cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pennsylvania public health reporting using an electronic surrogate marker for nosocomial infections

INTRODUCTION: This medical center is a 234-bed acute care facility located in Pennsylvania, where hospitals are required by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) to report all nosocomial infections. The medical center has an automated surrogate marker for nosocomial infection that has been accepted by PHC4 as meeting the mandated reporting requirement. The marker electronically analyzes patient clinical data and automatically identifies 1) patients and 2) the site (with the corresponding site code required by PHC4 for reporting). The medical center has been recognized by PHC4 as providing both comprehensive and objective public reporting. METHODS: In October 2003, the medical center instituted a new addition to surveillance, data-mining technology to perform hospital-wide, early warning surveillance based on electronic microbiology and patient movement information. This system additionally provided a surrogate marker for infection known as an “NIM” (Nosocomial Infection Marker™). The NIM had been validated elsewhere (sensitivity 89%; specificity 98%) and had previously been shown to correlate closely (R2 of.98) with increased variable cost and length of stay. Using the medical center's own data, it was determined that patients with a NIM on average add $2,533 (DRG-adjusted) in variable cost and had an increased length of stay of 3.34 days. In March 2004, the medical center formally petitioned PHC4 to accept the NIM as a valid means for public reporting of nosocomial infections. RESULTS: The medical center now uses an electronic data interface to automatically produce information for PHC4. This tool identifies all nosocomial infections across all hospital locations, which is the ultimate goal of PHC4 reporting. PHC4 now considers the medical center to be a model for public reporting of nosocomial infections and has requested state funds to support widespread use of the NIM for public reporting by other hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Public reporting requirements threaten to tax the overstrained resources of infection control. The automated NIM reporting system solves this problem by using technology to count nosocomial infections, freeing practitioners to spend more time on targeted improvement opportunities. The NIM is comprehensive, allowing automated, hospital-wide surveillance. The NIM is also objective, which means that if all hospitals used it as a basis for reporting a more fair comparison would result.
Dietary Fat for the Lactating Bovine. I. Effect on Fatty Acids of Serum Cholesterol Esters

Abstract Twenty-four Holstein cows were randomly assigned to treatment sequence and fed two levels of alfalfa hay (1.0kg/100kg body weight and 2.5kg/100kg body weight) and three types of concentrate (control, 6% added tallow, and 6% added cottonseed oil). The low roughage diet increased the 18:2 serum cholesterol esters while depressing the 20:1 fraction. Feeding tallow caused a depression of 12:0, 14:0, and 14:1 on the low roughage diet. While tallow caused an increase in 16:1, 16:2, and 18:3 on both roughage groups, the increase was significant only on the high roughage group. Cottonseed oil in the diet lowered 18:3 and 20:4 on the low roughage fed animals. Tallow raised 20:1 for both roughage groups. There were no significant correlation coefficients between the fatty acids of serum cholesterol esters and milk fatty acids.
Placing Animals: An Introduction to the Geography of Human–Animal Relations

Julie Urbanik. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2012. xii and 191 pp., maps, photos, diagrams, illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. $29.00 paper (ISBN 978-1-4422-1185-8); $78.02 cloth (ISB...
Vibrational spectra and structure of organophosphorous compounds. XIX. Infrared and Raman spectra and structure of methoxydifluorophosphine-d 0 and -d 3

The infrared spectra of CH3OPF2 and CD3OPF2 in the gaseous and solid states and the Raman spectra of the gaseous, liquid, and solid states have been recorded from 3200 to 40 cm-1. Seventeen of the 18 normal modes have been assigned through the use of group frequencies, depolarization values, band contours, and frequency shifts with isotopic substitution. The V3 term of the asymmetric potential function was calculated to have a value of 3.41 kcal/mol from the fundamental and first overtone of the methoxy torsion. The vibrational spectra support a trans conformation for this molecule.
Requirements and limits for life in the context of exoplanets

The requirements for life on Earth, its elemental composition, and its environmental limits provide a way to assess the habitability of exoplanets. Temperature is key both because of its influence on liquid water and because it can be directly estimated from orbital and climate models of exoplanetary systems. Life can grow and reproduce at temperatures as low as −15 °C, and as high as 122 °C. Studies of life in extreme deserts show that on a dry world, even a small amount of rain, fog, snow, and even atmospheric humidity can be adequate for photosynthetic production producing a small but detectable microbial community. Life is able to use light at levels less than 10−5 of the solar flux at Earth. UV or ionizing radiation can be tolerated by many microorganisms at very high levels and is unlikely to be life limiting on an exoplanet. Biologically available nitrogen may limit habitability. Levels of O2 over a few percent on an exoplanet would be consistent with the presence of multicellular organisms and high levels of O2 on Earth-like worlds indicate oxygenic photosynthesis. Other factors such as pH and salinity are likely to vary and not limit life over an entire planet or moon.
Facilitating cumulative impact assessment in the EIA process

