cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Achieving Full Scope of Practice Readiness Using Evidence for Psychotherapy Teaching in Web and Hybrid Approaches in Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing Education.

Radical changes in role, education, and practice have affected how education of advance practice nurses and practice deliverables occur. PURPOSE This article examines the effects of distance education upon the teaching/learning of psychotherapy in integrating Web-based technology and platforms. DESIGN AND METHODS With the advent and proliferation of online programs of study, the question begs: How do distance-linked programs successfully introduce, practice, and supervise one-to-one and group psychotherapy training? FINDINGS By employing evidence-based education strategies, technology, and strong interpersonal skills and evidence-based therapies, a charter Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Doctor of Nursing Practice program paved an innovative and successful path. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS In that program, they prepared their students for full scope of practice, upon graduation, inclusive of psychotherapy as well as the other highly demanding and compressed requirements of the 3-year program. This article explores that journey and its recommendations for application derived from this 2010 cohort.
Naiveté and Novel Perturbations: Conservation of Native Spiders on an Oceanic Island System

The native fauna of isolated island systems is generally unique with acute conservation issues. For spiders in Hawaii, the first impediment to effective conservation is lack of taxonomic knowledge. The primary conservation concerns are related to the highly localized areas of endemicity of many species, with associated small population sizes. Species on insular systems tend to occur naturally in small populations, and small population size itself may not be a cause for conservation concern. However, for spiders and other arthropods, which tend to have shorter generation times compared to vertebrates, population fluctuations will tend to be more frequent, rendering them more vulnerable to extinction through demographic accidents at small population size. The knowledge we have to date suggests that habitat disturbance and alien species invasion are probably the major factors affecting native spiders in the islands. For a given natural community, the ability of species to accommodate habitat perturbation may be related more to the novelty of the perturbation than to its apparent severity. Although native spiders appear to tolerate disruption of the species composition of the native vegetation, evidence suggests that they are severely impacted by alien arthropod predators, in particular social hymenoptera, a group not represented among native Hawaiian arthropods.
Pretreatment behavior and subsequent medication effects in childhood absence epilepsy

Objective: To characterize pretreatment behavioral problems and differential effects of initial therapy in children with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE). Methods: The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was administered at baseline, week 16–20, and month 12 visits of a randomized double-blind trial of ethosuximide, lamotrigine, and valproate. Total problems score was the primary outcome measure. Results: A total of 382 participants at baseline, 310 participants at the week 16–20 visit, and 168 participants at the month 12 visit had CBCL data. At baseline, 8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6%–11%) of children with CAE had elevated total problems scores (mean 52.9 ± 10.91). At week 16–20, participants taking valproic acid had significantly higher total problems (51.7 [98.3% CI 48.6–54.7]), externalizing problems (51.4 [98.3% CI 48.5–54.3]), attention problems (57.8 [98.3% CI 55.6–60.0]), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity problems (55.8 [98.3% CI 54.1–57.6]) scores compared to participants taking ethosuximide (46.5 [98.3% CI 43.4–49.6]; 45.8 [98.3% CI 42.9–48.7]; 54.6 [98.3% CI 52.4–56.9]; 53.0 [98.3% CI 51.3–54.8]). Lack of seizure freedom and elevated week 16–20 Conner Continuous Performance Test confidence index were associated with worse total problems scores. At month 12, participants taking valproic acid had significantly higher attention problems scores (57.9 [98.3% CI 55.6–60.3]) compared to participants taking ethosuximide (54.5 [95% CI 52.1–56.9]). Conclusions: Pretreatment and ongoing behavioral problems exist in CAE. Valproic acid is associated with worse behavioral outcomes than ethosuximide or lamotrigine, further reinforcing ethosuximide as the preferred initial therapy for CAE. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00088452. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class II evidence that for children with CAE, valproic acid is associated with worse behavioral outcomes than ethosuximide or lamotrigine.
Timor-Leste: Adult Literacy, Popular Education and Post-conflict Peacebuilding

Timor-Leste, one of the world’s newest countries, gained its independence in 2002, after a protracted national liberation struggle against occupying Indonesian military forces and a brief period of United Nations rule. In 2006, the first independence government initiated a national adult literacy campaign, with the support of a team of Cuban advisers, who brought with them a literacy teaching model, known internationally by its Spanish name Yo, Si Puedo! (Trans: Yes, I Can!). By the time the campaign officially concluded, in December 2012, it had reached over 200,000 people. This chapter draws on evidence collected during an in-country participatory action research evaluation of this campaign to discuss the contribution of popular education to post-conflict peacebuilding and development.
Nanoparticle elasticity directs tumor uptake

