cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Working Memory Influences Processing Speed and Reading Fluency in ADHD

Processing-speed deficits affect reading efficiency, even among individuals who recognize and decode words accurately. Children with ADHD who decode words accurately can still have inefficient reading fluency, leading to a bottleneck in other cognitive processes. This "slowing" in ADHD is associated with deficits in fundamental components of executive function underlying processing speed, including response selection. The purpose of the present study was to deconstruct processing speed in order to determine which components of executive control best explain the "processing" speed deficits related to reading fluency in ADHD. Participants (41 ADHD, 21 controls), ages 9-14 years, screened for language disorders, word reading deficits, and psychiatric disorders, were administered measures of copying speed, processing speed, reading fluency, working memory, reaction time, inhibition, and auditory attention span. Compared to controls, children with ADHD showed reduced oral and silent reading fluency and reduced processing speed-driven primarily by deficits on WISC-IV Coding. In contrast, groups did not differ on copying speed. After controlling for copying speed, sex, severity of ADHD-related symptomatology, and GAI, slowed "processing" speed (i.e., Coding) was significantly associated with verbal span and measures of working memory but not with measures of response control/inhibition, lexical retrieval speed, reaction time, or intrasubject variability. Further, "processing" speed (i.e., Coding, residualized for copying speed) and working memory were significant predictors of oral reading fluency. Abnormalities in working memory and response selection (which are frontally mediated and enter into the output side of processing speed) may play an important role in deficits in reading fluency in ADHD, potentially more than posteriorally mediated problems with orienting of attention or perceiving the stimulus.
Professional liability in exercise testing for cardiac performance.

Abstract Exercise testing, when prescribed by a physician for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, is a medical procedure. As such, it is a professional function with attendant medicolegal risks. It is therefore important to understand the scope and nature of responsibility, and the appropriate ways to establish a constructive physician-patient relationship, such as through selection of suitable tests, use of necessary precautions, explanations of potential hazard and achievement of informed understanding. These measures will help to reduce or avoid liability and serve as defenses against charges of malpractice. The physician is also professionally and legally responsible for selecting adequately trained staff and for supervision. Negligence of assistants, by commission or omission, may be imputed to him. Optimal medical service, including proper records and reports, constitutes the best protection for all concerned as well as the desired care for patients.
Scalable reward learning from demonstration

Reward learning from demonstration is the task of inferring the intents or goals of an agent demonstrating a task. Inverse reinforcement learning methods utilize the Markov decision process (MDP) framework to learn rewards, but typically scale poorly since they rely on the calculation of optimal value functions. Several key modifications are made to a previously developed Bayesian nonparametric inverse reinforcement learning algorithm that avoid calculation of an optimal value function and no longer require discretization of the state or action spaces. Experimental results given demonstrate the ability of the resulting algorithm to scale to larger problems and learn in domains with continuous demonstrations.
A linear filter design technique for equalizing document scanners

In this paper, we propose a new technique to automatically restore the sharpness of blurred documents by equalizing the frequency response of given scanners using linear filters. To measure the blur characteristics of a scanning device, we measure its both horizontal and vertical Spatial Frequency Response (SFR). Starting from the measured SFR of the scanning device, we design an equalizing filter so that the combined SFR of the equalizing filter and the scanner resembles a perfect SFR. The desired 2D frequency response of the filter is computed using linear interpolation of the horizontal and vertical responses derived from the corresponding SFRs of the scanner. The filter design technique is two steps. First, a linear system of equations is constructed using the unknown filter coefficients and the desired filter 2D frequency response. The linear least squares method is used to solve the linear system of equations. The second step of the filter design uses a nonlinear optimization technique to refine the results of the first step. Our experimental results show that this automated process can be applied to different document scanning devices to equalize their spatial frequency response resulting in consistent output sharpness levels.
Using web service enhancements to bridge business trust relationships

1. With the development of web technology and distributed systems, online collaborations are becoming more common and more demanding. These collaborations require online business trust relationships among collaborating organizations. Online business trust relationships can protect the trust, integrity, and privacy of shared resources, which are the foundation for online business. Web services provide standard mechanisms to enable online interactions and further online collaborations. Yet security, privacy and trust-related protection mechanisms for web services need additional development. In an interconnected network environment, bridging extant business relationships to extend the business circle is a convenient and tempting way. Physical connections with proper privacy and security protections are required for bridging two autonomous organizations. Likewise, collaborating organizations need proper protection mechanisms for bridging extant business trust relationships among cooperating parties. These protection mechanisms must therefore ensure privacy and owner control in the entire process of bridging business trust relationships due to the subjectivity of the relationships. This paper describes an indirect trust establishment mechanism using web service enhancements to bridge and build new online business trust relationships from extant business trust relationships providing privacy protection and owner control simultaneously.
Discrete spatial symmetries: redundant coordinates and search for stationary points in reduced spaces

