cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correlation between scores on integration of scientific knowledge and achievement in a course in educational research methods.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between students' scores on integrating science knowledge and their conceptual knowledge of educational research concepts, methods, and applications. Participants were 124 graduate students enrolled in several sections of a required introductory course in educational research methods. Students' integration of science knowledge was measured via the Test of Integrated Process Skills II, and performance in the educational research methods class was assessed via midterm and final examinations. Analysis indicated that correlations between scores on the Test of Integrated Process Skills II and achievement in the course on midterm and final examinations were .36 and .42, respectively, suggesting that those who were more able to integrate science knowledge also tended to exhibit higher performance on the examinations.
Abstract 473: Elevated cAMP decreases migratory potential in pancreatic cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most lethal cancers, primarily resulting from inherent, aggressive dissemination. As elevated concentrations of cAMP are known to inhibit cell movement in multiple tissues, we investigated the role of cAMP in regulating migration of model pancreatic cancer cells. Increased cAMP concentrations were induced either through forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase, the cAMP analog 6-bnz-cAMP, or by two phosphodiesterase cyclic nucleotide inhibitors, cilostamide or IBMX. Transwell migration assays demonstrated cAMP elevating agents significantly decreased migration of Panc1, MiaPaCa2, and HPAFII pancreatic cancer cell lines. In Panc1 cells, inhibition was dose-dependent and not significantly different between forskolin, cilostamide, or IBMX treatment. Importantly, a significant decrease in cell migration was also observed in cells treated with 6-bnz-cAMP, a specific activator of protein kinase A. The decrease in migration did not reflect alterations in cell proliferation as cell cycle analysis demonstrated little to no change in proliferation in treated compared to control cells. Similarly, the decrease in cell migration was not a function of programmed cell death as apoptosis was not elevated in cells treated with cAMP elevating agents. Consistent with its known role in F-actin rearrangement, elevated levels of cAMP increased phosphorylated RhoA and the resultant decrease in active RhoA-GTP. As expected, fluorescence microscopy indicated a significant increase in cortical actin formation along the perimeter of forskolin or cilostamide-treated cells. Taken together these data suggest that the novel use of existing anti-inflammatory drugs that target the cAMP signaling networks have the potential to block pancreatic cancer dissemination. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 473. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-473
For-Profit Non-Conversion And Regulatory Firestorm At CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

The attempted for-profit conversion of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield culminated in two decades of drift from its nonprofit mission and opened a window of opportunity for Maryland to deny the proposal, replace the board majority, and impose oversight. Maryland rejected the approach used by some states, which have permitted conversion and used the erstwhile nonprofit’s assets to endow a health-related foundation, because it sought an insurer with dominant market share to promote coverage expansions. Coupled with the ensuing conflict with insurance commissioners and nearby Blues plans, this incident signals the end of the “trust-me” era of nonprofit accountability in health insurance.
Outcomes of cluster profiles within stages of change for sun protection behavior

Objective Predictive and external validity was studied among cluster profiles for sun protection behavior within stages from Transtheoretical Model of behavior change using follow-up data. Methods Data from participants in a home-based expert system were analyzed. Longitudinal patterns of clusters on the precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages of change were assessed. Differences between clusters on membership in action/maintenance stages and scores on the Sun Protection Behavior Scale (SPBS) were measured at 12 and 24 months after intervention. Results Differences between clusters on stage progression and on scores from the SPBS were found at 12 and 24 months after intervention at all stages. Discussion Predictive and external validity of sun protection subtypes was established using sun protection variables after a stage-matched intervention. Results provide information to improve interventions for sun protection.
Neurocognitive deficits in medulloblastoma survivors and white matter loss

Although previous studies have documented a significant risk of intellectual loss after treatment for childhood medulloblastoma (MED), the pathophysiology underlying this process is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that (1) patients treated for MED in childhood have reduced volumes of normal white matter (NWM) related to their treatment with craniospinal irradiation with or without chemotherapy, and (2) deficits in NWM among patients surviving MED can at least partially explain deficits in their intellectual performance. Eighteen pediatric patients previously treated for MED were matched on the basis of age at the time of evaluation to 18 patients previously treated for low-grade posterior fossa tumors with surgery alone (mean difference, 3.7 months). Evaluations were conducted with age-appropriate neurocognitive testing and quantitative magnetic resonance imaging by using a novel automated segmentation and classification algorithm constructed from a hybrid neural network. Patients treated for MED had significantly less NWM (p < 0.01) and significantly lower Full-Scale IQ values than those treated for low-grade tumors (mean, 82.1 vs 92.9). In addition, NWM had a positive and statistically significant association with Full-Scale IQ among the patients treated for MED. We conclude that irradiation- or chemotherapy-induced destruction of NWM can at least partially explain intellectual and academic achievement deficits among MED survivors.
Adolescents' AIDS risk taking: A rational choice perspective

