cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patient Navigation in a Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.

Context Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death among cancers affecting both men and women in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) supports both direct clinical screening services (screening provision) and activities to promote screening at the population level (screening promotion). Objective The purpose of this study was to characterize patient navigation (PN) programs for screening provision and promotion for the first 1 to 2 years of program funding. Participants We conducted a cross-sectional survey of the 29 CRCCP grantees (25 states and 4 tribal organizations) and 14 in-depth interviews to assess program implementation. Main outcome measures The survey and interview guide collected information on CRC screening provision and promotion activities and PN, including the structure of the PN program, characteristics of the navigators, funding mechanism, and navigators' activities. Results Twenty-four of 28 CRCCP grantees of the survey used PN for screening provision whereas 18 grantees used navigation for screening promotion. Navigators were often trained in nursing or public health. Navigation activities were similar for both screening provision and promotion, and common tasks included assessing and responding to patient barriers to screening, providing patient education, and scheduling appointments. For screening provision, activities centered on making reminder calls, educating patients on bowel preparation for colonoscopies, and tracking patients for completion of the tests. Navigation may influence screening quality by improving patients' bowel preparation for colonoscopies. Conclusions Our study provides insights into PN across a federally funded CRC program. Results suggest that PN activities may be instrumental in recruiting people into cancer screening and ensuring completed screening and follow-up.
Raman induced wavelength conversion in scaled Silicon waveguides

Parametric Raman nonlinearities in Silicon waveguides is used to demonstrate wavelength conversion from Stokes to anti-Stokes channels. The effects of two photon absorption and free carrier nonlinear losses on the conversion process have also been analyzed. We find that scaling down the waveguide dimensions to submicron sizes is advantageous in terms of increasing the Raman nonlinearities and reducing the carrier lifetime and hence nonlinear absorption.
Regulation of the abundance of renal sodium transporters and channels by vasopressin.

Abstract Vasopressin plays a role in both salt and water balance in the kidney. Classic studies, utilizing isolated perfused tubules, have revealed that vasopressin increases sodium reabsorption in the kidney thick ascending limb and the collecting duct. Furthermore, the activity of several sodium transport proteins expressed in these segments, such as the bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC2) and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), have been shown to be directly increased by vasopressin. Increased protein abundance might be one means through which sodium transporter and channel activity is enhanced. We have used immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry in order to investigate the regulation of abundance of the major sodium transporters and channels expressed along the renal tubule in response to vasopressin. Chronic (7-day) studies were performed in which vasopressin levels were elevated either endogenously by water restriction of Sprague–Dawley rats or exogenously through infusion of the vasopressin V2-receptor-selective agonist, dDAVP (1-deamino-8 d -arginine-vasopressin), to Brattleboro rats. We found a significant increase in protein abundance for NKCC2 and the β- and γ-subunits of ENaC with either water restriction or dDAVP infusion. The α-subunit of Na-K-ATPase was increased by water restriction, but not by dDAVP infusion, and α-ENaC and the thiazide-sensitive cotransporter (NCC) were increased by dDAVP infusion but not by water restriction. Acute (60-min) in vivo exposure to dDAVP led to an increase in both β- and γ-ENaC abundance in kidney cortex homogenates, displaying the rapid nature of some of these changes. Overall these increases in sodium transporter and channel abundances likely contribute to both the antidiuretic and antinatriuretic actions of vasopressin.
Propranolol vs prednisolone for symptomatic proliferating infantile hemangiomas: A randomized clinical trial

