cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Competency-based goals, objectives, and linked evaluations for rheumatology training programs: a standardized template of learning activities from the Carolinas Fellows Collaborative

Objective American Council on Graduate Medical Education program requirements mandate that rheumatology training programs have written goals, objectives, and performance evaluations for each learning activity. Since learning activities are similar across rheumatology programs, we aimed to create competency-based goals and objectives (CBGO) and evaluations that would be generalizable nationally. Methods Through an established collaboration of the 4 training programs' directors in North Carolina and South Carolina, we collaboratively composed CBGO and evaluations for each learning activity for rheumatology training programs. CBGO and linked evaluations were written using appropriate verbs based on Bloom's taxonomy. Draft documents were peer reviewed by faculty at the 4 institutions and by members of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Clinician Scholar Educator Group. Results We completed templates of CBGO for core and elective rotations and conferences. Templates detail progressive fellow performance improvement appropriate to educational level. Specific CBGO are mirrored in learning activity evaluations. Templates are easily modified to fit individual program attributes, have been successfully implemented by our 4 programs, and have proven their value in 4 residency review committee reviews. Conclusion We propose adoption of these template CBGO by the ACR, with access available to all rheumatology training programs. Evaluation forms that exactly reflect stated objectives ensure that trainees are assessed using standardized measures and that trainees are aware of the learning expectations. The objectives mirrored in the evaluations closely align with the proposed milestones for internal medicine training, and will therefore be a useful starting point for creating these milestones in rheumatology.
Exploring the Competitive Effects of Charter Schools.

Central to the debate over school choice has been the question of how public schools respond to market-based competition. Many choice advocates suggest that competition can spur public schools to b...
The Impact of Scheduling and Bundling Flexibility on Sequence Effect-Based Schedules

The article of record as published may be located at http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2244529
Are education and efficiency antithetical?: Education for democracy vs the “cult of efficiency”

Are education and efficiency antithetical? Does the pursuit of efficiency in education inevitably lead to misguided practices and measurement attempts that distort the character and purposes of education? Despite legitimate fears about misguided efforts at efficiency, history shows that efficiency and enlightened educational leadership can be combined beneficially. Indeed, if we want to use educational resources as wisely and effectively as possible, to benefit as many students as possible, we must evaluate the efficiency of alternative policies and practices. This article explores the issues involved, and steps required, for a balanced and appropriate pursuit of efficiency that preserves educational values and avoids the dangers of the “cult of efficiency.”
Current State in U.S. Public Health Competency-Based Graduate Education

Calls for educational transformation by education and workforce leaders, as well as both governmental and professional organizations, have been resounding in the United States over the past decade. As a result, increased recognition of outcomes or competency-based education (CBE) has evolved across health professions education and training arenas. In public health specifically, the identification and specification of competencies related to the five long-standing, discipline-based core areas of knowledge in addition to seven cross-cutting interdisciplinary domains are now required for guiding accreditation, curriculum planning, and the measurement of student achievement in both graduate and undergraduate education. Nevertheless, full realization of CBE for potentially enhancing current educational practices, including both learning and assessment methodologies, remains in the early stages of adoption and curricular integration in both public health graduate education and the health professions at-large. This article provides an overview of the influences that have led to the consideration and development of strategies for promoting outcomes-based educational performance and accountability across post-secondary higher education in the US; evolving CBE pedagogy in public health graduate education; and experiences to date regarding success factors, barriers, and challenges encountered with the implementation of competency-based education. Recommendations for furthering educational transformation in public health are also discussed.
Dispersing the Serials Collection and Measuring Paper: Cooperative Storage Efforts and Legacy Journals Management in a University Library

This article discusses workflows involved with contributing print journal back runs to scanning and storage efforts. The purpose of these efforts was to alleviate space problems in a library by consolidating stacks that were formerly used to house runs of bound journals. This article contributes to the literature on serials withdrawal projects by demonstrating database designs for tracking contributions made to cooperative storage facilities as well as highlighting an innovative solution for tracking the required linear feet for housing bound print collections.
Essential concepts for medical computing

After reading this chapter, you should know the answers to these questions: How are medical data stored and manipulated in a computer? Why does a computer system have both memory and storage? How can data be entered into a computer accurately and efficiently? How can information be displayed clearly? What are the functions of a computer’s operating system? What advantages does using a database management system provide over storing and manipulating your own data directly? How do local area networks facilitate data sharing and communication within health care institutions? How can the confidentiality of data stored in distributed computer systems be protected? How is the Internet used for medical applications?
Pattern identification in biogeography

