cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Meta-Analysis of Wearables Research in Educational Settings Published 2016-2019.

The integration of wearables in education environments to enhance teaching and learning is an emerging area of research. However, many studies lack the rigor of formal research designs and results are inconclusive. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the overall effect of wearable use on learning and motivation outcomes and describe the characteristics of the studies that comprise the body of quantitative wearables research. Searches for wearables research were conducted in three databases resulting in 144 results with duplicates removed. Coding based on specific inclusion criteria resulted in 12 studies with 20 effect sizes published between January 2016 and August 2019. The overall weighted mean effect size for 20 learning and motivation outcomes was .6373 (SE = .1622). It should be noted that while this result was statistically significant (z = 3.9292, p = .0001) with 95% CI [.3194, 9552], the heterogeneity was also statistically significant. Additional weighted mean effect sizes relating to study characteristics were significant while meeting the assumption of homogeneity. A discussion of the findings, implications, and limitations are provided.
Abundances in Stars from the Red Giant Branch Tip to Near the Main Sequence Turn Off in M71: III. Abundance Ratios

We present abundance ratios for 23 elements with respect to Fe in a sample of stars with a wide range in luminosity, from luminous giants to stars near the turnoff, in the globular cluster M71. The analyzed spectra, obtained with HIRES at the Keck Observatory, are of high dispersion (R=35,000). We find that the neutron capture, the iron peak and the alpha-element abundance ratios show no trend with Teff, and low scatter around the mean between the top of the RGB and near the main sequence turnoff. The alpha-elements Mg, Ca, Si and Ti are overabundant relative to Fe. The anti-correlation between O and Na abundances, observed in other metal poor globular clusters, is detected in our sample and extends to the main sequence. A statistically significant correlation between Al and Na abundances is observed among the M71 stars in our sample, extending to Mv = +1.8, fainter than the luminosity of the RGB bump in M5. Lithium is varying, as expected, and Zr may be varying from star to star as well. M71 appears to have abundance ratios very similar to M5 whose bright giants were studied by Ivans et al. (2001), but seems to have a smaller amplitude of star-to-star variations at a given luminosity, as might be expected from its higher metallicity. The results of our abundance analysis of 25 stars in M71 provide sufficient evidence of abundance variations at unexpectedly low luminosities to rule out the mixing scenario. Either alone or, even more powerfully, combined with other recent studies of C and N abundances in M71 stars, the existence of such abundance variations cannot be reproduced within the context of our current understanding of stellar evolution.
Influence of hard water on 2,4-D formulations for the control of dandelion

The herbicide 2,4-D is used in a variety of cropping systems, especially in grasses because it is a selective postemergence broadleaf herbicide. However, the most common formulation (2,4-D dimethylamine) is antagonized when mixed in hard water. The objective of this research was to determine which formulations of 2,4-D or premixes of various formulations of synthetic auxin herbicides are subject to hard water antagonism. Formulations surveyed for hard water antagonism in the first experiment included 2,4-D dimethylamine, 2,4-D diethanolamine, 2,4-D monomethylamine, 2,4-D isopropylamine salt, 2,4-D choline salt, 2,4-D isooctyl ester, and 2,4-D ethylhexyl ester. Synthetic auxin formulation types in the second experiment included water-soluble, emulsifiable concentrates and emulsion-in-water. All formulations were mixed with both soft and hard water (600 mg CaCO3 L-1) and applied to dandelions to determine whether antagonism occurred in hard water. Water-soluble (amine and choline) 2,4-D formulations were antagonized by hard water, but water-insoluble (ester) 2,4-D formulations were not antagonized. Similar results were found by formulation type with water-soluble synthetic auxin premixes antagonized but emulsifiable concentrates not antagonized. Furthermore, water-soluble salt formulations were not antagonized when formulated in premixes with other synthetic auxin herbicides as an emulsion-in-water. This research demonstrates that all 2,4-D water-soluble formulations and water-soluble premixes with phenoxycarboxylic acid herbicides are subject to hard water antagonism. Formulations of 2,4-D containing emulsifying agents protect against antagonism by the water-insoluble nature of ingredients in their formulation. Nomenclature: 2,4-D; dandelion; Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers; MCPP; MCPA
Opportunities and Trends for Energy Storage Plus Solar in CAISO: 2014-2018

The state of California is leading the nation with respect to solar energy and storage. The California Energy Commission has mandated that starting in 2020 all new homes must be solar powered. In 2010 the California state legislature adopted an energy storage mandate AB 2514. This required California’s three largest utilities to contract for an additiona11.3 GW of energy storage by 2020, coming online by 2024. Therefore, there is keen interest in the potential advantages of deploying solar combined with energy storage. This paper formulates the optimization problem to identify the maximum potential revenue from pairing storage with solar and participating in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) day ahead market for energy. Using the optimization formulation, five years of historical market data (2014-2018) for 2,172 price nodes were analyzed to identify trends and opportunities for the deployment of solar plus storage.
School Calendar and the Socioeconomic Achievement Gap

