cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ten-year outcomes in adult patients with congenital heart disease and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Abstract Background Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients may be at risk of sudden cardiac death and be candidates for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). We evaluated the long-term rates of ventricular arrhythmias requiring treatment and mortality in these patients. Methods A single-center retrospective case-series identified ACHD patients with an ICD and were evaluated for the primary outcome of appropriate ICD intervention or ablation for ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Secondary endpoints were mortality and complication rates. Survival analyses to generate Kaplan-Meier curves for the primary and secondary outcomes were performed. Results There were 125 adult patients (median age 35.5 years, 68.8% male) with congenital heart disease and an ICD. The median follow-up was 6.4 years (interquartile range 2.8–9.1 years). Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) was present in 62 patients (49.6%) and Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) in 33 (26.4%). The indication for an ICD was primary prevention in 90 patients (72%) and secondary prevention in 35 patients (28%). The primary endpoint occurred in 44 patients (35.2%). Time dependent analyses demonstrated a continual risk of the primary outcome (event rates of 23.8% at 5 years, 45.5% at 8 years, 47.9% at 10 years; p Conclusions Long-term follow-up of ACHD patients with an ICD experience a persistent risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Mortality was most commonly attributed to CHF. These data provide insight into the clinical course and may guide shared clinical decision making in this complex patient population.
A US PSYCHIATRY RESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE OF TELE-PSYCHIATRY SUPERVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS IN LIBERIA

Introduction Liberia, a West African country, has a population of 4.6?million and an annual GDP per capita of $352. Liberia suffers from a devastating shortage of mental health providers with only one psychiatrist and one mental health hospital in the country. Mental health services are largely provided by nurses and midwives with a 6-month graduate training in mental health at the Carter Center. After graduation, no supervision or continued education is offered.In 2016, the Global Mental Health program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai started a tele-supervision program in Liberia. Nine senior psychiatry residents provided clinical supervision to 9 Liberian mental health clinicians (MHCs). Each resident had a faculty mentor to discuss cases when needed. The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai provided the teleconferencing equipment, including 9 Internet hotspots and 9 laptops. Methods A psychiatry resident's perspective with the program is discussed with focus on challenges met and rewards achieved. Results The challenges faced include:1- Wifi connection issues: Out of 16 scheduled supervision sessions, only 8 were held over 8 months course due to Wifi connection issues that were not easily resolved.2- Language (accent) barrier: due to my partner's heavy accent in English, we decided to communicate through texting on Vsee instead of direct video conferencing.3- Very limited psychiatric medication options: Only 6 medications were available in my partner's facility: Haldol, Chlorpromazine, Carbamazepine, Amitriptyline, Imipramine, and Valium.4- Deficient presentation of cases: Despite having good clinical knowledge, my partner's presentations usually missed sufficient DSM-5 diagnostic criteria as well as proper screening for relevant differential diagnoses.The primary rewards included:1- Tangible improvement in confidence in managing cases was reported by MHCs. The program received a recognition letter from the Liberian Ministry of Health.2- Gaining appreciation of the huge gap in mental health services in Liberia as an example of low-income countries. It was a gratifying experience providing assistance to a much-needed population.3- The opportunity to be innovative in treating mental illness using very limited resources. Gaining a greater degree of familiarity with older mental health medications was a major plus.4- Obtaining the skills of using tele-psychiatry as a tool to improve mental health services in low-income countries. Conclusions Despite multiple challenges, tele-psychiatry supervision is a promising strategy in training local mental health providers in low-income countries. This type of intervention offers a very rewarding training experience in psychiatry. Future research on the objective effectiveness of such programs is warranted. This research was funded by: Laptops provided by Mount Sinai School of Medicine. No other funding received
Anti-reflective coating by 3D PDMS stamping using two-photon lithography master

Abstract A method for the repeated manufacture of nanoscale optical features is presented. The method utilizes nanoscale 3D printing technology to create master structures that can be rapidly duplicated using a soft lithography method. Stamps are made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) from the master structure and then inked with a mixture of nanoparticles and epoxy to create a 3D negative of the master structure. To demonstrate this method, an array of pyramids comprised of germanium (Ge) nanoparticles and epoxy were produced to function as an antireflective coating in the short wave infrared (SWIR). The antireflective array was tested and compared to 5 commercial low reflective coatings.
Climatic, vegetative, and disturbance predictors of lichen species’ height in Arctic Alaska, USA

