cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What Does It Take to Change an Editor's Mind? Identifying Minimally Important Difference Thresholds for Peer Reviewer Rating Scores of Scientific Articles.

Study objective We define a minimally important difference for the Likert-type scores frequently used in scientific peer review (similar to existing minimally important differences for scores in clinical medicine). The magnitude of score change required to change editorial decisions has not been studied, to our knowledge. Methods Experienced editors at a journal in the top 6% by impact factor were asked how large a change of rating in "overall desirability for publication" was required to trigger a change in their initial decision on an article. Minimally important differences were assessed twice for each editor: once assessing the rating change required to shift the editor away from an initial decision to accept, and the other assessing the magnitude required to shift away from an initial rejection decision. Results Forty-one editors completed the survey (89% response rate). In the acceptance frame, the median minimally important difference was 0.4 points on a scale of 1 to 5. Editors required a greater rating change to shift from an initial rejection decision; in the rejection frame, the median minimally important difference was 1.2 points. Within each frame, there was considerable heterogeneity: in the acceptance frame, 38% of editors did not change their decision within the maximum available range; in the rejection frame, 51% did not. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to determine the minimally important difference for Likert-type ratings of research article quality, or in fact any nonclinical scientific assessment variable. Our findings may be useful for future research assessing whether changes to the peer review process produce clinically meaningful differences in editorial decisionmaking.
Psychological Flexibility and Set-Shifting Among Veterans Participating in a Yoga Program: A Pilot Study

Introduction Trauma-focused psychotherapies do not meet the needs of all veterans. Yoga shows some potential in reducing stress and perhaps even PTSD in veterans, although little is understood about the mechanisms of action. This study identifies preliminary correlates of change in PTSD and perceived stress for veterans participating in yoga. Materials and methods Nine veterans (seven males and two females) were recruited from an existing clinical yoga program and observed over 16 wk. Severity of PTSD symptoms (PCL-5) and perceived stress (PSS-10) were collected at baseline and weeks 4, 6, 8, and 16. Psychological flexibility (AAQ-II) and set-shifting (ratio of trail making test A to B) were collected at baseline and at week 6. Subjects attended yoga sessions freely, ranging from 1 to 23 classes over the 16 weeks. The Stanford University Institutional Review Board approved this research protocol. Results Self-reported PTSD symptoms significantly reduced while perceived stress did not. Lower baseline set-shifting predicted greater improvements in PTSD between baseline and 4 weeks; early improvements in set-shifting predicted overall reduction in PTSD. Greater psychological flexibility was associated with lower PTSD and perceived stress; more yoga practice, before and during the study, was associated with greater psychological flexibility. Other predictors were not supported. Conclusions In a small uncontrolled sample, psychological flexibility and set-shifting predicted changes in PTSD symptoms in veterans participating in a clinical yoga program, which supports findings from prior research. Future research should include an active comparison group and record frequency of yoga practiced outside formal sessions.
Introduction: The Scope of the Topic

Infertility affects women of all races and ethnic groups. Recently, several publications have shown a lower live birth rate in all ethnic minorities compared to Caucasians. This could be due to biological, social, and cultural causes. In addition, several distinct ethnic groups are included under a single group in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMG) Directive 15 dating from 1977. We therefore propose a revised classification of ethnic groups in the USA, one that addresses current issues and concerns in the early twenty-first century.
Differential splicing yields novel adenovirus 5 E1A mRNAs that encode 30 kd and 35 kd proteins

In addition to the protein products of the adenovirus E1A 13S and 12S mRNAs, monoclonal antibodies specific for the E1A proteins immunoprecipitate polypeptides with relative mol. wt of 30,000 (30 kd) and 35,000 (35 kd) from extracts of infected cells. The 30 kd and 35 kd proteins are encoded by novel mRNAs referred to as the 10S and 11S mRNAs, respectively. These two mRNAs arise from differential splicing of the E1A precursor RNA. For the 10S mRNA, the precursor is spliced twice, once removing the region between nucleotides 637 and 854 and once between 974 and 1229. The splice between nucleotides 974 and 1229 is identical to the one used for the processing of the 12S mRNA. Synthesis of the 11S mRNA also utilizes two splicing events. One of these is identical to the 637/854 splice of the 10S mRNA, and the other removes the region between nucleotides 1112 and 1229, a splice junction also found in the 13S mRNA. All four mRNAs used the same reading frame and, therefore, code for related proteins. The products of the 10S and 11S mRNAs are identical to the products of the 12S and 13S mRNAs, respectively, except for an internal stretch of 27 amino acids removed by the 637/854 splice. Within this segment is a group of amino acid residues that is highly conserved between different adenovirus serotypes. Mutant adenoviruses in which the wild-type E1A sequences have been replaced with cDNA copies of the 10S or 11S mRNAs are defective for growth on HeLa cells suggesting that this region is important for viral growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Influence of food on the bioavailability of a docosahexaenoic acid supplement

