cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of sulfonic acid group content in pore-filled silica colloidal membranes on their proton conductivity and direct methanol fuel cell performance

We prepared mesoporous silica colloidal membranes pore-filled with polymer brushes with different degrees of sulfonation. In these membranes, the assembly of silica colloidal spheres serves as a rigid matrix containing a continuous network of interconnected mesopores and providing mechanical and thermal stability, non-swelling and water retaining properties, while sulfonic acid group-containing polymer brushes grown on the surface of silica provide proton conductivity. We studied the proton conductivity of these membranes as well as open circuit voltage and linear polarization of the fuel cells prepared using these membranes as a function of sulfonic acid group content in the pore-filling polymer brushes. We found a sigmoidal dependence of the proton conductivity on the amount of sulfonic acid groups. We showed that the proton conductivity of the membrane does not increase significantly after reaching ca. 75% sulfonic acid group content. The fuel cell performance, on the other hand, decreased after reaching ca. 65–70% sulfonic acid group content, which was attributed to the increased methanol permeability of the membranes at higher sulfonic acid group content.
Adsorption of molecular hydrogen on coordinatively unsaturated Ni(II) sites in a nanoporous hybrid material.

A porous hybrid inorganic/organic material, NaNi3(OH)(SIP)2 [SIP = 5-sulfoisophthalate] [1], is shown to strongly bind molecular hydrogen at coordinatively unsaturated metal sites. A combination of H2 sorption isotherms, temperature programmed desorption, and inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy show the existence of a considerable number of such strong binding sites in [1] along with other sites where hydrogen is more weakly physisorbed. The overall capacity for hydrogen of this material as well as the much stronger binding of hydrogen than in typical porous material represent an important step toward a possible utilization of porous media for hydrogen storage.
Mucin genes in horse airways: MUC5AC, but not MUC2, may play a role in recurrent airway obstruction.

Reasons for performing study Increased mucin gene expression may be an important cause of mucus accumulation observed in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)-affected horses. To date, however, no mucin gene sequences are available for the horse. Objectives To identify equine homologues of gel-forming mucins and investigate their expression at different airway generations of healthy and RAO-affected horses. Methods Two equine homologues were identified by cloning and sequencing fragments of equine (eq)MUC5AC and eqMUC2. Results Semiquantitative RT-PCR on RNA from airways (generations 1, 5, 10, 15; small airways and parenchyma), stomach (glandular), and colon revealed that eqMUC5AC is expressed in equine stomach and in all of the airway samples. In contrast, eqMUC2 steady-state mRNA levels were detected in colon and very faintly in stomach, but not in airway tissue. EqMUC5AC expression was also compared to that of ZO-1, a tight junction protein, and eqMUC5AC/ZO-1 ratios were higher in RAO-affected compared to control horses at all airway generations. Conclusions That eqMUC5AC is expressed in horse airways, but any expression of MUC2 is undetectable and unlikely to be of physiological consequence. Potential relevance EqMUC5AC up-regulation may be a primary mechanism responsible for mucus hypersecretion and accumulation in RAO.
Aromatic C-H Activation and Catalytic Hydrophenylation of Ethylene by TpRu{P(OCH2)3CEt} (NCMe)Ph

The complexes TpRu{P(OCH2)3CEt}(L)R {L = PPh3 or NCMe; R = Cl, OTf (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate), or Ph; Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate} and TpRu{P(OCH2)3CEt}(η3-C3H4Me) were synthesized and isolated. TpRu{P(OCH2)3CEt}(NCMe)Ph was found to initiate C−H activation of benzene and to catalyze the hydrophenylation of ethylene to produce ethylbenzene. Ethylene C−H activation to ultimately produce TpRu{P(OCH2)3CEt}(η3-C3H4Me) kinetically competes with the catalytic hydrophenylation of ethylene. Computational studies were undertaken on reactions in the proposed catalytic ethylene hydrophenylation cycle as well as key side reactions.
Arthroscopy-Assisted Repair of Latent Syndesmotic Instability of the Ankle

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of repair of latent ankle syndesmotic instability and widening by an arthroscopic and percutaneous approach. Methods: This case study series presents 6 patients who presented with latent syndesmotic instability after sustaining a rotational ankle injury. All 6 patients underwent arthroscopy-assisted repair and percutaneous fixation of the disrupted ankle mortise. Objective radiographic findings were obtained pre- and postoperatively as well as subjective patient outcomes using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score. Results: After a minimum of 2 years of follow-up, all patients had improvement of their AOFAS scores with a mean change of 32 (standard deviation, 7.0; P = .0001). The function component of the AOFAS score had the largest change from preoperative to postoperative status, with a value of 15 ( P = .0009). Radiographic parameters were improved in all 6 patients. The reduction of the medial clear space was the most consistent finding, with a postoperative medial clear space ranging from 2.6 to 3.5 mm (mean change, 3.2 mm; P = .0002). Conclusions: Our small series, with a minimum follow-up of 24 months, suggests that arthroscopy-assisted treatment of latent syndesmotic instability is an effective method. The primary outcome measure of AOFAS scores showed statistically significant improvement in pain and function at final follow-up. Alignment of the ankle did not exhibit statistically significant changes. Both of the secondary radiographic outcome measures were statistically improved at final follow-up. Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic case series.
An Aircraft Encounter with Turbulence in the Vicinity of a Thunderstorm

