cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of plasma transfusions on antithrombin levels after paediatric liver transplantation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Thrombotic complications affect 3-10% of patients after liver transplantation (LT), leading to potentially life-threatening complications. In the days following LT, antithrombin (AT) is decreased longer than pro-coagulant factors, thus favouring a pro-thrombotic profile. Plasma transfusions are given empirically in some centres to correct AT levels following LT. We assessed the effect of plasma transfusion on AT levels after paediatric LT. MATERIALS AND METHODS Prospective single-centre observational study in 20 consecutive paediatric LT recipients over a 24-month period. Plasma was administered twice daily (10 ml/kg/dose) according to an existing protocol. AT levels were measured once daily, immediately prior to and one hour after the morning plasma transfusion. Sample size was calculated based on a non-inferiority hypothesis. RESULTS The median age and weight were 11.6 years (IQR 2.8; 14.7) and 40 kg (IQR 12.75; 44.8), respectively. We collected 85-paired blood samples. The median AT level prior to plasma transfusion was 58%. The median difference in AT levels before and after plasma transfusion was 4.2% (P = 0.001). Changes in AT levels after plasma transfusion were not correlated with baseline AT levels (R = 0.19) or patient weight (R = 0.18). CONCLUSION Plasma transfusions only marginally increase AT levels in children after LT. Therefore, prophylactic plasma transfusions probably do not seem to confer an advantage in the routine management of paediatric LT patients. Randomized controlled trials are needed to identify the optimal anticoagulation strategy in this specific population.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy improves weight loss and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot randomized clinical trial.

Objective To compare the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and lifestyle modification (LS) versus LS alone on weight, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and stress response in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), overweight/obesity, and depressive symptoms. Design A 16-week pilot randomized clinical trial. Setting Tertiary-care PCOS center. Patient(s) Overweight/obese women with PCOS and depressive symptoms. Intervention(s) Weekly CBT (n = 7) or contact only/no therapy (n = 8) for 8 weeks. Both groups received weekly LS for 16 weeks. Main Outcome Measure(s) Changes in weight, depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]), quality of life (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire [PCOSQ]), laboratory tests, and response to a Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Result(s) The CBT+LS group lost more weekly weight (−0.35 kg/wk vs. −0.16 kg/wk) compared with the LS group. Overall, the CBT+LS group lost 3.2 kg versus 1.8 kg for the LS group. The CBT+LS group had greater improvement in PCOSQ at 8 weeks (+3.7 vs. +1.2 points). In the overall cohort, STAI and CES-D decreased by −0.27 points per week and −0.31 points/wk, respectfully, and total and free T decreased at week 8. Heart rate response to TSST was lower at 15 minutes after stressor in the CBT+LS group. Conclusion(s) Weekly CBT+LS for 8 weeks compared with LS alone resulted in significant weight loss and improved quality of life in overweight/obese women with PCOS and depressive symptoms. These interventions were associated with a decreased autonomic response to a laboratory stressor, suggesting a potential link between CBT, weight loss, and modulation of the stress response. Clinical Trial Registration Number NCT01899001.
DESIGN SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF DYNAMIC FREQUENCY RESPONSES OF ACOUSTO-ELASTIC BUILT-UP STRUCTURES

A continuum design sensitivity analysis (DSA) method for dynamic frequency responses of acousto-elastic built-up structures is developed using the adjoint variable and direct differentiation methods. A variational approach with nonselfadjoint operators for complex variable is used to retain the continuum elasticity formulation throughout derivation of design sensitivity results. Sizing design variables such as thickness and cross-sectional area of structural components are considered for the design sensitivity analysis. A numerical implementation method for continuum DSA results is developed by postprocessing analysis results from established finite element analysis (FEA) codes to obtain the design sensitivity of displacement and pressure performance measures of the acousto-elastic built-up structures. The numerical method is tested using passenger vehicle problems. Accurate design sensitivity results are obtained for analysis results obtained from MSC/NASTRAN and ABAQUS FEA codes.
Nettle: Functional Reactive Programming for OpenFlow Networks

Abstract : We describe a language-centric approach to solving the complex, low-level, and error-prone nature of network control. Specifically, we have designed a domain-specific language called Nettle embedded in Haskell, that allows programming OpenFlow networks in an elegant, declarative style. Nettle is designed in layers to accommodate a family of DSLs targeted for specific network applications. The primary core of Nettle is based on the principles of functional reactive programming (FRP). Aside from its useful signal abstraction, FRP facilitates the integration of components written in different higher-level DSLs. We demonstrate our methodology by writing several non-trivial OpenFlow controllers.
Pathophysiology of infantile spasms.

