cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Rhetoric of Instructional Design Cases: Knowledge Building Via Examples of Process and Product

This chapter introduces a venue created for the express purpose of capturing precedent contained in instructional designs, a scholarly journal: the International Journal of Designs for Learning (IJDL). I briefly address editorial practices the journal has explored with developing reviewers and then take a closer look at five problem areas authors have grappled with when writing designs cases about learning interventions. The chapter is written from the vantage point of the assistant editor, who edited, reviewed, and coordinated the reviews of design cases over a period of 2 years while also writing his own design case (International Journal of Designs for Learning. 2010;1(1)). The areas of concern common among reviews for these publications shed light on how the design case is developing into a rigorous form of educational inquiry. Those areas are (a) situating the design; (b) describing the design; (c) depicting the experience of the design; (d) developing trustworthiness through transparency, analysis, and reflection; and (e) removing aspects of design cases which confound their purpose. Specific examples from design cases that have gone through peer review describe how instructional designers may approach the dissemination of design precedent through the careful documentation of pedagogical designs.
A neural network clock discipline algorithm for the RBIS clock synchronization protocol

A fundamental role in clock synchronization protocols is played by clock discipline algorithms, which achieve more accurate regulation of nodes clocks, by improving stability against timestamp errors, operating system latencies, and environmental phenomena like temperature variations. In this paper, the NN-CDA clock discipline algorithm, which relies on neural networks, was implemented and its performance assessed using experimental data acquired from a real testbed. Results highlight that NN-CDA offers many advantages over conventional approaches, like those relying on linear regression, the most important of which are higher robustness to temperature variations and better synchronization quality.
Does Child Likeability Mediate the Link Between Academic Competence and Depressive Symptoms in Early Elementary School

The present study investigated the role of teacher-rated likeability as a mediator of the relation between low academic competence and depressive symptoms in elementary-aged children. Analyses focused on a sample of children at risk for child maltreatment living in Hawaii (n = 380). Structural equation modeling supported the hypothesized negative relations between academic competence in first grade and depressive symptoms in third grade controlling for correlated constructs (e.g., baseline social avoidance, parenting stress, externalizing problems, and internalizing symptoms). Teacher-rated likeability in second grade negatively mediated the effect of academic competence on depressive symptoms. Implications for understanding the role of early academic skill deficits and social judgments on risk for depressive symptoms as well as recommendations for interventions and prevention strategies are discussed.
On time delay estimation and sampling error in resting-state fMRI.

Abstract Accumulating evidence indicates that resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) signals correspond to propagating electrophysiological infra-slow activity (
Selective polypharmacy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

We must admit that we don’t understand chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’s (COPD) pathogenic mechanism, nor do we know how to change the downhill course of the disease, except for smoking cessation and for certain patients who need oxygen. But that shouldn’t stop us from trying to improve COPD patients’ quality of life and reduce the number of COPD exacerbations they experience. However, the approach to accomplish this without causing pneumonia, possible cardiac complications, financial hardships, and other side effects of drug therapy is not entirely clear.
Counter UAS Solutions Through UAV Swarm Environments

This work proposes a scalable unmanned aircraft system (UAS) swarm framework for autonomous detection of rogue unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in a defined airspace. Data from UAV sensor systems is communicated between each swarm entity to coordinate a mission without operator or ground control intervention. The use of an autonomous UAV swarm for counter-UAS hosts many benefits over traditional ground-based units such as providing a method for active intervention with a rogue UAS with low regret mitigation methods. This work details preliminary hardware and software testbed development that can be improved upon to create commercial systems.
Proof-of-Concept for an IoT Sensor Platform with 2.4GHz Wake-up Radio

Driving the 4th Industrial Revolution and fueling the Internet of Things are billions of resource-limited devices offering computation, control, and telemetry. Designs aim to save energy yet satisfy real-time service and availability, thus necessitating power solutions. Main components typically stay in sleep modes until a wake-up event occurs, such as a timeout. Communication is often scheduled for these active periods, leaving designs susceptible to idle listening and wasted energy. An attractive approach for energy optimization and sustainability for low-power devices is wake-up radio (WUR) for the ability to wake-up devices over-the-air. This work proposes the system integration of two recent prototypes: a sensor platform for industrial IoT and a 2.4GHz WUR. Preliminary results demonstrate this proof-of-concept.
Association of clonal hematopoiesis with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma: genetic evidence for stem cell origin, etiology and prediction of secondary hematologic malignancy

