cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cellular DNA content as a marker of human multiple myeloma.

DNA flow cytometry of bone marrow cells from 61 patients with multiple myeloma in various stages of severity and treatment revealed a 65% incidence of aneuploidy. In the subgroup of 34 patients with plasmacytosis, 85% had aneuploid abnormalities. Of 50 patients with active disease, 76% had aneuploid bone marrow cells; conversely, 95% of patients with aneuploid abnormality had active multiple myeloma. The degree of ploidy abnormality was expressed as DNA index and ranged from 0.85 to 2.1. Except for one case of hypodiploidy in a patient with a previous history of malignant lymphoma, the remainder of patients showed hyperdiploid abnormalities with a modal DNA index value of 1.1. Thirty-eight of 40 patients with ploidy abnormality had unimodal DNA distributions; 2 patients had heteroploid abnormalities with 2 and 3 discrete subpopulations, respectively. Except for two patients, there was an excellent correlation between the percentage of cells with abnormal DNA content and the proportion of morphologically identifiable plasma cells (r = 0.91). Lack of ploidy abnormality in 15 patients with less than 10% bone marrow plasma cells may reflect a problem of recognition of small-degree aneuploidy rather than true absence, due to limits of resolution. The high incidence of DNA flow cytometncally detectable aneuploidy in patients with active disease makes DNA content a significant cellular marker of multiple myeloma.
A mixed-methods evaluation using low-income adult Georgians' experience with a smartphone-based eLearning nutrition education programme.

Objective To understand low-income adults' expectations and experiences using an innovative smartphone and theory-based eLearning nutrition education programme, entitled Food eTalk. Design Longitudinal mixed-methods single case study including a series of focus group and individual interviews, demographic and Internet habits surveys, and user-tracking data. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, analysed using the constant comparative method and digitalized using Atlas.ti. Descriptive statistics were analysed for demographics and user-tracking data. Setting Community-based locations including libraries, public housing complexes, schools, safety-net clinics and food pantries. Subjects Low-income Georgian adults aged ≥18 years (n 64), USA. Results Participants found Food eTalk easy to navigate and better designed than expected. Primary themes were twofold: (i) motivation to engage in eLearning may be a formidable barrier to Food eTalk's success but improved programme content, format and external incentives could mitigate this barrier; and (ii) applying knowledge to change nutrition-related behaviour is challenging. To encourage engagement in eLearning nutrition education, programme format should highlight interactive games, videos, be short in length, and feature content that is relevant and important from the perspective of the priority audience. Examples of these topics include quick and easy recipes, chronic disease-specific diet information and tips to feed 'picky' children. Additionally, external incentives may help mitigate barriers to healthful eating behaviour and increase engagement in the programme. Conclusions The findings suggest eLearning nutrition education programmes are best designed to match low-income adults' typical smartphone habits, include content considered particularly relevant by the intended audience and highlight solutions to barriers to healthful eating.
A retrospective observational study of acquired subglottic stenosis using low-pressure, high-volume cuffed endotracheal tubes.

Introduction The safety of cuffed endotracheal tubes in the neonatal and critically ill pediatric population continues to be questioned due to the theoretical risk of acquired subglottic stenosis. The incidence of acquired subglottic stenosis in the high-risk mixed surgical and medical critically ill pediatric cohort using high-volume, low-pressure cuffed endotracheal tube policy has not yet been described. The aim of our study was to describe and evaluate the use and complication rate of cuffed ETT's in our unit over a 5-year period. Methods We defined clinically significant subglottic stenosis as a positive stenotic finding of endotracheal tube-related pathology on a microlaryngoscopy within 6 months of invasive ventilation. All patients admitted through our pediatric critical care unit from January 10, 2012 to January 25, 2017 were matched against our theater management system database for the same period. We reviewed all matching patients' baseline demographics, comorbidities, intubation/endotracheal tube history, and subsequent surgical management. Results Of 5309 pediatric critical care unit admissions (61% ventilated) and 1251 microlaryngoscopies, 23 children had endoscopic findings of clinically significant endotracheal tube-related pathology, reflecting 0.68% of all intubated patients. Eight patients developed acquired subglottic stenosis. All those requiring major surgical correction were ex-premature neonates initially intubated with uncuffed tubes in an external neonatal intensive care. No patient initially intubated with a cuffed endotracheal tube developed subglottic stenosis requiring surgical correction. Conclusion We report no single case of acquired subglottic stenosis in our cohort that required major surgical correction from a cuffed endotracheal tube during a 5-year period. The introduction of a policy of appropriate placement and maintenance of low-pressure, high-volume cuffed endotracheal tubes in the pediatric critical care unit was not associated with an increased rate of endotracheal tube-related subglottic trauma.
The Great Media Debate and TPACK: A Multidisciplinary Examination of the Role of Technology in Teaching and Learning.

