cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Test anxiety, perceived test difficulty, and test performance: temporal patterns of their effects

Abstract Two hypothesized models that represent relationships among test anxiety, perceived test difficulty, and test performance observed immediately before and after a final examination were tested. The structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships by imposing the structure of direct and indirect effects on the current data collected from 208 undergraduate students. Students' perception of test difficulty had a significant effect on the arousal of both worry and emotionality. Temporal changes were observed in the degrees of these relationships; while test difficulty perceived before and during the exam both had effects on test anxiety perceived at each corresponding time, students' perception of test difficulty during the exam had a greater direct effect on the arousal of test anxiety than did test difficulty perceived before the exam. Worry, but not emotionality, had a strong inverse relationship with performance. That perceived test difficulty did not have a direct effect on test performance, but had an indirect effect mediated by worry, indicates that test performance was not directly influenced by how they perceive the test difficulty, but worry aroused by the difficulty perception influenced their performance. Importance of understanding students' perceived test difficulty was discussed for its effect on arousing worry anxiety.
Predictions of X-linked inheritance for human characteristics

Abstract The conclusion reached by H. Thomas and W. Jamison ( Developmental Review , 1981 , 1 , 274–283) that an observed sex-related difference in water-level task performance is due to an X-linked major gene raises the question of whether available data would be consistent with X-linkage predictions other than the one tested. Several predictions of X-linked inheritance for human characteristics are presented and discussed. It was concluded that although water-level task performance may involve a heritable component, the available data from seven independent studies reviewed by Thomas and Jamison are insufficient for determining the specific mode of genetic transmission.
Comparison of ethyl versus methyl sol-gels for silica aerogels using polar nephelometry☆

Abstract The transparency of silica aerogels has been improved by varying the molar ratio of starting ingredients, temperature of gelation and drying procedure. A reduction in light scattering greater than 70% has been obtained for acid-catalyzed tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) aerogels, and 23% for base-catalyzed tetramethylorthosilicate (TMOS) aerogels. The success rate for aerogels has been improved by coating the moulds with a releasing agent before drying to eliminate cracking. A transparent base-catalyzed TEOS aerogel has been produced using NH 4 OH and NH 4 F as catalysts.
Acknowledging cultural diversity: Perceptions of shyness with in the black culture

This study examines the self‐reported behaviors and perceptions of high, moderate and low‐shy communicators. Specifically, this research addresses two questions: 1) How do black communicators describe their perceptions of shyness, and 2) What behaviors do black individuals who identify themselves as shy think they exhibit? In order to answer these questions, a shyness scale was administered to 100 black students and based on generated scores, 60 subjects participated in interviews. The results of the study indicate a need for in‐depth intracultural investigations of shyness before intercultural behavioral indicators of this phenomenon can be identified and generalized. Further, this study calls for the development of culture‐specific measures of shyness that indicate an awareness of culture‐specific behaviors.
Toluene levels in blood and brain of rats as a function of toluene level in inspired air

Abstract The relationship of toluene concentration in blood and brain to the concentration of toluene in inspired air has not been explicitly studied. Sixty rats were exposed by inhalation to 50, 100, 500, or 1000 ppm toluene for 3 hr. Immediately following exposure, venous blood samples and whole brains were collected and assayed for toluene levels. For several empirical reasons, the natural logarithm (log) of toluene tissue levels were predicted in a linear model from log toluene levels in air. An additional 10 rats were exposed to 550 ppm toluene for 8 hr in order to verify that the 3-hr exposure was sufficient to produce near-asymptotic levels of toluene in blood and brain. Log brain toluene concentration was significantly higher than log blood concentration by an additive constant. The ratio of brain to blood toluene level was estimated as 1.56 1 . Three- and eight-hour exposure results did not differ, thus indicating that these results would hold for toluene exposures of 3 hr or greater.
Expectation as a mediator in alcohol intoxication: A reference level model

The application of the construct of expectation to human psychopharmacology and alcohol research is briefly reviewed. It is argued that application of Schachterian theory and its extensions in current models of alcohol and expectancy is inappropriate. Furthermore, current models are based only on a limited set of findings and thus have limited utility. A reference level model of alcohol intoxication is proposed as an alternative to current models of alcohol and expectancy. It is shown that the reference level model can lead to significant progress in understanding past work and in stimulating new research.
Apolipoprotein localization in isolated drusen and retinal apolipoprotein gene expression.

