cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic ethanol treatment upregulates the GABA receptor β subunit expression

The molecular mechanisms associated with ethanol-induced tolerance and physical dependence have yet to be elucidated. In previous studies we have demonstrated that chronic ethanol administration produced a decrease in the GABAA receptor mRNA level of alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 5 subunits, and a decrease in the polypeptide (alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3) expression in the rat cerebral cortex. In this study we examined the effect of chronic ethanol treatment on the mRNA levels and the expressions of the beta-subunits of the GABAA receptors in rat cerebral cortex. The results indicate that chronic ethanol administration produced an upregulation of the beta 1 subunit mRNA (12 kb) by 29 +/- 10%, beta 2 mRNA (8 kb) by 55 +/- 6% and the beta 3-subunit (6 kb) mRNA by 72 +/- 9% in cerebral cortex. The levels of the beta 2 and beta 3 subunit mRNAs remains elevated at 24 hr withdrawal. We also investigated the effect of chronic ethanol administration on the beta-subunit polypeptide expression using monoclonal antibody BD17, which recognizes the beta 2 (P56) and beta 3 (P58) polypeptides. Chronic ethanol treatment increased the levels of both of these polypeptides in cerebral cortex. Taken together, chronic ethanol administration produced an upregulation of the beta-subunit mRNA and the polypeptide expression of these subunits in rat cerebral cortex. In contrast, chronic ethanol treatment decreased the expression of various alpha-subunits in the cerebral cortex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
How Should the Lower Limit of the Normal Range Be Defined

Lung function parameters vary considerably with age and body size, so that, unlike many laboratory tests, the normal range of expected values must be individualized. For spirometry, only low values are considered to be abnormal, so the lower limit of normal (LLN) is taken to be equal to the 5th percentile of a healthy, non-smoking population. Simple and commonly used "rules of thumb," such as an FEV(1)/FVC < 0.70 to indicate air-flow obstruction, or assuming values < 80% of predicted to be abnormal, are inaccurate and will cause misclassification, specifically under-diagnosis of abnormalities in younger, taller individuals and over-diagnosis in those older or shorter. A much more accurate LLN for the FEV(1)/FVC ratio, which recognizes the change with age of this measurement, can be easily determined by subtracting 10 (10% or 0.10) from the age specific FEV(1)/FVC predicted for any individual. The analysis and mathematical descriptions of reference data have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, but the interpretation of values near the LLN continues to carry uncertainty, due to an overlap in values between low normal values and those reflecting early disease. Among patients referred to a pulmonary function laboratory, the pre-test probability of disease may be relatively high, so that even individuals with values above the LLN may be more likely than not to have respiratory disease. A future goal for the pulmonary community would be the development of risk stratified outcome data that would allow an estimation of the probability of disease with progressive decrements in lung function. While interpreting spirometry results near the LLN will continue to be problematic, a more important task for the pulmonary community is to focus on finding the pool of individuals with clear-cut, but undiagnosed, COPD. And for this, good quality spirometry remains the best tool and must be widely available.
An Analysis of the Composition of Synchronous Systems

Safety-critical embedded applications are often distributed. For example, software in an automotive control or in avionics control are distributed over a large number of distributed processors which are connected over some domain specific buses. Correctness of such applications is of paramount importance due to their safety-critical nature. Synchronous programming models (e.g. Esterel, SIGNAL, Lustre) make synchrony assumption (zero time intra-module computation and zero time inter module communication) while modeling such applications so that the model is easier to verify. Once verified, models built with such assumptions need to be distributed over an asynchronous communication based platform which brings out the challenge of Globally Asynchronous and Locally synchronous (GALS) design. The correctness preserving refinement of a fully synchronous model onto a globally asynchronous communication media implies that various restrictions be imposed on the synchronous model. In the realm of polychronous programming model (exemplified by the SIGNAL language), a property called 'endo-isochrony' was proposed in early 1990s. Endochrony of individual modules assures safe sequential code generation from the module specification, and isochrony ensures safe communication between modules. In this paper, first we provide a more general sufficient condition for isochrony. Second, we generalize the definition of isochrony for weakly-endochronous modules. Further, we introduce the notion of directional isochrony which provides sufficient conditions for safe communication between modules in one direction but not in the other direction. The results in this paper not only simplifies the understanding of the conditions under which a polychronous specification can be implemented in GALS, but also sheds interesting lights on causality and isochrony. When the synchronous modules are reused as IPs, the conditions described here can be checked to see whether those modules can be composed asynchronously with the same behavior as their synchronous composition.
Reactions of Phenyllithium with the Stannylene Ar*SnPh (Ar* = C6H3-2,6-Trip2; Trip = C6H2-2,4,6-Pri3) and the Synthesis of the Distannylstannylene Sn(SnPh2Ar*)2: Contrasting Behavior in Methyl and Phenyl Derivatives

