cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design, Development, and Validation of Learning Objects

A learning object is a small, stand-alone, mediated content resource that can be reused in multiple instructional contexts. In this article, we describe our approach to design, develop, and validate Shareable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) compliant learning objects for undergraduate computer science education. We discuss the advantages of a learning object approach, including positive student response and achievement, extension to other settings and populations, and benefits to the instructor and developers. Results confirm our belief that the use of modular, Web-based learning objects can be used successfully for independent learning and are a viable option for distance delivery of course components.
Use of nomograms to predict the risk of disease recurrence after definitive local therapy for prostate cancer

The generally indolent nature of prostate cancer, as well as the impact that treatment can have on quality of life (QOL) and cancer control, makes the decision analysis difficult for patients facing the task of selecting a treatment for clinically localized disease. Instruments to aid patients and their physicians in this decision analysis are needed. Nomograms are instruments that predict outcomes using specific clinical parameters. Nomograms use algorithms that incorporate several variables to calculate the predicted probability that a patient will achieve a particular clinical end point. Nomograms tend to outperform both clinical experts and predictive models using methods of risk grouping. We briefly outline the uses and limitations of nomograms, principles of nomogram construction, and the available models for predicting the progression-free probability after local definitive therapy with radical prostatectomy, external-beam radiotherapy, or brachytherapy. There is a need for additional nomograms that predict outcomes after salvage therapy, as well other clinical end points, including QOL-adjusted survival.
SPA1, a WD-repeat protein specific to phytochrome A signal transduction.

The five members of the phytochrome photoreceptor family ofArabidopsis thaliana control morphogenesis differentially in response to light. Genetic analysis has identified a signaling pathway that is specifically activated by phytochrome A. A component in this pathway, SPA1 (for “suppressor of phyA-105”), functions in repression of photomorphogenesis and is required for normal photosensory specificity of phytochrome A. Molecular cloning of theSPA1 gene indicates that SPA1 is a WD (tryptophan–aspartic acid)-repeat protein that also shares sequence similarity with protein kinases. SPA1 can localize to the nucleus, suggesting a possible function in phytochrome A–specific regulation of gene expression.
Taxes as a Determinant of Managerial Compensation in Privately Held Insurance Companies

This study empirically investigates how taxes affect managerial compensation for a sample of privately held insurers whose managers own a large percentage of the firm's stock (I refer to these as management‐owned insurers) during 1989–1996. Shareholder/managers receive two types of income from the firm they own: compensation income as employees, and investment income as shareholders. Although compensation income is taxable to employees and deductible by employers, investment income is subject to double taxation. Thus, the mix of the two is an important tax‐planning decision for management‐owned insurers. I predict and find that as individual tax rates increased relative to corporate tax rates from 1989–1992 to 1993–1996, shareholder/managers paid themselves less tax‐deductible compensation relative to a control sample of nonmanagement‐owned insurers (i.e., privately held insurers with no managerial ownership). The study's results expand our understanding of management‐owned, privately held firms' tax‐plan...
Receptor-directed focusing of lymphokine release by helper T cells.

The interaction between helper T cells and B cells, leading to the production of antibody to thymus-dependent antigens, was the first cell interaction clearly defined in the immune system1–3; it remains both paradigmatic and controversial. Two requirements of this interaction, that the helper cell (TH) and the B cell must recognize antigenic determinants that are physically linked4,5, and that the TH and the B cell must share genes encoding major histocompati-bility complex (MHC) class II molecules6, led to the concept that TH–B interaction required an intimate physical association of the two cell types. But in vitro studies have shown that TH can be replaced by soluble, antigen-nonspecific factors, capable of activating any B cell to secrete antibody7,8. We have previously proposed that the requirements for TH–B contact might result from TH cells releasing their lymphokines in a polar fashion directed at that portion of the cell membrane where T-cell receptor cross-linking is actually occurring9–16. Using an artificial monolayer of a cloned helper T-cell line, we show that lymphokines are r eleased preferentially over the area of receptor cross-linking under conditions of limited TH-cell activation. Thus, it appears that one important aspect of the specificity of TH–B cell interactions is the receptor-directed polar release of helper lymphokines.
AUTOMOBILE REAR LIGHTS: EFFECTS OF THE NUMBER, MOUNTING HEIGHT, AND LATERAL POSITION ON REACTION TIMES OF FOLLOWING DRIVERS

Summary.-The efficiency of 22 configurations of brake lights in actual traffic was tested in a daytime experiment by measuring reaction times of following drivers to brake signals. Analysis showed that adding supplemental (including high-mounted) lamps to conventional two-lamp configurations did not shorten reaction times. Other findings indicate that the lateral position of rhe lamps, the following distance, as well as the sex (6 men, 6 women) and age ( 19-31 yr. vs 63-71 yr.) of the 12 drivers had significant effects on reaction rimes, while the mounting height of the lamps did not. Recent automobile-accident studies suggest that a supplemental, centered, high-mounted brake light might help in reducing rear-end accidents( Malone, Kirkpatrick, Kohl, & Baker, 1978; Reilly, Kurke, & Buckenmaier, 1980). The present study was designed to gain some understanding of the processes underlying the potential benefit of high-mounted brake lights. Specifically, this study parametrically evaluated the effects of lamp height and lateral position, number of lamps, and following distance on the reaction times of following drivers. METHOD Brake-light Con f igwationr
Molecular basis for potentiation of bleomycin-mediated degradation of DNA by polyamines. Experimental and molecular mechanical studies.

