cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Challenges and Strategies for Conducting Intervention Research with Culturally Diverse Populations

Conducting intervention research with culturally diverse, underserved, and often hard to reach populations in naturalistic or field settings presents investigators with a number of practical challenges. This article describes four special challenges and strategies for dealing with them that clients, service providers, and researchers experienced in conducting a prevention intervention to reduce substance use and sexual risky behaviors with low-income Latina young women. The challenges are (a) building community partnerships; (b) developing interventions that are acceptable and relevant; (c) promoting successful recruitment, participation, and retention of participants; and (d) developing a diverse, cohesive, and committed research team and effective managerial information support systems.
Super-nonlinear fluorescence microscopy for high-contrast deep tissue imaging

Two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy (TPFM) offers the highest penetration depth with subcellular resolution in light microscopy, due to its unique advantage of nonlinear excitation. However, a fundamental imaging-depth limit, accompanied by a vanishing signal-to-background contrast, still exists for TPFM when imaging deep into scattering samples. Formally, the focusing depth, at which the in-focus signal and the out-of-focus background are equal to each other, is defined as the fundamental imaging-depth limit. To go beyond this imaging-depth limit of TPFM, we report a new class of super-nonlinear fluorescence microscopy for high-contrast deep tissue imaging, including multiphoton activation and imaging (MPAI) harnessing novel photo-activatable fluorophores, stimulated emission reduced fluorescence (SERF) microscopy by adding a weak laser beam for stimulated emission, and two-photon induced focal saturation imaging with preferential depletion of ground-state fluorophores at focus. The resulting image contrasts all exhibit a higher-order (third- or fourth- order) nonlinear signal dependence on laser intensity than that in the standard TPFM. Both the physical principles and the imaging demonstrations will be provided for each super-nonlinear microscopy. In all these techniques, the created super-nonlinearity significantly enhances the imaging contrast and concurrently extends the imaging depth-limit of TPFM. Conceptually different from conventional multiphoton processes mediated by virtual states, our strategy constitutes a new class of fluorescence microscopy where high-order nonlinearity is mediated by real population transfer.
Intravenous gammaglobulin suppresses inflammation through a novel T H 2 pathway

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin is a widely used therapeutic preparation of highly purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. It is administered at high doses (1-2 grams per kilogram) for the suppression of autoantibody-triggered inflammation in a variety of clinical settings. This anti-inflammatory activity of intravenous immunoglobulin is triggered by a minor population of IgG crystallizable fragments (Fcs), with glycans terminating in α2,6 sialic acids (sFc) that target myeloid regulatory cells expressing the lectin dendritic-cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN; also known as CD209). Here, to characterize this response in detail, we generated humanized DC-SIGN mice (hDC-SIGN), and demonstrate that the anti-inflammatory activity of intravenous immunoglobulin can be recapitulated by the transfer of bone-marrow-derived sFc-treated hDC-SIGN(+) macrophages or dendritic cells into naive recipients. Furthermore, sFc administration results in the production of IL-33, which, in turn, induces expansion of IL-4-producing basophils that promote increased expression of the inhibitory Fc receptor FcγRIIB on effector macrophages. Systemic administration of the T(H)2 cytokines IL-33 or IL-4 upregulates FcγRIIB on macrophages, and suppresses serum-induced arthritis. Consistent with these results, transfer of IL-33-treated basophils suppressed induced arthritic inflammation. This novel DC-SIGN-T(H)2 pathway initiated by an endogenous ligand, sFc, provides an intrinsic mechanism for maintaining immune homeostasis that could be manipulated to provide therapeutic benefit in autoimmune diseases.
Environmental stimulation reduces learning deficits in experimental cretinism

Behavioral deficits in adult rats exposed perinatally to thiouracil were substantially reduced or elimated by a 5-week period of "superenriched" postweaning rearing conditions before testing. This treatment resulted in remediation of hypothyroid rats' deficits in maze learning, maze retention, and resistance to extinction of bar-pressing; the facilitative effect persisted for more than 4 months. These behavioral results were consistent with neurohistological findings from studies of early thyroid deficiency and postweaning environmental stimulation in rats.
Heterogenous integrated silicon-photonic module for producing widely tunable narrow linewidth RF

Generating RF signals over the entire spectrum, from hundreds of MHz into the hundreds of GHz, has previously required the use of special oscillators designed only for specific bands of operation within that spectrum. An optoelectronic system based on side-band-injection-locked lasers is capable of generating RF frequencies tunable over a span of more than 7 octaves with extremely low phase noise. [1] Here we present the results of our efforts to develop a heterogeneously integrated version of this system based on a silicon-photonic integrated circuit coupled to III-V semiconductor gain chips. Towards that effort, we have successfully demonstrated an integrated module and shown tunable RF generation with a ~1 Hz linewidth.
In vitro analysis of translational rate and accuracy with an unmodified tRNA.

