cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in Substance Use Prevention Program Participation Among Adolescents in the U.S.

Abstract Purpose The aim of the article was to examine national trends in adolescent participation in substance use prevention programming (SUPP). Methods We examine 15 years of cross-sectional data (2002–2016) from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Main outcomes were participation in past-year school and community-based SUPP (no/yes). Logistic regression was used to examine trends in the prevalence of participation. Results Participation in school-based SUPP decreased significantly from 48% among adolescents in 2002–2003 to 40% in 2015–2016, a 16.5% proportional decline. Significant declines for school-based participation were observed in all demographic and drug involvement subgroups examined. Youth participation in community-based SUPP also decreased significantly. However, this downward trend was significant only among younger teens, females, youth in very low ( Conclusions Participation in SUPP has decreased since the early 2000s, with noteworthy declines among Latino youth and youth from rural areas and socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Deficit Effect Sizes and Correlations of Auditory Event-Related Potentials at First Hospitalization in the Schizophrenia Spectrum.

The N1, P2, and P3 event-related potentials (ERPs) are impaired in first-episode schizophrenia (FESz). Reduced pitch-deviant mismatch negativity (MMN) is present in chronic schizophrenia but not FE...
Rural-urban disparities in colonoscopies after the elimination of patient cost-sharing by the Affordable Care Act.

Abstract Introduction Improving the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer is a priority for reducing rural-urban disparities in colorectal cancer mortality. By eliminating out-of-pocket (OOP) costs for preventive colonoscopies, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could have reduced rural-urban disparities in screening. Methods We used the Maine Health Data Organization All-Payer Claims Database including all commercially-insured and Medicare beneficiaries aged 50–75 between 2009 and 2012. Rural-urban commuting areas were used to classify rural/urban residence. ICD-9 and CPT codes identified colonoscopies. We summed all OOP payments per patient-day. An interrupted time series model estimated the impact of the ACA on trends in rural-urban disparities in colonoscopy rates and OOP costs. Results Before the ACA, colonoscopy rates were 16% lower in rural than urban areas (5.1% vs. 6.1% of enrollees annually) and median OOP costs were nearly double ($195 vs. $98). The ACA reduced median OOP payments by $94 (p = .001) initially and $4 monthly (p = .038) in rural areas, and $63 (p Conclusions The ACA was associated with significant reductions in rural-urban disparities in colonoscopies in Maine, suggesting that OOP costs are an important barrier for rural residents. Further research is needed to determine whether increased uptake, particularly in rural areas, translated into better patient outcomes for colorectal cancer.
Ethical Considerations for Research Involving (Speculative) Public Data

As the process of creating and sharing data about ourselves becomes more prevalent, researchers have access to increasingly rich data about human behavior. Framed as a fictional paper published at some point in the not-so-distant future, this design fiction draws from current inquiry and debate into the ethics of using public data for research, and speculatively extends this conversation into even more robust and more personal data that could exist when we design new technologies in the future. By looking to how the precedents of today might impact the practices of tomorrow, we can consider how we might design policies, ethical guidelines, and technologies that are forward-thinking.
Characterizing Human-Dog Attachment Relationships in Foster and Shelter Environments as a Potential Mechanism for Achieving Mutual Wellbeing and Success.

This study aimed to characterize attachment relationships between humans and dogs living in animal shelters or foster homes, and to contextualize these relationships in the broader canine attachment literature. In this study, 21 pairs of foster dogs and foster volunteers and 31 pairs of shelter dogs and shelter volunteers participated. Each volunteer–dog dyad participated in a secure base test and a paired attachment test. All volunteers completed the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS), a survey designed to measure strength of attachment bonds as reported by humans. Although no significant differences were present in terms of proportions of insecure and secure attachments between foster and shelter populations, proportions in the shelter population were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the proportions of attachment styles that would be expected in a population of pet dogs based on the published literature on pet dog attachment styles. Additionally, findings are presented in relation to data from a paired attachment test that demonstrate foster and shelter dogs spend more time in proximity to humans when the human is actively attending to the dog and encouraging interaction, as would be expected based on previous studies. We also present findings related to the presence of disinhibited attachment (previously reported in children who spent a significant portion of time living in institutionalized settings) which is characterized by a lack of preferential proximity seeking with a familiar caregiver and excessive friendliness towards strangers in foster and shelter dogs.
Kyle-Back Models with risk aversion and non-Gaussian Beliefs

We show that the problem of existence of equilibrium in Kyle's continuous time insider trading model ([31]) can be tackled by considering a system of quasilinear parabolic equation and a Fokker-Planck equation coupled via a transport type constraint. By obtaining a stochastic representation for the solution of such a system, we show the well-posedness of solutions and study the properties of the equilibrium obtained for small enough risk aversion parameter. In our model, the insider has exponential type utility and the belief of the market on the distribution of the price at final time can be non-Gaussian.
Combined Impact of Demand Response Aggregators and Carbon Taxation on Emissions Reduction in Electric Power Systems

