cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 701: An inflammation paradox: Obesity vs. neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in immunotherapy

Background: The dual roles of inflammation in malignancy has been well-described. Neutrophils play a key role in inflammation and carcinogenesis. We previously showed that high NLR may confer resistance to PD1/PDL1 inhibitors in lung cancer patients. In addition, obesity has been shown to produce chronic inflammation and neutrophil dysfunction have been described. The interplay between obesity and neutrophil in solid tumor patients treated with immunotherapy is unknown. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 408 patients with solid tumors who treated with immunotherapies at the University of Miami. Cox regression was performed to evaluate correlation of obesity (BMI >30) and NLR Citation Format: Wungki Park, Vaia Florou, Alfredo Torres, Diana Saravia, Sandra Algaze, Gilberto Lopes, University of Miami. An inflammation paradox: Obesity vs. neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in immunotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 701.
An in vivo model to assess the thermoregulatory response of lactating Holsteins to an acute heat stress event occurring after a pharmacologically-induced LH surge.

Hyperthermia occurring 10-12 h after LH surge reduces quality of maturing oocyte, thereby reducing fertility. Objective was to examine consequences of an acute heat stress and the influence of certain hormones on the thermoregulatory responses of lactating cows during this critical period. Between the months of February through May, cows were transported to a facility and maintained at a temperature-humidity index (THI) of 65.9 ± 0.2 (thermoneutral) or exposed to changes in THI to simulate what may occur during an acute heat stress event (71-86 THI; heat stress); cows were rapidly cooled thereafter. Mixed model regressions with repeated measures were used to test respiration rates (RR) and rectal temperature (RT). Within 40 and 110 min of increasing THI, RR increased in a quadratic fashion (P < 0.001); RT increased by 0.04 ± 0.1 °C (P < 0.001) per unit THI. Changes in RR lagged THI and preceded rises in RT. Average THI 3-days before treatment (prior THI) influenced RR (P = 0.050) and RT (P < 0.001) changes. Increased RR was more noticeable in heat-stressed cows when prior THI was in the 40 s. Rectal temperature of heat-stressed cows was 0.8 ± 0.02 °C lower when prior THI was in the 40 s versus low 60 s. Levels of progesterone and luteinizing hormone before treatment were predictive of thermoregulatory response in heat-stressed cows. Rapid cooling decreased RR by 0.6 ± 0.1 bpm (P < 0.001) and RT by 0.02 ± 0.002 °C per min (P < 0.002). Speed and magnitude of thermoregulatory changes to an acute heat stress and after sudden cooling emphasizes importance of strategic cooling before ovulation. Efforts to do so when prior THI approaches levels expected to induce mild stress are especially important. Respiration rate is a useful indicator of the degree of hyperthermia a lactating cow is experiencing.
Contemporary Epidemiology of North American Lineage Triple Reassortant Influenza A Viruses in Pigs

The 2009 pandemic H1N1 infection in humans has been one of the greatest concerns for public health in recent years. However, influenza in pigs is a zoonotic viral disease well-known to virologists for almost one century with the classical H1N1 subtype the only responsible agent for swine influenza in the United States for many decades. Swine influenza was first recognized clinically in pigs in the Midwestern U.S. in 1918 and since that time it has remained important to the swine industry throughout the world. Since 1998, however, the epidemiology of swine influenza changed dramatically. A number of emerging subtypes and genotypes have become established in the U.S. swine population. The ability of multiple influenza virus lineages to infect pigs is associated with the emergence of reassortant viruses with new genomic arrangements, and the introduction of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 from humans to swine represents a well-known example. The recent epidemiological data regarding the current state of influenza A virus subtypes circulating in the Canadian and American swine population is discussed in this review.
Structural and mechanistic basis of mammalian Nudt12 RNA deNADding.

We recently demonstrated that mammalian cells harbor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-capped messenger RNAs that are hydrolyzed by the DXO deNADding enzyme. Here, we report that the Nudix protein Nudt12 is a second mammalian deNADding enzyme structurally and mechanistically distinct from DXO and targeting different RNAs. The crystal structure of mouse Nudt12 in complex with the deNADding product AMP and three Mg2+ ions at 1.6 A resolution provides insights into the molecular basis of the deNADding activity in the NAD pyrophosphate. Disruption of the Nudt12 gene stabilizes transfected NAD-capped RNA in cells, and its endogenous NAD-capped mRNA targets are enriched in those encoding proteins involved in cellular energetics. Furthermore, exposure of cells to nutrient or environmental stress manifests changes in NAD-capped RNA levels that are selectively responsive to Nudt12 or DXO, respectively, indicating an association of deNADding to cellular metabolism. Structural and biochemical analyses identify Nudt12 as a novel mRNA deNADing enzyme in mammalian cells, which has a different substrate preference compared to the deNADing enzyme DXO.
The Translation of School Based Nutrition into Home Eating Behaviors (OR13-05-19)

