cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maternal perceptions of infant and toddler behavior: A longitudinal, construct validation study

This study focused upon the development and validation of an instrument for assessing maternal perceptions of infant behavior. A factor-analytic questionnaire measuring maternal perceptions of a wide range of infant behaviors was developed on a sample of 375 mothers of 13-month infants. An age 24-month version of the questionnaire was developed with a sample of 120. Home observations of mother-infant interaction and a standardized test of infant competence were carried out on a sample of 134 mother-infant pairs. Follow-up assessments of mother-child interaction, mothers' perceptions, and children's cognitive and language competence were carried out when these infants reached 24 months of age. The maternal perceptions had moderate stability from 13 to 24 months. Maternal perceptions of infant behavior were found to have some correlations with concurrent and later measures of mother-child interaction and children's developmental competence. Perceived language competence and sociability had the strongest patterns of convergence with criterion measures.
Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003 to 2010

Knowledge of the number of persons with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States is critical for public health and policy planning. Using data from a nationally representative...
Chronic Bronchitis: A Seldom Noted Manifestation of Homozygous Alpha1-antitrypsin Deficiency

The elder of two brothers with homozygous alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency died at age 65 after many years of chronic bronchitis and recurrent pneumonia. His younger brother, a 56-year-old nonsmoker, suffers from persistent bronchitis with only minimal abnormalities of pulmonary function. The lung disease associated with homozygous alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency may thus take the form of chronic bronchitis and not only dry, panacinar emphysema as is often assumed.
A-B INTERFACE OF SUPERFLUID 3HE : EFFECT OF PHASE COHERENCE

Because of phase coherence across the {ital A}-{ital B} interface, the hypercooled phase transition is not an onset phenomenon in this system, but rather the limiting behavior of very large interface velocities. At lower velocities, the chemical potential is continuous across the interface and the growing {ital B} phase is colder than the receding {ital A} phase.
Venous thromboembolism hospitalizations among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been reported to be on the increase in the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. The Indian Health Service (IHS) hospital discharge database was used to describe venous thromboembolism (VTE)-associated hospitalizations among patients receiving IHS-reported medical care in the United States from 1980 through 1996. The average overall VTE-associated hospitalization rate in the AI/AN population during 1980–1996 was 33.1 per 100,000, however, the rate significantly decreased from 38.4 per 100,000 AI/ANs in 1980–1982 to 33.2 in 1994–1996. The average age at hospitalization was 50.4 years, which was consistent during the 17-year period. The overall annual VTE hospitalization rate was higher for females than for males (38.0 versus 27.7 per 100,000). The female VTE hospitalization rates decreased significantly from 46.1 per 100,000 in 1980–1982 to 36.7 per 100,000 in 1994–1996 (risk ratio: RR=1.3; 95% confidence interval: CI=1.1–1.4), while the rates for males remained unchanged. The VTE hospitalization rates also varied by geographic region. The hospitalization rate was highest in the East region (52.2 per 100,000) and lowest in the Alaska region (16.1 per 100,000). These data indicate that the overall VTE rate for AI/ANs may not have only decreased, but appears lower than the reported rate for Caucasians.
On the Concave Grating Spectrograph, Especially at Large Angles of Incidence

On the physical optics of the perfect concave grating. An extension of the theory of the concave grating to the fourth order approximation shows that the diffraction pattern for a spectral line is different in shape from that for a plane grating. A generalization of Rayleigh’s definition of resolving power allows the computation of the resolving power of a grating in terms of an “effective width”; i.e., the width of a plane grating having the same resolving power as the concave one in question. At grazing incidence (a case of particular interest in the spectroscopy of the extreme ultraviolet) this effective width is of the order of 1 cm.Optimum width of the grating. The optimum width of a grating (for resolving power and intensity), as a function of wave length and angle of incidence, is found. A table of values of this width shows that, in cases of large angles of incidence and short wave lengths, the gratings ordinarily used in the past have been considerably wider than the optimum.Elimination of grazing incidence ghosts. Experiments show that the reduction of the width of a grating to about the optimum eliminates the ghosts (different from Rowland ghosts) which occur in the neighborhood of strong lines in grazing incidence spectrograms.Economies in ruled area. In many cases the lengths of the rulings and of the spectrograph slit, as well as the number of rulings, may be smaller than is now customary.Inexactness of the grating condition equation. Though the intensity pattern really depends upon the value of |∫-H+Hf(η)ei(aη+η4+γη5+⋯)dη|2,usually the approximations f(η)=a constant, and γ etc.=0 are made. With the complete expression, the ordinary grating condition equation, sin θ+sin θ′=mλ/σ, becomes inexact. The error is below the threshold of importance for ordinary measurements.The spectrograph. The questions of symmetric adjustment of the grating about the point of tangency to the Rowland circle, non-uniform illumination of the grating, and finite slit width are considered. The theoretical resolving power agrees well with experimental values.
Tax-funded unionism II: The facade of culture and democracy

