cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid and simple tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of serum cotinine concentration.

Tobacco use, primarily through cigarette smoking, continues to be a primary cause of preventable death worldwide. It has been well documented that exposure to tobacco smoke, which is very common, causes chronic lung and heart disease. Data from the 1988–1991 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data found that 87.9% of nonsmokers had detectable concentrations of serum cotinine (1). Because of the health risks associated with tobacco exposure, analysis of biomarkers of tobacco exposure has increased. Cotinine is the preferred serum biomarker for tobacco exposure (2)(3)(4)(5). Nicotine, a natural product in tobacco, is rapidly absorbed through the lungs into the pulmonary venous circulation and then to the heart and other body organs. It has a biological half-life of only 1 h and is rapidly excreted in the urine. As such, its use to measure tobacco exposure is limited. Nicotine is metabolized primarily via oxidation of the α-carbon to cotinine and N-oxidation of the pyrrolidine ring (6)(7). Cotinine accounts for ∼90% of nicotine metabolites in serum and has a half-life of 10–40 h (8)(9). This relatively longer half-life makes it suitable for assessing exposure to cigarette smoke. Validated methods for cotinine analysis in passive smoke assessment generally require large sample volumes, which are unsuitable for pediatric populations. Available methods that use smaller sample volumes and/or less complex extractions do not provide adequate assay sensitivity, thus precluding their use in assessing passive cigarette smoke exposure (10). We describe the development of a sensitive single-step extraction and rapid method for serum cotinine based on ion spray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Cotinine was purchased from Sigma Chemical Co., d,l-cotinine-methyl-d3 from …
Resentment and Impartiality

Soulevant le probleme moral de la possibilite du pardon et de l'emotion liee au prejudice souffert par la victime, l'A. montre que la conscience d'avoir ete atteint dans son identite morale est incompatible avec une ethique de l'impartialite. Examinant le cas de la haine, de l'indignation, de la colere et de la rancune, l'A. montre que ni la conception utilitariste ni la conception kantienne de l'impartialite ne parviennent a rendre compte de la valeur disproportionnee que les agents accordent a leurs interets particuliers. Abandonnant l'idee d'une ethique impartiale qui ne peut reconnaitre le pardon comme vertu, l'A. conclut avec J. Butler et J. G. Murphy au renoncement du ressentiment dans le pardon
Identifying hospital admissions due to adverse drug events using a computer-based monitor.

Background Hospital admissions due to adverse drug events (ADEs) are expensive, and many may be preventable, yet few institutions have ongoing surveillance for these events. Objective To evaluate the use of a computer-based ADE monitor to identify admissions due to ADEs and to measure the associated costs. Design Prospective cohort study in one tertiary care hospital. Participants All patients admitted to nine medical and surgical units in a tertiary care hospital over an 8-month period. Main outcome measure Admissions to the hospital due to an adverse drug event. Methods A computer-based monitoring program generated alerts suggesting that an ADE might be present. A trained reviewer then evaluated the record. Results Among the 3238 admissions, 76 (2.3%, 1.4% after adjusting for sampling) were found to be caused by an ADE. Of these ADEs, 78% were severe and 28% were preventable. Estimated costs were $16,177 per ADE, and $10,375 per preventable ADE; annualized costs to the hospital were $6.3 million per year for all ADEs, and $1.2 million for preventable ADEs. Conclusions Many admissions were caused by ADEs, although our point estimate undoubtedly represents a lower bound. These events were mostly severe, often preventable, and expensive. The computer-based monitoring system represents a practical approach for identifying ADEs that occur in outpatients and cause admission to the hospital. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simplification architecture for exploring navigation tradeoffs in mobile VR

Interactive applications on mobile devices often reduce data fidelity to adapt to resource constraints and variable user preferences. In virtual reality applications, the problem of reducing scene graph fidelity can be stated as a combinatorial optimization problem, where a part of the scene graph with maximum fidelity is chosen such that the resources it requires are below a given threshold and the hierarchical relationships are maintained. The problem can be formulated as a variation of the tree knapsack problem, which is known to be NP-hard. For this reason, solutions to this problem result in a tradeoff that affects user navigation. On one hand, exact solutions provide the highest fidelity but may take long time to compute. On the other hand, greedy solutions are fast but lack high fidelity. We present a simplification architecture that allows the exploration of such navigation tradeoffs. This is achieved by a formulating the problem in a generic way and developing software components that allow the dynamic selection of algorithms and constraints. The experimental results show that the architecture is flexible and supports dynamic reconfiguration.
High-resolution DNA melting analysis in clinical research and diagnostics.

