cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biological distribution of metals.

PROF. H. TER MEULEN'S work on molybdenum in plants1 suggests some fundamental problems which will be best solved by spectrum analysis. The quantities of molybdenum recorded, 0.01–0.07 mgm. per kgm., are very much smaller than those in which other metals occur in plant tissues, and it is from a study of several elements, perhaps, that fundamental explanations may be discovered.
Glenoid implant orientation and cement failure in total shoulder arthroplasty: a finite element analysis

Background To minimize glenoid implant loosening in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), the ideal surgical procedure achieves correction to neutral version, complete implant–bone contact, and bone stock preservation. These goals, however, are not always achievable, and guidelines to prioritize their impact are not well established. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the degree of glenoid correction affects potential cement failure. Methods Eight patient-specific computer models were created for 4 TSA scenarios with different permutations of retroversion correction and implant–bone contact. Two bone models were used: a homogeneous cortical bone model and a heterogeneous cortical-trabecular bone model. A 750-N load was simulated, and cement stress was calculated. The risk of cement mantle fracture was reported as the percentage of cement stress exceeding the material endurance limit. Results Orienting the glenoid implant in retroversion resulted in the highest risk of cement fracture in a homogeneous bone model ( P P = .0028). A positive correlation (ρ = 0.901) was found between the risk of cement failure and amount of exposed trabecular bone. Conclusions Incorporating trabecular bone into the model changed the effect of implant orientation on cement failure. As exposed trabecular bone increased, the risk of cement fracture increased. This may be due to shifting the load-bearing support underneath the cement from cortical bone to trabecular bone.
Tailoring of temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) in nanocomposite capacitors

Abstract This study explores the possibility of controlling the temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) of a nanocomposite capacitor with nano-sized BaTiO 3 of positive TCC as ceramic filler and bisbenzocyclobutene of negative TCC as polymer matrix. The nanocomposite could be tailored to modulate its TCC from positive over zero to negative values.
Heart transplantation in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients.

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is widely considered a contraindication for cardiac transplantation. However, with the newer anti-retroviral drugs, the estimated 10-year survival after seroconversion is exceeds 90%. This case series describes the intermediate range outcome of HIV-positive cardiac transplant recipients. Methods A retrospective analysis of 1679 cardiac transplant patients was undertaken to identify HIV-positive recipients. Results Seven patients were identified. Five (4 men) were diagnosed with HIV before transplantation and 2 patients seroconverted after transplantation. Dilated cardiomyopathy was the indication for transplant in all patients. The 5 HIV recipients were aged 42 ± 8 years, and time after HIV seroconversion averaged 9.5 years. All underwent cardiac transplantation as high-risk candidates. The CD4 count was 554 ± 169 cells/μl, and viral load was undetectable in all patients at the time of transplantation. Two patients seroconverted to HIV-positive status at 1 and 7 years after transplant. No AIDS-defining illness was observed in any patient before or after transplant. Six patients received highly active anti-retroviral therapy. Viral load remained low in the presence of immunosuppression. All patients are alive with a follow-up from transplant of 57 ± 78.9 months. Conclusion Excellent intermediate term outcome is noted in carefully selected HIV-positive patients. No significant AIDS-related infections or complications occurred.
Lagrangian dynamics on an infinite-dimensional torus: a Weak KAM theorem

The space L2(0,1) has a natural Riemannian structure on the basis of which we introduce an L2(0,1)-infinite-dimensional torus T. For a class of Hamiltonians defined on its cotangent bundle we establish existence of a viscosity solution for the cell problem on T or, equivalently, we prove a Weak KAM theorem. As an application, we obtain existence of absolute action-minimizing solutions of prescribed rotation number for the one-dimensional nonlinear Vlasov system with periodic potential.
Meson-exchange currents and the 3He magnetic form factor☆

Abstract The 3 He magnetic form factor for momentum transfer, Q 2 −2 , is calculated using a 3 He wave function obtained from a solution of the Faddeev equations with the Reid soft-core potential. Both the single-nucleon and meson-exchange currents satisfying current conservation are used. Our calculated result for the 3 He magnetic form factor is in reasonably good agreement with the recent experimental data.
Sedimentology of Volcaniclastic Deposits from 1971-1974 Eruption Cluster of Volcano Fuego, Guatemala: ABSTRACT

