cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Author response: Michael H. Brooke, MB, BCh (1934-2018).

We completely agree with the comments of Dr. James Russell. His succinct description of the contributions of Dr. Michael Brooke emphasizes the importance of presenting new clinical concepts with clarity in a rapidly evolving field inspiring an entire generation of neurologists. The understanding achieved through Brooke's teaching and insights improved the lives of countless patients with devastating neuromuscular diseases.
Science meets a metaphor

With Ahab9s Rolling Sea, historian Richard J. King uses modern sources and historical texts to take a fresh look at Moby-Dick—published in the same decade as Charles Darwin9s On the Origin of Species—with the well-defined brief of assessing its natural history content. The result is a light-hearted and incredibly enjoyable read that manages somehow, at the right moments, to be both broad and narrow in scope.
Do consumers care about CSR activities of their favorite restaurant brands? Evidence from engagement on social networks

While prior corporate social responsibility (CSR) research has focused mainly on the positive influences of CSR activities on consumers’ perceptions of and attitudes toward brands with survey and e...
Conservation management improves agroecosystem function and resilience of soil nitrogen cycling in response to seasonal changes in climate.

Abstract Understanding how conservation agricultural management improves soil nitrogen (N) stability in the face of climate change can help increase agroecosystem productivity and mitigate runoff, leaching and downstream water quality issues. We conducted a 2-year field study in a 36-year-old rain-fed cotton production system to evaluate the impacts of changing climatic factors (temperature and precipitation) on soil N under conservation management, including moderate inorganic N fertilizer application (0 and 67 kg N ha−1), winter cover crops (fallow; winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L.; hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth), and reduced tillage (no-till; disk tillage). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to quantify and compare the effects of conservation management and climatic factors on soil N concentrations. Fertilizer and vetch cover crops increased soil total N concentration by 16% and 18%, respectively, and also increased microbial N transformation rate by 41% and 168%. In addition, vetch cover crops also increased soil labile N concentrations by 57%, 21%, and 79%, i.e., extractable organic N, ammonium, and nitrate, respectively. The highest soil δ15N value (6.4 ± 0.3‰) was observed under the 67 kg N ha−1 fertilizer-wheat-disk tillage treatment, and the lowest value (4.8 ± 0.3‰) under the zero-fertilizer-wheat-no-till treatment, indicating fertilizer and tillage might accelerate microbial N transformation. The SEM showed positive effects of temperature and precipitation on labile N concentrations, suggesting destabilization of soil N and the potential for soil N loss under increased temperature and intensified precipitation. Fertilizer and vetch use might mitigate some of the effects of temperature by accelerating microbial N transformations, with vetch having a larger effect than fertilizer (0.35 vs. 0.15, Table 1). No-till can reduce some of the effects of precipitation on soil labile N by maintaining soil structure. Our study suggests that fertilizer, vetch cover crop, and no-till might help improve function and resilience of agroecosystems in relation to soil N cycling. Soil N stabilization in cropping systems can be enhanced by adjusting agricultural management.
Acromegaly: achieving timely diagnosis and improving outcomes by personalized care.

Purpose of review Discuss recent literature regarding clinical manifestations and comorbidities in acromegaly, with focus on early diagnosis and customized care. Recent findings The mean interval between onset of clinical manifestations and diagnosis is currently 3-5 years. Women, especially younger than 50 years of age, experience longer delays, have lower insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and larger tumors than men. Development of comorbidities usually precedes the diagnosis and is influenced by age, sex, and biochemical disease activity. Comorbidities other than irreversible osteoarticular structural changes usually improve after acromegaly treatment. In patients with diabetes, the course of hyperglycemia not only depends on biochemical control but also on specific acromegaly therapies. Quality of life is influenced by sex, as well as by acromegaly symptoms, biochemical activity, and treatment. Quality of life remains lower than general population despite biochemical remission. Summary Early diagnosis can be achieved by suspecting acromegaly based on suggestive clinical scenarios rather than obvious changes in appearance. Personalized care entails a proactive multidisciplinary approach to identify and treat comorbidities while carefully monitoring the effects of acromegaly treatment.
The role of group activity participation in depression among institutionalized elderly

The role of group activity participation in depression among a group of residents (N=65), age 80 and older, in a nursing home was examined using the framework of Roy's Adaptation Theory and Nolen-Hoeksema's Response Style Theory of Depression. Roy views depression as a maladaptation. Nolen-Hoeksema views group activity participation as a therapeutic distraction to break depressed moods and thus allow for positive adaptation. This study utilized data from medical records, group activity attendance, and selfreport questionnaires. Demographic distributions were computed and correlational statistics were performed between subjects' participation and their degree of depression, pain experience, functional status, presence of social support, and perception of benefits. Results show a negative correlation between frequency of participation and Geriatric Depression Scale score (GDS). The wide range of measured frequencies among low GDS-scored subjects suggests that less depressed individuals exercise more freedom of choice to participate than those who are more depressed. Significant finding show a positive correlation of group activity participation with functional status in terms of ambulation. Data shows that the experience of pain was not a significant deterrent to participation. The presence of social support from the staff and family did not increase participation. However there is a lesser GDS score among subjects who had recent family/friends visit suggesting a positive role of family in decreasing depression. These results are significant not only for optimizing group therapeutic effects but also for understanding basic human and environmental correlates of depression. Study limitations are pointed out and recommendations are presented.
Using marine by-products in pharmaceutical, medical, and cosmetic products.

