cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Operationalizing emotional intelligence for team performance

Abstract This study explores the gaps in research on the link between emotional intelligence (EI) and team performance with respect to operationalizations (i.e., mean, standard deviation, maximum, minimum, and proportion). The concept of EI is not new, nor revolutionary for predicting job performance. Studies use disparate psychometric measurements and environments that obscure relationships between metrics and team performance. Student engineers (n = 294) were combined into 185 teams in a reoccurring course and analyzed using an exhaustive best subset regression technique that yields equations pertaining to the EI scales and their operationalizations to team performance. Operationalizations of EI matter towards an effective understanding of its relationship to team performance. All aggregation methods related to team performance for one or more EI main scales, excluding Interpersonal Skills and General Mood. Differences were noted between operationalizations and direction of significant EI main scales, suggesting that further exploration is required. Future researchers should consider (1) expanding operationalizations of EI to include standard deviations, maximums, minimums, and proportions to relate to team performance; (2) separating and exploring EI analyses based on task types; and (3) that the potential for EI predicting team performance exists but with limitations in an engineering context. Relevance to Industry This research can aid managers on the relative importance of emotional intelligence in team performance. Although relationships are complex from various EI scales to predicting team performance, such information can assist the managerial and human systems communities by clarifying previously undefined nuances present in other psychometric literature.
Feminist/Womanist/Intersectional Approaches to Interventions with Black Girls and Women

The impetus for this Special Issue of Women and Therapy began with a desire to focus on exploring the impact of stereotypes that shape the lived experiences and psychological health of Blac...
Geographic variation in dispersal distance facilitates range expansion of a lake shore plant in response to climate change

AIM: Geographic variation in dispersal abilities is widespread and likely to affect species' range dynamics in response to climate change. However, distribution models that predict climate‐induced range shifts do not account for spatial variation in dispersal. We developed an eco‐genetic model to investigate how variation in dispersal distances across a species' range could interact with climate‐induced selection and alter predicted range dynamics in a species with documented variation in dispersal traits. LOCATION: We investigated the range of an annual plant, Cakile edentula var. lacustris, which occupies beaches spanning a 555 km latitudinal gradient along the Laurentian Great Lakes. METHODS: We built a hybrid model that combines climatic niche modelling, based on decadal climate projections, with an individual‐based model that allows for evolutionary processes to act upon a heritable dispersal kernel. We evaluated how spatial variation in dispersal distance and dispersal evolution influenced range dynamics, spatial and temporal variation in dispersal, and the distribution of neutral genetic variation. The model was parametrized with data on C. edentula's distribution, life history and dispersal characteristics. RESULTS: Geographic variation in dispersal distance, adaptive dispersal evolution and dispersal distance increased the potential for local populations of C. edentula to keep pace with changing climatic conditions through range shifts. Dispersal distances always increased at the expanding and contracting range edges when dispersal was allowed to evolve. Furthermore, scenarios where dispersal distances were initially lower at the range edges resulted in the largest evolutionary changes over 105 years (>1.5 km increase in mean distance at northern edge). Adaptive dispersal evolution always reduced neutral genetic diversity across the species' range. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Variation in dispersal abilities across C. edentula's range and adaptive evolution led to different predicted outcomes in range dynamics during climate change illustrating the importance of including spatial variation in dispersal into species distribution models.
Determination of molecular mass 302 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Standard Reference Material 1597a by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and constant energy synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy

Abstract High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection is often used for the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in environmental extracts. Since fluorescence chromatograms are usually recorded at a single set of excitation and emission wavelengths, qualitative parameters for PAH identification are restricted to characteristic retention times. The research presented here explores the use of constant energy synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (CESFS) for the analysis of co-eluting PAHs with similar chromatographic behaviors under normal and reversed-phase conditions. Twenty-one PAH isomers with molecular mass (MM, g/mol) 302 were studied. Synchronous fluorescence spectra were recorded under stop-flow conditions with the aid of a commercial HPLC system. PAHs were extracted from a coal tar sample (Standard Reference Material 1597a) and fractionated by normal-phase liquid chromatography (NPLC). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of NPLC fractions was carried out via reversed-phase liquid chromatography-CESFS (RPLC-CESFS). Of the 21 isomers investigated in the coal tar sample, 16 were spectrally identified in the absence of matrix interference. Three of the remaining isomers were tentatively identified in the presence of moderate spectral interference. Thirteen isomers were used to investigate the accuracy of the RPLC-CESFS approach. Mass fractions statistically equivalent to the NIST reported values (P = 95%; N1 = N2 = 3) were obtained for ten isomers ranging from 2.04 (dibenzo[a,h]pyrene) to 10.41 mg/kg (naphtho[2,1-a]pyrene). The non-destructive nature of CESFS provides an additional layer of selective and accurate information to the analysis of PAH isomers with MM 302.
Itraconazole vs. posaconazole for antifungal prophylaxis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia undergoing intensive chemotherapy: A retrospective study.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to compare itraconazole with posaconazole for antifungal prophylaxis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy. Methods Adult patients with AML received either itraconazole or posaconazole for antifungal prophylaxis while undergoing intensive chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was incidence of prophylaxis failure (change in antifungal agent due to suspected invasive fungal infection [IFI], drug intolerance, drug interaction, or adverse event). Results From February 2016 to January 2018, 90 patients were included in the itraconazole group and 45 patients in the posaconazole group. Prophylaxis failure occurred in 88% of itraconazole recipients compared with 33% of posaconazole recipients (P Conclusions In AML patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy, posaconazole was associated with significantly lower rates of prophylaxis failure and less need for continued antifungal therapy on discharge compared with itraconazole.
Small RNA Plays Important Roles in Virus-Host Interactions.

