cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining Recruitment Follow-Up Phone Calls and Their Influence on Attendance for Husbands and Wives in a Marriage and Relationship Education Program

Low-income married couples face unique stressors that contribute to increased relationship distress. Federal funding has supported research initiatives aimed at studying how marriage and relationship education (MRE) influences the relationships of low-income married participants. However, research identified recruitment and retention of low-income participants as a major obstacle to the replication of these programs. Therefore, this study examined programmatic data from 786 low-income married participants to investigate how recruitment follow-up influenced attendance in the MRE program. A weak, inverse relationship was found for women between the number of pre-enrollment phone calls made and hours spent in MRE. We found a statistically significant difference between who was contacted (wife, husband, or both) and attendance to the initial intake appointment for program enrollment. Implications and future research are discussed.
Methyl chloroform and the atmosphere.

The atmospheric abundance of methyl chloroform, CH{sub 3}CCl{sub 3}, a compound of only anthropogenic origin, is actually decreasing because of emission reductions in compliance with the United Nations Montreal Protocol and its subsequent amendments. This observation, reported by Prinn and co-workers elsewhere in this issue, is based on data from surface-level monitoring stations. The observed trends in methyl chloroform abundance have a few straightforward scientific consequences and substantial policy relevance as discussed in this article. 6 refs., 1 fig.
Remittances and savings from international migration: Theory and evidence using a matched sample

Abstract The central question of this paper concerns the implications of remittance flows for migrants and their origin households in the country of origin. This paper represents the first attempt to present a disaggregated view of international remittance flows using a matched sample of international migrants and their origin families. I investigate two types of remittances: transfers to the home family and savings in the country of origin. The empirical evidence provides support for the altruistic model of transfer behavior. Wealthier origin families tend to receive lower transfers, other things being equal. However, remittances sent to finance origin country investments are positively associated with origin household wealth. The estimation strategy addresses two common problems that arise in investigating remittance behavior: omitted variable bias and the measurement of origin household resources.
Space—Time Variability of the Deep Western Boundary Current Oxygen Core

Abstract Twelve historical CTD/oxygen sections between the Grand Banks and Cape Hatteras, occupied over the time period 1981–85, are analyzed to investigate the variability of the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) property core. The sections are transformed into a coordinate system of bottom depth versus height above the bottom, then interpolated onto a regular grid in order to facilitate an inter-sectional comparison. The average sections show a high-oxygen core near 3200-m depth, θ = 2.2°C, which corresponds to a region of upward sloping isotherms against the boundary, inshore of the deep Gulf Stream. As the DWBC progresses toward Cape Hatteras it shoals significantly and becomes less dense as a result of mixing with surrounding fluid along its path. There is, however, much scatter about this general alongstream trend and large density fluctuations are correlated with changes in bottom depth and cross-sectional area of the DWBC core. This variability is most likely the downstream response to changes ...
Review of Research: School Placement and Separation of Twins: A Review of Research

(2010). Review of Research: School Placement and Separation of Twins: A Review of Research. Childhood Education: Vol. 86, No. 3, pp. 172-174.
Most American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ Online Patient Education Material Exceeds Average Patient Reading Level

Background Advancing health literacy has the potential to improve patient outcomes. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) online patient education materials serve as a tool to improve health literacy for orthopaedic patients; however, it is unknown whether the materials currently meet the National Institutes of Health/American Medical Association’s recommended sixth grade readability guidelines for health information or the mean US adult reading level of eighth grade.
Religious Tolerance and Understanding in the French Education System

Abstract This research is based on an interview and survey-based case study of an Islamic lycee, a Catholic lycee, and two public lycees in the Ile-de-France region of France. The study investigated whether students in private schools receiving some form of education about religion tend to be more tolerant and demonstrate more religious understanding than students in public schools receiving little to none. The results showed that tolerance and understanding were not necessarily codependent and that a number of other factors seem to have a similarly significant impact on student religious tolerance and understanding as receiving education about religion.
Reward and punishment in learning with possible reference to punishment for crime

On the basis of Landahl's theory of two-choice learning it is shown that application of punishment for wrong responses, without giving award for correct ones, does not lead to complete learning, no matter how many trials are used. If initially a “wrong response” was learned, then an attempt to inhibit it by punishment alone will in a class of cases lead only to a 50% suppression of that wrong response. Possible connection with the problem of effectiveness of punishment as a deterrent for crime is mentioned.
Studies on tumorigenicity of cells persistently infected with vesicular stomatitis virus in nude mice

