cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE STATUS OF PSEUDOGYMNOASCUS DESTRUCTANS IN LOUISIANA

White-nose syndrome (WNS) represents an emerging infectious disease in bats caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). The fatal disease has devastated populations of several species of bats in North America, so there is interest in delimiting its current range to aid containment and other management efforts. Early detection of the fungus aids in risk assessment of the disease and managing its presence in areas with hibernating bats. Infection by Pd in bats has been neither surveyed nor reported in Louisiana, despite the fact that WNS has been recorded approximately 150 km across the border of two neighboring states, Arkansas and Mississippi. Between December 2015 and January 2016, we surveyed 190 culverts distributed across the northern portion of Louisiana. In total, we encountered 801 individual bats (355 Perimyotis subflavus, 299 Myotis, 54 Eptesicus fuscus, 47 Tadarida brasiliensis, and 46 Corynorhinus rafinesquii). We used ultraviolet illumination to inspect each individual for presence of WNS symptoms, and no visible symptoms were detected. We also swabbed the skin of 244 bats and 316 habitat walls, and swabs were returned to the laboratory and analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Pd-specific primers for presence of the pathogen. No genetic detections occurred in any bat or habitat wall samples. Based on negative detection, we hypothesize that the fungus has not yet been introduced into the state of Louisiana or the environmental conditions of culverts found in Louisiana are not conducive to persistence of the fungus; however, ours is the first survey to assess the status of Pd in the state. Monitoring should continue to confirm that no evidence of the fungal pathogen exists anywhere in the state and to enable rapid response if detection occurs.
Photodynamic Therapy: A Brief History

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the selective sensitization of tissues to light. A major advance in the field occurred when Thomas Dougherty at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute initiated a series of clinical studies that eventually led to FDA approval of the procedure. This report contains a summary of Dougherty's contributions and an assessment of where this has led, along with a summary of implications for future drug development.
Reproductive Outcomes following Laser Surgery for Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.

Background There are limited studies describing future reproductive outcomes in women who have had selective fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (SFLP) for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Objective Our study aims to compare reproductive outcomes following monochorionic multiple gestational pregnancies complicated by TTTS requiring SFLP to those not requiring SFLP. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study that analyzed records of patients who were evaluated at the Cincinnati Fetal Center (2007-2014) for monochorionic multiple gestations. A questionnaire regarding reproductive, obstetric, gynecologic, and psychological outcomes following the index pregnancy was administered to consented participants by electronic distribution. The data was compared between pregnancies with prior SFLP versus no prior SFLP. Results There was a higher response rate in the SFLP group (219/474, 46.2%) versus the referent group (62/187, 33.2%). The median interval between the index pregnancy and survey completion was 74 months and 46 months in the SFLP and referent groups, respectively. Approximately 38 and 37% of the women in the SFLP and referent groups attempted conception after the index pregnancy with a >90% pregnancy success rate in both groups. Use of assisted reproductive technology was highly prevalent in both the index and subsequent pregnancies, with no significant difference between the groups. Over 60% of the women in each group did not attempt future pregnancy. Of those, approximately 1 in 3 cited the outcome of the index pregnancy as the primary reason for not pursuing future conception. There were no significant differences in selected maternal-fetal complications and new-onset gynecologic problems. More than 1 in 4 women in both groups were diagnosed with a mental health disorder following the index pregnancy. Conclusion SFLP does not appear to be associated with adverse reproductive, obstetric, or gynecologic outcomes. The data may help facilitate evidence-based counseling for this patient population.
Market potential for Gulf of Mexico farm-raised finfish

Concerns that additional supplies of U.S. farm-raised fish may compete with domestic wild fish has contributed to resistance and litigation that has slowed aquaculture development in the U.S. We em...
A Comparison of 30-Day Perioperative Complications for Open Operative Care of Distal Upper-Extremity Fractures Treated by Orthopedic Versus Plastic Surgeons: A Study of the National Surgical Quality Improvement (NSQIP) Database

