cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
O07.6 Exploring the role of sex and sexual experience in predicting american indian adolescent condom use intention using protection motivation theory

Introduction Worldwide, indigenous communities including American Indian(AI) youth in the United States experience poor sexual health outcomes. Inconsistent condom use among AI youth is a primary factor driving these inequalities. The Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) is valuable in explaining condom use intention (CUI) among youth and can inform the development of interventions to improve CUI and actual condom use. This analysis identifies factors of the PMT across sex and sexual experience, for predicting CUI among AI youth. Methods 267 AIs ages 13–19 from one reservation community completed a self-report measuring sociodemographic variables, psychosocial intentions and behaviours and PMT constructs (self-efficacy, response efficacy, response cost, intrinsic reward, extrinsic reward, severity, and vulnerability). Analyses were conducted using generalised estimating equation regression models, Poisson for dichotomous. Results Mean age was 15.1 years, 56% were girls and 22% sexually experienced. Among inexperienced youth, belief condoms prevent HIV, perceived severity of HIV and extrinsic rewards of sex were significantly associated with CUI. Among girls and boys, belief condoms prevent HIV, vulnerability to HIV and extrinsic rewards were significantly associated with CUI. Perceived severity was associated with CUI among boys and intrinsic rewards among girls. Conclusion This is the first study to examine PMT constructs by sex and sexual experience among AI youth. Among all but sexually active youth, PMT factors were associated with CUI indicating utility for the PMT in predicting CUI among AI youth. Results indicate HIV prevention programs may be more impactful if tailored by sex and sexual experience; among AI boys and inexperienced youth, knowledge about consequences of unsafe sex may be beneficial while addressing factors associated with internal satisfaction from sexual risk behaviours may be efficacious for girls. Programs addressing factors associated with CUI by sex and sexual experience may be more efficacious in reducing risk behaviours among AI youth.
Suppression of MAPK signaling in BRAF-activated PTEN-deficient melanoma by blocking β-catenin signaling in cancer-associated fibroblasts.

Summary Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment have been associated with formation of a dynamic and optimized niche for tumor cells to grow and evade cell death induced by therapeutic agents. We recently reported that ablation of β-catenin expression in stromal fibroblasts and CAFs disrupted their biological activities in in vitro studies and in an in vivo B16F10 mouse melanoma model. Here, we show that the development of a BRAF-activated PTEN-deficient mouse melanoma was significantly suppressed in vivo after blocking β-catenin signaling in CAFs. Further analysis revealed that expression of phospho-Erk1/2 and phospho-Akt were greatly reduced, effectively abrogating the activating effects and abnormal cell cycle progression induced by Braf and Pten mutations. In addition, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) -like process was also suppressed in melanoma cells. Taken together, our data highlight an important crosstalk between CAFs and the RAF-MEK-ERK signaling cascade in BRAF-activated melanoma, and may offer a new approach to abrogate host-dependent drug resistance in targeted therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Optimizing dosing in navigation interventions across the cancer continuum: A planned secondary data analysis from the Patient Care Connect implementation.

174Background: Patient navigation programs in cancer care have historically focused on assisting persons to overcome barriers to accessing care. Evidence is emerging to support the impact of naviga...
Clinicopathologic characteristics of poorly differentiated chordoma.

Chordoma is a rare malignant tumor of bone with high morbidity and mortality. Recently, aggressive pediatric poorly differentiated chordoma with SMARCB1 loss has been described. This study summarizes the clinicopathologic features of poorly differentiated chordoma with SMARCB1 loss in the largest series to date. A search of records between 1990–2017 at MGH identified 19 patients with poorly differentiated chordoma. Immunohistochemical stains were evaluated. Kaplan–Meier survival statistics and log-rank (Mantel Cox) tests compared survival with other subtypes. The patients (n = 19) were diagnosed at a median age of 11 years (range: 1–29). Tumors arose in the skull base and clivus (n = 10/19; 53%); cervical spine (n = 6/19; 32%); and sacrum or coccyx (n = 3/19; 16%). The clinical stage of these patients (AJCC 7e) was stage 2A (n = 7/16; 44%); stage 2B (n = 6/16; 38%); stage 4A (n = 1/16; 6%); and stage 4B (n = 2/16; 13%). The tumors were composed of sheets of epithelioid cells with nuclear pleomorphism, abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, and increased mitoses. Tumors were positive for cytokeratin (n = 18/18; 100%) and brachyury (n = 18/18; 100%). Patients were treated with a combination of excision, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. No difference in overall survival, progression free survival, local control time, and metastasis free survival was identified between poorly differentiated chordoma of the skull base and of the spine. Compared to other chordoma subtypes, poorly differentiated chordoma has a significantly decreased mean overall survival after stratification by site (p = 0.037). Pediatric poorly differentiated chordoma has a distinct clinical and immunohistochemical profile, with characteristic SMARCB1 loss and decreased survival compared to conventional/chondroid chordoma. Recognition of this subtype is important because these malignancies should be treated aggressively with multimodality therapy.
Case report: presentation of delayed tracheal perforation after hemithyroidectomy

