include RTOS designs that speed up applications by 27% or more, using a small amount of hardware area.
Broadband spin flippers constructed from thin magnetic films

I describe an optimized design for neutron spin flippers constructed from stacks of permanently magnetized thin films. These devices should provide high flipping efficiency over a broad range of neutron wavelengths, occupy little space in the neutron beam and consume no power. Because they are flat, they are well suited for experiments that use the neutron spin echo technique to code neutron scattering angles. Importantly for this use, π/2 and π flippers have the same orientation with respect to the neutron beam.
The Impact of Positive-Definite Moisture Advection and Low-Level Moisture Flux Bias over Orography

Abstract Overprediction of precipitation has been a frequently noted problem near terrain. Higher model resolution helps simulate sharp microphysical gradients more realistically but can increase spuriously generated moisture in some numerical schemes. The positive-definite moisture advection (PDA) scheme in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model reduces a significant nonphysical moisture source in the model. This study examines the 13–14 December 2001 second Improvement of Microphysical Parameterization through Observational Verification Experiment (IMPROVE-2) case, in which PDA reduces storm-total precipitation over Oregon by 3%–17%, varying with geographical region, model resolution, and the phase of the storm. The influence of PDA is then analyzed for each hydrometeor species in the Thompson microphysics scheme. Without PDA, the cloud liquid water field generates most of the spurious moisture because of the high frequency of sharp gradients near upwind cloud edges. It is shown that PDA subst...
Pseudo-Hermitian quantum mechanics

In these lectures, we will describe a systematic procedure for constructing an inner product in a pseudo-Hermitian quantum mechanical system.
A storm from paradise: Liberalism and the problem of time

The tendency of classical politics to embed the individual in universal and transcendental patterns of action followed in part from the recognition of the futility of unpredictable action oriented to the individual's transient personal future. By contrast, F. A. Hayek argues for liberalism and the rule of law because it is instrumental to the achievement of human ends. Michael Oakeshott, however, claims that freedom is a value in itself, and that liberalism should emphasize moral autonomy because the moral life is public and not oriented to external ends. The moral life intimates a form of self‐sufficiency in action, and self‐sufficient action is timeless in the sense of being indifferent to either the past or the future. Oakeshott returns liberalism to the problems of classical politics without recourse to the dictatorial imposition of a single substantive good.
Chromatographic Analysis of Phenobarbital and Belladonna Alkaloid Combinations

A partition column chromatographic technique is applied to the analysis of phenobarbital and the belladonna alkaloids as found in commercial tablets and elixirs. Separation is achieved on a Celite column in which the stationary phase is a 10 per cent solution of p -toluenesulfonic acid. Ether and chloroform elute phenobarbital and the alkaloid– p -toluenesulfonic acid complex, respectively. The isolated phenobarbital is determined spectrophotometrically, and the total belladonna alkaloids are measured colorimetrically by a modification of a published procedure. A study of the modifications is reported and statistically evaluated. Standard recoveries averaged 99.01 per cent for phenobarbital and 98.73 per cent for atropine sulfate.
The rittenhouse diffraction grating

I take the liberty of requesting your attention to the following problem in optics. It is I believe entirely new, and the solution will afford amusement to you and instruction to me. Setting at my door one evening last summer, I took a silk handkerchief out of my pocket, and stretching a portion of it tight between my two hands, I held it up before my face and viewed, through the handkerchief, one of the street lamps which was about one hundred yards distant: expecting to see the threads of the handkerchief much magnified. Agreeably to my expectation I observed the silk threads magnified to the size of very coarse wires; but was much surprised to find that, although I moved the handkerchief to the right and left before my eyes, the dark bars did not seem to move at all, but remained permanent before the eye. If the dark bars were occasioned by the interposition of the magnified threads between the eye and the flame of the lamp, I should have supposed that they would move and succeed each other, as the threads were made to move and pass in succession before the eye; but the fact was otherwise. To account for this phenomenon exceeds my skill in optics. You will be so good as to try the experiment, and if you find the case truly stated, as I doubt not you will,
Insulin secretion dynamics of free and alginate-encapsulated insulinoma cells