Non-coding small RNAs play important roles in virus–host interactions. For hosts, small RNAs can serve as sensors in antiviral pathways including RNAi and CRISPR; for viruses, small RNAs can be involved in viral transcription and replication. This paper covers several recent discoveries on small RNA mediated virus–host interactions, and focuses on influenza virus cap-snatching and a few important virus sensors including PIR-1, RIG-I like protein DRH-1 and piRNAs. The paper also discusses recent advances in mammalian antiviral RNAi.
A New Complete Sample of Sub-millijansky Radio Sources: An Optical and Near-Infrared Study

The Very Large Array (VLA) has been used in C-configuration to map an area \~0.3 square degrees at 1.4 GHz with 5sigma sensitivities of 0.305, 0.325, 0.380 and 0.450 mJy/beam over four equal subareas. Radio properties are presented for 62 detected sources. Deep optical imaging to Gunn r~25 mag using the Hale 5-m telescope covering ~0.21 square degrees is reported for a subset of 43 sources. This optical follow-up is much deeper than that of existing larger area radio surveys of similar radio sensitivity. Archival J, H and K-band photometry from the Two-Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) is also presented. Using a robust likelihood-ratio technique, we optically identified 26 radio sources with probabilities >80%. Nine are uncertain/ambiguous detections and eight are empty fields. Comparisons with a stellar synthesis model that includes radio emission and dust reddening suggests that the near-infrared--to--optical emission in a small, bright sub-sample is reddened by `optically-thin' dust with absorption A_V ~ 2-2.5 mag, regardless of morphological type. This is consistent with other, more direct determinations of absorption. The radio--to--optical(--near-infrared) flux ratios of early-type galaxies require significant contamination in the radio by an active galactic nucleus (AGN), consistent with the current paradigm. Using our simple modeling approach, we also discuss a potential diagnostic for selecting Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies (ULIGS) to z~1.6 from microJansky radio surveys.
Using regional forest nutrition data to inform urban tree management in the northeastern United States

Managing tree health in urban environments is complicated due to the disconnect that exists between novel environmental conditions created by urbanization and those under which tree species evolved. Soils influence tree health and growth, but optimal nutrient and pH recommendations are often informed by agricultural and horticultural norms which do not typically include norms for forest tree species. At the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, we investigated the relationships between tree health, foliar chemistry, and soil chemistry for three native forest tree species (Acer saccharum, Quercus alba, and Tsuga canadensis) located throughout the arboretum. We compared these ranges and relationships to data collected from trees of the same species growing in forested areas throughout the northeastern United States. For all species, the distributions of most foliar nutrient concentrations were similar in the arboretum and across the region. However, foliar potassium (K) concentrations were lower at the arboretum than in reference datasets. Soil pH was higher at the arboretum than most forest soils in the region, potentially a result of liming and irrigation with city water. Concentrations of soil and foliar magnesium were also high at the arboretum. Potassium deficiency could result from the blocking of K uptake by magnesium or limited K availability due to forest floor loss. In addition, there is some evidence that manganese is at low to deficient levels. These results show the value of comparing chemical conditions between urban tree populations with trees in natural forests in nearby rural settings to identify potential areas of concern and inform soil management strategies.
Truth Decay: A Threat to Democracy and Think Tanks Alike

Michael D. Rich, President and Chief Executive Officer of the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, CA, explores the Future of Think Tanks and Policy Advice in the United States.
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Cyclophosphamide

Cyclosphosphamide is widely used for cancer chemotherapy and for immunosuppression. The parent compound is inactive in vitro and exerts its biological activities through metabolites generated by hepatic microsomal enzymes. The drug may be administered either parenterally or orally. Systemic availability after oral administration is greater than 75% at the low doses which have been studied. Cyclophosphamide is minimally protein bound but some of its metabolites are more than 60% protein bound.
Correlation between physical status measures and frailty score in patients undergoing pancreatic resection

