cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recruiting Control Participants into Stroke Biomarker Studies

The number of scientists using -omics technologies to investigate biomarkers with the potential to gauge risk and aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of stroke continues to rise, yet there are few resources to aid investigators in recruiting control participants. In this review, we describe two major strategies to match control participants to a stroke cohort-propensity score matching and one-to-one matching-including statistical approaches to gauge the balance between groups. We then explore the advantages and disadvantages of traditional recruitment methods including approaching spouses of enrolled stroke participants, direct recruitment from clinics, community outreach events, approaching retirement communities, and buying samples from a 3rd party vendor. Newer methods to identify controls by screening the electronic health record and using an online screening questionnaire are also described. Finally, we cover compensation for control participants and special considerations. The hope is that this review will serve as a roadmap whereby an investigator can successfully tailor their control recruitment strategy to the research question at hand and the local research environment. While this review is focused on blood-based biomarker studies, the principles will apply to investigators studying a broad range of biological materials.
Effect of Quality Characteristics of Peer Raters on Rating Errors in Peer Assessment

Little research has been done on the effects of peer raters’ quality characteristics on peer rating qualities. This study aims to address this gap and investigate the effects of key variables relat...
Can the VTA Come Out to Play? Only When the mPFC's Predictions Go Astray!

Confidence in perceptual decisions scales neural responses to violations in reward expectation. In this issue of Neuron, Lak et al. (2020) show that the medial prefrontal cortex in mice computes a confidence-dependent expectation signal that influences how dopamine neurons convey reward prediction errors to guide learning.
Electric Utility Alignment with the SDGs & the Paris Climate Agreement

The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda poses a unique and critical challenge to the energy sector: how to scale access to clean energy to power sustainable, economic development for a growing population, while simultaneously decarbonizing global energy supply. Expanding access to clean energy will play a crucial role in achieving nearly every one of the Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to agricultural production, health outcomes, educational performance, water systems, access to infrastructure, and reducing inequalities. However, practices by some actors in the energy sector, and continued over-reliance on greenhouse gas-intensive fossil fuels also undermine global efforts to mitigate climate change and maintain healthy ecosystems and populations, and can exacerbate global conflict and inequality. In recent years, a number of frameworks and standards have been created, to evaluate energy companies’ alignment to the SDGs and to help companies and investors improve performance and decision-making. While such initiatives are surely a step in the right direction, to date, many of these tools fail to account holistically for the ways that energy sector conduct could impact sustainable development, and how those impacts map onto each of the 17 SDGs. This failing has allowed companies to “cherry pick” their preferred reporting criteria while ignoring less convenient SDGs. Further, the lack of consensus around standards and evaluation metrics for SDG-aligned practice has led to broadly different conclusions about the same companies’ conduct, undercutting confidence in the utility of evaluation frameworks altogether. In order to assist both the energy and financial sectors in their alignment with the SDGs, CCSI and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network developed a conceptual framework to define SDG-aligned business practices in the energy sector, and in particular the utility sector. The conceptual framework, composed of four pillars and applied to the utility sector, is as follows: (1) Product: Is the utility a leader in zero-carbon electricity generation and is the utility on the path to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050 or earlier? (2) Production process: Is the utility’s production process socially and environmentally sustainable? (3) Value chain responsibility: Is the utility’s supply and value chain aligned with the SDGs and PCA? (4) Citizenship: Is the utility a good corporate citizen? The full report adapts the four pillar framework to the utility sector, evaluates the proposed framework against twelve existing sustainability initiatives, and compares the performance of the ten largest utilities in Europe and the United States, by market capitalization. The report also provides recommendations for next steps. The project aims at bringing coherence and rigor to SDG measurement, reporting, and tools, supporting engagement with the sector on responsible practices and enabling highly responsible SDG-oriented companies to set themselves apart from the rest.
Radiologic Imaging and Laboratory Evaluation of Back Pain in Children and Adolescents

Following performance of the history and the physical examination, the physician must determine what, if any, imaging and laboratory studies to order. This chapter will review the indications for and interpretation of basic imaging and laboratory studies for spinal pathology including plain radiography, CT scan, MRI scan, nuclear bone scan, WBC count with differential, ESR, CRP, HLA-B27, and blood cultures. These studies will be discussed within the context of a differential diagnosis based upon the patient’s presentation, including the presence of so-called red flags. Suggestions are made regarding scenarios for which certain studies might be indicated. Part II, case-based chapters, has detailed information regarding applicability and interpretation of these and other studies for their respective conditions.
Why Can’t I Resist Those “Puppy Dog” (or “Kitty Cat”) Eyes? A Study of Owner Attachment and Factors Associated with Pet Obesity