The purpose of this study was to assess how a school based nutrition education program in a low-income rural elementary school in upstate New York influenced families’ eating behaviors. Students attending an elementary school in a low-income, rural community in upstate New York attended monthly nutrition education sessions and cooking demonstrations that included child-friendly recipes for fruits and vegetables. Recipes from the cooking demonstration were sent home with the children. In year two and three of the program, twenty caregivers participated in 45–75 qualitative interviews assessing how the program influenced the families’ eating behaviors. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded in Atlas TI using a grounded theory approach. In addition, the community's food availability was assessed using google maps and ground truthing. Preliminary findings indicate that families did not change their eating behaviors in response to the school based nutrition program. Most parents reported that they received the recipes from school and some reported trying recipes. However, with the exception of one family, overall eating patterns and food routines did not change. Parents who described a low consumption of fruits and vegetables indicated that barriers to incorporating the recipes, and healthy foods in general, into their food routines included perception of children's food preferences, time constraints and financial constraints. Parents who described a high consumption of fruits and vegetables indicated that they did not incorporate recipes into their routines because they already had healthy eating routines. School based programs should engage families in community events and family cooking classes. These events should aim to assist parents in navigating barriers to healthy eating. Engaged Cornell.
The Story of the Teachers Empowered to Advance Change in Mathematics Project: Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations

The central aim of the Teachers Empowered to Advance Change in Mathematics (TEACH Math) project is to transform preK-8 mathematics teacher preparation so that new generations of teachers will be equipped with powerful tools and strategies to increase student learning and advancement in mathematics in our nation’s increasingly diverse public schools. This chapter shares the theoretical and conceptual foundations that framed the TEACH Math project and how those ideas have both informed and been informed by our design and implementation of the modules as well as our research on prospective and novice teacher learning.
Evaluation of an updated sedation protocol to reduce benzodiazepines in a pediatric intensive care unit

Aim: Midazolam like other benzodiazepines is supposed to be neurotoxic in small children and to represent a risk factor for the development of delirium. The aim of this study was to evaluate whethe...
Caring for Adolescents in the Adult Intensive Care Unit

1published an anthropological parody, “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema,” about the seemingly bizarre culture of the Nacirema (American spelled backward). His essay provides a provocative framework for discussing the subculture of ill American adolescents that is in conflict with the adult-dominated culture of the adult intensive care unit (ICU). Miner addresses Nacireman rituals in the latipso (hospital), where personal freedoms are greatly restricted and body secrecy is generally violated. The male patient, for example, whose own wife has never seen him perform an excretory act, suddenly finds himself “naked and assisted by a vestal maiden [nurse] while he performs his natural functions into a sacred
Photogenerated Carrier Transport Properties in Silicon Photovoltaics.

Electrical transport parameters for active layers in silicon (Si) wafer solar cells are determined from free carrier optical absorption using non-contacting optical Hall effect measurements. Majority carrier transport parameters [carrier concentration (N), mobility (μ), and conductivity effective mass (m*)] are determined for both the n-type emitter and p-type bulk wafer Si of an industrially produced aluminum back surface field (Al-BSF) photovoltaic device. From measurements under 0 and ±1.48 T external magnetic fields and nominally “dark” conditions, the following respective [n, p]-type Si parameters are obtained: N = [(3.6 ± 0.1) × 1018 cm−3, (7.6 ± 0.1) × 1015 cm−3]; μ = [166 ± 6 cm2/Vs, 532 ± 12 cm2/Vs]; and m* = [(0.28 ± 0.03) × me, (0.36 ± 0.02) × me]. All values are within expectations for this device design. Contributions from photogenerated carriers in both regions of the p-n junction are obtained from measurements of the solar cell under “light” 1 sun illumination (AM1.5 solar irradiance spectrum). From analysis of combined dark and light optical Hall effect measurements, photogenerated minority carrier transport parameters [minority carrier concentration (Δp or Δn) and minority carrier mobility (μh or μe)] under 1 sun illumination for both n- and p-type Si components of the solar cell are determined. Photogenerated minority carrier concentrations are [(7.8 ± 0.2) × 1016 cm−3, (2.2 ± 0.2) × 1014 cm−3], and minority carrier mobilities are [331 ± 191 cm2/Vs, 766 ± 331 cm2/Vs], for the [n, p]-type Si, respectively, values that are within expectations from literature. Using the dark majority carrier concentration and the effective equilibrium minority carrier concentration under 1 sun illumination, minority carrier effective lifetime and diffusion length are calculated in the n-type emitter and p-type wafer Si with the results also being consistent with literature. Solar cell device performance parameters including photovoltaic device efficiency, open circuit voltage, fill factor, and short circuit current density are also calculated from these transport parameters obtained via optical Hall effect using the diode equation and PC1D solar cell simulations. The calculated device performance parameters are found to be consistent with direct current-voltage measurement demonstrating the validity of this technique for electrical transport property measurements of the semiconducting layers in complete Si solar cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first method that enables determination of both minority and majority carrier transport parameters in both active layers of the p-n junction in a complete solar cell.
Processing of Soft Magnetic Fine Powders Directly From As-Spun Partial Crystalline Fe 77 Ni 5.5 Co 5.5 Zr 7 B 4 Cu Ribbon via Ball Mill Without Devitrification

