cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expanding the palette: Metamorphic strategies over multiple lattice constant ranges for extending the spectrum of accessible photovoltaic materials

Metamorphic grading strategies currently under investigation, covering the lattice constant ranges between GaP (Si) to GaAs and GaAs (Ge) to InP, for the expansion of the palette of accessible photovoltaic materials is presented. The development of a high-temperature GaP/Si virtual substrate process, enabling the heteroepitaxial integration of high-quality III-V materials on Si substrates, and a high-temperature GaAs y P 1−y compositional grading growth regime to overcome the issue of poor dislocation dynamics, are discussed. To address the problem of intrinsic phase instabilities in the In x Ga 1−x As and In z Ga 1−z P alloys when grading from GaAs to InP, different strategies for the avoidance of severe phase separation, including multi-component grades and linear vs. step grades, are described. All In x Ga 1−x As- and In z Ga 1−z P-based graded buffers in the GaAs-to-InP range are found to exhibit unusual, multiple changes in tilt direction, which appear to have a convoluted composition/strain state dependence, and may play an important role in ultimate buffer design.
Variational procedures for a class of exterior interface problems

Abstract The problem under consideration is that of determining a function which is a solution of the Helmholtz equation in a planar region exterior to a simple closed curve and of an inhomogeneous Helmholtz equation inside the curve. Jump conditions on the function and its normal derivative across the cruve are given. The problem is first transformed into one involving the inner region only with a boundary condition which is non-local. This means that the solution at a point on the boundary is a functional of its values elsewhere. This second problem is further transformed into a variational form with all boundary conditions natural. It is shown that the variational problem has a solution. Finite dimensional approximate problems are defined and they are shown to have solutions converging to the solution of the variational problem.
Agent Interaction via Message-Based Belief Communication

This work reflects continued research into "temporally autonomous" multi-agent interaction. Many traditional approaches to modeling multi-agent systems involve synchronizing all agent activity in simulated environments to a single "universal'' clock. In other words, agent behavior is regulated by a global timer where all agents act and interact deterministically in time. However, if the objective of any such simulation is to model the behavior of real-world entities, this discrete timing mechanism yields an artificial reflection of actual physical agent interaction. In addition to the behavioral autonomy normally associated with agents, simulated agents must also have temporal autonomy in order to interact realistically. Inter communication should occur without global coordination or synchronization. To this end, a specialized simulation framework is developed, several simulations are then conducted from which data are gathered and it is subsequently demonstrated that manipulation of the timing variable amongst interacting agents affects the emergent behaviors of agent populations.
Organic or Organized?: Exploring URL Sharing Behavior

URL sharing has become one of the most popular activities on many online social media platforms. Shared URLs are an avenue to interesting news articles, memes, photos, as well as low-quality content like spam, promotional ads, and phishing sites. While some URL sharing is organic, other sharing is strategically organized with a common purpose (e.g., aggressively promoting a website). In this paper, we investigate the individual-based and group-based user behavior of URL sharing in social media toward uncovering these organic versus organized user groups. Concretely, we pro- pose a four-phase approach to model, identify, characterize, and classify organic and organized groups who engage in URL sharing. The key motivating insights of this approach are (i) that patterns of individual-based behavioral signals embedded in URL posting activities can uncover groups whose members engage in similar behaviors; and (ii) that group-level behavioral signals can distinguish between organic and organized user groups. Through extensive experiments, we find that levels of organized behavior vary by URL type and that the proposed approach achieves good performance -- an F-measure of 0.836 and Area Under the Curve of 0.921.
Orbital Rendezvous: When is Autonomy Required?

The ability to control the relative motion of two orbiting spacecraft from the ground is approximately a function of four key parameters: relative state knowledge errors, maneuver execution errors, environment modeling errors, and the time delay between the execution of successive maneuvers. Based on these four parameters an assessment of the ground's capability to control relative position can be made and a minimum safe-approach distance can be determined. Approximate analytic expressions for minimum ground-controlled separations are presented and then validated with a detailed linear covariance analysis. The analytic expressions are shown to be accurate to within ±25%.
The vicissitudes of seeing: iconoclasm and idolatry

Alain Besancon, The Forbidden Image: An Intellectual History of Iconoclasm. Trans. by Jane Marie Todd. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2000, viii+423 pp., 32 b/w illustrations, $40.00 ISBN 0 226 04413 0. Albert Boime, The Unveiling of the National Icons: A Plea for Patriotic Iconoclasm in a Nationalistic Era. Cambridge Studies in American Visual Culture. Cambridge, University of Cambridge Press, 1998, xvii+427 pp., 86 b/w illustrations, $69.50 ISBN 0 521 57067 0. Richard H. Davis, Lives of Indian Images. Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1997, xiii+ 331 pp., 50 b/w illustrations, $55.00 (hardback) ISBN 0 691 02622 X, $19.95 (paperback) ISBN 0 691 00520 6. Dario Gamboni, The Destruction of Art: Iconoclasm and Vandalism Since the French Revolution. New Haven, Yale University Press, 1997, 416 pp., 151 b/w illustrations, $45.00 ISBN 0 300 07170 1. Gerald R. Hawting, The Idea of Idolatry and the Emergence of Islam: From Polemic to History. Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization. Cambridge, Cambri...
An Integrated Approach to Improve the Scientific Writing of Introductory Biology Students

