cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Doping on the Thermal Expansion of β-Eucryptite Prepared by Sol–Gel Methods

The thermal expansion behavior of pure β-eucryptite and Zn-doped β-eucryptite (substituting Zn for Li), prepared using sol–gel methods and hot pressing, were investigated. β-eucryptite exhibits an anisotropic negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), which leads to microcrack formation in sintered polycrystalline samples. This is manifested by the presence of a hysteresis in the thermal expansion curves. The hysteresis disappears when a small amount of Zn (0.5–3 mol% Zn) is present. Furthermore, the bulk CTE increases significantly in magnitude (from −4 × 10−6/°C for pure β-eucryptite to 1 × 10−6/°C to 2 × 10−6/°C), and is slightly positive in the range from 25°C to 1000°C. No difference in grain size was observed between the pure and doped samples, and all the ceramics exhibited high relative densities. It is likely that Zn substitutes for Li in the β-eucryptite structure and reduces the c-axis thermal expansion, thereby lowering the CTE anisotropy and lowering the tendency for microcracking.
Treatment outcomes of chronic post-traumatic headaches after mild head trauma in US soldiers: an observational study.

(Headache 2011;51:932-944) Background.— The effectiveness of medical therapies for chronic post-traumatic headaches (PTHs) attributable to mild head trauma in military troops has not been established. Objective.— To determine the treatment outcomes of acute and prophylactic medical therapies prescribed for chronic PTHs after mild head trauma in US Army soldiers. Methods.— A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 100 soldiers undergoing treatment for chronic PTH at a single US Army neurology clinic. Headache frequency and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scores were determined at the initial clinic visit and then again by phone 3 months after starting headache prophylactic medication. Response rates of headache abortive medications were also determined. Treatment outcomes were compared between subjects with blast-related PTH and non-blast PTH. Results.— Ninety-nine of 100 subjects were male. Seventy-seven of 100 subjects had blast PTH and 23/100 subjects had non-blast PTH. Headache characteristics were similar for blast PTH and non-blast PTH with 96% and 95%, respectively, resembling migraine. Headache frequency among all PTH subjects decreased from 17.1 days/month at baseline to 14.5 days/month at follow-up (P = .009). Headache frequency decreased by 41% among non-blast PTH compared to 9% among blast PTH. Fifty-seven percent of non-blast PTH subjects had a 50% or greater decline in headache frequency compared to 29% of blast PTH subjects (P = .023). A significant decline in headache frequency occurred in subjects treated with topiramate (n = 29, −23%, P = .02) but not among those treated with a low-dose tricyclic antidepressant (n = 48, −12%, P = .23). Seventy percent of PTH subjects who used a triptan class medication experienced reliable headache relief within 2 hours compared to 42% of subjects using other headache abortive medications (P = .01). Triptan medications were effective for both blast PTH and non-blast PTH (66% response rate vs 86% response rate, respectively; P = .20). Headache-related disability, as measured by mean MIDAS scores, declined by 57% among all PTH subjects with no significant difference between blast PTH (−56%) and non-blast PTH (−61%). Conclusions.— Triptan class medications are usually effective for aborting headaches in military troops with chronic PTH attributed to a concussion from a blast injury or non-blast injury. Topiramate appears to be an effective headache prophylactic therapy in military troops with chronic PTH, whereas low doses of tricyclic antidepressants appear to have little efficacy. Chronic PTH triggered by a blast injury may be less responsive to commonly prescribed headache prophylactic medications compared to non-blast PTH. These conclusions require validation by prospective, controlled clinical trials.
Does any aspect of mind survive brain damage that typically leads to a persistent vegetative state? Ethical considerations

Recent neuroscientific evidence brings into question the conclusion that all aspects of consciousness are gone in patients who have descended into a persistent vegetative state (PVS). Here we summarize the evidence from human brain imaging as well as neurological damage in animals and humans suggesting that some form of consciousness can survive brain damage that commonly causes PVS. We also raise the issue that neuroscientific evidence indicates that raw emotional feelings (primary-process affects) can exist without any cognitive awareness of those feelings. Likewise, the basic brain mechanisms for thirst and hunger exist in brain regions typically not damaged by PVS. If affective feelings can exist without cognitive awareness of those feelings, then it is possible that the instinctual emotional actions and pain "reflexes" often exhibited by PVS patients may indicate some level of mentality remaining in PVS patients. Indeed, it is possible such raw affective feelings are intensified when PVS patients are removed from life-supports. They may still experience a variety of primary-process affective states that could constitute forms of suffering. If so, withdrawal of life-support may violate the principle of nonmaleficence and be tantamount to inflicting inadvertent "cruel and unusual punishment" on patients whose potential distress, during the process of dying, needs to be considered in ethical decision-making about how such individuals should be treated, especially when their lives are ended by termination of life-supports. Medical wisdom may dictate the use of more rapid pharmacological forms of euthanasia that minimize distress than the de facto euthanasia of life-support termination that may lead to excruciating feelings of pure thirst and other negative affective feelings in the absence of any reflective awareness.
The burden of pursuing treatment abroad: Three stories of medical travelers from Yemen