Among nucleic acid analytical methods, high-resolution melting analysis is gaining more and more attention. High-resolution melting provides simple, homogeneous solutions for variant scanning and genotyping, addressing the needs of today’s overburdened laboratories with rapid turnaround times and minimal cost. The flexibility of the technique has allowed it to be adopted by a wide range of disciplines for a variety of applications. In this review we examine the broad use of high-resolution melting analysis, including gene scanning, genotyping (including small amplicon, unlabeled probe and snapback primers), sequence matching and methylation analysis. Four major application arenas are examined to demonstrate the methods and approaches commonly used in particular fields. The appropriate usage of high-resolution melting analysis is discussed in the context of known constraints, such as sample quality and quantity, with a particular focus placed on proper experimental design in order to produce successful res...
Improving convergence and performance of Kohonen's self-organizing scheme

Kohonen-like clustering algorithms (e.g., learning vector quantization) suffer from several major problems. For this class of algorithms, output often depends on the initialization. If the initial values of the cluster centers are outside the convex hull of the input data, such an algorithm, even if it terminates, may not produce meaningful results in terms of prototypes for clustering. This is because it updates only the winner prototype with every input vector. In this paper we propose a generalization of learning vector quantization (which we shall call a Kohonen clustering network or KCN) which, unlike other methods, updates all the nodes with each input vector. Moreover, the network attempts to find a minimum of a well defined objective function. The learning rules depend on the degree of match to the winner node; the lesser the degree of match with the winner, the more is the impact on nonwinner nodes. Our numerical results show that the generated prototypes do not depend on the initialization, learning coefficient, or the number of iterations (provided KCN runs for at least 200 passes through the data). We use Anderson's IRIS data to illustrate our method; and we compare our results with the standard Kohonen approach.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Avastin doesn't blind people, people blind people.

Purpose To review the appropriate preparation of bevacizumab for intravitreal injection by compounding pharmacies with specific recommendations designed to prevent microbial contamination. Design Perspective. Methods A review and discussion of compounding issues with supporting literature, clinical experience, illustrations, and expert opinion. Results Closer examination of the events surrounding the recent clusters of infectious endophthalmitis cases occurring after the intravitreal injection of bevacizumab suggest that the vision loss is not the result of the drug or the injection technique, but rather of the compounding procedures used to prepare the syringes containing the bevacizumab. Noncompliance with recognized standards and poor aseptic technique are the most likely causes of these outbreaks. The key to preventing these catastrophic occurrences depends on the implementation of and strict adherence to United States Pharmacopoeia Chapter 797 requirements. Conclusions Recommendations arising from a root cause analysis of infectious endophthalmitis outbreaks should focus on the procedures used by pharmacies to compound bevacizumab. Microbial contamination of bevacizumab-containing syringes prepared from the same vial of drug can be avoided by using a single vial of bevacizumab for each eye or by following strict adherence to United States Pharmacopoeia Chapter 797 requirements when compounding a single vial of bevacizumab into multiple syringes.
Reduced order antenna array calibration

In this work, a combination of the two methods mentioned above is used in order to find a matrix that maps the response without mutual coupling effects to the response with mutual coupling effects. This work assumes the coupling matrix is Toeplitz and uses a few observations in order to estimate the matrix. The remainder of this paper provides the formulation of the problem for a linear array, results for a linear dipole array, and conclusions and comments on future work.
Tensile properties of amorphous diamond films

The strength and modulus of amorphous diamond, a new material for surface micromachined MEMS and sensors, was tested in uniaxial tension by pulling laterally with a flat tipped diamond in a nanoindenter. Several sample designs were attempted. Of those, only the single layer specimen with a 1 by 2 {micro}m gage cross section and a fixed end rigidly attached to the substrate was successful. Tensile load was calculated by resolving the measured lateral and normal forces into the applied tensile force and frictional losses. Displacement was corrected for machine compliance using the differential stiffness method. Post-mortem examination of the samples was performed to document the failure mode. The load-displacement data from those samples that failed in the gage section was converted to stress-strain curves using carefully measured gage cross section dimensions. Mean fracture strength was found to be 8.5 {+-} 1.4 GPa and the modulus was 831 {+-} 94 GPa. Tensile results are compared to hardness and modulus measurements made using a nanoindenter.
Secondary intracranial neoplasms exhibiting features of astrocytoma and neuroblastoma in 2 children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: report of 2 cases.

