cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Longer-Term Impact of COVID-19 on K–12 Student Learning and Assessment

Due to the precipitous onset of the coronavirus disease, teachers and students across the nation were thrust into a new environment, and the impact of this new experience will be felt both shorter and longer term. This academic year saw “test pollution” with the switch to online instruction, and student learning was significantly impacted by stress, anxiety, illness, being forced to learn in a vastly different method than previously experienced, and the increased potential to fall behind due to lack of access to materials. Classroom assessment, teaching and learning, and measurement and interpretation of student growth are among the numerous areas that have been affected by the sudden switch of schools to online instruction that will require much thought in order to examine the impact of the significant deviation from the classroom norms on which much of previous research has been based. Educators, educational researchers, and policymakers have been presented with a challenge that does not have a definitive answer. There are many unknowns that remain as schools plan to move forward with instruction. However, through collaboration, the knowledge that each of these professionals can contribute ensures that adequate decisions will be made that will benefit all students equitably.
Integrated WDM-Based Optical Comparator for High-Speed Computing

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a 2-bit wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) based optical comparator using microdisk modulators operating at 10 Gb/s. The proposed comparator has advantages of higher speed and lower power consumption compared to electronic counterparts.
The Law Student's Guide to Doing Well and Being Well

The ABA and most state bar associations have identified a wellness crisis in the legal profession, and called for educating students on how to better cope with the challenges of law school and practice. At the same time, students must learn how to maximize their brain health so that they perform well in law school and on behalf of their clients in practice. The same way musicians would tune their instruments, or chefs would sharpen their knives, law students must sharpen their minds. This book aims to help students “do well” in their ability to learn, and “be well” in the process, by exploring the deep connection between brain health and wellness. Specifically, the book discusses: How to cultivate the ability to deeply focus and deal with the challenges of the 24/7 digital age; How stress affects both brain and body; How increasing resilience helps deal with challenges and setbacks; Why we need exercise for mental, physical, and brain health; Why adequate sleep is important and how it can be improved; and How what we eat affects the brain and one’s physical performance. Written in a witty, informative, and easy-to-read style, the book is full of suggestions to help students establish healthy and productive habits which will benefit both brain and body. Each chapter ends with a self-reflection exercise to help students take the material and consciously begin implementing its suggestions. This book could be used in orientation programs, academic support and wellness programming, professional development, mindfulness, and other “preparing for practice” courses.
Four-point probe geometric correction factor for isotropic cylindrical samples with non-equal probe distances

Abstract Resistivity of ceramics is usually measured by the DC-four-point-probe setup, which requires a geometric correction factor (GCF). We calculated a GCF for the general case of unequally spaced, in-line probes on isotropic, cylindrical specimens of variable size, radius and thickness. An analytical expression was obtained for the potential difference between the voltage probes by solving Laplace's equation. We show how the relative error of GCF varies with the number of Bessel functions and the number of extrema in them. GCF’s sensitivity vis-a-vis probe distances, sample radius r0 and thickness d was studied to provide an error estimate dependent on measurement errors in those parameters. Contour plots of r0-d provide GCF values without additional calculations, if the instrument’s specifications are the same. Our GCF reproduced the final results from a commercial instrument very well. The deviation between the two results was 1.5% in our temperature range of 25°–300 °C.
Data Envelopment Analysis: Efficiency Analysis with Market Prices

Introduction In DEA models for measuring input-oriented technical efficiency, the objective was to contract all inputs at the same rate to the extent possible without reducing any output. In practice, however, some inputs are more valuable than other inputs and conserving such inputs would be more efficient than saving other inputs. When market prices of inputs are available, the firm would seek to minimize the total input cost for a given level of output. This would mean not only that inputs are changed by different proportions but also that some inputs may actually be increased while others are reduced when that is necessary for cost minimization. Our discussion of DEA, so far, has made no use whatsoever of prices of inputs and or outputs. Even in our discussion of nonradial measures of efficiency, although disproportionate changes in inputs and outputs were allowed, we did not consider the possibility that some inputs could actually be increased or that some outputs could be reduced. This is principally due to the fact that DEA was originally developed for use in a nonmarket environment where prices are either not available at all or are not reliable, even if they are available. This may give the impression that when accurate price data do exist, it would be more appropriate to measure efficiency using econometric methods with explicitly specified cost or profit functions and not to use DEA. This, however, is not the case.
ON THE ORIGIN OF GIRDLES AND PAIRED FINS