Volcaniclastic sedimentation during and subsequent to the 1971-74 eruption cluster of the Volcano Fuego in Guatemala has occurred in four distinct phases which are part of a 15 to 25 year cycle of sedimentation. In phase 1, the eruption cluster generated 6 × 108 cu m of tephra, one-third in the form of glowing avalanches, the remainder as an elongate airfall ash blanket west-southwest of the cone. Glowing avalanches with a volume of 5 × 107 cu m formed two fans, each 1 to 3 m thick, east and west of the crater. Further avalanches flowed down seven narrow canyons radiating to the south of the crater forming 40-m-thick deposits totaling 1.3 × 108 cu m. During phase 2, debris flows and flash floods removed about one-third of th phase 1 canyon deposits in the first 2 years following eruption. Fan deposits remained intact. Three digitate, 1 to 2.5-m-thick, debris-flow deposits (2.2 × 107 cu m) and two 1-m-thick flood fans (1.8 × 107 cu m) formed south of the crater. In phase 3, terraced, meandering, suspended-load streams were metamorphosed to braided, aggrading, bed-load systems annually eroding 6 million tons of phase 1 and 2 debris, primarily from the canyon deposits. Transport of about two-thirds of this debris to the sea has produced rapid coastal progradation. During phase 4, 15 to 25 years of phase 1 and 2 activity will remove canyon avalanche deposits, redistributing the material in stable fans on the lower volcanic slopes. Phase 1 and 2 processes become inactive while str am incision produces discontinuous terracing. Fluvial systems return to meandering, suspended-load streams. End_of_Article - Last_Page 843------------
Thermal stress characteristics and impact on device keep-out zone for 3-D ICs containing through-silicon-vias

Thermal stresses in TSV structures have been measured using micro-Raman spectroscopy and precision wafer curvature technique as a function of temperature and during thermal cycling. The results were verified by finite element analysis (FEA) to characterize the thermal stress behavior of the TSV structures. A nonlinear stress relaxation was observed during initial heating and no preferred grain orientation was found, indicating a homogeneous Cu grain structure with no pronounced elastic anisotropy. The stress impact on the keep-out zone (KOZ) for devices near the TSVs was investigated.
Incidence and Long-term Outcomes of the Human Immunodefıciency Virus Neuroretinal Disorder in Patients with AIDS

Purpose Patients with AIDS have an abnormality of retina/optic nerve function, manifested as decreased contrast sensitivity (in the absence of ocular opportunistic infections or media opacity), abnormalities on automated perimetry, and loss of retinal nerve fiber layer, even among those with good visual acuity, termed the "human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) neuroretinal disorder." The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of HIV neuroretinal disorder. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants A total of 1822 patients with AIDS without ocular infections or media opacities. Methods Patients with HIV neuroretinal disorder were identified by a contrast sensitivity Main Outcome Measures Incidence of HIV neuroretinal disorder, mortality, visual impairment (visual acuity ≤20/50), and blindness (≤20/200) on logarithmic visual acuity charts. Results Sixteen percent of participants had HIV neuroretinal disorder at enrollment. The estimated cumulative incidence by 20 years after AIDS diagnosis was 51% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46–55). Human immunodeficiency virus neuroretinal disorder was more common in women and African Americans. Risk factors for HIV neuroretinal disorder included hepatitis C infection, low CD4+ T cells, and detectable HIV RNA in the blood. Patients with HIV neuroretinal disorder had a 70% excess mortality versus those without it, even after adjusting for CD4+ T cells and HIV load (hazard ratio [HR], 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3–2.1; P P P = 0.01) versus those without HIV neuroretinal disorder. Conclusions Human immunodeficiency virus neuroretinal disorder is a common finding among patients with AIDS, and it is associated with an increased mortality and an increased risk of visual impairment. Successful antiretroviral therapy decreases but does not eliminate the risk of HIV neuroretinal disorder.
Building Enhancers from the Ground Up: A Synthetic Biology Approach

A challenge of the synthetic biology approach is to use our understanding of a system to recreate a biological function with specific properties. We have applied this framework to bacterial enhancers, combining a driver, transcription factor binding sites, and a poised polymerase to create synthetic modular enhancers. Our findings suggest that enhancer-based transcriptional control depends critically and quantitatively on DNA looping, leading to complex regulatory effects when the enhancer cassettes contain additional transcription factor binding sites for TetR, a bacterial transcription factor. We show through a systematic interplay of experiment and thermodynamic modeling that the level of gene expression can be modulated to convert a variable inducer concentration input into discrete or step-like output expression levels. Finally, using a different DNA-binding protein (TraR), we show that the regulatory output is not a particular feature of the specific DNA-binding protein used for the enhancer but a general property of synthetic bacterial enhancers.
Taking Guns from Batterers: Public Support and Policy Implications

Federal law prohibits the purchase or possession of a firearm by persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence and those under certain domestic violence restraining orders. The purpose of this investigation is to examine public sentiment about the removal of firearms in the absence of a restraining order or misdemeanor conviction following domestic violence. An experimental vignette design was used in a telephone survey of a cross-sectional statewide sample of 522 community-residing adults in California. Study design and population weights were applied; the findings, thus, are a reasonable approximation for the population of California. In more than 3,500 vignettes, the abusive behavior was judged to be wrong, illegal, or should be illegal (98.7%, 73.1%, and 77.7%, respectively). Although only about one half (56.5%) of the scenarios were thought to merit the issuance of a restraining order, three fourths (77.4%) were thought to merit the removal of firearms. Multivariate analyses indicated greater support for firearms removal when the abuse involved sexual or physical abuse (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] ranged from 2.65 to 5.64) or a gun (AOR = 6.54). Men were the sole population group with significantly lower support for firearm removal following domestic violence (AOR = 0.39). The men who wanted firearms to remain did not differ from other men on any of the measured variables. In sum, there is substantial support, especially when a gun is displayed in a domestic violence incident, for policies requiring the removal of firearms from abusers.
New Labor: Slowing the Treadmill of Production?

