cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of predictive models for six minute walk test among children with pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract Background Existing six minute walk distance (6MWD) prediction equations were developed using healthy children and include relatively small sample sizes. Children with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension (PH) are often small-for-age, so the existing pediatric prediction equations are likely a poor fit for children with PH. Currently, there are no equations for 6MWD among children with PH. Objectives Evaluate the validity of five existing pediatric prediction equations among the 6MWD of children with PH, including for each World Health Organization (WHO) class. Develop a validated predictive equation for use in children with PH. Methods/results The 6MWDs from 711 six minute walk tests (6MWTs) of children aged four through 18years with PH were analyzed retrospectively and were evaluated against existing pediatric prediction equations. Existing pediatric prediction equations overestimated the walk distance among our population. The predicted distances versus actual distances were significantly different for each WHO class, with higher class associated with greater difference. A new prediction equation for 6MWD among children with PH was developed and validated with 65 additional 6MWTs. Our prediction equation demonstrates higher goodness of fit for all WHO classes than the preexisting pediatric equations. Conclusions Existing prediction equations for 6MWD among healthy children are not accurate for children with PH, particularly for children with more advanced stages of the disease (WHO classes III and IV). We present a new prediction equation for children with PH (WHO classes I through IV) that provides reference for medical care and management.
Clinical risk prediction tools in patients hospitalized with heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures. Patients hospitalized with HF are at particularly high risk for mortality. The mortality rates reported for patients hospitalized with HF, although high, can vary significantly. There are a large number of individual variables that are predictive of prognosis in patients hospitalized with HF. Investigators have developed and validated clinical risk models to allow health care providers to more reliably identify HF patients at lower, intermediate, and higher risk for mortality based on admission patient characteristics, vital signs, physical examination findings, laboratory and diagnostic study results, and biomarkers. Use of clinical risk prediction tools may be helpful in triaging patients hospitalized with HF and guiding medical decision making. This article discusses the mortality predictors and risk stratification models for patients hospitalized with HF, and provides a perspective on the value of integrating these risk tools into clinical practice.
Evolutionary history and gene flow of an endemic island oak: Quercus pacifica.

Premise of the study: Understanding historical patterns of colonization and subsequent gene flow clarifies the evolutionary origins and history of endemic island species. Methods: Here we use DNA microsatellite markers to characterize the genetic structure of the island endemic species Quercus pacifica K. Nixon & C.H. Muller, found on three of the California Channel Islands, and to examine its relationship to two mainland oaks, Q. berberidifolia and Q. dumosa. Key results: We found that Q. pacifica is a genetically cohesive and differentiated evolutionary lineage, diverging from mainland scrub oaks in the Pleistocene with little subsequent introgression. Genetic differentiation of Q. pacifica among islands is small but significant. Both recent and historical gene flow was surprisingly high considering the disjunct distribution of Q. pacifica on islands separated by as much as 125 km of open ocean. Gene flow estimates were highest between the two northern islands and from the northern islands to Santa Catalina. While there is no evidence of recent bottlenecks, historical bottlenecks are indicated on each of the islands. Conclusions: The genetic cohesiveness of the Q. pacifica species suggests allopatric speciation on the islands with subsequent gene flow that has maintained genetic continuity over great distances.
p19Arf Cooperates with Shp2 in Lymphoid Leukemogenesis

Shp2 gain-of-function mutations are found in human acute lymphoblastic leukemia, as well as in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemias. Genetic data from Noonan Syndrome patients bearing mutations in PTPN11/Shp2 suggest that Shp2 mutation alone is insufficient for leukemogenesis, and other genetic alterations are required. We investigated E76K Shp2-induced leukemogenesis in p19Arf+/− and p19Arf−/− backgrounds. Wild type mice reconstituted with Arf+/− or Arf−/− bone marrow cells (BMCs) transduced with E76K Shp2 developed hematologic disease with increased incidence and severity than mice reconstituted with vector-transduced Arf+/− or Arf−/− BMCs, with E76K Shp2-transduced Arf−/− BMCs causing the most aggressive disease at the highest rate. E76K Shp2 expression in Arf+/− BMCs caused myeloproliferation consisting of mainly Mac1+Gr1+ cells associated with extramedullary hematopoiesis, but E76K Shp2 expression in Arf−/− BMCs caused a shift in disease phenotype to transplantable B220+ leukemias. Consistently, E76K Shp2 transduced Arf+/− or Arf−/− BMCs from reconstituted pre-leukemic mice showed increased proB cell populations compared to vector transduced BMCs, suggesting that the E76K Shp2 expressing proB cells are the leukemia precursors. While Shp2 is well known to confer GM-CSF hypersensitivity in methylcellulose cultures, we found that E76K Shp2 transduced BMCs were also hypersensitive to the lymphoid colony-stimulating factor IL-7, and E76K Shp2 expressing lymphoid BMCs formed colonies in the absence of exogenous growth factor. These data suggest that gain-of-function Shp2 confers transformation features to B cell precursors and that Arf deletion potentiates E76K Shp2 in lymphoid leukemogenesis.
Photovoltaic restoration of sight in rodents with retinal degeneration (Conference Presentation)

