cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A meta-analytic review of the event-related potentials (ERN and N2) in childhood and adolescence: Providing a developmental perspective on the conflict monitoring theory

Abstract Effortful control (EC) is characterized by the ability to effectively inhibit and execute behaviors that are adaptively attuned to a specific context. Two event-related potentials (ERPs) known as the error-related negativity (ERN) and N2 are thought to measure EC, but the nature and function of these neural markers are not well understood in children. The present study provides the first comprehensive meta-analytic review of mean-level amplitude differences in the ERN and N2 from childhood to adolescence to quantify developmental changes in their magnitudes. I propose a developmental perspective on the conflict monitoring theory that facilitates evaluation of the claim that the ERN and N2 are measures of EC. As children’s ability to correct their errors improves with age, increased post-response processing generated by the larger discrepancy between error and correct trials is expected to be characterized by increases in the ERN. As children’s ability to ignore distracting information improves with age, decreased processing of irrelevant information is expected to be characterized by decreases in the N2. Meta-analysis of ERN studies (k = 26; N = 1, 519) and N2 studies (k = 19; N = 1, 095) indicated a 0.02 µV increase in ERN amplitude per month and 0.02 µV reduction per month in N2 amplitude across childhood and adolescence. These results are consistent with the hypotheses based on the proposed developmental account of the conflict monitoring theory. Findings suggest that there may be dissociable age effects of the ERN and N2 that are related to the development of EC.
Complication Avoidance and Management of Endovascular Treatments

Abstract Despite good outcomes and worldwide adoption, endovascular intervention for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms is associated with an array of potential complications. Here, we review the etiology of possible thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications, identify the landmark studies that highlight validated risk factors for complication, suggest pearls for complication avoidance, and outline strategies for both medical and surgical management with case examples from practice. Finally, we discuss access site complications, avoidance, and management, which are applicable to all neuroendovascular procedures.
A Survey of Numerical Methods for Parabolic Differential Equations

Publisher Summary The chapter introduces the theoretical view of finite difference methods for approximating the solutions of partial differential equations of parabolic type. A few preliminary definitions and facts about difference analogues of derivatives are first presented. The symbols “u” and “w” will be used to denote the solution of a differential equation and the solution of a difference equation, respectively. Numerical treatment of parabolic differential equations is done by considering the boundary value problem for the heat equation in one space variable. The chapter begins by deriving the backward difference equation and the Crank-Nicolson difference equation. The local error in the time direction is decreased by deriving the Crank-Nicolson difference equation. Crank-Nicolson equations can be applied to problems for which slope conditions are specified at a boundary, but the disadvantage of the Crank-Nicolson method is that greater smoothness is required of the solution of the differential equation to insure convergence. The chapter deals with unconditionally unstable difference equations and higher order correct difference equations, and presents a comparison of the calculation requirements.
Risk-Based Assessment and Management Framework

This chapter reviews current risk assessment concepts and practices as they apply to risk-based, multipollutant air quality management. Key risk assessment elements are introduced. The use of risk and benefit analysis to inform air quality management decisions is described. The concept of accountability is introduced and its linkages to prospective and retrospective forms of risk assessment are discussed. Risk assessment can be applied in an accountability framework to improve air quality management decisions. The current use of risk assessment techniques related to air quality management is reviewed for Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The need to deal with multiple risk characterization metrics in multipollutant risk assessments is a key challenge, because there is not a common basis of quantification for all adverse outcomes. For human health outcomes, risk characterization often focuses on cancer versus non-cancer and individual versus population risk metrics. There are no standard metrics for comparing human health and ecosystem risks. Appropriately chosen and consistently applied metrics are needed for analysis and measurement under an accountability framework. The chapter concludes with a discussion of risk communication and the knowledge gaps limiting the use of risk assessment in multipollutant regulatory applications.
Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology and Health Services Research

This chapter provides an overview of the epidemiology and health services research deliberations on HNC in the US and globally. Cancers of the head and neck contribute considerable burden to the health of populations as well as demands on health care systems. Variation of the anatomical sites included in HNC yield variance in the relative ranking of HNC among cancers. Designation of risk factors has general conscious but delineating the specificity of factors for cancer cause along with disparate and changing distributions around the world may impact health care provider knowledge and associated practices to aid in reducing HNC burden. An additional aspect on causal factors is the challenges in creating behavioral change, such as for improving diets and nutritional intake, prevention and cessation of tobacco and alcohol use, and risky sexual behaviors. Multi- and interdisciplinary approaches are needed for prevention, early intervention, and cost-effective treatment to reduce the population and health care systems burdens.
Therapeutic and prophylactic gastrectomy in a family with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer secondary to a CDH1 mutation: a case series.