To date, the role of elasticity in drug delivery remains elusive due to the inability to measure microscale mechanics and alter rheology without affecting chemistry. Herein, we describe the in vitro cellular uptake and in vivo tumor uptake of nanolipogels (NLGs). NLGs are composed of identical lipid bilayers encapsulating an alginate core, with tunable elasticity. The elasticity of NLGs was evaluated by atomic force microscopy, which demonstrated that they exhibit Young’s moduli ranging from 45 ± 9 to 19,000 ± 5 kPa. Neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells exhibited significantly greater uptake of soft NLGs (Young’s modulus 13.8 MPa). In an orthotopic breast tumor model, soft NLGs accumulated significantly more in tumors, whereas elastic NLGs preferentially accumulated in the liver. Our findings demonstrate that particle elasticity directs tumor accumulation, suggesting that it may be a design parameter to enhance tumor delivery efficiency.
A simple payoff allocation mechanism achieves efficiency and stability in renewable energy aggregation

Aggregating statistically diverse renewable power producers (RPPs) is an effective way to reduce the uncertainty of the RPPs. The key question is how to design a mechanism to aggregate the RPPs and distribute the payoffs among them. In this paper, a simple payoff allocation mechanism (PAM) is shown to achieve a wide range of desired properties. In particular, social efficiency, stability (in the core), and no collusion are achieved at the unique pure Nash Equilibrium (NE) of the non-cooperative game of RPPs induced by the PAM. As a result, an ideal “Price of Anarchy” of one is achieved. Moreover, a closed form expression of the unique pure NE is derived. A simulation study is conducted using the data of ten wind power producers in the PJM interconnection.
Cold Season Southwest Asia Precipitation Sensitivity to El Niño–Southern Oscillation Events

AbstractThe sensitivity of southwest Asia (25°–40°N, 40°–70°E) precipitation during the November–April rainy season to four types of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) El Nino and La Nina, is assessed using an ensemble of atmospheric model simulations forced by 1979–2015 boundary conditions. Sensitivity is assessed in terms of 1) the spread of precipitation across the ensemble members around the ensemble mean, 2) the probability of precipitation falling into the upper and lower terciles of the historical distribution, and 3) the relationship between the tropical atmosphere and southwest Asia precipitation during ENSO. During CP La Nina, the magnitude of the below-average mean precipitation exceeds the magnitude of the precipitation spread, thereby conditioning the probability of lower-tercile southwest Asia precipitation to greater than 70%. By contrast, EP La Nina does not alter the odds of southwest Asia precipitation terciles, as the magnitude of t...
El Niño and the Köppen–Geiger Classification: A Prototype Concept and Methodology for Mapping Impacts in Central America and the Circum-Caribbean

The aim of this pilot study conducted by the consortium for capacity building was to develop a prototype concept and methodology for the classification and visualization of the geographic impacts of El Nino on annual climates and seasonality. Our study is based on the Koppen–Geiger climate classification scheme for a set of selected countries affected by strong El Ninos in Latin America. By identifying and visualizing the annual and seasonal changes in regional, national, or subnational climate regimes that generally accompany an El Nino event, this research proposes an efficient way to detect and describe climate shifts and variability across time and space. Such knowledge provides a support tool for risk analysis and can potentially enhance government efforts of climate risk management, including disaster risk reduction activities that prevent, mitigate, and improve coping responses to El Nino-related hydrometeorological threats. Details of the conceptual approach and methodology to classifying and mapping El Nino’s impacts are described and explained using the Central American and circum-Caribbean region as a case study. The potential applications for disaster risk reduction as well as its limitations and future work are also discussed.
Breast cancer drug trastuzumab induces cardiac toxicity: evaluation of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker.

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in the United States and worldwide. Cancer occurs through the uncontrolled development of new abnormal cell growth. Clinicians and researc...
Genetic variation among selenoprotein genes and cancer

Selenium is an essential trace element shown to prevent cancer in animals. In humans, selenium status has been shown to be inversely associated with cancer risk, and clinical studies have indicated a potential cancer prevention benefit from supplementing diets with low levels of selenium as well. It is likely that many of the benefits of selenium are associated with consequential effects on the levels or activity of selenium-containing proteins, or selenoproteins, which contain selenium as the amino acid selenocysteine. Twenty five selenoproteins are encoded by the human genome. Genetic variations among these genes may be associated with cancer risk, as has been indicated for the anti-oxidant selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1). Genetic variation among selenoprotein genes also has facilitated the recognition of allelic loss during cancer development, where losing one of two gene copies presumably reduces the ultimate levels of the corresponding protein and the loss of a protective function. Genetic variations among other selenoprotein genes have been documented, but the biological consequences, if any, have yet to be defined.
The “Good Cause Norm” in Employment Relations: Empirical Evidence and Policy Implications

Critics of the American employment at-will doctrine have argued that it should be abandoned because it is at odds with a societal level norm that employees should only be discharged for good reasons (the “good cause norm”). This paper examines the extent to which there is conceptual and empirical support for the existence of such a norm. Theoretical perspectives supporting the norms existence are discussed and integrated, and an interdisciplinary review of relevant research is provided. In light of the support that is found for the existence of a good cause norm in the American workplace, it is proposed that the current employment at-will default rule be changed to a waivable employee right to be discharged for good cause only.
Ethylene Signal Transduction Pathway in Cell Death During Aerenchyma Formation in Maize Root Cells: Role of Phospholipases

