cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Varicocele and Infertility

A 33-yr-old man has been trying to conceive for 1.5 yr with his 30-yr-old female partner. She is medically healthy, with a history of a terminated pregnancy 3 yr prior, has regular ovulatory cycles and a normal hysterosalpingogram. He has been evaluated by a urologist, which revealed that he is also medically healthy, with a grade III left varicocele and normal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels. His semen analysis (repeated) consistently shows a normal ejaculate volume, a low-sperm concentration (16 million sperm/mL), low sperm motility (33% active), and poor strict morphology (5%). How should this couple be counseled regarding cost-effective treatment options? How would recommendations differ concerning varicocele repair if he had no sperm in the ejaculate?
Electronic ferroelectricity and magnetoelectric effect in phase-separated magnetic oxides

We consider phase-separated states in magnetic oxide (MO) thin films. We show that these states have a nonzero electric polarization. Moreover, the polarization is intimately related to a spatial distribution of magnetization in the film. Polarized states with opposite polarization and opposite magnetic configuration are degenerate. An external electric field removes the degeneracy and allows one to switch between the two states. So, one can control electric polarization and magnetic configuration of the phase-separated MO thin film with the external electric field.
Associations Between Social Risk Factors and Surgical Site Infections After Colectomy and Abdominal Hysterectomy

Importance Surgical site infection (SSI) is an important patient safety outcome. Although social risk factors have been linked to many adverse health outcomes, it is unknown whether such factors are associated with higher rates of SSI. Objectives To determine whether social risk factors, including race/ethnicity, insurance status, and neighborhood income, are associated with higher rates of SSI after colectomy or abdominal hysterectomy, 2 surgical procedures for which SSI rates are publicly reported and included in pay-for-performance programs by Medicare and other groups. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study analyzed adults undergoing colectomy or abdominal hysterectomy, as captured in State Inpatient Databases for Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, and Vermont. Operations were performed in 2013 through 2014 at general acute care hospitals in the United States. Data analysis was conducted from October 2018 through June 2019. Exposures Colectomy or hysterectomy. Main Outcomes and Measures Postoperative complex SSI rates. Results A total of 149 741 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 90 210 patients undergoing colectomies (mean [SD] age, 63.4 [15.6] years; 49 029 [54%] female; 74% white, 11% black, 9% Hispanic, and 5% other or unknown race/ethnicity) and 59 531 patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomies (mean [SD] age, 49.8 [11.8] years; 100% female; 52% white, 26% black, 14% Hispanic, and 8% other or unknown race/ethnicity). In the colectomy cohort, 34% had private insurance, 52% had Medicare, 9% had Medicaid, and 5% had other or unknown insurance or were uninsured; 24% were from the lowest quartile of median zip code income. In the hysterectomy cohort, 57% had private insurance, 16% had Medicare, 19% had Medicaid, and 3% had other or unknown insurance or were uninsured; 27% were from the lowest-income zip codes. Within 30 days of surgery, SSI rates were 2.55% for the colectomy cohort and 0.61% for the hysterectomy cohort. For colectomy, black race (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.71; 95% CI, 0.61-0.82) was associated with lower odds of SSI, whereas Medicare (AOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.41), Medicaid (AOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.06-1.44), and low neighborhood income (AOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.29) were associated with higher odds of SSI. For hysterectomy, no social risk factors that were examined in this study had statistically significant associations with SSI after adjustment for clinical risk. Conclusions and Relevance Inconsistent associations between social risk factors and SSIs were found. For colectomy, infection prevention programs targeting low-income groups may be important for reducing disparities in this postoperative outcome, and policy makers could consider taking social risk factors into account when evaluating hospital performance.
The Stanford Lightning Report Method: A comparison of rapid qualitative synthesis results across four implementation evaluations.

Background Current evaluation methods are mismatched with the speed of health care innovation and needs of health care delivery partners. We introduce a qualitative approach called the lightning report method and its specific product-the "Lightning Report." We compare implementation evaluation results across four projects to explore report sensitivity and the potential depth and breadth of lightning report method findings. Methods The lightning report method was refined over 2.5 years across four projects: team-based primary care, cancer center transformation, precision health in primary care, and a national life-sustaining decisions initiative. The novelty of the lightning report method is the application of Plus/Delta/Insight debriefing to dynamic implementation evaluation. This analytic structure captures Plus ("what works"), Delta ("what needs to be changed"), and Insights (participant or evaluator insights, ideas, and recommendations). We used structured coding based on implementation science barriers and facilitators outlined in the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) applied to 17 Lightning Reports from four projects. Results Health care partners reported that Lighting Reports were valuable, easy to understand, and they implied reports supported "corrective action" for implementations. Comparative analysis revealed cross-project emphasis on the domains of Inner Setting and Intervention Characteristics, with themes of communication, resources/staffing, feedback/reflection, alignment with simultaneous interventions and traditional care, and team cohesion. In three of the four assessed projects, the largest proportion of coding was to the clinic-level domain of Inner Setting-ranging from 39% for the cancer center project to a high of 56% for the life-sustaining decisions project. Conclusions The lightning report method can fill a gap in rapid qualitative approaches and is generalizable with consistent but flexible core methods. Comparative analysis suggests it is a sensitive tool, capable of uncovering differences and insights in implementation across projects. The Lightning Report facilitates partnered evaluation and communication with stakeholders by providing real-time, actionable insights in dynamic health care implementations.
Normal Anatomy of Prostate

