cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of CEPH-accredited DrPH programs in the United States: A mixed-methods study

Interest has been growing in regard to increasing the public health workforce and standardizing training to ensure there are competent professionals to support rebuilding and reinforcing the public health infrastructure of the United States. The need for public health leaders was recognized as early as the hookworm control campaign during 1909-1914 when it became apparent that prevention of disease should be distinct from clinical medicine and should be conducted by professionally trained, dedicated full-time public health practitioners. In recent years, research on the public health workforce and on standardizing health workforce education has significantly expanded. A key element of such a workforce is public health leadership, and DrPH programs are the means to provide effective public health education for these future health professionals. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the general trend of DrPH programs from past to present and analyze the common themes and variations of 28 Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited DrPH programs in the United States. This research utilized a mixed-methods approach, investigating DrPH education at each school or program to improve our understanding of the current status of DrPH programs.
Improving Detection of Children At Risk For Suicide Through Universal Screening In The Emergency Department

Background: Suicide is the second leading cause of death in older children. Suicide has tripled in children 10-14 years and increased by 75% in adolescents 15-19 years from 2007-2017. Because children at risk for suicide may be difficult to detect, routine screening is necessary. The emergency department (ED) is an ideal location to perform screening because adolescents who use the ED engage in risky behaviors. However, during the pre-implementation period of this study only 1% of children >11 presenting to this ED …
Toward Deep Transfer Learning in Industrial Internet of Things

Machine learning techniques have been widely adopted to assist in data analysis in a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) systems. To enable flexible use of trained learning models, one viable solution is to leverage all categories of data from different applications to train a general model, which can be further tuned for applications through the tuning process. This process incurs additional overhead at the start, but makes later revision and iteration faster and more flexible. Nonetheless, due to limited computing capabilities, IoT devices cannot handle the training process of large data sets. To address this issue, in this article, we propose a general framework to adopt transfer learning in Industrial IoT (IIoT) systems. In our study, we categorize the application space of applying transfer learning to IIoT systems into four generic scenarios: 1) centralized transfer learning with large data sets; 2) distributed transfer learning with large data sets; 3) centralized transfer learning with small data sets; and 4) distributed transfer learning with small data sets. According to the characteristics of each scenario, we design workflows to apply the transfer learning technique. To demonstrate the efficacy of the approach, we apply our transfer learning technique to the task of IIoT component recognition. We use the known VGG-16 model and leverage T-Less industrial data sets to evaluate the performance of our approach in different scenarios. Via performance evaluation, our experimental results confirm the efficacy of our approach, which can not only reduce training time but also achieve higher accuracy, compared with the classical convolutional neural network (CNN) approach.
Development and validation of a novel patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measure for symptom burden in patients with cancer and COVID-19 infection

12113Background: The symptom burden experienced by patients with cancer who contract the COVID-19 (C19) infection remains to be fully understood. To accurately assess this symptom burden, we develo...
Rumensin for Ruminants

Rumensin (trade name for monensin Na, Eli Lilly and Company) is a biologically active compound produced by Streptomyces cinnamonensis and initially proven to be an effective anticoccidial in poultry rations. Currently, Rumensin is used by a large percentage of cattle feeders through the country to increase feed efficiency. The efficacy of this compound is well documented, however, much still needs to be known about its effects on animal health, protein utilization and mode of action.
Evaluation of electronic consults for outpatient pediatric patients with dermatologic complaints

Background Although dermatologic complaints are frequently encountered by pediatricians, access to pediatric dermatologists remains limited. Teledermatology has been proposed to expand access to dermatologic care for children. We report our experience with a physician-to-physician store-and-forward teledermatology service (eConsults), focusing on patient and consult characteristics and their relationship with teledermatologist confidence and follow-up recommendations as well as clinical outcomes. Methods We reviewed electronic health records of all pediatric patients referred through eConsults at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 1/13/2020 to 7/17/2020. We assessed pediatrician and parental receptiveness with a confidential survey. Results A total of 302 referrals (median patient age 4.6 years (IQR 0.6-12); 54% female) and 310 cases were completed in 1.8 days on average (SD = 1.2). Teledermatologists rated their confidence as definite and moderate in 51.3% and 39.4% cases, respectively. Teledermatologists felt comfortable managing rashes remotely, but patients with alopecia, pigmented and vascular lesions, and warts frequently required formal dermatology evaluation. Among patients seen subsequently, full concordance was seen for 70.1% of diagnoses and 74.4% of management recommendations. All responding pediatricians were satisfied with the service, and 97.5% felt that the parents were receptive to it. Conclusions Our study supports the growing evidence that store-and-forward teledermatology can quickly and effectively provide the access to pediatric dermatologic care and is well received by pediatricians and parents. To maximize cost-effectiveness of store-and-forward teledermatology, dermatologists should work with referring providers to improve the quality of submitted photographs and patient history as well as advise in-person referrals for cases likely to require further follow-up.
Temporal trends in bisphenol A exposure in the United States from 2003-2012 and factors associated with BPA exposure: Spot samples and urine dilution complicate data interpretation

