cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 162: Calling the Code: Factors Influencing the Length of CPR

Background: Little is known about the determinants of the length of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in hospitalized patients, and there are no current guidelines to assist health care providers in deciding when to terminate resuscitation. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of 155 inpatient cardiac arrests occurring at an academic medical center. Unadjusted (t-test and chi square test) and adjusted (logistic regression) analyses were performed to determine the association between patient characteristics (age, race, gender, initial rhythm, and comorbidities) and hospital process factors (admitting service, day and time of cardiac arrest, and location of event) and CPR duration. Results: The mean age of the sample was 62 ± 16 years, and 63% were male. The mean CPR duration was 17.8±15 minutes (range 2-77 minutes, median duration 13 minutes). The distribution was right skewed. The racial composition of the sample was as follows: 32% of individuals were black, 48% were white, and 20% were classified as other or unknown. CPR duration was inversely associated with ROSC compared with no-ROSC (63% vs. 37%; p median) were younger than those with shorter CPR duration ( Conclusions: There is wide variability in the length of CPR, and CPR duration predicts both short and long-term outcomes. With the exception of chronic ventilator dependence, neither patient nor process factors are associated with CPR duration. In the absence of guidelines or prognostic tools to assist healthcare providers in determining when to terminate CPR, further research is needed to identify factors contributing to variability in CPR duration.
Stipulated Damages, Super-Strict Liability, and Mitigation in Contract Law

The remedy of expectancy damages in contract law is conventionally described as strict liability for breach. Parties sometimes stipulate damages in advance, and may agree that the damages they stip...
Labour and Working-Class History in Canada: Prospects in the 1980s

THIS ESSAY IS A contribution to the debate concerning the direction of social and working-class history. Comments are made on periodization, regionalism, ethnicity, and culture. Class analysis and the utility of culture for the study of Canadian workers are strongly defended. L'ARTICLE VEUT APPORTER une reflexion sur l'orientation de l'histoire sociale et ouvriere. Des themes comme la periodisation, le regionalisme, l'ethnicite et la culture seront abordes. L'auteur defend fermement l'analyse de classe et la necessite d'etudier la culture ouvriere pour comprendre les travailleurs canadiens.
Session 10: Sensing and Planning

This session was composed of four presentations spanning various aspects of sensor modeling, motion planning, and tracking. In each case the emphasis was on using insights from currently implemented systems to re-think the underlying models conventionally used in the literature today.
Adoption Subsidy Dynamics: Explorations in the Analysis of State Administrative Data

ABSTRACT Adoptions subsidies represent a growing portion of federal, state, and local expenditures for child welfare services. Almost no previous analysis has been done with state level adoption subsidy data. This paper reports on analyses of subsidy data from North Carolina and California. These analyses indicate the significantly different way that subsidies are used in each state. In California, subsidies change markedly because they are used to purchase post-adoption services. In North Carolina, most post-adoption services are paid for through vendor payments. In California, the likelihood of subsidy increases are associated with family income, in unexpected ways. Common findings across states are that few families that begin to receive a subsidy will generally continue to receiving them until the child ages out of the program. Implications for policy and research are forwarded.
Inference and checking of object ownership

Ownership type systems describe a heap topology and enforce an encapsulation discipline; they aid in various program correctness and understanding tasks. However, the annotation overhead of ownership type systems has hindered their widespread use. We present a unified framework for specification, type inference and type checking of ownership type systems, and instantiate the framework for two such systems: Universe Types and Ownership Types. We present an objective metric defining a "best typing" for these type systems, and develop an inference approach that maximizes the metric. The programmer can influence the inference by adding partial annotations to the program. We implemented the approach on top of the Checker Framework and present the results of an experimental evaluation.
Autophagy and endosomal trafficking inhibition by Vibrio cholerae MARTX toxin phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate-specific phospholipase A1 activity