Ethylene biosynthesis is accelerated in roots of maize when they become hypoxic (partially O2 deficient) following soil flooding. The increased concentration of ethylene to which cells close to the root tip are exposed subsequently induces premature death and degeneration of cells in the root cortex, leaving air-filled cavities (aerenchyma). The interconnected cavities improve oxygenation of the root cells, and contribute to plant tolerance of flooding.
Current Trends in Education & Development

The current state of international donor policy is reflective of changes that have taken place over the past two decades to consider greater participation by developing countries. Current priorities in donor policies continue to mirror Western priorities, including basic education, quality programming, and program accountability. In addition, tertiary education and adult vocational skills have entered the priorities of multi lateral and bi lateral donors, arguably, in response to demands from donor recipient countries. In addition, a new model of development is emerging from China and other countries that have moved from donor recipient to granting countries. This chapter outlines the current priorities of Western donors and the role of new donors in influencing development in education.
Contemporary best practice in the management of staghorn calculi

Staghorn calculi are complex renal stones that occupy the majority of the renal collecting system. These stones are associated with high morbidity and can lead to recurrent urinary tract infections...
Condensed-matter physics: Charge topology in superconductors.

X-ray images of cuprate superconductors reveal the fractured, defect-riddled backbone on which superconductivity develops. The results take us a step closer to understanding how supercurrent flows on small spatial scales. See Letter p.359 The geometry favouring the high-transition-temperature superconducting state (Tc) emerges from the coexistence of charge-density-wave order and quenched disorder. Gaetano Campi et al. have used micro X-ray diffraction imaging to study the spatial distribution of charge-density-wave 'puddles' and quenched disorder in HgBa2CuO4+y. They describe a complex, inhomogeneous spatial landscape resulting from the interplay between charge and dopant order. The charge-density-wave puddles, like the steam bubbles in boiling water, show a size distribution typical of self-organization near a critical point. The quenched disorder shows a distribution contrary to the usual assumed random uncorrelated distribution.
The global need and availability of blood products: a modelling study

Summary Background Blood transfusions are an important resource of every health-care system, with often limited supply in low-income and middle-income countries; however, the degree of unmet need for blood transfusions is often unknown. We therefore aimed to estimate the blood transfusion need and supply at national level to determine gaps in transfusion services globally. Methods We did a modelling study involving 195 countries and territories. We used blood component preparation data from 2011–13 to estimate blood availability for 180 (92%) of 195 countries from the WHO Global Status Report on Blood Safety and Availability. We calculated disease-specific transfusion needs per prevalent case for 20 causes in the USA using the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample dataset between the years 2000 and 2014, and the State Inpatient Databases between 2003 and 2007 from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Using prevalence estimates for the USA from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 study, we estimated the ideal disease specific-transfusion rate as the lowest rate from the years 2000 to 2014. We applied this rate to GBD prevalence results for 195 countries to estimate transfusion needs. Unmet need was the difference between the estimated supply and need. Findings In 2017, the global blood need was 304 711 244 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 293 064 637–314 049 479) and the global blood supply was 272 270 243 (268 002 639–276 698 494) blood product units, with a need-to-supply ratio of 1·12 (95% UI 1·07–1·16). Of the 195 countries, 119 (61%) did not have sufficient blood supply to meet their need. Across these 119 countries, the unmet need totalled 102 359 632 (95% UI 93 381 710–111 360 725) blood product units, equal to 1849 (1687–2011) units per 100 000 population globally. Every country in central, eastern, and western sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and south Asia had insufficient blood to meet their needs. Interpretation Our data suggest that the gap between need and supply is large in many low-income and middle-income countries, and reinforce that the WHO target of 10–20 donations per 1000 population is an underestimate for many countries. A continuous expansion and optimisation of national transfusion services and implementation of evidence-based strategies for blood availability is needed globally, as is more government support, financially, structurally, and through establishment of a regulatory oversight to ensure supply, quality, and safety in low-income and middle-income countries. Funding National Institutes of Health.
Impact of the promotora model on the improvement of oral health knowledge of caregivers.

Objective The objective of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the impact of the Promotora Model (PM) as an educational strategy to increase oral health knowledge in parents/caregivers of children aged 2–5 years at high risk for dental caries. Materials and Methods Sixty-three caregivers who provided informed consent were included in the study. A structured 37-item survey was administered prior to conducting the Promotora educational intervention (PEI) that covered oral health topics and behaviors. Three (3) months after the PEI session, during their child’s next dental visit, the same instrument was administered to 46 of the parents/caregivers that had completed the first instrument. Results Most caregivers were Hispanic (73.9%) and 50% reported completing high school. Before PEI, 56.5% of participants scored as having “good” general knowledge. Three months after PEI, 82.6% achieved that score (paired sample T-test, p< 0.00001). Conclusion Based on the results, it was concluded that the PM significantly increased caregivers’ oral health knowledge.
Long-term nitrogen addition in maize monocultures reduces in vitro inhibition of actinomycete standards by soil-borne actinomycetes.