Purpose To determine whether surgeon specialty affects complications after open operative care of distal upper-extremity fractures. Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Database from 2005 to 2016. Patients were included if they received open operative treatment by an orthopedic or a plastic surgeon for distal radius/ulna, carpal, metacarpal, or phalangeal fracture. Univariate analysis and multivariable analysis of perioperative complications were performed to identify differences between the 2 specialties. Major complications assessed were 30-day reoperation and mortality. We also assessed transfusion, thromboembolic, surgical site infections, cardiac, pulmonary, and renal complications. Results A total of 20,512 patients were included. Most cases performed by orthopedic surgeons (71.2%) were for distal radius/ulna fractures, whereas the majority of cases performed by plastic surgeons were for metacarpal (41.0%) and phalangeal (37.9%) fractures. No difference was identified in most perioperative complications between specialties. Plastic surgeons had a higher incidence of surgical site infections (1.2% vs 0.5%) on univariate analysis. However, when controlling for variables such as patient demographics and comorbidities in multivariable analysis, surgical specialty was not significantly associated with surgical site infection. Rather, surgery on phalangeal bones (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.745; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.559–4.833), higher wound class (wound class 3 aOR = 3.630; 95% CI, 2.003–6.577), and smoking (aOR = 1.970; 95% CI, 1.279–3.032) were independent risk factors for surgical site infection. Plastic surgeons were found to operate on proportionally more smokers, patients with higher wound class, and phalangeal fractures (37.9% of all fracture cases) compared with orthopedic surgeons Conclusions Orthopedic and plastic surgeons achieve equivalent outcomes from a safety perspective after open operative treatment of upper-extremity fractures in terms of mortality and 30-day reoperation, which suggests that both specialties can safely perform call-related operative upper-extremity fracture care. Plastic surgeons operated on more smokers, patients with higher wound class, and phalangeal fractures, all of which were associated with increased incidence of surgical site infection, revealing differences in practice composition from their orthopedic colleagues. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic III.
It's a man's job? An investigation of shifting (masculine) honor expectations for men and women

Abstract Research on masculine honor beliefs (MHB) has shown that MHB are associated with more positive perceptions of men who respond aggressively to threats and insults, but more negative perceptions of men who ignore threats and insults. Problematically, all previous theoretical research has assumed these expectations do not apply to women and, as such, no previous research has examined perceptions of women who confront an insulting or threatening individual. Across three studies (total N = 1024) we tested our Shifting Honor Expectations (SHE) hypothesis that women would be held to different expectations than men in response to insults and threats. Potentially surprising given the lack of extant literature on the topic, across three studies our results showed that, similarly to men, as a function of participants' MHB, women are perceived more positively when they respond aggressively to threats and insults. However, unlike men, women were generally not perceived more negatively when they chose not to aggress against an insulting stranger. We contend that better understanding the rewards and expectations associated with men and women engaging in aggressive responses to threats and insults (and how these expectations differ), can help explain extreme forms of violence in society and these implications are discussed.
Hypertensive Vascular Diseases

Pulmonary hypertensive vascular diseases are diagnosed most frequently clinically, with the help of imaging and invasive cardiovascular testing. Nonetheless, though biopsies for these diseases are rare, these lesions can be encountered in lung biopsies performed to evaluate the patient for other lung diseases, both neoplastic and nonneoplastic. Therefore, the practicing pathologist should become familiar with the characteristic features of these diseases so that they can recognize them. This chapter reviews the vascular changes seen in both low-grade and high-grade pulmonary hypertensive arteriopathy, including the characteristic plexiform and vasodilatation lesions seen in the latter. Also, the pathologic lesions of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) and pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) are reviewed as these may be subtle and difficult recognize. Not surprisingly, both bronchoscopic images and cytopathology play minimal roles in the diagnoses of these diseases, but thoracic imaging studies are central to making these clinical-pathologic diagnoses.
Chain Conformation and Hydration of Polyethylene Oxide Grafted to Gold Nanoparticles: Curvature and Chain Length Effect

Development of functional polymer-grafted nanoparticles for various nanotechnological applications, including nanomedicine, requires understanding of the interplay of design parameters governed by ...
Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and the Racialization of Attitudes Toward Descriptive Representation:

Who is most likely to consider diverse representation desirable? Previous literature typically emphasizes the importance of partisanship and group identity congruence (i.e., women representing wome...
Do Creativity, Risk-Taking Propensity, and Locus of Control Drive Entrepreneurial Intentions?

Using the theoretical lens of the theory of planned behavior, we investigated the effect of the personality factors, risk-taking, creativity, and locus of control, on the entrepreneurial intentions...
Linked Ethnographic Data: From Theory to Practice

As Web Science continues to mix methods from the many disciplines that study the web, we must begin to seriously look at mixing and linking data across the Qualitative and Quantitative divide. A large difficulty in this is in modeling and archiving Qualitative data. In this paper, we outline what these difficulties are in detail with a focus on the data practices of Ethnography. We describe how linked data technologies can address these issues. We demonstrate this with a case study in modeling data from audio interviews that were taken in an ethnographic study conducted in our lab. We conclude with a discussion on future work that needs to be done to better equip researchers with these tools and methods.
Brains, Heart and Courage

Uses The Wizard of Oz as a metaphor for a workforce comprising of Scarecrows, Tinmen and Cowardly Lions. Specifically addresses the topics of disempowered workers, barriers to empowering employees, steps to empowerment, and benefits to organizations of having self‐directed and empowered employees. The three qualities to empowerment are brains, a heart and courage; without these the workforce is composed of people who are passive and unmotivated. Employees who are empowered are less risk‐aversive, more creative, and more willing to suggest bolder solutions.
Erythrocytapheresis Therapy to Reduce Iron Overload in Chronically Transfused Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

