cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional imaging, measurement, and inspection of high-speed processes

Several examples of dynamic objects 3D images and high-speed process observations and measurement, are presented. The gun-powder burning process. The real droplet distribution in diesel fuel sprayers. The pressure distribution in T-joint of automobile fuel discharge system. The thin wires explosions--the model of real bursting processes. The pulsed discharge lamps, using for solid-state lasers pumping. The gas-liquid flows in tubes. Measuring the velocity distribution in waterfall at hydra-electric station model. All these and alike measurements at Holography Lab of VNIIOFI, (Moscow, Russia) for different scientific and industrial establishments, were provided.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A rational approach to risk assessment requires the use of biological information: an analysis of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), final report of the advisory review by the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) Board of Scientific Counselors met on April 14 and 15, 1992 to review the NTP. This paper provides an overview of the Board's Report with an emphasis on the recommendations made by the Carcinogenesis Working Group. The prime overall recommendation is that the NTP should move from a focus on hazard identification to an emphasis on providing the type of biological information that needs to be incorporated into the risk assessment process. This would involve a hypothesis-driven mechanism of action approach aimed at understanding the basis for the actions of the chemicals of interest. Relevant examples are provided. Scientists from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' (NIEHS) intramural program and those outside of NIEHS should be included in the research effort. This strategy would permit a more rational approach toward both test development and design (e.g., selection of the high dose to be employed), and the interpretation of test results (e.g., addressing questions pertaining to dose-response relationships and species to species extrapolation). The overall goal would be to provide a reasonable assessment of the possible hazard that a chemical might pose to people in light of realistic conditions of exposure.
Imaging of Topographic Viral CNS Infections

Infections caused by enteroviruses, rabies, adenoviruses, and Nipah and Hanta viruses are discussed. Several studies defined the pattern of MR imaging findings in these disease processes that reflect parenchymal infiltration with inflammatory cells, typically visualized as areas of low attenuation on CT, as well as of low T1 and high T2 signal intensity on MR imaging. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging has been shown to be superior to conventional magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of early signal abnormalities in encephalitis. Focal unilateral hyperperfusion as visualized by SPECT appears to be an indicator of severe inflammation of the brain tissue and was found to be an independent predictor of poor prognosis, whereas clinical outcome variables, CSF, or EEG findings are not.
The influence of temperature and illumination on the exchange of potassium ion in Ulva lactuca.

Abstract 1. 1. Methods for the use of 42K in studying teh exchange of potassium ion in the green alga Ulva lactuca are described, and the effects of illumination and temperature on the dynamics of this exchange are presented. 2. 2. Conditions of illumination or increased temperature each markedly increases the exchange rate. 3. 3. The data indicate a complete exchange of cellular for environmental potassium; this exchange in illuminated Ulva is much more rapid than that in the erythrocyte, and of the same order of magnitude as is found in actively fermenting yeast. 4. 4. An interpretation of the data is presented. The role of cellular metabolism in regulating the potassium distribution is emphasized.
Rethinking volitional control over task choice in multitask environments: Use of a stimulus set selection strategy in voluntary task switching:

Under conditions of volitional control in multitask environments, subjects may engage in a variety of strategies to guide task selection. The current research examines whether subjects may sometimes use a top-down control strategy of selecting a task-irrelevant stimulus dimension, such as location, to guide task selection. We term this approach a stimulus set selection strategy. Using a voluntary task switching procedure, subjects voluntarily switched between categorizing letter and number stimuli that appeared in two, four, or eight possible target locations. Effects of stimulus availability, manipulated by varying the stimulus onset asynchrony between the two target stimuli, and location repetition were analysed to assess the use of a stimulus set selection strategy. Considered across position condition, Experiment 1 showed effects of both stimulus availability and location repetition on task choice suggesting that only in the 2-position condition, where selection based on location always results in a t...
CogState computerized testing is associated with amyloid and FDG-PET: Implications for secondary preventive trials

those with a head trauma had higher median PiB level (SUVR 2.2 vs. 1.6, p 1⁄4 0.003). There was also a trend for lower hippocampal volumes (-0.95 vs. -0.72, p 1⁄4 0.10), adjusted for head size. When stratified by APOE E4 genotype, the relationships were stronger among non-E4 carriers. However, we only had 9 MCI cases with a history of head trauma and an E4 allele. Conclusions: Results suggest that a history of self-reported head trauma is associated with higher levels of amyloid deposition in individuals with MCI, but not among CN individuals. These data raise interesting questions about the linkages between head trauma, amyloid, and cognitive impairment, although recall and other biases must be considered.
Transparency and Oversight in Local Wellness Policies