Vibrio cholerae, responsible for acute gastroenteritis secretes a large multifunctional-autoprocessing repeat-in-toxin (MARTX) toxin linked to evasion of host immune system, facilitating colonization of small intestine. Unlike other effector domains of the multifunctional toxin that target cytoskeleton, the function of alpha-beta hydrolase (ABH) remained elusive. This study demonstrates that ABH is an esterase/lipase with catalytic Ser-His-Asp triad. ABH binds with high affinity to phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) and cleaves the fatty acid in PtdIns3P at the sn1 position in vitro making it the first PtdIns3P-specific phospholipase A1 (PLA1). Expression of ABH in vivo reduces intracellular PtdIns3P levels and its PtdIns3P-specific PLA1 activity blocks endosomal and autophagic pathways. In accordance with recent studies acknowledging the potential of extracellular pathogens to evade or exploit autophagy to prevent their clearance and facilitate survival, this is the first report highlighting the role of ABH in inhibiting autophagy and endosomal trafficking induced by extracellular V. cholerae.
Surgical Treatments for Infantile Purulent Meningitis Complicated by Subdural Effusion

Background Infantile purulent meningitis (PM) is a commonly severe intracranial infectious disease in infants under age 1 year. In recent years, several diagnostic and treatment methods were reported, but in these cases the neurological complications and sequel were often observed, among which subdural effusion (SE) is the most common complication in PM. Timely diagnosis and early intervention are vital for better outcomes. In this study, the surgical treatments for infantile PM complicated by SE were investigated.
STUDIES IN STOCHASTIC LEARNING THEORY. I. PATH-DEPENDENT LINEAR MODELS FOR EXPERIMENTER-SUBJECT CONTROLLED EXPERIMENTS.

The derivation of learning models relative to choice behavior in experimenter-subject controlled experiments with two outcomes (right or wrong) is considered from the point of view that any such model must satisfy a criterion of optimality. The criterion adopted for investigation, termed optimal asymptotic behavior, is that of the subject asymptotically learning which of the alternatives has the greater probability of being correct. A class of path-dependent linear models is posed as possible candidates. It is shown that no members of this class satisfy the criterion although two of them approach it by making a learning parameter small enough. The possible implications of this are discussed.
Teaching literature in the criminal justice curriculum

This article presents an argument for the integration of literature, especially novels, into the criminal justice curriculum. Included is a discussion of novels and short stories that work well in criminal justice courses. Approaches for integrating literature with traditional empirical and theoretical material are also discussed. Reading and discussing excellent literature can be an effective means to develop a student's sense of empathy and skills of critical thinking. This argument is set in the context of the broader debate of the relationship of criminal justice to the rest of the liberal arts.
Design of a capacitance sensor in 0.18um CMOS technology for biomedical application

To determine the existence of a certain target molecules, antibody molecules can be placed on a set of parallel electrodes for binding the target molecules. Detection of target molecules bound to the antibody can be achieved by measuring changes in capacitance between the electrodes. A capacitive sensor used for this purpose must have high accuracy and preferably be low power. This paper describes the design of a capacitive sensor which is capable of detecting as small as 10fF change in capacitance. The design was implemented in a 0.18μm CMOS process.
Blood pressure and hepatocellular effects of the cyclic heptapeptide toxin produced by the freshwater cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) Microcystis aeruginosa strain PCC-7820.

Abstract Laboratory rats and mice were used to investigate the hepatotoxicity caused by the cyclic heptapeptide (mol. wt 994) termed microcystin-LR. Microcystin-LR (also known as cyanoginosin-LR) is produced by the freshwater cyanobacterium (blue - green alga) M. aeruginosa strain PCC-7820. In time course histopathology studies with mice significant liver damage, with an absence of pulmonary emboli, were observed after 15 min. Pulmonary emboli did not appear until 1 hr. In rats, significant liver damage and the presence of occasional emboli were observed at 20 min. Pulmonary emboli did not contain fibrin nor appear life-threatening in any case and resembled the globular eosinophilic debris found in the liver sinusoids and central veins. Measurements of rat femoral arterial, jugular venous and hepatic portal venous blood pressures during the course of toxicity revealed a slowly declining arterial pressure and stable, normal venous pressures. Blood lactic acid levels rose in parallel with the fall in arterial pressure, a pattern typical of hemorrhagic shock. There was no indication of venous congestion that would accompany right heart failure. Isolated, perfused rat livers dosed with toxin showed rapid changes in the liver, including cessation of bile flow within 10 min and complete obliteration of normal lobular architecture within 60 min. No effect of the toxin was observed in isolated perfused rat heart. We conclude that in the mouse and rat, microcystin-LR is a potent, rapid-acting, direct hepatotoxin, with the immediate cause of death in acute toxicities being hemorrhagic shock secondary to massive heptocellular necrosis and collapse of hepatic parenchyma.
Effects of Ingested Secondary Metabolites on the Immune Response of a Polyphagous Caterpillar Grammia incorrupta

