cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimizing cost associated with management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: A cost analysis of various laboratory testing models.

Introduction Management of patients with suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) can lead to significant costs. Reported cost-saving initiatives have focused on minimizing inappropriate testing in low-risk patients and optimizing alternative anticoagulant selection. We sought to further investigate how utilizing various HIT laboratory testing models would impact total cost of testing and alternative anticoagulant use. Methods Utilizing a retrospective cohort of adult patients tested for HIT over three years within our institution, we evaluated how utilization of four distinct laboratory models impacted total number of HIT test combinations completed, time to HIT testing finalization, percentage of patients discharged from the hospital prior to HIT testing finalization, total alternative anticoagulant days, and total anticipated major bleed events. Additionally, we calculated cost of laboratory testing and alternative anticoagulant associated with each model. Results A total of 482 patients were included in our cohort. A laboratory testing model that utilized an in-house platelet factor 4 (PF4)-heparin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) completed three days weekly, and reflex serotonin release assay (SRA) with a five-day turnaround resulted in the shortest mean time to HIT testing finalization, lowest percentage of patients discharged prior to HIT testing finalization, and lowest total alternative anticoagulant days. Conclusions Institutions should evaluate current HIT laboratory testing practices and assess for opportunities for optimization. Testing models utilizing a PF4-heparin antibody ELISA with a reflex SRA for positive results may improve testing metrics and lead to lower utilization of alternative anticoagulants.
Deploying clinical machine learning? Consider the following...

Despite the intense attention and investment into clinical machine learning (CML) research, relatively few applications convert to clinical practice. While research is important in advancing the state-of-the-art, translation is equally important in bringing these technologies into a position to ultimately impact patient care and live up to extensive expectations surrounding AI in healthcare. To better characterize a holistic perspective among researchers and practitioners, we survey several participants with experience in developing CML for clinical deployment about their learned experiences. We collate these insights and identify several main categories of barriers and pitfalls in order to better design and develop clinical machine learning applications.
Teaching physics during COVID-19 pandemic: implementation and report of teaching strategies to support student learning

The COVID-19 pandemic presented several challenges to both teachers and students. The rapid shift to an online learning environment demanded the development of effective teaching strategies to support student learning. This work describes teaching strategies developed to teach physics during the COVID-19 period. The strategies included posting recorded lectures and live demonstrations, providing timely resources and feedback on student graded items, enhancing communication, providing additional interactive opportunities, offering extra help sessions and extra credit opportunities to students. Other factors that played a significant role for student success were faculty empathy, flexibility, and willingness to adjust teaching strategies. All students who completed the courses (without withdrawing) earned grades of C or better. Over a total of 12 physics class sections, grade distributions in Fall 2020 were better than those of Fall 2019. Only a handful of students received incomplete grades because they were directly or indirectly affected by the COVID virus. Even though student withdrawal rates were higher during the COVID pandemic, the teaching strategies adopted helped improve student grades across all sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Physics Education is the property of IOP Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Volatilization of Fission Products in Nuclear Reactor Buildings

Fission products released from a nuclear reactor core under loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) conditions are distributed throughout the containment building and concentrate in pops of water on the floor. Volatile fission products, such as long-lived 129 I, may contribute to airborne contamination thereby hindering cleanup operations. The potential for volatilization from pooled water depends not only on the conditions under which the pool formed, but also on an array of competing processes in the reactor building. Efforts are underway to develop a mathematical model to predict air concentrations of volatile fission products based on mass transfer processes occurring simultaneously in the reactor building. The model incorporates available mass transfer data and results from bench-scale and physical-model experiments. The results of current efforts are the development of a computer program to evaluate volatilization and competing processes in a reactor building and the identification of data needed to carry out the program for a LOCA, such as occurred at TMI-2.
Growth of Leptospira pomona and Its Effect on Various Tissue Culture Systems.

Miller, Robert E. (University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha), Norman G. Miller, and Roberta J. White. Growth of Leptospira pomona and its effect on various tissue culture systems. J. Bacteriol. 92: 502–509. 1966.— Leptospira pomona strain 3341 was grown in association with primary fetal bovine kidney (PBK) and human embryonic skin-muscle fibroblastic (HE) cells in Eagle9s minimal essential medium (MEM) with 5% sheep serum. Growth curves of leptospires in PBK and HE cell cultures showed no substantial increase in growth above that obtained in Eagle9s MEM in the absence of tissue culture cells. This suggested that no stimulatory growth factors for leptospires were produced by the tissue cells. Fibroblastic cells of the PBK monolayer showed separation, deterioration, and, finally, complete disintegration. Epithelial-like cells remained unaffected. HE cells showed the same cytopathic effect as PBK fibroblastic cells, indicating that this effect was not limited to PBK fibroblastic cells. Warthin-Starry stains of PBK and HE cell monolayers showed masses of leptospires adhering to fibroblastic cells, whereas only a few were seen on epithelial-like cells. Large numbers of leptospires on the surface of fibroblastic cells are very likely associated with the cytopathic effect. Dislodgment of leptospires from fibroblastic cells did not increase the total number of spirochetes in the culture. This indicated that leptospiral growth did not occur on the surface of these cells. Images
The zinc finger transcription factor ZBP-89 is a repressor of the human β2-integrin CD11b gene