Rational choice decision-making theory is applied to the risky behavior of adolescents as it relates to the task of preventing HIV infection in that group. Assuming individuals to be purposeful and goal-directed attempting to satisfy their interests in a world of varied constraints the theory describes patterns of choices consistently able to maximize the fulfillment of an individuals goals in light of given constraints. It provides insight into how these patterns of choices should adapt to environmental informational and goal changes. A model is constructed which formalizes the trade-off between the benefits of unprotected sex and its costs in life-expectancy. The heart of the model considers a persons preferences among future lives characterized by different patterns of sexual activity. The model demonstrates that high rates of risk-taking behavior among adolescents do not evidence irrational behavior. Accordingly the paper finds unsafe sex to be like unsafe driving. Awareness of the potential for HIV infection from unsafe sexual activity is not sufficient motivation for behavior change. The authors support improved economic security opportunity and well-being of American youth as well as specific immediate strategies as potential solutions to the reduction of adolescent health risk taking behavior. Educational messages include communication of the benefits of delaying sexual activity safe sex practices and intensive counseling to high-risk youths.
Use of a chart audit: teaching well child care to paediatric house officers

Summary. A prospective study employing a randomly assigned control group was conducted to assess the usefulness of a chart audit in teaching paediatric residents the components of well child care. The charts of children less than 5 years of age were reviewed and compared with audit criteria. Per cent compliance scores were calculated for five categories: present history; behaviour-development; family history; past medical history; and physical assessment. Five separate audits (10 charts per resident per audit) were conducted — two prior to giving the residents feedback, one after informing them that a study was being conducted, one a month after giving feedback, and one a year later. There was no significant difference between the baseline scores of the two groups. In addition, there were no significant changes in the experimental group's scores during the first three audits or the control group's scores over the whole 3-year course of the study. However, one month after receiving feedback, the scores of the experimental group improved significantly in present history, behaviour-development, and past history. One year later, the experimental group's scores were lower in every category than in the preceding audit. However, their scores were higher than the control group and the difference reached statistical significance in present history. We conclude that regular chart audits with feedback are a valuable addition to the primary care curriculum in a paediatric residency programme.
Extravasation of Chemotherapeutic Agents: Prevention and Treatment

Most chemotherapeutic agents can cause varying degrees of local tissue injuries when extravasated. The medical treatment of extravasation is based on proper maintenance of the intravenous (IV) line and application of cold or warm compresses, plus the use of antidotes when available. Antidotes for extravasation that have been shown to be useful are sodium thiosulfate for nitrogen mustard, dimethylsulfoxide for anthracyclines and mitomycin, and hyaluronidase for the vinca alkaloids. New treatments include dexrazoxane, sargramostim, and hyperbaric oxygen for doxorubicin extravasations. Tissue damage secondary to drug infiltration occurs as a result of one of two major mechanisms: (1) the drug is absorbed by local cells in the tissue and binds to critical structures (eg, DNA, microtubules), causing cell death; and (2) the drug does not bind to cellular DNA. Damage to immediately adjacent tissue is more readily neutralized than is damage to surrounding tissue.
Effects of the Addition of Bentonite to High-Grain Dairy Rations which Depress Milk Fat Percentage

Abstract Twelve lactating Holstein cows were placed on an experiment consisting of three periods: four-week normal control, six-week fat depression, and six-week treatment. In the last period the cows were divided into three groups and allotted to three treatments: I. Fat-depressing ration, II. Fat-depressing ration + 5% bentonite, and III. Fat-depressing ration + 10% bentonite. A highly significant increase in milk fat per cent was noted in both bentonite treatments versus the fat-depressing ration, but there was no significant difference between the two levels of bentonite. The cows in Treatments I, II, and III maintained per cent milk fat at 86, 144, and 144% of the fat-depressing period, and 60, 87, and 87% of the normal control period, respectively. Milk production was significantly higher for Treatment II. A significant increase in the proportion of rumen acetate, along with a decrease in propionate and valerate, was noted in the two bentonite treatments compared to the fat-depressing ration. There was a significant increase in the arteriovenous difference of blood acetate in the two bentonite treatments compared to the fat-depressing ration. Arteriovenous differences for blood glucose and ketones and plasma free fatty acids and triglycerides were not altered significantly.
Innovative HVDC connections in power transmission systems

This paper contains a discussion of innovative high voltage DC technologies for transmission systems. The main subjects are multiterminal systems, and meshed (networked) systems. These systems are motivated by reliability requirements and expected large scale increase in generation resources far from load centers. A further motivation is the maximal use of transmission rights of way for bulk power transmission applications. Examples are shown taken from the western interconnection in North America although the general applicability elsewhere is highlighted.
Preparation of diastereomeric 2-deuterio-3-hydroxy butyrate. A general method for hydrogenation of β-acyloxy-α, β-unsaturated crotonates

Abstract Both erythro- and threo-2-deuterio-3-hydroxybutyrate are prepared selectively, with a hydrogenation over 5% rhodium on carbon catalyst serving as a key step. This hydrogenation is general for β-acyloxy-α, β-unsaturated crotonates.
Energetic Charged Particles in Saturn's Magnetosphere: Voyager 2 Results.

