cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Capillary array electrophoresis-MALDI mass spectrometry using a vacuum deposition interface

We previously introduced a vacuum deposition interface for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF MS) on a moving surface (e.g., quartz wheel, Mylar tape, metal target). In our present work, the approach has been extended to demonstrate parallel analysis for multiple on-line infusion MALDI MS and capillary array electrophoresis (CAE)-MALDI MS. In the infusion mode, individual peptide samples were simultaneously deposited on a Mylar tape cartridge using an array of eight capillaries, yielding eight parallel traces. For CAE-MALDI/TOF MS, the same number of separation capillaries were coupled with an array of eight infusion capillaries using a common liquid junction, containing matrix solution. A fast-scanning mirror was employed to traverse the beam of the desorption laser across the Mylar tape to probe one trace at a time. The positions of the eight sample traces formed on the tape were automatically determined, and all samples were analyzed in rapid sequenc...
Statistical and Regulatory Issues in Nonrandomized Medical Device Clinical Studies

While randomized, well-controlled, clinical trials have been viewed as the gold standard in the evaluation of medical products, it is not uncommon for medical device clinical studies to depart from the paradigm of randomized trials, due to ethical or practical reasons. In nonrandomized studies, the advantages of well-designed and conducted randomized clinical trials are no longer available, and consequently the statistical inference obtained from such studies may carry a lower level of scientific assurance, compared to randomized trials. This paper provides a brief overview of nonrandomized medical device clinical studies in terms of design and statistical analysis as well as regulatory issues, including some challenges that frequently arise in those endeavors.
U.S. Public Policies and Institutions in an Unstable Future

The papers by Sanderson and by Edwards and Harrington paint a relatively optimistic view of the future facing U.S. agriculture to the turn of the century. They show a moderate rate of growth in exports which will reemploy our current excess productive capacity and require a marginal increase in the acreage of land in crop production. The authors expect productivity to increase fast enough that real prices will continue their downward trend of the last 125 years. Nevertheless, the authors note that the growth in export exposure of American agriculture will be accompanied by greater year-to-year variability in demand, bringing some years of high prices and tight supply and other years, like the present, of low prices and excess capacity relative to demand.
Explorations of molecular structure-property relationships.

Abstract The problem of the relationship between the structure of a molecule and its physical, chemical, and biological properties is one of the most fundamental in chemistry. Three molecular structure-property studies are discussed as illustrations of different approaches to this problem. In the first study the carcinogenic activities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives are examined. Molecular orbital calculations of the presumptive activation steps and species for these compounds (based on the “bay region” theory of activation) are seen to yield a surprisingly good guide to the observed carcinogenic activities. Both activation and deactivation steps are considered. The second study reviews structure-property work on the tissue solubilities of halogenated hydrocarbons. Relatively simple structural descriptors give a good account of the solubilities of these compounds in blood, muscle, fat, and liver tissue. With the aid of principal components analysis it is shown that there are two...
A Function-Parallel Architecture for High-Speed Firewalls

Firewalls enforce a security policy by inspecting and filtering traffic arriving or departing from a secure network. This is typically done by comparing an arriving packet to a set of rules and performing the matching rule action, which is accept or deny. Unfortunately packet inspections can impose significant delays on traffic due to the complexity and size of policies. Therefore, improving firewall performance is important given the next generation of high-speed networks. This paper introduces a new firewall architecture that can perform packet inspections under increasing traffic loads, higher traffic speeds, and strict QoS requirements. The architecture consists of multiple firewalls configured in parallel that collectively enforce a security policy. Each firewall implements part of the policy and arriving packets are processed by all the firewalls simultaneously. Since multiple firewalls are used to process every packet, the proposed function-parallel system has significantly lower delays (e.g. 74% lower for a four firewall system) and a higher throughput than other data-parallel (load-balancing) firewalls. These findings will be demonstrated empirically. Furthermore unlike data-parallel systems, the function-parallel design allows the stateful inspection of packets, which is critical to prevent certain types of network attacks.
Effect of Estrogen on Thyrotropin-Releasing HormoneInduced Release of Prolactin in Intact, Ovariectomized, and Stalk-Sectioned Female Rhesus Monkeys

The effects of estrogen treatment on basal and TRH-induced serum PRL concentrations were studied in three groups of four female rhesus monkeys; intact monkeys, ovariectomized animals, and monkeys in which the pituitary gland had been isolated from direct hypothalamic influences by pituitary stalk section. The TRH tests (50 μg, iv) were performed before and 7 and 21 days after the sc implantation of one or two 3-cm long silastic capsules containing 17β-estradiol. Treatment with estradiol significantly increased the PRL response to TRH in the three groups of animals. The highest PRL response to TRH was observed after stalk section. The estrogen treatment also increased basal PRL concentrations in stalk-sectioned monkeys, but no statistically significant increase was observed in intact or ovariectomized animals. These results indicate that physiological amounts of estradiol increase the magnitude of TRH-induced PRL release in rhesus monkeys, and that this estrogen effect is probably enacted directly at the l...
Staging of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome using home spirometry.