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess the correlation between validated measures of physical status in a prehabilitation regimen with an established frailty score and analyze changes in these measures after completion of a directed prehabilitation program among patients undergoing elective pancreatic resection. Methods Adult patients undergoing pancreatic resection from 2019−2021 were enrolled in a pilot prehabilitation program. Three validated measures of physical status were used: the 6-minute walk test, grip strength, and chair-stand test. The prehabilitation program comprised 7,500 steps, 30 grip strength exercises, and 100 chair-stand exercises daily. Patients’ frailty score was calculated using the Modified Johns Hopkins Frailty score. Changes in physical status measures after prehabilitation and postoperative outcomes were compared. Results Thirty-two patients with a median age of 69.0 years (interquartile range = 59.5−76.3 years) were included. Patients’ median duration of participation was 21.5 days (interquartile range = 16−29 days). There was a negative correlation between increasing frailty score and baseline the 6-minute walk test (R2 = 0.17) and chair-stand test (R2 = 0.18). Patients’ mean the 6-minute walk test decreased at the end of the prehabilitation program, while grip strength and chair-stand test were unchanged. When stratified by low or intermediate and high frailty scores, the differences in the 6-minute walk test and chair-stand test were unchanged. Hospital duration of stay, complications, and 90-day readmission rates were not different between frailty groups (P > .05). Conclusion Correlation of physical status measures with frailty score suggests only one of these measures is sufficient to estimate patients’ preoperative physical status. A longer, more comprehensive prehabilitation program or an expedited operation are likely the best strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Atropisomerization in Confined Space; Cucurbiturils as Tools to Determine the Torsional Barrier of Substituted Biphenyls

The torsional barrier of biphenyls bearing a prochiral dimethylsulfonium group at their 3-position could be determined by variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy only after encapsulation into cucurbit[7]- or -[8]uril, which triggered the splitting of the two methyl signals. Confinement of the biphenyl units into the macrocycles amplifies the dissymmetry caused by the various ortho- and ortho′-substituents and represents a new tool that can be used to access atropisomerization barriers of bi(hetero)aryl derivatives.
A New Order of Things: Managing Novelty and Cooperation in E-Government Projects

In this paper, we explore the challenges of managing e-government projects. In particular, we highlight two extraordinary managerial challenges that e-government poses: novelty and cross-agency cooperation. E-government is novel because it offers some fundamentally new possibilities for how government does business. The management of e-government is, in significant part, the management of ideas, creativity, and knowledge. E-government requires cross-agency cooperation because of functional needs for scale, consistency, and integration. We examine how four governments that have adopted a project-based approach to the introduction of e-government have coped with the challenges of novelty and cross-agency collaboration. Our findings indicate that e-government projects experience different activities and coordination mechanisms according to the stage of completion of the project and the complexity of the task at hand. We discuss the implications of our findings for the management of e-government projects.
The involvement of astrocytes and an acute phase response in the amyloid deposition of Alzheimer's disease.

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses how astrocytes are involved in the neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, it appears that the astrocytes participate in “acute phase response” in the Alzheimer brain, similar to the acute phase response that is mounted in the periphery in response to various types of inflammation. Indeed, much of the neuronal damage that occurs in Alzheimer's disease arises as much from this brain acute phase response as from the initial insult. The particular astrocytic contribution includes the overproduction of the acute phase protein α 1 -antichymotrypsin (ACT), which then becomes an intimate component of the Alzheimer amyloid deposits themselves. The interactive contribution of astrocytes and neurons to Alzheimer's disease reflects a parallel intimate balance between proteases and protease inhibitors involved in the production of amyloid. It appears that Alzheimer pathology and neuronal degeneration result from both β-A4 production, probably of neuronal origin, coupled with an acute phase astrocytic response to the initial P-A4 deposits. Together, these lead to the development of mature Alzheimer amyloid. Thus, Alzheimer's disease may represent an example of a disorder in which the body's response contributes significantly and perhaps essentially to the final pathology, whereas the initial insult is, by itself, of relatively minor consequence.
Linear hashing with Priority Splitting: A method for improving the retrieval performance of linear hashing

Linear hashing is a technique for constructing dynamic files for direct access. It has an advantage over other dynamic methods in that it lacks a directory. However, a weakness of the method is that at high packing factors, it requires more probes on the average to access a record than do many of the static methods. This paper presents a straightforward modification of linear hashing which, according to experimental results, significantly reduces the average number of retrieval probes in almost aft cases when compared with standard linear hashing. The parameter of overflow page size is an important one for adjusting performance. By choosing an appropriate overflow page size, the user may obtain results which are also better or comparable to those of other variants of linear hashing. In addition, the paper analyzes the effects of varying the primary page size, the overflow page size, and the packing factor on retrieval performance.
A Curriculum Model: Engineering Design Graphics Course Updates Based on Industrial and Academic Institution Requirements