ABSTRACT Embryological and morphological data suggest that the ancestors of the gnathostomes, the pro-gnathostomes, were swimming animals with a terminal mouth and transversely situated gill-arches carrying outwardly directed gills and separate gill-covers. The body had a well-developed myotomic musculature and was provided with longitudinal median and paired ventrolateral steering keels formed by folds of the body wall (potential fin-folds). The skin contained primary scales. The exoskeletal shoulder girdle arose by fusions of such scales to form a support for the body musculature and to fulfil other requirements at the transition between head and body. The paired fins arose in connection with the muscularization of the ventro-lateral crest. Stimulated probably by an interaction between the ectoderm and the mesoderm of the crest, the ventral end of each myotome produced two dorsal and two ventral radial muscles innervated by a secondary pterygial branch of the spinal nerve of the metamere. The radial mus...
How the Holodomor Can Be Integrated into our Understanding of Genocide

The study of the Holodomor should be integrated into a broader understanding of genocide as a whole, given that a consensus that has evolved among a substantial group of scholars that the Ukrainian Famine of 1932–33 fits the general template of genocide. Raphael Lemkin, who introduced this concept into the legal structure of the international system, was clearly aware of the famine of 1932–33 and developed a notion of the “Soviet Genocide in the Ukraine” as a multi-pronged genocidal assault on the Ukrainian people. The events of the Holodomor remained largely unknown to the general Western public until the publication of Robert Conquest’s Harvest of Sorrow in 1986. Presently, the links between the study of the Holodomor and genocide studies in North America are relatively underdeveloped. As such, there are many aspects of genocide studies that could be illuminated by an understanding of the Holodomor. These include its examination as a “Communist genocide” as per Mao’s 1950s famine or Cambodia, but perhaps more specifically within the context of Stalin’s actions in the 1930s. Another important aspect is the problem of isolating ethnic from social and political categories: the Holodomor saw a concomitant attack on the Ukrainian intelligentsia and Ukrainian language and culture. The question of the numbers of victims remains controversial, although the figure of 3–5 million Ukrainians who died in Ukraine and the Kuban seems to withstand scrutiny. Finally, there is the question of intentionality. Here, in light of recent interpretations of international law, it seems quite clear that Stalin was responsible for genocide in the case of the Holodomor.
Stark Contrasts: The Impact of Prohibiting Physician Self-Referrals on the Prevalence of Overtreatment in Health Care

Do physicians invest in medical service facilities to profit from the overtreatment of patients? Current literature only shows that physicians with a financial interest in an entity to which they refer patients order more services than physicians without such a financial interest. These studies, however, do not prove that the additional services constitute “overtreatment.” Using medical claims data from Taiwan, I examine the impact of a policy designed to remove physicians’ financial incentives to overprescribe drugs by prohibiting clinic-pharmacy integration, and make three principal findings: (1) Physicians in clinics that are vertically integrated with a pharmacy overtreat patients with prescription drugs. (2) Removing the incentives to overprescribe drugs causes physicians to overprescribe diagnostic and laboratory tests instead (3) This overtreatment occurs even when physicians refer patients to an employee-pharmacist in the clinic rather than to an outside entity in which physicians have a financial interest. These findings have important implications for federal Stark Legislation (42 U.S.C.S. §1395nn), which prohibits physicians’ referral of Medicare/Medicaid patients to an entity in which they have a “financial relationship” for certain designated health services. In particular, the third finding calls into question Stark Law’s implicit assumption that vertically integrated medical providers are unlikely to overtreat patients, as exemplified by the “bona fide employee” safe harbor exception.
Alveolar proteinosis in a patient recovering from Pneumocystis carinii infection : A case report with a review of literature

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare lung disorder, which was first reported as idiopathic condition in 1958. The prevalence of acquired pulmonary alveolar proteinosis has been estimated to be 0.37 per 100,000 population. The cause of this condition is not entirely clear. We present alveolar proteinosis in a case recently treated for pulmonary Pneumocystis carinii infection.
Long-term Outcomes and Prognostic Factors for Patients Requiring Renal Replacement Therapy After Cardiac Surgery

Abstract Objective To examine long-term outcomes, including all-cause mortality, and the likelihood and timing of renal recovery among patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) for acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery. Patients and Methods This is a single-center, historical, matched cohort study of post–cardiac surgery patients who required RRT from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2012. We matched each case with 2 controls, each of whom did not require RRT after cardiac surgery, for age, sex, and type of surgery. The patients were followed up for 1 year after the start of RRT. The main outcomes were all-cause mortality in all patients and rate of renal function recovery in patients who required RRT. Results A total of 202 patients met the inclusion criteria. The unadjusted all-cause mortality among patients requiring RRT was 64% at 1 year vs 8% for matched controls. In multivariate analysis, the hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was 12.59 (95% CI, 8.24-19.68) for cases vs controls. Increased 1-year all-cause mortality was independently associated with increased age, a history of congestive heart failure, lower preoperative creatinine level, longer interval between surgery and starting RRT, and the need for mechanical ventilation or an intra-aortic balloon pump at the time of RRT. Renal recovery occurred in 34% of cases by 90 days and in 39% by 1 year. Of those who recovered renal function, 87% were within 90 days. Only 8 (4%) of the 186 patients were alive and continued to receive RRT at 1 year. Conclusions The need for RRT after cardiac surgery is an independent risk factor for mortality. In the case of survival, the chance of renal recovery is reasonable.
Conidium germination rate in wild and domesticated yellow-green aspergilli.

