cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A differential sex effect of amphetamine on exploratory behavior in maturing mice.

Abstract The effects of amphetamine (5–20 mg/kg) were studied 60 min after injection in mice aged 2,3,4 and 6 weeks postpartum. Exploratory behavior as indicated by the “head poke” test was depressed at all ages, but appeared to be relatively uncomplicated by other effects at the 5 mg/kg dose. At 4 and 6 weeks control females showed significantly greater activity than males, and amphetamine produced a greater reduction for control levels than in males.
Detection of neuroelectric signals from multiple data channels by optimum linear filter method

A general mathematical formulation for predicting achievable levels of detection of neuroelectric signals in associated background noise is provided for the case where such data are obtainable from multiple recording loci. The formulation depends upon the signal-to-noise ratios and bandwidths of the incorporated data channels and on the degree of noise dependency between channels. The signals are assumed to relate to the same event such as the production of an incipient movement but need not have the same waveshape. The detection technique is based upon passage of the data through a series of optimum linear filters. The outputs of the filters can either be summated in analog fashion prior to making the detection decision, or their separate outputs and separate detection decisions can be treated combinatorially to determine a detection decision for the aggregate. The former method is superior to the latter for small numbers of data channels. The latter method may be preferable where variation in signal latency exists between channels. Incorporation of information from multiple channels with independent noise can result in significant improvement over detection signals from a single channel provided that the signal-to-noise level of each additional channel exceeds that of the aggregate divided by square rootK, K being the total number of added channels. However, the presence of noise dependency between channels may severly restrict the degree of imporvement realizable through the multiple channel detection operation, irrespective of the number of added cha-nels. The implication of this result on the possibility of using EEG signals predicting incipient movement to control the operation of a motor prosthesis is profound. Inter-channel noise dependency with correlation coefficienr filter method of detection levels required for prosthesis operation. Zero lag correlation coefficients between electrical recordings from separate cortical loci both in man a
An investigation of gender differences in cognitive abilities among Chinese high school students

Abstract This study investigated gender differences in 11 cognitive tests from a sample of grade 11 students in Shanghai, China. Research found that the girls outperformed boys significantly on Word Knowledge and Word Span tasks, and also on a Computational Speed and Accuracy test. Boys outperformed girls only on the Paper Folding test. Factor based scores showed that girls were superior to boys on memory, and verbal composites, whereas boys were superior to girls on the spatial composites. No gender differences were found on the Mathematical Thinking test and other reasoning tests. The research findings seemed to suggest that where the social conditions were more uniform the gender differences on visual-spatial and mathematical reasoning skills would be smaller.
Development of Simplified Thin-Walled Beam Models for Crashworthiness Analyses

Abstract In this paper, simplified finite element models for thin-walled beams with hexagon and circular cross sections are created and validated through crashworthiness analyses. To create the simplified models, the published collapse theories of thin-walled hexagon and circular beams under axial compression are reviewed and applied to simulate their axial buckling behavior. Meanwhile, their moment – bending relationship is predicted by derived analytical equations, which are then applied to the simplified models to simulate the bending behavior. After the simplified models are generated, the same crashworthiness analyses are performed on both simplified and detailed models to verify the developed simplified models as well as the applied existing and derived collapse theories. From the results, good agreements are achieved between the detailed and simplified models, and the derived collapse theories for thin-walled hexagon and circular beams are therefore validated.
Back Pain and Work Disability: The Need for a New Paradigm

Using a unique data set of workers’ compensation claims from Ontario, this study analyzes the determinants of first returns to work and subsequent patterns of employment for a sample of workers with back pain and a comparison group of workers with other injuries. The results suggest that the costly and pervasive problem of work-related back claims could be reduced by abandoning the traditional work injury model in favor of a separate paradigm for back pain that reflects its unique characteristics. A change in economic incentives would increase the probability of return to work for back cases, and an expansion of employer-provided job accommodations would increase the probability of stable employment after the first return.
On the structure of ZnIn2Se4

Abstract The crystal structure of ZnIn2Se4, originally described in space group I 4 , is properly described in I 4 2m . In the revised description, four of the (disordered) metal atoms lie in equivalent sites of symmetry 4 , two lie in sites of symmetry 4 2m , and the Se atoms lie on mirror planes; the Laue symmetry is 4 mmm rather than 4 m .
Augmentation of murine natural killer activity after culture

Abstract The augmentation of murine natural killer (NK) cell activity after culture is described. Increased NK cell activity occurred when spleen cells were cultured for 18 or 42 h at high cell density in macro culture plates at 37°C. Similar results were also achieved using the same cell density when micro culture plates were employed. The simple modifications of culture conditions described in this paper should provide an excellent tool to study murine NK activity after culture. Furthermore, the micro culture system has the added advantage of enabling one to test large numbers of samples.
Comparative studies on blood coagulation factor XIII.