Management of soil microbial communities for enhanced crop disease suppression is an attractive approach to biocontrol, but the effects of agricultural practices on the disease-suppressive potential of the soil microbial community remain unknown. We investigated the effects of long-term nitrogen addition (103 kg ha-1 nitrogen as urea vs. no fertilizer) and crop residue incorporation vs. removal on in vitro antibiotic inhibitory capacities of actinomycetes from 57-year maize (Zea mays L.) monocultures in southeastern Minnesota. We hypothesized that both nitrogen and crop residue addition would increase inhibitor frequencies by increasing microbial population densities and thus increasing the importance of competitive interactions among microbes to their fitness. We found that although soil carbon and nitrogen and microbial densities (actinomycete and total colony-forming units) tended to be greater with nitrogen fertilizer, the frequency of in vitro inhibitory phenotypes among culturable actinomycetes in fertilized plots was approximately half that in non-fertilized plots. Residue incorporation had little to no effect on soil chemistry, microbial density and inhibitor frequency. These results suggest that density-mediated processes alone cannot explain the effects of amendments on inhibitor frequencies. Fitness costs and benefits of inhibitory phenotypes may vary over time and may depend on the type of resource amendment.
Escaping the COVID-19 Testing Paradox

As with all diagnostic tests, PCR and serology tests are imperfect, sometimes producing false negatives and sometimes false positives While the sensitivity and
Holistic face recognition is an emergent phenomenon of spatial integration in face-selective regions

Abstract Spatial processing by receptive fields is a core property of the visual system. However, it is unknown how spatial coding in high-level regions contributes to recognition behavior. As face inversion is thought to disrupt typical ‘holistic’ processing of information in faces, we mapped population receptive fields (pRFs) with upright and inverted faces in the human visual system. In face-selective regions, but not primary visual cortex, pRFs and overall visual field coverage were smaller and shifted downward in response to face inversion. From these measurements, we successfully predicted the relative behavioral detriment of face inversion at different positions in the visual field. This correspondence between neural measurements and behavior demonstrates how spatial integration in face-selective regions enables holistic processing. These results not only show that spatial processing in high-level visual regions is dynamically used towards recognition, but also suggest a powerful approach for bridging neural computations by receptive fields to behavior.
Socioeconomic status and childhood central nervous system tumors in California

Childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors are the leading cause of cancer mortality in children. Previous studies have suggested that some childhood cancers, including primary CNS tumors, may be associated with higher socioeconomic status (SES). We linked data from the California Cancer Registry to California birth records for children (age 0–19 years) diagnosed with primary CNS tumors during 1988–2011 and analyzed multiple measures of parental SES around the birth of their children and subsequent risk for childhood CNS tumors. Our SES measures included birth record-derived parental education and insurance utilization. For a subset of subjects born between 1997 and 2007, we geocoded addresses and examined census-derived median household income and educational level. We analyzed data for 3,022 children with primary CNS tumors and 10,791 matched controls. We found consistent evidence across multiple measures that lower estimates of SES are associated with a reduced risk of CNS tumors. In tumor subgroup analyses, this relationship was most consistent in astrocytomas and ependymomas, with varying findings for embryonal tumors. Higher parental SES appears to be a risk factor for childhood CNS tumors in California. Further research is needed to determine specific exposures that may explain this increased risk.
Spiroplasma burmanica sp. nov. (Spiroplasmataceae: Mollicutes) from a Fossil Plant Louse (Psylloidea: Sternorrhyncha) in mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber

A new species of spiroplasmid, Spiroplasma burmanica sp. nov. (Mollicutes: Entomoplasmatales: Spiroplasmataceae) is described from the body cavity of a fossil plant louse (Psylloidea: Sternorrhyncha) in Burmese amber. The new species is pleomorphic with body shapes varying from oval to helical. The majority of the helical cells occur in the head, thorax (including leg cavities) and abdomen of the fossil psyllid. The association between S. burmanica and the psyllid is considered to be a case of symbiosis, similar to extant relationships. This discovery of the first fossil spiroplasmid shows that psyllids carried these microorganisms some 100 million years ago.
Oceans and Rapid Climate Change