An emission rate-based carbon tax is applied to fossil-fueled generators with a demand response approach called Smart Grid resource allocation (SGRA). The former reduces the capacity factors (CFs) of base load serving fossil-fueled units, while the latter reduces the CFs of peak load serving units. The objective is to quantify the integration of the carbon tax and the SGRA approach on CO2 emissions and electricity prices in a multi-area power grid. We illustrate this using the Roy Billinton test system and the results show potential for significant reductions in fossil fuel-based generation and CO2 emissions.
Microstructure Characterization of a Biogenic Shale Gas Formation—Insights from the Antrim Shale, Michigan Basin

Biogenic gas shales, predominantly microbial in origin, form an important class of organic-rich shale reservoirs with a significant economic potential. Yet large gaps remain in the understanding of their gas generation, storage, and transport mechanisms, as previous studies have been largely focused on mature thermogenic shale reservoirs. In this study, the pore structure of 18 Antrim Shale samples was characterized using gas adsorption (CO2 and N2). The results show that most of the Antrim Shale samples are rich in organic matter content (0.58 wt.% to 14.15 wt.%), with highest values found in the Lachine and Norwood members. Samples from the Paxton Member, characterized by lower organic content, have smaller micropore surface area and micropore volume but larger meso-macro pore surface area and volume. The deconvolution results of the pore size distribution from the N2 adsorption indicate that all of the tested Antrim Shale samples have similar pore groups. Organic matter in the Antrim Shale hosts micro pores instead of meso-macro pores, while clay minerals host both micro and meso-macro pores. Mineral-related pores play a primary role in the total porosity. The biogenic Antrim Shale, therefore, has different pore structures from other well-studied thermogenic gas shales worldwide.
COVID-19 Self-Reported Symptom Tracking Programs in the United States: Framework Synthesis.

Background: With the continued spread of COVID-19 in the United States, identifying potential outbreaks before infected individuals cross the clinical threshold is key to allowing public health officials time to ensure local health care institutions are adequately prepared. In response to this need, researchers have developed participatory surveillance technologies that allow individuals to report emerging symptoms daily so that their data can be extrapolated and disseminated to local health care authorities. Objective: This study uses a framework synthesis to evaluate existing self-reported symptom tracking programs in the United States for COVID-19 as an early-warning tool for probable clusters of infection. This in turn will inform decision makers and health care planners about these technologies and the usefulness of their information to aid in federal, state, and local efforts to mobilize effective current and future pandemic responses. Methods: Programs were identified through keyword searches and snowball sampling, then screened for inclusion. A best fit framework was constructed for all programs that met the inclusion criteria by collating information collected from each into a table for easy comparison. Results: We screened 8 programs; 6 were included in our final framework synthesis. We identified multiple common data elements, including demographic information like race, age, gender, and affiliation (all were associated with universities, medical schools, or schools of public health). Dissimilarities included collection of data regarding smoking status, mental well-being, and suspected exposure to COVID-19. Conclusions: Several programs currently exist that track COVID-19 symptoms from participants on a semiregular basis. Coordination between symptom tracking program research teams and local and state authorities is currently lacking, presenting an opportunity for collaboration to avoid duplication of efforts and more comprehensive knowledge dissemination.
Characterization of Gelatin Hydrogels Cross-Linked with Microbial Transglutaminase as Engineered Skeletal Muscle Substrates.

Engineered in vitro models of skeletal muscle are essential for efficiently screening drug safety and efficacy. However, conventional culture substrates poorly replicate physical features of native muscle and do not support long-term culture, which limits tissue maturity. Micromolded gelatin hydrogels cross-linked with microbial transglutaminase (gelatin-MTG hydrogels) have previously been shown to induce C21C2 myotube alignment and improve culture longevity. However, several properties of gelatin-MTG hydrogels have not been systematically characterized, such as changes in elastic modulus during incubation in culture-like conditions and their ability to support sarcomere maturation. In this study, various gelatin-MTG hydrogels were fabricated and incubated in ambient or culture-like conditions. Elastic modulus, mass, and transmittance were measured over a one- or two-week period. Compared to hydrogels in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or ambient air, hydrogels in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and 5% CO2 demonstrated the most stable elastic modulus. A subset of gelatin-MTG hydrogels was micromolded and seeded with C2C12 or primary chick myoblasts, which aligned and fused into multinucleated myotubes with relatively mature sarcomeres. These data are important for fabricating gelatin-MTG hydrogels with predictable and stable mechanical properties and highlight their advantages as culture substrates for engineering relatively mature and stable muscle tissues.
Enhancing Transportation Education through Online Simulation Using an Agent-Based Demand and Assignment Model