This article bridges the fields of instructional design and teacher education, presenting and modernizing the media influence debate and synthesizing it with the technological pedagogical and conte...
A comparison of human mesenchymal stem cell osteogenesis in poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels as a function of MMP-sensitive crosslinker and crosslink density in chemically defined medium.

This study investigated osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells encapsulated in matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-sensitive poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels in chemically defined medium (10 ng/ml bone morphogenic factor-2). Thiol-norbornene photoclick hydrogels were formed with CRGDS and crosslinkers of PEG dithiol (nondegradable), CVPLS-LYSGC (P1) or CRGRIGF-LRTDC (P2; dash indicates cleavage site) at two crosslink densities. Exogenous MMP-2 degraded P1 and P2 hydrogels similarly. MMP-14 degraded P1 hydrogels more rapidly than P2 hydrogels. Cell spreading was greatest in P1 low crosslinked hydrogels and to a lesser degree in P2 low crosslinked hydrogels, but not evident in nondegradable and high crosslinked MMP-sensitive hydrogels. Early osteogenesis (Alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activity) was accelerated in hydrogels that facilitated cell spreading. Contrarily, late osteogenesis (mineralization) was independent of cell spreading. Mineralized matrix was present in P1 hydrogels, but only present in P2 high crosslinked hydrogels and not yet present in nondegradable hydrogels. Overall, the low crosslinked P1 hydrogels exhibited an accelerated early and late osteogenesis with the highest ALP activity (Day 7), greatest calcium content (Day 14), and greatest collagen content (Day 28), concomitant with increased compressive modulus over time. Collectively, this study demonstrates that in chemically defined medium, hydrogel degradability is critical to accelerating early osteogenesis, but other factors are important in late osteogenesis.
Assessing the Role of 98 Established Loci for BMI in American Indians.

OBJECTIVE Meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies in Europeans have identified > 98 loci for BMI. Transferability of these established associations in Pima Indians was analyzed. METHODS Among 98 lead single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 82 had minor allele frequency ≥ 0.01 in Pima Indians and were analyzed for association with the maximum BMI in adulthood (n = 3,491) and BMI z score in childhood (n = 1,958). Common tag SNPs across 98 loci were also analyzed for additional signals. RESULTS Among the lead SNPs, 13 (TMEM18, TCF7L2, MRPS33P4, PRKD1, ZFP64, FTO, TAL1, CALCR, GNPDA2, CREB1, LMX1B, ADCY9, NLRC3) were associated with BMI (P ≤ 0.05) in Pima adults. A multi-allelic genetic risk score (GRS), which summed the risk alleles for 82 lead SNPs, showed a significant trend for a positive relationship between GRS and BMI in adulthood (beta = 0.48% per risk allele; P = 1.6 × 10-9 ) and BMI z score in childhood (beta = 0.024 SD; P = 1.7 × 10-7 ). GRS was significantly associated with BMI across all age groups ≥ 5 years, except for those ≥ 50 years. The strongest association was seen in adolescence (age 14-16 years; P = 1.84 × 10-9 ). CONCLUSIONS In aggregate, European-derived lead SNPs had a notable effect on BMI in Pima Indians. Polygenic obesity in this population manifests strongly in childhood and adolescence and persists throughout much of adult life.
Visible- and solar-blind photodetectors using AlGaN high electron mobility transistors with nanodot-based floating gate

AlGaN-channel high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) were operated as visible- and solar-blind photodetectors by using GaN nanodots as an optically active floating gate. The effect of the floating gate was large enough to switch an HEMT from the off-state in the dark to an on-state under illumination. This opto-electronic response achieved responsivity >108 A/W at room temperature while allowing HEMTs to be electrically biased in the off-state for low dark current and low DC power dissipation. The influence of GaN nanodot distance from the HEMT channel on the dynamic range of the photodetector was investigated, along with the responsivity and temporal response of the floating gate HEMT as a function of optical intensity. The absorption threshold was shown to be controlled by the AlN mole fraction of the HEMT channel layer, thus enabling the same device design to be tuned for either visible- or solar-blind detection.
Gut Hormones in Pregnancy and Lactation

Abstract Gut hormones are secreted by endocrine cells in the gut. There are many gut hormones, each with distinct roles that are not limited to gastrointestinal and neuroendocrine systems. Recent studies stress the importance of their roles in growth, metabolism, and appetite regulation. There have been attempts to elucidate their roles in pregnancy and lactation, but most have only suggested associations by the measurement of hormone levels during pregnancy and lactation. More research is needed to better understand gut hormone physiology in pregnancy and lactation.
A Nonpediatric Extraosseous Ewing Sarcoma of the Pancreas: Differential Diagnosis and Therapeutic Strategies