The bleomycin-mediated degradation of DNA is stimulated (amplified) by certain DNA binding compounds, such as polyamines, that distort the double helix. Computer modelling studies suggest that putrescine (1), spermidine (2), and spermine (3) bind preferentially on the floor of the major groove of (dGdC)5.(dGdC)5. This interaction results in a bend of the oligomer helix toward the major groove and enlargement of the minor groove, both effects being in the order 1 less than 2 less than 3. These polyamine-induced distortions, as obtained from theoretical studies, parallel the experimental values of the amplification activities of 1-3 in the bleomycin-mediated degradation of poly(dGdC).poly(dGdC). The amplification mechanism of non-competitive binding of amplifier molecules in the major groove, and bleomycin in the minor groove, is proposed. It is suggested that the amplifier-induced conformational changes of the DNA helix increase affinity of the activated bleomycin complex toward the DNA minor groove and, consequently, result in an increased efficiency of the bleomycin-mediated degradation of the helix.
Geographic distribution of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus soft tissue infections

Abstract Purpose The goal of this study is to look at the geographic growth patterns of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in our local region and to determine if specific geographic areas are at increased risk. Methods After Institution Review Board approval (132603-3), a retrospective chart review was conducted of 614 patients who underwent incision and drainage of an abscess by a single pediatric surgical practice from January 2004 to December 2008. In addition, previously published data from 195 patients who underwent incision and drainage of an abscess from January 2000 to December 2003 were reviewed. Results The most commonly cultured organism found in the pediatric population undergoing incision and drainage was S aureus (n = 388), of which 258 (66%) were methicillin resistant. This is a 21% increase from the rate of MRSA cultures identified from 2000 to 2003. Geographic information system space-time analysis showed that a cluster of 14 MRSA cases was located within a 1.44-km radius between 2000 and 2003, and 5 separate clusters of more than 20 MRSA infection cases each were identified in 3 separate cities over the 8-year time span using geographic information system spatial analysis ( P value=.001). Conclusion Methicillin-resistant S aureus has now become the most prevalent organism isolated from cultures of community-acquired abscesses requiring incision and drainage in the pediatric population in our local region. Significant clustering of MRSA infections has appeared in several different cities within our geographic region.
Effect of Emulphor, an Emulsifier, on the Pharmacokinetics and Hepatotoxicity of Oral Carbon Tetrachloride in the Rat,

Abstract Emulphor, a polyethoxylated vegetable oil, is now being used widely to incorporate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other lipophilic compounds into aqueous solutions for biochemical, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological studies. Previous work in this laboratory demonstrated that 0.25% Emulphor did not alter the kinetics or hepatotoxicity of low doses of CCl 4 compared to when the halocarbon was given to rats orally in water. The present study was undertaken as there was concern that higher concentrations of Emulphor (necessary to maintain lipophilic VOCs in stable aqueous emulsions for extended periods) might alter the VOCs’ absorption, disposition, and/or toxicity. Dosages of 10 and 180 mg CCl 4 /kg bw were given, as an aqueous emulsion using 1, 2.5, 5, or 10% Emulphor, by gavage to fasted male Sprague–Dawley rats. Serial microsamples of blood were collected from an indwelling cannula in unanesthetized, freely moving rats at intervals of 2–60 min for up to 12 hr. The samples’ CCl 4 content was measured by headspace gas chromatography. Thereby, it was possible to obtain blood CCl 4 concentration-versus-time profiles. Animals were euthanized 24 hr postdosing and blood was collected for measurement of serum enzymes as indices of hepatotoxicity. No toxicologically significant differences in pharmacokinetic parameters as a function of Emulphor concentration were found. Similarly the hepatotoxic potency of 10 and 180 mg/kg CCl 4 , as reflected by elevation in serum enzyme activities, did not vary significantly with the concentration of Emulphor utilized. Hence, it can be concluded that Emulphor, in concentrations as high as 10% (equivalent to 260 mg Emulphor/kg bw) in aqueous emulsions, does not significantly affect the absorption, disposition, or acute hepatotoxicity of CCl 4 in male Sprague–Dawley rats.
“What Do We Know about Elementary Social Studies?”: Novice Secondary Teacher Educators on Learning to Teach Elementary Social Studies Methods