Abstract Nationally representative data on urinary levels of BPA and its metabolites in the United States from the 2003–2004 to 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) were used to estimate daily BPA intakes and examine temporal trends. Additionally, NHANES data on lifestyle/demographic/dietary factors previously reported to be associated with BPA exposures were examined to assess the resiliency of the reported associations (whether the association is maintained across the five surveys). Finally, various approaches for addressing issues with the use of BPA concentration data from spot urine samples were examined for their effect on trends and associations. Three approaches were assessed here: (i) use of generic literature-based 24-h urine excretion volumes, (ii) use of creatinine adjustments, and (iii) use of individual urine flow rate data from NHANES. Based on 2011–2012 NHANES urinary BPA data and assumptions described in this paper, the median daily intake for the overall population is approximately 25 ng/kg day; median intake estimates were approximately two to three orders of magnitude below current health-based guidance values. Estimates of daily BPA intake have decreased significantly compared to those from the 2003–2004 NHANES. Estimates of associations between lifestyle/demographic/dietary factors and BPA exposure revealed inconsistencies related to both NHANES survey year and the three approaches listed above; these results demonstrate the difficulties in interpreting urinary BPA data, despite efforts to account for urine dilution and translation of spot sample data to 24-h data. The results further underscore the importance of continued research on how to best utilize urinary measures of environmental chemicals in exposure research. Until a consensus is achieved regarding the best biomonitoring approaches for assessing exposures to short-lived chemicals using urine samples, research on factors associated with BPA exposures should include – and report results from - assessments using both volume-based urinary BPA and creatinine-adjusted urinary BPA data.
Seeing Sound: Measuring Acoustic Pulse Propagation with X-Ray

Time-resolved x-ray diffraction has become a very powerful tool in the study of structural dynamics of solids. The wave nature of x-rays allows the detection of milliAngstrom changes in crystalline structure. Coupling the sensitivity of x-ray scattering with ultrafast pump-probe techniques can provide unprecedented studies of ultrafast dynamics in solids. This chapter demonstrates how time-resolved x-ray diffraction can be used to view transient strains in crystalline solids. Several different x-ray scattering geometries are explored.
Living at the Friendship House: Findings from the Transition Planning Inventory

A residential initiative, named the Friendship House, was created through advocates focused on helping people with intellectual disabilities live independently in affordable and safe housing on a university campus. The Friendship House is a small residence hall where individuals with intellectual disabilities live side-by-side with similarly aged and same gendered university students. Qualitative finding as in resident reports and observational data provides support that the Friendship House experience has been successful. However, to better equip these residents with intellectual disabilities, it is important to assess the program in terms of post school transition acquisition skills. This study focuses on whether the residents with intellectual disabilities are mastering the skills necessary to live successful lives after high school. Hence, the purpose of this quantitative study is to determine the effect of living in the Friendship House on the acquired transition skills (as measured by the nine Transition Planning Inventory skill sets) on individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Juvenile lymphocytic thyroiditis.

Lymphocytic thyroiditis was the most common cause of nontoxic goiters in childhood, comprising about 40% of these and 20% of all goiters seen in our pediatric endocrine clinic. The diagnosis should be considered whenever a nontoxic goiter does not diminish significantly in size within about two weeks in response to thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH) suppressive doses of USP thyroid. Observations on 32 children with lymphocytic thyroiditis have been recorded. The diagnosis was proven histologically in 23. In nine patients the diagnosis was presumptive. The condition occurred mostly in preadolescent girls as a slowly developing firm, diffuse, and smooth or nubbly goiter with or without symptoms of anxiety, nervousness and pressure in the neck. The majority of patients were euthyroid when first encountered, though examples both of mild hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were also seen. A high protein-bound iodine value, a large discrepancy between protein-bound iodine and butanol-extractable iodine, and positive tanned erythrocyte antibody test results provided the best diagnostic criteria apart from biopsy. The pathological picture is one of hyperplasia with lymphocytic infiltration and atrophy of thyroid follicles and epithelium. Treatment consisted in giving TSH suppressive doses of thyroid for a prolonged period. The results of treatment were not entirely satisfactory. Genetic predisposition, probably manifested in an abnormal cellular hypersensitivity, and excessive TSH stimulation of the thyroid seem for the moment the two factors in pathogenesis best supported by laboratory evidence.
Infrared Matrix-Investigations of the Interaction of Oxygen with Iron Atoms and Aggregates