Gastric cancer is the fifth most prevalent and the third most lethal cancer worldwide, causing approximately 720,000 deaths annually. Although most cases of gastric cancers are sporadic, one of its inherited forms, hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), constitutes about 1–3% of cases. Interestingly, females in families with HDGC are also predisposed to developing lobular breast cancer (LBC). Recent analyses have identified loss-of-function germline mutations in cadherein-1 (CDH1) as a culprit in HDGC and LBC. This discovery fueled several sequencing analyses and case series reports analyzing the pattern of inheritance of CDH1 and its propensity to induce HDGC. In 2015, a multinational and multidisciplinary task force updated the guidelines and criteria for screening, diagnosing, and managing HDGC. Here, we present a case series of three siblings with family history of HDGC who tested positive for the CDH1 mutation and describe their surgical treatment course, post-operative management, and follow-up as they pertain to the updated guidelines. Despite recent updates in guidelines in the diagnosis and management of HDGC, the disease remains challenging to address with patients given the high level of uncertainty and the comorbidities associated with prophylactic intervention. We strongly recommend that an interdisciplinary team inclusive of clinical and surgical oncologists, along with geneticists, social work, and psychological support, should follow the patients in a longitudinal and comprehensive manner in order to achieve full recovery and return to normalcy, as with our patients.
Places of Belonging: Person- and Place-Focused Interventions to Support Belonging in College

This chapter details the barriers to belonging that many students can face in college. We review successful social psychological interventions, and the psychological and performance outcomes that they impact. However, we note that most (if not all) social psychological belonging interventions to date have been person-focused. That is, these interventions focus on helping individual students understand themselves and their environments in ways that are beneficial. We extend these insights with a call for more research on how to create contexts that that might enhance students’ sense of belonging in college. We argue that if universities and colleges wish to construct inclusive environments, they should bring together both person-focused interventions and place-based interventions that change environmental cues and institutional messages to ones that will support students’ belonging. In the final pages of this chapter, we explore features of inclusive college environments and offer strategies to help college administrators change both the mindsets of students and the campus environments in which students live and learn to be places that support their sense of belonging.
Translational Diffusion—Hydrodynamic Dissipation

“So quiet little Martin William Seagull, startled to get caught under his instructor's fire, surprised himself and became a wizard of low speeds. In the lightest breeze he could curve his feathers to lift himself without a single flap of wing from sand to cloud and down again.”
Pre-Treatment Global Longitudinal Strain Predicts Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Patients Undergoing Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy

Background Chemotherapy-related comorbidities, especially heart failure, are a major source of morbidity and mortality for long-term cancer survivors. Anthracyclines are among the most common class of chemotherapy agents associated with cardiotoxicity. Changes in global longitudinal strain (GLS) in patients who are receiving anthracyclines predicts subsequent decline in ejection fraction, but there is limited data on the role of baseline GLS (i.e. pre-chemotherapy) in predicting cardiotoxicity. We aim to analyze pre-chemotherapy global longitudinal strain, as a predictive factor for future decrease in ejection fraction in patients undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapies in our institution. Methods We included patients who received anthracycline-based chemotherapy who had a baseline echocardiogram prior to treatment and at least one follow-up echocardiogram 3 months after initiation of treatment. Patients without a baseline GLS on echocardiography or an abnormal pre-chemotherapy left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ( 10% from baseline and a decreased total LVEF Results A total of 134 patients were included our study. Seventeen patients had cardiotoxicityduring their treatment course. Baseline characteristics are presented in Table 1. The mean baseline GLS of patients who experienced a decline in LVEF Conclusion GLS has predictive value in identifying patients on anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens who are at the highest risk for left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Strain-protocol echocardiography should be implemented in cardio-oncology practice in monitoring anthracycline cardiotoxicity and identifying patients who are at highest risk for developing anthracycline-induced non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.
Bicoid-Dependent Activation of the Target Gene hunchback Requires a Two-Motif Sequence Code in a Specific Basal Promoter.

