cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The infant–toddler social and emotional assessment (ITSEA): Comparing parent ratings to laboratory observations of task mastery, emotion regulation, coping behaviors, and attachment status

Cet article examine les associations entre les estimations maternelles de problemes socio-emotionneles et de competences a l'Evaluation Sociale et Emotionnelle du Petit Enfant (que nous abregeons ESEPE en francais, abrege ITSEA en anglais), un nouvel instrument d'information par l'adulte, avec des mesures d'observation de statut d'attachement, de maitrise de tâches, d'ajustement emotionnel et de comportements d'ajustement. De plus, les associations entre les evaluation maternelles sur le ESEPE et le Questionnaire de Comportement du Nourrisson (que nous abregeons QCN en francais, et IBQ en anglais), une echelle d'evaluation du temperament tres utilisee, ont ete comparees. Comme nous nous y attendions, le ESEPE et le QCN ont tous deux ete associes a des mesures d'observation de maitrise de tache, d'ajustement emotionnel, des comportements d'ajustement et a certaines evaluations dimensionnelles de comportement d'attachement. De plus, les echelles ESEPE etaient associees a toutes les evaluations dimensionnelles de comportements d'attachement et aux classifications categoriques d'attachement. De plus, controlant la contribution des estimations maternelles du temperament au QCN, les echelles de probleme et de competence ESEPE ont contribue de maniere unique a des mesures d'observation d'ajustement emotionnel, de comportements d'ajustement, de maitrise de tâche et d'attachement. Le fait que ces associations ont ete observees chez un echantillon a faible risque de 91 enfants de 12 mois et leurs meres souligne non seulement que les parents peuvent donner des descriptions coherentes des problemes de comportement, ainsi que des competences de leurs tres jeunes enfants, mais offre aussi une validation concomitante en matiere d'observation de ce nouvel instrument plein de promesses pour l'avenir.
Physical Layer scalability of WDM optical packet interconnection networks

The physical layer scalability of a packet-switched optical interconnection network utilizing semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) switch elements is investigated experimentally and with numerical modeling. Optical packets containing payloads of multiple wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) channels are propagated through cascaded SOA-based switching nodes in a recirculating test-bed environment. Experiments show that bit-error rates (BERs) below 10/sup -9/ can be maintained through 58 switching nodes for the entire eight-channel 10-Gb/s-per-channel payload distributed over 24.2 nm of the C-band. When the packet payload consists of a single 10-Gb/s channel, 98 node hops can be traversed before a BER of 10/sup -9/ is exceeded. In conjunction with the experiments, a novel phenomenological modeling technique is developed in order to forecast the scalability of SOA-based WDM packet interconnection networks. This technique is shown to yield results that correlate well with the experimental data. These investigations are presented as predictors of the physical limitations of large-scale WDM packet-switched networks.
Phenotypic variation in hamster bronchial mucous cells induced by different airway irritants

Chronic mucus hypersecretion (CMH), a common feature of various obstructive pulmonary diseases, is caused by a variety of airway irritants. Bronchial mucous cell metaplasia (MCM), a histological correlate of CMH, can be induced in hamster airways by a number of different irritants. Previous studies with the hamster model suggest that the secretory cell response to different agents is not stereotyped but can vary in the type of mucus glycoconjugate produced. The present ultrastructural study was conducted therefore to provide quantitative evidence of phenotypic variation in mucous cells induced independently by exposure to the metaplastic agents elastase and acid. HPA-gold lectin cytochemistry revealed an increase in N-acetyl galactosamine at the cell surface and secretory granules of mucous cells in elastase-treated vs. acid-treated animals. Although there was no quantitative difference between the acid-treated and untreated groups, a difference in the pattern of binding within granules indicated variation in the secretory product. Because mucus glycoconjugates serve as attachment sites for specific pathogens, phenotypically distinct mucous cells may promote differential microbial colonization. In humans therefore, variation in the severity and progression of CMH may be due in part to secretory cell susceptibility and response to different pathogenic stimuli.
Phase stability at high temperatures in the Nb-Al system

The phases present in the Niobium-Aluminum system were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy on jelly-roll composites of 23.5, 27.5 and 35.0 at% Al, quenched after being heated in various time intervals (0.3 sec-5 min) to temperatures in the vicinity of the bcc formation temperature. In the present configuration, at concentrations around 27.5 at% Al the bcc phase is the product of an eutectoidal reaction between A15-structure Nb/sub 3/Al and sigma-phase Nb/sub 2/Al. This eutectoid has not been found in any of the published equilibrium phase diagrams, a revised equilibrium phase diagram is proposed.
ARTHROPOD PREDATORS IN CABBAGE (CRUCIFERAE) AND THEIR POTENTIAL AS NATURALLY OCCURRING BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENTS FOR PIERIS RAPAE (LEPIDOPTERA: PIERIDAE)