SummaryFactor XIII activity and fibrinogen concentrations were determined in multiple, fresh, platelet-poor plasma samples from 15 species of vertebrates. Factor XIII and fibrinogen levels varied independently. In monkey, rat, cat, horse, pig, sheep, goat, goose, chicken, and turkey plasmas, factor XIII activity ranged from 56 to 96% of that found in human plasma. For guinea pig, rabbit, canine, and bovine plasmas the values ranged from 173 to 480%. Fibrinogen concentration in all species ranged from 2.16 to 4.24 mg/ml. Factor XIII of all species was neutralized to varying degrees by two human antibodies to plasma factor XIII and, except for rabbit and avian plasmas, by rabbit anti-serum to human a subunit. Rabbit antiserum to human b subunit formed a precipitin line with plasma of all species except rabbit and avian.
Management Options for Patients with Chronic Back Pain Without an Etiology

The treatment and management of low back pain is complex when there is no specific etiology such as cancer, fracture, or herniated disc. An organized approach to management that follows evidence based guidelines will facilitate care in a problem that reflects a lifetime prevalence of over 70 percent. The purpose of this review is to present a guideline to care for a common disabling process with a very heterogeneous etiology.
Lifestyle and Psychosocial Risk Factors Predict Non-adherence to Medication

Blood pressure and cholesterol reduction have proven effective to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, yet adherence to medical therapy is suboptimal and contributing factors to non-adherence are not well-established. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of non-adherence to blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering medications in individuals who participated in an NHLBI-sponsored evaluation of a hospital-based screening and outreach program for high-risk employees and the community. This was a cross-sectional study of 371 adults (mean age 60 years, 57% female, 60% non-white) who were eligible to participate if they were men >40 years, women >50 years, or had established CVD or CVD-risk equivalent. Each participant received a comprehensive standardized CVD screening evaluation; medication non-adherence was defined as missing any pills for high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol in the past week. Associations between participant demographics, lifestyle and psychosocial risk factors, and non-adherence were assessed using logistic regression to adjust for confounders. The prevalence of taking medication for high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol in the study population was 48% and 38%, respectively. Among those participants, 14% reported missing high blood pressure pills and 23% reported missing cholesterol pills in the past week. Significant (p<0.05) univariate predictors of non-adherence to blood pressure medication were smoking, depression, feeling sad or blue for 2 weeks or more, and eating fast food ≥2 times per week. In a multivariable regression model adjusted for confounders, participants who reported missing any blood pressure pills in the past week were 6.6 times more likely to have uncontrolled hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) compared to those who were adherent (95% CI = 2.1-20.2). Age <65 years and eating outside the home ≥2 times per week were significantly associated with non-adherence to cholesterol medication even after adjusting for measured confounders. Non-adherence to preventive medications was associated with poor blood pressure control and several lifestyle and psychosocial risk factors for CVD. This information may be clinically useful to help identify individuals who may be non-adherent to medical therapy and at increased CVD risk.
Low-Cost RFID Threshold Shock Sensors

This paper describes a battery-free threshold shock sensor with wireless readout via RFID circuitry. The entire package is designed to provide low-cost sensors for monitoring shock loads in applications such as shipping. The sensor is based on a mechanical bistable mechanism laser-cut from a single Delrin layer which switches states when exposed to accelerations above a threshold. The sensor was tested using quasi-static accelerations in a centrifuge, pulsed accelerations from an impact event, and vibration (sinusoidal) accelerations on a shaker table. Measured threshold accelerations were similar in magnitude for the three load types, although they varied slightly due to dynamic effects. This phenomenon was further explored using a dynamic model of the sensor. Threshold accelerations in the range of 30-50 G's were measured, and these values can be varied by changing the mass of the accelerometer's outer frame. Wireless readout was successfully demonstrated by using the mechanical accelerometer as an electrical switch connected to the sensor input of an RFID chip.
3D thread tracking for robotic assistance in tele-surgery

Remote tele-manipulation tasks can be both long and exhausting. The operative workload can however be reduced through contextual systems, in which routine or dexterous actions are performed automatically. In this paper, we investigate this idea in tele-surgery by proposing automatic scissors, namely the possibility for a surgeon to invoke a third robotic arm to come and automatically cut the thread that he/she is holding. In particular, we address the problem of tracking deformable 3-dimensional (3D) curvilinear objects from stereo images. We propose an approach based on discrete Markov random field (MRF) optimization to track, in 3D, a thread modeled by a non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS). We evaluate its accuracy off-line on synthetic and real data and illustrate its use for an automatic scissors command within an assistance system based on the da Vinci tele-surgical robot.
Selective MyD88-dependent pathway inhibition by the cyanobacterial natural product malyngamide F acetate.

