cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of embedding multiple modes of representation within writing tasks on high school students’ chemistry understanding

This study investigated the impact on chemistry learning of the degree to which students embedded or integrated multiple modes of representation in end of unit writing-to-learn activities. A multi-case study approach utilizing quasi-experimental methodology involving intact high school chemistry classes taught by two different teachers was employed. Approximately half of the classes for each teacher were designated treatment classes and students in these classes participated in specific classroom activities designed to encourage the use of strategies to embed multiple modes within text in student writing. Control classes did not participate in these activities. All classes with the same teacher participated in identical end of unit writing tasks followed by identical end of unit assessments. Writing tasks and end of unit assessments were teacher designed and were therefore unique to each setting. Data from each teacher was initially analyzed independently to explore characteristics of student writing and student performance on end of unit assessments. This was followed by cross case analysis. Analysis of quantitative data indicated that for the first teacher (n = 70 students), treatment classes significantly outperformed control classes on two different measures of writing characteristics during a first unit of study, two measures of writing for the second unit, and three categories of end of unit instruction for the second unit. For the second teacher (n = 95), treatment classes outperformed control classes on two writing characteristics and three end of unit assessment categories during the only unit of study assessed. In addition, at both sites, significant positive correlations were found between all writing characteristic measurements and end of unit assessment performance. These results not only support the use of multimodal writing-to-learn tasks as a pedagogical tool to improve chemistry learning, but specifically suggest benefit when multiple modes are effectively linked within these tasks.
Aquatic vegetation mediates the relationship between hydrologic connectivity and water quality in a managed floodplain

We used conservative isotope tracers (deuterium and oxygen-18) and biologically relevant water quality measurements to assess connectivity of the Atchafalaya River to other waterways in its floodplain during the rising limb, peak, and falling limb of the 2011 flood pulse. We compared isotope tracers and water quality (dissolved oxygen and specific conductance) in biweekly samples at 83 sites in two areas that differed in their connectivity. We also compared tracers to an 8-year dataset of water quality measurements from the same sites. Although tracers clearly described differences in connectivity between the two floodplain areas and were correlated with concurrent measures of water quality, relationships were mediated by a strong temporal component and site-level variation in aquatic vegetation. Our results suggest a delay in floodplain water quality response to water inputs, and a strong influence of aquatic vegetation that locally overwhelms connectivity as a primary driver of local water quality.
How Bad Can Good People Be

Can a virtuous person act contrary to the virtue she possesses? Can virtues have “holes”—or blindspots—and nonetheless count as virtues? Gopal Sreenivasan defends a notion of a blindspot that is, in my view, an unstable moral category. I will argue that no trait possessing such a “hole” can qualify as a virtue. My strategy for showing this appeals to the importance of motivation to virtue, a feature of virtue to which Sreenivasan does not adequately attend. Sreenivasan’s account allows performance alone to be a reliable indicator of the possession of virtue. I argue that, at least with respect to a classical, Aristotelian conception of virtue, this assumption is mistaken: a person is said to possess a virtue only when she is properly motivated. In my view, the nature of motivation required for the possession of Aristotelian virtue does not admit of blindspots. I am not primarily interested in details about the situationist critique of virtue theory but rather the implications that blindspots have for our conception of virtue. I argue that because the practical reasoning of the virtuous requires both cognitive and motivational coherence, the motivational structure of the virtuous agent cannot accommodate blindspots. My conclusion is neither a defense of motivational internalism nor of an idealized conception of Aristotelian virtue. My aim is to show that because blindspotted virtue does not cohere well with Aristotle’s conception of virtuous agency, friends of virtue theory must choose one or the other; they cannot have both.
EFFECT OF SILDENAFIL CITRATE ON POST-RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Purpose: We assess the effect of sildenafil in a subgroup of patients after prostatectomy with erectile dysfunction and determine whether nerve preservation improves sildenafil response in this subgroup.Materials and Methods: Between April 1998 and January 1999, 53 patients who had undergone radical retropubic prostatectomy and were prescribed oral sildenafil were surveyed using a confidential mail questionnaire. Of the patients 21 underwent bilateral and 15 unilateral neurovascular bundle sparing procedures, while in 17 a nonnerve sparing procedure was performed. All patients received 25 to 100 mg. sildenafil in a flexible dose escalation manner. Response, satisfaction and side effects were assessed using a modified, self-administered International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire. Response was defined as erection sufficient for intercourse. Preoperative and postoperative/pretreatment erectile functions were assessed for baseline comparison in each patient, and partner overall satisfaction with s...
Relationship of water and leaf litter variability to insects inhabiting treeholes