Engineering design graphics courses taught in colleges or universities should provide and equip students preparing for employment with the basic occupational graphics skill competences required by engineering and technology disciplines. Academic institutions should introduce and include topics that cover the newer and more efficient graphics techniques and technologies developed through research by academic institutions and professional organizations as well as information obtained from experienced engineering design graphics practitioners. This paper presents the systematic approach used at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), Department of Industrial Technology (ITEC), to update and improve its existing multidiscipline engineering design graphics course. Twenty five engineering design graphics course syllabi, all from programs accredited by either the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE) or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), were reviewed in this study. A review of the course syllabi identified 20 of the most commonly taught engineering design graphics topics. The 20 topics were used to develop a survey instrument subsequently sent to the top 10 employers of ITEC students majoring in Construction Management, Industrial Distribution, and Telecommunications Management. The results obtained from the employer survey were analyzed and used to update the introductory engineering design graphics course at UNK so that engineering design graphics topics taught are consistent with academia and kept current and relevant to the needs of industry.
10 kV, 44 ns pulse generator for 1 kHz trigatron reprate operation of NLTL

This paper presents a design and implementation of a 1 kHz, 10 kV, positively pulsed trigger generator with an average risetime of 44 ns for use in a coaxial ferrimagnetic Nonlinear Transmission Line (NLTL) High Power Microwave (HPM) system. The pulse trigger generator is based on two stacked 4 kV current-controlled n-type thyristors in a low inductance package capable of driving inductive loads with risetimes less than 200 ns. However, by implementing a magnetic switch this relatively is slow risetime is sharpened to tens of nanoseconds. The stacked boards allow for voltage addition at the output while maintaining the fast riestime.
Identification and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the distal sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal bone

Summary Reasons for performing study Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the distal sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal bone (McIII) has not previously been described in the literature. Objectives To describe the clinical, radiological and arthroscopic features of OCD of the distal sagittal ridge of the McIII and to report outcome in a series of cases. Study design Retrospective case series. Methods Case records and images of horses with OCD of the distal sagittal ridge of the McIII admitted to a single referral centre between February 2006 and February 2013 were reviewed. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone questionnaire and/or racing performance. Results Osteochondritis dissecans of the distal sagittal ridge of the McIII was found in 16 lame horses; 9 unilaterally and 7 bilaterally. Lesions were consistently identified with flexed lateromedial radiographs and in 21 joints in dorsopalmar projections also. These were arthroscopically accessible from the dorsal compartment with metacarpophalangeal joints maximally flexed. This permitted fragment removal and lesion debridement. Thirteen of 14 horses with follow-up of ≥12 months post surgery performed athletically including 11 of 12 Thoroughbreds that raced. Conclusions Unlike more proximal lesions, OCD of the distal sagittal ridge appears to affect the McIII preferentially. Lesions were identified on dorsopalmar and flexed lateromedial radiographs only and are amenable to arthroscopic surgery. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for OCD to affect the distal sagittal ridge of the McIII together with the radiographic projections needed to identify its presence. A modified arthroscopic approach to the dorsal metacarpophalangeal joint is necessary in order to access lesions.
Computer Networks in Field Research

In applied social research, the questions we can ask and the data we can collect depend on our tools. Computers have made possible many new tools—for instrument design, sampling, scheduling research, coding and editing, data entry, data cleaning, scale and index construction, data base organization and retrieval, statistical analysis, documentation, and report writing (Karweit & Meyers, 1983, pp. 379–414). In the past two decades, these tools have led to efficiencies and a scale of research heretofore impossible, but the data collection process remains much as it was. Today, most field researchers rely on paper questionnaires, personal observations, and interviews carried out face-to-face or by telephone. For example, of the 90 articles published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology in 1989, 46 report data from a paper-and-pencil survey or face-to-face interview; in another 22, investigators used a personality inventory or similar paper-and-pencil instrument as part of experimental research. In this chapter we consider new tools for data collection based on networking and computers.1 These tools can increase the efficiency and scale of research. More interesting, they make possible new ways of collecting data and give access to data that in the past were virtually unobtainable.
An extrinsic Fabry?Perot interferometer-based large strain sensor with high resolution

A three-layer packaged structure is proposed for an extrinsic Fabry?Perot interferometer-based optical fiber sensor in order to produce high resolution for large strains. The resolutions of three data processing algorithms including interference frequency tracking, period tracking and phase tracking are investigated and compared. Laboratory tests indicate that the proposed sensor structure can measure a strain of up to ?120?000 ?? (?12%) with resolution as high as 10 ??. The sensor prototype is insensitive to fiber misalignment, enabling the study of progressive structural failures with an integrated use of the three algorithms.
Statistical thermodynamics of liquid hydrocarbons Part II—Mixtures