Abstract In response to evolutionary selective pressure, prokaryotes have developed a rich array of secondary metabolites, some of which may be inhibitory to the innate immune system and the inflammatory response in vertebrates. We utilized the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line stimulated with LPS in a nitric oxide (NO) assay to screen for compounds with immunomodulatory activities from a library of marine natural products, and found that the malyngamide structure class, found commonly in the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula , has potent activity. Several of the malyngamides were found to possess IC50 values of 5.4–18 µM. Malyngamide F acetate exhibited strong concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in the NO assay with an IC50 of 7.1 µM and with no cytotoxicity at the concentrations tested. Subsequent real-time PCR of selected genes revealed a unique cytokine profile after LPS stimulation (TLR4) with decreased expression of iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10, but increased TNF-α expression. Additional experiments utilizing CpG and Poly I:C stimulation to selectively activate the MyD88-dependent and -independent pathways via TLR9 and TLR3 substantiated the finding that malyngamide F acetate selectively inhibits the MyD88-dependent pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a natural product inhibiting the MyD88-dependent pathway.
Sustainable Tourism: From Nice to Have to Need to Have

The widespread and worldwide movement towards sustainable production and consumption is finally catching up with the tourism industry. Luckily policy makers, business owners, service providers, local, national, and regional industry associations, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and concerned travelers are all beginning to recognize the role they have to play in promoting sustainable tourism. As a result, they are looking for ways to inform their decision making and verify the credibility of the tourism products they support. There is great potential right now to think smartly about how the tourism market can be used to preserve the environment and change people’s lives.
A Review of Cheating in Fully Asynchronous Online Courses: A Math or Fact-Based Course Perspective

Un-proctored fully asynchronous1 online courses now appear to be a reality in all discipline areas. With full degree programs being offered online, it has become a badge of honor, to some colleges, to graduate students that have never stepped foot on the physical college campus nor have never before met any college representative, faculty, or staff. To many involved in managing, teaching, and implementing these online courses, the idea of academic integrity related to courses taught in a fully online un-proctored modality is therefore of great interest and concern. This review represents a deliberate effort to distinguish the issue of academic integrity in fully asynchronous online courses into two categories: “Writing-Based” (WB) vs. “Math or Fact-Based” (MFB) courses. WB courses, which tend to be subjective in nature, include discipline areas such as English, history, psychology… . MFB courses, which emphasize calculation and/or factual recall, have a tendency to be highly objective in nature, and inclu...
Synchronization and detection of spread spectrum signals in multipath channels using antenna arrays

This paper deals with the synchronization of spread spectrum signals in a CDMA communication system, while carrier lock is assumed to have been achieved. For satisfactory performance, the error in code timing must be less than a chip-length because of the sharp autocorrelation function that most codes possess. This task is further complicated because of the typical multipath channels that users in wireless communication systems transmit over. We detail an algorithm that exploits spatial diversity at the receiver using antenna arrays to estimate the code timing as well as direction of arrival (DOA) of a particular user even in the presence of strong multipath. Using antenna arrays, we extend a subspace based technique proposed by Bensley and Aazhang (see GLOBCOM, December 1994) to synchronize to (and therefore detect the packets of) more users than is currently feasible. The timing and DOA estimates are then used in the detection of the bits transmitted by a given user. Maximum likelihood single-user antenna array based techniques for synchronization of spread spectrum signals have been addressed before by Dulgos and Scholtz (1989), but these techniques aren't suitable for conditions of high traffic (because the users' timings are acquired sequentially and a training sequence is required). We propose the design of an antenna-array based algorithm for multiuser acquisition and detection without the need for a priori training. A number of detection strategies employing antenna arrays in mobile cellular systems have been discussed, but these schemes do not address the issue of synchronization to the different users.
Sexual dysfunction and antipsychotic treatment

Human sexual function is complex and affected in many different ways by schizophrenia and the antipsychotic drugs used in its treatment. The evaluation of the effects of antipsychotics on sexual function in patients with schizophrenia is also complex because the deleterious effects of conventional antipsychotics are superimposed on the effects of the disease itself. Although not extensively researched, sexual dysfunction seems to be frequent in patients with schizophrenia, especially in men. Sexual dysfunction appears, in significant part, to be a direct consequence of dopamine antagonism, combined with indirect effects due to increased serum prolactin concentration. Atypical antipsychotics have a number of potential advantages over standard agents with regard to their impact on sexual function. Clinical reports indicate that atypical antipsychotics are associated with a lower incidence of sexual adverse events than conventional antipsychotics and that there may also be important differences between them in this regard. For example, dose-related increases in prolactin concentrations occur with risperidone whereas olanzapine is associated with mild and transient increases in long-term treatment. Treatment with clozapine does not result in prolactin elevation and, like olanzapine, only transient increases occur with ziprasidone therapy, but the risk of agranulocytosis with clozapine restricts its use. Quetiapine has no more effect on serum prolactin than placebo across its full dose range. Together with its low frequency of reproductive or hormonal side effects and a low incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms, the tolerability profile of quetiapine may be particularly beneficial for many patients. Sexual dysfunction can be an important source of distress to patients and adversely affects compliance, and is one of the factors that must be taken into account when selecting treatment.
Superoxide dismutase moderates basal and induced bacterial adherence and interleukin-8 expression in airway epithelial cells

