cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exposure to Community Violence and the Family: Disruptions in Functioning and Relationships:

Of all the stressors experienced by poor urban African American families, community violence is perhaps the worst. This study examines how exposure to community violence affects the relationships and functioning of these families. Eight problems emerged from an analysis of 38 case records from a crime victim's assistance program, including disruptions in communication and increased family conflict. Female caregivers experienced distress and an inability to meet the psychological needs of their children. Overall, the families experienced heightened safety concerns, isolation, and loss of financial resources while living in violent neighborhoods. Recommendations include using the ecological/transactional and family systems frameworks paired with a nontraditional, community-based approach to provide mental health and supportive services. Limitations and directions for further research are discussed.
Epistemic and performative quests for authentic management in India

The project of identifying voices from the South, and transforming the discipline of organization studies through such engagement, raises important questions of how to assess and categorize disciplinary knowledge adequately for such a purpose. This article discusses two quests for authenticity in the context of Indian management studies, based in claims of epistemic relevance and performative efficacy. In both instances there appears a conscious effort to hear voices of the south. But is it sufficient to adequately re-order management knowledge to the demands of a locale, to make it more authentic?
Stereotaxic lesions of the hippocampus in monkeys: determination of surgical coordinates and analysis of lesions using magnetic resonance imaging

A technique is described for producing accurate stereotaxic lesions of the hippocampus in monkeys. This technique overcomes the problem that the size and shape of the brain can vary considerably from monkey to monkey. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to create an individual brain atlas for each monkey. The atlas is then used to derive coordinates for making stereotaxic radio frequency lesions of the hippocampus. There are two key features of this procedure. First, a specially-designed, acrylic, stereotaxic headholder was constructed that could be used safely with the MR magnet. Second, small glass beads, anchored to the skull of the monkey, served as common landmarks from which lesion coordinates were determined in the MR images and then again in neurosurgery. MRI techniques are also described for determining the extent of tissue damage postoperatively. This technique could also prove useful in other areas of neuroscience research that depend on accurate stereotaxic placement of electrodes (e.g., electrophysiological studies and neuroanatomic tracing studies).
Career flow: a hope-centered model of career development

In this article, the author describes an innovative approach for conceptualizing and managing career development tasks in the 21st century. Theoretical foundations and key concepts related to career flow theory are discussed.
Voltage Gated Sodium Channel Associated Proteins and Alternative Mechanisms of Inactivation and Block

Voltage-gated sodium channels mediate inward current of action potentials upon membrane depolarization of excitable cells. The initial transient sodium current is restricted to milliseconds through three distinct channel-inactivating and blocking mechanisms. All pore-forming alpha subunits of sodium channels possess structural elements mediating fast inactivation upon depolarization and recovery within milliseconds upon membrane repolarization. Accessory subunits modulate fast inactivation dynamics, but these proteins can also limit current by contributing distinct inactivation and blocking particles. A-type isoforms of fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs) bear a particle that induces long-term channel inactivation, while sodium channel subunit Navβ4 employs a blocking particle that rapidly dissociates upon membrane repolarization to generate resurgent current. Despite their different physiological functions, the FHF and Navβ4 particles have similarity in amino acid composition and mechanisms for docking within sodium channels. The three competing channel-inactivating and blocking processes functionally interact to regulate a neuron's intrinsic excitability.
Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies of eosinophilic granular bodies in astrocytic tumors

Eosinophilic granular bodies (EGBs) are studied immunocytochemically and ultrastructurally in a case of low-grade and a case of high-grade astrocytoma. EGBs are recognized as brightly eosinophilic round bodies of variable size in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Immunocytochemically some EGBs are positive for antibodies raised against αB-crystallin, ubiquitin and glial fibrillary acidic protein with the staining patterns for each being different from one another. Ultrastructurally EGBs consist of membrane-bound round body of various diameter ranging from 50 nm to 20 μm. Small EGBs contain electron-dense homogeneous material with occasional myelin figures, while large EGBs contain small EGB-like structures within electron-dense homogeneous material or loose granular profiles. Our studies demonstrate (1) ultrastructural variety of EGB; (2) and αB-crystallin epitope in EGB; and (3) the presence of EGB in high-grade as well as low-grade astrocytoma.
Trapeziometacarpal Arthrosis: Predictors of a Second Visit and Surgery

Trapeziometacarpal arthrosis is expected with advancing age and a limited percentage of people seek medical attention for it. We studied patients after their first appointment to address trapeziometacarpal arthrosis with a hand surgeon to determine factors associated with return for a second visit and eventual election of operative treatment. A billing database identified 306 patients in the practice of three hand surgeons with a new diagnosis of TMC arthrosis and no associated diagnoses. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses sought factors associated with a second visit and operative treatment among demographic and visit related factors. One hundred and forty-three patients (47 %) returned for one or more additional visits and 46 (15 %) eventually elected operative treatment within the study period. Independent predictors of a return visit included injection at first visit, splint at first visit, and doctor’s recommendation for a return visit. The predictors of surgery were treating surgeon and prescription of a splint at the first visit, but splint at first visit was only predictive for one of the three surgeons. When patients first learn about their trapeziometacarpal arthrosis, the behavior of the hand surgeon may have a strong influence on return visits and eventual choice of operative treatment.
GABA-immunopositive neurons in rat neocortex with contralateral projections to S-I.

