cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maternal race and intergenerational preterm birth recurrence

Background Preterm birth is a complex disorder with a heritable genetic component. Studies of primarily White women born preterm show that they have an increased risk of subsequently delivering preterm. This risk of intergenerational preterm birth is poorly defined among Black women. Objective Our objective was to evaluate and compare intergenerational preterm birth risk among non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White mothers. Study Design This was a population-based retrospective cohort study, using the Virginia Intergenerational Linked Birth File. All non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White mothers born in Virginia 1960 through 1996 who delivered their first live-born, nonanomalous, singleton infant ≥20 weeks from 2005 through 2009 were included. We assessed the overall gestational age distribution between non-Hispanic Black and White mothers born term and preterm ( Results Of 173,822 deliveries captured in the intergenerational birth cohort, 71,676 (41.2%) women met inclusion criteria for this study. Of the entire cohort, 30.0% (n = 21,467) were non-Hispanic Black and 70.0% were non-Hispanic White mothers. Compared to non-Hispanic White mothers, non-Hispanic Black mothers were more likely to have been born late preterm (6.8% vs 3.7%) or early preterm (2.8 vs 1.0%), P Conclusion We found an intergenerational effect of preterm birth among non-Hispanic Black mothers but not non-Hispanic White mothers. Black mothers born
3D printing technologies for electrochemical energy storage

Abstract Fabrication and assembly of electrodes and electrolytes play an important role in promoting the performance of electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices such as batteries and supercapacitors. Traditional fabrication techniques have limitations in controlling the geometry and architecture of the electrode and solid-state electrolytes, which would otherwise compromise the performance. 3D printing, a disruptive manufacturing technology, has emerged as an innovative approach to fabricating EES devices from nanoscale to macroscale, providing great opportunities to accurately control device geometry ( e.g ., dimension, porosity, and morphology) and structure with enhanced specific energy and power densities. Moreover, the “additive” manufacturing nature of 3D printing provides excellent controllability of the electrode thickness with much simplified process in a cost effective manner. With the unique spatial and temporal material manipulation capability, 3D printing can integrate multiple nano-materials in the same print, and multi-functional EES devices (including functional gradient devices) can be fabricated. Herein, we review recent advances in 3D printing of EES devices. We focus on two major 3D printing technologies including direct writing and inkjet printing. The direct material deposition characteristics of these two processes enable them to print on a variety of flat substrates, even a conformal one, well suiting them to applications such as wearable devices and on-chip integrations. Other potential 3D printing techniques such as freeze nano-printing, stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, binder jetting, laminated object manufacturing, and metal 3D printing are also introduced. The advantages and limitations of each 3D printing technology are extensively discussed. More importantly, we provide a perspective on how to integrate the emerging 3D printing with existing technologies to create structures over multiple length scale from nano to macro for EES applications.
Responses of Eastern Gray Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) to Predator Calls and Their Modulation by Coat Color

Abstract In mammals, expression of certain melanocortin receptor ligands is correlated with both dark pigmentation and increased stress resistance and higher levels of aggression. Though many studies of captive and laboratory animals have explored this pleiotropic interaction, relatively few studies of animal behavior have occurred in free-living wild animals. This playback study focused on the antipredator behavior differences between melanistic and gray morphs of eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) in Hiram, Ohio. Vigilance, tail flagging, freezing, and escape behaviors were recorded in response to digital playback of an American robin call, a chickadee call, a car alarm, a buzzer, or one of two different red-tailed hawk calls. All squirrels exhibited increased antipredator behavior after hearing increasingly threatening stimuli. Consistent with prior findings in other species with color polymorphism, gray morphs were more likely to escape after hearing a threatening call. A growing body of ev...
Big data analysis of youth tobacco smoking trends in the United States

As large amounts of data are now generated in the healthcare industry, big data technologies are used to process these data. Tobacco smoking has been significant among the youth in the United States. In this research, we use big data techniques such as R and Tableau to explore the tobacco smoking trends among the youth in the United States. Results indicate that there is more number of youth male smokers than youth female smokers. The results also indicate that more than 51 percent of current youth smokers want to quit smoking.
Techniques for avoiding surgical complications in chemotherapy-treated cancer patients.

With the development of more effective antineoplastic drugs for the treatment of solid malignant tumors, the use of systemic chemotherapy in the perioperative period has become increasingly attractive. Strategies have evolved for administering chemotherapy preoperatively to render large tumors more easily resected, intraoperatively in isolation-perfusion systems (often in combination with hyperthermia), and postoperatively as an adjuvant or to treat residual disease. It is possible, however, that the benefits of perioperative chemotherapy may be offset by an increase in the incidence of complications, particularly with respect to wound healing. The well-known toxic effects of chemother-apeutic agents on actively replicating normal cells suggest that antineoplastic drugs could easily lead to wound problems such as infection or dehiscence.
Lens opacities in women in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin: is there evidence of an effect of sex hormones?