Abstract Escherichia coli tRNA(Phe) transcript lacking all the modified nucleosides was investigated in an in vitro translation system. To estimate the affinity of tRNA toward EF-Tu, Kd and K-1 were measured by the nuclease protection assay, and it was shown that the absence of modifications decreases ternary complex stability less than 2-fold. The activity of unmodified Phe-tRNA(Phe) on E. coli ribosomes was compared to modified Phe-tRNA(Phe) using the framework of the kinetic proofreading mechanism (Thompson & Dix, 1982) with both cognate and noncognate codons. Values of the individual rate constants in the elongation process showed that the modifications increased the accuracy of translation by (1) decreasing the rate of dipeptide synthesis and (2) increasing the rate of rejection with noncognate codons.
Discovery and characterization of a novel, widely expressed metalloprotease, ADAMTS10, and its proteolytic activation.

We describe the discovery and characterization of ADAMTS10, a novel metalloprotease encoded by a locus on human chromosome 19 and mouse chromosome 17. ADAMTS10 has the typical modular organization of the ADAMTS family, with five thrombospondin type 1 repeats and a cysteine-rich PLAC (protease and lacunin) domain at the carboxyl terminus. Its domain organization and primary structure is similar to a novel long form of ADAMTS6. In contrast to many ADAMTS proteases, ADAMTS10 is widely expressed in adult tissues and throughout mouse embryo development. In situ hybridization analysis showed widespread expression of Adamts10 in the mouse embryo until 12.5 days of gestation, after which it is then expressed in a more restricted fashion, with especially strong expression in developing lung, bone, and craniofacial region. Mesenchymal, not epithelial, expression in the developing lung, kidney, gonad, salivary gland, and gastrointestinal tract is a consistent feature of Adamts10 regulation. N-terminal sequencing and treatment with decanoyl-Arg-Val-Lys-Arg-chloromethylketone indicate that the ADAMTS10 zymogen is processed by a subtilisin-like proprotein convertase at two sites (Arg64↓Gly and Arg233↓Ser). The widespread expression of ADAMTS10 suggests that furin, a ubiquitously expressed proprotein convertase, is the likely processing enzyme. ADAMTS10 expressed in HEK293F and COS-1 cells is N-glycosylated and is secreted into the medium, as well as sequestered at the cell surface and extracellular matrix, as demonstrated by cell surface biotinylation and immunolocalization in nonpermeabilized cells. ADAMTS10 is a functional metalloprotease as demonstrated by cleavage of α2-macroglobulin, although physiological substrates are presently unknown.
Subpicosecond time-resolved Raman studies of nonequilibrium excitations in wide-bandgap GaN

We have studied non-equilibrium electron distributions and electron-longitudinal optical phonon scattering rates in wurtzite GaN by subpicosecond time-resolved Raman spectroscopy. Our experimental result show that for electron densities n greater than or equal to 5 X 1017 cm-3, the non-equilibrium electron distributions in wurtzite GaN can be very well described by Fermi-Dirac distribution functions with the effective electron temperature much higher than the lattice temperature. In addition, we find that the total electron-longitudinal optical phonon scattering rate in GaN is about one order of magnitude larger than that in GaAs. We attribute this enormous increase in the electron- longitudinal optical phonon scattering rate to the much larger ionicity in GaN.
Stimulation of alkaline phosphatase activity in cultured neonatal mouse calvarial bone cells by parathyroid hormone.

The effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on alkaline phosphatase activity was examined in confluent, serum-free primary cultures of neonatal mouse calvarial cells. It was found that synthetic bPTH-(1-34) caused an increase in the specific activity of skeletal alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme by 18 hours. Between 10 and 500 ng/ml, the mganitude of the change was directly related to peptide concentration. The change occurred in the absence of any effect on cell number, total cell protein, or DNA and was not the result of an effect on either proliferation or survival of a specific cell population. Results of histochemical studies indicate that bPTH-(1-34) caused an increase in the proportion of cells containing enzyme activity. The response was duplicated by intact bPTH-(1-84) and DBcAMP, but not by oxidized bPTH-(1-34) or insulin and did not require prostaglandin synthesis or hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. These results demonstrate that bPTH has a direct effect on osteoblast maturationin vitro, that the effect is specific for PTH, and suggest that it is mediated by cAMP.
Predation, attack success, and attraction to the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians (Lamarck) by the oyster drill, Urosalpinx cinerea (Say)

Investigation of the intensity of predation by the oyster drill, Urosalpinx cinerea (Say), on the bay scallop, Argopecten irradians (Lamarck), was carried out in field and laboratory studies. Field measurements of densities of the oyster drill and the bay scallop were respectively, 3.6 · m−2, and 21.1 · m−2 on a scallop bed in Ninigret Pond, Charlestown, Rhode Island. The mean density of snails attacking scallops was 1.7 · m−2. In a laboratory study of attack success, an average of 72.3% of drill attacks led to death of the scallop. Snails were also shown to be strongly attracted to scallop effluent in a choice chamber.
The globalization of education in medical ethics and humanities: evolving pedagogy at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar.

