cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-exenterative surgical management of recurrent endometrial carcinoma: patient characteristics and outcomes

Objectives: To determine what clinicopathologic variables are associated with survival outcomes for patients with recurrent endometrial cancer selected for non-exenterative surgery. Methods: All patients with recurrent endometrial cancer who underwent primary surgery between 1/1/2009 and 12/31/2017 at our center were retrospectively identified. We included patients with disease of endometrioid, serous, clear cell, and mixed histologies. Appropriate statistical tests were used. Results: We identified 350 patients with recurrent endometrial cancer; 57 (16%) were selected for secondary cytoreductive surgery (SUR) and 240 (69%) were medically managed (MM) with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (RT). The remaining patients were treated with hormonal therapy or did not undergo further treatment at recurrence. Median age was 62 years (range, 39-83) for the SUR and 66 years (range, 28-90) for the MM group (p Conclusions: Medical management with chemotherapy and/or RT is the most common treatment approach for first recurrence of endometrial cancer; however, surgery was associated with acceptable perioperative outcomes and may contribute to improved long-term survival in highly selected patients. Location and multi-site recurrence should not preclude non-exenterative surgical resection if deemed safe and feasible.
Improved Approximations to Wagner Function Using Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics

The Wagner function represents the response in lift on an airfoil that is subject to a sudden change in conditions. While it plays a fundamental role in the development and application of unsteady ...
NEUROSURGICAL INTERPRETATION OF DERMATOME HYPALGESIA WITH HERNIATION OF THE LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC

1. Herniated lumbar intervertebral discs commonly compress single nerve roots, and present associated dermatome hypalgesia in the lower extremity, which is accurately diagnostic of the location of the lesion. 2. A new dermatome chart of the lower extremity is presented, based upon hypalgesia from proved single nerve-root loss. These findings are in disagreement with the common dictum that loss of a single nerve root produces no loss of sensation. 3. The nerve root most commonly compressed by herniated intervertebral disc is the first sacral nerve root. Recognition of the syndrome of lesions of the first sacral nerve root, with its characteristic dermatome hypalgesia and loss of the ankle jerk, removes any extraspinal lumbar pathology as a possible cause, as this nerve root is entirely intraspinal until its exit through the first sacral foramen. 4. Subjective and objective numbness and reflex loss are organic neurological signs, not explainable from any possible reflex reference from obscure distant pathology. Numbness over the distribution of a single nerve-root dermatome necessitates a lesion directly and discretely involving that root. 5. The common occurrence of pathology of the fifth and fourth lumbar discs, leading to later herniation, should be considered more often as a possible explanation of early attacks of low-back pain; and manipulative treatment should be directed to possible reduction of this beginning herniation. 6. Roentgenograms of the lumbar spine should be directed to the disc indicated by the finding of unilateral single dermatome hypalgesia. Other pathology seen in roentgenograms, not directly related to that nerve root, should not be used to explain this organic neurological finding. 7. A conservative attitude should be maintained in surgery of the herniated disc, for in many early cases improvement occurs without surgical interference; however, with or without operation, these patients present some permanent disability which requires back protection. 8. Spine-fusion operation is not often indicated in herniated disc, because of both the unreliability of preoperative selection of cases which will require it, and the recognized imperfect results of this time-consuming procedure. 9. Deliberate section of a nerve root sometimes is warranted and effective to relieve persisting single nerve-root pain after an operation for a herniated disc. The nerve is identified by its dermatome hypalgesia.
Modeling Space for Regional Regeneration: High-Tech Districts in China

China seeks to vault into the 21st century by taking its place in the global economy. This research examines challenges faced in implementing China’s strategy of encouraging technology-intensive business clusters by targeting spatially distinct zones as privileged spaces. China has proved to be a popular site for multinational firms seeking low wage, routine labor since its “Opening and Reform” movement began in 1978. As a national strategy, the intent is for these firms to generate a higher skill level of jobs with greater economic returns in selected cities.
Disposition of opioids in oral fluid: Importance of chromatography and mass spectral transitions in LC-MS/MS.

The use of prescription pain relievers, specifically opioids, has been increasing over the last few years. Oral fluid is easier to collect than urine, is difficult to adulterate, and is a reflection of free drug in the body, so its analysis is becoming more widespread in the monitoring of opioids. The demethylated metabolites of oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine are present at higher concentrations in oral fluid than oxymorphone, hydromorphone, and morphine, respectively; therefore, their detection in saliva indicates ingestion of the medication rather than diversion, and should be included in the analysis of opioids in this matrix. Since the compounds have the same nominal molecular weights, the same M + H+ precursor ions in positive electrospray mode, and potentially identical collisionally activated fragmentation patterns, the importance of chromatography to separate the various opioids as well as the selection of mass spectral transitions is critical for correct identification. A procedure for the simultaneous determination of 12 opioid related compounds in oral fluid using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is presented. The recovery of opioids from the collection device was over 80% at 20 ng/ml; intra-day imprecision was less than 6.8%; inter-day imprecision less than 6.2%. In authentic specimens, the predominant metabolite of oxycodone was noroxycodone; for specimens containing codeine, no morphine was detected; and for hydrocodone positives, norhydrocodone was detected at significantly higher levels than hydromorphone. The importance of monitoring specific mass spectral transitions and chromatographic separation is demonstrated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A loop transfer recovery approach to h ∞ design for the coupled mass benchmark problem

