cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of family demographic factors on social communication questionnaire scores

This study examined the effect of demographic factors on Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) scores in children aged 30-68 months. Diagnoses of ASD were made after a gold standard evaluation that included the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), and the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R). The relationship of demographic variables to SCQ scores was compared in two source populations: (a) children recruited from clinical and educational sources serving children who have ASD or other developmental disorders (CE) and (b) children recruited from birth certificates to represent the general population (BC). The impact of the demographic variables-child sex, child age, maternal language, maternal ethnicity, maternal education, maternal race, and household income-on total SCQ score were studied to examine their impact on the SCQ's performance. Demographic factors predicting the SCQ total score were used to generate ROCs. Factors that had a significant influence on SCQ performance were identified by examining the area under the ROCs. Optimal SCQ cut-points were generated for significant factors using the Youden's Index. Overall male sex, lower household income, lower maternal education and Black race predicted higher SCQ scores. In this sample, the most common optimum value for the SCQ cut-point across the different sociodemographic groups was 11. Autism Res 2018, 11: 695-706. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay summary Screeners are used to help identify children who are more likely to have ASD than their peers. Ideally screeners should be accurate for different groups of children and families. This study examined how well the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) predicts ASD. We found that male sex, lower household income, lower maternal education and Black race were associated with higher SCQ scores. In this study an SCQ cut-point of 11 worked best across the different sociodemographic groups in our sample.
Presence-only modeling is ill-suited for a recent generalist invader, Anthidium manicatum

Abstract Anthidium manicatum, the European wool-carder bee, is an invasive species of concern given its worldwide invasion and aggressive behavior towards native pollinators. Predicting habitat suitability for this species is imperative for estimating threat to native species, and predicting future spread. Previous habitat suitability models used bioclimatic variables to make predictions across a broad geographic region, but these showed little utility at predicting risk at the local habitat scale. Therefore, we created a model using environmental inputs that vary across a regional scale (land cover type and percent impervious surface) and focused within a more restricted geographic region, the Northeastern (NE) US. Occurrence records were aggregated from open-sourced data and published records, and maximum entropy methods were used to create the model. We created a second model using bioclimatic variables (temperature and precipitation), to compare utility of both model inputs. We then tested the accuracy of both models by performing weighted random sampling and stratified random sampling across the NE to obtain presence and absence data for A. manicatum. Given previous predictions of widespread habitat suitability, it was surprising that out of 140 sampled locations, A. manicatum were only found at seven. When comparing model accuracy (Cohen’s Kappa), both models showed low accuracy (land scape variables KHAT = 0.023; bioclimatic variables KHAT = −0.094). Models were also not significantly different from each other (Z = 0.548). Therefore, presence-only modeling may not be suitable for this system, either because these variables are not capturing factors restricting A. manicatum’s range, or it is too early in the invasion process. Additional probability sampling is suggested to refine predictive models.
Canonical Equation K20. Strong Law for Normalized Spectral Functions of Nonselfadjoint Random Matrices with Independent Row Vectors. Simple Rigorous Proof of the Strong Circular Law

Mathematical models which are described by non-Hermitian random matrices have recently attracted a lot of attention. In the present chapter, we proceed to the analysis of normalized spectral functions of nonsymmetrical random matrices. For the complex random matrix such that the real and imaginary parts of its entries are independent and distributed according to standard normal law the Circular distribution for the expected normalized spectral functions \( E{\nu _n}\left( {\left. {u,\;\upsilon ,\;\sqrt {{\sigma ^2}{2^{ - 1}}} \Xi {n^{ - 1/2}}} \right)} \right. \) was proved in [Gin] and [Mehl]. As reader knows a law is a mathematical statement which always holds true. Do not confuse Circular distribution with Circular law which take place for the wide class of random matrices. Some explanations and generalized formulas for the proof of the strong Circular law published in [Gir33] are presented: Let \( \Xi = (\xi _{ij}^{(n)})_{i,j = 1}^n \) be a complex random matrix whose entries \( (\xi _{ij}^{(n)}) \) defined on a common probability space are independent for any n = 1, 2,... and such that \( E\;\xi _{ij}^{(n)} = 0\;{\rm{and }}E{\left| {\xi _{ij}^{(n)}} \right|^2} = {n^{ - 1}}. \) Further, assume that there exist densities \( p_{ij}^{(n)}(x) \) of the real parts (or densities \( q_{ij}^{(n)}(x) \) of the imaginary parts) of the random entries \( \sqrt n \xi _{ij}^{(n)} \) and, for some δ > 0 and β > 1 $$ \begin{array}{*{20}{c}} {\mathop {\sup }\limits_n \;\mathop {{\rm{max}}}\limits_{i,j = 1, \ldots ,n} E\left| {{{\left. {\xi _{ij}^n\sqrt n } \right|}^{2 + \delta }} \le c < \infty ,} \right.}\\ {\mathop {\sup }\limits_n \;\mathop {{\rm{max}}}\limits_{k,l = 1, \ldots ,n} \int_{ - \infty }^\infty {{{[p_{kl}^{(n)}(x)]}^\beta }} \;{\rm{d}}x \le c < \infty ,} \end{array} $$ \( (or \mathop {sup}\limits_n \;\mathop {{\rm{max}}}\limits_{k,l = 1, \ldots ,n} \smallint _{ - \infty }^\infty {[q_{kl}^n(x)]^\beta }\;{\rm{d}}x \le c < \infty .) \)
Design Framework for Micro and Nano-Scale Products