For almost two decades prepared environmental impact statements (EISs) and environmental assessments (EAs) in the United States have been required to address cumulative impacts (CIs). However, the current overall level of attention given to CI considerations in these documents is lacking and inconsistent. This paper presents the highlights from a study on the current state‐of‐practice of cumulative impact assessment (CIA) in the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. The study consisted of six components: (1) reviewing published literature related to CI fundamentals (e.g., definitions and generic frameworks); (2) reviewing 14 EISs from the United States; (3) reviewing 30 EAs from the United States; (4) reviewing international regulations from 8 different countries/groups of countries; (5) reviewing 40 court cases related to CIA issues; and (6) analyzing the results from a questionnaire sent to EIA practitioners in both the United States and internationally to ascertain professional viewpoints and ...
Hydroelectric power generation and mineral recovery in the Qattara Depression of Egypt

Abstract Hydroelectric power generation and mineral recovery from sea water appears to offer economically attractive development potential for the Qattara Depression in Egypt. First-order estimates are presented in this Note.
Probing Electrochemical Interfaces with X-ray Standing Waves

The utility of the X-ray standing wave technique for the study of electrochemical interfaces is demonstrated. A platinum/carbon LSM (layered synthetic microstructure) with a d spacing of 56 A and with platinum as the outermost layer was used as a substrate. A layer of iodide was adsorbed, followed by the electrodeposition of a layer of copper. Simultaneously monitoring of the reflectivity as well as the fluorescence intensity arising from the iodide and copper layers showed that the copper layer is deposited on top of the platinum, consistent with previously reported LEED studies of Hubbard and co-workeis. The X-ray standing wave technique' represents an extremely sensitive tool for determining the position of impurity atoms within a single crystal2 or adsorbed onto crystal
The precultural human mating system

What was the precultural human mating system? This paper uses primate cross-species comparisons to arrive at a plausible answer which challenges many current theories. The results of this investigation suggest that (1) our precultural ancestors resided in multimale, multifemale communities; (2) the male-female consortships of our ancestors were genetically programmed to last for a short period, i.e., a few months or less; and, most importantly, (3) the precultural human mating system was a form of «selective promiscuity.» Also, it is suggested that our precultural mating system is a continuing fundamental tendency within us that is being suppressed and modified by culture.
Interview: Comparative effectiveness research from the perspective of a surgeon–scientist

David F Penson is Professor of Urologic Surgery at Vanderbilt University (TN, USA) and Director of the Center for Surgical Quality and Outcomes Research in the Vanderbilt Institute for Medicine and Public Health. He is the Principal Investigator of the Prostate Cancer Outcomes Study, a large population-based study of prostate cancer survivors funded by the National Cancer Institute that includes the longest longitudinal patient-reported follow-up in the field. Dr Penson is also the Principal Investigator of the CEASAR study, a comparative effectiveness study of surgery versus radiation for localized prostate cancer. Over 3600 men have been enrolled in the study that will determine ‘what works, in which patients and in whose hands’. His work has been published in a variety of journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Health Affairs and Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Dr Penson’s research and clinical efforts were recognized by the American Urological Association in 2006, when...
A Postpartum Model in Rat : Behavioral and Gene Expression Changes Induced by Ovarian Steroid Deprivation

Background Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 10% to 20% of women during the first 4 weeks of the postpartum period and is characterized by labile mood with prominent anxiety and irritability, insomnia, and depressive mood. During the postpartum period, elevated ovarian hormones abruptly decrease to the early follicular phase levels that are postulated to play a major role in triggering PPD. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms that contribute to PPD have not been determined. Methods In the present study, we examined the effect of ovarian steroids, administered at levels that occur during human pregnancy followed by rapid withdrawal to simulate postpartum conditions, on behavior and gene expression in the rat. Results The results of behavioral testing reveal that the hormone-simulated postpartum treatment results in the development of a phenotype relevant to PPD, including vulnerability for helplessness, increased anxiety, and aggression. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) demonstrated transient regulation of several genes, including Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMKII), serotonin transporter (SERT), myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor α4 (GABAARA4), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (SMAD4), and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) that could underlie these behavioral effects. Conclusions These studies provide an improved understanding of the effects of withdrawal from high doses of ovarian hormones on behavior and gene expression changes in the brain that could contribute to the pathophysiology of PPD.
Retrieval of Patent Documents from Heterogeneous Sources Using Ontologies and Similarity Analysis

In the past few years, there has been an explosive growth in scientific and legal information related to the patent system. Patents and related documents are siloed into multiple heterogeneous sources. Retrieving relevant information from diverse sources is a non-trivial task and poses many technical challenges. Among the challenges is the issue of terminological inconsistencies that are used in the documents. We tackle the terminological inconsistency issue by exploring domain knowledge through the use of ontology standards. Furthermore, we take advantage of cross-references and structural dependencies between the information sources to enhance terminological comparison. In this paper, we present a similarity analysis methodology which combines knowledge from two distinct sources -- (1) domain ontologies and (2) ontologies which describe the information sources to assist a user in identifying relevant documents across several information sources simultaneously. Specifically, we explore the use of a rule-based system to infer relationships between documents based on pre-defined heuristics. We present our results through a use case in the bio-patent domain with a collection of 1150 patents and 30 court cases.
Compensation of Negative Sequence Component using sequence parameters