This collaborative self-study examines the critical friendship of two doctoral students charged with teaching a methods course in elementary social studies. The authors formed a critical friendship in Fall 2010, initiated by participation in a teacher educator community of practice that encouraged collaboration. With limited experience in elementary education, the authors created a space to investigate the limitations and opportunities in teaching a course outside their educational expertise. The result was a space of support in three forms: pedagogical, affective, and intellectual. Pedagogical support was provided through the process of curriculum development and the sharing of classroom strategies, affective support resulted from the validation of feelings related to status and time, and intellectual support allowed the authors to uncover personal philosophies for teaching elementary social studies and to analyze how program structures influenced their instruction. Findings suggest that novice teacher e...
Synthesis of possible metabolites of chlorpromazine. II. 3-, 8- and 9-hydroxychlorpromazine†‡

The title compounds have been prepared as analytical standards for the identification of chlorpromazine metabolites in biological materials. Unequivocal structural proof of key compounds was accomplished by using at least two unrelated syntheses for each one. Resistance of some phenothiazines to preparation via classic Smiles rearrangement is discussed. More examples are offered of halogen-induced Smiles rearrangement. A rare example of phenothiazine polymorphism is presented.
Variable voltage set point control of tap changers in distribution grids

This paper discusses changing requirements for tap changer controllers in distribution grids with high penetration of renewable generation. Furthermore, a new tap changer controller approach based on a power flow dependent voltage set point curve using hysteresis is introduced. This novel concept is simulated and compared to conventional as well as alternative tap changer controller algorithms by power system simulation.
Phantoms and Pixels, Apparitions and Apparatus: Image Guided General Surgery

As eloquently stated by Dr. Richard Bucholz in his introduction to the first edition of this journal, "the concept of image guidance in surgery may initially be deemed a non-sequitur: by definition, we use images perceived by our optic systems to lead us to our surgical decisions and actions." However, the thrust of this journal is to define the relationships between Homo sapiens and the technology that is now an interface between surgeon and patient. In this article I will discuss how such technology effects the general surgeon, including devices and designs currently in use and those that are mere speculation. A leader in this field, Colonel Richard Satava, has stated succinctly, "Predicting the future-trends in any profession jeopardizes the credibility of the author." I have been guilty of such speculation and it is amazing how rapidly concepts move from probability to possibility to implausibility. This is another reason why a journal in this electronic format is so appealing.
Competitive energy-transfer and reductive quenching of the CT excited states of copper(l) phenanthrolines

Abstract For the charge-transfer excited states of three different copper phenanthrolines, decamethyl ferrocene is a significantly better quencher than ferrocene itself. In a more detailed investigation we have studied the quenching of photoexcited Cu(dpp)2+ where dpp denotes 2,9-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, by a series of ferrocene derivatives with varying numbers of methyl substituents. When the ferrocenes have relatively positive reduction potentials, the quenching rate is consistently around 108 M−1 s−1 due to an energy-transfer process. For the strongest reducing agents, the quenching rate constants are larger, but electron-transfer quenching does not become dominant until the driving force is about 0.3 V An innersphere reorganizational energy requirement of the copper system inhibits reductive quenching such that the effective self-exchange rate of the system is about 105 M-1 s1. In contrast, with oxidative quenchers the corresponding rate constant is about 1010 M−1 s−1. The former value is comparable to estimates obtained in previous studies of ground state processes that involve the population of the analogous da* molecular orbitals. Comparisons with literature data suggest that a significant Franck-Condon barrier inhibits energy-transfer quenching as well. It should be possible to avoid the various kinetic limitations by using phenanthroline ligands with bulkier substituents in the 2,9 positions; however, to develop more efficient photooxidants, it will also be necessary to enhance the excited-state reduction potential.
Response of Two Opiine Fruit Fly Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) to the Lantana Gall Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The lantana gall fly, Eutreta xanthochaeta Aldrich, is an introduced biological control agent that has been successfully established in Hawaii and has contributed to the suppression of the noxious weed Lantana camara (L.). We evaluated responses of the introduced fruit fly parasitoids Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) and Psytallia fletcheri (Silvestri) to field-collected late instars of E. xanthochaeta to determine potential nontarget effects. Gravid females of D. longicaudata and P. fletcheri were confined in laboratory cages with the larvae of E. xanthochaeta contained in different substrates. Females of both species of parasitoids showed positive ovipositional responses to the larvae of E. xanthochaeta . However, response to and subsequent parasitization of E. xanthochaeta were influenced significantly by the exposure substrate. E. xanthochaeta contained in intact galls (the natural substrate) received significantly fewer stings and actual ovipositions from D. longicaudata and P. fletcheri than those contained in artificially shaved galls, or in screen-covered dishes containing artificial diets of the parasitoids’ normal fruit fly hosts. Upon successfully depositing eggs into E. xanthochaeta larvae, D. longicaudata developed into normal males and females with a sex ratio of 1:1.8. However, for unknown reasons, eggs of P. fletcheri were unable to hatch. The relevance of our findings to the safety of future augmentative parasitoid releases is discussed.
In vitro boundary layer studies of blood flow in branched tubes

