cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-awareness for financial decision-making abilities in healthy adults.

Objective Decades of research have established how to measure metacognition (i.e., awareness of one’s cognitive abilities), whereas relatively little is known about how to assess the integrity of financial awareness (FA; awareness of one’s financial abilities), a related construct with practical implications for vulnerable older adults. The current study’s goal was to apply established metacognitive frameworks to identify an objective measure of FA. Methods Metacognitive ratings were integrated into two financial decision making (FDM) assessments in order to derive two types of FA metrics: absolute accuracy (calibration) and relative accuracy (resolution) in each FDM task. Associations between each FA metric, demographic variables, FDM performances, and metamemory were examined. Design & setting Cross-sectional, community-based, prospective study. Participants 93 individuals with mean age = 59 years (SD = 15.12); mean education = 15.70 (SD = 2.39); 60% females. Measures FA was calculated using the Financial Competency Assessment Inventory (FCAI) and Decision Making Competence Assessment Tool, Finance Module (DMC-F), and memory awareness was calculated using an objective metamemory test. Results None of the FA metrics was associated with age, education or gender. FCAI calibration was inversely associated with FDM, and positively correlated with DMC-F calibration and metamemory calibration. None of the FA metrics for DMC-F was associated with metamemory. Conclusions Mirroring findings from metamemory studies, overconfidence in FDM was associated with lower FDM accuracy in healthy adults. Moreover, calibration scores on the FCAI and metamemory were related, suggesting that FA taps into metacognitive abilities. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for how to measure FA in both clinical and research contexts.
Updates on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome.

Purpose of review With its impact on quality of life and increasing awareness, postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is now gaining attention as one of the major health problems commonly encountered in gastrointestinal practice. Literature investigating the various pathogenic mechanisms involved is rapidly emerging. The objective of the current review is to provide an update on recent evidence published in the past 2 years describing advances in our understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of PI-IBS. Recent findings Significant proportion of research in the recent past was preclinical in nature. Epidemiological studies continue to highlight the risk of IBS after infection, with recent studies documenting postprotozoal effects. Advances in pathogenic mechanisms included clinical studies, which documented micro-RNA down-regulation and Peroxiredoxin-1 up-regulation in colonic mucosa of PI-IBS patients. Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) activation in PI-IBS mice models resulted in increase in epithelial permeability, mucosal inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity. Moxibustion and rifamycin reduced intestinal inflammation by inhibiting cytokine and chemokine release via different mechanisms. Miltefosine reduced mast cell degranulation and TRPV1 activation, thereby reducing visceral hypersensitivity. Summary At present, generalization of limited diagnostic and therapeutic strategies across a heterogeneous prevalent patient population impedes the ability to provide effective personalized care in PI-IBS. Further development in pathogenesis discovery, diagnostic tool development are needed in order to design well tolerated and effective therapies that guide treatments based on distinct pathways of disease.
Why do species get a thin slice of π? Revisiting Lewontin's Paradox of Variation

Under neutral theory, the level of polymorphism in an equilibrium population is expected to increase with population size. However, observed levels of diversity across metazoans vary only two orders of magnitude, while census population sizes (Nc) are expected to vary over several. This unexpectedly narrow range of diversity is a longstanding enigma in evolutionary genetics known as Lewontin9s Paradox of Variation (1974). Since Lewontin9s observation, it has been argued that selection constrains diversity across species, yet tests of this hypothesis seem to fall short of explaining the orders-of-magnitude reduction in diversity observed in nature. In this work, I revisit Lewontin9s Paradox and assess whether current models of linked selection are likely to constrain diversity to this extent. To quantify the discrepancy between pairwise diversity and census population sizes across species, I combine genetic data from 172 metazoan taxa with estimates of census sizes from geographic occurrence data and population densities estimated from body mass. Next, I fit the relationship between previously-published estimates of genomic diversity and these approximate census sizes to quantify Lewontin9s Paradox. While previous across-taxa population genetic studies have avoided accounting for phylogenetic non-independence, I use phylogenetic comparative methods to investigate the diversity census size relationship, estimate phylogenetic signal, and explore how diversity changes along the phylogeny. I consider whether the reduction in diversity predicted by models of recurrent hitchhiking and background selection could explain the observed pattern of diversity across species. Since the impact of linked selection is mediated by recombination map length, I also investigate how map lengths vary with census sizes. I find species with large census sizes have shorter map lengths, leading these species to experience greater reductions in diversity due to linked selection. Even after using high estimates of the strength of sweeps and background selection, I find linked selection likely cannot explain the shortfall between predicted and observed diversity levels across metazoan species. Furthermore, the predicted diversity under linked selection does not fit the observed diversity–census-size relationship, implying that processes other than background selection and recurrent hitchhiking must be limiting diversity.
Naming Silence and Inadequate Obstetric Care as Obstetric Violence is a Necessary Step for Change.