Integrin CD11b is a differentiation marker of the myelomonocytic lineage and an important mediator of inflammation. Expression of the CD11b gene is transcriptionally induced as myeloid precursors differentiate into mature cells, then drops as monocytes further differentiate into macrophages. Previous studies have identified elements and factors involved in the transcriptional activation of the CD11b gene during myeloid differentiation, but no data exist regarding potential down-regulatory factors, especially in the later stages of differentiation. Using 2 copies of a GC-rich element (−141 to −110) in the CD11b promoter, we probed a cDNA expression library for interacting proteins. Three clones were identified among 9.1 million screened, all encoding the DNA-binding domain of the zinc finger factor ZBP-89. Overexpression of ZBP-89 in the monocyte precursor cell line U937 reduced CD11b promoter-driven luciferase activity when U937 cells were induced to differentiate into monocytelike cells using phorbol esters. To identify the differentiation stage at which ZBP-89 repression of the CD11b gene is exerted, the protein level of ZBP-89 was correlated with that of CD11b mRNA in differentiating U937 as well as in normal human monocytes undergoing in vitro differentiation into macrophages. A clear inverse relationship was observed in the latter but not the former state, suggesting that ZBP-89 represses CD11b gene expression during the further differentiation of monocytes into macrophages.
Chapter 12 Organized Organic Thin Films: Structure, Phase Transitions and Chemical Reactions

This chapter describes two types of organized organic thin films, namely Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films and self-assembling films. These films are interesting both fundamentally as ordered two-dimensional systems and practically due to their applications as proxy systems for biological membranes and atmospheric aerosols and for their potential usefulness in microelectronics and non-linear optics. In the first section, the historical account of research on organized organic thin films is presented, and both LB and self-assembly techniques are introduced. The second section discusses films on air–water interface (Langmuir films) and their transfer onto solid support, resulting in LB films. The third section deals with temperature-induced phase transitions in LB films. The fourth section describes self-assembled films and focuses on silane mono- and multilayers. The fifth section describes the use of organized organic thin films as proxies for atmospheric surfaces and also presents some thoughts on possible future directions and potential opportunities for these systems.
Imprimitive Permutation Groups and Trapdoors in Iterated Block Ciphers

An iterated block cipher can be regarded as a means of producing a set of permutations of a message space. Some properties of the group generated by the round functions of such a cipher are known to be of cryptanalytic interest. It is shown here that if this group acts imprimitively on the message space then there is an exploitable weakness in the cipher. It is demonstrated that a weakness of this type can be used to construct a trapdoor that may be difficult to detect. An example of a DES-like cipher, resistant to both linear and differential cryptanalysis that generates an imprimitive group and is easily broken, is given. Some implications for block cipher design are noted.
Differential toxicity of trans-permethrin in rainbow trout and mice: I. Role of biotransformation

Abstract The trans isomer of [1R,S] permethrin (t-per) was > 110 times more toxic to rainbow trout than to mice by both iv and ip administration. The importance of trans-permethrin biotransformation in this differential toxicity was assessed by measuring rates of t-per biotransformation in trout and mouse tissues in vitro, and the effect of inhibitors of drug metabolism on t-per lethality in both species. A previous study had shown that ester hydrolysis by trout liver, plasma, and kidney is much slower than that seen in these same tissues in mice. The present work further indicates that oxidation of t-per is 35 times slower in trout liver microsomes than mouse microsomes when the tissue suspensions were incubated at the body temperature of trout and mice (12°C for trout and 37°C for mice). Inhibition of esterase activity with tri-o-tolyl phosphate (TOTP) produced no potentiation of t-per lethality in trout while the same compound potentiated t-per lethality at least 1.5-fold in mice. Piperonyl butoxide (PIP) alone produced no potentiation in mice but slightly increased t-per toxicity when administered in conjunction with TOTP. PIP caused a slight increase in t-per lethality in rainbow trout but no increase in t-per lethality from control was observed when trout were pretreated with both TOTP and PIP. When drug metabolism was inhibited, t-per was still 65 times more toxic to trout than to mice. The data indicate that trout, in addition to hydrolyzing t-per slowly, also oxidize the compound considerably slower than mice in vitro. Potentiation of t-per lethality by TOTP suggests ester hydrolysis to be an important t-per detoxification reaction in mice but not in trout. However, since t-per was 65 times more toxic to the trout than mouse when drug metabolism was inhibited, other factors, such as differences in target organ sensitivity may be involved in the differential toxicity of permethrin.
When Did that Happen? â€” Linking Events and Relations to Timestamps

