cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced phrenic long-term facilitation in rats with motor neuron death from intrapleural CTB-saporin injections (713.1)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease leading to progressive motor neuron degeneration and death by ventilatory failure. In a model of ALS (SOD1G93A), pLTF following acute intermittent hypoxia is enhanced at disease end-stage by unknown mechanisms (Nichols et al., ibid, 2010). Intrapleural injections of cholera toxin B fragment conjugated to saporin (CTB-SAP) selectively kills respiratory motor neurons and mimics motor neuron death observed in ALS rats (Nichols et al., ibid, 2013). This CTB-SAP model allows us to study the impact of respiratory motor neuron death on breathing without many complications attendant to ALS. Here, we tested the hypothesis that phrenic motor neuron death is sufficient to enhance pLTF. pLTF was assessed in anesthetized, paralyzed and ventilated Sprague Dawley rats 7 and 28 days following bilateral intrapleural injections of: 1) CTB-SAP (25μg), or 2) un-conjugated CTB and SAP (control). CTB-SAP enhanced pLTF at 7 (CTB-SAP: 145±22%, n=10 vs. Control: 54±5%; ...
A look at the future of tubes

Solid-state devices are presenting severe competition to electron tubes in many applications where only a few years ago tubes reigned supreme. So spectacular have been the inroads of solid-state devices that some engineers have wondered if eventually all tubes would be replaced, or at least if tubes in the future would play only minor rolls. A comparison of the basic characteristics of tubes and solid-state devices does not bear this out. It appears certain that inroads will continue, mainly in applications involving low power and low frequency. However, where high power is needed, tubes may be expected to maintain dominance. Thus tubes should be important in cooking, food processing, and industrial heating, in providing high RF power for phased array radars, in magnetohydrodynamic power generation, in thermionic energy conversion, in drilling and machining, and in ion propulsion for space travel. Certain tubes, such as the traveling-wave tube, are attractive because of inherently wide bandwidth. They should continue to compete wherever wide bandwidth is needed, such as in microwave power amplification for satellites. There is presently no strong reason to feel that tubes will not continue to be employed in radiation sensing and in display. Finally, tubes of special design have been useful and will continue to be useful in basic research as devices in which to stage experiments. Examples of this are particle accelerator, tubes for plasma diagnostics and a recently announced electron cyclotron maser.
Thermodynamic and kinetic consistency of calculated binary nucleation rates

To establish the accuracy and applicability of analytical expressions for the steady state rate of binary nucleation, we numerically solved the birth-death equations for the vapor-to-liquid transition. These calculations were performed using rate coefficients that are consistent with the principle of detailed balance and a new self-consistent form of the equilibrium distribution function for binary cluster concentrations. We found that the customary saddle point and growth path approximations are almost always valid and can fail only if the nucleating solution phase is significantly nonideal. For example, problems can arise when the vapor composition puts the system on the verge of partial liquid phase miscibility. When this occurs for comparable monomer impingement rates, nucleation still occurs through the saddle point, but the usual quadratic expansion for the cluster free energy is inadequate. When the two impingement rates differ significantly, however, the major particle flux may bypass the saddle point and cross a low ridge on the free energy surface. The dependence of the saddle point location on the gas phase composition is also important in initiating or terminating ridge crossing nucleation.
The heart of the beast: Acquiring and redistributing power in modern organizations

Asserts that history shows humanity’s quest for power over its environment and of individuals over each other. Suggests that ignoring the desire for power and influence or leaving a vacuum where people are left to feel powerless is to invite trouble; instead, these primal needs should be faced in a positive and worthwhile manner. Proposes that the need for power should be addressed and a sense of being powerful, rather than powerless, should be encouraged throughout organizations. Concludes that, in the 1990s, having power will increasingly mean sharing information, knowledge and trust.
Flow injection determination of selenium by successive retention of Se(IV) and tetrahydroborate(III) on an anion-exchange resin and hydride generation electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry with in-atomizer trapping: Part 1. Method development and investigation of interferences