This article investigates how unions, under the guise of promoting culture, have obtained taxpayers’ funds to finance union goals and activities, such as organizing. In addition, the establishment of the National Endowment for Democracy is examined to show how organized labor cooperated with the business community and the two political parties to obtain taxpayer funding purportedly to promote democracy abroad.
Through the Crack of the Time Bind: From Market Management to Family Management

How workers handle the time bind (their temporal strategies) affects how open they are to market understandings of life at home. Some workers passively submit to the time bind (the “endurer”) while others actively resist it (the “resisters”). Still others actively accept the time bind (the “deferrer,” the “busy bee,” and the “delegator”) and so welcome any tips on office efficiency that might apply to the home. “Family 360,” a family consulting service, illustrates how a professional service can operationalize at home metaphors, idioms and concepts drawn from the market world. Constant busyness is, I suggest, the current “opiate of the masses,” which can block from view the cultural fissures through which market instrumentality and emotional detachment sometimes seep into life at home.
A Comparison of Victim, Offender, and Event Characteristics of Alcohol- and Non-Alcohol- Related Homicides:

The authors used narrative data from court and police records of homicides in Russia to compare alcohol- and non-alcohol-related incidents on victim, offender, and event characteristics. Binary logistic regression models were estimated for neither participant drinking, offender drinking, victim drinking, and both drinking. Consistent differences were found between alcohol- and non-alcohol-related homicides across the models. Alcohol-related homicides were significantly more likely to occur overnight, to occur on weekends, and to result from acute arguments and significantly less likely to occur between strangers, to be profit motivated or premeditated, and to be carried out to hide other crimes. No significant differences between the drinking and nondrinking samples were found for victim's gender, primary weapon used, or event location. The authors place these findings into the literature on the situational context of crime and create a tentative typology of homicide events, grounded in the results of their inductive approach, based on alcohol use by homicide offenders and victims.
The effects of wind speed, competition, and body size on perch height selection in a guild of Libellulidae species (Odonata)

For eleven species of sympatric libellulids, male mean mass was positively correlated with wing aspect ratio, wing loading, and mean perch height. We tested the hypo theses that perch height selection was governed by interspecific competition or biomechanical responses to increased wind speed at higher perches. Although larger odonates might prefer higher perches to offset their increased wing loading, species’ mean perch height did not correlate with changes in mean or maximum wind speeds. Rather, perch height selection is best explained by competitive interactions. Mean mass (log 10 transformed) of these species are distributed in a significantly non-random manner, consistent with community-wide character displacement. Also, observations of aggressive interactions and the response to decoys of three abundant species revealed a competitive hierarchy based on body size. Libellula luctuosa, the largest species, avoided stations with conspecific decoys but was attracted to sta tions with the decoys of two smaller species. L. incesta avoided stations with larger L. luctuosa decoys, but was attracted to stations with smaller Pachydiplax longipennis decoys. P. longipennis avoided stations with conspecific and L. incesta decoys. L. luctuosa was also more successful in displacing perchers (82.4%) than L. incesta (68.9%) and P. longipennis (46.6%). In pair-wise contrasts, the larger species was always more successful at displacing the smaller species. Finally, P. longipennis was attacked at significantly higher rates when it perched on high perches than when it perched at lower perches. We conclude that interspecific competition causes niche partitioning of perch height in this community.
Biologic augmentation of rotator cuff tendon-healing with use of a mixture of osteoinductive growth factors.

Background: Clinical studies have demonstrated a high rate of incomplete healing of rotator cuff tendon repair. Since healing of such a repair is dependent on bone ingrowth into the repaired tendon, we hypothesized that osteoinductive growth factors would improve rotator cuff tendon-healing. Methods: Seventy-two skeletally mature sheep underwent detachment of the infraspinatus tendon followed by immediate repair. The animals received one of three treatments at the tendon-bone interface: (1) an osteoinductive bone protein extract on a Type-I collagen sponge carrier, (2) the collagen sponge carrier alone, and (3) no implant. The animals were killed at six and twelve weeks, and the repaired rotator cuff was evaluated with use of magnetic resonance imaging, plain radiographs, histologic analysis, and biomechanical testing. Results: A gap consistently formed between the end of the repaired tendon and bone in this model, with reparative scar tissue and new bone spanning the gap. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that the volume of newly formed bone (p < 0.05) and soft tissue (p < 0.05) in the tendon-bone gap were greater in the growth factor-treated animals compared with the collagen sponge control group at both time-points. Histologic analysis showed a fibrovascular tissue in the interface between tendon and bone, with a more robust fibrocartilage zone between the bone and the tendon in the growth factor-treated animals. The repairs that were treated with the osteoinductive growth factors had significantly greater failure loads at six weeks and twelve weeks (p < 0.05); however, when the data were normalized by tissue volume, there were no differences between the groups, suggesting that the treatment with growth factor results in the formation of poor-quality scar tissue rather than true tissue regeneration. The repairs that were treated with the collagen sponge carrier alone had significantly greater stiffness than the growth factor-treated group at twelve weeks (p = 0.005). Conclusions: This model tests the effects of growth factors on scar tissue formation in a gap between tendon and bone. The administration of osteoinductive growth factors resulted in greater formation of new bone, fibrocartilage, and soft tissue, with a concomitant increase in tendon attachment strength but less stiffness than repairs treated with the collagen sponge carrier alone. Clinical Relevance: This study is the first, as far as we know, to demonstrate the possibility of increasing tissue formation in a tendon-bone gap with use of a biologic agent. It shows the importance of the use of magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the repaired tendon, since the findings on gross observation and even histologic examination could easily be interpreted as representing an intact repair. Further studies with use of more clinically relevant models of tendon-bone repair may support the use of growth factors to improve clinical outcomes.
110-GHz GaInAs/InP double heterostructure p-i-n photodetectors

