cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of clinical factors and allograft leukocyte content on post-transplant lymphopenia, monocytopenia, and survival in patients undergoing allogeneic peripheral blood haematopoietic cell transplant

We have previously shown that lymphopenia and monocytopenia at 2–3 months post-allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) is associated with poor survival in recipients of both myeloablative and reduced intensity conditioning regimens. It is not known whether the graft leukocyte content has a role in early lymphocyte and monocyte recovery following allogeneic T-cell replete peripheral blood HCT. Haematologic recovery data, including absolute lymphocyte and monocyte counts (ALC and AMC, respectively) at day +15, +30, +60, and +100, and outcomes data were pooled from two prior independent cohorts, and parameters were correlated with leukocyte graft content in those individuals receiving peripheral blood progenitor cell grafts. 216 consecutive patients from 2001–2010 were included in the analysis. Neither infused allograft lymphocyte, monocyte, granulocyte, nor CD34+ cell number per kilogram recipient body weight correlated with haematologic recovery parameters or overall survival in this cohort. Prognostic factors for overall survival based on multivariate analysis were as expected from the results of the previous independent cohorts and included severity of chronic GVHD (p 0.3 x 109 cells/L (p = 0.0015), and day +100 ALC > 0.3 x 109 cells/L (p < 0.001). Low monocyte and lymphocyte counts at the day +60 and day +100 time points were significantly associated with acute GVHD and/or CMV viraemia. This study suggests that graft cell count does not influence post-transplant monocyte and lymphocyte recovery following T-cell replete allogeneic peripheral blood HCT. Post-transplant complications such as acute GVHD and/or CMV viraemia negatively influenced monocyte and lymphocyte recovery, and hence the survival. Further studies aimed at understanding the mechanisms behind sustained lymphopenia and monocytopenia post-transplant are needed.
De facto language education policy through teachers’ attitudes and practices: a critical ethnographic study in three Jamaican schools

Using Jamaica, a former British colony where Jamaican Creole (JC) is the mass vernacular but Standard Jamaican English is the official language, as an illustrative case, this critical ethnographic study in three Jamaican schools examines the theoretical and practical challenges of language education policy (LEP) development and implementation in English-lexified Creole contexts where official recognition of the mass vernacular is absent and politically contentious; standard language ideology is pervasive; language boundaries are blurred; linguistic self-identification does not match actual language use; and language attitudes are deeply entrenched and contradictory. Data were collected and analyzed through classroom observations of six teachers over 9 months, interviews, demographic questionnaires, and curricular documents. Findings reveal conflicting teacher attitudes towards JC, and classroom practices heavily influenced by national examinations, that created a de facto LEP. Teachers simultaneously resisted and appropriated dominant linguicist ideologies in a Creole-speaking environment in response to actual vernacular language use in classrooms, adding a more complicated agentive dimension to Shohamy’s (Language policy: hidden agenda and new approaches. Routledge, New York, 2006) framework linking ideologies to LEP through institutional structures.
Improvements to laboratory-scale maize wet-milling procedures

Abstract The wet milling of maize is difficult to study in the laboratory because some of the required separation steps are challenging to implement at bench-scale. This work was conducted to develop an improved 100-g wet-milling procedure that better models the industrial process. Several separation steps were modified from previously reported methods. Among the changes, germ was recovered by a flotation/skimming technique that is normally used on larger-scale procedures. Starch was recovered by tabling, but the flow profile at the end of the table was changed to reduce gluten settling and the partitioning and pumping of slurry fractions was changed to allow the tabling process to begin immediately after fiber recovery. Gluten was dewatering directly on the table overflow, and starch was recovered from the table before drying. These modifications eliminated some problems associated with other procedures, e.g. the scraping of tabled starch to reduce protein contamination, the loss of germ due to size reduction, and the separate recovery of coarse and fine fiber fractions. Compared with routine tabling methods, the modified method used in this work produced starch with less protein (0.42 versus 0.55% for the maize variety tested); however, the improvement was achieved at the expense of a slightly lower starch yield (64.4 versus 65.4%). Standard deviations for the product yields were 0.28% for starch, 0.27% for gluten, 0.24% for fiber, 0.13% for germ, and 0.07% for total solubles. The procedure will be beneficial for some maize wet-milling experiments.
Cerebellar Cortical Molecular Layer Inhibition Is Organized in Parasagittal Zones