Abstract The authors discuss their experience in implementing a Medical Ethics and Humanities course for premedical students at Weill Cornell Medical College in the Arabian Gulf emirate of Qatar. The course, first offered in 2003, is designed to prepare these students for the medical school curriculum to follow and to make global medical knowledge meaningful for their local context. Pedagogical challenges included the cross-cultural tensions that could emerge when introducing themes from Western medical ethics and humanities into this overwhelmingly Islamic context. The authors outline the response to this challenge and strategies to broaden student inquiry without engaging in indoctrination. This seminar-based course was designed around seven thematic areas of increasing biopsychosocial complexity, from nature and biology, to the patient, the physician, and the family, to broader questions of hospital care, the health care system, and the place of law in modern medicine. Readings from the literature of the Western and Arabic traditions were used, including selections by Hippocrates, Thomas, Kafka, Mahfouz, and Pellegrino. It is too early to know the ultimate impact of the course, but students demonstrated enthusiasm for ethics and the medical humanities and a willingness to consider new and novel ways of knowing. The authors anticipate that this grounding in the humanities will complement the students’ work in the sciences and help further develop their nascent professional identities in an increasingly global medical community.
Fixation and loss of hydrazine-induced premutational damage in Haemophilus influenzae.

Abstract Premutational damage induced in Haemophilus influenzae by hydrazine appears to be fixed as final mutation only at replication as judged by the transformation assay. Fixation at replication is independent of the rec1 gene, unlike the case with nitrosocarbaryl. Prior to replication premutational damage induced by hydrazine disappears by an unknown process that is not dependent on the presence of a pyrimidine dimer excision system nor on the rec1 gene. Hydrazine does not produce detectable single-strand breaks of alkali-labile sites in the treated DNA nor gaps in DNA newly synthesized after treatment. In these respects it also differs from nitroso compounds. It is concluded that hydrazine acts to produce an altered base, possibly N(4)-aminocytosine, that produces mutations by mispairing at replication rather than by error-prone repair.
Morbidity among municipal waste incinerator workers

Incinerator workers are exposed to many toxic compounds, most notably heavy metals. We evaluated medical and exposure monitoring data of an actively employed cohort of Philadelphia incinerator workers following an Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry site survey and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) health hazard evaluation (HHE). Of the many airborne samples taken by NIOSH, only four of the personal breathing zone samples were above OSHA or ACGIH standards: one for lead, one for phosphorous, and two for total particulates. Because samples were taken during limited operations (only one of the two incinerators were operating), the results may underestimate historical exposures at this site. We limited our medical analysis to the 86 male workers who participated in the HHE out of the 105 active employees. The 86 employees were divided into potential high and low exposure groups based on a work site analysis done by an independent industrial hygienist. Eight individuals had at least one elevated biological index indicating exposure to a heavy metal. These elevations, however, were unrelated to the workers' exposure categories. Furthermore, no clinically significant mean blood or serum measurements were noted. Thirty-four percent of the workers had evidence of hypertension which increased the risk of significant proteinuria. Neither hypertension nor proteinuria were related to exposure group. Changes in pulmonary function related only to smoking status. Although there was some evidence of an increased risk of exposure to products of incinerator waste, we could not relate the few elevated biological tests to exposure classification. Additional studies are needed to assess the potential health effects of municipal waste incinerator by-products.
Amnioinfusion: A Technique for the Relief of Variable Deceleration

Human and animal studies have demonstrated an association between decreased amniotic fluid and the occurrence of variable decelerations in the fetal heart rate. Amnioinfusion is a new investigational technique directed at decreasing the number and severity of variable decelerations by infusion of a normal saline solution into the uterine cavity. The technique may provide a mechanism for protecting the umbilical cord from compression and, thereby, ameliorating fetal distress. This article describes amnioinfusion and discusses related nursing implications for patients undergoing the procedure.
Reverse osmosis separation of single and mixed alcohols in aqueous solutions using porous cellulose acetate membranes

Reverse osmosis transport for alcohol-water systems in the Taft number (σ*) region of 0 to −0.3 is explored in detail. The numerical value of the polar functional constant for alcohols is 15.5 for the above σ* region in the operating pressure range of 50 to 500 psig for the cellulose acetate membrane material used. An analysis of the combined effect of operating pressure and mass transfer coefficient on the high-pressure side of the membrane shows that, under certain conditions, solute separation could pass through a maximum with increase in operating pressure. A general experession for solute separation is derived as a function of pore structure on membrane surface, polarity of solute, and operating conditions of the experiment. Alcohols behave independently in mixed solute systems. A method is described and illustrated for predicting alcohol separation in alcohol–sucrose–water feed solutions from data on single solute systems.
The grafting of isoprene onto poly(propylene oxide)