Publisher Summary The concept of utilizing bioactive compounds of marine origin in cosmetic, medical, and pharmaceutical applications is an ancient tradition. This chapter discusses some of the most studied bioactive compounds from edible marine food products. Bioactive compounds from marine origin appear to possess stronger biological activities than their land-based counterparts. Because of phylogeny differences, disease resistance appears to be a remote concern. For some time, bioactive compounds from the sea were used as drug carriers, demulcents, and nutritional supplements. Advances in marine biotechnology have increased the efficiency and profitability of the seafood industry. Squalamine is an aminosterol present in the liver, gallbladder, intestines, testes, and stomach of dogfish shark. Squalamine is a cationic water-soluble steroid and is effective against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, fungi, angiogenesis, and tumor activities.
Determination of the surface structure of layered compounds by low-energy electron diffraction

The surface structures of 2H-NbSe2 and 2H-MoS2 have been accurately determined by low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) techniques. The crystal polytype is found to be unchanged at the surface and the lattice dimensions are found also to be unchanged, except for a 5% contraction of the top interplanar separation of MoS2. We present LEED data for 1T-TaS2, a compound in which charge-density-waveinduced transitions have been observed. The data suggest that the surface structure of 1T-TaS2 is also nearly identical to the bulk structure.
Resolution and Reconstitution of the Mitochondrial Electron Transport System I. RECONSTITUTION OF THE SUCCINATE-UBIQUINONE REDUCTASE

Abstract 1. Succinate dehydrogenase formed a complex with coupling factor 4 (F4) from beef heart mitochondria, either in the presence or in the absence of phospholipids. Succinate dehydrogenase bound to F4 remained insensitive to 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione and did not react with ubiquinone. 2. If cytochrome b was included in the complex, a succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity sensitive to 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione was reconstituted. Although required, cytochrome b did not appear to undergo oxidation-reduction. 3. The appearance of succinate-ubiquinone reductase was dependent on the use of reconstitutively active succinate dehydrogenase. Succinate dehydrogenase prepared in the absence of succinate was bound to the complex but was only active with N-methylphenazinium methyl sulfate as acceptor. 4. Phospholipids were essential for the succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity. Purified lecithin or phosphatidylethanolamine, but not cardiolipin, substituted for the crude phospholipid extract in the reconstitution of the complex. Complexes made with mitochondrial phospholipids had a higher specific activity and were more stable than those made with soybean phospholipids. Incubation of cytochrome b with soybean phospholipids resulted in complete loss of reconstitutive property of cytochrome b. 5. It is concluded that mitochondrial cytochrome b, in addition to its function in the electron transport, has a structural role in the organization of the members of the electron transport chain.
Comment on a Rigorous Bound for the f + ( 0 ) Form Factor of K l 3 Decay

We derive a rigorous bound on the form factor ${f}_{+}(0)$ in the form $|{f}_{+}(0)|\ensuremath{\le}[\frac{16}{({m}_{K}\ensuremath{-}{m}_{\ensuremath{\pi}})}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}(\sqrt{{m}_{K}}+\sqrt{{m}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}})]$${[\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Delta}(0)}{3({m}_{K}+{m}_{\ensuremath{\pi}})}]}^{\frac{1}{2}}$, where $\ensuremath{\Delta}(0)$ is the propagator of the divergence of the strangeness-changing current at zero momentum transfer. Using the estimate of Mathur and Okubo for $\ensuremath{\Delta}(0)$, we get $|{f}_{+}(0)|\ensuremath{\le}1.0$ and $|\frac{{f}_{K}}{{f}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}}|\ensuremath{\le}1.28$.
Impact of Anatomical Radical Prostatectomy on Urinary Continence

AbstractUrinary continence following an anatomical approach to radical prostatectomy was evaluated in 593 consecutive patients, 547 (92%) of whom achieved complete urinary control. Stress incontinence was present in 46 patients (8%), of whom 34 (6%) wore 1 or fewer pads per day and 2 (0.3%) required placement of an artificial sphincter. No patient was totally incontinent. Age, weight of the prostate, prior transurethral resection of the prostate, pathological stage and preservation or wide excision of the neurovascular bundles had no significant influence on preservation of urinary control. These data suggest that anatomical factors rather than preservation of autonomic innervation may be responsible for the improved urinary control associated with an anatomical approach to radical prostatectomy.
Diabetes knowledge and self-management effects on physiological outcomes in type 2 diabetes.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether Asian Pacific Islanders with type 2 diabetes who have better knowledge and self-management would have better baseline hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and total cholesterol values. Signicant relationships were found among (a) general diet on HbA1c (p < .030), (b) medications on HbA1c (< .009), and (c) diabetes knowledge on HbA1c (p < .001). Participants with active self-management regimens were expected to demonstrate better laboratory values than those who did not implement self-management. However, persons with knowledge may for other reasons still lack self-management. Practical Implications Future studies comparing baseline results to post-additional education sessions may yield better comparisons.
Teaching for understanding in medical classrooms using multimedia design principles

