cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abnormal Electron Beam Computed Tomography Results: The Value of Repeating Myocardial Perfusion Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography in the Ongoing Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVE To determine whether asymptomatic patients with atherosclerosis, indicated by the presence of coronary artery calcium on electron beam computed tomography, are at enough risk for progression of disease to justify a repeated stress single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) examination after an initial normal to low-risk perfusion study. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively identified patients who had abnormal results on electron beam computed tomography (coronary artery calcium score >0) and normal to low-risk results on SPECT (defined as a summed stress score of 0-3) within a 3-month period from January 1, 1995, to October 31, 2002. Of the 504 identified patients, 285 remained after exclusion criteria were applied. Of the 285 patients, 69 (mean ± SD age, 58.2±7.6 years; 91% male) underwent at least 1 repeated myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging study within 4 years of their initial assessment as normal or at low risk without recurrence of symptoms. The value of repeated SPECT imaging was assessed by detection of a substantial change in the repeated SPECT study and by documentation of a clinical event (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or revascularization). Follow-up was 100% complete at a mean of 4.3±1.6 years. RESULTS Only 4 patients (6%) had a substantial progression in their SPECT risk category; substantial changes on the SPECT scans occurred only in patients with a coronary artery calcium score greater than 100. Three patients underwent revascularization, yielding a 5-year rate for survival free of revascularization of 94% (95% confidence interval, 88%-100%). No deaths or nonfatal myocardial infarctions were reported. CONCLUSION The principal findings of this study indicate that asymptomatic patients with initial normal or low-risk results from stress SPECT performed because of abnormal coronary artery calcium scores who remain asymptomatic are at low risk of death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. Three patients underwent revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention despite the absence of symptoms. A substantial change in SPECT results (defined as progression from normal or low-risk summed stress score to intermediate- or high-risk summed stress score) affected 6% of patients and was not associated with any adverse hard events (nonfatal myocardial infarction or death). Asymptomatic patients with normal or low-risk results on stress SPECT performed because of abnormal coronary artery calcium scores who remain asymptomatic are at low risk of death or myocardial infarction.
Development of a Semi-Automatic Segmentation Method for Retinal OCT Images Tested in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose To develop EdgeSelect, a semi-automatic method for the segmentation of retinal layers in spectral domain optical coherence tomography images, and to compare the segmentation results with a manual method.
Analysis and optimization of PAPR in SC-FDMA systems

The third generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) radio standard has adopted a special form of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) method for the uplink of multiple access networks. This method which is called single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) applies a precoding to each user data set in each OFDM symbol to control its peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). In this paper, we present an analysis of SC-FDMA that explains the reasons behind why the conventional SC-FDMA precoding with a rectangular window has inferior performance to the cases where a window function with smoothly rolled-off edges is used. Our analysis also leads us to finding new window functions that further reduce the PAPR through optimization.
Repolarization Reserve Revisited: How the Transient Outward K Current can Promote Early after depolarizations (EADs)

Introduction: EADs, an important cause of arrhythmias such as Torsades de pointes, are generally suppressed by outward currents. Here we use the dynamic clamp technique to show that the transient outward K current (Ito), a purely outward current, can paradoxically promote EADs.Methods: Isolated patch-clamped rabbit ventricular myocytes were exposed to H2O2 (1 mmol/L) or hypokalemia (2.7 mmol/L) to induce bradycardia-dependent EADs. The dynamic clamp technique was used to inject a virtual Ito with programmable properties into the myocyte.Results: H2O2 (n=17) or hypokalemia (n=11) induced EADs at a pacing cycle length (PCL) of 6 s, which were suppressed at PCL 1 s. Voltage clamp experiments revealed that substantial Ito was present at PCL 6 s, but was absent at PCL 1 s due to slow recovery from inactivation. Reintroducing a virtual Ito by dynamic clamp at PCL 1 s caused EADs to reappear when Ito parameters had moderate conductance (0.02-0.05 nS/pF), modest pedestal (≤0.5 of peak Ito), and delayed fast inactivation (50-65 ms). In complementary experiments at PCL 6 s, the Ito antagonist 4-aminopyridine (2 mmol/L) suppressed EADs (n = 16), which were restored by reintroducing a virtual Ito by dynamic clamp. These findings were reproduced in computer simulations.Conclusions: Ito, despite being a purely outward current, can promote EADs when its amplitude, kinetics and pedestal are in a critical parameter range. Simulations revealed that Ito lowers the AP plateau voltage into a range which slows activation of other time-dependent K currents while facilitating L-type Ca current reactivation. Thus, enhanced early repolarization paradoxically decreases late repolarization reserve, allowing EADs to emerge. These findings caution against Ito activation as an anti-arrhythmic strategy in settings of reduced repolarization reserve such as heart failure and long QT syndromes.
Characterizing the Distribution of Macronutrient Intake among U.S. Adults: A Quantile Regression Approach