BACKGROUND: Advocates have called for increased wellness policy transparency and oversight through the use of health advisory councils. This study examines (1) wellness policy transparency, (2) advisory council requirements, (3) factors associated with each, and (4) whether transparency or advisory council requirements are indicative of a stronger policy addressing nutrition and physical activity. METHODS: Policies for school year 2007–2008 were obtained from a nationally representative sample of 641 districts and analyzed for their applicability to elementary, middle, and high school levels. Main outcome measures included (1) policy transparency (online availability), (2) advisory council requirements, and (3) overall policy strength. T-tests assessed variability in policy strength by transparency and advisory council requirements. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses controlled for district size, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, region, and locale; models of advisory council/policy strength relationships also controlled for state advisory council requirements. RESULTS: More than 41% of districts posted wellness policies online and more than 43% required advisory councils. Transparency was less likely in small-/medium-sized and non-southern districts; and, for elementary school policies, most common in majority Hispanic districts. Advisory council requirements were less likely in small-/medium-sized districts for middle/high school policies and more likely in majority Hispanic districts for elementary school policies. After adjusting for all covariates, transparency was not associated with policy strength, but advisory council requirements significantly predicted policy strength. CONCLUSIONS: Transparency may facilitate awareness, but it does not mean that wellness policies will be stronger; however, advisory council requirements may be a marker for stronger policies.
Higher-dimension gluon operators and hadronic scattering

Abstract We discuss an effective field theory involving dimension-six and dimension-eight operators composed of gluon field strengths and color-covariant derivatives. The independent operators are enumerated, their contributions to various partonic scattering processes are assessed, and potential SSC probes of their characteristics energy scales are estimated.
Recombinant Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Administered Enterally to Neonates Is Not Absorbed

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is present in liquids swallowed by the fetus and neonate; specifically, amniotic fluid, colostrum, and human milk. The swallowed G-CSF has local effects on enteric cells, which express the G-CSF receptor. However, some portion of the G-CSF ingested by the fetus and neonate might be absorbed into the circulation and have systemic actions, such as stimulating neutrophil production. To assess this possibility we sought to determine if circulating G-CSF concentrations of neonates increase after enteral administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF). This was a single-center, prospective, blinded, randomized, 2 x 2 crossover study, with each infant receiving 1 dose of rhG-CSF (100 microg/kg) and 1 dose of placebo. Plasma G-CSF concentrations were measured at 2 and 4 hours after administration of the test solution. No significant change in plasma G-CSF concentration was observed after the enteral administration of rhG-CSF. On this basis, we conclude that orally administered rhG-CSF is not absorbed in significant quantities, and we speculate that the G-CSF swallowed by the fetus and neonate has local but not systemic effects.
Nutritional assessments of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background Obesity is not only associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) but it also adversely affects the progression of other liver diseases. There are limited data regarding the dietary habits of patients with chronic liver disease.
Tough Transitions: Mental Health Care Professionals' Perception of the Psychiatric Hospital to School Transition

Psychiatric reasons are among the most common causes of hospitalization for adolescents. A Consensual Qualitative Research approach was used to explore mental health professionals' perceptions of the needs of adolescents as they transition from psychiatric hospital to school. Academic, social, and emotional domains emerged as important areas of attention prior to and during the psychiatric hospital to school transition. Implications from interviews with 14 mental health professionals working in inpatient, outpatient, and school settings are reported.
The Efficacy Gap and Political Participation: When Political Influence Fails to Meet Expectations

ABSTRACT A range of factors may contribute to a sense that citizens are less able to influence publicpolicy and engage in self-governance than should ideally be the case, yet research hasrarely considered the distinction between citizens’ judgments of how much influencethey do have , how much they ought to have , and how the gap between these two percep-tions affects various modes of participation. We contend that these two distinct efficacyjudgments are tied to community integration and media use, yet have very different con-sequences for political participation. Specifically, we predict that when actual citizenefficacy fails to meet expectations, people will tend to favor more individual forms ofpolitical participation over collective efforts. Using data from a random digit dialingcommunity survey, this research finds: () that evaluations of desired citizen efficacy areconceptually different from evaluations of actual citizen efficacy; () that demographics,community integration, and mass media use sign ificantly predict both types of efficacy—but do so differently; and () that the efficacy gap positively predicts individual forms ofpolitical participation and negatively predicts collective action.
Electrically controlled release of the nerve growth factor from a collagen–carbon nanotube composite for supporting neuronal growth

