cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary: A case–control study

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to compare response to chemotherapy and survival between patients with transitional call carcinoma of the ovary (TCCO) and papillary serous ovarian cancer (PSOC). Methods We identified women with both pure and mixed TCCO who were treated between 2000 and 2010. Each case was matched to two women with PSOC by age, grade, stage, and year of diagnosis. Correlation between categorical variables was assessed with chi square test. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to generate overall survival data (OS). Factors predictive of outcome were compared using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. Results Eighty-one women diagnosed with TCCO were selected as cases and compared to 162 controls. Women with TCCO had a lower rate of platinum resistance compared to controls (9% vs. 25%; p=0.01). When multivariate logistic regression was used to control for other factors independently associated with platinum resistance, patients with TCCO had a significantly lower risk of platinum resistance compared to PSOC. Median progression-free survival was not significantly different (27months vs. 22months; p=0.15) for women with TCCO and PSOC, respectively. Median OS, however, was significantly different at 83months vs. 52months for the TCCO and PSOC groups, respectively (p=0.01). A Cox proportional hazards model identified optimal cytoreduction, transitional cell histology, age, stage, and platinum and paclitaxel chemotherapy as independent predictors of OS. Conclusions Patients with TCCO are less likely to demonstrate resistance to platinum chemotherapy and have improved overall survival when compared to patients with PSOC.
Somatotopic organization of SI corticotectal projections in rats

The somatotopic organization of somatosensory (SI) cortical projections to the deep layers of the superior colliculus (SC) in rats was examined using neurophysiological micromapping methods. Electrical stimulation of SI produced SC unit responses at the same depths as did peripheral tactile stimulation, in SC laminae IV and VI; mapping of corticotectal projections was performed only in lamina IV. Antidromic activation of the pathway revealed that corticotectal cell bodies are located in SI layer V. Corticotectal projections were found to interconnect only those SI and collicular areas which have similar tactile receptive fields.
Optimal designs for treatment—control comparisons in the presence of two-way heterogeneity

Abstract In this paper we shall consider the additive 3 factor linear model such as is used in Latin Square design settings. We seek optimal designs under this model for comparing p test treatments each simultaneously with a control. Conditions under which a design is A-optimal and under which a design is E-optimal are derived and examples given of when these conditions are satisfied. Since E-optimality is a criterion that involves the variances of contrasts other than those of test treatments vs. the control, we show that many E-optimal designs are also optimal under two criteria involving only the variances of test treatments vs. the control contrasts.
Malnutrition was associated with poor quality of life in colorectal cancer : a retrospective analysis

Abstract Background and Objective Malnutrition is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in advanced colorectal cancer, and little is known about its relationship with quality of life (QoL). We investigated the relationship between nutritional status and QoL in colorectal cancer. Methods We examined a case series of 58 stage III–IV colorectal cancer patients treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America ® . Nutritional status was evaluated using laboratory measures of serum albumin, prealbumin, and transferrin, subjective global assessment (SGA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis. QoL was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30). Results The prevalence of malnutrition, as determined by SGA, was 41% (24 of 58). Well-nourished patients had statistically significantly better QoL scores on the global, physical, and role functions compared to malnourished patients. Interestingly, the median role function score in well-nourished patients was 41.6 points higher than the corresponding score in malnourished patients, indicating a "much better" functioning from a patient's perspective. Similarly, QoL scores on multiple symptom scales were statistically significantly better among well-nourished patients. Conclusion This study suggests that malnutrition is associated with poor QoL, as measured by the QLQ-C30 in colorectal cancer.
SU‐FF‐T‐273: Improved Calculation of Energy Spectra From Electron Depth Dose Curves

Purpose: Improve the precision of response functions, account for scatter in air, and significantly reduce the scatter component of the beam. Methods and Materials: (1) The electron depth dose measurements that are used as the reference are an open field (40cm × 40cm) without any applicator. (2) The vacuum in the space between source and phantom has been replaced with air, to account fully for in‐air scatter. (3) The point source simulation with a set of small scoring regions around the central axis has been replaced by a 0.001 cm radius pencil beam simulation on a single 100 cm radius voxel. This is equivalent to a broad beam normally incident on the phantom with small scoring area. The resulting depth dose curves are corrected to a point source with an inverse square law correction. Ds(d) is the simulated dose at depth d in a 100 cm SSD setup. The corrected dose Dc(d) can be found with: Dc(d)=Ds(d)*10,000/(100+d)∧2. Results: The electron depth dose curves simulated with a small pencil beam and large planar scoring regions agree well with those simulated with a point source and small regions after the inverse square law correction has been applied. The simulation times for the pencil beam calculations were shorter by orders of magnitude and the precision is much better. Use of the large field with very low scatter from peripheral components and including the air scatter in the response functions provides for a more realistic estimate of the true spectrum. Otherwise the low energy component is overestimated. Conclusions: The three improvements of the unfolding procedure improve the accuracy of the electron spectra and require less simulation time.
Dopamine transporters are dephosphorylated in striatal homogenates and in vitro by protein phosphatase 1.

