cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of keyhole limpet hemocyanin by the rhogocytes of Megathura crenulata

Rhogocytes are morphologically distinct cells distributed throughout connective tissues of crustaceans and molluscs. Using light microscopy, rhogocytes of the vetigastropod Megathura crenulata were identified by their ovoid shape, and their cytoplasm filled with spherical inclusions which contained lysosomal enzymes, based on uptake of neutral red and staining with LysoTracker dye. Rhogocytes were most abundant in the digestive gland (2,824 rhogocytes/mm^2), followed by the connective tissue layer surrounding the middle and posterior esophagus and intestine (1,431 rhogocytes/mm^2, 872 rhogocytes/mm^2, and 1,190 rhogocytes/mm^2, respectively), and were lowest in abundance in the foot (154 rhogocytes/mm^2). At the transmission electron microscopy level, characteristic features of rhogocytes were inclusions showing a variety of electron densities, abundant vesicles, and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm, and regions of plasma membrane folded to produce slits connected by thin diaphragms. Although several functions have been proposed for gastropod rhogocytes, much attention has been focused on their possible role in the synthesis of the respiratory pigment hemocyanin. In M. crenulata, this molecule exists in several isoforms called keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). One isoform, KLH1, is a large didecamer and has been used extensively in studies on vertebrate immunology and cancer therapy. We present four lines of evidence indicating rhogocytes in M. crenulata synthesize KLH1. First, at the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) level, dilated cisternae of RER containing material similar in size and shape to KLH were observed in rhogocytes examined throughout the year. Second, KLH1 mRNA was identified exclusively in tissue samples that contained rhogocytes; no mRNA for KLH1 was identified in samples containing only hemocytes. Third, immunoperoxidase staining with antibodies specific to KLH was localized only to rhogocytes. Fourth, in situ hybridization with a probe specific for M. crenulataKLH1 demonstrated KLH1-specific mRNA was present only in rhogocytes. Identification of the cells responsible for the synthesis of KLH is important because of the clinical significance of this molecule.
Parent Report of ADHD Symptoms of Early Adolescents: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Scale

The Disruptive Behavior Disorders (DBD) scale includes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.) criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder. This study examined only the ADHD items of the DBD scale. This scale is frequently used for assessing parent- and teacher-reported ADHD symptoms. Although some research on teacher report exists, little is known about the factor structure of parent-reported ADHD for this scale, particularly for early adolescents. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the fit of a priori specified, theoretically based models of ADHD. Participants were 250 parents of early adolescents (M = 12 years, SD = 1.53), who completed the ADHD items of the DBD scale. A two-factor model of hyperactivity/ impulsivity and inattention provided the best fit to item responses, but localized areas of misfit were present. Alternate wording for a few items was proposed. Implications of the findings a...
Postpartum contraceptive use among adolescent mothers in seven states.

Abstract Purpose To describe postpartum contraceptive use among adolescent mothers and assess the hypothesis that receipt of prenatal contraceptive counseling or a postpartum checkup is associated with the use of more effective methods. Methods Data are from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System for seven states and the city of New York for the years 2006–2008. The sample comprises 3,207 adolescent mothers aged 15–19 years. We conducted descriptive and multinomial logistic regression analyses. The outcome measure was the type of contraceptive method used at the time of the survey. Results Nineteen percent of adolescent mothers, more than half of whom were sexually active, were using no contraception at the time of the survey. The remaining 81% were using a contraceptive method. Use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) was low—11% were using an intrauterine device, and only 1% were using an implant. Receipt of prenatal contraceptive counseling and receipt of a postpartum checkup were both associated with a decreased likelihood of having sex without contraception. A postpartum checkup was also associated with an increased likelihood of using medium-acting contraceptives (injectables, ring, or patch) and a decreased likelihood of relying on condoms. Prenatal contraceptive counseling was also associated with an increased likelihood of pill use. Conclusions Given the demonstrated association between LARC use and decreased rates of rapid repeat pregnancy, efforts should be made to increase adolescent mothers' access to LARC. Enhancing the scope and quality of prenatal contraceptive counseling and increasing the proportion of adolescent mothers who return for a postpartum checkup may also improve postpartum contraceptive use.
Fragile Universals and the Politics of Empire

Karuna Mantena is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Yale University. Her current research focuses on empire and political theory, especially the relationship between social theory and imperial ideology in the nineteenth century. Her book, Alibis of Empire: Henry Maine and the Transformation of British Imperial Ideology, is forthcoming from Princeton University Press. She can be reached at karuna.mantena@yale.edu
Role of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region of the rat brain in the pressor response to γ2-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (γ2-MSH)