I surveyed treeholes in central Pennsylvania for 7 mo in 1995 to investigate relationships among insect communities and water and leaf litter resources. I used water volume, essential to growth of treehole larvae, as an indicator of habitat size. Leaf litter is the basal food resource in treehole communities, and litter volume is related to the amount of energy available. Insect species richness and larval mosquito (Ochlerotatus triseriatus) and ceratopogonid midge (Culicoides guttipennis) densities were higher in treeholes that maintained high water volumes than those with low volumes throughout the study. Treeholes with high litter volume, irrespective of water volume, had the highest densities of C. guttipennis, and higher total larval densities than those with lower litter volumes; however, litter volume did not affect insect species richness. Scirtid beetle larvae were common in all treeholes, although their densities were unaffected by both litter and water volume. Insect species richness was not related to litter volume, unlike some other studies of phytotelmata. However, my study supported earlier conclusions that both habitat size and resource availability influence structure of treehole communities and maintain species populations. The influence of each resource on partic- ular species presence and density may be related to physical aspects of treeholes, biotic interactions, and natural history of individual species.
Responses to sea stars by three naticid gastropods

Abstract The responses of the gastropods Natica josephina , N. millepunctata and N. hebraea to the touch or near presence of 10 Mediterranean sea stars were studied. In all but two cases a positive response consisted either in more or less complete podial responses, i.e. a covering of the shell by podial folds, and/or movement away from the sea star. Natica millepunctata, however, responded to Astropecten aurantiacus and A. irregularis by extending its proboscis and rasping off spines and tube feet of which the latter were engulfed.
Optimal Simultaneous Search for the Maximum by the Principle of Statistical Information

This paper investigates the problem of estimating an optimal interval containing the location of the maximum of a unimodal function by simultaneous experimentation for the case when an arbitrary probability density function for the distribution of the maximum is given. The payoff of the estimation is taken to be the "statistical information" gained by the search. For an even number of experiments, the optimal strategy selects an interval estimate, containing the maximum point, for which the maximal a priori probability of containing this maximum is minimized. When the probability density is uniform, the optimal strategy minimizes the maximal length of the interval estimate. For an odd number of experiments, an unsymmetric search pattern results.
Factors affecting short-term precision of musculoskeletal measures using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT).

Summary Few studies have investigated factors influencing the precision of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) measures. This study found time between repeat scans and subject anthropometric characteristics to influence short-term precision of pQCT-derived measures in the lower leg. These findings have implications for both investigators and clinicians utilizing pQCT outcomes.
EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS ON STATE- LEVEL MANUFACTURING CAPITAL FORMATION*

We quantify the effect of environmental regulations on regional capital formation in the manufacturing sector. Our model integrates environmental regulations into a choice-theoretic model derived from Tobin's q theory of investment. It is postulated that more stringent environmental regulations raise the firm's cost of production both directly and indirectly, thus reducing the firm's q value and lowering the rate of capital formation. The empirical results indicate that the effect of environmental regulations on net capital formation is modest. We do find that environmental regulations affect regions differently. More stringent environmental regulations will improve the relative position of manufacturers in the North-east, South Atlantic and West. Over one-fourth of the dollar losses in manufacturing capacity would occur in five states: Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.
Insights on the nature of intelligence from ordinary discourse

Abstract The use of “intelligence” in ordinary discourse is analyzed for the purpose of gleaning hypotheses which may help resolve the long-standing debate among psychologists regarding the nature of intelligence. Intelligence is conceived in ordinary discourse as innate intellectual capacity and a sharp conceptual distinction is made between intelligence and intelligent behavior.
Online Video Tutorials Increase Learning of Difficult Concepts in an Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Course

Educational technology has enhanced, even revolutionized, pedagogy in many areas of higher education. This study examines the incorporation of video tutorials as a supplement to learning in an undergraduate analytical chemistry course. The concepts and problems in which students faced difficulty were first identified by assessing students’ homework assignments and exam responses. Then, a tutorial video clip aimed at that specific knowledge point was designed by the instructor using the Camtasia software package and was uploaded to the course Web site portal (Blackboard). To assess the effectiveness of the tutorials, students’ oral and written feedback, pre- and post-video-tutoring exam performance, and data from previous classes taught by the same instructor were examined. Results indicate that online video tutorials are a valuable, flexible, and cost-effective tool to improve student mastery of chemistry problem solving.
Isolation and characterization for carcinoembryonic antigen

Abstract Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been isolated from several tumors of the digestive tract. Comparisons of the products with one another and with CEA obtained from Dr. Gold have been made. CEA of two molecular sizes (6·8 S and 10·1 S) has been obtained, but the 6·8 S material is the one usually found. Considerable variation in yield has been observedp indicating that tumorsp may differ markedly in their content of CEA. Comparison of CEA isolated by Dr. Gold with material prepared by us has shown the two products to be immunologically indistinguishable.
Low-dose dual-energy electronic cleansing for fecal-tagging CT Colonography