Abstract Analyses reported here suggest a protective effect of estrogen status on lens opacities, which are very common in adult Americans. Clinical trials are currently underway to assess protective effects of past menopausal estrogens on other disease. Evaluation of lenses of the participants would shed light on effects in the lens.
Tracing Non-Functional Requirements

Non-functional requirements, describing quality concerns such as performance, security, and availability, often exhibit complex interdependencies and trade-offs and have broad-reaching impacts across the architectural design of a software intensive system. This creates significant challenges for tracing NFRs, as traceability links can quickly proliferate and the traceability effort can be costly and impractical. As a result, many organizations do not even attempt to trace NFRs; however this means that functional changes are often implemented with very little understanding of how system qualities are affected by the change. The challenge, from a traceability perspective, is to develop effective techniques which simplify the task of creating and maintaining NFR-related traceability links, while still providing effective support for critical tasks such as impact analysis, requirements validation, and architectural preservation. In this chapter we first describe and evaluate existing methods for tracing NFRs and then propose a new pattern-based approach which leverages software architectural techniques to achieve NFR traceability. We illustrate our approach with examples from the mobile phone case study.
People use less information than they think to make up their minds

A world where information is abundant promises unprecedented opportunities for information exchange. Seven studies suggest these opportunities work better in theory than in practice: People fail to anticipate how quickly minds change, believing that they and others will evaluate more evidence before making up their minds than they and others actually do. From evaluating peers, marriage prospects, and political candidates to evaluating novel foods, goods, and services, people consume far less information than expected before deeming things good or bad. Accordingly, people acquire and share too much information in impression-formation contexts: People overvalue long-term trials, overpay for decision aids, and overwork to impress others, neglecting the speed at which conclusions will form. In today's information age, people may intuitively believe that exchanging ever-more information will foster better-informed opinions and perspectives-but much of this information may be lost on minds long made up.
Modeling damage and plasticity in aggregates with the material point method (MPM)

In order to simulate the failure of aggregate materials, a coupled damage and plasticity model is used with the material point method (MPM). A pressure-dependent J2 plasticity law, the Drucker–Prager model, is combined with the Grady–Kipp damage evolution model. This allows the simulation of both simple brittle failure and more complex, multi-mode failure cases. The meshfree method, MPM, employs Lagrangian particles to follow the geometry and stores the state of the material on those particles. The large deformations and complex physics associated with fracturing can be handled in a straightforward manner using MPM. This work first describes the two models used to quantify failure in the context of the MPM algorithm. Validation of the model is carried out by studying the stress and failure response of the well-studied Brazilian Test. The framework is then compared against real experimental data of uniaxial compression of gypsum samples with an embedded flaw. Finally, as an additional use case, protection strategies for Roman Columns in Pompeii are evaluated.
The importance of undergraduate, graduate, technical, and applied GIS and remote sensing education

Advances in hardware and software technologies have resulted from the acceptance of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in academic and applied communities and in the diversity of applications that GIS can support. The Geography Department at St. Cloud State University (SCSU) curriculum has included computer mapping (now GIS and Remote Sensing) since the mid 1970s. Establishment of the Center for Geographic Information Systems at St. Cloud State University in 1991 supported the incorporation of these technological advances resulting in a wide range of curricular changes, workshops designed for specific clientele, and the addition of a graduate program and professional applied training. The process employed to establish this initiative was developed through the cooperative effort of federal, state, and local levels of governments. In addition to the wide spectrum of undergraduate and graduate classes, as well as tailored workshops, the SCSU initiative stresses the integration of academic research and graduate programs with applied topics in GIS and remote sensing. Lastly, recommendations for certification of remote sensing and GIS professionals are discussed.
An architecture for edge computing over underutilized gateways: demo abstract

Internet of Things applications typically run on the cloud and away from the end devices, leading to potential privacy and security risks, lower latency, and reduced reliability. Such deployments commonly use gateways to aggregate and send device data to the cloud. We hypothesize that these gateways are underutilized and can perform more than just packet forwarding. This work is an attempt to build a distributed platform over such gateways, with an objective to push applications to the edge of the network to overcome the shortcomings of the cloud. Our solution enables heterogeneous gateways to discover each other, and provides programming interfaces for developers to run applications on the platform without having to deal with the underlying network and device complexities. We showcase two applications that use our APIs, and also demonstrate how end users can interact with the platform via their personal computers (smartphones, laptops, etc.).
Professor Bolesław Sobociński and Logic at Notre Dame