We discuss a pedagogical strategy to improve the writing of laboratory reports. Our multipronged approach gauges students' comprehension beforehand, rewards early success, and focuses feedback on the most serious writing issues. In preliminary studies, more students were able to achieve our threshold for success in our introductory courses, and students reported being more motivated to write well.
Ultrastructure of the liver in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Livers of 38 channel catfish were studied by light and electron microscopy and the morphology of hepatocytes, endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, fat-storing cells, macrophages, exocrine pancreatic cells, and epithelium of bile pre-ductules and ducts was described, Hepatocytes contained large peri-canalicular bodies which showed acid hydrolase activity. A comparison between catfish liver and that of other teleosts was made. The applicability of the findings to pathobiological studies of teleost liver is described.
Maximization of Production of Secreted Recombinant Proteins in Pichia pastoris Fed‐Batch Fermentation

Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle has been applied for optimization of secreted proteins from Pichia pastoris fed-batch fermentation. The objective of this work is to maximize the total accumulated product per unit operation time under different given conditions and system constraints. To obtain optimal solutions, an automated curve-fitting software, Table Curve 2D, was employed to construct the necessary mathematical models and solve the complicated functions. In the solution processes, the end of the glycerol batch phase was defined as the initial state of the system, the end of the methanol fed-batch phase as the final state, the cell mass produced along with product accumulated as state variables, and the specific growth rate (I) as the control variable. Initially, a relationship between the specific production rate (F) and I was established. Then, according to Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle, the admissible range of I and its trajectories for the optimal operations were determined. Four representative cases with different combinations of the operation time along with the initial and final states were evaluated. A close correlation was obtained between the predicted values of the model equation with the experimental results from the Pichia pastoris fed-batch fermentations producing secreted R-galactosidase. The approaches proposed here greatly simplify the computational processes and validate the optimization strategy as a generalized approach to maximize the yield from fed-batch fermentations.
Treatment of the psychiatric problems associated with fragile X syndrome.

Purpose of review This work reviews recent research regarding treatment of fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. The phenotype includes anxiety linked to sensory hyperarousal, hyperactivity, and attentional problems consistent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and social deficits leading to autism spectrum disorder in 60% of boys and 25% of girls with FXS. Recent findings Multiple targeted treatments for FXS have rescued the phenotype of the fmr1 knockout mouse, but few have been beneficial to patients with FXS. The failure of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 antagonists falls on the heels of the failure of Arbaclofen's efficacy in children and adults with autism or FXS. In contrast, efficacy has been demonstrated in a controlled trial of minocycline in children with FXS. Minocycline lowers the abnormally elevated levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in FXS. Acamprosate and lovastatin have been beneficial in open-label trials in FXS. The first 5 years of life may be the most efficacious time for intervention when combined with behavioral and/or educational interventions. Summary Minocycline, acamprosate, lovastatin, and sertraline are treatments that can be currently prescribed and have shown benefit in children with FXS. Use of combined medical and behavioral interventions will likely be most efficacious for the treatment of FXS.
An analysis of the dynamics of interdisciplinary collaboration

This paper describes an interdisciplinary collaboration for helping retarded delinquents to function effectively in a residential treatment center, in public schools, in their homes, and in the community. The essential components and processes of effective team functioning, including the evaluation of institutional resources, interdisciplinary team composition, formulation of team goal, and team leadership and coordination, are analyzed and discussed. Results of team work are presented along with a case illustration. Factors contributing to the positive result of the team effort also are discussed.
Electroporation of protoplasts

A protocol is described for the delivery of plasmid DNA into plant protoplasts by means of electroporation. Expression of the DNA is monitored 24 h later by a “transient assay” for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). Stable transformants are recovered by selecting for kanamycin resistance using a modified version of the agarose-bead technique.
Local path planning in image space for autonomous robot navigation in unstructured environments