Current unbalance is frequently encountered power quality problem. Negative sequence current leads to increase in machine temperature and unnecessary tripping of circuit breakers. Unequal phase current and harmonic current causes increased line losses and skin effect. In this paper, a new stationary reference frame control is proposed and implemented based on Positive and Negative Sequence Component Extraction. Positive sequence current is taken as reference for VSI, used as current unbalance compensator. VSI is designed to eliminate negative sequence current component thereby balance of currents are obtained. Consequently, reduction in lines losses and improvement of power factor is also observed in the power system.
83 GLUCOSE OXIDATION ON THE FIRST DAY OF LIFE IN VENTILATED VLBW INFANTS

Ventilated VLBW infants usually receive only glucose during the first day of life. These infants are prone to hypo- and hyper glycemia, and it is unknown if this is due to changes in glucose oxidation(Gluox) or non-oxidative disposal (NOD). We studied glucose turnover and oxidation in 7 ventilated VLBW infanta (birthweight 1.25 ± 0.30 kg; gestional age 32 ± 2 weeks; postnatal age 17 ± 5 hrs) by a primed constant infusion of the stable isotope U-13C-glucose. The rate of appearance of glucose (Ra) was measured from the plasma (m+6) enrichment using GC-MS, glucose oxidation was measured as 13CO2 excretion in breath. Results as mean ± 1sd: Conclusion: 1. Endogenous glucose production was still present in all infanta (2.24±0.84 mg/kg.d) 2. Glucose oxidation was less than glucose intake 3. Non-oxidative disposal accounts for more than 50% of total Rate of appearance of glucose.
Calculation of vortices for finned missiles using the WIND flow solver

Abstract : The U.S. Army Research Laboratory is interested in applying state-of-the-art computational tools to the study of projectile aerodynamics at angle of attack and moderate Mach number. The WIND flow solver has been used to study the aerodynamics of two missile configurations. WIND successfully incorporates grids generated by the GridPro grid generation package. WIND gives good scalability and good overall performance on parallel computer platforms. This report discusses several aspects of interest concerning generating grids to use with WIND and the process of obtaining solutions.
Apolipoprotein E alters the processing of the β-amyloid precursor protein in APPV717F transgenic mice

We have recently reported a critical role for apolipoprotein E (apoE) in the process of amyloid deposition and neuritic plaque formation in APP(V717F) transgenic (Tg) mice, an animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, we have investigated whether the presence or absence of apoE alters the processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to various fragments, including the beta-amyloid peptides (Abeta). Here we show that, in contrast to APP(V717F) Tg mice expressing apoE, APP(V717F) Tg mice deficient in apoE develop anti-Abeta immunoreactive multifocal aggregates, which contain the beta-cleaved C-terminal fragments (beta-CTFs) of APP. Tg mice deficient in apoE also display altered levels of mature full-length APP, increased amounts of beta-CTFs, as well as elevated levels of Abeta(1-40) and Abeta(1-42) in an age- and region-dependent manner when compared to Tg mice expressing apoE. Taken together, these data support a role for apoE in APP processing in vivo.
Iowa intermediate care facilities: an evaluation of care providers'attitudes toward oral hygiene care.

This study investigated the oral hygiene care (OHC) activities and attitudes of care providers in Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) in the state of Iowa. Questionnaires were distributed to care providers employed at three ICF/MRs. About 98% of the staff ranked OHC as important to extremely important for residents. Twenty-three percent disliked OHC occasionally or more frequently. Lack of time and lack of staff were the main reasons preventing care providers from assisting residents with OHC. Residents’ behaviors resulted in inadequate OHC for 64.9%, and 49% of residents required complete assistance with OHC. Most common OHC difficulties reported were residents biting the toothbrush, refusing OHC, or not opening their mouths. Subjects reported spending 3.0 minutes brushing a resident's teeth and 3.0 minutes cleaning dentures. Care providers experienced significant behavioral and physical difficulties while providing OHC, but still found OHC important. Training programs for care providers are needed to address these difficulties.
Understanding the associations among anxiety sensitivity, distress tolerance, and discomfort intolerance: a comparison of three models.