Hemithyroidectomy is a low-risk, outpatient procedure commonly performed for benign and some small, differentiated thyroid malignancies. Delayed tracheal perforation following thyroid surgery is exceedingly rare and has previously only been reported after total thyroidectomy. We describe a 25-year-old patient who underwent an unremarkable right hemithyroidectomy to remove a 4-centimeter fine needle aspiration cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodule, and presented 4 weeks later with acute anterior neck swelling and subcutaneous emphysema after strenuous exercise. Computed tomography showed pockets of air tracking along a right lateral tracheal wall irregularity on the operative side. Flexible tracheobronchoscopy identified a corresponding pinhole-sized defect. A bedside neck exploration was performed with drain placement. The patient was restricted to limited activity for 4 weeks, and recovered uneventfully. Surgeons who perform thyroid surgery must be aware of the possibility of delayed tracheal perforation after hemithyroidectomy. Conservative management may be appropriate for the stable patient.
Enhanced Mutant Compensates for Defects in Rhodopsin Phosphorylation in the Presence of Endogenous Arrestin-1

We determined the effects of different expression levels of arrestin-1-3A mutant with enhanced binding to light-activated rhodopsin that is independent of phosphorylation. To this end, transgenic mice that express mutant rhodopsin with zero, one, or two phosphorylation sites, instead of six in the WT mouse rhodopsin, and normal complement of WT arrestin-1, were bred with mice expressing enhanced phosphorylation-independent arrestin-1-3A mutant. The resulting lines were characterized by retinal histology (thickness of the outer nuclear layer, reflecting the number of rod photoreceptors, and the length of the outer segments, which reflects rod health), as well as single- and double-flash ERG to determine the functionality of rods and the rate of photoresponse recovery. The effect of co-expression of enhanced arrestin-1-3A mutant with WT arrestin-1 in these lines depended on its level: higher (240% of WT) expression reduced the thickness of ONL and the length of OS, whereas lower (50% of WT) expression was harmless in the retinas expressing rhodopsin with zero or one phosphorylation site, and improved photoreceptor morphology in animals expressing rhodopsin with two phosphorylation sites. Neither expression level increased the amplitude of the a- and b-wave of the photoresponse in any of the lines. However, high expression of enhanced arrestin-1-3A mutant facilitated photoresponse recovery 2-3-fold, whereas lower level was ineffective. Thus, in the presence of normal complement of WT arrestin-1 only supra-physiological expression of enhanced mutant is sufficient to compensate for the defects of rhodopsin phosphorylation.
Indigenous Parasitoids of Bemisia in the USA and Potential for Non-Target Impacts of Exotic Parasitoid Introductions

Surveys to document the presence and species composition of native natural enemies were conducted prior to the introduction of non-indigenous agents against sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci biotype B, in the USA. Agricultural officials surveyed for the presence and natural enemies of B. tabaci in eight southeastern states, and researchers in Florida, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, and California conducted separate surveys of regional crops and other whitefly infested plants. General survey procedures in each area were similar and involved the periodic collection of Bemisia-infested foliage from a wide range of crops, weeds, ornamentals, and other native plants. In California deserts, surveys also included other whitefly species on host plants sharing habitats with host plants of B. tabaci. The greatest diversity of native parasitoid species attacking B. tabaci was reported in Florida, due perhaps to the diversity of invasive whitefly species established in Florida. Only two or three parasitoid species were responsible for the majority of parasitism of B. tabaci within any given region of the USA. The predominant species attacking B. tabaci prior to the introduction of new Palearctic parasitoid species were Eretmocerus tejanus (in Texas), Eretmocerus eremicus (Arizona and California), Eretmocerus sp. (undescribed, southeast USA), Encarsia pergandiella/Enc. tabacivora (southeastern USA and Texas), and Encarsia luteola (southwestern USA). Trialeurodes abutiloneus was the only other whitefly species regularly found on the same herbaceous, annual host plants utilized by B. tabaci, and it is a natural reservoir for many of the indigenous parasitoids that attack B. tabaci in much of the southern USA. Parasitoids reared from other whitefly species found on native desert vegetation were not the same species as those occurring on 1 USDA-ARS, Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit, 501 South Chapel Street, Newark, DE 19713-3814 2 University of Florida, Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences, Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, 14625 CR 672, Wimauma, FL 33598 3 USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology Laboratory, 22675 N. Moorefield Rd, Edinburg, TX 78451-9398 J. Gould et al. (eds.), Classical Biological Control of Bemisia tabaci in the United States. 307 © Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008 308 K.A. Hoelmer et al. B. tabaci and T. abutiloneus. At the time of latest surveys in 2001 (California) and 2003 (Texas), the exotic species that were introduced have remained limited to their intended target, B. tabaci.
In Vivo19F NMR