iv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE 4 Docosahexaenoic Acid and Omega-3 Fatty Acids 4 Health Benefits of Docosahexaenoic Acid 9 Docosahexaenoic Acid and Lipid Structure 11 Bioavailability of DHA 14 Summary 19 CHAPTER 3: METHODS AND PROCEDURES 20 Study Participants 20 Study Design 20 Data Collection 22 Fatty Acid Analysis 27 Statistical Analysis 29 CHAPTER 4: RESULTS 31 Study Participants 31 Study Outcomes 31 Study Compliance 34 Fatty Acid Analysis 34 CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION 44 APPENDIX I: STUDY MATERIALS 49 APPENDIX II: SUPPLEMENT INFORMATION 89 REFERENCES 92 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 96
Effects of a methodological infographic on research participants' knowledge, transparency, and trust.

Objective Given participants' research literacy is essential for clinical trial participation, evidence-based strategies are needed that improve literacy and easily accessed online. We tested whether an infographic letter-that illustrated how dropouts can distort study conclusions-improved participant knowledge about the impact of dropouts relative to a control letter. Method In three distinct online samples purposely recruited to assess reproducibility, young ethnically diverse adults were randomized to read an infographic letter or control letter in a hypothetical scenario. Secondary outcomes included participants' perceived transparency of the research organization, perceived value of retention, and perceived trust of the organization. We purposely included two discriminant items, perceived value for the trial outcome and keeping commitments in general, both hypothesized not to change. Results Across samples, ∼20% more infographic participants correctly answered how dropouts affected study conclusions than control participants. For example (Experiment 3), nearly 90% of infographic participants correctly answered versus only two thirds of controls (88.7% vs. 66.7%, absolute percentage difference 22.0%, p .10). Conclusions Promisingly, this transparent, visually powerful methodological infographic improved knowledge and trust. Future trials could embed and experimentally test whether such low-cost online infographics improve not only research literacy, but also trial retention, especially among populations with less initial trust about research. (PsycINFO Database Record
Explicit Neural Models for Flip-Flops and Oscillators Generate Phenomena of Short-Term Memory and Electroencephalography

This article presents novel networks that demonstrate how neurons can be connected to process information. The networks perform the same functions as standard electronic logic circuits, but they have different architectures because a neuron's logic capability is different from the logic gates commonly used in electronic computational systems. With only the capabilities of neuron excitation and inhibition, the networks generate detailed phenomena of short-term memory and electroencephalograms. A single neuron can operate as a functionally complete logic primitive. As few as two neurons can be connected to form a robust flip-flop. Neurons in a memory bank of flip-flops produce the seven characteristics of neuron activity that are associated with memory formation, retention, retrieval, termination, and errors. Neural flip-flops also predict seven more phenomena that are testable by the same methods that led to the discovery of the first seven. Three neurons can form an oscillator, and basic flip-flops can function as toggles. With input from an oscillator, a toggle oscillates at half the frequency of the input. A cascade consisting of an oscillator and four toggles connected in sequence can produce the synchronized firing found in electroencephalograms by enabling neural structures to change states simultaneously. The means and variances of five EEG frequency bands are given as explicit functions of the mean and variance of the neuron delay times in all such cascades' initial oscillators. The delay times' two parameters determine the specific frequencies that separate the EEG bands and the peak frequency within each band. Cascaded oscillators determine the octave relationships between the bands' boundaries and peaks, and they suggest selective advantages for synchronization and for synchronization in different frequency bands. A simple experiment is described to test for the predicted relationship between the distribution parameters of neuron delay times and EEG frequencies. Any of the networks can be constructed with neurons and tested for many predicted behaviors.
Fluid Indicator Test (FIT) for Screening the Hydraulic Conductivity of Enhanced Bentonites to Inorganic Aqueous Solutions

Over the past 30 years, geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) have been demonstrated to be a valuable barrier technology in numerous environmental containment applications. However, past research has also shown that the hydraulic conductivity (k) of GCLs is sensitive to the electrolyte concentration of the permeant liquid. At low effective stresses, a sufficiently high electrolyte concentration has the potential to result in a multiple order of magnitude higher k than the same GCL exhibits to water. To expand the boundaries of GCL functionality, recent research has focused on the use of enhanced (e.g., polymer modified) bentonites (EBs) for improving the resilience of bentonites, and GCLs, subjected to high concentration electrolyte solutions. These EBs have frequently incorporated anionic polymers (e.g. sodium polyacrylate) into the bentonite using a plethora of methods, (e.g. dry mixing, wet mixing, in-situ polymerization.) However, existing standard indicator tests (swell index, fluid loss, modified Atterberg limits) for GCL k may not always be effective for EB-GCLs. A rapid fluid indicator test (FIT) for screening high k versus low k of EB-GCLs and unmodified sodium bentonites, is proposed. Preliminary tests were conducted on granular sodium bentonite and an EB (bentonite polymer composite). Results of the FIT were compared with the swell index and k for these materials over a range of CaCl2 solutions. The results support that a passing FIT generally correlates to low k for the same fluid under low stress conditions.
An integrated boundary approach for colloidal suspensions simulated using smoothed dissipative particle dynamics

