cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a health system-wide pharmacist-driven emergency department laboratory follow-up and antimicrobial management program

Abstract Background Emergency Department (ED) follow-up programs ensure that cultures, laboratory studies, and empiric antimicrobials are appropriately managed post-discharge. We sought to provide a comprehensive assessment of a pharmacist-driven laboratory follow-up process in a large, integrated health system. Methods A retrospective, observational review of 13 EDs was conducted. Patients were included if they had a laboratory study sent from the ED between December 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018 that did not result while the patient was in the ED. Microbiology results analyzed were urine, wound, respiratory, stool, throat, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis, and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Examples of laboratory results assessed were metabolic panels and drug levels. The primary objective was to quantify the number of interventions made by pharmacists. Results During a 6-month period, pharmacists reviewed 9107 microbiology results and 6211 laboratory results. The majority of results were urine cultures (3998, 50.6%) followed by STI results (1198, 15.2%). Of 7663 encounters, 39.8% required interventions and/or follow-up with a total of 3049 interventions made and 3333 patients educated. The most common interventions were initiation of therapy (1629, 53.4%), change in medication (505, 16.6%), and follow-up with a clinician (322, 10.6%). Pharmacists reviewed microbiology results and completed interventions in a median of 25.3 h from the time the result was received in the electronic health record. Conclusion Almost 40% of ED encounters required an intervention after discharge. A pharmacist led laboratory follow-up program is an important adjunct to facilitating stewardship and culture management in the ED.
Liquid–Solid Mixtures of Ga Metal Infused with Cu Microparticles and Nanoparticles for Microscale and Nanoscale Patterning of Solid Metals at Room Temperature

This paper demonstrates and characterizes a simple ink for nanopatterning of solid metallic structures under ambient conditions by taking advantage of the low melting point of gallium and its affin...
Identification of a filamentous form of kunitz protease inhibitor in Asteraceae

Filamentous structures were observed in purified extracts from chrysanthemum, gerbera, sunflower and zinnia. When purified filament proteins were subjected to SDS-PAGE, the major protein associated with filaments from all three species has an apparent molecular mass of {approx}25 kDa. Protein bands from chrysanthemum, gerbera, and zinnia were subjected to N-terminal protein sequencing while proteins from sunflower were sequenced by CID MS/MS. All of the sequences shared highest similarity to the kunitz trypsin inhibitor family. The sequencing results indicated that the proteins lacked the signal sequences. We tested the gerbera filament protein for glycosylation and found that it was a glycoprotein. Together these results indicate that the filaments are composed of mature KTI protein. This is the first report of a KTI assembling into filaments and the first report of a filament forming Asteraceae enzyme.
Liquid assets for soft electronics.

Liquid-metal networks have been developed that can be stretched to extreme deformations with minimal change in electrical resistance, ushering in approaches for breathable and integrated soft and stretchable electronic devices.
Biological Nitrate Removal With Emerald Ash Borer-Killed Ash and High-Tannin Oak Woodchips

Two common tree species, ash (Fraxinus sp.) and oak (Quercus sp.), could provide readily available media for denitrifying bioreactors that use wood-based carbon for biological nitrate treatment. However, it is not known if the wood from Emerald Ash Borer-killed (EAB-killed) ash trees is an effective carbon source for nitrate removal compared to other wood species or if the high-tannin nature of oak inhibits denitrification potential. This lab-scale study showed that EAB-killed ash woodchips did not significantly differ in nitrate removal or denitrification potential compared to a commercially available blend of hardwood chips. However, neither treatment performed as well as oak woodchips in these metrics. Use of high-tannin oak in bioreactors is currently restricted by a federal standard in the United States. Ash woodchips beneficially exhibited the lowest nitrous oxide production potential, and their dissolved phosphorus leaching fell within the range of other woodchip types. Emerald ash borer-killed ash wood could be an effective source for denitrifying bioreactors located within affected regions and oak woodchips merit additional investigation for the application of denitrifying bioreactors.
P transposable elements in Drosophila and other eukaryotic organisms

P transposable elements were discovered in Drosophila as the causative agents of a syndrome of genetic traits called hybrid dysgenesis. Hybrid dysgenesis exhibits a unique pattern of maternal inheritance linked to the germline-specific small RNA piwi-interacting (piRNA) pathway. The use of P transposable elements as vectors for gene transfer and as genetic tools revolutionized the field of Drosophila molecular genetics. P element transposons have served as a useful model to investigate mechanisms of cut-and-paste transposition in eukaryotes. Biochemical studies have revealed new and unexpected insights into how eukaryotic DNA-based transposons are mobilized. For example, the P element transposase makes unusual 17nt-3' extended double-strand DNA breaks at the transposon termini and uses guanosine triphosphate (GTP) as a cofactor to promote synapsis of the two transposon ends early in the transposition pathway. The N-terminal DNA binding domain of the P element transposase, called a THAP domain, contains a C2CH zinc-coordinating motif and is the founding member of a large family of animal-specific site-specific DNA binding proteins. Over the past decade genome sequencing efforts have revealed the presence of P element-like transposable elements or P element transposase-like genes (called THAP9) in many eukaryotic genomes, including vertebrates, such as primates including humans, zebrafish and Xenopus, as well as the human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, the sea squirt Ciona, sea urchin and hydra. Surprisingly, the human and zebrafish P element transposase-related THAP9 genes promote transposition of the Drosophila P element transposon DNA in human and Drosophila cells, indicating that the THAP9 genes encode active P element "transposase" proteins.
Characterizing the response of galloping energy harvesters using actual wind statistics