The field of in vivo NMR, made possible by the development of FT NMR techniques and large-bore stable superconducting magnets, has grown steadily in the last two decades. The increasing number of papers in this field has spawned several journals dedicated exclusively to the topic. New techniques and improved instrumentation allow an ever-increasing variety of NMR experiments which address significant in vivo questions.
Cyanate Ester/Epoxy Co-Curing System with Thermal Stabilizers for High Temperature Stability

With the development of next generation high power electronic devices, high temperature stability requirements of packaging materials are becoming more stringent. Therefore, demands for high performance epoxy molding compounds (EMCs) are ever increasing. EMCs are widely used as electronic packaging materials for their excellent properties, such as strong adhesion and good chemical resistance. However, EMCs generally fail under high temperature and exhibit degradation of properties due to thermo-oxidative aging. Incorporation of cyanate ester into epoxy system significantly increases the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of epoxy matrix for EMC. In this study, antioxidants are added into cyanate ester/epoxy co-curing system as thermal stabilizers to alleviate the thermo-oxidative degradation. The effects of two different phenol antioxidants are evaluated.
Abstract WP423: Adiponectin and Components of Metabolic Syndrome are Associated With Cortical Thickness: The Northern Manhattan Study

Objective: Examine the association of adiponectin and metabolic syndrome components with measures of global and lobar cortical thickness. Background: Metabolic syndrome has been associated with str...
Farnesol induces fatty acid oxidation and decreases triglyceride accumulation in steatotic HepaRG cells.

Abstract Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is manifested by hepatic accumulation of triglycerides (TG) and is commonly associated with metabolic syndrome. The isoprenoid farnesol (FOH) modulates lipid metabolism and reduces hepatic TG content in rodents. This effect involves activation of at least two nuclear receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and farnesoid X receptor. We evaluated the effects of FOH (100 μM) in a cellular model of human hepatic steatosis by loading hepatocyte-like HepaRG cells with oleic acid (OA, 0.66 mM). FOH treatment decreased OA-induced TG accumulation by ~25%. Using PCR arrays, we found that FOH treatment modulated the mRNA levels of several lipid-metabolizing enzymes, both alone and when cells were loaded with OA. While FOH activated PPARα and the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), most of the FOH-mediated effects on lipid-metabolizing genes could be attributed to activation of PPARα. In OA-loaded HepaRG cells, FOH increased fatty acid oxidation, which was accompanied by up-regulation of PPARα target genes involved in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, including hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase/3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase/enoyl-CoA hydratase and acetyl-coenzyme A acyltransferase 2. These effects on gene expression were lost when the cells were co-treated with the PPARα antagonist, GW6471. OA treatment alone decreased the mRNA levels of the drug-metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A2, 2B6, and 3A4, and increased CYP2E1 expression, all of which were attenuated by FOH co-treatment. These findings show that FOH treatment increases fatty acid oxidation and decreases TG accumulation in steatotic HepaRG cells, which is likely attributable to PPARα-mediated induction of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation.
A National Conversation About Race? Political Discussion Across Lines of Racial and Partisan Difference

Dialogue about race-based topics is essential to combat prejudice, foster mutual understanding, and improve race relations. This study describes the extent to which political conversations—especially those about race-related topics—are taking place within and across racial and political groups. This national survey with a Black oversample found racially diverse discussion networks to be more likely among Blacks than Whites, but politically diverse networks to be more likely among Whites than Blacks. Blacks were more likely than Whites to talk about race-related topics such as police treatment of Blacks (and less likely about several topics not explicitly tied to race), but by no means did Whites entirely avoid race-related topics, even in their same-race discussions. Moreover, there was evidence that discussion in cross-race dyads affected the mix of topics Whites and Blacks discussed, revealing the potential for cross-race interaction to alter political agendas. Rather than being less likely to talk about police treatment of Blacks with Blacks, Whites were more likely to discuss this topic when in mixed-race dyads, while Blacks talked about it less often with Whites than with other Blacks. Findings are discussed in the context of political disagreement and intergroup contact theory.
Telemedicine Experiences of Athletic Trainers and Orthopaedic Physicians for Patients With Musculoskeletal Conditions