This study investigates the effect of alginate/poly-l-lysine/alginate (APA) encapsulation on the insulin secretion dynamics exhibited by an encapsulated cell system. Experiments were performed with the aid of a home-built perfusion apparatus providing a 1 min temporal resolution. Insulin profiles were measured from: (i) murine insulinoma βTC3 cells encapsulated in calcium alginate/poly-l-lysine/alginate (APA) beads generated with high guluronic (G) or high mannuoric (M) content alginate, and (ii) murine insulinoma βTC-tet cells encapsulated in high M APA beads and propagated in the presence and absence of tetracycline. Results show that encapsulation in APA beads did not affect the insulin secretion profile shortly post-encapsulation. However, remodeling of the beads due to cell proliferation affected the insulin secretion profiles; and inhibiting remodeling by suppressing cell growth preserved the secretion profile. The implications of these findings regarding the in vivo function of encapsulated insulin secreting cells are discussed.
The design and implementation of SnB version 2.0

SnB is a direct-methods program based on the Shake-and-Bake methodology. It has been used to solve difficult or large structures that could not be solved by traditional reciprocal-space routines based on the tangent formula. Recently, it has also been used to determine the Se sites in large selenomethionyl-substituted proteins. SnB version 1.5 has been available for several years and is being used regularly in many laboratories. In this paper, we introduce SnB version 2.0, which incorporates a graphical user interface written in Java, a dynamic histogram display, and an interactive Java/VRML-based visualization facility. In addition, it provides the user with several utility routines and a variety of new algorithmic options.
Optimal foraging: food patch depletion by ruddy ducks

I studied the foraging behavior of ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) feeding on patchily distributed prey in a large (5-m long, 2-m wide, and up to 2-m deep) aquarium. The substrate consisted of a 4x4 array of wooden trays (1.0-m long, 0.5-m wide, and 0.1-m deep) which contained 6 cm of sand. Any tray could be removed from the aquarium and “loaded” with a known number of prey. One bird foraged in the aquarium at a time; thus, by removing a food tray after a trial ended and counting the remaining prey, I calculated the number of prey consumed by the bird. I designed several experiments to determine if ruddy ducks abandoned a food patch in a manner consistent with the predictions of a simple, deterministic, patch depletion model. This model is based on the premise that a predator should maximize its rate of net energy intake while foraging. To accomplish this, a predator should only remain in a food patch as long as its rate of energy intake from that patch exceeds the average rate of intake from the environment. In the majority of comparisons, the number of food items consumed by the ruddy ducks in these experiments was consistent with the predictions of the foraging model. When the birds did not forage as predicted by the model, they stayed in the patch longer and consumed more prey than predicted by the model. An examination of the relation between rate of net energy intake and time spent foraging in the food patch indicated that by staying in a patch longer than predicted, the ruddy ducks experienced only a small deviation from maximum rate of net energy intake. These results provided quantitative support for the prediction that ruddy ducks maximize their rate of net energy intake while foraging.
Tolerability of transcranial direct current stimulation in childhood-onset schizophrenia

Background In recent years, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used to study and treat many neuropsychiatric conditions. However, information regarding its tolerability in the pediatric population is lacking. Objective This study aims to investigate the tolerability aspects of tDCS in the childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) population. Methods Twelve participants with COS completed this inpatient study. Participants were assigned to one of two groups: bilateral anodal dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) stimulation (n = 8) or bilateral cathodal superior temporal gyrus (STG) stimulation (n = 5). Patients received either 2 mA of active treatment or sham treatment (with possibility of open active treatment) for 20 minutes, for a total of 10 sessions (2 weeks). Results tDCS was well tolerated in the COS population with no serious adverse events occurring during the study. Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate that a 20-minute duration of 2 mA of bilateral anodal and bilateral cathodal DC polarization to the DLPFC and STG was well tolerated in a pediatric population.
Serum cortisol levels affect the metabolic clearance rate of progesterone in female baboons

