cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HEADSS: The "Review of Systems" for Adolescents.

An adolescent medicine fellow reviews the HEADSS assessment and provides a list of sample questions to ask adolescent patients when conducting a medical history. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Inductance cancellation in RF resonant power converters

Parasitic inductance cancellation is employed in order to operate a resonant power inverter at 27.12 MHz using a TO-220 through-hole package. A Cauer-type 1 LC network permits the coupling of inductors to achieve cancellation of multiple parasitic inductances and reduces semiconductor device stress in the same way as the Φ 2 inverter topology. The elimination of parasitic inductances allows for system cost reduction, increased power handling, and/or relaxation of PCB layout constraints. The inductance cancellation technique is demonstrated through two prototypes (based upon the same silicon MOSFET die) providing 60 W of RF power to a 50 Ω load from a 48 V DC input: one prototype utilizes a small surface-mount package, and another a larger through-hole TO-220 package. (Without inductance cancellation, the lead inductance of the TO-220 is too large and cannot be used in a 27.12 MHz resonant application.) Inductance cancellation was verified through comparing impedances, operating waveforms, and efficiencies between the prototypes with different MOSFET packages.
The Federalist Safeguards of Progressive Taxation

This Article considers the distributional consequences of the Supreme Court’s federalism jurisprudence over the past quarter century, focusing specifically on the anti-commandeering, anti-coercion, and state sovereign immunity doctrines. The first of these doctrines prevents Congress from compelling the states to administer federal programs; the second prevents Congress from achieving the same result through offers that for practical purposes the states cannot refuse; the third prohibits Congress from abrogating state sovereign immunity outside a limited class of cases. These doctrines vest the states with valuable entitlements and allow the states to sell those entitlements back to Congress for a price. In this respect, the doctrines have an intergovernmental distributional effect, shifting wealth from the federal government to the states. The distributional consequences of the anti-commandeering, anti-coercion, and state sovereign immunity doctrines are not purely intergovernmental, however. The doctrines also have potential implications for the distribution of wealth across individuals and households. By forcing Congress to bear a larger share of the costs of federal programs, and by shifting some of the costs of liability-imposing statutes from the states to Congress, these doctrines allow the states to raise less revenue and compel Congress to raise more. For a number of historical as well as structural reasons, the federal tax system is dramatically more progressive than even the most progressive state tax systems, and so the reallocation of fiscal responsibility resulting from these federalism doctrines causes more revenue raising to occur via the more progressive system. The likely net effect is a shift in wealth from higher-income households (who bear a larger share of the federal tax burden) to lower- and middle-income households (who would have borne a larger share of the burden of state taxes). This conclusion comes with a number of caveats. The distributional consequences of the Supreme Court’s federalism doctrines may be moderated—or magnified—by differences in federal and state spending priorities. Moreover, the doctrines may affect the size of government as well as the allocation of fiscal responsibility across levels of government (though the net effect on government size is ambiguous). And the doctrines may have distributional consequences that are not only interpersonal, but also intergenerational. What seems clear from the analysis in this Article is that federalism doctrines affect the distribution of income and wealth in subtle and sometimes unexpected ways, and that a comprehensive understanding of wealth inequality in the United States requires careful attention to key features of our fiscal constitution.
Measuring Bulk Properties of Sound-Absorbing Materials using the Two-Source Method

The two-source method was used to measure the bulk properties (complex characteristic impedance and complex wavenumber) of sound -absorbing materials, and results were compared to those obtained with the more commonly used two-cavity method. The results indicated that the two-source method is superior to the two-cavity method for materials having low absorption. Several applications using bulk properties are then presented. These include: (1) predicting the absorptive properties of an arbitrary thickness absorbing material or (2) layered material and (3) using bulk properties for a multi -domain boundary element analysis.
A Typological Approach to Communication in Relationships

Two studies were conducted to examine the proposed research questions. The first study developed an eight-factor scale, the Relational Dimensions Instrument (RDI), capable of reliably measuring som...
Correlating Multi-dimensional Oculometrics with Cognitive Performance in Healthy Youth Athletes

There is a need for a practical objective measure to detect mild changes in cognitive performance as early signs of concussion in youth or other special populations. In this paper, we propose a novel correlation model that establishes the relationship between oculometrics extracted from raw eye movements during a mental workload task and cognitive performance. We assessed differences in cognitive performance in terms of age for youth athletes based on oculometrics pertaining to fixations and saccades. In this cross-sectional study, oculometrics were measured on 440 healthy youth athletes aged 7 to 15 years. Oculometrics pertaining to fixations (fixation time, fixation size, and surface area of fixation) and saccades (total saccadic amplitude, average saccadic amplitude, and saccadic velocity) were measured and compiled into a multivariate oculometric database by age. We discovered that the combined power of fixations and saccades provided the strongest correlation with cognitive performance—a finding that is evident across all ages as well as all levels of mental workload difficulty. Specifically, the combined observations of fixation time, saccadic velocities, and saccadic amplitudes provided us an understanding of cognitive performance during different levels of mental workload difficulty across all age groups. This study is the first step towards establishing normative, multi-dimensional oculometrics for fixations and saccades in young athletes (7 to 15 years) who are at risk for concussion in sports and recreational activities.
Clinical Decision Support Tools for Order Entry

