cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability of military-relevant tests designed to assess soldier readiness for occupational and combat-related duties.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of military-relevant tests designed to assess soldier readiness. Forty-seven soldiers (46 men, 1 woman; 22 ± 3 years; 80.4 ± 11.7 kg) performed each of seven soldier readiness tests on four different occasions over the course of 8 weeks. The soldier readiness tests were: (1) 3.2-km load carriage (LC) time-trial, (2) running long jump (RLJ), (3) one-repetition maximum box lift (1RMBL), (4) 10-minute repetitive box lift and carry (RBLC), (5) simulated victim rescue (VR), (6) mock grenade throw (GT) for accuracy, and (7) simulated combat rushes (CR). Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant learning effects for 1RMBL, RBLC, and GT; these tests required two (1RMBL and RBLC) or three (GT) trials to obtain statistically stable values. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.78 to 0.89 for all tests. LC, 1RMBL, RBLC, CR, and RLJ all demonstrated standard error of measurement values that were 3% to 5%, whereas VR and GT wer...
Fixation de molécules chélatantes sur des polyphosphonates par modification chimique—II. Hydrolyse des polymères

Resume L'hydrolyse de polyesters phosphoriques porteurs de molecules chelatantes (2-picolylamine ou 8-hydroxyquinoleine) en chaine laterale a ete etudiee dans le but de tester la faisabilite d'un systeme pouvant liberer le complexant en fonction du milieu. Les premieres etudes ont ete conduites sur deux polymeres, le poly(2-α-picolylamino-4-methyl-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane) et le poly(8-hydroxyquinolyl-4-methyl-2-oxo-1, 3,2-dioxaphospholane) et leurs modeles respectifs, l'α-picolylphosphoramidate de diethyle et le 8-quinolylphosphate de diethyle. Elles ont permis de montrer que les vitesses de liberation par hydrolyse dependent du pH du milieu et de la nature de la liaison reliant la molecule chelatante au substrat macromoleculaire mais peuvent aussi, dans certaines conditions precises (liaison P-N), etre influencees par la presence d'ions metalliques. Les produits derives de la 8-hydroxyquinoleine sont stables en milieu acide (HCl 0,5 N a 30 °C), mais la liberation du complexant est facile en milieu basique (NaOH). A l'inverse, les derives de la 2-picolylamine ne liberent la molecule chelatante qu'en milieu acide et la reaction est acceleree par la presence de cations Cu 2+ .
College Student's Collaborative Use of Inspiration To Generate Concept Maps in an Educational Technology Class.

Presented is a qualitative study of five groups of college students using Inspiration™ to construct concept maps in an educational technology class. Analyses addressed how the maps changed during the semester, how the course concepts were applied in a final project, and whether or not students reported that the concept mapping activity facilitated their learning. Participants easily learned to use Inspiration™ for developing concept maps. Findings suggest that the concept maps did reflect student learning and that when done in collaboration seemed to facilitate learning. However, collaboration did not come easily or successfully to two of the five groups. The final projects of students who were in problematic groups were less sophisticated than those developed by students who did work collaboratively on their concept maps. An important implication is that students need to be provided with more assistance in successful collaboration to effectively use the concept mapping tool.
UNSTEADY-STATE SIMULATION OF A MDLTI-STAGE CONCURRENT-FLOW MAIZE DRYER

Abstract An unsteady - state model of concurrent-flow maize drying was developed. It consists of a set of four partial differential equations (PDE) which are solved by finite differences. The PDE model was verified by comparing it to the steady-state concurrent-flow dryer simulation. The model was used for the development of a process model which in turn is to be employed for the design of an automatic control system of a two-stage concurrent-flow dryer.
Use of Rhodamine B to Reveal Patterns of Interspecific Competition and Bait Acceptance in Raccoons

Abstract Passive treatment of raccoons (Procyon lotor) through distribution of vaccine-laden baits recently has emerged as a potential solution to address health and economic conflicts associated with raccoon rabies and may have applications in the management of other pathogens carried by raccoons if frequent bait deployments are used. Consumption of baits by nontarget species reduces the efficiency in which baits can be used to manage wildlife disease, although no study has explicitly evaluated the influence of bait competitor density on the ability to treat raccoons. Our objectives were to use the biomarker Rhodamine B (RB) to 1) evaluate patterns of raccoon bait acceptance as a function of competition with Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), the dominant bait competitor; 2) characterize attributes of opossum bait acceptance to improve efficiency of raccoon treatment; and 3) evaluate the effect of repeated bait exposure on rates of bait acceptance as may be required in the management of wildlife d...
Intraoperative Adverse Events: Risk Adjustment for Procedure Complexity and Presence of Adhesions Is Crucial.