Long-wavelength GaInAs/InP graded double heterostructure p-i-n photodiodes are demonstrated with 3-dB bandwidths over 100 GHz. The heterojunction hole trapping problem is significantly improved and the device contact resistivity is greatly reduced by using superlattice graded bandgap layers at the hetero-interfaces to reduce the barrier height. Self-aligned processes are used in the device fabrication to reduce device parasitics. Pulsewidths as short as 3.0 ps full-width-at-its-half-maximum (FWHM) for 2 /spl mu/m/spl times/2 /spl mu/m device are measured by pump-probe electrooptic sampling. 3-dB bandwidths over 100 GHz are found for 2 /spl mu/m/spl times/2 /spl mu/m and 3 /spl mu/m/spl times/3 /spl mu/m devices. The device with the integrated bias tee can be biased without using the external bias tee. The electrical resonance between the photodiode and external circuits was reduced by integrating an impedance matched resistor in parallel with the photodiode. The 7 /spl mu/m/spl times/7 /spl mu/m device with bias tee and matched resistor has a measured pulsewidth of 3.8 ps and a 3-dB bandwidth over 100 GHz. The calculated pulse shape based on the saturation velocity model fits well with the measured response. A model for different components of the series resistance agrees with the measured area dependence of the series resistance. >
Inflammatory breast cancer: unique biological and therapeutic considerations.

Summary Through the concerted efforts of many patients, health-care providers, legislators, and other supporters, the past decade has seen the development of the first clinics dedicated to the care of patients with inflammatory breast cancer in the USA and other countries. Together with social networking, advocacy, and education, a few specialised centres have had substantial increases in patient numbers (in some cases ten times higher), which has further expanded the community of science and advocacy and increased the understanding of the disease process. Although inflammatory breast cancer is considered rare, constituting only 2–4% of breast cancer cases, poor prognosis means that patients with the disease account for roughly 10% of breast cancer mortality annually in the USA. I propose that the unique presentation of inflammatory breast cancer might require specific, identifiable changes in the breast parenchyma that occur before the tumour-initiating event. This would make the breast tissue itself a tumour-promoting medium that should be treated as a component of the pathology in multidisciplinary treatment and should be further studied for complementary targets to inhibit the pathobiology that is specific to inflammatory breast cancer.
INSTANTANEOUS OPTIMAL CONTROL FOR SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF NON-LINEAR STRUCTURES

In this paper, an effective active control algorithm is developed for the vibration control of non-linear structural systems subjected to earthquake excitation. It is an attempt to include the non-linear characteristics of the structural behaviour throughout the entire analysis (design and validation), accounting for the eventual cumulative structural damage and energy dissipation. This is a very important factor since, in current design practice, structures are assumed to behave nonlinearly when subjected to strong ground motion. The proposed algorithm focusses on the instantaneous optimal control approach for the development of the control algorithm where the nonlinearities are brought into the analysis through a non-linear state vector and a non-linear open loop term. A performance index that is quadratic in the control force and in the non-linear states and is subjected to a non-linear constraint equation, is minimised at every time step. The effectiveness of the proposed non-linear instantaneous opti...
Fuzzy-Petri-net based disassembly planning considering human factors

Disassembly, as the process of systematic removal of desirable constituent parts from an assembly, is of growing importance due to the increasing environmental and economic pressure. Although disassembly in practice is manual and labor intensive, little attention has been paid to the human intervention in the disassembly process. This paper addresses this deficiency by developing a fuzzy attributed Petri net (FAPN) model to mathematically represent uncertainty in disassembly due to a large amount of human intervention. An algorithm based upon this model is further proposed for optimal disassembly planning with a view to making the technique more applicable to real industry settings. The benefit of the proposed model and algorithm is illustrated through the disassembly of a personal computer (PC) in a prototypical disassembly system
Balance disorder and increased risk of falls in osteoporosis and kyphosis: significance of kyphotic posture and muscle strength