Attachment theory posits that patterns of interaction derived from the attachment system provide a starting point for understanding how people both receive and provide care. Extending this theory to human-animal interactions provides insights into how human psychology affects pets, such as pet obesity. The goal of this study was to determine how attachment anxiety and avoidance might contribute to pet obesity. We assessed 563 pet owners’ attachment-related anxiety and avoidance, as well as additional attachment-related constructs (emotional rejection, evaluation concern, caregiving, and attentiveness to a pet). We also assessed various factors associated with pet obesity, including weight, body condition, daily treats, and daily interaction. The results indicate that dog owners high in attachment anxiety are concerned about how their pet may evaluate them, leading to more caregiving and attentiveness that results in more treats given per day, and a larger body condition (but not weight). In addition, owners high in attachment avoidance may seek to downplay the possibility of the dog negatively evaluating them, thus providing more negligent care. These findings suggest that attachment plays a unique role in shaping the pet-caregiver relationship and influences various elements that contribute to pet obesity, particularly in dogs. As such, the findings may lend a novel perspective to strategies for reducing pet obesity and provide a framework for future research into pet health.
Longitudinal cortex-wide monitoring of cerebral hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism in awake mice using multi-parametric photoacoustic microscopy:

Multi-parametric photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) has emerged as a promising new technique for high-resolution quantification of hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism in the mouse brain. In this work, w...
Lorentzian geometry in the large

Lorentzian geometry in the large has certain similarities and certain fundamental differences from Riemannian geometry in the large. The Morse index theory for timelike geodesics is quite similar to the corresponding theory for Riemannian manifolds. However, results on completeness for Lorentzian manifolds are quite different from the corresponding results for positive definite manifolds. A generalization of global hyperbolicity known as pseudoconvexity is described. It has important implications for geodesic structures.
STUDIES ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN AND NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC POLYRIBONUCLEOTIDES. I. THE PREVENTION OF THE THERMAL COAGULATION OF BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN BY NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC POLYRIBONUCLEOTIDES.

Abstract Natural or synthetic polyribonucleotides can prevent the thermal coagulation of bovine serum albumin when the two are heated together in dilute (0.0015 M) citrate buffer solutions (pH 5.4–6.0). Raising the concentration of citrate to 0.05 M abolishes this effect, as does the pre-addition of small amounts of Mg 2+ . Digestion of heated mixtures of ribonucleic acid and bovine serum albumin with ribonuclease (EC 2.7.7.16) results in precipitation of the protein. 5′-Ribonucleotides when heated together with bovine serum albumin will not prevent the heat coagulation of the protein.
A case study on effective application of inquiry methods to find out mobile phone's new function

Recently, as the user-centered design has appeared to production design area as an important management philosophy, there has been various trials to reflect the user's needs in production in many aspects. However there are various kinds of related inquiry methods and each method has different characters according to the data traits, the participant's condition of inquiry, and the participant's number in needing inquiry. So it is very important to choose appropriate method fits in the inquiry purpose and the proceeding situation so that these inquiry methods are applied to mobile phone domain. Thereafter this study addresses the simple cases of nine inquiry methods which were applied for the purpose of finding out mobile phone needs/new function, and then describes the result of this research as the following subjects. What significant data does each method have contrasted with the others? What methods can make out synergy effect when they match together? What methods can be omitted and are necessary to extract variable data from participants according to the purpose of inquiry?
Introduction to Dynamic and Stochastic Resource Economics: Essays on Biodiversity, Invasive Species, Joint Systems, and Regulation

We begin by pointing out that the rise in popular concern about the judicious management of natural and environmental resources has been matched by increasing scholarship by economists on several issues concerning the efficient use and management of these same resources. Second, we note that this book’s primary objective is to provide a representative account of where the literature in five specific areas of natural resource and environmental economics, presently stands. These five areas are natural resource management, biological diversity, ecological economics, invasive species management, and environmental regulation. Finally, following this introductory chapter, the 16 chapters of this book show how dynamic and stochastic modeling techniques can be effectively used to construct and analyze theoretical models that shed valuable light on salient research questions in the literature.
Petitioning the Sultan: Protests and Justice in Late Ottoman Palestine by Yuval Ben-Bassat

The tradition of petitioning the Ottoman sultan, enabling common subjects to send their grievances directly to the ruler, is a well-known institution that existed in various forms throughout Ottoma...
Determinants of cyclicality in the current account balance: Evidence from advanced and developing countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the role of public and private imbalances in the cyclicality of the current account balance in a sample of advanced and developing countries. Within developing countries, the evidence does not establish the dependency of private investment on private savings and private consumption is the main driver of the saving/investment balance. In contrast, private savings seem to be better mobilized to finance private investment and the latter is the main driver of the saving/investment balance in advanced countries. Deterioration in the current account balance in response to higher private consumption could be detrimental to growth and external stability. In contrast, an investment strategy that promotes growth is likely to attract financial flows and reduce the risk of a widening current account deficit on external stability.Design/methodology/approach – The paper studies determinants of the current account deficit. It studies current account fluctuations in the sho...
Critical role of Neutrophils in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) induced disease pathogenesis (INC8P.440)