To restore vision in patients who lost their photoreceptors due to retinal degeneration, we developed a photovoltaic subretinal prosthesis which converts light into pulsed electric current, stimulating the nearby inner retinal neurons. Visual information is projected onto the retina by video goggles using pulsed near-infrared (~900nm) light. This design avoids the use of bulky electronics and wiring, thereby greatly reducing the surgical complexity. Optical activation of the photovoltaic pixels allows scaling the implants to thousands of electrodes, and multiple modules can be tiled under the retina to expand the visual field. We found that similarly to normal vision, retinal response to prosthetic stimulation exhibits flicker fusion at high frequencies (>20Hz), adaptation to static images, and non-linear summation of subunits in the receptive fields. Photovoltaic arrays with 70um pixels restored visual acuity up to a single pixel pitch, which is only two times lower than natural acuity in rats. If these results translate to human retina, such implants could restore visual acuity up to 20/250. With eye scanning and perceptual learning, human patients might even cross the 20/200 threshold of legal blindness. In collaboration with Pixium Vision, we are preparing this system (PRIMA) for a clinical trial. To further improve visual acuity, we are developing smaller pixels – down to 40um, and on 3-D interface to improve proximity to the target neurons. Scalability, ease of implantation and tiling of these wireless modules to cover a large visual field, combined with high resolution opens the door to highly functional restoration of sight.
A robust bi-orthogonal/dynamically-orthogonal method using the covariance pseudo-inverse with application to stochastic flow problems

Abstract We develop a new robust methodology for the stochastic Navier–Stokes equations based on the dynamically-orthogonal (DO) and bi-orthogonal (BO) methods [1] , [2] , [3] . Both approaches are variants of a generalized Karhunen–Loeve (KL) expansion in which both the stochastic coefficients and the spatial basis evolve according to system dynamics, hence, capturing the low-dimensional structure of the solution. The DO and BO formulations are mathematically equivalent [3] , but they exhibit computationally complimentary properties. Specifically, the BO formulation may fail due to crossing of the eigenvalues of the covariance matrix, while both BO and DO become unstable when there is a high condition number of the covariance matrix or zero eigenvalues. To this end, we combine the two methods into a robust hybrid framework and in addition we employ a pseudo-inverse technique to invert the covariance matrix. The robustness of the proposed method stems from addressing the following issues in the DO/BO formulation: (i) eigenvalue crossing: we resolve the issue of eigenvalue crossing in the BO formulation by switching to the DO near eigenvalue crossing using the equivalence theorem and switching back to BO when the distance between eigenvalues is larger than a threshold value; (ii) ill-conditioned covariance matrix: we utilize a pseudo-inverse strategy to invert the covariance matrix; (iii) adaptivity: we utilize an adaptive strategy to add/remove modes to resolve the covariance matrix up to a threshold value. In particular, we introduce a soft-threshold criterion to allow the system to adapt to the newly added/removed mode and therefore avoid repetitive and unnecessary mode addition/removal. When the total variance approaches zero, we show that the DO/BO formulation becomes equivalent to the evolution equation of the Optimally Time-Dependent modes [4] . We demonstrate the capability of the proposed methodology with several numerical examples, namely (i) stochastic Burgers equation: we analyze the performance of the method in the presence of eigenvalue crossing and zero eigenvalues; (ii) stochastic Kovasznay flow: we examine the method in the presence of a singular covariance matrix; and (iii) we examine the adaptivity of the method for an incompressible flow over a cylinder where for large stochastic forcing thirteen DO/BO modes are active.
An Eight State Study on the Relationships Among Domestic Violence Shelter Services and Residents’ Self-Efficacy and Hopefulness

Survivors of intimate partner violence have myriad reasons why they turn to domestic violence shelter programs. While all are seeking immediate safety and feel a pressing need to leave their homes to obtain it, safety is rarely the only issue survivors are grappling with upon shelter entry. Other concerns are particular to each person’s history and circumstances, and include but are not limited to employment, counseling, social support, health care, addiction recovery services, immigration help, housing, and services for their children. The current study involved secondary analysis of survey data completed at two points in time by 565 shelter residents. The original research involved 215 domestic violence programs across eight states in the U.S., and surveys were completed by shelter residents shortly after they arrived in shelter and again as they were close to exiting. Results confirmed that survivors had numerous needs in addition to safety when entering shelter. Residents’ overall rating of how helpful their stay at shelter had been for them was predicted by how much help they had received across their presenting needs, as well as how they were treated by staff. The amount of help received, as well as treatment by staff, also related to survivors’ hopefulness at shelter exit, as well as the extent to which they felt better able to do things on their own. The study findings provide further evidence that domestic violence shelter staff assist residents with a variety of complex needs in addition to safety, and that this assistance is related to positive outcomes for survivors.
Guías para la Responsabilidad Social en las PyMEs:Efectividad de herramientas de autoevaluación .

