cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing patient compliance with health recommendations

Abstract Social learning theory and the Health Belief Model are used to explain compliant behavior as it relates to health recommendations and to suggest methods for enhancing compliance by modifying the health care setting, influencing the provider, and influencing the patient. The problem of relapse is considered and suggestions are provided for maintaining healthful practices for extended periods of time.
Carnitine protection against adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats

The effects of chronic adriamycin toxicity on myocardial carnitine content and contractile function were studied in rats, along with potential protective effects of L-carnitine administration. Cardiomyopathy was induced over a 6- to 7-week period by weekly intravenous injections of adriamycin, 2 mg/kg. In vivo myocardial tissue levels of carnitine were not significantly changed by adriamycin, but plasma levels were elevated. Cardiac output was depressed in isolated perfused hearts from adriamycin-treated rats perfused with 11 mM glucose. In a second experiment, 4-week-old male rats were divided into four groups: saline-treated control, L-carnitine-treated control, saline-treated adriamycin, and L-carnitine-treated adriamycin. L-Carnitine was given intraperitoneally each day at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Myocardial histology and ultrastructure were analyzed. Cardiac performance was determined in hearts perfused with 1.2 mM palmitate and 5.5 mM glucose. Hearts from saline-treated adriamycin rats showed histopathological changes and a significantly diminished cardiac output at various preloads when compared to saline-treated controls. Daily intraperitoneal L-carnitine reduced histopathological alterations and improved cardiac performance.
Public Libraries and Networked Information Services in Low-Income Communities

This article presents findings from an empirical study of community information exchange and computer access and use among low-income, predominantly African-American residents in one locale. Data were collected through household interviews, focus groups, and surveys. Results indicate that, while computer use is minimal, many low-income community members are poised to participate in the local development of networked information services. The article emphasizes appropriate roles for public libraries in community-wide efforts to bridge the digital divide that cuts computer use along socioeconomic lines.
Periodic limb movement in sleep in children with Williams syndrome

Objective: Williams syndrome (WS) is associated with neurobehavioral abnormalities that include irritability and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Parents often report children having difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep because of restlessness and arousals. Therefore we evaluated a group of children with WS for the presence of a movement arousal sleep disorder. Methods: Twenty-eight families of children with WS participated in a telephone survey aimed to screen for a movement arousal disorder. Of the 16 children identified as having such a disorder, 7 (mean age, 3.9 ± 2.2 years) underwent polysomnography. Their studies were compared with those of 10 matched control subjects (mean age, 5.3 ± 2.0 years). Results: The 7 subjects with WS who were screened by the survey had sleep latency, total sleep time, arousals, and awakenings that were similar to those of control subjects. However, they presented with a disorder of periodic limb movement in sleep (PLMS). The PLMS index in the subjects with WS was 14.9 ± 6.2 versus 2.8 ± 1.9 in control subjects (P < .0001). In addition, arousal and awakening in subjects with WS were strongly associated with PLMS. Moreover, children with WS spend more time awake during sleep periods than control subjects (10.0% ± 7.0% vs 4.4% ± 4.7%; P < .05). Five children were treated with clonazepam, and in 4 a significant clinical response was noted. Conclusion: We report an association between WS and PLMS. Clonazepam may reduce the clinical symptoms of PLMS in some of these children. (J Pediatr 1998;133:670-4)
Is Facebook creating iDisorders? The link between clinical symptoms of psychiatric disorders and technology use, attitudes and anxiety

This study systematically tested whether the use of specific technologies or media (including certain types of Facebook use), technology-related anxieties, and technology-related attitudes (including multitasking preference) would predict clinical symptoms of six personality disorders (schizoid, narcissistic, antisocial, compulsive, paranoid and histrionic) and three mood disorders (major depression, dysthymia and bipolar-mania). In addition, the study examined the unique contributions of technology uses after factoring out demographics, anxiety and attitudes. Teens, young adults and adults (N=1143) completed an anonymous, online questionnaire that assessed these variables. Each disorder had a unique set of predictors with 17 of the 22 significant predictors being Facebook general use, impression management and friendship. More Facebook friends predicted more clinical symptoms of bipolar-mania, narcissism and histrionic personality disorder but fewer symptoms of dysthymia and schizoid personality disorder. Technology-related attitudes and anxieties significantly predicted clinical symptoms of the disorders. After factoring out attitudes and anxiety, Facebook and selected technology uses predicted clinical symptoms with Facebook use, impression management and friendship being the best predictors. The results showed both positive and negative aspects of technology including social media as well as apparently detrimental effects of a preference for multitasking.
Organizational Strategies in the Building Industry and the Reaction of the Architectural Profession

