cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parent Effectiveness Training: Adolescents' Responses:

This study measured the outcome of Parent Effectiveness Training using parents who were trained and a matched control group. The responses of the trained parents were contrasted with the perceptions of their adolescent children in the use of P.E.T. techniques. Responses from the Parent Effectiveness Training test were used as a basis for comparison. Analysis of the data did not support the claim that trained parents were any better equipped to use P.E.T. techniques than parents who had no training. The reports of adolescents of parents trained in P.E.T. confirmed that their parents did not use P.E.T. techniques with high frequency in the home.
Thermodynamic energies of donor and acceptor triplet states

Abstract Thermodynamic energies ( E T ) of lowest triplet states (T 1 ) have been measured for 60 triplet energy donors and acceptors. Laser flash photolysis procedures were used to monitor the equilibration between the triplet–triplet absorptions of reference and unknown compounds in ethyl acetate at 295 K. These measurements provide triplet free energies that reflect both enthalpy and entropy differences between T 1 and the ground state (S 0 ). These thermodynamic energies are the basis of quantitative models for triplet energy transfer kinetics in solution. For comparison, T 1 energies were also measured via phosphorescence at 295 K for most of the donors and many of the acceptors of this study. The phosphorescence of naphthalene at 295 K served as a reference for relating the thermodynamic and phosphorescent triplet energies ( E P ). For most rigid molecules the E T and E P values are nearly identical. However, for molecules with considerable rotational or conformational freedom, such as ketocoumarin and α-diketone donors and polyphenyl acceptors, E T values tend to be substantially greater than E P values. This difference partially reflects the tendency for reduced rotational freedom in T 1 relative to S 0 , which leads to a reduction in entropy and a corresponding increase in free energy (from − T Δ S ) in T 1 . For nonrigid chromophores triplet energies obtained from low-temperature measurements tend to approximate E T values in some cases, because the energy increases associated with emission from unrelaxed triplets tend to parallel the positive contributions of decreased T 1 entropy to E T . Triplet–triplet absorption maxima and extinction coefficients are provided for all of the donors and acceptors. Intersystem crossing quantum yields, also measured by laser flash photolysis, are provided for the triplet energy donors.
Therapy of postsurgical fungal endophthalmitis.

Successful therapy of postsurgical fungal endophthalmitis is restricted by the lack of safe, effective antifungal agents which penetrate the eye following multiple routes of administration. The proper steps in management of suspected postsurgical fungal endophthalmitis are (1) procurement of intraocular fluid for smear and culture, (2) initiation of broad antifungal therapy, and (3) modification of antifungal therapy based on the clinical response, drug tolerance, and results of laboratory determinations. On the basis of existing data and currently available agents, the preferred initial therapy is topical natamycin (pimaricin) 5%, oral flucytosine, and intravenous amphotericin B. The role of therapeutic pars plana vitrectomy has not been adequately defined. Corticosteroids should not be administered in the early stages of therapy. Miconazole may be an effective alternate agent for exogenous fungal endophthalmitis. This report includes the first case of postsurgical fungal endophthalmitis (Aspergillus conicus) treated successfully with topical and intravenous miconazole.
Thermally reversible polymeric sorbents for acid gases: CO2, SO2, and NOx

Weakly acidic gases such as CO2, SO2, NO2, and NO discharged directly into the atmosphere have been suggested to contribute to the formation of acid rain and to global climate changes. In an effort to develop an effective process by which to remove these pollutants from gas streams, we synthesized polymeric sorbents that bind acid gases. In an earlier work, we reported that polymers carrying pendant amine groups are capable of absorbing carbon dioxide to form thermally reversible amine/CO2 addition products. In this study, we investigated the effects of amine structure on acid gas sorption and the thermal reversibility of the sorption–desorption reactions of various acid gases including CO2, SO2, NO, and NO2 with both linear and cross-linked polymers using thermogravimetric analysis. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Effect of Divorce on the Relationship Between Parental Bonding and Sexrole Identification

In an effort to determine the effects of divorce on the relationship between parental bonding and sexrole identification, 369 men between the ages of 24 and 40 completed the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, Parental Bonding Instrument, and personal data sheet. Significant differences between sexrole groups in levels of perceived care are reported. Patterns of the parental bonding/sexrole indentification relationship, and explanations of these patterns are discussed. Implications of the effects of divorce on the parental bonding/sexrole identification relationship are also addressed. Comparisons are drawn between males' and females' sexrole identification and perceived levels of parental care and overprotection. Future research directions are proposed.
Control of interferometric spacecraft arrays for (u, v) plane coverage in multi-body regimes