The design and manufacturing of high quality micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) is becoming increasingly complex as the manufacturing tools available diversify. Design of nano-scale products is even more complex. Small-scale products tend to have highly coupled designs, decoupled at best, because of the serial nature of fabrication, material and process constraints and lack of adequate fabricating processes. This paper proposes a structured design framework, which enables designers to achieve the correct functionality by either reducing the complexity in multi-scale manufacturing or by developing a new manufacturing process to circumvent the existing constraints.
Non-bacterial infections associated with neoplastic disease.

There are a large number of non-bacterial microorganisms waiting to infect the host with neoplastic disease. The basic disease may make the individual more susceptible, but more often therapeutic measures are responsible. Although a specific neoplastic disease may predominantly alter one immunological function,anti-neoplastic chemotherapy regimens usually alter to some degree, the others. In the appropriate setting, the clinical picture due to a specific microorganism is frequently recognizable, or at least limited to a selected group of organisms. Diagnostic measures should be prompt and specific,-and treatment instituted early, for these infections are frequently life-threatening in the immunosuppressed host. Candida species have been the most common non-bacterial organisms found at post-mortem at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, followed byAspergillus and Mucor species. Pneumocystis carinii infections were seen frequently during the time period observed in the study. Life-threatening infections with other non-bacterial agents were less frequent, but occurred, and frequently more than one microorganism was associated with the death of the patient.
HIV/AIDS medication adherence factors: inner-city clinic patient's self-reports.

OBJECTIVE To document common facilitators of, and barriers to, HIV/AIDS medication regimen adherence and to identify facilitators and barriers significantly correlated to attainment of higher vs. lower adherence. DESIGN Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. SETTING An outpatient clinic serving as the regional treatment center for HIV disease. PATIENTS A purposive sample of 57 clinic patients was enrolled and completed the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported adherence was measured using a visual analog scale and specified as higher or lower adherence at the 80% level, the approximate median. RESULTS Many barriers to adherence were more prevalent in the lower adherence group, including complexity of the medication regimen and experiencing side effects. Lower adherence patients also had more problems with privacy and interference with social life and work or school. Patients in the higher adherence group were more concerned with forgetting as an adherence barrier. In general, social support, motivation to avoid AIDS, perceiving the health care practitioner as a facilitator, knowledge of medications, and keeping schedules were identified as factors enhancing adherence. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of many barriers shows that the health care provider has an important role in patient education and support to accomplish increased adherence. Fear and avoidance behaviors in the lower adherence group contrasted with the increased concern with forgetting in the higher adherence group. Communicating treatment advances with patients may help more patients to address many barriers to higher adherence.
Neuronal Oxidative Stress is a Common Feature of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

One of the most striking features of the intraneuronal inclusions of Alzheimer (AD) and Parkinson (PD) diseases is that, although they are derived from the neuronal cytoskeleton, they are fundamentally altered. Among these alterations is their insolubility in denaturants (Selkoe et al., 1982; Galloway et al., 1992) and it is our contention that the elucidation of the posttranslational modifications responsible for insolubilization will provide a fundamental insight into the cytopathology of AD and PD.
Systematic Review of Facial Nerve Outcomes After Middle Fossa Decompression and Transmastoid Decompression for Bell's Palsy With Complete Facial Paralysis.

OBJECTIVES The surgical timing and approach for patients with Bell's palsy and complete facial paralysis is controversial. A previous meta-analysis demonstrated no benefit from surgical decompression, however, only transmastoid decompression (TMD) was investigated. No study has evaluated both the outcomes of TMD and middle fossa decompression (MFD). STUDY DESIGN Systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS A systematic literature search identifying all studies meeting inclusion criteria and published between 1985 and 2015 was performed. Final House-Brackmann (HB) scores were calculated and compared for TMD, MFD, and medical controls. A meta-analysis was performed to compare MFD less than or equal to 14 days versus MFD more than 14 days, TMD versus medical controls, and surgical therapy (combined MFD and TMD) versus medical controls. Observational studies without a control arm were excluded from the meta-analysis. RESULTS Average HB scores for MFD less than or equal to 14 days was 1.8, MFD more than 14 days was 2.75, and MFD medical controls was 2.4. For TMD average HB was 2.3 and for TMD medical controls average HB was 2.4. 75% MFD were performed within 14 days of onset while TMD was performed between 15 and 120 days. Meta-analysis demonstrated significantly better facial nerve outcomes for MFD performed less than or equal to 14 days versus more than 14 days (p < 0.001), but no difference between TMD versus medical controls (p = 0.78) or surgical therapy versus medical controls (p = 0.58). CONCLUSION MFD performed within 14 days of symptom onset results in better facial nerve outcomes than MFD performed after 14 days. TMD does not offer improved outcomes over medical management however decompression was only offered after 15 days of symptom onset.
Survey on Human Behavior Recognition Using Affective Computing