We present work on linking events and fluents (i.e., relations that hold for certain periods of time) to temporal information in text, which is an important enabler for many applications such as timelines and reasoning. Previous research has mainly focused on temporal links for events, and we extend that work to include fluents as well, presenting a common methodology for linking both events and relations to timestamps within the same sentence. Our approach combines tree kernels with classical feature-based learning to exploit context and achieves competitive F1-scores on event-time linking, and comparable F1-scores for fluents. Our best systems achieve F1-scores of 0.76 on events and 0.72 on fluents.
CHAPTER 12 – Gastrointestinal Digestion and Absorption

The gastrointestinal (GI) system or tract is responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients and fluids. The tract extends from the mouth to the anus, and in an adult human, it is about 10 m long. Digestion is the hydrolysis of complex food substances into simpler units, such as monosaccharides, amino acids, fatty acids, and glycerol. Absorption is the transport of the products of digestion and of vitamins, minerals, and water across the intestinal epithelium to the lymphatic or blood circulatory systems. Digestion and absorption involve not only the gastrointestinal (GI) tract but also secretions from salivary glands, liver (and gallbladder), and pancreas. The system provides highly selective, efficient, and elaborate absorptive surfaces that contain enzymes and secretions of enzyme-containing fluids, electrolytes, and other substances required for digestion and absorption. The GI tract consists of mouth and esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. In the mouth, the food is mixed with saliva, chewed to break up large particles, and propelled into the esophagus by swallowing. Saliva is secreted by parotid, submaxillary, and sublingual glands, and by numerous small buccal glands. The presence of food in the mouth and the act of chewing stimulate secretion of saliva by reflex nervous stimulation. The stomach stores food temporarily, retards its entry into the small intestine, and secretes pepsin to begin the digestion of protein. Hydrogen ions in the stomach activate pepsinogen to form pepsin and aid in maintaining the sterility of the upper GI tract.
An Approach to Presacral Mass in Neonates

Cystic masses in presacral space in a neonate have a number of differential diagnoses including type-IV sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT), pelvic neuroblastoma, anterior meningocele, and rectal duplication cyst.[1-6] Every lesion has certain specific features that may give an insight to the preoperative diagnosis and help in individualizing the surgical approach as to the type of lesion. In case of sacrococcygeal teratoma a coccygectomy has to be added in the surgical therapy to reduce the chance of recurrence.[5]
A current sensor for on-chip, non-intrusive testing of RF systems

This paper discusses design of a current sensor suitable for on-chip testing of RF circuits. The proposed sensor detects supply current (Idd) variations, with minimal impact on the circuit performance. Bandwidth of the circuit is 3.4 GHz, with a constant gain of 31.7 dB. The sensor has been implemented in IBM-6RF, 0.25 /spl mu/ CMOS technology, with 2.5 V power supply and it offers the low real estate overhead and high dynamic range required for this application.
Genetic diversity and seed production in Santa Lucia fir ( Abies bracteata ),a relict of the Miocene Broadleaved Evergreen Forest

Santa Lucia fir (Abies bracteata), is a unique fir, the sole member of the subgenus Pseudotorreya. It is a relict of the Miocene broadleaved evergreen sclerophyll forest, and is now restricted to a highly fragmented range in the Santa Lucia Mountains of central coastal California. Expected heterozygosity for 30 isozyme loci in 18 enzyme systems, averaged over six populations that spanned the species’ north–south range, was only 0.036. Despite a fragmented range and isolated populations, differentiation (F ST) was only 0.080 for mature trees, and the number of migrants per generation (Nm) was 2.88 or 3.83, depending on the method of estimation. F ST for embryos was lower, 0.025, and Nm correspondingly higher, 9.75. Nei’s genetic distances were small and unrelated to geographic distances between populations. The proportion of full seeds per cone was only 0.082–0.488, depending on population, which suggests a high incidence of selfing followed by embryo abortion. However, the level of accumulated inbreeding, F IS, in mature trees was low, only 0.049. By contrast, F IS for embryos was 0.388, which indicates a high proportion of selfed progeny, in agreement with the low seed yields. The difference in inbreeding coefficients between seed trees and their progeny suggest that most inbreds are eliminated before maturity and, therefore, seed production, already low, overestimates the true potential for regeneration of these populations. These results have implications for conservation.
How Can Public Policy Improve Quality of Early Care and Education