Abstract The corresponding states theory for liquids consisting of polysegmented molecules is extended to mixtures of paraffinic, olefinic, naphthenic and aromatic hydrocarbons; the previously derived partition function is generalized to yield expressions for the excess free energy, enthalpy and entropy. It is found that the excess enthalpy arises from the change in potential energy of the system which is due to the change in the average potential field acting on the individual segments and from the change in lattice irregularities upon mixing. The excess entropy arises due to (a) the combinatorial term (Flory-Huggins), (b) the change upon mixing of the size of the average volume in which the segments are free to move, and (c) the change in excitation of the external degrees of freedom when the average potential field acting on the segments is changed in the mixing process. Lattice irregularities appear to have a large effect on the excess functions of mixtures whose components are of different hydrocarbon type. Comparison of predicted with experimental results is favorable.
Light-induced electron transfer, internal and external hydrogen ion changes, and phosphorylation in chromatophores of Rhodospirillum rubrum

Abstract Light-induced electron transfer, internal and external hydrogen ion changes (measured by bromthymol blue and glass electrode methods), and phosphorylation in the isolated chromatophores of Rhodospirillum rubrum were studied under phosphorylating and nonphosphorylating conditions. Under nonphosphorylating conditions, hydrogen ion changes saturated at a lower intensity of excitation light than under phosphorylating conditions. The maximum amounts of nonphosphorylating hydrogen ion changes (internal and external) were much smaller than those of phosphorylating changes. Utilization of the high-energy compound or high-energy state by phosphorylation of ADP competed with the utilization of energy by the process which induces internal acidification. The absence of ADP or addition of oligomycin increased the light-induced internal acidification. The process of internal acidification was slower than phosphorylation. Therefore, it cannot precede phosphorylation. Branching of phosphorylation and internal acidification in the energy transduction chain occurs at the stage of high-energy intermediate. The kinetics of the light-induced absorbance change was markedly affected by phosphorylation. Effects of electron-transfer inhibitors, an accelerator, and uncouplers of phosphorylation on the absorbance changes and internal and external hydrogen ion changes were studied. Electron transfer was a prerequisite for the hydrogen ion changes. The processes of hydrogen ion changes and phosphorylation were most closely connected with the dark electron transfer in the time range of 10 −3 -10 −2 second after pulse excitation. On the other hand, no effect of different phosphorylating conditions or reagents was observed in the rapid light-induced phase of electron transfer.
Structure factor for randomly oriented self-affine membranes.

We determine the asymptotic behavior of the orientationally averaged structure factor S(q) for a large, flat membrane characterized by a roughness exponent \ensuremath{\zeta}. We show that S(q)\ensuremath{\sim}1/${\mathit{q}}^{2}$ for q\ensuremath{\ll}1/l, where l is controlled by the amplitude for transverse or longitudinal fluctuations. If l is much larger than the intermonomer distance a and 1/l\ensuremath{\ll}q\ensuremath{\ll}1/a, then S(q)\ensuremath{\sim}1/${\mathit{q}}^{3\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\zeta}}}$ or S(q)\ensuremath{\sim}1/${\mathit{q}}^{4/\mathrm{\ensuremath{\zeta}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ for a small or large amplitude for longitudinal fluctuations, respectively. We also consider the case where the surface is self-affine only at large distances.
AKT as locus of cancer positive feedback loops and extreme robustness

A positive feedback loops induce extreme robustness in metastatic cancer, relapsed leukemia, myeloma or lymphoma. The loops are generated by the signaling interactome networks of autocrine and paracrine elements from cancer hypoxic microenvironment. The elements of the networks are signaling proteins synthesized in hypoxic microenvironment such as the vascular endothelial growth factor, HIF-1α, hepatocyte growth factor, and molecules nitric oxide and H2O2. The signals from upstream or rebound downstream pathways are amplified by the short or wide positive feedback loops, hyperstimulating AKT-inducing cancer extreme robustness. Targeting the phosphorylated AKT locus by an oxidant/antioxidant modulation induces collapse of positive feedback loops and establishment of negative feedback loops leading to stability of the system and disappearance of cancer extreme robustness. This is a new principle for the conversion of cancer positive loops into negative feedback loops by the locus chemotherapy. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 522–524, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Allosteric Antipsychotics: M4 Muscarinic Potentiators as Novel Treatments for Schizophrenia

Allosteric Antipsychotics: M4 Muscarinic Potentiators as Novel Treatments for Schizophrenia
Variable Prevalence of Lymphocytic Thyroiditis among Diabetes-Prone Sublines of BB/Wor Rats*

The BB/Wor rat develops spontaneous autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) and lymphocytic thyroiditis (LT). Six different inbred sublines of this rat model have been selected for studying the pathogenesis of DM and, thereby, the prevalence of DM has been carefully monitored and found to be relatively constant. In contrast, we have observed a striking difference in the prevalence and intensity of LT in these six sublines, varying from 100% in NB subline rats to 4.9% in BE subline rats at 105-110 days of age. Excess iodide administration frequently increases the prevalence of LT but did not do so in the two sublines (BB and BE) with the lowest frequency of spontaneous LT. In view of this variable prevalence of LT in the different BB/Wor sublines, it is imperative that investigators studying the pathogenesis and modulation of LT in this rat model select those sublines which express a desired frequency of spontaneous LT. (Endocrinology128: 153–157, 1991)
Reactive ion etching of selected polymers in O2 and in CF4/O2