Boleslaw Sobocinski (1906–1980) received his Ph.D. in 1936 under the direction of Jan Łukasiewicz (1878–1960) and then served as assistant to Stanislaw Leśniewski (1886–1939). This close contact with the two founders of the Warsaw School of Logic determined the course of his research.
The Impact of the edTPA on Visual Arts Teacher Education in Wisconsin

This study concerns the nationally available, high-stakes, performance-based assessment for teacher candidates called the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) and its impact on visual a...
11 – Apparel recycling

Apparel is nearly 100% recyclable, yet many items are discarded into landfills. Those items that are contributed to the used-apparel supply chain are sorted into a variety of value-added categories. This chapter focuses on these categories and the attitudes, behaviors, and processes of global apparel recycling. The primary data are US based, but cases of apparel recycling in other parts of the world are also discussed.
Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions

The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions stems from a set of twin hypotheses. First, the broaden hypothesis proposes that positive emotions momentarily expand our perception of the world in ways that facilitate global visual processing, better attentional flexibility, and larger thought–action repertoires. The build hypothesis purports that, over time, these fleeting experiences of expanded awareness that accompany positive emotions such as joy and excitement accumulate over time to facilitate growth of a person's social, cognitive, emotional, and physical resources. Empirical evidence supporting these hypotheses is discussed, as well as the theory's implications for behavior, psychological resilience, social interaction, and health.
Development of the data base for a degradation model of a selenide RTG

The paper is concerned with the evaluation of the materials used in a selenide radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG). These materials are composed of n-type gadolinium selenide and n-type copper selenide. A three-fold evaluation approach is being used: (1) the study of the rate of change of the thermal conductivity of the material, (2) the investigation of the long-term stability of the material's Seebeck voltage and electrical resistivity under current and temperature gradient conditions, and (3) determination of the physical behavior and compatibility of the material with surrounding insulation at elevated temperatures. Programmatically, the third category of characteristic evaluation is being emphasized.
Does More Mean Less?: Interest Surplus and the Gender Gap in STEM Careers:

The persistent gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) career choice represents a perplexing problem for researchers and policy makers alike. We contribute to the body of re...
Public perceptions of ocean health and marine protection: Drivers of support for Oregon's marine reserves

Abstract Over the past several decades marine conservation policy has supported the implementation of protected areas in ocean and coastal environments to restrict some elements of human use for ecological benefits. The appropriate extent of protection and the allowable uses are often the subject of public debate about marine protected area policy. Local community dynamics around marine protected area designation and management have been the subject of much ocean and coastal management social science research. However, broader public opinions and attitudes about marine protected areas are not well understood and are critical for managers seeking to maintain their public trust obligations in environmental management. This paper provides a model for understanding the attitudes and beliefs that foster public support for or opposition to marine protections. We explored the relationships between awareness, attitudes and beliefs towards coastal and marine resource issues and uses, and demographics among a sample of Oregon, USA residents (n = 459), and tested their influence on support for expanding Oregon's recently established marine reserves. We found that Oregonians have relatively low familiarity with Oregon's marine reserve system, but that familiarity did not influence public support for Oregon's marine reserves. Instead public support was lower among coastal residents and those with positive attitudes towards commercial fisheries, and higher for those concerned with the ecological integrity of Oregon's ocean and supportive of some limits to human uses of the ocean. Our findings highlight the need for managers to engage both coastal communities and the general public to make a case for the value of marine protected areas in safeguarding the public trust.
The subjective experience of information communication technology use among child welfare workers

Abstract This study explores information and communication technology (ICT) use among rural child welfare workers. The experience sampling method (ESM) was used to collect data at five random times a day for one week from ten welfare workers. Workers reported using email, text messaging, or phone almost exclusively in their day-to-day work lives. This study demonstrates the usefulness of ESM in capturing the nuances of technology use in the day-to-day work lives of child welfare workers. Results highlight the need for agencies to explore the use of new types of ICT that may improve efficiency and expand opportunities for client contact.
A EXPERIÊNCIA DO CURSO TRANSENEM E O ACESSO À EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR

O artigo analisa a experiencia do curso transENEM enquanto dispositivo de acesso a Educacao Superior, situando historicamente sua origem e percurso, o ingresso e permanencia dos/as alunos/as, os niveis de participacao e decisao institucionais, e tambem identificando dimensoes sociais e pedagogicas desta oferta educativa. A investigacao qualitativa, descritiva e com delineamento de estudo de caso teve como instrumentos entrevistas, documentos, observacao participante, comunicacoes do coletivo e de seus membros nas redes sociais, fotos e atas das assembleias, analisados sob a perspectiva hermeneutica. Conquistas importantes foram identificadas, nao somente em relacao a aprovacao nos exames e consequente acesso a universidade, mas relativos ao engajamento das/os alunas/os, a ampliacao de oportunidades profissionais, a formacao de uma rede de apoio para os discentes e ainda a participacao nos espacos publicos.
How Repression Affects Public Perceptions of Police: Evidence from a Natural Experiment in Uganda:

What are the effects of state repression on public perceptions of police? And to what extent are these effects uniform or conditional on individuals’ loyalty to political authorities? I argue that ...
The meaning of things: The home as symbolic environment

Few English words are filled with the emotional meaning of the word “home.” It brings to mind one's childhood, the roots of one's being, the security of a private enclave where one can be free and in control of one's life. The idea of home seems to express such basic and universal human needs that it comes as a surprise to realize that many other European languages have no words with the same connotations. In Italian, for instance, casa is the nearest equivalent, yet it is much closer in meaning to “house” than to “home.” The same is even truer of the French maison , and by the time one gets to the Hungarian haz , the references are almost exclusively to the physical structure rather than to the emotional space. Of course, lexicality is not a sure indication of the psychological significance of a concept. Yet the availability of a word with shared meaning makes it easier to experience that meaning in everyday life. In all langauges there are circumlocutions that convey the psychological meaning of “home,” but these are often somehow awkward and not commonly used. The Italian “ focolare ,” literally “hearth,” or “fireplace,” is the closest poetic metonym, but it is practically never used in speech. The Hungarian otthon , meaning loosely “place of origin,” is more commonly used in the same sense as the French chez nous , but neither one has the concreteness and the wide-ranging content of “home.”
IMC-based model reference adaptive control for IPM machines

A model reference adaptive control algorithm for interior permanent magnet machines is presented in this paper, in particular, the initial value of the adaptive control gains and the reference model are set based on the internal model control principle. Compared with the traditional model reference adaptive control, the proposed adaptive control law provides a better machine torque transient response and is robust to the machine parameter variation. The effectiveness of the whole system has been validated in a 40kW interior permanent magnet machine simulation platform.
Experiments on Sound Propagation over Sloped Bottoms

Experiments to study sound propagation in a shallow water wedge have been conducted in a tank. Results confirm the assumption of adiabatic normal mode theory that the mode shapes adjust continuously to the local water depth. Mode coupling, if it exists, is negligible. For upslope propagation, the energy of a mode travelling beyond its cutoff depth is directed into the bottom with negligible coupling to lower modes. For downslope propagation, the normal modes in a wedge propagate with curved wavefronts and not with the straight vertical wavefronts of simple adiabatic normal mode theory. In addition, normal modes not present at the source can be “captured” when the water depth is sufficient to support them.
Applying Lean methodologies reduces ED laboratory turnaround times

Abstract Background Increasing the value of health care delivery is a national priority, and providers face growing pressure to reduce cost while improving quality. Ample opportunity exists to increase efficiency and quality simultaneously through the application of systems engineering science. Objective We examined the hypothesis that Lean-based reorganization of laboratory process flow would improve laboratory turnaround times (TAT) and reduce waste in the system. Methods This study was a prospective, before-after analysis of laboratory process improvement in a teaching hospital emergency department (ED). The intervention included a reorganization of laboratory sample flow based in systems engineering science and Lean methodologies, with no additional resources. The primary outcome was the median TAT from sample collection to result for 6 tests previously performed in an ED kiosk. Results After the intervention, median laboratory TAT decreased across most tests. The greatest decreases were found in "reflex tests" performed after an initial screening test: troponin T TAT was reduced by 33 minutes (86 to 53 minutes; 99% confidence interval, 30-35 minutes) and urine sedimentation TAT by 88 minutes (117 to 29 minutes; 99% confidence interval, 87-90 minutes). In addition, troponin I TAT was reduced by 12 minutes, urinalysis by 9 minutes, and urine human chorionic gonadotropin by 10 minutes. Microbiology rapid testing TAT, a "control," did not change. Conclusions In this study, Lean-based reorganization of laboratory process flow significantly increased process efficiency. Broader application of systems engineering science might further improve health care quality and capacity while reducing waste and cost.
Economic Liberalism and Its Rivals: The Formation of International Institutions among the Post-Soviet States

Part I. Theory and Methodology: 1. A natural experiment 2. A theory of international order 3. Three international trajectories 4. Liberalism and its rivals: history, typology, and measurement Part II. Contingent Selection and Systematic Effects: Country-Level Analyses of Elite Selection, Ideational Change, and Institutional Choice, 1991-2002: 5. The Baltic states and Moldova 6. Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine 7. The Caucasus 8. Central Asia Part III. Comparing Cases: 9. Alternative explanations and statistical tests 10. Smoking guns: a causal history of institutional choice 11. Conclusions and implications of the analysis.
Structural Acoustic Interactions and On Surface Conditions