Objectives In line with a recent report entitled Effective Use of Educational Technology in Medical Education from the Association of American Medical Colleges Institute for Improving Medical Education (AAMC-IME), this study examined whether revising a medical lecture based on evidence-based principles of multimedia design would lead to improved long-term transfer and retention in Year 3 medical students. A previous study yielded positive effects on an immediate retention test, but did not investigate long-term effects. Methods In a pre-test/post-test control design, a cohort of 37 Year 3 medical students at a private, midwestern medical school received a bullet point-based PowerPoint™ lecture on shock developed by the instructor as part of their core curriculum (the traditional condition group). Another cohort of 43 similar medical students received a lecture covering identical content using slides redesigned according to Mayer’s evidence-based principles of multimedia design (the modified condition group). Results Findings showed that the modified condition group significantly outscored the traditional condition group on delayed tests of transfer given 1 week (d = 0.83) and 4 weeks (d = 1.17) after instruction, and on delayed tests of retention given 1 week (d = 0.83) and 4 weeks (d = 0.79) after instruction. The modified condition group also significantly outperformed the traditional condition group on immediate tests of retention (d = 1.49) and transfer (d = 0.76). Conclusions This study provides the first evidence that applying multimedia design principles to an actual medical lecture has significant effects on measures of learner understanding (i.e. long-term transfer and long-term retention). This work reinforces the need to apply the science of learning and instruction in medical education.
Oil production in the lower 48 states: Reconciling curve fitting and econometric models

Abstract This paper assesses the effect of geological, economic, and political factors on oil production in the lower 48 states between 1947 and 1985 with a new method that combines curve fitting and econometric models. The results account for most of the variation in annual rates of oil production and are consistent with new lower estimates of recoverable oil supply. The collapse in oil prices now reinforces downward pressure on production that is exerted by the physical depletion of inexpensive sources of oil. The subsequent decline in production may push the US to greater levels of import dependence than prevailed prior to previous price increases.
The Spearing Tool Filing System Disaster

Debtor name errors have been a substantial and persistent problem for filers and searchers in the Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 filing system. Filers make errors in spelling, punctuation, and spacing, use trade names, and include extraneous words. The law prior to 2001 excused such errors if they were minor and not seriously misleading. That put the burden on searchers to conduct reasonable diligent searches to find erroneous filings. The effect was to render all searches problematic and costly. The drafters of revised Article 9 conceived a brilliant solution to the problem with respect to corporate debtors (registered entities). First, they required filers to file in the exact, correct names of their debtors, forgiving only errors that would be caught by the filing office's official search logic. That meant a searcher could conduct a single search in the exact, correct name of a debtor and be assured of finding every effective filing. To make exact, correct names easily available to filers and searchers, the drafters changed the place for filing against a corporate debtor to its state of incorporation. Because the same office would have both the Article 9 and corporate record for a debtor, filing officers could set up point and shoot systems in which filers and searchers selected their debtors from the list of all entities incorporated in the state rather than attempting to name them. Had point and shoot been implemented, filing or searching against the wrong debtor would have remained possible, but debtor name errors would have been eliminated completely. The Sixth Circuit's decision in Spearing Tool nullified the drafters' efforts. The court held federal tax lien filings valid despite the Internal Revenue Service's failure to comply with the exact, correct name requirement. Because nearly every searcher is concerned with tax lien filings and those filings are in the Article 9 filing system in nearly all states, the practical effect of the decision was to reinstate the reasonable diligent search requirement for Article 9 searching. This essay applies systems analysis to demonstrate that the Spearing Tool decision imposes six kinds of costs on lenders while providing no significant benefit to the Internal Revenue Service: the costs of (1) name variation searches, (2) receiving and acting on notices of name variation, (3) purchasing insurance against search failures, (4) subordination of loans as a result of search failure, (5) litigating the reasonableness of search methods, and (6) professional advice on how to respond to Spearing Tool in specific circumstances. Despite the increase in total system cost resulting from Spearing Tool, reversal of the decision is highly unlikely. The IRS can prevent relitigation of the issue until the operation of the system has adjusted to the point where the cost of reversal would be prohibitive. Reform requires coordinated state and federal legislation.
High resolution spectral measurements in the nu(5) band of formaldehyde using a tunable IR diode laser.