T1 and T2 relaxation times are MR-specific intrinsic properties of tissue. These characteristic times affect all MR images, and MR images are made intentionally more sensitive to differences in T1 or T2 relaxation times, or in other words, are T1 or T2 “weighted.” Prostate anatomy is best depicted on high resolution, small field of view, T2 weighted images. Using three-plane T2 weighted images in sagittal, coronal and axial planes, it is possible to visualize the different zones of prostate as described by McNeal.
Choanoflagellates: Perspective on the Origin of Animal Multicellularity

For more than a century and half choanoflagellates, the closest living relatives of animals, have fascinated evolutionary biologists. By characterizing the similarities and differences between choanoflagellates and animals, biologists have gained perspective on the biology of their last common ancestor, the “Urchoanimal”, as well as the evolutionary foundations of multicellularity and the origin of animals. The best-studied colonial choanoflagellate, Salpingoeca rosetta, forms colonies by cell division and not by cell aggregation. The observation that cytoplasmic bridges connect cells in S. rosetta colonies and other colonial choanoflagellates, as well as cells in sponges, suggests that this mechanism of colony formation may be ancestral within the choanoflagellate lineage and may have been present in the Urchoanimal as well. The comparison of choanoflagellate gene content and gene function with animal gene content and gene function has revealed that many of the basic mechanisms of cell adhesion, signaling, and differentiation that were previously thought to be unique to animals are also present in choanoflagellates, indicating that these genes were present prior to the evolution of animals. These insights refine our understanding of genes that emerged on the stem lineage leading to the last common ancestor of all animals, the “Urmetazoan”. Taken together the data from choanoflagellates have provided deep insights into the biology of the Urchoanimal and the evolution of animal multicellularity.
Does the source of oil supply shock matter in explaining the behavior of U.S. consumer spending and sentiment

In light of the U.S. shale oil boom and given that commercial shale oil production has been mostly confined to the USA, this paper disentangles the oil supply determinant into its U.S. and non-U.S. production components, and studies their impact on U.S. real personal consumption expenditures (PCE) and on U.S. index of consumer sentiment (ICS). First, I estimate a structural VAR model to identify and study the effect of structural shocks in the crude oil market on PCE and ICS. The results show that while PCE and ICS respond negatively to oil demand shocks, they respond differently to oil supply shocks. While ICS experiences transitory negative response to both oil supply shocks, PCE shows that the response of inflation and output differs depending on whether the oil supply shock is domestic or foreign. Second, I compute the forecast-error-variance decompositions to quantify the contribution of oil supply and demand shocks to the historical fluctuations in PCE and ICS. My findings reveal that most of the variation in PCE is explained by oil supply shocks—unlike ICS where most of its variation is explained by aggregate demand shocks. Third, I conduct a historical decomposition exercise to examine the contributions of structural oil shocks in explaining historical changes in PCE and ICS. My results indicate a strong presence of U.S. oil supply shock in boosting ICS during the 2014 period of the oil price drop. Finally, the results that not all oil supply shocks are alike are robust to alternative measures of real economic activity.
2020 Supplementary Directory of New Bargaining Agents and Contracts in Institutions of Higher Education, 2013-2019.

The 2020 Supplementary Directory of New Bargaining Agents and Contracts in Institutions of Higher Education, 2013-2019 is an analysis of data for the period 2013-2019 of new bargaining units, bargaining agents, and contracts in higher education in the United States following publication of the last directory in 2012. The 2020 Supplementary Directory includes a listing of all new bargaining relationships concerning faculty, department chairs, librarians, postdoctoral scholars, academic researchers, and/or graduate student employees. It also includes data about bargaining units that existed prior to 2013 but did not appear in the last directory such as postdoctoral scholar and academic researcher bargaining units.
A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Among Law Enforcement Officers

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) are at increased risk for sleep disorders relative to the general population. Common LEO occupational stressors, including critical incidents and shift work, predict sleep disturbance, which in turn negatively impacts health, performance, and community safety. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Sleep Disturbance 4-item (PROMIS SD4) was developed to assess self-reported sleep quality, satisfaction, and difficulties falling asleep. Previous studies suggest PROMIS-SD short-forms (4-, 6-, and 8-items) have good psychometric properties; however, evaluation of this easily-administered measure in high-stress, frontline populations is limited. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the PROMIS-SD4 in a sample of LEOs (N = 111). A confirmatory factor analysis suggests that the original one-factor solution, with a correlated error-term, provides an excellent fit to the data, SBχ2(2) = 1.62, p = .23, CFI = .99, RMSEA = .12, SRMR = .01. The PROMIS SD4 demonstrated good reliability (α = .85) and evidence of convergent validity correlations in the expected direction with domains of psychological distress, positive health outcomes, reactivity, and body experience (all p’s < .05). Results suggest that the PROMIS-SD4 is a valid and reliable measure of sleep disturbance among LEOs. Trial registration Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02521454. Date of registration: August 13, 2015
Assemble, Control, and Test (ACT): A Management Framework for Indoor IoT Systems

