cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Randomized clinical trial of propofol versus alfentanil for moderate procedural sedation in the emergency department

Abstract Study objective To compare the frequency of airway and respiratory adverse events leading to an intervention between moderate sedation using alfentanil or propofol. Methods We performed a randomized clinical trial in which adults undergoing moderate sedation in the ED received either alfentanil or propofol. Our primary outcome was the frequency of airway and respiratory adverse events leading to an intervention. Other outcomes included sedation depth, efficacy, sedation time, patient satisfaction, pain, and satisfaction. Results 108 subjects completed the trial: 52 receiving alfentanil and 56 receiving propofol. Airway or respiratory adverse events leading to an intervention were similar between the two groups: 23% for alfentanil and 20% for propofol (p = 0.657). There were no serious adverse events in any group. Secondary outcomes were notably different in the rate of reported pain (48% for alfentanil, 13% for propofol) and recall (75% for alfentanil, 23% for propofol) and similar in the rate of satisfaction with the procedure (87% for alfentanil, 84% for propofol). Conclusion We found a similar frequency of airway and respiratory adverse events leading to intervention between alfentanil and propofol used for moderate procedural sedation. Both agents appear safe for moderate procedural sedation.
Diagnostic performance of unenhanced computed tomography and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in indeterminate adrenal tumours.

SummaryObjective Evidence on the diagnostic performance of adrenal imaging is limited. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of unenhanced computed tomography (CT) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging in a high-risk population for adrenal malignancy using an optimal reference standard. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Imaging studies of patients with adrenal nodules who underwent adrenal biopsy and/or adrenalectomy between 1994 and 2014 were reviewed and compared to the reference standard of histology. Eighty % of patients presented with known or suspected extra-adrenal malignancy. Results Unenhanced abdominal CT was performed in 353 patients with adrenal lesions; median size was 3 (0.7-15) cm and median radiodensity was 33 (−21-78) Hounsfield units (HU). Radiodensity of >10 HU diagnosed malignancy with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 33%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 72% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. 18FDG-PET/CT was performed in 89 patients; median tumour size was 2.1 (0.7-9.2) cm. Maximum standardized uptake (SUV max) was higher in malignant lesions when compared to benign lesions (median=10 [2.3-29.4] vs 3.7 [1.4-24.5], respectively, P 1.8 diagnosed malignancy with a sensitivity of 87%, specificity of 84%, PPV of 85% and NPV of 86%. Conclusion Noncontract CT radiodensity of ≤10 HU excludes malignancy even in a high-risk population. For indeterminate adrenal lesions, given a superior specificity, 18FDG-PET/CT could be considered as a second stage imaging study.
Sickle cell disease and the unmet challenges of neurologic complications

Sometimes an important scientific report is more notable for what it cannot tell us than for what it can. In this issue of Neurology® , Noubiap and colleagues1 provide a comprehensive, well-conducted systematic meta-analysis of the neurologic complications of sickle cell disease (SCD) that incorporates rigorous design and advanced analytic methods to delineate in substantial detail what is known about the prevalence of neurologic injury among people with SCD in Africa—where over half the world's population of people with SCD reside. As one might expect, based upon what is known from more medically developed regions of the world, stroke, seizures, and headache are common. Data within the African meta-analysis offer some insights into why the stroke prevalence rates identified are more similar to populations from advanced medical settings than expected, given the lack of universal availability of the 2 best tried and proven modalities of both primary and secondary stroke prevention—adequate maintenance of low sickle cell hemoglobin levels through regular transfusion and hydroxyurea in resource-impoverished areas of Africa.
High performance polypyrrole coating for corrosion protection and biocidal applications

Abstract Polypyrrole (PPy) coating was electrochemically synthesized on carbon steel using sulfonic acids as dopants: p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA), sulfuric acid (SA), (±) camphor sulfonic acid (CSA), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS). The effect of acidic dopants (p-TSA, SA, CSA) on passivation of carbon steel was investigated by linear potentiodynamic and compared with morphology and corrosion protection performance of the coating produced. The types of the dopants used were significantly affecting the protection efficiency of the coating against chloride ion attack on the metal surface. The corrosion performance depends on size and alignment of dopant in the polymer backbone. Both p-TSA and SDBS have extra benzene ring that stack together to form a lamellar sheet like barrier to chloride ions thus making them appropriate dopants for PPy coating in suppressing the corrosion at significant level. Further, adhesion performance was enhanced by adding long chain carboxylic acid (decanoic acid) directly in the monomer solution. In addition, PPy coating doped with SDBS displayed excellent biocidal abilities against Staphylococcus aureus. The polypyrrole coatings on carbon steels with dual function of anti-corrosion and excellent biocidal properties shows great potential application in the industry for anti-corrosion/antimicrobial purposes.
Challenge and hindrance demands lead to employees' health and behaviours through intrinsic motivation