Line strengths and broadening coefficients for formaldehyde (H2CO) near 3.5 μm were measured at room temperature using a tunable IR diode laser. Because of the extremely narrow linewidth of the laser (≈10−3 cm−1), the transitions were recorded at a resolution limited only by collision and Doppler broadening. The spectral parameters were determined from Voigt line shape fits to R and Q branch rotational–vibrational transitions of the ν5 band between 2867 and 2881 cm−1. Line strength measurements were made on both pure and dilute samples H2CO. Pressure broadening of H2CO lines by N2 was measured in mixtures containing of 0.8–1.2% H2CO.
Tumor-to-tumor metastasis (TTM) of breast carcinoma within a solitary renal angiomyolipoma: A case report

Abstract Angiomyolipomas of the kidney have been known to harbor malignant neoplasms including renal cell carcinoma. We report a case of a tumor-to-tumor metastasis (TTM) involving metastatic breast carcinoma and angiomyolipoma. The patient was a 67-year-old female with a history of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Follow-up positron emission tomography 9 years later revealed a left renal mass, suspicious for a primary renal neoplasm, as well as a suspicious subpectoral lymph node. An ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the lymph node demonstrated metastatic breast carcinoma. The patient underwent a left radical nephrectomy. Pathologic examination demonstrated an ill-defined 2 cm estrogen receptor (ER)-positive metastatic breast carcinoma within a 6 cm angiomyolipoma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of metastatic breast carcinoma to a solitary renal angiomyolipoma. This case highlights the importance of a patient's prior history of malignancy, as well as appropriate sampling of renal neoplasms.
Manufacturing Implementation of Ultrasonic Sealing of Membrane Electrode Assemblies for High Temperature PEM Fuel Cells

Early research has demonstrated the benefits of ultrasonically bonding PEM fuel cell Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs), in terms of durability [2] and unit cost and cycle time [3]. With these improvements in performance, the next phase in the development of the process is to move from a laboratory setup to an automated production cell capable of producing larger volumes of fuel cells while maintaining a quality ultrasonic bond. The MEAs also need to be produced more affordably and with quality standards meeting or exceeding the level set by current best manufacturing practices.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Interleukin-4 inhibits tumor necrosis factor-α—induced and spontaneous apoptosis of biomaterial-adherent macrophages

Abstract Biocompatibility of implanted materials is determined by the host foreign-body response, which is comprised of cellular (adherent monocytes and macrophages) and soluble (secreted cytokines) components. Modulating the presence, activity or both of adherent macrophages may increase or decrease the biocompatibility of implants because these cells remain adherent to the implant surface and fuse to form foreign-body giant cells (FBGCs), leading to failure of the implant. An attractive mechanism of eliminating these cells is through the induction of apoptosis; therefore ways of inducing or inhibiting apoptosis of biomaterial-adherent inflammatory cells are being investigated. We hypothesized that interleukin-4 (IL-4) promotes macrophage survival by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)—induced apoptosis. We found that TNF-α induces apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner, whereas IL-4 inhibits TNF-α—induced and spontaneous apoptosis of biomaterial-adherent macrophages. Blocking experiments and evaluation of shedding of soluble TNF receptor type I (TNF-RI) demonstrated that endogenous TNF-α production is responsible for spontaneous apoptosis of biomaterial-adherent cells and that IL-4 inhibits this apoptosis by increasing levels of shedding of soluble TNF-RI. These findings suggest that TNF-α and IL-4 play key roles in determining the fate of biomaterial-adherent cells and that fusion of macrophages into FBGCs is a mechanism for promoting inflammatory-cell survival on implanted materials. (J Lab Clin Med 2002;139:90-100)
Sequence and side-chain specific photofragment (193 nm) ions from protonated substance P by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Photodissociation at 193 nm (6. 43 eV) of the protonated substance-P, [M + H]+ ions, in a delayed extraction matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, is reported. The photofragment ion spectrum of substance P contains a complete series of a-type fragment ions and abundant side-chain cleavage ions. This article focuses on the utility of MALDI-TOF photodissociation for peptide sequencing.
Die Hauttemperatur und Ihre Beziehung zur Wärmeregulation des Körpers

Untersuchungen uber die Hauttemperatur bei Kindern ergaben, das sie bei Gesunden weitestgehend beeinflust werden kann. Die beigegebenen Tabellen zeigen, das bei entsprechender Zimmertemperatur die an verschiedenen Korperteilen gemessene Hauttemperatur fiebernder Kinder sich gewohnlich wie die bei gesunden verhalt. Diese Tabellen konnen als Vergleichsstandard fur zukunftige Untersuchungen an pathologischen Fallen dienen; sie demonstrieren die Bedeutung der Haut als die eines Systemes, dem bei der Regulierung der Warmeabgabe eine fuhrende Rolle zukommt. Diese Tatigkeit mus bei allen physiologischen und pathologischen Geschehnissen, die den Energiestoffwechsel bedingen, berucksichtigt werden.
Increases in volume, fluid content, and lens weight of eyes following systemic administration of melatonin.