CONTEXT Telemedicine is the delivery of medical care from a distance using technology. The integration of telemedicine as a supplement to musculoskeletal-based patient encounters may be feasible in sports medicine. OBJECTIVE To investigate health care professionals' perceptions of and experiences with telemedicine. DESIGN Cross-sectional explanatory sequential mixed-methods study. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS A purposeful sample of 17 athletic trainers from a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institution and 5 orthopaedic physicians from a sports medicine clinic located 92 miles from the campus. INTERVENTION(S) Participants were trained on the telemedicine platform and used it over 5 months for initial, follow-up, and discharge patient encounters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Participants completed a preintervention survey containing the Theory of Planned Behavior and Technology Acceptance Model tool. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an independent-samples t test. After the intervention period, participants completed individual semistructured interviews that we coded using the consensual qualitative research tradition. RESULTS From the interviews, the clinicians were characterized as telemedicine adopters (n = 14) or nonadopters (n = 8). The adopters reported higher levels of agreement on the Theory of Planned Behavior and Technology Acceptance Model tool as compared with nonadopters for all constructs. When comparing adoption status, we identified a difference (P < .01), with nonadopters reporting a low level of agreement for the subjective norm construct. The interviews revealed 5 domains: integration challenges, integration opportunities, collaborative practice, anticipatory socialization to future use, and benefits of integration. The participants indicated that integration challenges centered on "buy in," whereas opportunities aligned with the patient's condition and technology ease of use. They reflected that the telemedicine encounters required more preparation and yet allowed for cooperative behaviors between clinicians. The benefits of telemedicine included convenience and scheduling preferences that encouraged future use. CONCLUSIONS The integration of telemedicine in sports medicine brought about both challenges and opportunities for collaboration among athletic trainers and physicians that were heavily predetermined by the social pressures of colleagues.
Predictors and In-Hospital Outcomes Among Patients Using a Single Versus Bilateral Mammary Arteries in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

The benefit of bilateral mammary artery (BIMA) use during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) continues to be debated. This study examined nationwide trends in BIMA use and factors influencing its utilization. Using the National Inpatient Sample, adults undergoing isolated multivessel CABG between 2005 and 2015 were identified and stratified based on the use of a single mammary artery or BIMA. Regression models were fit to identify patient and hospital level predictors of BIMA use and characterize the association of BIMA on outcomes including sternal infection, mortality, and resource utilization. An estimated 4.5% (n = 60,698) of patients underwent CABG with BIMA, with a steady increase from 3.8% to 5.0% over time (p
Recognizing the work of women

The history of vertebrate paleontology, like that of other scientific disciplines, has traditionally been told and shaped through a masculine filter. Annalisa Berta and Susan Turner aim to rectify this bias, and their new book, Rebels, Scholars, Explorers, is a stepping stone along that path, synthesizing observations about the past, present, and future of women9s contributions in the field. The book is the first major effort to bring the work of several centuries9 worth of silenced people to light. Any such endeavor will inevitably have gaps, but it will also serve as a reference for future projects—particularly with regard to premodern individuals, details about whom are often much harder to track down.
Prescribing Habits of Providers and Risk Factors for Nonadherence to Opioid Prescribing Guidelines.

BackgroundThe Michigan Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network introduced guidelines in October 2017 to combat opioid overprescription following various surgical procedures. We sought to evaluate cha...
PDC Modules for Every Level: A Comprehensive Model for Incorporating PDC Topics into the Existing Undergraduate Curriculum

We propose to give a half-hour presentation on incorporating PDC topics into our existing undergraduate computer science curriculum. We first describe our experience with single-course and cross-curricular undergraduate PDC education since 1997. We then provide details about our proposed model for incorporating PDC topics into our undergraduate curriculum. To this end, we have distilled a set of consistent, regularly offered and required three-week core and advanced PDC modules from our previously offered PDC content. Keywords-Computer science education, parallel and distributed computing education, concurrency, distributed computing, distributed systems, parallel computing, curriculum design, programming methodology, CSE, PDC
Structure of teeth in mature ovarian teratoma

MATERIAL AND METHODS The authors investigated three mature ovarian dermoid cysts that were found to contain atypically developed teeth (one tooth in one cyst; 2 teeth in another cyst, and a set of 8 teeth with jawbone fragments in the third one). Their structure was examined using the epoxy resin plastination technique to obtain plastinated sections. RESULTS Some of these teratomous teeth have obvious signs of alteration in both dentin and enamel, which may be referred to as fluorosis or macular enamel hypoplasia in one case whereas other sections indicate a caries lesion. CONCLUSION These facts are contradictory to the concept of the exogenous nature of dental caries, which is accepted in dentistry.
Resistance and DNA Repair Mechanisms of Cancer Stem Cells: Potential Molecular Targets for Therapy

