cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pembrolizumab in advanced recurrent endometrial cancer: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Abstract Objective To determine the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent endometrial cancer that have failed first-line chemotherapy. Methods We created a model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab compared to pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) or bevacizumab for the treatment of women with recurrent endometrial cancer who have failed carboplatin and paclitaxel. Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and non-microsatellite instability-high (non-MSI-H) tumors were evaluated. We included 4400 patients in the model; 800 patients were assumed to have MSI-H tumors. Drug costs were calculated using 2016–2017 wholesale acquisition costs, and cost of Grade III-IV toxicities was estimated from clinical experience. Effectiveness was calculated as 2-year overall survival (OS). We calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) to determine the cost per 2-year survivor. Univariate sensitivity analyses were performed. The willingness to pay threshold was $100,000 per year of OS. Results The cost of therapy with PLD and bevacizumab were $33.2 million (M) and $167.9 M, respectively. The cost of pembrolizumab therapy was $318.3 M for non-MSI-H patients compared to $57.9 M for MSI-H patients. For non-MSI-H patients, bevacizumab was cost-effective relative to PLD with an ICER of $153,028, while pembrolizumab was not cost-effective relative to bevacizumab with an ICER of $341,830. For MSI-H patients, pembrolizumab was cost-effective compared to PLD with an ICER of $147,249, while bevacizumab was subjected to extended dominance. Sensitivity analysis revealed that for non-MSI-H patients, one cycle of pembrolizumab would need to cost $7253 or less to be cost-effective. Conclusions For patients with MSI-H recurrent endometrial cancers who have failed first-line chemotherapy, pembrolizumab is cost-effective relative to other single agent drugs. To be cost-effective in non-MSI-H patients, the cost of pembrolizumab should decrease substantially.
The Widow’s Statute in Vietnamese Customary Law

Until recently, the men in Vietnam were granted the right to freely administer and dispose of family property. Moreover, if the wife predeceased her husband, he became the sole and absolute owner of the estate.1
A quantum S-matrix for two-dimensional black hole formation and evaporation

Abstract We study the black hole information paradox in the context of a two-dimensional toy model given by dilaton gravity coupled to N massless scalar fields. After making the model well-defined by imposing reflecting boundary conditions at a critical value of the dilaton field, we quantize the theory and define a quantum S -matrix for the case that N = 24. This S -matrix maps pure initial states to pure out-states and we further argue that in the semiclassical regime it describes the formation and subsequent Hawking evaporation of two-dimensional black holes. Finally, we note an interesting correspondence between the dilaton gravity S -matrix and that of the c = 1 matrix model.
Automatic Detection and Characterization of Partial Shading in PV System

In this paper we propose and experimentally demonstrate a new method for the identification of partial shading conditions in comparison with the uniformly shaded case. Our method hinges on the fact that a partially shaded module exhibits a “knee voltage” in its current-voltage characteristics, which reduces its FF compared to the uniformly shaded case. We also analytically model the value of knee voltage in terms of shaded area of the panel and find that it can be used for estimation of number of shaded cells in a partially shaded module.
Beyond Peak, a Simple Approach to Assess Rowing Power and the Impact of Training: A Technical Report

Recently, rowing power has been shown to be a key determinant of rowing performance. However, rowing power testing can vary greatly, and is not standardized. Here we sought to evaluate rowing power over a 15 sec rowing test utilizing a stroke-by-stroke analysis before and after 4 weeks of training in youth rowers. Methods 18 adolescent male rowers were assigned to complete either 4 weeks of plyometric training (PLYO, n=9), or steady state cycling (Control, n=9), for 30 minutes before on water training three days/week. Each group was matched for training volume. Peak power (PP) was assessed via a 15 sec maximal rowing ergometer test. Using the Ergdata mobile app, PP, peak force (PF), average force (AF), drive speed (DS), and stroke at which PP was achieved (PPstroke) were measured and recorded for later offline analysis. Results Before training PP, PF, AF and DS did not differ between groups. After training, PP trended towards a significant difference between groups PLYO and CON (569±75 v. 629±51 Watts, control v. PLYO, p=0.08). Stroke-by-stroke analysis indicated more power was produced over the test following training (p<0.05), but no group differences existed. There was also a trend towards PLYO achieving PP earlier in the test (7.7±0.9 to 6.9±0.9 strokes, p=0.08). Finally, DS during the test was significantly increased for PLYO after training (p<0.05). Conclusion This novel method of evaluating rowing power was able to detect changes in rowing power indices, providing coaches with a cost effective method of evaluating responses to rowing training.
Repeat irrigation & debridement for patients with acute septic knee arthritis: Incidence and risk factors.

