cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SHAPE ADAPTIVE ACCELERATED PARAMETER OPTIMIZATION

Computer vision based localization and pose estimation of known objects within camera images is often approached by optimizing some sort of fitting cost with respect to a small number of parameters including both pose parameters as well as additional parameters which describe a limited set of variations of the object shape learned through training. Gradient descent based searches are typically employed but the problem of how to "weigh" the gradient components arises and can often impact successful localization. This paper describes an automated, shape-adaptive way to choose the parameter weighting dynamically during the fitting process applicable to both standard gradient descent or momentum based accelerated gradient descent approaches.
CREATION OF A NEW AGING IN PLACE MEASURE

Aging in place and other “place” terms (such as stuck in place, aging in the right place, aging out of place, and age-friendliness) are often discussed in the gerontological literature. Yet, a validated measure that incorporates this new diversity of place definitions and person-environment fit does not exist. The creation of a more inclusive and comprehensive measure is crucial as the aging-in-place concept grows and expands to include the broader continuum of care. This study reports findings from steps in the process of developing a quantitative measure. Namely, we report findings from the first 4 steps of gerontologist Neal Kraus’ a 9-step Measurement Development model that we used to create a measure of aging in place for older adults. This process consisted of several steps and sources from: in-depth and focus group data, literature review, and selecting and testing items from existing comparable measures. Specifically, data analysis of 84 hours of in-depth interview narrative, from May 2017 to present, is discussed. Data arose from a combination of focus group and interview narrative. Initially, these data illustrate how the original conceptual domains were created. Then, we present examples of how the conceptual domain pool was further expanded through a systematic literature review and by review and assessment of comparable measures to develop our new aging in place questionnaire. Both this measure development process and findings are applicable to the creation of measures about other gerontological topics.
The role of metabolites in predicting drug-drug interactions: focus on irreversible cytochrome P450 inhibition.

Irreversible inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes can cause significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Formation of metabolites is fundamental for the inactivation of P450 enzymes. Of the 19 inactivators with a known mechanism of inactivation, 10 have circulating metabolites that are known to be on path to inactive P450. The fact that inactivation usually requires multiple metabolic steps implies that predicting in vivo interactions may require complex models, and in vitro data generated from each metabolite. The data reviewed here suggest that circulating metabolites are much more important in in vivo P450 inhibition than is currently acknowledged.
FouNdER mutations confer risk for leukemias.

In this issue of Blood, Sarasin et al1 and Douglas et al,2 find that homozygous germline founder mutations in genes encoding nucleotide excision repair proteins confer risk for leukemias characterized by TP53 mutations (see figure).
Increased Regulatory T Cell Function in a Mouse Model of Beta-Thalassemia.

Abstract Abstract 638 The development of red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies complicates transfusion therapy for chronically transfused patients with thalassemias. Understanding the regulation of immune responses to transfused RBCs may help in future design of therapeutic interventions to prevent RBC alloimmunization in this patient population. We have previously reported in a mouse model that key immune response regulators, CD4+CD25− regulatory T cells (Tregs) expressing Foxp3, control the rate and frequency of RBC alloimmunization in wildtype recipient mice. As an initial step to study and characterize immune regulation in thalassemias, we studied the Treg status of Hbb(th1/th1) mouse model of beta-thalassemia intermedia, known to exhibit mild anemia, reticulocytosis and splenomegaly. Compared to wildtype littermate controls (WT) (n=11), 3 month old thalassemic (THAL) mice (n=12) had significantly higher frequency of CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs in CD4+ population in peripheral blood (5.5±0.5% versus 4.1±0.3%, p=0.03) but not in the spleen (11.4%±0.9% versus 9.5±0.5%, p=0.1). Sorted splenic Tregs from THAL and WT mice were equally anergic to stimulation through the T cell receptor and Tregs from THAL mice secreted the expected low background levels of IL-2 and IFN-gamma in stimulated culture supernatants, similar to Tregs from WT mice. Surprisingly, however, the THAL stimulated Tregs, but not the WT counterparts, secreted the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17. To determine whether THAL Tregs were functionally active, we performed in vitro Treg suppressive assay. We found that thalassemic Tregs were in fact more suppressive than Tregs from their WT counterparts in their ability to suppress proliferation of CD4+CD25–T cells (at 1:4 ratio of Tregs : CD4+CD25–cells 91±3% thalassemic versus 66±3% WT , p=0.03; at 1:8 ratio, 84±4% % versus 63±7%, p=0.02 and at 1:16 ratio, 76±4% % versus 28±14%, p=0.03). Download : Download high-res image (79KB) Download : Download full-size image We next performed red cell transfusion studies to determine if the increased in vitro THAL Treg suppressive activity is associated with decrease in frequency of alloimmunization in THAL mice. A cohort of age- and sex-matched THAL and WT mice were transfused on a weekly basis for 4 weeks with red cells from transgenic mice expressing human glycophorin A. We found that considerably lower (2/9) alloimmunization rates in THAL compared to WT mice (8/11). Altogether, our data indicate that qualitative differences exist between Tregs from THAL mice and their littermate controls and raise the interesting possibility that THAL Tregs may represent a novel population of Tregs. Specifically, only THAL Tregs secrete the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17 normally associated with Th17 subset and yet they are functionally more suppressive. The mechanisms responsible for these differences are under further study. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Examining Writing Measures and Achievement for Students of Varied Language Abilities and Linguistic Backgrounds Using Structural Equation Modeling.