Molecular layer inhibitory interneurons generate on-beam and off-beam inhibition in the cerebellar cortex that is hypothesized to control the timing and/or spatial patterning of Purkinje cell discharge. On- and off-beam inhibition has been assumed to be spatially uniform and continuous within a folium. Using flavoprotein autofluorescence optical imaging in the mouse cerebellar cortex in vivo, this study demonstrates that the inhibition evoked by parallel fiber and peripheral stimulation results in parasagittal bands of decreases in fluorescence that correspond to zebrin II-positive bands. The parasagittal bands of decreased fluorescence are abolished by GABA(A) antagonists and reflect the activity of molecular layer interneurons on their targets. The same banding pattern was observed using Ca2+ imaging. The bands produce spatially specific decreases in the responses to peripheral input. Therefore, molecular layer inhibition is compartmentalized into zebrin II parasagittal domains that differentially modulate the spatial pattern of cerebellar cortical activity.
An experimental evaluation of the assumption of independence in multiversion programming

N-version programming has been proposed as a method of incorporating fault tolerance into software. Multiple versions of a program (i.e. `N') are prepared and executed in parallel. Their outputs are collected and examined by a voter, and, if they are not identical, it is assumed that the majority is correct. This method depends for its reliability improvement on the assumption that programs that have been developed independently will fail independently. An experiment is described in which the fundamental axiom is tested. In all, 27 versions of a program were prepared independently from the same specification at two universities and then subjected to one million tests. The results of the tests revealed that the programs were individually extremely reliable but that the number of tests in which more than one program failed was substantially more than expected. The results of these tests are presented along with an analysis of some of the faults that were found in the programs. Background information on the programmers used is also summarized.
Ets transcriptional regulation of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor in neuroblastomas.

Abstract Background We have demonstrated that gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) binds specifically to its cell surface receptor, GRP-R, to act as an autocrine/paracrine growth factor for neuroblastomas (NBs); an increased expression of GRP-R was found in more advanced-stage NBs. Ets family proteins are nuclear targets for intracellular kinase pathways that can lead to cell proliferation; however, a potential role of Ets in the expression of GRP-R in NBs is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to determine whether Ets regulates transcriptional activity of GRP-R in NBs. Methods We identified multiple DNA-binding sites for various nuclear transcription factors in the proximal (ie, 263 bp) GRP-R promoter. Luciferase assay was performed to measure GRP-R promoter activity that contained site-specific mutations of various binding elements. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay was performed to determine transcription factor–binding activity. Results Mutation of a consensus Ets-binding site in the GRP-R promoter significantly decreased GRP-R promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated a decrease in Ets nuclear protein–binding activity. Furthermore, overexpression of Ets1 resulted in upregulation of GRP-R promoter activity. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that Ets is a transcription factor that significantly contributes to the GRP-R transcription in NBs. This finding may allow us to develop novel molecular tools to downregulate expression of GRP-R and hence inhibit mitogenic effects of GRP in NBs.
Congenital Bronchoesophageal Fistula in the Adult

The clinical details of a 60-year-old woman with bronchoesophageal fistula is reported. This lesion probably persists into adulthood because initial pulmonary symptoms are mild and are not fully investigated. Cine esophagogram is recommended, on review of the literature, to be the most rewarding diagnostic procedure.
Indoor Air Quality Investigation: Experience with a Questionnaire Survey Instrument

Abstract Industrial hygienists are increasingly being called upon to evaluate indoor air quality concerns. NIOSH has developed an initial assessment protocol that includes a worker survey questionnaire, a building characterization, and a walk-through survey. This initial assessment may be followed by environmental monitoring. The results of administering the NIOSH worker survey questionnaire at a midwestern community-college building are reported. The instrument was administered to 104 nonsupervisory workers and 74 were returned. Data are reported on environmental concerns and health symptoms by building area. Air dryness and lack of air circulation appear to be the top problems. Headaches were reported by nearly 30 percent of respondents, followed by throat irritation (16.2 percent), dry skin, and dry eyes. Building characterization, walk-through surveys, and environmental monitoring were not conducted here. Uses of these data are illustrated, including cross-tabulation of environmental concerns and eval...
Transfer Factor: Delayed Hypersensitivity to Schistosoma mansoni and Tuberculin in Macaca mulatta

Delayed hypersensitivity in Macaca mulatta infected with either Schistosoma mansoni or mycobacteria was demonstrated by biopsies of skin test sites. Both dialyzable and nondialyzable leukocyte extracts from infected donors transferred delayed hypersensitivity to recipient monkeys. In two recipients, skin test conversion was associated with in vitro transformation of the recipients' lymphocytes.
Recognition and Management of Major Vessel Injury during Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States. Injury to a major retroperitoneal vessel occurs in 0.3% to 1.0% of procedures, most commonly during laparoscopic entry while placing the Veress needle or primary trocar. Fatal outcome can be related to massive gas embolism or exsanguination. Recommended treatment for gas embolism can range from supportive measures to external chest compression and insertion of a central line to withdraw gas from the right side of the heart. Recommended treatment of major vessel injury with massive hemorrhage consists of rapid laparotomy and control of hemorrhage using direct pressure until a surgeon experienced in vascular procedures arrives. When a major vessel injury occurs in a surgical facility distant from a medical center and without an available surgeon with vascular experience, based on the trauma literature, we recommend temporary control of blood loss using abdominal packing and closure (i.e., "damage control surgery") and judicious resuscitation (i.e., "damage control resuscitation") before transportation to a medical center.
The academy and the world