Abstract Background Septic knee arthritis is considered an orthopedic emergency due to its significant morbidity and potential to be life-threatening. One important outcome in treatment of septic knee arthritis is whether return to the operating room for repeat irrigation and debridement is required. This complication presents extra burden to the patient, as well as to the health care system. This study aims to first isolate the incidence of repeat irrigation and debridement at the authors’ home institution and then define risk factors for repeat washout for septic arthritis of the knee. Methods Records from all patients at a single academic institution with acute septic knee arthritis who had arthroscopic or open ID P = 0.0023). For every 1000 unit increase in synovium WBC count, the odds of needing a repeat washout increased by 1% in patients with concurrent infection (95% CI:1-2%; P = 0.0168). Conclusion This study retrospectively isolated risk factors associated with repeat surgical lavage. In the multivariable regression analysis, both concurrent infection and increased synovial WBC count were significantly associated with the need for repeat knee I&D. This finding is significant, as it may signify a potential for increased infectious resilience for acute septic arthritis of the knee secondary to seeding from systemic infection, thus requiring multiple I&Ds to meet resolution. This finding may carry clinical significance in the early stages of patient counseling regarding hospital course and prognosis. Level of evidence IV.
A relational framework for understanding bullying: developmental antecedents and outcomes

This article reviews current research on the relational processes involved in peer bullying, considering developmental antecedents and long-term consequences. The following themes are highlighted: (a) aggression can be both adaptive and maladaptive, and this distinction has implications for bullies' functioning within peer social ecologies; (b) developmental antecedents and long-term consequences of bullying have not been well-distinguished from the extant research on aggressive behavior; (c) bullying is aggression that operates within relationships of power and abuse. Power asymmetry and repetition elements of traditional bullying definitions have been hard to operationalize, but without these specifications and more dyadic measurement approaches there may be little rationale for a distinct literature on bullying--separate from aggression. Applications of a relational approach to bullying are provided using gender as an example. Implications for future research are drawn from the study of relationships and interpersonal theories of developmental psychopathology.
Design of DNA Digital Circuits

Digital logic is taught globally in almost all engineering schools. The subject consists of elementary knowledge of Boolean algebra, simple logic gates, and design of an elementary computer. With the help of AND, OR, and NOT, we can make any digital circuit. Recently, there has been increasing interest in the creation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) logic gates due to forthcoming applications in the medical field. This article explains elementary ideas about AND, OR and NOT gates based on DNA-strand displacement. Once these gates are made, the path to developing any DNA digital circuit becomes open. DNA gates can be used for both DNA logic circuits and DNA computers. In this article, we provide the fundamentals of DNA circuits with possible applications.
Analysis of 408 Total Ankle Arthroplasty Adverse Events Reported to the US Food and Drug Administration From 2015 to 2018

Background. Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) use has increased with newer generation implants. Current reports in the literature regarding complications use data extracted from high-volume centers. T...
Isolation of stem cells from human umbilical cord tissue by enzymatic digestion

Objective To investigate the possibility of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord tissue by enzymatic digestion.Methods The umbilical cord tissue was taken from volunteers,and treated with collagenase Ⅱ and trypsin.Then,the isolated cells were cultured and undergone osteogenic,adipogenic and cardiomyogenic differentiation.The morphology of the cells was observed.At the end of culture,differentiation was examined with Kossa or Oil red-O solution stainingand immunocytochemistry.Phenotypes of isolated cells were identified by flow cytometry.Results When the isolated ceils were initially plated,they appeared round shape.After 72 hours' plating,the cells were adherent and appeared elongated and spindle shape.By flow cytometry,the cells were identified positive for CD13,CD29,CD44,CD90,CD105,CD166,and MHC-Ⅰ,but negative for CD31,CD34,CD45,CD106 and MHC-Ⅱ.After cultivation in osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation medium.thecells were positive to Kossa staining and had ability to accumulate different amounts of lipid vacuoles.Additionally,immunocytochemistry showed that differentiated cells were strongly positive for cardiacsarcomeric α-actin and Troponin T after 4 weeks'5-azacytidine treatment. Conclusions Human umbilical cord tissue as the source of mesenchymal stem cells can be successfully isolated by enzymatic digestion. Key words: Umbilical cord; Stem cells; Cell separation; Collagenase
Social experience calibrates neural sensitivity to social feedback during adolescence: A functional connectivity approach.