With recent advancement in the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the human behaviour recognition and analysis is attracting the attention of the researchers around the globe. Affective computing is one of the latest trends in the field of emotion/sentiment recognition. Affective computing is the collection of the methods used for affect recognition. In this paper, we have provided a broad survey of the approaches used for human behaviour detection considering different behavioural cues. We have considered physiological signal, speech and gestures, text data and facial expression cues for behaviour detection. We also have discussed about the latest approaches like deep neural network and their use in the area of behaviour recognition..
Systems Thinking for Transitions of Care: Reliability Testing for a Standardized Rubric.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to develop a standardized rubric for systems thinking across transitions of care for clinical nurse specialists. Design The design was a mixed-methods study using the Systems Awareness Model as a framework for bridging theory to practice. Methods Content validity was determined using a content validity index. Reliability was established using statistical analysis with Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficient. Usability of the rubric was established using content analysis from focus group discussions about their experiences in using the rubric. Results Content validity was established with a content validity ratio of 1.0. Statistical analysis showed a high interrater reliability (α = 0.99), and sections of the rubric showed a strong degree of reliability with α's ranging from 0.88 to 1.00. Content analysis revealed several overall themes for usability of the rubric: clarity, objectivity, and detail. The area for improvement included adding more detail in the scholarly writing section. Conclusion The research team recommends using the rubric to reflect application of systems thinking across transitions of care.
Mucosal Epithelial Cells Initiate Frontline Immunoglobulin Class Switching through an SLPI-Regulated Pathway.

Abstract Introduction. Class switching from IgM to IgG and IgA is central to immunity against microbes and usually occurs in draining lymph nodes and requires activation of B cells by CD4+ T cells expressing CD40 ligand. Growing evidence indicates that B cells can mount frontline IgG and IgA responses at mucosal sites of entry through an alternative CD40-independent pathway involving B cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF, also known as BLyS) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL). These innate factors are usually produced by dendritic cells and stimulate B cells through at least three distinct receptors. Together with dendritic cells, epithelial cells have a key position at the host-environment interface. Therefore, we asked whether epithelial cells play a role in frontline antibody production. Methods. Tonsillar tissue sections from healthy donors were analyzed for expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. A simplified in vitro model reproducing the geometry of mucosal surfaces was used to evaluate the role of epithelial cells in class switching. Briefly, primary epithelial cells and B cells were cultured in the upper and lower chambers, respectively, of a trans-well system. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells were positioned on a filter separating the two chambers. Various microbial product analogues were used to mimic infection. RNA interference was performed to knockdown BAFF in epithelial cells. AID expression, CSR, antibody production and signaling were evaluated in B cells as reported (Litinsky et al., Nat. Immunol. 2002, 3:822–829; Qiao et al., Nat. Immunol. 2006, 7:302–310). Results. We found that the upper respiratory mucosa of healthy subjects comprised intraepithelial pockets filled with B cells expressing AID, a DNA-editing enzyme associated with ongoing class switch DNA recombination (CSR). Epithelial cells released innate class switch-inducing factors, including BAFF, after sensing microbial products through TLRs, thereby inducing AID expression, CSR, and ultimately IgG and IgA production in neighboring B cells. Epithelial cell-induced antibodies comprised polyreactive IgG and IgA capable of recognizing multiple microbial determinants. Intraepithelial class switching was enhanced by thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an epithelial IL-7-like cytokine that augments the innate B cell-licensing functions of dendritic cells, and restrained by secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), an epithelial alarm antiprotease that suppresses AID expression in activated B cells. Conclusions. The present findings indicate that epithelial cells function as non-immune sentinels capable to autonomously orchestrate compartmentalized IgG and IgA responses at the interface between host and environment. This implies that mucosal vaccines should activate both epithelial and immune cells to elicit optimal antibody production.
Novel four-disulfide insulin analog with high aggregation stability and potency