We develop and study two distance metrics for area cladograms (leaf-labeled trees where many leaves can share the same label): the edge contract-and-refine metric and the MAAC distance metric. We demonstrate that in contrast to phylogenies, the contract-and-refine distance between two area cladograms is not identical to the character encoding distance, and the latter is not a metric. We present a polynomial time algorithm to compute the MAAC distance, based on a polynomial-time algorithm for computing the largest common pruned subtree of two area cladograms. We also describe a linear time algorithm to decide if two area cladograms are identical.
Quantum confinement and light emission in SiO2/Si superlattices

PHOTONIC devices are becoming increasingly important in information and communication technologies. But attempts to integrate photonics with silicon-based microelectronics are hampered by the fact that silicon has an indirect band gap, which prevents efficient electron-photon energy conversion. Light-emitting silicon-based materials have been made using band-structure engineering of SiGe and SiC alloys and Si/Ge superlattices, and by exploiting quantum-confinement effects in nanoscale particles and crystallites1–3. The discovery4,5 that silicon can be etched electrochemically into a highly porous form that emits light with a high quantum yield has opened up the latter approach to intensive study6–12. Here we report the fabrication, by molecular-beam epitaxy, of well-defined superlattices of silicon and SiO2, which emit visible light through photoluminescence. We show that this light emission can be explained in terms of quantum confinement of electrons in the two-dimensional silicon layers. These superlattice structures are robust and compatible with standard silicon technology.
Theory, Analysis, Social Justice, and Criminalizing HIV Transmission: A Commentary on Lehman and Colleagues (2014)

Since the start of the AIDS epidemic, the US government has attempted a number of interventions to protect the public health. Some, such as Congressional allocation of funds for HIV surveillance and research, or assistance to persons living with HIV such as subsidized treatment or housing, appear to have promoted this aim. Others such as the Helms amendment banning federal funds for AIDS education materials describing homosexuality, bans on Federal funding for syringe exchange, the US public health service travel ban on entry visas for people living with HIV, or the PEPFAR anti-prostitution pledge have probably undermined it. These mixed effects suggest that scientific data measuring the outcomes of policies proposed to protect the public health are not the deciding factor on whether such policies become federal law. State governments have also had a role, but until now it has been challenging to evaluate the scope of state-level HIV law in its entirety. In their article, Prevalence and Public Health Implications of State Laws that Criminalize Potential HIV Exposure in the United States, Lehman and colleagues [1] take stock and analyze state laws criminalizing HIV exposure. Their paper offers an excellent exploration of the differing ways states (1) define criminal HIV exposure; (2) classify it within the legal code; and (3) impose penalties on those it finds guilty. In this commentary, we expand upon the ideas put forth by Lehman and colleagues. We explore methodological challenges to the study of how law impacts individual HIV risk behavior and suggest theoretical frameworks and testable models to understand this phenomenon. We conclude with a consideration of how the principle of social justice joins this arena as a necessary research question in its own right.
Juno radiation design and implementation

Juno, the second NASA New Frontiers mission, was launched to Jupiter on August 5, 2011 from Cape Canaveral Air Station onboard an Atlas V launch vehicle. The mission features a solar powered, spinning spacecraft in a highly elliptical polar orbit that avoids much of Jupiter's highest radiation regions. Developing and operating a spacecraft in the environment of space can be a technical and a programmatic challenge and the Juno Mission has the added challenge of operating in the severe radiation environment of Jupiter. This paper describes the Juno Mission and the preparations, which were required to develop and implement a mission, and spacecraft design to successfully operate in the harsh Jovian environment and provide the desired science returns.
The future of prosthodontics.

At the initiative of the dental profession, the U.S. government contributed over $800 million to dental education, including approximately $300 million for capitation grants, $100 million for specific educational projects and programs, and $252 million for dental school construction grants.+ Eleven new dental schools have been established since 1965 (an increase of 22%).’ The number of first-year dental students increased from 3,806 in 1965 to 6,030 in 1980 (an increase of 58%)‘; and the number of professionally active dentists increased from 95,990 in 1965 to 134,226 in 1980 (an increase of 39%).’ In the 1 l-year period from 1970 to 1980, it was documented that the civilian population of the United States grew from 203 to 220 million (an increase of 8%), while the number of civilian dentists increased 34%, a rate of growth more than four times that of the population (Table I).* As a result, the civilian dentistto-population ratio rose from 47.1:100,000 to 58.6:100,000.2 As the ratios increase, the number of persons per dentist decreases. U.S. civilians per dentist dropped from 2,123 in 1970 to 1,707 in 1980.2 The distribution of dentists varies in different parts of the United States.’ In 1980 in Massachusetts there were 69.9 dentists to 100,000 civilians (or 1,430 civilians per dentist), which is more than twice the ratio in Mississippi (32.5 dentists to 100,000 persons or 3,075 persons per dentist).’ A decreased ratio of potential patients to dentists can lead to increased competition among dentists.
Recovery of visual performance in rosy rockfish (Sebastes rosaceus) following exophthalmia resulting from barotrauma