Astract This case study features stories of patients from Yemen, a low-income country in the Arabian Peninsula, who traveled abroad for medical care. Their stories, drawn from interviews with Yemeni medical travelers in India, highlight the economic and emotional burden of pursuing treatment abroad. These stories of chronic non-communicable diseases and serious injuries depart from the common portrayal of medical tourists as wealthy elective patients from the North traveling for cosmetic surgery. The stories center on the demand and benefit of technological medicine for patients from low-income countries and raise questions about what constitutes ‘health’ when non-communicable conditions often entail ongoing efforts at treatment. The case study demonstrates that relying on treatment abroad may result in suboptimal outcomes for local health systems.
Maximization of data return at X-band and Ka-band at DSN's 34-meter beam-waveguide antennas

In this paper we offer a new approach to evaluating the performance advantage of Ka-band frequency over X-band frequency for the receiving spacecraft downlink from deep space missions. For a given elevation profile for a pass, this approach uses atmospheric noise temperature statistics to select the optimum data rate to maximize the total data return volume over the pass. For illustration purposes, this approach is used to optimize the performance of a link for both X-band and Ka-band at a NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) 34 m Beam Waveguide tracking stations at both Madrid, Spain and Goldstone, California. Our calculations show that using such an approach an optimized Ka-band link offers between 5.9 dB and 7.2 dB more data volume over an optimized X-band link, and between 8.5 dB and 10.3 dB over an X-band link as currently operated by the DSN. It should be noted that the reliability of link designed in such a manner is relatively low and that a link optimized in this manner may not meet the continuity requirements of a mission. Furthermore, this approach takes only the weather effects into consideration. Other factors which may adversely affect the performance of the link are not taken into account under this approach.
The Darpa Multiple Precision Arithmetic Benchmark on a Reconfigurable Computer

Benchmark one of the DARPA HPCS discrete mathematics suite for high productivity computing involves multiple precision arithmetic. The benchmark computes the product of two given N times N matrices whose entries are multiple precision integers, with the product being taken modulo another multiple precision integer M. The authors describe algorithms and methodologies for three implementations of this benchmark on SRC computers' SRC-6 reconfigurable platform and present performance results. The use of pipeline parallelism from inner loops, parallel code sections, and the two FPGA chips on the SRC hardware can speed up performance by as much as 20times compared to a software only implementation
A response to MacSwan (2005): Keeping the Matrix Language

This comment responds to some of the criticisms that MacSwan (2005) presents of the Matrix Language Frame (MLF) model of codeswitching (CS) in general and of Jake, Myers-Scotton and Gross (2002), in particular. The goal is to point out misunderstandings and misinterpretations that are the basis of MacSwan's critique. His attempt to show how the Minimalist Program can explain CS on its own fails. Theoretically, while either of the participating languages in CS could frame the bilingual CP, only one, the ML, does. That is, recognizing the construct of the ML as the source of the morpho-syntactic frame of each bilingual clause showing CS is necessary.
Administration and Management Skills Needed by Physical Therapist Graduates in 2010: A National Survey

Background and Purpose Administration and management (A&M) skills are essential to physical therapist practice. This study identified which A&M skills will be most critical for future Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates to possess upon entry into clinical practice. Subjects and Methods Using a 7-point scale, 435 randomly selected American Physical Therapy Association members (physical therapists) rated 121 A&M skills based on expectation of the level of independence required by a new DPT graduate. Results No differences among respondents based on role, work setting, or experience were found, so the data were combined for factor analyses, producing 16 A&M skill groups. The most independence was expected in skills related to self-management, compliance with rules, ethical behavior, and insurance coding. Skills requiring the most assistance were marketing and strategic planning, financial analysis and budgeting, and environmental assessment. Discussion and Conclusion This study has identified the level of independence for the A&M skills needed by new DPT graduates, provided empirical evidence suggesting which A&M skills should be included in DPT curricula, and suggested a pattern of A&M skill acquisition that applies first to the new therapist and the patient, then to the organization, and finally to the health care environment.
A sensor package for the simultaneous determination of nanomolar concentrations of nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia in seawater by fluorescence detection

