cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postpartum Hemorrhage: What’s New?

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the USA and in particular worldwide. Recent epidemiological studies have enhanced our ability to identify risk factors for PPH. Novel diagnostic, surgical, and pharmaceutical techniques present opportunities for improving our care of patients with PPH. This review aims to highlight recent primary research in the field of PPH. Large studies have refuted some assumed risk factors for PPH, including high body mass index and scheduled repeat cesarean delivery. Non-white race is an increasingly important risk factor for major maternal morbidity in the USA. New studies evaluated the role of tranexamic acid, point-of-care tests such as rotational thromboelastometry, uterotonic agents, and cell salvage in the management of PPH. Attention to and preparation for PPH, especially in patients with significant risk factors, may allow early intervention and improved patient outcomes. Obstetric units should have protocols that use uterotonic agents for PPH prevention and treatment, and tranexamic acid for treatment only. Centers treating the highest risk patients may benefit from having point-of-care testing and cell salvage available.
Amorphous Silicon in Microphotonics

Amorphous silicon () is an attractive high-refractive-index material for waveguide applications because of its flexible deposition conditions, which do not rely on the existence of crystalline silicon. However, a-Si can exhibit significant propagation losses due to unsaturated bonds in the silicon. Adding hydrogen will reduce those losses, but hydrogen itself can out-diffuse due to elevated processing temperatures. In this chapter, we describe the progress that has been made in the last 20 years with a-Si waveguides and related passive and active photonic devices. We review the basic mechanisms of loss in a-Si and solutions for reducing propagation losses to an acceptable level. We then discuss passive a-Si devices such as ring resonators and multimode interferometer (MMI) power splitters. In the last section, we focus on active devices that use a-Si-based waveguides.
Outcomes of Cardiovascular Surgery Utilizing Heparin versus Direct Thrombin Inhibitors in Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Patients with Previously Diagnosed HIT.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life-threatening complication of heparin therapy. Heparin is generally avoided in patients with a history of HIT; however, it remains the anticoagulant of choice for cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) because of limited experience with alternative anticoagulants such as direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) during CPB. We report outcomes of surgery requiring CPB (30-day mortality, rate of thrombosis, and hemorrhage) in patients with prior HIT who received either heparin or a DTI intraoperatively. Seventy-two patients with a prior diagnosis of HIT confirmed by a positive serotonin release assay underwent CBP with a positive HIT antibody at the time of surgery. Thirty-day mortality was 0 and 8.5% in the DTI and heparin cohorts (p = 0.277). Thrombotic events occurred in 1 (7.7%) of the patients treated with DTI and 15 (25.4%) receiving heparin (p = 0.164). In the DTI cohort, 7 (53.8%) had minimal bleeding, 5 (38.5%) had mild bleeding, 1 (7.8%) had moderate bleeding, and none had severe bleeding. In the heparin group, 16 (27.1%) had minimal bleeding, 14 (23.7%) had mild bleeding, 25 (42.4%) had moderate bleeding, and 4 (6.8%) had severe bleeding (p = 0.053). DTI was associated with a lower rate of moderate to severe hemorrhage than heparin (odds ratio 0.097 [95% confidence interval 0.011–0.824], p = 0.033) in a logistic regression model adjusted for thrombocytopenia and length on bypass. DTI appears to be safe in selected patients undergoing CPB after a diagnosis of HIT, and was not associated with higher rates of 30-day mortality, thrombosis, or hemorrhage.
Redefining Collectivism: Family and Community among Sexual and Gender Diverse People of Color and Indigenous People: Introduction to the Special Issue

Is with great enthusiasm that we introduce to you our special issue on family and community among sexual and gender diverse (SGD) People of Color and Indigenous People (POCI). We believe that this ...
Scaling of divertor heat flux profile widths in DIII-D

Abstract New scalings of the dependence of divertor heat flux peak and profile width, important parameters for the design of future large tokamaks, have been obtained from recent DIII-D experiments. We find the peak heat flux depends linearly on input power, decreases linearly with increasing density, and increases linearly with plasma current. The profile width has a weak dependence on input power, is independent of density up to the onset of detachment, and is inversely proportional to the plasma current. We compare these results with previously published scalings, and present mathematical expressions incorporating these results.
Consumer Welfare Without Consumers? Illinois Brick after Apple V. Pepper

For forty years U.S. antitrust law has lived with an anomaly of the Supreme Court’s making: having declared its commitment to interpreting those laws as a “consumer welfare prescription,” the Court in Illinois Brick nonetheless effectively barred consumers from suing for damages by limiting the right to sue to direct purchasers. Although the Court appeared poised to further extend Illinois Brick in Apple v. Pepper, it instead turned away from Illinois Brick's emphasis on deterrence to once again consider the role that compensation plays in private damage actions. In doing so, it has invited reconsideration of questions deemed long-settled under Illinois Brick about how U.S. law understands "antitrust injury" and how it strikes the balance between the goals of deterrence and compensation.
ConnecTF: A platform to build gene networks by integrating transcription factor-target gene interactions