A n ironic result of the demand for "relevance" in the 1960s is the academy's increasing irrelevance as we enter the 1990s. The Tenured Left has substituted a zany political ideology for genuine scholarship, rendering their work worse than useless. The larger world still consults professors in the natural sciences, economics, law, and business, but apart from those fields, who any longer pays attention to what professors think? Yet the professors have none to blame but themselves. It has become a truism that in the social sciences all the interesting work is now being done in think tanks. Younger academic social scientists are not producing studies of the type-original, penetrating, and of unmistakable social significance---once published by such academics as Nathan Glazer and Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Instead, they wander the tangled paths of neo-Marxist obscurantism. The case is even worse in the humanities. No longer can the academy boast such figures as Lionel Trilling and Jacques Barzun, whose criticism and scholarship illuminated literary and cultural issues for the entire educated public. (Barzun, though still active-his latest book is reviewed in this issue-is emeritus.) Instead, universities pay professorial "stars" six-figure salaries to write unreadable arabesques of "theory," to propound a form of criticism that instead of illuminating major texts "deconstructs" them, and to offer courses on Westerns and Mafia movies or on Shakespeare's sexism and racism rather than on his profundity and artistry. Those who doubt that the academy's isolation is self-imposed need only observe what happens when it is given a chance to become relevant. The authors most influential outside the academy are the least fashionable within; and when the relevant can be neglected no longer, the knights of orthodoxy react swiftly, punishing any who dare speak to issues that matter in words that can be understood. Examples of each of these two strategies--neglect and punishment---come readily to mind. Why have academic critics neglected the work of the eminent Peruvian
Electroencephalographic analysis of cortico-muscular coherence: reference effect, volume conduction and generator mechanism.

Abstract Objective : To measure the synchrony between cortical and muscle oscillatory activities, the coherence estimate between EEG and EMG was computed. Methods : The multichannel electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) of the right abductor pollicis brevis muscle were recorded in 5 normal volunteers. Various types of EEG derivation methods were systematically compared to establish a standard method to study cortico-muscular coupling. Results : The use of a reference-free EEG derivation (current source density) greatly improved cortico-muscular coherence. In all subjects, EEGs over the left sensorimotor cortex were coherent with EMG (mean peak frequency: 18.7 Hz, mean highest coherence: 0.124). The time lag from cortex to muscle in 14–50 Hz was 14.3 ms. EEG source derivation revealed that both radial and tangential generators in the precentral cortex might contribute to this phenomenon. In the EEG signals using common average reference, an artifactual coherence peak over the medial frontal area was observed, which might largely be explained by volume conduction from the primary sensorimotor cortex. Conclusions : We conclude that the current source density or its approximation is preferable to estimate the cortico-muscular coherence and that the interpretation of such coherence using referenced EEGs should be taken with care.
OPTICAL KERR EFFECT SPECTROSCOPY OF LIQUID WATER : ROLE OF FLUCTUATING ELECTRONIC POLARIZABILITY

The third-order nonlinear nuclear Kerr response of liquid water is studied via molecular dynamics computer simulations. By employing the TAB/10 potential model recently developed in our group, the ...
Fundoplication and gastrostomy in familial dysautonomia.

Fundoplication with gastrostomy has become a frequent treatment for patients with familial dysautonomia, so we evaluated the use of both procedures in 65 patients. Although patients differed widely in presenting signs and age, from 5 weeks to 40 years, gastroesophageal reflux was documented in 95% of patients by cineradiography or pH monitoring. Panendoscopy was a useful adjunct. Preoperative symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux included vomiting, respiratory infections, and exaggerated autonomic dysfunction. Severe oropharyngeal incoordination frequently coexisted and resulted in misdirected swallows with aspiration, dependence on gavage feedings, or poor weight gain and dehydration. Follow-up after surgical correction ranged from 3 months to 11 years; 55 patients (85%) were available for a 1-year postoperative assessment. We had no instances of surgical death. The long-term mortality rate was 14%, primarily related to severe preexisting respiratory disease. Beyond the first postoperative year, 30 patients had pneumonia attributed to continued aspiration, exacerbation of prexisting lung disease, or recurrence of gastroesophageal reflux. Of 11 patients who vomited postoperatively, six had recurrence of reflux. Recurrence of gastroesophageal reflux was documented in eight patients (12%), and we revised the fundoplication in three patients. The number of patients with cyclic crises was reduced from 18 to 7; retching replaced overt vomiting in all but two of these seven patients, neither of whom had recurrence of reflux. Because oropharyngeal incoordination was prominent, concomitant use of gastrostomy and an antireflux procedure was especially effective in the treatment of younger patients with familial dysautonomia, before the development of severe respiratory disease. Despite the development of severe morning nausea in 15 patients, the combination procedure resulted in significantly improved nutritional status, decreased vomiting, and decreased respiratory problems. Appropriate use of gastrostomy feedings also contributed to success of the operation. The generally good outcome of fundoplication with gastrostomy confirms the benefit of this procedure in familial dysautonomia.
Miniature Hybrid Preamplifier for CdTe Detectors

