cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A randomized, controlled, double-blind, pilot study of milk thistle for the treatment of hepatotoxicity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

BACKGROUND: Despite limited preclinical and clinical investigations, milk thistle (MT) is often used for the treatment of chemotherapy-associated hepatotoxicity. Limited treatment options exist for chemotherapy-related hepatoxicity. Given the wide use of MT, the authors investigated MT in both the laboratory and a clinical setting. METHODS: In a double-blind study, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hepatic toxicity were randomized to MT or placebo orally for 28 days. Liver function tests were evaluated during the study period. To assess MT in vitro, the authors evaluated supratherapeutic concentrations in an ALL cell line. RESULTS: Fifty children were enrolled. No significant differences in frequency of side effects, incidence and severity of toxicities, or infections were observed between groups. There were no significant changes in mean amino alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), or total bilirubin (TB) at Day 28. At Day 56, the MT group had a significantly lower AST (P = .05) and a trend toward a significantly lower ALT (P = .07). Although not significantly different, chemotherapy doses were reduced in 61% of the MT group compared with 72% of the placebo group. In vitro experiments revealed no antagonistic interactions between MT and vincristine or L-asparaginase in CCRF-CEM cells. A modest synergistic effect with vincristine was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In children with ALL and liver toxicity, MT was associated with a trend toward significant reductions in liver toxicity. MT did not antagonize the effects of chemotherapy agents used for the treatment of ALL. Future study is needed to determine the most effective dose and duration of MT and its effect on hepatotoxicity and leukemia-free survival.
The Effect of Radiation Dose and Chemotherapy on Overall Survival in 237 Patients With Stage III Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: To study the effects of radiation dose, chemotherapy, and their interaction in patients with unresectable or medically inoperable Stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods and Materials: A total of 237 consecutive Stage III NSCLC patients were evaluated. Median follow-up was 69.0 months. Patients were treated with radiation therapy (RT) alone (n = 106), sequential chemoradiation (n = 69), or concurrent chemoradiation (n = 62). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Radiation dose ranged from 30 to 102.9 Gy (median 60 Gy), corresponding to a bioequivalent dose (BED) of 39 to 124.5 Gy (median 72 Gy). Results: The median OS of the entire cohort was 12.6 months, and 2- and 5-year survival rates were 22.4% and 10.0%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression model demonstrated that Karnofsky performance status (p = 0.020), weight loss < 5% (p = 0.017), chemotherapy (yes vs. no), sequence of chemoradiation (sequential vs. concurrent; p < 0.001), and BED (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of OS. For patients treated with RT alone, sequential chemoradiation, and concurrent chemoradiation, median survival was 7.4, 14.9, and 15.8 months, and 5-year OS was 3.3%, 7.5%, and 19.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). The effect of higher radiation doses onmore » survival was independent of whether chemotherapy was given. Conclusion: Radiation dose and use of chemotherapy are independent predictors of OS in Stage III NSCLC, and concurrent chemoradiation is associated with the best survival. There is no interaction between RT dose and chemotherapy.« less
Correlation of Finite Strain from Both Reduction Bodies and Preferred Orientation of Mica in Slate from Wales

Finite strain measurements obtained from formerly spherical natural strain indicators in slate are compared to the degree of preferred orientation of mica, as revealed by x-ray pole figure goniometry. The pole figures obtained for (002) are all elongated point maxima normal to the slaty cleavage; the short axes of these elongate maxima trend toward the direction of the linear “grain” in the plane of cleavage. The deformation ellipsoid has its shortest axis precisely perpendicular to the cleavage and its longest axis parallel to the linear grain in the cleavage. The geometric relations are consistent with the model proposed by March (1932) that assumes passive rotation of tabular markers and thereby allows strains to be predicted from observed preferred orientations and vice versa. The measured deformation ellipsoids reveal a compressional strain across the plane of cleavage of 63 percent, 66 percent, and 68 percent. The corresponding concentrations of poles to (002) predicted by the March model from these strains are 20.6, 25.6, and 31.6 times uniform, respectively, whereas pole concentrations of 16.3, 17.9, and 18.3 times uniform were actually measured. Hence the measured strains are more than adequate to account for the formation of the observed preferred orientations by a mechanism of rotation. This and other studies suggest that quantitative preferred orientation studies may enable both the magnitudes and directions of the principal finite strains to be estimated in deformed micaceous rocks that do not contain independent indicators of strain.
Stored-product insect activity outside of grain masses in commercial grain elevators in the midwestern United States

Knowledge of sources of insect infestation, population dynamics, and movement of pests is needed to effectively target and use both conventional and alternative pest management tactics. This study was conducted to determine the nature and source of insect infestations in commercial elevators with an emphasis on the relative importance of refugial populations in and around commercial facilities. Insect activity was monitored using two types of traps in several areas inside and outside concrete silos. Every area of all of the elevators examined had detectable populations of stored-product insects that could potentially migrate into grain in storage. A total of 13 beetle species and two species of moths were found. Each elevator had different problem areas that demonstrated the structural and management influences on insect movement.
Silence in the classroom/whispers in the halls: autoethnography as pedagogy in White pre‐service teacher education