An approach to stereo based local path planning in unstructured environments is presented. The approach differs from previous stereo based and image based planning systems (e.g. top-down occupancy grid planners, autonomous highway driving algorithms, and view-sequenced route representation), in that it uses specialized cost functions to find paths through an occupancy grid representation of the world directly in the image plane and forgoes a projection of cost information from the image plane down onto a top-down 2D Cartesian cost map. We discuss three cost metrics for path selection in image space. We present a basic image based planning system, discuss its susceptibility to rotational and translational oscillation, and present and implement two extensions to the basic system that overcome these limitations - a cylindrical based image system and a hierarchical planning system. All three systems are implemented in an autonomous robot and are tested against a standard top-down 2D Cartesian planning system on three outdoor courses of varying difficulty. We find that the basic image based planning system fails under certain conditions; however, the cylindrical based system is well suited to the task of local path planning and for use as a high resolution local planning component of a hierarchical planning system.
A Measured Approach to Adopting New Media in the Business Communication Classroom

introduces students to the functionality of this virtual world. For the second, she morphs a traditional assignment into a new media one, the job interview. Using Second Life as well, Kendra Carmichael, with the assistance of her colleagues, developed the fictional company AxeCorp that could more closely simulate the exigencies of a “real-world” corporate office than the two-dimensional website they had used previously. Students were assigned various roles as employees and “real” executives were enlisted to fill supervisory positions. In the final article of the column, authors Jennifer and Christophe Veltsos provide a cautionary note. Although technology-mediated communication certainly provides a wealth of options for teaching and learning, it can also infringe on a student’s right to privacy, violate the fair use of intellectual property, or breach the regulations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. They provide excellent advice and resources for instructors who plan to incorporate new media in their courses.
Expression of the Rat Sterol Regulatory Element-binding Protein-1c Gene in Response to Insulin Is Mediated by Increased Transactivating Capacity of Specificity Protein 1 (Sp1)

The induction of genes involved in lipid biosynthesis by insulin is mediated in part by the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c). SREBP-1c is directly regulated by insulin by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Previously, we have demonstrated that the insulin-responsive cis-acting unit of the rat SREBP-1c promoter is composed of several elements that include a sterol regulatory element, two liver X receptor elements, and a number of conserved GC boxes. Here we systematically dissected the role of these GC boxes and report that five bona fide Sp1-binding elements of the SREBP-1c promoter determine its basal and insulin-induced activation. Luciferase expression driven by the rat SREBP-1c promoter was accelerated by ectopic expression of Sp1, and insulin further enhanced the transactivation potential of Sp1. Introduction of a small interfering RNA against Sp1 reduced both basal and insulin-induced activation of the SREBP-1c promoter. We also found that Sp1 interacted with both SREBP-1c and LXRalpha proteins and that insulin promoted these interactions. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies revealed that insulin facilitated the recruitment of the steroid receptor coactivator-1 to the SREBP-1c promoter. These studies identify a novel mechanism by which maximal activation of the rat SREBP-1c gene expression by insulin is mediated by Sp1 and its enhanced ability to interact with other transcriptional regulatory proteins.
The Striated Organelle: A Molecular Motor In Vestibular Type I Hair Cells

The striated organelle (STO) is a structure located in the subcuticular region of hair cells, consisting of alternating thick and thin bands (Friedman, 1965; Ross and Bourne, 1983). Although present in all cochlear and vestibular hair cells, the STO is particularly well-developed in type I hair cells, where it is shaped like an inverted open cone that contacts the cell membrane along its entire circumference. It is separated from the cuticular plate by a layer of mitochondria. In other hair cells, it is a much smaller structure and appears to be free-floating. We studied its structure using electron microscopic (EM) tomography in type I hair cells. In three-dimensional reconstructions, we found that it is connected to at least some actin rootlets. It may also be associated with microtubules, mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Confocal immunohistochemistry places yotiao (an AKAP protein) in the same area as the STO, and the actin-binding protein, alpha-fodrin (non-erythroid spectrin), where the STO contacts the cell membrane. The contact with the rootlets suggests that the STO might regulate hair-bundle stiffness. Its association with the cell membrane suggests that the STO may help in the formation of the constricted neck characteristic of type I hair cells.Supported by NIH DC-02521 and the 2008 Tallu Rosen Grant in Auditory Science from the National Organization for Hearing Research Foundation.
Perceived family climate of students deciding to pursue counseling.

Abstract It was hypothesized that perceived family-climate factors would differentiate between students who applied for therapy help and those who had not. Further, within the applied-for-therapy group, it was hypothesized that perceived family-climate would be related to therapy outcome. It was predicted and found that the students applying for therapy were lower on the relationship and personal growth dimensions, but higher on the control dimension of family climate, than college students in general. Within the students applying for therapy it was found that perceived higher relationship and higher control dimension scores were related to longer time spent in therapy and to therapists' more favorable evaluation of the therapy experience. Suggestions were made for practical application of family-climate information to therapy.
Internal tandem duplication mutation of FLT3 blocks myeloid differentiation through suppression of C/EBPα expression