The major purpose of this paper is to suggest ways that public policy can improve the quality of child care and early education for children from infancy to school age. Quality can be defined by such structural features as group composition, caregiver qualifications, and health and safety practices, and by such process indicators as sensitive, responsive, stimulating activities and interactions. Both predict children’s development. Among the structural indicators, specific training in early education is the most consistent predictor of children’s development, but small ratios and group sizes may also be important, especially for infants and toddlers. Early care and education policies in the U.S. have two means of affecting quality: providing funds and regulation or setting standards. When government agencies fund programs directly, they can hold the programs to structural and process quality standards. Regulations and standards can affect quality largely by dictating such structural features as teacher qualifications, child-to-adult ratios, and group sizes. Quality in all programs for young children can be enhanced by integrating child care and early education into a single system of early education and care.
Mechanical-electrical characterization of carbon-nanotube thin films for structural monitoring applications

To measure component-level structural responses due to external loading, strain sensors can provide detailed information pertaining to localized structural behavior. Although current metal foil strain sensors are capable of measuring strain deformations, they suffer from disadvantages including long-term performance issues when deployed in the field environment. This paper presents a novel carbon-nanotube polymer composite thin film that can be tailored for specific strain sensing properties. Beginning at the nano-scale, molecular manipulation of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) is performed to control chemical fabrication parameters as a means of establishing a relationship with macroscale bulk sensor properties. This novel strain sensor is fabricated using the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) self-assembly process. A rigorous experimental methodology is laid out to subject a variety of thin films to tensile-compressive cyclic loading. In particular, SWNT concentration, polyelectrolyte concentration, and film thickness are varied during the fabrication process to produce a variety of strain sensors. This study correlates fabrication parameters with bulk strain sensor properties; sensor properties including sensitivity (gauge factor), linearity, and hysteresis, are explored.
On the different ways that mathematicians use diagrams in proof construction

The processes by which individuals can construct proofs based on visual arguments are poorly understood. We investigated this issue by presenting eight mathematicians with a task that invited the construction of a diagram, and examined how they used this diagram to produce a formal proof. The main findings were that participants varied in the extent of their diagram usage, it was not trivial for participants to translate an intuitive argument into a formal proof, and participants’ reasons for using diagrams included noticing mathematical properties, verifying logical deductions, representing ideas or assertions, and suggesting proof approaches.
Neonatal hemodynamic response to visual cortex activity: high-density near-infrared spectroscopy study

The neurodevelopmental outcome of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants is a major clinical concern with many infants displaying neurobehavioral deficits in childhood. Functional neuroimaging may provide early recognition of neural deficits in high-risk infants. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has the advantage of providing functional neuroimaging in infants at the bedside. However, limitations in traditional NIRS have included contamination from superficial vascular dynamics in the scalp. Furthermore, controversy exists over the nature of normal vascular, responses in infants. To address these issues, we extend the use of novel high-density NIRS arrays with multiple source-detector distances and a superficial signal regression technique to infants. Evaluations of healthy term-born infants within the first three days of life are performed without sedation using a visual stimulus. We find that the regression technique significantly improves brain activation signal quality. Furthermore, in six out of eight infants, both oxy- and total hemoglobin increases while deoxyhemoglobin decreases, suggesting that, at term, the neurovascular coupling in the visual cortex is similar to that found in healthy adults. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using high-density NIRS arrays in infants to improve signal quality through superficial signal regression, and provide a foundation for further development of high-density NIRS as a clinical tool.
Two Forms of Rat Brain Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Differ in Their Dependence on Free Pyridoxal Phosphate

There are two forms of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) found in the rat brain. One form (form A) does not require exogenous pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) for activity whereas another form (form B) requires exogenous PLP for activity. These two forms differ greatly in temperature sensitivity, inactivation, and reactivation by the removal and readdition of PLP, electrophoretic mobility, and regional distribution. For instance, forms A and B are inactivated to an extent of 91% and 10%, respectively, by the treatment at 45 degrees C for 30 min; form A is greatly inactivated (77%) by the removal of PLP by aminooxyacetic acid and the readdition of PLP, whereas form B is only slightly inactivated (7%). Forms A and B can be clearly separated by 5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in which form A migrates faster than form B. In all 10 brain regions studied, form A is present in smaller amounts than form B. This difference is greatest in the superior colliculus (the ratio of B to A is about 5), while in the locus coeruleus and cerebellum, forms A and B are present in nearly equal proportion. Forms A and B are similar with respect to relative abundance in hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic preparations, inhibition of catalytic activity by a carbonyl-trapping agent, immunochemical properties, and chromatographic patterns in a variety of systems. The significance of forms A and B and PLP in the regulation of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) level is also discussed.
On the Stochastic Euler Equations in a Two-Dimensional Domain

