cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transient Triplet Differential (TTD) Method for Background Free Photoacoustic Imaging.

With the capability of presenting endogenous tissue contrast or exogenous contrast agents in deep biological samples at high spatial resolution, photoacoustic (PA) imaging has shown significant potential for many preclinical and clinical applications. However, due to strong background signals from various intrinsic chromophores in biological tissue, such as hemoglobin, achieving highly sensitive PA imaging of targeting probes labeled by contrast agents has remained a challenge. In this study, we introduce a novel technique called transient triplet differential (TTD) imaging which allows for substantial reduction of tissue background signals. TTD imaging detects directly the triplet state absorption, which is a special characteristic of phosphorescence capable dyes not normally present among intrinsic chromophores of biological tissue. Thus, these triplet state absorption PA images can facilitate “true” background free molecular imaging. We prepared a known phosphorescent dye probe, methylene blue conjugated polyacrylamide nanoparticles, with peak absorption at 660 nm and peak lowest triplet state absorption at 840 nm. We find, through studies on phantoms and on an in vivo tumor model, that TTD imaging can generate a superior contrast-to-noise ratio, compared to other image enhancement techniques, through the removal of noise generated by strongly absorbing intrinsic chromophores, regardless of their identity.
Examining the Relationship between Collective Teacher Efficacy and the Emotional Intelligence of Elementary School Principals

Education research has established a significant relationship between collective teacher efficacy and student achievement. This study considered the relationship between emotional intelligence of e...
PKMζ, LTP Maintenance, and Long-Term Memory Storage

Although the signaling pathways regulating learning and the initial consolidation of memory have been extensively studied, the molecular mechanism maintaining memory storage has been unknown. Work on the maintenance of long-term potentiation (LTP), however, has identified a simple molecular mechanism involving gene expression of a constitutively active form of protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase Mzeta (PKMζ), which sustains synaptic potentiation over time. Recent studies have shown that PKMζ also maintains the storage of memory for days to weeks. This chapter reviews the current state of knowledge on PKMζ, focusing on its discovery and the elucidation of its unique structure as an autonomously active form of PKC, its function in LTP maintenance, and its role in normal memory storage and disorders of memory.
Mass-spectrometric analysis of ADP-ribosylation factors from bovine brain: identification and evidence for homogeneous acylation with the C14:0 fatty acid (myristate).

Abstract The two proteins from bovine brain previously shown to be required for the guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate-dependent inhibition of a well-characterized intra-Golgi transport assay, termed GGBF and GGBF, have been definitively identified as members of the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) family by electrospray MS analysis of the intact proteins, and of their tryptic fragments. Extensive protein-sequence information obtained from this analysis identified GGBF and GGBF as bovine ARF1 and ARF3 respectively. The sequence of bovine ARF3, which had not previously been determined, appears identical to that predicted from the rat and human ARF3 cDNAs. Further analysis of the N-terminal tryptic fragments of both bovine ARFs demonstrates N-terminal acylation solely with the C14:0 fatty acid (myristate). This finding establishes that the previously reported specific-activity difference between ARF1 and ARF3 in the intra-Golgi transport assay is not due to lipid heterogeneity at the N-terminus. This finding also indicates that the heterogeneity of N-terminal fatty-acyl groups previously observed on other myristoylated proteins is not universal.
Within-Subject Effects of Stress on Weight-Related Parenting Practices in Mothers: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study.

BACKGROUND Stress may compromise parenting practices related to children's dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. PURPOSE The current study used Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to examine microtemporal sequences underlying maternal stress and subsequent weight-related parenting practices. METHODS Mothers (n = 199) of children aged 8-12 years participated in two separate 7-day waves of EMA with up to eight randomly prompted surveys per day during children's nonschool time. EMA items assessed stress and weight-related parenting practices. RESULTS When mothers reported experiencing greater stress than usual, they subsequently engaged in less physical activity parenting (e.g., encouraging physical activity; p < .05) and more sedentary screen behavior parenting (e.g., limiting TV/video games; p < .05) over the next 2 hr. CONCLUSIONS Addressing within-day variations in maternal stress may be an important component of parent-focused child obesity prevention interventions.
Comparison of Parenteral Nutrition Usage in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Patients with and without Gastrostomy Tubes