Abstract Previous work has demonstrated that persistent infection of cultured cells (normally tumorigenic in the nude mouse) by any of a number of enveloped RNA viruses results in the loss of their ability to form tumors in nude mice. From the BHK 21/VSV persistently infected cell line which did not form tumors in these nude mice, we selected in vivo a subline which is tumorigenic even though it is still persistently infected. We report here a preliminary characterization of this subline. These virus-infected cells were consistently tumorigenic for more than six sequential passages in nude mice. They shed large amounts of virus and DI particles into the bloodstream and tissues of the mice; however, we found no evidence of the virus establishing a persistent infection in the mouse tissues. We demonstrated that virus isolated from this tumorigenic cell line was able to establish new persistently infected cell lines which were also tumorigenic, indicating that this is a characteristic of the virus. T 1 oligonucleotide mapping of the virion RNA recovered from this tumorigenic carrier subline demonstrates that the viral genome is undergoing continual mutation in vivo . This is similar to mutational changes occurring in vitro in the parental persistently infected cells. Very recently, the BHK 21 cell line persistently infected with VSV for over 5 years has spontaneously (with no in vivo selection) acquired the ability to form tumors in nude mice. In contrast to the other tumorigenic subline, this carrier line produces almost no mature virus or DI particles at present, and its tumorigenicity appears to be associated with very low virus expression in infected cells. Apparently, viruses can escape the natural killer (NK) cell response by a variety of means.
Barriers and Impediments to a Holistic Approach to Promoting Super-Energy-Efficient (SEE) Homes

Abstract Reducing energy consumption and environmental impacts of homes remains a critical task for researchers and practitioners. Although numerous energy efficient (EE) home strategies have been ...
In vivo measurement of pulsewave velocity in small vessels using intravascular MR.

A one-dimensional intravascular MR (IVMR) technique for the measurement of pulsewave velocity in a single cardiac cycle is presented. The technique was used to measure pulsewave velocity in vivo in the intact rabbit model, where its sensitivity to different hemodynamic states was demonstrated using a pharmacological intervention with phenylephrine and nitroprusside. IVMR measurements of pulsewave velocity were found to increase with mean arterial pressure, as expected. Further, IVMR-based pulsewave velocity estimates were in agreement with those measured by pressure catheters and direct distensibility measurement. Because of their rapidity and highly localized nature, these measurements of vessel elasticity may complement the high-resolution vascular imaging information gained in an IVMR examination. This could allow assessment of atherosclerotic plaques and facilitate immediate treatment decisions. Magn Reson Med 45:53–60, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Valvular heart disease and dialysis access: a case of cardiac decompensation after fistula creation

L/min (4). However, the effects of AVFs on patients with aortic stenosis have not been studied although one fifth of dialysis patients have aortic stenosis (5). AVFs can achieve high blood flow and can have a significant hemodynamic impact within a few days after their placement. Patients with advanced heart failure or aortic stenosis may benefit from an alternative access strategy such as tunneled catheters or peritoneal dialysis. If AVF is chosen in these patients, close monitoring and potentially early ligation of the AVF should be considered upfront. In addition, because of the high prevalence and quick progression of aortic stenosis in dialysis patients, periodic assessment of cardiac functions is necessary, especially in patients with high flow fistulae or grafts.
Lysyl Oxidase Inhibits Ras-Mediated Transformation by Preventing Activation of NF-κB

Lysyl oxidase (LO), which catalyzes the oxidation of lysine residues, was previously shown to have anti-oncogenic activity on ras-transformed cells. Since oncogenic Ras mediates transformation, in part, through the activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), we tested here the effects of LO on NF-κB activity. Expression of LO in ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells led to decreased NF-κB binding and activity, as well as the expression of the NF-κB target gene c-myc. Importantly, ectopic expression of LO led to a dramatic decrease in colony formation by ras-transformed NIH 3T3 cells, a finding comparable to the expression of the IκBα dominant-negative mutant, which could be rescued by p65/p50 NF-κB subunit expression. LO was unable to directly inhibit the activity of ectopically expressed p65 and c-Rel NF-κB subunits, suggesting that LO affected an upstream signaling pathway(s) induced by Ras. Consistent with this hypothesis, LO expression decreased both the rate of IκBα turnover and the activities of IKKα and IKKβ. Moreover, the ectopic expression of a constitutively active version of either kinase reversed the negative effects of LO. Ras can induce NF-κB via both the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and Raf/MEK pathways. LO potently downregulated the PI3K and Akt kinases, while partially inhibiting MEK kinase activity. Expression of a constitutively activated, myristylated Akt or PDK1 was able to counteract the effect of LO on NF-κB, whereas constitutively activated Raf was only partially effective. Importantly, LO blocked membrane localization of Akt and PDK1 in Ras-transformed cells. Overall, these results strongly argue that the anti-oncogenic effects of LO on ras-mediated transformation are due to its ability to inhibit signaling pathways that lead to activation of NF-κB.
Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium, L. var. strumarium) Intoxication in Swine: Review and Redefinition of the Toxic Principle

Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) fed to feeder pigs was associated with acute to subacute hepatotoxicosis. Cotyledonary seedings fed at 0.75% to 3% of body weight or ground bur fed at 20% to 30% of the ration caused acute depression, convulsions, and death. Principle gross lesions were marked serofibrinous ascites, edema of the gallbladder wall, and lobular accentuation of the liver. Acute to subacute centrilobular hepatic necrosis was present microscopically. The previously reported toxic principle, hydroquinone, was not recovered from the plant or bur of X. strumarium. Authentic hydroquinone administered orally failed to produce lesions typical of cocklebur intoxication but did produce marked hyperglycemia. Carboxyatractyloside recovered from the aqueous extract of X. strumarium and authentic carboxyatractyloside, when fed to pigs, caused signs and lesions typical of cocklebur intoxication. Marked hypoglycemia and elevated serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum isocitric dehydrogenase concentrations occurred in pigs with acute hepatic necrosis that had received either cocklebur seedlings, ground bur or carboxyatractyloside.
Protecting Our Digital Walls: Regulating the Privacy Policy Changes Made by Social Networking Websites

Online social networking websites, such as Facebook, are growing in both size and popularity. These sites operate on the basic idea that users should openly share personal information with each other. The vast majority of this information is both personally identifiable and private in nature, generating a host of privacy concerns. One easily overlooked issue is how social networking sites, themselves, change their privacy policies after users have already shared personal information, fundamentally altering the way users can control their own information. After exploring the growth of online social networking and the increase in user dissatisfaction with social network privacy policy changes, this Note argues that federal regulation could help to create transparency and protect users against unanticipated changes in their ability to control their information. This Note also discusses the apparent disconnect between users’ privacy preferences and actual online behavior, exploring why this disconnect exists and its implications for the effectiveness of potential regulation.
A user-oriented synthetic workload generator

A user-oriented synthetic workload generator that simulates user file access behavior on the basis of real workload characterizations is described. The workload generator is designed for experiments and simulations related to file system analysis. The model for this workload generator is user-oriented and job-specific, represents file I/O operations at the system call level, allows general distributions for usage measures, and assumes independence in the file I/O operation stream. The workload generator consists of three parts that handle specification of distributions, creation of an initial file system, and selection and execution file I/O operations. Results from experiments on a network file system (NFS) verify that the workload generator can produce realistic workloads and demonstrate the application of the generator. >
Fewer Hospitalizations Result When Primary Care Is Highly Integrated Into A Continuing Care Retirement Community

Meeting the medical and social needs of elderly people is likely to be costly, disruptive, and at odds with personal preferences if efforts to do so are not well coordinated. We compared two different models of primary care in four different continuing care retirement communities. In the first model, used in one community, the physicians and two part-time nurse practitioners delivered clinical care only at that site, covered all settings within it, and provided all after-hours coverage. In the second model, used in three communities, on-site primary care physician hours were limited; the same physicians also had independent practices outside the retirement community; and after-hours calls were covered by all members of the practices, including physicians who did not practice on site. We found that residents in the first model had two to three times fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Only 5 percent of those who died did so in a hospital, compared to 15 percent at the other sites and 27 percent nationally. These findings provide insight into what is possible when medical care is highly integrated into a residential retirement setting.
Genome Signatures of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Isolates from the Bovine Host Reservoir

Cattle comprise a main reservoir of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC). The significant differences in host prevalence, transmissibility, and virulence phenotypes among strains from bovine and human sources are of major interest to the public health community and livestock industry. Genomic analysis revealed divergence into three lineages: lineage I and lineage I/II strains are commonly associated with human disease, while lineage II strains are overrepresented in the asymptomatic bovine host reservoir. Growing evidence suggests that genotypic differences between these lineages, such as polymorphisms in Shiga toxin subtypes and synergistically acting virulence factors, are correlated with phenotypic differences in virulence, host ecology, and epidemiology. To assess the genomic plasticity on a genome-wide scale, we have sequenced the whole genome of strain EC869, a bovine-associated E. coli O157:H7 isolate. Comparative phylogenomic analysis of this key isolate enabled us to place accurately bovine lineage II strains within the genetically homogenous E. coli O157:H7 clade. Identification of polymorphic loci that are anchored both in the chromosomal backbone and horizontally acquired regions allowed us to associate bovine genotypes with altered virulence phenotypes and host prevalence. This study catalogued numerous novel lineage II-specific genome signatures, some of which appear to be associated intimately with the altered pathogenic potential and niche adaptation within the bovine rumen. The presented extended list of polymorphic markers is valuable in the development of a robust typing system critical for forensic, diagnostic, and epidemiological studies of this emerging human pathogen.
Liberal, Conservative, Social Democratic, or . . . European? The European Union as Equal Employment Regime

