cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Graded Pattern Generalization Processing of Older Students and Adults (Ages 11 and Up)

In this chapter, we explore the graded pattern generalization processing of older children and adults. Graded patterning processing occurs along several routes depending on the nature and complexity of a task being analyzed. That is, students’ graded pattern generalization processing and conversion can change in emphasis from manipulating objects to relationships (and possibly back to objects) in numerical or figural contexts (and possibly both). Toward the end of the chapter, we discuss how older students’ understanding of (linear) functions as an instance of generalizing extensions emerged from their experiences in pattern generalization activity.
Medical Therapy for Uveitis

Optimal therapy for uveitis is predicated on an understanding of the predominant pathophysiologic mechanism(s) responsible for the specific disorder. To that end, antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, and antihelminthic agents, as well as specific anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications, can be delivered via topical, regional, and systemic routes in specific circumstances. Whatever the form of therapy, the general goals are similar: to improve comfort, to reduce the severity and frequency of the inflammation, to prevent complications of the uveitis, to avoid treatment complications and drug side effects, and ultimately to preserve sight.
Cotton condensed tannin: a potent modulator of alveolar macrophage host-defense function.

Alveolar macrophages are the resident airway cells primarily responsible for the protection of the lungs against inhaled toxins and other biologically active material. A number of functional capabilities constitute their host-defense function. They can phagocytize and inactivate foreign material by production of reactive oxygen intermediates or the action of hydrolytic enzymes. In the absence of phagocytosis, macrophages can secrete reactive oxygen intermediates or enzymes that inactivate extracellular biolgically active material. They also can secrete metabolites of arachidonic acid and other cytokines that contribute to the inflammatory response of the lungs. Macrophages also secrete a variety of peptide and lipid chemotactic factors that lead to the recruitment of other inflammatory cells into the airways. The condensed tannins, which constitute a significant percentage of the water soluble compounds present in respirable cotton mill dust, dramatically alter the host-defense function of alveolar macrophages in vitro. Tannin inhibits both phagocytosis and production of reactive oxidants in a dose-dependent manner with EC50’s of 16 μg/mL and 3 μg/mL, respectively. This inhibition dramatically decreases the ability of resident alveolar macrophages to clear and detoxify potentially harmful inhaled particles. However, at similar concentrations, tannin stimulates the dose-dependent secretion (EC50 = 15 μg/mL) of a low molecular weight lipid neutrophil chemotactic factor that could result in an inflammatory reaction with the recruitment of neutrophils into the lungs.At slightly higher concentrations, tannin promotes the dose-dependent release of arachidonic acid from the macrophage membranes (EC50 = 65 μg/mL), which could also contribute to the local inflammatory reaction. Finally, tannin also causes secretion of the cytokine, interleukin-1, from the monocyte precursors of macrophages with an EC50 of 32 μg/mL. Interleukin-1 has been implicated as one of the causative agents in the development of fever.
[18F]Fluorocholine and [18F]Fluoroacetate PET as Imaging Biomarkers to Assess Phosphatidylcholine and Mitochondrial Metabolism in Preclinical Models of TSC and LAM.

Purpose: Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by inactivating mutations of the TSC1 or TSC2 gene, characterized by multi-organ benign tumors. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a diffuse proliferation of TSC2-deficient cells in the lung that occurs as a TSC manifestation or a sporadic disorder. TSC2 deficiency leads to activation of mTORC1, a master regulator of cell growth and metabolism. Biomarkers of whole-body tumor burden/metabolic activity and therapeutic response remain needed in TSC/LAM. Our preclinical studies aimed to assess feasibility of [18F]fluorocholine (FCH) and [18F]fluoroacetate (FACE) as TSC/LAM metabolic imaging biomarkers. Experimental Design: We used preclinical models of TSC and LAM to test in vivo uptake of [18F]FCH and [18F]FACE by positron emission tomography (PET). We also performed in vitro mechanistic validations of our in vivo results using nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, Seahorse Analyzer, and stable and radioactive isotopes of acetate, fluoroacetate, and choline. Results: TSC2-deficient cells exhibit rapid uptake of [18F]FCH in vivo and can be visualized by PET imaging in preclinical models of TSC/LAM, including subcutaneous tumors and pulmonary nodules. Treatment with rapamycin (72-hr) suppressed [18F]FCH standardized uptake value (SUV) by ~50% in tumors. We found rapamycin-insensitive uptake of FACE by TSC2-deficient cells in vitro and in vivo, reflecting mitochondrial accumulation via inhibition of the TCA cycle enzyme aconitase. Conclusions: In summary, our findings provide mechanistic evidence for testing the potential of [18F]FCH and [18F]FACE as metabolic imaging biomarkers for TSC and LAM proliferative lesions, and novel insights into the metabolic reprogramming of TSC tumors.
Paraneoplastic Neurologic Disease