Deciphering gene regulatory networks (GRNs) is both a promise and challenge of systems biology. The promise is identifying key transcription factors (TFs) that enable an organism to react to changes in its environment. The challenge is constructing GRNs that involve hundreds of TFs and hundreds of thousands of interactions with their genome-wide target genes validated by high-throughput sequencing. To address this challenge, we developed ConnecTF, a species-independent web-based platform for constructing validated GRNs and to refine inferred GRNs via combined analysis of genome-wide studies of TF-target gene binding, TF-target regulation and other TF-centric omic data. We demonstrate the functionality of ConnecTF in three case studies, showing how integration within and across TF-target datasets uncovers biological insights. Case study 1 uses integration of TF-target gene regulation and binding datasets to uncover mode-of-action and identify potential TF partners for 14 TFs in abscisic acid signaling. Case study 2 demonstrates how genome-wide TF-target data and automated functions in ConnecTF are used to conduct precision/recall analysis and pruning of an inferred GRN for nitrogen signaling. In case study 3, we use ConnecTF to chart a network path from NLP7, a master TF in nitrogen signaling, to direct secondary TF2s, to its indirect targets, in an approach called Network Walking. The public version of ConnecTF (https://ConnecTF.org) contains 3,738,278 TF-target interactions for 423 TFs in Arabidopsis, and 839,210 TF-target interactions for 139 TFs in maize. The database and tools in ConnecTF should advance the exploration of GRNs in plant systems biology applications for models and crops.
Topological Terms, Quantum Magnets and Deconfined Criticality

We saw in the previous chapter that the completely-packed loop models are described by lattice magnets in which the Boltzmann weight is generically complex.
Impact of serum phosphate changes on in-hospital mortality.

Fluctuations in serum phosphate levels increased mortality in end-stage renal disease patients. However, the impacts of serum phosphate changes in hospitalized patients remain unclear. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that serum phosphate changes during hospitalization were associated with in-hospital mortality. We included all adult hospitalized patients from January 2009 to December 2013 that had at least two serum phosphate measurements during their hospitalization. We categorized in-hospital serum phosphate changes, defined as the absolute difference between the maximum and minimum serum phosphate, into 5 groups: 0–0.6, 0.7–1.3, 1.4–2.0, 2.1–2.7, ≥2.8 mg/dL. Using serum phosphate change group of 0–0.6 mg/dL as the reference group, the adjusted odds ratio of in-hospital mortality for various serum phosphate change groups was obtained by multivariable logistic regression analysis. A total of 28,149 patients were studied. The in-hospital mortality in patients with serum phosphate changes of 0–0.6, 0.7–1.3, 1.4–2.0, 2.1–2.7, ≥2.8 mg/dL was 1.5, 2.0, 3.1, 4.4, and 10.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). When adjusted for confounding factors, larger serum phosphate changes were associated with progressively increased in-hospital mortality with odds ratios of 1.35 (95% 1.04–1.74) in 0.7–1.3 mg/dL, 1.98 (95% CI 1.53–2.55) in 1.4–2.0 mg/dL, 2.68 (95% CI 2.07–3.48) in 2.1–2.7 mg/dL, and 5.04 (95% CI 3.94–6.45) in ≥2.8 mg/dL compared to serum phosphate change group of 0–0.6 mg/dL. A similar result was noted when we further adjusted for either the admission or mean serum phosphate during hospitalization. Greater serum phosphate changes were progressively associated with increased in-hospital mortality.
Restudying With the Quiz in Hand: When Correct-Answer Feedback is No Better Than Minimal Feedback

Quizzing (testing) can enhance students’ metacognitive accuracy, restudy behaviors, and final test performance. Researchers have not examined, however, the effect of quiz feedback and the availability of the quiz during restudy on these indirect effects of quizzing. We examined three types of quiz feedback: correct-answer, right/wrong, and minimal. In Experiment 1, when the quiz and feedback were available during restudy, participants in all three conditions followed a discrepancy reduction study policy. There were no differences in final test performance in Experiment 1, implying that the degree of feedback elaboration did not impact learners’ benefit from quizzing and restudy. In Experiment 2, when we retracted access to the quiz and feedback during restudy, restudy was impaired, and the minimal condition performed worse on the final test than the correct-answer condition. It appears that correct-answer feedback is critical if quizzes are unavailable; if they are available, the type of feedback has much less impact.
Falling Short: The Unintended Consequences of the Corporate Tax Cuts

