cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential Assessment of Attention and Impulsivity in Children

Abstract A sample of 72 unselected school children was administered the continuous performance test. Of the four types of commission errors that were identified, two occurred at significantly different reaction times than correct responses. One was characterized by fast reaction times and appears to reflect impulsive or rapid responding, while the other occurred at slow reaction times and appears to be caused by inattention. Correlations with teacher ratings of behavior further support the notion that different types of commission errors assess different underlying psychological functions.
Ultrafast electronic response in degenerate and nondegenerate conducting polymers

We have measured ultrafast carrier dynamics in trans (t) and cis (c) isomers of polyacetylene ((CH)x) and in polydiethynylsilanes (PDES) in a time interval from 60 fs to 3 ns. In the degenerate ground state polymer t-(CH)x we followed the dynamics of neutral solitons. We observed their geminate recombination in the form of t−12 which dramatically slows down to t−β (β<0.5) due to disorder and inhomogeneity in the films. In the non-degenerate ground state PDES we observed a subpicosecond geminate recombination of the bound soliton—antisoliton pairs, with a very small longer tail.
Diffuse decidual leukocytoclastic necrosis and pregnancy outcome

ROBERT GOLDENBERG, ONA FAYE-PETERSEN, WILLIAM ANDREWS, SUZANNE CLIVER, JOHN HAUTH, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Obstetrics/ Gynecology, Birmingham, Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Pathology, Birmingham, Alabama OBJECTIVE: Diffuse decidual leukocytoclastic necrosis (DDLN), a bandlike distribution of coagulative necrosis admixed with karyorrhectic debris has been reported at the choriodecidual interface of the decidua capsularis in placentas of women with preeclampsia, preterm PROM and abruptions. Our goal in this study was to evaluate the frequency of DDLN in preterm births !32 wks and to determine its association with various obstetric conditions, markers of placental inflammation and newborn outcome. STUDY DESIGN: 457 mother/infant dyads who delivered between 23 and 32 wks GA had their medical records abstracted, a variety of placental and cord blood cultures performed, cord IL-6 levels determined, and the placenta evaluated histologically by a single pathologist (O F-P). RESULTS: Women with DDLN (27%) were significantly more likely then other women to have preeclampsia (58 vs 25% p!0.0001), and have a previous indicated preterm birth (13 vs 4% p=0.001), but were not more likely to have diabetes, to smoke or be black. Women with DDLN were less likely to have a positive placental culture for any organism (50 vs 61% p=0.03) or mycoplasma or ureaplasma in the placenta or cord blood (30 vs 42%, p=0.02) or an elevated cord blood IL-6 (18 vs. 31%, p=0.02). They were also less likely to have acute inflammation of the membranes (27 vs 56% p!0.0001), chorionic plate (17 vs 49%, p!0.0001) or cord (16 vs 35%, p!0.0001). Infants whose placentas had DDLN were significantly less likely to have neonatal systemic inflammatory response syndrome (21 vs 35%, p=0.004), but were not significantly different for other neonatal outcomes including RDS, IVH or death. CONCLUSION: DDLN is relatively common in placentas of !32 wk newborns, and when present is inversely associated with inflammatory maternal and newborn conditions and positively associated with preeclampsia and indicated preterm birth, suggesting DDLN is a marker of vascular compromise.
Quantitative analysis of transmitral flow and a preliminary study of pulmonary vein flow.

There has been growing evidence that patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) often have impaired diastolic function preceding systolic malfunction [1, 2]. It is thus important for anesthesiologists to know the effects of anesthetic agents on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. We studied the effects of a commonly used anesthetic agent for cardiac surgery; fentanyl (FEN), on LV filling and diastolic function by the direct measurement of phasic transmitral flow in dogs [3, 4]. Thereafter we advanced our study to patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using intraoperative transesophageal (TE) 2D color Doppler echocardiography [5]. In this report, we also present our preliminary study on pulmonary vein flow in cardiac surgical patients and finally, we discuss the future usefulness of intraoperafive TE 2D color Doppler echocardiography for evaluating blood flow.
Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of BSCF (Ba0.5Sr0.5CoxFe1 − xO3 − δ, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) as a function of temperature and partial oxygen pressure

Abstract The electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of sintered BSCF ceramics (Ba0.5Sr0.5CoxFe1 − xO3 − δ, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) were simultaneously measured as a function of pO2 (10− 5 ≤ pO2 ≤ 1 atm) at 500 °C, 700 °C and 900 °C. All samples exhibited a positive Seebeck coefficient over the range of pO2 and temperature examined, which indicates the predominance of p-type conduction. In all cases, conductivity increased with increasing pO2, ranging from a minimum of ~ 0.6 S/cm (x = 0, pO2 = 10− 5 atm, T = 900 °C) to a maximum of ~ 36 S/cm (x = 0.8, pO2 = 1 atm, and T = 900 °C). At low temperatures and high pO2, conductivity was approximately proportional to pO21/4, which was attributed to the reduction of B-site cations from their tetravalent to trivalent state. At low pO2 and high temperature, the conductivity exhibited positive deviations from the pO21/4 dependence. At 500 °C and x ≤ 0.6, the Seebeck coefficient (Q) decreased linearly with increasing log pO2. At 700 and 900 °C, Q vs. log pO2 curves exhibited maxima at 10− 3
Bit Error Rate Performance of Linear Companding Transforms for PAPR Reduction in OFDM Systems