A key component of global ocean circulation, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is believed to play an important role in abrupt climate changes, both in the past and potentially in the future. As a nonlinear system, the AMOC has multiple equilibrium states characterized by different AMOC strengths, and it has been hypothesized that past abrupt climate changes, including the warm Dansgaard-Oeschger and cold Heinrich events, were related to the transition between such states. The question arises whether an abrupt climate change caused by the AMOC shift could also occur in the future as a result of anthropogenic global warming. Answering this question is complicated by the fact that state-of-the-art coupled climate models typically simulate a mono-stable AMOC for modern climate conditions, which contradicts observationally based indicators suggesting that the AMOC may be bi-stable (i.e., having two stable equilibria). This stability bias is largely due to a common model bias in tropical precipitation—the double Intertropical Convergence Zone problem distorting the Atlantic freshwater budget. After correcting this bias, we find that the AMOC can rapidly weaken and then collapse in experiments with CO2 doubling, which suggests that the risk of AMOC shutdown in the future should not be underestimated.
A Guantanamo on the Sea: The Difficulty of Prosecuting Pirates and Terrorists

Copyright ? 2010 California Law Review, Inc. California Law Review, Inc. (CLR) is a California nonprofit corporation. CLR and the authors are solely responsible for the content of their publications. t Associate Professor, Northwestern University Law School. The author thanks Steven Art for his extraordinary assistance in researching this Essay, and the Global Law Forum at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs for its support for an earlier version of this project. Avi Bell, Evan Criddle, Gregory McNeal, and Bernard Oxman provided helpful comments. This Essay was selected for presentation at the National Security Law Junior Scholar's Workshop at the University of Texas, sponsored by the International Committee of the Red Cross, and at the American Association of Law Schools annual meeting. Special thanks go to the commentators and other participants. 1. See Germany Calls for International Court to Prosecute Pirates, FoxNews.com, Dec. 23, 2008, http://www.foxnews.corn/story/0,2933,471804,00.html (explaining why nations today are reluctant to act against pirates). 2. Jeffrey Gettleman, Pirates Outmaneuver Warships off Somalia, N.Y. Times, Dec. 15, 2008, at A6 ("Even if foreign navies nab some members of his crew, Mr. Jama said, he is not worried. He said his men would probably get no more punishment than a free ride back to the beach."). 3. In 2008, the International Maritime Bureau of the International Chamber of Commerce reported an "unprecedented" wave of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, with 111 recorded attacks. See ICC Commercial Crime Services, 1MB Reports Unprecedented Rise in Maritime Hijackings, Jan. 16, 2009, http://www.icc-ccs.org/mdex.php7op reports-unprecedented-rise-in-maritime-hij ackings&catid=60 :ne ws&Itemid=51.
Cytoprotection of rat hepatocytes by desipramine in a model of simulated ischemia/reperfusion.

Abstract We investigated the cytoprotective effect of desipramine (DMI) during in vitro simulated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) of rat hepatocytes. Primary hepatocytes isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 4 h of anoxia at pH 6.2 followed by normoxia at pH 7.4 for 2 h to simulate ischemia and reperfusion, respectively. During simulated reperfusion, some hepatocytes were reoxygenated using media containing 5 μM DMI. Necrotic cell death and the onset of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) were assessed using fluorometry and confocal microscopy. Changes in autophagic flux and autophagy-related proteins (ATGs) were analyzed by immunoblotting. DMI was shown to substantially delay MPT onset and suppress I/R related cell damage. Mechanistically, DMI treatment during reperfusion increased the expression level of the microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) processing enzymes, ATG4B and ATG7. Genetic knockdown of ATG4B abolished the cytoprotective effect of DMI. Together, these results indicate that DMI is a unique agent which enhances LC3 processing in an ATG4B-dependent way.
Determinants and Consequences of Sustainability Narrative and Graphical Disclosures

We examine the determinants and consequences of both narrative and graphical presentations of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability disclosures. Drawing on a sample of hand-collated data of top 200 firms from the US and Europe from 2016-2018, we find that: (1) EU firms under the mandatory ESG disclosure regime disclose better quality and quantity of ESG graphical and narrative presentations than US firms under the voluntary disclosure regime; and (2) firms with low ESG sustainability narratives and graphs quality and quantity exhibit lower financial performance (ROA), lower long-term market performance, and lower financial reporting quality than those with high quality and quantity of ESG narrative and graphical disclosures. Our results are robust after performing additional analyses in addressing potential endogeneity concerns. Overall, our findings provide policy, practice, and research implications as they highlight the importance of more uniform and rigorous ESG graphical and narrative sustainability disclosures.
Air Pollution Particulate Matter Amplifies White Matter Vascular Pathology and Demyelination Caused by Hypoperfusion