Importance While propranolol is touted as superior to prednisolone for treating infantile hemangiomas (IH), a randomized clinical trial (RCT) comparing the outcome and tolerability of these medications for symptomatic, proliferating IH has not been reported. Objectives To determine if oral propranolol is more efficacious and better tolerated than prednisolone in treating symptomatic, proliferating IH and to determine the feasibility of conducting a multi-institutional, RCT comparing efficacy and tolerability of both medications. Design, Setting, and Participants Phase 2, investigator-blinded, multi-institutional RCT conducted in 3 academic vascular anomalies clinics on 19 of 44 eligible infants aged between 2 weeks and 6 months. All participating patients had symptomatic proliferating IH treated between September 1, 2010, and August 1, 2012. Interventions Treatment with oral propranolol vs prednisolone (2.0 mg/kg/d) until halted owing to toxic effects or clinical response. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcome was change in IH size after 4 months of therapy. Secondary outcomes were response rate and frequency and severity of adverse events (AEs). Results The primary outcome showed no difference in lesion size or affected skin area after 4 months of therapy: 41% and 1.32 mm 2 for prednisolone vs 64% and 0.55 mm 2 for propranolol ( P = .12 for lesion size, and P = .56 for affected skin area). Longitudinal analyses showed a faster response in total lesion outer dimension with prednisolone ( P = .03), but this advantage over time was not noted when central clearing and outer dimension were included in the analysis ( P = .91). The overall frequency of AEs was similar (44 for prednisolone vs 32 for propranolol) ( P = .84), but prednisolone-treated participants had more grade 3 severe AEs (11 vs 1) ( P = .01), particularly growth retardation resulting in size and weight below the fifth percentile. Early study withdrawal owing to AEs occurred in 6 (75%) of 8 patients in the prednisolone group but 0 of 11 propranolol-treated participants. The mean duration of therapy was shorter for prednisolone (141 vs 265 days), reflecting the higher rate of early withdrawals. Conclusions and Relevance Both medications show similar efficacy for reducing the area of symptomatic, proliferating IH. Although prednisolone showed a faster response rate, propranolol was better tolerated with significantly fewer severe AEs. Propranolol should be the first line of therapy for symptomatic IH unless contraindicated or unless future studies demonstrate severe AEs from propranolol. Recruiting participants for a phase 3 RCT would be difficult owing to safety profiles measured here and emerging trends favoring propranolol. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT00967226
Humanization, democracy, and political education

Given the current concern in the Soviet Union and East Europe to emancipate public education from its Stalinist past, it is understandable that educators have called for the “humanizing” of education. Yet “humanization” is a none too clear idea and must be approached, I propose, through its opposite: dehumanization. Dehumanization, itself, can be understood as the denial of the dignity of the individual — a cardinal principle of the philosophies that comprise classical and contemporary liberal theory. This principle of the dignity of the individual in turn implies duties for the liberal democratic state to treat all citizens (and for all citizens to treat each other) with equal respect as ends in themselves and equally as choosers of ends, as being, at least in principle, capable of choosing and acting on the ultimate ends in their own lives and as potential “sayers of great words and doers of great deeds” in the common public enterprise. Now in claiming that the principle of the dignity of the individual is central to an understanding of a just and humane society, we do not thereby commit ourselves to those doctrines long associated with liberalism, viz., ontological and moral individualism. The form of political, or united-reformed, liberalism argued for in this paper is clearly compatible with strong forms of community, even authoritarian types of community insofar as they do not transgress the principle of the dignity of the individual as regards informed choice. As decidedly non-perfectionist and agnostic about ultimate goods (tempered by the ban on all public forms of dehumanizing behavior and treatment), this form of political liberalism is neither individualistic nor communitarian, neither capitalist nor socialist (though the state is not indifferent to their fortunes). This rendering of the liberal democratic state sets the requirements for a deep and thorough political education that goes well beyond any familiar example today. In seeking to develop, to “humanize” individuals for a world of thought and action in the common public enterprise, political education — the premier form of education — in a liberal democratic state seeks to develop individuals who are theoretically informed and practically wise — thus the emphasis on the development of rationality in all of its forms. Moreover, despite the formal agnosticism of the state concerning ultimate human ends, a political education requires deep student exposure to and critical assessment of religion, possible ways of life, and those views of the human good that humans throughout history have found worthy of pursuit. And this even if it means that students will come to reject the principle of the dignity of the individual.
Palatonasal Recess on Medial Wall of the Maxillary Sinus and Clinical Implications for Sinus Augmentation via Lateral Window Approach

Background: Anatomic variations of the maxillary sinus determine the degree of difficulty in performing sinus augmentation. Whereas some variations, e.g., the septum and morphology of the sinus, have been extensively studied, the structure of the medial wall has never been investigated. The aims of this study are to measure the location and angulation of the palatonasal recess (PNR) on the medial wall and identify risk sites that are related to the shape of the PNR.Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were screened from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry database. Edentulous sites with <10 mm between the floor of the maxillary sinus and the alveolar crest were selected. The residual ridge height (RH), the distance between the PNR and the alveolar crest, and the angulation of the PNR were measured on the selected sagittal planes. The percentage of sites (risk sites) with recesses that were <90°and <15 mm from the alveolar crest was calculated. The PNR location and angulation were...
Effect of loading rate on transgranular-intergranular fracture in charcoal gray granite