Background Benchmarking the quality of intraoperative care by comparing the rates of intraoperative adverse events (iAEs) necessitates adequate risk adjustment. We sought to identify the patient- and procedure-related risk factors for iAEs. Study Design Our 2007 to 2012 institutional American College of Surgeons NSQIP and administrative databases were linked and then screened for iAEs using the Patient Safety Indicator "Accidental Puncture/Laceration." Intraoperative adverse events were confirmed by systematic review of medical records. Comorbidities were assessed using American College of Surgeons NSQIP variables. Adhesiolysis was determined using CPT codes for lysis of adhesions. Operative complexity was determined using relative value units. Multivariable models were constructed to identify independent predictors of iAEs. Sensitivity analyses were performed in uniform samples of operations. Results Of 9,292 patients, 218 iAEs were confirmed in 183 patients. Median patient age was 56 years old and 54% were female. Compared with patients without iAEs, iAE patients were older (median 61 vs 56 years; p Conclusions Adhesiolysis and higher operative complexity predict an increased risk for iAE. Attempts to benchmark the quality of intraoperative care need to adequately risk adjust for these factors.
Integration of Municipal Infrastructure Asset Management Processes: Challenges and Solutions

Municipal infrastructure management decision making is inherently an integrated process that requires the assimilation of a multitude of data, processes, and software systems. Current work practices have resulted in significant process and data fragmentation, which have subsequently created much inefficiency that impedes the implementation of effective management strategies. There is a broad consensus in the industry that adopting integrated multidisciplinary approaches is a key requirement for implementing efficient, sustainable, and proactive asset management programs. This paper discusses the main challenges for implementing integrated municipal infrastructure management environments, and proposes specific solutions to address these challenges. The proposed solutions address the systematization and coordination of work processes, the development of centralized shared data repositories based on nonproprietary integrated data models, and the organization and integration of distributed software tools into a modular and extensible enterprise-wide software environment. The implementation of a prototype sewer management environment based on the proposed solutions is also presented.
Does Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab Increase Surgical Complications in Breast Surgery

Background. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is being increasingly used in operable breast cancer. There are limited data on the safety of bevacizumab (bev) in the neoadjuvant setting. We sought to explore the safety of neoadjuvant cisplatin/bev in a protocol for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Materials and Methods. A total of 51 patients with confirmed TNBC were enrolled in a single-arm trial of neoadjuvant cisplatin plus bev. Of the 51 patients, 28 with confirmed TNBC were enrolled in our trial of single-agent neoadjuvant cisplatin. Two-sided Fisher exact test were used for comparing the 2 trials. Results. The 51 patients received neoadjuvant protocol therapy with cisplatin/bev and underwent definitive local therapy. Breast conserving therapy (BCT) was performed in 29 (57%) and mastectomy with or without reconstruction in 22 (43%). Postoperative complications were reported in 22 patients (43%); 4 (8%) required explanation of expanders. Also, 28 patients completed neoadjuvant cisplatin therapy. BCT was performed in 13 (46%) and mastectomy with or without reconstruction in 15 (54%). Postoperative complications were reported in 11 patients (39%). None of the 5 reconstructions were lost. We compared all toxicities between the two trials (P = .81 NS), and wound healing related complications between the two trials (P = .10 NS). Conclusions. Cisplatin/bevacizumab and cisplatin alone neoadjuvant therapy resulted in a significant number of postoperative complications. Specifically, use of expanders/implants may be problematic for patients treated with bev. However, this was a single-arm trial; randomized controlled studies will be needed to determine the optimal use of bevacizumab in the timing of breast cancer surgery.
Agouti-related protein in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus: effect on feeding.

Agouti-related protein (Agrp) is an endogenous melanocortin-4 receptor antagonist implicated in the regulation of food intake. Effects of Agrp on feeding under varying conditions were investigated. Agrp (10 to 100 pmol) was injected into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of satiated (a.m. and p.m. injections) and food-deprived rats, or was co-administered with 117 pmol Neuropeptide Y (NPY). Agrp significantly stimulated light-phase feeding by 24 h post-injection. However, Agrp stimulated dark-phase and deprivation-induced feeding by 4 and 2 h, respectively. Animals receiving NPY and Agrp consumed more than animals receiving either peptide alone, the effect remaining by 24 h.
Health Outcomes Assessment in Vulnerable Populations: Measurement Challenges and Recommendations

With growing recognition that some population subgroups are particularly vulnerable to receiving suboptimal health care and achieving poor health outcomes, innovative techniques are required for collecting and evaluating health outcomes data. Research is also needed to better understand the causal pathways linking vulnerability with health outcomes. This article focuses on patients with a chronic illness (cancer) who also have low literacy and/or poor English language skills. We summarize the association among literacy, language, ethnicity, and health outcomes; describe innovative technologies to enhance communication; and discuss the advantages of using psychometric measurement models in health outcomes assessment. Results from our ongoing research projects are presented, including the development of an audiovisual computer-based testing platform for self-administration of questionnaires. Such innovative multimedia technologies allow patients with limited or even no reading ability to participate in outcomes assessment and have the potential to be incorporated into a clinical setting with minimal burden on staff and patients. Appropriate methods are also needed to evaluate measurement equivalence across diverse patient groups, that is, the extent to which items in a questionnaire perform similarly across groups. Item response theory measurement models provide a strategy for differentiating between measurement bias and real differences that may exist between groups. Recommendations for clinical practice and research are offered specifically to address medically underserved and vulnerable populations.
Modeling group dynamics using graphical models and tensor decompositions