This paper reports on the first step of a study, the objective of which is to investigate the instrumentality of retaining the traditions of the architectural profession in the light of findings in the fields of sociology, psychology and organizational behaviour. Having determined that the long-standing rigidly sequential form of project organization known as “the system” is increasingly less able to enhance either the ability or the motivation of architects in building design, four alternative organizational strategies are reviewed and their application in the building industry studied with special reference to the design/construction interface. The reaction of the architectural profession to the project organizations resulting from the application of each of these strategies is monitored and it is concluded that the cornerstone of the professional tradition—the role of the architect as agent of the building entrepreneur—may no longer be an appropriate means for enhancing the quality of building design.
Sex Differences in Response to Differing Patterns of Attack

The present study assessed the response of both male and female subjects to punitive, passive, and matching patterns of attack in a Taylor (1967) reaction time task. White noise rather than electric shock served as the instigator, and standar dized noise levels were used. A punitive approach led to strong retaliation by subjects of both sexes, with males administering higher overall levels of punishment than females. These results call into question the prevalent stereotype of female passivity and suggest that previous findings are not limited to a single aggressive modality.
Blocklike Fluorocarbon and Hydrocarbon Copolymer Films via Surface-Initiated ATRP and Postpolymerization Reactions

We report a new method to prepare ultrathin blocklike copolymer films on metal surfaces with molecularly optimized surface and barrier properties. Copolymer films containing various fluorocarbon and/or hydrocarbon side chains were created by a one-step surface-initiated polymerization of poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) followed by straightforward derivatization steps. Exposure of PHEMA to perfluorobenzoyl chloride results in a perfluoroaryl-modified PHEMA film that exhibits high conversion and outstanding barrier properties but does not present an oleophobic surface. We have previously demonstrated that fluorinated esters created in this manner may be hydrolyzed back to PHEMA by brief exposure to base. Controlled hydrolysis results in regeneration of PHEMA in the outer surface region that can be subsequently rederivatized with alkyl or fluoroalkyl acid chlorides to create copolymer films with tailored surface composition. Surface properties are solely affected by the species used during rederivati...
Field bean leaf area development and seed yield as affected by phosphorus application on a Typic Tropudult in Panama

Abstract A long‐term P experiment is currently being conducted on a Typic Tropudult in Panama to study plant growth and yield response of a sequence of crops, with differential external P requirements, to initial applications of fertilizer P at rates of 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 kg P/ha. The response of field beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). the first crop in this sequence, to P fertilization is reported in this paper. Both plant growth and seed yield were greatly increased with P fertilization. Leaf area attained maximum expansion at 50 kg P/ha, whereas seed yield response was evident up to 100 kg P/ha. Neither leaf area production nor yields significantly responded to additional P rates above 100 kg/ha. Assessment of the external P requirement for beans indicated this crop could attain approximately 80% of maximum yields at a level of 12 mg/kg of extractable P (0.5M NaHCO3 + EDTA).
Why can managers time the market in issuing new equity? The global evidence

Abstract Recent studies find that aggregate equity issues predict market returns in the U.S. market. In this research, I examine whether such predictive effect exists in the global stock market. I use an aggregate approach across 41 countries with diverse legal regimes. The results confirm the presence of predictability of aggregate equity issues in the global market. In addition to aggregate equity shares, the annual frequency of equity issues also appears to be a strong predictor of market stock returns. Furthermore, I find that the predictive power is related to the level of information asymmetry in a country due to cross country differences in legal protections and accounting disclosure standards.
An extension of the theory of resonances of biological cells: II. Cross-section in a plane wave

The scattering and absorption cross-sections for the resonant modes of biological cells in plane waves are computed. These are both so many orders of magnitude smaller than the physical cross-section that the scattering or absorption by a suspension of cells in a plane wave should be negligible.
Early detection of prostate cancer: AUA Guideline

Purpose: The guideline purpose is to provide the urologist with a framework for the early detection of prostate cancer in asymptomatic average risk men.Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted and summarized evidence derived from over 300 studies that addressed the predefined outcomes of interest (prostate cancer incidence/mortality, quality of life, diagnostic accuracy and harms of testing). In addition to the quality of evidence, the panel considered values and preferences expressed in a clinical setting (patient-physician dyad) rather than having a public health perspective. Guideline statements were organized by age group in years (age <40; 40 to 54; 55 to 69; ≥70).Results: Except prostate specific antigen-based prostate cancer screening, there was minimal evidence to assess the outcomes of interest for other tests. The quality of evidence for the benefits of screening was moderate, and evidence for harm was high for men age 55 to 69 years. For men outside this age range, evidence was ...
Introductory Circuit Analysis Learning From Abstract and Contextualized Circuit Representations: Effects of Diagram Labels