Abstract In this paper, we incorporate actual wind statistics into the response of galloping energy harvesters and shed light onto the influence of the wind probability distribution on the average power as compared to the deterministic scenario. Specifically, we obtain an expression for the average output power of the harvester as a function of the wind statistical averages, which are, in turn, obtained by fitting wind data using a Weibull Probability Density Function (PDF). The resulting expression is then used to demonstrate that knowledge of the actual PDF is essential for correct power predictions as well as for accurate electric load optimization. We discuss the influence of the wind direction on the average output power and show that the direction of the prevailing wind is not necessarily the ideal direction to maximize the average power.
Policy Analysis Reaches Midlife

The field of policy analysis that exists in the 21st century is quite different from that found earlier phases. The world of the 1960s that gave rise to this field in the US often seems unrelated to the world we experience today. These shifts have occurred as a result of a range of developments – technological changes, changes in the structure and processes of government both internally and globally, new expectations about accountability and transparency, economic and fiscal problems, and increased political and ideological conflict. It is clear globalization has had a significant impact on the field. Shifts in the type of decisionmaking also have created challenges for policy analysts since analysts are now clearly in every nook and cranny in the decisionmaking world. Thus it is relevant to look at the work that they do, the skills that they require, and the background experience that is relevant to them.
DELINEATING SUBTYPES OF SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIOR MAINTAINED BY AUTOMATIC REINFORCEMENT

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is maintained by automatic reinforcement in roughly 25% of cases. Automatically reinforced SIB typically has been considered a single functional category, and is less understood than socially reinforced SIB. Subtyping automatically reinforced SIB into functional categories has the potential to guide the development of more targeted interventions and increase our understanding of its biological underpinnings. The current study involved an analysis of 39 individuals with automatically reinforced SIB and a comparison group of 13 individuals with socially reinforced SIB. Automatically reinforced SIB was categorized into 3 subtypes based on patterns of responding in the functional analysis and the presence of self-restraint. These response features were selected as the basis for subtyping on the premise that they could reflect functional properties of SIB unique to each subtype. Analysis of treatment data revealed important differences across subtypes and provides preliminary support to warrant additional research on this proposed subtyping model.
Reconstruction of Areolar Projection Using a Purse-String Suture Technique.

Background: Nipple–areolar complex creation is the last step in the breast reconstruction process and plays a significant role in patients’ overall satisfaction. Although numerous surgical techniques have been described to create the nipple, very few procedures address the natural contour of the areola.
Skin Blood Flow in Atopic Dermatitis

Persons with atopic dermatitis are thought to have disturbances in the “tone” and the reactivity of cutaneous vessels. Alteration in vascular tone are suggested by observations that atopic individuals have fingertip temperatures which are lower than normal (1, 2, and 3). Alteration in vascular reactivity is suggested by the frequent occurrence of white dermographism (4, 5, and 6), delayed blanching following intracutaneous injection of acetylcholine (6, 7) or mecholyl (8, 9) or the topical application of nicotinic acid esters (10, 11, and 12), the occasional absence of “flare” in the histamine test (11, 12, and 13) and the finding that fingertip temperature of atopic individuals falls more rapidly in a cold room and rises more slowly in a warm room than does that of a normal person (2, 13).
On the design of high performance spiral inductors for communication system in a package (CSIP)

This paper presents the fabrication and characterization of high performance spiral inductors with a magnetic core on glass substrates. The porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes with average pore diameter of 70 nm and thickness of 18 µm were fabricated and electroplated with Ni to serve as a magnetic core for spiral inductors. The 3.5 turns spiral inductors were fabricated on Ni-AAO membranes by using standard photolithography and Cu electroplating processes. The fabricated spiral inductors has a dimension of 1370 µm × 1010 µm with 5µm thickness, 15 µm trace width, 15 µm spacing, 400 µm outer diameter, and 220 µm inner diameter. The RF characterization of spiral inductors was performed over a frequency range of 1 – 20 GHz. The inductance of spiral inductors with a magnetic core was measured to be 10.12 nH and enhanced 21% at 5 GHz compared to an air core of the same coil size. The quality factor of 14.48 was obtained at 5 GHz. The AAO template with ferromagnetic nanowires promises a great potential in serving as a magnetic core for fabrication of high performance spiral inductors for CSIP.
Parent and child attitudinal factors in a model of children's print‐concept knowledge