A fluorescence-based chemistry has been developed for the detection of nitrite and nitrate (as excess nitrite following reduction of nitrate to nitrite). Detection limits are 4.6 and 6.9 nM, respectively. The technique capitalizes on the triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms within the diazonium ion formed via the well-known reaction between an acidified nitrite sample and an aromatic primary amine. Fluorescence of π-electrons within this bond allows this reaction to be probed with standard fluorescence spectroscopy. Reverse Flow Injection Analysis (rFIA) is used to correct for background fluorescence from leachates and naturally occurring dissolved organic matter (DOM). Comparisons of samples analyzed for nitrite with this technique and with a highly-sensitive chemiluminescent method [Braman, R.S., Hendrix, S.A., 1989. Nanogram nitrite and nitrate determination in environmental and biological materials by vanadium (III) reduction with chemiluminescence detection. Analytical Chemistry, 61 (24) 2716–2718] showed excellent agreement between the two methods (slope=0.9996 and r2=0.9956). These fluorescent nitrite and nitrate + nitrite chemistries were coupled in a sensor package with a modified version of a fluorescent ammonia chemistry [Jones, R.D., 1991. An improved fluorescence method for the determination of nanomolar concentrations of ammonia in natural waters, Limnology and Oceanography. 36(4) 814–819], which also has a nanomolar detection limit. The throughput rate of the fully automated three-channel instrumentation is 18 samples per hour. A field experiment demonstrated the capability of the nutrient sensor package to determine horizontal gradients in nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia in oligotrophic surface waters.
Young Children's Oral Language Production in Three Types of Play Centers

Abstract This observational study investigated the effects of three types of play centers—blocks, housekeeping and a changing thematic center—on the oral language production of 21 young children, 10 females and 11 males, ranging in age from 4.8 to 6.2 years. Language samples were collected by videotaping four groups of subjects in fifteen-minute play sessions per week for five weeks as the groups rotated through the three play centers. Three hundred minutes of language samples were examined for subjects' language fluency, number of communication units, mean length of utterance and vocabulary diversity. The findings indicated that: (a) The subjects' fluency, number of communication units and vocabulary diversity measures were significantly greater in the block center than in the housekeeping center; (b) the mean length of utterance measure of the subjects' language remained consistent across the three types of centers and (c) no significant difference was found between the language production and vocabular...
Outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection in azoospermic patients: stressing the liaison between the urologist and reproductive medicine specialist.

Objectives. To analyze the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in infertile couples in whom the main diagnosis of infertility was azoospermia of obstructive and nonobstructive origin. Methods. Eighty-three consecutive ICSI cycles were carried out with retrieved testicular or epididymal spermatozoa, 60 cycles in 32 patients with obstructive azoospermia and 23 cycles in 12 patients with nonobstructive azoospermia. Fifty-four testicular biopsies (testicular sperm extraction) and 18 epididymal aspirations (microepididymal sperm aspiration) were performed. Results. Motile spermatozoa were recovered in 65 cycles (90.3%). In another 3 (4.2%), nonmotile spermatozoa were retrieved. In 4 patients (5.5%), sperm could not be recovered. In 11 cycles, frozen sperm from a previous procedure were used. A significantly lower fertilization rate (64% versus 73%, P = 0.02), clinical pregnancy rate (13% versus 47%, P <0.001), and good embryo quality rates (35% versus 56%, P = 0.009) were observed in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia. In patients with obstructive azoospermia, no significant differences were observed when the outcome was analyzed on the basis of the sperm origin (ie, from testicular sperm extraction or microepididymal sperm aspiration). Conclusions. When combining testicular sperm extraction or microepididymal sperm aspiration with ICSI in patients with obstructive azoospermia, the results in terms of fertilization, implantation, and pregnancy rates were similar to those found in patients with nonazoospermic obstruction who underwent ICSI with ejaculated sperm. Patients with nonobstructive azoospermia had lower fertilization, embryo quality, and pregnancy rates than did those with obstructive azoospermia, probably because of severe defects in spermatogenesis, leading to poor gamete quality. The urologist and reproductive endocrinologist now have an excellent therapeutic option to offer men with previously intractable infertility.
Do pediatricians think they are responsible for identification and management of child mental health problems? Results of the AAP periodic survey.