The aims of the current project were to: (a) describe lexical diversity, morphologically complex word use (MCW), and writing quality ratings of 5th-grade students with diverse language backgrounds ...
Development and Validation of an Inflammatory-Frailty Index for Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND Physical frailty phenotype is characterized by decreased physiologic reserve to stressors and associated with poor outcomes, such as delirium and mortality, that may result from post-kidney transplant (KT) inflammation. Despite a hypothesized underlying pro-inflammatory state, conventional measures of frailty typically do not incorporate inflammatory biomarkers directly. Among KT candidates and recipients, we evaluated the inclusion of inflammatory biomarkers with traditional physical frailty phenotype components. METHODS Among 1154 KT candidates and recipients with measures of physical frailty phenotype and inflammation (interleukin 6 [IL6], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα], C-reactive protein [CRP]) at 2 transplant centers (2009-2017), we evaluated construct validity of inflammatory-frailty using latent class analysis. Inflammatory-frailty measures combined 5 physical frailty phenotype components plus the addition of an individual inflammatory biomarkers, separately (highest tertiles) as a sixth component. We then used Kaplan-Meier methods and adjusted Cox proportional hazards to assess post-KT mortality risk by inflammatory-frailty (n = 378); Harrell's C-statistics assessed risk prediction (discrimination). RESULTS Based on fit criteria, a 2-class solution (frail vs nonfrail) for inflammatory-frailty was the best-fitting model. Five-year survival (frail vs nonfrail) was: 81% versus 93% (IL6-frailty), 87% versus 89% (CRP-frailty), and 83% versus 91% (TNFα-frailty). Mortality was 2.07-fold higher for IL6-frail recipients (95% CI: 1.03-4.19, p = .04); there were no associations between the mortality and the other inflammatory-frailty indices (TNFα-frail: 1.88, 95% CI: 0.95-3.74, p = .07; CRP-frail: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.52-2.03, p = .95). However, none of the frailty-inflammatory indices (all C-statistics = 0.71) improved post-KT mortality risk prediction over the physical frailty phenotype (C-statistics = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS Measurement of IL6-frailty at transplantation can inform which patients should be targeted for pre-KT interventions. However, the traditional physical frailty phenotype is sufficient for post-KT mortality risk prediction.
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in liver transplantation: a stronger association with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Aim of the study Cardiovascular death is an important cause of mortality in end stage liver disease (ESLD) patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is often the early manifestation and only measurable manifestation of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Therefore, it is important to understand the risk factors for LVDD in ESLD patients undergoing OLT and its immediate impact post-operatively. Material and methods Electronic medical records (EMR) of 100 consecutive patients who underwent OLT were reviewed at the University of Tennessee/Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) reports were accessed to evaluate for LVDD based on the latest 2016 American Society of Echocardiography and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines. The clinical and demographic variables were obtained and variable quality measures, incidence of cardiac arrhythmias, and 30-day all-cause mortality were compared. Results Patients with LVDD were older (62.7 ±6.3 years vs. 55.9 ±12.3 years, p = 0.017) and were more often female (57% vs. 31%, p = 0.026). In addition, patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) were more likely to have LVDD (48% vs. 12%, p = 0.001). In contrast, patients with alcoholic liver disease were less likely to have LVDD (10% vs. 33%, p = 0.032). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, NASH (OR = 4.4 [95% CI: 1.33-14.5], p = 0.015) and female gender (OR = 3.31 [95% CI: 1.09-9.99], p = 0.033) were independent predictors of LVDD. Conclusions In our cohort of patients, the presence of NASH was associated with a higher risk of LVDD. However, presence of LVDD did not influence immediate post-transplant outcome or 30-day all-cause mortality.
The Implementation of New Accounting Standards of the Economic Consequences of Regional Differences: Analysis from the Perspective of Institutional Economics

Based on the new institutional economics perspective of the research hypothesis is: the same set of accounting standards for different extent economically developed region with a significant difference, the rate of economic growth in different parts of the impact of the company, there are also significant differences. We take advantage of new accounting standards starting in 2007 after the implementation of the first quarter of data, analysis of new accounting standards before and after the changes in the profitability of listed companies. The study found that the implementation of new accounting standards consequences of significant regional differences. The use of annual data robustness testing, empirical conclusions of this study support the hypothesis. In this study, the discovery of accounting standards for the formulation and the effect of pre-judgment, has significance. IFRS for the understanding of the implementation of the worldwide consequences have significance.
Mutual Integration of Classical and Dynamic PRA

A new generation of dynamic methods has started receiving attention for nuclear reactor probabilistic risk assessment (PRA). These methods, which are commonly referred to as dynamic PRA (DPRA) meth...
Providing Care to LGBT Patients in Guyana: An Assessment of Medical Providers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Readiness to Learn

This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes and desire for continued education among Guyanese doctors with regards to LGBT health. It utilized a mixed methodology of quantitative, self-adminis...
Indirect caries-preventive effect of silver diamine fluoride on adjacent dental substrate: A single-section demineralization study.