Abstract Dopamine transporters (DATs) undergo increased phosphorylation upon treatment of striatal tissue or cultured cells with protein kinase C activators and protein phosphatase inhibitors. Phosphorylation conditions also lead to reductions in dopamine transport activity, which may function to regulate synaptic dopamine levels and control the extent and duration of dopaminergic signaling. Treatment of rat striatal tissue with okadaic acid (OA), a broad-spectrum protein phosphatase inhibitor, produces apparent maximal increases in DAT phosphorylation, suggesting that dephosphorylation is a crucial regulator of the DAT phosphorylation state. We used a combination of endogenous and in vitro approaches to identify the phosphatase(s) responsible for this activity. In homogenates prepared from 32PO4-labeled rat striatal slices, OA inhibited DAT dephosphorylation with an IC50 of 40 nM, a dose most compatible with inhibition of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1). Dephosphorylation of DAT in striatal homogenates was also inhibited by PP1 inhibitor 2, while little effect was produced by protein phosphatase 2A inhibitor 1. In vitro dephosphorylation assays showed substantial removal of 32PO4 from DATs by PP1 but not by protein phosphatase 2A, protein phosphatase 2B, or protein tyrosine phosphatase, and this effect was blocked by OA, verifying that the 32PO4 loss from DAT was due to dephosphorylation. These results demonstrate that DAT is a direct substrate for PP1 in vitro and suggest that PP1 is a major DAT phosphatase in rat striatum.
Rheovibron determination of the dynamic moduli of polymer melts

This article describes the use of the Rheovibron Model DDV-III-B with a parallel plate modification of the sample holders to obtain oscillatory data in the shear mode for several high density polyethylene melts. A detailed analysis of the Rheovibron to obtain the dynamic shear: moduli of polymer melts using the new sample holders is given, as well as a procedure for determining the instrument compliance and inertia parameters which must be considered in analysis of the data. Using the principle of time-temperature superposition, the data are extended to an equivalent frequency range of 1500 rad/sec. These data are compared with those obtained using the Weis-senberg Rheogoniometer Model R-17 for the same polymers. It is concluded that reliable measurements for dynamic shear moduli for polymer melts using the Rheovibron Model DDV-III-B with the modified sample holders can be made for melts with indices of about 5 or less (i.e., zero shear viscosities of 6.0 × 104 poise or greater).
Discriminative vocal conditioning in rhesus monkeys: evidence for volitional control?

Abstract Both emotional and volitional systems are invoked in explaining the control of human vocalizations, but vocal behavior of nonhuman primates is often believed to be totally under emotional control. Monkeys' poor performance on conditioning tasks, especially discriminative conditioning of vocalization (DCV), has been cited as evidence against volitional control. In Experiment 1, rhesus monkeys failed a DCV task in which food was given for vocalizations emitted during an arbitrary visual stimulus, but in Experiment 2, monkeys showed clear discriminative performance when an otherwise comparable shock-avoidance DCV procedure was used. This evidence that monkeys possess some degree of volitional control has implications for the relation between animal vocalizations and the origin of human speech.
Analysis of discrete time queues via the reversed process

A class of discrete-timeM/G/1 queues, including both round robin and last come first served service, in which customers are subject to permutations is considered. These time slotted queues, analogous to the symmetric queues of Kelly, are analyzed by examination of the time reversed process. Product form stationary distributions are found for a type of doubly stochastic server of Schassberger [5] and for a Bernoulli arrival process queue model of Henderson and Taylor [2].
Strategies for overcoming uncertainties in heat exchanger network synthesis

Abstract Current grassroot heat exchanger network design techniques involve a three-task procedure: (a) calculation of the minimum utility consumption; (b) selection of a set of process stream matches that satisfy the minimum utility consumption and minimum units criteria; and (c) derivation of a minimum investment cost heat exchanger network configuration. Section 3 of this paper will present an approach for overcoming the uncertainty associated with the network optimization task that arises from the nonconvexities in the network optimization problem. A global optimum search approach is proposed that decomposes the nonconvex network optimization problem into a set of convex subproblems that represent upper and lower bounds and whose solution can lead to the network configuration with the globally minimum investment cost. Uncertainty arises in the selection of matches task when there are many combinations of matches that satisfy the targeting criteria. When there are many such combinations, exhaustive enumeration may be required to determine the optimal combination. Section 4 presents a decomposition methodology circumventing this uncertainty, based upon a proposed hyperstructure that contains all possible network configurations and process stream matches. This hyperstructure is used to derive a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) formulation that models both the selection of process stream matches and the derivation of a heat exchanger network configuration. A decomposition approach is proposed that efficiently derives the optimal combination of process stream matches and the optimal heat exchanger network configuration.
The Relationships between First- and Second-Order Measures of Cultivation.