Paraneoplastic neurologic disease (PND) is characterized by an aberrant immune-mediated response against the nervous system in the context of an underlying malignancy. Certain malignancies are more notorious for being associated with PND than others, including small cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma (neuroendocrine proteins), teratomas (neuronal components), thymomas (immunoregulatory system), and lymphoma or myeloma (antibody production). The clinical severity of paraneoplastic syndromes can range from mild to catastrophic, with significant heterogeneity possible even among a particular antibody.
Spin state of iron in Fe 3 O 4 magnetite and h -Fe 3 O 4

The high-pressure behavior of magnetite has been widely debated in the literature. Experimental measurements have found conflicting high-pressure transitions: a charge reordering in magnetite from inverse-spinel to normal-spinel [Pasternak et al., J. Phys. Chem. Solids 65, 1531 (2004); Rozenberg et al., Phys. Rev. B 75, 020102 (2007)], iron high-spin to intermediate-spin transition in magnetite [Ding et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 045508 (2008)], electron delocalization in magnetite [Baudelet et al., Phys. Rev. B 82, 140412 (2010); Glazyrin et al., Am. Mineral. 97, 128 (2012)], and a structural phase transition from magnetite to $h$-Fe${}_{3}$O${}_{4}$ [Dubrovinsky et al., J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 15, 7697 (2003); Fei et al., Am. Mineral. 84, 203 (1999); Haavik et al., Am. Mineral. 85, 514 (2000)]. We present ab initio calculations of iron's spin state in magnetite and $h$-Fe${}_{3}$O${}_{4}$, which help resolve the high-pressure debate. The results of the calculations find that iron remains high spin in both magnetite and $h$-Fe${}_{3}$O${}_{4}$; intermediate-spin iron is not stable. In addition, magnetite remains inverse-spinel but undergoes a phase transition to $h$-Fe${}_{3}$O${}_{4}$ near 10 GPa. Magnetite has a complex magnetic ordering, multiple valence states (Fe${}^{2+}$ and Fe${}^{3+}$), charge ordering, and different local Fe site environments, all of which were accounted for in the calculations. The lack of intermediate-spin iron in magnetite helps resolve the spin state of iron in perovskite, the major mineral in the lower mantle. In both magnetite and perovskite, x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) measurements in the literature show a drop in satellite peak intensity by approximately half, which is interpreted as intermediate-spin iron. In both minerals, calculations give no indication of intermediate-spin iron and predict high-spin iron to be stable for defect-free crystals. The results question the interpretation of a nonzero drop in XES satellite peak intensities as intermediate-spin iron.
Conflicting Health-Related Scientific Evidence in News Reports: Effects of Hedging and Presentation Format on Perceived Issue Uncertainty and Scientists’ and Journalists’ Credibility

Introduction: This study examined effects of two journalistic practices in reporting conflicting scientific evidence, hedging and presentation format, on scientists’ and journalists’ credibility and issue uncertainty. Methods: An online experiment was conducted using students from a western U.S. university. Hedging was manipulated as reporting methodological limitations versus not reporting the limitations in news articles covering the conflict. Presentation format was manipulated as using a single news article to report both sides of the conflict versus using double articles with one side of the conflict in one article and the other side in the other article. Results: The study found that perceived issue uncertainty was higher in hedged news articles than that in non-hedged articles; presentation format did not affect people’s perceived issue uncertainty. For scientists’ credibility (both competence and trustworthiness), this study found that it was lower in the single-article format than that in the double-article format; for journalists’ credibility, this study found that journalists’ trustworthiness in the two formats did not vary, but their competence was lower in the double-article format than that in the single-article format. Conclusion: This study contributes to the field of science and health communication by examining effects of presentation format used in communicating conflicting health-related scientific evidence and by examining effects of communicating scientific limitations in a context where conflicting evidence exists. Keywords: conflicting scientific evidence, hedging, presentation format, scientists’ credibility, journalists’ credibility
Experiments on Self-Nudging, Autonomy, and the Prospect of Behavioral-Self-Management

Strategies based in behavioral economics have quickly gained major importance in shaping public policy, most notably in the form of "nudges" that promise to promote, but not to force, socially-productive choices at low cost. Nudging interventions typically presume some asymmetry of sophistication and power between the choice architect and the nudged. But the nudged need not be relegated to a passive role. We present evidence that individuals have the capacity to overcome their biases, and even to use them to their advantage. This capacity for Behavioral-Self-Management (BSM) can allow them to "self-nudge" and to act as the choice architects of their future-self. In our study we provide workers with the autonomy to choose among a variety of loss-framed and gain-framed contracts to perform a real effort task. The results show that subjects can harness their own loss aversion as a commitment device to significantly improve their performance. The contract gives individuals the authority to self-nudge. This autonomy to choose adds to the effectiveness of their BSM strategy. We show that subjects experience self-determination utility seperate from performance benefits driven by better adjustment of work tasks to subjects’ production functions. To demonstrate the policy relevance of our results we expand on an application to retirement savings-plans, which we suggest may lift savings rates at no additional cost.
Development and Validation of a Scenario-Based Drilling Simulator for Training and Evaluating Human Factors