This controlled trial was designed to investigate the influence of osteoporosis-related kyphosis (O-K) on falls. Twelve community-dwelling women with O-K (Cobb angle, 50–65° measured from spine radiographs) and 13 healthy women serving as controls were enrolled. Mean age of the O-K group was 76 years (±5.1), height 158 cm (±5), and weight 61 kg (±7.9), and mean age of the control group was 71 years (±4.6), height 161 cm (±3.8), and weight 66 kg (±11.7). Quantitative isometric strength data were collected. Gait was monitored during unobstructed level walking and during stepping over an obstacle of four different heights randomly assigned (2.5%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of the subject’s height). Balance was objectively assessed with computerized dynamic posturography consisting of the sensory organization test. Back extensor strength, grip strength, and all lower extremity muscle groups were significantly weaker in the O-K group than the control group ( P <0.05), except right ankle plantar flexors ( P =0.09). There was a significant difference in the anteroposterior and mediolateral displacements and velocities. The O-K subjects had less anteroposterior displacement, greater mediolateral displacement, reduced anteroposterior velocity, and increased mediolateral velocity compared with controls for all conditions of unobstructed and obstructed level walking. Obstacle height had a significant effect on all center-of-mass variables. The O-K subjects had significantly greater balance abnormalities on computerized dynamic posturography than the control group ( P =0.002). Data show that thoracic hyperkyphosis on a background of reduced muscle strength plays an important role in increasing body sway, gait unsteadiness, and risk of falls in osteoporosis.
Testing Descriptive Utility Theories: Violations of Stochastic Dominance and Cumulative Independence

Choices between gambles show systematic violations of stochastic dominance. For example, most people choose ($6, .05; $91, .03; $99, .92) over ($6, .02; $8, .03; $99, .95), violating dominance. Choices also violate two cumulative independence conditions: (1) If S = (z, r; x, p; y, q) ≻ R = (z, r; x′, p; y′, q) then S‴ = (x′, r; y, p + q) ≻ R″ = (x′, r + p; y′, q). (2) If S′ = (x, p; y, q; z′, r) ≺ R′ = (x′, p; y′, q; z′, r) then S‴ = (x, p + q; y′, r) ≺ R‴ = (x′, p; y′, q + r), where 0 < z < x′ < x < y < y < y′ < z′.
Antibody to the Hepatitis B Virus- Associated Delta-Agent in Immune Serum Globulins

Abstract Fifty lots of immune serum globulin prepared by four United States manufacturers between 1944 and 1977 were tested for the presence and titer of antibody to the hepatitis B virus-associated δ-agent. Anti-δ was detected in 28 of the 50 lots (56%) of immune serum globulin at titers ranging from 1:10 to 1:400. Anti-δ was present in 75% (6 of 8) of lots produced between 1962 and 1965, in 77% (17 of 21) produced between 1967 and 1970, in 45% (5 of 11) produced between 1971 and 1972 and in none (0 of 9) produced since 1973. A single lot of globulin prepared from plasma that was collected in 1944 from United States Army soldiers also contained detectable anti-δ. These data indicate that δ-infection has been occurring among hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers in the United States since the 1940s. The decrease in prevalence of anti-δ in immune serum globulin lots coincided with the start of routine HBsAg screening of blood and plasma. The elimination of HBsAg-positive units from plasma pools has reduced levels of HBsAg and anti-δ and should have decreased the risk of transmission of both type B hepatitis and δ-hepatitis by plasma products.
Scaling the circulation shed by a pitching panel

A new scaling parameter is developed for the circulation shed by a rigid, rectangular panel pitching periodically about its leading edge. This parameter is the product of a kinematic and a geometric component. The kinematic component describes the relationship between the mean vorticity flux from the panel surface and the panel motion. The geometric component depends on the ratio of pitching amplitude to the span of the panel. The kinematic component is developed based on the connection between the surface pressure distribution and the resulting surface vorticity flux, which are supported in a stroke-averaged sense by pressure measurements on the surface of the panel. The parameter gives a robust scaling for the total spanwise circulation shed in a half-cycle by the panel. It provides a useful predictive tool, in that it can be either complementary to the formation number or provide an alternative scaling parameter when vortex saturation and pinch-off do not occur.
Quantification of solute entry into cochlear perilymph through the round window membrane.