The present study investigates the role of attitudinal variables, such as children's literacy interest and parents’ reading beliefs, in conjunction with home literacy activities (HLA), in predicting children's print-concept knowledge. The objective of the study is to test a theoretical model describing the relationship among these variables. This study involved 551 low-income preschool children. Structural equation modelling was used to test the model. The model was a good fit for the data when parental teaching of reading/writing was used as the measure of HLA. In the model, negative parent reading beliefs and parent teaching predicted print-concept knowledge. Results suggest that practitioners should consider not only the literacy activities children and parents participate in, but also their attitudes towards those activities.
Procalcitonin and infection in elderly patients.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the usefulness of procalcitonin (PCT) in detecting infection in elderly patients with that of other clinical and biological markers. DESIGN: Prospective observational study to compare PCT levels in infected and uninfected patients. SETTING: Geriatric teaching hospital in Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred eighteen elderly patients aged 75 and older admitted to an acute geriatric care unit. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, Charlson index, general signs (respiratory rate, temperature, pulse rate, confusion, falls, shivering), presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, functional score (Functional Independence Measurement (FIM)) biological parameters (PCT, C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocytes, albumin), and definite diagnosis at admission were collected prospectively for each patient. RESULTS: Long-term corticotherapy, chronic immune diseases, fever of 38 degrees C or higher, white blood cell count, pulse rate, FIM, SIRS, sepsis, CRP of 3 mg/mL or higher, and PCT of 0.5 ng/mL or higher were associated with an infection at admission. In multivariate analysis, only sepsis and CRP of 3 mg/mL or higher were still associated with an infection; PCT levels do not show any significant association in the multivariate analysis. In addition, when PCT had good specificity (94%), it had low sensitivity (24%). False-negative PCT was related to lower severity of infection (lower inflammatory reaction and lower acute renal failure) than true-positive PCT. This finding may also be related to aging per se. CONCLUSION: PCT may be useful to identify severely ill elderly patients admitted to an acute geriatric ward but not to discriminate patients with infection from those without.
Characteristics of long wavelength quantum dots lasers

In this paper characteristics of long wavelength quantum dots lasers is discussed. Small signal modulation response was measured at room temperature under CW biasing condition with a network analyzer (HP8510), a high speed InGaAs photodetector, and a low-noise amplifier.
Formally defining and verifying master/slave speculative parallelization

Master/Slave Speculative Parallelization (MSSP) is a new execution paradigm that decouples the issues of performance and correctness in microprocessor design and implementation. MSSP uses a fast, not necessarily correct, master processor to speculatively split a program into tasks, which are executed independently and concurrently on slower, but correct, slave processors. This work reports on the first steps in our efforts to formally validate that overall correctness can be achieved in MSSP despite a lack of correctness guarantees in its performance-critical parts. We describe three levels of an abstract model for MSSP, each refining the next and each preserving equivalence to a sequential machine. Equivalence is established in terms of a jumping refinement, a notion we introduce to describe equivalence at specific places of interest in the code. We also report on experiences and insights gained from this exercise. In particular, we show how formalizing MSSP facilitated a deeper understanding of performance-correctness decoupling and its attendant trade-offs, all key features of the MSSP paradigm. Moreover, formalization revealed all assumptions underpinning correctness, which, being specified abstractly, can be understood in an implementation-independent way. We found these results so valuable that we plan to advance MSSP's formalization in parallel with its subsequent design iterations.
HYPOXIC BRAIN CELLS LOSE THEIR INHIBITIONS

![Figure][1] The brain is the most energy hungry organ in mammals, and more than 95% of the ATP it consumes is normally derived from aerobic respiration; up to 40-50% of this energy is used by neurons just to drive ion pumps. Thus a fall in oxygen levels (hypoxia) can rapidly deplete ATP
Self-esteem and health behavior: Theoretic and empirical links

Abstract Self-esteem has been the focus of research studies attempting to link psychologic factors to health. Lack of clarity in the definition of self-esteem has made interpretation of research findings difficult. Refining the definition of self-esteem may clarify theoretic and empirical links.
Patterns of historical eruptions at Hawaiian volcanoes

