cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mating-effort in adolescence : A conditional or alternative strategy

Summary-Mating-effort was defined as the psychological effort put forth to obtain and guard short-term mates. Hypotheses were derived that contrasted two views of high mating-effort. In the conditional strategy view, social failure would occur first and lead directly to individuals’ adopting high mating-effort tactics. In the alternative strategy view, heritable dispositions would lead individuals to adopt high or low matingeffort tactics. The findings were that (i) social failure could not account for the co-variation of matingeffort and delinquency; (ii) perceived mate value was related to mating-effort only weakly; (iii) high matingeffort individuals were more, not less, sexually active; and (iv) mating-effort was familial. Although not definitive, on the whole these findings favored an alternative strategy over a conditional strategy interpretation of the choice of mating tactics among middle-class adolescents. i‘: 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd
The EPISTLE project: IBM, Yorktown Heights

The experimental EPISTLE system is ultimately intended to provide intelligent applications for the processing of natural language text. Potential applications are of two types: (1) processing of alreadygenerated text, and (2) assisting in the generation of new text.
A New And Better Way To Measure The Cost Of Equity Capital For Small Closely Held Firms

The purpose of this paper is to explore the theoretical structure that underlies the valuation process for small closely held firms. Specifically, cost of capital estimate methods which appear in the current literature are examined, and a theoretically correct and simple method to measure cost of equity capital for privately held companies is offered.
Brain Injury Impairs ATP-Sensitive K+ Channel Function in Piglet Cerebral Arteries

Background and Purpose Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for infants and children, and mortality is increased with head injury. Previous studies have shown that pial arteries constricted and that responses to several nitric oxide (NO)–dependent dilator stimuli were blunted after fluid percussion injury (FPI) in newborn pigs. Membrane potential of vascular muscle is a major determinant of vascular tone, and activity of K+ channels is a major regulator of membrane potential. Recent data show that the NO releasers sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and 8-bromo-cGMP elicit dilation via ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) activation. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of FPI on KATP channel function. Methods Chloralose-anesthetized newborn pigs equipped with a closed cranial window were connected to a percussion device that consisted of a saline-filled cylindrical reservoir and a metal pendulum. Brain injury of moderate severity (1.9 to 2.1 atm)...
Impact of Variable Transmission Range in All-Wireless Networks

In this paper we focus on the energy optimization based on the incremental exploration of the network. We perform one-hop neighborhood exploration of the neighborhood but the work can be generalized to 2-hop, 3-hop, ... up to the diameter of the network, which is the minimum number of hops between any two nodes in the network. We propose three distributed algorithms for self-adjusting the transmission range of nodes in a wireless sensor network. The objective is to vary the transmission radii of selective sensor nodes to lower the energy spent in broadcasting or the diameter. Increasing the transmission power to reach more nodes may consume more energy, but lowers the network diameter. Reducing the transmission power (i.e., save energy) without reducing the reachability (in terms of the number of nodes) increases the network diameter. All three algorithms are simulated and compared based on the experimental results.
Hornblende etching and quartz/feldspar ratios as weathering and soil development indicators in some Michigan soils

Abstract Weathering can be used as a highly effective relative age indicator. One such application involves etching of hornblende grains in soils. Etching increases with time (duration) and decreases with depth in soils and surficial sediments. Other variables, related to intensity of weathering and soil formation, are generally held as constant as possible so as to only minimally influence the time–etching relationship. Our study focuses on one of the variables usually held constant—climate—by examining hornblende etching and quartz/feldspar ratios in soils of similar age but varying degrees of development due to climatic factors. We examined the assumption that the degree of etching varies as a function of soil development, even in soils of similar age. The Spodosols we studied form a climate-mediated development sequence on a 13,000-yr-old outwash plain in Michigan. Their pedogenic development was compared to weathering-related data from the same soils. In general, soils data paralleled weathering data. Hornblende etching was most pronounced in the A and E horizons, and decreased rapidly with depth. Quartz/feldspar ratios showed similar but more variable trends. In the two most weakly developed soils, the Q/F ratio was nearly constant with depth, implying that this ratio may not be as effective a measure as are etching data for minimally weathered soils. Our data indicate that hornblende etching should not be used as a stand-alone relative age indicator, especially in young soils and in contexts where the degree of pedogenic variability on the geomorphic surface is large.
A Historical Perspective of Pediatric Publications: A Bibliometric Analysis