A key property for high-frequency inductive applications is the magnetic softness, ideally characterized by complete reversibility of the hysteresis curve. Magnetic softness of alloys depends on the dimensional ratio of grain size to the correlation length. The random anisotropy model predicts the optimum magnetic softness if the crystallite size is well below the correlation length. Based on this theory, a common strategy in processing is to obtain extremely fine nanoscale grains via rapidly solidified alloys, followed by a controlled vacuum anneal. As is well known, this conventional approach requires two demanding experimental conditions: 1) an extremely high quench rate, >105 K/s, and 2) a high vacuum anneal near 600 °C to avoid oxidation. Furthermore, the completely amorphous ribbon is extremely elastic and mechanically strong and is not easily made into the fine powder form for net-shaping and 3-D printing of the soft magnets. Therefore, annealing to induce crystallization is a necessary step before using any conventional powdering techniques, such as ball milling. In this article, we report a new processing strategy of making Fe77Ni5.5Co5.5Zr7B4Cu powders directly from the as-spun ribbons without any crystallization annealing step. This is achieved by melt spinning of the alloy at a relatively low quenching rate, resulting in partially crystallized ribbons that deform plastically, a behavior that is in sharp contrast to its amorphous counterpart. The ribbon samples are ball milled into fine powders by tungsten carbide (WC) at various time intervals. Magnetization measurements show extremely low coercive field (Hc) of 0.51 Oe for the powder that is ball milled for 60 min. However, Hc consistently increases with ball milling time, as the samples are strain-hardened, introducing more magneto anisotropy. The coercive fields of these samples are easily recovered during the high-temperature magnetization measurement at 900 K, and an Hc of 3.78 Oe is obtained upon recovery. This strategy paves a new way for straightforwardly making soft magnetic powders while avoiding high quenching rate requirement and the possibility of oxidation during annealing.
Transcriptomic and proteomic signatures of stemness and differentiation in the colon crypt

Intestinal stem cells are non-quiescent, dividing epithelial cells that rapidly differentiate into progenitor cells of the absorptive and secretory cell lineages. The kinetics of this process is rapid such that the epithelium is replaced weekly. To determine how the transcriptome and proteome keep pace with rapid differentiation, we developed a new cell sorting method to purify mouse colon epithelial cells. Here we show that alternative mRNA splicing and polyadenylation dominate changes in the transcriptome as stem cells differentiate into progenitors. In contrast, as progenitors differentiate into mature cell types, changes in mRNA levels dominate the transcriptome. RNA processing targets regulators of cell cycle, RNA, cell adhesion, SUMOylation, and Wnt and Notch signaling. Additionally, global proteome profiling detected >2,800 proteins and revealed RNA:protein patterns of abundance and correlation. Paired together, these data highlight new potentials for autocrine and feedback regulation and provide new insights into cell state transitions in the crypt.
Predicting Intelligibility: An Investigation of Speech Sound Accuracy in Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Background: Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a pediatric speech disorder that significantly affects communication and life participation. Most CAS treatment research uses speech accuracy as primary outcome measure, on the assumption that accuracy predicts communicative success. However, this relationship has not yet been examined in this population, limiting our understanding of the impact of available treatments. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between speech accuracy and intelligibility in children with CAS. Intelligibility is defined here as the proportion of words correctly understood by an unfamiliar listener. Methods: Adult listeners, who were unfamiliar with children with CAS, listened to recordings of children with CAS producing single words, and typed what they heard the child say. Separately, and prior to the listening experiment, the children’s words were scored for accuracy using various measures, including the percent phonemes (sounds) correct (PPC), percent consonants correct (PCC), and percent vowels correct (PVC). The relationship between these accuracy measures and intelligibility were examined descriptively. Results: Preliminary findings suggest that there is a positive relationship between intelligibility and PPC and PCC in children with CAS. Conclusions: Implications of these findings for clinical practice as well as future treatment research are discussed.
MEIOSIS IN JOJOBA, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS

The meiotic process of microsporogenesis in jojoba was characterized by using young flower buds collected from natural stands. Chromosome counts on several hundred samples revealed no deviation from 2n = 52 chromosomes. The occasional appearance of a ring-of-four or quadrivalent configuration of chromosomes at diakinesis suggests the polyploid nature of this plant. The entire meiotic process, however, is remarkably regular as in a diploid species. Unusual characteristics of meiosis include the occurrence of multi-nucleoli in both prophase and interphase and the frequent appearance of a darkly-staining body resembling a B chromosome. No sex chromosomes were identified in this dioecious species.
Coupling Articulatory Placement Strategies With Phonemic Awareness Instruction to Support Emergent Literacy Skills in Preschool Children: A Collaborative Approach