Abstract Background Initiation and progression of Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) and peripheral T cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS), remains poorly understood. A subset of AITL/PTCL-NOS patients develop concomitant hematologic neoplasms (CHN), including myeloid and B-cell neoplasms, and a biomarker to predict this risk is lacking. We explore these unknown areas by exploring potential relationship among clonal hematopoiesis (CH), AITL/PTCL-NOS and CHN using a genomics approach. Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients with AITL (n=25) or PTCL-NOS (n=2) whose lymphoma and matched bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) specimens were collected and subjected to targeted next-generation sequencing. Clinicopathologic data of these cases were retrieved from the medical records. CH-associated and lymphoma-specific mutations were identified, analyzed and compared among T-cell lymphoma, CH in BM/PB, and if present, CHN. Findings 70.4% of the AITL/PTCL-NOS patients were found to harbor CH-associated genomic alterations, characterized by loss-of-function mutations in TET2 and DNMT3A. The CH-associated alterations were shared among CH and T cell lymphoma, as well as concurrent myeloid neoplasms or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBC) that occurred before or after AITL development. Mutations acquired at a later stage of AITL/PTCL-NOS development were enriched for tobacco smoking-associated missense mutations. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the presence of ≥2 CH-associated TET2 mutations with ≥ 15% allele burden was associated with significantly higher risk for CHN (hazard ratio = 10.81, CI 2.2 to 53.16, p value = 0.0022, PPV = 87.5%, NPV = 92.7%). Interpretation We provided genetic evidence that AITL/PTCL-NOS, CH, myeloid neoplasms and even DLBCL can frequently arise from common mutated hematopoietic stem-cell clones. Our findings also support smoking exposure as a potential risk factor for AITL/PTCL-NOS development, and identify potential biomarker for CHN risk in AITL/PTCL-NOS patients. Funding the National Cancer Institute.
Gelfand--Tsetlin-type weight bases for all special linear Lie algebra representations corresponding to skew Schur functions

We generalize the famous weight basis constructions of the finite-dimensional irreducible representations of $\mathfrak{sl}(n,\mathbb{C})$ obtained by Gelfand and Tsetlin in 1950. Using combinatorial methods, we construct one such basis for each finite-dimensional representation of $\mathfrak{sl}(n,\mathbb{C})$ associated to a given skew Schur function. Our constructions use diamond-colored distributive lattices of skew-shaped semistandard tableaux that generalize some classical Gelfand--Tsetlin (GT) lattices. Our constructions take place within the context of a certain programmatic study of poset models for semisimple Lie algebra representations and Weyl group symmetric functions undertaken by the first-named author and many collaborators. Key aspects of the methodology of that program are recapitulated here. This work is applied here to extend combinatorial results about classical GT lattices to our more general lattices; to obtain a new combinatorial proof of a Zelevinsky--Stembridge generalization of the Littlewood--Richardson Rule; and to construct new and combinatorially distinctive weight bases for certain families of irreducible representations of the orthogonal Lie algebras.
An Unusual Cause of Obstructive Jaundice and Acute Pancreatitis: Visceral Artery Pseudoaneurysm.

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysm (VAPA) is an uncommon vascular disorder with a tendency to present with nonspecific signs and abdominal symptoms. This case describes a patient with severe atherosclerosis who developed multiple VAPAs including a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm bleeding into a large hematoma, which resulted in obstructive jaundice and acute pancreatitis. Prompt diagnosis of VAPA is important due to the high risk of vessel wall perforation with associated increased mortality rate. Biliary obstruction with acute pancreatitis is not a well-described presentation for VAPAs.
The impact of peer influencing on adolescent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the role of peer influence on adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts within youth seeking emergency care or outpatient mental health services. We examined whether affiliation with peers reporting suicidal thoughts/behaviors was associated with an adolescent's own suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempt beyond individual risk factors. Methods One hundred and eighteen adolescents, ages 13–18, were recruited from the emergency department and outpatient mental health clinics at a large, metropolitan children's hospital. Adolescents with suicidal ideation in the past six months (ideators, n=19) and with a suicide attempt in the past year (attempters, n=40) were matched with controls with no history of ideation or attempt on age (±1 year), sex, and race. Adolescents and parents completed semi-structured interviews and self-report questionnaires to examine individual and peer associated risk factors. Results Both ideators and attempters were more likely to affiliate with peers with suicidal behavior compared to their matched controls. However, affiliation with suicidal peers was only associated with attempter group status after controlling for individual risk factors. Conclusion Affiliation with peers reporting suicidal thoughts/behaviors was linked to an adolescent's own history of suicide attempt. Through understanding peer affiliation, peers may be an important resource for both identifying and preventing youth suicidal behavior. Evidence-based programs that focus and utilize peer influence may be invaluable for prevention efforts.
The effect of meperidine analgesia on midtrimester abortions induced with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2α

Abstract To determine whether increased amounts of meperidine significantly affect the induction of abortion with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F 2α , 42 midtrimester subjects were treated with an identical dose schedule of PGF 2α and one of two dose schedules of meperidine. Although the group that received more meperidine reported severe pain less frequently, their mean and median induction-to-abortion times, cumulative abortion rate, uterine contractility, and complications were not significantly different from those of the group that received less meperidine.
The Visual System

Receptors for vision are found in the retinal layer of the eye. Light entering the eye passes through the transparent cornea and the pupillary opening in the iris diaphragm, then through the lens to be focussed on the retina. Clear focus of light rays is achieved by refraction occurring in the cornea and the lens. The amount of light admitted to the retina is regulated by the size of the pupillary aperture, which is governed by the autonomic nervous system. Pupillary constrictor muscles in the iris are controlled by parasympathetic fibers of the oculomotor nerve, whereas pupillary dilator muscles are activated by the sympathetic nervous system.
Membrane protein transport in photoreceptors: the function of PDEδ: the Proctor lecture.