In late 2017, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”)—the most comprehensive restructuring of the Tax Code in decades. The TCJA impacted both individuals and businesses, domestically and internationally. The TCJA was intended to boost the U.S. economy by encouraging corporate investment in a revenue-neutral way. Although the new provisions initially seemed promising, the TCJA has fallen short of its goals. This article focuses on the unintended consequences of the TCJA as it pertains to corporate behavior and the overall impact on the U.S. economy. Years after enactment, it is apparent that the changes to the Code allowed for more loopholes, further complicated an already complex tax system, provided a windfall to corporations and their shareholders, and contributed to an already significant U.S. budget deficit. Finally, this article previews potential changes to the Tax Code under the Biden administration and recommends specific reforms.
Histatin-1 is an endogenous ligand of the sigma-2 receptor

The Sigma-2 receptor (S2R) (a.k.a TMEM97) is an important endoplasmic reticular protein involved in cancer, cholesterol processing, cell migration, and neurodegenerative diseases, including Niemann-Pick Type C. While several S2R pharmacologic agents have been discovered, its recent (2017) cloning has limited biological investigation, and no endogenous ligands of the S2R are known. Histatins are a family of endogenous antimicrobial peptides that have numerous important effects in multiple biological systems, including antifungal, antibacterial, cancer pathogenesis, immunomodulation, and wound healing. Histatin-1 (Hst1) has important roles in epithelial wound healing and cell migration, and is the primary wound healing agent in saliva. Little is understood about the downstream machinery that underpins the effects of histatins, and no mammalian receptor is known to date. In this study, we show, using biophysical methods and functional assays, that Hst1 is an endogenous ligand for S2R and that S2R is a mammalian receptor for Hst1.
Immigrant Health Paradox

With rising rates of immigration around the globe we have seen increased interest in the socioeconomic situation of immigrants as well as their health status and health care needs, and their impact on the host countries' health care system. Much of the research has focused on immigrants of non-Western origin to the three traditional immigration destinations—the United States, Canada, and Australia. While earlier research was often focused on the negative impact of immigration on immigrants' health and mental health, research in the last couple decades has consistently found evidence of relatively good health among most immigrants especially “voluntary” immigrants from non-Western origins to western nations, a finding often referred to as an immigrant health paradox. Most interest in immigrant health in the United States has focused primarily on immigrants from Latin America, especially Mexico. Immigrants tend to have better health and mortality profiles than the native born, especially from the same racial/ethnic group. While there are some exceptions to these findings, which we note in the current entry, the preponderance of evidence indicates that selection processes are pivotal for understanding the paradox. Sociocultural resources have also been implicated; however, most of this line of research is still underdeveloped. In the current investigation we outline (a) foundational research, (b) cutting edge research, and (c) key issues for future research. We argue that better health among immigrants is not necessarily paradoxical. Most “voluntary” immigrants arrive in their country of destination with good health and a positive outlook on life. However, the finding that longer stays in the United States deplete health likely reflects acculturation forces. More research is needed to more adequately capture acculturative stress processes, changes in lifestyle factors (smoking, diet, and exercise), and the sociocultural resources that protect immigrants from being vulnerable to premature mortality. Keywords: health; immigration; Hispanic paradox; mortality; disability
Racist Health Care

During the past few years, rationing has become an explicit feature in decisions concerning optimal delivery of health care services, and it poses difficult choices for health care providers and policymakers. Insurers and patients increasingly must balance the desire for access to every possible treatment against concerns about affordability. Costdriven treatment decisions are becoming an unavoidable reality for most patients. Apparently, however, another more pernicious type of rationing occurs in this country. It does not depend on factors such as the likelihood of an optimal outcome, the comparative efficacy of different available treatment modalities, or even the ability to pay for care. Instead, a growing body of evidence suggests that the race of a patient may adversely affect the quantum and quality of health care provided to minority patients. Although no one has identified overt racism by providers, such inequities in the delivery of health care services pose serious problems. This essay describes racial disparities in three separate health care contexts: the utilization of Medicare services, the selection of recipients for cadaveric organ transplantation, and the representation of racial and ethnic minority groups in clinical research. The essay then suggests ways in which medical educators, health care providers, and government agencies can work to address these disparities in care, and it explores possible constitutional and statutory remedies for the victims of disparate treatment. Ultimately, the medical establishment must face up to the possibility that African-American patients do not receive equal treatment in the health care system.
Flexible human collective wisdom.