This study assessed the indirect effect of 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on demineralization of adjacent untreated sound and pre-demineralized enamel and dentine using a single-section model for digital transverse microradiography (TMR-D). Forty-eight bovine dentine single sections were demineralized, stratified (n = 12) according to integrated mineral loss (ΔZ), and treated with SDF or deionized water (DIW). Each "treated dentine" section was attached between untreated sound and pre-demineralized enamel or dentine and then subjected to demineralization. ΔZ and lesion depths (LD) of all specimens at baseline, 24 and 48 h demineralization, and after treatment of "treated dentine" were quantified using TMR-D. Fluoride in the demineralization solution of SDF clusters was determined using an ion-selective electrode. ΔZ and LD of sound and ΔZ of pre-demineralized enamel adjacent to SDF-treated dentine did not increase over time. All untreated dentine demineralized significantly; however, ΔZ of sound dentine adjacent to SDF-treated specimen was still significantly lower than control. SDF-treated dentine remineralized and released fluoride even after 48 h. Consistent with clinical findings, when applied only to demineralized teeth in this chemical model, 38% SDF completely inhibited demineralization in adjacent untreated sound enamel. Demineralization prevention was observed to a lesser extent in adjacent pre-demineralized enamel but not in dentine.
A Network of Thrones: Kinship and Conflict in Europe, 1495–1918

We construct a database linking European royal kinship networks, monarchies, and wars to study the effect of family ties on conflict. To establish causality, we exploit decreases in connection caused by apolitical deaths of rulers' mutual relatives. These deaths are associated with substantial increases in the frequency and duration of war. We provide evidence that these deaths affect conflict only through changing the kinship network. Over our period of interest, the percentage of European monarchs with kinship ties increased threefold. Together, these findings help explain the well-documented decrease in European war frequency.
Characterization of storage modulus of starch suspensions during the initial stages of pasting using Stokesian dynamics simulations

Abstract This study performs Stokesian dynamics simulations of suspensions of rigid spheres to determine the conditions under which swollen starch granules can be considered rigid for rheology measurements. The first part of the study benchmarks the numerical simulations to experimental measurements of storage modulus (G′) for monodisperse polystyrene suspensions. The second part of the study compares the simulations to experimental measurements of G′ for waxy maize and normal rice starch suspensions swollen to volume fractions 0.4 0.5. These results indicate that granule deformability plays an important role when φ > 0.5, and indicates the range where one can apply theories of rigid suspension rheology.
Resilience: a mediator of the negative effects of pandemic-related stress on women's mental health in the USA.

The role of resilience in mediating the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of US women is poorly understood. We examined socioeconomic factors associated with low resilience in women, the relationship of low resilience with psychiatric morbidity, and the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between pandemic-related stress and other coincident psychiatric morbidities. Using a quota-based sample from a national panel, we conducted a web-based survey of 3200 US women in April 2020. Weighted, multivariate logistic regression was used to model the odds of pandemic-related stress, and coincident depression and anxiety symptoms among those with and without low resilience. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate resilience as a mediator of the relationship between pandemic-related stress and other coincident psychiatric morbidities. Risk factors for low resilience included younger age, lower household income, lower education, unemployment, East/Southeast Asian race, unmarried/unpartnered status, and higher number of medical comorbidities. Low resilience was significantly associated with greater odds of depression symptoms (OR = 3.78, 95% CI [3.10-4.60]), anxiety symptoms (OR = 4.17, 95% CI [3.40-5.11]), and pandemic-related stress (OR = 2.86, 95% CI [2.26-3.26]). Resilience acted as a partial mediator in the association between pandemic-related stress and anxiety symptoms (proportion mediated = 0.23) and depression symptoms (proportion mediated = 0.28). In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, low resilience mediated the association between pandemic-related stress and psychiatric morbidity. Strategies proven to enhance resilience, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and addressing socioeconomic factors, may help mitigate mental health outcomes.
Seismic Imaging and Inversion: Application of Linear Inverse Theory