Since the risk of dietary inadequacy or excess is greater at the tails of the nutrient intake distributions than at the mean, marginal effects of explanatory variables estimated at the conditional mean using ordinary least squares may be of limited value in characterizing these distributions. Quantile regression is effective in this situation since it can estimate conditional functions at any part of the distribution. Quantile regression results suggest that age, education, and income have a larger influence at intake levels where the risk of excess is greater compared with intake levels where the risk of excess is lower.
A Research Note on Identity Politics in the Older British Commonwealth

The gap created by declining support for mainstream parties in western democracies, due to the declining salience of class and religiosity, has been filled by an emerging category of parties that has been identified as radical right. Drawing data from two comparable Older Commonwealth systems, we show that these parties do not clearly fit on the traditional left to right dimension. Support for these parties is associated with a sense of identity, of belonging to a folk—issues that are distinct from those associated with the traditional right. The same set of attitudes predicts support for these identity parties whether the folk is defined at the national or the subsystem level. Identity parties may promote nationalism or secession.
Nitric-oxide Synthase Forms N-NO-pterin and S-NO-Cys: IMPLICATIONS FOR ACTIVITY, ALLOSTERY, AND REGULATION

Inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) produces biologically stressful levels of nitric oxide (NO) as a potent mediator of cellular cytotoxicity or signaling. Yet, how this nitrosative stress affects iNOS function in vivo is poorly understood. Here we define two specific non-heme iNOS nitrosation sites discovered by combining UV-visible spectroscopy, chemiluminescence, mass spectrometry, and x-ray crystallography. We detected auto-S-nitrosylation during enzymatic turnover by using chemiluminescence. Selective S-nitrosylation of the ZnS4 site, which bridges the dimer interface, promoted a dimer-destabilizing order-to-disorder transition. The nitrosated iNOS crystal structure revealed an unexpected N-NO modification on the pterin cofactor. Furthermore, the structurally defined N-NO moiety is solvent-exposed and available to transfer NO to a partner. We investigated glutathione (GSH) as a potential transnitrosation partner because the intracellular GSH concentration is high and NOS can form S-nitrosoglutathione. Our computational results predicted a GSH binding site adjacent to the N-NO-pterin. Moreover, we detected GSH binding to iNOS with saturation transfer difference NMR spectroscopy. Collectively, these observations resolve previous paradoxes regarding this uncommon pterin cofactor in NOS and suggest means for regulating iNOS activity via N-NO-pterin and S-NO-Cys modifications. The iNOS self-nitrosation characterized here appears appropriate to help control NO production in response to cellular conditions.
Temporomandibular Joint Arthritis as an Initial Presentation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia With Myelodysplasia-Related Changes: A Report of an Unusual Case

Purpose Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often present with fatigue and severe pancytopenia. We report the case of a 68-year-old woman with no significant medical history who presented with 1 year of progressively worsening bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. She was otherwise asymptomatic. A computed tomography scan revealed degenerative joint disease in both TMJs. Bilateral TMJ replacement was performed. Materials and Methods The excised TMJ tissue underwent formalin fixation and decalcification, and routine hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections were generated. Results Immunohistochemical stains showed a population of monotonous cells in the marrow space expressing CD33, CD43, and myeloperoxidase, confirming the diagnosis of myeloid neoplasm. Subsequent bone marrow biopsy with flow cytometry confirmed AML with myelodysplasia-related changes. Conclusions Adult patients with AML can rarely present with musculoskeletal complaints alone, which could delay the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of AML with myelodysplasia-related changes presenting in a patient with TMJ degenerative joint disease that was otherwise asymptomatic.
Surface wave based sensor for evaluating in situ consolidation of polymer composites

A sensor for detecting poor interlaminar bonding between a topmost ply and composite substrate was developed and validated. The sensor was designed for the specific application of real time process control for in situ consolidation processes, in which the composite structure is local heat and pressure are applied by a moving head as each new composite tow is laid down upon the existing composite substrate. The sensor is designed to follow the consolidation head and provide real time information on the quality of bonding between the topmost play and substrate. The sensor design consists of two piezoelectric transducers oriented in a pitch catch arrangement. The transmitting transducer is angled so as to produce surface waves in the composite panel. These waves interact with defects at the top ply/substrate interface. The received signal is analyzed for wave speed, attenuation and energy dissipation. Experimental validation of he sensor is presented for thermosetting matrix composites. Several composite panels were made under various manufacturing conditions so as to create poor interlaminar bonding at the topmost ply. Interlaminar bonding was then evaluated by destructive and nondestructive measures. There was good agreement between the destructive and nondestructive measures of top ply bond strength.
Mangy mutt or furry friend? Anthropomorphism promotes animal welfare