Chelation therapy with deferoxamine is effective in preventing the risk of transfusional iron overload, but treatment failure is common because of noncompliance. To reduce the transfusional iron load, we have evaluated longterm erythrocytapheresis in 14 subjects with sickle cell disease and stroke (11) or other complications (3) as an alternative to simple transfusion. Subjects were treated with erythrocytapheresis using the Haemonetics V50 (Haemonetics Corp, Braintree, MA) to maintain the target pretransfusion hemoglobin S (Hb S) level less than 50% for 6 to 71 months. The transfusional iron load and the donor blood usage were analyzed for a 6- to 36-month study period and were compared with similar data from a subset of 7 subjects previously treated with conventional (target Hb S or = 8.0 g/dL had lower iron accumulation (P < .001) and less donor blood usage (P < .005) than subjects with Hb levels < or = 8.0 g/dL. Although donor blood usage is increased in comparison with simple transfusion, long-term erythrocytapheresis markedly reduces or prevents iron accumulation. This form of transfusion therapy allows the cessation of iron chelation in well-chelated subjects and, if used as the initial form of transfusion therapy, may prevent long-term complications of sickle cell disease without risk of iron overload and the need for chelation therapy.
Florencia Enghel & Karin Wilkins (Eds.), Communication, Media and Development: Problems and Perspectives

The collection of articles in Communication, Media and Development: Problems and Perspectives, a special edition of Nordicom Review edited by Florencia Enghel and Karin Wilkins, focuses on communication and media in international development. The collection, featuring contributors mostly from Western and Nordic countries, provides a broad survey of communication and related applications, experiences, and cases involving communication for development in response to the thematic question posed by the editors: “Mobilizing communication globally—for what and for whom?” However, while the volume does present a wide variety of general and specific subjects, it does not unify or link the topics to specific themes, which could have provided a more defined sense of overall purpose.
Energy underreporting in African-American girls: A longitudinal analysis

Abstract Background: The objective of this study was to determine the longitudinal prevalence and predictors of dietary underreporting in African-American preadolescent girls and the association of baseline dietary underreporting with changes in BMI over a 2-year period as part of the Girls health Enrichment Multi-site Studies (GEMS). Methods: Energy was summarized at baseline, 12 months, and 24 months and computed as a 3-day average of 24-hour dietary recalls. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometer, basal metabolic rate was estimated using the World Health Organization's prediction equation, and caloric underreporting was based on the Goldberg equation. Results: We classified 48% of the girls at baseline as underreporters; with underreporting increasing over time (61% at 12 months; 66% at 24 months). Intervention treatment assignment did not affect the prevalence of underreporting over time. The consistency of underreporting (or not) stayed stable over time. Across all three time points, a highe...
Biomechanical assessment techniques in rehabilitation

A set of quantitative instruments has been developed for monitoring the surgical and rehabilitative progress of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. The set includes biomechanical devices, electrophysiological equipment, and automated clinical test series, and functional assessment instrumentation. Data from the multiple tests is accessed through a centralized data base management system. Design considerations as well as results from a clinical study of neuroelectric stimulation are presented. An instrument is described which is used to quantitatively evaluate wrist joint control during active and passive motion. Results from tests of spastic children undergoing flexor tendon transfer are presented. A method of measuring and analyzing the magnitude and frequency content of reaction forces at six discrete points under the foot is described. An analysis of the reaction forces and frequency content during normal gait is provided. >
Critique of the Evolutionarily Significant Unit as a Definition for “Distinct Population Segments” under the U.S. Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Endangered Species Act grants protection to species, subspecies, and “distinct population segments” of vertebrate species. Historically, Congress included distinct population segments into endangered species legislation to enable the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implement a flexible and pragmatic approach in listing populations of vertebrate species. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service have proposed a policy that would narrowly define distinct population segments as evolutionarily significant units based on morphological and genetic distinctiveness between populations. Historically, the power to list species or populations as distinct population segments has been used to tailor management practices to unique circumstances; grant varied levels of protection in different parts of a species’ range; protect species from extinction in significant portions of their ranges as well as to protect populations that are unique evolutionary entities. A strict redefinition of distinct population segments as evolutionarily significant units will compromise management efforts because the role of demographic and behavioral data will be reduced. Furthermore, strictly cultural, economic, or geographic justifications for listing populations as threatened or endangered will be greatly curtailed. El Acta de Especies en Peligro de E.U.A.: ofrece proteccion a especies, a subespecies y a “segmentos poblacionales notables” de especies de vertebrados. Historicamente, el Congreso incluyo segmentos poblacionales notables en la legislacion de especies en peligro para permitir que el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre instrumentara una forma flexible y pragmatica de enlistar poblaciones de especies de vertebrados. Recientemente, el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre y el Servicio Nacional de Pesqueria Marinas han propuesto una politica que define a los segmentos poblacionales notables como unidades evolutivamente significativas basadas en las diferencias morfologicas y geneticas entre poblaciones. Historicamente, la autoridad para enlistar especies o poblaciones como segmentos poblacionales notables se ha utilizado para ajustar practicas de manejo a circunstancias unicas; otorgar diferentes niveles de proteccion en diferentes partes del rango de distribucion de la especies; proteger especies en porciones significativas de su rango de distribucion asi como proteger poblaciones que son entidades evolutivas unicas. Una redefinicion estricta de los segmentos poblacionales notables como unidades evolutivamente significativas comprometera esfuerzos de manejo porque se reducira importancia al papel de datos demograficos y conductuales. Mas aun, se reduciran las justificaciones estrictamente culturales, economicas o geograficas para enlistar poblaciones como amenazadas o en peligro.
Locus of Control, Expectational Set, and Problem Solving