Bacterial infection of the tracheobronchial tree is a frequent, serious complication in patients receiving treatment with oxygen and mechanical ventilation, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Using human airway epithelial cell culture models, we examined the effect of hyperoxia on bacterial adherence and the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), an important mediator involved in the inflammatory process. A 24-h exposure to 95% O(2) increased Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) adherence 57% in A549 cells (P < 0.01) and 115% in 16HBE cells (P < 0.01) but had little effect on Staphylococcus aureus (SA) adherence. Exposure to hyperoxia, followed by a 1-h incubation with SA, further enhanced PA adherence (P < 0.01), suggesting that hyperoxia and SA colonization may enhance the susceptibility of lung epithelial cells to gram-negative infections. IL-8 expression was also increased in cells exposed to both hyperoxia and PA. Stable or transient overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase reduced both basal and stimulated levels of PA adherence and IL-8 levels in response to exposure to either hyperoxia or PA. These data indicate that hyperoxia increases susceptibility to infection and that the pathways are mediated by reactive oxygen species. Therapeutic intervention strategies designed to prevent accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species may reduce opportunistic pulmonary infections.
N2O production by heterotrophic N transformations in a semiarid soil

Abstract Emissions of N2O from soils of the Southwestern US are thought to result from the activity of anaerobic denitrifying bacteria, but the seasonal dryness and sandy texture of these soils are more conducive to the activities of aerobic microbes. Here, we present incubations of semiarid soils with added compounds known to stimulate the N-cycling processes ammonification (proteins, oligopeptides, and amino acids (AAs)), nitrification (NH4+ and NO2−), and denitrification (NO3− ± glucose). Non-flooded (−34 kPa) incubations with added organic N determined that oligopeptides (four AA in length) resulted in the highest potential N2O flux over a 12-d incubation period (66 ng N2O g−1 soil d−1), three times that of proteins (21 ng N2O g−1 soil d−1) or AAs (24 ng N2O g−1 soil d−1). Initial N2O production in incubations with added organic N decreased by more than 63% with addition of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of fungal activity, but additions of a bacterial inhibitor (streptomycin) increased N2O flux by 100%. Additions of NH4+ and NO2− resulted in little NO3− production during the 12-d incubation, indicating that autotrophic N transformations were limited. Flooded soil (0 kPa) incubations with added NO3− and glucose resulted in considerable N2O production by day 2 (200 ng N2O g−1 soil d−1), but 0 kPa incubations without glucose produced less than 10 ng N2O g−1 soil d−1 revealing C, rather than water, limitations on denitrification in semiarid soils. Incubation of soils (−34 kPa) with 15N-labeled substrates known to stimulate N mineralization and nitrification processes showed differences in 15N2O production after addition of glutamine (3 ng 15N2O g−1 soil d−1), NH4+ (16 ng 15N2O g−1 soil d−1), NO2− (26 ng 15N2O g−1 soil d−1), and NO3− (1 ng 15N2O g−1 soil d−1). All 15N treatments produced similar native N2O efflux of 12 ng 14N2O g−1 soil d−1 through the incubation period. The limitations of C and H2O and minimal autotrophic N activity suggest that heterotrophic N-cycling processes may be responsible for most of the in situ N transformations and N2O production in this system.
Polarization selective spectroscopy experiments: methodology and pitfalls

We analyze the effectiveness of various practical implementations of time-dependent pump-probe and transient grating polarization-selective experiments. A variety of optical arrangements are analyzed in the Jones matrix calculus framework. The optical arrangements that permit the correct determination of the time-dependent orientational and excited-state population dynamics are delineated. It is shown that magic angle transient grating experiments yield pure population dynamics under certain conditions only. The effectiveness of spectrally resolved magic angle pump-probe and transient grating experiments that use a monochromator are shown to be dependent on the position of an analyzing polarizer along the experimental beam path relative to various other optical elements. The spectrally resolved experiments will measure pure population dynamics only if a polarizer is placed immediately after the sample. The effectiveness of experiments measuring orientational dynamics by separately measuring the probe signal with its polarization parallel and perpendicular to the pump polarization is not constrained by the conditions imposed on the magic angle experiments.
N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) Retinamide Potentiated Anti-tumor Efficacy of Genistein in Human Ewing's Sarcoma Xenografts.