Drilling and completing an oil/gas well is a time-sensitive and high-value operation, in which environment/system parameters change in unseen, unpredictable environments. Safety issues arise at every stage. Drilling principles can be taught using traditional methods, but safety and event response are difficult to teach in such formats. Here, in this article, we integrate a hardware-in-the-loop simulator, downhole physics, and auxiliary touchscreen interfaces (similar to a rig's add-on equipment) to develop a realistic, real-time drilling simulator for well control operation training. Realistic operational data are supplied to the simulator representative of downhole operations, including unplanned well events. The well plan accounts for drilling parameter changes, the pore-pressure fracture-gradient drilling window, mud weights, etc., which occur in response to the unplanned events. The developed simulator is used for hands-on training, human factor studies, model verification, and evaluating new auxiliary equipment and/or operational procedures. A critical research objective was evaluating the accuracy/realism of the developed system. To do so, eight petroleum engineering students and 11 certified drillers were trained and asked to complete a comprehensive (>6 h) drilling operation. System accuracy was measured by comparing how new versus experienced operators learned to operate the simulator, execute mission-critical tasks, and respond to unplanned events. The results validate the realism of the developed simulator and scenarios, since personnel with prior drilling experience took significantly less time to master the system.
Remembering and Revisiting Pedagogies of the Home

Almost two decades after Delgado Bernal’s theorization of pedagogies of the home, this article examines pedagogies of the home of four Chicana/o college-educated families to understand the role of ...
Agile 3D-Navigation of a Helical Magnetic Swimmer

Rotating miniature magnetic swimmers are de-vices that could navigate within the bloodstream to access remote locations of the body and perform minimally invasive procedures. The rotational movement could be used, for example, to abrade a pulmonary embolus. Some regions, such as the heart, are challenging to navigate. Cardiac and respiratory motions of the heart combined with a fast and variable blood flow necessitate a highly agile swimmer. This swimmer should minimize contact with the walls of the blood vessels and the cardiac structures to mitigate the risk of complications. This paper presents experimental tests of a millimeter-scale magnetic helical swimmer navigating in a blood-mimicking solution and describes its turning capabilities. The step-out frequency and the position error were measured for different values of turn radius. The paper also introduces rapid movements that increase the swimmer’s agility and demonstrates these experimentally on a complex 3D trajectory.
Belonging in a Videogame Space: Bridging Affinity Spaces and Communities of Practice

BackgroundFocusing on ways a common endeavor brings people together, Gee offered the concept of affinity spaces, which suggests that open participation without exclusion or membership is possible. ...
Liver Metastasis-Directed Ablative Radiotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer Offers Prolonged Time Off Systemic Therapy in Selected Patients: Data From a Multi-institutional Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES We evaluated the outcomes of metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC) patients who underwent liver metastases (LMs)-directed ablative radiotherapy (RT) and sought to characterize patients with more favorable prognosis. METHODS A retrospective analysis of 76 MPC patients who underwent ablative RT (median dose, 50 Gy) to LM at 3 academic centers between 2008 and 2018 was performed. Endpoints were local control (LC), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS) since RT. RESULTS Median follow-up was 10.9 months. Liver metastases were metachronous in 68%. Before RT, LM was responsive/stable on chemotherapy (CTX) in 36% whereas progressive in 43%. Median carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) at RT was 334 U/mL. After RT, 32% had ≥6 months of CTX break. Twelve-month outcomes were: LC, 66%; progression-free survival, 7%; and OS, 38%. On multivariable analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 2-3 (hazard ratio [HR], 13.49; P < 0.01), progressive LM on CTX (HR, 3.26; P < 0.01), and higher CA 19-9 (log10 scale; HR, 1.39; P < 0.01) at RT predicted worse OS. CONCLUSIONS Ablative RT to LM in setting of MPC may offer LC of systemic disease and thus quality time off CTX. Selected patients with good performance status, stable/responsive LM on CTX, and lower CA 19-9 have more favorable prognosis.
Information Quality and Equity Risk