Abstract Emerging work has identified several related constructs that appear to be relevant to anxiety psychopathology including anxiety sensitivity (AS), distress tolerance (DT) and discomfort intolerance (DI). AS refers to the fear of the consequences of anxiety-related sensations. DT measures tolerance of negative emotions, whereas DI measures tolerance of uncomfortable physical sensations. Questions, however, have been raised regarding the overlap among AS, DT, and DI. The present study conducted confirmatory factor analyses to test three models of emotional and physical tolerance to determine which model provided the best fit for the associations among AS, DT, and DI. Nonclinical individuals ( N = 411) and individuals with anxiety psychopathology ( N = 253) completed self-report questionnaires. Results supported a hierarchical factor structure with 2 higher order factors with AS as a lower order factor of DT. The implications of these findings for the conceptualization of the relationships among AS, DT, and DI are discussed.
26.1 A 1mW 71.5dB SNDR 50MS/S 13b fully differential ring-amplifier-based SAR-assisted pipeline ADC

The SAR-assisted pipeline ADC is an energy-efficient architecture for high resolution [1]. Consisting of two low-resolution charge-redistribution SARADCs coupled by a residue amplifier, a SAR-assisted pipeline ADC relaxes the noise requirements of the second stage and enhances the overall ADC speed while maintaining excellent power efficiency [1-4]. However, designs reported in [1,2] rely on power-hungry telescopic amplifiers that also limit the available inter-stage residue gain due to low output swing. A lower-power alternative is a dynamic amplifier, which operates as an open-loop time-domain integrator [3,4]. Although time-domain integration provides the benefit of noise filtering, the calibration required to achieve an accurate residue gain increases design complexity and test cost, and limits robustness. We introduce an uncalibrated fully differential ring-amplifier-based 13b 50MS/s rail-to-rail input swing SAR-assisted pipeline ADC with Waiden and Schreier (SNDR) FoMs of 6.9fJ/conversion-step and 174.9dB, respectively. We also present an improved DAC switching technique that further reduces the first DAC energy consumption and also reduces the DAC errors.
Retinoblastoma Protein-dependent Growth Signal Conflict and Caspase Activity Are Required for Protein Kinase C-signaled Apoptosis of Prostate Epithelial Cells

Both protein kinase C and the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein have been linked to the regulation of cell growth and cell death, suggesting the differential roles these factors play in mediating cell fate. In some cells, protein kinase C-induced activation of the retinoblastoma protein results in G1 arrest. However, inducible overexpression and activation of the protein kinase Calpha isozyme or the addition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in the prostate epithelial cell line, LNCaP, resulted in apoptosis preceded by induction of p21 and dephosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein. Consistent with a role for the retinoblastoma growth suppressor protein in protein kinase C-induced apoptosis, DU145 cells, which do not express functional retinoblastoma protein or LNCaP cells, which have been transfected with the retinoblastoma inhibitor, E1a, were resistant to apoptosis. LNCaP apoptosis was initiated by a unique conflict between the growth-suppressive activity of the retinoblastoma protein and growth-promoting mitogenic signals. Thus, when this conflict was prevented by serum depletion, apoptosis was suppressed. The caspase family of cysteine proteases is believed to encompass the execution machinery of mammalian apoptosis, and addition of the cell-permeable caspase inhibitor, Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, afforded nearly total protection from protein kinase C-signaled apoptosis. This protection correlated with the total loss of caspase activity as measured by the proteolytic cleavage of nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. On the basis of these results, we propose that protein kinase C regulates a novel cell death pathway that is initiated by a cellular conflict between retinoblastoma growth-suppressive signals and serum mitogenic signals in proliferating prostate epithelial cells and that is executed by the caspase family of cysteine proteases.
Participants' Evaluation of Consultation: Implications for Training in School Psychology.

Evaluation of graduate students’ consultation skills is essential to competent practice in school settings. Congruence of evaluation of the consultation experience has been shown as an important factor in the development of competent consultants in other, related disciplines. The current study analysed student consultant and teacher consultee perspectives on several dimensions, including school system entry, knowledge gaps, territorial concerns, role ambivalence, and problems inherent in student–staff member interaction. Results of tests for congruence of ratings of providers and recipients of consultation services suggest a number of concerns regarding the preparation of graduate student consultants for successful practise in school settings, including inadequate preparation for systems entry, conflict over shared problem solving and the need to balance expertise with collaboration, and graduate student’s lack of knowledge of instructional practices. Implications for training graduate students in school-...
Calcium hydroxide as a temporary filling of the post space in root-filled teeth