We report on infrared absorption investigations of the reactivity of Fe n (n=1,2,...) with molecular oxygen in low temperature argon matrices. Besides the known ν o-o IR hne of iron peroxide Fe(O2)1 at 956 cm-1 we observe that the band at ≈873 cm-1 which has been reported for FeO2,3 becomes strong at higher iron concentrations. So far the occurrence of FeO has only been reported when atomic oxygen is formed in the device or at the matrix surface, e. g. by the reaction of O2 with excited rare-gas atoms from a hollow-cathode discharge. In this case also O3 lines have been reported. As we see no O3 lines, it is believed that Fe2 is capable of O-O bond rupture resulting in a reaction product of 2 FeO. — A new band grows at moderate iron concentration at the expense of Fe(O2). It is assigned to the ν o-o mode of a FeO2Fe molecule. A band at 1098 cm-1 is attributed to Fe(O2)2.
The Effects of Judicial Strength and Rule of Law on Portfolio Investment in the Developing World

Objective. Applying existing theories relating to investment risk, this article examines the effects of judicial strength and adherence to the rule of law on portfolio investment in the developing world. We aim to demonstrate that countries with higher levels of judicial strength and rule of law are more able to attract portfolio investment because they provide greater protection of property rights and a better risk environment for investors. Methods. Using time-series data for 79 developing countries for the period 1996–2005, we employ panel-corrected standard errors multivariate regressions to demonstrate that higher levels of judicial strength and rule of law are associated with higher levels of portfolio investment. Results. We find that a one standard deviation increase in overall judicial strength and rule of law results in more than a 50 percent increase in portfolio investment. In separate analyses, we show that a one standard deviation increase in specific measures of judicial independence, impartial courts, and protection of property rights leads to increases in portfolio investment ranging from 27 percent to 184 percent. Conclusion. Judicial strength and adherence to the rule of law are important determinants of portfolio investment in the developing world.
Using Behavioral Insights to Increase Parental Engagement: The Parents and Children Together Intervention

Parental engagement plays a key role in children's future success. We implemented a behaviorally informed field experiment designed to increase the time parents spend using a digital library on an electronic tablet to read to their children. Behavioral tools—reminders, goal setting, and social rewards—more than doubled the amount of time parents spent reading using the electronic application (one standard deviation effect size) after the six-week intervention. The largest gains were for the most present-oriented parents. Our findings suggest substantial promise for the application of behavioral tools to parenting activities that promote investment in children's human capital. [End Page 900] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Pending Studies at Hospital Discharge: A Pre-post Analysis of an Electronic Medical Record Tool to Improve Communication at Hospital Discharge

Background Achieving safe transitions of care at hospital discharge requires accurate and timely communication. Both the presence of and follow-up plan for diagnostic studies that are pending at hospital discharge are expected to be accurately conveyed during these transitions, but this remains a challenge.
In Vitro Interaction of Nitrate-responsive Regulatory Protein NarL with DNA Target Sequences in the fdnG, narG, narK and frdA Operon Control Regions of Escherichia coli K-12

The narL gene product is a nitrate-responsive activator and repressor of anaerobic respiratory gene expression. Mutational studies and sequence comparisons have suggested that NarL protein binding sites contain heptameric sequences related to the consensus, TACYNMT (where Y = C or T, M = A or C, and N = any nucleotide). There are four NarL heptamers in the -105 region of the fdnGHI (formate dehydrogenase-N) operon, and mutational analysis supports the role of these heptamers in nitrate induction. To examine NarL-DNA interactions, we purified the NarL protein as a maltose binding protein (MBP) fusion protein (MBP-NarL). A constitutive mutant form with a single substitution (V88A) in the amino-terminal (response regulator) region was used. The MBP-NarL (V88A) protein protected all four heptamers in the fdnG operon control region from DNase I cleavage. Identical footprints were observed with NarL (V88A) protein that had been proteolytically cleaved free from the MBP domain. Binding of MBP-NarL (V88A) protein to the four heptamers in the -105 region of the fdnG operon appeared to be cooperative, and occupancy of the central heptamers was necessary for occupancy of the flanking heptamers. In addition to the V88A substitution, a low molecular weight phosphodonor, such as acetyl phosphate, was required for observable footprints. This indicates that phosphorylation of the NarL protein enhances its affinity for its multiple DNA targets in the fdnG operon, perhaps by increasing protein-protein interactions rather than protein-DNA interactions. We also performed footprinting studies at the narGHJI (nitrate reductase), narK (nitrite efflux), and frdABCD (fumarate reductase) operon control regions. Extensive areas of each control region were protected from DNase I attack by phosphorylated MBP-NarL (V88A) protein. The narG operon control region was protected from positions -50 to -110, and, at higher protein concentrations, also around position -200. Mutational analysis indicates that the NarL heptamer centered at position -89, in addition to the previously-identified -200 region, is involved in nitrate induction. Comparisons of the four operon control regions studied indicate that the NarL heptamers are arranged with diverse orientations and spacing.
Synthesis of B, N, O-containing heterocycles via reaction of an aminoborinium ion with cyclic acetals and ketals

