cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intervention research to improve language-learning opportunities and address the inequities of the word gap

Abstract In this Special Issue we focus on highlighting intervention research addressing inequities in early language-learning experience that may place some children at a disadvantage later in school. Research over the last three decades has documented evidence for the differential amount and quality of children’s early language exposure, referred to as the “word gap.” This gap has been associated with family socioeconomic factors and has important consequences for children’s later vocabulary, literacy and school performance. Given the profound social, academic, and economic costs that may result when young children do not have ample language-learning opportunities, it is of primary importance to prevent inequities in language experience. With renewed interest in finding solutions to the word gap, this Special Issue is organized around a series of literature syntheses analyzing the state of language intervention research. Reviews of intervention studies conducted with parents, early educators and healthcare providers, and with culturally and linguistically diverse participants, as well as reviews of training and implementation practices, and methodological factors that inform intervention are described. Ten featured empirical studies document the efficacy of communication and language interventions and illustrate promising practices designed to improve outcomes for infants and young children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Based on the findings described in this compilation of articles, we provide some summary highlights and future directions for research addressing the word gap. First, we review the evidence for the word gap and discuss the literature to date in this area.
It's not "Just poverty": Educational, social, and economic functioning among young adults exposed to childhood neglect, abuse, and poverty.

Abstract Background Neglect is the most common allegation in Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations. Researchers and media have questioned whether and how CPS-investigated neglect differs from poverty. Prior studies are limited by self-reported or cross-sectional measures, small samples, and short observation periods. Objective (1) To estimate the “added harm” of CPS-investigated neglect, net of poverty exposure (depth and duration), on high school completion, employment and earnings, incarceration, and teen parenthood; (2) To assess whether abuse is a stronger risk factor for adverse outcomes than neglect. Participants and Setting 29,154 individuals born in 1993–1996 from Milwaukee County, WI, who either received food assistance or were reported to CPS before age 16. Method Using logistic regression with a rich set of social and demographic controls, we compared individuals with CPS-investigated neglect, abuse, or both abuse and neglect in early childhood or adolescence to those who experienced poverty but not CPS involvement. We calculated cumulative measures of poverty duration and poverty depth between ages 0 and 16 for the full sample using public benefit records. Results Outcomes among children with alleged or confirmed neglect were statistically significantly worse in all domains than impoverished children without maltreatment allegations, and similar to children with alleged or confirmed abuse. Effect sizes varied by outcome. Conclusions Overall, this study suggests that CPS allegations of neglect are distinct from poverty and an important risk factor for adverse outcomes in adulthood.
Rules of Thumb versus Industry Glide Paths: Some Bootstrapping Evidence

The authors compare the performance of retirement portfolios using the average glide path of five popular target date funds to general rules of thumb for asset allocation. Surprisingly, the industry average target date fund has similar return and risk as the “120 minus your age rule”. In addition, a simple “140 minus your age rule” produces greater expected savings at retirement and a lower failure rate for average US investors retiring in their early 60s. A naive approach such as the “120 minus your age” rule or the “140 minus your age” can benefit average US employees by reducing transaction costs, improving retirement balances and increasing the probability of a comfortable retirement through an easy-to-understand investing rule. TOPICS:Wealth management, retirement, performance measurement, portfolio construction Key Findings • Rule of thumb asset allocation strategies such as 120 minus your age rule and 140 minus your age rule are superior to the industry average glide path in terms of retirement balances and failure rates. • Target date fund glide paths tend to perform better than rules of thumb only for investors retiring in their late 60s and receiving social security payments or those willing to take a reduction in their retirement income. • Rule of thumb strategies are easy to understand and save transaction costs over an average industry glide path.
Resilience following exposure to intimate partner violence and other violence: A comparison of Latino and non-Latino youth

Abstract Childhood exposure to violence can have serious consequences for children’s social-emotional development and maltreatment risk. However, growing evidence suggests that these negative outcomes are not inevitable. In order to identify personal and environmental factors contributing to the resilience of youth involved with child welfare and exposed to IPV and other violence, and then compare these factors between Latino and non-Latino youth, this study examined data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being II corresponding to 601 youth ages 11–17.5 under child maltreatment investigation. Sequential structural equation modeling was used to examine the racial/ethnic differences in the relationship patterns between exposure to violence and personal and environmental protective factors on mental health, risky behaviors, and school engagement. Social and adaptive skills moderated the negative effects of youth-reported exposure to severe violence on mental health; caring adults moderated the negative effects of mother-reported IPV exposure on school engagement; and spirituality moderated the relationship between youth-reported mild violence and school engagement. Maternal monitoring had more positive effects on Latinos’ mental health than on “other” youth’s, despite stronger negative effects of exposure to mild violence were identified among Latinos. Findings from this study support the implementation of programs that prevent child maltreatment and IPV and enhance youth’s resilience by building connections (e.g., mentoring), developing personal strengths (e.g., social and adaptive skills), and enhancing parental monitoring among Latinos.
Impact of Tussigenic Stimuli on Perceived Upper Airway Sensation and Motor Cough Response Following Total Laryngectomy.