This paper studies the relation between the quality of financial information and firm equity risk. We define poor quality financial information as material mistakes in annual financial statements and examine daily changes in beta, as well as total and idiosyncratic risks around restatement announcements using a bivariate Exponential GARCH model with time-varying betas, variances and covariances. We find a temporary increase in beta – it jumps 51% at restatement announcement but returns to the pre-restatement level within one month. However, unsystematic risk experiences a permanent increase of approximately 20% following a restatement. Results further reveal that restatements temporarily increase beta and unsystematic risk even in the absence of irregularity. Finally, we show that risk patterns differ for restatements of both core accounts and those made by larger firms. Overall, our findings suggest that information risk is priced only temporarily but leads to a permanent increase in unsystematic risk.
Blood flow restriction training on resting blood pressure and heart rate: a meta-analysis of the available literature.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of blood flow restriction training on resting blood pressure and heart rate. A meta-analysis was completed in May 2020 including all previously published papers on blood flow restriction and was analyzed using a random effects model. To be included, studies needed to implement a blood flow restriction protocol compared to the same exercise protocol without restriction. A total of four studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis including four effect sizes for resting systolic blood pressure, four effect sizes for resting diastolic blood pressure, and three effect sizes for resting heart rate. There was evidence of a difference [mean difference (95 CI)] in resting systolic blood pressure between training with and without blood flow restriction [4.2 (0.3, 8.0) mmHg, p = 0.031]. No significant differences were observed when comparing resting diastolic blood pressure [1.2 (-1, 3.5) mmHg p = 0.274] and resting heart rate [-0.2 (-4.7, 4.1) bpm, p = 0.902] between chronic exercise with and without blood flow restriction. These results indicate that training with blood flow restriction may elicit an increase in resting systolic blood pressure. However, lack of data addressing this topic makes any conclusion speculative. Based on the results of the present study along with the overall lack of long-term data, it is suggested that future research on this topic is warranted. Recommendations include making changes in resting blood pressure a primary outcome and increasing the sample size of the interventions.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Computational Analysis of Biaryl Side-Chain Analogs of Solithromycin

There is an urgent need for new antibiotics to mitigate the existential threat posed by antibiotic resistance. Within the ketolide class, solithromycin has emerged as one of the most promising candidates for further development. Crystallographic studies of bacterial ribosomes and ribosomal subunits complexed with solithromycin have shed light on the nature of molecular interactions (π-stacking and H-bonding) between from the biaryl side-chain of the drug and key residues in the 50S ribosomal subunit. We have designed and synthesized a library of solithromycin analogs to study their structure-activity relationships (SAR) in tandem with new computational studies. The biological activity of each analog was evaluated in terms of ribosomal affinity (Kd determined by fluorescence polarization), as well as minimum inhibitory concentration assays (MICs). Density functional theory (DFT) studies of a simple binding site model identify key H-bonding interactions that modulate the potency of solithromycin analogs.
AML-084: Feasibility Study Integrating Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and Palliative Care for High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Patients

Context: Despite recent lower-intensity therapies that have improved outcomes for older AML patients, AML remains associated with poor prognosis as well as high symptom burden. While the benefits of early palliative care and electronic PROs have been well-described in oncology patients, neither have been well-studied in AML, and they have never been studied in combination. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a virtually mediated supportive care model utilizing both electronic PROs and palliative care for patients with AML being treated with lower-intensity therapy (NCT04885127). Design: This will be a prospective, single-arm, non-blinded trial with a year of enrollment and six months of follow-up. Setting: All patients will be enrolled at Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center. Patients or Other Participants: We plan on enrolling 40 patients who are on first-line lower-intensity therapy for AML, defined as therapy that allows patients to receive care exclusively in the outpatient setting. Interventions: Patients who are enrolled will be referred to the subspecialty palliative care clinic for virtual consultation and monthly follow-up visits for 6 months. Patients will also be instructed on the use of Noona, a digital application that allows real-time, remote monitoring of PROs. Patients will be requested to fill out a Noona symptom questionnaire prior to each palliative care visit and will be prompted to maintain a weekly symptom diary, which will be available to both their primary leukemia and palliative care providers. They will also fill out health-related quality of life surveys, including Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Leukemia (FACT-Leu), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Satisfaction with Decision-Making Scale, at baseline, three, and six months. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome to be measured at completion of the study will be the feasibility of palliative care referral, defined as completion of the initial virtual consultation and at least 50% of the six scheduled monthly follow-up visits. Secondary outcomes will include the proportion of patients who complete the digital symptom questionnaires and the proportion of patients who complete their health-related quality of life surveys. Scores obtained from surveys will be used to generate hypotheses for future work.
Compact SPICE Model of Topological Textures on Magnetic Racetracks for Design Space Exploration