Novice learners are typically unfamiliar with abstract engineering symbols. They are also often unaccustomed to instructional materials consisting of a combination of text, diagrams, and equations. This raises the question of whether instruction on elementary electrical circuit analysis for novice learners should employ contextualized representations of the circuits with familiar components, such as batteries, or employ abstract representations with the abstract engineering terms and symbols. A further question is if text labels in the circuit diagrams would aid these learners. This study examined these research questions with a “2$\, \times \,$3” experimental design, in which the two forms of representation (abstract or contextualized) were considered under three types of diagram labeling (no labels, static labels, or interactive labels). The design was implemented in an instructional module on elementary circuit analysis for novice learners. Results indicated that abstract representations led to higher near- and far-transfer post-test scores, and that interactive (student-generated) labeling resulted in higher near-transfer scores than either the no-labels or static-labels conditions. These findings suggest that abstract representations promote the development of deep, transferrable knowledge and that generative methods of integration, such as interactive diagram labeling, can facilitate learning with multiple external representations.
Vibrating Quartz Crystal Studies of Wall-Film Superfluidity in Liquid 3He/4He Mixtures Near the Tricritical Concentration

We are using a thin quartz crystal immersed in the liquid, vibrating in shear modes at 24.8 and 94.0 MHz, to investigate the onset and growth of superfluidity in a thin film at the crystal surface in liquid 3He/4He mixtures having 3He mole fractions x near the tricritical value x=0.675. A parallel-plate capacitor in the cell monitors the phase-separation transition. Preliminary measurements of frequency shifts at x=0. 644 and x=0.705 show a relatively abrupt onset of wall-film superfluidity in the bulk normal region of the phase diagram at temperatures in good agreement with earlier studies of wall-film superfluidity by other methods.
The acquisition and retention of Job-specific Spanish vocabulary by English-speaking law enforcement officers

In the United States, law enforcement officers may need to communicate with suspects or witnesses who are not native speakers of English. We assessed the effectiveness of the Officer Safety and Communication Spanish, Level I course (Alentado, 1995), a three-day workshop designed specifically for law enforcement personnel. Both role-play performance and perceived ability of the officers to use Spanish at work increased as a result of participation, and effectiveness did not decrease significantly six months after the course. Assessment of the effectiveness of study aids was inconclusive. Job-specific short courses in a second language can be effective for teaching limited language skills.
A gaze contingent environment for fostering social attention in autistic children

This paper documents the engineering of a gaze contingent therapeutic environment for the exploration and validation of a proposed rehabilitative technique addressing attention deficits in 24 to 54 months old autistic subjects. It discusses the current state of progress and lessons learnt so far while highlighting the outstanding engineering challenges of this project. We focus on calibration issues for this target group of users, explain the architecture of the system and present our general workflow for the construction of the gaze contingent environment. While this work is being undertaken for therapeutic purposes, it is likely to be relevant to the construction of gaze contingent displays for entertainment.
The use of nonparametric statistics in quantitative electron microscopy.

Abstract Parametric statistical methods assume samples that have a normal distribution and representative sample sizes (i.e. n >20). Quantitative electron microscopy is inherently restricted to small sample sizes and a priori there is no way to know if the expression of the ligand being studied has a normal distribution. Thus to make statistical inferences based on data generated by quantitative electron microscopy using parametric methods may not be justified. Nonparametric statistical methods offer a tool for the evaluation of data that do not meet the criteria for analysis by parametric methods. In this report I show the utility of using nonparametric statistical methods for the analysis of data generated by quantitative electron microscopy.
Challenges and opportunities for linking the modeling of forest vegetation dynamics with landscape planning models

Landscape planning and analysis, landscape simulations, and landscape projections all seek to either evaluate the current or past condition of a landscape or project future conditions. The level of spatial and computational resolution chosen should be carefully considered because it will restrict or empower future developments in large-scale, integrated landscape planning projects. In this paper, the basic challenges and opportunities associated with using forest vegetation growth and yield models and databases in large-scale, long-term forest landscape simulation projects are outlined. We pose several questions that integrated landscape modeling teams should consider when evaluating whether to use forest growth and yield data in landscape planning efforts. When managers and other professionals involved in landscape planning efforts are prepared for the challenges and opportunities inherent in modeling forest vegetation dynamics, they may then be positioned to implement a fast and smooth modeling process.
Oxidation of CS2 and COS - sources for atmospheric SO2

The oxidation of COS and CS2 by reaction with hydroxyl radicals is investigated as a possible source of atmospheric SO2 in remote marine regions. Calculations of the vertical profiles of SO2 were performed based on a one-dimensional photochemical model of the formation and destruction of SO2 by various processes for observed O3, CO, CH4 and H2O profiles at 15 deg S. Variations in the rate of SO2 destruction, the chosen deposition velocity and the loss due to aerosols are shown to lead to similar SO2 profiles, which indicate higher mixing ratios at high altitude, while the oxidation of dimethyl sulfide or hydrogen sulfide can not account for the profiles observed. Possible diffuse sources of CS2 and COS are indicated, and it is concluded that the oxidation of COS and possibly CS2 may provide an explanation for the existence of a uniform background level of SO2.
Timeliness of Care