This paper provides an analytical framework to study the performance of linear companding techniques proposed in the OFDM literature, thus settling the numerous controversial claims that are based solely on simulation results. Linear companding transforms are widely employed to reduce the peak-to- average-power ratio (PAPR) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. Two main linear companding classes have been considered in the literature: linear symmetrical transform (LST) and linear asymmetrical transform (LAST). In the literature, the bit error rate (BER) performance superiority of the basic LAST (with one discontinuity point) over the LST is claimed based on computer simulations. Also, it has been claimed that a LAST with two discontinuity points outperforms the basic LAST with one discontinuity point. These claims are however not substantiated with analytical results. Our analysis shows that these claims are, in general, not always true. We derive a sufficient condition, in terms of the companding parameters, under which the BER performance of a general LAST with M-1 discontinuity points is superior to that of LST. The derived condition explains the contradictions between different reported results in the literature and validates some other reported simulation results. It also serves as a guideline in the process of choosing proper values for companding parameters to obtain a specific trade-off between PAPR reduction capability and BER performance. In particular, the derived sufficient condition shows that the BER performance for LAST depends on the slopes of the LAST rather than on the number of discontinuity points as has been indicated so far. Moreover, we derive conditions for the companding parameters in order to keep the average transmitted power unchanged after companding. Our theoretical derivations are supported by simulation results.
SU-F-BRD-06: Dosimetric Cost of a GTV Margin for Simultaneous Integrated Intra- Prostatic Boost Treatments

Purpose: Quantify the dosimetric cost for a margin around the MRI-defined high risk GTV for simultaneous integrated intra-prostatic boosts (SIIB) treated with RapidArc. Methods: For external beam radiotherapy of the prostate, a 3-7 mm PTV margin is typically used to account for setup and intra-fraction uncertainties after adjusting for inter-fraction motion. On the other hand, our current paradigm is to treat the MRI-defined high risk GTV with no margin. In this work, 11 patients treated SIIB (7 post-prostatectomy, 4 intact prostate) with RapidArc were re-planned with 1-5 mm margins around the GTV to quantify dosimetric effects. Two 358 degree, 10 MV RapidArcs were used to deliver 68 Gy (76.5 Gy boost) to the post-prostatectomy patients and 80 Gy (86 Gy boost) to the intact prostates. Paired, two tail t-tests were used to determine if there were any significant differences (p<0.05) in the total MUs and dosimetric parameters used to evaluate rectum, bladder, and PTV dose with and without margin. Results: The average GTV volume without margin was 8.1cc (2.8% of the PTV volume) while the average GTV volume with a 5 mm margin was 20.1cc (9.0% of the PTV volume). GTV volumes ranged from 0.2% of the PTV volume upmore » to 33.0%. Despite these changes in volume, the only statistical difference was found for the rectal V65 Gy with a 5 mm margin (18.6% vs. 19.4%; p-value = 0.026) when all patients were considered as a single group. No difference was found when analyzed as two groups. The rectum V40Gy, bladder V40Gy and V65Gy, PTV Dmax and D95% or the total MUs did not show any significant difference for any margin. Conclusion: A 4 mm margin on the high risk GTV is possible with no statistically significant change in dosimetry or total MUs. Further work will assess the appropriate margin required for intra-prostatic boosts.« less
Rationalizing Judgment Day: A Content Analysis of Harold Camping's Open Forum Program

This study presents a content analysis of Harold Camping’s Open Forum radio program in the three weeks immediately following his failed prediction that May 21, 2011, would be Judgment Day. Following Dawson (1999), we examine the adaptive strategies Camping employed to manage the cognitive dissonance he and his followers experienced during this period. Forty-two percent of the time, Camping reaffirmed the essential truth of the original prediction by pointing to other, nonfalsifiable components of his prophetic timeline. Nearly one-quarter of the time, Camping rationalized the failed prophecy by attributing responsibility to God. In particular, Camping emphasized God’s “Sovereignty” and “Mercy” in explaining why the end did not come. While confirming the results of previous studies, this case adds nuance to our understanding of the organizational conditions, social processes, and charismatic labor by which apocalyptic groups manage dissonance.
An analysis of mode choice for shippers in a constrained network with applications to just-in-time inventory