Abstract Objective. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate whether the saline content of the calcium hydroxide paste used as a temporary filling in the post space of root-filled teeth would significantly affect the seal of the apical root fillings (gutta-percha and zinc oxide-eugenol based sealer) during a period of 1 month. Study Design. Eighty extracted single-rooted and multirooted teeth were cut at the cemento-enamel junction. They were endodontically instrumented and filled with zinc oxide-eugenol based sealer and gutta-percha. A post space was immediately prepared on 70 teeth. The experimental teeth were then randomly divided into 4 groups: A, post space filled with calcium hydroxide paste (30 teeth); B, post space without calcium hydroxide paste (30 teeth); C, negative controls (10 teeth); and D, positive controls (10 teeth). The teeth were stored in a humidified chamber at room temperature for a month. After storage, the calcium hydroxide paste in the post spaces in group A was removed. All roots were coated with 2 layers of nail varnish and sticky wax externally, placed in a glass bottle containing methylene blue, and subjected to a vacuum for 15 minutes. The teeth were then stored for another week, sectioned in half longitudinally, and examined for dye penetration. The mean and standard deviation of dye penetrations for each group were calculated, and a Student t test was used to determine the statistical difference between the groups. Results. There was no significant difference in the coronal dye leakage of the apical root fillings between the post spaces filled with the calcium hydroxide paste and those without during a period of 1 month. Conclusions. The saline content in the calcium hydroxide paste placed in the post space as a temporary filling did not significantly affect the seal of the apical root fillings during a period of 1 month by using a dye leakage study. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2002;94:98-102)
Comparison of growth-induced resorption and denervation-induced resorption on the release of [3H]tetracycline, 45calcium, and [3H]collagen from whole bones of growing rats

The major effect of immobilization during growth is a smaller bone mass induced by either an increased bone resorption or a decreased bone formation. Using a method of analyzing radioisotopic loss of [3H]tetracycline and [3H]collagen from bone prelabeled in vivo, we compared the amount of bone resorption due to immobilization with bone resorption induced by growth. One hind limb was denervated in growing male rats, 6 weeks of age, that had been chronically prelabeled with [3H]tetracycline, 45calcium, and [3H]proline. The total radioactivity of the whole femur and tibia/fibula from the denervated limb was compared with that from bones of the control limb at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after denervation. The effect of growth on bone formation was measured by net increases in bone length, volume, and mass of matrix and mineral. Experimental bones had a significantly smaller volume and mass. Bone resorption was much greater during growth modeling than during denervation. The additional bone resorption induced by denervation was a small fraction (one-fourth) of the resorption induced by growth. Denervation during growth resulted in less bone being formed due to a smaller gain in matrix and mineral mass as a result of a reduction in bone formation.
The moderation of pessimistic judgments associated with high and low dietary Restraint

This study investigated the moderation of pessimistic judgments associated with high and low levels of dietary restraint using the Consider-An-Alternative debiasing procedure. Caucasian female participants were randomly assigned to either a control or debiasing group in a mixed factorial repeated measure designed experiment. The participants read and made probability ratings as to the likelihood of future negative eating-related events. The results showed that the debiasing procedure was effective in the reduction of pessimistic judgmental predictions for low restraint participants only. The results were discussed in terms of the debiasing technique and how it may serve to reduce pessimistic judgments. Finally, a potential for application in psychotherapy and cognitive models of psychopathology was emphasized.
Stable Dioxetane Precursors as Selective Trap-and-Trigger Chemiluminescent Probes for Singlet Oxygen

A set of highly selective chemiluminescent probes has been developed for the detection and quantitation of singlet oxygen (1O2), a reactive oxygen species that is known to transform organic pollutants in the aquatic environment and elicits cytotoxic effects in biological systems. In this study, a trap-and-trigger detection method is employed, based on the reaction of 1O2 with a spiroadamantyl-substituted vinyl ether probe to form the corresponding thermally stable dioxetane, which undergoes chemiluminescent decomposition upon addition of a chemical trigger. The detection method is highly selective for 1O2 relative to superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. The sensitivity of this method allows for the accurate measurement of environmentally relevant (picomolar) steady-state 1O2 concentrations in relatively short exposure times. The detection method was used to detect and quantify 1O2 production in the reaction of dibenzoyl peroxide with superoxide anion.
No interaction between the APOE and the alpha-1-antichymotrypsin genes on risk for Alzheimer's disease

It is now known that possession of one of the three common forms of the apolipoprotein E gene (allele epsilon 4) confers an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), both familial and sporadic, and that this risk is dose-dependent. Other genes that may play a role in AD, either through independent association with the disease or through modification of, or interaction with, the existing apolipoprotein E (APOE) risk, are now under investigation including the alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) gene, the very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDL-R) gene, and the presenilin-1 (PS-1) gene. Kamboh et al. [1995] reported that a polymorphism in the alpha-1-antichymotrypsin gene could modify the risk for AD conferred by the APOE locus, specifically by increasing the risk for AD among epsilon 4 homozygotes. The ACT gene, which is found on chromosome 14, has previously been proposed as a candidate for AD due to the presence of the ACT protein in senile plaques and the reported elevation of the protein in the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) and serum of AD cases. We have investigated this reported association within our familial and sporadic AD dataset, where we find no independent association between ACT and the occurrence of AD. Logistic regression analysis excludes ACT or the interaction between ACT and APOE as significant contributors in the prediction of disease status. By this analysis, ACT genotyping does not provide additional information about an individual's risk of Alzheimer's disease beyond the risk information conferred by APOE genotype alone.
Estrogen increases collagen I and III mRNA expression in the pelvic support tissues of the rhesus macaque

