cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy Options Counseling and Abortion Referral Practices Among Colorado Nurse Practitioners, Nurse-Midwives, and Physician Assistants.

INTRODUCTION Access to abortion is a public health priority. Yet little is known about pregnancy options counseling and abortion referral practices, both essential to timely abortion care, among advanced practice clinicians (APCs; nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, physician assistants). METHODS Data were drawn from a stratified random sample of Colorado APCs, oversampling certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), women's health nurse practitioners (WHNPs), and rural clinicians. Pregnancy options counseling and abortion referral practices were described. Weighted multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine associations between participant characteristics and providing options counseling, referring for abortion, and referring to crisis pregnancy centers. RESULTS Of 513 participants (response rate 21%), 419 provided pregnancy testing. Only 201(48%) reported they were willing and able to counsel on all 3 options. Religious or personal objection was the primary rationale for unwillingness to present abortion as an option (63%). However, lack of knowledge was the main rationale for unwillingness (64%) and inability to counsel (79%), whereas institutional barriers fueled inability to refer (59%). Although 53% referred for abortion care, 31% referred to crisis pregnancy centers. Characteristics positively associated with providing options counseling included being a CNM or WHNP (odds ratio [OR], 2.73; 95% CI, 1.32-5.66), having received options counseling training (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.48-5.43), and feeling adequately trained on abortion counseling (OR, 6.61; 95% CI, 3.62-12.08). Characteristics positively associated with referring for abortion included being a CNM or WHNP (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.18-4.36), having received options counseling training (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.36-4.22), and feeling adequately trained on abortion counseling (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.00-6.11). Only provider type was associated with referring to crisis pregnancy centers; CNMs and WHNPs had the lowest odds (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.15-0.54). DISCUSSION Pregnant patients in Colorado may not receive evidence-based pregnancy options counseling or abortion referrals. Clinician training on options counseling and abortion referrals is needed.
In vivo evidence for the cellular basis of central hypoventilation of Rett syndrome and pharmacological correction in the rat model

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused mostly by mutations in the MECP2 gene. RTT patients show periodical hypoventilation attacks. The breathing disorder contributing to the high incidence of sudden death is thought to be due to depressed central inspiratory (I) activity via unknown cellular processes. Demonstration of such processes may lead to targets for pharmacological control of the RTT-type hypoventilation. We performed in vivo recordings from medullary respiratory neurons on the RTT rat model. To our surprise, both I and expiratory (E) neurons in the ventral respiratory column (VRC) increased their firing activity in Mecp2-null rats with severe hypoventilation. These I neurons including E-I phase-spanning and other I neurons remained active during apneas. Consistent with enhanced central I drive, ectopic phrenic discharges during expiration as well as apnea were observed in the Mecp2-null rats. Considering the increased I neuronal firing and ectopic phrenic activity, the RTT-type hypoventilation does not seem to be caused by depression in central I activity, neither reduced medullary I premotor output. This as well as excessive E neuronal firing as shown in our previous studies suggests inadequate synaptic inhibition for phase transition. We found that the abnormal respiratory neuronal firing, ectopic phrenic discharge as well as RTT-type hypoventilation all can be corrected by enhancing GABAergic inhibition. More strikingly, Mecp2-null rats reaching humane endpoints with severe hypoventilation can be rescued by GABAergic augmentation. Thus, defective GABAergic inhibition among respiratory neurons is likely to play a role in the RTT-type hypoventilation, which can be effectively controlled with pharmacological agents.
Dermatological knowledge survey: US medical students’ perception of hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease of the hair follicle that presents with painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts with a predilection for intertriginous areas.1-2 The prevalence of HS ranges from 0.1-2% and it has a higher impact on quality of life than almost all other chronic dermatologic diseases, but knowledge among providers is limited and average delays to diagnosis of 5-14 years have been reported.1-3 We aim to characterize knowledge and attitudes of medical students toward HS to characterize potential deficiencies in medical school curricula.
Immunoreactive endorphin peptides and prolactin in umbilical vein and maternal blood