The grafting of isoprene as well as a comonomer mixture of isoprene and acrylonitrile onto a backbone of high molecular weight poly(propylene oxide) with tertiary-butyl peroctoate gave a gumstock which is sulfur curable to a product having interesting elastomeric properties.
Variations in Referral Patterns to High-Volume Centers for Pancreatic Cancer

Background Multiple reports have demonstrated pancreatic cancer patients undergoing surgery have superior outcomes at high-volume hospitals. This study noted trends in access to high-volume centers for pancreatic resection and identified gaps in improving access. Study Design We performed a retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS 2000 to 2005) linked to the Area Resource File (ARF). Inclusion criteria were patients with primary diagnosis of pancreatic cancer who received pancreatic resection. The primary outcomes variable was treatment at high-volume hospitals (average annual case volume greater than 20). Independent variables included age, gender, race, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, insurance status, calendar year, and region, obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample; community poverty level and density of all physicians, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and radiation oncologists were data obtained from the Area Resource File. Results A total of 8,370 patients were identified. A minority (38.51%) were referred to high-volume hospitals. A significant increase in overall referral and odds of referral to a high-volume center was observed over time (22.2% in 2000 to 44.4% in 2005). Patients referred to high-volume centers were younger (61.9 versus 63.2 years, p Conclusions This study demonstrated that less than half of pancreatic cancer patients are being referred to high-volume centers. Unlike referral in Caucasians, improvement in referral for minorities has not occurred.
Differentiation of benign from pathologic T waves in the electrocardiogram.

Abstract In a series of 29 patients whose electrocardiograms exhibited nonspecific T wave changes, electrocardiograms during various physiologic manipulations were obtained to evaluate which procedures might be most useful clinically in differentiating functional from organic T wave changes. Electrocardiograms were obtained during the following maneuvers: (1) fasting; (2) standing; (3) deep inspiration; (4) hyperventilation; (5) exercise; (6) nitroglycerin; (7) glucose ingestion; (8) atropine intravenously; (9) postprandially; (10) postprandial exercise; (11) epinephrine intravenously and (12) potassium chloride intravenously (in 6 patients). Although improvement in the nonspecific T wave pattern followed some maneuver in all patients, normalization occurred with hyperventilation in 29 per cent of the patients, fasting in 28 per cent, and less regularly with the other procedures. Accentuation of the T wave changes occurred in over 50 per cent of the patients after glucose ingestion, standing, nitroglycerin and epinephrine. Normalization of the nonspecific T wave changes occurred in 69 per cent of the patients with the combination of fasting, deep inspiration, hyperventilation and exercise. In the 6 patients with organic heart disease similarly investigated, the T wave changes were less labile in response to the various maneuvers. It is concluded that the combination of procedures that is most useful as an aid in the differentiation of benign from ischemic T wave changes includes fasting, deep inspiration, hyperventilation and exercise.
Solar limb brightening at the extreme limb from photoelectric eclipse observations

Photoelectric observations of the light intensity from the solar crescent before and after totality were made during the eclipses of 7 March, 1970 and 26 February, 1979. Effective wavelengths were determined by interference filters of 20 nm bandwidth. To obtain the limb darkening function, the resulting intensity curves were analyzed by an extension of the method of Julius in which we take into account the actual lunar limb profile. The limb darkening function at 433 nm was obtained for the region 0.937 < sin θ < 0.9999. Our results are in good agreement with existing center-to-limb measurements in the region of overlap which extends to sin θ = 0.99. Additional data were obtained at 600 nm for 0.994 < sin θ < 0.9999. The curves at both wavelengths show a distinctive limb brightening effect at sin θ = 0.999.
Verification of communication protocols using data flow analysis

In this paper we demonstrate the effectiveness of data flow analysis for verifying requirements of communication protocols. Data flow analysis is a static analysis method for increasing confidence in the correctness of software systems by automatically verifying that a given software artifact (e.g., design or code) must behave consistently with a specified requirement. In this case study, we apply the FLAVERS data flow analysis tool to pseudocode designs of the three way handshake connection establishment protocol and of the alternating bit protocol and prove that the behavior of the pseudocode is consistent with protocol behavioral requirement specifications. We show how FLAVERS is a particularly effective because it is computationally inexpensive, requires minimal human interaction, and is a general approach that can be applied incrementally until the desired accuracy is achieved. In addition, we show how assumptions about the environment in which a software system is executed can be incorporated into the analysis, using message losses as an example. We present experimental results and derive some guidelines about the classes of protocol requirement specifications that may be amenable to verification using FLAVERS.
The generating functional for the probability density functions of Navier-Stokes turbulence

