cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validating the Ross Test for Identification and Evaluation of Critical Thinking Skills in Programs for the Gifted.

The present research assessed the structural validity of The Ross Test of Higher Cognitive Processes, a recently developed instrument designed to assess the higher-level thinking skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation as outlined in Bloom's Taxonomy. Confirmatory factor analysis, analysis of variance and trend analysis were used to test the correspondence between Bloom's Taxonomy and the Ross Test, and to study the developmental nature of critical thinking. Subjects were 154 gifted third through sixth graders. Confirmatory factor analysis of individual test items and of the eight Ross subtests provided empirical evidence for the structural validity of this instrument, and normative data on gifted students' performance on the test was presented. This investigation of the Ross Test yielded findings relevant to the use and interpretation of this measure of critical thinking in the gifted and regular classroom.
Challenges During Surgery for Traumatic Brain Injury

In 2008, approximately 1.4 million people experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). From this group, approximately 1 million people were treated in hospital emergency rooms, and required surgical intervention. This is not trivial since severe TBI carries a mortality of 30–50% although deaths have declined because of improved treatments and systems for managing trauma. Hence, approximately 230,000 people hospitalized for TBI will survive.
Uncertainty Assessment of Biogenic Emissions Estimates and Its Impact on Ozone Attainment Control Strategy Selection

The regulatory community continues to issue guidance on air quality planning which encourages planners to rely on best, single value emissions estimates for use in the air quality modeling process. Little if any guidance is issued on how to assess and use uncertain emissions estimates to evaluate control strategy selection. In particular, biogenic emissions are interesting in that they are highly uncertain, and they are unaffected by traditional anthropogenic control technologies. Yet, biogenic emissions impact air quality particularly impacting the effectiveness of stringent controls on volatile organic compounds. Therefore, because emissions controls cost billions of dollars annually, it is prudent to investigate the impacts that uncertainty in biogenic emissions estimates (and in general, all emissions estimates) has on emissions control scenarios.
Speaker Recognition Over Telephone Channels

Being able to verify or determine the identity of a person by voice is very useful in many applications. For example, in telephone banking or calling card charging, user identity must be verified before the transaction can be authorized. Most systems use a PIN for authorization, but it can be forgotten or stolen. Other methods of authorization, such as finger prints or retinal scans, may be more secure than a PIN, they are not practical in many situations.
Experimental ecology of the temperate scleractinian coral Astrangia danae. II. Effect of temperature, light intensity and symbiosis with zooxanthellae on metabolic rate and calcification

The combined effects of temperature, light and symbiont density on the metabolic rate and calcification of the temperate coral Astrangia danae were studied experimentally using colonies containing different concentrations of zooxanthellae. After acclimation to five temperatures between 6.5° and 27°C, and incubation at three light levels and in darkness, respiration and photosynthesis were measured and corrected for rates due to commensals alone. Calcification rates were regressed on zooxanthellae concentration and production in order to define “symbiotic” and “non-symbiotic” averages, and the enhancement of calcification by symbiotic interactions in the polyps. Respiration by the polyparium varied less with temperature between 11.5° and 23°C than that of the commensals, suggesting physiological acclimation by the coral tissue. In-vivo zooxanthellae photosynthesis increased linearly with temperature and was near its maximum at 400 μEin m−2 s−1, but the photosynthesis of the endolithic algae of the corallum varied little between 11.5° and 27°C. Calcification at any given temperature was near its maximum at 40 μEin m−2 s−1 in both symbiotic and non-symbiotic corals. CaCO3 deposition increased linearly with temperature in non-symbiotic colonies and in symbiotic colonies incubated in the dark. In symbiotic colonies, calcification in the light increased above these basic rates as temperature rose above 15°C. Below 15°C, symbiotic interactions failed to stimulate calcification, apparently due both to a lowering of zooxanthellae photosynthesis and to a decrease in the enhancing effect of any given level of primary production.
Real Estate Pre-License Education: A National Call for Reporting Transparency

Abstract Using 43,285 results for Alabama real estate license exams administered over 13 years, we explore the relationship between examinees' pass-fail rates and the sources of their pre-license education. The findings reveal professional school graduates fare better than their non-professional school counterparts. This suggests non-professional schools should work to either improve their approach to real estate exam pre-license education, or leave it entirely to those doing so for a living. Our findings provided the basis for the Alabama Real Estate Commission's adoption of multiple policy changes aimed at improving the quality of Alabama real estate pre-license education and the pass-fail rates of future Alabama real estate license examinees. We call on all U.S. licensing authorities to adopt transparent reporting standards for real estate license education, including, at a minimum, public disclosure of pass-fail rates for both license test examinees and pre-license education providers.
The Ecological Context and the Methods of Inquiry and Praxes