Abstract The callosal projection is traditionally believed to be exclusively excitatory in function. A new method combining lectin-conjugated colloidal gold for retrograde tracing with immunofluorescence for GABA was used to investigate this question. The large majority of neurons retrogradely labeled after injections of tracer into contralateral S-I were GABA-negative cells in layers II–VI. However, GABA-positive neurons projecting to contralateral S-I were also seen. The majority of double-labeled cells were only weakly labeled with tracer; they were located both in superficial and deep cortical layers and represented at least 1% of all retrogradely labeled neurons. Neurons double-labeled for both tracer and GABA in upper layers were found mainly within the central patch of callosally projecting neurons, whereas those in deep layers were scattered throughout contralateral cortex.
Near-Grazing Based Intermittent Contact Mode Atomic Force Microscopy

The dynamic behavior of an atomic force microscope cantilever probe is studied for dual frequency excitation. By using the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation with a multi-mode approximation, the system is modeled with base excitation and tip-sample interaction forces obtain from molecular dynamics simulations. The dynamic response of the cantilever probe is simulated for a range of separation distance values and analyzed using Poincare sections, bifurcation diagrams, and spectral analysis. The response of the cantilever probe is found to display a qualitative change when influenced by surface forces. The frequency component at half of the fundamental frequency provides an effective way to monitor the amount of force that the probe is applying to the surface of the sample. With this frequency component, an amplitude modulation operation mode is proposed in order to maintain near-grazing behavior during imaging.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Nasal immunization with anthrax protective antigen protein adjuvanted with polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid induced strong mucosal and systemic immunities.

The current anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) was originally licensed for the prevention of cutaneous anthrax infection. It has many drawbacks, including the requirement for multiple injections and subsequent annual boosters. Thus, an easily administrable and efficacious anthrax vaccine is needed to prevent the most lethal form of anthrax infection, inhalation anthrax. We propose to develop a nasal anthrax vaccine using anthrax protective antigen (PA) protein as the antigen and synthetic double-stranded RNA in the form of polyriboinosinic–polyribocytidylic acid (pI:C) as an adjuvant. Mice were nasally immunized with recombinant PA admixed with pI:C. The resulting PA-specific antibody responses and the lethal toxin neutralization activity were measured. Moreover, the effect of pI:C on dendritic cells (DCs) was evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. Mice nasally immunized with rPA adjuvanted with pI:C developed strong systemic and mucosal anti-PA responses with lethal toxin neutralization activity. These immune responses compared favorably to that induced by nasal immunization with rPA adjuvanted with cholera toxin. Poly(I:C) enhanced the proportion of DCs in local draining lymph nodes and stimulated DC maturation. This pI:C-adjuvanted rPA vaccine has the potential to be developed into an efficacious nasal anthrax vaccine.
Family Structure and the Reproduction of Inequality: Parents’ Contribution to Children’s College Costs

This article examines the role of family structure in the financial support parents provide for their children’s college education. Data are from the Health and Retirement Study. We focus on aspects of family structure that affect parental support and estimate shared family variance in investments as well as within-family variation using a multilevel model. Family membership accounts for about 60% of the variance in payment of college costs. Small family size, living with both biological parents (compared to one biological parent and a stepparent), higher parental education, and having older parents are associated with greater parental expenditures.
Solvents showing the external heavy atom effect in phosphorimetry

Ten solvents containing heavy atoms were examined for suitability for use in the external heavy atom effect for routine phosphorimetry. In previous work only iodine-containing solvent systems have been used, and the incongruity of enhancement results for structurally similar compounds suggests that the ultraviolet transmission characteristics of the solvent systems may be responsible for fractional enhancements. In this study the effect of chlorine-, bromine-, and iodine-containing solvent systems on phosphorescence and fluorescence intensities was investigated. Generally, chlorine-, and bromine-containing solvent systems showed a significant improvement in phosphorimetric enhancements with slightly longer lifetimes than in solvent systems containing iodine. As expected from their smaller spin-orbit coupling, chlorine-containing solvent systems yield smaller enhancements than bromine-containing solvent systems. Solvent systems containing bromine seem to offer the best compromise between ultraviolet transmission characteristics and large spin-orbit coupling constants.
Some experimental methods for heat transfer studies