Medical imaging has helped to transform healthcare and will continue to advance the understanding and treatment of disease. Despite the substantial benefits of medical imaging, there is wide variation in the use of imaging (especially high-cost imaging) and concern about it’s inappropriate use persists. Inappropriate use may result in suboptimal quality of care and wasteand may harm patients by exposure to unnecessary ionizing radiation, the risks of over-diagnosis and over-treatment, including unnecessary additional tests and treatments provided in follow-up of incidental or ambiguous imaging findings.
Reconstitution of 50S ribosomal subunits and the role of 5S RNA.

Bacterial 30S ribosomal subunits can be reconstituted from 16S ribosomal RNA and about 21 30S ribosomal proteins (1,2). The reconstituted 30S subunits have physical properties, protein composition, and functional capability almost identical to those of the original 30S subunits. This indicates that the information for the correct assembly of 30S ribosomal subunits is contained in the structure of their molecular components and not in some other nonribosomal factors.
Surface Characterization by Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA)

Among the many new instrumental techniques to be added to the chemist’s arsenal, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) is one of the most ideally suited to the examination of surfaces. It is sensitive and quantitative, and signals can be obtained from nearly every element.
Magnetic Field and in Situ Acetylcholinesterase in the Vagal Heart System

It seems that man has long been fascinated by the mysterious power of a magnetic field over life, but a true scientific interest in the study of its effects on living matter was not aroused until the 19th century. A survey of biomagnetics publications(1,2) indicates a recent intensification of interest in this field (Table I). This survey reveals a sharply rising interest in the biomagnetics field over the last decade or so. Such borderline disciplines, as biomagnetics arise naturally as sciences branch out, and, also naturally the interest in biomagnetics has increased as collateral research has progressed.
Measurement of Radio-Frequency Radiation Pressure: The Quest for a New SI Traceable Power Measurement

In the quest for a new SI traceable power measurement, we performed measurements of the radiation pressure of a radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic field. There are several groups around the world investigating methods to perform more direct SI traceable measurements of RF power (where RF is defined to range from 100s of MHz to THz). A measurement of radiation pressure offers the possibility for a power measurement traceable to the kilogram and to Planck's constant through the redefined SI. Towards this goal, we demonstrate the ability to measure the radiation pressure/force carried in a field at 2.45 GHz and 15 GHz using two different devices.
Security and the Global Supply Chain

In this article, the author presents an integrated approach to transportation logistics security management by incorporating security in the supply chain rather than treating it as an exogenous factor. The author lists a number of risks the supply chain faces including the goods to be shipped themselves, factories, supply chain providers and facilities, freight carriers, people with clearance to handle the goods, and information regarding the goods. The article discusses governmental policies with regard to supply chain security as well as new technologies such as RFID that can aid in assuring the fidelity of the goods. A project related to RFID is that of "smart boxes" that essentially are containers that are tamper proof, utilize sensors to gather information, and incorporate RFID. Logistical strategies for supply chain robustness including concepts such as redundancy are supplied at length. The author concludes that the security of the supply chain is of equal importance as market performance due to its necessity for the survival of the distribution.
Substance use screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment training for emergency medicine trainees.