The reaction of LiPh with Ar*SnPh (Ar* = C 6 H 3 -2,6-Trip 2 ; Trip = C 6 H 2 -2,4,6-Pr i 3) afforded either the monomeric etherate (Et 2 O)LiSnPh 2 Ar* (1) or the dimer (LiSnPh 2 Ar*) 2 (2). The reaction of 2 with SnCl 2 in a 1:1ratio in Et 2 O yielded the monomeric distannylstannylene Sn(SnPh 2 Ar*) 2 (3). The compounds 1-3 were characterized by 1 H, 7 Li, 1 3 C, and 1 1 9 Sn NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy. Complete single-crystal X-ray crystal structures of 2 and 3 were determined as well as a partial structure for 1. The structure of 1 showed that the tin was pyramidally coordinated by the three organic groups as well as by lithium. The lithium was found to be ligated by ether and η 6 -coordinated by one of the phenyl rings. The structure of 2 showed that it was dimerized through η 6 -interactions of a tin-coordinated lithium with a phenyl group of a partner monomer rather than through tin-tin bonding. The structure of 3 featured a central, two-coordinate tin(II) bound to two SnPh 2 Ar* groups with long Sn-Sn distances near 2.96 A and a very wide Sn-Sn-Sn angle of 115.19(2)°. The 1 1 9 Sn NMR chemical shift of the central tin is 3752 ppm, which is the furthest downfield 1 1 9 Sn NMR chemical shift recorded for a stannylene.
Partially implicit motion of a sharp interface in Navier-Stokes flow

We develop a numerical method for the coupled motion of Navier-Stokes flow with an elastic interface of zero thickness which exerts tension and bending forces on the fluid. The interface motion is made partially implicit by approximating a backward Euler step in the high wavenumbers as in the small scale decomposition method of Hou, Lowengrub and Shelley. This modified step is combined with the method of Beale and Layton J.T. Beale, A.T. Layton, A velocity decomposition approach for moving interfaces in viscous fluids, J. Comput. Phys. 228 (2009) 3358-67]; the fluid velocity is found by computing the Stokes velocity and a more regular remainder. The resulting scheme is second order in space and first order in time; it can be made second order in time by extrapolation. The discontinuities in the pressure and velocity gradient are preserved. The partially implicit method allows much larger time steps than an explicit method with negligible added effort. The formulas in the Fourier transform for the implicit approximation in high wavenumbers are similar to those derived in Hou and Shi T.Y. Hou, Z. Shi, An efficient semi-implicit immersed boundary method for the Navier-Stokes equations, J. Comput. Phys. 227 (2008) 9138-69] in a different context.
Is There a Home Choke in Decisive Playoff Basketball Games

Previous studies (Baumeister & Steinhilber, 1984; Schlenker, Phillips, Boniecki, & Schlenker (1995a) have found conflicting results regarding whether home teams have an advantage or not in athletic performance. We conducted two studies to explore the effects of basketball teams playing at home in playoff competition. We archived more than fifty years of National Basketball Association (NBA) playoff data, extending previous research to include a longer range of time and broader sample of NBA playoff games. We also extended previous studies by archiving a unique sample of college playoff basketball competition. Results are discussed in terms of both theoretical and applied implications. In sum, we found virtually no evidence of a home choke and strong evidence in favor of a home court advantage.
Reduced Food Intake Following Intracerebroventricular Administration of a Low Molecular Weight Fraction of Plasma from Free-Feeding Fowl

Abstract Plasma was collected from free-feeding Leghorn cockerels and partitioned by gel filtration into fractions of different molecular weight ranges. The individual fractions were then lyophilized and reconstituted to four times the original concentration. The plasma was administered to 10-week-old Leghorn cockerels via a stainless steel guide cannula, stereotaxically implanted into the lateral cerebral ventricle. Sated cockerels received 10 μl intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of one of the concentrated plasma fractions or of a control injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Food and water intake were monitored following injection. Food intake was significantly decreased by the ICV injection of plasma fractions less than 1500 mol wt, whereas water consumption was not significantly different from that of the controls. The 1500 to 5000 mol wt fraction and the fraction above 5000 did not alter either food or water intake. These results suggest that the plasma of free-feeding domestic fowl contains a low molecular weight factor that is involved in the regulation of food intake.
Arabidopsis FAD2 Gene Encodes the Enzyme That Is Essential for Polyunsaturated Lipid Synthesis

The polyunsaturated fatty acids linoleate and alpha-linolenate are important membrane components and are the essential fatty acids of human nutrition. The major enzyme responsible for the synthesis of these compounds is the plant oleate desaturase of the endoplasmic reticulum, and its activity is controlled in Arabidopsis by the fatty acid desaturation 2 (fad2) locus. A fad2 allele was identified in a population of Arabidopsis in which mutations had been created by T-DNA insertions. Genomic DNA flanking the T-DNA was cloned by plasmid rescue and used to isolate cDNA and genomic clones of FAD2. A cDNA containing the entire FAD2 coding sequence was expressed in fad2 mutant plants and shown to complement the mutant fatty acid phenotype. The deduced amino acid sequence from the cDNA showed homology to other plant desaturases, and this confirmed that FAD2 is the structural gene for the desaturase. Gel blot analyses of FAD2 mRNA levels showed that the gene is expressed throughout the plant and suggest that transcript levels are in excess of the amount needed to account for oleate desaturation. Sequence analysis identified histidine-rich motifs that could contribute to an iron binding site in the cytoplasmic domain of the protein. Such a position would facilitate interaction between the desaturase and cytochrome b5, which is the direct source of electrons for the desaturation reaction, but would limit interaction of the active site with the fatty acyl substrate.
Multiresolution stereo-a Bayesian approach