Abstract This paper is a collection of brief discussions of seven topics in heat transfer and temperature measurement. The topics treated are thermocouple theory, high-temperature thermocouples, surface-temperature measurements, heat flux transducers, the definition of h , planar laser-induced fluorescence, and liquid crystals in heat transfer research. The discussions are focused on particular aspects of these topics and are intended for readers with some experience in heat transfer measurements rather than those seeking an introductory review. In some instances the topic was chosen because of its novelty, in others because of its general importance.
AN ANALYSIS OF SHAREHOLDER REACTION TO DIVIDEND CUTS AND OMISSIONS

In this paper the proposition is tested that stock market reaction to a dividend change is a function of its information content. A multiple regression model is formulated to identify the factors that contribute significantly to the capital loss suffered by shareholders when firms decide to cut/omit dividends. Results indicate that, in conformity with the information content hypothesis, the announcement period capital loss induced by a dividend deduction significantly depends on the percentage change in dividends, the size and risk of the firm, and the price performance of the firm's stock in the immediately preceding period. The results further reveal that (1) simultaneous announcements of poor earnings cause larger capital losses; (2) prior announcements of loss/lower earnings, strikes, etc. attenuate the negative impact of dividend cuts; (3) managerial reassurances that the dividend reduction is growth-motivated produces a weakly favorable effect, and (4) institution of stock dividends concurrently with the dividend cut significantly reduces the negative valuation effect. It is concluded from the evidence that stock market reaction to managerial signals is a function of the perceived costs associated with these signals.
An Analysis of the Relationship Between Housing Foreclosures, Lending Practices, and Neighborhood Ecology: Evidence from a Distressed County

Residential foreclosures increased sharply during the 1990s and in the first years of the twenty-first century. These foreclosures have profound impacts on the households and neighborhoods involved. Although foreclosures occur everywhere, the geography of foreclosures displays a pattern tied to a metropolitan area's social, fiscal, and economic geography. We examine these correspondences as they exist within Summit County (Akron), Ohio, between 2001 and 2003. Foreclosures themselves often result from unfortunate financial events that can affect any household, but we found that the geography of foreclosures corresponds primarily to Summit County's racial distribution, above and beyond any correspondence with income levels and housing fiscal stress. There also exists a clear coincidence of foreclosures with subprime lending, itself associated with Summit County's racial patterns. Concentrations of foreclosures in particular neighborhoods can be tremendously harmful to the social and economic health of the n...
What determines US humanitarian intervention

Why does the United States as a third party intervene abroad in responding to humanitarian crises? While liberals argue that the purpose of an intervention is to protect victims of human rights violations, realists contend that interventions have little relation to humanitarian concerns and aim, instead, at certain national interests such as securing an oil supply. Making scientific progress, in explaining the determinants of US humanitarian intervention, requires confronting these theoretical positions with data. Drawing on a cross-national, time-series data analysis of 153 countries for the years 1981–2005, the quantitative research presented in this study is the first of its kind to evaluate the relative importance of these competing theoretical perspectives. After controlling for other variables such as democracy and media coverage, this study finds evidence that the United States is likely to use force in a manner consistent with the theory put forth by liberals. This finding indicates that US humani...
Generation of polyclonal catalytic antibodies against cocaine using transition state analogs of cocaine conjugated to diphtheria toxoid.

Six novel transition state analogs (TSAs) of cocaine (10-14 and 17) and one non-cocaine, p-aminophenyl-phosphonyl ester of cyclohexanol (19), were synthesized and characterized by 1H- and 13C-NMR and FAB-MS.(1R)-ecgonine methyl ester or cyclohexanol were subjected to phenylphosphonylation in the presence of dicyclohexyl carbodiimde (DCC) and 4-N, N-dimethyl aminopyridine (4-DMAP). TSA-IV (10), however, was synthesized from norcocaine which was protected with dibromoethane to yield 4 before acid hydrolysis, esterification and phenyl-phosphonylation were carried out. TSA-III (11) TSA-I (12) and (19), using various length spacer arms, were coupled with the immunogenic protein, diphtheria toxoid (DT). The TSAs coupled with DT were used to immunize mice and after appropriate boosts their sera were tested for the presence and titer of anti-TSA polyclonal antibodies using ELISA. Preliminary results show that the mice immunized with these TSAs produced high titers of polyclonal catalytic antibodies, except for (19), with the ability to hydrolyze the substrate 125I-4'-iodococaine in an in vitro assay, even in the presence of noncatalytic anti-TSA antibodies.
Queering the pitch: The new gay and lesbian musicology

Abstract A new, and to some a disturbing, area of study in the field of musicology is coming into its own: that of lesbian and gay musicological inquiry.1 Lest the reader think that this is just a new way to discredit ‘bad’ or ‘effeminate’ composers, this emerging part of the discipline is not primarily about uncovering lesbian and gay composers in the historical record. Rather, it is more profoundly about the questions of how people listen to music, how they perform it, how they compose it, and how they react to it. Like other recent studies in musicology that appear to be breaking new ground but which are really applying lessons and techniques learned from related forms of intellectual endeavour, many of these essays presuppose an acquaintance with the works of the French theorists of this century and a willingness to learn from the methods, approaches, and mistakes of other disciplines. Some of these essays provocatively suggest and sketch out ideas or areas of enquiry, but lack the breadth to fully de...
Malignant tumors of nerve sheath origin