Purpose To determine whether placement of gastrostomy tubes (GT) in pediatric bone marrow transplant patients prior to transplant and provision of enteral nutrition (EN) can decrease the duration/necessity of parental nutrition (PN) usage during time of treatment related mucositis and nausea/vomiting. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric bone marrow transplant patients admitted to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Children's Hospital from July 2014 through July 2018. We collected data on type of transplant, chemotherapy regimen, presence of GT, PN initiation and duration, diagnosis of veno-occlusive disease (VOD), and hospital length of stay (LOS). Results We analyzed 63 transplant occurrences in 53 patients including 23 allogeneic, 35 autologous and 5 haplo-identical stem cell transplants. In 28 of 63 (44%) transplant occurrences, the patients had a GT placed prior to admission. PN was administered in 22 of 28 (79%) in the GT group and 28 of 35 (80%) in the no GT group. The average duration of PN was 10 days in the GT group (range 4 to 20 days) and 17 days in the no GT group (range 1 to 65 days). The incidence of VOD was 14% in both GT and no GT groups. The average length of stay was 36 days (range 23 to 59) in the GT group and 44 days (range 23 to 83) in the no GT group. Conclusion Placement of gastrostomy tubes and provision of EN in pediatric bone marrow transplant patients did not eliminate the need for PN but decreased the number of days patients require PN during the transplant process. Our data did not show a decrease in the incidence of VOD in patients with GT. Though many factors play a role, we demonstrated an association between GT placement and decreased length of stay.
Large Eddy Simulation of soot evolution in turbulent reacting flows: Presumed subfilter PDF model for soot–turbulence–chemistry interactions

Abstract In turbulent reacting flows, soot evolution is strongly influenced by small-scale soot–turbulence–chemistry interactions. Specifically, soot is formed during combustion of fuel-rich mixtures and, in non-smoking flames, is rapidly oxidized at slightly fuel-rich mixtures before being transported by turbulence into fuel-lean mixtures. Furthermore, different soot evolution mechanisms are dominant over distinct regions of mixture fraction. For these reasons, a new subfilter PDF is proposed to account for this distribution of soot in mixture fraction space. In this model, the sooting mode of a soot subfilter PDF is locally activated only at fuel-rich mixture fractions where surface growth is locally faster than oxidation. This model is first validated a priori against a recent DNS database of a turbulent nonpremixed jet flame. Compared to a subfilter PDF model without any mixture fraction dependence, a significant decrease in the oxidation source term is observed, while the surface growth source term remains hardly affected. This new model is implemented within a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) framework, applied to two laboratory-scale turbulent nonpremixed sooting jet flames, and validated via comparisons with experimental measurements of time-averaged centerline temperature and soot volume fraction. Both the new model and the previous model predict the temperature fairly well. However, compared to the previous model, the soot volume fraction predicted by the new model is significantly increased and in much better agreement with the experimental measurements. In addition, the sensitivity to the subfilter PDF is significantly greater than the sensitivity to grid resolution and is greater or at least comparable to the sensitivity to chemical mechanism.
Non-operating room anaesthesia in children

Administration of sedation and/or anaesthesia to patients undergoing painful or uncomfortable procedures at off-site locations is referred to as non-operating room anaesthesia (NORA). Sedating/anaesthetising children in an unfamiliar environment, with the lack of support staff, nonavailability of choice of medication and equipment is often challenging. Studies have shown an increased risk of airway-related adverse events, complications, and even death outside the operating room locations. It is crucial to be familiar with the anatomical and physiological variations in children, well versed with the difficult airway algorithm and call for help early. The most common event in NORA claims was inadequate oxygenation/ventilation, which are preventable with vigilant monitoring. English language articles were searched in Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Academic using 'sedation in children', 'remote location anaesthesia', 'peadiatric sedation', and 'nonoperating room anaesthesia' as the mesh words. Full text of the relevant articles was obtained and this review article was synthesised. The article outlines various safety guidelines, sedation techniques, drugs used for sedation, environmental concerns, procedure-specific risks, and complications associated with NORA in children.
STATISTICS AND COMPUTERS IN RELATION TO LARGE DATA BASES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some of the factors that influence the economical, effective, and reliable use of statistical analyses and computers on problems involving large amounts of data. Although a statistical problem involving a small amount of data may have much in common with one that has a large amount of data, there are both qualitative and quantitative differences to be considered when using a computer. The chapter describes large data problems because of the consequences of poor methods and because the payoffs from finding better ones are large with large amounts of data. It discusses the possibility of developing a total systems approach, a macro model. The chapter also discusses what is needed to bring the man who has the problem and the data back in contact with his data when he is using a computer.
Aptitude-Achievement Discrepancy Scores: Accuracy in Analysis Misdirected

Measurement issues pervade professional practice and the research by Ross (in this issue) enables an examination of one of the most misinterpreted targets of measurement — discrepancy scores. While...
Impact of Clinical Factors on the Intestinal Microbiome in Infants With Gastroschisis