This study examines the use of autoethnography as a teaching method to work with pre‐service teachers in an elementary school setting. Focusing on Whiteness and critical race theory as a lens for reviewing their experiences while working with children of color, the author includes her own story of exploring her racism as a classroom teacher, a researcher and a pre‐service teacher educator.
A 2.5GHz, 6.9mW ΔΣ modulator with standard cell design in 45nm-LP CMOS using time-interleaving

A technique to implement time-interleaved digital ΔΣ modulators using standard cells and digital synthesis tools is presented. Time interleaving allows clocking of the standard cell blocks at submultiples of the final sampling rate f s . Additional delay stages are used to segment the time-interleaved/pipelined MASH ΔΣ topology into reduced complexity sub-blocks, each with independent critical paths. A prototype IC has been fabricated in digital CMOS 45nm-LP: it has been validated at 2.5GHz, while consuming 6.9mW from a 1.1V supply, and at 3.3GHz increasing the nominal supply to 1.2V.
Automatic Layout Generation of RF Embedded Passive Designs

In this paper we propose a methodology for automatic layout generation of embedded passive RF circuits. Physical layout generation of such designs is challenging since the response of a given layout is tightly coupled with the response of the individual components and the effect of interconnect parasitics. Our approach is to make use of circuit models to represent and optimize a given layout and use non-linear optimization at various stages to obtain the desired goals. Full-wave EM simulations is completely out of the design loop, so our methodology significantly reduces the design time for RF embedded passive circuits.
Interlayer distance dependence of thickness fluctuations in a swollen lamellar phase

Thickness fluctuations in a swollen lamellar structure, composed of a non-ionic surfactant, water and oil have been characterized by means of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and neutron spin echo (NSE) experiments, and coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulation. The static and dynamic structures of the membranes are measured as a function of the interlayer distance (membrane thickness), dm. The oil to surfactant volume ratio is changed at a constant surfactant volume fraction, so that dm is changed while maintaining the inter-lamellar repeat distance constant in the experiments. Two relaxation modes are observed from the NSE data, which are the bending motion and the thickness fluctuations. The bending rigidity of the membranes is a function of the membrane thickness. At low dm the membranes become rigid due to the enhancement of the thickness fluctuations, while at large dm the membranes tend to be flexible because of the decrease in the synchronization between the two interface layers. The thickness fluctuations are measured by NSE as an excess dynamics from the bending motion around the length scales of the membrane thickness, and a similar excess dynamics is observed in the CGMD simulation. Moreover, a method to estimate the thickness fluctuation amplitude in the experiment is proposed, and the validity of the method is verified by the simulation. An excellent agreement between the experiments and the simulations shows that the amplitude is about 12% of the membrane thickness and almost linearly increases with dm. The present result shows the importance of the intra-membrane dynamics to determine the elastic properties of membranes, and the feasibility of the measurement of thickness fluctuations in surfactant membranes using NSE experiments and MD simulations.
Voltage sensing by fluorescence resonance energy transfer in single cells

A new mechanism has been developed for achieving fast ratiometric voltage-sensitive fluorescence changes in single cells using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The mechanism is based on hydrophobic fluorescent anions that rapidly redistribute from one face of the plasma membrane to the other according to the Nernst equation. A voltage-sensitive fluorescent readout is created by labeling the extracellular surface of the cell with a second fluorophore, here a fluorescently labeled lectin, that can undergo energy transfer with the membrane-bound sensor. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between the two fluorophores is disrupted when the membrane potential is depolarized, because the anion is pulled to the intracellular surface of the plasma membrane far from the lectin. Bis-(1,3-dialkyl-2-thiobarbiturate)-trimethineoxonols, where alkyl is n-hexyl and n-decyl (DiSBA-C6-(3) and DiSBA-C10-(3), respectively) can function as donors to Texas Red labeled wheat germ agglutinin (TR-WGA) and acceptors from fluorescein-labeled lectin (FI-WGA). In voltage-clamped fibroblasts, the translocation of these oxonols is measured as a displacement current with a time constant of approximately 2 ms for 100 mV depolarization at 20 degrees C, which equals the speed of the fluorescence changes. Fluorescence ratio changes of between 4% and 34% were observed for a 100-mV depolarization in fibroblasts, astrocytoma cells, beating cardiac myocytes, and B104 neuroblastoma cells. The large fluorescence changes allow high-speed confocal imaging.
BPA 1100 kV Transmission System Development-Planning, Program, and Objectives