Abstract In particle-based continuum solvers such as smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and smoothed dissipative particle dynamics (SDPD), one of the most significant challenges is the treatment of solid boundaries like walls and colloidal particles, whose presence leads to a truncation of the integral approximation, and hence, error in the numerical solution. In this work, we describe an integrated boundary framework for modeling colloidal suspensions composed of rigid spherical particles. The integral corresponding to the colloid's contribution is analytically evaluated, giving a simple and computationally inexpensive approach relative to conventional boundary particle techniques. We formulate a thermodynamically-consistent version of this top-down method for mesoscale simulations, in which the fluid exchanges momentum with the suspended particles due to thermal fluctuations, giving a framework for modeling the dynamics of colloids at arbitrary Reynolds and Peclet numbers. The resulting evolution equations are validated for a single colloidal particle in a fluid at constant temperature. This simple approach requires ∼ N c ( ρ / m ) R c 2 fewer pair force calculations relative to traditional boundary particle strategies, where Nc is the number of colloids in the system, Rc is the colloid radius, ρ is the colloid mass density, and m is the mass of the SDPD particles. In addition, the use of integrated boundaries removes the need for rigidbody constraint dynamics, giving an elegant and efficient basis for large-scale simulations of colloidal suspensions that is general and does not make any physical assumptions about the flow.
The quantitative study of serial murder: Regression is not transgression

Abstract In Too Few Victims: Finding the Optimal Minimum Victim Threshold for Defining Serial Murder, we empirically examined how victim count influences the definition of serial homicide. With a series of multinomial logistic regressions, we determined that a cutoff of three victims was optimal to ensure a more homogeneous population, and recommended a return to this traditional threshold (Fridel & Fox, 2018). In response, Yaksic (2018) published a scathing review of our work, claiming that our study was “transgressing” against serial homicide research and actively hampering law enforcement investigations. In addition to defending our original study, we reject his suggestion to rely solely on the qualitative methods of the past and firmly advocate for the modernization of serial homicide research through rigorous quantitative analysis.
Evolving Grid Services, Products, and Market Opportunities for Regulated Electric Utilities

Author(s): Satchwell, Andrew; Cappers, Peter | Abstract: This report and policy brief focus on the more recent changes and evolutions in grid services, products, and market opportunities regulated electric utilities are offering to their customers, both traditional end-use electric customers as well as third-party party businesses. Drawing on a database of more than 50 recent examples, the most prevalent and significant evolutions are occurring in: residential retail rate design shifts toward voluntary and default time-of-use (TOU); changes to distributed generation (DG) compensation methodologies; utilization of customer and non-utility assets as non-wires alternatives (NWAs); and utility investments in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Important and related themes emerge from this assessment of recent trends suggesting regulators and policymakers should formulate clear and consistent policy goals around the following two issues: 1. Opportunities increasing competition to serve the electricity needs of retail customers. Reforms that drive increases in NWAs and DG pit utility investments against customer investments and may erode the exclusivity of the utility franchise. In contrast, reforms to DG compensation, that may reduce the financial benefits of a customer’s investment, may maintain or strengthen the firmness of the utility franchise boundaries. 2.Opportunities driving greater innovation within and outside the electric industry. Electric utilities are innovating by developing novel NWA opportunities that can provide financial support for the broader adoption of DERs. There are also electric utility efforts to enable broader innovation in other industries, where utility investment in EV charging infrastructure could promote greater EV ownership and enable utility control of these resources to provide grid services.
Predictors of survival in metastatic melanoma patients with leptomeningeal disease (LMD)

Although the survival of most melanoma patients diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is short, some patients can have better outcomes and prolonged survival. A large retrospective cohort of patients was analyzed to identify features associated with survival with LMD from melanoma. Clinical characteristics, treatments and survival were collected for melanoma patients diagnosed with LMD from 1999 to 2015. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to test statistical significance of associations with survival. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional regression modeling. 178 melanoma patients with LMD were identified. Median age at LMD diagnosis was 51 years. Most (n = 153) patients received at least one treatment for LMD, including radiation (n = 98), chemotherapy (n = 89), targeted therapy (n = 60), immunotherapy (n = 12), or intrathecal (IT) therapy (n = 64). Median OS from LMD diagnosis was 3.5 months. One-, two-, and five-year OS rates were 22%, 14%, and 9%, respectively. Factors significantly associated with OS on multivariate analysis included Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] performance status > 0 (HR 2.1, P < 0.0001); neurological symptoms (HR 1.6, P < 0.0001); absent systemic disease (HR 0.4, P < 0.0001); and LMD treatment (HR 0.4, P = 0.0024), targeted therapy (HR 0.6, P = 0.0060), or IT therapy (HR 0.5, P = 0.0019). Despite their overall poor prognosis a subset of melanoma patients with LMD achieve longer survival. The factors associated with outcomes may be used to guide patient management and to inform the design of future clinical trials for this population.
A chimeric, multivalent assembly of galectin-1 and galectin-3 with enhanced extracellular activity

