cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using the multivariate spatio-temporal Bayesian model to analyze traffic crashes by severity

Abstract Unobserved heterogeneity across space, time, and crash type is often non-negligible in crash frequency modeling. When multiple crash types with spatial and temporal features are analyzed, multivariate spatio-temporal models should be considered. For this study, we analyzed the yearly county-level fatal, major injury, and minor injury crashes in Iowa from 2006 to 2015 using a multivariate spatio-temporal Bayesian model. The model adopted a multivariate spatial structure, a multivariate temporal structure, and a multivariate spatio-temporal interaction structure to account for possible correlations across injury severities over space, time, and spatio-temporal interaction, respectively. Income and weather indicators were found to have no significant effects on crash frequencies in the presence of vehicle miles traveled and unemployment rate. Both spatial and temporal effects were found to be important, and they played nearly the same roles for all three crash types in the studied dataset. Counties located in north and southwest Iowa were found to tend to have fewer crashes than the remaining counties. All three crash types generally showed descending trends from 2006 to 2015. They also had significantly positive correlations between each other in space but not in time. The crude crash rates and predicted crash rates were generally consistent for major injury and minor injury crashes but not for low-count fatal crashes. High-risk counties were identified using the posterior expected rank by the predicted crash cost rate, which was more able to truly represent the underlying traffic safety status than the rank by the crude crash cost rate.
Adverse Events Among Patients With Diabetes and Ambulatory Practice Characteristics: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Survey:

Medications are the most common treatment modality for diabetes; however, medications may lead to inadvertent injury. Reducing adverse events in patients with diabetes is an important health care g...
A Lucky Accident: Brugada Syndrome Associated with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

About 350,000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) occur yearly in the United States. Unfortunately, even with treatment from emergency medical service (EMS) staff and hospitalization, only 12% survive past discharge for multiple reasons. Classically, Brugada syndrome (BrS) initially presents as a new syncopal episode in young males without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, in this case report, a patient who emergently presented with a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) challenges the stereotypical presentation. Despite successful stent placement for relatively minor obstructive CAD, new ST-segment elevations appeared on electrocardiogram (ECG) and persistent ventricular fibrillation arrests may signify an additional underlying pathology of BrS.
Forecasting Realized Volatility With Kernel Ridge Regression

This paper explores a common machine learning tool, the kernel ridge regression, as applied to financial volatility forecasting. It is shown that kernel ridge provides reliable forecast improvements to both a linear specification, and a fitted nonlinear specification which represents well known empirical features from volatility modeling. Therefore, the kernel ridge specification is still finding some nonlinear improvements that are not part of the usual volatility modeling toolkit. Various diagnostics show it to be a reliable and useful tool. Finally, the results are applied in a dynamic volatility control trading strategy. The kernel ridge results again show improvements over linear modeling tools when applied to building a dynamic strategy.
Functional Dyspepsia: Clinical Symptoms, Psychological Findings, and GCSI Scores.

The GCSI questionnaire measures symptoms of gastroparesis (GP). Symptoms of FD overlap with GP. The ability of the GCSI to discriminate FD from GP is unknown. By prospectively evaluating functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, we aimed to evaluate the ability of the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) to: (1) distinguish FD from GP; (2) predict symptom severity, anxiety, and depression; (3) correlate symptoms with gastric emptying. FD patients (Rome III criteria) were identified, and upper endoscopy and gastric emptying scan (GES) data recorded. A total of 254 patients were mailed a questionnaire evaluating demographics, FD symptoms, mental well-being; the GCSI was included. One hundred and twenty-three patients responded; of them, 75% were women and mean age was 49 (15 SD) years. 44.7% were categorized as postprandial distress subtype (PDS), 34.1% were epigastric pain subtype (EPS), and 21.1% were mixed type. The mean GCSI score was 2.02 (1.1 SD), slightly lower than historical GP controls (2.26–2.56). Mixed EPS–PDS subtype had the lowest GCSI scores (1.79; 0.91 SD). Bloating was the highest GCSI subscore (2.70; 1.53 SD), followed by fullness (2.31; 1.39 SD) and nausea (1.08; 1.19 SD). The GCSI total score did not correlate with anxiety and depression scores or with 4-h gastric emptying. In this population of FD patients, GCSI scores were slightly lower than historical gastroparesis control patients, although within the reported range. These results suggest that the GCSI cannot accurately distinguish FD patients from GP patients. A more specific questionnaire is needed to aid in the diagnosis and management of these distinct gastrointestinal disorders.
Long head of biceps tenodesis at the superior aspect of the biceps groove: A biomechanical comparison of inlay and onlay techniques.

