cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Which reference tissue is best for semiquantitative determination of 68Ga-PSMA-11 activity in PET/CT?

100 Objectives: Semiquantitative determination of PET activity, based upon lesion to background activity, has been shown to be a clinically useful parameter, especially when comparing lesions between scans. Evaluation utilizing SUV values alone may be problematic due to inherent intrinsic limitations. We evaluated the inter and intra-patient reproducibility and variance of multiple reference tissues in 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scans in order to choose the most reliable for use in semiquantitative determination of PSMA-11 activity. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 100 total 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CTs completed at Indiana University Health from June 2017 through November 2019. Multiple PET/CT scans were completed on 29 patients (27 had 2 scans, 3 had 3 scans). Single PET/CT scans were obtained on 38 patients. Mean SUVs of background organs were acquired with standard regions of interest drawn in the parotid gland, liver, spleen, lumbar paraspinal musculature, and mediastinal blood pool at the aortic arch. SUV mean, standard deviation, and coefficients of variation were calculated for all patients and all organs. Results: Average SUVs are highest in the parotid gland (13.09) and lowest in the lumbar paraspinal musculature (0.46). Interpatient variation is lowest in the blood pool with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.20 and highest in the spleen at 0.38. Intra-patient variation is lowest in the spleen and liver at 0.10 though similar to blood pool at 0.11. The lumbar paraspinal musculature and parotid gland show higher and similar intra-patient variation 0.13. Conclusions: Based on our analysis, the mediastinal blood pool is the best reference tissue for semiquantitative determination of PSMA-11 activity between patients. In patients with multiple PSMA PET scans, the liver, spleen, and mediastinal blood pool may all be reasonably considered for semiquantitative PSMA-11 activity.
Open Solutions: Creating an OER Writing Lab

As online learning continues to expand, new avenues are being identified to support graduate learners in this environment. Regent University, a private institution located in the southeastern region of the United States, investigated Open Educational Resources (OER) options for providing asynchronous learning experiences to master key competencies, such as writing. After evaluating the OER market and networking with state and national level OER library leadership, these educators sought to build an OER alternative to Pearson’s MyWritingLab that would serve the needs of their developmental writing online graduate students. A small team of librarians and professors took steps to integrate this experience into the university’s UNIV 500: Foundations of Graduate Success course, evaluate its effectiveness, and create multimodal options for supporting this open learning opportunity.
Nurse and Provider Pain Management Education Priorities and Barriers.

Abstract Background The purpose of this research was to describe health care nurse and providers’ pain management education priorities and barriers for pediatric cardio-thoracic surgical (CTS) patients and their caregivers. Design This was a qualitative-descriptive study design using survey methodology. Methods A convenience sample of 206 (CTS) health care professionals including 172 nurses, 11 advanced practice providers, and 23 physicians were invited to participate in this study. The survey was distributed through a work e-mail within a 145-bed tertiary pediatric hospital and focused on collaborative pain management educational priorities and barriers. Results Of the 206 cardio-thoracic service health care nurses/providers surveyed, 45.6 % (N = 94) responded to the survey. The top pain management education priority for these nurses/providers included immediate postoperative pain management knowledge for the caregiver and pediatric CTS patient. The lowest priority 13.8% (N = 13) included education related to pain management needs after discharge. Of the 94 nurses/providers who responded, 31.9% (n = 30) identified the presence of timing and communication barriers in providing pain management education with caregivers and pediatric CTS patients. Aims The aim of this research was to describe health care providers pain management education priorities and barriers for cardio-thoracic surgical (CTS) pediatric patients and their caregivers. Setting 145-bed tertiary pediatric hospital. Participants/Subjects Nurses, advanced practice providers [APP's], and physicians. Conclusions Nurses and providers prioritize immediate postoperative pain management education; however, there remains a need to focus more on the outcomes of pain management education for caregivers and pediatric CTS patients after discharge.
Collaboration Among Congressional Campaigns: The Sharing of Donor and Supporter Information

Relative to legislative behavior, much of our knowledge about collaboration between congressional campaigns is limited to anecdotal or ethnographic accounts. To fill this gap, scholars have used legislative collaboration as a stand-in for studying electoral behavior. But do members of Congress who network for policy related purposes network similarly for campaign related purposes? Using a quasi-experiment of the 2016 election and nearly 3.2 million FEC records from 2010-2016, we empirically separate legislative and campaign behaviors for the first time, and show the similarity and differences in these processes. Specifically, we find that party and committee membership drive most campaign collaboration, though some is cross-party. This finding shines light on how campaign behavior can be entirely isolated from legislative behavior, yet is endeavored to obtain similar ends. While collaboration between members is routinely used to achieve policy goals, we now show that collaboration is also used to achieve campaign goals.
Geospatial analytics for federally managed tourism destinations and their demand markets