Abstract A sample solution was passed at 20 ml min −1 through a column (150×4 mm 2 ) of Amberlite IRA-410Stron anion-exchange resin for 60 s. After washing, a solution of 0.1% sodium borohydride was passed through the column for 60 s at 5.1 ml min −1 . Following a second wash, a solution of 8 mol l −1 hydrochloric acid was passed at 5.1 ml min −1 for 45 s. The hydrogen selenide was stripped from the eluent solution by the addition of an argon flow at 150 ml min −1 and the bulk phases were separated by a glass gas–liquid separator containing glass beads. The gas stream was dried by passing through a Nafion® dryer and fed, via a quartz capillary tube, into the dosing hole of a transversely heated graphite cuvette containing an integrated L’vov platform which had been pretreated with 120 μg of iridium as trapping agent. The furnace was held at a temperature of 250°C during this trapping stage and then stepped to 2000°C for atomization. The calibration was performed with aqueous standards solution of selenium (selenite, SeO 3 2− ) with quantification by peak area. A number of experimental parameters, including reagent flow rates and composition., nature of the gas–liquid separator, nature of the anion-exchange resin, column dimensions, argon flow rate and sample pH, were optimized. The effects of a number of possible interferents, both anionic and cationic were studies for a solution of 500 ng 1 −1 of selenium. The most severe depressions were caused by iron (III) and mercury (II) for which concentrations of 20 and 10 mg 1 −1 caused a 5% depression on the selenium signal. For the other cations (cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead,. magnesium, and nickel) concentrations of 50–70 mg 1 −1 could be tolerated. Arsenate interfered at a concentration of 3 mg −1 , whereas concentrations of chloride, bromide, iodide, perchlorate, and sulfate of 500–900 mg l −1 could be tolerated. A linear response was obtained between the detection limit of 4 ng 1 −1 , with a characteristic mass of 130 pg. The RSDs for solutions containing 100 and 200 ng 1 −1 selenium were 2.3% and 1.5%, respectively.
Development of an experimental component for a senior communication systems course: a web-assisted approach

Instruction in communication and many other upper division EE courses have traditionally been limited to lecture sessions. With the proliferation of multimedia-capable platforms and software this situation has changed significantly. This paper documents our two year effort on the development of a MATLAB-based practicum for a senior level communication course. Detailed timetable and experimental material are presented. The second part of the paper describes integration of the web into the course content and comments on its impact.
TNF-α modulation of intestinal epithelial tight junction barrier is regulated by ERK1/2 activation of Elk-1.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. TNF-α causes an increase in intestinal permeability; however, the signaling pathways and the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. The major purpose of this study was to investigate the role of MAP kinase pathways (ERK1/2 and p38 kinase) and the molecular processes involved. An in vitro intestinal epithelial model system consisting of Caco-2 monolayers and an in vivo mouse model system were used to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in TNF-α effects on tight junction barrier. The TNF-α–induced increase in Caco-2 tight junction permeability was mediated by activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, but not the p38 kinase pathway. Activation of the ERK1/2 pathway led to phosphorylation and activation of the ETS domain-containing transcription factor Elk-1. The activated Elk-1 translocated to the nucleus, where it bound to its binding motif on the myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) promoter region, leading to the activation of MLCK promoter activity and gene transcription. In addition, in vivo intestinal perfusion studies also indicated that the TNF-α–induced increase in mouse intestinal permeability requires ERK1/2-dependent activation of Elk-1. These studies provide novel insight into the cellular and molecular processes that regulate the TNF-α–induced increase in intestinal epithelial tight junction permeability.
Valued Member or Tolerated Participant: Parents' Experiences in Inclusive Early Childhood Settings:

The present qualitative investigation explored the perspectives of parents of young children with severe disabilities to understand the factors that shape their participation in their child's inclusive education. Ten parents of children in early childhood inclusive settings were interviewed. A conceptual framework of factors that influence parent participation was developed based on the themes that emerged from the data. Findings indicated that parent participation is influenced by a number of factors, including the school's beliefs about inclusion, receptivity to parents, and willingness to change. Parent-professional partnerships were facilitated by trust, shared philosophies about children and schooling, and open communication. Achieving effective parent-professional partnerships in inclusive settings appears to be a complex process that involves commitment and understanding. Most importantly, the findings suggest that meaningful participation for children as well as parents is an important and necessa...
Effect of surface plasma treatments on the adhesion of Mars JSC 1 simulant dust to RTV 655, RTV 615, and Sylgard 184.

Background Dust accumulation on surfaces of critical instruments has been a major concern during lunar and Mars missions. Operation of instruments such as solar panels, chromatic calibration targets, as well as Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) suits has been severely compromised in the past as a result of dust accumulation and adhesion. Wind storms with wind speeds of up to 70 mph have not been effective in removing significant amounts of the deposited dust. This is indeed an indication of the strength of the adhesion force(s) involved between the dust particles and the surface(s) that they have adhered to. Complications associated with dust accumulation are more severe for non-conducting surfaces and have been the focus of this work.
CPIC: Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium of the Pharmacogenomics Research Network

The slow rate at which pharmacogenetic tests are being adopted in clinical practice is partly due to the lack of specific guidelines on how to adjust medications on the basis of the genetic test results. One of the goals of the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) of the National Institutes of Health’s Pharmacogenomics Research Network (http://www.pgrn.org) and the Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base (PharmGKB, http://www.pharmgkb.org) is to provide peer-reviewed, updated, evidence-based, freely accessible guidelines for gene/drug pairs. These guidelines will facilitate the translation of pharmacogenomic knowledge from bench to bedside.
Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic sea-level estimates: backstripping analysis of borehole data, onshore New Jersey