The treatment of patients with colon and rectal cancer frequently involves multiple disciplines of medicine, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Timely treatment is widely accepted as a cornerstone of quality of care, with the goal of arresting progression of disease and alleviating patient anxiety. Existing research, however, has had difficulties with characterizing the relationship between delays in treatment and short- or long-term outcomes. In this review we examine reasons for this and propose that, despite these difficulties, timely treatment is an appropriate target for efforts in quality assessment and quality improvement.
Taking entity reconciliation offline

Entity reconciliation---linking names or terms to identifiers in external datasets---is a popular method of adding standardized structured data to loosely structured documents. Most approaches to entity reconciliation rely on remote web services, requiring network access during the reconciliation process. For use cases that rely on a "human in the loop" (reconciling entities during the authoring process), this requirement may be a problem. To address this problem, we investigated the feasibility of offline entity reconciliation against the Virtual International Authority File. Offline entity reconciliation was implemented by taking advantage of newly standardized browser storage interfaces to store and query parts of this large dataset locally. We present the results of this investigation and our comparison of the performance, scalability, ease of implementation, and cross-browser compatibility of the various options for storing entity data locally.
Painlevé equations and the inverse scattering and inverse monodromy transforms

The connection of the classical Painleve equations with certain nonlinear evolution equations, special solutions, and linearization procedures via the Inverse Scattering and Inverse Monodromy Transform is discussed.
Rapid and sensitive approach to simultaneous detection of genomes of hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses

Abstract Background Five viruses have been etiologically associated with viral hepatitis. Nucleic acid testing (NAT) remains the gold standard for diagnosis of viremic stages of infection. NAT methodologies have been developed for all hepatitis viruses; however, a NAT-based assay that can simultaneously detect all five viruses is not available. Objectives We designed TaqMan card-based assays for detection of HAV RNA, HBV DNA, HCV RNA, HDV RNA and HEV RNA. Study design The performances of individual assays were evaluated on TaqMan Array Cards (TAC) for detecting five viral genomes simultaneously. Sensitivity and specificity were determined by testing 329 NAT-tested clinical specimens. Results All NAT-positive samples for HCV (n = 32), HDV (n = 28) and HEV (n = 14) were also found positive in TAC (sensitivity, 100%). Forty-three of 46 HAV-NAT positive samples were also positive in TAC (sensitivity, 94%), while 36 of 39 HBV-NAT positive samples were positive (sensitivity, 92%). No false-positives were detected for HBV (n = 32), HCV (n = 36), HDV (n = 30), and HEV (n = 31) NAT-negative samples (specificity 100%), while 38 of 41 HAV-NAT negative samples were negative by TAC (specificity 93%). Conclusions TAC assay was concordant with corresponding individual NATs for hepatitis A–E viral genomes and can be used for their detection simultaneously. The TAC assay has potential for use in hepatitis surveillance, for screening of donor specimens and in outbreak situations. Wider availability of TAC-ready assays may allow for customized assays, for improving acute jaundice surveillance and for other purposes for which there is need to identify multiple pathogens rapidly.
Hepatitis B Virus Infection: Epidemiology and Vaccination

Worldwide, two billion people have been infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), 360 million have chronic infection, and 600,000 die each year from HBV-related liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma. This comprehensive review of hepatitis B epidemiology and vaccines focuses on definitive and influential studies and highlights current trends, policies, and directions. HBV can be transmitted vertically, through sexual or household contact, or by unsafe injections, but chronic infections acquired during infancy or childhood account for a disproportionately large share of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Vaccination against HBV infection can be started at birth and provides long-term protection against infection in more than 90% of healthy people. In the 1990s, many industrialized countries and a few less-developed countries implemented universal hepatitis B immunization and experienced measurable reductions in HBV-related disease. For example, in Taiwan, the prevalence of chronic infection in children declined by more than 90%. Many resource-poor nations have recently initiated universal hepatitis B immunization programs with assistance from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization. Further progress towards the elimination of HBV transmission will require sustainable vaccination programs with improved vaccination coverage, practical methods of measuring the impact of vaccination programs, and targeted vaccination efforts for communities at high risk of infection.
Precision evaluation of modular multiscale robots for peg-in-hole microassembly tasks