Abstract Understanding geospatial demand for destinations can improve management decisions affecting destination planning, marketing, natural preservation, and resident as well as visitor experiences. Visualization and analysis of demand markets are significantly enhanced by the capabilities of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and help to support management objectives. This study implements traditional desktop GIS as well as a free, web-delivered decision-support tool for tourism planning and marketing to assess ~7.5 million overnight accommodation reservations made for federal recreational facilities between 1999 and 2007. Visitor origin frequency and median travel distance for overnight accommodations are summarized by visitor zip code and by facility. National results indicate: (1) facilities in the west, the Great Lakes and the southern Appalachians regions draw overnight visitors from the greatest median distances; (2) residents in the Northeast have the lowest per-capita utilization; (3) residents within the south-central Midwest and central-west Southern States have the highest percapita utilization and tend strongly toward local overnight reservations. Three selected national park regions are used to illustrate destinations characterized by highly localized utilization (Hot Springs National Park, AR), both local and regional utilization (Yosemite National Park, CA) and regionally to nationally dispersed utilization with few local residents reserving overnight accommodations (Canyonlands National Park, UT). Market profiling derived from local, regional and national customer origin markets can help any tourism destination, including national parks and their gateway communities, make smarter management and marketing decisions.
Aspartyl peptide labeled by 2-(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutylthio)adenosine 5'-diphosphate in the allosteric ADP site of pig heart NAD+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase.

Abstract The nucleotide affinity label 2-(4-bromo-2,3-dioxobutylthio)adenosine 5'-diphosphate (2-BDB-TADP) reacts covalently with pig heart NAD+-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase with a limiting value of 75% inactivation and loss of ADP activation concomitant with incorporation of about 1 mol of reagent/mol of average enzyme subunit (Huang, Y.-C., Bailey, J. M., and Colman, R. F. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 14100-14107). Complete protection against the functional changes is provided by ADP + Mn2+, and reagent incorporation is decreased to about 0.5 mol/mol of average enzyme subunit. We have now identified the critical modified peptide by comparison of the peptides labeled by 2-BDB-TADP at pH 6.8 in the absence and presence of ADP + Mn2+. After removal of excess reagent, modified enzyme was treated with [3H]NaBH4 to reduce the keto groups of the reagent and introduce a radioactive tracer into the reagent which is covalently linked to the protein. Following carboxymethylation and digestion with trypsin, the specific modified peptide was isolated using two successive high performance liquid chromatography steps: 1) 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid with an acetonitrile gradient; and 2) 20 mM ammonium acetate, pH 5.8, with an acetonitrile gradient. Gas phase sequencing gave the modified peptide Leu-Gly-Asp-Gly-Leu-Phe-Leu-Gln in which aspartic acid is the target of 2-BDB-TADP. Isolation of the corresponding tryptic peptide from unmodified enzyme yielded the sequence Leu-Gly-Asp-Gly-Leu-Phe-Leu-Gln-CmCys-CmCys-Lys. Isocitrate dehydrogenase is composed of three distinct subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma), separable by chromatofocusing in urea and identified by analytical gel isoelectric focusing. The evidence indicates that the specific peptide labeled by 2-BDB-TADP, which is at or near the ADP site, can be derived from the gamma subunit.
Sexual harassment: A review of the literature

We critically review the published research on sexual harassment. Definitional, epidemiological, etiological, treatment, and prevention issues are examined as well as the literature on the effects of sexual harassment. Suggestions for future research are provided. Although there are many controversies concerning the definition of sexual harassment, it is clear that there are subtypes of sexual harassment, such as gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, and sexual coercion. Existing research indicates that sexual harassment is a frequent form of victimization of women, affecting around half of all women, with verbal harassment being more common that nonverbal harassment. It appears common for sexual harassment victims to experience negative psychological, occupational, and economic consequences, although prospective research utilizing valid and comprehensive assessment methods needs to be conducted. Little is known about the etiology of sexual harassment, although models that take into account organizational and individual variables seem to account for more of the variance. Treatment of victims and harassers is hampered by a lack of treatment outcome research. Suggestions for future research are provided.
Semantics of Normal and Disjunctive Logic Programs: A Unifying Framework

We introduce a simple uniform semantic framework that isomorphically contains major semantics proposed recently for normal, disjunctive and extended logic programs, including the perfect model, stable, well-founded, disjunctive stable, stationary and static semantics and many others. The existence of such a natural framework allows us to compare major proposed semantics, analyze their properties, provide simpler definitions and generate new semantics satisfying a specific set of conditions.
A Group Process Approach to Organizational Change

The key issue in Problem Study 2—the design of a Citizens’ Service Department—is the achievement of consensus and coordination among the individuals in the organization taking part. A group process method called LENS is proposed for developing a plan and implementing it. Using this method the participants conduct a week long planning conference in which they formulate goals, identify the obstacles to achieving the goals, propose programs for removing the obstacles, develop tactics for carrying out the programs, and finally define actions to implement the tactics. The method requires that representatives of all groups, both inside and outside the organizations affected, be involved in the planning activity. During the planning conference the participants divide into teams, report back to the total group, then go back to working in teams, and so on. A plan developed using the LENS method is much more likely to be implemented since the people who will have to carry it out were also involved in formulating it.
Bayesian estimation of the accuracy of ICD-9-CM- and CPT-4-based algorithms to identify cholecystectomy procedures in administrative data without a reference standard.