Este articulo analiza las herramientas de autoevaluacion sobre RSE para PyMEs, que en general tienen el objetivo de identificar brechas en las practicas responsables respecto a algun ideal, explicito o implicito, y en consecuencia estimular acciones para sus mejora. A efectos de analizar su efectividad se estudian las caracteristicas y el contenido de once herramientas producidas por diferentes instituciones en America Latina, Espana y por organismos multilaterales, se tipifica su contenido, se evalua su idoneidad para las PyMEs y se sacan conclusiones sobre su efectividad en la adopcion de practicas responsables. Tambien discute los riesgos de adoptar un esquema de plantilla uniforme y aconsejar, implicita o explicitamente, a las empresas que tengan practicas responsables en todas las areas, lo que puede conducir a limitar la efectividad de las herramientas.
Physical-Chemical Methods for the Detection of the Effect of Mutagens on DNA*

Mutation is a hereditible change in the DNA of an organism. All mutagens must therefore alter the structure of DNA either directly or indirectly. However, there are imposing barriers to the study of the mutagenic effectiveness of particular compounds by determination of the physical changes they produce in DNA. The major problem comes from the amplification factor inherent in gene action. The DNA of an organism such as the bacterium Escherichia coli, with a total molecular weight of about 4.7 × 109, will contain about 1.6 × 107 nucleotides (McQuillen, 1965). A change in any one of these nucleotides may produce a recognizable mutation. Yet most standard chemical methods are unable to detect changes of one part per thousand, let alone one per 20,000,000. Furthermore, the mutagenic reaction is not necessarily the only, or even the major, change produced by reaction of DNA with a mutagen. For example, nitrous acid deaminates bases (Schuster, 1960) and should lead to transition mutations, but it also produces crosslinks (Becker et al., 1964) by an unknown mechanism and leads to large deletions of genetic material (Tessman, 1962). In many cases, the putative mutagen may not even be the actual one and the compound may be transformed in vivo into the actual mutagen (Legator et al., 1969; Leahy et al., 1967; Kojima and Ichibagase, 1966). In such cases, in vitro mixture of the original, nontransformed compound and DNA will give no meaningful result.
Translation of Pro-Angiogenic and Anti-Angiogenic Therapies into Clinical Use

Angiogenesis is a central physiological process that establishes blood supply and oxygen supply to tissues, thereby enabling the growth and maintenance of nascent bodily structures. Angiogenic signals function throughout the lifecycle to ensure perfusion, proliferation, and preservation of cells, tissues, and organs. During embryonic development, angiogenesis is absolutely critical; the generation of blood vessels is crucial to the formation of every organ. In adulthood, angiogenesis is necessary for wound healing, as well as recovery from ischemic insults; in such cases, it is beneficial to promote angiogenesis. However, angiogenesis is undesirable and pathological in the context of cancerous tumors, as well as diabetic retinopathy; in these cases, it is preferable to halt angiogenesis. Thus, pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic signals must operate in balance to assure physiological health. This chapter reviews current knowledge regarding biochemical regulators of angiogenesis, and highlights molecular targets of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic therapies. The chapter additionally discusses current progress in translating both pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic therapeutics into clinical usage, and identifies potential barriers to the clinical introduction of such therapeutics. Finally, the chapter suggests future basic research and clinical research priorities for tailoring angiogenesis to address patient needs.
Testing of Algorithms for Coordinate Measuring Machines

In order to obtain the final results of an inspection performed on a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) it is necessary to analyze the data using mathematical algorithms. The most common type are the least-squares algorithms, but for many inspection tasks other algorithmic choices, such as mini-max, are more appropriate [1]. As part of a program to develop sampling strategies for the measurement of mechanical parts, we have been developing and testing least-squares, mini-max algorithms, and other algorithms over the past year. In this paper we will discuss our results to date.
Theoretical Models to Explain the Variable 21 cm Absorption Spectrum in AO 0235+164

The variability of the highly redshifted 21 cm absorption spectrum in AO 0235+164 presents us with two essential facts. First, rapid changes occur in the line depths of foreground clouds with redshift z≃0.524. Second, the background radio source is among the most violently variable objects known. Thus it is reasonable to suppose that changes in the lines stem from activity in the background BL Lac object. The question is how?
The Influence of Surface Structure on Mechanisms of Stimulated Desorption