Abstract Hawaiian eruptions are largely random phenomena displaying no periodicity; that is, future eruptions are relatively independent of the date of the last eruption. Several simultaneous processes probably govern eruption timing so that it appears random. I have performed statistical tests for nonrandomness on the repose times between eruptions and on the sequence of event types. Statistical differences that have physical consequences exist between large and small eruptions, summit and flank eruptions, and intrusive and extrusive events. Thus, large-volume eruptions tend to be followed by longer reposes as shallow magma reservoirs refill. On Kilauea, both summit eruptions and rapid intrusions tend to cluster at times associated with other physical events on the volcano. The longest recorded reposes of both Kilauea and Mauna Loa apparently are not random phenomena, for they appear to be associated with increased activity at the other volcano. Both eruption rates and volumes are consistent with a constant but alternating magma supply to the two volcanoes and an approximately five-fold larger magma reservoir at Mauna Loa than at Kilauea.
Malfunction of a double-balloon carotid shunt as a result of herniation of the proximal balloon

Abstract Successful use of a shunt during carotid endarterectomy presupposes the avoidance of known shunt-related complications. We report the failure of a double-balloon intraluminal carotid shunt caused by herniation of the proximal balloon over the end of the shunt resulting in obstruction of blood flow in the shunt. (J VASC SURG 1990;12:62-4.)
Placental metastasis of maternal melanoma

Metastasis of maternal malignant tumor to the products of conception is a rare event. Melanoma is the most common maternal malignant tumor to metastasize to the placenta and the fetus. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman with melanoma during pregnancy. At parturition, histologic evaluation of the placenta revealed metastatic melanoma, and multiple organ metastasis developed. The infant was free of disease. Metastasis to products of conception portends a poor prognosis for the mother. To our knowledge, this report is the first of a patient with melanoma metastasis to the placenta to survive more than 7 months after parturition. As caretakers of patients with melanoma, dermatologists are in a position to coordinate and direct the care and follow-up treatment of affected patients.
Biological effect of bright light

Abstract 1. 1. Five minute bright light exposures reduced plasma levels of melatonin in eight normal subjects. 2. 2. No significant change in ACTH levels occurred. 3. 3. These results raise the possibility that short intense light exposures can synchronize circadian rhythms as well as benefit patients with seasonal affective disorder. They also indicate that short pulses of bright light do not affect pituitary ACTH production.
In vivo Imaging of the Mouse Spinal Cord Using Two-photon Microscopy

In vivo imaging using two-photon microscopy 1 in mice that have been genetically engineered to express fluorescent proteins in specific cell types 2-3 has significantly broadened our knowledge of physiological and pathological processes in numerous tissues in vivo4-7. In studies of the central nervous system (CNS), there has been a broad application of in vivo imaging in the brain, which has produced a plethora of novel and often unexpected findings about the behavior of cells such as neurons, astrocytes, microglia, under physiological or pathological conditions 8-17. However, mostly technical complications have limited the implementation of in vivo imaging in studies of the living mouse spinal cord. In particular, the anatomical proximity of the spinal cord to the lungs and heart generates significant movement artifact that makes imaging the living spinal cord a challenging task. We developed a novel method that overcomes the inherent limitations of spinal cord imaging by stabilizing the spinal column, reducing respiratory-induced movements and thereby facilitating the use of two-photon microscopy to image the mouse spinal cord in vivo. This is achieved by combining a customized spinal stabilization device with a method of deep anesthesia, resulting in a significant reduction of respiratory-induced movements. This video protocol shows how to expose a small area of the living spinal cord that can be maintained under stable physiological conditions over extended periods of time by keeping tissue injury and bleeding to a minimum. Representative raw images acquired in vivo detail in high resolution the close relationship between microglia and the vasculature. A timelapse sequence shows the dynamic behavior of microglial processes in the living mouse spinal cord. Moreover, a continuous scan of the same z-frame demonstrates the outstanding stability that this method can achieve to generate stacks of images and/or timelapse movies that do not require image alignment post-acquisition. Finally, we show how this method can be used to revisit and reimage the same area of the spinal cord at later timepoints, allowing for longitudinal studies of ongoing physiological or pathological processes in vivo.
Morphologic effects of subtoxic neonatal chlorpyrifos exposure in developing rat brain: regionally selective alterations in neurons and glia

The widely used organophosphate insecticide, chlorpyrifos (CPF), elicits neurobehavioral teratogenesis with exposure windows ranging from the embryonic neural tube stage through postnatal development. To explore the morphologic changes occurring in late-stage exposure, newborn rats were given 5 mg/kg of CPF s.c. daily on postnatal days (PN) 11-14, a regimen that is devoid of systemic toxicity, but that elicits long-term cognitive impairment. On PN15 and 20, we examined the septal nucleus, striatum and somatosensory cortex. Across all three regions, CPF elicited a significant decrease in the number of glial cells. Superimposed on this basic pattern, there were region-specific alterations in the number and type of neurons, and neuronal perikaryal dimensions. In the septal nucleus, the CPF group exhibited an increase in the number of neurons on PN20, representing a delay in the normal maturational decline; there was a parallel decrease in the glial/neuronal ratio. In the striatum, the number of neurons per unit area was reduced in the CPF group, accompanied by perikaryal hypertrophy, as evidenced by an increase in the average neuronal cell diameter. In the somatosensory cortex, the distribution of cell sizes indicated a decrease in the proportion of small, nonpyramidal cells. Thus, there are subtle morphological changes in the juvenile rat brain after neonatal CPF exposure that are detectable with quantitative analysis and that correlate with later emergence of behavioral alterations. Furthermore, the current findings support the hypothesis that CPF interferes with gliogenesis, a relatively late event in brain development; accordingly, the vulnerable period for adverse effects of CPF is likely to extend into childhood or adolescence.
Hypertext as instructional design