Dual-energy electronic cleansing (DE-EC) provides a promising means for cleansing the tagged fecal materials in fecaltagging CT colonography (CTC). However, the increased radiation dose due to the double exposures in dual-energy CTC (DE-CTC) scanning is a major limitation for the use of DE-EC in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a low-dose DE-EC scheme in fecal-tagging DE-CTC. In this study, a custom-made anthropomorphic colon phantom, which was filled with simulated tagged materials by non-ionic iodinated contrast agent (Omnipaque iohexol, GE Healthcare), was scanned by a dual-source CT scanner (SOMATON Definition Flash, Siemens Healthcare) at two photon energies: 80 kVp and 140 kVp with nine different tube current settings ranging from 12 to 74 mAs for 140 kVp, and then reconstructed by soft-tissue reconstruction kernel (B30f). The DE-CTC images were subjected to a low-dose DE-EC scheme. First, our image-space DE-CTC denoising filter was applied for reduction of image noise. Then, the noise-reduced images were processed by a virtual lumen tagging method for reduction of partial volume effect and tagging inhomogeneity. The results were compared with the registered CTC images of native phantom without fillings. Preliminary results showed that our low-dose DE-EC scheme achieved the cleansing ratios, defined by the proportion of the cleansed voxels in the tagging mask, between 93.18% (12 mAs) and 96.62% (74 mAs). Also, the soft-tissue preservation ratios, defined by the proportion of the persevered voxels in the soft-tissue mask, were maintained in the range between 94.67% and 96.41%.
Clinical Value of Paraffin Sections in Association with Mohs Micrographic Surgery for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

BACKGROUNDDuring Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), situations can arise in which paraffin sections may be used in conjunction with frozen sections.OBJECTIVETo determine the clinical value of paraffin sections in association with MMS, including frequency, reasons, and information obtained.METHODS AND
Control loss and Fayol’s gangplanks

Abstract Williamson’s (1971) model of control loss in organizational hierarchies describes the cumulative decay of influence of superiors over subordinates who are separated by a number of hierarchical levels in the chain-of-command. This paper shows that control loss may be deduced from a network theory of social influence, and it shows that ties among actors at the same hierarchical level—Fayol’s gangplanks—may constrain control loss in organizational hierarchies. The structural mitigation of control loss by Fayol’s gangplanks increases with superiors’ span of control and depends on their capacity to maintain influence upon immediate subordinates in the presence of the lateral influences among subordinates.
Measurements of messenger RNA entering polysomes upon fertilization of sea urchin eggs

Abstract The ribosomes in polysomes increase about 30-fold from 0.75% to 20% of the total ribosomes during the first 2 hr after fertilization of sea urchin eggs. The amount of messenger RNA necessary for this increase in polysomes was calculated to be 6 × 10 −12 gm or about 0.4% of the total RNA of the egg. The amount of newly synthesized RNA entering the polysomes right after fertilization was measured with radioactive precursor techniques and was no more than 15% of the total messenger RNA entering the polysomes over the same period. These direct measurements confirm that most of the newly active messenger RNA is not synthesized after fertilization but is apparently present in the egg beforehand. The polysomes do not change in size over the 2 hrs that more messenger RNA is becoming active, indicating that the messenger RNA molecules are released individually at various times over the 2-hr period. This suggests that the translational control mechanism in the egg acts directly at the level of the messenger RNA molecules.
Nonlinear electrodynamics near a superconducting string

Abstract We calculate the effective action for photons in an arbitrary external field using the expansion in the inverse of the mass of the electron. The resulting effective lagrangian is used to calculate magnetization of the vacuum in the vicinity of a superconducting string. The magnetization current partially screens the current in the string and slows down the rate of growth of the current there. We also discuss the scattering of electromagnetic waves on a superconducting string with the nonlinear effects taken into account.
Odometry Error Estimation for a Differential Drive Robot Snowplow

This paper presents a velocity-augmented Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) which can estimate both systematic and non-systematic odometry errors for a differential drive mobile robot. The proposed EKF is validated both within simulation and using postprocessed robot snowplow data from the Institute of Navigation's 2013 Autonomous Snowplow Competition. Potential sensor configurations are explored using EKF Monte-Carlo simulations with Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors or multilateration ranging sensors.
Gifts for the Holiday Season

An autumn rain gently drifts across the freshly planted wheat on my farm this afternoon. The rain came later than anticipated but its beauty completely trumped its tardiness. It started at dawn whi...
Depression and cognitive deficits in geriatric schizophrenia.

