cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
U.S. News Coverage of Neuroscience Nanotechnology: How U.S. Newspapers Have Covered Neuroscience Nanotechnology During the Last Decade

Nanotechnology has become one of the fastest-growing emerging technologies in the United States. President Bill Clinton established the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) to increase federal investment in nanotechnology research and development in 2001. In 2003, the U S Congress enacted the twenty-first Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act to evaluate and promote federal nanotechnology research, development, and other activities. This research and development in nanotechnology has led to the advancement of nanotechnology applications and products. For example, consumers can find over 1,000 nanotechnology applications on the market, ranging from tennis rackets to skin care products (Scheufele and Dudo 2010). The social penetration of nanotechnology has raised concerns as an important social issue associated with its potential benefits and risks (Scheufele and Lewenstein 2005). News media have been covering nanotechnology issues for decades, helping to shape how the public understand and perceive the new technology, and whether they support the technology or not (Scheufele and Lewenstein 2005; Weaver et al. 2009).
Interhemispheric Activation and Memory Function: Considerations and Recommendations in the Context of Cardiovascular Exercise Research:

The field of neurobiology of learning and memory has demonstrated that interhemispheric activation plays an important role in subserving episodic memory function. A common behavioral technique to induce interhemispheric activation includes saccadic eye movements, with a common behavioral marker being the degree of handedness. Importantly, however, the field of exercise neurobiology has yet to consider these behavioral techniques and markers in exercise-based studies. This review highlights the effects of these techniques and markers on episodic memory function and discusses the implications of this for exercise studies. We discuss the physiological and neurological mechanisms of interhemispheric activation on memory. We also discuss the role this may play in cardiorespiratory exercise studies. Our understanding of the role of both exercise and interhemispheric activation on memory function is improving. The interplay between these two factors on memory, however, is unknown. We discuss these implications and provide recommendations for future research.
The associations between subdimensions of religiosity and illicit substance use among latino sexual minority men

Abstract Background Latino sexual minority men (SMM) may be a group disproportionately at risk for substance use than heterosexual Latino men and non-Latino SMM. As religiosity may be a culturally relevant factor, the current study aimed to explore the association of three subcomponents of religiosity: organizational religious activity (ORA; i.e., public religious activity), non-organizational religious activity (NORA; i.e., private religious activity), and intrinsic religiosity (IR; i.e., personal commitment to one's religion) in predicting illicit substance use. Method Participants were 151 Latino SMM recruited from San Diego County (M = 24.18 years of age, SD = 3.19), who completed online self-report questionnaires in English or Spanish. Binary outcome variables represented use of illicit substances in the past month vs. no use. Religiosity was assessed using the three subscales (ORA, NORA, and IR) of the Duke University Religion Index (DUREL). Acculturation was controlled for using the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale for Hispanics. Results ORA was associated with opiates (OR = 1.53, p = .04). NORA was associated with cocaine (OR = 1.69, p = .01), opiates (OR = 1.56, p = .04), amphetamines (OR = 1.67, p = .02), and sedatives (OR = 2.33, p = .001). IR was associated with amphetamines (OR = 1.34, p = .03). Conclusion NORA is positively associated with multiple illicit substances, and may represent greater internalization of anti-gay religious doctrines compared to other components of religiosity in Latino SMM. An intersectional approach addressing religious and sexual minority identity may be useful in substance use treatment for Latino SMM.
In Situ Photoregulation of Carbonic Anhydrase Activity Using Azobenzenesulfonamides

We report two small molecule azobenzenesulfonamide probes, CAP1 and CAP2, capable of photomodulating the activity of carbonic anhydrase (CA) on demand. In the trans form, CAP azobenzene probes adopt a linear shape, making them suitable for occupying the CA active site and interacting with Zn2+, thereby inhibiting enzyme activity. Following irradiation with either 365 or 410 nm light, the CAP probes isomerize to their cis form. Because of the change in steric profile, the probe exits the active site, and the activity of the enzyme is restored. The cis isomer can revert back to the trans isomer through thermal relaxation or via photoirradiation with 460 nm light and thereby inhibit protein activity again. This process can be repeated multiple times without any photodegradation and thus can be used to inhibit or activate the protein reversibly. Importantly, we demonstrate our ability to apply CAP azobenzene probes to regulate CA activity both in an isolated protein solution and in live cells, where the two i...
Ergebnisse und Fazit

Ziel der Untersuchung war es, die Herausforderungen und entsprechende Losungen zu identifizieren, welche auf den Erfolg von Big Data Projekten einwirken und darauf schliesen lassen, weshalb Organisationen das Potential von Big Data derzeit nicht ausschopfen. Es konnten interne und externe Barrieren sowie Mischformen ermittelt werden. Die nachstehende Abbildung 7 vermittelt einen Uberblick uber die sechs Kategorien, die aufbauend auf den Ergebnissen der Literatur- und Fallstudie entwickelt wurden.
Aptamer-based SERS detection and quantitation of small molecules and enzymes on plasmonic nanostructures