We considered the effects of plant secondary metabolites on the immune response, a key physiological defense of herbivores against pathogens and parasitoids. We tested the effect of host plant species and ingested iridoid glycosides on the immune response of the grazing, polyphagous caterpillar, Grammia incorrupta (Arctiidae). Individuals of G. incorrupta were fed either one of three plant diets with varying secondary metabolites, or an artificial diet with high or low concentrations of iridoid glycosides. An immune challenge was presented, followed by measurement of the encapsulation response. We failed to detect a significant difference in the immune response of G. incorrupta feeding on diets with varying concentrations of iridoid glycosides, or feeding on different host plants. However, the immune response was lower in caterpillars consuming the artificial diet compared to those consuming the plant diets. When caterpillar performance was measured, pupal weights were lower when caterpillars ingested high concentrations of iridoid glycosides due to a decrease in feeding efficiency. Overall, individuals of G. incorrupta that consumed different plant diets exhibited a high immune response with low variation. We conclude that the immune response of G. incorrupta is adapted to feeding on a variety of plants, which may contribute to the maintenance of this caterpillar’s polyphagous habit.
The crystal steueture of phenoxatellurine, C12H8OTe

The crystal structure of phenoxatellurine, C12H8OTe, was determined by X-ray diffracto-meter methods. The crystals are orthorhorhorhombic, P21 21 21, a = 6.036(1), b = 8.160(1), c = 20.717(5) A at t = 22°. The positions of all atoms, including hydrogen, were found. The central ring is folded along the Te-O axis (138°). Average bond distances are Te-C = 2.098, C-O = 1.397, C-C = 1.382 A. The phenyl rings are planar with a dihedral angle of 145°; C-Te-C = 89.4(3)°, C-O-C = 121.2(5)°. The structure is compared to those of phenoxathionine and pheuothiazine.
Regenerative Cell Therapy for Corneal Endothelium

Endothelial cell dysfunction as in Fuchs dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and the limited regenerative capacity of human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) drive the need for corneal transplant. In response to limited donor corneal availability, significant effort has been directed toward cell therapy as an alternative to surgery. Stimulation of endogenous progenitors or transplant of stem cell-derived HCECs or in vitro-expanded, donor-derived HCECs could replace traditional surgery with regenerative therapy. Ex vivo expansion of HCECs is technically challenging, and the basis for molecular identification of functional HCECs is not established. Delivery of cells to the inner layer of the human cornea is another challenge: different techniques, from simple injection to artificial corneal scaffolds, are being investigated. Despite remaining questions, corneal endothelial cell therapies, translated to the clinic, represent the future for the treatment of corneal endotheliopathies.
A slot-Suzuki-Phase photonic crystal for optical trapping via guided resonance modes

A novel photonic crystal design is proposed for optical trapping of particle arrays. The design introduces a slot in the unit cell of the Suzuki-Phase lattice to increase quality factor and trapping strength.
Mutation of the dengue virus type 2 envelope protein heparan sulfate binding sites or the domain III lateral ridge blocks replication in Vero cells prior to membrane fusion

Abstract Using an infectious cDNA clone we engineered seven mutations in the putative heparan sulfate- and receptor-binding motifs of the envelope protein of dengue virus serotype 2, strain 16681. Four mutant viruses, KK122/123EE, E202K, G304K, and KKK305/307/310EEE, were recovered following transfection of C6/36 cells. A fifth mutant, KK291/295EE, was recovered from C6/36 cells with a compensatory E295V mutation. All mutants grew in and mediated fusion of virus-infected C6/36 cells, but three of the mutants, KK122/123EE, E202K, G304K, did not grow in Vero cells without further modification. Two Vero cell lethal mutants, KK291/295EV and KKK307/307/310EEE, failed to replicate in DC-SIGN-transformed Raji cells and did not react with monoclonal antibodies known to block DENV attachment to Vero cells. Additionally, both mutants were unable to initiate negative-strand vRNA synthesis in Vero cells by 72 h post-infection, suggesting that the replication block occurred prior to virus-mediated membrane fusion.
Role of Kupffer cells in failure of fatty livers following liver transplantation and alcoholic liver injury.