In this article, hypertext is compared with instructional design principles and processes. Contrary to initial perceptions, hypertext can be considered to be theoretically and operationally consistent with instructional design in that both share theoretical foundations in cognitive and systems theory and practical elements of learning environment design. The ability to tailor and extend the functionality of hypertext systems makes them powerful environments for authoring, designing, and displaying most instructional designs. Hypertext systems also can combine the roles of designer and learner by creating a collaborative environment in which the learner can annotate, amend, or author both content and structural elements of the hypertext.
Silicon and silicon-copper composite nanorods for anodes of Li-ion rechargeable batteries

Abstract We investigate the anode performance of Si-based nanorods by tuning its composition using an oblique (co)deposition technique. Our results show that pure Si nanorods have a higher initial anodic capacity of 1500 mAh g−1, but the capacity diminishes after 50 cycles due to the morphological change and pulverization. By introducing approximately 70 at.% Cu into Si nanorods, the Si–Cu composite nanorods demonstrate 500 mAh g−1 of capacity sustainable in 100 cycles, which is attributed to the flexibility and improved toughness of Si–Cu composite nanorods.
Fenton-driven chemical regeneration of MTBE-spent GAC

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)-spent granular activated carbon (GAC) was chemically regenerated utilizing the Fenton mechanism. Two successive GAC regeneration cycles were performed involving iterative adsorption and oxidation processes: MTBE was adsorbed to the GAC, oxidized, re-adsorbed, oxidized, and finally re-adsorbed. Oxidant solutions comprised of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (1.7-2.0%) and FeSO4 x 7H2O (3 g/L) (pH 2.5), were recirculated through the GAC column (30% bed expansion). The regeneration efficiency after two full cycles of treatment was calculated to be 91%. The cost of H2O2 was 0.59 dollars/kg GAC (0.27 dollars/lb) per regeneration cycle. There was no loss of sorptive capacity. Small reductions in carbon surface area and pore volume were measured. The lack of carbon deterioration under aggressive oxidative conditions was attributed to the oxidation of the target contaminants relative to the oxidation of carbon surfaces. The reaction byproducts from MTBE oxidation, tertiary butanol and acetone, were also degraded and did not accumulate significantly on the GAC. Excessive accumulation of Fe on the GAC and consequent interference with MTBE sorption and carbon regeneration was controlled by monitoring and adjusting Fe in the oxidative solution.
Preliminary examination of the photoionization detector for microbore column supercritical fluid chromatography

A photoionization detector (PID) has been evaluated for its applications in supercritical fluid chromatography using microbore columns. The PID is a nondestructive detector which is sensitive to the concentration of the analyte. Thus, maximum sensitivity is obtained at low flow rates. The PID dynamic range in supercritical fluid chromatography is approximately 104, which is much smaller than in gas chromatography. Although the PID appears to complement the flame ionization detector (FID) in many respects, it should be considered of limited value in environmental trace analyses due to the large cell volume. The PID can be used with both conventional and microbore packed columns; however, the detector used in this study is not suitable in its present design for capillary SFC.
Making global news: “Freedom of speech” and “Muslim rage” in U.S. journalism

The American press began to take notice of the Danish cartoons after they began to circulate outside of Europe. The press primarily framed the events as a single problem of global interaction: an issue of ‘freedom of speech’ opposed to ‘religious sensitivity.’ Much of the coverage permitted, within limits, a plurality of voices. Drawing on a case study of stories about the ‘cartoon controversy’ in the Boston Globe, I argue that U.S. journalism is organized by a logic of objectivity that seeks to produce a ‘perspectiveless perspective on all perspectives’ (Bourdieu, On television. New York: The New Press, 1998), showing voices on ‘both sides,’ simultaneously masked and contributed to the press’s reifying a series of events into a single global ‘event,’ one that reflected a clash of Western and Islamic values.
Departures from predicted type II behavior in dirty strong-coupling superconductors

Abstract Calorimetric measurements of the Ginsburg-Landau parameters for Pb Sn and Pb Bi alloys show good agreement with the calculations of Rainer and Bergmann for κ 1 (t) κ 1 (1) . However, the calculations of Rainer and Usadel for κ 2 (t) κ 2 (1) substantially underestimate the enhancements due to strong-coupling.
Review essay: Cultural studies and rhetorical studies