Abstract Immunoreactive endorphin peptides (ir EP) and prolactin (PRL) were measured by radioimmunoassay in venous blood from the umbilical cords of 86 neonates, 23 postpartum mothers, and 40 randomly selected blood bank donor control subjects. We also assayed these hormones in serosanguineous placental tissue fluid following delivery. The data suggest both ir EP and PRL are elevated during birth processes and that placental chemistry may be implicated in blood levels of these hormones. Some biological and clinical aspects of placental opiates are discussed.
The Validity of Claims-Based Algorithms to Identify Serious Hypersensitivity Reactions and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Validation of claims-based algorithms to identify serious hypersensitivity reactions and osteonecrosis of the jaw has not been performed in large osteoporosis populations. The objective of this project is to estimate the positive predictive value of the claims-based algorithms in older women with osteoporosis enrolled in Medicare. Using the 2006-2008 Medicare 5% sample data, we identified potential hypersensitivity and osteonecrosis of the jaw cases based on ICD-9 diagnosis codes. Potential hypersensitivity cases had a 995.0, 995.2, or 995.3 diagnosis code on emergency department or inpatient claims. Potential osteonecrosis of the jaw cases had ≥1 inpatient or outpatient physician claim with a 522.7, 526.4, 526.5, or 733.45 diagnosis code or ≥2 claims of any type with a 526.9 diagnosis code. All retrieved records were redacted and reviewed by experts to determine case status: confirmed, not confirmed, or insufficient information. We calculated the positive predictive value as the number of confirmed cases divided by the total number of retrieved records with sufficient information. We requested 412 potential hypersensitivity and 304 potential osteonecrosis of the jaw records and received 174 (42%) and 84 (28%) records respectively. Of 84 potential osteonecrosis of the jaw cases, 6 were confirmed, resulting in a positive predictive value (95% CI) of 7.1% (2.7, 14.9). Of 174 retrieved potential hypersensitivity records, 95 were confirmed. After exclusion of 25 records with insufficient information for case determination, the overall positive predictive value (95% CI) for hypersensitivity reactions was 76.0% (67.5, 83.2). In a random sample of Medicare data, a claim-based algorithm to identify serious hypersensitivity reactions performed well. An algorithm for osteonecrosis of the jaw did not, partly due to the inclusion of diagnosis codes that are not specific for osteoporosis of the jaw.
New Orleans Five Years Later: Key Questions in the Rebuilding of an American City

This year’s Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association will mark the five year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastating assault on the city of New Orleans. During the ensuing five years, the reconstruction of the city has proceeded unevenly, with some successes, but many disappointments as well. For many, the repopulation of New Orleans centered on some key questions: Where will I live? Will I be safe? Where will my children go to school? While other issues abound in the city, these questions strike at the heart of the rebuilding efforts. Our research details the progress made in housing, public safety, and public education, as well as the obstacles remaining. In each issue area we examine the key decision-makers that comprise the larger political order in New Orleans. As expected, many of the important actors are local, including elected officials, members of the business community, and citizen activist. But the rebuilding of New Orleans stretches beyond the city limits, including actors from the state and federal levels. For example, FEMA and HUD remain important funding sources for reconstruction efforts, and the state now runs a significant portion of the local public schools. Attempts to fashion a regime-type agenda for the city are subject to the interactions at these various levels, adding nuance to regime analysis. This research helps explain the city’s progress to date, and it also identifies the difficulties — due to the actors, resources, and coordination problems — in reviving the flooded city.
Group treatment for child sexual abuse: treatment referral and therapeutic outcomes

A quasi-experimental design was used to compare the effectiveness of group (game-based cognitive behavioral) therapy to group-plus-individual therapy for child sexual abuse. The sample consisted predominantly of children from economically disadvantaged, African-American or Latino backgrounds. Pretreatment scores were examined in order to determine which factors influence treatment referral decisions. Results suggest that children who were referred for individual therapy in addition to group therapy report higher pretreatment levels of sexualized behavior. Posttreatment differences were also compared across therapy conditions. Results suggest that individual therapy is needed to address the sexual concerns of survivors but that it may not be needed to augment the effects of group therapy for other symptoms. Implications for treatment are discussed.
Ocean Dynamics and Acoustic Variability in East China Sea

Abstract : Study the effects of ocean dynamics on acoustic propagation and underwater communication in the region of East China Sea (ECS). Conduct a joint shallow water acoustic experiment with KIOST (Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology) to study the coupling of oceanography, acoustics, and underwater communications in the ECS. Carry out measurements of the space and time environmental and channel impulse response characteristics along with satellite imagery for internal wave activities in the experimental area.
Electromagnetic Fields and Epidemiology

An excellent example of epidemiology and public health is that of smoking cigarettes. In the 1950s the tobacco companies stated that cigarettes were “not injurious to health.” But it was generally recognized in the 1950s that cigarettes were dangerous to your health but people didn’t know how much it was injurious to your health. In those days you could not go to a party without returning the smell of cigarettes on your shirt. We all ignored the risk. We now know that smokers who consume more than 25 cigarettes a day are 50 times more likely to contract lung cancer than non-smokers. Graphs show a remarkable linear relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked in a day and the risk of cancer. The relationship of EM fields to public health is much more difficult as we dealing with rare forms of cancer, giving large statistical uncertainties. In addition there is not a known mechanism to disrupt DNA with EM fields. And EMF dosimetry is uncertain, we do not know which power levels and frequencies are relevant, and how they should be treated mathematically.
Reducing the backlash effect: Self‐monitoring and women's promotions

