cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Varicella-zoster virus post-exposure management and prophylaxis: A review

Varicella-zoster virus causes both varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles). Although varicella incidence has dramatically declined since introduction of the live-attenuated varicella vaccine, vaccination rates are suboptimal, and outbreaks still occur. Additionally, herpes zoster incidence continues to rise. Severe or fatal complications may result from varicella transmission to at-risk individuals who are exposed to either varicella or herpes zoster. An increasing number of children and adults are receiving immunosuppressive therapies and are at high risk for severe varicella and other complications if exposed to the virus. Clinical management of individuals exposed to varicella-zoster virus should take into consideration the type of exposure, evidence of immunity, and host-immune status with regard to ability to receive varicella vaccination safely. Post-exposure varicella vaccination may prevent infection or mitigate disease severity in persons eligible for vaccination. Post-exposure prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin is indicated for populations ineligible for vaccination, including immunocompromised children and adults, pregnant women, newborns of mothers with varicella shortly before or after delivery, and premature infants. Appropriate post-exposure management of individuals exposed to either varicella or herpes zoster-including assessment of immune status and rapid provision of optimal prophylaxis-can help avoid potentially devastating complications of varicella-zoster virus infection.
Supercompound imaging with Weiner deconvolution

The resolution of ultrasound imaging is restricted primarily by the blurring process of the imaging system embedded in the point spread function (PSF). Supercompounding has been found to be a highly effective way to enhance the resolution of ultrasound imaging. Here we utilize a spatial ultrasound compounding technique using a B-mode array rotated around a target in a range encompassing 180° or greater which we term "supercompounding." For some ultrasound imaging modalities, the PSF is unknown and is space variant, caused by a mono-focus imaging device. To use linear algorithms to enhance the resolution, images must be assumed to have a uniform PSF which is space invariant; otherwise, it is necessary to use complicated non-linear algorithms. Under the above circumstances, an image with a uniform PSF is the key element to more effective resolution enhancement. The supercompounding technique as here can create an image with a uniform PSF from 214 B-scan images thus allowing the use of linear algorithm enhancement. Once a supercompound image with a uniform PSF is constructed, the resolution of the image was further improved with Weiner deconvolution. The processing technique was demonstrated on imaging a dissected porcine aortic root at 5 different critical height levels both with and without inflated pressure into to the sinus. The results can be analyzed to acquire the mechanical properties and geometry of the aortic valve for future use. The resolution as measured by -6dB width of the sinus wall shows a 14% improvement.
Exploring the Relationship between Foster Care Experiences and Social Network Engagement Among a Sample of Homeless Former Foster Youth.

Abstract Introduction Recent research has begun to demonstrate high rates of poor behavioral health outcomes among homeless former foster, but with relatively little attention in the scientific literature. Because social networks have been shown to impact behavioral health outcomes, we need to better understand the network characteristics of homeless young adults with a history of foster care. Methods Data were collected from 184 homeless former foster youth at a drop-in center in Hollywood, California. A series of logistic regressions were conducted for network engagement behaviors that may be impacted by foster care experiences. Results Youth were largely African American, Latino, and Mixed race, approximately 22 years old, and majority male. Significant results from the logistic regressions indicated that youth experiencing homelessness for the first time before exiting foster care were more likely to have alters engaging in condomless sex, and youth with higher numbers of foster care placements were more likely to have alters engaging in methamphetamine use. Conclusion These results suggest that certain foster care experiences impact the types of alters with which youths engage. Time spent in placement was significantly associated with alter behaviors, evident from homeless experiences and multiple foster care placements, negatively impacting the types of alters with which youths are connected, and thusly the risk factors for the youth themselves. Frequent network disruptions may be associated with engagement with risky alters. Included are intervention-based implications for providers as well as structural-based implications for child welfare systems.
What Do Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Experience? Content Domain for the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE:Symptom monitoring has demonstrated improved outcomes in patients with cancer, including quality of life, resource utilization, ability to continue treatment, and survival. The use of disea...
Clinical Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Ultrasound-Assisted Bioabsorbable Suture Anchor in Foot and Ankle Surgeries.

