cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Achilles Tendon in Healthy Subjects: An Anthropometric and Ultrasound Mapping Study

Ultrasonography is an inexpensive, fast, and reliable imaging technique widely used to assess the Achilles tendon. Although significant data exists regarding pathologic tendon changes, ultrasound data from healthy individuals are more limited. We aimed to better characterize ultrasound Achilles tendon measurements in healthy individuals and identify important correlating factors. The information collected included patient demographics, body habitus, activity level, foot dominance, and resting ankle angle. Ultrasound analysis was performed bilaterally on the Achilles tendons of 50 subjects using a high-frequency transducer to measure tendon width, thickness, cross-sectional area, and length. Males had a significantly larger mean tendon length, width, thickness, and cross-sectional area. No statistically significant difference was found in any tendon dimension between the white and black participants. Similarly, no difference was found in any tendon parameter when comparing right versus left leg dominance. Healthy subjects had a mean ankle resting angle of 45.1° ± 24° with no statistically significant difference between right and left ankles. Considering all individuals, each tendon parameter (tendon length, width, thickness, and cross-sectional area) correlated positively with subject height, weight, tibia length, and foot size. Only the Achilles cross-sectional area correlated significantly with the activity level. The resting angle of the ankle correlated positively with both tendon length and thickness. In conclusion, we found significant variations in Achilles tendon anatomy in the healthy adult population. We have thoroughly characterized significant correlations between healthy tendon dimensions and various body habitus, activity levels, and ankle parameters. Greater knowledge of the normal Achilles tendon anatomy and characterization of its variations in the healthy population will potentially allow for better pathologic diagnosis and surgical repair.
Abstract 566: MicroRNA-146a Deficiency Prevents PCSK9 Gain-of-Function Mutation-induced Hypercholesterolemia in Mice

Background and Objective: Mimetic mediated activation of microRNA 146a (miR-146a) reduces atherosclerosis via suppression of nuclear factor-κB-driven inflammation in mice. The purpose of this study...
Heat Shock Protein Response to Overuse Injuries

The heat shock protein (Hsp) response is understudied with non-exercise overuse injuries. We focused on the Hsp response in muscles and tendons undergoing such injury or cyclical loading. Hsp25 mRNA and protein levels increase in muscles undergoing functional overload, and show greater increases in fast type muscles. In an operant rat model of reaching and grasping, the inducible form of Hsp70 increased in muscles and tendons showing injury, with the greatest increase in rats performing a high repetition high force for 12 weeks, compared to easier repetition/loading paradigms. These increases were paralleled by increases in several repair-associated proteins (osteoactivin, MMPs, and TGFB1). Trapezius biopsies from patients with myalgia show increased mRNA levels of Hsp72 and decreased levels of growth and metabolism regulators. Prolonged exercise interventions in general, when provided to subjects with trapezius myalgia, decreased Hsp72 mRNA levels, while specific strength training of shoulder and neck muscles increased mRNA levels of analytes related to carbohydrate oxidation. In a rat model of supraspinatus injury, the Hsp response appeared related to the cascade of stress-related programmed cell death in torn tendons. A mild mechanical stimulation of cultured tendon fibroblasts reduced apoptosis and increased cell proliferation and may be helpful for tissue regeneration.
Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis of the Internal Auditory Canal: A Rare Case of Unilateral Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objectives:To describe and increase awareness of a rare cause of unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss.Methods:Case report and literature review.Results:We present a 66-year-old female who s...
Generative Theory and Degenerative Metatheory

When inquiry is made into the function of theory, the traditional response points to its essential contribution to “understanding, prediction, and control.” If one were to inquire further into what is meant by “understanding” in this case, the answer might well be framed in terms of the scientist’s role in “apprehending clearly the character, nature or subtleties” of human conduct (Urdang, 1968). From this standpoint, social conduct is granted a preeminent ontological status: It furnishes the essential mysteries for the scientist to unlock. Yet, there is a contrasting sense in which one may understand, a sense that does not take nature for granted. Understanding may also entail the assignment of “meaning” to experience; in this case understanding is a product of ratiocination and experience merely furnishes the raw material upon which it operates. The former sense of understanding finds its roots in empiricist philosophy, where one typically commences with the assumption of a fundamentally ordered nature to be reflected with accuracy by scientific theory; the latter form of understanding may be traced to rational-idealist philosophy in which the mind is generally granted powers of organizing and synthesizing sense data. Rational-idealist views, while long vital in European intellectual life, have gradually given way in the sciences to the empiricist view. The former sense of understanding has generally obscured the significance of the latter.
Baseline imaging reveals preexisting retinal abnormalities in mice.

Confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) are imaging modalities that have become increasingly popular among vision research groups worldwide. These devices are becoming easier to use and permit repeated in vivo imaging of intraocular tissues in small animal. We recently initiated baseline fundus imaging of all mice before their use in experimental studies. Here, we report that there are a substantial proportion of supposedly normal mice that have abnormal retinal morphology when evaluated with SLO and OCT. Our findings strongly indicate that mice should be prescreened with these imaging modalities before being used for experimental studies.
Linkage of a familial platelet disorder with a propensity to develop myeloid malignancies to human chromosome 21q22.1-22.2

Linkage analysis was performed on a large pedigree with an autosomal dominant platelet disorder and a striking propensity in affected family members to develop hematologic malignancy, predominantly acute myelogenous leukemia. We report the linkage of the autosomal dominant platelet disorder to markers on chromosome 21q22. Four genetic markers completely cosegregate with the trait and yield maximum logarithm of difference scores ranging from 4.9 to 10.5 (theta = .001). Two flanking markers, D21S1265 and D21S167, define a critical region for the disease locus of 15.2 centimorgan. Further analysis of this locus may identify a gene product that affects platelet production and function and contributes to the molecular evolution of hematologic malignancy.
Eva Rossmann’s Mystery Novel «Russen kommen» The Russians Are Coming: New Crimes, Old Fears, and Intercultural Alliances

Eva Rossmann’s mystery novel Russen kommen, the tenth in a popular series, takes up a hot topic in Austria’s tourism industry: the tensions surrounding the recent influx of newly rich Russian visitors. This article uses Rossmann’s mystery as a case study to examine the impact of global culture and transnational investments on Austrian society. Trapped between provincialism and globalization, Austrians are forced to revisit old fears and find new ways of dealing with contemporary challenges. Due to its wide appeal, popular culture can lead the way in these negotiations.
Musculoskeletal Disease in the Aged

Musculoskeletal diseases are the most prevalent conditions affecting the elderly today and cause significant suffering and disability in this population. The diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders in older persons requires knowledge of the diseases which affect this age group, familiarity with the signs and symptoms, and a working knowledge of laboratory and radiographic abnormalities. Treatment of these disorders is based upon the principles of pain relief and maintenance of function. A multifaceted approach includes physical therapy, patient education, psychological support and the use of medications. Simple analgesics like paracetamol (acetaminophen) are gaining increased importance in the treatment of symptomatic disease. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most utilised pharmacological treatment and are effective in relieving pain and improving function in most patients. However, elderly persons are at increased risk for NSAID-induced toxicity, and drug choices should be made with this in mind. New data are becoming available as to the relative toxicity of the different NSAIDs, and this should help in choosing between these medications. Disease-modifying drug therapy is the most difficult to administer in elderly subjects. Potential toxicity must be weighed against realistic benefit in older persons prior to and during remittive therapy. With appropriate precautions, these agents can prove invaluable in the treatment of older persons with serious musculoskeletal disease.
Judging the New International Tax Regime: Testimony Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance

The 2017 tax law made significant changes to the way the United States taxes multinational corporations on their cross-border income. The new legislation has, however, failed to solve old problems in the international system and also opened the door to new ones.The serious problems created, or left unaddressed, by the new regime, include the following: (1) The new international rules aimed at intangible income incentivize offshoring and largely preserve the profit shifting problem; (2) the new patent box regime will likely not increase innovation, causes WTO problems, and can be easily gamed; (3) the new inbound rules have too generous thresholds and can be readily circumvented; and (4) the new regime falls short of true international tax reform. This is the author's written testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, at an April 24, 2018 hearing on the recent tax legislation.
Parental Perceptions of Child's Medical Care and Neighborhood and Child's Behavioral Risk Factors for Obesity in U.S. Children by Body Mass Index Classification.

Environmental factors, preventive medical care, and behaviors play a role in childhood obesity. This study used the National Survey of Children’s Health, 2011-2012, for 42,828 children, ages 10–17 years. Greater percent of children in the overweight/obese category performed no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: 11.9 (10.6, 13.3) as compared to children in the underweight/normal weight category: 9.7 (8.9 10.6). No moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with no preventive medical care, inadequate or no health care, parents reporting higher percent of no parks or playgrounds, and unsafe and unsupportive neighborhoods. Odds ratios of overweight/obesity were higher for males [OR = 2.06 (1.64, 2.60)], Hispanics [OR = 1.49 (1.17, 1.90)], non-Hispanic Black females [OR = 1.59 (1.20, 2.08)], younger females [OR10–12 yrs. = 1.35 (1.03, 1.79) and OR13–15 yrs. = 1.4. (1.06, 1.89) vs. OR = 1.0016-17 yrs.], children with high television viewing [OR0-1 hr./day = 0.72 (0.61, 0.86); OR>1 to <4 hrs./day 0.84 (0.72, 0.99) = vs. OR = 1.00≥ 4 hrs./day,] and lower categories of physical activity [OR 0 days/wk. = 1.38 (1.13, 1.62); OR1–3 days/wk. = 1.14 (1.22, 1.62) vs. OR7 days/wk. = 1.00], higher poverty, smoke exposure, and parental perception of their neighborhood as unsupportive. Promoting preventive medical care and neighborhood cooperation may have potential to lower childhood obesity.
Disparities in HER2 testing in breast cancer.