Libration point orbits may be advantageous locations for spacecraft imaging formations. Therefore, control of these arrays in multi-body regimes is critical. Ideally, the motion of spacecraft within an imaging array minimizes fuel usage while maximizing resolution of a distant object in some mission-specified frequency band. Maximizing image resolution implies adequate coverage of the (u, v) plane in a specified observation time. In the current work, an optimization problem to minimize fuel usage while maximizing an image metric is formulated in the circular restricted three-body problem. Optimization is simplified by subdividing the task into two distinct smaller problems: imaging optimization and fuel optimization. Then, these problems are solved separately. Image reconstruction and coverage of the (u, v) plane are simulated for interferometric spacecraft configurations, demonstrating potential applications of the algorithm and the resulting motion.
Automatic Feasibility Verification of Object Configurations: A New Approach Based on Feature Interaction Matrices

A new approach based on qualitative feature interaction matrices (FIMs) to determine the feasibility of contact states between a pair of spatial polyhedra is presented. Determining feasibility of contact state descriptions can potentially be used in automatic generation of assembly strategy. Feature interaction matrices are exploited in this paper to model and characterize contact states. A hypothetical contact description in FIM is geometrically feasible if there exists a configuration such that the kinematic constraints imposed by all elements of the FIM are satisfied and the two polyhedra do not penetrate each other. In this paper, an optimization method is used to determine whether kinematic constraints are satisfied. A spatial reasoning technique is developed to perform penetration checks.
Future directions in controlling particle contamination in semiconductor integrated circuit manufacturing: an industry survey

Rapid progress in integrated circuit technology and the rising cost of wafer fabrication makes contamination control a critical issue in the semiconductor industry. This paper describes the results of an international survey of 750 contamination control specialists in the semiconductor fabrication and equipment industry. The purpose of the survey is to assess (1) the current problems in sub-micron IC manufacturing; (2) emerging technologies to deal with these problems; and (3) the potential of new solutions, such as minienvironments, to emerge as a significant alternative approach to conventional cleanrooms. The latter question is of particular interest. The survey examines current opinion on minienvironments and identifies the major obstacles toward the adoption and implementation of the standard mechanical interface (SMIF).
Parametric and Nonparametric Frequentist Model Selection and Model Averaging

This paper presents recent developments in model selection and model averaging for parametric and nonparametric models. While there is extensive literature on model selection under parametric settings, we present recently developed results in the context of nonparametric models. In applications, estimation and inference are often conducted under the selected model without considering the uncertainty from the selection process. This often leads to inefficiency in results and misleading confidence intervals. Thus an alternative to model selection is model averaging where the estimated model is the weighted sum of all the submodels. This reduces model uncertainty. In recent years, there has been significant interest in model averaging and some important developments have taken place in this area. We present results for both the parametric and nonparametric cases. Some possible topics for future research are also indicated.
c-Kit-mediated overlapping and unique functional and biochemical outcomes via diverse signaling pathways.

A critical issue in understanding receptor tyrosine kinase signaling is the individual contribution of diverse signaling pathways in regulating cellular growth, survival, and migration. We generated a functionally and biochemically inert c-Kit receptor that lacked the binding sites for seven early signaling pathways. Restoring the Src family kinase (SFK) binding sites in the mutated c-Kit receptor restored cellular survival and migration but only partially rescued proliferation and was associated with the rescue of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase, Rac/JNK kinase, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3 kinase)/Akt pathways. In contrast, restoring the PI-3 kinase binding site in the mutated receptor did not affect cellular proliferation but resulted in a modest correction in cell survival and migration, despite a complete rescue in the activation of the PI-3 kinase/Akt pathway. Surprisingly, restoring the binding sites for Grb2, Grb7, or phospholipase C-γ had no effect on cellular growth or survival, migration, or activation of any of the downstream signaling pathways. These results argue that SFKs play a unique role in the control of multiple cellular functions and in the activation of distinct biochemical pathways via c-Kit.
Antiplatelet testing in neurointervention: we cannot ignore the signs

Thromboembolic complications represent the greatest danger in most neurointerventional (NIR) procedures. The sensitivity of the brain to ischemia is unmatched among organs and is tested as we access smaller intracranial vessels and implant metal constructs. Prophylactic antiplatelet therapy is used to ameliorate these risks. The term ‘resistance’ has been applied to inter-individual variability leading to persistent platelet reactivity during antiplatelet therapy or to thrombosis despite therapy. Resistance to clopidogrel loading and maintenance dosing occurs in approximately 30–35% of patients. Multiple mechanisms are responsible including genetic polymorphisms, bioavailability, compliance and drug interactions. Recent years have seen tremendous growth in the cardiology literature about antiplatelet resistance; this has led to a Class IIb recommendation for selective genetic and platelet function testing in the current guidelines for the management of unstable angina.1 The debate about antiplatelet testing has also permeated the NIR sphere; several questions need to be sequentially addressed, however, before this practice can be uniformly adopted. This issue remains the Achilles’ heel of determining the consequences of inadequate platelet inhibition and, many would argue, poses more questions than answers. Light transmission aggregometry (LTA) is the gold standard to ascertain platelet reactivity, but due to expense and technical logistics is not widely feasible. A variety of bedside alternatives have emerged, the pre-eminent of which is the VerifyNow (VN) assay, a point-of-care platelet function test that uses two different cartridges for aspirin (ASA) and P2Y12 inhibitors. ASA resistance, as measured in aspirin reactivity units, is rare (<5%). For assessing the effect of clopidogrel, LTA and VN-P2Y12 are reasonably correlated (r≈0.8),2 despite a likely sigmoidal rather than direct linear relationship. (By comparison, a weaker correlation exists between activated clotting time and activated partial thromboplastin time; most of us routinely use activated clotting time to dose and monitor procedural anticoagulation effects.) Do we …
Latent Class Analysis of college women's Thursday drinking