Given the invariance of an N-body system under discrete operations of reflection, inversion, a rotation by 2π/n, and the corresponding relations among the derivatives of energy, we have constructed through an invertible transformation a set of active and redundant coordinates. Movement along the active coordinates preserves all symmetry relations. We show that algorithms for locating stationary points or for calculating reaction paths are exactly separable in these active and redundant coordinates. We further show that this formalism is equally applicable when equations of constraints among coordinates are specified for the movement of particles. This includes geometrical constraints on bond lengths, angles, substituent group internal rotations, etc. This formalism enhances the efficiency since (laborious) cartesian derivatives need to be calculated only for the active variables and that the problem is reduced in term of m(⩽3N) variables. We apply this procedure to obtain the equilibrium geometry of H2O molecule within the subspace of C2v symmetry configurations ab initio derivatives.
The truth about physics

The Creative Moment: How Science Made Itself Alien to Modern Culture. By Joseph Schwartz. Jonathan Cape/HarperCollins. Pp. 252. £16.99, $25.
Fas Is Required for Clonal Selection in Germinal Centers and the Subsequent Establishment of the Memory B Cell Repertoire

In T cell-dependent immune responses, high-affinity B cells are selected and differentiate into memory cells; however, the mechanism behind this process remains largely unknown. Here, we report that the selection of high-affinity B cells within germinal centers (GCs) is impaired in Fas-deficient lpr mice in the primary response, probably owing to inefficient negative selection. The memory compartment in control mice is mostly established by precursors generated from the early GCs, whereas the lpr defect expands the memory compartment by the increased recruitment of newly generated precursors from the late GCs, resulting in the accumulation of heavily mutated memory B cells at high frequency. These results suggest that Fas is required for clonal selection within GCs and the establishment of the memory B cell repertoire.
The Cavovarus/Supinated Foot Deformity and External Tibial Torsion: The Role of the Posterior Tibial Tendon

This article describes one surgeon's experience in pediatric orthopedic surgery. His experiences treating cavovarus/supinated foot deformities and external tibial torsion are described.
Controversy and Community: The Effect and Affect of Student Values Expression

The following is a practitioner’s description of issues involved in managing campus values controversies. This paper is intended to offer a lens through which those who are confronted with issues m...
Chromosome preparations from the avian allantoic sac.

An abundance of mitotic cells, a rapid and uniform response of cells to mitotic inhibition, ease in obtaining a monolayer of cells, clear and well-spread chromosomes make the allantois an ideal tissue for squash preparations. After a 45 min incubation of each embryo, still in the shell, with 0.02 ml of 0.05% Colcemid, 4-day avian embryos were treated in distilled water for 15 min or in 0.9% sodium citrate for 30–60 min and then fixed for at least 1 hr in 1:3 acetic-alcohol. Squash preparations were made after immersion of the allantois in 45% acetic acid for 5–10 mm. Phase contrast microscopy could be used, or permanent preparations made by freezing, air-drying and staining. Staining with Gram's iodine for 4 min followed by 1% crystal violet in 95% ethanol for 3 min is recommended. The allantois is well suited for use in biology laboratories to demonstrate avian chromosomes in different stages of mitosis.
Values in Adolescent Males and Father-Son Relations.

The role of the father in the transmission of values to adolescent sons has often been either misrepresented or neglected in the various media. Four special factors for fathers in value development are discussed: the model of masculine behavior, the communicator (listening to different views and offering a problem-solving methodology), the moral model (striving to live somewhere between the absolutist and the complete relativist), and the fallible reinforcing agent.
Tissue-selective therapy of cancer

Instead of exploiting the differences between normal and cancer cells, seemingly unrelated anticancer modalities (from immunotherapy to hormones) exploit (a) the differences between various normal tissues and (b) tissue-specific similarities of normal and cancer cells. Although these therapies are successfully used for years to treat leukaemia and cancer, their unifying principles have never been explicitly formulated: namely, they are aimed at differentiated cells and normal tissues and target both normal and cancer cells in a tissue-specific manner. Whereas tiny differences between cancer and normal cells have yet to be successfully exploited for selective anticancer therapy, numerous tissue-specific differences (e.g. differences between melanocytes, prostate, thyroid and breast cells) provide a means to attack selectively that exact tissue that produced cancer. Despite inherent limitations, such as fostering resistance and dedifferentiation, tissue-selective therapy have enormous potentials to control cancer.
The effects of flow rate and column combination on the separation efficiency in multicolumn gel permeation chromatography