Extracting information from seismic data requires knowledge of seismic wave propagation and reflection. The commonly used method involves solving linearly for a reflectivity at every point within the Earth, but this book follows an alternative approach which invokes inverse scattering theory. By developing the theory of seismic imaging from basic principles, the authors relate the different models of seismic propagation, reflection and imaging - thus providing links to reflectivity-based imaging on the one hand and to nonlinear seismic inversion on the other. The comprehensive and physically complete linear imaging foundation developed presents new results at the leading edge of seismic processing for target location and identification. This book serves as a fundamental guide to seismic imaging principles and algorithms and their foundation in inverse scattering theory, and is a valuable resource for working geoscientists, scientific programmers and theoretical physicists.
Nasal endoscopy in total nasal reconstruction

Total nasal reconstruction is a challenging task involving multiple surgical stages. It requires transfer of local and distant tissues to replace three structural layers of the nose: the lining, skeleton, and skin. Besides the paucity of local tissues, creation of the nose is demanding due to functional and aesthetic considerations, limited operative field, and poor visualization inside the created construct. The ability to inspect the newly created nasal cavity is vital in determining the condition of the airways. We present a case of complex total nasal reconstruction, where nasal endoscopy improved control of the reconstructive process and management of exposed hardware. Level of Evidence: Level V, diagnostic study.
Variational Inequalities and Continuous Optimal Control

Variational inequality (VI) problems are being used extensively in formulating economic and engineering problems in new ways that lead to tractable solution algorithms. Applications in transportation engineering are relatively recent, beginning about 1980. Because of its general capability to formulate transportation problems, VI has received increasing attention from transportation network modelers during the last decade. In this chapter, we introduce the basic concepts of variational inequality theory which is capable of formulating and analyzing more general problems than the constrained optimization approach. In Section 2.1, we first define variational inequality problems for both static and dynamic problems. We then introduce some fundamental definitions, along with qualitative results for variational inequality problems, such as conditions for existence and uniqueness of solutions. Subsequently, the relaxation method for solving a variational inequality is discussed.
Strategic Legal Writing: How to Respond to a Motion

For your third litigation assignment, you are an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division. You are prosecuting a perjury case in which the defendant, Nick Sutton, fabricated an e-mail message and then lied about it – twice – under oath. Sutton pleaded guilty to the offense and decided, in effect, to “throw himself on the mercy of the court” and request the most lenient sentence possible. To that end, Sutton has filed what is known as a “motion for downward departure,” which is a motion that asks the court, based on special circumstances, to enter a sentence below the recommended range of the United States Sentencing Guidelines (“Guidelines” or “U.S.S.G.”). Your assignment is to prepare the government's response in opposition to Sutton's motion for downward departure. The assignment arrives in the form of the following memo. MEMORANDUM To : Acting Assistant U.S. Attorney Fr : Jon Chapman, Criminal Chief Re : United States v. Nick Sutton Nick Sutton recently pled guilty to perjury. Attached is our Prosecution Version, which explains the facts the government was prepared to prove at trial (had that been necessary), and which form the underlying factual basis for Sutton's guilty plea. Also attached is a copy of the motion filed by Sutton's attorney, which argues for a downward departure based on so-called “aberrant behavior” under the United States Sentencing Guidelines. We have no quarrel with the vast majority of Sutton's motion. However, we believe it fails to establish two necessary elements.
Pediatrics and the Patient Self-Determination Act.

On December 1, 1991, the requirements of a new federal law, the Patient Self-determination Act (PSDA), went into effect.1 The PSDA requires hospitals, nursing home facilities, hospices, home health care programs, and health maintenance organizations to give adults (in most states, individuals 18 years of age or older) information about their rights under the laws of their state to accept or refuse medical treatment; to prepare an advance directive such as a living will which states the individual9s preferences for medical treatment under certain circumstances that might occur in the future, at a time when the patient is no longer able to make decisions; and to appoint a health care agent or proxy, someone to make health care decisions on behalf of the individual if he or she is no longer able to make decisions.
Primary afferent plasticity following partial denervation of the trigeminal brainstem nuclear complex in the postnatal rat