Abstract Rapid ascent during fishing capture can cause exophthalmia (‘pop eye’) in physoclistic fishes, resulting in stretching of the optic nerves and extraocular muscles, but it is not known whether exophthalmia affects vision temporarily or permanently. We used the optokinetic reflex test to assess changes in visual performance of rosy rockfish ( Sebastes rosaceus ) that had experienced exophthalmia. Vision was functional 4 days after recompression and was improved after 1 month of recovery evidenced by individuals being able to track both smaller and faster-moving gratings. Our results suggest that, after recompression, rosy rockfish recover from exophthalmia fairly rapidly and perhaps fast enough to minimize significant adverse impacts on survival. This measured recovery from exophthalmia, in addition to evidence of high short-term, post-release survivorship, shows that recompression of unwanted rosy rockfish may be a viable management technique, and may be appropriate for other rockfish species, some of which are at low population densities due to high fishing pressure.
Advance directives and HIV: a current trend in the inner city.

Throughout the 1980’s, HIV antiretroviral therapy was non-existent or insufficient, and patients admitted to hospitals were frequently terminal. In 1988 we evaluated the HIV related hospitalizations at the Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, and found that only 1.3 % of the patients had an advanced directive/living will. Fifty percent of the patients expired during their hospitalization. To assist health care professionals during this serious illness, medical decisions were needed from the patients and, at other times, from family members and/or significant others. Subsequently, patients were approached to discuss advance directives (AD). With the introduction of the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, medical management has decreased HIV mortality. Patients may have started having different perceptions on the need for an AD. The study design was submitted to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the IRB granted a HIPPA waiver because this was a retrospective study which delinked the study data from any identification of the patient. The chart reviews were conducted to ascertain the existence of an AD for all patients admitted at the Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY from 2004 to 2011. One hundred eighty-two patients were identified from their discharge codes for HIV or AIDS. The median age was 47 years (range 22–85 years). Median time since HIV diagnosis was 9.5 years (range 0–28 years). Ninety-two percent lacked an AD on admission. From the thirty patients that were older than 54 years of age, only four of them had an AD prior to admission. During hospitalization only 11 patients out of 187 enacted a new AD, which decreased the overall percentage of patients lacking an AD to 86.3 % (pre and during admission). The majority of HIV infected patients hospitalized lacked an AD. Our data did not indicate a greater predominance of ADs from a private practice or clinic setting. ADs did not increase with increasing age. Moreover, with longer years with an HIV diagnosis, the number of ADs did not increase. Our results would indicate that a different approach is necessary to adequately address ADs with this specific population, especially as their longevity increases.
An examination of the role of security clauses and deposits in residential lease contracts

This paper argues that security clauses in lease contracts create a contingent claim on the value of the leased property, which resembles a put option on common stock. Adapting the standard results from option pricing theory gives insight into how landlords determine security deposit amounts, which serve to guarantee performance of the contract. Empirical tests show that deposit amounts are affected by the propensity of a property to be damaged, the propensity of a tenant to cause damage, and other characteristics of the landlord-tenant relationship. Two-stage least squares and probit regression estimates, however, provide only limited evidence to suggest that advance deposits significantly reduce tenant damages in the residential rental market.
Operator-Centric Design Patterns for Information Visualization Software

Design patterns have proven to be a useful means to make the process of designing, developing, and reusing software systems more efficient. In the area of information visualization, researchers have proposed design patterns for different functional components of the visualization pipeline. Since many visualization techniques need to display derived data as well as raw data, the data transformation stage is very important in the pipeline, yet existing design patterns are, in general, not sufficient to implement these data transformation techniques. In this paper, we propose two design patterns, operatorcentric transformation and data modifier, to facilitate the design of data transformations for information visualization systems. The key idea is to use operators to describe the data derivation and introduce data modifiers to represent the derived data. We also show that many interaction techniques can be regarded as operators as defined here, thus these two design patterns could support a wide range of visualization techniques. In addition, we describe a third design pattern, modifier-based visual mapping, that can generate visual abstraction via linking data modifiers to visual attributes. We also present a framework based on these three design patterns that supports coordinated multiple views. Several examples of multivariate visualizations are discussed to show that our design patterns and framework can improve the reusability and extensibility of information visualization systems. Finally, we explain how we have ported an existing visualization tool (XmdvTool) from its old data-centric structure to a new structure based on the above design patterns and framework.
Longitudinal changes in body weight and body composition among women previously treated for breast cancer consuming a high-vegetable, fruit and fiber, low-fat diet.