Group decisions typically outperform individual decisions. But how do groups combine their individual decisions to reach their collective decisions? Previous studies conceptualize collective decision making using static combination rules, be it a majority-voting rule or a weighted-averaging rule. Unknown is whether groups adapt their combination rules to changing information environments. We implemented a novel paradigm for which information obeyed a mixture of distributions, such that the optimal Bayesian rule is nonlinear and often follows minority opinions, while the majority rule leads to suboptimal but above chance performance. Using perceptual (Experiment 1) and cognitive (Experiment 2) signal-detection tasks, we switched the information environment halfway through the experiments to a mixture of distributions without informing participants. Groups gradually abandoned the majority rule to follow any minority opinion advocating signal presence with high confidence. Furthermore, groups with greater ability to abandon the majority rule achieved higher collective-decision accuracies. It is important to note that this abandonment was not triggered by performance loss for the majority rule relative to the first half of the experiment. Our results propose a new theory of human collective decision making: Humans make inferences about how information is distributed across individuals and time, and dynamically alter their joint decision algorithms to enhance the benefits of collective wisdom. (PsycINFO Database Record Language: en
Reduced length design of 9.8 MHz RF accelerating cavity for the Positron Accumulator Ring (PAR) of the Advanced Photon Source (APS)

A 9.8-MHz RF accelerating cavity is developed for the first harmonic system in the APS PAR and an aluminum unit is tested. The design goal is 40 kV at the accelerating gap, Q-factor of /spl sim/7,000 for the accelerating mode, 1.2-m diameter, 1.6-m length with good mechanical strength and stability. The design employs no dielectric or ferrite loading for tuning. The cavity is a plunger-loaded reentrant coaxial structure; the end of the inner conductor facing the wall has a piston-shaped loading structure which consists of a circular disk and a cylinder. The RF characteristic of the cavity was investigated using the URMEL-T and MAFIA programs. Compared with a coaxial structure with lumped element capacitive loading, this design gives improved RF characteristics. >
Mixing of Internal Modes of Different Molecular Symmetry in LiI O 3

We present experimental data which show that there is a smooth and continuous frequency and polarization variation with phonon propagating directions in single-crystal LiI${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, which implies a mixing of phonon symmetries at k=0 and continuous mixing of internal vibrational modes of the I${\mathrm{O}}_{3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ion.
Active Probing for Diagnosis of Emergent Faults

This paper addresses the use of active probing as a tool for implementing life-cycle dependability growth concepts in networked control systems. In the controls field, the potential benefits of active probing in stochastic control were first recognized by Tse and Bar-Shalom [1974]. Significant practical development of active probing techniques, however, occurred in the networking field and was only rarely advanced by control theorists. We propose that active probing be incorporated into future dependable system designs as a method that is suitable both for new large-scale network phenomena such as emergent behavior, and also to support life-cycle dependability growth in conventional systems. Many open research and application opportunities will be noted.
Does merit pay reward good teachers? Evidence from a randomized experiment

A common criticism of merit-pay plans is that they fail to systematically target rewards to the most effective teachers. This study presents new evidence on this issue by evaluating data from Tennessee's Career Ladder Evaluation System and the Project STAR class-size experiment. Because the students and teachers participating in the experiment were randomly assigned, inferences about the relative quality of teachers certified by the career ladder should be unbiased. The results indicate that Tennessee's career ladder had mixed success in rewarding teachers who increased student achievement. Assignment to career-ladder teachers increased mathematics scores by roughly 3 percentile points but generally had smaller and statistically insignificant effects on reading scores. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Oxidation debris in microwave functionalized carbon nanotubes: Chemical and biological effects

Abstract Dilute base-washing has been shown to remove oxidation debris by converting the acidic groups to their dissolvable conjugate salts. In this paper we present for the first time the effect of base-washing of microwave induced carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Three multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different dimensions were studied, and the biological/toxicological properties were evaluated with human THP-1 cells. The carbon to oxygen ratio, the BET surface area, the ratio of D–G bands based on Raman measurements as well as the solubility changed with base wash. Most dramatic was in increase in carboxylic groups on the surface and a corresponding decrease in phenolic and lactonic groups. However, zeta potential, particle size and colloidal stability at different pH showed no significant alterations with the wash. The analysis of the wash showed the presence of graphitic carbon but the absence of small CNT fragments. Toxicity measurements and IL-1β release from the THP-1 cells in the presence of MWCNTs also showed no alteration with base wash. These results demonstrated that the oxidation under microwave conditions generated relatively less debris and fragmentation, and this is a good approach to acid functionalization of CNTs.
The affective orientation to communication: Conceptual and empirical distinctions

Affectively oriented (AO) individuals are people who are aware of their emotional states, value that information, and use it to guide social interaction. Although this concept sounds similar to others related to self‐awareness, emotionality, and patterns of information seeking, the process is both conceptually and empirically unique. Study One compared individuals on AO and several measures which share underlying dimensions: affect intensity, self‐consciousness, extroversion, neuroticism, monitoring vs. blunting behavior style, and beliefs about romance. Affective orientation was moderately related to affect intensity and private self‐consciousness, and exhibited small correlations with monitoring of information‐seeking, extroversion, and idealism of romantic beliefs. Study Two assessed the stability of AO responses. Across a 4‐week time period AO remained highly consistent and thus did not appear to be a function of feelings at the time.
The concept of validity on mining claims