Abstract An inverse relation was found between rate of loading and transgranular-intergranular fracture in Charcoal gray granite discs loaded to failure at four different loading rates ( L r 's) by the point load test. Transgranular-intergranular fracture is described by means of distance increments within mineral grains and along grain boundaries that are measured along a fracture trace in a thin-sectioned disc. Measurements were made with a mechanical stage and petrographic microscope and were used to compute a transgranular-to-intergranular ratio ( T / I ) for each disc. A weighted T / I ( R ) was obtained as a product of T / I and the percentage ( F ) of each mineral along a fracture trace. Computer facilities using regression analysis fitted a logarithmic equation to the data with a very high correlation coefficient. The equation, R c = 9·93 − 0·57 In L r ( L r in lb/min), was shown to be statistically valid within the limits of the analytical data. Although the equation is strictly empirical, it probably expresses the dependence of strain energy dissipation on the degree to which favorably oriented defects dilate under different loading rates.
CALCULATIONS OF UNIPOLAR AEROSOL CHARGING

By using the best available data for charging rates for small spheres with arbitrary dielectric constants, the time-dependent charge distributions of two unipolar polydisperse aerosols is calculated. The behavior of this charging is studied as a function of polydispersity in both aerosol and ion distributions. Particles ranging from 0.005 ..mu..m to 1.0 ..mu..m radius are included and ions typical of the atmosphere and atmospheric applications are used.
Pharmacy student attitudes toward an interprofessional patient safety course: an exploratory mixed methods study

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore attitudes of pharmacy students toward an elective, interprofessional patient safety course. Methods This study used an exploratory mixed methods design. Quantitative data were collected from course evaluations, case study performance, and final examination performance. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with seven first-year pharmacy students. Qualitative themes were triangulated with descriptive results from quantitative analysis of data using a convergence model. Results Students averaged an 88% on the final examination and, through their case studies, demonstrated the ability to apply this content knowledge to practical situations. Data from the course evaluation showed that students placed a high value on receiving patient safety education, and felt that the course should continue to be offered. Five major qualitative themes emerged from student interviews: putting a face on patient safety, reframing my role as a gatekeeper of patient safety, realizing it is just part of the job, everyone in health care needs to be trained about safe systems, and interprofessional learning is needed for safety to work. Comparison of quantitative and qualitative data confirmed the themes that emerged. Conclusions Students found great value in patient safety education. The professional literature has shown that there is a general lack of patient safety education in Doctor of Pharmacy training. Our results demonstrate that early introduction of this type of education has the potential to transform the values-based framework that pharmacists-in-training are forming to include an explicit context of patient safety.
Small laboratory computer networks

Abstract The rational approach to laboratory automation in a changing research environment involves a network of computers. This permits program preparation and data manipulation/storage/plotting/printing to take place on the CPU most appropriate to the task. It also allows the application programs to run on satellite processors with minimum configuration and maximum data throughput capabilities. The hardware implementation is described, as well as a brief introduction to the software facilities available under RT-11/REMOTE and FORTH, the two language systems used at Virginia Polytechnic Institute to implement the net.
Retinal X- and Y-cells in monocularly lid-sutured cats: normality of spatial and temporal properties.

The electrophysiological effects of prolonged neonate monocular lid suture upon the cat's dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus are at least two-fold. First, there is a reduction in the proportion of Y-cells encountered with microelectrodes in the laminae receiving input from the deprived eye12,14. This reduction occurs central to the optic tract. That is, the proportion of retinal Y-cells encountered in the retina and optic tract is not altered by monocular lid suturelL Second, there is a decrease in the spatial resolution of X-cells within these same deprived laminae 5,9,1°. Spatial resolution is defined here as the highest spatial frequency stimulus to which the cell will respond. In the present report we provide evidence that this decrease in spatial resolution of geniculate X-cells is not matched by similar changes in retinal X-cells. Therefore, this deprivation,ind'uced deficit also primarily occurs central to the optic tract. We used standard, extracellular recording techniques to measure spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity functions of single retinal cells in normal and monocularly lid-sutured cats. These functions not only provide accurate estimates of spatial and temporal resolution, but also elucidate the cell's sensitivity to stimulus changes produced throughout the range of spatial and temporal frequencies to which the neurons can respond (see below). Deprived cats had the lids of one eye sutured closed under general anesthesia at 5-8 days of age, and they were used for recording after they had reached adulthood (7-8 months of age). Our recording procedures have been described in previous publications and will only be briefly summarized here 6,s,12. The animals were prepared for recording under Halothane anesthesia mixed in 50 ~ N2050 ~ 02 and were maintained for recording with a 70 ~ N20-30 ~ 02 mixture. The cats were paralyzed with Flaxedil (5 mg/kg/h) and curare (0.5 mg/kg/h) mixed in lactated Ringers with 5 ~ dextrose, and were artificially respired with end-tidal CO2 maintained at 4.0 ~. Sutured eyes were opened during the initial surgical preparation.
The Behavioral Consequences of Vice-Presidential Debates: Does the Undercard Have Any Punch?