A generating functional for the equal-time spatial probability density functions which represent the ensemble of turbulent incompressible Navier-Stokes fluids is introduced. By formally solving the linear evolution equation satisfied by this functional, the probability densities are represented as functional integrals. It is shown that the generating functional can be regarded as the space characteristic functional of a generalized random field defined on the phase space spanned by the material position and velocity fields of a fluid particle. The interpretation of this random field, which satisfies a dynamical equation similar to Vlasov's, is clarified through the formal analogies between the statistics of molecules and fluid particles at the functional level. A class of statistically realizable and solvable models is also considered within the context of the present formalism.
Longitudinal evaluation of GCF MMP‐3 and TIMP‐1 levels as prognostic factors for progression of periodontitis

Abstract Background: To determine whether matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) could serve as prognostic factors for the progression of periodontitis, we monitored GCF MMP-3 and TIMP-1 and periodontal status of selected sites in 40 medically healthy subjects over a 6-month period. Method: Clinical measurements including gingival index (GI), plaque index, bleeding on probing, suppuration, probing depth (PD), attachment loss (AL), and GCF samples were taken from 2 healthy sites (including sites with gingival recession, GI=0; PD 3 mm; AL 2 mm) and 2 periodontitis sites (GI 1 ; PD 5 mm ; AL 3 mm) of each patient at baseline, 3-month and 6-month visits by means of sterile paper strips. GCF levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 were determined by sandwich ELISA assays. Results: The mean amounts of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in diseased sites were significantly higher than in healthy sites (p<0.0001). Significantly higher GCF levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 were found at progressing sites than in nonprogressing periodontitis sites (0.001<p<0.01). A progressing site was defined as a site which had 2 mm loss of attachment during 6- month study period. GCF levels of MMP-3 were highly correlated with clinical measurements taken at baseline, 3-month and 6-month visits (p<0.001). TIMP-1 levels were only moderately correlated with probing depth and attachment level (p<0.01). Step-wise multiple regression analysis was performed to construct models for the prediction of probing depth and attachment loss increases. The most parsimonious regression models which had the best R2 values included the following variables and accounted for the indicated % of variability. The regression model for the prediction of probing depth increase included MMP-3, smoking pack-years, TIMP-1 and accounted for 53% of the variability. The best model for the prediction of attachment loss increase included MMP-3, smoking pack-years, age, TIMP-1 and explained 59% of the variability. Conclusion: These data indicate that sites with high GCF levels of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 are at significantly greater risk for progression of periodontitis.
Estimating Abundance of the Endangered Houston Toad on a Primary Recovery Site

Abstract The Griffith League Ranch is one of the primary recovery sites for the endangered Houston toad Bufo (Anaxyrus) houstonensis. New recovery initiatives have recently been implemented to increase Houston toad abundance; however, no robust estimate of population size has been conducted in the last decade of study, nor from this recovery site. To assist with inferences regarding efficacy of current and future management actions, we estimated adult Houston toad abundance on the Griffith League Ranch. Houston toads were sampled at breeding ponds during the 2010 breeding season using a mark–recapture methodology. We analyzed the data using a modified Jolly–Seber open population model in Program MARK. Models were built whereby the probability of capture remained constant, the apparent survival varied with time or was constant, and the probability of entry varied with time. Model averaging was used to account for uncertainty and the derived adult male Houston toad abundance ranged from 201 to 307 individua...
27. Neuroinflammation mediates the delayed behavioral effects of microembolism

Microsphere embolism (ME) rodent models recapitulate both the diffuse ischemic infarcts and the behavioral disturbances characteristic to cerebromicrovascular disease (CMVD). Previously, we have shown that ME also leads to increased hippocampal inflammation, weakening of the blood brain barrier, and the infiltration of peripherally circulating inflammatory cells. The current study builds upon these findings to test the hypothesis that anti-inflammatory administration is sufficient to reduce hippocampal cytokine expression and attenuate the behavioral consequences of diffuse ME infarction. Adult male rats received either SHAM or ME surgeries and anti-inflammatory treatments under two dosing strategies: one cohort of rats received meloxicam, a preferential cox-2 inhibitor, prophylactically, beginning five days prior to surgery; a second cohort was administered XPro1595®, an inhibitor of soluble TNF signaling, immediately following surgery or on day seven post-surgery. Both cohorts were behaviorally examined on day fourteen and hippocampal gene expression of inflammatory markers was measured. Both treatments lowered hippocampal inflammation and rescued ME-induced behavioral effects but only when inhibition preceded or coincided with injury. These findings are important because they show that behavioral disruptions precipitated by ME may be mediated by a generalized inflammatory response to the initial injury. Given that peripheral administration of a general or specific anti-inflammatory treatment is sufficient to reduce hippocampal elevation and alter behavior, anti-inflammatory therapeutics may be useful in the slowing of CMVD progression in at-risk patients.
Repeatability of Temporospatial Gait Measures in Children Using the GAITRite Electronic Walkway