Based on the job demand-resource theory, this study examined the differential relationships of two types of job demands, challenge and hindrance stressors, with three outcomes: ill health, organizational citizenship behaviour, and work engagement. These relationships were mediated by two personal resources: psychological empowerment and organization-based self-esteem (OBSE). Data were collected at two separate points, 2 weeks apart. With 336 full-time U.S. employees, results from path analysis indicated that the challenge stressor, workload, was positively related to psychological empowerment and OBSE, both of which were in turn positively related to good work behaviours as well as negatively related to ill health, an indication that employees experienced physical symptoms and psychological strains. In contrast, hindrance stressors (role stressors and interpersonal conflict) showed the opposite patterns of relationships with these intermediate outcomes, resulting in less empowerment and OBSE. Overall, findings suggested that psychological empowerment and OBSE were important intrinsic motivational mechanisms through which some stressors (especially hindrance demands) can promote employees' favourable work behaviours as well as alleviate the negative health outcomes.
Modeling Interactions in Complex Systems: Self-Coordination, Game-Theoretic Design Protocols, and Performance Reliability-Aided Decision Making

The subject of this research article is concerned with the development of approaches to modeling interactions in complex systems. A complex system contains a number of decision makers, who put themselves in the place of the other: to build a mutual model of other decision makers. Different decision makers have different influence in the sense that they will have control over—or at least be able to influence—different parts of the environment. Attention is first given to process models of operations among decision makers, for which the slow and fast-core design is based on a singularly perturbed model of complex systems. Next, self-coordination and Nash game-theoretic formulation are fundamental design protocols, lending themselves conveniently to modeling self-interest interactions, from which complete coalition among decision makers is not possible due to hierarchical macrostructure, information, or process barriers. Therefore, decision makers make decisions by assuming the others try to adversely affect their objectives and terms. Individuals will be expected to work in a decentralized manner. Finally, the standards and beliefs of the decision makers are threefold: (i) a high priority for performance-based reliability is made from the start through a means of performance-information analysis; (ii) a performance index has benefit and risk awareness to ensure how much of the inherent or design-in reliability actually ends up in the developmental and operational phases; and (iii) risk-averse decision policies towards potential interference and noncooperation from the others.
Validity of the Blast Athletic Performance Monitor for Assessing Vertical Jump Height in Female Volleyball Players

Introduction: Wearable activity monitors have been developed for jump height assessment, but the Blast Athletic Performance monitor has not yet been validated, and it remains unclear if the Blast c...
Plasma Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptors and B7-2+ Extracellular Vesicles in Blood Correlate with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Disease Severity

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are composed of bilayer membranes that are released by different cell types and are present in bodily fluids, such as blood, urine, and bile. EVs are thought to play a key role in intracellular communication. Based on their size and density, EVs are classified into small, medium, or large EVs. Cargo composition in EVs reflects physiological changes in health and disease. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) exhibit visceral hypersensitivity and mood disorders. Stressful episodes often precede disease symptoms in IBS patients. Stress-induced symptoms include, but are not limited to, abdominal pain and mood swings. Perceived stress responses are mediated by two known G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 and 2 (CRFRs). CRFRs belong to the Class B secretin receptor family of GPCRs. Here, we show that CRFRs were present in human and murine plasma, and in EVs purified from mouse serum. CRFRs were present in plasma from IBS patients and healthy controls. EVs secreted from immune cells influence both adaptive and innate immune responses via exchange of EVs between different immune cell types. B7-2 (CD86), a plasma membrane antigen-presenting protein, is present on EVs secreted from dendritic, B-, and mast cells, whereas CD9 is present on EVs secreted from dendritic and intestinal epithelial cells. We found that plasma CRFR levels positively correlated with B7-2+ EVs (R = 0.8597, p < 0.0001), but no association was seen with CD9+ EVs. Plasma CRFRs expression negatively correlated with IBS severity scores. Our data suggests that plasma EVs from immune cells carry CRFRs as cargos and influence cell-cell communication in health and disease.
Right Ventricular Sarcomere Dysfunction Underlies Right-Sided Hemodynamic Decompensation in Pulmonary Hypertension Secondary to End-Stage Human Heart Failure

Background Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) drives morbidity and mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) complicated by secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). Little is known about RV myofilament function in human HFrEF. We sought to characterize the sarcomeric and molecular phenotype of RV myofilaments in human HFrEF-PH and assess their relation to right-sided hemodynamic parameters of importance. Methods and Results RV septal tissue was flash frozen from explanted hearts of HFrEF (n=17) and non-failing controls (n=6), and corresponding clinical data were documented. Skinned myocytes were isolated and affixed to a force-length transducer to assess RV myofilament force-calcium curves. RV myofilament maximal calcium-activated force generation (Fmax) was significantly diminished in HFrEF versus control (15.7±4.4 vs. 26.8±5.9 mN/mm2, p Conclusions RV myofilaments demonstrate depressed Fmax in HFrEF-PH. RV sarcomere Fmax is tightly coupled, in opposing fashion, to pulmonary vascular load and right heart accommodation to load. Low PAPi predicts a subgroup of RV myofilaments with a particularly poor RV Fmax, with corresponding and possibly explanatory sarcomeric defects. A sarcomere agent was able to partially restore RV Fmax and increase calcium sensitivity ex vivo and may present a novel mechanism for treating RVD in HFrEF.
Incidence, Characteristics and Management of Persistent Peri-Device Flow after Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