Summary In model systems studies of human whole blood in oscillating flow indicate that for a given angle of tube branching, a threshold mean flow rate exists at which boundary layer separation occurs. This threshold value varies directly with fluid kinetic energy and inversely with the angle of branching. Under the conditions of these experiments, separation is also found to be independent of frequency of oscillation and phase of flow cycle. Implications for relevance of the observed separation to the problem of atherogenesis are discussed.
PSPICE applications in high voltage engineering education

Abstract The usefulness of PSPICE, a SPICE version for personal computers, circuit analysis program is shown in the high voltage engineering applications for non-conventional circuits, where assembling the actual circuit might be very bulky, time-consuming and costly or hand calculation techniques could be very complicated. Two representative high voltage circuits are presented. One is a three-stage impulse generator and the other is a three-stage voltage multiplier. The first circuit is analyzed for the dependence of the rise time and the fall time of the impulse voltage on the values of wave-front and wave-tail resistors. The second analysis shows a dependence of the output voltage on the load resistance. The PSPICE can similarly be used for most high voltage systems in the laboratory, making use of students' time much more effective as well as limiting to minimum the students' exposure to very high voltage, ensuring therefore, personal safety in the laboratory.
The Supply and Demand for Life Settlement Contracts

In this article the author discusses the implications the financial crisis and recession have had and will have on the market for senior life settlements. At first glance the financial crisis should actually spur the growth of the market in senior life settlements. This is because on the supply side of the market significant amounts of wealth of senior citizens have been lost in the stock, bond, and real estate markets. On the other hand, factors on the demand side of the market have reduced the offered prices for life insurance policies. Interestingly, the most dramatic event that impacted the life settlements market as the financial markets entered the crisis stage in the autumn of 2008, was the decision by the directors of 21st Services to revise their mortality tables. The author concludes that the element that creates a sustainable market in life settlements is the increased transparency of pricing on both sides of the market.
GIANT CENTRIOLE FORMATION IN SCIARA

Although somatic tissues of Sciara contain 9-membered centrioles, germ line tissues develop giant centrioles with 60–90 singlet tubules disposed in an oval array. Some 9-membered centrioles still may be seen in second instar spermatogonia. Each of these centrioles is associated with a larger "daughter" or secondary centriole at right angles to it. Most centrioles of second instar spermatogonia consist of 20–50 singlet tubules arranged in an oval, sometimes associated with an even larger secondary centriole. The more recently formed centriole of a pair is distinguishable from its partner by a concentric band of electron-opaque material inside its tubules. If a pair of centrioles at right angles to each other is pictured as a "T" formed by two cylinders, the secondary centriole is always the stem of the T; the primary centriole is the top. The two centrioles are oriented at the pole of the mitotic spindle so that the tubules of the primary centriole are parallel to the spindle axis. Each daughter cell receives a pair of centrioles and, during interphase, each of these centrioles gives rise to a new daughter centriole. A Golgi area of characteristic morphology is found in association with centrioles shortly after two new ones have formed. We conclude that in Sciara a centriole may give rise to a daughter morphologically different from itself. Whether the daughter is a 9-membered or giant centriole depends on the tissue type and stage of development.
Feeding responses of red-winged blackbirds to multisensory repellents

Abstract The concept that combinations of aversive stimuli are more repellent than the individual components is familiar but has been subject to little critical experimentation. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of aural (alarm call), visual (red dye), and chemical (methyl anthranilate and methiocarb) stimuli for reducing consumption of brown rice by captive red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). The species-specific alarm call was ineffective, as was red dye beyond an initial neophobic response. Of the stimulus combinations tested, only 0.005% (g/g) methiocarb plus red plus methyl anthranilate proved more effective than the most effective individual component stimulus. The 0.025% methiocarb and 0.025% methiocarb plus methyl anthranilate treatments suppressed consumption effectively and also caused subsequent presentation of untreated brown rice to be avoided. Our findings suggest that for repellent applications to seeded crops and ripening grains the use rate of an illness-inducing agent such as methiocarb can be substantially reduced if paired with a deterrent colour and a chemical irritant.
Multialgorithms for Parallel Computing: A New Paradigm for Optimization

Fixed-population and evolving-population multialgorithms are introduced. They constitute a new population-based paradigm for optimization at the confluence of traditional optimization techniques, evolutionary algorithms and parallel computing.
Toeplitz operators on abstract Hardy spaces