A Bayesian approach is proposed for stereo matching to derive the maximum a posteriori estimation of depth. How a pyramid data structure can be combined with simulated annealing to speed up convergence in stereo matching is described. Using the invariant property of image intensity and modeling the disparity as a Markov random field (MRF), the pyramid structure is followed from high (coarse) level to low (fine) level to derive the maximum a posteriori estimates. Simulation results on both random dot diagrams and synthesized images show the promise of this multiresolution stereo approach. >
Neural representations involved in observed, imagined, and imitated actions are dissociable and hierarchically organized

The fact that action observation, motor imagery and execution are associated with partially overlapping increases in parieto-frontal areas has been interpreted as evidence for reliance of these behaviors on a common system of motor representations. However, studies that include all three conditions within a single paradigm are rare, and consequently, there is a dearth of knowledge concerning the distinct mechanisms involved in these functions. Here we report key differences in neural representations subserving observation, imagery, and synchronous imitation of a repetitive bimanual finger-tapping task using fMRI under conditions in which visual stimulation is carefully controlled. Relative to rest, observation, imagery, and synchronous imitation are all associated with widespread increases in cortical activity. Importantly, when effects of visual stimulation are properly controlled, each of these conditions is found to have its own unique neural signature. Relative to observation or imagery, synchronous imitation shows increased bilateral activity along the central sulcus (extending into precentral and postcentral gyri), in the cerebellum, supplementary motor area (SMA), parietal operculum, and several motor-related subcortical areas. No areas show greater increases for imagery vs. synchronous imitation; however, relative to synchronous imitation, observation is associated with greater increases in caudal SMA activity than synchronous imitation. Compared to observation, imagery increases activation in pre-SMA and left inferior frontal cortex, while no areas show the inverse effect. Region-of-interest (ROI) analyses reveal that areas involved in bimanual open-loop movements respond most to synchronous imitation (primary sensorimotor, classic SMA, and cerebellum), and less vigorously to imagery and observation. The differential activity between conditions suggests an alternative hierarchical model in which these behaviors all rely on partially independent mechanisms.
LdCompare: rapid computation of single- and multiple-marker r2 and genetic coverage

Summary: The scale of genetic-variation datasets has increased enormously and the linkage equilibrium (LD) structure of these polymorphisms, particularly in whole-genome association studies, is of great interest. The significant computational complexity of calculating single- and multiple-marker correlations at a genome-wide scale remains challenging. We have developed a program that efficiently characterizes whole-genome LD structure on large number of SNPs in terms of single- and multiple-marker correlations. Availability: LdCompare is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Source code, documentation, testing datasets and precompiled executables are available for download at: http://www.affymetrix.com/support/developer/tools/devnettools.affx Contact: ke_hao@affymetrix.com
Are patients aware of the association between smoking and bladder cancer

Purpose: Smoking is the single greatest risk factor for bladder cancer. Since few studies have demonstrated the efficacy of screening for bladder cancer, primary prevention by decreasing the modifiable risk factors is the best defense. An aspect of modifying a behavioral risk factor is awareness of the association between behavior and disease. While many anti-smoking campaigns specifically focus on lung cancer, few mention bladder cancer. We evaluated the awareness of smoking as a risk factor for bladder cancer.Materials and Methods: Between February and May 2005 we prospectively surveyed patients presenting to a urology clinic regarding their knowledge of risk factors for bladder cancer and other cancers. The questionnaire also captured data regarding patient smoking habits.Results: A total of 280 patients completed the survey, including 34% who were younger than 50 years, 63% who were male, 89% who were white and 57% who were college graduates. Only 36% vs 98% of the sample reported that smoking was a r...
Enhancement of solar cells with photonic and plasmonic crystals - overcoming the Lambertian limit

Red and near-infrared photons of longer wave lengths are poorly absorbed in thin film silicon cells and advanced light trapping methods are necessary. The physical mechanisms underlying the light trapping using periodic back reflectors are strong light diffraction, coupled with plasmonic light concentration. These are contrasted with the scattering mechanisms in randomly textured back reflectors. We describe a class of conformal solar cells with nanocone back reflectors with absorption at the Lambertian 4n2 limit, averaged over the “entire” wave length range for hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin-film solar cells. The absorption is theoretically found for 1-μm nc-Si:H cells, and is further enhanced for off-normal incidence. Predicted currents exceed 31 mA/cm2. Nc-Si:H solar cells with the same device architecture were conformally grown on periodic substrates and compared with randomly textured substrates. The periodic back reflector solar cells with nanopillars demonstrated higher quantum efficiency and photocurrents that were 1 mA/cm2 higher than those for the randomly textured back reflectors.
Direct influence of the p53 tumor suppressor on mitochondrial biogenesis and function