A series of 17 polymers was etched in the reactive ion-etching (RIE) mode. The etch rates were monitored using a laser interferometer. The gases used were oxygen alone and a mixture of carbon tetrafluoride with oxygen (8% O2). The polymers fell into three groups: the aromatics (polystyrene and derivatives), the aliphatics (methacrylates and vinyl acetate), and the cellulosics (methyl ether and nitrate). In oxygen with a power density of 0.25 W/cm2, the etch rates for the three groups fell in the range of 200–300 nm/min, 350–450 nm/min, and 500–850 nm/min, respectively. The etch rates were also measured at a power density of 0.50 W/cm2. The etch rates at the higher-power density were about 75–80% higher than those at the lower-power density. The etch rate in the fluoride mixture was about half that in the oxygen, all other parameters being the same. Plasticizers that lower the glass transition temperature of polymers based on vinyl chloride, methyl methacrylate, or styrene do not change the etch rate of the polymers very much. There is a slight increase in the rate for polystyrene and a slight decrease in the rate for poly(methyl methacrylate). All the effects of composition on etching rate can be correlated to a first approximation with the molar fractions of carbon and oxygen in the resist. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Chronic toxicity of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in rats and dogs.

Abstract Starting at 3 wk of age, rats (25 female and 25 male per group) were fed for 2 yr either 0, 5, 25, 125, 625, or 1250 ppm of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in the diet. No significant effect on growth rate, survival rate, organ weights, or hematologic values was noted. Total (male plus female) tumor incidence in the control and experimental groups was 15, 14, 18, 20, 23, and 22, respectively. No target organ tumors were observed; the individual tumor types were randomly and widely distributed and of the type normally found in aging Osborne-Mendel rats. Statistical analysis of the randomly distributed tumor types indicated a tendency for the proportion of females with tumors to increase with 2,4-D dosage, and a trend toward dose related increases in the proportion of males with malignant tumors. These tendencies do not reflect important pathologic differences. Groups of 3 male and 3 female beagle dogs each were fed 0, 10, 50, 100, or 500 ppm of 2,4-D in the diet for 2 yr, starting at 6–8 mo of age. Twenty-eight dogs surviving the 2-yr period were clinically normal, and no 2,4-D related effects were noted. One female at 100 ppm that was emaciated at autopsy at two years showed no significant lesions. Moderate depletion of cellular elements was noted at 10 ppm in 1 male that died after 10 mo. In a 3-generation 6-litter rat reproduction study, no deleterious effect of dietary 2,4-D at 100 or 500 ppm was evident. At 1500 ppm, however, 2,4-D, while apparently affecting neither fertility of either sex nor litter size, did sharply reduce the percent of pups born surviving to weaning and the weights of weanlings.
Interleukin-6 production in CD40-engaged fibrocytes in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy: involvement of Akt and NF-κB.

PURPOSE. CD40–CD40 ligand (CD40L) interactions appear to play pathogenic roles in autoimmune disease. Here we quantify CD40 expression on fibrocytes, circulating, and bone marrow– derived progenitor cells. The functional consequences of CD40 ligation are determined since these may promote tissue remodeling linked with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). METHODS. CD40 levels on cultivated fibrocytes and orbital fibroblasts (GOFB) from patients with Graves’ disease (GD), as well as fibrocyte abundance, were determined by flow cytometry. CD40 mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR, whereas response to CD40 ligation was measured by Luminex and RT-PCR. Protein kinase B (Akt) and nuclear factor (NF)–kappa B (NF-jB) signaling were determined by Western blot and immunofluorescence. RESULTS. Basal CD40 expression on fibrocytes is greater than that on GOFB. IFN-c upregulates CD40 in both cell types and its actions are mediated at the pretranslational level. Fibrocytes produce high levels of cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), TNF-a, IL-8, MCP-1, and RANTES (Regulated on Activation, Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted) in response to CD40L. IL-6 induction results from an increase in steady state IL-6 mRNA, and is mediated through Akt and NF-jB activation. Circulating CD40 þ CD45 þ Col1 þ fibrocytes are far more frequent in vivo in donors with TAO compared with healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS. Particularly high levels of functional CD40 are displayed by fibrocytes. CD40L-provoked signaling results in the production of several cytokines. Among these, IL-6 expression is mediated through Akt and NF-jB pathways. The frequency of circulating CD40 þ fibrocytes is markedly increased in patients with TAO, suggesting that this receptor might represent a therapeutic target for TAO. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:7746–7753) DOI:10.1167/ iovs.12-9861
Group B streptococcal sepsis impairs cerebral vascular reactivity to acute hypercarbia in piglets