Purpose The merits of collaboration between teachers and speech-language pathologists have been extensively highlighted in literature on multitiered educational frameworks. Studies also illustrate the link between articulation, phonemic awareness, and, ultimately, reading skills. This article describes the impact of an intervention targeting articulation and phonemic awareness provided collaboratively to preschool children to enhance emergent literacy skills with the long-term goal of preventing later reading difficulties. Method This pilot study involved a bidirectional collaboration between a speech-language pathologist and a teacher by providing articulatory placement strategies to link accurate speech production with early phonemic awareness activities in the context of a private early childhood center. Seventeen children (N = 17) participated in the study, with ages ranging from 55 to 65 months. Results The results indicated significant differences in phonemic segmentation as well as reading phonemically spelled words and nonwords when comparing the baseline to the collaboratively based articulatory placement plus phonemic awareness intervention. Significant differences were also seen when comparing the traditional literacy program to the collaboratively based articulatory placement plus phonemic awareness intervention. Conclusions The results suggest there may be a benefit to using articulatory placement strategies with phonemic awareness activities directly in the preschool classroom in collaboration with teachers. This pilot study adds to the literature by transferring principles demonstrated as effective for individual children in the research laboratory to application with a whole class in an authentic setting.
The degree of polymerization and sulfation patterns in heparan sulfate are critical determinants of cytomegalovirus entry into host cells

Herpesviruses attach to host cells by interacting with cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans prior to specific coreceptor engagement which culminates in virus-host membrane fusion and virus entry. Interfering with HS-herpesvirus interactions results in significant reduction in virus infectivity indicating that HS play important roles in initiating virus entry. In this study, we provide convincing evidence that specific sulfations as well as the degree of polymerization (dp) of HS govern human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and binding by following line of evidences. First, purified CMV extracellular virions preferentially bound to the sulfated longer chain of HS on a glycoarray compared to unsulfated glycosaminoglycans and shorter chain unsulfated HS. Second, the fraction of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) displaying higher dp and sulfation had a major impact on CMV infectivity and titers. Finally, cell lines knocked out for specific sulfotransferases Glucosaminyl 3-O-sulfotransferase (3-O-ST-1 and -4 and double -1/4) produced significantly reduced CMV titers compared to wild-type cells. Similarly, a peptide generated against sulfated-HS significantly reduced virus titers compared to the control peptide. Taken together, the above results highlight the significance of the chain length and sulfation patterns of HS in CMV binding and infectivity.
Returns to Education in Developing Countries: Evidence from the Living Standards and Measurement Study Surveys

Abstract We use 61 nationally representative household surveys from 25 developing countries between 1985 and 2012 to assess whether returns to education are systematically higher in developing countries, and to investigate whether recent increases in access to human and physical capital have altered returns. We find no evidence of systematic “excess returns” in developing countries, and estimate an average return to schooling in the represented countries of 7.6%. We also do not find evidence of systematic changes in returns over the past two decades. Overall, returns appear highly heterogeneous, with lower returns in rural areas, higher returns for females than males, and higher returns in the regions of Africa and Latin American than in Asia and Eastern Europe.
Endogenous dollarization, expectations, and equilibrium monetary policy

Emerging market countries have trouble soating, and many that claim to soat do not deliver on such promises. That is a main conclusion of much recent empirical work, starting with the papers of Calvo and Reinhart (2002) and Stein et al (1999). The reason for this would seem to be dollarization of liabilities and balance sheet effects. Calvo (1999 and 2000), Krugman (1999 and 2000), Stein, Hausmann, Gavin, and Pages-Serra (1999), and Aghion, Bachetta and Banerjee (1999), among others, make that case. If debts are denominated in dollars while Þrms depend on local currency revenues (or, more precisely, revenues increase with the relative price of goods produced at home), sharp and unexpected changes in relative prices matter for Þnancial stability. The policy conclusion that emerges from this line of work is that sexible exchange rates can be destabilizing, and therefore emerging market nations would be well advised to design alternative arrangements, including currency boards and dollarization. Such a view has become extremely insuential. But even its most ardent advocates understand that it is only half the story. The claim is that soating is infeasible for a given dollarized debt portfolio. But of course portfolio choices  for instance, what shares of debt to hold in peso and dollar-denominated bonds depend on the risk-return characteristics of these securities, which in turn depend on the structure of shocks and expected monetary and exchange rate policies. Following standard asset pricing and portfolio choice models, variances and covariances (especially with consumption) should matter. Several authors Ize and Levy-Yeyati (2003), Ize and Parrado (2003) and Moron and Castro (2003) among others have recently used this approach, in partial equilibrium, to model endogenous dollarization in emerging markets. ∗Preliminary and incomplete. Comments welcome. Prepared for the San Francisco Fed Emerging Markets Conference, June 2004. We are grateful to the National Science Foundation for Þnancial support. Email: chang@econ.rutgers.edu Email: andres_velasco@harvard.edu
Attachment sites and frequency distribution of erythraeid mites, Leptus indianensis (Acari: Prostigmata), ectoparasitic on harvestmen, Leiobunum formosum (Opiliones).