Background : Ewing's sarcoma is a pediatric tumor that mainly occurs in soft tissues and bones. New therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for treatment of Ewing's sarcoma. We examined for the first time the efficacy of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) and genistein (GST) alone and also in combination for controlling growth of human Ewing's sarcoma SK-N-MC and RD-ES xenografts. Methods : Efficacy of combination therapy was evaluated using histopathological parameters. Molecular mechanisms of combination therapy were detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy. Results : Histopathological examination of tumor sections showed that control group maintained characteristic growth of tumors, 4-HPR alone inhibited proliferation of tumor cells, GST alone induced apoptosis to some extent, and combination of 4-HPR and GST significantly induced apoptosis in both Ewing's sarcoma xenografts. Time-dependent reductions in body weight, tumor volume, and tumor weight were also found. Combination therapy increased Bax : Bcl-2 ratio to trigger mitochondrial release of Smac/Diablo into the cytosol to downregulate the baculovirus inhibitor-of-apoptosis repeat containing (BIRC) proteins such as BIRC-2 and BIRC-3 and thereby promote apoptosis. Activation of caspase-3 and mitochondrial release of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) occurred in course of apoptosis. Downregulation of the survival factor NF- κ B and the angiogenic factors VEGF and FGF2 and increase in caspase-3 activity controlled tumor growth. In situ immunofluorescent labelings showed overexpression of calpain, caspase-12 and caspase-3, and AIF in xenografts, indicating induction of cysteine proteases and AIF for apoptosis. Conclusions : Results revealed that combination of 4-HPR and GST could be highly effective treatment for inhibiting Ewing's sarcomas in vivo . doi:10.4021/wjon301w
Linear phase coefficient composite filter banks for distortion-invariant optical pattern recognition

A new class of composite filters called the linear phase coefficient composite filters (LPCCFs) is introduced. Unlike previous approaches to composite filter design, this method considers the training set selection and the filter design simultaneously. The LPCCF is obtained by summing the training images weighted by complex weights of unit magnitude and linear phase. This paper also presents a way of combining the outputs of a bank of LPCCFs. Computer simulations are also included to quantify the performance of this approach.
Recursive Partitioning Analysis Index is Predictive for Overall Survival in Patients Undergoing Spine Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Spinal Metastases

Purpose To generate a prognostic index using recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) for patients undergoing spine stereotactic body radiation therapy (sSBRT) for spinal metastases (sMet). Methods & Materials From an institutional review board-approved database, 174 patients were treated for sMet with sSBRT between February 2006 and August 2009. Median dose was 14 Gy (range, 8–24 Gy), typically in a single fraction (range, 1–5). Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to detect any correlation between survival and histology. Histologies were divided into favorable (breast and prostate), radioresistant (renal cell, melanoma and sarcoma), and other (all other histologies). RPA was performed to identify any association of the following variables with overall survival (OS) following sSBRT: histology, gender, age, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), control of primary, extraosseous metastases, time from primary diagnosis (TPD), dose of sSBRT (≤14 Gy vs . >14 Gy), extent of spine disease (epidural only, bone and epidural, bone only), upfront or salvage treatment, presence of paraspinal extension, and previous surgery. Results Median follow-up was 8.9 months. Median OS time from sSBRT was 10.7 months. Median OS intervals for favorable histologies were 14 months, 11.2 months for radioresistant histologies, and 7.3 months for other histologies ( p = 0.02). RPA analysis resulted in three classes ( p 30 months and KPS of >70; Class 2 was TPD of >30 months and KPS of ≤70 or a TPD of ≤30 months and age n = 59), 8.7 months for Class 2 ( n = 104), and 2.4 months for Class 3 ( n = 11). Conclusion sSBRT patients treated for sMet have a wide variability in OS. We developed an RPA classification system that is predictive of OS. While many patients are treated for palliation of pain or to avoid symptomatic progression, this index may be used to predict which patients may benefit most from sSBRT.
Structural brain differences and cognitive functioning related to body mass index in older females

Little is known about the effect of obesity on brain structures and cognition in healthy older adults. This study examined the association between body mass index (BMI), regional volume differences in gray and white matter measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cognitive functioning in older females. Participants included 95 community-dwelling older females (ages 52-92 years) who underwent extensive neuropsychological testing and high-resolution MRI scanning. Optimized voxel-based morphometry techniques were employed to determine the correlation between BMI and regional gray and white matter volumes. Volumes of significant regions were then correlated with cognitive functioning. Higher BMI was associated with decreased gray matter volumes in the left orbitofrontal, right inferior frontal, and right precentral gyri, a right posterior region including the parahippocampal, fusiform, and lingual gyri, and right cerebellar regions, as well as increased volumes of white matter in the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, even when hypertension was considered. Compared to normal weight women, obese women performed poorer on tests of executive functioning. Smaller gray matter volume in the left orbitofrontal region was associated with lower executive functioning. Additionally, despite the lack of significant group differences in memory and visuomotor speed, gray and white matter volumes predicted performance on these measures. The results provide additional evidence for a negative link between increased body fat and brain functioning in older females.
The Processing Strategies of Average and Below Average Readers Answering Factual and Inferential Questions on Three Equivalent Passages.