Magnetic Topological Textures (MTTs) have the potential to become the building block of future memory and logic-in-memory devices due to their compact size and non-volatility. However, these MTTs are used in conjunction with the CMOS control circuit to design memory and logic-in-memory devices. Micromagnetic and SPICE simulations need to be carried out separately for MTT and CMOS, respectively, to evaluate the performance of these hybrid devices. Thus, a SPICE model that can emulate the physical behavior of the MTT would allow the designers to evaluate the performance of these hybrid devices accurately and enable design space exploration. In this paper, we build a compact and modular SPICE model of MTT nucleation, motion, detection, and annihilation on the racetrack by extracting parameters from micromagnetic simulation tools. We also build a CMOS-MTT generic racetrack circuit model in SPICE and validate the model’s accuracy by comparing it with micromagnetic simulation results. As we can perform the simulations fully within SPICE while capturing the essential physics of the MTTs on the racetrack, we enable simulation runtime acceleration by a factor of > 103 and > 106 times approximately compared to the micromagnetic simulations carried out with MUMAX3 and OOMMF. We envision that the proposed model will enable design and application explorations and device-circuit co-simulation, co-design, and co-optimization for the emerging MTT-based computing systems.
DERIVATION OF ADVANCED TRAFFIC PARAMETERS THROUGH VIDEO IMAGING

Abstract Image sensing technology has recently been demonstrated to be a cost-effective tool in detecting traffic parameters. Various operational tests have demonstrated imaging sensors as practical alternatives to conventional sensors for signalized intersection control and incident detection. Network-wide, intelligent traffic management, however, requires advanced measurements to extract additional traffic parameters for freeway and ramp control, to manage traffic on priority corridors, to control traffic in interconnected urban street networks, and to optimize the total network traffic flow involving freeways, priority corridors, and signalized intersections. The Federal Highway administration recently funded Image Sensing Systems, Inc. for extending its video sensor technology to provide more traffic information.
Evaluating the Stability of Geologic Structures Using Acoustic Emission

This paper describes the application of acoustic emission to the study of geologic structures. Evaluation of the overall mechanical stability of large-scale geologic structures such as underground and open-pit mines, highway and waterway cuts, petroleum reservoirs, and underground gas storage reservoirs is extremely complex. Acoustic emission appears to be one of the most suitable techniques available for such purposes. A brief review of the associated literature is presented along with a description of a mobile monitoring facility developed by the writer for field use. Two current field projects, associated with underground gas storage and longwall coal mining, presently underway by the writer are described.
Transport and Management of Patients With Confirmed or Suspected Ebola Virus Disease

The foundation of safe care for patients with confirmed or suspected Ebola virus disease is effective infection control practice, which requires implementation of appropriate administrative policies, work practices, and environmental controls, accompanied by focused education, training, and supervision. In 2002, Emory University partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop a capability for the evaluation and management of individuals with serious communicable disease. In 2005, the University of Nebraska developed a similar isolation capability. In each case, the hospitals partnered with emergency medical services (EMS) professionals to ensure safe out-of-hospital transport and management of their patients. The objectives of these hospital and out-of-hospital collaborations were to close education, training, and practice gaps to best facilitate the care for patients with serious communicable disease while ensuring the safety of the medics and the general public through meticulous implementation of infection control practices as recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The description of practices implemented by EMS teams in these communities for the transport of patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease is shared so that others might more readily implement these practices, policies, and procedures as applicable to their mission requirements and system design. Transport of patients with relevant travel history and development of illness (persons under investigation) is also included.
Factors Responsible for Immunizations Referrals to Health Departments in North Carolina

Background. Despite the existence of Medicaid and other programs designed to eliminate cost as a barrier to immunization in physicians9 offices, referrals to local health departments for immunizations are common. Many children leave their physicians9 offices without receiving needed immunizations. Purpose. To determine: 1) the frequency and determinants of immunization referrals to health departments in North Carolina, and 2) the factors associated with private physicians9 decisions to immunize Medicaid children in their offices and participate in the state-funded vaccine replacement program. Methods. The 2537 pediatricians and family physicians licensed in North Carolina were surveyed by mail using a 23-item, self-administered questionnaire. Results. Seventy-two percent of physicians responded; 93% referred at least some children to local health departments for immunizations. Concern regarding parents9 ability to pay for immunizations was the most important reason for referral for 93% of respondents. Forty percent referred all or some of their Medicaid patients; excessive paperwork, inadequate reimbursement, and parental preferences were the most common reasons. Only 33% of physicians had participated in the state9s vaccine replacement program. Family physicians, and physicians in solo or two-physician practices in rural counties, and in practices caring for a small number of children on Medicaid were most likely to refer children covered by Medicaid and not participate in the state9s existing vaccine replacement program. Conclusions. Medicaid and North Carolina9s vaccine replacement program are not preventing large numbers of immunization referrals to health departments. Future programs designed to increase the proportion of children immunized in physicians9 offices will not succeed if more effective incentives for physician participation are not developed.
Proceedings of the First International Conference on Reputation: Theory and Technology