Mitochondrial localization of p53 has been observed in several cell systems, but an understanding of its organelle-based physiological activity remains incomplete. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mitochondrial DNA genomic response to dominant-negative p53 mutant miniprotein (p53DD) fused to a mitochondrial import signal. Constructs were generated to express mitochondrial targeted enhanced green fluorescent protein (mEGFP) or dominant-negative mutant p53 miniprotein (m53DD) by in-frame fusion to the signal peptide sequence of murine Cox8l. Control cytosolic vectors (cEGFP, c53DD) had the signal sequence placed in antisense orientation. NIH 3T3 cells were transiently transfected with these vectors in various combinations. Mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) expression and fluorochrome staining with Mitotracker Red CMXRos (ΔΨm) were decreased in cells expressing m53DD. Both alterations were specific for mitochondrial import competence (e.g., m53DD vs. c53DD) as well as the pass...
Counted cycles method to quantify the onset response in high-frequency peripheral nerve block

The clinical use of high frequency alternating current (HFAC) to block nerve conduction in peripheral nerves is limited due to the large volley of nerve activity generated at the initiation of HFAC. This “onset response” must be characterized in order to determine if it is possible to eliminate it. In this study, preliminary experiments were conducted in an in-vivo animal model using counted cycles of HFAC to investigate and quantify the onset response. Using this method, it is possible to show quantitatively that the onset response has two phases with distinct characteristics. Eliminating the onset response is likely to require addressing each phase independently. It was also possible to show that HFAC establishes a complete block of nerve activity in 50–100 ms.
Nasopharyngeal Airway for Management of Airway Obstruction in Infants with Micrognathia

Objective: Describe airway management using nasopharyngeal airway in infants. Design: Retrospective case series (1996 to 2006). Setting: Tertiary pediatric hospital. Patients, Participants: The craniofacial database of Seattle Children's Hospital was searched to identify patients with one of the following diagnoses: micrognathia, secondary cleft palate, branchial arch anomalies, Pierre Robin sequence (PRS), or velocardiofacial syndrome. Thirty-five (10.9%) of the 320 infants born between January 1, 1996, and March 31, 2006, identified using the criteria listed above were managed with nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) during infancy. Interventions: Use of NPA. Main Outcome Measure: Summary statistics describing the distribution of the infants' demographic characteristics, duration, and timing of their NPA placement, need for tracheotomy, feeding interventions, and death. Results: Of the 35 patients included in this case series, 60% (21) were male. Eighteen (51.4%) patients had the diagnosis of PRS, 13 (37.1%) ha...
Reduced right hemisphere activation in severely abused violent offenders during a working memory task: An fMRI study

This study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to address two important gaps in our knowledge of brain functioning and violence: (1) What are the brain correlates of adults in the community who have suffered severe physical abuse early in life and who go on to perpetrate serious violence in adulthood? (2) What characterizes those who experience severe physical abuse but who refrain from serious violence? Four groups of participants recruited from the community (controls, severe physical child abuse only, serious violence only, and severely abused, seriously violent offenders) underwent fMRI while performing a visual/verbal working memory task. Violent offenders who had suffered severe child abuse show reduced right hemisphere functioning, particularly in the right temporal cortex. Abused individuals who refrain from serious violence showed relatively lower left, but higher right, activation of the superior temporal gyrus. Abused individuals, irrespective of violence status, showed reduced cortical activation during the working memory task, especially in the left hemisphere. Brain deficits were independent of IQ, history of head injury, task performance, cognitive strategy, and mental activity during the control task. Findings constitute the first fMRI study of brain dysfunction in violent offenders, and indicate that initial right hemisphere dysfunction, when combined with the effects of severe early physical abuse, predisposes to serious violence but that relatively good right hemisphere functioning protects against violence in physically abused children. Aggr. Behav. 27:111–129, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Enabling high-order integration of fatigue crack growth with surrogate modeling

Modeling fatigue crack growth is computationally challenging because the crack growth rate can only be evaluated at the current crack size. Therefore, the forward Euler method has been a common choice in integrating fatigue crack growth. However, since its accuracy can only be guaranteed with a small step size, the method cannot be applied to the investigation of systems with complex geometry (calling for expensive finite element simulations). Higher-order integration methods, such as the midpoint method, allow larger step size but require evaluation of crack growth rate at crack sizes larger than the current one. In arbitrary geometry, this is not an easy task because the direction of crack growth is unknown in advance. In this paper, surrogate models are generated for the prior crack growth direction and stress intensity factor data. These surrogates are cheap to evaluate and predict the crack growth rate without the need of additional finite element simulations. The step size for the numerical integration is chosen based on the accuracy of the extrapolated crack growth predictions for direction and stress intensity factor. Several examples were tested in which crack growth follows linear and curved paths under a range of boundary conditions leading to different relationships between stress intensity factor and crack size. Results showed that a large increase in the allowable step size may be used with increased accuracy over the Euler method with the need for fewer expensive function evaluations.
Relaxing incision of nostril sill to expand the transnasal transsphenoidal approach: technical note.