Galectins are attractive therapeutic candidates to control aberrant immune system activation because they can alter the phenotype and function of various innate and adaptive immune cells. However, use of exogenous galectin-1 ("G1") and galectin-3 ("G3") as immunomodulators is challenged by their high dosing requirements and dynamic quaternary structures. Here we report a chimeric assembly of G1 and G3 with enhanced extracellular activity ("G1/G3 Zipper"), which was created by recombinant fusion of G1 and G3 via a peptide linker that forms a two-stranded α-helical coiled-coil. G1/G3 Zipper had higher apparent binding affinity for immobilized lactose and a lower concentration threshold for inducing soluble glycoprotein crosslinking than G1, a recombinant fusion of G1 and G3 with a flexible peptide linker ("G1/G3"), or a recently reported stable G1 dimer crosslinked by poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate ("G1-PEG-G1"). As a result, G1/G3 Zipper was more effective at inducing Jurkat T cell apoptosis in media containing serum, and was the only variant that could induce apoptosis at low concentrations under serum-free conditions. The monomeric G1/G3 fusion protein lacked extracellular activity under all conditions tested, suggesting that the enhanced activity of G1/G3 Zipper was due to its quaternary structure and increased carbohydrate-recognition domain valency. Thus, combining G1 and G3 into a non-native chimeric assembly provides a new candidate therapeutic with greater immunomodulatory potency than the wild-type proteins and previously reported engineered variants.
Nasogastric (ng) Tube for Hydration in Bronchiolitis: Attitudes of Physicians and Nurses

Purpose: NG tubes are used frequently for hydration of infants with bronchiolitis in many places including Europe and Australia, but not in our hospital or many hospitals in North America. Our goal was to increase use of NG tubes for hydration of infants with bronchiolitis in our hospital. Our first step was to determine the reasons for lack of use of NG tubes for these patients. Methods: We developed a survey to ascertain 1) medical providers’ knowledge of hospital guidelines regarding use of NG for hydration of …
Early Initiation of Colostrum and Skin to Skin to Establish Successful Breast Milk Feeding in Very Preterm Infants

Introduction: Early colostrum feeds and skin to skin have shown to increase duration of breast milk feeds in newborns. Despite the known benefits of breast milk feeds for high risk preterm infants, many barriers still remain for the preterm infants to receive mother’s own breast milk. We initiated a quality improvement project to support NICU mothers to improve the duration of breast milk feeding in their preterm infants. Methods: Infants with birth weight ≤1500g …
Understanding physician burnout

Physician well-being is associated with benefits for physicians, patients, and health care systems. Well-being encompasses many inter-related attributes, including but not limited to resilience, fulfillment, joy in work, and burnout. Among these, burnout has been studied most widely, and has been found to be more frequent among medical trainees and professionals than in the general population. Burnout has been associated with physician depression and suicidality, which are also more frequent among physicians than the general population. The negative effects of burnout include decreased patient satisfaction, increased medical errors, and increased costs. Physician burnout has been associated with both organization-level drivers that contribute to an imbalance between resources and workload for physicians, and individual-level drivers related to resilience practices and attitudes. This paper reviews the literature on the epidemiology, drivers, and implications of physician burnout.
An Exploratory Study of Factors Driving Decision Maker Intentions to Adopt Cloud Computing

United States based companies have invested more heavily in cloud services than companies in other nations. Despite numerous benefits claimed by cloud service providers, many organisations are still uncertain about the implementation of cloud computing. The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of the factors that are important to the usage adoption decision of this information technology delivery model and the implications for organisations in the United States. Decision makers were surveyed to discover which attributes were important in their determination of cloud computing utilisation. Using a sample of executives from manufacturing and service sectors in the United States, multiple factors contributing to the recent growth in cloud computing have been identified using a factor analysis. Four factors emerged from the data analysis include extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, perceived risks, and resource constraint.
Outreach in Public, Special, and Academic Libraries

Libraries are welcome to all but there are still many unserved and underserved members of the community who do not know the opportunities available. New outreach and engagement methods have become ...
Wangari Maathai in the Media: A critical perspective

No one is a prophet in their own land. The aphorism is far from a platitude in Kenya where an iconic international figure incarnated by Prof. Wangari Maathai was little appreciated in her homeland Kenya but feted globally. To be true, Wangari’s life trajectory is a reminder not only of the gender inequalities and iniquities that have beleaguered Kenya since time immemorial but also it is symbolic of an individual’s dogged determination to make the world a better place through sound management of the environment. It is, therefore, important to review how the media impacted on her life and more broadly how the media handles celebrities in Kenya. Of particular interest is the manner in which the male-dominated media in Kenya had been downplaying Wangari’s image as a leader save from the ‘tree-hugging’ stereotype. Similarly, Wangari’s political initiatives had little if any impact on Kenya due to her inexperience in playing dirty in the Kenyan political arena. Upon recognition by the Nobel Committee and her commendation, Wangari assumed a larger than life profile albeit in a media environment that was hardly friendly. Nevertheless, her contribution was not lost to Kenyans, Africans and the world at large. The world feted Wangari and Kenya had no choice. This article critiques the role of the media, mainly the mainstream media, and problematizes its coverage of Wangari’s epic efforts until 2012.
Introductory editorial to the special issue on white privilege in neuropsychology and norms for spanish-speakers of the US-Mexico border region.