In this paper, we discuss an initial-boundary value problem associated with the Euler equations with a random noise in a simply connected two-dimensional bounded domain. We present two different results according to the space regularity of the random noise. When the random noise is regular in the space variables, we prove the existence of a unique solution as a Banach space-valued continuous stochastic process. If the noise is less regular in the space variables, we establish the existence of solutions defined over a given probability space under the assumption that the noise is given in terms of a standard Brownian motion.
Macromolecular switches for bilayer membranes

Controlled polyelectrolyte adsorption provides a powerful tool for use in the design of thin molecular films. The adsorption of polyelectrolyte chains would be expected to cause large changes in the delicate balance of forces that determines the structural and functional properties of organized assemblies, including monolayer, bilayer and multilayer films. But in addition, polyelectrolyte adsorption is exceedingly sensitive to environment, e.g., to pH, temperature and ionic strength. Controlled adsorption can therefore serve as a molecular switching mechanism, rendering film properties sensitive to selected chemical and physical stimuli. We have used this approach to effect molecular switching in mixtures of poly(2-ethyl acrylic acid) with bilayer vesicles of natural or synthetic phosphatidylcholines. In particular, we have prepared phosphatidylcholine vesicles that release their contents rapidly and quantitatively in response to changes in pH, temperature or glucose concentration. The design and preparation of responsive bilayer membranes, and the kinetics and mechanisms of the associated molecular switching processes, are discussed herein.
Three dimensional structure in a turbulent combusting mixing layer

An experimental study has been undertaken to examine three dimensional motion in a two stream, two dimensional combusting mixing layer. Side and plan view schlieren photographs were taken of flows in which room temperature premixed propane and air at high velocity were mixed with hot combustion products at a lower velocity. The cold side equivalence ratio was varied from 0.0 to 0.8 and the velocity ratio from 10/5 to 25/5 (velocities in m/sec). Laser doppler anemometry measurements were made to determine inlet boundary layer parameters and layer thickness. The results show an organized three dimensional structure witnessed in the plan view as line segments, or lineaments, which extend in the streamwise direction. The structures appear within the first, and retain their coherence over several, spanwise Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices. Their average spanwise spacing increases in the streamwise direction so as to maintain a constant ratio of 2.8 (±0.5 @ 95%) to the average spacing of spanwise vortices. The results also show a transition to a less organized state of smooth cellular structures that have variable spanwise width and streamwise length equal to that of the spanwise vortex they are part of. The appearance of the state coincides with a loss of spanwise coherence of the spanwise vortices. The transition occurs at vorticity thickness Reynolds numbers of about 7000–8000. It is concluded that under stable conditions combustion does not have a major qualitative effect on the mixing layer.
Making clinical decisions after Tarasoff

Much to the confusion of mental health professionals, Tarasoff has been misrepresented as simply establishing a duty to warn. Clinicians are offered a clear schema for understanding the practical implications of this decision and for implementing it in their practice.
Microscopic Measurements and Modeling of Hydrate Formation Kinetics

: The frequency of the Raman band for methane dissolved in water indicates clustering of water molecules around methane molecules. By monitoring trends in the position of this band with pressure, it was determined that the clusters resemble CH4 trapped in the 20-coordinated small 512 cavity, the basic building block of clathrate hydrates. These methane-water clusters act as precursors to hydrate cavity formation and their transformation to methane trapped in cavities of sI hydrate was monitored using time resolved Raman spectroscopy. The ratio of number of large to small cavities was obtained as a function of time. The formation of the large 51262 cavity was determined to be slower than for the small 512 cavity. Based on these results, a mechanistic model of methane hydrate formation from the aqueous phase is proposed.
Going beyond Cancun: Realizing the development promise of the Doha agenda

The launch of a new trade round in Doha in November 2001 was a major breakthrough following the discord in Seattle in 1999. The Doha Round is the first set of multilateral trade negotiations in which the needs and interests of developing countries have been officially declared a priority and whose conclusion deemed essential. However, the failure of the Doha negotiations in Cancun in September 2003 was a major setback. The trade talks are now stalled in several policy domains vital to developing countries such as agriculture, non‐farm trade, access to patented drugs, special and differential treatment and dispute settlement, and in areas of interest to the developed countries such as the “Singapore issues” dealing with investment, competition, trade facilitation and government procurement This paper discusses the reasons behind the failure, its wider implications as well as the policies that member governments of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will need to make to move beyond Cancun.
Price inflation and stock returns

Abstract This letter demonstrates that price inflation and stock returns display differing relationships depending on the measure of inflation used. The regularity that price inflation and stock returns are negatively related in post-World War II depends on the model specification.
Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) for using statistical tables

In this paper the authors look at the use of Computer Assisted Instruction in the teaching of the use of statistical tables.
The significance of circumstances for college students' ratings of their teachers and courses