College students drink in consistent patterns over the course of the academic semester and year (Beets et al., 2009; Del Boca et al., 2004). However, it is unclear if there are naturally occurring groups of female Thursday drinkers who display their own unique patterns of drinking across the semester. In a fall semester 10-week mixed online- and paper-based study of college female drinking, classes of Thursday drinkers were identified using Repeated Measures Latent Class Analysis. The 424 participants were recruited via flyers and advertisements in the student newspaper. It was determined that three latent classes provided optimal fit to the data: 1. Unlikely to report Thursday drinking; 2. Normal probability of Thursday drinkers; and 3. High probability of Thursday drinkers. The proportion of students within the latent classes differed across academic year in school. Seniors were least likely to be in the Unlikely group, and juniors and seniors were not in the Normal group. An additional analysis indicated that women in a sorority were four times more likely to be in the Normal or High groups compared to the Unlikely group. A final set of analyses indicated that women who enrolled in Friday morning classes were more likely to be in the Unlikely or Normal groups compared to the High group. Results indicated that the Unlikely group consumed significantly less alcohol at baseline, had lower levels of negative alcohol-related consequences prior to and during the study, and drank less on the weekends (Friday and Saturday). Female students who report drinking on Thursdays tend to be older, to be part of sororities, to have later classes or no classes on Friday, and to experience more negative alcohol-related consequences. Female students whose "weekends" start early are high-risk drinkers and might be targeted for future prevention and intervention efforts.
Local image statistics: maximum-entropy constructions and perceptual salience

The space of visual signals is high-dimensional and natural visual images have a highly complex statistical structure. While many studies suggest that only a limited number of image statistics are used for perceptual judgments, a full understanding of visual function requires analysis not only of the impact of individual image statistics, but also, how they interact. In natural images, these statistical elements (luminance distributions, correlations of low and high order, edges, occlusions, etc.) are intermixed, and their effects are difficult to disentangle. Thus, there is a need for construction of stimuli in which one or more statistical elements are introduced in a controlled fashion, so that their individual and joint contributions can be analyzed. With this as motivation, we present algorithms to construct synthetic images in which local image statistics—including luminance distributions, pair-wise correlations, and higher-order correlations—are explicitly specified and all other statistics are determined implicitly by maximum-entropy. We then apply this approach to measure the sensitivity of the human visual system to local image statistics and to sample their interactions.
Persistent disparities in cholesterol screening among immigrants to the United States.

Background: This study compared differences in cholesterol screening among immigrant populations and US born race/ethnic groups and whether improving access to health care reduced differences in screening. Methods: Self-reported cholesterol screening for adults was calculated from multivariate logistic regression analysis of the 1988–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (N=17,118). Immigrant populations were classified by place of birth and length of residency. Results: After adjusting for individual characteristics and access to health care, the multivariate adjusted probability of cholesterol screening is significantly lower for persons originating from Mexico (70.9%) compared to persons born in the US (80.1%) or compared to US born Hispanic persons (77.8%). Adjustment for access to care did significantly reduce the difference in screening rates between immigrants and natives because the rate for natives remained the same, but the rate for immigrants improved. For example, the difference in screening between US born persons and persons born in Mexico was reduced by nearly 10% after adjustment for access to care. Conclusions: There are persistent disparities in cholesterol screening for immigrants, particularly recent immigrants from Mexico, but improved access to health care may be a viable policy intervention to reduce disparities.
Size and Polydispersity Determinations of AOT/Bile Salt Reversed Micelles Obtained by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Previous work has shown that trihydroxy bile salt cosurfactants significantly modify the interfacial properties and aggregate size of Aerosol-OT (AOT) reversed micelles and can also increase the activity of enzymes such as chymotrypsin and lipase that are solubilized in the AOT reversed micelles. In the present work, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was used to study the effects of one such bile salt, sodium taurocholate (NaTC), on the size and polydispersity of AOT reversed micelles. At low concentrations, NaTC decreases the overall size of the reversed micelles, the size of the interior water pools, and the apparent thickness of the detergent layer, while causing an increase in polydispersity. At higher NaTC concentrations, the overall aggregate size, the size of the water pools, the thickness of the detergent layer, and the polydispersity all are increased. It is proposed that, at low concentrations, NaTC monomers are randomly dispersed among the AOT molecules in a perpendicular orientation, there...
A new approach to prepare well-dispersed CaF2 nanoparticles by spray drying technique†