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the statistical significance of the relationship between year-round education and achievement scores in reading and mathematics among fourth grade students from low socioeconomic backgrounds in the public schools of a Southeastern state. The results of this study revealed that school calendar, in isolation, is not a factor that can conclusively predict or improve the academic outcomes of students attending schools with large populations of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This study extends the body of knowledge on the influence of school calendar on student learning outcomes and provides useful information for educational stakeholders regarding the influence of school calendar on academic achievement.
Crowdsourcing as a Tool for Research: Methodological, Fair, and Political Considerations

Crowdsourcing platforms are powerful tools for academic researchers. Proponents claim that crowdsourcing helps researchers quickly and affordably recruit enough human subjects with diverse backgrou...
Options for presenting search results: Part 2: options for citation searching

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the growing importance of information available when searching for cited papers Design/methodology/approach – Looks at the different formats available when searching for cited papers and how these formats can be manipulated to provide more relevant information. Findings – Although progress has been made to provide user‐friendly citation information, it seems there are more features that might prove useful that have not as yet been implemented. Originality/value – Provides an overview of various options available for searching for cited articles and any relevant information.
Vegetation structure modulates ecosystem and community responses to spatial subsidies

Ecosystem responses to external inputs of nutrients and organisms are highly variable. Theory predicts that ecosystem traits will determine the responses to spatial subsidies, but evidence for how vegetation structure can modulate those effects is lacking. We investigated how vegetation structure (i.e., leaf area index [LAI] and vegetation height) influenced the ecosystem and community responses to insect spatial subsidies in a subarctic grassland. Our experiment consisted of a 2 × 2 manipulation where in one treatment we either blocked flying insects over a 2‐yr period in 1‐m² plots near the shore of Lake Mývatn, Iceland, where deposition of aquatic adult midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) to land is high, or left control plots accessible to flying midges. In the second treatment, grassland vegetation was cut (tall vs. short) at the start of each season and then allowed to regrow. We then measured litter decomposition and arthropod composition and density within each plot (n = 6 replicates × 4 treatments). Midge‐exclusion cages reduced midge deposition by 81% relative to the open plots. Vegetation cutting initially reduced LAI and vegetation height by 3× and 1.5×, respectively, but these were not different by the end of the second‐growing season. We found that vegetation structure modulated the effects of midge subsides on litter decomposition, with taller canopies intercepting more insect subsidies than shorter ones, leading to 18% faster litter decomposition. In contrast, the short‐vegetation plots intercepted fewer subsidies and had higher temperatures and sunlight, resulting in no effects of midges on decomposition. However, by the end of the experiment when all vegetation structure characteristics had converged across all plots, we found no differences in decomposition between treatments. The effects of midge subsidies on arthropod composition depended on the vegetation structure, suggesting that arthropods might also be responding to the structural effects on spatial subsidies. Our findings indicate that vegetation structure can modify the abiotic environment and the quantity of subsidies entering a recipient ecosystem as aerial insects, resulting in ecosystem‐ and community‐level responses. Thus, changing vegetation structure via habitat disturbances will likely have important implications for ecosystem functions that rely on spatial subsidies.
Hafnium–zirconium oxide interface models with a semiconductor and metal for ferroelectric devices

Density functional theory (DFT) is employed to investigate ferroelectric (FE) hafnium–zirconium oxide stack models for both metal–insulator–metal (MIM) and metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) structures. The role of dielectric (DE) interlayers at the ferroelectric interfaces with metals and semiconductors and the effects of thickness scaling of FE and DE layers were investigated using atomic stack models. A high internal field is induced in the FE and DE layers by the FE polarization field which can promote defect generation leading to limited endurance. It is also shown that device operation will be adversely affected by too thick DE interlayers due to high operating voltage. These DFT models elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the lower endurance in experimental MIS devices compared to MIM devices and provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms at the interfaces.
Investigating Trust in Human-Machine Learning Collaboration: A Pilot Study on Estimating Public Anxiety from Speech

Trust is a key element in the development of effective collaborative relationships between humans and increasingly complex artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Here, we examine trust in AI in the context of a human-AI partnership that involves a joint decision making task for estimating levels of public speaking anxiety based on speech signals. The AI system is comprised of an explainable machine learning (ML) algorithm, that takes acoustic characteristics as input and outputs the estimate of public speaking anxiety levels, a local explanation about the most important features that contributed to the decision of each speech sample, and a global explanation about the most important features for the data overall. We analyze interactions between AI and human annotators with background in psychological sciences, and measure trust over time via the annotators’ agreement with the AI model and the annotators’ self-reports. We further examine factors of trust that are related to the characteristics of the human annotator and the ML algorithm. Results indicate that trust in AI depends on the openness level of the annotator and the importance level of input features. Findings from this study can provide guidelines to designing solutions that properly calibrate human trust in AI in collaborative human-AI tasks.
Instructional Sensitivity of a Complex Language Arts Performance Assessment