Background Suture anchors have been used for soft tissue repair in orthopedic surgery for decades. Recently, bioabsorbable suture anchors have increased in popularity and have spurred the introduction of ultrasound-assisted systems. The purpose of our study was to determine the clinical safety and efficacy of a new ultrasound-assisted suture anchor system for foot and ankle procedures. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 50 cases using the ultrasound-assisted suture anchor with at least 24 months of follow-up. We reviewed demographic data including comorbidities, type of procedure, adverse events, and clinical outcomes using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and visual analog scale (VAS) score. We divided complications into minor and major, with major complications requiring revision surgery or leading to long-term morbidity. Our primary outcome was complication rates and our secondary outcome was improvement in clinical scores. Results The most frequent cases using the anchor included lateral ankle ligament reconstruction (n = 19), insertional Achilles repair (n = 15), lateral ligament reconstruction in conjunction with a total ankle arthroplasty (n = 6), and plantar plate repair (n = 3). There were 5 superficial wound infections that resolved with wound care and/or oral antibiotics. There were 3 major complications (6%): a deep wound infection that required an irrigation and debridement, a deep venous thrombosis, and a recurrence of varus deformity in a patient who underwent a total ankle arthroplasty with lateral ligament reconstruction. Only the varus deformity recurrence case could possibly be directly linked to the suture anchor (2% of all cases). VAS scores improved from 6.0 to 1.2 (P Conclusion This bioabsorbable anchor was a safe device with low failure rates, and it was used for soft tissue repair cases in the foot and ankle with successful clinical outcomes. Level of evidence Level IV, retrospective case series.
State-Level Structural Stigma and Smoking Among Sexual Minority Adults in the USA, 2012-2014.

BACKGROUND Exposure to structural stigma (i.e., societal norms and policies that constrain access to resources) may help explain poor health outcomes among sexual minority (SM) individuals in the USA. PURPOSE We examined the relationship between structural stigma and smoking prevalence among U.S. SM and heterosexual adults. METHODS We adapted an index to capture multiple state-level structural stigma indicators, including attitudes toward same-sex marriage; the geographical density of same-sex couples; and state-level policies toward SMs. The outcome variable was current smoking, derived from the National Adult Tobacco Survey (2012-2014). Poisson regression models stratified by SM status were used to assess the relationship between structural stigma and the prevalence ratio (PR) of current smoking. We included a squared term for stigma to explore nonlinear relationships between stigma and smoking. Interaction terms were used to examine effect modification by sex. RESULTS Adjusted models suggested a curvilinear PR relationship between stigma and smoking for both SM (linear PR = 1.03 [0.97-1.08]; quadratic PR = 0.98 [0.97-1.00]) and heterosexual (linear PR = 1.00 [0.99-1.02]; quadratic PR = 0.99 [0.988-0.995]) adults. The quadratic term was significant (p < .05) for both SM and heterosexual respondents, however, the change in probability of smoking associated with structural stigma was more pronounced among SM individuals. Specifically, the highest and lowest exposures to stigma were associated with the lowest probabilities of smoking. There was no apparent effect modification by sex. CONCLUSIONS Findings lend support to addressing SM structural stigma as a driver of smoking, particularly among SM adults.
Nanometer Puzzle Ball, Controlled Drug Release Just Got More Options

Biological cells express isolated cavities and hierarchical pores with various physiological roles. In a recent work by Dan Wang and colleagues, synthetic hollow multi-shelled structures (HoMSs) are designed to mimic cells and act as a delivery system for antibacterial agents with three distinct sequential release stages—burst release, sustained release, and stimulus-responsive release—in one system.
QUANTIFICATION OF NUCLEAR DATA AND MANUFACTURING UNCERTAINTIES IN VERA

Uncertainty quantification (UQ) was performed using the Consortium for the Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL) multiphysics core simulator VERA. Typically, only nuclear data cross sections are considered when trying to obtain uncertainty information in reactor simulation applications. In this paper, uncertainty in both nuclear cross section data and fuel manufacturing processes is analyzed using VERA. Uncertainties due to cross sections was determined by generating one thousand perturbed cross section libraries using the cross section covariance data provided in the evaluated nuclear data library. Uncertainty due to manufacturing was also determined using stochastic sampling and VERA. The use of similar stochastic sampling techniques for the same problems allows for the direct comparison of uncertainty stemming from the two sources of uncertainty. Sample size is considered due to the potentially large computational cost of stochastic sampling techniques, as is demonstrated in a full core depletion. It was found that for the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) pincell case at Hot Zero Power (HZP), the standard deviation in the neutron multiplication factor produced by material uncertainty was 101 pcm, while the standard deviation in the neutron multiplication factor produced by cross section uncertainty was 730 pcm. While the uncertainty in neutron multiplication factor due to cross section uncertainty is larger than uncertainty due to manufacturing uncertainties, neglecting manufacturing uncertainties may be an unacceptable oversight in certain high-precision simulation applications.
The Synergistic Role of Mn and Zr/Ti in Producing Θ'/L12 Co-Precipitates in Al-Cu Alloys