Objectives To compare the detection of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in lung transplant recipients by clinic pulmonary function laboratory measurement and home spirometry. Design The subjects served as their own control group. Setting A university-based thoracic transplant center. Subjects Forty-five lung transplant recipients (26 women and 19 men; average ± SD age, 47.7 ± 11.4 years old at the time of transplantation). Lung function declined to at least BOS stage 1 in 17 of the 45 subjects. Measurements All subjects were participants in a home monitoring program utilizing home spirometry measurements. Clinic spirometry and home spirometry measurements were collected concurrently. The determinations of BOS staging were based on home and clinic FEV 1 values using retrospective analysis and development of the home-based BOS staging algorithm. Results BOS stage 1 was detected an average of 341 to 276 days earlier with home spirometry than with clinic pulmonary function testing in the 17 subjects who had a pulmonary decline to BOS stage 1, depending on the persistence of the decline (1 day or 3 days, respectively). The difference in BOS detection time was statistically significant for both persistence requirements (p Conclusions Home spirometry detects pulmonary decline earlier than clinic spirometry; home spirometry can be a reliable and safe alternative to frequent pulmonary function testing in lung recipients.
A social-ecological model of readiness for transition to adult-oriented care for adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions.

Background Policy and research related to transition to adult care for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) has focused primarily on patient age, disease skills and knowledge. Objective In an effort to broaden conceptualization of transition and move beyond isolated patient variables, a new social-ecological model of AYA readiness for transition (SMART) was developed. Methods SMART development was informed by related theories, literature, expert opinion and pilot data collection using a questionnaire developed to assess provider report of SMART components with 100 consecutive patients in a childhood cancer survivorship clinic. Results The literature, expert opinion and pilot data collection support the relevance of SMART components and a social-ecological conceptualization of transition. Provider report revealed that many components, representing more than age, disease knowledge and skills, related to provider plans for transferring patients. Conclusions SMART consists of inter-related constructs of patients, parents and providers with emphasis on variables amenable to intervention. Results support SMART's broadened conceptualization of transition readiness and need for assessment of multiple stakeholders' perspectives of patient transition readiness. A companion measure of SMART, which will be able to be completed by patients, parents and providers, will be developed to target areas of intervention to facilitate optimal transition readiness. Similar research programmes to establish evidence-based transition measures and interventions are needed.
Improving Graduate Business School Programs by Strengthening the Delivery System

(1991). Improving Graduate Business School Programs by Strengthening the Delivery System. Journal of Education for Business: Vol. 66, No. 3, pp. 147-150.
Role of NFκB activator Act1 in CD40-mediated signaling in epithelial cells

CD40, a cell surface receptor in the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, first identified and functionally characterized on B lymphocytes, is also expressed on epithelial and other cells and is now thought to play a more general role in immune regulation. Overexpression of the NFκB activator 1 (Act1) leads to the activation of both NFκB and Jun kinase in epithelial cell lines. Endogenous Act1 is recruited to the CD40 receptor in human intestinal (HT29) and cervical (HeLa) epithelial cells upon stimulation with CD40 ligand, indicating that Act1 is involved in this signaling pathway. Act1 also interacts with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3, a component involved in CD40-activated pathway. Furthermore, transfection of Act1 into C33A cervical epithelial cells, which do not express it, renders these cells sensitive to CD40 ligand-induced NFκB activation and protects them from CD40 ligand-induced apoptosis. We conclude that Act1 plays an important role in CD40-mediated signaling in epithelial cells.
The ACCF/AHA Scientific Statement on Syncope: a document in need of thoughtful revision.

The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have recently published, in both the Journal of the American College of Cardiology ( JACC ) and Circulation , a Scientific Statement on the Evaluation of Syncope (‘Statement’). This Scientific Statement was commissioned to provide guidance for clinicians regarding the evaluation of patients who present with ‘syncope’. The Statement was not intended to be a formal set of practice guidelines. However, in the absence of generally accepted practice guidelines in North America, the Statement's potential impact on clinical care may be more far-reaching than expected; it may erroneously be considered to be the authoritative ‘de-facto’ guideline document. This commentary, submitted by a multidisciplinary consortium of more than 60 physicians with expertise in the management of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC), points out that in many respects the ACCF/AHA Syncope Statement fails to address long-standing clinical errors associated with the evaluation of episodes of apparent TLOC, including syncope. If not appropriately revised, the current Statement may lead to both inadequate patient care as well as a potentially damaging legal environment for physicians undertaking evaluation of patients who present with transient loss of consciousness.
An Exploration of Exchange in Three Social Relationships: Kinship, Friendship and the Marketplace