Abstract Recent research has demonstrated that people have an affinity for non-human entities that appear to have human qualities. The current studies build on this research, examining whether anthropomorphism can be used to promote animal welfare. In Study 1 (n = 42), participants read scenarios about dogs and reported more willingness to help the ones described with anthropomorphic language relative to those described with non-anthropomorphic language. In Study 2 (n = 57), participants rated dogs on either human or canine characteristics (e.g., good listener vs. good at listing to commands). Relative to the non-anthropomorphism condition, participants in the anthropomorphism condition reported more willingness to adopt dogs from a shelter, and more support for animal rights, animal welfare, and vegetarian and vegan attitudes. Moreover, these pro-animal attitudes fully mediated the effect of the anthropomorphism manipulation on willingness to adopt the dogs.
A novel approach to mask defect inspection

Memory chips, now constituting a major part of semiconductor market, posit a special challenge for inspection, as they are generally produced with the smallest half-pitch available with today's technology. This is true, in particular, to photomasks of advanced memory devices, which are at the forefront of the "low-k1" regime. In this paper we present a novel photomask inspection approach, that is particularly suitable for low-k1 layers of advanced memory chips, owing to their typical dense and periodic structure. The method we present can produce a very strong signal for small mask defects, by suppression of the modulation of the pattern's image. Unlike dark-field detection, however, here a single diffraction order associated with the pattern generates a constant "gray" background image, that is used for signal enhancement. We define the theoretical basis for the new detection technique, and show, both analytically and numerically, that it can easily achieve a detection line past the printability spec, and that in cases it is at least as sensitive as high-resolution based detection. We also demonstrate this claim experimentally on a customer mask, using the platform of Applied Material's newly released Aera2 TM mask inspection tool. The high sensitivity demonstrates the important and often overlooked concept that resolution is not synonymous with sensitivity. The novel detection method is advantageous in several other aspects, such as the very simple implementation, the high throughput, and the relatively simple pre- and post-processing algorithms required for signal extraction. These features, and in particular the very high sensitivity, make this novel detection method an attractive inspection option for advanced memory devices.
Micrometeorite environment at the earth's orbit.

Space vehicles have revealed the broad outlines of the micrometeorite mass distribution at one astronomical unit from the Sun, although some uncertainties remain. But we still know nothing about their composition and have only scant data about their origin. Such data as exist support a cometary origin for micrometeorites, in accord with most recent theoretical work.
The role of the transcription factor Foxp3 in the development of regulatory T cells

Early studies of mice subjected to neonatal thymectomy and analyses of adoptive T-cell transfer into lymphopenic hosts led to the identification of a specialized subset of regulatory CD4+ T cells capable of suppressing various manifestations of autoimmunity. Recently, a combination of genetic, molecular, and traditional cellular approaches provided novel powerful means to investigate the biology of these cells. Here, we review earlier and current work from our laboratory, establishing a dedicated function for the transcription factor Foxp3 in the process of regulatory T-cell lineage commitment and a role for TCR- and cytokine-mediated signals in regulation of Foxp3 expression.
Economic contraction and maternal health behaviors during pregnancy in a national sample of U.S. women

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine associations between maternal exposure to unexpected economic contraction and health behaviors during pregnancy using methods to account for impacts of economic contraction on selection into pregnancy. Methods Data on health behaviors among 7074 pregnancies in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 were linked to monthly unemployment rates in maternal state of residence. The study examined associations between exposure to unexpected economic contraction (higher than expected state-level unemployment) during each trimester of pregnancy and maternal smoking, alcohol use, and gestational weight gain using generalized linear models. Results Economic contraction was not associated with maternal smoking or gestational weight gain. Associations between economic contraction and maternal alcohol use differed by maternal race–ethnicity and education. Among black–non-Hispanic women, exposures to economic contraction during the first and second trimester of pregnancy were associated with a 42% (95% confidence interval, 1.08, 1.85) and 33% (95% confidence interval, 1.01, 1.74) increased risk of alcohol use, respectively. Conclusions Findings suggest that exposure to extreme economic contraction during pregnancy may be associated with increased use of alcohol with differences by maternal race–ethnicity and educational attainment. Economic contraction was not associated with other maternal pregnancy behaviors.
Amplification in Ni-like Nb at 204.2 Å pumped by a table-top laser

We identified for the first time the 3d94d1S − 3d94p1P line in Ni-like Nb at 204.2 A that was predicted to show gain. When pumped with a train of pulses containing less than 1 J per pulse, significant emission was recorded at 204.2 A following the second and the third pulses. We measured the small signal gain coefficient per Joule of incident laser energy to be 1.49±0.42 cm−1 J−1 for this laser transition, which is higher by several orders of magnitude than that reported for other collisional laser systems in this wavelength range.
Fabrication of the 320-CM-OD all-ceramic ZT-40 torus

Abstract The fabrication of the ZT-40 torus, a large complex all-ceramic toroidal plasma containment vessel, is described. Several glass sealants covering the temperature range of 500 to 1300°C, were developed and used to “braze” segments of the torus together, sapphire windows to the torus and the required pump-out and diagnostic ports to the ceramic vacuum vessel. Designs of window seals were developed that allowed sealing of the sapphire windows in a vertical position with minimum sealing glass flow.
Release of enzymes by plant tissue cultures.