Abstract The process of choosing a mode of transport for the distribution of materials by a shipper is analyzed in terms of setup, inventory, and order costs as well as the usual cost of hauling. Capacity and requirements constraints are also considered. The procedure is further extended to include transshipment warehouses and concave transport costs. The problem is formulated as a nonlinear program and local optimal solutions are found for each problem using GINO, a generalized reduced gradient algorithm. The nonlinear programs are also solved using a decomposition procedure. It is found that the choice of mode has implications for shipping patterns throughout the network. In particular, adoption of special shipping strategies, such as the just-in-time (JIT) inventory policy, depend on the comparative total costs for each link in the network. When the shipping strategy is JIT, the cost of production at the demand point must also be considered. It is suggested that total cost of shipping, storage, and production be the decision criterion wherever shipping options are available and that costs for an entire network be considered when transport decisions are made.
Restriction of PGK-B to spermatogenic cells: Evidence from experimentally cryptorchid mice

The hypothesis that PGK-B, like LDH-C4, is restricted to spermatogenic cells was explored by examining isozyme patterns in testes from mice depleted of germinal cells by surgical cryptorchism. In experimentally cryptorchized C57BL/10Sn males, decline in PGK-B activity paralleled decline in LDH-C4 activity and was correlated with degeneration of spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa. Trace amounts of these sperm isozymes found in cryptorchid testes after the depletion of maturing germ cells probably came from degenerated spermatids and spermatocytes and not from somatic testicular cells.
Chemical Dynamics, Molecular Energetics, and Kinetics at the Synchrotron

Scientists at the Chemical Dynamics Beamline of the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley are continuously reinventing synchrotron investigations of physical chemistry and chemical physics with vacuum ultraviolet light. One of the unique aspects of a synchrotron for chemical physics research is the widely tunable vacuum ultraviolet light that permits threshold ionization of large molecules with minimal fragmentation. This provides novel opportunities to assess molecular energetics and reaction mechanisms, even beyond simple gas phase molecules. In this perspective, significant new directions utilizing the capabilities at the Chemical Dynamics Beamline are presented, along with an outlook for future synchrotron and free electron laser science in chemical dynamics. Among the established and emerging fields of investigations are cluster and biological molecule spectroscopy and structure, combustion flame chemistry mechanisms, radical kinetics and product isomer dynamics, aerosol heterogeneous chemistry, planetary and interstellar chemistry, and secondary neutral ion-beam desorption imaging of biological matter and materials chemistry.
Counseling and provision of long-acting reversible contraception in the US: national survey of nurse practitioners.

Abstract Objective Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide frontline care in women's health, including contraception, an essential preventive service. Their importance for contraceptive care will grow, with healthcare reforms focused on affordable primary care. This study assessed practice and training needs to prepare NPs to offer high-efficacy contraceptives — intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants. Method A US nationally representative sample of nurse practitioners in primary care and women's health was surveyed in 2009 (response rate 69%, n = 586) to assess clinician knowledge and practices, guided by the CDC US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use. Results Two-thirds of women's health NPs (66%) were trained in IUD insertions, compared to 12% of primary care NPs. Contraceptive counseling that routinely included IUDs was low overall (43%). Nurse practitioners used overly restrictive patient eligibility criteria, inconsistent with CDC guidelines. Insertion training (aOR = 2.4, 95%CI: 1.10 5.33) and knowledge of patient eligibility (aOR = 2.9, 95%CI: 1.91 4.32) were associated with IUD provision. Contraceptive implant provision was low: 42% of NPs in women's health and 10% in primary care. Half of NPs desired training in these methods. Conclusion Nurse practitioners have an increasingly important position in addressing high unintended pregnancy in the US, but require specific training in long-acting reversible contraceptives.
Acoustic distortion products in rabbit ear canal. II. Sites of origin revealed by suppression contours and pure-tone exposures.

Abstract Previous work on acoustic distortion products (DPs) recorded from the ear canal has not established unequivocally whether emitted DPs principally reflect basilar-membrane nonlinearities at the frequency sites of the primary tones, ƒ 1 and ƒ 2 , or if the DP-frequency place itself makes a significant contribution to the emitted response. Results from some studies on acoustic emissions attribute generation of the emitted DP almost exclusively to the regions of maximum primary-tone interaction, while the findings of other investigations implicate reemission of the response from the DP locus as a significant contributor to response magnitude. Using suppression, interfering tones, and temporary threshold shift (TTS) procedures, the work reported here was designed to establish more definitively the precise contributions of the basilar-membrane regions involved in generating acoustic DPs in rabbits. Suppression tuning curves and interfering-tone experiments indicated that for the DP at 2ƒ 1 − ƒ 2 , regions near the ƒ 1 or ƒ 2 frequencies were the major contributors to the emitted response. However, for the higher-frequency DP at 2ƒ 2 − ƒ 1 , the basilar-membrane region just basal to the DP site was implicated as the generator. Following brief episodes of TTS at frequencies related to either the DP or the primary tones, the locus of the exposure stimulus that most effectively reduced the magnitude of the 2ƒ 1 − ƒ 2 response also implicated the region of maximal primary-tone interaction in the generation of the acoustic DP. In contrast, for the DP at 2ƒ 2 − ƒ 1 , basilar-membrane sites nearer the DP were identified as the primary contributors to the emitted response. Both sets of results imply that different DPs recorded from the ear canal may originate from unique regions of primary-tone interaction along the basilar membrane.
Hierarchical Motion Planning With Dynamical Feasibility Guarantees for Mobile Robotic Vehicles