Abstract The administration of drugs to the inner ear via the round window membrane is becoming more widely used for both clinical and experimental purposes. The actual drug levels achieved in different regions of the inner ear by this method have not been established. The present study has made use of simulations of solute movements in the cochlear fluids to describe the distribution of a marker solute in the guinea pig cochlear fluid spaces. Simulation parameters were derived from experimental measurements using a marker ion, trimethylphenylammonium (TMPA). The distribution of this ion in the cochlea was monitored without volume disturbance using TMPA-selective microelectrodes sealed into the first and second turns of scala tympani (ST). TMPA was applied to perilymph by irrigation of the intact round window membrane with 2 mM solution. At the end of a 90 min application period, TMPA in the first turn, 1.4 mm from the base of ST, reached an average concentration of 330 μM (standard deviation (S.D.) 147 μM, n=8). TMPA in the second turn, 7.5 mm from the base of ST reached a concentration of 15 μM (S.D. 33 μM, n=5). The measured time courses of TMPA concentration change were interpreted using the Washington University Cochlear Fluids Simulator (V 1.4), a public-domain program available on the internet at http://oto.wustl.edu/cochlea/ . Simulations with parameters producing concentration time courses comparable to those measured were: (1) round window permeability: 1.9×10−8 cm/s; (2) ST clearance half-time: 60 min; (3) longitudinal perilymph flow rate: 4.4 nl/min, directed from base to apex. Solute concentrations in apical regions of the cochlea were found to be determined primarily by the rate at which the solute diffuses, balanced by the rate of clearance of the solute from perilymph. Longitudinal perilymph flow was not an important factor in solute distribution unless the bony otic capsule was perforated, which rapidly caused substantial changes to solute distribution. This study demonstrates the basic processes by which substances are distributed in the cochlea and provides a foundation to understand how other applied substances will be distributed in the ear.
The Klippel-Trenauny Weber Syndrome: An Unusual Presentation of Hematochezia and a Review of the Literature.

A 27-year-old male who presented to our clinic with a nine year history of painless hematochezia. Examination was remarkable for right thigh hypertrophy and large varicose veins in the right lateral thigh. His medical history was significant for a port-wine stain on his right thigh noted early in childhood, a right leg venectomy and iron deficiency anemia. Colonoscopy revealed grade I internal hemorrhoids. Prominent rectal veins were also visualized from 10cm to the anal verge. Vascular surgery was consulted and a right leg venogram was obtained demonstrating extensive pelvic venous collaterals and an aberrant sciatic vein. There was also communication from the common femoral vein to the venous collaterals in the knee and thigh. Pathology review from his previous venectomy revealed arteriovenous fistulas. These findings were consistent with the Klippel-Trenauny Weber Syndrome (KTWS). Our patient subsequently underwent endovenous ablation of his right sciatic vein. This was followed by ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. Follow-up sigmoidoscopy revealed complete ablation of his rectal varices. The Klippel-Trenauny syndrome was described in 1900 as a rare, non-hereditary congenital abnormality of obscure etiology characterized by the clinical triad of soft tissue hypertrophy of an extremity, varicosities, and cutaneous hemangiomas or lymphangiomas. Increased venous pressure during defecation and direct mucosal trauma caused by feces can aggravate recurrent hematochezia. Endoscopy may show visible vessels or nodules and bluish angiomatous lesions. Endoscopic recognition of rectal varices, and determination of the etiology of hematochezia is important in guiding appropriate therapy and management. doi:10.4021/gr2009.05.1290 Publish ahead of print May 22, 2009
CONTRIBUTOR INFLUENCE IN CONGRESS: Social Ties and PAC Effects on U.S. House Policymaking

Knowing how campaign contributors influence policymaking is important for understanding political power, but the existing literature—much of it outside sociology—has mixed findings. Using data on P...
Dynamics of Retinal Waves Are Controlled by Cyclic AMP

Waves of spontaneous activity sweep across the developing mammalian retina and influence the pattern of central connections made by ganglion cell axons. These waves are driven by synaptic input from amacrine cells. We show that cholinergic synaptic transmission during waves is not blocked by TTX, indicating that release from starburst amacrine cells is independent of sodium action potentials. The spatiotemporal properties of the waves are regulated by endogenous release of adenosine, which sets intracellular cAMP levels through activation of A2 receptors present on developing amacrine and ganglion cells. Increasing cAMP levels increase the size, speed, and frequency of the waves. Conversely, inhibiting adenylate cyclase or PKA prevents wave activity. Together, these results imply a novel mechanism in which levels of cAMP within an immature retinal circuit regulate the precise spatial and temporal patterns of spontaneous neural activity.
Nursing Science: The Challenge to Develop Knowledge

The development of knowledge for nursing poses an exciting, scholarly adventure for the profession's scientists. A series of challenges are involved: the challenge to develop the substantive content needed for practice within nursing's disciplinary perspective, the challenge to sustain excellence in the developing science base and in the preparation of nurse researchers, and the challenge of disseminating stable, appropriate research results to the profession's clinicians and to the public. Nursing is entering into a new era, moving from the stage of establishing structures to support nursing research and building the cadre of scientists needed to conduct investigations, to the stage of focusing on the identification and study of the phenomena which comprise the body of knowledge needed for practice. A number of directions or priorities for nursing research are evident for the future. The questions of concern are how to centralize nursing's scientific endeavors and resources as well as prepare researchers who are on the cutting edge or frontiers of science, and what strategies can be used to facilitate excellence in these efforts. The dilemma of transferring research findings into practice in a timely but scientifically appropriate manner requires a partnership between practitioners and researchers. Both are committed to making clinical decisions based on accurate, relevant information. Such research based practice requires a merger of the talents and expertise of those providing practice and those developing the knowledge base for the profession.
Obesity in Latin American Women and Children