The Canadian Entomologist 132: 655 - 675 (2000) We used three sampling methods to identify the arthropod predators most abundant and active in fields of cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata, and determined those most likely to be important predators of the imported cabbageworm, Pieris rapae L., by testing the predators' abilities to forage on cabbage plants and to feed on Pieris rapae in small arenas in the laboratory. Abundance and activity in the field were monitored with pitfall traps, sticky traps applied directly to leaves, and plant samples. Four criteria were used to assess the species' potential value as a predator of Pieris rapae in cabbage: relatively high overall abundance in trap catches and plant samples, occurrence on plant foliage in the field, a high propensity to feed on Pieris rapae eggs and first instars, and the ability to search for larval Pieris rapae on cabbage plants. Four species, the wolf spider Pardosa milvina (Hentz) (Araneae: Lycosidae), the harvestman Phalangium opilio L. (Opiliones: Phalangiidae), and the lady beetles Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timberlake and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), demonstrated these attributes, although all four species appeared unable to search for prey on some parts of the cabbage plants, owing to unsure footing on the plants' slippery cuticular wax. Linyphiids (Araneae) and syrphids (Diptera), the most abundant taxa in the plant samples, may prove better at thoroughly searching cabbage plants, but remain to be tested in future laboratory trials. Our results show that only a small portion of the predatory arthropod species that occur in cabbage fields is likely to prey on Pieris rapae on the plants, although important questions remain about the roles of some taxa. Future efforts to enhance biological control of Pieris rapae by naturally occurring predators can now focus on further elucidating and finding ways to enhance the roles of those predators that are effective. Schmaedick MA, Shelton AM. 2000. PrAdateurs arthropodes naturellement prCsents dans les champs de choux et leurs efficacites potentielles dans la lutte biologique contre Pieris rupae (Lepidoptera : Pieridae). The Canadian Entomologist 132 : 655475.
Linearization of a broadband analog optical link using multiple wavelengths

Instead of balancing the RF signal voltage on two modulator electrodes, broadband linearization of a link can be more easily achieved when two wavelengths are simultaneously modulated using a standard single-electrode Mach-Zehnder modulator.
The Influence of Performance Appraisal on Escalation of Commitment in IT Projects

Escalation of commitment is a management problem that can cause significant cost and schedule overruns on IT projects. While prior escalation studies have identified and reported several factors that promote escalation of commitment, what is relatively overlooked in escalation research is how the inter-personal relationship between a subordinate (e.g., a project member) and his/her supervisor (e.g., a project manager) may influence the subordinate’s decision of whether or not to continue a troubled task in an IT project. In this research, we suggest that performance appraisals can have an important influence on the inter-personal relationship between a supervisor and a subordinate and on individual goal development, and we investigate the influence of performance appraisal on escalation of commitment. Drawing upon goal orientation theory, we found that a criticism-based appraisal interview leads to a greater willingness to continue a troubled task as compared to a praise-based appraisal interview, and thi...
An Integrated Approach to Design Mechatronic Systems: Cross-disciplinary Constraint Modeling

Mechatronic systems encompass a wide range of disciplines and hence are collaborative in nature. Currently the collaborative development of mechatronic systems is inefficient and error-prone because contemporary design environments do not allow sufficient information flow of design and manufacturing data across the electrical and mechanical domains. Mechatronic systems need to be designed in an integrated fashion allowing designers from both electrical and mechanical engineering domains to receive automated feedback regarding design modifications throughout the design process. Integrated design of mechatronic products can be realized through the integration of mechanical and electrical CAD systems. One approach to achieve this type of integration is through the propagation of constraints. Cross-disciplinary constraints between mechanical and electrical design domains can be classified, represented, modeled, and bi-directionally propagated in order to provide automated feedback to designers of both engineering domains. In this paper, the authors focus on constraint classification and constraint modeling and provide a case study example using a robot arm. The constraint modeling approach presented in this paper represents a blueprint for the actual implementation. 1. MOTIVATION: SYNERGY OF SYSTEMS The integration of mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering and computer technology is increasingly forming a crucial part in the design, manufacture, and maintenance of a wide range of engineering products and processes [1]. In order to allow for additional synergy effects in collaborative product creation, designers from all disciplines involved need to adopt new approaches to design that facilitate concurrent cross-disciplinary collaboration in an integrated fashion across design disciplines.
The UCLA bi-polar planar near-field scanner. II. Near-field to far-field transformation and holographic imaging capabilities

For pt.I see ibid., p.1526-1529 (1992). The authors examine the data processing capabilities which have been developed for the bipolar near-field scanner. Near-field to far-field transformation algorithms include the optimal sampling interpolation (OSI)/FFT, the Jacobi-Bessel transform, and the Fourier-Bessel transform. A comparative study of some of these techniques has recently been reported but was confined to the plane-polar configuration. Holographic imaging capabilities for determination of antenna aperture fields have also been developed to facilitate antenna diagnostics. A summary of the bipolar near-field data processing capabilities is presented. Results for a simulated array of infinitesimal dipoles and a measured waveguide-fed slot array are presented. >
Design and performance evaluation of a high resolution small animal positron tomograph