The Secretary of the Interior through appropriate staff can inquire into the validity of mining claims through the Act of April 25, 1812 (R.S. 453; 43 USC 2). Validity examinations are also authorized by the Act of July 23, 1955 (USC 601), for management over surface resources of mining claims located prior to the Act [Adams v. United States, 318 F2d 861 (9th Cir 1963).] Validity examinations are normally made in response to one of two circumstances: (1) to process a mineral patent application; or (2) to resolve a conflict between the mining claim and some other use of the land. Federal employees charged with the management of Federal lands have the right and authority to challenge the validity of mining claims for any reason [Estate of Melvin E. Viles, 126 IBLA 162, 164 (1993).] A validity examination of an unpatented mining claim by a Federal Government minerals examiner is to verify or refute a discovery on that claim. The mineral examiner makes a recommendation as to whether a claim is valid or invalid. If a discovery cannot be verified within the limits of the claim, the examiner will normally recommend that the government contest the claim. Concepts for making validity examinations on mining claims are here given. Many mineral deposits are unique and it is important that the mineral examiner use their initiative and adopt whatever detailed procedures may be required.
Ultrastructural and histochemical studies on guard cells

Serial thick sections of guard cells from Vicia faba L., Nicotiana tabacum L., Allium cepa L., Zea mays L. and Beta vulgaris L. were obtained systematically (600-800 nm) and viewed with the transmission electron microscope in an effort to demonstrate the presence or absence of a symplastic transport pathway within the stomatal complex. Eight to ten stomata from each species were examined, and no continuous plasmodesmata were found connecting guard cells to sister guard cells or to adjacent epidermal or subsidiary cells. Continuous plasmodesmata were observed in immature guard cells, but were sealed (truncated) during the development of the mature cell wall. Histochemical stains, phosphotungstic acid and silver methenamine, were used to demonstrate differentiation within the mature guard-cell wall. The structural differentiation of the stomatal apoplastic region is discussed in relation to fanctional specialization. Plasma-membrane elaborations or plasmalemmasomes were identified in the guard cells of Zea, and it is suggested that these structures may function in ion transport.
Modified wheats tone-bridge assembly for laboratory use and water-well exploration

Use of ground-water has tended to increase progressively in recent years and probably will continue to increase in the immediate future; thus, it is to be expected that ground-water supplies will become depleted or seriously overdrawn in some areas. With overdraft, the water-level or pressure-head of the fresh water falls so that salt water may be drawn into pervious beds along the ocean shore or near some other source of saline water. Bodies of ground-water have been so contaminated in some areas along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts of the United States and locally within the interior; some of these areas of salt-water contamination will tend to enlarge and others probably will develop. Problems encountered in the investigation of ground-water supplies so contaminated create a challenge to develop improved and more precise methods for quantitative evaluation of salt-water encroachment.
Thermodynamics of formation of chromite spinels

Abstract The enthalpies of formation from the oxides of the chromite spinels formed by Mg, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd have been determined by oxide melt solution calorimetry in 2PbO·B 2 O 3 melts at 900°C. The values are somewhat more exothermic but otherwise largely parallel those of the corresponding aluminates, ferrites, manganites, and gallates. For some of the chromites reliable Gibbs (free) energies of formation have been reported in the literature. A comparison with the new enthalpy data yields corresponding entropy information. For NiCr 2 O 4 and CuCr 2 O 4 the entropies of formation are large and positive, consistent with a high degree of cation disorder.
The Etiologic Heterogeneity of Schizophrenia

Evidence is increasing in support of the etiologic heterogeneity of schizophrenia. Five distinct diseases/disorders are suggested in this paper, and the relevant studies are reviewed. Familial forms of the disorder include a dopamine psychosis (supported by research documenting both altered dopamine activity and early neuroleptic response among some schizophrenic patients), a neurodegenerative psychosis (supported by investigations that document ongoing change in ventricular brain ratio, elevation of products of cell membrane catabolism within the central nervous system, and age-progressive third ventricle enlargement accompanied by delayed response to neuroleptics), and a neurodevelopmental psychosis (supported by evidence of static enlarged ventricles in some schizophrenic patients and neurological soft signs in high-risk offspring of schizophrenic individuals). Nonfamilial forms include a neurodevelopmental psychosis (supported by evidence of neurodevelopmental abnormalities triggered by neurotropic viruses, radiation, or anoxia) and a lithium-responsive psychosis (supported by evidence of a subgroup of psychotic patients who have low risk of either psychosis or mania in their pedigrees and respond to lithium).
On the firing line: Role problems of educators of the gifted