BACKGROUND Infants with gastroschisis require operations and lengthy hospitalizations due to intestinal dysmotility. Dysbiosis may contribute to these problems. Little is known on the microbiome of gastroschisis infants. METHODS The purpose of this study was to investigate the fecal microbiome in gastroschisis infants. Microbiome profiling was performed by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The microbiome of gastroschisis infants was compared with the microbiome of healthy controls, and the effects of mode of birth delivery, gestational age, antibiotic duration, and nutrition type on microbial composition and diversity were investigated. RESULTS The microbiome of gastroschisis infants (n = 13) was less diverse (Chao1, P < .001), lacked Bifidobacterium (P = .001), and had increased Staphylococcus (P = .007) compared with controls (n = 83). Mode of delivery (R2 = 0.04, P = .001), antibiotics duration ≥7 days (R2 = 0.03, P = .003), age at sample collection (R2 = 0.03, P = .009), and gestational age (R2 = 0.02, P = .035) explained a small portion of microbiome variation. In gastroschisis infants, Escherichia-Shigella was the predominate genus, and those delivered via cesarean section had different microbial communities, predominantly Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, from those delivered vaginally. Although antibiotic duration contributed to the variation in microbiome composition, there were no significant differences in taxa distribution or α diversity by antibiotic duration or nutrition type. CONCLUSION The microbiome of gastroschisis infants is dysbiotic, and mode of birth delivery, antibiotic duration, and gestational age appear to contribute to microbial variation.
Assessment of transcriptomic constraint-based methods for central carbon flux inference.

Motivation Determining intracellular metabolic flux through isotope labeling techniques such as 13C metabolic flux analysis (13C-MFA) incurs significant cost and effort. Previous studies have shown transcriptomic data coupled with constraint-based metabolic modeling can determine intracellular fluxes that correlate highly with 13C-MFA measured fluxes and can achieve higher accuracy than constraint-based metabolic modeling alone. These studies, however, used validation data limited to E. coli and S. cerevisiae grown on glucose, with significantly similar flux distribution for central metabolism. It is unclear whether those results apply to more diverse metabolisms, and therefore further, extensive validation is needed. Results In this paper, we formed a dataset of transcriptomic data coupled with corresponding 13C-MFA flux data for 21 experimental conditions in different unicellular organisms grown on varying carbon substrates and conditions. Three computational flux-balance analysis (FBA) methods were comparatively assessed. The results show when uptake rates of carbon sources and key metabolites are known, transcriptomic data provides no significant advantage over constraint-based metabolic modeling (average correlation coefficients, transcriptomic E-Flux2 0.725 and SPOT 0.650 vs non-transcriptomic pFBA 0.768). When uptake rates are unknown, however, predictions obtained utilizing transcriptomic data are generally good and significantly better than those obtained using constraint-based metabolic modeling alone (E-Flux2 0.385 and SPOT 0.583 vs pFBA 0.237). Thus, transcriptomic data coupled with constraint-based metabolic modeling is a promising method to obtain intracellular flux estimates in microorganisms, particularly in cases where uptake rates of key metabolites cannot be easily determined, such as for growth in complex media or in vivo conditions.
Post-conflict Mine Clearing

In this paper we have focused mainly on the problem presented by larger anti-tank mines. Anti-personnel mines and unexpected munitions in Kuwait also are a problem, but development of satisfactory means of dealing with the larger mines represents a big step towards the neutralizing the smaller ones.
Exploiting noise to engineer adaptability in synthetic multicellular systems

Abstract Multicellular systems feature a stunning array of complex emergent behaviors that are compelling engineering targets. These behaviors often arise from cells taking on different roles as dictated by their phenotypes. To generate phenotypic heterogeneity, the metazoan systems usually of interest to biomedical engineers primarily exploit stable differentiation. In contrast, multicellular microbial systems often employ reversible differentiation to allow for plasticity in coping with changing environmental conditions. These microbial systems often exploit molecular stochasticity, or noise, to drive differentiation into new cell phenotypes for emergent multicellular properties such as antibiotic resistance or collective motility. We review the role noise plays in natural and synthetic expression systems and advocate for continued investment in new synthetic biology tools to precisely control noise to engineer multicellular systems. Exploiting these tools will allow us to create robust and scalable synthetic multicellular systems that both recreate natural functions and create new behaviors and features.
The impact and resolution of the GPS week number rollover of April 2019 on autonomous geophysical instrument platforms

Abstract. Instrument platforms the world over often rely on GPS or similar satellite constellations for accurate timekeeping and synchronization. This reliance can create problems when the timekeeping counter aboard a satellite overflows and begins a new epoch. Due to the rarity of these events (19.6 years for GPS), software designers may be unaware of such circumstance or may choose to ignore it for development complexity considerations. Although it is impossible to predict every fault that may occur in a complicated system, there are a few “best practices” that can allow for graceful fault recovery and restorative action. These guiding principles are especially pertinent for instrument platforms operating in space or in remote locations like Antarctica, where restorative maintenance is both difficult and expensive. In this work, we describe how these principles apply to a communications failure on autonomous adaptive low-power instrument platforms (AAL-PIP) deployed in Antarctica. In particular, we describe how code execution patterns were subtly altered after the GPS week number rollover of April 2019, how this led to Iridium satellite communications and data collection failures, and how communications and data collection were ultimately restored. Finally, we offer some core tenets of instrument platform design as guidance for future development.
Eco-guilt in Tourism: Do Tourists Intend to Behave Environmentally Friendly and Still Revisit?