A clinicopathologic study of malignant nerve sheath tumors diagnosed between 1962 and 1979 at the Massachusetts General Hospital was undertaken. During this 17-year period, 24 patients with such a neoplasm were seen while 607 patients were treated for schwannoma or neurofibroma. Criteria were developed for establishing the nerve sheath origin and malignancy of a given neoplasm which allowed a secure diagnosis of malignant nerve sheath tumor to be made in 11 of the 24 cases. In 7 of the remaining cases, the malignant tumors were of uncertain histogenesis and in 6 cases, a new diagnosis was made. The malignant tumors constituted 2% of all neoplasms of the nerve sheath origin diagnosed during this period. An attempt was made to grade these neoplasms, but clinical and histologic parameters were only approximately predictive of their behavior. The treatment and survival or the 11 patients with malignant nerve sheath tumors and the 7 with malignant neoplasms of uncertain histogenesis are detailed and compared. In the former group, 4 patients died within four and a half years and there were eight recurrences in 4 patients. In the latter group, 4 died within three and a half years and there were five recurrences in 3 patients.
Factors affecting pseudophakic cystoid macular edema: Five randomized trials

We summarize the findings of five randomized prospective, controlled studies that evaluated the following factors associated with the development of cystoid macular edema (CME) following cataract surgery: ultraviolet (UV) light from the operating microscope; postoperative UV light exposure; primary capsulotomy; retrobulbar hyaluronidase; and prostaglandin synthesis in the eye. The following were the major findings: (1) The presence of a UV-light filter on the operating microscope during cataract surgery made no statistically significant difference in the early postoperative (two to six months) angiographic incidence of CME or the visual outcome. (2) A UV-filtering posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the early postoperative incidence of angiographic CME in postcataract-surgery patients but did not affect visual acuity. (3) Patients receiving primary capsulotomy during extracapsular cataract surgery showed a statistically significant higher incidence of early postoperative angiographic CME than did patients with an intact posterior capsule. Again there was no difference in visual acuity. (4) The addition of hyaluronidase to the retrobulbar anesthetic injection made no significant difference in the CME rate or postoperative visual results of patients undergoing extracapsular cataract surgery. (5) Patients undergoing IOL implant surgery who received topical indomethacin before surgery and for nine months postoperatively to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in the eye showed a statistically significant lower incidence of early postoperative angiographic CME than did placebo-treated patients, but there was no significant difference between the two groups in postoperative visual acuity.
Persistence of a briefly presented visual stimulus in sensory memory

College students were given 12 trials in which two 4 by 4 matrices of letters were presented sequentially, each for 100 msec. On one-half of the trials, the second matrix was the same as the first, and on one-half of the trials, the second matrix differed from the first. Both the interval between the two presentations and the degree of difference between the second matrix and the first were manipulated systematically. Results indicated that when the difference between the second matrix and the first was either large or nonexistent, recognition was good. When the difference between the matrices was small, performance decreased significantly. The interstimulus interval variable was not significant. Results were discussed in terms of Sperling’s (1960) findings and those of Cermak (1971) and Phillips (1974).
Fingerprinting Petroporphyrin Structures with Vibrational Spectroscopy. 4. Resonance Raman Spectra of Nickel(II) Cycloalkanoporphyrins: Structural Effects Due To Exocyclic Ring Size.

Nickel(II) complexes of cycloalkanoporphyrins (CAPs) bearing a saturated carbon ring of varying size between pyrrole Cβ and methine bridge carbon atoms are widespread in crude oil and related organic rich sediments. We have synthesized a series of NiCAPs containing meso,β-ethano (NiCAP5), meso,β-propano (NiCAP6), and meso,β-butano (NiCAP7) groups and applied UV−visible absorption and resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopies to investigate the effects of the exocyclic ring size on the porphyrin structure and to establish vibrational CAP marker frequencies for petroporphyrins in fossil fuels. The RR spectra of NiCAPs, excited at or near porphyrin Soret (∼400 nm) and Q (510−580 nm) bands are informative and display a rich array of skeletal and alkyl substituent modes. High-frequency (1300−1700 cm-1) structure-sensitive RR bands shift down considerably (up to 24 cm-1) with increasing size of the exocyclic ring, implicating increased nonplanar distortions of the tetrapyrrole macrocycle. Unlike in other petroporphyr...
Endothelin Type A Receptor Blockade Attenuates the Hypertension in Response to Chronic Reductions in Uterine Perfusion Pressure