The interaction of an acoustic wave and a clamped elastic panel is considered. Here we present numerical results comparing the exact solution found by solving the coupled acoustic wave — elastic panel problem to two decoupling approximations using an on surface boundary condition. These on surface conditions are derived in the limit where the ratio of the acoustic sound speed in the fluid to the surface wave speed in the panel is small.
The effects of static and intermittent compression on nitric oxide production in articular cartilage explants

Nitric oxide (NO) production and NO synthase (NOS) expression are increased in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, suggesting that NO may play a role in the destruction of articular cartilage. To test the hypothesis that mechanical stress may increase NO production by chondrocytes, we measured the effects of physiological levels of static and intermittent compression on NOS activity, NO production, and NOS antigen expression by porcine articular cartilage explants. Static compression significantly increased NO production at 0.1 MPa stress for 24 h (P < 0.05). Intermittent compression at 0.5 Hz for 6 h followed by 18 h recovery also increased NO production and NOS activity at 1.0 MPa stress (P < 0.05). Intermittent compression at 0.5 Hz for 24 h at a magnitude of 0.1 or 0.5 MPa caused an increase in NO production and NOS activity (P < 0.05). Immunoblot analysis showed stress-induced upregulation of NOS2, but not NOS1 or NOS3. There was no loss in cell viability following any of the loading regimens. Addition of 2 mM 1400 W (a specific NOS2 inhibitor) reduced NO production by 51% with no loss of cell viability. These findings indicate that NO production by chondrocytes is influenced by mechanical compression in vitro and suggest that biomechanical factors may in part regulate NO production in vivo.
Energy landscape of knotted protein folding

Recent experiments have conclusively shown that proteins are able to fold from an unknotted, denatured polypeptide to the knotted, native state without the aid of chaperones. These experiments are consistent with a growing body of theoretical work showing that a funneled, minimally frustrated energy landscape is sufficient to fold small proteins with complex topologies. Here, we present a theoretical investigation of the folding of a knotted protein, 2ouf, engineered in the laboratory by a domain fusion that mimics an evolutionary pathway for knotted proteins. Unlike a previously studied knotted protein of similar length, we see reversible folding/knotting and a surprising lack of deep topological traps with a coarse-grained structure-based model. Our main interest is to investigate how evolution might further select the geometry and stiffness of the threading region of the newly fused protein. We compare the folding of the wild-type protein to several mutants. Similarly to the wild-type protein, all mutants show robust and reversible folding, and knotting coincides with the transition state ensemble. As observed experimentally, our simulations show that the knotted protein folds about ten times slower than an unknotted construct with an identical contact map. Simulated folding kinetics reflect the experimentally observed rollover in the folding limbs of chevron plots. Successful folding of the knotted protein is restricted to a narrow range of temperature as compared to the unknotted protein and fits of the kinetic folding data below folding temperature suggest slow, nondiffusive dynamics for the knotted protein.
Bending stresses and strains in anisotropic semi-infinite plates with arbitrary edge and surface loadings.

v •= 0 line may be determined from Eq. (9), and it is found to be downstream of the sonic line. To use these results for starting the method of characteristics computation, a straight line may be drawn from the nozzle throat to the cylinder wall, downstream of the sonic line. The perturbation velocities may be computed along this line from Eqs. (8) and (9), and this in turn permits computation of the remaining flow quantities required for starting the method of characteristics.
On the parabolic crack in an elastic solid

Abstract This paper is concerned with the distribution of stresses near an embedded flat parabolic crack in a body of infinite extent when the crack surface is subjected to uniform normal loading. It is shown that the crack opening shape for the flat parabolic crack is an elliptic paraboloid. Also, it is shown that the stresses possess a singularity of r − 1 2 near the parabolic crack front and the dominant state of stress is plane strain near the crack front. The stress intensity factor for the opening mode of fracture, k Ic , is obtained for this configuration of the crack.
Relationship between neonatal birth weight and maternal plasma amino acid profiles in lean and obese nondiabetic women and in type I diabetic pregnant women

Profiles of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and concentrations of plasma glucose and 18 plasma amino acids were obtained in ten nonobese, insulin-dependent type I diabetic women, in 9 age- and weight-matched normal women and in ten obese nondiabetic women throughout pregnancy and postpartum. In late gestation, the period of maximum fetal growth, average HbA1c, plasma glucose, and total amino acid concentrations in diabetic mothers were significantly elevated above lean control values. No differences existed between the obese and lean control groups. Lean diabetic mothers also had significantly heavier babies (mean ± SEM) relative to the 50th percentile for gestational age and sex (119 ± 9%) than did the lean control group (94 ± 3%, P < .05). Relative birth weights among control lean and obese mothers did not differ significantly (94 ± 3% v 104 ± 5%). Late pregnancy profiles of HbA1c and average plasma glucose did not correlate with relative weight of neonates wheras average total plasma amino acids and six individual amino acids did correlate with this parameter. These data suggest that maternal plasma amino acid concentrations may influence fetal weight generally and may have an important role in the development of fetal macrosomia in diabetic pregnancies.
The Psychosocial Consequences of Living Environment Instability on Maltreated Children.