Abstract Although the role of (eco)guilt is relatively well-established in the literature on environmentally-friendly behaviors, little empirical research has been dedicated to this topic in tourism. Nevertheless, this topic has been gaining special interest in a spate of recent publications on tourists' (eco)guilt worldwide. A natural question arises: What is the influence of (eco)guilt in the context of environmentally-friendly tourism behavior (EFTB) and how does it effect tourists' revisiting intention? To answer this question, data were collected via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) through a convenience sampling method. The hypothesized relationships were analyzed with structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of this study provide empirical evidence that (eco)guilt's effect on EFTB is significant and positive. Altogether, environmental concerns, environmental knowledge, and (eco)guilt explain more than three-quarters of EFTB variance. Regarding the persistent assumption of (eco)guilt's negative impact on revisiting intention, the results show that this direct relationship is insignificant. Instead, the indirect effect of (eco)guilt reveals itself to be positive and significant through EFTB. Implications of this study in tourism literature are outlined, along with its insights for tourism managers and marketers.
Computational design and optimization of a neutron imaging beamline using Monte Carlo and deterministic SN radiation transport for the Utah TRIGA reactor

Abstract This paper describes efforts to establish a neutron imaging radiography capability in an available beam port at the University of Utah 90-kW TRIGA Reactor (UUTR) from computational analysis of the proposed beamline. We employ methods in 3-D Monte Carlo and SN deterministic radiation transport methods to characterize the neutron beamline before its construction. Incident beam currents established using results from 3-D SN and Monte Carlo full core models were employed as a starting point for the source term in a full-scale MCNP6 computational model of the neutron beam port system to predict the spatial and energy-dependent neutron flux expected to exit the beam pipe onto the imaging operations floor. Our analysis reveals a full-power total neutron flux of 2.5 × 107 ± 1.4 × 105n/cm2/s, where 92% of this flux streams through the surface normal within angle tally bin of 0 ° θ 2 ° . This neutron flux is above the threshold of industrially relevant neutron flux magnitudes necessary to probe non-destructive imaging in high-Z materials and opens up possibilities for tomographic imaging. Further analysis regarding the functionality and optimal design of the beam port utilizes both Monte Carlo and deterministic 3-D radiation transport methods to characterize principal neutron beam line attributes such as the L/D ratio, theoretical cadmium ratios, neutron-to-photon ratio, effective beam diameter estimates, and predicted neutron flux to irradiated foil samples. These supplemental models are developed in efforts to solidify consistency between Monte Carlo and deterministic methods, as subsequent development of a radiation beamstop will employ a hybrid fashion of the two for variance reduction purposes. In addition, primary and secondary radiation dose rates are evaluated to assess parameters for safe installation, guide future irradiation tests, and design of a beam stop for optimal shielding.
The β-cell glucose toxicity hypothesis: attractive but difficult to prove

β cells in the hyperglycemic environment of diabetes have marked changes in phenotype and function that are largely reversible if glucose levels can be returned to normal. A leading hypothesis is that these changes are caused by the elevated glucose levels leading to the concept of glucose toxicity. Support for the glucose toxicity hypothesis is largely circumstantial, but little progress has been made in defining the responsible mechanisms. Then questions emerge that are difficult to answer. In the very earliest stages of diabetes development, there is a dramatic loss of glucose-induced first-phase insulin release (FPIR) with only trivial elevations of blood glucose levels. A related question is how impaired insulin action on target tissues such as liver, muscle and fat can cause increased insulin secretion. The existence of a sophisticated feedback mechanism between insulin secretion and insulin action on peripheral tissues driven by glucose has been postulated, but it has been difficult to measure increases in blood glucose levels that might have been expected. These complexities force us to challenge the simplicity of the glucose toxicity hypothesis and feedback mechanisms. It may turn out that glucose is somehow driving all of these changes, but we must develop new questions and experimental approaches to test the hypothesis.
WE-E-BRB-00: Knowledge-Based Treatment Planning Automation