Lichens cover approximately 8% of land surface, primarily in alpine and polar habitats. Lichen biomass is often correlated with cover and thallus height, but quick and effective methods of lichen biomass estimation have not been tested across large areas. We utilize a dataset of over 7800 height measurements made throughout the Arctic Network of National Parks in the US to model mat-forming macrolichen height by species as a function of morphological, climatic, and habitat factors. Our goal was to understand how lichen height, as proxy for biomass, varied by species in different areas, and determine which factors best predict lichen height. We found that the single best predictor of lichen height was surface downwelling shortwave radiation. Climatic, vegetative, and other physiographic variables were moderate predictors of lichen height. We determined that differences in height observed between species were not explained by the degree of branching nor thallus width. Our findings highlight that the key factors predicting lichen height may not be easy to mitigate through management (e.g., radiation, vapor pressure deficit, length of growing season), yet may be altered in future climate change scenarios. Further, rapid height field measurements, like those used in our study, could improve our understanding of the drivers of lichen biomass, underscore its variability across species, and could be used for other applications. Accurate biomass measurements are necessary for landscape-scale monitoring and predictions of future lichen biomass in the face of climate perturbations.
What are they Reporting? Examining Student Cybersecurity Course Surveys through the Lens of Machine Learning

This paper examines IRB-approved student surveys across five cybersecurity and digital forensics courses during Spring 2020 for the benefit of continual course improvement for regulatory requirements such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) (re)accreditation. There is very little research on qualitative machine-learning based methods for the analysis of student feedback in cybersecurity courses, if any courses. This research fills the literature gap by analyzing the feedback from 114 open-ended surveys across five cybersecurity and digital forensic courses to categorize areas of course improvement. To gain insights into the qualitative survey feedback, we employed term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) with a K-Means clustering algorithm on cleaned and pre-processed survey data. This methodology provides more useful insights for curriculum developers than a standard sentiment analysis. The methodology can be further extended to be directly integrated into continual course improvement (e.g. ABET, NSA, DoD, etc.) indicators.
A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens

The ubiquitous exposure of humans to microplastics (MPs) through inhalation of particles in air and ingestion in dust, water, and diet is well established. Humans are estimated to ingest tens of thousands to millions of MP particles annually, or on the order of several milligrams daily. Available information suggests that inhalation of indoor air and ingestion of drinking water bottled in plastic are the major sources of MP exposure. Little is known on the occurrence of MPs in human diet. Evidence is accumulating that feeding bottles and medical devices can contribute to MP exposure in newborns and infants. Biomonitoring studies of human stool, fetus, and placenta provide direct evidence of MP exposure in infants and children. MPs <20 µm were reported to cross biological membranes. Although plastics were once perceived as inert materials, MP exposure in laboratory animals is linked to various forms of inflammation, immunological response, endocrine disruption, alteration of lipid and energy metabolism, and other disorders. Whereas exposure to MPs itself is a concern, MPs can also be sources of exposure to plastic additives and other toxicants. Exposure of human cell lines to MP additives such as phthalates, bisphenols, and organotins causes adverse effects through the activation of nuclear receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) α, β, and γ, and retinoid X receptor (RXR), leading to oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, thyroid hormone disruption, and altered adipogenesis and energy production. The size, shape, chemical composition, surface charge, and hydrophobicity of MPs influence their toxicity. Maternal transfer of MPs to the developing fetus has been demonstrated in exposed laboratory animals and through the analysis of human placenta. In laboratory animal studies, maternal exposure to MPs altered energy and lipid metabolism in offspring and subsequent generations. Moreover, concomitant with the global increase in plastics production, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in human populations has increased over the past five decades, and there is evidence to support the hypothesis that MPs and their additives are potential obesogens. Even though MP exposures are ubiquitous and toxic effects from such exposures are a concern, systematic studies on this topic remain urgently needed.
School-Related Violence and Prevention: Editorial Introduction

In 2004, I was invited to serve as guest editor for a special edition of the Journal of Primary Prevention (Miller, 2005). This edition would focus on the prevention of school violence. In September 2005, a special edition of this journal produced a well-received series of articles from a national group of prevention researchers, scholars, and clinicians (Edwards et al., 2005; Thompson & Kyle, 2005). An invitation to broaden the scope and direction of this journal publication has led to this volume. It follows an excellent publication in this series dealing with cross-national and cross-cultural perspectives (Denmark et al., 2006). Our purpose in this volume is to provide to you, the reader, a compendium of papers addressing school violence and the critical ingredients in prevention interventions that contribute to reducing and/or eliminating various forms of violence in the school setting. There are two major sections to the volume. Initially, we examine the theory, assessment, and an overview of the definition and boundary issues involved in the term “school violence” as used in research and applied prevention programs. The second section presents strategies and interventions for the prevention of school violence. As editor, the first chapter deals with the definition, scope of the problem, and the goals for prevention we have come to know. My esteemed colleague and friend Robert F. Kraus, M.D., joins me in addressing this chapter and the pathway to better understanding the definition, scope, and goals in the prevention of school violence. Robert F. Kraus is Professor of Psychiatry and Anthropology, Associate Residency Director of Training, and former Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Kentucky. His career has involved clinical and academic administration, teaching, clinical practice, and research. Recently, he was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for the Study of Psychiatry and Culture. He has served as a mentor and brings a rich understanding of the cultural issues to this definition and scope of the problem for violence in the schools. In today’s world, it is necessary to have a good understanding of human behavior. For this I turned to a colleague and friend, William P. French, M.D., to address in the next chapter the theoretical issues we need to understand through the neurobiology of violence and victimization. Will is completing his fifth-year residency in the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky and the Chandler Medical Center, University of Kentucky. Will has brought science and practice together and has focused his professional life on
Link-layer dynamic resource allocation for TCP over satellite networks