In complex genetic loci, individual enhancers interact most often with specific basal promoters. Here we investigate the activation of the Bicoid target gene hunchback (hb), which contains two basal promoters (P1 and P2). Early in embryogenesis, P1 is silent, while P2 is strongly activated. In vivo deletion of P2 does not cause activation of P1, suggesting that P2 contains intrinsic sequence motifs required for activation. We show that a two-motif code (a Zelda binding site plus TATA) is required and sufficient for P2 activation. Zelda sites are present in the promoters of many embryonically expressed genes, but the combination of Zelda plus TATA does not seem to be a general code for early activation or Bicoid-specific activation per se. Because Zelda sites are also found in Bicoid-dependent enhancers, we propose that simultaneous binding to both enhancers and promoters independently synchronizes chromatin accessibility and facilitates correct enhancer-promoter interactions.
Final Update of Phase I-II Study of the Farnesyltransferase Inhibitor Tipifarnib in Combination with Idarubicin and Cytarabine for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia or High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Background: Tipifarnib (Zarnestra, Z) is a non-peptidomimetic farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) with clinical activity in hematologic malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and chronic myeloid leukemia. Preclinical data suggest that tipifarnib may be synergistic with some chemotherapeutic agents. Methods: We designed a phase I/II study in patients (pts) age 15–70 years, with previously untreated AML or high-risk MDS (blasts ≥ 10%), who received induction with idarubicin (Ida) 12 mg/m 2 /day on days 1–3, cytarabine (ara-C) 1.5 g/m 2 IV over 24 hours daily on days 1–4 (days 1–3 only if age ≥ 60 years) and Z, with first cohort (n=6) receiving 200mg PO BID and all others 300 mg PO BID x 21 days every 28 days. Pts achieving a complete remission (CR) received consolidation (5 courses) with Ida 8 mg/m 2 /day on days 1–2, ara-C 0.75 g/m 2 /day on days 1–3, and Z 300 mg PO BID x 14 days every 4–6 weeks. Maintenance was with Z 300 mg PO BID x 21 days every 4–6 weeks for 6 months. Results: We treated 95 pts, median age 50 yrs (range, 17–61 yrs), and all are evaluable for response with a median followup of 61 weeks (range, 35–138). Seventy pts (73%) responded: 61 (64%) achieved a CR and 9 (9%) a CRp. Median CR duration was 72 weeks, (range, 4–121) with median OS 70 weeks (range, 1–138). Response by cytogenetics was: 34/41 (83%) for diploid, 13/19 (69%) with −5/−7, 1/2 (50%) with t(8;21), and 21/32 (65%) with other abnormalities. Response by age was 31/43 (72%) for Conclusion: We conclude that Z combined with IA induces a high rate of CR in high-risk MDS or AML, but the outcome may not be superior to what is obtained with IA alone.
Chapter 4 – The Goods

Publisher Summary The news media have been subjected to numerous criticisms for their political coverage. Favorability of news coverage is related to the competitive status of the candidate. The bad news of his or her position in the polls, also the subject of news coverage, is usually coupled with unfavorable treatment by the news media. The media's power to give shape to electoral contests by choosing the stories to report and the frames by which they are cast constitutes considerable authority. A race requires a field of competitors, and the media contribute early by identifying likely prospects. The frenzy occurs when multiple press outlets pursue a scandalous revelation or an unfortunate gaffe. There is a surfeit, and arguable excess, because the topic remains on the news agenda at the expense of other, often more significant, stories and the damage done to the individual in hindsight often will seem unjust in magnitude. The news media are biased toward bad news. This is reflected in more stories that are negative than positive of almost every type, and a majority of television news directors at local stations believe that negative events are generally more newsworthy than positive events.
The influence of empowered work environments on the psychological experiences of nursing assistants during COVID-19: a qualitative study.

Nursing Assistants (NA) who feel empowered tend to perform their duties better, have higher morale and job satisfaction, and are less likely to leave their jobs. Organizational empowerment practices in hospitals likely shape the psychological experiences of empowerment among these personnel; however, little is known about this relationship. We used qualitative inquiry to explore the relationship between organizational empowerment structural components and feelings of psychological empowerment among hospital frontline workers during a public health emergency. Kanter’s Theory of Structural Empowerment and Spreitzer’s Psychological Empowerment in the Workplace Framework were applied to identify the conceptual influences of organizational practices on psychological experiences of empowerment. In-depth interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of NAs, caring for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Directed content analysis was performed to generate a data matrix consisting of the psychological experiences of meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact embedded under the organizational structural components of information, resources, support, and opportunity. Thirteen NAs (mean age = 42 years, 92% female) completed interviews. Information, or lack thereof, provided to the NAs influenced feelings of fear, preparation, and autonomy. Resources (e.g., protocols, equipment, and person-power) made it easier to cope with overwhelming emotions, affected the NAs’ abilities to do their jobs, and when limited, drove NAs to take on new roles. NAs noted that support was mostly provided by nurses and made the NAs feel appreciated, desiring to contribute more. While NAs felt they could consult leadership when needed, several felt leadership showed little appreciation for their roles and contributions. Similar to support, the opportunity to take care of COVID-19 patients yielded a diverse array of emotions, exposed advances and gaps in NA preparation, and challenged NAs to autonomously develop new care practices and processes. Management and empowerment of healthcare workers are critical to hospital performance and success. We found many ways in which the NAs’ psychological experiences of empowerment were shaped by the healthcare system’s empowerment-related structural conditions during a public health emergency. To further develop an empowered and committed critical workforce, hospitals must acknowledge the organizational practice influence on the psychological experiences of empowerment among NAs.
Characterization of Fluorescence Collection Optics Integrated with a Microfabricated Surface Electrode Ion Trap