The knowledge-based treatment planning automation has evolved from academic research from the clinical application with the involvement of the major industry TPS vendors. Previous work proved the concept that IMRT or VMAT plans can be designed without or with minimal human intervention. Recently, the major industry vendors start releasing the automatic planning product such as Philips automatic treatment planning, Varian’s Rapidplan, and RaySearch’s autoplan. Many centers start to evaluate and use the automatic planning products from TPS vendors. It is more and more becoming evident that automatic planning will be routinely used in the clinic. The first presentation will focus on the knowledge modeling for clinical treatment planning. The presenter will introduce the algorithm and theory for developing the dose volume histogram (DVH) model, summarize the results on the validation of the DVH model, and discuss the application of DVH for the automatic treatment planning. The second presenter will focus on the clinical use of the automatic treatment planning. The presenter will give an overview of the several automatic treatment planning tools including the tools developed commercially and in-house, present the early experience of using those tools, and discuss the application of the tools in the routine clinical use and in the quality control of the treatment planning. Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the algorithm and theory behind the knowledge based treatment planning automation. 2. Clinical experience of using automatic planning in clinical trial and patient treatment 3. Early clinical experience of using commercial automatic planning approach 4. The application of automatic planning approach to perform quality assurance of treatment plan. XD obtain the research funding from Varian Medical System, Philips Medical System and Funding support form Sister Institution Network Fund of MD Anderson, XD is also a founder of Global Oncology One
Trends in bariatric surgery, 2002–2012: do changes parallel the obesity trend?

Abstract Background It is well documented that bariatric surgery is an effective weight loss intervention, and bariatric procedure rates have increased over time. However, there was a period of plateau in procedure rates in the mid to late 2000s. Recent literature has not identified current trends in procedure rates or associations between bariatric surgery and population factors, such as obesity and diabetes. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine trends in statewide rates of bariatric operations, obesity, and diabetes over an 11-year period and to determine if population factors are associated with procedure rates. Setting Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) State Inpatient Database (SID) were utilized to identify a study sample population of patients who underwent bariatric procedures from 2002–2012. Methods State level population characteristics were obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and Census Bureau Data for the 11-year period. Statistical analyses determined rates of surgery, obesity, and diabetes over time, as well as associations between surgery rates and population factors. Results From 2002–2012, bariatric procedure rates increased, with an exponential rise in laparoscopic surgical methods. Procedure rates reached a peak value in 2009 and then plateaued. Statewide obesity and diabetes rates increased over time, although there was no association between these population factors and procedure rates. Women had consistently higher rates of bariatric operations. Conclusion Although bariatric procedures are an evidenced-based effective treatment for obesity, procedure rates were not associated with the increasing obesity and diabetes rates in the United States. Further research is needed to identify factors that affect the adoption and diffusion of bariatric operations to increase diffusion of beneficial innovations and improve overall quality of care and health outcomes.
Ecology of Invertebrate Nutrition

All animals require a number of chemicals for the formation of body structures and for life processes. These nutrient chemicals are similar throughout the animal kingdom because of the basic chemical similarity of all animal life. Most invertebrates acquire the necessary nutrients from their food, but microorganisms sometimes provide nutrients that are lacking in the food and, especially in marine environments, direct uptake of nutrients from the water may be important. Keywords: chemoautotrophic bacteria; microorganism; nutrient balance; photosynthesis; symbiosis; wood-feeding; viviparous insect; yolk
Betwixt and Between: The Dilemma of Employee References

Concerns have arisen over employers' collection and sharing of information about employees, especially employment references. As a result of the dramatic growth in the number of lawsuits brought by employees, many employers have seriously curtailed the information they release concerning current and former employees. However, even the refusal to release information carries a legal risk. Employers who do not obtain information concerning applicants can be liable for negligent hiring, and those who knowingly withhold negative information regarding their former employees may be liable for negligent referral. This paper explores these expanding liabilities and suggests strategies to allow employers to manage the risk of communicating employee references.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Female Leaders in the Global Marketplace

The increasingly important role of women in business in the US and globally has been recognized by scholars and practitioners. The growth and sustainability of a firm competing in the global arena depends on the priority that corporations give to retaining, advancing, and empowering female talent (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2008). The purpose of this qualitative case study and literature review is to explore the macro and micro views about gaps in female leadership in the global arena. The following variables are analyzed: worldwide state of gender gaps, trends of women’s role in global leadership; representation of women in international senior management and barriers to women’s participation in global leadership. Upon the exploration of gender gaps, the study will include a proposed model of perceived risks of female global roles, from an American perspective. The findings of this study are intended to assist leaders in increasing the strategic fit of female executives in global environments, through initiatives to develop women’s leadership.
Successful peace implementation: plans and processes