In this article I examine a much neglected area of American politics: the political consequences of vice-presidential debates. Specifically, I explore how perceptions of candidate performance in the 1984 and 1988 vice-presidential debates influenced vote intention and evaluations of the vice-presidential candidates. Using panel surveys that allow for the control of predebate vote choice and political predispositions, these results indicate that vice-presidential debates do influence public opinion. Additional data are used to illustrate the aggregate effects of vice-presidential debates.
Professional Judgment and Dispositions in Teacher Education.

Abstract The word “dispositions” has suddenly emerged in the lexicon of teacher educators in the United States of America, and around the globe as found in publications such as The International Journal of Diversity in Organizations, Communities and Nations and the Journal of the International Society for Teacher Education. However, it is clear from the literature that educators are just beginning to grapple with the definitional and philosophical aspects of the construct. This work seeks to assist the field of teacher education, both in the United States and internationally in gaining a better understanding of “dispositions,” and, at the same time to offer working connections between professional judgment and dispositions, and provide grounding for the construct as “habits of mind” that render professional conduct more intelligent.
Epilepsy and the concentrations of plasma amino acids in humans

We have examined the correlation between the presence of epilepsy in humans, and plasma amino acid levels. Subjects were divided into those having pure generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal group), those having generalized tonic-clonic seizures plus other types of epilepsy (mixed group), and those suffering from epilepsies other than grand mal (no grand mal group). Compared to non-epileptic controls, the grand mal group had significantly higher fasting plasma levels of aspartate (100% increase) and glutamate (380% increase) but significant decreases were seen with phenylalanine (?23%), lysine (?27%), and tryptophan (?30%). The no grand mal group showed similar changes except for lysine. The mixed group showed elevations in glutamate, but decreases only in cysteine and methionine. In response to a high protein meal, plasma levels of alanine, cysteine and methionine rose significantly less for the no grand mal group compared to the control group. Increases in aspartate and glutamate concentrations strongly correlated with the prescription of phenytoin. However, the concentrations of these amino acids were not significantly correlated with the actual plasma levels of phenytoin.
An organic model for detecting cyber-events

Cyber entities in many ways mimic the behavior of organic systems. Individuals or groups compete for limited resources using a variety of strategies, the most effective of which are reused and refined in later 'generations'. Traditionally this behavior has made detection of malicious entities very difficult because 1) recognition systems are often built on exact matching to a pattern that can only be 'learned' after a malicious entity reveals itself and 2) the enormous volume and variation in benign entities is an overwhelming source of previously unseen entities that often confound detectors.To turn the tables of complexity on the would-be attackers, we have developed a method for mapping the sequence of behaviors in which cyber entities engage to strings of text and analyze these strings using modified bioinformatics algorithms. Bioinformatics algorithms optimize the alignment between text strings even in the presence of mismatches, insertions or deletions and do not require an a priori definition of the patterns one is seeking. Nor do they require any type of exact matching. This allows the data itself to suggest meaningful patterns that are conserved between cyber entities. We demonstrate this method on data generated from live network traffic.The impact of this approach is that it can rapidly calculate similarity measures of previously unseen cyber entities in terms of well-characterized entities. These measures may also be used to organize large collections of data into families, making it possible to identify motifs indicative of each family.
Challenges of standards‐based reform: The example of California's science content standards and textbook adoption process

In this paper, we debate the strengths and limitations of standards-based science education reform in the United States. Our purpose is to raise questions and encourage conversations about the mis/uses of standards to shape science curriculum and instructional practices at both state and national levels. We begin by examining the case of California: California recently developed science content standards and used these standards to guide the development, assessment, and adoption of K-8 science instructional materials, a process in which we participated. We offer substantive critique of the California standards themselves and the ways such standards narrowly frame science education for the state's teachers and students. We then move to more general challenges posed by fashioning standards as instruments of reform: the proliferation of increasingly unwieldy instructional materials and the muting of teachers' voices in local decision-making processes. While we do not call for the elimination of standards, we argue for greater awareness of the challenges in using standards to achieve science education reform and for renewed effort to include teachers in the translation of standards into local, responsive practice. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed87:378–389, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/sce.10064
Applicability of Phase Ray-Tracing Method for Light Scattering from Rough Surfaces