Constitutively activating mutations of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) occur in approximately one third of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are associated with poor prognosis. Altered FLT3 signaling leads to antiapoptotic and proliferative signaling pathways. We recently showed that these mutations can also contribute to the differentiation arrest that characterizes leukemia. In this report we investigated the mechanism by which internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation of FLT3 signaling blocks differentiation. Normally, myeloid differentiation requires the induction of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) and PU.1 expression. Expression of both genes was repressed by FLT3/ITD signaling in 32Dcl3 (32D) cells and this repression was overcome by treatment with a FLT3 inhibitor, allowing differentiation to proceed. We also observed increased expression of C/EBPalpha and PU.1 accompanied by signs of differentiation in 2 of 3 primary AML samples from patients with FLT3/ITD mutations receiving a FLT3 inhibitor, CEP-701, as part of a clinical trial. Forced expression of C/EBPalpha was also able to overcome FLT3/ITD-mediated differentiation block, further proving the importance of C/EBPalpha in this process.
The ONR Five Octave Research Array (FORA) at Penn State

A new towed/vertical array system has been built to support the ONR ocean acoustic program's 6.1 experimental research efforts. The array consists of both a linear section for standard beamforming and a cardioid section giving it port/starboard discrimination capabilities. The linear section is comprised of 4 modules with half-wavelength hydrophone spacing corresponding to cutoff frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz. Each linear aperture is made up of 64 hydrophone channels with a total linear aperture length of 189 metres. The cardioid module consists of 78 hydrophone triplets arranged in an equilateral triangle with 38.5 mm spacing between the individual phones. The linear spacing between each triplet set is 0.2 metres for a cutoff frequency of 3750 Hz. In addition to the acoustic sensors, the array contains 3 non-acoustic sensor suites and additional pressure sensor to provide real-time array heading, pitch, roll, and depth along with temperature at various positions along the array. Array control for setting of sampling rates, array gain, and monitoring of both acoustic and non-acoustic data is provided by a standard PC. The array supports sampling rates from 6.25-25 kHz for the acoustic data with 24 bit A/D conversion. Array telemetry is ATM/SONET with a data rate of 155 Mb/s. The acquisition system acquires directly to SCSI ultra 320 disk and is based on a COTS Linux workstation. Since taking delivery in May 2002, the FORA has been deployed during three separate sea trials, including the recent Geoclutter experiment held April-May 2003 on the New Jersey shelf in the Atlantic Ocean. Some preliminary results and data are presented from the different trials illustrating array capabilities along with an assessment of the array data quality for meeting current and future scientific objectives.
Solubilization of calfskin collagen in citrate buffer with the use of automated equipment

An automated collagen solubilizing apparatus that maintains constant electrolytic conditions during solubilization is described. It was used in solubilization of 6.95% of a calfskin corium as monomeric collagen in citrate buffer at pH 3.44 and ionic strength of 0.44 and a temperature of 8°C. It is shown that this is the limit of solubilization for undenatured collagen in this buffer.
A Logical Theory of Objects

Many philosophers have attempted to offer a logical theory of objects, employing different techniques. Thus R. Carnap (1928)1 tried to "reconstruct" logically the world by using the modern symbolic logic (the theory of relations), while N. Goodman (1951)2 "constructed" the world with the help of the calculus of individuals or the logic of part-whole relations. W. V. Quine helped to steer the attention toward the question of ontological commitment ("to be means to be a value of a bound variable of a system") and toward a theory of objects produced by a logical analysis of natural languages.3 Recently, there have been controversial discussions concerning the metaphysical and logical aspects of objects in actual and possible worlds (based on the acceptance or nonacceptance of modal logics) as well as new contributions to the theory of nonexistent objects, rekindling the old Russell Meinong controversy.4 It seems that even the proposed theories of events, such as that of R. M. Martin,5 maintain the great significance of the notion of an object. Then there is a plethora of the so-called intensional objects, such as the alleged objects of propositional attitudes, the story of which is tied with the names of Frege, Russell, Carnap and many others. Is it possible to give an all-embracing theory of objects which would satisfy all the parties involved? Although such possibility may be very questionable, the instrumental role of logic for the development of the metaphysical (ontological) theories of ob jects is indisputable. Two factors are, however, involved in the constitution of a logical theory of objects: (i) the basis or the given data from which the theory starts; (ii) the logical apparatus employed, i.e., the logical axioms and rules of inference, just as the relevant semantical rules which are formulated in the metalanguage (with regard to the language used). While the logical ap paratus is usually very clear, at least in the case of the formally well construed theories, the given basis of a metaphysical theory ?as we may call it?might contain many tacit assumptions which would need a lot of clarification. It seems that philosophers fight more about the presuppositions and assertions of their systems than about the logic involved.61 would like to discuss the interplay between the above two factors, starting with the realm of the given objects. As to the second factor?the logical apparatus involved? the contributions of first-order predicate logic (PL) and of the calculus of in dividuals (CI) will be considered.
SU-E-J-94: FLT PET Imaging for Evaluating Bone Marrow Recovery after Chemoradiation Therapy in Cervical Cancer Patients