Purpose To estimate the accuracy of two algorithms to identify cholecystectomy procedures using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT-4) codes in administrative data. Methods Private insurer medical claims for 30 853 patients 18–64 years with an inpatient hospitalization between 2006 and 2010, as indicated by providers/facilities place of service in addition to room and board charges, were cross-classified according to the presence of codes for cholecystectomy. The accuracy of ICD-9-CM- and CPT-4-based algorithms was estimated using a Bayesian latent class model. Results The sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 [probability interval (PI): 0.92, 0.92] and 0.99 (PI: 0.97, 0.99) for ICD-9-CM-, and 0.93 (PI: 0.92, 0.93) and 0.99 (PI: 0.97, 0.99) for CPT-4-based algorithms, respectively. The parallel-joint scheme, where positivity of either algorithm was considered a positive outcome, yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 0.99 (PI: 0.99, 0.99) and 0.97 (PI: 0.95, 0.99), respectively. Conclusions Both ICD-9-CM- and CPT-4-based algorithms had high sensitivity to identify cholecystectomy procedures in administrative data when used individually and especially in a parallel-joint approach. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design-based science learning: important challenges and how technology can make a difference

The affordances of design activity for science learning are well-recognized. However, the implementation of design-based science learning in classrooms presents a number of significant challenges. We have been exploring some of these challenges in our design-based approach to science learning called Learning by Design (LBD). In this article, we describe two significant challenges we faced in implementing our LBD approach and present two strategies that we have implemented in our software, SIMCARS, to address them. We also present the results of a pilot study which suggest that when SIMCARS was integrated into one of LBD's science units, it helped the participants of our study to overcome the identified challenges of learning effectively from design activity.
Estimating Price Discounts for Low-Quality Maize in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Benin

Summary This article uses household data from Benin to estimate the extent that markets in sub-Saharan Africa discount damaged maize. Stated preference methods indicate that a 10% increase in insect damage results in a 9% maize price discount. However, revealed preference methods indicate that this discount is only 3%. Discounts are larger immediately after harvest than they are in the lean period when maize is scarce. Our results help explain why many smallholder farmers sell maize at harvest rather than making the effort to preserve grain of good quality for later in the season when it may fetch a higher price.
Remote control and visualization of scanning probe microscopes via Web

Our efforts in bringing the scanning probe microscope (SPM) live data available on the Web have been successful. This work is being pursued under the aegis of the IN-VSEE project targeted to bring SPM data live to community colleges, high school and other research labs/classroom. We have further advanced this to provide the capability of remote operation of the SPM via the Web. The truly remote operator can control many functions of the microscope with reasonable security and ease. The latter marks a milestone in use of the Web for truly interactive bi-directional communication involving feedback and control of an instrument. The architecture also incorporates an interactive "chat" channel among the observers and the operator(s) and compressed video delivery in separate windows. Further, since the SPM data is inherently 3-dimensional, a plug-in has also been developed to display the live data as 5-dimensional model, with support for zoom, pan, rotation, etc.
A Review of Pathology Annual 1987: Part 2

Pathology, as the study of disease, effectively incorporates a part of all the various subdisciplines of medicine. In a similar manner, forensic pathology is the application of law to the study and interpretation of disease and injury. As any busy forensic pathologist will attest, the practice of this specialty transcends the usual public image of dealing solely with violent deaths, as medicolegal problems are increasingly apparent at virtually all levels of medicine, and it is often the forensic pathologist who has both the accumulated experience and the willingness to address such questions. Consequently, as any good physician is wont to do, the pathologist continues to learn, grow professionally, and adapt to the constantly evolving scope of medicine in a technological age.
Utility and Neuroanatomical Correlates of the FTLD-NACC Neuropsychology Module in the Differential Diagnosis of Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease (P1.220)