Objective Childhood psychosocial problems have profound effects on development, functioning, and long-term mental health. The pediatrician is often the only health professional who regularly comes in contact with young children, and it is recommended that health care supervision should include care of behavioral and emotional issues. However, it is unknown whether pediatricians believe they should be responsible for this aspect of care. Our objective was to report the proportion of physicians who agree that pediatricians should be responsible for identifying, treating/managing, and referring a range of behavioral issues in their practices, and to examine the personal physician and practice characteristics associated with agreeing that pediatricians should be responsible for treating/managing 7 behavioral issues. Methods The 59th Periodic Survey of members of the American Academy of Pediatrics was sent to a random sample of 1600 members. The data that are presented are based on the responses of 659 members in current practice and no longer in training who completed the attitude questions. Results More than 80% of respondents agreed that pediatricians should be responsible for identification, especially for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), eating disorders, child depression, child substance abuse, and behavior problems. In contrast, only 59% agreed that pediatricians were responsible for identifying learning problems. Seventy percent thought that pediatricians should treat/manage ADHD; but for other conditions, most thought that their responsibility should be to refer. Few factors were consistently associated with higher odds of agreement that pediatricians should be responsible for treating/managing these problems, except for not spending their professional time exclusively in general pediatrics. Conclusions These data suggest that pediatricians think that they should identify patients for mental health issues, but less than one-third agreed that it is their responsibility to treat/manage such problems, except for children with ADHD. Those not working exclusively in general pediatrics were more likely to agree that pediatricians should be responsible for treating and managing children's mental health problems.
Comparison of ensemble filtering algorithms and null-space Monte Carlo for parameter estimation and uncertainty quantification using CO2 sequestration data

[1] Geological storage of CO2 requires multiphase flow models coupled with key hydrogeologic features to accurately predict the long-term consequences. The prediction uncertainty during geological CO2 storage requires a computationally efficient and practically useful framework. This paper presents a comparative study between ensemble-based filtering algorithms (En-As) and calibration-constrained null-space Monte Carlo (NSMC) methods. For the En-As, we use the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), ensemble smoother (ES), ES with multiple data assimilation (ES-MDA), and EnKF and ES with the pilot point method. For the NSMC calibrated models with various parameterization, schemes are tested and single and multiple NSMC (M-NSMC) methods are used. A synthetic case with two layers was developed to mimic an actual CO2 injection pilot test where one injection and two observation wells are located within a short distance. Observed data include bottom hole pressure at injection well and gas saturation (Sg) at two observation wells in the upper layer. Model parameters include horizontal permeability and porosity. Comparison of results shows that both methodologies yield good history match and reasonable prediction results in a computationally efficient way. In particular, the ES-MDA and M-NSMC resulted in smaller objective function values and lower prediction uncertainties of Sg profiles compared to other variants tested in this work. The En-As with the pilot point method have higher variability of permeability compared to those without one, but the En-As show smoother permeability fields compared to the NSMC methods. This is because stochastic randomness at a grid scale was included to generate NSMC fields. Both ensemble-based and NSMC algorithms are unable to correct the structural orientation of the prior ensemble members using only the sparse dynamic data from wells, while they obtain reasonable history match, suggesting that structural uncertainty should be incorporated into prior information. Overall, the ES-MDA has an advantage in terms of computational efficiency, but at the expense of additional computation M-NSMC shows applicability for highly nonlinear problems such as multiphase flow problems.
The budget process in Schools of Nursing: A primer for the novice administrator

All administrators are expected to be competent in budget and financial management. Novice administrators of schools of nursing are expected to know about the budgetary process, budgeting techniques, and the various types of budgets that can be used, such as the open-ended budget, incremental budget, alternate-level budget, quota budget, formula budget, intramural budget, zero-based budget, and cost center budget. In addition, administrators are expected to know what key questions need to be asked about how the budget is structured and revenue sources and how to manage and evaluate their budgets.
Locality Preserving Genetic Algorithms for Spatial-Spectral Hyperspectral Image Classification

Recent developments in remote sensing technologies have made hyperspectral imagery (HSI) readily available to detect and classify objects on the earth using pattern recognition techniques. Hyperspectral signatures are composed of densely sampled reflectance values over a wide range of the spectrum. Although most of the traditional approaches for HSI analysis entail per-pixel spectral classification, spatial-spectral exploitation of HSI has the potential to further improve the classification performance-particularly when there is unique class-specific textural information in the scene. Since the dimensionality of such remotely sensed imagery is often very large, especially in spatial-spectral feature domain, a large amount of training data is required to accurately model the classifier. In this paper, we propose a robust dimensionality reduction approach that effectively addresses this problem for hyperspectral imagery (HSI) analysis using spectral and spatial features. In particular, we propose a new dimensionality reduction algorithm, GA-LFDA where a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based feature selection and Local-Fisher's Discriminant Analysis (LFDA) based feature projection are performed in a raw spectral-spatial feature space for effective dimensionality reduction. This is followed by a parametric Gaussian mixture model classifier. Classification results with experimental data show that our proposed method outperforms traditional dimensionality reduction and classification algorithms in challenging small training sample size and mixed pixel conditions.
Endovascular stent-graft repair of pararenal and type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms with adjunctive visceral reconstruction