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether experimentally induced expectational sets of success or failure differentially affect the performance of internal and external scorers. Another purpose was to determine the relation between locus of control and verbal and figural measures of inductive reasoning. Subjects were 144 fifth graders who were administered the children's Nowicki-Strickland instrument. Analysis indicated that the external scorers' mean was significantly lower than that of internal scorers on a verbal problem-solving task. Experimenter's instructions did not differentially affect performance on the two types of tasks and did not differentially affect the two groups of scorers.
Hormonal control of ovulation in the mare

This paper reviews recent information concerning seasonal regulation of ovulation in the mare, and the potential for induction of single and multiple ovulations in seasonally anestrous and in cycling mares. Studies utilizing artificial photoperiod, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in a combination of doses, routes, and patterns of administration for the induction of ovulation in seasonally anestrous or transitional mares are discussed. Furthermore, the difficulty in controlling the time of ovulation in cycling mares is considered, and the potential for GnRH analogs to induce multiple ovulations is explored.
Pinning of vortex rings and vortex networks in excitable systems

We investigate the effect of unexcitable obstacles on rotating scroll waves in three-dimensional excitable media. Our experiments use the autocatalytic Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction and demonstrate that vortex filaments can be pinned to small, spherical obstacles. We find that single pinning sites increase the lifetime of collapsing vortex rings. Lifetimes and accompanying shape changes of the vortex filaments are well described by mean-curvature flow. We also create stationary networks of pinned filaments involving several pinning sites.
The Dominican Republic and Central America Free Trade Agreement with the USA: some concerns

This article examines the role of free-trade agreements that integrate profoundly asymmetrical economies in simultaneously benefiting the more powerful nation and exacerbating inequalities within and between the countries involved. The latest in a series of such agreements in the Americas, the Dominican Republic and Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR–CAFTA), opens up the economies of these small nations to US investment and exports, as multinational companies are able to take advantage of lower production costs and weak labour legislation. In the global economy, South–South trade agreements offer a far better alternative for countries with weak institutions and little economic or political leverage.
The effects of fluid motion on toxicant sensitivity of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus

Standardized methods for estimating the toxicity of anthropogenic compounds to aquatic organisms frequently fail to consider key elements of the test organisms' environment. Aquatic organisms exist in a fluid environment, and fluid dynamics may have an important influence on the response to toxicants. Rotifers are one of the three major groups of zooplankton and have been increasingly utilized in standardized toxicity testing. However, like other toxicity tests, assays with the species Brachionus calyciflorus are performed under static conditions in the absence of fluid motion. We investigated how fluid motion modifies pentachlorophenol (PCP) toxicity to B. calyciflorus using 24 h acute and 48 h reproductive toxicity tests. Estimates of PCP LC50s and reproduction EC50s in static conditions decreased from 738 and 1082 microg l(-1), respectively, to as low as 262 and 136 microg l(-1), respectively, in fluid motion. Flow analysis indicated that increased toxicant sensitivity can occur at ecologically relevant levels of fluid motion. Mechanistic studies indicated that fluid motion/toxicant interactions may result from the ability of fluid motion to cause shear stress, alter toxicant uptake, and/or alter the bioavailability of food. As fluid motion may have an important effect on the life histories of a wide variety of aquatic organisms, fluid motion/toxicant interactions may be an important consideration in other standard test organisms. These results raise questions about the accuracy of ecological risk assessments based on toxicity data from static conditions.
Relative abundances of living and dead molluscs in two Californian lagoons