Host attachment sites and frequency distribution of parasitism were investigated for the larval erythraeid mite Leptus indianensis parasitising a sample of 500 harvestmen, Leiobunum formosum in Tennessee, USA. A significant difference was found in the number of mites attached to different body segments of the harvestmen with the greatest number of mites attached to femurs I–IV. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the mites attached to smooth areas of the host integument between rows of stout setae. The frequency distribution of mites parasitising the harvestman population was highly clumped (Coefficient of Dispersion = 3.34) with a relatively small number of hosts being parasitised by most of the mites.
Computer Holographic Reconstruction System Implementing Integrated Three Dimensional Multi-Image Technique

This paper describes a computer (Fresnel/Fourier transform) holographic reconstruction system used in the inspection of nuclear pressure vessels. The computer system can generate quasi-real-time (128x128) holographic reconstructions using an array processor and FFT program.
Nuclear matrix associated DNA-binding proteins of ocular lens epithelial cells

Association of transcription factors with the nuclear matrix represents a mechanism by which nuclear architecture may influence transcriptional control of gene expression. This investigation examines nuclear matrix associated proteins (NMP's) isolated from ocular lens epithelial cells by monitoring DNA binding activities using consensus oligonucleotides recognized by the transcription factors YY1, AML-1, AP-1, SP-1 and ATF. The nuclear matrix fractions tested included an immortilized human lens epithelial cell line containing the SV40 large T-antigen, and two mouse lens epithelial cell lines derived from either a normal mouse or a cataract mouse. A rabbit epidermal epithelial cell line and HeLa cells were also included in this study for comparison. The data from these experiments reveal that ubiquitously represented and tissue restricted regulatory proteins are associated with nuclear matrix of lens epithelial cells. The functional significance of the nuclear matrix association of these transcription factors remains to be determined. However, our findings raise the possibility that the transcription factors associated with the nuclear matrix could have specific roles in gene regulation and eye tissue development.
Rewarding effects of the cholinergic agents carbachol and neostigmine in the posterior ventral tegmental area.

Rats learned to lever-press for microinjections of the cholinergic agonist carbachol (30–500 pmol per infusion) or the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine (7.5–75 pmol per infusion) into the posterior ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain. Intracranial carbachol self-administration was site-specific. Carbachol was not reliably self-administered into a site just dorsal to the VTA or into the adjacent substantia nigra and was self-administered only weakly into the adjacent anterior VTA or interpeduncular nucleus. Carbachol produced conditioned place preferences when injected into the posterior but not into the anterior VTA or sites dorsal to the posterior VTA. Rats self-administered carbachol less when it was co-infused with the muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist scopolamine or the nicotinic cholinergic receptor antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine, and also when the rats were pretreated with the D 1 dopamine antagonist SCH 23390. These findings implicate both nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic neurotransmission in ventral tegmental reward function and suggest special involvement of the posterior portion of the VTA in cholinergic reward function.
INTRAINDUSTRY SPECIALIZATION AND THE UNITED STATES–CENTRAL AMERICA–DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

This paper examines changes in intraindustry specialization indicators over the 1992–2004 period to assess the potential for structural adjustment problems that may arise in the United States with growth in trade resulting from the United States–Central America–Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) between the United States and six Central American countries—Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic. CAFTA-DR will expand market access for US exporters. Few US industries are likely to encounter structural adjustment problems. Given the relatively large size of the US economy, and the small number of industries that face potential adjustment pressures, the United States should have liberalized all trade immediately. When potential adjustment pressures are indicated, long tariff phaseouts, complex rules of origin, and import safeguards are used to delay factor adjustments in import-sensitive industries.
Tandem connectionist feature extraction for conversational speech recognition

Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLPs) can be used in automatic speech recognition in many ways. A particular application of this tool over the last few years has been the Tandem approach, as described in [7] and other more recent publications. Here we discuss the characteristics of the MLP-based features used for the Tandem approach, and conclude with a report on their application to conversational speech recognition. The paper shows that MLP transformations yield variables that have regular distributions, which can be further modified by using logarithm to make the distribution easier to model by a Gaussian-HMM. Two or more vectors of these features can easily be combined without increasing the feature dimension. We also report recognition results that show that MLP features can significantly improve recognition performance for the NIST 2001 Hub-5 evaluation set with models trained on the Switchboard Corpus, even for complex systems incorporating MMIE training and other enhancements.
Improving resident performance on standardized assessments of medical knowledge: a retrospective analysis of interventions correlated to American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Examination performance