Exchange norms are analysed within the context of three social relationships: the marketplace, friendship, and kinship. Exchange is treated as a complex, decision-making process that often involves the creation of trust and willingness to accept asymmetries in transactions. When constructing an exchange each partner bases his or her behaviour on: (1) social relationships; (2) norms; (3) the type of comparison - intrapersonal or interpersonal; (4) an estimate of the partner's trustworthiness; and (5) the number of parties in the exchange network. A sample of people who built their own homes with the help of kin and friends is examined from this exchange perspective. The data suggest that people employ four beliefs and norms to accept exchange imbalance: kinship and friendship licence, the assumption of eventual balance, the need norm, and the norm of noninstrumental concern. These norms and beliefs appear to allay fears of exploitation.
Creep deformation behavior of Sn–3.5Ag solder/Cu couple at small length scales

Abstract In order to adequately characterize the behavior of solder balls in electronic devices, the mechanical behavior of solder joints needs to be studied at small length scales. The creep behavior of single solder ball Sn–Ag/Cu solder joints was studied in shear, at 25, 60, 95, and 130 °C, using a microforce testing system. A change in the creep stress exponent with increasing stress was observed and explained in terms of a threshold stress for bypass of Ag3Sn particles by dislocations. The stress exponent was also temperature dependent, exhibiting an increase in exponent of two from lower to higher temperature. The activation energy for creep was found to be temperature dependant, correlating with self-diffusion of pure Sn at high temperatures, and dislocation core diffusion of pure Sn at lower temperatures. Normalizing the creep rate for activation energy and the temperature-dependence of shear modulus allowed for unification of the creep data. Microstructure characterization, including preliminary TEM analysis, and fractographic analysis were conducted in order to fully describe the creep behavior of the material.
A replanning approach towards uncertainty handling in robot assembly

The authors introduce a replanning approach toward robot planning for assembly tasks by assuming the existence of a nominal robot motion plan and developing replanning strategies to handle failures due to uncertainties or errors. Specifically, they extend the concept of contact formations by defining contact planes and abstract obstacles, on the basis of which a patch-planning strategy is developed and evaluated; the strategy can generate patch-plans in real time to resolve unplanned contacts between the object being moved and its environment due to uncertainties and lead the object to its nominal goal. The authors also introduce motion strategy planning an constraints which are necessary to guarantee the success of a high-precision assembly task. >
Dynamic edge warping: experiments in disparity estimation under weak constraints

A technique, dynamic edge warping, for recovering reasonable disparity maps from uncalibrated stereo image pairs is presented. No precise knowledge of the epipolar camera geometry is assumed. The technique is part of a system including structural stereopsis and digital photogrammetry for self-calibrating stereo image pairs with application in autonomous extraction of terrain maps from stereo aerial photographs and autonomous calibration maintenance in robotic vision. The system substitutes high-level information and constraints for precise geometric knowledge, in constraining the matching process. >
Role of protease-activated receptor-1 in endothelial nitric oxide synthase-Thr495 phosphorylation.

Protease activated receptors (PARs) are G protein-coupled receptors that are known to regulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity in part by phosphorylating the enzyme at various sites. Ser1177 is a positive regulatory site, which leads to the enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO), a vasodilator of arteries. Thr495 is a negative regulatory site, which inhibits NO production. We have shown that thrombin, a PAR agonist, mediates eNOS-Ser1177 phosphorylation through Gq and a calcium and protein kinase C (PKC)-δ sensitive, but phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt-independent pathway. However, the mechanism for eNOS-Thr495 phosphorylation by PAR agonists is unknown. We used a specific synthetic PAR-1 activating peptide, TFLLR, and thrombin to assess the role of PAR-1 involvement in the phosphorylation of eNOS-Thr495 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Using Western blot analysis and the Griess Reagent assay, we found that both agonists phosphorylated Thr495 in a time- and ...
Elimination of poly-Si gate depletion for sub-65-nm CMOS technologies by excimer laser annealing

Pulsed excimer laser annealing (ELA) is used to reduce the poly-Si gate depletion effect (to <0.1 nm). Low resistivity (0.58 m/spl Omega//spl middot/cm) and high active boron concentration (4/spl times/10/sup 20/ cm/sup -3/) at the gate-oxide interface are achieved while preserving the gate oxide quality and avoiding boron penetration, to meet International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors requirements for sub-65-nm CMOS technology nodes. ELA is compatible with high-/spl kappa/ dielectric (HfO/sub 2/) and results in significantly lower gate leakage current density as compared with rapid thermal annealing (RTA).
Ependymoma: Results, Prognostic Factors and Treatment Recommendations