Validation of assessments intended to improve instruction and learning should include evidence of instructional sensitivity. This study investigated the instructional sensitivity of a standards-based ninth-grade performance assessment that required students to write an essay about conflict in a literary work. Before administering the assessment, teachers of 886 ninth-grade students were randomly assigned to one of three instructional groups: literary analysis, organization of writing, and teacher-selected instruction. Despite the short duration of instruction (8 class periods), results support the instructional sensitivity of the assessment in two ways: Instruction on literary analysis significantly improved students' ability to analyze and describe conflicts in literature, and instruction on the organization of writing led to significantly higher scores on measures of coherence and organization.
HEMOGLOBIN HOPE: A BETA CHAIN VARIANT.

A new hemoglobin, hemoglobin Hope, with a beta chain abnormality has been found in three generations of a St. Louis Negro family. The abnormal hemoglobin in the heterozygous state caused neither clinical stigmata nor abnormality in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin Hope was detected by agar gel electrophoresis at pH 6.2, but could not be differentiated from hemoglobin A by starch block electrophoresis at pH 8.6. Also, it could not be separated from hemoglobin A by paper, or starch gel electrophoresis employing a range of buffers from pH 6.2 to 8.6. Amino acid analysis showed that aspartic acid was substituted for glycine at position 136 of the beta chain. Hemoglobin Hope may be formulated as α2Aβ2136 gly-asp.
Integrating Exploration, Localization, Navigation and Planning with a Common Representation

Two major themes of our research include the creation of mobile robot systems that are robust and adaptive in rapidly changing environments, and the view of integration as a basic research issue. Where reasonable, we try to use the same representations to allow different components to work more readily together and to allow better and more natural integration of and communication between these components. In this paper, we describe our most recent work in integrating mobile robot exploration, localization, navigation, and planning through the use of a common representation, evidence grids.
Complex role of the β2-β3 Loop in the Interaction of U1A with U1 Hairpin II RNA

RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) are characterized by highly conserved regions located centrally on a beta-sheet, which forms the RNA binding surface. Variable flanking regions, such as the loop connecting beta-strands 2 and 3, are thought to be important in determining the RNA-binding specificities of individual RRMs. The N-terminal RRM of the spliceosomal U1A protein mediates binding to an RNA hairpin (U1hpII) in the U1 small nuclear RNA. In this complex, the beta(2)-beta(3) loop protrudes through the 10-nucleotide RNA loop. Shortening of the RNA loop strongly perturbs binding, suggesting that an optimal "fit" of the beta(2)-beta(3) loop into the RNA loop is an important factor in complexation. To understand this interaction further, we mutated or deleted loop residues Lys(50) and Met(51), which protrude centrally into the RNA loop but do not make any direct contacts to the bases. Using BIACORE, we analyzed the ability of these U1A mutants to bind to wild type RNAs, or RNAs with shortened loops. Alanine replacement mutations only modestly affected binding to wild type U1hpII. Interestingly, simultaneous replacement of Lys(50) and Met(51) with alanine appeared to alleviate the loss of binding caused by shortening of the RNA loop. Deletion of Lys(50) or Met(51) caused a dramatic loss in stability of the U1A.U1hpII complex. However, deletion of both residues simultaneously was much less deleterious. Simulated annealing molecular dynamics analyses suggest this is due to the ability of this mutant to rearrange flanking amino acids to substitute for the two deleted residues. The double deletion mutant also exhibited substantially reduced negative effects of RNA loop shortening, suggesting the rearranged loop is better able to accommodate a short RNA loop. Our results indicate that one of the roles of the beta(2)-beta(3) loop is to provide a steric fit into the RNA loop, thereby stabilizing the RNA.protein complex.
Obliterative Lymphangitis of the Mesentery In Whipple's Disease

Whipple's disease is a rare entity; to date, with the present case included, only some 70 cases have been reported in the literature. 1-56 A few of these cases, formerly considered to be examples of other conditions such as atypical sprue, chyle cysts of the mesentery, and mesenteric chyladenectasis, were in­ corporated into later reviews as representative examples of Whipple's disease. 9 Still others, first reported as Whipple's disease, have been discarded in subse­ quent reviews as exemplifying other entities or as incompletely substan­ tiated. 2 . 16 The vast majority of cases now accepted generally as authentic examples of Whipple's disease have been isolated instances, only seven groups of authors having had an opportunity to study more than one case.1, 16, 21, 26, 29, 31,54 Usu­ ally the disease is first recognized upon microscopic examination of autopsy material, so that detailed examination of pertinent features at gross autopsy, employment of certain special stains and chemical analyses, and the evaluation of therapeutic response are precluded. Such omissions, coupled with the rarity of the condition, have led to a divergence of opinion not only as to anatomic criteria for the diagnosis of Whipple's disease, but also as to pathogenesis. Most authors now agree that the pathologic anatomy is characterized by two principal lesions: (1) the mesenteric lymph nodes are involved in a cystic and lipogranuloma to us process; and (2) the mucosa of the small bowel is thick­ ened and infiltrated with large foamy macrophages. In addition, there mayor may not be overt evidence of chylous obstruction, i.e., dilated lacteals, dilated intestinal and mesenteric lymphatics and chylous ascites. Theories of pathogenesis, as tabulated by RUSSO,16 include the chemical or metabolic theory, which suggests defective fat metabolism or absorption, and the mechanical or inflammatory theory, which proposes an obstructive process involving some portion of the efferent lymphatic system. One of the stronger advocates of the mechanical or obstructive theory has been Clemmesen. 9 He postulated that the basic pathologic anatomy of Whip­ ple's disease is a chronic proliferative endolymphangitis involving predomi­ nantly the large efferent channels at the root of the mesentery. In the case pre­ sented below, this lesion initially proposed by Clemmesen is described for the
In the Male Brown-Norway (BN) Male Rat, Reproductive Aging Is Associated With Decreased LH-Pulse Amplitude and Area