* Abbreviations: WoS — : Thompson Reuters Web of Science > What kinds of pediatric articles are cited most often? One might expect the answer to be classic research studies, both clinical and basic science. The authors of this review identified the top 100 most cited pediatric articles since 1945, and found a different and perhaps surprising answer. > > —Jeffrey P. Baker, MD, PhD > > Section Editor, Historical Perspectives The world of medical research is rapidly proliferating. Since 1945 there have been more than 40 million publications referenced on the Thompson Reuters Web of Science (WoS). Pediatric academia has been in existence since 1471 with Bagallarder's Little Book on Disease in Children .1 However, pediatrics as a specialized field of medicine only developed in the mid-19th century. Archives in Pediatrics was the first pediatric journal and was established in 1884. The very first pediatric publication was “Convulsions in Children” by William T. Plant.2 Since then, the number of publications on the subject of pediatrics has dramatically expanded. There are now 191 journals solely dedicated to the specialty of pediatrics and in 2010 alone, more than 22 800 pediatric articles were published. Bibliometric methods, including citation analysis, have been used to evaluate trends in publications within specialties including neonatal surgery.3 They have also been used to examine highly cited articles within a specialty,4 providing insight into what types of article are of importance and interest to the readership. In this article, we identify and analyze the top 100 most frequently cited articles published in journals dedicated to pediatrics between 1945 and 2010. … Address correspondence to Dermot Thomas McDowell, MRCS, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. E-mail: dermcd{at}yahoo.com
Old and new cluster designs in emergency field surveys: in search of a one-fits-all solution

Cluster surveys are frequently used to measure key nutrition and health indicators in humanitarian emergencies. The survey design of 30 clusters of 7 children (30 × 7) was initially proposed by the World Health Organization for measuring vaccination coverage, and later a design of 30 clusters of 30 children (30 × 30) was introduced to measure acute malnutrition in emergency settings. Recently, designs of 33 clusters of 6 children (33 × 6) and 67 clusters of 3 children (67 × 3) have been proposed as alternatives that enable measurement of several key indicators with sufficient precision, while offering substantial savings in time. This paper explores expected effects of using 67 × 3, 33 × 6, or 30 × 7 designs instead of a "standard" 30 × 30 design on precision and accuracy of estimates, and on time required to complete the survey. The 67 × 3, 33 × 6, and 30 × 7 designs are expected to be more statistically efficient for measuring outcomes having high design effects (e.g., vaccination coverage, vitamin A distribution coverage, or access to safe water sources), and less efficient for measuring outcomes with more within-cluster variability, such as global acute malnutrition or anemia. Because of small sample sizes, these designs may not provide sufficient levels of precision to measure crude mortality rates. Given the small number (3 to 7) of survey subjects per cluster, it may be hard to select representative samples of subjects within clusters. The smaller sample size in these designs will likely result in substantial time savings. The magnitude of the savings will depend on several factors, including the average travel time between clusters. The 67 × 3 design will provide the least time savings. The 33 × 6 and 30 × 7 designs perform similarly to each other, both in terms of statistical efficiency and in terms of time required to complete the survey. Cluster designs discussed in this paper may offer substantial time and cost savings compared to the traditional 30 × 30 design, and may provide acceptable levels of precision when measuring outcomes that have high intracluster homogeneity. Further investigation is required to determine whether these designs can consistently provide accurate point estimates for key outcomes of interest. Organizations conducting cluster surveys in emergency settings need to build their technical capacity in survey design to be able to calculate context-specific sample sizes individually for each planned survey.
EST mining for structure and expression of genes in the region of the wheat high-molecular-weight glutenin loci.

An in-depth analysis was carried out with expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for genes in and near the HMW-GS loci. Considerations for using ESTs are discussed, including the occurrence of chimeric and aberrant HMW-GS ESTs. Complete gene sequences demonstrated the feasibility of constructing accurate full-length coding regions from EST assem- blies and found, or supported, errors in several previously reported HMW-GS gene sequences. New complete HMW-GS gene sequences are reported for the cultivars Chinese Spring and Glenlea. The Ay subunit gene, which is considered null in cultivated wheats, was shown to transcribe in at least two germplasms. Analyses support the conclusion that of the five known genes within this genomic region, the two HMW-GS genes and the globulin gene are highly expressed. The other two genes, encoding a receptor kinase and a protein kinase, have one and no identifiable wheat EST, respectively, although ESTs are found for the orthologous genes in barley. The ESTs of all five genes within the HMW-GS region are either definitely associated with the endosperm or possibly originate from imbibed seed, suggesting the four distinct gene classes in this region are part of a seed or endosperm chromatin domain. EST resources were also used to determine rela- tive abundance of ESTs for all classes of wheat prolamines and indicated differential levels of expression both among germplasms and among the three genomes of hexaploid wheats.
Association kinetics of site-specific protein-DNA interactions: roles of nonspecific DNA sites and of the molecular location of the specific site.