We propose a general modeling framework for learning group dynamics in data collected from multiple information sources and over time. In particular, groups are characterized by specific temporal patterns based on hidden Markov models. Tensor decomposition techniques combined with graphical models are used to extract group information from the observed data.
Design and simulation analysis of non-receiver aware and receiver aware multicast location prediction based routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks

We present multicast extensions to our recently proposed Location Prediction Based Routing (LPBR) protocol, referred to as NR-MLPBR and R-MLPBR, to simultaneously reduce the number of multicast tree discoveries and number of links per tree and/or the hop count per source-receiver path in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). Nodes running NR-MLPBR are not aware of the receivers of the multicast group; R-MLPBR assumes each receiver node knows the identity of the other receivers of the group. Upon failure of a path to the source, a receiver attempts to locally construct a global topology using the location and mobility information collected during the latest broadcast tree discovery. NR-MLPBR predicts a path that has the minimum number of hops to the source and R-MLPBR predicts a path to the source that has the minimum number of non-receiver nodes. If the predicted path exists in the network at that time instant, the source accommodates the path as part of the multicast tree and continues to send multicast packets in the modified tree without attempting a broadcast discovery. Simulation results show that NR-MLPBR and R-MLPBR perform better than the minimum-hop based and minimum-link based on-demand multicast MANET routing protocols under different conditions of node mobility, density and group size. International Journal of Engineering, Science and Technology, Vol. 2, No. 6, 2010, pp. 1-21
The listening cure: Listening for culture in intercultural psychological treatments

THE TALKING CURE Psychoanalysis, and the many forms of psychotherapy it has spawned, have come to be known as “talking cures.” While this term retains a popular currency, it was created in the early 1880s, many years before Freud elaborated his psychoanalytic method. As Freud’s mentor and collaborator Josef Breuer (Breuer, 1895) reported in his seminal case study of the patient “Anna O,” it was Anna who coined the term. According to Breuer, Anna suffered from a host of debilitating hysterical symptoms, including paralyses, deafness, visual defects, loss of speech, and hallucinations. These symptoms proved impervious to Breuer’s interventions until Anna noticed that when she “gave utterance” (Breuer, 1895, p. 29) to her symptoms in the presence of her doctor, they vanished. As Anna—who was quick to grasp the effectiveness of this new therapeutic technique—deliberately repeated this procedure, her symptoms disappeared. Although the talking cure is commonly attributed to Freud, it was Anna who not only gave it its name, but who was its “real discoverer” (Jones, 1961, p. 147). Indeed, during the period when Anna and Breuer were developing the talking cure, Freud, under the influence of French neurologist Jean-Marie Charcot, was treating hysterics with hypnosis. He did not hear of this case, or of the method it employed, until after Anna’s treatment had ended, and he did not implement his own version of the talking cure until 1889, seven years after its discovery (Jones, 1961). Intrigued by the psychological benefits of verbalization, and disenchanted with hypnosis, Freud began to work closely with
Contemplating Criteria for Science Education Reform: The Case of the Olympia School District.

Proposals for current reform in science education elaborate national standards and a plethora of state-level interpretations commonly labeled as curriculum or learning frameworks. The purpose of this case study was to examine the dynamics of the science curriculum reform process in one of the first school districts to use the Georgia Framework for Learning Mathematics and Science as a basis for their reform initiative. The paper describes the ways in which members of the Olympia School District's Science Curriculum Committee participated in the science curriculum reform process, as well as their personal beliefs about the criteria needed for reform to take place. The results highlight the nature of metaphors guiding reform efforts; the influence of social, historical, economic, and political forces on the reform process; the use of local and professional languages as discourses for communicating about reform; and the complex power relations that influence the micropolitics of reform in the Olympia School District. This study has important implications for other teachers and school districts engaged in standards-based science curriculum reform. It points to the need for reform to include reflection and analysis of the role of teachers in the reform process and consideration of the purpose of science education reform in society.
X-Ray Fluorescence Determination of Chlorine in Standard Silicate Rocks

Chlorine has been determined in seventeen international silicate rock standards by x-ray fluorescence analysis, yielding values which compare well with published values. The detection limit for the method is about 10 ppm. Sources of chlorine contamination are considered.
Posttraumatic stress disorder and drug disorders: testing causal pathways.