National surveys conducted since 1982 were used to assess maternal and child obesity in Latin American and Caribbean countries and in U. S. residents of Mexican descent. Obesity in women, a body mass index (BMI) >/=30 kg/m2, was 3% in Haiti, 8-10% in eight Latin American countries and 29% in Mexican Americans. Median BMI for Latin American women were near or above the 50th percentile of the general U.S. population; values exceeded the 75th percentile in the case of Mexican Americans. The prevalence of overweight (>1 SD above mean weight-for-height) in children 1-5 y of age ranged from 6% in Haiti to 24% in Peru among 13 countries. Overweight occurred in 24% of Mexican-American children. Prevalences of overweight in children and of obesity in women were greater in urban areas and in households of higher socioeconomic status. Overweight in children increased with higher maternal education; however, in some countries, obesity in women decreased with higher education. No general pattern of change over time was observed in eight countries in overweight in children. Obesity in women increased in the three countries with such data and in Mexican-American women and children. There was a tendency for greater national incomes to be associated with greater obesity levels in women and with lower levels of stunting in children. Levels of obesity in the region indicate a public health concern, particularly among women, considering that studies have identified mortality and morbidity risks associated with obesity in adults.
Safe maritime navigation with COLREGS using velocity obstacles

This paper presents a motion planning algorithm for Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) to navigate safely in dynamic, cluttered environments. The proposed algorithm not only addresses Hazard Avoidance (HA) for stationary and moving hazards but also applies the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (known as COLREGS). The COLREGS rules specify, for example, which vessel is responsible for giving way to the other and to which side of the “stand-on” vessel to maneuver. The three primary COLREGS rules were considered in this paper: crossing, overtaking, and head-on situations. For USVs to be safely deployed in environments with other traffic boats, it is imperative that the USV's navigation algorithm obey COLREGS. Note also that if other boats disregard their responsibility under COLREGS, the USV will still apply its HA algorithms to avoid a collision. The proposed approach is based on Velocity Obstacles, which generates a cone-shaped obstacle in the velocity space. Because Velocity Obstacles also specify which side of the obstacle the vehicle will pass during the avoidance maneuver, COLREGS are encoded in the velocity space very naturally. The algorithm is demonstrated via both simulation and on-water tests.
Assessing Evapotranspiration Estimates from the Second Global Soil Wetness Project (GSWP-2) Simulations

Abstract This study assesses the simulations of global-scale evapotranspiration from the second Global Soil Wetness Project (GSWP-2) within a global water budget framework. The scatter in the GSWP-2 global evapotranspiration estimates from various land surface models can constrain the global annual water budget fluxes to within ±2.5% and, by using estimates of global precipitation, the residual ocean evaporation estimate falls within the range of other independently derived bulk estimates. The GSWP-2 scatter, however, cannot entirely explain the imbalance of the annual fluxes from a modern-era, observationally based global water budget assessment. Inconsistencies in the magnitude and timing of seasonal variations between the global water budget terms are also found. Intermodel inconsistencies in evapotranspiration are largest for high-latitude interannual variability as well as for interseasonal variations in the tropics, and analyses with field-scale data also highlight model disparity at estimating evap...
Lattice dynamics and structural phase transitions

Results of lattice dynamics, or atomic motions in a solid, explain many of the thermodynamic properties of solids. Inelastic neutron scattering conveniently explores the atomic motions, quantized as phonons. Of particular interest are materials that undergo structural phase transitions. The soft mode theory has been successful in relating anomalous phonon behavior to structural changes in solids. One such example is the ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, Ni2MnGa, which undergoes a sequence of phase transitions leading to a magnetic, incommensurate modulated, tetragonal phase as the ground state. The experiments, coupled with first principles calculations, provide evidence that strong electron–phonon coupling is the driving mechanism of the phase transformation.
Individually programmable cell stretching microwell arrays actuated by a Braille display.

Cell culture systems are often static and are therefore nonphysiological. In vivo, many cells are exposed to dynamic surroundings that stimulate cellular responses in a process known as mechanotransduction. To recreate this environment, stretchable cell culture substrate systems have been developed, however, these systems are limited by being macroscopic and low throughput. We have developed a device consisting of 24 miniature cell stretching chambers with flexible bottom membranes that are deformed using the computer-controlled, piezoelectrically actuated pins of a Braille display. We have also developed efficient image capture and analysis protocols to quantify morphological responses of the cells to applied strain. Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) were found to show increasing degrees of alignment and elongation perpendicular to the radial strain in response to cyclic stretch at increasing frequencies of 0.2, 1, and 5 Hz, after 2, 4, and 12 h. Mouse myogenic C2C12 cells were also found to align in response to the stretch, while A549 human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells did not respond to stretch.
The Influence of Kinship on Nutritional Condition and Aggression Levels in Winter Social Groups of Tufted Titmice