PURPOSE. To evaluate apolipoprotein (Apo) gene expression in native human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neurosensory retina and to detect apolipoproteins within age-related, extramacular drusen. METHOD. Drusen were isolated manually from 10 eyes of 10 donors (age range, 58-93 years) with grossly normal maculas that were preserved in 4% paraformaldehyde within 6 hours of death. In cryosections of druse-enriched pellets (6-57 drusen per eye), the Apos A-I, A-II, B, C-I, C-II, C-III, E, and J were detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Two graders assessed the prevalence and pattern of immunoreactivity. mRNA transcripts were detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), with human hepatoma HepG2 cells as the positive control. RESULTS. Extramacular drusen were classified in two groups on gross appearance: transparent with a reflective shell and cloudy. The proportion of the latter increased significantly with age. All Apos examined were detectable, in descending order of prevalence: ApoE (99.5%), J (99.5%), C-I (93.1%), B (80.4%), A-I (61.0%), A-II (59.2%), C-II (57.7%), and C-III (16.6%). Immunoreactivity was either diffusely distributed throughout the drusen (56.7%), confined to the druse rim (16.0%), or both (21.2%). Six percent displayed evidence of organized substructure reminiscent of active remodeling. The proportion of diffusely labeled drusen decreased significantly with age for ApoE (P = 0.034) and ApoE/C-I combined (P = 0.027). RT-PCR products for Apos C-I, C-II, E, and J were found in retina and RPE; for ApoA-II in the retina only. The ApoC-m message was undetectable. CONCLUSIONS. To an emerging model of an RPE-secreted large lipoprotein particle implied by previous work, this study adds ApoC-I and ApoC-II, major modulators of lipoprotein lipase activity, and confirms previously demonstrated Apos A-I, B-100, and E. It is possible that a neutral lipid-rich druse shell containing Apos will be visible in the living fundus.
Determination of lead and cadmium in wines by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) content of various wines on the Korean market were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using Zeeman background correction and peak area mode. All wine samples were microwave-digested in concentrated HNO3. Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and magnesium nitrate were used as matrix modifiers for both Pb and Cd analyses. The mean Pb content of the wines was about 29 μg l−1 ranging from 5 to 87 μg l−1. Also, the means of Cd were about 0.5 μg l−1 ranging from < 0.1 to 3.0 μg l−1. The mean recoveries of Pb and Cd were 92.8 and 101.3% and their analytical detection limits were 1.0 and 0.1 μg l−1, respectively. Sixty brands of wine were classified into red and white, but no statistically significant difference in Pb and Cd content was observed.
Mobile traffic sensor network versus motion-MIX: tracing and protecting mobile wireless nodes

In this paper we focus on passive attacks that threaten the privacy of mobile wireless networks. We define the concept of "venue privacy attack" (VPA) to illustrate the emerging anonymity attacks to trace mobile wireless nodes. Then we propose "motion-MIX" as the countermeasure to defend against various venue privacy attacks. We study the necessary conditions to implement motion-MIXes. These conditions include identity-free routing, one-time packet content and various other concerns in the network protocol stack. Then we use a new asymptotic security model to verify motion-MIX's effectiveness against venue privacy attacks. In a scalable ad hoc network, we prove that the probability of security breach is negligible (aka. sub-polynomial) with respect to the polynomial-bounded network scale (i.e., number of node in the network). This notion is conforming to the existing security notions in computational cryptography, where the polynomial-bounded metric is key length.
Comparison of energy distributions of positron- and electron-induced secondary electrons: implications for slow-positron emission mechanisms

Positron- and electron-induced secondary-electron-energy distributions have been measured from MgO(100) and Ni(110) crystals. The energy distributions for positron- and electron-induced secondary electrons from MgO and Ni and for the slow-positron emission from the MgO target have been fit by the same analytic function. This analytic function fails to fit the slow-positron energy emission spectrum from Ni. The similarity of positron-induced secondary electron and reemitted positron energy spectra suggests that the slow-positron emission process in ionic insulators may be analogous to secondary-electron generation.
Why would Musical Training Benefit the Neural Encoding of Speech? The OPERA Hypothesis.

Mounting evidence suggests that musical training benefits the neural encoding of speech. This paper offers a hypothesis specifying why such benefits occur. The “OPERA” hypothesis proposes that such benefits are driven by adaptive plasticity in speech-processing networks, and that this plasticity occurs when five conditions are met. These are: 1) Overlap: there is anatomical overlap in the brain networks that process an acoustic feature used in both music and speech (e.g., waveform periodicity, amplitude envelope), 2) Precision: music places higher demands on these shared networks than does speech, in terms of the precision of processing, 3) Emotion: the musical activities that engage this network elicit strong positive emotion, 4) Repetition: the musical activities that engage this network are frequently repeated, and 5) Attention: the musical activities that engage this network are associated with focused attention. According to the OPERA hypothesis, when these conditions are met neural plasticity drives the networks in question to function with higher precision than needed for ordinary speech communication. Yet since speech shares these networks with music, speech processing benefits. The OPERA hypothesis is used to account for the observed superior subcortical encoding of speech in musically trained individuals, and to suggest mechanisms by which musical training might improve linguistic reading abilities.
Pulmonary arterial and venous hypertension and left ventricular calcification of undetermined etiology