Abstract Purpose: To review the University of Florida experience in treating ependymomas, analyze prognostic factors, and provide treatment recommendations. Methods and Materials: Forty-one patients with ependymoma and no metastases outside the central nervous system received postoperative radiotherapy with curative intent between 1966 and 1989. Ten patients had supratentorial lesions, 22 had infratentorial lesions, and 9 had spinal cord lesions. All patients had surgery (stereotactic biopsy, subtotal resection, or gross total resection). Most patients with high-grade lesions received radiotherapy to the craniospinal axis. Low-grade intracranial lesions received more limited treatment. Spinal cord lesions were treated using either partial spine or whole spine fields. Results: Of 32 intracranial tumors, 21 recurred, all at the primary site; no spinal cord tumors recurred. Overall 10-year survival rates were 51% (absolute) and 46% (relapse-free); by tumor site: spinal cord, 100%; infratentorial, 45%; supratentorial, 20% ( p = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, tumor site was the only factor that influenced absolute survival ( p = 0.0004); other factors evaluated included grade, gender, age, duration of symptoms, resection extent, primary tumor dose, treatment field extent, surgery-to–radiotherapy interval, and days under radiotherapy treatment. Conclusions: Patients with supratentorial or infratentorial tumors receive irradiation, regardless of grade. Craniospinal-axis fields are used when spinal seeding is radiographically or pathologically evident. Spinal cord tumors are treated using localized fields to the primary site if not completely resected. Failure to control disease at the primary site remains the main impediment to cure.
A construction of supernilpotent radical classes

In a recent paper van Leeuwen and Heyman constructed a supernilpotent radical class using the class of almost nilpotent rings. Using a similar construction, for any class C satisfying the following four properties we obtain a superrnlpotent radical class containing C . (N1) C contains the class Z of all zero rings. (N2) C is hereditary. (N3) C is homomorphically closed. (N4) If A and A/I are elements of C for some ideal I of a ring A , then A ∈ C . Every supernilpotent radical class P clearly satisfies these conditions. For any such radical class we define the class of almost radical rings and use these to construct a new radical class P 2 which contains the given one. Also, we give a characterization for dual supernilpotent radicals.
Emerging applications of multirate signal processing and wavelets in digital communications

Multirate systems and filter banks have traditionally played an important role in source coding and compression for contemporary communication applications, and many of the key design issues in such applications have been extensively explored. We review developments on the comparatively less explored role of multirate filter banks and wavelets in channel coding and modulation for some important classes of channels. Some representative examples of emerging potential applications are described. One involves the use of highly dispersive, broadband multirate systems for wireless multiuser communication (spread spectrum CDMA) in the presence of fading due to time-varying multipath. Another is the wavelet-based diversity strategy referred to as "fractal modulation" for use with unpredictable communication links and in broadcast applications with user-selectable quality of service. A final example involves multitone (multicarrier) modulation systems based on multirate filter banks and fast lapped transforms for use on channels subject to severe intersymbol and narrowband interference. Collectively, these constitute intriguing, interrelated paradigms within an increasingly broad and active area of research.
Segmentation and classification of 3-D spots in FISH images

In this paper, we propose an automated method to segment and classify the 3-D spots in fluorescence in-situ hybridization images from ovarian germline nurse cells of Drosophila melanogaster. The spot segmentation consists of a smoothing step followed by top-hat filtering and 3-D region growing. After the spots are segmented, a number of features such as volume, texture, and contrast are measured so as to classify the real spots from the noise with the help of a Bayesian classifier. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in terms of segmentation and classification accuracy.
Advanced age and comorbidity increase the risk for adverse events after revision total hip arthroplasty

With the institution of quality-assurance parameters in health care, physicians must accurately measure and report the true baseline rates of adverse events (AEs) after complex surgical interventions. To better quantify the risk of AEs for revision total hip arthroplasty (THA), we divided a cohort of 306 patients (322 procedures) into age groups: group I (<65 years, n = 138), group II (65-79 years, n = 119), and group III (≥80 years, n = 65). Ninety-day rates of major AE were 9%, 19%, and 34% in the groups, respectively. Group III had an increased chance of experiencing major AE compared with groups I and II. Age and Charlson Comorbidity Index independently predicted major complications, whereas body mass index, sex, and type of revision did not.
The impact of body mass index on patient survival after therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation.

Abstract Objectives Therapeutic hypothermia improves survival in patients after cardiac arrest, yet the impact of body mass index (BMI) on survival is lesser known. We hypothesized that nonobese patients would have greater survival post–therapeutic hypothermia than obese patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 164 patients who underwent therapeutic hypothermia after resuscitation for cardiac arrest from January 2012 to September 2014. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess for survival based upon BMI and comorbidities (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval). Results Forty-one percent of patients were obese. Obese patients presented less frequently with ventricular fibrillation ( P =.046) but had similar rates of pulseless electrical activity ( P =.479) and ventricular tachycardia ( P =.262) to nonobese patients. In multivariable analysis, BMI less than 30kg/m 2 , hypertension, presence of pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, high glomerular filtration rate, and low neuron-specific enolase were all associated with increased survival post–therapeutic hypothermia, respectively: 0.36 (0.16-0.78), 0.28 (0.12-0.66), 0.23 (0.08-0.62), 0.25 (0.11-0.56), and 0.37 (0.14-0.96). Other comorbidities demonstrated no association with survival. Conclusions Body mass index at least 30kg/m 2 compared with BMI less than 30kg/m 2 was a significant risk factor for mortality post–therapeutic hypothermia protocol. Absence of history of hypertension, lack of pacemaker/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, high neuron-specific enolase, and renal disease had greater associations with death. Larger studies will be needed to validate these findings.
Re-Conceptualizing Developmental Areas of Assessment for Screening, Eligibility Determination and Program Planning in Early Intervention