Internet of Things (IoT) networks have become increasingly popular in recent years, and while they may be installed in certain environments with relative ease, the systems increase in size, cost, and complexity as they scale to smart buildings. Since these devices do not exist in flat, open areas, but rather exist in buildings where concrete walls and metal structures obstruct device communication ranges, many of the algorithms and systems that work in theory fall short in such real-world scenarios. This research develops a novel relay placement algorithm for IoT system coverage which takes into account the impact of various obstructions on the performance of wireless communication. In addition, this algorithm is incorporated into our IoT network deployment and management framework. We first evaluated our approach in simulation, then tested the system in a real-world scenario where its effectiveness is compared to previous systems and algorithms.
The search for trivial types

In this paper, we look at strongly minimal sets definable in a differentially closed field of characteristic 0. In [3], Hrushovski and Sokolovic show that such sets are essentially Zariski geometries. Thus either thre is a definable strongly minimal field nonorthogonal to $D$, or $D$ is locally modular and nontrivial, or $D$ is trivial. We show that the strongly minimal sets defined by a certain family of differential equations are trivial. We also prove a theorem wich provides a test for the orthogonality of types over an ordinary differential field.
The precipitation of behavioral defects due to inflammation in the DSS mouse model of colitis (LB748)

Background: Anxiety, depression, and altered memory have been previously associated with intestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Understanding the association between these...
Combinatorial fusion with on-line learning algorithms

We give a range of techniques to effectively apply on-line learning algorithms, such as Perceptron and Winnow, to both on-line and batch fusion problems. Our first technique is a new way to combine the predictions of multiple hypotheses. These hypotheses are selected from the many hypotheses that are generated in the course of on-line learning. Our second technique is to save old instances and use them for extra updates on the current hypothesis. These extra updates can decrease the number of mistakes made on new instances. Both techniques keep the algorithms efficient and allow the algorithms to learn in the presence of large amounts of noise.
An exploration of joint toxic action: II. Equitoxic versus equivolume mixtures

Abstract With 53 pairs of industrial organic chemicals in which the ratio of the rat peroral LD50 values of the 2 components ranged from 1 to an extreme of 140, the harmonic mean formula for additive joint toxicity predicted the toxicity of equitoxic mixtures as satisfactorily as it previously was shown to do for equivolume mixtures. Pairs deviating most markedly from this mode of joint toxic action are listed.
Carbon Nanotube-Nanoparticle Hybrid Structures

The discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (Iijima 1991; Iijima & Ichihashi 1993) has inspired extensive research activities unprecedented in nanoscience and nanotechnology. CNTs are very versatile due to their small diameter, high aspect ratio (Zheng et al. 2004), great structural integrity (Hinds et al. 2004; Jung et al. 2006), high electrical (Kang et al. 2007) and thermal conductivity (Berber et al. 2000), remarkable thermal (Kim et al. 2004) and chemical stability (Liu et al. 1999), and exceptional strength and resilience (Treacy et al. 1996; Saito 1998; Yu et al. 2000). Nanoparticles (NP) with sizes between 1 and 100 nm have attracted considerable interest because of their unique electronic, optical, magnetic, mechanical, and chemical properties that differ from those of both their constituent atoms/molecules and their corresponding bulk materials. CNTs decorated with NPs form a new class of hybrid nanomaterials that could potentially display not only the unique properties of NPs (Fissan et al. 2003; Scher et al. 2003) and nanotubes (Dresselhaus et al. 2001; de Heer 2004; Dresselhaus 2004), but also additional novel physical and chemical properties due to the interaction between CNTs and attached NPs. These hybrid nanomaterials have recently been shown as promising building blocks for various applications, including gas sensors (Kong et al. 2001; Sun & Wang 2007; Lu et al. 2009), fuel cells (Mu et al. 2005; Kongkanand et al. 2006; Robel et al. 2006), solar cells (Landi et al. 2005; Guldi et al. 2006; Kongkanand et al. 2007; Lee et al. 2007), Li-ion batteries (Zhang et al. 2006), hydrogen storage (Yildirim & Ciraci 2005; Anson et al. 2006), and transparent conductive electrodes (Kong et al. 2007). This chapter begins by outlining the significance of CNT-NP hybrid structures in terms of materials advantages and potential applications. Then, we introduce the assembly of various metallic and semiconducting NPs onto the external surfaces of CNTs via the electrostatic force directed assembly (ESFDA) process that we have recently developed. Single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs), multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs), randomly dispersed CNTs, and well-aligned CNT arrays can be decorated with a broad range of NPs (including both aerosol and colloidal NPs) through the ESFDA process for the generation of CNT-NP hybrid
Mapping Space and Mobility in the Red Sea Region, c.1500–1950