This lecture details the elucidation of cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDEδ), discovered 25 years ago by Joe Beavo at the University of Washington. PDEδ, once identified as a fourth PDE6 subunit, is now regarded as a promiscuous prenyl-binding protein and important chaperone of prenylated small G proteins of the Ras superfamily and prenylated proteins of phototransduction. Alfred Wittinghofer's group in Germany showed that PDEδ forms an immunoglobulin-like β-sandwich fold that is closely related in structure to other lipid-binding proteins, for example, Uncoordinated 119 (UNC119) and RhoGDI. His group cocrystallized PDEδ with ARL (Arf-like) 2(GTP), and later with farnesylated Rheb (ras homolog expressed in brain). PDEδ specifically accommodates farnesyl and geranylgeranyl moieties in the absence of bound protein. Germline deletion of the Pde6d gene encoding PDEδ impeded transport of rhodopsin kinase (GRK1) and PDE6 to outer segments, causing slowly progressing, recessive retinitis pigmentosa. A rare PDE6D null allele in human patients, discovered by Tania Attie-Bitach in France, specifically impeded trafficking of farnesylated phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) 5-phosphatase (INPP5E) to cilia, causing severe syndromic ciliopathy (Joubert syndrome). Binding of cargo to PDEδ is controlled by Arf-like proteins, ARL2 and ARL3, charged with guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP). Arf-like proteins 2 and 3 are unprenylated small GTPases that serve as cargo displacement factors. The lifetime of ARL3(GTP) is controlled by its GTPase-activating protein, retinitis pigmentosa protein 2 (RP2), which accelerates GTPase activity up to 90,000-fold. RP2 null alleles in human patients are associated with severe X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). Germline deletion of RP2 in mouse, however, causes only a mild form of XLRP. Absence of RP2 prolongs the activity of ARL3(GTP) that, in turn, impedes PDE6δ-cargo interactions and trafficking of prenylated protein to the outer segments. Hyperactive ARL3(GTP), acting as a hyperactive cargo displacement factor, is predicted to be key in the pathobiology of RP2-XLRP.
The SAW propagation properties of apiezon wax on 128/spl deg/ Y-X lithium niobate

Apiezon W vacuum sealing wax is an excellent nonpermanent bonding agent for acoustic wave transmission between two solids. It has good compressional and shear mode properties for low-loss acoustic wave transmission. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) measurements were used to investigate the acoustic properties of the wax which was deposited on 128° Y-X lithium niobate patterned with a linear array of interdigital transducer electrodes. The measurements characterized the velocity and propagation loss of two surface wave modes, a generalized SAW (GSAW) mode and a higher velocity Pseudo-SAW (PSAW) mode. The mode characteristics were measured from 40 MHz to above 1.0 GHz. Five different film thicknesses, in the range of 40 nm to 650 nm, were developed by spin coating the wax proportionately dissolved in toluene. The GSAW velocity showed a strong decrease in value from 3900 m/s to 3800 m/s at a film-thickness to acoustic-wavelength ratios of only 0.06. The SAW propagation loss as a function of frequency for the various film thicknesses had some unique characteristics. In the three thicker films the frequency squared increase in the propagation loss in the GSAW mode up to 500 MHz was followed by a sharp decrease in the propagation loss to values at or below the bare substrate at equivalent frequencies. The PSAW mode with a velocity in the range of 4010 to 4020 m/s had a lower loss characteristic than the GSAW modes.
Abstract 10132: Integration of microRNA Expression Profiling and a Validated Gene Signature from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) associated with increased mortality. Gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) have been reported in pulmonary arterial hypertension and in SCD. We hypothesized that a gene expression signature from PBMC in patients with SCD may be utilized as a PH biomarker. Methods & Results: 30 patients with homozygous SCD prospectively underwent transthoracic echocardiography and phlebotomy for PBMC isolation. PH was defined as estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP)>30 mmHg with a peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV)>2.5m/s. Genome-wide gene expression profiles were compared between SCD cases with PH (n=18) and without PH (n=9) and correlated against PH severity using RVSP (correlation coefficient ρR) and TRV (ρT) as surrogates. Only genes with ρR^2 and ρT^2 >0.15 were considered differentially expressed for PH yielding 631 transcripts. A support vector machine analysis was then applied identifying a 10 gene signature which discriminated patients with and without echo-defined PH in the discovery cohort with 100% accuracy. The 10 gene signature was validated in an independent cohort of SCD patients with PH confirmed by right heart catheterization (n=13) and without PH (n=16) with 90% accuracy. To further identify significant pathways involved in PH in SCD, we correlated miRNA expression profiling in the discovery cohort against PH severity (ρR^2 or ρT^2 >0.15 considered differentially expressed) yielding 12 unique miRNAs. In silico analyses of the top PH miRNAs revealed strong binding predictions for miR-301a to polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 13 (GALNT13), a PH signature gene, which was further validated by microarray data confirming correlation between miR-301a expression and GALNT13 in SCD-related PH. Conclusion: These expression data may have implications as a biomarker to screen an at-risk population in SCD for early PH diagnosis. Given the robust integration of miRNA and gene expression data yielding GALNT13, a glycosyltransferase enzyme involved in O-glycan synthesis, as a top candidate gene, we speculate that GALNT13 and glyocosylation patterns may play a novel role in SCD-related PH.
Methionine transamination and catabolism in vitamin B-6 deficient rats.