Cerebrovascular pathologies are commonly associated with dementia. Because air pollution increases arterial disease in humans and rodent models, we hypothesized that air pollution would also contribute to brain vascular dysfunction. We examined the effects of exposing mice to nanoparticulate matter (nPM; aerodynamic diameter ≤200 nm) from urban traffic and interactions with cerebral hypoperfusion. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to filtered air or nPM with and without bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) and analyzed by multiparametric MRI and histochemistry. Exposure to nPM alone did not alter regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) or blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity. However, nPM worsened the white matter hypoperfusion (decreased CBF on DSC-MRI) and exacerbated the BBB permeability (extravascular IgG deposits) resulting from BCAS. White matter MRI diffusion metrics were abnormal in mice subjected to cerebral hypoperfusion and worsened by combined nPM+BCAS. Axonal density was reduced equally in the BCAS cohorts regardless of nPM status, whereas nPM exposure caused demyelination in the white matter with or without cerebral hypoperfusion. In summary, air pollution nPM exacerbates cerebrovascular pathology and demyelination in the setting of cerebral hypoperfusion, suggesting that air pollution exposure can augment underlying cerebrovascular contributions to cognitive loss and dementia in susceptible elderly populations.
Phorbol diester-induced alterations in the expression of protein kinase C isozymes and their mRNAs. Analysis in wild-type and phorbol diester-resistant HL-60 cell clones.

Abstract In an HL-60 cell subline (PR-17) which was greater than 100-fold resistant to the differentiating and cytostatic activities of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), the protein kinase C phenotype was found to be nearly identical to that of wild-type HL-60 cells. A measurable decrease (30%) in the specific activities of crude preparations of PR-17 cell protein kinase C was observed when the enzyme was measured with histone as the phosphate acceptor substrate, but other aspects of the protein kinase C phenotype (intracellular concentrations and binding affinities of phorbol diester receptors, translocation of activated enzyme from cytosolic to particulate subcellular fractions, relative expression of the alpha and beta isozyme proteins) were equivalent in both PMA-resistant PR-17 cells and in wild-type HL-60 cells. Direct analysis of the behavior of the alpha and beta isozymes after the exposure of each cell type to 100 nM PMA for 12 h revealed that the activities and intracellular concentrations of both isozymes were downregulated to an equivalent extent in both wild-type and PMA-resistant cells. These results suggest that the cellular basis for the resistance to the effects of PMA was present "down-stream" from the activation and down-regulation of protein kinase C and was perhaps a nuclear component. Among the genes which were likely to be differentially regulated when each of the two cell lines were treated with PMA were those for the protein kinase C isozymes themselves. In wild-type HL-60 cells, the intracellular concentrations of type HL-60 cells, the intracellular concentrations of mRNA for each of the beta isozymes were increased (up to 5-fold) 48 h after the initiation of PMA treatment; further studies indicate that an activator of protein kinase C could influence the expression of HL-60 cell protein kinase C genes in an isozyme-specific manner. Comparable PMA-induced alterations in mRNA levels were not observed in PMA-resistant cells, even under conditions of significant activation and subsequent down-regulation of protein kinase C protein. Taken together, these data suggest that activation and down-regulation of the isozymes of protein kinase C may not represent absolute determinants of the PMA-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells, but that specific alterations in the levels of the mRNA for the beta isozymes of protein kinase C, or of other genes which may be regulated by the activated kinase isozymes, are important to the induction of leukemia cell differentiation by PMA.
Back to blaming parents

I was distressed to see the understanding and management of children with behavior and/or learning problems set back 20 years by Dr James S. Miller9s article (Pediatrics 61:217, 1978). The unifying concept of minimal brain dysfunction arose in the 1950s for three main reasons: (1) many children seen clinically for family, school, and/or peer problems showed a mixture of both hyperactivity and learning disability in a wide range from mild to severe1-3; (2) most of these children, as Dr Miller states, had no history even suggestive of brain damage4; and (3) most of these children were treated as though their hyperactivity and cognitive deficits were caused entirely by interpersonal, family relationships, thus reinforcing parental guilt and making psychotherapy for the parents and child the usual treatment of choice without consideration of other causes and treatments.5
Mathematical Model Investigation of Far-Field Transport of Ocean-Dumped Sewage Sludge Related to Remote Sensing

An existing, three-dimensional, Eulerian-Lagrangian finite-difference model was modified and used to examine the far-field transport processes of dumped sewage sludge in the New York Bight. Both in situ and laboratory data were utilized in an attempt to approximate model inputs such as mean current speed, vertical and horizontal diffusion coefficients, particle size distributions, and specific gravities. Concentrations of the sludge near the sea surface predicted from the computer model were compared qualitatively with those remotely sensed.
Role of Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealerships in the Pennsylvania Economy

Motor vehicle and parts dealerships are an important part of the history and economy of Pennsylvania. The industry creates jobs and compensation for workers and generates tax revenues throughout Pennsylvania.
Fluoride intake from foods, beverages and dentifrice by young children in communities with negligibly and optimally fluoridated water: a pilot study.