This paper summarizes current system planning studies for application of 1100 kV to the Pacific Northwest transmission system, the associated test and development program, and construction of two test lines. It compares 500 and 1100 kV costs and shows 1100 kV to be economical at loadings above 4,000-5,000 MW. The two test lines consist of 1200 kV Lyons Electrical Prototype Line at Lyons, Oregon, and the 1200 kV Moro Mechanical Test Line at Moro, Oregon.
ELECTRIC FIELD EFFECT IN THE RESONANCE LINES OF INDIUM AND THALLIUM

The atomic-beam method has been used to study the Stark effect in the resonance lines of indium ($6s^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5p^{2}P_{\frac{1}{2}}$, 4102 \AA{}) and thallium ($7s^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6p^{2}P_{\frac{1}{2}}$, 3776 \AA{}). The difference between the atomic polarizability of the $^{2}S_{\frac{1}{2}}$ state and that of the $^{2}P_{\frac{1}{2}}$ state [$\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\alpha}(\mathrm{sp})$] has been determined and compared with calculations in the Coulomb approximation. For indium, we find $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\alpha}(\mathrm{sp})=138(11)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and for thallium $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\alpha}(\mathrm{sp})=115(12)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}24}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$.
Tracheotomy versus endotracheal intubation for airway management in deep neck space infections

Abstract Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare costs and outcomes for patients with deep neck infections who were treated with either tracheotomy or endotracheal intubation. Materials and Methods: The charts of 85 patients with deep neck space infections were retrospectively studied. Requirements for inclusion in the study were incision and drainage in the operating room, involvement of more than 1 deep anatomic space, impending airway compromise, and maintenance of a postoperative artificial airway. The 85 patients were divided into 2 groups based on the type of airway used for treatment. Group 1 (n = 34) included patients who received a tracheotomy, and group 2 (n = 51) included patients whose airways were maintained with endotracheal intubation until the swelling had resolved sufficiently for extubation. Results: Patients in group 1 had a shorter overall hospital stay (4.8 vs 5.9 days, NS) and spent less time in the intensive care unit (1.1 vs 3.1 days, P
Luteinizing hormone secretion as influenced by age and estradiol in the prepubertal gilt

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine if there is an age related reduction in the sensitivity of the negative feedback action of 17β-estradiol (estradiol) on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in the prepubertal gilt. Ovariectomized gilts at 90 ( n =12), 150 ( n =11) or 210 ( n =12) days of age received estradiol benzoate (EB) osmotic pump implants 6/group and the remaining animals received vehicle control (C) implants except for 150-day C ( n =5) on Day 0. On Day 10 blood samples were collected every 15min for 8h and serum LH and estradiol concentrations were measured. Serum estradiol concentrations averaged 5±1, 5±1 and 7±2pg/ml for the 90-, 150- and 210-day-old gilts implanted with estradiol, respectively, whereas, serum estradiol concentrations was undetectable in C gilts. Mean serum LH concentrations, basal LH concentrations and serum LH pulse amplitude were less in EB-treated gilts at all ages compared to control animals. In contrast, LH pulse frequency initially was less in EB-treated gilts but subsequently increased ( P
Impact of direct-to-consumer advertising for hereditary breast cancer testing on genetic services at a managed care organization: A naturally-occurring experiment

Purpose: To describe the impact of Myriad Genetics, Inc.'s direct-to-consumer advertising (DTC-ad) campaign on cancer genetic services within two Managed Care Organizations, Kaiser Permanente Colorado (KPCO), Denver, Colorado, where the ad campaign occurred, and Henry Ford Health System (HFHS), Detroit, Michigan, where there were no advertisements. Methods: The main outcome measures were the changes in number and pretest mutation probability of referrals approved for cancer genetic services at KPCO and HFHS during the campaign versus the year prior, and mutation probability of those undergoing testing. Results: At KPCO, referrals increased 244% during the DTC-ad compared to the same time period a year earlier (P value < 0.001). The proportion of referrals at high pretest probability of a mutation (10% or greater) dropped from 69% the previous year to 48% during the campaign (P value < 0.001). There was no significant change in pretest mutation probability among women who underwent testing between the two time periods. HFHS reported no significant change between the two time periods for numbers or mutation probability of referrals, or for mutation probability of women tested. Conclusion: The DTC-ad caused significant increase in demand for cancer genetic services. In the face of potential future DTC-ad for inherited cancer risk, providers and payers need to consider the delivery of genetic services and genetic education for persons of all risk levels.
Long-term outcome of panic disorder with agoraphobia treated by exposure.