The authors have used Monte Carlo simulation methods to design and evaluate a small animal positron tomograph. The tomograph has an inner diameter of 34.37 cm and a field of view of 20 cm (diameter) transaxially and 6 cm axially. The basic gamma-ray detector unit consists of a partially segmented EGO block made of 18/spl times/16 crystals of dimensions 3.35 mm/spl times/3.30 mm/spl times/30 mm, read out by a position sensitive photomultiplier tube with crossed anode wires. The design of the block was accomplished with the authors' recently developed Monte Carlo simulation program for PET design, which also was used for the evaluation of the performance of the tomograph. The rate (trues, randoms, NEC) performance as well as the resolution have been studied and compared to those of other tomographs.
Highly Doped Polycrystalline Silicon Microelectrodes Reduce Noise in Neuronal Recordings In Vivo

The aims of this study are to 1) experimentally validate for the first time the nonlinear current-potential characteristics of bulk doped polycrystalline silicon in the small amplitude voltage regimes (0-200 ) and 2) test if noise amplitudes ( 0-15 ) from single neuronal electrical recordings get selectively attenuated in doped polycrystalline silicon microelectrodes due to the above property. In highly doped polycrystalline silicon, bulk resistances of several hundred kilo-ohms were experimentally measured for voltages typical of noise amplitudes and 9-10 k for voltages typical of neural signal amplitudes (> 150-200 ). Acute multiunit measurements and noise measurements were made in n = 6 and n = 8 anesthetized adult rats, respectively, using polycrystalline silicon and tungsten microelectrodes. There was no significant difference in the peak-to-peak amplitudes of action potentials recorded from either microelectrode (p > 0.10). However, noise power in the recordings from tungsten microelectrodes (26.36 ±10.13 pW) was significantly higher (p <;; 0.001) than the corresponding value in polycrystalline silicon microelectrodes (7.49 ± 2.66 pW). We conclude that polycrystalline silicon microelectrodes result in selective attenuation of noise power in electrical recordings compared to tungsten microelectrodes. This reduction in noise compared to tungsten microelectrodes is likely due to the exponentially higher bulk resistances offered by highly doped bulk polycrystalline silicon in the range of voltages corresponding to noise in multiunit measurements.
Nutrition, Longevity, and Integrity of the Immune System

In his masterpiece, Thales to Dewey (1), the philosopher, Gordon H. Clark, wrote the following in a discussion of epistemology: “knowledge is explanation, and to explain a matter is to state its cause.” If that be true (not relatively, of course), then we know very little about the fascinating effects of dietary manipulation on longevity and on immune capabilities. We are able to describe the effects but not to explain them.
Shaken baby syndrome: a review

Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs in infants as a result of the brain pushing against the skull due to severe acceleration–deceleration forces. Symptoms of Shaken Baby Syndrome include subdural, subarachnoid, and retinal hemorrhages. MRI and ocular examinations are used to determine the extent of mental and visual damage and β-amyloid precursor protein immunohistochemical staining is used to detect axonal injuries. Surgeries such as Subdural hemorrhage (SDH) evacuation surgery and the Burr hole craniotomy are used to treat Shaken Baby Syndrome; however, the prognosis is poor in many cases. Because of the severity of Shaken Baby Syndrome and its traumatic and sometimes fatal effects, it is important to educate new parents, nurses, and doctors on the syndrome in order to prevent incidents.
A phosphopantetheinyl transferase that is essential for mitochondrial fatty acid biosynthesis

In this study we report the molecular genetic characterization of the Arabidopsis mitochondrial phosphopantetheinyl transferase (mtPPT), which catalyzes the phosphopantetheinylation and thus activation of mitochondrial acyl carrier protein (mtACP) of mitochondrial fatty acid synthase (mtFAS). This catalytic capability of the purified mtPPT protein (encoded by AT3G11470) was directly demonstrated in an in vitro assay that phosphopantetheinylated mature Arabidopsis apo-mtACP isoforms. The mitochondrial localization of the AT3G11470-encoded proteins was validated by the ability of their N-terminal 80-residue leader sequence to guide a chimeric GFP protein to this organelle. A T-DNA-tagged null mutant mtppt-1 allele shows an embryo-lethal phenotype, illustrating a crucial role of mtPPT for embryogenesis. Arabidopsis RNAi transgenic lines with reduced mtPPT expression display typical phenotypes associated with a deficiency in the mtFAS system, namely miniaturized plant morphology, slow growth, reduced lipoylation of mitochondrial proteins, and the hyperaccumulation of photorespiratory intermediates, glycine and glycolate. These morphological and metabolic alterations are reversed when these plants are grown in a non-photorespiratory condition (i.e. 1% CO2 atmosphere), demonstrating that they are a consequence of a deficiency in photorespiration due to the reduced lipoylation of the photorespiratory glycine decarboxylase.
An efficient algorithm to solve base station location and channel assignment problems in a cellular network