G. BELI VEAU EVERETT,2 A. D. MITCHELL 3ANDN. J. BENEVENGADepartments of Nutritional Sciences and Meat andAnimal Science, University of Wisconsin,Madison, Wisconsin 53706ABSTRACT Methionine (Met) transamination and oxidation of theMet or a-keto-y-methiolbutyrate (aKyMB) carboxyl and methyl carbonswere studied in weanling rats fed control or vitamin B8 deficient diets containing 18 or 60% casein for a period of 21 days. In homogenates preparedfrom the livers of Be deficient rats, transamination of Met was reduced to8 to 16% of controls. Transamination was partially restored by addition ofpyridoxal phosphate (PALP) to the homogenates. Vitamin B6 deficiencyresulted in a 61 to 76% reduction in oxidation of the Met carboxyl carbonwhich was also partially restored by the addition or PALP. The high proteindiet stimulated transamination of Met and oxidation of the carboxyl carbonsof both Met and aKyMB. Oxidation of the methyl carbon was relativelyunaffected by either B6 deficiency or high protein diet. In vivo, the oxidation of the Met carboxyl carbon was not influenced by either B8 deficiencyor high protein diet, however, oxidation of the methyl carbon increased 32to 53% in rats fed the B6 deficient diets. It appears that transamination wasnot rate limiting in vivo, even with a B6 deficiency, however, in vitro withgreater substrate loading transamination may become rate limiting foroxidation of the carboxyl carbon of Met. In vivo the B8 deficiency may haveresulted in a shift of Met metabolism from the transsulfuration pathway,which conserves the methyl carbon and partially conserves the carboxylcarbon depending on the fraction of homocysteine remethylated, to thetransaminatA¬vepathway which results in extensive oxidation of both carbons. J. Nutr. 109: 597-605, 1979.INDEXING KEY WORDS methionine â€¢transamination â€¢pyri-doxine â€¢o-keto-y-methiolbutyrate â€¢ratPyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PALP) functions in rats fed an 18% casein diet deficient inas a coenzyme for a number of enzymes in- pyridoxine. This was overcome by additionvolved in L-methionine (Met) and L-cys- of 0.6 mg of pyridoxine â€¢HC1 per kg of diet.teine metabolism. These include cystathio- Much attention has centered on the trans-nine /3-synthase (EC 4.2.1.22), cystathionase sulfuration pathway (fig. 1) of methionine(EC 4.4.1.1), cysteine sulfinic acid trans-
Malic enzymes of rabbit heart mitochondria. Separation and comparison of some characteristics of a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-preferring and a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-specific enzyme.

Abstract Two distinct malic enzymes have been separated from rabbit heart mitochondria. Both enzymes require Mn2+ or Mg2+ for activity. One of these enzymes (Enzyme 1) catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of malate in the presence of either NAD+ or NADP+, the former being much the more effective. After purification 100- to 200-fold by Sephadex and DEAE-cellulose chromatography and removal of contaminating malic dehydrogenase, some kinetic and physical characteristics of this enzyme were evaluated. The pH optimum of activity is near 7.0, and its isoelectric pH is 5.4. The enzyme appears not to be reversible and does not catalyze the decarboxylation of oxalacetate at pH 4.5 or 7.4. This enzyme is inhibited by ATP competitively with respect to malate, and noncompetitively by oxalate. A similar or identical enzyme is also present in mitochondria from guinea pig and pigeon heart and from pigeon breast muscle. The second enzyme (Enzyme 2), which is readily separated from Enzyme 1 by ammonium sulfate precipitation, is specific for NADP+. This enzyme, which is similar to the enzyme isolated from bovine heart mitochondria (Frenkel, R. (1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 3069–3074) also requires low concentrations of Mn2+ or Mg2+ for activity. Enzyme 2 carries out the reverse reaction (malate synthesis) in the presence of high concentrations of CO2 and pyruvate at about 6% of the rate of the forward reaction and catalyzes the decarboxylation of oxalacetate at pH 4.5 at about one-half the rate of forward reaction. The pH optimum (malate oxidation) for Enzyme 2 is between 7.0 and 8.0, and its isoelectric pH is 7.26. In contrast to the bovine heart mitochondrial enzyme, Enzyme 2 showed classical saturation kinetics and was not stimulated by succinate or fumarate at low concentration of malate. Estimates of the molecular weights using Sephadex G-200 indicated values of approximately 180,000 (range in two experiments, 165,000 to 195,000) and 270,000 (range, 260,000 to 280,000) for Enzyme 2 and Enzyme 1, respectively.
Analysis and correction of gradient nonlinearity bias in apparent diffusion coefficient measurements.