Abstract In patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, the cause can nearly always be determined clinically or, if not, by necropsy examination. We recently studied a young woman with severe pulmonary hypertension and, despite cardiac catheterization, echocardiography, radionuclide angiography, pulmonary function studies, and, finally, necropsy, the cause of the severe pulmonary hypertension could not be determined. A description of the findings in this unusual patient is the purpose of this report.
Experience matters in principal preparation

An act of leadership is always an act of practical theory. We lead because we hold visions of the world as it ought to be, because of the not yet, because of the potential that we see in ideas and people. Yet, there still exists a perceived binary between leadership theory (in the strong sense) and leadership practice, a binary that divides organizations, classrooms, and the differing bodies of leadership literature. In this Symposium, Duncan Waite and his colleagues discuss the barriers they have faced in bringing theory to the educational leadership classroom, as well as the promise they feel theory holds for more productive, equitable, and humane schooling organizations.
Correlating hysteresis and voltage fade in lithium- and manganese-rich layered transition-metal oxide electrodes

Abstract Electrochemical studies demonstrate a strong correlation between the phenomena of hysteresis and voltage fade in lithium- and manganese-rich layered transition-metal oxide electrodes. A mechanism is proposed that entails both the reversible and irreversible migration of transition metal ions. Their reversible migration to a metastable configuration, suggested to involve the occupation of tetrahedral sites in the lithium layer, is manifested as a 1 V hysteresis in site energy for 10–15% of the lithium content. The irreversible migration of the transition metal ions through the metastable ‘hysteresis’ sites to localized and lower energy cubic environments results in the observed voltage fade phenomenon.
THE WELL‐BEING OF OLDER PERSONS IN SMALL RURAL TOWNS: A TOWN PANEL APPROACH

There is a significant lack of information regarding older residents of small rural towns. A major interdisciplinary interview study of 990 older residents (65 years +) of 18 small towns (2,500 or less) was conducted to (1) assess the social and psychological well‐being of mental health of these residents, (2) assess their perceptions of 11 ecological/architectural and 3 psychosocial community‐level environmental dimensions, (3) determine the extent to which individual differences in mental health are predicted by these environmental features, and (4) translate the findings into a set of more practical recommendations for applied professionals. A town panel field strategy was employed that facilitated access to each town. The methodological features of this approach, as well as evidence of its success, are detailed. These include gaining entree, establishing rapport, handling publicity, selecting respondents, and issuing payment. A rural‐oriented interviewer training program is discussed. Illustrative, de...
Vitamin A dimers trigger the protracted death of retinal pigment epithelium cells

Cellular events responsible for the initiation of major neurodegenerative disorders of the eye leading to blindness, including age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt and Best diseases, are poorly understood. Accumulation of vitamin A dimers, such as N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), is one of the earliest measurable events preceding retinal degeneration. However, the extent to which these dimers contribute to tissue degeneration is not clear. To determine if A2E could trigger morphological changes associated with the degenerating RPE and subsequent cell death, we evaluated its toxicity to cultured human RPE cells (ARPE-19). We show that A2E triggered the accumulation of debris followed by a protracted death. A2E was up to≈14-fold more toxic than its precursor, retinaldehyde. Measurements reveal that the concentration of A2E in the aged human eye could exceed the concentration of all other retinoids, opening the possibility of A2E-triggered cell death by several reported mechanisms. Findings suggest that accumulation of vitamin A dimers such as A2E in the human eye might be responsible for the formation of ubiquitous RPE debris, an early indication of retinal degeneration, and that preventing or reducing the accumulation of vitamin A dimers is a prudent strategy to prevent blindness.
Thinning time during stage I and fruit spacing influences fruit size of ‘Contender’ peach

Early peach thinning during stage I was done at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 days after full bloom (DAFB). At each thinning time, trees were hand-thinned to achieve different crop loads by spacing flowers or fruits 10, 15, or 25 cm along the shoot on whole tree canopies. In 2001 and 2002, fruit weight decreased quadratically with increasing time to hand-thin and increased linearly with increasing spacing. In both years, fruit diameter decreased linearly with increasing time to thin and increased linearly with increased fruit spacing. In both years, number of fruits harvested and yield per tree decreased linearly with increased spacing. Hand-thinning at 0 or 10 DAFB resulted in fewer fruit and lower yield; therefore, thinning at 20 DAFB was better. The effect of time of thinning on soluble solids was not consistent. In both years spacing (i.e., crop load) did not affect soluble solids.
Estimating the effects of light rail transit on health care costs.