Although insulin was first purified and used therapeutically almost a century ago, there is still a need to improve therapeutic efficacy and patient convenience. A key challenge is the requirement for refrigeration to avoid inactivation of insulin by aggregation/fibrillation. Here, in an effort to mitigate this problem, we introduced a 4th disulfide bond between a C-terminal extended insulin A chain and residues near the C-terminus of the B chain. Insulin activity was retained by an analog with an additional disulfide bond between residues A22 and B22, while other linkages tested resulted in much reduced potency. Furthermore, the A22-B22 analog maintains the native insulin tertiary structure as demonstrated by X-ray crystal structure determination. We further demonstrate that this four-disulfide analog has similar in vivo potency in mice compared to native insulin and demonstrates higher aggregation stability. In conclusion, we have discovered a novel four-disulfide insulin analog with high aggregation stability and potency.
Teachers Know, but We Do Too: The Case of Mayan Parents’ Assessment Knowledge

Parents’ conceptions of assessment are important as they have a key role in supporting their child’s educational goals. Through two focus group interviews conducted in Spanish, Mayan mothers (N = 8...
Compact metasurface hyperspectral imaging system (Conference Presentation)

Hyperspectral imaging divides a scene into many spectral channels with narrow spectral width. Here we present a compact hyperspectral imaging system based on dielectric metasurfaces. Our system has nine channels spanning 795 nm to 970 nm, which are arranged in a rectangular array and acquired in a single snapshot, in contrast to many commercial systems. The system's narrowband filters, necessary for hyperspectral operation, also reduce chromatic aberration, a common problem in metasurface imaging systems. The small footprint of the device (2.5 mm × 2.5 mm × 1.5 mm) facilitates its potential integration into a handheld system (e.g., a mobile phone).
To Catch a Spy: The Art of Counterintelligence: by James M. Olson, Washington, DC, Georgetown University Press, 2019, 232 pp., $29.95 (hardcover), ISBN: 9781626166806

The United States is losing the intelligence wars. Enemy spies have made deep inroads into the highest levels of American governance as well as the corporate world. Consequently, the United States ...
Compromiso neurológico en infección por COVID-19 en pacientes pediátricos

Coronavirus disease has extended its involvement beyond the respiratory system, with increasing reports of involving different systems, such as Nervous System. The neuroinvasive potential of this pathogen would be explained by its neurotropism given the presence of ACE2 receptors in the brain and spinal cord, in addition to the important systemic inflammatory involvement. The neurological involvement due to infection is divided between the central nervous system, highlighting non-specific and mild symptoms such as dizziness and headache, as well as severe symptoms with encephalitis and cerebrovascular pathology, and the peripheral nervous system, which mainly presents anosmia, ageusia, and myositis. Clinical symptomatology in pediatric patients seems to be less than in adults, but there is a growing report in the literature regarding these findings. Therefore, it is very important to have an adequate registry and anamnesis that allow early identification of neurological involvement.
Metaethics and the conceptual ethics of normativity

This paper argues for the value of distinguishing two projects concerning our normative and evaluative thought and talk, which we dub “metanormative inquiry” and “the conceptual ethics of normativi...
“Don’t Be Afraid”: Exploring Methodological Relationships in (Re)searching the Experiences of Immigrant Teachers of Color

In this personal essay, I revisit the research I conducted as a novice researcher on the experiences of immigrant teachers and examine the development of my reflexive-self as a researcher and an im...
Medicaid Expansion and Not-For-Profit Hospitals’ Financial Status: National and State-Level Estimates Using IRS and CMS Data, 2011-2016:

Several studies have shown that Medicaid expansion has improved hospital financial performance. All of these studies have either used data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and none of them has examined the state-level impact of expansion on hospital finances. Using data for not-for-profit hospitals from both IRS and CMS for 2011-2016, we described the difference in costs related to uncompensated care and Medicaid shortfalls. We then estimated the impact of Medicaid expansion on hospitals' financial status nationally and by state. Nationally, the estimated net effect of expansion reduced not-for-profit hospital costs by 2 percentage points based on IRS data and 0.83 percentage points based on CMS data. Across expansion states, the estimated net effects varied widely with approximately a 10-fold difference for hospitals based on IRS data and a 2-fold difference based on CMS data. Future studies should further explore the differences across IRS and CMS data.
On testing for the equality of autocovariance in time series

The comparison of two time series often arises in climatology, environmental science, and econometrics. Through natural and physical circumstances these series are often dependent. We develop a hypothesis test for the equality of autocovariance functions for two linearly dependent multivariate time series. Previous tests for two independent series are reviewed and extended to the dependent case. A univariate bootstrapped statistic that automatically selects the order of the test is extended to the multivariate setting as well. The performance of the tests are compared through simulation and the methods are applied to univariate temperature and multivariate air quality series. Empirical results show that by accounting for the correlation between series substantial improvements in power can be made in the detection of differences in the autocovariance.
Let’s Talk Talent: Perspectives from the Higher Education Sector (Presentation Slides)