The relationship between stability of living arrangements and adolescent deviance was examined for 212 adolescents in a longitudinal study of maltreated and nonmaltreated children. Transitions in caretakers and residences have a statistically significant relationship to 5 indicators of adolescent deviant behavior. While maltreatment in childhood poses a risk for later deviance in adolescence, the risk can be even greater for those who have experienced more transitions while growing up.
The fear of public relations in foreign affairs: an examination of the 1963 Fulbright Hearings into foreign agents

Abstract Public relations has long been looked at with suspicion given its use of persuasion to influence public opinion. That suspicion turns to fear when public relations is linked to propaganda. The 1963 Senate Foreign Relations Committee's investigation into the Foreign Agents Registration Act provides an opportunity to explore the fear of the public's susceptibility to propaganda and the perceived role of public relations in shaping public opinion. Public relations practitioners working for foreign clients were portrayed in the hearings as mercenaries who worked behind the scenes to influence American foreign policy.
Street-Level Justice: Situational Determinants of Police Arrest Decisions

In this paper we examine variations in police arrest practices. Data collected in 1977 from police encounters with suspects indicate that arrest practices reflect legal and extra-legal factors. The decision to take a suspect into custody is influenced by such features of the situation as the dispositional preferences of victims, the race and demeanor of the suspect, and the presence of bystanders. Furthermore, the seriousness of the offense increases the chances of arrest. Contrary to much existing literature, males and females are equally likely to be arrested. The relevance of these findings to theoretical models of police behavior is discussed and the implications of our analysis for studies of criminal processing in general are considered.
1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its nuclear receptor repress human α1(I) collagen expression and type I collagen formation

Hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis result from the excessive deposition of predominantly type I collagen, which is composed of two α1 and one α2 chains. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3)2, the active form of vitamin D, is formed by sequential 25 and 1a hydroxylation in the liver and kidney respectively (1). Low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are common in chronic cholestatic and non-cholestatic liver disease (2–4) with the lowest levels observed in patients with severe hepatic fibrosis (4). 1,25-(OH)2D3 was shown to reduce type I collagen mRNA and collagen synthesis in osteoclasts of rat fetal calvaria (5), the activity of the rat α1(I) collagen promoter in transfected rat osteosarcoma cells (6) and to inhibit transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1)-induced fibroblast proliferation and type I collagen expression (7). More recently 1,25-(OH)2D3 was shown to decrease rat α1(I) collagen promoter activity in transfected rat stellate cells, decrease α1(I) collagen mRNA and collagen content in the rat stellate cells and to diminish thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats (8). 1,25-(OH)2D3 is the ligand of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) which mediates its biological effects. Most of the actions of VDR are mediated by heterodimers of VDR with retinoid X receptor (VDR-RXR heterodimers) which bind to vitamin D response elements (VDREs) in promoters of vitamin D responsive genes (9). VDREs usually consist of two core motifs in the form of Pug (G/T)TCA (X)3 PuG(G/T)TCA (10). However, several variations of these motifs can be tolerated (11). VDRE has been identified in the murine α1(I) collagen promoter (12), however, we found no reports of identification of VDREs in the human α1(I) collagen promoter. VDR was also shown to modulate the expression of genes that lack VDRE via Sp1 binding sites by forming a complex with Sp1 (13). Sp1 binds to the human α1(I) collagen promoter ( − 164 to −142), forms a complex with Smads and is a powerful mediator of the activating effect of TGFβ on the collagen promoter (14, 15). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on the human α1(I) collagen promoter, collagen formation by human stellate LX-2 cells and the mechanism of the effect of VDR on the promoter.
WASp Identity Theft by a Bacterial Effector

EspF U , a protein secreted by pathogenic enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), activates N-WASp/WASp to induce actin pedestal formation in host cells. Two recent papers in Nature show that EspF U exploits a WASp activation strategy so extreme that it may effectively sequester WASp, blinding it to both autoinhibition and cellular regulation.
The anatomy of mood disorders-review of structural neuroimaging studies

The structural neuroimaging findings in mood disorders were reviewed, to evaluate evidence for a neuroanatomic model of pathophysiology, involving the prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, the amygdala-hippocampus complex, thalamus, and connections among these structures. Global atrophy is not consistently found. The best replicated finding is an increased rate of white matter and periventricular hyperintensities. A smaller frontal lobe, cerebellum, caudate, and putamen appear present in unipolar depression. A larger third ventricle, and smaller cerebellum and perhaps temporal lobe appear present in bipolar disorder. These localized structural changes involve regions that may be critical in the pathogenesis of mood disorders. Generalized and localized anatomic alterations may be related to age or vascular disease. The clinical and biological correlates of these changes need to be investigated to allow development of a more complete model of pathophysiology of mood disorders.
Type II diabetes and its complications in Mexican Americans.