e13084Background: Although targeted therapies directed at human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER2) impact breast cancer outcomes, studies have found geographic variation in testing rates. We report p...
Longitudinal Associations between Ethnic/Racial Identity and Discrimination among Asian and Latinx Adolescents

The numbers of Asian and Latinx adolescents are growing fast in the United States. While their ethnic/racial identity and experience of discrimination have been found to play important roles in their development, current scholarship has only begun to understand their longitudinal relationships. Moreover, most of the existing studies have examined these associations only at the between-person level. To address these gaps, the current study examined both between- and within-person longitudinal associations between ethn−ic/racial identity (exploration, commitment, private regard, and centrality) and discrimination over a 3-year period among a total of 241 adolescents (Asian: n = 139, Latinx: n = 102; female: 65.96%; M age = 15.27, SD = 0.66). The within-person approach using the random-intercept cross-lagged panel models explained the associations better than the between-person approach using the cross-lagged panel model. Specifically, reciprocal within-person longitudinal associations were found between discrimination and developmental dimensions of ethnic/racial identity (exploration and commitment) for Asian adolescents and content dimensions (private regard and centrality) for Latinx adolescents. These findings imply the usefulness of within-person longitudinal designs in understanding the associations between ethnic/racial identity and discrimination. Implications for potential similarities and differences in the longitudinal associations between ethnic/racial identity development and the experience of discrimination for the two groups are discussed.
Anxiety spectrum disorders are common in patients with orthostatic tremor

Abstract Background Orthostatic Tremor (OT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by a sensation of unsteadiness while standing and associated with high frequency tremors. Patients with OT commonly report a fear of falling and significant limitations in everyday activities. The prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in OT patients has not been well-studied. Methods Subjects were evaluated by trained psychiatry researchers using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). The M.I.N.I is a validated screening tool for psychiatric disorders. A standardized history covering previous psychiatric symptoms and illnesses was also obtained. Results 29 OT subjects were evaluated. The mean age was 67.7 years with female preponderance (89.3%). The average disease symptom duration was 18.2 years. 58.6% of the subjects had seen a mental health professional during the course of their OT illness. 24.1% of the subjects had a past history of depression, and 10.3% reported a family history of any psychiatric condition. 37.9% of the subjects screened positive for agoraphobia. Two of 29 subjects (6.9%) were classified as having a current major depressive episode and one subject (3.4%) was at risk for suicide. Conclusions Psychiatric comorbidities are highly prevalent in OT patients, especially anxiety-spectrum disorders. Further studies are needed to understand if psychiatric disorders appear as a secondary response to the patient's symptoms, or are a primary non-motor manifestation of OT.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Differentiate the Histology of Testicular Masses: A Systematic Review of Studies With Pathologic Confirmation.

ABSTRACT Ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice to evaluate scrotal pathology. However, differentiating malignant and benign testicular tumors is not always possible, and there is interest in evaluating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential adjunct for diagnosis. We conducted a systematic review and found 9 studies related to MRI diagnosis of testicular masses. A total of 220 testicular masses (217 patients) undergoing MRI were identified. Notable findings include malignant masses having a lower apparent diffusion coefficient compared to benign masses (3 of 4 studies) and that quantitative enhancement patterns could differentiate Leydig cell tumors from germ cell tumors in 2 studies. While there were some distinct qualitative characterizations of testicular masses on MRI, further research is needed to identify appropriate clinical contexts for use.
Translocation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products after land application of biosolids

Abstract Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are common components of the municipal waste stream and well documented to be present in the final products of wastewater treatment including biosolids, which are commonly land applied in agricultural settings and at reclamation sites. Biosolids are therefore an identified source of PPCPs into environments, where biosolids are applied. Here, we review the current understanding of the potential for uptake and translocation of PPCPs within plants and consider knowledge gaps related to PPCP in plants and beyond them. Identified gaps include knowledge related to translocation of PPCPs beyond plants, the importance of transformation products for total exposure/uptake of PPCP, and the role of rhizosphere microorganisms in plant uptake.
Prediction of leaf water potential and relative water content using terahertz radiation spectroscopy

Increases in the frequency and severity of droughts across many regions worldwide necessitate an improved capacity to determine the water status of plants at organ, whole plant, canopy, and regional scales. Noninvasive methods have most potential for simultaneously improving basic water relations research and ground-, flight-, and space-based sensing of water status, with applications in sustainability, food security, and conservation. The most frequently used methods to measure the most salient proxies of plant water status, that is, water mass per leaf area (WMA), relative water content (RWC), and leaf water potential (Ψleaf), require the excision of tissues and laboratory analysis, and have thus been limited to relatively low throughput and small study scales. Applications using electromagnetic radiation in the visible, infrared, and terahertz ranges can resolve the water status of canopies, yet heretofore have typically focused on statistical approaches to estimating RWC for leaves before and after severe dehydration, and few have predicted Ψleaf. Terahertz radiation has great promise to estimate leaf water status across the range of leaf dehydration important for the control of gas exchange and leaf survival. We demonstrate a refined method and physical model to predict WMA, RWC, and Ψleaf from terahertz transmission across a wide range of levels of dehydration for given leaves of three species, as well as across leaves of given species and across multiple species. These findings highlight the powerful potential and the outstanding challenges in applying in vivo terahertz spectrometry as a remote sensor of water status for a range of applications.
Removal of Viruses in Membrane Bioreactors