Conidia of domesticated yellow-green aspergilli from strains of Aspergillus oryzae (Ahlburg) Cohn and Aspergillus sojae Sakaguchi and Yamada ex Murakami, used in the preparation of koji inoculum, germinate approximately 3 h sooner than conidia produced by related wild species, Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fr. and Aspergillus parasiticus Speare. There was no consistent relationship between average conidium size and estimated 50% germination time. Germination trials were conducted on Czapek agar at 28°C. A hypothesis is offered that, in the propagation of koji inoculum, selection has favored those individuals capable of rapid conidium germination and germ tube extension, attributes that enable them to gain the available substrate during intraspecific competition.
A Descriptive and Historical Review of Bibliometrics with Applications to Medical Sciences

The discipline of bibliometrics involves the application of mathematical and statistical methods to scholarly publications. The first attempts at systematic data collection were provided by Alfred Lotka and Samuel Bradford, who subsequently established the foundational laws of bibliometrics. Eugene Garfield ushered in the modern era of bibliometrics with the routine use of citation analysis and systematized processing. Key elements of bibliometric analysis include database coverage, consistency and accuracy of the data, data fields, search options, and analysis and use of metrics. A number of bibliometric applications are currently being used in medical science and health care. Bibliometric parameters and indexes may be increasingly used by grant funding sources as measures of research success. Universities may build benchmarking standards from bibliometric data to determine academic achievement through promotion and tenure guidelines in the future. This article reviews the history, definition, laws, and elements of bibliometric principles and provides examples of bibliometric applications to the broader health care community. To accomplish this, the Medline (1966-2014) and Web of Science (1945-2014) databases were searched to identify relevant articles; select articles were also cross-referenced. Articles selected were those that provided background, history, descriptive analysis, and application of bibliometric principles and metrics to medical science and health care. No attempt was made to cover all areas exhaustively; rather, key articles were chosen that illustrate bibliometric concepts and enhance the reader's knowledge. It is important that faculty and researchers understand the limitations and appropriate uses of bibliometric data. Bibliometrics has considerable potential as a research area for health care scientists and practitioners that can be used to discover new information about academic trends, pharmacotherapy, disease, and broader health sciences trends.
Standing potential characteristics of the epileptogenic focus.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS In two of four monkeys with experimental focal cortical epilepsy the following observations were made: The areas displaying the epileptoid spiking were characterized by negative standing potentials of 7 and 9 mV relative to contralateral normal areas. One of the two animals displayed a voltage gradient of 1 mV/mm for 5 mm along central sulcus in the injected area, with very amplitude surface-negative spiking at the area of peak negativity. The two other experimental animals and the two controls failed to produce electrographic spiking at the time of acute experiment or display standing potential offsets of the magnitude observed in the two with spiking. It is proposed that an abnormal negative standing potential is the most characteristic electrical property of an epileptogenic focus. This area would act as a current sink, with current flow across contiguous tissue producing hyperexcitability. The mechanism of paroxysmal discharge might involve the interaction of natural excitability cycles of neuron populations, at sites in the circumference of the “focus”, with this abnormal current flow. Unstable oscillations at some level of neuronal integration may then occur, with positive feedback resulting in the paroxysmal discharge of the epileptic seizure. RESUME ET CONCLUSIONS L'auteur fait les observations suivantes sur deux des quatre singes ayant une epilepsie focale experimental: les regions dans lesquelles se produisirent les pointes epileptoides ont ete caracterisees par des potentiels continus negatifs de 7 a 9 mV relativement aux regions contralaterales normales. L'un des deux animaux a atteint un gradient de voltage de 1 mV/mm sur 5 mm le long de la scissure centrale dans la region injectee, avec des pointes negatives de surface de grande amplitude dans la region des pointes negatives. Les deux autres animaux d'experience et les deux temoins n'ont pas donne de pointes electrographiques lors de l'experience a breve echeance abrupte, et n'ont montre non plus des potentiels continus de měme importance comme observes chez les deux singes qui montraient des pointes. L'auteur propose d'admettre qu'un potentiel continu negatif est l'attribut electrique le plus caracteristique d'un focus epileptogene. Il est possible que cette region agisse comme un evier de courants avec ecoulement de courant du tissu contigu produisant de l'hyperexcitabilite. Le mecanisme de decharge paroxysmale peut impliquer l'interaction des cycles d'excitabilite d'agglomerations neuronales situees dans la circonference du focus par cet ecoulement anormal de courant. Il se peut que des oscillations instables se produisent alors a un niveau quelconque d'integration neuronale, avec un “feedback” positif dont resulte la decharge paroxysmale de la crise epileptique.
Existence of a unique solution to a quasilinear elliptic equation