Excess adiposity has been shown to be associated with increased risk for breast cancer recurrence, and a plant-based eating pattern has been hypothesized to be protective. Whether a plant-based diet without specific energy goals will result in weight loss or changes in body composition in women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer has not been fully explored. This study was conducted to identify changes in body weight, anthropometric measures, and body composition over a four year period in a sub-sample of breast cancer survivors participating in a dietary intervention targeting increased intake of vegetables, fruit and fiber and decreased dietary fat intake. This randomized, controlled dietary intervention study compared longitudinal changes in intakes, body weight, waist:hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI) and body composition by treatment group among fiftytwo women previously treated for Stage I, II, or IIIA breast cancer from the Arizona site of the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living Study. The dietary intervention aimed for eight servings of fruit and vegetables, 30 g fiber, ≤ 20% total energy from fat per day, as well as daily intake of vegetable juice. The comparison group was advised to follow general dietary guidelines for cancer prevention. The dietary intervention resulted in a significant and sustained increase in fiber, fruit, vegetable, and vegetable juice consumption (p < 0.05) among intervention group subjects as compared to comparison group subjects. The first 6 months resulted in a reduction in body weight and body fat among the intervention group subjects while the comparison group subjects remained stable. Subsequent measurements, at 12, 24 or 36, and 48 months, showed no significant differences in mean body weight, BMI, WHR, or body composition by study group. Also, no significant changes in these measures were demonstrated for either study group between baseline and 48 months. The dietary intervention efforts resulted in significant changes in diet toward an increase in plant foods and a decrease in dietary fat. Changes in weight, WHR, BMI, and body composition were not different over time or by study group assignment. Interventions that promote a plantbased diet without specific energy restriction do not appear to promote changes in body weight or body composition in women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. To adequately examine the role of energy restriction in reducing obesity-associated breast cancer recurrence, future interventions should include prescribed energy imbalance either through reduced intake and/or increased expenditure.
Oil price shocks in an island economy: an analysis of the oil price-macroeconomy relationship

This study seeks to clarify the oil price-macroeconomy relationship within a small open economy using a computable general equilibrium model for Hawaii. Like many islands, Hawaii is both oil and tourism-dependant. Hawaii meets nearly 90% of its energy needs through oil-burning and tourism accounts for roughly one-third of the economy. A doubling of the world price of oil is simulated, showing macro, sector, and consumer welfare changes. The industry of primary interest, the petroleum manufacturing sector, constrains real output of refined petroleum product and passes along a substantial portion of the price burden.
eNOS-uncoupling in age-related erectile dysfunction

Aging is associated with ED. Although age-related ED is attributed largely to increased oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in the penis, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are not fully defined. We evaluated whether endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling in the aged rat penis is a contributing mechanism. Correlatively, we evaluated the effect of replacement with eNOS cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) on erectile function in the aged rats. Male Fischer 344 ‘young’ (4-month-old) and ‘aged’ (19-month-old) rats were treated with a BH4 precursor sepiapterin (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or vehicle for 4 days. After 1-day washout, erectile function was assessed in response to electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. Endothelial dysfunction (eNOS uncoupling) and oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) were measured by conducting western blot in penes samples. Erectile response was significantly reduced in aged rats, whereas eNOS uncoupling and TBARS production were significantly increased in the aged rat penis compared with young rats. Sepiapterin significantly improved erectile response in aged rats and prevented increase in TBARS production, but did not affect eNOS uncoupling in the penis of aged rats. These findings suggest that aging induces eNOS uncoupling in the penis, resulting in increased oxidative stress and ED.
Gauge String Fields

Abstract Gauge-invariant actions for free bosonic string fields are derived from the corresponding BRST-invariant gauge-fixed action. The auxiliary components needed to make the action local and maintain unconstrained gauge invariance arise from an SU(1,1)-invariant sector of a pair of opposite-metric fermionic string coordinates or of an extra timelike bosonic one.
Theory of grain boundary grooving under the combined action of the surface and volume diffusion mechanisms

Abstract A theory of grain boundary grooving is presented in which the matter transport occurs by the concomitant action of surface diffusion, volume diffusion and evaporation-condensation mechanisms. The groove profiles have been predicted in terms of a dimensionless parameter, p , which measures the relative importance of the surface and volume diffusion mechanisms. It is shown that the matching of the present theory with the experimental data on grain boundary grooving enables one to obtain simultaneously both the surface and volume diffusion coefficients. The theoretical results are compared with the experimental data on a copper (100) surface.
The Sectioned Density Plot

Effective graphical presentation efficiently summarizes, exposes, and communicates patterns in data. Here we describe a new plot, the sectioned density plot, that compares full distributions across multiple groups. We designed the sectioned density plot to exploit the visual system's natural ability to interpret occlusion and intensity variation as changes in depth. By incorporating depth into the graphical display, we were able to combine the ability of the boxplot to display trends in variance and central tendency with the ability of a histogram/kernel density plot to present distribution shape.
The effect of long R3 insulin-like growth factor-I on jejunal glucose absorption in mice