Future quantum computing devices are expected to rely on the detection of multiple individual trapped ions. In recent work, scientists have used a fiber-optic coupled array of diffraction lenses to discriminate the fluorescence of individual Ca${}^{+}$ ions. Their array is scaleable and achieves efficiencies of nearly 0.4% at detection times of under 200 microseconds.
The plastoglobule-localized AtABC1K6 is a Mn2+-dependent protein kinase necessary for timely transition to reproductive growth

The Absence of bc1 Complex (ABC1) is an ancient, atypical protein kinase family that emerged prior to the archaeal-eubacterial divergence. Loss-of-function mutants in ABC1 genes are linked to respiratory defects in microbes and humans, and to compromised photosynthetic performance and stress tolerance in plants. However, demonstration of protein kinase activity remains elusive, hampering their study. Here, we investigate a homolog from Arabidopsis thaliana, AtABC1K6, and demonstrate in vitro protein kinase activity as autophosphorylation, which we replicate with a human ABC1 ortholog. We show that AtABC1K6 protein kinase activity requires an atypical buffer composition, including Mn2+ as divalent cation co-factor and a low salt concentration. AtABC1K6 associates with plastoglobule lipid droplets of A. thaliana chloroplasts, along with five paralogs. Protein kinase activity associated with isolated A. thaliana plastoglobules was inhibited at higher salt concentrations, but could accommodate Mg2+ as well as Mn2+, indicating salt sensitivity, but not the requirement for Mn2+, may be a general characteristic of ABC1s. Loss of functional AtABC1K6 impairs the developmental transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. This phenotype is complemented by the wild-type sequence of AtABC1K6 but not by a kinase-dead point mutant in the unique Ala-triad of the ATP-binding pocket, demonstrating the physiological relevance of the proteins kinase activity. We suggest that ABC1s are bona fide protein kinases with a unique regulatory mechanism. Our results open the door to detailed functional and mechanistic studies of ABC1s and plastoglobules.
Lifelong physical activity attenuates age- and Western-style diet-related declines in physical function and adverse changes in skeletal muscle mass and inflammation.

It is unknown if consumption of a Western diet (WD; high-fat/sucrose), versus a non-WD (healthy diet), accelerates declines in physical function over the adult lifespan, and whether regular voluntary activity attenuates age- and WD-associated declines in function. Accordingly, we studied 4 cohorts of mice that consumed either normal chow [NC] or WD with or without access (sedentary, Sed) to voluntary wheel running [VWR] beginning at 3 mo of age. We assessed coordination, grip strength and endurance every 6 mo throughout life, and measured skeletal muscle mass and inflammation at 3 pre-determined ages (6-7, 13-14 and 19-20 mo). Age-related declines (% change 3-18 mo) in physical function were accelerated in WD-Sed versus NC-Sed (coordination: +47 ± 5%; grip strength: +18 ± 2%; endurance: +32 ± 5%; all p < 0.05). VWR attenuated declines in physical function within diet group (coordination: -31 ± 3% with WD-VWR; -18 ± 2% with NC-VWR; grip strength: -26 ± 2% with WD-VWR; -24 ± 2% with NC-VWR; endurance: -48 ± 4% with WD-VWR; -23 ± 6% with NC-VWR; all p < 0.05). Skeletal muscle mass loss and pro-inflammatory cytokine abundance were exacerbated by WD throughout life (mass: NC-Sed [-]7-28%, WD-Sed [-]17-40%; inflammation: NC-Sed [+]40-65%, WD-Sed [+]40-84%, all p < 0.05 versus NC-Sed), and attenuated by VWR (mass: NC-VWR, [-]0-10%, WD-VWR [-]0-10%; inflammation: NC-VWR [+]0-30%, WD-VWR [+]0-42%, all p < 0.05 versus diet-matched Sed group). Our results depict the temporal impairment of physical function over the lifespan in mice, acceleration of dysfunction with WD, the protective effects of voluntary exercise, and the potential associations with skeletal muscle mass and inflammation.
Dissecting the Mechanisms of Doxorubicin and Oxidative Stress-Induced Cytotoxicity: The Involvement of Actin Cytoskeleton and ROCK1.