With the advent of more aggressive antineoplastic combination chemotherapies, agents with fewer adverse effects, prophylactic central nervous system radiation treatments, and more efficacious antibiotics, the number of childhood cancer survivors is continually increasing. These patients place a new responsibility on clinicians; systematic follow-up with effective intervention is necessary to reduce the consequences of the treatments themselves. We report 2 patients who were diagnosed with pre–B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and later presented with intracranial malignancies. Both patients were treated with radiation and with similar chemotherapeutic regimens. Each patient was in remission for leukemia at the time of diagnosis of the second malignancy. The possible causes of the brain tumors in association with acute lymphoblastic leukemia are discussed.
Colostral transmission of bluetongue virus nucleic acid among newborn dairy calves in California.

There have been substantial recent changes in the global distribution and nature of bluetongue virus (BTV) infection of ungulates, perhaps as a result of climate change. To evaluate the epidemiology of BTV infection in California, an area historically endemic for the virus, we monitored newborn dairy calves at different sites for one year for the presence of BTV RNA and virus-specific antibodies. The data confirm both localized, vector-mediated, seasonal transmission of BTV as well as dissemination of BTV and/or viral nucleic acid to newborn calves following ingestion of colostrum.
Teaching Science with Homeless Children: Pedagogy, Representation, and Identity.

In this article, I explore the question of what it means to create a science for all from the vantage point of urban homeless children. I draw on the work of critical and feminist scholars in science and education, as well as my own teaching and research with urban homeless children, to question how inclusive the science education community is in its efforts to understand the margins of science for all. I frame this analysis through the pedagogical questions of representation in science (what science is made to be) and identity in science (who we think we must be to engage in that science). J Res Sci Teach 35: 379-394, 1998.
Malignant Thyroid Teratoma

ABSTRACT Objective: Malignant teratomas of the thyroid are very rare, with less than 30 cases reported in adults. Presentation of a recent patient and a review of the literature have provided insight into the usual clinical presentation and histopathologic characteristics of malignant teratomas of the thyroid gland in adults and the available management options for this disease process. Methods: A healthy 33-year-old woman presented with a rapidly growing right neck mass. Fine-needle aspiration demonstrated poorly differentiated carcinoma favoring thyroid origin. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy, bilateral central compartment neck dissection, and right lateral neck dissection. Histopathologic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of malignant teratoma of the thyroid gland with metastases to the neck bilaterally. Results: Malignant teratomas are exceedingly rare tumors of the thyroid gland. These masses are typically diagnosed after thyroidectomy by histopathologic criteria. Fine-needle biopsy generall...
Listening to the Nos

In Re-Calling Ministry (1999), James E. Dittes offers a collection of fourteen poetic essays on the predictable crises of Christian ministry, which he treats not as impediments but as boons to that ministry. A student of Dittes' at Yale Divinity School in the 1970's, I reflect on the truth-telling of my former teacher through the lens of my own twenty years in parish ministry.
Retention and Turn-Over Index as Measure of Quality of Ipolipidemic Drugs Use in Real Practice in Italy

Rationale: Manifold studies have highlighted that the data showed in clinical trials don't often matched with happens in the real practice. Objectives: Purpose of the present job is to identify throughout quality indicators the appropriateness use of statins in two southern Italian Local Healthcare Unit (LHU). Methodology: We analysed retrospectively the pharmaceutical administrative database of two southern LHU, selecting all subjects with at least one statin prescription a year during the observational period. In order to differentiate subjects in primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention, we have analysed the hospital administrative database in order to detect a previous CV event before index date (first statin prescription). Furthermore we measured the compliance, assuming that a best compliance = 1 means that a subject intake 1 tablet/day, not considering the dosage, from the date of first prescription till the last day of the year. Results: In one LHU 106409 subjects had at least one statins prescription during the observational period (2002-2004) and in the other one 5156 subjects were selected during 2005 observational year. The analysis showed that statins presents a higher retention index (% Rx that are equal to the first Rx) than fibrates and omega 3 and the turn-over index (% drug changed on the whole Rx) was lower than fibrates and omega 3. Furthermore we observed a differt pattern of statins use in the two LHU by measuring the compliance to statins. In one LHU the compliance for all statins was not above 0,55 (compliance to rosuvaastatin) instead, in the other one, the compliance was about 0,8 (compliance to atorvastatin). Conclusions: The use of these quality indicators should be useful to monitoring how ipolipidemic drugs are used in real practice and to allow benchmarking analysis among LHUs.
Configurations 4f 2 6s and 4f 2 6p in Doubly Ionized Pr

Energy parameters are given for the 4f26s and 4f26p configurations of Pr2+. An average agreement of better than 0.5% of the total configuration spread is obtained between the predicted and observed energy levels, in both cases. Designations in (LS)J – j coupling are given.
Screen-printed flexible MRI receive coils