Since 2018, we at the Culture and Gender Department (CGD) of The Clinical Neuropsychologist (TCN) have worked to shine a light on brain health disparities and the critical roles of culture and gend...
A Young Woman with Palatal Myoclonus, Memory loss and Seizures (P2.2-050)

Objective: We report a rare case of palatal myoclonus in a 32 year old woman with no significant medical history, diagnosed with GAD-65 autoimmune encephalitis, with an infrequently described presentation of seizures, palatal myoclonus and memory loss. Background: There are several known associated antibody related epilepsy syndromes that often present with seizure. We present a case of GAD-65 associated autoimmune enephalitis, with a rare but formerly described presentation of pharmacoresistant epilepsy and palatal myoclonus. Palatal myoclonus has also been described with lesions involving the triangle of Mollaret as well as hypertrophy of the inferior olive, although often will appear normal on brain imaging in the absence of ischemia or other injury. Design/Methods: The patient described presented with nocturnal seizures, that rapidly increased in duration and frequency over the coming weeks. She further developed onset of palatal myoclonus and progressive dysarthria, dysphagia, and short term memory loss. She was treated for GAD-65 associated autoimmune encephalitis with IVIG and steroids. Her palatal myoclonus responded well to benzodiazepine and beta blocker therapy. She was also screened for underlying malignancy and found to have increased uptake on PET imaging in the R inguinal lymph nodes, which was scheduled for biopsy. Results: Testing initially including a bedside EEG and brain MRI which were normal. Serum autoimmune workup revealed mildly elevated anti-TPO antibody levels (12) and high Anti-GAD 65 levels (365). She had MOCA testing scored at 25/30. She was also noted to have mild splenomegaly with increased moderate to intensely FDG avid R inguinal lymph nodes which was scheduled for biopsy. Conclusions: The triad of seizures, palatal myoclonus, and memory deficits is a rare presentation of GAD-65 autoimmune encephalitis but has been described. Palatal myoclonus with normal brain imaging should raise suspicion for the possibility of underlying autoimmune or paraneoplastic disease. Disclosure: Dr. Allen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kabir has nothing to disclose. Dr. Subramaniam has nothing to disclose. Dr. Struck has nothing to disclose.
Movement Strategies in Virtual Reality: The Influence of Effort Costs and Target Depth:

Kinematic analysis of users’ movement trajectories can reveal strategic movement biases; however, it is unclear if these strategic behaviors also occur in virtual reality (VR). To examine this ques...
Claim Preclusion and the Problem of Fictional Consent

The doctrine of claim preclusion promotes fairness and finality by preventing parties from raising claims that already were (or could have been) raised in a prior proceeding. This strict consequence can be imposed only when the litigant received minimal due process protections in the initial proceeding, including notice and direct or indirect participation. Modern litigation has caused a new problem. In some cases, a party may be precluded from ever raising a claim on the grounds of “fictional consent” to a prior court’s decisionmaking authority. Litigation devices have expanded the potential reach of judgments through aggregation and broad jurisdictional grants, and certain environments—such as bankruptcy—require that the parties consent to the initial court’s authority to decide a dispute. Applying claim preclusion to unraised claims in such environments poses a serious due process threat. Subsequent courts satisfy the claim preclusion standard by relying on fictional consent, i.e., by presuming that the litigant would have consented to the court’s power to decide the claim if she had brought the claim in her initial proceeding. But the litigant did not actually bring the claim, and therefore did not actually consent to the initial court’s exercise of authority. This Article is the first to highlight the problem of claim preclusion by fictional consent. By looking to bankruptcy as a paradigmatic example, this Article concludes that precluding unraised claims on the basis of fictional consent favors finality at a perilous cost to due process. To solve this problem, this Article develops a taxonomy of claim preclusion scenarios based on different litigation contexts. The taxonomy neutralizes fictional consent and accounts for due process concerns. Reducing claim preclusion to ensure due process may give rise to opportunistic litigation tactics. This Article therefore identifies existing doctrinal tools that courts may use to reduce wasteful opportunism.
Falsely high rebound tonometry.