Kupffer cells have been implicated in mechanisms of pathophysiology following liver transplantation. Recently, postoperative injury in ethanol-induced fatty liver has been evaluated because fatty livers often fail following transplantation. The low-flow, reflow liver perfusion model was used to study the role of Kupffer cells (KC) in reperfusion injury to fatty livers from rats fed a diet containing ethanol for 4–5 weeks. Treatment with GdCl3, which selectively destroys KC, decreased cell death significantly. Thus, destruction of KC minimized hepatic reperfusion injury, most likely by inhibiting free radical formation and improving microcirculation. Since it was demonstrated recently that destruction of KC prevented the hypermetabolic state observed with acute alcohol exposure, their involvement in events leading to alcohol-induced liver disease was investigated. In rats exposed to ethanol continuously via intragastric feeding for up to 4 weeks, GdCl3 treatment prevented elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and dramatically reduced the average hepatic pathological score. These results indicate that KC participate in the early phases of alcohol-induced liver injury. Endotoxaemia occurs in alcoholics and activates KC; therefore, we evaluated the effect of minimizing bacterial endotoxin by intestinal sterilization with the antibiotics polymyxin B and neomycin. Antibiotics diminished plasma endotoxin levels significantly and prevented ethanol-induced increases in AST values. These results indicate that endotoxin is involved in the mechanism of ethanol-induced liver injury. A six-line radical spectrum was detected with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in bile from alcohol-treated rats which was blocked by GdCl3. The free radical adducts had hyperfine coupling constants characteristic of lipid-derived free radical products. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that KC are involved in reperfusion injury to ethanol-induced fatty livers and hepatic injury due to long-term treatment with ethanol.
Price discovery in a private cash forward market for lumber

Abstract Cash forward contracting is a common, and often preferred, means of managing commodity price risk in many industries. Despite this, little is known about the performance of cash forward markets, in particular the role they play in price discovery. The US lumber market provides a unique case for examining this issue. The Bloch Lumber Company maintains an active cash forward market for many lumber products, and publishes benchmark forward prices on their website and disseminates these prices to data vendors. Focusing on 2×4 random lengths lumber and 7/16 oriented strand board, this research examines the lead–lag relationships between the 3-month forward prices published by Bloch Lumber, representative spot prices, and lumber futures prices at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Results suggest that at least for 2×4 random lengths lumber, the forward prices published by Block Lumber lead both the spot price and futures price, suggesting that this private cash forward market provides some level of price discovery in the lumber markets.
Ability and Task Difficulty in Cognitive Psychology

A topic of perennial and currently prevailing interest, both in educational psychology and in public discussions, is the nature of intelligence and its relation to learning and performance, in and out of school. But because we cannot be sure, at the outset, that intelligence is a single, unitary entity I prefer to think of the problem as having to do with the nature of mental abilities. I emphasize the adjective mental and the plural form of the noun. The adjective directs our attention to the fact that we are con-
Sexual frequency and contraceptive pills.