Call blockage may incur large losses in areas prone to traffic accidents. We formulate an optimisation problem that chooses base station locations and assign channels to them so as to minimise the overall installation and call blockage costs. Since this problem is a difficult non-linear integer program, we develop an efficient algorithm that finds the optimal solution. The paper features the so-called demand areas that characterise the demand for service of a large number of itinerant cell phone users travelling over a geographic area.
A psychometric evaluation of the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module in parents of children with sickle cell disease

Caring for a child with a chronic condition, such as sickle cell disease, can have a significant impact on parents and families. In order to provide comprehensive care and support to these families, psychometrically sound instruments are needed as an initial step in measuring the impact of chronic diseases on parents and families. We sought to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module in populations of children with and without sickle cell disease. In addition, we sought to determine the correlation between parent's well being and their proxy report of their child's health-related quality of life (HRQL). We conducted a cross-sectional study of parents of children with and without sickle cell disease who presented to an urban hospital-based sickle cell disease clinic and an urban primary care clinic. We assessed the HRQL and family functioning of both groups of parents utilizing the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module. The reliability, validity and factor structure of the instrument were determined and scores from the instrument were correlated with scores from parent-proxy report of their child's HRQL using the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales. Parents of 170 children completed the module (97 parents of children with sickle cell disease and 73 parents of children without sickle cell disease). The Family Impact Module had high ceiling effects but was reliable (Cronbach's alpha > 0.80 in all scales). The empirical factor structure was generally consistent with the theoretical factor structure and supported construct validity. The Family Impact Module discriminated between parents of children with severe sickle cell disease from parents of children with mild disease or no disease in the areas of communication and worry. There were no significant differences across any of the subscales between parents of children with mild sickle cell disease and those with no disease. Parents with higher scores, representing better HRQL and family functioning, generally reported higher HRQL scores for their children. The PedsQL™ Family Impact module was reliable, however it displayed large ceiling effects and did not discriminate well between parents of children with and without sickle cell disease. Future research to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Family Impact Module for parents of healthy children may be helpful.
Social Behavior Standards and Expectations of Australian And U.S. Teacher Groups

This paper presents a comparative study of the responses of four Australian and U.S. teacher groups to the ecological assessment system called AIMS (Assessments for Integration into Mainstream Settings). AIMS was developed for the purposes of (a) identifying optimal placement settings for the social integration of handicapped students, (b) identifying the minimal behavioral demands and social skills required in target, less restrictive settings, and (c) providing for the postintegration assessment of pupils' social and academic adjustment status. The purpose of the present study was to assess similarities and differences between Australian and U.S. teacher groups to two of the AIMS assessment instruments (The SBS Inventory and Correlates Checklist) and to compare responses among the four Australian teacher groups, regular and special education preservice and inservice teacher samples. Results revealed (a) similarities and striking differences between U.S. and Australian teacher groups, (b) considerable ov...
Species and Temporal Factors Affect Predator-Specific Rates of Nest Predation for Forest Songbirds in the Midwest

ABSTRACT. Knowledge of the relative contributions of predator species to overall rates of nest predation can improve our understanding of why predation risk varies, but the identity of predators is seldom known. We used video technology to identify nest predators of the tree-nesting Acadian Flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) and the shrub-nesting Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) in forests of Missouri and southern Illinois. Raptors, snakes, and nonraptorial birds were the most frequent nest predators; rodents depredated fewer nests; and mesopredators rarely depredated nests. We tested hypotheses concerning effects of songbird species, ordinal date, nest stage, height, and age on overall and predator-specific predation rates to determine whether variation in overall predation rates was attributable to a subset of nest predators. Overall predation rates were higher for Indigo Buntings than for Acadian flycatchers, were higher during the nestling stage than during incubation, and exhibited a midseason peak. C...
Portomesenteric Reconstruction Using an Umbilical Vein Patch during Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple Procedure)

Current evidence shows that pancreaticoduodenectomy with portal vein/superior mesenteric vein resection provides acceptable survival benefits to patients with pancreatic head carcinoma and invasion of these vascular structures. Although the resulting defect can be managed by primary closure or end to end anastomosis, in some cases the use of an autologous vein interposition or patch graft might be necessary. Reconstruction of a portal vein/superior mesenteric vein defect has been described using jugular vein, right ovarian vein graft, femoral vein, great saphenous vein, hepatic vein, splenic vein, and left renal vein. Yamanaka and colleagues described the used of the umbilical vein as an interposition graft to reconstruct the portomesenteric area. We describe a simple and effective technique for portal and superior mesenteric vein confluence reconstruction using an autologous umbilical vein patch and partial clamping.
Screening effect on polarizabilities of shallow donors and acceptors in finite‐barrier quantum wells