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are small subpopulations of cells within tumors that are intricately related to both de novo and acquired resistance to conventional therapies leading to tumor recurrence and metastasis. A majority of cancers initially respond to chemotherapeutic agents, as well as radiation therapy, but eventually develop resistance. An increased understanding of CSCs has led to the discovery that current treatments target the differentiated cancer cells leaving the CSCs unscathed due to their robust signaling pathways. Further, maintenance of genomic fidelity is important for normal functioning and survival of cells, including cancer cells and the CSCs. In this chapter, we will discuss several such pathways/phenomena which help CSCs resist therapies. These include increased quiescence and up-regulated drug transporters, activated DNA repair mechanisms and activation of several key cellular signaling pathways (Fig. 3.1). A better understanding of these resistance pathways is a necessary prerequisite towards the ultimate goal of developing novel strategies specifically targeting CSCs. Better designed therapies could ultimately reverse their resistance and thereby eliminate the potential of tumor recurrence and metastasis.
A generalization of the Baum algorithm to rational objective functions

The well-known Baum-Eagon (1967) inequality provides an effective iterative scheme for finding a local maximum for homogeneous polynomials with positive coefficients over a domain of probability values. However, in a large class of statistical problems, such as those arising in speech recognition based on hidden Markov models, it was found that estimation of parameters via some other criteria that use conditional likelihood, mutual information, or the recently introduced H-criteria can give better results than maximum-likelihood estimation. These problems require finding maxima for rational functions over domains of probability values, and an analog of the Baum-Eagon inequality for rational functions makes it possible to use an E-M (expectation-maximization) algorithm for maximizing these functions. The authors describe this extension. >
Auditor-provided tax services and long-term tax avoidance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the association between auditor-provided tax services (APTS) and long-term corporate tax rates. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses empirical data and multivariate regression models to explore the relationship between a firm’s use of APTS and their long-term effective tax rate. Findings – An economically and statistically significant long-term negative relationship was found between firm levels of APTS and taxes paid. Further, a portion of this benefit is lost for some firms when returning to their auditor for tax services even after a short break. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the debate regarding the value of APTS by providing evidence of the apparent long-term negative consequences to firms who reduce their reliance on APTS, perhaps even through the engagement of separate accounting firms for their audit and tax functions, although these consequences may be mitigated upon return with a significant increase in APTS. However, th...
Normal processes for modeling the desired behavior of distributed autonomous discrete event systems

In this paper, we formulate a class of language-based specifications for modeling the desired behavior of a system of distributed autonomous discrete event systems. We model system behavior using a formal language-based representation of a process. We identify singularity and congruence as inherent constraints on processes in such systems. We define normal processes to be those that are both singular and congruent, and show that normal processes are well-behaved. In particular, they possess a necessary characteristic for conversion into automaton-based models, i.e., they can be uniquely represented by a formal language.
Improvement in Left Atrial Appendage Velocities Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement is Associated with Better Outcome in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis

advanced LV diastolic dysfunction (moderate to severe) and impaired longitudinal LV systolic function (S’#6cm/sec) were noted to be the only independent predictors of HF among all the variables (Figure 1). Conclusions: HFpEF is the predominant form of HF in HTN HCM. Impaired longitudinal LV systolic function and advanced diastolic dysfunction on Echo are the independent predictors of HF in HTN HCM. These markers can provide guidance in HF management of HTN HCM.
Vegetation removal and seed addition contribute to coastal sandplain grassland establishment on former agricultural fields

Creating native-species-rich grasslands to replace agricultural grasslands can be an important strategy for supplementing the area of grasslands, which are in decline in many regions. In the northeastern United States, sandplain grasslands support a diverse plant community and rare plant and animal species that are declining because of reductions in historical disturbances such as fire and grazing. We designed an experiment on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, to test methods of establishing native-species-rich coastal sandplain grassland on former agricultural land. We tested the efficacy of: (1) tilling, herbicide, hot foam, and plastic cover in removing initial nonnative vegetation, and (2) combinations of tilling and seeding for establishing native species. We measured native and nonnative species richness and percent cover before and for 5 years after treatment. Herbicide, plastic cover, and spring, summer, and fall tilling were about equally effective in reducing nonnative species cover and promoting native species cover. Tilling and seeding each increased native species richness and percent cover, and seeding and tilling together increased native species richness and cover more than either treatment alone. Combined seeding and disturbance also reduced the cover of nonnative species, but nonnative species cover remained higher than in adjacent reference sandplain grassland. Results indicated that native species establishment was enhanced by the availability of seeds and by reduction of initial nonnative plant cover. The most efficient method of converting coastal agricultural grasslands to sandplain grassland with a higher number and proportion of native species is a single season of plant removal and seeding.
Review of international modeling literature: transit, land use, and auto pricing strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions.