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of research on the effects of the built environment, including mass transit systems, on health-related outcomes. While there is general agreement that the built environment affects travel choices and physical activity, it remains unclear how much of a public health benefit (in dollars) can be derived from land use policies that support walking, biking, and transit. In the present study, we develop a model to assess the potential cost savings in public health that will be realized from the investment in a new light rail transit system in Charlotte, NC. Relying on estimates of future riders, area obesity rates, and the effects of public transit on physical activity (daily walking to and from the transit stations), we simulated the potential yearly public health cost savings associated with this infrastructure investment. Our results indicate that investing in light rail is associated with a 9-year cumulative public health cost savings of $12.6 million. While these results suggest that there is a sizable public health benefit associated with the adoption of light rail, they also indicate that the effects are relatively small compared to the costs associated with constructing and operating such systems. These findings suggest that planning efforts that focus solely on the health impact of modifications in the built environment are likely to overstate the economic benefits. Public health benefits should be considered along with broader environmental health benefits.
Varieties of Vagueness

According to one account, vagueness is “metaphysical.” the friend of metaphysical vagueness believes that, for some object and some property, there can be no determinate fact of the matter whether that object exemplifies that property. A second account maintains that vagueness is due only to ignorance. According to the epistemic account, vagueness is explained completely by and is nothing over and above our not knowing some relevant fact or facts. These are the minority views. the dominant position maintains that there is a third possible variety of vagueness, linguistic vagueness. And, it goes on to insist, all vagueness is of this third variety. I shall argue, however, that linguistic vagueness is not a third variety of vagueness. Either it is a species of metaphysical vagueness or a kind of ignorance. and this, I argue, makes trouble for the claim that all vagueness is linguistic.
Effects of Amylopectin Branch Chain Length and Amylose Content on the Gelatinization and Pasting Properties of Starch

ABSTRACT Structures and properties of starches isolated from different botanical sources were investigated. Apparent and absolute amylose contents of starches were determined by measuring the iodine affinity of defatted whole starch and of fractionated and purified amylopectin. Branch chain-length distributions of amylopectins were analyzed quantitatively using a high-performance anion-exchange chromatography system equipped with a postcolumn enzyme reactor and a pulsed amperometric detector. Thermal and pasting properties were measured using differential scanning calorimetry and a rapid viscoanalyzer, respectively. Absolute amylose contents of most of the starches studied were lower than their apparent amylose contents. This difference correlated with the number of very long branch chains of amylopectin. Studies of amylopectin structures showed that each starch had a distinct branch chain-length distribution profile. Average degrees of polymerization (dp) of amylopectin branch chain length ranged from 18...
Pesticide use in tomato production: Consumer concerns and willingness‐to‐pay

Consumer attitudes toward pesticide use and residues in fresh produce and tomatoes were assessed using personal interviews of shoppers in produce sections of retail grocery stores. The results indicated a lower frequency of concern for pesticide use than earlier studies and a belief in both personal and external effects of pesticide use indicating altruism may affect consumer purchases. Almost half of the respondents indicated a willingness-to-accept cosmetic defects in chemical pesticide residue-free (CPRF) tomatoes. The majority of respondents indicated willingness-to-pay up to 10% more for CPRF tomatoes.
The Montana Radon Study: social marketing via digital signage technology for reaching families in the waiting room

Objectives. I tested a social marketing intervention delivered in health department waiting rooms via digital signage technology for increasing radon program participation among priority groups.Methods. I conducted a tri-county, community-based study over a 3-year period (2010–2013) in a high-radon state by using a quasi-experimental design. We collected survey data for eligible participants at the time of radon test kit purchase.Results. Radon program participation increased at the intervention site (t38 = 3.74; P = .001; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.8, 16.0) with an increase in renters (χ21,228 = 4.3; P = .039), Special Supplementary Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children families (χ21,166 = 3.13; P = .077) and first-time testers (χ21,228 = 10.93; P = .001). Approximately one third (30.3%; n = 30) attributed participation in the radon program to viewing the intervention message. The intervention crossover was also successful with increased monthly kit sales (t37 = 2.69; P = .01; 95% CI =...
Poor outcomes in diabetes care: is medication nonadherence or lack of treatment intensification to blame?

The majority of patients with diabetes mellitus have glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels above the established treatment targets. Multiple factors could contribute to this situation, including clinical inertia and medication nonadherence. In this Practice Point commentary, I discuss the results and implications of a study that aimed to assess these two parameters. Schmittdiel et al. analyzed HbA1C, blood pressure and cholesterol levels in >160,000 patients with diabetes mellitus. They found that both medication nonadherence and clinical inertia were common. In addition, many patients did not have their treatment intensified, despite good medication adherence. Both clinical inertia and medication nonadherence had a negative effect on achievement of treatment targets. These findings confirm that medication nonadherence does not explain clinical inertia, and that both need to be addressed in order to improve quality of diabetes care. Although data are still lacking for insulin-treated patients, sufficient observational evidence exists to support initiation of interventional studies to determine whether targeting these factors leads to improved outcomes.
Selective adherence of non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) to mucus or epithelial cells in the chinchilla Eustachian tube and middle ear