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of FLT PET imaging to measure bone marrow recovery from chemoradiation therapy in cervical cancer patients. Methods: Two cervical cancer patients were enrolled in an IRB approved protocol to obtain FLT PET images at simulation, during chemoradiation, and ∼30 days post chemoradiation therapy. WBC counts and bone marrow FLT uptake change inside and outside the radiation therapy (RT) field were measured to correlate with recovery measured with FLT uptake 30 days post‐therapy. Bone marrow response and recovery was measured within the RT field in 1 Gy/week dose volumes and outside the field within the lumbar vertebral bodies. Results: Each subject was unique in her bone marrow recovery due to chemoradiation therapy when compared to pre‐therapy values. Inside the RT field, subject 1 bone marrow that received 6 Gy/week recovered at least 50% of pre‐therapy FLT uptake 30 days post‐therapy. However, subject 2 bone marrow that received 6 Gy/week recovered ∼35% of pre‐therapy FLT uptake. Outside the RT field, subject 1 L1 FLT mean SUV increased over initial values 60.6% after 3 weeks of RT and 59.1% 30 days post‐therapy. Subject 2 L1 FLT mean SUV increased over initial values only 18.5% after 3 weeks of RT and 10.6% 30 days post‐therapy. Pre‐therapy bone marrow activity may also influence bone marrow recovery. Subject 1 had lower initial WBCs and FLT uptake than subject 2 (5.3 vs. 12.2 K/mm3 and 10.4 vs. 13.6 max SUV). Conclusion: This preliminary data shows that bone marrow recovery, pre‐therapy FLT uptake, and compensatory response can be quantified with FLT PET. These metrics may be valuable in correlating pre‐, during, and post‐therapy response to radiationdose and long‐term systemic toxicity.
Stem Cells 101

AbstractEditor’s Note: Stem cells are everywhere in the news these days. We hear people touting them as the next medical breakthrough, akin to antibiotics, and others decrying them as a sign of the loss of our medical moral compass. In the next two ethics columns, we will attempt to tackle these issues. Katherine White, a fourth-year medical student at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, spent time this summer investigating the science and moral landscape of stem cell research. In this first installment, she provides a brief overview of the science of stem cells with an introduction of the controversies and ethics issues raised. In the second column, she delves more deeply into the ethics controversies, particularly pertaining to the threat to people with disabilities.
Both inverted repeat sequences located at the ends of IS1 provide promoter functions.

Abstract Escherichia coli RNA polymerase was found to bind specifically to restriction fragments containing either end of IS1. DNase I footprint analyses indicate that RNA polymerase protects approximately 70 base-pairs at each end of IS1, including the left or right terminal inverted repeat sequences in IS1 (termed insL or insR , respectively) as well as some non-IS1 sequence directly adjacent to each end of IS1. Analysis of transcripts from the left terminal region of IS1 shows that the insL sequence contains a promoter (named insP L , and that RNA synthesis initiates apparently at one in a stretch of five adenylate residues within insL and continues toward the interior region of IS1. Interestingly, most of the resulting transcripts contain polyuridylate residues (more than 5 U residues) at their 5′-ends. Analysis of transcripts from the right terminal region of IS1 indicates that the insR sequence also contains a promoter (named insP R . RNA synthesis initiates specifically at an adenylate residue within insR and continues toward the interior region of IS1, i.e. in the opposite direction to RNA synthesis initiating at insP L , which is present at the other end of IS1. We propose that insP L is used to make the messenger RNA for the IS1-encoded genes insA and insB , while insP R might be used to synthesize an anti-mRNA and thereby negatively regulate insP L .
Early Detection of Carcinoma In Situ of the Bladder: A Comparative Study of White Light Cystoscopy, Narrow Band Imaging, 5-ALA Fluorescence Cystoscopy and 3-Dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose: We compared the efficacy and potential limitations of white light cystoscopy, narrow band imaging, 5-ALA fluorescence cystoscopy and 3-dimensional optical coherence tomography for early diagnosis of bladder carcinoma in situ.Materials and Methods: By expressing simian virus 40T antigen in the urothelium carcinoma in situ typically develops in SV40T transgenic mice in about 8 to 20 weeks and then frank high grade papillary urothelial carcinoma starts to emerge. A total of 18 control and 29 SV40T mice were examined during weeks 8 to 22 by white light cystoscopy, fluorescence cystoscopy, narrow band imaging and 3-dimensional optical coherence tomography. Results were validated by histology. Newly improved algorithms for computer aided detection were applied to acquired 3-dimensional optical coherence tomography images to enhance the quantitative diagnosis of carcinoma in situ in near real time.Results: Of 29 carcinoma in situ samples 27 were detected by 3-dimensional optical coherence tomography, 1 ...
Influence of the value-system of a psychiatric setting on behavior in group therapy meetings

This paper considers the influence of the overall value-system of an inpatient psychiatric setting on the behavior of patients in group psychotherapy. The treatment goals of the setting stress the return of the patient to the community with reduction of symptomatology and the restoration of ability to function in the family, with peers, and at work. Group therapy is one of the major treatment modalities employed. Using variables reflecting behavior along a number of different dimensions, comparisons were made of three types of group meetings (therapist-led, unled and multiple family) and of the meetings led by three different psychotherapists.
Psychometric testing of SPIDER: data capture tool for systematic literature reviews.