Dimethylaminoborinium ion [(CH 3 ) 2 NB + N(CH 3 ) 2 ] undergoes gas-phase Eberlin reactions (Eberlin MN, Cooks RG. Org. Mass. Spectrom. 1993; 28: 679) with neutral cyclic acetals and ketals. Analogously to trans-acetalization in the condensed phase, this reaction involves initial nucleophilic addition at the borinium cation by the acetal or ketal, followed by a ring-opening/recyclization process with concomitant loss of a neutral carbonyl compound and formation of an ionic B, N, O-containing heterocyclic product. The cyclic nature of the product is strongly suggested by multiple-stage mass spectrometry experiments. The reaction gives relatively higher yields than the corresponding acylium, phosphonium and silylium ion reactions and shows larger influences due to the position of the substituent group in 1,3-dioxolanes. Electronic and steric factors have opposite effects on the reaction efficiency, which is consistent with the proposed mechanism.
Progressions of adult male chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in the moremi wildlife reserve

It has been suggested that the sociospatial organization of baboon progressions has a protective function in which the most physically powerful troop members, the adult males, play a key role. This theory implies regularities in adult male progression order for different species of savannah baboons with similar social systems. Quantitative progression data are available from two such similar baboon species, olive and yellow, but not from the third, chacma. The order of movement of 15 adult male chacma baboons was determined from 40 progressions observed at the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, Botswana. The chacma males were most often found in the front sixth of progressions, next most often in the second sixth, and about equally often from there to the rear. As expected from the protection theory, this frontal positioning is consistent with available quantitative data from other species of savannah baboons.
Validation of the multidimensional outcome expectations for exercise scale in ambulatory, symptom-free persons with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract McAuley E, Motl RW, White SM, Wojcicki TR. Validation of the Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale in ambulatory, symptom-free persons with multiple sclerosis. Objective To determine the psychometric properties of the 3-factor Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale in a sample of ambulatory, symptom-free persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design Cross-sectional validation study. Setting Midwestern university. Participants Community-dwelling adults (N=242) with an established definite diagnosis of MS, as corroborated by the participant's neurologist, who were relapse free for the last 30 days and ambulatory with minimal assistance. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale, physical activity, self-efficacy, and physical health status. Confirmatory factor analyses using covariance modeling and correlational analyses were used to establish factorial and construct validity. Results Analyses showed excellent factorial validity for the hypothesized factor structure reflecting physical, social, and self-evaluative outcome expectations. All 3 subscales were internally consistent. Theoretically, relevant correlations between outcome expectations and self-efficacy, physical activity, and physical health status were all supported. Conclusions The Multidimensional Outcome Expectations for Exercise Scale appears to be a reliable and valid measure of outcome expectations for exercise in this limited sample of community-dwelling adults with MS. Further validation in clinical samples is warranted.
Drexel University College of Information Studies: Evolving programs, new connections

During the 1980s, the ever‐evolving curricula of the Drexel University College of Information Studies have undergone significant development in the area of Information Systems. This article details the recent innovations in the systems area at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and places these systems offerings in the context of the history, philosophy, and mission of the college. © 1988 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A study of linear time-varying systems subject to stochastic disturbances

This paper is concerned with the analysis, in a stochastic sense, of systems described by linear differential equations with random disturbances, which often arise in the study of the variational behavior of an optimal control system along its nominal trajectory due to random disturbances in plant parameters or measuring errors in state variables. The random vector may be a white noise vector or may be generated by differential equations excited by white noise. By means of the Fokker-Planck equation the general result not only reveals the stability property of the system but also enables one to determine the state of the system at every instant of time in a stochastic sense. Experimental verification is given by simulating a second order system on an analog computer and the result is found to be in agreement with theory.
Non-existence of small-amplitude doubly periodic waves for dispersive equations

Abstract We formulate the question of the existence of spatially periodic, time-periodic solutions for evolution equations as a fixed point problem, for certain temporal periods. We prove that if a certain estimate applies for the Duhamel integral, then time-periodic solutions cannot be arbitrarily small. This provides a partial analogue in the spatially periodic case of scattering results for dispersive equations on the real line, as scattering implies the non-existence of small-amplitude traveling waves. Furthermore, it also complements small-divisor methods (e.g., the Craig–Wayne–Bourgain method) for proving the existence of small-amplitude time-periodic solutions (again, for frequencies in certain set).
Mechanical Properties of Robust Ultrathin Silk Fibroin Films