Previous research shows that masculine (agentic) women suffer from a backlash effect in which they are sanctioned for violating the feminine gender role stereotype. We examine the impact of self-monitoring on the promotion rates of MBA men and women over an 8-year period following graduation. Results show that women who were more masculine as well as high on self-monitoring received more promotions, suggesting that self-monitoring is associated with an absence of backlash effects.
Wideband phase steered array using phase shift compensation

Phase-shift correction during a wideband linear FM pulse is shown to be a feasible technique for compensating for array fill time and beam scanning. Analytical results have been obtained for a linear array 64-wavelengths long, approximately 6.4 ft at X-band, assuming half-wavelength element spacing. Sensitivity analyses for the antenna spatial degradation and the compressed pulse degradation as a function of phase-shift quantization are presented. Data are also presented showing the signal spectrum resulting from the frequency offset generated by periodic phase-shifter increments. Calculated patterns and range response functions show that 5-bit phase shifters are sufficient for nominal degradation. >
Norbert Schwarz: A Pioneer in Social Indicators and Quality of Life Research

Most well-being research asks what makes for a happy and satisfying life, focusing on societal conditions and individual activities. In contrast, my research mostly asked how people evaluate their lives: When asked how happy or satisfied they are, how do people arrive at an answer? In the 1970’s I studied sociology at the University of Mannheim, Germany, where Wolfgang Zapf (see “pioneers” entry on Zapf; Glatzer, 2012) developed a German social indicators system building on research at Michigan’s Institute for Social Research (see “pioneers” entries on Campbell and Andrews; Michalos, 2014a, b). This work treated well-being reports as veridical read-outs of relatively stable inner states. At the same time, research in cognitive and social psychology began to emphasize the context sensitive nature of human judgment. Social psychologists at the University of Mannheim were introduced to this development through visits of Robert S. Wyer, of the University of Illinois, a pioneer of information Applied Research Quality Life (2015) 10:765–767 DOI 10.1007/s11482-015-9424-9
Food allergy and increased asthma morbidity in a School-based Inner-City Asthma Study.

Background Children with asthma have increased prevalence of food allergies. The relationship between food allergy and asthma morbidity is unclear. Objective We aimed to investigate the presence of food allergy as an independent risk factor for increased asthma morbidity by using the School Inner-City Asthma Study, a prospective study that evaluates risk factors and asthma morbidity among urban children. Methods We prospectively surveyed, from inner-city schools, 300 children with physician-diagnosed asthma, followed by clinical evaluation. Food allergies were reported, which included symptoms experienced within 1 hour of food ingestion. Asthma morbidity, pulmonary function, and resource utilization were compared between children with food allergies and those without. Results Seventy-three of 300 children with asthma (24%) surveyed had physician-diagnosed food allergy, and 36 (12%) had multiple food allergies. Those with any food allergy independently had increased risk of hospitalization (OR [odds ratio] 2.35 [95% CI, 1.30-4.24]; P = .005) and use of controller medication (OR 1.99 [95% CI, 1.06-3.74]; P = .03). Those with multiple food allergies also had an independently higher risk of hospitalization in the past year (OR 4.10 [95% CI, 1.47-11.45]; P = .007), asthma-related hospitalization (OR 3.52 [95% CI, 1.12-11.03]; P = .03), controller medication use (OR 2.38 [95% CI, 1.00-5.66]; P = .05), and more provider visits (median, 4.5 vs 3.0; P = .008). Furthermore, lung function was significantly lower (percent predicted FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC ratios) in both food allergy category groups. Conclusions Food allergy is highly prevalent in inner-city school-aged children with asthma. Children with food allergies have increased asthma morbidity and health resource utilization with decreased lung function, and this association is stronger in those with multiple food allergies.
Two Options for Flight Testing Rocket-Based Combined-Cycle Engines

Whereas NASA’ s current next-generation reusable launch vehicle research has largely focused on all-rocket single-stage-to-orbit vehicles, some attention is being given to advanced propulsion concepts such as rocket-based combined-cycle suitable for next-generation-and-a-half vehicles. Rocket-based combined-cycle engines combine rocket and airbreathing elements into a single integrated engine capable of multimode operation. Two options for e ight testing early versions of a rocket-based combined-cycle ejector scramjet engine have been investigated. The e rst option uses a single, subscale rocket-based combined-cycle engine module mounted to the X-34 air-launched technologytestbedforcaptiveteste ightsuptoaboutMach6.4.Thesecondoptioncombinesrocket-basedcombinedcycle engine e ight testing and envelope expansion with the simultaneous development of a new two-stage-to-orbit operational vehicle in the small Bantam payload class (220 lb) dubbed the W vehicle. To enable early testing and complement dual-use missile applications, both proposed e ight test engines evaluated use Earth storable propellants fortheirrocket primaries and hydrocarbon fuel fortheirairbreathing modes. Research resultsinclude preliminary sizing and performance data for each concept.
The Rossiter-McLaughlin eﬀect for exoplanets