Large eddy simulations of three convective turbulence events are investigated and compared with observational data. Two events were characterized with severe turbulence and the other with moderate turbulence. Two of the events occurred during NASA s turbulence flight experiments during the spring of 2002, and the third was an event identified by the Flight Operational Quality Assurance (FOQA) Program. Each event was associated with developing or ongoing convection and was characterized by regions of low to moderate radar reflectivity. Model comparisons with observations are favorable. The data sets from these simulations can be used to test turbulence detection sensors.
Input Design for Model Discrimination: Application to Respiratory Control During Exercise

The existence of a set of alternative models, all competing to characterize respiratoxy controller structure, leads naturally to a model discrimination problem. In these models the structure and0 parameter values are fixed. This paper considers the problem of input design for enhancing model discrimination. Using a class of models given by linear differential equations with time delays, an input consisting of a sum of sinusoidal components under a power constraint is considered. A procedure for designating the power spectrum of the signal is developed. Furthermore, a procedure for obtaining a binary signal with a similar spectrum is illustrated. These concepts are applied to input design for discrimination among models that characterize respiratory control during exercise.
Two faces of ET: CALR and JAK2.

In this issue of Blood , Rumi et al and Rotunno et al demonstrate that essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients with calreticulin mutations exhibit lower leukocyte and hemoglobin values, higher platelet counts, and a lower thrombosis risk vs JAK2 -mutated ET. Calreticulin -mutated ET appears to be a
Spinal pathways mediating phrenic activation during high frequency spinal cord stimulation

High frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS) is a method of inspiratory muscle activation resulting in phrenic motoneuron activation via stimulation of spinal cord pathways. The specific pathways mediating this response, however, are unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the potential role of upper cervical (C1–C4) pre-phrenic interneurons (UCI) and localize the pathways in the thoracic spinal cord mediating activation of phrenic motoneurons during HF-SCS. In 7 anesthetized, spinalized (C1 level) dogs, HF-SCS was applied at the T2 level. Diaphragm EMG, inspired volume and airway pressure generation were monitored before and following sequential spinal cord sections at the C4 and C8 levels. Section at the C4 level and dorsal columns at C8 resulted in no significant changes. However, lateral funiculi section (C8 level) resulted in significant reductions in each parameter. We conclude that during upper thoracic HF-SCS, the phrenic motoneuron pools are activated via spinal pathways located in the lateral funiculus but UCI are not involved.
Duration of large-magnitude explosive eruptions deduced from graded bedding in deep-sea ash layers

Thick silicic volcanic ash layers commonly observed hundreds of kilometres from potential source areas have resulted from large-magnitude explosive eruptions that have no historical equivalents. We have developed a model that predicts the duration of these eruptions from the vertical size grading of feldspar phenocrysts near the base of deep-sea tephra layers. The size grading is a function of the release time of the particles, their settling velocity, the water depth at the site of the ash layer, and the duration of the eruption. The model has been tested on two layers of the Worzel D ash in the eastern equatorial Pacific. This ash layer is the distal counterpart of the rhyolitic Los Chocoyos ash-flow tuff and H-tephra layer associated with the formation of the Lake Atitlan caldera in Guatemala. The estimated duration of the eruption is 20 to 27 d. Calculations using published estimates of the volume of erupted material yield an average magma-discharge rate of about 240,000 m 3 /s. This rate is approximately equivalent to that recorded in the 1956 eruption of Bezymianny and the 1912 eruption of Katmai.
Feminine Ideology and Sexual Assault Are More Traditional College Women at Greater Risk

Previous research has not conclusively determined whether traditional femininity increases women’s risk for sexual assault. Certain femininity beliefs, such as valuing deference, may increase risk for sexual assault by discouraging sexual refusal assertiveness (SRA). Other femininity beliefs, such as valuing purity, may promote self-protective behaviors. College women (N = 254) provided self-report data on these beliefs, risk and protective behaviors, and sexual assault experiences. Traditional femininity was not directly associated with experiencing sexual assault. However, specific traditional beliefs were related to behaviors directly associated with risk. High SRA and sexual abstinence simultaneously reduced the odds for sexual assault.
Direct object predictability: effects on young children's imitation of sentences.