Sensitive and selective detection and quantitation of small molecules and enzymatic activities have been attempted using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Pre-immobilized aptamers and in situ assembled aptamer have been developed.
Potential accelerated test methods for physical sulfate attack on concrete

Abstract There is currently no standard test method to determine the physical salt attack (PSA) resistance of cement-based materials. In this study, several accelerated test methods for PSA were evaluated. This was accomplished by testing concrete mixtures in partial and full immersion in sodium sulfate solutions at different concentrations, temperature, and relative humidity cycling. A total of nine concrete mixtures made from three types of portland cement at three different water-to-cement ratios (w/c) were used in this research to compare each method with materials of different qualities. The results showed that a 5% sodium sulfate solution was too dilute to be used in accelerated PSA testing, whereas increasing the concentration to 10% showed better results. In addition, it was found that damage occurred during low temperatures at high relative humidity compared to high temperatures at low relative humidity. Testing fully immersed specimens in 30% sodium sulfate solution gave the highest mass loss, but the damage was located at the bottom third of the specimens because of a concentration gradient that formed in the solution.
Computer Implementation of Mathematical Models

Computer implementation of an AP mathematical model requires: A well-defined statement of the problem for computer simulation Selecting a computer architecture – a sequential or parallel Choosing the most effective numerical algorithms for the problem under investigation Investigating the possibility of utilizing standard (MATLAB, Mathematica, etc.) and specialized software (OXSOFT, Madonna, Visualization programs) packages Providing programming tools for measuring the conduction velocity of the wavefront and representing the cell’s state in time for chosen grid points in the spatial domain.
Surgical Coaching for Advancement of Global Surgical Skills and Capacity: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Background Surgical coaching is an emerging concept of education and collaboration to improve surgical performance. Surgical education in low-resource settings remains a challenge because of confounding barriers of access, resources, and sustainability. No formal assessments of coaching as a means to improve surgical quality in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) exist. The purpose of this review is to explore if surgical coaching could serve as an effective method of fostering continued education and advancement of surgical skills in low-resource settings. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search in July 2018. Included studies were peer-reviewed and met preestablished study criteria. Studies must have assessed surgical coaching, specifically defined as a means to establish continuous professional growth of trainees and practicing surgeons. Results Of 2189 articles, 175 were selected for full-text analysis, 23 met inclusion criteria for analysis, 13 of these 23 articles evaluated coaching of trainees, 10 articles assessed coaching surgeons in established careers. 18 of the 23 articles discussed skill acquisition, 4 of which assessed nontechnical skills alone, and 14 assessed technical skills or both technical and nontechnical skills. Remote or cross-institutional coaching was explored in 8 of the 23 studies. None of the studies discussed or evaluated coaching in LMICs. Conclusions Coaching is a method of teaching surgeons at multiple stages of a career. The explored advantages of surgical coaching may be applied to continuous performance improvement and collaboration with surgeons in LMICs. Furthermore, coaching may aid in advancement of the well-established Lancet Global Surgery Indicators, improving surgical capacity and quality in LMICs.
Limited-Angle TOF-PET for Intraoperative Surgical Application

Accurate identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SNL) and complete tumor removal in cancer patients is of critical importance and leads to improved patient recovery and survival. Gamma probes along with near infrared (NIR) probes are the gold standard in SNL identification but have failed to reduce false negative rates (FNR) to the desirable 5% value. By developing a high-resolution Positron Emission Tomography (PET) detector atop the patient in coincidence with a partially populated detector ring placed underneath the patient bed with <250 ps coincidence timing resolution, we are aiming to reduce the FNR compared to what is achievable today.In this regard, we modeled variations of the intraoperative system as well as a reference whole-body PET using the MonteCarlo code GATE. Detector blocks are 13x13 arrays of 3.6x3.6x20 mm3 LYSO:Ce pixels with 3.8 mm pitch. Models varied by the number of detector blocks underneath the patient bed and location of both top and bottom detectors with respect to the patient body. Unlike conventional PET with image slices along the body axis (transverse view), here the slices are defined horizontally and parallel with body axis (coronal view).A torso phantom with background activity concentration of 1/10th of that of hot spheres with 2,4,6,8, and 10 mm diameter and 10 mm spacing was also modeled. Reconstructed images show that 6, 8, and 10 mm lesions can be identified with 40 sec image acquisition. As expected, lesion detectability is reduced when coincidence time resolution (CTR) was changed from 150 ps to 250 ps which can be compensated by increasing acquisition time.
Advances in supervised and semi-supervised machine learning for hyperspectral image analysis (Conference Presentation)