Magnetic resonance imaging is an inherently signal-to-noise-starved technique that limits the spatial resolution, diagnostic image quality and results in typically long acquisition times that are prone to motion artefacts. This limitation is exacerbated when receive coils have poor fit due to lack of flexibility or need for padding for patient comfort. Here, we report a new approach that uses printing for fabricating receive coils. Our approach enables highly flexible, extremely lightweight conforming devices. We show that these devices exhibit similar to higher signal-to-noise ratio than conventional ones, in clinical scenarios when coils could be displaced more than 18 mm away from the body. In addition, we provide detailed material properties and components performance analysis. Prototype arrays are incorporated within infant blankets for in vivo studies. This work presents the first fully functional, printed coils for 1.5- and 3-T clinical scanners.
Relationship between retaking the medical college admission test and admission to medical school

the Medical College Admission Test were significantly lower on all six scales than those who did not retake the test, applicants who retook the test significantly improved their scores on five of the six scales, and after retaking the test, retakers were significantly lower than non-retakers on only two scales. These results suggest that retaking the test enables retakers to resemble more closely the non-retakers and, presumably, become more competitive with them. The question addressed in this study is whether or not retakers are accepted to medical school at the same rate as non-retakers. The present study utilized the same sample utilized by Givner, Klintberg, and Hynes (1980). Results indicated that 20 of the 93 retakers were accepted to medical school, which yielded an accepmnce ratio of approximately 22%. At the same time, 82 of the 439 non-retakers (approximately 19%) were accepted to medical school. These acceptance rates appear quite similar, and indeed, chi-squared confirmed that there was no significant relationship between retaking the MCAT and acceptance to medical school (X2 = .41). Interestingly enough, the accepted non-retakers and the accepted retakers not only did not differ significantly (p < .05) on any test scale but also did not differ significantly (p < .05) with regard to undergraduate grade point average. These results pose an interesting question. Why is it that retakers are accepted at the same rate as non-retakers even though prior research (1, 2) indicated that retakers as a group never performed quite as well on the Medical College Admission Test as non-retakers? It appears that retakers may be admitted at approximately the same rate as non-retakers when such factors as grade point average are weighed heavily in the admission decision, retakers do not differ from non-remkers on these factors, and retakers are not vastly different from non-retakers on the Medical College Admission Test.
The Diverse Effects of Diversity on Democracy

Diverse identities coexisting within the same society are often viewed as problematic for economic and political development. This article argues that different types of social diversity have differential effects on regime type. Specifically, ethno-linguistic diversity increases prospects for democracy while religious diversity decreases prospects for democracy. The article presents a variety of reasons why diversity might have divergent causal effects on regime type. Cross-national regressions in a variety of econometric formats – including instrumental variables – provide corroborating evidence for the argument.
Pineal melatonin content throughout the hamster estrous cycle.

SummaryA circadian rhythm in pineal melatonin content persisted throughout the estrous cycle of female hamsters maintained in a 14-hr-light:10-hr-dark photoperiod. Peak melatonin concentrations occurred 8 hr after the onset of darkness and were of similar duration and magnitude on each day of the reproductive cycle. These results do not support the hypothesis that pineal melatonin production in hamsters is inhibited by estrogen feedback.
Notes on North American Mecoptera

In arranging the collection of Mecoptera in the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, I have come across certain items that seem sufficient interest to be brought to the attention of other students North American Mecoptera. A part of this collection was examined by Dr. F. M. Carpenter and used in the preparation of his 1931 “Revision of the Nearctic Mecoptera.” It contains the holotype of Panorpa submaculosa Carp., the allotypes of P. submaculosa, P. chelata Carp., and P. mirabilis Carp., and several paratypes of these three species, as well as of P. isolata Carp, and P. longicornis Carp. To this older collection have been added a small number of specimens of various species, accumulated through the years since 1931, a group of eightyone specimens from various eastern states and provinces, collected by Mr. George Steyskal of Detroit, and my collections from five summers' field trips, in 1949–1953. These notes are based primarily upon the latter collections.
Crossing the Birth Barrier

The gap between pediatrician and obstetrician is widening and, Dr. Gellis believes, care of mother and child is suffering as a result. Here he outlines some of the possible consequences of the communications failure between the two perinatal specialties and suggests some solutions for the problems.
Comment (on Hansmann and Mattei): Legal Classification, Default Rules and the Social Value of Trusting

The comment criticizes as wrong a number of fundamental doctrinal and policy assertions in this Article: A trust is not a contract nor combined agency and contract. The results of re-categorizing trust in this fashion are far reaching, and harmful; and the utility of trust is not protecting trust assets from claims of creditors but creating efficient mechanisms for asset management.
Screening for Antibodies Against MICA by Luminex Flow Cytometry