There are now more than 30 stars with transiting planets for which the stellar obliquity—or more precisely its sky projection—has been measured, via the eponymous eﬀect of Rossiter and McLaughlin. The history of these measurements is intriguing. For 8 years a case was gradually building that the orbits of hot Jupiters are always well-aligned with the rotation of their parent stars. Then in a sudden reversal, many misaligned systems were found, and it now seems that even retrograde systems are not uncommon. I review the measurement technique underlying these discoveries, the patterns that have emerged from the data, and the implications for theories of planet formation and migration.
Determination of the sources of toxic elements in environmental particles using microscopic and statistical analysis techniques

Abstract Samples of urban dust were physically fractionated into subsamples having unique size, density, ferromagnetism, and elemental compositional characteristics. The high density fractions containing the majority of each of the potentially toxic metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr, Co, Mn) were subjected to X-ray microanalysis and to bulk analysis using instrumental neutron activation. Microanalysis was used to classify individual particles with respect to primary sources. The bulk analytical results were subjected to factor analysis to delineate the underlying factors (particle sources) responsible for the compositional variation in the subsamples. The advantages of the combined use of microanalytical and statistical techniques for source definition are described. X-ray microanalysis is used to substantiate the attribution of a given factor to a suspected particle source, to aid in the determination of the number of factors (sources) present, and to assess the extent to which a given factor represents a unique source of particles. Bulk analysis/factor analysis promotes the most effective use of X-ray microanalysis to characterize major particle types, and provides data on some toxic trace metals (e.g., Cd) that are not detectable using X-ray microanalysis. Target transformation factor analysis also is more useful in the quantitative determination of the relative mass contributions of major sources to the total dust sample.
The Impact of Parental Abduction on the Couple

SUMMARY The abduction of a parent's child by the other parent can be an extremely heart-wrenching experience. Not only are the child's whereabouts and safety placed in doubt, the searching parent's life is thrown into turmoil. This case example describes the impact that the long-term abduction of a mother's son had on the mother's ability to maintain a relationship as a member of a new couple.
Chimera states on the surface of a sphere.

A chimera state is a spatiotemporal pattern in which a network of identical coupled oscillators exhibits coexisting regions of asynchronous and synchronous oscillation. Two distinct classes of chimera states have been shown to exist: ``spots'' and ``spirals.'' Here we study coupled oscillators on the surface of a sphere, a single system in which both spot and spiral chimera states appear. We present an analysis of the birth and death of spiral chimera states and show that although they coexist with spot chimeras, they are stable in disjoint regions of parameter space.
Failure of Excess Glycine to Aggravate Choline-Deficiency Perosis in the Young Chick

Abstract Early work on the enlarged hock disorder (i.e., perosis) in young chicks (Jukes, 1941a,b) and poults (Scott, 1950) suggested that excess levels of dietary glycine or its precursors may accentuate the incidence and severity of this condition. These observations together with those wherein a casein-gelatin diet (high in glycine) has been implicated as causative (Nelson and Scott, 1953) suggested that the effect of glycine on choline-deficiency perosis needed reevaluation. Though perosis is an extremely complex condition that can be produced experimentally by an inadequate intake of several different nutrients, it is generally recognized that the syndrome occurs with greatest rapidity when resulting from an inadequate intake of choline (Scott and Netke, 1969). The assay presented in Table 1 was designed to assess the effects of graded levels of dietary glycine, ranging from deficient to superadequate, on growth rate and incidence of perosis in young chicks fed a choline-free purified diet.…
Couples' marijuana use is inversely related to their intimate partner violence over the first 9 years of marriage

Research on the association between marijuana use and intimate partner violence (IPV) has generated inconsistent findings, and has been primarily based on cross-sectional data. We examined whether husbands' and wives' marijuana use predicted both husbands' and wives' IPV perpetration over the first 9 years of marriage (Wave 1, n = 634 couples). We also examined moderation by antisocial behavior, the spouse's marijuana use, and whether IPV was reported during the year before marriage. These predictive associations were calculated using a time-lagged multivariate generalized multilevel model, simultaneously estimating predictors of husband and wife IPV. In fully adjusted models, we found that more frequent marijuana use by husbands and wives predicted less frequent IPV perpetration by husbands. Husbands' marijuana use also predicted less frequent IPV perpetration by wives. Moderation analyses demonstrated that couples in which both spouses used marijuana frequently reported the least frequent IPV perpetration. There was a significant positive association between wives' marijuana use and wives' IPV perpetration, but only among wives who had already reported IPV perpetration during the year before marriage. These findings suggest there may be an overall inverse association between marijuana use and IPV perpetration in newly married couples, although use may be associated with greater risk of perpetration among women with a history of IPV perpetration.
SALT TASTE THRESHOLDS OF NORMAL AND ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS1