Recent observations have contributed significantly to our understanding of the pathophysiology of infantile spasms, and have allowed a number of hypotheses to be generated. Any consideration of the pathophysiology of infantile spasms must take into account the following features common to the population of subjects with infantile spasms: 1 The spasms are generalized seizures which consist of brief muscle extension, flexion, or mixed flexion-extension jerks involving the neck, trunk, or extremities.47,49 Lateralizing or localizing clinical features may be present during the spasms. 2 Infantile spasms can be associated with a wide variety of neurological conditions, including metabolic, dysplastic or dysgenetic abnormalities, and various prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal insults.51 In the symptomatic category, a specific neurological condition can be identified, whereas in the cryptogenic sub-group an underlying condition is suspected based on clinical features, EEG or other tests, but a specific diagnosis cannot be made. 3 There is a small group (<5%) of infants with spasms, the idiopathic subgroup, which is believed not to be associated with any underlying condition. Neurodevelopment is normal at presentation, and there is a lack of focal features on clinical examination, seizure semiology or EEG. Reappearance of hypsar-rhythmia between consecutive spasms in a cluster is said to be an important feature in this subgroup.34 There is rapid response of the spasms to medical treatment and an ultimately benign course is expected. This rare situation may represent a case in which, during development, there is a chemical or physiological disturbance resulting in spasms, but which can be totally reversed with medical treatment. 4 With rare exceptions,38 the spasms typically begin between age 3 and 8 months and disappear by age 2 to 3 years. In other words, there appears to be a developmental window during which various brain abnormalities may result in infantile spasms as one manifestation of the underlying disorder. 5 Although the vast majority of brain lesions that have been identified in patients with infantile spasms involve the cerebral cortex, their locations are not specific to any cortical region. 6 With some exceptions, the spasms do not appear to respond to conventional anticonvulsants, but rather, to therapeutic agents not typically used in epilepsy, such as corticosteroids. If the spasms respond to such treatment, the response is often abrupt and dramatic rather than graded, as is seen in other forms of epilepsy.
Infections in the Injection Drug Abuser

Intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) represents a significant economic, social, and health burden to society and is one of the most dangerous ways to administer a drug, and medical management often falls on the shoulders of the emergency department provider. This review seeks to provide an update on the etiology, common infectious agents, and treatment modalities specific to IV drug abuse. IV drug use conveys serious health hazards and in particular cutaneous, soft tissue, and systemic infections. Illicit drug use carries with it social stigma, and patients may be reluctant to admit to using, so it is important to look for and recognize the clinical manifestations of drug use. Specific infectious agents may be related to individual batch preparation, inducing a local outbreak, and it is important to be on high alert for the sequela of IV drug abuse-related infection as early as possible. Any needle-administered drug, including those given via intramuscular or subcutaneous routes, carries with it the risk of contamination, and both nutritional and immunologic status have an effect on the seeding and severity of infection.
The Multi-Country Study on the Drivers of Violence Affecting Children in Zimbabwe: Using a mixed methods, multi-stakeholder approach to discover what drives violence

In 2013, a national survey in Zimbabwe revealed alarmingly high rates of violence affecting children (VAC) throughout the country. These findings led to Zimbabwe joining the Multi-Country Study on ...
Development of a multiplexed giant magnetoresistive biosensor array prototype to quantify ovarian cancer biomarkers.

In this work, we developed benchtop and handheld Giant Magnetoresistive (GMR) biosensing systems that serve as platforms for detecting a wide variety of protein biomarkers for human diseases. System development included spintronic and nanomagnetic materials, biomolecular chemistry, electronic circuitry, analog and digital signal processing, firmware programming, user interface programming on both PC and Android smartphone, communications over both USB and Bluetooth, and mechanical integration. In this work, we demonstrated the benchtop GMR biosensing system in the context of ovarian cancer assay development. The prototype system delivered the required performance in terms of high-sensitivity multiplex assays in a portable format with enough flexibility to serve as a platform for ovarian cancer and many other diseases. We achieved multiplex detection of cancer antigen 125 (CA125 II), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), and interleukin 6 (IL6), with limits of detection (LOD) as low as 3.7 U/mL, 7.4 pg/mL, and 7.4 pg/mL, respectively.
Incidence and malignancy rates of indeterminate pediatric thyroid nodules.