Background Although there is a high degree of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and drug use disorders, little is known about causal relationships between PTSD, exposure to traumatic events, and drug use disorders. Methods In a longitudinal study in southeast Michigan, 1007 adults aged 21 to 30 years were initially assessed in 1989 and were followed up 3 and 5 years later, in 1992 and 1994. Psychiatric disorders according to DSM-III-R criteria were measured by the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule. To take into account temporal sequencing, the associations between PTSD, traumatic events, and drug use disorders were analyzed by using Cox proportional hazards models with time-dependent covariates. Results Posttraumatic stress disorder signaled an increased risk of drug abuse or dependence (hazards ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.6-7.6, adjusted for sex), whereas exposure to traumatic events in the absence of PTSD did not increase the risk of drug abuse or dependence. The risk for abuse or dependence was the highest for prescribed psychoactive drugs (hazards ratio, 13.0; 95% confidence interval, 5.3-32.0). There was no evidence that preexisting drug abuse or dependence increased the risk of subsequent exposure to traumatic events or the risk of PTSD after traumatic exposure. Conclusion The results suggest that drug abuse or dependence in persons with PTSD might be the inadvertent result of efforts to medicate symptoms, although the possibility of shared vulnerability to PTSD and drug use disorders cannot be ruled out.
Evidence for decay of extinct Pu244 and I129 in the Kapoeta meteorite

Abstract Evidence for the decay of extinct Pu244 and I129 has been found in the Kapoeta howardite. Accurate estimates of the amount of Xe136 (10.6 ± 1.3 × 10−12 cm3/g) from Pu244 fission decay and of the Xe129 (4.1 ± 0.6 × 10−12 cm3/g) from I129 beta decay are presented. The fission xenon yield in Kapoeta is Xe131:Xe132:Xe134:Xe136 = 26 ± 3:88 ± 4:91 ± 5:  100, in agreement with yields previously reported by other workers on other meteorites.
Density-driven interstitial water motion in sediments

Sediment depth distributions and fluxes of dissolved chemical substances have been interpreted as being a result of reaction, diffusion, bioturbation and irrigation1,2. However, several studies suggest that density-driven convection3 can alter the depth distribution and increase the fluxes of dissolved substances when density decreases below the sediment surface 4-7. We present here temperature-time series measurements for a freshwater lake undergoing autumn cooling. These are the first in situ observations of heat transport due to motion of interstitial waters over periods of less than 1 hour. Density, calculated from temperature, decreases with depth at the time and place that this motion occurs. © 1982 Nature Publishing Group.
Disproportionate Minority Contact: Comparisons Across Juveniles Adjudicated for Sexual and Non-Sexual Offenses.

The overrepresentation of racial/ethnic minorities within the criminal justice system relative to their population percentage, a phenomenon termed disproportionate minority contact, has been examined within general adult and adolescent offender populations; yet few studies have tested whether this phenomenon extends to juvenile sexual offenders (JSOs). In addition, few studies have examined whether offender race/ethnicity influences registration and notification requirements, which JSOs are subject to in some U.S. states. The present study assessed for disproportionate minority contact among general delinquent offenders and JSOs, meaning it aimed to test whether the criminal justice system treats those accused of sexual and non-sexual offenses differently by racial/ethnic group. Furthermore, racial/ethnic group differences in risk, legal classification, and sexual offending were examined for JSOs. RESULTS indicated disproportionate minority contact was present among juveniles with non-sexual offenses and JSOs in Alabama. In addition, offense category and risk scores differed between African American and European American JSOs. Finally, registration classifications were predicted by offending characteristics, but not race/ethnicity. Implications and future directions regarding disproportionate minority contact among JSOs and social and legal policy affecting JSOs are discussed. Language: en
DEVELOPING ADVANCED LITERACY IN FIRST AND SECOND LANGUAGES: MEANING WITH POWER

DEVELOPING ADVANCED LITERACY IN FIRST AND SECOND LANGUAGES: MEANING WITH POWER. Mary J. Schleppegrell and M. Cecilia Colombi (Eds.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum, 2002. Pp. x + 274. $69.95 cloth, $29.95 paper.This volume is an edited collection of essays that was based on a conference organized at the University of California, Davis in 2000. It consists of a preface and 13 chapters. The editors have managed to assemble a respectable and versatile group of contributors: Celce-Murcia, Baugh, Gee, Garcia, Lemke, Martin, Christie, Merino and Hammond, Ramanathan, and Scarcella. These contributors, because of their varied backgrounds, guarantee a well-rounded account of literacy development from the viewpoints of functional linguistics, sociocultural theory, and SLA.
On the Axiomatization of Generalized Entropic Metrics

Starting from an axiomatization of a generalization of Shannon entropy we introduce a set of axioms for a parametric family of distances over sets of partitions of finite sets. This family includes some well-known metrics used in data mining and in the study of finite functions.
The role of osteoblasts in regulating hematopoietic stem cell activity and tumor metastasis