We hypothesize that the conceptual relation between a verb and its direct object can make a sentence easier (‘the cat is eating some food’) or harder (‘the cat is eating a sock’) to parse and understand. If children's limited performance systems contribute to the ungrammatical brevity of their speech, they should perform better on sentences that require fewer processing resources: children should imitate the constituents of sentences with highly predictable direct objects at a higher rate than those from sentences with less predictable objects. In Experiment 1, 24 two-year-olds performed an elicited imitation task and confirmed that prediction for all three major constituents (subject, verb, direct object). In Experiment 2, 23 two-year-olds performed both an elicited imitation task and a sticker placement task (in which they placed a sticker on the pictured subject of the sentence after hearing and imitating the sentence). Children imitated verbs more often from predictable than unpredictable sentences, but not subjects or objects. Children's inclusion of constituents is affected by the conceptual relations among those constituents as well as by task characteristics.
Effect of Superpave Defined Restricted Zone on Hot-Mix Asphalt Performance

The effect of the Superpaver defined restricted zone on hot-mix asphalt rutting performance was evaluated. One gradation that violated the restricted zone (TRZ) and two gradations that did not violate the restricted zone (BRZ and ARZ) were evaluated. Evaluated mixes represented a range of maximum aggregate sizes (MASs), design traffic levels, and aggregate types. Three laboratory tests—asphalt pavement analyzer, rotary-loaded wheel tester, and Marshall test—were used to evaluate the rutting performance. From the analysis, it was found that mixes with gradations violating the restricted zone performed similarly to or better than the mixes with gradations passing outside the restricted zone with respect to laboratory rutting tests. This conclusion was drawn from the results of experiments with 12.5-, 19.0-, and 25.0-mm MAS gradations at Ndesign (design number of gyrations) values of 100, 75, and 50 gyrations. This conclusion is confirmed and supported by the recently completed NCHRP Project 9-14: The Restri...
Organizational Membership versus Informal Interaction: Contributions to Skills and Perceptions that Build Social Capital

Participation in formal organizations has been considered a marker of social capital, but informal interactions may also provide social-capital relevant benefits. The current studies (N = 252 undergraduates; 60 adult members of a service organization) assessed skills, outcomes, and social-structural perceptions that may be developed from organizational or informal participation. Results suggested that organizations serve as potential training grounds for diverse types of civic participation; individuals hone their leadership and public speaking skills within the structures provided by organized groups. On the other hand, informal interaction also contributed importantly to social capital formation by fostering negotiating skill, the sharing of opinions, and companionship, and by creating networks of mutual obligation.
The interfacial drag and the height of the wall layer in annular flows

A method to predict the height of the wall layer and the interfacial drag in annular flow under conditions that the flow rate of the entrained liquid is known is developed from measurements on air-water flow in circular tubes. Flow conditions are found to be characterized by a generalized Martinelli flow parameter.
Seasonal and ENSO variability in global ocean phytoplankton chlorophyll derived from 4 years of SeaWiFS measurements

[1] The 4-year, calibrated SeaWiFS data set provides a means to determine seasonal and other sources of phytoplankton variability on global scales, which is an important component of the total variability associated with ocean biological and biogeochemical processes. We used empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis on a 4-year time series of global SeaWiFS chlorophyll a measurements to quantify the major seasonal (as well as the late El Nino and La Nina phase of the 1997–1998 ENSO) signals in phytoplankton biomass between 50°S and 50°N, and then a second analysis to quantify summer patterns at higher latitudes. Our results help place regional satellite chlorophyll variability within a global perspective. Among the effects we resolved are a 6-month phase shift in maximum chlorophyll a concentrations between subtropical (winter peaks) and subpolar (spring-summer peaks) waters, greater seasonal range at high latitudes in the Atlantic compared to the Pacific, an interesting phasing between spring and fall biomass peaks at high latitudes in both hemispheres, and the effects of the 1998 portion of the 1997–1998 ENSO cycle in the tropics. Our EOF results show that dominant seasonal and ENSO effects are captured in the first six of a possible 184 modes, which explain 67% of the total temporal variability associated with the global mean phytoplankton chlorophyll pattern in our smoothed data set. The results also show that the time (seasonal)/space (zonal) patterns between the ocean basins and between the hemispheres are similar, albeit with some key differences. Finally, the dominant global patterns are consistent with the results of ocean models of seasonal dynamics based on seasonal changes to the heating and cooling (stratification/destratification) cycles of the upper ocean.
Vertices of π-Irreducible Characters of Groups of Odd Order

If G is a group of odd order and χ ∈ Irr(G) lifts an irreducible Brauer character ϕ, then we associate to χ a canonical pair (Q, δ) up to G-conjugacy, where Q is a vertex of ϕ and δ ∈ Irr(Q) is a linear character of Q. We show that (Q, δ) is a Navarro vertex for χ. We also discuss examples.
Slope considerations in probabilistic simulation