Background The American Thyroid Association guidelines task force currently recommends definitive thyroidectomy or lobectomy after an indeterminate thyroid biopsy in children. This recommendation is based on evidence of a greater incidence and a higher risk of malignancy compared with adults in earlier pediatric studies. Such management may lead to overtreatment and unnecessary surgery for many children in the United States. Methods The objective of the current study was to re-evaluate pediatric thyroid nodules and assess the overall percentages and malignancy rates for indeterminate thyroid biopsies in children. In total, 302 pediatric thyroid fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) were analyzed retrospectively (2001-2018). Distribution percentages and malignancy rates were calculated for each category of The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC). Results Two indeterminate TBSRTC groups (atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance and follicular neoplasm/suspicious for a follicular neoplasm) had much lower distribution percentages and malignancy rates compared with earlier pediatric series and American Thyroid Association guidelines. A meta-analysis further supported these findings and demonstrated distinctly different malignancy rates for the indeterminate groups (atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance, follicular neoplasm/suspicious for a follicular neoplasm, and suspicious for malignancy), suggesting the need for TBSRTC category-specific management recommendations rather than a nondiscriminatory, up-front surgical approach. Conclusions Adult patients with indeterminate preoperative thyroid cytopathology are followed by repeat biopsy and possibly molecular testing before undergoing definitive surgery. However, in children, the guidelines are considerably more aggressive and recommend definitive surgery after the first indeterminate thyroid biopsy. Here, the largest pediatric cohort to date with meta-analysis is presented, and the authors propose a re-evaluation of this up-front approach to pediatric thyroid care.
Computational Approaches to Detect Illicit Drug Ads and Find Vendor Communities Within Social Media Platforms.

The opioid abuse epidemic represents a major public health threat to global populations. The role social media may play in facilitating illicit drug trade is largely unknown due to limited research. However, it is known that social media use among adults in the US is widespread, there is vast capability for online promotion of illegal drugs with delayed or limited deterrence of such messaging, and further, general commercial sale applications provide safeguards for transactions; however, they do not discriminate between legal and illegal sale transactions. These characteristics of the social media environment present challenges to surveillance which is needed for advancing knowledge of online drug markets and the role they play in the drug abuse and overdose deaths. In this paper, we present a computational framework developed to automatically detect illicit drug ads and communities of vendors.The SVM- and CNNbased methods for detecting illicit drug ads, and a matrix factorization based method for discovering overlapping communities have been extensively validated on the large dataset collected from Google+, Flickr and Tumblr. Pilot test results demonstrate that our computational methods can effectively identify illicit drug ads and detect vendor-community with accuracy. These methods hold promise to advance scientific knowledge surrounding the role social media may play in perpetuating the drug abuse epidemic.
A Resilience Intervention for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Proof-of-Concept in Community Health Centers.

Given the psychological stress associated with managing type 2 diabetes (T2D), resilience-promoting interventions may particularly benefit populations experiencing high levels of stress (e.g., racial/ethnic minority and lower-income individuals). Federally qualified Community Health Centers (CHCs) primarily serve these patients and are therefore ideal settings for resilience-promoting T2D programs. This proof-of-concept study tested the Resilience-Based Diabetes Self-Management Education (RB-DSME) intervention within a CHC. Thirty-five patients with T2D (M age = 51 years, 71% female, 60% Hispanic, 69% annual household income < $20,000) at two clinics within the CHC completed the RB-DSME, consisting of eight bi-weekly classes and two monthly support groups. In this treatment-only design, resilience resources, self-management behaviors, and physical and mental health outcomes were measured at baseline and 6 months. Attendance (M = 7.66/10) and program satisfaction (M = 6.79/7) were high. Participants improved adaption to stress (d = .67), adaptive coping (d = .60), diabetes empowerment (d = .57), and finding positive meaning (d = .85). Large increases in self-management behaviors (d = 1.38) and number of steps (d = 1.11) were also observed. Participants lowered A1C from baseline (M = 8.79%) to 6 months (M = 8.11%; d = .50), along with diabetes distress (d = 1.31), depressive symptoms (d = .80), and general perceived stress (d = .55). This study demonstrated the ability of the RB-DSME to improve resilience resources, self-management behaviors, and health outcomes among racial/ethnic minority and lower-income patients with T2D at clinics within a CHC. A larger, randomized trial should more rigorously test the RB-DSME in this clinical setting.
Aristotle on Knowledge and Learning: The Posterior Analytics: Bronstein, David, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016, pp. xiii + 272, £53 (hardback).

This is a careful study of the more methodological chapters of the Posterior Analytics. Bronstein probes Aristotle’s accounts of demonstration, definition, and induction. He rejects an intuitionist...
A Pilot Study of Responses to Interparental Conflict in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Research supports that parents of children with ASD experience higher rates of marital conflict compared to parents of neurotypically developing (NT) children; however, no known research examining reactions to interparental conflict in children with ASD exists. This study compared emotional, behavioral, and physiological responses to interparental conflict in ASD (n = 21) and NT children (n = 29). Children were presented with videotaped interactions (constructive vs. destructive conflict) of actors and their reactions were measured. Children with ASD reported higher levels of negative emotions following constructive conflict compared to NT children. Parents of children with ASD rated their child's emotional and behavioral responses to interparental conflict more negatively than parents of NT children. Comparable levels of physiological reactivity were found across both groups.
Religious Extremism: The Good, The Bad, and The Deadly

This paper challenges conventional views of violent religious extremism, partic- ularly those that emphasize militant theology. We offer an alternative analysis that helps explain the persistent demand for religion, the different types of religions that naturally arise, and the special attributes of the "sectarian" type. Sects are adept at producing club goods - both spiritual and material. Where governments and economies function poorly, sects often become major suppliers of social services, political action, and coercive force. Their success as providers is much more due to the advantages of their organizational structure than it is to their theology. Religious militancy is most effectively controlled through a combination of policies that raise the direct costs of violence, foster religious competition, improve social services, and encourage private enterprise.
The impact of the affordable care act on surgeon selection amongst colorectal surgery patients.