Abstract Frozen sections of chinchilla Eustachian tube (ET) and middle ear mucosa were incubated with either FITC-labeled non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) or Bordetella pertussis . The number of bacteria adherent to “roof” vs “floor” regions was compared for each of three anatomic portions of the ET and for middle ear epithelium noting whether bacteria adhered to mucus or to epithelial cells. NTHi strains adhered significantly greater to mucus in the ET lumen whereas B. pertussis preferentially adhered to epithelial cells lining the ET ( P ≤0.05). A non-fimbriated isogenic mutant of NTHi adhered significantly less to mucus than the parental isolate at all sites of the ET floor ( P ≤0.05). Isolated fimbrin protein adhered to ET mucus and blocked adherence of whole organisms. Treatment with the mucolytic agent N -acetyl-L-cysteine resulted in significantly reduced adherence of NTHi to mucus ( P ≤0.001) and eliminated the ability to detect binding of isolated fimbrin protein. N -acetyl-L-cysteine treatment did not affect adherence of either B. pertussis or NTHi to epithelial cells. These data indicated that NTHi may mediate ascension of the ET from the nasopharynx primarily via adherence to and growth in mucus overlying the floor region of the tubal lumen. The OMP P5-homologous fimbriae were shown to contribute to this binding.
Complex permittivity of thin films at millimeter and THz frequencies

The measurement of complex dielectric permittivity of thin films are very difficult at millimeter and THz frequencies because the phase shift is not large enough to determine the real part of dielectric permittivity. To overcome this difficulty, dispersive Fourier transform spectroscopy is improved for the first time to have the mirror movement of 0.5 micrometer step size to characterize the permittivity of ultra low-loss thin films.
Gender differences in acute and chronic stress in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats.

While females are considered more susceptible to depressive behavior, this assertion is not strongly supported by the experimental literature. Since stress contributes to depressive behavior, male and female Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were exposed to either one session (acute stress) or 5 sessions (chronic stress) of restraint plus cold in order to study depressive behavior in male and female rats. After their respective treatment exposure, rats were tested in the open field test (OFT) and for retention of a passive-avoidance (P-A) task. One stress session resulted in significant immobility in the OFT for males, whereas 5 sessions were required to produce similar immobility in female rats. Acute stress interfered with the retention of the P-A response for males, while both acute and chronic stress produced poor P-A responses in female rats. Food consumption decresed, progressively, as a function of stress sessions, in female rats, whereas feeding in males returned to control levels after five stress days. Both acute and chronic stress exacerbated the stress ulcer response in male rats, but not in female rats. Chronic, but not acute, stress resulted in an increase in serotonin transporter mRNA levels in the dorsal raphe nucleus of both male and, female rats. The general consensus from these data suggested that female rats were more vulnerable to chronic stress and consequently supported the notion that females may be more susceptible to stress induced behavioral depression.
The Effect of Grade Contracts on Student Performance.

AbstractEach of four classes of Educational Psychology 2430(Child Study) was randomly divided into two groups: experimental (N=55) and control (N=55). The experimental group’s course performance was evaluated by a grade contract approach while the control group was evaluated by a traditional method. Group differences favored the experimental group; however, such differences were not statistically significant.
Phosphorylation of adrenal medulla cell proteins in conjunction with stimulation of catecholamine secretion.

: Enhanced phosphorylation of two specific protein bands accompanied catecholamine secretion from cultured bovine adrenal medulla cells stimulated by different secretagogues. Cells preincubated with 32Pi were treated with nicotine, veratridine, Ionomycin, or barium. Each of these secretagogues stimulated the phosphorylation of two protein bands with apparent molecular weights of 60,000 and 95,000. Phosphorylation of the 60,000 M.W. protein band was two- to threefold higher than that of the 95,000 M.W. band on stimulation with nicotine, veratridine, or barium, but Ionomycin stimulated phosphorylation of each protein band to the same extent. In general, the increase in phosphorylation was most rapid during the first minute of stimulation and occurred prior to detectable secretion. Phosphorylation reached a relatively constant level within 5 min after onset of stimulation at a time when catecholamine release was still proceeding at a rapid rate. Nicotine-stimulated phosphorylation and catecholamine secretion were calcium-dependent and blocked by d-tubocurarine, whereas tetrodotoxin inhibited veratridine-stimulated secretion and phosphorylation. We conclude that catecholamine secretion and protein phosphorylation occur under similar conditions and that Ca2+-dependent incorporation of phosphate into specific proteins may be a link in stimulus-secretion coupling.
Clinical and endoscopic profile of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding at tertiary care center of North India