Abstract Objective The transsphenoidal approach to the pathology of sellar region is a fundamental procedure in the armamentarium of neurosurgeons. Modern practice tends to prefer various transnasal approaches over the more traditional sublabial route. However, the transnasal approach can be limited by small nares, particularly in the pediatric population. Methods We present a simple relaxing incision in the nostril sill to safely and effectively widen the nostril for the transnasal approach. Results The authors have used this technique in 10 pediatric and young adult patients with satisfactory expansion of the transnasal corridor with no cosmetic concerns. Conclusions In our experience, the relaxing incision significantly expands the transnasal corridor and allows easy placement of the self-retaining nasal speculum or endoscopic instruments, is well tolerated by patients, and heals with no cosmetic concerns.
Determinants of The Medium Of Payment In Corporate Acquisitions

This study identifies factors that may be correlated with the bidders choice between offering cash versus stock in a corporate takeover. Results of a logistic regression analysis are generally consistent with information models involving the choice of payment type, as well as hypotheses related to the targets tax status. Support for Jensens (1986) free cash flow hypothesis also is found.
Lessons Learned from Teaching an Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Course on Sustainable Agriculture Science and Policy

Interdisciplinary courses that teach both science and policy are rare. In 1999, we developed and began to offer an interdisciplinary undergraduate course in the science and policy of sustainable agriculture to students majoring in political science, agricultural science, and other disciplines. As the theme of the course was both the science and politics of sustainable agriculture, we selected and developed materials that featured both natural and social science domains. We faced challenges tied to the interdisciplinary nature of the course material and to the diverse backgrounds of the students. The major barriers to learningweredifferencesinstudents’technicalbackgroundsandlevelsofmotivationtostudyadisciplineoutsideoftheirmajor.After teachingthecoursethreetimes,wereporthereapproacheshelpful to address these challenges: (i) compile a customized set of readingassignments,(ii)addressstudentdisciplinaryparochialism with interdisciplinary team teaching, (iii) focus on the crucial concepts rather than broader topical coverage, (iv) employ frequent short quizzes and in-class written activities and discussionstoidentifypointsthatneededtobeclarified,and(v)use a variety of educational materials and activities (e.g., articles, videos, field trips, and guest speakers) to address diverse learningstyles.Thereisevidencethattheseapproachespromotedstudent learning.
Evapotranspiration from cranberry compared with the equilibrium rate1

The rate of evapotranspiration from a mature cranberry bed in Wisconsin was measured using infrared thermometry. Values ranged from 0.8 to 6.2 mm d−1, which were on average 1.05 of the equilibrium evaporation rate. These results are in good agreement with those measured earlier in Wisconsin by the Bowen-ratio technique. Estimates of stomatal conductance were extracted from the data, yielding values of at least 0.2–0.3 mol m−2 s−1, substantially higher than earlier reports for cranberry but typical of uncultivated plants. Our results give us good confidence that cranberry evapotranspiration in the continental climate of Wisconsin, at least, can be estimated from the equilibrium evaporation rate, i.e., the Priestley–Taylor potential rate, with α = 1.05.
Water speciation in silicate glasses and melts: Langmuir limited site model

The distribution of dissolved water in a haplogranitic glass between molecular water and reacted OH groups, as measured by Sowerby and Keppler (1999) at temperature and pressure, is compared to a Langmuir model. In this model the number of reactive sites in the glass is limited, so as the total water content increases, the concentration of reacted OH groups saturates. The comparison between the model and experimental measurements is good with two fitting parameters. The total water solubility in NaAlSi 3 O 8 melts as measured by Holtz et al. (1995) is the sum of molecular water dissolved from the gas phase and reacted OH groups; the concentration of OH groups calculated from these solubility measurements also fits the Langmuir model. The partial molar volumes for water in NaAlSi 3 O 8 melts are constant above about 4 wt% total water, but decrease at lower water contents; this dependence can be understood from the speciation measurements.
The Effects of Orthographic Pattern Intervention on Spelling Performance of Students With Reading Disabilities A Best Evidence Synthesis

Although the orthographic processing skill of recognizing and producing letters and letter patterns has been established as an important skill for developing spelling, a majority of the research focus has been on early orthographic intervention that did not progress beyond the unit of the letter. The purpose of this article is to provide a best evidence synthesis of current high-quality, peer-reviewed, experimental or control studies on spelling interventions with a focus on orthographic patterns (N = 5). This small synthesis revealed that spelling interventions with an orthographic pattern focus appear to contribute to the significant improvement of spelling skills in kindergarten through ninth-grade students with and at risk for reading disabilities. Several intervention approaches with varying methods to improve orthographic pattern knowledge were considered and were related to moderate to large effect sizes on standardized measures of spelling. Thus, the reviewed interventions appear to reflect educat...
Lymphocyte stimulation by cyclic AMP, GMP and related compounds. 1.