Assemblages of living benthic invertebrates (predominantly bivalve molluscs) from the sand-channel habitat of two Southern California (U.S.A.) lagoons were sampled on ten occasions over a 37-month period. A one-time sampling of the corresponding assemblages of accumulating dead remains made possible a contrast of living and dead assemblages designed to assess the biasing effects of post-mortem transportation, shell dissolution, and time-averaging. Species-by-species comparisons of the living and dead molluscs found together in the same samples strongly suggested that post-mortem transportation is insignificant within this high-energy habitat. A similar conclusion arose from contrasting the pattern of spatial heterogeneity of the living community with that of the dead assemblage. Species presence-and-absence comparisons were generally more reliable than comparisons of relative abundances. Adjustments for experimentally determined rates of post-mortem shell dissolution proved significant and further decreased the correspondence in relative abundances between living and dead assemblages. Greater temporal variability of living populations at Mugu Lagoon, probably caused by a more harsh physical environment, increased the differences in composition between living and dead assemblages, which suggests that correspondence in relative abundances between living and dead assemblages generally should be expected to decrease as the life environment becomes more harsh.
Localization of male determining factor on short arm of Y chromosome. Case report of a baby with 46, x, t (Yp+;14q-).

The case of a premature underdeveloped male baby showing an asymmetrical face and minor congenital malformations is presented. The baby expired on the 6th day of life. Chromosome studies by light and fluorescence microscopy showed a translocation between the distal two-thirds of the No. 14 chromosome and the Y chromosome (46, X, t(Yp+; 14q –)). The karyotypes of the parents were normal. The father's “Y body” was morphologically similar to that of the propositus. The cytogenetic findings are relevant in the light of the present hypothesis that the male sex determining factor is to be found on the short arm of the Y chromosome. The translocation chromosome contained the whole long arm of the Y chromosome, its centromere and the centro-meric portion of its short arm. This suggests that the male determining factor is located on the centromeric portion of the short arm of the Y chromosome.
Victimless Crime: A Definitional Issue

The concept of victimless crime has been employed, discusscd, and debated by criminologists and criminal justice professionals since the early sixties. A number of different definitions have been p...
Wind stress on nearshore and lagoonal waters of a tropical island1

Wind profiles were measured over a windward lagoon and a quasi-leeward area in Barbados, West Indies, under the prevailing trade winds. Relationships between shear and wind velocities for these environments were determined. Under average wind conditions the shear stress on these coastal waters is about 72% of that of an oceanic region.
Evaluation of Spatial and Temporal Root Water Uptake Patterns of a Flood-Irrigated Pecan Tree Using the HYDRUS (2D/3D) Model

AbstractQuantitative information about the spatial and temporal patterns of compensatory root water uptake (RWU) in flood-irrigated pecan orchard is limited. We evaluated spatio-temporal compensated and uncompensated RWU patterns of mature pecan tree in a silty clay loam orchard using the HYDRUS (2D/3D) model. HYDRUS (2D/3D) simulations, which agreed well with measured water contents and temperatures at different soil depths and horizontal distances from the tree trunk, suggested that while both compensated and uncompensated RWU varied with soil depth they did not do so laterally because of similar spatial vertical distributions of root length density (RLD) for the under-canopy and the tree canopy dripline locations. Considering compensated RWU resulted in an increase in actual transpiration by 8%, and a decrease in evaporation and drainage by 5% and 50%, respectively, during a growing season. Simulated transpiration and relative transpiration (a ratio between actual and potential transpiration) values we...
Image reconstruction performance as a function of model complexity using information geometry: application to transmission tomographic imaging

Models used to derive image reconstruction algorithms typically make assumptions designed to increase the computational tractability of the algorithms while taking enough account of the physics to achieve desired performance. As the models for the physics become more detailed, the algorithms typically increase in complexity, often due to increases in the number of parameters in the models. When parameters are estimated from measured data and models of increased complexity include those of lower complexity as special cases, then as the number of parameters increases, model errors decrease and estimation errors increase. We adopt an information geometry approach to quantify the loss due to model errors and Fisher information to quantify the loss due to estimation errors. These are unified into one cost function. This approach is detailed in an X-ray transmission tomography problem where allmodels are approximations to the underlying problem defined on the continuum. Computations and simulations demonstrate the approach. The analysis provides tools for determining an appropriate model complexity for a given problem and bounds on information that can be extracted.
Negatively charged helium microdroplets

Abstract The size distribution of He - N ions produced by crossing a low-energy electron beam with an uncharged helium droplet beam exhibits a threshold size below which no ions are detected. The threshold region is unexpectedly structured, however, and contains a sharp ‘magic’ mass peak at N =(2.0±0.1)×10 5 atoms. We will discuss possible models for electron attachment to pure He microdroplets, with particular attention paid to the possibility of metastably trapped electron bubbles. We suggest that the magic peak may arise from the dynamics of the conduction band instability which leads to the creation of the bubble state in the droplet and not, as is normally the case, from some special stability of the resulting ion.
Nanoimprint-lithography patterned epitaxial Fe nanowire arrays with misaligned magnetocrystalline and shape anisotropies