In [10], C. Sundberg uses a clever argument involving an idea of Davie and Jewell [13] to prove an isomorphism theorem for a very general class of operators. A related spectral inclusion theorem is an immediate consequence of the proof of this result, as Sundberg points out. He goes on to list several well known examples that are applications of his main result and remarks that the proof of the McDonald–Sundberg theorem (c.f. [9]) can now be considerably simplified. The purpose of this note is to give further evidence of the utility of the criterion established in [10]. Here and throughout X denotes a compact Hausdorff space and A is a function algebra on X. The Shilovboundary of A is the minimal closed subset ∂(A) of X with the property that.
COMPARISON OF ENDORECTAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, GUIDED PROSTATE BIOPSY AND DIGITAL RECTAL EXAMINATION IN THE PREOPERATIVE ANATOMICAL LOCALIZATION OF PROSTATE CANCER

ABSTRACTPurpose: We compared the accuracy of endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (erMRI), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy and digital rectal examination (DRE) for detecting the location of cancer in the prostate gland and seminal vesicles.Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 106 consecutive patients with prostate cancer who were referred for erMRI before radical prostatectomy. Step-section pathological data and erMRI were available in 90 patients, DRE data were available on 86 and individually labeled sextant core biopsies were available in 45. T1 and T2-weighted erMRI was interpreted by a single reader, who scored the likelihood of tumor on a 5-point scale in each seminal vesicle and in 12 locations in the prostate gland. MR spectroscopy data were not used for erMRI interpretation. One pathologist reviewed whole mount serial sections of radical prostatectomy specimens. The area under ROC curves was used to evaluate accuracy.Results: The area under ROC curves for tumor loc...
Building A Health Administration Program: Strategies For Success

Nearly 200 students have now graduated from the University of Baltimore’s (UB’s) six-year-old undergraduate Health Systems Management program (HSMG). With a total student enrollment of 113, the program is one of the larger health administration programs in the United States. The program, an affiliate member of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, is a unique weekend program that allows working professionals with an Associate’s degree to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in 2½ years. The students have, on average, 10–15 years of experience in the heath industry either as nurses or radiology technicians, thus bringing extensive practical experience to the classroom. By any academic measure, the program has been a success. Recruitment is strong and steady, the retention rate and graduation rate (over 80 percent) is high compared to both the university and national averages, and over 90 percent of the graduating students finish in the 2½ years. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the issues and strategies involved in implementing the program, as well as some of the unique features of this program. We believe our success can be replicated in other university and program settings. The health care employment market in the greater Baltimore region provided a significant student population base from which we were able to draw for enrollment in our HSMG program. Other regional markets can be addressed in a similar fashion to meet the educational needs of students and enhance the achievement of university enrollment goals.
Plasma Cathode for a Short-Pulse Dielectric Wall Accelerator

The Beam Research Program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is continuing development of the dielectric wall accelerator (DWA), a type of accelerator which uses stacked pulse-forming lines (PFLs) to apply an accelerating field directly to the beam through a nonconducting vacuum boundary. Here, we report operation of a DWA as an electron diode using a surface flashover plasma cathode. Peak perveances in excess of 6 times 10-6A/V3/2 were measured, with current extraction and pulse train format depending on flashover source timing and PFL switching speed.
Autoregressive equivalents of rank order processors

A theory is presented which shows that any rank order processor (ROP) specified as a positive regular set over the binary alphabet, and any ROP implementable via a stack encoding as input to identical finite-set sequential machines, is also implementable in finite autoregressive form with conventional input encoding, provided an internal state vector is properly defined. Any such ROP algorithm can be factored into computations of the median of three values. The theory also shows how ROPs may be derived from arbitrary partially ordered finite sets. >
Brands: The Opiate of the Nonreligious Masses?

Are brands the “new religion”? Practitioners and scholars have been intrigued by the possibility, but strong theory and empirical evidence supporting the existence of a relationship between brands and religion is scarce. In what follows, we argue and demonstrate that religiosity is indeed related to “brand reliance,” i.e., the degree to which consumers prefer branded goods over unbranded goods or goods without a well-known national brand. We theorize that brands and religiosity may serve as substitutes for one another because both allow individuals to express their feelings of self-worth. We provide support for this substitution hypothesis with U.S. state-level data (field study) as well as individual-level data where religiosity is experimentally primed (study 1) or measured as a chronic individual difference (study 2). Importantly, studies 1 and 2 demonstrate that the relationship between religiosity and brand reliance only exists in product categories in which brands enable consumers to express themselves (e.g., clothes). Moreover, studies 3 and 4 demonstrate that the expression of self-worth is an important factor underlying the negative relationship.
Erythema multiforme associated with zonisamide in a dog

This report describes a dog that developed erythema multiforme in temporal association with administration of the sulphonamide-based anticonvulsant drug zonisamide. Similar adverse drug reactions have been associated with sulphonamide antimicrobial drugs. Caution should be exercised when prescribing this medication for dogs with known hypersensitivity to sulphonamides.
The Value of Public Philosophy to Philosophers