Motion planning for mobile vehicles involves the solution of two disparate subproblems: the satisfaction of high-level logical task specifications and the design of low-level vehicle control laws. A hierarchical solution of these two subproblems is efficient, but it may not ensure compatibility between the high-level planner and the constraints that are imposed by the vehicle dynamics. To guarantee such compatibility, we propose a motion-planning framework that is based on a special interaction between these two levels of planning. In particular, we solve a special shortest path problem on a graph at a higher level of planning, and we use a lower level planner to determine the costs of the paths in that graph. The overall approach hinges on two novel ingredients: a graph-search algorithm that operates on sequences of vertices and a lower level planner that ensures consistency between the two levels of hierarchy by providing meaningful costs for the edge transitions of a higher level planner using dynamically feasible, collision-free trajectories.
The Current Status of Epilepsy in Some Developing Countries

RESUME L'enquete qu'on a faite semble demontrer que les differences dans les epilepsies dans les pays developpes et sous-developpes sont en relation avec des facteurs systematiques generalises, tels que la nutrition, l'infection etc., plutot qu'avec des facteurs specifiques locaux. Les differences qu'on a signales, sur la frequence des differentes formes d'epilepsie peuvent etre artificielles, du fait des selections preconcues et de l'absence de controles electroencephalographiques adequats.
Recent progress in the extraction chemistry of actinide ions

Abstract For over 40 years now, actinide scientists worldwide have maintained and sustained a high level of activity and interest in the chemistry and technology of actinide element liquid-liquid extraction systems, but the thrust and scope of this activity has changed. Two to three decades ago large teams of chemists and chemical engineers in a few countries strove to develop the essential elements of processes ( e . g . PUREX, THOREX, BUTEX etc.) for reprocessing irradiated nuclear fuel. Today, much smaller groups of investigators scattered around the globe are pursuing challenging actinide element extraction chemistry and systems of particular interest to them. Examples of these latter activities include 1. (a) continued studies of selected PUREX process features ( e.g. , neptunium chemistry, modeling of plutonium and uranium extraction and separation, etc.); 2. (b) consideration of certain aliphatic amides as a replacement for TBP in PUREX-type processes; 3. (c) investigation of nitrogen and sulfur-based compounds to effect liquidliquid extraction separation of trivalent actinides and lanthanides, synthesis and application of bifunctional organophosphorus reagents for removal of all TRU elements from nuclear waste solutions; various synergistic extraction systems etc. This paper highlights the objectives and status of these modernday actinide extraction studies and also attempts to project the near-future thrust and direction of investigations of actinide liquid-liquid extraction systems.
Abstract 3270: Environmental stress results in an earlier onset of tumors in a HER2/Neu breast cancer model

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Introduction Possible environmental effects on the development of HER2+ breast cancer have received relatively little research attention. Here we used the well-established MMTV-neu mouse model, which overexpresses mammary ErbB2 (HER2-neu) and stochastically develops primary tumors over 6-12 months, to test the hypothesis that chronic exposure to environmental stressors may result in an earlier onset of tumors. Experimental Procedures Female mice (FVB/N-Tg(MMTVneu)202Mul/J) were purchased from Jackson Labs at age 4-5 weeks, housed in standard cages in an isolation chamber in a controlled-access animal room, and randomly assigned to one of four experimental exposure conditions in a factorial design that was maintained for the course of the study: 1) Restraint stress (RS) 90 min - 1x/wk (n=24); 2) Social disruption stress (SD) (via cage mate switching across home cages) 2x/wk (n=23); 3) RSS 4) home cage control (HC)(n=20). Mice were visually inspected and palpated for tumor development 1x/wk (blinded as to treatment group). All mammary glands from each mouse were processed for histologic evaluation one week following positive tumor palpation. All palpated tumors were histologically confirmed by a pathologist's evaluation of H&E sections (blinded as to treatment group). Results Consistent with the study hypothesis, the results indicated that mice chronically exposed to the two environmental stressors (RSS SD = 32.3 +/− 0.8 wk), suggesting a possible additive pattern of stress responses. Consistent with stress effects early in the process of tumorigenesis, evidence of mammary hyperplasia in the H&E sections was also significantly (p<0.04) more frequent in mice exposed to both stressors (RS&SD) compared with the control group (HC). Body weights increased significantly over the entire course of the study and did not differ across groups, suggesting that the group differences in tumor development were not due to a failure to thrive. Conclusions Exposure to environmental stressors may speed the development of tumors in this transgenic model of HER2+ breast cancer. These novel findings suggest the importance of further investigation to determine the mechanisms responsible for these effects of exposure to environmental stressors. (Support: [CA120795][1]) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3270. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=GEN&access_num=CA120795&atom=%2Fcanres%2F70%2F8_Supplement%2F3270.atom
Measuring the unmeasurable: Cost-benefit analysis for new business start-ups and scientific research transfers