We have recently reported that ROCK1 deficiency in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) has superior anti-apoptotic and pro-survival effects than antioxidants against doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic drug. Although oxidative stress is the most widely accepted mechanism, our studies suggest that ROCK1-dependent actin cytoskeleton remodeling plays a more important role in mediating doxorubicin cytotoxicity on MEFs. To further explore the contributions of ROCK1-dependent actin cytoskeleton remodeling in response to stress, this study investigates the mechanistic differences between the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin versus hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), with a focus on cytoskeleton alterations, apoptosis and necrosis induction. We found that both types of stress induce caspase activation but with different temporal patterns and magnitudes in MEFs: H2O2 induces the maximal levels (2 to 4-fold) of activation of caspases 3, 8, and 9 within 4 h, while doxorubicin induces much higher maximal levels (15 to 25-fold) of caspases activation at later time points (16–24 h). In addition, necrosis induced by H2O2 reaches maximal levels within 4 h while doxorubicin-induced necrosis largely occurs at 16–24 h secondary to apoptosis. Moreover, both types of stress induce actin cytoskeleton remodeling but with different characteristics: H2O2 induces disruption of stress fibers associated with cytosolic translocation of phosphorylated myosin light chain (p-MLC) from stress fibers, while doxorubicin induces cortical F-actin formation associated with cortical translocation of p-MLC from central stress fibers. Furthermore, N-acetylcysteine (an antioxidant) is a potent suppressor for H2O2-induced cytotoxic effects including caspase activation, necrosis, and cell detachment, but shows a much reduced inhibition on doxorubicin-induced changes. On the other hand, ROCK1 deficiency is a more potent suppressor for the cytotoxic effects induced by doxorubicin than by H2O2. These results support the notion that doxorubicin induces caspase activation, necrosis, and actin cytoskeleton alterations largely through ROCK1-dependent and oxidative stress-independent pathways.
SU‐E‐T‐379: Evaluation of An EPID‐Based System for Daily Dosimetry Check by Comparison with a Widely‐Used Ionization Chamber‐Based Device

Purpose: To examine the feasibility of using Varian’s EPID-based Machine Performance Check (MPC) system to track daily machine output through comparison with Sun Nuclear’s DailyQA3 (DQA) device. Methods: Daily machine outputs for two photon energies (6 and 16MV) and five electron energies (6, 9, 12, 16, 20MeV) were measured for one month using both MPC and DQA. Baselines measurements for MPC were taken at the start of the measurement series, while DQA baselines were set at an earlier date. In order to make absolute comparisons with MPC, all DQA readings were referenced to the average of the first three DQA readings in that series, minimizing systematic differences between the measurement techniques due to baseline differences. In addition to daily output measurements, weekly averages were also calculated and compared. Finally, the electron energy dependence of each measurement technique was examined by comparing energy-specific measurements to the average electron output of all energies each day. Results: For 6 and 16MV photons, the largest absolute percent differences between MPC and DQA were 0.60% and 0.73%, respectively. Weekly averages were within 0.17% and 0.23%, respectively. For all five electron energies, the greatest absolute percent differences between MPC and DQA for each energy ranged from 0.49%–0.83%. Weekly averages ranged from 0.07%–0.28%. DQA energy-specific electron readings matched the average electron output within 0.29% for all days and all energies. MPC energy-specific readings matched the average within 0.21% for 9–20MeV. However, 6MeV showed a larger distribution about the average with four days showing a difference greater than 0.30% and a maximum difference of 0.51%. Conclusion: MPC output measurements correlated well with the widely-used DQA3 for most beam energies, making it a reliable back up technique for daily output monitoring. However, MPC may display an energy dependence for lower electrons energies, requiring additional investigation.
Topological seizure origin detection in electroencephalographic signals

We propose a method for detecting seizure origin in epileptic electroencephalographic (EEG) data based on a novel multi-scale topological technique called persistent homology (PH). Among several PH descriptors, persistence landscape (PL) possesses many desirable properties for rigorous statistical inference. By building PLs on EEG epilepsy signals smoothed by a weighted Fourier series (WFS) expansion, we compared the before and during phases of a seizure attack in a patient diagnosed with left temporal epilepsy and successfully identified site T3 as the origin of the seizure attack.
The School Pays the Piper, But How Much? Attorneys' Fees in Special Education Cases after the Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986

One of the first cases decided after passage of the attorney’s fee provision addressed the very narrow issue of whether attorneys’ fees were indeed available in an action under the amended Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA). The Fifth Circuit applauded the legislature’s fast action in regards to this matter and their clarity. However, on closer examination, one comes to the conclusion that the court spoke prematurely concerning the clarity of the statute. The amendment is anything but clear and unambiguous on its face when one inquires into more detailed issues.
Perspective from the Right:: Building a cross-ideological consensus for Child Development Accounts

Abstract While proposals to create Child Development Accounts (CDA) have some support from all ideological perspectives, that support is most evident among liberal groups and least evident among conservatives. Unfortunately, many conservatives view CDAs as nothing more than a liberal attemp to create yet another new entitlement program at a time when the United States already runs a huge deficit. How to broaden the appeal of CDAs is not really a mystery. Certain asset development efforts have had wide bipartisan support for some time. The bipartisan 2000 KidSave Account proposal shows one way to broaden the appeal of CDAs. Just as it is necessary to be aware of the beliefs and communication style of any group, supporters need to be target their appeals to answer skeptics from both sides. Using jargon or professional terms common to one idiological group may backfire alienating other groups. However, the effort to broaden support should produce a stronger, more popular CDA program that can better meet its goals and survive regardless of who controls the political process.
Porous titanium dental implants in primates and humans.