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the utility and neuroanatomical correlates of the FTLD-NACC neuropsychology module in the differential diagnosis of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and Alzheimer’s Disease/Mild Cognitive Impairment (AD/MCI). BACKGROUND: The FTLD-NACC module was designed by the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) as a standard clinical evaluation to foster multicenter research in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD). The FTLD-NACC neuropsychological battery includes measures of verbal generation (F-L letter fluency), visuospatial abilities and visual memory (Benson Figure copy/recall), language (Word Reading, Sentence Reading/Repetition, Noun/Verb Naming), grammar (Northwestern Anagram Test) and semantics (Semantic Word-Picture Matching Test, Semantic Associates Test). METHODS: We compared the FTLD-NACC cognitive profiles of 26 bvFTD and 15 AD/MCI patients; all patients had CSF profiles concordant with their clinical syndrome and presumed underlying pathology. The predicted probability of bvFTD derived from cognitive profiles (see below) was related to GM atrophy. RESULTS: Despite comparable MMSE scores (bvFTD-MMSE=24.5, AD/MCI-MMSE=22.5, p>.05), bvFTD patients performed significantly worse than AD/MCI patients on letter fluency (bvFTD=13.3, AD/MCI=19.0, p<.05), but significantly better on delayed recall of the Benson figure (bvFTD=9.0, AD/MCI=3.2, p<.05). A logistic regression model that included letter fluency and Benson recall correctly classified 84[percnt] bvFTD and 80[percnt] AD/MCI patients. ROC curves using the combined predicted probability of Benson recall and letter fluency provided excellent discrimination between groups (AUC=0.92). High cognitive probability of bvFTD was significantly related to atrophy in orbitofrontal cortex and low cognitive probability of bvFTD was related to atrophy in precuneus, inferior parietal and superior temporal regions. CONCLUSIONS: The letter fluency and visual memory components of the FTLD-NACC module are able to adequately discriminate between CSF-consistent bvFTD and AD/MCI. These cognitive profiles relate to the presumed neuroanatomical distribution of disease in bvFTD and AD and may aid in differential diagnosis. Supported by NIH AG032953, AG017586, AG038490, NS044266, NS053488, AG046499, AG043503, DA029149, Wyncote Foundation Disclosure: Dr. Rascovsky has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moran has nothing to disclose. Dr. Baehr has nothing to disclose. Dr. Irwin has nothing to disclose. Dr. McMillan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Grossman has nothing to disclose.
Cholesterol Lowering in the Elderly: Results of the Cholesterol Reduction in Seniors Program (CRISP) Pilot Study

Background: Total and lipoprotein cholesterol levels continue to be predictors of coronary heart disease risk in men and women over 65 years old. Cholesterol-lowering trials, however, while sometimes including such subjects, have not concentrated on this age group. The Cholesterol Reduction in Seniors Program was a five-center pilot study to assess feasibility of recruitment and efficacy of cholesterol lowering in this age group. Methods: The study was a randomized, double-masked clinical trial with placebo, 20-mg lovastatin, and 40-mg lovastatin arms. Major efforts were made to recruit women and minorities. Participants were followed up for 1 year on a cholesterollowering diet plus placebo or study drug. End points were changes in blood lipid levels. Data on other blood chemistry values, as well as quality-of-life measures and coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality, were also collected. Results: Four hundred thirty-one subjects with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels greater than 4.1 and less than 5.7 mmol/L (159 and 221 mg/dL) were randomized, of whom 71% were women and 21% were African Americans; the mean age was 71 years. In the 20- and 40-mg lovastatin groups, total cholesterol levels fell 17% and 20%; lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol levels fell 24% and 28%; triglyceride levels fell 4.4% and 9.9%, respectively. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels rose 7.0% and 9.0%, respectively. No changes were observed in the placebo group. Gender, race, and age did not significantly affect responses. Coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality data were collected but not analyzed for this study. Conclusion: Older subjects of both genders and a variety of racial and ethnic groups can be successfully recruited into a cholesterol-lowering trial. Lovastatin has effects similar to those reported in younger subjects in previous controlled trials. There is little advantage to the higher lovastatin daily dose. Side effects were remarkably low in all groups. (Arch Intern Med. 1994;154:529-539)
Effect of Cryogenic Temperature Deposition of Various Metal Contacts on Bulk Single-Crystal n-Type ZnO

The effect of cryogenic temperatures during metal deposition on the contact properties of Pd, Pt, Ti, and Ni on bulk single-crystal n-type ZnO has been investigated. Deposition at both room and low temperature produced contacts with Ohmic characteristics for Ti and Ni metallizations. By sharp contrast, both Pd and Pt contacts showed rectifying characteristics after deposition with barrier heights between 0.37 eV and 0.69 eV. Changes in contact behavior were measured on Pd to anneal temperatures of ∼300 °C, showing an increase in barrier height along with a decrease in ideality factor with increasing annealing temperature. This difference with annealing temperature is in sharp contrast to previous results for Au contacts to ZnO. There were no differences in near-surface stoichiometry for the different deposition temperatures; however, low temperature contacts demonstrated some peeling/cracking for Pt and Pd.
Biochemical changes in longear sunfish, Lepomis megalotis, associated with lead, cadmium and zinc from mine tailings