Backstripping analysis of the Bass River and Ancora boreholes from the New Jersey coastal plain (Ocean Drilling Project Leg 174AX) provides new Late Cretaceous sea-level estimates and corroborates previously published Cenozoic sea-level estimates. Compaction histories of all coastal plain boreholes were updated using porosity^depth relationships estimated from New Jersey coastal plain electric logs.The new porosity estimates are considerably lower than those previously calculated at the oishore Cost B-2 well. Amplitudes and durations of sea-level variations are comparable in sequences that are represented at multiple boreholes, suggesting that the resultant curves are an approximation of regional sea level. Both the amplitudes and durations of third- order (0.5^5 Myr) cycles tend to decrease from the Late Cretaceous to the late Miocene.Third- order sea-level amplitudes in excess of 60 m are not observed. Long-term (10 8 ^10 7 years) sea level was approximately constant at 30^80 m in the Late Cretaceous, rose to a maximum early Eocene value of approximately 100^140 m, and then fell through the Eocene and Oligocene.
Thromboxane receptor blockade with SQ 30,741 improves post-ischemic myocardial function in anesthetized dogs

This study was conducted to determine whether the thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist SQ 30,741 can improve post-ischemic recovery of cardiac function in anesthetized dogs. Saline or SQ 30,741 was infused throughout a 15-min coronary occlusion and 5 hr of reperfusion. Ischemic regional cardiac function was determined using subendocardial ultrasonic crystals. Despite no differences in collateral blood flow or reperfusion flow, SQ 30,741 significantly improved ventricular segmental shortening at all times measured during reperfusion. At 5 hr after the initiation of reperfusion, segmental shortening was 3 +/- 16 and 44 +/- 10% of baseline values for saline and SQ 30,741 groups, respectively. These results implicate thromboxane receptor activation in the pathogenesis of myocardial stunning, and thromboxane antagonists may be useful in mitigating this functional deficit.
Developmental D‐methamphetamine treatment selectively induces spatial navigation impairments in reference memory in the Morris water maze while sparing working memory

In previous studies, we have shown that P11-20 treatment with D-methamphetamine (MA) (10 mg/kg x 4/day at 2-h intervals) induces impairments in spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze after the offspring reach adulthood. Using a split-litter, multiple dose, design (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg MA administered s.c. 4/day at 2-h intervals), the spatial learning effect was further explored with a multiple shifted platform (reversal), reference memory-based procedure and a working memory procedure. Prior to spatial learning, animals were first tested for swimming ability (in a straight swimming channel), sequential learning (in the Cincinnati multiple-T water maze), and proximal cue learning (in the Morris water maze). Rats were then assessed in the hidden platform, reference memory-based spatial version of the Morris maze for acquisition and on five subsequent phases in which the platform was moved to new locations. After the reference memory-based, fixed platform position learning phases, animals were tested in the trial-dependent, matching-to-sample, working memory version of the Morris maze. No group differences were found in straight channel, sequential maze, or cued Morris maze performance. By contrast, all MA groups were impaired in spatial learning during acquisition, multiple shift, and shifted with a reduced platform phases of reference memory-based learning. In addition, MA animals were impaired on memory (probe) trials during the acquisition and shifted with a reduced platform phases of learning. No effects on trial-dependent, matching-to-sample, working memory were found. The findings demonstrate that neonatal treatment with MA induces a selective impairment of reference memory-based spatial learning while sparing sequential, cued, and working memory-based learning.
A stochastic model for the induction of heritable translocation in spermatozoa by exposure to environmental agents

In this paper we develop a stochastic model for the induction of heritable translocation in spermatozoa by exposure to some environmental agents by following the biological mechanism for the generation of spermatozoa in mice and human beings. By using Kolmogorov forward equation, it is shown that the probability generating functions (PGF) of the numbers of some normal and translocation carrying spermatid cells satisfy some partial differential equations. Using these results, a procedure for computing the probability distribution of the number of translocation carrying spermatid cells is derived under some important cases. These results will be applied to some dose- response data available on the induction of reciprocal translocations by exposure to some environmental agents in male mice.
Distribution of paralytic toxins in California shellfish.

Abstract Samples of Saxidomus nuttali and Mytilus californianus collected during the 1981 dinoflagellat e bloom at Bodega Bay, California, were analyzed for the presence of paralytic toxins. Neck tissue of S. nuttali contained saxitoxin (STX) and neoSTX (95% of the total toxicity), whereas the bodies contained neoSTX and a mixture of the gonyautoxins. In a sample of M. californianus the presence of neoSTX and the gonyautoxins was demonstrated, whereas a second sample, collected at a different site, contained almost exclusively neoSTX.
A mouse histone H1 variant, H1b, binds preferentially to a regulatory sequence within a mouse H3.2 replication-dependent histone gene.