Neutrophils comprise the largest number of immune cells in the human body, and being the first immune cells to the site of injury and infection, neutrophils act as the first line of defense against harmful pathogens. RSV has been identified as a leading cause of respiratory tract illness in children worldwide. RSV induced disease is characterized by epithelial desquamation, neutrophilic bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The role of neutrophils in innate immune responses to RSV infection has not been fully characterized. We have employed anti-Ly6G clone monoclonal antibody 1A8 to specifically deplete neutrophils in Balb/c mice to study the role of neutrophils in RSV induced disease pathogenesis. Neutrophil depletion in mice infected with RSV A2 or Long strain caused a significant increase in body weight loss, airway hyper responsiveness and lung inflammation. Even though no effect on peak viral replication was observed; a significant reduction in early viral load and a delayed viral clearance in mice lacking neutrophils were observed. While depletion of neutrophils has no effect on the production of BAL type I IFNs, a significant increase in Th17 group of cytokines (IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-23p19 and CD40L), G-CSF, KC and MIP-1β was observed. Moreover, we observed a significant reduction in lung DCs, pDCs and virus specific CD4 and CD8 cells in neutrophil depleted mice. Our study demonstrates that neutrophils play a critical role in disease progression of RSV infections.
Meet Two-Face: The Dualistic Rule 10b-5 and the Quandary of Offsetting Losses by Gains

The challenge of calculating damages in securities litigation is often compounded by the phenomenon of investors that have accrued both gains and losses as a result of the defendant company’s same fraudulent misrepresentations. This Note traces the opposing damages approaches and accounting methods courts have adopted in these instances to the dual origins and objectives of the Rule 10b-5 private right of action. Underscoring the shortcomings in these damages calculations founded predominantly upon either deterrent or compensatory grounds, this Note instead strives for a measure that not only balances both imperative ends but also yields a more sensible and equitable outcome. Namely, this Note proposes that losses should only be offset by gains when they are sufficiently linked by an ongoing trading strategy, and that matching sales of securities with the latest purchases will most clearly reflect gains and losses during the class period.
Harmonic maps ³→¹ and 2-cycles, realizing the Thurston norm

Let M 3 be an oriented 3-manifold. We investigate when one of the fibers or a combination of fiber components, F best , of a harmonic map f : M 3 → S 1 with Morse-type singularities delivers the Thurston norm X-([F best ]) of its homology class [F best ] ∈ H 2 (M 3 ;Z). In particular, for a map f with connected fibers and any well-positioned oriented surface E C M in the homology class of a fiber, we show that the Thurston number X-(Σ) satisfies an inequality X-(Σ) ≥ X-(F best ) - ρ°(Σ,f) . Var X- (f). Here the variation Var X- (f) is can be expressed in terms of the X―-invariants of the fiber components, and the twist ρ°(Σ, f) measures the complexity of the intersection of Σ with a particular set F R of bad fiber components. This complexity is tightly linked with the optimal f-height of E, being lifted to the f-induced cyclic coverM 3 → M 3 . Based on these invariants, for any Morse map f, we introduce the notion of its twist ρ X- (f). We prove that, for a harmonic f, X-([F best ]) = X-(F best ) if and only if ρ X- (f) = 0.
Medicaid Expansion Under the 2010 Health Care Reform Legislation: The Continuing Evolution of Medicaid’s Central Role in American Health Care

Part of a symposium issue on the impact of federal health reform, this article argues that the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act will eliminate the historical use of the Medicaid program to try to differentiate the “deserving” from the “undeserving” among low-income individuals and makes access to this form of health insurance available to a greater proportion of low-income individuals primarily on the basis of economic need. The article also identifies remaining challenges to the efficacy of this revised Medicaid program.
Solar air systems

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses solar air systems. The first solar air system was built in Boulder, Colorado, in 1945 on an existing house. It was not only the first air system but also the first retrofit solar system. After about three years of development at the University of Colorado, this system was installed in a small, single-story house. This project was undertaken because of government concern that heavy wartime requirements for fuel might lead to an energy shortage. The system supplied about a third of the heat for this small house for a couple of years. The next house with an air system was built in Dover, Mass. The heating unit consisted of vertical collectors supplying hot air to three large closets on the main floor in which cans of Glaubers Salt were used for heat storage. Melting of the sodium sulfate at about 100°F resulted in the storage of heat that was later supplied to air circulating through the closets and rooms as needed. The system operated for a year or two but not as well as expected because of problems with irreversible changes in the storage medium.
Quasi-static method for predicting link-level performance