SummaryC-AMP is low concentrations (10-7 to 10-8M) increases, and C-AMP in high concentrations (10-2M) suppresses tritiated thymidine uptake of normal lymphocytes in tissue culture. GMP (10-8M) inc...
Dyslipidemia prevalence in a laboratory initiated screening program.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate utilization and diagnosis rates in a self-pay, self-referred screening program for dyslipidemia. DESIGN: 301 patients self-referred to the clinical laboratory for lipid testing in a two-year period. The patient population that participated was characterized in terms of insurance status, gender, age, and known cardiovascular risk factors. Lipid profiles were characterized as measured by total cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and total cholesterol to HDL risk factor. SETTING: Clinical laboratory in an academic medical center. PATIENTS: Data from all patients that self-selected for screening were included. INTERVENTIONS: Immediate laboratory results with both verbal and written interpretations and recommendations were provided to the patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age, gender, insurance status, number of known risk factors, and lipid profiles in the subject group. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 57 years. Men (197) outnumbered women (104) by almost 2:1; most (94%) had health insurance. At presentation, 44% of the patients had more than one risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). 151 individuals (50%) had lipid findings that would require at least dietary intervention by NCEP guidelines. CONCLUSION: A self-pay, self-referred screening program for lipid disorders is an effective means of improving screening and diagnosis rates. Patients with insurance were willing to pay for the convenience offered and men in particular were more likely to self-refer than women, independent of previous knowledge of risk factors or lipid disorders. ABBREVIATIONS:CHD = coronary heart disease; HDL = high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL = low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; NCEP = National Cholesterol Education Program; RF = risk factor; TG = triglyceride.
Prospective Evaluation of Reduced Dose Computed Tomography for the Detection of Low-Contrast Liver Lesions: Direct Comparison with Concurrent Standard Dose Imaging

To prospectively compare the diagnostic performance of reduced-dose (RD) contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) with standard-dose (SD) CECT for detection of low-contrast liver lesions. Seventy adults with non-liver primary malignancies underwent abdominal SD-CECT immediately followed by RD-CECT, aggressively targeted at 60-70 % dose reduction. SD series were reconstructed using FBP. RD series were reconstructed with FBP, ASIR, and MBIR (Veo). Three readers—blinded to clinical history and comparison studies—reviewed all series, identifying liver lesions ≥4 mm. Non-blinded review by two experienced abdominal radiologists—assessing SD against available clinical and radiologic information—established the reference standard. RD-CECT mean effective dose was 2.01 ± 1.36 mSv (median, 1.71), a 64.1 ± 8.8 % reduction. Pooled per-patient performance data were (sensitivity/specificity/PPV/NPV/accuracy) 0.91/0.78/0.60/0.96/0.81 for SD-FBP compared with RD-FBP 0.79/0.75/0.54/0.91/0.76; RD-ASIR 0.84/0.75/0.56/0.93/0.78; and RD-MBIR 0.84/0.68/0.49/0.92/0.72. ROC AUC values were 0.896/0.834/0.858/0.854 for SD-FBP/RD-FBP/RD-ASIR/RD-MBIR, respectively. RD-FBP (P = 0.002) and RD-MBIR (P = 0.032) AUCs were significantly lower than those of SD-FBP; RD-ASIR was not (P = 0.052). Reader confidence was lower for all RD series (P < 0.001) compared with SD-FBP, especially when calling patients entirely negative. Aggressive CT dose reduction resulted in inferior diagnostic performance and reader confidence for detection of low-contrast liver lesions compared to SD. Relative to RD-ASIR, RD-FBP showed decreased sensitivity and RD-MBIR showed decreased specificity. • Reduced-dose CECT demonstrates inferior diagnostic performance for detecting low-contrast liver lesions. • Reader confidence is lower with reduced-dose CECT compared to standard-dose CECT. • Overly aggressive dose reduction may result in misdiagnosis, regardless of reconstruction algorithm. • Careful consideration of perceived risks versus benefits of dose reduction is crucial.
Corporate Profit, Social Welfare, and the Logic of Capitalism