Ray-tracing method (RTM) based on geometric optics is a convenient tool in radiative heat transfer by tracing the intensity during light scattering, absorption, and multiple reflections. Some recent studies employed a modified RTM to trace the field amplitude and phase during light scattering from rough surfaces. Because phase is included, this method will be called PRTM hereafter. PRTM works well for multiple reflections in thin films with smooth interfaces, but its applicability for prediction of radiative properties of rough surfaces has not been established. The present study compares both PRTM and RTM with Kirchhoff’s approach (KA) for one-dimensional rough surfaces. The elements of the Mueller matrix calculated from these methods are compared for both dielectric and highly reflecting surfaces. When the characteristic lengths of roughness are much greater than the wavelength, the three methods yield essentially the same results. For small characteristic lengths, PRTM predicts certain coherent peaks resulted from wave interferences. However, the predicted peaks by PRTM are always smaller than those by KA. In addition, PRTM fails to predict coherent peaks for some elements. Therefore, PRTM cannot accurately address the wave features of rough surfaces with small characteristic lengths, due to its inherent assumption of specular reflection at surface microfacets, adopted from geometric optics.
Notes on Psychotherapy Research among Children and Adolescents

This paper reviews the current research regarding outcome data on child psychotherapy. Particular attention is paid to the use of controls, sample selection, involvement of parent and families, therapist's characteristics, measurements of outcome, and duration and specification of treatment. The relative dearth of such research compared with adult studies is noted, and future directions for outcome research in child psychotherapy is discussed.
The effect of dietary caffeine on urinary excretion of calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium in healthy young females

Abstract Twelve female college students drank decaffeinated coffee or tea to which 0, 150 or 300 mg caffeine had been added. Each subject had fasted at least ten hours before drinking each of the three test beverages. Urine samples were collected at one, two and three hours after caffeine consumption. Total urinary three hour excretion of calcium, magnesium and sodium, but not potassium, increased significantly after caffeine intake. The increased output of calcium and sodium was mainly due to significantly increased urinary calcium and sodium concentrations, while the increased output of magnesium appeared to be due to the combination of both a slightly increased urinary magnesium concentration and volume. Total urine volume correlated significantly with dose of caffeine per body weight when 300 mg of caffeine was consumed. The effects of caffeine on mineral excretion were primarily due to changes in mineral concentration and increased urinary volume at one and two hours.
The Clinical Effects of Tobacco on Oral Tissue

The general public is starting to look to the dentist for help in quitting the smoking habit. Because of his firsthand clinical observations, he can give specific information about the effects of the habitual use of cigarettes and other tobacco products on oral mucosa.
Use of a genetically encoded hydrogen peroxide sensor for whole cell screening of enzyme activity

We report the use of HyPer, a genetically encoded, fluorescent sensor that reacts with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in a novel screen to engineer enzymes for enhanced production of H2O2. We co-expressed HyPer with cytochrome P450 BM3 variants and, using HyPer's ratiometric signal, found variants that produce greater amounts of H2O2 than the wild-type enzyme through the leakage reaction. The screen avoids lysis procedures and the addition of reagents to assay intracellular contents. Less laborious screening procedures will be useful in engineering more powerful H2O2 generators as tools in quantitative redox biology, and increasing the utility of enzymes that produce H2O2 as a by-product alongside a valuable compound.
Finding parity in a simple broadcast network

A broadcast network of N+1 nodes is considered in which each binary digit transmitted by each node is received by every other node via a binary symmetric channel of given transition probability. The errors on these channels are independent over transmitters, receivers and time. Each node has a binary state, and the problem is to construct a distributed algorithm to find the parity of the set of states with some given reliability. It is shown that this can be done with O(ln(lnN)) bits of communication from each node. Communicating all the node states to one node can be accomplished with only marginally more communication. >
Human antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity mediated by interferon γ-activated neutrophils is impaired by vasoactive intestinal peptide

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on the expression and activity of receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (FcyR) in human neutrophils. Cells were assayed under basal conditions and following in vitro stimulation with interferon gamma (IFNγ). Antibody dependent-cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was chosen as a means of evaluating FcyR activity. The results indicated that incubation with VIP (10 −6 M) during 18 h slightly diminished cytotoxicity of non stimulated neutrophils. In contrast, VIP exerted a marked inhibitory effect on neutrophils activated with IFNy. Similar results were obtained with forskolin, another agent that increases intracellular cAMP. Finally, using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry analysis, we found decreased membrane expression of FcyR after VIP incubation. Taken together, these results show that VIP is able to act on human neutrophils, partially blocking IFNγ-activation of FcyR mediated functions. Modulation of neutrophil cytotoxic response by VIP may have an important role in limiting tissue injury during inflammation.
Incremental prognostic accuracy of clinical, radionuclide and hemodynamic data in acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract A logical sequence of testing in evaluating prognosis early in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) would be to use clinical data first, then add non-invasive data and finally add invasive data. The incremental prognostic information concerning 1-year survival obtained from such a sequence in 107 patients with AMI was studied using logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic curves. Cardiac mortality was 24% at 1 year. Clinical data obtained soon after admission (prior myocardial infarction, heart rate, blood pressure, age) were 78 ± 5% accurate in the prediction of 1-year survival. The addition of radionuclide-estimated left ventricular ejection fraction or invasive hemodynamic data to the clinical model at this time improved prognostic accuracy to 84 ± 5% (p = 0.05) and 87 ± 4% (p = 0.007), respectively. The further addition of invasive data to the model containing clinical and left ventricular ejection fraction data provided a further increment in prognostic accuracy to 89 ± 4%, whereas no significant increase in accuracy was seen on addition of left ventricular ejection fraction to the model containing clinical and invasive data. It is concluded that clinical data provide important prognostic information concerning late survival early in the course of AMI. This may be improved by the logical application of noninvasive and invasive studies at this time.
Effectiveness of ACA Rates on Potatoes Raised in Irrigated Sandy Soil