Polarizabilities of shallow donors and acceptors in finite-barrier GaAs/Ga 1 - x Al x As quantum wells are calculated using Hasse's variational method within the effective mass approximation. The effect of spatially dependent screening on polarizabilities is taken into account with an r-dependent dielectric response. It is shown that spatially dependent screening effects can be more important for acceptors than for donors in GaAs/Ga 1 - x Al x As quantum wells. The effects of electric and magnetic fields on binding energy are also studied.
Demographic, developmental and life‐history variation across altitude in Erysimum capitatum

Summary 1. Natural variation in life history provides the opportunity to examine its correlated population performance. Alpine systems are considered to be vulnerable to climate change as high-altitude conditions are predicted to become more similar to those at low altitude. Comparing natural populations that exhibit variation in life history across altitude can provide information on how life history may influence the demography of alpine plants under a range of altitudinally or climatically variable conditions. 2. We compared the abundance, demography, life history and morphological development of Erysimum capitatum populations in alpine and lower-altitude habitats in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. 3. Mortality of all life stages was higher at lower elevation than in alpine sites, and low-elevation plants reproduced more quickly and expressed a semelparous life history more frequently than did alpine plants. Significant variation in post-reproductive survival, i.e. the opportunity for iteroparity, was also found across regions. 4. Several life stages contributed comparably to projected population growth in high-altitude, iteroparous populations, whereas low-elevation semelparous populations depended primarily on seedling recruitment and rapid reproductive maturation for population maintenance. Populations with intermediate levels of iteroparity differed from each other in their demography, suggesting that transitional states between iteroparity and semelparity are unpredictable. 5. Morphological development also differed between iteroparous and semelparous plants, with iteroparous plants producing more vegetative rosettes and maintaining those rosettes in a vegetative state more frequently than semelparous plants. Sites with lower soil water content were more semelparous. 6. Synthesis. These combined results suggest that changes in developmental rates and morphology may promote changes in fundamental life history. Altitudinal variation in morphology and parity is strongly associated with demographic variation across altitude, indicating that plastic or evolutionary changes in these traits would influence population performance across altitudinally or climatically variable conditions.
Differences in the distribution of iodine and iodide in the Sprague-Dawley rat

Use of iodine as a drinking water disinfectant for extended space flight raises concerns about potential chronic effects on health. A key question is whether the chemical form of iodine might play a role. To address this question the influence chemical form has on the uptake and distribution of radioiodine was studied in fed and fasted rats. Following oral administration of 125I2 or 125I-, blood 125I levels were maximal at 2 hr and reached similar concentrations in fed animals receiving 125I- and fasted animals receiving either 125I2 or 125I-. However, when 125I2 was administered to fed animals the initial levels of 125I into blood were significantly lower than after the other treatments. The half-life of elimination of 125I from the blood appeared independent of the form of iodine administered. The initial distribution of 125I to the thyroid depended sharply on chemical form, being greater when iodide rather than iodine was administered, whether animals were fed or fasted. In fed animals administered I2, this may largely be explained by the increased retention of 125I in the stomach contents. In fasted animals, both stomach content and blood levels of 125I were similar whether I2 or I- was administered. Since thyroid uptake of iodine is specific for I-, this suggests that the form of iodine in the blood was different in animals administered I2. This notion was further supported by the finding that pretreatment of animals with varying concentrations of I- in drinking water was four times as effective in suppressing the uptake of a test dose of 125I- than pretreatment with equivalent concentrations of I2.
Sea level history of the northern Gulf of Mexico coast and sea level rise scenarios for the near future

The sea level history of the northern Gulf of Mexico during recent geologic time has closely followed global eustatic sea level change. Regional effects due to tectonics and glacio-isostasy have been minimal. Over the past several million years the northern Gulf coast, like most stable coastal regions of the globe, has experienced major swings of sea level below and above present level, accompanied by major shifts in shoreline position. During advances of the northern hemisphere ice sheets, sea level dropped by more than 100 m, extending the shoreline in places more than 100 km onto the shelf. For much of the period since the last glacial maximum (LGM), 20,000 years ago, the region has seen rates of sea level rise far in excess of those experienced during the period represented by long-term tide gauges. The regional tide gauge record reveals that sea level has been rising at about 2 mm/year for the past century, while the average rate of rise since the LGM has been 6 mm/year, with some periods of abrupt rise exceeding 40 mm/year. During times of abrupt rise, Gulf of Mexico shorelines were drowned in place and overstepped. The relative stability of modern coastal systems is due primarily to stabilization of sea level approximately 6,000 years ago, resulting in the slow rates of rise experienced during historic time. Recent model projections of sea level rise over the next century and beyond may move northern Gulf coastal environments into a new equilibrium regime, more similar to that experienced during the deglaciation than that which has existed during historic time.
Distancing Rural Poverty