Within the treadmill of production framework, labor unions are considered one of the central actors propelling the system of environmental degradation. This article examines the evidence for this designation. American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations documents and other historical evidence indicate unions have been strong proponents of expanding production, lending support to the view that unions are rightfully considered key treadmill actors. Yet closer examination indicates labor has played a contradictory role. Unions have advocated for policies and engaged in workplace activities that slow the treadmill of production. Unions should be considered proponents of the treadmill system, but recent developments may be pushing labor away from that position. Economic globalization, changes in employment patterns, a corporate assault on labor, and new union leadership have led to strategic changes within the labor movement-including greater willingness to work with environmental advocates-creating the potential for labor to more directly challenge the treadmill system.
A Model Critical Reading Lesson for Secondary High-Risk Students.

Critical thinking/reading skills are of importance to all students, but are often neglected for high‐risk students. This article defines critical reading, discusses associated frameworks, and lists considerations for changing topics and reading materials. A sample critical reading lesson, focusing on euthanasia, presents a “roadmap “ to guide learning‐disabled students through the process of critical reading.
Invertebrate host-parasite relationships : convergent evolution of a tropomyosin epitope between Schistosoma sp., fasciola hepatica, and certain pulmonate snails

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed against Schistosoma mansoni tropomyosin isoform, SMTM (Xu et al. Experimental Parasitology 69 , 373-392, 1989), were used to test for cross-reactivity with Biomphalaria glabrata antigens. One mAb (1F10) recognized antigens of 39, 41, and 80 kDa in a snail head/foot antigen preparation but not a hepatopancreas antigen preparation, Another mAb (1C1) cross-reacted with a 39-kDa antigen in the head/foot extract but not in the hepatopancreas extract. Epitope mapping revealed the 1F10 epitope to be between amino acids 135 and 188 of both Bg39 (Dissous et al. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology 43 , 245-256, 1990) and BgTMII (Weston and Kemp, Experimental Parasitology 76 , 358-370, 1993), while the 1C1 epitope was located between amino acids 189 and 213 of BgTMII. Various invertebrate species, including members from Trematoda, Pulmonata, Annelida, and Arthropoda, were tested for cross-reactivity with the monoclonal antibodies. While the 1F10 mAb displayed broad invertebrate cross-reactivity, the 1C1 mAb cross-reactivity was restricted to schistosomes, F. hepatica , and the pulmonate snails B. glabrata and Physa sp.
Algorithm Development in Computational Materials Science

1.—Mechanics of Materials Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 94550, USA. 2.—Materials Science & Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA. 3.—Materials Science & Engineering Department, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO 65409, USA. 4.—Materials and Manufacturing Science Division, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, MD 20783, USA. 5.—Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. 6.—e-mail: jzimmer@sandia.gov
(v, k, λ)-Graphs and polarities of (v, k, λ)-designs

In 2.1 it is established that there is a one-to-one correspondence between (v, k, λ)-graphs and polarities, with no absolute points, of (v, k, λ)-designs. This is used to show that the parameters of a (v, k, λ)-graph are of the form ((s/a)((s + a)2−1), s(s+a), sa) where s and a are positive integers with a dividing s(s2−1) (Theorem 3.4) but strictly less than s(s2−1) (Proposition 4.3). Some consequences of this parametrization are discussed and in particular, it is shown that for fixed 2 there are only finitely many non-isomorphic (v, k, λ)-graphs. In 4. it is shown that (v, k, λ)-graphs can also be constructed using polarities, with all points absolute, of certain designs. In 5. isomorphisms and automorphisms of graphs and designs are discussed. Many examples of (v, k, λ)-graphs, including some apparently new ones, are given.
Private Equity Finance as a Growth Engine: What It Means for Emerging Markets

Entrepreneurship has long been considered crucial for economic development. An important element of entrepreneurship is the willingness and ability to mobilize private capital from both domestic and foreign sources. The private equity sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) illustrates the role that private capital can play in the development of emerging markets. Data on the employment generation and growth performance of private equity provide evidence that it is an important driver of economic growth globally. This paper draws on initial evidence from the MENA region to illustrate the sector's potential there and in emerging markets generally. It then recommends a new generation of reforms to fuel this growth engine. A survey of MENA's private equity industry survey conducted for this paper assesses these developments and the sector's need for proactive reforms to support it. It also shows that international financial market interest in private equity finance does not seem to have abated with the recent market bust. The paper concludes by identifying priority areas for future policy and research.
Elliptical ion traps and trap arrays for quantum computation