Overview • How We Develop Students • The Importance of Visibility and Taking A Stand • Going Deep: Sustained and Real Commitment to Marginalized Communities • Sustaining Partnerships & Dialogue • Parallels Between My Research on Black Faculty and Corporate Experiences
The Case for the 'No-Collar' Exemption: Eliminating Employer-Imposed Office Hours for Overworked, Remote-Ready Workers

The conventional 40-hour workweek has been a fixture of the American workplace for almost a century. Standard working hours of nine-to-five, Monday-to-Friday, are customary even for workers exempted from overtime under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). But the traditional 40-hour workweek is no longer a fit for the modern family or the modern worker. It is time for its demise. In the decades since passage of the FLSA, the influx of women in the workforce and the growth of exempt knowledge work have rendered the traditional 40-hour workweek both needlessly restrictive, in the case of work-life conflict, and effectively meaningless, in the case of the information age worker who labors 24/7. The recent revolution in remote work, precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, auspiciously permits a new approach to working hours, especially for exempt, “remote-ready” workers—that is, white-collar workers engaged in cognitive labor, who have the proven capacity to work offsite. Where exempt, remote-ready workers are already widely expected to work outside of so-called office hours, they should not be beholden to keep regular office hours, too. We should release them from the false confines of nine-to-five, for more fluid integration of work and life. By amending the FLSA regulations to make scheduling freedom a condition of white-collar exemption, and restricting employers from setting hours of work for this cohort, we could productively disrupt the outdated workweek for all.
Mechanisms of Plasticity in the Visual Cortex

Work on LTP suggests a number of transmitters and second messengers that may be involved in plasticity in the hippocampus. Several of these have also been implicated in sensory-dependent plasticity in the visual cortex. We will now review the evidence in the visual cortex for this involvement. We will also review the evidence as to which of the factors might represent a difference between young animals and adults: after all, that is the crucial question in terms of understanding why young animals are plastic and adults are not.
An exonuclease requiring an intact helical stem for specificity produces the 3' end of Acanthamoeba castellanii 5 S RNA

A nuclear extract from Acanthamoeba castellanii which contains all of the components necessary for specific transcription of a 5 S RNA gene was separated into fractions required for specific transcription initiation and an additional fraction needed in the reconstituted system to produce the 3' end characteristic of mature 5 S RNA. The latter fraction contained a novel processing activity characterized by an exonuclease specific for highly structured RNAs, including 5 S RNA. An intact helical stem formed between the 5' and 3' ends of the 5 S RNA precursor determines the 3' nucleotide. In addition, the presence of ATP is required for specific processing. However, the possibility has not been ruled out that ATP inhibits a nonspecific ribonuclease in the extract since processing proceeds into the helical stem in its absence.
International Norms as Weapons of War: The Kosovo Liberation Army, 1996-1999, a Preliminary Discourse Analysis

A close examination of strategies of resistance movements and rebel groups over the course of the 1990s shows an increasing awareness of international norms among these groups, particularly human rights norms and international humanitarian law, and a willingness to adopt strategies in accordance with those norms to gain support of states in the international community. Armed opposition groups are adopting a strategy of both seeking to portray the governments which they are resisting as human rights abusers, and trying to hide or minimize their own human rights abuses, demonstrating that international norms are having an impact on behavior beyond the state-level. By framing their struggles in human rights terms, many armed opposition groups are seeking that elusive legitimacy, both at home, and abroad. Using the Kosovo Liberation Army as an example, this paper examines the development of the use of international norms language in the discourse of an armed opposition group over the course of the conflict, through analysis of political declarations, press releases and interviews.
The Role of Graphics Super-Workstations in a Supercomputing Environment

A new class of very powerful workstations has recently become available which integrate near-supercomputer computational performance with very powerful and high quality graphics capability. These “graphics super-workstations” are expected to play an increasingly important role in providing an enhanced environment for supercomputer users. Their potential uses include; off-loading the supercomputer (by serving as stand-alone processors, by post-processing of the output of supercomputer calculations, and by distributed or shared processing), scientific visualization (understanding of results, communication of results), and by real time interaction with the supercomputer (to “steer” an iterative computation, to abort a bad run, or to explore and develop new algorithms).
Investigating effects of computer-based grammar tutorials