AbstractThis review seeks to summarize the current literature regarding the removal of viruses from wastewater using membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Membrane bioreactors are an effective technology fo...
Lethal state: a history of the death penalty in North Carolina: by Seth Kotch, Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Press, 2019, 307 pp., $27.95

Since 1961, North Carolina has executed 43 inmates, but none, as of this writing, since 2006. Yet in this grim account of state-sanctioned killings in North Carolina since the Civil War, Seth Kotch...
On three-dimensional rotational averages of odd-rank tensors

The recent growing interest in nonlinear optical spectroscopy in optically active medium demands the three-dimensional rotational average of high-rank tensors. For example, calculations of the coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering in optically active medium requires the averaging of the ninth rank tensor. Following the classic work of D.~L.~Andrews et al. (J. Chem. Phys., {\bf 67} (1977) 5026) we present a method for finding the rotational average of odd-rank tensors in an overcomplete basis of isotropic tensors. The method is successfully applied to the rotational averages of tensors of rank $n=5,7,9,11$. Explicit new results for ninth- and eleventh-rank tensors are given.
Strategies of Resistance among Racially Minoritized Students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution: A Critical Race Theory Perspective

Employing critical race theory and a student resistance framework, this study qualitatively explored how minoritized college students view and interpret their racialized experiences in academic set...
GOLDEN LEGACY VERSUS TRIVIALISING TROPES: An examination of The Saga of TOUSSAINT L’OUVERTURE and the Birth of Haiti

The Saga of TOUSSAINT L’OUVERTURE and the Birth of Haiti (TSTLBH) is the first volume in the Golden Legacy: Illustrated History Series, launched in 1966 by Fitzgerald Publishing. A Black-owned comp...
Prevalence and characteristics of campus-based employee wellness programs among United States accredited colleges and universities.

BACKGROUND Employee wellness programs (EWPs) aim to support positive changes in employees' modifiable behavioral health risk factors for disease prevention and management. OBJECTIVE This study described the prevalence and characteristics of EWPs in US accredited college and university campuses. METHODS Identification of the prevalence of EWPs and programming activities offered in 3039 accredited higher education institutions/campuses, and characteristics of these institutions/campuses were conducted, mainly through searching the institution's web page. RESULTS Overall, 36%of the institutions/campuses offered EWPs, with a significantly larger percentage of 4-year public colleges/universities providing EWPs and wellness programming activities than the 4-year private colleges/universities and community colleges. When limiting the institutions/campuses to 4-year colleges and universities with at least 500 employees, the percentage of these institutions/campuses offering EWPs increased to 57.7%, which was comparable to the findings in the literature. The percentage of the institutions/campuses offering wellness programming activities ranged from 18.1%for injury prevention and ergonomics to 30.2%for stress management. The percentage of institutions/campuses offering injury prevention and ergonomics was significantly lower than the percentage of institutions/campuses offering other typical wellness activities. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of EWPs offered in accredited college and university campuses do not meet the national goal of 75%, which was set by Healthy People 2010.
Limitations and Challenges of Fog and Edge-Based Computing

Fog computing has set standards in networking and overcome complexities in cloud computing. However, despite its many benefits, the inherent distributed model of fog computing architecture introduces a new attack surface cyber-attacks. It is important to detect and prevent such attacks on the network to make the network reliable. In this paper, an overview of the various challenges and solutions proposed by many researchers is provided. This paper particularly focuses on solutions in securing networks by proposing several methods while developing an efficient intrusion detection system. Finally, observations are made based on the results of various proposed solutions and the existing research gap is also presented.
Lumbar ligamentum flavum burden: Evaluating the role of ATTRwt amyloid deposition in ligamentum flavum thickness at all lumbar levels.