Abstract The adaptive calibration model suggests exposure to highly stressful or highly supportive early environments sensitizes the brain to later environmental input. We examined whether family and peer experiences predict neural sensitivity to social cues in 85 adolescent girls who completed a social feedback task during a functional brain scan and an interview assessing adversity. Whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) analyses revealed curvilinear associations between social experiences and FC between the ventral striatum and regions involved in emotion valuation, social cognition, and salience detection (e.g., insula, MPFC, dACC, dlPFC) during social reward processing, such that stronger FC was found at both very high and very low levels of adversity. Moreover, exposure to adversity predicted stronger FC between the amygdala and regions involved in salience detection, social cognition, and emotional memory (e.g., sgACC, precuneus, lingual gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus) during social threat processing. Analyses also revealed some evidence for blunted FC (VS-PCC for reward; amygdala-parahippocampal gyrus for threat) at very high and low levels of adversity. Overall, results suggest social experiences may play a critical role in shaping neural sensitivity to social feedback during adolescence. Future work will need to elucidate the implications of these patterns of neural function for the development of psychopathology.
Analysis of input-induced oscillations using the isostable coordinate framework

Many reduced order modeling techniques for oscillatory dynamical systems are only applicable when the underlying system admits a stable periodic orbit in the absence of input. By contrast, very few reduction frameworks can be applied when the oscillations themselves are induced by coupling or other exogenous inputs. In this work, the behavior of such input-induced oscillations is considered. By leveraging the isostable coordinate framework, a high-accuracy reduced set of equations can be identified and used to predict coupling-induced bifurcations that precipitate stable oscillations. Subsequent analysis is performed to predict the steady state phase-locking relationships. Input-induced oscillations are considered for two classes of coupled dynamical systems. For the first, stable fixed points of systems with parameters near Hopf bifurcations are considered so that the salient dynamical features can be captured using an asymptotic expansion of the isostable coordinate dynamics. For the second, an adaptive phase-amplitude reduction framework is used to analyze input-induced oscillations that emerge in excitable systems. Examples with relevance to circadian and neural physiology are provided that highlight the utility of the proposed techniques.
Decoding naturalistic movie clip identities from diffuse optical tomography measures of human brain activity

Functional magnetic resonance imaging has decoded complex information about naturalistic stimuli using brain responses, but other non-invasive technologies have not achieved similar decoding capabilities. To evaluate feasibility of naturalistic visual decoding with diffuse optical tomography (DOT), a 6.5-mm-spaced optode grid was employed to decode which of four naturalistic, 90-second, audio-free movie clips was viewed by human subjects. Over 85% average decoding accuracy was achieved using a simple template-matching decoder, and this exceeded the accuracy from a sparser optode grid with 13-mm spacing. High-density DOT is therefore promising for more-complex neural decoding tasks in the future.
Automated two-stage approach for detection and quantification of surface defects in concrete bridge decks

We present a two-stage method for detection and quantification of surface defects in concrete bridge decks using a hybrid deep learning and image processing technique. In the first stage, a multi classifier based on an integrated convolutional neural network and long short-term memory architecture is developed to detect cracking and spalling regions. A new algorithm based on denoising and nearest neighbor methods is then developed to quantify the crack length within the detected cracking regions. The proposed method offers an acceptable damage detection and quantification performance on rough concrete surfaces. We highlight various aspects of a software program developed using the proposed method for autonomous inspection of bridge and pavement systems.
Human- and infrastructure-associated bacteria in greywater.

Greywater, the wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry, is an understudied environment for bacterial communities. Most greywater studies focus on quantifying pathogens, often via proxies used in other wastewater, like fecal indicator bacteria; there is a need to identify more greywater-appropriate surrogates, like Staphylococcus sp. Sequencing-based studies have revealed distinct communities in different types of greywater as well as in different parts of greywater infrastructure, including biofilms on pipes, holding tanks, and filtration systems. The use of metagenomic sequencing provides high resolution on both the taxa and genes present, which may be of interest in cases like identifying pathogens and surrogates relevant to different matrices, monitoring antibiotic resistance genes, and understanding metabolic processes occurring in the system. Here we review what is known about bacterial communities in different types of greywater and its infrastructure. We suggest that wider adoption of environmental sequencing in greywater research is important because it can describe the entire bacterial community along with its metabolic capabilities, including pathways for removal of nutrients and organic materials. We briefly describe a metagenomic dataset comparing different types of greywater samples in a college dormitory building to highlight the type of questions these methods can address. Metagenomic sequencing can help further the understanding of greywater treatment for reuse because it allows for identification of new pathogens or genes of concern.
Laboratory Assessment of the Mechanical Properties of an Unsaturated Mid-Atlantic Silty Sand

AbstractNatural soil formation processes involve variable particle size distributions that vary spatially within a deposit, giving rise to an array of soils that transition from one general soil ty...
Benchmarking Scalable Methods for Streaming Cross Document Entity Coreference

Streaming cross document entity coreference (CDC) systems disambiguate mentions of named entities in a scalable manner via incremental clustering. Unlike other approaches for named entity disambiguation (e.g., entity linking), streaming CDC allows for the disambiguation of entities that are unknown at inference time. Thus, it is well-suited for processing streams of data where new entities are frequently introduced. Despite these benefits, this task is currently difficult to study, as existing approaches are either evaluated on datasets that are no longer available, or omit other crucial details needed to ensure fair comparison. In this work, we address this issue by compiling a large benchmark adapted from existing free datasets, and performing a comprehensive evaluation of a number of novel and existing baseline models. We investigate: how to best encode mentions, which clustering algorithms are most effective for grouping mentions, how models transfer to different domains, and how bounding the number of mentions tracked during inference impacts performance. Our results show that the relative performance of neural and feature-based mention encoders varies across different domains, and in most cases the best performance is achieved using a combination of both approaches. We also find that performance is minimally impacted by limiting the number of tracked mentions.
An Anatomical Feasibility Study on the Use of the Hypoglossal and Hemihypoglossal Nerve as a Donor Motor Nerve for Free Functioning Muscle Transfer in Upper Extremity Reconstruction.