THE RESULTS of previous self-selection experiments showed that removal of the adrenals in rats greatly increased the appetite for sodium chloride (1, 2). In some instances the appetite as reflected in the voluntary salt intake increased 10 to 18 times over the preoperative level. Incidental observations indicated that adrenalectomy also lowered the taste threshold for salt. With a slightly modified self-selection technic a special study has now been made of salt taste thresholds of normal as well as of adrenalectomized rats. At the outset each rat had access to i graduated inverted bottles filled with distilled water. After 8 to 16 days when the intake from each bottle had reached a fairly constant level, one bottle was filled with a sodium chloride solution of an estimated subliminal concentration. Each day there after the concentration was increased in small steps until the rats manifested a consistent preference for the salt solution.
Fishing for complements in the spinal cord

![][1] In comparison to the clownish stumbling of most of us landlubbers, fish are elegant beasts. They appear to cruise through the water by simply wiggling their bodies back-and-forth in a single (axial) plane. Walking on solid ground looks and feels far more complicated, requiring
Central neural pathway mediating splanchnic osmosensation.

Abstract To determine the central neural pathway which carries splanchnic osmosensory information to vasopressin (AVP) neurons in the hypothalamus, bilateral electrolytic lesions were placed in the ascending catecholaminergic fiber bundle, the locus coeruleus (LC), the locus subcoeruleus (subLC), the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB), the caudal periaqueductal gray (PAG) and the median preoptic nucleus (MPO). Six and seven days later, plasma AVP levels, plasma osmolality, mean arterial pressure and heart rate were measured following gastric infusion of hypertonic (598 mosm/kg; 2ml/4min) or isotonic (290 mosm/kg) saline in conscious rats with indwelling tail artery catheters and nasogastric tubes. The most effective pontine lesions, which were located in the ventral locus subcoeruleus (vsubLC) approximately 1.0 mm below the LC, decreased the AVP response to hypertonic gastric infusion by 59.7% (P
How Random Decisions Affect Selective Distributed Search

Selective distributed search is a retrieval architecture that reduces search costs by partitioning a corpus into topical shards such that only a few shards need to be searched for each query. Prior research created topical shards by using random seed documents to cluster a random sample of the full corpus. The resource selection algorithm might use a different random sample of the corpus. These random components make selective search non-deterministic. This paper studies how these random components affect experimental results. Experiments on two ClueWeb09 corpora and four query sets show that in spite of random components, selective search is stable for most queries.
Predatory behavior of Polybia sericea (Olivier), a tropical social wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Polybia sericea (Olivier) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) foragers were trained to visit experimental foraging plots and tests were conducted to determine the role of visual, olfactory, and chemotactile cues in prey location. Foragers approached prey from downwind and hovered downwind of visual and olfactory stimuli. Olfactory cues were more likely to elicit landing than were visual cues. Biting of potential prey was most consistently elicited by a combination of visual, tactile, and chemotactile cues. Foragers encountering large prey carried a piece back to the nest and returned for prey remains. These returning foragers used visual cues to direct intensive aerial search; olfactory prey cues elicited landing.
Postpartum intimate partner violence and health risks among young mothers in the United States: a prospective study.

The study assessed the relationship between postpartum intimate partner violence (IPV) and postpartum health risks among young mothers over time. Data were collected from 2001 to 2005 on young women aged 14–25 attending obstetrics and gynecology clinics in two US cities. Postpartum IPV (i.e., emotional, physical, sexual) was assessed at 6 and 12 months after childbirth (n = 734). Four types of postpartum IPV patterns were examined: emerged IPV, dissipated IPV, repeated IPV, and no IPV. Emerged IPV occurred at 12 months postpartum, not 6 months postpartum. Dissipated IPV occurred at 6 months postpartum, not 12 months postpartum. Repeated IPV was reported at 6 months and 12 months postpartum. Postpartum health risks studied at both time points were perceived stress, depression, fear of condom negotiation, condom use, infant sleeping problems, and parental stress. Repeated measures analysis of covariance was used. The proportion of young mothers reporting IPV after childbirth increased from 17.9 % at 6 months postpartum to 25.3 % at 12 months postpartum (P < 0.001). Emerged and/or repeated postpartum IPV were associated with increased perceived stress, depression, fear of condom negotiation, and infant sleeping problems as well as decreased condom use (P < 0.05). Dissipated postpartum IPV was associated with decreased depression (P < 0.05). IPV screening and prevention programs for young mothers may reduce health risks observed in this group during the postpartum period.
Estimating the mean life time using right censored data

Estimation of the population mean based on right censored observations is considered. The naive sample mean will be an inconsistent and asymptotically biased estimator in this case. An estimate suggested in textbooks is to compute the area under a Kaplan–Meier curve. In this note, two more seemingly different approaches are introduced. Students’ reaction to these approaches was very positive in an introductory survival analysis course the author recently taught.
Student, teacher, and instructional characteristics related to students' gains in flexibility