This paper presents two robust fixed order dynamic compensator designs for the coupled mass benchmark problem. The design technique uses a method for Loop Transfer Recovery at the plant input to approximately recover the transfer properties of a reduced parameter sensitivity full state H∞ controller. The recovery is accomplished by the unique selection of quadratic performance index weighting matrices in a standard optimal output feedback formulation for fixed order compensation. An observer canonical form is used to represent the compensator dynamics. The first design addresses Problem #1, where only the spring stiffness is uncertain. The second design focuses on Problem #2, which has three uncertain parameters.
Synergistic Effect of Herpes Simplex Virus and Cytosine Arabinoside on Human Chromosomes

The combined treatment of cultures of human embryonic lung cells with herpes simplex virus type 2 and cytosine arabinoside produced a significantly increased number of cells containing multiple chromatid and chromosome breaks. The incidence of such cells was found to be approximately two and one half times greater than the additive effects of virus and cytosine arabinoside induced separately and is therefore synergistic.
Tales of Cooling

In the summer of 1620, a hustler named Cornelis Drebbel offered to amaze the English royal court by producing a roomful of winterlike cold. King James I took up the challenge and chose Westminster Abbey on a particularly warm day. We know Drebbel succeeded to the satisfaction of the king because the feat is mentioned in passing by Francis Bacon, philosopher of science and sometimes lord chancellor to James I. With this episode, Tom Shachtman begins the tale he calls Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold.
Tabulated potentials in molecular dynamics simulations

The use of tables to determine inter-particle potentials and forces can speed up determinations of these functions in classical molecular dynamics simulations by as much as a factor of four for typical potential functions. Doing so results in a loss of accuracy in the resulting trajectories and requires increased use of main memory to store the tables. An analysis of these factors indicates when it is reasonable to use tables for various forms of the interaction potentials.
Observation of low-lying levels in UBe13.

Doping UBe{sub 13} with Th, La, Pr, or Ce destroys the as-yet not understood anomaly in the specific heat at 2 K. Using U{sub 0.97}Th{sub 0.03}Be{sub 13} as a background, we note that the anomaly in UBe{sub 13} fits very well with a Schottky temperature dependence, with fit parameters centered around a level splitting of 7 K but with only {similar_to}5% of the amplitude expected if all of the U ions participated. The decrease observed in the resistivity in UBe{sub 13} below 2 K is consistent with the freezing out of some type of degrees of freedom, which could also include magnetic scattering. Based on the known lack of magnetic-field dependence of the magnetization and the specific heat in the UBe{sub 13}, however, these low-lying {ital f} states cannot simply be understood as noncompensated magnetic moments as observed in, e.g., CeBe{sub 13}. We infer that this anomaly is intrinsic based on its behavior with annealing and improved purity, and on the fact that the entropy under this Schottky anomaly is shifted upon doping into more than a factor of 2 increase in the low-temperature {ital m}{sup *}({proportional_to}{gamma}) in U{sub 0.97}Th{sub 0.03}Be{sub 13}. The occurrence of a similar anomaly in anothermore » heavy-fermion superconductor, CeCu{sub 2}Si{sub 2}, makes the anomaly of some interest.« less
The Methane Content of San Juan Basin Coal: Implications for Coalbed Methane Resource Assessments

The potential methane resource for the Fruitland coal formation of the San Juan Basin of northwest New Mexico has been analyzed. Gas contents ranging from 1 to 8 cm/sup 3//g were found for 33 samples from 14 wells which were at depths from 300 to 1000 m. Gas contents were determined using the 'chip desorption' method. This method allows the use of drill cuttings obtained from conventional drilling operations as the coal seam is penetrated. 14 refs.
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis for the Separation of DNA Fragments