Recent advances in optical sensing technology (miniaturization and low-cost architectures for spectral imaging) and sensing platforms from which such imagers can be deployed have the potential to enable ubiquitous multispectral and hyperspectral imaging on demand in support of a variety of applications, including remote sensing and biomedicine. Often, however, robust analysis with such data is challenging due to limited/noisy ground-truth, and variability due to illumination, scale and acquisition conditions. In this talk, I will review recent advances in: (1) Subspace learning for learning illumination invariant discriminative subspaces from high dimensional hyperspectral imagery; (2) Semi-supervised and active learning for image analysis with limited ground truth; and (3) Deep learning variants that learn the spatial-spectral information in multi-channel optical data effectively from limited ground truth, by leveraging the structural information available in the unlabeled samples as well as the underlying structured sparsity of the data.
Factors associated with oral fingolimod use over injectable disease- modifying agent use in multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background Fingolimod is the first approved oral disease-modifying agent (DMA) in 2010 to treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS). There is limited real-world evidence regarding the determinants associated with fingolimod use in the early years. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the factors associated with fingolimod prescribing in the initial years after the market approval. Methods A retrospective, longitudinal study was conducted involving adults (≥18 years) with MS from the 2010–2012 IBM MarketScan. Individuals with MS were selected based on ICD-9-CM: 340 and a newly initiated DMA prescription. Based on the index/first DMA prescription, patients were classified as fingolimod or injectable users. All covariates were measured during the six months baseline period prior to the index date. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the predisposing, enabling, and need factors, conceptualized as per the Andersen Behavioral Model (ABM), associated with prescribing of fingolimod versus injectable DMA for MS. Results The study cohort consisted of 3118 MS patients receiving DMA treatment. Of which, 14.4% of patients with MS initiated treatment with fingolimod within two years after the market entry, while the remaining 85.6% initiated with injectable DMAs. Multivariable regression revealed that the likelihood of prescribing oral DMA increased by 2–3 fold during 2011 and 2012 compared to 2010. Patients with ophthalmic (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]-2.60), heart (aOR-2.21) and urinary diseases (aOR-1.37) were more likely to receive fingolimod. Patients with other neurological disorders (aOR-0.50) were less likely to receive fingolimod than those without neurological disorders. Use of symptomatic medication (for impaired walking (aOR-2.60), bladder dysfunction (aOR-1.54), antispasmodics (aOR-1.48), and neurologist consultation (aOR-1.81) were associated with higher odds of receiving fingolimod. However, patients with non-MS associated emergency visits (aOR-0.64) had lower odds of receiving fingolimod than those without emergency visits. Conclusions During the initial years after market approval, patients with highly active MS were more likely to receive oral fingolimod than injectable DMAs. More research is needed to understand the determinants of newer oral DMAs.
Role of Platelets in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Platelet-dependent mechanisms for excessive clotting and bleeding in CKD remain undefined. Moreover, the platelet's contributions to inflammation, and specifically to CKD, are equally elusive. To date, descriptions of changes in the functional properties of circulating platelets during CKD have provided confusing interpretations. Experimental approaches that can advance our understanding of platelet dysfunction in CKD are needed, and studies that provide mechanistic insights into the dynamic relationships between thrombosis, bleeding, and inflammation associated with CKD will be essential to improve clinical management and outcomes for this vulnerable population. This article summarizes existing literature characterizing platelets in CKD and identifies areas that need further investigation.
Using multivariate models to examine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and gender differences on health and health care

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effect of sex, and the joint effect of sex and the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to health communication, physical activity, mental health, and behavioral health. Methods We drew data from the National Cancer Institute’s 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). We described and compared the characteristics of social determinants of health, physical activity, mental health, alcohol use, patterns of social networking service use, and health information data sharing. Analyses were weighted to provide nationally representative estimates. Multivariate models (multiple linear regression, multiple logistic regression, and multinomial logistic model) were used to assess the sole and joint effect of sex and pandemic. In addition, we applied the Bonferroni correction to adjust p-values to decrease the risks of type I errors when making multiple statistical tests. Results Women are more likely to use mobile health and health communication technologies. The effect of sex after the COVID-19 pandemic is significant on mental health, and women are more possible to have depression or anxiety disorders. The effect of sex is also significant before and after the pandemic regarding seeking health or medical information. Women have a smaller quantity and intensity of physical activity, which has a negative effect on health. Conclusion Gender differences exist regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic amplifies the differences in some health and health care domains. Intersectional gender analyses are integral to addressing issues that arise and mitigating the exacerbation of inequities. Responses to the pandemic should consider diverse perspectives, including sex and gender.
Lysosomal Function Impacts the Skeletal Muscle Extracellular Matrix.