Previously, nano-sized calcium fluoride (CaF₂) particles were prepared using a spray drying method by simultaneously feeding Ca(OH)₂ and NH₄F solutions to a two-liquid nozzle. The aim of the present study was to prepare better-dispersed nano-CaF₂ particles by co-forming a soluble salt, sodium chloride (NaCl). NaCl of various concentrations were added to the NH(4) F solution, leading to formation of (CaF₂ +NaCl) composites with CaF₂ /NaCl molar ratios of 4/1, 4/4, and 4/16. Pure nano-CaF₂ was also prepared as the control. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the products contained crystalline CaF₂ and NaCl. Scanning electron microscopy examinations showed that both the CaF₂ /NaCl composite and pure CaF₂ particles were about (50-800) nm in size and consisted of primary CaF₂ particles of < 50 nm in size. BET surface area measurements showed similar primary particle sizes for all samples. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed that the washed (CaF₂+NaCl) particles were much smaller than the pure CaF₂ as the dissolution of NaCl "freed" most of the primary CaF₂ particles, leading to a greater degree of particle dispersion. The well-dispersed nano-CaF₂ may be expected to be a more effective anticaries agent than NaF by providing longer lasting elevations of fluoride concentrations in oral fluids.
MAKING BUSINESS PREDICTIONS BY COMBINING HUMAN AND MACHINE INTELLIGENCE IN PREDICTION MARKETS

Computers can use vast amounts of data to make predictions that are often more accurate than those by human experts. Yet, humans are more adept at processing unstructured information and at recognizing unusual circumstances and their consequences. Can we combine predictions from humans and machines to get predictions that are better than either could do alone? We used prediction markets to combine predictions from groups of people and artificial intelligence agents. We found that the combined predictions were both more accurate and more robust than those made by groups of only people or only machines. This combined approach may be especially useful in situations where patterns are difficult to discern, where data are difficult to codify, or where sudden changes occur unexpectedly.
Spontaneous tension pneumocephalus in a patient with subdural empyema

Abstract We report a 45-year old male who developed subdural empyema (SE) with tension pneumocephalus. The patient was admitted unconscious with tonic extensor response to pain. A “gas-forming” organism, Escherichia coli , was detected . Surgical evacuation of the pus and treatment with the appropriate antibiotic did not result in amelioration of his symptoms and the patient died. We identified a rare clinical situation when the SE cavity had a relatively large air loculus that was clearly related to gas-forming bacteria. It appeared that the patient had developed tension pneumocephalus related to the air produced by the pathogen. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a gas-forming organism in an abscess cavity that resulted in tension pneumocephalus and related symptoms.
Sensory nerves and nitric oxide contribute to reflex cutaneous vasodilation in humans

We tested the hypothesis that inhibition of cutaneous sensory nerves would attenuate reflex cutaneous vasodilation in response to an increase in core temperature. Nine subjects were equipped with f...
Experience With Biventricular Intervention for Neonates With Mitral Valve Abnormalities in the Setting of Critical Left-Side Heart Obstruction

Background Mitral valve (MV) abnormalities may adversely impact outcomes after biventricular repair of critical left-side heart obstruction. Methods Neonates with left-side heart obstruction and MV abnormality (anatomically abnormal or hypoplastic but otherwise normal [Z-score −1.5 to −4]) who underwent biventricular repair from December 2005 to December 2012 were included. Institutional selection criteria determined suitability for biventricular repair. Primary outcomes (death, univentricular conversion, pulmonary hypertension) and secondary outcomes (reinterventions) were compared between hypoplastic and anatomically abnormal MV groups. Freedom from reintervention was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results There were 55 patients with hypoplastic MV (n = 35) or anatomically abnormal MV (n = 20). Initial interventions included arch repair (n = 45, with ventricular septal defect closure in 7), balloon aortic valvuloplasty (n = 8), and Ross-Konno operation (n = 2). None had initial MV intervention. Follow-up was available on 46 patients (84%) at a median of 25 months. Primary outcome occurred in 6 patients (13%): 2 deaths, 1 univentricular conversion, and 3 pulmonary hypertension. Twenty-six patients (57%) underwent 36 follow-up interventions, often for arch obstruction (n = 26). All follow-up MV interventions (n = 4) occurred in patients with anatomically abnormal MV. Median reintervention-free time was 7.3 months. Freedom from reintervention at 6, 9, and 12 months was 65%, 38%, and 27%, respectively. Neither MV size nor anatomy was associated with primary outcome. Conclusions Using our selection criteria, most neonates with left-side heart obstruction and MV abnormalities who underwent biventricular repair had reasonable survival with complex reintervention needs in early follow-up. The MV reintervention occurred in patients with abnormal anatomy, not hypoplasia.
Sense of Community in the School