Although interaxonal competition is believed to be an essential component of the normal development of numerous mammalian neuronal populations, there is considerable debate regarding the role of competition in the development and maintenance of the somatic sensory system. The results of recent investigations suggest that trigeminal primary afferents may compete for target territory in the brainstem, but it is unclear whether these interactions continue after birth. The present study explored this important issue by examining the response of individual trigeminal primary afferent neurons to partial denervation of the trigeminal brainstem nuclear complex at early postnatal ages. We utilized intracellular recording and HRP injection techniques to label primary afferent central terminal arbors in rats that sustained electrocautery of mystacial vibrissae in rows A, C, and E on the day of birth. A total of 42 low-threshold trigeminal primary afferent neurons were labeled in subnucleus interpolaris. Twenty-eight of these afferents supplied undamaged B or D row vibrissae while 14 supplied lesioned vibrissae. Qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed that the arbors associated with undamaged afferents were enlarged (mean arbor area of 13512 +/- 790.67 microns 2 vs normal area of 6130 +/- 214 microns 2) and were oriented toward the adjacent (partially denervated) territory. There was no significant change in the size of the lesioned afferent arbor area. The perimeter of the lesioned afferent arbors was increased, however, suggesting that the arbor shape had changed. This was confirmed with a form factor calculation that indicated that the circularity of the arbors associated with lesioned vibrissae was significantly reduced. Thus, while the arbors of undamaged afferents were enlarged and oriented in the direction of the partially denervated territory, the lesioned afferent arbors were not enlarged but assumed a flattened/elongate morphology within their appropriate row. The lesion-induced increase in the size of the undamaged afferent arbors was not associated with an increase in the number of bouton-like fiber swellings. The density of boutons was only 25% the value seen in normal animals. Thus, while the area supplied by the undamaged afferent arbors increased, there was no evidence that the absolute amount of terminal arbor was similarly increased (as would be the case if sprouting had occurred; see Renehan et al., 1989). We would therefore conclude that the undamaged afferents had undergone arbor expansion, but not sprouting. These data are consistent with prior suggestions that trigeminal primary afferents utilize some form of competitive interaction(s) to establish their final form and disposition. This competition would appear to continue into early postnatal periods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
An investigation of motivational factors influencing performance ratings: Rating audience and incentive

Purpose – Managers frequently complain that performance ratings are inflated; thus, this study aims to explore what extent two motivational factors theoretically associated with accountability, rating audience and incentive, can influence rating inflation.Design/methodology/approach – One hundred and forty‐nine raters were assigned to one of four audience conditions (ratee, expert, both ratee and expert – dual, and no audience) and either to an incentive or no incentive condition.Findings – Results showed that when an incentive was offered, raters expecting an expert audience to view their ratings provided significantly lower ratings, and raters expecting a dual audience provided significantly higher ratings compared to raters not offered an incentive. Furthermore, raters expecting a ratee audience inflated their ratings, regardless of incentive.Research limitations/implications – Financial incentives were used in this study and more research is needed to explore other types of incentives. Nonetheless, th...
The effectiveness of digital audio in computer-based training

The literature implies a trend towards an increased use of interactive multimedia technologies for instruction. The increased availability of moderate cost, good quality, digital audio computer cards and computers with built-in audio capability have enabled trainers and educators to realize the potential of random access audio for computer-based training (CBT) and other multimedia applications. In this study, the researcher investigated the effectiveness of adding digital audio to CBT. The experiment was conducted at the University of Central Florida in the Spring of 1991 with students (N = 60) enrolled in the Applications of Technology in Education undergraduate course. After randomly selecting 3 out of 10 intact course sections, students were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Each treatment group completed a CBT program with identical content and one of the following delivery modes: (1) text-only delivery, (2) full text and totally redundant audio delivery, or (3) partial text (bulleted) with full audio delivery. Students in all treatment modes were administered a 30-item criterion-based achievement pretest and posttest in multiple-choice format on the subject content of the CBT program. In addition, subjects were administered a modality strength test, and a post-experiment perception questionnaire was completed by all subjects to provide descriptive data. Additional tracked variables included time required to complete the CBT program, number of times a student reviewed (backed up), and number of times a student in an audio treatment selected the "repeat audio" option. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analyses of variance, chi-square, t-tests, multivariate analyses of variance, and the Least Significant Difference multiple comparison procedure. Major findings of this study were: (1) There were no significant differences among the three treatment groups in achievement gain. (2) There was a significant difference in the mean completion times across the three treatments, with the text-only version requiring the least time on task. (3) There was no significant relationship between student modality strengths and achievement levels. (4) Student perceptions indicated a high degree of program acceptance across all levels of treatment.
TONSILLECTOMY AND INFECTIOUS MONONUCLEOSIS

Tonsillar tissue may be the primary site of infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the etiologic agent of classical infectious mononucleosis (IM). Therefore, a retrospective study of the association between tonsillectomy and IM was performed in a college student population. In the first part of the study, tonsillectomy rates were compared between 164 IM-positive students and 164 student controls who attended UCLA in 1972-1975. Although it was determined that the development of IM during college years was statistically less commin in tonsillectomized students, the difference was not inordinately large and probably had no significant biologic meaning. The authors speculate that the difference was due to the greater likelihood, and greater yield, in considering the diagnosis of IM in young adults with enlarged, inflamed tonsils. In support of this is the fact that IM-positive students who had received a prior tonsillectomy usually had the surgical procedure performed at a younger age than the control group. Conceivably, tonsillar ablation in the very young is more liable to result in incomplete removal and eventual regrowth of this tissue. Indeed, six IM-positive students who had received a tonsillectomy at six years of age or less were found to have exudate in tonsillar fossae or pillars during their IM episode. In the second part of the study, clinical and laboratory measures were found to be similar between a larger group of IM-positive students with or without a history of prior tonsillectomy.
Ductal carcinoma in situ: knowledge of associated risks and prognosis among Latina and non-Latina white women