We have applied the formalism developed previously for the kinetics of domain-localized reactions [S. Mazur and M. T. Record, Jr. (1986) Biopolymers 25, 985-1008] to describe complex mechanisms of association of a protein with a specific site on a large DNA molecule also containing many nonspecific binding sites. These nonspecific sites participate in the mechanism of formation of the specific complex through competitive binding and the facilitating mechanisms of sliding and transfer. The effects of localizing the sites in a domain are represented by a simple algebraic expression, and the sequence of interactions within the domain are described by equations closely related to a conventional, homogeneous solution mechanism. We apply this formalism to examine the interplay between sliding and direct transfer in domain-localized interactions in general and in the lac repressor-lac operator interaction in particular. Experimental investigation of the effect of the molecular location of the specific site (e.g., end vs middle of the polymer chain) on the kinetics of association may allow the contributions of sliding and direct transfer to be resolved.
Globalization And Religion

This paper empirically examines whether globalization has a religious dimension. As far as the author can determine, no one has previously tested the question. The study concludes that publicly available databases show that much of globalization, or lack of it, can be predicted from data on the religions practiced in a nation.
The Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America in Columbia University

More than 4 years ago, we had a promising encounter here at the Italian Academy. We brought the Director of Sapienza’s H2CU together with two brilliant Columbia professors from Italy, and discussed ideas for a joint Columbia/Sapienza program. Universities often sign agreements, but these agreements rarely lead to real-world programs that are so successful. That first meeting at the Academy led to many others, giving birth to one of Columbia’s most innovative and attractive programs. Each of the persons and institutions involved in it has enriched the program with valuable skills, expertise, and enthusiasm, making it a unique entity.
Economic Reform and Democratization: Evidence from Latin America and Post-Socialist Countries

What are the political consequences of economic reform in new democracies? Is the effect of economic reform on democratization the same across regions? Some scholars of transitology argue that economic reform has negative consequences on democratization largely because the resistance of established groups can undermine democratization processes. Others, mainly scholars of the post-socialist region, argue that in the post-socialist region economic reform has positive consequences on political democratization due in large part to the region's distinctive historical and structural legacies. The heated debate between Philippe Schmitter with Terry Karl and Valerie Bunce provides ample opportunity to (re)think about democratization in a more contextual and cross-regional perspective. However, there has been little systematic empirical analysis across regions. This analysis attempts to fill the gap by examining whether the dominant research paradigm of democratization is empirically valid across regions in transition.
Abstract ES7-1: Next Generation Sequencing for the Clinician: A Breast Cancer Study

The ability to study genome-wide sequence alterations in cancer genomes has transformed our understanding of the intricacies of this disease. We have applied whole genome sequencing and analysis to tease apart the genomic predictors of aromatase inhibitor (AI) response, by selecting luminal breast cancer cases obtained within a clinical trial of aromatase inhibitor treatment (ACOSOG Z1031). Our study compared the constitutional genome to the cancer genome for patients that exhibit either a response or a resistance phenotype, based on their Ki67 IHC score following 4 month AI treatment and resection. My talk will highlight the process by which these genomes are sequenced and analyzed, and will provide our most recent insights into how the combination of the constitutional and somatic genomes determine whether a patient will respond to AI treatment. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr ES7-1.
Mechanical Behavior and Cavitation in Commercial and High Purity Zn-22% Al

An investigation was conducted on the superplastic Zn-22% Al alloy to examine the effect of impurity level on mechanical behavior and cavitation in the alloy. In conducting the investigation, three grades of Zn-22% Al containing different levels of impurities (6 ppm, 100 ppm, and 180 ppm) were used. The results show that the deformation behavior of Zn-22% Al at low stresses is influenced by the impurity level of the alloy, and that the extent of cavitation increases with increasing impurity content. These two findings lend support to the concept of attributing low-stress superplastic deformation to strong impurity segregation at boundaries.
Parasites, Morphology, and Blood Characters in Male Red Jungle Fowl during Development

Parasites have significant effects on the fitness of their hosts. We used an intestinal nematode, Ascaridia galli, as an experimental treatment of young male Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus) to investigate the effect of this parasite on their growth and development through sexual maturity. After treatment, 26% of those fed parasites and 31% of controls became infected. Infected males had lower body mass, lower hematocrit, a higher percentage of lymphocytes among their white blood cells, and smaller combs than uninfected males. Infected and uninfected males did not differ in plasma levels of testosterone (T). The differences between parasitized and unparasitized males persisted from 5 months of age through sexual maturity. The classic example of hormonal action is the effect of testosterone on the comb of male chickens, but the difference in comb length between parasitized and unparasitized male Red Jungle Fowl along with no difference in T suggests that the effect of parasites on male secondary sexual characters does not necessarily involve a change in circulating levels of testosterone.
Strategies for detecting subclinical monoamine depletions in humans