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common medical emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The presentation of bleeding depends on the amount and location of hemorrhage and the endoscopic profile varies according to different etiology. Despite advancements in medical intervention UGIB still carries considerable morbidity, mortality and economic burden on health care system. At present, there is limited epidemiological data on UGIB and associated mortality from India. Aims: The aim was to study clinical, endoscopic profile, and associated mortality in patients presenting with UGIB. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fourteen patients came to Emergency Department with UGIB during the study period and were subjected to endoscopy to identify the etiology. The clinical and endoscopic profile was analyzed and mortality pattern was studied. Results: The mean age of patients was 49 ± 14.26. Majority of them were males (83.33%) and male to female ratio was 5:1. The most common cause of UGIB was portal hypertension related (Esophageal and gastric varices) seen in 56.14% of patients, peptic ulcer-related bleed was seen in 14.91% patients, gastric erosions were responsible for bleed in 12.28% patients, Mallory-Weiss tear was seen in 8.77% cases, gastric malignancy accounted for 4.38% of cases, Dieulafoy's lesion was responsible for bleed in 1.75% cases and 1.75% had Duodenal polyp. The mortality rate because of UGIB in our cohort of patients was 21.05%. Conclusions: In the present study, variceal bleed was the most common cause of UGIB, followed by peptic ulcer bleed. Overall mortality was seen in 21.05% of cases; however, majority of mortality was seen in portal hypertension related bleeding.
Polymer photovoltaics from all-water-solution processing

A green solar cell based on a water-soluble polymer (PTEBS) and water dispersible TiO 2 nanocrystals have been developed from all-water-solution processing. The light harvesting ability of water-soluble PTEBS were characterized by the UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and the morphology of nanocrystalline TiO 2 film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PTEBS/TiO 2 photovoltaic devices have showed comparable performance as those from organic-solvent based conjugated polymers (e.g. P3HT, MDMO-PPV, etc.). In addition, due to the very efficient photo-induced charge transfer from conjugated polymers to fullerenes, water soluble fullerenes are also being studied for polymer photovoltaic applications. A negatively charged fullerene derivative is being synthesized and the photovoltaic cells based on PTEBS and water-soluble fullerenes will be studied. By using water as the solvent and utilizing liquid-based processing, the cost of energy generated by this type of solar cell is ultimately expected to approach that of the current fossil fuel. Although the energy conversion efficiencies of these cells are still lower than other solvents based polymer solar cells at the current stage, the concept has shown that photovoltaic cells can be developed from all-water-solution based polymer/nanocrystal (or fullerence) composites and the prospects are high for rapid improvement in efficiencies.
Urinary-type Plasminogen Activator (uPA) Expression and uPA Receptor Localization Are Regulated by α3β1Integrin in Oral Keratinocytes

Expression of urinary-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) is correlated with matrix proteolysis, cell adhesion, motility, and invasion. To evaluate the functional link between adhesion and proteolysis in gingival keratinocytes (pp126), cells were treated with immobilized integrin antibodies to induce integrin clustering. Clustering of alpha(3) and beta(1) integrin subunits, but not alpha(2), alpha(5), alpha(6), or beta(4), enhanced uPA secretion. Bead-immobilized laminin-5 and collagen I, two major alpha(3)beta(1) ligands, also induced uPA expression. Coordinate regulation of the serpin plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 was also apparent; however, a net increase in uPA activity was predominant. alpha(3)beta(1) integrin clustering induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, and both uPA induction and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation were blocked by the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059. Integrin aggregation also promoted a dramatic redistribution of uPAR on the cell surface to sites of clustered alpha(3)beta(1) integrins. Co-immunoprecipitation of beta(1) integrin with uPAR provided further evidence that protein-protein interactions between uPAR and beta(1) integrin control uPAR distribution. As a functional consequence of uPA up-regulation and uPA-mediated plasminogen activation, the globular domain of the laminin-5 alpha(3) subunit, a major pp126 matrix protein, was proteolytically processed from a 190-kDa form to a 160-kDa species. Laminin-5 containing the 160-kDa alpha(3) subunit efficiently nucleates hemidesmosome formation and reduces cell motility. Together, these data suggest that multivalent aggregation of the alpha(3)beta(1) integrin regulates proteinase expression, matrix proteolysis, and subsequent cellular behavior.
Kinetic data from nonisothermal experiments: Thermal decomposition of ethane, ethylene, and acetylene

A rigorous method was developed to account for nonuniform temperature distributions in the analysis of kinetic data. The rate constants cannot be determined directly since they are functions of temperature, so equations were derived and solutions developed for the substantially temperature independent kinetic parameters, activation energy, and pre-exponential factor. A digital computer was used to evaluate numerically various integrals involved in the solution of the equations. The method developed here will be useful in all laboratory kinetic studies where limitations of heat transfer do not permit an isothermal experiment and in the analysis of kinetic data obtained from commerical or pilot plant units where the temperature distribution is nearly always nonuniform. Kinetic studies were made of the thermal decompositions of ethane, ethylene, and acetylene, all of which are high temperature fast reactions. The experimental conditions covered highly nonuniform temperature distributions with peaks from 730° to 1,330°C., a total pressure of 1 atm., varying amounts of nitrogen dilution, and residence times in the millisecond range.
Bacterium-generated nitric oxide hijacks host tumor necrosis factor alpha signaling and modulates the host cell cycle in vitro