ABSTRACTBackground: Severe peri-device leaks after left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion requires continuation of life-long oral anticoagulation. However, the majority of patients referred for LAA ...
Gender and Multi-Cultural Curriculum Issues for Undergraduate Aviation Students

St. Cloud State University aviation students were asked about their perception of completed multicultural, gender and minority (MGM) diversity course requirements and their beliefs concerning current aviation industry workplace practices regarding gender and minority issues. The authors’ goal was to examine how students are being prepared for employment in a diverse aviation work environment. Data were collected through the use of a survey questionnaire distributed amongst undergraduate students (n = 99) about their experiences with MGM coursework. Students were asked demographic related questions regarding age, school year, major area of study, and then were directed to respond to questions which used a Likert-type five point scale. The results were not generalized to the larger post secondary student population as this study is institution and domain specific. The researchers found that respondents surveyed for this study were exposed to the MGM component about non-Western societies. The respondents indicated that qualified candidates should be considered equally for employment regardless of gender and/or ethnicity. Results also indicated that respondents would like the existing work culture to be preserved and they did not believe that the courses prepared them to work in a diverse organizational environment.
Erfolgreich als Fondsmanager in der Immobilienbranche

Marwin Weber stieg nach seinem Abschluss in der Immobilienbranche ein. Als Fondsmanager beobachtet er die europaischen Immobilienmarkte und sucht nach neuen Investitionsmoglichkeiten. Durch seinen Einstieg als Trainee stand ihm im ersten Jahr ein Mentor im Unternehmen zur Seite, der ihm viele Turen offnete und seinen Aufstieg unterstutzte. Heute rat Marwin Weber sowohl Berufseinsteigern als auch Berufserfahrenen, stets auch Spas an der Arbeit zu haben – denn nur so kommt man zu guten Ergebnissen.
Strength of Direct Reduced Iron Following Gas-Based Reduction and Carburization

The effects of gas composition and the extent of reduction on the compressive strength of direct reduced iron (DRI) were investigated. Gas mixtures containing different proportions of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane were tested. The structure of laboratory and industrial DRI was examined and correlated with gas composition and mechanical properties. After reduction, structural changes accompanying reduction and carburization were investigated with scanning electron microscopy, swelling was measured, and phases were quantified by X-ray diffraction. The major strength loss occurred in the first reduction step, when hematite grains transformed to porous magnetite. Carburization after reduction had a minor effect on strength, except when extensive precipitation of elemental carbon caused lower strength, similar to the metal dusting corrosion mechanism. Higher strengths were obtained when water vapor was added to the reducing gas.
Formulação de problemas do campo conceitual multiplicativo no Ensino Fundamental: uma prática inserida na metodologia de resolução de problemas

A pesquisa, aqui relatada, de natureza qualitativa e de caracter experimental, teve com objetivo investigar contribuicoes de atividades pautadas na Formulacao de Problemas para o ensino de conceitos de multiplicacao e divisao nos anos iniciais do ensino fundamental. Sua importância pautou-se na necessidade de novas reflexoes referentes a proposicao de problemas em sala de aula, inserindo, desta vez, a possibilidade dos estudantes de formularem problemas de matematica. Foi desenhada na metodologia da Engenharia Didatica, e desenvolvida com 28 estudantes de um 5o ano, de uma Escola Estadual de Ensino Fundamental e Medio do municipio de Vargem Alta – ES, envolvendo, tambem, a participacao colaborativa da professora regente. Concluiu-se que as propostas de Formulacao de Problemas apresentaram potencial educativo a medida que possibilitaram a Formulacao de Problemas envolvendo multiplicacao e divisao, cujas producoes carregaram aspectos conceituais matematicos e motivacionais (situacoes cotidianas proximas dos estudantes) para o ensino e aprendizagem dessas operacoes, contribuindo para gerar motivacao na resolucao de seus proprios problemas de matematica.
Extra-articular involvement of rheumatoid arthritis in three seropositive patients in the absence of initial joint involvement.