Longear sunfish were collected from a stream contaminated with mine tailings rich in lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn). Blood samples were analysed for δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D) activity and Pb concentration. Vertebrae were tested for bone strength and composition, and Pb, Zn, and Cd concentrations were determined in muscle tissue. ALA-D activity was negatively correlated with blood Pb concentration (r=–0.66), and enzyme activity was significantly higher and blood Pb significantly lower at the reference site than at the contaminated sites. Blood Pb was highly correlated with Pb in muscle tissue (r= 0.72), and the concentrations of Pb and Cd in muscle tissues were themselves correlated (r= 0.64). In fish from contaminated sites, two of the mechanical properties of the vertebrae measured (elastic limit and modulus of elasticity) were significantly different from values in fish from the reference site. These properties and one other (stress) were weakly correlated with muscle Cd concentration (0.42 < r < 0.46). Biochemical differences among fish from different sites were also evident; concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and collagen were lower in the vertebrae of fish from some of the contaminated sites than at the reference site, and bone phosphorus was negatively correlated with concentrations of Pb in both muscle (r=– 0.62) and blood (r=– 0.75). Collectively, these results indicate that, in addition to the well-documented effects of Pb on haem synthesis, other important biochemical pathways may be disrupted by continuous low-level exposure to elemental contaminants.
The Laboratory Biology of the Sand Fly Lutzomyia Anthophora (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Laboratory investigations on the biology of the sand fly Lutzomyia anthophora are presented with data on the following: development rates for immatures at 20, 24, 28, and 32 °C, adult longevity, the effect of sugar feeding, fecundity, mating, and feeding behavior. Results are based on 15 generations of L. anthophora reared in the laboratory.
Blunt thoracic aortic injury in children

Thoracic aortic injury (TAI) in children secondary to blunt chest trauma is rare and less well documented than TAI in adults. To further establishe the incidence and radiographic manifestations of this severe injury, we reviewed our experimence with TAI in children over an 8-year period. We performed a computer search from the Trauma Registry at our level I trauma center for all cases of TAI among patients 16 years of age or younger who were admitted after sustaining blunt chest trauma between August 1984 and September 1992. We reviewed our records of all thoracic aortograms performed on children for blunt trauma during this same time period. Indication for angiography was determined by review of chest radiographs and medical records of all patients who underwent thoracic aortography. We reviewed medical records and all available chest radiographs, computed tomography (CT) examinations, and thoracic aortograms of children diagnosed with TAI. Of 308 children admitted with blunt chest trauma, 26 (8.4%) underwent angiography to exclude aortic or great vessel injury. Of these 26 patients, three (11.5%) were diagnosed with TAI, and one patient demonstrated a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the proximal left subclavian artery. The incidence of TAI among children who sustained blunt chest trauma was 1.0% in our series. All three patients with TAI in our series were male, ages 10–12 (mean: 11 years). Chest radiographs on two of the patients with TAI revealed mediastinal widening, ill-defined aortic outline, shift of the trachea and nasogastric tube, and depression of the left main stem bronchus. The chest radiograph in one patient with TAI was technically inadequate. CT demonstrated abnormalities in two patients. Angiographic findings were similar to those seen in adults. TAI in children is rare, occurring in 1% of children sustaining blunt chest trauma in our series. Our findings support previous reports that the plain film, CT, and angiographic findings with this injury resemble those found in adults.
Statistical consistency of the data association problem in multiple target tracking

Simultaneous tracking of multiple moving objects extracted from an image sequence is an important problem which finds numerous applications in science and engineering. In this article we conduct an investigation of the theoretical properties a statistical model for tracking such moving objects, or targets. This tracking model allows for birth, death, splitting and merging of targets, and uses a Markov model to decide the times at which such events occur. This model also assumes that the track traveled by each target behaves like a Gaussian process. The estimated tracking solution is obtained via maximum likelihood. One of the contributions of this article is to establish the almost sure consistency to the data association problem by using these maximum likelihood tracking estimates. A major technical challenge for proving this consistency result is to identify the correct track (data association) amongst a group of similar (but incorrect) track proposals that are results of various combinations of target birth, death, splitting and/or merging. This consistency property of the tracking estimates is empirically verified by numerical experiments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a comprehensive study is performed for the large sample properties of a multiple target tracking method. In addition, the issue of how to quantify the confidence of a tracking estimate is also addressed.
The birefringent response of a potential photoelastic material with variable elastic properties: Experimental verification of the predicted optical and mechanical response of a glass-microsphere-filled composite system is presented and its use as a potential photoelastic material is considered

In photoelastic stress analysis, a need sometimes exists for a birefringent material in which the experimenter has the ability to vary its mechanical or elastic properties. It was the intent of this investigation to produce a homogeneous, isotropic solid with variable mechanical properties and which was suitable for photoelastic use.
Unsteady ripple generation on steep gravity–capillary waves