This chapter describes the historical and geographical context of the southern region of Chiapas, Mexico since the Spanish colonization to contemporary times. The Maya cosmology and mythology are described and contrasted to the Spanish colonial ideology and religion imposed to usurp Indigenous lands and erase their knowledge and belief systems. The emergence of the Mestizo ideology is analyzed as a strategy for independence and continuous racist oppression of the Mexican Indigenous populations. Decolonial methodologies are presented as strategies to promote epistemic resistance and decolonial solidarity.
LACK OF THERAPEUTIC MORTALITY BENEFIT IN RECURRENT VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA PREVENTION: A NETWORK META-ANALYSIS

No therapeutic regimen has been found effective for the optimal management for the prevention of recurrent ventricular tachycardia in the patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library, which
Weaning from antiseizure drugs after new onset status epilepticus.

OBJECTIVE In patients with status epilepticus (SE) without prior epilepsy, there are limited data on the safety of discontinuing antiseizure drugs (ASDs) after seizure control. We aimed to describe seizure recurrence when weaning from ASDs following new onset SE (NOSE). METHODS Retrospective review of adult patients with NOSE admitted to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 2015 was performed. Weaning was defined as a discontinuation of ASDs following discharge. Patient demographics, SE characteristics, timing of ASD withdrawal, and seizure recurrence were collected. RESULTS One hundred seventy-seven patients with mean age 63 ± 18 years were identified; 96 (54.2%) patients had refractory SE (RSE), and 81 (45.8%) had nonrefractory SE. Mean follow-up was 3.8 ± 3.2 years for those successfully weaned off ASDs. One hundred thirty (73.4%) with outpatient follow-up were included in the analysis; 128 (98.5%) patients were discharged on an ASD; 44 of 128 (34.4%) patients underwent weaning from at least 1 ASD following discharge, including 27 of 128 (21.1%) who were completely weaned off of all ASDs. Younger patients (P = 0.009) and those with RSE (P = 0.048, odds ratio = 2.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.00-4.48) tended to undergo weaning. Six of 44 (13.6%) patients had seizure recurrence when weaned off of any ASD, and two of 27 (7.4%) patients completely weaned off all ASDs had seizure recurrence. Two of seven (28.6%) patients who underwent attempted barbiturate weaning experienced seizure recurrence. SIGNIFICANCE We found a rate of 13.6% for late seizure recurrence after weaning from at least one ASD in patients with NOSE; seizure recurrence was more likely in patients with RSE treated with barbiturates. Systematic collection of longitudinal data in patients requiring multiple ASDs for NOSE control will provide more conclusive guidance on weaning from ASDs.
The future of HIV Organ Policy Equity Act is now: the state of HIV+ to HIV+ kidney transplantation in the United States.

Purpose of review We report the current state of HIV+ to HIV+ kidney transplantation in the United States and remaining challenges in implementing this practice nationally. Recent findings The HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act, which was the first step in unlocking the potential of HIV+ organ donors, mandates clinical research on HIV+ to HIV+ transplantation. As of March 2019, there have been 57 HOPE donors, including both true and false positive HOPE donors resulting in more than 120 transplants. Summary The HOPE Act, signed in 2013, reversed the federal ban on the transplantation of organs from HIV+ donors into HIV+ recipients. Ongoing national studies are exploring the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of both kidney and liver transplantation in this population. If successfully and fully implemented, HIV+ to HIV+ transplantation could attenuate the organ shortage for everyone waiting, resulting in a far-reaching public health impact.
Visual and verbal semantic productions in children with ASD, DLD, and typical language

Abstract Purpose Associations between visual and verbal input allow children to form, augment, and refine their semantic representations within their mental lexicons. However, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and with developmental language disorder (DLD; also known as specific language impairment) process visual and verbal information differently than their typically developing peers, which may impact how they incorporate visual and verbal features into their semantic representations. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate how children with ASD and DLD use visually and verbally presented input to produce semantic representations of newly learned words. Method Semantic features produced by 36 school-aged children (12 with ASD, 12 with DLD, and 12 with typical language development) were extracted from previously collected novel word definitions and coded based on their initial presentation modality (either visual, verbal, or both in combination) during an extended novel word learning paradigm. These features were then analyzed to explore group differences in the use of visual and verbal input. Results The children with ASD and DLD produced significantly more visually-presented semantic features than their typical peers in their novel word definitions. There were no differences between groups in the proportion of semantic features presented verbally or via both modalities in combination. Also, the children increased their production of semantic features presented via both modalities combined across the sessions; this same increase in production was not observed for the semantic features taught in either the visual or verbal modality alone. Conclusion Children with ASD and DLD benefit from visually presented semantic information, either in isolation or combined with verbal input, during tasks of word learning. Also, the reinforcement of combined visual-verbal input appears to enhance semantic learning over time.
Analytical Method to Approximate the Impact of Turning on the Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram

Network macroscopic fundamental diagrams (MFDs) have recently been shown to exist in real-world urban traffic networks. The existence of an MFD facilitates the modeling of urban traffic network dyn...
Promoting Physical Activity via Telehealth in People With Parkinson Disease: The Path Forward After the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Objective There is mounting evidence in support of exercise and physical activity as a first-line approach to managing symptoms and potentially altering disease progression in people with Parkinson disease (PD). For many patients, a critical gap is the need for expert guidance to overcome barriers, set realistic goals, and provide personalized advice to optimize exercise uptake and adherence. The purpose of this case report is to describe a physical activity coaching program (Engage-PD) for individuals newly diagnosed with PD and to highlight rapid modifications made to this program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods (case description) Engage-PD is a single cohort implementation study of a coaching intervention grounded in self-determination theory being conducted at Columbia University Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence in New York City, NY (USA), the early epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The project was uniquely positioned to be adapted to telehealth delivery and to address an immediate need for support and guidance in the home environment, including people with early-mid-stage PD. Participants completed baseline and follow-up (3 months) assessments and participated in up to 4 coaching sessions, all delivered via a telehealth platform. The intervention incorporated 1:1 coaching, goal-setting, physical activity monitoring, and use of a disease-specific workbook to promote and support safe exercise uptake. Results While the program is ongoing, 52 referrals were received and 27 individuals with PD enrolled in the first 2 months of the pandemic for a recruitment rate of 52%. Although direct comparisons with pre-coronavirus recruitment are difficult due to the recency of the Engage-PD implementation study, this recruitment rate was larger than expected, which may have been due to several factors (eg, most patients had limited, if any, access to in-person programs and therapy services during this time, so the Engage program filled an immediate need to provide exercise and activity guidance). There was a wide range of scores for both baseline physical activity and self-efficacy measures. Conclusion Remotely delivered interventions may serve as a sustainable platform for physical activity coaching programs for people with PD as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. Impact With the uncertainty brought about by the current pandemic, this case report highlights the opportunity to shift the current model of care for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as PD.
The Pancreatic Microbiome is Associated with Carcinogenesis and Worse Prognosis in Males and Smokers

An intra-pancreatic microbiota was recently discovered in several prominent studies. Since pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide, and the intratumor microbiome was found to be a significant contributor to carcinogenesis in other cancers, this study aims to characterize the PAAD microbiome and elucidate how it may be associated with PAAD prognosis. We further explored the association between the intra-pancreatic microbiome and smoking and gender, which are both risk factors for PAAD. RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used to infer microbial abundance, which was correlated to clinical variables and to cancer and immune-associated gene expression, to determine how microbes may contribute to cancer progression. We discovered that the presence of several bacteria species within PAAD tumors is linked to metastasis and immune suppression. This is the first large-scale study to report microbiome-immune correlations in human pancreatic cancer samples. Furthermore, we found that the increased prevalence and poorer prognosis of PAAD in males and smokers are linked to the presence of potentially cancer-promoting or immune-inhibiting microbes. Further study into the roles of these microbes in PAAD is imperative for understanding how a pro-tumor microenvironment may be treated to limit cancer progression.
Plantar Heel Pain

Plantar heel pain is a common disorder of the foot which involves multiple anatomic structures. It is widely accepted that inflammation followed by degeneration of the plantar aponeurosis at its attachment to the calcaneus is the most common pathology associated with plantar heel pain. During walking and running, the plantar aponeurosis is subjected to loads which approach the maximal limit of load to failure. Entrapment of the inferior calcaneal nerve can be a primary or secondary cause of chronic plantar heel pain. Increased body mass index and reduced ankle joint dorsiflexion are the two most common risk factors for plantar heel pain. Deficits in toe flexor strength have been identified in patients with plantar heel pain. There is conflicting evidence verifying the role of hindfoot pronation and plantar heel pain. Dorsiflexion of the digits increases strain in the plantar aponeurosis by 70%, while Achilles tendon tension increases strain by 30%. Kinematic studies of patients fail to demonstrate a consistent pattern of foot mechanics which predispose to the development of plantar heel pain. Plantar fascia thickening rather than calcaneal spurs is more commonly associated with plantar heel pain.
Transition Process and Influencing Factors of AC Transient Overvoltage Subject to HVDC Disturbances