Abstract H1 histones, found in all multicellular eukaryotes, associate with linker DNA between adjacent nucleosomes, presumably to keep the chromatin in a compact, helical state. The identification of multiple histone H1 subtypes in vertebrates suggests these proteins have specialized roles in chromatin organization and thus influence the regulation of gene expression in the multicellular organism. The mechanism by which the association of H1 with nucleosomal DNA is regulated is not completely understood, but affinity for different DNA sequences may play a role. Here we report that a specific H1 subtype in the mouse, namely H1b, selectively binds to a regulatory element within the protein-encoding sequence of a replication-dependent mouse H3.2 gene. We have previously shown that this coding region element, Ω, is the target of very specific interactions in vitro with another nuclear factor called the Ω factor. This element is required for normal gene expression in stably transfected rodent cells. The mouse H1b protein interacts poorly (100-fold lower affinity) with the comparable “Ω” sequence of a replication-independent mouse H3.3 gene. This H3.3 sequence differs at only 4 out of 22 nucleotide positions from the H3.2 sequence. Our findings raise the possibility that this H1b protein plays a specific role in regulation of expression of the replication-dependent histone gene family.
Standardized Patients: a Creative Teaching Strategy for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Students

In this article, a learning strategy for psychiatric nurse practitioner students in a research-intensive university is described. The strategy actively involved students in experiences with standardized patients. The course content included review of the causes, manifestations, assessment, and diagnoses of psychopathology across the lifespan. The goal was for students to build diagnostic reasoning skills so they could conceptualize case formulations and examine differential diagnoses related to mental disorders. Faculty simulated complex mental health disorders in a controlled environment where students practiced assessment and diagnostic skills with feedback from faculty, peers, and the standardized patients. On completion of the course with six different standardized patient situations and a final standardized patient scenario that involved assessment, diagnosis, and creation of a formal paper about the case, the students demonstrated excellent interviewing skills, confident assessment abilities, appropriate use of screening and diagnostic tools, and accurate diagnosis of the standardized patients.
Quality map thresholding for de-noising of complex-valued fMRI data and its application to ICA of fMRI

Although functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data are acquired as complex-valued images, traditionally most fMRI studies only use the magnitude of the data. FMRI analysis in the complex domain promises to provide more statistically significant information; however, the noisy nature of the phase poses a challenge for successful study of fMRI by complex-valued signal processing algorithms. In this paper, we introduce a physiologically motivated de-noising method that uses phase quality maps and demonstrate its effectiveness in successfully identifying and eliminating noisy areas in the fMRI data. Additionally, we show how the developed de-noising method improves the results of complex-valued independent component analysis of fMRI data, a very successful tool for blind source separation of biomedical data.
Deconstructing the Privacy Experience

The public dialogue around digital privacy lacks critical focus on elements of user interface design. With the rise of the social Web, attention to user interface design has become even more important in setting expectations of privacy online. This essay suggests designing proactively for the privacy experience.
A High School Staff as a Group

A principal should expect to get no more out of his staff than he puts into it. Recent leadership theory stresses the importance of involving the staff group in decision making and action taking. The involvement of a staff group in an Australian rural high school was investigated and it was found that little communication took place on school matters, that there was little involvement in decision making, that the goals of the group were confused. Although the power of the group was not being released there was a considerable interest by the staff in the possibility of their being given a share in decision making. There appear to be strong arguments, in the interests of the education of children and of staff morale, for the maximum involvement of staff members in all phases of the operation of the school.
Normal Mode Energetics for Far-field Tsunamis Generated by Dislocations and Landslides

We apply the normal mode representation of tsunami waves, as introduced by WARD (1980) to the systematic study of the excitation of far-field tsunamis by both dislocation sources (represented by double-couples of moment M o), and landslides (represented by single forces). Using asymptotic representations of the continuation of the tsunami eigenfunction into the solid Earth, we derive analytical expressions of the spectral amplitude generated by both systems. We show that the quadrupolar corrections defined by DAHLEN (1993) in the case of landslides can result in an increase of 1 to 2 orders of magnitude of the effective force. Even so, the spectrum of tsunami waves generated by landslides is found to be offset significantly to relatively high frequencies (10 mHz), where dispersion becomes important and eventually diminishes time-domain amplitudes. We proceed to calculate the total energy delivered into the tsunami modes by integrating the energy of multiplets for an average source geometry. In the case of dislocation sources, and taking into account the corner frequency of the source, we reproduce the scaling with M o 4/3, which was derived from purely static arguments by KAJIURA (1981). We compare the directivity patterns of far-field tsunami waves by dislocations and landslides, and conclude that the latter cannot give rise to pronounced lobes of directivity for physically acceptable values of the velocity of the slide. Directivity thus constitutes a robust discriminant of the nature of the source which, when applied to the 1946 Aleutian tsunami in the far-field, requires generation by a dislocative source.
Electroporation-mediated Gene Transfer of the Na+,K+-ATPase Rescues Endotoxin-induced Lung Injury