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. The pancreas is an extremely uncommon primary site, with only 27 cases that have been published worldwide. We report a 26-year-old female who presented with 5 days of left upper quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting. On examination, she was anicteric and had epigastric and left upper quadrant tenderness without guarding, rebound tenderness, or a palpable mass. She had slightly elevated serum aminotransferase and lipase levels. Abdominal computerized tomography revealed a multilobulated tumor arising from the body and tail of the pancreas. A biopsy confirmed a small round cell tumor, and immunohistochemistry was positive for CD99 in approximately 70% of the tumor cells. A fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay showed a 22q12 rearrangement. She was diagnosed with extraosseous Ewing sarcoma of the pancreas and underwent multiagent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection, but subsequent imaging revealed evidence of systemic disease progression. She chose to go on hospice care and died a few weeks later.
Empathy does not amplify vicarious threat learning.

Abstract Clinically significant fears and phobias can be acquired vicariously. Witnessing another person's defensive reactions to potentially dangerous objects and situations can instill conditioned threat responses in the observer. The present study investigated individual differences in this social learning process. Specifically, we hypothesized that dispositional empathy modulates vicarious threat conditioning. We examined university students' (N = 150) conditioned threat responding after they observed strangers undergo Pavlovian threat conditioning. There was evidence of a substantial conditioned defensive response (Cohen's d = 0.66), as indexed by elevated electrodermal activity during participants' direct exposure to the vicariously conditioned stimuli. Contrary to expectations, indices of dispositional empathy were weakly related to the size of conditioned responses (median r = .04). Our results confirm that vicarious threat learning can be evaluated experimentally, but they do not support the hypothesis that empathy amplifies this process. The preregistration, stimulus materials, data, and analysis code for this study are available at https://osf.io/h6hm2 .
Magnetically Levitated Linear Stage With Linear Bearingless Slice Hysteresis Motors

This article presents the design, construction, modeling, and testing of a novel magnetically levitated linear stage using a linear bearingless slice motor design, targeting in-vacuum transportation tasks in precision manufacturing systems. The stage is driven by novel linear hysteresis motors, where the motor secondaries are made of magnetically semihard material exhibiting magnetic hysteresis. The suspension of the stage in three degrees of freedom, including vertical, pitch, and roll, is achieved passively through permanent magnet bias flux. The suspension in the lateral and yaw directions is actively controlled. This compact design effectively reduces the number of sensors and actuators needed for stabilizing the levitation. The prototype stage has been successfully levitated with a maximum thrust force of 5.8 N under 2.5-A current amplitude, which generates a stage acceleration of 1200 mm/ $\text{s}^2$ . The stage position control loop has a bandwidth of 30 Hz. The stage is tested to track a reference trajectory of the target application, and the maximum position tracking error is $50\,\mu \text{m}$ . The stage's lateral displacement during motion is below 50 ${\mu \text{m}}$ , which is well below making mechanical contact to the side walls. To our knowledge, this article presents the first linear bearingless slice motor design, and also the first study on linear versions of hysteresis motors.
Comparative Evaluation and Management of Dysphonia Between Adults <65 and ≥65 Years of Age.

ObjectiveTo compare presenting symptoms, etiology, and treatment outcomes among dysphonic adults <65 and ≥65 years of age.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingTertiary care voice center be...
Reformulando el legado urbano gandhiano en la ciudad india: naturaleza, alteridad y activismo

espanolSi bien se hizo mundialmente reconocido por sus manifestaciones no violentas, Gandhi fue tambien un ambientalista que creia en la coexistencia entre distintas especies en un universo donde los humanos, la vida y la creacion son uno. Esta investigacion nos presenta una serie de iniciativas - desde el cuidado al reciclaje y el activismo - en que se intenta recuperar la coexistencia interespecie como una alternativa al desarrollo neoliberal contemporaneo de la India. EnglishAlthough he became worldly renowned for his non-violent manifestations, Gandhi was also an environmentalist who believed in the coexistence between different species, in a universe where humans, life, and creation are one. This research presents us with a series of initiatives - from care to recycling to activism - in an attempt to recover interspecies coexistence as an alternative to contemporary neoliberal development in India.
Predicting Institution Hierarchies with Set-based Models

The hierarchical structure of research organizations plays a pivotal role in science of science research as well as in tools that track the research achievements and output. However, this structure is not consistently documented for all institutions in the world, motivating the need for automated construction methods. In this paper, we present a new task and model for predicting sub-institution/super-institution relationships based on their string names. The crux of our model is that it leverages learned, permutation invariant representations of various token subsets of institution name strings. Our model outperforms or matches non-set-based models and baselines. We also create a dataset for training and evaluating models for this task based on the publicly available relationships in the Global Research Identifier Database.
Rates of Prenatal Cannabis Use Among Pregnant Women Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study uses toxicology screening data from a health care delivery system to investigate whether rates of cannabis use increased among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evaluating Spatiotemporal Consistency of Secondary Office Market Data