Results from the cosmic-ray system on Voyager 2 in Saturn's magnetosphere are presented. During the inbound pass through the outer magnetosphere, the ≥ 0.43-million-electron-volt proton flux was more intense, and both the proton and electron fluxes were more variable, than previously observed. These changes are attributed to the influence on the magnetosphere of variations in the solar wind conditions. Outbound, beyond 18 Saturn radii, impulsive bursts of 0.14- to > 1.0- million-electron-volt electrons were observed. In the inner magnetosphere, the charged particle absorption signatures of Mimas, Enceladus, and Tethys are used to constrain the possible tilt and offset of Saturn's internal magnetic dipole. At ∼ 3 Saturn radii, a transient decrease was observed in the electron flux which was not due to Mimas. Characteristics of this decrease suggest the existence of additional material, perhaps another satellite, in the orbit of Mimas.
Usable information for policy: An appraisal of the U.S. Global Change Research Program

The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) was established in law in 1990 (P.L. 101–606) with a mandate to provide policymakers with ‘usable information.’ The law gave a White House Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES) responsibility to implement the program with respect to its policy mandate. In 1994 CEES was replaced, in part, because it failed to provide ‘usable information.’ This article, documenting the development of the program's policy mandate and CEES implementation of the USGCRP, finds a performance shortfall. The shortfall is attributed to a breakdown in the legislative process, participant perspectives, and the structure of post-World War II science policy. The purpose of the article is to explain the CEES performance shortfall in hope that its successor can improve USGCRP performance with respect to its legal mandate based upon the lessons of experience.
The action of piperidine on cholinoceptive neurons of the snail

Abstract From our results it is concluded that piperidine can mimic the acetylcholine action on H-cells. The response of the cell membrane to piperidine administration is actuated either by piperidine, or by both piperidine and acetylcholine which was presynaptically released. The piperidine action on D-cells probably directly desensitizes the cholinoceptive sites without changing membrane potential or membrane resistance. Since it has been reported that piperidine physiologically occurs preferentially in the brain of the snail in concentrations comparable to those of other neurotransmitters6, piperidine might participate in signal processing mechanisms in the nervous system of this species by any of the actions reported here, if it were released in sufficient quantities.
Computer-aided recoding for multi-core systems

The design of embedded computing systems faces a serious productivity gap due to the increasing complexity of their hardware and software components. One solution to address this problem is the modeling at higher levels of abstraction. However, manually writing proper executable system models is challenging, error-prone, and very time-consuming. We aim to automate critical coding tasks in the creation of system models.This paper outlines a novel modeling technique called computer-aided recoding which automates the process of writing abstract models of embedded systems by use of advanced computer-aided design (CAD) techniques. Using an interactive, designer-controlled approach with automated source code transformations, our omputer-aided recoding technique derives an executable parallel system model directly from available sequential reference code. Specifically, we describe three sets of source code transformations that create structural hierarchy, expose potential parallelism, and create explicit communication and synchronization.As a result, system modeling is significantly streamlined. Our experimental results demonstrate the shortened design time and higher productivity.
Cholera toxin‐catalysed ADP‐ribosylation of erythrocyte proteins: General properties

Upon incubation of lysed pigeon erythrocytes with NAD, adenosine diphosphate-ribose (ADP-ribose) is incorporated into nuclear poly ADP-ribose and into an unidentified acid-insoluble product of the cytosol. The properties of these incorporations have been examined and a method developed for reducing their amount whilst retaining the sensitivity of the lysate to cholera toxin. This method has allowed the detection and description of a set of cholera toxin-specific ADP-ribose transfers to membrane-bound and soluble proteins under conditions that lead to adenylate cyclase activation.
The Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-Term Use Evaluation Trial: A Study in Contrasts

The Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-Term Use Evaluation (VALUE) trial was designed to test the theory in hypertensive patients determined to be at high cardiovascular risk that, for the same level of blood pressure (BP) control, valsartan would reduce cardiac morbidity and mortality more so than amlodipine. The noise level about this trial was high in the months leading up to the release of its findings in 2004.1 Shortly after its publication, however, the preceding din became barely audible, particularly with regard to the usual deluge of poststudy publications and, thus, the sway of positive study results (or not) to drive publication numbers for an outcomes study.2 As an example of this, the Losartan Intervention for End-Points (LIFE) study was positive on several accounts, and, on a careful review of PubMed citations, it was found to have generated 105 original publications in indexed journals through June 2006, whereas, to date, there have been a mere handful of original publications from the VALUE trial. The VALUE trial fell short of being able to test its proposed hypothesis, because the prerequisite of equal BP pressure reduction between therapies was not realized. Not surprisingly, a significant BP difference in favor of amlodipine existed, particularly in the early months of the trial. This failure to achieve equivalent levels of BP reduction, in part, was because of the mistaken belief that angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) monotherapy, and in this case valsartan, would reduce BP equally as well as amlodipine in a preponderance of high-risk subjects. In …
Implementing TQM in healthcare: The critical leadership traits