Abstract Flexibility in problem solving has been widely recognized as an important skill for students' mastery of mathematics. Here we utilize the Opportunity-Propensity framework to investigate student characteristics, teacher characteristics, and teacher instructional practices that may be associated with students' gains in flexibility in algebra. Teacher and student data were collected from 8th and 9th grade Algebra I teachers in Massachusetts as part of a larger study on the impact of a researcher-developed year-long supplementary curriculum that focused on improving students' flexibility. We explore student demographics, teacher background characteristics and teacher instructional practices as predictors of student gains in flexibility. We further investigate instructional practices associated with flexibility gains through an analysis of teacher questioning in the classroom for teachers whose students achieved the greatest gains in flexibility and those whose students achieved the least gains. Our results indicate that prior knowledge is a reliable predictor of flexibility gains and that gender is an important student background characteristic associated with the development of flexibility. In addition, although high and low gain teachers did not differ in their implementation fidelity, high flexibility gain teachers asked more open-ended questions that prompted students to verbalize the main ideas of the lesson.
Detrital modes and provenance of the Stilo‐Capo d'Orlando Formation (Miocene), southern Italy

The Stilo-Capo d'Orlando Formation (SCO Fm) is a Miocene clastic unit nonconformably covering the basement of the southern portion of the Calabria-Peloritani Arc (CPA), a small-scale terrane which was accreted onto the Apennines-Maghrebides orogenic system during Neogene time. The SCO Fm is composed of conglomerate, sandstone and mudrock deposited in a marine environment through the action of gravity currents. Detrital modes of sandstones and conglomerates of the SCO Fm indicate a local provenance. In fact, petrological parameters can be matched directly with nearby basement lithologies. Two petrofacies with distinctive parameters are present. A northern petrofacies is predominantly composed of plutonic and low-grade metamorphic detritus, and was derived from the Serre massif, which is mostly made of late Hercynian plutons intruded into metasedimentary rocks. A southern petrofacies is mostly composed of metamorphic detritus and was derived from the Aspromonte and the Peloritani Mountains, which are predominantly composed of middle-to high-grade metamorphic rocks. Petrological results place important constraints on the geodynamic evolution of the CPA. According to several authors, the arc is composed of two sectors (microterranes) with different geological histories and partly composed of contrasting rock types, whose timing of juxtaposition is debated (Early Cretaceous against middle-late Miocene; that is, much before or soon after deposition of the SCO Fin). The SCO Fm crops out only in the southern sector of the CPA and does not contain any detritus derived from the northern sector, in spite of a favourable sediment palaeodispersal system. This fact indicates that the amalgamation of the two sectors probably took place after deposition of the SCO Fm.
Using the Kaldor–Hicks Tableau to assess sustainability in cost–benefit analysis in transport: An example framework for rail transit

Abstract Sustainability in transport is a thoroughly discussed and critically important issue for current and future generations, and has been the focus of significant research in many fields. However, application of sustainability, in particular to transport planning and assessments of transport projects, is lacking. This paper proposes a framework for cost–benefit analysis that realizes the sustainability impacts of public transport improvements. A case example of introducing a rail component to a bus-only transit system is used, as this particular type of investment has been both lauded for its impacts on sustainability (despite little measurement of such) and criticized for its cost inefficiencies (despite its political and public popularity). The research reviews relevant literature on sustainability, rail transit, and cost–benefit analysis in transport. Then, a Kaldor–Hicks Tableau is discussed and a framework for analyzing the implementation of a rail line to transit system is proposed. The stakeholders, costs, benefits, and transfers associated with such a project are then detailed. The Tableau and discussion allow for the definition and incorporation of sustainability components to assessment of the project. Implications for managerial practice and contributions to scholarly knowledge are discussed.
Perspectives on Evaluating Competitiveness in Agribusiness Industries

This article discusses strategies to improve the competitiveness of agribusiness firms through enhanced customer value. Relationships between customer value and factors that influence the cost structure of the firm are discussed. The relationships between customer value and product differentiation, vertical coordination, niche marketing, total quality management, and related strategies are explored. Finally, implications for managerial decisions in the food and agribusiness sector are presented. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Perceptions of sedentary African-American women about continuous versus intermittent walking.