The Brown-Norway (BN) rat has been proposed as a rodent model for the study of human male reproductive aging. As in man, reduction in serum or plasma testosterone (T) and both testicular (primary) and hypothalamic-pituitary (secondary) reproductive dysfunction have been associated with aging in male BN rats. However, the presence of secondary testicular failure in this rodent, as indicated by low serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, needs further corroboration. The present study was designed to determine whether age-related differences in the pulsatile patterns of pituitary LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion occur in gonad-intact male BN rats. Three age groups were examined: young (3-4 months), middle aged (12-13 months), and old (21-22 months). Using intra-atrial cannulae, serial 5-minute blood samples were withdrawn from conscious, unrestrained animals. Plasma LH concentrations were determined by a supersensitive immunofluorometric assay (FIA) and FSH and T by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Mean T levels were different among groups (young > middle age > old). In young rats, T levels were higher in the late morning/early afternoon than in the late afternoon: this variation was not found in older rats. Mean FSH concentrations were higher in the old than in the middle-aged and young rats. Significant differences in mean LH levels were not found among groups. Compared to young rats, shortened pulse interval and reduced area of pulses characterized the secretory pattern of both gonadotropins in old rats. In addition, LH-pulse amplitude and total area of LH pulses were also significantly lower in old than in young rats. Besides the well-recognized primary testicular failure that occurs in the old BN rat, this study confirms a hypothalamic-pituitary deficiency that makes this rodent model ideal for studying human male reproductive aging.
Does Collaboration Make Any Difference? Linking Collaborative Governance to Environmental Outcomes

This paper addresses two research questions: (1) Does collaborative environmental governance improve environmental outcomes? and (2) How do publicly supported collaborative groups with different levels of responsibility, formalization, and representativeness compare in this regard? Using a representative watershed quality data series, the EPA's National Rivers and Streams Assessment and Wadeable Streams Assessment, in conjunction with a watershed management regime database coded for this analysis, I test the relationship between collaborative governance and watershed quality for 357 watersheds. Since these are observational data, a multilevel propensity score matching method is used to control for selection bias. Using an augmented inverse propensity weighted estimator, I estimate the average treatment effect on the treated for six different water quality and habitat condition metrics. Collaborative watershed groups are found to improve water chemistry and in-stream habitat conditions. I then use hierarchical linear regression modeling to examine how group responsibilities, membership diversity, and formalization affect the predicted impact of a collaborative group. Groups that engage in management activities (in comparison to coordination or planning) are found to achieve greater environmental gains. Limited differentiation is found with regards to the presence of a group coordinator, increased goal specificity, or greater stakeholder diversity.
Hemoglobin Chesapeake (92 alpha, arginine--leucine). Precise measurements and analyses of oxygen equilibrium.

Abstract Precise oxygen equilibrium curves of hemoglobin (Hb) Chesapeake and human adult hemoglobin (Hb A) were determined by the automatic recording method in the presence and absence of NaCl, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG), and inositol hexaphosphate (IHP). The Adair constants, k1, k2, k3, and k4, and some oxygenation parameters were obtained from the equilibrium data. Maximum slope of the Hill plot for Hb Chesapeake, which was 1.22 under stripped conditions, was profoundly increased on the addition of 2 mm DPG and still more, beyond 2, on the addition of 2 mm IHP. It has been shown that DPG increases the cooperativity of oxygen binding to Hb Chesapeake by reducing k1, k2, and k3 without significant change of k4, as previously observed in Hb A. Within experimental errors, the k4 value for Hb Chesapeake was equal to that for Hb A whether DPG was present or absent. The ki value for Hb Chesapeake did not monotonously increase with i: k3 was significantly smaller than k2 whether DPG and IHP were present or absent. This resulted in slightly biphasic oxygen equilibrium curves of Hb Chesapeake. The biphasic oxygen binding was tentatively interpreted as a result of significantly cooperative interactions between the α1 and β1 (and α2 and β2) subunits and impaired subunit interactions at the α1β2 (and α2-β1) interface.
The long-term protective effects of domestic animals in the home