There have been many studies of the mechanisms of stimulated desorption and of the influence of surface structure, however few investigations have considered their simultaneous interplay. Our recent studies of stimulated desorption from TiO2 surfaces have shown that there is a significant interaction between both of these aspects.
Hematologic Advances in Trauma Resuscitation

A significant hematologic challenge in trauma patients is the treatment of hemorrhage and hemorrhagic shock. Trauma patients with major hemorrhage have a 25% mortality in the most recent studies. Hemorrhagic shock is the leading cause of preventable mortality in both military and civilian trauma. Trauma-induced coagulopathy occurs early after injury and results in increased hemorrhage and increased mortality. We have a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying trauma-induced coagulopathy, with hypoperfusion and increased injury severity inducing protein C activation and hyperfibrinolysis. Both hyperfibrinolysis and fibrinolysis shutdown are associated with increased mortality in trauma. We have achieved significant advances in trauma resuscitation, with the use of guideline-based recommendations for damage control resuscitation using early fixed-ratio 1:1:1 or 1:1:2 blood component ratios, early prompt hemorrhage control, massive transfusion protocols, and viscoelastic testing to guide further trauma resuscitation. We still have significant challenges related to which patients benefit from tranexamic acid administration and the need for additional studies to gain full mechanistic understanding of trauma-induced coagulopathy.
Novel Laser Beam Shaping and Mode Control with Diffractive Optical Elements

Diffractive optical elements are shown in this review paper to provide additional flexibility in laser resonator design. Diffractive end mirrors allow the designer to tailor the mode profile of the laser. Additional intracavity diffractive elements increase the discrimination against higher-order modes. Experimental results are shown for Nd:YAG lasers and wide-stripe diode lasers.
Unusual dynamics of the divergent malaria parasite PfAct1 actin filament.

Gliding motility and host cell invasion by the apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), the causative agent of malaria, is powered by a macromolecular complex called the glideosome that lies between the parasite plasma membrane and the inner membrane complex. The glideosome core consists of a single-headed class XIV myosin PfMyoA and a divergent actin PfAct1. Here we use total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to visualize growth of individual unstabilized PfAct1 filaments as a function of time, an approach not previously used with this actin isoform. Although PfAct1 was thought to be incapable of forming long filaments, filaments grew as long as 30 µm. Polymerization occurs via a nucleation–elongation mechanism, but with an ∼4 µM critical concentration, an order-of-magnitude higher than for skeletal actin. Protomers disassembled from both the barbed and pointed ends of the actin filament with similar fast kinetics of 10 to 15 subunits/s. Rapid treadmilling, where the barbed end of the filament grows and the pointed end shrinks while maintaining an approximately constant filament length, was visualized near the critical concentration. Once ATP has been hydrolyzed to ADP, the filament becomes very unstable, resulting in total dissolution in
Rheological and aging characteristics of the recycled asphalt binders with different rejuvenator incorporation methods

Abstract With the ever-increasing awareness for sustainability, the utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) in asphalt paving has become more and more popular in recent years. To restore the rheological and other properties of aged binders, rejuvenators are commonly used during the asphalt mixtures production containing RAP and/or RAS. The conventional rejuvenation incorporation method is to blend the rejuvenators with virgin binder first, followed by mixing with other recycled materials. This paper presents a laboratory study on asphalt binder with a different rejuvenator application procedure, which blends the rejuvenators with the recycled materials first and then incorporates the blends with the virgin binder afterwards. Rheological and aging properties of asphalt binders blended with different procedures were analyzed through the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) tests. Compared to the conventional method, it was revealed that the method by blending the rejuvenators with the recycled materials first significantly improved the workability of the binder blends during mixing. The new method resulted in a different rheological property and caused less aging effect for the asphalt binder blends in the short-term aging. However, for the long-term aging, the two incorporation methods exhibited similar aging effects on the binder blends.
Data integration through heterogeneous ensembles for protein function prediction

Several data integration strategies have been developed to leverage the inherent diversity and complementarity of multi-modal datasets to build comprehensive predictive models about the biomedical processes and/or entities being studied. Here, we propose an effective approach, named Ensemble Integration (EI), to data integration and predictive modeling that assimilates local models inferred from these datasets into heterogenous ensembles. Through the sample challenging problem of protein function prediction, we demonstrate that EI performs better for this task than some other forms of data integration.
Assessment of Proton-Coupled Conformational Dynamics of SARS and MERS Coronavirus Papain-like Proteases: Implication for Designing Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Inhibitors