The horrifying images of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath - frightened, mostly African-American, survivors huddling on rooftops awaiting rescue, without food or water, abandoned for five desperate days, herded into the Superdome with an astonishing lack of planning that left the survivors surrounded by dead bodies, sewage, stench, and inadequate police protection - were televised again and again, bringing issues of race and poverty to the forefront of the collective public consciousness. Although the ravaged areas often were referred to as the Gulf Coast region, the focus of media attention was, unmistakably, New Orleans - with, at most, an occasional passing reference to the even greater devastation in rural Mississippi and Louisiana. The omission of any serious focus on rural areas following Hurricane Katrina is consistent with the lack of attention given to rural areas generally. Even in the subsequent well-intentioned consciousness-raising that called for increased attention to, and discussion of, issues pertaining to race and poverty, one consideration has consistently been overlooked. There are not two, but three components to the population that is forgotten, hidden, and indeed repressed from view and memory - components not only of race and poverty, but also of place.
The Academic's Approach to Securities Research: Is it Relevant to the Analyst?

Academic research focuses on the average relation between selected accounting information and stock prices across a large number of firms. Equity analyst research, by contrast, uses accounting and other information for individual firms to make stock recommendations. The author addresses the discontinuity between these two communities by providing an overview of academic research, with emphasis on methodological issues that might impede analysts' understanding of this research, and by summarizing the principal findings to date.
McLaughlin on Kaufman: Tax Court Protects Public Investment in Conservation Easements

In two recent decisions, the Tax Court held that the conservation purpose of a conservation easement will be "protected in perpetuity" as required by IRC § 170(h) only if the holder is given an absolute right to a share of post-extinguishment proceeds. This short article discusses the import of this holding, as well as the court's approach to penalties and the deductibility of required cash payments to the donee.
Testicular testosterone response to human chorionic gonadotropin in the rat.

SummaryThe testicles from hypophysectomized rats respond to small doses of HCG, with the maximal concentration found at 45 min after injection of HCG. A method is reported for measuring testicular testosterone in the rat, using gas-liquid chromatography with a hydrogen flame ionization detector.
Acute pancreatitis. Surgical management.

This article discusses the role of surgical management in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. This treatment generally is reserved for complications such as hemorrhage, necrosis, abscess, pseudocyst, or fistula. The importance of early recognition is stressed, as well as aggressive resuscitation and a multidisciplinary approach in the care of these critically ill patients.
Medical progress. Diagnostic imaging in the evaluation of suspected aortic dissection: Old standards and new directions

Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition, and its prompt diagnosis remains essential for successful management. Although early mortality may be as high as 1 percent per hour [1] among untreated patients, survival can be improved by the rapid institution of appropriate medical or surgical therapy (or both). The Stanford classification system [2] divides aortic dissections anatomically into two types on the basis of location. A dissection in which there is involvement of the ascending aorta, regardless of the site of entry, is defined as type A (this includes De Bakey [3] types I and II and is often described as a proximal dissection)
Exceptional Children Abstracts: Hearing Impaired

This presentation is second in a series of selected abstracts. Each journal in Volume 32 will carry abstracts in a specific area. In May, 1966, all abstracts will be printed under a separate cover. The publication schedule for the remaining sections is as follows: November–-Behavioral Disorders; December—Mentally and Culturally Retarded; January—Gifted and Creative; February—Physically Handicapped; March—Speech and Language; April—Administration; May—General.
Actin Organizing Proteins in Regulation of Osteoclast Function

As products of cell–cell fusion and as highly mobile, bone-degrading cells, osteoclasts require a unique, abundantly adaptable actin cytoskeleton. This chapter summarizes the current understanding of osteoclast cytoskeletal dynamics with particular emphasis on actin binding proteins that organize the cytoskeleton to facilitate the differentiation and function of these distinctive cells.
Improving local results: Fusing community design and community development

Many community design and community development practices are rooted in the social upheaval of the 1960s and the political milieu that followed. These areas of practice are situated within a broad range of organizations, institutions, and individuals committed to addressing social, political, economic, and environmental inequities. Despite a plethora of efforts to improve community conditions by public, not-for-profit, and private sectors, challenges persist such as poverty, racial inequities, and environmental degradation. This article argues that a more intentional integration of community design into community development practices could generate new options for identifying solutions and achieving scale on systemic issues by engaging community members in an integrative design-based approach to community development solutions.
Quantifying the impact of molecular defects on polymer network elasticity