A chronic reduction in uterine perfusion pressure in pregnant rats is associated with a significant elevation in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and reduction in kidney function. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of endothelin in mediating the hypertension in response to chronic reductions in uterine perfusion pressure in conscious, chronically instrumented, pregnant rats. MAP in pregnant rats with chronic reductions in uterine perfusion pressure (123.0±1.8 mm Hg) was significantly higher than that in control pregnant rats (101.3±4.0 mm Hg). Renal expression of preproendothelin mRNA as determined by ribonuclease protection assay was also significantly elevated in the medulla (>45%, P 22%, P <0.05) of the pregnant rats with chronic reductions in uterine perfusion pressure compared with control pregnant rats. Chronic administration of the selective endothelin type A receptor antagonist (ABT-627, 5 mg/kg per day for 10 days) markedly attenuated the increase in MAP observed in the pregnant rats with chronic reductions in uterine perfusion pressure (103.3±5.6 mm Hg, plus endothelin antagonist; P <0.05). However, endothelin type A receptor blockade had no significant effect on blood pressure in the normal pregnant animals (96.0±2.7 mm Hg, plus endothelin antagonist). These findings suggest that endothelin plays a major role in mediating the hypertension produced by chronic reductions in uterine perfusion pressure in pregnant rats.
NOAA's winter outlook favors weak El Niño, lower‐than‐average precipitation

Water shortages due to severe drought will continue to persist in California even if the state receives an average amount of precipitation this winter, said Kevin Werner, western regional climate services director at the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Association (NOAA). This prediction came during NOAA's winter 2014–2015 outlook for U.S. precipitation and temperature, released on 16 October.
The nucleotide sequence of a human immunoglobulin C gamma1 gene.

Abstract We report the nucleotide sequence of a gene encoding the constant region of a human immunoglobulin gamma 1 heavy chain (C gamma 1). A comparison of this sequence with those of the C gamma 2 and C gamma 4 genes reveals that these three human C gamma genes share considerable homology in both coding and noncoding regions. The nucleotide sequence differences indicate that these genes diverged from one another approximately 608 million years ago. An examination of hinge exons shows that these coding regions have evolved more rapidly than any other areas of the C gamma genes in terms of both base substitution and deletion/insertion events. Coding sequence diversity also is observed in areas of CH domains which border the hinge.
An Overview of Prosody and Its Role in Normal and Disordered Child Language

This tutorial presents an overview of prosody and its application to specific language impairment. First, prosody is defined as both a phonological and acoustic phenomenon. Prosody is further explo...
A q-Analogue of Mahler Expansions, I

Abstract We examine a q -analogue of Mahler expansions for continuous functions in p -adic analysis, replacing binomial coefficient polynomials ( x n ) with a q -analogue ( x n ) q for a p -adic variable q with | q −1| p q =1 and we consider the p -adic q -Gamma function Γ p , q of Koblitz relative to its q -Mahler expansion.
Inhibition of tropoelastin expression by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Elastin production is modulated by steroid hormones and is dependent on calcium. Because vitamin D3 is involved in the regulation of calcium metabolism and influences the expression of various extracellular matrix proteins, we investigated whether vitamin D3 influences tropoelastin expression. Three elastin-producing, bovine cell types, auricular chondroblasts, nuchal ligament fibroblasts and arterial smooth muscle cells, were treated with the principal active metabolite of vitamin D3, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (l, 25[OH]2 D3), and with 24, 25 dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (24, 25[OH]2 D3). Tropoelastin levels in culture media and cell layers, as measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay, decreased in a dose and exposure dependent manner after treatment with 1, 25(OH)2 D3; 24, 25(OH)2 D3 had no effect on tropoelastin production relative to solvent-treated controls. The maximal effective dose of l, 25(OH)2 D3 was 10−7 M for 48 hr, which resulted in a severalfold reduction of tropoelastin production, and decreased tr...
Numerical simulations of optical parametric amplification cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating

We perform numerical simulations of cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating with the nonlinearities, optical parametric amplification, and difference-frequency generation for measuring broadband pulses. We show that use of a noncollinear beam geometry that matches the group velocities of the pump, signal, and idler pulses permits use of relatively thick crystals for high gain without significant distortion in the measured trace, yielding bandwidths of ~100 nm.
Microaggregates in frozen and saline washed red blood cells.