Introduction Emergency medicine (EM) providers are in an opportunistic position to identify and intervene with patients at risk for alcohol misuse and related problems. However, alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) services are underutilized within the emergency department. Providing SBIRT training to trainees may help to increase utilization of these valuable services in the future. An SBIRT training program for EM faculty and trainees was developed and delivered to increase trainees' skills and practice of SBIRT services. Methods The SBIRT training program included unique tracks for medical students, physician assistant (PA) students, EM residents and faculty preceptors. Faculty and trainees completed performance measures at the end of each training session, 30 days post-training and 12 months later. Results SBIRT training was provided to 238 trainees and 65 faculty members. At all follow-up time points, satisfaction of training and usefulness varied by trainee type with PA students rating constructs higher than both medical students and EM residents. At the 12-month follow-up survey, there was no significant difference in ratings of sharing the information (χ2 (2)=0.38, P=0.33) between these trainees, with the majority of all trainees (96% of PA students, 83% of residents and 68% of medical students) responding that they had applied what they learned in the training to their work. Conclusion An SBIRT training curriculum for EM trainees was delivered successfully and utilized 12 months after implementation.
TXNIP mediates high glucose-induced mitophagic flux and lysosome enlargement in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) plays a critical role in oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, the role of TXNIP in high glucose-induced retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction is still unknown. Here, we show that high glucose (HG; 25 mM,) significantly increases TXNIP expression at both the mRNA and protein levels when compared to low glucose (LG; 5.5 mM) in a human RPE cell line (ARPE-19) and primary human RPE (HRPE) cells. TXNIP upregulation is associated with mitochondrial membrane depolarization, fragmentation and mitophagic flux to lysosomes. We used confocal live-cell imaging of RPE cells expressing mt-Keima, a coral protein that emits green light in mitochondria (alkaline or neutral pH) and red light in the acidic lysosome, to measure mitophagic flux. We observed an elongated mitochondrial network of green mt-Keima under LG, which is fragmented in HG. Red mt-Keima accumulates in lysosomes as small punctate aggregations under LG in both ARPE-19 and HRPE cells, whereas they are significantly enlarged (two- to threefold) under HG. Lysosomal enlargement under HG is further illustrated by lysosomal membrane protein LAMP1-mCherry expression in both ARPE-19 and HRPE cells. Furthermore, HG causes lysosomal cathepsin L inactivation and pro-inflammatory caspase-1 activation in ARPE-19 cells. TXNIP knockdown by shRNA prevents mitochondrial fragmentation, mitophagic flux and lysosome enlargement under HG. In addition, antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Amlexanox (Amlx), an inhibitor of protein kinase TBK1 and of the mitophagic adaptors Optineurin (Optn) and Sequestosome 1 (p62/SQSTM1), prevent mitophagic flux and lysosome enlargement. These results suggest that TXNIP mediates several deleterious effects of high glucose on RPE, which may be implicated in the development of DR.
Predictive Factors for Achieving the Recommended AUA Daily Urine Production in Patients With Nephrolithiasis

Abstract Objective To identify factors that predict kidney stone patient's ability to produce 2.5 L urine volume per day on metabolic evaluation. Patients and Methods In a retrospective chart review, the first analysis evaluated initial 24-hour urine collections with respect to those who achieved or did not achieve a urine volume of 2.5 L/day. The second analysis evaluated those who achieved or did not achieve a daily urine volume of 2.5 L on their subsequent collection. Several variables were assessed. Results Patients' initial collections (n=1100) that achieved 2.5 L/day (n=274) were of younger age and had a higher body mass index, increased urine sodium, phosphorus, calcium levels, increased protein catabolic rate, and decreased supersaturation of calcium oxalate. In the second analysis (n=273), decreased supersaturation of calcium oxalate, increased urine urea nitrogen level, and increased protein catabolic rate were observed in subsequent collections with a urine volume of 2.5 L/day or more. Patients with a diagnosis of hyponatremia were less likely to achieve 2.5 L/day urine volume. Collection date, other comorbidities, and diuretic use were not associated with achieving 2.5 L/day urine volume. Patients' mean creatinine per kilogram for all study cohorts were within the range of adequate collection. Conclusion Predictive factors for a urine volume of 2.5 L/day or more include increased fluid intake, higher salt and animal protein diet, elevated body mass index, and male sex. Patients with these factors may require interventions other than hydration recommendations to optimize their prevention of future kidney.
MICROWAVE PROPERTIES OF SUPERCONDUCTORS.

The principal reason for employing a superconducting linear electron accelerator is to increase the duty cycle from 10-3 to 10-4 of typical high-energy gradient, roomtemperature accelerators to unity without reduction of the energy gradient. The duty cycle is the fraction of the time that the electron beam is accelerated and is an important factor in the design of many nuclear experiments. The increased duty cycle is possible because the power loss in a superconducting accelerator structure is extremely small. Secondary reasons for employing such an accelerator, which follow from the unity duty cycle, are increased energy resolution and increased accelerated electron current.
Mindfulness in Residency: A Survey of Residents' Perceptions on the Utility and Efficacy of Mindfulness Meditation as a Stress-Reduction Tool.

Purpose Mindfulness meditation can help reduce burnout in medical students and attendings, yet has not demonstrated efficacy in residents. The authors surveyed internal medicine residents to determine their prior experience with and interest in mindfulness meditation. Methods An anonymous survey was given to 130 internal medicine residents at the Alpert Medical School at Brown University during the 2016-2017 academic year. The survey assessed prior experience, perceived efficacy, and interest in learning about mindfulness meditation. Results Of 104 completed surveys, 61% reported prior use of mindfulness and 25% reported current weekly or greater use. Eighty-seven percent of residents believed mindfulness meditation would help with stress reduction, and 87% were interested in receiving mindfulness training. Conclusions Though a minority of residents currently practice mindfulness meditation, most believe it is an effective stress reduction tool and are interested in receiving further training. These results support the inclusion of mindfulness training within residency wellness initiatives.
Statistical Termination or Fewer Self-Identified Students: What Is Causing the Decline in American Indian and Alaska Native College Enrollments?