Agarose gel electrophoresis is the most effective way of separating DNA fragments of varying sizes ranging from 100 bp to 25 kb1. Agarose is isolated from the seaweed genera Gelidium and Gracilaria, and consists of repeated agarobiose (L- and D-galactose) subunits2. During gelation, agarose polymers associate non-covalently and form a network of bundles whose pore sizes determine a gel's molecular sieving properties. The use of agarose gel electrophoresis revolutionized the separation of DNA. Prior to the adoption of agarose gels, DNA was primarily separated using sucrose density gradient centrifugation, which only provided an approximation of size. To separate DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA is loaded into pre-cast wells in the gel and a current applied. The phosphate backbone of the DNA (and RNA) molecule is negatively charged, therefore when placed in an electric field, DNA fragments will migrate to the positively charged anode. Because DNA has a uniform mass/charge ratio, DNA molecules are separated by size within an agarose gel in a pattern such that the distance traveled is inversely proportional to the log of its molecular weight3. The leading model for DNA movement through an agarose gel is "biased reptation", whereby the leading edge moves forward and pulls the rest of the molecule along4. The rate of migration of a DNA molecule through a gel is determined by the following: 1) size of DNA molecule; 2) agarose concentration; 3) DNA conformation5; 4) voltage applied, 5) presence of ethidium bromide, 6) type of agarose and 7) electrophoresis buffer. After separation, the DNA molecules can be visualized under uv light after staining with an appropriate dye. By following this protocol, students should be able to: 1. Understand the mechanism by which DNA fragments are separated within a gel matrix 2. Understand how conformation of the DNA molecule will determine its mobility through a gel matrix 3. Identify an agarose solution of appropriate concentration for their needs 4. Prepare an agarose gel for electrophoresis of DNA samples 5. Set up the gel electrophoresis apparatus and power supply 6. Select an appropriate voltage for the separation of DNA fragments 7. Understand the mechanism by which ethidium bromide allows for the visualization of DNA bands 8. Determine the sizes of separated DNA fragments
Evidence that androgenic and estrogenic metabolites contribute to the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on cognition in postmenopausal women

Prior studies of the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on cognition have produced complex and inconsistent results. We hypothesize that these results may arise, in part, because of DHEA's metabolism into estrogens and androgens that produce opposing effects on cognition. Our study administered 50 mg of oral DHEA daily for 4 weeks in a placebo-controlled crossover design to six postmenopausal women. We measured blood levels of androgens (total testosterone, free testosterone, DHEA, DHEAS), estrogens (estradiol, estrone), and cognitive performance on recognition memory, perceptual identification, digit span memory, and visual attentional vigilance under both drug and placebo conditions. Multiple regression models incorporating the factors of age and body mass index (BMI) were used to ascertain the relation between sex steroids and cognitive performance. Our results demonstrated that estrogens produced a positive effect on recognition memory, while androgens produced a negative effect. This pattern reversed in perceptual identification with estrogens producing a negative effect and androgens producing a positive effect. In addition, BMI produced a negative effect on digit span memory, age produced a negative effect on perceptual identification, and androgens produced a negative effect on visual attentional vigilance. These results help, in part, to explain DHEA's complex effects on cognition. The diverse effects of sex steroids across tasks underscore the importance of identifying the specific cognitive mechanisms influenced by sex steroids and emphasizes that one should not expect sex steroids to produce homogeneous effects across cognitive tasks.
Effect of mifepristone on pregnancy, pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), progesterone, estradiol-17β, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and prostaglandin E (PGE) in ovariectomized 90-day pregnant ewes

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of mifepristone, a progesterone receptor antagonist, on pregnancy and secretion of steroids, pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) and prostaglandins at mid-pregnancy in ewes. Ninety-day pregnant ewes were ovariectomized (OVX) and treatments were initiated 72 h post-OVX. Ewes received (1) vehicle, (2) prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α , 8 mg/58 kg/bw, i.m.) 84 h post-OVX, (3) mifepristone (50 mg intrajugular at 72, 84, 96, and 108 h post-OVX), (4) mifepristone (50 mg )+ PGF 2 α , (5) mifepristone (100 mg intrajugular at 72, 84, 96, and 108 h), and (6) mifepristone (100 mg )+ PGF 2 α . Ewes treated with vehicle or PGF 2α alone did not abort ( P ≥0.05). But, 60, 80, 60, and 100% of ewes treated with mifepristone (50 mg), mifepristone (50 mg )+ PGF 2 α , mifepristone (100 mg), and mifepristone (100 mg )+ PGF 2 α , respectively, aborted ( P ≤0.05). Profiles of progesterone, estradiol-17β, prostaglandin E (PGE), or PSPB did not differ ( P ≥0.05) among treatment groups. Profiles of PGF 2α of treatment groups receiving mifepristone with or without PGF 2α differed ( P 2α alone-treated ewes. It is concluded that progesterone actions are necessary to suppress uterine/placental secretion of PGF 2α and that maintenance of critical progesterone: estradiol-17β and PGE:PGF 2α ratios are necessary for maintenance of pregnancy.
Detecting change in intertidal species richness on sandy beaches: calibrating across sampling designs