To determine whether oral contraceptives particularly their progestin component decrease sexual behavior 51 marrried women took part in a 3 month double-blind survey. Subjects were clinic patients graduate student wives or members of a religious congregation who were already using another contraceptive and had not used the pill or been pregnant in 3 months nor had they discontinued the pill previously for side effects. They took placebo for one cycle then either Ortho--Novum (2 mg norethindrone and .1 mg mestranol combined) or Ortho--Novum SQ (.08 mg mestranol and 2 mg norethindrone sequential) for 2 cycles. Data on frequency of intercourse orgasm orgasm per intercourse menstruation and pedometer readings were mailed in daily. Results expressed as mean per day yielded no significant difference between groups on any of the indices of sexual frequency even when the subjects were regrouped by age or by high or low orgasmic frequency.
The role of ARGONAUTE1 (AGO1) in meristem formation and identity

The ARGONAUTE gene family is involved in the regulation of gene expression via the RNAi Silencing Complex (RISC). microRNA (miRNA) are 20-22bp RNAs that direct RISC to target genes. Several miRNA have been characterized in plants. Their roles include control of flowering time, floral organ identity, cell division patterns, and leaf polarity. ARGONAUTE1 (AGO1) is required for stem cell function and organ polarity, as is the closely related protein PINHEAD/ZWILLE (PNH/ZLL). Through phenotypic and double mutant analysis, we show that AGO1 regulates stem cell function via SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (STM). CUPSHAPED COTYLEDONS1 and 2 (CUC1 and CUC2) positively regulate STM and are targets of miRNA. The effect of AGO1 on leaf polarity is dependent, in part, on its role in meristem function revealed by interactions with ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1(AS1). AGO1 is required for full expression of LEAFY (LFY), APETALA1 (AP1) and AGAMOUS (AG). Flowering time is unaffected but floral meristem identity is partially restored in a curlyleaf (clf) background and this is not due to clf's affects on AG expression. CLF is over expressed in ago1, showing that the RNAi pathway regulates polycomb-type epigenetic modifiers.
Sizing Up Rhetoric, David Zarefsky and Elizabeth Benacka, eds.

Sizing Up Rhetoric is a collection of thirty papers from the 2006 biennial conference of the Rhetoric Society of America, held in Memphis that May. As such, it presents a challenge for the book rev...
Simulation of Combinational Circuits for Fault Diagnosis

Simulation techniques are discussed to build test patterns to diagnose hardware faults in digital circuits. Only combinational circuits without redundant wires or undetectable faults are considered...
Power Calculations and Model Selection for Trend Analysis: A Comment

which is estimated using the usual methods of least squares. The null hypothesis of no trend (r = 0) is tested using the usual t test to see whether the estimated slope b is significantly different from zero. Gerrodette (1987) discusses necessary sample sizes to attain a given level of power against specified alternatives. Unfortunately, several errors invalidate Gerrodette's results. Difficulties begin with a failure to identify clearly the test statistic to be used. The statistic intended is
Effects of progesterone and sensory stimulation on EEG and neuronal activity in the rat

Abstract The effects of intravenous injections of progesterone and the application of various sensory stimuli on neuronal activity in the hypothalamus, cortex, and thalamus were investigated in urethane-anesthetized rats. Multiple facets of neural activity were registered by simultaneously recording cortical EEG, single-unit firing and integrated multiple-unit activity in these brain regions. Changes in adjacent single- and multiunit activity recorded from the cerebral cortex and thalamus were closely correlated with alterations in cortical EEG, while hypothalamic activity was relatively independent of the cortical EEG. Intravenous progesterone quickly induced a sleeplike EEG which lasted between 20 and 60 min, and single- and multiunit activity changed to the patterns characteristic of sleep. During this period arousal responses to all types of sensory stimuli were partially or completely blocked. Progesterone in this preparation is thus considered to exert differential effects on neurons through a nonspecific depression of arousal. Since the activity of individual neurons is bound more or less closely to the arousal level, neurons are differentially affected by the general depression induced by progesterone.
The /spl mu/-Witness Detector: A Ruggedized, Portable, Flux Meter for Cosmogenic Activation Monitoring

This paper presents the design and construction of a portable muon flux monitor based on coincidence counts between two scintillator panels to be used as an indicator for cosmogenic exposure history of detector materials. The Muon Witness detector (μ -Witness) has been designed to count for long periods of time (up to 40 days) using battery power and is mounted in a ruggedized case to enable measurements in transport container environments. The purpose of this apparatus is to accurately account for the cosmic-ray exposure of enriched germanium batches that will become the active detector crystals in neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments. The success of such experiments depends on the ability to mitigate and quantify backgrounds, including accurately estimating the radioactive isotopes induced by cosmogenic activation while the detectors are on the Earth's surface, prior to going underground.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Renal Pelvis With Symptomatic Ovarian Metastases