Bone marrow stromal cells are critical regulators of hematopoiesis. Osteoblasts are part of the stromal cell support system in bone marrow and may be derived from a common precursor. Several studies suggested that osteoblasts regulate hematopoiesis, yet the entire mechanism is not understood. It is clear, however, that both hematopoietic precursors and osteoblasts interact for the production of osteoclasts and the activation of resorption. We observed that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) regulate osteoblastic secretion of various growth factors, and that osteoblasts express some soluble factors exclusively in the presence of HSCs. Osteoblasts and hematopoietic cells are closely associated with each other in the bone marrow, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between them to develop the HSC niche. One critical component regulating the niche is stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 which regulates stem cell homing and, as we have recently demonstrated, plays a crucial role in facilitating those tumors which metastasize to bone. Osteoblasts produce abundant amounts of SDF-1 and therefore osteoblasts play an important role in metastasis. These findings are discussed in the context of the role of osteoblasts in marrow function in health and disease.
Bergmann glial S100B activates myo-inositol monophosphatase 1 and Co-localizes to purkinje cell vacuoles in SCA1 transgenic mice.

Spinocerebellar ataxia-1 (SCA1) is a late onset neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine repeat within ataxin-1 protein. The toxic effects triggered by mutant ataxin-1 result in degeneration of the neurons in cerebellum, brain stem and spinocerebellar tracts. The targeted overexpression of mutant ataxin-1 in cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) of the SCA1 transgenic mice results in the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles in PCs. These vacuoles appear early on before the onset of behavioral abnormalities. Interestingly, we found that vacoules contain S100B and vimentin proteins, which normally localize to neighboring Bergmann glia (BG). Further, immunohistochemical and specialized silver stain analysis revealed that vacuolar formation is associated with alterations in the morphology of dendritic spines of PCs. To gain insights into the mechanisms of vacuolar formation, we investigated if vacuoles in SCA1 PCs have an autophagic origin or are a consequence of some other event. We examined the expression levels (by Western blotting) of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-I and LC3-II, and the degradation levels of p62 (a LC3 partner) in the cerebellar fractions prepared from pre-symptomatic SCA1 and age-matched wild-type mice. No p62 degradation was observed; however, LC3-II/(LC3-I + LC3-II) ratios were significantly altered in SCA1 mice indicating changes in the autophagic flux. In addition, LC3 localized to PC vacuoles. Further, we observed a co-localization of myo-inositol monophosphatase 1 (IMPA1) with S100B in PC vacuoles. IMPA1 is present in PC spines and has been implicated in autophagy. In vitro studies using purified IMPA1 and S100B demonstrated that S100B interacted with and activated IMPA1. Both apo and Ca2+-bound S100B were found to activate IMPA1, depending on substrate concentration. IMPA1 is regulated by another calcium-binding protein calbindin-D28k (CaB), since we reported earlier that the CaB levels are reduced in SCA1 PCs, the activation of IMPA1 by S100B may modulate CaB-dependent inositol signaling. This may cause BG–PC interface to degenerate resulting in vacuolar formation. In sum, these data indicate that vacuoles appearing early in SCA1 PCs could be developing through some unknown autophagic mechanism.
Learning Phrasal Verbs Through Conceptual Metaphors: A Case of Japanese EFL Learners

Recent research in cognitive linguistics has shown that idiomatic phrases are decomposable and analyzable and that the individual words in idiomatic phrases systematically contribute to the overall figurative interpretations. This cognitive linguistic view suggests that enhancing awareness of conceptual metaphors embedded in the individual words may help second language students to learn idioms. This study examined whether enhancing awareness of orientational metaphors of particles facilitates acquisition of phrasal verbs by Japanese English as a foreign language (EFL) students. The students in the control group learned a set of phrasal verbs through traditional instruction, whereas those in the experimental group received the same input through a cognitive linguistic approach. The students in both groups were then asked to fill in the missing adverbial particles of the phrasal verbs. Results showed that the students in the experimental group performed significantly better than those in the control group, implying that when the target idioms are not stored as a unit in learners' mental lexicon, learners who are aware of conceptual metaphors may rely on metaphorical thought to produce an appropriate adverbial particle. This highlights the implications that EFL learners need to be explicitly taught about the notion of orientational metaphors before they can actively comprehend and produce appropriate phrasal verbs.
Autofluorescence bronchoscopy for lung cancer surveillance based on risk assessment