Future packet switched satellite communication networks are being designed with dynamic resource allocation on the up and down links in order to efficiently utilize the limited RF resources. The resource allocation algorithms must be designed to maximize system efficiency and user performance rather than simply optimizing link layer efficiency. An OPNET simulation environment is used to model and evaluate system performance for a satellite network with dynamically provisioned up and down links under dynamic traffic and channel variations. Link-layer resource allocation algorithms are developed and tested to ensure network layer objectives can be satisfied while maximizing system throughput.
The SAW properties of sputtered SiO/sub 2/ on X-112/spl deg/Y LiTaO/sub 3/

The surface acoustic wave (SAW) propagation properties on the X-cut plate, 112/spl deg/Y rotated, lithium tantalate (LiTaO/sub 3/) substrate with and without sputtered SiO/sub 2/ film layers have been investigated using interdigital transducer electrode structures. Thicknesses of SiO/sub 2/ of 500 nm and 1000 nm were sputter deposited on the X-112/spl deg/Y LiTaO/sub 3/ substrates. A series array of aluminum electrode patterns deposited on the film facilitated the excitation of a wide frequency band of harmonic waves up to 2.0 GHz, and permitted delineation of SAW velocity and propagation loss characteristics for several values of film-thickness to acoustic-wavelength (t//spl lambda/) ratio. A resonator pattern at the substrate/film interface, permitted the capacitance ratio (C/sub m//C/sub o/), related to coupling factor, and the temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) to be measured. A high velocity pseudo-SAW (HVPSAW) mode was observed with a velocity near 6300 m/s.
Multiple Tuple Spaces in Linda

Multiple tuple spaces have been envisioned for Linda since the system's first comprehensive description; they are intended for two purposes. First, by allowing tuples to be organized into a hierarchy of separate spaces, they should make it possible to construct large Linda programs out of modules, to realize Linda's long-standing potential to be a model for persistent storage, to enforce separation between the system and users in a Linda-based operating system, and to support abstraction. Second, if we allow tuple spaces to be included among the fields of ordinary tuples, the Linda tuple-manipulation operators will allow us to operate not only on single data objects but on whole computations.
The validity of Dibamus nicobaricum (Fitzinger in Steindachner, 1867)(Squamata: Sauria: Dibamidae)

Fitzinger’s in Steindachner, 1867 Rhinophidion nicobaricum is shown to be a valid species of the genus Dibamus and redescribed based on material from Great Nicobar and Camorta, Nicobar Islands, India. Dibamus nicobaricum differs from congeners from continental and insular regions of south-east Asia in possessing the following characteristics: lanceolate infralabials; a single postocular; elongated head; complete rostral sutures; 23 – 25 midbody scale rows; 192 – 253 ventrals; 31 – 38 subcaudals; tail short (tail length as percentage of snout-vent length 8.73 – 18.27), and small body size (SVL of the largest example, a female, 134.7 mm).
Improvements in the Application of the Image Orthicon to Astronomy

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the improvements in the application of the image orthicon to astronomy. The image orthicon is an extremely productive instrument for certain areas of astronomy. At the low light-levels that are almost universal in astronomy, the image orthicon must be used as an integrating device, the magnesium-oxide target being read out at suitable intervals up to 3 seconds. The scanning read-out is then used to activate a TV monitor, the latter being photographed by synchronized photography, or the signal can be transferred to a storage tube enabling the final image to be enhanced by the superposition of several read-outs. The signal can also be directly recorded on tape. The speed and versatility of the image orthicon, and the capability of altering contrast over an extremely wide range by manual control, allows one to examine celestial objects in a manner that is hardly possible in photography. The potential of the image orthicon is perhaps best realized by the method of superposition of three or four read-outs on to a storage tube. The development of an image isocon multi-stellar photometer so that several stars can be photometered simultaneously is also elaborated.
Quantile regression for dynamic panel data with fixed effects

Abstract This paper studies a quantile regression dynamic panel model with fixed effects. Panel data fixed effects estimators are typically biased in the presence of lagged dependent variables as regressors. To reduce the dynamic bias, we suggest the use of the instrumental variables quantile regression method of Chernozhukov and Hansen (2006) along with lagged regressors as instruments. In addition, we describe how to employ the estimated models for prediction. Monte Carlo simulations show evidence that the instrumental variables approach sharply reduces the dynamic bias, and the empirical levels for prediction intervals are very close to nominal levels. Finally, we illustrate the procedures with an application to forecasting output growth rates for 18 OECD countries.
Simulations of Deformation and Stress During Copper Wirebond on ULK Chips