Cite this as: E. A. Erwin, J. A. Woodfolk, E. Ronmark, M. Perzanowski and T. A. E. Platts-Mills, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 920–922.
A unified analysis of ultrafast vibrational and orientational dynamics of HOD in D2O

Vibrational echo peak shift and polarization-selective pump-probe measurements with broadband 45 femtosecond infrared pulses have been used to study the OH stretching Vibration of HOD in D2O. A unified analysis of all experiments allows a characterization of the ensemble-averaged vibrational dephasing, lifetime, and orientational dynamics.
Intracellular Heat Shock Protein-70 Negatively Regulates TLR4 Signaling in the Newborn Intestinal Epithelium

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the leading cause of gastrointestinal-related mortality in premature infants, and it develops under conditions of exaggerated TLR4 signaling in the newborn intestinal epithelium. Because NEC does not develop spontaneously, despite the presence of seemingly tonic stimulation of intestinal TLR4, we hypothesized that mechanisms must exist to constrain TLR4 signaling that become diminished during NEC pathogenesis and focused on the intracellular stress response protein and chaperone heat shock protein-70 (Hsp70). We demonstrate that the induction of intracellular Hsp70 in enterocytes dramatically reduced TLR4 signaling, as assessed by LPS-induced NF-κB translocation, cytokine expression, and apoptosis. These findings were confirmed in vivo, using mice that either globally lacked Hsp70 or overexpressed Hsp70 within the intestinal epithelium. TLR4 activation itself significantly increased Hsp70 expression in enterocytes, which provided a mechanism of autoinhibition of TLR4 signaling in enterocytes. In seeking to define the mechanisms involved, intracellular Hsp70-mediated inhibition of TLR4 signaling required both its substrate-binding EEVD domain and association with the cochaperone CHIP, resulting in ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of TLR4. The expression of Hsp70 in the intestinal epithelium was significantly decreased in murine and human NEC compared with healthy controls, suggesting that loss of Hsp70 protection from TLR4 could lead to NEC. In support of this, intestinal Hsp70 overexpression in mice and pharmacologic upregulation of Hsp70 reversed TLR4-induced cytokines and enterocyte apoptosis, as well as prevented and treated experimental NEC. Thus, a novel TLR4 regulatory pathway exists within the newborn gut involving Hsp70 that may be pharmacologically activated to limit NEC severity.
Buck-Boost Converter Efficiency Maximization via a Nonlinear Digital Control Mapping for Adaptive Effective Switching Frequency

A nonlinear control loop mapping has previously been designed for mitigating the dead zone of a noninverting buck-boost converter while minimizing state variable perturbation. This paper derives a new nonlinearity that enables a converter with fixed switching frequency to achieve reduced switching loss as though operating at an effective switching frequency lower than the actual. The new control loop nonlinearity accomplishes this by interleaving a specified fraction of pass-through and nonpass-through switching periods. The derived nonlinearity also reduces the increase in waveform ripple associated with a switching frequency reduction. Through adapting the effective switching frequency across the full range of conversion ratios and loads, reductions in loss up to 58% are realized.
A continuous-flow, microfluidic fraction collection device

A microfluidic device is presented that performs electrophoretic separation coupled with fraction collection. Effluent from the 3.5 cm separation channel was focused via two sheath flow channels into one of seven collection channels. By holding the collection channels at ground potential and varying the voltage ratio at the two sheath flow channels, the separation effluent was directed to either specific collection channels, or could be swept past all channels in a defined time period. As the sum of the voltages applied to the two sheath flow channels was constant, the electric field remained at 275 V/cm during the separation regardless of the collection channel used. The constant potential in the separation channel allowed uninterrupted separation for late-migrating peaks while early-migrating peaks were being collected. To minimize the potential for carryover between fractions, the device geometry was optimized using a three-level factorial model. The optimum conditions were a 22.5° angle between the sheath flow channels and the separation channel, and a 350 μm length of channel between the separation outlet and the fraction channels. Using these optimized dimensions, the device performance was evaluated by separation and fraction collection of a fluorescently labeled amino acid mixture. The ability to fraction collect on a microfluidic platform will be especially useful during automated or continuous operation of these devices or to collect precious samples.
Integrated 915MHZ OFC SAW sensors

The purpose of this paper is to present recent results on the integration of SAW orthogonal frequency coded (OFC) wireless sensors into a unified sensor target at 915MHz. Current proof of concept embodiments at 250MHz and 915MHz have been successful in demonstrating a functional sensor design and working interrogation system. However, previous work has done little to optimize the sensor platform into a single package containing the SAW device, matching network, and antenna. Through the work presented a more ubiquitous sensor network will be achieved by significantly reducing the tag footprint while optimizing device performance. The following will first briefly review the OFC device concept and present current device embodiments at the frequency of interest. An overview of current tag antenna and matching network design is presented next as a basis for the work to follow. Finally, a compact sensor target will be outlined based on optimizing trade-offs in device range and overall tag size.
Who are the new users of antipsychotic medications