This response article addresses the questions raised in “How Gentle Must Violence Against Women be in Order to not be Violent? Rethinking the Word ‘Violence; in Obstetric Settings” and concludes th...
Achieving Low-Cost Linearity Test and Diagnosis of \Sigma \Delta ADCs via Frequency-Domain Nonlinear Analysis and Macromodeling

Static linearity test of SigmaDelta analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) imposes stringent requirement on the precision of test signals and leads to excessive test time. Consequently, ADC test remains as a bottleneck to the product development and contributes significantly to the devolvement cost. In this paper, a cost-effective linearity test and diagnosis methodology is presented for SigmaDelta ADCs with multi-bit internal DACs. Frequency-domain nonlinear circuit analysis is employed to systematically establish the connection between the static linearity measure (INL) and its frequency domain counterpart (harmonic distortions (HDs)), making it possible to predict INL using much simpler HD measurements. Furthermore, it is shown that the same simple HD measurements can be employed to accurately predict capacitor mismatch of internal multi-bit DACs, which is the main source of ADC nonlinearity. The efficacy of the proposed techniques is demonstrated by successful construction of accurate simulation-based INL and capacitor mismatch prediction models which are also compared against with closed-form models resulted directly from our circuit analysis
Decisions, graphs, and artificial reasoning for uncertainty of information

A decision is a conclusion reached after considering information, while decision making is the process of making choices after assessing alternatives with the information gathered. Most decisions made lead to an action or a choice. However, this process is often interactive and iterative in nature. Interaction can be from people, agents, or both. The interaction can take the form of additional data, different criteria, and changes to the goals for the decision. A single decision may not be the final decision but made at a single point that flows into another. Thus, iterations can initiate this flow of decisions at various points and in a cycle. In the decision cycle the decision may be repeated, as fine tuning of the system or tasks occur. Then there is the ongoing challenge that decisions nor the decision making process is simple nor is it perfect. Many techniques strive to capture the uncertainty that this imperfection creates. In this work we are referencing continued research being conducted under Artificial Reasoning for Uncertainty of Information (UoI). UoI is a reason based approach that builds on the concept of imperfect information. The objective of the UoI research is to represent and present the reasons, causes for specified uncertainty for a task, specifically the decisions for the task. As the UoI research expands to ideally allow greater adaptability, the area of graphs is being explored. Graphs are a decision making tool where connections between inputs (information, criteria, goals, etc…) and outputs (alternatives, choices, …) can be shown and analyzed. Utilizing graphs is also helpful as new capabilities are integrated into the UoI concept. This paper will explore how graphs are and can be used to incorporate new features and new capabilities particularly for selected warfighter functions.
Association of Glycemia, Lipids, and Blood Pressure With Cognitive Performance in People With Type 2 Diabetes in the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (GRADE).

OBJECTIVE Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for cognitive impairment. We examined the relation of glycemia, lipids, blood pressure (BP), hypertension history, and statin use with cognition in the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study (GRADE). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Cross-sectional analyses from GRADE at baseline examined the association of glycemia (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]), LDL, systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), hypertension history, and statin use with cognition assessed by the Spanish English Verbal Learning Test, letter and animal fluency tests, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). RESULTS Among 5,047 GRADE participants, 5,018 (99.4%) completed cognitive assessments. Their mean age was 56.7 ± 10.0 years, and 36.4% were women. Mean diabetes duration was 4.0 ± 2.7 years. HbA1c was not related to cognition. Higher LDL was related to modestly worse DSST scores, whereas statin use was related to modestly better DSST scores. SBP between 120 and 139 mmHg and DBP between 80 and 89 mmHg were related to modestly better DSST scores. Hypertension history was not related to cognition. CONCLUSIONS In people with type 2 diabetes of a mean duration of
Hypoxia induces stress fiber formation in adipocytes in the early stage of obesity

In obese adipose tissue (AT), hypertrophic expansion of adipocytes is not matched by new vessel formation, leading to AT hypoxia. As a result, hypoxia inducible factor-1⍺ (HIF-1⍺) accumulates in adipocytes inducing a transcriptional program that upregulates profibrotic genes and biosynthetic enzymes such as lysyl oxidase (LOX) synthesis. This excess synthesis and crosslinking of extracellular matrix (ECM) components cause AT fibrosis. Although fibrosis is a hallmark of obese AT, the role of fibroblasts, cells known to regulate fibrosis in other fibrosis-prone tissues, is not well studied. Here we have developed an in vitro model of AT to study adipocyte-fibroblast crosstalk in a hypoxic environment. Further, this in vitro model was used to investigate the effect of hypoxia on adipocyte mechanical properties via ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA)/Rho-associated coiled-coil kinases (ROCK) signaling pathways. We confirmed that hypoxia creates a diseased phenotype by inhibiting adipocyte maturation and inducing actin stress fiber formation facilitated by myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A/MKL1) nuclear translocation. This work presents new potential therapeutic targets for obesity by improving adipocyte maturation and limiting mechanical stress in obese AT.
Oxygen Demand Trends, Land Cover Change, and Water Quality Management for an Urbanizing Oregon Watershed