Introduction Extra-articular involvement (EAI) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is rare, severe and usually presents after years of joint involvement. Onset of RA as lung involvement has been published. We describe a series of three patients with strongly positive anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) positive in the absence of joint symptoms, but with significant EAI. Methods This is a descriptive case series of three patients evaluated in an academic medical center rheumatology clinic. Results A 50-year-old female presented with severe recurrent scleritis in the background of strongly positive ACPA, but no joint involvement. Her ocular disease responded well to rituximab. Four years later, she developed peripheral inflammatory arthritis consistent with RA. A 74-year-old male presented after developing recurrent steroid-dependent serositis (pleuro-pericarditis) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Serology was notable for strongly positive ACPA, but no joint involvement. Serositis responded well to adalimumab. Two years after initial symptoms, he developed peripheral joint involvement after holding adalimumab. A 56-year-old female presented with an isolated, biopsy-proven subcutaneous rheumatoid nodule. Subsequently, she developed pancytopenia and fatigue. She tested strongly positive for ACPA and RF. Bone marrow biopsy was negative for malignancy and she had no evidence of infection. She responded to steroids and hydroxychloroquine and had not developed joint involvement after 2 years of follow-up. Conclusion EAI as an onset of RA is a complex and not easily recognized entity if typical joints involvement is not yet present. Early diagnosis may help guide specific therapy and prevent sequelae and co-morbidities.
Cation-size mismatch as a predictive descriptor for structural distortion, configurational disorder, and valence-band splitting in II-IV-N2 semiconductors

The II-IV-N2 class of heterovalent ternary nitrides has gained significant interest as alternatives to the III-nitrides for electronic and optoelectronic applications. In this study, we apply first-principles calculations based on density functional theory to systematically investigate the effects of structural distortions due to cation size mismatch on the configurational disorder of the cation sublattice and the valence band structure in this class of materials. We find that larger size mismatch between the group-II and the group-IV cations results in stronger lattice distortions from the ideal hexagonal ratio, which in turn inhibits the propensity of these materials toward octet-rule violating cation disorder. We also demonstrate that the formation energy of a single cation antisite pair, which is fast and simple to calculate, is a strong indicator of a material's propensity toward disorder. Furthermore, the breaking of in-plane symmetry leads to a splitting of the top three valence bands at Γ, which is also directly related to the magnitude of structural distortions. Our work demonstrates that the structural and functional properties of the II-IV-N2 materials can be finely tuned through controllable structural distortions that stem from the choice of cations.
Artificial Intelligence’s Role in Finance and How Financial Companies are Leveraging the Technology to Their Advantage

This research paper aims to better define artificial intelligence (AI) and its current role in financial markets. All the while discussing the subgroups of AI, how machines learn, the pro’s and con’s, it’s role in financial analytics and the future of the field. This work encompasses research from some of the top minds in the field of artificial intelligence in order to explain the relevance of AI thoroughly and its future.
Correlated evolution of microhabitat, morphology, and behavior in West Indian Anolis lizards: a test of the habitat matrix model

The habitat matrix model (HMM) explains convergence among arboreal animals as a result of the correlated evolution of morphology, locomotor mode, and habitat use. Although the HMM has generated important insights into the ecology of arboreal species, these tests have left a gap in the habitat-behavior-morphology story by focusing primarily on locomotor performance in lab and field experiments and thus failing to include data on locomotor behavior of undisturbed animals in the wild. We combined data on undisturbed locomotion, habitat use, and morphology for 31 species of arboreal lizard in the genus Anolisand used these data to test nine specific predictions arising from the HMM. We find strong support for nearly all aspects of this model. The addition of data on locomotion by undisturbed wild animals offers a more direct and compelling case for the HMM than most previous tests.
Production of renewable jet fuel range alkanes and aromatics via integrated catalytic processes of intact biomass

Abstract A novel pathway was investigated to produce jet fuel range paraffins (alkanes) and aromatics by catalytic microwave-induced pyrolysis of intact biomass (Douglas fir) integrated with the hydrotreating upgrading process. The proof-of-principle for the consecutive two-step process for converting lignocellulosic biomass into jet fuel range paraffins and aromatics involves the use of the well-promoted ZSM-5 in the process of catalytic microwave pyrolysis and Raney nickel in the hydrotreating process. The production of desired C8–C15 aromatics was achieved from catalytic depolymerization of intact biomass at 375 °C. Up to 12.63% selectivity of C8–C15 paraffins and 19.48% selectivity of hydro-aromatic hydrocarbons were obtained from the hydrotreating of parent oil under a low-severity condition (for 2 h). A central composite experimental design (CCD) was employed to investigate the effects of reaction temperatures and initial pressures on the composition of hydrotreated oils. We observed that increasing reaction temperature and initial pressure with prolonged time could enhance the hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis reactions to form jet fuel range paraffins and aromatics. Gaseous fraction mainly consisted of unreacted hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane. Integrating catalytic processes of lignocellulosic biomass potentially paves a new way for the development of jet fuels over inexpensive catalysts under the mild condition.
Response: Theory in, theory out: NCSE and the ESS curriculum