Abstract Background It is unclear how the Affordable Care Act’s state-based Medicaid Expansion (ME) has impacted surgeon selection for colorectal resections (CRS). Methods We performed a risk-adjusted DID analysis on state discharge data of CRS patients aged 26–64 from NY (Expansion) and FL (non-Expansion) before (2012–2013) and after (2016–2017) ME. Primary outcome was use of a high-volume or colorectal-boarded surgeon. Subset analysis performed on insurance status. Results Among 78,866 CRS patients, ME was associated with a 5.9% increase in Medicaid enrollment. ME was associated with a 0.73 (95%CI: 0.67–0.69; p Conclusions ME was associated with an increase in Medicaid enrollment and a decrease in the use of high-volume surgeons by the commercially insured.
Re-shaping HIV Interventions with Technology.

This special issue presents 12 articles which outline some of the epidemiological and intervention strategies that mobile and electronic technologies offer that may improve and extend the reach, penetration rates, and efficacy for HIV interventions.
A Randomized Controlled Evaluation of a Spiritually Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Sub-Clinical Anxiety among Jews, Delivered via the Internet

Kenneth I. Pargament, Advisor This study evaluated the efficacy of a spiritually integrated, cognitive behavioral treatment program (SI-CBT) for sub-clinical anxiety, delivered via the internet. One-hundred and twenty-five Jewish individuals reporting elevated levels of stress and worry received SI-CBT, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), or a waitlist control condition (WLC). SI-CBT and PMR participants accessed on-line treatment on a daily basis for a period of 2-weeks. All participants completed self-report assessments at preand post-treatment and 6-8 week follow-up. SI-CBT participants reported greater belief in treatment credibility, expectancies from treatment, and treatment satisfaction than PMR participants. SI-CBT participants reported greater treatment gains in both primary outcomes (stress and worry), one of two secondary outcomes (intolerance of uncertainty), and two of five spiritual outcomes (positive religious coping and mistrust in God) compared to the WLC group, whereas PMR and WLC participants did not differ on these outcomes.
Chapter 26 – OK blood group system

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the OK blood group system. The history, terminology, expression, database accession numbers, and the carrier molecule related to the OK blood group system are reviewed. The function and disease association of the OK blood group system is also discussed. CD147 is the human homolog of rat OX-47 antigen, mouse basigin, and chicken neurothelin. Human CD147 (EMMPRIN–extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer) on tumor cells binds an unknown ligand on fibroblasts, which stimulates their production of collagenase and other extracellular matrix metalloproteinases, thus enhancing tumor cell invasion and metastases. The monocarboxylate (lactate) transporters, MCT1 and MCT4, require CD147 for their correct plasma membrane expression and function.
Nebennierenmark und Nebennierenrinde

In der Nebenniere (NN; Abb. 20–1) sind zwei endokrine Organe vereinigt; das Nebennierenmark (NNM; Sekretion von Catecholaminen) und die Nebennierenrinde (NNR; Sekretion von Steroidhormonen).
The Role of Foreign Languages in Educating Lawyers for Transnational Challenges

In a world in which every other country seems intent on teaching English to their youth, and in which the United States educational system does not place a high priority on teaching foreign languages, the American law student, dean and professor may doubt if foreign language knowledge is anything more than marginally helpful to law graduates. Similarly, educators at the primary school level may not be likely to assess foreign language education as warranting a greater allocation of scarce public resources. The usefulness of foreign languages to the United States lawyer gradually has been gaining increased recognition in the profession, however. While the advantages to a lawyer of being able to communicate in the language of a client or colleague are many, the main need for our students to become fluent in foreign languages is not that they otherwise will be barred from communicating in transnational legal situations. Rather, it is the disadvantage of monolinguism, a problem that can be summarized as a limitation on the imagination.
EUV Radiation from B Stars: The Broad Implications for Stellar and Interstellar Astronomy

Observations made with the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) of the two bright stars e CMa (B2 II) and β CMa (B1 II-III) are discussed. The photospheres show excess EUV radiation. The wind of e CMa exhibits the Bowen Fluorescence mechanism, along with high ionization stages that help explain the nature of the wind shocks. The pulsation and beat phenomena exhibited by the variable star β CMa suggest that deposition of residual pulsation energy might heat and modify the structure of the atmospheres of early-type stars near the β Cephei strip. The possibility that many other B stars show a large excess Lyman continuum radiation is considered as a possible source of the ionization of the warm ionized medium (WIM) in the galactic ISM.
WiGis: a framework for scalable web-based interactive graph visualizations