In the research literature on the cultivation hypothesis, there are two types of measures: first order and second order. First-order measures require respondents to provide estimates of occurrences. Second-order measures assess respondents’ attitudes. This study seeks to determine whether this measurement distinction results in operationalizations that are independent or related to one another. It was found that the two are related to a weak degree at a general level, but stronger relationships are found on a contingent analysis. Subgroups defined by relevant situational variables and certain general variables (such as IQ and especially age) reveal significant differential patterns of relationships. Also, evidence was found of an asymmetric pattern on several topics where first-order estimates usually form a basis for second-order beliefs.
Air Sampling of Asbestos Dust:—Comparison of Impinger and Electrostatic Precipitator Methods—

(1940). Air Sampling of Asbestos Dust:—Comparison of Impinger and Electrostatic Precipitator Methods— American Industrial Hygiene Association Quarterly: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 5-7.
Latent variables based data estimation for sensing applications

Recovering missing sensor data is a critical problem for sensor networks, especially when nodes duty cycle their activity or may experience periodic downtimes due to limited energy. Fortunately, sensor readings are often correlated across different nodes and sensor types. Among state-of-the-art statistical data estimation techniques, latent variable based factor models have emerged as a powerful framework for recovering missing data. In this paper we propose the use of latent variable models to estimate missing data in heterogeneous sensor networks. Our model not only correlates data across different sensor locations and types, but also takes advantage of the temporal structure that is often present in sensor readings. We analyze how this model can effectively reconstruct missing sensor data when the individual sensor nodes have to duty-cycle their activity in order to extend network lifetime. We evaluate our model on a real life sensor network consisting of 122 environmental monitoring stations that periodically collect data from 13 different sensors. Results show that our proposed model can effectively reconstruct over 50% of missing data with less than 10% error.
Malameba locustae and its antibiotic control in grasshopper cultures

Abstract The trophozoites and cysts of the amoeba Malameba locustae are described, and variations in the size of cysts measured in different preparations and from different host species are reported. The histopathology resulting from direct feeding of the cysts and the probable indirect accumulation of toxins is described. In two series of tests, cyst concentrations in infected grasshoppers were reduced by injecting or feeding triple sulfa antibiotics. The prophylactic use of the antibiotic Thipyrameth in the diet of grasshoppers was the most effective means of amoeba control.
The energy dependence of the Cornell thick-walled ionization chamber☆

Abstract The absolute response of a thick-walled ionization chamber of the Cornell design has been determined in the energy region of 60–322 MeV. The determination is the result of (1) intercomparisons with chambers calibrated absolutely at other laboratories, (2) absolute calibration at two energies at this laboratory, and (3) measurements of the relative energy dependence by pair-spectrometer and Cu 63 ( γ ,n)Cu 62 activation methods. A plot of the results obtained is given and a comparison with the prediction of shower theory is made.
Coronal abundances determined from energetic particles

Solar energetic particles (SEPs) provide a measurement of coronal element abundances that is highly independent of the ionization states and temperature of the ions in the source plasma. The most complete measurements come from large 'gradual' events where ambient coronal plasma is swept up by the expanding shock wave from a coronal mass ejection. Particles from 'impulsive' flares have a pattern of acceleration-induced enhancements superimposed on the coronal abundances. Particles accelerated from high-speed solar wind streams at corotating shocks show a different abundance pattern corresponding to material from coronal holes. Large variations in He/O in coronal material are seen for both gradual and impulsive-flare events but other abundance ratios, such as Mg/Ne, are remarkably constant. SEP measurements now include hundreds of events spanning 15 years of high-quality measurement.
Evidence that low plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D causes intestinal malabsorption of calcium and phosphate in juvenile X-linked hypophosphatemic mice