We investigated whether group B streptococcal (STREP) infusion impairs the cerebral blood flow (CBF) response to acute hypercarbia in piglets, and whether STREP-induced prostanoids or hemodynamic alterations could account for this impairment. Piglets, 2-3 wk old, were anesthetized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated (50% O2; partial pressure of arterial CO2 (Paco2) ≈ 40 torr). CBF was assessed by internal carotid artery blood flow (ICBF). Group 1 (n = 5) received a continuous infusion of STREP for 4 h (2.0-8.0 × 107 org/kg-min). Group 2(n = 5) was pretreated with indomethacin (5 mg/kg), then received the identical STREP infusion. Group 3 (n = 6) did not receive STREP, but cardiac output (CO) and systemic blood pressure (BP) were reduced to levels equal to that of group 1 by incremental inflation of a left atrial balloon (LAB) catheter. Cerebral vascular reactivity to acute hypercarbia(Paco2 ≈ 70 torr for 7.5 min) was assessed at baseline and after each hour of STREP infusion or LAB inflation. We found that 4 h of STREP infusion caused CO to fall significantly (634 ± 121 to 324 ± 172 mL/min, group 1; 600 ± 68 to 291 ± 80 mL/min, group 2) and BP to fall significantly (104 ± 20 to 57 ± 4 mm Hg, group 1; 91± 11 to 53 ± 16 mm Hg, group 2) By design, in group 3 LAB inflation caused CO (573 ± 181 to 375 ± 159 mL/min) and BP (104± 14 to 60 ± 9 mm Hg) to fall to values not significantly different from septic groups 1 and 2. At 4 h, unilateral ICBF decreased significantly during STREP infusion in group 1 (32.0 ± 10.8 to 21.0± 7.3 mL/min) and group 2 (22.9 ± 9.9 to 13.1 ± 4.3 mL/min), but not in nonseptic group 3 (23.1 ± 7.4 to 19.6 ± 6.3 mL/min). At baseline, hypercarbia induced an increase in ICBF (%ΔICBF = 68.7 ± 13.0% in group 1, 62.2 ± 15.6% in group 2, and 87.7± 34.0% in group 3). After 4 h of STREP, this response was completely ablated as ICBF fell during hypercarbia by -7.8 ± 23.2% (group 1). Indomethacin did not protect cerebral vascular reactivity after 4 h of STREP infusion, as%ΔICBF fell during hypercarbia by -10.9 ± 17.7%(group 2). In contrast, despite equivalent reductions in CO and BP after 4 h of LAB inflation in nonseptic group 3, ICBF rose during hypercarbia by 61.8± 23.2%, not significantly different from baseline, but significantly different from the decrease in%ΔICBF in groups 1 and 2. We conclude that STREP infusion reduces ICBF and cerebral vascular reactivity to acute hypercarbia in piglets. This phenomenon is not accounted for by STREP-induced reduction in CO or BP, and is not mediated by prostanoids.
Brainstem terminations of extraocular muscle primary afferent neurons in the monkey.

The central terminations of afferent nerve fibers from the extraocular muscles of the monkey were investigated by means of transganglionic transport of wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA/ HRP). Following injections of selected extraocular muscles with WGA/HRP, terminal labeling was apparent in the ipsilateral trigeminal sensory and cuneate nuclei. The density of trigeminal projections varied markedly from one rostrocaudal level to the next, being heaviest within the ventrolateral portion of pars interpolaris of the spinal trigeminal nucleus. A second extraocular muscle afferent representation was noted in ventrolateral portions of the cuneate nucleus. This projection was restricted to rostral portions of pars triangularis of the cuneate nucleus, partially overlapping the afferent termination from dorsal neck muscles. It is likely that some of the problems encountered in formulating conclusions regarding the functional role of extraocular muscle proprioception are due to a lack of detailed information of the central termination pattern of muscle afferents. Taken together, the present findings should provide a basis for further anatomical and physiological studies designed to elucidate the role played by extraocular muscle proprioceptors in vision and oculomotor control.
The changing smoking environment for middle and high school students: 1980–1983

Cultural-historical changes in smoking prevalence and in smoking-related attitudes and beliefs were examined as part of a cohort-sequential study of 6th-to 12th-grade midwestern adolescents (N=8681) between 1980 and 1983. Smoking prevalence decreased over the 4 years for the younger cohorts and remained unchanged for high school students. Paradoxically, however, some specific beliefs and attitudes about smoking (including health beliefs) became less negative with time. It is suggested that continuing negative social beliefs about smoking are supporting declines in smoking prevalence among younger cohorts. Implications of these cultural-historical changes for smoking behavior and smoking control are discussed.
Antibodies to Oligodendroglia in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract We demonstrated antibodies to isolated oligodendrocytes and to oligodendroglia in brain sections by indirect immunofluorescence technic in serums of 19 of 21 patients with multiple sclerosis. We also found such antibodies in three of five patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and one of four patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, but not in patients with other neurologic diseases or normal persons. The antibodies were absorbed by preincubation of serum with isolated oligodendrocytes or whole white matter, but not with purified myelin or liver tissue. Immunofluorescent staining was blocked by either rabbit anti-oligodendrocyte serum or non-fluoresceinated goat anti-human immunoglobulin. These findings suggest that antibodies to oligodendroglia are distinct from antibodies to myelin and that demyelination in multiple sclerosis could be a consequence of an immunopathologic reaction directed against oligodendroglial cells. (N Engl J Med 297:1207–1211, 1977)
The optical properties of tyrosine-containing cyclic dipeptides.