A 39-year-old woman underwent nephrectomy and ureterectomy for a transitional cell carcinoma involving the right renal pelvis and upper ureter. Four years later, the patient complained of vaginal spotting and abdominal pain. Bilateral adnexal masses were palpable on pelvic examination and a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo oophorectomy was performed. The ovaries were both replaced by multicystic neo plasms measuring 10 and 12 cm in maximum dimension. Microscopic examination showed cysts lined by transitional cells, and nests of transitional cells permeated the intervening stroma. Prominent lymphatic and vascular invasion was also present. Tumor also filled the lumens of both fallopian tubes. Although only limited superficial invasion was demonstrated in the nephrectomy specimen, the features of the case strongly suggest that the ovarian tumors represent metastases from the transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. This represents only the third well documented case of clinically significant ova...
Written in stone: memory and reconciliation intersecting the urban biosphere.

: The article describes the process of planning the Memorial of Disappeared Detained Citizens in the City of Montevideo, Uruguay, the construction of which was completed in January 2003. It explores the role that memory, planning, and reconciliation carried out in the public realm can play in the context of an urban environment. It describes the procedures and involvement of different social agents in the achievement of a significant landmark where social healing is promoted in parallel to the materialization of the construction of the Memorial, the necessary interaction between the natural and the human dimensions, and how these relate to the city as a biosphere.
Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Daidzein and Genistein from Soybean Products

The extractibility of isoflavones by supercritical carbon dioxide was studied by extracting synthetically produced daidzein (1), genistein (2), formononetin (3) and biochanin A (4). Supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SFCO2) modified with 20% ethanol at 50° and 600 atmospheres pressure extracted nearly 93% of these isoflavones in 60 min. Daidzein and genistein were extracted by SFCO2 and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography in the extracts of soybean food products, miso, tofu, soy meal and soy flour; the amounts of 1 and 2 (expressed in μg/g dry weight) in these foods were found to be 42, 61; 20, 20; 40, 8 and 10, 5, respectively. This is the first report of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of 1 and 2 from soy products.
Hyperbaric compression in the guinea pig with perilymph fistula

Abstract Objective The study goal was to evaluate the effects of hyperbaric therapy on the auditory and vestibular function of guinea pigs compromised by perilymph fistula (PLF). Methods Twenty-four pigmented guinea pigs underwent induction of bilateral eustachian tube dysfunction before the creation of a unilateral PLF. Half of the animals were randomly assigned to receive immediate hyperbaric compression treatment of 4 “dives” each. Hearing was tested electrocochleographically, and signs of vestibulopathy were recorded before and after compression. Results After accounting for the effects of PLF, compression was not associated with significant hearing loss (P = 0.5411). Vestibulopathy was seen only in ears with PLF, and its incidence was similar for compression and noncompression groups. Conclusion Hyperbaric compression does not compromise auditory or vestibular function in guinea pig ears with experimental PLF. Significance Our observations support the relative safety of recompression in patients with PLF.
Metaanalysis of trials comparing laparoscopic and open surgery for Crohn’s disease

Several studies in the literature have suggested that laparoscopic surgery for Crohn’s disease is associated with faster postoperative recovery and a morbidity and recurrence rate similar to that for open surgery. Most of these studies have been limited by a small sample size and a short follow-up period. To clarify whether open or laparoscopic resection results in a better outcome, a metaanalysis of studies was performed comparing the two procedures for Crohn’s disease. Pooled effects were estimated using a random-effects model. Laparoscopic surgery required more operative time than open surgery (26.8 min; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.4–47.2 min), but resulted in a shorter duration of ileus and a decreased hospital stay (−2.62 days; 95% CI, −3.62 to −1.62). Laparoscopic surgery also was associated with a decreased rate for postoperative bowel obstruction and surgical recurrences. Laparoscopic surgery for Crohn’s disease is feasible, safe, and associated with shorter duration of ileus and a shorter hospital stay.
Mapping knowledge in chronic illness