Abstract Given the reported increase in the recreational use of controlled substance analogs such as MDMA and related drugs, it is important to determine whether these drugs produce neurotoxic effects in humans. Several strategies available for detecting preclinical neurotoxicity to dopamine and serotonin neurons have been discussed, and their strengths and limitations have been listed. In addition, some promising strategies that are still in the development stage (e.g., PET) have been mentioned. None of the available methods for detecting neurotoxicity is conclusive; therefore, converging lines of evidence will be essential to provide convincing indication of subclinical neurotoxicity in humans. Such studies will help define the public health risk of recreationally used drugs. Furthermore, documentation and determination of drug-induced neurotoxic changes may shed light on the pathophysiology of idiopathic neurodegenerative diseases involving monoaminergic neurons in humans and could be useful in the development of new treatment strategies. Finally, detailed neuropsychiatric evaluation of individuals with confirmed subclinical serotonergic neurotoxicity may enhance knowledge regarding the functional role of brain serotonin neurons in health and disease.
Analysis of Reliability and Reliability Sensitivity for Machine Components by Mean-value First Order Saddlepoint Approximation

Based on saddlepoint approximation method and sensitivity analysis method,reliability and reliability sensitivity of machine components with random parameters are studied.On the premise that the probability distribution of basic random parameters is known,probability density function and probability distribution function of stochastic structure response under the action of external loads are obtained by using saddlepoint approximation technique.In the calculation of practical example,numerical analysis of the bolt and automotive front axle is carried out,the result obtained by using the saddlepoint approximation method is compared with that of Monte-Carlo method,which shows that the former has the advantages of higher calculation accuracy and speed,and better tail distribution.The sensitivity analysis method and probability density function are employed to discuss the variation regularities of reliability sensitivity,and the effect of design parameters on reliability of the bolt and the automobile front axle is analyzed.This method provides the theoretical basis for reliability design of machine components.
Differential expression of pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators induced by nitrogen dioxide and ozone in primary human bronchial epithelial cells.

AbstractContext: NO2 and O3 are ubiquitous air toxicants capable of inducing lung damage to the respiratory epithelium. Due to their oxidizing capabilities, these pollutants have been proposed to target specific biological pathways, but few publications have compared the pathways activated.Objective: This work will test the premise that NO2 and O3 induce toxicity by activating similar cellular pathways.Methods: Primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs, n = 3 donors) were exposed for 2 h at an air-liquid interface to 3 ppm NO2, 0.75 ppm O3, or filtered air and harvested 1 h post-exposure. To give an overview of pathways that may be influenced by each exposure, gene expression was measured using PCR arrays for toxicity and oxidative stress. Based on the results, genes were selected to quantify whether expression changes were changed in a dose- and time-response manner using NO2 (1, 2, 3, or 5 ppm), O3 (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, or 1.00 ppm), or filtered air and harvesting 0, 1, 4 and 24 h post-exposure.Resul...
The GABAB Antagonist CGP 52432 Attenuates the Stimulatory Effect of the GABAB Agonist SKF 97541 on Luteinizing Hormone Secretion in the Male Sheep

The objectives of this study were to determine if the c-aminobutyric acid (GABA)B agonist, 3-aminopropyl (methyl) phosphinic acid (SKF97541), would increase luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion when infused by microdialysis into the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) of the castrated ram, and to determine if the action of SKF97541 would be attenuated by coinfusion of the GABAB antagonist CGP52432. Initial experiments established that infusion of SKF alone, at concentrations as low as 5 μM, increased mean LH, LH pulse amplitude, and in some cases, pulse interval. In the last experiment, animals were treated with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) alone, SKF alone (30 μM), 3-[[(3, 4-dichlorophenol) methyl] amino] propyl] dieth-oxymethyl) phosphinic acid (CGP) alone (500 μM), or SKF plus CGP. SKF increased both mean LH and LH pulse amplitude as compared with CSF. CGP alone had no significant effect on LH, but it attenuated the effect of SKF on mean LH. These observations indicate that the stimulatory effects of...
Expanding the Goals of Peer Review to Detect Both Practitioner and System Error

Article-at-a-Glance Background The goals of peer review are to improve the quality of medical care and to provide fair review of individual practitioner actions, judged against the local standard of medical care. A new system for conducting peer review was evaluated which included in every case a root cause analysis to identify latent system flaws and a consideration of performance improvement projects to remedy these flaws. Methods The peer review committee of the medical service in a tertiary care, affiliated Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, which conducted the evaluation, was familiar with the local standards of care and the systems issues relevant to each case. Four questions were answered for each case: Was the quality of care less than ideal? If so, was the practitioner negligent? What system flaws contributed to the error or to the severity of injury? How could the system flaws be eliminated? Results Compared with the prior method of peer review, expanding the scope of review identified four times as many system problems (in 46% of cases versus 11%) without changing the incidence of finding provider negligence (21% preintervention versus 25% postintervention). Performance improvement projects were generated in 36 of 89 of these cases during the three-year period. Discussion Expanding the scope of peer review to include both root cause analysis and performance improvement thinking increased the detection of latent system flaws and the number of performance improvement projects without compromising the peer review committee's ability to identify negligence.
Life After USA300: The Rise and Fall of a Superbug.