Background: This is a preliminary report of an ongoing prospective bimodality lung cancer surveillance trial for high-risk patients. Bimodality surveillance incorporates autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) and spiral CT (SCT) scanning in high-risk patients as a primary lung cancer surveillance strategy, based entirely on risk factors. AFB was used for surveillance and findings were compared with conventional sputum cytology for the detection of malignancy and pre-malignant central airway lesions. Methods: 402 patients registering at Roswell Park Cancer Institute were evaluated with spirometric testing, chest radiography, history and physical examination, of which 207 were deemed eligible for the study. For eligibility, patients were required to have at least two of the following risk factors: (1) ⩾20 pack year history of tobacco use, (2) asbestos-related lung disease on the chest radiograph, (3) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) 2 years. All eligible patients underwent AFB, a low-dose SCT scan of the chest without contrast, and a sputum sample was collected for cytological examination. Bronchoscopic biopsy findings were correlated with sputum cytology results, SCT-detected pulmonary nodules and surveillance-detected cancers. To date, 186 have been enrolled with 169 completing the surveillance procedures. Results: Thirteen lung cancers (7%) were detected in the 169 subjects who have completed all three surveillance studies to date. Pre-malignant changes were common and 66% of patients had squamous metaplasia or worse. Conventional sputum cytology missed 100% of the dysplasias and 68% of the metaplasias detected by AFB, and failed to detect any cases of carcinoma or carcinoma-in-situ in this patient cohort. Sputum cytology exhibited 33% sensitivity and 64% specificity for the presence of metaplasia. Seven of 13 lung cancers (58%) were stage Ia or less, including three patients with squamous cell carcinoma. Patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules identified by SCT scanning of the chest were 3.16 times more likely to exhibit pre-malignant changes on AFB (p Conclusion: Bimodality surveillance will detect central lung cancer and pre-malignancy in patients with multiple lung cancer risk factors, even when conventional sputum cytology is negative. AFB should be considered in high-risk patients, regardless of sputum cytology findings.
Partially coupled microstrip lines for printed antenna miniaturization

Partially coupled microstrip lines are presented to emulate periodic anisotropic crystals exhibiting dispersion curves with degenerate band edges (DBE) or stationary inflection points (SIPs). The subject dispersion curves are designed via equivalent circuit models and used to produce miniature printed antennas. A 6-port circuit is also presented to model three partially coupled lines. Under specific coupling conditions, the latter circuit can realize the SIP associated with the K-ω curves of magnetic photonic crystals (MPCs), without using magnetic materials.
Halo of low ice concentration observed over the Maud Rise seamount

[1] A distinctive halo of low sea ice concentration has been observed above the Maud Rise seamount in the eastern Weddell Sea. The 300-km circular halo is seen most clearly in the monthly mean ice concentration for the months July through November. The mean was computed from satellite-based passive microwave measurements over a 23-year period. The halo is most distinct in October; even then, however, the mean ice concentration in the halo is just 10% less than in the center, where it is very near 100%. The halo may reflect the existence of a Taylor cap circulation over the seamount or other topographically induced mechanisms.
Non-genomic transmission of paternal behaviour between fathers and sons in the monogamous and biparental California mouse

Maternal behaviour has profound, long-lasting implications for the health and well-being of developing offspring. In the monogamous California mouse (Peromyscus californicus), care by both parents is critical for offspring survival. We tested the hypothesis that similar to maternal care in rodents, paternal huddling and grooming (HG) behaviour can be transmitted to future generations via behavioural mechanisms. In California mice, testosterone maintains paternal HG behaviour. In the present study, we randomly assigned a group of male California mice to castration or sham-operated conditions and allowed them to raise their offspring normally. Adult sons of these males were paired with a female, and they were observed interacting with their own offspring. We found that like their fathers, the sons of castrated males huddled and groomed their young at lower levels than the sons of sham-operated fathers. The sons of castrates also retrieved pups more frequently. When both parents were present, the sons of castrates also showed a trend towards engaging in less exploratory behaviour. These data support the hypothesis that paternal behaviour, like maternal behaviour, can be transferred to future generations via epigenetic mechanisms and suggest that in a biparental species both parents contribute to offspring behavioural development.
Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Older Adults: Predictors of 7-Day Mortality and Infection With a Methicillin-Resistant Strain

Objectives. To determine the predictors of 7-day mortality in older adult patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia after controlling for comorbidity using the Charlson weighted index of comorbidity (WIC) and to identify the risk factors associated with bacteremia due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Design. Retrospective cohort study from January 2003 until December 2004. Setting. Two tertiary care, university-affiliated hospitals. Methods. One hundred thirty-five hospitalized patients with S. aureus bacteremia were included in the study. All patients who were 60 years or older and had 1 or more blood cultures positive for S. aureus were included in the study. The primary outcome was death 7 days after the onset of S. aureus bacteremia. Results. Twenty-one patients (15.6%) died within 7 days after the onset of S. aureus bacteremia. Seventy-four patients (56.1%) had MRSA bacteremia. Multivariate analysis identified 3 independent determinants of 7-day mortality: Charlson WIC score greater than 5 (odds ratio [OR], 3.6 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.1-11.2]; P = .03), previous hospitalization in the past 3 months (OR, 5.0 [95% CI, 1.1-25.1]; P = .04), and altered mental status at the onset of S. aureus bacteremia (OR, 13.6 [95% CI, 2.9-64.6]; P = .001). Multivariate analysis identified .previous hospitalization in the past 3 months (OR, 2.6 [95% CI, 1.1-5.9]; P = .02), residence in a long-term care facility (OR, 4.5 [95% CI, 1.7-12.3]; P = .003), and altered mental status at the onset of S. aureus bacteremia (OR, 2.5 [95% CI, 1.5-5.6]; P = .02) to be independently associated with the presence of MRSA. Conclusions. The Charlson WIC is significantly associated with increased mortality of S. aureus bacteremia in older adults. Previous hospitalization in the past 3 months, residence in a long-term care facility, and altered mental status should be used as a guidance for empirical vancomycin therapy and application of infection control measures in older adults with suspected S. aureus bacteremia.
Electrocardiogram Screening for Disorders That Cause Sudden Cardiac Death in Asymptomatic Children: A Meta-analysis