Abstract Thorpe DE, Dusing SC, Moore CG. Repeatability of temporospatial gait measures in children using the GAITRite electronic walkway. Objective To determine the repeatability of selected temporal and spatial gait parameters in healthy children using the GAITRite electronic walkway. Design Immediate test-retest design. Setting Community. Participants A sample of 57 subjects (age range, 1.3–10.9y) participated. Subjects were stratified into 3 age groups (1.0 to Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Subjects completed 2 barefooted test walks at preferred gait speed. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 1,1 ) values, 95% confidence intervals, the Bland-Altman limits of agreement, and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated. Results Overall, ICC values ranged from .05 to .93. The amount of clinically relevant error (CV) was acceptable for all gait variables across age groups with the exception of the toe-in/out variables (CV, 46.7%–92.9%) and the heel-to-heel base of support variable (CV, 18.6%–31.5%). Conclusions Repeatability of GAITRite measurements to assess temporospatial gait parameters in typically developing children walking at self-selected paces ranged from poor to excellent. Our repeatability data for child subjects between the ages of 1.3 to 10.9 years are comparable to adult data for the same temporospatial gait parameters. We believe that the GAITRite electronic walkway is an emerging clinical tool for assessment of gait in children with and without disabilities.
Structure of the Hydrated α-Al2O3 (0001) Surface

The physical and chemical properties of the hydrated α-Al2O3 (0001) surface are important for understanding the reactivity of natural and synthetic aluminum-containing oxides. The structure of this surface was determined in the presence of water vapor at 300 kelvin by crystal truncation rod diffraction at a third-generation synchrotron x-ray source. The fully hydrated surface is oxygen terminated, with a 53% contracted double Al layer directly below. The structure is an intermediate between α-Al2O3 and γ-Al(OH)3, a fully hydroxylated form of alumina. A semiordered oxygen layer about 2.3 angstroms above the terminal oxygen layer is interpreted as adsorbed water. The clean α-Al2O3 (0001) surface, in contrast, is Al terminated and significantly relaxed relative to the bulk structure. These differences explain the different reactivities of the clean and hydroxylated surfaces.
Preferences and prices in choice of career: The switch to business, 1972–1987

Abstract In the last two decades the largest single change in career plans of college students is the more than doubling from 1972 to 1987 of the proportion opting for business. The evidence suggests that a shift in preferences, a marked upsurge among the young in money-making as a life goal, was responsible for this, as well as movements in ‘prices,’ the relative returns from different occupations. The rise in interest in money-making is not due to greater insecurity among the young about their economic future, or worsened job expectations. Rather, it reflects greater concern about money among older adults, which influenced the young with a lag by re-shaping their life goals as they grew up. Empirical study of occupational choice would benefit from more attention to such non-market influences.
Response of fungi to diurnal temperature extremes

Response of fungi to diurnal temperature extremes, describing soil, simulated Martian temperature regime and fungi growth
Digital health game on cervical health and its effect on american women's cervical cancer knowledge

We develop a digital health game, a potential standalone and/or supplementary tool to conventional static educational tools such as pamphlets and videos, to investigate its feasibility and effectiveness in disseminating truth and dispelling myths about human-papillomavirus (HPV)/cervical cancer prevention and treatment to female population in US, both native and those of Asian descent (e.g. Vietnamese and Korean). To prevent any hindrance of the language barrier and deliver the information effectively, we add multilingual feature (English, Korean, and Vietnamese) to allow each user to play the game in her own native language. In addition, we design the game to provide the information interactively with added entertainment factor, allowing the users to get immersed more readily into the gameplay and learning experiences. Our results indicate that 97% of participants regarded the game providing perceptively significant amount of information about HPV and cervical cancer prevention and treatment. More importantly, about nine out of ten participants considered the game as more effective educational tool than the traditional methods. We conclude that our game succeeds as the educational tool to provide valid information about HPV/cervical cancer to the public either as a standalone tool or as a supplement to conventional ones.
Factor Structure and Differential Validity of the Expanded Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale

The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) is one of the most widely used measures in psychiatric outcome and clinical psychopharmacology research. To date, however, research on the psychometric properties of the expanded version of the BPRS (BPRS-E) has been limited. An exploratory factor analysis (n = 360) using maximum likelihood extraction with oblimin rotation found a four-factor solution (Thought Disturbance, Animation, Mood Disturbance, Apathy) to underlie the BPRS-E. Furthermore, these factors were logical in nature and estimates of internal consistency were acceptable. A confirmatory factor analysis conducted on a second, independent sample (n = 280) found that for the five models currently available in the literature, the model developed herein provided the best fit to the data. Again, estimates of internal consistency were found acceptable. Finally, the four factors demonstrated appropriate differential validity with regards to both demographic variables and various psychiatric diagnoses.
Redundant C4 power pin placement to ensure robust power grid delivery