Rationale: Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome are common clinical syndromes resulting largely from the accumulation of and inability to clear pulmonary edema, due to injury to the alveolar epithelium. Gene therapy may represent an important alternative for the treatment and prevention of these diseases by restoring alveolar epithelial function. We have recently developed an electroporation strategy to transfer genes to the lungs of mice, with high efficiency and low inflammation. Objectives: We asked whether electroporation-mediated transfer of genes encoding subunits of the Na+,K+-ATPase could protect from LPS-induced lung injury or be used to treat already injured lungs by up-regulating mechanisms of pulmonary edema clearance. Methods: Plasmids were delivered to the lungs of mice using transthoracic electroporation. Lung injury was induced by intratracheal administration of LPS (4 mg/kg body weight). Biochemical, cellular, and physiologic measurements were taken to assess gene transfer and lung injury. Measurements and Main Results: Improvements in wet-to-dry ratios, pulmonary effusions, bronchoalveolar lavage protein levels and cellularity, alveolar fluid clearance, and respiratory mechanics were seen after delivery of plasmids expressing Na+,K+-ATPase subunits, but not control plasmids, in LPS-injured lungs. Delivery of plasmids expressing Na+,K+-ATPase subunits both protected from subsequent lung injury and partially reversed existing lung injury by these measures. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that electroporation can be used effectively in healthy and injured lungs to facilitate gene delivery and expression. To our knowledge, this is the first successful use of gene delivery to treat existing lung injury, and may have future clinical potential.
Nutritional Optic Neuropathy Status Post Bariatric Surgery

A 31-year-old woman who had lost 240 lbs following bariatric surgery 3 years ago presented with decreased vision. The patient was found to have deficiencies of folate and vitamin B1, and to a lesser degree vitamins B6 and B12. The patient was treated with vitamin supplementation but without improvement. Bariatric surgery is known to cause B vitamin and folate deficiencies, which can lead to both serious ocular and neurological complications. This is important as the incidence of obesity increases and thus the number of bariatric procedures. It is paramount that patients undergoing these procedures and their physicians be made aware of the need for vitamin supplementation to prevent nutritional optic neuropathy.
Numerical modeling of spatio-temporal solitons using an adaptive spherical Fourier Bessel split-step method

Abstract We present a novel technique to numerically solve pulsed optical beam or “light bullet” propagation in bulk nonlinear media based on the scalar nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation in three dimensions with spherical symmetry. Using fast algorithms for spherical Fourier Bessel transforms along with adaptive longitudinal stepping and transverse grid management in a symmetrized split-step technique, it is possible to accurately study many nonlinear effects, including the possibility of spatio-temporal collapse, or the collapse-arresting mechanism due to saturable nonlinearity.
Scaling behavior of a dilute spin glass of Ag-Mn

Abstract The magnetization of a dilute Ag-Mn alloy (150 ppm) was studied from 4 K down to 10 mK in magnetic fields ranging from 932 to 1 Oe. The non-linear susceptibility is analyzed in terms of a scaling theory. Scaling exponents agree with those in much higher concentration spin glasses.
Bubble size distribution in bubble columns

The bubble size distributions are measured for the air-water system as a function of air velocity at room temperature in two bubble columns. High speed cinephotography and fiber optic probe techniques are used to measure the bubble size. Our limited measurements suggest that the bubble size may be independent of gas velocity in the range 3.6 to 9.2 cm/s and may be dependent on column diameter with smaller bubbles for narrower columns. The bubble size appears to be smaller at the column wall than at distances away from the wall. On a mesure les distributions de taille des bulles pour le systeme air-eau en fonction de la vitesse de l'air a la temperature ambiante dans deux colonnes a bulles. Pour mesurer la taille des bulles, on fait appel a des techniques de cinephotographie a grande vitesse et de sonde a fibre optique. Le faible nombre de mesures suggerent que la taille des bulles est independante de la vitesse du gaz dans l'intervalle 3,6-9,2 cm/s et qu'elle peut etre fonction du diametre de la colonne, des bulles plus petites etant obtenues dans les petites colonnes. La taille des bulles semble etre plus petite a la paroi de la colonne que loin de la paroi.
Transmitted power maximization in communication satellites.

This paper presents a new approach to the optimum utilization of power plants in communication satellites. The system proposed maximizes the transmitted rf power by directly matching the final amplifiers, i.e., the actual useful load, to a solar cell array. The technique, which does not require regulators nor d.c. converters, increases the d.c. power delivered to the amplifiers at the beginning of life by about 3 db, for satellites in the 200-300 w class. A highefficiency uhf transmitter, having prescribed input d.c. characteristics over a wide voltage range, has been designed and built. The desired characteristics are obtained by controlling the conduction angle of a tuned rf transmitter, operated in the overdriven mode and with optimum out-of-band loading. The transmitter functions at 250 MHz, with maximum output power of 120 w at 25.5 v and over-all conversion efficiency of 71%; at 21 v, the output power is 61 w, with a transmitter efficiency of 65%. Design data, obtained from a computer analysis, are discussed. This approach can be used with any type of power plant and in all transmitter frequency bands, for both open-loop and closed-loop matching of the amplifiers to the power system.
Use of state vital registry records to develop a surname list to identify persons of Chinese ancestry for a population-based health survey