Elasticity, one of the most important properties of a soft material, is difficult to quantify in polymer networks because of the presence of topological molecular defects in these materials. Furthermore, the impact of these defects on bulk elasticity is unknown. We used rheology, disassembly spectrometry, and simulations to measure the shear elastic modulus and count the numbers of topological “loop” defects of various order in a series of polymer hydrogels, and then used these data to evaluate the classical phantom and affine network theories of elasticity. The results led to a real elastic network theory (RENT) that describes how loop defects affect bulk elasticity. Given knowledge of the loop fractions, RENT provides predictions of the shear elastic modulus that are consistent with experimental observations.
Analysis of Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a biogenic alternative to diesel fuel derived from petroleum. It is produced by a transesterification reaction from materials consisting largely of triacylglycerols such as vegetable and other plant oils, animal fats, used cooking oils, and ‘alternative’ feedstocks such as algal oils. The variety of feedstocks that biodiesel can be derived from entails that biodiesel from different sources can have different properties depending on its composition, especially the fatty acid profile, and that the composition of the feedstock, in this case, especially the presence of extraneous materials, can influence the production process. Moreover, biodiesel is miscible with petrodiesel in all ratios, and blends of these two fuels can also be used to power diesel engines. Consequently, analysis of biodiesel has to deal with a variety of issues including the nature and quality of the feedstock, monitoring the production process, analyzing the biodiesel product for specifications in quality standards, assessing the properties of the biodiesel, and biodiesel–petrodiesel blend level determination. This chapter provides a brief synopsis of these issues and the methods used to analyze them. Keywords: analytical methods; biodiesel; biodiesel blends; biodiesel standards; cold flow; fatty acid methyl esters; fatty acid profile; fuel properties; gas chromatography; infrared spectroscopy; liquid chromatography; nuclear magnetic resonance; oxidation stability; reaction monitoring; transesterification
Putting Things Together

As a science educator, I have wanted to learn something about the extent to which ninth graders will voluntarily enjoin scientific ideas (vis-a-vis other types of ideas) in a conversation only tacitly related to science. In this study, the findings were findings of diversity. Underneath the facade of demographic homogeneity, I found considerable conceptual diversity. Given the chance to talk freely about Nature, these students talked about many ideas. Science was only one of those many ideas and only sometimes mentioned. In contrast, interviews with science teachers show that the teachers almost immediately lapse into science talk. It is instructive to compare the diverse set of student ideas with an excerpt from a high school science teacher’s narrative (as was done in Chapter 8). Ms Jackson was one of the more positivistic of the science teachers in this study and Figure 14 contrasts Ms Jackson with one of the students, Patricia. The contrasts are quite plain to see. However, diversity between students and teachers was not the only diversity observed in the study. The study also found remarkable diversity across teachers (as noted in Assertions 14 and 15, pages 85 and 88 respectively). Figure 15 contrasts comments from Mr. Hess, the other quite positivistic science teachers, with Mr. Bradford.
Dual control of mitotic exit.

The cell cycle consists of four phases: S phase (in which genetic material is duplicated); mitosis (during which it is segregated between two daughter cells); and two 'rest' phases, G1 and G2. The transition between mitosis and G1 needs to be precisely timed, and one of the molecular steps involved in controlling this transition has now been pinned down to a protein known as Cdc20.
Bi-tapered fiber sensor using a supercontinuum light source

We developed a bi-tapered optical fiber and studied its transmission properties using a sub-micron wavelength, fiber-based, supercontinuum light source. We successfully tested the sensitivity of our fiber sensor with aqueous solutions.
Incentivizing Orphan Product Development: United States Food and Drug Administration Orphan Incentive Programs.

Over 30 years ago, the United States (US) Congress passed the Orphan Drug Act (ODA) to encourage the development of products for rare diseases or conditions (“orphan products”). The Act provided incentives to sponsors for developing products with orphan designation and established a grant program to fund studies of orphan products. Since its enactment in 1983, the ODA has been credited for bringing more than 590 orphan drugs to the market, inspiring the implementation of orphan legislation globally, and enabling the creation of other programs that extend existing knowledge of the natural history of rare diseases and stimulate the development of medical devices for children and patients with rare diseases. This chapter provides a brief overview of the main features and successes of 5 of the orphan incentive programs administered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA): the Orphan Drug Designation Program, the Humanitarian Use Device (HUD) Designation Program, the Orphan Products Clinical Trials Grants Program, the Pediatric Device Consortia (PDC) Grant Program, and the Orphan Products Natural History Grants Program.
Molecular dynamics simulations of lipid nanodiscs