Situated between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean and separating Northeast Africa from the Arabian Peninsula, the Red Sea is one of the most unique maritime spaces in the world and among the first to be mentioned in recorded history. This essay debunks past perceptions of this space as merely a maritime corridor and a transit space between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Instead, it promotes an effort to recast the history of the region with the Red Sea as an organizing framework for analysis, allowing us to imagine it as an integrated region sui generis characterized by multilayered, interconnected, and overlapping circuits and networks operating within and across it while still linked to both the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. The essay proposes a materially based analytical framework which can underpin several possible avenues for future research.
Design of 100G PDM-QPSK unrepeatered transmission systems with EDFA only amplification

We investigate three EDFA only amplification architectures for 100G unrepeatered transmission. With > 4 dBQ margin, pre-amplifier only, booster only and both booster and pre-amplifier amplifications can achieve 130, 150 and 220 km reach respectively.
Seasonal Ice Zone Reconnaissance Surveys Coordination

Abstract : This grant is for the coordination of the Seasonal Ice Zone Reconnaissance Surveys (SIZRS) program of repeated ocean, ice, and atmospheric measurements across the Beaufort-Chukchi sea seasonal sea ice zone (SIZ) utilizing US Coast Guard Arctic Domain Awareness (ADA) flights of opportunity. The individual observational components of SIZRS are covered in separate reports. Our long-term goal is to track and understand the interplay among the ice, atmosphere, and ocean contributing to the rapid decline in summer ice extent that has occurred in recent years. The SIZ is the region between maximum winter sea ice extent and minimum summer sea ice extent. As such, it contains the full range of positions of the marginal ice zone (MIZ) where sea ice interacts with open water.
Angioembolisation of a Bleeding Meckel’s Diverticulum

We describe the diagnosis of an adult who presented with hematochezia. This was investigated and found to be from a bleeding Meckel's diverticulum. As this condition is rare in adults, there is no consensus regarding the optimal mode of management. We propose the use of angioembolisation in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of this condition. Our case showed that this strategy is indeed feasible and can achieve good short-term control, allowing for definitive surgery in an elective setting.
Counting and Arithmetic of the Inca

El Imperio Inca – el imperio pre-Colombino mas grande del continente Americano – se extendio desde Ecuador hasta Chile central por mas de cinco mil millas. La capital fue Cuzco, la que fue establecida en las Alturas de los Andes Peruanos. Esta civilizacion altamente avanzada desarrollo un sistema contable para organizar el imperio – en particular, para construir una red de caminos de 14.000 millas y una arquitectura monumental. Algunos de los algoritmos que se creen haber sido usados por los Inca para hacer calculos fue la "yupana". Este antiguo artefacto de calculo sera presentado, entre otras actividades del curso “Matematicas en Culturas No-Europeas” para estudiantes de todas las areas de concentracion, excepto Matematicas y Ciencia, ofrecido en la Universidad de Millersville en Pennsylvania
Measurement equivalence of interactive voice response and paper versions of the EQ-5D in a cancer patient sample.

Abstract Objective To assess the measurement equivalence of an interactive voice response (IVR) version of the EQ-5D with the original paper version. Methods Subjects were randomly assigned to: 1) paper then IVR, or 2) IVR then paper and asked to complete the questionnaire two days apart. The analyses tested mean differences (repeated measures analysis of variance) and reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]). Equivalence of the means was established if the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the mean difference was within the minimally important difference interval: −0.035 to 0.035 for the EQ-5D index and −3 to 3 for the visual analog scale (EQ VAS). ICC adequacy was tested by comparing the ICC 95% lower CI with a critical value of 0.70. Results The analyses included 113 subjects for the index and 109 subjects for the EQ VAS. For the index, the adjusted means of the paper and IVR versions were 0.789 ± 0.016 and 0.798 ± 0. 017, respectively. The 95% CI of the mean difference was −0.024 to 0.006, within the equivalence interval. The ICC was 0.894 (95% lower CI 0.857), significantly greater than 0.70. For the EQ VAS, the adjusted means were 71.94 ± 1.87 for paper and 74.63 ± 1.79 for IVR. The 95% CI of the mean difference was −4.347 to −1.049, partially within the equivalence interval. The ICC was 0.887 (95% lower CI 0.840), significantly greater than 0.70. Conclusions The results provide evidence that the EQ-5D scores on the IVR version were sufficiently equivalent to those obtained on the paper version.
Pulmonary function studies in 20 asthmatic patients in the symptom-free interval