Using data from the American Community Survey to conduct a difference-in-differences analysis, we investigate the impact on reported American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) college enrollment from a 2008 change in how the US Department of Education collects, processes, and maintains race and ethnicity data. This change removed the restriction that individuals select a single race or ethnicity category and classified all those indicating multiple categories as either “two or more races” or Hispanic. We find this change substantially reduced reported AIAN enrollment numbers in both the aggregate and as a proportion of the total student population. Our most conservative approach suggests the number of 2018 AIAN undergraduate and graduate students no longer classified as AIAN by the US Department of Education is 35% and 21% of their respective Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) total. Other models indicate that these undercounts may exceed 45% of their IPEDS total.
Childhood exposure to interpersonal violence is associated with greater transdiagnostic integration of psychiatric symptoms.

BACKGROUND Childhood exposure to interpersonal violence (IPV) may be linked to distinct manifestations of mental illness, yet the nature of this change remains poorly understood. Network analysis can provide unique insights by contrasting the interrelatedness of symptoms underlying psychopathology across exposed and non-exposed youth, with potential clinical implications for a treatment-resistant population. We anticipated marked differences in symptom associations among IPV-exposed youth, particularly in terms of 'hub' symptoms holding outsized influence over the network, as well as formation and influence of communities of highly interconnected symptoms. METHODS Participants from a population-representative sample of youth (n = 4433; ages 11-18 years) completed a comprehensive structured clinical interview assessing mental health symptoms, diagnostic status, and history of violence exposure. Network analytic methods were used to model the pattern of associations between symptoms, quantify differences across diagnosed youth with (IPV+) and without (IPV-) IPV exposure, and identify transdiagnostic 'bridge' symptoms linking multiple disorders. RESULTS Symptoms organized into six 'disorder' communities (e.g. Intrusive Thoughts/Sensations, Depression, Anxiety), that exhibited considerably greater interconnectivity in IPV+ youth. Five symptoms emerged in IPV+ youth as highly trafficked 'bridges' between symptom communities (11 in IPV- youth). CONCLUSION IPV exposure may alter mutually reinforcing symptom co-occurrence in youth, thus contributing to greater psychiatric comorbidity and treatment resistance. The presence of a condensed and unique set of bridge symptoms suggests trauma-enriched nodes which could be therapeutically targeted to improve outcomes in violence-exposed youth.
Disaster Recovery Communication in the Digital Era: Social Media and the 2016 Southern Louisiana Flood

This study explores disaster recovery communication in the digital era. In particular, this study analyzes Twitter communication data corresponding to the 2016 Southern Louisiana flood recovery process and examines patterns and characteristics of long-term recovery communication. Based on network and sentiment analyses of the longitudinal Twitter data, the study identifies the dynamic changes in participants' numbers, dominant voices, and sentiments in social media communication during the long-term recovery process. From the additional content analysis of relevant news articles, in-depth contextual information is provided to support and supplement the findings. Findings show the weaning communication volume during the recovery phase, lacking local voices over the long-term recovery communication process, and prolonging negative sentiments over the recovery period. Based on the findings, the authors provide implications highlighting the need for investing in long-term recovery communication, better utilizing information from social media, and supporting local voices during disaster recovery.
Rational design of platinum-group-metal-free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract Platinum-group-metal (PGM)-free materials have been promised as potential replacement for Pt as the cathodic catalyst in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Critical design criteria of the PGM-free catalyst reside on the high active site density to compensate its generally lower turn-over frequency and improved mass-charge transfers during the electrocatalysis. This short review summarizes the research activities in recent years from our team at Argonne National Laboratory in preparing highly active oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts using rationally designed porous organic precursors, as reported in the First Telluride Science Research Center (TSRC) Workshop on PGM-free Electrocatalysis in 2019. More recent studies by others are also discussed.
Utility of Abdominal Skin Punch Biopsy for Detecting Systemic Amyloidosis

BACKGROUND Early and accurate diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis (SA) is critical for optimal patient outcomes. Biopsy of clinically uninvolved skin and subcutaneous tissue including abdominal skin punch biopsy (ASPB) is often used as a surrogate for affected organ sampling. There is a lack of published data on the sensitivity and specificity of ASPB for diagnosing SA. METHODS Retrospective chart review between 2000 and 2020 of all ASPB was performed to diagnose SA. Amyloid deposition was confirmed by Congo red stain. Study group includes patients with histopathologically and clinically confirmed diagnosis of SA. Control group includes patients without histopathology of amyloid deposition and no clinical SA. RESULTS Forty-one patients meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed; 23 study group and 18 control group patients. The overall diagnostic sensitivity of ASPB was 43% (95% CI 23%-66%) and the specificity 100% (95% CI 81%-100%). The AL amyloidosis diagnostic sensitivity was 64% (95% CI 35%-87%). ASPB >10 mm in depth had 100% (95% CI 54%-100%) sensitivity compared to 24% for depth ≤10 mm (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS ASPB is a minimally invasive and highly specific method of diagnosing SA. It is particularly sensitive for diagnosing AL amyloidosis and the diagnostic sensitivity can be significantly improved with adequate biopsy depth and diameter.
A multi‐measure examination of interoception in people with recent nonsuicidal self‐injury