An abstract of the thesis of Michael Karl Boeder for the Master of Science in Geography presented December 2, 2005. Title: Oxygen Demand Trends, Land Cover Change, and Water Quality Management for an Urbanizing Oregon Watershed In-stream aquatic habitat depends on adequate levels of dissolved oxygen. Human alteration of the landscape has an extensive influence on the biogeochemical processes that drive oxygen cycling in streams. Historic datasets allow researchers to track trends in chemical parameters concomitant with urbanization, while land cover change analysis allows researchers to identify linkages between water quality trends and landscape change. Using the Seasonal Kendall's test, I examined water quality trends in oxygen demand variables during the mid-1990s to 2003, for twelve sites in the Rock Creek sub-watershed of the Tualatin River, northwest Oregon. Significant trends occurr-ed in each parameter. Dissolved oxygen (DO (%sat)) increased at five sites. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) decreased at seven sites. Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) decreased at five sites and increased at one site. Ammonium (NH3-N) decreased at one site and increased at one site. Multiple linear regression indicates that nitrogenous oxygen demand accounts for a significant amount of variance in COD at ten of the twelve sites (adjusted R values from 0.14 to 0.73). Aetial photo interpretation revealed significant land cover change in agricultural land cover (-8% for the entire basin area) and residential land cover (+10% for the entire basin area). Conelation results between seasonal oxygen demand data and land cover values at multiple scales indicated that: (I) forest cover negatively influences COD at the full sub-basin scale and positively influences NH3-N at local scales, (2) residential land cover positively influences DO (%sat) values at local scales, (3) agricultural land cover does not influence oxygen demand at any land cover assessment scale, ( 4) local topography negatively influences TKN and NH3-N, and (5) urban runoff management infrastructure conelates positively with COD. Study results indicate that, with the exception of forested land, local scale land cover and landscape variables dominate influence on oxygen demand in the Rock Creek basin. Since DO conditions have improved in these streams, watershed management efforts should emphasize local influences in order to continue to maintain stream health.
Hepatitis B: Working Towards a Cure

First-line oral therapies for hepatitis B are effective at viral suppression, and treatment can lead to biochemical improvement and histologic regression. Unfortunately, recommended endpoints of treatment such as HBeAg loss and seroconversion may not be durable, with high rates of seroreversion, requiring monitoring, and unfortunately, low rates of HBsAg loss/seroconversion. Additionally, meeting these endpoints requires years or even indefinite administration, leading to concerns regarding cost, side effects, and high rates of nonadherence. This article will review defined endpoints of therapy and their durability, the risks of long-term therapy, and the evolving new therapies aimed at a viral cure.
The Death Penalty: Ethics and Economics in Mississippi

It is clear that the death penalty discourse is changing due to the increasing impact of the financial crisis on state budgets. This essay examine the weighty responsibility a state carries when imposing the death penalty, the necessity of adequate funding for such a responsibility, and the question of whether constituents remain willing to provide such funding. The essay analyzes the political nature of upholding the death penalty, as well as opposing it, against the backdrop of our current recession. As a case study, the essay examines three men executed in Mississippi in 2010. Mississippi, as one of the poorest states in the United States, uniquely executed more men in 2010 than in any year since 1961. In contrast, other states in 2010 proposed legislation to eliminate the death penalty and therein the cost of keeping death row. Both these positions inform the national dialogue on the importance of the death penalty weighed against other government services.
Production of organometallic polymers by interfacial technique, 33.. Synthesis of oligomeric cobalticinium containing dialkylstannanediyl polyesters†‡

Oligo(oxycarbonyl-1,1′-cobalticendiylcarbonyloxydialkyl (or diaryl)stannanediyl hexafluorophosphate)s (3) were synthesized by condensation of alkali salts of 1,1′-dicarboxycobalticinium hexafluorophosphate (2) with dialkyl (or diaryl) tin dihalides in CCl4/water using the interfacial technique. Variation of the halide and of the alkyl or aryl group causes an increase of the yield in the order I≈Br > Cl and C6H5 > H2CCH >(CH3)3CH > C2H5 >H3C(CH2)7 ≈ C6H5CH2 > CH3 The polymeric product (3) undergoes an exchange of the hexafluoro phosphate ion in a suitable aqueous salt solution to give soluble products. Durch Grenzflachenpolykondensation von Dialkylzinnhalogeniden mit dem Alkalisalz des 1,1′-Dicarboxykobalticiniumhexafluorphosphats (2) im System Tetrachlorkohlenstoff/ Wasser, wurden Oligo(oxycarbony1-l,1 ′-cobalticendiyl carbonyloxydialkyl (oder diary1)-stannandiylhexafluorphosphate) (3) erhalten. Bei Variation des Halogens und des Alkyl- oder Aryl-Restes steigt die Ausbeute inder Reihenfolge I≈Br > Cl and C6H5 > H2CCH >(CH3)3CH > C2H5 >H3C(CH2)7 ≈ C6H5CH2 > CH3 Das Hexafluorphosphat-Ion konnte in geeigneten waBrigen Salz-Losungen ausge-tauscht werden, wobei losliche Produkte entstanden.
Depth constraints on nonlinear strong ground motion from the 2004 Parkfield earthquake