Robust ultrathin multilayer films of silk fibroin were fabricated by spin coating and spin-assisted layer-by-layer assembly and their mechanical properties were studied both in tensile and compression modes for the first time. The ultrathin films were characterized by a high elastic modulus of 6–8 GPa (after treatment with methanol) with the ultimate tensile strength reaching 100 MPa. The superior toughness is also many times higher than that usually observed for conventional polymer composites (328 kJ m–3 for the silk material studied here versus typical values of < 100 kJ m–3). These outstanding properties are suggested to be caused by the gradual development of the self-reinforcing microstructure of highly crystalline β-sheets, serving as reinforcing fillers and physical crosslinks, a process that is well known for bulk silk materials but it is demonstrated here to occur in ultrathin films as well, despite their limited dimensions. However, the confined state within films thinner than the lengths of the extended domains causes a significantly reduced elasticity which should be considered in the design of nanosized films from silk materials. Such regenerated silk fibroin films with outstanding mechanical strength have potential applications in microscale biodevices, biocompatible implants, and synthetic coatings for artificial skin.
Lookup tables, recurrences and complexity

The use of lookup tables can reduce the complexity of calculation of functions defined typically by mathematical recurrence relations. Although this technique has been adopted by several algebraic manipulation systems, it has not been examined critically in the literature. While the use of tabulation or “memoization” seems to be a particularly simple and worthwhile technique in some areas, there are some negative consequences. Furthermore, the expansion of this technique to other areas (other than recurrences) has not been subjected to analysis.This paper examines some of the assumptions. A more detailed technical report [9] is under preparation.
Vapor heat capacities and enthalpies of vaporization of four aromatic and/or cycloalkane hydrocarbons

Abstract Experimental values of vapor heat capacity for the real gas and enthalpy of vaporization, determined by vapor-flow calorimetry, are reported for 1,4-dimethylbenzene, ethylbenzene, 1-ethyl-1-methylcyclopentane, and indan. The results were used to derive values of C p o , the heat capacity in the ideal-gas state, and to obtain information about the state properties of the gas in the region of low relative temperature and pressure.
The Lead Radius Experiment PREX

The proposed PREX experiment at Jefferson Lab will measure the parity-violating electroweak asymmetry in the elastic scattering of polarized electrons at an energy of 850 MeV and a scattering angle of 6°. Since the Z 0 boson couples mainly to neutrons, this asymmetry provides a clean measurement of R n with a projected experimental precision of ±1 %. In addition to being a fundamental test of nuclear theory, a precise measurement of R n pins down the density dependence of the symmetry energy of neutron rich nuclear matter which has impacts on neutron star structure, heavy ion collisions, and atomic parity violation experiments.
Zeolite catalysis in the selective oligomerization of styrene

Abstract Hydrogen zeolite-Y affords the linear dimer 1,3-diphenyl-1-butene from styrene with high selectivity (80%) in the liquid phase (CH2Cl2) under mild, ambient temperatures. The linear dimer is quantitatively converted to the cyclic dimer 1-methyl-3-phenylindan by prolonged exposure to iron(III)-exchanged zeolite-Y under the same conditions. The variable amounts of styrene trimers can be controlled in the course of zeolite activation; and the complete suppression of tetramers and higher oligomers can be related to the zeolite crystallinity. The selectivities in styrene oligomerization are compared with those obtained with more conventional soluble and solid acid catalysts.
Food intake, gastric secretion, and motility as affected by avian pancreatic polypeptide administered centrally in chickens

The effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP) on food intake, gizzard motility, gastric secretion volume, pH, and pepsin concentration was investigated using 16-20-week-old Single-Comb White Leghorn hens. Birds were stereotaxically cannulated in the right lateral ventricle. In addition, a strain gauge was attached to the gizzard to measure motility and a polyethylene cannula was implanted into the caudoventral margin of the proventriculus to collect glandular secretions. All birds were fasted for 18 hr prior to the injection of APP. In Experiment 1 food was made available immediately following the injection of APP while in Experiment 2 food was withheld for an additional one hr post-injection. The ICV injection of APP significantly increased food intake but had no significant effect on gizzard motility, gastric secretion volume, pH, or pepsin concentration in birds given access to food immediately after injection. In birds which remained fasted after injection, pepsin concentration was decreased by APP injection, but gizzard motility, gastric secretion volume, and pH were not affected. Because ICV injections of APP significantly increased food intake and, in fasted birds, decreased pepsin concentration, it appears that APP is involved in the central nervous system control of food intake and pepsin secretion in the domestic fowl.
Collagen sponge as vaginal contraceptive barrier: Critical summary of seven years of research