Purpose Brachial plexus injuries (BPI) with complete root avulsions remains a clinical challenge due to a paucity of nerves available for nerve transfer and innervation of free functioning muscle transfers (FFMT). The hypoglossal and hemihypoglossal nerve has not been studied as a donor nerve option for FFMTs in brachial plexus reconstruction, despite successful outcomes of hypoglossal nerve transfers in facial reanimation surgery. We hypothesized that the hypoglossal nerve could be an appropriate candidate for surgical repair of BPI using FFMT. Methods A cadaveric study was performed to determine the anatomic feasibility of using the hypoglossal and hemihypoglossal nerves as donor nerves to neurotize the gracilis or latissimus dorsi muscle in an FFMT to restore elbow flexion . Twelve cadavers (6 males and 6 females) were studied. The hypoglossal nerve, thoracodorsal nerve, and obturator nerve branches to the gracilis muscle were dissected, measured, and analyzed. Results The average length of the hypoglossal nerve was 6.3 ± 0.5 cm in both sexes. The average distance between the lowest point of the hypoglossal nerve and the lateral clavicle was 8.4 ± 1.3 cm in males and 7.7 ± 0.8 cm in females. When the hypoglossal nerve was transected distally, the average distance to the clavicle was 4.5 ± 1.6 cm in males and 3.8 ± 1.5 cm in females. Conclusions The maximum theoretical length of the donor nerve required to perform an adequate FFMT using the hypoglossal nerve was 8.9 ± 1.2 cm, which was well exceeded by the lengths of the thoracodorsal nerve (14.5 ± 1.3 cm) and nerve to the gracilis muscle (12.7 ± 1.7 cm). Clinical relevance This cadaveric study demonstrated that the hypoglossal or hemihypoglossal nerves may be used as potential motor donor nerves to innervate a free gracilis or latissimus dorsi muscle transfer for the restoration of elbow flexion via a direct nerve transfer without the need for nerve grafting.
Developmental Toxicology of Metal Mixtures in Drosophila: Unique Properties of Potency and Interactions of Mercury Isoforms.

Mercury ranks third on the U.S. Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry priority list of hazardous substances, behind only arsenic and lead. We have undertaken uncovering the mechanisms underlying the developmental toxicity of methylmercury (MeHg), inorganic mercury (HgCl2), lead acetate (Pb), and sodium arsenite (As). To probe these differences, we used the Drosophila model, taking advantage of three developmental transitions—pupariation, metamorphosis, and eclosion—to differentiate potentially unique windows of toxicity. We elaborated dose response profiles for each individual metal administered in food and accounted for internal body burden, also extending analyses to evaluate combinatorial metal mixture effects. We observed all four metals producing larval lethality and delayed pupariation, with MeHg being most potent. Compared to other metals, MeHg’s potency is caused by a higher body burden with respect to dose. MeHg uniquely caused dose-dependent failure in eclosion that was unexpectedly rescued by titrating in HgCl2. Our results highlight a unique developmental window and toxicokinetic properties where MeHg acts with specificity relative to HgCl2, Pb, and As. These findings will serve to refine future studies aimed at revealing tissue morphogenesis events and cell signaling pathways, potentially conserved in higher organisms, that selectively mediate MeHg toxicity and its antagonism by HgCl2.
Documentation of discharge teaching before and after use of a discharge teaching tool.

Abstract Newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetic patients and their parents have a great deal of complex teaching needs before discharge. Documenting the discharge teaching and planning is an important nursing responsibility. The documentation of discharge teaching ensures the highest quality of patient care. With pressures from insurance companies and diagnostic-related groups, nurses must perform extensive discharge teaching in an abbreviated time frame. A Diabetic Discharge Teaching Tool (DDTT) is an instrument that can facilitate concise documentation and assist in developing the plan of care over the ensuing hours or days.
Spaces of Knots

We consider the space of all smooth knots in the 3-sphere isotopic to a given knot, with the aim of finding a small subspace onto which this large space deformation retracts. For torus knots and many hyperbolic knots we show the subspace can be taken to be the orbit of a single maximally symmetric placement of the knot under the action of SO(4) by rotations of the ambient 3-sphere. This would hold for all hyperbolic knots if it were known that there are no exotic free actions of a finite cyclic group on the 3-sphere. For satellite knots the situation is more complicated but still describable in fairly simple terms. (This preliminary version of the paper does not include details for the case of satellite knots.)
Late Pleistocene marginal marine ostracodes from the southeastern Atlantic coastal plain and their paleoenvironmental implications