Abstract Background Wild-type transthyretin (ATTRwt) amyloid deposition has been found in the ligamentum flavum (LF) of patients undergoing spinal stenosis surgery. Our group previously reported that ATTRwt amyloid is associated with an increased lumbar ligamentum flavum thickness at symptomatic levels that required surgery. A comprehensive evaluation of LF thickness at asymptomatic levels in addition to symptomatic, treated levels has never been performed in ATTRwt patients. In this study, we compare the total LF thickness of all lumbar levels (lumbar LF burden) in ATTRwt and non-ATTRwt patients. Methods We retrospectively identified 177 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery. Ligamentum flavum thickness of 885 lumbar levels was measured on T2-weighted axial MRI. Amyloid presence was confirmed through Congo red staining of specimens, and subtype of ATTRwt was confirmed using mass-spectrometry and gene sequencing. Results Of the 177 patients, 30 (16.9%) were found to have ATTRwt in the ligamentum flavum. One hundred and fifty ATTRwt levels and 735 non-ATTRwt levels were measured by four different reviewers, with an intraclass coefficient (ICC) of 0.79. Mean ligamentum flavum thickness was 4.64 (±1.31) mm in the ATTRwt group and 3.99 (±1.45) mm in the non-ATTRwt group (p Conclusion The lumbar LF burden is greater in patients with ATTRwt amyloid compared to non-ATTRwt patients. This supports prior evidence that ATTRwt amyloid deposition might be associated with increased LF thickness and lumbar stenosis. This potential association requires more research and could be an important finding, as medications have recently become available that can treat patients with ATTRwt amyloid deposition.
Differentiation Response to Quizartinib, a Potent 2nd Generation FLT3 Inhibitor, in Relapsed FLT3 -Mutant AML Patients Correlates with Specific DNA Methylation Signature Prior to Therapy

Abstract Activating mutations in Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 receptor (FLT3 ) gene occur in 30% of AML patients, and are correlated with a high risk for early relapse. The second generation FLT3 inhibitor AC-220 (quizartinib), has shown significant responses in patients with relapsed and refractory FLT3 mutant AML. For those patients who respond, two different types of pathologic responses have been observed: a cytotoxic response or a differentiation response. Given these two different responses to therapy, we hypothesized that pre-existing epigenetic programs may be responsible for determining response type, and that DNA methylation analysis of AML blasts before and after treatment may help better understand the molecular underpinnings of the varied roles of FLT3 in AML pathogenesis. For this purpose, we analyzed a cohort of 13 FLT3 -ITD mutant AML patients relapsed after standard chemotherapy and treated with quizartinib as part of the Phase II ACE trial (NCT00989261). Patients were evaluated prior to therapy and after at time of maximal response and classified as having either cytotoxic (6 patients) or differentiation (7 patients) responses as previously described. Bone marrow or peripheral blood specimens were collected from 13 patients at baseline, prior to the administration of quizartinib, and 10 matched, post-treatment specimens were available for 9 patients. DNA was extracted from mononuclear cell fractions and analyzed using multiplexed Enhanced Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (mERRBS), which captures quantitative DNA methylation status at ~3 million CpG sites across the human genome. Supervised analysis between the different groups was performed using a beta binomial model as implemented in MethylSig, with significant differentially methylated regions (DMRs) being called with methylation differences ≥25% and false discovery rates (FDR) Disclosures Perl: Arog Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Actinium Pharmaceuticals: Other: Scientific Advisory Board; Pfizer: Other: Advisory Board; Astellas: Consultancy; Asana Biosciences: Other: Scientific advisory board; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Novartis: Other: Advisory Board; Seattle Genetics: Other: Advisory board. Carroll: Incyte Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Astellas Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.
Further Examination of the Factor Structure and Validity of the Identification with All Humanity Scale

In three separate samples, we examine the factor structure and validity of the identification with all humanity scale. Although the measure was originally proposed to contain a single factor, the results of the present studies showed two factors. The first factor contains items reflecting behaviors and feelings suggested by Adler and Maslow (e.g., helping, responsibility, loyalty). The second factor contains items previously used to assess ingroup identification from a social identity perspective. Regression analyses showed that the first factor (Adler/Maslow) is strongly influencing the associations between the identification with all humanity scale and prosocial values. The results highlight the distinction between theoretical perspectives from which ingroup identification measures are conceptualized.
Relative Capital Accumulation In The United States

Since the publication of Keynes' General Theory economists have treated the demand for particular forms of wealth as a problem in portfolio balance. The later development of the Human Capital approach essentially elaborated on this analysis by extending the choice of forms in which to hold wealth, and also stimulated interest in the mechanism of parental finance of the human capital investments (Becker, 1967) For this reason, human capital models are antecedents of intergenerational models of the demand for wealth and the composition of wealth.
X-Ray Projection Imaging

X-ray imaging is the oldest medical imaging modality, which found its way into medical practice shortly after the discovery of the X-rays in 1895. X-ray imaging is a projection technique, and image formation takes place traditionally on photosensitive film, although direct digital X-ray imaging is becoming more and more common. In its most common form, X-ray imaging is a qualitative modality. X-rays are high-energy photons, and atomic interaction with inner shell electrons is fundamental to both X-ray production and generation of X-ray contrast. Soft-tissue contrast is comparatively low, but bone and air provide excellent contrast. In some cases, contrast can be enhanced with contrast agents. An undesirable (but unavoidable) side-effect of the photon-atom interaction is the ionization of tissue along the beam path, which can lead to radiation damage. X-ray images can reveal very subtle features, and its popularity is further enhanced by the relatively inexpensive equipment and the straightforward imaging procedure.
Planning for Principal Succession: A Conceptual Framework for Research and Practice.