This volume presents the pre-proceedings of ICORE 2009: The First International Conference on Reputation: Theory and Technology. The ICORE conference intends to provide a ground for the scientific discussion on reputation systems, with a perspective on policy and e-Government. Reputation is an ancient artifact; its origins are connected with the origins of language itself - even pre-dating it in the famous interpretation of gossip by Robin Dunbar. The role of reputation has evolved with human society, from an efficient solution to the problem of grooming in large groups, to a mechanism supporting norm compliance, a tool for in-group signaling, a weapon of large collectives to exhalt or calumny public ﬁgure; the older roles blending with the newer ones, giving raise to a multi faceted artifact.
A Summative Evaluation of a Food Safety Social Marketing Campaign "4-Day Throw-Away" Using Traditional and Social Media.

Foodborne illnesses remain a common problem in the United States. Focus group results indicated that lack of knowledge and improper handling of leftovers were common among food preparers in families with young children. The USDA-recommended storage time for leftovers was used to develop and conduct a food safety social marketing campaign, 4 Day Throw Away using both traditional and social media. A procedural model for developing a theory-based nutrition education intervention and the Health Belief Model were used to design, implement, and evaluate this campaign. The #4 mascot made numerous public appearances (in person and TV) to convey the 4 Day Throw Away message; 10000 magnets were distributed; and 500 posters with tear-off note card were posted in the traditional campaign. Magnets and note card directed recipients to a website (4984 visits) with food safety information about leftovers. The social media campaign included 4 YouTube videos (11759 views); a Facebook page (166 users with over 21240 post views); and 51 followers on Twitter. The use of multiple media channels increased awareness and intention to change health behaviors especially among parents of children 10 and younger. Both traditional and social media methods in the 4 Day Throw Away campaign reached the intended audience suggesting that interventions using a mix of media channels broaden the reach and potential for intended behavior change.
Neuronal activity and the establishment of normal and epileptic circuits during brain development.

Publisher Summary Experimental studies of the effects of status epilepticus in adult animal models have shown that prolonged seizures can produce chronic epilepsy of the hippocampus. The neuropathological features of the temporal lobe in these animals are remarkably similar to those seen in human epilepsy; however, counterarguments are often presented. One is that the vast majority of children that have febrile seizures do not develop epilepsy. Both febrile seizures and temporal lobe epilepsy may be products of a preexisting condition in the temporal lobe of a small percentage of children and that this abnormality makes them unusually susceptible to high fevers and is ultimately responsible for complex partial epilepsy later in life. Besides a history of status epilepticus, individuals with focal epilepsy often have lifelong abnormalities of the electroencephalogram (EEG), characterized by frequent interictal spikes and seizures. Many studies of the basic processes that underlie neuronal development have shown that neuronal activity plays a critical role in the formation of the synaptic connections that in large part govern the properties of neuronal networks. Thus, abnormal synchronized discharges characteristic of an epileptic focus in the developing brain might be expected to alter the normal course of network development.
Dry Heat Inactivation of Bacillus subtilis var. niger Spores as a Function of Relative Humidity

Abstract Dry heat sterilization of Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores at 105 C is enhanced in the relative humidity range 0.03 to 0.2%. D-values of 115 and 125 C are predicted by a kinetic model with parameters set from 105 C data. These predictions are compared to observations.
DNA-DNA Solution Hybridization Studies of the Bacterial Symbionts of Hydrothermal Vent Tube Worms (Riftia pachyptila and Tevnia jerichonana).

The giant tube worm, Riftia pachyptila (phylum Vestimentifera), is known only from four widely separated sulfide-rich deep-sea hydrothermal vent systems. This invertebrate is nourished by intracellular, chemoautotrophic bacterial symbionts which reside in a specialized trophosome tissue. The symbiont has not been cultured independently and is believed to be acquired de novo by host larvae of each generation. In the current study, R. pachyptila symbiont DNA was purified from the two most distant sites on the basis of its difference in density versus host DNA. These two standards were hybridized against trophosome DNAs of 13 individuals from the Guaymas Basin, Galapagos Rift, and 13°N vents. This indicated that all R. pachyptila symbionts are conspecific and that the variability in DNA-DNA hybridization (relative binding ratio [RBR]) was comparable within or between widely separated vents. The symbiont of another tube worm, Tevnia jerichonana, was found to be the same as that of R. pachyptila, the first case in which distinct hosts possess the same sulfur bacterial symbiont. By contrast, Lamellibrachia sp. (same class as T. jerichonana) showed insignificant RBR with the R. pachyptila symbiont. DNA derived from solely eucaryotic tissue of R. pachyptila showed a surprisingly high RBR (20 to 50) with density-separated DNA standards. With DNAs obtained from physically separated symbionts, independent solution hybridization experiments confirmed the above-described conclusions. Possible explanations for this host-symbiont homology are discussed.
Mouse Pum1 and Pum2 genes, members of the Pumilio family of RNA-binding proteins, show differential expression in fetal and adult hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors.