The provision of leadership by the senior management team in organisations is universally acclaimed by most quality management experts as critical to the successful implementation of total quality management (TQM). However, there is little empirical evidence as to the particular traits of leadership required for successfully leading a TQM programme apart from the all too common suggestion of the need to have top management commitment. Based on a survey of 50 chief executive officers randomly selected from the British National Health Care System, the paper delineates the essential leadership traits for the effective implementation of TQM in a healthcare environment.
Characterization of surface antigen from Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.

Abstract Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete, possesses a surface protein, VlsE (variable major protein-like sequence, expressed), that undergoes antigenic variation. Unlike conserved regions of other proteins involved in antigenic variation, the most conserved invariable region of VlsE is immunodominant in Lyme-disease patients. Physicochemical analyses of pure recombinant VlsE yielded the following results: The protein appeared oligomeric in solution, with a secondary structure dominated by α-helices. Thermal denaturation (pH 7) probed by calorimetry involved two transitions: oligomer-to-monomer conversion (around 40°C) followed by protein unfolding (55 ± 1°C). Chemical denaturation monitored by far-UV circular dichroism (20°C, pH 7) sensed only polypeptide unfolding and took place in a single transition (Δ G U (H 2 O) = 23 ± 2 kJ/mol). VlsE did not adopt a native structure at pH 3; at pH 10 the stability was significantly reduced. Knowledge of biophysical properties of VlsE may aid in understanding the mechanism of VlsE antigenic variation in B. burgdorferi.
Retention of coagulation factors in plasma frozen after extended holding at 1-6°C

Background and Objectives: The ability to use plasma, isolated from units of whole blood and frozen within 24 h of phlebotomy, as a substitute for plasma frozen within 8 h of phlebo
Viral hemorrhagic fevers including hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the Americas

The term viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) refers to an acute systemic illness classically involving fever, a constellation of initially nonspecific signs and symptoms, and a propensity for bleeding and shock. Capillary leakage, impaired hemostasis, and in some cases, impaired cardiac inotropy are the pathophysiologic hallmarks. VHFs may be caused by more than 25 different viruses from four families: Flaviviridae, Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, and Filoviridae (Table 1). VHFs of various etiologies exist worldwide, although because these diseases are primarily zoonotic, the distribution of any given virus is generally restricted by the distribution of its natural reservoir or arthropod vector. In most cases, human infection is rare. However, increased international travel and the high communicability, case-fatality ratios, and potential for nosocomial amplification often associated with the VHFs make them of concern even outside areas where they are endemic. Fears over importations usually focus on returning travelers, although importation of infected reservoirs or vectors with subsequent transmission to humans has occasionally occurred. Recent concern about bioterrorism has made intentional release of these agents an issue as well. The VHFs endemic in the Americas include diseases caused by flaviviruses (yellow fever [YF] and dengue hemorrhagic fever [DHF]), arenaviruses
Density functional theory study of vibrational spectra. 1. Performance of several density functional methods in predicting vibrational frequencies

Abstract Harmonic vibrational frequencies of several small organic molecules which were used to validate the scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field procedure of Pulay et al. were calculated using six popular density functional (DFT) methods and compared with experimental results. The combination of Becke's exchange with either Lee-Yang-Parr (BLYP) or Perdew's correlation functionals (BP86) reproduces the observed frequencies satisfactorily with deviations similar to those of the Hartree-Fock SQM methods. Three hybrid DFT methods are found to yield frequencies which were generally higher than the observed fundamental frequencies. When the calculated frequencies were compared with ‘experimental’ harmonic frequencies however, Becke's three-parameter hybrid method with Lee-Yang-Parr correlation functional is found to be slightly more accurate, especially for C-H stretching modes. The results indicate that BLYP calculation is a very promising approach for understanding the observed spectral features.
Effect of Sodium Carbonate Concentration on Leaching Property of Sintered Clinkers with Low A/S Ratio

The effect of sodium carbonate concentration on alumina leaching of low A/S ratio clinkers and SiO2 concentration in leached liquor was studied in this paper. The clinker with the Al2O3/SiO2 mass ratio of 1.0 (the molar ratios of CaO/SiO2 and Na2O/Al2O3 are 2.0 and 1.05) was sintered at 1230°C using AR reagents. The alumina leaching rate and SiO2 concentration in leached liquor increase with the increase of sodium carbonate concentration, and the alumina leaching rate reaches its maximum of 96.36% when the sodium carbonate concentration is 15g/L. The results of XRD indicate that sodium carbonate can inhibit the formation of hydrogarnet, and there is almost no formation of hydrogarnet when the sodium carbonate concentration is 15g/L.
Host race evolution in Schizaphis graminum (Hemiptera: Aphididae): nuclear DNA sequences.