In this paper, we investigate the performance of a quasi-static method used to predict link-level error performance in dynamic system simulations. Two flavors of the quasi-static approach are used to model the link characteristics: (a) static curves with fudge factors; and (b) short-term frame error curves. For the fudge factor based method, we examine the various factors (or penalties) required for the method to work properly, their limitations in capturing the various features of the high-speed packet data channel, and their effects on the overall accuracy of the technique. Here, we concentrate on three important penalties: puncturing penalty, Doppler penalty, and demapping penalty. The quasistatic method based on short-term frame error curves is used to generate frame erasures for voice and control channels associated with high-speed packet data channels. From simulation results, it is shown that both variations of the quasi-static method can provide accurate prediction of link-level performance at certain operating ranges, provided that the penalties are correctly obtained. At low frame error rates and moderate to high speeds, however, the quasi-static method often fails to accurately reflect frame error performance at the link level.
Investigation of Extensional Actuation Strain in Ionomeric Polymer Transducers

Ionomeric polymer transducers have received considerable attention in the past ten years due to their ability to generate large bending strain and moderate stress at low applied voltages. Bending transducers made of an ionomeric polymer membrane sandwiched between two flexible electrodes deform through the expansion of one electrode and contraction of the opposite electrode due to cation displacement. This is similar to a bimorph type actuation. In this study we report actuation through the thickness of the membrane, leading to the potential of a new actuation mechanism for ionomeric polymer materials. Several experiments are performed to compare the bending actuation with the extensional actuation capability. The direct assembly method previously developed by the authors is used to fabricate ionic polymer transducers with controlled electrode dimensions and morphology. Electrodes with varying thickness are used to alter thickness of the active material. In the first experiment, the actuators are cut in beam shape and are allowed to bend in cantilever configuration. In the second configuration, bending is constrained by sandwiching the membranes between two solid metal plates and force is measured across the thickness of the actuator. A bimorph model is used to assess the effect of electrode thickness on the strain. An electromechanical coupling model presented by Leo et al. [1] determined the strain in the active areas as a function of the charge. This model is presented with a linear and a quadratic term that produces a 1st harmonic response for a sine wave actuation input. The quadratic term in the strain generates a zero net bending moment for ionic polymer transducers with symmetric electrodes. The linear term is also canceled in extensional actuation for symmetric electrodes. Experimental results demonstrates strain on the order of 110 μstrain in the thickness direction compared to 1700 μstrain peak to peak on the external fibers for the same transducer when it is allowed to bend under +/−2V potential at 0.5 Hz.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The effects of added transportation capacity on travel: a review of theoretical and empirical results

(added to the original) The addition of transportation capacity affects potentially all attributes of trips made by urban residents: time of day, destination, mode, route, and linking of trips. In the long run, added capacity may influence a household’s automobile ownership decision, residence, and job location choice, as well as firms’ location decisions. Neither primary growth effects nor the secondary trip effects of added capacity are thoroughly understood—determining the effect of added capacity is not at all a trivial task because it is concerned with intricately and dynamically interrelated system components: transportation supply system, land use, accessibility, and travel demand. This paper presents a review of theoretical and empirical results in the literature that shed light on the effect of added transportation capacity. Tentative findings include the following: Using existing origin–destination data appears to be a very cost-effective and expeditious approach to addressing the added capacity issue, but it can be better used with more elaborate statistical methods to test behavioral theories. There is no empirical indication that added capacity generates a significant volume of induced traffic. The standard sequential procedure is capable, in principle, of forecasting diverted, transferred, and shifted traffic, although actual practice may be less than ideal. Abbreviated application of the procedure, unwarranted attempts to transfer models and extrapolation of the models to inapplicable options are unfortunately present. A better understanding of trip timing decisions and trip chaining behavior is needed. Impacts on car ownership, residential and job location choice, and land use need to be better understood and incorporated into the forecasting procedure. More widespread use of panel surveys is encouraged.
Direct puncture of the recanalized paraumbilical vein for portal vein targeting during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedures: assessment of technical success and safety.

Purpose To assess the success of direct percutaneous puncture of the recanalized paraumbilical vein (RPUV) for access and visualization of the portal vein (PV) to guide transhepatic puncture during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. The predictive value of successful catheterization based on preprocedural vein diameter was analyzed. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of all TIPS procedures from 2002 to 2008 performed at a single institution was conducted, and a subset of procedures in which portal venography was attempted via the paraumbilical vein were identified. In this subset, TIPS outcomes and diameters of the RPUV near the skin puncture site and left PV junction were measured and analyzed with a two-tailed Student t test. Results During the study period, 114 TIPSs were created. RPUV punctures were found in 22 patients (19.3%) and portal venography was successful in 14 of the 22 patients (64%), all without complications. In the remainder ( n = 8), access via the RPUV failed secondary to a small vein diameter ( n = 3), moderate to severe vessel tortuosity ( n = 4), and distal thrombosis ( n = 1). Puncture, catheterization, and portal venography was successful when the paraumbilical vein measured a mean of 0.75 cm at the skin and a mean of 0.84 cm at the junction with the left PV when analyzed against the failed attempts. Conclusions Portal venography via the RPUV is a feasible and probably safe alternative to other methods of PV opacification during TIPS procedures.
The Draw-a-Person Test: Validity Properties for Nonbiased Assessment:

Among man's earliest attempts to communicate thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, drawing became one of the first means of creation and forms of expression. While the study and analysis of children's drawings historically had been of interest to philosophers and educators, the work by Cooke (1885) and other pioneer child psychologists was instrumental in identifying developmental stages in children's spontaneous drawings. Later, the work of Thorndike (1931) and Goodenough (1926) culminated in the development of assessment techniques allowing for more systematic research on children's intellectual and personality development. Interest in children's drawings, including their application in therapy and psychoeducational appraisal, has remained strong. The notion that children's drawings reflect their intellectual development, not just their visual-motor skills, laid the foundation for the development of the Draw-A-Person Test (DAP; Goodenough, 1926). Early research suggested that the scale was useful for assessing children between the ages of 4 and 13. Furthermore, results indicated that although the characteristics measured by the scale were unrelated to children's artistic talents (Goodenough, 1926), they were related to children's ages (Goodenough, 1926); gender (girls scoring higher than boys [Goodenough, 1926] or boys scoring higher than girls [Dennis, 1942; Menzel, 1935]); social class (middle-class children scoring higher than low socioeconomic children [Adler, 1970; Coles, 1967; Georgas & Georgas, 1972]); and racial-ethnic characteristics (Anglos scoring higher than blacks [Lindler, 1962] or Anglos scoring higher than Mexican Americans [Manuel & Hughes, 1932]). Furthermore, the scale was found to be economically administered and scored by persons with minimal training. Machover (1949) and others popularized the DAP as a projective method of personality assessment, and Buck (1948) extended its use to the House, Tree, Person test. Finally, extension and revision of the 1926 DAP under the title of Harris-Goodenough Test of Psychological Maturity (Harris, 1961) further emphasized the usefulness and popularity of examining children's drawings as an expression of their body and self-images and as a reflection of their conceptual development. Beyond these more obvious applications, the DAP has assumed special relevance as a test of intelligence. Thus, studies of its relationships with the Stanford-Binet (Birch, 1949; Estes, Curtin, DeBurger, & Denny, 1961; Goodenough, 1926; Lindler, 1962; McElwee, 1932; McHugh, 1945; Pringle & Pickup, 1963), the WISC (Pringle & Pickup, 1963), and Thurstone's Primary Mental Ability Tests (Vane & Kessler, 1964) report correlations in the low .40s with a few studies reporting correlations in the mid .70s. Correlations between the DAP and children's school achievement (Goodenough, 1926; Koppitz, Sullivan, Blyth, & Shelton, 1959; Vane & Kessler, 1964) also generally fall in the mid .40s to low .50s.
From drawing to programming: attracting middle-school students to programming through self-disclosing code (abstract only)

Consider a middle-school student "playing" with a computer. What does she do? She may chat with friends. She may surf the Web. She may even play a few games. But she is also likely to make things with drawing programs, word processors, or other applications that make things. Can one leverage that creativity to encourage her to want to learn to program? Projects from Alice (Moskal et al. 2004) to Scratch (Maloney et al. 2010) have certainly shown that tools that tie creativity and programming can encourage students to think algorithmically. Despite the success of these programs, there is still room for new models that link children's artistic interests with programming. In this project, we explore the link between creativity and programming through a different model, one in which the drawing application "self discloses" underlying commands (DiGiano & Eisenberg 1995). As students draw images with the GNU Image Manipulation Program, a Photoshop-like application, a small window displays code that represents their actions. For example, when they draw a line, a "draw line" command appears that includes the coordinates of the line; when they change brushes, a "set brush" command appears that includes the name of the brush. Eventually, students refer to these commands to redraw their figures, to copy their figures, and to change their figures. Slowly they move from copying and pasting code, to modifying, to writing their own instructions, and beyond.
An Outbreak of Gram-Negative Bacteremia Traced to Contaminated O-Rings in Reprocessed Dialyzers