How do the dynamics of the multitiered European Union (EU) affect national equal employment policies for women? This article introduces the concept of equal employment regimes and asks if and how such regimes are being integrated in the EU. I argue that states cluster according to the equal employment policies they formulate, implement, and enforce. A review of existing national gender equality policies in Western Europe (such as equal pay and positive action) in relation to their timing, extent, and implementation investigates the robustness of the notion of equal employment regimes. This national-level review is then contrasted to an analysis of the supranational level and concludes that the EU equal employment policy regime is not the outcome of a simple convergence of existing national regimes but rather reflects the expanding Europeanization of gender politics. As such the EU can be conceptualized as a forth regime type with its own policies, institutional features, and mechanisms. Recent literature on Europeanization helps theorize the differences between the national and the EU level on this issue.
Rotavirus outbreak on a pediatric oncology floor: possible association with toys.

Abstract Background: Several outbreaks of rotavirus gastroenteritis have occurred in hospitals and day care centers. In the spring of 1997, an outbreak of rotavirus occurred on our pediatric unit. Aggressive infection control measures were instituted, and potential lapses in infection control were assessed. Methods: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is a 434-bed cancer hospital in New York City. The pediatric unit is a 42-bed ward with both bone marrow transplant patients and non–bone marrow transplant oncology patients. Nosocomially acquired rotavirus was defined as diarrhea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal upset with onset 48 hours or more after hospital admission, accompanied by a positive enzyme immunoassay for rotavirus antigen. Results: Between February 24 and April 4, 1997, 8 patients on the pediatric unit had nosocomial rotavirus. Aggressive infection control measures were instituted. Patients with rotavirus were cohorted and placed on contact precautions (strict handwashing, gloves, and gown). Investigation by the infection control team revealed that communal toys in the playroom were not being cleaned according to the weekly protocol. Conclusions: An outbreak of nosocomial rotavirus occurred on our pediatric oncology unit. Shared toys may have served as fomites in the transmission of rotavirus. (AJIC Am J Infect Control 2000;28:378-80)
Scaling and mechanics of carnivoran footpads reveal the principles of footpad design

In most mammals, footpads are what first strike ground with each stride. Their mechanical properties therefore inevitably affect functioning of the legs; yet interspecific studies of the scaling of locomotor mechanics have all but neglected the feet and their soft tissues. Here we determine how contact area and stiffness of footpads in digitigrade carnivorans scale with body mass in order to show how footpads’ mechanical properties and size covary to maintain their functional integrity. As body mass increases across several orders of magnitude, we find the following: (i) foot contact area does not keep pace with increasing body mass; therefore pressure increases, placing footpad tissue of larger animals potentially at greater risk of damage; (ii) but stiffness of the pads also increases, so the tissues of larger animals must experience less strain; and (iii) total energy stored in hindpads increases slightly more than that in the forepads, allowing additional elastic energy to be returned for greater propulsive efficiency. Moreover, pad stiffness appears to be tuned across the size range to maintain loading regimes in the limbs that are favourable for long-bone remodelling. Thus, the structural properties of footpads, unlike other biological support-structures, scale interspecifically through changes in both geometry and material properties, rather than geometric proportions alone, and do so with consequences for both maintenance and operation of other components of the locomotor system.
Future Issues in Adult Education: A Review of the Literature of the Seventies

The adult education and related literature was reviewed for the decade of 1970 in order to delineate the predominant future issues that emerge from that period. Based on conference proceedings, surveys, action-inquiry forums, investigations and informed opinion, the predominant program areas that included significant future issues were those of education for work and leisure, education for aging, health education, continuing professional education, education for social and civic responsibility, education for personal adaptation, education for functional competency and education for teachers of adults. Substantive issues also emerged regarding future delivery modalities. Reflected throughout was a view of adult learning ventures as potential vehicles for solving complex individual and social problems.The following conclusions were drawn: (1) Denial of the deleterious effects of change is apparent; (2) A consideration of global issues, as appropriate content for adult education intervention, is limited; (3)...
Geophone differencing to attenuate horizontally propagating noise

Geophone differencing is a matter of taking the difference of the output response of two geophone elements that are vertically separated by a small distance. The primary purpose of this technique is to attenuate all horizontally propagating energy, such as ground roll, regardless of whether propagation is in line with the shot or out of the plane. The objective is met because horizontally propagating energy is received by the two elements in‐phase and is subtracted out. Vertically propagating energy, however, is slightly phase shifted due to the element separation. Differencing, rather than cancellation, results. The response operator of differencing depends upon several factors: (1) the vertical separation distance of the geophone elements; (2) the propagational velocity in the ground adjacent to and between the elements; (3) the distance of the upper element from the free surface; (4) the reflectivity of the free surface; and (5) the amplitude response of the lower geophone element relative to the respo...
APLASTIC ANÆMIA: EVIDENCE FOR AN IMMUNOLOGICAL MECHANISM