Teachers of the gifted often find that their role leads to stress and conflict with other teachers and with the school system. To survive, the teacher must understand the place of the school in the community, and the place of the gifted program within the school.
Daughter 3T3 cells. Are they mirror images of each other

Using a new technique to visualize the tracks of moving 3T3 cells and combining it with the visualization of actin-containing microfilament bundles by indirect immunofluorescence (Lazarides, E. and K. Weber. 1974, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 71:2268-2272), I present experiments which suggest that: (a) 30-40% of the pairs of daughter 3T3 mouse fibroblasts in noncloned cultures have mirror symmetrical actin-bundle patterns. (b) The angle between separating daughter cells is approx. 90 degrees or 180 degrees and seems related to the directions of certain actin-containing bundles. (c) Approximately 40% of separately moving daughter cells which did not collide with any other cell in the culture performed directional changes in a mirror symmetrical way. Both daughter cells entered the next mitosis at approximately the same time. I suggest that the actin-bundle pattern, the angle of separation, major directional changes during interphase, and the time of the next mitosis are predetermined by the parental cell.
New approach to radiative transfer and related atmospheric correction problems

Most atmospheric correction codes are based in part or in whole on the radiative transfer equation (RTE), which is an integrodifferential equation. It is well known to be an ad hoc equation, which can and has produced incorrect answers. This paper initiates a new way of exploring where the RTE can produce unphysical answers in parameter-ratio ranges of genuine concern. The exploration begins with formulating a new technique for rigorously transforming the scalar RTE, without approximation, into a `pure' partial differential equation (PDE), i.e., one involving only partial derivatives of finite and relative small order. The virtue of this approach is that there are only a small number of analytical and numerical techniques for dealing with integrodifferential equations compared to the vast array of techniques for PDEs. A variety of tools are developed that are more powerful than needed for the particular physical problems to demonstrate the robustness of the technique. An atmosphere is then considered where Rayleigh scattering is dominant and its PDE derived, apparently for the first time. A class of nonlinear integrodifferential equations were also transformed into linear PDEs and solved for a multiplicity of solutions.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Ethanol-induced disruption of Golgi apparatus morphology, primary neurite number and cellular orientation in developing cortical neurons

Prenatal ethanol exposure disrupts cortical neurite initiation and outgrowth, but prior studies have reported both ethanol-dependent growth promotion and inhibition. To resolve this ambiguity and better approximate in vivo conditions, we quantitatively analyzed neuronal morphology using a new, whole hemisphere explant model. In this model, Layer 6 (L6) cortical neurons migrate, laminate and extend neurites in an organotypic fashion. To selectively label L6 neurons, we performed ex utero electroporation of a GFP expression construct at embryonic day 13 and allowed the explants to develop for 2 days in vitro. Explants were exposed to (400 mg/dL) ethanol for either 4 or 24 h prior to fixation. Complete 3-D reconstructions were made of >80 GFP-positive neurons in each experimental condition. Acute responses to ethanol exposure included compaction of the Golgi apparatus accompanied by elaboration of supernumerary primary apical neurites, as well as a modest (∼15%) increase in higher order apical neurite length. With longer exposure time, ethanol exposure leads to a consistent, significant disorientation of the cell (cell body, primary apical neurite, and Golgi) with respect to the pial surface. The effects on cellular orientation were accompanied by decreased expression of cytoskeletal elements, microtubule-associated protein 2 and F-actin. These findings indicate that upon exposure to ethanol, developing L6 neurons manifest disruptions in Golgi apparatus and cytoskeletal elements which may in turn trigger selective and significant perturbations to primary neurite formation and neuronal polarity.
Vastus-Psoas release for acetabular exposure in revision hip surgery.

Abstract A technique is presented for wide exposure of the acetabulum for revision total hip arthroplasty surgery in the presence of a solidly fixed, modular, or monoblock femoral component without the need for trochanteric osteotomy. The technique involves release of the proximal portion of the vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis muscles and the iliopsoas tendon from the femur and placement of the femoral head/neck posterior to the acetabulum. The exposure afforded by this release usually precludes the need for trochanteric osteotomy and/or removal of a well-fixed femoral component in revision surgery that is being done for isolated loosening of acetabular components, thereby decreasing operative time, morbidity, and the risks of complication of trochanteric osteotomy.
Convergent and discriminant validity of psychopathy factors assessed via self-report: a comparison of three instruments.

Psychopathy has been conceptualized as a personality disorder with distinctive interpersonal-affective and behavioral deviance features. The authors examine correlates of the factors of the Psychop...
ON THE QUALITY OF MAN PARAMETERS.