Using general-purpose multicolumn sets, it was found that separations could be increased by increasing analysis time, either by decreasing flow rate or increasing column length. Several examples are shown illustrating the influence of these system variables. The generation of linear calibration curves over extended molecular weight ranges is discussed. In particular, the desirability of using high molecular weight standards to extend the calibration curve and eliminate extrapolation of the curve is shown. Not using all available gel porosities, i.e., gapped column sets, is shown to be detrimental to the resolution of molecular species. It was found that with the use of sufficiently long column lengths and flow rates, accurate molecular weights of both narrow and broad molecular weight distribution samples are directly calculable from the chromatogram without the need for peak spreading corrections.
Sedimentary formations as sources of geothermal heat

Abstract Energy may be extracted from low-permeability sedimentary formations by using hydrofracturing techniques developed by the petroleum industry. The thermal histories of such systems are shown to depend critically on the permeability structure of the reservoir formation and are described in terms of the Peclet number and the average bedform thickness. Whether, and how, such resources are developed commercially will depend as much on man-made phenomena, such as replacement fuel prices and population density, as on the performance of the reservoirs themselves.
Quantifying the Increase in Radiation Exposure Associated with SPECT/CT Compared to SPECT Alone for Routine Nuclear Medicine Examinations

Purpose. We quantify the additional radiation exposure in terms of effective dose incurred by patients in the CT portion of SPECT/CT examinations. Methods. The effective dose from a variety of common nuclear medicine procedures is calculated and summarized. The extra exposure from the CT portion of the examination is summarized by examination and body part. Two hundred forty-eight scans from 221 patients are included in this study. The effective dose from the CT examination is also compared to average background radiation. Results. We found that the extra effective dose is not sufficient to cause deterministic effects. However, the stochastic effects may be significant, especially in patients undergoing numerous follow-up studies. The cumulative effect might increase the radiation exposure compared to patient management with SPECT alone. Conclusions. While the relative increase in radiation exposure associated with SPECT/CT is generally considered acceptable when compared with the benefits to the patient, physicians should make every effort to minimize this effect by using proper technical procedures and educating patients about the exposure they will receive.
Assertive-skills training for inappropriately aggressive college males: Effects on assertive and aggressive behaviors

Abstract Forty agressive male undergraduates received either assertation training consisting of Modeling, Rehearsal and Insstructions (MRI); assertion training with Rehearsal and Instructions only (RI); Attention-Placebo therapy (AP); or Assessment-Only (AO). Pre-treatment, Post-treatment treatment and Generalization measures of assertuve and aggressive behaviors were based on subjects' role-played responses to anger-inducing situations. At posttesting, MRI subjects were more assertive than RI subjects on one of four assertion measures and both were more assertive than controls on this measure. The three treatment groups were significantly less aggressive than the AO group but did not differ among themselves.Group differences were partially maintained on generalization items for assertiveness, but not for agressiveness.
Advances in synthetic peptides reagent discovery

Bacterial display technology offers a number of advantages over competing display technologies (e.g, phage) for the rapid discovery and development of peptides with interaction targeted to materials ranging from biological hazards through inorganic metals. We have previously shown that discovery of synthetic peptide reagents utilizing bacterial display technology is relatively simple and rapid to make laboratory automation possible. This included extensive study of the protective antigen system of Bacillus anthracis, including development of discovery, characterization, and computational biology capabilities for in-silico optimization. Although the benefits towards CBD goals are evident, the impact is far-reaching due to our ability to understand and harness peptide interactions that are ultimately extendable to the hybrid biomaterials of the future. In this paper, we describe advances in peptide discovery including, new target systems (e.g. non-biological materials), advanced library development and clone analysis including integrated reporting.
Vector and parameters for targeted transgenic RNA interference in Drosophila melanogaster

The conditional expression of hairpin constructs in Drosophila melanogaster has emerged in recent years as a method of choice in functional genomic studies. To date, upstream activating site–driven RNA interference constructs have been inserted into the genome randomly using P-element–mediated transformation, which can result in false negatives due to variable expression. To avoid this problem, we have developed a transgenic RNA interference vector based on the phiC31 site-specific integration method.
Palladium(II)-catalyzed enyne cyclization strategies toward the podophyllotoxin ring system

Abstract A functionally enriched ABCD ring system of podophyllotoxin was generated through Pd(II)-templated cyclization of an alkynoic alkene, prepared in five steps from commercially available 6-bromopiperonal. This research expands upon the recent carboesterification methodology of Dong et al. (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2009, 48, 9690–9692) by the application of PdCl2(MeCN)2, LiCl, and CuCl2 conditions, which yielded the desired podophyllotoxin scaffold with an embedded vinyl chloride moiety. Likewise, these conditions were successfully applied to a propargylic alkene prepared in three steps from 6-bromopiperonal. The resulting product contains the ABCD ring system of podophyllotoxin, but substitutes a D-ring furan for the D-ring lactone. Application of the recent methodology of Lu et al. (J. Org. Chem. 1995, 60, 1160–1169) on a related 1,6-enyne substrate led to functionalized α-methylene γ-butyrolactones instead (Pd2(dba)3·CHCl3, LiBr, and CuBr2). The latter conditions applied to an alkynoic alkene afforded the ABCD ring system of podophyllotoxin with a vinyl bromide group. These vinyl halides allow for derivatization at a critical juncture in order to access novel podophyllotoxin analogs.
Evaluating Energy Consumption and Efficiency of a Twin‐Screw Extruder