Abstract Data are presented which indicate that tissue cultures of higher plants release enzymes into the medium upon which they are grown. Some of the enzyme released by the tissues appears to be bound to the cell wall. Release of indoleacetic acid oxidase (IAA oxidase) and peroxidase is enhanced when the tissues are soaked in 0. 05 M CaCl2. Cell wall preparations of the tissues when incubated with 0. 05 M CaCl2 release more IAA oxidase and acid phosphatase than do the intact tissues. Thus, it would appear that the cell walls bind the enzymes during the homogenizing procedure and the calcium ions probably serve to release the enzymes from the binding sites. One of the most interesting facts uncovered during this study is the demonstration of the release of IAA oxidase by all 10 of the tissues investigated when the tissues are soaked in 0. 05 M CaCl2. It is tentatively suggested that the release of enzymes by the tissues may serve to modify the nutrient medium to affect the growth of the tissues.
Attraction and inhibition in moth species responding to sex-attractant lures containing Z-11-hexadecen-1-yl acetate

Sex attractants for several sympatric noctuid moths required Z-11-hexadecen-1-yl acetate and additional olefinic compounds (coattractants) for effective, species-specific operation. In nearly all cases at least one of the coattractant compounds for each species functioned as a strong inhibitor of one or more of the other species in the group. It was concluded that species specificity in sex attractants can be achieved through conspecific coattractants which are at the same time transspecific inhibitors.
Program/Commercial Separators in Children's Television Programming.

“Children have a greater likelihood of recognizing a commercial if it is not ‘introduced.’”
Clinical and Sociocultural Determinants of Gallstone Treatment

ABSTRACT Cholecystectomy remains the principal treatment for gallstones. Many gallstone patients do not undergo surgery within 6 months of diagnosis. To determine factors associated with cholecystectomy, treated and untreated patients were compared with respect to clinical and sociodemographic factors. The study population was comprised of outpatients of a public system evaluated in an emergency room or at a community health center. All were interviewed in English or Spanish before completing imaging studies. Of 121 found to have gallstones, 75 underwent early cholecystectomy. Patients reporting episodes of prolonged abdominal pain more often had surgery (p
Supportive and palliative radiation oncology service: Impact of a dedicated service on palliative cancer care

Abstract Purpose The American Society of Clinical Oncology has recommended tailoring palliative cancer care (PCC) to the distinct and complex needs of advanced cancer patients. The Supportive and Palliative Radiation Oncology (SPRO) service was initiated July 2011 to provide dedicated palliative radiation oncology (RO) care to cancer patients. We used care providers' ratings to assess SPRO's impact on the quality of PCC and compared perceptions of PCC delivery among physicians practicing with and without a dedicated palliative RO service. Methods and materials An online survey was sent to 117 RO care providers working at 4 Boston-area academic centers. Physicians and nurses at the SPRO-affiliated center rated the impact of the SPRO service on 8 PCC quality measures (7-point scale, "very unfavorably" to "very favorably"). Physicians at all sites rated their department's performance on 10 measures of PCC (7-point scale, "very poorly" to "very well"). Results Among 102 RO care providers who responded (response rate, 89% for physicians; 83% for nurses), large majorities believed that SPRO improved the following PCC quality measures: overall quality of care (physician/nurse, 98%/92%); communication with patients and families (95%/96%); staff experience (93%/84%); time spent on technical aspects of PCC (eg, reviewing imaging) (88%/56%); appropriateness of treatment recommendations (85%/84%); appropriateness of dose/fractionation (78%/60%); and patient follow-up (64%/68%). Compared with physicians practicing in departments without a dedicated palliative RO service, physicians at the SPRO-affiliated department rated the overall quality of their department's PCC more highly ( P = .02). Conclusions Clinicians indicated that SPRO improved the quality of PCC. Physicians practicing within this dedicated service rated their department's overall PCC quality higher than physicians practicing at academic centers without a dedicated service. These findings point to dedicated palliative RO services as a promising means of improving PCC quality.
Confidence intervals for the similarity between algal communities

While researchers commonly use similarity measures to compare algal communities, very few researchers have considered the variability of these estimated measures. This paper discusses a recent method for estimating the variance of and confidence intervals for similarity measures proposed by Johnson & Millie (1982, Hydrobiologia 89: 3–8). Applications of this method to data have produced confidence intervals that are too narrow. Two alternative methods, the jackknife method and the bootstrap, are shown to provide superior estimates of the variability.
Relationship of Birth Order to Selected Personality Characteristics of Nationally Ranked Olympic Weight Lifters

Birth order was investigated to determine its interrelationship with other personality variables in questionnaire form: trait anxiety, locus of control, and need for achievement in a special sample...
Novel mycophenolic adenine bis(phosphonate) analogues as potential differentiation agents against human leukemia.