Abstract Measurements of pulmonary function were made on twelve female and eight male asymptomatic asthmatic patients, 11 to 66 years of age. In general they showed decrease in the vital capacity and inspiratory capacity; an increase in the F.R.C. and in the residual volume, both absolutely and in relation to total capacity; slight hyperventilation; decrease in the M.B.C. (out of proportion to the reduction in V.C.); abnormality in intrapulmonary gas distribution; and slightly abnormal spirograms. The M.B.C., V.C. and intrapulmonary gas distribution improved following administration of a bronchodilatory drug in many patients indicating that the abnormalities were reversible at least in part and that many asthmatic patients have definite bronchospasm in the absence of signs or symptoms.
Is aeromedical transport of patients during acute myocardial infarction safe

The emergence of coronary artery thrombolysis and angioplasty have raised new questions about the transfer of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Since these modalities are generally limited in their availability, and since the success of thrombolysis is strongly time-dependent, the interfacility transfer of patients during AMI has become more common. Study of a relatively small number of patients indicates that aeromedical helicopter transport can be conducted in a safe manner, and that the outcome of management is of benefit to the patients. Reperfusion events, however, must be anticipated during transport of patients in whom thrombolysis is initiated preflight. Furthermore, initiation of thrombolytic therapy may be problematic if begun in patients with events mimicking AMI, particularly aortic dissection or Prinzmetal's angina.
SU-GG-T-492: Dosimetric Comparison of Prostate Radiotherapy Treatment Techniques

Purpose: There is a significant difference in complexity between the planning and delivery of 3D conformal therapy as compared to IMRT. This study compares and evaluates radiation therapy plans for prostate cases using both 3D conformal plans and IMRT plans, to ascertain if there are dosimetric advantages to IMRT given the current constraints. Method and Materials: A single physician outlined the prostate (GTV), rectum, bladder, femoral heads and penile bulb of 10 consecutive prostate patients. IMRT plans, using the current RTOG constraints from RTOG study 0415, and 3D conformal treatment plans (3DCRT) were created for each patient. The 3DCRT plans consisted of 6 beams, with opposed lateral and paired oblique beams, using 6 MV and 18 MV photons, created with the Pinnacle treatment planning system (TPS). The IMRT plans were generated using the Pinnacle system, the HiArt Tomotherapy system, and the Corvus TPS. In total, 6 plans were created for each patient. Results: By comparing the plans in terms of dose statistics and dose volume histograms we observed that the 3DCRT was able to meet the RTOG dose constraints. The dose to critical structures was comparable between 3DCRT and IMRT plans, independent of the TPS. Dose homogeneity of the PTV was better achieved with the IMRT plans. The 3DCRT plan could be further improved if a better choice of beam angles was made. Conclusion: The plans were evaluated for: (i) ability to deliver 95% of the dose to the PTV without significant variation, and (ii) for dose to the rectum and bladder. The 3D conformal plans were able to meet the RTOG criteria, suggesting that the added time and expense of IMRT planning for these cases was not justified and that the true power of IMRT is not being realized.
Familial gynecomastia associated with genital abnormalities: report of a family.

THE familial transmission of coexistent gynecomastia and hypogonadism was reported at least as early as 1893 (1). However, the importance of heredity in the transmission of male hypogonadism of varioustypes gained little recognition until recent years. Hereditary gynecomastia had been said to be “very rare” (2). A number of observations, mainly in the interval since 1940, have indicated that careful investigation may reveal familial involvement in a rather high proportion of patients with these abnormalities (3-12). In 1947 Reifenstein and his associates reported a kinship of 10 males, 9 of whom had multiple abnormalities of sexual anatomy and function in which transmission appeared to be through females (6, 13). The authors' discoveiy of a similar family in which maternally transmitted gynecomastia, hypospadias and incomplete descent of the right testis existed in half-brothers, and gynecomastia alone in a maternal cousin, led us to examine the case records of patients with gynecomastia in three hospital...
Water and air movement in a bounded deep homogeneous soil

Abstract A methodology, based on the knowledge of the characteristic curves of the soil, is presented to predict the infiltration rate into a soil, the evolution of the water content in the soil and the evolution of the water table under natural hydrological boundary conditions. Comparison with experimental results shows the method to be accurate. Infiltration rate curves are obtained for a number of situations involving different boundary and/or initial conditions. The results confirm the known experimental facts and the field observations that soil-air behavior is an important factor in infiltration phenomena.
Regression modeling of ordinal data with nonzero baselines.