PurposePathology involving the long head of the biceps tendon is a common source of shoulder pain. Biceps tenodesis has been successfully used in areas below the pectoralis, above the pectoralis, a...
Revisiting the Portability of Performance Paradox: Employee Mobility and the Utilization of Human and Social Capital Resources

This study revisits the portability of performance paradox—the common finding that external hires fail to replicate prior performance after switching firms—by examining how the nature of an employe...
Geographically re-oriented magmatic and metamorphic foliations from ODP Hole 735B Atlantis Bank, Southwest Indian Ridge: Magmatic intrusion and crystal-plastic overprint in the footwall of an oceanic core complex

Abstract When core pieces are drilled they lose all geographic information, making crustal-scale structural analysis of in situ oceanic crust near impossible. In order to better understand the orientation of deformation fabrics in the footwall, and therefore the formation and evolution of the lower oceanic crust, magmatic and high-temperature metamorphic foliations were re-oriented back to the geographic reference frame over the interval 90–600 m below sea floor from Ocean Drilling Program Hole 735B at the Atlantis Bank oceanic core complex, Southwest Indian Ridge. Fractures measured on cores were correlated with borehole images of fractures to re-orient core pieces, and therefore re-orient any element within those core pieces. Simple 2-D models of extension predict that high-temperature fabrics should dip toward or away from the spreading ridge, however, only ∼30% of each foliation type follows this prediction. The lack of systematic orientation of high temperature deformation foliations seems to indicate that there is a complex 3-D orientation and distribution of magmatic and metamorphic foliations with respect to the detachment shear zone and that the strains that these foliations recorded is not compatible with simple plane strain assumptions related to ridge-perpendicular extension at slow-spreading ridges.
High-order finite difference scheme for compressible multi-component flow computations

Abstract This paper presents a high-order weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) finite difference scheme for compressible multi-fluid and multi-phase dynamics. The scheme overcomes the difficulty of applying the common flux-based WENO finite difference scheme to multi-fluid problems by applying the reconstruction on primitive variables and, thus avoiding the spurious oscillations inherent in the standard methods. Schemes of orders up to nine are introduced and analyzed. The proposed finite difference schemes are significantly more efficient than the available high-order finite volume schemes in both storage requirement, operation counts, and inter-processor message passing in parallel computations with efficiency gains being higher at higher orders and higher spatial dimensions. For the same level of accuracy, in three-dimensional calculations, a fourfold speedup or higher at fifth-order accuracy or higher over the finite volume scheme is expected. A comparison of the proposed scheme with the standard flux-based finite difference scheme in solving a single-fluid shock small entropy wave interaction is presented, demonstrating its excellent performance. In a challenging, two-fluid problem of a strong shock interacting with a helium-air interface, the accuracy, non-oscillatory, conservation, and convergence of the scheme are illustrated. Moreover, in a liquid water-air shock tube problem, the scheme effectively captures compression and expansion waves and contact discontinuity, and outperforms low-order schemes. In computations of a two-dimensional shock bubble interaction, good agreements with experimental data are obtained and competitive performance to the high-order finite volume scheme is shown.
Us and Them: Using Social Identity Theory to Explain and Re-envision Teacher–Student Relationships in Urban Schools

Within a framework of social identity theory (SIT), this paper utilizes social cognitive psychological theories to explain how and why White urban teachers often struggle to create loving spaces in urban classrooms, particularly when their students are from social groups different from their own. Social categorization theory is useful for describing how the sociocultural context of urban schools and schooling created and sustains the archetypal teacher savior identity. Social identity theories of intergroup behavior and organizational role theory are employed to explicate how the group norms of teacher saviors describe and prescribe pedagogical practices that create a hierarchy between teachers and students, leaving little room for warmth and caring. Finally, guided by Howard’s (We can’t teach what we don’t know: White teachers, multiracial schools, 2nd edn. Teachers College Press, New York, 2016) concept of a transformationist teacher identity, I offer suggestions for how teacher educators can help preservice teachers cultivate positive teacher–student relationships in their future classrooms by knowing themselves, knowing their students, and knowing their practice. Ultimately, SIT suggests that urban teachers must be metacognitive about the ways in which their identities are constructed and enacted in schools if they are to care about and for their diverse students.
Detectors for High Photon Rates

The increasing flux of photons available from synchrotron radiation sources requires x-ray detectors with greater and greater range in the counting rate capability. Dynamic studies of biological systems in which structural changes can be observed on a short time scale are of particular interest. No detector at present comes close to satisfying all the requirements simultaneously, such as counting rate capability, large dynamic range, high quantum efficiency over a wide range of energies, high position resolution, fast gating and consecutive time-slicing capability. Each detection principle developed so far has some good properties and some serious limitations, and the only practical approach for the near future is to find the best compromise for a particular experiment of interest. For example, some interesting detectors have a sufficiently large number of position elements (pixels) and can operate at high counting rates, but have a limited dynamic range and a long readout time. Thus consecutive time-slicing is not possible, and repetitive excitation and exposures of the sample are necessary.
The effect of progesterone and progesterone-estrogen on the glycogen deposition in the vagina of the squirrel monkey.