Philosophy has been a public endeavor since its origins in ancient Greece, India, and China. However, recent years have seen the development of a new type of public philosophy conducted by both academics and non- professionals. The new public philosophy manifests itself in a range of modalities, from the publication of magazines and books for the general public to a variety of initiatives that exploit the power and flexibility of social networks and new media. In this paper we examine the phenomenon of public philosophy in its several facets, and investigate whether and in what sense it is itself a mix of philosophical practice and teaching. We conclude with a number of suggestions to academic colleagues on why and how to foster further growth of public philosophy for the benefit of society at large and of the discipline itself.
An exploratory study of end-of-life prognostic communication needs as reported by widowed fathers due to cancer

Objective Effective physician communication about prognosis is a critical aspect of quality care for families affected by terminal illness. This is particularly important for spousal caregivers of terminally ill parents of dependent children, who may have unique needs for communication about anticipated death. The objective of this study was to explore end-of-life prognostic communication experiences reported by bereaved fathers whose wives died from cancer. Methods From October 2012 to November 2013 we surveyed widowed fathers whose wives died from cancer through an open-access educational website. The survey included the following open-ended questions regarding prognostic communication: ‘What is the most important thing you would like us to know about whether/how your wife's doctors communicated with you about her anticipated death? What do you wish had been different, if anything?’ We performed traditional content analysis of responses. Two researchers coded and categorized the data. Results Two hundred forty-four men responded to the survey questions on prognostic communication. Major themes addressed by respondents were the importance of clear and honest communication and physician bedside manner. They also identified unmet information needs, including wanting to know prognosis sooner. Relevant sub-themes included death coming as a surprise, avoidance, and caregiver regret. Conclusions Surviving spouses due to cancer can provide important insights for health care providers about optimum prognostic communication at the end of life. Increased physician attention to the communication preferences of both patients and their partners may improve bereavement outcomes for family members. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Harmonic impacts of widespread use of CFL lamps on distribution systems

The widespread usage of more efficient but potentially harmonic rich residential loads such as CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) lamps can be expected to contribute to increased harmonic levels in distribution systems. In some cases, additional distortion can push already high harmonic levels above the recommended limits. Also, the impact can be further exacerbated by the presence of reactive compensation in the form of capacitor banks on the feeders. This paper attempts to quantify the increase in voltage distortion at a distribution substation for the worst case scenario of CFL lamps replacing all the incandescent lamps. Detailed distribution system models have been developed for the purpose of computer simulations and the harmonic injection has been represented using harmonic spectrums obtained through laboratory tests carried out on actual off-the-shelf CFL lamps. One potential solution to mitigate anticipated harmonic levels has been studied and presented. The final goal of this effort is to develop guidelines that utility can follow in designing or modifying their distribution systems to handle increased harmonic injections that are expected in future.
Purification of luteinizing hormone from sheep pituitary glands and evidence for several physicochemically distinguishable active components.

Abstract 1. 1. A highly purified preparation of luteinizing hormone has been obtained from sheep pituitary glands by extraction with ethanol, metaphosphoric acid and (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 fractionations, and ion-exchange chromatography on CM-Sephadex. This luteinizing hormone preparation designated CM3 contained 1.6 and 1.9 units of NIH-LH-S1 per mg dry wt. as measured by ovarian ascorbic acid depletion bioassays and the ventral prostate bioassay, respectively. The level of follicle-stimulating hormone contamination was approx. 0.025% as judged by augmentation bioassay. 2. 2. Three major luteinizing hormone fractions (Fr 1, Fr 2, Fr 3) were obtained when the purified luteinizing hormone preparation CM3 was chromatographed on hydroxylapatite. Ovarian ascorbic acid depletion bioassays and the ventral prostate bioassay indicated that two of the luteinizing hormone fractions (Fr 2, Fr 3) contained 2.0–2.6 units of NIH-LH-S1 per mg dry wt. Augmentation bioassays and hypophysectomized female rat bioassays indicated the low level of follicle-stimulating hormone contamination in the preparation CM3 was concentrated in Fr 1 after hydroxylapatite chromatography. Therefore, the highly active luteinizing hormone fractions (Fr 2, Fr 3) were essentially free of follicle-stimulating hormone contamination. 3. 3. Physicochemical analyses of the three luteinizing hormone fractions, as well as the purified luteinizing hormone preparation CM3, were conducted employing gel filtration, ultracentrifugation, analytical acrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, preparative acrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, electrofocusing, amino acid analysis, carbohydrate analyses, and immunodiffusion in agar gels. Perceivable differences among the three luteinizing hormone fractions could be detected with analytical acrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, preparative acrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, and electrofocusing. Moreover, amino acid and carbohydrate analyses suggested there might be differences in the amino acid and carbohydrate compositions among the luteinizing hormone fractions. Dissimilarity in molecular size and immunological specificity was not detected. In addition to the differences found among the luteinizing hormone fractions, data are presented which show that electrophoretically distinguishable luteinizing hormone components were contained within two fractions (Fr 1, Fr 2), as well as preparation CM3. 4. 4. These results suggest a broad spectrum of physicochemically similar luteinizing hormone components which differ from one another to the degree necessary for chromatographic and electrophoretic resolution.
Expectancy Model of Coalition Formations