Muscle development and homeostasis are critical for normal muscle function. A key aspect of muscle physiology during development, growth, and homeostasis is modulation of protein turnover, the balance between synthesis and degradation of muscle proteins. Protein degradation depends upon lysosomal pH, generated and maintained by proton pumps. Sphingolipid transporter 1 (spns1), a highly conserved gene encoding a putative late endosome/lysosome carbohydrate/H+ symporter, plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal lysosomal pH and spns1−/− mutants undergo premature senescence. However, the impact of dysregulated lysosomal pH on muscle development and homeostasis is not well understood. We found that muscle development proceeds normally in spns1−/− mutants prior to the onset of muscle degeneration. Dysregulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) at the myotendinous junction (MTJ) coincided with the onset of muscle degeneration in spns1−/− mutants. Expression of the ECM proteins laminin 111 and MMP-9 was upregulated. Upregulation of laminin 111 mitigated the severity of muscle degeneration, as inhibition of adhesion to laminin 111 exacerbated muscle degeneration in spns1−/− mutants. MMP-9 upregulation was induced by tnfsf12 signaling, but abrogation of MMP-9 did not impact muscle degeneration in spns1−/− mutants. Taken together, these data indicate that dysregulated lysosomal pH impacts expression of ECM proteins at the myotendinous junction.
Metabolic transformations of vitamin A.

Publisher Summary The approach to a study of the metabolic transformations of vitamin A has been from two different directions: first, to find a functional form of vitamin A, since circumstantial evidence makes it seems likely that is not vitamin A itself but a derivative thereof which is the active form. As discussed by Moore, the reserve stores of vitamin A disappear long before deficiency symptoms are seen, and much more vitamin A is required for storage than for growth. At least 100 I.U. of vitamin A disappear when administered to a depleted rat, before storage begins. It seems as if vitamin A, when fed to deficient rats, is first transformed into an active derivative which is used for growth promotion and tissue maintenance. When this derivative reaches its proper level, vitamin A itself appears in the blood and is ultimately stored in the liver. An excellent discussion of the present state of knowledge of this unknown derivative and the alleged hidden forms of vitamin A is given by Moore. The second approach is to determine the fate of administered vitamin A with regard to disposal by the organism of excess vitamin, and disappearance after it has fulfilled its function (turnover).
Wide Binaries and Mass Limits on Dark Matter

I review the data and theoretical arguments relevant for mass and density limits on unseen objects in the Galactic disk. The physical process of wide binary evolution is described and illustrated for simple binary star birthrate models. Owing to selection effects, the physics of the evolving distribution, and the paucity of well-selected data, I unfortunately conclude that no limits on the mass of dark objects are yet possible. Finally, I present some results from a recent analysis of the Woolley catalog. We find 9 pairs with 4.5 < M v < 9 and separations 0.01 pc < s < 1 pc. Although the detection of these 9 pairs provides an interesting constraint on the binary birthrate function, still no useful limits on the dark matter are obtained. In order to investigate the important widely separated pairs ~ 0.1 pc, an order of magnitude more data may be necessary.
A unified table based trellis subset decoder for high speed voice-band modems

An unified table based trellis subset decoder for the Viterbi algorithm is designed which is capable of decoding any constellation size for any data rate scheme of the CCITT V.32, V32bis, and IBM "V.32ter" full duplex high speed voice-band modem standards with constant number of computations. In addition, no error is introduced as the result of this subset decoding. The data rates include the trellis coded 7200, 9600, 12000, 14400, 16800, and 19200 bps. The number of computations necessary to perform such a task is the same for any given data rate. This results in reductions in the computational complexity up to a factor of 32 times over the existing direct methods. The memory consumption of this algorithm is small and increases proportionally with the data rate.
A low capacitance power MOSFET with an integral gate driver

For efficient operation in the 10 MHz range, a resonant power converter needs a power MOSFET with very low capacitance for a given on-state resistance and an integral turn-off driver. The former allows the resonant frequency to be high and the gate drive losses low, while the latter avoids the parasitic inductance of bond wires used to connect the gate to an external driver. The reasons and methods for making such a MOSFET are presented in this paper.
Tools for planning and coordinating development of medical countermeasures in the public sector

In spite of significant increases in biodefense spending in the 7 years since the 2001 anthrax attacks, the United States may not yet be fully prepared to respond effectively to many potential biothreats. The principal reasons appear to be that: (1) the problem is extremely complex, and the metrics for success are often unclear; (2) although the US Congress has allocated substantial resources for this effort, these funds are insufficient for the task as initially conceived, i.e., “one drug for each bug;” and (3) there is insufficient coordination among the many agencies working to achieve the goal of protecting the nation from biothreats. In the last few years, much of the biodefense community has come to recognize that an approach that focuses on developing and stockpiling a medical countermeasure (MCM) for each possible biothreat agent is unachievable for reasons of cost, time, and the sheer diversity of emerging threats. Promising alternative models are emerging, including broad spectrum and technology platform approaches, but the requisite cross-agency planning and coordination, although improving, is still problematic. We have developed a set of software tools and methods for using them that could support the desired coordination and that could also provide for more rapid, comprehensive, and shared identification of key enabling technologies for accomplishing the development of effective medical countermeasures in time to counter or prevent a biothreat. The tools and methods could also make possible a collaborative public-private partnership for the development of MCM, which many believe is critical to success. Drug Dev Res 70:327–334, 2009 © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of composition fluctuations on tracer diffusion in symmetric diblock copolymers