Background Total laryngectomy is standard intervention for carcinoma of the head and neck or in cases of non-functional larynx as a result of disease or radiation exposure. Laryngeal extirpation serves as a unique human model of both recurrent and superior laryngeal nerve section and offers insight into motor and sensory aspects of cough: both volitional and in response to tussigenic stimuli. While motor changes in cough function are expected among those status post total laryngectomy (TL) due to postoperative reconstruction of the upper airway, motor cough parameters have not been well described and sensory aspects of cough are unknown in this population which provides the insight of a vagal denervation model in humans. Method(s) Data were collected from three groups totaling 80 adults (39 male), including 25 healthy, young adults (HYA), 27 healthy older adults (HOA) and 28 adults post TL. Cough was elicited both upon command and in response to nebulized capsaicin. Outcome measures included urge-to-cough and cough airflows. Results Kruskal Wallis test showed that two of the three groups differed significantly by urge to cough x2(2, N=244) =8.974, p=0.011. Post hoc analysis showed that post TL subjects had reduced perceived urge to cough at all concentrations of capsaicin (p<0.05). Cough airflows were significantly reduced for post TL subjects compared to healthy controls in all metrics except post-peak phase integral (PPPI) for which HOA and TL’s were comparable under both volitional and capsaicin-induced conditions. Conclusions These findings support the hypothesis that both cough airflow and sensations are significantly reduced in post TL subjects when compared with HOA. Interestingly, HOA and post TL subjects have comparably reduced UTC and cough airflows when compared to HYA. The only metric of cough airflow for which these groups differ is the post-peak phase integral (PPPI) which may be a compensatory adaptation for reduced cough airflows and/or sensation.
Accurate Time Synchronization for Automotive Cooperative Radar (CoRD) Applications

The increasing amount of automotive radars makes mutual radar interference a prominent problem. Cooperation between the radars could not only minimize their mutual level of interference but would also enable remote radar nodes to operate synchronously for jointly improving their performance. The concept of Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) has recently been proposed for enabling distributed wireless network synchronization. In this paper, we explore the application of CToA to automotive radar systems for achieving sub-nanosecond level synchronization between radar nodes. The proposed scheme, dubbed “cooperative radar” (CoRD), opens a wide range of applications including bistatic automotive radars.
Clinicians Perceptions of a Computerized Decision Support System (CDSS) for Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) Screening in a Pediatric Primary Care Center

Purpose: With the increasing prevalence of T2D in youth, it is imperative for primary care providers to identify patients at high risk and implement evidence-based screening protocols promptly. CDSS are tools implemented to provide clinicians with personalized reminders tailored to their patients according to best evidence and guidelines. One example of CDSS is the Child Health Improvement through Computer Automation system (CHICA). We previously showed that primary care providers using CHICA to automate the identification and screening of pediatric patients at high risk for T2D were 4.6 times more likely …
Opportunities and Challenges for Analyzing Cancer Data at the Inter- and Intra-Institutional Levels

PURPOSEOur goal was to identify the opportunities and challenges in analyzing data from the American Association of Cancer Research Project Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE),...
Role of Microstructure on Impact Response and Damage Morphology of Ice-Templated Porous Ceramics

The central focus of this study is to investigate the influence of microstructure and direction of impact (relative to the growth direction of ice crystals) on the impact behavior of ice-templated sintered alumina materials and understand the relationship between dynamic compressive strength and impact response. All materials were fabricated using alumina suspensions of the same solid loading but at three different freezing front velocity (FFV) regimes; very-high FFV, moderately-high FFV, and low FFV. Lamella wall thickness, pore size, and pore aspect ratio decreased, and wall connectivity increased with FFV. Materials also exhibited a structural gradient along the growth direction of ice crystals. As the templated microstructure became finer with FFV, the impact resistance of the materials increased, and radius of damage crater, depth-of-penetration, and mass loss decreased. Materials also exhibited radial cracking, and the materials fabricated at very-high FFV showed a greater propensity for radial cracking for impact along the growth direction. The impact process evolved in three phases; penetration phase, dwell phase and rebound phase. Analysis of high-speed videos revealed that modifying the microstructure affected not only the impact resistance but also the duration of these phases. Variation in microstructure caused a change in the mechanism of damage evolution during impact. Dynamic compressive strength increased with FFV, and the results revealed a direct relationship between impact response and strength. For both impact and dynamic compression, energy absorption per unit volume increased with FFV, further reinforcing the relationship between impact behavior and the dynamic compressive response of ice-templated materials.
Forelimb amputation of a feline with a humeral fracture: a patient care report

This report looks at the nursing care of a feline patient that underwent a forelimb amputation. Key areas of care for amputee patients include targeted and appropriate analgesia, alongside appropri...
Pediatric nurse practitioners' attitudes/beliefs and knowledge/perceived competence in caring for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth.