Aeronutronic Ford has developed a rugged, miniature, room temperature operable, gamma ray detector package containing a CdTe photon detector, a charge amplifier and a pulse shaper circuit. Photon detection efficiencies between 10% and 40% are achieved for various photon energies between 100 KEV and 1000 KEV in a detector area of .032 square inches. The resuling package weights ~8 grams and occupies ~0.1 cubic inch. Prototypes have been tested for aging and temperature effects on gamma detection efficiency. The intended application of the device is calibrated gamma ray counting in a warm environment while subjected to high intensity acoustic and vibration stresses as well as very large linear accelerations.
The utility of considering interpersonal problems in the assessment of bulimic features

Previous research suggests that heterogeneity in bulimic features can be explained in part by pathoplastic, or varying, interpersonal problems. The present study compared groups of women with bulimic features (N=110) defined by varying interpersonal problems (warm-dominant, warm-submissive, cold-submissive, or cold-dominant) with regard to comorbid psychopathology, personality characteristics, and the influences of dietary restraint and negative affectivity on bulimic psychopathology. As predicted, group differences were not explained by severity of eating-related pathology, socially desirable responding, or the interpretability of interpersonal profiles, although groups unexpectedly differed in depressive symptoms. The warm-submissive group had highest scores on adaptive personality characteristics, including, agreeableness, extraversion, and conscientiousness. As hypothesized, the influence of negative affect and dietary restraint on bulimic symptoms differed as a function of interpersonal style, perhaps suggesting that interpersonal problem heterogeneity may mark different etiological pathways for bulimic psychopathology. Finally, interpersonal problems incremented bulimic features in predicting depressive symptoms. Overall, these results highlight the added value of considering pathoplastic interpersonal problems in addition to clinical diagnoses in the assessment of eating disorders.
Water Sorption by Dry Milk Solids. II. The Relation Between Volume Contraction and the Degree of Sorption

Summary 1.The volume contraction of dry milk solids prepared by different processing treatments was determined after different amounts of water had been added to the dry material. 2.From these data, curves were constructed which, when extrapolated to zero water concentration and zero contraction, gave values for maximum volume contraction and for maximum degree of sorption for each sample. 3.The maximum volume contractions at zero water concentration ranged from 42.6 cubic mm. per gram of dry material to 57.5 cubic mm. for the atmospheric roll-process samples, and from 69.2 cubic mm. per gram to 102.0 cubic mm. for the spray-process samples. These values correspond to degrees of sorption, expressed as percentage of the weight of the solids, respectively, as follows: 15.1 per cent, 18.5 per cent, 23.9 per cent and 36.3 per cent. 4.The volume contraction/degree of sorption ratio was found to be 2.88±.06 cubic mm./l per cent sorption, which compares with the expected value of 3–4 cubic mm./l per cent sorption. It is suggested that the reason for the low value for this ratio lies in the hydration of lactose in solution, with no accompanying volume contraction within the limits of concentration used here.
#TwitterSearch: a comparison of microblog search and web search

Social networking Web sites are not just places to maintain relationships; they can also be valuable information sources. However, little is known about how and why people search socially-generated content. In this paper we explore search behavior on the popular microblogging/social networking site Twitter. Using analysis of large-scale query logs and supplemental qualitative data, we observe that people search Twitter to find temporally relevant information (e.g., breaking news, real-time content, and popular trends) and information related to people (e.g., content directed at the searcher, information about people of interest, and general sentiment and opinion). Twitter queries are shorter, more popular, and less likely to evolve as part of a session than Web queries. It appears people repeat Twitter queries to monitor the associated search results, while changing and developing Web queries to learn about a topic. The results returned from the different corpora support these different uses, with Twitter results including more social chatter and social events, and Web results containing more basic facts and navigational content. We discuss the implications of these findings for the design of next-generation Web search tools that incorporate social media.
On the modified convergence of some continued fractions of Rogers-Ramanujan type

Abstract In this paper, the modified convergence of three Rogers-Ramanujan type continued fractions is established. These results are companions to well-known continued fraction identities of Rogers and Ramanujan and of Gordon. In the course of proving these modified convergence results, a simple and unified treatment of many partition identities of Rogers-Ramanujan type is proved using two q -series transformations.
Staging of Soft Tissue Sarcoma: What Is New?