In coalition formation under conditions of uncertainty, the probability of coalition success is 0 < P < 1. A Coalition Expected Utility Model is proposed where coalitions with the highest expected utility are predicted to form. One experiment was designed to test the expectancy model given four of Caplow's triads. The observed frequencies in the four triads supported the expectancy model against Caplow's Minimum Resource Theory (χ2, P < .001). The expectancy model showed a higher predictive validity than three other deterministic theories of coalition formation.
Time variant nonquadratic optimal regulators

This paper, on the assumptions of convexity, proves that there exists closed-loop optimal control of time variant nonquadratic optimal regulator problems. The closed-loop solution is given by a nonlinear feedback u(t) = - R-1(t)B* (t)P(t,x(t)) in which P(t,x) is a normal solution of a quasi-Riccati equation. It is also proved that the nonlinear feedback operator P(t,x) can be explicitly expressed by solutions of the associated nonlinear algebraic equation and nonlinear integral equations for three cases corresponding to the nonquadratic cost functional of Mayer type, Lagrange type and Bolza type respectively.
Establishing and Organizing a Neuroscience Critical Care Unit

Goals and benefits for subspecialty neuroscience critical care unit (NCCU). Focused specialty care for unique ICU populationSpecial expertise required by professionals in NCCU – neuroscience background, Greater case efficiency of neurosurgical and neurointerventional cases. Efficient ICU management. Hub of clinical neuroscience communication. Academic clinical neuroscience concentration. Hospital hub for stroke, acute brain, and spinal cord injury centers. Neurocritical-trained nursing. Cohesive and comprehensive rounds. Neurologic monitoring – capable and savvy. Sensitive neurologic evaluations. Precisely match therapeutics to neurologic pathophysiology. Shorter lengths of stay (LOS) for patient in both the ICU and hospital. Improved patient outcomes. Increased regional referral network. Enhanced marketing strategy
Energy-aware high performance computing with graphic processing units

The use of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) in general purpose computing has been shown to incur significant performance benefits, for applications ranging from scientific computing to database sorting and search. The emergence of high-level APIs facilitates GPU programming to the point that general purpose computing with GPUs is now considered a viable system design and programming option. Nevertheless, the inclusion of a GPU in general purpose computing results in an associated increase in the system's power budget. This paper presents an experimental investigation into the power and energy cost of GPU operations and a cost/performance comparison versus a CPU-only system. Through real-time energy measurements obtained using a novel platform called LEAP-Server, we show that using a GPU results in energy savings if the performance gain is above a certain bound. We show this bound for an example experiment tested by LEAP-Server.
Poor man's social network: consistently trade freshness for scalability

Typical social networking functionalities such as feed following are known to be hard to scale. Different from the popular approach that sacrifices consistency for scalability, in this paper we describe, implement, and evaluate a method that can simultaneously achieve scalability and consistency in feed following applications built on shared-nothing distributed systems. Timing and client-side processing are the keys to this approach. Assuming global time is available at all the clients and servers, the distributed servers publish a pre-agreed upon schedule based on which the continuously committed updates are periodically released for read. This opens up opportunities for caching and client-side processing, and leads to scalability improvements. This approach trades freshness for scalability. Following this approach, we build a twitter-style feed following application and evaluate it on a following network with about 200,000 users under synthetic workloads. The resulting system exhibits linear scalability in our experiment. With 6 low-end cloud instances costing a total of no more than $1.2 per hour, we recorded a peak timeline query rate at about 10 million requests per day, under a fixed update rate of 1.6 million new tweets per day. The maximum staleness of the responses is 5 seconds. The performance achieved sufficiently verifies the feasibility of this approach, and provides an alternative to build small to medium size social networking applications on the cheap.
Weakly Stationary Processes and Random Harmonic Analysis

In Chapter V stationary processes (sometimes called strictly stationary processes) were motivated and discussed as models of natural phenomena. We will now consider a related class of processes commonly termed weakly stationary processes. Though the name would appear to imply a larger class than that of the stationary processes, this is not quite the case. These processes are characterized essentially by their second moment properties. Let X t (ω), — ∞ < t < ∞, be a continuous time parameter complex-valued process with finite second moments E|X t (ω)|2 < ∞. For convenience we shall take its mean EX t (ω) ≡ 0. X t (ω) is called a weakly stationary process if its covariance function $$E{X_t}\left( \omega \right){\overline X_\tau }\left( \omega \right) = r\left( {t,\tau } \right) = r\left( {t - \tau } \right)$$ (1) depends only on the time difference t — τ and is continuous. Notice that the continuity of r(t) implies that X t (ω) is continuous in the mean, that is, $$ E|{X_t}\left( \omega \right) - {X_\tau }\left( \omega \right){|^2} = 2r(0) - r\left( {t - \tau } \right) - r\left( {\tau - t} \right) \to 0 $$ (2) as t — τ → 0. It is clear that a stationary process with finite second moments must be weakly stationary while the converse is not true. On the other hand, if a stationary process has infinite second moments it is meaningless to speak of weak stationarity.
Systemic exposure to menthol following administration of peppermint oil to paediatric patients