The microaggregates which accumulate in stored blood have been implicated in the development of posttraumatic pulmonary insufficiency. These particles are known to be composed of degenerated leukocytes and platelets. Because frozen and saline washed red blood cells contain small numbers of leukocytes and platelets, they were studied as a possible source of microaggregate-free red blood cells. Using a Model T Coulter Counter to quan-titate all particles 13–80 microns in size, it was shown that freezing and deglycerolization, or simple saline washing (manual or automated), could reduce the number of microaggregates in stored blood by 80 to 90 per cent. These findings add to a growing list of potential advantages in the routine use of frozen red cells for patients requiring transfusion.
An equation describing the consolidation of combustion synthesized titanium diboride

A phenomenological equation, incorporating the temperature dependence of flow stress, is described for the in-situ consolidation of combustion synthesized materials. An activation energy for the temperature dependent flow stress is calculated and indicates that, in addition to plastic deformation, other processes such as fracture and liquid-phase-assisted particle rearrangement occur.
Supersonic boundary-layer stability in a high-area-ratio nozzle

Previous studies found that the wall heat flux measured experimentally in the NASA Lewis high-area-ratio nozzle was not always described accurately by laminar or fully turbulent boundary-layer computations. These results suggest that the boundary layer undergoes transition. In the present paper, the eN method was used to determine which operating conditions produced boundary-layer transition in the nozzle. The study verifies the accuracy of the eN method for combusting flows. If transition resulted, the stability analysis provided the location of transition onset as well as the structure and wavelength of the dominant instability. TollmienSchlichting waves and Taylor-Gortler vortices were considered as possible disturbance structures which trigger transition. When the chamber pressure was 2482 kPa, the stability analysis indicated that transition did not occur in the nozzle. The analysis correctly determined that a laminar boundary-layer computation accurately predicts the experimental wall heat flux. For chamber pressures of 4523 kPa and above, it was found that Taylor-Gortler vortices produced transition in the nozzle. At these conditions, the laminar boundary-layer computation did not accurately predict the wall heat flux. The stability analysis can be used to establish the nozzle conditions which will be accurately predicted by a laminar boundary-layer computation.
Does Accreditation Matter? School Readiness Rates for Accredited Versus Nonaccredited Child Care Facilities in Florida’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Program

Accreditation is a widely accepted indicator of quality in early education and includes many of the components cited in broad conceptualizations of quality. The purpose of this study was to examine whether kindergarten readiness rates differed between Florida child care facilities that were and were not accredited by any relevant national association or by the three Gold Seal Quality Care–approved associations as defined in Florida statute. To examine this, the authors looked at child care facilities licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and participating in the state Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program in the years 2007 through 2010. Of the 4,322 facilities in this study, accreditation was not associated with better school readiness when children were tested in kindergarten in any years except 2007. The number of students who were deemed kindergarten ready was not different for accredited versus nonaccredited facilities in Florida. These results suggest that although accreditation ma...
Stability of methylprednisolone sodium succinate in autodose infusion system bags.

Objective To evaluate the physical and chemical stabilities of methylprednisolone sodium succinate solutions packaged in sterile AutoDose Infusion System bags. Setting Laboratory. Interventions The test samples were prepared by reconstituting the methylprednisolone sodium succinate, adding the required amount of drug to the AutoDose Infusion System bags, and diluting to the target concentrations of 100 mg/100 mL and 1 gram/100 mL with 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. Main Outcome Measures Physical stability and chemical stability based on drug concentrations initially and at appropriate intervals over periods up to 3 days at 23°C and 30 days at 4°C. Results The admixtures initially were clear when viewed in normal fluorescent room light and with a Tyndall beam. Measured turbidity and particulate content were low initially and exhibited little change. All samples were essentially colorless throughout the study. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed some decomposition in the samples. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate exhibited about 8% loss after 2 days and about 13% loss after 3 days at 23°C. In the samples stored at 4°C, methylprednisolone sodium succinate exhibited acceptable stability through 21 days of storage, but losses exceeded 10% after 30 days. Conclusion Methylprednisolone sodium succinate exhibited physical and chemical stabilities consistent with those found in previous studies. The AutoDose Infusion System bags did not adversely affect the physical or chemical stability of this drug.
Statistical theory in clustering

A number of statistical models for forming and evaluating clusters are reviewed. Hierarchical algorithms are evaluated by their ability to discover high density regions in a population, and complete linkage hopelessly fails; the others don't do too well either. Single linkage is at least of mathematical interest because it is related to the minimum spanning tree and percolation. Mixture methods are examined, related to k-means, and the failure of likelihood tests for the number of components is noted. The DIP test for estimating the number of modes in a univariate population measures the distance between the empirical distribution function and the closest unimodal distribution function (or k-modal distribution function when testing for k modes). Its properties are examined and multivariate extensions are proposed. Ultrametric and evolutionary distances on trees are considered briefly.
Acid mucopolysaccharides in the liver of Pekin duck with amyloidosis.

SummaryStudies on the liver involved with increasing amounts of amyloidosis and control tissues indicate that there is a marked increase in MPS content with severe amyloid infiltration. The increase of MPS was accounted for by increases in heparitin sulfate, chondroitin sulfate B, and somewhat less of chondroitin sulfates A and C. The consistent increase of heparitin sulfate in the liver of the ducks was similar to that observed in amyloidosis in humans and in experimentally induced disease. This remarkable increase of chondroitin sulfate B suggests a link to other vascular diseases and genetic connective tissue defects. The Pekin duck serves as an interesting model to study spontaneously occurring amyloidosis.
A requirement for ergosterol to permit growth of yeast sterol auxotrophs on cholestanol.