Abstract Background American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Examination (ABSITE) scores are used to assess individual progress and predict board pass rates. We reviewed strategies to enhance ABSITE performance and their impact within a surgery residency. Methods Several interventions were introduced from 2010 to 2014. A retrospective review was undertaken evaluating these and correlating them to ABSITE performance. Analyses of variance and linear trends were performed for ABSITE, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLEs), mock oral, and mock ABSITE scores followed by post hoc analyses if significant. Results were correlated with core curricular changes. Results ABSITE mean percentile increased 34% in 4 years with significant performance improvement and increasing linear trends in postgraduate year (PGY)1 and PGY4 ABSITE scores. Mock ABSITE introduction correlated to significant improvement in ABSITE scores for PGY4 and PGY5. Mock oral introduction correlated with significant improvement in PGY1 and PGY3. Conclusions Our study demonstrates an improvement in mean program ABSITE percentiles correlating with multiple interventions. Similar strategies may be useful for other programs.
Impact of Node Density and Sensing Range on Intrusion Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks present a feasible and economic solution to some of the most challenging problems such as intrusion detection. In this paper, we establish relationship between node density, sensing range, and the possible intrusion distance before the intruder is detected by any of the sensors. We also extend our model to the multi-sensor joint detection case where an event can only be detected by k (k > 1) sensors simultaneously. Furthermore, we consider the effect of node heterogeneity on the intrusion detection in wireless sensor network, where two types of sensors with different sensing ranges are deployed. All the analytical results are validated via simulations. Our analysis can provide very useful insights in choosing network design parameters of sensor networks so that specified performance requirements can be met, thereby enhancing the acceptance of sensor networks.
MORE for less: model recovery from visual interfaces for multi-device application design

An emerging approach to multi-device application development requires developers to build an abstract semantic model that is translated into specific implementations for web browsers, PDAs, voice systems and other user interfaces. Specifying abstract semantics can be difficult for designers accustomed to working with concrete screen-oriented layout. We present an approach to model recovery: inferring semantic models from existing applications, enabling developers to use familiar tools but still reap the benefits of multi-device deployment. We describe MORE, a system that converts the visual layout of HTML forms into a semantic model with explicit captions and logical grouping. We evaluate MOREs performance on forms from existing Web applications, and demonstrate that in most cases the difference between the recovered model and a hand-authored model is under 5%
The Functional Neural Architecture of Components of Attention in Language-Processing Tasks

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging we examined three important dimensions of attentional control (selective attention, divided attention, and executive function) in 25 neurologically normal, right-handed men and women, using tasks involving the perception and processing of printed words, spoken words, or both. In the context of language-processing manipulations: selective attention resulted in increased activation at left hemisphere parietal sites as well as at inferior frontal sites, divided attention resulted in additional increases in activation at these same left hemisphere sites and was also uniquely associated with increased activation of homologous sites in the right hemisphere, and executive function (measured during a complex task requiring sequential decision-making) resulted in increased activation at frontal sites relative to all other conditions. Our findings provide support for the belief that specific functional aspects of attentional control in language processing involve widely distributed but distinctive cortical systems, with mechanisms associated with the control of perceptual selectivity involving primarily parietal and inferior frontal sites and executive function engaging specific sites in frontal cortex.
Parametric Experimental Study of the Formation of Glaze Ice Shapes on Swept Wings

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of velocity and sweep angle on the critical distance in ice accretion formation on swept wings at glaze ice conditions. The critical distance is defined as the distance from the attachment line to the beginning of the zone where roughness elements develop into glaze ice feathers. Icing runs were performed on a NACA 00 1 2 swept wing tip at velocities of 75, 100, 150, and 200 miles per hour. At each velocity and tunnel condition, the sweep angle was changed from 0 deg to 45 deg at 5 deg increments. Casting data, ice shape tracings, and close-up photographic data were obtained. The results showed that at given velocity and tunnel conditions, as the sweep angle is increased from 0 deg to 25 deg the critical distance slowly decreases. As the sweep angle is increased past 25 deg, the critical distance starts decreasing more rapidly. For 75 and 100 mph it reaches a value of 0 millimeters at 35 deg. For 150 and 200 mph it reaches a value of 0 millimeters at 40 deg. On the ice accretion, as the sweep angle is increased from 0 deg to 25 deg, the extent of the attachment line zone slowly decreases. In the glaze ice feathers zone, the angle that the preferred direction of growth of the feathers makes with respect to the attachment line direction increases. But overall, the ice accretions remain similar to the 0 deg sweep angle case. As the sweep angle is increased above 25 deg, the extent of the attachment line zone decreases rapidly and complete scallops form at 35 deg sweep angle for 75 and 100 mph, and at 40 deg for 150 and 200 mph.
Speech-Language Pathologists' Knowledge of Genetics: Perceived Confidence, Attitudes, Knowledge Acquisition and Practice-Based Variables.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine (a) the general knowledge bases demonstrated by school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the area of genetics, (b) the confidence levels of SLPs in providing services to children and their families with genetic disorders/syndromes, (c) the attitudes of SLPs regarding genetics and communication disorders, (d) the primary sources used by SLPs to learn about genetic disorders/syndromes, and (e) the association between general knowledge, confidence, attitudes, the number of years of experience working as an SLP, and the number of children currently provided services with genetic disorders/syndromes on SLPs’ caseloads. Survey data from a nationwide sample of 533 SLPs was analyzed. Results showed SLPs earned a median knowledge score about genetics of 66% correct responses. Their mean confidence and attitude ratings were in the “unsure” categories while they reported they learned about genetics from three main sources, (a) self-study via web and internet-based searches, (b) on-the-job training and (c) popular press magazines and newspapers. Analyses revealed that Confidence summary scores, Attitude Summary scores, the number of children with genetic disorders/syndromes on SLPs’ caseloads are positively associated with the ratings of participants with the highest Knowledge scores. Learning outcomes: Readers will be able to (a) explain the important links between developmental and communication disabilities and genetics, (b) describe the associations between knowledge about genetics and confidence, attitudes, and the number of children with genetic disorders/syndromes on their caseloads, and (c) outline the clinical and theoretical implications of the results from this study.
Attitude-Behavior Truncation in Union Stewards