The design of a robotic manipulator, including the type of joints, actuators, and other geometric parameters significantly affects its precision (or positioning uncertainty) at the end-effector. Furthermore, sensor and actuator resolution and choice of control scheme will also contribute to the manipulator's precision. Modeling and simulation of these uncertainties can provide useful insight and serve as design guidelines for precision manipulators used in micro and nanomanufacturing. Of particular interest are assembly scenarios where the tolerance budgets are stringent and precision requirements are high, but there is little space for extensive sensor feedback due to a small work volume. In this paper, we investigate the effect of parametric uncertainties in a serial robot chain composed of prismatic or rotary “modules” on the overall positioning uncertainty at the end-effector. Two types of errors are considered: static errors due to misalignment and link parameter uncertainties, and dynamic errors due to inaccurate motion of individual links. Using common uncertainty metrics, we compare the precision of six different robot kinematic chain configurations and select the best suited ones for a generic Peg-in-Hole microassembly task.
Serotonin and aggression: insights gained from a lobster model system and speculations on the role of amine neurons in a complex behavior

The amine serotonin has been suggested to play a key role in aggression in many species of animals, including man. Precisely how the amine functions, however, has remained a mystery. As with other important physiological questions, with their large uniquely identifiable neurons, invertebrate systems offer special advantages for the study of behavior. In this article we illustrate that principal with a description of our studies of the role of serotonin in aggression in a lobster model system. Aggression is a quantifiable behavior in crustaceans, the amine neuron systems believed to be important in that behavior have been completely mapped, and key physiological properties of an important subset of these neurons have been defined. These results are summarized here, including descriptions of the “gain-setter” role and “autoinhibition” shown by these neurons. Results of other investigations showing socially modulated changes in amine responsiveness at particular synaptic sites also are described. In addition, speculations are offered about how important developmental roles served by amines like serotonin, which have been well described by other investigators, may be related to the behaviors we are examining. These speculations draw heavily from the organizational/activational roles proposed for steroid hormones by Phoenix et al. (1959).
Dynamic Test Set Selection Using Implication-Based On-Chip Diagnosis

We propose using logic implications as a source of online diagnostic data for on-chip test set selection by taking advantage of their ability to automatically identify a restricted set of faults as the potential cause of an observed error. This information will be used to dynamically choose a test set to detect systematic latent defects or wear out in a multi core system.
Intraseasonal Variability in the Indo–Pacific Throughflow and the Regions Surrounding the Indonesian Seas

Intraseasonal oscillations in sea level, sea surface temperature, and upper ocean flow field have recently been observed in various locations surrounding the Indonesian seas. While the observed oscillations at these locations have similar wave periods ranging from 30 to 85 days, their forcing mechanisms can involve different dynamic processes. In order to clarify the dynamic processes essential for the observed intraseasonal signals, the authors adopted in this study a fine-resolution 1‰-layer reduced-gravity model and carried out a series of model experiments by varying coastline geometry and surface wind forcing. From these carefully designed experiments, they show that the intense 50-day oscillations observed at the entrance of Celebes Sea are a result of Rossby wave resonance in which the frequency of cyclonic eddy shedding by the retroflecting Mindanao Current matches that of the gravest Rossby mode of the semi-enclosed Celebes Sea basin. These 50-day oscillations of the Celebes Sea have a large impact on the throughflow in the Makassar Strait and Banda Sea, but do not contribute significantly to the throughflow changes in the Lombok, Ombai, and Timor Straits. The observed intraseasonal signals along the Sumatra/Java coasts in the eastern Indian Ocean are dominated by oscillations with wave periods of 50 and 85 days. The origin of these wave signals can be traced back to the central equatorial Indian Ocean where the surface zonal wind fluctuates intraseasonally with the same wave periods. The remotely induced coastal Kelvin waves along the Sumatra/Java coasts strongly influence the Lombok Strait, but exert no direct influence upon the Ombai and Timor Straits farther to the east; the gap of the Lombok Strait is found to conduit the Kelvin wave signals effectively into the Makassar Strait and the Banda Sea. The intraseasonal signals observed in the Timor Passage have a dominant wave period of 30‐35 days. The model simulation further suggests the presence of a second spectral peak around 85 days. Both of these intraseasonal signals are attributable to the local, along-archipelago wind near the Timor Passage.
Genus-Zero Shape Classification Using Spherical Normal Image

A new method for three dimensional (3D) genus-zero shape classification is proposed. It conformally maps a 3D mesh onto a unit sphere and uses normal vectors to generate a spherical normal image (SNI). Unlike extended Gaussian images which have an ambiguity problem, the SNI is unique for each shape. Spherical harmonics coefficients of SNIs are used as feature vectors and a self-organizing map is adopted to explore the structure of a shape model database. Since the method compares only the SNIs of different objects, it is computationally more efficient than the methods which compare multiple 2D views of 3D objects. The experimental results show that the proposed method can discriminate collected 3D shapes very well, and is robust to mesh resolution and pose difference.
In Vivo Evolution of an RNA-Based Transcriptional Silencing Domain in S. cerevisiae