We have examined the role of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) region of the forebrain on the pressor responses to intravenous injections of the pituitary pressor agent, gamma 2-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (gamma 2-MSH) and the direct acting alpha 1-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine in unanesthetized rats. Lesions of the AV3V region produce a parallel shift to the right in the dose response curve to gamma 2-MSH, with no effect on the pressor response to phenylephrine. The lesion had no effect on the heart rate response to either agent. These experiments indicate that the forebrain region surrounding the anterior third ventricle area is important to some of the cardiovascular actions of gamma 2-MSH.
Application of the phase-field method in predicting gas bubble microstructure evolution in nuclear fuels

Fission product accumulation and gas bubble microstructure evolution in nuclear fuels strongly influence their thermo-mechanical properties such as thermal conductivity, gas release, volume swelling and cracking, and hence fuel performance. In this paper, a general phase-field model is developed to predict gas bubble formation and evolution. Important materials processes and thermodynamic properties including the generation of gas atoms and vacancies, sinks for vacancies and gas atoms, elastic interaction among defects, gas re-solution, and inhomogeneity of elasticity and diffusivity are accounted for in the model. The results demonstrate the potential applications of the phase-field method in investigating: 1) heterogeneous nucleation of gas bubbles at defects; 2) effect of elastic interaction, inhomogeneity of material properties, and gas re-solution on gas bubble microstructures; and 3) effective properties from the output of phase-field simulations such as distribution of defects, gas bubbles, and stress fields.
Improving the Quality and Effectiveness of Computer-Mediated Instruction Through Usability Evaluations.

Brigham Young University's Center for Instructional Design (CID) creates online courses and multimedia instructional applications for university faculty. This paper asserts that including usability testing as a part of evaluation improves the quality and effectiveness of computer-mediated instruction. The paper describes the fundamental purpose and functions of usability testing, and also distinguishes between different forms of evaluation: accessibility, quality assurance (QA), usability and implementation. Through a detailed case study, we describe how usability testing improved the quality of a computer-based chemistry course and facilitated a clearer analysis of the learning effectiveness of this course.
A Critical-incidents Study of the Motivational Effect of Grades on College Students.

Herzberg's Motivation-to-Work interview was modified and administered to 48 business students in order to study the psychological effect of grades. An analysis of the reported events did not support Motivator-Hygiene theory in that significantly more of the incidents about low grades were (about) motivators than hygiene. An analysis of the feelings associated with the events did support Motivator-Hygiene theory in that significantly more of the high incidents were motivators and more of the low incidents were hygiene. The feelings due to the motivator incidents lasted significantly longer than those due to the hygiene incidents, also supportive of Motivator-Hygiene theory.
Familial Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: What Does it Mean to Me?

Though B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is known to be a heterogeneous disease, only recently has the familial component of CLL been more thoroughly investigated. This entity is seen in approximately 5%-10% of all patients with CLL and can be associated with earlier age of diagnosis, higher female prevalence, and increased incidence of other lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs), such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the more recently described monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis CLL in family members. The prognostic parameters and clinical course of familial CLL is not clearly distinguishable from that of sporadic disease. In addition, it is not clear that the treatment responses for progressive disease has any discernible difference in familial versus sporadic CLL. The genetic etiology of CLL is unknown, and early work on familial CLL has not yet uncovered any obvious gene or group of genes that can be clearly related to the pathophysiology of CLL. However, the detailed genetic study of familial CLL is likely to be critical in uncovering relevant genes. At present it is best to indicate to concerned CLL patients that their relatives are at relatively low risk of developing CLL or other LPDs.
Influence of autoimmune biomarkers on interstitial lung diseases: A tertiary referral center based case-control study.

Summary Background The benefit of routinely measuring autoimmune biomarkers to evaluate patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) remains debated outside specific contexts such as connective tissue disease (CTD). This study aimed at evaluating the influence of biomarkers on outcome on patients with ILD in a case-control study at a tertiary referral center. We hypothesized that patients with positive autoimmune biomarkers have increased odds of developing ILD even in the absence of CTD. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 3573 patients seen at the ILD clinic in Mayo Clinic Rochester between September 2001 and September 2006. We assessed their clinical course through June 25, 2013. We included patients with patterns of ILD most often associated with CTD (n = 1256) while excluding patients with other known causes of ILD. Controls (n = 2317) included cases seen at the ILD clinic without evidence of ILD. Results We identified 930 (26%) cases of ILD alone, 124 (3%) CTD alone, 326 (9%) ILD combined with CTD, and 2193 (61%) with no ILD or CTD. Positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor and aldolase were associated with ILD. After adjustment for age, gender, race, smoking history and CTD, ANA remained an independent risk factor for ILD (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.33–2.17). Among patients with ILD, the presence of CTD but not biomarker alone was associated with a better survival. Conclusion In this study, the presence of positive biomarkers was associated with increased odds of ILD, even in the absence of overt CTD, but was not associated with a better outcome.
Using eye gaze, head pose, and facial expression for personalized non-player character interaction