While not itself life-threatening, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) can progress to invasive disease if untreated, and confers an increased risk of future breast cancer. We investigated knowledge of DCIS among a cohort of English- and Spanish-speaking Latina and English-speaking non-Latina white women previously treated for DCIS. We examined knowledge of DCIS with four true/false statements about risk of invasive disease, breast cancer recurrence, and prognosis. For each knowledge statement, we modeled the odds of a correct answer by language–ethnicity (English-speaking Latinas, Spanish-speaking Latinas, and English-speaking whites) adjusting for demographics, health history, and treatment factors. Of 710 participants, 52 % were English-speaking whites, 21 % English-speaking Latinas, and 27 % Spanish-speaking Latinas. Less than half (41 %) of participants were aware that DCIS is not life-threatening and only 32 % knew that surgical treatment choice does not impact mortality; whereas two-thirds (67 %) understood that DCIS confers increased risk of future breast cancer, and almost all (92 %) knew that DCIS, if untreated, could become invasive. Only three Spanish-speakers used professional interpreters during discussions with their physicians. In adjusted analyses, compared to English-speaking whites, both English- and Spanish-speaking Latinas had significantly lower odds of knowing that DCIS was not life-threatening (OR, 95 % CI 0.6, 0.4–0.9 and 0.5, 0.3–0.9, respectively). In contrast, Spanish-speaking Latinas had a twofold higher odds of knowing that DCIS increases risk of future breast cancer (OR, 95 % CI 2.6, 1.6–4.4), but English-speaking Latinas were no different from English-speaking whites. Our data suggest that physicians are more successful at conveying the risks conferred by DCIS than the nuances of DCIS as a non-life-threatening diagnosis. This uneven communication is most marked for Spanish-speaking Latinas. In addition to the use of professional interpreters, efforts to create culturally and linguistically standardized information could improve knowledge and engagement in informed decision making for all DCIS patients.
Moderating Factors in Visual Search: The Role of Ecological-Validity

Participants completed a visual search task that varied along three dimensions: 1 ) stimulus type: ecologically valid humans or ecologically neutral objects, 2) stimulus behavior: static, dynamic or random, and 3) number of targets: one or two. Search was faster when ecologically valid stimuli were used, and when these moved in a predictable fashion. Certain types of visual searches require search memory, or the ability to mentally tag previously examined objects. This search memory is optimized when ecologically valid stimuli are used. Design of visual search interfaces should take into account both the task and the stimuli.
Enabling JPEG2000 on 3G wireless mobiles through OMAP™ architecture

This paper describes how JPEG2000 still image compression codec will be enabled in the 3G wireless terminals thanks to the efficiency of TMS320C55xx DSP core embedded in the TI OMAP™. OMAP™ H/W architecture will be described, with an emphasis on how still image compression and decompression applications will benefit from this advanced architecture. The paper will also depict the advantages provided by OMAP™s DSP subsystem architecture for the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), which is the most computation hungry JPEG2000 kernel. A final chapter will compare bit stream download time and decoding scenarios for compressed QVGA color images.
Effectiveness of Teaching Pedagogical Content Knowledge Through Summer Geography Institutes

Abstract Research presented in this paper addresses two fundamental questions: how effective have state geographic alliance summer geography institutes (ASGIs) been in changing the classroom teaching behaviors of participants, and to what extent do the institutes reflect characteristics of effective inservice training? Both questions are grounded in Shulman's concept of pedagogical content knowledge—the notion that effective teaching requires knowledge of how specific ideas and procedures in a particular content domain can best be taught. On-site evaluations and four follow-up evaluations provided data regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the institutes as well as evidence regarding the institutes' long-term effectiveness in promoting change in geography instruction. Results of the study indicate that ASGI graduates not only make substantive changes in how they teach geography, but also conduct high-quality inservices that lead to changes in the teaching practices of their colleagues.
Impact of the ski industry on the Rio Hondo watershed

Abstract This essay examines the ecological impact of the ski industry upon the Rio Hondo watershed, located near Taos, New Mexico. Focus is on the primary impact of ski resort development upon river water quality and biota, and upon water quantity in the downstream system of irrigation agriculture. Secondary impact of resort development is analyzed insofar as it affects longstanding patterns of land and water rights ownership and use within the watershed. The watershed is considered as an ecosystem that includes the village-based agro-pastoral economy established during the early nineteenth century. It concludes that while the long-range impact of ski resort development upon river biology is uncertain, the increasing demand that expansion places upon surface water quantity threatens downstream community resource domains and irrigation agriculture.
Use of the most likely failure point method for risk estimation and risk uncertainty analysis