[1] We use the two target repeating earthquake sequences of SAFOD to identify time varying properties of the shallow crust in the Parkfield area at the surface and in shallow boreholes. At the surface, we find that the 2004 Parkfield earthquake caused direct S wave delays exceeding 7 ms, and S coda delays exceeding 15 ms. We attribute these delays to cracks formed or opened during the strong shaking of the Parkfield earthquake. Observations at depth show that the direct S wave arrival time was much less affected by the Parkfield earthquake. This provides evidence that damage caused by strong shaking (nonlinear strong ground motion), is limited to the very near surface (<100 m).
Visualization in scientific computing-an interdisciplinary enhancement to engineering education

The authors describe the interaction of students and faculty from various disciplines in the course of implementing state-of-the-art computer graphics techniques in the visualization of physical systems. An interdisciplinary experiment between the Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science departments at the Rochester Institute of Technology resulted in the production of a tool for the visualization of strange attractors. As a result of the interaction, students with different backgrounds were able to learn concepts and techniques that they would not normally be exposed to in their standard course of study. Engineering students were learning computer graphics techniques, and computer science students were enriched by the physics and applications that they encountered in the interdisciplinary projects. Hardware and software problems, as well as design and analysis difficulties, were taken on and addressed by groups with diverse interests and training. >
Hypothermia, hepatic oxygen supply-demand, and ischemia-reperfusion injury in pigs.

We examined the effects of two degrees of hypothermia on hepatic oxygen delivery and uptake, hepatic lactate uptake as a marker of hepatic function, and the effect of hypothermia on ischemia-reperfusion injury in the liver in miniature pigs (n = 18, 21-30 kg body wt). Hepatic arterial and portal venous blood flows were measured while hepatic oxygen delivery was progressively decreased without venous congestion in the preportal area. With decreases in hepatic blood and oxygen supply, oxygen extraction gradually increased from 50 to 90% in the normothermic group and from 25 to 70 and 84% in the hypothermic (30. and 34 degrees C, respectively) groups. The values of critical hepatic oxygen delivery were between 7.3 and 11.9 ml O2.min-1.100 g-1 without significant differences among the groups. During reperfusion after ischemic insult, hepatic oxygen uptake returned to base-line values in both hypothermic groups but remained substantially below base-line values in normothermic groups of animals. Hepatic enzyme concentrations (lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alcohol dehydrogenase) were substantially increased (up to 30-fold) in normothermic animals, but the concentrations did not increase in either of the hypothermic groups. These results demonstrated that hypothermia per se does not affect hepatic oxygen delivery but decreases hepatic oxygen demand and uptake, provides an effective protection from hepatic oxygen deprivation, and lessens reperfusion injury.
Transport Characteristics of Selected Pressurized Water Reactor LOCA-Generated Debris

In the unlikely event of a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) in a pressurized water reactor, break jet impingement would dislodge thermal insulation from nearby piping, as well as other materials within the containment, such as paint chips, concrete dust, and fire barrier materials. Steam/water flows induced by the break and by the containment sprays would transport debris to the containment floor. Subsequently, debris would likely transport to and accumulate on the suction sump screens of the emergency core cooling system (ECCS) pumps, thereby potentially degrading ECCS performance and possibly even failing the ECCS. A systematic study was conducted on various types of fibrous and metallic foil debris to determine their transport in water. Test results reported include incipient movement, bulk movement, accumulation on a screen, the ability of debris to jump over 5-cm (2-in.) and 15-cm (6-in.) curbs, and the effects of accelerating flow and turbulence. These data are currently being used in conjunction with computational fluid dynamics modeling to determine the potential for each debris type to reach the suction screen.
Benefits of a reusable upper stage orbital maneuvering vehicle

This article describes 1) the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) and 2) the benefits of that system over alternative methods of delivering payloads into low-Earth orbits. Alternative methods considered were using Space Shuttle Orbital Manuevering Systems (OMS) kits, Orbiter direct insertion and integral propulsion systems. The heart of the OMV system is a remotely controlled, free-flying propulsive, upper-stage vehicle designed to provide a maneuvering capability for various spacecraft for a variety of missions. The benefit of using the OMV over either OMS kits or Orbiter direct insertion is the same as for any multiple-staging, increased performance. Performance can be improved in terms of more payload to orbit, higher orbital altitude, increased plane change capability or a combination of these. When compared with integral propulsion, the resuable OMV has a similar overall cost for placing payloads into orbit. The higher cost for launching the OMV is roughly balanced by the savings from the multiple use. However, it is significantly less costly to use the OMV than integral propulsion when the OMV is left on orbit between missions. In addition, the OMV provides increased flexibility for retrieval and servicing of satellites, found not provided with integral propulsion systems.
Structural Asymmetry in Cilia and Flagella