The soft agar culture assay (C.F.U.-C) has been used in vitro as a measure of haemopoietic capacity of bone-marrow. In a patient with aplastic anaemia pretreatment of the patient's bone-marrow with horse anti-human-thymocyte globulin and complement (A.T.G. + C) prior to culture led to a dramatic increase in ability to form colonies in the soft agar assay; and co-culturing marrow from a normal donor and from the patient resulted in a distinct reduction in the number of expected C.F.U.-C. These findings point ot an immunological or autoimmune mechanism in this patient by selective destruction of the suppressing cells in the patient's marrow with A.T.G. and by suppression of normal myelopoiesis following addition of the patient's marrow to normal marrow.
Modulating the electrical conductivity of metal–organic framework films with intercalated guest π-systems

The access to electroactive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and the ability to manipulate their electrical properties with external stimuli are vital for the realization of MOF-based electronic and photonic devices. To this end, we have constructed a new blue colored pillared-paddlewheel (PPW) MOF, namely BMOF composed of redox-active N,N′-bis(4-pyridyl)-2,6-dipyrrolidyl naphthalenediimide (BPDPNDI) pillars and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis-(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (TCPB) struts, and grown stable, uniform BMOF films on ZnO substrates via a bottom-up method for device integration and testing. The electrical conductivity (σ) of BMOF films is ca. 6 × 10−5 S m−1 (25 °C), which surges up to 2.3 × 10−3 S m−1 upon infiltration of π-acidic methyl viologen (MV2+) guests, but remains unaffected by large C60 molecules that are size excluded. These results demonstrate for the first time that the conductivity of MOFs can be fine-tuned by complementary guest π-systems that can promote long-range electron delocalization by forming extended π-stacks with the redox-active ligands.
DD17: Keiner will gut drauf sein! (März 2006)

Im Fernsehen! Da war ich das erste Mal. Mein IBM-Arbeitskollege nebenan arbeitete gerade in Dubai, schaltete dort im Hotel die Deutsche Welle ein und sah seinen Schreibtisch in Mannheim – und mich! Wie langweilig! Aber fur mich war es aufregend. Besonders das deutsche Wesen drum herum.
Fractionation of heparin-derived oligosaccharides by gradient polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis.

Heparin-derived oligosaccharides, prepared by using flavobacterial heparinase, having a high degree of heterogeneity (sequence variability) were resolved into sharp well-defined bands by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The use of a stacking gel and a high-density-pore-gradient resolving gel was primarily responsible for the success of this separation. Low-Mr standards of known structure and having a degree of polymerization (dp) 2-6 were used to establish that the separation on gradient PAGE was primarily dependent on molecular size. High-Mr oligosaccharides (dp 8-20) were prepared using strong-anion-exchange h.p.l.c. and were used to help characterize the gradient PAGE separation. Kinetic profiles were obtained for the depolymerization of heparin and heparan sulphate with heparinase and heparitinase respectively. The utility of this approach in sequencing oligosaccharides derived from glycosaminoglycans is discussed.
Adaptation of Escherichia Coli Spheroplasts to the Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptides

With activity against a broad range of microorganisms and low susceptibility to the resistance mechanisms developed by multidrug resistant organisms, naturally-occurring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have the potential to serve as effective antimicrobial agents to combat the ever-increasing number of antibiotic-resistant illnesses. In addition to various spectroscopic measurements, antimicrobial activity assays, and molecular modeling, the mechanisms of action of novel AMPs can be further characterized using confocal microscopy. This imaging technique utilizes fluorescently-labeled peptides or fluorophore-containing peptide conjugates to examine the localization of antimicrobial peptides in bacterial cells, providing insight into a peptide's mechanism of action. However, the small size and the rod shape of bacteria make it difficult to acquire clear and conclusive images to determine the localization of the peptide in the bacterial cell. The present study focuses on the adaptation of Escherichia coli spheroplasts, which are spherical and at least four times larger than normal bacteria, as a model for the characterization of the mechanisms of action of AMPs. The larger size of the spheroplasts increases the ease of focusing on the target and allows clearer images with increased resolution and more convincing evidence of peptide localization. The spherical shape of the spheroplasts allows for equivalent images to be taken from any angle of the sample. During the optimization process for this approach, we found that the presence of the stabilizing agent, divalent magnesium cation, affects the translocation of cell-penetrating AMPs. Ongoing work is focused on finding a suitable replacement for magnesium in spheroplast stabilization. The successful adaptation of E. coli spheroplasts protocols with confocal microscopy will allow the system to be used for the further characterization of a wide variety of molecules, including AMPs and other cell-penetrating, non-antimicrobial peptides.
Analysis of holes and grooves defect of 2A12 aluminium alloy friction stir welding