Power supply C4 (flip-chip) bonds are susceptible to failures due to electro-migration caused by high on-chip temperatures, large currents and manufacturing variability. A single C4 bond failure can result in catastrophic failures in the power supply network and thus redundant bonds are naively added to the circuit to mitigate the impact of bond failures. We propose a method for improved redundant bond placement using an Integer Linear Program (ILP) that reduces the required number of redundant bonds by 33% while ensuring power supply integrity in the presence of a single-bond failure.
HIGH DOSE SUPPLEMENTATION WITH BETA-CAROTENE: ITS EFFECT ON SERUM LEVEL OF VITAMIN A & LIVER FUNCTION IN RABBITS

Beta-carotene is an avid singlet oxygen radical quencher and hence a strong antioxidant. Its use has therefore been tried or suggested in conditions where oxygen toxicity is encountered, viz erythropoietic protoporphyria, pulmonary oxygen toxicity in newborns, etc. Because of the possible risk of Vit A and liver toxicity, with β-carotene supplementation, we studied the effects of prolonged (1 month) administration of high dose β-carotene on the serum level of Vit A and liver functions in rabbits. MATERIALS/METHODS: Beta-carotene (Roche) was given (through the water) to 3 fullgrown white rabbits at a daily dose of either 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mgs/kg body weight. Serum was drawn 2x weekly and analyzed for levels of β-carotene and Vit A and liver enzymes (SGOT and SGPT). RESULTS: Pre-treatment (control) serum values: β-carotene = 0.100 ± 0.041 mgs/dl; Vit A = 76 ± 42 μgs/dl; SGPT = 26 ± 4 units; SGOT = 21 ± 10.6 units. Within 1 week of treatment, β-carotene serum level attained steady state at concentrations > 10x control value (total mean = 1.36 ± 0.38 mgs/dl) with the mean concentrations in each animal at steady state (0.957 or 1.497 or 1.626 mgs/dl wherein 0.957 vs 1.497, p 10x control) without the danger of hypervitaminosis A or liver injury. A return of the serum values to control level was noted within 1-3 weeks after the discontinuance of treatment.
Issues in managing disaster relief inventories

Abstract This essay is concerned with the inventories that are held for disaster relief and the need for research into their management. Though forecasting is difficult, the evidence is that the number of disasters, natural and political, is increasing. Thus the need for disaster relief is increasing along with the desire to improve the process, including management of disaster relief inventories. Despite decades of enterprise inventory research, little literature is available on disaster relief inventories. In this article the nature of disaster relief, some of the research on disaster relief and on disaster relief inventories is presented. Characteristics of disaster relief inventories important to their management, from acquisition through storage and distribution, are described. Some of the developments in related fields that affect the management of these inventories are also pointed out. As the frequency of disasters increase, the management of disaster relief inventories is an increasingly important area for scientific research.
Ion beam modification of TiN films during vapor deposition

Abstract Ion bombardment by titanium or nitrogen during reactive deposition of TiN using a titanium evaporant in a nitrogen gas is shown to have a strong influence on the composition, structure and properties of the resultant films. The implanted films were compared with unimplanted films produced under identical conditions and with a conventionally prepared sputter-deposited TiN coating. The results of the ion bombardment were that the TiN films had a reduced oxygen contamination, broader film-substrate interface, larger grains and increased lattice constantsand were denser and considerably more adherent than those not ion bombarded. When compared with the conventionally prepared TiN coating, the implanted coatings were anomalously soft, behaving in a ductile rather than in the brittle fashion expected for a refractory material.
A polycrystal plasticity model based on the mechanical threshold

Abstract A temperature and rate-dependent viscoplastic polycrystalmodel is presented.It uses a single crystal constitutive response that is based on the isotropic Mechanical Threshold Stress continuum model. This combination gives us theability to relate the constitutive model parameters between the polycrystaland continuum models. The individual crystal response is used to obtain themacroscopic response through the extended Taylor hypothesis. A Newton-Raphsonalgorithm is used to solve the set of fully implicit nonlinear equations for each crystal. The analysis also uses a novel state variable integration method which renders the analysis time step size independent for constant strain rate simulations. Material parameter estimates are obtained through an identification study, where the error between experimental and computed stress response is minimized. The BFGS method, which is used to solve theidentification problem, requires first-order gradients. These gradients arecomputed efficiently via the direct method of design sensitivity analysis.Texture augmentation is performed in a second identification study by changing crystal weights (volume fractions).
Correlations between molecular electrostatic potentials and some experimentally-based indices of reactivity

Abstract The key role that electrostatics plays in molecular reactive behavior is demonstrated in this work, which surveys and further explores correlations that we found between the molecular electrostatic potential V(r) calculated by an ab initio SCF-MO approach (a gas-phase property) and experimentally-based indices of reactivity (derived from solution studies). In our relationships involving negative V(r), we find in all cases that spatial minima (Vmin) provide correlations of higher quality than surface minima (VS, min ). Relationships between Vmin and the hydrogenbond-acceptor parameter β, and VS,max and the hydrogen-bond-donor parameter α, confirm the physical validity of the empirically-derived solvatochromic parameters α and β. Correlations between the Vmin of NH2-X molecules and the substituent constants σI, and σI + σR (when σR>0) for the substituents X show how electrostatic properties reflect the electron-attracting tendencies of substituent groups. Whereas good relationships exist between the pKa, values of some limited groups of molecules and their conjugate base Vmin, we find that the average local ionization energy Ī(r) is better suited as a general measure of aqueous acidity.
Surface specification in terms of system performance