Purpose Gradient nonlinearity of MRI systems leads to spatially dependent b-values and consequently high non-uniformity errors (10–20%) in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements over clinically relevant field-of-views. This work seeks practical correction procedure that effectively reduces observed ADC bias for media of arbitrary anisotropy in the fewest measurements. Methods All-inclusive bias analysis considers spatial and time-domain cross-terms for diffusion and imaging gradients. The proposed correction is based on rotation of the gradient nonlinearity tensor into the diffusion gradient frame where spatial bias of b-matrix can be approximated by its Euclidean norm. Correction efficiency of the proposed procedure is numerically evaluated for a range of model diffusion tensor anisotropies and orientations. Results Spatial dependence of nonlinearity correction terms accounts for the bulk (75–95%) of ADC bias for FA = 0.3–0.9. Residual ADC non-uniformity errors are amplified for anisotropic diffusion. This approximation obviates need for full diffusion tensor measurement and diagonalization to derive a corrected ADC. Practical scenarios are outlined for implementation of the correction on clinical MRI systems. Conclusions The proposed simplified correction algorithm appears sufficient to control ADC non-uniformity errors in clinical studies using three orthogonal diffusion measurements. The most efficient reduction of ADC bias for anisotropic medium is achieved with non-lab-based diffusion gradients. Magn Reson Med 71:1312–1323, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
RHEED Pole Figure Measurements of Biaxial Thin Film Growth Front Evolution

The most frequently used characterization technique for biaxial texture formation in thin films is x-ray pole figure analysis. However, x-rays interact weakly with matter and can penetrate a few microns deep into the film. The texture obtained by x-rays is therefore an average texture from the entire thickness of the film. As the texture of a film often changes during growth, information on the basic mechanisms that control the final texture is often lost. In contrast electrons interact strongly with matter and they have very limited penetration and escape depths of a few nm. In this paper we will show how we can use our newly developed reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) surface pole figure technique to probe the surface texture evolution of the growth front from the initial stage (nm thick) to the later stage. The RHEED pole figure technique is a surface-sensitive technique that allows us to obtain information on the dynamic behavior of texture evolution of the growth front during film deposition. We shall explain the principle, measurement, and construction of such RHEED surface pole figures. An example of the biaxial texture evolution of CaF2 due to the atomic shadowing effect during oblique angle deposition is described.
Residual stress relaxation behavior in Al2O3-SiC nanocomposite

Abstract A novel indentation technique was used to investigate and compare the residual stress relaxation behavior in single-phase Al 2 O 3 with that of a “nanocomposite” material consisting of Al 2 O 3 -5 vol.% 0.15 μm SiC. Specifically, the degree of asymmetry in the radial crack pattern generated at small secondary “satellite” indents was used to probe the residual stress field introduced by a large primary indentation. In the “as-dented” case, where the secondary indentations were made immediately following the primary indentation, the crack pattern of the small indents was highly asymmetrical because of the influence of the residual stress field around the large indentation. In the “annealed” case, where the primary indentation was made prior to annealing, but the secondary indents were made after annealing at 1300 °C, the appearance of the radial cracking around the satellite indents was different for the two materials. In Al 2 O 3 , the crack configuration at the small indents was now symmetrical, whereas, in the nanocomposite, the crack morphology still exhibited significant asymmetry. These observations indicate that annealing completely relaxed the residual stresses in Al 2 O 3 , but only partially relieved the stresses in the nanocomposite.
The Interplay of Professional and Cultural Factors in the Online Source-Reporter Relationship

Using discriminant function analysis, this study identifies both professional and cultural factors that distinguish source-reporter relations in South Korea and the United States. Some 339 public relations practitioners and journalists in Korea and the US were surveyed regarding 20 types of offline and online source-reporter interactions (i.e. telephone contact, fax/mail/wire/courier news releases, interviews, press conferences, private meetings, email news releases, multimedia press kits, homepages, website pressrooms, etc.) in terms of usefulness, influence, credibility, ethics and professionalism. Particular attention was given to online media relations. Overall, email news releases, online inquiry, homepages and website pressroom were evaluated highly as useful, influential, credible, ethical and professional. Particularly, email news releases were rated as useful and influential, whereas the website pressrooms were highly evaluated as credible, ethical and professional.
Pelvic floor disorders and multiple sclerosis: are patients satisfied with their care?