Probabilistic simulation has been recently proposed for reliability analysis of CMOS circuits, such as electromigration, hot-carrier effects and average power. This paper presents an extension to the existing probabilistic simulation methods by incorporating the slope information into the analysis. This allows for an improved estimation of the average current and the delay. >
Interpreting Too Many Studies Per Day

Can a radiologist be held liable for missing a lesion because he or she was “overworked” by interpreting too many studies in one day? This rare allegation may become more popular among plaintiffs’ attorneys because of the current combination of a shortage of radiologists and an increasing number of imaging examinations.
Examining attention and cognitive processing in participants with self-reported mild anomia

Background: People who report mild anomia following stroke often score near or within normal limits on traditional assessments of language. Based on evidence of cognitive influences on linguistic production in people with aphasia, this study examined non-linguistic, cognitive function and its potential influence on word retrieval in individuals with mild anomia. Aims: This study explored the following research questions: Do people with mild anomia have impaired performance on tasks which require (a) automatic vs controlled processing and/or (b) selective attention relative to neurologically typical controls? Methods & Procedures: A total of 14 participants with mild anomia and 9 neurologically typical controls were tested using Covert Orienting of Visuospatial Attention Test (COVAT), alone and with linguistic interference, at two interstimulus intervals (ISI) representing automatic and controlled processing. Outcomes & Results: Participants with anomia showed significantly slower responses on COVAT alone ...
Distributed discrete-time nonlinear consensus protocols

In this paper, we study the discrete-time nonlinear consensus protocols over both directed and undirected networks with fixed topology. First, the notions of (global/exponential) semistability are introduced for systems with a continuum of equilibria. In terms of (global/exponential) consensus defined based on the notion of semistability, we have derived convergence conditions for the general discrete-time distributed nonlinear consensus protocols over directed/undirected weighted networks. We also show that several convergence results on linear consensus problems in existing literature can be derived as special cases of our main result. In the end, a numerical example is given to illustrate our theoretical results.
Measurement of the effectiveness of transitive sequence comparison, through a third 'intermediate' sequence.

MOTIVATION Transitive sequence matching expands the scope of sequence comparison by re-running the results of a given query against the databank as a new query. This sometimes results in the initial query sequence (Q) being related to a final match (M) indirectly, through a third, 'intermediate' sequence (Q --> I --> M ). This approach has often been suggested as providing greater sensitivity in sequence comparison; however, it has not yet been possible to gauge its improvement precisely. RESULTS Here, this improvement is comprehensively measured by seeing what fraction of the known structural relationships transitive sequence matching can uncover beyond that found by normal pairwise comparison (i.e. direct linkage). The structural relationships are taken from a well-characterized test set, the scop classification of protein structure. Specifically, 2055 known structural similarities (called 'pairs') between distantly related proteins constitute the basic test set. To make the measurement of transitive matching properly, special data sets, called 'baseline sets', are derived from this. They consist of pairs of sequences that have a clear structural relationship that cannot be found by normal sequence comparison (i.e. they cannot be directly linked). Specifically, using standard sequence comparison protocols (FASTA with an e-value cut-off of 0. 001), it is found that the baseline set consists of 1742 pairs. A third intermediate sequence can link 86 of these indirectly (5%), where this third sequence is drawn from the entire, current universe of protein sequences. The number of false positives is minimal. Furthermore, when one considers only the relationships within the test set that correspond to a close structural alignment, the coverage increases considerably. In particular, 862 of the baseline set pairs fit to better than 2.6 A RMS, and transitive matching can find 62 of these (9%). AVAILABILITY All the test data, including precise similarity values calculated from structural alignment, are available in tabular format over the Web from http://bioinfo.mbb. yale.edu/align. CONTACT Mark.Gerstein@yale.edu
Rho Kinase Inhibition Improves Endothelial Function in Human Subjects With Coronary Artery Disease

Investigations from basic biology suggest that activation of the Rho/Rho kinase pathway reduces the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and thereby promotes atherosclerosis and its clinical complications. Yet, little information is available about the relationship of the Rho/Rho kinase pathway to NO bioavailability in humans with atherosclerosis. Accordingly, we determined whether inhibition of Rho kinase augments NO bioavailability and improves endothelial function in human subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD). Thirteen CAD subjects and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were randomly assigned to receive the Rho kinase inhibitor, fasudil, or placebo for 1 month each in a double-blind crossover trial. Flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent and nitroglycerin-induced, endothelium-independent vasodilation were assessed by brachial artery ultrasonography. Rho kinase activity was measured in peripheral leukocytes. Fasudil increased endothelium-dependent vasodilation in CAD subjects from 9.4+/-1.9% to 13.4+/-1.9% (P=0.001) but not in healthy controls (from 11.3+/-1.4% to 7.7+/-1.1%; P=0.07). Endothelium-independent vasodilation was not affected by fasudil in either CAD or healthy subjects. Fasudil reduced Rho kinase activity by 59+/-18% in CAD subjects (P=0.001) but not in healthy subjects (by 3+/-6%; P=0.60). The change in endothelium-dependent vasodilation achieved with fasudil relative to placebo was inversely proportional to Rho kinase inhibition (ie, greater Rho kinase inhibition was associated with larger improvement in endothelium-dependent vasodilation) (r=-0.48; P=0.01). These findings suggest that Rho/Rho kinase activation promotes endothelial dysfunction in humans with atherosclerosis. Inhibition of the Rho/Rho kinase pathway should provide a useful strategy to restore NO bioavailability in humans with atherosclerosis.
Industrial hygiene sampling for airborne TDI in six flexible slabstock foam manufacturing facilities in the United States: a comparison of the short-term and long-term sampling data.