This dissertation study examined a broad question of whether computer-based grammar tutorials are effective and welcome tools to review grammar for language learners by investigating effects of three different modes of such tutorials on learners' knowledge and satisfaction. For this study, I developed experimental tutorials in three different modes (a static text with a voice-over narration, an animated text with a voice-over narration, and a recording of a real teacher) for two target structures of German grammar (regular verb conjugation and separable-prefix verbs). In total, there were more than 100 Elementary German students at two Midwestern universities, who participated in different stages of the study. The participants represented a mostly homogeneous group with characteristics that are common for college-level learners. There were two parallel experiments in this study that employed identical methods but focused on two different target structures. Thus, both experiments examined the effect of the three study tutorials on learners' knowledge and satisfaction, but Experiment 1 focused on the regular verb conjugation, whereas Experiment 2 focused on the separable-prefix verbs. For each experiment, the participants completed a pretest, worked with the assigned tutorial mode, completed a posttest, and filled out a number of questionnaires. The results of the analysis demonstrated that the study tutorials helped learners to significantly improve their knowledge of grammar; however, the mode of the tutorial did not make a difference. Likewise, all modes of tutorial received similar satisfaction ratings; however, additional qualitative analysis suggested that a considerable number of the participants preferred the animated mode. The findings of the study demonstrate that computer-based grammar tutorials can be effective and welcome tools to review grammar for language learners. Moreover, tutorials of this type can be a viable method of achieving the desired balance between the form- and meaning-focused activities in language classrooms. Also, such tutorials appeal to learners because they support more individualized learning.
Computational modeling and prediction of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) strains

This paper describes a stochastic approach for modeling the changes observed in the DNA sequence of a highly mutating virus, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This modeling process is begun by clustering the known DNA sequences from the virus population into groups such that the individual clusters represent biological strains of the modeled virus. Next, a hidden Markov model (HMM) is associated with each cluster, and its parameters computed using Baum-Welch's expectation maximization procedure. In this manner, the sequences within a cluster represent a maximally likely random sample drawn from the learned HMM. After the HMM for each strain cluster has thus been learned, it can further be used to generate additional samples of viral DNA sequences that are expected from the same underlying HMM. These newly predicted sequences would represent a maximally likely set of sequences belonging to a given viral strain modeled by the underlying HMM.
Optical properties and electronic structures of equiatomic XTi (X=Fe, Co, and Ni) alloys

The dielectric functions of equiatomic {ital X}Ti ({ital X}=Fe, Co, and Ni) alloys in the {ital B}2 phase (cubic CsCl structure) were measured by spectroscopic ellipsometry in the energy range of 1.5{endash}5.4 eV. The optical conductivity spectra show close resemblance to each other with a peak at 1.9{endash}2.3 eV and another at 3.1{endash}3.4 eV. Fine structures observed in previously reported measurements were not seen. The band structures and the optical conductivity spectra were calculated in the {ital B}2 phase using the linearized-augmented-plane-wave method with the local density approximation. The agreement between the measured and calculated spectra is markedly improved by the inclusion of a quasiparticle self-energy correction. Strong optical transitions are identified and the similarities and differences among the optical conductivity spectra of the three compounds are explained. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Comparative study of PV modules with and without a tilted plane reflector

This paper presents a comparative experimental study on the performance of a PV module augmented by a south facing tilted plane reflector and another identical one without reflector. The tilt angles of the two PV modules and reflector and the reflector overhang are selected to be optimum from a previous theoretical study by the authors. The reflector tilt angle is changed once a month so that the reflected beams from the plane reflector cover the total surface area of the PV module all days of every month during the high solar radiation period (i.e. 3 h before and after solar noon). The study has been conducted on the two PV modules for a complete year under the actual atmospheric conditions of Cairo, Egypt. The measuring system used in the study is comprised of a data acquisition system, a computer, an electronic load and a weather station. The experimental results indicate that the plane reflector enhances the yearly output energy of the PV module by about 22%.
Subtle sex bias in empathy and helping behavior.

The present study examined the influences on empathy and altruism of sex of participant, the affective demeanor (positive or negative) and cognitive processes (positive or negative) displayed by a ...
Effects of NGF and glucocorticoid on NGF receptor immunolabeling of cultured rhesus adrenal chromaffin cells

Nerve growth factor (NGF) promotes the outgrowth of neurites from cultured adrenal chromaffin cells from adult rhesus monkeys [8], but little is known about the distribution, at the cellular level, of the NGF receptors (NGFR) responsible for this response. We examined changes in immunostaining for NGFR in chromaffin cells cultured for 4 weeks in the presence or absence of NGF, with or without dexamethasone (DEX), which inhibits neuritic outgrowth from these cells. Purified cultures of adrenal chromaffin cells from adult rhesus monkeys were grown for up to 9 weeks in NGF, DEX, NGF plus DEX, or control medium. Cells were immunolabeled with three different monoclonal antibodies directed against different epitopes of the human NGFR. Although the distribution of immunolabeling was not uniform from cell to cell, the overall intensity of NGFR immunolabeling varied dramatically between different growth conditions. Of greatest interest, DEX-treated cells stained the most intensely at all time points, while the intensity of immunolabeling was much fainter in NGF-treated cells and decreased with time in culture. In contrast to the intensity of labeling, the proportion of chromaffin cells with immunoreactivity increased with time in all treatment groups. Thus, GCs do not appear to antagonize the effects of NGF merely by decreasing the total number of immunoreactive NGFR on the surface of these cells.
Trajectories of Posttraumatic Growth and Associated Characteristics in Women with Breast Cancer