In this issue of the journal, Drs. Lahat, Pollock, and their colleagues from the MD Anderson Cancer Center present ‘‘New perspectives for staging and prognosis in soft tissue sarcoma’’. What is new is in the eyes of the beholder. Ten years ago there was an editorial addressing similar issues. Is 10 years a short time or a long time? In millennia it is of no consequence, in a professional life time it may be 25%. What is clear is that we as a profession are hard to convince and slow to change. It has long been known that staging of soft tissue sarcoma is not a precise science. Early attempts to divide staging by grade and size resulted in small, less than 5 cm, high-grade lesions being included in stage III with a 5-year survival of approximately 20%. This was recognized and subsequently changed, and depth as superficial or deep incorporated. Unfortunately, large high-grade superficial tumors are rare and distort the staging system. This was recognized and it was suggested that size be further characterized into 10 cm ranges. This is addressed in the Lahat manuscript, identifying that size differentiation can be improved by categorizing size as 15 cm. What may be new is the ‘‘confirmation’’ that a twograde system described more than 20 years ago is as precise as our imprecision can get! The inapplicability of conventional staging to other than extremity lesions is also confirmed. Attempts at characterizing individual outcomes by site utilizing nomograms have been developed. Attempts to improve nomograms by utilizing siteor histology-specific nomograms has been a further important but incomplete development. As the present authors point out, local recurrence is an important risk factor for sarcoma-specific survival, as described earlier by one of the co-authors. Additional nomograms looking at survival following local recurrence have been developed, emphasizing the importance of the time variability of most prognostic factors, and offer some prospects for better prognostication. The present contribution by Dr. Pollock and his colleagues reinforces observations that have been made in the past. Once again, it seems we have the information but we move awfully slowly in utilizing it for patient care and management.
The impact of peer pressure on the verbally expressed drug attitudes of male college students.

Peer pressure was shown to have a powerful influence on the verbally expressed drug attitudes of the undergraduate male sample. Subjects exposed to a group which consistently espoused either conservative (antidrug) or liberal (pro-drug) attitudes toward the personal use of drugs were highly likely to conform to the groups' attitudinal norms (p < 0.001). Effects of natural peer groups are discussed along with recommendations for primary prevention programming and further research.
Synthesis of l-fructose

Abstract l -Sorbose ( 1 ) was converted into methyl 4,6- O -isopropylidene-α- l -sorbofuranoside, which was tosylated to give methyl 4,6- O -isopropylidene-1,3-di- O - p -tolylsulfonyl-α- l -sorbofuranoside. Removal of the isopropylidene protecting group and formation of a 3,4-anhydro-ring afforded methyl 3,4-anhydro-1- O - p -tolyl-sulfonyl-α- l -tagatofuranoside, which was converted into l -fructose ( 7 ) by acid hydrolysis. In an alternative, facile synthesis, 1 was converted, in the presence of tin(II) chloride as a catalyst, into 1,2:4,6-di- O -isopropylidene-α- l -sorbofuranose. Selective removal of the 4,6- O -isopropylidene group, followed by formation of a 3,4-anhydro ring afforded 3,4-anhydro-1,2- O -isopropylidene-α- l -tagatofuranose. Opening of the anhydro ring by base catalysis and removal of the 1,2- O -isopropylidene group yielded 7 .
Optimization of an Integrated Energy Storage Scheme for a Dispatchable Wind Powered Energy System

The intermittency of wind and solar power and the mismatch between when they are available and when demand is high have hindered the expansion of these two primary renewable resources. The goal of this research is to analyze an integrated energy system (named DSWiSS for dispatchable solar wind storage system) that includes a novel configuration of wind and solar together with compressed air energy storage (CAES) that is driven from excess nighttime wind energy and thermal storage energized by concentrated solar power in order to make these sources dispatchable during peak demand.This paper builds off prior published work for the DSWiSS configuration with an analysis of actual historical meteorological data for West Texas solar insolation, generation output data for a wind farm in West Texas, recorded electricity demand data of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid, and historical temperature data for West Texas to assess system performance. In this analysis, a comparison approach was taken by optimizing both the operation of a conventional CAES facility that does not incorporate wind and solar directly and the operation of a CAES facility directly coupled to a wind farm, which will be referred to as CAES-plus-Wind. Dynamic parameters for wind generation, electricity price, and ambient temperature were utilized in the optimization models.Through the use of optimization models and the incorporation of a thermodynamic model of the CAES equipment, we found that in each season the electricity price is a key factor in determining whether the facility stores or generates energy. For the CAES equipment, the summer season yields the highest profits primarily because of the larger spread between highest and lowest daily price for electricity. Even though profits for the CAES equipment in the other seasons are small or negative, it appears that the value of the facility in the summer is greater than the costs in the other three seasons combined. Additionally, we found that the value of directly coupling the CAES facility to a wind farm versus operating the two entities separately yielded no significant increase in profits. Lastly, this analysis did not attempt to quantify the possible increase in wind farm generation output that could result from reduced curtailment with the use of an energy storage system such as is proposed in this paper. This additional source of revenue could be a major contributor to the economic justification for large scale energy storage.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Public Perceptions in the Last Frontier: Alaska Native Satisfaction with the Police