Objective Pararenal and type IV thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) are not currently considered as indications for endovascular repair given unfavorable neck anatomy or aneurysm involvement of the visceral vessels. Open repair of these aneurysms is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly postoperative renal dysfunction. In selective high-risk patients, debranching of the visceral aorta to improve the proximal neck region can be used to facilitate endovascular exclusion of the aneurysm. Methods Between October 2000 and July 2003, 10 patients were treated with open visceral revascularization and endovascular repair of pararenal and type IV TAAAs at a single institution. Patient demographics and procedural characteristics were obtained from medical records. Results Overall 13 visceral bypasses were performed in 10 patients: 6 patients with a single iliorenal bypass, 3 with a hepatorenal bypass, and 1 patient with complete visceral revascularization. Juxtarenal aneurysms occurred in 5 patients (50%), suprarenal aneurysms in 3 patients (30%), and type IV TAAAs in 2 patients (20%). All patients had successful endovascular aneurysm exclusion. Mean follow-up was 8.7 months. There were no perioperative deaths, neurologic deficits coagulopathies, or renal dysfunction. Follow-up spiral computed tomography scans demonstrated patency of all bypass grafts with only one patient requiring a secondary intervention for late type I leak which was sealed with placement of a proximal cuff. Conclusion These initial results suggest that are similar to infrarenal AAA endovascular repair. This combined approach to repair of pararenal and type IV TAAAs reduces the morbidity and mortality of open repair, and represents an attractive option in high-risk patients while endoluminal technology continues to evolve.
Voids in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon: A Comparison of ab initio Simulations and Proton NMR Studies

Recently, a new hydrogen NMR signal has been observed in a number of PECVD prepared hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) films of varying quality. It is speculated that the signal is the consequence of a dipolar-coupled hydrogen pair separated, on average, by 1.8 ± 0.1 A. To elucidate the possible bonding configurations responsible for the NMR data of ref. [1], we have used ab initio simulation methods to determine a set of relaxed structures of a-Si:H with varying void sizes and H-concentrations. Models containing two isolated hydrogen atoms indicate a preferred H-H distance of approximately 1.8 A when the two atoms bond to nearest neighbor silicon atoms. This separation also occurs for models containing small, hydrogenated voids, but the configurations giving rise to this H-H distance do not appear to be unique. For larger voids, a proton separation of about 2.4A is seen, as noted previously [2]. There appears to be consistency between the computed structures and the NMR data for configurations consisting of isolated hydrogen pairs or for clusters of an even number of hydrogen atoms with the constraint that the average H-H distance is 1.8 A. In this paper, we will discuss the most probable bonding configurations of clustered hydrogen based upon the extent of the NMR data and simulated structures.
The Role of the c-fos Oncogene in Cisplatin Resistance

The c-fos oncogene has been proposed to play an important role not only in DNA synthesis (1) but also in resistance to the antineoplastic agent cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin) (2). Administration of cisplatin to A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells was followed by a sequential induction of c-fos, dTMP synthase, and DNA polymerase. A2780 cells transfected with a plasmid containing the fos gene displayed morphological and pharmacological changes reflecting cisplatin resistance. A ribozyme (catalytic RNA) was designed to cleave c-fos mRNA. Cleavage conditions were optimized in vitro, and DNA encoding the fos ribozyme was cloned into the pMAMneo expression vector. The resultant plasmid was transfected into the A2780DDP cell line resistant to cisplatin, and the transformants assayed for enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin. These results suggest that c-fos plays a causal role in cisplatin resistance.
Geological Controls On Seasonal-Pool Hydroperiod In A Karst Setting

Shallow depressions found in karst terrains may contain temporary (vernal) pools that are inundated seasonally in response to changes in meteorological conditions. The hydrogeology of 16 pools (0.06–0.4 ha) was studied in an Appalachian karst valley in central Pennsylvania, USA. The objective was to determine the effect of the geologic substrate on pool hydroperiod. Meteorological, geophysical, and hydrogeological data collected from November 1997–August 1999 and from January 2002–January 2004 suggested that hydroperiod was primarily controlled by meteorological conditions (total annual precipitation) and surficial aquifer geology. Multiple regression models were found to predict most of the spatial variability of pool hydroperiod with the following variables: thickness of the surficial sandy aquifer; sediment electrical resistivity; and annual precipitation. It might be expected that hydroperiod would be longer for clay pools than sandy pools because clay sediments can act as a seal to perch shallow ground-water and surface-water. Our data revealed the opposite to be true. Sandy residual sediments helped capture infiltration and direct this water along perched ground-water lenses or sheets to seasonal pools. This resulted in annual hydroperiods that were 115 days longer for sandy pools when compared to clay pools. The results suggest that the geologic substrate can be a major control on the duration of hydroperiod.
Cultural Adaptation for Therapy With American Indians and Alaska Natives