Objective: This study examined changes in the prevalence of antipsychotic medication use and the characteristics of antipsychotic users in the U.S. population between 1996 and 2005. Methods: Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 1996–1997 and 2004–2005 were used to examine the rate of first- and second-generation antipsychotic medication use and changes in the characteristics of users of all ages. Trends were examined in the level of use by antipsychotic users, both in terms of defined daily dose units and number of prescriptions. Results: The rate of antipsychotic use has increased substantially between 1996–1997 and 2004–2005, but the average dose measured both by defined daily dose units and number of prescriptions has remained constant. The rapid diffusion of antipsychotic medications did not occur among individuals with schizophrenia, but rather it included substantial growth among those with newer on-label conditions (such as bipolar disorder) and a high, constant rate of off-label use. Demographic, financial, and insurance characteristics of users have remained fairly constant, with few exceptions. The average age of antipsychotic users declined during the study period, because more children were using these medications in 2004–2005. However, the gender, racial, ethnic, and insurance composition of users has been fairly stable over time. Conclusions: The rapid diffusion of second-generation antipsychotic medications was achieved by large increases in the rate of use in certain subpopulations, most notably youths. Increasing understanding about the marginal efficacy and side-effect risks of newer and more expensive antipsychotic agents, even when prescribed as indicated, suggests that the dramatic increase in use warrants careful attention. (Psychiatric Services 59:507–514, 2008)
The Development of Metaphor and Proverb Translation in Children Grades 1 through 7

AbstractThe development of children’s ability to translate figurative speech was studied, using sentences containing metaphors, dual function words, and proverbs, as presented in classroom workbooks. One hundred twenty children from first, third, fifth, and seventh grades were asked to describe the meaning of each figurative word or phrase placed in context. Responses were scored on a four- point scale indicating the extent to which the child used a literal or figurative translation. Significant effects between grade levels and figurative conditions were found, indicating that the ability to translate figurative speech proceeds along a developmental hierarchy of language comprehension. The majority of third grade children were able to translate metaphors and dual function words into figurative language successfully. The ability to translate proverbs required a level of comprehension that does not appear in most children until seventh grade, as suggested by Piaget.
Synthesis and processing of CdS/ZnS multilayer films for solar cell application

Abstract We demonstrate that homogeneous Cd1−xZnxS thin films can be synthesized from chemical bath deposited CdS/ZnS multilayers through low-temperature chemical and thermal-activated diffusion. The secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiles indicate that Cd diffuses into ZnS film more readily than Zn diffuses into CdS film. We also demonstrated how this approach could be used in improving the spectral response of CdTe-based solar cells.
From Solution‐Phase to Solid‐Phase Enyne Metathesis: Crossover in the Relative Performance of Two Commonly Used Ruthenium Pre‐Catalysts

A crossover in the ability of two distinct ruthenium-based metathesis pre-catalysts to effect the synthesis of dialkenylboronic esters in solution and on the solid-phase was observed. Specifically, while the Grubbs 2nd generation pre-catalyst 3 affords a greater degree of conversion to product than the Hoveyda-Grubbs pre-catalyst 2 in a solution-phase enyne-metathesis reaction, this trend is reversed in the solid-phase variant. Systematic investigation showed this trend to be general, regardless of variations in the homoallylic alcohol and alkynylboronic ester components of the reaction, as well as in the type of solid support employed. Experiments to determine a mechanistic hypothesis for this trend highlighted the significance of the ruthenium remaining bound to the substrate after metathetic rearrangement and found the presence of phosphine ligand to be detrimental to the success of the solid-phase reaction. Therefore, these results suggest an expanded role for phosphine-free pre-catalysts, such as 2, in challenging solid-phase metathesis reactions.
Energy levels of Ar36 and Ar38

The energy-level schemes of Ar36 and Ar38 were measured up to excitation energies of 8.3 and 6.9 MeV, respectively. We used the reactions K39(p, α)Ar36 and K41(p, α)Ar38 and studied the α-particke groups leading to the different states in Ar36 and Ar38. We found many more states in both nuclei than were known previously; in particular, closely spaced levels lying less than 100 keV apart are rather numerous in Ar36. Each of these nuclei shows a complicated energy-level scheme which cannot be explained solely by the excitation of the nucleons in the 2s12 and the 1d32 shells.
Bereaved Parents’ Perspectives on Pediatric Palliative Care