Antibodies against MICA have been found in organ transplant recipients and were found to be associated with decreased survival of kidney allografts. The MICA antibody screening assay is a Luminex-based solid phase immunoassay designed to detect IgG antibodies binding to beads pre-coated with recombinant preparations of MICA alleles. These beads coated with soluble MICA recombinant proteins including 11 common alleles have been produced in our laboratory and similar preparations have been available from commercial sources. Here, we describe the procedure of MICA antibody screening with a prepared kit, in which all the reagents were optimized and standardized. We also review how to document the quality of single MICA antigen beads using MICA-specific monoclonal antibodies, as well as quality control of the procedure and data analysis.
62 Perceptions of clinical research participation among seriously injured urban black men

Purpose To describe the perceptions of research participation of severely injured black men currently enrolled in a clinical research study. Methods Conducted within the context of a larger study including questionnaires, collection of geographical data, and psychological symptom severity interviews, this qualitative study utilised semi-structured interviews. 70 urban black men with serious injuries were recruited while hospitalised in an urban trauma centre. Participants were interviewed in their homes 3 months post-discharge. All sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Thematic content analysis was used to identify themes about perceptions of participating in clinical research. Results The sample consisted of 70 black men with serious injuries and a mean age of 38.2 years. Eight common themes were identified reflecting the following reasons why men participated in the study:(1) Human connexion (2) Self-improvement/self-growth (3) Altruism/Community Values (4) Gaining knowledge (5) Compensation (6) Reciprocity (7) Low risk; and (8) Intellectual curiosity/interest. Conclusion The study’s key finding is that participants perceive a lack of humanistic connexion, motivating participation in the study as a means to talk about their experiences. Despite some expressions of mistrust, participants were willing to participate for altruistic reasons rooted in community priorities, and as part of their recovery process post-injury. Significance and implications Black men are uniquely vulnerable in American society and our health care system: they bear a disproportionate burden of injury, yet are underrepresented in clinical research. Future empirical and conceptual work is needed to better understand patients’ views of clinical research in the context of busy acute care settings where patients do not perceive opportunities for human connexion.
Stent-Apposition Salvage of an Anterior Tibial Artery After Inadvertent Angioplasty Balloon Retention During CTO Revascularization

Introduction Progressive improvement in the ability to treat complete total occlusions in the tibial level arterial circulation have made it possible to revascularize patients with critical limb ischemia. Report A 59 year old male presented with a complete total occlusion of his anterior tibial artery with distal reconstitution through peroneal artery collaterals. During attempted angioplasty a balloon was retained within the patent portion of the target vessel. Two 3.0 mm drug eluting coronary stents were deployed across the length of the balloon with excellent luminal preservation. Discussion Successful CTO revascularization was completed and a strong dorsalis pedis artery pulse was restored following intervention.
Association Between Blood Pressure and Adverse Renal Events in Type 1 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To compare different blood pressure (BP) levels in their association with the risk of renal outcomes in type 1 diabetes and to determine whether an intensive glycemic control strategy modifies this association. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We included 1,441 participants with type 1 diabetes between the ages of 13 and 39 years who had previously been randomized to receive intensive versus conventional glycemic control in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). The exposures of interest were time-updated systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) categories. Outcomes included macroalbuminuria (>300 mg/24 h) or stage III chronic kidney disease (CKD) (sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate RESULTS During a median follow-up time of 24 years, there were 84 cases of stage III CKD and 169 cases of macroalbuminuria. In adjusted models, SBP in the 0.05). CONCLUSIONS A lower BP (
Eosinophilic fasciitis with subjacent myositis.

Introduction Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare disorder that can present with muscle symptoms that mimic other neuromuscular diseases. Methods We report a 43-year-old woman with chronic muscle aches, tightness, and stiffness with hypertrophied, well-defined muscles despite physical inactivity, and thickened skin with reduced elasticity and discoloration. Results Except for mild peripheral eosinophilia, laboratory studies, including blood count, electrolytes, paraneoplastic panel, muscle enzymes, thyroid function, and serum protein electrophoresis were normal. Nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thighs demonstrated superficial and deep fascial thickening with T2 hyperintensity and post-gadolinium enhancement. Fascial and muscle biopsy demonstrated an inflammatory exudate in the perimysium and endomysium with fragmented perimysial connective tissue and thickened, inflamed fascia. EF was diagnosed. The patient was treated with methotrexate and prednisone with improvement of muscle stiffness and tightness. Conclusion EF should be considered when patients present with muscle pain or enlarged muscles. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
When Young Children Are Afraid.