Starting from a random RNA library expressed in yeast cells, we evolved an RNA-based transcriptional silencing domain with potency comparable to that observed when Sir1, a known silencing protein, is localized to a promoter. Using secondary-structure predictions and site-directed mutagenesis, we dissected the functional domains of the most active evolved RNA transcriptional silencer. Observed RNA-based silencing was general, rather than gene specific, and the origin recognition complex was required for full activity of the evolved RNA. Using genetic studies, we demonstrated that the RNA-based silencer acts through a Sir protein-dependent mechanism. Our results highlight the value of evolving RNA libraries as probes of biological processes and suggest the possible existence of natural RNA-based, RNAi-independent gene silencers.
Dynamical instability of cardiac action potentials: cause and effect

An eigenmode method is used to develop insight into the mechanism behind alternans, memory, and conserved and nearly-conserved quantities in small cardiac preparations undergoing constant pacing. The time course of the right eigenmodes of perturbations about the steady state determine the process by which alternans and memory are produced. The left eigenvalues define the conservation and near-conservation laws. Matrix "cleaning" techniques further clarify the stability of action potentials during constant pacing.
Kindergarten screening: A survey of current practice

This study investigated current practices for screening new entrants to schools. A mail survey was conducted of 755 public- and private-school districts in New York State to ascertain the procedures and instruments used to conduct kindergarten screening. Fifty-one percent (385) of the districts responded. Thirty percent of the districts reported that they used locally developed screening instruments. The most widely used standardized instruments were the Developmental Indicators for the Assessment of Learning (DIAL-R) (Mardell-Czudnowski & Goldenberg, 1990), and the Brigance K & 1 Screen (Brigance, 1992). The great majority of respondents (95%) reported that screening is conducted on an individual basis, and in 45% of the districts, professionals spend more than 30 minutes in screening procedures with each child. On average, 3.58 different educational professionals in each district participate in screening procedures. About half of the districts reported that children identified as “unready” on the basis of screening procedures were referred for further evaluation; 19% of the districts advised parents to delay school entry for an additional year. Most districts (69%) reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with current district practice. Implications for practitioners are discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Intersection Between Aging and Cardiovascular Disease

The average lifespan of humans is increasing, and with it the percentage of people entering the 65 and older age group is growing rapidly and will continue to do so in the next 20 years. Within this age group, cardiovascular disease will remain the leading cause of death, and the cost associated with treatment will continue to increase. Aging is an inevitable part of life and unfortunately poses the largest risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although numerous studies in the cardiovascular field have considered both young and aged humans, there are still many unanswered questions as to how the genetic pathways that regulate aging in model organisms influence cardiovascular aging. Likewise, in the molecular biology of aging field, few studies fully assess the role of these aging pathways in cardiovascular health. Fortunately, this gap is beginning to close, and these two fields are merging together. We provide an overview of some of the key genes involved in regulating lifespan and health span, including sirtuins, AMP-activated protein kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 and their roles regulating cardiovascular health. We then discuss a series of review articles that will appear in succession and provide a more comprehensive analysis of studies carried out linking genes of aging and cardiovascular health, and perspectives of future directions of these two intimately linked fields.
Validation of an instrument to measure dental students' use of, knowledge about, and attitudes towards computers

Currently, no validated survey instrument exists to measure dental students' use of, knowledge about, and attitudes towards computers. Several studies have surveyed students about their knowledge and opinions regarding computers, but none of them has established the reliability and validity of the instrument(s) used. A measurement study to validate a preliminary survey for dental students was conducted. The preliminary instrument contained five scales: computer use, information resource use, computer knowledge, capabilities of computer systems, and effects of computers on dental practice. Selected variables were summarized descriptively, and a factor analysis for each scale was performed. In addition, construct validity was assessed through correlational analyses among several variables. Three hundred seventy surveys distributed to students at nine dental schools generated 156 responses (42 percent response rate). Sixty-four percent of respondents were male, 36 percent female. Respondents used computers an average approximately four hours per week, and most had begun using computers in 1991. All survey scales except computer use were unidimensional. Computer use required a two-factor solution that distinguished between clinical and nonclinical uses of computers. The instrument can be used for a demonstration study, but should be continuously refined and validated.
Dielectric integrity of silica-PAI nanocomposites at elevated temperature

It has been shown that in many cases, the addition of nanoscale metal oxide fillers to polymers leads to an improvement in dielectric breakdown strength at room temperature. However, in some cases electrical insulation is exposed to elevated temperatures. A thermally stable polymer material, such as polyamideimide (PAI), is desired for these applications. For this reason, breakdown strength measured at elevated temperatures is required, since this property is expected to degrade with an increase in temperature. The addition of nanoparticles has been shown to increase PAI decomposition temperature and is also expected to mitigate the effect of increased temperature on dielectric properties. In this paper, AC and DC breakdown strength of PAI and nanosilica filled PAI are reported at room temperature and elevated temperatures. (200–340°C) Test temperatures were well below the decomposition range of polyamideimide as measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Silica composites at all loadings (whether treated or untreated) were shown to have a higher AC and DC breakdown strength at elevated temperatures than unfilled material. Dielectric spectroscopy results are also presented.
Detection of Adsorbed Water and Hydroxyl on the Moon