BRITISH CULTURAL STUDIES: AN INTRODUCTION. By Graeme Turner. New York: Routledge, 1992; pp. 246. $39.95; paper $14.95. CRUSOE'S FOOTPRINTS: CULTURAL STUDIES IN BRITAIN AND AMERICA. By Patrick Brantlinger. New York: Routledge, 1990; xi, pp. 212. $39.50; paper $13.95. CULTURE STUDIES AS CRITICAL THEORY. By Ben Agger. Bristol, PA: The Falmer Press, 1992; vii, pp. 217. $77.00; paper $26.50. TELEVISION, AUDIENCES AND CULTURAL STUDIES. By David Morley. New York: Routledge, 1992; viii, pp. 325. $69.95; paper $16.95. THE POLITICS OF PICTURES: THE CREATION OF THE PUBLIC IN THE AGE OF POPULAR MEDIA. By John Hartley. New York: Routledge, 1992; xiii, pp. 247. $69.95; paper $16.95.
Components of fitness in a compound chromosome strain of Drosophila melanogaster

The relative net fitness of a compound chromosome strain of Drosophila melanogaster was about 0.05, compared with the chromosomally normal strain from which it was derived. Based on meiotic considerations alone, the expected relative fitness was about 0.25. There were no significant differences in fertility between the compound and normal strains; the compound strain produced about 28% as many offspring as the normal strain and developed faster than the normal strain in two replicates, and slower in one replicate. The low relative fitness of the compound strain was apparently due to assortative mating, in which normal females discriminated strongly against compound males. Implications for pest control projects are dicussed.
Epidemiological factors in the clinical identification of child sexual abuse

Abstract The main finding from epidemiological literature on child sexual abuse is that no identifiable demographic or family characteristics of a child may be used to exclude the possibility that a child has been sexually abused. Some characteristics are associated with greater risk: girls more than boys, preadolescents and early adolescents, having a stepfather, living without a natural parent, having an impaired mother, poor parenting, or witnessing family conflict. Class and ethnicity appear not to be associated with risk. In any case, none of these factors bear a strong enough relationship to the occurrence of abuse that their presence could play a confirming or disconfirming role in the identification of actual cases.
A security machanism for statistical database

The problem of user inference in statistical databases is discussed and illustrated with several examples. It is assumed that the database allows “total,” “average,” “count,” and “percentile” queries; a query may refer to any arbitrary subset of the database. Methods for protecting the security of such a database are considered; it is shown that any scheme which gives “statistically correct” answers is vulnerable to penetration. A precise definition of compromisability (in a statistical sense) is given. A general model of user inference is proposed; two special cases of this model appear to contain all previously published strategies for compromising a statistical database. A method for protecting the security of such a statistical database against these types of user inference is presented and discussed. It is shown that the number of queries required to compromise the database can be made arbitrarily large by accepting moderate increases in the variance of responses to queries. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the application of the techniques discussed.
The fauna of North American temperate cold springs: patterns and hypotheses

SUMMARY. 1. The relative abundance of six classes of macroinvertebrates in fifteen mid-Appalachian and thirteen other North American cold springs is briefly reviewed. In both surveys peracaridans, molluscs, and triclads dominated the hard-water limestone springs, whereas insects dominated the relatively acidic soft-water springs. 2. A hypothetical framework is offered to explain the dominance of non-insect taxa in hard-water limestone springs. The importance of a non-emergent lifestyle and high population densities in springs is emphasized. Some evidence is offered in support of the proposed hypotheses, but most of the testing remains to be done.
ELASTIC EXCHANGE SCATTERING AMPLITUDE STUDIED USING MAGNETIC EXAFS

Magnetic or spin-dependent extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) studies have been performed at the $K$ edges of pure Co and Ni and at the ${L}_{1,2,3}$ edges of Gd metal. Using a two-step model for the absorption process and introducing an additive-exchange contribution to the complex Coulomb scattering amplitude and the electron mean free path, an ansatz for the description of the magnetic EXAFS is derived. A parametrization of these quantities is proposed for an extraction of the spin-dependent values from the experimental data. The results for the elastic exchange scattering cross section in the energy range of 100\char21{}600 eV are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions from a Born-Ockhur approximation. The inelastic exchange scattering effects are found to be negligible.
A two- peak miscibility gap