True immersion of a user within a game is only possible when the world simulated looks and behaves as close to reality as possible. This implies that the game must ascertain, among other things, the user's focus and his/her attitude towards the object or person focused on. As part of the effort to achieve this goal, we propose an eye gaze, head pose, and facial expression system for use in real-time games. Both the eye gaze and head pose components utilize underlying 3D models, while the expression recognition module uses the effective but efficient LBP-TOP approach. We then demonstrate the utility of this system in a test application wherein the user looks at one of three non-player characters (NPC) and performs one of the 7 prototypic expressions; the NPC responds based on its personality. To increase the speed and efficiency of the system, the eye gaze and expression recognition modules leverage CUDA and GLSL pixel shaders.
Psychophysical detection of inclusions with the bare finger amidst softness differentials

Softness discrimination and the detection of inclusions are important in surgery and other medical tasks. To better understand how the characteristics of an inclusion (size, depth, hardness) and substrate (stiffness) affect their tactile detection and discrimination with the bare finger, we conducted a psychophysics experiment with eighteen participants. The results indicate that within a more pliant substrate (21 kPa), inclusions of 4 mm diameter (20 mm3 volume) and greater were consistently detectable (above 75% of the time) but only at a depth of 5 mm. Inclusions embedded in stiffer substrates (82 kPa) had to be twice that volume (5 mm diameter, 40 mm3 volume) to be detectable at the same rate. To analyze which tactile cues most impact stimulus detectability, we utilized logistic regression and generalized estimating equations. The results indicate that substrate stiffness most contributes to inclusion detectability, while the size, depth, and hardness of the stimulus follow in individual importance, respectively. The results seek to aid in the development of clinical tools and information displays and more accurate virtual haptic environments in discrimination of soft tissue.
Psychophysiological Sexual Arousal in Women with a History of Child Sexual Abuse

On the basis of literature that suggests that child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have higher baseline sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity than healthy controls and research that suggests that the SNS plays a critical role in female physiological sexual arousal, we examined the impact of SNS activation through intense exercise on sexual arousal in women with CSA and PTSD. We measured physiological and subjective sexual arousal in women with CSA (n = 8), women with CSA and PTSD (n = 10), and healthy controls (n = 10) during exposure to nonerotic and erotic videos. After exercise, women with CSA and women with CSA and PTSD showed no significant differences in the physiological sexual response compared with no exercise, which was different from the increased physiological sexual response after exercise observed in control women.
Employment Discrimination Law and Industrial Psychology: Social Science as Social Authority and the Co-Production of Law and Science

This article combines Monahan and Walker's classification of social facts, social authority, and social frameworks with political-institutionalism's view of law and science as competing institutional logics to explain how, and with what consequences, employment discrimination law and industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology became co-produced. When social science is incorporated into enforcement of legislative law as social authority—rationale for judicial rule making—law's institutional logic of relying on precedent and reasoning by analogy ensures that social science will have ongoing influence on law's development. By helping set research agendas and providing new professional opportunities, institutionalized legal doctrine shapes social science knowledge. But because of differences in institutional logic, wherein legal cumulation is backward looking whereas scientific cumulation is forward looking, co-production of law and science may produce institutional mismatch between legal doctrine and scientific knowledge.
Volume conduction in an anatomically based surface EMG model

A finite-element model to simulate surface electromyography (EMG) in a realistic human upper arm is presented. The model is used to explore the effect of limb geometry on surface-detected muscle fiber action potentials. The model was based on magnetic resonance images of the subject's upper arm and includes both resistive and capacitive material properties. To validate the model geometry, experimental and simulated potentials were compared at different electrode sites during the application of a subthreshold sinusoidal current source to the skin surface. Of the material properties examined, the closest approximation to the experimental data yielded a mean root-mean-square (rms) error of the normalized surface potential of 18% or 27%, depending on the site of the applied source. Surface-detected action potentials simulated using the realistic volume conductor model and an idealized cylindrical model based on the same limb geometry were then compared. Variation in the simulated limb geometry had a considerable effect on action potential shape. However, the rate of decay of the action potential amplitude with increasing distance from the fiber was similar in both models. Inclusion of capacitive material properties resulted in temporal low-pass filtering of the surface action potentials. This effect was most pronounced in the end-effect components of action potentials detected at locations far from the active fiber. It is concluded that accurate modeling of the limb geometry, asymmetry, tissue capacitance and fiber curvature is important when the specific action potential shapes are of interest. However, if the objective is to examine more qualitative features of the surface EMG signal, then an idealized volume conductor model with appropriate tissue thicknesses provides a close approximation.
A class of binary recurrent codes with limited error propagation