Objective Self-injurious behaviors (SIB) are highly dangerous, yet prediction remains weak. Novel SIB correlates must be identified, such as impaired interoception. This study examined whether two forms of interoceptive processing (accuracy and sensibility) for multiple sensations (general, cardiac, and pain) differed between people with and without recent nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Method Participants were adults with recent (n = 48) NSSI and with no history of SIBs (n = 55). Interoceptive sensibility was assessed with self-reports. Interoceptive accuracy for cardiac sensations was assessed using the heartbeat tracking task. Interoceptive accuracy for pain was assessed with a novel metric that mirrored the heartbeat tracking test. Results Participants with recent NSSI reported significantly lower interoceptive sensibility for general sensations relative to people without SIBs. Groups did not differ on interoceptive sensibility for cardiac sensations or pain. Groups also did not differ on interoceptive accuracy for cardiac sensations. The NSSI group exhibited significantly lower interoceptive accuracy for pain compared with the No SIB group. Conclusions Interoceptive impairment in people with NSSI may vary by interoceptive domain and sensation type. Diminished interoceptive accuracy for sensations relevant to the pathophysiology of self-injury may be a novel SIB correlate.
Fracture resistance of shape memory alloys under thermomechanical loading

Abstract Experimental measurements of the fracture resistance of Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) under thermomechanical loading conditions are reported. NiTi compact tension specimens are subjected to either isothermal mechanical or isobaric thermal loading; the latter loading path is an idealization of typical loading paths that utilize these alloys as actuators. A single-parameter description of the experimental data is employed on the basis of a path-independent contour integral, which is approximated by the load–load-line displacement curves recorded from the experiments. The obtained results represent the first experimental measurement of the fracture toughness of SMAs under coupled thermo-mechanical loading, and indicate that the fracture toughness enhancement associated with crack advance under isobaric thermal loading is less pronounced than the corresponding one under isothermal mechanical loading.
Computer aided machine design

Computer aided machine design , Computer aided machine design , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی
Concluding Comments on Acoustic Communication

When consulting the recent history of marine mammal bioacoustics (for example, Tavolga 1964; Watkins and Wartzok 1985) one is struck by the remarkable similarity between the biological questions, experimental difficulties, scientific objectives, and technical requirements that existed in the 1960’s and those that remain today. It is not so much that there has been no effort or nothing has been accomplished in cetacean acoustics over the past thirty years. It is just that relative to other research areas, there have been few accomplishments which provide insights into cetacean acoustic communication. We have gotten better at describing the acoustic repertoires for some species and done some intelligent speculation on the functions of certain signal classes, but we still are grappling with the basic mechanics of collecting high quality field recordings, calibrating recording and analysis systems, and accurately coordinating visual observations with acoustic records.
The male germ unit : concept, composition, and significance

Publisher Summary The pollen grain of flowering plants represents an extreme reduction of the male gametophyte down to the essentials for gamete formation and transport. The typical pollen grain at the time of its release from the anther consists of two haploid cells: a larger vegetative cell that elongates to form the pollen tube and a smaller generative cell that divides to produce two male sex cells, each of which is involved in a separate fusion event. This chapter focuses on angiosperm generative cells and sperm cells, and their interaction with the vegetative cell nucleus to form a functional assemblage, termed the “male germ unit.” The formulation of the male germ unit is an essential prerequisite for the successful completion of the unique process of double fertilization—that is, the fusion of one sperm with the egg to form the zygote and the fusion of the other sperm with the central cell to form the precursor of the nutritive endosperm tissue.
Stable Pairs and Their Moduli

The focus of these lectures is the higher-dimensional case, and it is hoped that the reader already has some familiarity with the one-dimensional case. So we will be rather brief.
On the geometry of convex typical sets

We consider convex sets obtained as one-sided typical sets of log-concave distributions, and show that the sequence of logarithms of intrinsic volumes corresponding to these typical sets converges to a limit function under an appropriate scaling. The limit function may be used to represent the exponential growth rate of intrinsic volumes of the typical sets. Since differential entropy is the exponential growth rate of the volume of typical sets, the exponential growth rate of intrinsic volumes generalizes the differential entropy of log-concave distributions. We conjecture a version of the entropy power inequality for such a generalization of differential entropy.
Making Schools Safe: A System-Wide School Intervention to Increase Student Prosocial Behaviors and Enhance School Climate