The AC overvoltage at the sending is an important factor to limit HVDC capacity. The previous research typically focuses on the static voltage characteristics, while this paper further studies the influence of the system-side dynamics on the AC transient overvoltage. Firstly, the voltage transition process subject a disturbance is analyzed to be divided into the electromagnetic transient process and electromechanical transient process. The transition on the equivalent impedance of the generators leads to a gradual increase of the overvoltage. The relationship between power angle and voltage is also deduced based on the Thevenin equivalent. Secondly, based on the electromagnetic transient transition process, the overvoltage mechanism is elaborated under the block, commutation failure, restarting, and short circuit faults. Meanwhile, different locations where DC is connected are considered to highlight the influence of the power distribution and inertia on the transient overvoltage. Finally, it is concluded that static voltage characteristics can give the initial value of the overvoltage, however, it cannot reflect the transition process of overvoltage. The time scale of the overvoltage involves the coupling of electromagnetic and electromechanical processes, and the influencing factors of overvoltage under different conditions should fully be considered.
Cross-Market Price Difference Forecast Using Deep Learning for Electricity Markets

Price forecasting is in the center of decision making in electricity markets. Many researches have been done in forecasting energy prices while little research has been reported on forecasting price difference between day-ahead and real-time markets due to its high volatility, which however plays a critical role in virtual trading. To this end, this paper takes the first attempt to employ novel deep learning architecture with Bidirectional Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) units to forecast the price difference between day-ahead and real-time markets for the same node. The raw data is collected from PJM market, processed and fed into the proposed network. The Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and customized performance metric are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Case studies show that it outperforms the traditional statistical models like ARIMA, and machine learning models like XGBoost and SVR methods in both RMSE and the capability of forecasting the sign of price difference. In addition to cross-market price difference forecast, the proposed approach has the potential to be applied to solve other forecasting problems such as price spread forecast in DA market for Financial Transmission Right (FTR) trading purpose.
Transfluthrin Spatial Repellent on US Military Camouflage Netting Reduces Tabanids in a Warm-Temperate Environment

We investigated the capability of transfluthrin on US military camouflage netting to reduce collections of tabanid biting flies in a warm-temperate field environment on the Gulf Coast of Florida. We found that transfluthrin significantly reduced collections of a variety of medically and veterinarily important tabanids inside protected areas by up to 96% upon initial treatment and up to 74% after 20 days posttreatment. These results suggest that transfluthrin could be an effective element in the US Department of Defense integrated pest management system and leveraged in civilian scenarios to protect livestock and humans from potential mechanical transmission of pathogens and disruption of activities caused by painful bites.
Social Ontology and Model-Building: A Response to Epstein:

Brian Epstein has recently argued that a thoroughly microfoundationalist approach towards economics is unconvincing for metaphysical reasons. Generally, Epstein argues that for an improvement in th...
Comparison of methods of functional group analysis using results from laboratory and field aerosol measurements

A study was conducted to compare two methods for analysis of functional groups in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) generated in the laboratory and organic aerosol collected in the Southeastern Oxida...
Challenges and lessons: Design and implementation of a multi-site evaluation of team-based learning

The authors of this article describe the design and implementation of a multi-site randomized controlled trial of team-based learning (TBL) application exercises (AE) in introductory economics cour...
Lessons for Latin America from the Asian Textile Industry Experience

This paper examines recent statistics in US textile and clothing trade with selected Latin American and Asian economies, comparing data on textile exports from the top 10 suppliers between 1995 and 2003. It evaluates the initial effects of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) of 1995, which provided for a 10-year quota phase-out process for WTO member countries. Since its accession into WTO, China has replaced Mexico as the top supplier of goods to the US. In addition, a brief comparison with other international experience of emerging economies is provided in order to elucidate the relevance of the textile industry in the region and world economy. This empirical work can be the starting point for policy-makers to design long-term policies that are needed for Latin America to compete successfully in the US market and promote the restructuring of clothing and textile production at the country level.
Macrothrombocytopenia of Takenouchi-Kosaki syndrome is ameliorated by CDC42 specific- and lipidation inhibitors in MEG-01 cells.