Although firm generalizations and conclusions cannot yet be drawn from the extant research on the effects on teacher and course ratings of the circumstances surrounding these evaluations, at least some studies have shown that college students' ratings of their teachers and courses are somewhat higher when students remain anonymous rather than identifying themselves, when the purported use of the ratings is an official or administrative one for use in salary, promotion, or tenure considerations rather than otherwise, and when the instructor is present rather than absent during the rating session. (The differences between each of these contrasted circumstances are usually rather small and do not inevitably appear across studies.) Certain variations in rating format have been found to make a difference in the ratings obtained, whereas other have not. From limited evidence, the exact timing (or occasion) of evaluation appears not to be important to ratings. Variability in sampling procedures, as it affects the composition of students available to complete rating forms, may or may not turn out to be a generally important element in ratings (as directly relevant data are collected). The analysis concludes with a discussion of (1) the presumed “bias” in ratings produced in certain of the rating conditions and (2) the more general issue of the comparability of ratings made in different circumstances of evaluation.
Laser damage test results on Balzers round-robin thin film samples.

The pulsed laser damage threshold of several thin film coatings has been assessed using 1.06-μm radiation at a pulse length of 6-nsec FWHM. The irradiation spot size was 360 μm in diameter at the 1/e2 points in intensity. These coatings are part of a well-characterized master set prepared for round-robin testing by Balzers of Liechtenstein, a leading thin film manufacturer. Similar data from eight different laboratories in the United States and Europe have been intercompared to evaluate test procedures and film reproducibility [ K. H. Guenther , Appl. Opt.23, 3743 ( 1984)].
External Fat Cover Influence on Raw and Cooked Beef 2. Cooking Time, Losses, Press Fluid and Shear Force Values

SUMMARY: The semitendinosus muscle was used in a study of the influence of the external fat cover and the oven temperature on the characteristics of cooked beef. Roasts were cooked either with or without the external fat cover to an internal temperature of 58°C (rare). Two oven temperatures, 163° or 218°C, were used. The roasts cooked at 218°C required a shorter time in the oven than did the roasts cooked at 163°C but the presence or absence of the external fat cover had very little effect on the min per lb. Roasting at an oven temperature of 218°C caused significantly greater total cooking losses than roasting at 163°C. The cooking losses were increased significantly by cooking the roasts with the fat cover on, as compared with removing the external fat The increase was mainly due to an increase in the drip losses. The presence or absence of the external fat cover had a significant influence on the quantity of press fluid obtained from the samples. A greater amount of fluid was pressed from the roasts without the fat cover. The posterior ends of the muscle were more tender (as indicated by Warner Bratzler shear force values) than the anteriomr ends. The lower oven temperature also caused significantly more tender roasts.
L-A virus at 3.4 Å resolution reveals particle architecture and mRNA decapping mechanism

The structure of the yeast L-A virus was determined by X-ray crystallography at 3.4 A resolution. The L-A dsRNA virus is 400 A in diameter and contains a single protein shell of 60 asymmetric dimers of the coat protein, a feature common among the inner protein shells of dsRNA viruses and probably related to their unique mode of transcription and replication. The two identical subunits in each dimer are in non-equivalent environments and show substantially different conformations in specific surface regions. The L-A virus decaps cellular mRNA to efficiently translate its own uncapped mRNA. Our structure reveals a trench at the active site of the decapping reaction and suggests a role for nearby residues in the reaction.
Escaping the crunch: Gravitational effects in classical transitions

During eternal inflation, a landscape of vacua can be populated by the nucleation of bubbles. These bubbles inevitably collide, and collisions sometimes displace the field into a new minimum in a process known as a classical transition. In this paper, we examine some new features of classical transitions that arise when gravitational effects are included. Using the junction condition formalism, we study the conditions for energy conservation in detail, and solve explicitly for the types of allowed classical transition geometries. We show that the repulsive nature of domain walls, and the de Sitter expansion associated with a positive energy minimum, can allow for classical transitions to vacua of higher energy than that of the colliding bubbles. Transitions can be made out of negative or zero energy (terminal) vacua to a de Sitter phase, restarting eternal inflation, and populating new vacua. However, the classical transition cannot produce vacua with energy higher than the original parent vacuum, which agrees with previous results on the construction of pockets of false vacuum. We briefly comment on the possible implications of these results for various measure proposals in eternal inflation.
Clinical Diagnosis of Cardiac Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus A Correlation of Clinical and Autopsy Findings in Thirty Patients

A review was made of the case histories and autopsy reports of 30 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who had clinical cardiovascular involvement. The presence of an enlarged heart or of gallop rhythm strongly suggests myocardial involvement, but the electrocardiogram is not specific. Signs and symptoms referable to the heart are unusual as a first manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, and in patients receiving suppressive chemotherapy they do not further worsen the prognosis. Systolic murmurs cannot be interpreted as conclusive evidence of Libman-Sacks valvulitis.
Neurological Impairment Among Elderly African-American Nursing Home Residents