Parasitic ripple generation on short gravity waves (4 cm to 10 cm wavelengths) is examined using fully nonlinear computations and laboratory experiments. Timemarching simulations show sensitivity of the ripple steepness to initial conditions, in particular to the crest asymmetry. Signicant crest fore{aft asymmetry and its unsteadiness enhance ripple generation at moderate wave steepness, e.g. ka between 0.15 and 0.20, a mechanism not discussed in previous studies. The maximum ripple steepness (in time) is found to increase monotonically with the underlying (lowfrequency bandpass) wave steepness in our simulations. This is dierent from the subor super-critical ripple generation predicted by Longuet-Higgins (1995). Unsteadiness in the underlying gravity{capillary waves is shown to cause ripple modulation and an interesting ‘crest-shifting’ phenomenon { the gravity{capillary wave crest and the rst ripple on the forward slope merge to form a new crest. Including boundary layer eects in the free-surface conditions extends some of the simulations at large wave amplitudes. However, the essential process of parasitic ripple generation is nonlinear interaction in an inviscid flow. Mechanically generated gravity{capillary waves demonstrate similar characteristic features of ripple generation and a strong correlation between ripple steepness and crest asymmetry.
Approaches Used to Assess Phonemic Awareness: There is More to an Elephant Than Meets the Eye

This article addresses theoretical issues and possible problems related to the assessment of phonemic awareness. The authors present a definition of phonemic awareness and consider its clinical significance in the acquisition and self-regulation of verbal and written language. The skills involved in assessment, the task procedures used and the response requirements made in current measures of phonemic awareness are identified and discussed. Included is an examination of several commercially available tests as well as tasks used in research studies. The authors caution researchers and practitioners about formulating broad interpretations of what children know about sounds given the variations in descriptions, developmental expectations and functions of phonemic awareness.
The Parabolic Map

Abstract In this paper we study certain aspects of Bruhat order on Coxeter groups. LetWbe a Coxeter group, and let P denote the set of parabolic subgroups ofW. We construct a mapm : W × P → Wand examine its first properties. We prove the following characterization:wis the longest element of a parabolic subgroup ofWif and only if for anyv ∈ W, there exists a unique maximal element (with respect to Bruhat order) less than or equal to bothvandw.
Coordination and manufacturer profit maximization: The multiple retailer channel

Abstract This paper explores wholesale pricing behavior within a two-level vertical channel consisting of a manufacturer selling through multiple independent retailers. The introduction of multiple retailers is important for several reasons. These include: (1) the determination of optimal channel breadth; (2) an analysis of the optimality of channel coordination for all channel members; and (3) the determination of the distribution of each dyad's profits between manufacturer and retailer. The authors demonstrate the existence of a two-part tariff wholesale pricing policy, common to all retailers, that fully coordinates the channel. They then show that the manufacturer can generally obtain greater profits by setting a unique two-part tariff pricing-policy that does not coordinate the channel. Finally, the authors show that the fixed-fee component of either two-part tariff determines channel breadth, that is, the number of profit-maximizing independent retailers that are willing to participate in the channel.
BIOMODULE: a Java program to help model and interpret the stratigraphic record

A combination of a stratigraphic simulation package (STRATA) and an evolutionary-ecological model (BIOSTRAT) can be used to simulate the distribution of species within a sequence stratigraphic framework. BIOMODULE is an extension of this model approach in that it facilitates the visualization and interpretation of those simulations and their input data. Environmental factors (e.g., sea-level changes or sedimentation rates) and ecological factors (preferred water depth, depth tolerance, abundance) that determine the spatial and temporal distribution of species are easily and quickly investigated. In addition, BIOMODULE can be used to compile the stratigraphic first and last appearances of those species and export them into available graphic correlation software packages (Conop9 and GraphCor). This can be used to test the graphic correlation technique and investigate its accuracy and precision under a range of different conditions (e.g., different stratigraphic architectures and sampling densities) since the true correlation of the different sections is already known.
Perioperative Blood Transfusion Is Associated with Decreased Survival in Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: a Multi-institutional Study

In this multi-institutional study of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, we sought to identify factors associated with perioperative transfusion requirement as well as the association between blood transfusion and perioperative and oncologic outcomes. The surgical databases across six high-volume institutions were analyzed to identify patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 2005 to 2010. For statistical analyses, patients were then stratified by transfusion volume according to whether they received 0, 1–2, or >2 units of packed red blood cells. Among 697 patients identified, 42 % required blood transfusion. Twenty-three percent received 1–2 units, and 19 % received >2 units. Factors associated with an increased transfusion requirement included older age, heart disease, diabetes, longer operative time, higher blood loss, tumor size, and non-R0 margin status (all p 2 units (hazard ratio, 1.92, p = 0.009) and postoperative transfusions as independent factors associated with decreased disease-free survival. This multi-institutional study represents the largest series to date analyzing the effects of perioperative blood transfusion on patient outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. While blood transfusion was not associated with increased rate of infectious complications, allogeneic blood transfusion did confer a negative impact on disease-free and overall survival.
Photon-Splitting Cascades in Gamma-Ray Pulsars and the Spectrum of PSR 1509?58