Many school districts struggle to recruit sufficient high-quality principals for their schools. A variety of conditions contribute to this challenge, including the retirement of the baby boom cohor...
Treatment of atypical mycobacterial cervical adenitis with rifampin

The clinical response of atypical mycobacterial cervical adenitis to standard antituberculous therapy has been disappointing. Surgical procedures in the anterior cervical triangle are difficult and often complete excision is impossible. In each of four children with atypical mycobacterial cervical adenitis in this study, the institution of rifampin therapy was followed by complete resolution. Previously rifampin, a well-tolerated, orally administered drug, had been used effectively with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The place of this drug as a major alternative to surgical excision in cases of atypical mycobacterial cervical adentis is reviewed.
Closed-loop identification of restricted complexity models for feedback/feedforward control using iterative refinement

A novel technique for closed-loop identification of reduced-order models for combined feedback/feedforward control is presented. For this purpose identification and control design are treated as joint problems for finding models whose intended use is the design of high performance compensators. The problem is solved by an iterative scheme of repeated identification and control design. The scheme involves the following steps: 1) injecting a dither signal at the manipulated variable and collecting closed-loop (u,y) data, 2) prefiltering the closed-loop data to emphasize the frequencies most important for control and 3) low order parameter estimation and control design.
Temperature and Gravitational Potential

It is argued that thermal equilibrium of spatially extended systems is characterized by the presence of a “global” temperature, but that there also exists a “local” temperature, which is sensitive to the value of the gravitational potential. It is further asserted that thermometers read out the local temperature.
A review of empirical studies of verbal behavior

This paper reviews empirical research which has been directly influenced by Skinner’s Verbal Behavior. Despite the importance of this subject matter, the book has generated relatively little empirical research. Most studies have focused on Skinner’s mand and tact relations while research focused on the other elementary verbal operants has been limited. However, the results of empirical research that exist support Skinner’s analysis of the distinction between elementary verbal operants and his distinction between the speaker’s and listener’s repertoires. Further, research suggests that language training programs may not be successful if they do not provide explicit training of each elementary verbal operant and independent training of speaker’s and listener’s repertoires.
Differential loss of neuromuscular connections according to activity level and spinal position of neonatal rabbit soleus motor neurons.

We have tested whether the ability of synapses to compete for occupancy of endplates during neuromuscular synapse elimination is affected by differences in the spinal position or in the activity level of the parent motor neuron. To test the role of spinal position, the relative sizes of motor units for motor neurons from middle and extreme (rostral/caudal) positions in the rabbit soleus motor pool were determined at 3 postnatal ages: 4–5 d (“early” ages, when the soleus is heavily polyinnervated), 8–9 d (“intermediate”), and 11–s15 d (“late,” when the soleus has just reached singly innervated state). Average motor unit sizes from extreme ventral roots were similar to those from middle ventral roots in early-aged soleus muscles but were significantly smaller (by 18–27%) for both intermediate and late muscles. Thus, motor neurons from extreme positions evidently compete less effectively for retention of synapses than those from middle positions. To test the role of differential activity, inactive and active synapses were pitted directly against one another by implanting Silastic plugs laden with tetrodotoxin (TTX) into one of the spinal nerves containing a minority of the soleus motor axons. Differential activity was maintained during a period of extensive synapse loss, from the time of the implant at day 4 or 5 until the intermediate age (day 8– 9). Motor unit twitch tensions were subsequently measured to determine the relative number of synapses retained by individual active and inactive motor neurons. The inactivated motor units were on average significantly larger (by more than 50%) than the corresponding group from normal and control-implanted animals. The abnormally large size of inactivated motor units persisted in animals allowed to recover from the TTX block and examined after multiple innervation had disappeared. Hence, the effect of the TTX block cannot be attributed to a simple slowing of synapse elimination specifically among the inactive motor neurons. We conclude that complete presynaptic inactivity improves the chances of survival relative to that for normal activity during synapse elimination in the neonatal rabbit soleus muscle. This difference in competitive ability may contribute to the development of an important characteristic of adult muscles, the correlation between motor unit size and recruitment threshold.
Comparison of Two Amino Acid Solutions for Total Parenteral Nutrition of Normal and Traumatized Rats

Two amino acid solutions were compared at different levels of nitrogen (N) intake for their effectiveness in promoting N retention in normal and in traumatized rats when given as part of a complete diet under total intravenous feeding conditions. An essential amino acid pattern based on that found in whole egg and one with an essential amino acid pattern based on an egg-potatoe mixture, were equally efficacious in promoting N retention in normal, 300-g rats infused with 75 mg of N and 80 kcal/day. Traumatized rats were in positive N balance on infusions of 400 mg of N/day from either the egg or the egg-protein amino acid solution for the first 5 days postinjury. On day 5 the injured animals showed no significant changes in plasma total protein, albumin, glucose, urea N, total bilirubin, and L-aspartate aminotransferase when compared with each other or with orally fed control rats. The two amino acid solutions were satisfactory sources of amino acids when infused as part of a complete intravenous diet for the purpose of studies in the parenterally fed rat. The results of these studies supported the adequacy of the amino acid requirement data for the adult rat of Nasset (J. Nutr. 61, 555-569, 1957) and of Smith and Johnson (Brit. J. Nutr. 21, 17-27, 1967) but suggested that the NRC values calculated from the data of Benditt et all. (J. Nutr. 40, 335-350, 1950) were too high for several amino acids. An improvement in the surgical cannulation technique is also discussed.
The role of sleep deprivation research in human factors.