In this paper, we develop a multi-level modeling procedure for copper wirebonding that provides insights into (a) deformation and stress in wire, pad, and die (b) an assessment of the risk of ULK fracture during impact stage and ultrasonic vibration steps. First, we construct a nonlinear, dynamic finite element model (global) to study the mechanical responses of wire, pad, and the underlying ULK stacks during the impact stage and the last cycle of ultrasonic vibration in copper wirebonding. Specifically, these process steps are modeled through prescribing touch down and in-plane oscillatory motions on capillary, which result in dissimilar critical states of stress locally in the ULK stacks. Next, we develop a isogeometric model (local) for a generic configuration of ULK stacks with eight levels of metallization by composing the geometric primitives representing ILD layers, copper lines/vias, as well as the material interfaces following the Hierarchical Partition of Unity Field Composition technique. The description for material moduli in the entire ULK stacks is further enriched with a bi-linear damage law. The critical states of stress obtained in the global wirebond model are then converted into boundary conditions for the local ILD model under plane strain condition to simulate the crack initiation in the ULK stacks. We observe, from the simulation results, potential crack initiation sites along vertical /horizontal interfaces in the ULK stacks due to local compressive/tensile loading during impact/vibration step, respectively.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Video Game Players: Personality Characteristics and Demographic Variables

This study examined some personality characteristics and demographic variables of frequent video game users. A survey of video-game-playing attitudes, personality characteristics, and entertainment choices of high school teenagers was made. Frequent video-game players were young, male, and liked competitive activities, such as playing sports. They were bright and liked challenges and science fiction movies. Infrequent players tended to be older, female, not as bright and to like noncompetitive activities. These infrequent players did not like video games, were anxious about computers, and did not read very many books.
Abstract 3193: EPHB2 expression parallels malignant behavior in mesothelioma

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Purpose: Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular (EPH) receptors and their Ephrin (EFN) ligands are members of the transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. EPHB2 is a RTK, promotes uncontrolled cell growth, migration and tumor progression. Preliminary gene array data indicate EPHB2 overexpression in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Here, we aim to verify EPHB2 overexpression in MPM tumors and cell lines and hypothesize that EPHB2 silencing decreases malignant behavior in MPM cell lines. Methods: EPHB2 mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR in eight MPM and three benign mesothelial cell lines, and seven pairs of MPM tumors and matched normal tissue. Functional significance of EPHB2 was evaluated by transfecting EPHB2-shRNA and empty vector controls into two MPM cell lines, HP-1 and H2595. Expression of EPHB2, BCL2L1, survivin, Caspase2, Caspase8, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated by RT-PCR following silencing. Pooled populations of transfected cells were evaluated in scratch closure, cell proliferation by CellTitre BlueTM, MatrigelTM Invasion and colorimetric TUNELTM apoptotic assays. Comparisons were made between EPHB2 silenced and control cell lines. Results: EPHB2 was overexpressed in all MPM cell lines, but not in the benign mesothelial cell lines and in all tumors compared to matched normal tissue. Targeted knockdown of EPHB2 in MPM cell lines reduced its expression and subsequently reduced MMP-2, VEGF, BCL2L1 and survivin expression, and increased Caspase2 and Caspase8 expression. Inhibition of EPHB2 significantly decreased scratch closure, proliferation and invasion compared to the controls, and significantly increased apoptotic cells, likely related to Caspase2 and Caspase8 mediated cell death. Conclusion: Silencing of EPHB2 reduced the malignant behavior in MPM cell lines. EPHB2 appears to play an important role in MPM pathogenesis and could potentially serve as a novel therapeutic target for MPM treatment. View this table: Results of Functional Assays Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3193.
Telomerase-transduced osteoarthritic fibroblast-like synoviocyte cell line

To examine whether the life span of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) can be extended and to establish FLS cell lines that preserve the characteristics of primary FLSs, we introduced human catalytic subunit of telomerase (hTERT) gene into human osteoarthritic (OA) FLSs. Two hTERT-transduced clonal cell lines were established and one line, hTERT-OA FLS 13A, was characterized. The hTERT-OA FLS 13A cells have a morphology similar to that of the parental untransduced cells and a population-doubling time similar to that of the parental cells of early passages. While the parental untransduced OA FLSs reached senescence after 100 days in culture, the hTERT-OA FLS 13A cells continued to grow at a population-doubling rate of once in about every 2-3 days. The hTERT-OA 13A cells have so far grown in culture beyond 450 days and maintained the same growth rate. Furthermore, the hTERT-OA FLS 13A cells preserved their sensitivity and response to the treatment with basic calcium phosphate crystals and interleukin-1beta. In conclusion, exogenous expression of telomerase represents a way to extend the life span of human FLSs and telomerase-transduced FLS cells offer a promising tool for gene regulation, cell-based assay, cell transplantation-based gene therapy, and tissue engineering research and development.
Regulation of hyaluronidase activity by alternative mRNA splicing.