AbstractAll peace agreements are flawed, to varying degrees, because mistrustful parties sign under pressure to end humanitarian suffering. They generally include what they can, leave out what cannot be settled, and gloss over differences in an effort to stop the killing. The peace implementation process, however, sometimes provides opportunities to strengthen weak agreements so that the peace process is strengthened from its initial, imperfect state. This article argues that peace implementation is more likely to lead to sustained peace if the process is flexible and prioritises the demilitarisation of politics. Implementation that follows a strict blueprint and prioritises making deadlines and milestones articulated in the agreement are likely to freeze in place the mal-distribution of power at the time the fighting stopped and consequently make sustainable peace more difficult.
Can We Assess What We Purport to Teach In Clinical Law Courses

"Assessment - evaluation: A judgment about something based on an understanding of the situation." "Assess: to judge . . . the . . . quality . . . of something." Many claims are made about the educational value of clinical education in law schools. Unfortunately, the first generation of clinical law teachers did not clearly articulate our educational goals nor did we fully explore how to assess the effectiveness of our instruction. Subsequent generations of clinical teachers adopted the practices of their predecessors and mentors. Consequently, many issues related to assessments of clinical students remain unexplored, and current practices tend to be neither valid nor reliable. While clinical teachers in the United Kingdom have made more progress than those in the United States, all clinical teachers need to work together to improve our understanding of assessments and to develop improved methods for finding out whether our students are learning what we purport to teach. This article explains the importance and nature of assessments, illustrates some of the issues presented by current practices, and proposes some new directions to consider. It concludes that much work remains to be done to clarify the goals of clinical legal education and to develop valid and reliable assessment tools.
Evaluation of US Rear Underride Guard Regulation for Large Trucks Using Real-World Crashes

Current requirements for rear underride guards on large trucks are set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 223 and 224. The standards have been in place since 1998, but their adequacy has not been evaluated apart from two series of controlled crash tests. The current study used detailed reviews of real-world crashes from the Large Truck Crash Causation Study to assess the ability of guards that comply with certain aspects of the regulation to mitigate passenger vehicle underride. It also evaluated the dangers posed by underride of large trucks that are exempt from guard requirements. For the 115 cases meeting the inclusion criteria, coded data, case narratives, photographs, and measurements were used to examine the interaction between study vehicles. The presence and type of underride guard was determined, and its performance in mitigating underride was categorized. Overall, almost one-half of the passenger vehicles had underride damage classified as severe or catastrophic. These vehicles accounted for 23 of the 28 in which occupants were killed. For the cases involving trailers with underride guards compliant with one or both FMVSS, guard deformation or complete failure was frequent and most commonly due to weak attachments, buckling of the trailer chassis, or bending of the lateral end of the guard under narrow overlap loading. Most of the truck units studied qualified for at least one of the FMVSS exemptions. The two largest groups were trailers with small wheel setbacks and single-unit straight trucks. Dump trucks represented a particularly hazardous category of straight truck. The current study suggests several weaknesses in the rear underride guard regulation. The standard allows too much ground clearance, the quasi-static test conditions allow guard designs that fail in narrow overlap crashes, and certifying guards independent of trailers leads to systems with inadequate attachment and chassis strength. Additionally, the regulation should be expanded to cover a higher percentage of the large truck fleet.
Iron Augments Macrophage-Mediated Killing of Brucella abortus Alone and in Conjunction with Interferon-γ

Brucella abortus are Gram negative facultative intracellular bacteria, which survive and replicate in host macrophages. We have recently demonstrated that activation of macrophages with interferon-gamma increases their anti-brucella activities but does not result in elimination of intracellular brucellae. Here we demonstrate that iron-loaded macrophages have an enhanced capacity to kill or prevent replication of intracellular brucellae. Iron added bound to transferrin or as a salt, iron-nitrilotriacetate, can mediate the effect. Macrophages supplemented with iron-loaded transferrin in addition to activation with interferon-gamma can frequently eliminate the intracellular organisms by 48 hr after infection. The effect is apparent following phagocytosis of either nonopsonized or antibody-opsonized brucellae, and with both attenuated and virulent strains of B. abortus. The killing can be blocked by the hydroxyl radical scavengers mannitol and thiourea. This is consistent with the Haber-Weiss reaction, in which iron catalyzes the generation of hydroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide.
Genetic instability in Drosophila melanogaster: The effect of male recombination (MR) chromosomes in females

We demonstrate that male recombination (MR) second chromosomes, known to act as mutators and recombination inducers in males, function in an equivalent manner in females. We suggest such chromosomes are more properly designated as mutation-recombination chromosomes.
How much of the storage in the ecosystem is due to cycling