Macrothrombocytopenia is a common pathology of missense mutations in genes regulating actin dynamics. Takenouchi-Kosaki syndrome (TKS) harboring the c.191A > G, Tyr64Cys (Y64C) variant in Cdc42 exhibits a variety of clinical manifestations, including immunological and hematological anomalies. In the present study, we investigated the functional abnormalities of the Y64C mutant in HEK293 cells and elucidated the mechanism of macrothrombocytopenia, one of the symptoms of TKS patients, by monitoring the production of platelet-like particles (PLP) using MEG-01 cells. We found that the Y64C mutant was concentrated at the membrane compartment due to impaired binding to Rho-GDI and more active than the wild-type. The Y64C mutant also had lower association with its effectors Pak1/2 and N-WASP. Y64C mutant-expressing MEG-01 cells demonstrated short cytoplasmic protrusions with aberrant F-actin and microtubules, and reduced PLP production. This suggested that the Y64C mutant facilitates its activity and membrane localization, resulting in impaired F-actin dynamics for proplatelet extension, which is necessary for platelet production. Furthermore, such dysfunction was ameliorated by either suppression of Cdc42 activity or prenylation using chemical inhibitors. Our study may lead to pharmacological treatments for TKS patients.
Enhancement of Osseointegration of Bio-Active Material Surface by the Low-Intensive Pulsed Ultrasound Waving (LIPUS)

Excellent firm bonding between the biomaterials and bone tissue (osseointegration and osteo-conductivity) is very important for the stability of dental implants and artificial joints etc. Much has been learned about this concept, which has led to significant improvements in the design and surface modification of implants in the field of implant dentistry, orthopedic surgery. For this issue, we have focused on the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) irradiation, investigated whether LIPUS could accelerate the osseointegration ability of bio-active material such as bioactive titanium and hydroxyapatite. As samples, Bio-active pure titanium and hydroxyapatite (HA) were prepared, in vitro simulation test and animal experiment have performed. In simulation test, the bone-like hydroxyapatite formation on material surface in simulated body fluid (SBF) under the LIPUS were assessed. In animal test, the bio-active samples implanted to the rabbits femur, undertaken the irradiation of LIPUS were investigated by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) etc. and histological observation. As a result, LIPUS irradiation showed the excellent enhancement of bone-material attachment by means of the crystal growth of bone-like apatite on sample materials surface, which suggested the application of LIPUS has clinical potential to improve the osseointegration (osteointegration), bone-bonding ability of bio-active materials.
Longitudinal Relaxation in Solid 129Xe

Solid xenon has been studied for many years by many prolific groups. The problem of longitudinal relaxation of solid 129Xe in particular is an interesting one because it is notoriously difficult: computationally due to its many-body nature, and experimentally because of its history of nonreproducibility. The wave function of a xenon atom in a lattice is not completely known because of the complexity of the system. In theory, if a correct xenon wave function is used and the correct relaxation mechanism is posited, the relaxation rates are calculable from first principles. At the time of this work, the leading model gives that longitudinal relaxation in the regime of 77–120 K is predominately caused by a spin-rotation interaction mediated by Raman-scattering of phonons.
Modular Representations of Finite Groups of Lie Type

Finite groups of Lie type encompass most of the finite simple groups. Their representations and characters have been studied intensively for half a century, though some key problems remain unsolved. This is the first comprehensive treatment of the representation theory of finite groups of Lie type over a field of the defining prime characteristic. As a subtheme, the relationship between ordinary and modular representations is explored, in the context of Deligne–Lusztig characters. One goal has been to make the subject more accessible to those working in neighbouring parts of group theory, number theory, and topology. Core material is treated in detail, but the later chapters emphasize informal exposition accompanied by examples and precise references.
Tissue interaction in chick liver development: a reevaluation. I. Epithelial morphogenesis: the role of vascularity in mesenchymal specificity.

Undifferentiated hepatic diverticula of the 60-hour chick embryo (26–32 somites) were cultivated either separately or in combination with various mesodermal derivatives, in vitro or on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Cultures were examined histologically at the light-microscope level. Hepatic parenchymal morphology is shown to be a composite of two levels of histological organization, whose corresponding morphogenetic processes are experimentally separable from one another and differ in their interaction requirements. The formation of bile canaliculi is a process intrinsic to the cytologically mature epithelium; it appears to be inhibited by unfavorable mesenchymes, but requires no positive influence of mesenchymal origin. Formation of hepatic cords, on the other hand, depends upon the presence of both mesenchymal cells and sinusoidal endothelium. Epithelial-endothelial contiguity appears to be most directly responsible for this process, while mesenchyme determines the extent of endothelial invasion. These findings are discussed in terms of the correlation, established by previous investigators, between mesenchymal origin and morphogenetic influence. It is suggested (1) that embryonic derivation determines both mesenchymal efficacy for stimulation of vasculogenesis and the extent of epithelial dependence upon that mesenchymal property and (2) that it is the resulting distribution of these properties which determines (the differing degrees of) specificity among a wide variety of epithelial-mesenchymal relationships.
The Evolution, Use, and Effects of Personal Health Records: A Narrative Review