ABSTRACT The greenbug aphid, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) was introduced into the United States in the late 1880s, and quickly was established as a pest of wheat, oat, and barley. Sorghum was also a host, but it was not until 1968 that greenbug became a serious pest of it as well. The most effective control method is the planting of resistant varieties; however, the occurrence of greenbug biotypes has hampered the development and use of plant resistance as a management technique. Until the 1990s, the evolutionary status of greenbug biotypes was obscure. Four mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) haplotypes were previously identified, suggesting that S. graminum sensu lato was comprised of host-adapted races. To elucidate the current evolutionary and taxonomic status of the greenbug and its biotypes, two nuclear genes and introns were sequenced; cytochrome c (CytC) and elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α). Phylogenetic analysis of CytC sequences were in complete agreement with COI sequences and demonstrated t...
Referees, editors, and publication practices: Improving the reliability and usefulness of the peer review system

The documented low levels of reliability of the peer review process present a serious challenge to editors who must often base their publication decisions on conflicting referee recommendations. The purpose of this article is to discuss this process and examine ways to produce a more reliable and useful peer review system.
Early steps in ecdysteroid biosynthesis: evidence for the involvement of cytochrome P-450 enzymes.

The first step in the biosynthesis of ecdysteroids by Manduca sexta prothoracic glands, the conversion of cholesterol to 7-dehydrocholesterol, is mediated by an enzyme with characteristics of a microsomal cytochrome P-450, i.e. sensitivity to CO and fenarimol, and a requirement for NADPH. The enzyme responsible for hydroxylation at C-25 of the putative 3-dehydroecdysone precursor, 14-hydroxy-5 beta-cholest-7-en-3,6-dione, is also microsomal, while those mediating hydroxylations at C-22 and C-2 of 3,14,25-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholest-7-en-6-one are mitochondrial. Indirect evidence revealed that the steps between 7-dehydrocholesterol and the trideoxyecdysteroids occur in the mitochondria, suggesting that extensive shuttling of intermediates between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria takes place in the prothoracic gland cell during ecdysteroid biosynthesis. During the fifth larval instar, cholesterol 7,8-dehydrogenase activity is evident from days 2 to 9, while the conversion to [3H]ecdysteroids is not significant prior to the ecdysteroid commitment peak on day 4. Terminal hydroxylase activity shows little change throughout the instar. These data support the hypothesis that regulation of the biosynthetic pathway by PTTH occurs at the step immediately following the formation of 7-dehydrocholesterol. The steroid biosynthesis inhibitor, fenarimol, has been shown to inhibit each of these P-450 enzymes, as well as fat body ecdysone 20-monooxygenase, with an I50 of 10(-4) M in disrupted glands, suggesting that it is a general P-450 inhibitor. The secretion of ecdysteroids by the glands in vitro is very sensitive to fenarimol, i.e. I50 of 10(-6) M. RH5849, 1,2-dibenzoyl-1-tert-butylhydrazine, fails to inhibit any of these prothoracic gland reactions, yet strongly inhibits fat body ecdysone 20-monooxygenase activity. This suggests that RH5849 is a specific ecdysteroid substrate/product mimic in this reaction.
Phasing of Many Thousands of Genotyped Samples

Haplotypes are an important resource for a large number of applications in human genetics, but computationally inferred haplotypes are subject to switch errors that decrease their utility. The accuracy of computationally inferred haplotypes increases with sample size, and although ever larger genotypic data sets are being generated, the fact that existing methods require substantial computational resources limits their applicability to data sets containing tens or hundreds of thousands of samples. Here, we present HAPI-UR (haplotype inference for unrelated samples), an algorithm that is designed to handle unrelated and/or trio and duo family data, that has accuracy comparable to or greater than existing methods, and that is computationally efficient and can be applied to 100,000 samples or more. We use HAPI-UR to phase a data set with 58,207 samples and show that it achieves practical runtime and that switch errors decrease with sample size even with the use of samples from multiple ethnicities. Using a data set with 16,353 samples, we compare HAPI-UR to Beagle, MaCH, IMPUTE2, and SHAPEIT and show that HAPI-UR runs 18× faster than all methods and has a lower switch-error rate than do other methods except for Beagle; with the use of consensus phasing, running HAPI-UR three times gives a slightly lower switch-error rate than Beagle does and is more than six times faster. We demonstrate results similar to those from Beagle on another data set with a higher marker density. Lastly, we show that HAPI-UR has better runtime scaling properties than does Beagle so that for larger data sets, HAPI-UR will be practical and will have an even larger runtime advantage. HAPI-UR is available online (see Web Resources).
World Trade Center disaster and sensitization to subsequent life stress: A longitudinal study of disaster responders.