Objective Our aim was to study the effect of estradiol and raloxifene on collagen synthesis, by measuring the expression collagen I and III mRNA. Study design Nineteen nulliparous young adult rhesus macaques underwent oophorectomy and were treated for 5 months with estradiol alone, raloxifene, or no hormone. Tissue samples were acquired from the lateral vaginal wall, and included the paravaginal attachment and levator ani muscle. Expression of mRNA for collagen I and III was measured by in situ hybridization. Results Estradiol increased mRNA for collagen I and III compared with no hormone and raloxifene treatment (ANOVA, P Conclusion Estrogen, but not raloxifene, increases collagen gene transcription and indicates stimulation of collagen synthesis in pelvic floor connective tissues.
Teaching Young Readers Imagery in Storytelling: What Color Is the Monkey?

Although mental imagery's positive role in reading comprehension is clear, the means of introducing imagery to young readers is comparatively vague. Mental imagery's very nature, being nonverbal, invisible, and often unconscious, results in a mismatch with standard instructional practices. Verbal explanations of nonverbal phenomenon fall short. External images, such as story illustrations, can discourage the creation of internal images. However, through a less-standard practice of storytelling, the author discovered a natural gateway into imagery. In contrast to read-alouds from a picture book, storytelling prompted her students' curiosity about a character's appearance. The resulting conversation led to interest and inquiry about mental imagery in general. The author documents her second-grade class's journey into the using mental imagery during reading comprehension and provides theoretical justification for this instructional approach.
Difficulties in demonstrating long term immunity in FeLV vaccinated cats due to increasing age-related resistance to infection

Background Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a pathogen causing fatal illness in cats worldwide, and as such there is a high demand for products to protect against disease. The duration of immunity provided by an inactivated FeLV vaccine, Versifel FeLV, when administered to cats of the target age was determined. Kittens received two vaccinations when aged 7 to 9 weeks old, and were subsequently challenged up to 36 months later with the FeLV-A Glasgow isolate.
Interest Groups or the Public Interest—why Do We Regulate Health Occupations?

State regulation of occupations has become more prevalent even while its negative consequences are becoming understood. This raises questions about the source of such regulation and the extent to which the interests of the public are being represented. In my study of the regulation of health occupations, I explore the influence of organized interest groups, of the general public interest, and the structure of the legislature and the political environment. I analyze six health occupations (dietician, nurse-midwife, occupational therapist, physician assistant, psychologist, and social worker) and find that although organized interest groups do influence how these occupations are regulated, the public interest also plays an important role.
A Meta-Analysis of Advance Organizer Studies

Twenty-nine reports yielding 112 studies were analyzed with Glass’s meta-analysis technique, and results were compared with predictions from Ausubel’s model of assimilative learning. Overall, advance organizers were shown to be associated with increased learning and retention of the material to be learned. Levels of some variables in the high-effect-size studies were not as predicted by Ausubel’s model, however.
Diametral Compression of Hollow Non-Circular Bone Sections

Many research endeavors involve strength testing of long bones from human or animal sources. Whole-bone four-point bending is appropriate for many applications, but recently diametral compression of short sections has been used to quantify local mechanical parameters [1, 2]. ASME standard WK88 covers strength testing of circular rings for brittle materials [3]. Testing of biologically-derived samples, however, entails a number of added complications, such as the non-circularity of bone sections, ambiguity of load orientation, thickness variation in a section, and size and shape variation between sections in a single sample. In order to quantify the effects of these confounding factors, finite element diametral compression models of a number of bone sections were compared with circular and elliptical sections.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
SU-E-T-407: Freedom from Conventional: Application of RapidArc for SBRT Lung Treatments.

Purpose: Stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT) has been applied in treating early stage small lung lesions, delivering hypofractionated doses in a conformai manner. Studies have shown that SBRT has similar outcomes compared with surgery. Conventionally, SBRTlung treatments rely on utilization of multiple small, conformai, static fields in coplanar and non‐ coplanar arrangements. With the advent of RapidArc, it is important to evaluate the differences in dosimetry and delivery of conformai SBRTlung treatments for both conventional static field and VMAT techniques. Methods: A retrospective study of 12 patients at our institution who have received SBRT for primary lung lesions was used to evaluate the application of RapidArc for such cases. Originally treated plans utilized eight to ten conformai static coplanar and non‐coplanar fields. RapidArc plans were generated in Eclipse using single and multiple arc setups. Results: As an ntensity‐modulated modality, RapidArc provides greater freedom as compared to conventional static field delivery, as one can achieve dose uniformity throughout the PTV or replicate the dosimetry synonymous with conventional SBRT. RapidArc is capable of reproducing the high conformality achieved by conventional SBRT; dual arc plans, delivering uniform dose distributions, yielded an average CI100% of 1.11 and D2cm maximum of 63% of the prescribed dose, compared to 1.33 and 77% (p‐ values of .002 and .005, respectively) for conventional SBRT. Application of a short, non‐coplanar arc, in conjunction with dual coplanar arcs, improved sparing of OARs in direct proximity of the PTV at the expense of treatment time. RapidArc allows for faster treatment delivery; conventional SBRT delivery averages 13.7 minutes at our institution, whereas coplanar dual arcs are estimated to average treatment durations of 4.2 minutes. Conclusions: RapidArc is capable of generating conformai dose distributions and sparing of OARs, allows greater freedom in plan optimization, and reduces treatment time significantly.
Post-treatment with the Ca2+-Mg2+-endonuclease inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid prevents peroxynitrite-induced DNA damage and death of murine astrocytes