A series of 30 cylindrical implants employing sintered powder metal exteriors to promote bone ingrowth have been employed to support bridges and crowns in Rhesus monkeys for periods exceeding 36 months. Clinical indicators demonstrated successful function during the period of the experiments for 24 of the 30 implants. The four implants which did not perform well clinically were analysed by histology and found to be locally infected. Implants retrieved at various times after function were analysed by histomorphometric techniques. In all successful implants bone had grown into the porous exterior of the implant and was found to be supporting the loads of mastication. Long term bone remodeling under stress was evaluated quantitatively. It was found that for periods of function exceeding three years, remodeling which was not present in one and two year specimens was detectable. Clinical success was attributed to stabilization accomplished by the bone ingrowth. Clinical and histological results were analysed u...
Calcium Binding Properties of Beef Cardiac Troponin

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the Ca2+ binding properties of troponin from cardiac and skeletal muscles since significant differences have been reported in the amino acid sequences of the respective calcium binding subunits. Measurements of Ca”+ binding were made by equilibrium dialysis with metal ion buffers to control the free Ca2+ concentration or by gel filtration in the absence of metal ion buffers. Capacities of 2 and 4 mol of Ca2+ were found/m01 of cardiac and skeletal muscle troponin, respectively. In the presence of MgC12 a single class of binding sites was found for both proteins with an association constant of 3 X lo6 M-‘. In the absence of MgClz, the association constant for cardiac troponin was increased to 4 X lo7 Mm’ with a total capacity of 2 mol of Ca”+. In the absence of MgCl2 a similar increase in the association constant for only two of the binding sites was noted in skeletal muscle troponin, as previously reported (Potter, J. D., and Gergely, J. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 4628-4633). Assuming competition between Ca2+ and M&+ for the two cation binding sites in cardiac troponin, the binding constant for Mg”+ was 1.6 x lo3 M-‘. A decrease in pH from 7.0 to 6.2 did not alter the capacity or affinity of cardiac or skeletal muscle troponin for Ca2+. Thus, cardiac troponin contains two Ca2+ binding sites which are similar to the two high affinity Ca2+ binding sites of skeletal muscle troponin which also bind M&’ competitively (Ca2+-M$+ sites). Furthermore, a decrease in pH to values which approximate those seen in intracellular acidosis does not lead to a derangement of the Ca2+ binding properties of troponin.
Damascene Concept and Process Steps

A Cu interconnect was first introduced to manufacturing in 1997 [1]. The Damascene process has been used for Cu interconnect formation because of the difficulty in Cu dry etching. There are two Damascene processes, as shown in Fig. 18.1: single and dual. In the single Damascene process, trenches and via contacts (Vias) are formed one step at a time. In the dual Damascene process, they are formed simultaneously. Fewer steps make the dual process favorable for manufacturing, so it has been extensively used. There are several fabrication methods, such as via first and trench first, in the dual Damascene process. These methods depend on the lithography mask, the materials of interlevel dielectrics, and other factors.
Improved Computation of the Humanoid Centroidal Dynamics and Application for Whole-Body Control

The control of centroidal momentum has recently emerged as an important component of whole-body humanoid control, resulting in emergent upper-body motions and increased robustness to pushes when included in whole-body frameworks. Previous work has developed specialized computational algorithms for the centroidal momentum matrix (CMM) and its derivative, which relate rates of change in centroidal momentum to joint rates and accelerations of the humanoid. This paper instead shows that specialized algorithms are in fact not always required. Since the dynamics of the centroidal momentum are embedded in the joint-space dynamic equations of motion, the CMM and terms involving its derivative can be computed from the joint-space mass matrix and Coriolis terms. This new approach presents improvements in terms of its generality, compactness, and efficiency in comparison to previous specialized algorithms. The new computation method is then applied to perform whole-body control of a dynamic kicking motion, where the mass matrix and Coriolis terms are already required by the controller. This example motivates how centroidal momentum can be used as an aggregate descriptor of motion in order to ease whole-body motion authoring from a task-space perspective. It further demonstrates emergent upper-body motion from centroidal angular momentum (CAM) control that is shown to provide desirable regulation of the net yaw moment under the foot. Finally, a few perspectives are provided on the use of centroidal momentum control.
Cloning and expression of functional fragment C of tetanus toxin.