This research explores the effectiveness of using simulation as a tool for enhancing classroom learning in the Civil Engineer- ing Department of the University of Minnesota at Twin Cities. The authors developed a modern transportation planning software package, Agent-Based Demand and Assignment Model ADAM, that is consistent with our present understanding of travel behavior, that is platform independent, and that is easy to learn and is thus usable by students. An in-class project incorporated ADAM and the perfor- mance of this education strategy was evaluated through preclass survey, postclass survey, scores in the quiz focusing on travel demand modeling, and final scores. Results showed that ADAM effectively enhanced students' self-reported understanding of transportation planning and their skills of forming opinions, evaluating projects, and making judgments. Students who prefer visual and active learning were found to benefit more than others through simulation-based teaching strategy. Findings in this research could have significant implications for future practice of simulation-based teaching strategy. DOI: 10.1061/ASCEEI.1943-5541.0000038 CE Database subject headings: Transportation engineering; Engineering education; Simulation. Author keywords: Agent-based model; Transportation education; Simulation.
Do Institutional Repository Deposit Guidelines Deter Data Discovery

Objective – This study uses quantitative methods to determine if the metadata requirements of institutional repositories (IRs) promote data discovery. This question is addressed through an exploration of an international sample of university IRs, including an analysis of the required metadata elements for data deposit, with a particular focus on how these metadata support discovery of research data objects. Methods – The researchers worked with an international universe of 243 IRs. A codebook of 10 variables was developed to enable analysis of the eventual randomly derived sample of 40 institutions. Results – The analysis of our sample IRs revealed that most had metadata standards that offered weak support for data discovery—an unsurprising revelation in view of the fact that university IRs are meant to accommodate deposit and storage of all types of scholarly outputs, only a small percentage of which are research data objects. Most IRs seem to have adopted metadata standards based on the Dublin Core schema, while none of the IRs in our sample used the Data Documentation Initiative metadata that is better suited for deposit and discovery of research datasets. Conclusion – The study demonstrates that while data deposit can be accommodated by the existing metadata requirements of multi-purpose IRs, their metadata practices do little to prioritize data deposit or to promote data discovery. Evidence indicates that data discovery will benefit from additional metadata elements.
Always Connected: Technology Use Increases Stress among Public Managers

Despite the growing use and adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in government, few studies investigate how ICTs impact the well-being of public managers in the workplace. Information system and psychology studies define “techno-stress” as a form of stress stemming from the social and technical changes brought by ICTs use. Public managers likely experience techno-stress as ICTs become pervasive in their professional and private life and add new demands to their workload. Using nationwide 2014-survey data of 2,500 local government managers, we focus on technology use and individual and organizational practices around ICT use to investigate their effect on techno-stress. We find that ICT use for professional purposes increases techno-stress but public organizations can reduce techno-stress by providing policies and guidelines on ICT use. Personal use of ICTs and electronic monitoring do not affect techno-stress. We discuss implications for technology and human resource management in public organizations.
Removal of coins from the esophagus: nothing new under the sun.

In the recent literature there appears to be a revival of interest in the use of Foley catheters in removing foreign objects from both orifices of the alimentary canal. 1-3 During the peak of the Byzantine period, foreign bodies were extracted from the esophagus by having the patient swallow a small, dry sponge on a string, allowing it to expand in the stomach and then withdrawing the sponge. Paulus Aegineta (seventh century) wrote in Book Six of his Epitome of Medicine:
Flow Over Complex Terrain, Numerical Modeling Of

This article provides a general description of numerical modeling over complex terrain, including both diagnostic and prognostic approaches and their associated advantages and limitations. Diagnostic models solve simplified versions of the equations of motion and are widely used in the engineering community for simulations of flow over complex terrain. These models produce a description of the steady-state flow, while requiring few inputs and being computationally efficient. Diagnostic models do not predict time evolution of flow, and are often only appropriate for terrain with small slopes. Prognostic models solve the full equations of motion and are used for both engineering and numerical weather prediction applications. Details of the implementation of prognostic models vary widely, but they are capable of producing time-varying descriptions of the flow and handling very complex terrain with no limitations on terrain slope. These models can require detailed three-dimensional inputs and large computational resources. Additional simplifications can reduce these requirements, but generally at the expense of functionality, such as producing a steady-state solution or the inability to handle arbitrarily complex terrain. Keywords: numerical modeling; complex terrain; computational fluid dynamics; numerical weather prediction; mesoscale modeling
Heart rate patterns of the hydrocephalic fetus.