This commentary is a response to the article by James Proctor titled “Theory In, Theory Out: NCSE and the ESS Curriculum” (Environ Stud Sci 5(2):218–223, 2015) which critiques the report Interdisciplinary Environmental and Sustainability Education on the Nation’s Campuses 2012: Curriculum Design (Vincent et al. 2013) and its findings related to environmental studies and sciences (ESS) curricula. Our report does not constrain curricular discussion or evolution nor does it encourage a move toward convergence in ESS curricula as Proctor asserts. Instead, the implications are simply that, while there is a wide diversity of interdisciplinary environmental and sustainability (IES) degrees, there are some shared aspects of the identity of the field and broad approaches to curriculum design. The results also reveal that a degree program’s name is not a reliable indicator of curricular content and that newly emerging programs in sustainability and energy fit within the broad ESS paradigm. All of the National Council for Science and the Environment’s (NCSE) Center for Environmental Education Research (CEER) studies and reports are designed to support ongoing discussion by providing relevant information obtained using rigorous research design and statistical analysis techniques. They are not intended to be prescriptive or support the status quo.
Preparticipation Screening of Athletic Officials: SEC Football Referees at Risk.

BACKGROUND: Although preparticipation screening for athletes is commonplace, few studies have addressed the issue for those officiating at games. OBJECTIVES: To review current data on physiologic stress on sports officials, to obtain prevalence data on health parameters for football officials, and to determine the outcomes when screening criteria are applied in preseason exams. METHODS: A protocol was established using health history questionnaires and physical exams with laboratory screening to assess the health of all football officials working in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from 1997 to 2000. The main outcome measure was the prevalence of cardiac risk factors as determined by American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. RESULTS: Initial screening of 102 football officials revealed that 10.1 % of SEC referees had elevated systolic blood pressure, 13.9% had elevated diastolic blood pressure, and 3.8% had resting tachycardia. Average body mass index (BMI) was 28.6 kg/m 2 , with 87.3% having a BMI that exceeded 25 (overweight). About one-third (31.6%) had a BMI greater than 30 (obese). Total fasting cholesterol exceeded 200 mg/dL in 44.2%, HDL levels were below 35 mg/dL in 34.3%, and LDL levels were above 120 mg/dL in 62.3%. Compared with age-adjusted national data, there were more overweight and more obese officials, but they had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures and lower mean total cholesterol levels. Using the Framingham Study prediction model to estimate coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, analysis revealed that referees had a lower risk than the national 10-year CHD risk but a higher risk compared with that of the low-risk population. CONCLUSIONS: These data reveal a greater need for graded exercise testing. The higher rates of obesity among officials will promote further screening for CHD risk factors.
External Economies of Scale and Comparative Advantage

We investigate the interplay, in international trade, between comparative advantage and increasing returns to scale that are external to the firm. We focus especially on "advantage reversals," where the country with a comparative-cost disadvantage in producing a good nevertheless is able to export it because of the economies of large-scale production. We examine trade policy in such a situation, looking especially at whether that policy should aim at basic policy-regime change.
Lexical Categories: Verbs as licensers of subjects

Introduction What is the essential property that makes verbs behave differently from nouns and adjectives in morphology and syntax? This question is perhaps the easiest place to begin, because there is an obvious starting-point in the widespread recognition that verbs are the quintessential predicates. They are inherently unsaturated expressions that hold of something else, and thus the nucleus around which sentences are typically built. Many linguists of different schools have recognized the significance of this. Among the formalists, Jackendoff (1977) partially defines verbs with the feature “+subject” (although this does not distinguish them from nouns, in his view). Among the functionalists, Croft (1991) identifies predication as the pragmatic function that provides the external motivation for the category verb. I argue for the precise version of this intuition stated in (1). (1) X is a verb if and only if X is a lexical category and X has a specifier. The discussion will unfold as follows. I begin by explaining why (1) is a plausible way of distinguishing verbs from other categories, and why it is more promising than some of the obvious alternatives (section 2.2). Next I explore (1)'s implication that predicate nouns and adjectives, unlike verbs, must be supported by a functional head I call Pred in order for the clause to have a subject (section 2.3), showing that this functional head is seen overtly in some languages (section 2.4). Even in languages where Pred is not realized phonologically – perhaps the majority – its presence can be detected by morphological tests; Pred frequently prevents categories other than verbs from combining with tense/aspect morphology (section 2.5) or causative morphemes (section 2.6), for example.
Comparisons of Proctored versus Non-Proctored Testing Strategies in Graduate Distance Education Curriculum.