Background Rebound tonometry (RBT) can be used to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in children unable to tolerate measurement with applanation tonometry (AT) while awake. RBT readings are often 2–3 mm Hg higher than AT. We have experienced children with a repeatedly higher difference between RBT and AT measurements (≥6 mm Hg). The purpose of this study was to identify demographic and ocular characteristics that contribute to this artifactuous discrepancy. Methods The medical records of pediatric patients with IOP measured by RBT followed by AT within 6 months without intervening surgery or change in medical management were retrospectively reviewed to identify potential predictors of greater difference between RBT and AT readings. Results A total of 123 eyes of 65 patients were included. In patients with normal IOP (≤24 mm Hg), 18.5% had a ≥6 mm Hg difference between RBT and AT, with RBT being higher. Risk factors for this included presence of persistent fetal vasculature (PFV), increased corneal diameter, and higher initial RBT value (>20). In patients with elevated IOP (>24 mm Hg), 77% had ≥6 mm Hg difference, with larger corneal diameter being the sole predictor. Eyes were less likely to have significant RBT-AT difference if there was corneal opacity or iris abnormalities in eyes with elevated IOP (>24 mm Hg). Conclusions In some children, RBT readings are ≥ 6 mm Hg higher than AT readings. Caution should be taken when interpreting RBT values in patients with PFV, increased corneal diameter, and higher initial RBT values.
Non Equilibrium Thermodynamic Analysis of Ion Transport and Membrane Metabolism

The energetics of active ion transport have been analyzed in terms of linear non equilibrium thermodynamics. It is shown that the flux ratio may fail to evaluate the forces producing transport. For active sodium transport in epithelia both transport and oxygen consumption are linear functions of the electrical potential difference; this permitted a calculation of the free energy of the metabolic driving reaction.
POLYMORPHISM OF ZINC-ALPHA-2-HUMAN GLYCOPROTEIN.

GENETICALLY determined variants of a large number of proteins, including many blood proteins, have been discovered, especially since the introduction by Smithies1 of the gel-electrophoresis technique. α1-Acid glycoprotein, one of the low-molecular-weight normal human plasma proteins, proved to be polymorphic near its isoelectric point. Pooled α1-acid glycoprotein revealed seven and, after enzymatic removal of its sialic acid, two bands2. The human β2-mucoid the molecular weight of which is similar to that of the mentioned α1-globulin showed a very similar resolution3. We report in this communication the polymorphism of a low-molecular-weight α2-glycopro-tein, zinc-α2-glycoprotein4.
Modeling statistical comparisons in the statistical knowledge network

The Statistical Knowledge Network (SKN) is envisioned as a consortium of individuals and organizations supported by technologies that enable them to share and use statistical expertise and information (Marchionini et al., 2003). The SKN would provide integrated access to statistical information from a multitude of sources and enable use of that information through statistical literacy tools, appropriate interfaces, and so forth.
A bracket power characterization of analytic spread one ideals

The main theorem characterizes, in terms of bracket powers, analytic spread one ideals in local rings. Specifically, let bl, . . , bg, x be r-egular nonunits in a local (Noetherian) ring (R, M) and assume that I C (xR),a, the integral closure of xR, where I (b1, .. . , bg, x).R. Then the main result shows that for all but finitely many units u1,...,ug in R that are non-congruent modulo M and for all large integers n and k it holds that jin Ii]" for j 1,. . I k and j not divisible by char(R/M), where I[i] is the j-th bracket power ((bi + uix)i, .., (bg + ugx)i, xi)R of I = (bi + ulx, .. ., bg + ugx, x)R. And, conversely, if there exist positive integers g, n, and k > (n+g) such that I has a basis 31,.. .,39, x such that Ilkn (/3i k .... ./3gk, xk)n R, then I has analytic spread one.
Interpersonal Perspectives of Nonviolence

This chapter addresses aspects of nonviolence that are relevant to interpersonal relationships. While violence within interpersonal relationships has been predominant in research, nonviolence is an important albeit neglected aspect to consider. The role of cooperation (Deutsch, 2000; Johnson & Johnson, 2003), negotiation (Fisher & Shapiro, 2005; Fisher, Ury, & Patton, 1991), and other nonviolent conflict resolution strategies are examined as they pertain to intimate relationships, friendships, and small group interactions. Mediation (Leviton & Greenstone, 1997), conflict resolution (Bunker & Rubin, 1995; Deutsch & Coleman, 2000; Jones, 2004; Sanson & Bretherton, 2001), violence prevention (Gottfredson & Gottfredson, 2002), nonviolence education (1999a, 1999b), and peace education programs (Forcey & Harris, 1999; Harris, Harris, 1988, 2002a; Harris & Morrison, 2003; Nelson & Christie, 1995; Reardon, 1988a) designed for participants across the life span are reviewed with recommendations concerning usage by peace researchers and peace practitioners.
Ab initio study of the energetics and thermodynamics of hydrogen abstraction from fluoromethanes by O(3P). II: CFnH4−n+O(3P)→CFnH4−n…O→CFnH3−n+OH (n=0,1,2)