Background. There is a paucity of long-term outcome studies of panic disorder that exceed a 2-year follow-up. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term follow-up of patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia treated according to a standardized protocol. Methods. A consecutive series of 200 patients satisfying the DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder with agoraphobia was treated in an out-patient clinic with behavioural methods based on exposure homework. One hundred and thirty-six patients became panic free after 12 sessions of psychotherapy and 132 were available for follow-up. A 2- to 14-year (median = 8 years) follow-up was performed. Survival analysis was employed to characterize the clinical course of patients. Results. Thirty-one of the 132 patients (23%) had a relapse of panic disorder at some time during follow-up. The estimated cumulative percentage of patients remaining in remission was 93.1 after 2 years, 82.4 after 5 years, 78.8 after 7 years and 62.1 after 10 years. Such probabilities increased with younger age, and in the absence of a personality disorder, of high pre-treatment levels of depressed mood, of residual agoraphobic avoidance after exposure, and of concurrent use of benzodiazepines and antidepressant drugs. Conclusions. The findings suggest that exposure treatment can provide lasting relief to the majority of patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia. Disappearance of residual and subclinical agoraphobic avoidance, and not simply of panic attacks, should be the aim of exposure therapy.
Logotherapy: An Overview

(2001). Logotherapy: An Overview. Journal of Religious Gerontology: Vol. 11, No. 3-4, pp. 9-24.
Accumulated Human Capital, Unemployment, And Subsequent Wages

The objective of this paper is to empirically examine the determinants of post-unemployment wages and to identify the underlying economic forces triggering the observed wage setting mechanisms. Specifically, the paper focuses on the impact of accumulated human capital on post-unemployment wages and investigates the following issues: (1) Is formal educational attainment a significant determinant of post-unemployment wages? (2) What type of previous labor market experience (general vs. job-specific) is more valued by a new employer? (3) Are workers who find a new job in the same sector, industry or occupation more likely to retain their specific human capital and, thus, earn higher post-unemployment wages? The 1994-2001 Polish Labor Force Surveys are used as the data source for this study.
Solitary positive sentinel lymph node accompanied by negative sentinel lymph node(s) is predictive of a negative completion axillary lymph node dissection.

Abstract Background Many patients with a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) have a negative axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). We hypothesized that a solitary positive SLN associated with at least 1 negative SLN is predictive of a negative completion ALND. Omission of ALND may be possible in these patients. Methods A retrospective review of 392 consecutive patients who underwent SLNB was performed. The 78 (20%) SLN-positive patients were divided into 4 groups: group 1: solitary positive SLN associated with at least 1 negative SLN; group 2: more than 1 positive SLN with at least 1 negative SLN; group 3: solitary positive SLN with no additional SLNs; and group 4: more than 1 positive SLN and all SLNs positive. Results Excluding extracapsular extension, only 3% of group 1 patients had a positive ALND. Positive ALND was found in 15% of group 2, 29% of group 3, and 77% of group 4. Conclusions A solitary positive SLN accompanied by additional negative SLN(s) is predictive of a negative completion ALND.
Retrieval of surface reflectance and atmospheric properties

Spectral aerosol optical depths and surface hemispherical directional reflectance factors and bihemispherical reflectances are retrieved using multi-angle imagery taken by the Airborne Advanced Solid-State Array Spectroradiometer (ASAS). The retrievals were performed using algorithms being devised for use by the Multiangle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) which will fly on the EOS-AM1 spacecraft in 1998. As part of its science mission MISR will produce global coverage of both aerosol amounts and surface reflection properties. ASAS imagery are unique datasets for use in testing the efficacy of the MISR retrieval algorithms. >
Nonlinear Detector Response in FT-IR

The problem of nonlinear detector response in FT-IR spectroscopy is discussed. The effects of nonlinearity are demonstrated with the use of synthetic data, and a convenient method for detection of the nonlinear response is given. The interaction between phase correction and nonlinear response is also shown with the use of synthetic data.
Advances in mesoscale thermal management technologies for microelectronics

This paper presents recent advances in a number of novel, high-performance cooling techniques for emerging electronics applications. Critical enabling thermal management technologies covered include microchannel transport and micropumps, jet impingement, miniature flat heat pipes, transient phase change energy storage systems, piezoelectric fans, and prediction of interface contact conductance.
Rapid Thermal Processor Modeling, Control, and Design for Temperature Uniformity

With the ability to perform heat cycles on a wafer quickly and within low thermal budgets, Rapid Thermal Processor (RTP) systems offer potential advantages over conventional furnaces. However, RTP’s have an inherent problem with wafer temperature uniformity which can cause process nonuniformity and wafer stress. In this work, a thermodynamic model of a wafer is used to form an understanding of the wafer heating problem. This model shows that an idealized heating flux density profile can maintain thermal uniformity at steady-state temperatures. This profile uniformly heats the wafer while counteracting the additional cooling at the wafer edge. However, this profile induces temperature nonuniformities during wafer temperature transients, such as overheating of the edge during temperature rises. Therefore, a dynamic flux-density profile is needed during temperature transients to ensure continuous temperature uniformity. The model is used to predict the steady-state and dynamic profiles required to process a wafer with complete temperature uniformity. The predicted profiles can be used to adapt an RTP chamber and control system to approach production of uniform wafers and also for the design of new systems. This paper will explain the theory of wafer heating, describe the dynamic profiles required for continuous uniformity, review the wafer model, show the result of an idealized profile for steady state and transients processing, and present a new control methodology to achieve uniform temperatures.
Analytical evaluation of the performance of proportional fair scheduling in OFDMA-based wireless systems