Over a 5-year period, field evaluations of several rates of ACA, an acronym for Agricultural Crop Additive, were conducted on irrigated sandy Wisconsin soils using potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) as the test crop. In some years, statistically significant tuber total yield increases of about 4 Mg ha−1 were seen for one rate, but not others, with the response rate varying between years. In 1 year, similarly sized yield increases were seen for all rates. In most years, the use of ACA (at one or more rates) increased the size of harvested tubers but did not affect other measured growth parameters including stem or tuber number, early-season vegetative or root growth, or midseason leaf nutrient concentrations. In the year when ACA was evaluated across three potato varieties, the responses appeared to be variety specific. No clear mode of action could be identified where the positive responses were seen other than the apparent influence of the additive on harvested tuber size.
Evidence of extreme mathematical precocity: Case studies of talented youths

Case studies of elementary students who are extremely talented in mathematics illustrate a series of principles for educating gifted youths. Parents of such talented youngsters may have to advocate vigorously to ensure that educational accommodations are made. Objective information, such as that obtained from diagnostic testing, can be used in the planning process. The challenge is to find a match between the child's abilities and the curriculum, while balancing academic, social, and physical activities.
Play in fishes, frogs and reptiles

In this quick guide, Gordon Burghardt considers the criteria for ascribing a particular animal behavior as “play”, and in particular the evidence for play in fishes, frogs and reptiles.
Firmness and Cell Wall Characteristics of Pasteurized Jalapeño Pepper Rings as Affected by Preheating and Storage

Changes in cell wall pectic substances, degree of pectin methylation, bound calcium and firmness were determined in preheated and nonpreheated fresh pack jalapeno pepper rings stored for 5 mo. Pepper rings preheated for 60 min at 50°C in a brine solution (8% NaCI and 0.2% CaCl 2 , were firmer, had more nonextrctable pectins (NXP), more bound calcium, less water-soluble and chelator-soluble pectins (CSP), and less pectin methylation than nonpreheated pepper rings. The greater formation and maintenance of nonextractable pectins, which resisted acid hydrolysis during pasteurization and storage is probably an important factor in firming.
Fewer gastrojejunostomy strictures and marginal ulcers with absorbable suture

The upsurge of gastric bypass procedures has been accompanied by an increase in anastomotic strictures and marginal ulcers. According to the reported literature, the gastrojejunostomy strictures in 3–31% and ulcerates in 1–16% of cases. Several anastomotic techniques are used, however no study has specifically addressed whether choice of reinforcing suture affects rates of stricture or ulcer. We reviewed our case series to determine if a protocol change in suture choice altered the incidence of anastomotic strictures and marginal ulcers. We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database for 315 primary Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients (7/2008 to 3/2008). Nearly all patients had a 25-mm circular stapled anastomosis with an outer suture layer for reinforcement. Before 5/31/06, interrupted permanent suture was used in 231 patients, and after 6/1/06 interrupted absorbable suture was used in 84 patients. We compared overall rates of stricture, marginal ulceration, and aggregate gastrojejunostomy complications between the two suture groups using a proportional hazards model and log-rank statistic. A p-value < 0.05 was used to assign statistical significance. We found statistically fewer gastrojejunostomy complications in the absorbable suture group (4.7%) than the permanent suture group (19.9%). Subgroup analysis showed that anastomotic strictures were less common in the absorbable suture group, but the difference was short of statistical confirmation. Use of absorbable suture did result in statistically fewer marginal ulcers (2.3%) compared with absorbable suture (13.4%). Use of absorbable reinforcing sutures is associated with fewer gastrojejunostomy complications. We recommend absorbable sutures for the outer layer of stapled gastrojejunal anastomoses when performing isolated Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
A fault-tolerant system architecture for navy applications