Purpose Health researchers often need to identify persons of certain ethnic groups to address the health issues of these populations. Using surnames for ethnic identification has been reported in the literature as a possible approach. In this study, we developed a surname list that takes into account differences in country of migration and variations in spelling to identify a sampling frame for a population-based health survey. Methods Surnames on records where the ethnicity variable was marked as Chinese were extracted from the Massachusetts birth and death files from1989 to 1997. Each of the extracted surnames was then evaluated to determine its positive predictive value (PPV): the percent of records with that surname that indicated Chinese ethnicity. Different surname lists were then compiled based on increasing PPV cutoff points. The sensitivity and specificity of each of these surname lists were then calculated. A surname list with optimum combination of sensitivity and specificity was chosen to identify all matching listings in the most current telephone directories for nine Massachusetts cities found to have the highest concentrations of residents of Chinese ancestry. From the matched listings, a sample of 1200 telephone numbers was randomly selected. These 1200 were then randomly assigned to participate in either a telephone version (600) or a mailed version (600) of a tobacco survey. All potential respondents were asked to complete the survey, regardless of their ethnicity. Results A surname list with sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 93% was chosen. About 48% responded to the mail survey and 46% to the telephone survey. About 92% of the respondents reported that they were of Chinese ancestry. Conclusion State birth and death registry records can be used to construct Chinese surname lists that reflect variations in spelling and waves of immigration from diverse areas where different surnames may be prevalent. This approach can be used to create surname lists to match existing files to obtain appropriate sampling frames for health studies.
Really Painful Double Vision

A 67-year-old woman with a history of chronic headache and recent removal of two squamous cell lesions from her forehead presented with left facial pain and diplopia. A diagnosis of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome was made based on clinical presentation and imaging studies. When the patient did not respond to steroids, further studies were done, including biopsy, which revealed perineural spread of squamous cell carcinoma.
Study Controlling Factors of Gram-Negative Bacterial Cell Shape

Peptidoglycan (PG) sacculus has an important role in determining the shape of many bacterial cells. It is composed of glycan strands cross-linked by peptides into a net enclosing the cell and acting as a mechanical shield which protects the cell from bursting due to high internal (turgor) pressure. Importantly, how peptidoglycan is organized in the sacculus is the key controlling the cell shape. Many cells lose their rod shape and become spherical as perturbation of certain proteins such as MreB is introduced - a process believed to change the PG remodeling. Although much effort has been devoted, the knowledge of how the PG remodeling is controlled is still little. It has been proposed that penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) - the peptidoglycan synthesizers - are grouped into a synthesis machinery which is associated with MreB. However the exact role of MreB in such synthesis machinery, if existed, is still a mystery. By using a computational approach, we aim to understand how the cell maintains its rod shape and what conditions lead to cell rounding so that the role of MreB in remodeling of peptidoglycan can be revealed.
Marketing Software Products: The Importance of ‘Being There’ and the Implications for Business Service Exports:

If business services have any potential to function as basic industries that access autonomous sources of demand outside the region or nation, it hinges on the degree to which these activities can be sold to distant, and preferably international, export markets. It is essential to understand the factors that make business services more or less tradeable over distance. In this paper, empirical evidence concerning the extent of producer and business service exports is reviewed, and the more qualitative dimensions of the tradeability of business services are explored in greater detail in order to identify factors that both limit and encourage exports of business services. Research in the software product segment of the computer services sector suggests that it may not actually be the ‘need’ for face-to-face interaction with clients that keeps some types of suppliers of business services from exporting. The traditional rationale regarding the importance of proximity to markets, the impact of information techn...
Effect of δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Vaginal Infection in the Guinea Pig:

~~ Abstract. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether A'-tetrahydrocan- nabinol (A9-THC) decreases host resistance to herpes simplex virus type 2 vaginal infection in the guinea pig. The guinea pig was selected as the host since it has been shown to express a spectrum of primary herpes genitalis which is similar to that in humans. Animals were administered A9-THC or vehicle intraperitoneally on Days 1-4, 8- 1 1, and 15- 18. Herpes simplex virus was introduced intravaginally on Day 2. Host resistance to virus infection was assessed by comparing frequency and severity of lesions, virus shedding, and animal mortalities. Virus-infected animals treated with drug at doses of 4 and 10 mg/kg exhibited significantly greater severity of genital disease during the 30-day period of study when compared to virus-inoculated vehicle controls. A direct relationship was noted between dose of A9-THC and cumulative mortalities on Day 14 following primary infection. These results indicate that A9-THC decreases host resistance to herpes Simplex Virus type 2 vaginal infection in the guinea pig. 0 1986 Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.
Application of oxygen-17 NMR to manganese carbonyl compounds