The prevalence and incidence of type II diabetes are substantially higher in Mexican Americans than in non-Hispanic whites. This, combined with its earlier age of onset and the younger age structure of the Mexican American population, makes diabetes a major public health problem in this ethnic group and one which to a greater extent than in non-Hispanics strikes people in the prime of life. Both genetic and environmental factors undoubtedly contribute to this epidemic. The environmental factors would appear to be those commonly associated with the phenomenon of "modernization" or "westernization", namely, dietary change and adoption of sedentary lifestyles. As such, they are potentially modifiable and amenable to clinical and public health action. There is as yet no proof from clinical trials that modification of any or all of these environmental factors will in fact prevent diabetes. When clinical trials are performed, high-risk populations such as Mexican Americans should be considered as potential target populations, because of both the public health relevance and the lower sample size requirements in such populations. Further advances in identifying genetic susceptibles would also facilitate the design and execution of such trials. The increased risk of microvascular complications in Mexican American diabetics puts this population in "double jeopardy", i.e., they have a greater risk of acquiring diabetes in the first instance, and, having acquired it, they have a greater risk of suffering from its complications. It is still not clear whether the increased risk of complications in this ethnic group stems from an intrinsically more severe biological process or barriers to adequate medical care and/or poor compliance. Prospective data currently being gathered should help to resolve this issue. Assuming that medical care plays a role, a major opportunity--and challenge--exists to reduce substantially the morbidity, mortality, and economic burden associated with type II diabetes and its complications in the Mexican American population.
On the Mechanics of the First Cleavage Division of the Sea Urchin Egg

We describe a continuum model of the sea urchin egg during the first cleavage division. Using estimated values of the relevant mechanical parameters we then carry out numerical simulations of cytokinesis and conduct a systematic comparison of these computations with a variety of published experimental data.
Simulation Laboratory for Evaluating Dynamic Traffic Management Systems

This paper presents a simulation laboratory for performance evaluation and design refinement of dynamic traffic management systems. The laboratory consists of four integrated components : (1) a traffic management simulator, which mimics the generation of route guidance and operations of traffic signals and signs ; (2) a traffic flow simulator, which models individual vehicle movements and drivers' route choice decisions in the presence of real-time traffic information ; (3) a surveillance system module, which collects real-time traffic data from sensors and probe vehicles in the simulated network ; and (4) a control device module, which implements control strategies and route guidance generated by the traffic management system under evaluation. The simulation laboratory has been implemented in C++ using object-oriented programming and a distributed environment. It features a graphical user interface that allows users to visualize the simulation process, including animation of vehicle movements, state of surveillance sensors, traffic signals, signs, and so on. This modeling system provides a unique tool for evaluating integrated ATIS and ATMS applications in a computer-based laboratory environment.
A longitudinal study on the impact of Johne's disease status on milk production in individual cows

Longitudinal data from 3 commercial dairy herds in the northeast United States were collected from 2004 to 2007. Johne's disease status, as indicated by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection levels, was determined through quarterly ELISA serum testing, biannual fecal culture, and culture of tissues at slaughter. Milk production data were collected from the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. The effect of Johne's disease status on milk production was analyzed using a mixed linear model with an autocorrelation random effect structure. Infected animals produced more milk than uninfected cows before they began shedding M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis. Cows infected with M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis had monthly decreases of 0.05 to 1 kg in daily milk production relative to uninfected animals, with greater decreases in progressive disease categories. Animals with fecal culture results of >30 cfu/g produced approximately 4 kg less milk per day compared with uninfected cows. These results will be valuable in calculating the economic effect of Johne's disease.
Spatial and temporal variations in debris accumulation and composition on an estuarine shoreline, Cliffwood Beach, New Jersey, USA