In this pilot study, 288 elderly African-American and 482 white residents of 10 nursing homes in Wayne County, Michigan, were compared for neurological impairment. The frequency of diagnosis of neurological impairment was equivalent for African-American and white males, but greater for African-American females than for white females. Cerebral vascular accident (CVA, or stroke) and nonspecific dementia were the most common neurological diagnoses for all groups. For males but not females, there was a statistically significant difference in the causes of neurological impairment, with more African-Americans diagnosed as having CVA, and more whites diagnosed as having nonspecific dementia. While the incidence of neurological impairment in African-Americans exceeded that of whites, predominantly white nursing homes offered more sophisticated care. This suggests the need to review the means by which comprehensive nursing home care may be expanded in the African-American community.
Variable-temperature STM measurements of step kinetics on Si(001).

Using a variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscope we have measured the time evolution of the atomic-scale morphology of steps on Si(001) at temperatures up to 350 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. Step-rearrangement events, i.e., local changes in the atomic arrangements, are observed between successive images at temperatures above 225 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The observed events always involve single or multiple units of four atoms and occur most frequently at kink sites and at the ends of dimer rows. By measuring the event rate we determine an effective activation-energy barrier of 1.4--1.7 eV. The events cannot be completely characterized as successive random arrangements involving only single units. Rather, correlations are observed between neighboring dimer columns, and the event rate depends on the local atomic-step configuration.
Novel Applications of organometals: Magnetic, etc. properties of iron dispersions (I) in zeolites and (II) in amorphous glass-like carbons

The first part describes a novel technique for dispersing ultrafine species of iron oxide of controlled particle size (radii < 150 ») within the cage structure of a zeolite matrix, with the aid of organometals such as ferrocene and iron pentacarbonyl. The particle size and magnetic ordering within the iron clusters are elucidated via 57Fe Mossbauer spectrocopy and via their superparamagnetic behavior displayed by magnetization curves obtained as a function of the magnetic field and temperature. The second part of the paper describes the magnetic properties of iron species (Fe3C, Fe3O4, etc.) dispersed in amorphous glass-like carbons. These are obtained by the polymerization of furfuryl alcohol-containg ferrocene derivatives and by the subsequent pyrolysis of the polyfurfuryl alcohol. The technological relevance and applications of the materials studied in Parts I and II of the paper are pointed out.
High pressure 2H-NMR study of the order and dynamics of selectively deuterated dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine in multilamellar aqueous dispersions

High pressure 2H multipulse NMR techniques were used to investigate the effects of pressure on the structure and dynamics of selectively deuterated 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) multilamellar aqueous dispersions. The samples were deuterated on both chains at positions 2, 9, or 13. The deuterium lineshapes, the spin-lattice relaxation times, T1, and the spin-spin relaxation times, T2, were measured as a function of pressure from 1 bar to 5 kbar at 50 degrees C for the three deuterated DPPC samples. This pressure range permitted us to explore the phase behavior of DPPC from the liquid-crystalline (LC) phase through various gel phases such as the Gel I (P beta), Gel II (L beta), Gel III, Gel X, and the interdigitated, Gel i, gel phase. Pressure had an ordering effect on all chain segments both in the LC phase and various high pressure gel phases as indicated by the increase in SCD bond order parameter and the first moment, M1, with pressure. Compared with the adjacent gel phases, the Gel i phase had the highest order. Also, in all gel phases the carbon-9 segment of the chains had the most restricted motions in contrast to the LC phase, where the carbon-2 segment was the most restricted. In the LC phase, T1 and T2 values for all segments decreased with pressure, indicative of the fast correlation time regime. Similarly, T1 decreased with pressure in the Gel I and the interdigitated Gel i gel phases but changed to the slow correlation time regime at the Gel i/Gel II phase transition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Those Little Pieces of White Bread: Early Lutheran Initiatives among the Hungry Poor

: Martin Luther's theological and sacramental convictions shaped his commitments to social reform, especially the reform of social welfare and the distribution of money and goods in early modern northern Europe. His early critique of merchant capitalism, political lobbyists, and global economic monopolies prompts contemporary questions about the just distribution of wealth in a world where too many have too little.
Linking juvenile and adult patterns of criminal activity in the Providence cohort of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project

The study of criminal careers has generated much needed information about individual patterns of criminal offending. Still, only a handful of studies have explored whether these criminal career dimensions are similar or different across race and sex. To provide further evidence on this topic, data from a prospective cohort of individuals who participated in the Providence sample of the National Collaborative Perinatal Project (NCPP) were examined with regard to patterns of prevalence, frequency, chronicity, and specialization-in-violence for the entire cohort, as well as for samples stratified by race, sex, and race-sex categorizations. In addition, demographic and juvenile offending characteristics were used to predict adult offender status. Implications for future research are also addressed.
NOT ALL MUSCLES WORK BEST AT THE SAME SPEED