Abstract 17O NMR spectroscopy has been found to give better resolution of the carbonyl resonances of manganese carbonyl complexes and their triphenylphosphine derivatives than 13C NMR spectroscopy.
ANALYZING URBAN CRIME DATA: Deterrence and the Limitations of Arrests per Offense Ratios

Police reports of Index crimes, arrests, and population estimates for 1960 through 1977 for 49 U.S. cities are used to compare trends in arrest rates, crime rates, and the arrests per crime (A/C) ratio-a measure sometimes correlated with crime rates to assess the deterrent effect of arrest. Since the correlation of the A/C ratio with the crime rate can produce tautological results in a trend analysis. comparisons of trends for crime rates and arrest rates for specific cities are examined. The results do not support a deterrence hypothesis. but indicate that the A/C ratios for some of the nation's largest cities are unstable over time and sensitive to changes in reporting practices. The analysis illustrates the pitfalls encountered when data limitations are overlooked and underscores the need for more dependable measures of crime, apprehension, and punishment.
Clinical improvement after atrioventricular nodal ablation for atrial fibrillation does not correlate with improved ejection fraction.

Abstract In summary, 15 patients with atrial fibrillation and severe heart failure had marked functional improvement after AV nodal ablation with VVIR pacemaker implantation. Although the ejection fraction improved in 53% and mitral regurgitation decreased in 57%, the improvement cannot be explained entirely by either a change in ejection fraction or reduction of mitral regurgitation.
Chester Barnard's moral persuasion, authenticity, and trust: foundations for leadership

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to position Chester I. Barnard as a “management pioneer,” someone who offers an example of management theory through moral persuasion, authenticity, and trust in his “acceptance view of authority” and “zone of indifference.” The work of Barnard is supported by philosophical foundations that provide prophetic lessons for present day leaders.Design/methodology/approach – The approach used to research the topic was inductive reasoning and constructive hermeneutics. Primary resources relied upon Barnard's foundational work in The Functions of the Executive as well as books and journal publications by scholars such as Isocrates, Aristotle, Smith, Kant, Weber, Follett, Gadamer, Bennis, Drucker, Cartwright, Heames, Harvey, Lamond, Wolfe, and Wren.Findings – The research demonstrates the significance of Chester I. Barnard as a “management pioneer.” Barnard provides wisdom for effectively navigating the twenty‐first century organization under the auspices of the “acceptance vi...
Student perceptions of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) content and careers

Abstract Attitudinal data were gathered from 364 high school students participating in a residential science and mathematics program on a university campus in which participating students finish their last 2 years of high school in conjunction with their first 2 years in college. Instruments employed assessed dispositions toward Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) content and careers. Dispositions were analyzed in comparison to data gathered on the same instruments from other groups of students and teachers. Findings included that the residential early admissions students had STEM dispositions more similar to STEM professionals and less similar to traditional high school students. Analyses of disaggregated data characteristics based on attributes such as gender are also presented.
Wortmannin, an Inhibitor of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase, Inhibits Transcytosis in Polarized Epithelial Cells

Wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, inhibits both basolateral to apical and apical to basolateral transcytosis of ricin in Fisher rat thyroid (FRT) cells by 50% at 100 nM in a continuous transcytosis assay. In MDCK cells, a similar effect of wortmannin on basolateral to apical transcytosis of ricin was found, whereas apical to basolateral transcytosis was inhibited to a lesser degree. Transcytosis of dimeric IgA in MDCK cells expressing the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor was also reduced to 50% of controls, suggesting that wortmannin inhibits membrane translocation rather than sorting of specific proteins in the transcytotic pathway. This effect of wortmannin is selective, however, in that endocytosis at the basolateral domain and recycling at both the basolateral and apical membrane domains are unaffected, and apical endocytosis and apical secretion are only moderately reduced. We have shown previously that cAMP stimulates a late stage in basolateral to apical transcytosis in MDCK cells through activation of protein kinase A (Hansen, S. H., and Casanova, J. E.(1994) J. Cell Biol. 126, 677-687). Elevation of cellular cAMP still induced a 100% increase in transcytosis in wortmannin-treated cells, but transcytosis was no longer increased when compared to cells which received no drugs. In contrast, in experiments using a 17°C block to accumulate ricin internalized from the basolateral surface in the apical compartment of MDCK cells, wortmannin had little effect on the stimulation of transcytosis by activators of protein kinase A observed under these conditions. The data thus suggest the existence of a wortmannin-sensitive step in the transcytotic pathway, positioned after endocytosis but prior to translocation into the protein kinase A-sensitive apical compartment, implying a role for phosphoinositide 3-kinase in an intermediate step in transcytosis in polarized epithelial cells.
Ethical Aspects of Banking Placental Blood for Transplantation