Upper Pleistocene deposits from 21 localities in Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and northern Florida yielded 77 ostracode species; virtually all are living today in brackish and marine water. Five late Pleistocene ostracode biofacies signifying lagoonal, oyster bank, estuarine, open sound, and inner sublittoral environments were delineated using Principal Coordinate Analysis. During the late Pleistocene, the Lagoonal and Oyster Bank Biofacies predominated in the Chesapeake Bay area, whereas east-central North Carolina was characterized by an Open Sound Biofacies similar to that in Pamlico Sound today. The Inner Sublittoral Biofacies was present in southeastern Virginia and along the South Carolina coast. The Estuarine Biofacies was found only in the Chesapeake Bay region. Paleoclimates were inferred by a comparison of Holocene and late Pleistocene ostracode zoogeography; apparently the climate during the late Pleistocene was as warm as, and in some areas warmer than at the same latitudes today. Ostracode species are illustrated by scanning electron photomicrographs Cyprideis margarita, Neocaudites atlan-tica, and Microcytherura norfolkensis are described as new species.
Constrained least-squares digital filters

Multiband and multirate CLS (constrained least-squares) digital filters are considered along with optimal windows as special cases of CLS filters. Constrained least-squares filters are generalizations of minimax and least-squares filters. CLS filters are important not only because of their generality, but also because they are needed for many practical applications. Research on CLS filters is continuing for a wide variety of applications, including FIR (finite impulse response), IIR (infinite impulse response), multirate, and multidimensional cases. >
Health-promoting properties of common herbs

Herbs have been used as food and for medicinal purposes for centuries. Research interest has focused on various herbs that possess hypolipidemic, antiplatelet, antitumor, or immune-stimulating properties that may be useful adjuncts in helping reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. In different herbs, a wide variety of active phytochemicals, including the flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, sulfides, polyphenolics, carotenoids, coumarins, saponins, plant sterols, curcumins, and phthalides have been identified. Several of these phytochemicals either inhibit nitrosation or the formation of DNA adducts or stimulate the activity of protective enzymes such as the Phase II enzyme glutathione transferase (EC 2.5.1.18). Research has centered around the biochemical activity of the Allium sp. and the Labiatae, Umbelliferae, and Zingiberaceae families, as well as flaxseed, licorice root, and green tea. Many of these herbs contain potent antioxidant compounds that provide significant protection against chronic diseases. These compounds may protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, inhibit cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes, inhibit lipid peroxidation, or have antiviral or antitumor activity. The volatile essential oils of commonly used culinary herbs, spices, and herbal teas inhibit mevalonate synthesis and thereby suppress cholesterol synthesis and tumor growth.
Overexpression of Betaig-h3 gene downregulates integrin α5β1 and suppresses tumorigenicity in radiation-induced tumorigenic human bronchial epithelial cells

Interaction between cell and extracellular matrix plays a crucial role in tumour invasion and metastasis. Using an immortalised human bronchial epithelial (BEP2D) cell model, the study here shows that expression of Betaig-h3 gene, which encodes a secreted adhesion molecule induced by transforming growth factor-β, is markedly decreased in several independently generated, radiation-induced tumour cell lines (TL1–TL5) relative to parental BEP2D cells. Transfection of Betaig-h3 gene into tumour cells resulted in a significant reduction in tumour growth. While integrin receptor α5β1 was overexpressed in tumour cells, its expression was corrected to the level found in control BEP2D cells after Betaig-h3 transfection. These data suggest that Betaig-h3 gene is involved in tumour progression by regulating integrin receptor α5β1. The findings provide strong evidence that the Betaig-h3 gene has tumour suppressor function in human BEP2D cell model and suggest a potential target for interventional therapy. British Journal of Cancer (2002) 86, 1923–1928. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6600304 www.bjcancer.com © 2002 Cancer Research UK
Heart rate recovery in heart failure patients after a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program.