![][1] Anyone that spends extended periods of time walking or running intuitively understands that for a given gait there is a particular speed that seems most suitable. Experts studying the energetics of human locomotion have shown that these so-called preferred speeds have something
Drag of Circular Cylinders at Transonic Mach Numbers

CM2w (Fig2), we see that at all incidences it is maximum when N= 1 and decreases rapidly to CM2C with increase in N. Finally, from Fig. 3, it is seen that at all incidences XCP moves forward (toward the nose) when TV is even and backward (toward the base) when N is odd, with the maximum backward shift occurring at TV— 1 and maximum forward shift occurring at N-2. But, at lower incidence (e.g., at a = 20°), the XCPW >X_CPC for all Nexcept 7V=2, whereas at higher incidences XCPW \, i.e., XCP w shifts toward the nose because of the finite number of waves along the body, before ultimately tending to XCPC as N becomes very large.
MOVPE growth and characterization of Mg-doped GaN

Abstract Mg-doping of GaN films has been investigated as a function of growth rate, reactor pressure and N to Ga flow ratio (V/III ratio). The nominal doping level, determined by the Mg to Ga flow ratio, was kept constant. Secondary-ion-mass-spectroscopy (SIMS) measurements indicate that more Mg is incorporated at low pressure; the incorporation efficiency is independent of the other variables. The electrical properties of the films grown at atmospheric pressure appear independent of growth rate and V/III ratio, displaying an average hole concentration of 7.4×10 17 cm −3 and mobility of 9.3 cm 2 /V s. However, films grown at a reduced pressure of 76 Torr exhibit a strong dependence on V/III ratio; the conductivity is observed to improve by an order of magnitude when the V/III ratio is raised by a factor of four. We observe a simultaneous increase in hole concentration and mobility in these films suggesting that a high degree of compensation, probably due to nitrogen vacancies, is present in the films grown at low V/III ratios. Finally, room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements were performed on the samples. The PL spectra are dominated by a broad peak at 2.8 eV; the peak intensity is found to increase with increasing V/III ratio.
OR3 THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HYPOGONADISM AMONG PRIVATELY-INSURED EMPLOYEES IN THE UNITED STATES

THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HYPOGONADISM AMONG PRIVATELY-INSURED EMPLOYEES IN THE UNITED STATES Kaltenboeck A1, Foster S2, Thomas N2, Ivanova J1, Diener M1, Bergman R1, Birnbaum H3, Swindle R2 1Analysis Group, Inc., New York, NY, USA, 2Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA, 3Analysis Group, Inc., Boston, MA, USA OBJECTIVES: Compare direct and indirect (workloss) costs between privately-insured U.S. employees with hypogonadism (HG) and demographically matched controls without HG. METHODS: Male employees, ages 35-64, with 2 HG diagnoses (ICD-9-CM: 257.2x) or 1 HG diagnosis and 1 claim for testosterone therapy between 1/1/2005-3/31/2009 were identified from a privately-insured claims database (N 12,000,000). The index date was defined as the most recent HG diagnosis with continuous eligibility 1 year before (baseline period) and 1 year after (study period). Employees with HG were matched 1:1 on age, region, employment status, and index year to controls without HG. Descriptive analyses compared demographic characteristics, comorbidities, resource utilization, direct costs (reimbursements to providers for medical services and prescription drugs) and indirect costs (disability and medically-related absenteeism) inflated to $2009. Multivariate analyses adjusting for baseline patient differences were used to estimate risk-adjusted costs. RESULTS: 4,269 HG employees, mean age 51, with matched controls met inclusion criteria. Compared with controls, HG employees had higher baseline comorbidity rates: hyperlipidemia (50.2% vs. 25.3%), hypertension (37.7% vs. 21.1%), back/neck pain (32.0% vs. 15.7%), and HIV/AIDS (7.1% vs. 0.3%) (all p 0.0001). HG employees had higher study period rates of inpatient stays (10.8% vs. 5.2%), Emergency Department visits (27.5% vs. 16.3%), outpatient visits (100.0% vs. 76.7%), prescription medication use (95.7% vs. 68.3%), and higher mean workloss days (19.3 vs. 8.8) (all p 0.0001). HG employees compared with controls had higher mean study period direct ($10,914 vs. $3,823) and indirect costs ($3,204 vs. $1,450); HG-related direct costs were $832. HG employees’ costs remained higher after adjusting for baseline differences (direct: $9,291 vs. $5,248; indirect: $2,729 vs. $1,840) (all p 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Employees with HG had higher comorbidity rates and costs compared with demographically matched controls. Given the low HG-related costs, the main driver of overall costs among HG patients may be their comorbidity burden.