Traditional network visualization tools inherently suffer from scalability problems, particularly when such tools are interactive and web-based. In this paper we introduce WiGis –Web-based Interactive Graph Visualizations. WiGis exemplify a fully web-based framework for visualizing large-scale graphs natively in a user's browser at interactive frame rates with no discernible associated startup costs. We demonstrate fast, interactive graph animations for up to hundreds of thousands of nodes in a browser through the use of asynchronous data and image transfer. Empirical evaluations show that our system outperforms traditional web-based graph visualization tools by at least an order of magnitude in terms of scalability, while maintaining fast, high-quality interaction.
Magnetic Properties of Systems of Low Dimensions

The topic of low-dimensional ferromagnetism is presented by means of examples: three specific systems illustrate phase transitions, domain patterns, and domain walls. Stripe-domain phases and their transformations are described in ultrathin, perpendicularly magnetized Fe/Cu films, and related to two-dimensional phase transitions. The domain patterns in small elements are discussed in stepped Co/Cu(001), an in-plane-magnetized system with tunable anisotropy. A wealth of different domain patterns is observed, exhibiting a distinct size and thickness dependence. A microscopic investigation of domain walls that are confined to small elements and pinned at constrictions is performed in Fe20Ni80. The wall types and profiles are found to deviate strongly from those encountered in extended films. A comparison with micromagnetic simulations leads to insight into the energetics driving these modifications. Keywords: magnetic domains; single-domain state; multidomain state; stripe domains; phase transitions; spin reorientation; domain walls; small elements; constrictions; micromagnetics
Mitochondria and cancer: a growing role in apoptosis, cancer cell metabolism and dedifferentiation

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Otto Warburg demonstrated that cancer cells have a peculiar metabolism. These cells preferentially utilise glycolysis for energetic and anabolic purposes, producing large quantities of lactic acid. He defined this unusual metabolism “aerobic glycolysis”. At the same time, Warburg hypothesised that a disruption of mitochondrial activities played a precise pathogenic role in cancer. Because of this so-called “Warburg effect”, mitochondrial physiology and cellular respiration in particular have been overlooked in pathophysiological studies of cancer. Over time, however, many studies have shown that mitochondria play a fundamental role in cell death by apoptosis or necrosis. Moreover, metabolic enzymes of the Krebs cycle have also recently been recognised as oncosuppressors. Recently, a series of studies were undertaken to re-evaluate the role of oxidative mitochondrial metabolism in cancer cell growth and progression. Some of these data indicate that modulation of mitochondrial respiration may induce an arrest of cancer cell proliferation and differentiation (pseudodifferentiation) and/or or death, suggesting that iatrogenic manipulation of some mitochondrial activities may induce anticancer effects. Moreover, studying the role of mitochondria in cancer cell dedifferentiation/differentiation processes may allow further insight into the pathophysiology and therapy of so-called cancer stem cells.
The Lived Experience of Dance/Movement Therapists Working with Patients with Eating Disorders

This qualitative study highlighted the lived experiences of five dance/movement therapists who work with patients diagnosed with eating disorders. Using a phenomenological research approach, participants’ lived experiences were explored through semi-structured interviews and seven themes were developed using Kvale’s interview analysis. Findings also highlighted somatic countertransference as identified through differing body tensions as well as a need for constant self-care among participants. Implications highlighted how essential it is to bring the body of the client and the body of the clinician into the treatment process while maintaining healthy self-care practices.
Models in Context: Biological and Epistemological Niches

A model organism’s value depends on its biological and epistemological contexts. The biological context of a model species comprises all aspects of its environment in the research setting that may influence its biological characteristics. In contrast, the epistemological context is not a matter of the organism’s surroundings, but rather of what question it is supposed to help answer, and the assumptions about its “representativeness” that warrant broader application of results from a unique model. The biological context for model organisms in research is highly controlled and standardized. This strategy has often been productive; however, it risks eliminating essential environmental information and biological mechanisms, including organism-environment interactions that help shape phenotypes. Considering biological context helps us avoid experimental designs that simplify potentially important dimensions out of existence. Clarifying the epistemological context, from background assumptions to the ultimate goal of the research, lets us assess how the research approach we choose—such as employing a particular model—may constrain the range or utility of possible answers. Looking at models in context can enrich understanding of both the history and the practice of biology: how models are selected and evolve to fit questions, and how they in turn influence the direction of future work.
Factors Contributing to Adult Knowledge of Science and Technology