A possible occurrence of a miscibility gap with two critical points (two peaks) is shown using a subregular solution model. As is well known, an ordinary miscibility gap is developed when elements A and B of the A-B system repel each other, i.e, the enthalpy of mixing is positive. A two-peak miscibility gap is formed when the magnitude of this positive enthalpy of mixing is slightly lowered in the intermediate composition range for some reason, such as a magnetic effect or a tendency toward (imperfectly) forming a compound. The two-peak miscibility gap will lead to a new invariant reaction involving only one type of phase (L2 ↔ L1 + L3, etc). It is likely that two-peak miscibility gaps have never been reported because their existence has not been conceived.
Insulin-metformin combination therapy in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of insulin-metformin combination therapy compared to insulin monotherapyin obese, insulin-requiring patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eighteen patients uncontrolled on > or = 70 U/day of insulin monotherapy were investigated in this prospective, open-label study. Patients continued their previous insulin and dietary regimens for 4 weeks, after which metformin was added with doses titrated to achieve a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or = 70 U of daily insulin, the addition of metformin leads to improved glycemic control with lower daily doses of insulin and without adverse effects.
Characterization of distensibility, plaque burden, and composition of the atherosclerotic carotid artery using magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose: Arterial distensibility is a marker that can measure vessel wall functional and structural changes resulting from atherosclerosis with applications including estimation of mechanical properties of the wall. We sought to assess the feasibility of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to include wall distensibility in the characterization of atherosclerotic carotid arteries and to analyze the relationship between distensibility and morphological and compositional plaque features. Methods: Five healthy volunteers were imaged with a multiple-slice CINE MR sequence twice, within 24 h, to determine the interscan reproducibility of distensibility measurements. Twenty-one subjects with >15% carotid stenosis and the five healthy volunteers were imaged using a multicontrast carotid MRI protocol to characterize arterial wall morphology and composition. Normalized wall index (wall area/total vessel area), maximum wall thickness and, if present, percentages of wall area occupied by calcification and lipid-rich necrotic core were determined. A multiple-slice CINE MR sequence was added to the multicontrast protocol to measure the distensibility coefficient (DC) at several locations spanning the bifurcation. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the coefficient of variation were used to assess the reproducibility of DC measurements made on the healthy subjects. The DC was compared between arterial segments and between the healthy and diseased groups. Furthermore, within the diseased group, DC was correlated to plaque morphology and composition at each location as well as that averaged over the plaque. Results: Distensibility measurements were highly reproducible: ICC (95% confidence interval) was 0.998 (0.96–1.0) for the common carotid segment and 0.990 (0.92–1.0) for the internal carotid segment. In healthy volunteers, we found significantly higher distensibility in the common segment of the carotid artery compared to the internal carotid segment (mean ± SD = 4.56 ± 1.02 versus 3.56 ± 1.32 × 10−5/Pa; p < 0.05). However, no segmental differences were seen in the diseased group (3.25 ± 1.84 versus 3.26 ± 1.60 × 10−5/Pa; p = 0.607). Location-to-location changes in DC were not found to correlate to changes in the local plaque morphology or composition nor were average DC found to be associated with aggregate plaque features. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the feasibility of MRI to measure distensibility in the carotid artery and to presumably detect changes in distensibility due to age and/or disease. The results suggest that the effect of atherosclerosis on local distensibility may not strongly depend upon the specific underlying plaque features in mild to moderate stenotic carotid lesions though more diffuse or nonlocal changes in arterial distensibility could not be ruled out.
Health-related quality of life and perceived need for mental health services in adolescent solid organ transplant recipients.

The purpose of the current investigation was to assess interest in mental health services among parents of adolescent solid organ transplant recipients and the relationship between parent perceived need for mental health services and patient health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Sixty-three parents rated interest in receiving 10 mental health services, and patient HRQOL ratings were gathered from adolescent transplant recipients and their parents. Ninety-four percent of parents expressed some level of interest in at least one of the proposed services, with over 40 % indicating maximum interest. Parents’ perceived need for mental health services was inversely related to adolescent and parent reports of HRQOL on the behavior, mental health, family cohesion, and parental impact-emotional domains. Results suggest that parents of adolescent solid organ transplant recipients are interested in receiving mental health services for their families. Assessment of need for mental health services and HRQOL may inform the medical team of families requiring intervention.
Contact Creep Behavior of Polydimethylsiloxane and Influence of Load, Tip Size, and Crosslink Density

Time-dependent indentation creep behaviors of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) samples of different crosslink densities were studied through contact creep tests loaded with silica tips. Step loads from 0.1 to 10 mN were applied and held for 600 s. The data of penetration depth versus time were recorded during the holding period. A Hertz-type viscoelastic model was used to compute the creep compliance of the samples and the Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR) theory was used to obtain the initial equivalent modulus, infinite equivalent modulus, and work of adhesion between the tested each pair of the PDMS and fused silica tip surfaces. The comparison between initial and infinite equivalent moduli obtained from the Hertz viscoelastic theory and the JKR theory shows that the adhesion between the tip and the sample surface plays an importance role in affecting the analysis results when the indentation strain is small. The influences of crosslink density, applied load, and tip size on the localized PDMS properties are discussed.
Anion-solvent and anion-cation interactions in lithium and tetrabutylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate solutions

Cation-anion and solvent-anion interactions in solutions of lithium and tetrabutylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate dissolved in eight solvents are studied using Raman and infrared vibrational spectroscopy. A plot of the frequency shifts of several anion modes against the electron pair acceptance polarity index E T (30) of the solvents suggests an electrophilic interaction between the solvent and the anion. The relative contributions of anion-cation interactions and anion-solvent interactions are estimated by measuring the splitting of the doubly degenerate SO3 antisymmetric stretching mode of the anion.
Purified Vi antigens as possible typhoid vaccines.