Heart rate recovery (HRR) after maximal exercise is a predictor of all-cause mortality. It was hypothesized that aerobic exercise training would increase HRR in patients with heart failure (HF), because it has been shown to be accelerated in athletes and improved in patients with coronary artery disease after cardiac rehabilitation. To date, no study has examined the effects of exercise training on HRR in HF. This was a retrospective study of patients with HF who had completed a phase II aerobic cardiac rehabilitation program with entry and exit maximal stress tests (n = 46). Thirty-five patients exhibited a training effect, 18 had abnormal HRR of ≤12 beats/min and the lowest initial functional capacity (L12), and 17 had HRR of >12 beats/min before training (G12). A group of 11 other patients did not achieve a training effect. After training, the L12 and G12 groups improved their estimated peak oxygen uptake (by 6.7 ± 3.1 and 8.6 ml/kg/min, respectively) and treadmill time (by 117 ± 62 and 181 ± 108 seconds, respectively) compared with the no-training effect group (p
The Effects of Tester Sex on Sex-Typed Responses of Preschoolers

Summary The effects of tester sex on the sex-role differentiation scores of preschool children were investigated. Ss included 447 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old boys and girls sampled in approximately equal numbers from lower- and middle-income populations. Children were tested on the Draw-A-Person Test, the Occupational Preference Test, the Nadleman Recall Test, the Toy Preference Test, and the It Scale for Children. Approximately half of the children of each were tested by same-, half by opposite-sex testers. Analyses of variance were employed to assess the effects of tester sex. Overall, the results indicated that tester sex was unrelated to preschoolers' responses on tasks of sex-role identification, sex-role preference, and sex-typing. Boys were unaffected on all five measures while girls were unaffected on four of the five tests. These findings are discussed in terms of cognitive-developmental, psychoanalytic, social learning, and role theories, as well as in terms of the ages of the children and the nature...
Discriminating the size and density of objects within tissue: Frequency-domain versus steady-state measurements

Steady-state (SS) optical measurements are simpler and less expensive than frequency-domain (FD) measurements. So why bother with FD? This paper illustrates the advantage obtained by FD vs. SS, using computer simulated experiments. A single shperical object is placed in the center of our model for the human prostate. The object is given a range of sized and values for its incremental absorption ((Delta) (mu) a) above the background medium (bloodless prostate), with the condition that the optical volume (equals object volume X (Delta) (mu) a) remains constant. Simulations of SS measurements and FD measurements using a 3 GHz modulation frequency were conducted and two measurements simulated: the frequency difference ((Delta) P equals phase with object--phase without object) and the relative amplitude (A/A0 equals amplitude with object/amplitude without object). The results show that A/A0 at SS and 3 GHz are very similar in their response to the object size, and the (Delta) P at 3 GHz offered important additional information.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sound propagation through a subsonic jet due to a source near the duct exit

Matched asymptotic solutions are constructed for the acoustic potentials of a periodic point source located in a two-dimensional subsonic jet near the exit of the duct with the ratio of the duct thickness to the acoustic wave length as the small parameter. The leading term of the far field solution has the same directionality effect as that for an infinite jet without the duct and that when the plane at the duct exit is considered to be a plane of symmetry. However, the intensity is different because of the wave propagation into the duct and is dependent on the location of the source.
Electric potential of a uniformly charged square on its plane

We consider a recent paper by Aghamohammadi (2011 Eur. J. Phys. 32 633) focused on the calculation of the electric potential due to a uniformly charged square. The author of this paper applied a dimensional analysis approach to study the electric potential created by a uniformly charged square sheet on its plane. In this letter, we point out that several exact results presented in the above-mentioned paper can be obtained in a very transparent way by an alternative method we had earlier developed to study the same problem.
Fiber optic based multiprobe system for intraoperative monitoring of brain functions

Monitoring of brain functions during neurosurgical conditions have been made by various groups of investigators. Attempts were made to monitor EEG or evoked potentials, cerebral blood flow, mitochondrial redox state during various neurosurgical procedures. In order to monitor various functions of the brain we have developed a new multiprobe (MPA) assembly, based on fiber optic probes and ion selective electrodes, enabling the assessment of relative CBF, mitochondrial redox state (NADH fluorescence) and ion homeostasis in real-time, intraoperatively. The base features of the multiprobe assembly were described previously (A. Mayevsky, J. Appl. Physiol. 54, 740-748, 1983). The multiprobe holder (made of Delarin) contained a bundle of fibers transmitting light to and from the brain as well as 3 ion selective electrodes (K+%/, Ca(superscript 2+, Na+) combined with DC steady potential electrodes (Ag/AgCl). The common part of the light guide contained 2 groups of fibers. For the Laser Doppler flowmetry one input fiber and two output fibers were glued in a triangular shape and connected to the standard commercial plug of the Laser Doppler flowmeter. For the monitoring of NADH redox state 10 excitation and 10 emission fibers were randomly mixed between and around the fibers used for the Laser Doppler flowmetry. This configuration of the fibers enabled us to monitor CBF and NADH redox state from about the same tissue volume. The ion selective electrodes were connected to an Ag/AgCl electrode holders and the entire MPA was protected by a Plexiglass sleeve. Animal experiments were used for the verification of the methods and recording of typical responses to various pathological situations. The entire multiprobe assembly was sterilized by the standard gas sterilization routine and was checked for electrodes integrity and calibration inside the operation room 24 hours later. The MPA was located on the exposed human cortex using a micromanipulator and data collection started immediately after, using a micro computer based data acquisition system. After recording of baseline levels of CBF, NADH redox state and extracellular ion levels, the responses to CBF decrease (occlusions of a blood vessel) were recorded followed by the recovery period. A significant correlation between the CBF and NADH redox state changes was recorded. This approach enabled us to correlate this change in energy supply, to those of extracellular ion concentration. The preliminary results obtained suggest that the usage of the MPA in the operating room may have a significant contribution to the neurosurgeon as a routine diagnostic tool. It seems to us that a simplified MPA which will enable to monitor only the relative CBF, NADH redox state as well as extracellular K+ is more appropriate for future usage.
Have economic fluctuations been dampened? New empirical evidence from Italy