Self-renewal is the common functional property of all types of stem cells and is thought to be regulated by unknown conserved intrinsic and extrinsic molecular mechanisms. Recently, an evolutionarily conserved Pumilio family of RNA-binding proteins that regulate asymmetric cell division was found to be essential for stem cell maintenance and self-renewal in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans. Based on conserved function in invertebrates and lower vertebrates it was recently proposed that an ancestral function of Pumilio proteins is to support proliferation and self-renewal of stem cells. This raises an interesting possibility that Pumilio could be part of evolutionarily conserved intrinsic molecular mechanism that regulates self-renewal of mammalian stem cells. Here we describe cloning and comparative sequence analysis of Pum1 and Pum2 genes, mouse members of the Pumilio family, and for the first time demonstrate expression of Pumilio genes in mammalian hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Pum1 and Pum2 share 51 and 55% overall similarity with the fly Pum, whereas their RNA-binding domains show a very high degree of evolutionary conservation (86–88% homology). Both genes are expressed in a variety of tissues suggesting that they have widespread function. During blood cell development Pum1 and Pum2 exhibit differential expression in cell populations enriched for HSC and progenitors. Both genes are highly transcribed in populations of adult HSC (Rho-123lowSca-1+c-kit+Lin− cells). In a more heterogeneous population of HSC (Lin−Sca-1+) and in progenitors (Lin−Sca-1− cells) Pum1 is not transcribed, whereas Pum2 expression is significantly down-regulated. Ongoing in vitro and in vivo functional analysis of mouse Pumilio genes will help to elucidate the biological role of mammalian Pumilio genes and determine whether they play any role in maintenance of mammalian stem cells, such as HSC.
Nuclear Physics --- at the frontiers of knowledge

(transcript of a talk given by Prof.~Feshbach:) Nuclear physics has been and will be a major factor in science and technology. It makes unique and important contributions to medicine, to industry and to other sciences. Interaction with other physics has been strong. Astrophysics and mesoscopic physics are notable examples. But what I shall talk about today are labeled {\bf``universals"}. This refers to results which transcend the limits of a given subject providing fundamental principles which inform not only nuclear physics but all of science. It is the universals which take nuclear physics research from the parochial albeit fascinating studies of nuclear reactions and structure to the development and formulation of concepts of significance for all of the physical sciences.
Translating theory into practice: Making meaning of learner centered education frameworks for classroom-based practitioners

Abstract This study provides a rich descriptive analysis of two mathematics lessons in secondary school classrooms in Kenya in order to identify the discrete instructional practices that distinguish learner-centered educational environments. The two classrooms serve similar populations of students and bear many structural similarities, but there are subtle differences in teaching practice that result in distinct differences in placement on Guthrie's teaching styles continua and Schweisfurth's minimum standards rubric. By providing a rich description of lessons in these classrooms and drilling down into the specific practices that teachers use in these classrooms, the study aims to help build connections between theory and practice and illuminate some possibilities for how LCE reform efforts might be envisioned at the school and classroom level.
The Life Distress Inventory: A Psychometric Evaluation:

The Life Distress Inventory (LDI) is an 18-item rapid assessment tool measuring self-reported distress across areas of social life and functioning. Thomas, Yoshioka, and Ager (1994) originally deve...
Algae attachment on carbonated cements in fresh and brackish waters—preliminary results

Abstract In order to evaluate the usefulness of different cements as substrates for artificial reefs, we have performed preliminary tests of both conventional and pH-neutral molded cements for attachment of microalgae populations. Neutrality was achieved by molding in the presence of carbon dioxide. It was verified through analysis of carbonate and hydroxide content and measurement of contact pH. Algae attachment tests were conducted at both brackish and freshwater conditions. We have found pH-neutral materials to which microalgae readily attach. These include silica-enriched (pozzolanic) cements, but also blast-furnace slag and fly ash, which are also silica-rich, and mixtures of these with Portland cement. In most cases the pH-neutralized, carbonated cements outperformed the conventional materials in rate of algae attachment, in some cases by wide margins. The high pH, conventional cements preferentially attached barnacles in brackish water. There was no evidence of weight loss in any of the test specimens.
The other Stanley Cohen.