Melatonin's effects were studied in male golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) distributed among five surgical groups (nonoperated, sham-pinealectomized, sham-pinealectomized plus black plastic shielding of the pineal region, pinealectomized, and pinealectomized plus black plastic shielding of the pineal region) and three injection groups (vehicle only, 25 micrograms melatonin, and 2,500 micrograms melatonin). Injections (s.c.) were daily for 28 d at L11 to L11.75 in a (light:dark) L:D 14:10 artificial photoperiod. Animals (N = 112) were killed and dissected on the day after the last injection (at 55-65 d of age). None of the surgical procedures affected weights of eyes or their parts, nor did they influence the effects of administered melatonin on the eyes. Melatonin caused an increase in absolute and relative eye weight and an increase in fluid content of intraocular space. The magnitudes of these effects were positively related to melatonin dose. These same eyes had a progressively lower weight of nonlenticular tissues with low to high doses of melatonin, probably in relation to greater fluid content, and suspected increase in intraocular pressure. Lens wet and dry weights were significantly greater in animals receiving melatonin, but only at the high dose. These actions of melatonin are likely to be direct and are shown to not require the presence of the pineal. Experiments of other designs are suggested in order to determine whether the effects of the low, near physiological, dose of melatonin represent physiological actions of endogenous melatonin, synthesized and released within the eye. However, effects of large doses of melatonin on the eye are still noteworthy in relation to interpretation of experiments employing such dosages, and of disease states involving changes in intraocular pressure.
Somalia and the imperial savage: Continuities in the rhetoric of war

Bill Clinton's response to the Somalia situation demonstrates the development of a kind of presidential war discourse in the post‐Cold War era. Clinton's rhetoric hosts a re‐articulation of an image of an imperial savage, a primitive “other.” This form is contrasted with the image of the modern savage, another common construct used to represent American adversaries. In considering this rhetorical continuity, the reader is asked to recall the heritage of the form, so as to better identify its essential character and grapple with the cultural implications of its re‐emergence in the post‐Cold War era.
A fast adaptive multigrid boundary element method for macromolecular electrostatic computations in a solvent

A fast multigrid boundary element (MBE) method for solving the Poisson equation for macromolecular electrostatic calculations in a solvent is developed. To convert the integral equation of the BE method into a numerical linear equation of low dimensions, the MBE method uses an adaptive tesselation of the molecular surface by BEs with nonregular size. The size of the BEs increases in three successive levels as the uniformity of the electrostatic field on the molecular surface increases. The MBE method provides a high degree of consistency, good accuracy, and stability when the sizes of the BEs are varied. The computational complexity of the unrestricted MBE method scales as O(Nat), where Nat is the number of atoms in the macromolecule. The MBE method is ideally suited for parallel computations and for an integrated algorithm for calculations of solvation free energy and free energy of ionization, which are coupled with the conformation of a solute molecule. The current version of the 3-level MBE method is used to calculate the free energy of transfer from a vacuum to an aqueous solution and the free energy of the equilibrium state of ionization of a 17-residue peptide in a given conformation at a given pH in ∼ 400 s of CPU time on one node of the IBM SP2 supercomputer. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem18: 569–583, 1997
Another look at the psychometric properties of the Anxiety Control Questionnaire

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Anxiety Control Questionnaire (AxCQ), a recently developed 30-item instrument intended to assess an individual's perceived level of control over anxiety related events. The sample consisted of 303 college students (189 females, 110 males, 4 no response). Although the scale is reported to have a two factor solution, results of an exploratory factor analysis in this sample indicated a three factor solution was more appropriate. Significant correlations were found between the three factor scales (r's ranged from 0.28 to 0.62). Internal consistency appeared good for the total AxCQ and for the factor scales derived from both the two and three factor models. There were no significant gender differences. We conclude that the psychometric properties of the scale look promising, but recommend that the factor structure of the AxCQ continue to be explored.
Finite elements for modeling and control of a Mindlin plate

Abstract This paper is concerned with computational algorithms for constructing design models for LQR control of a Mindlin plate. The equations are presented in an abstract second order form. General approximation schemes in the context of an LQR state space formulation are discussed. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the convergence of the optimal gains.
Preliminary Study of the Capnogram Waveform Area to Screen for Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract Study objective: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) increases alveolar dead space, which can dilute carbon dioxide content in exhaled breath. This study was undertaken to determine whether the capnogram waveform area from patients with PE is decreased compared with that from patients without PE and to examine the potential role of the capnogram waveform area as a screening test for PE. Methods: Studies were conducted on patients from a large, urban emergency department. Steady-state capnograms were collected from subjects breathing room air, and data were electronically stored for later analysis; arterial blood was collected for blood gas analysis. PE was diagnosed or excluded on the basis of appropriate combinations of isotopic ventilation-perfusion lung scanning, lower-extremity venous Doppler ultrasound studies, and pulmonary angiography. Capnogram areas were measured by tracing waveforms on printed copies with an electronic digitizing tablet. Results: The mean capnogram area from patients with PE (n=19) was 28±10 mm Hg·sec, significantly less than for patients without PE (n=120), 53±17 mm Hg·sec (95% confidence interval [CI] for a difference of 25 mm Hg·sec, 17 to 33 mm Hg·sec). At a cutoff of 50 mm Hg·sec, the test sensitivity was 100% (95% CI, 82% to 100%), with a negative likelihood ratio (LR–) of .17, and the specificity was 53% (95% CI, 44% to 62%), with a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 2.1. At a cutoff of 25 mm Hg·sec, the test sensitivity was 42% (95% CI, 20% to 67%; LR–, .6) and the specificity was 97% (95% CI, 92% to 99%; LR+, 12.3). The area under the smoothed receiver operating characteristic curve for the capnogram area was .896 (95% CI, .80 to .99). Conclusion: The capnogram waveform area may be useful in screening for PE in the ED. [Kline JA, Arunachlam M: Preliminary study of the capnogram waveform area to screen for pulmonary embolism. Ann Emerg Med September 1998;32:289-296.]
Comment on ‘Stapp's theorem without counterfactual commitment’