Microstructural stability is a critical factor to consider when designing new alloys for high-temperature applications. An Al-Cu alloy with Mn and Zr additions has recently been developed to withstand extended exposures of up to 350 °C. The addition of Mn in combination with Zr and their segregation to precipitate interfaces play a significant role in stabilizing the metastable θ' precipitates responsible for the alloy's hardness; however, adding Zr and Mn separately only improves the stability to 200 °C and 300 °C, respectively. To this end, the effect of the synergistic additions on interfacial structure and chemistry was studied in detail using atom probe tomography and scanning transmission electron microscopy for Al-Cu-Mn-Zr/Ti-containing alloys subjected to long-term annealing (up to 2,100 h) in the critical temperature range, 300 °C and 350 °C, to investigate the role of Zr/Ti in increasing the θ'-precipitate stability. The results reveal how the addition of Mn allows Zr to segregate to θ' interfaces and eventually create a θ'/Al3(Zrx,Ti1-x) L12 co-precipitate structure along the interface. The co-precipitate is highly stable, as shown by density functional theory calculations, and is a key factor that governs microstructural stability beyond 300 °C. This study reveals how solute additions with different stabilization mechanisms can work in concert to stabilize a desired microstructure, the results provide insights that can be applied to other high-temperature alloy systems.
Two Harvard Economists on Monetary Economics: Lauchlin Currie and Hyman Minsky on Financial Systems and Crises

In November 1987, Hyman Minsky visited Bogota, Colombia, after being invited by a group of professors who at that time were interested in post-Keynesian economics. There, Minsky delivered some lectures, and Lauchlin Currie attended two of those lectures at the National University of Colombia. Although Currie is not as well-known as Minsky in the American academy, both are outstanding figures in the development of non-orthodox approaches to monetary economics. Both alumni of the economics Ph.D. program at Harvard had a debate in Bogota. Unfortunately, there are no formal records of this, so here a question arises: What could have been their respective positions? The aim of this paper is to discuss Currie’s and Minsky’s perspectives on monetary economics and to speculate on what might have been said during their debate.
The σ-L Correlation in Nearby Early-Type Galaxies

Early-type galaxy velocity dispersions and luminosities are correlated. The correlation estimated in local samples (≤100 Mpc) differs from that measured more recently in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). This is true even when systematics in the SDSS photometric and spectroscopic parameters have been accounted for. We show that this is also true for the Nearby Early-Type Galaxies (ENEAR) sample if galaxy luminosities are estimated using distances that have been corrected for peculiar motions. We then show that, because the estimate of the "true" distance is derived from a correlation with velocity dispersion, in this case the Dn-σ relation, using it in the σ-L relation leads to an artificially tight relation with a biased slope. Making no correction for peculiar velocities results in a σ-L relation that is very similar to that of the SDSS, although with larger scatter. We also measure the σ-L correlation in a mock ENEAR catalog, in which the underlying galaxy sample has the same σ-L correlation as seen in the SDSS. The mock catalog produces the same Dn-σ relation as the data, the same biased slope when Dn-σ distances are used to estimate luminosities, and good agreement with the input σ-L relation when redshift is used as the distance indicator. This provides further evidence that the true σ-L relation of ENEAR galaxies is indeed very similar to that of SDSS early types. Our results suggest that the local σ-L relations based on fundamental plane distances should also be reevaluated. Our findings also have important implications for black hole demographics; the best direct estimates of the masses of supermassive black holes come from local galaxies, so estimates of the black hole mass function are more safely made by working with the M•-σ correlation than with the M•-L correlation.
The Transcriptome Architecture of Polyomaviruses

Polyomaviruses (PyV) are ubiquitous pathogens that can cause devastating human diseases. Due to the small size of their genomes, PyV utilize complex patterns of RNA splicing to maximize their coding capacity. Despite the importance of PyV to human disease, their transcriptome architecture is poorly characterized. Here, we compare short- and long-read RNA sequencing data from eight human and non-human PyV. We provide a detailed transcriptome atlas for BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), an important human pathogen, and the prototype PyV, simian virus 40 (SV40). We identify pervasive wraparound transcription in PyV, wherein transcription runs through the polyA site and circles the genome multiple times. Comparative analyses identify novel, conserved transcripts that increase PyV coding capacity. One of these conserved transcripts encodes superT, a T antigen containing two RB-binding LxCxE motifs. We find that superT-encoding transcripts are abundant in PyV-associated human cancers. Together, we show that comparative transcriptomic approaches can greatly expand known transcript and coding capacity in one of the simplest and most well-studied viral families.
Anemia is not a predictor of free flap failure: a review of NSQIP data.