Because of the paucity of research on evidence-based treatments with American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) clients, this article addresses barriers to that research and how to adapt treatment to make it more culturally appropriate and acceptable to AI/AN clients so they might benefit from and remain in treatment. Debido a la escasez de investigacion sobre tratamientos basados en la evidencia con clientes Indoamericanos/Nativos de Alaska (AI/AN, por sus siglas en ingles), este articulo trata las barreras para ese tipo de investigacion y como adaptar el tratamiento para hacerlo mas apropiado culturalmente y aceptable para los clientes AI/AN, para que puedan beneficiarse del mismo y permanecer en tratamiento.
Gene bionetworks that regulate ovarian primordial follicle assembly

Primordial follicle assembly is the process by which ovarian primordial follicles are formed. During follicle assembly oocyte nests break down and a layer of pre-granulosa cells surrounds individual oocytes to form primordial follicles. The pool of primordial follicles formed is the source of oocytes for ovulation during a female’s reproductive life. The current study utilized a systems approach to detect all genes that are differentially expressed in response to seven different growth factor and hormone treatments known to influence (increase or decrease) primordial follicle assembly in a neonatal rat ovary culture system. One novel factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2), was experimentally determined to inhibit follicle assembly. The different growth factor and hormone treatments were all found to affect similar physiological pathways, but each treatment affected a unique set of differentially expressed genes (signature gene set). A gene bionetwork analysis identified gene modules of coordinately expressed interconnected genes and it was found that different gene modules appear to accomplish distinct tasks during primordial follicle assembly. Predictions of physiological pathways important to follicle assembly were validated using ovary culture experiments in which ERK1/2 (MAPK1) activity was increased. A number of the highly interconnected genes in these gene networks have previously been linked to primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and polycystic ovarian disease syndrome (PCOS). Observations have identified novel factors and gene networks that regulate primordial follicle assembly. This systems biology approach has helped elucidate the molecular control of primordial follicle assembly and provided potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ovarian disease.
Financing Agriculture and Rural Areas in Sub-Saharan Africa: Progress, Challenges and the Way Forward

In spite of investments and policy reforms, Sub-Saharan African countries lag in supplying financial services for agriculture and rural areas. New products, delivery channels, and partnerships, along with greater attention to savings, provide fresh optimism that this situation will be corrected. This paper examines several examples, with special attention to developments with savings groups and financial innovations with mobile phones and information and communication technologies (ICT). The telecom revolution and other innovations suggest that their use may leapfrog some difficult transportation and communication problems that drive up transaction costs and risks, and restrict financial inclusion for the poor.
Evaluating the impact of physical renovation, computerization, and use of an inquiry approach in an undergraduate, allied health human anatomy and physiology lab

This paper describes and evaluates a major renovation of a human anatomy and physiology lab for allied health students. A Howard Hughes Medical Institute award funded an extensive collaboration between faculty involved in teaching the course and faculty with expertise in industrial and furniture design. The resulting physical lab has unique features designed to improve work in groups, student movement, and integration of computers with wet laboratories. The anatomy curriculum was switched from fetal pig dissections to the use of human cadavers, computer animations, and plastic models. An inquiry approach was integrated into the physiology curriculum. Student attitude surveys suggest that the physical and curricular changes resulted in a significant increase in student learning. An experiment designed to specifically test the effect of new vs. old equipment did not support a benefit to new equipment independent of changes in the lab physical environment and curriculum. Because the improvements in student attitude surveys occurred in the physiology but not the anatomy labs, we suggest that at least a portion of the increase is due to the institution of the inquiry approach.
Do Students Experience "Social Intelligence," Laughter, and Other Emotions Online?.

Are online activities devoid of emotion and social intelligence? Graduate students in online and blended programs at Texas Tech University and the University of Memphis were surveyed about how often they laughed, felt other emotions, and expressed social intelligence. Laughter, chuckling, and smiling occurred “sometimes,” as did other emotions (e.g., anticipation, interest, surprise). The capacities comprising social intelligence were also experienced “sometimes,” but more frequently in online classes than in non-class-related online activities. The students were mostly likely to present themselves effectively and care about others and least likely to sense others’ emotions. In a comparison of social intelligence capacities in the online course and other non-course-related but online activities (e.g., surfing and gaming), a paired t-test confirmed that the means were different (p < 0.05) and perhaps documented greater occurrence of social intelligence in the online course setting.
Solutions that enable ablative radiotherapy for large liver tumors: Fractionated dose painting, simultaneous integrated protection, motion management, and computed tomography image guidance