Since interactions between progesterone (P4), Cortisol (F), cortisone (E) and corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) may influence the metabolic clearance rates (MCR) of these steroids, the effect of altering circulating F concentrations on clearance of the steroids was determined. MCR of P4, F and E were determined by the iv constant infusion method in 6 pregnant and 6 nonpregnant baboons (Papio papio). Serum F concentrations were altered by iv infusion of 5 mg F/90 min or im injection of betamethasone (3 mg bi-daily for 2 days). Mean MCR-P4 (1/d/kg ± SE) was greater (P < 0.01) in pregnant (92.8 ± 8.5) than in nonpregnant (53.9 ± 4.4) animals while mean MCR-F was similar in both groups (10.8 ± 1.2 vs 13.0 ± 1.5, respectively). Mean MCR-E was also similar in pregnant (30.8 ± 4.9) and nonpregnant (34.1 ± 4.5) baboons. Mean serum F concentrations (/gmg/100 ml ± SE) in 4 nonpregnant (42.0 ± 8.6) and 4 pregnant (52.2 ± 10.0) baboons were increased (P < 0.05) 60% by F administration but MCR-P4, -F and -E were unaltered. Betamethasone treatment reduced (P < 0.05) serum F 75% in both groups. In nonpregnant baboons, betamethasone treatment reduced (P < 0.01) MCR-P4 (37.3 ± 3.9), MCR-F (7.4 ± 1.6) and MCR-E (18.5 ± 3.7). Betamethasone treatment of pregnant animals reduced (P < 0.01) MCR-P4 (56.5 ± 7.4), MCR-F (6.3 ± 0.8) and MCR-E (14.6 ± 2.6). Infusion of F into betamethasone-treated animals increased serum F levels and increased MCR-P4, -F and -E. It is concluded that variations in serum F levels affect the clearance of F, E and P4 presumably because of the mutual interactions of these steroids with CBG.
MATTHEW ARNOLD ON THE CURRICULUM

FEW READERS OF ARNOLD’S LITERARY ESSAYS are able, perhaps, to construct the context of daily work and practical observation from which he spoke or to realize the simple immediacy of his pronouncements. For thirty-five years (1851-1886) Arnold served as Her Majesty’s Inspector of Schools, a business that entailed for him a dull and enervating routine; for nineteen years he endured the immense hardship of travelling throughout the winter months by coach and cab on the back-country roads of England and Wales; and-worst of all,, perhaps-for the whole period he witnessed the blundering, invidious obstructionism of politicians, always more concerned with religious Voluntaryism than the welfare of children. The religious factions of Arnold’s day had prevented the passage of every constructive education act in the British Parliament up to the year 1870, the year after the publication of his Culture and Anarchy (1869). Arnold’s Philistine was no straw man; his sinister presence still pervades the record of the Parliamentary Debates. Arnold saw the Philistine actually in control of the nation’s destinythat “wild ass alone by himself,” arrogantly and ignorantly out of contact “with the main current of national life”; an “incomplete and mutilated man,” with a “natural taste for the bathos,” a “want of sensitiveness of intellectual conscience, a disbelief in right reason, a dislike of authority”; a man preoccupied by his “cartloads of rubbish,” his morbid concern for “marriage with a deceased wife’s sister,” his querulous insistence upon the unbounded right to do exactly as he pleased.
Pedometer Accuracy in Elementary School Children while Walking, Skipping, Galloping, and Sliding

The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of the SW-701 (Yamax Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) and NL-800 (New-Lifestyles, Inc., Lee's Summit, Missouri, USA) pedometer in fifth-grade students while walking, skipping, galloping, sliding, and hopping. Counts registered by both pedometer models were significantly lower than actual counts while skipping, galloping, and sliding, and counts from the NL-800 were significantly lower than the SW-701 during these same movements. No significant differences in step counts were detected between actual counts and the SW-701 and between the pedometer models while walking and hopping; however, the NL-800 registered counts significantly higher than actual counts while hopping. Bland–Altman plots suggest the greatest variability occurred while skipping, galloping, and sliding, with the percent error lowest in the SW-701 during these movements.
Laminar distribution of the cells of origin of the descending tectofugal pathways in the pigeon (Columba livia).