Purpose There is a growing number of youth and their parents seeking assistance from care providers related to gender dysphoria and transitional care for transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) youth. The purpose of this study was to determine pediatric nurse practitioners' (PNP) attitudes/beliefs and knowledge/competence in caring for TGNC youth. Design and methods This cross-sectional descriptive study surveyed PNPs (N = 93) from eight states using two survey instruments to measure attitudes and beliefs and knowledge and perceived competence related to caring for TGNC youth. Results Eighty-one percent of PNPs reported caring for TGNC youth in their practice. Despite this, only 15% of the PNPs received education related to transgender patients during their advanced practice education. Results showed that attending continuing education offerings related to caring for TGNC patients increases PNP perceived competence as well as knowledge. Attitudes and behaviors towards the transgender population were also more positive if the PNP had attended continuing nursing education offerings. Three themes emerged from a qualitative portion of the survey, asking the participant to share thoughts related to caring for transgender youth: lack of education for healthcare providers, the need to refer patients to comprehensive gender services, and the need for support for transgender patients and their families. Practice implications Education plays an important part in nurses' attitudes, beliefs, and perceived competence in caring for transgender patients. Because the PNP is likely to be exposed to patients with TGNC, it is imperative they seek out opportunities to learn about transgender issues and caring for transgender patients.
(Un)Ethical Early Interventions in the Alzheimer’s “Marketplace of Memory”

Over the last century, Alzheimer’s disease has proven a highly malleable concept. Initially an obscure diagnosis pertaining to rare cases of young onset dementia, by the latter half of the 20th cen...
ALK Inhibitors in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer: Crizotinib and Beyond

The treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring chromosomal rearrangements of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) has been revolutionized by the development of crizotinib, a small molecule inhibitor of the tyrosine kinases ALK, ROS1, and MET. Resistance to crizotinib invariably develops, however, through a variety of mechanisms. In the last few years, a flurry of new and more potent ALK inhibitors has emerged for the treatment of ALK-positive NSCLC, including ceritinib (LDK378), alectinib (RO5424802/CH5424802), AP26113, ASP3026, TSR-011, PF-06463922, RXDX-101, X-396, and CEP-37440. Cancers harboring ALK rearrangements may also be susceptible to treatment with heat shock protein 90 inhibitors. This review focuses on the pharmacologic and clinical properties of these compounds, either as monotherapies or in combination with other drugs. With so many ALK inhibitors in development, the challenges of how these agents should be studied and ultimately prescribed are also discussed.
Pre-Clinical Anatomy Education: An Ideal Environment for Learning Clinical Communication Skills

Multiple physician specialists are involved with patient care; thus communication between care-givers is increasingly important. While the impact of communication on patient care is widely discussed, most physicians are not exposed to communication methods until later in their careers. Significant deficits in patient hand-off processes (within and across specialists) are widely reported and yields negative impacts on patient care, costs and outcomes. The anatomy laboratory provides a unique and pedagogically-appropriate setting for peer hand-off introduction. Within the lab, students are learning anatomical concepts key to clinical practice. Utilizing a peer-teaching infrastructure, we developed a novel approach to integrating the concept of the clinical peer-handoff process into pre-clinical medical education. We “translated” the SBAR (Situation, background, assessment, and recommendations) method for patient-handoffs into a pedagogical tool which integrates anatomy learning with peer-peer communication....
Control theory approach

Abstract The control of complex dynamical systems is a very challenging problem especially when there are significant uncertainties in the plant model and the environment. Neural networks are being used quite successfully in the control of such systems and in this chapter the main approaches are presented and the advantages and drawbacks are discussed. Traditional control methods are based on firm and rigorous mathematical foundations, developed over the last hundred years and so it is very desirable to develop corresponding results when neural networks are used to control dynamical systems.
A computational framework for dynamic data‐driven material damage control, based on Bayesian inference and model selection

Summary In the present study, a general dynamic data-driven application system (DDDAS) is developed for real-time monitoring of damage in composite materials using methods and models that account for uncertainty in experimental data, model parameters, and in the selection of the model itself. The methodology involves (i) data data from uniaxial tensile experiments conducted on a composite material; (ii) continuum damage mechanics based material constitutive models; (iii) a Bayesian framework for uncertainty quantification, calibration, validation, and selection of models; and (iv) general Bayesian filtering, as well as Kalman and extended Kalman filters. A software infrastructure is developed and implemented in order to integrate the various parts of the DDDAS. The outcomes of computational analyses using the experimental data prove the feasibility of the Bayesian-based methods for model calibration, validation, and selection. Moreover, using such DDDAS infrastructure for real-time monitoring of the damage and degradation in materials results in results in an improved prediction of failure in the system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
13.7 Services Marketing Track : Measurement Issues in Services Marketing