Abstract Michael Dickson has examined the ‘could’ version of my nonlocality theorem, and claims to have found a flaw. Several errors in his argument are pointed out. The main problem is that he replaces my locality criterion by a substitute that is too weak to do the job. His justification for making this change is critically flawed by a failure to differentiate my sufficient condition from the converse necessary condition. Nevertheless, Dickson succeeds in deriving all but the final step of my argument. My justification for this final crucial step is discussed here in some detail.
Abuse of organic solvents.

Intoxication caused by the inhalation of industrial solvents, airplane glue, gasoline, paint and paint thinner in adolescents has been well documented in the literature. l -" Chronic abusers of solvents have been described as being a fairly homogeneous group: usually males aged 7-17, average age 14-15, underprivileged and with a poor school performance, who have inhaled daily for years and usually stop inhaling solvents in their late teens.'; Early intentional inhalation of solvents was considered to be relatively harmless.' However, it has become increasingly clear that this view must be reconsidered"·/!-lU Grabski!! reported a patient who deliberately inhaled toluene for several years and who developed cerebellar degeneration. Several other cases have been reported with physical damage attributed to solvent abuse including cerebral damage, !2-H hepatorenal damage,!;; renal tubular acidosis,ll; and polyneuropathy.l'.lll A case of permanent brain damage due to toluene inhalation has been reported. 12 This latter patient showed clinical symptoms of ataxia, tremulousness, emotional lability and marked snout reflex accompanied by diffuse electroencephalographic changes and evidence of widespread cerebral atrophy on pneumoencephalogram. On the other hand, Satran and Dodson!:1 have described a patient who inhaled to:uene for ten years who showed diffuse electroencephalographic slowing but no apparent overt clinical abnormalities. Factors which predispose to permanent damage in some patients, but not in others, is unclear. Evidence for human addiction is available, however. For example, Lindstrom20 and Nylander21 have described a withdrawal syndrome similar to delirium tremens occurring after abrupt cessation of chronic inhalation.
Robotic training and spinal cord plasticity.

What is the potential for recovery of locomotor ability after a spinal cord injury? Both human and animal studies show that the spinal cord has the potential to reorganize and/or readjust to the loss of supraspinal input and utilize the remaining peripheral input to actually control stepping and standing. Motor training can be used to provide sensory ensembles within the spinal circuitry that are task-specific, i.e., step training improves stepping and stand training improves standing. A large component of this learning is a function of improved coordination of motor pools within and among limbs. The most successful type of training includes variability in the performed task, i.e., monotonous repetition of the exact same sensorimotor pattern results in “learned disuse”. The use of robotics for training specific motor tasks has become more prevalent recently and we report here that using an “assist-as-needed” approach for step training after a severe spinal cord injury provides a high probability of successful rehabilitation. The “assist-as-needed” paradigm allows variability in the step trajectory within specific boundaries such that the robotic arms constrain the deviations in a manner mimicking that observed under normal, intact conditions. Another critical feature of robotic devices or step training seems to be the ability to integrate normal hip and leg motion as occurs during normal stepping. These types of robotic devices have the potential to aid therapists in the clinical setting and to enhance the ability of spinal cord injured individuals to regain the maximum locomotor ability possible.
A first-principles approach to finite temperature elastic constants

A first-principles approach to calculating the elastic stiffness coefficients at finite temperatures was proposed. It is based on the assumption that the temperature dependence of elastic stiffness coefficients mainly results from volume change as a function of temperature; it combines the first-principles calculations of elastic constants at 0 K and the first-principles phonon theory of thermal expansion. Its applications to elastic constants of Al, Cu, Ni, Mo, Ta, NiAl, and Ni₃Al from 0 K up to their respective melting points show excellent agreement between the predicted values and existing experimental measurements.
Identification and properties of methyltransferases that synthesize phosphatidylcholine in rat brain synaptosomes.