Abstract The quality of man parameters was found to be of not equivalent standard to the quality of machine and environment parameters, ergo providing both a challenge to improve that quality and a requirement to re-examine tenets for measuring and expressing man parameters. Here the authors concentrate on another of the eleven subsystems which constitute the total integrated human physiological system. Results for the respiratory-metabolic subsystems here presented agree in essence with results for the cardiovascular subsystem currently studied. That is, characteristic statistics for selected rate and acceleration formulae (which had been formulated to preserve the characteristic instantaneity of a regulating human subsystem) demonstrate that one rate formulae and one acceleration formula best descrobe and typify instantaneous physiological function of healthy man who performs under the rigors of omni-sonic aerodynamic flight.
Pneumatoceles in infants in the neonatal intensive care unit: clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Objective To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of neonatal intensive care unit patients with a radiographic diagnosis of pneumatocele. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Results Our cohort ( n = 27) had a gestational age of 27 ± 5 weeks, birth weight of 1038 ± 760 g, and a predominance of females (59%) and black infants (74%). All infants were ventilated at the time of diagnosis at a median age of 12 days (range: 5 to 105 days). Endotracheal cultures sent from 25 infants revealed bacteria in 20 (80%). Clinical diagnosis of pneumonia was made in 18 (67%) infants. Pneumatoceles resolved in 17 (63%) infants, but persisted in 10 (37%) infants. Compared with infants with resolution of pneumatoceles, mortality (70% versus 0%, p p = 0.05), and clinical diagnosis of pneumonia (100% versus 47%, p = 0.005) were significantly higher in infants with persistent pneumatoceles. Conclusions In infants with pneumatoceles, positive endotracheal culture is a frequent finding and correlates with persistence. Persistence of pneumatoceles is associated with a higher mortality.
Developmental neurotoxicity following premating maternal exposure to hexachlorobenzene in rats

Abstract The maternal transfer of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) may place the developing organism at risk. The present study assessed the developmental neurotoxicity of HCB using a battery of behavioral tests. Two weeks prior to breeding, maternal rats were exposed via gavage to either 10 or 100 mg HCB/kg body weight. Behaviors evaluated in pups exposed maternally to HCB included the negative geotaxic reflex on postnatal day (PND) 6, 8, and 10, olfactory discrimination (PND 9-11), and the development of exploratory behavior (PND 15–20). Significant effects in these three tests indicated hyperactivity in HCB-exposed pups. No significant effects on learning (swim T-maze) or motor activity were detected in older offspring (PND 40 and 50 respectively). The acoustic startle response (ASR) revealed apparent age-related effects of maternal HCB exposure. On PND 23 pups from the high treatment group demonstrated significantly reduced ASR amplitude, whereas these same animals, tested on PND 90 (using a reflex modification design), showed elevated ASR amplitude relative to the controls. This work demonstrates that HCB is a behavioral teratogen, and suggests that human fetuses and suckling infants may be at risk from the neurotoxic effects of HCB.
Underachievement in the Verbally Gifted: Implications for Pedagogy.

An ecological-systems view is presented describing academic underachievement in highly verbal, gifted adolescents. The highly verbal are considered to be those children who show a precocious ability to comprehend, analyze, and synthesize written material, as well as an attitudinal predisposition toward less structured, more creative verbal tasks. Underachievement is discussed in terms of global versus analytic processing styles, intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, verbal versus quantitative interests and abilities, and the concomitant achievement patterns. It is argued that a unique pattern of interests, motives, and cognitive styles results in a differential pattern of achievement for these youth. Underachievement is viewed as a mismatch between the school's curriculum and testing procedures and these children's unique needs and stylistic approaches toward learning. The implications for psychoeducational assessment, pedagogy, and counseling are discussed.
Forced guidance and distribution of practice in sequential information processing.

Distribution of practice and forced guidance were used in a sequential information-processing task in an attempt to increase the capacity of human information-processing mechanisms. A reaction time index of the psychological refractory period was used as the response measure. Massing of practice lengthened response times while forced guidance shortened them. Interpretation was in terms of load reduction upon the response-selection stage of the information-processing system.-
The CSAT methamphetamine treatment program: research design accommodations for "real world" application.