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to study how an intervention decreased violence, and created and maintained a positive school environment, and safe school building. Also, this investigation considered how an intervention impacted student learning and academic progress, and positive and appropriate student relating and problem solving among peers and with adults. A school-wide, prosocial behavior management system, The Project ACHIEVE Social Skills Program (Knoff, 2000), was used and the value of the program was determined using behavioral, observational, self-report, quantitative, and qualitative measures. Participants in the study were all school personnel, students in grades 3-6, and their parents/guardians in an elementary public school in an ethnically diverse school district. A similar elementary school in the district provided some comparison data. Pre- and post-intervention data suggested that the school-wide intervention was effective in improving prosocial behavior, in increasing s...
HABILIDADES DE RACIOCÍNIO CRÍTICO DE ALUNOS DE CONTABILIDADE

Educational systems around the world judge student academic performance based upon reading and writing abilities, with evidence of critical thinking playing an essential role. In order to improve business education, a better understanding of students’ critical thinking and communication skill is required. This study aimed at assessing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills of accounting students using validated instruments: (a) Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, (b) Ennis-Weir Critical Thinking Essay Test, and (c) Flesch Reading Ease (English and Portuguese). Students wrote a short essay that was evaluated for writing quality and critical thinking based on the EW-CTET. Scores provided indications of good writing quality and evidence of high levels of critical thinking. No significant differences (i.e., gender, parenthood, program level, and program stage) of measured reading levels of the written products were found. Elements for improving learners’ performance aligned with their critical thinking skills are discussed along with a deep reflection on how educators would behave as agents of change in the reported scenario. Observed cultural differences in critical thinking related to perception of authority should be examined in further investigations.
Antibacterial activity of a cell wall hydrolase from Lactobacillus paracasei NRRL B-50314 produced by recombinant Bacillus megaterium

The cell-free supernatant (CFS) from Lactobacillus paracasei NRRL B-50314 culture has been previously reported as containing antibacterial activity against a wide variety of Gram-positive bacteria. The CFS protein gel slice corresponding to antibacterial activities was subjected to trypsin digestion and ion trap MASS (Gel/LC–MS/MS) analysis. BlastP search of the resulted IQAVISIAEQQIGKP sequence led to a hypothetical cell-wall associated hydrolase (designated as CWH here) from Lactobacillus paracasei ATCC 25302. Further analyses of CWH revealed that the IQAVISIAEQQIGKP belongs to a highly conserved region of the NlpC/P60 superfamily. The L. paracasei NRRL B-50314 CWH gene, cloned in pStrepHIS1525CWH477, was introduced into Bacillus megaterium MS 941. The production of CWH477 protein was induced by xylose. The CWH477 protein was purified by using NiNTA column, and elution fraction E2 showed highest antibacterial activity. This study and bioinformatics analyses suggested that the antibacterial activity of CWH could originate from its cell wall degrading enzymatic function.
Predicted and Observed Spectral Response from Collocated Shallow, Active- and Passive-Source Vs Data at Five ANSS Sites, Illinois and Indiana, USA

Site-specific shallow shear-wave velocity ( Vs ) has long been recognized as a key element affecting earthquake site response ( e.g. , Borcherdt 1970). The use of Vs in assessing site response in urban seismic hazard investigations is rapidly coming to the forefront of research ( e.g. , Cramer 2003; Cramer et al. 2004; Frankel et al. 2007, 2009). Vs is also an important parameter in building codes (ICC 2006) and in design applications by the earthquake engineering community (Kramer 1996). As such, the need for rapid, accurate, and inexpensive collection of shallow Vs over large urban sedimentary basins is becoming critical for urban hazard mapping and earthquake-effects investigations. In general, borehole logging has been considered the standard for obtaining Vs data; however, drilling and logging to the depths generally required for earthquake ground-motion investigations is expensive, environmentally invasive, and particularly problematic to conduct within urban areas. This, in part, has led to the development of numerous surface methods capable of estimating site specific Vs 30 (average Vs to 30 m). In this study, we use two inexpensive and non-invasive surface seismic methods as alternatives to drilling and borehole logging. The two methods are active-source (4-kg sledgehammer) body-wave refraction/reflection and the passive-source refraction microtremor (ReMi) method (Louie 2001). In a comparison between refraction/reflection interpretations and borehole logging results, Williams et al. (2003, 2005) found that the velocity structures derived from these methods determined similar layer thickness, layer Vs , and Vs 30 despite significant differences in the sampled subsurface area. In a blind comparison of ReMi results with those from borehole logging at four sites, Stephenson et al. (2005) found that the ReMi method generally matched the borehole results to within 15 percent, or better, for average Vs estimates to depths of 30, 50, and 100 m. We describe the …
Approximating Nature's Variation: Selecting and Using Reference Information in Restoration Ecology