Abstract Fetal heart rate patterns, including instantaneous heart rate and intrauterine pressure, were recorded in 3 hydrocephalic fetuses during labor. Intracranial pressures were also monitored in two of these fetuses. Intracranial pressure invariably exceeded intrauterine pressure. No consistent heart rate patterns were seen in these anomalous fetuses.
Generating proactive feedback to help students stay on track

In a tutoring system based on an exploratory environment, it is also important to provide direct guidance to students We endowed iList, our linked list tutor, with the ability to generate proactive feedback using a procedural knowledge model automatically constructed from the interaction of previous students with the system We compared the new version of iList with its predecessors and human tutors Our evaluation shows that iList is effective in helping students learn.
Recovery of testicular blood flow following ligation of testicular vessels

AbstractTo determine whether initial ligation of the testicular vessels of the high undescended testis followed by a delayed secondary orchiopexy is a viable alternative to the classical Fowler-Stephens procedure, a series of preliminary experiments were conducted in the rat in which testicular blood flow was measured by the 133xenon washout technique before, and 1 hour and 30 days after ligation of the vessels. In addition, testicular histology, and testis and sex-accessory tissue weights were measured in 6 control, 6 sham operated and 6 testicular vessel ligated rats 54 days after vessel ligation. The data demonstrate that ligation and division of the testicular blood vessels produce an 80 per cent decrease in testicular blood flow 1 hour after ligation of the vessels. However, 30 days later testis blood flow returns to the control and pre-treatment value. There were no significant changes in testis or sex-accessory tissue weights 54 days after vessel ligation. Histologically, 4 of the surgically operat...
Dynamic analysis of a variable-span, variable-sweep morphing UAV

this paper presents the design and dynamic analysis of a variable-span, variable-sweep morphing UAV. The construction of a morphing wing test model is discussed followed by the aerodynamic modeling of a morphing wing UAV using the vortex lattice method. The variation of the longitudinal aerodynamic coefficients as a function of span and sweep change is discussed in detail. A nonlinear dynamic model is then developed and used to simulate and analyze the response of the UAV to morphing at different rates. The variation in the longitudinal dynamic modes resulting from different morphing configurations is also presented.
Analyst Forecast Revisions and Market Price Formation

We document several factors that help explain cross-sectional variations in the delayed price response to individual analyst forecast revisions. First, the market does not make a sufficient distinction between those analysts providing new information and others simply "herding" toward the consensus. Second, the market responds more completely to "celebrity" analysts, and under-weights revisions by obscure, but highly accurate, analysts. Third, controlling for firm size, the market price adjustment is more complete for firms with wider analyst coverage. Moreover, a significant portion of the delayed price response is corrected around future earnings news events, particularly forecast revisions by other analysts. Taken together, these findings show that qualitative aspects of an earnings signal can affect the speed and efficacy of the price formation process.
Donor Selection in Flow Replacement Bypass Surgery for Cerebral Aneurysms: Quantitative Analysis of Long-term Native Donor Flow Sufficiency.

BACKGROUND Graft selection in extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery for cerebral aneurysms has traditionally been based on clinical impression and operator preference. However, decision making can be optimized with a donor selection algorithm based on intraoperative flow data. OBJECTIVE To present long-term follow-up and quantitative assessment of flow sufficiency for native donors selected in this manner. METHODS Patients with bypass for anterior circulation intracranial aneurysms using only a native donor (superficial temporal artery) selected on the basis of an intraoperative flow algorithm over a 10-year period were retrospectively studied. Intracranial hemispheric and bypass flows were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively when available with quantitative magnetic resonance angiography. RESULTS Twenty-two patients with flow data were included (median aneurysm size, 22 mm). The intraoperative flow offer (cut flow) of the superficial temporal artery was sufficient in these cases relative to the flow demand in the sacrificed vessel (59 vs 28 mL/min) to warrant its use. Bypass flow averaged 81 mL/min postoperatively (n = 19). Bypass flows were highest in the immediate postoperative period but remained stable between the intermediate and final follow-up (40 vs 52 mL/min; P = .39; n = 8). Mean ipsilateral hemisphere flows were maintained after bypass (299 vs 335 mL/min; P = .42; n = 7), and remained stable over intermediate and long-term follow-up. Ipsilateral hemispheric flows remained similar to contralateral flows at all time points. CONCLUSION Despite a relative reduction in bypass flow over time, hemispheric flows were maintained, indicating that simple native donors can carry sufficient flow for territory demand long term when an intraoperative flow-based algorithm is used for donor selection.
Evaluating plant immunity using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics workflows

Metabolic processes in plants are key components of physiological and biochemical disease resistance. Metabolomics, the analysis of a broad range of small molecule compounds in a biological system, has been used to provide a systems-wide overview of plant metabolism associated with defense responses. Plant immunity has been examined using multiple metabolomics workflows that vary in methods of detection, annotation, and interpretation, and the choice of workflow can significantly impact the conclusions inferred from a metabolomics investigation. The broad range of metabolites involved in plant defense often supports the need for multiple chemical detection platforms and implementation of a non-targeted approach. A review of the current literature reveals a wide range of workflows that are currently used in plant metabolomics, and new methods for analyzing and reporting mass spectrometry data can improve the ability to translate investigative findings among different plant-pathogen systems.
Nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the rat kidney during pregnancy.