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of long R 3 insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I on jejunal glucose transport in mice. Jejunal rings from 4 mice were incubated for 10 min at 37°C in transport media containing 0, 150 or 500 ng long R 3 IGF-I/ml. Uptake of glucose measured during the last 5 min of incubation was similar among the three treatments. In the second experiment, 8 mice were subcutaneously injected once-daily with 0 or 150 μg long R 3 IGF-I/kg BW for 3 d. Treatment with long R 3 IGF-I did not affect jejunal glucose absorption. Weight of the stomach and small and large intestine were similar for both groups, however, treatment with long R 3 IGF-I reduced the length of the small intestine (P 3 IGF-I. Short-term administration of long R 3 IGF-I does not appear to cause alterations in intestinal absorption of glucose.
The use of auxiliaries in prosthodontic graduate programs

There is a need for more dental services, and the use of auxiliaries can help the dentist meet this need. Dental educators and the government are encouraging programs and research in the expanded use and management of dental auxiliaries. Advanced prosthetic programs have special needs. The dentist-patient relationship for this highly personal service, usually accompanied by difficult clinical and technical problems, requires a dentist with special skills. No advanced program should use auxiliaries to the extent that the student does not develop these special skills in diagnostic, clinical, and technical areas. Expanded duties to demonstrate how much an auxiliary can do could be harmful. The program director and the faculty should judge the level of assistance each student should have in an advanced program.
Acute lung injury: an indicator of serious systemic illness.

The history of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) parallels that of critical care. Descriptive and colorful names for the condition such as "shock lung," "post perfusion lung," and "traumatic wet lung" clearly communicate the reality that the pulmonary tissue is involved in a pathologic process. It is not difficult to speculate that the focus on the lung originated from the dramatic chest radiographs and gas exchange abnormalities frequently observed in association with the syndrome. However, a named condition does not necessarily dictate the therapeutic approach to it, and a review of some pertinent studies suggests the condition is in fact systemic in nature. Concurrent with this recognition, the need for markers of severity of illness has become more important. Rather than a process needing primarily pulmonary approaches to management, it now seems that ARDS is the result of systemic events with noticeable pulmonary manifestations, which may suffice as a clinical marker for severity of systemic inflammation. Because the pathophysiology has been described elsewhere, 1 this article will focus on the clinical trials that are shaping our perception and management of the syndrome.
Differential expression of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) IP-10 and interleukin-8

Interferon-gamma induced protein of 10 kDa (IP-10) is a C-X-C chemokine that attracts T lymphocytes and inhibits angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated the expression of IP-10 by human retinal pigment epithelial cells (HRPE) and compared IP-10 expression to that of interleukin-8 (IL-8), which is a leukocytic chemoattractant and pro-angiogenic factor. Cultured HRPE cells were incubated with either IL-1 beta (0.2-20 ng/ml) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (0.2-20 ng/ml) alone or in combination with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (1000 U/ml). HRPE cells were also incubated with: (1) media conditioned by activated human T lymphocytes (CM), or (2) the same CM treated with neutralizing antibodies to IL-1, TNF, and/or IFN-gamma. IL-8 and IP-10 protein levels were measured by ELISA and mRNA levels by Northern blot analysis of HRPE cells. HRPE cells produced very high levels of IP-10 in response to either IL-1 beta/IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma or CD3-activated T-lymphocyte CM. The levels of IP-10 were at least tenfold higher (p<.001) than IL-8 measured in the same samples. Neutralizing antibodies to TNF and IFN-gamma, but not to IL-1, abrogated the ability of the CD3-activated T lymphocytes CM to induce HRPE IP-10 (p<.001). HRPE cells produce differential levels of IP-10 and IL-8 in response to various combinations of recombinant and T-lymphocyte-secreted pro-inflammatory cytokines. This may be important in evolving inflammatory and angiogenic ocular responses.
Hepatitis B vaccine immunogenicity among adults vaccinated during an outbreak response in an assisted living facility--Virginia, 2010.