Abstract Detecting changes in the biodiversity of biotic communities is fundamental to evaluating ecological responses to anthropogenic and climatic drivers at multiple scales. Species richness, the simplest measure of biodiversity, can be strongly affected by sampling design, making comparisons among results of different studies challenging. We investigated the use of extrapolative species richness estimators to address these issues in comparing species richness results from two sampling designs that differed in area sampled for intertidal macroinvertebrates on exposed sandy beaches. The area sampled by the proportional area sampling design increased with beach width (0.4 m 2 –3.0 m 2 ) across our sites. The area sampled by the fixed area sampling design (3.5 m 2 ) was independent of intertidal width. To obtain datasets for comparisons, we simultaneously used these sampling designs on nested intertidal grids at seven sandy beaches in central and southern California, USA. Observed species richness differed significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) between the two sampling designs and was consistently lower (3–10 species less) for the proportional area design compared to the fixed area design (8–35 vs. 12–38 species, respectively), except at the widest beach where sampling areas were most similar (3 m 2 vs. 3.5 m 2 ). All seven non-parametric species richness estimators provided higher estimates of richness for both designs (mean = 5.4 ± 3.8 species), but only four of the richness estimators reduced differences in richness obtained by the two designs to a non-significant level ( p ≥ 0.05) across the sites. The ratio of richness values (proportional area/fixed area) obtained by the two designs was strongly correlated with sampling area for observed richness and four of the seven estimators, suggesting these estimators did not uniformly correct for sampling area. When we used an extrapolation of sample-based rarefaction to adjust for sampling area, differences in species richness between sampling designs were reduced (mean difference = 0.9 ± 3.1 species) to within the 95% CI at every site and estimated species richness did not differ significantly among designs. Our results suggest that use of the extrapolative sample-based rarefaction approach could provide a means of calibrating species richness among sampling designs that differ in area sampled. This approach could allow more robust analyses and enable comparisons of species richness data collected across larger temporal and spatial scales. Such comparisons will provide needed opportunities to evaluate the responses of biodiversity to larger scale effects of human impacts and climate change in coastal ecosystems.
Data Mining Citation Databases: A New Index Measure that Predicts Nobel Prizewinners

A new citations index measure that combines total citations and h-index values is proposed. Based on the new citation index, a new algorithm that identifies emerging scientific leaders is also proposed. Experimental results show that the new method can predict Physics Nobel prizewinners from among other highly cited physics researchers many years ahead of their winning of a Nobel Prize. Hence while neither total citations nor h-index alone were good indicators, their combinations can be significant predictors of excellence in science.
The Need to Adapt the Exploration Model from the Oil Patch to Contaminated-Site Characterization: A Case from Hill AFB, Utah, USA

For decades, the oil industry has employed a working model for hydrocarbon exploration in which large-scale geophysical surveys are undertaken prior to a second phase of intensive, targeted drilling. This latter phase may be conducted in conjunction with further focused geophysical studies. The geophysical surveys provide lateral coverage and continuity that are used to drive placement of drilling locations. The reason for this approach is simple: wells are expensive relative to geophysical surveys. Also, practical limits on lateral coverage preclude optimization of exploration targets based on well information alone.
Surface roughness and the optical properties of a semi-infinite material; the effect of a dielectric overlayer

We derive expressions for the rate at which radiation is scattered and absorbed because of surface roughness on a semi-infinite material, in the presence of a dielectric overlayer. We confine our attention to the case of normal incidence. A formalism developed in an earlier paper by the present authors is utilized in the discussion. We also present a series of numerical calculations which explore the roughness-induced scattering and absorption of electromagnetic radiation for aluminum overcoated by aluminum oxide, in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum. The position of the reflectivity dip produced by roughness-induced coupling to the surface plasmon is found to shift toward the visible as the thickness of the oxide layer increases. The size of the dip is controlled strongly by the degree of correlation between the roughness on the vacuum-oxide interface, and that on the oxide-substrate interface. Under conditions discussed in the text of the paper, the presence of the oxide layer can greatly enhance the coupling between the incident radiation and surface plasmons.
Production of Matrix-degrading Enzymes and Inhibition of Osteoclast-like Cell Differentiation by Fibroblast-like Cells from the Periodontal Ligament of Human Primary Teeth

Clinically, the most apparent difference between the primary and permanent dentitions is the physiologic loss of the primary tooth by root resorption. Root resorption is associated with loss of integrity of the periodontal ligament (PDL), followed by recruitment of resorptive cells that remove root structure. We therefore cultured primary dentition PDL fibroblasts (PPDL cells) to investigate in vitro their production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMPs), and the effects of soluble factors produced by these cells on osteoclast-like cell differentiation. These studies demonstrate that PPDL cells in vitro have a heterogeneous morphology, and they constitutively synthesize 92-kDa gelatinase, 72-kDa gelatinase, and 53/57-kDa procollagenase as well as TIMP-1, -2, and a third inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase, as determined by substrate gel zymography and immunoblot analysis. Compared with PDL cells from the permanent dentition, PPDL cells generally produced a greater amou...
From majority to minority: An analysis of cultural change from ablebodied to disabled

Abstract Research on the communication of persons with acquired physical disabilities gives us the unique opportunity to study individuals who have once been part of the majority and then become members of the minority in their own culture. The purpose of this study was to look at how persons with acquired disabilities move from communicating as members of the ablebodied majority to doing so as members of the disabled minority, focusing on the adjustments they make in their communication and relationships with members of the ablebodied culture. An interview and interpretive analysis method was used with persons who have become disabled since birth. Using DeLoach & Greer's three phases of adjustment to disability as a descriptive framework, the results of the analysis showed that persons with disabilities demonstrate an awareness of their new culture and develop communication strategies to communicate with the ablebodied majority. These communication strategies were argued to constitute impression management, and are designed to facilitate persons with disabilities being accepted as “persons first.” This study sheds light on the process that persons go through as they become assimilated and demonstrates communication strategies that are used to adjust to a new culture.
A field investigation to examine the effects of sprayer type, ground speed, and volume rate on spray deposition in Florida citrus