Contemporary recommended practices in early childhood assessment strive to gain a holistic picture of child learning and development to inform screening, eligibility, and program planning decisions. These practices have traditionally focused on competencies reflected in developmental domains with limited attention to the approaches-to-learning used to acquire those competencies. In this article, we call for the examination of early childhood constructs that impact a childâ€™s ability to learn and develop, such as executive function (EF), mastery motivation, self-regulation and self-determination, specifically in the infant-toddler period. With EF defined as a wide range of central control processes in the brain that link and categorize information that is discernible in cognitive, motor, and behavioral responses [1], we propose a model of EF as the core construct that drives and unites these learning processes and describe how the model can be applied to Part C early intervention screening, assessment, eligibility determination, and program planning, as well as identify future directions in research and personnel preparation.
Free-running rhythms and light- and dark-pulse phase response curves for diurnal Octodon degus (Rodentia)

Only rarely have precise, short-duration light pulses been used to generate phase response curves (PRCs) in diurnal mammals as done for nocturnal mammals, and a dark-pulse PRC has never been generated for a diurnal mammal. In addition, the relationship between free-running rhythms in different light intensities and PRCs has not been explored in diurnal mammals. We examined these relationships in Octodon degus, a diurnal hystricomorph rodent. Male degus lengthened the circadian period (tau) and duration of daily activity (alpha) after an increase in light intensity from 0 (DD) to 250 lx, and tau was furthered lengthened when light intensity increased from 580 to 5,800 lx. To generate a light-pulse PRC, degus were housed in DD and exposed to 20-min light pulses (250 lx) and phase shifts recorded across the circadian day. Two different PRCs were generated in response to 20-min light pulses. The majority of animals produced significant phase delays between circadian time (CT) 0 and CT 6, phase advances between CT 13 and CT 22, and a nonsignificant response period between CT 8 and CT 13. Two animals produced a PRC devoid of significant phase delays, producing only significant phase advances between CT 17 and CT 24. To generate a dark-pulse PRC, animals were moved to LL (580 lx) and exposed to 1-h dark pulses. After dark pulses degus produced significant phase delays between CT 20 and CT 8, advances from CT 10 to CT 17, and nonsignificant responses between CT 18 and CT 20. This is the first report of a PRC to dark-pulse stimuli for a diurnal mammal. Thus light- and dark-pulse PRCs can be generated in a comparable way to those of nocturnal rodents, and we conclude that nocturnal and diurnal rodents use similar photic signals to produce somewhat different PRCs.
Charge collection efficiency mapping of a Frisch-collared BiI3 device

Charge collection efficiency (CCE) mapping was performed by simulating a 5.0 × 5.0 × 10.0 mm3 Frisch-collared BiI3 gamma-ray detector with an applied bias of 4800V and comparing the results to those previously published for a 4.7 × 4.7 × 9.5 mm3 Frisch-collared CdZnTe device with an applied bias of 1200V. The BiI3 mobility-lifetime products used for CCE mapping were μeτe = 9.5 × 10−6 cm2 V−1 and μhτh = 1.0 × 10−7 cm2 V−1 for electrons and holes, respectively. The simulations were performed using the modified form of the Hecht equation and the necessary weighting-potential and weighting-field distributions were simulated using the commercially available software package COULOMB©. After comparing the simulation results to CdZnTe, the applied bias and mobility-lifetime products were adjusted separately until the Frisch-collared BiI3 device resembled the CCE of the CdZnTe Frisch-collared device. Using the previously stated mobility-lifetime products, an applied bias of 2.1 MV is necessary to achieve similar CCE as that of CdZnTe at 1200V. Likewise, an improvement of three orders of magnitude (μeτe = 9.5 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 and μhτh = 1.0 × 10−4 cm2 V−1) to the BiI3 mobility-lifetime products is required to operate the device at an applied bias of 4800V and approximately match the CCE of CdZnTe at 1200V.
Instructional Ecology for Students in Resource and Regular Classrooms