Abstract The most likely failure point (MLFP) method, developed within the field of structural reliability analysis (where it is known as the FORM/SORM method) is a technique for estimating the risk (probability) that a calculated quantity Q exceeds a set limit Qlim when some or all of the inputs to the calculation are uncertain. It can be used as an efficient stand-alone method for this type of risk calculation. However, for application within the field of toxic hazards, it is proposed as a means for performing sensitivity analyses, possibly in parallel with a risk calculation carried out by conventional methods. The basis of the method is outlined and its use is demonstrated by means of an example calculation of the risk arising from an installation containing chlorine. The calculation uses, as a consequence model, commercial software for the prediction of dense gas transport. The risk estimate is shown to be acceptably close to that obtained by the Monte Carlo method. The use of a proposed screening procedure utilising the sensitivity formulas that the method provides, in order to identify the most significant uncertainties, is demonstrated. The identification of a single set of input values containing sufficient information to summarise (at least approximately) the entire risk analysis is considered to be an important feature of the method and is proposed as the basis of a means for assessing the validity of the consequence model.
ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF MULTIPLE RESERVOIRS IN OIL FIELD DEVELOPMENT

Many individual oil fields have multiple producing horizons. A question of some interest in developing an oil field is when does it make sense to drill for further horizons, based on the knowledge one has already obtained from the known horizons. Such an assessment must incorporate the economic chances of successfully finding another horizon and also the likely gains and costs involved. This paper shows how that question can be answered using Bayesian up-dating methods for improving success probabilities based on the information of known producing horizons, and incorporating both uncorrelated and correlated reservoir information to improve the chances of success. A case history is provided to illustrate how this objective procedure operates in practice.
The human sense of smell: are we better than we think?

Gordon Shepherd challenges the notion - based on genetic evidence - that olfaction is less well developed in humans as compared to other mammals.
Stephen Colbert: Great satirist, or greatest satirist ever?:

This essay offers an assessment of Colbert’s satire that situates his practice within the larger theory and history of the genre. My assertion is that satire problematizes notions of certainty, sta...
The Role of Epistemic Beliefs in Self-Regulated Learning

The purpose of this article is to present an integrated theoretical model between epistemic beliefs and self-regulated learning. Based on a review of various theoretical frameworks, models, and empirical studies that have examined relations between the two constructs, this article discusses the role of epistemic beliefs in self-regulated learning. Four propositions are presented: (a) epistemic beliefs are one component of the cognitive and affective conditions of a task, (b) epistemic beliefs influence the standards students set when goals are produced, (c) epistemic beliefs translate into epistemological standards that serve as inputs to metacognition, and (d) self-regulated learning may play a role in the development of epistemic beliefs. The goal of this article is to provide a foundation from which to improve understanding of the nature of epistemic beliefs and why they can facilitate or constrain facets of self-regulated learning.
Primary production and release of assimilated carbon by Chlamydomonas provasolii in culture

Radionuclide labeled sodium bicarbonate was used to measure the rates of primary production and release of metabolites by Chlamydomonas provasolii. The total carbon fixed was 23.18 nM (mg dry wt)-1 h-1 and approximately 5.56% of the total was released in organic form into the medium. Thin layer chromatography indicated that the materials released were the amino acids, glycine and leucine. These substances are similar to those identified in certain coral and flatworm symbioses with algae.
Ion Complexation Induced High-Spin Associations of Spin-Labeled Crown Ethers: A Reevaluation

Abstract Between 1978 and 1989, Mukai and coworkers demonstrated that a series of spin-labeled benzo-15-crown-5 derivatives gave triplet ESR spectra in ethanol glasses in the presence of diamagnetic alkali and alkaline earth ions. They proposed that the high-spin coupling resulted from a pair of radicals being brought into close contact by a 1:2 complexation of metal ions with the crown ether moieties. The work of Mukai and his colleagues represents an early example of high-spin coupling induced in radical pairs that assemble around diamagnetic metal ions. Herein, we describe ion binding experiments with simple stable free radicals such as TEMPO and galvinoxyl that lack the crown moiety. The triplet state species that we observe require the possibility of unforeseen mechanisms for previously reported high-spin associations in spin labeled crown ethers.
Establishing a nicotine threshold for addiction. The implications for tobacco regulation.

On February 25, 1994, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a letter to the Coalition on Smoking or Health announcing its intention to consider regulating cigarettes. The agency's premises were that the vast majority of tobacco users self-administer the product for the drug effects of nicotine and to sustain addiction and that cigarette manufacturers control the levels of nicotine in cigarettes to maintain this addiction. The FDA further raised the possibility of regulating cigarettes on the basis of their nicotine content to prevent addiction. On February 28, 1994, the ABC news program Day One presented evidence that tobacco manufacturers . . .
Finding meaning after the fall: injury narratives from elderly hip fracture patients