A majority of all the flexible polyurethane foams are produced by the continuous slabstock process using toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and polyether polyol. The commercially available TDI product is predominantly an 80:20 mixture of the 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI isomers. TDI can be used in many applications, but the market is dominated by the flexible slabstock foam industry. Even though there has been a considerable amount of industrial hygiene sampling conducted for airborne TDI in this industry, the focus of the sampling has generally included long-term (time-weighted average) monitoring with a limited amount of sampling for short-term (peak) episodes. By conducting only long-term sampling, which averages the exposure over some extended time period, these short-term episodes (i.e., tasks or activities) of peak exposure were often not characterized. To investigate whether long-term sampling was adequately predictive of short-term excursions, simultaneous (side-by-side) short-term and long-term breathing zone sam...
Rapid Spine Delivery and Redistribution of AMPA Receptors After Synaptic NMDA Receptor Activation

To monitor changes in alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptor distribution in living neurons, the AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 was tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP). This protein (GluR1-GFP) was functional and was transiently expressed in hippocampal CA1 neurons. In dendrites visualized with two-photon laser scanning microscopy or electron microscopy, most of the GluR1-GFP was intracellular, mimicking endogenous GluR1 distribution. Tetanic synaptic stimulation induced a rapid delivery of tagged receptors into dendritic spines as well as clusters in dendrites. These postsynaptic trafficking events required synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation and may contribute to the enhanced AMPA receptor-mediatedtransmission observed during long-term potentiation and activity-dependent synaptic maturation.
Substance abuse among women and its implications for health policy

This article examines the issue of substance abuse and identifies the current state of knowledge about substance abuse in women; it also points to the lack of informed public policy related to substance abuse among women. Evidence is presented to substantiate the position that more coordinated research and informed public policy, related to female substance abusers, are needed and that this will benefit American society at large. Author’s note: For purposes of the article the definition of substance abuse is impaired life Jicnctioning related to both alcohol and drugs. Patterns of Women’s Substance Abuse
Tomographic image reconstruction using the theory of convex projections

The method of convex projections is applied to reconstruct an image in computer tomography. This appears to the first time that the method has been used to obtain geometry-free reconstruction from ray-sum data. It is shown that a special set of convex projections duplicates the result of the algebraic reconstruction technique (ART). The similarities and differences of these two methods are discussed. It is pointed out that use of a priori information enhances the quality of the results, especially when partial data have been used, in which case ART fails. Simulations and reconstruction of a CT image are also furnished to demonstrate the feasibility of this method. >
Neuronal sensitivity to TDP-43 overexpression is dependent on timing of induction

Ubiquitin-immunoreactive neuronal inclusions composed of TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) are a major pathological feature of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP). In vivo studies with TDP-43 knockout mice have suggested that TDP-43 plays a critical, although undefined role in development. In the current report, we generated transgenic mice that conditionally express wild-type human TDP-43 (hTDP-43) in the forebrain and established a paradigm to examine the sensitivity of neurons to TDP-43 overexpression at different developmental stages. Continuous TDP-43 expression during early neuronal development produced a complex phenotype, including aggregation of phospho-TDP-43, increased ubiquitin immunoreactivity, mitochondrial abnormalities, neurodegeneration and early lethality. In contrast, later induction of hTDP-43 in the forebrain of weaned mice prevented early death and mitochondrial abnormalities while yielding salient features of FTLD-TDP, including progressive neurodegeneration and ubiquitinated, phospho-TDP-43 neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions. These results suggest that neurons in the developing forebrain are extremely sensitive to TDP-43 overexpression and that timing of TDP-43 overexpression in transgenic mice must be considered when distinguishing normal roles of TDP-43, particularly as they relate to development, from its pathogenic role in FTLD-TDP and other TDP-43 proteinopathies. Finally, our adult induction of hTDP-43 strategy provides a mouse model that develops critical pathological features that are directly relevant for human TDP-43 proteinopathies.
The Ideological Implications of Using “Educational” Film to Teach Controversial Events