X-linked hypophosphatemic (Hyp) mice are a model for human sex-linked vitamin D-resistant rickets. We have reported intestinal malabsorption of calcium in young Hyp mice, and in this report we have explored the mechanism for it. To test for resistance of the intestine to 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, this hormone was continually infused via osmotic minipumps into 4-week-old normal and Hyp mice at 0, 17, 50 or 150 ng/kg/day. After 3 days, 45Ca and inorganic 32P were administered by gavage, and the mice were sacrificed on the fifth day. The Hyp mice showed responses to the hormone equivalent to the normal mice in terms of increased intestinal absorption of both 45Ca and 32P, increased plasma isotope levels, increased femoral isotope content, and increased duodenal and renal 9 kD vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein (calbindin-D9K; CaBP). Plasma 1,25(OH)2D was measured in these mice. There were significant correlations of plasma 1,25(OH)2D to the intestinal absorption of 45Ca and 32P and to duodenal and renal CaBP. Plasma 1,25(OH)2D was also measured in stock normal and Hyp mice and was found to be lower in 4-week-old Hyp mice than in 4-week-old normal mice (113 +/- 10 pM (n = 18) vs. 67 +/- 10 (n = 20), normal vs. Hyp, p less than .01), but unchanged at 13 weeks of age (77 +/- 13 (n = 13) vs. 70 +/- 15 (n = 15), NS). This observed difference in plasma 1,25(OH)2D between normal and Hyp mice at 4 weeks of age was sufficient to explain the observed normal-to-Hyp differences in intestinal absorption of 45Ca and duodenal and renal CaBP. It also explained 72 +/- 18% of the observed difference in 32P absorption. We conclude that Hyp mouse intestine is not resistant to 1,25(OH)2D and that the lower plasma 1,25(OH)2D of 4-week-old Hyp mice causes intestinal malabsorption of calcium and phosphate.
TU‐B‐201B‐02: Self‐Sorted Four‐Dimensional CT Using Body Volume as Respiratory Surrogate

Purpose: To develop a self‐sorting four‐dimensional CT (4D‐CT) technique that uses body volume as the respiratory surrogate. Method and Materials: Respiratory signals are determined by the changes in body volume at each slice location as a function of image acquisition time. Respiratory phases were then calculated for each image and used in 4D‐CT retrospective sorting. The technique was validated on an in‐house built motion phantom and tested on a lungcancer patient and a livercancer patient. Self‐sorted 4D‐CT images were compared to the 4D‐CT images generated using Varian's RPM system. Results: Both phantom and patient study revealed excellent agreement in image quality between the self‐sorted 4D‐CT and the Vairan's RPM‐sorted 4D‐CT. Mean difference in amplitude in phantom study is 0.1±0.1mm. Breathing cycles can be clearly seen in all image sets by observing the position changes of tumors and organs(liver, stomach, and kidneys). The fact that the self‐sorted 4D‐CT technique worked well for the tumor in the upper lung region (which typically moves much less than the abdomen regions during the breathing) suggested that the body volume is a sensitive marker of respiration. Small discrepancies do exist between the two sorting methods on the phase‐by‐phase basis. It is difficult, however, to conclude which method has the better image quality. Conclusions: Self‐sorted 4D‐CT using body volume alone as the respiratory surrogate is feasible. Its image quality is comparable to that using Varian's RPM system. This new technique has the potential in reducing 4D‐CT simulation time and increasing patients' comfort while maintaining the same image quality.
Application of the thermodynamics of curved boundary layers to the scaled particle theory of hard-sphere fluids

The thermodynamics of curved boundary layers, with the assumption that the distance between the surface of a fluid cavity and its surface of tension is a quadratic function of the cavity radius, is applied to the exact thermo-dynamic expression forG, the central function of scaled particle theory. The coefficients in the quadratic representation are determined so as to satisfyall five of the known exact conditions onG valid for cavity radii between one-half and one molecular diameter. The results of the calculation are displayed as the hard-sphere equation of state, the boundary tension associated with the surface of tension, and the distance between the cavity surface and the surface of tension. Although the hard-sphere equation of state obtained by this method using all five conditions onG is more accurate than in the case where only two or three conditions are used, the original scaled particle theory, in whichG itself was represented simply by a quadratic function of inverse powers of cavity radius, still yields the more accurate equation of state. Nevertheless, the present approach limits approximations to the distance between the cavity surface and the surface of tension, a small quantity in itself. The path to a still more improved theory remains well defined, contingent upon the discovery of additional exact conditions, and does not depend, as in the original scaled particle theory, on a form forG arrived at in a somewhat ad hoc manner.
Growth chemistry for the fabrication of designer diamonds for high pressure research

We report our observations on the catalytic effect of nitrogen in the growth of diamond on top of a diamond anvil substrate by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition technique. The diamond deposition experiments were carried out by varying the nitrogen content in the range 0–3500 ppm in a standard hydrogen/methane/oxygen plasma. We employ isotopically enriched C-13 methane gas as the source of carbon in the plasma to clearly distinguish the grown diamond layer from the underlying substrate using Raman spectroscopy. The measured diamond growth rate shows a sharp peak at a nitrogen content of 1000 ppm in our growth experiments carried out at 1212°C and atomic force microscopy reveals a dramatic change in surface morphology. Thermodynamic calculations of the plasma show that this growth enhancement could be the result of a competition between the CN and CH3 radicals in the plasma. Finally, we show an application of this ‘unique chemistry’ by synthesizing several designer diamonds with embedded sensors fo...
Cre-lox recombination: Cre-ative tools for plant biotechnology.