The properties of a rf quadrupole trap, the elliptical ion trap, are derived. Elliptical traps can confine large numbers of ions in the Lamb-Dicke regime due to a hitherto unrecognized mechanism unique to one-dimensional Coulomb crystals, implicit in the theories of Dubin and Schiffer. This follows from a linear crystal stability condition, which uniquely relates the crystal size to ellipticity, and a micromotion relation, which reveals a 1/5-root dependence on the number of trapped ions. Elliptical traps offer several advantages over linear traps in the Cirac-Zoller model of quantum computing, both for initial tests and as a potential method of creating a full-scale quantum computer. Numerical solutions of a one-electrode structure show that microscopic elliptical traps, each containing $\ensuremath{\approx}100$ ions, can be constructed at a density of 100 traps/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2},$ making possible arrays containing $g{10}^{6}$ ions in the Lamb-Dicke regime for precision spectroscopy or quantum computation.
The Protective Power of Collective Action for Sexual Minority Women of Color: An Investigation of Multiple Discrimination Experiences and Psychological Distress

We utilize an additive intersectionality framework in the present study to examine the relations among perceived racism, sexism, and heterosexism and the psychological distress of self-identified sexual minority women of color. Participants (N = 134) aged 19 to 75 recruited through electronic mailing lists, discussion groups, and virtual communities aimed toward sexual minority women of color completed online surveys. When each form of discrimination was examined in a single multiple regression analysis, only perceived heterosexism explained significant and positive variance in psychological distress. In addition, collective action was tested as a moderator of the effects of racism, sexism, and heterosexism on psychological distress; specifically, the potential attenuating roles of three forms of collective action (race and ethnicity, feminist, and sexual minority) in the respective racism → distress, sexism → distress, and heterosexism → distress links were investigated. Sexual minority collective action...
A Large Animal Model of the Fetal Tracheal Stenosis/Atresia Spectrum

Background Treatment of congenital tracheal stenosis/atresia remains essentially unresolved. Previous models of this disease entity have been restricted to rodents and the chick. We sought to establish the principles of a large, surgical animal model of this spectrum of fetal anomalies. Methods Fetal lambs (n = 8) underwent open surgery at 90-112 days gestation. Their cervical tracheas were encircled by a biocompatible polytetrafluoroethylene wrap, so as to extrinsically restrict their external diameter by 25%. Survivors (n = 7) were killed at different time points post-operatively before term. The manipulated tracheal segments were compared with their respective proximal portions (controls). Analyses included morphometry, histology and quantitative extracellular matrix measurements. Results At necropsy, the typical gross appearance of tracheal stenosis/atresia was present in all manipulated tracheal segments. Histological findings included the virtual disappearance of the membranous portion of the trachea, along with infolding, fragmentation, and/or posterior fusion of cartilaginous rings, often with disappearance of the airway mucosa. There were significant decreases in diameter (P Conclusions In a surgical ovine model, controlled extrinsic compression of the fetal trachea leads to morphological and biochemical findings compatible with the congenital tracheal stenosis/atresia spectrum. This simple and easily reproducible prenatal model can be instrumental in the development of emerging therapies for these congenital anomalies.
Studies on Drug Toxicity in Chicks 2. The Influence of Various Levels of Sulfaquinoxaline on Growth and Development of Chicks

Abstract SULFAQUINOXALINE is an anticoccidial agent. It has been used extensively in the poultry industry for the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis. Thorp et al. (1947); Delaplane and Milliff (1948); Peterson and Hymas (1950); Sadek et al. (1955); and others have reported on its use as a chemotherapeutic agent and on some toxic side effects. Delaplane and Milliff (1948); Peterson and Hymas (1950); and Sadek et al. (1955), attributed many symptoms and lesions to excessive dosage or prolonged administration. More recently sulfaquinoxaline has been associated with the hemorrhagic syndrome by Cover and co-workers (1955). This experiment was conducted to further investigate the effect of sulfaquinoxaline on the growing chick. MATERIALS AND METHODS Day old Lancaster chicks were used in this experiment. The chicks were housed in five-deck electrically heated batteries in lots of 25 with approximately equal sex distribution. Food and water were supplied ad libitum. Composition of the ration is …
Stability of constrained cylindrical interfaces and the torus lift of Plateau–Rayleigh