Sleep loss is a ubiquitous phenomenon that occurs on many long-term field missions. The effects of sleep loss are, in general, detrimental to efficient functioning of man-machine systems. To illustrate the effect of sleep loss on task performance, data from four independent research institutes are reviewed. Data are presented relating to the prevention of sleep loss, and to the detection and minimization of sleep loss effects when they occur.
A risk algorithm for assessing short–term mortality for obese black and white men and women

Objective To develop and validate a mortality risk algorithm for obese black and white men and women to elucidate risk factors prognostic of short-term mortality among obese persons. Methods Prospective cohort study. Reasons for geographic and racial differences in stroke (REGARDS) study, is a cohort of black and white men and women aged ≥45 years. Obese (≥30 kg m−2) participants in REGARDS (n = 11 288) were randomly assigned to the derivation data set or an independent validation set. Results During the mean follow-up period of 4.9 years, 8.9% (n = 504) in the derivation cohort and 8.7% (n = 492) in the validation cohort died. The best-fitting model based on data from the derivation cohort included demographic (age, sex), coronary heart disease (CHD) conditions (diabetes, systolic blood pressure, history of CHD), health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, alcohol use), and socioeconomic variables (income, use of physician services). The C-statistic when the model was applied to the validation cohort was 0.80. Observed and predicted rates of mortality were similar across deciles of mortality risk by race. Conclusions A risk algorithm was established and validated to predict mortality among black and white obese subjects based on CHD risk factors, behavioral risk factors, and socioeconomic status.
Probabilistic Sensitivity Analysis of Public Health Risk Assessment from Contaminated Soil

Recently, there has been a growing trend toward using stochastic (probabilistic) methods in ecological and public health risk assessment. These methods are favored because they overcome the problem of compounded conservatism and allow the systematic consideration of uncertainty and variability typically encountered in risk assessment. This article demonstrates a new methodology for the analysis of uncertainty in risk assessment using the first-order reliability method (FORM). The reliability method is formulated such that the probability that incremental lifetime cancer risk exceeds a predefined threshold level is calculated. Furthermore, the stochastic sensitivity of this probability with respect to the random variables is provided. The emphasis is on exploring the different types of probabilistic sensitivity obtained through the reliability analysis. The method is applied to a case study given by Thompson et al. (1992) on cancer risk resulting from dermal contact with benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-contaminated s...
Darstellung und 1H‐NMR‐spektroskopische Untersuchungen von β‐substituierten Äthylen‐diphenylphosphinoxiden

Diphenylphosphinyl-methan-phosphonsaure-diphenylester 1d reagiert in Benzol und in Gegenwart geeigneter starker Basen mit Aldehyden regiospezifisch zu entsprechend β-substituierten Athylen-diphenylphosphinoxiden 4 in praparativ befriedigenden Ausbeuten. Durch Analyse der Signalfolge fur das Athylenproton HB im 1H-NMR-Spektrum des ABX-Spinsystems wird fur die isolierten Reinprodukte 4 die trans-Konfiguration sichergestellt. In ungunstigen Fallen gelingt die Separierung des HB-Signals nur durch Verschiebungsreagentien. Fur die Selektion cis-oder trans-Konfiguration der Reaktionsprodukte 4 wird eine sterische Hinderung im Ubergangszustand des zweiten Reaktionsschrittes als mitbestimmend diskutiert. Preparation and 1H-N.M.R. Spectroscopic Investigation of β-Substituted Ethylene Diphenylphosphine Oxides The diphenyl ester 1d of diphenylphosphinyl-methanephosphonic acid in benzene reacts regiospecifically with aldehydes, in presence of strong bases, to β-substituted ethylene diphenylphosphine oxides 4. The yields are satisfactory on a preparative scale. The ABX type H-n.m.r. spectra of compounds 4 were analysed. The isolated pure products 4 exhibit trans configuration, characterized by the specific signal sequence of the ethylene proton HB which in some cases could be separated by use of shift reagents. The cis or trans configuration of compounds 4 can be referred partially to steric hindrance in the transition state of the second reaction step.
Information Structures, Optimal Contracts and the Theory of the Firm:

We are grateful for comments made by participants at the Symposium on the “Measurement of Profit and Productivity: Theory and Practice,” on December 16, 1988, in the University of Florida, cosponsored by the Vincent C. Ross Institute of Accounting Research, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University, the Public Policy Research Center, Graduate School of Business, University of Florida, and The Kruger Center of Finance, Jerusalem School of Business Administration, Hebrew University; at workshops at the Leonard M. Stern School of Business, New York University; at the Accounting Research and Education Center of McMaster University; at the European Accounting Association meeting in Stuttgart, Germany; at workshops at Wharton School University of Pennsylvania; University of California at Berkeley; Northwestern University; French Finance Association Meeting.
Understanding the Structure of Post-Implementation ERP Teams.