Friction stir welding(FSW) is a new solid welding technique,which makes use of the heat to intenerate the local material when the high-rotating welding tool cut in the work piece.It can join many materials reliably which are difficult to weld by using conventional fusion techniques.The process of FSW is simple with well applicability.This paper studied on the holes and grooves defect of the 2A12 aluminium alloy welding lines for FSW,expounded why the defects occurred and what may affect them.
Simultaneous determination of 4 endogenous androgens and progestogens in urine by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Objective To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 4 endogenous androgens( testosterone and androstenedione) and progestogens( progesterone and 21α-hydroxy progesterone) in urine by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry( UPLC-MS / MS). Methods 1. 0 ml urine sample was hydrolyzed by β-glucuronidase and purified by C18solid phase extraction cartridge,then endogenous steroid hormones were separated with mobile phase of methanol and water containing 10 mmol / L ammonium acetate in gradient elution mode on UPLC C18column,ionized with electrospray ion source in positive ion mode,detected with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode( MRM),and quantified by internal standard calibration curve method. Results Four endogenous hormones showed good linearity with correlation coefficients from 0. 992 to 0. 9995 in the concentration range between 0. 1 ng / ml and 100 ng / ml. The limits of detection( LODs) were from 0. 06 ng / ml to 0. 12 ng / ml based on the 3-time baseline noise. The average recoveries varied between 99. 4% and 111. 6% with relative standard deviations from 3. 2% to 14. 7% at spiked concentrations of 1 ng / ml and 5 ng / ml. This analytical method was successfully applied to the analysis of endogenous hormones in real urine samples. Conclusion The method was rapid,sensitive,accurate and suitable for determination of the above 4 endogenous steroid hormones in urine.
G51(P) Parenteral nutrition during cancer treatment in children: A retrospective study to describe the demographics of typical recipients of parenteral nutrition to aid preparedness and inform future best management

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is often used to support children through cancer treatment. Most commonly TPN is necessary due to chemotherapy-induced feeding intolerance but may also be needed in other situations such as sepsis. However, parenteral nutrition (PN) is not without its own risks in this vulnerable group of patients. This study aimed to describe demographically the typical patients who require nutritional support with PN during the course of their chemotherapy due to difficulties taking food enterally. With this information clinicians would be better placed to predict, at the start of chemotherapy treatment, which children will go on to require PN; ultimately this could allow for pre-emptive management of these patients with naso-jejunal tube placement and enteral feeding, forgoing the need for PN. A retrospective study was carried out using patient treatment data from electronic and paper records; all patients at one regional oncology treatment centre within a 27-month period who had required PN were included. These 44 patients had a total of 61 discrete episodes on PN. For context, data for patients on cancer treatment in the same period who did not have PN were collected also. Episodes of PN were divided into three groups according to length – 5 days or fewer, 6–27 days or 28 days or more. These groups and cumulative patient days on PN were then evaluated with oncology diagnosis, age, gender, and the chemotherapeutic agents received prior to the episode of PN. We conclude firstly that PN is generally being used appropriately – we considered that those patients who received 5 or fewer days of PN could have been managed with enteral feeding, but these made up just 13% of episodes. Prolonged periods of PN of more than 28 days are not common. Secondly it is clear to see that certain oncological diagnoses and chemotherapeutic agents make a patient very much more likely to require support with PN. This information would be invaluable for clinicians in preparing patients and families for treatment and more effectively managing nutrition in these children. Expanding this further to a larger, multi-centre study would give more robust data.
An existential function of evil: The effects of religiosity and compromised meaning on belief in magical evil forces

In three studies, we tested the assertion that the need for meaning motivates belief in magical evil forces. Believing that there are magical evil forces at work in the world, though unpleasant, may contribute to perceptions of meaning in life as the existence of such forces supports a broader meaning-providing religious worldview. We assessed religiosity, measured (Study 1) or manipulated (Study 2) perceptions of meaning, and assessed the extent to which participants attributed a murderer’s actions to magical evil causes (e.g., having a dark soul). Low levels of perceived meaning or experimentally threatened meaning were associated with a greater tendency to make magical evil attributions, but only among individuals reporting high levels of religiosity. In Study 3, we assessed religiosity, experimentally threatened perceptions of meaning, and measured general belief in magical evil forces. Meaning threat increased belief in magical evil, but only among those reporting high levels of religiosity.
Progress in the Efficiency of Free-Space Microwave Power Transmission*