Objective Peppermint oil (PMO) has been used to treat abdominal ailments dating to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Despite its increasing paediatric use, as in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treatment, the pharmacokinetics (PK) of menthol in children given PMO has not been explored. Design and setting Single-site, exploratory pilot study of menthol PK following a single 187 mg dose of PMO. Subjects with paediatric Rome II defined (IBS; n=6, male and female, 7–15 years of age) were enrolled. Blood samples were obtained before PMO administration and at 10 discrete time points over a 12 h postdose period. Menthol was quantitated from plasma using a validated gas chromatography mass spectrometry technique. Menthol PK parameters were determined using a standard non-compartmental approach. Results Following a dose of PMO, a substantial lag time (range 1–4 h) was seen in all subjects for the appearance of menthol which in turn, produced a delayed time of peak (Tmax=5.3±2.4 h) plasma concentration (Cmax=698.2±245.4 ng/mL). Tmax and Tlag were significantly more variable than the two exposure parameters; Cmax, mean residence time and total area under the curve (AUC=4039.7±583.8 ng/mL×h) which had a coefficient of variation of Conclusions Delayed appearance of menthol in plasma after oral PMO administration in children is likely a formulation-specific event which, in IBS, could increase intestinal residence time of the active ingredient. Our data also demonstrate the feasibility of using menthol PK in children with IBS to support definitive studies of PMO dose–effect relationships.
Principals Fostering the Instructional Leadership Capacities of Department Chairs: A Strategy for Urban High School Reform.

A growing body of literature has highlighted the affordances of distributive forms of instructional leadership as a means to broaden and deepen instructional leadership capacity within schools. Yet...
Young Children: Preparing for the Future

A carefully chosen diet can provide the energy and nutrients that children need to grow, learn, and play. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2000) growth charts are typically used to monitor growth. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the MyPyramid Food Guidance System are appropriate tools to support healthy food choices for children. Childhood overweight is a multifactoral problem which requires approaches that incorporate diet, physical activity, psychological support, behavior modification, and caretaker involvement. Food insecurity, iron deficiency anemia, and food allergies are all issues which may affect dietary quality and may require referrals to registered dietitians or food assistance programs. Nutritional and vitamin supplements are not necessary for well-nourished children.
Coprophagia in neurologic disorders

We report on the unusual behavior of coprophagia (eating one’s own feces) in neurologic disorders. The Mayo Clinic Health Sciences-computerized clinical database was queried for all patients evaluated at our institution between 1995 and 2015 in which coprophagia was documented in the medical records. Twenty-six patients were identified of which 17 had coprophagia. Of the 17 patients, five were excluded due to age at onset less than 10 years, leaving 12 adult patients for this study. The median age at onset of coprophagia in the 12 patients was 55 years (range 20–88 years), and half were female. Additional behaviors were common including scatolia (fecal smearing), hypersexuality, aggression, and pica (eating objects of any kind). Coprophagia was associated with neurodegenerative dementia in six patients, developmental delay in two, and one each with seizures, steroid psychosis, frontal lobe tumor, and schizoaffective disorder. Brain imaging in the six patients with dementia showed moderate-to-severe medial temporal lobe atrophy, as well as mild frontal lobe atrophy. Autopsy examination was performed in one patient and revealed frontotemporal lobar degeneration pathology. Many different behavioral and pharmacologic therapies were implemented, yet only haloperidol was associated with discontinuation of the behavior. Coprophagia is associated with different neurologic disorders, particularly neurodegenerative dementias. The behavior may be related to medial temporal lobe atrophy, similar to the Kluver–Bucy syndrome. Haloperidol appears to be effective in treating the behavior, at least in some patients.
Status of Boll Weevil Resistance to Insecticides in Louisiana During 1961

Expansion of the areas in Louisiana infested with chlorinated hydrocarbon resistant boll weevils ( Anthonomus grandis Boheman) has occurred yearly since 1955, with the result that all cotton-producing areas of the State are now affected. Considerable reversion to susceptibility to the chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides has occurred in field populations, but resistance remains at a level sufficiently great to prevent effective control with these insecticides. After 5 to 6 years of intensive use of organic phosphorus insecticides or toxaphene-DDT mixtures in certain areas, there has been no measurable change in response of the boll weevil to these insecticides. Under laboratory conditions, a 10- to 12-fold increase in the LD-50 of a boll weevil culture to toxaphene-DDT mixture was obtained in 22 generations.