The investigation was designed to study the effect of progesterone, the relationship of progesterone and estrogen on the morphology of the stratified epithelium, and the glycogen concentration of the epithelium and smooth muscle cells of the vagina of the squirrel monkey. Progesterone stimulated the growth of the epithelium but not to the extent of that produced by estrogen or by both hormones injected concurrently. Progesterone greatly increased the glycogen concentration in the vaginal epithelium but only slightly in the smooth muscle. The largest amount of glycogen in the vaginal epithelium occurred following treatment with both hormones simultaneously. Estrogen and progesterone given together greatly increased the glycogen concentration of the smooth muscle cells. Progesterone did not inhibit the action of estrogen on the vagina.
The People's Climate March: Environmental populism as political genre

Abstract Contemporary political ecological research on populism has demonstrated how authoritarian and strongarm tactics come to be hitched to reductive symbolic representations of “the people,” often with disastrous environmental impacts. Advocates of “left-populism” argue that such research can give the erroneous impression that “populism” and “authoritarianism” are essentially synonymous. Skeptical of formalist arguments, Gramscians argue that populism, as a quite variegated and fundamentally spatial phenomenon, must be viewed historically, in situ. But all three arguments share a quick assessment of populism, without always attending to its embedded multiplicity. Bringing together insights from Stuart Hall and Lauren Berlant, this article seeks to expand geographical understandings of the dynamic forms and styles of environmental politics by proposing thinking of populism as a political genre. This theoretical schema helps to cut through formalist versus historicist debates while directing attention to the affective scenes through which populism is performed. In order to demonstrate the utility of examining populism's genre and scenes, I examine political essays written surrounding the 2014 People’s Climate March. Essays debated activist expectations concerning political subjectivity, tactics, scales of action, signifiers, and aesthetics for best confronting global inequality and the climate crisis alike. Through contesting the meaning of “the people” and “populism,” divergent leftist political interpretations both repeated and tweaked generic populist forms. By examining the performative construction and contestation of “the people” through languages and spaces of climate action, I advocate a humble yet still critical political ecological approach to understanding contemporary populism.
Pulmonary tuberculosis presenting secondary organizing pneumonia with organized polypoid granulation tissue: case series and review of the literature

Secondary organizing pneumonia (SOP) is difficult to distinguish from cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) considering various clinical situations. SOP caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is rare; indeed, it has not been reported as a sequela of disseminated tuberculosis. From January 2016 to December 2018, we identified six cases of tuberculosis-associated SOP in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis was revealed by microbiological examination; one of the cases was miliary tuberculosis. Of the six cases, 17% were positive for acid fast bacillus (AFB) stain, but 100% were positive for M. tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction (MTB PCR) and AFB culture. In all cases, transbronchial lung biopsy was performed and organizing pneumonia was confirmed pathologically. All survived after treatment with anti-tuberculosis therapy. Pulmonary tuberculosis, which shows OP in lung biopsy, is diagnosed through MTB PCR and AFB culture, and the prognosis is thought to be good.
Unveiling the quasi-public-private partnership (QPPP): evidence from China’s environmental service sector

Originating in neoliberal democracies, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a common policy tool allowing governments to provide public service through collaboration. In some non-liberal societi...
A pathogenic cycle between insomnia and cognitive arousal fuels perinatal depression: exploring the roles of nocturnal cognitive arousal and perinatal-focused rumination.

Study objectives Depression is among the most prevalent perinatal complications, yet modifiable risk factors remain elusive. Over half of perinatal women endorse clinical insomnia symptoms, which are etiologically implicated in depression in nonperinatal samples. Yet, prospective data on perinatal insomnia and depression are mixed. We sought to clarify temporal associations of insomnia and depression during peripartum, and to investigate cognitive arousal as a potential mechanism facilitating this relationship. Methods Seventy pregnant women completed sociodemographic information and baseline sleep and mood symptoms between gestational weeks 25 and 30. Beginning at gestational week 30, participants completed 17 weekly online surveys assessing insomnia, depression, and three cognitive arousal indices (nocturnal cognitive arousal, perseverative thinking, and perinatal-focused rumination). Mixed effects models were conducted to test hypotheses. Results Women were at risk for depression when experiencing insomnia (odds ratio [OR] = 2.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28 to 4.35), nocturnal cognitive arousal (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.60 to 5.79), perinatal-focused rumination (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.11 to 3.79), and perseverative thinking (OR = 7.48, 95% CI = 3.90 to 14.32). Prospective analyses revealed bidirectional effects between insomnia and cognitive arousal, and both predicted future depression. Nocturnal cognitive arousal mediated 23-43% of the effect of insomnia on depression. Insomnia mediated 12%-18% of the effect of nocturnal cognitive arousal on depression. A similar pattern was observed with perinatal-focused rumination. Depression did not predict insomnia. Conclusion Nocturnal cognitive arousal, including ruminating on perinatal concerns while trying to fall asleep, fuels insomnia. In turn, lying awake at night provides an opportunity for nocturnal cognitive arousal. This cycle feeds perinatal depression. Daytime cognitive arousal may indirectly disrupt sleep as perseverating during the day persists into the night.
Interactions between TULP3 tubby domain cargo site and ARL13B amphipathic helix promote lipidated protein transport to cilia