IT has become possible recently to describe the fine structure of cilia and flagella in more detail than was feasible before, and a characteristic structural asymmetry has been noted in the flagellum of certain flagellates1. This communication reports a similar asymmetry in cilia and flagella of a wide range of organisms.
Thermogravimetry of thermally stable aromatic and heterocyclic polymers

Abstract Thermally stable polymers were studied using thermogravimetry (TG) to 1400°C in helium. The heterocyclics were a polybenzimidazole and a polyimide. The aromatics consisted of two phenol formaldehydes, a phenylphenol phenol formal dehyde, and two polyphenylenes. Computer code analysis provided rate parameters for an Arrhenius type correlation. The rate parameters represented well the TG run. Overall pyrolysis mechanisms were examined in terms of rate parameters and computer code curves, which normalized out the polymer char yield and reinforcing fiber content. Standardization was emphasized to provide quality TG data and accurate parameters relatively free from procedural variables of polymer synthesis, degree of cure, sample preparation, thermobalance operation, data analysis, and pyrolysis beyond 1000°C.
Biomimetic Prosthetic Knee Using Antagonistic Muscle-Like Activation

The majority of commercial prosthetic knees are passive in nature and therefore cannot replicate the positive mechanical work exhibited by the natural human knee in early and late stance. In contrast to traditional purely dissipative prosthetic knees, we propose a biomimetic active agonist-antagonist structure designed to reproduce both positive and negative work phases of the natural joint while using series elasticity to minimize net energy consumption. We present the design and implementation of the active knee prosthesis prototype.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: Lessons from the past

Abstract One of the most startling ideas of modern medicine is that “sudden death” may be reversed; however, this idea was not reached easily. In its earliest forms, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is probably as old as the human being. The evolution of CPR represents, as does the evolution of medicine as a whole, a history of human error and human discovery. Although it is common to ascribe the development of CPR to Kouwenhoven and colleagues at Johns Hopkins Hospital, in fact they refined and popularized a method that had been evolving over several millennia. This paper reviews the most important advances in resuscitation prior to the 20th century.
Structure and biogenesis of topaquinone and related cofactors

The structure of a new biological redox cofactor – topaquinone (TPQ), the quinone of 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine – was elucidated in 1990. TPQ is the cofactor in most copper-containing amine oxidases. It is produced by post-translational modification of a strictly conserved active-site tyrosine residue. Recent work has established that TPQ biogenesis proceeds via a novel self-processing pathway requiring only the protein, copper, and molecular oxygen. The oxidation of tyrosine to TPQ by dioxygen is a six-electron process, which has intriguing mechanistic implications because copper is a one-electron redox agent, and dioxygen can function as either a two-electron or four-electron oxidant. This review adopts an historical perspective in discussing the structure and reactivity of TPQ in amine oxidases, and then assesses what is currently understood about the mechanism of the oxidation of tyrosine to produce TPQ. Aspects of the structures and chemistry of related cofactors, such as the Tyr-Cys radical in galactose oxidase and the lysine tyrosylquinone of lysyl oxidase, are also discussed.
Effects of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum on DNA incorporation and cytotoxicity of 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine

Abstract 1-β- d -Arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) incorporates into replicating cellular DNA and the extent of this incorporation correlates with loss of clonogenic survival. More recent findings have demonstrated that incorporation of ara-C into DNA undergoing repair of damage induced by u.v. light also results in cell lethality. On the basis of previous studies demonstrating a marked synergism between cis-diamminedichlorophatinum (CDDP) and ara-C in Lo Vo colon carcinoma cells, the present work has examined the interaction of these agents at a biochemical and cellular level in the MCF-7 human breast carcinoma line. The extent of ara-C incorporation into MCF-7 DNA correlated significantly with loss of clonogenic survival in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of CDDP on the formation of MCF-7 (ara-C) DNA were monitored using both cesium sulfate and cesium chloride density centrifugation. The results demonstrate that CDDP had little, if any, detectable effect on incorporation of ara-C into DNA. Furthermore, combinations of CDDP and low concentrations of ara-C (10−7 and 10−6 M) decreased MCF-7 clonogenic survival in an additive but not synergistic manner. Modest synergy was detectable with CDDP and higher ara-C concentrations (10−5 and 10−4M). The interaction between CDDP and ara-C was apparently dependent on concentration, duration of exposure and cell type. There was no dramatic synergy between CDDP and ara-C in MCF-7 cells. These findings may be relevant to the design and interpretation of CDDP/ara-C clinical trials.
Engineering Education Reform in a Large Research University: Strategies and Reflections on Innovation