Novel mycophenolic adenine dinucleotide (MAD) analogues have been prepared as potential inhibitors of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). MAD analogues resemble nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide binding at the cofactor binding domain of IMPDH; however, they cannot participate in hydride transfer and therefore inhibit the enzyme. The methylenebis(phosphonate) analogues C2-MAD and C4-MAD were obtained by coupling 2‘,3‘-O-isopropylideneadenosine 5‘-methylenebis(phosphonate) (22) with mycophenolic alcohols 20 and 21 in the presence of diisopropylcarbodiimide followed by deprotection. C2-MAD was also prepared by coupling of mycophenolic methylenebis(phosphonate) derivative 30 with 2‘,3‘-O-isopropylideneadenosine. Compound 30 was conveniently synthesized by the treatment of benzyl-protected mycophenolic alcohol 27 with a commercially available methylenebis(phosphonic dichloride) under Yoshikawa's reaction conditions. C2-MAD and C4-MAD were found to inhibit the growth of K562 cells (IC50 = 0.7 μM and IC...
Marine Survival of Pink Salmon Fry from Early and Late Spawners

Abstract Pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, eggs were collected from early-run and late-run spawners at Auke Creek, Alaska, and reared separately in a hatchery in deep-gravel incubators. Both groups of fry were marked the day after emergence, then released, unfed, to complete downstream migration. Early hatchery fry migrated downstream about 35 days ahead of late hatchery fry and about 55 days ahead of fry naturally hatched in Auke Creek. Hatchery fry developed faster than wild fry because hatchery water was warmer than Auke Creek water during egg incubation. Early hatchery fry had an average ocean life of 515 days and a marine survival of 0.17%; late hatchery fry had an average ocean life of 513 days and a marine survival of 1.46%. Low water temperatures experienced by early fry when they entered the estuary probably slowed their growth and made them more vulnerable to predators.
The evolution of federal personnel management evaluation

The Office of Personnel Management is responsible for overseeing the government's personnel management operations. Over the years it has searched for a workable balance between centralization and decentralization, oversight and encouragement, and subjective and objective approaches to management.
Measuring the gluon distribution in nuclei at an electron-ion collider

Abstract Despite the successes of the HERA collider, where much information was gained on the structure of the nucleon, data on the structure of the nucleus at moderate-to-small x remains elusive, as only fixed-target high-x data currently exist. The small-x region, however, is of great interest. The nucleon structure in this region is dominated by gluons which show a rapid rise with decreasing x. At low-x, this growth must be tamed and the gluon distribution will be saturated. This saturation phenomena is expected to be universal, appearing in both nucleons and nuclei. A knowledge of this regime is of vital importance to understanding the underlying physics which governs the initial conditions of heavy-ion collisions at both the LHC and RHIC, where particle production is dominated by gluons from this unknown region. However, only tantalising hints of this have been observed so far. Therefore, the construction of an Electron–Ion Collider (EIC), colliding polarised electrons with polarised protons and also a wide variety of nuclei, will allow an exploration of the region of small-x in great detail (with luminosities 100x that of HERA), answering questions on both the spatial and momentum distributions of gluons and sea quarks in nuclei. In particular, the saturation region is more accessible in nuclei due to the amplification of the saturation scale with nuclear size ( Q S ∝ A 1 / 3 ). In this paper I present the current status of measuring the gluon distribution in nuclei in e + A collisions at an EIC.
Natural Killer Cells, Glutathione, Cytokines, and Innate Immunity Against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ABSTRACT It is becoming increasingly apparent that natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in innate defense mechanisms against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Furthermore, NK cell functions are dependent on adequate levels of glutathione. In this study, we examined whether the NK cell-mediated growth control of intracellular M. tuberculosis is dependent on adequate levels of glutathione. We investigated the effects of glutathione both alone and in combination with interleukin-2 (IL-2) or IL-12 or both in modulating NK cell functions, such as cytolytic activity, activating receptor expression, induction of apoptosis, and cytokine synthesis. Our results strongly indicate that glutathione in combination with IL-2+IL-12 augments NK cell functions, leading to control M. tuberculosis infection.
Shape-selective transport through rectangle-based molecular materials: Thin-film scanning electrochemical microscopy studies

Microporous thin films (≈50 to 400 nm) composed of discrete, cavity-containing molecular rectangles have been prepared. The films, which contain both amorphous and microcrystalline domains, display shape-selective transport behavior. They are permeable to small molecules and to molecules that are short or narrow in at least one dimension—for example, elongated planar molecules—but are impermeable to molecules lacking a narrow dimension. However, the shape selectivity is based on transport through intramolecular rather than intermolecular cavities. By using redox-active probe molecules, rates of transport through the rectangle-based material have been extracted from electrochemical measurements. Spatially resolved measurements obtained via scanning electrochemical microscopy have permitted transport through individual microcrystals to be evaluated semiquantitatively. The measurements reveal that transport is roughly two orders of magnitude slower than observed with thin microcrystalline films of molecular squares featuring similar-sized cavities. The differences likely reflect the fact that cavities within the square-based materials, but not the rectangle-based material, align to form simple one-dimensional channels.
Sexuality education: implications for health, equity, and social justice in the United States