PURPOSE: The current study examined the role of World Trade Center (WTC) disaster exposure (hours spent working on the site, dust cloud exposure, and losing friend/loved one) in exacerbating the effects of post-disaster life stress on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and overall functioning among WTC responders. METHOD: Participants were 18,896 responders (8,466 police officers and 10,430 non-traditional responders) participating in the WTC Health Program who completed an initial examination between July, 2002 and April, 2010 and were reassessed an average of two years later. RESULTS: Among police responders, there was a significant interaction, such that the effect of post-disaster life stress on later PTSD symptoms and overall functioning was stronger among police responders who had greater WTC disaster exposure (β's =.029 and.054, respectively, for PTSD symptoms and overall functioning). This moderating effect was absent in non-traditional responders. Across both groups, post-disaster life stress also consistently was related to the dependent variables in a more robust manner than WTC exposure. DISCUSSION: The present findings suggest that WTC exposure may compound post-disaster life stress, thereby resulting in a more chronic course of PTSD symptoms and reduced functioning among police responders. Language: en
Characterization of select members of the Taxane family using Raman spectroscopy

Experimentally derived Raman spectra of three members of the taxane family are presented and discussed. The taxoids investigated were docetaxel (Taxotere® ), baccatin III and cephalotaxine. These analytes were studied because of their potent antitumor capability or they are potential precursors for the synthesis of highly valuable pharmaceutical drugs. Drop coating deposition Raman (DCDR) spectroscopy is utilized in order to examine the vibrational wavenumbers of the powders and solutions, down to concentrations as low as 1 µM. Normal Raman modes of two of the three taxanes are confirmed by comparing experimental spectra with related literature and quantum mechanical ab initio calculations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical Modeling of Conventional Steel Stud Walls’ Static Resistance for Blast Response Predictions

AbstractSeveral experimental studies were conducted to evaluate the energy-absorption capacity of conventional and nonconventional cold-formed steel (CFS) stud walls for blast resistance. Recently, experiments were performed to investigate the effect of minor modifications to conventional walls to enhance their performance to resist relatively moderate blast threats without significantly affecting the cost. However, to investigate all possible design parameters experimentally can be costly. Therefore, this paper focused on developing a reliable nonlinear numerical model that predicted the resistance of conventional walls. The model was verified using experimental data to validate its ability to simulate the resistance and toughness of the walls under various parameters, such as the end condition type, the utility holes, stud thickness, and screw sizes and layouts. The numerical model accurately predicted the various details of the static response through all stages of loading that characterize the resista...
Implications of ICD-9/10 CM Transition for Public Health Surveillance: Challenges, Opportunities, and Lessons Learned from Multiple Sectors of Public Health

This roundtable provided a forum for a diverse set of representatives from the local, state, federal and international public health care sectors to share tools, resources, experiences, and promising practices regarding the potential impact of the transition on their surveillance activities. This forum will promote the sharing of lessons learned, foster collaborations, and facilitate the reuse of existing resources without having to 'reinvent the wheel.' It is hope that this roundtable will lay the ground-work for a more formal, collaborative, and sustainable venue within ISDS to aid in preparing the public health surveillance community for the coming ICD-9/10 CM transition.
Double Lumen Tubes: Usage and Performance by Frequent and Infrequent Users

Double lumen tubes (DLT) are commonly used to achieve lung isolation (LI). Not all anesthesiologists are frequent DLT users. Our thoracic surgical service is covered by sub-specialty anesthesiologists who are frequent DLT users. Thus, we are in a position to evaluate the performance of infrequent DLT users relative to frequent DLT users. Using statistical methods, we examined the incidence, duration and severity of hypoxia, hypercapnea and high airway pressures for patients receiving LI via DLTs placed by infrequent versus frequent users. The incidence of low SpO2, high EtCO2, or high PIP was not different between frequent and infrequent DLT users. However, when these events do occur, they are more severe (elevated EtCO2 duration, lower SpO2, higher EtCO2, higher airway pressure) among infrequent than frequent DLT users. The practical significance of these differences, which are small, is unproven. However, when episodes of hypercapnea do occur, they last much longer among infrequent than frequent DLT users.
Parallel implementation issues of the textured algorithm for optimal routing in data networks

Parallel implementation issues of the textured algorithm to solve the optimal routing problem (ORP) in data networks is investigated. The textured model decomposes a large data network into a multi-level structure, each level contains a few subnetworks and each subnetwork is controlled by a local processor (e.g. an internet gateway). Subnetworks of the same level are not overlapped with each other, subnetworks on different levels overlap partially. Compared with solving the ORP globally, the textured algorithm clearly saves computation time and has better precision since parallel computation is applied to smaller scale subproblems at each level. On the other hand, synchronization overhead among local processors needs to be addressed. It is shown that due to the characteristics of the textured algorithm, its synchronization overhead can be managed to remain a constant as the size of network increases since one only needs to exchange data among neighboring processors. >
Fast connectionist learning for trailer backing using a real robot