Abstract The tubby family protein–TULP3 coordinates with the intraflagellar transport complex-A (IFT-A) in trafficking certain transmembrane proteins to cilia. These transmembrane cargoes have short motifs that are necessary and sufficient for TULP3-mediated trafficking. However, whether TULP3 regulates trafficking of membrane-associated proteins is not well understood. Here we show that TULP3 is required for transport of the atypical GTPase ARL13B into cilia, and for ciliary enrichment of ARL13B-dependent farnesylated and myristoylated proteins. ARL13B transport requires TULP3 binding to IFT-A core but not to phosphoinositides, unlike transmembrane cargo transport that requires binding to both by TULP3. A conserved lysine in TULP3’s tubby domain mediates direct ARL13B binding and trafficking of lipidated and transmembrane cargoes. An N-terminal amphipathic helix in ARL13B flanking the palmitoylation site mediates binding to TULP3 and directs trafficking to cilia even in absence of palmitoylation and RVxP sorting motif. Therefore, TULP3 transports transmembrane proteins and ARL13B into cilia by capture of short sequences through a shared tubby domain site.
Corporate Reconfiguration and Corporate Differentiation: Evidence from Divestitures and Acquisitions

The current study leverages firms’ product information from 10-K filings to examine whether divestiture and acquisition reconfiguration strategies affect the extent to which firms differentiate the...
Late-Season Nitrogen Applications Increase Soybean Yield and Seed Protein Concentration

Low seed and meal protein concentration in modern high-yielding soybean [Glycine max L. (Merr.)] cultivars is a major concern but there is limited information on effective cultural practices to address this issue. In the objective of dealing with this problem, this study conducted field experiments in 2019 and 2020 to evaluate the response of seed and meal protein concentrations to the interactive effects of late-season inputs [control, a liquid Bradyrhizobium japonicum inoculation at R3, and 202 kg ha-1 nitrogen (N) fertilizer applied after R5], previous cover crop (fallow or cereal cover crop with residue removed), and short- and full-season maturity group cultivars at three U.S. locations (Fayetteville, Arkansas; Lexington, Kentucky; and St. Paul, Minnesota). The results showed that cover crops had a negative effect on yield in two out of six site-years and decreased seed protein concentration by 8.2 mg g-1 on average in Minnesota. Inoculant applications at R3 did not affect seed protein concentration or yield. The applications of N fertilizer after R5 increased seed protein concentration by 6 to 15 mg g-1, and increased yield in Arkansas by 13% and in Minnesota by 11% relative to the unfertilized control. This study showed that late-season N applications can be an effective cultural practice to increase soybean meal protein concentration in modern high-yielding cultivars above the minimum threshold required by the industry. New research is necessary to investigate sustainable management practices that increase N availability to soybeans late in the season.
Percolative breakdown model for ceramics based on a random grain-boundary network

The mechanism of intrinsic breakdown in ceramics and insulating polymers is not clearly understood. A common feature in these materials is the existence of internal grain boundaries that provide a natural barrier to conduction. Here we propose that external electric fields work to alter the barrier heights at the various grain boundaries (GBs). A dynamic model for current conduction in ceramics is developed. This random Voronoi network of grains can model percolative paths through the sample, the overall current-voltage characteristics, and estimates effects of variations in grain size.
Effect of Enteric Hormone's on Sphincter of Oddi and Gastrointestinal Myoelectric Activity in Fasted Conscious Opossums