ABSTRACT: Using the results from twin-screw extrusion of corn meal, both energy consumption and extruder efficiency were found to be significantly correlated with screw speed and specific feeding load (SFL). An increase in the SFL decreased the total specific mechanical energy, but increased the extruder efficiency. SFL influenced the extruder efficiency more than the screw speed. Increasing the screw speed from 300 to 450 rpm at a constant SFL level increased the extruder efficiency by 6 to 11%, whereas an increase of SFL from 0.0026 to 0.0038 kg rev 1 raised the extruder efficiency by 30%. Of the mechanical energy consumed per unit mass of extrudate, over 98% were used for shearing or viscous dissipation and less than 1.5% were for pumping during twin-screw extrusion of corn meal.
Seasonal changes in the distribution and abundance of benthic invertebrates in six headwater streams in central Florida

Seasonal variations in invertebrate assemblages at two sites (upstream and downstream) on six central Florida headwater streams were compared by sampling at quarterly intervals with core and dip net samplers. Two of the streams were reclaimed following phosphate mining (∼6 yr prior to this study), two received runoff from mined lands, and two were disturbed by agriculture and/or residential developments. Physical and chemical characteristics of the reclaimed streams differed markedly from those of the non-reclaimed streams; principal differences between the streams were in current velocity, percent organic matter (POM), Mn, conductivity and alkalinity. Annual mean densities of meiofauna and smaller macrofauna for the 12 stream sites ranged from 20 896 to 175 212 m−2 and the mean for all sites was 56 492 m−2. The reclaimed streams and one of the streams influenced by agriculture had annual means of less than 40 000 m−2, 3- to 5-fold lower than the other streams. Fall and winter core densities were ∼2.4-fold greater than those for spring or summer when drought and low dissolved oxygen prevailed. Meiofauna comprised 68–91% of the core sample invertebrates in reclaimed streams but only 43–62% in the non-reclaimed streams; principal functional groups were: gathering collectors – 61.5%, predators – 19.3% and filtering collectors – 15%. The taxonomic composition of the reclaimed streams was predominated by crustaceans (60–71%) while chironomids and annelids were more abundant (71–92%) in the non-reclaimed streams. Dip net sampling added 21 larger macrofauna species (Odonata, Hemiptera and Coleoptera) to our list of taxa, producing a total of 209 species. Species richness and diversity (H′ and N2) indices were lower in the reclaimed streams, but evenness was more variable. The Czekanowski–Dice–Sorensen similarity index showed that the reclaimed stream sites were quite similar to each other, but differed markedly from the other stream types; there was large variation both within and between seasons. For central Florida headwater streams, drought appears to have a larger influence on invertebrates than the type of land use, however this relationship should be confirmed using streams of similar hydrology.
An Information-Based Time Sequential Approach to Online Incident Duration Prediction

Online prediction of incident duration (i.e., remaining incident duration) is becoming more important as more intelligent transportation system deployments in the United States focus on improving the operations of transportation management centers. This study proposed a time sequential procedure where an incident management process is divided into stages according to the specific information available. For each stage, a hazard-based duration regression model with different variables representing the available information was developed. By calibrating these models, the parameters of probability distributions assumed for incident duration and the coefficients of the variables were jointly estimated. Based on the estimated parameters and coefficients, remaining incident duration can be predicted online using the truncated median of incident duration. This study concluded that the accuracy of the prediction of incident duration increases as more information is incorporated into the developed models. The prediction based on the truncated median is more accurate than that based on the truncated mean because the probability distribution of incident duration has a long tail. The proposed procedure provides flexibility for implementation in the real world.
Antifungal Properties of n-Alkanols, α,ω-n-Alkanediols, and ω-Chloro-α-alkanols