This article examines variations among three widely used secondary information sources for aggregate office-supply data in the Atlanta MSA. “Market Analysis Surfaces” (MAS are used in the study to ...
Interactions between opioids and cocaine on locomotor activity in rats: influence of an opioid's relative efficacy at the mu receptor

Rationale Cocaine and mu opioid agonists increase central dopamine concentrations and produce robust interactions at both neurochemical and behavioral levels. Although the interactions between cocaine and high-efficacy mu opioids have been well characterized, the interactions between cocaine and lower efficacy opioids have not been as extensively examined.
8. Should Financial Flows Be Regulated? Yes

As the international financial crisis spreads, some governments are using “unconventional tools” of monetary and financial policy to protect themselves. Should policies to control international capital flows be part of the government “toolkit” in these difficult times? This essay answers: YES. It describes the economic arguments for and against using capital controls, prudential regulations and other “capital management techniques” to manage international financial flows, presents empirical evidence on their impacts, and describes the variety of policies that many countries have successfully applied to enhance macroeconomic and financial stability, create policy space, and achieve other national development goals.
Somatic cell hybridization: Cellular interaction upon esterase isozymes☆

Electrophoretic separation of esterases from a mouse cell clone (Clone 1 D), a clone derived from rat pituitary cells (GH12 C1) and two somatic cell hybrid clones (α-RST and I-RST) established from mixed cultures of Clone 1 D and GH1 2 C1, showed marked variation in acetyl- and butyryl-esterase migration rates. These differences were seen when starch gel and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were employed. An anodally migrating zone in the hybrid clones had no electrophoretic counterpart in the parental lines. Differences in intensity of the zones were recorded. Spectrophotometric analysis of specific butyrylesterase activity showed significantly higher activity in the hybrids than either parental line. Interpretations of the control mechanisms involved in these phenomena are discussed. During the study a selective loss of rat chromosomes from the hybrids was observed after 45 transfer passages.
The effects of progressive interactivity on learning from interactive video

The effects of systematically varied interactivity on learning from interactive video were studied. A total of 98 high-school students served as subjects. Four increasingly interactive versions of instruction were used. After receiving the instruction, students took a 23-item recall test. Recall was significantly affected by the amount and type of interactivity provided. The fully interactive version yielded the greatest recall but took longer to complete than any of the other presentations. Time to complete the instruction was shortest, and the resulting rate of learning was greatest, for the simple linear video presentation.
Single-particle cryoEM analysis at near-atomic resolution from several thousand asymmetric subunits.

A single-particle cryoEM reconstruction of the large ribosomal subunit from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was obtained from a dataset of ∼75,000 particles. The gold-standard and frequency-limited approaches to single-particle refinement were each independently used to determine orientation parameters for the final reconstruction. Both approaches showed similar resolution curves and nominal resolution values for the 60S dataset, estimated at 2.9 A. The amount of over-fitting present during frequency-limited refinement was quantitatively analyzed using the high-resolution phase-randomization test, and the results showed no apparent over-fitting. The number of asymmetric subunits required to reach specific resolutions was subsequently analyzed by refining subsets of the data in an ab initio manner. With our data collection and processing strategies, sub-nanometer resolution was obtained with ∼200 asymmetric subunits (or, equivalently for the ribosomal subunit, particles). Resolutions of 5.6 A, 4.5 A, and 3.8 A were reached with ∼1000, ∼1600, and ∼5000 asymmetric subunits, respectively. At these resolutions, one would expect to detect alpha-helical pitch, separation of beta-strands, and separation of Cα atoms, respectively. Using this map, together with strategies for ab initio model building and model refinement, we built a region of the ribosomal protein eL6, which was missing in previous models of the yeast ribosome. The relevance for more routine high-resolution structure determination is discussed.
The design of a study aid for synthesizing instruction

Experts in the field have acknowledged that the 1990s bring new challenges to the field of educational technology. The traditional models for designing instruction will need to be modified to address the new capabilities of emerging technologies (Alien, Dodge & Saba, 1989; Hannafin & Rieber, 1989). And research must be conducted to guide the development of instructional design and technology theory and models (Klein, 1989; Reigeluth, 1989). In his review of the status of current research in instructional technology (IT), Clark (1989) recommends that future research must go beyond descriptive research methods to adopt prescriptive research methodology. He recommends that IT researchers use the more basic, descriptive research findings from individual differences and developmental psychology to create 'design prescriptions'. These prescriptions can then be used in design research to produce generalizations about the best methods to be used with specific tasks and learners to increase achievement and motivation. The study reported here is an example of this type of design research. In this study the researcher used a prescriptive instructional design theory, the elaboration theory (Reigeluth & Stein, 1983), to construct a study aid called a theoretical synthesizer and test its effectiveness in helping biology students learn genetics principles.
School Achievement and Sexual Abstinence: Positive Correlates for Adolescents?