Abstract Targeted insertion and the precise deletion of DNA from transgenic plant chromosomes increase the potential of plant biotechnology for commercial applications and basic research. The Cre– lox recombination system is one of the best characterized and most widely used systems for these purposes. Cre– lox has many applications, but it is primarily used for the controlled excision of DNA fragments, in particular selectable marker genes, from the nuclear and chloroplast genomes, and for the targeted insertion of DNA into specific sites in the nuclear genome. Recent developments, including regulated expression of cre and the creative use of wild-type and modified lox sites, have improved the potential of these applications. After almost 15 years of research and development in plants, the Cre– lox system continues to provide an efficient and precise tool for plant biotechnologists.
A system of cognitive stimulation in instructional strategies

Cognitive Stimulation is a system of intrinsic motivation which draws upon neo-behavioral, cognitive, and information-processing theories and upon a body of related research. The essential features of this system are the following: (a) a discrepancy between stimulus input and the learner's expectations for that input, (b) instrumental responses by the learner to reduce the discrepancy, and (c) feedback which may have the effect of maintaining the discrepancy or of reducing it by signalling changes in the environment or by modifying the learner's expectations. Based on this formulation, some important instructional considerations include the “collative content” of the input and the type of expectation which the input violates. In order to maximize their motivational effects, discrepancies must be maintained at optimal levels by manipulating variables such as the total value of the discrepant elements and the degree to which the elements are incompatible. Finally, the motivational impact of discrepancies is subject to the facilitating or debilitating effects of cognitive and personality differences among individual learners. The implications of this system for instructional decision-making were considered in terms of the selection of instructional topics, instructional materials, and instructional strategies.
Advance earthquake warnings

Urban centers can receive a 15-to-30-second advance warning about impending earthquakes if several technical criteria are met, according to a study by Ta-liang (Leon) Teng of the Southern California Earthquake Center and Yih-Min Wu of the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau. The study is published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, vol. 92, no. 5, June 2002). Teng and Wu's system for developing early warnings for earthquakes relies on data from a “virtual sub-network” automatically established when an earthquake triggers a group of nearby seismic stations. That information can then be immediately distributed as an early warning.
Earning and Learning in the British West Indies: an Image of Freedom in the Pre-Emancipation Decade, 1823–1833*

In 1833 slavery was abolished in the British West Indian colonies. A labour system that had been in operation for two hundred years, ended. A campaign based on the concept of freedom came to fruition. The idea of freedom was central to enlightenment thought. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, freedom of movement, a free press, free trade and free labour were all part of enlightenment ideology. The institution of slavery, which limited all freedoms, came under pressure in an enlightened environment. Unlike the ancients who believed there could not be a civilized society without slaves, enlightenment philosophers developed the view that slavery was antithetical to civilization.
MRSA: the first half century

Fifty years ago methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) first revealed themselves to the medical community, having been described in a landmark article published in the British Medical Journal. Among other things, their discovery set off a major response from the scientific and medical professions to control or even eliminate them as major human pathogens. Despite these efforts, however, MRSA have spread throughout the world and a half century after they burst upon the scene they continue to pose major challenges to research scientists and clinicians alike. In a very real sense, this year marks the ‘birthday’ of a remarkably successful pathogen. The major reasons for the ability of MRSA to prosper and cause disease in settings inimical to its survival form the basis of this article.
The thermal stability of rhodopsin and opsin.

Rhodopsin, the red photosensitive pigment of rod vision, is composed of a specific cis isomer of retinene, neo-b (11-cis), joined as chromophore to a colorless protein, opsin. We have investigated the thermal denaturation of cattle rhodopsin and opsin in aqueous digitonin solution, and in isolated rod outer limbs. Both rhodopsin and opsin are more stable in rods than in solution. In solution as well as in rods, moreover, rhodopsin is considerably more stable than opsin. The chromophore therefore protects opsin against denaturation. This is true whether rhodopsin is extracted from dark-adapted retinas, or synthesized in vitro from neo-b retinene and opsin. Excess neo-b retinene does not protect rhodopsin against denaturation. The protection involves the specific relationship between the chromophore and opsin. Similar, though somewhat less, protection is afforded opsin by the stereoisomeric iso-a (9-cis) chromophore in isorhodopsin. The Arrhenius activation energies (Ea) and entropies of activation (ΔS‡) are much greater for thermal denaturation of rhodopsin and isorhodopsin than of opsin. Furthermore, these values differ considerably for rhodopsins from different species —frog, squid, cattle—presumably due to species differences in the opsins. Heat or light bleaches rhodopsin by different mechanisms, yielding different products. Light stereoisomerizes the retinene chromophore; heat denatures the opsin. Photochemical bleaching therefore yields all-trans retinene and native opsin; thermal bleaching, neo-b retinene and denatured opsin.
HathiTrust research center: computational access for digital humanities and beyond