Abstract Two sprayers (A and B) were used to spray metallic copper on grapefruit trees at 4·4 kg a.i./ha in a randomized block field experiment. Sprayer A required 97 kW of power and was operated at all combinations of three ground speeds (1.6, 2.8, and 4.0 km/h) and three spray volumes (1170, 2340 and 4680 1/ha); sprayer B required 37·3 kW and was operated at all except the 4.0 km/h and 4680 1/ha combination. Copper deposition was assessed on leaves that were collected from 18 locations in one quadrant of the tree. The 18 locations were combinations of three heights (1·5, 3·2, and 4·9 m), two radii (outer canopy and 0·8 m inside canopy), and three azimuths (0°, 45°, and 90° to tree row line). On the lower leaf surface, copper deposition was not affected by sprayer, ground speed, or volume. All tree location factors (height, radius, azimuth) did have a significant effect. Deposition was greatest at the mid-height, outer canopy, and 90° azimuth, and lowest at the low height, inside canopy, and 0° azimuth. Upper leaf surface deposition was significantly affected by all factors. Within each factor, the greatest deposits were associated with sprayer B, 2340 1/ha, 4·0 km/h, 1·5 m height, outer canopy, and 90° azimuth. Total leaf surface deposit was significantly affected by sprayer, volume, and ground speed with sprayer B, 2340 1/ha, and 4.0 km/h having the highest mean deposits. Azimuth, height, and radius all had a significant effect on mean deposits with the 90° azimuth, 3·2 m height, and outside canopy having the highest deposits.
Use of the Adiabatic Wall Temperature in Film Cooling to Predict Wall Heat Flux and Temperature

The adiabatic wall temperature is generally assumed to be the driving temperature for heat transfer into conducting gas turbine airfoils. This assumption was analyzed through a series of FLUENT simulations using the standard k-ω turbulence model. Adiabatic effectiveness and heat transfer experiments commonly documented in literature were mimicked computationally. The results were then used to predict both the heat flux and temperature distributions on a conducting flat plate wall and the predictions were compared to the heat flux and temperature distributions found through a flat plate conjugate heat transfer simulation. The heat flux analysis was compared to previously published work using the realizable k-e turbulence model. The same conclusions could be drawn for both turbulence models despite differences in simulated adiabatic effectiveness and heat transfer coefficient distributions. Agreement between heat flux predictions and the heat flux from the conjugate simulations correlated well with how closely the adiabatic wall temperature approximated the over-riding gas driving temperature for heat transfer into the wall. In general, the driving temperature for heat transfer was represented well by the adiabatic wall temperature and the heat flux was well predicted. However, in some locations, the heat flux was over-predicted by up to 300%. Since wall temperature is ultimately the parameter of interest for industrial gas turbine design, the conducting flat plate temperature distribution was also predicted. This was done by using the adiabatic effectiveness and heat transfer coefficients found with the standard k-ω turbulence model as boundary conditions in a three dimensional solid conduction simulation. Then metal temperatures predicted in the solid conduction simulation were compared to those found through conjugate analysis. Despite deviations in predicted heat flux and the conjugate model heat flux of up to 300%, deviations in the predicted and the conjugate model non-dimensional metal temperatures were less than 10%. Thus, use of the adiabatic wall temperature as the driving temperature for heat transfer to predict temperature on the surface of a conducting wall results in relatively small errors.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Surface and interfacial FT‐IR spectroscopic studies of latexes. VII. EA/MAA latex suspension stability and surfactant migration

This article, part VII in a series of latex studies, focuses on the effect of ethyl acrylate/methacrylic acid (EA/MAA) latex stability on the exudation of sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (SDOSS) surfactant molecules after coalescence. It is found that “aging” of the latex aqueous suspension causes excessive exudation of the surfactant molecules to the film-air interface. Upon exudation to the surface, the surfactant SO Na+ hydrophilic heads assemble in preferentially normal-to-the-surface directions, whereas hydrophobic aliphatic tails are randomly burred in the latex surface. ATR FT–IR spectroscopy and a particle size analysis are utilized to elucidate the effects of flocculation and coalescence on the surfactant mobility in latex films. It appears that flocculation, prior to coalescence, enhances exudation and mobility of the surfactant molecules. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Just knowing how to read isn't enough! Assessing knowledge for teaching reading