Hip fractures occur frequently among the elderly, often with severe medical, psychological and social repercussions. This research takes a new look at hip fracture rehabilitation, focusing on meanings and post-fracture prognostic indicators. An innovative methodological approach to narrative analysis is employed which combines ethnographic and epidemiologic techniques. Analyses of injury narratives from 80 elderly subjects interviewed soon after initial hospitalization are presented, focusing on three categories of meaning: explanatory models, sense of disability, and futurity. Insights from these narratives, as well as from questionnaires and observations, shed light on the experience of hip fracture for the elderly. In addition, aspects of the initial narratives are considered in relation to ambulation outcomes at 3 and 6 months. Those individuals who perceive their problem in a more external or mechanical fashion (caused by the environment) show greater improvement in ambulation at 3 and 6 months relative to those who show no evidence of this thinking or who perceive it as an internal or organic problem (in terms of disease or illness). Greater improvement in ambulation at 3 and 6 months is also noted for subjects whose perception of disability was consistent with more autonomy, independence, and a sense of connection with the world around them. The present study demonstrates the potential utility of narrative analysis as a data reduction approach. It also suggests the possibility of new psychosocial prognostic factors for hip fracture rehabilitation.
Work in progress: Do students need to learn to speak "Engineering-ese?" conceptual change as language acquisition in engineering

Conceptual change is often approached with a concrete epistemology in which students must replace their misconceptions with correct conceptions. Drawing upon the literature and our research, we propose that we need a new, discursive epistemology that describes conceptual change as language acquisition.
Effects of cadmium and lead ingestion on tissue concentrations of cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc in mallard ducks

Abstract Juvenile mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) drakes were offered one of seven diets containing different concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and/or lead (Pb) for 42 days. The diets contained the following concentrations (μg/g) of supplemental metal(s): 0 (controls); 10 Cd; 10 Pb; 100 Cd; 100 Pb, 5 Cd plus 5 Pb; and 50 Cd plus 50 Pb. At the conclusion of the experiment, kidneys had average concentrations of both Cd and Pb that were three times greater than those in livers. In both livers and kidneys, Cd concentrations were approximately 15 times greater than Pb concentrations at equal dietary concentrations of the two metals. Pb concentrations in ulnar bones were similar to Pb concentrations in livers; Cd did not accumulate in ulnar bones. Cd ingestion increased kidney concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn); Pb ingestion had no such effect. The results of this study suggest that elevated tissue Pb concentrations (e.g. liver concentrations greater than 18 μg/g dry weight, a concentration considered indicative of Pb toxicosis) in waterfowl are due in most instances to factors other than ingestion of contaminated foods, such as Pb shot. Additionally, kidneys appear to be generally superior to livers for monitoring ingestion of Pb and Cd when analytical detection limits are pressed.
A DISCUSSION OF THE FUTURE OIL SPILL PROBLEM IN THE ARCTIC

ABSTRACT Future oil production in Arctic regions will present the opportunity for oil pollution as a result of human error and equipment failures. In order to attain an insight into what may be expected, an assessment of the magnitude of future oil spillage is presented. In addition, factors affecting the fate and behavior of spilled oil are discussed based on the results of the U.S. Coast Guard's Arctic Oil Spill Test Program.
Cardiomyocyte NF-κB p65 promotes adverse remodelling, apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in heart failure

Aims The role of nuclear factor (NF)-κB in heart failure (HF) is not well defined. We sought to determine whether myocyte-localized NF-κB p65 activation in HF exacerbates post-infarction remodelling and promotes maladaptive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Methods and results Non-transgenic (NTg) and transgenic (Tg) mice with myocyte-restricted overexpression of a phosphorylation-resistant inhibitor of κBα (IκBαS32A,S36A) underwent coronary ligation (to induce HF) or sham operation. Over 4 weeks, the remote myocardium of ligated hearts exhibited robust NF-κB activation that was almost exclusively p65 beyond 24 h. Compared with sham at 4 weeks, NTg HF hearts were dilated and dysfunctional, and exhibited hypertrophy, fibrosis, up-regulation of inflammatory cytokines, increased apoptosis, down-regulation of ER protein chaperones, and up-regulation of the ER stress-activated pro-apoptotic factor CHOP. Compared with NTg HF, Tg -IκBαS32A,S36A HF mice exhibited: (i) improved survival, chamber remodelling, systolic function, and pulmonary congestion, (ii) markedly diminished NF-κB p65 activation, cytokine expression, and fibrosis, and (iii) a three-fold reduction in apoptosis. Moreover, Tg -IκBαS32A,S36A HF hearts exhibited maintained expression of ER chaperones and CHOP when compared with sham. In cardiomyocytes, NF-κB activation was required for ER stress-mediated apoptosis, whereas abrogation of myocyte NF-κB shifted the ER stress response to one of adaptation and survival. Conclusion Persistent myocyte NF-κB p65 activation in HF exacerbates cardiac remodelling by imparting pro-inflammatory, pro-fibrotic, and pro-apoptotic effects. p65 modulation of cell death in HF may occur in part from NF-κB-mediated transformation of the ER stress response from one of adaptation to one of apoptosis.