Transplantation of blood cells harvested from the umbilical cord immediately after birth has been effective in repopulating the bone marrow. These placental blood transplantations may be safer than conventional bone marrow transplantations and may suspend the need to harvest bone marrow, a process fraught with difficulties. Further understanding and advancement of this emerging technology require developing large banks of placental blood. In this article, we examine some of the ethical issues associated with placental blood banking, including (1) questions about ownership of the tissue, (2) the necessity and nature of obtaining informed consent from parents for harvesting placental blood and the information-gathering process associated with it, (3) obligations to notify parents and children of the results of medical testing for infectious diseases and genetic information, (4) matters of privacy and confidentiality related to such information, and (5) the need for fair and equitable harvesting of and access to placental blood. ( JAMA . 1995;274:1783-1785)
A customer threshold property for closed finite queueing networks

We present a new class of finite queues in cyclic networks with production blocking. We show that with a threshold property related to the number of customers in the network, these queues are insensitive to the allocation of buffers and the order of the stations. In addition, some simple and practical, yet effective approximations are presented. Numerical examples have been carried out to demonstrate the efficacy of the approaches.
The ceremonies and symbols of citizenship

Stories, heroes, and rituals are among the tools in a cultural kit that help institutions develop civically responsible students. The secret is in knowing how to use which tools.
Gender and mobility: new approaches for informing sustainability

Feminists have long known that gender and mobility are inseparable, influencing each other in profound and often subtle ways. Tackling complex societal problems, such as sustainability, will require improved understandings of the relationships between gender and mobility. In this essay I propose new approaches to the study of mobility and gender that will provide the knowledge base needed to inform policies on sustainable mobility. Early in the essay I survey the large literature on gender and mobility, teasing out what I see as two disparate strands of thinking that have remained badly disconnected from each other. One of these strands has informed understandings of how mobility shapes gender, while the other has examined how gender shapes mobility. Work on how mobility shapes gender has emphasized gender, to the neglect of mobility, whereas research on how gender shapes mobility has dealt with mobility in great detail and paid much less attention to gender. From this overview of the literature, I identi...
Changes in Aged Populations Served by Home Health Agencies

This article examines changes in clients served by home health agencies, and how changes are related to recent health care trends and local market structure. Two types of explanatory factors are examined: organizational measures and market factors. A theoretical model of isomorphism is tested, considering the effects of privatization within the context of the growth of chains and multifacility systems. Findings show that (a) system members are more likely than nonmembers to show increases in clients of all ages; (b) for-profits that are not system members are more likely to have increases in total clientele and in clients age 65-74, whereas for-profits' changes in clientele age 85 or over depends on their system membership-increasing among nonmembers, decreasing among members; and (c) agencies in states with home health "certificate of need" (CON) are more likely to have increases in clients age 65-74 and 85 and over. The results for total clientele and those age 65-74 support an isomorphism hypothesis.
Ca2+ uptake by hyperpermeable mouse heart cells: effects of inhibitors of mitochondrial function.

Abstract The relative importance of heart mitochondria in regulating intracellular [Ca 2+ ] in cardiac muscle is controversial. In a new approach to the question, we have measured the energy-linked 45 Ca uptake of an unusual myocardial tissue preparation in which the cells appear to be intact yet the sarcolemmae are highly permeable to exogenous solutes. Inhibitors of mitochondrial energy metabolism were used to estimate the mitochondrial contribution to rate and extent of total cell uptake. At 6.6μM Ca, which is close to the probable intracellular [Ca] range, inhibitors of mitochondrial energy metabolism did not diminish initial rates of 45 Ca uptake by myocardial fragments, if ATP was present to drive Ca 2+ sequestration by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The ultimate extent of uptake was reduced somewhat, however. Similar uptake profiles were obtained in the presence of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone, CN − , and atractyloside, each of which acts at a different locus to inhibit mitochondrial Ca 2+ transport. These data suggest that the mitochondria cannot control beat-to-beat [Ca 2+ ] oscillations, because at μM Ca concentrations, the Ca 2+ uptake rate of mitochondria in situ is slow in comparison to the extra-mitochondrial (sarcoplasmic reticulum) uptake rate.
New syndrome: Mother and son with hypertelorism, downslanting palpebral fissures, malar hypoplasia, and apparently low‐set ears associated with joint and scrotal anomalies

We report on a mother and son with a similar syndrome of hypertelorism and telecanthus, epicanthal folds, downslanting palpebral fissures, ptosis, broad nasal bridge, malar hypoplasia, thin upper lip, smooth philtrium, and apparently low-set prominent ears. The son also has a hypoplastic shawl scrotum, cryptorchidism, and genu valgum. His language development was delayed at 18 months, but subsequently improved and was normal at age 3. The mother has the additional findings of marked cubitus valgus, hyperextensible joints, dull normal intelligence and a bleeding diathesis