Background Thrombosis is a common cause of flap failure in microvascular tissue transfer, which questions the effects of anemia on this outcome. This article seeks to contribute a large, multi-institutional data analysis to this debate. Methods Free tissue transfer patients were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement database through a specified Current Procedural Terminology algorithm. Bivariate analysis compared anemic and nonanemic groups with respect to flap failure and other outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine risk factors for flap failure. Results Of the 864 patients who met inclusion criteria, 244 were anemic and 620 were not. Bivariate analysis showed no significant difference between groups with respect to flap failure (3.28% vs. 4.03%, P = 0.0603). Multivariate regression analysis supported this (OR 95% CI = 0.371–1.912). Conclusions These findings, based on the largest sample in the literature, show anemia is neither a predictor of free tissue transfer failure nor is it protective. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:432–438, 2013.
First images of thunder: Acoustic imaging of triggered lightning

An acoustic camera comprising a linear microphone array is used to image the thunder signature of triggered lightning. Measurements were taken at the International Center for Lightning Research and Testing in Camp Blanding, FL, during the summer of 2014. The array was positioned in an end-fire orientation thus enabling the peak acoustic reception pattern to be steered vertically with a frequency-dependent spatial resolution. On 14 July 2014, a lightning event with nine return strokes was successfully triggered. We present the first acoustic images of individual return strokes at high frequencies (>1 kHz) and compare the acoustically inferred profile with optical images. We find (i) a strong correlation between the return stroke peak current and the radiated acoustic pressure and (ii) an acoustic signature from an M component current pulse with an unusual fast rise time. These results show that acoustic imaging enables clear identification and quantification of thunder sources as a function of lightning channel altitude.
Organizational climate: Relationship to organizational structure, process and performance

Abstract The present study was designed to test the view that organization structure and process are related to organizational climate which in turn is related to organization performance and employee job satisfaction. Questionnaires were completed by the directors of 117 research and development organizations and by 291 scientists in a subsample of 21 of these organizations. Results showed that several organizational process variables (but no structural variables) were significantly related to the climate of the organization as perceived by scientists. Perceived climate in turn was shown to be significantly related to measures of organizational performance and to job satisfaction.
Doing Community Research Without a Community: Creating Safe Space for Rape Survivors

This paper describes how the values of a feminist research team influenced methodological decisions in a study of rape survivors. Building upon concepts from community psychology and urban sociology, the authors created a community-based research design that respected the emotional needs of rape survivors without sacrificing methodological rigor. We developed relationships with community members in diverse settings, such as nail and hair salons, child care centers, churches, and bookstores, to advertise the study and recruit participants. Consistent with feminist approaches to interviewing, our goal was to create a safe setting for survivors to tell their stories. Although the purpose of this study was research rather than intervention, most survivors reported that participating in these interviews was healing. Our experiences in this project suggest that allowing values to influence the process of research may have beneficial outcomes for both researchers and participants.
Unexpected enhancement of β-lactam antibiotic formation in Streptomyces clavuligerus by very high concentrations of exogenous lysine

l-Lysine is known to stimulate production of β-lactam antibiotics byStreptomyces clavuligerus via provision of the lysine breakdown product,l-α-aminoadipic acid, which is a limiting precursor. Previous investigations utilized levels of 10–20 mMl-lysine as an addition to chemically-defined media resulting in 50–100% improvement in antibiotic production. We were surprised to note that as the concentration was further increased, the organism responded by producing even higher titers of antibiotics. The optimum concentration of 100 mMl-lysine yielded an approximate 500% increase in production with only minor effects on growth.dl- andd-lysine also exerted enhancements suggesting the presence of a lysine racemase or some other route fromd-lysine tol-α-aminoadipate in this organism;d-lysine was considerably less potent thandl- orl-lysine.
Extended consistent hashing: an efficient framework for object location

Content caching and location are key enabling technologies for achieving the high throughput needed to sustain current Internet infrastructure, both for peer-to-peer as well as client-server applications. An important aspect of distributed caching techniques is the mapping of data and requests to maximize system throughput while minimizing costs in the presence of network and cache failures. We describe a new cache protocol based on consistent hashing (CH) [D. Karger et al., (1997), (1999)]. Compared to consistent hashing, our protocol, called extended consistent hashing (ECH), can handle flash access to objects significantly better and yields better worst-case response times and lower load variance. Due to multiplicity of client views in a distributed hashing scheme, a single object (or its reference) may be cached at multiple locations. This is referred to as the spread of an object. Consistent hashing maps a request to a cache irrespective of the spread of the requested object. ECH, on the other hand, estimates the spread of an object and randomizes requests over expected spread. In doing so, it amortizes requests over a larger number of caches. While the expected load on target caches in ECH remains the same as consistent hashing (asymptotically optimal), load variance is significantly reduced. We present analytical results as well as simulations to demonstrate significant improvements for querying frequently accessed objects, up to 80% in worst-case response time and 30% in variance of server/target cache loads. We also show excellent correlation between expected and observed results. What makes ECH particularly attractive is that it can be integrated into existing infrastructure based on consistent hashing with minimal software overhead.
Quantifying 3D acquisition adequacy for azimuthal AVO analysis