We report the use of a nerve growth factor-loaded collagen–carbon nanotube (NGF-Col–CNT) composite as a substrate for in vitro growth of PC 12 cells. The feasibility of such novel composites as drug carriers was assessed using an in vitro drug-release test (ELISA immunoassay) in the presence of an electrical field. Subsequent studies included four-point probes, cyclic voltammograms, and in vitro PC 12 growth of fibers. The facile incorporation of NGF within fibrous collagen structures significantly mediated PC 12 (nerve) fiber process formation during the application of electrical voltage. Indeed, electrical stimulation (500 mV) using non-polarized Ag/AgCl electrodes to electro-active composites facilitated the sustained release of NGF. Given that PC 12 cells require NGF in the media to produce fiber outgrowth, this assay was clearly informative when the differentiation and branching of PC 12 cells into neurons was significantly enhanced. NGF responses were also evident from other developmental events including protrusions of neuronal filopodia and the formation of microspikes. Col–CNT composites, when electrically stimulated, could serve not only as neuronal scaffolds, but also as an electrically controllable drug release system to improve the performance and preferential timing of growth factor release in various biomedical applications.
Quarks and leptons as composite goldstone fermions

Abstract A dynamical scheme for composite quarks and leptons is proposed in which the observed fermions are Goldstone particles of spontaneously broken supersymmetry. Their residual interactions are described by a minimal effective lagrangian which invokes a non-linear realization of sypersymmetry. Possible experimental consequences are studied and it is found that the most conspicuous signature of this scheme would be a dramatic increase in the lepton pair production in hadronic collisions, particularly in pp scattering, at high energy.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON DNA SECONDARY STRUCTURE IN THE ABSENCE AND PRESENCE OF 0.5 M TETRAMETHYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE

Changes in the average secondary structures of three different linear DNAs over the premelting region from 5 to 60 degrees C were investigated by measuring their CD spectra and also their torsion elastic constants ( ) by time-resolved fluorescence polarization anisotropy. For one of these DNAs, the Haell fragment of pBR322, the apparent diffusion coefficients [Dapp(k)] at small and large scattering vectors (k) were also measured by dynamic light scattering. With increasing temperature, all three DNAs exhibited typical premelting changes in their CD spectra, and these were accompanied by 1.4- to 1.7-fold decreases in . Also for the 1876 base pair fragment, Dapp(k) at large scattering vectors, which is sensitive to the dynamic bending rigidity, decreased by 17%, even though there was no change at small scattering vectors, where Dapp(k) = D0 is the translational diffusion coefficient of the center-of-mass. These observations demonstrate conclusively that the premelting CD changes of these DNAs are associated with a significant change in average secondary structure and mechanical properties, though not in persistence length. In the presence of 0.5 M tetramethylammonium chloride (TMA-Cl) the premelting change in CD is largely suppressed, and the corresponding changes in and Dapp(k) at large scattering vectors are substantially diminished. These observations suggest that TMA-Cl, which binds preferentially to A.T-rich regions and stabilizes those regions (relative to G.C-rich regions) against melting, effectively stabilizes the prevailing low-temperature secondary structure sufficiently that the DNA is effectively trapped in that state over the temperature range observed.
Spurious resolution of photographic lenses.

In the course of some preliminary experiments on a new type of resolving power target the phenomenon of spurious resolution has been encountered. It is shown that this false resolution can be explained by a geometrical analysis without recourse to diffraction theory. The intensity distribution in the out-of-focus image of a point source is calculated from spherical aberration data and is integrated over the target by the method of Schade. Representative exposures and microphotometer traces are included. It is pointed out that the plane of best contrast rendition is not necessarily the plane of best resolution. It is demonstrated that counting the number of lines in the image of a multiline target will not always detect spurious resolution.
Gain of chromosome 8q is associated with metastases and poor survival of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of chromosome 8q gain in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) and to correlate the findings with tumor phenotype and disease-specific survival (DSS). METHODS: The tumor karyotypes of 336 consecutive patients with CCRCC were prospectively evaluated with classical cytogenetic analysis. Chromosome 8q status was correlated with clinicopathological variables, and its impact on DSS was evaluated. RESULTS: Gain of 8q occurred in 28 tumors (8.3%). Gain of 8q was associated with a higher risk of regional lymph node (21.4% vs 6.2%, P = .011) and distant metastases (50.0% vs 24.4%, P = .006), and greater tumor sizes (P = .030). Patients with gain of 8q had a 3.22-fold increased risk of death from CCRCC (P < .001). In multivariable analysis, gain of 8q was identified as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 2.37; P = .006). The concordance index of a multivariable base model increased significantly following inclusion of 8q gain (P = .0015). CONCLUSIONS: Gain of chromosome 8q occurs in a subset of CCRCCs and is associated with an increased risk of metastases and death from CCRCC. Because the proto-oncogene c-MYC is among the list of candidate genes located on 8q, our data suggest that these tumors may have unique pathways activated, which are associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype. If confirmed, defining tumors with gain of 8q may assist in identifying patients who would benefit for specific c-MYC inhibitors or agents that target the MAPK/ERK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Two-Dimensional Input Shaping for One-Dimensional Continua