In this study we evaluated the effect of enteric hormones on sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst frequency in fasted conscious opossums. A chronic model for obtaining multiple long-term recordings of sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal myoelectric activity was prepared in 12 animals by implanting bipolar electrodes in the gastric antrum, duodenum, sphincter o f Oddi, jejunum, and ileum. Subsequently, 8–18 recording sessions, 6–8 h in length, were obtained in each animal. Each study was preceded by a 15-h fast. After recording two cycles of the interdigestive migratory myoelectric complex, a 60-min infusion of saline, cholecystokinin-octapeptide, pentagastrin, glucagon, or secretin was begun early in the quiescent period of duodenal activity, 10 min after termination of phase 3 of the migratory myoelectric complex activity. Cholecystokinin-octapeptide (10–80 ng/kg · min) and pentagastrin (25–200 ng/kg · min) increased sphincter of Oddi spike burst frequency while converting interdigestive gastrointestinal myoelectric activity to a fedlike pattern of continuous, irregular spike bursts. Glucagon at high doses of 500 and 1000 ng/kg · min depressed sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst activity, whereas lower doses of glucagon and secretin (3–12 CU/kg · h) had no effect. We conclude that in the opossum, relatively low doses of cholecystokinin-octapeptide and pentagastrin stimulate sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst activity while disrupting the cyclic pattern of sphincter of Oddi and gastrointestinal spike burst activity present during fasting. The physiological significance of these findings remains to be determined.
Employee Stock Options, Residual Income Valuation and Stock Price Reaction to SFAS 123 Footnote Disclosures

This study provides a theoretical analysis and empirical investigation of the valuation implications of employee stock options. I extend the residual income model to incorporate the effects of employee stock options, and then empirically test the model using data related to employee stock options collected from companies' financial statements. I show that the value obtained from the traditional residual income model based on reported earnings must be adjusted for the value of outstanding options and expected stock option expense. The empirical results are consistent with the model, indicating the existence of a cross-sectional negative association between share prices and both outstanding employee stock options and expected stock option expense. In addition, I examine the market's response to the disclosures of stock option information around firms' 10-K filings with the SEC. I find that SFAS 123 footnote disclosures at 10-K filings communicate useful information about employee stock options to investors.
Ethics for Enemies: Terror, Torture, and War

Introduction 1. Torture: During and After Action 2. Terrorism and Intending Evil 3. Reasons for Starting War: Goals, Conditions, and Proportionality Bibliography Index
H2 in Intense Laser Radiation — Multiphoton Two Electron Direct Processes

We have observed ions with energies of up to 12.5 eV from a sample of molecular hydorgen subjected to an intense 28 ns, 308 nm laser beam. We show that these ions are strong evidence for a two-electron many-photon direct collective process, and discuss the nature of this process. The rapid dissociation occurs on a femtosecond timescale from an initial internuclear separation as short as 0.58 A, well within the classically forbidden region.
H I Narrow Self-Absorption in Dark Clouds

We have used the Arecibo telescope to carry out a survey of 31 dark clouds in the Taurus/Perseus region for narrow absorption features in H I (21 cm) and OH (1667 and 1665 MHz) emission. We detected H I narrow self-absorption (HINSA) in 77% of the clouds that we observed. HINSA and OH emission, observed simultaneously, are remarkably well correlated. Spectrally, they have the same nonthermal line width and the same line centroid velocity. Spatially, they both peak at the optically selected central position of each cloud, and both fall off toward the cloud edges. Sources with clear HINSA features have also been observed in transitions of CO, 13CO, C18O, and C I. HINSA exhibits better correlation with molecular tracers than with C I. The line width of the absorption feature, together with analyses of the relevant radiative transfer, provides upper limits to the kinetic temperature of the gas producing the HINSA. Some sources must have a temperature close to or lower than 10 K. The correlation of column densities and line widths of HINSA with those characteristics of molecular tracers suggests that a significant fraction of the atomic hydrogen is located in the cold, well-shielded portions of molecular clouds and is mixed with the molecular gas. The average number density ratio [H I]/[H2] is 1.5 × 10-3. The inferred H I density appears consistent with, but slightly higher than, the value expected in steady state equilibrium between formation of H I via cosmic-ray destruction of H2 and destruction via formation of H2 on grain surfaces. The distribution and abundance of atomic hydrogen in molecular clouds are critical tests of dark cloud chemistry and structure, including the issues of grain surface reaction rates, PDRs, circulation, and turbulent diffusion.
Revisiting Levin+Li acceleration method for rapid diffraction analysis of reflector antennas

The Levin method, improved by Li, is shown to accelerate, by about three orders of magnitude, the brute-force physical optics radiation from a parabolic reflector of 240 wavelengths, especially in the far-out sidelobe regions. Key steps involve the use of an accelerating approximation involving a delaminating quadrature suggested by Li, sampling at Chebyshev-Lobatto nodes, the Chebyshev differential matrix, and truncated singular value decomposition. This paper revisits the application of the Levin+Li method and tailors it specifically to accelerate calculations for parabolic reflector antennas.
Discovery of an Old, Nearby, and Overlooked Supernova Remnant Centered on the Southern Constellation Antlia Pneumatica

We report the discovery of a supernova remnant (SNR) with an angular diameter of 24°, centered on the southern constellation Antlia Pneumatica. The SNR is detected well in Hα and X-rays. Within the Antlia SNR's outline, a marginally significant feature is detected in the 1.8 MeV gamma-ray line of the radioisotope 26Al. At an estimated distance dA 60-340 pc, the Antlia SNR is perhaps the nearest SNR except for the Local Bubble. Consequently, any associated neutron star or black hole is expected to have a large proper motion. Of the trajectories of nearby pulsars with well-determined proper motions, only B0950+08's passes within the SNR outline. If the SNR and the pulsar B0950+08 indeed both originated from the same supernova, then their age t = 1.8(dA/100 pc) Myr.
Paraffin-wax-coated plates as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization sample support for high-throughput identification of proteins by peptide mass fingerprinting.