Although the concept of brand equity has application in services marketing, existing definitions and measures of brand equity may require modification when applied to brands with a service-orientation. This study uses four marketing-based measures to assess brand equity. Findings suggest that measures of brand equity in service categories do not converge and provide inconsistent evidence of a brand's equity. Further, results of this study indicate that the potential for building negative equity may exist. The authors conclude that current measures of brand equity may not be appropriate for measuring the equity of branded services.
Chromosome 12p abnormalities and IMP3 expression in prepubertal pure testicular teratomas

Although the histologic appearance of pure testicular teratomas (PTTs) is similar in children and adults, the prognosis is dramatically different. Prepubertal PTTs are rare, with a benign clinical course, whereas the adult cases typically have malignant outcomes. Chromosome 12p abnormalities are seen in most adult testicular germ cell tumors but have not been found in prepubertal PTTs. IMP3 is an oncofetal protein that is highly expressed in many malignancies. Recently, we demonstrated IMP3 is expressed in adult mature testicular teratomas but not in mature ovarian teratomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate prepubertal PTTs for chromosome 12p abnormalities and expression of IMP3. A total of 11 cases (excision, n=1; orchiectomy, n=10) were obtained from the surgical pathology archives of 2 large medical centers (1957-2013). All 11 cases were investigated for isochromosome 12p and 12p copy number gain using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis and were examined by immunohistochemistry for IMP3 expression. Patients ranged in age from 0.9 to 7.0 (mean, 2.4) years. A positive immunohistochemical stain for IMP3 (cytoplasmic staining) was identified in 5 (46%) of 11 cases. Isochromosome 12p was detected in 2 cases (18%) that also expressed IMP3. Somatic copy number alterations of 12p were not observed (0%). We are the first to describe 12p abnormalities and IMP3 expression in prepubertal PTTs. Our data demonstrate a small subset of PTTs harbor typical molecular alterations observed in adult testicular germ cell tumors. Although prepubertal PTTs are considered to be benign neoplasms, it may be a heterogeneous group.
The Ketogenic Diet as an Adjuvant Therapy for Brain Tumors and Other Cancers

Altered metabolism was first identified in cancer cells by Otto Warburg, who identified a higher reliance on anaerobic glycolysis rather than cellular respiration even in the presence of sufficient oxygen levels, a phenomenon called the Warburg Effect. Deregulated metabolism is now considered a driving hallmark of cancer and an attractive therapeutic target. While a great deal of work is being done to find genetic therapeutic targets that can be used for personalized medicine, current targeted approaches are typically ineffective because tumors are heterogeneous and contain multiple genetic subpopulations. This often precludes a particular targeted molecule from being found on all cells. In contrast to many genetic alterations, dysregulation of metabolism resulting in the need for high amounts of glucose is found in virtually all cancer cells. Targeting metabolism by reducing blood glucose may be a way to inhibit tumor growth since this, to a large extent, should circumvent the inherent problems associated with tumor heterogeneity. Methods that also provide an energy source for normal tissues such as ketones should reduce side effects associated with an overall reduction in blood glucose. The high-fat, low carbohydrate, and protein ketogenic diet (KD) results in reduced blood glucose and increased blood ketones, as does caloric restriction and fasting. In preclinical mouse models of malignant brain tumors, animals fed a KD had increased survival, particularly when used in combination with radiation or chemotherapy. Metabolic modulation through the use of a KD, caloric restriction, or fasting has been found to change the expression of a number of genes and pathways thought to inhibit tumor growth. Metabolic therapy has also recently been explored in other cancer types. In this chapter, we will examine the mechanisms underlying the KD which suggests its potential as an adjuvant therapy for cancer treatment.
Changing Ratio of Breast Cancer Incidence Rates With Age of Black Females Compared With White Females in the United States

Age-standardized breast cancer rates were approximately 30% lower in U.S. black women compared to white women. This observation concealed the fact that black women under age 40 years had a higher incidence of breast cancer than did white women, whereas white women over 40 years had a higher incidence. The known risk factors for breast cancer development (early age at menarche, late age at first full-term delivery, and a late age of menopause) differed in black and white populations, which might explain this difference in breast cancer incidence between blacks and whites at different ages.
Fourier Transform Spectrometry in Relation to Other Passive Spectrometers

The relative merits of Fourier transform spectrometers and alternative passive spectrometers are explored qualitatively with emphasis on the quantity, quality, and cost of information flow. This includes a brief look at throughput, detector considerations and spectral coverage; resolution and accuracy in intensity and wavelength; and cost of construction and data reduction. Finally, the possibilities of multiple detectors and extensions of the technique to the vacuum ultraviolet by means of all-reflecting wavefront division interferometers are mentioned.
Monovalent cation activation in Escherichia coli inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase.