Academic libraries are increasingly looking to provide services that allow their users to work with digital collections in innovative ways, for example, to analyze large volumes of digitized collections. The HathiTrust Research Center (HTRC) is a large collaborative that provides an innovative research infrastructure for dealing with massive amounts of digital texts. In this poster, we report on the technical progress of the HTRC as well as on the efforts to build a user community around our cyberinfrastructure.
High-Normal Blood Pressure and Cognition: Supplying the Missing Data

To the Editor: In the March 2008 issue of Hypertension , Knecht et al1 report that high-normal blood pressure is associated with poor cognitive performance. Predicted means of a global cognitive performance measure were plotted against mean systolic blood pressure (BP; SBP) values for a sample (N=377; mean age: 64 years) defined by the following categories: 170 mm Hg. Cognitive performance decreased from the lowest BP grouping to 160 to 170 mm Hg. This inverse linear relation between SBP and cognition has been described previously.2–4 Knecht et al1 note that the inverse relation between SBP and cognition passes through the reference range of BP values (Figure 2), but they did not relate SBP to cognitive performance in analyses limited …
Vygotsky's Methodological Contribution to Sociocultural Theory:

Educators internationally including those working with children with exceptionalities, are recognizing the importance of sociocultural theory and the role played by Lev S. Vygotsky. This article introduces some of his major contributions through an examination of his methodological approach, which differs from traditional Western approaches in a number of ways. Vygotsky used a dialectical approach to analyze the way that symbol and tool use among early humans led to more complex social interactions and to the development of human consciousness. His investigations provide a methodological approach and a theoretical foundation for understanding the unique developmental paths of children with special needs, and they suggest pedagogical approaches designed to meet these special needs.
Guidelines for Compounding Safe and Uniform Sustained Release Capsules

The development of high-grade hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in the past decade made it possible for individual pharmacists to easily compound capsules that purport to have sustained-release properties. These capsules allow individualized doses and less frequent dosing. But these dosage forms may be harmful to patients if they are not designed and compounded properly. In order to ensure the homogeneity of the capsules, pharmacists must review the physicochemical properties and quality of each capsule ingredient and determine which cellulose derivative and fillers to use. They also must determine appropriate proportions of constituents to ensure sustained-release from the dosage form. After the pharmacist designs the appropriate capsule formulation, the next step is to prepare the sustained release capsules using proper weighing and mixing technique to ensure product continuity. In order to ensure batch to batch uniformity, the source and proportion of specific chemicals used, compounding techniques, and pr...
Surface and bulk modifications to photocrosslinked polyanhydrides to control degradation behavior.

A unique class of surface-eroding polyanhydrides was developed and explored for use in medical applications requiring high-strength biomaterials (e.g., orthopedics). In particular, dimethacrylated anhydride monomers were synthesized that photopolymerize quickly to render densely crosslinked polymer networks that degrade from the surface only by hydrolysis of labile anhydride linkages. Previous research on these materials has shown that the rate of hydrolysis of the degradable linkages is dependent on the hydrophobicity of the network composition. This article demonstrates the versatility in controlling the degradation process and resulting cellular response in these materials through the incorporation of new chemistries and the formation of polymer-polymer composite structures. Specifically, the rate of mass loss was controlled by the addition of hydrophobic linear polymers [e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate)] or monovinyl monomers based on hydrophobic natural components (e.g., cholesterol, steric acid). In addition, a newly established photografting method was used to modify the network surface chemistry with cholesterol- and stearic acid-based polymer grafts to control the degradation front and cellular interactions at the polymer-tissue interface. Finally, a porogen leaching method was used to form porous polyanhydride constructs, which can be subsequently filled with osteoblasts photoencapsulated in a hydrogel, as potential synthetic allograft materials for tissue engineering bone.
Intraabdominal Abscesses: Image-Guided Diagnosis and Therapy

Intraabdominal abscesses may complicate many illnesses including diverticulitis, pancreatitis, and appendicitis, or they may occur during the postoperative period. As new methods of imaging are developed that provide additional information on patients with these abscesses, earlier and more accurate diagnoses can be made, allowing for prompt intervention. With the advent of these new imaging methods, techniques for treatment of abscesses by percutaneous drainage have been developed. In light of these advances, we review the current strategies for the management of intraabdominal abscesses.
Effects of Behavioral Anchors on Peer Evaluation Reliability