This study examines the processing strategies of average and below average readers in response to factual and inferential questions. Thirty-six sixth and seventh grade students were given three equivalent passages of 1500 words to read. With each passage, Ss were given four factual and four inferential questions, placed as pre-questions, post-questions, or interspersed questions. The Ss, tested individual- ly, answered the adjunct questions orally and were probed for explanations of their answers. The study concludes that average readers perform better than below average readers on inferential, but not on factual questions on two of the three passages. Ability to synthesize and organize a response, and sensitivity to the author's style and message are cited as plausible explanations for these results. When E.L. Thorndike (1917) addressed the issue, "What is comprehension ,"he concluded that comprehension is thinking and as such, relies on inferential process- ing. The examination of comprehension has continued since that time, with the pre- sent era of research into comprehension via mathemagenic activities beginning in the early 1960's. Numerous studies have focused on how questions given in connection with text might focus the reader's attention and improve comprehension. One im- mediately recognizes attention and comprehension as long-standing issues in the history of psychology. Yet, most mathemagenic studies overlook the overall relation- ship of the thought processes, i.e., inference, to what goes on in reading comprehen- sion. Recently major researchers in prose learning suggest a need to examine thought processing in questions answering tasks (Anderson & Biddle, 1975; Frase, 1975). If questions are to be judged as either facilitative, detrimental, or irrelevant to comprehension, studies must address exactly what demands they make on readers and what purposes they serve as aids to the thought process. In a similar vein, the differences in answers provided by readers on different ability levels should provide insight into the thought processes used by average and below average readers. Several theories exist about why there are differences in good and poor readers. Two relate specifically to this study (Gibson & Levin, 1975; Fleming & Ohnmacht, Note 1). One theory (Fleming & Ohnmacht, Note 1) states that good and poor readers
Getting a good start in school: Effects of INSIGHTS on children with high maintenance temperaments

a b s t r a c t This study investigated the efficacy of INSIGHTS into Children's Temperament (INSIGHTS) in supporting the behaviors and engagement of low-income kindergarten and first-grade children with high-maintenance temperaments. INSIGHTS is a temperament-based social-emotional learning intervention that includes teacher, parent, and classroom programs. Participants in the study included N = 435 children (Mean age = 5.38 SD = 0.61) from 22 under-resourced, urban elementary schools who were randomly assigned to INSIGHTS or a supplemental after-school reading program. Sixty-nine children were identified as having a high-maintenance temperament, characterized by low levels of task persistence and high levels of motor activity and negative reactivity. Individual growth modeling showed that children with high-maintenance temperaments in INSIGHTS evidenced faster reductions in disruptive behav- iors and off-task behaviors across kindergarten and first grade than their peers in the supplemental reading program. Such children in INSIGHTS also had lower overall levels of both disruptive behaviors and off-task behaviors and higher levels of behavioral engagement than children in the comparison group at the end of first grade. Intervention effects for children with high-maintenance temperaments were partially mediated through improvements in their relationships with their teachers. Implica- tions for social-emotional learning intervention for high-risk children and early educational policy are discussed.
Abstracting the Grid

The Grid approach allows collaborative pooling of distributed resources across multiple domains. However, the benefits of the Grid are limited to those offered by the commodity application development framework used. Several elegant and flexible application development frameworks support only specific Grid architectures, thereby not allowing the applications to exploit the full potential of the Grid. In order to initiate community interest to standardize a high-level abstraction layer for different Grid architectures, we introduce a collection of abstractions and data structures that collectively build a basis for an open Grid computing environment.
Respiratory kinematic and airflow differences between reflex and voluntary cough in healthy young adults

Background: Cough is a defensive behavior that can be initiated in response to a stimulus in the airway (reflexively), or on command (voluntarily). There is evidence to suggest that physiological differences exist between reflex and voluntary cough; however, the output (mechanistic and airflow) differences between the cough types are not fully understood. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine the lung volume, respiratory kinematic, and airflow differences between reflex and voluntary cough in healthy young adults. Methods: Twenty-five participants (14 female; 18-29 years) were recruited for this study. Participants were evaluated using respiratory inductance plethysmography calibrated with spirometry. Experimental procedures included: 1) respiratory calibration, 2) three voluntary sequential cough trials, and 3) three reflex cough trials induced with 200 µM capsaicin. Results: Lung volume initiation (LVI; p=.003) and lung volume excursion (LVE; p<.001) were significantly greater for voluntary cough compared to reflex cough. The rib cage and abdomen significantly influenced LVI for voluntary cough (p<.001); however, only the rib cage significantly impacted LVI for reflex cough (p<.001). LVI significantly influenced peak expiratory flow rate for voluntary cough (p=.029), but not reflex cough (p=.610). Discussion: Production of a reflex cough results in significant mechanistic and airflow differences compared to voluntary cough. These findings suggest that detection of a tussigenic stimulus modifies motor aspects of the reflex cough behavior. Further understanding of the differences between reflex and voluntary cough in older adults and in persons with dystussia (cough dysfunction) will be essential to facilitate the development of successful cough treatment paradigms.
Mother vs. Commercial