This paper presents the application of a connectionist control-learning system to an autonomous mini-robot. The system's design is severely constrained by the computing power and memory available on board the mini-robot and the on-board training time is greatly limited by the short life of the battery. The system is capable of rapid unsupervised learning of output responses in temporal domains through the use of eligibility traces and data sharing within topologically defined neighborhoods.
Treatment of Chronic Renal Failure in Seattle

It is my purpose here to describe for the first time some details of the early history of our maintenance dialysis program in Seattle, which began in 1960. In the second part of this chapter I deal briefly with the question of accelerated atherosclerosis, which emerged out of that early experience.1 Finally, I present an analysis of the long-term dialysis and transplant survivors, pointing out how this analysis, as well as that of others,2,3 may dramatically alter the prognosis of patients with chronic renal failure.
Heterogeneously Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis Strain Causing Recurrent Peritonitis in a Dialysis Patient during Vancomycin Therapy

With the global spread of methicillin-resistant strains, glycopeptide antibiotics have become the mainstay of chemotherapy in both coagulase-negative staphylococci as well as Staphylococcus aureus infections worldwide. Loss of the antistaphylococcal efficacy of this family of drugs would pose a serious challenge to the treatment of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections. Such a situation may emerge by the transfer of enterococcal glycopeptide resistance genes to staphylococci, which often cocolonize wound infection sites with enterococci. In fact, transfer of the vancomycin resistance from Enterococcus faecalis to an S. aureus strain has already been demonstrated under simulated laboratory conditions (11). An additional concern relates to the increasingly frequent detection of coagulase-negative staphylococcal isolates with reduced susceptibility to glycopeptide antibiotics in clinical specimens associated with a variety of clinical diseases, particularly in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) (8, 13–15). Clinical failure of vancomycin therapy in an MRSA-infected patient has already been described in Japan (9). Soon after that, MRSA infections for which the vancomycin MICs showed a similar range (∼8 μg/ml) were also reported in the United States (2, 3). In this communication, we describe the characterization of five consecutive isolates of a single methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) strain with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin and teicoplanin, recovered from the dialysate of a peritoneal dialysis (PD) patient who experienced recurrent episodes of peritonitis during an extended period of therapeutic and/or prophylactic use of vancomycin. Ominously, the PD catheter site (as well as several other body sites) of the patient was also colonized by a vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis strain carrying the vanA gene. Nevertheless, the MRSE isolates did not react with the vanA DNA probe but appeared to carry a distinct glycopeptide resistance mechanism. The vancomycin MICs for the five MRSE isolates, as determined by broth dilution, were in the range of 2 to 16 μg/ml. However, population analysis showed that cultures also contained bacteria for which the vancomycin MICs were as high as 25 and 50 μg/ml at significant frequencies (10−4 to 10−5). Enrichment for these subpopulations occurred without difficulty under laboratory conditions.
Processing, microstructure, and elevated temperature mechanical properties of MoSi2 containing Er2Mo3Si4 and Er2O3 particles

Powders of MoSi 2 containing ErzMo3Si 4 and Er203 particles were produced by ball milling arc-melted buttons of MoSi 2 containing 20 vol.% Er2Mo3Si 4. Two composites with grain diameters of 9 and 16/zm were produced by hot pressing the powders to 98% of theoretical density at 1565 °C and 1650 °C respectively. Some evidence of mechanical alloying was observed, but the majority of the Er2Mo3Si 4 and Er203 particles were situated on grain boundaries. Compressive decremental step-strain rate tests were performed in the homologous temperature range of 0.54 T m to 0.7 T,, / ( 1100-1400 °C) for strain rates ranging from 5 x 10-4 s- ~ to 1 x 10 -6 s - 1. Nominal values for the stress exponent, n, and the activation energy for creep, Q, were determined using a constitutive equation for power-law creep. Below 1200 °C, creep was controlled by dislocation climb and glide mechanisms with n = 4.5 and Q = 425 _+ 15 kJ mol- ~. At 1300 °C and above, the creep resistance was shown to be grain size dependent with creep resistance increasing with larger grain size.
You Can't Fatten A Hog by Weighing It - Or Can You? Evaluating an Assessment for Learning System Called ACED

The purpose of the study described in this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of an assessment for learning system named ACED (Adaptive Content with Evidence-based Diagnosis). We used an evidencecentered design approach to create an adaptive, diagnostic assessment system which includes five main models: competency, evidence, task, presentation, and assembly. We also included instructional support in the form of elaborated feedback. The key issue we examined was whether the inclusion of the feedback into the system (a) impairs the quality of the assessment (relative to validity, reliability, and efficiency), and (b) does, in fact, enhance student learning. Results from a controlled evaluation testing 268 high-school students showed that the quality of the assessment was unimpaired by the provision of feedback. Moreover, students using the ACED system showed significantly greater learning of the content compared with a control group. These findings suggest that assessments in other settings (e.g. state-mandated tests) might be augmented to support student learning with instructional feedback without jeopardizing the primary purpose of the assessment.
Self resetting logic register and incrementer