This paper presents comparisons of three peer evaluation instruments tested among students in undergraduate engineering classes: a single-item instrument without behavioral anchors, a ten-item instrument, and a single-item behaviorally anchored instrument. Studies using the instruments in undergraduate engineering classes over four years show that the use of behavioral anchors significantly improves the inter-rater reliability of the single-item instrument. The inter-rater reliability (based on four raters) of the behaviorally anchored instrument was 0.78, which was not significantly higher than that of the ten-item instrument (0.74), but it was substantially more parsimonious. The results of this study add to the body of knowledge on evaluating students' performance in teams. This is critical since the ability to function in multidisciplinary teams is a required student learning outcome of engineering programs.
Safety of Selegiline with Cold Medications

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the safety of the coadministration of selegiline with cold medications.DATA SOURCES:Clinical literature accessed through MEDLINE(1965–September 2002), IPA database, and Drug-Reax System. The following search terms were used: selegiline, pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, MAOI, and drug interactions. Somerset Pharmaceuticals, the marketers of Eldepryl (selegiline HCI), were also contacted.DATA SYNTHESIS:Despite a warning against its concomitant use with pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan, interactions with selegiline have not been reported. However, there have been reports of patients experiencing adverse events with related agents.CONCLUSIONS:Patients taking selegiline should try to avoid pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan or use drugs without interaction potential. If selegiline is used with these medications, watch for adverse events or replace selegiline with another drug.
Questionable supervision by physical educators

A student filed a suit against the school district and the physical education teacher after sustaining personal injuries in a game of floor hockey during physical education class.
Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

OBJECTIVE —Studies have demonstrated increased left ventricular mass (LVM) and diastolic dysfunction among diabetic patients without clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD), but few have assessed the potential contribution of subclinical CVD to ventricular abnormalities in diabetes. We examined whether diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and if abnormalities are found with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —LVM, end-diastolic volume (EDV), and stroke volume were measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and atherosclerosis was assessed by coronary artery calcium and carotid intima-media wall thickness in 4,991 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, a cohort study of adults aged 45–84 without prior CVD. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the association between MRI measures and glucose status. RESULTS —Increased LVM was observed in white, black, and Hispanic participants with diabetes but not among Chinese participants. After adjustment for weight, height, CVD risk factors, and subclinical atherosclerosis, ethnicity-specific differences in ventricular parameters were present. Among whites and Chinese with diabetes, LVM was similar to that in normal subjects; EDV and stroke volume were reduced. In blacks with diabetes, EDV and stroke volume were reduced, and LVM was increased (+5.6 g, P P CONCLUSIONS —Ethnicity-specific differences in LVM, EDV, and stroke volume are associated with abnormal glucose metabolism and are independent of subclinical CVD.
Neural Network Estimator for Closed-Loop Control of a Cylinder Wake

The effectiveness of a non-linear Artificial Neural Network Estimator (ANNE) for feedback flow control on the wake of a circular cylinder is investigated in direct numerical simulations. The research program is aimed at suppressing the von Karman vortex street in the wake of a cylinder at a Reynolds number of 100. Various configurations of sensors, varying both number and location, were studied from just one sensor through 4 sensors. A low-dimensional Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) is applied to the flow field velocity and sensor placement is based on the intensity of the resulting spatial Eigenfunctions. The numerically generated data was comprised of 138 snapshots taken over 11 cycles from the periodic regime. A Linear Stochastic Estimator (LSE) was employed to map the velocity data to the temporal coefficients of the reduced order model and results are compared with those obtained using ANNE. All sensor configurations were studied for four different cases, namely, noiseless data and three levels of increasingly degraded data by injection of random noise. For a given four sensor configuration, ANNE was compared to LSE, Quadratic Stochastic Estimation (QSE) and LSE with time delays (DSE). We show ANNE to be far more robust and accurate in comparison to all of these procedures. Nomenclature
Localization of Temporal Lobe Foci by Ictal EEG Patterns