According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, one out of five youths has experienced sexual intercourse before the age of 15.That this early sexual involvement may have negative consequences on the adolescent’s personality system, behavior system, and environment system has been posited. This study clearly supports this assertion with regard, specifically, to school achievement. While causality cannot be confirmed, a strong relationship was found between school achievement and beliefs favoring abstinence. That the high achieving youths in this study see the gains to be realized from abstinence is indicated by their self-reported agreement with abstaining from sex, even until marriage. Conversely, the low achieving youths seem not to be realizing the negative consequences associated with early sexual involvement. Educational outcomes certainly seem to be associated with choices made by youths regarding their sexual behavior and intentions. Abstinence education interventions may be an important addition to education of quality.
Integrated Capacitors with Nb2O5 Dielectric for Decoupling Applications

As electronic systems are scaling down further and further, there is the constant need to utilize all the board area with maximum efficiency. Since passive components occupy most of the space on boards, it is very important to scale them down. New techniques allow for “integrated” passives as opposed to their discrete counterparts. Integrated capacitors can be embedded within the substrate, leaving room for other components on the board surface. In order to improve the area efficiency of these integrated capacitors, researchers have formed multilayered capacitors in the past. This increases the capacitance density, but is time consuming and expensive due to too many process steps. With increased circuit density, a currently demonstrated dielectric, Ta2O5, could be replaced with a potential high-k dielectric that can store more charge in a smaller area than a capacitor with Ta2O5. Niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) with k∼41 is an emerging dielectric for high-k capacitor applications. This paper investigates niobium pentoxide as a next generation high-k planar capacitor dielectric. Niobium pentoxide dielectric was formed by reactive sputtering and anodization. Dielectric characterization was done using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Thin film planar capacitor structures were fabricated using Nb2O5 dielectric and electrically characterized. The results presented include dielectric material characterization, design, capacitance, and breakdown voltage measurements.
Life support for patients without a surrogate decision maker: who decides?

Physicians in intensive care units sometimes withdraw life support in incapacitated patients who lack surrogate decision makers and advance directives. How often such action is taken is unknown. Th...
A molecular view of the Ultrabithorax homeotic gene of Drosophila

The pioneering work of E.B. Lewis drew attention early on to the developmental role of Ultrabithorax (Ubx), one of a group of homeotic genes that specify the distinguishing features of Drosophila segments. Recent molecular work sheds light on the genetic complexity discovered by Lewis and demonstrates that Ubx executes its developmental role by producing a family of closely related DNA-binding proteins that can function as transcription factors.
THE EFFECTS OF NICOTINE ON FERTILIZATION IN THE SEA URCHIN, ARBACIA PUNCTULATA

The number of sperm incorporated into eggs made polyspermic with varying concentrations of nicotine (0.025–0.25%, v/v) appears to be directly related to the concentrations employed. The cortical response is morphologically equivalent to that observed in control preparations. Shortly after their incorporation all of the spermatozoa undergo structural events normally associated with the development of the male pronucleus in monospermic eggs. During the reorganization of the spermatozoa, sperm asters are formed. The number of male pronuclei that initially migrate to and encounter the female pronucleus is usually one to three. When pronuclei come into proximity to one another the surface of the female pronucleus proximal to the advancing male pronuclei flattens and becomes highly convoluted. Subsequently, the pronuclei contact each other and the outer and inner membranes of the pronuclear envelopes fuse, thereby producing the zygote nucleus. The male pronuclei remaining in the zygote after this initial series of pronuclear fusions continue to differentiate, i.e. they enlarge, form nucleolus-like bodies, and undergo further chromatin dispersion. In approximately 90% of the zygotes, all of the remaining male pronuclei progressively migrate to the zygote nucleus and fuse to form one large nucleus by 80 min postinsemination. Mitosis and cleavage of the polyspermic zygote occurs later than in monospermic eggs.
An infrared spectroscopic examination of cement‐based solidification/stabilization systems ‐ Portland types V and IP with zinc

Abstract Portland Type V and IP cement has been investigated using Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy to obtain information on the binding chemistry of zinc and its influence on the mechanisms of hydration, carbonation, and silicate polymerization. Samples of both zinc doped and undoped cement were cured under air and argon. Considerable insight has been gained concerning the nature of the hydration reactions both in the presence of carbon dioxide, and in its absence, both with and without the influence of zinc. Carbonation has been found to be important in the hydration and polymerization of silicates and the influences of zinc doping on these processes have been delineated. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectral evidence for the presence of CaZn2(OH)6•2H2O has been obtained. A model is discussed for the observed influences of zinc on the surface chemistry of cement. The information is considered valuable for the improvement of the solidification/stabilization of zinc‐containing waste...
The impact of advances in medicine on the biometric analysis of infant mortality