Debates persist over the knowledge needed to teach elementary reading effectively. In one commonly held view verbal ability is what matters most and the best approach to improving teacher quality is to recruit teachers who themselves are good readers. Others argue that teachers need special forms of professional knowledge that differ substantially from common adult reading and verbal ability. These different assumptions about what teachers need to know are directly relevant to whether teaching reading demands specialized professional knowledge and they have lead to radically different policy recommendations for both teacher preparation and induction. This study presents preliminary evidence that elementary reading teachers can hold a special knowledge of language, text, and reading process that differs substantially from common reading and verbal ability. Implications for the measurement and study of teacher quality and related implications for teacher evaluation and teacher development are discussed.
RNA Interference-Based Therapy for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 Retinal Degeneration

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of motor coordination and retinal degeneration with no current therapies in the clinic. The causative mutation is an expanded CAG repeat in the ataxin-7 gene whose mutant protein product causes cerebellar and brainstem degeneration and retinal cone-rod dystrophy. Here, we reduced the expression of both mutant and wildtype ataxin-7 in the SCA7 mouse retina by RNA interference and evaluated retinal function 23 weeks post injection. We observed a preservation of normal retinal function and no adverse toxicity with ≥50% reduction of mutant and wildtype ataxin-7 alleles. These studies address an important safety concern regarding non-allele specific silencing of ataxin-7 for SCA7 retinal therapy.
Staining the Skeleton of Cleared Embryos with Alizarin Red S

(1935). Staining the Skeleton of Cleared Embryos with Alizarin Red S. Stain Technology: Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 61-63.
CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE OF ALTERNATIVE CONCRETE PAVEMENT DESIGNS IN WISCONSIN

The design and performance of concrete pavement test sections constructed in Wisconsin in the summer of 1997 to validate the constructability and potential cost-effectiveness of alternative concrete pavement designs incorporating variable dowel strategies and slab thicknesses are described. To reduce the number of dowel bars across the transverse joints and remain consistent with dowel bar installation equipment currently used within the state, four alternative dowel patterns were examined. Test sections were constructed with alternative dowel materials including fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite dowels, solid stainless steel dowels, and hollow core mortar-filled stainless steel dowels as well as a variable slab thickness. Postconstruction monitoring including deflection testing, joint distress surveys, and ride quality surveys have been done. Observed joint distress including minor spalling, chipping, and fraying is mainly due to joint saw cut operations. No transverse joint faulting or slab crack...
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2000 Growth Charts for the United States: Improvements to the 1977 National Center for Health Statistics Version

Objective. To present a clinical version of the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts and to compare them with the previous version, the 1977 National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) growth charts. Methods. The 2000 CDC percentile curves were developed in 2 stages. In the first stage, the empirical percentiles were smoothed by a variety of parametric and nonparametric procedures. To obtain corresponding percentiles and z scores, we approximated the smoothed percentiles using a modified LMS estimation procedure in the second stage. The charts include of a set of curves for infants, birth to 36 months of age, and a set for children and adolescents, 2 to 20 years of age. Results. The charts represent a cross-section of children who live in the United States; breastfed infants are represented on the basis of their distribution in the US population. The 2000 CDC growth charts more closely match the national distribution of birth weights than did the 1977 NCHS growth charts, and the disjunction between weight-for-length and weight-for-stature or length-for-age and stature-for-age found in the 1977 charts has been corrected. Moreover, the 2000 CDC growth charts can be used to obtain both percentiles and z scores. Finally, body mass index-for-age charts are available for children and adolescents 2 to 20 years of age. Conclusion. The 2000 CDC growth charts are recommended for use in the United States. Pediatric clinics should make the transition from the 1977 NCHS to the 2000 CDC charts for routine monitoring of growth in infants, children, and adolescents.
Mechanism of Ventricular Fibrillation in Hypothermia

The mechanism of ventricular fibrillation in hypothermia is best explained by the circus movement theory. The main factor responsible for the initiation of a circus movement type of fibrillation is the marked reduction in conduction velocity which is not counterbalanced by a proportional prolongation of the refractory period, in other words, an increase in the conduction time/refractory period ratio occurs. Maintenance of a fibrillary state in hypothermia is dependent also on the size of the heart. Small hearts either fail to fibrillate or show a spontaneously reversible type of fibrillation. Moreover, shortening the conduction pathway by cutting a fibrillating heart will abolish the arrhythmia. Sympathomimetic amines which increase conduction velocity and so reduce the conduction time/refractory period ratio are also capable of decreasing the incidence of fibrillation. The sequence of events which may lead to development of ventricular fibrillation in hypothermia is discussed.
On the application of multiple criteria decision making to a problem in defence systems acquisition

Multiple criteria decision theory (MCDT) approaches to choice making are receiving increased attention due to the increasing importance society places on incorporating the non-commensurate and conflicting objectives of a situation into the choice making process. Process algorithms for multiple objective optimization theory (MOOT) and multiple attribute utility, theory (MAI5T) motivated a combined approach which utilizes, in an efficient manner, the complementary aspects of both processes. An appropriate application for the multiple criteria approach is a specific military equipment acquisition involving aircraft retrofit. The retrofit of a particular aircraft with equipment designed for a mission which the aircraft was not originally designed to fly typically requires a large systems effort. Specifically, the retrofit of an aircraft with sophisticated electronic warfare (EW) equipment has historically involved inefficiencies and inadequacies including schedule and budgetary overruns and a lack of initiall...
Continuous oxygen insulation in addition to IPPV causes air trapping in a mechanical lung model