Abstract A lipid nanodisc is a discoidal lipid bilayer stabilized by proteins, peptides, or polymers on its edge. Nanodiscs have two important connections to structural biology. The first is associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL), a particle with a variety of functionalities including lipid transport. Nascent HDL (nHDL) is a nanodisc stabilized by Apolipoprotein A-I (APOA1). Determining the structure of APOA1 and its mimetic peptides in nanodiscs is crucial to understanding pathologies related to HDL maturation and designing effective therapies. Secondly, nanodiscs offer non-detergent membrane-mimicking environments and greatly facilitate structural studies of membrane proteins. Although seemingly similar, natural and synthetic nanodiscs are different in that nHDL is heterogeneous in size, due to APOA1 elasticity, and gradually matures to become spherical. Synthetic nanodiscs, in contrast, should be homogenous, stable, and size-tunable. This report reviews previous molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies of nanodiscs and illustrates convergence and accuracy issues using results from new multi-microsecond atomistic MD simulations. These new simulations reveal that APOA1 helices take 10–20 μs to rearrange on the nanodisc, while peptides take 2 μs to migrate from the disc surfaces to the edge. These systems can also become kinetically trapped depending on the initial conditions. For example, APOA1 was trapped in a biologically irrelevant conformation for the duration of a 10 μs trajectory; the peptides were similarly trapped for 5 μs. It therefore remains essential to validate MD simulations of these systems with experiments due to convergence and accuracy issues. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Emergence of Complex Behavior in Biomembranes edited by Marjorie Longo.
Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutations in Low-Grade Gliomas Correlate With Prolonged Overall Survival in Older Patients

BACKGROUND Older age has been associated with worse outcomes in low-grade gliomas (LGGs). Given their rarity in the older population, determining optimal treatment plans and patient outcomes remains difficult. OBJECTIVE To retrospectively study LGG survival outcomes in an older population stratified by molecular genetic profiles. METHODS We included patients age ≥40 yr with pathologically confirmed World Health Organization grade II gliomas treated at a single institution between 1995 and 2015. We collected tumor genomic information when available. RESULTS Median overall survival for the entire group (n = 111, median age 51 yr, range 40-77 yr) was 15.75 yr with 5- and 10-yr survival rates of 84.3% and 67.7%, respectively. On univariate analysis, patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation had significantly increased survival compared to IDH wildtype (hazard ratio [HR] 0.17 [0.07-0.45], P < .001). Older age, seizure at presentation, larger tumor size, IDH wildtype, biopsy only, chemotherapy, and radiation were significantly associated with shorter survival based on univariate analyses. In patients with known IDH status (n = 73), bivariate analysis of IDH mutation status and age showed only IDH status significantly influenced overall survival (HR 0.22 [0.07-0.68], P = .008). Greater surgical resection was predictive of survival, although extent of resection significantly correlated with IDH mutation status (odds ratio 7.5; P < .001). CONCLUSION We show that genomic alterations in LGG patients ≥40 occur at high rates like the younger population and predict a similar survival advantage. Maximizing surgical resection may have survival benefit, although feasibility of resection is often linked to IDH status. Given the importance of molecular genetics, a redefinition of prognostic factors associated with these tumors is likely to emerge.
Parathyromatosis and parathyroid cancer.

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare entity, accounting for less than 1% of all cases of primary hyperparathyroidism [1–5]. This chapter provides an overview of the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and medical and surgical management of parathyroid carcinoma and highlights some of the ongoing controversies and areas of current research interest involving this uncommon disease, including: difficulties in distinguishing benign from malignant disease both macroscopically and histologically; recent developments in the understanding of the genetic basis for this disease; the use of calcimimetics and other medical therapies for nonoperative management; and the utility of multiple reoperations in patients with recurrent disease. This chapter also summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding parathyromatosis, defined as an overgrowth of multiple hyperfunctioning nodules of the parathyroid tissue, a condition which may develop after capsular fracture and intraoperative seeding during parathyroid tumor resection.
How to Innovate Software Quality Assurance and Testing in Large Enterprises

The Test-and Quality Assurance (TQA) department of the Group IT starts in late 2016 to design an open space for ideation and innovation about software quality. The ramp up phase was in 2017 – now in 2018 its time for a making of, to reflect the outcomes and for a lessons learned of the so called Quality innovation NETwork (QiNET) of the Volkswagen AG.
CHAPTER 307 – Abl in Cell Signaling

Abl encodes a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase that is conserved in metazoan. The c-abl gene was discovered by virtue of its identity to the oncogene of Abelson murine leukemia virus, which expresses a Gag-Abl oncoprotein. The oncogenic potential of Abl is also activated in the BCR-ABL fusion protein of human chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The oncogenic function of Gag-Abl and BCR-ABL requires the Abl tyrosine kinase activity. This is best demonstrated by the clinical success in treating CML with an Abl kinase inhibitor, GLEEVEC. The BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase can activate many signaling pathways in transformed cells. However, because overproduction of c-Abl does not transform cells, the signaling capabilities of BCR-ABL may not be identical to those of c-Abl. This chapter focuses on the signaling functions of mammalian c-Abl.