Sixteen elementary students were observed systematically over 2 entire school days to examine the nature of instruction and academic responding times during resource room instruction and mainstream classroom instruction. Data were recorded in six categories at 10-second intervals. Analyses of the results indicate that in the mainstream setting, the nature of instruction and academic responding was similar for LD students and their non-LD classmates. Similarly, when LD students were in the resource room and non-LD students were in the regular classroom, no statistical differences were found in the nature of instruction or in academic responding times of the two groups of students. Overall active academic responding time was low, even in the resource room, averaging just over 29 minutes of a 95-minute time period. Implications of the findings for practice and training of mainstream and resource room teachers are explored.
Comparison of Brand Share Data by Three Reporting Systems

Reliable market share data are essential to any evaluation of marketing strategy. Substantial differences between measurement systems in reporting changes in brand shares should be particularly disturbing to marketing management. The possible lack of reliability is often overlooked when one reporting system is completely relied on. Relatively small changes in market share are accepted as grounds for adjustments in strategy when such changes could be caused by sampling error or reporting bias. How great are differences in reporting changes in brand share? What are the possible reasons for such differences? To deal with these questions, brand share data for two classes of drug and toiletry products were examined as reported by three measurement systems: store audits, consumer panels, and telephone interviews relying on direct consumer recall of purchasing behavior.1 Store audits were reported on a moving three months' average and consumer panel and telephone interview data on a monthly basis. Occasional comparisons of share data by alternative measures have been undertaken in evaluating changes in market position. Yet, no such comparisons seem to have been published, probably because of the controls on such information.
Performance Analysis of the Airborne Radar Warning System

Airborne Radar Warning System is an important part of the airboard self-defense electronic countermeasure system.This paper introduces its components and functions of the system with emphasis on the analysis of the azimuth determination and azimuth measurement error.The future trend of Airborne Radar Warning System is pointed out.
Impact of Study Skills and Parent Education on First-Year GPA Among College Students With and Without ADHD: A Moderated Mediation Model

Objective: To test if the relationship between ADHD and academic achievement is mediated by service utilization and/or study skills, and if these mediation effects are moderated by parental education level. Method: A bootstrapping method within structural equation modeling was used with data from 355 first year college students meeting strict criteria for ADHD or clearly without ADHD to test the mediation and moderation effects. Results: Study skills, but not service utilization, significantly mediated the relationship between ADHD status and GPA; however, this relationship was not significant among students with at least one parent holding a master’s degree or higher. Conclusion: Among first year college students study skills may be a more salient predictor of educational outcomes relative to ADHD status. Additional research into support services for college students with ADHD is needed, however, results suggest interventions targeting study skills may hold particular promise for these students.
Star Trek and the future of family medicine.

with each reinvention sets it apart from other series of the era and makes it particularly interesting as a source of scrutiny. The original Star Trek first hit the airwaves in the 1960s during the height of the cold war, offering an image of the future in which humankind had overcome its divisions and united in a near utopian federation. Various versions of the series followed, and each adaptation included a physician as a character of major importance in the unfolding dramas. With every new edition, these physicians evolved through a succession of changes that reflected shifting cultural perceptions of the medical profession as we moved into the 21st century. The first of the Star Trek physi
Electron-Atom Scattering Theory: An Overview

A summary of the basic equations that are used in the electron-atom collision calculations discussed in this book is presented. We begin with the simplest case of potential scattering, before we introduce integral equation approaches for the transition operator and, finally, the close-coupling expansion.
An integrated antenna for pulse modulation and radiation

A novel pulse transmitting scheme is proposed based on the integration of RF modulators into a resonant antenna. Driven by the modulating signals, the modulators are able to modulate on the antenna's radiation slots directly. Therefore, narrow pulse sequences can be generated and radiated out simultaneously. Furthermore, the resonant behavior of the antenna, which limits the antenna's bandwidth, can be significantly alleviated. The experimental results show that a patch antenna with a resonant frequency of 2.4 GHz and a 30 MHz bandwidth can transmit a digital modulated signal with beyond 200 MHz bandwidth.
The Polymerase Chain Reaction: DNA Extraction and Amplification

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method of cloning DNA without the use of microorganisms (Saiki et al. 1985, Mullis et al. 1986). In five short years since the development of PCR, this technology has been modified for many uses (Innes et al. 1990) and has essentially revolutionized molecular biology (Guyer and Koshland 1989). PCR allows the rapid selection, isolation and amplification of DNA regions of interest from small amounts of tissue and can be used to help prepare DNA for sequencing. Because it works well for small amounts of tissue and for small pieces of DNA, PCR allows the examination of nucleotide sequences from ancient preserved specimens which have been dried, frozen, hidden in anaerobic sediments, or soaked in alcohol or formalin (Paabo 1990). The greatly increased speed of extraction, amplification, and sequencing has made nucleotide sequence data available on the large scale necessary for population biological and systematic studies. If sequencing studies turn up consistent differences in nucleotide sequence among populations or taxa, PCR can be combined with RFLP analysis to rapidly screen for these known differences. Dot blot analysis with allele specific probes or allele specific PCR primers can be used for a similar purpose (Innes et al. 1990).
PLAG1 immunohistochemistry is a sensitive marker for pleomorphic adenoma: a comparative study with PLAG1 genetic abnormalities