Fourteen n-alkanols (C1-C12, C14, and C16), 13 α,ω-n-alkanediols (C2-C12, C14, and C16), and 13 ω-chloro-α-alkanols (C2-C12, C14, and C16) were tested against Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma viride, and Myrothecium verrucaria in Sabouraud dextrose agar at pH 4.0 and 5.6. Toxicity to Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Mucor mucedo was determined in the same medium at pH 5.6 and 7.0 in the absence and presence of 10% beef serum. The fungitoxicity of these alcohols was influenced by chain length and insignificantly by the pH of the medium and the presence of beef serum. The C10-member of each series was most active; the order of activity of the three groups was chloroalkanols > alkanols > alkanediols. Compared to the fatty acids, the order of fungitoxicity on a weight basis was 2-alkynoic acids > 2-alkenoic acids > ω-chloroalkanols > alkanoic acids > 2-bromoalkanoic acids > 2-fluoroalkanoic acids > n-alkoxyacetic acids > n-alkanols > α,ω-n-alkanediols.
Process modification and emergency department radiology service

Our purpose was to demonstrate the impact of changes in technology, staffing, and departmental processes on service levels in emergency department (ED) radiology. We also attempted to determine if report turnaround time affects ED patient throughput. Radiology performance was evaluated before and after the modifications of processes integral to the interpretation of ED imaging. Picture archiving and communication system, voice recognition (VR), staffing, physical site, work flow, and administrative modifications were undertaken over ∼2 years. The average time interval from the exam completion to report signature was 5,184 min (standard deviation (SD) of 1,858 min before the implementation of VR and other modifications of ED radiology processes). In post initial modifications, it was 150 min (SD, 169 min) and 157 min (SD, 215 min) in post additional modifications. The percentage of the signed written reports available in less than or equal to 60 min was 0%, 27%, and 40%, respectively. Ongoing improvements are needed to increase the service levels for ED radiology. Further improvement will require collaboration and adjustment with the ongoing assessment of metrics.
Novel ventriculo­peritoneal shunt in Alzheimer´s disease cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers

Alzheimer's disease is an age-related dementia and its incidence is rising in developed countries as the population ages. Amyloid plaques and tau-rich neurofibrillary tangles are pathologic hallmarks of the disease. Treatment is symptomatic, consisting of compounds that block enzymatic acetylcholine degradation (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors). Cognitive benefits of the four approved antidementia drugs are typically modest and limited in duration. While Alzheimer's disease is undoubtedly multifactorial in cause, advancing age is the most important risk factor. Any robust theory of pathogenesis must account for the profound influence of age on the emergence of Alzheimer's disease. There is evidence that senescent changes in cerebrospinal fluid production, circulation, turnover and clearance of amyloid beta-peptides may be a key factor in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. The effect of increasing cerebrospinal fluid circulation and turnover in Alzheimer's disease patients by implanting a novel, low-flow drainage system (COGNIshunt) has been studied and promising trends in cognitive stabilization and improvement in cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers have been found.
Blue‐emitting poly[(m‐phenylene vinylene)‐alt‐(o‐phenylene vinylene)]s: The effect of regioregularity on the optical properties

Poly[(m-phenylene vinylene)-alt-(o-phenylene vinylene)]s with different contents of cis-/trans-CH=CH (3 and 6) have been synthesized through Wittig condensation. The polymers exhibit good solubility in common organic solvents such as toluene and tetrahydrofuran. A comparison of the optical properties has been made between 3 and its phenyl regioisomers containing either p-phenylene or m-phenylene units. The results show that the regiochemistry of the phenyl ring can be a useful tool for tuning the emission color of π-conjugated polymers because the extension of π conjugation can only partially be achieved through an o-phenylene bridge. Although both polymers 3 and 6 exhibit comparable low fluorescence quantum efficiencies (0.18) in solution, their films are highly luminescent, showing a broad emission band near 456 nm (blue color). Electroluminescence results show that the device of polymer 3, which has a higher content of trans-CH=CH linkages, is about 20 times more efficient than that of 6.
Nongovernmental organizations and the work of memory in northern Thailand

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) provide an ideal context in which to examine the production and reproduction of identities and modernities in the contemporary world because they tend to concentrate within themselves ideas, people, and resources drawn from various sites in the world system. In this article, I examine the practice of memory among NGO activists, village leaders, and farmers in Nan Province, northern Thailand. Assessing the impact of NGOs on the cultural constitution of Thai modernity, I trace contending representations of the rural past to different social concerns with identity and interests that have emerged in the era of planned development and increasing global interconnectedness. [Thailand, NGOs, development, globalization, memory, modernity]
Problems and potentials for human viral cancer vaccines