Objective: To present a summarized literature review of the evolution, use, and effects of Personal Health Records (PHRs). Methods: Medline and PubMed were searched for ‘personal health records’. Seven hundred thirty-three references were initially screened resulting in 230 studies selected as relevant based on initial title and abstract review. After further review, a total of 48 articles provided relevant information and were included in this paper. These articles were reviewed by one author and grouped into categories such as PHR evolution and adoption, patient user attitudes toward PHRs, patient reported barriers to use, and the role of PHRs in self-management. Results: Eleven papers described evolution and adoption, 17 papers described PHR user attitudes, 10 papers described barriers to use, and 11 papers described PHR use in self-management. PHRs have evolved from patient-maintained paper health records to provider-linked electronic health records. Patients report enthusiasm for the potential of modern PHRs, yet few patients actually use an electronic PHR. Low patient adoption of PHRs is associated with poor interface design, and low health and computer literacy on the part of patient users. Conclusion: PHR systems that account for patient’s needs and skills can facilitate their adoption. Common barriers are avoidable when patients receive adequate guidance on useful features as well as technical support. When implemented effectively, PHRs can increase patient participation in health management, and improve patient-physician communication and health related decision making when healthcare is provided in-person or at a distance.
Educational Expectations, School Experiences and Academic Achievements: A Longitudinal Examination

This study incorporates teacher and child perceptions of child school experiences into the examination of the reciprocal influence between teacher and child educational expectations and child academic achievements. Analysing a longitudinal data from north-west rural China, the results highlight strong lagged effects of child school experiences: a child’s early feelings of disengagement have strong negative impact on his/her later educational expectations and achievements, while the teacher’s early evaluations of the child are closely linked to later teacher expectations and child achievement. A child’s family background has almost no direct effect on child and teacher expectations and achievements when controlling child and teacher perceptions of child’s progress in school. The findings suggest that future studies should focus more on child school experiences, which is a topic that has brought much insight to disparities in educational outcomes in developed countries.
Changing Economic Perspectives on the Theory of Retail Location

This chapter examines the evolution of retail location theory over time. Changes in the theory of retail location are explained in part by consumers’ willingness to drive past a well-located shopping center in order to patronize a shopping center with a preferred selection of merchandise or a desirable anchor tenant. In terms of measuring the significance of merchandise selection and anchor tenant image, the chapter documents that retail clustering and anchor tenant image have a dramatic effect on nonanchor tenant sales.
Early career academic productivity among emergency physicians with R01 grant funding.

Objectives: The objective was to describe the early academic career activities of emergency physician (EP) scientists with recent Research Project Grant Program (R01) grant funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Methods: The curricula vitae of all EP scientists in the United States currently funded by the NIH were analyzed for evidence of advanced research training and frequency and type of publication and grant writing. Each investigator was surveyed for demographic features and estimation of protected time during their early career development. Results: Eighteen investigators were identified. The median length of time from completion of residency to receipt of their first R01 grant was 11 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 11 to 15 years), and the median age of investigators at the time of this award was 43 years (IQR = 39 to 47 years). At the time of their award, researchers were publishing five peer-reviewed manuscripts a year (IQR = 1 to 8 manuscripts) and had already received considerable external funding. Ninety-four percent of those studied had pursued a research fellowship, an advanced degree, or an NIH K-award following residency. Conclusions: For EPs, receipt of an R01 from the NIH requires more than a decade of work following the completion of training. This period is characterized by pursuit of advanced research training, active and accelerating publication and collaboration, and acquisition of smaller extramural grants. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:759‐762 a 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Evidence-based practice knowledge and perfusionists’ clinical behavior

Introduction:Evidence-based practice (EBP) has been widely studied and adopted in allied health professions education. Current practitioners may have challenges in adopting EBP into current practic...
Precision multi-band photometry with a DSLR camera

Ground-based exoplanet surveys such as SuperWASP, HATNet and KELT have discovered close to two hundred transiting extrasolar planets in the past several years. The strategy of these surveys is to look at a large field of view and measure the brightnesses of its bright stars to around half a percent per point precision, which is adequate for detecting hot Jupiters. Typically, these surveys use CCD detectors to achieve high precision photometry. These CCDs, however, are expensive relative to other consumer-grade optical imaging devices, such as digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs). We look at the possibility of using a digital single-lens reflex camera for precision photometry. Specifically, we used a Canon EOS 60D camera that records light in 3 colors simultaneously. The DSLR was integrated into the HATNet survey and collected observations for a month, after which photometry was extracted for 6600 stars in a selected stellar field. We found that the DSLR achieves a best-case median absolute deviation (MAD) of 4.6 mmag per 180 s exposure when the DSLR color channels are combined, and 1000 stars are measured to better than 10 mmag (1%). Also, we achieve 10\,mmag or better photometry in the individual colors. This is good enough to detect transiting hot Jupiters. We performed a candidate search on all stars and found four candidates, one of which is KELT-3b, the only known transiting hot Jupiter in our selected field. We conclude that the Canon 60D is a cheap, lightweight device capable of useful photometry in multiple colors.
How four weeks of implantation affect the strength and stiffness of a tendon graft in a bone tunnel: a study of two fixation devices in an extraarticular model in ovine.