Theory-based nursing practice requires a systematically developed, integrated body of information to deal effectively with the complexities of the human condition. This philosophical research is founded on a complementary knowledge model, valuing diverse views. The burden therefore is on uncovering connections between perspectives. A method is proposed and tested for mapping pluralistic knowledge in chronic illness. Underlying the method development is the premise that all knowledge can be represented as different combinations of ontology (views of the person) and epistemology (nature and aims of science). Based on a review of over 300 references, six major themes (comprised of 20 conceptual categories) are uncovered in the nursing literature. Analysis of the map reveals the influence of trends as well as areas of minimal development (e.g. holism). A key advantage of mapping is the opportunity to know the data in a large substantive area and to begin to identify potential linkages for cumulation. Fatigue, pain, symptom management, day-to-day living with illness, and social support are identified as promising areas to begin building a mid-range theory of chronic illness. Developing a cumulative knowledge base narrows the gap between theory and practice.
Prevention of implantation by [D-Trp6-LH-RH in the rat: comparative study with the effects of large doses of HCG on pregnancy.

Effect of large doses of [D-Trp6]-LH-RH and HCG on implantation of fertilized ova was examined in the rat. Subcutaneous administration of 6ug[D-Trp6]-LH-RH per day from days 1 to 5 of pregnancy by an implanted minipump completely prevented the implantation of fertilized ova associated with a dramatic reduction of plasma progesterone on days 4 and 8, with a slight reduction of estradiol on day 4. There was no balooning of the uterus in the exploratory laparotomy on days 8 and 14. Administration of 1000 U of HCG daily from days 1 to 5 partially prevented implantation and completely terminated gestation. However, plasma progesterone and estradiol levels did not differ from those in the control animals. Ovaries in the [D-Trp6]-LH-RH treated rats appeared to be the same in size as those of the control pregnant rats, whereas the ovaries of the HCG-treated rats were hypertrophied. The results suggest that [D-Trp6]-LH-RH prevents nidation through a mechanism different from that for the adverse effect of excess HC...
Mechanism associated with the Space Shuttle main engine oxidizer valve/duct system anomalous high amplitude discrete acoustical excitation

Anomalous high frequency pressure fluctuations in the Space Shuttle main engine have been experienced during hot firings. Through diagnostic analysis of hot firing engine data, it was determined that this excitation originated at the main oxidizer valve. The intensity of these fluctuations was such that the main oxidizer valve was partially consumed in fire, experienced fretting, and had seal damage. Delineated in this paper are the associated dynamical phenomena and the methodologies leading toward understanding the excitation mechanism. The results presented demonstrate that the source of the anomalous frequencies was suppressed by a simple fix and all main oxidizer valve damage was terminated.
The Consequences of Presidential Battleground Strategies for Citizen Engagement

How consequential is residence in a presidential battleground state for how people engage in politics? I explore the effects of battleground strategies for campaign exposure, voter interest, political discussion, learning, and participation in the presidential campaign. I also consider the sources of battleground influence, including the campaign efforts of presidential candidates and particular partisan nature of battleground states. Using survey data from the 1992, 1996, and 2000 National Election Studies in conjunction with measures of state campaign context, I find that the effects of battleground environments are limited. Neither levels of campaign interest nor rates of political discussion are affected by presidential campaign intensity. While television advertising promotes learning and participation, battleground influence on the intention to vote reflects the partisan environment of a state rather than advertising or events sponsored by the presidential candidates.
REPRODUCTIVE HORMONE LEVELS IN INFANTS WITH CRYPTORCHIDISM DURING POSTNATAL ACTIVATION OF THE PITUITARY-TESTICULAR AXIS