We report forced Rayleigh scattering measurements of the tracer diffusion of poly(ethylenepropylene) (PEP) homopolymers in nearly symmetric poly(ethylenepropylene)-b-poly(ethylethylene) (PEP-PEE) block copolymer matrices, both above and below the order–disorder transition. Measurements of PEP-PEE copolymer diffusion in the same matrices have been reported previously. The results indicate that fluctuations suppress diffusion of both homopolymer and copolymer tracers, as predicted by recent theories. However, in the quenched ordered state, diffusion suppression is considerably stronger for block copolymer tracers than for homopolymer tracers, which appears to be counter to theoretical expectation. Varying the tracer molecular weight has little effect on the suppression of homopolymer diffusion, whereas it has a substantial effect on copolymer tracer diffusion. These differences are attributed to differential chain localization or confinement: an entangled copolymer tracer tends to be pinned near the interfa...
An experiment in bi-curricular teaching with ninth grade science and english students

This paper is an informal discussion of an experiment in combining some of the teaching objectives of ninth grade science and English in the form of a “Voluntary Science-English Term Paper Project”. The purpose here is to present a practical illustration of a method of achieving certain short term goals common to both high school science and English. The project, carried out in a rural high school in central Virginia, proved to be an economical way of achieving certain goals within a traditionally-oriented curriculum.
Measurement of Intrauterine Oxygen Tension in the Rat and Its Regulation by Ovarian Steroid Hormones

Intrauterine oxygen tension was measured in vivo in the adult virgin rat using an oxygen microelectrode and amplifier assembly coupled with a continuous recording system. Intermittent fluctuations in pO2 with varying degrees of regularity were observed. In the uterus of the intact rat the frequency of these alterations and level of average pO2 were found to be determined primarily by the patency of the uterine arterioles which supply the capillary network in the endometrium. To only a minor degree did contractile activity of the myometrium affect intrauterine oxygen tension. The topical or intravenous administration of epinephrine hydrochloride or acetylcholine chloride induced vasoconstriction of the arterioles and a decrease in intrauterine pO2. Upon the restoration of blood flow accompanying vasodilation, oxygen tension increased. The topical application of histamine phosphate inci-eased capillary bed engorgement and increased intrauterine pO2. Following ovariectomy during estrus, average intrauterine ...
Action of Anti-HIV Drugs and Resistance: Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors and Protease Inhibitors

Currently, 20 drugs have been approved for Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 (HIV-1) clinical therapy. These drugs inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, protease, or virus entry. Introduction of a combination therapy with reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors has resulted in a drastic decrease in HIV-1 related mortality. Although the combination therapy can suppress viral replication below detection levels in current available assays, low levels of on-going viral replication still persist in some patients. Long-term administration of the combination therapy may increase selective pressure against viruses, and subsequently induce emergence of multiple drug-resistant HIV-1 variants. Attempts have been made to design novel antiretroviral drugs that would be able to suppress replication of the resistant variants. At present, several investigational drugs are being tested in clinical trials. These drugs target not only the resistant variants, but also improvement in oral bioavilability or other viral proteins such as HIV-1 integrase, ribonuclease H, and HIV-1 entry (CD4 attachment inhibitors, chemokine receptors antagonists, and fusion inhibitors). Understanding mechanism(s) of action of the drugs and mechanisms of drug resistance is necessary for successful designs in the next generation of anti-HIV-1 drugs. In this review, the mechanisms of action of reverse transcriptase- and protease-inhibitors, and the mechanism of resistance to these inhibitors, are described.
Electromagnetic fields may act directly on DNA.

A wide variety of environmental stimuli induce the expression of stress response genes, including high temperatures, hypoxia, heavy metal ions, and amino acid analogs. Stress genes are also induced by low frequency magnetic fields. The cellular response to magnetic fields is activated by unusually weak stimuli, and involves pathways only partially associated with heat shock stress. Since magnetic fields interact with moving charges, as we have shown in enzymes, it is possible that magnetic fields stimulate the stress response by interacting directly with moving electrons in DNA. In this paper, we review several lines of evidence that support this hypothesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 75:369–374, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Mental Dexterity Test: A Study of Reliability and Validity