Hyaluronidase is a hyaluronic acid-degrading endoglycosidase that is present in many toxins and the levels of which are elevated in cancer. Increased concentration of HYAL1-type hyaluronidase correlates with tumor progression and is a marker for grade (G) 2 or 3 bladder cancer. Using bladder tissues and cells, prostate cancer cells, and kidney tissues and performing reverse transcription-PCR, cDNA cloning, DNA sequencing, and in vitro translation, we identified splice variants of HYAL1 and HYAL3. HYAL1v1 variant lacks a 30-amino acid (aa) sequence (301–330) present in HYAL1 protein. HYAL1v1, HYAL1v2 (aa 183–435 present in HYAL1 wild type), HYAL1v3 (aa 1–207), HYAL1v4 (aa 260–435), and HYAL1v5 (aa 340–435) are enzymatically inactive and are expressed in normal tissues/cells and G1 bladder tumor tissues. However, HYAL1 wild type is expressed in G2/G3 tumors and in invasive tumor cells. Stable transfection and HYAL1v1-specific antibody confirmed that the HYAL1 sequence from aa 301 to 330 is critical for hyaluronidase activity. All tumor cells and tissues mainly express HYAL3 variants. HYAL3v1 lacks a 30-aa sequence (299–328) present in HYAL3 protein, that is homologous to the 30-aa HYAL1 sequence. HYAL3v1, HYAL3v2 (aa 251–417 present in HYAL3 wild type), and HYAL3v3 (aa 251–417, but lacking aa 299–328), are enzymatically inactive. Although splicing of a single independent exon generates HYAL1v1 and HYAL3v1, internal exon splicing generates the other HYAL1/HYAL3 variants. These results demonstrate that alternative mRNA splicing controls cellular expression of enzymatically active hyaluronidase and may explain the elevated hyaluronidase levels in bladder/prostate cancer.
The quantum limit of timing jitter in actively mode-locked soliton fiber lasers

Summary form only given. The demand for stable, actively mode-locked fiber laser (AMLFL) sources with extremely small timing jitter has been driven by the development of high-speed optical communications systems and high-resolution optical sampling. Timing jitter degrades bit-error rates in the former and leads to sampling errors in the latter. AMLFL's have been shown to exhibit very low timing jitter whose performance is limited by the phase noise of the external oscillator. In this paper, we determine the quantum-limited timing jitter of the AMLFL operating at GHz repetition rates and how it can be reduced.
Time-division-multiplexing-based modulation scheme for RF chirp extension

A novel modulation scheme based on time division multiplexing for extending the frequency span and frequency sweep time of RF chirped signals is proposed. Using this approach an RF chirped signal with an frequency span of 20 MHz and a frequency sweep time of 200 ns is generated.
Intraovum Infection Caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum among Eggs from Captive Atlantic Salmon Broodfish

Abstract This study indicated that the bacterium Flavobacterium psychrophilum induced an infection within eggs of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar that were held at federal New England restoration facilities. The pathogen, which originated from the Connecticut, Penobscot, Machias, East Machias, Dennys, Narraguagus, and Sheepscot rivers, was obtained from these eggs at concentrations that ranged from 5.0 × 102 to 2.5 × 108 colony-forming units per gram of egg, despite successive treatments with povidone iodine (I2). Treatments consisted of 50 mg/L of water for 30 min, then 100 mg/L for 10 min, followed at the eyed egg stage by 100 mg/L for 60 min. Collectively, 63% of the egg lots (77 of 122) obtained from paired matings of these captive broodfish were infected; 39% of these lots contained 10 or fewer infected eggs (60 eggs sampled per lot), and less than 10% of the lots contained more than 20 positive eggs. Consequently, standard iodophor disinfection procedures were ineffective. Eggs were positive from each o...
Temporal variation in the acute effects of air pollution on blood pressure measured at admission to labor/delivery

Same day or recent air pollution exposure increases blood pressure in pregnant women. Temporal blood pressure variation associated with hourly air pollution is unstudied. We randomly selected 500 women (249 normotensive, 191 with hypertensive disorders, and 60 with chronic hypertension) with singleton pregnancies and blood pressure measured at labor/delivery admission from a large cohort, the Consortium on Safe Labor. Community multiscale air quality models estimated hourly air pollutant exposures for the admission hour (lag 0) and for the 24 h preceding labor/delivery admission (lags 1–24). Linear regression estimated the effect of 10 % increase in pollutants on blood pressure at each time point, adjusting for maternal characteristics, labor type, and time of day. Women with chronic hypertension had higher systolic blood pressure with exposure to particulate matter <10 μm (by 1.0–1.3 mmHg at 0–4 h), sulfur dioxide (by 0.7–0.9 mmHg at 0–3, 16–20, and 22–23 h) and with some air toxics. Diastolic blood pressure was higher in normotensive women with ozone exposure (by 0.1–0.4 mmHg at 0–1 and 23–24 h). Similar effects for systolic blood pressure were seen among women with hypertensive disorders (by 0.6 mmHg at 19–20 h), but most pollutants were associated with lower blood pressure in these women. Substantial variation in the impact of hourly air pollutant measures on blood pressure was observed during the day prior to labor/delivery admission, both by mothers’ hypertensive status and by the lag time prior to BP measurement. Effects were largest near admission (lags 0–4) and among women with chronic hypertension.
Closed-loop training of attention with real-time brain imaging