Nitric oxide mediates renal vasodilation and hyperfiltration during pregnancy in conscious rats through the endothelin B (ETB) receptor subtype. We tested the hypothesis that immunoreactive levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) would be greater in the kidneys of midterm pregnant rats compared with virgin rats. We studied midterm pregnancy because renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate are maximal at this gestational stage. Western analysis was used to determine the level of eNOS in the three major zones of the kidney—inner medulla, outer medulla, and cortex—and in isolated small renal arteries, and in purified renal microvessels from the cortex. There were no significant differences in eNOS expression between virgin and midterm pregnant rats in any of those renal tissues, regardless of whether immunoreactivity was expressed as arbitrary densitometry units, as “μg placental equivalents” interpolated from the linear portion of a dose-response curve of placental villous protein (2.5–30 μg, positive control) run concurrently on each gel, or normalized for β-actin. We also investigated other NOS isoforms. In particular, immunoreactive neuronal NOS (nNOS) was detectable in the inner and outer medulla, but it was not significantly different between groups. nNOS immunoreactivity was below the level of detection in the cortex, but mRNA expression was not significantly different between pregnant and virgin rats by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Our results suggest that an increase in eNOS isoform mass does not contribute to the endothelin and NO-dependent renal vasodilation in rat gestation.
Addressing software dependability with statistical and machine learning techniques

Summary form only given. Our ability to design and deploy large complex systems is outpacing our ability to understand their behavior. How do we detect and recover from "heisenbugs", which account for up to 40% of failures in complex Internet systems, without extensive application-specific coding? Which users were affected, and for how long? How do we diagnose and correct problems caused by configuration errors or operator errors? Although these problems are posed at a high level of abstraction, all we can usually measure directly are low-level behaviors - analogous to driving a car while looking through a magnifying glass. Machine learning can bridge this gap using techniques that learn "baseline" models automatically or semi-automatically, allowing the characterization and monitoring of systems whose structure is not well understood a priori. This paper discusses initial successes and future challenges in using machine learning for failure detection and diagnosis, configuration troubleshooting, attribution (which low-level properties appear to be correlated with an observed high-level effect such as decreased performance), and failure forecasting.
Multiple site receptor modeling with a minimal spanning tree combined with a Kohonen neural network

A combination of two pattern recognition methods has been developed that allows the generation of geographical emission maps form multivariate environmental data. In such a projection into a visually interpretable subspace by a Kohonen Self-Organizing Feature Map, the topology of the higher dimensional variables space can be preserved, but parts of the information about the correct neighborhood among the sample vectors will be lost. This can partly be compensated for by an additional projection of Prim's Minimal Spanning Tree into the trained neural network. This new environmental receptor modeling technique has been adapted for multiple sampling sites. The behavior of the method has been studied using simulated data. Subsequently, the method has been applied to mapping data sets from the Southern California Air Quality Study. The projection of a 17 chemical variables measured at up to 8 sampling sites provided a 2D, visually interpretable, geometrically reasonable arrangement of air pollution source sin the South Coast Air Basin.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cloning of Rous Sarcoma Virus Enhancer Factor Genes. II. RSV-EF-II, Abundantly Expressed in Fibroblasts and Muscle Tissue, Binds to an Octamer Sequence, 5′-GTACCACC-3′, in the Noncoding Strand of RSV Enhancer

Abstract Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) mainly replicates in avian fibroblasts, and the U3 enhancer region of the long terminal repeats of RSV contains the determinants for its tissue-tropic expression. We describe the cloning and characterization of an avian gene that encodes a protein capable of binding to the enhancer region of Rous sarcoma virus. A PCR-derived probe corresponding to the U3 region of RSV was used to isolate a cDNA clone by screening a chicken cDNA expression library. The cDNA is predicted to encode a polypeptide of 298 amino acids that is homologous to the Y-box (inverted CCAAT) family of DNA-binding transcription factors. This factor, which we refer to as Rous sarcoma virus enhancer factor-II (RSV-EF-II), shows 99% aa identity over a 105-amino-acid stretch that is highly conserved in all Y-box proteins, and is commonly referred to as the cold shock domain. RSV-EF-II selectively binds to single-stranded DNA, and the binding site, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, consists of the sequence 5′ GTACCACC 3′ located between nucleotides −112 to −119 in the noncoding strand of the RSV enhancer. Although RSV-EF-II shares considerable homology with the Y-box family of proteins, it does not bind to the inverted CCAAT boxes at positions −65 to −69 and −129 to −133 in the RSV LTR. Northern analysis indicates that RSV-EF-II-specific transcripts are expressed predominantly in avian fibroblasts and muscle tissue. The results of these binding and mRNA expression experiments suggest that RSV-EF-II may play an important role in tissue- and host-specific expression of RSV LTR-driven gene expression. Further, we show that RSV-EF-II acts as a repressor of transcription.
Methyl reorientation in methylphenanthrenes—II. solid state proton spin-lattice relaxation in the 1-CH3, 9-CH3 and 1-CD3, 9-CH3 systems