The importance of creating and sustaining learning communities in which all members are valued can be traced to Vygotsky’s theory in which culture plays a central role in developmental processes. Vygotsky (1978) suggested that all learning is culturally mediated, historically developing, and arising from cultural activity. Leontiev describes Vygotsky’s cultural method of thinking as developing in a system of human relationships: if we removed human activity from the system of social relationships, it would not exist…the human individual’s activity is a system of social relations. It does not exist without these reactions (Leontiev, 1981, pp. 46–47).
Empire of cotton: a global history

With Empire of Cotton, Sven Beckert provides an expansive framework for thinking about the definitive role of one commodity in the creation, maintenance, and decline of the global economic order si...
We Are Here: Jesmyn Ward's Survival Narratives Response to Anna Hartnell, “When Cars Become Churches”

Anna Hartnell's “When Cars Become Churches” begins by establishing a helpful context for understanding and fully appreciating the most recent gift to readers from Jesmyn Ward, her 2013 memoir titled Men We Reaped. In the wake of the tragedies of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, John Crawford III, and Eric Gordon, Ward's memoir is a critically important addition to our understanding of the fragility of the lives of young black men. These are lives that matter deeply to Ward and to the community of DeLisle, Mississippi – and because of Ward's fearless, honest, and emotionally searing story, they are lives that matter to her readers. She realizes one of the great achievements of literature: the transformation of the reader who looks at the other from a distance into a reader who sees with the other. As such, her work – especially Salvage the Bones and Men We Reaped – helps to enhance affective and cognitive understanding of others and cultivate moral imagination.
Abstract 910: High dietary fat promotes inflammation and intestinal neoplasia, independently of diet-induced obesity, in B6.ApcMin/+ congenic-consomic mouse strains

Obesity and high fat (HF) diet are associated with increased risk of colon cancer. However, assessing their independent contributions to intestinal carcinogenesis is difficult due to their close association in humans. We utilized Chromosome Substitution Strains (CSSs) in combination with the B6.ApcMin/+ mouse model of intestinal cancer to generate Congenic-Consomic Strains (C-CSs). Using C-CSs, we tested whether a HF diet promotes the development of intestinal cancer, independent of obesity, and found that dietary fats are strong and independent determinants of polyp formation. CSSs, which have contrasting responses to a HF diet, were used to construct C-CSs that were susceptible to intestinal cancer, but were either resistant or susceptible to diet-induced obesity, depending on the substituted A/J chromosome. A2.ApcMin/+ (obese), A7.ApcMin/+ (lean), and A17.ApcMin/+ (lean) mouse strains were maintained on diets high or low in coconut oil (HFCoco and LFCoco, respectively). If obesity is crucial in polyp formation, all obese strains should develop more polyps than the lean strains. In contrast, if diet is important, we expected to find an increase in polyp number in all strains fed the HFCoco diet, independent of their susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. Polyp numbers were significantly increased in all strains after 60 days exposure to the HFCoco diet, regardless of obese or lean status, suggesting that a HF diet promotes polyp development. Polyp numbers were also significantly higher in B6.ApcMin/+ after similar exposure to a high fat corn oil (HFCorn) diet. We measured levels of circulating inflammatory factors and showed that adiponectin is decreased and leptin, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 are increased in B6.ApcMin/+ fed either of the HF diets compared to mice fed the corresponding LF control diets, implicating a role of inflammation in diet-induced intestinal neoplasia. With the novel C-CS systems, we were able to elucidate complex diet-gene interactions involved in intestinal carcinogenesis and provide evidence for a crucial role of a HF diet in the development of intestinal polyps. These dietary studies have implications for both prevention and non-invasive treatment of intestinal cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 910. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-910
Antihypertensive Effect of the Oral Angiotensin Converting-Enzyme Inhibitor SQ 14225 in Man

We investigated the antihypertensive effect of the angiotensin converting-enzyme inhibitor SQ 14225 in 12 hypertensive patients for periods of three to 24 weeks. Blood pressure decreased in all patients (from 177 +/- 8/110 +/- 2 to 136 +/- 6/88 +/- 2 mm Hg--mean +/- S.E.); oral doses ranged from 400 to 1000 mg daily. Concomitant effects noted were small increases in plasma potassium concentration and pulse rate. One patient experienced a transient febrile reaction. Plasma renin activity rose during treatment, plasma aldosterone decreased, and angiotensin-converting-enzyme activity was virtually eliminated. There was no significant correlation between pretreatment plasma renin activity and degree of blood-pressure fall with SQ 14225. The exact mechanisms contributing to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of this agent remain unclear. SQ 14225 is a promising new antihypertensive agent, effective in patients refractory to traditional medical therapy.
Life History and Laboratory Rearing of Corimelaena obscura (Heteroptera: Thyreocoridae) with Descriptions of Immature Stages