A class of binary recurrent codes for correcting independent errors is given which has guaranteed error-limiting properties. These codes can be simply decoded using threshold decoding, and will recover from any decoding error caused by either an uncorrectable transmission error or a temporary malfunction of the encoder or decoder. A number of such codes are given along with a synthesis procedure. The results of a computer simulation are given which indicate that these codes perform better in some situations than other codes using threshold decoding.
Verification of water equivalence of FeMRI gels using Monte Carlo simulation

Dosimetric characteristics of the FeMRI gels for various energy photon and electron beams were investigated using the Integrated Tiger Series (ITS) Monte Carlo codes. The FeMRI gels have been reported as being tissue‐substitutes which can be shaped to any desired contour for three‐dimensional (3D) mapping of dose distribution using magnetic resonance(MR) scanning. This study indicated that the central axis depth dose, off‐axis depth dose, transverse profile at the depth of 50% of maximum dose, and energy deposition for photons and electrons in the gels are close to those in water. From these comparisons, it is concluded that FeMRI gels are suitable substitutes for water for the purposes of dose measurements of both photons and electrons used in radiotherapy.
Imaging of a compact range using autoregressive spectral estimation

An estimation technique based on the autoregressive (AR) modeling of field probe data is used to locate and quantify spurious signals in a compact range. In this technique, the probe aperture is divided into a number of overlapping subapertures such that the far-field criterion for each subaperture is satisfied. Then the subaperture data are modeled as an AR process, and the AR parameters are derived using the principal component forward-backward linear prediction technique. Directions of the incident signals relative to each subaperture are then determined from the poles of the prediction filters. Using a series of subapertures, the locations of the scatterers are estimated by triangulation. After estimation of the spatial frequencies of the probe data for any subaperture, the magnitude of each component is determined by a least squares algorithm. Examples of probe measurements and analysis for the Ohio State University compact range are given. >
Impact of partial participation in integrated family planning training on medical knowledge, patient communication and professionalism.

Abstract Introduction Obstetrics and gynecology residency programs are required to provide access to abortion training, but residents can opt out of participating for religious or moral reasons. Quantitative data suggest that most residents who opt out of doing abortions participate and gain skills in other aspects of the family planning training. However, little is known about their experience and perspective. Methods Between June 2010 and June 2011, we conducted semistructured interviews with current and former residents who opted out of some or all of the family planning training at ob-gyn residency programs affiliated with the Kenneth J. Ryan Residency Training Program in Abortion and Family Planning. Residents were either self-identified or were identified by their Ryan Program directors as having opted out of some training. The interviews were transcribed and coded using modified grounded theory. Results Twenty-six physicians were interviewed by telephone. Interviewees were from geographically diverse programs (35% Midwest, 31% West, 19% South/Southeast and 15% North/Northeast). We identified four dominant themes about their experience: (a) skills valued in the family planning training, (b) improved patient-centered care, (c) changes in attitudes about abortion and (d) miscommunication as a source of negative feelings. Discussion Respondents valued the ability to partially participate in the family planning training and identified specific aspects of their training which will impact future patient care. Many of the effects described in the interviews address core competencies in medical knowledge, patient care, communication and professionalism. We recommend that programs offer a spectrum of partial participation in family planning training to all residents, including residents who choose to opt out of doing some or all abortions. Implications Learners who morally object to abortion but participate in training in family planning and abortion, up to their level of comfort, gain clinical and professional skills. We recommend that trainers should offer a range of participation levels to maximize the educational opportunities for these learners.
Playfulness of children at home and in the hospital

Play is an essential childhood occupation and important for children's health and well-being. The hospital can be a stressful environment for children and negatively impact their ability to adapt and play. This study examined whether playfulness, an expression of a child's adaptation, would be different among children 14 months through five years in home and hospital environments. Playfulness as measured by the Test of Playfulness (Skard, G., & Bundy, A. C. 2008. Test of Playfulness. In L. D. Parham & L. S. Fazio (Eds.), Play in occupational therapy for children (2nd ed., pp. 71–93). St Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier) was evaluated in eight children at home before hospitalization, at hospital admission, and at discharge. No significant differences were found in playfulness between the home and hospital environments. Playfulness increased between admission and discharge. In addition, correlation analysis indicated that children who exhibited high playfulness at home continued to be more playful in the hospital....
Petrogenesis of intermediate volcanic assemblages from the Shebandowan greenstone belt, Superior Province: Evidence for subduction during the Neoarchean