Abstract Objective Past reports have found patients with comorbid depression and schizophrenia spectrum disorders exhibit greater deficits in memory and attention compared to schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients without depressive symptoms. However, in contrast to younger schizophrenia patients, the few past studies using cognitive screens to examine the relationship between depression and cognition in inpatient geriatric schizophrenia have found that depressive symptomatology was associated with relatively enhanced cognitive performance. In the current study we examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive deficits in geriatric schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients (n = 71; mean age = 63.7) on an acute psychiatric inpatient service. Method Patients completed a battery of cognitive tests assessing memory, attention and global cognition. Symptom severity was assessed via the PANSS and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. Results Results revealed that geriatric patients' depression severity predicted enhancement of their attentional and verbal memory performance. Patients' global cognitive functioning and adaptive functioning were not associated with their depression severity. Conclusion Contrary to patterns typically seen in younger patients and non-patient groups, increasing depression severity is associated with enhancement of memory and attention in geriatric schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients. Also, diverging from younger samples, depression severity was unassociated with patients adaptive and global cognitive functioning.
Identity-Related Growth and Loss in a Sample of HIV-Positive Gay and Bisexual Men: Initial Scale Development and Psychometric Evaluation

Past examinations of the impact of chronic illness on identity have focused primarily on positive adaptation (i.e., benefit finding or posttraumatic growth). Given that associations between these constructs and psychosocial wellbeing are equivocal, greater investigation is needed into interactions among perceived positive and negative identity changes pursuant to illness. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2006 and 2007 with an ethnically diverse sample of 129 HIV-positive gay and bisexual men. Participants completed a brief quantitative survey, including a new measure, the Impact on Self-Concept Scale (ISCS), as well as gay-related stigma, quality of life, and regulatory focus. Factor analysis supported the existence of two ISCS subscales: self-growth and self-loss. Both subscales demonstrated strong internal consistency and were weakly but positively correlated. Preliminary assessment of construct validity indicated distinct patterns of association, with self-loss being more strongly associated with stigma and quality of life than self-growth. In multivariate models, associations between self-loss and both quality of life and regulatory focus were moderated by self-growth. The ISCS demonstrated preliminary reliability and validity in this sample. Findings suggest that self-growth and self-loss are meaningfully distinct constructs that may interact to produce important implications for understanding the experience of chronic illness.
Token-ring local-area networks and their performance

The major technical concepts underlying token-ring technology are examined, and performance issues arising in the design of such local-area networks (LANs) are detailed. Following a survey of analytical queuing models to describe the basic token-ring operation, three topics are discussed in detail: (1) the IEEE 802.5 token ring and its performance; (2) the ANSI fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) token ring and its performance; and (3) architecture and performance issues arising in the interconnection of token-ring networks with regard to the various components of a multiring architecture demonstrating which congestion-control problems can arise in such a network and how they can be overcome. The author concludes with a number of open questions concerning the understanding of the quantitative behavior of token-ring-based LANs. >
The long-term effects of extraordinary trauma: A look beyond PTSD

Abstract Severe psychological trauma may affect the long-term psychiatric and physical health of survivors. This paper traces a theoretical link between the neurochemical changes in the brain that are induced by stress and the long-term medical morbidity in trauma victims. We present several animal models that illustrate the prolonged impact of environmental stressors on the catecholamine system of the brain. Although evidence of brain changes has never been documented in trauma survivors, there is ample evidence of increased reactivity of the autonomic nervous system to stressful stimuli subjects with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Increased reactivity to stress is associated with cardiovascular morbidity in the general population and may be an important factor in the long- term health of people who have experienced extraordinary stress. There is considerable, albeit controversial, evidence of increased cardiovascular and other medical morbidity in trauma victims. The objective of presenting this conceptual framework is to stimulate thought and research on the long-term sequelae of extraordinary stress.
Generalized Factorials and Fixed Divisors over Subsets of a Dedekind Domain

Abstract Given a subsetXof a Dedekind domainD, and a polynomialF∈D[x], thefixed divisor d(X, F) ofFoverXis defined to be the ideal inDgenerated by the elementsF(a),a∈X. In this paper we derive a simple expression ford(X, F) explicitly in terms of the coefficients ofF, using a generalized notion of “factorial” introduced by the author in a previous paper. WhenX=D= Z , this generalized factorial reduces to the ordinary factorial function; hence we obtain as special cases classic results of Polya, Gunji, and McQuillan relatingd( Z , F) and the usual factorial function.
Approaches to Antifungal Therapies and Their Effectiveness among Patients with Cryptococcosis