The life history of Corimelaena obscura McPherson & Sailer was investigated in southern Illinois during May-October 1994 and 1995, and the immature stages were described. The bug was reared from egg to adult under controlled laboratory conditions. Adults of this univoltine species overwintered, emerged in mid-May, and began feeding on flowering Chaerophyllum tainturiera Hook. During late May, they began moving to flowering Sanicula canadensis L. and Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.), where they fed and reproduced; adults also fed on Apocynum cannabinum L. and Torilis japonica (Houttuyn) in June, but did not reproduce. Eggs were laid singly on the fruits of S. canadensis in June and July. Seasonal occurrences of adults and nymphs are discussed. Adults were last observed in October. This species was reared on S. canadensis under a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h and at 26 ± 0.5°C. The incubation period averaged 8.69 d. The 5 nymphal stadia averaged 6.54, 4.79, 4.96, 6. 11, and 10.66 d, respectively. The instars can be distinguished by differences in several anatomical features including, among others, body size and punctation; and from C. lateralis lateralis (F.) by body length.
The analysis of epidemiologic characteristics of maralia from 1992 to2002 in Huiyang county, Huizhou

Objective To study the epidemiological feature of maralia in Huiyang county from 1992 to 2002, in order to provide scientific basis for elimination of maralia in this area. Method Population information,disease reports,and surveillance data of this area 1992-2002 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results The total number of reported incidents from 1992 to 2002 is 6 764,with an average incident rate of 119.29 / 100 000 per year.Most of the incidents occurred in1993. The number of incident is 2 667, and incident rate of this year is 542.18 / 100 000. The least of all is year 2002,only 6 incidents were reported,and incident rate is 1.21 / 100 000. The onset of disease mainly takes place in between May and September. Incident number is 3 983, that is 58.89%. Male-Female incident ratio is 4.9∶1. 3 350 patients are20-40 years of age,that is 74.12% of total.The top 3 of distribution of incidents by occupation are construction,20.17%, breeding industry, 19.90%, and brick makers, 15.80%. Conclusions The incident rate of maralia in this area is heading down. Most of the patients are male workers of age 20-40 years old among the construction, breeding industry and brick industry workers. The outbreaks of disease mainly take place in between May and September, which coincides with the seasonal fluctuation of maralia vectors in this area.
Photoinduced electron transfer from quantum dots to TiO2: elucidating the involvement of excitonic and surface states.

Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) exhibit excitonic and surface states, both of which may participate in charge-transfer processes relevant to solar energy conversion. To explore this inherent complexity of the charge-transfer mechanisms of QDs, we used steady-state and time-resolved emission measurements to characterize excited-state electron transfer (ET) from core-only CdSe QDs and core/shell CdSe/ZnS QDs to TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Core-only QDs transferred electrons from both excitonic and surface states to TiO2 with rate constants of ET (ket) of approximately (1–3) × 108 s−1 and (4–7) × 107 s−1, respectively. Efficiencies of ET (ηet) from excitonic and surface states were approximately 71–82% and 64–76%, respectively. Thus, trapping of electrons lowered their potential energy but did not greatly affect the efficiency of their transfer to TiO2. Photogenerated holes were transferred from core-only CdSe QDs to adsorbed 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), which linked the QDs to TiO2. We characterized core/shell CdSe/ZnS QDs as alternatives to core-only QDs. The ZnS shell eliminated the undesirable trapping of electrons and transfer of photogenerated holes to MPA. We measured ket of approximately (1–3) × 108 s−1 and ηet of approximately 66–85% for ET from excitonic states of core/shell CdSe/ZnS QDs to TiO2 NPs. The insensitivity of ket to the presence of the ZnS shell may have arisen from increased cross-linking of core/shell QDs to TiO2. Our results highlight the involvement of surface states in excited-state ET processes of core-only QDs and, for the heterostructures reported here, the improved performance of core/shell CdSe/ZnS QDs relative to core-only CdSe QDs.
Cardiometabolic disease in South Asians: A global health concern in an expanding population

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. As an emerging population, South Asians (SAs) bear a disproportionately high burden of CVD relative to underlying classical risk factors, partly attributable to a greater prevalence of insulin resistance and diabetes and distinct genetic and epigenetic influences. While the phenotypic distinctions between SAs and other ethnicities in CVD risk are becoming increasingly clear, the biology of these conditions remains an area of active investigation, with emerging studies involving metabolism, genetic variation and epigenetic modifiers (e.g., extracellular RNA). In this review, we describe the current literature on prevalence, prognosis and CVD risk in SAs, and provide a landscape of translational research in this field toward ameliorating CVD risk in SAs.
Dissociable effects of the prodrug phendimetrazine and its metabolite phenmetrazine at dopamine transporters.