Abstract Research on the petrogenesis of andesites and their implications for geodynamic setting are an important facet to understanding controversial tectonic processes during the Archean. The genesis of Archean intermediate volcanic rocks and their relationship to mantle- and crust-derived melts can either support subduction-dominated tectonic processes or plume–crust interactions. This study describes the lithogeochemistry and Nd-isotopic composition of intermediate volcanic assemblages in the Shebandowan greenstone belt of the Wawa-Abitibi terrane that were deposited prior to deformation and tectonic assembly of the Superior Province. The intermediate rocks of the Shebandowan greenstone belt are unique in that they are voluminous, are relatively weakly deformed and are low metamorphic grade, and contain significant amounts of magnesian andesites and adakites. The major and trace element geochemistry of the intermediate assemblages share many of the geochemical characteristics of modern volcanic and continental arcs. These features include enriched Th/Nb and Th/La ratios, steeply dipping rare earth patterns, and pronounced negative Ti and Nb anomalies on primitive mantle-normalized diagrams. Additionally, these rocks also contain distinct positive Pb and Cs anomalies without evidence of major mobility of these elements during secondary processes. Neodymium isotopic analyses indicate the interaction with older crust and show good correlations with evolved Nd-isotopic values with other crustal contamination proxies such as Th/Ce and Ti/Sc ratios. Modeling mixing and assimilation-fractional crystallization interactions between plume-derived and crustal melts reveal that plume–crust interactions cannot explain the compositional array obtained from the intermediate rocks in the Shebandowan greenstone belt. A compilation of U–Pb geochronology for the Shebandowan greenstone belt reveals that tholeiitic/komatiite dominated strata are slightly older than the intermediate-dominated strata. Given that these domains are structurally separated, it is very likely that the Shebandowan greenstone belt was formed in two different geodynamic settings. These different geodynamic settings have important implications for the metallogeny of the belt and explain the relative enrichment of Au and Ni–Cu mineralization in the Shebandowan greenstone belt relative to other ca. 2720 Ma assemblages in the Wawa-Abitibi terrane.
Associations between safety culture and employee engagement over time: a retrospective analysis

With the growth of the patient safety movement and development of methods to measure workforce health and success have come multiple modes of assessing healthcare worker opinions and attitudes about work and the workplace. Safety culture, a group-level measure of patient safety-related norms and behaviours, has been proposed to influence a variety of patient safety outcomes. Employee engagement, conceptualised as a positive, work-related mindset including feelings of vigour, dedication and absorption in one's work, has also demonstrated an association with a number of important worker outcomes in healthcare. To date, the relationship between responses to these two commonly used measures has been poorly characterised. Our study used secondary data analysis to assess the relationship between safety culture and employee engagement over time in a sample of >50 inpatient hospital units in a large US academic health system. With >2000 respondents in each of three time periods assessed, we found moderate to strong positive correlations (r=0.43-0.69) between employee engagement and four Safety Attitudes Questionnaire domains. Independent collection of these two assessments may have limited our analysis in that minimally different inclusion criteria resulted in some differences in the total respondents to the two instruments. Our findings, nevertheless, suggest a key area in which healthcare quality improvement efforts might be streamlined.
Variations in rat mesenteric tissue thickness due to microvasculature

Studies of microvascular, tissue and lymphatic transport using microphotometric and microfluorometric techniques are potentially subject to artifact due to variations in tissue specimen thickness. Absorbance techniques utilize the Lambert-Beer law in which A = log I0/I = act, where A is absorbance, I0 is incident light intensity, I is transmitted intensity, a is an absorbance coefficient, c is concentration of substance, and t is path length. If differences in t are known to be present, then inferences of changes in c from changes in A become suspect. In microfluorometry the amount of light gathered is proportional to the number of fluorochromes in the effective cuvette, which is determined by the microscope's numerical aperture and the sample thickness. If variations in thickness are known to occur, the effective cuvette volume may be changing; therefore, inferences of changes in fluorochrome concentration from changes in intensity become suspect. Existing data suggest that rat mesentery is 15-30 microns thick, but variation over a tissue region is unknown. Our goals are to determine thickness variation in avascular, fat-free mesenteric tissue regions; thickness variation near blood vessels; and average tissue thickness. Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with Inactin. Mesenteric tissue from a loop of small intestine was draped over a platform for observation; thickness was measured with an oblique microscope and a microgravimetric technique. The average variation in avascular fat-free tissue was 1.1 micron/100-microns distance, and average thickness was 17.4 microns. There was a significant increase in thickness over the microvasculature.
Real-time measurements to characterize dynamics of emulsion interface during simulated intestinal digestion