The emergence and success of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for the treatment of lung cancer have led to its rapid adoption for liver cancers. SBRT can achieve excellent results for small liver tumors. However, the vast majority of physicians interpret SBRT as meaning doses of radiation (range, 4-20 Gray [Gy]) that may not be ablative but are delivered within about 1 week (ie, in 3-6 fractions). Adherence to this approach has limited the effectiveness of SBRT for large liver tumors (>7 cm) because of the need to reduce doses to meet organ constraints. The prognosis for patients who present with large liver tumors is poor, with a median survival ≤12 months, and most of these patients die from tumor-related liver failure. Herein, the authors present a comprehensive solution to achieve ablative SBRT doses for patients with large liver tumors by using a combination of classic, modern, and novel concepts of radiotherapy: fractionation, dose painting, motion management, image guidance, and simultaneous integrated protection. The authors discuss these concepts in the context of large, inoperable liver tumors and review how this approach can substantially prolong survival for patients, most of whom otherwise have a very poor prognosis and few effective treatment options. Cancer 2016;122:1974-86. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Effects of Divalent Ligand Interactions on Surface-Induced Ordering of Liquid Crystals

We report the synthesis of a mesogen that contains two nitrile groups (4-pentyl-3′,4′-dicyanobiphenyl, DCB), and the use of the mesogen in an investigation of the effects of multivalent ligand interactions on the ordering of liquid-crystalline phases at surfaces decorated with copper (Cu2+) ions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed that DCB was miscible with nematic phases of 4-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5CB). Quantitative measurement of the optical retardance of mixtures of DCB and 5CB in contact with surfaces decorated with Cu2+ (characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS) revealed a continuous ordering transition in the nematic LC as a function of increasing concentration of DCB (0.9−2 wt %). In contrast, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of 5 mM Cu2+ dissolved in bulk benzonitrile revealed no evidence of a change in nitrile coordination around the Cu2+ upon addition of 5CB or DCB, thus leading to the proposition that the effect of DCB on the ordering of the LC phas...
Numerical and Binomial Sampling Plans for the Walnut Aphid, Chromaphis juglandicola (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Taylor’s Power Law was performed on mean and variance estimates of eggs and viviparae of walnut aphids, Chromaphis juglandicola (Kaltenbach). Highly significant correlation coefficients suggested that Taylor’s Power Law fit the data well. Means and estimated variances of walnut aphid eggs and viviparae were used to develop proportion-infested relationships and generate optimal numerical and binomial sample size curves for these life stages of the aphid. Information presented in this paper should help improve accuracy and efficiency in sampling of the walnut aphid in the future.
A Study of the Pressure-Induced Phase Transition in Bulk and Nanocrystalline Cadmium Sulfide

We have used Resonant Raman scattering induced by pressure tuning to study the phase transition and electronic states of bulk and 60±20 A colloidal microcrystallite CdS. The experimental results show that bulk CdS undergoes a well-defined first order phase transition at 27 kbar and that the intensity of the Raman scattering increases sharply when the level of the intermediate state (bound exciton I2) is close to the photon energy. After the phase transition no Raman scattering and photoluminescence can be observed. However, the phase transition in the colloidal CdS is quite different from the bulk CdS and the complete phase transition occurs above 60 kbar. Both bulk and colloidal CdS reverse to the original wurtzite phase after releasing the pressure.
Photoemission and STM Study of the Morphology and Electronic Structure of Benz[a]anthracene on Cu(111) on Mica and on HOPG

The interfacial electronic structure of benz[a]anthracene (BA) films on the Cu(111) on mica surface and on HOPG in ultrahigh vacuum are studied using X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) and the surface structure is studied with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Large energy level shifts are measured during the deposition of the first 6 A of a BA film after which no significant band movements are measured. A Schottky junction formed between BA and copper consisted of a 0.21 eV interface dipole with a hole barrier height of 1.78 eV. Room temperature STM investigation of a near monolayer coverage of BA revealed a very interesting honeycomb structural motif. An arrangement of the BA molecules consistent with the STM data is presented and discussed.
Forsterite Carbonation in Zones with Transport Limited by Diffusion

Fractures in rocks could provide substantial surface area for reactions that lead to carbonate mineral precipitation in geologic carbon sequestration. Diffusion-limited transport of solutes in such zones affects the spatial and temporal distribution of mineral dissolution rates and carbonation products, thus influencing the overall carbon sequestration process. A tube with a packed bed of forsterite and exposed at one end to a solution in equilibrium with 100 bar of CO2 at 100 °C was used to explore the timing and spatial localization of carbonate precipitation along a one-dimensional diffusion-limited zone. The identity and quantity of carbonate minerals as a function of depth were determined using Raman spectroscopy and total carbon analysis. Carbonate was observed within the packed bed as early as day 1. Hydromagnesite formed in the bed first and was replaced by magnesite within 5 days. Carbonate was spatially localized with the largest amount formed 0.5 cm into the packed bed. The overall carbonation ...
Exposure Matching for Extrapolation of Efficacy in Pediatric Drug Development