With panic clearly showing in his eyes, Josh dropped to the floor, locked his dad's leg between both arms, and screamed. It was Josh's first day at school. While young children's fears may not always appear to be rational in the eyes of adults, every child's fearful response deserves to be acknowledged as a genuine reaction to an actual or perceived threat. Because fear has the potential to interfere with the young child's quality of life, it would seem important to understand the nature and normal developmental course of early childhood fears.
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Breaching of the Blood–Brian Barrier by Circulating Breast Cancer Cells

Brain metastases are prevalent in lung, melanoma and breast cancers and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, targeted treatments and preventative strategies of brain metastasis are needed. Brain metastases of breast cancer confer significant morbidity and appear to be increasing in incidence (~35 %) in subpopulations of metastatic breast cancer patients, particularly those with Her2+ or “triple-negative” breast cancer (TNBC). Current therapy for brain metastases of breast cancer involves radiation, surgery and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, both disease progression in brain and treatments cause significant patient morbidity, including cognitive defects. The main question is how are circulating breast tumor cells (CBTCs) able to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and gain access to the brain parenchyma, forming brain metastases. The BBB is a dynamic and highly selective barrier due to existence of tight junctions and adherens junctions between adjacent brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs). Although, the disruption of the BBB by brain metastases of human triple-negative and basal-type breast cancer was observed, very little is known on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the process of CBTC infiltration through the BBB. This review focuses on the BBB and BMECs as well as several biological determinants by which breast tumor cells infiltrate the BBB and activate BMECs, resulting in co-option and colonization of tumor cells in brain.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BRAIN BASED LEARNING MODEL USING SCIENTIFIC APPROACH IN MATHEMATICS LEARNING OF GRADE VIII STUDENTS AT SMPN 4 SUNGGUMINASA IN GOWA DISTRICT

This study aimed at describing the effectiveness of the implementation of brain-based learning model using scientific approach in Mathematics learning of grade VIII students at SMPN 4 Sungguminasa of Gowa District. This study employed pre-experiment research. The population was the entire students of grade VIII at SMPN 4 Sungguminasa of Gowa District. The sample is selected by employing cluster random sampling and obtained grade VIII B as the experiment class. Data collection consists of data of students’ activity in learning, data of students’ learning creativity in Mathematics, and data of students’ response on learning. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and inferential analysis. The instrument used in this study were observation sheet on learning implementation, observation sheet on students’ activity, learning test result to measure cognitive ability and learning activity on Mathematics, and questionnaire of students’ response. The results of study reveal that the students’ activity is in very good category by the mean score 3.6, the students’ learning outcome is in high category by the mean score 80.93 and the deviation standard 6.95, the classical completeness degree is 91%, the normalized gain of learning outcome is in high category, the students’ learning creativity result is in fair category by the mean score 66.18, the normalized gain of students’ learning creativity is in fair category, the students’ response on the implementation of brain-based learning model with scientific approach is in positive category by the mean score 3.6. In general, the conclusion of the study is the brain-based learning model using scientific approach in Methematics learning of grade VIII students at SMPN 4 Sungguminasa in Gowa district is implemented effectively
Embedding Probeware Technology in the Context of Ocean Acidification in Elementary Science Methods Courses

Research indicates that preservice teacher (PT) education programs can positively impact perceptions of scientific probeware use in K-8 environments. Despite the potential of probeware to improve science instruction and student engagement, its use in elementary education has been limited. Sixty-seven PT enrolled across three sections of an elementary science methods course participated in a mixed-methods study through which they utilized probeware in a thematic experience on ocean acidification. One-way repeated measures ANOVA of pre and post survey data measuring subscales of utility, ability, and intent to use probeware demonstrated a statistically significant increase with medium to large effect sizes for all subscales across all sections $$ \left(p<0.01,\kern0.5em {\eta}_p^2=0.384;\kern0.5em p<0.001,\kern0.5em {\eta}_p^2=0.517;\kern0.0em p<0.001,\kern0.0em {\eta}_p^2=0.214\right) $$ . Analysis of reflective journals revealed over 60% felt the multiple capabilities (notably graphing) of probeware make it a useful classroom tool, and almost one-half believed that its use makes science more enjoyable and engaging. Mapping of the unitized data from the journals on the Next Generation Science Standards suggested that probeware use especially engages learners in planning and carrying out investigations and in analyzing and interpreting data. Journals also revealed that despite PT having prior experience with probeware in science courses, its use in their future elementary classroom is conditional on having a positive experience with probeware in a science methods course. Further, embedding a probeware experience in a unit on ocean acidification provides PT with strategies for addressing climate change and engaging in argument from evidence.
Assessing C2 writing ability on the Certificate of English Language Proficiency: Rater and examinee age effects