Abstract Inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) catalyzes the oxidation of inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP) to xanthosine 5′-monophosphate with the concomitant reduction of NAD to NADH. Escherichia coli IMPDH is activated by K + , Rb + , NH + 4 , and Cs + . K + activation is inhibited by Li + , Na + , Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ . This inhibition is competitive versus K + at high K + concentrations, noncompetitive versus IMP, and competitive versus NAD. Thus monovalent cation activation is linked to the NAD site. K + increases the rate constant for the pre-steady-state burst of NADH production, possibly by increasing the affinity of NAD. Three mutant IMPDHs have been identified which increase the value of K m for K + : Asp13Ala, Asp50Ala, and Glu469Ala. In contrast to wild type, both Asp13Ala and Glu469Ala are activated by all cations tested. Thus these mutations eliminate cation selectivity. Both Asp13 and Glu469 appear to interact with the K + binding site identified in Chinese hamster IMPDH. Like wild-type IMPDH, K + activation of Asp50Ala is inhibited by Li + , Na + , Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ . However, this inhibition is noncompetitive with respect to K + and competitive with respect to both IMP and NAD. Asp50 interacts with residues that form a rigid wall in the IMP site; disruption of this wall would be expected to decrease IMP binding, and the defect could propagate to the proposed K + site. Alternatively, this mutation could uncover a second monovalent cation binding site.
Single-Phase Liquid Friction Factors in Microchannels

The validity of friction factor theory based upon conventional sized passages for microchannel flows is still an active area of research. Several researchers have reported significant deviation from predicted values, while others have reported general agreement. The discrepancies in literature need to be addressed in order to generate a set of design equations to predict the pressure drop occurring in microchannel flow devices. The available literature on single-phase liquid friction factors in microchannels is reviewed. A database is generated to critically evaluate the experimental data available in the literature. An in-depth comparison of previous experimental data is performed to identify the discrepancies in reported literature. It is concluded that the conventional Stokes and Poiseuille flow theories apply for single-phase liquid flow in microchannel flows. New experimental data is presented and the pressure drop components are carefully analyzed. The developed procedure properly identifies the components of total pressure drop that allow for improved agreement with conventional theory.
Characterization of Charge-Coupled Analog Memories for Nuclear Data Acquisition

Analog memory charge-coupled devices (CCDs) have potential use in instrumentation for nuclear data acquisition, particularly for large detectors for high-energy physics experiments. Some measurements aimed at characterizing the Fairchild 321 for this application have been made. This includes measurements on linearity, noise, dark current and transfer inefficiency. The results are given together with the measurement techniques used.
Twinning of YBa2Cu3O7 thin films on different substrates

The twinning of YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) thin films with c-axis orientation on (001) MgO, (001) SrTiO3, (012) LaAlO3, (110) NdGaO3 and (001) NdGaO3 substrates, prepared by laser ablation, has been examined using a combination of ϕ and θ/2θ scans at a four-circle diffractometer. On all substrates, except for (001) NdGaO3, the tetragonal to orthorhombal phase transition results in four different orientations of YBCO twins relating to the substrate. On (001) NdGaO3 only two different twin orientations, accompanied by a slight lattice monoclinization, has been observed.
Evoked Potential Amplitude Change Related to Intelligence and Arousal

Using a sample of 94 adult subjects, relationships between measures of intelligence and the rate of decrease in amplitude of the average evoked potential (AEP) were examined in some detail. It was found that the rate of AEP amplitude decrease from a condition of high extrinsic inducement to activation to a condition of low extrinsic inducement to activation was significantly correlated with fluid intelligence (r= .24) and its subprocesses, but not with crystallized intelligence. This finding was interpreted as indicating that the AEP shift measure and the fluid intelligence measures indicate a kind of adaptive flexibility (or plasticity) of intellectual functioning. The results suggested that this is not a flexibility capacity that decreases significantly with aging in adulthood.
ACToR — Aggregated Computational Toxicology Resource

ACToR (Aggregated Computational Toxicology Resource) is a database and set of software applications that bring into one central location many types and sources of data on environmental chemicals. Currently, the ACToR chemical database contains information on chemical structure, in vitro bioassays and in vivo toxicology assays derived from more than 150 sources including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), state agencies, corresponding government agencies in Canada, Europe and Japan, universities, the World Health Organization (WHO) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). At the EPA National Center for Computational Toxicology, ACToR helps manage large data sets being used in a high-throughput environmental chemical screening and prioritization program called ToxCast.
Does the Communication of Causal Linkages Improve Employee Effort Allocations and Firm Performance? An Experimental Investigation