Background: Despite recent efforts to educate multiple sclerosis (MS) health-care providers about the importance of pelvic floor disorders (urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunction), no data are curr...
Is the polar mesosphere the miner's canary of global change?

The polar mesosphere is an atmospheric region located between latitude 50° and the pole, and between 50 and 90 km. During summer it becomes the coldest region on earth (<130K). This review focuses on past and future alterations of the temperature and water vapor content of this extremely cold region. These two influences are crucial for the formation of mesospheric ice particles in noctilucent clouds (NLC). A recent two-dimensional model study has been conducted of how long-term changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) concentrations may modify the temperature and water vapor concentration at mesopause heights. The model is a version of the well-known Garcia-Solomon model, modified to include accurate non-LTE cooling in the CO2 15 μm band. The existence region of NLC is defined as a domain where water-ice is supersaturated. Reduced levels of CO2 and CH4 are found to confine the model NLC existence region to within the perpetually-sunlit polar cap region, where the clouds would no longer be visible to a ground observer. A doubling of CO2 and CH4 could extend the NLC region to mid-latitudes, where they would be observable by a large fraction of the world's population.
Mental illness stigma and willingness to seek mental health care in the European Union.

It is often assumed that individual stigmatizing attitudes toward the mentally ill are linked to stigmatizing attitudes in the social milieu and that both, individual and social stigmatizing attitudes are major barriers to mental health treatment seeking. This study aims to examine these assumptions. Data from the 2005–2006 Eurobarometer general population survey (N = 29,248) are used to examine the association of social stigmatizing attitudes assessed in a random half of the sample with individual stigmatizing attitudes assessed in the other half of the sample, and to examine the association of both individual and social stigmatizing attitudes with willingness to seek professional help. Social stigmatizing attitudes are specifically and strongly associated with individual stigmatizing attitudes. Both social and individual stigmatizing attitudes are associated with willingness to seek professional help. Believing the mentally ill to be dangerous or not likely to recover, or living in a community with such beliefs, are associated with increased willingness to seek help; whereas, believing the mentally ill to be unpredictable or blameworthy for their illness, or living in a community with strong beliefs in blameworthiness of the mentally ill, are associated with decreased willingness to seek professional help. The view that all stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness are associated with reluctance to seek professional help may be naive as some stigmatizing attitudes may be associated with increased willingness to seek help. The complex association of different stigmatizing attitudes with professional help seeking should be carefully considered in planning anti-stigma campaigns.
Effects of predators on reef fishes: separating cage artifacts from effects of predation

Abstract Predators are thought to play prominent roles in determining population abundance and dynamics of many species, but it is often difficult to document effects of predators in the field. For lack of any other effective means of manipulating predator densities, many studies use predator exclosures, however, the results of these studies are difficult to interpret because the exclosures may introduce artifacts that cannot be separated from predatory effects. Using a design common in tests of predatory effects, exclosure cages (− predators), “cage controls” = partial cages ( + predators), and no cages ( + predators), patterns of survival were found for two reef fishes that were consistent with both predator and cage effects. To separate cage artifacts from effects of predators, direct tests of cage effects in an environment free of predators were conducted, within a large predator exclosure. Cage artifacts had dramatic effects on one fish species but not the other. Moreover, the way the affected species responded to cages was exactly what would be expected if predators had strong negative effects on these fish: growth and survivorship were much lower on uncaged reefs than on caged reefs. To circumvent the cage effects, rather than compare uncaged reefs ( + predators) to reefs in exclosure cages (− predators), exclosures were compared to partial cages ( + predators). In the absence of predators, the partial cages did not differ from exclosure cages in their effects on the prey. Using the partial cages and exclosure cages in an area where predators were present, predator effects on the two fishes were tested. Survivorship of one species was greatly reduced by predators, but the other species was not affected. The lack of a predator effect on the one species was apparently an artifact of comparing completely caged reefs to partially caged reefs; another experiment documented strong predator effects on this species. Partial cages probably greatly reduced the ability of predators to consume the “unaffected” species. When cage artifacts affect prey, partial cages may be usefully employed to avoid confounding predator effects with cage effects at the cost of underestimating the magnitude of predator effects. Direct tests of cage effects are necessary to interpret the results of any study that uses cages to test for predatory effects.
Bolivian farmers and alternative crops: Some insights into innovation adoption☆

Abstract The Bolivian Institute for Agricultural Technology, with financial and technical backing from USAID/Bolivia, has recently intensified its efforts to develop and promote cropping systems to serve as alternatives to coca cultivation in the Chapare region of Bolivia. A study was conducted in which 85 farmers were visited and interviewed in order to identify problems faced by farmers of the Chapare, understand the farming practices of the region, and determine the attributes of the new crops that were contributing to their adoption or rejection. Interviews were conducted in an informal manner using an interview guide consisting primarily of open-ended questions. The results of this study indicate that the capital outlay required and the expected profitability, both economic and otherwise, are the attributes of the new crops which most strongly influenced farmers' initial adoption/rejection decisions. The major obstacle to innovation adoption in the Chapare seems to be new crops whose adoption presents unacceptably high levels of risk coupled with low anticipated profitability. Recommendations for the development of the alternative crops program and the Chapare region conclude the paper.
The subsystem functional scheme: The Armiento-Mattsson 2005 (AM05) functional and beyond.