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to determine the degree to which the persistence of cryptococcosis, overall 1-year mortality, and 1-year mortality due to cryptococcosis were influenced by initial antifungal treatment regimen in a cohort of adults with cryptococcosis treated at a tertiary care medical center. Risk factors, underlying conditions, treatment, and mortality information were obtained for 204 adults with cryptococcosis from Duke University Medical Center (DUMC) from 1996 to 2009. Adjusted risk ratios (RR) for persistence and hazard ratios (HR) for mortality were estimated for each exposure. The all-cause mortality rate among patients with nonsevere disease (20%) was similar to that in the group with disease (26%). However, the rate of cryptococcosis-attributable mortality with nonsevere disease (5%) was much lower than with severe disease (20%). Flucytosine exposure was associated with a lower overall mortality rate (HR, 0.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2 to 0.9) and attributable mortality rate (HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.2 to 1.2). Receiving a nonrecommended antifungal regimen was associated with a higher relative risk of persistent infection at 4 weeks (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 0.9 to 4.3), and the rate of attributable mortality among those not receiving the recommended dose of initial therapy was higher than that of those receiving recommended dosing (HR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.0 to 5.0). Thus, the 2010 Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines are supported by this retrospective review as a best-practice protocol for cryptococcal management. Future investigations should consider highlighting the distinction between all-cause mortality and attributable mortality so as not to overestimate the true effect of cryptococcosis on patient death.
Modeling long-term climate changes with equilibrium asynchronous coupling

The use of the equilibrium asynchronous coupling (EAC) scheme is proposed as a strategy to better understand long-term climate changes in a fully coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model. The EAC scheme requires each component model to be integrated to its equilibrium before being coupled to the other component. Use of this scheme has the distinct advantage of being able to clarify the nature of the coupling between the ocean and atmosphere, because each asynchronous iteration takes the form of a sensitivity experiment. Basic features of the EAC scheme are first studied in an energy balance model. It is found that the convergence rate of the EAC scheme is proportional to the damping rate in the atmosphere or surface ocean, but is inversely proportional to the coupling strength between the ocean and atmosphere. Furthermore, the seasonal cycle response converges much faster than the annual mean response. Using realistic parameters, the seasonal cycle response should converge in a few iterations. The EAC scheme is further applied to a coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation model to study the tropical monsoon climate of the early Holocene. The convergence behavior of the sea surface temperature is found to agree with the theory derived from the energy balance model study. The EAC scheme is further used to investigate the role of ocean-atmosphere feedback in modifying the response of monsoons to orbital forcings in the early Holocene. It is found that the ocean exerts a positive feedback on the North African monsoon, but a negative feedback on the Indian monsoon.
NCAP Star Rating and Safety of Rear Seat Occupant

New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) gives star ratings to the vehicles based on their crashworthiness. The program uses results of crash tests performed with 50% male HYBRID III dummies in the driver and right front passenger seats and gives separate star ratings for the driver and right front passenger positions. These star ratings are available from the safer car website [1], and are perceived as an indicator of general safety of the vehicles for people trying to purchase a vehicle. A one-star rating would show the lowest, and five-star would be the highest safety ranking. As the NCAP star ratings of the vehicles have improved over years, front occupant protection has improved as well; however, recent studies have shown that rear occupants are less protected in newer model years of vehicles [2]. Safety of rear occupants is not evaluated with the NCAP program. In this paper an attempt is made to verify whether the NCAP scores can show the level of protection provided to the rear occupants or not.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Clinical problem-solving: brachial plexus closed injury and reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE Current management of severe brachial plexus injury has undergone recent modifications, and surgical options have expanded. METHODS The case of a man with a severe closed brachial plexus injury resulting from a motorcycle accident is presented. The patient is found to have upper root avulsions that deprive him of function in the proximal arm. RESULTS Pre-, intra-, and postoperative decision making is reviewed by an expert in peripheral nerve surgery. Attention is paid to both diagnosis and management. A brief review of the literature pertaining to these points follows. CONCLUSION The recent expansion of surgical options for the management of severe brachial plexus injury has introduced significant controversy into this field.
Characterization of interconnects used in PDMS microfluidic systems

This paper reports the characterization of a microfluidic packaging technique involving the use of press-fit interconnects to microfluidic channels molded in PDMS. This packaging technique is implemented by, first, coring a small hole in the PDMS to access molded or buried microchannels using a modified 20 gauge needle; and second, inserting an unmodified needle into the hole to create a direct connection to the microchannel that requires no bonding or molding. The needles can then easily be removed and reinserted multiple times since the seal is created purely by the compression of the PDMS around the needle. The luer fitting on the needles can easily be connected to standard fluid fittings. The quality of the interconnects is correlated with observations of the PDMS after coring. Methods of coring examined include pushing straight through and twisting the coring tool by hand or by machine. These comparisons demonstrated that all methods can produce viable interconnects; however, machine coring was the most consistent. The interconnects were characterized mechanically primarily by measuring their leak resistance under pressure. Leak tests were performed on interconnects (1) fabricated using different methods, (2) experiencing rotation or bending and (3) fabricated at various linear densities. Static pressure testing revealed that interconnect pressure limits varied from 100 kPa to over 700 kPa depending on the fabrication method. Suggestions are presented on how the technique could be modified to reach much higher pressures. Interconnect flexibility testing demonstrated a minimum of 30° of bending and a maximum of 60° before failure depending on the direction rotated. Density testing showed that PDMS was strong enough to allow at least six interconnects on a 1 cm linear channel.
Angular Distribution of the Pions Produced in High Energy Nuclear Collisions