Azimuthal AVO (AZAVO) refers to the directional variation of P-wave reflection amplitude at a fixed offset. There are several possible causes for this azimuthal amplitude variation: reservoir property, structural change of the reflector, near-surface effects, overburden property variation, acquisition footprint, processing artifacts, source/receiver radiation/reception patterns, etc. While paying close attention to all these causes is necessary for meaningful azimuthal AVO analysis, geophysicists are most interested in the azimuthal amplitude variation caused by a particular reservoir property: fracturing of the reservoir. A decade of theoretical study and some well-documented case histories have brought widespread acceptance that aligned open fractures will introduce azimuthal anisotropy to the host rock and can therefore be detected from analyzing P-wave reflection amplitude variation as a function of azimuth. Analysis of fracture-induced anisotropy in reservoirs requires 3D seismic data with suitable offset and azimuth distribution. Wide-azimuth data and longer offset will in general increase the chance of success for azimuthal AVO analysis. However, because of the associated cost in collecting/processing/analyzing these “wide” azimuth data, a quantitative assessment of acquisition adequacy becomes necessary to minimize the acquisition effort while achieving the goals of azimuthal AVO analysis for fractures. In this article, a method of quantifying the adequacy of a planned or completed 3D survey for azimuthal AVO analysis for fracture orientation and intensity is described. This new method is actively used by ExxonMobil operating companies for business and technical evaluation of azimuthal AVO potential of their planned 3D surveys and existing 3D data. The P-wave reflection coefficient at the interface between an isotropic medium and an azimuthally anisotropic medium depends on both the offset and azimuth formed by the source-receiver pairs. The simplest azimuthal anisotropy medium is an isotropic host rock with a single set of open and aligned vertical fractures. This type of medium has been referred …
The development of virtual lectures to aid in the teaching of medical biochemistry

Abstract This communication describes the establishment of two virtual lectures, created in Macromedia's Director program, consisting of animation, voice-overs and text, which can stand alone in the teaching of the urea cycle and phospholipid metabolism to medical students. The use of these teaching aids adds yet another teaching modality to biochemistry, and increases the level of “active” learning which must occur.
Substituent effects and stereochemical mechanisms for substitution reactions of 18F for halogen atoms in CF3X, (CH3)3−n CHnX, and CH3X☆

Abstract No thermal substitutions of 18 F for X (X  halogen atom) are observed with CF 3 X and (CH 3 ) 3− n CH n X substrates in excess SF 6 . The absence of thermal yield increasing with weaker CX bond energies, as found with CH 3 X substrates, is attributed to the much larger mass versus H of F and CH 3 substituents. The thermal substitution of 18 F/X in CH 3 X molecules probably occurs by an inversion mechanism.
THE BIRD FAUNA OF THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS IN RELATION TO SPECIES FORMATION

Summary. The Galapagos Islands possess a peculiar and highly characteristic fauna and flora. The abundant bird and reptile populations are nearly all of endemic species; of the land birds only two species occur elsewhere than in these islands. Studies bearing upon the origin of the Galapagos fauna have led to diverse conclusions; scrutiny of modes of variation has revealed some curious situations. The Galapagos have been variously regarded as the surviving remnants of a land-mass, now sunken, that was formerly connected with the American mainland, and as oceanic islands that have appeared above the ocean as the result of volcanic upheaval. Study of the birds is confirmatory of the latter view. The avifauna is clearly not derived from the South American mainland directly to the eastward. Of the marine species there are one or two of southern origin, borne northward on the cold Humboldt current, and there are others which constitute local forms of species that are of world-wide distribution. There is an important element definitely recognisable as of West Indian derivation, and others may have originated from the same source. There are a few species that clearly are not of West Indian ancestry, and there are a number that are too widely differentiated for recognition of their immediate affinities. The hypothesis is advanced that the inception of the Galapagos avifauna took place in a period when North and South America were separated by the sea; the relationship of the faunas of the West Indies and the Galapagos is to be regarded in the same light as relationships from one to another of the West Indian islands. The bird population of the Galapagos, abundant as regards individuals, is, as regards representation of different groups, of the sparse and miscellaneous character to be expected of chance-controlled wanderers to distant islands. Conditions are uniform enough throughout the archipelago, so that, with much local variation, each island contains a fair representation of the same general assemblage of species. Trends of variation are seen in arrested stages of plumage in certain species, in a possible tendency to melanism in others. There are many variants of these situations. The outstanding group of birds is the endemic family, the Geospizidae, including 37 species and sub-species out of the entire list of 89 breeding birds. Extensive variation and complicated relationships within this family are such as can probably not be duplicated in any mainland stock of birds. The observed variation presents difficulties to classification, and certain trends of development seem to act independently of natural selection. The Geospizidae afford a fine example of diversification unhindered by competition.
Sparking Potentials at Low Pressures