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to prove the existence of a unique classical solution u ( x ) to the quasilinear elliptic equation − ∇ ⋅ ( a ( u ) ∇ u ) + v ⋅ ∇ u = f , where u ( x 0 ) = u 0 at x 0 ∈ Ω and where n ⋅ ∇ u = g on the boundary ∂ Ω . We prove that if the functions a , f , v , g satisfy certain conditions, then a unique classical solution u ( x ) exists. Applications include stationary heat/diffusion problems with convection and with a source/sink, where the value of the solution is known at a spatial location x 0 ∈ Ω , and where n ⋅ ∇ u is known on the boundary.
Immunogens and Non-Immunogens in the Induction of Tolerance

THERE are few reports in the literature of immunological tolerance induced by non-immunogenic substances. In 1965 Maurer et al.1 studied the effects of neonatal injection of synthetic polymers on the subsequent immune response of adult rabbits against related cross-reacting polymers. They found that the injection of poly-L-glutamic acid caused a depression in antibody response when animals were immunized with a co-polymer of glutamic acid and alanine in spite of the fact that the poly-L-glutamic acid was not of itself capable of immunizing rabbits. Bauminger et al.2 subsequently showed that newborn rabbits treated with the non-immunogenic multichain poly-DL-alanyl-poly-L-lysine made no antibody specific for the poly-DL-alanyl determinants when subsequently immunized with poly-DL-alanyl protein conjugates. They concluded that “there is no correlation between the immunogenicity of a substance and its capacity to induce tolerance”. It should be noted, however, that in a re-test of the ability of the multichain polymer to elicit an immune response, they found a measurable antibody level in one rabbit and concluded that this material was a poor immunogen in rabbits.
SHEAR MODULUS OF TRANSVERSELY ISOTROPIC MATERIALS

A new and simple method is presented to determine the independent shear modulus of transversely isotropic material. Mathematical formulation, derivation and solution are given, and test apparatus and results are presented. The method was tested on one of such materials—Green River Formation oil shale. Comparisons with other approximate results and acoustical methods are made. Confirmation of the test method with materials having known shear moduli is also presented.
Fault Reconfiguration for the Near Neighbor Task in a Multistage-Network MIMD System

Dynamic fault reconfiguration in an MIMD environment with a multistage interconnection network is considered. The near neighbor class of problems, which involve fundamental parallel processing algorithms such as partial differential equations and low level image processing algorithms, are chosen as the target application in such an environment. It is shown that dynamic fault reconfiguration can be achieved efficiently without any additional or modified hardware in case of (permanently) faulty processors. Two types of multistage networks are considered: general multistage networks (such as Benes networks) and the Omega network. The communication time of the system with faulty processors is minimized by rearranging the order in which the fault-free processors communicate with each other. For any number of faults, a reconfigured system with a general multistage network is shown to require an increase from four to five data transfers for each iteration of the near neighbor problem. For the Omega network, many faults can be handled by six data transfers, but in some cases up to 10 data transfers are necessary. In order to minimize the computation time of the system with faults, the data points of faulty processors are distributed equally and in parallel among the remaining processors. The technique used for parallel data distribution is called Uniform Data Distribution.
Predictors of glycemic control and short-term adverse outcomes in youth with type 1 diabetes.

Objectives: To examine predictors of glycemic control and to assess how glycemic control affects the incidence of short-term adverse outcomes in a pediatric population with type 1 diabetes. Study design: Three hundred youth, aged 7 to 16 years, with type 1 diabetes who were receiving diabetes specialty care were followed up prospectively for 1 year. Treatment plans and frequency of adverse outcomes were ascertained by questionnaires and medical record review. Incidence rates of adverse outcomes were compared among 3 strata of the population, representing tertiles of baseline glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Results: Blood glucose monitoring frequency was the sole modifiable predictor of HbA1c (P <.0001). Overall incidence rate of hospitalization was 13 per 100 person-years, more than 3 times the rate in the general pediatric population and significantly higher in the upper HbA1c tertile compared with the other strata (P =.001). Rate of emergency department use was 29 per 100 person-years and did not differ significantly among tertiles. Incidence of severe hypoglycemia was 62 per 100 person-years and notably high even in those with poorest glycemic control. Conclusion: Despite improvements in diabetes care, the incidence of short-term adverse events in children with type 1 diabetes remains high, particularly in those with poorest glycemic control. (J Pediatr 2001;139:197-203)
Duodenal duplication cyst: beware of the lesser sac collection.