Abstract During winter, adult Tufted Titmice (Baeolophus bicolor) share their territories with both offspring and immigrant young. For such situations in social permanent-resident birds, the prolonged brood care hypothesis (Ekman and Rosander 1992) states that adults should be more tolerant of their own young than of unrelated immature birds, allowing their offspring better access to limited resources. We tested two predictions from this hypothesis using the Tufted Titmouse: (1) offspring should be in better nutritional condition than immigrants; (2) territorial adults should be more aggressive toward immigrant immature birds than toward their own offspring. We estimated relatedness using DNA fingerprinting. To assess nutritional condition, we used a fatness index and ptilochronology. We found no difference between the condition of retained and immigrant young. We tested the second prediction by recording aggressiveness among the individually marked members of social groups. Supporting the second predicti...
The Benefits of Reshaping Metropolitan America

What if Americans got what they wanted? To be more specific, what if the one-quarter to one-third of Americans who want to be able to walk or bike to work and for errands lived in communities that had this option? What if the 25–33 percent of Americans who want the option to walk or bike to transit (other than conventional bus) lived in places where they could? What if the half of Americans who prefer to live in a smart growth community instead of a sprawling one actually did? To achieve this by 2030, virtually all new development between 2010 and 2030 would need to be in communities providing these options. If this were to happen, what would be the benefits?
Effect of spatio-temporal noise in the Eddington factor on the scalar flux

Abstract Spatial and temporal noise in the Eddington factor, simulating noise arising in hybrid numerical schemes, is modeled as a Gaussian stochastic process and its effect on the scalar flux investigated theoretically. In the small correlation time limit, a nonstandard closed equation for the mean scalar flux is obtained that contains a fourth order derivative of the scalar flux. In an infinite medium setting, this term is shown to have a destabilizing effect on the solution. Specifically, any spatial Fourier mode with wavelength smaller than a critical value, which depends on the noise characteristics, amplifies in time without bound, in contrast to the corresponding nonrandom case which is dissipative for all modes. An asymptotic solution is obtained which shows that the noise effect disappears at late times and the scalar flux limits to the deterministic solution.
Conjugated Ionic Polyacetylenes I: Novel Structures and Model for a Polymeric High Tc Superconductor

In the quest for an organic polymer high temperature superconductor, WA. Little1 proposed a model wherein an extensively conjugated and substituted polyacetylenic chain is endowed with a repeating unit in which one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted with a positively charged (quaternized) side group. The structure of the side group is such that the charge located in the alpha position to the conjugated chain can be delocalized and can resonate between quaternizable sites in the side group (Fig. 1). To our knowledge, such structures have not been previously synthesized.2 The polymers obtained by us (Fig. 1b) are structurally similar to the model (Fig. 1a). Details of their synthesis are reported elsewhere3, 4, 5 Typical examples of such structures are shown in Figure 2.
Familial versus Sporadic Essential Tremor: What Patterns Can One Decipher in Age of Onset?

Background: Essential tremor (ET) is a very prevalent neurological disease. Although familial and sporadic ET cases are assumed to have different age at onset distributions, no detailed study of this question has been carried out. Methods: Using a carefully characterized sample of 376 ET cases (232 (61.7%) familial) enrolled in a clinical-epidemiological study, we contrasted the age of onset distributions in familial versus sporadic ET. Results: Familial ET had a lower age at onset distribution, regardless of the current age. The majority (71 (86.6%) of 82) of ET cases that appeared during childhood were familial rather than sporadic. Additionally, the onset of ET occurred after age 40 in a majority of cases (125 (53.9%) of 232 with familial ET and 118 (81.9%) of 144 with sporadic ET), and in approximately one-quarter to one-half of cases, after age 60. Conclusions: The age of onset of ET differs between familial and sporadic ET and furthermore, is variable within each of these groups. The onset of ET during childhood is usually familial, and the small number of identified exceptions could be due to de novo mutations. Understanding the heterogeneity in onset age will provide insights into the nature of underlying etiological and patho-biological processes about which little is presently known.
1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits oxidative stress and monocyte adhesion by mediating the upregulation of GCLC and GSH in endothelial cells treated with acetoacetate (ketosis).