Extensive testing of collagen sponge as a vaginal contraceptive (mechanical and chemical) showed that the original expectations regarding the safety, convenience, and efficacy were not met. The collagen sponge was tested both as a cylinder and as a diaphragm and used as such or impregnated with spermicidal detergent or with zinc salt. The collagen sponge must be larger than 6 cm in diameter in order to serve as a mechanical barrier that will not be dislodged during physical activity. This creates problems with the ease of insertion and with the partners' awareness of the barrier. When the collagen sponge containing ejaculate is left in the vagina greater than 48 hours, it develops an offensive odor. The original acidity of the collagen sponge (pH 3.5, 0.1 mol/L) is soon neutralized by the large volume of alkaline vaginal secretions. In vitro studies showed that up to 10 mg of nonoxynol 9 per milliliter of growth medium did not inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. These effects, as well as the large surface area of the resilient sponge, present a potential risk for growing staphylococci within the collagen sponge. The capacity of the collagen sponge to absorb a large volume of cervical and vaginal fluid produced two symptoms that were annoying to the volunteers: an awareness of either vaginal dryness during intercourse or, conversely, saturation of the sponge from the vagina. Postcoital studies showed viable spermatozoa in the cervical mucus in 25% of the tests with the nonmedicated cylindrical sponge but in only 6% of tests with the sponge containing nonoxynol 9. The results of clinical trials conducted at four centers support the view that collagen sponge as a vaginal contraceptive barrier method is inconvenient to both partners, not effective enough to compete with present methods of vaginal contraception, and possibly might be unsafe because of the capacity to grow bacteria. Despite the negative end result of this goal-oriented research, we believe that our studies have contributed to a better understanding of vaginal physiologic features, the safety and effectiveness of spermicidal detergents, and the mechanisms of vaginal malodor. Although the acceptability study showed some advantages of the collagen sponge over the rubber diaphragm, the overall acceptability of the collagen sponge diaphragm was no better than that of the rubber diaphragm. For all these reasons, including the possible risk of an increased incidence of toxic shock syndrome, we have discontinued further testing of either type of collagen sponge as a vaginal barrier method.
Decrease in the phosphorylation of the proteins associated with heterogeneous nuclear RNA after the application of 3′-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene

Abstract The effect of 3′-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3′-MeDAB) on the phosphorylation of the proteins of the nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles was studied in liver of rats. Forty eight hours after the application of 4 mg of the hepatocarcinogen per 100 g of body wt. by stomach intubation the particle proteins contained only 7% as much phosphate per mg of protein as the proteins of the same particles isolated from liver of control animals. Determination of the protein kinase and protein phosphatase activities in the total fraction of the non-histone nuclear proteins 48 h after the application of the carcinogen have shown an increase (200% and 159%, respectively) in both enzymatic activities. These results suggest that the hepatocarcinogen could induce the observed high turnover of the phosphates on the proteins of the liver nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles and the resulting dephosphorylation of these particles by stimulation of nuclear protein kinases and phosphatases. Qualitatively the same, but quantitatively much smaller changes were also observed 48 h after the application of the non-carcinogenic p-aminoazobenzene (AB) by stomach intubation and in regenerating liver. After the application of AB phosphorylation of the proteins of rat liver nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles decreased to 70% and in regenerating liver to 61% of the phosphorylation of particle proteins in control liver. Since it is assumed that nuclear RNP particles are involved in the processing and transport of newly synthesized premessenger RNA it is possible that the drastic dephosphorylation of the particle proteins induced by the carcinogen could be connected with the distortion of RNA processing which is observed in liver of animals treated with hepatocarcinogens.
Borosilicate- and phengite-bearing veins from the Grenville Province of Labrador: evidence for rapid uplift

Quartzo-feldspathic veins emplaced within a migmatite terrane near Wilson Lake in the Grenville Province of central Labrador record a metamorphic event not evident in the host rocks. The discordant veins are undeformed and have undisturbed primary igneous/hydrothermal textures. Most of the veins contain euhedral kyanite, as well as aggregates of kyanite, K-feldspar, phlogopite and minor dumortierite which are likely pseudomorphs after primary phengite. The reconstructed phengite compositions range from 3.1 to 3.2 Si per 11 oxygen formula unit. The pseudomorph assemblage is interpreted as the product of phengite + quartz melting under H2O-undersaturated conditions, which brackets P–T conditions of formation to about 9–16 kbar and 775–875 °C. A parallel vein that is likely of the same generation contains the borosilicate phases, dumortierite, prismatine and grandidierite, but no kyanite. The borosilicate assemblages constrain the P–T conditions of vein crystallization to ≥10 kbar and c. 750–850 °C. Vein emplacement is constrained to T ≤ 875 °C at the same pressures, which is well within the kyanite zone. Because the host rocks and veins must have experienced the same P–T history following vein emplacement, the presence of unreacted sillimanite in the host migmatites implies insufficient time for host rock equilibration. Slow reaction rates because of anhydrous conditions are not a likely explanation given the abundance of biotite and hornblende in the host rocks. The ductility implied by the breakdown of a hydrous phase (phengite) and the production of an H2O-undersaturated melt in the veins contrasts with the apparently brittle behaviour of the host rocks. The absence of deformation since the time of vein emplacement, even at temperatures above 750 °C, suggests that the deep crust in this part of Labrador had a very short residence time under conditions of the kyanite zone. Rapid decompression from those conditions is consistent with quartz + phengite melting and accounts for the relatively brittle behaviour of the terrane as it was uplifted.
Developing sensors for real-time measurement of high Ca2+ concentrations.