Lapses of attention are commonplace, potentially because they are detected too late to be prevented. The authors use real-time fMRI to provide participants continuous access to their attentional state. Real-time feedback, particularly from frontoparietal cortex, improved sustained attention abilities and modified representations in visual cortex and basal ganglia.
Anomalous parallel-field negative magnetoresistance in ultrathin films near the superconductor-insulator transition

A parallel field negative magnetoresistance has been found in quench-condensed ultrathin films of amorphous bismuth in the immediate vicinity of the thickness-tuned superconductor-insulator transition. The effect appears to be a signature of quantum fluctuations of the order parameter associated with the quantum critical point.
An Experimental Investigation of Composite Repair

This study investigates the repair of a glass/vinylester composite material with damage caused by impact loading and bending. The repair technique is based on the “standard procedures” established in a previous study. In addition to the damage due to bending, the repair of composite plates with straight cutting-line damage is also investigated due to its similarity to the bending fracture and good repeatability for evaluation. It is found that two glass reinforcing patches of plain weave—that is, (0, 90)2—on each side of the specimen can restore the original load-bearing capability of the composite material of concern. The investigation of the cutting-line damage can also be viewed as a study of bond-line angles for composite joining. It is concluded that a bond-line angle greater than 60° can restore the undamaged composite strength. In maintaining a large bond-line angle as well as a large bonding surface, various bond-line configurations are presented. Results from the five joints of V, W, WW, U, and UU shapes further verify this conclusion.
Is aggressive cholesterol control justified? Review of the Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft trial

Abstract The Post–Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy of aggressive low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol lowering (
Null space and eigenspace computations with additive preprocessing

We propose and analyze additive preprocessing for computing a vector in the null space of a matrix and a basis for this space. Due to our preprocessing, instead of singular linear systems we solve nonsingular ones, which preserve the conditioning properties and the structure of the input matrices. We extend our preprocessing to decrease the size and the condition number of an ill conditioned input matrix. We also cover applications to the eigenspace computations and to generating effective preconditioners for a linear system of equations.
Binding of N‐nitroso carcinogens in pancreatic tissue

Carcinoma of the pancreas can be produced in guinea pigs by the oral administration of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU). Our present studies have examined the distribution of this compound in these animals following parenteral and oral administration and also its specific sites of binding within the pancreatic cell. Emphasis has been placed upon the comparison of the uptake and binding of MNU with the related compound 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), which does not seem to be carcinogenic to the pancreas after oral administration. The distribution data indicate uptake into pancreas that is comparable to that of other organs. Binding data show both MNU and MNNG to extensively modify subcellular organelles and the DNA and proteins of chromatin, but that MNU does this to a somewhat greater extent than MNNG.
Accuracy of College Students' Perceptions of Their Sat Scores, High School and College Grade Point Averages Relative to Their Ability:

This research assessed accuracy of college students' perceptions of their grade point averages (GPA) as well as college students' accuracy in perceiving their SAT scores which, heretofore, has not been examined. Also, accuracy of college students' perceptions of GPAs and SAT scores was related to their ability. A substantial positive correlation between actual (university records) and reported (students' perceptions) GPAs should be similar to earlier work (1, 2, 4), but would also be noted for actual and reported SAT scores. Based upon previous research (1, 2, 3) that slight overestimations between reported and actual GPAs for lower adueving students, overestimations between perceived and actual GPAs were expected for lower achieving students and also between perceived and actual SATs. Data were analyzed for lower (below the median) and hlgher (at or above the median) achievers, men vs women, and sophomore and freshman college students totaling 313 of the 534 students who returned questionnaires containing additional demographic data for another study administered in three residence halls of this moderate size university. Present results support previously observed positive correlauons between perceived and actual GPAs (range .70 to .88, p s . 0 0 1 ) and added that correlations between perceived and actual SAT scores were high and positive (range .74 to 2 5 , P S ,001). Also, instead of finding only a slight tendency for lower achieving college students to overestimate GPAs, this research yielded 25 of 36 significant ( p ~ .05) overestimations of GPAs and SATs by both higher and lower achieving college students whether they were men or women, freshmen or sophomores. Generally greater overestimations were noted for men than for women and for sophomores more than for freshmen. Two anomahes of these patterns surfaced. One was that college freshmen overestimated their high school GPAs more than the sophomores and the other anomaly was that both male and female high achievers underrather than overestimated their SAT Mathematics results. This research provides further evidence that researchers are at risk when they rely upon college students' perceptions of past achievements. Research along these lines should be conducted to assess the perceptual accuracy of juniors and seniors and also for other information college students, freshmen through seniors, are asked to report.
High Mobility n and p Channels on Gallium Arsenide and Silicon Substrates Using Interfacial Misfit Dislocation Arrays