The present study examined citizen satisfaction with police in Anchorage, Alaska. Using data collected through a city-level victimization survey, White and Alaska Native/American Indian perceptions were contrasted, controlling for other relevant factors such as level of neighborhood disorder, prior victimization, and age. Results showed that Alaska Natives/American Indians held more favorable views of the police than White residents. A possible explanation is offered, which takes into account the nature of law enforcement in rural Alaska.
Quantitative ultraviolet spectroscopy in weathering of a model polyester–urethane coating

Abstract Spectroscopy was used to quantify the effects of ultraviolet light on a model polyester–urethane coating as it degraded in an accelerated exposure chamber. An explorative calculation of the effective dosage absorbed by the coatings was made and, depending on the quantum yield chosen to represent the damaging processes, was found to follow an accelerating trend with exposure period that may permit estimation of a service lifetime by spectroscopy. The accelerating trend was due to an increase in the absorption “yellowing” tail as degradation proceeded. Quantification as an “Urbach” tail, and the underlying electronic transition by an analysis due to Tauc et al., showed that the Urbach energy was consistent with values found elsewhere. It is possible that, for this urethane at least, any explanation of “yellowing” may not require the development of specifically yellow chromophores.
The effect of operant-conditioning balance training on the down-regulation of spinal H-reflexes in a spastic patient

Spasticity in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients has primarily been treated pharmacologically. However, there is increasing evidence that physical rehabilitation can help manage hyper-excitability of reflexes (hyperreflexia), which is a primary contributor to spasticity. In the present study, one chronic hemiparetic stroke patient operantly conditioned the soleus H-reflex while training on a balance board for two weeks. The results showed a minimal decrease in the Hmax-Mmax ratio for both the affected and unaffected limb, indicating that the H-reflex was not significantly altered with training. Alternatively, paired-reflex depression (PRD), a measure of history-dependent changes in reflex excitability, could be conditioned. This was evident by the rightward shift and decreased slope of reflex excitability in the affected limb. The non-affected limb decreased as well, although the non-affected limb was very sensitive to PRD initially, whereas the affected limb was not. Based on these results, it was concluded that PRD is a better index of hyperreflexia, and this measurement could be more informative of synapse function than simple H-reflexes. This study presents a novel and non-pharmacological means of managing spasticity that warrants further investigation with the potential of being translated to the clinic.
OVERVIEW OF THE TOXICOLOGY OF BENZENE

(2000). OVERVIEW OF THE TOXICOLOGY OF BENZENE. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A: Vol. 61, No. 5-6, pp. 339-346.
Ability Beliefs, Task Value, and Performance as a Function of Race in a Dart-Throwing Task

In the sport and physical activity literature, there has been a recent burgeoning of interest in the relation between individuals’ motivational beliefs and achievement outcomes, particularly concerning the predictive strength of motivational constructs on achievement (Wigfield & Eccles, 1992, 1994; Wigfield, Eccles, & Rodriguez, 1998). Duda and Allison (1990) pointed out that cultural or racial elements should be included in the study of motivation in sports and physical activity. Graham (1994) further stressed the importance of identifying the influential role of race and cultural variables on motivation. Considering that achievement motivation and outcomes vary as a function of one’s racial and cultural background, researchers have suggested conducting comparative studies in students’ motivation and physical performance based on race (Harrison, 1999, 2001). Although historically there has been limited research on achievement motivation and behavioral determinants between African American students and White American students (Graham, 1994), racial differences in sport, physical activity, and physical activity motivational beliefs (i.e., competence beliefs, self-schemata) are routinely reported (Goldsmith, 2003, 2004; Harrison, 1999, 2001; Harrison, Lee, & Belcher, 1999). Generally, these differences depend on how African Americans and White Americans perceive the sports or activities. In basketball, for example, racial differences tend to favor African American students, because basketball is viewed as a stereotypically African American sport (Harrison, 1999). These racial stereotypes also have an effect on activity choices. For example, many physical educators express feelings of exasperation when their African American students, particularly male students, express their desire to engage exclusively in basketball (Harrison & Belcher, 2006).
Using the reactive strength index modified to evaluate plyometric performance.