ABSTRACT: We use a multi-period production task to experimentally examine whether communication about causal linkages between actions today and performance tomorrow improves employee effort allocations and firm performance. We base our predictions on melioration theory, which anticipates that employees will allocate effort as though causal linkages were not there. We find that, absent communication about causal linkages, one-third of participants allocate effort without regard to causal linkages. Communicating qualitative information about linkages significantly improves effort allocations and performance. Communicating quantitative information about the linkage is no more beneficial than communicating qualitative information. Our results have implications for firms examining the benefits and costs of developing, validating, and quantifying causal linkages between performance measures, and they provide important evidence about how melioration theory can be extended to a rich context. Data Availability: D...
The effect of ion implanting on hydrogen entry into metals

The effectiveness of platinum ion implanting in mitigating hydrogen entry into 4340 steel is measured and quantified. Data are presented to compare the extent of hydrogen absorption by the substrate during electrolytic hydrogen charging of platinum ion-implanted and unimplanted 4340 steel substrates. Several implanting conditions were used in processing the samples, and the surface-limited masstransfer coefficient was calculated for each case and used to quantify the effectiveness of each treatment in reducing hydrogen absorption. It is shown that the underlying mechanism for reducing hydrogen absorption by platinum ion-implanted substrates is the catalytic effect of platinum that favors hydrogen evolution at the steel’s surface over hydrogen absorption by the metal. Although scattering experiments with low energy helium ions suggest that the platinum content in the first monolayer of platinum-implanted steels is small, the ability of Pt to catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction is still strong enough to significantly reduce the quantity of hydrogen that enters the metal.
DX centres in CdZnTe:Cl and their applications

DX centres, far from being undesirable defects, can be very useful: the persistent photoconductivity (PPC) associated with them makes it possible to optically write erasable metallic patterns in an insulating background; potential applications include optical switching and holography. In order to develop room-temperature devices, we study II-VI semiconductors in search of DX centres which can support PPC to 300 K. Measurements of the PC and Hall effect in Cl-doped Cd 1-x Zn x Te show that Cl donors form two distinct DX states. Only one is apparent for x= 0.20, but for x=0.28 the transport measurements evince an additional DX-like state into which the photocarriers are metastably captured. In the latter, the PPC persists to 190 K.
Patient-reported outcomes in ANCA-associated vasculitis. A comparison between Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score and routine assessment of patient index data 3

The objective of this study was to determine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) as measured by the “routine assessment of patient index data 3” (RAPID3) and whether RAPID3 is correlated with disease activity as determined by the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS). Data from patients at an academic institution vasculitis clinic seen between Jan 2010 and Jan 2012 were collected using chart review. BVAS and RAPID3 scores were calculated at each patient visit. RAPID3 was compared between patients in remission (BVAS = 0) and patients with active disease (BVAS > =1) at all visits for four consecutive visits, when data available, at least 3 months apart during the period mentioned. Robust generalized estimating equations (GEE) in linear regression models evaluated associations between the RAPID3 and BVAS over all available observations, adjusting for intra-subject correlations. Thirty-four patients were included in the study, 26 had granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), five microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and three eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Patients at first visit had impaired HRQoL as measured by RAPID3 [6.8 (3.1–12.6)]. The median RAPID3 scores were higher in patients with active disease as compared to patients in remission (7.0 vs. 3.0, p = 0.115; 8.8 vs. 1.0, p = 0.011; 6.1 vs. 2.0, p = 0.032; and 11.7 vs. 2.0, p = 0.128 for visits 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). In longitudinal GEE models incorporating all observations there was a strong association between the RAPID3 (per 1 unit) and BVAS (per 1 unit) [β 0.21 (0.10, 0.32) p < 0.001]. RAPID3 can be used to measure HRQoL in patients with AAV. RAPID3 correlated significantly with BVAS. RAPID3 can discriminate between disease states in AAV. This instrument may help document patient experience and add to clinical decisions.
Nitrogen diffusion in bcc iron