We demonstrate the growth of III-Sb buffers on GaAs and Silicon substrates through the use of an epitaxial technique involving the formation of interfacial misfit dislocation arrays that is formed between the III-Sb alloy and the substrate. The interfacial misfit array results in the spontaneous relaxation of the highly mismatched III-Sb semiconductor and provides a platform for the realization of high mobility channels on GaAs and Silicon. We make use of InAs type--II confinement structures for n-type and pseudomorphic InGaSb type--I structures for p-type channels.
Comment on "81Kr-81Br ground state mass difference and implications for calibration of a 81Br solar neutrino detector"

The distinction between the information necessary to evaluate calibration of a /sup 81/Br solar neutrino detector and that necessary to determine the absolute /sup 81/Kr-/sup 81/Br mass difference is pointed out.
Does information about auditor switches affect investing decisions

Abstract This study examines the impact of auditor dismissals and resignations on investing decisions. The study also aims to ascertain whether these decisions differ due to a reason given for the dismissal or resignation. Participants were given a scenario involving an investing decision and were first asked to assess the level of risk associated with investing in the company. Next, they were asked to allocate $10,000 between investing in the company versus a money market account. Five different questionnaires were created by varying information about an auditor switch and the reason for the switch. Results indicated that auditor switches produce higher investment risk assessments and marginally lower amounts invested than no auditor switches. Furthermore, the effects of resignations were not significantly different from the effects of dismissals. Also, disclosure of a disagreement as a reason for an auditor switch had no impact.
Perception of English Voicing by Native and Nonnative Adults

Recordings of naturally produced stop-vowel English words with a wide range of voice onset time values were used to investigate nonnative perception of voicing categories. L2 learners of English from nine language groups and native American English speakers served as subjects. The responses of the language learners suggested that they were using a hybrid perceptual system, one in which the English voicing categories were not yet fully established.
Regulation of α2A-adrenergic receptor expression by epinephrine in cultured astroglia from rat brain

Epinephrine (Epi) mediates various physiological effects via alpha2A-adrenergic receptors (alpha2A-ARs). Studies in mice with a point mutation in the gene for alpha2A-AR have shown that these receptors are responsible for the centrally mediated depressor effects of alpha2-AR agonists. These studies underscore the importance of understanding the basic cellular mechanisms involved in the expression of alpha2A-ARs, of which little is known. We use astroglia cultured from the hypothalamus and brainstem of adult Sprague-Dawley rats as a model system in which to study factors that regulate alpha2A-AR expression. These cells contain alpha2-ARs, which are predominately of the alpha2A-AR subtype. Our studies have shown that Epi causes a dose- and time-dependent decrease in steady-state levels of alpha2A-AR mRNA and number of alpha2A-ARs, effects that are mediated via alpha1- and beta-adrenergic receptors (alpha1-ARs and beta-ARs). These effects of Epi on alpha2A-AR mRNA and alpha2A-AR number are mimicked by activation of protein kinase C or increases in cellular cyclic AMP, which are intracellular messengers activated by alpha1-ARs and beta-ARs, respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that expression of alpha2A-ARs is regulated in a heterologous manner by Epi, via alpha1-AR- and beta-AR-mediated intracellular pathways.
Biodegradable and pH-responsive nanoparticles designed for site-specific delivery in agriculture

We report the synthesis and characterization of pH-responsive polysuccinimide-based nanoparticles. Polysuccinimide (PSI), a precursor to biodegradable poly(aspartic acid), was synthesized from the condensation of l-aspartic acid and subsequently functionalized with primary amines to form random amphiphilic copolymers. The copolymers formed stable nanoparticles in aqueous medium via nanoprecipitation and were subsequently loaded with a model hydrophobic molecule to demonstrate their potential as controlled-release delivery vehicles. It was found that above pH 7, the hydrophobic succinimidyl units of the PSI nanoparticles hydrolyzed to release encapsulated materials. The release rate significantly increased at elevated pH and decreased with an increasing degree of functionalization. Finally, plant toxicity studies showed that the polymer materials exhibit little to no toxic effects at biologically relevant concentrations.
Profile Analysis of Deaf Children Using the Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test

This study was conducted to determine whether children who are deaf perform similarly to hearing children on the Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test (UNIT; Bracken & McCallum, 1998). The children...
BLOWDOWN HISTORY AND LANDSCAPE PATTERNS IN THE ANDES OF TIERRA DEL FUEGO, ARGENTINA