A segment of Clostridium tetani DNA corresponding to fragment C of tetanus toxin was amplified by using the polymerase chain reaction. This fragment was cloned into expression vector pTTQ8, under the control of the tac promoter. Expression of this plasmid in Escherichia coli resulted in the production of a protein consisting of 8 amino acids of the vector fused to the C-terminal 460 amino acids of tetanus toxin. This protein (rFragment C) was recognized by an antipeptide antibody specific for fragment C in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and on immunoblots. rFragment C could be purified significantly in one step by immunoaffinity chromatography. Immunization of mice with rFragment C resulted in the production of antibodies that were able to protect the mice against a challenge with tetanus toxin. rFragment C bound to ganglioside GT1b and to neuronal cells in a manner indistinguishable from that of fragment C obtained by papain cleavage of tetanus toxin. For many applications, rFragment C appears to be a suitable alternative to tetanus toxin or toxin-derived fragment C. Images
Effects of Curriculum within Curriculum-Based Measurement

This study assessed the effects of curriculum on technical features within curriculum-based measurement in reading. Curriculum was defined as the difficulty of material and the basal series from which students read. Technical features were the criterion validity and developmental growth rates associated with the measurement. Ninety-one students took a commercial, widely used test of reading comprehension and read orally for 1 minute from each of 19 passages, one from each grade level within two reading series. Correlations between the oral reading samples and the test of reading comprehension were similar across difficulty levels and across series. Developmental growth rates also remained strong regardless of difficulty level and series.
Radiofrequency thermal effects on the human meniscus. An in vitro study of systems with monopolar and bipolar electrodes.

Background:No data exist on the cutting efficiency of monopolar versus bipolar radiofrequency energy application systems on human meniscal tissue.Purpose:To compare the effects of monopolar and bipolar thermal energy systems on human meniscal tissue.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Fresh-frozen menisci were cut in cross-section into 180 pie-shaped specimens. A specially designed jig was used to consistently apply radiofrequency energy to the tissue under a constant 30-g force. Three different systems were tested at the low, middle, and high ranges, with application times of 1 and 3 seconds. Thermal effects were measured by image analysis microscopy.Results:No significant differences in thermal effects were found with respect to energy output for each system. Both the individual system tested and the application time had statistically significant effects on thermal damage, with the individual system tested having a greater effect. The mean depths of thermal change produced by the Mitek (bip...
Impact of Synaptic Unreliability on the Information Transmitted by Spiking Neurons

Zador, Anthony. Impact of synaptic unreliability on the information transmitted by spiking neurons. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 1219–1229, 1998. The spike generating mechanism of cortical neurons is highl...
Hook of Hamate Pull Test

Hook of hamate fractures are often missed despite a distinct history. The purpose of this report was to describe a specific physical examination test that is diagnostic for a hook of hamate fracture, the hook of hamate pull test. It is highly sensitive and was positive in a consecutive series of 5 patients treated for a hook of hamate fracture. These patients also had a distinctive history of playing racket- or club-type sports and presented with longstanding wrist or palm pain.
Group differentiation in a metropolitan high school: The influence of race, class, gender and culture

A three month field study of informal student interaction within a lunch court was conducted in a city high school in Southern California. Attention was focused on the easily observed factors of student appearance, behavior and the use of space. Considerable group diversity differentiated the students. The principal cleavage was by race and ethnicity with whites, Blacks, and Chicanos segregating themselves. Within each group further subgroups were observed to cluster separately. Whites were the most differentiated with five subgroups, Blacks had two, and Chicanos had three. Whites and Chicanos differentiated themselves principally on the basis of cultural differences, while Blacks made distinctions amongst themselves on the basis of class. Each of the main groups, however, had their own anti-mainstream counter-culture. The implications of group diversity and the differential role of culture and class in subgroup interaction are also considered.
An improved brain slice model of nerve agent-induced seizure activity.

A brain slice model was developed to investigate the mechanisms of seizure activity induced by soman and the effectiveness of potential anticonvulsant drugs. Unlike previously reported slice studies with nerve agents, this model contains the entorhinal cortex as well as the hippocampus. This allows the study of the spread of seizure discharges within the limbic system and the development of prolonged, sustained discharges that are rarely seen in the simple hippocampal slice preparation. Soman (1 µM) induced a second population spike in the evoked field potential in the CA1 or CA3 region within 15–20 min. In almost all the slices tested, this developed into spontaneous seizure activity within 30–40 min. As well as interictal bursts, many slices also showed longer periods of high-frequency bursting analogous to ictal seizure activity that originated in the entorhinal cortex. This activity appeared similar to that induced by the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine. Both the second population spike and the spontaneous discharges could be blocked by diazepam and by AMPA/kainate antagonists, but not by the NMDA antagonists AP5 and MK-801. This study confirms that the combined hippocampal–entorhinal cortex slice preparation is a suitable model for investigating the origin and propagation of nerve-agent-induced seizures within the limbic system. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction of irrational beliefs with goal pursuit

152 subjects reported affective and cognitive reactions at several stages of pursuing a hypothetical goal related to the taking of a classroom test, then gave Anxious Overconcern and High Self-expectations ratings from Jones' Irrational Belief Test. Subject groups differed in kinds of goals set; e.g., easy vs. difficult. Affective and attributional correlates of the irrational beliefs appeared maladaptive, but differed as a function of difficulty and phase of pursuit of the hypothetical goal. These results supported a contextual model in which irrational beliefs are general cognitive structures which interact with other internal and/or external factors to influence reactions in particular situations. Motivational variables-such as type of goal pursued and number of steps taken in pursuit of it-appear to be important among such factors. The study thus points to growing complexity in our knowledge of how B functions in the ABC paradigm.
Tools to support mesh adaptation on massively parallel computers