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how school-based sexuality education has had a long and troubled history of exclusionary pedagogical practices that have negatively affected such populations as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer (LGBTQ) individuals, people of color, and the disabled. The social ecological model is introduced as a way of offering sexuality educators and school administrators a way of thinking more broadly about how to achieve sexual health through sexuality education efforts inside and outside of the school environment. Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses critical analysis of current and historical school-based sexuality education methods and curricula used in the USA. Authors use both academic journals and their own expertise/experience teaching sexuality education in the USA to analyze and critique the sources of sexuality education information and curricula used in schools. Findings – Historically, sexuality education in school settings in the USA has been b...
Synthesis and secretion of albumin by a synchronized rat hepatoma cell line.

Abstract The rat hepatoma cell H4-12 which synthesizes and secretes albumin was synchronized by growth in isoleucine-deficient medium followed by a second block with excess thymidine. Albumin synthesis and secretion was measured in the synchronized cells at different time intervals representative of early S, late S, G2, mitosis, early G1 and late G1 phases of the cell cycle. Maximal albumin synthesis occurred during G1 although significant synthesis also occurred during the other cell cycle phases. Most (75–80%) of the radioactive albumin produced during a 15 min pulse incubation with l -[4,5-3H]leucine was found in the microsomal cell fraction and this nascent albumin was secreted into the incubation medium during a 160 min chase period. Fifty percent of the nascent albumin was secreted by 50–55 min and this pattern of secretion did not change during the cell cycle. These data indicate that albumin synthesis occurs throughout the cell cycle but that it is preferred during G1. The rate of intracellular transport and secretion of albumin does not vary during the different phase of the cell cycle.
Sulfur dioxide and mortality damage: a benefit/cost analysis.

The author first attempts to estimate an average mortality determination function using an average dose-response function that has been established statistically between sulfur dioxide and excess mortality in U.S. metropolitan areas in which sulfur dioxide exceeds certain threshold levels. An attempt is made to estimate quantitatively the economic value of premature mortality caused by sulphur dioxide. Finally a comparison is made between the costs of the damage caused by this pollution and the cost of pollution control efforts. (ANNOTATION)
Survey of Relationships Between Rainfall Rate and Radar Reflectivity in the Measurement of Precipitation

Abstract Numerous investigations have been made in the last two decades from both a direct measurement of the radar reflectivity and the rainfall amount, as well as indirect measurements of the raindrop size spectra. Calculations of the reflectivity factor and rainfall rate from these spectra can be made and the relationships determined. Both methods are discussed and a summary of the relationships presented. These relationships show differences in excess of 500% in rainfall rate at the same reflectivity. These large differences are primarily associated with differences in geographic locality. In addition, there are smaller differences on the order of 150% that can be attributed to different types of rain or different synoptic conditions. Some data are available which are indicative of the differences in the relationship on a given day, depending upon the location within the storm which is sampled. This is briefly described and in only one case out of 18 is there a significant difference. Estimates of the...
Holistic Home Hospice: Caring for a Dying Father—A Family Hermeneutic Exemplar

This exemplar focuses on the patient and the family. The challenges of caring for a dying parent are numerous, but having the resourcefulness of home hospice may assist in such a struggle. The home hospice experience involves providing care while attending to the sensitivity needs of culture, religion, and emotions. Many share a lack of knowledge regarding available in-home services such as home hospice, which allows one the independent opportunity to die with dignity in the comfort of one’s own environment with a sense of peace, familiarity, and familial love. While the family cared for their dying father, little did they know that actual caring would require a holistic approach and that an out-of-home agency was available to guide them through what would become an unfortunate experience, yet a successful one.
THE ANIONIC POLYMERIZATION OF ETHYLENE OXIDE IN HEXAMETHYL PHOSPHORAMIDE

Abstract Ethylene oxide has been polymerized in hexamethylphosphoramide solution using sodium and potassium alcholates of the monomethylether of diethylene glycol as initiators. The reaction rates were found to be first order in monomer; they were zero order with respect to sodium alkoxide but the order with respect to the potassium alkoxide was variable (between zero and one). The rates in both reactions are depressed by adding sodium or potassium tetraphenylborate. Conductivity measurements on the polymerized solutions show only a moderate degree of ionic dissociation and the behaviour is not entirely that of a normal salt. Viscometric measurements on the living and dead polymerization mixtures show that the chains are associated in solution.
Direct droplet production from a liquid film: a new gas-assisted atomization mechanism