Abstract Background Failure to adhere to infection control guidelines, especially during assisted monitoring of blood glucose, has caused multiple hepatitis B outbreaks in assisted living facilities (ALFs). In conjunction with the response to such an outbreak at an ALF (“Facility X”) where most residents had neuropsychiatric disorders, we evaluated seroprotection rates conferred by hepatitis B vaccine and assessed the influence of demographic factors on vaccine response. Methods Residents were screened for hepatitis B and C infection, and those susceptible were vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B with one dose of TWINRIX™ (GSK) given at 0, 1, and 7 months. Blood samples were collected 1–2 months after receipt of the third vaccine dose to test for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). Results Of the 27 residents who had post-vaccination blood specimens collected, 22 (81%) achieved anti-HBs concentrations ≥10 mIU/mL. Neither age nor neuropsychiatric comorbidity was a significant determinant of seroprotection. Geometric mean concentration was lower among residents aged 60–74 years (74.3 mIU/mL) than among residents aged 46–59 years (105.3 mIU/mL) but highest among residents aged ≥75 years (122.5 mIU/mL). The effect of diabetes on vaccination response could not be examined because 16/17 (94%) diabetic residents had HBV infection by the time of investigation. Conclusions Adult vaccine recipients of all ages, even those over 60 years of age, demonstrated a robust capacity for achieving hepatitis B seroprotection in response to the combined hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine. The role for vaccination in interrupting HBV transmission during an outbreak remains unclear, but concerns about age-related response to hepatitis B vaccine may be insufficient to justify foregoing vaccination of susceptible residents of ALFs.
Concentration of Renin in the Renal Interstitium, as Reflected in Lymph

The relationship between renin activity in renal venous plasma and in renal interstitial fluid, as reflected in the hilar lymph, was observed. Control measurements in 28 dogs demonstrated that renin levels in the hilar lymph were 3.5 +/-- (SEM) 0.4 times higher than in renal venous plasma and 6.1 +/- 1.0 times higher than in arterial plasma. Renin activity was increased to varying levels by raising ureteric pressure and by the administration of different doses of furosemide. Under all conditions, the changes in renin activity in renal venous plasma and in the interstitium, as reflected in the hilar lymph, were in parallel although often marked in the hilar lymph. Thus, the study shows that under conditions of increased renin release, the interstitial renin activity rises in consort with increases in arteriovenous plasma differences. This increase in interstitial renin activity occurred even under circumstances when renal blood flow is known to increase, thereby suggesting that angiotensin generated in the interstitium may have little effect on the cortical arteriolar caliber.
Analysis Of Spectral Anomalies In Rapid-Scanning Fourier Transform Time-Resolved Infrared Spectrometry (TRS)

It has been shown that sample concentration fluctuations in rapid-scanning time-resolved experiments result in anomalies that can easily be misinterpreted as spectral features of transient species.1 It is also known that these spectral features result from band displacement rather than aliasing. A quantitative explanation of the phenomenon will be presented which will discuss the origin and frequency of these spectral anomalies.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Malnutrition in infancy: changes in muscle and adipose tissue before and after rehabilitation.

Extract: In nine infants suffering from protein-calorie malnutrition, significantly low values for muscle mass and cell mass which were proportional were observed. These were 1.02±0.44 kg and 2,295±693 pg, respectively (P < 0.001). The extracellular volume was disproportionally high relative to creatinine excretion before and after rehabilitation. The extracellular volume was disproportionally high relative to creatinine excretion before and after rehabilitation. The major loss of muscle mass was due to loss of cell size rather than cell number. The protein/DNA ratio was 78±18.7 (P<0.001) prior to rehabilitation and 109.6±45.1 (P<0.001) following rehabilitation. The RNA/DNA ratio was low at 0.96±0.26 (P0.001) prior to rehabilitation while after rehabilitation the value increased to 1.24±0.14 but was still less than normal (P<0.01). The levels of Mg and Zn per unit DNA were reduced in muscle prior to rehabilitation. These values were 6.6±0.7 and 35.6±15.8, respectively (P<0.001). The significantly reduced protein/DNA and RNA/DNA ratios after rehabilitation suggest either persistent alteration in mechanisms responsible for protein synthesis or a prolonged period necessary for recovery. Muscle mass of 1.67±0.64 kg was not significantly different from the normal for body length after rehabilitation. The concerntrations of water (39.96±16.99) and collagen (3.86±2.24) in adipose tissue were elevated (P<0.01), while that of fat (50.36±21.87) was low prior to rehabilitation. The noncollagen protein was constant per gram of tissue in marasmus and following rehabilitation. Speculation: Because insulin is intimately related to protein synthesis and the attainment of normall cytoplasmic growth, the persistently poor secretion of insulin during rehabilitation from malnutrition may be responsible for inadequate cytoplasmic growth. Inaulin administered judiciously during the recovery phase may accelerate recovery and insure a return to normal.
Estimation of task workload from EEG data: New and current tools and perspectives

We report, as part of the EMBC meeting Cognitive State Assessment (CSA) competition 2011, an empirical comparison using robust cross-validation of the performance of eleven computational approaches to real-time electroencephalography (EEG) based mental workload monitoring on Multi-Attribute Task Battery data from eight subjects. We propose a new approach, Overcomplete Spectral Regression, that combines several potentially advantageous attributes and empirically demonstrate its superior performance on these data compared to the ten other CSA methods tested. We discuss results from computational, neuroscience and experimentation points of view.
Oxidative demethylation of N-methylhydrazines by rat liver microsomes.