The objective of the investigation was to ascertain the reliability and concurrent validity of a new omnibus mental ability test which has considerably more ceiling than do most group intelligence tests, and which is proposed for use either as a speed or power device, once the appropriate norms are established. When administered to 184 college students under untimed conditions, the test was found to have a split-half reliability coefficient of .84 and a KR-20 reliability coefficient of .85. Regarding validity, the test correlated significantly with grades assigned in the classes which participated in the study (.26) and also with cumulative grade point average based on all courses taken at the university (.40).
Informal Numeracy Skills The Structure and Relations Among Numbering, Relations, and Arithmetic Operations in Preschool

Validating the structure of informal numeracy skills is critical to understanding the developmental trajectories of mathematics skills at early ages; however, little research has been devoted to construct evaluation of the Numbering, Relations, and Arithmetic Operations domains. This study was designed to address this knowledge gap by examining the structure of these three numeracy skill domains and examining the relations among these domains. Three hundred ninety-three children participated in the study (51.7% girls, 55.7% White, 33.8% African American, and 10.5% other). Results indicated that the relations among the informal numeracy skills were best explained by a three-factor model that included Numbering, Relations, and Arithmetic Operations factors, and this factor structure was the same in both younger and older preschool children.
Elderly Persons' Perceptions and Knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease

The intent of this study was to obtain data on elderly persons' beliefs and knowledge of Alzheimer's disease. Participants were 148 elderly subjects (At age of 70.9 yr.) who responded to an Alzheim...
Outcome of palliative operations for malignant bowel obstruction in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from nongynecological cancer.

Background:Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) secondary to peritoneal carcinomatosis carries a grave prognosis. We evaluated clinicopathologic factors that predict outcomes after palliative operations for MBO. Methods:Data on patients undergoing laparotomy for palliation of gastrointestinal MBO at City of Hope between 1995 and 2000 were retrospectively collected. Successful palliation was defined as the ability to tolerate solid food (TSF). Results:Sixty-three patients underwent operative treatment. In 20 patients, MBO was the first presentation of disease; for others, the median disease-free interval was 15 months. The complication rate was 44%, and postoperative mortality was 15%. The median length of stay was 12 days. Twenty-nine patients (45%) were discharged from the hospital on a regular diet; 22 (76%) continued to eat until their last follow-up. Median survival was 90 days. Univariate factors for longer survival were TSF on discharge, colorectal primary, and nonmetastatic status at first diagnosis. Patients with ascites and whose cancer first presented with MBO had an inferior survival. Noncolorectal primary remained a multivariate predictor for decreased survival. TSF was predicted by the absence of ascites, an obstruction not involving the small bowel, and a preoperative albumin of >3.0 mg/dl. Multiple logistic regression analysis yielded presence of ascites and small-bowel obstruction as predictors of inability to TSF. Conclusions:Only one third of patients with MBO from peritoneal carcinomatosis will have prolonged postoperative palliation with significant, but acceptable, treatment-related morbidity. TSF at discharge is a useful predictor of continued palliation for most patients. Patients with colorectal cancer may have superior survival outcome and better palliation; others are at risk for poor outcomes, especially in the presence of ascites and MBO of small bowel. In these patients, highly selective use of laparotomy is recommended.
Structural and functional relationships of human DNA polymerases.

A continuing theme of our laboraory, has been the understanding of human DNA polymerases at the structural level. We have purified DNA polymerases delta, epsilon and alpha from human placenta. Monoclonal antibodies to these polymerases were isolated and used as tools to study their immunochemical relationships. These studies have shown that while DNA polymerases delta, epsilon and alpha are discrete protiens, they must share common structural features by virtue of the ability of several of our monoclonal antibodies to exhibit cross-reactivity. A second approach we have taken is the molecular cloning of human DNA polymerase delta and epsilon. We have cloned the DNA polymerase delta cDNA, and this has allowed us to compare its primary structure to those of human polymerase alpha and other members of this polymerase family. Multiple sequence alignments have revealed that human DNA polymerase delta is also closely related to the herpes virus family of DNA polymerases. In situ hybridization has shown that the human DNA polymerase delta gene is localized to chromosome 19 q13.3–q13.4. In order to further determine the functional regions of the DNA polymerase δ structure we are currently expressing human pol δ inE. coli and baculovirus systems. Other work in our laboratory is directed toward examining the expression of DNA polymerase δ during the cell cycle.
Predictive validity of ventilatory and lactate thresholds for cycling time trial performance