Abstract Background There is a significantly higher incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients than among non-diabetic subjects. T1D is associated with hyperketonemia, a condition with elevated blood levels of ketones, in addition to hyperglycemia. The biochemical mechanism by which vitamin D (VD) may reduce the risk of CVD is not known. This study examines whether VD can be beneficial in reducing hyperketonemia (acetoacetate, AA) induced oxidative stress in endothelial cells. Methods HUVEC were pretreated with 1,25(OH)2D3, and later exposed to the ketone body acetoacetate. Results The increases in ROS production, ICAM-1 expression, MCP-1 secretion, and monocyte adhesion in HUVEC treated with AA were significantly reduced following treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3. Interestingly, an increase in glutathione (GSH) levels was also observed with 1,25(OH)2D3 in ketone treated cells. The effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on GSH, ROS, and monocyte-endothelial adhesion were prevented in GCLC knockdown HUVEC. This suggests that 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits ROS, MCP-1, ICAM-1, and adherence of monocytes mediated by the upregulation of GCLC and GSH. Conclusion This study provides evidence for the biochemical mechanism through which VD supplementation may reduce the excess monocyte adhesion to endothelium and inflammation associated with T1D.
Risk of hepatocellular carcinoma after sustained virological response in Veterans with hepatitis C virus infection.

The long-term prognosis in terms of risk or predictors of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with sustained virological response (SVR) remains unclear. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Veterans Affairs VA hepatitis C virus (HCV) Clinical Case Registry in patients with positive HCV RNA between October 1999 and August 2009 and follow-up through December 2010. HCV treatment (interferon with or without ribavirin) and SVR (RNA test negative at least 12 weeks after the end of treatment) were determined. We used Cox's proportional hazards models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for potential predictors (demographic, virological, and clinical) associated with HCC development post-SVR. We identified 33,005 HCV-infected individuals who received treatment, of whom 10,817 achieved SVR. Among these patients, 100 developed new HCC during a total follow-up of 30,562 person-years for an overall incidence rate of 0.33% per year. Annual risk of HCC remained considerably high among patients with cirrhosis (1.39%) and those cured after age 64 (0.95%). Patients with diabetes (adjusted HR = 1.88; 1.21-2.91) or genotype 3 infection (adjusted HR = 1.62; 0.96-2.734) were significantly more likely to develop HCC. Conclusions: Risk of HCC after HCV cure, though considerably reduced, remains relatively high at 0.33% per year. Older age and/or presence of cirrhosis at the time of SVR are associated with a high enough risk to warrant surveillance. Diabetes is also a risk factor for post-SVR HCC. (Hepatology 2016;64:130–137)
Growth Kinetics of Mammary Tumor 13762 in Rats Previously Cured by Chemotherapy

We studied the growth capabilities of mammary tumor 13762 transplanted into inbred F344 rats previously cured of tumors by cell kinetically based sequential chemotherapy. Of the 18 challenge tumors, 4 were completely rejected, and nonrejected tumors grew at subnormal rates. The subnormal growth was specific for the cured rats because tumor growth in age- and therapy-matched non-tumor-bearing controls was normal. Cell kinetic studies with the use of in vitro techniques for the [3H]dThd labeling index, DNA synthesis time, and primer-dependent DNA polymerase labeling index (an in vitro estimate of growth fraction) indicated that the subnormal growth rates of the 13762 tumor in cured rats were due to subnormal tumor cell production. Cell loss rates were similar in tumors growing in cured rats and in size-matched tumors growing in normal controls. The results are consistent with the possibility that the subnormal growth of 13762 challenge tumors in chemotherapeutically cured F344 rats was mediated by immune factors.
Deliberate Disequilibrium Preparing for a Community College Presidency

Anticipated retirements and relatively short tenure in office create a shortage of community college presidents in the United States. To fill the unprecedented number of vacancies requires a cadre ...
Intracellular distribution of estrogen inactivating mechanism in rat liver and other tissues.

SummaryRat liver homogenate was separated into nuclei, mitochondria, microsomes and supernatant fractions by differential centrifugation. The homogenate, the fractions and combinations of fractions were studied for their ability to decrease the activity of estradiol, estrone or diethylstilbestrol when incubated at 38°C for 2 hours in the presence of DPN and nicotinamide. The uteri of ovariectomized mice were used to determine the amount of biological activity remaining.No single fraction decreased the activity of estradiol markedly. The microsomes and supernatant, when recombined, were comparable to homogenate in inactivating this hormone.Though the homogenate of kidney or salivary glands was inert in this respect, the supernatant of either tissue when combined with liver microsomes effectively inactivated estradiol. The supernatant could also be replaced by riboflavin monophosphate (RMP). The microsomes of kidney or of salivary glands when used with liver supernatant failed to inactivate estradiol. The i...
A Fluorescent Lifetime: Reminiscing About Gregorio Weber

During the last few decades, fluorescence spectroscopy has evolved from a narrow, highly specialized technique into an important discipline widely utilized in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences. As in all scientific disciplines, the development of modern fluorescence spectroscopy has benefited from the contributions of many individuals from many countries. However, one individual, Gregorio Weber, can be singled out for his outstanding and far-reaching contributions to this field. This chapter will briefly outline aspects of Gregorio Weber’s life and times and discuss some of his more important contributions to the fluorescence field. Some of his more important contributions to the field of protein chemistry will also be discussed. In addition to the facts of Weber’s life and work, I shall also interject several anecdotes from my personal experience with him, which will serve to illustrate his outstanding personality and character.