Ca2+ regulates numerous biological processes through spatiotemporal changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and subsequent interactions with Ca2+ binding proteins. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves as an intracellular Ca2+ store and plays an essential role in cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis. There is a strong need to develop Ca2+ sensors capable of real-time quantitative Ca2+ concentration measurements in specific subcellular environments without using natural Ca2+ binding proteins such as calmodulin, which themselves participate as signaling molecules in cells. In this report, a strategy for creating such sensors by grafting a Ca2+-binding motif into chromophore sensitive locations in green fluorescence protein is described. The engineered Ca2+ sensors exhibit large ratiometric fluorescence and absorbance changes upon Ca2+ binding with affinities corresponding to the Ca2+ concentrations found in the ER (Kd values range from 0.4 to 2 mM). In addition to characterizing the optical and metal binding prop...
A photo-modulatable material for probing cellular responses to substrate rigidity

Recent studies indicate that extracellular mechanical properties, including rigidity, profoundly affect cellular morphology, growth, migration, and differentiation [R. J. Pelham, Jr. and Y. Wang, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 1997, 94(25), 13661–13665; H. B. Wang, M. Dembo and Y. L. Wang, Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol., 2000, 279(5), C1345–C1350; P. C. Georges, and P. A. Janmey, J. Appl. Physiol., 2005, 98(4), 1547–1553; C. M. Lo, H. B. Wang, M. Dembo and Y. L. Wang, Biophys. J., 2000. 79(1), 144–152; D. E. Discher, P. Janmey and Y. L. Wang, Science, 2005, 310(5751), 1139–1143; A. J. Engler, M. A. Griffin, S. Sen, C. G. Bonnemann, H. L. Sweeney and D. E. Discher, J. Cell Biol., 2004, 166(6), 877–887]. However, most studies involving rigidity sensing have been performed by comparing cells on separate substrata of fixed stiffness. To allow spatial and/or temporal manipulation of mechanical properties, we have developed a modulatable hydrogel by reacting linear polyacrylamide (PA) with a photosensitive crosslinker. This material allows UV-mediated control of rigidity, softening by 20–30% upon irradiation at a dose tolerated by live cells. Global UV irradiation induces an immediate recoiling of 3T3 fibroblasts and a reduced spread area at steady state. Furthermore, localized softening of the posterior substratum of polarized cells causes no apparent effect, while softening of the anterior substratum elicits pronounced retraction, indicating that rigidity sensing is localized to the frontal region. This type of material allows precise spatial and temporal control of mechanical signals for both basic research and regenerative medicine.
Stepfamily Therapy from the Client's Perspective

(1997). Stepfamily Therapy from the Client's Perspective. Marriage & Family Review: Vol. 26, No. 1-2, pp. 191-213.
Criteria for Biostratigraphic Correlation: ABSTRACT

Biostratigraphic correlations are established using stratigraphic sequences in which a succession of congregations of taxa have been recognized as standards of reference. Recognition of a succession of congregations in any part of the overall geologic column results from (1) detailed measurement of many stratigraphic sections through a part of the overall stratigraphic column under close study with fossil collections obtained from the measured sections such that the precise stratigraphic position of each collection is known; (2) identification of taxa in each collection (commonly one organismal group such as the foraminifers is selected for close taxonomic analysis); (3) plotting of the stratigraphic ranges of each of the taxa in every measured section; (4) recognition of superpositionally unique associations of taxa in each section by analysis of the overlapping stratigraphic ranges, section by section; and (5) recognition of congregations in the area in which the stratigraphic sections were measured, based upon comparisons among the superpositionally arranged unique associations in each individual section. A composite succession of unique associations or congregations recognized in an area provides a standard of reference with which collections of fossils from rocks in the same and adjacent areas may be compared and correlations established on the basis of the closest match between the new collection and the congregations in the reference suite. New data in the form of new fossil collections from additional stratigraphic sections may reveal range extensions for certain taxa because those taxa may be found associated with congregations other than those in which they were initially found. Divisions or lumping of congregations may be indicated by new data. Analysis of taxa may include those from a wide range of environments in the steps toward erecting a reference suite of congregations. Alternatively, separate reference suites may be established for each different biofacies within coeval rocks in the area under study. Therefore, criteria for correlation must include analysis of the fossils found to determine their facies relations as well as their stratigraphic superpositional relations. These determinations will aid in erecting the reference successions of congregations, as well as in making comparisons with the reference suites. End_of_Article - Last_Page 430------------
Comparative Effectiveness of CBT Interventions for Co-Morbid Chronic Pain & Insomnia: A Pilot Study