Abstract Viral etiology in human neoplasia is yet to be established but studies of comparative oncology in animals provide a basis for belief that much if not all cancer of man is caused directly or indirectly by viruses, both of DNA and RNA type. It is possible that a portion if not a majority of cancer in man can be prevented by use of viral vaccines, killed or live, such as have already been shown effective in animals, especially Marek's disease of chickens. Studies of vaccines against cancer viruses may proceed with a rich background of prior technology obtained in the development of vaccines against ordinary acute lytic viral infections but it will be essential that current precedents and legal concepts for viral vaccines be altered if progress is to be made. Even though viral etiology in human cancer is unproved, it is timely to conduct conceptual and experimental probes in studies in animal model systems which can be applied to man when the proved cancer viruses are reliably propagated in the laboratory. Perhaps the greatest hurdle in human cancer vaccine development, disallowing an unanticipated breakthrough, will be the establishment of safety and efficacy in a disease in which the incubation period may exceed a half century. Progress toward a vaccine for routine use in man must necessarily, therefore, be reckoned in decades rather than in years. The road to vaccine control may be long and the way may be hard but the benefit should be worth the effort in this disease which is the cause of death in 20% of the population.
A vortex panel method for calculating aircraft downwash on parachute trajectories

This paper presents a discussion of a methodology of the paneled-wing method for calculating aircraft-induced wake velocities. This discussion will include a description of how an aircraft and its wake are represented by finite length vortex filaments, how the strength and location of these filaments are determined based upon aircraft characteristics and trajectory data, and how the induced velocity values are determined once the location and strength of the vortex filaments are known. Examples will be presented showing comparisons between induced velocity values calculated using both the paneled-wing method and Strickland's lifting line method. Comparison is also made between calculated results from the paneled-wing method and wind tunnel data collected in the wake of a scale model aircraft. Additional examples will show the effect of including aircraft downwash calculations in a trajectory analysis for a parachute-retarded store delivered via aircraft. 3 refs., 12 figs.
The extraction and characterization of soluble anionic phosphoproteins from bone

Abstract Embryonic bovine jaw and femur bone, and 14-week-old chicken metatarsal bone were demineralized in 0.2 M EDTA. Analysis of the extracts revealed proteins rich in the acidic amino acids, aspartic and glutamic acids, and containing from 0.75% organic phosphorus in the femur extracts to 0.54% organic phosphorus in the chicken bone extracts. In addition, hexose, hexosamine, uronic acid and sialic acid were also present. Further purification of the peptides solubilized in EDTA was achieved by Sephadex G-100 molecular sieve filtration and Whatman DE-52 ion exchange chromatography. From these procedures a component was isolated that appeared to be homogeneous by acrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and ion exchange chromatography. Its amino acid composition revealed a high content of anionic amino acids and the presence of hydroxyproline in both bovine jaw bone and femur bone, but not in chicken bone. Organic phosphorus and serine were present in almost equimolar amounts. A possible role for these anionic phosphorus-containing proteins in facilitating the initiation of mineralization is discussed.
STABILITY OF HETEROGENEOUS ELASTOGRAPHY PHANTOMS MADE FROM OIL DISPERSIONS IN AQUEOUS GELS

A set of five tissue-mimicking phantoms with cylindrical inclusions were produced for assessing long-term stability of geometry and elastic properties and assessing accuracy of determination of elastic properties. The base aqueous materials were either gelatin or a mixture of agar and gelatin. Stiffness was controlled by selection of the volume percent consisting of microscopic safflower oil droplets. Cylinder diameters remained unchanged within 1% or 2% over many months. Strain ratios from elastograms of the phantoms were stable over many months, implying that elastic contrasts were also stable. Test samples, called production samples, for measurement of Young's moduli were made at the time of manufacture of each phantom and were stored separately from one another. Each production sample was homogeneous and consisted of either inclusion material or background material. For all five phantoms, it was found that the elastic contrast computed using Young's modulus values determined using the production samples accurately represented the true elastic contrasts in the corresponding phantom. This finding was established by the fact that the (true) elastic contrasts determined using samples excised from the phantoms themselves agreed with the elastic contrasts obtained using the homogeneous production samples.
Initiation of protein-primed picornavirus RNA synthesis

Abstract Plus strand RNA viruses use different mechanisms to initiate the synthesis of their RNA chains. The Picornaviridae family constitutes a large group of plus strand RNA viruses that possess a small terminal protein (VPg) covalently linked to the 5′-end of their genomes. The RNA polymerases of these viruses use VPg as primer for both minus and plus strand RNA synthesis. In the first step of the initiation reaction the RNA polymerase links a UMP to the hydroxyl group of a tyrosine in VPg using as template a cis -replicating element ( cre ) positioned in different regions of the viral genome. In this review we will summarize what is known about the initiation reaction of protein-primed RNA synthesis by the RNA polymerases of the Picornaviridae . As an example we will use the RNA polymerase of poliovirus, the prototype of Picornaviridae . We will also discuss models of how these nucleotidylylated protein primers might be used, together with viral and cellular replication proteins and other cis -replicating RNA elements, during minus and plus strand RNA synthesis.
The Use of Concept Maps to Evaluate Critical Thinking in the Clinical Setting