A 11-month-old boy presented with a 4-month history of failure to thrive. His initial presentation was highlighted by fever, postprandial abdominal pain and lethargy. The diagnosis was elusive despite extensive investigations. A contrast enhanced abdominal computerised tomogram (CT) suggested the presence of a pancreatic pseudocyst. At laparotomy, a lesser sac collection was drained and the patient’s general condition improved. Three weeks postoperatively, the symptoms recurred and a second contrast enhanced abdominal CT revealed a duodenal duplication cyst. A 6.5-cm duodenal duplication cyst communicating with the fourth part of the duodenum was resected in its entirety with resolution of the patients’ symptoms and establishment of adequate growth.
Ultrasound-guided fetal intravascular transfusion in severe rhesus immunization

The successful use of ultrasound-guided fetal umbilical venipuncture and direct intravascular transfusion in a case of severe hydrops fetalis at 28 weeks' gestational age is described. Complete reversal of the hydropic changes was observed in utero. The use of this new technique in fetal treatment of Rh disease is discussed.
Circulating reverse triiodothyronine in humans during exercise

Circulating thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) as well as blood lactate and glucose concentrations were measured in a group of 12 trained volunteer subjects prior to and after swimming 0.18 or 0.9 km, to determine if increase in metabolic activity was accompanied by diversion of T4 monodeiodination from the active (T4 to T3) to the inactive (T4 to rT3) pathway. The resting T4, T3, and rT3 levels were 8.5 Μg·100 ml−1, 108 ng·100 ml−1, and 57 ng·100 ml−1, respectively, whereas after 0.18 km of swimming the corresponding levels were 9.5 Μg·100 ml−1, 135 ng. 100 ml−1 and 70 ng·100 ml−1. After 0.9 km of swimming, T4, T3, and rT3 levels were 9.0 Μg·100 ml−1, 126 ng·100 ml−1, and 66 ng·100 ml−1, respectively. The swimming was accompanied by hemoconcentration and increase in blood lactate but not in glucose concentrations. In two other investigations thyroid hormones were measured prior to and after 60 or 90 min of moderate exercise on a bicycle ergometer. This exercise had no effect on circulating thyroid hormone levels. Free thyroxine (FT4) concentration and thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) capacity were unaltered after exercise. In conclusion, brief strenuous swimming or moderate bicycle exercise had minor or no effect on thyroid hormone concentrations when consideration was given to the attendant hemoconcentration. Even when exercise induced small T3 and rT3 changes were noted, they were in the same direction (increase) thus demonstrating a lack of diversion of peripheral T4 monodeiodination.
Teacher Unionism in New York City A Process that Reinforces School Bureaucracy

In New York City the United Federation of Teachers has aided in support of the schools and been partner of the Board of Education.
Effect of Carbachol and 56 mM‐Potassium Chloride on the Cyclic AMP‐Mediated Induction of Tyrosine Hydroxylase in Neuroblastoma Cells in Culture

: Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity is increased two- to threefold in neuroblastoma cell line NBP2 maintained in culture for 48 h in the presence of either the inhibitor of cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase (PDE), 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (RO 20- 1724), or the activator of adenylate cyclase, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Cyclic AMP levels are elevated 70–80% and 30–40% throughout the 48-h treatment with RO 20-1724 and PGE1, respectively. Carbachol does not affect either basal TH activity or cyclic AMP levels in the cells. However, the cholinergic agonist delays the induction of TH elicited by either RO 20-1724 or PGE1. This delay is prevented by atropine. The elevation in cyclic AMP levels elicited by either RO 20-1724 or PGE1 is blocked for 1 h or 15 min. respectively, after treatment with carbachol. Cyclic AMP levels then begin to rise until they reach those levels observed in the presence of RO 20-1724 or PGE1 alone by 12 h or 1 h of treatment, respectively. Time course studies demonstrate that this transient inhibition of the elevation of cyclic AMP is associated with a 48-h delay in the induction of TH elicited by either RO 20-1724 or PGE1. In contrast, the induction elicited by 8-bromo cyclic AMP is unaffected by carbachol. A depolarizing concentration (56 mM) of KCl produces a 24-h delay in the induction of TH elicited by RO 20-1724, without affecting the concomitant elevation of cyclic AMP produced by the PDE inhibitor. Furthermore, 56 mM-KCl inhibits the induction of TH elicited by 8-bromo cyclic AMP. It thus appears that carbachol delays the induction of TH by transiently inhibiting the elevation of cyclic AMP, whereas potassium depolarization delays the induction of TH by inhibiting a process with a site of action that is distal to the elevation of cyclic AMP.
Front propagation in certain one-dimensional exclusion models

Recent results on two interacting particle systems on ℤ are summarized, the asymmetric simple exclusion process and the branching exclusion process.
Choroidal neovascularization associated with choroidal hemangiomas.

• Two patients with choroidal hemangiomas developed choroidal neovascularization. One patient with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a unilateral diffuse choroidal hemangioma, and a serous detachment of the macula was treated with yellow dye laser photocoagulation in a grid pattern to the tumor before glaucoma filtration surgery. Four years after successful laser treatment, the patient developed subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in an area of treatment. A second patient with a circumscribed choroidal hemangioma developed spontaneous subfoveal choroidal neovascularization 12 years after initial diagnosis of the hemangioma. The development of choroidal neovascularization associated with choroidal hemangiomas represents a potential cause of poor visual outcome in these patients.
Early versus later admission to postacute rehabilitation: impact on functional outcome after traumatic brain injury.