This paper extends input shaping control to one-dimensional continua. Unlike discrete systems where the input is shaped only in the temporal domain, temporal and spatial input shaping can produce zero residual vibration in setpoint position control of distributed strings and beams. For collocated and noncollocated boundary control of strings and domain control of strings and pinned beams, the response to step inputs is solved in closed form using delays. For a clamped beam model, a closed form infinite modal series is used. The boundary controlled string can be setpoint regulated using two-pulse zero vibration (ZV) and three-pulse zero vibration and derivative (ZVD) shapers but ZVD is not more robust to parameter variations than ZV, a unique characteristic of second-order partial differential equations systems. Noncollocated ZV and ZVD boundary control enables rigid body translation of a string with zero residual vibration. Domain controlled strings and pinned beams with spatial input distributions that satisfy certain orthogonality conditions (e.g., midspan point load or uniformly distributed load) can be setpoint regulated with shaped inputs. For the cantilevered beam, modal shaping of the input distribution and ZV or ZVD temporal shaping drives the tip to the desired position with zero residual vibration.
Ultrastructure of the membrane attachment sites of the extrusomes of Ciliophrys marina and Heterophrys marina (Actinopoda)

The actinopods Ciliophrys marina and Heterophrys marina both have membrane bounded extrusomes attached to their cellular and axopodial membranes. The extrusomes of C. marina, the muciferous bodies, are fairly simple in structure and contain a homogeneous osmiophilic substance. Their attachment site is characterized by a rectangular array of freeze fracture particles in the cell membrane. The extrusomes of H. marina, the conicysts, are more complex and contain a two-part osmiophilic body. The attachment site of conicysts is characterized by a rosette of 8 freeze fracture particles very similar to the 9-particle rosette found at the mucocyst attachment sites in Tetrahymena. Furthermore, intracytoplasmic bridges connect the conicyst and cell membrane faces, and a specialized fibrillar structure is found on the cell membrane in the region of conicyst attachment. The various possible roles for such particle arrays are discussed and their presence in virtually all extrusomes is predicted.
Engineering Design Synthesis: A Domain Independent Representation

The knowledge used in the synthesis of engineering systems includes understanding systems and their components and the implications of design decisions on other decisions on further problem decomposition. In using a knowledge based approach to synthesis, design knowledge can be characterized as planning knowledge, including design goals and planning or ordering of goals, and design knowledge, including alternative solutions for each goal and constraints on the selection of a solution for a given goal. This approach is implemented in a program called EDESYN (Engineering DEsign SYNthesis), developed using a frame-based reasoning tool. EDESYN provides a domain independent environment for building design expert systems.
Rule-Based Information Extraction is Dead! Long Live Rule-Based Information Extraction Systems!

The rise of “Big Data” analytics over unstructured text has led to renewed interest in information extraction (IE). We surveyed the landscape of IE technologies and identified a major disconnect between industry and academia: while rule-based IE dominates the commercial world, it is widely regarded as dead-end technology by the academia. We believe the disconnect stems from the way in which the two communities measure the benefits and costs of IE, as well as academia’s perception that rulebased IE is devoid of research challenges. We make a case for the importance of rule-based IE to industry practitioners. We then lay out a research agenda in advancing the state-of-theart in rule-based IE systems which we believe has the potential to bridge the gap between academic research and industry practice.
Omni Scale Rating of Perceived Exertion at Ventilatory Breakpoint by Direct Observation of Children's Kinematics:

Direct kinematic observation was used to measure ratings of perceived exertion at the ventilatory breakpoint (RPE-Vpt) in 10- to 14-yr.-old girls (n=22) and boys (n=22). RPE for the overall body, legs, and chest were simultaneously estimated by a trained observer and self-rated by a subject during treadmill exercise using the Children's OMNI-Walk/Run Scale. Subjects' heart rate and oxygen consumption were measured during each minute of exercise. Vpt for the girls and boys, respectively, were 64.2 and 66.5% VO2 max. RPE-Vpt ranged from 6.0 to 6.5 Overall, 7.1 to 7.6 Legs, and 5.0 to 5.5 Chest for both the observation and self-rating procedures. Responses indicated (a) RPE-Vpt (Overall, Legs, Chest) did not differ (p>.05) between the observer and self-rating procedures and (b) Observer RPE-Vpt-Legs was greater (p<.05) than RPE-Vpt-Chest. Findings validated direct kinematic observation to code group-normalized RPE-Vpt for girls and boys performing treadmill exercise.
Marxed transmission lines for compact pulsed power

The Marxed Blumlein line is a concept that has been touted as a highly compact pulsed power system because it combines the functions of energy storage, voltage scaling, and pulse shaping into a single sub-system. Inherent voltage reversal is compounded in a Marxed arrangement. The voltage reversal and transients induced by the switch jitter in a Marxed configuration require significant derating of the dielectric strength. Consequently, the system must be operated much below the intrinsic dielectric energy density, compromising efforts to design a compact pulsed power system. This paper presents the conclusion that for all practical configurations, the Marxed transmission line is the more compact architecture.
ℓâ‚€-norm Minimization for Basis Selection