As the nature of engineering problems evolve at an ever quickening pace in an increasingly global marketplace; academic institutions are faced with strong and mounting pressures to adapt decades-old engineering education models in order to maintain their educational influence, relevance, and position with respect to students, industry, and the greater society. This transformation is especially challenging in the context of major research institutions with longstanding traditions of high quality engineering education. This paper presents a model for engineering education reform through an ongoing initiative within the College of Engineering at University of Illinois. Factors such as institutional resistance to transformation are considered and potential solutions are offered. The paper explores the power of pilot programs aimed at encouraging freshmen student involvement, development, and interaction. Consideration is given to implementation issues, and scalability within the context of the current pilot program. A focus on student leadership development and learning is presented within the program framework. Discussion of the role that upper level undergraduates and graduate students play in the operation of the program is also presented. Preliminary efficacy of the program and its future at the University of Illinois will be discussed. Upcoming challenges for the model will be considered with a primary focus on the challenges inherent in a program that relies heavily on student leadership and engagement. Concluding comments will be made regarding pilot programs as a vehicle for implementing engineering education transformation.
Automated calculation of nonadditive measures for object recognition

The fuzzy integral has been shown to be a very effective tool in the fusion of information for decision making. It combines objective evidence with possibly subjective information concerning the worth of this evidence as incorporated in a fuzzy measure. In many real applications the degree of importance of a source of information should be computed from a set of training data instead of being supplied subjectively. In this paper a mathematical justifiable approach for the automatic generation of fuzzy density values (the basis of the fuzzy measure) from training data is presented.
X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Auger spectroscopy studies of thin silicon nitride films thermally grown on silicon

The composition of silicon nitride films obtained by rapid thermal nitridation of silicon in NH3 at 1000–1250 °C for 10–20 s was analyzed using x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Auger spectroscopy. The films were 10–25 A thick. The depth resolution of Auger sputter profiling was not sufficient to analyze these films. Instead, depth profiles were obtained by chemical etching techniques. XPS peak intensity profiles and analysis of XPS peak shapes indicated that oxygen contamination was incorporated within the film in a silicon oxynitride state. The concentration of oxygen was peaked at both the surface of the film and the substrate–film interface. Observed XPS peak shifts within the film are explained by the variation in oxygen content. A 10%–20% decrease in Dλ (product of density and electron escape depth) was detected near the interface. Despite the extreme thinness of these films, they were found to be resistant to room‐temperature oxidation and to degradation from chemical cleaning techniques.
Experimental infection of Swiss Webster mice with four rat bartonella strains: Host specificity, bacteremia kinetics, dose dependent response, and histopathology

Abstract Groups of Swiss Webster outbred mice were each inoculated with one of four bartonella strains originally isolated from Rattus spp. at doses ranging from 101 to 107 bacteria per mouse. One strain, Rn1691yn (Bartonella coopersplainensis-like), infected mice and produced bacteremias at levels up to 105 bacteria/ml of blood and from 3 to 8 weeks duration. A dose dependent response was also observed with differing proportions of mice bacteremic following inoculation at different doses. In addition weeks-to-months long lags in bacteremia manifestation occurred following lower dose exposures. The possibility of bacterial transmission from bacteremic mice to uninfected cagemates was assessed and no naive mice became infected from contacts with infected mice. Finally, a subset of bacteremic mice inoculated with high doses of Rn1691yn were examined histopathologically and multifocal, granulomatous lesions were detected in both liver and kidneys. The host specificity and infectivity of the strains is discussed in relation to their potential for zoonotic transmission to incidental hosts.
New instrument for orbital anthropometry

Summary A new instrument for orbital anthropometry is described. It consists of the base for a slit-lamp upon which the patient's head rests and rulers mounted on three independently movable axes. The z -axis probe is used to measure sagittal relationships between the corneal apices and points on the orbital perimeter. The instrument was tested against a sliding caliper and its accuracy was found to be within 0.2 mm or 2%. Intra- and inter-observer reliability were assessed by repeated measurements of two subjects by three observers. The intra-observer reliability was 0.99. Variations between observers was not significantly different for points orbitale inferius ( oi ), nasion ( n ), and orbitale superius ( os ), however, there was a statistically significant difference for measurement of orbitale laterale ( ol ). The correlation between anthropometric readings for lateral orbital wall to apex corneal ( ol — ac ) and CT scans for the same landmarks was assessed. Analysis of variance showed no difference between the measurement methods. This anthropometer is convenient and accurate for measurement of the sagittal orbital-globe relationships. A disadvantage is that it cannot be used intraoperatively.
ORAL RABIES VACCINE CONTACT BY RACCOONS AND NONTARGET SPECIES IN A FIELD TRIAL IN FLORIDA