Business ethics scholars have proposed strategies for mitigating the ill effects brought on by a wealth maximization business strategy by urging managers to either embrace corporate social responsibility (CSR) or to manage according to stakeholder theory. In this article I argue that these strategies are often ineffective in bringing about the behavior they promote because it is antithetical to the nature and logic of capitalism. I examine the organizing principles of capitalism and the role it assigns to capitalists, and juxtapose these with the behavior prescribed by three normative frameworks: strategic management theory (SMT), the CSR initiative, and stakeholder theory. Unlike the behaviors prescribed by the CSR initiative and stakeholder management theory, the behavior prescribed by SMT is consistent with the role of capitalists as defined by the organizing principles of capitalism, and SMT's “rules” have instilled habits that have, in turn, been able to mold managers’ aspirations and purposes. CSR and stakeholder theory must not only combat the habits instilled by the entrenched SMT, they must also find some way of instilling habits that run contrary to those defined by the nature and logic of capitalism itself.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) is a set of statistical analyses that is increasingly prevalent in interpersonal communication research. CFA is most commonly used to assess the adequacy of multiple-item rating scales in quantitative, empirical research. CFA is distinguished from exploratory factor analysis, and issues such as assessing fit, cross validation, and measurement invariance are discussed. CFA is very informative and its popularity is likely to continue to grow. Keywords: interpersonal communication; science reporting; television theory
Quantum-defect-assisted polarization mode coupling in a fiber amplifier

We have observed, for the first time, quantum-defect-assisted polarization mode coupling in a fiber amplifier. This is a manifestation of stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering. The frequency-dependent gain and loss are characterized for the first time.
Coaches' Surprising Tort Liability

This case demonstrates the additional care coaches need to take in planning for overnight trips and creating alternative means of ensuring athlete compliance with curfew. It also reminds athletics administrators of the importance of hazing oversight.
Spectral Mass Gauging of Unsettled Liquid with Acoustic Waves

Propellant mass gauging is one of the key technologies required to enable the next step in NASA's space exploration program. At present, there is no reliable method to accurately measure the amount of unsettled liquid propellant of an unknown configuration in a propellant tank in micro- or zero gravity. We propose a new approach to use sound waves to probe the resonance frequencies of the two-phase liquid-gas mixture and take advantage of the mathematical properties of the high frequency spectral asymptotics to determine the volume fraction of the tank filled with liquid. We report the current progress in exploring the feasibility of this approach, both experimental and theoretical. Excitation and detection procedures using solenoids for excitation and both hydrophones and accelerometers for detection have been developed. A 3% uncertainty for mass-gauging was demonstrated for a 200-liter tank partially filled with water for various unsettled configurations, such as tilts and artificial ullages. A new theoretical formula for the counting function associated with axially symmetric modes was derived. Scaling analysis of the approach has been performed to predict an adequate performance for in-space applications.
Patient-reported lung symptoms as an early signal of impending radiation pneumonitis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with chemoradiation: an observational study.

Clinician ratings of concurrent chemoradiation (CRT)-induced radiation pneumonitis (RP) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are based on both imaging and patient-reported lung symptoms. We compared the value of patient-reported outcomes versus normal-lung uptake of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose in positron emission computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) during the last week of treatment, for indicating the development of grade ≥ 2 RP within 4 months of CRT completion. 132 patients with NSCLC-reported RP-related symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath) repeatedly using the validated MD Anderson Symptom Inventory lung cancer module. Of these patients, 68 had FDG PET/CT scans that were analyzed for normal-lung mean standardized FDG uptake values (SUVmean) before, during, and up to 4 months after CRT. Clinicians rated RP using CTCAE version 3. Logistic regression models examined potential predictors for developing CTCAE RP ≥ 2. For the entire sample, patient-rated RP-related symptoms during the last week of CRT correlated with clinically meaningful CTCAE RP ≥ 2 post-CRT (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.25–5.99, P = 0.012), controlled for sex, age, mean lung radiation dose, comorbidity, and baseline symptoms. Moderate/severe patient-rated RP-related symptom score (≥ 4 on a 0–10 scale, P = 0.001) and normal-lung FDG uptake (SUVmean > 0.78, P = 0.002) in last week of CRT were equally strong predictors of post-CRT CTCAE RP ≥ 2 (C-index = 0.78, 0.77). During the last week of CRT, routine assessment of moderate-to-severe RP-related symptoms provides a simple way to identify patients with NSCLC who may be at risk for developing significant post-CRT RP, especially when PET/CT images of normal-lung FDG uptake are not available.
Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of sodium powder as electrode additive to improve cycling performance of sodium-ion batteries

Abstract Excessive solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) buildup in the formation cycles or later cycles consumes electrolyte, depletes alkaline ion availability, and increases cell polarization; the reduction in the amount of available alkaline ions upon cycling often causes low capacity and poor capacity retention in full cells. To compensate the Na loss from SEI formation, we have developed a sodium-powder based pre-sodiation technique that could potentially be applied to both anode and cathode materials with minimal modification to conventional battery making process. The synthesis of sodium powder is accomplished via ultrasonic dispersion of molten sodium metal in mineral oil. When suspended in hexane, the sodium powder can be easily applied onto electrodes as pre-sodiation additive. In the half cell study with glucose derived carbon (GC1100), pre-sodiation decreases the initial open circuit cell potential (∼1 V drop) and reduces the first cycle irreversible Coulombic efficiency (from 19.3% to 8%). In the full cell study with GC1100 and NaCrO2, pre-sodiation leads to ∼10% improvement in cycling capacity and ∼5% increase in energy density. Decreased cell polarization is also observed in pre-sodiated cells.
Biliary Excretion of Thiols and Their Role in Elimination of Methylmercury