The authors studied the testing pattern grades in four e-campus courses at Troy University with 76 graduate students. In their research, the authors found significant differences in average test grade scores between tests taken electronically without a proctor as compared to those administered using a live or a remote proctor overall. To control for differences among courses, a statistical test was solely conducted on the courses which had the same instructor, same text, and similar tests with comparable results; students scored significantly lower on proctored exams versus non-proctored exams. To enhance the quality of courses in the online environment, the researchers recommend several “best practices” pedagogical strategies based on their findings and an extensive literature review.
EC – Seal Products (TBT Aspects of the Panel and Appellate Body Reports): Seals and Sensibilities

When the European Union imposed a ban on the import of seal products, Canada and Norway challenged that ban at the World Trade Organization. This paper analyzes the issues and reasoning in the 2013 Dispute Settlement Panel decision, with some attention to the Appellate Body decision that followed. Among the important questions are the definition of a "technical regulation" as well as particular interpretations of the agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). The decision dealt more generally with the balance between a nation’s right to regulate in support of its citizens’ moral concerns and trading partners’ rights to market access.
Promoting healthy aging in adults with developmental disabilities

This article reviews the research on health promotion for adults aging with developmental disabilities. First, it examines barriers to healthy aging, including health behaviors and access to health screenings and services. Second, it reviews the research on health promotion interventions, including physical activity interventions, health education interventions, and health care and screening preventive services. This review found evidence that the three types of health promotion interventions, physical activity and exercise, health education and mixed approaches, and health care and screening services can play a role in reducing health disparities for adults with developmental disabilities. Studies focusing primarily on physical activity and exercise tended to show improved fitness and some success in reducing obesity, reducing maladaptive behaviors, and improving alertness, though none of these studies showed longer term health benefits. The studies that took a more holistic approach by also including exercise and nutrition health education tended to show some evidence not only for changes in weight reduction but also for changes in health behavior attitudes (exercise self-efficacy, outcomes expectations, and barriers) and behaviors (e.g., dietary intake) and to a limited extent for improved life satisfaction. The literature on health screenings and services demonstrated the important role of health checks in identifying previously undetected conditions. These conditions include life threatening ones such as cancer and cardio-vascular disease, as well as less serious conditions that are often more common among adults with developmental disabilities and could be treated if caught early.
Adaptive Robust Motion and Force Tracking Control of Robot Manipulators in Contact With Compliant Surfaces With Unknown Stiffness

High performance robust motion and force tracking control of robot manipulators in contact with compliant surfaces is considered in this paper. The robot parameters and the stiffness of the contact surface may not be known. The system may also be subjected to uncertain nonlinearities coming from the joint friction of the robot, external disturbances, the contact surface friction model, and the unknown time-varying equilibrium position of the contact surface. An adaptive robust motion and force tracking controller is proposed, which needs measurements of position, velocity', and interaction force only. The controller achieves a guaranteed transient performance and final tracking accuracy, a desirable feature for applications and for maintaining contact. In addition, the controller achieves asymptotic motion and force tracking without resorting to high-gain feedback when the system is subjected to parametric uncertainties.
Spin-glass and magnetic blocking transitions in amorphous YFe2

Abstract Low field dc magnetic susceptibility measurements on amorphous YFe 2 show a distinct cusp-like peak at T S.G. = 58 K. This result, together with earlier Mossbauer and neutron scattering measurements, indicates that a true thermodynamic spin-glass transition occurs at T S.G. . In addition, susceptibility and coercive field data are presented which strongly suggest a magnetic freezing or blocking temperature near T = 20 K. This is the first time these two magnetic phenomena have been observed in the same magnetic system.
Effects of Competing Vegetation on Nantucket Pine Tip Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Populations in Loblolly Pine Plantations in Arkansas

The effects of vegetation on the abundance of the Nantucket pine tip moth, Rhyacionia frustrana (Comstock) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and its parasites, were examined in three 2.25-ha plots with low, medium, and high levels of vegetation density in 3-year-old loblolly pine plantations. Pine tips apparently infested with late-instar larvae and pupae were monitored in each tip moth generation to estimate abundance of tip moth and natural enemies within the plots. Differences in vegetation levels between the three plots were apparently not a major factor in determining tip moth population levels. A significant but predictively weak linear relationship was detected between tip moth density and total tips available for oviposition on the tree. Utilization of available tips was highly variable, and the abundance of available tips did not appear to be a limiting factor to tip moth population growth in this study. Six species comprised 89% of the total parasite complex. Percent parasitism was not consistently different or predictable through time between plots with different vegetation levels. Regression analysis suggested that neither a direct nor delayed density dependent-relationship existed between tip moth and its parasite complex.
Cloning of the Gene for Human Pemphigus Vulgaris Antigen (Desmoglein 3), a Desmosomal Cadherin CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PROMOTER REGION AND IDENTIFICATION OF A KERATINOCYTE-SPECIFIC cis-ELEMENT