Sparking potentials were observed between outgassed nickel electrodes in air at low pressures. The spark length $d$ was varied from 2-10 mm and the pressure $p$ reduced from 1 mm of mercury to 0.06 mm. Sparking potentials as high as 80,000 volts were observed, and agreed approximately with Paschen's law. The sparking potential $V$ for $p\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}dl0.95$ is given by $p\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}d\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{e}^{\frac{V}{136,500}}=1$.
PRICE, TRADE SIZE, AND INFORMATION IN SECURITIES MARKETS*

This paper investigates the effect of trade size on security prices. We show that trade size introduces an adverse selection problem in:o security tradin, 0 because, given that they wish to trade. informed traders perfer to trade larger amounts at any given price. As a result, market makers’ pricing strategies must also depend on trade size. with large trades being made at less favorable prices. Our model provides one explanation for the price effect of block trades and demonstrates that both the size and the sequence of trades matter in determining the price-trade size relationship.
Practice constraints, behavioral problems, and dementia care: primary care physicians' perspectives.

Objectives To examine how practice constraints contribute to barriers in the health care of persons with dementia and their families, particularly with respect to behavioral aspects of care.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and export diversification

This paper explores the effect of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) on export diversification in Sub-Saharan Africa. The existing empirical studies suggest that AGOA has had a positive effect on the overall volume of trade between Sub-Saharan Africa and the United States. However, the economic development literature emphasizes the importance of export diversification for developing countries; therefore, it is important to understand the effects of AGOA on the extensive margin of trade (i.e. the number of distinct products a country exports). Our empirical results suggest that AGOA does contribute to export diversification, specifically through its apparel provision. Countries that are eligible for the AGOA apparel provision export not only more apparel products, but also more non-apparel products to the USA. Thus, AGOA contributes to export diversification at the extensive margin of trade with the USA.
The meaning of ‘state failure’: Public service, public servants, and the contemporary Afghan state

In this essay I advance two arguments. First, while Afghanistan was once a state built on a social contract that demanded a balance of both modernist and traditional goals, a combination of exogenous shocks shattered that equilibrium, resulting in a territory that is no longer governed by a state, and that continues to generate what economists might call ‘negative externalities.’ It is these negative externalities that have drawn in overlapping interventions (the most salient of which remains Operation Enduring Freedom, or OEF), all of which have failed or will fail. Second, the key feature of Afghanistan’s disintegration is the flight of its public servants – the people most directly necessary for any state to work. I argue that Afghanistan does possess sufficient human capital for effective government, but that its public servants are effectively bounded by tribe, clan and valley. I conclude by showing that state-building demands public servants and public service, and that as long as Afghanistan fails ...
Lactose Hydrolysis and Oligosaccharide Formation Catalyzed by β-Galactosidase Kinetics and Mathematical Modeling

La β-galactosidase d'Aspergillus Niger hydrolyse les molecules de lactose en glucose et galactose. Lors de la reaction, il y a formation d'oligosaccharides. Les conditions d'apparition de ces molecules sont etudiees, et un nouveau modele cinetique prenant en compte le phenomene est propose, pour les reactions d'hydrolyse et de transgalactosidation
Effect of estradiol and progesterone on human chorionic gonadotropin secretion in vitro

Abstract Many of the substances known to control the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins also modulate the secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by the placenta. In order to study the effect of estrogens and progestins on hCG secretion, term placental explants were cultured in culture media for 144 hours. During the culture period, hCG secretion increased after 48 hours, and a fortyfold increase was observed after 144 hours (p −5 M (p −4 M), and physiologic concentrations of estradiol had no effect on the suppression of hCG by progesterone. These results suggest that the mechanism by which progesterone suppresses the secretion of hCG differs from the manner in which steroids modulate the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins.
Resolving Conflicts with Parents of Handicapped Children.

Urban educators often find themselves in conflict with parents of educationally handicapped students over program, placement, services, and day-to-day difficulties. These conflicts often escalate into acrimonious debates, hostile feelings, and formal due process hearings. Fortunately, easily understood strategies exist for constructively and ethically preventing differences between school personnel and parents from becoming embittered and adversarial. This article discusses the dynamics of parental anger, considers parent perceptions and needs, and provides school personnel with both a framework and practical strategies for constructively resolving differences and improving relationships.
Bone marrow metastases from small cell cancer of the head and neck.