Abstract: Rat brain was found to enzymatically methylate phospholipids to form phosphatidylcholine with S-adenosyl-l-methionine serving as the methyl donor. Methyltransferase activity was localized in the microsomes and synaptosomes. In synaptosomes, at least two enzymes were found to be involved in the formation of phosphatidylcholine. The first methyltransferase which catalyzes the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to form phosphatidyl-N-monomethylethanolamine was found to have a pH optimum of 7.5, a low Km for 5-adenosyl-l-methionine and a partial requirement for Mg2. Methyltransferase I is tightly bound to membranes. The second methyltransferase (II) catalyzes the successive methylations of phosphatidyl-N-monomethylethanolamine to phosphatidyl-N, N-dimethylethanolamine and then to phosphatidylcholine. In contrast to methyltransferase I, methyltransferase II has a pH optimum of 10.5, a high apparent Km for S-adenosyl-l-methionine and no requirement for Mg2. Methyltransferase II is easily solubilized by sonication. The highest specific activity for both enzymes was found in the synaptosomal plasma membrane.
Spermatogenesis in Relation to Spermatozoa Concentration in Bovine Semen

Summary The correlation between the number of spermatids in standard sections of the seminiferous tubules and sperm concentration in 13 bulls whose sperm concentration ranged from 0.01 to 20.6×10 5 spermatozoa per microliter was .82. The frequency of the various stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium did not change until sperm concentration dropped below 5.0×10 5 spermatozoa per microliter. Qualitative differences in the type of degeneration in the testes were found in bulls having a low sperm concentration.
Separation of certain cations from mixtures of various cations on ion-exchange papers—II: Antimony and arsenic

Abstract Antimony and arsenic have been separated from multi-component mixtures by development with complexing solvents on filter paper impregnated with cation-exchange resin. Comparisons are made with the results of electrochromatographic migrations of the same ions with these solvents as background electrolyte.
Role of the parasympathetic pupillomotor system in classically conditioned pupillary dilation of the cat

The involvement of the parasympathetic pupillomotor system in the acquisition of conditioned pupillary dilation response was investigated by simultaneously recording the activity of the sympathectomized iris and the contralateral intact iris during Pavlovian conditioning procedures. Chronically prepared, pharmacologically immobilized cats were used to insure acoustic stimulus constancy at the cochlea. Sensitization procedures were employed to control for nonassociative factors. During conditioning, the pupillary dilation response of both the intact and the sympathectomized iris systematically increased with CS—UCS presentation. Despite the fact that the sympathectomized iris was tonically smaller than the intact iris, and that the dilations in the former were smaller than in the latter, the form of dilations and constrictions was nearly identical in the two eyes. During training, the sympathectomized iris exhibits dynamics identical to those of the intact eye. The most pronounced difference between the response of the pupils was that the asymptotic amplitude of the conditioned response is as great as that of the unconditioned response to shock for the sympathectomized iris, but not for the intact iris. The present findings support the view that acquisition of conditioned pupillary dilation response in the cat is primarily mediated by inhibition of parasympathetic activity. However, the actual contribution of the sympathetic pupillomotor system remains to be determined by parallel experiments using the parasympathectomized preparation.
Perceived association between diagnostic and non-diagnostic cues of women's sexual interest: General Recognition Theory predictors of risk for sexual coercion.

Abstract Young men’s errors in sexual perception have been linked to sexual coercion. The current investigation sought to explicate the perceptual and decisional sources of these social perception errors, as well as their link to risk for sexual violence. General Recognition Theory (GRT; [Ashby, F. G., & Townsend, J. T. (1986). Varieties of perceptual independence. Psychological Review, 93, 154–179]) was used to estimate participants’ ability to discriminate between affective cues and clothing style cues and to measure illusory correlations between men’s perception of women’s clothing style and sexual interest. High-risk men were less sensitive to the distinction between women’s friendly and sexual interest cues relative to other men. In addition, they were more likely to perceive an illusory correlation between women’s diagnostic sexual interest cues (e.g., facial affect) and non-diagnostic cues (e.g., provocative clothing), which increases the probability that high-risk men will misperceive friendly women as intending to communicate sexual interest. The results provide information about the degree of risk conferred by individual differences in perceptual processing of women’s interest cues, and also illustrate how translational scientists might adapt GRT to examine research questions about individual differences in social perception.
Journalistic right in the “first rough draft of history”: a comparative study of news copyright in the United States and the People's Republic of China