Abstract Public laboratories frequently need to assess the economic impacts of two common types of technology transfers: new business start-ups and scientific research transfers. However, it is quite difficult to measure economic impacts for these two kinds of transfers because they generally involve expected future sales or the flow of intangible knowledge. Using two case studies from Sandia National Laboratories, we demonstrate in this paper an approach by which such cost-benefit estimates can be constructed. In particular, we illustrate how to estimate benefits when company (or industry) data do not exist or must be held confidential. Our cases relate to plasma thermal spray technology and polycrystalline diamond compact drill bits.
Sequential Oxidative and Reductive Bleaching of Wool in a Single Bath

A new bleaching process applicable to wool was developed in which an oxidative step (hydrogen peroxide) is combined with a subsequent reductive step (thiourea, thiourea dioxide, or sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate) in a single-bath process. Ox idative followed by reductive bleaching is normally a two- or three-step treatment done in separate baths. Effective bleaching with reduced time and equipment use is achieved by the new single-bath process with a specific order of reagent addition. Although the reductive stage of such a single-bath process may be achieved by the complete decomposition of unspent hydrogen peroxide and then addition of reductive substances such as thiourea dioxide or sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate with necessary pH adjustment, one may take advantage of the unspent hydrogen peroxide to form a reductive substance in situ by reaction with thiourea followed by an appropriate pH adjustment to 7-8. In all the cases above, greatly superior bleaching with less physical damage is achieved with t...
MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS OF CELL TRANSPORT PHENOMENA: BACTERIAL CHEMOTAXIS IN THE CAPILLARY ASSAY

Equations representing a phenomenological model for chemotactic movement of bacteria in the standard capillary assay are analyzed using a similarity transform. The form of the transformed equations leads to a regrouping of system parameters that effectively reduces the number of independent variables and yields a straight forward solution. This solution can be represented on a single, time-independent plot for a given combination of bacteria and chemoattractant. This plot greatly simplifies the reduction of experimental results in terms of the model parameters μ and x: the random motility coefficient and the chemotaxis coefficient.
4-Aminoimidazole-5-carboxamide excretion in acute leukemia.

The urinary excretion of 4-aminimidazole-5-carboxamide (AIC) has been reported to be increased in children with acute leukemia and has been correlated with disease status. Using a modification of the method of Skibba et al [5], determinations were made on urine from 26 children with acute leukemia. The urine from ten normal children served as controls. The effect of chemotherapy on urinary AIC was studied comparing patients on vincristine and prednisone (V+P) with those on 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide (Triple Rx). Patients in remission on Triple Rx had lower levels of urinary AIC than did patients on Triple Rx in relapse or patients on V+ P in either remission or relapse. Twenty patients had sequential measurements. Values for individual patients were not predictive of disease status. One such patient is described. This study demonstrates that chemotherapy, as well as disease status, affects the urinary excretion of AIC in children with acute leukemia.
Performance-dependent inhibition of pain by an executive working memory task

It is widely assumed that distraction reduces pain. Similarly, it is assumed that pain distracts from concurrent, unrelated cognitive processing, reducing performance on difficult tasks. Taken together, these assumptions suggest pain processing and cognitive function engage an overlapping set of domain-general, capacity-limited mental resources. However, experimental tests of this proposal have yielded mixed results, leading to alternative proposals that challenge the common model of a bidirectional relationship between concurrent pain and task performance. We tested these contrasting positions using a novel concurrent pain and executive working memory paradigm. Both task difficulty and nociceptive stimulus intensity were individually calibrated for each participant. Participants reported less pain during the working memory task than a visually matched control condition. Conversely, increasing levels of heat incrementally reduced task performance. Path analyses showed that variations in pain completely mediated this effect, and that even within a given heat level, trial-by-trial fluctuations in pain predicted decrements in performance. In sum, these findings argue that overlapping cognitive resources play a role in both pain processing and executive working memory. Future studies could use this paradigm to understand more precisely which components of executive function or other cognitive resources contribute to the experience of pain.
Metabolism and Elimination of Inhaled Drugs and Airborne Chemicals from the Lungs