Cycling is the process of reutilization of matter or energy in the ecosystem. As it is not directly measurable, the strength of cycling is calculated based on mathematical models of the ecosystem. For a storage-flow type ecosystem model, throughflow is the total amount of material flowing through all system compartments per unit of time, while storage represents the total standing stock in the system. Finn's cycling index (FCI) is widely used to measure the cycled throughflow, the proportion of throughflow generated by cycling. Thus, although originally named after its author J.T. Finn, FCI can also be called a "flow-based" cycling index. In addition to flow, storage plays an important role in generating network properties, and therefore should be taken into account in measuring cycling. In this paper, we investigate how much of the total standing stock of matter or energy in the ecosystem is due to cycling, and formulate a storage-based cycling index (SCI), by utilizing an individual-based method to simulate the system. SCI utilizes flow values used for FCI and takes into account residence time as well. Therefore, SCI is a preferable index for quantifying cycling in ecosystems.
Analysis of the southern pre-contact W UMa binary ZZ Eridani: A 34 year period study yields a possible low-mass companion

Complete Bessel BVRI light curves of ZZ Eridani [2MASS J04130109-1044545, HV 6280, NSVS 14888164 α(2000) = 04{sup h}13{sup m}1{sub ·}{sup s}10, δ(2000) = −10°44′54{sub ·}{sup ″}5 (ICRS), V = 13.9-14.4-15.0] are observed and analyzed. The system is a southern pre-contact W UMa binary. Its light curve has the appearance of an Algol (EA) light curve, however, it is made up of dwarf solar-type components with a period of only 0.4521 days. Our 34 year period study yields a sinusoidal fit or an increasing quadratic fit. The sinusoid may indicate that a third body is orbiting the close binary. The lower-limit mass of the third body is near that of the brown dwarf limit (0.095 M α). Also included is an improved ephemeris, a mass ratio search, and a simultaneous BVRI Wilson–Devinney solution.
Aspiration pneumonia: Strategies for early recognition and prevention

Aspiration is the result of dysfunction during the oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal stage of deglutition. Depending on the type of aspirate, the resultant lung injury may include chemical or bacterial inflammation or obstruction of the airways. Tools for evaluation include roentgenography, upper GI tract studies, bronchoscopy, and esophageal pH studies. Medical management is primarily supportive. Because aspiration pneumonia has a high morbidity rate, prevention involving early recognition and modification of predisposing factors whenever possible is critical for improving outcomes.
Iron transport in a Lake Tahoe tributary and its potential influence upon phytoplankton growth

Abstract Water from Ward Creek, a tributary of Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, was analyzed for iron content from October 1972 to April 1974. Two analytical techniques were used: a bathophenanthroline colorimetric method which produced total iron data, and X-ray fluorescence which permitted separate determinations of dissolved and particulate iron. Iron concentrations show marked seasonal variability. The total iron transport during a one-year period in 1972–1973 was approximately 6000 kg, or 0.2% of the total iron content of Lake Tahoe. Most iron in stream water of the Lake Tahoe basin results from erosion, producing a high predominance of particulate forms. Because of the possibility of various breakdown mechanisms, this iron is potentially stimulatory to algal growth in the lake.
Augmenting In Vivo Exposure With Fear Antagonistic Actions: A Preliminary Test

The current study investigated the efficacy of an exposure augmentation strategy in which the phobic individual is encouraged to enact actions that are in direct opposition to the fear action tendencies associated with acrophobia. Participants (N=88) meeting DSM-IV criteria for specific phobia (acrophobia) were randomized to (a) exposure with oppositional actions (E+OA), (b) exposure only (EO), (c) a credible placebo consisting of pulsed audio-photic stimulation (APS), or (d) a waitlist control (WLC). Treatment consisted of six, 6-min exposure trials. Participants were assessed with questionnaire, behavioral, and physiologic measures at pre- and posttreatment, and at a 1-month follow-up session. Participants receiving E+OA showed significantly greater improvement on behavioral and questionnaire measures than those in the other 3 conditions at both posttreatment and follow-up. Further, whereas treatment improvement generalized to an untrained context for those receiving E+OA, such was not the case for EO- and APS-treated participants. Findings suggest augmenting exposure with oppositional actions may enhance treatment outcome and thus warrant additional investigation with clinical samples.
Acute anabolic response to β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB)-free acid supplementation following heavy resistance exercise