Historically, most efforts to improve public knowledge of science and technology have focused on improvements in K-12 schooling, although post-secondary education and informal education have also been mentioned as important factors. Currently, little empirical data exist to determine how or when to best leverage science and technology education energies and resources. This article examines a range of factors potentially contributing to adult knowledge of science and technology. Results from a telephone survey of 1,018 adult residents in greater Los Angeles, California (United States) showed that adult free-choice learning experiences such as reading books and magazines about science and technology, using the internet, and watching science related documentaries and videos were the strongest predictors of self-reported knowledge of science and technology. Privilege, especially higher income and being male, was also an important factor, as were workplace experiences and childhood experiences outside of school. Although formal schooling was a significant predictor of this knowledge, it explained less variance in knowledge than most other factors. This research provides initial data on which to base discussions about how best to support public education in science and technology. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 50: 431-452, 2013
Respiratory system mechanics in mice measured by end-inflation occlusion

Characterization of pulmonary function parameters in mice will facilitate the dissection of genetic mechanisms underlying airway hyperresponsiveness. We evaluated acetylcholine (ACh)-induced respir...
High speed redundant adder and divider in output prediction logic

A redundant bit adder (RBA) and a divider, both implemented in output prediction logic (OPL), are presented. By combining the carry-free nature of the redundant number system and the high-speed characteristics of OPL, the performance of the arithmetic blocks was tremendously improved. Fabricated in 0.18/spl mu/m/1.8V CMOS, the adder achieves a measured delay of 211ps (2.4 fanout-of-four inverter delays), which is significantly faster than any previously published RBAs. The divider implemented in the same technology can achieve an operating frequency of 1.25GHz.
Conservative amalgam restorations

Abstract The rationale involved in the conservative cavity preparation is essentially the conservation of sound tooth structure. This preserves the inherent strength of the tooth and maintains the natural occlusion. The principles of the conservative Class II cavity preparations are basically: (1) narrow occlusal outline, (2) each portion of the cavity preparation is self retentive, (3) extension of the cavity preparation to “cleansable” areas, (4) round internal line angles with the exception of the axiogingival line angle, and (5) all cavosurface line angles approach 90 degrees. The conservative amalgam restoration is suggested as a means of delivering preventive restorative dentistry. When incorporated into a total preventive dentistry program, this restoration can provide the patient with a lifetime of service.
Considering Endoscopic Design: A Snakebot Prototype

Endoscope design is at the intersection of many disciplines, including robot design, computer science, material science, and medical devices. When considering design features, it is important to ensure that the device safely navigates the patient's body and, once in position, performs the task required by the surgeon. Whether surgical access is achieved through existing orifices or by small incisions, the goal is to provide the surgeon with a stable platform within the patient from which to cut, suture, and grasp, while transmitting a clear image. The device described in this article can generate force at the tip of the snakebot in any direction without pressing against interstitial tissue to redirect the applied force.
Absorption of ultrasonic waves in intermediate purity type-II superconductor near Hc2

Abstract Comparison between data on V-5.6% Ta ( l ≈ ξ 0 ) and theory for moderately pure superconductors leads to good qualitative agreement.
A cooling rate dependent structure of amorphous (AuxCu1−x)91La9

Abstract A novel class of metallic glasses of the form (Au x Cu 1− x ) 91 La 9 ( x = 0.5, 0.25, 0.6) and (Au 0.5 Cu 0.5 ) 1− y La y ( y = 10, 11) have been prepared by rapid cooling from the melt. Investigation by means of X-ray diffraction and TEM shows a dependence of the structure on the cooling rate and suggests a phase separated amorphous structure. For sufficiently low cooling rates, crystallization seems to follow phase separation.
Superoxide Induces Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase Protein Thiyl Radical Formation, a Novel Mechanism Regulating eNOS Function and Coupling

An increase in production of reactive oxygen species resulting in a decrease in nitric oxide bioavailability in the endothelium contributes to many cardiovascular diseases, and these reactive oxygen species can oxidize cellular macromolecules. Protein thiols are critical reducing equivalents that maintain cellular redox state and are primary targets for oxidative modification. We demonstrate endothelial NOS (eNOS) oxidant-induced protein thiyl radical formation from tetrahydrobiopterin-free enzyme or following exposure to exogenous superoxide using immunoblotting, immunostaining, and mass spectrometry. Spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) followed by immunoblotting using an anti-DMPO antibody demonstrated the formation of eNOS protein radicals, which were abolished by superoxide dismutase and l-NAME, indicating that protein radical formation was due to superoxide generation from the eNOS heme. With tetrahydrobiopterin-reconstituted eNOS, eNOS protein radical formation was completely inhibited. Using mass spectrometric and mutagenesis analysis, we identified Cys-908 as the residue involved in protein radical formation. Mutagenesis of this key cysteine to alanine abolished eNOS thiyl radical formation and uncoupled eNOS, leading to increased superoxide generation. Protein thiyl radical formation leads to oxidation or modification of cysteine with either disulfide bond formation or S-glutathionylation, which induces eNOS uncoupling. Furthermore, in endothelial cells treated with menadione to trigger cellular superoxide generation, eNOS protein radical formation, as visualized with confocal microscopy, was increased, and these results were confirmed by immunoprecipitation with anti-eNOS antibody, followed by immunoblotting with an anti-DMPO antibody. Thus, eNOS protein radical formation provides the basis for a mechanism of superoxide-directed regulation of eNOS, involving thiol oxidation, defining a unique pathway for the redox regulation of cardiovascular function.
From transit-adjacent to transit-oriented development