Efficient delivery of bioactives remains a critical challenge due to their limited bioavailability and solubility. While many encapsulation systems are designed to modulate the digestion and release of bioactives within the human gastrointestinal tract, there is limited understanding of how engineered structures influence the delivery of bioactives. The objective of this study was to develop a real-time quantitative method to measure structural changes in emulsion interface during simulated intestinal digestion and to correlate these changes with the release of free fatty acids (FFAs). Fluorescence resonant energy transfer (FRET) was used for rapid in-situ measurement of the structural changes in emulsion interface during simulated intestinal digestion. By using FRET, changes in the intermolecular spacing between the two different fluorescent probes labeled emulsifier were characterized. Changes in FRET measurements were compared with the release of FFAs. The results showed that bile salts and pancreatic lipase interacted immediately with the emulsion droplets and disrupted the emulsion interface as evidenced by reduction in FRET efficacy compared to the control. Similarly, a significant amount of FFAs was released during digestion. Moreover, addition of a second layer of polymers at emulsion interface decreased the extent of interface disruption by bile salts and pancreatic lipase and impacted the amount or rate of FFA release during digestion. These results were consistent with the lower donor/acceptor ratio of the labeled probes from the FRET result. Overall, this study provides a novel approach to analyze the dynamics of emulsion interface during digestion and their relationship with the release of FFAs.
Calculating Heat of Formation Values of Energetic Compounds: A Comparative Study

Heat of formation is one of several important parameters used to assess the performance of energetic compounds. We evaluated the ability of six different methods to accurately calculate gas-phase heat of formation () values for a test set of 45 nitrogen-containing energetic compounds. Density functional theory coupled with the use of isodesmic or other balanced equations yielded calculated results in which 82% (37 of 45) of the values were within ±2.0 kcal/mol of the most recently recommended experimental/reference values available. This was compared to a procedure using density functional theory (DFT) coupled with an atom and group contribution method in which 51% (23 of 45) of the values were within ±2.0 kcal/mol of these values. The T1 procedure and Benson’s group additivity method yielded results in which 51% (23 of 45) and 64% (23 of 36) of the values, respectively, were within ±2.0 kcal/mol of these values. We also compared two relatively new semiempirical approaches (PM7 and RM1) with regard to their ability to accurately calculate . Although semiempirical methods continue to improve, they were found to be less accurate than the other approaches for the test set used in this investigation.
EFFECTS OF SOIL PROPERTIES, CLIMATIC FACTORS, AND LANDSCAPE FEATURES OF PRIME FARMLAND SOILS ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH USING PRODUCIVITY INDICES ON RECLAIMED COAL SURFACE MINED SOILS 1

Selected soil chemical and physical properties, climatic factors, and landscape features can be used as indicators of potential vegetative growth for commodity crops on reclaimed soil after coal surface mining. The logic for evaluating vegetative growth is similar to the "Storie Index for Soil Rating." The Storie Index, manipulating selected soil properties, is used to calculate soil productivity indices. Some elements have more impact on plant growth than others. Typically, selected soil properties, e.g., proportion of sand, silt, and clay, pH, bulk density, root limiting earthy soil layer, salinity, sodicity, root limiting non-earthy layers, landscape position, amount of precipitation, organic matter, rock fragments, etc. will determine the root zone available water capacity (RZAWC) of a soil. In normal precipitation years, the RZAWC of prime farmland soils determines the vegetative growth. RZAWC becomes a surrogate for many other soil properties and features. Knowing the RZAWC relationship allows soil scientists to make relatively accurate vegetative growth predictions. The significance of these properties determines the commodity crop vegetative growth using productivity indices of reclaimed soil compared to the pre-mined soil. The question being addressed in this paper, are the relationships of soil properties, climate (both soil and climatic atmospheric), and landscape features understood well enough to guarantee that soils reclaimed after surface mining for coal will be as productive as the pre-mined soil?
AAC Modeling with the iPad during Shared Storybook Reading Pilot Study.

This pilot study describes an intervention package, MODELER for Read and Talk, designed to provide enriched language interaction for children with complex communication needs who require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). MODELER (Model, Encourage, Respond) includes (a) modeling AAC as you speak, (b) encouraging communication (through time delay for this study), and (c) responding to child communication (by recasting using AAC as you speak for this study). This pilot A-B design study reports on a method for coaching educational assistants (EAs) to use MODELER for Read and Talk in the context of shared book reading with a pre-school-aged child using an Apple iPad and AAC app. The study provides positive results indicating EA instructional performance gains in MODELER steps and large gains in AAC models performed. The results indicated that the child participant subsequently engaged in higher levels of communication turns. Implications for practice, limitations, and future research directions...
Respiratory Angle of Thoracic Wall Movement During Lung Ventilation

This paper assesses chest wall mechanics with emphasis on sternum movement during lung ventilation. Such activity distorts the thoracic wall by moving it outward and upward, creating an acute angle in the sagittal plane. The respiratory angle is defined and measured by a set of 3-D optical tracking system with an accuracy of 100 $\mu \text{m}$ . It emits 850-nm infrared lights and picks up motions of a marker array attached on the chest. First-degree polynomial fitting was used in order to calculate the respiratory angle from the 3-D marker trajectories. A group of 20 subjects were recruited in the human testing, from which a range of 33.69°–67.67° were determined. The standard deviation of each estimation ranged from 1.28° to 14.15°. The mean for all 20 estimates was 50° of respiratory angle. The study of respiratory angle may enable the optimal positioning of respiratory effort harvesters, increase sensitivity of physiological radar sensors, and enhance the resolution of different imaging modalities.
Anti-epidemic Measures in the Worst-Hit Aba Prefecture in Wenchuan Earthquake