As the media document evidence of global climate change and the debate over humans' role in precipitating this change ended, California led the nation by passing the first global warming legislation in the United States. California is tasked with reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The California Air Resources Board estimates that significant GHG reductions from passenger vehicles can be achieved through improvements in vehicle technology and the low carbon fuel standard; however, these reductions will not be enough to achieve 1990 levels if current trends in vehicle km traveled (VKT) continue. Currently, most operational regional models in California have limited ability to represent the effects of transit, land use, and auto pricing strategies; efforts are now under way to develop more advanced modeling tools, including activity-based travel and land use models. In the interim, this paper reviews the international modeling literature on land ...
Status of two-color and large format HgCdTe FPA technology at Raytheon Vision Systems

Raytheon Vision Systems (RVS) is developing two-color and large format single color FPAs fabricated from molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) grown HgCdTe triple layer heterojunction (TLHJ) wafers on CdZnTe substrates and double layer heterojunction (DLHJ) wafers on Si substrates, respectively. MBE material growth development has resulted in scaling TLHJ growth on CdZnTe substrates from 10cm2 to 50cm2, long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) DLHJ growth on 4-inch Si substrates and the first demonstration of mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) DLHJ growth on 6-inch Si substrates with low defect density ( 70% quantum efficiency, diffusion limited reverse bias dark currents below 300pA and RA products (zero field-of-view, +150mV bias) in excess of 1×103 Ωcm2. Two-color 20μm unit-cell 1280×720 MWIR/LWIR FPAs with pixel response operability approaching 99% have been produced and high quality simultaneous imaging of the spectral bands has been achieved by mating the FPA to a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) with Time Division Multiplexed Integration (TDMI). Large format mega pixel 20μm unit-cell 2048×2048 and 25μm unit-cell 2560×512 FPAs have been demonstrated using DLHJ HgCdTe growth on Si substrates in the short wavelength infrared (SWIR) and MWIR spectral range. Recent imaging of 30μm unit-cell 256×256 LWIR FPAs with 10.0-10.7μm 78K cut-off wavelength and pixel response operability as high as 99.7% show the potential for extending HgCdTe/Si technology to LWIR wavelengths.
Language preference and its relationship with reading skills in English and Spanish

A dearth of research has investigated the language preference of bilingual childhood populations and its subsequent relationship to reading skills. The current study evaluated how a sequential bilingual student's choice of language, in a particular environmental context, predicted reading ability in English and Spanish. The participants were Latino children ranging in age from 7 years, 5 months, to 11 years, 6 months, with 43% born in the United States. Results showed a relationship between a child's higher English language preference for media and for communication with others outside the family and better reading skills in English. Language preference differences predicted reading abilities better for English than for Spanish. Results suggested that sequential bilingual children's language preference may be a useful marker of English language (second language [L2]) facility and use that is related to their reading proficiency or influences the development of English reading skills in such bilingual children in the United States. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 44: 171–181, 2007.
Lightweight kernel/user communication for real-time and multimedia applications

Operating system enhancements to support real-time and multimedia appl ications often include specializations and extensions of kernel functionality, as with the kernel HTTP daemon (khttpd) in Linux, for instance. To enable efficient and flexible interactions of such extensions with user-level functionality, we have developed ECalls, a lightweight, bidirectional kernel/user event delivery facility, which not only supports the timely delivery of events, but it also reduces the cost and frequency of kernel/user boundary crossings. ECalls is a communication tool that allows (a) kernel extensions to register their offered services and (b) applications to register their interest in these services. Using ECalls, applications use lightweight system calls to generate events, while kernel extensions raise real-time signals or invoke handler functions (residing in either user or kernel space), or they may use kernel threads to handle events on behalf of applications. ECalls can also influence the CPU scheduler such that a process with pending events is given preference over other processes. To demonstrate its utility, this paper implements an I/O event delivery mechanism using ECalls. This mechanism is shown to improve the performance of two applications: a distributed video player and a web server.
The influence of domain knowledge on the functional capacity of working memory

Theories of expertise have proposed that superior cognitive performance is in part due to increases in the functional capacity of working memory during domain-related tasks. Consistent with this approach Fincher-Kiefer et al. (1988), found that domain knowledge increased scores on baseball-related reading span tasks. The present studies extended those findings using span tasks with independent storage and processing components, and manipulating which component was related to baseball, to determine the source of functional working memory advantages due to domain knowledge. Only when the storage component was related to baseball, and participants were made aware of that relation, did domain knowledge lead to increases in performance on a domain-related span task. The results are discussed in relation to a Long Term Working Memory explanation of expert performance Ericsson and Kintsch (1995), but also show that the relevance of domain knowledge may need to be explicitly recognized to expand the functional capacity of working memory.
Development of endocochlear potential and compound action potential in the rat.