This paper provides an analytical evaluation of the performance of proportional fair (PF) scheduling in Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) wireless systems. OFDMA represents a promising multiple access scheme for transmission over wireless channels, as it combines the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation and subcarrier allocation. On the other hand, the PF scheduling is an efficient resource allocation scheme with good fairness characteristics. Consequently, OFDMA with PF scheduling represents an attractive solution to deliver high data rate services to multiple users simultaneously with a high degree of fairness. We investigate a two-dimensional (time slot and frequency subcarrier) PF scheduling algorithm for OFDMA systems and evaluate its performance analytically and by simulations. We derive approximate closedform expressions for the average throughput, throughput fairness index, and packet delay. Computer simulations are used for verification. The analytical results agree well with the results from simulations, which show the good accuracy of the analytical expressions.
Effects of methylphenidate on sensitivity to reinforcement in children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: an application of the matching law.

The behavior of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been hypothesized to be the result of decreased sensitivity to consequences compared to typical children. The present study examined sensitivity to reinforcement in 2 boys diagnosed with ADHD using the matching law to provide more precise and quantitative measurement of this construct. This experiment also evaluated the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on sensitivity to reinforcement of children with ADHD. Subjects completed math problems to earn tokens under four different variable-interval (VI) schedules of reinforcement presented in random order under both medicated and nonmedicated conditions. Results showed that, in the medicated condition, the matching functions for both subjects resulted in higher asymptotic values, indicating an overall elevation of behavior rate under these conditions. The variance accounted for by the matching law was also higher under the medicated conditions, suggesting that their behavior more closely tracked the changing rates of reinforcement while taking MPH compared to placebo. Under medicated conditions, the reinforcing efficacy of response-contingent tokens decreased. Results are discussed with respect to quantifying behavioral changes and the extent to which the drug interacts with prevailing contingencies (i.e., schedule values) to influence behavioral variability.
Eosinophil granule proteins in peripheral blood granulocytes.

Eosinophils contain four principal cationic proteins, major basic protein (MBP), eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and eosinophil peroxidase (EPO). To determine the quantities of these proteins in granulocytes and whether they are specific to eosinophils, their concentrations in ly- sates of human granulocytes were measured using specific radioimmunoassays. The effect of different methods for eosinophil lysis on the recovery of the proteins was also studied. Maximal recovery occurred at pH 2 for MBP and pH 5.6 for the other granule proteins. The proteins cosedimented with eosinophils and their concentrations (X± SEM) in ng/106 eosinophils (and in nM/106 eo- sinophils) were: MBP, 8,982 ± 611 (641.6); EDN, 3,283 ± 116 (178.4); ECP, 5,269 ± 283 (250.9); and EPO, 12,174 ± 859 (171.5). Basophils from a normal per- son contained (in ng/106 cells) MBP, 2,374; EDN, 214; ECP, 77; and EPO, 17. Highly purified neutrophils con- tamed (in ng/106 cells) MBP, 3 ± 0.5; EDN, 72 ± 9; and ECP, 50 ± 12. Therefore we conclude that these proteins are mainly expressed in eosinophils, but that certain ones are present in basophils and neutrophils. J. Leukoc. Biol. 52: 611-618; 1992.
Topological mapping using spectral clustering and classification

In this work we present an online method for generating topological maps from raw sensor information. We first describe an algorithm to automatically decompose a map into submap segments using a graph partitioning technique known as spectral clustering. We then describe how to train a classifier to recognize graph submaps from laser signatures using the AdaBoost machine learning algorithm. We demonstrate that the we can perform topological mapping by incrementally segmenting the world as the robot moves through its environment, and we can close the loop when the learned classifier recognizes that the robot has returned to a previously visited location.
Developing Selection Skills in Introductory Statistics

W e assessed the effectiveness of a teaching strategy emphasizing the w e of different statistical tests (i.e., selection skills) in introductory statistics. Subjects were 12 7 undergraduates enrolled in introductory statistics classes that did or did not emphasize selection skills and students not enrolled in statistics. Analysis of covariance revealed that emphasizing statistical selection skills produced the highest selection scores. Analyses also evaluated relevant confounding variables. Although students' selection skills can be increased when the instructor emphasizes those skills in handouts, lectures, and examinations, a challenge remains to identify other relevant skills, develop alternative pedagogical strategies, and discover relevant personality variables that facilitate learning in statistics classes.
Round window electrocochleography before and after cochlear implant electrode insertion