Abstract High WM Jr, Roebuck-Spencer T, Sander AM, Struchen MA, Sherer M. Early versus later admission to postacute rehabilitation: impact on functional outcome after traumatic brain injury. Objective To examine the impact of participation in a postacute community reentry program on functional outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design Cohort, nonrandomized, intervention study. Pretest-posttest, follow-up design. Setting Nonprofit outpatient community reentry program affiliated with an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Participants Three groups of persons with moderate to severe TBI differing in length of time between injury and admission. The first group entered postacute rehabilitation within 6 months of injury (n=115); the second group, between 6 and 12 months (n=23); and the third group, greater than 12 months (n=29). Interventions Persons with TBI participated in a postacute community reentry program (average, 4.3mo) that emphasized (1) teaching compensatory strategies to address residual cognitive deficits; (2) arranging environmental supports to maximize functioning; (3) counseling and education to address personal and family adjustment and to improve accurate self-awareness; and (4) transition from simulated activities in the clinic to productive activities in the community. Main Outcome Measures Disability Rating Scale, Supervision Rating Scale, and the Community Integration Questionnaire. Results All groups showed improvements between admission and discharge on measures of overall disability, independence, home competency, and productivity, and these gains were maintained at follow-up. For the group beginning postacute rehabilitation the earliest ( Conclusions The results point toward the effectiveness of postacute rehabilitation in improving functional outcome after TBI even for persons who have reached stable neurologic recovery at 12 or more months postinjury.
Virtual reality simulators for gastrointestinal endoscopy training

The use of simulators as educational tools for medical procedures is spreading rapidly and many efforts have been made for their implementation in gastrointestinal endoscopy training. Endoscopy simulation training has been suggested for ascertaining patient safety while positively influencing the trainees’ learning curve. Virtual simulators are the most promising tool among all available types of simulators. These integrated modalities offer a human-like endoscopy experience by combining virtual images of the gastrointestinal tract and haptic realism with using a customized endoscope. From their first steps in the 1980s until today, research involving virtual endoscopic simulators can be divided in two categories: investigation of the impact of virtual simulator training in acquiring endoscopy skills and measuring competence. Emphasis should also be given to the financial impact of their implementation in endoscopy, including the cost of these state-of-the-art simulators and the potential economic benefits from their usage. Advances in technology will contribute to the upgrade of existing models and the development of new ones; while further research should be carried out to discover new fields of application.
Designing optical sensor arrays with enhanced sensitivity for explosives detection

We have previously developed an optically-based 'artificial nose' to detect a wide variety of volatile organic compounds. An optical fiber sensor array is prepared containing a variety of differentially-reactive sensors comprised of polymer/dye combinations. When an analyte is presented in pulsatile form each sensor produces a unique fluorescence vs. time signature. The system employs neural network analysis to discriminate between many organic vapors using pattern recognition. Following an initial training step, the system can recognize 91 - 100% of a training set and greater than 84% of a test set of volatile organics. We are now attempting to detect explosives and explosive-like materials using this system. Prior work has shown that some sensors respond to compounds structurally similar to TNT (e.g. 2,4-DNT and 2,6-DNT) at saturated vapor concentrations. These preliminary results provide grounds for exploring the capacity of these and other new polymer/dye sensing combinations for detecting polynitro- compounds at low concentrations.
A review of the effects of therapy on growth and bone mineralization in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

The medical management of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) can be challenging with regard to optimizing final height. Insufficient glucocorticoid suppression of adrenal hormone production will result in acceleration of bone maturation and premature epiphyseal fusion, while appropriate or excessive glucocorticoid therapy can be accompanied by suppression of the growth axis. The extent of the growth suppression appears to be affected by the type and dose of glucocorticoid. Some studies suggest that such growth suppression can be ameliorated through concomitant use of growth hormone (GH) therapy. Available data published over the last 10 years on height outcomes in CAH patients treated with glucocorticoids will be reviewed.
Autonomy in the doctor-patient relation

As an introduction to this issue, I argue that the concept of autonomy is clearly important for many of the freedoms we enjoy. The problem in medicine with its use lies in interpreting the concept with respect to the impact of disease on persons, the models of medicine we employ, and the settings in which the problems arise. A short statement about the major points of the authors collected in this issue concludes the editorial.
Adaptive Assistance for Learning Improvement Efforts: The Case of the Institute for Learning.