Abstract The present study was designed to investigate the developmental changes of the endocochlear potential and compound action potential simultaneously from rat pups of various ages. Animals were anesthetized with ketamine/xylazine, and the endocochlear potential was measured with a glass microelectrode. At the same time, a wire electrode was placed on the round window to record the click-evoked compound action potential. The endocochlear potential was found to be very low during the first few days of postnatal life. A rapid increase in the value of the endocochlear potential was noted between eleven and thirteen days of age, and adult-like values were recorded by seventeen days of age. Compound action potential responses were recorded at thirteen days of age to high intensity clicks, followed by a progressive improvement of thresholds and reduction of latencies. The development of the endocochlear potential and compound action potential was found to be reciprocally related — as the magnitude of the endocochlear potential increased, the compound action potential threshold declined with increasing age. The development of the endocochlear potential was found to closely approximate the development of enzymatic activity of sodium, potassium-ATPase in the stria vascularis reported by Kuijpers (1974).
Differential Resource Utilization by the Sexes of Dioecious Plants

The distribution of male and female plants was examined in five dioecious, wind-pollinated species representing five plant families and two classes (gymnosperms and angiosperms). The arid to semiarid habitats occupied by these species in northern Utah were stratified for sampling into two categories: chronically xeric and seasonally moist. The results show that for all species, males are more abundant on xeric microsites, while females are over represented on the moister parts of each local environment. Differential distribution of the sexes along a soil moisture gradient is a strategy that maximizes seed set of females and pollen dispersal of males; it also tends to minimize intraspecific competition between the sexes.
Trace level organics in hydrofluoric Acid determined by attenuated total internal reflection infrared spectroscopy

Trace levels of organic impurities in the hydrofluoric acid solutions were measured by a multiple internal reflection infrared spectroscopic (MIRIS) technique. The MIRIS utilizes a clean attenuated total reflection (ATR) silicon crystal to extract organic impurities from the HF solutions. An open beam single-channel background spectrum combined with statistical analysis was used to ensure the reproducibility of absorbed organics measurement. The hydrofluoric acid samples were analyzed under an ultrapure nitrogen blanket to avoid airborne organics interferences. The adsorbed organic contaminants were found to randomly orient on the silicon ATR probe surface. A higher level of organic impurities was found in the more concentrated hydrofluoric acid solutions.
Predicting the Outcome of Intensive Care Unit Patients

Abstract Statisticians are being asked with increasing frequency to develop models for occurrences in medical environments. Until recently, only subjective models were available to predict mortality for patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). These models were based on variables and associated weights determined by panels of medical “experts.” This article shows how multiple logistic regression (MLR) can be used to develop an objective model for prediction of hospital mortality among ICU patients. An MLR model to be applied when a patient is admitted to the ICU was developed on 737 ICU patients. The final model is based on the following variables: presence of coma or deep stupor at admission, emergency admission, cancer part of present problem, probable infection, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) prior to admission, age, and systolic blood pressure at admission. To validate this model, a new cohort of 1,997 consecutive ICU patients was entered into the study. Information was collected for the variabl...
Class conflict, state formation and archaism Some instances from ancient Peru

During the last decade, archaeologists have written with steadily increasing frequency about processes of class and state formation that occurred in various precapitalist societies. While some have focused on the origins of states, others have considered the reorganizations that took place in the wake of the expansion of territorially based states. Many acknowledge a causal connection between social stratification and the state, even though they disagree about the nature of the state, social hierarchies and their linkages. While this article adopts an explicitly Marxist interpretation of the interconnections between the processes of class and state formation, on the one hand, and class conflict, on the other, it is also concerned with archaism as a related phenomenon. Its thesis is that archaism - those attempts to imitate or revive past symbols, styles, institutions and practices, to incorporate the old into new contexts - is often an integral feature of class and state formation and the struggles that e...
EFFECT OF LIVER REGENERATION FOLLOWING PARTIAL HEPATECTOMY ON THE UPTAKE OF TRITIATED THYMIDINE IN THE PITUITARY GLAND OF THE RAT.

THE role of the pituitary gland in liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy is not clearly defined. It has been reported that hypophysectomy has no effect on rat liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy1. There are conflicting reports as to the effect of thyroidectomy on rat liver regeneration1,2. Variance of the foregoing reports suggested a necessity for further investigation of the inter-relationship existing between the regenerating liver, pituitary and thyroid glands. In another report from our laboratory, the thyroid gland demonstrated a marked increase in uptake of tritiated thymidine several days after peak incorporation in the regenerating liver following partial hepatectomy3. This communication is concerned with the inter-relation of the anterior pituitary gland and liver regeneration as studied by means of tritiated thymidine incorporation.
Ultrastructural localization of some phosphatases in the prothoracic gland of the insect Leucophaea maderae.