During drug development, matching adult systemic exposures of drugs is a common approach for dose selection in pediatric patients when efficacy is partially or fully extrapolated. This is a systematic review of approaches used for matching adult systemic exposures as the basis for dose selection in pediatric trials submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 1998 and 2012. The trial design of pediatric pharmacokinetic (PK) studies and the pediatric and adult systemic exposure data were obtained from FDA publicly available databases containing reviews of pediatric trials. Exposure-matching approaches that were used as the basis for pediatric dose selection were reviewed. The PK data from the adult and pediatric populations were used to quantify exposure agreement between the 2 patient populations. The main measures were the pediatric PK studies' trial design elements and drug systemic exposures (adult and pediatric). There were 31 products (86 trials) with full or partial extrapolation of efficacy with an available PK assessment. Pediatric exposures had a range of mean Cmax and AUC ratios (pediatric/adult) of 0.63 to 4.19 and 0.36 to 3.60, respectively. Seven of the 86 trials (8.1%) had a predefined acceptance boundary used to match adult exposures. The key PK parameter was consistently predefined for antiviral and anti-infective products. Approaches to match exposure in children and adults varied across products. A consistent approach for systemic exposure matching and evaluating pediatric PK studies is needed to guide future pediatric trials.
Methods for quantifying patterns of dynamic interactions in dyads

Individuals in both clinical and research settings increasingly provide data across numerous time points. Examples include measurements collected from wearable technology (e.g., accelerometers), psychophysiological measures, coded observations, social media behaviors, and daily diary data. When numerous observations are available for each individual, the data fall under the class of time series data and can be examined from within a dynamic systems perspective. We provide a broad overview of current analytic methods for quantifying relations among dyads using this data type. The techniques include those from within a linear modeling framework, approaches that include a measurement model, and methods for examining cyclical relations. We also discuss some special topics, such as methods that allow for models to shift across time and that accommodate heterogeneity across individuals. Finally, methods that account for similar shapes of nonlinear curves across time are described. From this breadth of options, we hope to help guide practitioners, clinicians, and researchers in choosing the optimal method for their data and line of questions. To further aid in this choice, we indicate programs available for each technique. Example dyads presented here range from mother-infant, patient-caretaker, and husband-wife; however, the analytic methods can be applied to any type of dyad.
Selective effect of hormones on nucleic acid metabolism during germination of pear embryos.

1. The effect of hormones on 32P incorporation into various RNA fractions in germinating pear embryos was studied by fractionation on methylated albumin–kieselguhr columns. Abscisic acid inhibited labelling of soluble RNA, DNA–RNA hybrid and light-ribosomal RNA fractions with 32P and this effect was reversed by both kinetin and gibberellic acid. 2. Kinetin reversed the inhibition by abscisic acid of 32P incorporation into total ribosomal RNA and appeared to promote labelling of heavy-ribosomal RNA. Gibberellic acid was more active than kinetin in reversing the inhibition by abscisic acid of labelling of the DNA–RNA hybrid fraction with 32P, but in contrast with kinetin appeared to increase further the inhibition by abscisic acid of labelling of total ribosomal RNA. 3. The percentage of radioactivity in various RNA fractions showed marked variation in response to hormones. 4. The pattern of labelling of RNA in pear embryos during reversal of inhibition by abscisic acid with a combination of kinetin and gibberellic acid was similar to that after cold-treatment of dormant pear embryos. This is suggestive of hormonal interplay in dormancy release by cold-treatment in pear embryos.
Vaccines to prevent hepatitis B and hepatitis A virus infections

Vaccines to prevent hepatitis B infection became available in 1982, and were recommended primarily for adults considered at high risk because of exposure in the workplace or lifestyles that lead to sexual or parenteral exposure to the virus. Plasma-derived and recombinant vaccines produced in yeast are highly immunogenic, safe, and effective for all age groups. Decreased response and protection by vaccine occur in older persons and in persons with immunosuppressive illnesses. The main issues concerning current vaccination programs include the possible use of lower doses to reduce the cost of the vaccine, the duration of protection and need for vaccine booster doses, and the need for postvaccination testing in hospitals. The failure of current vaccination programs to decrease disease incidence, a matter of great concern nationally, can be ascribed to failure to deliver vaccine to the groups at highest risk. More effective strategies for control, including the universal vaccination of infants or adolescents, must now be examined. Newer vaccines that incorporate other viral antigens and that may offer increased efficacy are being developed. Vaccines to prevent hepatitis A--both killed and live attenuated vaccines--are undergoing clinical trials and may become available in the next 5 years.
Regression of renal cell hepatic metastasis following removal of primary lesions.

AbstractAlthough spontaneous regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma occurs it is so uncommon that it should not be considered the primary basis for recommending removal of the asymptomatic primary lesion. Such a recommendation should be made when other treatment modalities are available to augment the factors influencing the patient-tumor interface. Spontaneous regression of a documented solitary liver metastatic lesion is reported. Removal of the residual hepatic lesion failed to prolong the patient’s life