Downtown Berkeley, Hayward, and Fremont are three Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations with different surrounding built environments. Berkeley is located in a downtown setting, whereas Hayward and Fremont are located in the suburbs. Fremont is the most auto-dominated, whereas Hayward is a hybrid between being a transit-oriented and transit-adjacent development. Downtown Berkeley exemplifies the aims of many planners across the USA who are working to promote transit-oriented development (TOD). This study helps to confirm the importance of a quality built environment upon travel behaviour and vehicle ownership through an analysis of the three BART stations listed above. This article presents a transit-adjacent development – TOD spectrum that may help planners and policy makers better understand what is and what is not a TOD.
Why Does Misallocation Persist

Recent papers argue that the misallocation of resources can explain large cross-country TFP differences. This argument is underpinned by empirical evidence documenting substantial dispersion in the marginal products of resources, particularly capital, in developing countries. But why does misallocation persists? That is, why don't distortions disappear on their own? This is particularly true for capital misallocation, a point we illustrate in a simple model of capital accumulation with credit constraints. We distinguish between misallocation on the intensive and the extensive margin, and show that the former should disappear asymptotically under general conditions, while the latter may persist. We conclude by discussing possible theories of persistent misallocation.
Live cell imaging of mitochondrial movement along actin cables in budding yeast.

Abstract Background: Mitochondrial inheritance is essential for cell division. In budding yeast, mitochondrial movement from mother to daughter requires (1) actin cables, F-actin bundles that undergo retrograde movement during elongation from buds into mother cells; (2) the mitochore, a mitochondrial protein complex implicated in linking mitochondria to actin cables; and (3) Arp2/3 complex-mediated force generation on mitochondria. Results: We observed three new classes of mitochondrial motility: anterograde movement at velocities of 0.2–0.33 μm/s, retrograde movement at velocities of 0.26–0.51 μm/s, and no net anterograde or retrograde movement. In all cases, motile mitochondria were associated with actin cables undergoing retrograde flow at velocities of 0.18–0.62 μm/s. Destabilization of actin cables or mutations of the mitochore blocked all mitochondrial movements. In contrast, mutations in the Arp2/3 complex affected anterograde but not retrograde mitochondrial movements. Conclusions: Actin cables are required for movement of mitochondria, secretory vesicles, mRNA, and spindle alignment elements in yeast. We provide the first direct evidence that one of the proposed cargos use actin cables as tracks. In the case of mitochondrial inheritance, anterograde movement drives transfer of the organelle from mothers to buds, while retrograde movement contributes to retention of the organelle in mother cells. Interaction of mitochondria with actin cables is required for anterograde and retrograde movement. In contrast, force generation on mitochondria is required only for anterograde movement. Finally, we propose a novel mechanism in which actin cables serve as "conveyor belts" that drive retrograde organelle movement.
Simulation and error analysis of a manual rendezvous system

A system for navigation, guidance, and control of a spacecraft to rendezvous with an orbiting target, based entirely on observations by handheld, unpowered instruments, and computations done entirely by hand, has been developed. This paper describes results of an interactive simulation of this system through a selected set of rendezvous missions, demonstrating feasibility in the presence of realistic errors. The simulation is carried out by a trained operator, the ''astronaut'', working in conversational mode with a desk-size digital computer. The computer represents the environment, and the operator represents the astronaut's decision-making process. Plots are given showing the increase in fuel and in rendezvous time as a function of the magnitude of the principal error sources, namely: model error due to separation range, model error due to eccentricity of the reference orbit, control errors in direction and magnitude of burn vectors, and measurement error. It is shown that the manual rendezvous system is strongly convergent, so that the real penalty of errors is not failure to rendezvous, but rather, using more fuel and/or time than would otherwise have been necessary.
Experimental-assisted design development for an octahedral cellular structure using additive manufacturing

Purpose – This paper aims to demonstrate the design and verification of a 3D reticulate octahedral cellular structure using both analytical modeling and additive manufacturing. Traditionally, it has been difficult to develop and verify designs for 3D cellular structures due to their design complexity. Design/methodology/approach – Unit cell modeling approach was used to model the octahedral cellular structure. By applying structural symmetry simplification, the cellular structure was simplified into a representative geometry that could be further designed with a standard beam theory. The verification samples were fabricated with EBM process using Ti6Al4V as materials, and compressive testing were performed to evaluate their properties. In addition, designs with different number of unit cells were investigated to evaluate their size effect. Findings – Explicit mechanical property design (including modulus and compressive strength) of the octahedral cellular structure was realized via parametric equations d...
Loss of INCREASED SIZE EXCLUSION LIMIT (ISE)1 or ISE2 Increases the Formation of Secondary Plasmodesmata