We fabricated large area (>1 × 1 cm2), epitaxial Fe nanowire arrays on MgO(001) substrates by nanoimprint lithography with a direct metallization of epitaxial materials through a metallic mask, which avoided the disadvantageous metal-etching process in conventional methods. The magnetization reversals, as revealed by magneto-optic Kerr effect, showed competing effects between Fe cubic magnetocrystalline anisotropy and lithographically induced uniaxial shape anisotropy. Unlike the weakly induced uniaxial anisotropy observed in continuous films, both the magnitude and direction of the uniaxial shape anisotropy can be easily modulated in the nanowires. Complex magnetization reversal processes including two-step and three-step loops were observed when magnetizing the samples along different Fe cubic easy axes, respectively. These modified magnetization reversal processes were explained by the nucleation and propagation of the domain walls along the non-superimposed easy axes of the competing magnetocrystalline and shape anisotropies.
Salivary Sodium-Potassium Ratio and Plasma Renin Activity in Hypertension

The cause of the suppression of plasma renin activity (PRA) in many patients with essential hypertension and normal aldosterone excretion is unknown. Since mineralocorticoid excess can lower PRA, we attempted to evaluate the activity of salt-retaining hormones in these patients by measuring the salivary Na/K ratio. The median Na/K ratio in 20 hypertensive patients with suppressed PRA and normal or low aldosterone excretion was 0.71. This was significantly lower than the median of 1.38 in 29 normal subjects and the median of 1.05 in 15 hypertensive patients with normal PRA. Excess dietary intake of salt is a possible cause of PRA suppression in these patients, but our findings indicate that high rather than low Na/K ratios would be expected if this were present. On the other hand, both the salivary electrolyte changes and the suppression of PRA are consistent with the hypothesis that mineralocorticoid excess is present in these patients, despite the failure to demonstrate elevated excretion of aldosterone.
Administrative Context and Novice Teacher-Mentor Interactions.

Purpose – Mentoring can improve novice teacher effectiveness and reduce teacher attrition, yet the depth and breadth of mentoring can vary greatly within and between schools. The purpose of this paper is to identify the extent to which a school’s administrative context is associated with the focus and frequency of novice teacher-mentor interactions. Design/methodology/approach – By estimating logistic regression models, the author identified the association between novices’ perceptions of their working conditions and the content and frequency of interactions with their formally assigned mentors. Findings – When novice teachers perceived positive administrator-teacher relations in their schools and reported that administrative duties did not interfere with their core work as teachers, they were more likely to frequently interact with their mentors around issues of curriculum. Research limitations/implications – Studies of new teacher induction need to more fully account for elements of school-level organiz...
Minimally invasive scoliosis surgery: an innovative technique in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Minimally invasive spine surgery is becoming more common in the treatment of adult lumbar degenerative disorders. Minimally invasive techniques have been utilized for multilevel pathology, including adult lumbar degenerative scoliosis. The next logical step is to apply minimally invasive surgical techniques to the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, there are significant technical challenges of performing minimally invasive surgery on this patient population. For more than two years, we have been utilizing minimally invasive spine surgery techniques in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. We have developed the present technique to allow for utilization of all standard reduction maneuvers through three small midline skin incisions. Our technique allows easy passage of contoured rods, placement of pedicle screws without image guidance, and allows adequate facet osteotomy to enable fusion. There are multiple potential advantages of this technique, including: less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, earlier mobilization, and relatively less pain and need for pain medication. The operative time needed to complete this surgery is longer. We feel that a minimally invasive approach, although technically challenging, is a feasible option in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Although there are multiple perceived benefits, long term data is needed before it can be recommended for routine use.
An Evaluation of the Jamaican Anticrime Program

A sweeping anticrime package was implemented in Jamaica in 1974. This program included severe penalties for possession of illegal guns, censorhsip of gun scenes from television and the movies, and greatly broadened police powers. The impact of this anticrime package on crime was assessed using quasiexperimental time-series designs with both months and years as the units of analysis. In a one year period there was a 14% reduction in homicides (p lt .05), a 32% reduction in rapes (p lt .01), a 25% reduction in robberies (p lt.05), and a 37% reduction in nonfatal shootings (p lt .01). Data from the second year following the implementation of the anticrime package were not available. The data from the fist year suggest that strict anticrime measures can reduce crime.
Analysis of Factors Affecting Calving Intervals of Dairy Cows