Magnetic photon splitting ? ? ??, a quantum electrodynamics process that becomes important only in magnetic fields approaching the quantum critical value, Bcr = 4.41 ? 1013 G, is investigated as a mechanism for attenuation of ?-rays emitted near the surface of strongly magnetized pulsars. Since splitting has no threshold, it can attenuate photons and degrade their energies below the threshold for one-photon pair production, and in high enough fields it may dominate photon attenuation above pair threshold. We model photon-splitting attenuation and subsequent splitting cascades in ?-ray pulsars, including the dipole field and curved spacetime geometry of the neutron star magnetosphere. We focus specifically on PSR 1509-58, which has the highest surface magnetic field of all the ?-ray pulsars (B0 = 3 ? 1013 G). We find that splitting will not be important for most ?-ray pulsars, i.e., those with B0 0.2Bcr, either in competition with pair production attenuation in pair cascades, or in photon escape cutoffs in the spectrum. Photon splitting will be important for ?-ray pulsars having B0 0.3Bcr, where the splitting attenuation lengths and escape energies become comparable to or less than those for pair production. We compute Monte Carlo spectral models for PSR 1509-58, assuming that either a full photon-splitting cascade or a combination of splitting and pair production (depending on which splitting modes operate) attenuate a power-law input spectrum. We find that photon splitting, or combined splitting and pair production, can explain the unusually low cutoff energy (between 2 and 30 MeV) of PSR 1509-58, and that the model cascade spectra, which display strong polarization, are consistent with the observed spectral points and upper limits for polar cap emission at a range of magnetic colatitudes up to ~25?.
EXPLORING INDIVIDUAL AND SCHOOL-RELATED FACTORS AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY: COMPARING U.S. AND CANADA USING PISA 2006

Questions remain about how to best prepare students to be environmentally literate. Although Canada and U.S. share similarities in education systems, diversity in student population, and historical roots in formalizing environmental education, Canada is one of the top performing countries in international science assessments while U.S. matches average performing countries. This study examined the relationship of individual and school-related factors to environmental literacy by comparing students’ performances in knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and behavior about environmental issues between U.S. and Canada using PISA 2006. Findings suggest that knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and behavior are inter-related, and development of certain domains of environmental literacy may be enhanced by classroom student investigations. Prior explanations for U.S. lower performance in environmental literacy cannot be attributed only to low socio-economic status and student diversity.
Renal function tests as indicators of kidney injury in subacute toxicity studies

Abstract Several tests of renal function were conducted on adult, male Fischer 344 rats treated for 15 days with biphenyl, carbon tetrachloride or mercuric chloride. Each of the test compounds was administered at four different doses, the lowest of which was subnephrotoxic while the highest was sublethal. Tests included measurements of urine specific gravity, pH and volume, urinary excretions of glucose, protein, electrolytes, and several enzymes, serum concentrations of urea nitrogen, creatinine, and electrolytes, creatinine clearance, and kidney weight. Ability to concentrate urine after water deprivation, kidney morphology, and accumulation of organic ions by renal cortical tissue in vitro were also examined. In general, in vitro accumulation of organic ions, urinary concentrating ability, and kidney weight were the most sensitive and consistent indicators of nephrotoxicity. Standard urinalyses, serum analyses, quantitative enzymuria, and pathological changes in renal morphology were less sensitive and less consistent indicators of injury. The most advantageous tests, therefore, appeared to be those that measured total, functional renal capacity.
The use of low energy sims to study the chemisorption of CO on Ni(100) and polycrystalline nickel

Abstract Adsorption of CO on Ni(100) has been investigated using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and Auger electron spectroscopy at 175 and 295 K. Interaction with polycrystalline nickel was examined at 295, 325 and 365 K. All the secondary ions, Ni + , Ni 2 + , NiCO + and Ni 2 CO + show large increases in intensity as CO is adsorbed but there is no simple correlation of the secondary ion species with the sequence of linear and bridge-bonded CO species expected from electron energy loss spectroscopy. Adsorption of CO at 175 K on a hydrogen saturated Ni(100) surface, which is thought to permit only bridge-bonded adsorbed CO, does not result in any enhancement of Ni 2 CO + . The extent of increases in secondary ion yields after CO adsorption on the nickel surfaces are primarily related to the variations in the heat of adsorption as a function of surface coverage. The presence of more weakly-held species is important in enhancing secondary ion yields.
The yeast protein interaction network has a capacity for self‐organization

The organization of the cellular interior gives rise to properties including metabolic channeling and micro-compartmentalization of signaling. Here, we use a lattice model of molecular crowding, together with literature-derived protein interactions and abundances, to describe the molecular organization and stoichiometry of local cellular regions, showing that physical protein-protein interactions induce emergent structures not seen when random interaction networks are modeled. Specifically, we find that the lattices give rise to micro-groups of enzymes on the surfaces of protein clusters. These arrangements of proteins are also robust to protein overexpression, while still showing evidence for expression tuning. Our results indicate that some of the complex organization of the cell may derive from simple rules of molecular aggregation and interaction.
Electrophoresis of proteins.