Abstract We report proton Zeeman relaxation rates R as a function of temperature T at 8.5 and 53 MHz in polycrystalline 1,9-dimethylphenanthrene (1,9-DMP) and l-trideuteriomethyl-9-methylphenanthrene (1, 9-DMP[1-d3]). The data are interpreted using a Davidson-Cole spectral density for intramolecular reorientation and the implications of this are discussed. R vs T−1 data for 1,9-DMP[1-d3] are used to determine the parameters that characterize the reorientation of the 9-methyl group. By assuming that the parameters characterizing the dynamics of the 9-methyl group are the same in 1,9-DMP and 1,9-DMP[1-d3], we subtract out the R vs T−1 contribution of the 9-methyl group in 1,9-DMP to determine the parameters that characterize the dynamics of the 1-methyl group. We find that the barrier for reorientation of the 9-methyl group is larger than the barrier for the 1-methyl group and this is discussed in terms of the various contributions to the barrier.
Hindered diffusion of oligosaccharides in high strength poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(acrylic acid) interpenetrating network hydrogels: Hydrodynamic vs. obstruction models

Diffusion coefficients of small oligosaccharides within high strength poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(acrylic acid) interpenetrating network (PEG/PAA IPN) hydrogels were measured by diffusion through hydrogel slabs. The ability of hindered diffusion models previously presented in the literature to fit the experimental data is examined. A model based solely on effects due to hydrodynamics is compared to a model based solely on solute obstruction. To examine the effect of polymer volume fraction on the observed diffusion coefficients, the equilibrium volume fraction of polymer in PEG/PAA IPNs was systematically varied by changing the initial PEG polymer concentration in hydrogel precursor solutions from 20 to 50 wt./wt.%. To examine the effect of solute radius on the observed diffusion coefficients, solute radii were varied from 3.3 to 5.1 A by measuring diffusion coefficients of glucose, a monosaccharide; maltose, a disaccharide; and maltotriose, a trisaccharide. Both the hydrodynamic and obstruction models rely on scaling relationships to predict diffusion coefficients. The proper scaling relationship for each of the hindered diffusion models is evaluated based on fits to experimental data. The scaling relationship employed is found to have a greater significance for the hydrodynamic model than the obstruction model. Regardless of the scaling relationship employed, the obstruction model provides a better fit to our experimental data than the hydrodynamic model.
Optimal Future Liver Remnant in Patients Treated with Extensive Preoperative Chemotherapy for Colorectal Liver Metastases

Background Patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) are increasingly treated with preoperative chemotherapy. Chemotherapy associated liver injury is associated with postoperative hepatic insufficiency (PHI) and mortality. The adequate minimum future liver remnant (FLR) volume in patients treated with extensive chemotherapy remains unknown.
Medical Tourism, Stem Cells, Genomics: Easts, Transnational Sts, and the Contemporary Life Sciences

In May 2008, I had the pleasure and privilege of giving a talk at National Taiwan University on the occasion of the first anniversary of EASTS, the East Asian Science, Technology and Society: an In...
Predictive Factors for Applicability and Success With Endoscopic Treatment of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

ABSTRACTPurpose: We report on endoscopic treatment outcomes for upper tract urothelial carcinoma and identify predictive factors for success.Materials and Methods: A total of 61 renal units were referred for endoscopic treatment of an upper tract tumor, 69% of which did not have a traditional indication for nephron sparing approaches. Tumor pathology and operative findings were assessed retrospectively for treatment outcomes and influential factors.Results: Initial ureteroscopic inspection was undertaken in 53 renal units with resection attempted in 18 (34%) resulting in an 89% success rate with 16 treated. A percutaneous approach in 19 renal units (11 after ureteroscopy) was 100% successful in achieving tumor-free status, for a total of 35 renal units successfully treated endoscopically. Surveillance then began on 27 renal units with a recurrence rate of 88% and mean time to recurrence of 5.8 months (range 2 to 20). Of patients undergoing surveillance (31% of whom had high grade disease), 54% remain or h...
Enhancing student persistence: Lessons learned in the United States