Aims PLAG1 gene rearrangement is the most common genetic abnormality in pleomorphic adenoma (PA), resulting in overexpression of PLAG1 protein. PA and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CA ex-PA) can mimic various benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. The aims of this study are to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of PLAG1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) in the differential diagnosis of PA and CA ex-PA and to compare the PLAG1 immunohistochemical results to PLAG1 gene abnormalities as detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Methods and Results PLAG1 immunostaining was performed on 83 salivary gland tumors including 23 PA, 15 CA ex-PA, and 45 other salivary gland tumors. In addition, PLAG1 FISH was performed in 44 cases for the presence of gene rearrangements/amplifications. The results showed high sensitivity of PLAG1 IHC in 96% of PA; however, discordant results between PLAG1 FISH abnormalities and IHC were noted in 15/44 cases (34%). Seven PA, four de novo myoepithelial carcinomas and one basal cell adenocarcinoma had negative FISH results, but were positive for IHC; while 3 salivary duct carcinomas (SDC) ex-PA were positive for FISH but negative for IHC. PLAG1 IHC can differentiate CA ex-PA from de novo SDC (p=0.02), but not from de novo myoepithelial carcinoma. PLAG1 IHC is a sensitive marker for PA. This could be due to PLAG1 gene abnormalities beyond FISH resolution. Conclusions A negative PLAG1 IHC might be helpful in excluding a PA diagnosis. Interestingly in the context of CA ex-PA, FISH is more sensitive than IHC in detecting PLAG1 abnormalities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
A Novel Approach to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Training: A Pilot Program

Abstract Background Sexual assault nurse examiners are highly specialized trained nurses. Methods In order to meet our institution's need to recruit and train experienced registered nurses as sexual assault nurse examiners, we developed a multimethod, simulation-based training model designed to streamline the educational process and preserve the quality of education. The training program incorporated human manikin-based simulation and specially trained actors. Results In less than one year, this program trained enough registered nurses to provide 24-hour coverage for our institution's five facilities. Conclusion Simulation-based training that incorporates simulated sexual assault victims is an effective model that meets the goals of staffing specially trained sexual assault nurse examiners.
Required Peer-cooperative Learning Improves Retention of STEM Majors

Peer-cooperative learning has been shown in the literature to improve student success in gateway science and mathematics courses. Such studies typically demonstrate the impact of students’ attending peer-led learning sessions on their learning or grades in an individual course. In this article, we examine the effects of introducing a required, comprehensive peer-cooperative learning system across five departments simultaneously at a master’s public university, looking not only at students’ success in supported classes, but also their retention within STEM fields two years hence. Combining institutional demographic data with students’ course grades and retention rates, we compare outcomes between 456 students who took their major’s introductory course in the two years prior to implementation of the program, and 552 students who did so after implementation. While these two student groups did not significantly differ in either their demographic profile or their SAT scores, the post-implementation group earned significantly higher grades in their introductory courses in each major, due largely to an erasure of the mediating effect of SAT scores on course grades. Further, this increase in introductory course grades was also associated with an increase in the two-year retention rate of students in STEM majors. This finding is significant as it suggests that implementing comprehensive educational reform using required peer-led cooperative learning may have the proximate effect of mitigating differences in academic preparation (as measured by SAT scores) for students in introductory STEM courses. Furthermore, this increase in success leads to increased retention rates in STEM, expanding the pipeline of students retained in such fields.
Experimental chronic cerebral hypoperfusion results in decreased pericyte coverage and increased blood–brain barrier permeability in the corpus callosum:

Murine chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) results in white matter (WM) injury and behavioral deficits. Pericytes influence blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and cerebral blood flow. Under hypoxic conditions, pericytes detach from perivascular locations increasing vessel permeability and neuronal injury. This study characterizes the time course of BBB dysfunction and pericyte coverage following murine experimental CCH secondary to bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS). Mice underwent BCAS or sham operation. On post-procedure days 1, 3, 7 and 30, corpus callosum BBB permeability was characterized using Evans blue (EB) extravasation and IgG staining and pericyte coverage/count was calculated. The BCAS cohort demonstrated increased EB extravasation on postoperative days 1 ( p = 0.003) 3 ( p = 0.002), and 7 ( p = 0.001) when compared to sham mice. Further, EB extravasation was significantly greater ( p = 0.05) at day 3 than at day 30 in BCAS mice. BCAS mice demonstrated a nadir in pericyte coverage and count on post-operative day 3 ( p < 0.05, compared to day 7, day 30 and sham). Decreased pericyte coverage/count and increased BBB permeability are most pronounced on postoperative day 3 following murine CCH. This precedes any notable WM injury or behavioral deficits.
Loss of Ethanol Inhibition of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor-Mediated Currents and Plasticity of Cerebellar Synapses in Mice Expressing the GluN1(F639A) Subunit.