Abstract We compared trysin-digested protein samples desalted by ZipTipC18 reverse-phase microcolumns with on-plate washing of peptides deposited either on paraffin-coated plates (PCP), Teflon-based AnchorChip plates, or stainless steel plates, before analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Trypsinized bovine serum albumin and ovalbumin and 16 protein spots extracted from silver-stained two-dimensional gels of murine C2C12 myoblasts or human leukocytes, prepared by the above two methods, were subjected to MALDI on PCP, AnchorChip plates, or uncoated stainless steel plates. Although most peptide mass peaks were identical regardless of the method of desalting and concentrating of protein samples, samples washed and concentrated by the PCP-based method had peptide peaks that were not seen in the samples prepared using the ZipTipC18 columns. The mass spectra of peptides desalted and washed on uncoated stainless steel MALDI plates were consistently inferior due to loss of peptides. Some peptides of large molecular masses were apparently lost from samples desalted by ZipTipC18 microcolumns, thus diminishing the quality of the fingerprint needed for protein identification. We demonstrate that the method of washing of protein samples on paraffin-coated plates provides an easy, reproducible, inexpensive, and high-throughput alternative to ZipTipC18-based purification of protein prior to MALDI-TOF-MS analysis.
Changes in the management of the information systems organization: an exploratory study

The present study was conducted as exploratory research to understand the activities and beliefs of IS and line managers, with regard to the management of information technology (IT). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 managers in seven firms to understand their current initiatives, future vision, and the factors driving change. Managers from three different positions from each company were interviewed—a senior IS manager, an IS application development manager, and a line manager. The results showed that there were a variety of different initiatives underway—with the most common ones being rapid prototyping, an emphasis on purchasing packages, business reengineering, and building IT infrastructure. Beyond these few commonalities, different firms were adopting a variety of changes to their IS organization structure, working relationships with users and outside vendors, system development tools and methodologies, and their training and other human resource policies.Similarly, a broad range of factors were cited as driving changes in IT management practice—with these clustering into four major sets of drivers: business cost pressures, business service pressures, IS service pressures, and technology-push factors. Few respondents were able to articulate a vision for the IS organization of the future, beyond describing their expectations for the initiatives currently underway. Of those respondents who provided such a vision, few described the steps required to achieve the transition. These findings are analyzed in terms of a management framework derived from Harold Leavitt and discussed in light of other recent research on IS management. Questions for follow-up research are suggested.
Abciximab as an adjunct to high-risk carotid or vertebrobasilar angioplasty: preliminary experience.

OBJECTIVE Abciximab, a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor, has been shown to reduce the risk of ischemic events associated with coronary intervention. However, its role in neurointerventional procedures needs to be defined. We prospectively evaluated our initial experience with the use of abciximab in a series of high-risk patients undergoing carotid, basilar, or vertebral artery angioplasty. METHODS Patients were given an intravenous abciximab bolus (0.25 mg/kg), followed by infusion (10 microg/min) for a period ranging from 12 to 24 hours, as an adjunct to angioplasty in 20 procedures (19 patients). These patients were considered to be at high risk for thromboembolic events because of recent ischemic symptoms and/or complex lesion morphology. Before, immediately after, and 24 hours after the procedure, each patient was evaluated by a neurologist for the presence of new neurological deficits. Any bleeding or other complications during hospitalization were also recorded. Bleeding was defined as major (hemoglobin decrease >5 g/dl), minor (hemoglobin decrease 3-5 g/dl), or insignificant. RESULTS Angioplasty was performed in the internal carotid artery (n = 13), vertebral artery (n = 4), or basilar artery (n = 2). Stents were placed across 13 lesions. In one patient, angioplasty could not be performed owing to technical difficulties; however, abciximab was administered because of extensive lesion manipulation. Intraprocedural heparin was given in 19 procedures (35-86 U/kg intravenously) and partially reversed in 6 procedures. Low-dose intra-arterial thrombolytic agents were administered in seven patients before the lesion was crossed. Two patients experienced transient neurological deficits either during (n = 1) or immediately after (n = 1) the procedure. Another patient had complete occlusion of the right vertebral artery after angioplasty with complete recanalization after 24 hours of abciximab infusion. Major or minor bleeding was not observed in any patient. Insignificant bleeding was observed in eight patients. Thrombocytopenia was observed in one patient who received concomitant administration of intravenous heparin and abciximab infusion. CONCLUSION We observed a low frequency of neurological events in high-risk patients undergoing angioplasty with or without stent placement. Abciximab seems to be a relatively safe adjunct for carotid or vertebrobasilar endovascular intervention either alone or in combination with low-dose thrombolytics. Partial reversal of intraprocedural heparin should be considered to reduce the risk of postprocedural bleeding.
Nucleon-nucleon scattering amplitudes and the classical scattering of Skyrmions