Summary. This paper develops regression models for ordinal data with nonzero control response probabilities. The models are especially useful in dose-response studies where the spontaneous or natural response rate is nonnegligible and the dosage is logarithmic. These models generalize Abbott's formula, which has been commonly used to model binary data with nonzero background observations. We describe a biologically plausible latent structure and develop an EM algorithm for fitting the models. The EM algorithm can be implemented using standard software for ordinal regression. A toxicology data set where the proposed model fits the data but a more conventional model fails is used to illustrate the methodology.
Examining Gifted Students Who Are Economically At-Risk to Determine Factors that Influence Their Early Reading Success

The aim of this study was to determine whether the Frequency with which parents read to their children, Preschool Exposure and the initial Age that students “who are economically at-risk” were first exposed to significant literacy activities at home or in a preschool setting affected their reading grades. Students “who are economically at-risk,” for the scope of this study, are those students whose family incomes qualify them to receive either free or reduced lunches. The criteria set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture’s School Lunch Program and Child Nutrition Web site (United States Department of Agriculture, 2005) was used to determine whether families were qualified to receive reductions in the price of their school meals. Parents of students from six southeast Alabama schools were selected to participate in the study. All six schools administered the Questioning, Understanding, Enriching, Seeking and Thinking (QUEST) program for gifted or academically successful students. The subjects were 84 parents/families with public school children who are economically at-risk and participated in the QUEST program. Data were gathered using a questionnaire developed by the researcher. Instructional implications for this research study are to (1) improve reading instruction for economically at-risk students within our nation’s elementary schools; (2) equip parents with teaching tools and theories for providing critical pre-reading skills to their young children and (3) to provide sound research for teacher educators to base their instruction to preservice teachers preparing to teach students who are economically at-risk.
Psychometric evaluation of the Gamblers' Beliefs Questionnaire with treatment-seeking disordered gamblers

Abstract Growing evidence for the efficacy of cognitive–behavioral therapy for disordered gambling supports the need for a comprehensive set of gambling-related assessment measures that have been validated with treatment-seeking samples. The Gamblers' Beliefs Questionnaire (GBQ) is a self-report measure that was designed to identify gambling-related cognitive distortions ( Steenbergh, Meyers, May, & Whelan, 2002 ). In this study, the GBQ demonstrated good internal consistency and adequate construct validity in a treatment-seeking sample of disordered gamblers. Additionally, scores on the measure significantly decreased across a brief cognitive–behavioral treatment, providing validity support for use of the GBQ with a clinical population.
Stable diffeomorphism of compact 4-manifolds

Abstract Any two smoothings of a compact orientable 4-manifold become diffeomorphic after connected sum with copies of S 2 x S 2 . If we also allow an S 2 x S 2 , the nonorientable case holds as well.
A quest for certain linear spaces on thirty points

Abstract We investigate the structure of linear spaces on 30 points which have no lines of sizes 2, 3, 6, 30.
MATCHING VERBAL AND CONCRETE STIMULUS ATTRIBUTES

Reaction time for matching a stimulus figure against 2 of its concrete attributes (shape and number) presented separately but simultaneously in 2 other figures was compared with that for matching the figure against the printed names of the attributes. One group of 5 men and 5 women served in the first task condition and another group in the second. The attributes and attribute-names were presented in both syntactical and non-syntactical orders. No significant task or order effects were found, a result contrary to the hypothesis that selective attention to attributes involves their verbal encoding.
Ultrasonic backscatter coefficient quantitative estimates from high-concentration Chinese hamster ovary cell pellet biophantoms

Previous work estimated the ultrasonic backscatter coefficient (BSC) from low-concentration (volume density 1). The concentric sphere model least squares estimates show a decrease in estimated cell radius with number density, suggesting that the concentric spheres model is becoming less applicable as concentration increases because the estimated cell radius becomes smaller than that measured. The critical volume density, starting from when the model becomes less applicable, is estimated to be between 10% and 30% cell volume density.
Reduction of Salmonella enterica on grape tomatoes using microwave heating

Abstract Grape tomatoes were surface inoculated with Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium, Senftenburg, Kentucky and Enteritidis and heated for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 s using a household microwave oven at two different power levels (medium and high). Following heating, viable counts, temperature measurements and quality measurements were performed on the tomatoes. At high power level, more than 2 log reduction of Salmonella enterica was detected on grape tomatoes after 50 s but the texture were damaged. Three heating treatments, 40 s heating at high power level, 40 and 50 s heating at medium power level, could achieve more than 1.45 log reduction of Salmonella enterica on grape tomatoes, and all the treatments except for 50 s at high power level did not affect the color, pH value and nutritional quality of grape tomato after heating (p > 0.05). However, 40 s heating at medium power was the only treatment among the three that did not affect the texture quality of grape tomato. Therefore, it might be a potential way for consumers to use microwave heating at medium power level (700 W) for 40 s to reduce Salmonella population on water immersed grape tomatoes.
Dietary modification of the stability of rat liver Golgi apparatus.