Background Glutamatergic N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are well known for their sensitivity to ethanol (EtOH) inhibition. However, the specific manner in which EtOH inhibits channel activity and how such inhibition affects neurotransmission, and ultimately behavior, remains unclear. Replacement of phenylalanine 639 with alanine (F639A) in the GluN1 subunit reduces EtOH inhibition of recombinant NMDARs. Mice expressing this subunit show reduced EtOH-induced anxiolysis, blunted locomotor stimulation following low-dose EtOH administration, and faster recovery of motor function after moderate doses of EtOH, suggesting that cerebellar dysfunction may contribute to some of these behaviors. In the mature mouse cerebellum, NMDARs at the cerebellar climbing fiber (CF) to Purkinje cell (PC) synapse are inhibited by low concentrations of EtOH and the long-term depression (LTD) of parallel fiber (PF)-mediated currents induced by concurrent activation of PFs and CFs (PF-LTD) requires activation of EtOH-sensitive NMDARs. In this study, we examined cerebellar NMDA responses and NMDA-mediated synaptic plasticity in wild-type (WT) and GluN1(F639A) mice. Methods Patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings were performed in acute cerebellar slices from adult WT and GluN1(F639A) mice. NMDAR-mediated currents at the CF-PC synapse and NMDAR-dependent PF-LTD induction were compared for genotype-dependent differences. Results Stimulation of CFs evoked robust NMDA-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in PCs that were similar in amplitude and kinetics between WT and GluN1(F639A) mice. NMDA-mediated CF-PC EPSCs in WT mice were significantly inhibited by EtOH (50 mM) while those in mutant mice were unaffected. Concurrent stimulation of CF and PF inputs induced synaptic depression of PF-PC EPSCs in both WT and mutant mice, and this depression was blocked by the NMDA antagonist DL-APV. The synaptic depression of PF-PC EPSCs in WT mice was also blocked by a low concentration of EtOH (10 mM) that had no effect on plasticity in GluN1(F639A) mice. Conclusions These results demonstrate that inhibition of cerebellar NMDARs may be a key mechanism by which EtOH affects cerebellar-dependent behaviors.
TETRALOGY OF FALLOT: CHALLENGES OF LATE COMPLICATIONS

Tetralogy of Fallot leads to right heart failure and arrhythmias in adulthood. 45-year-old female with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and multiple palliative surgeries since infancy presented with right heart failure. Her medical history includes TOF repair with a right ventricle to pulmonary artery
Why All Business Schools Should Teach Foresight: Perspectives from More Than a Decade at the University of Notre Dame:

This article advocates that business schools include a formalized foresight educational experience more widely in their curriculums. As a group charged with educating business leaders of tomorrow, the cultivation of the skill-set and mind-set necessary for anticipating change and positioning organizations for future success and survival should no longer be left to chance. For the past decade, the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame has required all undergraduate students to take a course titled Foresight in Business and Society. During this time, the Mendoza foresight faculty team has gained perspective on the design and value of a futures research learning experience for our students. Five underlying design principles are presented that have shaped the delivery and execution of the course these revolve around: developing great leaders, confronting ambiguous questions, experiential understanding, rigorous exploration, and anticipation as a force for good. As with any design-based p...
Management of Hepatic Trauma: An Update

Being the largest solid abdominal organ, the liver is the second most commonly injured organ after abdominal trauma. In this review, we discuss the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma's (AAST) liver injury grading system and World Society of Emergency Surgery's triage grading system. Furthermore, we discuss the role of imaging in hepatic trauma, as well as the indications, techniques, and roles of nonoperative and operative management.
Hi: Temperatures, Magnetism, Turbulence, Morphology

We review observations of the physical properties of the diffuse ISM HI components, namely the Cold and Warm Neutral Media (CNM and WNM). There is somewhat more WNM than CNM, and at least half of the WNM is not thermally stable. The CNM has typical turbulent Mach number 3. Magnetic energy densities in the CNM considerably exceed thermal energy densities, and are comparable to turbulent energy densities. Magnetic fields in the CNM are comparable to those in the Warm Ionized Medium and the volume-average field strength from synchrotron emissivity.
Exploring Aural and Haptic Feedback for Visually Impaired People on a Track: A Wizard of Oz Study

Access to a variety of exercises is important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This variety includes physical activity in public spaces. A 400-meter jogging track is not accessible because it provides solely visual cues for people to remain in their lane. As a first step toward making exercise spaces accessible, we conducted an ecologically valid Wizard of Oz study to compare the accuracy and user experience of human guide, verbal, wrist vibration, and head beat feedback while people walked around the track. The technology conditions did not affect accuracy, but the order of preference was human guide, verbal, wrist vibration, and head beat. Participants had a difficult time perceiving vibrations when holding their cane or guide dog, and lower frequency sounds made it difficult to focus on their existing navigation strategies.