Objective/Hypothesis Previous reports have documented the feasibility of utilizing electrocochleographic (ECoG) responses to acoustic signals to assess trauma caused during cochlear implantation. The hypothesis is that intraoperative round window ECoG before and after electrode insertion will help predict postoperative hearing preservation outcomes in cochlear implant recipients. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Methods Intraoperative round window ECoG responses were collected from 31 cochlear implant recipients (14 children and 17 adults) immediately prior to and just after electrode insertion. Hearing preservation was determined by postoperative changes in behavioral thresholds. Results On average, the postinsertion response was smaller than the preinsertion response by an average of 4 dB across frequencies. However, in some cases (12 of 31) the response increased after insertion. The subsequent hearing loss was greater than the acute loss in the ECoG, averaging 22 dB across the same frequency range (250–1,000 Hz). There was no correlation between the change in the ECoG response and the corresponding change in audiometric threshold. Conclusions Intraoperative ECoG is a sensitive method for detecting electrophysiologic changes during implantation but had limited prognostic value regarding hearing preservation in the current conventional cochlear implant patient population where hearing preservation was not intended. Level of Evidence 2b Laryngoscope, 126:1193–1200, 2016
High-Frequency Behavior of Residual Current Devices

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the behavior of residual current devices at frequencies higher than the rated one. Many experiments are carried out by measuring tripping current and time of devices of different typology, produced by different manufacturers. The attention is mainly devoted to verify the satisfaction of the current-time safety curve at high frequency and experiment tripping and immunity to unwanted tripping in the presence of harmonics. Conduced tests show that the behavior of residual current devices at high frequency is strongly influenced by their typology rather than the values assumed by their physical parameters. In addition, a mathematical model is developed, and simulations are compared with measurements showing satisfactory agreement in the entire frequency range under study.
Bank Fragility, 'Money Under the Mattress,' and Long-Run Growth: U.S. Evidence from the 'Perfect' Panic of 1893

This paper examines how the U.S. financial crisis of 1893 affected state output growth between 1900 and 1930. The results indicate that a 1% increase in bank instability reduces output growth by about 5%. A comparison of the cases of Nebraska, with one of the highest bank failure rates, and West Virginia, which did not experience a single bank failure reveals that disintermediation affected growth through a portfolio change among savers - people simply stop trusting banks. Time series evidence from newspapers indicate that articles with the words "money hidden" significantly increase after banking crises, and die off slowly over time.
On the application of quasi-renewal theory in optimization of imperfect maintenance policies

This research applies quasi-renewal process to develop imperfect preventive maintenance models for aging systems. Due to the system failure and maintenance, the aging systems deteriorate during their life cycle and lead to "decrease of operation time" and "increase of maintenance time." Thus, after failure and/or maintenance, the system operating time, maintenance time, maintenance cost, and environmental factors will deteriorate. Using statistical analysis, the deteriorating parameters can be derived to facilitate the construction of more accurate availability and maintenance cost models. Based on the statistical analysis of failure and maintenance data, the failure distribution and availability models of aging systems can be constructed. Considering the "block" and "age" preventive maintenance policies, separately, the maintenance cost models are developed to minimize the maintenance cost rate. Using the numerical analysis, the optimal "block" or "age" preventive maintenance period can be solved. Finally, the optimal preventive maintenance policy can be obtained via the synthesis and analysis of different maintenance policies subject to the constraint of availability requirements. The results of this research can be applied to different equipment in the operational phase of the total life cycle. Collecting the field failure and maintenance data, the methods and procedures developed in this research can be applied to different equipment to analyze the preventive maintenance period for different policies to obtain the optimal preventive maintenance policy.
Histochemistry of NADH diaphorase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase in rat bladder tumors.

To improve identification of preneoplastic bladder cancer cells, we have studied two enzyme histochemical changes in bladder tumors induced in male Fisher 344 rats by the carcinogen N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)-nitrosamine. In early areas of focal nodular hyperplasia there was a dramatic increase in staining for NADH:menadione oxidoreductase (diaphorase) activity. In nonfocal areas as well, there were many individual cells with intense staining, while the controls were of uniform moderate staining. Large papillomas and carcinomas often showed heterogeneous staining, ..gamma..-Glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) was absent from normal urothelium and from all tumors except the most advanced carcinomas and large papillomas. In old, carcinogen-exposed animals, GGT activity was seen in the luminal surface of tumors and in the interlesion urothelium. In newborn rats and in rats with regenerative hyperplasia following wounding of the urothelium, the diaphorase staining was less than that in the untreated adult. Our findings suggest that increased diaphorase activity may serve to identify early islands of carcinogen-induced, enzymatically altered bladder cells, while GGT will not.
The chemical reactivity of toluene 3,4-dithiol towards coordinated aluminumtrimethyl

Abstract Treatment of Me 3 Al·L (where L is NMe 3 , HNMe 2 , H 2 NMe and OEt 2 ) with toluene 3,4-dithiol was investigated in an effort to isolate the corresponding dithiolate cyclic derivatives, TDTAlMe·L. This goal was achieved where L is HNMe 2 , whereas with NMe 3 rearrangement of the desired product took place to afford (TDT) 3 Al 2 · 2NMe 3 and AlMe 3 · NMe 3 . In the case where L is H 2 NMe, the product was polymeric. Employment of the complex with L = OEt 2 results in evolution of one or two equivalents of CH 4 with the results dependent on the solvent employed.
The Buffalo Creek Disaster