Phendimetrazine (PDM) is a clinically available anorectic and a candidate pharmacotherapy for cocaine addiction. PDM has been hypothesized to function as a prodrug that requires metabolism to the amphetamine-like monoamine transporter substrate phenmetrazine (PM) to produce its pharmacological effects; however, whether PDM functions as an inactive prodrug or has pharmacological activity on its own remains unclear. The study aim was to determine PDM pharmacological mechanisms using electrophysiological, neurochemical, and behavioral procedures. PDM blocked the endogenous basal hDAT (human dopamine transporter) current in voltage-clamped (−60 mV) oocytes consistent with a DAT inhibitor profile, whereas its metabolite PM induced an inward hDAT current consistent with a DAT substrate profile. PDM also attenuated the PM-induced inward current during co-application, providing further evidence that PDM functions as a DAT inhibitor. PDM increased nucleus accumbens dopamine levels and facilitated electrical brain stimulation reinforcement within 10 min in rats, providing in vivo evidence supporting PDM pharmacological activity. These results demonstrate that PDM functions as a DAT inhibitor that may also interact with the pharmacological effects of its metabolite PM. Overall, these results suggest a novel mechanism for PDM therapeutic effects via initial PDM DAT inhibition followed by PM DAT substrate-induced dopamine release.
Phrase-based extraction of user opinions in mobile app reviews

Mobile app reviews often contain useful user opinions like bug reports or suggestions. However, looking for those opinions manually in thousands of reviews is inefective and time- consuming. In this paper, we propose PUMA, an automated, phrase-based approach to extract user opinions in app reviews. Our approach includes a technique to extract phrases in reviews using part-of-speech (PoS) templates; a technique to cluster phrases having similar meanings (each cluster is considered as a major user opinion); and a technique to monitor phrase clusters with negative sentiments for their outbreaks over time. We used PUMA to study two popular apps and found that it can reveal severe problems of those apps reported in their user reviews.
A multidisciplinary approach to giant soft tissue sarcoma of the chest wall: A case report.

Introduction Soft tissue sarcomas of the chest wall are exceptionally rare entities that present as painless slow growing masses. Resection is often precarious due to involvement of vital structures, and patients are left with large chest wall defects postoperatively requiring extensive reconstruction.
The BCUExit Point Method

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Boundary Property Computation of the BCU-Exit Point BCU-Exit Point and Critical Energy BCU-Exit Point Method Concluding Remarks ]]>
The dynamics of whitemouth croaker fishing by gillnet and pair trawl in Southeastern Brazilian Bight

The whitemouth croaker is considered the main demersal resource landed in southeastern and southern Brazil, caught mainly by gillnets and pair trawls. This study evaluated the directed fishing effort at whitemouth croaker in different fishing modalities (or ‘metiers’). We also investigated the bathymetric range and seasonal variations related to capture of whitemouth croaker in each modality. In the different types of gillnet, the whitemouth croaker was considered an incidental species or "by catch", a target species and a ‘massive’ target. For pair trawlers, the species was considered a target species. Catches occurred mainly in depths ranging between 10-20 m. However, in winter the largest catches occurred in 75 m depths. Catches of the gillnet fisheries peaked mainly between May and July. Pair trawl catches had two annual peaks one between March and May and another between August and November. This seasonal variation is probably related to the migration pattern of the species in association with physical and operational characteristics of vessels.
Challenges to Interstate Security: China and India in the Twenty-First Century

This chapter attempts to examine and assess the strategic vision and tactics deployed by China and India as their leaders seek to chart a viable course for their countries in the face of the uncertain pull of an international system undergoing a protracted power shift and the insistent demands of a globalized world of transnational economic, cultural, and information flows. The chapter explains why changes to the Asian security, economic, environmental, and socio-cultural landscapes presaged by the rise of China and the countervailing rise of India raise important questions for US strategy and policy in the twenty-first century.
Conceptualizing effective foster parent mentor programs: A participatory planning process

Abstract Mentor programs have been recognized as an integral tool in the child welfare services array. However, there are few conceptual frameworks for planning and developing mentor programs for a key constituency group: foster parents. This study employed Concept Mapping (CM) with a convenience sample of 59 foster parents in one southeastern state. CM is a participatory, mixed-method research approach that utilizes non-metric multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analyses to analyze qualitative data. As a result, pictorial representations of the data are generated. Results yielded seven (7) distinct clusters: Ongoing Supports, Matching Practices, and Program Evaluation, among others. Participants viewed the Recruitment cluster as most pertinent and most important for mentor programs. Contrariwise, Program Evaluation and Matching clusters were viewed as least feasible and least important, respectively. After a review of pertinent literature, this paper explicates CM methodology as applied to the current study, reports results, and discusses lessons learned as they apply to child welfare research and practice.
The influence of invasive fire ants on survival, space use, and patterns of natural selection in juvenile lizards