BackgroundFor a tendon graft to function as an anterior cruciate ligament, the tendon must heal to the bone tunnel. We studied the effect of 4 weeks of implantation on the strength and stiffness of a tendon in a bone tunnel using two different fixation devices in an ovine model.HypothesisThe type of fixation device in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may affect early healing, which can be measured as the strength and stiffness of a tendon in a bone tunnel.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsAn extraarticular tendon graft reconstruction was performed in ovine tibias. The graft was fixed with either a bioresorbable interference screw or a WasherLoc. After 4 weeks of implantation the strength and stiffness of the complex and the tendon graft-bone tunnel interface were determined by incrementally loading specimens to failure.ResultsFor the interference screw, the strength deteriorated 63% and the stiffness deteriorated 40%. For the WasherLoc, the strength was similar and the stiffness impr...
Controversies in Chiari I malformations

Background: The diagnosis and management of Chiari I malformations (CMI) remains controversial, particularly since it is often an incidental finding on cervical MR scans performed for neck pain and/or headaches. Recently, some surgeons over-operated on asymptomatic patients with Chiari I malformations, or even on those without the requisite radiographic diagnostic features for Chiari I malformations: unfortunately, only a subset were admonished for indiscriminate surgery. Nevertheless, when this hindbrain malformation is truly symptomatic, contributing to impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation, various valid surgical management strategies may be adopted. Methods: This review focuses on the current literature regarding the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and surgical management of Chiari I malformation. Variations in the surgical technique are also presented and critiqued. Results: The recommended treatment for Chiari I malformations I consists of decompressive suboccipital craniectomy and duroplasty when abnormal cine-flow MRI is observed preoperatively and blockage of CSF flow persists intraoperatively despite bony decompression. Conclusions: Controversy continues regarding the optimal surgical technique to address Chiari malformations I. Proper diagnostic studies and patient selection are needed to optimize patient outcomes, while avoiding unnecessary surgical procedures.
An examination of two-step estimators for models with lagged dependent variables and autocorrelated errors

Abstract The possible roles of the Durbin Equation and the first observation correction in improving the efficiency of parameter estimates in the lagged dependent variables-serial correlation model are examined. Unconstrained estimation of the Durbin Equation results in an estimate of ρ which is inefficient and its use in feasible generalized least squares does not provide asymptotically efficient estimates. Evidently, the first observation correction is a very important determinant of small sample properties in the present model. Asymptotically inefficient estimators which use a first observation correction frequently outperform Hatanaka's asymptotically efficient estimator in finite samples, essentially because it does not use the first observation.
Proteomic analysis optimization: selective protein sample on-column retention in reverse-phase liquid chromatography.

Abstract In an effort to optimize reverse-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) for proteomics, we studied the impact of composition of the sample injection solution on protein on-column selection and retention. All the proteins studied were retained on-column when injections were made in 50% formic acid, 0.1% TFA or 8.3 M urea. When formic acid was increased to 80%, the superoxide dismutase standard (MW 26,159) and 58 mouse microsomal proteins that possessed low-range molecular weights, high pIs or basic amino acid clusters were non-retained, resulting in retention selectivity during sample injection. Introducing to the 80% formic acid injection solution an organic solvent such as acetonitrile or acetonitrile–DMSO induced further retention selectivity, and increasing levels of organic solvents reduced on-column retention. The proteome was split into the proteins that were retained on-column which eluted at higher retention times (RTs), vs the proteins that collected in the injection flow-through which normally eluted at lower RTs. This protein selectivity was confirmed after fraction collection, 1D-GE and nano-LC–MS/MS. The significance of this procedure is that it can be exploited for fast extraction of small basic proteins from the bulk of the proteome and for on-column enrichment of hydrophobic proteins.
PATTERNS OF SYMPTOM REPORT ON THE BRIEF SYMPTOM INVENTORY