Register circuitry is described which is suitable for use with Self Resetting CMOS (SRCMOS) logic. It is level sensitive scan design (LSSD) compatible and complies with and implements the SRCMOS test modes. The register has been coupled to a novel high performance self resetting incrementer, which is based on a carry lookahead tree implemented in negative logic, and with a strobed final sum circuit. Hardware measurements are presented, showing a 900 ps 58-bit incrementer delay.
Lithography-aware layout compaction

Optical Proximity Correction (OPC) tools can suffer if the origi- nal layout is inherently difficult to print. Most routing techniques are unaware of the lithographic process, but several have been proposed to make the layout easier for the OPC tool to correct. This paper proposes a generalized preprocess step for OPC that uses a modified 1D layout compactor to expand or shrink geometry to decrease the amount of OPC work needed. This lithography-aware compactor estimates the OPC effort required and then uses a non-linear formulation to adjust the layout geometry. We describe a method for performing this compaction on small layouts and then extend it to handle larger hierarchical standard cell layouts.
Effects of Theophylline on Breathlessness and Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Chronic Airflow Obstruction

Theophylline is commonly prescribed for patients with nonasthmatic chronic airflow obstruction (CAO) even though clinical efficacy is not well established. We studied objective and subjective responses to theophylline in 14 men with CAO. Subjects randomly received week-long treatments of placebo or theophylline at two dosages: one that produced low (8.7-13.0 μ g/ml) and the other high (16.0-23.6 μ g/ml plasma concentrations. During the final three days of each treatment, we measured spirometric and hemodynamic function. Exercise tolerance was assessed with the 12 minute walk and progressive cycle ergometry. The patients' perception of breathlessness during the usual activities of daily living was evaluated with the oxygen cost diagram and the breathlessness rating. For low and high dose theophylline there were significant (p
Eddy mixing in jet-stream turbulence under stronger stratification

[1] Certain qualitative changes in turbulent eddy mixing during transitional regimes towards stronger stratification are highlighted using high-resolution numerical simulations. The behavior of turbulent eddy mixing parameters found in this study is consistent with some recent observational results in stably stratified shear flows in the atmosphere. In particular, the flux Richardson number increases, saturates and then decreases after a critical value of the gradient Richardson number (Rig) around 2.0. Correspondingly, there is also a transition from a decreasing trend in the turbulent eddy mixing coefficient for momentum to an increasing one at the same critical Rig. The implication of the study is that such a transition can be of quite general interest in sheared flows under stronger stratification (with significant wave dynamics), and needs to be accounted for in the parameterization of microscale atmospheric turbulence.
Cocaine Enhances NMDA Receptor-Mediated Currents in Ventral Tegmental Area Cells via Dopamine D5 Receptor-Dependent Redistribution of NMDA Receptors

Cocaine-induced plasticity of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) plays an important role in brain adaptations that promote addictive behaviors. However, the mechanisms responsible for triggering these synaptic changes are unknown. Here, we examined the effects of acute cocaine application on glutamatergic synaptic transmission in rat midbrain slices. Cocaine caused a delayed increase in NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated synaptic currents in putative VTA dopamine (DA) cells. This effect was mimicked by a specific DA reuptake inhibitor and by a DA D 1 /D 5 receptor agonist. The effect of cocaine was blocked by a DA D 1 /D 5 receptor antagonist as well as by inhibitors of the cAMP/cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Furthermore, biochemical analysis showed an increase in the immunoreactivity of the NMDAR subunits NR1 and NR2B and their redistribution to the synaptic membranes in VTA neurons. Accordingly, NMDAR-mediated EPSC decay time kinetics were significantly slower after cocaine, suggesting an increased number of NR2B-containing NMDARs. Finally, pharmacological analysis indicates that NR2B subunits might be incorporated in triheteromeric NR1/NR2A/NR2B complexes rather than in “pure” NR1/NR2B NMDA receptors. Together, our data suggest that acute cocaine increases NMDAR function in the VTA via activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway mediated by a DA D 5 -like receptor, leading to the insertion of NR2B-containing NMDARs in the membrane. These results provide a potential mechanism by which acute cocaine promotes synaptic plasticity of VTA neurons, which could ultimately lead to the development of addictive behaviors.
Automation of Surface Irrigation Systems

Two systems for automating surface irrigation are described. One uses pneumatic valves remotely controlled by tone telemetry to open and close turnouts at timed intervals. The other uses waterpowered cylinders activated by float valves to operate center pivot gates. Large fluidic diverters have also been evaluated for irrigation applications. The automation components can be adapted to furrow, border dike, and basin irrigated fields supplied by open ditches or buried pipelines. Several field systems have been installed and evaluated.