Pemphigus vulgaris antigen is a cadherin-like desmosomal cell adhesion molecule expressed primarily in suprabasal keratinocytes within the epidermis. Previously characterized structural features have defined this molecule as a desmoglein, DSG3. In this study, we have cloned the human DSG3 gene and examined the transcriptional regulation of its expression. The total gene consisted of 15 exons and was estimated to span >23 kilobases. Comparison of exon-intron organization of DSG3 with bovine DSG1 and several classical cadherin genes revealed striking conservation of the structure. Up to 2.8 kilobases of the upstream genomic sequences were sequenced and found to contain several putative cis-regulatory elements. The promoter region was GC-rich and TATA-less, similar to previously characterized mammalian cadherin promoters. The putative promoter region was subcloned into a vector containing chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter gene. Transient transfections with a series of deletion clones indicated that the DSG3 promoter demonstrated keratinocyte-specific expression, as compared with dermal fibroblasts examined in parallel, and fine mapping identified a 30-base pair segment at −200 to −170 capable of conferring epidermal specific expression. The results provide evidence for the transcriptional regulation of the pemphigus vulgaris antigen gene, potentially critical for development of the epidermis and physiologic terminal differentiation of keratinocytes.
Transforming Psychology: Interpretive and Participatory Research Methods

Transforming psychology, the title of this volume, refers to the personal and social transformations that take place through the work we do, as well as to our goal of transforming the field of psychology itself through the inclusion of the interpretive and participatory methods described here. In this volume we examine how these methods have been and continue to be incorporated into the field of psychology and the challenges researchers have faced in doing so. We examine the epistemological foundations upon which these methods are based and provide a series of exemplars to illustrate the variety of ways in which interpretive and participatory methods are being applied. Finally, we discuss some of the barriers that remain to fulfilling this goal of transformation within our work and within our discipline.
Effect of rehabilitational sliding machine and ergometer bicycle training on patients with hemiplegia.

[Purpose] The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of exercise using rehabilitational sliding machine training and ergometer bicycle training on the balance and gait of patients with stroke. [Subjects] Forty patients with hemiplegia resulting from stroke were divided into a sliding training group (STG, n=20) and ergometer bicycle training group (ETG, n=20). [Methods] STG and ETG respectively performed rehabilitational sliding training and cycle ergometer training in 30 minute sessions, five times a week, for a total of eight weeks. [Results] The balance and gait ability of both groups significantly improved. Both groups showed improvements in balance and gait ability, and the ETG showed anterior and posterior ranges of the limit of stability following standing. [Conclusion] Training on a rehabilitational sliding machine and an ergometer is effective at increasing a patient’s balance and gait ability during nontreatment time in their daily time without therapist.
A sub-pore model for multi-scale reaction–diffusion problems in porous media

Abstract Applications of reaction–diffusion systems in porous media pose a challenging problem for computational modeling approaches due to their multi-physics and multi-scale nature. The length scales usually span 3–4 orders of magnitude while physical phenomena involved include heat and mass transfer processes, and surface reactions. In this paper, a novel methodology that accounts for all the length scales and physical phenomena involved in a single framework is described. A length scale based dual approach is proposed – the larger pore channels (macro-pores) are resolved using conventional numerical techniques and a novel ‘sub-pore’ model is used to account for the unresolved pore channels (sub-pores) and the important physics therein. The porous network in the sub-pore system is composed of a fractal-like hierarchical system of straight cylindrical pores. Simplified governing equations for mass and energy transport are solved within the sub-pore system along with a reaction kinetics model to account for surface adsorption. An implicit coupling strategy is used to couple the macro-pore and the sub-pore systems so as to ensure conservation. The developed methodology is then applied to a few test cases and it is established that the proposed framework is necessary for problems where the adsorption time scale is much smaller than (diffusion-limited) or comparable to the diffusion time scale. It is also demonstrated that the framework can be potentially used to model the network of porous channels in its entirety thus significantly reducing computational costs.
Solid electrolyte aided study of the ethylene oxide oxidation on silver

The oxidation of ethylene oxide on polycrystalline Ag films supported on stabilized zirconia was studied in a CSTR at atmospheric pressure and temperatures between 250 and 400 °C. The new technique of solid electrolyte potentiometry (SEP) was used to monitor the chemical potential of oxygen adsorbed on the metal catalyst. To this end the silver film catalyst also served as one of the electrodes of a solid electrolyte oxygen concentration cell and the open-circuit emf of the cell was monitored during reaction. It was found that the steady-state surface oxygen activity αo is given by a0 = PO212/(1 + KETOXPETOX2), with KETOX = 3.3 · 10−5 exp (10,600T). This equation as well as the kinetics can be explained in terms of a simple reaction mechanism.
Microscopic model for the neutron dynamic structure factor of solid methane in phase II