The scalable execution of parallel adaptive analyses requires the application of dynamic load balancing to repartition the mesh into a set of parts with balanced work load and minimal communication. As the adaptive meshes being generated reach billions of elements and the analyses are performed on massively parallel computers with 100,000’s of computing cores, a number of complexities arise that need to be addressed. This paper presents procedures developed to deal with two of them. The first is a procedure to support multiple parts per processor which is used as the mesh increases in size and it is desirable to partition the mesh to a larger number of computing cores than are currently being used. The second is a predictive load balancing method that sets entity weights before dynamic load balancing steps so that the mesh is well balanced after the mesh adaptation step thus avoiding excessive memory spikes that would otherwise occur during mesh adaptation.
Atmospheric circulation during Holocene lake stands in the Mojave Desert: evidence of regional climate change

IT is commonly thought that the climate conditions that supported lakes over a period of years in the Mojave Desert in southern California, only existed before 8,000 yr BP and that the environment has been arid since1,2. Here we look at a drill core in the Silver Lake playa at the terminus of the Mojave River and find Holocene lake deposits which indicate that shallow lakes existed for at least a few decades. These deposits were radiocarbon dated at 3620 ±70 and 390 ± 90 yr BP, corresponding to the early Neo-glacial and the 'little ice age' respectively3. To identify the conditions necessary to produce these Holocene lake events we have examined the modern climate and hydrological patterns that produce ephemeral lakes in this usually arid watershed. Available data indicate that there is a link between anomalous winter atmospheric conditions over the North Pacific and Mojave River floods that produced ephemeral lakes in the Silver Lake playa and that the Mojave River filters out small to medium floods and allows only the extreme floods to reach the terminal playa and leave a record of the anomalous conditions. We suggest that the late Holocene lakes may have resulted from persistent similar atmospheric circulation patterns and winter floods.
Sediment nutrient regeneration in three North Carolina estuaries

Sediment-water column exchanges of oxygen, ammonium, nitrate and phosphase were measured in three North Carolina estuaries by means of diverinstalled chambers placed in the sediments. Significant fluxes were observed in two of the estuaries characterized as organic-rich, depositional environments. The third was a highly flushed system dominated by sandy to shelly muds, and no measurable fluxes were found. In the former two estuaries, fluxes were weakly influenced by temperature, and ammonium and phosphate fluxes were highly correlated. Nitrate fluxes were very small, and phosphate sorption was frequently observed at temperatures less than 15°C. Data from this research and the literature show a general correlation of sediment inorganic N and P fluxes and the computed water column N and P uptake, demonstrating that sediments supply, as an annual average, 28–35% of the N and P required for the primary production of shallow marine systems.
Image Interpreter Tool: An ArcGIS Tool for Estimating Vegetation Cover From High-Resolution Imagery

Image Interpreter Tool: An ArcGIS Tool for Estimating Vegetation Cover From High-Resolution Imagery DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v33i4_schrader
Public Responses to Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Drugs

ABSTRACT In this article, the author has explored the factors that influence the effectiveness of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of prescription drugs. The study was based on a telephone interview with a nationally representative sample of 3,000 adults regarding their responses to DTC advertising. The findings advanced the theoretical development of DTC advertising effectiveness models, suggested ideal research methods for future study, and offered drug marketers some practical advice.
Analyzing Urban Sprawl Spatial Fragmentation Using Multi-temporal Satellite Images

The landscape pattern of Daqing City, China has undergone a significant change during the last two decades as a result of rapid urbanization. A quantitative analysis describing the spatial fragment...
ESTIMATING SUBJECT-SPECIFIC DEPENDENT COMPETING RISK PROFILE WITH CENSORED EVENT TIME OBSERVATIONS

In a longitudinal study, suppose that the primary endpoint is the time to a specific event. This response variable, however, may be censored by an independent censoring variable or by the occurrence of one of several dependent competing events. For each study subject, a set of baseline covariates is collected. The question is how to construct a reliable prediction rule for the future subject's profile of all competing risks of interest at a specific time point for risk-benefit decision making. In this article, we propose a two-stage procedure to make inferences about such subject-specific profiles. For the first step, we use a parametric model to obtain a univariate risk index score system. We then estimate consistently the average competing risks for subjects who have the same parametric index score via a nonparametric function estimation procedure. We illustrate this new proposal with the data from a randomized clinical trial for evaluating the efficacy of a treatment for prostate cancer. The primary endpoint for this study was the time to prostate cancer death, but had two types of dependent competing events, one from cardiovascular death and the other from death of other causes.