The semiclassical prescription for calculating nucleon-nucleon scattering amplitudes in the Skyrme model is reviewed. It is argued that the lack of an intermediate-range attraction in the nucleon-nucleon potential derived from the Skyrme model is an artifact of the ad hoc prescription for the potential and will not affect the scattering amplitudes. The calculation of scattering amplitudes is illustrated by calculating the contribution to the amplitudes for 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} scattering from novel classical solutions conjectured by Manton.
Mass and Thermal Diffusivity Algorithms

: Mass and thermal diffusivity measurements conducted on Earth are prone to contamination by uncontrollable convective contributions to the overall transport. Previous studies of mass and thermal diffusivities conducted on spacecraft have demonstration the gain in precision, and lower absolute values, resulting from the reduced convective transport possible in a low-gravity environment. We have developed and extensively tested real-time techniques for diffusivity measurements, where several measurements may be obtained on a single sample. This is particularly advantageous for low gravity research were there is limited experiment time. The mass diffusivity methodology uses a cylindrical sample geometry. A radiotracer, initially located at one end of the host is used as the diffusant. The sample is positioned in a concentric isothermal radiation shield with collimation bores located at defined positions along its axis. The intensity of the radiation emitted through the collimators is measured versus time with solid-state detectors and associated energy discrimination electronics. For the mathematical algorithm that we use, only a single pair of collimation bores and detectors are necessary for single temperature measurements. However, by employing a second, offset, pair of collimation holes and radiation detectors, diffusivities can be determined at several temperatures per sample. For thermal diffusivity measurements a disk geometry is used. A heat pulse is applied in the center of the sample and the temperature response of the sample is measured at several locations. Thus, several values of the diffusivity are measured versus time. The exact analytic solution to a heat pulse in the disk geometry leads to a unique heated area and measurement locations. Knowledge of the starting time and duration of he heating pulse is not used in the data evaluation. Thus, this methodology represents an experimentally simpler and more robust scheme.
The evolution of the contemporary cavity preparation

In a review of the literature, the development of the Class II cavity preparation and the methods that are taught in dental schools are discussed. For a long time G. V. Black's preparations were totally accepted by the profession. The rush of technology and the advancement of new concepts have produced a more conservative preparation.
DEPLETION INTERACTIONS IN THE PROTEIN LIMIT : EFFECTS OF POLYMER DENSITY FLUCTUATIONS

We report the first observations of nonmonotonic changes in the second virial coefficients of protein solutions, ${B}_{2}$, as the concentration of nonadsorbing polymer is increased. The observed minimum in ${B}_{2}$ cannot be predicted from standard depletion interaction energy models and is closely associated with proximity to the lower critical solution temperature of the polymer solution. The location, depth, and molecular weight dependence of the minima are captured by the thermal polymer reference interaction site model for depletion interactions, where the polymer mesh size is a function of temperature.
Laparoscopic surgery significantly reduces surgical-site infections compared with open surgery.

Surgical-site infections (SSIs) are nosocomial infectious complications causing significant morbidity, mortality, and hospital costs. Recently, the US Department of Human Health Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services outlined measures intended to decrease and prevent hospital-acquired infections such as SSI. This study aimed to compare the incidence of SSI after laparoscopic and open surgery. A retrospective analysis of a large administrative, clinical, and financial database (University Health System Consortium) of US Academic Medical Centers and affiliated community hospitals was conducted. Patients who underwent laparoscopic (n = 94,665) or open (n = 36,965) appendectomy, cholecystectomy, antireflux surgery, or gastric bypass between 2004 and 2008 were included in the analysis. The main outcome measure was inpatient diagnosis of SSI after laparoscopic and open surgery. During the 45-month study period, a total of 131,630 patients underwent one of four selected procedures. Overall, the incidence of SSI was significantly lower in laparoscopic (483 of 94,665, 0.5%) than in open (669 of 36,965, 1.8%) surgery (p < 0.01). Largely, laparoscopic techniques offered a protective effect against SSI (odds ratio [OR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25–0.31). Patients treated with laparoscopy were 72% less likely to experience an SSI. This protective effect was shown to be sustained after stratification by severity of illness (minor: OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.14–0.26; moderate: OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.25–0.35; major/extreme: OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.54–0.79), admission status (elective: OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.20–0.31; urgent: OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.28–0.53; emergent: OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.25–0.34), and wound classification (dirty wounds: OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.37–0.54). In US academic medical centers, laparoscopy significantly reduces SSI. Patients treated with laparoscopic procedures are less likely to experience SSI. After stratification by severity of illness, admission status, and wound classification, laparoscopic techniques showed a protective effect against SSI.
Citrulline synthesis in rat tissues.