Abstract We have constructed a microscopic model for the neutron dynamic structure factor S ( Q , ω ) of solid methane in phase II. We expect this model to apply for neutron energies below 1 eV at pressures near 1 bar and temperatures below 20 K where methane possesses both free rotation and hindered rotation modes of the tetrahedral molecules in the unit cell. The model treats the motions of molecular translations, intra-molecular vibrations and the free and hindered rotations of methane molecule as independent. Total scattering cross-sections calculated from the model agree with the cross-section measurements for incident neutron energies of 0.5 meV–1 eV. The effective density of states is extracted from the model. We also present the quantitative calculation of the separate contributions of the two different rotational modes to the inelastic cross-section for different methane temperatures in phase II.
Behaviorally at-risk African American students:The importance of student–teacher relationships for student outcomes

Abstract The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the associations between the student–teacher relationship and outcomes for African American students who were behaviorally at-risk for referral to special education. Students were identified by their teachers as having behavior problems. Participants were 44 students and 25 teachers from two suburban and three urban elementary schools in a mid-western state. A multi-rater, multi-method approach was used. As teacher-reports of student–teacher relationship quality increased, there were also increases in positive social, behavioral, and engagement outcomes for students. Similarly, as student-reports of student–teacher relationship quality increased, there were increases in positive behavioral, engagement, and academic outcomes. Additional analyses of dyadic relationship patterns showed that as the relationship pattern improved (moving from negative concordance to discordance to positive concordance), there were increases in positive social, behavioral, and engagement outcomes for students. Implications for school practice are discussed.
Blood rheology of dogs chronically exposed to air pollutants

Abstract Measurements with the Wells-Brookfield cone-plate microviscometer revealed no significant differences in blood viscosity between controls and female beagles exposed to laboratory produced air pollutants daily for 4 years, despite significant elevations of carboxyhemoglobin in four treatment groups. Air pollutant treatments included: raw auto exhaust (RAE), irradiated auto exhaust (IAE), oxides of sulfur (SO x ), RAE + SO x , IAE + SO x , “low” nitric oxide + “high” nitrogen dioxide, “high” nitric oxide + “low” nitrogen dioxide. The control treatment was temperature- and humidity-conditioned, filtered clean air.
Tribosphenic mammals from the Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation of Montana and Wyoming

ABSTRACTWe report a diverse assemblage of tribosphenidan mammals from several localities in the Cloverly Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Albian) of Montana and Wyoming. This unit is of historical significance for yielding well-known dinosaurs (e.g., Deinonychus antirrhopus, Tenontosaurus tilletti) and early mammals (e.g., Gobiconodon ostromi, Montanalestes keeblerorum). We provisionally identify 13 taxa (five of which are formally recognized), including Pappotherium pattersoni, a new species of the deltatheroidan Oklatheridium (O. wiblei, sp. nov.), a eutherian (Montanalestes, previously named), and two new basal tribosphenidans (Argaliatherium robustum, gen. et sp. nov., and Carinalestes murensis, gen. et sp. nov.). An unnamed taxon, represented by associated but almost edentulous dentaries, is interpreted to have had four incisors, a single-rooted canine, three premolars, and four molars, indicating that the metatherian tooth formula was established by the Albian. In addition, an indeterminate lower molar ...
Morphology of shells from viable and nonviable eggs of the chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis)

The morphology of eggshells from hatched eggs of captive Chinese alligators (Alligator sinensis) was compared with that of shells from eggs with early embryonic death and with the morphology of eggshells from the American alligator (Alligator mississipiensisis). Pieces of shells were examined in the scanning electron microscope. Parameters examined included: numbers of open pores on the outer surfaces, total shell thickness, and thickness of the outer densely calcified and inner mammillary layers. Results indicate that shells from Chinese and American alligator eggs with early embryonic death have a thicker outer densely calcified layer than do shells from hatched eggs or full-term embryos. Also, eggshells from Chinese alligator eggs with dead embryos have fewer open pores on the outer surface than do shells from hatched eggs, as has been reported earlier for the American alligator (Wink et al., '90). © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Measurements of the H2 4-0 quadrupole bands of Uranus and Neptune

It is found that the equivalent widths of the lines of the 4-0 H2 quadrupole band on Uranus and Neptune are substantially smaller than the values found by some previous observers. An analysis of the results based on a range of atmospheric models yields H2 abundances of 240 + or - 60 km-amagats for Uranus and greater than approximately 200 km amagats for Neptune.
Crystal-growth-inspired algorithms for computational grids

Biological systems surpass man-made systems in many important ways. Most notably, systems found in nature are typically self-adaptive and self-managing, capable of surviving drastic changes in their environments, such as internal failures and malicious attacks on their components. Large distributed software systems have requirements common to those of some biological systems, particularly in the number and power of individual components and in the qualities of service of the system. However, it is not immediately clear how engineers can extract useful properties from natural systems and inject them into software systems.In this paper, we explore the nature's process of crystal growth and develop mechanisms inspired by that process for designing large distributed computational grid systems. The result is the tile architectural style, a set of design principles for building distributed software systems that solve complex computational problems. Systems developed using the tile style scale well to large computations, tolerate faults and malicious attacks, and preserve the privacy of the data.