Using new series of aggregate and disaggregate output, this paper examines the historical pattern of volatility of economic fluctuations in Italy. Results evidence a higher stability in the postwar era, with respect to both the prewar and the interwar periods. Evidence is provided that the higher degree of stabilization of the Italian business cycle cannot be entirely attributed to the shift in the composition of aggregate output from more to less cyclical sectors. It is shown, however, that although the sign of the change in volatility is invariant to the filter adopted for the decomposition into trend and cycle, this is not true for both its size and statistical significance.
Fat storage in athletes: Metabolic and hormonal responses to swimming and running

Despite similar rates of energy expenditure during training, it has been suggested that swimmers store greater amounts of body fat than runners. To investigate these discrepancies, eight male swimmers (S) and runners (R) were monitored during 45 min of swimming or running (75% VO2max), respectively, and six triathletes were monitored during swimming (ST) and running (RT). Each group was also monitored during two hours of recovery. Venous blood samples were obtained before exercise, immediately after exercise (0 min) and at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min of recovery. These samples were analyzed for glucose, lactate, glycerol, free fatty acids (FFA), insulin, glucagon, norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E). Expired gases and heart rates (HR) were obtained during exercise and also during recovery. The caloric cost of recovery was similar, but the RER results suggested increased fat oxidation during recovery for the S and the ST. Serum glucose was greater (P less than 0.05) immediately after exercise for R (6.71 +/- 0.29 mmol/l) and RT (6.40 +/- 0.26) compared to the S (4.97 +/- 0.19) and ST (4.87 +/- 0.18), and was significantly elevated for the initial 30 min of recovery. FFA were similar throughout the recovery period; however, blood glycerol was greater immediately after exercise (0 min) for R compared to S (NS) and was significantly elevated after exercise (0 min) for RT compared to ST. Differences in blood glucose or fat release were not explained by differences in NE or E; however, the glucacon-to-insulin ratio was significantly greater after exercise in the S and ST compared to the R and RT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The concept of allostasis in biology and biomedicine.

Living organisms have regular patterns and routines that involve obtaining food and carrying out life history stages such as breeding, migrating, molting, and hibernating. The acquisition, utilization, and storage of energy reserves (and other resources) are critical to lifetime reproductive success. There are also responses to predictable changes, e.g., seasonal, and unpredictable challenges, i.e., storms and natural disasters. Social organization in many populations provides advantages through cooperation in providing basic necessities and beneficial social support. But there are disadvantages owing to conflict in social hierarchies and competition for resources. Here we discuss the concept of allostasis, maintaining stability through change, as a fundamental process through which organisms actively adjust to both predictable and unpredictable events. Allostatic load refers to the cumulative cost to the body of allostasis, with allostatic overload being a state in which serious pathophysiology can occur. Using the balance between energy input and expenditure as the basis for applying the concept of allostasis, we propose two types of allostatic overload. Type 1 allostatic overload occurs when energy demand exceeds supply, resulting in activation of the emergency life history stage. This serves to direct the animal away from normal life history stages into a survival mode that decreases allostatic load and regains positive energy balance. The normal life cycle can be resumed when the perturbation passes. Type 2 allostatic overload begins when there is sufficient or even excess energy consumption accompanied by social conflict and other types of social dysfunction. The latter is the case in human society and certain situations affecting animals in captivity. In all cases, secretion of glucocorticosteroids and activity of other mediators of allostasis such as the autonomic nervous system, CNS neurotransmitters, and inflammatory cytokines wax and wane with allostatic load. If allostatic load is chronically high, then pathologies develop. Type 2 allostatic overload does not trigger an escape response, and can only be counteracted through learning and changes in the social structure.
Robust autopilot design using μ-synthesis

This paper examines the applicability of H∞ and μ-synthesis control to the design of automatic flight control systems for highly maneuverable, tail-controlled missiles. The impact on performance, of the degree of conservatism inherent to each approach, is examined. It is shown that μ-synthesis provides a superior framework for the design of missile autopilots which exhibit robust performance.
The calculus student: insights from the Mathematical Association of America national study