Abstract– While the level of fluoride intake that affords optimal cariostatic efficacy without causing dental fluorosis is not precisely known, it has been suggested that the threshold of fluoride exposure above which fluorosis may occur is between 0.05 and 0.07 mg/kg/day. Objective: To monitor and compare fluoride intake from diet and dentifrice use (theoretical F: 0.10–0.11%) by three groups of 16- to 40-month-old children: two groups living in the negligibly water-fluoridated communities of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Connersville, Indiana, and the third group residing in the optimally water-fluoridated region of Indianapolis, Indiana. Methods: Fluoride intake from diet was monitored by the “duplicate plate” method, and fluoride ingested from dentifrice was determined by subtracting the amount of fluoride recovered after brushing from the amount originally placed on the child's toothbrush. Results: The mean combined amount of fluoride ingested daily by children living in the negligibly fluoridated communities was not significantly different from that ingested by children in the fluoridated community. The major component of fluoride ingested by children in the negligibly fluoridated communities came from fluoridated dentifrice, and in the fluoridated area children ingested as much fluoride from toothpaste as they did from beverages. In San Juan mean daily fluoride intake was within the estimated range for safe fluoride expo-sure; however, in the “halo” community of Connersville and in Indianapolis, daily fluoride ingested by many of the children may have exceeded this level. Conclusion: Attention needs to be given, in negligibly water-fluoridated as well as in optimally water-fluoridated communities, to reducing the daily intake of fluoride by young children in order to avoid putting them at risk of developing dental fluorosis.
LONGITUDINAL COURSE OF MEASURED INTELLIGENCE IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS

The longitudinal course of measured intelligence in white middle-class and Puerto Rican working class children was examined at three and at six years of age. Findings suggested that stability in IQ over this time period was characteristic of both groups, with greater stability manifested by the Puerto Rican than by the middle-class children. No evidence for deterioration of IQ with age in the disadvantaged group was found. The data are considered in relation to problems of the stability of IQ and its utility in the assessment of the effects of compensatory education programs.
Use of Monte Carlo simulation to examine gamma-ray interactions in germanium detectors

Monte Carlo simulation results that were known to agree with efficiencies measured by means of radioactivity standards for two germanium detectors of very different sizes were used to examine efficiency responses to gamma rays of detectors that could not be measured directly or that would require use of numerous detectors. Contributions to the full-energy peak by multiple scattering of gamma rays preceding the photoelectric interaction were tabulated. The applicability of the commonly used straight-line relationship in logarithmic coordinates to plot intrinsic efficiency versus energy was tested for 14 detectors with widely different dimensions. Published empirical equations for predicting efficiency versus energy on the basis of detector volume were compared with simulation results. An equation that appears to be applicable to a wider range of volumes was obtained. The development of this equation makes it possible to evaluate the efficiencies of detectors with a wide range of volumes without necessitating direct measurement.
The application of association rule mining to remotely sensed data

The explosive growth in data and database has generated an urgent need for new techniques and tools that can intelligently and automatically transform the processed data into useful information and knowledge. Data mining is such a technique. In this paper, we consider the mining of association rules from remotely sensed data and its application in precision. Based on the characteristics of the remotely sensed data and the problem itself, we present a bit oriented formal model and discuss the issues of partitioning quantitative attributes into equal, unequal and discontinuous partitions. We propose two new pruning techniques and compare the performances with a base algorithm. An improvement in performance is shown when using these pruning techniques.
Evaluation of an educational intervention upon knowledge, attitudes, and behavior concerning drinking/drugged driving

The Contra Costa County educational program for juveniles found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) was evaluated. Over 600 juveniles convicted of DUI from 1983 to 1988 formed the study group for this research and of these over 100 participated in the educational program. Assessment of program participants was conducted for knowledge, attitudes and behavior. Participants demonstrated increased knowledge, stronger attitudes against driving under the influence, and less risky alcohol and automobile related behaviors. County juvenile records analyzed by the logit procedure showed that class participants had a significantly lower number of repeat offenses compared to non-program participants that could not be explained by race, offense severity, age or gender.
Dipentylamine-Modified Polyborazylene: A New, Melt-Spinnable Polymeric Precursor to Boron Nitride Ceramic Fibers

A new melt-spinnable polymeric precursor to BN ceramic fibers, [(B3N3H3.5)(NPn2)∼0.5]x, has been synthesized by the reaction of polyborazylene, [B3N3H∼4]x, with dipentylamine. The polymer has been melt-spun into continuous polymer fibers 30−40 μm in diameter. Pyrolysis of the polymer fibers under ammonia yields ∼30 μm BN ceramic fibers of good quality, as determined by SEM, DRIFT, XRD, and RBS measurements, as well as oxidation and mechanical studies.
How do low-molecular-weight heparin and unfractionated heparin compare following ST-segment elevation MI?