Districts across the country face significant demands to strengthen student learning districtwide, and many are turning to intermediary organizations to help them build their capacity for such demanding, large-scale work. However, how these “learning-support intermediary organizations” assist with these capacity-building efforts is little understood. This article reports data from a largely qualitative investigation into how one such intermediary organization, the Institute for Learning (IFL) at the University of Pittsburgh, partnered with multiple urban districts to help build district capacity for districtwide learning improvements. Our conceptual framework draws on sociocultural learning theory to identify key features of the IFL-district assistance relationships that seem associated with these outcomes. We utilized data from interviews, observations, document reviews, and focus groups conducted over a five-year period. Findings elaborate specific features of their assistance relationships—which we cal...
Natural-born Pacemakers

The pre-Botzinger complex is a group of about 100 neurons in the brain stem that produce perdiodic bursting. The complex regulates breathing rythms. Individually, these neurons do not produce bursts, while the bursting is not regulated by pacemaker neurons. We report on a numerical and analytical study of periodic bursting by an array of coupled identical neurons showing the spontaneous emergence of clusters of neurons that act like pacemakers. The bursting is periodically interrupted by “dephasing events” that are encountered in in-vivo and in-vitro studies, which are compared with our results.
Distinct Terminal and Cell Body Mechanisms in the Nociceptor Mediate Hyperalgesic Priming

Hyperalgesic priming, a form of neuroplasticity in nociceptors, is a model of the transition from acute to chronic pain in the rat, which involves signaling from the site of an acute tissue insult in the vicinity of the peripheral terminal of a nociceptor to its cell body that, in turn, induces a signal that travels back to the terminal to mediate a marked prolongation of prostaglandin E2-induced hyperalgesia. In the present experiments, we studied the underlying mechanisms in the cell body and compared them to the mechanisms in the nerve terminal. Injection of a cell-permeant cAMP analog, 8-bromo cAMP, into the dorsal root ganglion induced mechanical hyperalgesia and priming with an onset more rapid than when induced at the peripheral terminal. Priming induced by intraganglion 8-bromo cAMP was prevented by an oligodeoxynucleotide antisense to mRNA for a transcription factor, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and by an inhibitor of importin, which is required for activated CREB to get into the nucleus. While peripheral administration of 8-bromo cAMP also produced hyperalgesia, it did not produce priming. Conversely, interventions administered in the vicinity of the peripheral terminal of the nociceptor that induces priming-PKCe activator, NGF, and TNF-α-when injected into the ganglion produce hyperalgesia but not priming. The protein translation inhibitor cordycepin, injected at the peripheral terminal but not into the ganglion, reverses priming induced at either the ganglion or peripheral terminal of the nociceptor. These data implicate different mechanisms in the soma and terminal in the transition to chronic pain.
Three-dimensional nanochannels formed by fast etching of polymer

Nanochannels are widely used in biomedical applications such as DNA analysis and biomolecule detection. We report a study using sacrificial polymer and oxide to form three-dimensional (3D) nanochannels. Polymer nanostructures were patterned on Si substrates using optical lithography or nanoimprint lithography, followed by oxide deposition to form the sealed channels. A high-speed dry etching technique for removing the sacrificial polymer was developed using an O2 plasma at high power, high pressure, and elevated temperature. This dry etching technique provides a fast lateral etch rate of 3.91μm∕min for the polymer inside nanochannels, which is an order of magnitude higher than conventional reactive ion etching. High selectivity of 1200 was obtained between the lateral etch rate of polymer inside the nanochannels and the vertical etch rate of oxide. Etch rate dependence on pressure, temperature, and channel width were studied. It was found that the etch rate increases with pressure and temperature. To form...
The Association Value of Three-Place Consonant Syllables

(1935). The Association Value of Three-Place Consonant Syllables. The Pedagogical Seminary and Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 337-360.
Atorvastatin and statins in the treatment of heart failure

Heart failure (HF) affects approximately five million people in the US and survival at 5 years is only 50% despite advances in medical and device therapy. Statins are of novel therapy for these patients, which may be beneficial in both ischemic and non-ischemic HF. In addition to lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic effects, statins demonstrate many non-lipid or pleiotropic effects that could be beneficial in HF. They may inhibit or reverse myocardial remodeling, inhibit inflammation in HF, improve endothelial function and restore autonomic nervous system balance. Numerous observational studies of HF cohorts have linked statin therapy with significantly improved survival. Small prospective clinical studies of atorvastatin and simvastatin in systolic HF are promising, documenting improved ventricular systolic function and decreased inflammatory biomarkers with statin therapy. Definitive recommendations regarding statin therapy in all HF must await the completion of large scale outcome trials of statins in non-ischemic HF.
What fills the space between the partially ionized clouds in the local interstellar medium

The interstellar matter located between the warm clouds in the LISM and in the Local Cavity is now thought to be photoionized gas with temperatures in the range 10,000-20,000 K. While the hot stars e CMa and β CMa are the primary photoionizing sources in the LISM, hot white dwarfs also contribute. We consider whether the Stromgren sphere gas produced by very local hot white dwarfs like Sirius B can be important in explaining the local intercloud gas. We find that the Stromgren sphere of Sirius can at least partially explain the intercloud gas in the lines of sight to several nearby stars. We also suggest that the partially ionized warm clouds like the Local Interstellar Cloud in which the Sun is located may be in part Stromgren sphere shells.
MINNESOTA'S EXPERIENCE WITH THIN BITUMINOUS TREATMENTS FOR LOW-VOLUME ROADS