Broad-spectrum antiviral drugs are urgently needed to stop the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic and prevent future ones. The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is related to the SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which have caused the previous outbreaks. The papain-like protease (PLpro) is an attractive drug target due to its essential roles in the viral life cycle. As a cysteine protease, PLpro is rich in cysteines and histidines, and their protonation/deprotonation modulates catalysis and conformational plasticity. Here, we report the pKa calculations and assessment of the proton-coupled conformational dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV PLpros using the recently developed graphical processing unit (GPU)-accelerated implicit-solvent continuous constant pH molecular dynamics method with a new asynchronous replica-exchange scheme, which allows computation on a single GPU card. The calculated pKa's support the catalytic roles of the Cys-His-Asp triad. We also found that several residues can switch protonation states at physiological pH among which is C270/271 located on the flexible blocking loop 2 (BL2) of SARS-CoV-2/CoV PLpro. Simulations revealed that the BL2 can open and close depending on the protonation state of C271/270, consistent with the most recent crystal structure evidence. Interestingly, despite the lack of an analogous cysteine, BL2 in MERS-CoV PLpro is also very flexible, challenging a current hypothesis. These findings are supported by the all-atom fixed-charge simulations and provide a starting point for more detailed studies to assist the structure-based design of broad-spectrum inhibitors against CoV PLpros.
Reprogramming to help the old see like the young

Transcription factors associated with pluripotency restore molecular and functional characteristics resembling youth in aged mouse retinal ganglion cells.
Poverty in Mexico: The Effects of Adjusting Survey Data for Under-Reporting

This paper estimates changes in poverty in Mexico between 1984 and 1989. Poverty is estimated using uncorrected data from the household surveys and estimation is repeated after the data is adjusted for under-reporting using National Accounts totals as benchmarks. The paper illustrates the sensitivity of poverty estimates in Mexico both to the adjustment itself and the specific procedure used to adjust the survey data for under-reporting. Until more information is available on the distribution of under-reporting it will not be possible to give a final verdict on the order of magnitude of the rise in poverty.
INFLUENCE OF MOLD WEAR ON THE FORMATION OF INTERNAL CRACK AND BULGING IN CONTINUOUS CASTING STEEL BILLET

The influences of mold wear on the formation of bulging and internal cracks in the continuous casting billets were investigated by the finite element coupled mathematical model of solidification and stress. The simulation results indicate that the air gap between the mold wall and shell is firstly formed at the billet corner, and extends to the billet center with the largest thickness of air gap at the top of corner. When the mold is severely worn, a hot spot region is formed at the off-corner of billet that corresponds to the thinnest shell thickness. Meanwhile a bulging is formed at the lower part of the mold, which is not originated from the billet corner but from the hot spot region at the off-corner. Moreover the solidifying front at the billet diagonal near the hot spot region is subject to an excessive mechanical strain, which give rise to an internal crack. The calculating results proved that the severe mold wear is one of the important causes of inducing the bulging, internal crack and even the breakouts. The results verify that the internal crack at the billet off-corner is initially originated from the billet diagonal, and extends to the two weakest regions-the hot spot region at the subsurface and the solidifying front.
The nineteenth-century US whaling industry: Where is the risk premium? New materials facilitate updated view

Materials that were born digital, and printed materials that have been digitized, have aided an updated examination of nineteenth-century US whaling voyages’ financial returns. Items included the American Offshore Whaling Voyages dataset from whalinghistory.org, The Whalemen’s Shipping List and Merchant’s Transcript, a congressman’s speech and a state’s census reports. These works and others, with analysis, showed that for the 11,257 analysable voyages ending in the 1800s, the mean return was 4.7% and 4.6% for whaling and US government bonds, respectively. Ideally, this work will place the nineteenth-century US whaling industry returns in context of other investments.
Pilot Comparison of 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 and 18F-FDG PET in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer

1004 Purpose: A new cystine knot PET tracer, 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2, has been shown to selectively bind to human integrin αvβ6. This integrin cell surface receptor is over-expressed in pancreatic cancer, as well as other cancers. Here, we compared the tumor uptake of 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 with 18F-FDG in patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods: Seven patients (1 man, 6 women) with histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer were prospectively enrolled between March 2017 and November 2019. All patients underwent an 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 PET/CT scan and 18F-FDG PET/CT scan within 3 weeks of each other. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax), mean SUV (SUVmean), and tumor-to-normal tissue (T/N) ratios of known or suspected cancer lesions detected by both 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 and 18F-FDG PET were compared on a per-lesion based analysis. Results: 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 PET detected known pancreatic tumors in all 7 patients. Of the four patients with lymph node metastases confirmed by surgery (n = 1) or suspected by contrast-enhanced CT (n = 3), each PET scan detected lymph node metastases in three patients but failed to detect them in one different patient. Compared with 18F-FDG, 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 had significantly higher T/N ratios in liver metastases (n = 27, 4.3 ± 1.4 vs. 1.5 ± 0.3, P 0.30). In two patients with lung metastases without significant 18F-FDG uptake, 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 showed significant uptake, although T/N ratios could not be compared due to small sample size. There was weak correlation between uptake values from 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 and 18F-FDG (ρ = 0.40 & ρ = 0.30 for SUVmax and SUVmean, respectively). Conclusions: Staging of pancreatic cancer with 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 PET is feasible. 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 PET was superior to 18F-FDG PET in detecting lung and liver metastases and had a higher lesion conspicuity (T/N ratio) for liver metastases. The weak correlation between 18F-FP-R01-MG-F2 and 18F-FDG uptake suggests that the biological information provided by each PET tracer is different.
The Role of Major Depressive Disorder and its Moderating Effect on the Impact of Exposure to Violence for Predicting Recidivism among Juvenile Offenders: A Survival Analysis Approach:

Past research has indicated that Major Depressive Disorder and exposure to violence are risk factors for offending. However, researchers have yet to examine how this disorder may predict recidivism...
Ankle distraction arthroplasty (ADA): A brief review and technical pearls

Abstract Ankle distraction arthroplasty (ADA) is a procedure based on the concept that mechanical unloading of an arthritic joint will initiate a healing response in the subchondral bone and articular cartilage. ADA utilizes the patient's own healing response, preserves joint motion, and is a great option for patients with osteoarthritis who are not ready for prosthetic arthroplasty or fusion. The procedure is well described and technically simple and adjunctive biologic therapies are exciting for joint regeneration. Complications are minor, and more serious adverse events are avoidable. Supramalleolar osteotomy pairs well with ankle distraction but requires some analysis and planning.
Annotation by Transformation for the Automatic Generation of Content Customization Metadata

Users are increasingly accessing the Internet from mobile devices as well as conventional desktop computers. However, it is not reasonable to expect content authors to create different data presentations for each device type, but the content source should be reused across multiple delivery contexts whenever possible. The objective of this research is to develop a supporting tool for the presentation customization that follows after the content specialization in device-independent authoring. This paper presents a tool that automatically generates content customization metadata onthe basis of users' editing operations toward the desired results of the customization. A prototype of the metadata generator was developed for the generation of page-clipping annotations to be used for an annotation-based transcoding system.
Growth phase-dependent transcription of the genes that encode the two methyl coenzyme M reductase isoenzymes and N5-methyltetrahydromethanopterin:coenzyme M methyltransferase in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum delta H.

The genes encoding the two isoenzymes of methyl coenzyme M reductase (MRI and MRII) in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum delta H have been cloned and sequenced. The MRI-encoding mcr operon (mcrBDCGA) has been located immediately upstream from the mtr operon (mtrEDCBA) that encodes N5-methyltetrahydromethanopterin:coenzyme M methyltransferase, the enzyme that catalyzes the step preceding the MR-catalyzed reaction in methanogenesis. The MRII-encoding mrt operon (mrtBDGA) has been located between the operon that encodes the methyl viologen-reducing hydrogenase and an open reading frame (designated pyrC) predicted to encode dihydroorotase. Surprisingly, the mrt operon has been found to contain only four genes (mrtBDGA), lacking the equivalent of the mcrC gene that is present in all mcr operons. A protocol that isolates transcripts intact from M. thermoautotrophicum delta H cells has been developed and used, with primer extension and Northern (RNA) blot procedures, to identify the sites of transcription initiation upstream of the mcr, mrt, and mtr operons and to determine the relative numbers of these transcripts in cells at different growth stages. Transcription of the mrt operon was found to occur only at early times in batch cultures and was then replaced by transcription of the mcr operon. Transcripts of the mtr operon were detectable at all times; however, at early times, all mtr transcripts were initiated at the mtr promoter, whereas at later times, during mcr transcription, approximately 3% of mcr transcripts were extended to generate mcr plus mtr transcripts that constituted approximately 20% of all mtr transcripts present. Images
A Stable Paradigm: Revisiting Capacity, Vulnerability and the Rights Claims of Adolescents after Roper v. Simmons

This chapter examines the Supreme Court’s decision in Roper v. Simmons in which the Court considered the death penalty as applied to crimes committed by a person under the age of 18. I provide a brief summary of the scientific information that was presented to the Court in Roper, and review the dominant schools of thoughts about the relationship between capacity and children’s legal rights. Finally, I argue that the scientific validation of cultural perceptions regarding the vulnerability of adolescents does not undermine but is completely consistent with theories supporting constitutional rights for minors. This scientific validation supports both increased voice and empowerment for teenagers and procedural protections that account for their developmental limitations.
What Explains the Increasing Trend in African Emigration to the U.S.