OBJECTIVE. Systematic literature reviews contribute to evidence-based occupational therapy, yet no data capture tool currently exists to validly and reliably appraise the characteristics and quality of primary studies. METHOD. We determined the psychometrics of Systematic Process for Investigating and Describing Evidence-Based Research (SPIDER) and piloted it with 201 studies included in a systematic literature review. RESULTS. Content validity showed item relevance with 73% agreement between two experts. For the quality construct, seven of nine quality indicators were positively (p < .05) correlated with the overall quality score. The quality scores were positively correlated (p < .05) with two objective measures, inferring criterion validity. Intrarater reliability was moderate to perfect (? = 0.4�1.0). Cross-tab analyses showed less variation in experienced reviewers� interrater reliability. CONCLUSION. SPIDER provides plausible opportunities for occupational therapy researchers and graduate students to appraise the characteristics and quality of primary studies but requires testing across other settings
Do Inverse Monte Carlo Algorithms Yield Thermodynamically Consistent Interaction Potentials

We numerically verify a statistical mechanics theorem which shows that there is a one-to-one equivalence between the structure of a liquid (i.e., the pair correlation function) and its pairwise additive intermolecular potential. Specifically, we show for three systems interacting with simple spherically symmetric pairwise additive potentials that inverse Monte Carlo (IMC) simulations can obtain the underlying potentials by only using the target pair correlation functions. The convergence of potentials obtained by the standard IMC procedure is, however, extremely slow. Interestingly, we find that the repulsive part of the potential converges rapidly, consistent with the well-accepted notion that it essentially determines the structure of condensed liquids. We show that additional information about the system, such as thermodynamic properties (e.g., average energy and or pressure) can be included in a modified IMC procedure. Because internal energy and pressure are primarily sensitive to the attractive part...
Spatial summation in the receptive field periphery of two types of on-center neurons in cat retina.

Abstract Peripheral annuli with the same inside diameters but variable outside diameters were used to study the peripheral summing properties of Group I and Group II cells ( Winters , Hickey and Pollack , 1973). The results showed that Group I and Group II cells could be differentiated on the basis of their responses to changes in the size of peripheral annuli. Group I cells showed spatial summation of both the on-excitation and the off-excitation of on-off responses elicted by peripheral annuli. This finding was not found to be dependent upon the location of the target in the receptive field periphery. The effect of target size on the response of Group II cells was found to be dependent upon the location of the target in the receptive field periphery. If the inside portion of the annulus was near the receptive field center, in the on-off zone, then small increases in target size produced an increase in the strength of the onexcitation whereas large changes in target size lead to a decrease in the strength of the onexcitation. Off-excitation showed spatial summation across the entire receptive field periphery. It was possible to demonstrate linear spatial summation in the receptive field periphery of Group II cells but not Group I cells.
Inactivation of monomolecular layers of bovine serum albumin with deuterons.

Abstract A quantitative method for assaying the serological activity of monomolecular layers of bovine serum albumin is presented. It is shown that the inactivation of such layers with deuterons is logarithmic, indicating that the majority of the serologically active units are of the same size. This serologically active unit can be thought of as a post 15 A. in diameter and 30 A. high, with a molecular weight of 4000. The measured height of this post shows that proteins on a metal slide, transferred from a water surface, do not have all their polypeptide chains unfolded and stretched out flat but have at least some of their units coiled up in some way.
Potential Positive and Negative Consequences of Coresidence for Teen Mothers and their Children in Adult-Supervised Households

In 1996, part of the creation of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) required minor teen parents to live in an adult-supervised household in order to receive cash assistance. This literature review discusses the positive and negative consequences of coresidence. Research has suggested that coresidence may be beneficial for the educational and financial success of teen mothers. However, there is some evidence that coresiding teen mothers have poorer parenting skills than teen mothers who do not coreside. Implications for policy implementation are discussed. Case managers should be aware of the possible risks of coresidence and weigh these risks against potential benefits. In addition, families of teen mothers, especially grandmothers, should be included in programming and interventions in order to provide positive living environments for teen mothers and their children.
Flavopiridol Inhibits NF-κB Activation Induced by Various Carcinogens and Inflammatory Agents through Inhibition of IκBα Kinase and p65 Phosphorylation ABROGATION OF CYCLIN D1, CYCLOOXYGENASE-2, AND MATRIX METALLOPROTEASE-9