Abstract In long term dietary studies, Sprague-Dawley strains normally yielding poor Golgi apparatus preparations, were fed choline- and vitamin B 12 -deficient diets with and without 20% ethanol in the drinking water. After 6–7 months, the treated animals yielded concentrated Golgi apparatus preparations in useful quantity whereas control animals on complete diets did not. Holtzman strains normally yielding satisfactory Golgi apparatus preparations, yielded poor preparations when the animals were fasted. The results show that conditions favoring Golgi apparatus isolation are subject to dietary modification.
Expression of 44-kilodalton oncofetal antigen as a premalignancy marker in X irradiation-induced murine T-cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND Oncofetal antigens (OFAs) are found on the surface of murine and human midgestation fetal cells, in human and rodent tumor tissues, and on human and rodent tumor and embryonic cell lines but not in normal neonatal or adult human and rodent tissue. PURPOSE The usefulness of OFA as an early indicator of lymphoma development was evaluated. METHODS With the use of monoclonal antibody directed against a 44-kd glycoprotein, cells from the thymus and spleen of RFM/UnCr mice receiving whole-body, split-dose x irradiation (1.75 Gy once a week for 4 weeks) or cells from these organs from control (nonirradiated) mice were analyzed for the presence of OFA in the flow cytometer and in limited intrathymic transplant. RESULTS OFA was detected on thymocytes from 75% of irradiated mice by 2 months after treatment, reflecting eventual lymphoma development in the irradiated controls by flow cytometry and in intrathymic transplant. In general, the number of thymuses expressing OFA and the percentage of OFA+ cells increased with time after irradiation. By 4 months, OFA+ splenocytes were present, but only in mice possessing OFA+ thymocytes. Serially tested, irradiated RFM mice that never expressed OFA in the thymus reflected the percentage of irradiated RFM/UnCr mice that never developed lymphomas. This observation was also made in irradiated C57BL/6N mice, which attests to the tumor specificity of OFA expression. Spleen immunoglobulin-positive cells were decreased, while CD4+ and CD8+ cells were greatly increased. Indirect evidence of CD4/CD8 expression on OFA+ splenocytes suggests that the newly forming lymphomas were of immature T-cell origin. Major histocompatibility antigen expression did not vary significantly. Histopathologic examination revealed radiation-induced lymphomas in OFA-positive tissues characterized by a monomorphic population of large blastic immature lymphoid cells. CONCLUSION The early expression of OFA in radiation-induced oncogenesis was established. IMPLICATIONS OFA expression significantly preceded clear histologic evidence of malignant T cells or clinical lymphoma in irradiated RFM/UnCr mice that went on to develop T-cell lymphomas.
LATE RELAPSE OF CLINICAL STAGE I TESTICULAR CANCER

AbstractPurpose: The clinical presentation and treatment of late recurrence (2 or more years after initial management) of testis cancer are defined.Materials and Methods: A retrospective search was performed to identify patients treated for late relapse at our university from 1979 to 1992 who had initially presented with clinical stage 1 disease.Results: We treated 35 patients with chemotherapy for late relapse. No patient has remained disease-free with chemotherapy alone. Subsequent surgery resulted in 43 percent of the patients being currently disease-free.Conclusions: The treatment of late relapse is surgical. Chemotherapy before late relapse for low volume disease does not uniformly prevent late recurrence.
Reduction of the Number of Columns in Flow Table Minimization

It is shown that, in minimizing an Incompletely specified flow table, nontrivial column reductions may be considered to obtain a low-cost sequential network. Compatibility classes of columns of a flow table are defined, and other basic concepts for a general approach to the problem are illustrated.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering for perchlorate detection using cystamine-modified gold nanoparticles.

Abstract Perchlorate (ClO 4 − ) has recently emerged as a widespread environmental contaminant found in groundwater and surface water, and there is a great need for rapid detection and monitoring of this contaminant. This study presents a new technique using cystamine-modified gold nanoparticles as a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of perchlorate at low concentrations. A detection limit of 5 × 10 −6 M (0.5 mg/L) has been achieved using this method without sample preconcentration. This result was attributed to a strong plasmon enhancement by gold metal surfaces and the electrostatic attraction of ClO 4 − onto positively charged, cystamine-modified gold nanoparticles at a low pH. The methodology also was found to be reproducible, quantitative, and not susceptible to significant interference from the presence of anions such as sulfate, phosphate, nitrate and chloride at concentrations
Ethical and Legal Implications of Bloodless Medicine and Surgery

Transfusion medicine is in the midst of a “paradigm shift.” Multiple studies have documented new developments in our understanding of the risks of allogeneic blood and the benefits of bloodless alternatives. However, systematic attention has not yet been given to the ethical and legal implications of these changes. This article discusses the effect these changes have had on three ethical duties that physicians owe to their patients: (1) the obligation to respect a competent patient's right to refuse medical treatment in accordance with his/her own values and beliefs, (2) the obligation to examine current assumptions about the efficacy and safety of allogeneic blood, and (3) the obligation to engage in a process of communication that adequately prepares the patient to make an informed decision about the use of blood and blood derivatives. Physicians who neglect these duties not only fail their ethical obligation to respect patients' rights but also expose themselves to significant medicolegal risk. The discussion includes an explanation of the source and significance of each obligation, as well as an explication of the standard by which it is judged. The article concludes with a set of five practical recommendations for physicians seeking to provide ethically appropriate care.
Optimized end-stacking provides specificity of N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX for human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA.