Surface tension acting at a cylindrical interface holds an underlying liquid in motionless equilibrium. This static base state is subject to dynamic capillary instability, including Plateau―Rayleigh breakup. If the interface is partially supported by a cylindrical cup-like solid, the extent of the wetting contact can significantly influence the dynamics and the stability of the configuration. The equation for the motion of small disturbances is formulated as an eigenvalue equation on linear operators. A solution is constructed on a constrained function space using a Rayleigh―Ritz procedure. The influence of the extent-of-constraint on the dispersion relation and on modal structures is reported. In the extreme, the support reduces to a wire, aligned axially, and just touching the interface. From prior work, this constraint is known to stabilize the Plateau―Rayleigh limit by some 13 %. We report the wavenumber of maximum growth and estimate the time to breakup. The constraint is then bent in-plane to add a weak secondary curvature to the now nearly cylindrical base state. This is referred to as the torus lift of the cylinder. The static stability of these toroidal equilibria, calculated using a perturbation approach, shows that the position of constraint is crucial ― constraint can stabilize (outside) or destabilize (inside). The combined influence of secondary curvature and wire constraint on the Plateau-Rayleigh limit is tracked. Finally, attention is restricted to constraints that yield a lens-like cylindrical meniscus. For these lenses, the torus lift is used as apparatus along with a symmetrization procedure to prove a large-amplitude static stability result. Our study is conveniently framed by a classic paper on rivulets by Davis (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 98, 1980, p. 225).
Competency in Chaos: Lifesaving Performance of Care Providers Utilizing a Competency-Based, Multi-Actor Emergency Preparedness Training Curriculum

ObjectiveProviding comprehensive emergency preparedness training (EPT) to care providers is important to the future success of disaster operations in the US. Few EPT programs possess both competency-driven goals and metrics to measure performance during a multi-patient simulated disaster.MethodsA 1-day (8-hour) EPT course for care providers was developed to enhance provider knowledge, skill, and comfort necessary to save lives during a simulated disaster. Nine learning objectives, 18 competencies, and 34 performance objectives were developed. During the 2-year demonstration of the curriculum, 24 fourth-year medical students and 17 Veterans Hospital Administration (VHA) providers were recruited and volunteered to take the course (two did not fully complete the research materials). An online pre-test, two post-tests, course assessment, didactic and small group content, and a 6-minute clinical casualty scenario were developed. During the scenario, trainees working in teams were confronted with three human simulators and 10 actor patients simultaneously. Unless appropriate performance objectives were met, the simulators “died” and the team was exposed to “anthrax.” After the scenario, team members participated in a facilitator-led debriefing using digital video and then repeated the scenario.ResultsTrainees (N = 39) included 24 (62%) medical students; seven (18%) physicians; seven (18%) nurses; and one (3%) emergency manager. Forty-seven percent of the VHA providers reported greater than 16 annual hours of disaster training, while 15 (63%) of the medical students reported no annual disaster training. The mean (SD) score for the pre-test was 12.3 (3.8), or 51% correct, and after the training, the mean (SD) score was 18.5 (2.2), or 77% (P < .01). The overall rating for the course was 96 out of 100. Trainee self-assessment of “Overall Skill” increased from 63.3 out of 100 to 83.4 out of 100 and “Overall Knowledge” increased from 49.3 out of 100 to 78.7 out of 100 (P < .01). Of the 34 performance objectives during the disaster scenario, 23 were completed by at least half of the teams during their first attempt. All teams except one (8 of 9) could resuscitate two simulators and all teams (9 of 9) helped prevent anthrax exposure during their second scenario attempt.ConclusionsThe 1-day EPT course for novice and experienced care providers recreated a multi-actor clinical disaster and enhanced provider knowledge, comfort level, and EPT skill. A larger-scale study, or multi-center trial, is needed to further study the impact of this curriculum and its potential to protect provider and patient lives.ScottLA, SwartzentruberD, DavisCA, MadduxPT, SchnellmanJ, WahlquistAE. Competency in Chaos: Lifesaving Performance of Care Providers Utilizing a Competency-Based, Multi-Actor Emergency Preparedness Training Curriculum. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(4):1-12.
Vehicle detection using Bayesian Network Enhanced Cascades Classification (BNECC)

This paper presents a novel computational framework, BNECC, Bayesian Network Enhanced Cascades Classification, for on-road vehicle detection. The objective of this research is to combine the texture features with geometric features of objects in an object recognition system. BNECC consists of two tiers of classifiers. The first tier is a Cascade of Boosted Ensembles (CoBE) classifiers trained on object texture features. The second tier is a Bayesian network trained using features of vehicle location, size and the confidence values generated by all the stage classifiers in CoBE. Experiment results on real world data show that proposed BNECC framework is effective in reducing false alarms significantly while keeping the detection rate high.
Trends in Stage Distribution for Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A National Cancer Database Survey

Introduction We examined the recent changes in stage distribution in newly diagnosed patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using a national database to assess the impact of recent advances in imaging modalities. Methods We searched the National Cancer Database for patients with NSCLC diagnosed between the calendar years 1998 and 2006 for which staging information was available. Results Among the 877,518 patients diagnosed with NSCLC during the study period, staging information was available for 813,302 patients (92.6%). We observed a change in stage distribution between the years 2000 and 2001, with a decrease in stage I, from 27.5 to 24.8%, and a corresponding increase in stage IV, from 35.4 to 38.8%. No significant changes in stage distribution were noted after 2002. Conclusion Our study showed a recent and significant stage migration in patients with NSCLC. It is likely that increased acceptance and widespread use of 18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography scan and routine brain imaging could account for these changes.
The Effects of Opportunity to Learn, Family Socioeconomic Status, and Friends on the Rural Math Achievement Gap in High School:

Research has shown that rural high school students in the United States (and elsewhere) have lower academic achievement than their nonrural counterparts. The evidence for why this inequality exists is unclear, however. The present study takes up this issue with a narrowing of the focus. Using the database of the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002-2004, the author investigates reasons for the rural achievement gap in mathematics during the last 2 years of high school. His approach focuses on the geographic disparities in the opportunity to learn advanced math. The findings show that geographic variation in high school resources and practices—operationalized as the availability of advanced math courses, evidence for track assignment by family background, and the quality of instruction—do not account for the rural math achievement gap. On the other hand, geographic variations in the opportunity to learn that result from differences in family socioeconomic status (SES) and the influence of friends’ academ...
IMPLICATIONS OF RECENT PSYCHOLINGUISTIC DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE TEACHING OF A SECOND LANGUAGE

Traditional psychological theories about language acquisition emphasize the role of reinforcement provided by environmental agencies and view language as a set of vocal habits that are conditioned to stimuli in the environment. Imitation and practice of new forms are the processes by which language behavior develops and generalization of learned forms is supposed to account for the novel uses of language. Recent developments in linguistics have influenced our conception of the structure of language, hence the nature of the knowledge that the child has to acquire. A radically new psycholinguistic theory of language acquisition has been proposed which emphasizes the developmental nature of the language acquisition process and attributes to the child specific innate competencies which guide his discovery of the rules of the natural language to which he is exposed. Imitation, practice, reinforcement, and generalization are no longer considered theoretically productive conceptions in language acquisition. The implications of these new ideas for the teaching of a second language lie in the need for controlled exposure of the student to linguistic materials in a manner that will facilitate his discovery of the significant features of the language. “Shaping” of phonological skills, discrimination training on sound “units” and pattern drills are rejected in favor of “transformation exercises” at the phonological, syntactic and semantic levels.
Distribution and Prevalence of Allocorrigia filiformis (Trematoda: Dicrocoeliidae), a Parasite of the Crayfish Procambarus clarkii, Within the State of Louisiana and the Lower Mississippi River Valley, U.S.A

A survey of 560 Procambarus clarkii conducted during the late spring of 1998, 1999, and 2005 indicated that, within Louisiana, U.S.A., Allocorrigia filiformis infected the antennal glands of crayfish from roadside ditches and swamps primarily in the bottomland hardwood and cypress vegetation region. Infections were absent from Louisiana's marsh and prairie regions, as well as from eastern Texas, U.S.A., but extended northward into the Lower Mississippi River Valley, including the delta areas of Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee, U.S.A. Prevalence of infection was 0% at 38 localities but ranged from 15.8 to 100% at 22 other localities.
Cognitive correlates of schizophrenia signs and symptoms: III. Hallucinations and delusions

We examined the cognitive correlates of hallucinations and delusions in 47 schizophrenia spectrum individuals. Hallucinations were significantly negatively correlated with performance on episodic memory tasks, and were not significantly associated with performance on tasks measuring fluency or concentration/attention. Although hallucinations were more strongly associated with performance on verbal than non-verbal memory tasks, the difference was not statistically significant. There was also a trend for hallucinations to be associated with poorer performance on working memory tasks, though this association was eliminated when episodic memory performance was taken into account. Delusions were not significantly associated with any of the cognitive measures.
Shear Stress Dependent Regulation of Vascular Resistance in Health and Disease: Role of Endothelium

For a long time, locally released metabolic factors from parenchymal cells and the myo-genic response of vascular smooth muscle were considered to be the two main peripheral regulatory mechanisms to control vascular resistance and thereby determining the distribution of blood flow and pressure within vascular networks of various organs of the body. However, not every change in blood flow could be satisfactorily explained by these two mechanisms. The “flow-dependent” responses of blood vessels, namely, an increase in blood flow in arteries followed by their dilation had already been observed at the beginning of this century, and perhaps even earlier, yet the nature and importance of this phenomenon in blood flow regulation was not delineated until recently. In the last two decades, especially following the recognition of the role of endothelium in the production of vasoactive factors, much new experimental evidence was gathered that suggests the general presence and importance of flow (shear stress)-depend...
Tolerance of the VocaLog™ Vocal Monitor by Healthy Persons and Individuals With Parkinson Disease