Reasoning is better than ordering, but “when the product in question appears highly attractive in a commercial… all forms of counter-influence fail.”
MAGNITUDE AND PATTERN OF THYMIC LYMPHOCYTE MIGRATION IN NEONATAL MICE

Neonatal mice were given a subcapsular, intrathymic injection of thymidine-3H using a modified microneedle technique, and the migration of labeled cells to spleen, lymph nodes, Peyer's patches, and bone marrow was followed radioautographically with time. Assuming that nonlabeled lymphocytes migrated in the same manner as labeled lymphocytes, it can be concluded that the majority of lymphocytes present within mesenteric lymph nodes (74%) and Peyer's patches (61%), and a large proportion of those located in popliteal lymph nodes (40%) and the spleen (26%), were of thymic origin. Evidence is presented indicating that these are minimum values. The difference in the magnitude of thymic cell migration to gut-associated lymphoid tissue on the one hand and to the spleen and popliteal lymph node on the other hand was tentatively attributed to antigenic stimulation from the intestinal flora which develops during the first days of life. Thymus-derived lymphocytes were scattered throughout the lymph node cortex and splenic follicles. No noticeable thymic cell migration to the bone marrow was found. Labeling indices in the peripheral lymphoid organs paralleled those of cortical thymic lymphocytes suggesting the thymic cortex as the major source of migrants. By 2 days postinjection, the mean grain counts of labeled lymphocytes in all peripheral lymphoid tissues were higher than the mean grain counts of labeled lymphocytes in the thymus. At 7 days postinjection heavily labeled cells constituted 11–16% of the labeled population in peripheral tissues while they were absent from the thymic cortex. These results indicate that a fraction of thymus-derived cells, upon settling in the periphery, remained in, or reentered, a nonproliferative phase for at least 7 days. Conversely, many thymus-derived lymphocytes underwent division in the periphery and/or penetrated the intestinal epithelium. Since the relative number of thymus-derived cells found in the mesenteric lymph nodes of 1- and 2-day old mice was considerably higher than the percentage of cells at this site having the theta (θ) alloantigen, as reported by other authors, the possibility exists that θ-antigen on thymus-derived lymphocytes may, at least in a fraction of these cells, no longer be detectable as they reach the peripheral organs.
Stem Cells, Their Niches and the Systemic Environment: An Aging Network

Stem cells have a fascinating biology and offer great prospects for therapeutic applications, stimulating intense research on what controls their properties and behavior. Although there have been significant advances in our understanding of how local microenvironments, or niches, control the maintenance and activity of stem cells, it is much less well understood how stem cells sense and respond to variable external, physiological, or tissue environments. This review focuses on the multidirectional interactions among stem cells, niches, tissues, and the systemic environment and on potential ideas for how changes in this network of communication may relate to the aging process.
A new set of spatial-interaction models: the theory of competing destinations.

Members of the family of spatial-interaction models commonly referred to as gravity models are shown to be misspecified. One result of this misspecification is the occurrence of an undesirable "spatial-structure effect" in estimated distance-decay parameters and this effect is examined in detail. An alternative set of spatial-interaction models is formulated from which more accurate predictions of interactions and more accurate parameter estimates can be obtained. These new interaction models are termed competing destinations models, and estimated distance-decay parameters obtained in their calibration are shown to have a purely behavioural interpretation. The implications of gravity-model misspecification are discussed. (Author/TRRL)
2-Morpholino-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-thio-phene-3-carbonitrile.

The title compound, C9H10N2O2S, was obtained from the treatment of ethyl 4-cyano-3-hydr­oxy-5-morpholinothio­phene-2-carboxyl­ate with concentrated HCl. The mean plane of the essentially planar dihydro­thio­phene ring is almost orthogonal to the mirror plane of the N-morpholine substituent, making a dihedral angle of 87.2 (2)°.
Same Physician, Different Location, Different Patient Satisfaction Scores