The question of IT organizational structure remains relevant and unresolved. To investigate how organizations structure their post-implementation ERP team, the authors interviewed key stakeholders from ERP implementations at 12 universities to determine how other institutions resolved similar issues. Given the highly integrated nature of ERPs, centralizing a team to support the new system seemed logical. Alternatively, returning subject matter experts to their business units could facilitate knowledge transfer. After reviewing prior research, categorizing interview data and analyzing results, the authors found conflicting results. Salient issues that surfaced during data analysis led to further exploration of two factors. First, commitments made during the project’s initiation constrained the choices available to management at its completion. Second, management’s initial goals influenced their willingness to consider alternative support structures when the projects completed. This research highlights the critical nature of early decisions and offers insights for research and practice.
“Ferritin Out” a Cause of Acute Hepatitis

A 51-year-old male was initially evaluated in the emergency department complaining of 2 days of fatigue, nausea, non-bloody emesis and small volume, bloodless, watery diarrhea occurring 6–8 times a day, not related to eating, and without sweating or flushing. He was temporarily residing at a motel where several other occupants had reported recent flu-like illnesses. His only other complaints were the perception of fever and chills 1 week prior to the onset of diarrhea, and occasional episodes of bright red blood per rectum, similar to past episodes of hemorrhoidal bleeding. He denied abdominal pain, jaundice, rashes, or joint pain. Past medical history included hemorrhoids and glucose intolerance. He did not take any medications regularly, but four or five times per week he consumed an herbal infusion provided to him by the motel owners for the treatment of his flu-like symptoms. He had a history of smoking (40 pack years), of heavy alcohol use in college, and of IV drug use 20 years prior to initial evaluation, and he still occasionally smoked marijuana. He had been imprisoned until 6 months before presentation. His family history included diabetes, alcohol abuse, and lung cancer, but no liver disease. Physical examination was unremarkable with no fever, abdominal findings, or icterus noted. Results of initial laboratory tests included hemoglobin of 18.0 g/dL, hematocrit of 54 %, international normalized ratio (INR) of 1.43, and serum concentrations of AST 1333 U/L (nl\58), ALT 1803 U/L (nl \67), direct bilirubin of 1.8 mg/dL (nl \0.4), ferritin of 26,981 ng/mL (nl \388) (subsequently reconfirmed at 32,353), and transferrin saturation of 98 % (nl \55 %). Acetaminophen was undetectable in the serum.
Release of N2, CH4, CO2, and H2O from surface ices on Enceladus

Abstract We vapor deposit at 20 K a mixture of gases with the specific Enceladus plume composition measured in situ by the Cassini INMS [Waite, J.H., Combi, M.R., Ip, W.H., Cravens, T.E., McNutt, R.L., Kasprzak, W., Yelle, R., Luhmann, J., Niemann, H., Gell, D., Magee, B., Fletcher, G., Lunine, J., Tseng, W.L., 2006. Science 311, 1419–1422] to form a mixed molecular ice. As the sample is slowly warmed, we monitor the escaping gas quantity and composition with a mass spectrometer. Pioneering studies [Schmitt, B., Klinger, J., 1987. Different trapping mechanisms of gases by water ice and their relevance for comet nuclei. In: Rolfe, E.J., Battrick, B. (Eds.), Diversity and Similarity of Comets. SP-278. ESA, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, pp. 613–619; Bar-Nun, A., Kleinfeld, I., Kochavi, E., 1988. Phys. Rev. B 38, 7749–7754; Bar-Nun, A., Kleinfeld, I., 1989. Icarus 80, 243–253] have shown that significant quantities of volatile gases can be trapped in a water ice matrix well above the temperature at which the pure volatile ice would sublime. For our Enceladus ice mixture, a composition of escaping gases similar to that detected by Cassini in the Enceladus plume can be generated by the sublimation of the H 2 O:CO 2 :CH 4 :N 2 mixture at temperatures between 135 and 155 K, comparable to the high temperatures inferred from the CIRS measurements [Spencer, J.R., Pearl, J.C., Segura, M., Flasar, F.M., Mamoutkine, A., Romani, P., Buratti, B.J., Hendrix, A.R., Spilker, L.J., Lopes, R.M.C., 2006. Science 311, 1401–1405] of the Enceladus “tiger stripes.” This suggests that the gas escape phenomena that we measure in our experiments are an important process contributing to the gases emitted from Enceladus. A similar experiment for ice deposited at 70 K shows that both the processes of volatile trapping and release are temperature dependent over the temperature range relevant to Enceladus.