Rabies is enzootic in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in the eastern United States. Oral vaccination of free-ranging raccoons against rabies has the potential to control the disease in a principal reservoir and reduce the risk of rabies exposure among domestic animals and humans. Free-ranging animal contact with baits containing a vaccinia virus recombinant vaccine expressing the rabies glycoprotein gene (V-RG) was monitored in Pinellas County (Florida, USA) from February through May 1997. Bait contact was assessed with 423 tracking plate nights; conducted in four land use zones: single residential, multiple residential, industrial-commercial, and undeveloped. The undeveloped land use zone was further described by six vegetation communities: mangrove swamp, red maple swamp, beach dune, pine forest, mixed oak hammock, and cabbage palm hammock. Seven animal taxa contacted the baited tracking plates across the four land use zones: raccoons, opossums (Didelphis virginiana), cats (Felis catus), dogs (Canis familiaris), rabbits (Sylvilagus sp.), unidentified rodents, and birds. A total of 252/413 (61%) of the baits was contacted by animals; 95 (38%) of these were specifically by the raccoon, the target species. Overall bait contact by all animals was significantly different among the four land use zones, being highest in the undeveloped zone (82%) and lowest in the industrial-commercial zone (34%). Bait contact by raccoons also was significantly different among the undeveloped and pooled urban zones. Among the six vegetation communities, bait contact by all animals was significantly different ranging from 95% in the mangrove to 50% in the cabbage palm hammock. Among the four vegetation communities tested, bait contact by raccoons also was significantly different.
The sensitivity of judgment-of-learning resolution to past test performance, new learning, and forgetting

When people judge their learning of items across study–test trials, their accuracy in discriminating between learned and unlearned items improves on the second trial. We examined the source of this improvement by estimating the contribution of three factors—memory for past test performance (MPT), new learning, and forgetting—to accuracy on trial 2. In Experiment 1, during an initial trial, participants studied paired associates, made a judgment of learning (JOL) for each one, and were tested. During the second trial, we manipulated two variables: when the JOL was made (either immediately before or after studying an item) and whether participants were told the outcome of the initial recall attempt on trial 1. In Experiment 2, the same procedure was used with a 1-week retention interval between study and test on trial 2. In both experiments, JOL resolution was higher on trial 2 than on trial 1. Fine-grained analyses of JOL magnitude and decomposition of resolution supported several conclusions. First, MPT contributed the most to boosts in JOL magnitude and improvements in resolution across trials. Second, JOLs and subsequent resolution were sensitive to new learning and forgetting, but only when participants’ judgments were made after study. Thus, JOLs appear to integrate information from multiple factors, and these factors jointly contribute to JOL resolution.
Relationships Between Teachers and Preschoolers Who Are At Risk: Contribution of Children's Language Skills, Temperamentally Based Attributes, and Gender

Research Findings: The teacher–child relationship can provide an important support to young children who exhibit developmental risk. This research studied the contribution of children's language skills, temperamentally based attributes (shyness, anger), and gender to closeness and conflict in the teacher–child relationship for 133 preschoolers attending programs serving at-risk children. The results showed that both language comprehension (positive predictor) and shyness (negative predictor) were significantly linked to closeness in the teacher–child relationship. An additional result was that children who displayed greater anger within the classroom had relationships with their teachers characterized by higher levels of conflict, and both gender and language expression served as moderators for the relationship between anger and teacher–child conflict. Practice or Policy: These findings are important for considering how various skills and attributes of preschool children may contribute to their formation ...
Monitoring Pickleworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Moths with Pheromone-Baited Traps

Populations of male moths of pickleworm, Diaphania nitidalis (Stoll), were monitored using 5 types of traps baited with virgin female moths and several formulations of sex pheromone lures. Modified box traps and wire-cone traps were highly effective when baited with either synthetic lures or virgin females. Unitraps baited with virgin females were less effective than box or wire-cone traps, and unitraps were ineffective when baited with synthetic pheromone lures. Nylon-cone traps were less effective than wire-cone or box traps. Pherocon IC sticky traps did not work with any lure.
Human RECQL5: Guarding the crossroads of DNA replication and transcription and providing backup capability

AbstractDNA helicases are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze unwinding of duplex DNA and function in all metabolic processes in which access to single-stranded DNA is required, including DNA replication, repair, recombination and RNA transcription. RecQ helicases are a conserved family of DNA helicases that display highly specialized and vital roles in the maintenance of genome stability. Mutations in three of the five human RecQ helicases, BLM, WRN and RECQL4 are associated with the genetic disorders Bloom syndrome, Werner syndrome and Rothmund-Thomson syndrome that are characterized by chromosomal instability, premature aging and predisposition to cancer. The biological role of human RECQL5 is only partially understood and RECQL5 has not yet been associated with any human disease. Illegitimate recombination and replication stress are hallmarks of human cancers and common instigators for genomic instability and cell death. Recql5 knockout mice are cancer prone and show increased chromosomal instability. Re...
Lectin cytochemical evaluation of somatosensory neurons and their peripheral and central processes in rat and man.