Abstract Differentiating between advanced L2 writers at the higher levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) presents a challenge in assessment. The distinction between descriptors at the C1 and C2 levels are fine-grained, and even native speakers of a language may not consistently achieve them. At the same time, the CEFR has generally been conceived with the language abilities and contexts of use of adults in mind, thus making CEFR-based interpretations of young language learner’s abilities problematic. This study examines two issues in the assessment of C2-level writing in the context of the Certificate of English Language Proficiency (CELP) writing task: rater effects and examinee age. Interrater reliability and many-facet Rasch analysis showed that raters varied substantially in severity. CELP scoring procedures for rater disagreement partially mitigated severity differences. Contrary to expectations, age differentiated examinee abilities minimally and defied hypothesized ordering (i.e., that writing ability would increase with age). Additionally, some raters were found to demonstrate bias towards the youngest examinees. Specific implications for the CELP’s validity argument and broader implications for assessing young writers in CEFR terms are discussed.
Do affluent urban consumers drive direct food sales in the Northeast United States? A three-part analysis.

The last century has seen steady decline in the number of farms and ever-worsening concentra­tion of economic power in the food system. In more recent decades, agricultural sales directly to consumers have grown, raising questions about the role of economic privilege and its spatial distribu­tion in supporting direct marketing. We address this question in a three-part analysis of 216 counties in nine Northeast states. First, we com­pare four direct-sales indicators and their common covariates among county types defined by metro­politan status and adjacency to metro/nonmetro borders. Second, we map four direct-sales variables over these county types. Third, we construct panel regression models with county as a fixed-effect in order to examine the influence of county-level household income on direct agricultural sales while controlling for other county-level variables shown to have an influence: population, vegetable produc­tion, farm size, and number of farms. Together, these three perspectives—bivariate, spatial, and multivariate—show that economic privilege is a factor in direct food sales, but not necessarily a driver. The variability across the region and the different patterns associated with different direct-marketing variables indicate that both researchers and practitioners would benefit from strategies sensitive to context, contingency, and change over time. See the press release for this article.
Anesthesia for Kidney Transplantation

Renal transplantation is currently the most common type of transplant surgery performed in the United States, with a total of 19,060 cases completed in the year 2016 (Transplant Trends, UNOS, 2017). Concurrent with the increased surgical transplant volume, 2015 data indicate ongoing positive trends in patient morbidity and mortality for both deceased and living donor renal transplantations (OPTN/SRTR 2015 Annual Data Report, 2016). Improvements in perioperative care for this unique population, as well as advances in pharmacology and technology, have resulted in increasing numbers of transplants performed and greater complexity of cases seen in the operating room. Anesthesiologists participating in these cases are an integral part of the team caring for renal transplant patients throughout the perioperative period. As such, it is essential to understand the pathophysiology of end stage renal disease (ESRD), have in-depth knowledge of current and new surgical techniques, and be cognizant of the intraoperative challenges specific to renal transplantation.
Regional Motion Analysis with Tagged MRI

Heart disease is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the western world. Methods to evaluate cardiac function are valuable for diagnosis and management of heart disease. However, conventional cardiac function evaluation methods have many limitations. Tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a new imaging method that has the potential to significantly improve our ability to evaluate cardiac function.
Dietary Intake of Children over Two Decades in a Community and an Approach for Modification

Dietary intake is a major environmental factor influencing health and disease. Dietary studies of intake and eating patterns are a cornerstone of cardiovascular (CV) research. Such studies have been conducted in the Bogalusa Heart Study from its origin and have helped understand childhood nutrition and its influence on CV risk factors and adult CV diseases.
Receptors and Aging

Recent years have seen major advances in neuroendocrinology, neurobiology, and membrane biochemistry. Hormone and neurotransmitter receptors were poorly understood and many were unknown until a few years ago. During the past decade there has been a growing realization that neurotransmitters convey nerve impulses and that hormone receptors ultimately convey “messages” to cellular control centers (Pradham, 1980; Cuatrecases, 1974). While some researchers have attempted to document the age-related deterioration of physiological control systems in a general way, this study considers the role of hormone and neurotransmitter receptors in the age-related dysfunctions of once “finely tuned” control systems. Current studies of age changes in receptors come from such diverse fields as pharmacology, neuroendocrinology, and experimental psychology. These and related subdisciplines are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of such studies viewed from a gerontological perspective.
Chapter 15 – Neuroethics and Disorders of Consciousness: A Pragmatic Approach to Neuropalliative Care