Data from the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) on Cassini during its flyby of the Moon in 1999 show a broad absorption at 3 micrometers due to adsorbed water and near 2.8 micrometers attributed to hydroxyl in the sunlit surface on the Moon. The amounts of water indicated in the spectra depend on the type of mixing and the grain sizes in the rocks and soils but could be 10 to 1000 parts per million and locally higher. Water in the polar regions may be water that has migrated to the colder environments there. Trace hydroxyl is observed in the anorthositic highlands at lower latitudes.
Effect of Feed Pellet Characteristics on Growth and Feed Conversion Efficiency of Largemouth Bass Raised in Ponds

AbstractWe investigated the growth, survival, and feed conversion of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides fed one of two sizes of floating pellets or a sinking pellet for 151 d in 0.04-ha ponds. The floating and sinking pellets were made from almost identical formulas. The fish were fed once daily to apparent satiation based on observed feeding activity. There was no significant difference in survival, growth, or feed conversion of fish fed the larger floating pellet versus those fed the standard-size floating pellet or sinking pellet. Fish fed the sinking pellet were significantly larger at harvest than fish fed either size of floating pellet. The efficiency of feed utilization was not decreased with the sinking pellet. These results indicate the Largemouth Bass accept and utilize sinking pellets well. However, their use on commercial scale farms would probably require some management modifications.Received May 5, 2014; accepted August 25, 2014
Three-dimensional tertiary motions in a plane shear layer

The nonlinear evolution of instabilities of a plane-parallel shear flow with an inflection-point profile is studied. The particular example of the cubic-profile flow generated in an inclined layer heated from above and cooled from below is chosen because it exhibits supercritical bifurcations for secondary and tertiary flows. Since the limit of small Prandtl number is assumed, buoyancy effects caused by temperature perturbations are negligible. The analysis describes first the transition to transverse roll-like vortices which become unstable at slightly supercritical Grashof numbers to a vortex-pairing instability with alternating pairing in the spanwise direction. Three-dimensional finite-amplitude solutions for this tertiary mode of motion are computed and discussed. Finally the question of the stability of the tertiary flow is addressed.
Improved Non-Equilibrium Film Method for the Design of High-Temperature-Glide, Mini- and Microchannel Condensers

High-temperature-glide (i.e., large difference in dew and bubble point temperature) zeotropic mixtures such as ammonia/water have the potential to improve efficiency as new working fluids in advanced energy cycles for heating, cooling and power. Furthermore, the high heat capacity of ammonia/water mixtures makes them particularly attractive for use in compact mini- and microchannel devices. The non-isothermal condensation process of zeotropic mixtures leads to coupled heat and mass transfer resistances in each phase, which are not accounted for by single-component in-tube condensation modeling and correlation techniques. Previous attempts to design zeotropic condensers have relied on use of non-equilibrium film theory or mixture resistance correction factors. The film theory models have been developed with many simplifying assumptions including annular flow, negligible condensate and vapor sensible heat loads, and/or laminar condensate film, while the correction factor approaches do not directly consider mass transfer resistances. In the present study of high-temperature-glide mixtures in small channels, these assumptions are relaxed, and a new design method for mini- and microchannel zeotropic condensers is introduced. The approach is validated with experiments conducted for a range of tube diameters (0.98 < D < 2.16 mm), mass fluxes (50 < G < 200 kg m−2 s−1) and mass fractions of ammonia (0.80 < xbulk < 0.96). The results can be used in the development of compact, highly efficient heat and mass transfer devices.© 2014 ASME
History in action: the case of Pedro de Ribadaneyra's "Historia ecclesiastica del scisma de Inglaterra"

AbstractIn 1588, Spanish Jesuit Pedro de Ribadeneyra published his Historia ecclesiastica del scisma de Inglaterra. The book was the most important polemic against England and in favour of the Armada to be published in the Spanish world. Although the book was popular and of indubitable political import, it has often been ignored. This article will suggest that while the Scisma was derivative, and although we might be tempted to classify it as mere propaganda, it is worthy of sustained attention. It, and books like it, deserve careful readings if we want to have a more textured understanding of the period's polemical battles, and a better sense of the complexities that often lay hidden just beneath the surface. This article will demonstrate that the Scisma was ‘doing’ several things. I will suggest that it was much more than anti-English propaganda, but, among other things, was meant to counsel Spaniards as well.
Abstract 4096: FAK inhibition with small molecule inhibitor Y15 decreases viability in thyroid cancer cell lines.