Concept mapping is a teaching-learning strategy that can be used to evaluate a nursing student's ability to critically think in the clinical setting. It has been used in disciplines other than nursing to allow the learner to visually reorganize and arrange information in a manner that promotes learning of concepts that interrelate. There are various approaches that can be employed when developing a concept map; however, the end result is diagramming major concepts and associated data in a format that is logical to the learner. By having the students use information for patients they actually provide care for in the clinical setting, faculty can evaluate their ability to identify priority data and relationships between conditions and their associated care. © 2008 National OrganizationforAssociateDegreeNursing.PublishedbyElsevier Inc.Allrightsreserved.
Subpicosecond Proximity-Focused Visible Streak Camera Evaluation And Application

Several years ago a new era in streak, cameras began with the introduction of an x-ray sensitive proximity mfocused streak tube. This device displayed. better than 3 ps resolution and a large dynamic range, making it a fundamental laser-fusion. diagnostic. The new tube is based upon parallel-photoelectron trajectories, rather than cross-over or pinhole electron optics used in virtually all other streak tubes. This eliminates a most of problems due to space charge buildup effects at the electron pinhole such as low dynamic resolution, limited dynamic range and unpredictable instrumental field distortion. In the old, tube instrumental errors are relate to distribution of photocathode illumination. in picosecond temporal application. Recently a visible variant of the proximity-focused tube design has been constructed. This camera displays all the advantages of its predecessor including high sensitivity, large dynamic range and a flat format making it ideal for digital readout. In addition, picosecond streaks of high statistical quality indicate the design limit has yet to be reached. TLe. new camera has already uncovered laser oscillator problems proving its utility as a basic laser diagnostic. Using this new "photon micrometer", a myriad. of new optical techniques such as high-accuracy three dimensional imaging are now possible.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Lattice dynamics of Ge and Si using the Born-von Karman model

The Born-von Karman model of lattice dynamics of diamond structure has been extended to include up to 12th-neighbor interactions. Applications to Ge and Si using eighth-neighbor interactions have been carried out. We obtained very good fits to the experimental values of phonon dispersion curves and elastic constants. However, in agreement with the conclusions of Herman, a reasonable fit can only be obtained using at least up to fifth-neighbor interactions. The special significance of the fifth neighbor is attributed to its structure. With the fitted force constants, we have calculated the phonon density of states using the high-resolution Gilat-Raubenheimer method. The calculated Debye temperatures and specific heats compare well with the experimental values.
Benefits and risks of third-generation oral contraceptives.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risks and benefits of third-generation oral contraceptives. DATA SOURCES: A medline search was done for English language articles published from 1985 through 1998 relating to the side-effect profile of third-generation oral contraceptives or their association with cardiovascular or thromboembolic disease. All articles containing original data were included. DATA SYNTHESIS: The risk of venous thromboembolism appears to be 1.5- to 2.7-fold greater in users of third-generation, compared with second-generation, oral contraceptives. Compared with nonusers, women who use third-generation oral contraceptives may have a 4.8- to 9.4-fold greater risk of venous thromboembolism. Users of third-generation oral contraceptives do not appear to have an increased risk of myocardial infarction compared with nonusers and may have risk of myocardial infarction of 0.26 to 0.7 compared with second-generation users. Whether third-generation oral contraceptives are associated with a decreased stroke risk is still not clear. CONCLUSIONS: Although third-generation oral contraceptives most likely increase a user’s risk of venous thromboembolism, their improved side-effect profile and their possible decreased association with myocardial infarction and stroke may make them a useful new class of oral contraceptives for most women except those at increased risk of venous thrombosis.
Nonstandard Echocardiographic Examination

In addition to standard echocardiographic planes, there are many so-called nonstandard echocardiographic examination windows and planes that have been found useful in clinical practice. Standard planes have also been utilized with or without modification to find structures not routinely detected during echocardiographic examination. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v6i2.18347 Cardiovasc. j. 2014; 6(2): 92-102
Detection of glycophorin A-like glycoproteins on the surface of cultured human cells.

Abstract 1. 1. In previous studies we have isolated and characterized mucin-type glycopeptides from mouse and human melanoma cells. 2. 2. These glycopeptides have clusters of oligosaccharides of the type (NeuNAc)0−2 → [Gal → GalNAc] linked to serine and or threonine suggesting an apparent similarity to glycophorin. 3. 3. We now report the interaction of polyclonal anti-glycophorin antibodies with various cultured cells. Antisera to highly purified glycophorin A were raised in rabbits. 4. 4. Human melanoma cells (HM7), human breast cells (HBL-100) and two lines of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) showed medium to very strong cell surface fluorescence pattern after staining with rabbit antiglycophorin F(ab')2 and FITC-conjugated goat anti-rabbit F(ab')2. 5. 5. Immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis and affinity chromatography on anti-glycophorin IgG-Sepharose 4B of detergent extracts of metabolically labeled cultured cells gave further evidence for the presence of glycophorin-like components in these cells. 6. 6. Glycoproteins of MCF-7 cells interacting with anti-glycophorin antibodies were affinity purified and partially characterized.
Patterns of Recurrence Following Complete Response to Regional Chemotherapy for In-Transit Melanoma