This study's goal was to describe and begin to understand the experience of bereaved parents whose deceased child had received pediatric oncology services at a tertiary comprehensive cancer center. Focus groups were conducted with parents whose children were age 10 years and older at the time of death. Potential participants were contacted by mail and telephone. Sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The ATLAS.ti qualitative software program was used to identify and analyze dominant themes. Fourteen parents identified four major themes: standards of care, emotional care, communication, and social support. Bereaved parents discussed the challenges associated with institutional procedures and interpersonal aspects of care in anticipation of and following their child's death. The results of these personal narratives may be used to guide care plans and deliver pediatric palliative and end-of-life interventions.
Double Arrays, Triple Arrays and Balanced Grids

Triple arrays are a class of designs introduced by Agrawal in 1966 for two-way elimination of heterogeneity in experiments. In this paper we investigate their existence and their connection to other classes of designs, including balanced incomplete block designs and balanced grids.
The effect of ionizing radiation on ribosomal RNA synthesis in grand rapids lettuce seeds

Germination of Grand Rapids lettuce seeds was effectively delayed by exposure to 100 kiloroentgens (kr) gamma-irradiation. Both gibberellic acid and kinetin were able to slightly overcome this delay in germination imposed by ionizing radiation. Incubation in 5-fluorouracil significantly depressed germination in irradiated seeds while it did not affect unirradiated seeds. A dose of 100 kr ionizing radiation was effective in decreasing incorporation of [ 3 H]-uridine into high molecular weight RNA but did not decrease incorporation into transfer RNA. 5-Fluorouracil reduced incorporation of labeled precursor into both RNA components while gibberellic acid stimulated the synthesis of ribosomal and transfer RNA. The results indicated that ribosomal RNA synthesis was not necessary for germination to occur as 5-fluorouracil did not prevent germination in unirradiated seeds. However, 5-florouracil did delay germination after exposure to ionizing radiation indicating that ribosomal RNA synthesis may be involved in radiation damage and subsequent repair processes. From these data it appeared that ionizing radiation delayed germination of Grand Rapids lettuce seeds through an inhibition of ribosomal RNA synthesis.
Effect of cyclic plastic deformation on elevated temperature ostwald ripening of an alloy with coherent precipitates

Alliage Fe-2,5% at. Ni-5,7% at. Al-2% at. Mo. Etude du grossissement augmente des precipites β' de type NiAl et de structure B2 dans cet alliage cubique centre sous l'influence de deformations de fatigue
Financial planning and control of industrial research and development

Abstract The author describes a computer model of the research process which makes it possible to distinguish some of the essential issues which need to be faced in financial planning and control of research and development. By exploring a variety of alternatives open to the firm, it is possible to examine the expected financial consequences etc. In summary, a computer model of the research process has been described which lays bare some of the essential elements related to financial analysis and control. When combined with a more general capital budgeting model of the firm, an administrator can select an optimal set of areas, plans for researching these areas and criteria for evaluating the proposals which have been located.
Consolidation strategies for the delivery of perishable products

Abstract A set of agricultural suppliers with low demands can save on long-haul transportation costs by consolidating their product. We consider a system with stochastic demand and a single consolidation point near the suppliers. We propose a look-ahead heuristic that takes advantage of economies of scale by aiming to ship larger quantities. We experimentally compare the heuristic’s performance against other simple policies, a rolling horizon algorithm, and a stochastic dynamic programming model. Our numerical results demonstrate that the heuristic provides solutions that are near the lower bound provided by the dynamic programming model, and that the benefits of consolidating depend on the size of the suppliers’ demand. We also propose a proportional cost allocation rule that encourages the suppliers to cooperate with each other instead of operating independently.
Mate Availability, Family Formation, and Family Structure Among Black Americans in Nonmetropolitan Louisiana 1970–19801

This paper assesses the effects of the community sex ratio on black family formation and family structure in nonmetropolitan parishes in Louisiana. As predicted the sex ratio is found to have strong positive effects on marriage prevalence for black women the prevalence of husband and wife families for black families and the percentage of black children residing in husband and wife families and strong negative effects on the nonmarital fertility ratio for black women. (EXCERPT)
Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from soybean nodule cytosol. Evidence for isoenzyme and kinetics of the most active component

Abstract Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (orthophosphate:oxaloacetate carboxylase (phosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.31) from plant cells of soybean nodules was studied to assess its role in providing carbon skeletons for aspartate and asparagine synthesis. The enzyme was purified 119-fold by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and DEAE-cellulose, BioGel A-1.5m, and hydroxyapatite chromatography. Five activity bands were resolved with discontinuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A small quantity of enzyme from the most active band was separated from the others by preparative electrophoresis. The apparent Michaelis constants of this enzyme for phosphoenolpyruvate and HCO3− were 9.4 · 10 2 and 4.1 · 10 −1 mM, respectively. A series of metabolites tested at 1 mM had no significant effect on enzyme activity. These experiments indicate that the major factors directly controlling phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity in vivo are phosphoenolpyruvate and HCO3− concentrations.
Computerized health information and the demand for medical care.