Abstract Introduction Chronic pain is difficult to treat and often precedes or exacerbates sleep disturbances such as insomnia. Insomnia, in turn, can amplify the pain experience. Both conditions are associated with inflammatory processes, which may be involved in the bi-directional relationship between pain and sleep. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for pain and CBT for insomnia are evidence based interventions for, respectively, chronic pain and insomnia. The study objectives were to determine the feasibility of combining CBT for pain and for insomnia and to assess the effects of the combined intervention and the stand alone interventions on pain, sleep, and mood outcomes compared to a control condition. Methods Twenty-one adults with co-occurring chronic pain and chronic insomnia were randomized to either CBT for pain, CBT for insomnia, combined CBT for pain and insomnia, or a wait-list control condition. Results The combined CBT intervention was feasible to deliver and produced significant improvements in sleep, disability from pain, depression and fatigue compared to the control condition. Overall, the combined intervention appeared to have a strong advantage over CBT for pain on most outcomes, modest advantage over both CBT for insomnia in reducing insomnia severity in chronic pain patients. Discussion CBT for pain and CBT for insomnia may be combined with good results for patients with co-occurring chronic pain and insomnia.
Molecular mechanics (MM3) calculations on alkyl radicals

The MM3 force field has been extended to cover alkyl radicals. Structures, conformational energies, vibrational spectra, and heats of formation have been well fit, mostly to ab initio data. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Infrared Kuiper Belt Constraints

We compute the temperature and IR signal of particles of radius a and albedo α at heliocentric distance R, taking into account the emissivity effect, and give an interpolating formula for the result. We compare with analyses of COBE DIRBE data by others (including recent detection of the cosmic IR background) for various values of heliocentric distance R, particle radius a, and particle albedo α. We then apply these results to a recently developed picture of the Kuiper belt as a two-sector disk with a nearby, low-density sector (40<R<50-90 AU) and a more distant sector with a higher density. We consider the case in which passage through a molecular cloud essentially cleans the solar system of dust. We apply a simple model of dust production by comet collisions and removal by the Poynting-Robertson effect to find limits on total and dust masses in the near and far sectors as a function of time since such a passage. Finally, we compare Kuiper belt IR spectra for various parameter values. Results of this work include: (1) numerical limits on Kuiper belt dust as a function of (R, a, α) on the basis of four alternative sets of constraints, including those following from recent discovery of the cosmic IR background by Hauser et al.; (2) application to the two-sector Kuiper belt model, finding mass limits and spectrum shape for different values of relevant parameters including dependence on time elapsed since last passage through a molecular cloud cleared the outer solar system of dust; and (3) potential use of spectral information to determine time since last passage of the Sun through a giant molecular cloud.
INVESTMENT IN NESTING ACTIVITIES AND PATTERNS OF EXTRA- AND WITHIN-GROUP GENETIC PATERNITY IN A COOPERATIVELY BREEDING BIRD

Abstract Individuals are predicted to direct aid-giving behaviors preferentially to kin. In this study, we examined patterns of investment in nesting activities and compared them to genetic paternity across a three-year period (1994–1996) in cooperatively breeding Brown Jays (Cyanocorax morio) in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Brown Jays live in large, territorial groups (mean = 10 individuals) that usually contain a single primary nesting female, her social mate (consort), and helpers of both sexes. Consorts were identified in most but not all nesting female-years; the consort–breeding female relationship was a stable one that often persisted across years, and consorts spent more time with the breeding females than did any other group males during nest building and egg laying. At an individual level, helpers invested little time in the nest area or feeding effort during the prenestling stages, although they provided the majority of feedings (90%) to the breeding female. The breeding pair spent more time in the ...
Reaktionen in flüssigem Ammoniak

In dieser Arbeit ist auf den weitgehenden Parallelismus zwischen den physikalischen Eigenschaften der zwei elektrolytischen Losungsmitteln Wasser und Ammoniak hingewiesen worden.
Take it to the bridge: an interhemispheric processing advantage for emotional faces

Recent evidence indicates that emotional stimuli may be accorded special priority in information processing. Extending that research, this study tested the hypothesis that communication between the left and right hemispheres would be facilitated for emotional compared to non-emotional faces. Sixty-eight participants matched angry, happy, and neutral face photographs either within a single visual field (i.e., within one hemisphere) or across opposite visual fields (i.e., between the two hemispheres). An overall performance advantage favoring across-field trials was modulated by the emotionality of the face. Specifically, the across-field advantage was significantly greater for angry and happy faces compared to neutral faces, a pattern evident for both accuracy and reaction time data. Possible interpretations of the enhanced interhemispheric processing advantage include increased computational complexity or subcortical transfer of emotionally salient information.