Abstract Oxidative stress plays critical roles in aging, cell death, and many diseases. Peroxynitrite is one of the major reactive oxygen species which mediates cell injury in a number of illnesses. It is of importance to identify the downstream events in peroxynitrite-initiated cell death cascade for preventing peroxynitrite toxicity. Ca2+–Mg2+-endonucleases have been suggested as the endonucleases that execute DNA fragmentation in several apoptotic cascades. In this study, we determined if astrocytes and neurons express the genes of Ca2+–Mg2+-endonucleases. We also tested our hypothesis that post-treatment with the Ca2+–Mg2+-endonuclease inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid can decrease peroxynitrite-induced DNA damage and death of astrocytes. We found that both astrocytes and neurons express DNase I-like endonuclease—a major isoform of Ca2+–Mg2+-endonucleases. Treatment of astrocytes with aurintricarboxylic acid either before or after peroxynitrite exposures can profoundly decrease peroxynitrite-induced DNA damage and cell death. These results suggest that Ca2+–Mg2+-endonucleases may be a key downstream component in peroxynitrite-initiated cell death cascade in astrocytes and some other cell types, and aurintricarboxylic acid could be used to decrease peroxynitrite-induced DNA damage at delayed phases.
Enabling high-precision nonlinear three-dimensional photoprocessing of premeditated designs on a conventional multiphoton imaging system

There is an increasing amount of interest in functionalized microstructural, microphotonic and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for use in biological applications. By scanning a tightly focused ultra-short pulsed laser beam inside a wide variety of commercially available polymer systems, the flexibility of the multiphoton microscope can be extended to include routine manufacturing of micro-devices with feature sizes well below the diffraction limit. Compared with lithography, two-photon polymerization has the unique ability to additively realize designs with high resolution in three dimensions; this permits the construction of cross-linked components and structures with hollow cavities. In light of the increasing availability of multiphoton imaging systems at research facilities, femtosecond laser manufacturing becomes particularly attractive in that the modality provides a readily accessible, rapid and high-accuracy 3-D processing capability to biological investigators interested in culture scaffolds and biomimetic tissue engineering, bio-MEMS, biomicrophotonics and microfluidics applications. This manuscript overviews recent efforts towards to enabling user accessible 3-D micro-manufacturing capabilities on a conventional proprietary-based imaging system. Software which permits the off-line design of microstructures and leverages the extensibility of proprietary LCSM image acquisition software to realize designs is introduced. The requirements for multiphoton photo-disruption (ablation) are in some ways analogous to those for multiphoton polymerization. Hence, “beam-steering” also facilitates precision photo-disruption of biological tissues with 3-D resolution, and applications involving tissue microdissection and intracellular microsurgery or three-dimensionally resolved fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) studies can benefit from this work as well.
Protective activity of 1,3-disubstituted 2- and 6-pyridones against selected neurotoxic agents.

Abstract Pretreatment of mice with certain substituted pyridones substantially delays the effects of tri- n -butyl phosphate, tubocurarine, decamethonium, hexamethonium, and EPN. The most effective compounds, in all cases, are esters of 1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3-pyridinol. With this pyridinol, the methylcarbamate and dimethylcarbamate esters are most effective while the ethyl- and diethylcarbamates are only slightly effective. The diethyl phosphate shows a similar spectrum of activity, but it potentiates rather than alleviates the effects of EPN. Protective effects against poisoning by tubocurarine, hexamethonium, and EPN may result from transient acetylcholinesterase inhibition by the carbamates and of the first two from more prolonged inhibition by the phosphate. Alleviation of the actions of decamethonium by pyridones, however, may result from a different mode of action, the mechanism being unknown. 1-Methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3-pyridyl 1-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydronicotinate is effective only against tubocurarine and decamethonium, suggesting specificity for the neuromuscular junction. Tropyl 1-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydronicotinate methiodide acts in the same manner as atropine; it is comparable to atropine sulfate as an antidote for EPN poisoning but is more toxic than atropine sulfate. Though most of the data support the hypothesis that tri- n -butyl phosphate acts primarily as a curarimimetic agent, assays with 3-isopropylphenyl methylcarbamate suggest that this is not necessarily so. Compounds based on 1-methyl-3-substituted 2- or 6-pyridones have certain structural features in common with the configuration of acetylcholine and may be useful in further studies on the functioning of various aspects of the cholinergic system.
Brain Aneurysms: Epidemiology, Treatment Options, and Milestones of Endovascular Treatment Evolution