Abstract The community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) epidemic in the United States is largely attributable to the meteoric rise of a single clone, referred to as USA300. This strain not only spread across the United States in just a few years to become the predominant cause of staphylococcal disease, but it also appears to have increased the overall number of skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs), increasing the overall disease burden. While USA300 still constitutes a major public health burden, its prevalence may be decreasing in some parts of the United States. Other than an epidemic in South America due to a closely related strain, USA300 also seems to have been largely unable to establish itself as an endemic infection in other geographic locations. While there have been several hypotheses put forward to explain the enormous success of USA300, the reasons for its failures and its potential fall remain obscure. Far from being unique to USA300, the rise and fall of specific clones of S. aureus in human populations seems to be a common process that has occurred multiple times and in multiple locations. This review charts the rise of USA300 and the evidence that suggests that it may be in decline, and it considers how best to understand the future spread, containment, and possible extinction of CA-MRSA.
Use of atypical antipsychotics in pregnancy and maternal gestational diabetes

Abstract Background Second generation antipsychotic medications (SGAs) are widely used by reproductive-age women to treat a number of psychiatric illnesses. Some SGAs have been associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes, although information regarding their diabetogenic effect in pregnant women is scarce. Objective To evaluate the risk of gestational diabetes (GDM) among women treated with SGA. Method The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics (NPRAA) collects data on drug use, pregnancy outcomes, and other characteristics from pregnant women, ages 18–45 years, using 3 phone interviews conducted at (1) enrollment during pregnancy, (2) 7 months' gestation, and (3) 2–3 months postpartum. Information on GDM was abstracted from obstetric and delivery medical records. The study population was restricted to women without pre-gestational diabetes. Pregnancies exposed to SGAs during the first trimester were compared with a reference group of women with psychiatric conditions but not treated with SGAs during pregnancy. Generalized linear models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for GDM. Results Of 303 women exposed to SGAs, 33 (10.9%) had GDM compared to 16 (10.7%) in the 149 non-exposed women. The crude OR of GDM for SGA was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.54–1.91). After adjustment for maternal age, race, marital status, employment status, level of education, smoking, and primary psychiatric diagnosis, the OR moved to 0.79 (0.40–1.56). Conclusions Findings did not suggest an increased risk of GDM associated with exposure to SGAs during pregnancy in women who had used SGA before pregnancy without developing diabetes, compared to psychiatrically ill women who were not exposed to SGA. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01246765.
Formulation of a Peribulbar Block for Prolonged Postoperative Pain Management in Vitreoretinal Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose To evaluate postoperative pain level using a supplemental peribulbar injection at the conclusion of retinal surgery. Design Prospective, parallel-assigned, single-masked, randomized clinical trial. Participants Fifty-eight patients undergoing scleral buckle, vitrectomy, or combined surgery. Methods In a single academic institutional practice, 58 patients undergoing scleral buckle, vitrectomy, or combined surgery were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included those with a risk for glaucoma, a pre-existing chronic pain disorder, among others. Patients were assigned randomly to receive a postoperative peribulbar formulation of either bupivacaine, triamcinolone acetonide, and cefazolin (group A) or bupivacaine, balanced salt solution, and cefazolin (group B). The postoperative pain score and ocular motility were assessed by a masked observer on the first postoperative day. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was the postoperative pain score. Secondary outcome measures included oral analgesic use, ocular motility, and intraocular pressure (IOP). Results The mean pain scores were 2.8±2.9 for group A and 3.8±2.6 for group B (P = 0.095). Pain was absent in 28% of group A patients versus 14% of group B patients (P = 0.11). Group A required less narcotic pain medication (hydroxycodone: group A, 0.7±3 mg vs. group B, 3±6 mg; P = 0.05; oxycodone: group A, 7±7 mg vs. 9±13 mg; P = 0.2) than group B. Motility was full in group B and limited in group A (P ≤ 0.001), with no differences in mean IOP measurements at any point after surgery. Conclusions We did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in mean postoperative pain scores. However, patients in group A required less hydroxycodone use and had greater akinesia, suggesting prolonged neural blockade.
Inner Core Belief Formation, Spiritual Practices, and the Willing-Doing Gap:

Jesus taught we always live out what is in our heart. Our life is primarily directed by the deeply submerged core beliefs, which may often be very different from what we say we value or believe. On...
Widespread changes in transcriptome profile of human mesenchymal stem cells induced by two-dimensional nanosilicates

Two-dimensional nanomaterials, an ultrathin class of materials such as graphene, nanoclays, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and transition metal oxides (TMOs), have emerged as a new generation of materials due to their unique properties relative to macroscale counterparts. However, little is known about the transcriptome dynamics following exposure to these nanomaterials. Here, we investigate the interactions of 2D nanosilicates, a layered clay, with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) at the whole-transcriptome level by high-throughput sequencing (RNA-seq). Analysis of cell-nanosilicate interactions by monitoring changes in transcriptome profile uncovered key biophysical and biochemical cellular pathways triggered by nanosilicates. A widespread alteration of genes was observed due to nanosilicate exposure as more than 4,000 genes were differentially expressed. The change in mRNA expression levels revealed clathrin-mediated endocytosis of nanosilicates. Nanosilicate attachment to the cell membrane and subsequent cellular internalization activated stress-responsive pathways such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which subsequently directed hMSC differentiation toward osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. This study provides transcriptomic insight on the role of surface-mediated cellular signaling triggered by nanomaterials and enables development of nanomaterials-based therapeutics for regenerative medicine. This approach in understanding nanomaterial-cell interactions illustrates how change in transcriptomic profile can predict downstream effects following nanomaterial treatment.
From online learning to offline action: using MOOCs for job-embedded teacher professional development

Over two iterations of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for school leaders, Launching Innovation in Schools, we developed and tested design elements to support the transfer of online learning into offline action. Effective professional learning is job-embedded: learners should employ new skills and knowledge at work. We aimed to get participants to both plan and actually launch new change efforts, and a subset of our most engaged participants were willing to do so during the course. Assessments, instructor calls to action, and exemplars supported student actions. We found that participants led change initiatives, held stakeholder meetings, collected new data about their contexts, and shared and used course materials collaboratively. Collecting data about participant learning and behavior outside the MOOC environment is essential for researchers and designers looking to create effective online environments for professional learning.
LEUKEMIC BLASTS AS EFFECTORS IN NATURAL KILLING AND ANTIBODY DEPENDENT CYTOTOXICITY ASSAY

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the leukemic blasts as effectors in natural killing and antibody dependent cytotoxicity assay. Cells with lymphoid characteristics of T-cell lineage and cells of monocyte-macrophage lineage have shown to mediate natural killer (NK) activity. The best marker appears to be morphologic, that is, large granular lymphocytes, which comprise of approximately 5% peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These cells account for a high proportion of TG cells and react with 0KT10 monoclonal antibody. None of these markers are confined to cell of a single cell lineage. Cells of K-562 cell lines were used as targets after labeling with 51 chromium. In a study described in the chapter, a fixed number of viable blast cells in RPMI-1640 with 10% fetal calf serum supplemented with antibiotics were prepared in varying dilution to give an effector to target ratios of 50:1, 25:1 and 12.5:1. The chapter shows data regarding NK in acute myeloblastic and acute monoblastic leukemia. Leukemic blasts from all patients with AML or AMOL demonstrated very low NK activity even at high effector: target ratio. No correlation was observed between NK activity and the proportion of leukemic blasts with IgG Fc receptors.
Providing Intensive Child Case Management Services: How Do Case Managers Spend Their Time?

This paper focuses on the results of an exploratory study conducted to describe the characteristics of the families and children served in one rural state's intensive child case management program for families with children with serious emotional and behavioral disturbances, and to explore the relationship between these characteristics and case managers' contact with families. Findings suggest that case managers spend more time with families of boys, and with children exhibiting more severe difficulties in daily functioning. Implications for the provision of intensive child case management services are discussed.
Efficient statistical modeling for circuit simulation

Statistical SPICE modeling is necessary for low risk IC design. Here existing approaches to statistical modeling are reviewed, and their limitations are discussed. A four level hierarchy of IC manufacturing variations is presented. Using physically based process and geometry level modeling, sensitivity analysis, and propagation of variance, it is shown how statistical models can be accurately and efficiently derived from the statistical distributions of key device electrical performances, as measured on manufacturing lines. The procedure runs in minutes of am engineering workstation, and guarantees accurate modeling of manufacturing variations.
Providers' Demeanor Impacts Patient Perceptions of Visit Length.