Finding the sparsest, or minimum l0-norm, representation of a signal given an overcomplete dictionary of basis vectors is an important problem in many application domains. Unfortunately, the required optimization problem is often intractable because there is a combinatorial increase in the number of local minima as the number of candidate basis vectors increases. This deficiency has prompted most researchers to instead minimize surrogate measures, such as the l1-norm, that lead to more tractable computational methods. The downside of this procedure is that we have now introduced a mismatch between our ultimate goal and our objective function. In this paper, we demonstrate a sparse Bayesian learning-based method of minimizing the l0-norm while reducing the number of troublesome local minima. Moreover, we derive necessary conditions for local minima to occur via this approach and empirically demonstrate that there are typically many fewer for general problems of interest.
Rho GTPases orient directional sensing in chemotaxis

During chemotaxis, cells sense extracellular chemical gradients and position Ras GTPase activation and phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate (PIP3) production toward chemoattractants. These two major signaling events are visualized by biosensors in a crescent-like zone at the plasma membrane. Here, we show that a Dictyostelium Rho GTPase, RacE, and a guanine nucleotide exchange factor, GxcT, stabilize the orientation of Ras activation and PIP3 production in response to chemoattractant gradients, and this regulation occurred independently of the actin cytoskeleton and cell polarity. Cells lacking RacE or GxcT fail to persistently direct Ras activation and PIP3 production toward chemoattractants, leading to lateral pseudopod extension and impaired chemotaxis. Constitutively active forms of RacE and human RhoA are located on the portion of the plasma membrane that faces lower concentrations of chemoattractants, opposite of PIP3 production. Mechanisms that control the localization of the constitutively active form of RacE require its effector domain, but not PIP3. Our findings reveal a critical role for Rho GTPases in positioning Ras activation and thereby establishing the accuracy of directional sensing.
Drive out Fear (Unless You Can Drive It in): The Role of Agency and Job Security in Process Improvement

Understanding the wide range of outcomes achieved by firms trying to implement Total Quality Management (TQM) and similar process improvement initiatives presents a challenge to management theory: A few firms reap sustained benefits from their programs, but most efforts fail and are abandoned. In this paper I study one dimension of this phenomenon: the role of impending layoffs in determining employee commitment to process improvement. Currently, the literature provides two opposing theories concerning the effect of job security on the ability of firms to implement change initiatives. The "Drive Out Fear" school argues that firms must commit to job security, while the "Drive In Fear" school emphasizes the positive role that insecurity plays in motivating change. In this study a contract theoretic model is developed to analyze the role of agency in process improvement. The main insight of the study is that there are two types of job security, internal and external, that have opposing impacts on the firm's ability to implement improvement initiatives. The distinction is useful in explaining the results of different case studies and can reconcile the two change theories.
Depressive Symptoms and Disability Risk Among Older White and Latino Adults by Nativity Status

Objective: To examine how the relationship between depressive symptoms and disability may vary by nativity status in later life. Method: This nationally representative prospective study of community-dwelling adults age 51 years and older in the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2010) used hierarchical linear modeling to examine how depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Symptoms of Depression) and disability (instrumental activities of daily living [IADL]; activities of daily living [ADL]) vary by nativity status (U.S.- vs. foreign-born), accounting for changes in social support, health behaviors, and health conditions. Results: Depressive symptoms were associated with increased IADL and ADL disability among Latinos compared with Whites; foreign-born Latinos had lower than expected depressive symptom–related IADL and ADL (0.82; p ≤ .001) disability. Discussion: Given that U.S.-born Latinos had similar or poorer depressive symptom–related disability outcomes than Whites, interventions focused on e...
Assessing short- and long-term outcomes among black vs white Medicare patients undergoing resection of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: We sought to identify differences among black and white Medicare-insured patients with colorectal cancer who underwent resection. METHODS: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results–Medicare (SEER-Medicare) linked inpatient data from 1986 to 2005 were examined. Differences in short- and long-term outcomes among black vs white patients were investigated. RESULTS: There were 125,676 (92.4%) white and 9,891 (7.6%) black patients who met the criteria. Black patients were younger (75.5 vs 77.2 years; P ,.001) but had more comorbidities than did white patients (mean Charlson comorbidity index score 3.99 vs 3.87; P ,.001). Black patients demonstrated greater odds of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30 to 1.56) and readmission within 30 days (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.34). Comparing 1986 to 1990 vs 2001 to 2005, black patients had greater odds of 30-day readmission (OR, 1.12 vs 1.31) but reduced odds of index in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.84 vs 1.28). Black patients had worse long-term survival after colorectal surgery (hazard ratio [HR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.25; P , .001). CONCLUSIONS: Black patients with colorectal cancer demonstrated increased risk of mortality and readmission after controlling for age, sex, and comorbidities. Although black vs white differences in perioperative mortality decreased over time, disparities in readmission and long-term survival persisted.
Understanding the distributed practice effect : Strong effects on weak theoretical grounds