How do low-molecular-weight heparin and unfractionated heparin compare following ST-segment elevation MI?
Determining camera parameters from the perspective projection of a rectangle

Abstract In this note we show how to use the 2D perspective projection of a rectangle of unknown size and position in 3D space to determine the camera look angle parameters relative to the plans of the rectangle. All equations are simple. In addition, if the size of the rectangle is known, it is possible to compute the exact 3D coordinates of the rectangle.
Mitochondrial terminal alternative oxidase and its enhancement by thermal stress in the coral symbiont Symbiodinium

A terminal electron acceptor alternative to mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX), mitochondrial alternative oxidase (AOX), is ubiquitous in higher plants and represented in nearly every algal taxon but is poorly documented in dinoflagellates. AOX competes for electrons with the conventional COX and has been hypothesized to function as a means of reducing oxidative stress in mitochondria, as well as a potential mechanism for ameliorating thermal and other physiological stressors. Here, the presence of an active AOX in cultured Symbiodinium was assayed by the response of oxygen consumption to the AOX inhibitor salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) and the COX inhibitor cyanide (CN). CN-insensitive, SHAM-sensitive oxygen consumption was found to account for a large portion (26 %) of Symbiodinium dark respiration and is consistent with high levels of AOX activity. This experimental evidence of the existence of a previously unreported terminal oxidase was further corroborated by analysis of publicly available Symbiodinium transcriptome data. The potential for enhanced AOX expression to play a compensatory role in mediating thermal stress was supported by inhibitor assays of cultured Symbiodinium at low (18 °C), moderate (26 °C), and high (32 °C) temperature conditions. Maximum capacity of the putative AOX pathway as a proportion of total dark oxygen consumption was found to increase from 26 % at 26 °C to 45 % and 53 % at 18 °C and 32 °C, respectively, when cells were acclimated to the treatment temperatures. Cells assayed at 18 and 32 °C without acclimation exhibited either the same or lower AOX capacity as controls, suggesting that the AOX protein is upregulated under temperature stress. The physiological implications for the presence of AOX in the coral/algal symbiosis and its potential role in response to many forms of biotic and abiotic stress, particularly oxidative stress, are discussed.
Cancer stem cells

Solid tumors are comprised of a surprisingly heterogeneous collection of cells. As discussed in an introductory talk by Dr. Rudin, recent studies focused on a wide diversity of malignancies have begun to define phenotypically distinct subsets of cancer cells that differ in terms of both clonogenic potential in vitro and tumorigenic potential in vivo. These studies have been interpreted by many as supporting the cancer stem cell hypothesis.1 In brief, this hypothesis holds that a small subpopulation of cancer cells within a tumor retain the unique proliferative and differentiative capacity to regenerate tumors. In contrast, the majority of cells within tumors has limited replicative potential and may represent terminally differentiated progeny of the cancer stem cells. An increasingly broad and consistent body of evidence, from both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, supports that separable phenotypically distinct populations of cancer cells have radically different regenerative capacities. Even very small numbers of purified populations of high-tumorigenic capacity can be successfully transplanted, resulting in tumors consistently recapitulating the full heterogeneity of cell morphologies present in the tumor of origin.1 Several recent articles have sought to define characteristics of putative stem cells for human lung cancer. Ho et al.2 demonstrated that bulk tumor cell sorting from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells lines by flow cytometry can be used to isolate a subset of cells markedly enriched for tumorigenic potential in vivo. Eramo et al.3 demonstrated, across all major lung cancer histologies, that a subset of tumor cells expressing elevated CD133 (a known marker of tumor progenitor cells in glioblastoma) is highly tumorigenic and recapitulates the full diversity of CD133-high and low cells in recipient animals. Most recently, Jiang et al.4 used a series of primary xenograft small cell lung cancer to demonstrate that the transcription factor ASCL1, implicated in multiple embryonic developmental pathways, is markedly upregulated in the CD133+ progenitor cell compartment. ASCL1 was found to be a transcriptional regulator of CD133 and suppression of ASCL1 by shRNA markedly inhibited clonogenic potential. Taken together, these recent articles strongly support the existence of a subpopulation within human lung cancers characterized by markedly elevated tumorigenic capacity.
Archiving the Internet

Abstract Archiving digital information found on the Internet is a difficult but important task. This column describes various projects and initiatives that are providing long-term preservation of and access to Web-based information.
Pygmalion revisited, revisited: On a loud and careless call for caution

As a critical document Grieger's paper is seriously deficient. There are grave errors of scholarship and misunderstandings of fundamental principles of statistical analysis and experimental methods. As a review of the literature on teacher expectancy effects it omits over three-fourths of the relevant studies conducted. The present paper attempts to correct some of the shortcomings described, provisionally summarizes the results of over 200 studies of interpersonal expectation, and suggests the type of research programs now needed most in our efforts to understand the social psychology of interpersonal expectations.
Radiative and non-radiative processes in jet-cooled NCNO

Abstract Lifetimes of excited vibronic levels in NCNO are measured both by LIF and by monitoring excited state absorptions. Fluorescence lifetimes are longer than S 1 radiative lifetimes at all wavelengths between the band origin (11339 cm −1 ) and D o (17085 cm −1 ). In the language of radiationless transitions, the behavior below D o is characteristic of the “small or intermediate molecule lim