Objective: To investigate an outbreak of gram-negative bacteremia in an outpatient hemodialysis unit and to identify the source of contaminating bacteria and the route by which bacteria gained acce...
Apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein subclasses as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective The purpose of this study was to explore whether nontraditional risk factors, such as apolipoprotein C-III (Apo C-III) and its corresponding Apo B lipoprotein (Lp) subclasses, contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods Apolipoprotein and lipoproteins were measured in 152 RA patients by immunoturbidimetric procedures, electroimmunoassay, and immunoprecipitation. Patients had a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score assessed at baseline and at year 3. Differences in the CAC scores between baseline and year 3 were calculated and dichotomized at 0, where patients with a difference score >0 were denoted as progressors and the rest were denoted as nonprogressors. Differences between means were tested with a 2-sided independent Student's t-test with Satterthwaite's adjustment. Proportion differences were tested with a chi-square test. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the relationship between apolipoprotein and lipoprotein levels and the dichotomized CAC score. Results Progressors accounted for almost 60% of the cohort. Progressors had significantly higher levels of triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides/HDL, Apo B, LpA-II:B:C:D:E, LpB:C, Apo B/Apo A-I, Apo C-III, and Apo C-III–heparin precipitate than the nonprogressors. After adjusting for age, sex, statin use (yes/no), and hypertension (yes/no), significant risk factors of progressors were total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, Apo B, LpB:C, Apo C-III, and Apo B/Apo A-I. Conclusion Apo C-III–containing Apo B lipoprotein subclasses were found to be significantly elevated in progressors compared to nonprogressors. Many of these same lipoproteins were found to be associated with an increase in CAC scores among progressors. These lipoproteins may be considered new risk factors for progression of atherosclerosis in RA patients.
“A Ship of Clever Lads:” Origins, Occupations and Physique of Male British Convicts Transported to Australia, 1842–3

Adult male convicts transported from Great Britain to Australia in two ships in 1842 and 1843 are described. The study reports their social origins, occupations, and heights which are compared with...
Flexible intrusion tolerant voting architecture

We propose to design and implement a voting architecture that efficiently tolerates byzantine failure, supports inexact matching of inputs, and preserves privacy. Its functionality includes integrating replies from different correct servers whose data may differ slightly from one another due to environmental factors, filtering out replies from faulty servers to protect any intentional or unintentional leakage of confidential data, and dynamically adapting to different applications by incorporating new rules. We also explore how to distribute replies and cryptographic key so that a compromised voter would reveal only a partial key or partial replies.
Murine tumor induction by cytomegalovirus

Abstract Cytomegalic inclusion disease can be induced in mice with relative ease. In the study reported here, grandular neoplasms were produced in four mice by means of immunosuppression together with large doses of cytomegalovirus. The results of this study suggest that cytomegalovirus may well be an etiologic agent in the formation of salivary gland tumors.
Contribution of Family Environment to Pediatric Cochlear Implant Users' Speech and Language Outcomes: Some Preliminary Findings.

Purpose To evaluate the family environments of children with cochlear implants and to examine relationships between family environment and postimplant language development and executive function. M...
Accidents in masonry construction: The contribution of production activities to accidents, and the effect on different worker groups

Abstract Masonry is a construction trade with high risk of work-related injuries. This study analyzes 141 recordable incidents that occurred over a period of 3 years in a large masonry company. The incidents were analyzed from three perspectives: First, they were analyzed with respect to the nature of events (falls, overexertion, etc.). Second, the analysis examined the production activity that the injured worker was performing. Third, the incidents were analyzed according to the injured workers’ position in the crew – that is, foreman, masons, laborers, and forklift operator. The findings first identify the contribution of the different masonry activities to different types of safety incidents. Three activities – scaffold erection and dismantling, laying block and material handling are responsible for most of incidents and consequences in terms of days away from work and days with modified task. Next, the findings identify the frequency and severity of incidents for the different workers’ positions, and the high incident activities for each worker role. The results indicate that the laborers have significantly higher accident rate compared to the masons. The study identifies two new areas of priority for reducing accidents in masonry construction: improving the process of scaffold erection and dismantling, and focusing on reducing laborers incidents. Finally, analysis of incidents by production activities and personnel position is an effective way to identify operations and worker groups that need to be targeted for improvement. Thus, it is strongly recommended that the contractors’ incident reporting mechanism captures that information.
Persistence of vesicular stomatitis virus in interferon-treated cell cultures.