Abstract The ability of cholestanol (5α-cholestan-3β-ol) to support growth of two independently derived sterol auxotrophs, FY3 and GL7, has been examined. Growth on this stanol was precluded unless minute quantities of sterol were also available. Contaminating sterol in most cholestanol preparations or excess sterol in the inoculum used in growth studies could provide the required sterol in quantities capable of sustaining growth through an entire culture cycle. Evidence is presented for multiple functions of sterols in Saccharomyces cerevisiae .
Toxicity, metabolism and absorption of selenite by isolated rat hepatocytes

The uptake of various levels of selenite by isolated rat hepatocytes was investigated. The LD50 value of selenite was about 500 microM. The activity of lactic dehydrogenase in the medium was correlated with cell viability as determined by trypan blue exclusion. After incubation of selenite with hepatocytes, protein-bound Se was the predominant form (80-90% of the cellular Se) present. Subcellular fractionation indicated that most of the radioactivity was present in the cytosol when hepatocytes were incubated with 75Se-selenite. The uptake of 75Se by isolated rat hepatocytes was linear with selenite concentration up to the highest amount tested, 200 microM. Sulfite inhibited the uptake of selenite by hepatocytes.
Action research in the context of a school–university partnership: its value, problems, issues and benefits

Abstract The focus of the article is on action research in a school–university partnership, its problems, use and the value of the work from the viewpoint of a professor (university teacher-educator)[1] and two deans. The authors collaborate to first define a partnership. Secondly, they discuss the role and use of action research in the context of a partnership programme aimed at changing and improving kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) schooling and teacher education. Thirdly, they identify the problems, issues and benefits associated with such work. A ‘tool,’ consisting of 10 questions is presented by the collaborators for university faculty and administrators to use to chart their initiation and institutional participation in action research in a school–university partnership. Selected problems and issues focused on university faculty productivity, and a college or university's reward system for tenure and promotion are discussed, together with the benefits and the ultimate value of the work.
Multilayer perceptron discrimination of software quality in a biomedical data analysis system

Biomedical data analysis typically involves large data sets, a diverse user base and intensive visualization procedures. These features place stringent quality demands upon software development and performance for both the architect and supervisor. An invaluable tool for software supervisors would be the automatic qualitative grading of software objects in terms of their extensibility, reusability, clarity and efficiency. This paper examines the quality assessment of software objects by a multilayer perceptron in relation to a gold standard provided by two independent software architects.
Atomic Column Resolved Electron Energy‐Loss Spectroscopy

Spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is rapidly developing into a unique and powerful tool to characterize internal interfaces. Because atomic column resolved Z-contrast imaging can be performed simultaneously with EELS in the scanning transmission electron microscope, this combination allows the atomic structure to be correlated with the electronic structure, and thus the local properties of interfaces or defects can be determined directly. However, the ability to characterize interfaces and defects at that level requires not only high spatial resolution but also the exact knowledge of the beam location, from where the spectrum is obtained. Here we discuss several examples progressing from cases where the limitation in spatial resolution is given by the microscopes or the nature of the sample, to one example of impurity atoms at a grain boundary, which show intensity and fine structure changes from atomic column to atomic column. Such data can be interpreted as changes in valence of the impurity, depending on its exact site in the boundary plane. Analysis of this nature is a valuable first step in understanding the macroscopic structural, optical and electronic properties of materials.
Integrative Gene Set Analysis of Multi-platform Data with Sample Heterogeneity

Motivation: Gene set analysis is a popular method for large-scale genomic studies. Because genes that have common biological features are analyzed jointly, gene set analysis often achieves better power and generates more biologically informative results. With the advancement of technologies, genomic studies with multi-platform data have become increasingly common. Several strategies have been proposed that integrate genomic data from multiple platforms to perform gene set analysis. To evaluate the performances of existing integrative gene set methods under various scenarios, we conduct a comparative simulation analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas breast cancer dataset. Results: We find that existing methods for gene set analysis are less effective when sample heterogeneity exists. To address this issue, we develop three methods for multi-platform genomic data with heterogeneity: two non-parametric methods, multi-platform Mann–Whitney statistics and multi-platform outlier robust T-statistics, and a parametric method, multi-platform likelihood ratio statistics. Using simulations, we show that the proposed multi-platform Mann–Whitney statistics method has higher power for heterogeneous samples and comparable performance for homogeneous samples when compared with the existing methods. Our real data applications to two datasets of The Cancer Genome Atlas also suggest that the proposed methods are able to identify novel pathways that are missed by other strategies. Availability and implementation: http://www4.stat.ncsu.edu/~jytzeng/Software/Multiplatform_gene_set_analysis/ Contact: moc.tfoscimo@uh.nhoj, ude.uscn@7uhj Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Switch from a type 2 to a type 1 T helper cell response and cure of established Leishmania major infection in mice is induced by combined therapy with interleukin 12 and Pentostam.