AbstractUse of media in today’s classrooms, from feature and documentary film to news clips streamed via the Web, has grown exponentially. Film can be a powerful medium for teaching and learning, but is often viewed as a neutral source of information. This collective case study focuses on two teachers who use documentary film to teach about controversial events, with the goal of better understanding teacher selection and use of film as part of pedagogy and the experiences of students who are engaged in deliberative activities with film. In this case, teachers utilized film to help students examine two controversial events in U.S. history, the use of atomic weapons against Japan at the end of World War II and the role of the United States in Vietnam. These cases illustrate a tension that many teachers, who want to engage students in deliberative activities but who also want students to adopt particular moral or political stances, face in today’s classrooms. The teachers in these cases utilize film as a neu...
Potential Regrowth and Recolonization of Salmonellae and Indicators in Biosolids and Biosolid-Amended Soil

This study evaluated the potential for conversion of Class B to Class A biosolids with respect to salmonellae and fecal coliforms during solar drying in concrete lined drying beds. Anaerobically (8% solids) and aerobically (2% solids) digested Class B biosolids were pumped into field-scale drying beds, and microbial populations and environmental conditions were monitored. Numbers of fecal coliforms and salmonellae decreased as temperature and rate of desiccation increased. After 3 to 4 weeks, Class A requirements were achieved in both biosolids for the pathogens and the indicators. However, following rainfall events, significant increase in numbers was observed for both fecal coliforms and salmonellae. In laboratory studies, regrowth of fecal coliforms was observed in both biosolids and biosolid-amended soil, but the regrowth of salmonellae observed in the concrete-lined drying beds did not occur. These laboratory studies demonstrated that pathogens decreased in numbers when soil was amended with biosolids. Based on serotyping, the increased numbers of salmonellae seen in the concrete lined drying beds following rainfall events was most likely due to recolonization due to contamination from fecal matter introduced by animals and not from regrowth of salmonellae indigenous to biosolids. Overall, we conclude that the use of concrete-lined beds created a situation in which moisture added as rainfall accumulated in the beds, promoting the growth of fecal coliforms and salmonellae added from external sources.
Statin Effects on Aggression: Results from the UCSD Statin Study, a Randomized Control Trial.

BACKGROUND: Lowered cholesterol is linked to aggression in some study designs. Cases/series have reported reproducible aggression increases on statins, but statins also bear mechanisms that could reduce aggression. Usual statin effects on aggression have not been characterized. METHODS: 1016 adults (692 men, 324 postmenopausal women) underwent double-blind sex-stratified randomization to placebo, simvastatin 20mg, or pravastatin 40mg (6 months). The Overt-Aggression-Scale-Modified-Aggression-Subscale (OASMa) assessed behavioral aggression. A significant sex-statin interaction was deemed to dictate sex-stratified analysis. Exploratory analyses assessed the influence of baseline-aggression, testosterone-change (men), sleep and age. RESULTS: The sex-statin interaction was significant (P=0.008). In men, statins tended to decrease aggression, significantly so on pravastatin: difference=-1.0(SE=0.49)P=0.038. Three marked outliers (OASMa-change ≥40 points) offset otherwise strong significance-vs-placebo: statins:-1.3(SE=0.38)P=0.0007; simvastatin:-1.4(SE=0.43)P=0.0011; pravastatin:-1.2(SE=0.45)P=0.0083. Age≤40 predicted greater aggression-decline on statins: difference=-1.4(SE=0.64)P=0.026. Aggression-protection was emphasized in those with low baseline aggression: ageCONCLUSION: Statin effects on aggression differed by sex and age: Statins generally decreased aggression in men; and generally increased aggression in women. Both findings were selectively prominent in participants with low baseline aggression - bearing lower change-variance, rendering an effect more readily evident. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00330980. Language: en
Exploring the CETSCALE in Soviet Armenia

The CETSCALE, a 17-item measure of ethnocentrism, was subjected to a validation test in the Armenian language using a 276 respondent data set collected in Soviet Armenia. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the 17-item single factor model found by Shimp and Sharma (1987) does not fit the Soviet Armenian sample response pattern. However, a revised two factor model consisting of five and four items, respectively, discriminates adequately and is conceptually useful in this particular situation.
Faculty perceptions of a professional development seminar.