Cancer survivors may experience posttraumatic growth (PTG), positive psychological changes resulting from highly stressful events; however, the longitudinal course of PTG is poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to determine trajectories of PTG in breast cancer survivors and associated characteristics. Women (N = 653) participating in a longitudinal observational study completed questionnaires within 8 months of breast cancer diagnosis and 6, 12, and 18 months later. Group-based modeling identified PTG trajectories. Chi-square tests and ANOVA detected group differences in demographic, medical, and psychosocial variables. Six trajectory groups emerged. Three were stable at different levels of PTG, two increased modestly, and one increased substantially over time. Trajectory groups differed by age, race, receipt of chemotherapy, illness intrusiveness, depressive symptoms, active-adaptive coping, and social support. This first examination of PTG trajectories in US cancer survivors elucidates heterogeneity in longitudinal patterns of PTG. Future research should determine whether other samples exhibit similar trajectories and whether various PTG trajectories predict mental and physical health outcomes.
Study on ketalization reaction of polyvinylalcohol by ketones. II. Behavior of polyvinylketal, obtained by acetone, in water

Films prepared from polyvinylketal obtained by acetone, with different ketalization degree, were soaked in water and degree of swell, solubility, and hydrolysis of films were measured. The reaction of film with water, in acidic side, easily proceeds even at lower temperature ranges, and at first film swells, and then as deketalization reaction proceeds the film dissolves in water. Polyvinylketal of the ketalization degree below 5 mol% behaves similarly to polyvinylalcohol (PVA). With polyvinylketal of the ketalization degree of above 5 mol%, dissolution time is controlled by both ketalization degree and pH of water which reveals that deketalization reaction proceeds proportional to proton concentration. On the other hand, in neutral or alkaline conditions where hydrolysis does not proceed at all, polyvinylketal of ketalization degree of 15–60 mol% dissolves in water at 0°C and therefore it can be considered as a kind of water-soluble high polymer. Polyvinylketal dissolves more easily in water at lower temperatures than at higher temperatures.
Fiber-optic system for dual-modality imaging of glucose probes 18F-FDG and 6-NBDG in atherosclerotic plaques.

Background Atherosclerosis is a progressive inflammatory condition that underlies coronary artery disease (CAD)–the leading cause of death in the United States. Thus, the ultimate goal of this research is to advance our understanding of human CAD by improving the characterization of metabolically active vulnerable plaques within the coronary arteries using a novel catheter-based imaging system. The aims of this study include (1) developing a novel fiber-optic imaging system with a scintillator to detect both 18F and fluorescent glucose probes, and (2) validating the system on ex vivo murine plaques.
Excitation-Contraction Uncoupling: Major Role in Contraction-Induced Muscle Injury

WARREN, G.L., C.P. INGALLS, D.A. LOWE, and R.B. ARMSTRONG. Excitation-contraction uncoupling: major role in contraction-induced muscle injury. Exerc. Sports Sci. Rev., Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 82-87, 2001. The mechanisms that account for the strength loss after contraction-induced muscle injury remain co
Chemical constituents of Hypogymnia enteromorpha

The lichenHypogymnia enteromorpha (Ach.) Nyl. was sequentially extracted by a solvent series that ranged from non-polar to highly polar liquids. The principal extracellular lichen products isolated from this species were thiophaninic acid, physodalic acid, physodic acid, atranorin, and ventosic acid. The carbohydrate D-arabitol was isolated from the more polar extracts. The isolated constituents were identified by means of mixed melting points, specific color tests, thin layer chromatographic Rf values, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Quantitative estimates of the amounts of these lichen constituents present in the plant are presented. Three components, thiophaninic acid, ventosic acid, and D-arabitol are here reported for the first time to be constituents of this lichen.
Scene image classification: Some novel descriptors

This paper introduces several novel color, shape and texture-based image descriptors for scene image classification with applications to image search and retrieval. Specifically, first, a new 3-Dimensional Local Binary Pattern (3DLBP) descriptor is proposed for color image local feature extraction. Second, a new shape descriptor (HaarHOG) is introduced by combining Haar wavelet transformation and Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG). Third, these descriptors are fused using an optimal feature representation technique to generate a robust 3-Dimensional LBP-HaarHOG (3DLH) descriptor that can perform well on different scene image categories. Finally, the Enhanced Fisher Model (EFM) is applied for discriminatory feature extraction and the nearest neighbor classification rule is used for image classification. The proposed descriptors and fusion technique are evaluated using three grand challenge datasets: the MIT Scene dataset, the UIUC Sports Event dataset, and a part of the Caltech 256 dataset.
Childbirth overseas: the experience of Japanese women in Hawaii