Abstract Successful treatment in allergic, autoimmune, and infectious diseases often requires altering the nature of a detrimental immune response mediated by a particular CD4+ T helper (Th) cell subset. While several factors contribute to the development of CD4+ Th1 and Th2 cells, the requirements for switching an established response are not understood. Here we use infection with Leishmania major as a model to investigate those requirements. We report that treatment with interleukin 12 (IL-12), in combination with the antimony-based leishmanicidal drug Pentostam, induces healing in L. major-infected mice and that healing is associated with a switch from a Th2 to a Th1 response. The data suggest that decreasing antigen levels may be required for IL-12 to inhibit a Th2 response and enhance a Th1 response. These observations are important for treatment of nonhealing forms of human leishmaniasis and also demonstrate that in a chronic infectious disease an inappropriate Th2 response can be switched to an effective Th1 response.
Resurrection and redescription of the pocket gopher Thomomys sheldoni from the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico

Thomomys sheldoni Bailey, 1915 is resurrected to recognize a genetically divergent clade of smooth-toothed pocket gophers that inhabits the high-elevation pine–oak forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico from northwestern Chihuahua through Durango to western Zacatecas and northeastern Nayarit. Analyses of DNA sequences from 8 genes and genotype assignment tests for 21 allozyme loci establish this clade as a genetically isolated taxon within the T. umbrinus (sensu lato) complex. In addition to the T. sheldoni clade (diploid number of 2n ¼ 76), 3 genetic clades within T. umbrinus (2n ¼ 78) and 1 newly discovered clade (2n ¼ 76) also were recovered in the phylogenetic analyses. Individuals of T. sheldoni and T. umbrinus occur in close proximity with no evidence of gene flow and an average cytochrome-b genetic divergence of 15.6%. Analyses of cranial morphology reveal that skulls of T. sheldoni are, on average, broader and longer than skulls of T. umbrinus and T. atrovarius. We recognize and provide synonymies for 2 subspecies within T. sheldoni based on a weak genetic and morphological break that is coincident with a large, north–south gap in its distribution: T. s. sheldoni in the southern Sierra Madre Occidental, which includes specimens from the type locality and populations in Durango, Zacatecas, and Nayarit; and T. s. chihuahuae in the northern Sierra Madre Occidental, which is known only from Chihuahua.
Management of soft-tissue sarcomas: an overview and update.

Summary Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) are relatively uncommon, especially when considered as individual histological subtypes (of which there are more than 50). Their incidence increases with age, although they are disproportionately common among children. When diagnosed and managed in a non-specialist environment, outcome is generally significantly poorer than if patients are managed by a multidisciplinary team in a tertiary centre of excellence. Prompt referral of patients with clinically suspicious masses is strongly advocated, before any type of intervention is attempted. This brief, opinionbased overview emphasises the team approach and provides a synopsis of the strategies used at our institution for pre-operative assessment and biopsy, surgical management, and the delivery of radiation therapy when appropriate (focusing on limb preservation and optimisation of function). Predictable variations in the natural history of these tumours, based on accurate histological sub-classification, merit wider recognition. The role of systemic chemotherapy for soft-tissue sarcoma is still evolving, but at present the main aims are improved local control, disease-free survival, and quality of life. There are overall survival benefits for specific histological types, but this is a relatively small subgroup. Novel therapies, based on disease mechanisms at the molecular level, show promise for future advances.
A study of electric stress enhancement. Part 1. Implication in power cable design

The increase in electric stress due to a surface protrusion at the interface between a semiconductive shield and a polymer insulation layer in power cables can lead to localized electron injection into the polymer insulation and result in undesired material degradation. This paper reports the analyses of electric stress enhancement of surface protrusions in several commonly encountered medium- and high-voltage power cable configurations. First, a brief review of the electric stress enhancement theories is presented. Then evaluations using these theories for various power cable configurations are made, and it is shown that theories considering a hyperboloidal protrusion will exhibit more realistic stress enhancement results than the cases based on a spheroidal protrusion. Further examination reveals that, besides the sharpness of a protrusion, thickness of the insulation medium also plays a governing role in the stress enhancement at the interfaces between different dielectric media. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, it is a surprise to observe that a thicker insulation can actually cause higher stress enhancement at a protrusion tip, under a given applied voltage. Because of this, a flatter surface protrusion at a higher voltage setting, which usually has thicker insulation, can result in earlier degradation than a sharper protrusion at a lower voltage, even though sharper extrusions are expected to have higher stress enhancement. As a result, thicker insulation may not always be advantageous in the power cable design for higher voltage applications.