The effects of periodic gales on Nothofagus (southern beech) stand devel- opment and landscape dynamics were studied in a 10.4-km2 study area in the Sierra de las Pinturas, part of the Andes in Argentine Tierra del Fuego. We reconstructed blowdown history (patch sizes, dates of origin, return intervals) since the late 1700s to assess how periodic large-scale wind disturbance influenced landscape pattern in a relatively simple system. Most previous studies have focused on single storms in more diverse forests and in landscapes influenced by several disturbance types and human activities. Boundaries of post-blowdown stands were digitized from aerial photographs and analyzed within a geo- graphic information system. Ages of blowdowns and return intervals were determined from scars, growth releases, and maximum tree ages. Discrete blowdown patches (0.1 to >100 ha) covered two-thirds of the study area and ranged from 19 to -200 yr of age, with 20- 30 yr between major events. The meteorology of these storms was unknown, but we suspect they were caused by intense low-pressure systems originating in Antarctica. The mean return interval for 34 sites was 145 yr, with a range of 103-218 yr. Based on treefall size distributions, most stands blown over in the past 100 yr were even-aged, with mean tree dbh (diameter at breast height) between 20 and 32 cm. Aerial photographs taken in 1970 were used for before-and-after comparisons of a 1972 blowdown. Seventy-one percent of the area blown over in 1972 was even-aged, and 35% of the boundaries from this storm exactly coincided with previous stand boundaries. Damage patterns from storms in 1924 and 1972 suggested that forests located on valleys parallel to the wind, windward side slopes, and possibly upper leeward slopes were most vulnerable to blowdown, but few landscape positions escaped being hit by repeated storms. Return intervals were not sig- nificantly related to slope, elevation, or aspect; but surprisingly, shorter return intervals were associated with deeper soils. The landscape pattern of blowdown and recovery shifted over time because of variation among individual storms and because a small proportion of old-growth stands were converted to blowdowns and vice versa. Browsing by guanacos (Lama guanaco), a large native camelid, has severely inhibited tree regeneration during the past 75 yr in small blowdowns and the perimeters of larger ones, converting some stands to open meadows and incipient alpine communities. In the relatively simple Noth- ofagus forests of Tierra del Fuego, periodic gales are the main determinants of forest structure and pattern across a range of scales from small patches to entire landscapes.
Oligohydramnios, small for gestational age and pregnancy outcomes: an analysis using precise measures.

Background/Aim: Marginal or decreased amniotic fluid volume by ultrasound estimate and fetal growth restriction have been shown to be significantly associated with perinatal mortali
Copyright in the networked world: multimedia fair use

This column examines a “non‐legislative” report on “Fair use guidelines for educational multimedia”. Although the guidelines have serious flaws, they offer several positive features: they recognize that fair use applies to multimedia, they include photographs and numeric databases, and they provide easily understood metrics for the amount of material that can be used.
Modification of hexachlorophene toxicity by dieldrin and Aroclor 1254

Abstract Hexachlorophene (HCP) was fed singly or paired with either aflatoxin B1 (AF), Aroclor 1254 (AR), or dieldrin (D) to Fischer-344 rats for 8 weeks beginning at 5 weeks of age. For HCP fed singly, there was no mortality at 400 ppm or less, 80% mortality in males and 73% in females at 600 ppm, and 100% mortality in both sexes at 820 ppm. Paralysis was apparent in one female at 400 ppm and in all animals at 600 ppm. Minimal neuronal degeneration was evident in the brain at 50 ppm, focal necrosis and myelin vacuolization at 400 ppm or higher, and focal hemorrhage at 600 ppm. While addition of AF at 1 ppm did not affect the toxicity of 600 ppm of HCP, addition of AR at 160 ppm reduced mortality to less than 7%, and addition of D at 100 ppm to a diet containing 900 ppm of HCP reduced mortality from 100 to less than 4%. For both the HCP/AR and the HCP/D combinations, no paralysis was observed, although the histologic changes in the brain were still apparent.
Evaluation of different simulation approaches for modeling a custom build assembly line

Abstract With more market driven schedules in manufacturing, a custom build assembly environment to reduce lead times is a viable approach. This paper discusses using simulation to evaluate a custom build line with two different modeling philosophies: a detailed and a general approach to input time distributions. The detailed model uses separate build time distributions for basic production and each accessory; the general model uses one build time distribution for each station for total production based upon expected accessory percentages. An investigation and comparison of the two approaches is presented based upon experiments varying key environmental factors. The general model can substantially reduce the model code, reducing time and effort, and seems to be a promising approach under certain environmental conditions.
Photoinitiated Coupling of Unmodified Monosaccharides to Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Sensing Proteins and Bacteria

We report a versatile approach for the immobilization of unmodified monosaccharides onto iron oxide nanoparticles. Covalent coupling of the carbohydrate onto iron oxide nanoparticle surfaces was accomplished by the CH insertion reaction of photochemically activated phosphate-functionalized perfluorophenylazides (PFPAs), and the resulting glyconanoparticles were characterized by IR, TGA, and TEM. The surface-bound d-mannose showed the recognition ability toward Concanavalin A and Escherichia coli strain ORN178 that possesses mannose-specific receptor sites. Owing to the simplicity and versatility of the technique, together with the magnetic property of iron oxide nanoparticles, the methodology developed in this study serves as a general approach for the preparation of magnetic glyconanoparticles to be used in clinical diagnosis, sensing, and decontamination.