The angular distribution of pions produced in a high energy collision of two nucleons is discussed in terms of the statistical theory of multiple meson production. The results are compared with experimental findings.
Predictors of attempted quitting and cessation among young adult smokers.

Abstract Background. This study compared young adult nonsmokers (n = 1216), light smokers (n = 406), and regular smokers (n = 360) on demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics, as well as identified predictors of attempted quitting and 6-month cessation among regular smokers. Method. Participants were recruited from middle schools in 1985 (age 13) and assessed repeatedly through 2001 (age 29). Mail surveys were used to obtain information on smoking status and hypothesized predictors of cessation at age 23, and quit attempts and cessation occurring between ages 23–39 among regular smokers. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of quit attempts and 6-month cessation. Results. Among initial smokers, 76% attempted to quit and 26% quit for 6 months or longer between ages 23–29. Higher rates of substance use, illegal activity, poor mental health, and victimization were found among regular smokers than nonsmokers and lighter smokers at age 23. However, multivariate analyses indicated that these problems were less relevant to quitting than social transitions and interpersonal factors, demographics (e.g., race/ethnicity), and health status. Conclusions. Different risk and protective factors are relevant to understanding why smokers attempt to quit versus why they are able to quit for 6 months or longer. We discuss implications of these findings for cessation interventions and programs for young adults.
Optimal sample sizes for estimating the difference in means between two normal populations treating confidence interval length as a random variable

For estimating the difference (μ1 - μ2) between two population means based on random samples of sizes n 1 and n 2 from two normal populations with possibly unequal variances optimal sample sizes are determined based on the (unconditional) criterion that the length of a 100(l-α)% confidence interval for (μ1μ2) is no greater than 2h with probability at least (1 -δ). Consideration is also given to a conditional criterion involving the further requirement that the confidence interval must contain the value of (μ1μ2). and results based on the use of these two criteria are compared. For either the unconditional or conditional criterion, the optimal value of the ratio that minimizes the total sample size (n 1 + n 2) is found numerically to be approximately equal to the ratio .
Of rice and men: Bill Kelley's next generation

I first met Bill Kelley in 1970 when I applied for a fellowship in his laboratory at Duke. I had the feeling in this first meeting that this was a man who could have a significant impact on my life. Thinking back 35 years now, I know that he did and I suspect that he had a similar influence on many in the Association of American Physicians.
Electro-optic measurements of tolane-based polymeric phase modulators

With a new nonlinear-optical polymer, electro-optic phase modulators have been designed, constructed, and operated at a wavelength of 1.32 μm. A large electro-optic coefficient, r33, of 26 pm/V was achieved with electrode poling. The polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate)-nitroamino tolane (PMMA-NAT), contained 43 mer. % of the nonlinear-optical chromophore attached as a side chain. A heterodyne detection system was used both to determine the electro-optic coefficients of the poled polymer and to demonstrate the transmission of multiple television signals on an optical carrier. Other optical properties of PMMA-NAT, such as the dispersion in the index of refraction and in the electro-optic coefficient, are also reported.
Interactive morphometrics from three-dimensional surface images

Techniques for extracting three-dimensional (3D) measurements directly and interactively from 3D representations of surface anatomy are discussed. In order to obtain 3D measurements the anatomical surface is interrogated directly through the use of morphometric tools. Morphometric tools include points, 3D graphical probes, and logical sectioning functions which interact with the surface through depth buffer compositing operations. Tools are interactively positioned on or through the surface to measure surface dimensions and partial volumes, or to define intersecting functions which allow surface anatomy to be visualized in the context of surrounding anatomy. Visualization is also enhanced because tools reveal much pertaining to surface morphology while providing valuable depth cuing for visual feedback and probe placement. Since tools are implemented using a general depth buffer, the techniques are applicable to a variety of 3D imaging algorithms. >
Deep-Submicrometer AlGaN/GaN HEMTs With Slant Field Plates