Abstract Certain N -methylhydrazines were found to be oxidatively demethylated to yield formaldehyde by rat liver microsomal preparations. Substrates for the N -demethylase were found to be monomethylhydrazine, 1,1-dimethylhydrazine, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, Procarbazine, and the azo derivative of Procarbazine. Oxygen and a NADPH-regenerating system were required for maximum activity. Carbon monoxide inhibited the demethylation reaction but no inhibition was found by SKF 525-A. Phenobarbital or 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment of the animals caused an enhancement of the demethylase activity. P-450 appears to play a role in the phenobarbital-inducible reaction since treatment of the microsomes with steapsin or deoxycholate which convert P-450 to P-420 inhibited only the induced activity.
Perforation of multiple gastric duplication cysts: diagnosis by sonography

A case of perforation of multiple gastric duplication cysts is presented. The rarity of this case is based on its multiplicity, its small size, its perforation into peritoneal cavity, as well as on the detection of tiny foci of ectopic pancreatic tissue at the site of perforation. The sonographic appearance and the clinical manifestations are discussed.
Learning from the National Board Portfolio Process: What Teachers Discovered about Literacy Teaching and Learning.

Using a communities-of-practice framework, this qualitative study investigated what eight teachers learned about literacy teaching and learning through participation in the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process. This article presents two selected teacher cases which suggest that the National Board process created a “perturbation” in the teachers' practice that helped them develop new ways of thinking and speaking about it. The level of participation in a National Board support group made a difference in the ways in which these teachers changed their conceptions of their work.
The Chadronian Squirrel "Sciurus" Jeffersoni Douglass, 1901: A New Generic Name, New Material, and Its Bearing on the Early Evolution of Sciuridae (Rodentia)

ABSTRACT A new genus, Douglassia, is erected for the problematic Chadronian sciurid Sciurus jeffersoni Douglass, 1901. Previously undescribed material adds new morphologic information for the taxon. Douglassia differs from other sciurids in the retention of primitive dental and masseteric morphology. Based on postcranial anatomy, the genus is referred to the Tribe Sciurini (tree squirrels), which is regarded as the sister taxon to all other Sciurinae. The known fossil material of Tertiary flying squirrels is inadequate to determine whether they constitute a distinct family.
193nm Superlens Imaging Structure for 20nm Lithography Node

We are showing that a 20nm lithography resolution is theoretically feasible at a 193nm illumination wavelength if employing aluminum (Al) superlens structure with index matching layer. It is illustrated that transmissivity of evanescent waves for certain wavevector bands can be enhanced by an index matching layer. It is further shown a minimal resolution of ~λ/10 can be achieved by appropriately engineering mask material and superlens structure. A depth of focus of several nanometers is predicted to be possible for a periodic structure with 20nm half pitch. Assistant features were adopted in superlens structure to successfully suppress the side lobes and resolve a 20nm two-slit structure.
The long-term psychobiological consequences of intermittent postnatal separation in the squirrel monkey

Long-term effects of early experiences have been well documented in rodents, non-human primates and humans. The influence of early experiences on the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal has demonstrated that this biological system is highly plastic and is permanently modified by early experiences. The effects of brief periods of maternal separation in rodents tend to result in a reduction of the stress response, whereas longer periods of maternal separation produce an animal that is hyperresponsive. The effect of disruptions of mother-infant interactions on the HPA axis in non-human primates has not been clearly established. However, the primate research has primarily focused on more permanent separation paradigms and thus it is difficult to compare the rodent studies with those conducted in primates. The present study attempted to use a separation procedure in monkeys that more closely resembled the rodent model. Intermittent separation during infancy followed by reunion with the mother were shown to lead to a significant reduction in both the cortisol response and the response of the noradrenergic system following social isolation in juvenile squirrel monkeys at 2 and 3 years of age. The behavioral response (vocalizations) was also reduced.
Momentum Trading in Sector ETFs

If markets were efficient, then strategies based on past price behavior would be essentially worthless. However, many traders follow investment plans that are designed to exploit momentum, particularly across sectors. This article examines one common, related trading rule: “There’s Always a Bull Market Somewhere.” Under this approach, investors buy (sell) past 12-month winners (losers). Prior studies find a positive abnormal return in the subsequent 12-month period following implementation of this strategy; however, no study examines the impact of such rules on the short-term trading patterns (returns and volume) of related securities. This article fills this gap, finding that ETFs representing sectors experiencing positive (negative) momentum have higher (lower) returns on days associated with the execution of this momentum strategy. It also finds that calendar days coinciding with the implementation of this rule are associated with increased trading volume in related sector ETFs, particularly on the buy side in more recent periods.
The influence of factory processing on the development of rigor in the breast muscle of broilers