Trinta anos de experiencia na tentativa de incrementar a permanencia dos estudantes nos Estados Unidos ensinou-nos algumas licoes no que respeita aos aspectos essenciais de politicas e de praticas de sucesso. Entre outras coisas, aprendemos que para que os esforcos sejam bem sucedidos e preciso que as universidades facam mais do que simplesmente criar servicos. Devem estabelecer-se nas universidades condicoes que permitam aos estudantes encontrar suporte academico e social, obter retro-informacao sobre o seu trabalho e envolverem-se activamente com outros estudantes. Em nenhum outro local das universidades o envolvimento e mais importante do que nas salas de aula e nos laboratorios, os locais, talvez os unicos locais, onde os estudantes se conhecem uns aos outros e se implicam com a Faculdade na aprendizagem. Uma estrategia, cada vez mais aceite, que promove tal envolvimento sao as comunidades de aprendizagem e a pedagogia colaborativa que lhes subjaz. Em conclusao, argumenta-se que qualquer estrategia tendo em vista aumentar a permanencia dos estudantes requer que as universidades levem a serio a tarefa de desenvolver a faculdade e os seus agentes e disponibilize os recursos, recompensas e incentivos para assegurar que intervencoes eficazes aumentem no futuro.
Adaption of fast Fourier transformations to estimate structural failure probability

Probabilistic analysis with multiple non-normal random variables requires multi-fold integration, for which the closed-form solutions do not exist. Moreover, it is almost impossible to estimate failure probability accurately without the use of numerical integration. A central problem in probabilistic analysis is the computation of the cumulative distribution function of the limit-state. Since the limit-state surface is not available in a closed-form, the convolution theorem is usually thought to be not applicable to the problem. In this paper, a methodology based on function approximations and the convolution theorem is presented to estimate the structural failure probability. The convolution integral is solved efficiently using the fast Fourier transform technique, and the limit-state is approximated using a two-point adaptive nonlinear approximation at the most probable failure point. The proposed technique estimates the failure probability accurately with significantly less computational effort compared to the Monte Carlo simulation. The methodology developed is applicable to structural reliability problems with any number of random variables and any kind of random variable distribution, including normal, log-normal, extreme value, Weibull, etc. The accuracy and robustness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by several examples having highly complex, explicit/implicit performance functions.
Department of Veterans Affairs' contributions to treatment outcomes research in aphasia

Background: Since at least 1948, Veterans Administration (VA) clinicians have been reporting the outcomes of treatment administered to mend aphasia. These range from retrospective clinical observations to controlled, multicentre clinical trials. While the rigour of research varies among reports, the body of work is considerable. Aims: The purpose of this paper is to review VA contributions to treatment outcomes research in aphasia. Methods & Procedures: Examples of VA aphasia treatment outcomes research were selected from a corpus of over 100 reports. Each was classified in the traditional, five‐phase, treatment outcomes research model, and each was rated by a levels of evidence scale. Outcomes & Results: VA aphasia treatment outcomes research, like the bulk of aphasia treatment outcomes research, is patchy. There is little evidence of systematic progression through the traditional, five‐phase, treatment outcomes research model. It is also difficult to classify and to assign a level of evidence to many in...
Analysis of Methods Used in Spill Response Planning: Trajectory Analysis Planner TAP II

Abstract Long records of geophysical forcing have been used in numerous studies to estimate a statistical distribution of oil spill scenarios. The resulting set of spill scenarios is then used as a basis for planning a robust response capability that should be able to handle all likely real spills. For model developers to be able to support these expectations there are a number of criteria that must be satisfied: (1) Models must develop and retain the data necessary to answer key response questions; (2) developers must understand the limitations in resolution imposed by the specific algorithms they use; and (3) the cardinality of the long geophysical records (with respect to modeled spill behavior) should be determined and the final collection of spill scenarios must span this set. This paper considers these specific constraints and discusses methods that can be used to quantify some aspects of the uncertainty in the output.
Mobilization of endogenous stem cell populations enhances fracture healing in a murine femoral fracture model

Abstract Background aims Delivery of bone marrow–derived stem and progenitor cells to the site of injury is an effective strategy to enhance bone healing. An alternate approach is to mobilize endogenous, heterogeneous stem cells that will home to the site of injury. AMD3100 is an antagonist of the chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) that rapidly mobilizes stem cell populations into peripheral blood. Our hypothesis was that increasing circulating numbers of stem and progenitor cells using AMD3100 will improve bone fracture healing. Methods A transverse femoral fracture was induced in C57BL/6 mice, after which they were subcutaneously injected for 3 d with AMD3100 or saline control. Mesenchymal stromal cells, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow were evaluated by means of flow cytometry, automated hematology analysis and cell culture 24 h after injection and/or fracture. Healing was assessed up to 84 d after fracture by histomorphometry and micro–computed tomography. Results AMD3100 injection resulted in higher numbers of circulating mesenchymal stromal cells, hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells. Micro-computed tomography data demonstrated that the fracture callus was significantly larger compared with the saline controls at day 21 and significantly smaller (remodeled) at day 84. AMD3100-treated mice have a significantly higher bone mineral density than do saline-treated counterparts at day 84. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that early cell mobilization had significant positive effects on healing throughout the regenerative process. Rapid mobilization of endogenous stem cells could provide an effective alternative strategy to cell transplantation for enhancing tissue regeneration.
Combination treatment with theranostic nanoparticles for glioblastoma sensitization to TMZ.