Summary Objective To assess subject tolerance of extended use of the VocaLog™ vocal monitor (VM), a device marketed to log calibrated decibel sound pressure level. Study Design Prospective between-subjects design including two age- and sex-matched groups: individuals with Parkinson disease (IWPD) and healthy persons. Methods After an initial session to calibrate the device and demonstrate its use, participants wore the VM during waking hours for five consecutive days. At a second visit to return the VM, participants completed a survey and a short interview regarding their experience with and perceptions of the device. Results Those with PD and control subjects reported relatively few issues with use of the VM. There were no group differences regarding convenience, others' reactions, technical issues, or future participation in similar studies. Participants with PD indicated similar frequency of discomfort issues but higher severity ratings for discomfort during VM use compared with healthy participants. Conclusions The VocaLog™ offers a method to monitor vocal loudness during everyday activities for several consecutive days. The device was well tolerated by participants from both groups. IWPD reported greater discomfort than controls, possibly reflecting altered sensory perceptions associated with PD. The current data offer some reassurance that this VM can be tolerated by both healthy persons and those with PD for clinical and research purposes.
Analysis of cell-cycle-specific gene expression in human cells as determined by microarrays and double-thymidine block synchronization

Microarray analysis of gene expression patterns for thousands of human genes has led to the proposal that a large number of genes are expressed in a cell-cycle-specific manner. The identification of cyclically expressed genes was based on Affymetrix microarray analysis of gene expression after double-thymidine block synchronization. A statistical reanalysis of the original data leads to three principal findings. (i) Randomized data exhibit periodic patterns of similar or greater strength than the experimental data. This finding suggests that all apparent cyclicities in the expression measurements may arise from chance fluctuations. (ii) The presence of cyclicity and the timing of peak cyclicity in a given gene are not reproduced in two replicate experiments. This fact suggests there is an uncontrolled source of experimental variation that is stronger than the innate variation of gene expression in cells over time. (iii) The amplitude of peak expression in the second cycle is not consistently smaller than the corresponding amplitude in the first cycle. This finding places doubt on the assumption that the cells are actually synchronized. We propose that the microarray results do not support the proposal that there are numerous cell-cycle-specifically expressed genes in human cells.
Discretization scheme in Volterra integro-differential equations that preserves stability and boundedness

A nonstandard discretization scheme is applied to continuous Volterra integro-differential equations. We will show that under our discretization scheme the stability of the zero solution of the continuous dynamical system is preserved. Also, under the same discretization, using a combination of Lyapunov functionals, Laplace transforms and z-transforms, we show that the boundedness of solutions of the continuous dynamical system is preserved.
Equine abortion and stillbirth in central Kentucky during 1988 and 1989 foaling seasons

Pathologic and microbiologic examinations were performed on 1,211 aborted equine fetuses, stillborn foals, and placentas from premature foals in central Kentucky during the 1988 and 1989 foaling seasons to determine the causes of reproductive loss in the mare. Placentitis (19.4%) and dystocia-perinatal asphyxia (19.5%) were the 2 most important causes of equine reproductive loss. The other causes (in decreasing order) were contracted foal syndrome and other congenital anomalies (8.5%), twinning (6.1%), improper separation of placenta (4.7%) torsion of umbilical cord (4.5%), placental edema (4.3%), equine herpesvirus abortion (3.3%), bacteremia (3.2%), fetal diarrhea (2.7%), other placental disorders (total of 6.0%), and miscellaneous causes (1.6%). A definitive diagnosis was not established in 16.9% of the cases submitted. Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Escherichia coli, Leptospira spp., and a nocardioform actinomycete were organisms most frequently associated with bacterial placentitis, and Aspergillus spp. was the fungus most often noted in mycotic placentitis. No viral placentitis was noticed in this series. Dystocia-perinatal asphyxia was mostly associated with large foals, maiden mares, unattended deliveries, and malpresentations. The results of this study indicate that in central Kentucky, the noninfectious causes of equine reproductive loss outnumber the infectious causes by an approximate ratio of 2:1, placental disorders are slightly more prevalent than nonplacental disorders, Leptospira spp. and a nocardioform actinomycete are 2 new important abortifacient bacteria in the mare, the occurrence of contracted foal syndrome is unusually frequent, the incidence of twin abortion has sharply declined, and torsion of the umbilical cord is an important cause of abortion in the mare.
Comparative assessment of statistical brain MR image segmentation algorithms and their impact on partial volume correction in PET