The distributed practice effect is one of the most researched memory effects in cognitive psychology. Beneficial distributed practice effects for long-term retention have been demonstrated in different domains and they are remarkably large in size, too. However, despite strong effects, this research field still lacks a unified theory offering explanations for a wide range of findings. This article reviews empirical studies on the distributed practice effect that have immediate relevance for educational settings. Against the backdrop of this review, the article discusses theory candidates and ways of specifying them for empirical tests using nonstandard statistical methods. I conclude that future studies will have to fine-tune theories to strengthen the significance of empirical results and to allow for better recommendations to educators. This promises to increase the enthusiasm to systematically implement distributed practice in instruction routines and bridge psychological research and educational practice.
Pulmonary hypertension in Hodgkin's disease.

We wish to share our experience in an unusual case presentation of pulmonary hypertension. A 48-year-old Caucasian female with a history of hypothyroidism and smoking presented with progressive dyspnoea on exertion for 3 years, markedly worse during the past 6 months. She also had arthralgias, Raynaud’s phenomena, night sweats and a 25-pound weight loss over 6 months. Chest computed tomography scan showed diffuse mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Lymph node biopsy showed non-necrotising epithelioid granulomas compatible with sarcoidosis. Symptoms worsened despite treatment with prednisone. Pulmonary function tests showed mild restrictive disease, reduced diffusion capacity and desaturation during a 6-min walk. Echocardiogram showed a severely dilated and hypokinetic right ventricle. Right heart catheterisation showed pulmonary artery pressure 79/38 mm Hg (mean 46 mm Hg), cardiac output 6.7 …
The Theory of Networks and Management Science: Part II

The second part of the expository paper started with Elmaghraby, S. E. 1970. The theory of networks and management science. Part I. Management Sci.171, September 1--34.
Evolution of Structure and Properties of Granules Containing Microcrystalline Cellulose and Polyvinylpyrrolidone During High‐Shear Wet Granulation

Granulation behavior of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in the presence of 2.5% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was system- atically studied. Complex changes in flowability and tabletability of lubricated MCC granules are correlated to changes in intragranular porosity, morphology, surface smoothness, size distribution, and specific surface area (SSA). With 2.5% PVP, the use of 45% granulation water leads to 84% reduction in tablet tensile strength and 76% improvement in powder flow factor. The changes in powder performance are explained by granule densification and surface smoothing. The granulating water level corresponding to the onset of overgranulation, 45%, is significantly lower than the 70% water required for unlubricated MCC granules without PVP. At more than 45% water levels, MCC-PVP granules flow well but cannot be compressed into intact tablets. Such changes in powder performance correspond to the rapid growth into large and dense spheres with smooth surface. Compared with MCC alone, the onset of the phase of fast granule size enlargement occurs at a lower water level when 2.5% PVP is used. Although the use of 2.5% PVP hastens granule nucleation and growth rate, the mechanisms of overgranulation are the same, that is, size enlargement, granule densification, surface smoothing, and particle rounding in both systems. C � 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 103:207-215, 2014
Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Primary Brain Tumors

Gliomas comprise 80% of primary brain neoplasms, with glioblastoma multiforme being the most commonly diagnosed glioma. The annual incidence is 5.26 per 100,000, or 17,000 newly diagnosed cases per year in the United States. The incidence increases with age, peaking between the 6th and 8th decades. Gliomas are more common among Caucasians and occur more often in men. They can be associated with certain rare hereditary syndromes including Cowden, Turcot, Li-Fraumeni, neurofibromatosis type 1 and type 2, tuberous sclerosis, and familial schwannomatosis. Known risk factors include a history of ionizing radiation, family history of glioma, and certain genetic susceptibility variants that are weakly associated with glioma. Preventative measures have not been shown to decrease the risk of later development. In addition, screening tests are unwarranted since early diagnosis and treatment have not been shown to improve outcome.
Aging and Information Technology Use Potential and Barriers

Why are older adults reluctant to adopt new technology, such as the Internet, given its potential to improve the quality of their lives? We review evidence indicating that attitudes and abilities are among the most powerful predictors of technology use. We conclude that normative age-related changes in ability must be taken into account when designing products and training programs for aging adults, and we discuss new tools to support designers. The most promising emerging technologies likely lie in training cognitive abilities and augmenting or substituting for impaired abilities. We discuss reasons to expect that the lag in technology adoption between younger and older adults may lessen but will not disappear in future generations.
Reading: The Key to Quality in Higher Education.