Introduction: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy and papillary the most common subtype. While low stage papillary carcinomas are treatable, for nonresectable tumors that do not respond to iodine, a treatment is still needed. In comparison, for advanced medullary cancer, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Vandetanib, is currently being used. Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a tyrosine kinase involved in many protein-protein interactions that control important cellular functions. FAK is upregulated in many cancer cell lines, including thyroid. It contains an autophosphorylation site Y397, which is blocked by 1,2,4,5-Benzenetetraamine tetrahydrochloride (Y15), a small molecule FAK inhibitor. We propose that this inhibitor, Y15, will decrease viability of thyroid cancer cell lines. Methods: Four human thyroid cancer cell lines were cultured in vitro. K1, BCPAP, and TPC1 were derived from papillary thyroid carcinomas, and TT was derived from a medullary thyroid carcinoma. Western blots were used to detect expression of FAK and pY397 FAK in each untreated line. These were repeated with differing concentrations of Y15 plus the Novartis FAK inhibitor TAE226 as a positive control. MTS assays of each cell line were used to measure cell viability with increasing doses of Y15. Untreated medium, DMSO, and TAE226 were used as negative and positive controls. Results: All untreated thyroid cancer cell lines expressed FAK and phosphorylated Y397 FAK on Western blotting. Increasing doses of Y15 in Western blotting decreased the expression of pY397 FAK in all cell lines. This was also associated with increased cell detachment. In MTS assays, viability was also decreased with Y15 in a dose-dependent manner across all cell lines. Significant inhibition was reached at relatively low doses: there was a 90% decrease in viability with 10μM Y15 in TPC1 cells and 5μM Y15 in TT cells. The effects were seen across all lines, but most profound in TPC1 and TT. Conclusions: Papillary thyroid cancer cell lines and medullary carcinoma cells express FAK and pY397. The FAK inhibitor Y15 causes a dose-dependent decrease of phosphorylated FAK, and this disruption decreases cell viability. Our data suggests Y15 may be an effective potential treatment for advanced papillary thyroid cancer. Citation Format: Shalana B. O9Brien, Vita M. Golubovskaya, William G. Cance. FAK inhibition with small molecule inhibitor Y15 decreases viability in thyroid cancer cell lines. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4096. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4096
Thermal Stratification Modeling Improvements for Isogrid-Lined Tanks

Payloads requiring insertion into high altitude orbits are delivered using the upper stages of chemical rockets (ex., Delta and Atlas classes) normally employing cryogenic propellants. During the transfer period between orbits, the upper stage may coast for several hours during which time the thermodynamic state of the propellants may vary due to solar heating. At the conclusion of the coast phase, and in preparation for orbital insertion of the payload, the propellants must be within a narrowly defined range of temperature and pressure for the engine to resume operation. Buoyancy-driven thermal stratification of the propellant is one of the critical mechanisms taking place during this coast phase. Traditional stratification models are based on velocity and temperature correlations developed for flow along smooth vertical walls. In contrast, actual propellant tanks may have a mass-reducing Isogrid internal surface over which the velocity and temperature profiles differ significantly from smooth-wall correlations. A preliminary study to investigate the impact of Isogrid on the boundary layer has shown that the thickness of the layer adjacent to the wall in a forced freestream flow is substantially thicker (150-700%) than the equivalent flat plate boundary layer thickness. Furthermore, the flow is highly turbulent with many recirculation zones suggesting that the classical idea of a boundary layer may not exist over such geometries.
Analysis of topographic amplification of inclined shear waves in a steep coastal bluff

Abstract The effect of inclined shear waves on the seismic response of a steep bluff is analyzed using generalized consistent transmitting boundaries. The results of the frequency-domain analysis of a stepped half-space subjected to incident shear waves inclined from 0° to 30° show that the motion at the crest of the slope is amplified for waves traveling into the slope and attenuated for waves traveling away from the slope, as compared to the motion in the free field behind the crest of the slope. This amplification can be as much as twice that observed for vertically propagating waves. A time-domain analysis of bluffs at Seacliff State Beach, California, is used to estimate the effect of topography using realistic conditions, taking into account wave inclination and site effects. The analysis of the site shows that although topographic amplification does in fact nearly double the amplitude of the motion in some cases, this amplification is offset by reduced site amplification and by wave splitting at material interfaces. Thus, the actual peak acceleration occurring at the crest of the slope changes little with incident angle as compared to the amplification of the free-field motion and actually decreases in many cases. Though a more general study is recommended, these results suggest that wave orientation and inclination substantially increase topographic amplification; however, it may be adequate to only account for vertically propagating waves for site response and slope stability analyses where only the magnitude of acceleration is considered.