In mammalian cells, nitric oxide (NO·) is an important signal molecule with concentration-dependent and often controversial functions of promoting cell survival and inducing cell death. An inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in various mammalian cells produces higher levels of NO· from l-arginine upon infections to eliminate pathogens. In this study, we reveal novel pathogenic roles of NO· generated by bacteria in bacterium-host cell cocultures using Moraxella catarrhalis, a respiratory tract disease-causing bacterium, as a biological producer of NO·. We recently demonstrated that M. catarrhalis cells that express the nitrite reductase (AniA protein) can produce NO· by reducing nitrite. Our study suggests that, in the presence of pathophysiological levels of nitrite, this opportunistic pathogen hijacks host cell signaling and modulates host gene expression through its ability to produce NO· from nitrite. Bacterium-generated NO· significantly increases the secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and modulates the expression of apoptotic proteins, therefore triggering host cell programmed death partially through TNF-α signaling. Furthermore, our study reveals that bacterium-generated NO· stalls host cell division and directly results in the death of dividing cells by reducing the levels of an essential regulator of cell division. This study provides unique insight into why NO· may exert more severe cytotoxic effects on fast growing cells, providing an important molecular basis for NO·-mediated pathogenesis in infections and possible therapeutic applications of NO·-releasing molecules in tumorigenesis. This study strongly suggests that bacterium-generated NO· can play important pathogenic roles during infections.
Evaluation of a human-robot interface: development of a situational awareness methodology

This paper outlines a methodology to evaluate supervisory user interfaces for robotic vehicles based on an assessment of situational awareness. The results of an initial experiment are discussed. The evaluation method will be validated in a future experiment that will also result in a benchmarked user interface.
Watershed-scale modeling of the water quality effects of cropland conversion to short-rotation woody crops

The conversion of cropland to the production of woody biomass, or short-rotation woody crops (SRWCs), has the potential to provide an economic alternative to Midwestern farmers, while simultaneously offering an environmental dividend in the form of reduced erosion and nutrient pollution of streams. However, notwithstanding a wealth of plot-scale and anecdotal data suggestive of these benefits, there are few watershed-scale integrated analyses on which to base regional policy decisions regarding incentives to convert fields to SRWCs. This study applied a field-scale runoff, sediment and nutrient transport model (Agricultural Drainage and Pesticide Transport, ADAPT) to a simulation of 10, 20 and 30% cropland conversion to SRWCs, grown on a 5-year rotation, in a representative Minnesota River sub-watershed. While the generation of a highly precise simulation would require extensive calibration of the model, its application with parameters previously calibrated to neighboring, similar watersheds provided reasonably robust results that indicated real differences resulting from cropland conversion. At the highest conversion level, mean annual runoff was reduced by up to 9%, sediment loads by 28% and nitrogen (N) loads by 15%, although total phosphorus (P) loads increased by 2% relative to the no-SRWC scenario. However, the relative benefits of conversion at the field level were contingent on soil type, drainage status and the alternative crop. These differences provide useful insights with respect to the targeting of possible conversion incentives.
Spousal Caregiver Narratives and Credible Authority: Uncertainty in Illness of Spousal Caregivers

This article is taken from a larger longitudinal study that used caregiver interviews, caregiver surveys, and caregiver statistical information of one community. The interviews were conducted with six spousal caregivers to examine the narratives produced by spouses actively caring for their partners with dementia. The spousal caregivers were interviewed multiple times over approximately 12 to 18 months. The author was the caregiver counselor and had worked in the community in social services for fifteen years. The narratives were analyzed using a phenomenological approach that allowed the development of descriptions of uncertainty and sharing caregiver narratives with a specialized audience. The duality of caregiver uncertainty based on making decisions for and about cognitively impaired care recipients is evident in diagnosis, safety, end-of-life decisions, and the caregivers’ health. The choice of professional listeners as the audience when talking about uncertainty in illness relates to the importance of credible authority in reducing caregiver uncertainty. Key Words: Uncertainty, Credible Authority, Caregivers, Dementia, Narratives. As the American population ages, so does the awareness of chronic illnesses that predominantly affect older adults. Older adults are more likely to experience illnesses affecting their cognitive functioning, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Currently it is estimated that 5.1 million Americans over 65 years old have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and are cared for by 11 million unpaid caregivers composed mostly of family members (Alzheimer's Association, 2010). The research over the last twenty years of family caregivers of people with dementia revealed an increased risk of emotional and physical well-being measured through levels of stress, depression, and medical problems (Bond, Clark, & Davies, 2003; Gaugler, Kane, Kane, & Newcomer, 2005; Sanders, 2005). Caregivers of people with dementia face another level of stress created by being surrogate decision-makers for care recipients who can no longer contribute to deciding their own physical care.
Calcium and small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons before, during, and after puberty.