Inhalation is a common route by which people are exposed to many toxic chemicals. Inhaled chemicals can deposit in various regions of the respiratory tract. The factors that determine deposition site include chemical reactivity and water solubility for gases and vapors, and shape, physical size, and density for particles. Metabolic activation of chemicals by respiratory tract tissues may play an important role in both the pathogenesis of diseases in these tissues or in modifying the effective dose to tissues distal to the respiratory tract. This paper is a review of the state-of-the-knowledge regarding the regional distribution of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in the conducting airways and pulmonary tissue of several animal species, including humans. All segments of the respiratory tract, including the periphery of the pulmonary compartment, contain enzymes (Phase I and II) that metabolize xenobiotic compounds. In general, the data indicate that the pulmonary tissue has a higher metabolic activity toward inhaled chemicals than other regions of the respiratory tract, such as the trachea and bronchi. However, even within an anatomical region of the respiratory tract, there is a non-uniform distribution of enzymes within the individual cell types. Significant species differences exist in metabolic activity toward a number of substrates. However, some generalities can be made. Firstly, the ratio of activating/inactivating enzyme activities in all species is, in general, less than 1. A second point is that this ratio is considerably higher in rodent animal species than humans. This indicates that caution needs to be exercised when extrapolating metabolic data derived from rodents to human metabolic capability.
Evaluation of a Rechargeable Pacemaker System

A rechargeable-demand nickel-cadmium pulse generator for permanent transvenous cardiac pacing was evaluated in 66 patients. During a cumulative follow-up period of 2,333 patient months (194.4 patient years), failure of the pacing circuit occurred in 3 patients at 21, 25, and 27 months, respectively. Nine patients had difficulty accepting the recharging concept and, in 3 of these patients, it became necessary to replace the rechargeable generator with a conventional energy source. The overall failure rate of approximately 3% per year (including the 3 patients in whom it was necessary to remove the generator because of failure to recharge properly), coupled with the inconvenience of recharging, limits the usefulness of the rechargeable system compared to the newer lithium-powered generator.
Stress sensitivity mediates the relationship between traumatic life events and attenuated positive psychotic symptoms differentially by gender in a college population sample

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether stress sensitivity mediates the relationship between traumatic life events and total attenuated positive psychotic symptoms, as well as the relationship between traumatic life events and endorsement of 8 or more attenuated positive psychotic symptoms as distressing (a threshold that has been associated with higher risk for psychosis in clinical groups). Participants (n ¼ 671, aged 17e35, 29% male) were college students who were administered the Prodromal Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Life Events Checklist. Bootstrapping results indicated that stress sensitivity significantly mediated the relationships between traumatic life events and the number of attenuated positive psychotic symptoms endorsed and between traumatic life events and those who endorsed 8 or more distressing attenuated positive psychotic symptoms. Stratified gender analyses indicated the findings were specific to females. Results suggest that stress sensitivity may represent a specific vulnerability factor for risk of attenuated psychotic symptoms in those previously exposed to traumatic life events and that this liability appears stronger in females.
Papio doguera (Dog Face Baboon), a Primate Reservoir Host of Schistosoma mansoni in East Africa.

Abstract 1. 1) A prevalence of natural infection with Schistosoma mansoni of 23.9 per cent. was found in 134 Papio doguera (dog face baboons) classified as children or older. These findings were based upon the examination of tissue removed at autopsy from the liver and intestine. 2. 2) The demonstration of natural infection in baboons indicates that P. doguera is a reservoir host for S. mansoni in East Africa.
Predicting mortality of patients hospitalized for acutely exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Purpose To identify factors affecting the shortterm prognosis of patients with acutely exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients and Methods The 590 patients having COPD as primary disease who were hospitalized in the pneumology unit of a university hospital from 1981 to 1990 were studied. A standardized protocol for the treatment of acutely exacerbated COPD was adopted for all the patients. The patient records were retrospectively analyzed by two observers, and 23 clinical and laboratory variables defining the patient status on admission were collected. Age and arterial gas data were also taken into account, and the outcome mortality was recorded. Interobserver reproducibility was tested by computing the κ coefficient and Spearman's p for dichotomous and continuous variables, respectively. The relationship of clinical and laboratory factors to the outcome was assessed first by univariate analysis and then by a logistic regression analysis assessing the independent predictive role of variables previously shown to be univariately correlated with mortality. Results The mortality rate was 14.4%. The logistic regression analysis identified four independent predictors of death: age (odds ratio [OR]1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]1.04 to 1.11), alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient greater than 41 mm Hg (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.39 to 3.90), ventricular arrhythmias (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.10 to 3.31), and atrial fibrillation (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.14 to 4.51). Conclusions Patients with acutely exacerbated COPD having a high risk of death can be identified at the time of admission. Variables reflecting heart dysfunction are important determinants of this risk. Among pulmonary function data, only alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient contributes to the predictive model.
Non-linear random response of antisymmetric angle-ply laminates under thermal–acoustic loading