In fall 2010, the Mathematical Association of America undertook the first large-scale study of postsecondary Calculus I instruction in the United States, employing multiple instruments. This report describes this study, the background of the students who take calculus and changes from the start to the end of the course in student attitudes towards mathematics and intention to continue in mathematics.
Synaptic Organization of the Tectorecipient Zone of the Rat Lateral Posterior Nucleus

Dorsal thalamic nuclei have been categorized as either "first-order" nuclei that gate the transfer of relatively unaltered signals from the periphery to the cortex or "higher order" nuclei that transfer signals from one cortical area to another. To classify the tectorecipient lateral posterior (LPN), we examined the synaptic organization of tracer-labeled cortical and tectal terminals and terminals labeled with antibodies against the type 1 and type 2 vesicular glutamate transporters (vGLUT1 and vGLUT2) within the caudal/lateral LPN of the rat. For this zone, we found that all tracer-labeled cortical terminals, as well as vGLUT1 antibody-labeled terminals, are small profiles with round vesicles (RS profiles) that innervate small-caliber dendrites. Tracer-labeled tecto-LPN terminals, as well as vGLUT2 antibody-labeled terminals, were medium-sized profiles with round vesicles (RM profiles). Tecto-LPN terminals were significantly larger than cortico-LPN terminals and contacted significantly larger dendrites. These results indicate that, within the tectorecipient zone of the rat LPN, cortical terminals are located distal to tectal terminals and that vGLUT1 and vGLUT2 antibodies may be used as markers for cortical and tectal terminals, respectively. Finally, comparisons of the synaptic patterns formed by tracer-labeled terminals with those of vGLUT antibody-labeled terminals suggest that individual LPN neurons receive input from multiple cortical and tectal axons. We suggest that the tectorecipient LPN constitutes a third category of thalamic nucleus ("second-order") that integrates convergent tectal and cortical inputs. This organization may function to signal the movement of novel or threatening objects moving across the visual field.
The masking of symmetry by degeneracy in the dynamics of interacting modes

Abstract The effects of symmetry and degeneracy on the interactions between spatial modes are studied for parametrically excited surface waves in a rectangular cell. Elementary symmetry considerations are used to make predictions about the phase space structure. However, experimental observations show that in the presence of exact degeneracy (obtained by using a square cell), the phase space dynamics do not show the expected symmetries, and are very complex. On the other hand, when the degeneracy is removed by making the two lateral dimensions slightly different, the observations are consistent with expectations based on symmetry. Exact degeneracy leaves the system very sensitive to small symmetry-breaking perturbations that dramatically affect the dynamics.
The modulation of Staphylococcus aureus mRNA turnover

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen capable of causing a wide array of infections owing, in large part, to the coordinated expression of an extensive repertoire of virulence factors. Our laboratory and others have shown that the expression of these factors can occur post-transcriptionally at the level of mRNA turnover and is mediated by ribonucleases, RNA-binding proteins, and regulatory RNA molecules. Moreover, S. aureus harbors the ability to alter the stability of its mRNA titers in response to physiological stresses, including antibiotic exposure. Although ongoing studies are attempting to identify the molecular components that modulate S. aureus mRNA turnover, innovative approaches to target these essential processes have established a novel group of targets for therapeutic development against staphylococcal infections.
Distributed-Parameters Base Modeling and Vibration Analysis of Micro-Cantilevers Used in Atomic Force Microscopy

The atomic force microscope (AFM) system has evolved into a useful tool for direct measurements of intermolecular forces with atomic-resolution characterization that can be employed in a broad spectrum of applications such as electronics, semi-conductors, materials, manufacturing, polymers, biological analysis, and biomaterials. The noncontact AFM offers unique advantages over other contemporary scanning probe techniques such as contact AFM and scanning tunneling microscopy. Current AFM imaging techniques are often based on a lumped-parameters model and ordinary differential equation (ODE) representation of the micro-cantilevers coupled with an ad-hoc method for atomic interaction force estimation (especially in non-contact mode). Since the magnitude of the interaction force lies within the range of nano-Newtons to pica-Newtons, precise estimation of the atomic force is crucial for accurate topographical imaging. In contrast to the previously utilized lumped modeling methods, this paper aims at improving current AFM measurement technique through developing a general distributed-parameters base modeling approach that reveals greater insight into the fundamental characteristics of the microcantilever-sample interaction. For this, the governing equations of motion are derived in the global coordinates via the Hamilton’s Extended Principle. By properly selecting a set of general coordinates, the resulting non-homogenous boundary value problem is then converted to a homogenous one, and hence, analytically solvable. The AFM controller can then be designed based on the original infinite dimensional distributed-parameters system which, in turn, removes some of the disadvantages associated with the truncated-model base controllers such as control spillovers, residual oscillations and increased order of the control. Numerical simulations are provided to support these claims.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Challenges to EHR implementation in electronic- versus paper-based office practices.

Background Challenges in implementing electronic health records (EHRs) have received some attention, but less is known about the process of transitioning from legacy EHRs to newer systems.