Abstract This study will examine the premise that reading is often the victim of a separate, but equal doctrine in four year colleges. Because of this, great confusion exists as to its role in the university. In order to support reading's integral role in college success, several things will be explored. First, there is an overview of reading programs found in four year institutions. Next, the research looks at specific strategies needed to identify the interactive process between text and reader. Finally, the research outlines several existing university programs that are successful in providing help in these important reading and learning strategies by tying instruction to specific academic content. The overwhelming evidence suggests that universities can no longer ignore the complex issue of reading as it relates to the various disciplines. No longer can they use the band‐aid approach of separate reading labs when major surgery within the curriculum is required.
Sulfur storage and alkalinity generation in New England lake sediments

We measured rates of burial and forms of reduced S in lake sediments to evaluate the importance of SO,z- reduction to the alkalinity budget of several New England lakes. The contribution of dissimilatory SOd2- reduction to alkalinity generation in these lakes was estimated conservatively to range from 1 to 75 meq m-2 yr-l. The contribution of both assimilatory and dissimilatory SOd2reduction ranged from 10 to 159 meq m-2 yr-l. For lakes with water residence times on the order of years, SOd2- reduction can be important in controlling lake-water alkalinity. We found substantial quantities of inorganic reduced S in sediments of nearly all of the lakes that we studied. The majority was present as pyrite. In most lakes concentrations of inorganic reduced S were higher in sediments deposited in the last 85 yr when compared to older sediments. In contrast, the ratio of C to organic S showed no consistent trend with depth in most lakes. It appears that in these lakes most of the sulfide produced from S0,2- reduction is stored primarily as inorganic forms rather than as C-bonded S. In lakes with highly organic sediments and low Fe concentrations, we found that a considerable portion of the sedimentary Fe was present as ferrous sulfides. If these lakes were typical, alkalinity generation bv reduced S storage in lakes with organic-rich sediments in the northeastern U.S. ilready may be limited by Fe availability.
Novel Roles of Focal Adhesion Kinase in Cytoplasmic Entry and Replication of Influenza A Viruses

Viruses modulate cellular signaling pathways at almost every step of the infection cycle. Cellular signaling pathways activated at later times of influenza infection have previously been investigated; however, early influenza virus-host cell interactions remain understudied. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that regulates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activation and actin reorganization, two critical processes during influenza A virus (IAV) infection in most cell types. Using 6 influenza A virus strains (A/Puerto Rico/8/1934, A/Aichi/2/1968 × A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 reassortant [X-31], A/California/04/2009, mouse-adapted A/California/04/2009, A/WSN/1933, and A/New Caledonia/20/1999), we examined the role of FAK during IAV entry. We found that influenza virus attachment induced PI3K-dependent FAK-Y397 phosphorylation. Pharmacological FAK inhibition or expression of a kinase-dead mutant of FAK led to disruption of the actin meshwork that resulted in sequestration of IAV at the cell periphery and reduced virion localization to early endosomes. Additionally, FAK inhibition impeded viral RNA replication at later times of infection and ultimately resulted in significantly reduced viral titers in both A549 and differentiated normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. Although not all tested strains activated FAK, all of them exhibited a reduction in viral replication in response to inhibition of FAK signaling. These findings highlight novel biphasic roles of FAK activation during IAV infection and indicate that FAK serves as a central link between receptor-mediated PI3K activation and actin reorganization during IAV infection. IMPORTANCE We found that FAK links early activation of PI3K and actin reorganization, thereby regulating influenza virus entry. Surprisingly, we also found that FAK can regulate viral RNA replication independently of its role in entry. Our study addresses a knowledge gap in the understanding of signaling events triggered by influenza virus that mediate its internalization and initiation of the infection cycle. Understanding of these fundamental molecular events will be necessary to identify novel host targets, such as FAK, and development of future anti-influenza virus therapeutics.
Identification of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engraftment Genes in Gene Therapy Studies.

Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapy using replication-incompetent retroviral vectors is a promising approach to provide life-long correction for genetic defects. HSC gene therapy clinical studies have resulted in functional cures for several diseases, but in some studies clonal expansion or leukemia has occurred. This is due to the dyregulation of endogenous host gene expression from vector provirus insertional mutagenesis. Insertional mutagenesis screens using replicating retroviruses have been used extensively to identify genes that influence oncogenesis. However, retroviral mutagenesis screens can also be used to determine the role of genes in biological processes such as stem cell engraftment. The aim of this review is to describe the potential for vector insertion site data from gene therapy studies to provide novel insights into mechanisms of HSC engraftment. In HSC gene therapy studies dysregulation of host genes by replication-incompetent vector proviruses may lead to enrichment of repopulating clones with vector integrants near genes that influence engraftment. Thus, data from HSC gene therapy studies can be used to identify novel candidate engraftment genes. As HSC gene therapy use continues to expand, the vector insertion site data collected will be of great interest to help identify novel engraftment genes and may ultimately lead to new therapies to improve engraftment
The analysis of solvent effects on the kinetics of simple heterogeneous electron transfer reactions

Abstract : A method for separating the solvent dependence of the pre-exponential factor from that in the free energy of activation is described for adiabatic electron transfer reactions in which the inner sphere contribution to the activation energy is much less than the outer sphere contribution. The analysis is applied to data published in the literature in which the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant was measured in at least 4 different solvents. The resulting kinetic parameters are discussed with respect to current theory.
Geographic Variation in the Use of Diagnostic Testing of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose To determine the extent of geographic variation in the proportion of patients with newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma (OAG) undergoing visual field (VF) testing, fundus photography (FP), and other ocular imaging (OOI) among patients residing in different US communities. Design Retrospective, longitudinal cohort study. Participants All enrollees with newly diagnosed OAG enrolled in a managed care network between 2001 and 2014. Methods We identified all persons in the plan with incident OAG residing in 201 communities across the United States. All communities contributed ≥20 enrollees. The proportion of enrollees undergoing ≥1 VF test, FP, OOI, and no testing of any type in the 2 years after first OAG diagnosis was determined for each community, and comparisons were made to assess the extent of variation in use of diagnostic testing among patients residing in the different communities. Main Outcome Measures Receipt of VF testing, FP, OOI, or none of these tests in the 2 years after initial OAG diagnosis. Results Of the 56675 enrollees with newly diagnosed OAG, the mean proportion of patients undergoing VF testing within 2 years of initial diagnosis was 74%±7%, ranging from as low as 51% in Rochester, Minnesota, to as high as 95% in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The mean proportion undergoing OOI was 63%±10% and varied from 34% in Palm Springs/Rancho Mira, California, to 85% in Charleston, South Carolina. The mean proportion receiving FP was 26%±10% and ranged from as low as 3% in Fresno, California, to as high as 57% in Harlingen, Texas. The proportion undergoing no glaucoma testing ranged from 0% in Binghamton, New York, to as high as 35% in 2 other communities. Conclusions In many US communities, a high proportion of patients are undergoing testing according to established practice guidelines. However, in several communities, less than 60% of patients with newly diagnosed OAG are undergoing VF testing in the 2 years after initial OAG diagnosis, and in a few communities >1 in 4 patients have no record of glaucoma diagnostic testing of any type. Additional research is needed to understand factors driving this variation in practice patterns and its impact on patient outcomes.
Evaluating Theories Efficiently: The Nuts and Bolts of Contrast Analysis

Contrast analysis is a way to evaluate theories efficiently and relatively easily, but despite its efficiency, informativeness, and simplicity, contrast analysis is rarely found in the research literature. We present and illustrate step-by-step outlines of contrast procedures for 4 basic kinds of analyses, and we highlight the ways in which they provide focused information that complements more conventional analytic techniques such as omnibus analysis of variance-based F tests and count-based chi-squares. In addition, we provide examples of contrast analysis using 2 widely used statistical packages. We believe that the social sciences will profit if researchers, teachers, students, reviewers, and editors have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the advantages, informativeness, and ease of contrast analysis.
Location and head direction representation in the dorsal striatum of rats

The activity of dorsal striatal location and head direction neurons were recorded as rats performed a hippocampal-dependent spatial working memory task. Relative to previous descriptions of hippocampal fields, striatal fields appeared more dependent on the visual environment in which the maze was performed. Striatal head direction correlates were also shown to be dependent upon the visual context in a lit environment: The directional preferences rotated with the rotation of distal visual cue, and maze or rat rotations had no effect. However, when animals performed the maze in darkness, idiothetic information gained greater control over head direction preferences: Passive movement of the rat in darkness (but not in light) disrupted directional firing. During both light and dark trials, the same head direction preferences were observed. A special contribution of the dorsal striatum to navigation may be to facilitate an animal’s ability to switch between navigational strategies, thereby maintaining behavioral constancy in changing environments.
Using Excel's Data Table and Chart Tools Effectively in Finance Courses

Data Table and Chart tools in Microsoft Excel provide data visualization. Incorporating Data Table and Chart into finance teaching not only helps students understand finance concepts intuitively and more efficiently, but also sharpens students’ Excel skills and thus makes them more marketable in a competitive job market. This paper demonstrates how to use Data Table and Chart effectively in various finance courses to help professors teach and students learn some key finance concepts and theories. Professors in other business disciplines are encouraged to integrate Data Table and Chart tools into other business courses.