Time matters for healthcare quality. Patients explicitly desire more time with providers and patient perceptions of visit length influence meaningful outcomes, including patient satisfaction and adherence intentions.1, 2 Given existing system-level barriers and competing demands (e.g., electronic health records, high patient volume), it may be challenging for providers to increase the objective amount of time they have with patients.3 However, research suggests that patient perceptions of time with the provider can outweigh actual visit length1, 2 and, fortuitously, that these perceptions are malleable.4 Little research has tested what providers can do to shape patients’ perceptions of the time providers spend with them. The current study tested whether provider demeanor, including the well-documented traits of warmth (e.g., attentiveness, care, and connection with patients) and competence (e.g., displays of knowledge, skill, and efficiency),5, 6 influenced patient time perceptions of a fixed-length medical visit.
A game theory model for freight service provision security investments for high-value cargo

Abstract In this paper, we develop a game theory model in which freight service providers seek to maximize their expected utility by competing for business from shippers and also investing in security. The focus is on high-value cargo, which has been the target of attacks globally. Shippers reflect their preferences for freight service providers through the prices they are willing to pay which depend on quantities shipped and security levels invested in. The Nash Equilibrium is formulated as a variational inequality problem for which existence is guaranteed. Numerical examples illustrate the framework and give essential freight security investment policy related information.
“More Like a Real Human Being”: Humanizing Historical Artists Through Remote Service-Learning:

Background: In a digital age, service-learning partner organizations can expand beyond geographical locations accessible to the students. Particularly within fields digitizing archival sources, inc...
Outcomes of Salvage Arthrodesis and Arthroplasty for Failed Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Ankle.

Background:Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation is a useful treatment for posttraumatic ankle arthritis in young patients, but failure rates are high and reoperations are not uncommon. The...
Methods for Hydroxamic Acid Synthesis

Substituted hydroxamic acid is one of the most extensively studied pharmacophores because of their ability to chelate biologically important metal ions to modulate various enzymes, such as HDACs, urease, metallopeptidase, and carbonic anhydrase. Syntheses and biological studies of various classes of hydroxamic acid derivatives have been reported in numerous research articles in recent years but this is the first review article dedicated to their synthetic methods and their application for the synthesis of these novel molecules. In this review article, commercially available reagents and preparation of hydroxylamine donating reagents have also been described.
Risk and management of ocular bleeding associated with oral anticoagulants

Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction are the major thromboembolic diseases which affect millions of North Americans. Most of these patients are managed long term with oral anticoagulants that can increase the risk of bleeding including ocular hemorrhages. As primary eye care providers, optometrists do encounter patients presenting with ocular bleeding secondary to oral anticoagulants. This article provides an overview and update of oral anticoagulants, and discusses ways to manage ocular bleeding associated with oral anticoagulants via two clinical cases. Interruption of anticoagulation temporarily increases thromboembolic risk, and continuing anticoagulation increases the risk of bleeding, both scenarios adversely affect patient’s overall health. Eye care providers must work closely with primary care provider and/or anticoagulation team to come up with the best decision on an individual patient basis with respect to each ocular bleeding occurrence.
The sensitivity and specificity of the routine kidney biopsy immunofluorescence panel are inferior to diagnosing renal immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis by mass spectrometry

Immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis is the most frequent type of renal amyloidosis in the United States, accounting for 81% of cases. Accurate typing is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis and to avoid treating other amyloidoses with potentially toxic chemotherapy. Immunofluorescence is the first step to type renal immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis but the performance characteristics of this method are largely unknown. Here, we establish the sensitivity and specificity of immunofluorescence for diagnosing immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis in patients whose amyloid typing was performed by the current gold standard of laser microdissection/mass spectrometry. Renal biopsy pathology reports originating from several institutions with a diagnosis of amyloidosis and which had amyloid typing by laser microdissection/mass spectrometry performed at our center were reviewed. Reported immunofluorescence staining for kappa or lambda of 2+ or more, with weak or no staining for the other light chain was considered positive for light chain amyloidosis by immunofluorescence. Based on microdissection/mass spectrometry results, of the 170 cases reviewed, 104 cases were typed as immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis and 66 were typed as non-immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis. Immunofluorescence sensitivity for diagnosing immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis was 84.6%. The remaining 16 cases could not be diagnosed by immunofluorescence due to reported weak staining for all antigens or reported lack of preferential staining for one antigen. Immunofluorescence specificity was 92.4%. Five cases, all amyloid A amyloidosis, were misdiagnosed as immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis by immunofluorescence. Immunofluorescence failed to accurately differentiate immunoglobulin-derived from non-immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis in 12.3% of cases of renal amyloidosis. Relying on immunofluorescence alone for determining immunoglobulin-derived vs. non-immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis may lead to misdiagnosis. Thus, immunofluorescence has inferior sensitivity and specificity compared with laser microdissection/mass spectrometry in the typing of immunoglobulin-derived amyloidosis.
Quality over quantity: skeletal loading intensity plays a key role in understanding the relationship between physical activity and bone density in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE Increasing physical activity (PA) is regularly cited as a modifiable target to improve health outcomes and quality of life in the aging population, especially postmenopausal women who exhibit low bone mineral density (BMD) and high fracture risk. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to quantify real-world PA and its association with BMD in postmenopausal women. METHODS Seventy postmenopausal women, aged 46 to 79 years, received a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan measuring total hip BMD and wore bilateral triaxial accelerometers on the ankles for 7 days to measure PA in their free-living environment. Custom step detection and peak vertical ground reaction force estimation algorithms, sensitive to both quantity and intensity of PA, were used to calculate a daily bone density index (BDI) for each participant. Multiple regression was used to quantify the relationship between total hip BMD, age, step counts, and mean BDI over the span of 7 days of data collection. RESULTS All participants completed the full 7 days of PA monitoring, totaling more than 7 million detected steps. Participants averaged 14,485 ± 4,334 steps daily with mean peak vertical ground reaction force stepping loads of 675 ± 121 N during daily living. Across the population, total hip BMD was found to be significantly correlated with objective estimates of mean BDI (r = 0.44), as well as participant age (r = 0.285). CONCLUSION Despite having higher-than-expected PA, the low stepping loads observed in this cohort, along with half of the participants having low BMD measures, underscores the need for PA intensity to be considered in the management of postmenopausal bone health.
Peritheliomatous pattern: A diagnostic clue for diagnosing metastatic melanoma in cytology.