The cytochemical localization of acid phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase activity was studied by light and electron microscopy in prothoracic gland cells of the cockroach Leucophaea moderae. Nymphal and young adult animals were used. Prominent sites of acid phosphatase activity included large membrane-bounded dense bodies or lysosomes, and certain cisternae of the Golgi apparatus. The results suggest a possible difference in the enzymatic activity toward glycerophosphate and aromatic phosphates as substrates. Thiamine pyrophosphatase activity was localized in elements of the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum, and in lysosome-like dense bodies. This latter activity was abolished by sodium fluoride treatment, whereas the phosphatase activity in the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum is unaffected by such inhibition. The cytochemical results confirm through direct evidence the suggestions of Scharrer (1964), that the large dense bodies present in the prothoracic gland cells are lysosomes, and that their activity may be related to stages in the life history of the glands. Furthermore, the lysosomes or their derivative structures may play an essential role in the autolysis of the prothoracic glands toward the end of their active period. The enzymatic activity of the endoplasmic reticulum may indicate the involvement of this organelle in the metabolism of “steroid-like” precursor materials necessary for the synthesis of ecdysone.
PET imaging of HSV1-tk mutants with acquired specificity toward pyrimidine- and acycloguanosine-based radiotracers

Purpose The aim of this study was to create an alternative mutant of the herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) reporter gene with reduced phosphorylation capacity for acycloguanosine derivatives, but not pyrimidine-based compounds that will allow for successful PET imaging.
Thermionic electron emission from nitrogen-doped homoepitaxial diamond

Nitrogen-doped homoepitaxial diamond films were synthesized for application as low-temperature thermionic electron emitters. Thermionic electron emission measurements were conducted where the emission current was recorded as a function of emitter temperature. At a temperature <600 °C an emission current was detected which increased with temperature, and the emission current density was about 1.2 mA/cm 2 at 740 °C. The electron emission was imaged with photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) and thermionic field-emission electron microscopy (T-FEEM). The image displayed uniform electron emission over the whole surface area. Thermionic emission and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy were employed to determine the temperature dependent electron emission energy distribution from the nitrogen-doped homoepitaxial diamond films. The photoemission spectra indicated an effective work function of 2.4 eV at 550 °C. These values indicate reduced band bending and establish the potential for efficient electron emission devices based on nitrogen-doped homoepitaxial diamond.
Conservative long-term treatment of children with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Abstract Background Current treatments of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), including restrictive diets or glucocorticoids, provide only transient improvement. Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use in EoE does not lead to histologic improvement; however, the long-term use of PPI on symptoms and prevention of complications has not been evaluated. Objective To evaluate the use of PPI as maintenance therapy in children with EoE. Methods Eosinophilic esophagitis was diagnosed based on initial endoscopic biopsies and persistent eosinophilic inflammation despite PPI therapy. Inclusion criteria included diagnosis of EoE and PPI use as primary maintenance treatment. Patients were excluded if they were treated with dietary or glucocorticoid therapy. Histologic evidence of inflammation as well as degree of subepithelial fibrosis at presentation was compared with most recent biopsies while receiving PPI therapy. Results Thirty-eight patients (30 males and 8 females; average age 6.7 ± 5.4 years) fulfilled inclusion criteria. Duration of follow-up was 3.0 ± 2.4 years. At presentation, vomiting was significantly more frequent in the younger patients, whereas dysphagia occurred more frequently in the older patients. At follow-up, 26 patients were asymptomatic, and the remaining 12 patients' symptoms were significantly improved. No complications of stricture or food impaction were seen. Significant eosinophilic inflammation persisted in 28 patients. No difference in degree of subepithelial fibrosis at diagnosis compared with most recent biopsies. The z -scores of the treated EoE patients significantly improved. Conclusion Patients with EoE treated with PPIs show an improvement in symptoms and z -scores despite persistent eosinophilic inflammation. PPI treatment may be useful maintenance therapy in children with EoE.
Evaluation of a 254-mm Minimum Length Limit for Crappies in Two Southeast Nebraska Reservoirs

Abstract Wehrspann and Zorinsky reservoirs are located near the largest population center of Nebraska, which has contributed to high fishing pressure and overharvesting of resident populations of black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus and white crappie P. annularis. To protect these popular fisheries and increase angler catch rates, a 254-mm minimum length limit was established on both reservoirs in 1994. Fall trap-net catch rates of black crappies increased 535% in Wehrspann Reservoir (1994–1998) and 721% in Zorinsky Reservoir (1993–1998). Angler catch rates from 1994 to 1998 increased from 0.26 to 2.55 crappies/h in Wehrspann Reservoir and from 0.13 to 0.82 crappies/h in Zorinsky Reservoir. Harvest rates declined below 0.03 crappies/h in both reservoirs. Growth rates declined, age structure increased, and annual mortality remained high in both reservoirs after the limit was implemented. The length limit was successful at protecting the populations and increasing angler catch rates; however, a shift in siz...
Recurrent abdominal abscess secondary to a dropped laparoscopic clip : CT imaging

Since being introduced in 1987, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has quickly become the treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstone disease. Computed tomography is an excellent method to evaluate the laparoscopic patient in whom postoperative complication is suspected.
Reliability modeling of TMR computer systems with repair and common mode failures

Abstract The effect of repair and common-mode failures on the reliability and mean up time of a TMR computer configuration is analyzed and shown to be significant.