Paraffin sections of the trigeminal nerve root of the rat, and human spinal nerve root and trigeminal ganglion were stained with a battery of lectin-horseradish peroxidase conjugates to localize and characterize glycoconjugate (GC) in situ. In the rat the myelin sheath of the peripheral segment contained GC with sialic acid most probably linked to the penultinate disaccharide galactose(β1 → 4)-N-acetylglucosamine (Gal(β1 →)-GlcNAc), and complex type N-glycosidic side chains. The myelin sheath in the central segment differed in containing little if any of the GC named above and in containing GC with terminal β-Gal linked to N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), terminal GalNAc and fucose. Schwann cells stained for GC with GlcNAc or mannose whereas oligodendroglia stained for GC with the terminal disaccharide Gal-(β1 → 3)-GalNAc and N-glycosidic side chains, especially in presumed Golgi zones, but also in processes continued as the outer myelin sheath. The human myelin sheath in the central segment differed from that of the rat in not staining with lectins specific for fucose and terminal GalNAc. Sialic acid and terminal β-Gal were seen in the human central segment but these sugars appeared to bind to astroglial structures rather than to the myelin sheath as in the rat. Astrocytes in both rat and man were stained by two fucose-binding lectins. Several lectins revealed affinity for GC in the neurilemmal sheath, and staining of this structure was stronger in the human specimens. Neurons in the human trigeminal ganglion ranged from unstained to strongly positive for fucoconjugate in cytoplasmic bodies and plasmalemma. Positive ganglion cells gave rise to unmyelinated fibers which also stained for fucoconjugate. Remak fibers and their extensions into the substantia gelatinosa of the human spinal cord stained strongly for content of fucose.
Spin-lattice relaxation in branched polyethylene

Abstract The spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) of a series of branched polyethylenes has been measured between −175° and +100°C. An empirical separation of the relaxation attributed to the gamma process (centered at −26°C) permits investigation of the relaxation effects of methyl group reorientation and branch point motion. This motion of the branch points is related to the beta process observed by mechanical loss measurements and is found to be uncorrelated with motion of linear amorphous segments.
Effect of Si2H6 as a gas phase additive to increase growth rate of a-Si:H films and solar cells

We have studied the growth rate enhancement of a-Si:H films using Si2H6 as a gas phase additive to SiH4+ H2 gas mixtures using relatively low pressure and standard 13.56 MHz RF power. With the addition of 1.7% Si2H6 in the gas mixtures (10% more Si atoms into the chamber), the a-Si:H film growth rate increased by ~30% at 1.25 Torr and ~60% at 2.5 Torr. The optical emission spectroscopy (OES) exhibits reduction of SiH* intensity with addition of Si2H6, which indicates the reduction of high energy electron impacts with Si containing molecules. The microstructural defect parameter (fraction of dihydride bonding in the film) appears to decrease with increase of RF power (i.e. increase of growth rate). Similar a-Si:H p-i-n cell efficiency 7-8% is achieved with and without enhanced i layer growth rate with the Si2H6 additive.
Using the Behavioral Model for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: The CAM Healthcare Model

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, products and practices are increasingly being used across the United States and worldwide by individuals who are healthy, as well as by those who are ill (Barnes, Powell-Griner, McFann & Nahin et al., 2004; Burstein, Gelber, Guadagnoli, & Weeks, 1999; Eisenberg, et al., 1998; Ernst & Cassileth, 1998; Kessler, et al., 2001; Richardson & Straus, 2002). This trend, which is anticipated to continue, reflects changing health care behavior. Individuals, who are experiencing illness, use CAM for treatment, management of illness related symptoms and to enhance quality of life. Those who are well also use CAM to promote health, and prevent disease. This increasing prevalence of CAM has created a need to identify patterns and predictors of use among the diverse populations of users. Concurrently, this trend evokes questions about the effect of CAM on the utilization of conventional health services and providers, health outcomes and quality of life. This paper presents an emerging conceptual framework, referred to as the CAM Healthcare Model. This model aims to identify factors associated with the use of CAM providers, therapies, products and practices within a health services framework, thereby providing a guide for CAM research and practice. The CAM Healthcare Model is a modification of Andersen’s Behavioral Model for Health Service Use, a framework that has guided research on conventional health services for more than three decades (Andersen, 1969, 1995). The CAM Healthcare Model identifies factors influencing the use of CAM health services and resources that are provider-directed, and CAM use as a self-directed health care activity and/or practice. The authors propose that CAM use, with or without a provider, has the potential to affect utilization of conventional health services as it offers more choices to healthcare consumers. These choices ultimately affect healthcare outcomes, research, health service delivery and policy, hence the importance of this work Understanding the trends and implications of CAM use further emphasizes the need for a model to study CAM within a health service/resource context.