Deep-submicrometer AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with integrated slant field plates have been fabricated. Simulation showed this technology had the ability to minimize both the dc-RF dispersion and parasitic capacitance. Prototype device results demonstrated an excellent millimeter-wave power density of 4.9 W/mm with a power-added efficiency of 45% at 30 GHz at a drain bias of 30 V.
Sensitivity to change of the modified Rodnan skin score in diffuse systemic sclerosis—assessment of individual body sites in two large randomized controlled trials

Objective. The modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) is a standard outcome measure for skin disease in SSc and calculated by summation of skin thickness in 17 different body sites (total score ¼ 51). Our objective was to evaluate the sensitivity of change over time of individual body sites used in the calculation of total MRSS. Methods. We analysed two randomized placebo controlled clinical trials investigating the effect of either recombinant human relaxin or type I oral collagen in dcSSc. Both trials used MRSS as the primary outcome measure. We used a change of >10 mm (on a 0–100 VAS) in the patient global assessment (PGA) as the clinically important improvement. We calculated the mean change and the effect size (ES) for each individual body site used in the total MRSS for each study. Magnitude of ES was assessed using Cohen’s rule of thumb for ES. Results. In the relaxin and collagen studies, 71 of 199 patients (36%) and 54 of 129 (42%) of patients had an improvement >10 mm on the PGA at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Total MRSS had large ES in both studies (0.85–0.98); the chest, forearms and hands had moderate ES (0.50–0.74); and the lower extremities, face, abdomen and fingers had small ES (0.16–0.49). Conclusion. Certain body sites (hands, forearms and chest) are more sensitive to change compared with other body sites in two randomized clinical trials. It remains to be seen whether decreasing the number of body sites by exclusion of relatively static areas would further increase the sensitivity to change over time of the total MRSS.
Chemical Composition and Yield of Cornish Game Hens and Broilers

Abstract Chemical composition and yield data were compared for male and female chicken carcasses classed as Cornish game hens and broilers. The Cornish game hens ranged in weight from 501.6 g to 647.5 g depending on the sex of the individual. The broilers averaged 1010 g for the females and 1130 g for the males. Light meat was higher in moisture and protein content, whereas, dark meat was higher in percent fat and ash. As the percent moisture and protein increased, fat percentage decreased in the light meat. Fat content of the meat was the most variable component studied. Females yielded a higher percentage of light meat, and males produced a larger percentage of dark meat.
Those Responsible for Approving Research Studies Have Poor Knowledge of Research Study Design: a Knowledge Assessment of Institutional Review Board Members.

Background: Institutional Review Board (IRB) members have a duty to protect the integrity of the research process, but little is known about their basic knowledge of clinical research study designs. Methods: A nationwide sample of IRB members from major US research universities completed a web-based questionnaire consisting of 11 questions focusing on basic knowledge about clinical research study designs. It included questions about randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and other observational research study designs. Potential predictors (age, gender, educational attainment, type of IRB, current IRB membership, years of IRB service, clinical research experience, and self-identification as a scientist) of incorrect answers were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: 148 individuals from 36 universities participated. The majority of participants, 68.9% (102/148), were holding a medical or doctoral degree. Overall, only 26.5% (39/148) of participants achieved a perfect score of 11. On the six-question subset addressing RCTs, 46.6% (69/148) had a perfect score. Most individual questions, and the summary model of overall quiz score (perfect vs. not perfect), revealed no significant predictors – indicating that knowledge deficits were not limited to specific subgroups of IRB members. For the RCT knowledge score there was one significant predictor: compared with MDs, IRB members without a doctoral degree were three times as likely to answer at least one RCT question incorrectly (Odds Ratio: 3.00, 95% CI 1.10-8.20). However, even among MD IRB members, 34.1% (14/41) did not achieve a perfect score on the six RCT questions. Conclusions: This first nationwide study of IRB member knowledge about clinical research study designs found significant knowledge deficits. Knowledge deficits were not limited to laypersons or community advocate members of IRBs, as previously suggested. Akin to widespread ethical training requirements for clinical researchers, IRB members should undergo systematic training on clinical research designs.
Performance on a strategy set shifting task during adolescence in a genetic model of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Methylphenidate vs. atomoxetine treatments