Abstract Objective Consumer health information, once the domain of books and booklets, has become increasingly digitized and available on the Internet. This study assessed the effect of using computerized health information on consumers' demand for medical care. Methods The dependent variable was self-reported number of visits to the doctor in the past year. The key independent variable was the use of computerized health information, which was treated as endogenous. We tested the effect of using computerized health information on physician visits using ordinary least squares, instrumental variables, fixed effects, and fixed-effects instrumental variables models. The instrumental variables included exposure to the Healthwise Communities Project, a community-wide health information intervention; computer ownership; and Internet access. Random households in three cities were mailed questionnaires before and after the Healthwise Communities Project. In total, 5909 surveys were collected for a response rate of 54%. Results In both the bivariate and the multivariate analyses, the use of computerized health information was not associated with self-reported entry into care or number of visits. The instrumental variables models also found no differences, with the exception that the probability of entering care was significantly greater with the two-stage conditional logit model ( P Conclusions Although providing people with health information is intuitively appealing, we found little evidence of an association between using a computer for health information and self-reported medical visits in the past year. This study used overall self-reported utilizations as the dependent variable, and more research is needed to determine whether health information affects the health production function in other important ways, such as the location of care, the timing of getting care, or the intensity of treatment.
Effect of pneumonectomy and of lung extract on experimental renal hypertension.

Summary1. Daily intramuscular injections of lung extract for two months preceding and following clamping of the renal artery and contralateral nephrectomy failed to prevent the development of hypertension in two dogs. 2. Pneumonectomy performed on 2 renal hypertensive dogs and pneumonectomy plus contralateral lobectomy on 2 other hypertensive animals did not alter their pressure levels. 3. The pressures of 2 normotensive dogs were not influenced by pneumonectomy, nor were the hypertensions subsequently produced by renal artery constriction and contralateral nephrectomy. 4. The results of these experiments suggest, but do not prove, that the lungs do not elaborate an antihypertensive substance and do not inactivate the pressor agent of experimental renal hypertension. 5. Further work is necessary to explain the pulmonary normotension of renal hypertensive dogs.
Expression and role of epidermal growth factor receptors during differentiation of cementoblasts, osteoblasts, and periodontal ligament fibroblasts in the rat

Periodontium is a collective term describing tooth supporting tissues that develop and function effectively as a unit (Hoffman, 1960; Schroeder, 1986). These include the alveolar bone, cementum, periodontal ligament (PDL), and gingiva. Cementum is a specialized mineralized tissue covering the entire root surface and forms the interface between root dentin and the PDL and has a unique function of attachment of PDL collagen fibers to the root surface. Traditionally, cementum has been classified as cellular and acellular cementum depending on the presence and absence of cementocytes in cementum but further grouped into intrinsic or extrinsic fiber cementum depending on the presence of the collagen fibers formed by cementoblast or by fibroblasts (i.e., Sharpey’s fibers), respectively (Jones, 1981; Schroeder, 1986). Formation of acellular extrinsic fiber cementum (AEFC) has been investigated during root formation in rodents (Lester, 1969; Selvig, 1964; Stern, 19641, dogs, and man (Bosshardt and Schroeder, 1991a,b, 1992; Owens, 1974,1978; Schroeder, 1992; Sequeira et al., 1992). These studies indicate that cementogenesis in rats differs from that in the dog and human. A discussion of the structure and development of all types of cementum in the many different animals studied to date is beyond the scope of this article. The focus of this paper is on the formation of the initial layer of AEFC by cells originating in the dental follicle proper during root formation and on the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGF-R) in maintaining the fibroblast phenotype in the PDL. The PDL, a dense connective tissue located between the alveolar bone and cementum, is composed of cellular as well as extracellular matrix components. The PDL contains numerous actively secreting fibroblasts and a small number of undifferentiated paravascular fibroblast precursors. Epithelial cells of the rests of Malassez, derived from the breakup of the epithelial root sheath, endothelial cells, and macrophages are also present. In addition, a small number of cementoblastic cells are located adjacent to the root surface, while osteoblastic cells such as preosteoblasts and osteoblasts are present along the alveolar bone surface. The collagen fibers, consisting of type I and I11 collagen, are the major structural components of the ligament. They are organized into principal fibers that sus-
FRESS: an Efficient Monte Carlo Method for Biopolymer Structure Simulation

An efficient exploration of the configuration space of a biopolymer is essential for its structure modeling and prediction. In this presentation, we report a new Monte Carlo method, Fragment Re-growth via Energy-guided Sequential Sampling (FRESS). We tested FRESS on hydrophobic-hydrophilic (HP) protein folding models in both two and three dimensions. For the benchmark sequences, FRESS not only found all the minimum energies obtained by previous studies with substantially less computation time, but also found new lower energies for all the three-dimensional HP models with sequence length longer than 80 residues. We also developed a new version of FRESS, mFRESS, whose performance will also be presented.
Role of TNF-α in gut mucosal changes after severe burn

Gut epithelial cell death by apoptosis is increased in the gut epithelium after severe burn associated with mucosal atrophy. We hypothesized that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-TNF receptor (TNFR) i...