This paper describes the architecture of a computer system, being designed and built for the U.S. Navy, that is expected to be the standard Navy shipboard computer for the next twenty years or so. It has a requirement for very high system reliability, which is addressed by a multiprocessor system configuration that can recover dynamically from hardware faults and support on-line repair of failed hardware elements. Successfully accomplishing this requires various types of redundant hardware elements and special system architecture features, as well as intelligent fault-recovery software. This also requires that the application programs be designed to participate fully in the recovery and reconfiguration process. This paper presents the overall system architecture and discusses a number of significant new features designed to support fault-tolerant operation, including a duplex control bus, a computer interconnection system, a technique for remote diagnostics, a single-button maintenance procedure, and special fault-handling software.
Effects of taste preexposure on aversion training to visual cues in chicks (Gallus domesticus)

Two experiments investigated whether or not prior taste experience influenced the utility of telereceptive cues in controlling ingestive behavior. Specifically, these experiments studied the influence of preexposure to taste cues on the effects of aversion training to visual telereceptive cues. In Experiment 1, chicks (n = 52) received preexposure to either clear 2.0% vinegar, clear water, or red-colored water or no preexposure, followed by a pairing of red-colored water and an injection of lithium chloride (LI). Testing with red water showed that preexposure to vinegar produced a reliably slower latency to start drinking than did preexposure to clear water or no preexposure which, in turn, differed reliably from the effects of preexposure to red water. The vinegar-preexposed group drank reliably less red water than did the red water-preexposed group. Experiment 2 investigated whether or not similarity between preexposure and aversion training contexts influenced the effects of taste preexposure on the results of visual aversion training. Chicks (n = 60) received pretraining exposure to clear 2.0% vinegar, clear water, or no preexposure in a context that was similar or different from that of aversion training, which occurred with red water. Testing with red water showed that preexposure to vinegar in a context similar to that of aversion training yielded reliably slower latency to start drinking than did either preexposure to clear water or no preexposure or preexposure in a context different from that of training. Results of the intake measure were consistent with the latency data, but were not reliable.
Stochastic Lyapunov stability of the phase-locked loop†

In this paper stability bounds for the stochastic phase-locked loop are studied, using the second method of Lyapunov. The fundamental configurations for the phase-locked loop and the related equations describing loop operation are given. The principles necessary to establish the idea of a stochastic Lyapunov function are presented, with special emphasis on the Ito differential form. An examination of the stochastic stability of a second-order phase-locked loop is carried out qualitatively. The stability analysis technique employed in this paper yields probabilistic data for cycle-slipping in the phase-locked loop, and thus represents a significant departure from the traditional approach based on Fokker—Planck techniques. The concepts presented, however, are applicable to a much wider variety of control system stochastic stability problems.
Electrophysiological studies in Guillain-Barré syndrome: correlation with antibodies to GM1, GD1B and Campylobacter jejuni.

A retrospective study of 50 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) correlated analysis of serial motor nerve conduction studies with the presence of antibodies toCampylobacter jejuni, GM 1 and GDlb, determined by ELISA. GBS patients with antibodies toC. jejuni (n = 8), GM1 (n = 4), or GD1b (n = 4) showed electrophysiological features suggestive of demyelination with prolonged distal motor latencies and temporal dispersion/conduction block similar to GBS patients without these specific antibodies. Three of 50 GBS patients had poor recovery with inability to walk at 1 year after onset of symptoms. All three patients had antibodies to C. jejuni, but not to GM 1 or GD 1 b. Although later on in the clinical course distal motor responses were absent in two of these patients, reflecting extensive axonal degeneration, early nerve conduction studies showed findings suggestive of demyelination. We suggest that demyelination of peripheral nerve may be the initial disease mechanism in GBS independent of the presence of antibodies toC. jejuni, GM1 or GDlb.
Teaching Older Adults to Use Computers: Recommendations Based on Cognitive Aging Research.

Recent cognitive aging research provides a framework for the cognitive changes that occur in older adults. This research is useful to instructors who teach older adults to use computers because it provides theories that help to identify older adults’ special instructional needs. Specifically, teachers need to design their instruction to compensate for older adults’ cognitive slowing, limited processing resources, lack of inhibition, and sensory deficits. This article reviews current theories of cognitive aging and derives implications for teaching older adults to use computers. Recommendations are provided to assist teachers in designing and implementing courses intended to teach older adults to use common computer software applications.
The dynamics of the primary event in rhodopsins revisited