Invasive species have altered natural communities and exposed native species to new selective pressures. These pressures are particularly acute when invasive species are predators of natives. The invasive red imported fire ant has expanded its range significantly in the southeast United States and has become an important predator of native species that share similar habitat preferences, like the prairie lizard, Sceloporus consobrinus. Recent studies indicate that lizards that have coexisted for a long period of time with fire ants have responded both plastically and adaptively to this invasion. However, despite considerable work, few “controlled” experiments have been conducted to explore the influence of fire ants on vertebrates in natural populations. In this study we released hatchling lizards on two experimental islands that differed in fire ant density to investigate the influence of fire ants on lizard survival, habitat/space use, and patterns of phenotypic selection. We demonstrate that fire ant presence significantly explains patterns of lizard survival among populations and over small spatial scales within populations. As a consequence of survival patterns or avoidance behavior, lizard habitat use was significantly altered in the presence of fire ants in high density. Finally, we found strong signatures of natural selection on lizard body size and body condition, but the patterns of selection did not appear to be influenced by variation in fire ant density. This study highlights the direct influence of predatory fire ants on hatchling lizard mortality and habitat use. These effects can have important demographic and population-level consequences.
A binary metal organic framework derived hierarchical hollow Ni3S2/Co9S8/N-doped carbon composite with superior sodium storage performance

A binary Ni/Co metal organic framework (Ni–Co-MOF) with a hollow-sphere structure that is decorated with cone-shaped protrusions was prepared via a facile solvothermal reaction. Carbonization and sulfurization of the Ni–Co-MOF produced a Ni3S2/Co9S8/N-doped carbon composite that retained the hierarchical structure. The final composite material presents exceptional electrochemical performance when used as an anode in sodium-ion batteries. A reversible specific capacity of 419.9 mA h g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1 was achieved after 100 cycles, with an exceptional capacity retention of 98.6%. Furthermore, superior rate capability was also demonstrated: an average capacity of 323.2 mA h g−1 at a current density of 2 A g−1 can be achieved. This exceptional performance can be attributed to the unique nano-architecture derived from the MOF precursor, as the resultant material possesses an ideal profile for an excellent anode material: ultrafine Ni3S2 and Co9S8 particles (∼7 nm), a hollow, porous structure, and an ultrathin N-doped carbon coating.
Blood pressure and calf muscle oxygen extraction during plantar flexion exercise in peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic vascular disease that affects 200 million people worldwide. Although PAD primarily affects large arteries, it is also associated with microvascular dysfunction, an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to exercise, and high cardiovascular mortality. We hypothesized that fatiguing plantar flexion exercise that evokes claudication elicits a greater reduction in skeletal muscle oxygenation (SmO2) and a higher rise in BP in PAD compared with age-matched healthy subjects, but low-intensity steady-state plantar flexion elicits similar responses between groups. In the first experiment, eight patients with PAD and eight healthy controls performed fatiguing plantar flexion exercise (from 0.5 to 7 kg for up to 14 min). In the second experiment, seven patients with PAD and seven healthy controls performed low-intensity plantar flexion exercise (2.0 kg for 14 min). BP, heart rate (HR), and SmO2 were measured continuously using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). SmO2 is the ratio of oxygenated hemoglobin to total hemoglobin, expressed as a percent. At fatigue, patients with PAD had a greater increase in mean arterial BP (18 ± 2 vs. vs. 10 ± 2 mmHg, P = 0.029) and HR (14 ± 2 vs. 6 ± 2 beats/min, P = 0.033) and a greater reduction in SmO2 (-54 ± 10 vs. -12 ± 4%, P = 0.001). However, both groups had similar physiological responses to low-intensity, nonpainful plantar flexion exercise. These data suggest that patients with PAD have altered oxygen uptake and/or utilization during fatiguing exercise coincident with an augmented BP response.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this laboratory study, patients with peripheral artery disease performed plantar flexion exercise in the supine posture until symptoms of claudication occurred. Relative to age- and sex-matched healthy subjects we found that patients had a higher blood pressure response, a higher heart rate response, and a greater reduction in skeletal muscle oxygenation as determined by near-infrared spectroscopy. Our data suggest that muscle ischemia contributes to the augmented exercise pressor reflex in peripheral artery disease.
Parkinson’s Disease Quesionniare-39 (PDQ-39)

The Parkinson’s Disease Questionniare-39 (PDQ-39) is a disease-specific health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) scale. The PDQ-39 is intended to measure the health status of patients with Parkinson’s disease and the impact the disease has on various aspects of their daily life from the patients’ perspective.
Evaluation of Missed Clinic Visits at an Academic Multi-Provider Urology Clinic

Abstract Introduction In this study we elucidated patient characteristics and reasons for visit associated with missed appointments for patients in a multi-provider urology clinic. Methods We retrospectively reviewed characteristics of clinic patient data for 4 urologists at 0.5 FTE (full-time equivalent) at a single location between March 18, 2014 and March 18, 2015. Data were collected on new and established patients, including age, health insurance status, time of appointment, reason for clinic visit and gender. The reasons for clinic visit were divided into 27 groups. We used chi-square analysis to evaluate statistical significance (p Results A total of 4,812 clinic visits were analyzed with 999 missed patient appointments for an overall no-show rate of 20.76%. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of attendance based on patient gender, season of appointment, or morning or afternoon appointment. A statistically significant difference was found in no-show rate between benign and malignant conditions (23.23% vs 8.85%, p Conclusions These data reveal identifiable characteristics associated with missed clinic visits.