Summary Plasmodesmata (PD) transport developmentally important nucleic acids and proteins between plant cells [1–3]. Primary PD form during cell division and are simple, linear channels [4, 5]. Secondary PD form in existing cell walls after cell division and are simple, twinned, or branched [4]. PD function undergoes a marked reduction at the mid-torpedo stage of Arabidopsis embryogenesis [6]. Two mutants, increased size exclusion limit ( ise ) 1 and ise2, fail to undergo this transition, and their null mutations are embryonically lethal [7, 8]. We investigated the ultrastructure of PD in early-, mid-, and late-torpedo-stage embryos and in young leaves. Wild-type (WT) embryos contain twinned and branched (T/B) PD at all stages, but ise1 and ise2 embryos contain significantly higher proportions of T/B PD than WT embryos. WT T/B PD formation occurs in a stage- and tissue-specific pattern that is reversed in ise1 embryos. Silencing ISE1 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves increases the frequency of secondary PD in existing cell walls. Silencing ISE2 increases the proportion of T/B secondary PD formed. Silenced tissues exhibit increased PD-mediated movement of green fluorescent protein tracers. Thus, silencing of ISE1 and ISE2 phenocopies ise1 and ise2 mutant embryos: when wild-type ISE1 and ISE2 functions are lost, de novo production of PD occurs, leading to increased intercellular transport.
NON-LINEAR MODAL INTERACTIONS IN SHALLOW SUSPENDED CABLES

This paper examines different regimes of non-linear modal interactions of shallow suspended cables. In a high-energy level, the equations of motion in terms of in-plane and out-of-plane co-ordinates are strongly coupled and cannot be linearized. For this type of problem, a special co-ordinate transformation is introduced to reduce the number of strongly non-linear differential equations by one. The resulting equations of motion are written in terms of stretching, transverse (geometrical bending), and swinging co-ordinates, and are suitable for analysis using standard quantitative and qualitative techniques. Both free and forced vibrations of the cable are considered for in-plane and out-of-plane motions. The cable stretching free vibrations results in parametric excitation to the cable transverse motion. Under in-plane forced excitation the stretching motion is directly excited while the transverse motion is parametrically excited.
Schlieren Measurements of Buoyancy Effects on Flow Transition in Low-Density Gas Jets

The transition from laminar to turbulent flow in helium jets discharged into air was studied using Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry technique. In particular, the effects of buoyancy on jet oscillations and flow transition length were considered. Experiments to simulate microgravity were conducted in the 2.2s drop tower at NASA Glenn Research Center. The jet Reynolds numbers varied from 800 to1200 and the jet Richardson numbers ranged between 0.01 and 0.004. Schlieren images revealed substantial variations in the flow structure during the drop. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis of the data obtained in Earth gravity experiments revealed the existence of a discrete oscillating frequency in the transition region, which matched the frequency in the upstream laminar regime. In microgravity, the transition occurred farther downstream indicating laminarization of the jet in the absence of buoyancy. The amplitude of jet oscillations was reduced by up to an order of magnitude in microgravity. Results suggest that jet oscillations were buoyancy induced and that the brief microgravity period may not be sufficient for the oscillations to completely subside.
An Automated Method for Evaluating the Accuracy of ASL Static Gestures

Within the past few years, research involving gesture recognition has flourished and has led to new and improved methods assisting people who communicate with sign language. Although numerous approaches have been developed for recognizing gestures, very little attention has been focused on correcting the placement of the fingers after the gesture has been performed. In ASL the placement of the fingers is very important considering a slight misplacement conveys a completely different word, letter, or meaning. We present a new method in correcting the placement of static American Sign Language (ASL) gestures using existing algorithms and feature recognition techniques.
Modeling vulnerability discovery process in Apache and IIS HTTP servers

Vulnerability discovery models allow prediction of the number of vulnerabilities that are likely to be discovered in the future. Hence, they allow the vendors and the end users to manage risk by optimizing resource allocation. Most vulnerability discovery models proposed use the time as an independent variable. Effort-based modeling has also been proposed, which requires the use of market share data. Here, the feasibility of characterizing the vulnerability discovery process in the two major HTTP servers, Apache and IIS, is quantitatively examined using both time and effort-based vulnerability discovery models, using data spanning more than a decade. The data used incorporates the effect of software evolution for both servers. In addition to aggregate vulnerabilities, different groups of vulnerabilities classified using both the error types and severity levels are also examined. Results show that the selected vulnerability discovery models of both types can fit the data of the two HTTP servers very well. Results also suggest that separate modeling for an individual class of vulnerabilities can be done. In addition to the model fitting, predictive capabilities of the two models are also examined. The results demonstrate the applicability of quantitative methods to widely-used products, which have undergone evolution.