As more and more American media products enter the Chinese market, and vice versa, it is becoming increasingly important for legal scholars and journalists to understand how news products are regulated differently by the two countries' copyright policies. This article examines the issue of copyright protection for news in both China and the United States. The following research questions are discussed and answered in order to identify major conceptual and practical differences and similarities in the news copyright regimes of the two countries: How did the copyright law on news evolve? Is news copyrightable? Who owns news products? What rights do copyright owners have? How long is news work copyright protected? What are news work copyright restrictions? What if news copyright owners are foreign citizens? The article concludes by presenting and analyzing a hypothetical case involving both the Chinese and American copyright laws.
Gastrojejunal stricture after gastric bypass and efficacy of endoscopic intervention.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure (RYGBP) is an effective treatment for morbid obesity. Anastomotic strictures are a common complication after RYGBP. This study examines the frequency of post-RYGBP gastrojejunal strictures (GJS), methods of evaluation, and the outcome of endoscopic intervention. Medical records of patients who had RYGBP for morbid obesity at our institution during four consecutive years were reviewed for patient demographics, medical comorbidities, surgical technique, and outcomes. Radiographic and endoscopic findings of those patients suspected to have GJS were noted. The impact of patient-related variables and surgical technique on risk of GJS, time to diagnosis of GJS, and treatment outcomes for GJS was determined. Of 888 patients, 503 had open RYGBP (57%) and 385 laparoscopic RYGBP (43%). Ninety-four patients (10.6%) underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for possible GJS and 58 (6.5%) were found to have anastomotic stricture. Laparoscopic RYGBP was associated with increased incidence of GJS (43/385, 11.1%) compared with open RYGBP (15/503 or 2.9%, P = 0.0003). A total of 125 dilations were performed with an average of 2.2 dilations per patient. None of the strictures needed surgical revision. There were four perforations (3.2%) related to EGD. Mean time to diagnosis of GJS was 66.2 days. Eighty-seven of 94 patients underwent radiologic upper gastrointestinal (UGI) evaluation prior to EGD. UGI evaluation demonstrated a positive predictive value (PPV) of only 66% [95% confidence interval (CI) 52–77], and negative predictive value (NPV) of 83% (95% CI 65–93). Laparoscopic GBP is associated with increased risk of GJS. Endoscopic dilation of GJS is an effective treatment with minimal risk. Radiographic studies appear to have poor specificity for diagnosis of GJS and have a low positive predictive value. EGD should be performed in all suspected cases of GJS.
Enzyme immobilization on macroreticular polystyrene

Macroreticular polystyrene beads may be converted into suitable supports for covalent binding of enzymes. In many respects the supports are physically similar to controlled pore glass (CPG). Our results for immobilized glucoamylase were very similar to published results using CPG as a carrier. The characteristics of immobilized papain were less satisfactory. The product exhibited a Z-shaped activity-time profile suggestive of the involvement of multiple mechanisms.
An ELISA method to measure inhibition of the COX enzymes

The cyclooxygenase (COX) reaction can be monitored by measurement of oxygen consumption, peroxidase co-substrate oxidation or prostaglandin (PG) detection. This protocol describes a procedure measuring cyclooxygenase activity by quantifying PGE2 produced by enzymatic conversion of arachidonic acid, in the presence or absence of potential inhibitors. This high-throughput method has the advantage that it directly measures cyclooxygenase activity and requires little enzyme. The first part of the assay consists of incubating arachidonic acid, cyclooxygenase and the test samples to generate prostaglandins. The second part uses an ELISA method to quantify the amount of PGE2 produced by the enzymatic reaction. The isolation of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes is also described. This protocol can be completed in approximately 23 h, including 16-h and 4-h incubation phases. This does not include enzyme preparation (3 h for COX-1 and 24 h for COX-2) or preparation of ELISA plates (23 h, including incubation).
Correspondence bearing on the history of ornithologist M. A. Carriker Jr. and the use of arsenic in preparation of museum specimens

Abstract Correspondence in 1936 between the prolific ornithological collector M. A. Carriker Jr. and C. M. B. Cadwalader, director of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, reveals that Carriker, as well as certain other collectors, had abandoned the use of arsenic in specimen preparation by the early twentieth century and its disadvantages are detailed. The correspondence also discloses a professional rift between Carriker and other ornithological staff at the Academy that had important ramifications for Carriker's career.
The effect of environmental regulation on environmental innovation

Environmental expenditure estimates resulting from US environmental policy are based on current technology which may overstate policy's true costs. Existing evidence shows that ex ante cost estimates are greater than realized costs due to unexpected technological progress. This research programme asks whether innovation is a response to environmental regulation or whether the true regulatory compliance costs are overestimated ex ante when technological advancement is ignored? The author conducts an empirical study of the US manufacturing industry's environmental patent activities and environmental regulation as measured by pollution abatement and control expenditure (PACE) data. She finds a statistically significant positive relationship between environmental regulation and innovation when estimated by ordinary least squares (OLS). However, the OLS coefficient of pollution abatement costs is inconsistent because of a correlation between the explanatory variable and unobservable variables. Two-staged least squares addresses the inconsistency problem, resulting in positive and significant PACE coefficients. Thus, there is evidence that innovation is a response to environmental regulation. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
A simple approach to fault-tree probabilities

Abstract Fault-tree analysis is a method for assessing the risk of failure of complex systems such as chemical reactors and pressure tank systems. A simple recursive approach is described for computing the probabilities of such failure or obtaining an enumeration of “causes” of such failures. The method described is conceptually simple, yet adequate to treat case studies cited in standard reference works.