Abstract Flavopiridol, a synthetic flavone closely related to a compound originally isolated from the stem bark of the native Indian plant Dysoxylum binectariferum, has been found to inhibit cyclin-dependent kinases, induce apoptosis, suppress inflammation, and modulate the immune response. Because several genes in which expression is altered by flavopiridol are regulated by NF-κB, we propose that this flavone must affect the activation of NF-κB. For this report, we investigated the effect of flavopiridol on NF-κB activation by various carcinogens and inflammatory agents. Flavopiridol suppressed tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-activation of NF-κB in a dose- and time-dependent manner in several cell types, with optimum inhibition occurring upon treatment of cells with 100 nm flavopiridol for 6 h. This effect was mediated through inhibition of IκBα kinase, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and degradation of IκBα (an inhibitor of NF-κB), and suppression of phosphorylation, acylation, and nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB. Besides TNF, flavopiridol also suppressed NF-κB activated by a carcinogen (cigarette smoke condensate), tumor promoters (phorbol myristate acetate and okadaic acid), and an inflammatory agent (H2O2). TNF-induced NF-κB-dependent reporter gene transcription was also suppressed by this flavone. NF-κB reporter activity induced by TNF receptor 1, TNF receptor-associated death domain, TNF receptor-associated factor-2, NF-κB-inducing kinase, and IκBα kinase, were all blocked by flavopiridol but not that activated by p65. Furthermore, flavopiridol suppressed TNF-induced activation of Akt. Flavopiridol also inhibited the expression of the TNF-induced NF-κB-regulated gene products cyclin D1, cyclooxygenase-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Overall, our results indicated that flavopiridol inhibits activation of NF-κB and NF-κB-regulated gene expression, which may explain the ability of flavopiridol to suppress inflammation, modulate the immune response, and regulate cell growth.
Adaptive variation in energy acquisition and allocation among latitudinal populations of the Atlantic silverside.

Understanding the evolution of growth rate requires knowledge of the physiology of growth. This study explored the physiological basis of countergradient variation (CnGV) in somatic growth across latitudinal populations of the Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia. Energetics of northern (Nova Scotia, Canada) and southern (South Carolina, USA) genotypes were compared across resource levels, temperatures, and fish sizes to identify trade-offs to rapid growth. Offered unlimited resources, genotypes differed in both energy acquisition and allocation. Food consumption, growth, and efficiency of northern genotypes were consistently higher than in southern genotypes, across temperatures and body sizes. Feeding metabolism (specific dynamic action; SDA) was proportional to meal size, differing between genotypes to the extent that food consumption differed. Given limited resources, northern and southern genotypes displayed similar growth, efficiency, routine activity, and SDA across temperatures and fish sizes. Routine metabolism was equal at 17°C and 22°C, yet was significantly higher in northern fish at 28°C. Growth rates in M. menidia do not appear to trade off across environments or body sizes, i.e., at no temperature, ration, or size do southern fish outgrow northern conspecifics. Nor does submaximal growth result from increased costs of maintenance, tissue synthesis, or routine activity. Based on our findings, we propose that CnGV consumption and growth in M. menidia likely result from trade-offs with other energetic components, namely sustained and burst swimming.
HPV genotypes detected in cervical cancers from Alaska Native women, 1980–2007

Background. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevents cervical pre-cancers and cancers caused by HPV types 16 and 18. This study provides information on the HPV types detected in cervical cancers of Alaska Native (AN) women. Methods. Cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed in AN women aged 18 and above between 1980 and 2007 were identified from the Alaska Native Tumor Registry. A representative formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded archived pathology block was retrieved and serially sectioned to allow histologic confirmation of lesion (first and last sections) and PCR testing of intervening sections. Extracted DNA was tested for HPV using Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test (Roche Diagnostics) with additional INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Assay (Innogenetics) testing on negative or inadequate specimens. All specimens were tested for a minimum 37 HPV types. Results. Of 62 cervical cancer specimens evaluated, 57 (91.9%) contained one or more HPV types. Thirty-eight (61.2%) cancers contained HPV types 16 or 18, and 18 (29%) contained an oncogenic type other than type 16 or 18. Conclusions. Overall, almost two-thirds (61.2%) of the archived cervical cancers had detectible HPV types 16 or 18, a finding similar to studies of US women. As expected, a proportion of cancers would not be prevented by the current vaccines. HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening are important prevention strategies for AN women. Keywords: Alaska Native; HPV; cervical cancer; HPV genotypes (Published: 5 August 2013) This paper is part of Supplement 1, 2013, ICCH15 Proceedings . More papers from this Supplement can be found here . Citation: Int J Circumpolar Health 2013, 72 : 21115 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v72i0.21115
Unmasking of Neonatal Renovascular Hypertension by Milrinone Used for Cardiac Dysfunction

A neonate initially presented with heart failure, with severe cardiac dysfunction confirmed by echocardiography, at 3 days of age. Blood pressure at presentation was in the high normal range. It was not until there was a rapid improvement of left-ventricular function on intravenous milrinone that the infant was noted to be hypertensive on day of life 7. It is noteworthy that milrinone, a drug with vasodilator and inotropic properties, paradoxically unmasked hypertension by rapidly improving left-ventricular function. Subsequent work-up showed the etiology of hypertension to be left renal artery stenosis. We present this case to alert clinicians to the rarer causes of left-ventricular dysfunction and to point out that its etiology, i.e., hypertension, may not be apparent until there is improvement in the systolic function of the left ventricle.
Correlations between transmural mechanical and morphological properties in porcine thoracic descending aorta