Abstract Hydrogen abstractions by O(3P) from a set of fluorinated methanes, CF n H 4−n + O ( 3 P )→ CF n H 4−n … O → CF n H 3−n + OH (n=0,1,2), were studied using ab initio methods. Geometries of the reactants and transition states were optimized at the UMP2/6-311G** level of theory, and activation energies were calculated using a modified G aussian 2 ( G 2 ) theory. The potential-energy curves for the transition states were computed in order to obtain the transmission coefficients, κ, for the reactions studied. We found that κaver=1.12±0.01. Activation energies, activation enthalpies and rate constants were computed. Good agreement, (the average difference is 0.9±0.4 kcal/mol for the present study), was found between the ab initio activation energies, ΔG ‡ theor . , and the experimental activation energies, ΔG ‡ expt ′ l .
A Research Framework for Collaborative eLearning in an End User Training Context

The growth in the application of information technology to end-user training (EUT) underscores a fundamental need to understand how these e-learning technologies improve the learning process. Results from the limited EUT studies provide an inconsistent picture of the effects of e-learning technologies. Also, collaborative learning has become one of the most used techniques in American education, yet, we could find only one EUT study on collaborative learning. This paper applies adaptive structuration theory (AST) to the specific area of technology-mediated end-user training. The main focus is on understanding learning, collaboration and technology structures involved, their interactions and appropriation, and their impact on learning outcomes. By integrating social cognitive and social development theories into the AST framework, the model presented investigates both the learning process and functional/structural aspects of technology-mediated end-user training. Propositions are developed for future empirical testing.
Flow Resistance of Large-Scale Roughness

A theory of the resistance to flow in rivers with large-scale roughness is developed and a resistance equation is constructed using data from the upper River Tees, England. The theoretical analysis shows that, in channels with large values of relative roughness, resistance to flow depends mainly on the size, shape, spacing, and size distribution of the boundary roughness elements. Channel geometry is important only in its effect on the drag of the elements. This theory is illustrated using data from field sites at which roughness shape and size distribution were similar and roughness spacing could be directly related to relative roughness. In the resistance equation (which is specific to the field sites) the resistance coefficient varies with just relative roughness and a parameter of channel geometry.
Taxonomy of cooperative robotic systems

The use of multiple robots to accomplish tasks has been common for many years. The term, cooperative, is used to designate the nature of the interactions among a team of robots. However, there are many differences in how these robots interact. Some groups of robots appear, on the surface, to cooperate but are not actually aware of the other robots. Other groups share goals and objectives. Our research investigated a diverse collection of multiple-robot systems. This paper highlights eight examples. The variations of interaction that we found were used to create a robotic-interaction taxonomy. Each robotic team is measured against three dimensions for placement into the taxonomy. Terminology for different types of cooperation is suggested.
Popular Constitutionalism, Departmentalism, and Judicial Supremacy

It is a pleasure and a privilege to comment on Larry Kramer's 2002 Jorde Lecture. Beautifully crafted, deeply erudite, sharply original, and resonant with passionate conviction, the Lecture addresses a topic of growing significance to contemporary constitutional thought. Together with the book from which it is drawn,' the Lecture will no doubt prove a major contribution to our understanding of American constitutional history. Time spent reflecting on Kramer's project is time well spent. Kramer argues for "popular constitutionalism," by which he means a system in which the people assume "active and ongoing control over the interpretation and enforcement of constitutional law."2 Kramer identifies the enemy of popular constitutionalism as "judicial supremacy," by which he means "the notion that judges have the last word when it comes to constitutional interpretation and that their decisions determine the meaning of the Constitution for everyone."3 Kramer argues for a world in which courts
An energy factor proportions model of the US economy

Abstract A factor proportions model examines the effects of falling energy input and its rising price in the US economy based on a novel production function motivated by the definition of physical work. This physical production function specifies separate interaction of energy and labor with capital, estimated with annual data from 1951 to 2008. Energy has a large output elasticity and inelastic own input demand. A rising energy price lowers the return to capital in the general equilibrium even though capital is a moderate substitute for energy. Energy has robust comparative static elasticities linked to manufacturing in the general equilibrium.
Preparation and flow cytometric analysis of metaphase chromosomes of tomato.