A web-enhanced seminar was provided to address the pedagogical needs of professional faculty educators at a college of dentistry in a research-intensive university in fall 2006. In this qualitative report, the authors describe the participants’ (n=12) perceptions and evaluation of the seminar. An evaluation of the seminar journals showed documented improvement in the participants’ confidence and an enhanced awareness of their teaching practices. Six themes (new knowledge, planned change, awareness, changes made, current practice, and challenges to learning) ranging from 5.3 percent to 35.5 percent among four to twelve participants emerged across their learning journals. Participants also rated the course 4.9 on a five-point scale in helping them understand a variety of teaching modalities other than lecture and the sole use of multiple-choice tests as insufficient. When we invest resources in our faculty, progress is made towards ensuring quality teaching, as well as increased understanding and enhanced communication in the teaching and learning environment. This recursive process not only influences the faculty and those they teach but the patients they care for as well.
The Development of the Field of Consumption

I PROPOSE to trace the development of the field of consumption by surveying briefly the books that have appeared in this field, their growth in number in recent years and their changing scope and character. A book will be considered to belong in this field if its title or the author's own description of his subjectmatter so indicates. To simplify the task further, only those books that are presumably inclusive in scope will be considered, those that in the author's opinion cover the major aspects of the field. The more specialized literature, avowedly dealing with but one problem or set of problems, will not be considered although this limitation will necessarily result in giving a far less adequate and possibly less accurate picture of developments, both quantitatively and qualitatively. But considering only the works of more general character, some interesting trends and variations appear. In 90Io there was, I believe, but one book available, in English at least, for the inquiring student, Simon N. Patten's "Consumption of Wealth," a University of Pennsylvania publication of the year 901o. Consumption as conceived in this book is and ought to be a process of maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. As an explanation of consumers' behavior and a guide to consumers its virtues and faults are those of the Benthamite hypothesis. Ten years later, by 1920, there was another book to place beside that of Patten, "Welfare as an Economic Quantity" by G. P. Watkins. The author in his preface tells us that its sub-title should be "A study in the neglected field of economic consumption." His problem is identical with that of Patten and the meaning of consumption. "Welfare" is want-satisfaction, consumption is calculation, its purpose is maximizing, not pleasure but utility. By 1930, the end of the next ten years, there are four more books that by their title, five that by their content, must be catalogued in this field. In 1923 my book, "A Theory of Consumption" was published; in 1925, Mrs. McMahon's "Social and Economic Standards of Living"; in 1928, Elizabeth Hoyt's "Consumption of Wealth" and W. C. Waite's "Economics of Consumption"; and in 1929, "Economic Principles of Consumption" by P. H. Nystrom. In my book I struggled with two problems; one, the consumer's position and how he fares in a free-enterprise, mass-production society; the other, the "why" of consumers' desires and their relative intensity. In attacking this second problem, the attempt was to apply theories of value and of human motivation in general to this particular aspect of human conduct. Mrs. McMahon's book was concerned with what was essentially the same problem, forces and conditions affecting our standards of consumption and the essential nature of the standards we strive to maintain and attain.
Senior Medical Student Mock Interview Program in Pediatrics.

OBJECTIVES Residency interviews play an integral part in medical residency placement. We aimed to develop and evaluate a mock interview program for fourth-year medical students interested in a pediatric specialty. METHODS A mock interview program for fourth-year medical students interested in pediatrics was developed and implemented. Preinterview quantitative data and postinterview qualitative data were collected. Fifty-nine students completed the program across three consecutive academic years. Preinterview surveys were completed regarding comfort and confidence levels specific to aspects of the interview process. Descriptive analyses were used. In addition, a focus group was held with nine of the participating students to obtain qualitative data via a paper blog process. Themes in student responses were identified through constant comparative analysis. RESULTS Before the mock interview, students were most uncomfortable with introductory and closing remarks and their confidence levels varied by topic. A thematic analysis of focus group data identified five themes (preparation, stress reduction, interview process familiarity, confidence of skills, and receiving feedback) for which the mock interviews were most helpful. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of a mock interview program was feasible and acceptable for senior medical students and may improve comfort and confidence levels in the residency interview process. Further longitudinal research is needed.
Increasing access to care for young adults with cancer: Results of a quality-improvement project using a novel telemedicine approach to supportive group psychotherapy.

Objective: Young adults with cancer experience high levels of psychological distress. Group interventions for cancer patients have been effective in reducing levels of psychological distress but suffer from high levels of attrition and serve a limited geographic area. In a quality-improvement project, we converted an existing in-person support group to a telemedicine format in the hopes of improving attendance and reducing geographic disparities in access to care. Method: Eight young adults (18–40 years) with cancer were recruited from across Colorado. Participants received a tablet equipped with Wi-Fi and downloaded an HIPAA-compliant video-conferencing application. Participants attended six weekly supportive psychotherapy sessions. Results: Participants found the group to be beneficial: the technology worked, they enjoyed the group format, and they would recommend it to others. The novel treatment interface allowed for low attrition rates due to the flexibility of a patient's location during the intervention. It allowed for provision of services to a geographically diverse population of medically ill young adults, as participants lived an average of 148 miles from the cancer center (range = 25–406 miles). Significance of results: Internet-based mental health care is an area of growing interest for providers, but few studies have evaluated its efficacy in patients with cancer, and even fewer in young adults with cancer. Incorporating technological advances into clinical practice will increase access to care, reduce geographic health disparities, and provide more consistent services.
Using dendritic heat maps to simultaneously display genotype divergence with phenotype divergence