In the timeline accompanying the Pathways of Discovery essay “Neuroscience: breaking down scientific barriers to the study of brain and mind” by E. R. Kandel and L. R. Squire (10 Nov., p. 1113), there are photos that are labeled to be of Rita Levi-Montalcini (my thesis advisor) and her collaborator Stanley Cohen (my friend). Perhaps the photo that the legend indicates is Stan Cohen is instead that of another Stanley Cohen? My photos of Stan Cohen of nerve growth factor/epidermal growth factor fame show a good head of hair, even at age 62. Editor's note The photo in the Pathways essay was indeed of “another Stanley Cohen,” a researcher well known for his pioneering role in genetic engineering. The Stanley Cohen referred to in the Pathways essay, a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986 and professor of biochemistry at Vanderbilt University, is pictured here.
The Current Status of Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

In this article the authors have attempted to summarize and evaluate the current literature regarding the feasibility and indications of the laparoscopic approach to the resection of adrenal lesions. The overall results suggest that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is safe, effective, and has major advantages for patients in terms of decreased pain, hospital stay, and short- and long-term morbidity. For large and malignant lesions, good judgment and careful consideration must be given to the entire clinical picture so that the laparoscopic approach is used for patients who will derive benefits from the minimally invasive approach without compromising an oncologically sound resection or safety of operation. Additional studies will help clarify these remaining controversies further. The laparoscopic approach for adrenalectomy has demonstrated that significant and beneficial advances in surgery are improving the care offered patients.
Pathophysiology and Current Management of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an inflammatory bowel necrosis of preterm infants, is the most common gastrointestinal emergency and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these infants. In this article, the authors review the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of NEC and provide a critical appraisal of the evidence supporting various prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. A literature search was performed using the databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. Current pathophysiological models of NEC suggest that the disease occurs when mucosal injury in the preterm intestine results in translocation of luminal bacteria across the epithelial barrier, triggering an exaggerated and damaging local inflammatory response. Medical management of NEC is largely supportive and likely does not modify the etiopathogenesis of this disease. Antenatal steroids, human milk feedings, adoption of standardized feeding regimens, and probiotics hold promise for prevention of NEC. Future research should focus on early recognition that occurs well before the onset of intestinal necrosis, and prevention of this disease.
New Ultrasound and Related Imaging Techniques

A brief history of medical ultrasound imaging is given to provide a setting for illustration and comparison of new imaging techniques. These new techniques are divided into two classes, namely, transmission tomography and synthetic focus reflection tomography. The evolution of transmission tomography is presented and predictions are given for future developments such as synergistic, quantitative multiple acoustic parameter tissue imaging by solution of the wave equation. Reflection synthetic focus imaging is subdivided into two subclasses based respectively on a heuristic focusing by back projection method and a more abstract method based on inversion of a matrix which relates object and data. Those characteristics of acoustic tomography, not found in x-ray CT, are illustrated by the impedance gradient related, image cancellation artifact.
Taming Wheel of Fortune in the Air: An Algorithmic Framework for Channel Selection Strategy in Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive radio (CR) has been proposed to improve spectrum efficiency by taking advantage of the vacancies in primary channels. Since the frequency range of operation is very wide in a CR network (CRN) and, usually, CRs cannot scan all the channels simultaneously, one of the fundamental tasks for a CR is the channel selection strategy, which directly impacts its performance. In this paper, we present a distributed polynomial time algorithmic framework for computing channel strategies in a CRN with no assumption on the distribution followed by the primary users' channel occupancy. For a secondary user (SU), the upper bound on the gap between the expected profit obtained at each time slot by using the global optimal strategy and the expected profit by using our algorithm is guaranteed to be arbitrarily small when the time horizon is sufficiently large. We also prove an upper bound on the gap between the expected profit by using any strategy sequence and the expected profit by using our strategy sequence.
Polymerization coupled to oscillating reactions: (1) a mechanistic investigation of acrylonitrile polymerization in the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction in a batch reactor

When acrylonitrile is added to the Belousov−Zhabotinsky reaction, periodic polymerization is observed. (Pojman, J. A.; Leard, D. C.; West, W. W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 8298). The polymer's structure and the amount of bromine in the polymer sample were determined by 13C NMR and elemental analysis, respectively. Carbon-13-labeled malonic acid indicates that polymerization of acrylonitrile is initiated by malonyl radical. The bromous radicals are believed to terminate the polymer leaving an alcohol group on the polymer end. Further analysis of the polymer sample confirms that the sample is partially brominated. Numerical simulations based on a modified FKN mechanism are found to be in good agreement with experimental findings. Simulations indicate that periodic termination of the polymer chain by bromine dioxide, not the periodic initiation by malonyl radical, is the dominant cause of the periodic polymerization. Similar results were found in the malonyl-controlled variant of the BZ reaction.
Recurring polysomatic hemangiomatosis: a new syndrome?

Systemic hemangiomatosis is extremely rare in adolescents and adults. The authors describe a 37-year-old man with a history of hepatic, splenic, cerebral, and multiple recurring osseous hemangiomas since age 14. After a 9-year period without disease progression, the patient presented with an acute b