Restoration ecologists use reference information to define restoration goals, determine the restoration potential of sites, and evaluate the success of restoration efforts. Basic to the selection and use of reference information is the need to understand temporal and spatial variation in nature. This is a challenging task: variation is likely to be scale dependent; ecosystems vary in complex ways at several spatial and temporal scales; and there is an important interaction between spatial and temporal variation. The two most common forms of reference information are historical data from the site to be restored and contemporary data from reference sites (sites chosen as good analogs of the site to be restored). Among the problems of historical data are unmeasured factors that confound the interpretation of historical changes observed. Among the problems of individual reference sites is the difficulty of finding or proving a close match in all relevant ecological dimensions. Approximating and understanding ecological variation will require multiple sources of information. Restoration, by its inherently experimental nature, can further the understanding of the distribution, causes, and functions of nature's variation.
Childhood asthma hospitalizations in the United States, 2000-2009.

Objective To examine temporal trends in the US incidence of childhood asthma hospitalizations, in-hospital mortality, mechanical ventilation use, and hospital charges between 2000 and 2009. Study design This was a serial, cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample of children hospitalized with acute asthma. The Kids Inpatient Database was used to identify children aged Results The 4 separate years (2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009) of national discharge data included a total of 592 805 weighted discharges with asthma. Between 2000 and 2009, the rate of asthma hospitalization in US children decreased from 21.1 to 18.4 per 10 000 person-years (13% decrease; Ptrend Conclusion Between 2000 and 2009, we found significant declines in asthma hospitalization and in-hospital mortality among US children. In contrast, mechanical ventilation use and hospital charges for asthma increased significantly over this same period.
Saccadic eye movements in response to drug action in the midbrain

A technique that combines local injection of GABAergic drugs, neuronal recording, and electrical stimulation in awake, behaving monkeys has been used to study the mid-brain eye-movement system. Cells in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) that project to the superior colliculus tonically suppress saccadic eye movements and do so via a GABAergic mechanism. Removal of this suppression leads to facilitation and elicitation of saccadic eye movements. Furthermore, the integrity of the nigrotectal pathway is especially important for eye movements guided by memory. Since the SNr is thought to be part of the basal ganglia output system, this work may point to two general principles of basal ganglia function: a mechanism involving ‘disinhibition’ and a relative specialization for memory-guided movements.
Expected scores in the rod-and-frame test: Fuel for the Immergluck-Pressey fire

The distribution of 6S4 Rod-and-Frame Test scores for 684 college Ss (346 males and 338 females) is given, and its implication for studies of field dependence and of sex differences in RFT scores is discussed.
Estimating Energy Density of Fish

Abstract The use of bioenergetics models in fisheries ecology and management has increased rapidly in recent years, but application-specific information on energy content of fish and their prey has lagged behind. We believe this is because the process of directly measuring energy density is very time consuming. In this paper we present and evaluate a series of general empirical models that predict energy density (J/g wet weight) from fish percent dry weight. Data were gathered from the literature, obtained from cooperating investigators, and measured directly. Least-squares models were derived for all species combined and for orders, families, and species. All models were linear; however, logarithmic transformation was necessary to normalize residuals in the combined model. All models with more than four data points were highly significant (P < 0.002) and had coefficients of determination of 0.76 or greater. The model for all species combined (N = 587, r 2 = 0.95) was J/g wet weight = 45.29 DW1.507; DW is...
Extrapulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis and Lymphangiomatous Cysts in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Objective To describe the clinical manifestations, imaging findings, and histologic features of extrapulmonary Iymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) in the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Design We retrospectively reviewed institutional medical records since 1940 to identify patients with TSC and extrapulmonary LAM. Material and Methods Of 403 patients with TSC, 3 had pulmonary and extrapulmonary LAM and retroperitoneal lymphangiomatous cysts. The clinical, imaging, and histologic features of these three patients were summarized, including analysis of biopsy specimens by conventional histology, immunohistology, radiolabeled ligand-binding assays, and tissue culture. Results The three young women had characteristic dermatologic findings of TSC and pulmonary LAM. Two patients were of normal intelligence, and one had a recent history of contraceptive use. All three patients had intra-abdominal lymphangiomatous cysts, uterine LAM, and renal angiomyolipomas. Renal and uterine biopsy specimens demonstrated positive immunostaining for melanoma-related antigens and expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors by ligand-binding assay and immunohistology. Cells cultured from LAM tissue of one of the patients exhibited a mitogenic response to estradiol. Conclusion Clinically significant extrapulmonary LAM is a rare manifestation of TSC and may occur in women with this disease who also have pulmonary LAM. The clinical features of these patients confirm the importance of sex steroids in the development of these lesions. Immunohistochemical findings suggest that LAM and angiomyolipomas have a neuroectodermal origin. The development of lymphangiomatous cysts in these patients is probably due to smooth muscle proliferation in lymph vessels, which can result in lymphatic obstruction. ( Mayo Clin Proc 1995; 70:641–648 )
Random vibration of a nonlinearly deformed beam by a new stochastic linearization technique