It has previously been reported that continuous insufflation of either supracarinal or subcarinal oxygen in addition to intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) in patients under general anesthesia, and in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit, causes increased proximal airway pressure, decreased systemic blood pressure, and decreased cardiac output. The investigators hypothesized that these deleterious hemodynamic effects were due to intrapulmonary air trapping, resulting in an increased distal intrapulmonary pressure and volume. The purpose of this study was to test this hypothesis in an appropriate mechanical lung model. The study determined end-inspiratory and end-expiratory lung pressures and volumes during eight experimental sequences: (1) IPPV alone; (2) insufflation of oxygen alone at 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 L/min (O2-2.5, 5.0, 10.0); (3, 4, and 5) IPPV plus insufflation of oxygen (IPPV + O2-0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0) through a supracarinal catheter (sequence 3), subcarinal catheters (sequence 4), and through a CO2 sampling port of an endotrachael tube (sequence 5); (6 and 7) IPPV + O2-5.0 with increased expiratory time caused by an increased inspiratory flow rate (sequence 6) and a decreased respiratory rate (sequence 7); (8) IPPV + O2-5.0 with increased airway diameter. Experimental sequences 1 and 2 resulted in no increases or minimal ones in lung pressure and volume, respectively. With each insufflation catheter system (sequences 3, 4, and 5), each incremental increase in insufflation flow rate resulted in significant increases in lung pressure and volume. Increasing expiratory times (sequences 6 and 7 compared with 3, 4, and 5) decreased lung pressure and volume. Increasing the airway diameter (sequence 8) had only slight effect on lung pressure and volume.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Confident commitment is a key factor for sustained breastfeeding.

: Background:The characteristics that distinguish women who breastfeed successfully from those who do not are just beginning to be identified in breastfeeding literature. The objective of this study was to identify the processes contributing to breastfeeding decisions among Caucasian and African American women.Methods: Data were initially collected through 24 focus groups consisting of separate groups of African American and Caucasian pregnant women, and breastfeeding and formula-feeding mothers from three major United States cities. The focus group study was initiated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to obtain data on salient messages that would inform a national campaign to promote breastfeeding. This study was a secondary analysis of those data using a modified grounded theory approach.Results:The process that emerged associated with successful breastfeeding was labeled “confident commitment.” This process included several components: a) confidence in the process of breastfeeding, b) confidence in their ability to breastfeed, and c) commitment to making breastfeeding work despite obstacles.Conclusions: Contrary to popular conceptions, breastfeeding appears to be a learned skill. If mothers achieved a level of “confident commitment” before the birth, they were able to withstand lack of support by significant others and common challenges that occurred as they initiated breastfeeding. Without the element of “confident commitment,” a decision to breastfeed appeared to fall apart once challenged.
Novel Nano-Column and Nano-Flower Arrays by Glancing Angle Deposition

In this letter, we report a method to fabricate nano-column arrays with different shapes and in-plane orientations by glancing angle deposition. By changing the rate of the rotation during each revolution, we can fabricate nano-columns with circular, elliptical, triangle, rectangular, and pentagon shapes. Depending on the nucleation sites, we can even fabricate flowerlike nano-columns. This method has potential application to produce 3-D lattice.
Preference of lid design characteristics by older adults with limited hand function.

Abstract Introduction Although opening jars is problematic for older adults, little is known about the best interface design for jar lids. Purpose of the study To evaluate preferences in current and new lids for persons self-reporting difficulty with opening jars. Methods Participants were twenty-six older females with hand pain. Preference ratings were obtained for twenty-four current and forty-two new lid designs of different sizes, shapes, and textures. Results Current lids with taller heights, larger diameters, and textured sides were preferred. Texture compensated for limitations of shorter and smaller diameter lids. Preferred characteristics in new smaller diameter lids included taller height, non-circular top shapes, and concave side shapes. Taller height, regardless of shape, was preferred for new medium diameter lids. Least preferred for small and medium lids was the short height, traditional circular shape. Conclusions The preferences of jar lids made by elderly females with hand pain support the recommendations commonly suggested by clinicians to increase the height, diameter, texture, and shape of jars, especially for lids smaller than 40 mm.
Development of the self-efficacy for testicular self-examination scale