Determination of correlations between transmural mechanical and morphological properties of aorta would provide a quantitative baseline for assessment of preventive and therapeutic strategies for aortic injuries and diseases. A multimodal and multidisciplinary approach was adopted to characterize the transmural morphological properties of descending porcine aorta. Histology and multi-photon microscopy were used for describing the media layer micro-architecture in the circumferential-radial plane, and Fourier Transform infrared imaging spectroscopy was utilized for determining structural protein, and total protein content. The distributions of these quantified properties across the media thickness were characterized and their relationship with the mechanical properties from a previous study was determined. Our findings indicate that there is an increasing trend in the instantaneous Young׳s modulus (E), elastic lamella density (ELD), structural protein (SPR), total protein (TPR), and elastin and collagen circumferential percentage (ECP and CCP) from the inner towards the outer layers. Two regions with equal thickness (inner and outer halves) were determined with significantly different morphological and material properties. The results of this study represent a substantial step toward anatomical characterization of the aortic wall building blocks and establishment of a foundation for quantifying the role of microstructural components on the functionality of aorta.
The effects of phytase on growth performance and intestinal transit time of broilers fed nutritionally adequate diets and diets deficient in calcium and phosphorus

Five experiments (Exp.) were conducted to determine the effects of phytase on growth performance and intestinal transit time in chicks fed nutritionally adequate diets and diets deficient in Ca and nonphytate P (nPP). In Exp. 1 and 2, chicks were fed a nutritionally adequate diet from 0 to 6 d or from 0 to 4 d posthatching; assay periods were 8 or 10 d; average initial BW were 98 or 79 g; and average final BW were 371 or 369 g, respectively. Treatments were replicated with 12 pens of 5 chicks each. Corn-soybean meal (C-SBM) diets were adequate in all nutrients except Ca and nPP where appropriate. The treatments were 1) C-SBM, 1.0% Ca, and 0.45% nPP; 2) C-SBM, 0.80% Ca, and 0.25% nPP; 3) Diet 1 + 600 phytase units/kg of diet; 4) Diet 2 + 600 phytase units/kg of diet. Experiments 3, 4, and 5 were conducted to determine the effects of phytase on intestinal transit time in broilers. Broilers were fed the same nutritionally adequate diet from 0 to 18, 27, or 23 d posthatching, and the assay periods were 7 d. Treatments were replicated with 18 individually penned broilers. Average initial BW were 768, 1,108, or 838 g, and average final BW were 1,299, 1,704, or 1,392 g in Exp. 3 to 5, respectively. Transit time data were collected on d 1 and 7 of the Exp. Diets were 1) C-SBM, 0.9% Ca, and 0.35% nPP; 2) C-SBM, 0.80% Ca, and 0.25% nPP + 600 phytase units/kg of diet. Transit time was calculated as the difference between the time feed was first ingested and the time of first appearance of solid feces. In Exp. 1 and 2, the reduction in dietary Ca and nPP reduced (P < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain:feed. Phytase addition increased (P < 0.02) ADG and ADFI in diets deficient in Ca and nPP and in the nutritionally adequate diets. In Exp. 2, the reduction in Ca and nPP reduced (P < 0.01) toe and tibia ash percentage, but phytase addition increased (P < 0.01) toe and tibia ash percentage. The increase in toe ash percentage was greater in chicks fed the Ca and nPP deficient diet than in chicks fed the nutritionally adequate diet (Ca and nPP x phytase, P < 0.01). In Exp. 3, 4, and 5, transit time on d 1 was faster (P < 0.03) in chicks fed phytase. On d 7, transit time tended to be faster in chicks fed phytase, but the effect was not significant (P = 0.15). These data indicate that phytase increases ADG and ADFI in diets deficient in Ca and nPP and in diets formulated to be adequate (or excess) in all nutrients for broiler chicks. The increase in ADG and ADFI in chicks fed the nutritionally adequate diet may be due to a faster transit time of feed through the digestive tract, resulting in a greater feed intake and gain.
Ruptured mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery presenting with hemoperitoneum and subcapsular liver hematoma

We report a case of a patient with mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery who presented with hemoperitoneum and subcapsular hematoma of the liver. The diagnosis was established with contrasted abdominal CT scanning. Visceral angiography was not needed. Prompt recognition and surgical intervention led to a favorable outcome. Pseudoaneurysm of visceral vessels is an uncommon disease process, and to our knowledge, this is the first reported case that has presented with free blood in the peritoneal cavity and beneath the liver capsule. This case may also represent a rare complication of therapeutic ERCP procedures. Mycotic aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm of visceral vessels may develop from bacteremia and its dissection or rupture should be suspected in patients presenting with sepsis and abdominal pain.