Unraveling the mysteries of consciousness, lost and regained, and perhaps even intervening so as to prompt recovery are advances for which neither the clinical nor the lay community are prepared. These advances will shake existing expectations about severe brain damage and will find an unprepared clinical context, perhaps even one inhospitable to what should clearly be viewed as important advances. This could be the outcome of this line of enquiry, if this exceptionally imaginative research can continue at all. This work faces a restrictive research environment that has the potential to imperil it. Added to the complexity of the scientific challenges that must be overcome is the societal context in which these investigations must occur. Research on human consciousness goes to the heart of our humanity and asks us to grapple with fundamental questions about the self. Added to this is the regulatory complexity of research on subjects who may be unable to provide their own consent because of impaired decision-making capacity, itself a function of altered or impaired consciousness. These factors can lead to a restrictive view of research that can favor risk aversion over discovery. In this chapter, I will attempt to explain systematically some of these challenges. I will suggest that some of the resistance might be tempered if we view the needs of patients with severe brain injury through the prism of palliative care and adopted that field’s ethos and methods when caring for and conducting research with individuals with severe brain damage and disorders of consciousness. More fundamentally we need to view the needs of this marginalized population as a human rights issue. To make this argument I will draw upon the American pragmatic tradition and utilize clinical pragmatism, a method of moral problem solving that my colleagues and I have developed to address ethical challenges in clinical care and research.
Spacecraft-charging Mitigation of a High-Power Electron Beam Emitted by a Magnetospheric Spacecraft

The idea of using a high-power electron beam to actively probe magnetic-field-line connectivity in space has been discussed since the 1970’s. It could solve longstanding questions in magnetospheric/ionospheric physics by establishing connectivity and causality between phenomena occurring in the magnetosphere and their image in the ionosphere [1]. However, this idea has never been realized onboard a magnetospheric spacecraft because the tenuous magnetospheric plasma cannot provide the return current necessary to keep the charging of the spacecraft under control.Recently, Delzanno et al. [2] have proposed a spacecraft-charging mitigation scheme to enable the emission of a high-power electron beam from a magnetospheric spacecraft. It is based on the contactor plasma, i.e. a high density neutral plasma emitted prior to and with the electron beam. The contactor acts as an ion emitter (not as an electron collector, as previously thought): a high ion current can be emitted off the quasi-spherical contactor surface, where the space-charge limits are higher than those typical of planar ion beams, and the electron-beam current can be compensated.In this work, we present a simple model to interpret the results of [2]. The model is in spherical geometry and the contactor is represented by only two surfaces (its quasi-neutral surface and the front of the outermost ions), whose dynamics is coupled to the beam and the Child-Langmuir law. It captures the results of self-consistent Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulations with reasonable accuracy and highlights the physics behind the charge-mitigation scheme clearly. PIC simulations connecting the 1D model to the actual geometry of the problem will also be presented to obtain the scaling of the spacecraft potential varying contactor emission area.
Drones, Camera Innovations and Conceptions of Human Rights

Choi-Fitzpatrick looks at the evolution of camera devices from camera obscura to satellites and drones to illustrate not only the different ways of seeing they generate but also the various imaginaries they sustain about what human rights are or could be. By questioning how the camera, as an object of inquiry in its own right, drives the forms, meanings and effects of human rights images, he cautions against technological determinism. New devices complement data-gathering and storytelling efforts, but they also strain existing laws and norms about transparency, accountability and surveillance. Drones pierce old arrangements and empower agents in the process.
Can Death Cafés resuscitate morale in hospitals

Death Cafes are non-profit social franchises that arise spontaneously in communities to serve as informal forums for discussing death. There is a great need within the medical community for the kind of conversation that Death Cafes foster: open, unstructured, spontaneous, genuine and interdisciplinary dialogue. Burnout in healthcare, with symptoms of exhaustion, depersonalisation and decreased efficacy, is a global crisis, with alarming estimates suggesting one in three practicing physicians experience burnout. While open-forum community-based Death Cafes exist widely, there appears to be no evidence in the literature to suggest that healthcare settings have adapted this model for fostering debriefings among hospital employees. We have started hospital-based Death Cafes in a large, public, urban-centre, Level I Trauma centre in the Gulf South in an effort to study healthcare worker burnout. In this brief commentary, we introduce the concept of hospital-based Death Cafes as distinct from community-based Death Cafes. From our experience, hospital-based Death Cafes are easy to implement, inexpensive, require little planning and yet offer tremendous reward to participants. Should the phenomenon of Death Cafes take off in hospitals as it has in communities internationally, we propose that this intervention be studied for its effect on healthcare worker burnout.