ABSTRACTRecent developments in rectenna design and microwave beam launching have increased the ratio of the dc power output from the rectifier at the receiving point to the rf power input to the transmitting antenna from 0.41 to 0.60. The efficiency of microwave beam launching has been improved through the use of the dual-mode horn which has exceptionally low power loss in its side lobes. Improvement in the efficiency at the receiving point has resulted from increased capture efficiency of the rectenna.
Microwave feed systems for NASA's beam-waveguide reflector antennas

The major features of a beam waveguide (BWG) antenna and the variety of feed system configurations that can be used with this type of antenna are described. The first BWG antenna built by NASA (DSS 13), and its microwave feed systems and their major components, such as the low noise amplifiers, passive microwave components, and the frequency selective mirrors used for multiple frequency operation or diplexing purpose, are discussed. >
Abstract 54: Overexpression of Glutathione Peroxidase-1 Protects Mice from Aging-Related Enhancement of Experimental Thrombosis and Platelet Activation

Despite a well-established clinical association between aging and thrombosis, little is known about the mechanisms by which aging increases susceptibility to thrombotic events such as stroke, myocardial infarction, and deep venous thrombosis. Since aging is associated with increased levels of reactive oxygen species and decreased levels of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), we tested the hypothesis that overexpression of a cellular form of Gpx (Gpx1) protects aged mice from increased thrombotic susceptibility. Susceptibility to arterial thrombosis was first examined in C57BL/6J mice at 4, 12, or 18 months of age. The time to stable occlusion after photochemical injury of the carotid artery was significantly shortened in both 12 and 18 month old mice compared to 4 month old mice (P<0.01). To examine the protective role of Gpx1, transgenic mice overexpressing Gpx1 (Gpx1 Tg mice) were studied. Unlike wild type littermates, no shortening of the time to occlusion of the carotid artery was see...
Bridges to care: Results from a novel cancer outreach initiative.

6571 Background: Disparities in incidence and mortality for ethnic minorities have been described for a multitude of cancers, yet few interventions have been established in underserved areas. This ...
Basic training in sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy is sufficient to produce successful results

1693 Objectives: Lymphatic mapping with sentinel node biopsy is currently being used at most institutions for staging patients with cutaneous melanoma and breast cancer without the morbidity associated with elective lymph node dissection. Identification and subsequent surgical removal of occult metastases before the development of clinical disease may improve survival in these patients. Success in finding the sentinel node relies on the successful injection technique of the radiotracer. We evaluated whether a physician’s case experience with the sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy injection technique might affect the successful identification of the sentinel node(s) and the time it takes for the visualization. Methods: To achieve the required level of training for successful performance of sentinel lymph node scintigraphy, physicians who were not familiar with the test underwent systematic training for the injection technique used in sentinel node scintigraphy. They must demonstrate technical competence in its performance. The training protocol included reading an instruction manual and performance of two patient studies. A consecutive cohort of 68 patients during a 10-month period who had undergone sentinel lymph node localization and biopsy for cutaneous melanoma (n: 55) and breast cancer (n: 13) was retrospectively analyzed. Two areas were studied: success in finding the sentinel node(s) and the duration of the imaging in minutes needed for a successful localization. These parameters were compared for Group-1, the studies performed by an experienced nuclear medicine resident, and Group-2, rotating radiology residents. The statistical significance levels were determined. Results: Six radiology residents injected 35, and the 2 NM resident injected 20 patients with melanoma. The radiology residents injected 4/13 patients with breast cancer. The sentinel node(s) were successfully identified in 93% of the patients (63/68) studied. Of the 5 patients with non-visualized SLNs, 3 had melanoma and 2 had breast cancer. The radiology residents injected 3 of these 5 and the NMresidenst injected 2 of them. The mean ± SD SLNs visualization time in minutes was 23 ± 33 for the radiology residents, and 26 ± 31 minutes for the NM residents. The non-visualization rates and SLNs visualization time were not different between two groups, with p values of 0.66 and 0.61 respectively. Conclusions: Sentinel node lymphoscintigraphy has a high localization rate, which can be achieved with basic training of the physicians performing the tests. The number of patients previously studied does not affect the physician’s ability to visualize the sentinel node or the time that it takes for the SLN localization.
A quantitative metric for knee osteoarthritis: reference values of joint space loss.