N-Methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM) is exceptionally selective for G-quadruplexes (GQ) relative to duplex DNA and, as such, has found a wide range of applications in biology and chemistry. In addition,...
Irradiation of meat for the production of fermented sausage

Fermented sausage was prepared from batter which had been processed with gamma radiation to reduce the microflora. Doses up to, 500 Krad reduced the total aerobic bacteria in commercial batter up to 2.2 log cycles. Irradiation reduced the coliform and staphylococci counts to levels that minimized public health concern after fermentation. These reductions allowed the use of a lower inoculum and a longer fermentation. The reductions shifted the percent inoculum relative to the total population from 1% in the controls to 70% in the 500 Krad samples, and the shift in population resulted in a more uniform fermentation and final product.
Mutants of the Chinese hamster ovary cell line requiring alanine and glutamate

One alanine-requiring mutant and four glutamate-requiring mutants of probable independent origin were isolated from the CH0-K1 line. Both types of mutants require unusually high concentrations of the appropriate amino acid for growth. The alanine-requiring mutant is deficient in alanyl-tRNA synthetase activity. The one glutamate-requiring mutant that was studied possesses full activity of glutamyl-tRNA synthetase and its biochemical defect has not been identified.
Nanoscale Structural and Mechanical Properties of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Biofilms

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) bacteria are commensals in the human nasopharynx, as well as pathogens associated with a spectrum of acute and chronic infections. Two important factors that influence NTHI pathogenicity are their ability to adhere to human tissue and their ability to form biofilms. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and bacterial appendages such as pili critically influence cell adhesion and intercellular cohesion during biofilm formation. Structural components in the outer cell membrane, such as lipopolysaccharides, also play a fundamental role in infection of the host organism. In spite of their importance, these pathogenic factors are not yet well characterized at the nanoscale. Here, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used in aqueous environments to visualize structural details, including probable Hif-type pili, of live NTHI bacteria at the early stages of biofilm formation. Using single-molecule AFM-based spectroscopy, the molecular elasticities of lipooligosaccharides present on NTHI cell surfaces were analyzed and compared between two strains (PittEE and PittGG) with very different pathogenicity profiles. Furthermore, the stiffness of single cells of both strains was measured and subsequently their turgor pressure was estimated.
Does social support mediate the relationship among neighborhood disadvantage, incivilities, crime and physical activity?

Neighborhood disadvantage (ND), incivilities, and crime disproportionately impact minority women, discouraging physical activity (PA). Social support (SS) is a cultural tool promoting PA in minority women. Socially supportive environments may promote PA in disadvantaged neighborhoods, yet few studies have investigated the mediating role of social support among minority women. This study examined SS as a mediator among ND, incivilities, crime, and PA. The Health Is Power study aimed to increase PA in African American and Hispanic Latina women (N=410) in Houston and Austin, TX. ND and crime data were taken from the National Neighborhood Crime Study. Incivilities was measured using the Pedestrian Environment Data Scan (PEDS). SS was measured using the Family and Friend Support for Exercise Habits scale and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Linear regression analysis were used to examine SS as a mediator following the Baron and Kenny method. ND was negatively associated with PA and SS. SS was not a mediator as it was not significantly associated with ND, crime, and incivilities (F(3,264)=2.02, p>.05) or PA (F(1,266)=3.8 p=.052). ND significantly discourages PA and limits SS. Future research should focus on developing strategies to overcoming these negative environmental factors. Language: en
Adaptive evolution in the rat olfactory receptor gene family

Comparison of DNA sequences of the rat (Rattus norvegicus) olfactory receptor gene family revealed an unusual pattern of nucleotide substitution in the gene region encoding the second extracellular domain (E2) of the protein. In this domain, nonsynonymous nucleotide differences between members of this subfamily that caused a change in amino acid residue polarity were over four times more frequent than nonsynonymous differences that did not cause a polarity change. This nonrandom pattern of nucleotide substitution is evidence of past directional selection favoring diversification of the E2 domain among members of this subfamily. This in turn suggests that E2 may play some important role in the functions unique to each member of the olfactory receptor family, and that it may perhaps be an odorant binding domain.
Operational gaming for energy policy analysis

Abstract A new approach to energy policy analysis is developed by structuring the interactive dynamic processes in energy environment systems Current energy system modelling efforts do not effectively account for multiple interests and the interaction of policy markers. This paper presents a methodology formalising, within the framework of hierarchial systems, operational gaming for policy analysis. The methodology has been applied to the design of Regional Energy Environment Games (REEG), and is extended to large-scale games for policy analysis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Glioma in the Era of Antiangiogenic Therapy

Since it supplanted computed tomography in the early 1990s, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has remained the standard tool to evaluate disease status in patients with brain tumors. With the recent adoption of antiangiogenic therapy for gliomas, it has become increasingly clear that leakiness of the blood-brain barrier, the physiologic correlate of contrast enhancement, is affected by a multitude of pathophysiologic processes, not all of which correlate with tumor burden. To address this issue, physiologic imaging including diffusion and perfusion MR imaging has been investigated as an avenue to acquire predictive and prognostic biomarkers useful in the evaluation of high-grade gliomas.