Abstract A new stochastic linearization technique is employed to investigate the large amplitude random vibrations of a simply supported or a clamped beam on elastic foundation under a stochastic loading which is space-wise either (a) white noise or (b) uniformly distributed load and time-wise white noise. The new version of the stochastic linearization method is based on the requirement that the mean square deviation of the strain energy of the nonlinearly deformed beam, and the strain energy of the equivalent beam in a linear state, should be minimal. As a result, the modal mean square displacements are expressed as solutions of a set of nonlinear algebraic equations. Results obtained by the conventional equivalent linearization method and by the new technique are compared with the numerical results obtained from integration of the exact probability density function (when the exact solution is available) or with the result of the Monte Carlo simulations (when the exact solution is unavailable). It is shown that the new stochastic linearization technique yields a much more accurate estimate of the mean square displacement than the classical linearization method, which has attracted the past interest of about 400 investigators in a variety of nonlinear random vibration problems.
The phase equilibria, vaporization behavior, and thermodynamic properties of europium tribromide

Europium tribromide has been found to vaporize incongruently according to the reaction: 2EuBrs(s) = 2EuBr2(s) + Br2(g). Static equilibrium vapor pressures have been measured by a spectrophotometric procedure in the temperature range 502 to 623 K. Equilibrium pressures were not attained in Knudsen effusion experiments. For the vaporization reaction, AH°(563 K)/kcal~h tool-1 = (22.85 :k: 0.18) and AS°(563 K)/cal~h K -1 mol -~ = (34.26 ~ 0.32). Heat capacities have been estimated for the condensed bromides, and second- and third-law results are given. For the tribromide, AH~(EuBrs, s, 298.15 K)/kcaltn mo1-1 = --(186.1 -t- 3.0), AG~(EuBrs, s, 298.15 K)/kcalth mol -~ = --(179.3 ~z 3.0) and S°(EuBr3, s, 298.15 K)/calth K -a mo1-1 = (50.7 ± 3.0). The preparative chemistry and phase equilibria of the europium + bromine system and the thermochemical data are discussed.
When planning is needed: Implementation intentions and attainment of approach versus avoidance health goals.

Objective: This study tested whether forming implementation intentions is an effective strategy for attaining health goals focused on trying to avoid a negative state. Design: Participants chose to either eat more healthy snacks (i.e., an approach goal) or eat fewer unhealthy snacks (i.e., an avoidance goal) over two weeks and were randomly assigned to create an implementation intention to do this or not. Main outcome measures: The authors measured fat and calorie intake after one week and after two weeks. Results: After two weeks, the participants who ate most unhealthily were those who pursued an avoidance goal and did not form an implementation intention. Conclusion: These results suggest that forming implementation intentions for avoidance goal pursuit can help people attain important health goals.
MICROBIAL STABILIZATION OF INTERMEDIATE MOISTURE FOOD SURFACES II. CONTROL OF SURFACE pH

This paper explores the possibility of reducing surface pH to solve intermediate moisture foods microbial stability problems associated with localized surface condensations caused by temperature fluctuations. Surface pH reduction increases surface availability of the most active form of sorbic acid and other lipophilic acids used as preservatives. A negatively charged macromolecule was immobilized in the form of a food surface coating component while other molecules, particularly electrolytes, move freely. The effect on surface pH was described using a Donnan equilibrium model that predicted a permanent pH difference between surface and food bulk. The key parameters were electrolyte concentration and the concentration of charged groups on the macromolecule. An IMF model with low total electrolyte concentration was coated with a deionized mixture of λ-carrageenan and agarose. Measured pH differential was 0.3 to 0.5 pH units. Such a pH reduction resulted in a calculated 2.5 fold increase in the surface availability of the active form of sorbic acid as compared to food bulk conditions.
Application of a force-clamp system to study auxotonic muscle contractions

The investigation of auxotonic muscle contractions is dependent on the understanding of both isometric (constant length) and isotonic (constant force) muscle contractions. An auxotonic contraction occurs when neither the force nor the length remain constant; essentially a combination of the variable isometric and isotonic states of contraction. In this study, previous research [1] using a force-clamp system was improved upon to yield more accurate results. Circuitry along with instrumentation was redesigned and programmed to simulate a realistic muscular contraction waveform and later used in combination with the Aurora Dual Mode Lever System (ADMLS). The system uses feedback controls to regulate force and length in real-time according to user-defined specifications. The heart of a quahog (hard shell clam) was used for the experimental component of this study.