Abstract Bourgeois‐Pichat's biometric model was developed as a method to decompose infant mortality into endogenous and exogenous components. The model assumes that no endogenous deaths occur after the first month of life. This paper uses data for the United States to examine the hypothesis that recent advances in medicine extend endogenous mortality past the first month of life. The biometric model is found consistently to underestimate the endogenous infant mortality rate and to overestimate the exogenous infant mortality rate relative to cause of death analysis. Direct examination of the age distribution of infant mortality shows that the proportion of all infant mortality that occurs in the first month of life declined from 75.37 per cent in 1970 to 65.40 per cent in 1985, and that a significant and increasing proportion of the mortality occurring after the first month of life is due to endogenous causes. The development of new empirical models is suggested.
Risk perceptions: assessment and relationship to influenza vaccination.

Objective: Accurate measurement of beliefs about risk probability is essential to determine what role these beliefs have in health behavior. This study investigated the ability of several types of risk perception measures and of other constructs from health behavior theories to predict influenza vaccination. Design: Prospective study in which students, faculty, and staff at 3 universities (N 428) were interviewed in the fall, before influenza vaccine was available, and again early in the next calendar year. Main Outcome Measure: Self-reported influenza vaccination. Results: Two interview questions that asked about feeling at risk and feeling vulnerable predicted subsequent behavior better (r .44, p .001) than 2 questions that asked for agreement or disagreement with statements about risk probability (r .25, p .001) or 4 questions that asked respondents to estimate the magnitude of the risk probability (r .30, p .001). Of the 4 perceived risk magnitude scales, a 7-point verbal scale was the best predictor of behavior. Anticipated regret was the strongest predictor of vaccination (r .45, p .001) of all constructs studied, including risk perceptions, worry, and perceived vaccine effectiveness. Conclusion: Risk perceptions predicted subsequent vaccination. However, perceived risk phrased in terms of feelings rather than as a purely cognitive probability judgment predicted better. Because neither feeling at risk nor anticipated regret is represented in the most commonly used theories of health behavior, the data suggest that these theories are missing important constructs.
Librarian Involvement in Magnet Criteria: A Focus on New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements

Librarian involvement in the Magnet process is vital to an organization attempting to achieve the transformation required for accreditation. Magnet criteria for accreditation are in direct alignment with the Medical Library Association's recommendations for professional librarians to support evidence-based processes and decision-making within a health care environment. Specific criteria required of the New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements component of the Magnet process are described along with recommendations for librarian involvement. The framework outlined in this article is one method for librarians to facilitate organizational achievement of Magnet accreditation.
Bacterial Colonization in Neonates with Sibling Visitation

The effect of postpartum sibling visitation on the incidence of bacterial colonization in neonates was investigated in a 25‐bed ob/gyn unit at a military hospital. The visitation policy allowed siblings to visit with the infant at the mother's bedside, and siblings were allowed unrestricted contact with the infant after handwashing with an iodine scrub preparation. Data comparison revealed bacterial colonization on discharge in 70% of 214 control infants (admitted prior to sibling visitation program) and 67% of 182 study infants. It was concluded that postpartum sibling visitation did not increase the incidence of bacterial colonization in neonates.
Estimation from samples containing bad repetitions

We consider the problem of estimating a population mean when the sample contains repeats of some items, which may cause bias of the usual estimates. Our procedure is to classify the observations arid use the sample mean of the midpoints of the non-empty classes. This procedure works well if the distribution is symmetric and light-tailed.
The effect of CO2 regulations on the cost of corn ethanol production.

To explore the effect of CO2 price on the effective cost of ethanol production we have developed a model that integrates financial and emissions accounting for dry-mill corn ethanol plants. Three policy options are modeled: (1) a charge per unit of life cycle CO2 emissions, (2) a charge per unit of direct biorefinery emissions only, and (3) a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS). A CO2 charge on life cycle emissions increases production costs by between $0.005 and $0.008 l−1 per $10 Mg−1 CO2 price increment, across all modeled plant energy systems, with increases under direct emissions somewhat lower in all cases. In contrast, a LCFS increases the cost of production for selected plant energy systems only: a LCFS requiring reductions in average fuel global warming intensity (GWI) with a target of 10% below the 2005 baseline increases the production costs for coal-fired plants only. For all other plant types, the LCFS operates as a subsidy. The findings depend strongly on the magnitude of a land use change adder. Some land use change adders currently discussed in the literature will push the GWI of all modeled production systems above the LCFS target, flipping the CO2 price from a subsidy to a tax.
β-γ(CP) correlation studies of 72Ga and spin assignments in 72Ge