Three surface treatments placed on aggregate-surfaced roads (double-chip seal, Otta seal, and oil gravel) were investigated through field trials for performance. A double-chip seal used a single-size aggregate applied to a layer of hot asphalt binder. After 6 years of service, the performance of the road has required only routine preventive maintenance. The surface has a few thermal cracks and no rutting. An Otta seal, which uses a thick layer of soft asphalt to which a dense graded aggregate is added, has proven successful. The use of a chip spreader is recommended for precise aggregate application during construction. A large top-size aggregate, 1 in. (25 mm) minus, gave a rough texture to the surface, but the performance has not been adversely affected. Because of the fines included in an Otta seal, usually a locally available aggregate can be used. In design and construction, the oil gravel surface is similar to hot-mix asphalt. All the projects had some problems with segregation, but most can be corrected during construction with proper handling techniques. One benefit of this treatment is that additional material stockpiled during construction can be used in subsequent maintenance activities on the road. All three of the surface treatments require a strong stable base to work properly. The treatments add no structural component to the road. Therefore, the condition of the road needs to be carefully evaluated before construction. The roads that performed the best had the best base stability.
Effect of steric exclusion on the separation of proteins by hydrophilic size-exclusion chromatography.

Abstract On the basis of studying the retention and band broadening of proteins on the TSK SW column, diffusion coefficients (Ds) of solute in stationary phase were obtained which elucidate the hydrodynamic process of chromatographic resolution of proteins by hydrophilic size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). After calculating the correlation between Ds and the molecular weight of the solute, the molecular dimensions of proteins in the process of chromatographic separation can be predicted. Deviations in diffusion coefficient of a protein from the calculated value effect differences of measured molecular dimensions from molecular volumes predicted from the calibration curve of the SEC column. This study illustrates a convenient method for estimating the purity of proteins by SEC. Deviations from 2λ dp (where dp is the particle diameter) in the intercept of the theoretical plate height (H) versus flow-rate (U) curve from the band broadening equation H = CsU + 2λ dp + f(αM)T {where CsU represents mass transfer resistance caused by solute diffusion in the stationary phase and f(αM)T an added term for polydisperse solutes as proposed by Knox and McLennan [Chromatographia, 10 (1977) 75] reflect impurities in the proteins.}
Single-mechanism rate theory for dynamic strain aging in fcc metals

A full thermal activation rate theory for dynamic strain aging is developed for the case where a single rate dependent strengthening mechanism controls dislocation motion in a material (e.g. solute diffusion). The analysis shows that negative strain-rate sensitivity (SRS) cannot be obtained within such a framework, a conclusion previously reached by Hahner [Hahner P. Mater Sci Eng A 1996;207:208]. However, the SRS can be greatly reduced over a range of strain rates, making the inverse behavior more accessible by other mechanisms. In addition, the aging mechanism naturally gives rise to an instantaneous positive SRS and stress relaxation behavior under strain-rate jump conditions, putting the concepts advanced by McCormick [McCormick PG. Acta Metall 1988;36:3061; Estrin Y, McCormick PG. Acta Metall Mater 1991;39:2977] on a quantitative footing. The results here set the stage for subsequent work wherein consideration of multiple strengthening mechanisms (solute and forest hardening) operating together can predict negative SRS in quantitative agreement with data in Al-Mg alloys. (C) 2008 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The role of motivation in scientific research IV: The nature of basic research and its implications

AbstractFour scientific areas are used as examples of the role of curiosity driven basic research in generating extensive and generally unanticipated advances in science and technology. The four examples concern lasers, nuclear magnetic resonance, macromolecular structure determination, and biotechnology. The paths of the scientific and technological developments in these areas are presented in some detail. It is indicated that the origins of these areas of research were, in fact, quite remote from the current technologies that they generated, both in time and context. This feature of scientific and technological development occurs very often and emphasises the potential loss of scientific culture and new technologies of high economic value when the broad support of basic research is curtailed.
Debt financing, venture capital, and the performance of initial public offerings ☆

Abstract We examine the roles of two financial intermediaries, lenders and venture capitalists, in a sample of more than 6000 IPO firms during 1980–2012. Venture capitalists and lenders generally fund different types of firms and, on average, are substitutes; however, in some instances we observe interactions and complementary roles between the two funding sources. Firms with high debt have lower valuation uncertainty, and lower initial day returns than those backed by venture capital. However, firms with high debt levels underperform in the long-run, especially those without venture capital. We provide some evidence that firms backed by reputable venture capitalists perform better.