Liver is the main site of glutathione (GS) synthesis and it transports this tripeptide both into blood and bile (Kaplowitz et al., 1985). Hepatobiliary transport of GS is also thought to play an important role in the biliary excretion of some toxic metals such as methylmercury (MM; Ballatori and Clarkson, 1985) which is mainly excreted from the body via the bile and feces (Norseth and Clarkson, 1971; Gregus and Klaassen, 1986). MM is found in rat bile complexed with GS and cysteine (Ohsawa and Magos, 1974; Refsvik and Norseth, 1975). Complexation of MM with these non-protein thiols (SH) in bile may explain the direct relationship between the biliary excretion rates of SH and MM in rats. For example, increased biliary excretion of SH during the postnatal period (Ballatori and Clarkson, 1982) or diminished SH excretion following depletion of hepatic GS (Refsvik, 1978) are associated with respective changes in the biliary excretion of MM.
Quantization of Knowledge

In this chapter, we introduce an analytical framework for constructing new modules of knowledge. This analytical foundation is then used for evaluating the quantity of knowledge and later a chain of procedures to quantify parameters of knowledge. Knowledge is acquired by a series of logical steps that rest on prior knowledge, and it extends the embedded knowledge as logical and deterministic deductive processes, such as connectivity, inference building, derivation, extension, and theorem proving. Typically, these processes are immune to time and place. The derived knowledge thus gains the status of being as stable and becomes itself a basis of new knowledge. We present the tools for the convoluting “force” of the verb function upon noun objects or “molecular knowledge objects.” The term convoluting conveys how the different verb functions and noun objects “behave” differently depending on the context and environment of the interaction between various objects. This type behavior object exists in other disciplines, such as chemistry, biology, and even molecules of water as glacier ice or as superheated steam.
Die Wundheilung nach Kataraktoperation aus pathologisch-anatomischer Sicht

Dieser Mitteuung liegen neben fruheren Arbeiten zu diesem Thema neue Untersuchungen zugrunde. Es wurden mehrere kataraktoperierte Bulbi von akzidenteU Verstorbenen in Serienschnitten lichtmikroskopisch untersucht. Uber die vorausgegangene Kataraktoperation sowie uber den postoperativen Verlauf waren wir gut orientiert, wenn auch kaum mit Buddokumenten. Die Inzisionen erfolgten mit Bindehautlappen, Stufenschnitt oder Graefeschnitt. Die Zeitspanne zwischen Eingriff und Tod betrug 3 Tage bis mehrere Jahre. Zuerst sei kurz der Ablauf der normalen Wundheuung in der Hornhaut beschrieben, dann soll auf drei besonders interessierende Fragen genauer eingegangen werden.
Putting Risk Communication Policy into Practice: A U.S. Federal Perspective

In a growing number of U.S. government agencies, risk communication is no longer an unfamiliar, technical term. Although the concept itself is still new to some, the abundance of conferences, seminars, and research studies with ‘risk communication’ in their titles reflects the growing attention devoted to involving the public in decisions that may directly impact their lives. In terms of government’s risk communication efforts, several motivating forces account for the increased interest, including: a requirement for or desire to inform; a desire to overcome opposition to decisions; a desire to share power between government and public groups; and a desire to develop effective alternatives to direct regulatory control.
Recent Trends in Neuropsychological Assessment

The discussion of fixed versus flexible neuropsychological batteries presented by Goldstein (Chapter 3) differs from other treatments of this topic in that the theoretical foundation underlying the fixed and flexible dimension is emphasized. It is Goldstein’s contention that the central difference underlying this dimension rests upon the theoretical foundation of what one believes rather than upon the practical consideration of what one does. The dimensional—categorical approach to neuropsychological evaluation is contingent on a dimensional as opposed to a modular brain model (Moscovitch & Nachson, 1995). Moscovitch and Nachson state that The idea that the brain is modular is an old one, dating back at least to Gall who believed that different faculties were represented in different regions of the cortex. The opposing view, that the cortex functions as a unified whole, at least with regard to higher mental functions, has always challenged the modular one. At a deep level, the struggle between these two ideas about brain organization and function continues today. (p. 167)
TCT-319 Clinical Characteristics and Vascular Complications in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

There are limited data in patients undergoing both transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR) and percutaneous coronary interventions(PCI). Patients undergoing TAVR for the native aortic valve at Emory were screened from 2007 to 2017. Patients who had a PCI within a year prior and up to 2 months
Powerful Partnerships of Women’s Page Editors and Club Women

One of the strongest relationships the women’s page editors had was with the women’s club members of their communities. Women’s clubs had a long history—dating back to the early 1800s in America. Women’s clubs could be found in most cities and featured programming ranging from intellectual development to the educational needs of their municipalities. Most club members also advocated for social services including libraries and juvenile justice programs. The women’s page journalists covered the women’s events and causes. They also held publicity sessions for club members and rewarded them with awards for significant programming.