The advancement of techniques to visualize and analyze large-scale sequencing datasets is an area of active research and is rooted in traditional techniques such as heat maps and dendrograms. We introduce dendritic heat maps that display heat map results over aligned DNA sequence clusters for a range of clustering cutoffs. Dendritic heat maps aid in visualizing the effects of group differences on clustering hierarchy and relative abundance of sampled sequences. Here, we artificially generate two separate datasets with simplified mutation and population growth procedures with GC content group separation to use as example phenotypes. In this work, we use the term phenotype to represent any feature by which groups can be separated. These sequences were clustered in a fractional identity range of 0.75 to 1.0 using agglomerative minimum-, maximum-, and average-linkage algorithms, as well as a divisive centroid-based algorithm. We demonstrate that dendritic heat maps give freedom to scrutinize specific clustering levels across a range of cutoffs, track changes in phenotype inequity across multiple levels of sequence clustering specificity, and easily visualize how deeply rooted changes in phenotype inequity are in a dataset. As genotypes diverge in sample populations, clusters are shown to break apart into smaller clusters at higher identity cutoff levels, similar to a dendrogram. Phenotype divergence, which is shown as a heat map of relative abundance bin response, may or may not follow genotype divergences. This joined view highlights the relationship between genotype and phenotype divergence for treatment groups. We discuss the minimum-, maximum-, average-, and centroid-linkage algorithm approaches to building dendritic heat maps and make a case for the divisive "top-down" centroid-based clustering methodology as being the best option visualize the effects of changing factors on clustering hierarchy and relative abundance.
Fields and Wave Modes Analysis of Rectangular Waveguide Filled With Uniaxial Medium

A rectangular waveguide filled with a uniaxial medium is treated. Different orientations of the optic axis are considered, and the transmission characteristics of the guided waves are studied. When the optic axis is parallel to one of the $x$ -, $y$ -, and $z$ -axes, results of wave decompositions with respect to the optic axis are presented and compared with conventional transverse-to-z solutions. Computation shows that the anisotropy not only changes the field distributions, but also leads to changes in the dominant modes in the waveguide. When the optic axis is tilted but lying in one of the sidewall planes, $\mathrm {TE}_{0n}$ or $\mathrm {TE}_{m0}$ (to $z$ ) modes are shown to exist, and supported hybrid wave modes are found from calculations using the proposed boundary condition matrix method. The hybrid wave is expressed as a linear combination of ordinary and extraordinary waves. The algorithm developed to address this problem is illustrated and numerical examples are given. The validity of the solution is verified by comparing its results with those of the aligned cases that are analytically solved.
A sample gradient-based algorithm for a multiple-OR and PACU surgery scheduling problem

In this article, we study a surgery scheduling problem in multiple Operating Rooms (ORs) constrained by the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) capacity within the block-booking framework. With surger...
Molecular Pathology: Neuropathology

Publisher Summary The Central Nervous System (CNS) is composed of cellular components organized in a complex structure that is unlike other organ systems. At the macroscopic level, the parenchyma of the CNS can be categorized into two structurally and functionally unique components: gray and white matter. The CNS can be divided into a number of anatomic regions, each with specific neurologic or cognitive functions. Disease or damage to these regions produces neurologic or cognitive deficits that correlate with the anatomic location and extent of disease. There are several ways to divide these structures. The main divisions are the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord. Developmental neuropathology encompasses a broad variety of cerebral malformations and functional impairments caused by disturbances of brain development, manifesting during ages from the embryonic period through adolescence and young adulthood. The neurologic and psychiatric manifestations of neurodevelopmental disorders range widely depending on the affected neural systems and include such diverse manifestations as epilepsy, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, breathing disorders, ataxia, autism, and schizophrenia. In terms of morbidity and mortality, the spectrum is extremely broad: the mildest neurodevelopmental disorders can be asymptomatic, while the worst malformations often lead to intrauterine or neonatal demise. This chapter focuses on the genetic disorders of brain development, caused by mutations of gene loci or chromosomal regions with important neurodevelopmental functions.
Homologous Recombination and BRCA Genes in Ovarian Cancer: Clinical Perspective of Novel Therapeutics

Abstract It is increasingly recognized that defects in homologous recombination (HR), which can occur with the loss of BRCA1 or BRCA2, have significant clinical implications in epithelial ovarian cancer. HR deficiency is correlated with increased risk of ovarian cancer occurrence, as well as certain clinical characteristics, including prolonged platinum sensitivity. Additionally, recent discoveries have highlighted that cells deficient in HR are also vulnerable to particular targeted therapies, such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. Other therapies to promote or exploit the loss of HR in ovarian cancer remain under development. In this chapter, we review clinical characteristics of HR-deficient (HRD) ovarian cancer and the development of novel therapeutics directed toward HRD tumors.