In this study, data from the U.S. State Department on visas issued abroad and information from other sources are used to examine trends in African emigration to the U.S. The results suggest that, on average, moderate increases in African Gross Domestic Product between 1992 and 2007 had a buffering effect on emigration trends. Yet, emigration to the U.S. increased much faster from the poorest than wealthiest countries in Africa. Contrary to expectations, larger emigration increases were found in Africa's non-English than English-speaking countries. Despite the increasing overall trend, however, critical differences were observed in the impacts of specific types of flows. For example, overall trends were driven by increases in Diversity Visa migration, refugee movements, and the migration of immediate relatives. However, significant declines were observed in employment-related emigration from Africa to the U.S. The results further suggest that impact of trends in African fertility, urbanization, and phone use are circumscribed to specific contexts and types of migration flows. The findings, therefore, provide an empirical basis for concluding that the dynamics of African migration to the U.S. are becoming increasingly more complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Publisher Summary Models for exploring a consumer’s rational assessment of product qualities leading to product purchase are complemented with models for exploring the effects of the broadly defined shopping environment on hedonic aspects of experience and consumer behaviors beyond product purchase. The shopping experience entails consumer processes and responses affected by aspects of the shopping environment, situation, and consumer characteristics. This chapter explores shopping experience. It presents two models and a typology that capture variables explaining the current nature of the shopping experience, to give order to the expansive topic, accompanied by examples of empirical research. It emphasizes research regarding the brick-and-mortar retail shopping experience and weaves in examples of literature addressing other retail venues. It also discusses emergent marketing trends transforming the shopping experience. Much of the research regarding consumption experience during the 1970s was grounded in the information-processing approach that regarded the consumer to be a logical thinker who aimed to purchase the best product from available product choices. Based on this approach, the consumer is envisioned to be a goal-directed problem solver who searches for product-related information, weighs evidence, and arrives at a carefully considered evaluation leading to a purchase decision. In contrast to the information-processing approach, some consumption experiences are better explained by an experiential approach. This approach posits that an interaction with the product, service, and/or shopping environment can be intrinsically satisfying, or satisfying for its own sake. Information search activity during the shopping experience has more to do with providing sensory or cognitive stimulation and satisfying curiosity than determining a product’s potential for utilitarian functionality.
Convergence properties of SOFM algorithm for vector quantization

In this paper, we present new results to the literature on convergence properties of the self-organizing feature map (SOFM) as a multi-dimensional vector quantizer using Robbins-Monro stochastic approximation principle. It is shown that the weights of the SOFM algorithm converge almost truly to the centroids of the cells of a Voronoi partition of the input space if the neighborhood function satisfies some reasonable conditions. The range of neighborhood functions in the SOFM algorithm is interpreted as a control parameter for an annealing process. Computer simulations were performed to demonstrate the convergence properties of the SOFM.
Spatial and temporal variations of microbial community in a mixed plug-flow loop reactor fed with dairy manure

Mixed plug-flow loop reactor (MPFLR) has been widely adopted by the US dairy farms to convert cattle manure to biogas. However, the microbiome in MPFLR digesters remains unexplored. In this study, the microbiome in a MPFLR digester operated on a mega-dairy farm was examined thrice over a 2 month period. Within 23 days of retention time, 55-70% of total manure solid was digested. Except for a few minor volatile fatty acids (VFAs), total VFA concentration and pH remained similar along the course of the digester and over time. Metagenomic analysis showed that although with some temporal variations, the bacterial community was rather stable spatially in the digester. The methanogenic community was also stable both spatially and temporally in the digester. Among methanogens, genus Methanosaeta dominated in the digester. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis and metagenomic analysis yielded different relative abundance of individual genera of methanogens, especially for Methanobacterium, which was predominant based on qPCR analysis but undetectable by metagenomics. Collectively, the results showed that only small microbial and chemical gradients existed within the digester, and the digestion process occurred similarly throughout the MPFLR digester. The findings of this study may help improve the operation and design of this type of manure digesters.
Four Cornerstones of Calibration Research: Why Understanding Students' Judgments Can Improve Their Achievement

Abstract The target articles make significant advances in our understanding of students' judgments of their cognitive processes and products. In general, the advances are relative to a subset of common themes, which we call the four cornerstones of research on metacognitive judgments. We discuss how the target articles build on these cornerstones (judgment bases, judgment accuracy, judgment reliability, and control) and how they are relevant to improving student achievement.
Calculating servo transient response

THE methods of calculating the closed-loop frequency response of a linear control system are well known and straightforward. To calculate the transient response to a step input, which in some cases may be more important, is more difficult. There is need for a simple fast method of calculating the step transient response (preferably from the frequency response) for analytic purposes, and also for gaining insight into design for a specified step response.
Transition Metal Ion Mediated C-H and C-C Bond Activation of Alkanes: Dynamical Coupling between Entrance and Exit Channel Transition States