Pediatric sudden cardiac death (SCD) occurs in an estimated 0.8 to 6.2 per 100?000 children annually. Screening for cardiac disorders causing SCD in asymptomatic children has public appeal because of its apparent potential to avert tragedy; however, performance of the electrocardiogram (ECG) as a screening tool is unknown.
Idealized Numerical Simulations of the Interactions between Buoyant Plumes and Density Currents

Idealized numerical experiments using a large-eddy simulation (LES) model are performed to examine the fundamental dynamical processes associated with the interactions between buoyant plumes and density currents. The aim of these simulations is to provide insight into the rapid changes in the structure of plumes that may be observed during the passage of density current phenomena such as thunderstorm outflows, sea-breeze fronts, or intense cold fronts. The LES model results indicate that when the ambient winds are calm the vertical velocity in the plume decreases with the passage of the density current, but that when the ambient winds oppose the motion of the density current a significant increase in vertical velocity in the plume may occur temporarily. In the latter case, the pressure perturbation and the associated region of horizontal convergence that lead the head of the density current interact with the tilted plume, causing the base of the plume to become vertical and resulting in a dramatic increase in vertical velocity within the plume. This basic dynamical behavior occurs over a relatively broad range of parameters, provided the characteristic velocity in the density current (taken as the densimetric speed) exceeds the ambient wind speed. When this is the case, the interaction is dominated by the effect of the density current on the buoyant plume such that the plume is essentially advected as a passive tracer by the flow due to the density current, and the increase in vertical velocity depends on the inverse of the convective Froude number of the buoyant plume.
Time and frequency domain methods for quantifying common modulation of motor unit firing patterns

Background In investigations of the human motor system, two approaches are generally employed toward the identification of common modulating drives from motor unit recordings. One is a frequency domain method and uses the coherence function to determine the degree of linear correlation between each frequency component of the signals. The other is a time domain method that has been developed to determine the strength of low frequency common modulations between motor unit spike trains, often referred to in the literature as 'common drive'.
An analysis and application of distributed constraint satisfaction and optimization algorithms in sensor networks

This research is motivated by a distributed scheduling problem in distributed sensor networks, in which computational resources are scarce. To cope with limited computational resources and restricted real-time requirement, it is imperative to apply distributed algorithms that have low overhead on resource requirement and high anytime performance. In this paper, We study distributed stochastic algorithm (DSA) and distributed breakout algorithm (DBA), two distributed algorithms developed earlier for distributed constraint satisfaction problems. We experimentally investigate their properties and compare their performance using our distributed scheduling problem as a benchmark. We first formulate the scheduling problem as a distributed multi-coloring problem. We then experimentally show that the solution quality and communication cost of DSA exhibit phase-transition or threshold behavior, in that the performance degenerates abruptly and dramatically when the degree of parallel executions of distributed agents increases beyond some critical value. The results show that when controlled properly, DSA is superior to DBA, having better or competitive solution quality and significantly smaller communication cost than DBA. Therefore, DSA is the algorithm of choice for our distributed scan scheduling problem.
Use of lean sigma principles in a tertiary care otolaryngology clinic to improve efficiency.

Objectives/Hypothesis To apply Lean Sigma, a quality-improvement strategy supported by tactical tools to eliminate waste and reduce variation, to improve efficiency of patient flow in a large tertiary otolaryngology clinic. The project goals were to decrease overall lead time from patient arrival to start of interaction with care provider, improve on-time starts of patient visits, and decrease excess staff/patient motion. Study Design Prospective observational study. Methods Patient flow was mapped through the clinic, including preregistration processes. A time-stamp observation study was performed on 188 patient visits over 5 days. Using Lean Sigma principles, time stamps were analyzed to identify patient flow constraints and areas for potential interventions. Interventions were evaluated and adjusted based on feedback from shareholders: removal of bottlenecks in clinic flow, elimination of non–value added registration staff tasks, and alignment of staff hours to accommodate times of high patient census. A postintervention time observation study of 141 patients was performed 5 months later. Results Patient lead time from clinic arrival to exam start time decreased by 12.2% on average (P = .042). On-time starts for patient exams improved by 34% (χ2 = 16.091, P < .001). Excess patient motion was reduced by 74 feet per patient, which represents a 34% reduction in motion per visit. Conclusions Use of Lean Sigma principles in a large tertiary otolaryngology clinic led to decreased patient wait time and significant improvements in on-time patient exam start time. Process mapping, engagement of leadership and staff, and elimination of non–value added steps or processes were key to improvement. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 123:2643–2648, 2013
Rap1-Mediated Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases by Cyclic AMP Is Dependent on the Mode of Rap1 Activation