Objective To summarize the experience of epidemic prevention in order to offer the first-hand data for reconstruction after the earthquake and epidemic control and prevention in the active seismic zone. Method We collected and analyzed the data of epidemic control and prevention and summarized their strengths and weaknesses. Results Of the 13 counties in Aba Prefecture, 12 were afflicted with 2 worst-hit counties and 5 worse-hit disaster areas. A total of 20 233 people were dead and 7 873 people were missing. Health system was severely damaged. Aba Center of Disease Control and Prevention started the contingency plan and sent 4 epidemic prevention teams to the disaster areas. With the combination of local materials and external aids, the epidemic prevention network of county, township and village was established. (1) Environment cleaning and elimination: up to August 27, 2008, 2 591 group times of teams involving 88 298 person times and 5 294 set times of vehicles were allocated. Disinfection area covered 18 181.3 m2 including 14 132 dumps, 33 271 cesspits and 154 391 breeding grounds of mosquitoes, flies and mice. (2) Critical supervision for the safety of drinking water and food: up to June 20, 21 centralized and 1 032 dispersed water supply sources were restored. We monitored 829 drinking water samples, among which 594 were qualified with the qualified rate of 66.59%. (3) A total of 86 396 people were resettled in 17 temporary sites. (4) Wild dogs were killed in Kala-azarepidemic areas. Mosquitoes, flies and mice were supervised once a week. (5) Disease supervision: A total of 762 cases in 15 legal infectious diseases were found within 90 days after the earthquake, and no death was found. No outbreak of infectious epidemic situations and burst public health events was reported. A total of 57 157 Hepatitis A vaccinations were inoculated in the children aged from 18 months to 12 years old and 16 268 in children aged from 13 to 16 years old, medical staff, military personnel and first-line workers. A total of 4 435 Japanese encephalitis vaccinations were inoculated in people in Xiaojin county. On June 15, routine inoculation clinic recovered and on July 1, expansive inoculation was started on schedule. Conclusion Phased victory is gained in epidemic control and prevention in Aba Prefecture, although it is only a latter-wit. It is suggested that a long-term system of the earthquake disaster as well as human and environmental protection should be reconsidered through the first-hand data of anti-epidemic measures of the Wenchuan earthquake.
Degradation mechanism of Ni-based superalloy under extreme irradiation environments

This report is a description of various materials (in particular, Rene N4) and their resilience under chemical, physical, and radioactive changes caused by heavy ion irradiation in the MeV range. The following conclusions were reached: the γ' precipitates become fully disordered at a dose of 0.3 dpa: the γ' precipitates partially dissolve after irradiation up to 75 dpa, and the chemical intermixing mainly originates from thermal spike effects; and combining effects of defect clusters, disordering and dissolution determine the evolution of hardness. This work is relevant to materials challenges for Gen IV reactors.
Assessment of Large Error Time-Differences for Localization in a Plate Simulation

The advent of structural building instrumentation invites research into novel applications of such systems. Previous research has shown that the propagative nature of ground impacts on the floor of a building can be assimilated to a thin plate. This research presents results for time-difference of arrival (TDOA) and cross-correlation methods used for source localization in a sparsely instrumented plate Finite Element Model (FEM), where acceleration data is used. The overall accuracy is evaluated for various wave speeds with two different configurations of sensor positions, and the consistency of the perceived wave speeds are assessed by the coefficient of variance. The accuracy of localization is considered, with emphasis on the sign of arrival (SOA), as a method to provide directional inference. Peak-difference and cross-correlation techniques are found to be significantly erroneous, while the SOAs are consistently accurate, with less than 10 % of 126 SOAs being reported incorrectly for all cases. Repositioning the sensors closer to the boundary increased the errors for all methods.
Prices for Tobacco and Nontobacco Products in Pharmacies Versus Other Stores: Results From Retail Marketing Surveillance in California and in the United States