To meet current physical activity recommendations, a person may chose to adopt a continuous or an intermittent physical activity program, as long as they accumulate 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week. Sixty-four sedentary African-American women were surveyed to assess whether perceptions about continuous and intermittent walking programs differed. Specifically, we assessed whether perceptions of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, social support, and the environment varied with respect to walking programs. Results indicated that the women perceived higher self-efficacy for the intermittent walking program and associated this program with more favorable environmental factors (p < .05). However, they expected greater benefits from the continuous walking program (p < .05). Overall, 65% of the women reported that they would prefer to adopt the continuous walking program.
Quantitative stereological evaluation of KCl-induced ultrastructural changes in frog brain

Abstract Quantitative stereological techniques were applied to electron micrographs obtained from frog brain that was stimulated with KCI and then subjected to rapid freeze fixation. Morphometric measurements demonstrated that: (1) no changes occurred in presynaptic structures; (2) the postsynaptic elements (dendritic shafts and dendritic spines) which occupied only 4.8% of the tissue volume in the control experiments, increased in volume to 14.2% of the stimulated tissue without any change in surface area of their boundary membranes; (3) the extracellular space decreased from 19,6% of the tissue volume in the control preparations to 6.7% in the stimulated. A method was developed for correcting the morphometric underestimation of the extracellular space resulting from the partial obscuring of these narrow regions between cells by obliquely cut plasma membranes in sections of finite thickness. The mean width of extracellular spaces was shown to be reduced from 44.3 nm to 18.0 nm after KC1 stimulation. These measurements imply that when stimulated with KC1 the extracellular space of the frog cortex is taken up by the dendritic structures which swell up and change their shape—increasing their volume without a change in their membrane surface area. The role of these changes with respect to the altering synaptic potency and providing a mechanism for neuronal plasticity is discussed.
Throwing out the first pitch

Over the last several years, faculty at the Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Interactive Games and Media have been working with students to refine their ideas regarding game design, game production, and the overall ideation process. Most of our students are technology focused, and have to learn the process of communicating their ideas in a practical manner. They must learn the balance between being passionate about their ideas and forming a cogent argument as to why their idea matters. In short, they must learn the difference between having "the great idea" and being able to ideate over hundreds, if not thousands of ideas. Through the use of the game concept pitch as a tool for communicating their ideas, we are challenging students to express themselves in a particular way. Over the course of the semester, we explore game concept pitch processes, critique, iteration, and refinement of the student's ideas as well as presentation and communication skills. We also examine how the process of "first pitch" is applicable to wider areas of computing, engineering, and science education along with career and field skills.
The Elusive Technology ROI

Why is it so hard to measure the ROI on technology? How might we make some sense of the controversy surrounding IT's value? Should we let our vendors tell us what the ROI of a new technology might be at our company? Do we have all of the facts to make a legitimate prediction of ROI prior to undertaking a project, or does the ROI analysis require making a lot of "glass-half-full" conjectures? Information systems managers continually struggle to evaluate potential projects and establish the bottom-line effect of IT investments. There must be an easier way to perform this important task.
Drafting New York Civil-Litigation Documents: Part VII – The Answer

This article, on how to answer a complaint, is the seventh part of a series on drafting litigation documents. The series focuses on New York practice and procedure.
A modification to a simple field model of the TE01δ mode of the parallel‐plate open dielectric resonator

A modification to the field expressions on the simple Itoh and Rudokas model for the TE01δ mode of the parallel-plate open dielectric resonator is given. This modification is justified by the dramatic improvement in the accuracy of resonant frequency prediction. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
S.A.W. reflecting arrays

It is shown that metal surface-acoustic-wave reflecting arrays on piezoelectric substrates with a range of ratios t of electrode width to period can be modelled by a cascade of equal-length transmission-line sections. Measurements were made on short- and open-circuited arrays with various t ratios; impedance ratio r and average velocity data are presented against t.
Recognition of Acetylated Proteins: Lessons from an Ancient Family of Enzymes

The structure of a Sir2-like enzyme in complex with an acetylated peptide substrate has been solved, and provides the first glimpse into the mechanism of substrate recognition by this highly conserved family of enzymes.
U.S. public attitudes toward Israel: A study of the attentive and issue publics

(1996). U.S. public attitudes toward Israel: A study of the attentive and issue publics. Israel Affairs: Vol. 2, U.S.—Israeli Relations of the Crossroads, pp. 109-127.
Blockade by interleukin-1-alpha of nitricoxidergic control of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone release in vivo and in vitro.

Nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS), the enzyme that converts arginine into citrulline plus NO, the latter a highly active free radical, occurs in a large number of neurons in the brain, including certai
Ethics and Nanotechnology: Views of Nanotechnology Researchers