Background A peritheliomatous pattern (PP) in tumors is characterized by a sheath of viable tumor cells closely surrounding a central blood vessel. In the authors' cytology practice, such a PP has been recognized in several metastatic melanoma specimens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of a PP in cytology samples of melanoma in comparison with other tumors. Methods Eighty archival fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cases of metastatic melanoma were compared with 65 control cases (35 poorly differentiated/metastatic carcinomas, 15 lymphomas, and 15 recurrent/metastatic/high-grade sarcomas). Cytologic findings were correlated with corresponding histologic specimens, which were available for 44 cases (55%) in the melanoma group and for 23 cases (35.38%) in the control group. All slides were examined for a PP and were semiquantitatively graded for comparison. Results A PP was present in 51.3% of the cytologic preparations (n = 41) among the melanoma group cases, whereas in the control group, a PP was present in only 3.1% of the cases (n = 2). A PP was present in 65.9% of melanomas with available histologic sections (n = 29) and in 8.7% of tissue samples from the control group (n = 2). A PP was seen more often in cell blocks than direct smear preparations (51.3% vs 40.0%) from patients with melanoma. Conclusions The presence of a characteristic PP can be helpful in diagnosing melanoma in FNA samples because it was present in almost half of the metastatic melanoma cases in this study and was rarely present in other tumor types. A PP is easier to recognize and more often presents in cell blocks than aspirate smears. Ancillary studies such as immunohistochemistry are helpful for excluding other entities that may exhibit a PP.
Associations of lower limb joint asymmetry with fatigue and disability in people with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Background An early symptom of multiple sclerosis is unilateral weakness, particularly in the lower limbs, which is associated with strength asymmetries. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine strength asymmetries at the hip, knee, and ankle joints, and to investigate the associations between lower limb strength asymmetries and self-reported fatigue severity and disability in people with multiple sclerosis. Methods Sixteen mildly-disabled people with multiple sclerosis (females = 9) completed isokinetic maximal voluntary contractions of the hip extensors and flexors, knee extensors and flexors, and ankle plantar flexors and dorsiflexors. Asymmetry indices between the strength of the more- and less-affected lower limbs at each muscle group and the percent agreement between self-reported and objectively-determined more-affected lower limb were calculated. Patient Determined Diseases Steps and Fatigue Severity Scale were also completed. Findings All joints showed asymmetry (asymmetry indices ≥10%). Knee flexors (mean [SD]; 49.9 [37.8%]) and ankle plantar flexors (46.6 [35.5%]) had the largest asymmetry indices. Hip and knee extensors had the lowest asymmetry indices (21.1 [18.1%] and 30.1 [24.7%], respectively) and the highest agreement between self-reported and objectively-determined more-affected lower limb (93.3 and 93.8, respectively). The hip extensor asymmetry index was correlated with the Fatigue Severity Scale (r = 0.542, p = 0.037). Interpretation For the assessment of strength asymmetries in people with multiple sclerosis, it is suggested to 1) include measures of hip, knee, and ankle strength asymmetries, 2) include subjective perceptions and objective measures of strength asymmetries concurrently, and 3) to include measures of sensory function (proprioception).