PURPOSE To determine which laboratory measurement best predicts 40 km cycling time-trial (TT) performance. METHODS Fifteen male cyclists performed lactate-threshold (LT), ventilatory-threshold (VT), 5 km and 40 km TT. Key variables of interest were Watts at thresholds. For VT determination we used: breakpoint of ventilatory equivalent of oxygen (VE/VO2); breakpoint of ventilatory equivalent of carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2); V-slope; respiratory exchange ratio (RER)=1 and 0.95. For LT we used Stegmann's individual anaerobic threshold; the stage preceding the second 0.5 mmol L(-1) increase (Baldari); 4 mmol L(-1); 1 mmol L(-1) increase in 3 min; the stage preceding the first 1 mmol L(-1) increase as criterion methods (<1 mmol). Analyses also included peak power during the incremental threshold tests (MaxVT(watts), MaxLT(watts)) and 5 km performance (5K(avgwatts)). RESULTS Regression analyses between VT variables and 40K(avgwatts) were significant for V-slope (r2=0.63), VE/VO2 (r2=0.64), RER(0.95) (r2=0.53), RER1 (r2=0.57), and MaxVT(watts) (r2=0.65). Regressions between LT variables and 40K(avgwatts) were significant for Baldari (r2=0.52), 4 mmol L(-1) (r2=0.36), <1 mmol (r2=0.35), Keul (r2=0.34), and MaxLT(watts) (r2=0.51). Regressions between 5K variables and 40K(avgwatts) were significant for 5K(avgwatts) (r2=0.58). Paired t-tests between these variables and the 40K(avgwatts) indicated that absolute power outputs at VE/VO2 (P=0.33), RER(0.95) (P=0.93), and 4 mmol L(-1) (P=0.39) were not significantly different from 40K(avgwatts). CONCLUSION We conclude that VT-based variables are generally superior to LT variables relative to predicting 40K(avgwatts), the simplest of several valid measures appears to be VE/VO2.
Effect of Verapamil on an Accessory Pathway Manifesting as “Fatigue Phenomenon” in Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Electrophysiologic study was performed in a 52-year-old man with type A ventricular preexcitation. An accessory atrioventricular pathway with no ventriculoatrial conduction was localized to the posteroseptal region. "Fatigue phenomenon," defined as suppression of atrioventricular conduction following rapid pacing, was observed to be provoked by atrial pacing in a rate- and duration-dependent manner. Administration of 5 mg of intravenous verapamil during sinus rhythm abolished the delta waves. These observations may indicate that pathologic changes in the accessory pathway are responsible for these phenomena.
Cytokinetic and cytogenetic effects of some agricultural chemicals on human lymphoid cells in vitro: organophosphates.

Abstract In the present study, cytotoxic, cytostatic and cytogenetic effects of a number of organophosphate pesticides on human lymphoid cells (LAZ-007) in culture have been examined. Cytotoxic effects were dose related and often led to extensive cell kill. The pronounced effects of various organophosphates on the cell-cycle traverse were shown in data based on the enumeration of M 1 and M 3 metaphases after incubation of cells with BrdU. In cells incubated with 20 μg/ml of the various chemicals, the number of M 1 metaphases ranged from 6% (R-1303) to 18% (Azodrin) compared to no M 1 metaphases in control cultures. The number of M 3 s in cultures treated with 20gmg/ml of the various chemicals tested varied from 0% (Phosdrin) to 7% (parathion) as compared to 17% in control cultures. 11 out of the 14 organophosphates tested, significantly increased the SCE frequency. Of the 9 chemicals tested after metabolic activation by liver microsomal S9 preparation, significant increases in SCE frequency were seen in diazinon-, dimethoate-, Dursban- and Phosdrin-treated cells.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Primary and Secondary Incidents on Urban Freeways

Incidents on urban freeways are a leading cause of traffic congestion. Secondary incidents can occur in the vicinity of primary incidents, complicating traffic operations. While studies have examined factors associated with incident duration and secondary incident occurrence, a significant number of spatiotemporal variables in incident management are often overlooked. For example, how soon does a secondary incident happen after a primary incident? How far is the secondary from the primary incident? What factors are associated with near versus far secondary incidents? To answer these questions, a deeper analysis of primary and secondary incidents was conducted on the basis of a unique 2008 incident and roadway inventory database for Hampton Roads, Virginia. Time gaps and distances for secondary incidents in the same direction were analyzed with appropriate statistical methods. This research contributes to incident management by rigorously analyzing time-gap distances between primary and secondary incidents...
Response of forest trees to global environmental changes

Abstract Characteristics of tree species may uniquely situate them to withstand environmental changes. Paleoecological evidence indicates that the geographic ranges of tree species have expanded and contracted several times since the last glacial epoch in response to directional environmental changes. For most tree species, these range fluctuations have been accomplished without any apparent loss of genetic diversity. A possible explanation that distinguishes most trees from many herbaceous plants is that much of the genetic variation within tree species is found within rather than among their populations. Thus, the extinction of a relatively large proportion of a tree species’ populations would result in relatively little overall loss of genetic diversity. Furthermore, phylogeographic studies indicate that for some tree species, habitat heterogeneity (elevation, slope aspect, moisture, etc.) in glacial refugia may have preserved adaptive genetic variation that, when recombined and exposed to selection in newly colonized habitats, gave rise to the local adaptation currently seen. The maintenance of genetic diversity in the face of extensive habitat fragmentation is also a concern. Many forest trees, however, may be buffered from the adverse effects of habitat fragmentation. First, the longevity of individual trees may retard population extinction and allow individuals and populations to survive until habitat recovery occurs. Second, considerable evidence is available that both animal and wind-pollinated tree species in fragments experience levels of pollen flow that are sufficient to counteract the effects of genetic drift. The combination of individual longevity, high intra-population genetic diversity and the potential for high rates of pollen flow should make tree species especially resistant to extinction and the loss of genetic diversity during changing environmental conditions.
Structure of and ion segregation to an alumina grain boundary: Implications for growth and creep