A brain aneurysm is an abnormal, outward pouching of the artery wall caused by a weakness in the wall of an artery that supplies the brain. The wall of an aneurysm is thin, putting it at risk for rupture. All aneurysms involving the arteries of the brain are a serious medical condition. Their presence alone can compress surrounding brain tissue or cranial nerves, which can result in progressive neurological deficits, or they can rupture and bleed resulting in death or stroke. The prevalence of these is approximately 5%. 1 At that rate, an estimated
Robust Fall Social Displays Predict Spring Reproductive Behavior in Brown‐Headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater ater)

The ability to engage others in close proximity may be an essential component of social life and shapes the development of social skills. Variation in the willingness to initiate and sustain close interaction with conspecifics is known as sociability. The Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) uses an affiliative display called the head-down to bring individuals into close proximity. During fall 2009, we manipulated a large flock of cowbirds in a fission–fusion perturbation and recorded the frequency of head-downs and social approaches. During the fission–fusion perturbation, the rate of headdowns remained both correlated and repeatable across perturbations. In spring 2010,we separatedindividuals into threeaviaries, ahigh, intermediate, and low aviary, based onthe frequency of head-down displaysthey initiated during the previous fall 2009. When breeding, males in the high flock produced a higher number of songs within counter-singing matches, and females laid more eggs in comparison with the other aviaries. These findings suggest that head-down displays performed outside the breeding season may contribute to the development and maintenance of reproductive competence by providing intimate social interactions with others. All social systems require individuals to coordinate behavior with others. The ability to maintain close proximity with conspecifics facilitates group cohesion, social integration, familiarity, and aids the transmission of social information between individuals. Behavioral traits that are repeatable across contexts and over
TH‐C‐AUD A‐04: Calibration of Image‐Guided Robotic System for Prostate Brachytherapy

Purpose: To perform calibration and evaluation of an image‐guidedbrachytherapyrobotic system. Method and Materials:Brachytherapyrobotcalibration consists of three steps: mechanical roboticcalibration,imagecalibration and overall system calibration. Mechanical calibration determines 1)system resolution, as the smallest incremental movement that the robot can physically perform, 2)repeatability as a measure of the ability of the robot to move back to the same position and orientation and 3)accuracy, as the robot's ability to precisely move to a desired position in 3D space. Imagingcalibration for our system is the procedure where distance from ultrasoundimages is transformed to the metric distance in robot absolute coordinates. Overall system calibration is to determine the exact position of image stacks, calculated in absolute robotic system coordinates. These steps were performed using high‐resolution camera, specially‐designed phantom box for imagingcalibration and CMM device for mechanical calibration. The system software allows mutual calibration between mechanical and imagingrobotic modules. Mechanical calibration consists of DHV table definition for robotic system, matrix transformation, definition of composite matrices, direct kinematics solution, inverse kinematics solution, definition of robot initial position, calculation of position error, and error correction method. The robot errors gathered by position measurement are minimized by numerical optimization. Results: The calibrated precision of translation movements for the stylet and cannula are in the range of 0.03–0.08mm (depending on load); lateral and vertical movements for the gantry are 0.03mm; probe translation and rotation are 0.05mm and 0.03deg, respectively. The fiducial error for imaging is less than 0.1mm in x and y image coordinates. Conclusion: Overall roboticbrachytherapycalibration plays a crucial role in accurate delivery. The calibrated precisions of the image‐guidedbrachytherapyrobotic system are considered satisfactory for the given clinical application. Acknowledgement: Supported by NCI‐R01‐CA091763.
Reduced order controllers for an anisotropic composite plate with smart actuation and sensing

We present results for the recently developed balanced proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) model reduction algorithm applied to an anisotropic composite plate with piezoceramic actuators and sensors. Though balanced POD has been applied to a variety of problems, to the authors' knowledge it has not yet been demonstrated on a structural problem with this type of sensing and actuation, which is modeled with unbounded input and output operators in the distributed parameter system setting. The computed reduced order model is used to construct a reduced order feedback controller for the system.
The Accuracy of Body Mass Index for Classifying Overweight using Self-Reported Measurements in Women

Abstract Many surveys and epidemiological studies largely rely on self-reported height and weight in data collection. Obesity and overweight are of public concern due to their relation to several chronic diseases. Since attitudes toward body weight change over time, it is important to continually assess the validity of using self-reported weights and heights. Relatively few studies have examined the accuracy of calculating BMI (kg/m 2 ) from self-reported data. Women attending a community health event volunteered to have their weights and heights measured on standardized equipment. Prior to the measurements, women provided their self-reported weights and heights. Measurements were completed on 176 females ranging from 17-89 years. Body size was defined with the NHLBI guidelines using measured BMI. Overall, measured weights were significantly higher than reported weights ( P P P