(1970). Electrophoresis of Proteins. CRC Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 233-245.
In Vitro Reconstitution of Insertion and Processing of Cytochrome f in a Homologous Chloroplast Translation System

Using a homologous chloroplast translation system, we have reconstituted insertion and processing of the chloroplast-encoded thylakoid protein cytochrome f(pCytf). Cross-linking demonstrated that pCytfnascent chains when attached to the 70 S ribosome tightly interact with cpSecA, but this is strictly dependent on thylakoid membranes and a functional signal peptide. This indicates that cpSecA is only operative in pCytf biogenesis when it is bound to the membrane, most likely as part of the Sec translocon. No evidence for interaction between the 54-kDa subunit of the chloroplast signal recognition particle (cpSRP) and the pCytf nascent chain could be detected, suggesting that pCytf, in contrast to the polytopic D1 protein, does not require cpSRP for targeting. Insertion of pCytf occurred only co-translationally, resulting in processing and accumulation of both the processed signal peptide and the mature protein in the thylakoid. This co-translational membrane insertion and processing required a functional signal peptide and was inhibited by azide, demonstrating that cpSecA is essential for translocation of the soluble luminal domain. pCytfalso associated post-translationally with thylakoids, but the soluble N-terminal domain could not be translocated into the lumen. This is the first study in which synthesis, targeting, and insertion of a chloroplast-encoded thylakoid membrane protein is reconstituted from exogenous transcripts and using the chloroplast translational machinery.
Spontaneous Rupture of the Tibialis Posterior Tendon: Clinical Findings, Tenographic Studies, and a New Technique of Repair:

Ten patients with spontaneous rupture of the tibialis posterior tendon were evaluated in regards to clinical and roentgenographic diagnostic criteria, tenographic findings, conservative treatment, and surgical repair. It was concluded that while tenography was a significant diagnostic adjuvant, the diagnosis and decision for surgical intervention must be based primarily upon the clinical findings. Previously described surgical repairs either gave less than optimum results or were impossible to achieve due to the extent of tendon damage. A new surgical technique, consisting of a side to side anastamosis of both the normal proximal and distal portions of the tibialis posterior tendon to the adjacent flexor digitorum longus tendon, proved a simple procedure and gave consistently excellent results.
Targeted deletion of the lens fiber cell-specific intermediate filament protein filensin.

PURPOSE. To determine the function of the lens fiber cell‐ specific cytoskeletal protein, filensin, in lens biology. METHODS. Targeted genomic deletion was used to delete exon 1 and the transcriptional start site of the filensin gene. Resultant chimeric animals were bred to homozygosity for the mutant allele. These animals were outbred to mice bearing the wild-type CP49 alleles to eliminate the mutant CP49 gene carried by the 129 strain of mice. Animals homozygous for the mutated filensin gene and wild-type CP49 gene were compared with wild-type and heterozygous animals by Northern and Western blot analyses, light and electron microscopy, and slit lamp microscopy. RESULTS. Disruption of the filensin gene successfully blocked production of filensin mRNA, reduced levels of filensin’s assembly partner CP49, and prevented the assembly of beaded filaments. Despite the absence of beaded filaments, lenses did not show obvious changes in fetal development, nor in the differentiation of epithelial cells into mature fiber cells, as judged by light microscopic analysis. Filensin knockouts began to show evidence of light-scattering by 2 months and worsened with age. Heterozygous animals exhibited an intermediate phenotype, showing a reduction in filensin transcript and moderate light-scattering at 5 months. CONCLUSIONS. The lens fiber cell‐specific intermediate filament protein filensin is essential for beaded filament assembly. However, although beaded filaments are not needed for normal lens fetal development or fiber cell differentiation, they appear to be necessary for the long-term maintenance of optical clarity. The mechanism by which the absence of filensin and the beaded filament affects optical clarity has yet to be defined. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44:5252‐5258) DOI: 10.1167/iovs.03-0224
XSACT: a comparison tool for structured search results

Studies show that about 50% of web search is for information exploration purpose, where a user would like to investigate, compare, evaluate, and synthesize multiple relevant results. Due to the absence of general tools that can effectively analyze and differentiate multiple results, a user has to manually read and comprehend potentially large results in an exploratory search. Such a process is time consuming, labor intensive and error prone. With meta information embedded, keyword search on structured data provides the potential for automating or semi-automating the comparison of multiple results.In this demo we present a system XSACT for differentiating search results on structured data. XSACT takes as input a set of structured results, and outputs a Differentiation Feature Set (DFS) for each result to highlight their differences within a size bound. The problem of generating DFSs with maximal differences is proved to be NP-hard. XSACT adopts efficient algorithms for DFS generation, and features a user-friendly interface that effectively interacts with the users to help them compare search results.