Abstract Forty Dairy Herd Improvement Holstein herds selected for their long or short calving intervals, were visited to determine factors affecting calving intervals and breeding efficiency. Twenty-one herds with calving intervals of 360 to 374 days (S), and 19 herds with calving intervals of more than 405 days (L), based upon the 1969 Dairy Herd Improvement summary, were compared in a 2-year study. The L group had a 28-day longer interval (P Cows in the S group received more concentrates, but that was not considered a factor in their shorter breeding interval because more S than L herds had suboptimal nutrient intake. Nutritional deficiencies appeared to affect reproduction adversely in only one herd. Heat detection was a problem in several herds due to inadequate observation and failure to recognize some heat signs. Reproductive consciousness of the S operators was higher in that they were breeding cows earlier after parturition and had fewer problems detecting heat. Many operators need additional training to detect heat and on maintaining complete, individual-cow, health records.
Electron capture by slow multicharged ions in atomic and molecular hydrogen

Measured cross sections for electron capture by a variety of multiply charged ions in collisions with atomic and molecular hydrogen are presented. The data are primarily for He-like and Li-like ions of B, C, N, and O in the velocity range 0.4-1.0 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{8}$ cm/sec. The electron-capture cross sections for these ions are typically 3 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ in the velocity range tested. Comparison is made between these data and a number of recent theoretical predictions. While no simple scaling rules apply to these low-velocity data, for initial charge $q\ensuremath{\ge}+4$ the cross sections are essentially characterized by initial ionic charge rather than by projectile mass or electronic structure.
MicroRNA-related genetic variants associated with clinical outcomes in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer patients

Given the density of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the human genome and the sensitivity of single-nucleotide changes in microRNA (miRNA) functionality and processing, we asked whether polymorphisms within miRNA processing pathways and binding sites may influence non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients' prognosis. We genotyped 240 miRNA-related SNPs in 535 patients with stage I and II NSCLCs to determine associations with overall recurrence and survival as well as effect in specific treatment subgroups. After correcting for multiple comparisons, the G allele of FZD4:rs713065 displayed a significant association with decreased risk of death in surgery-only patients [HR, 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.32-0.65]. DROSHA:rs6886834 variant A allele (HR, 6.38; 95% CI, 2.49-16.31) remained significant for increased risk of recurrence in the overall and surgery-only populations, respectively. FAS:rs2234978 G allele remained significantly associated with survival in all patients (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44-0.77), whereas borderline significant in subgroups (surgery-only: HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.42-0.84; surgery plus chemo: HR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07-0.46). Luciferase assays showed that the FAS SNP created a miR-651 functional binding site. Survival tree analysis was conducted to classify patients into distinct risk subgroups based on their risk genotype combinations. These results indicate that miRNA-related polymorphisms may be associated with NSCLC patients' clinical outcomes through altered miRNA regulation of target genes.
Statistical structure of the large-scale fields of temperature and salinity in the Black Sea

In order to reconstruct the large-scale temperature and salinity fields by the method of optimal interpolation of the archival data, we compute the correlation functions and analyze the space and time variations of the statistical structure of the fields. On the sea surface, the thermohaline fields are spatially inhomogeneous. Thus, the correlation functions are anisotropic in the region of the northwest shelf and close to isotropic in the inner parts of the sea. The values of correlation length vary from season to season. In the layer of pycnocline, the temperature and salinity fields are anisotropic. In the zonal direction, the correlation length is 2–3 times greater than in the meridional direction. The indicated anisotropy becomes stronger in the winter season and weaker in the summer season as a consequence of the seasonal variability of large-scale circulation. We study the dependence of the error of reconstruction of the fields by the method of optimal interpolation on the form of approximation of the correlation functions with regard for anisotropy.
Effect of prostaglandins on renal epithelial electrolyte transport.

It is well appreciated that changes in renal prostaglandin (PG) levels may affect the excretion of salt and water. In fact, a general consensus exists that PG's are natriuretic during conditions where animals have access acutely or chronically to salt, but their role in water diuresis is less clear [1, 2]. Our own clearance studies in conscious dogs [3] and anesthetized rats [411 show that meclofenamate blunts the volume-expansion-mediated chioruresis without changes in GFR or renal blood flow. Thus, these studies are consistent with the findings of others who have supported a natriuretic role for renal PG's [5—14]. A more controversial issue, however, has been whether the PG's affect salt and water transport by direct epithelial effects or whether PG's mediate their effects by some secondary phenomena such as changes in hemodynamics or changes in biochemical messengers. In vivo micropuncture and in vitro microperfusion techniques offer some unique advantages over clearance techniques to assess whether the effects of a compound are direct or indirect. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of PG's on various nephron segments with specific emphasis on segments of the distal tubule (thick ascending limb, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct segments) using in vivo and in vitro micropuncture and microperfusion techniques.
IDENTIFICATION OF GIFTED DEAF CHILDREN: A COMPLEX BUT CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL PROCESS '

11 deaf students in a large midwestern school for the deaf were divided into gifted and nongifted groups by ratings of teachers and school administrators. There were six subjects in the gifted group (3 boys and 3 girls) and five subjects in the comparison group (3 boys and 2 girls). There was no statistically significant difference between mean raw scores of the two groups on Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices. Also, teachers' rankings of the subjects identified as gifted did not correlate significantly with their Raven scores. Identification of gifted deaf students is too complex to be based only on teachers' ratings.
MR imaging findings in the follow-up of patients with different stages of knee osteoarthritis and the correlation with clinical symptoms.