A study was conducted of nanotechnology (NT) researchers’ views about ethics in relation to their work. By means of a purpose-built questionnaire, made available on the Internet, the study probed NT researchers’ general attitudes toward and beliefs about ethics in relation to NT, as well as their views about specific NT-related ethical issues. The questionnaire attracted 1,037 respondents from 13 U.S. university-based NT research facilities. Responses to key questionnaire items are summarized and noteworthy findings presented. For most respondents, the ethical responsibilities of NT researchers are not limited to those related to safety and integrity in the laboratory. Most believe that NT researchers also have specific ethical responsibilities to the society in which their research is done and likely to be applied. NT appears to be one of the first areas of contemporary technoscientific activity in which a long-standing belief is being seriously challenged: the belief that society is solely responsible for what happens when a researcher’s work, viewed as neutral and merely enabling, is applied in a particular social context. Survey data reveal that most respondents strongly disagree with that paradigmatic belief. Finally, an index gauging NT researcher sensitivity to ethics and ethical issues related to NT was constructed. A substantial majority of respondents exhibited medium or high levels of sensitivity to ethics in relation to NT. Although most respondents view themselves as not particularly well informed about ethics in relation to NT, a substantial majority are aware of and receptive to ethical issues related to their work, and believe that these issues merit consideration by society and study by current and future NT practitioners.
Putting Thoughts to Work: Concepts, Systematicity, and Stimulus-Independence*

I argue that we can reconcile two seemingly incompatible traditions for thinking about concepts. On the one hand, many cognitive scientists assume that the systematic redeployment of representational abilities suffices for having concepts. On the other hand, a long philosophical tradition maintains that language is necessary for genuinely conceptual thought. I argue that on a theoretically useful and empirically plausible concept of ‘concept’, it is necessary and sufficient for conceptual thought that a thinker be able to entertain many of the potential thoughts produced by recombining her representational abilities apart from a direct confrontation with the states of affairs being represented. Such representational abilities support a cognitive engagement with the world that is flexible, abstract, and active.
A high resolution mass spectrometric measurement system for a vacuum fusion apparatus

Abstract A high resolution mass spectrometric read-out system for a vacuum fusion apparatus is described. Rapid analyses are possible and the rate at which various gases are evolved can be monitored. Gas mixture assays are accomplished by scanning the nominal mass 28 peak. Serial measurements of CO + , N 2 + and C 2 H 4 + are made. Thus detection and measurement of evolved hydrocarbons are possible. The results for silver and tin from a conventional vacuum fusion apparatus and the mass spectrometer apparatus are compared.
Severe coronary disease in an adult considered at low cardiovascular disease risk with a healthy lifestyle

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a lipoprotein subclass well-known among the lipid community to accelerate atherosclerosis and promote thrombosis through incompletely understood mechanism. We report a case of a young man with a healthy lifestyle and no major coronary or vascular risk factors who presented to the emergency department with an acute coronary syndrome and was ultimately found to have severe coronary artery disease. A diagnostic workup revealed elevated Lp(a). He was treated with consequent reduction in Lp(a) concentration. This case highlights the need to better understand atypical lipoproteins, how they relate to cardiovascular disease, the implications for screening family members, and the need to standardize patient management guidelines for the purpose of mortality risk reduction.
High performance training of feedforward and simple recurrent networks

Abstract TRAINREC is a system for training feedforward and recurrent neural networks that incorporates several ideas. It uses the conjugate-gradient method which is demonstrably more efficient than traditional backward error propagation. We assume epoch-based training and derive a new error function having several desirable properties absent from the traditional sum-of-squares-error function. We argue for skip (shortcut) connections where appropriate and the preference for a bipolar sigmoidal yielding values over the [−1, 1] interval. The input feature space is often over-analyzed, but by using singular value decomposition, input patterns can be conditioned for better learning often with a reduced number of input units. Recurrent networks, in their most general form, require special handling and cannot be simply a re-wiring of the architecture without a corresponding revision of the derivative calculations. There is a careful balance required among the network architecture (specifically, hidden and feedback units), the amount of training applied, and the ability of the network to generalize. These issues often hinge on selecting the proper stopping criterion. Discovering methods that work in theory as well as in practice is difficult and we have spent a substantial amount of effort evaluating and testing these ideas on real problems to determine their value. This paper encapsulates a number of such ideas ranging from those motivated by a desire for efficiency of training to those motivated by correctness and accuracy of the result While this paper is intended to be self-contained, several references are provided to other work upon which many of our claims are based.
Design and Evolution of a System for Long-Term Electroencephalographic and Video Monitoring of Epilepsy Patients

Abstract The impact of technology, especially computer technology, on clinical neurophysiology instrumentation has yielded more than automation of paper-based electroencephalography. The new features now available as standard components of digital EEG/video have actually transformed practice (e.g., post hoc remontaging or filtering). At the same time, however, the fact that the signals are digital has led to a panoply of “tools in search of a problem.” To incorporate appropriate tools in a practical and cost-effective fashion is a challenge that requires detailed, interdisciplinary knowledge, as well as concentrated effort. Although it is in the nature of research and development to follow a few blind alleys, too many projects are never productively implemented because excessive attention is focused on the obscure and not enough on whether and how the technique can actually help patients. In addition, a long-term view requires making the correct technology choices, to benefit from the consumer cost cycle and to ensure a continuous migration pathway. The lessons learned and principles established while bringing together the space, the people, and the equipment into an efficient, high-volume epilepsy monitoring unit are instructive.