Using periodic density-functional theory (DFT), we investigated the structure and cohesive properties of the α-alumina Σ11 tilt grain boundary, with and without segregated elements, as a model for the thermally grown oxide in jet engine thermal barrier coatings. We identified a new low-energy structure different from what was proposed previously based on electron microscopy and classical potential simulations. We explored the structure and energy landscape at the grain boundary for segregated Al, O, and early transition metals (TMs) Y and Hf. We predict that the TMs preferentially adsorb at the same sites as Al, while some adsites favored by O remain unblocked by TMs. All segregated atoms have a limited effect on grain boundary adhesion, suggesting that adhesion energies alone cannot be used for predictions of creep inhibition. These findings provide some new insights into how TM dopants affect alumina growth and creep kinetics.
Connectionism and the role of morphology in visual word recognition

This paper provides a review of the connectionist perspective on the role of morphology in visual word recognition. Several computational models of morphological effects in reading are described and relationships between these models, models of past tense production, and models of other aspects of word recognition are traced. Limitations of extant models are noted, as are some of the technical challenges that must be solved to develop the next generation of models. Finally, some directions for future research are identified.
Surgical management of trigeminal neuralgia: use and cost-effectiveness from an analysis of the Medicare Claims Database.

Background Trigeminal neuralgia is a relatively common neurosurgical pathology with multiple management options. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is nonablative and is considered the gold standard. However, stereotaxic radiosurgery (SRS) and percutaneous stereotaxic rhizotomy (PSR) are 2 noninvasive but ablative options that have rapidly gained support. Objective To use Medicare claims data in conjunction with a literature review to assess the usage, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of the 3 different invasive treatments for trigeminal neuralgia. Methods All of the claims of trigeminal neuralgia treatment were extracted from the 2011 5% Inpatient and Outpatient Limited Data Set. Current Procedural Terminology, 4th Edition/International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for the 3 different surgical treatment modalities were used to further classify these claims. Kaplan-Meier survival curves in key articles were used to calculate quality-adjusted life years and cost-effectiveness for each procedure. Results A total of 1582 claims of trigeminal neuralgia were collected. Ninety-four (6%) patients underwent surgical intervention. Forty-eight (51.1%) surgical patients underwent MVD, 39 (41.5%) underwent SRS, and 7 (7.4%) underwent PSR. The average weighted costs for MVD, SRS, and PSR were $40 434.95, $38 062.27, and $3910.64, respectively. The quality-adjusted life years were 8.2 for MVD, 4.9 for SRS, and 6.5 for PSR. The cost per quality-adjusted life year was calculated as $4931.1, $7767.8, and $601.64 for MVD, SRS, and PSR, respectively. Conclusion This study shows that the most frequently used surgical management of trigeminal neuralgia is MVD, followed closely by SRS. PSR, despite being the most cost-effective, is by far the least utilized treatment modality.
Particularizing the Columbian exchange: Old World biota to Peru

Abstract The sixteenth-century transfer and establishment of plants and animals from Spain to Peru represents one segment of the Columbian exchange that transformed landscapes, diets, economies, and demographic profiles in the New World. Despite the importance of this historic movement, scholars have revealed few details of the how, when, where and why the organisms first transfer to, and then, in a separate process, their successful establishment in Western South America. Specifics are covered for the transfer and establishment of seven domesticates (wheat, broad bean, grapevine, banana, sheep, chicken, and honeybee), one commensal species, the black rat, and the epizootic pathogen Plasmodium . Focusing on these two processes to the Central Andean realm checks the temptation to overgeneralize transoceanic movement and adoption involving motley elements, discrepant pathways and dissimilar destinations. Harvesting particularized information acknowledges the complexity of the Columbian exchange, the evidence for which goes beyond archival documents. Most organisms came to Peru by way of the Panamanian Isthmus following a route that involved two ship voyages separated by a land crossing made on flatboat and/or mule carriage. Four of the nine items were most probably picked up in intermediate locations where Spaniards had settled or from where slaves were taken. Once in Peru, plants and animals underwent a decades-long process of acceptance that for most organisms had concluded by 1575. In both processes of transfer and introduction, the documentary record is vastly incomplete. To advance inquiry on this topic, the article proposes for each plant and animal retrieval of complementary knowledge and suppositions about the organisms, places, cultures and journeys that combine with the documentary record.