X-ray lithography and micro-machining have been used to study gas-assisted liquid atomization in which a liquid film was impinged by a large number of sonic micro-gas jets. Three distinct breakup regimes were demonstrated. Two of these regimes share characteristics with previously observed atomization processes: a bubble bursting at a free surface (Newitt et al. 1954; Boulton-Stone & Blake 1993) and liquid sheet disintegration in a high gas/liquid relative velocity environment (Dombrowski & Johns 1963). The present work shows that suitable control of the gas/liquid interface creates a third regime, a new primary atomization mechanism, in which single liquid droplets are ejected directly from the liquid film without experiencing an intermediate ligament formation stage. The interaction produces a stretched liquid sheet directly above each gas orifice. This effectively pre-films the liquid prior to its breakup. Following this, surface tension contracts the stretched film of liquid into a sphere which subsequently detaches from the liquid sheet and is entrained by the gas jet that momentarily pierces the film. After droplet ejection, the stretched liquid film collapses, covering the gas orifice, and the process repeats. This new mechanism is capable of the efficient creation of finely atomized sprays at low droplet ejection velocities (e.g. 20 μm Sauter mean diameter methanol sprays using air at 239 kPa, with air-to-liquid mass ratios below 1.0, and droplet velocities lower than 2.0 m s−1). Independent control of the gas and the liquid flows allows the droplet creation process to be effectively de-coupled from the initial droplet momentum, a characteristic not observed with standard gas-assisted atomization mechanisms.
Deamination of tris(ethylenediamine)nickel(II) chloride and tris(ethylenediamine)platinum(IV) chloride

Abstract The decomposition of [Ni(en)3]Cl2·2H2O and [Pt(en)3]Cl4 was studied using TG. Samples of [Ni(en)3]Cl2·2H2O which contained 5 mol.% NH4Cl were used as well as those which were untreated. Samples of [Pt(en)3]Cl4 were used pure and containing 5 mol.% NH4Br. Kinetic parameters were determined for the stepwise decomposition reactions. Unlike the behavior of tris(ethylenediamine)chromium(III) complexes, the presence of ammonium halides produces no measurable effect on the initial loss of ethylenediamine from these complexes.
Rectangular Ion Funnel: A New Ion Funnel Interface for Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations

Structures for lossless ion manipulations (SLIM) have recently demonstrated the ability for near lossless ion focusing, transfer, and trapping in subatmospheric pressure regions. While lossless ion manipulations are advantageously applied to the applications of ion mobility separations and gas phase reactions, ion introduction through ring electrode ion funnels or more conventional ion optics to SLIM can involve discontinuities in electric fields or other perturbations that result in ion losses. In this work, we developed and investigated a new funnel design that aims to seamlessly couple to SLIM at the funnel exit. This rectangular ion funnel (RIF) was initially evaluated by ion simulations, fabricated utilizing printed circuit board technology, and tested experimentally. The RIF was integrated to a SLIM-time of flight (TOF) MS system, and the operating parameters, including RF, DC bias of the RIF electrodes, and electric fields for effectively interfacing with a SLIM, were characterized. The RIF provide...
Rainbow trout cell bioassay-derived relative potencies for halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons: Comparison and sensitivity analysis

Rainbow trout hepatoma cells, stably transfected with a luciferase reporter gene under control of dioxin-responsive elements (RLT 2.0 cells) were used to derive relative potencies (RPs) for a variety of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) that are structurally similar to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). This in vitro bioassay utilizes 96-well microplates, which provide high sample throughput and assay efficiency without affecting sensitivity. The RLT 2.0-derived potencies for dioxin and furan congeners, relative to 2,3,7,8-TCDD, ranged from 0.917 for 1,2,3,4,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran to 0.208 for 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran. All mono- and di-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) tested had RPs that were orders of magnitude less than TCDD, but point estimates could not be determined. The RLT 2.0-derived RPs were found to be comparable to both other rainbow trout-specific RPs and RPs based on mammalian bioassays. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the range of uncertainty associated with TCDD equivalent (TEQ) estimates based on RLT 2.0-derived RPs is approximately 10-fold. Within this degree of uncertainty and the context of this study, the RLT 2.0 bioassay showed no definitive biases or inaccuracies relative to similar mammalian- or fish-specific in vitro bioassays. Thus, the RLT 2.0 bioassay appears to be a useful tool for evaluating dioxinlike potency of HAHs to fish.
Temporal variations in low degree zonal harmonics from Starlette orbit analysis

The dynamical effect of temporal variations in the zonal harmonics of the earth's gravitational potential due to tidal and meteorological mass redistribution has been observed using satellite laser ranging (SLR) measurements to Starlette. The secular variations in the Earth's zonal harmonics and the year-to-year fluctuation of the even degree annual and semi-annual tides, S(a) and S(sa) have been determined from a continuous Starlette orbit spanning from 1983 through 1985. The mean values for S(a) and S(sa) tides are in good agreement with other tide solutions. The year-to-year fluctuations of the even degree S(a), deduced from Starlette node variations, are about 25 percent of the mean value obtained during the three-year Starlette orbit span.
Differential Interaction of the Methoxychlor Metabolite 2,2-Bis-(p-Hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-Trichloroethane with Estrogen Receptors α and β1