Abstract Using a transmission polarimeter, measurements have been made of the β-γ circular-polarization correlation parameter A for the 948 keV β- 2202 keV γ-cascade in the decay of 72 Ga. The measured value A = −0.142±0.026 is in good agreement with previous scattering polarimeter results. It and a 2 − assignment to the 3036 keV level in 72 Ge lead to δ (M2/E1) = +0.036±0.039 for the 2202 keV γ-ray, whereas 3 − yields the charge-dependent matrix element |〈 H C 〉| = 45.9±3.3 keV. On the basis of other published studies of 72 Ge, the 2 − assignment is strongly favored, and our results are completely consistent with this also. The value A = −0.019±0.018 was measured for the combined 642 keV β-2508 keV γ and 659 keV β-2491 keV γ-cascades. With the assignment of 3 − to the 3342 keV level and 2 − to the 3325 keV level this result yields, for the ΔJ = 0 transition involving the 2508 keV γ-ray, the value if(7.4±2.3) × 10 −3 for the Fermi matrix element, | M V | and |〈 H c 〉| = 22.8±7.9keV. These assignments are favored on the basis of an analysis of the γ-ray transition probabilities plus other available evidence. The data are also analysed for alternative assignments to these levels.
Linear Total Internal Reflection Spatial Light Modulator For Laser Printing

This paper describes an alternative technique to laser scanning for nonimpact printing on a photosensitive medium. The laser light is formed into a line of illumination which illuminates a linear array of light modulators which in turn is imaged onto the photoreceptor. This array is implemented as a total internal reflection (TIR) spatial light modulator, with the electrodes and drive electronics fabricated on an integrated drive element which is placed against the total reflection surface of an electro-optic crystal. The localized change in index of refraction produced by the fringing field between each two electrodes is read out with Schlieren readout optics which image the TIR interface onto the photoreceptor. This paper will describe the basic device concept, present measurements on the required electrode spacing, length, and drive voltage, discuss analytically and experimentally the cacteristics of the relay imaging system, and show experimental results for modulators built with simple test electrode structures and a passively addressed full scale silicon device.
The Acceptability of Deception as a Function of Perceivers' Culture, Deceiver's Intention, and Deceiver-Deceived Relationship

This study explored the degree to which deception is perceived to be a socially acceptable form of communication. It was suspected that a liar's motivation for deceiving, a perceiver's cultural background, and the type of relationship between a liar and the target of a lie (e.g., spouse, friend, stranger, etc.) would affect the perceived acceptability of deceptive messages. Students from China and the United States rated the degree to which they perceived deceptive acts depicted in written scenarios as acceptable or unacceptable. Results indicated that 1) lies told for malicious or self‐benefiting purposes were perceived as less acceptable than mutually‐benefiting lies and lies that benefit others; and 2) culture and the type of relationship between liars and targets of lies interacted with motive for lying to affect the perceived acceptability of deception. These results, their implications, and avenues for future research are discussed.
Origins and significance of astrogliosis in the multiple sclerosis model, MOG peptide EAE

Astroglia, the most abundant cells in the human CNS, and even more prominent in multiple sclerosis patients, participate in CNS innate and adaptive immunity, and have been hypothesized to play an important role in multiple sclerosis progression. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis elicited in mice by immunization with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35-55 provides a means by which to explore the genesis and disease significance of astrogliosis during a chronic immune-mediated CNS inflammatory/demyelinative disorder that, in its' pathological features, strongly resembles multiple sclerosis.
Effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and fasting on body weight and lipid parameters in rats.

This study compared the effect of fasting (feed deprivation) and the effect of exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on body weight and on key lipid parameters. The time-course study indicated a statistically significant (p < 0.05) body weight loss in the TCDD-exposed rats 5 days after the oral administration of corn oil with TCDD (60 μg/kg body wt). Animals demonstrated a 10% body weight decrease either 1 week after this TCDD administration or after 72 hr of fasting. Marked increases in serum triglyceride and cholesterol were observed only in the TCDD-exposed rats, but not in the 0- or 72-hr fasted control rats. These results indicated that some body weight loss and decreased feed consumption occurred after TCDD exposure, but that the metabolic response, with respect to serum lipid metabolism, was not that of a control rat that had lost a similar amount of body weight due solely to fasting.
A new sufficient condition for sum-rate tightness of quadratic Gaussian MT source coding

This work considers the quadratic Gaussian multiterminal source coding problem and provides a new sufficient condition for the Berger-Tung sum-rate bound to be tight. The converse proof utilizes a generalized CEO problem where the observation noises are correlated Gaussian with a block-diagonal covariance matrix. First, the given multiterminal source coding problem is related to a set of two-terminal problems with matrix distortion constraints, for which a new lower bound on the sum-rate is given. Then, a convex optimization problem is formulated and a sufficient condition derived for the optimal BT scheme to satisfy the subgradient based Karush-Kuhn-Tucker condition. The set of sum-rate tightness problems defined by our new sufficient condition subsumes all previously known tight cases, and opens new direction for a more general partial solution.
A method for interoperable digital libraries and data repositories