The horseradish peroxidase (HRP) technique was used to investigate the laminar distribution of the cell bodies of origin of the two major descending pathways from the avian tectum to the hindbrain, the crossed tectobulbar pathway (CTB) and the ipsilateral tectopontine-tectoreticular pathway (ITP). The CTB, which projects to the contralateral paramedian reticular formation of the hindbrain, was found to arise mainly (80–95%) from the large multipolar neurons characteristic of layer 13 of the tectum. In addition, multipolar neurons of layers 14 and 15 of the dorsal tectum contribute to rostrally terminating portions of the CTB. Neurons of layers 11–12, particularly at rostroventral tectal levels, were also found to contribute to the CTB. The ITP, which projects to the ipsilateral lateral pontine nucleus and the overlying reticular formation, was found to arise chiefly from neurons of layers 9–10, 13, and 14–15, with some slight contributions from neurons of tectal layers 8, 11, and 12. Cells of layers 8–10 that contributed to the ITP tended to be of two general types: (1) small-mediumsized fusiform neurons with vertically disposed processes, and (2) medium-large-sized multipolar neurons whose processes showed no consistent orientation from neuron to neuron. The lateral pontine nucleus apparently receives input from tectal layers 8–15 inclusive, while the reticular formation overlying the lateral pontine nucleus appears to receive input only from tectal layers 13–15. Injections of HRP into the CTB and ITP also resulted in labeled cells in subtectal sites within the optic lobe (nucleus intercollicularis and the lateral mesencephalic reticular formation). The present results indicate that the major descending projections of the avian tectum arise from neurons located in tectal layers 8–15. Previous studies have shown that neurons of tectal layers 10 and 13–14 also give rise to the ascending projections of the avian tectum to the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus and to the nucleus rotundus, respectively (Benowitz and Karten, '76; Hunt and Kunzle, '76b). Thus, the major ascending and descending tectofugal pathways in birds share the same layers of origin. The present results in birds are in contrast to those in mammals, in which the ascending projections of the midbrain roof to diencephalic “visual” structures arise from superficial layers of the superior colliculus (layers I–III) while the major descending projections arise largely from the deeper layers of the superior colliculus (Harting et al., '73; Holcombe and Hall, '81). The decending pathways of the midbrain roof are presumed to be involved in motor functions while the ascending pathways of the midbrain roof are thought to be more involved in the sensory processing of visual information. The similarity in the laminar sources of the ascending and descending tectofugal pathways in birds, as reflected by the present study, indicates that the asending and desending tectofugal pathways of birds may convey similar types of visual information.
Stem Cells and TCF Proteins: A Role for β-Catenin—Independent Functions

The Wnt signal transduction pathway has been shown to stimulate stem cell self renewal and has been shown to cause cancer in humans. One interesting aspect of Wnt signaling is that it utilizes downstream DNA-binding transcription factors, called Tcf proteins, which can activate transcription of target genes in the presence of a Wnt signal and repress the expression of target genes in the absence of a Wnt signal. Since Tcf proteins are present in Wnt-stimulated and unstimulated stem cells, understanding how Tcf proteins regulate target gene expression in each state offers the potential to understand how stem cells regulate their self-renewal, differentiation, and proliferation. In this article, we will review recent work elucidating the roles Tcf-protein interactions in the context of stem cells and cancer.
Each member of the Id gene family exhibits a unique expression pattern in mouse gastrulation and neurogenesis