1. The time course of rigor in broiler chicken breast muscle during factory processing was studied. 2. The texture of the breast muscle was compared with some of the major biochemical constituents at different stages of processing. 3. It was shown that rigor was still developing when the carcass was chilled. Subsequent blast freezing and thawing of chickens resulted in the muscle becoming considerably more tender.
Linus Pauling and sickle cell disease

The 1949 paper by Linus Pauling et al. [Science 110 (1949) 543-548] describing the discovery of sickle cell anemia as the first molecular disease had a major impact on biology and medicine. Inspired by the scholarly works of John Edsall on the history of hemoglobin research, I present a brief retrospective analysis of Pauling's paper. This is followed by some personal recollections of Edsall and Pauling.
Pharmacologic treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis of COMT inhibitors and MAO-B inhibitors.

Abstract Objective To perform a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors or monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors in addition to levodopa versus levodopa alone for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods A systematic literature search was performed between 1990 and October 2007. The primary outcome measures assessed were the reduction in scores of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) total, activities of daily living (ADL) and motor scores from baseline. Other efficacy and safety endpoints were also evaluated. Results A total of 13 trials (n = 3775 subjects) were included in the meta-analysis. As compared to placebo, COMT and MAO-B inhibitor use resulted in greater improvement in UPDRS total score (weighted mean difference [WMD] −2.13, 95%CI −0.46 to −0.20; and WMD −5.03, 95%CI −7.38 to −2.68) ADL scores (WMD −0.99, 95%CI −1.56 to −0.43; and WMD −1.48, 95%CI −2.13 to −0.83) and motor scores (WMD −1.50, 95%CI −2.70 to −0.30; and WMD −3.19, 95%CI −4.57 to −1.80) as well as increase in “on” time, reduction in “off” time and decreased need in levodopa dose compared to placebo. Incidences of dyskinesia were significantly higher with the COMT and MAO-B inhibitors compared to placebo. Conclusion The use of COMT or MAO-B inhibitors plus levodopa is superior to levodopa alone at reducing PD symptoms in patients with advanced PD. While combination therapies with COMT or MAO-B inhibitor plus levodopa seem especially useful amongst PD patients with wearing-off phenomenon, they are associated with more adverse events.
On Poisson’s Ratio in Linearly Viscoelastic Solids

Poisson’s ratio in viscoelastic solids is in general a time dependent (in the time domain) or a complex frequency dependent quantity (in the frequency domain). We show that the viscoelastic Poisson’s ratio has a different time dependence depending on the test modality chosen; interrelations are developed between Poisson’s ratios in creep and relaxation. The difference, for a moderate degree of viscoelasticity, is minor. Correspondence principles are derived for the Poisson’s ratio in transient and dynamic contexts. The viscoelastic Poisson’s ratio need not increase with time, and it need not be monotonic with time. Examples are given of material microstructures which give rise to designed time dependent Poisson’s ratios.
The function of human hemoglobin; salt effects.

Abstract : A study was undertaken to confirm the Valtis and Kennedy salt effect (decrease in affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen with neutral salts) and to propose an explanation of the chemical mechanisms operating. Several concentrations of various neutral salts were added to whole blood which was depleted of 2,3-DPG and the p50 (the pO2 at 50% oxygenation, an inverse but direct measure of the oxygen affinity) was determined from oxyhemoglobin dissociation curves. The curves were obtained by tonometry of whole blood at 37 C and spectrophotometry. The salt effects (increase in p50 with various salts) seem to result from either a decrease in red cell pH or an increase in chloride concentration. (Author)
Generating multiple spectrum compatible accelerograms using stochastic neural networks

A new neural-network-based methodology for generating artificial earthquake spectrum compatible accelerograms from response spectra was proposed in 1997, in which, the learning capabilities of neural networks were used to develop the knowledge of the inverse mapping from the response spectra to earthquake accelerograms. Recently, this methodology has been further extended and enhanced. This paper presents a new stochastic neural network that is capable of generating multiple earthquake accelerograms from a single-response spectrum. A new stochastic feature to the neural network has been combined with a new scheme for data compression using the replicator neural networks developed in the original method. A benefit of this extended methodology is gaining efficiency in compressing the earthquake accelerograms and extracting their characteristics. The proposed method produces a stochastic ensemble of earthquake accelerograms from any response spectra or design spectra. An example is presented that used 100 recorded accelerograms to train the neural network and several design spectra and response spectra to test this improved methodology. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.