The subsystem functional scheme (Kohn and Mattsson, Phys Rev Lett 1998, 81, 3487; Armiento and Mattsson Phys Rev B 2002, 66, 165117) is a recently proposed framework for constructing exchange-correlation density-functionals for use in density functional theory based calculations. The fundamental principle is to describe the physics in a real material by mapping onto model systems that exhibit the characteristic physics in each separate part of the real system. The local density approximately (LDA) functional can be seen as a subsystem functional: in all parts of the real material the assumption is that the needed physics is well described by the uniform electron gas model system. It is well known that this assumption is very accurate for surprisingly large classes of materials. The Armiento Mattsson 2005 (AM05) (Armiento and Mattsson, Phys Rev B 2005, 72, 085108; Mattsson and Armiento, Phys Rev B 2009, 79, 155101) functional takes this a step further by distinguishing between two separate types of regions in a real material, one type that is assumed to be well described by the uniform electron gas, and the other type of region assumed to be well described by a surface model system. AM05 gives a consistent improvement over LDA. One important consequence of the subsystem functional scheme is that it is known what physics is included in a functional. Based on the performance of AM05 for a number of different systems, we discuss where the model systems included are enough and when additional physics need to be included in a new functional. Improvement of AM05 is possible by fine-tuning the details in the construction. But a new major step in accuracy improvement is only expected if new physics is integrated in a functional via an additional model system. We discuss what type of physics would be needed and what model systems could be used for this next step beyond AM05. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 110:2274-2282, 2010
Hazard identification in occupational injury: reflections on standard epidemiologic methods.

To prevent workplace injuries, epidemiologic research must continue to progress beyond methods originally used for acute or chronic diseases. For injury research, exposure assessment requires increased sophistication because exposures comprise multiple, transient factors and complex work activities. Frequently reported risk factors such as age, gender, seniority, or prior injury are often confounders or effect-modifiers of unknown exposures. Injury rate calculations across nominal categories, e.g., department or job classification, identify where hazards are concentrated but provide little insight into their nature; injury counts often perform almost as well. Calculation of rates in relation to time actually spent in plausible etiologic exposure conditions usually is not feasible. Generalization of the Haddon approach for individual injury events to systematically analyze injury case series can identify both the mechanism of injury and the relative occurrences of high-risk conditions. In some contexts, case-crossover designs may elucidate injury causation. National databases and information systems of employers, insurers, and equipment suppliers could contribute case series for injury hazard identification. By enhancing exposure assessment through a focus on case series, epidemiologic research can expand its contribution to preventing workplace injuries.
SOME ASSESSMENTS AND USES OF PUBLIC OPINION IN DIPLOMACY

The image of public opinion as a force to be reckoned with by policy makers and political leaders is exhibited clearly in the following historical study. Richard Fagen is a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at Stanford University. He has an M.A. degree in communication-journalism from Stanford and has been awarded a Social Science Research Council Predoctoral Fellowship for research in international relations.
The Role of Pyrazinamide in Tuberculosis Chemotherapy

Pyrazinamide is an antituberculosis drug synthesized in the 1950s and formerly used only as salvage therapy. Recent developments have elevated it to a central role in tuberculosis chemotherapy as the essential addition to isoniazid and rifampin which makes it possible to successfully complete treatment in six months. This is accomplished with no increase in hepatotoxicity. The only substantial side effect of this drug given at the dosage and for the duration used in these six-month regimens is a polyarthralgia which is only bothersome and not sufficient to warrant interruption of therapy. More rarely, acute gout is produced. The early history and pharmacology of this now first line antituberculosis drug are reviewed herein. (Chest 1988; 94:842-44)
Performance of Layers in Single and Multiple Bird Cages

Abstract INTRODUCTION ALTHOUGH a number of reports have been published which compare the performance of layers on litter floors with that of caged layers, there is a paucity of research literature on the effects of cage density on performance. A number of popular press reports on cage density are available, however. Schupe and Quisenberry (1961) compared the performance of individually caged birds with that of colony caged birds (25 females per cage). Significant differences in egg production and mortality in favor of the individually caged birds were found. Lowe and Heywang (1964) housed females under four cage regimes: (1) individually in 8″ × 18″ cages; (2) individually in 10″ × 18″ cages; (3) two females in 12″ × 18″ cages; and (4) five females in 24″ × 18″ cages, each regime of which was in a separate house. Square inches of floor space per female were not equalized in the various . . .
Sustaining fibers in the rock lobster.