Objectives. To examine disparities in the price of tobacco and nontobacco products in pharmacies compared with other types of stores.Methods. We recorded the prices of Marlboro, Newport, the cheapest cigarettes, and bottled water in a random sample of licensed tobacco retailers (n = 579) in California in 2014. We collected comparable data from retailers (n = 2603) in school enrollment zones for representative samples of US 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in 2012. Ordinary least squares regressions modeled pretax prices as a function of store type and neighborhood demographics.Results. In both studies, the cheapest cigarettes cost significantly less in pharmacies than other stores; the average estimated difference was $0.47 to $1.19 less in California. We observed similar patterns for premium-brand cigarettes. Conversely, bottled water cost significantly more in pharmacies than elsewhere. Newport cost less in areas with higher proportions of African Americans; other cigarette prices were related to neighborhoo...
Gene Transfer in Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Abstract In its most common form, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a lethal pediatric neuromuscular disease—as of 2016, without a treatment. SMA is caused by deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein that is encoded by the SMN1 and SMN2 genes. SMN2 copy number is a disease modifier and is the target of therapy development with small molecules and antisense oligonucleotides. This chapter discusses the development of a therapeutic strategy independent of SMN2 that built on the long history of viral gene delivery. The chapter also discusses the seminal discoveries in motor neuron gene delivery that paved the way for unprecedented therapeutic efficacy in SMA mouse models and highlights the work that led to the ongoing Phase 1/2 trial in Type 1 SMA and future trials for other SMA patients.
Teacher Evaluation in Illinois: School Leaders' Perceptions and Practices.

The aim of the current study is to assess school leaders’ perceptions and practices in the context of a new policy that emphasizes teacher evaluation. The study draws from survey data of 606 K-12 school leaders in the USA in a state implementing a new teacher evaluation model under Race to the Top. Findings illustrate that school leaders spent significant time on teacher evaluation. Some felt this was a good investment of time (e.g., rich conversations with teachers), increasing the ability for evaluations to improve instruction. Most, however, perceived the time demands as a cost (e.g., spending longer hours on the job, delegating more tasks to others). School leaders felt very confident in their ability to conduct observations and provide feedback to teachers. The opposite was found for student achievement data. Administrators’ reported preparedness, confidence, and beliefs suggest that barriers exist to using student achievement data to evaluate teachers. Findings suggest that school leaders need resources to build capacity, particularly in accommodating the new time demands of teacher evaluation. Administrators could benefit from professional development that addresses the use and value of student achievement if this measure continues to be a substantial component in teacher evaluation models.
Emergency Ureteral Stone Treatment Score Predicts Outcomes of Ureteroscopic Intervention in Acute Obstructive Uropathy Secondary to Urolithiasis

Abstract Introduction: Immediate ureteroscopic treatment for patients presenting to the emergency room with symptomatic ureterolithiasis is more commonly being utilized. Recent reports demonstrate good efficacy for emergency ureteroscopy (URS); however, preoperative predictors of treatment success have not been described. In this study, we report our multicenter experience with emergency URS and identify predictors of successful treatment. We also describe the Emergency Ureteral Stone Treatment (EUST) score, which integrates these predictors and stratifies patients into those that are likely and unlikely to have successful treatment. Materials and Methods: Laboratory and radiographic data for all patients who underwent emergency URS for acute symptomatic ureterolithiasis from 2010 to 2015 were reviewed. Statistical difference among parameters for patients who were stone free (SF) and not SF was assessed with the Student's t-test. Cutoff values for significant predictors were determined using sensitivity a...
Polyethylene glycol modified ORMOSIL theranostic nanoparticles for triggered doxorubicin release and deep drug delivery into ovarian cancer spheroids

Abstract A novel pegylated multifunctional probe of Ormosil nanoparticles (PEGCDSIR820) loaded with Near Infrared dye (NIR; IR820) and a chemotherapeutic drug, Doxorubicin (DOX) was developed for cancer theranostic applications. PEGCDSIR820 nanoparticles had an average diameter of 58.2 ± 3.1 nm, zeta potential of − 6.9 ± 0.1 mV in cell culture media and stability against aggregation in physiological buffers. The encapsulation efficiency of DOX was 65.0 ± 3.0%, and that of IR820 was 76.0 ± 2.1%. PEGCDSIR820 showed no cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells (Skov-3). The cytotoxicity markedly increased when Skov-3 cells incubated with PEGCDSIR820 particles were exposed to 808 nm laser due to the combination of adjuvant hyperthermia (43 °C) and enhanced DOX release. Exposure to laser enhanced the release of DOX, 45% of DOX release was observed in 3 h compared to 23% without laser exposure. Confocal imaging in Skov-3 cells showed that the combination of hyperthermia due to NIR exposure and release of DOX caused cell necrosis. Furthermore, in spheroids exposed to NIR laser penetration of DOX was deeper compared to the absence of laser exposure. Skov-3 spheroids incubated with pegylated nanoparticles for 24 h and exposed to laser showed 94% reduction in cell viability. Encapsulation of IR820 in PEGCDSIR820 increased the in-vivo elimination half-life to 41.0 ± 7.2 h from 30.5 ± 0.5 h of free IR820.