The availability of different measuring techniques has enabled the diffusivity D of C and N in bcc Fe to be determined over [approximately] 15 orders of magnitude. It has generally been concluded that in both cases the diffusivity data could not be adequately represented by a single Arrhenius equation. Numerous models have been set forth in order to explain the apparent curvature observed in the Arrhenius plot of the values of 1n D vs. 1/T. The most cogent model, originally proposed by Wuttig, ascribes the curvature to the ferromagnetic transformation in Fe. The effect of this transformation on self-diffusion in Fe is well known and is clearly observed in the diffusivity of substitutional elements if Fe which diffuse by a vacancy exchange mechanism. Recent internal friction measurements on C and N diffusion by Weller in an intermediate temperature range, have however been interpreted to mean that in fact all the diffusion data may be described by a single linear Arrhenius plot. The C-diffusivity data have been re-examined and it seems clear that the high temperature data generated by mass flow techniques, above the Curie temperature, are in excellent mutual accord and are about five times greater than the extrapolated resultsmore » of Weller. The purpose of the present communication is to re-examine the data for N-diffusion in bcc iron in the light of Weller's contentions.« less
Changes in juice quality and sugarcane yield with recurrent selection for sucrose.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) breeding programs in Louisiana have made improving sucrose con- tent a top priority because a short growing season limits cane yield. Using a recurrent selection strategy, the cultivars with the highest sucrose content are crossed, and a new generation of cultivars is selected from the progeny. This study was designed to determine how selection primarily for sucrose content has modified physiological characters, and impacted sucrose content and yield. Five cultivars were randomly selected from each of seven generations of recurrent selection in Louisiana and planted in two experi- ments. The plant and first stubble crops were harvested late in the harvest season from each experiment. Cane yield and juice quality were determined. Cultivars from the last three generations were superior to cultivars from the first three generations for Brix % cane, sucrose % cane, purity, theoretically recoverable sugar (TRS), cane yield and sugar yield. Fiber % cane was not different among the generations. Selection primarily for sucrose has increased Brix % cane from 14% to 16%, sucrose % cane from 12% to 14%, purity from 82.5% to 87.3%, and TRS from 98 to 122 kg Mg−1. A plateau in juice quality and sucrose yield in the last three generations may indicate that: (1) Louisiana's short growing season may restrict sucrose accumulation; (2) the genetic potential for late season juice quality has been reached with currently available germplasm; or (3) the inclusion of lower juice quality Saccharum spontaneum germplasm into the breeding program in order to increase disease tolerance, cold tolerance, and ratooning ability has diluted the effect of recurrent selection for sucrose. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Lessons learned from a lipid lowering trial in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Herein, we describe recruitment efforts for a trial of lipid-lowering medications in adolescents with type 1 diabetes, age 12–21 years. Based on our experience, future studies will require multiple centers to enroll a sufficient number of participants for adequate data to direct dyslipidemia medication treatment guidelines for adolescents with type 1 diabetes.
Differentiation of the myoepithelial cells of the rat submandibular gland in vivo and in vitro: an ultrastructural study.

Cytodifferentiation of the myoepithelial cells (MEC) of the rat submandibular gland (SMG) was observed by studying the prenatal and postnatal development of the gland in vivo and in vitro by light and electron microscopy. The anlage of the SMG first appeared on the fourteenth day of gestation and, from its earliest inception, was surrounded by an intact basal lamina. Presumptive myoepithelial cells were first seen at 18 days of gestation coinciding with the onset of secretion in the rudiment. These cells were flattened, peripherally located and subjacent to the epithelial basal lamina. Initial deposition of cytofilaments in the MEC's was observed during the first three days following birth and fully matured cells were seen as early as one week after birth. Presumptive and immature MEC's were observed undergoing mitosis, but once cytofilament deposition had begun in the cells they did not divide. Myoepithelium developed in relation to embryonic secretory structures and were only observed surounding acini and intercalated ducts in the adult gland. New myoepithelial cells were formed as long as new acinar-intercalated duct units were formed. Myoepithelial cells did not produce secretory type granules at any time during their development or in their mature state. Development of the MEC's in vitro paralleled that in vivo and supported the above observations.
Hierarchical Model of Vulnerabilities for Emotional Disorders

Clark and Watson's (1991) tripartite model of anxiety and depression has had a dramatic impact on our understanding of the dispositional variables underlying emotional disorders. More recently, calls have been made to examine not simply the influence of negative affectivity (NA) but also mediating factors that might better explain how NA influences anxious and depressive syndromes (e.g. Taylor, 1998; Watson, 2005). Extending preliminary projects, this study evaluated two hierarchical models of NA, mediating factors of anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty, and specific emotional manifestations. Data provided a very good fit to a model elaborated from preliminary studies, lending further support to hierarchical models of emotional vulnerabilities. Implications for classification and diagnosis are discussed.
The antiepileptic primidone impairs male rat sexual behavior