The chiroptical properties of the cyclic dipeptides cyclo (L-alanyl-L-tyrosine) and cyclo(L-tyrosyl-L-tyrosine) have been investigated as a function of molecular conformation. Theoretical optical calculations and conformational energy calculations have been carried out as a function of the side-chain dihedral angles χ1 and χ2, and as a function of the angle of fold of the cyclic dipeptide backbone. The results of these theoretical calculations have been compared with experimental circular dichroism (CD) data. Theoretical predictions are in very good agreement with experiment for c(L-Tyr-L-Tyr). Agreement was not quite as good for c(L-Ala-L-Tyr), although the signs of all of the Cotton effects were apparently predicted correctly except for that associated with the lowest energy tyrosine absorption band.
Flexible Methods for Analyzing Survival Data Using Splines, with Applications to Breast Cancer Prognosis

Abstract In this article some flexible methods for modeling censored survival data using splines are applied to the problem of modeling the time to recurrence of breast cancer patients. The basic idea is to use fixed knot splines with a fairly modest number of knots to model aspects of the data, and then to use penalized partial likelihood to estimate the parameters of the model. Test statistics are proposed which are analogs of those used in traditional likelihood analysis, and approximations to the distributions of these statistics are suggested. In an analysis of a large data set taken from clinical trials conducted by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, these methods are seen to give useful insight into how prognosis varies as a function of continuous covariates, and also into how covariate effects change with follow-up time.
Reciprocity in Self-Disclosure within the Psychological Interview:

24 male and 24 female college subjects were interviewed individually by a male graduate student, using standardized interviews. Intimacy of subjects' self-disclosures during the interviews was inve...
Intermediates in the reaction of fully reduced cytochrome c oxidase with dioxygen.

The reduction of dioxygen to water by cytochrome c oxidase was monitored in the Soret region following photolysis of the fully reduced CO complex. Time-resolved optical absorption difference spectra collected between 373 and 521 nm were measured at delay times from 50 ns to 50 ms and analyzed using singular value decomposition and multiexponential fitting. Five processes were resolved with apparent lifetimes of 0.9 μs, 8 μs, 36 μs, 103 μs, and 1.2 ms. A mechanism is proposed and spectra of intermediates are extracted and compared to model spectra of the postulated intermediates. The model builds on an earlier mechanism that used data only from the visible region (Sucheta et al. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 554−565) and provides a more complete mechanism that fits results from both spectral regions. Intermediate 3, the ferrous−oxy complex (compound A) decays into a 607 nm species, generally referred to as P, which is converted to a 580 nm ferryl form (Fo) on a significantly faster time scale. The equilibrium co...
International cooperation in space for security enhancement

Abstract This is the text of a report prepared by the UN Secretary-General, International Cooperation in Space Activities for Enhancing Security in the Post-Cold War Era . It discusses what can be done in this field - both by states acting cooperatively and by the relevant specialized agencies of the UN - in areas such as arms control and conversion of military technologies, commercialization and proliferation, environmental protection and scientific and technical cooperation. Various confidence-building measures to increase global security are discussed and the need to improve developing countries' access to space technology via the establishment of regional education centres and an international space information centre is emphasized.
Prosodic effects on acoustic cues to stop voicing and place of articulation: Evidence from Radio News speech

Abstract This study examines the effects of prosody on the acoustic cues of stop consonants, based on speech from the Boston University Radio News corpus. An investigation of VOT, f0, closure duration, burst amplitude and spectral characteristics provide evidence for a primary effect of accent (a level of phrasal prominence) on these measures as cues to stop voicing and/or place of articulation. There are robust, significant effects of accent on the acoustic cues for both voicing and place of articulation, exhibiting a general pattern of prosodic strengthening. However, the accent effect on voicing cues results in the enhancement of the phonological voice contrast, whereas the effect on acoustic cues to place of articulation does not similarly enhance the place contrast. Comparison of η2 values shows that accent effects are strongest on those measures that are weak cues to the phonological contrast, and weakest on the measures that are strong cues. While there are no observed strengthening effects of phrasal position on voicing cues for /t/ and /d/, acoustic variability is reduced in phrase-initial position.