The properties of sustaining fibers (SuF's), whose firing frequency is related to the ambient light intensity, were studied in the rock lobster. Most of the firing patterns shown under various conditions were demonstrated to be physiological, by using chronic implantation techniques. Unusual activity at high light intensities suggests that the lobster visual system is equipped to function only under dim light conditions. Unlike the crayfish, the lobster SuF's do not always indicate light levels but only changes in light intensity. It is suggested that the input from these fibers has a large influence on locomotor activity.
Craniocervical instability in an infant with partial sacral agenesis.

Sacral agenesis is an uncommon condition characterised by total or partial absence of the sacrum. The association of this condition with craniocervical junction abnormalities is extremely rare.
The Importance of Proper Scheduling of Energy Equipment in Combined Heat and Power Plants for Buildings: A Case Study

There is increasing interest in using Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems to supply the energy needs in commercial/institutional buildings. However, due to the large diurnal and seasonal variability in building thermal and electric loads, such systems in buildings (BCHP) require more careful and sophisticated operation as compared to those in industrial CHP. Operating such systems consists of two separate issues: (i) equipment scheduling which involves determining which of the numerous equipment combinations to operate, i.e., is concerned with starting or stopping prime movers, boilers and chillers; and (ii) the second and lower level type of control, called supervisory control, which involves determining the optimal values of the control parameters (such as loading of primemovers, boilers and chillers) under a specific combination of equipment schedule. This paper is concerned with both these aspects, and presents case study results of a school under real-time electrical pricing (RTP) located in New York City, NY. A school has been selected for study because of its high diurnal and seasonal load variability. The approach first involved simulating the buildings using a detailed building energy simulation program to obtain hourly electrical and thermal loads which were then used to size the BCHP system components. Subsequently, a certain number of days in the year were identified, and simulation runs were performed for optimal scheduling control as well as for all the feasible (but non-optimal) equipment combinations. The energy and cost implications of operating the BCHP system in a non-optimal manner under various scheduling combinations are presented and discussed.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Biosynthesis of 14C-sclareol and beta-sitosterol from 2-14C-mevalonic acid.

Salvia sclarea, a member of the family Labiatae, contains the bicyclic diterpene sclareol1 and at least two acidic pentacyclic triterpenes2. From the non-saponifiable fraction, β-sitosterol has recently been isolated3 ; the plant thus provides a means of studying simultaneously the biosynthesis of diterpene, sterol and pentacyclic triterpene.
Calcitonin gene-related peptide-α receptor binding sites in the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract Calcitonin gene-related peptide-α (CGRPα) is a putative neurotransmitter in the brain and in peripheral tissues. Quantitative receptor autoradiography was used to localize and quantify the distribution of specific binding sites for radiolabeled human CGRPα in the canine gastrointestinal tract. The canine gastrointestinal tract was chosen as a model since it is similar in both size and structure to the human gastrointestinal tract. In the stomach CGRPα binding sites were localized to smooth muscle cells in the muscularis mucosa and muscularis externa, the smooth muscle and endothelium of medium and small arteries, neurons in the myenteric plexus, mucosal epithelial cells and the germinal centers of lymph nodules. In the intestines, the prominent cells types expressing CGRPα receptors were myenteric neurons and the germinal centers of lymph nodules. Since previous studies have demonstrated that CGRP-containing sensory neurons innervate the muscularis externa in the stomach and since CGRPα receptors are expressed by smooth muscle cells in the muscularis externa, these results suggest that sensory neurons may directly regulate gastric motility by releasing CGRP. In correlation with previous physiological data, the present study suggests that CGRP is involved in the regulation of a variety of gastrointestinal functions including gastric motility, mucosal ion transport, hemodynamics, digestive enzyme secretion, neuronal excitability, and the inflammatory and immune responce.
Linking measures of adolescent nicotine dependence to a common latent continuum

Abstract Using the theoretical model of nicotine dependence (ND) operationalized within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, fourth Edition (DSM-IV: American Psychiatric [American Psychiatric Association, 1994. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC]) as a frame of reference, we used methods based in item response theory to link alternative instruments assessing adolescent nicotine dependence severity to a common latent continuum. A multi-ethnic cohort of 6th–10th graders selected from the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) completed five household interviews over 2 years. Youth who reported at least some cigarette use in the last 30 days prior to the interviews at waves W3–W5 completed measures of DSM-IV ND, the Modified Fagertrom Tolerance Questionnaire (mFTQ: Prokhorov et al., 1998 ) and the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS: Shiffman et al., 2004 ), yielding samples of 253, 241, and 296 respondents at W3–W5, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a primary dimension of ND. Each instrument’s items had complementary and stable relationships to ND across multiple waves of assessment. By aligning symptoms along a common latent ND continuum, we evaluated the consistency of symptoms from different instruments that target similar content. Further, these methods allowed for the examination of the DSM-IV as a continuous index of ND, evaluation of the degree of heterogeneity in levels of ND within groups above and below diagnostic thresholds, and the utility of using the pattern or particular DSM-IV symptoms that led to each score in further differentiating levels of ND. Finally, we examined concurrent validity of the ND continuum and levels of current of smoking at each wave of assessment.