We have performed a detailed comparative in situ hybridization analysis to examine the patterns of expression of all the members of the Id gene family (Id1–4) during marine gastrulation and neurogenesis. During gastrulation, both Id1 and Id3 are expressed in the tissues derived from the inner cell mass from 5.5 dpc onward, whereas Id2 is expressed in tissues derived from trophoblasts. Id4 expression is absent during this period of development. Embryonic Id1 messages are detected during gastrulation on the proximal side of the embryonic ectoderm, which is the border between the embryo proper and the extraembryonic tissues, and the expression of Id3 is found throughout the entire embryo proper. This unique pattern of expression of the different members of the Id family suggests a nonredundant role for these genes in antagonizing the activity of bHLH transcription factors during very early mouse development. During neurogenesis, the expression of each member of the Id family is present in an unique pattern along the dorsal-ventral axis of the neural tube: In the early stages of spinal cord development, both Id1 and Id2 are expressed in the roof plate, whereas Id3 is expressed both in the roof and the floor plates. As development progresses, the expression of both Id1 and Id3 is detected in the dividing neuroblasts, whereas Id2 and 4 are expressed in presumptive neurons which are undergoing maturation. The expression patterns of all the members of the Id gene family persist throughout the entire CNS, both in the spinal cord and in the brain. In addition, the characteristic expression of Id2 and Id4 in more mature neurons is reiterated both in the PNS and in the neurons of some of the sensory organs. These data suggest that the expression of different subgroups of the Id gene family may have different physiological consequences and thereby contributes in unique ways to specify the differentiation state of neuronal cells during development. Dev Dyn 208:92–106, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A kriging method for the solution of nonlinear programs with black-box functions

In this article, a new methodology is developed for the optimization of black-box systems lacking a closed-form mathematical description. To properly balance the computational cost of building the model against the probability of convergence to global optimum, a hybrid methodology is proposed. A kriging approach is first applied to provide information about the global behavior of the system considered, whereas a response surface method is considered close to the optimum to refine the set of candidate local optima and find the global optimum. The kriging predictor is a global model employing normally distributed basis functions, so both an expected sampling value and its variance are obtained for each test point. The presented work extends the capabilities of existing response surface techniques to address the refinement of optima located in regions described by convex asymmetrical feasible regions containing arbitrary linear and nonlinear constraints. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared to previously developed stand-alone response surface techniques and its effectiveness is evaluated in terms of the number of function calls required, number of times the global optimum is found, and computational time. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Relationship Between the Volume of Craniotomies for Cerebral Aneurysm Performed at New York State Hospitals and In-Hospital Mortality

Background and Purpose After a craniotomy for cerebral aneurysm, postoperative mortality can be significant. Previous studies have shown that hospitals performing frequent high-risk procedures (such as coronary artery bypass) have a lower mortality than hospitals where these procedures are performed infrequently. Methods The Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System of the New York State Department of Health reviewed all discharges in New York State from 1987 through 1993 for the diagnoses of subarachnoid hemorrhage and/or cerebral aneurysm and for patients with the procedure code for craniotomy for ruptured or unruptured cerebral aneurysm. In-hospital mortality and length of stay were examined in relation to the volume of craniotomies for aneurysm performed at each individual hospital. Results A total of 15 376 discharges for subarachnoid hemorrhage and 5638 craniotomies for aneurysm were tabulated in 208 hospitals. For all patients who underwent craniotomy for ruptured cerebral aneurysm (n=4034...
Asymptotic behavior of solutions of a second order nonlinear differential equation

where n, y, Y : [to , co) + R, f, g : R + R, a(t) > 0, q(t) > 0, g(i) > 0, and a, q, r, f, and g are continuous. Equations of this type have been studied .by many authors and an excellent survey of known results can be found in Ref. [16]. More recent contributions include Refs. (l-8, 10-14, IS]. Tne approach we take in studying the asymptotic behavior of solutions of Eq. (1) is new. By examining the quotient r(t)/q(t) as t + 03 we are able to obtain boundedness and other behavioral results without requiring that the forcing term, Y(Z), be “small” in some sense. In fact, our results will allow r(t) to become unbounded as t co. This is a significant departure from previous studies of Eq. (1). I n addition, we will be able to relax some of the conditions that other authors place on the functions in Eq. (1 jFinally, in our discussion of the asymptotic behavior of solutions of Eq. (l), we will include a class of solutions, the Z-type sol.utions (see Section 3 for the definition), not considered previously. First, we begin with some new continuability and boundedness results.