The ability to develop force quickly is a requisite ability in most sports. The reactive strength index (RSI) has been developed as a measure of explosive strength and is derived by evaluating jump height divided by ground contact time during the depth jump (DJ). At present, the RSI is typically used to evaluate DJ performance, because it is the only plyometric exercise with an identifiable ground contact time. The purpose of this study was to introduce a modification of the RSI (RSImod) that can be used to evaluate the explosive power of any vertical plyometric exercise. This study will also assess the reliability of the RSImod, evaluate the RSImod of a variety of plyometric exercises, and examine gender differences. Twenty-six men and 23 women served as subjects. Subjects performed 3 repetitions for each of 5 plyometric exercises including the countermovement jump (CMJ), tuck jump, single-leg jump, squat jump, and dumbbell CMJ. Data were analyzed using a 2-way analysis of variance to evaluate differences in RSImod between the plyometric exercise and the interaction between plyometric exercise RSImod and gender. The analysis of RSImod revealed significant main effects for plyometric exercise type (p 0.05). Results of pairwise comparisons indicate that the RSImod is statistically different between all plyometric exercises studied. Intraclass correlation coefficients indicate that RSImod is highly reliable for all of the exercises studied. The RSImod offers a highly reliable method of assessing the explosiveness developed during a variety of plyometric exercises.
Poly(A)-mRNA deprimerones in rat liver and Novikoff hepatoma cells.

The poly(A)-mRNA fraction isolated by chloroform deproteinization of liver polysomes and poly(U)-Sepharose chromatography contains a low molecular weight (≃1000) peptidic fraction. The peptides which we suggested to call deprimerones (1) were extracted with 80% ethanol at pH 9.5; after ethanol evaporation, they were purified on Sephadex G-25 column as a fraction of mol. wt. between 1600 and 600, yielding about 9 mg/mg mRNA. If deproteinization is performed with phenol-chloroform the yield is about 2 mg/mg mRNA. In Novikoff hepatoma the yield of the same preparation is only 2.7 mg/mg mRNA (about 70% decrease). The obtained deprimerones are active in inhibiting transcription of thymus DNA withE. coli RNA polymerase and [3H]-GTP by about 90% at a ratio peptide/DNA = 2. For comparison the deprimerones obtained previously (2) by extraction of deproteinized DNA inhibit transcription only by about 50% at the same peptide/DNA ratio.
Short-term mesofauna responses to soil additions of corn stover biochar and the role of microbial biomass

Abstract Biochar additions have been suggested to influence soil microbial communities that, through a cascade effect, may also impact soil fauna. In turn, any direct biochar effects on fauna can influence microbial communities through grazing, physical fragmentation of organic debris (and biochar) and modifying soil structure. If biochar creates a favorable environment for soil microorganisms, it is also plausible for fauna to be attracted to such microbially enriched habitats. However, how soil fauna respond to biochar addition to soil and what are the main factors that drive their behavior has rarely been experimentally addressed. Therefore, the behavior of two mesofauna species was assessed as a result of corn stover biochar (slow pyrolysis at 600 °C) additions to a loamy temperate soil, after preincubation for 2, 17, 31 and 61 d, and related to variations in microbial biomass and activity. Microbial biomass increased by 5–56% and activity by 6–156% with increasing biochar rates for the different preincubation times. Over the incubation time, microbial biomass did not change or increased at most 15% with the different biochar rates, while in turn microbial activity decreased steadily (around 70–80% at day 61). Enchytraeids generally did not show avoidance or preference to biochar when provided with an alternative unamended soil, while collembolans often showed avoidance responses. However, collembolan avoidance to biochar decreased or disappeared in biochar mixtures with higher microbial biomass and water extractable NH4-N content, agreeing with the plausible role of microorganisms to potentially attract soil fauna after biochar applications. Avoidance response was mainly explained by environmental preferences of the test species and not by any toxic effect of the biochar in this study. However, avoidance after the application of biochar may still need to be considered due to the potential negative impacts of individuals’ migration on soil ecosystem functioning.
Promoting child and adolescent mental health in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: The pandemic of HIV/AIDS is actually a composite of many regional and national-level epidemics. The progress made in many parts of the developed and developing world is tempered by the continued devastating consequences of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This review focuses on the ways in which children and adolescents are impacted by the epidemic, giving particular attention to their mental health. Methods: A health promotion framework is adopted to guide analysis. Three issues are covered: prevention of HIV infection, care and treatment of children infected with HIV, and care of children whose caregivers are ill or have died of AIDS. Existing reviews and literature search engines were used to review the scientific literature, focusing on the past five years. Results: Preventive interventions continue to manifest limited benefits in behavioral changes. More complex causal models and improved behavioral measures are needed. In the African context, the time has come to view pediatric AIDS as a chronic disease in which the mental health of caregivers and children influences important aspects of disease prevention and management. Increasingly sophisticated studies support earlier findings that social and psychological functioning, educational achievement and economic well-being of children who lose parents to AIDS are worse than that of other children. Conclusions: Important changes are taking place in SSA in increased access to HIV testing and antiretroviral therapies. To be effective in promoting mental health of children and adolescents, interventions require a more fundamental understanding of how to build HIV competence at personal and community levels. A key recommendation calls for the design and execution of population-based studies that include both multilevel and longitudinal features. Such rigorous conceptual and empirical investigations that assess the capacities of children are required to mobilize children, families and communities in comprehensive actions plans for prevention, treatment and care in response to the enduring HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Quantitative measurements of the coronoid in healthy adult patients