Abstract It has been suggested recently that the number of grievances filed in an organization can be more accurately predicted from individual differences in union stewards rather than from those of employees. This proposition is based on the premise that union stewards face few instrumentalities that operate to reduce consistency between attitude and behavior. This hypothesis was subjected to an empirical test in a large labor union local in the United States. Selected individual differences that may affect the decision to file grievance actions and the grievance-filing behavior of 54 union stewards and 1,249 members whom they represented were analyzed. The hypothesis that greater predictive power in number of grievances would be a function of differences in union stewards, as compared to employees, was strongly supported.
3% NaCl and 7.5% NaCl/dextran 70 in the resuscitation of severely injured patients

Cardiovascular resuscitation of the severely injured patient in the field remains unsatisfactory because large volumes of intravenous fluid are needed to keep up with ongoing blood losses and because only small volumes of fluid can be given. In the first study reported here, small volumes (less than or equal to 12 mL/kg) of 3% NaCl were given to patients who were having surgery for severe injuries. The 3% NaCl restored blood pressure, pH, and urine output with approximately one half of the cumulative fluid requirement of patients who received isotonic fluids (p less than 0.05). In a second study, 7.5% NaCl/dextran 70, 250 mL, was given in a prospective, randomized, and double-blinded trial to injured patients in the field. Blood pressure in the hypertonic/hyperoncotic group increased 49 mmHg during transport (p less than 0.005); blood pressure in patients given lactated Ringer's solution increased 19 mmHg (NS). Survival favored the hypertonic/hyperoncotic group. The 7.5% NaCl/dextran 70 solution appears particularly promising for treatment of injured patients in the field.
Effect of Environment on Creep Crack Growth in PM/HIP René-95

The creep crack growth rates (CCGR) of PM/HIP Rene-95 were measured from 10-9 m per second to 10-4 m per second in air and in high purity argon at 760°C and 650°C using single edge notched (SEN) specimens. The crack length was monitored by the D.C. potential difference technique. The data were reported asda/dt vs the elastic stress intensity factor,K,, since PM/HIP Rene-95 is a creep-brittle material. The CCGR were shown to be strongly environment sensitive. The CCGR were up to 1000 times faster in air than in argon for a given value ofK I . The temperature andK I dependence of CCGR in air were shown to correlate with a modified formulation of the Larson-Miller parameter. Notched stress rupture (NSR) tests were performed at 650°C in air in order to study the effect of notch root radius on the time to initiate a creep crack. A comparison of the NSR data with SEN data for the same values of initialK, shows that the crack initiation times are a strong function of the notch root radius. It was observed that ninety percent of the rupture time is spent in crack initiation when the notch root radius is finite, while no incubation time was observed for creep crack growth from fatigue precracked specimens.
Interplanetary magnetic field and geomagnetic Dst variations.

The interplanetary magnetic field has been shown to influence the ring current field represented by Dst. Explorer 28 hourly magnetic field observations have been used with the hourly Dst values. The moderate geomagnetic storms of 60 gammas and quiet-time fluctuations of 10 to 30 gammas are correlated with the north to south change of the interplanetary field component perpendicular to the ecliptic. This change in the interplanetary field occurs one to three hours earlier than the corresponding change in the Dst field.
Nigrosporins A and B, New Phytotoxic and Antibacterial Metabolites Produced by a Fungus Nigrospora oryzae