Abstract A significant difference was observed in the functional stability of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) genome in mouse L cells and the RK-13 line of rabbit kidney cells pretreated with homologous interferon. By utilizing the ability of vaccinia to rescue VSV from the inhibitory effects of interferon in these cell lines, it was demonstrated that there was a loss of a rescuable form of VSV genome in RK-13 cells pretreated with interferon; superinfection with vaccinia 24 hr after VSV infection did not result in a significant increase in VSV yield. In contrast, significant rescue of VSV occurred in interferon-treated L cells superinfected with vaccinia as late as 72 hr after VSV infection. The present study also provides evidence that in interferon-treated RK-13 cells doubly infected with VSV and vaccinia there was a correlation of the rescuability of the VSV genome and its ability to direct RNA synthesis.
Committed but closed-minded: when making a specific plan for a goal hinders success

Much work has shown that planning facilitates goal attainment. The present work demonstrates that while plans generally make people more likely to act on a goal, they may sometimes lead to failure rather than to success, particularly when recognizing and seizing an alternative opportunity is essential for achieving the goal. Participants were assigned a goal in the lab, with sufficient or insufficient time and with a specific plan or broad intention to attain it. With sufficient (unlimited) time, a specific plan increased attainment, thus replicating the usual benefit of planning. Within the insufficient time condition, however, the specific plan impaired performance, because participants failed to capitalize on an alternative opportunity for achieving the goal. When openness to alternatives is crucial to success, plans can drastically decrease overall rates of attainment.
A galactose polyacrylate-based hydrogel scaffold for the detection of cholera toxin and staphylococcal enterotoxin B in a sandwich immunoassay format.

Abstract A galactoside-based polyacrylate hydrogel was used as a scaffold to immobilize antibodies for the development of a sandwich immunoassay to detect cholera toxin (CT) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB). The hydrogel possesses large pores and simulates a solution-like environment allowing easy penetration of large biomolecules. Highly crosslinked hydrogels containing pendant amine or carboxyl functionalities were polymerized through a free-radical polymerization process. Covalent crosslinking of the antibodies on hydrogel films was accomplished using a homobifunctional crosslinker or carbodiimide chemistry. Utilizing the two different crosslinking methodologies, our results demonstrated the effectiveness of repetitive additions of crosslinker reactant into a single location on the gel surface. This approach in fact increased the amount of immobilized antibody. Patterned arrays of the immobilized antibodies for sandwich immunoassay development were achieved using a PDMS template containing micro-channels. This template provided a suitable means for applying reagents in multiple cycles. Fluorescence and three-dimensional (3D) imaging by confocal microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscopy of Cy3-labeled anti-CT and/or Cy3-anti-SEB tracer molecules provided qualitative and quantitative measurements on the efficiency of protein immobilization, detection sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratios. As a result of using the galactose polyacrylate-base hydrogel as a platform for immunoassay development, we have successfully been able to achieve low limits of detection for SEB and cholera toxins (1.0 ng mL−1). Repetitive additions (>3 cycles) of the crosslinker and antibody have also shown a dramatic increase in the immobilization of antibody resulting in improved immunoassay sensitivity. Fluorescence signal-to-noise ratios using the hydrogel-based immunoassays have been observed as high a 40:1.
Hormonal Regulation of Glycosaminoglycan Accumulation in Fibroblasts from Patients with Resistance to Thyroid Hormone

We have previously shown that physiological concentrations of T3 added to thyroid hormone-deficient media decreased the incorporation of [3H] acetate and [3H]glucosamine into glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in confluent cultures of skin fibroblasts obtained from normal individuals. This inhibitory effect of T3 on [3H]GAG accumulation was due to a decrease in GAG synthesis, was independent of the substrate pool size or number of transfers in culture, and could be reversed by removal of hormone from the medium. As shown in the current communication, it was also independent of the site of biopsy and age and sex of the donor. Fibroblast cultures were grown to confluence in medium containing 10% fetal calf serum and then exposed for 3 days to medium deprived of thyroid hormone (10% bovine serum from a thyroidectomized animal) without or with the addition of T3, T4, or dexamethasone (DEX). After exposure to labeled substrate ([3H]acetate or [3H]glucosamine) for the last 24 h, their incorporation into GAG was determine...
Quantization of classical Grassman spin

Abstract We quantize the classical mechanics of anti-commuting Grassman coordinates which transform like Majorana spinors. We evaluate the Grassmann space Feynman path integral to obtain the standard Dirac propagator of a relativistic quantum-mechanical spin one-half particle. In order to obtain our result we impose a natural supersymmetry between ordinary space-time coordinates and the Grassmann coordinates.
COMPLEMENTED COPIES OF ℓ1 IN SPACES OF VECTOR MEASURES AND APPLICATIONS

Let X be a Banach space and ( , Σ) be a measure space. We provide a characterization of sequences in the space of X-valued countably additive measures on ( , Σ) of bounded vari- ation that generates complemented copies of l1. As application, we prove that if a dual Banach space Ehas Pe lczynski's property (V*) then so does the space of E � -valued countably additive mea- sures with the variation norm. Another application, we show that for a Banach space X, the space l1(X) contains a complemented copy of l1 if and only if X contains all l n uniformly complemented.
Acute p-chloroamphetamine increases striatal preprotachykinin mRNA: role of the serotonin 2A/2C receptor.