Purpose We investigated the hypothesis that a quantitative 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) modeling technique that can measure size, shape, and proximal articular surface area can be used to develop formulas that could predict the volume and proximal surface area of the intact coronoid based on anatomical and demographic data available in patients with fracture of the coronoid process. Methods We used a consecutive series of 50 CT scans with a slice thickness of 1.25 mm or less obtained in patients with fracture of the distal humerus, but no injury to the coronoid, to create 3-dimensional models. The volume and articular surface area of the coronoid were measured, and predictive formulas were based on anatomical measurements. We calculated gender using multiple linear regression. Results There were significant correlations between total coronoid volume and coronoid articular surface area for coronoid width, radial neck diameter, radial head diameter, height, weight, and gender. Multiple linear regression modeling with the factors radial head diameter, radial neck diameter, coronoid width, height, weight, and gender resulted in formulas that could account for 71.8% of the variation in coronoid volume and 66.2% of the variation in coronoid articular surface area. The average relative percent difference was 1.32% for the coronoid volume and 0.68% for the coronoid articular surface area. Conclusions The volume and articular surface area of the coronoid can be estimated based on anatomical measurements and gender. This may lead to better estimates of lost fragments when modeling the fractured coronoid and CT scan of the opposite limb is not available.
Lower extremity neuromotor function and short-term ambulatory potential following in utero myelomeningocele surgery.

Objective: To evaluate lower extremity neuromotor function (LENF) and short-term ambulatory potential following fetal myelomeningocele (fMMC) closure. Methods: Re
Test particle calculations of pick-up ions in the vicinity of comet giacobini-zinner

Ionization of cometary neutral molecules produces ions which are picked-up by the solar wind. The cometary ion pick-up process for Comet Giacobini-Zinner is studied using a test particle method in which trajectories are numerically calculated for several thousand ions whose initial locations were chosen randomly with probability proportional to the neutral density. The cometary ion distribution function was calculated at several locations upstream of the bow shock. Several types of magnetic fluctuations were included. Circularly and linearly polarized monochromatic waves result in less pitch-angle scattering of pick-up ions than turbulent fluctuations which have about the same amplitude. Some anisotropy remains in the distribution function just upstream of the shock, even for the turbulent fluctuations.
An Interactive Database Supporting Virtual Fieldwork in an Environmental Engineering Design Project

This work presents an interactive simulation software package for delivering an environmental engineering design project. The primary goal of the effort is to supplement theory-based course content with a complex and relevant design project, and to do so without increasing student course loads or placing excessive time demands on instructors. An additional goal for research-based instructors is to provide an efficient mechanism for infusing current research findings and experimental techniques into the curriculum. The software that administers the design project is called Interactive Site Investigation Software (ISIS). This paper summarizes the rationale for the development of ISIS, outlines the instructor-generated input required by ISIS, and details current ISIS features. These features allow students to drill boreholes, collect core samples, construct wells, collect groundwater samples, submit samples for laboratory analysis, and execute hydraulic and transport experiments at a virtual hazardous waste site. Initial feedback on the usability and usefulness of ISIS was generally positive, and the automated data requisition and dispensation substantially reduced the project's administrative demands on the instructor. Common student complaints pertained to controlled access to the software in the face of deadline pressure, uncertain expectations regarding their work product, and the need for real-time advice.
A Longitudinal Investigation of Posttraumatic Growth in Adult Patients Undergoing Treatment for Acute Leukemia

An acute leukemia diagnosis can be an extremely stressful experience for most patients. Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is positive psychological change experienced following a struggle with highly challenging life circumstances. The current study is the first longitudinal investigation of predictors of PTG and distress in adult acute leukemia patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. Findings suggest that these patients report PTG, and levels of PTG appear to increase over the weeks following leukemia diagnosis and induction chemotherapy. Variables associated with higher total PTG scores over time included greater number of days from baseline, younger age, and greater challenge to core beliefs. Variables associated with higher distress included greater number of days from baseline, greater perceived cancer threat, higher symptom severity, and lower spiritual well-being. Results underscore the critical role that examination of one’s core beliefs may play in the development of PTG over time.
Theoretical Tolerance Stackup Analysis Based on Tolerance Zone Analysis

In this paper, both dimensional tolerance stackup and geometrical tolerance stackup in one-, two-, and three-dimensions are theoretically analysed. The tolerance analysis in this study is based on the analysis of tolerance zones. The manufacturing errors are classified into two general types, locating errors and machining errors. Generative formulation of tolerance stackup is explored. A simulation example of 3D geometrical tolerance stackup is illustrated.