Summry.-Three global indices of symptomatology summarize results of che Brief Symptom Inve~tory. This study attended to the relationship between global indices of symptom enumeration and symptom severity. Among profiles of 850 adult outpatients, a strong relationship existed between style of reporting symptoms, emphasizing number or intensity, and prominence of certain symptom dimensions. Patients reporting numerous low-grade symptoms were high on Somatization and Phobic Anxiety. Those with more intense focal symptoms were high on Depression and Anxiety. An explanation of results is offered by referring to features likely common among associated symptom dimensions. In their manual for the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Derogatis and Spencer ( 1982 ) identify three global indices of symptomatic disuess. Positive Symptom Total (PST), a count of positive symptoms, refers to symptom enurneration. Positive Symptom Distress Index (PSDI), the mean severity of positive symptoms, refers to intensity of distress. Global Severity Index (GSI), the sum of symptom-severity ratings, reflects both number and intensity of symptomatology. The three scales are said to constitute the preferred first level for interpretation of scores. Derogatis introduced comparable scales derived from forerunners of the inventory, the Hopkins Symptom Cheddist (Derogatis, Lipman, Rickels, Uhlenhuth, & Covi, 1974) and Symptom Cheddist 90 (SCL90-R; Derogatis, 1977). Yet only one published study has evaluated the nature of differences among global measures. Derogatis, Yevzeroff, and Wittelsberger (1975) contraszed them within the context of social status of neurotically anxious outpatients. Still lacking is a documented basis for interpreting patterns of the three global indices. This study reflects an effort to begin to establish and confirm the meaning of such patterns.
The effect of continuous exposure to low frequency electric fields on three generations of mice: a pilot study.

Mice were allowed to mate, gestate, deliver and rear their offspring for 3 successive generations while being continuously exposed to 60 Hz electric fields. Mice exposed to vertical electric fields exhibited decreased body weights at 35 days postpartum and increased mortality, rates for 3 successive generations. Mice exposed to horizontal electric fields exhibited decreased body weights for 2 successive generations.
Soil‐structure interaction effects on strong motion accelerograms recorded on instrument shelters

The distortions of earthquake ground motions recorded in small instrument shelters as a result of soil-structure interaction effects are investigated by means of a theoretical parametric study. A total of 12 foundation geometries varying in basal radius, embedment depth and extension above the ground surface and a number of soil profiles including uniform and layered soil models were considered. The results obtained show significant amplification and deamplification of the free-field ground motion for sufficiently soft soils (β 20 Hz).
The Effect of Lamellar Lath Spacing on the Creep Behavior of Ti-47at% Al

Continuing research and developmental efforts have shown that {gamma}-TiAl alloys are promising materials for high-temperature structural applications. It is now well established that creep behavior in these alloys is strongly dependent on microstructure. The fully lamellar (FL) microstructure is known to have the best creep resistance, but the effects of microstructural variables remain poorly understood. A recent review considered the available data on FL alloys in an attempt to determine trends of the effect of the microstructural variables. The lamellar spacing was suggested to have a significant effect; however the effects were found to be confounded by more than one variable being changed at a time. Due to the complex interactions between the various processing variables, controlling the microstructure and thus conducting a systematic study has been difficult. There is no reported study in which just one of the variables has been independently varied in order to study the effect of a chosen variable. In the present work, the authors report on a set of processing schedules that yielded two FL alloys (Ti-47at%Al) which had essentially the same microstructure except for the lamellar spacing. The effect of lamellar spacing on the secondary creep rate and on the primary creep strainmore » were measured at 760 C and 207 MPa.« less
Absorption of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in rat jejunum with intact blood and lymphatic vessels

Abstract Transport results from in vitro studies may not be applicable to in vivo situations. In this study, we extended our previous in vitro observations regarding the intestinal transport of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to in vivo studies in the unanesthetized rat and examined the effect of the unstirred water layer on the absorption process. We used a well defined intestinal perfusion technique. Absorption of 0.5 and 5 μM 5-methyltetrahydrofolate proceeded in a linear manner for 40 min of perfusion at 0.31 and 1.74 nmol/100 cm per min, respectively. Absorption of 0.5 μM 5-methyltetrahydrofolate increased with increasing perfusate flow-rate from 0.5 to 2 to 4 ml/min. indicating an unstirred water layer influence on the absorption rate. Absorption of the substrate was saturable with an apparent K t of 5.7 μM and V max of 3.45 nmol/100 cm per min. Absorption was pH-dependent, and was inhibited by structural analogues. In contrast to the in vitro data, addition of glucose (20 mM) to the perfusate was unnecessary for in vivo absorption to proceed. Unconjugated cholic (5 mM) and deoxycholic (1 mM) acids and the organic anion rose bengal (0.1 mM) inhibited the absorption of 0.5 μM 5-methyltetrahydrofolate when added to the perfusate. Conclusions: the results of previous in vitro studies of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate intestinal transport are applicable to in vivo situations, except that luminal glucose was found to be unnecessary in the latter. The unstirred water layer modulated the absorption of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, while unconjugated bile acids and rose bengal inhibited it.