A twelve month field investigation documents differences in cross shore accumulation and composition of debris on the dune, backbeach, and foreshore of a sandy estuarine shoreline. Debris was gathered monthly within 3 belt transects extending from the dune crest to the low tide terrace (base of the foreshore). Individual pieces of debris were classified by type, function, degree of fragmentation, length, weight, and location on the beach profile (dune, vegetated backbeach, backbeach and foreshore). Plastic comprised 42.5% and glass 29.3% of the 5793 pieces of debris that were collected. Debris was primarily consumer and household related items, and the greatest quantities of debris were found during beach user months. The cross shore spatial distribution of debris reflects the influence of wind or wave processes across the profile with small lightweight debris on the wind-dominated upper profile and heavier debris on the wave-dominated lower profile. A chi-square test revealed that more plastic was observed than expected in the dune and backbeach areas with the greatest quantities found after onshore winds. More glass was observed than expected on the foreshore where low wave energies prevent transport higher on the beach profile.
Academic misconduct among teacher education students: A descriptive-correlational study

Results of a study to determine the extent to which teacher education students perceive their student peers to engage in various forms of academic misconduct are reported. A thirty-seven-item instrument was used to collect data from ninety-seven teacher education students at a southern comprehensive university. Items addressed the frequency of various cheating behaviors, the perceived maturity level of the persons most likely to cheat, and the degree to which respondents felt cheaters “neutralized” their cheating behaviors. Although cheating was not perceived as a major problem among teacher education students, a definite relationship between perceived neutralization and academic misconduct was noted.
Mental illness among us: a new curriculum to reduce mental illness stigma among medical students.

Medical students have been shown to have high levels of psychological distress, including self-stigmatization and unwillingness to seek care. The authors hypothesized that a student-led curriculum involving personal mental illness experience, given during the first-year neuroscience course, and titled “Mental Illness Among Us (MIAU), ” would reduce stigma of mental illness. In 2010 and 2011, students completed voluntary pre- and post-MIAU surveys measuring attitudes regarding mental illness in relation to MIAU. Also, in 2011, the authors categorized topics mentioned in student responses to an open-ended, free-response question on the course final examination. Of 298 enrolled students, 250 submitted surveys that were matched pre- and post-intervention. Participants in the curriculum showed a significant difference in Social Distance, indicating an increased willingness to interact with individuals with mental illness, and a significant difference in the Mental Illness: Clinicians’ Attitudes (MICA) score representing a stronger agreement with positive statements regarding mental illness. The non-participants’ scores showed no changes in measures from pre-to post. Respondents most frequently reported that the neuroscience course prepared them to be a physician because it taught about compassion and the importance of treating the whole patient. The results indicate that participation in MIAU leads to a decrease in stigmatization of mental illness and a greater sense of compassion among UCSF medical students. This finding is consistent with previous research suggesting social and cognitive congruence among peers and peer-teachers can result in meaningful learning experiences. MIAU may represent a sustainable model to supplement current systems to promote well-being of medical trainees.
Seismic tomography of Jasper Seamount

A vertical section of the interior structure of Jasper Seamount was modeled using a spectral tomographic inversion of P wave travel times. An array of ocean bottom seismographs (OBSs) deployed over the seamount detected the arrivals from a series of ocean bottom shots. A reference velocity model reveals that average compressional velocities within the seamount are similar to those found within Kilauea and are consistently slower than velocities at equivalent depths in typical oceanic crust. This suggests Jasper Seamount has a high average porosity. Perturbations from the reference model were imaged by tomographic inversion. A high velocity zone within the northwest flank of the seamount may result from dikes associated with a radial rift or from a shallow solidified magma reservoir. A low velocity summit may result from shallow, explosive eruptions. The tomographic model is consistent with the results of gravity, magnetic and dredging analyses.
A Molecular Take on Aesop’s The Oak and the Reeds

Ngo et al. use single-molecule methods to show that DNA can be more readily displaced from one side of a nucleosome relative to the other side. This unexpected mechanical asymmetry may offer a path of least resistance, allowing RNA polymerases to traverse nucleosomes if they approach from the correct direction.
Multicenter study of predictors of disease course in Alzheimer disease (the predictors study'). I: Study design, cohort description, and intersite comparisons

Clinicians should be able to provide the patient with Alzheimer disease (AD) and the family with an accurate prediction of what to expect, but the variability in the rate of disease progression precludes this. In several previous studies, specific clinical signs such as muscular rigidity, myoclonus, and hallucinations or delusions were associated with rapid progression to a more severe stage of dementia or death. The "Predictors Study," a longitudinal study at three independent sites, was designed to develop a predictor model of the natural history of Alzheimer disease. The study was conducted at three study sites, New York, Baltimore, and Boston in a cohort of 224 patients with early probable AD. This article describes the design and implementation of the Predictors Study, and compares features of the study cohort at baseline across sites. Patients were all at the mild stage of disease at entry and were relatively comparable across sites. Extrapyramidal signs and delusions were common, but myoclonus was rarely observed.