Background. Primary small cell carcinoma of the head and neck is rare. Although the larynx is the most prevalent site of head and neck small cell carcinoma (SCC), this report will concentrate on SCC of the major salivary glands and paranasal sinuses. In all, 33 cases of paranasal sinus and 43 cases of major salivary gland SCC have been reported in the literature. Methods. We report two patients, one with submandibular gland SCC and the other with maxillary sinus SCC. A literature review of all known paranasal sinus and major salivary gland SCC with inclusion of data from these two new cases is undertaken. Discussion of all past and present cases concentrates on sites of metastasis, treatment, and survival. Results. Paranasal sinus SCCs predominantly arise from the nasal cavity, whereas the parotid gland is the primary site in three fourths of major salivary gland SCCs. One half of major salivary gland and three fourths of paranasal sinus SCCs have only local disease at presentation. Both patients in this report developed bone marrow metastases, a feature heretofore not observed in SCC from these primary sites. The patient with maxillary sinus SCC developed the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Conclusion. The paranasal sinus and major salivary glands are rare primary sites for SCCs. Long-term survival with local therapy in patients with local disease can occur, but in patients with metastatic disease survival mirrors metastatic pulmonary SCC. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hydrologic Regionalization of Watersheds in Turkey

Hydrologic regionalization can be employed for importing data from gauged sites to ungauged sites. A number of techniques have been developed for hydrologic regionalization. This study presents an approach that combines three regionalization techniques in order to obtain homogeneous regions and compute streamflow at desired ungauged sites. First, an agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm is used to determine the number of homogeneous regions. Second, homogeneous regions are defined by the k -means partitioning method. Third, the flow duration curve (FDC) method is used to compute streamflow discharge at desired ungauged sites in homogeneous regions. The combined approach was then applied to 26 river basins in Turkey having 1,410 river gauging stations, where homogeneous regions were identified and streamflow discharge was calculated at ungauged sites. At many of the unguaged sites, small hydropower projects are being planned for development. It was found that these 1,410 river gauging stations (2...
Quantitative analysis of fluorimated ethylchloroformate derivatives of non-protein amino acids using positive and negative chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectometry

Abstract The GC-MS characterization of the ethylchloroformate derivatives of amino acids in an aqueous medium has been applied to non-protein amino acids. Derivatization of non-protein amino acids using ethylchloroformate, trifluoroethanol, and pyridine produced strong [M + 1] + and [M - 1] − ions in positive and negative chemical ionization (CI) modes, respectively. Twenty-one out of the twenty-three non-protein amino acids studied produced detectable ion chromatograms in both ionization modes when methane was used as the CI reagent gas. Mass spectra of these non-protein amino acid derivatives showed characteristic [M - 19] + , [M + 1] + , [M + 29] + , and [M + 41] + peaks in the positive chemical ionization mode, and [M - 1] − , and [M + 35] − peaks in the negative chemical ionization mode. The detection limits and the linear dynamic range of trifluorethanol ethylchloroformate derivatives of non-protein amino acids were studied using positive chemical ionization. The detection limits are mostly in the femtomole range.
Unilateral and Equitransitive Tilings by Squares

Recent results obtained by Martini et al. [4] facilitate the proof that there are exactly eight unilateral and equitransitive tilings of the plane by squares of three sizes. This refutes a conjecture by Schattschneider that appears in the book Tilings and Patterns by Grunbaum and Shephard [2].
Optimal Treatment Strategies for Malaria Infection

We develop a numerical method for estimating optimal parameters in a mathematical model of the within-host dynamics of malaria infection. The model consists of a quasilinear system of partial differential equations. Convergence theory for the computed parameters is provided. Following this analysis, we present several numerical simulations that suggest that periodic treatments that are in synchronization with the periodic bursting rate of infected erythrocytes are the most productive strategies.
The stock-market reaction to dividend cuts and omissions by commercial banks

Abstract We postulate that the announcement effect of dividend reductions should be more severe for banks than for nondashfinancial firms because bank customers may avoid financially weak institutions and discontinue the relationship when negative information is released. To test our hypothesis we investigate a total of 81 dividend reductions by 56 commercial banks listed on the NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ for the period 1974–1991. We find significant abnormal returns of −8.02% for the two-day event window and − 11.46% for a two-week period. These negative valuation effects are stronger than those reported in studies for dividend reductions of nondashfinancial firms and for other negative bank announcements. We also explore the relationship between abnormal returns and specific bank characteristics cross-sectionally and find a stronger reaction for larger banks.
Sticky spheres and related systems

Some properties of a system of hard-core particles with attractive wells in the Baxter sticky-sphere limit and a related limit are considered, as is the approach to these limits. A demonstration of the result of Stell and Williams that sticky spheres of equal diameter in the Baxter limit are not thermodynamically stable is given, and the way in which size polydispersity can be expected to restore thermodynamic stability is discussed. The implications of these results for the PY sticky-sphere approximation and recent sticky-sphere computer simulations are then examined. It is concluded that the Baxter PY sticky-sphere approximation for a monodisperse system may well be a reasonable one for a slightly polydisperse system of sticky spheres and that existing simulation results may also be relevant to such a system. How polydisperse a system must be in quantitative terms in order for the PY approximation to be useful remains to be seen, however. The question of whether the PY sticky-sphere approximation may prove to be useful and appropriate in describing monodisperse systems with pair potentials for which the attractive wells arenot extremely narrow is also considered; it is noted that firm evidence concerning this question also appears to be lacking. Implications for systems near, but not in, the limit of zero attractive-well width are also considered, especially in terms of the relative size of the well width and the degree of size polydispersity in the repulsive cores. The possible pertinence of such considerations to colloidal systems is observed. The importance of taking into consideration the extremely long equilibration times that can be expected for systems with very narrow attractive wells is also pointed out, in connection both with real colloidal systems and in computer simulations. It is further observed that in the Baxter limit sticky spheres described quantum mechanically are indistinguishable from hard spheres so described; near the zero-well-width limit, the quantal behavior hinges on the number of bound states and thus the well depth as well as the relative size of the de Broglie thermal wavelength and the well width. Related results and investigations relevant to the issues described above are cited.
On One-Dimensional Potential Barriers Having Equal Reflexion and Transmission Coefficients