Abstract Background: Men between the ages of 20 and 34 years are at highest risk for testicular cancer yet many lack knowledge and confidence in performing self-examination. The Self-Efficacy to Perform Testicular Self-Examination Scale (SEPTSES) is a 7-item questionnaire to be completed by men, which is designed to measure their confidence in self-examining their testicles. The purpose of this methodological study was to determine the validity and reliability of this self-report measure. Methods: Content validity of the scale and clarity of items were established with a panel of experts. The SEPTSES and three valid scales of related constructs were completed by two samples of men (homeless [n = 150] and non-homeless [n = 156]) aged 18–34 years. Results: A single factor explained 51.5% of the variance of the scale and Cronbach's alpha was satisfactory (a = 0.84). Construct validity was further supported by significant correlations with the other three scales; further support was established by a significa...
Limulus amebocyte clotting cascade: Roles of endotoxin and adenylate cyclase

Endotoxin, the lipopolysaccharide from the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria, causes blood clotting in the horseshoe crab,Limulus polyphemus. Minute amounts of endotoxin stimulate the amebocytes in the blood to undergo exocytosis, which release the contents of their secretory granules to form a clot. An endotoxin-binding protein that possesses calmodulin-like activity has been isolated from the amebocyte plasma membrane. This endotoxin-binding protein can activate adenylate cyclase fromBordetella pertussis to the same extent as rat testes calmodulin. The effect of endotoxin and the endotoxin-binding protein on cyclic AMP synthesis inLimulus amebocytes was examined. Amebocytes exposed to endotoxin have increased levels of intracellular cyclic AMP. Amebocyte membranes contain an adenylate cyclase which is stimulated by NaF, guanosine (β,r-imido)triphosphate, and for skolin. This adenylate cyclase is also stimulated by the endotoxin-binding protein and calcium. Exposure of amebocytes to forskolin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP are stimulated to secrete clot components. Activation of adenylate cyclasein vivo by endotoxin via the endotoxin-binding protein may be one of the ways in which endotoxin stimulates secretion. It is suggested that endotoxin may have two actions in theLimulus system: (1) binding of endotoxin to the endotoxin-binding protein activates adenylate cyclase, promoting secretion by the amebocytes; and (2) endotoxin catalyzes a reaction on the secreted material to form a blood clot. This latter reaction is not elicited by forskolin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP.
Flexible baffles for slosh damping.

Flexible baffle effect on nature and magnitude of damping and sloshing motions of liquid propellants over wide range of conditions
Importance of Structural Makeup of Biopolymers for Organic Contaminant Sorption

Sorption of pyrene, phenanthrene, naphthalene, and 1-naphthol by original (lignin, chitin, and cellulose) and coated biopolymers was examined. Organic carbon normalized distribution coefficients (Koc) of all compounds by the original biopolymers followed the order lignin > chitin > cellulose, in line with the order of their hydrophobicity. Hydrophobicity of structurally similar organic compounds is the main factor determining their ability to occupy sorption sites in biopolymers. Specific interactions (e.g., H-bonding) between 1-naphthol and chitin or cellulose increased its ability to occupy sorption sites. Lignin coating resulted in an increased Koc for phenanthrene (13.6 times for chitin and 6.9 times for cellulose) and 1-naphthol (6.0 times for chitin and 3.7 times for cellulose) relative to the acetone-treated chitin and cellulose. Also, these coated biopolymers had increased isotherm nonlinearity, due to the newly formed condensed domains. An increase in phenanthrene and 1-naphthol sorption by ligni...
Reconstruction of the Pt(111) surface.

The structure of the clean Pt(111) surface has been studied between 300 K and 0.92${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{m}}$ (${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{m}}$=2045 K) via x-ray scattering. The surface is unreconstructed for temperatures less than 0.65${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{m}}$, but reconstructs at higher temperatures to form a layer isotropically compressed and incommensurate with the underlying bulk (111) planes. A disordered arrangement of discommensurations separates regions with ideal fcc stacking from regions with faulted stacking. With increasing temperature, both the compression of the surface layer and the orientational order of the discommensurations increase.
Average characteristics and activity dependence of the subauroral polarization stream

[1] Data from the Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar taken over two solar cycles (1979–2000) are examined to determine the average characteristics of the disturbance convection electric field in the midlatitude ionosphere. Radar azimuth scans provide a regular database of ionospheric plasma convection observations spanning auroral and subauroral latitudes, and these scans have been examined for all local times and activity conditions.We examine the occurrence and characteristics of a persistent secondary westward convection peak which lies equatorward of the auroral two-cell convection. Individual scans and average patterns of plasma flow identify and characterize this latitudinally broad and persistent subauroral polarization stream (SAPS), which spans the nightside from dusk to the early morning sector for all Kp greater than 4. Premidnight, the SAPS westward convection lies equatorward of L = 4 (60° invariant latitude, Λ), spans 3°–5° of latitude, and has an average peak amplitude of >900 m/s. In the predawn sector, SAPS is seen as a region of antisunward convection equatorward of L = 3 (55° Λ), spanning ∼3° of latitude, with an average peak amplitude of 400 m/s.
Disrupting Helix Formation in Unsolvated Peptides

Protonated polyalanine peptides form helices in the gas phase when their most basic protonation site (the N-terminus) is blocked by acetylation: Ac-An+H+ (Ac = acetyl and A = alanine). The glycine...