Abstract The Methamphetamine Treatment Program (MTP), funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, has the objectives of implementing the Matrix outpatient model and evaluating that model in comparison to the existing community “treatments as usual.” Seven organizations in three western states (California, Montana, and Hawaii) were selected to participate in this randomized, controlled, multisite project in what constitutes the largest trial to date of treatment for methamphetamine (MA) dependence. One hundred fifty MA-dependent patients recruited at each site are randomly assigned to receive either the Matrix model, a manualized program of intensive outpatient treatment, or the site's standard treatment, “treatment as usual.” Participants are evaluated at admission, weekly during treatment, at the time of scheduled discharge. and at six and 12 months after admission. Dependent measures assess changes in drug use, HIV risk behaviors, quality of life. and patient satisfaction. Cost analyses to quant...
PTCB Hosts C.R.E.S.T. Summit

In February 2011, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) convened a meeting of a group of leaders in the pharmacy profession to discuss the future roles of pharmacy technicians as pharmacists continue to establish themselves in the field of medication therapy management. The C.R.E.S.T Summit (Consumer Awareness, Resources, Education, State Policy, and Testing) began with a timeline of PTCB progress since its inception in 1995 and a directive to discuss and reach consensus on the 5 major issues defining the Summit. Background material included important published works, several insightful presentations, and the results of an online survey with 12,000 responses from various stakeholders in the pharmacy profession. Following open discussions at the general sessions, participants attended roundtable discussions of the specific topics. Consensus was attained in many areas and the PTCB is evaluating the information gathered and will use it to determine directions for the future.
NARR’s Atmospheric Water Cycle Components. Part I: 20-Year Mean and Annual Interactions

Abstract The North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) atmospheric water cycle is examined from 1980 to 1999 using a budget approach, with a particular emphasis on annual component interactions and the role of hourly precipitation assimilation. NARR’s summertime atmospheric water cycle and diurnal component interactions are examined in Part II of this study. NARR’s high-resolution reanalysis and precipitation assimilation allow an improved climatology of mean water cycle components over North America, which is very attractive for applications, climate impact assessments, and as a basis for comparison with other products. A 20-yr climatology of precipitation, evaporation, moisture flux convergence, and the residual error term are produced for comparison to observations, other reanalyses and models, and future climate scenarios. Maps of the normalized covariance of annual precipitation with each of the other water cycle components identify regimes of seasonal interaction that form an additional basis for co...
Detection of surface hydroxyl species on quartz, γ-alumina, and feldspars using diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy

Abstract Surface hydroxyl groups were detected on silica, γ-alumina, quartz, and feldspar powders using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared (IR)-spectroscopy. Spectra were collected on all samples before and after heating in air to remove physisorbed H2O. On both natural and synthetic samples of quartz and feldspars, this treatment reveals a single IR-band at 3742–3745 cm−1, which is attributable to terminal >SiOH groups at the mineral surface. Many previous studies have suggested that the speciation of H on feldspar surfaces in water can be modeled based on the speciation of H on γ-alumina and silica surfaces. However, no definitive evidence of >AlOH groups analogous to those found on γ-alumina was detected on the feldspars measured in this study. This strongly suggests that γ-alumina surface hydroxyl groups should not be used as guides to the surface chemistry of feldspars. The IR spectra observed on the feldspars in this study cannot rule out the existence of either >AlOH20 or >AlOHSi AlOH20, >AlOH− and >AlO−2, or >AlOHSi AlOH0, >AlOH2+ , or >AlO− groups.
Capsule Commentary on Lee et al., Health Literacy as a Social Determinant of Health in Asian American Immigrants: Findings from a Population-Based Survey in California

Lee and colleagues used population-based data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to assess the relationship between self-rated health (SRH), depressive symptoms and health literacy among five Asian American immigrant groups.1 Controlling for English proficiency and duration of U.S. residence, health literacy levels for Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese immigrants were lower than for non-Latino whites. Health literacy was positively associated with SRH among Chinese and Koreans and negatively associated with depressive symptoms among Koreans and South Asians. These findings support the use of brief health literacy screens in routine clinical care.2 This study disaggregated Asian Americans by ethnicity to identify groups disproportionately affected by poor health literacy, which may help focus community-based interventions. However, use of the two-item health literacy measure in CHIS limits interpretation; the mechanisms linking health literacy, SRH, and depressive symptoms for these groups remain unclear and it is possible that they are inadequately captured by items focusing on reading. Language is an incomplete explanation. While a previous study showed that limited English proficiency patients with language-concordant physicians reported fewer problems with medical comprehension compared to patients with language-discordant physicians,3 the current analysis adjusted for English language proficiency and the surveyed South Asians had high levels of English proficiency. The cross-sectional study design also leaves the possibility of reverse causation, that individuals with depression have lower health literacy. Paasche-Orlow and Wolf suggest that health literacy influences three points in health care: access and utilization, patient–provider relationship, and self-care.4 A subsequent path analysis study confirmed an indirect pathway from health literacy to health status via knowledge and self-efficacy.5 Health literacy reflects the ability to not only obtain information, but also to use it appropriately. Culture can influence expectations for communication, beliefs about patients’ role in decision making, and motivation to seek help for depressive symptoms. Investigating the relationship between these factors and health literacy may help explain why the association between health literacy and outcomes differed between ethnic groups, and inform interventions to improve the health of Asian American patients.