Nigrosporin A and B, two new phytotoxic and antibacterial metabolites were isolated from a culture filtrate of Nigrospora oryzae. The active principles were absorbed on XAD-2 resin and purified by successive ODS-HPLC. The structures were identified by spectroscopic and derivatization analysis as naphthoquinone derivatives. The substances showed phytotoxic activities, such as root elongation inhibition, necrotic effects, oxygen evolution inhibition, starch synthesis inhibition, and CO2 fixation inhibition at concentrations of 10-100 ppm. They also showed growth inhibition activity against Bacillus subtilis in a disc diffusion assay as well as when compared with streptomycin.
Adaptive Engine Control with Multiple Constraints

Significant research efforts in control theory is being aimed at achieving faster aircraft engine response. Historically, aircraft engines are known to respond slower than flight actuator systems. The slow response is due to the control system’s necessity to remain within certain constraint factors, including engine airflow, pressure, and temperature limits. Emergency situations demonstrate the need for faster engine response. Research efforts center on adaptive control because it is consistently able to achieve faster engine response compared with classic control, as well as allowing for off-nominal limit control, and offers the ability to further develop safety features. adaptive control uses a novel architecture to obtain fast and robust adaptation. This paper presents an extension of previous work, [1] and improves the transition between nominal and off-nominal control with the use of an integrator. Additionally, it expands the adaptive control architecture from a single constraint system to a system with multiple constraints.
Freedom in and through Hegel's Philosophy

Hegel pense qu'il n'y a Hen de plus important a comprendre que la liberte pour nous autres humains, et rien que nous ne comprenions plus mal. Tout son systeme philosophique, de fait, avec son ampleur et sa precision incroyables, peut etre compris comme une unique demonstration tres elaboree de I'importance et de la signification de la liberte. Qui plus est, la philosophie de Hegel n'est pas seulement a propos de la liberte, mais elle pretend aussi la produire. Car la recherche philosophique sur ce que cela signifie que d'etre libre aboutit chez lui a l'idee que la liberte depend de la pratique de la philosophie. Comprendre cette position — ce qui est l'objectif principal du present article — requiert d'examiner ce que Hegel a a dire au sujet de la liberte, de la philosophie et de leur interconnexion. La section 1 prepare cet examen en situant la liberte dans le systeme de Hegel. La section 2 presente l'explication du concept de liberte qu'il nous fournit dans sa Logique. La section 3 exploite cette explication logique pour interpreter la these de Hegel, dans sa Realphilosophie, que tous les etres spirituels, et eux seuls, sont libres. La section 4 reflechit sur le role attribue a la philosophie dans la liberation de tels etres spirituels. Et la section 5, enfin, conclut l'article en discutant quelques questions qui peuvent etre soulevees au sujet de mon interpretation du traitement hegelien de la liberte.
Plane-wave solutions to frequency-domain and time-domain scattering from magnetodielectric slabs.

Plane-wave representations are used to formulate the exact solutions to frequency-domain and time-domain sources illuminating a magnetodielectric slab with complex permittivity $ϵ(\ensuremath{\omega})$ and permeability $\ensuremath{\mu}(\ensuremath{\omega})$. In the special case of a line source at $z=0$ a distance $dlL$ in front of an $L$-wide lossless double-negative (DNG) slab with $\ensuremath{\kappa}({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0})=ϵ({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0})∕{ϵ}_{0}=\ensuremath{\mu}({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0})∕{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{0}=\ensuremath{-}1$, the single-frequency $({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0})$ solution exhibits not only ``perfectly focused'' fields for $zg2L$ but also divergent infinite fields in the region $2dlzl2L$. In contrast, the solution to the same lossless $\ensuremath{\kappa}({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0})=\ensuremath{-}1$ DNG slab illuminated by a sinusoidal wave that begins at some initial time $t=0$ (and thus has a nonzero bandwidth, unlike the single-frequency excitation that begins at $t=\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\infty}$) is proven to have imperfectly focused fields and convergent finite fields everywhere for all finite time $t$. The proof hinges on the variation of $\ensuremath{\kappa}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ about $\ensuremath{\omega}={\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ having a lower bound imposed by causality and energy conservation. The minimum time found to produce a given resolution is proportional to the estimate obtained by G. G\'omez-Santos, [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 077401 (2003)]. Only as $t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ do the fields become perfectly focused in the region $zg2L$ and divergent in the region $2dlzl2L$. These theoretical results, which are confirmed by numerical examples, imply that divergent fields of the single-frequency solution are not caused by an inherent inconsistency in assuming an ideal lossless $\ensuremath{\kappa}({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0})=\ensuremath{-}1$ DNG material, but are the result of the continuous single-frequency wave (which contains infinite energy) building up infinite reactive fields during the infinite duration of time from $t=\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\infty}$ to the present time $t$ that the single-frequency excitation has been applied. An analogous situation occurs at the resonant frequencies of a lossless cavity. A single-frequency (zero-bandwidth) source inside the cavity produces infinite fields at a resonant frequency, whereas the same source turned on at time $t=0$ (so that it has a nonzero bandwidth) produces finite fields.