Two purified samples and one crude preparation of Vi antigen were studied to determine their potential as typhoid vaccines. Each preparation was characterized by mouse toxicity studies, pyrogen tests in rabbits, and active protection tests in mice. Both purified samples of Vi antigen were nontoxic and nonpyrogenic in the highest doses tested (500 ug). In contrast the LD50 for the crude Vi antigen preparation was approximately 500ug, while the minimum pyrogenic dose was approximately 0.1 uq. In protection studies each Vi antigen preparation was compared with commercially obtained, heat-killed, phenol-preserved (HP) typhoid vaccine. With doses of 1 ug or 10 ug for the appropriate Vi antigen, mice were protected to an extent comparable to, or, in most instances, significantly greater than were mice receiving a standard dose (0.5 ml) of the HP vaccine. Since it elicits no toxic or febrile response in doses which evoke a high degree of protection in the standard bioassay in mice, purified Vi antigen represents...
Taking stem cells seriously

Conservative opponents of embryonic stem cell research frequently argue that supporters of the medical research focus on scientific technicalities at the expense of morality. Eric Cohen, editor of ...
The effect of external loading upon power output in stair climbing

Previous studies have examined man's ability to produce external power output during maximal repetitive work cycles of short duration. It appears, however, that there were methodological limitations which would inherently mask man's true capacities. Consequently, we examined the effect of variable external loads upon external power output as measured by running upstairs. Fourteen male subjects (16–31 years of age) who regularly participated in competitive sports performed maximal stair step tests under five experimental loading conditions (no external load, 10.1, 19.2, 24.2, and 29.2kg). Significant increases (P<0.05) in external power output were found. External power output increased from a mean of 15.9 W·kg−1±1.0 (unloaded condition) to 18.5 W·kg−1±1.5 (external load of 29.2 kg). This is the first modern investigation demonstrating that external loads effect external power output as measured by this technique.
Binding then bending: A mechanism for wrapping DNA

DNA bending by proteins appears to be the rule rather than the exception with the topological distortions ranging from tens of degrees to nearly 720° in the nucleosome core (1, 2). Bending is important in DNA packaging and in regulating diverse cellular processes. The Escherichia coli integration host factor (IHF), discovered as a host protein required for lysogeny by bacteriophage λ, plays both of these roles (3, 4). IHF is an excellent model system for analyzing the mechanism by which proteins bend DNA by virtue of its cellular functions, sequence specificity, tight binding, and robust protein-induced DNA bending (Fig. 1 and refs. 5 and 6). The studies of Sugimura and Crothers (7) and Ansari and coworkers (8) in a recent issue of PNAS directly follow the time evolution of DNA bending upon IHF binding to show that bending sequentially follows protein binding.
Workplace Lactation Support by New Jersey Employers following US Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law

Background:Returning to an unsupportive work environment has been identified as a major reason for avoidance or early abandonment of breastfeeding among working mothers.Objective:This study aimed to examine the nature and extent of accommodations offered to breastfeeding employees among New Jersey employers since the US federal Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers law enactment.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted to measure current lactation support in the workplace in New Jersey. Using convenience sampling, the survey was sent to managerial personnel in hospitals and nonhospitals. The level of support was assessed on company policy, lactation room, and room amenity. A composite lactation amenity score was calculated based on responses about lactation room amenities.Results:Respondents (N = 51) completed a 22-item online questionnaire during fall 2011. The support level was compared by type of organization: hospital (n = 37) versus nonhospital (n = 14). The amenity score of hospitals was s...
Cervical cancer screening in the United States, 1993-2010: characteristics of women who are never screened.

Abstract Background: Regular Pap test screening has contributed to decreasing cervical cancer incidence and mortality over the past decades, yet half of the women diagnosed with cervical cancer have never had a Pap test. Our study aims to examine the cervical cancer screening rate, identify socioeconomic and demographic risk factors associated with adult women who have never had a Pap test, and examine the relationship of screening with use of related health services. Methods: Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (1993–2010), a multivariable survey logistic regression model was fitted to estimate odds ratios for associations between risk factors and the outcome of never screened. Results: Between 1993 and 2010, 81.3% of respondents reported they had a Pap test within 3 years; 6.2% were never screened. For women who had a recent checkup, 5.5% were never screened. Among women who had a hysterectomy, 69.4% had a Pap test within 3 years. The multivariable analysis showed that age, race/ethnic...