Study objective We assess whether patient satisfaction scores differ for individual emergency physicians according to the clinical setting in which patients are treated. Methods We obtained Press Ganey satisfaction survey results from June 2013 to August 2014 for patients treated in either an urban hospital emergency department (ED) or 2 affiliated suburban urgent care centers. The same physicians work in all 3 facilities. Physicians with available survey results from at least 10 patients in both settings were included. Survey scores range from 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good). Survey questions directly assessed physicians' courtesy, ability to keep patients informed about their treatment, concern for patient comfort, listening ability, and the overall care at the facility. We calculated differences in mean urgent care and ED scores for individual physicians, along with the mean of these differences. Our primary outcome was the mean difference between urgent care and ED score with respect to physician courtesy. Results Seventeen physicians met inclusion criteria. For all 17 physicians, the point estimate for the mean urgent care courtesy score was higher than the point estimate for the mean ED courtesy score. The mean difference in courtesy scores between urgent care and the ED was 0.35 (95% confidence interval 0.22 to 0.49). ED scores were also consistently lower than urgent care scores for keeping patients informed about their treatment, concern for patient comfort, listening ability, and overall care rating. Conclusion Although these results are limited by small sample size, we found that physicians consistently received lower satisfaction ratings from ED patients than from urgent care patients. This challenges the validity of using satisfaction scores to compare providers in different practice settings.
Measurement of free Cu ion activity in seawater using a passive-equilibrium sonic-assisted free ion recorder (SAFIR).

A passive equilibrium probe, sonic-assisted free ion recorder (SAFIR), was recently developed to monitor free Cu ion activity ({Cu2+}) in aquatic environments. The SAFIR is user-friendly and can be deployed on-site to record the ambient {Cu2+} in an accurate and fast manner. It consists of a chemically modified polystyrene disk (Primaria disk) containing metal ion-binding functional groups, coupled with a sonic horn in a flow-through cell. The calibration of the disk was successfully conducted in metal-ion buffered seawater solutions (pH 8.2, salinity =32) with {Cu2+} ranging from 10–9.0 to 10–15.0 mol/L. The Cu adsorbed on the surface of the Primaria disk (Cuads) correlated linearly with the ambient {Cu2+} through a Frendlich equilibrium adsorption model. The adsorption process was kinetically enhanced by the introduction of ultrasound, allowing equilibrium between the SAFIR and the ambient {Cu2+} in 10 min. The SAFIR was deployed in several coastal regions, and the {Cu2+} recorded by SAFIR were in good ...
71 Falls prevention among ambulatory and homebound older adults

Purpose Much is known about risk factors and prevention strategies for falls among community-dwelling older adults. However, little is known about how fall risks and falls prevention behaviours may differ between two community-dwelling groups: ambulatory and homebound. This study examined fall risks and behaviours among homebound, compared to non-homebound, older adults. Methods Data were collected in North Carolina March 2011–September 2013. Ambulatory older adults were recruited at local senior centres, and homebound older adults through Meals on Wheels. Participants were at least 65 years of age, not wheelchair bound, and able to read and write English. An in-home interview, home safety assessment, and medication review were conducted. Interview questions assessed: fall risk factors, falls prevention program participation and implementation of recommended falls prevention behaviours. Negative binomial regression modelled the association between demographic, fall risk factors and number of falls, adjusting for health status. Results 164 older adults participated: 84 ambulatory (mean age: 75.3 ± 7.3); 80 homebound (mean age: 79.6 ± 8.1). Homebound participants were older, in poorer health and reported limiting activities due to a fear of falling, compared to ambulatory participants (p Conclusions Results suggest that homebound older adults are at higher risk for falling and implement fewer prevention strategies than ambulatory older adults Significance Evidence-based falls prevention strategies have been developed primarily among ambulatory populations. This study demonstrates that these strategies need to be adapted for homebound populations.
Three-dimensional Diffuse Optical Tomography in the Human Brain

We report the three-dimensional tomographic localization of the functional activation in the human brain. To this end we developed a new depth compensation algorithm (DCA), and its validity is illustrated by simulation and experimental evidence.
Scrapbooking as an Intervention to Enhance Coping in Individuals Experiencing Grief and Loss

Engaging in grief rituals is one way to help individuals cope with loss during traumatic and transitional events (Castle & Phillips, 2003). Creating scrapbooks that incorporate personal, symbolic objects is one activity that has been highly ranked as a preferred grief ritual in individuals dealing with loss (Castle & Phillips, 2003). Scrapbooks can serve as a catalyst for communication and discussion between individuals and their families, as well as provide an opportunity to connect and share with peers (McCarthy & Sebaugh, 2011). The use of scrapbooks may be particularly beneficial for individuals who have difficulty expressing their feelings with words (Karns, 2002), or for children who are unable to verbalize their feelings (Williams & Lent, 2008). This brief literature review examined the benefits associated with scrapbooking for individuals experiencing grief and loss. A knowledge translation plan offering suggestions for incorporating findings into recreational therapy practice is also provided.
Nuozadu Hydropower Station Lock Spindle Device Characteristics and Control Applications

This article describes Nuozadu Turbine Governor System lock spindle device characteristics and application control functions(Including design characteristics、The scene debugging,etc.,Its conclusions for the design and testing of speed control system to provide a reference,And at the same time the locking device control for speed governor after accumulating certain experience.