Based on the results of earlier studies on the perturbations of the Schwarzschild and the Reissner–Nordstrom black holes, it is shown that there exists a very general class of potential pairs ( V ( + ) and V ( - ) which yield the same reflexion and transmission coefficients. It is further shown that these potentials, V ( + ) and V ( - ), satisfy an infinite hierarchy of integral equalities which are, formally, the same as the conserved quantities allowed by the Korteweg–deVries equation.
The relationship between electrophysiological correlates of recollection and amount of information retrieved

The electrophysiological correlates of recollection were investigated with a modified Remember/Know task in which subjects signaled whether they fully or partially recollected visual object information in each study episode. A positive-going ERP deflection--the left parietal old/new effect--was sensitive to the amount of information recollected, demonstrating greater amplitude when elicited by test items associated with full relative to partial recollection. These findings support prior proposals that the left parietal ERP old/new effect is sensitive to the amount of information recollected from episodic memory. An early-onsetting (ca. 150 ms), left frontal old/new effect differentiated items accorded correct old versus correct new responses regardless of whether the items were endorsed as familiar or recollected. This finding extends the range of circumstances under which early, frontally distributed old/new effects occur, and adds weight to previous suggestions that these effects are a neural correlate of familiarity-driven recognition memory.
The Impact of Professional Development in Family Child Care: A Practice-Based Approach

Research Findings: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the efficacy of a practice-based approach to professional development for family child care providers working in low-income...
Changes in carotid artery sonogram in premature adrenarche

BACKGROUND Premature adrenarche (PA), the appearance of pubic hair before the age of 8 years in girls and before 9 years in boys, may predict future morbidity, such as metabolic syndrome (MS). OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to assess carotid artery ultrasound changes in children with PA. DESIGN/METHODS PA children were matched with a group of prepubertal controls without PA. Subjects and controls underwent clinical and biochemical evaluation and sonograms of the carotid arteries. RESULTS Twelve children with PA and their matched controls were studied. Carotid artery ultrasonography showed elevation of the inner and outer diameter of the left carotid, and the cross-sectional area of the lumen and outer wall, and the outer diameter of the right carotid artery in PA. However, none of the above results maintained statistical significance when a Hochberg correction was applied. CONCLUSIONS Carotid artery diameter and cross-sectional area may be useful non-invasive markers of vascular pathology and MS in premature pubarche.
1659 SUPRA-ADDITIVE EFFECTS OF HORMONES ON PHOSPHOLIPID SYNTHESIS BY FETAL LUNG IN ORGAN CULTURE

1659 SUPRA-ADDITIVE EFFECTS OF HORMONES ON PHOSPHOLIPID SYNTHESIS BY FETAL LUNG IN ORGAN CULTURE
Systemic lupus erythematosus and myelofibrosis

Acute thrombocytopenia developed in a 27-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Antibodies to red cells and granulocytes were identified in addition to an increase in platelet-associated IgG. Serum complement levels were reduced, circulating immune complexes were present, and high titers of antinuclear antibodies and antibodies to native DNA were demonstrated. Attempts to aspirate bone marrow were unsuccessful due to an increase in marrow reticulin. Treatment with corticosteroids reversed the thrombocytopenia but not the myelofibrosis or the serologic abnormalities. A review of the literature revealed four other patients, two men and two women, with SLE and myelofibrosis. In two of these patients, the myelofibrosis regressed following therapy with corticosteroids.
Elasto-dynamic analysis of rectangular plates with circular holes

Abstract The problem of the free vibrations of a rectangular elastic plate, either clamped or simply supported, with a central circular hole has been investigated by a least-squares point-matching method. The results are given in the form of curves relating the natural frequency of the plate to the hole size for a variety of Poisson's ratios. The curves do not behave monotonically, and the hole size at which the frequency is a minimum is seen to be dependent not only on the boundary conditions but also on Poisson's ratio. A two-fold mechanism of strain relief and mass reduction is proposed to explain these results as well as the results of previous studies on the vibrations of plates with discontinuities.