Objective: To assess the rate of cartilage loss, the change in bone marrow edema pattern and internal joint derangement at 1.5-T MRI in patients with knee osteoarthritis and to correlate these findings with the clinical Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthitis (WOMAC) score. Methods: Forty subjects (mean age 57.7±15 years; 16 females and 24 males) were recruited: 6 healthy volunteers (OA0), 17 patients with mild osteoarthritis (OA1) and 17 with severe osteoarthritis (OA2) based on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale. MR scans, radiographs and WOMAC scores were obtained at baseline, first follow-up (1.4±0.67 years; n=40) and second follow-up (2.4±0.4 years; n=26). Cartilage morphology, bone marrow edema (BME), meniscal and ligamentous pathology were assessed on MR images and quantified by two radiologists in consensus. Results:Full-thickness cartilage lesions were observed in 12/17 OA2 at baseline, in 13/17 at the first follow-up and in 7/10 at the second follow-up. Cartilage loss was found in eight patients at the first follow-up and five at the second follow-up. BME was observed in 23/40 patients at baseline, in 22/40 at the first follow-up and in 12/26 at the second follow-up. Changes in BME were visualized in 19/22 and 4/13 patients at the first and second follow-up, respectively. Changes in WOMAC scores over time did not correlate significantly with the amount of cartilage loss and the change in BME (P>0.05). Conclusion:MRI is well suited to monitor the progression of OA in the longitudinal follow-up since it shows cartilage defects, BME and internal joint derangement, pathologies that are not visualized by radiographs. The lack of significant correlation between MRI findings and clinical findings is not unexpected, has been previously described and may in part be due to the fact that patients get more accustomed to their pain as the knee progressively degenerates.
Synthesis and characterization of a new [4.0.4.0] porphyrin‐like antiaromatic macrocycle

The antiaromatic macrocycle 2 has been prepared by the reaction of the bipyrrole dialdehyde 1 with hydrazine. In the crystal structure of 2·DMSO molecule 2 is nearly planar, the mean deviation of the 28 atoms of the core from the best least-squares plane being 0.227 A. AM1 geometric optimization of the core of 2 leads to a fully planar macrocycle. Attempts to oxidize 2 to 3 were largely unsuccessful, yielding only limited evidence for the formation of 3. The antiaromatic precursor 2 turns out to be much more stable than the putative aromatic product 3. Molecular orbital calculations at the AM1/PM3 level indicate the S0-T1 gap for 3 is only about 0.2 eV and hence is readily accessible via intersystem crossing from any visible transition. This small band gap of 3 contrasts starkly with the much larger S0-T1 band gap of 1.86 eV calculated for 2 itself. Paratropicity in antiaromatic systems is usually attributed to a low-lying paramagnetic state, with band gaps ranging up to 2.1 eV. For the 2/3 system the S0-...
Estimation of linkage disequilibrium in randomly mating populations

The maximum likelihood method for estimating linkage disequilibrium from genotypic data for randomly mating populations is studied. Instead of iterative methods for finding a root of the cubic equation for one of the gametic frequencies (Hill, 1974), it is recommended that the cubic be solved completely. For data with some missing genotypic classes, it is further recommended that explicit solutions for the cubic be used.
Back-Arc Extension in the Southern Andes: A Review and Critical Reappraisal

The interpretation that the mafic ‘rocas verdes’ (green rocks) complex of the southern Andes represents part of the uplifted floor of a Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous back-arc basin has proved particularly useful in understanding the geological evolution of the southern Andes, the north Scotia Ridge and the Antarctic Peninsula. Clear field evidence of the back-arc setting of the 9rocas verdes’ gabbro-sheeted dyke - pillow lava ophiolitic assemblages has encouraged fruitful petrological and geochemical comparison with mid-ocean ridge and marginal basin basalts, other onshore ophiolite complexes, and Archaean greenstone belts. Uncertainty still surrounds estimates of the original width and depth of the basin, as well as the proportion of new mafic crust, compared with relict sialic crust, in the basin floor. These questions are unresolved, owing mainly to the considerable Lower Cretaceous turbiditic basin infill and the effects of mid-Cretaceous compressional deformation. While the field relations clearly indicate that the ‘rocas verdes’ basin is not an older piece of ocean floor ‘trapped’ behind a volcanic arc, it is not yet clear whether the basin is directly subduction-related or falls in the category of back-arc ‘leaky transforms’ like the proto-Gulf of California or apparent ‘rip-off’ features like the Andaman Sea.