The collapse of the Buffalo Creek dam and subsequent flood disaster has received a great deal of attention in the literature since its occurrence in 1972. Previous reports of that disaster covered its legal (Stern, 1976), sociological (Erikson, 1976), and psychological (Gleser, Green, & Winget, 1981; Titchener & Kapp, 1976) aspects.
Message quantization in belief propagation: Structural results in the low-rate regime

Motivated by distributed inference applications in unreliable communication networks, we adapt the popular (sum-product) belief propagation (BP) algorithm under the constraint of discrete-valued messages. We show that, in contrast to conventional BP, the optimal message-generation rules are node-dependent and iteration-dependent, each rule making explicit use of local memory from all past iterations. These results expose both the intractability of optimal design and an inherent structure that can be exploited for tractable approximate design. We propose one such approximation and demonstrate its efficacy on canonical examples. We also discuss extensions to communication networks with lossy links (e.g., erasures) or topologies that differ from the graph underlying the probabilistic model.
Polymerization with redox initiators. II. The system styrene–benzoyl peroxide–dimethylaniline at elevated temperatures

Kinetic measurements have been made on the bulk polymerization of styrene at 30 and 60°C. in the redox system dimethylaniline–benzoyl peroxide. From these measurements it has been ascertained that the kinetic behavior of this system at higher temperatures is the same as that at lower temperatures. The decomposition rate constant and the efficiency in initiating polymerization were determined. It has also been shown that neither the amine nor the products of the amine-peroxide reaction affect the propagation of the polymerization.
Is early word-form processing stress-full? How natural variability supports recognition.

In a series of studies, we examined how mothers naturally stress words across multiple mentions in speech to their infants and how this marking influences infants’ recognition of words in fluent speech. We first collected samples of mothers’ infant-directed speech using a technique that induced multiple repetitions of target words. Acoustic analyses revealed that mothers systematically alternated between emphatic and nonemphatic stress when talking to their infants. Using the headturn preference procedure, we then tested 7.5-month-old infants on their ability to detect familiarized bisyllabic words in fluent speech. Stress of target words (emphatic and nonemphatic) was systematically varied across familiarization and recognition phases of four experiments. Results indicated that, although infants generally prefer listening to words produced with emphatic stress, recognition was enhanced when the degree of emphatic stress at familiarization matched the degree of emphatic stress at recognition.
Size–frequency patterns in morphometric characteristics of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum reflect environmental variability

Patterns of variability in structural characteristics of the seagrass Thalassia testudinumwere investigated in 10 basins across Florida Bay, Florida, USA. T. testudinum is the dominant seagrass in this perturbed subtropical estuary and changes in its ecological condition are being used as a one of the response metrics for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP). Patterns in the size–frequency distributions of a suite of morphometric and biomass characteristics were compared at two spatial scales (Bay and basin) and between the two sample years (1998 and 1999). Size–frequency distributions of shoot-specific and area-specific characteristics were more sensitive to both inter-annual and among-basin variation than measures of central tendency because of the high degree of variability at both spatial scales. Distributions of several parameters consistently grouped together into three or four pattern types. These pattern groups were spatially very similar to regions previously defined based upon biological, physical, chemical, and geological characteristics. The results of this study confirm that spatial heterogeneity in the size–frequency distributions of morphometric and biomass characteristics of T. testudinumsupport the concept of ecologically distinct regions within Florida Bay. The results also demonstrate the sensitivity of size–frequency distributions to differences in environmental factors and the significant control that the physical and chemical environment of Florida Bay exerts on T. testudinum morphology. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Mechanical Behavior and Design Equations for Elastomer Shear Pad Remote Center Compliances

Comportement mecanique et equations de dimensionnement de transmissions elastiques avec patins de cisaillement en elastomere (dispositifs elastiques avec centre de compliance eloigne)
Lipopolysaccharide transport to the cell surface: periplasmic transport and assembly into the outer membrane

Gram-negative bacteria possess an outer membrane (OM) containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Proper assembly of the OM not only prevents certain antibiotics from entering the cell, but also allows others to be pumped out. To assemble this barrier, the seven-protein lipopolysaccharide transport (Lpt) system extracts LPS from the outer leaflet of the inner membrane (IM), transports it across the periplasm and inserts it selectively into the outer leaflet of the OM. As LPS is important, if not essential, in most Gram-negative bacteria, the LPS biosynthesis and biogenesis pathways are attractive targets in the development of new classes of antibiotics. The accompanying paper (Simpson BW, May JM, Sherman DJ, Kahne D, Ruiz N. 2015 Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 370, 20150029. (doi:10.1098/rstb.2015.0029)) reviewed the biosynthesis of LPS and its extraction from the IM. This paper will trace its journey across the periplasm and insertion into the OM.
RNASEL R462Q MUTATION IN PROSTATE CANCER

1 Health Sciences Center, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, USA 2 Department of Urologic Surgery and Vanderbilt Prostate Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, USA *Corresponding author : Renjie Jin, Department of Urologic Surgery and Vanderbilt Prostate Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, A1329, MCN, 1161 21st Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37232, USA. Tel: +1-6159367849, Fax: +1-6153432447, E-mail: renjie.jin@vanderbilt.edu
Diabetes and Prior Coronary Heart Disease are Not Necessarily Risk Equivalent for Future Coronary Heart Disease Events.