Research examining medication effects on set shifting in teens with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is lacking. An animal model of ADHD may be useful for exploring this gap. The spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is a commonly used animal model of ADHD. SHR and two comparator strains, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar (WIS), were evaluated during adolescence in a strategy set shifting task under conditions of a 0s or 15s delay to reinforcer delivery. The task had three phases: initial discrimination, set shift and reversal learning. Under 0s delays, SHR performed as well as or better than WKY and WIS. Treatment with 0.3mg/kg/day atomoxetine had little effect, other than to modestly increase trials to criterion during set shifting in all strains. Under 15s delays, SHR had longer lever press reaction times, longer latencies to criterion and more trial omissions than WKY during set shifting and reversal learning. These deficits were not reduced systematically by 1.5mg/kg/day methylphenidate or 0.3mg/kg/day atomoxetine. Regarding learning in SHR, methylphenidate improved initial discrimination, whereas atomoxetine improved set shifting but disrupted initial discrimination. During reversal learning, both drugs were ineffective in SHR, and atomoxetine made reaction time and trial omissions greater in WKY. Overall, WIS performance differed from SHR or WKY, depending on phase. Collectively, a genetic model of ADHD in adolescent rats revealed that neither methylphenidate nor atomoxetine mitigated all deficits in SHR during the set shifting task. Thus, methylphenidate or atomoxetine monotherapy may not mitigate all set shift task-related deficits in teens with ADHD.
Electronic Landing Aids for Carrier Aircraft

With no comparable change in landing areas, the landing speed of carrier aircraft has approximately doubled over the past 15 years. For this and other reasons the carrier landing procedure has become a very difficult task for which the aid of automatic electronic devices is sorely needed. Such systems would also greatly improve the continuity of flight operations through periods of poor visibility. A brief background of the problem is presented. The most recently developed fully automatic landing system consists of a three-coordinate tracking radar which provides closed-loop control through a ground-based computer, a ground-to-air data link and an autopilot in the aircraft. Recent successful sea trials indicate that the characteristics of this system are sufficiently accurate to provide a practical solution for the carrier landing problem.
Model-based decoding metrics for content identification

In this paper, decoding metrics are designed for statistical fingerprint-based content identification. A fairly general class of structured codes is considered, and a statistical model for the resulting fingerprints and their degraded versions (following miscellaneous content distortions) is proposed and validated. The Maximum-Likelihood fingerprint decoder derived from this model is shown to considerably improve upon previous decoders based on the Hamming metric. A GLRT test is also proposed and evaluated to deal with unknown distortion channels.
Photonically-assisted RF signal processing

Phase modulation and dispersive filters are key to optical time-frequency signal processing. Novel optical implementations will be discussed along with applications including time scaling, waveform complex spectrum measurement and optical wavelet processing.
Xenophobia in Schools

Current waves of violence against immigrants are part of a long tradition in the United States. Xenophobia, or “hostility to the Other” (Gellner 1995, 6), is inextricably linked with dominant cultu...
A sudden-release bristle model that exhibits hysteresis and stick-slip friction

In this paper we introduce a bristle model for stick-slip friction. The friction force of the bristle model is generated by frictionless contact between a body and an infinite row of bristles. Each bristle is attached to the ground through a torsional spring so that, as the body moves, the bristles pivot and counteract its motion. We show that the bristle model exhibits stick-slip motion similar to that of the LuGre model. We then form a hybrid model by combining the LuGre and bristle models.
Minimizing user interaction in energy management systems: task adaptive visualization

Task adaptive visualization (TAV) is a mechanism that improves the user interface (UI) of the energy management system (EMS) through which an operator controls the power system. In the present UI, the information required to perform a task is often scattered throughout the EMS. Operators must look in many places for information which requires UI manipulation. This paper develops the concept of TAV as a technique to reduce UI manipulation. TAV centers the display of information around the task being performed. It uses visualization (the use of graphics to display numbers) as the basis to display information. It adapts to user information needs and builds displays on the fly. It can assemble all the information relevant to the task being performed in one place, thus reducing user manipulation to the minimum necessary to access the data and controls required to perform a given task.
Factors Associated with Employment Success Among Youths with Learning Disabilities

This follow-up study examines the employment success of young adults with learning and other mild disabilities. The study questioned the employee with disabilities, his or her parents, and the employer on a number of vocationally related items. A four-factor model is advanced to explain job success. The factors include job match and accommodation, social acceptance, work attitude, and special services. Participants in a total of 41 job situations were queried with 38 completed triads (employee with mild disability, employer, family). The method of constant comparative analysis was used to analyze the data. Although an aggregate of the four factors correlated significantly (p less than .01), job match proved to have the most significant (p less than .01) relationship with the outcome variable. The results are interpreted in light of the need to deliver and understand the types of supported employment services for adults with mild disabilities.
Photorefractive polymers sensitized by two-photon absorption

We demonstrate the recording of holograms and their nondestructive readout in a photorefractive polymer, using two-photon absorption. Sensitivity is provided by the excitation of the electroactive chromophore with femtosecond pulses, followed by charge injection into the photoconducting poly(N-vinylcarbazole) matrix. The holograms can be fully erased with a pulsed laser source but are insensitive to cw laser beams with the same wavelength. Studies of the field and intensity dependence of the diffraction efficiency indicate that the holograms are formed through the photorefractive effect.