Summary Objectives Knee osteoarthritis (OA) onset and progression has been defined with transitions in Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade or Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) Joint Space Narrowing (JSN) grade. We quantitatively describe one-year transitions in KL grade and JSN, using fixed joint space width (fJSW), among knees with or at risk of OA. Methods Radiographic assessments from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) were used to identify transitions in KLG and JSN grade between consecutive annual visits. The fJSW was measured in the medial and lateral compartments. The distribution of change in fJSW for KLG and JSN transitions were described, and mean change in fJSW was estimated using mixed models. Results KL grade and JSN scores were available for about 20,000 annual transitions from 6047 knees contributed by 3389 participants. Knees that remained stable in KL or OARSI-JSN over 1 year had mean medial fJSW loss between −0.06 and −0.19 mm/year. Transition from KL grade 0 to 1, 0 to 2, and KL 1 to 2 were similar with respect to mean medial fJSW loss (0.18–0.28 mm). Greatest annual changes in medial fJSW corresponded to KL 0 to 3 (1.62 mm), KL 2 to 4 (1.23 mm) and JSN 0 to 2 (1.85 mm). Conclusions Anchoring quantitatively measured loss of joint space width to transitions in KL grade and JSN provides reference values based on traditional definitions of knee OA onset and progression.
Effect of Measurement Error and Instrument Bias on Operating Characteristics for Variables Sampling Plans

The effect of measurement error on the operating characteristics of one-sided (normal distribution) variables sampling plans is discussed. A table showing the effect on the operating characteristic curves for the proportion nonconforming is given in ter..
Trace Element Analysis, Model-Based Clustering and Flushing to Prevent Drinking Water Contamination in Public Schools

Drinking water samples taken from cafeteria sinks and water fountains in each of the 76 schools in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS) district (North Carolina, United States) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS) to determine As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, Se and Tl. All samples from currently active schools tested below the maximum contaminant level (MCL) set for each element. Model-based clustering was employed to identify schools more prone to drinking water contamination. This multivariate approach may be used in a prevention program that can be tailored to specific school districts, with each school tested at a frequency compatible with its contamination risk level. Water flow stagnation during the summer break results in higher elemental concentrations in school drinking water, but a simple 5-60 min flushing procedure significantly reduces the contamination levels.
Factors Associated With Sputum Culture-Negative vs Culture-Positive Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Importance Recognition of active tuberculosis (TB) in its earliest stages could reduce morbidity and prevent advancement to transmissible disease. Little is published about the occurrence and presentation of sputum culture-negative pulmonary TB (PTB), an early paucibacillary but often underrecognized disease state. Objective To assess differences between culture-negative and culture-positive PTB regarding occurrence, clinical presentation, radiographic findings, demographics, and comorbidities. Design, Setting, and Participants Cross-sectional study in which surveillance data of adult patients with PTB reported to the New York City Department of Health in New York, New York, from 2011 through 2013, ie, years for which demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were collected. Patients were aged 18 years or older, had signs of pulmonary disease, and had mycobacterial sputum culture results; those with HIV coinfection or a TB diagnosis within 2 years prior to presentation were excluded. Culture-negative PTB was defined as clinical and radiographic presentation consistent with TB, 3 negative results on sputum culture, and improvement with antituberculous treatment. The analyses were performed between 2015 and 2016; notably, the proportion of reported patients with culture-negative PTB has remained consistent during the past 2 decades. Main Outcomes and Measures The occurrence of culture-negative PTB among all patients with PTB was calculated, and demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, and radiographic findings were compared between culture-negative and culture-positive PTB. Results Of the 796 patients with PTB (median [interquartile range] age, 41 [29-54] years; 499 [63%] men) who met criteria for analysis, 116 (15%) had negative results on sputum culture. Patients with culture-negative PTB compared with culture-positive PTB were less frequently male (53% vs 64%;P = .03) and presented with a significantly lower frequency of cough (68% vs 89%;P Conclusions and Relevance Given the lack of criterion-standard test confirmation and the relative paucity of symptoms and radiological abnormalities, culture-negative PTB is likely underdiagnosed and its occurrence underestimated globally. Awareness of these findings, enhanced diagnostic approaches, and, ideally, better biomarkers could improve detection and treatment of this early disease and reduce the development of transmissible TB.
Synthesis of Substituted 3,9‐Diazaspiro[5.5]undecanes via Spirocyclization of Pyridine Substrates.

Formation of the desired spiro products is achieved with in situ activation of ester (II) followed by intermolecular addition of the tethered β-dicarbonyl.
Constrained urban aspirations: Development, structural precarity and inequalities within Thai migration:

This work foregrounds changing state development policies in Thailand as a way to consider the complex drivers and motivations within internal migration. Using uncertain outcomes of state developme...
True Stress Calculation for Tension Tests Prior to Necking

In determining true stresses prior to necking, the relationship usually employed is σ, =, S, (, 1, +, e, ), , , , . The derivation of this expression involves approximating the gage section volume as being constant. However, this approximation is not necessary. A more exact but implicit relationship for σ is developed and compared with the traditional expression.
An Eye-Tracking Evaluation of Gauge Shapes in Process Control:

Operators monitor gauge shapes in control room displays to maintain the status of the refinery control process within normal limits. To test if shapes currently used by operators are effectively de...