Abstract Aside from the basic importance of metadata in documenting, the characteristics of data for reuse is the fundamental role it plays in the functioning of digital libraries and data repositories. Metadata provides both the content of the search catalogs and provides part of the basis for performing quality control on the source data. In this paper, we describe a method for a scalable and decentralized system of interoperable digital libraries and data repositories. The description includes transportable metadata format, a persistent naming convention for arbitrary digital objects and a protocol for the asynchronous distribution of metadata. We also include a description of an operational data repository based on these methods.
Beaded nanofibers formed during electrospinning

Electrospinning is a straightforward method to produce polymer fibers from polymer solutions, with diameters in the range of 100 nm. Electrospun fibers often have beads in regular arrays. The viscoelasticity of the solution, charge density carried by the jet, and the surface tension of the solution are the key factors that influence the formation of the beaded fibers.
Hemispheric specialization for speech perception in language deficient kindergarten children.

Abstract Twenty right-handed kindergarten children with superior language skills and twenty with deficient language skills (as defined by performance on an elicited sentence repetition task) were tested (1) for hemispheric specialization for speech perception with a dichotic CV syllable task and (2) for relative manual proficiency by means of a battery of hand tasks. Reading readiness and aspects of other cognitive abilities were also assessed. The superior children evidenced a mean right-ear advantage of 14.5%, which is consistent with normal values reported by other investigators using the same stimuli. The language deficient group evidenced essentially no mean ear advantage (0.5) with half of these subjects exhibiting left-ear superiority. The findings suggest relationships among cerebral dominance, language proficiency (including reading readiness), and general cognitive functioning.
Racial Disparities in Prostate Cancer–Specific Mortality in Men With Low-Risk Prostate Cancer

Abstract Background Men with low-risk prostate cancer (CaP) are considered unlikely to die of CaP and have the option of active surveillance. This study evaluated whether African American (AA) men who present with low-risk disease are at higher risk for death from CaP than white men. Patients and Methods The authors identified 56,045 men with low-risk CaP (T1-T2a, Gleason score ≤ 6, prostate-specific antigen ≤ 10 ng/mL) diagnosed between 2004 and 2009 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Fine-Gray competing-risks regression analyses were used to analyze the effect of race on prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM) after adjusting for known prognostic and sociodemographic factors in 51,315 men (43,792 white; 7523 AA) with clinical follow-up information available. Results After a median follow-up of 46 months, 258 patients (209 [0.48%] white and 49 [0.65%] AA men) died from CaP. Both AA race (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.45; 95% CI, 1.03-2.05; P = .032) and noncurative management (AHR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.15-1.95; P = .003) were significantly associated with an increased risk of PCSM. When analyzing only patients who underwent curative treatment, AA race (AHR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.04-2.53; P = .034) remained significantly associated with increased PCSM. Conclusion Among men with low-risk prostate cancer, AA race compared with white race was associated with a higher risk of PCSM, raising the possibility that clinicians may need to exercise caution when recommending active surveillance for AA men with low-risk disease. Further studies are needed to ultimately determine whether guidelines for active surveillance should take race into account.
Listener training for speech-output applications

The specificity of the adaptation to synthetic speech known to occur with practice was examined by giving listeners selective exposure to a subset of English phonemes (a control group was “trained” on analogous materials produced by a human speaker), and then testing their ability to identify words created from both the previously heard and novel phonemes. The results indicated that while synthetic voice training was generally facilitative, it was most helpful in the identification of the sounds heard before. However, this specific learning effect occured for only certain phonemes. The findings imply that one way to maximize early adaptation to synthetic speech is to identify the “learnable” sounds, and to increase users' exposure to them during introductory or training dialogs.
Stable and efficient finite-difference nonlinear-multigrid schemes for the phase field crystal equation

In this paper we present and compare two unconditionally energy stable finite-difference schemes for the phase field crystal equation. The first is a one-step scheme based on a convex splitting of a discrete energy by Wise et al. [S.M. Wise, C. Wang, J.S. Lowengrub, An energy stable and convergent finite-difference scheme for the phase field crystal equation, SIAM J. Numer. Anal., in press]. In this scheme, which is first order in time and second order in space, the discrete energy is non-increasing for any time step. The second scheme we consider is a new, fully second-order two-step algorithm. In the new scheme, the discrete energy is bounded by its initial value for any time step. In both methods, the equations at the implicit time level are nonlinear but represent the gradients of strictly convex functions and are thus uniquely solvable, regardless of time step-size. We solve the nonlinear equations using an efficient nonlinear multigrid method. Numerical simulations are presented and confirm the stability, efficiency and accuracy of the schemes.