The pubertal increase in GnRH secretion resulting in sexual maturation and reproductive competence is a complex process involving kisspeptin stimulation of GnRH neurons and requiring Ca2+ and possibly other intracellular messengers. To determine whether the expression of Ca2+ channels, or small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels, whose activity reflects cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration, changes at puberty in GnRH neurons, Ca2+ and SK currents in GnRH neurons were recorded in brain slices of juvenile [postnatal day (P) 10–21], pubertal (P28–P42), and adult (≥P56) male GnRH-green fluorescent protein transgenic mice using perforated-patch and whole-cell techniques. Ca2+ currents were inhibited by the Ca2+ channel blocker Cd2+ and showed marked heterogeneity but were on average similar in juvenile, pubertal, and adult GnRH neurons. SK currents, which were inhibited by the SK channel blocker apamin and enhanced by the SK and intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel activator 1-ethyl-2-ben...
Maternal one-carbon nutrient intake and cancer risk in offspring.

Dietary intake of one-carbon nutrients, particularly folate, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and choline have been linked to the risk of cancers of the colon and breast in both human and animal studies. More recently, experimental and epidemiological data have emerged to suggest that maternal intake of these nutrients during gestation may also have an impact on the risk of cancer in offspring later in life. Given the plasticity of DNA methylation in the developing embryo and the established role of one-carbon metabolism in supporting biological methylation reactions, it is plausible that alterations in maternal one-carbon nutrient availability might induce subtle epigenetic changes in the developing embryo and fetus that persist into later life, altering the risk of tumorigenesis throughout the lifespan. This review summarizes the current literature on maternal one-carbon nutrient intake and offspring cancer risk, with an emphasis on cancers of the colon and breast, and discusses specific epigenetic modifications that may play a role in their pathogenesis.
The hydration state of HO - (aq)

Abstract The HO − (aq) ion participates in myriad aqueous phase chemical processes of biological and chemical interest. A molecularly valid description of its hydration state, currently poorly understood, is a natural prerequisite to modeling chemical transformations involving HO − (aq). Here it is shown that the statistical mechanical quasi-chemical theory of solutions predicts that HO · [H 2 O] 3 − is the dominant inner shell coordination structure for HO − (aq) under standard conditions. Experimental observations and other theoretical calculations are adduced to support this conclusion. Hydration free energies of neutral combinations of simple cations with HO − (aq) are evaluated and agree well with experimental values.
Effects of drugs on the pulmonary circulation and ventilation as reflected by changes in the arterial oxygen saturation.

The effect of: l-epinephrine, acetylcholine, histamine, aminophylline, and serotonin on Ihe pulmonary circulation and ventilation was studied in anesthetized dogs. The following observations were noted: Serotonin produced an increase in arterial oxygen saturation, the other drugs a decrease. Although reduced, the effect was not eliminated by controlling the volume of ventilation or by the inhalation of 25 or 30 percent oxygen. The administration of 100 percent oxygen eliminated the response in all dogs studied. The effect was not abolished by controlling blood flow in addition to ventilation. Changes in the over-all ventilation/perfusion ratio appeared of major importance. In addition, these drugs apparently produced local changes in ventilation/perfusion ratios (physiologic shunting) and/or in the degree of anatomic intrapulmonary shunting of blood. The effects of changes in pulmonary blood flow on peripheral arterial oxygen saturation were also investigated. With the volume of ventilation constant, the ...
Effect of binders on the damage threshold and refractive index of coatings prepared from colloidal suspensions

The addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to aqueous suspensions of AlOOH, ZrO2, and HfO2 has been found to increase the damage threshold and refractive index of coatings prepared from these suspensions. The increase in damage threshold may be due to the increase in coating strength brought about by the enhanced particle-to-particle bond strength due to the polymer binder. The binder also increases the refractive index by decreasing the porosity. This leads to a reduction in the number of layer pairs required for high reflection in a typical HR coating. A mirror consisting of only ten layer pairs of HfO2-SiO2 with PVA binder in the HfO2 had a reflectivity of over 99% at 1.06 micrometers and a damage threshold of 25 - 28 J/cm2 at 1.06 micrometers with a 10 ns pulse.
Rethinking the Optimal Response Surface Design for a First-Order Model With Two-Factor Interactions, When Protecting against Curvature

In this article, the authors focus on selecting optimal response surface designs utilizing the Pareto approach based on simultaneously considering three criteria of design performance.