The purpose of this investigation is to study the random vibration behavior (including snap-through) of a thermally buckled composite plate. Five different time domain simulation methods and two equivalent linearization solutions were used to determine the mean-square response for a single-degree-of-freedom thin plate model. For the special case of a flat (non-buckled) plate, results were found to be in good agreement with the exact Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov solution. The time domain results demonstrate that the solution is highly dependent on step size, the numerically simulated loading, damping, simulation time and the numerical integration method. For the present study, second order methods were found to perform as well as fourth order methods. The relatively new, modified leapfrog numerical integration method was found to be the most computationally efficient. Equivalent linearization solutions were also found to be satisfactory, even for snap-through motion.
Factors associated with mental health service use in urban, impoverished, trauma-exposed adults.

This study utilized the Expanded Behavioral Model of Health Service Use Among Vulnerable Populations to investigate disparities in mental health care use among a community sample of urban, impoverished, trauma-exposed adults. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 135 adults with a lifetime history of traumatic stress exposure. Results suggested approximately 20% of the sample were receiving mental health services, and these individuals were primarily getting services at outpatient mental health facilities. Social support, positive attitudes toward treatment seeking, and occupational disability were significantly associated with current mental health service use. Logistic regression analyses indicated that after controlling for significant covariates, occupational disability was the only need variable that predicted current mental health service utilization (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.45, p .01). Improving attitudes toward treatment seeking as well as identifying occupational difficulties may be important avenues for improving willingness to seek care and decreasing disparities in care for trauma-exposed adults. Implications for mental health policy and practice are discussed.
Hemispherectomy-associated complications from the Kids' Inpatient Database

Summary Carefully selected pediatric patients undergo hemispherectomy (HS) for treatment of refractory epilepsy. HS is associated with a mortality rate of 0–6.6% across studies, mostly due to acute hemorrhage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in-hospital mortality and predictors of the need for blood transfusion during HS in a large, nationwide cohort in recent years. Methods We identified our cohort from the Kids’ Inpatient Database for the years 1997, 2000, and 2003. We queried the database for HS, and for associated diagnoses, including infections, congenital brain anomalies, and blood transfusion, among others. Predictors of blood transfusion were determined using a stepwise conditional logistic regression analysis. Results We identified 153 (74 female) patients with HS. Mean age was 6.4 ± 5.6 years (range 2 months to 19 years). None of the socioeconomic factors examined were significant risk factors for blood transfusion. Admission diagnoses were epilepsy (88.3%), congenital brain anomalies (5.2%), and encephalitis (4.6%), among others. One patient died (0.7%) and 56 patients (36.6%) received blood transfusion. Independent risk factors for blood transfusion included congenital brain anomalies, geographic location of the hospitals (Midwest and Southern regions), medium and large hospital bed-sizes, and discharge months from July through September. Younger age was not a risk factor for blood transfusion. Conclusion In-hospital mortality of HS is low, and blood transfusion was performed in over one third of patients. There appear to be several risk factors that can predict the likelihood of transfusion and may warrant close observation before hemispherectomy.
Passive sampling in contaminated sediment assessment: Building consensus to improve decision making

Contaminated sediments pose an ongoing, pervasive, global challenge to environmental managers, because sediments can reflect a legacy of pollution that can impair the beneficial uses of water bodies. A formidable challenge in assessing the risks of contaminated sediments has been the elucidation and measurement of contaminant bioavailability, expressed as the freely dissolved concentration (Cfree ) in interstitial water, which serves as a surrogate measure of the substances' chemical activity. Recent advances in passive sampling methods (PSMs) enable Cfree of sediment-associated contaminants to be quantified at trace levels, thereby overcoming current limitations of predictive models. As a result, PSMs afford the opportunity for a paradigm shift from traditional practice that can effectively reduce uncertainty in risk assessment and bolster confidence in the science used to support management of contaminated sediments. This paper provides a brief overview of the 5 subsequent papers in this series that review literature on PSM use in sediments for both organic and metal(loid) contaminants, outline the technical rationale for using PSMs as a preferred basis for risk assessment over conventional chemical analyses, describe practical considerations for and uncertainties associated with laboratory and field deployment of PSMs, discuss management application of PSMs, including illustrative case studies in which PSMs have been used in decision making, and highlight future research and communication needs.
Individual differences in emotion-cognition interactions: emotional valence interacts with serotonin transporter genotype to influence brain systems involved in emotional reactivity and cognitive control.

The serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) influences emotional reactivity and attentional bias toward or away from emotional stimuli, and has been implicated in psychopathological states, such as depression and anxiety disorder. The short allele is associated with increased reactivity and attention toward negatively-valenced emotional information, whereas the long allele is associated with increased reactivity and attention toward positively-valenced emotional information. The neural basis for individual differences in the ability to exert cognitive control over these bottom-up biases in emotional reactivity and attention is unknown, an issue investigated in the present study. Healthy adult participants were divided into two groups, either homozygous carriers of the 5-HTTLPR long allele or homozygous carriers of the short allele, and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while completing an Emotional Stroop-like task that varied in the congruency of task-relevant and task-irrelevant information and the emotional valence of the task-irrelevant information. Behaviorally, participants demonstrated the classic “Stroop effect” (responses were slower for incongruent than congruent trials), which did not differ by 5-HTTLPR genotype. However, fMRI results revealed that genotype influenced the degree to which neural systems were engaged depending on the valence of the conflicting task-irrelevant information. While the “Long” group recruited prefrontal control regions and superior temporal sulcus during conflict when the task-irrelevant information was positively-valenced, the “Short” group recruited these regions during conflict when the task-irrelevant information was negatively-valenced. Thus, participants successfully engaged cognitive control to overcome conflict in an emotional context using similar neural circuitry, but the engagement of this circuitry depended on emotional valence and 5-HTTLPR status. These results suggest that the interplay between emotion and cognition is modulated, in part, by a genetic polymorphism that influences serotonin neurotransmission.
Capacity and Error Performance of Correlated MIMO Systems Via Virtual Channel Representation

Previous multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) designs optimize either reliability (average error probability) or capacity (average data rate, or ergodic capacity). However, a proper MIMO design ought to consider both of them; Just one of them is not sufficient. In this work, we analyze both capacity and error performance of correlated MIMO system, via a recently proposed channel model, virtual channel representation. We derive the error probability in correlated channels, and establish its relationship with experimental capacity results. The results leads to a good hint that there should be a tradeoff between capacity and error performance in MIMO systems.
Using Student Learning and Development Outcomes to Evaluate a First-Year Undergraduate Group Video Project

Students in an interdisciplinary undergraduate introductory course were required to complete a group video project focused on nutrition and healthy eating. A mixed-methods approach to data collection involved observing and rating video footage of group work sessions and individual and focus group interviews. These data were analyzed and used to evaluate the effectiveness of the assignment in light of two student learning outcomes and two student development outcomes at the University of Minnesota. Positive results support the continued inclusion of the project within the course, and recommend the assignment to other programs as a viable means of promoting both content learning and affective behavioral objectives.
Vascular Malformations and Epilepsy: Clinical Considerations and Basic Mechanisms

Vascular malformations (VMs) are associated with epilepsy. The natural history of the various VMs, clinical presentation, and tendency to provoke epilepsy determine treatment strategies. Investigations have probed the mechanisms of epileptogenesis associated with these lesions. Electrophysiologic changes are associated with epileptogenic cortex adjacent to VMs. Putative pathophysiologic mechanisms of epileptogenesis include neuronal cell loss, glial proliferation and abnormal glial physiology, altered neurotransmitter levels, free radical formation, and aberrant second messenger physiology.
Combating Weight‐Based Bullying in Schools: Is There Public Support for the Use of Litigation?

BACKGROUND: Bullying litigation is an emerging area of law that has increased in response to serious cases of bullying at school. Weight-based bullying is prevalent at school, but no research has examined the use of litigation to address this problem. We assessed public support for litigation approaches to address weight-based bullying at school, and whether support for litigation varies according to the reason why a student is bullied. METHODS: A national sample of 994 adults (49% parents) completed an online questionnaire assessing their support for litigation approaches in response to hypothetical incidents of youth bullying. RESULTS: As many as two thirds of participants supported litigation against schools for failing to intervene and protect students from weight-based bullying. Litigation remedies received slightly higher support in response to bullying due to race or sexual orientation compared to body weight. Participants favored litigation approaches that target schools for inadequate intervention or a bully's parents on behalf of their child's actions. CONCLUSIONS: Our study offers novel findings about public and parental views of litigation as a potential approach to address weight-based (and other forms of) bullying, and introduces considerations about the potential role of litigation as part of broader remedies to address youth bullying. Language: en
SPOUSES' DISCUSSION OF TELEVISION PORTRAYALS OF CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS

In mass media research there has been a repeated call for (1) abandoning simple two-variable stimulus-response models of television effects, and (2) efforts to integrate research from different fields. This article offers such a perspective, bringing together research on relationship-relevant television content, viewing effects and interpersonal relationships. A total of 51 couples participated in a study to determine if television viewing is related to discussions of the relationship-relevant issues between spouses. As hypothesized, the contingent condition of marital definitions held by spouses predicted the amount of discussion between marital partners about family and relational issues. Such a condition presupposes that the way individuals define their relationships affects how they process the information on interpersonal relationships portrayed on television. Specifically, those who are emotionally distant from their spouses were more likely to discuss relational and family issues as a consequence o...