Summary: Identifying patients whose complex partial seizures originate in temporal neocortex rather than in hippocampus is important because such patients have less favorable outcomes with standard anteromesial temporal resections. We reviewed scalp-recorded ictal EEGs of 93 epilepsy surgery candidates who either underwent intracranial EEG monitoring (n= 58) or who were referred directly for temporal lobectomy (n= 35). We defined seven patterns of early seizure discharges, grouped patients according to their seizure pattern, and correlated these with the site of seizure onset determined by intracranial EEG. Categorization by seizure pattern was also compared with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and intracarotid amobarbital (Wada) testing. An initial, regular 5- to 9-Hz inferotemporal rhythm (type 1A) was most specific for hippocampal-onset seizures. Less commonly, a similar vertex/parasagittal positive rhythm (type 1B) or a combination of types 1B and 1A rhythms (type 1C) was recorded. Seizures originating in temporal neocortex were most often associated with irregular, polymorphic, 2- to 5-Hz lateralized activity (type 2A). This pattern was commonly followed by a type 1A theta rhythm (type 2B) or was preceded by repetitive, sometimes periodic, sharp waves (type 2C). Seizures without a clear lateralized EEG discharge (type 3) were most commonly of temporal neocortical origin. These associations between type of seizure pattern and probable site of cerebral origin were statistically significant. MRI and Wada testing did not have as much specificity as ictal patterns in differentiating among seizure origins. We conclude that the initial pattern of ictal discharge on scalp EEG can assist in distinguishing seizures of temporal neocortical onset from those of hippocampal onset. This information can be used to identify patients for invasive monitoring.
State Policy Innovativeness Revisited

How do the American states vary in their propensity for innovativeness, or their willingness to adopt new policies sooner or later relative to other states? Most studies today use event history ana...
Radar Sensor Wireless Channel Modeling in Foliage Environment: UWB Versus Narrowband

In this paper, we study the radar sensor wireless channel modeling in foliage environment, a rich scattering and time-varying environment, based on extensive data collected using ultra-wideband (UWB) and narrowband (200 and 400 MHz) radar sensors. We apply two approaches to the wireless channel modeling: Saleh and Valenzuela (S-V) method for UWB channel modeling and CLEAN method for narrowband and UWB channel modeling. We validated that UWB echo signals (within a burst) do not hold self-similarity, which means the future signals cannot be forecasted based on the received signals and channel modeling is necessary from statistical point of view. Based on the S-V method for UWB channel modeling, in foliage UWB channel, the multipath contributions arriving at the receiver are grouped into clusters. The time of arrival of clusters can be modeled as a Poisson arrival process, while within each cluster, subsequent multipath contributions or rays also arrive according to a Poisson process. At different distance (near distance, medium distance, and far distance), we observe that the Poisson process parameters are quite different. We also observe that the amplitude of channel coefficient at each path follows Rician distribution for medium and far distance, and it is non-stationary for paths from short distance (one of two Rician distributions), and these observations are quite different with the IEEE indoor UWB channel model and S-V indoor channel model. Based on the CLEAN method, the narrowband (200 and 400 MHz) and UWB channel impulse responses have many similarities: both can be modeled as linear time-variant filter channel. We also studied the large-scale fading using path-loss and log-normal shadowing model for foliage enviroment, and observed that the path-loss exponent is very high because it has rich scattering.
High-Density Lipoprotein: A Novel Target for Antirestenosis Therapy

Restenosis is an integral pathological process central to the recurrent vessel narrowing after interventional procedures. Although the mechanisms for restenosis are diverse in different pathological conditions, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, and myofibroblasts transition have been thought to play crucial role in the development of restenosis. Indeed, there is an inverse relationship between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). However, relatively studies on the direct assessment of HDL effect on restenosis are limited. In addition to involvement in the cholesterol reverse transport, many vascular protective effects of HDL, including protection of endothelium, antiinflammation, antithrombus actions, inhibition of SMC proliferation, and regulation by adventitial effects may contribute to the inhibition of restenosis, though the exact relationships between HDL and restenosis remain to be elucidated. This review summarizes the vascular protective effects of HDL, emphasizing the potential role of HDL in intimal hyperplasia and vascular remodeling, which may provide novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for antirestenosis.
Fragmental Proxy Caching for Streaming Multimedia Objects

In this paper, a fragmental proxy-caching scheme that efficiently manages the streaming multimedia data in proxy cache is proposed to improve the quality of streaming multimedia services. The novel data-fragmentation method in this scheme not only provides finer granularity caching units to allow more effective cache replacement, but also offers a unique and natural way of handling the interactive VCR functions in the proxy-caching environment. Furthermore, a cache-replacement scheme, based on user request arrival rates for different multimedia objects and the playback rates of these objects, is proposed to address the drawbacks in existing cache-replacement schemes, most of which consider only the user access frequencies in their cache-replacement decisions. In this cache-replacement scheme, a sliding history window is employed to monitor the dynamic user request arrivals, and a tunable-victimization procedure is used to provide an excellent method of managing the cached multimedia data in accordance with different quality-of-service requirements of the streaming multimedia applications. Performance studies demonstrate that the fragmental proxy-caching scheme significantly outperforms other caching schemes, in terms of byte-hit ratio and the number of delayed starts and can be tuned to either maximize the byte-hit ratio or minimize the number of delayed starts