A procedure for the preparation of tomato chromosome suspensions suitable for flow cytometric analysis is described. Rapidly growing cell suspension cultures of Lycopersicon esculentum cv VFNT cherry and L. pennellii LA716 were treated with colchicine to enrich for metaphase chromosomes. Metaphase indices between 20 and 35% were routinely obtained when cultures were exposed to 0.1% colchicine for 15–18 h after 2 days of subculture. Mitotic cells were isolated by brief treatment with cell wall digesting enzymes in a medium with low osmolarity (∼325 mOsm/kg of H52O). The low osmolarity medium was needed to avoid the chromosome clumping and decondensation seen in standard media. Suspensions of intact chromosomes were prepared by lysing swollen protoplasts in various buffers (MgSO4, polyamines, hexylene glycol, or KCl-propidium iodide) similar in contents to the buffers used to isolate mammalian chromosomes. For univariate flow cytometric analysis, chromosome suspensions were stained with a fluorescent DNA-binding stain (propidium iodide, Hoechst 33258, mithramycin, or chromomycin A3) and analyzed using an EPICS flow cytometer (Profile Analyzer or 753). Peaks for the chromosomes, chromatids, clumps of chromosomes, nuclei, and fluorescent debris were seen on a histogram of log of fluorescence intensity, and were confirmed by microscopic examination of the objects collected by flow-sorting. Chromosome suspensions prepared in MgSO4 buffer have the highest frequency of intact chromosomes and the least fluorescent cellular debris. Peaks similar to theoretical univariate flow karyotypes of tomato chromosomes were seen on the observed univariate flow karyotypes, but were not as well resolved. Bivariate flow analysis of tomato chromosome suspension using double-stain combination, Hoechst 33258 and chromomycin A3, and two laser beams showed better resolution of some chromosomes.
Thymidine kinase mutants obtained by random sequence selection.

Abstract Knowledge of the catalytic properties and structural information regarding the amino acid residues that comprise the active site of an enzyme allows one, in principle, to use site-specific mutagenesis to construct genes that encode enzymes with altered functions. However, such information about most enzymes is not known and the effects of specific amino acid substitutions are not generally predictable. An alternative approach is to substitute random nucleotides for key codons in a gene and to use genetic selection to identify new and interesting enzyme variants. We describe here the construction, selection, and characterization of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase mutants either with different catalytic properties or with enhanced thermostability. From a library containing 2 x 10(6) plasmid-encoded herpes thymidine kinase genes, each with a different nucleotide sequence at the putative nucleoside binding site, we obtained 1540 active mutants. Using this library and one previously constructed, we identified by secondary selection Escherichia coli harboring thymidine kinase mutant clones that were unable to grow in the presence of concentrations of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) that permits colony formation by E. coli harboring the wild-type plasmid. Two of the mutant enzymes exhibited a reduced Km for AZT, one of which displayed a higher catalytic efficiency for AZT over thymidine relative to that of the wild type. We also identified one mutant with enhanced thermostability. These mutants may have clinical potential as the promise of gene therapy is increasingly becoming a reality.
a-Type edge dislocation mobility in wurtzite GaN using molecular dynamics

Classical molecular dynamics simulations of wurtzite gallium nitride are performed to calculate the velocities of the three types of a-type edge dislocations at 1300 K. Slips in the basal, prismatic and pyramidal planes are studied, and the anisotropic glide mechanisms are examined at both low and high stresses. The structures of the dislocation cores are described and the mechanisms of dislocation glide are discussed in the context of their potential motion in thin film growth.
Anode barrier layers for tubular solid-oxide fuel cells with methane fuel streams

Abstract Experimental results in button cells show that a porous chemically inert barrier layer can extend the range of coke-free operation on Ni–YSZ anode structures, even with pure methane as the fuel. The first objective of this paper is to assist interpreting these results using computational models that consider porous-media transport and heterogeneous reforming chemistry. The second objective is to predict the performance of a chemically inert barrier layer in a tubular, anode-supported, solid-oxide fuel cell.
papA Gene of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli

SUMMARY. P fimbrial adhesins may be associated with the virulence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). However, most APECs are unable to express P fimbriae even when they are grown under conditions that favor P fimbrial expression. This failure can be explained by the complete absence of the pap operon or the presence of an incomplete pap operon in Pap-negative APEC strains. In the present study, we analyzed the pap operon, specifically the papA gene that encodes the major fimbrial shaft, to better understand the pap gene cluster at the genetic level. First, by PCR, we examined a collection of 500 APEC strains for the presence of 11 genes comprising the pap operon. Except for papA, all the other genes of the operon were present in 38% to 41.2% of APEC, whereas the papA was present only in 10.4% of the APEC tested. Using multiplex PCR to probe for allelic variants of papA, we sought to determine if the low prevalence of papA among APEC was related to genetic heterogeneity of the gene itself. It was...
Speciation Analyses by Differential Atomization Using a Platinum Loop-Carbon Bed Dual Stage Atomizer

It has become increasingly evident in recent years that the toxicity of a metal is dependent not only on its concentration but also on its particular chemical form. The chemical form of an element ...
Collision tumors with synchronous presentation of breast carcinoma and lymphoproliferative disorders in the axillary nodes of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer: a case series.

Although occurrence of a second tumor is a well-recognized phenomenon in patients with a treated malignancy, simultaneous presentation with a second primary malignancy (“collision tumor”) is rare in patients with breast cancer. We report a series of 7 patients who were undergoing axillary nodal staging of a newly diagnosed breast cancer. Six patients were found to have collision tumors in their axillary lymph nodes consisting of metastatic breast cancer and a previously unknown lymphoproliferative disorder. In 1 additional patient, a lymph node biopsy of a palpable axillary node resulted in the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer and lymphoma. Awareness and diagnosis of such collision tumors will lead to appropriate management of each malignancy.