The purpose of this study is to investigate which kinds of stress women experience during childbirth in a foreign country and to explore whether childbirth in a foreign country influences women's mental health. The study was a quantitative and qualitative mixed study. Forty-five Japanese women, born and raised in Japan and who gave birth in Hawaii, USA, were telephone-interviewed within 1 year after childbirth. The stress factors that emerged were: language barrier, distance from family and friends, different culture, and health-care attitude about childbirth. Half of the participants experienced emotional dysfunction during their pregnancy. All primiparas experienced postpartum depression. The participants who had the maternity blues tended to have postpartum depression. Help from the participants' mothers after childbirth decreased postpartum depression. The importance of mental health for foreign-born primiparas emerges during the perinatal period.
The Clarification Hearing: A Personal View of the Process:

It was early morning of the second day of the Clarification Hearings in Washington, D.C. I was seated in front of the makeup table cluttered with bottles, tins, and brushes of all sorts, my new TV-compatible suit and blue shirt carefully protected by a bib. As the makeup artist was applying a brown fluid to my face (and undoubtedly wishing she had the skills of a plastic surgeon). Bob Ebel happened by the door. Seeing Bob, the incongruity of the situation hit me. How did I and a number of my colleagues in the next room waiting their turn in front of the lightbulb-studded mirror, get involved in this alien world? While I had my doubts from the beginning, Bob’s appearance triggered the realization that 11 months earlier, when I agreed to serve as team leader for the negative side in the Clarification Hearings on Minimum Competency Testing (MCT). I really had no idea what I had let myself in for. I was again brought up short about the implications of the whole process and my part in two weeks ago after viewing, along with students and colleagues here at Boston College, the edited version of the hearings on public television. In what follows I have attempted to describe my reactions and feelings, both positive and negative, to various aspects of the process leading up to the hearings, the hearing itself, and the final TV product developed by Maryland Public Broadcasting (MPB).
Controlled Release of Cyclosporine from Microspheres

AbstractA controlled release microsphere formulation of cyclosporine is reported for the first time. Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer was utilized to prepare microspheres containing cyclosporine. The polymer was dissolved in methylene chloride (10% w/v) to which different quantities of cyclosporine was added to give drug loadings of 5, 25 and 50% in the microspheres. The polymer-drug solution was extruded into ethanol, where gelling of the polymer was achieved at −78°C in an ethanol-liquid nitrogen bath. Microspheres containing 25% of cyclosporine retained their shape and gave optimum results. Lower drug loadings (5% cyclosporine) resulted in deformed microspheres, whereas high drug loadings (50 % cyclosporine) produced tear drop shaped microspheres. This method used to prepare microspheres is simple, quick and inexpensive and can be used for drugs that are unstable to heat. Furthermore, the polymer used is bio-compatible and can be used to design formulations such as films containing cyclosporine which c...
Synthesis and Gelation Characteristics of Photo-Crosslinkable Star Poly(ethylene oxide-co-lactide-glycolide acrylate) Macromonomers.

Abstract Viability of encapsulated cells in situ crosslinkable macromonomers depends strongly on the minimum concentration of polymerization initiators and monomers required for gelation. Novel 4-arm poly(ethylene oxide-co-lactide-glycolide acrylate) (SPELGA) macromonomers were synthesized and characterized with respect to gelation, sol fraction, degradation, and swelling in aqueous solution. SPELGA macromonomers were crosslinked in the absence of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) monomer to produce a hydrogel network with a shear modulus of 27 ± 4 kPa. The shear modulus of the gels increased by 170-fold as the macromonomer concentration was increased from 10 to 25 wt%. Sol fraction ranged between 8 and 18%. Addition of only 0.4 mol% NVP to the polymerization mixture increased modulus by 2.2-fold from 27 ± 4 (no NVP) to 60 ± 10 kPa. The higher modulus was attributed to the dilution effect of polymer chains in the sol, by delaying the onset of diffusion-controlled reaction, and cross-propagation of the growing chains with network-bound SPELGA acrylates. Degradation of SPELGA gels depended on water content and density of hydrolytically degradable ester groups.
Linear thermal expansion and thermo-optic coefficients of YVO_4 crystals the 80-320 K temperature range

We present the measurement results for coefficients of linear thermal expansion (CTE) and thermo-optic coefficients of uniaxial yttrium orthovanadate YVO4 crystals in the temperature range 80 - 320 K. The CTE data were obtained for the directions parallel (α||) and perpendicular (α⊥) to the optical c-axis of YVO4. The corresponding polynomial expressions for the observed temperature dependencies were derived. At 80 K the CTE values α⊥ ~0.11∙10−6K−1 and α||~2.43∙10−6K-, are approximately 5.3% and 28% of those at room temperature, respectively. Thermo-optic coefficients corresponding to ordinary and extra-ordinary beams were measured for two wavelengths, 633 and 1570 nm. To the best of our knowledge, the CTE and dn/dT data for this important laser host in the temperature range 80 - 320 K are reported for the first time.