Abstract The conclusions obtained from an early simulation study of the primary event in the vision process are reexamined by simulating the dynamics of the primary photoisomerization reaction in bacteriorhodopsin using a detailed molecular model for the protein-chromophore complex. The calculated photoisomerization time is of the same order of magnitude as that predicted by the early simulation and found in recent experimental studies. Several simulations with different conditions indicate that the isomerization process involves an efficient transfer of energy from the reaction coordinate to other degrees of freedom and is better described by a damped-motion model than by an inertial model. The damped motion is expected to give a significant quantum yield for both the cis→trans and trans→cis cases only if the minimum of the excited state potential surface is located above the ground state maximum (unless the excited state surface is extremely shallow or if the inertial effects associated with the surface crossing process are very large). The present study suggests that the observed quantum yield should not be analyzed by one-dimensional models but by multidimensional microscopic simulations that consider the surface crossing process and the subsequent ground state relaxation processes.
Application Of High Speed Videography For Study Of Complex Three-Dimensional Water Flows

The application of an INSTAR high-speed video system for the study of complex water flows via flow visualization techniques is described. Three examples are presented which illustrate how the various characteristics of the videographic system, particularly the split-screen capability, have been utilized to view and examine the behavior of time-varying, three-dimensional flows. Several particularly significant adaptations of the system are discussed, including 1) the use of a fiber optic lens for on-line, underwater viewing of flow behavior and 2) interfacing of split-screen video pictures with a computer-aided display to recreate three-dimensional flow patterns.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Decentralized decision‐making involving multiple criteria: a multiple knapsack formulation

There is a class of multiple criteria problems involving multiple decision‐makers which we call the multiple knapsack problem. Although difficult to solve in its original form, the problem may be readily solved by a different model structure whose elements are obtained from the original problem after decomposition via Lagrangean relaxation. The sub‐problems resulting from the decomposition involve multiple criteria utility functions of unknown form for single decision‐makers. The structure of the resulting sub‐problems is such that the set of feasible alternatives generated for each sub‐problem can, with little effort, be ranked by the decision‐maker and a utility value assigned to a suitable subset of the best alternatives. The subset of best alternatives for each decision‐maker is incorporated into the new model (a master problem) which can supply either optimal or very good solutions to the original problem.
The Medical Home as a Mediator of the Relation Between Mental Health Symptoms and Family Burden Among Children With Special Health Care Needs

Abstract Objective This study explores the role of medical home as a mediator of the relationship between emotional and behavioral difficulties among CSHCN and financial- and employment-related burden experienced by their families. Methods Data were obtained from the 2005–2006 NS-CSHCN, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of 40 465 CSHCN. Family burden was measured using parent-reported financial problems and changes in family member employment resulting from the child's needs. Emotional and behavioral symptoms were reported by parents using 3 binary items capturing difficulty with depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and emotional or behavior problems. Medical home was measured according to the framework of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the role of medical home in the relation between mental health symptoms and family burden. Results A smaller proportion of CSHCN with emotional or behavioral difficulties had a medical home or related components compared to CSHCN generally, and a greater proportion of their families experienced burdens. Multivariate analyses showed that the mediated effect of care coordination on the relation between emotional or behavioral symptoms and family burden explained 18% to 35% of the total effect of these symptoms on financial problems and employment changes. Overall medical home access explained 16% to 28% of the total effect of symptoms on burden. Conclusions Medical home access, and care coordination in particular, may partially mediate the relation between emotional and behavioral symptoms and financial hardship. Future efforts to implement the medical home model may benefit from an increased focus on care coordination as a means of reducing these burdens.
Bipolar stressing, breakdown, and trap generation in thin silicon oxides

Thin silicon oxide films were stressed with bipolar pulses in which the magnitudes of both the positive and negative pulses were independently varied, The time-to-breakdown, the charge-to-breakdown, and the number of traps generated inside of the oxides during the stresses were measured and compared with oxides that had been stressed with unipolar pulses or stressed with constant dc voltages. For the bipolar stresses it was found that the time-to-breakdown, the charge-to-breakdown, and the number of traps generated inside of the oxide all increased as the magnitude of the opposite polarity, nonstressing pulse was increased, until the opposite polarity pulse became large enough to become the stressing pulse. The time-to-breakdown reached a maximum when the magnitude of the stressing pulse was approximately 1 V larger than the magnitude of the nonstressing pulse. The model that was used to explain these increases involved generation of traps inside of the oxide and the lack of spatial correlation between the traps generated by injection from one interface with the traps generated by injection from the other interface. >
An Explanation of Anomalous Behavior in Models of Political Participation

This paper characterizes behavior with “noisy” decision making for models of political interaction characterized by simultaneous binary decisions. Applications include: voting participation games, candidate entry, the volunteer's dilemma, and collective action problems with a contribution threshold. A simple graphical device is used to derive comparative statics and other theoretical properties of a “quantal response” equilibrium, and the resulting predictions are compared with Nash equilibria that arise in the limiting case of no noise. Many anomalous data patterns in laboratory experiments based on these games can be explained in this manner.