Background Even after complete response (CR) to regional chemotherapy for in-transit melanoma, many patients develop recurrence. Understanding the probability, location, and timing of recurrences can optimize management strategies for this patient population.
Microwave-Assisted Esterification: A Discovery-Based Microscale Laboratory Experiment

An undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory experiment has been developed that features a discovery-based microscale Fischer esterification utilizing a microwave reactor. Students individually sy...
Maximum and minimum jump number of posets from matrices

Abstract Let A = [ a ij ] be an m -by- n matrix. There is a natural way to associate a poset P A with A . Let x 1 ,…, x m and y 1 ,…, y n be disjoint sets of m and n elements, respectively, and define x i y j if and only if a ij ≠ 0. The poset P A is the bipartite graph of A looked at as a poset, and is called a bipartite poset. The jump number of a poset is the minimum number of jumps in any linear extension of P A . (A jump in a linear extension of P A is a pair of consecutive elements which are incomparable in P A .) We investigate the jump number of bipartite posets and its relation to matrix structure. We also consider the maximum and minimum jump numbers of matrices of 0's and 1's with a constant number k of 1's in each row and column.
Comparative evaluation of the content and structure of communication using two handoff tools: Implications for patient safety

NOTICE: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Critical Care. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Critical Care: doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2013.11.014
Daytime CPAP titration: a viable alternative for patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Objective Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for patients diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The implementation of CPAP therapy has traditionally been based on full-night titration studies or split-night protocols. This study compared a group of patients who received a regular nocturnal CPAP titration with patients who received a daytime CPAP titration. The objective of the study was to determine if daytime CPAP titration is a viable alternative for the implementation of CPAP treatment in patients with severe OSA. Study design Fourteen patients (13 men and one woman) received a daytime CPAP titration (day group). The day group was matched to 18 patients (17 men and one woman) who were titrated under a full-night regular nocturnal study (night group). Eligible patients were those with severe OSA (respiratory event index > 40). The groups were matched by age, sex, and body mass index. Results Daytime and nocturnal CPAP titration studies yielded sufficient amounts of rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep to help determine CPAP settings. Importantly, the diurnal and nocturnal CPAP titrations resulted in comparable therapeutic pressures as well as comparable resolution of sleep-disordered breathing. After 1 week of treatment, the groups exhibited similar CPAP use and comparable improvements in subjective sleepiness as indicated by their increase in sleep/wake activity inventory scores. Conclusions Daytime CPAP titration studies may be a viable alternative for the efficient and expedient implementation of CPAP therapy among some patients with severe OSA.
Stock Prices and the Secondary Dissemination of Information: The Wall Street Journal's “Insider Trading Spotlight”Column

In this paper we test whether a secondary dissemination of information affects stock prices. We examine stock price reactions to the publication of the “Insider Trading Spotlight”(ITS) column in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Since insider trades reported in the ITS column are initially disclosed to the public when insiders’ reports are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the information contained in the WSJ is a secondary dissemination. Around the WSJ publication day, we find significant abnormal stock performance accompanied by a significant increase in trading volume. Our evidence suggests that a secondary dissemination of information can affect stock prices if the initial public disclosure attracts only limited attention by the market. In addition, we document how insider trading information is conveyed to the market.
A method of estimating relative kinetic shifts for mass spectral fragmentation schemes

Availability of computer-generated tables for the estimation of kinetic shifts by the older form of the quasi-equilibrium theory is announced.
Parent and Peer Predictors of Violent Behavior of Black and White Teens

This study examines the role that parenting and deviant peers play on frequency of self-reported violent behavior in the 10th grade while testing race differences in mean levels and impact of these risk and protective factors. The level and impact of family and peer factors on violent behavior across race are modeled prospectively from 8th to 10th grade in a sample of 331 (Black [n = 163], White [n = 168]) families from Seattle, Washington, using data from self-administered computer-assisted questionnaires. Mean-level differences indicated greater levels of violent behavior and risk for Black teens in some cases and higher protection in others. Multiple-group structural equation modeling indicated no race differences in predictors of teen violence. Income was also predictive of violent behavior, but analyses including both income and race indicated their relationships to violence overlapped so neither was uniquely predictive. Subsequent logistic regressions revealed that both race and income differences in violent behavior were mediated by association with friends who get in serious trouble at school. We conclude that higher rates of self-reported violent behavior by Blacks compared to Whites are attributable to lower family income and higher rates of associating with deviant peers at school.