Many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) produce sexual impairments. Of commonly prescribed AEDs, primidone produces the greatest impairments. Here we examined the effects of primidone on male rat sexual behavior. Sexually-experienced male rats received administration of either vehicle or primidone. After baseline measures were obtained, the effects of daily primidone treatment on home cage sexual performance were assessed three times over the course of 14 days. Motor activity and sucrose preference were also assessed during this time period. Results indicate that primidone impaired copulation but not sexual motivation. Specifically, animals receiving primidone displayed fewer ejaculations, required more time to achieve an intromission, and displayed fewer intromissions per attempted mount as evidenced by a lower intromission ratio. However, animals treated with primidone also chose a goal box containing a sexually-receptive female in an x-maze as often as animals receiving vehicle. The lower intromission ratio suggests an inability to achieve intromissions perhaps as a result of impaired erectile function. Primidone did not affect motor activity or sucrose consumption, an additional measure of natural reward. Together, these data indicate that primidone impairs male sexual activity and suggest that these impairments result primarily from changes in erectile function and not changes to mechanisms mediating motivation.
Empathy, Neural Imaging and the Theory versus Simulation Debate

This paper considers the debate over how we attribute beliefs, desires, and other mental states to our fellows. Do we employ a theory of mind? Or do we use simulational brain mechanisms, but employ no theory? One point of dispute between these theories focuses upon our ability to have empathic knowledge of the mind of another. I consider whether an argument posed by Ravenscroft settles the debate in favor of Simulation Theory. I suggest that the consideration of empathy does not settle the dispute. Then I look at recent results from false memory research and other research employing neural imaging. I suggest that new discoveries there may help shape the future of the empirical dimension of the debate.
Likelihood Ratio Sensitivity Analysis for Markovian Models of Highly Dependable Systems

This paper discusses the application of the likelihood ratio gradient estimator to simulations of large Markovian models of highly dependable systems. Extensive empirical work, as well as some mathematical analysis of small dependability models, suggests that in this model setting the gradient estimators are not significantly more noisy than the estimates of the performance measures themselves. The paper also discusses implementation issues associated with likelihood ratio gradient estimation, as well as some theoretical complements associated with application of the technique to continuous-time Markov chains.
Polycrystalline diamond technology for RFMEMS resonators

A polycrystalline diamond (poly-C) resonator technology, with minimum feature sizes in the range of 1-2 µm and an excellent quality of released structures, is demonstrated for the first time. The poly-C films are grown using a nucleation density of 1 × 1011 cm-2. The resonator structures reported in this paper have not been tested yet.
Metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis is not associated with large-scale nuclear DNA content variation

Amphibian metamorphosis is a complex process that has been speculated to involve DNA amplification and chromatin rearrangement. While recent studies have concentrated on chromatin rearrangement, only a few studies have dealt with variation in the amount of DNA during amphibian metamorphosis. In this study, nuclei were isolated from Xenopus laevis at various developmental stages. The nuclei were examined in both an unfixed state and a fixed state. The nuclei were stained with propidium iodide and analyzed by flow cytometry to determine their fluorescence intensity. The unfixed nuclei had higher fluorescence variation compared with the fixed nuclei. This increase in variation appeared due to the presence of nuclei of variable fluorescence intensity within the unfixed nuclei. Upon optimum fixation, which has been speculated to result in more homogeneous chromatin conformation and to reduce staining artifacts, the nuclei were observed to have less fluorescence intensity variation. The differential fluorescence observed in this study is consistent with the hypothesis that large-scale intra-individual DNA variation is not associated with amphibian metamorphosis.
Pedometer steps/min in physical education: Does the pedometer matter?

Abstract Objectives The investigation sought to replicate previous Yamax physical education steps/min findings by quantifying physical activity via pedometry albeit with the Walk4Life (W4L) pedometer. Specifically, the objective was to determine steps/min cut point intervals for the 33% and 50% physical activity (i.e., percent of lesson time engaged in physical activity [%PA]) physical education guidelines via the W4L pedometer. Design Field-based criterion-referenced validation. Methods Data were collected from 75 lessons on 411 fifth- through twelfth-grade ( M age = 13.83 ± 2.17 y) participants who had concurrently measured pedometer and behavioural observation data. The W4L and Yamax pedometer outcome measure was steps/min, and observation measure was %PA. Pearson r correlation and diagnostic (i.e., sensitivity, specificity, and receiver-operating characteristic [ROC] curve ) tests were conducted. Results (a) Steps/min and %PA demonstrated a strong relationship (W4L, r = 0.96, p = 0.0001; Yamax, r = 0.96, p = 0.0001), (b) W4L pedometer steps/min accurately discriminated ( ROC area under curve ≥ 98%) between achievement or non-achievement of %PA guidelines, (c) the W4L steps/min cut point intervals for the 33%PA guideline (55.0–59.5) were significantly lower than those found for the Yamax pedometer (60.8–65.0), and (d) a borderline overlap was found between W4L (75.7–79.5) and Yamax (79.1–85.8) steps/min cut point intervals for the 50%PA guideline. Conclusions W4L steps/min demonstrated a strong relationship with %PA, and outstanding accuracy for physical education physical activity guideline discrimination; however, steps/min values indicative of physical education physical activity guideline achievement is pedometer brand dependent, and should be considered for steps/min implementation and surveillance.