Background b-hydroxy-b-methylbutyrate (HMB), a metabolite of the amino acid leucine, has been shown to promote strength and lean muscle mass when supplemented in conjunction with resistance training. Recently, a new free-acid form of HMB has been shown to reach higher plasma concentrations in a shorter amount of time compared to the calcium-salt form. This higher bioavailability may rationalize acute supplementation with HMB-FA as a means to enhance the anabolic response resulting from heavy resistance training. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acute b-hydroxy-b-methylbutyrate-free acid (HMB-FA) on circulating concentrations of anabolic hormones following a heavy resistance exercise protocol. Methods Twenty resistance-trained men (22.8 ± 2.5 yrs, 177.6 ± 6.6cm, 83.4 ± 9.8kg) volunteered to participate in this study and were randomized into two groups [HMB-FA and placebo (PL)] and performed an acute, heavy resistance exercise protocol (four sets of up to 10 repetitions of the squat, dead lift, and split squat exercises). Supplementation included 1 g of HMB-FA or PL consumed 30min prior to exercise. Blood was sampled before (PRE), immediately post (IP), and 30 min post-exercise (30P). Circulating levels of testosterone (TEST), growth hormone (GH) and Insulin (INS) were assayed. A 2 x3 repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Consent to publish the results was obtained from all participants. Results The resistance exercise protocol produced a significant time effect for an elevation in TEST (p<0.01), GH (p<0.01) and INS (p = 0.05) at IP with GH (p<0.01) and INS (p<0.01) remaining elevated at 30P. A group by time interaction was observed (p = 0.05) with plasma GH elevated in HMB-FA compared to PRE values (p< 0.01) at IP and 30P. There were no differences at any other time point with TEST or INS concentrations. Conclusion
Uncertainty in Designed Experiments

[This abstract is based on the author’s abstract.] Although statistical experiment design can help select runs to achieve a given experimental purpose, uncertainty is to be expected. Faced with uncertainty in inputs and outputs from variability in measu..
Flexion reflex modulation during stepping in human spinal cord injury

The flexion reflex modulation pattern was investigated in nine people with a chronic spinal cord injury during stepping using body weight support on a treadmill and manual assistance by therapists. Body weight support was provided by an upper body harness and was adjusted for each subject to promote the best stepping pattern with the least manual assistance required by the therapists. The flexion reflex was elicited by sural nerve stimulation with a 30 ms pulse train at 1.2-2 times the tibialis anterior reflex threshold. During stepping, stimuli were randomly dispersed across the gait cycle which was divided into 16 equal bins. A long latency (>110 ms) flexion reflex was present in all subjects, while a short (>30 ms) and a medium latency (>70 ms) flexion reflex were present only in three subjects. For each response, the non-stimulated EMG was subtracted from the stimulated EMG at identical time windows and bins, normalized to the maximal corresponding EMG, and significant differences were established with a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. The long latency flexion reflex was facilitated at late stance and during the swing-to-stance transition phase. A reflex depression was present from heel strike until mid-stance and during the swing-to-stance transition phase. The short and medium latency flexion reflexes were depressed during mid-stance followed by facilitation during the stance-to-swing transition phase. Regardless of the latency, facilitatory flexion responses during the swing phase coincided with decreased activity of ipsilateral ankle extensors. The flexion reflex was modulated in a phase dependent manner, a behavior that was absent for the soleus H-reflex in most of these patients (Knikou et al. in Exp Brain Res 193:397-407, 2009). We propose that training should selectively target spinal reflex circuits in which extensor muscles and reflexes are involved in order to maximize sensorimotor recovery in these patients.
Volatile fatty acid cycling in organic-rich marine sediments

Volatile fatty acid (VFA) apparent turnover rates were determined by measuring whole sediment VFA concentrations and the corresponding reaction rate constants. The following ranges of VFA concentrations were measured in Cape Lookout Bight, N.C. sediments (μmole·ls−1): acetate 54–660, propionate 1–24, butyrate <0.5–22, iso-butyrate <0.5–6. Apparent turnover rates measured over a one-year period ranged from 18–600 μmole·ls−1·h−1 for acetate and 0.7–7 μmole·ls−1·h−1 for the carboxyl carbon of propionate. Methane production was observed only with acetate and only in sulfatedepleted sediments; total acetate turnover attained approximately the same maximum value in both sulfate-reducing and sulfate-depleted sediments. Apparent turnover rates for acetate and propionate appeared to be controlled by similar factors: in sulfate-reducing (surface) sediments the turnover rates were stimulated by autumn storm-mediated deposition/resuspension events; in deeper sulfate-depleted sediments the turnover rates followed changes in the ambient temperature. Changes in VFA poolsizes were proportionally much larger than changes in corresponding rate constants. The ratio of CO2 to CH4 produced from acetate vs. depth suggested that non-methanogenic bacteria accounted for 60% of the acetate turnover in sulfate-depleted sediments. VFA concentrations were much lower in N.C. continental slope mud than in Cape Lookout sediments; acetate was the only VFA detectable throughout the top 40 cm of the slope sediments. The estimated production rate of CO2 from acetate decreased rapidly with depth. The surface rate was approximately 20 times less than that measured at similar temperatures in sulfate-reducing Cape Lookout sediments.