Background For more than a decade, the presence of diabetes has been considered a coronary heart disease (CHD) “risk equivalent”.
Misfit Strain Relief Beyond the Critical Thickness Using Curvature Measurements and in Situ Characterization of the Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect

Epitaxial misfit has been characterized in Ni/Cu/Si (100) as a function of Ni film thickness using wafer curvature measurements. This strain can be related to measurements of magnetic anisotropy made in the deposition system using the magneto-optic Kerr effect. Films were deposited using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) with varying Ni epilayer thickness between 10 and 1000A. The change in wafer curvature due to misfit strain was measured using optical interferometry and the strain was calculated using Stoney’s equation. Transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize misfit dislocations at the Ni/Cu interface. It has been determined that misfit strain can have a very strong effect on magnetic anisotropy, particularly in the regime between the critical thickness and complete misfit accommodation, where strain has been found to decrease significantly as a function of film thickness. A critical strain has been determined at which a transition in the direction of magnetization easy axis from perpendicular to the film to in the film plane occurs. This discovery allows the use of Kerr effect measurements to characterize misfit strain in situ .
Septal ultrastructure in the ascobolaceae pezizales discomycetes

Septal structures of asci, ascogenous hyphae, paraphyses, and excipular cells in the apothecia of six species of Ascobolus, two of Saccobolus, one of Thecotheus, and two of Iodophanus were characterized and assessed for taxonomic value. An electron-opaque, hemispherical structure recognized as the ascoboloid septal type was found in ascal septa of the representatives of Ascobolus, Saccobolus, and Thecotheus. A biconvex band that we recognize as the pezizoid septal type was found in ascal and ascogenous septa of Iodophanus spp. Iodophanus is considered a member ofthe Pezizaceae based on septal structure and correlated with other microscopic and microchemical features. All genera examined had similar striated bands within septal pores of somatic tissue typical ofthe type previously described in Peziza.
Chemically Directed Assembly of Photoactive Metal Oxide Nanoparticle Heterojunctions via the Copper-Catalyzed Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition “Click” Reaction

Metal oxides play a key role in many emerging applications in renewable energy, such as dye-sensitized solar cells and photocatalysts. Because the separation of charge can often be facilitated at junctions between different materials, there is great interest in the formation of heterojunctions between metal oxides. Here, we demonstrate use of the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction, widely referred to as "click" chemistry, to chemically assemble photoactive heterojunctions between metal oxide nanoparticles, using WO(3) and TiO(2) as a model system. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy verify the nature and selectivity of the chemical linkages, while scanning electron microscopy reveals that the TiO(2) nanoparticles form a high-density, conformal coating on the larger WO(3) nanoparticles. Time-resolved surface photoresponse measurements show that the resulting dyadic structures support photoactivated charge transfer, while measurements of the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue show that chemical grafting of TiO(2) nanoparticles to WO(3) increases the photocatalytic activity compared with the bare WO(3) film.
VIEWS ON IMPORT AGENT SYSTEM OF IRON ORES

Iron ores trade catches scholars' attention which is focused on pricing during iron ore price negotiation.The real reason of missed iron ore pricing rights and the disordered domestic iron ore market lies in domestic pricing mechanism,iron ore importing agent system,which will surely result in a dual mechanism in pricing,unfair competition,monopolization and rights rental.This paper analyzes the features of iron ores importing agent system,views Japanese system as an unconformity with China's situation,and tries to present a localized agent system of iron ore importing.
Searching for a Tolerable Tax: Public Attitudes toward Roadway Financing Alternatives

A growing number of states are pursuing strategies to combat declining fuel tax revenue and fund road construction and maintenance, including the use of sales taxes, income taxes, and tolls; raising fuel tax rates; and adopting road mileage user fees. We use data from a nationally representative survey to compare public acceptability of a mileage user fee with each of these alternative revenue mechanisms. We find that support for the revenue options varies from 13.4 percent for income taxes to 33.8 percent for tolls, with higher gasoline tax rates, mileage user fees, and sales taxes in the middle. The evidence also points to stronger intensity of opposition than intensity of support across all alternatives. Finally, we find that, conditional on opposition to the mileage user fee, public acceptability is highest for tolls, followed by higher fuel taxes, sales taxes, and income taxes. Policy implications are discussed.