Abstract Acute administration of p -chloroamphetamine ( p CA) significantly increased (+90%) preprotachykinin (PPT) mRNA levels in the rat striatum. Administration of the serotonin 2A/2C receptor antagonist, ritanserin, blocked the p CA-induced increase in PPT mRNA levels. α-Methyl- p -tyrosine pretreatment (α-MT, to reduce dopamine transmission) inhibited the p CA-induced increase in PPT mRNA levels. These results indicate that the p CA-induced increase in striatal PPT mRNA expression is mediated by serotonin 2A/2C receptors but also requires dopamine tone.
Stability and crystal structure of MgSiO3 perovskite to the core-mantle boundary

[1] We report in situ angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction measurements for MgSiO3 at 90–118 and 135–144 GPa and 300–2900 K. At 90–144 GPa, we observed a new diffraction peak at 2.57–2.62 A as reported in Shim et al. [2001]. The pressure-induced position shift of the new peak is consistent with those of MgSiO3 perovskite (Mg-Pv), supporting that the new peak is associated with a modification in crystal structure of Mg-Pv at 88 GPa. During laser heating above 2500 K at 144 ± 10 GPa, in addition to peaks of Mg-Pv, we observed new peaks as well as peak splittings and intensity changes of some peaks. The major features in the diffraction patterns can be explained by the modified Mg-Pv proposed by Shim et al. [2001] together with the post-perovskite phase proposed by Murakami et al. [2004]. This supports the existence of a major phase transition in MgSiO3 under conditions close to those at the base of Earth's mantle.
The Third Mark of the Church? ‐ Church Discipline in the Reformed and Anabaptist Reformations

Cet article etudie la place accordee a la discipline dans les reformes protestante et anabaptiste. Le debat est pose dans le contexte plus large des questions relatives a la communion, a la justification, a la sanctification et aux rapports entre l'Eglise et l'Etat. Une attention particuliere est portee au role de la discipline et de l'excommunication dans les ecrits de Martin Bucer, Jean Calvin et Menno Simons. L'A. montre ainsi que les vues de Calvin sur la discipline se situent entre celles des lutheriens et des anabaptistes concernant la pratique de la discipline d'Eglise et entre Zwingli et les anabaptistes concernant le role de l'Etat en la matiere
Transmediastinal gunshot wounds: a prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the emergency center (EC) as a means by which patients with transmediastinal gunshot wounds (TM-GSWs) can be triaged to the operating room versus further diagnostic evaluation. Methods: A prospective case series presenting concurrent data collected for 68 consecutive patients with TM-GSWs admitted to one urban trauma center over a 45-year period. For purposes of analysis, patients were assigned to the following groups based on SBP in the EC: group I, SBP > 100 mm Hg; group II, SBP from 60 to 100 mm Hg; group III, SBP 100 mm Hg may safely undergo further diagnostic evaluation. Sixty percent of such patients did not require an operation. All patients with TM-GSWs and SBP < 60 mm Hg (group III) require immediate operation. For patients with TM-GSWs, SBP from 60 to 100 mm Hg (group II), and without obvious bleeding, it is the response to resuscitation and the results of further diagnostic evaluation that determine the need for operation. Fifty percent of such patients did not require operation.
Differential Expression of Alcohol Dehydrogenase and Its Regulation by an Endogenous ADH‐Specific Inhibitor during Maize Development

Summary Quantitative assays of alcohol dehydrogenase and its endogenous inhibitor in several tissues at different stages of ontogenesis have been performed. The results show that the levels of both enzyme and inhibitor activities fluctuate during the course of differentiation in maize plants. The inhibitor is probably not a phenolic substance, as indicated by the fact that it is unaffected by PVP in the medium and shows varying effectiveness against alcohol dehydrogenases from different organisms. During kernel development (from the 15th day after pollination to the dry seed) the specific activity of alcohol dehydrogenase in maize scutellum remains high, and subsequently declines sharply after the onset of germination. The rapid and selective elimination of alcohol dehydrogenase in various maize tissues during development seems to be mediated by the endogenous ADH inhibitor. Density-labelling experiments show that very little alcohol dehydrogenase is synthesized de novo during early germination under normal conditions, but that de novo synthesis can be induced by subjecting the seedlings to anaerobiosis.
Residual Stresses in Two‐Phase Systems as Determined by Changes in Transition Temperature

Differences in thermal expansion between glass and crystal and between halide and oxide produce hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic pressures (negative or positive) in polyphase bodies which result in marked changes in the phase-transition temperature of one of the phases. In the glass-plus-crystal systems, the tensile strength of the matrix is not exceeded and reasonable agreement between calculated and experimental values is obtained. The magnitude of maximum lowering in the transition temperature of a particular system is shown to be in the hundreds of degrees centigrade. In a crystalline halide matrix, high tensile stresses cause fractures in the halide and therefore substantial discrepancies between the experimental and calculated values.