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided partial volume effect correction (PVC) in brain positron emission tomography (PET) is now a well-established approach to compensate the large bias in the estimate of regional radioactivity concentration, especially for small structures. The accuracy of the algorithms developed so far is, however, largely dependent on the performance of segmentation methods partitioning MRI brain data into its main classes, namely gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). A comparative evaluation of three brain MRI segmentation algorithms using simulated and clinical brain MR data was performed, and subsequently their impact on PVC in 18F-FDG and 18F-DOPA brain PET imaging was assessed. Two algorithms, the first is bundled in the Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM2) package while the other is the Expectation Maximization Segmentation (EMS) algorithm, incorporate a priori probability images derived from MR images of a large number of subjects. The third, here referred to as the HBSA algorithm, is a histogram-based segmentation algorithm incorporating an Expectation Maximization approach to model a four-Gaussian mixture for both global and local histograms. Simulated under different combinations of noise and intensity non-uniformity, MR brain phantoms with known true volumes for the different brain classes were generated. The algorithms' performance was checked by calculating the kappa index assessing similarities with the "ground truth" as well as multiclass type I and type II errors including misclassification rates. The impact of image segmentation algorithms on PVC was then quantified using clinical data. The segmented tissues of patients' brain MRI were given as input to the region of interest (RoI)-based geometric transfer matrix (GTM) PVC algorithm, and quantitative comparisons were made. The results of digital MRI phantom studies suggest that the use of HBSA produces the best performance for WM classification. For GM classification, it is suggested to use the EMS. Segmentation performed on clinical MRI data show quite substantial differences, especially when lesions are present. For the particular case of PVC, SPM2 and EMS algorithms show very similar results and may be used interchangeably. The use of HBSA is not recommended for PVC. The partial volume corrected activities in some regions of the brain show quite large relative differences when performing paired analysis on 2 algorithms, implying a careful choice of the segmentation algorithm for GTM-based PVC.
Naturalistic analysis of verbal behavior in psychotherapy.

Summary.-A parallel-response questionnaire, the Therapy Session Report, was administered to the 57 patients and 19 therapists of the Kent State Universiry Psychological Clinic immediately following each intake session. The purpose of the study was to provide normative data on the content of dialogue in psychotherapy and to extend the generalizability of previous results., Data analysis focused on the frequency, structure, and patient-therapist agreement of the topics discussed. Items most frequently endorsed by both patients and therapists were: "Relations with the opposite sex," "Mother," and "Hopes or fears about the future." Factor analysis resulted in 7 factors for therapists and 7 for patients, 5 of which were highly similar. Results were interpreted as under
Scapular kinematics during humeral elevation in adults and children

Background. Appropriate motion of the scapula is important for dynamic positioning of the glenoid during humeral elevation. A number of studies have described the typical scapular kinematics during humeral elevation in adults. However, children and adults may have differences in scapulothoracic musculature and scapular osteology. To our knowledge, no study has been performed examining scapular kinematics in children with either typical or atypical development. Consequently in children the influence of age and development on scapular motion is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the kinematic patterns of the scapula during humeral elevation in children with typical development and healthy adults. Methods. Fifteen adults, 7 females, 25–37 years of age, and 14 children, 8 females, 4–9 years of age, participated in this study. Kinematic data were collected using a magnetic tracking device. Subjects were asked to elevate their arm in the scapular plane (40 anterior to the frontal plane) in a sequence of three trials. Findings. Significant differences were seen between the two age groups in the dependent variables. During scapular plane rotation from 25 to 125, children showed greater upward rotation (43.9 SD 6.39) than adults (29.1 SD 10.1). The mean glenohumeral to scapulothoracic ratio in the scapular plane was 2.4:1 for adults, 1.3:1 for children. Interpretation. This study demonstrates that there are significant differences in scapular kinematic patterns between children and adults. Children have a greater contribution from the scapulothoracic joint, specifically upward rotation toward humeral elevation. From a clinical perspective, these results can be used to help determine the incorporation of stabilization and mobilization of the scapulothoracic joint during exercises for a child with impairment at the shoulder for improving shoulder function.
3D imaging of device leads: "taking the lead with 3D".

Pacemaker lead–associated tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has been anecdotally described for many years, but investigation has been limited to a small number of observational studies [(1)][1]. Overall, it seems that worsening of TR is common after transvenous lead placement [(2)][2]. Perhaps the lack
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Development: Accounting for Local Costs and Noisy Impacts

Summary Effective evidence-based policy making in development requires rigorous measurement of costs as well as impacts. This paper discusses important challenges and relevant solutions for implementing cost-effectiveness analysis and comparing the relative cost-effectiveness of programs across settings in the context of education. Adapting development programs from one context to another requires many assumptions. Most of the discussion of those assumptions, to date, has focused on the context-specificity (or external validity) of impact estimates. This study examines the sensitivity of cost-effectiveness analysis to errors in impact estimates, as well as the sensitivity of costs to context, and explores how biases such as recall and pilot bias may lead to over- or under-estimates of cost-effectiveness. We use data on the cost-effectiveness of 27 student learning programs and 16 attendance-boosting programs across Africa and Asia to demonstrate the magnitude of these challenges, as well as potential solutions. We show that comparing Monte Carlo simulations of cost-effectiveness to certain benchmarks and adapting the largest cost elements to local prices (i.e., parameter variation analysis) can remove much of the uncertainty surrounding cost-effectiveness estimates, and we propose that biases can be minimized through the use of detailed templates for cost reporting at the time of program implementation. Thus, this paper not only provides evidence of previously neglected challenges for cost-effectiveness analysis, but – more importantly – provides practical recommendations for undertaking this crucial stage in development planning well.