Tumor resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is one of the major obstacles in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In this study, we attempted to modulate tumor response to chemotherapy by combination treatment that included experimental (small interference RNA (siRNA), chlorotoxin) and conventional (temozolomide, TMZ) therapeutics. siRNA therapy was used to silence O6-methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT), a key factor in brain tumor resistance to TMZ. For targeting of tumor cells, we used chlorotoxin (CTX), a peptide with antitumoral properties. siRNA and CTX were conjugated to iron oxide nanoparticles (NP) that served as the drug carrier and allowed the means to monitor the changes in tumor volume by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Theranostic nanoparticles (termed CTX-NP-siMGMT) were internalized by T98G glioblastoma cells in vitro leading to enhancement of TMZ toxicity. Combination treatment of mice bearing orthotopic tumors with CTX-NP-siMGMT and TMZ led to significant retardation of tumor growth, which was monitored by MRI. While our results demonstrate that siRNA delivery by targeted nanoparticles resulted in modulating tumor response to chemotherapy in GBM, they also point to a significant contribution of CTX to tumor cell death.
Differential expression of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in murine hematopoietic stromal cell lines

The expression of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system in the hematopoietic microenvironment during ontogeny was studied utilizing immortalized murine cell lines established from several sites of hematopoiesis. Conditioned media was obtained from tissue cultures of murine yolk sac endoderm and mesoderm, fetal liver and adult bone marrow stromal cell lines. IGF-I and -II were quantified by radioimmunoassay and RT-PCR. The presence of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) in conditioned media was determined by Western ligand blot and Western immunoblot. IGF-I and IGF-II were present in conditioned media from every stromal cell line and differential expression of the IGFBPs was found among the hematopoietic sites. Stimulation of the cell lines with interleukin-1 alpha altered the IGFBPs in yolk sac endoderm and bone marrow conditioned media. We report that IGF-I and -II are expressed in stromal cell lines obtained from different ontogenic sites of hematopoiesis and IGFBPs are differentially expressed by these sites. The expression of IGFBPs, but not IGFs, is in part regulated by interleukin-1 alpha.
Wood anatomy of Polygonaceae: analysis of a family with exceptional wood diversity

Quantitative and qualitative data are presented for woods of 30 species of woody Polygonaceae. Wood features that ally Polygonaceae with Plumbaginaceae include nonbordered perforation plates, storeying in narrow vessels and axial parenchyma, septate or nucleate fibres, vasicentric parenchyma, pith bundles that undergo secondary growth, silica bodies, and ability to form successive cambia. These features are consistent with pairing of Plumbaginaceae and Polygonaceae as sister families. Wood features that ally Polygonaceae with Rhabdodendraceae include nonbordered perforation plates, presence of vestured pits in vessels, presence of silica bodies and dark-staining compounds in ray cells, and ability to form successive cambia. Of the features listed above, nonbordered perforation plates and ability to form successive cambia may be symplesiomorphies basic to Caryophyllales sensu lato. The other features are more likely to be synapomorphies. Wood data thus support molecular cladograms that show the three families near the base of Caryophyllales s.l. Chambered crystals are common to three genera of the family and may indicate relationship. Ray histology suggests secondary woodiness in Antigonon, Atraphaxis, Bilderdykia, Dedeckera, Eriogonum, Harfordia, Muehlenbeckia, Polygonum, and Rumex. Other genera of the family show little or no evidence of secondary woodiness. Molecular data are needed to confirm this interpretation and to clarify the controversial systematic groupings within the family proposed by various authors. Vessel features of Polygonaceae (lumen diameter, element length, density, degree of grouping) show an extraordinary range from xeromorphy to mesomorphy, indicating that wood has played a key role in ecological and habital shifts within the family; the diversity in ecology and habit are correlated with quantitative wood data. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 141, 25−51.
Improving Geocoding Practices: Evaluation of Geocoding Tools

This study examined the sources of error involved in geocoding, by systematically evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of three widely used tools for geocoding. We tested them against a random sample of addresses from a state administrative address master file and found considerable variation in identification of census block geocodes of addresses. This high variation was mainly attributable to differences in preprocessing of addresses before geocoding and the reference street data used for geocoding. Preprocessing includes not only parsing and standardizing, but also correcting addresses against the US Postal Service Zip+4 Database, the master mailing address database maintained and updated regularly by USPS.