Abstract The distribution of carbamyl phosphate synthetase (CPS) and/or ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) was determined in 17 different rat tissues. Both enzymes, but particularly OTC, were found to be located mainly in the liver so that assay for OTC activity can provide a highly specific test for liver parenchymal cells. Optimal conditions for treatment of small samples of liver to maintain enzyme activity on storage are described. The significance of the absence of detectable CPS activity in most tissues for the presumed role of carbamyl phosphate in pyrimidine biosynthesis is discussed. In addition, it was found that (a) both CPS and OTC first appeared late in fetal life in the rat and did not reach adult levels until after birth, (b) OTC activity in rat and mouse hepatomas varied from undetectable to the normal level of adult liver, and (c) cells derived from liver and grown in culture were devoid of OTC activity.
Design of Optimal Policies: A Variable Structure Control Approach

This paper introduces methods of variable structure control (VSC) theory to economists. The VSC design is based on closed loop optimal control solutions. It is shown that VSC can yield stable solutions in the presence of parameter errors whereas conventional closed loop optimal control solutions become unstable. The methodology is applied to a simple economic model.
Resumption of Gonadotrophic Function in Pituitary Grafts following Re-transplantation from Kidney to Median Eminence

Resumption of Gonadotrophic Function in Pituitary Grafts following Re-transplantation from Kidney to Median Eminence
Toxicity evaluation of gold-dendrimer composite nanodevices in vitro – difference found between tumour and proliferating endothelial cells

Composite nanodevices (CNDs) are a well-studied class of multifunctional nanomaterials with several potential medical uses, including cancer imaging and therapy. Gold/ dendrimer CNDs are organic/inorganic hybrid materials consisting of physical networks of dendrimer(s) and inorganic materials. This design permits properties of dendrimers and inorganic materials to be individually modified and optimized. A detailed understanding of factors regulating toxicity is lacking. We develop and test toxicity assays for CNDs in vitro both for cancer cells and for normal endothelial cells. We show how CND surface charge (positive, negative or neutral) and exposure time affects biosafety for d = 5 nm nanodevices. We also show that formation of the CND (incorporation of gold into a dendrimer template) can lower toxicity of a dendrimer. Interestingly, we also show that tumour cells and proliferating endothelial cells have different toxicity profiles.
IMAGE CLASSIFICATION BY AN OPTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FUKUNAGA-KOONTZ TRANSFORM.

The Fukunaga–Koontz (F–K) transform is a linear transformation that performs image-feature extraction for a two-class image classification problem. It has the property that the most important basis functions for representing one class of image data (in a least-squares sense) are also the least important for representing a second image class. We present a new method of calculating the F–K basis functions for large dimensional imagery by using a small digital computer, when the intraclass variation can be approximated by correlation matrices of low rank. Having calculated the F–K basis functions, we use a coherent optical processor to obtain the coefficients of the F–K transform in parallel. Finally, these coefficients are detected electronically, and a classification is performed by the small digital computer.
The Consequences of Maternal Employment During Men’s Childhood for their Adult Housework Performance:

Using data from the first two waves of the National Survey of Families and Households, the author finds that married and cohabiting men exposed to maternal employment during childhood spent more time on housework as adults than did other men. By contrast, there is no such association for single men. These findings show that men’s housework performance is affected by both their childhood socialization and their adult circumstances, that is, whether they live with women. Furthermore, the positive relationship between maternal employment and adult housework for partnered men is restricted to men who grew up with their fathers present. Taken together, these results demonstrate that men’s adult housework performance is influenced by a combination of factors, namely, maternal employment, father presence, and marital status, rather than any one of them in isolation. The study suggests that we need both the socialization and the situational, or interactionist, perspectives to understand men’s adult family behavior.
Case Report: Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Patient with Polymyositis: Therapeutic Importance of Early Recognition and Discussion of Pathogenic Mechanisms

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by the pentad of fever, thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, fluctuating neurologic symptoms, and renal dysfunction. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura has recently been reported in association with rheumatic diseases (RDs). The authors present a patient with TTP and polymyositis and speculate on the pathophysiology linking these two conditions. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and RDs may present with overlapping clinical and laboratory features. It is important to identify TTP as a cause of thrombocytopenia and hemolysis when occurring in patients with RDs since management, treatment, and prognosis differ. Early recognition and prompt institution of plasmapheresis may improve the outcome in patients with TTP.