This paper describes and illustrates simple expressions for evaluating the effects of conventional and fractal surface errors on image quality, and conversely, of specifying finish parameters in terms of system performance requirements.
Charge carrier recombination in organic solar cells

Abstract Solution deposited bulk heterojunction organic solar cells are viewed as one of the most promising alternative energy sources because of their ease of processing and their potential to be produced using large scale techniques such as roll-to-roll, newspaper style, coating. Since organic materials have a relatively low dielectric constant the dissociation of an excited electron–hole pair into free collectable charge carriers is inefficient in many cases. Often the excited electron–hole pairs recombine back to the ground state in a process known as geminate recombination before they ever fully dissociate into free charge carriers. Even after dissociation, free holes and electrons can encounter each other once more and subsequently recombine back to the ground state in a process known as nongeminate recombination. In both cases the incident photon energy is lost and fewer carriers are collected at the electrodes. Hence, charge carrier recombination is one of the key loss mechanisms in organic solar cells. In this review the latest on geminate and nongeminate recombination is discussed.
Threat vs. Benefit Appeals: Effectiveness in Adult Nutrition Education.

Abstract Using short nutrition brochures, we presented adult respondents with either a threat appeal, which emphasized the risks of not following the brochure's recommendations, or a benefit appeal, which emphasized what was to be gained if respondents followed recommendations. We assigned a random sample of 1500 adults either to a control group or to one of two experimental groups: a threat- or benefit-appeal group. The study was carried out through the mail. Only respondents in the experimental groups received brochures, but all respondents completed pre- and post-test questionnaires. These questionnaires assessed a variety of variables including respondents' knowledge about nutrient-dense foods, their attitude toward nutrient-dense foods and toward learning more about nutrition, and their descriptive characteristics. We also examined food behavior via a food coupon system. The experimental groups' postscores on the knowledge test and the “Nutrient-Dense Foods” attitude scale were significantly higher than those of the control group, but the scores of the two experimental groups did not differ significantly from each other. Postscores on the ⌊earn More About Nutrition” attitude scale and food behavior did not differ significantly among groups. Both the threat and benefit appeals appeared to be equally effective in changing nutrition knowledge and an attitude related specifically to the brochure content, i.e., nutrient-dense foods.
Control of Gastric Emptying by Osmolality of Duodenal Contents in Man

Abstract During steady state perfusion of the duodenum, recovery of a duodenal marker (polyethylene glycol 4000) can be used to quantify intraduodenal volumes. We used this technique to measure and time the recovery from the duodenum of a second nonabsorbable marker, phenol red. When liquid test meals containing phenol red were placed in the stomach, the rate of gastric emptying could be quantified from the appearance of the marker in the duodenum. The osmolality of either test meals or duodenal perfusates was then varied so that the osmotic control of gastric emptying could be examined. Gastric emptying was fastest when duodenal contents were isotonic; non-isotonic duodenal contents slowed emptying whether these conditions were achieved by nonisotonic duodenal perfusates or by emptying of a nonisotonic test meal. However, nonisotonic solutions in the stomach and in the jejunum did not slow gastric emptying, so long as duodenal contents were isotonic. Osmoreceptors, which slow gastric emptying, are present in the duodenum but not in the jejunum or stomach.
A taxonomy of approaches to preserve location privacy in location-based services

The ubiquity of smartphones and other location-aware hand-held devices has resulted in a dramatic increase in popularity of location-based services (LBS) tailored to users' locations. The comfort of LBS comes with a privacy cost. Various distressing privacy violations caused by sharing sensitive location information with potentially malicious services have highlighted the importance of location privacy research aiming to protect users' privacy while interacting with LBS. This paper presents a taxonomy of different approaches proposed to enable location privacy in LBS and elaborates on the strengths and weaknesses of each class of approaches.
ECR plasma etching of GaN, AlN and InN using iodine or bromine chemistries

The dry etching characteristics of GaN, AlN and InN in HI-H/sub 2/-Ar and HBr-H/sub 2/-Ar were examined using electron cyclotron resonance discharges operating at high microwave power (1000 W) and low pressure (1 mtorr). For an RF-induced DC bias of -150 V, the HI chemistry provides approximately 20% faster etch rates for GaN and AlN than more conventional chlorine-based plasmas. For InN the rates were up to a factor of 5 faster. The HBr chemistry produced slower etch rates for all three nitrides compared to chlorine chemistries. Highly anisotropic etched features were obtained in the three materials with both iodine and bromine chemistries.