Concern that some chemicals in our environment may affect human health by disrupting normal endocrine function has prompted research on interactions of environmental contaminants with steroid hormone receptors. We compared the activity of 2,2-bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane (HPTE), an estrogenic metabolite of the organochlorine pesticide methoxychlor, at estrogen receptor α (ERα) and estrogen receptor β (ERβ). Human hepatoma cells (HepG2) were transiently transfected with either human or rat ERα or ERβ plus an estrogen-responsive, complement 3-luciferase construct containing a complement 3 gene promoter sequence linked to a luciferase reporter gene. After transfection, cells were treated with various concentrations of HPTE in the presence (for detecting antagonism) or absence (for detecting agonism) of 17β-estradiol. HPTE was a potent ERα agonist in HepG2 cells, with EC50 values of approximately 5 × 10−8 and 10−8 m for human and rat ERα, respectively. In contrast, HPTE had minimal agonist acti...
The binding of phenols and phenoxide ions to cationic micelles

Abstract The proton NMR spectra of phenol, p -cresol, and p -ethylphenol bound to micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr) support binding adjacent to the cationic head groups. Anions of these phenols and of p-n -propylphenol and p -t-amylphenol also bind adjacent to the head groups. Changes in the chemical shifts of the hydrogen atoms of the surfactant due to interactions with the ring current of the solute are consistent with its inserting into the micelle rather than binding tangentially.
Origin of Developmental Precursors Dictates the Pathophysiologic Role of Cardiac Fibroblasts

Fibroblasts in the heart play a critical function in the secretion and modulation of extracellular matrix critical for optimal cellular architecture and mechanical stability required for its mechanical function. Fibroblasts are also intimately involved in both adaptive and nonadaptive responses to cardiac injury. Fibroblasts provide the elaboration of extracellular matrix and, as myofibroblasts, are responsible for cross-linking this matrix to form a mechanically stable scar after myocardial infarction. By contrast, during heart failure, fibroblasts secrete extracellular matrix, which manifests itself as excessive interstitial fibrosis that may mechanically limit cardiac function and distort cardiac architecture (adverse remodeling). This review examines the hypothesis that fibroblasts mediating scar formation and fibroblasts mediating interstitial fibrosis arise from different cellular precursors and in response to different autocoidal signaling cascades. We demonstrate that fibroblasts which generate scars arise from endogenous mesenchymal stem cells, whereas those mediating adverse remodeling are of myeloid origin and represent immunoinflammatory dysregulation.
Brewer, direct realism, and acquaintance with acquaintance

Perception and Reason is a subtle and sophisticated exploration of some of the most fundamental issues concerning perception and its ontological and epistemic connection to belief about the external world. For those of us sympathetic to rather traditional views about the nature of thought and knowledge, the book is particularly intriguing as Brewer wants to defend a version of direct realism that would satisfy those unhappy with contemporary externalist (causal) accounts of reference, knowledge, and justification. Brewer's most fundamental claim is that perceptual experience makes possible thought about the physical world and does so in a way that renders at least some beliefs about the external world noninferentially justified. Perceptual experiences for Brewer are intentional states, and like all other intentional states, they have conceptual content. The objects of these representational states are aspects of external reality and the experience that has that external reality as an object can give rise to a "demonstrative" belief with the same, or at least an overlapping content. In virtue of sharing its content with the belief to which it gives rise, the experience constitutes an epistemic reason for the belief. While Brewer eventually contends that the conceptual content of perceptions expands with past experience and allows for a corresponding increase in the kinds of beliefs about the external world that can be noninferentially justified, I'll focus in these few remarks on what I take to be the most promising candidates for noninferentially justified beliefs about the external world, for example, beliefs about colored shapes in one's immediate visual field.
Synergies Between Organizational Learning and Creativity & Innovation

In today’s fast changing business environment, where knowing more and knowing it faster than the competition is often the difference between surviving and not surviving, organizational learning is more and more being recognized as a crucial organizational function. Never mind that the term is over-used, over-hyped and made to mean whatever the writer really wants to talk about. See through the snow and recognize that organizational learning is an organizational function that is here to stay and that will grow in importance. Unending changes in technology and in markets and the removal of logistical and regulatory buffers from competition will make it so. As a consequence of these facts, organizational learning has become a subject of study by management researchers and a subject of considerable interest to corporate leaders – so much so that many large US business organizations are creating positions with the titles like Chief Learning Officer and Chief Knowledge Officer. Certainly organizational learning is a phrase in high fashion. But in what specific ways, if any, does it lead to creativity and innovation? Or, consider the reverse directionality – in what ways do creativity and innovation lead to organizational learning? In this article, I offer some partial answers to these questions, with the intention of giving readers an additional way to frame the processes of creativity and innovation in their organizations.