Like other small G proteins of the Ras superfamily, Rap1 is activated by distinct guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) in response to different signals to elicit cellular responses. Activation of Rap1 by cyclic AMP (cAMP) can occur via cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA)-independent and PKA-dependent mechanisms. PKA-independent activation of Rap1 by cAMP is mediated by direct binding of cAMP to Rap1-guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rap1-GEFs) Epac1 (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1) and Epac2 (Epac1 and Epac2 are also called cAMP-GEFI and -GEFII). The availability of cAMP analogues that selectively activate Epacs, but not PKA, provides a specific tool to activate Rap1. It has been argued that the inability of these analogues to regulate extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) signaling despite activating Rap1 provides evidence that Rap1 is incapable of regulating ERKs. We confirm that the PKA-independent activation of Rap1 by Epac1 activates a perinuclear pool of Rap1 and that this does not result in ERK activation. However, we demonstrate that this inability to regulate ERKs is not a property of Rap1 but is rather a property of Epacs themselves. The addition of a membrane-targeting motif to Epac1 (Epac-CAAX) relocalizes Epac1 from its normal perinuclear locale to the plasma membrane. In this new locale it is capable of activating ERKs in a Rap1- and cAMP-dependent manner. Rap1 activation by Epac-CAAX, but not wild-type Epac, triggers its association with B-Raf. Therefore, we propose that its intracellular localization prevents Epac1 from activating ERKs. C3G (Crk SH3 domain Guanine nucleotide exchanger) is a Rap1 exchanger that is targeted to the plasma membrane upon activation. We show that C3G can be localized to the plasma membrane by cAMP/PKA, as can Rap1 when activated by cAMP/PKA. Using a small interfering RNA approach, we demonstrate that C3G is required for the activation of ERKs and Rap1 by cAMP/PKA. This activation requires the GTP-dependent association of Rap1 with B-Raf. These data demonstrate that B-Raf is a physiological target of Rap1, but its utilization as a Rap1 effector is GEF specific. We propose a model that specific GEFs activate distinct pools of Rap1 that are differentially coupled to downstream effectors.
Progress in Neurotherapeutics and Neuropsychopharmacology

Progress in neurotherapeutics and neuropsychopharmacology / , Progress in neurotherapeutics and neuropsychopharmacology / , کتابخانه دیجیتال جندی شاپور اهواز
Methylation of miRNA genes in the response to temperature stress in Populus simonii.

DNA methylation and miRNAs provide crucial regulation for of the transcriptional and post-transcriptional responses to abiotic stress. In this study, we used methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphisms to identify 1066 sites that were differentially methylated in response to temperature stress in Populus simonii. Among these loci, BLAST searches of miRBase identified seven miRNA genes. Expression analysis by quantitative real-time PCR suggested that the methylation pattern of these miRNA genes probably influences their expression. Annotation of these miRNA genes in the sequenced genome of P. trichocarpa found three target genes (homologs of Potri.007G090400, Potri.014G042200, and Potri.010G176000) for the miRNAs produced from five genes (Ptc-MIR396e and g, Ptc-MIR156i and j, and Ptc-MIR390c) respectively. The products of these target genes function in lipid metabolism to deplete lipid peroxide. We also constructed a network based on the interactions between DNA methylation and miRNAs, miRNAs and target genes, and the products of target genes and the metabolic factors that they affect, including(CAT, H2O2, SOD, and lipid peroxide). When plants encounter abiotic stress, they produce signals involving H2O2, malondialdehyde, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The Our results suggested that DNA methylation probably regulates the expression of miRNA genes, thus affecting expression of their target genes, likely through the gene-silencing function of miRNAs, to maintain cell survival under abiotic stress conditions.
Hydrology and local environmental factors influencing zooplankton communities in floodplain ponds

Wetlands in the floodplains of flood-control impoundments are exposed to different hydrologic conditions than those in natural systems. To gain insight into the impact of hydrology on wetland communities, we examined associations between crustacean zooplankton community structure and hydrologic and local environmental characteristics in 29 ponds surrounding a flood-control reservoir. Fifty-eight species of zooplankton were detected among all ponds, and local species richness ranged from 3–16. Depth and distance from the lake were the most important predictors of species richness and provided 31% of the explanation for variation among ponds. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) provided visualization of factors important to community structure. Analysis of similarities revealed hydroperiod and flood frequency were significant factors structuring communities. These results suggest that hydrology has a significant effect on both species richness and community structure of zooplankton communities in floodplain ponds. Elucidating the importance of hydrology to wetlands residing in managed floodplains should assist reservoir managers in understanding the impacts of different management regimes on regional ecology.