The exothermic dihydrogen and methane loss channels for Co + reacting with propane, propane-2-d 1 , propane-2,2-d 2 , propane-1,1,1-d 3 , propane-1,1,1,3,3,3-d 6 , and propane-d 8 are examined. Measurements of the Co + /C 3 H 8 system with a guided ion beam apparatus yield a total cross section that is 13% of the Langevin collision cross section, with H 2 loss favored over CH 4 loss by a factor of 2.4. For Co + reacting with C 3 D 8 , the total cross section decreases by a factor of 2.8 relative to C 3 H 8 , but the branching ratio is unchanged
Contribution to the system tin-lead-arsenic

Abstract The lead-rich portion of the SnPbAs phase diagram has been investigated by thermal analysis, metallographic, and X-ray procedures. A ternary eutectic freezes at 290 ± 0.5 °C. It consists of lead, arsenic, and tin arsenide in the following proportions by weight: 97.2% Pb, 2.5% As, and 0.3% SnAs. Polythermic diagrams are presented for the high-Pb portion of the SnAsPbAs pseudoternary system and for the SnPbAs ternary.
Frequency of Stuttering Following Repeated Unison Readings

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the decrease in stuttering which usually accompanies repeated oral readings of a passage (adaptation effect) requires the occurrence of stuttering...
Preparation of radioactive iodinated serum albumin.

SummaryA rapid procedure for the preparation of radioactive iodinated human serum albumin suitable for injection for dilution studies has been described. This technic used ion exchange resins instead of dialysis for the removal of free inorganic iodide.
Using Assistive Technology for Literacy Development

Twenty years ago, Computers, Education, and Special Needs (Goldenberg et al., 1984) served to alert educators that computers could help special needs students communicate, access information, and l...
Influence of α-dl-tocopherol on fungal lipid composition

The addition of α-dl-tocopherol to growing cultures of the fungus Glomerella cingulata increased triacylglycerol content 50% or more but decreased the synthesis of triacylglycerols approximately 16-fold; moreover, α-tocopherol treated cultures had 10% to 85% less malonaldehyde than control cultures. These results suggest that α-tocopherol caused increased triacylglycerol content by decreasing triacylglycerol breakdown. In contrast, phosphoglyceride content and synthesis remained virtually unchanged by the addition of α-tocopherol. In both classes of glycerolipid, treatment with α-tocopherol led to increased ratios of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids; but, α-tocopherol treatment led to an increase in the number of double bonds per mole of fatty acid in the triacylglycerols and to a decrease in the number of double bonds per mole of fatty acid in the phosphoglycerides. We infer that, through deacylation-reacylation reactions, the triacylglycerols of treated cultures supplied the phosphoglycerides with relatively saturated fatty acids and that the triacylglycerols also were used for storage of relatively unsaturated fatty acids derived from the phosphoglycerides. Our results suggest that α-tocopherol can be used to produce predictable shifts in the fatty acid composition of fungal phosphoglycerides. Such shifts can be useful tools in attempting to understand how changes in the fatty acid composition of phospholipids influence the physical properties and functions of cellular membranes.
The contribution of dietary purine over-consumption to hyperpuricosuria in calcium oxalate stone formers.

Abstract Excessive urine uric acid excretion appears to play a causal role in calcium oxalate stone formation and excessive purine intake is a major factor producing hyperuricosuria. We have studied spontaneous dietary purine intake in 10 hyperuricosuric men with recurrent calcium oxalate renal stones in order to define the basis for their purine over-consumption and the precise relationship that exists between purine intake and urine uric acid excretion. Diet diaries, kept by patients, were used to assess purine intake. The stone patients consumed more purine than five matched control subjects eating isocaloric diets. Steak, poultry and roast beef were the main sources of surplus purine. Urine uric acid excretion was linearly related to purine intake in both normal subjects and patients, and uric acid excretion on a purine-free diet predicted by the linear regression equation derived from diet diaries corresponded well with measured values, an observation confirming the accuracy of the dietary measurements employed. Stone patients who excreted normal amounts of uric acid on a purine-free diet displayed a relationship between uric acid excretion and dietary purine intake indistinguishable from normal.
Generation of Over-Dispersed and Under-Dispersed Binomial Variates

Abstract This article proposes an algorithm for generating over-dispersed and under-dispersed binomial variates with specified mean and variance. The over-dispersed/under-dispersed distributions are derived from correlated binary variables with an underlying continuous multivariate distribution. Different multivariate distributions or different correlation matrices result in different over-dispersed (or under-dispersed) distributions. The over-dispersed binomial distributions that are generated from three different correlation matrices of a multivariate normal are compared with the beta-binomial distribution for various mean and over-dispersion parameters by quantile-quantile (Q-Q) plots. The two distributions appear to be similar. The under-dispersed binomial distribution is simulated to model an example data set that exhibits under-dispersed binomial variation.