ABSTRACT Purpose: Testosterone and luteinizing hormone secretion is reportedly impaired in infants born with cryptorchidism. To better characterize this phenomenon, we studied a range of hormones that normally increase in boys during the first few months of life. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted of boys with nonsyndromic cryptorchidism identified at birth (cases) and boys with descended testes presenting to the urology clinic without endocrine related concerns (controls). Blood was obtained at approximately 2 months of age and up to 3 urine samples were obtained at monthly intervals until age 120 days. Testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured in plasma and urine, and inhibin B, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and leptin were measured in plasma using standard assays. Data were analyzed using t tests with and without log transformation. Results: Of 20 cases 15 were unilaterally cryptorchid. Although 7 testes descended spontaneously, 2 became cryptorchid again during followup and, therefore, 15 boys required orchiopexy. Diagnoses of 26 controls included foreskin problems (15), prenatal hydronephrosis (4), penile torsion (2), ectopic kidney (1) and hydrocele (1). None of the plasma or urinary hormone measurements was significantly different between boys requiring orchiopexy and controls. Plasma SHBG and testosterone, SHBG, estradiol and leptin, and body mass index positively correlated, while testosterone and body mass index negatively correlated. Conclusions: We failed to identify any significant differences in hormone levels between controls and boys with cryptorchidism during activation of the pituitary-testicular axis in early infancy. These data suggest that impairment of this process may be uncommon in boys with nonsyndromic cryptorchidism.
Studies of alpha-protein in human cell cultures.

α-Protein growth fraction (AGF) eliminates the 60- to 90-day adaptive phase required to establish actively growing cultures of HeLa (Gey), human heart (Girardi), KB (Eagle) and other established cell lines in serum-free chemically defined medium A3. AGF is effective at less than 0.4 μg per ml. By using the procedures described in the text, it is possiblee to culture HeLa cells is very simple media such as Eagle's basal medium. The properties of AGF are such that it may be adsorbed on glass or plastic flasks. Glass flasks treated with AGF retain full activity after washing with acetone, and treatment with ethyl ether and chemically defined medium. Adsorbed AGF is destroyed by trypsin. AGF can detoxify protamines, polylysines or histones. It will reverse the aggregation response induced by adding complexes composed of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and basic proteins. The results support the contention that highly adsorptive AGF functions at the cell surface and is capable of modifying the response of the cell to its environment.
Determination of phenothiazines in biological samples.

Abstract A simple and rapid procedure for the extraction, oxidation, and spectrofluorometric determination of phenothiazines is presented. Basic hydrolysis of the sample did not destroy the phenothiazines present and is recommended. For determination of total phenothiazines in the sample, extraction and oxidation in 50% acetic acid was found to be optimal. The procedure is applicable to the determination of submicrogram amounts of a wide variety of phenothiazines in various types of samples.
Reversible left ventricular trabeculations in pregnancy: is this sufficient to make the diagnosis of left ventricular noncompaction?

Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) is a disorder characterized by significant ventricular trabeculations on cardiovascular imaging. The most common echocardiographic criteria used to define the disorder are the Jenni et al1 and Chin et al2 criteria. These criteria were developed after the observation that some patients, primarily children, had cardiomyopathies characterized by significant trabeculations associated with recesses. These criteria differ in that the Jenni et al criteria focus on comparing the noncompacted and compacted myocardium at end systole, whereas the Chin et al criteria compare the noncompacted and total myocardial thickness at end diastole. Diagnosis of noncompaction based on imaging studies is variable but in 1 large review was estimated to involve 0.24% of the general population.3 Trabeculations fulfilling the criteria for LVNC have been seen in a variety of individuals, including patients with sickle cell anemia, athletes, pregnant women, and patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.4–7 In a retrospective evaluation of patients with systolic heart failure, the number of patients fulfilling criteria for LVNC far exceeds (23.6%) that reported in the general population.7 Article see p 475 As explained in this issue of Circulation , because these disorders and pregnancy are associated with increased preload, Gati and colleagues8 believe that increased …
What the Tech Is Going On? Social Media and Your Music Classroom.

Social media is a dynamic tool capable of helping music teachers in various capacities. This article will explore two levels of involvement, including the personal learning network and the social c...
Virtual Reality for Dose Optimization in Pediatric Nuclear Medicine: Better Than the Real Thing

See page [1923][1] The use of nuclear medicine imaging and CT has grown dramatically over the last several decades. In the Unites States, the annual number of nuclear medicine procedures increased 3-fold (from 7 to 20 million) and the annual number of CT procedures 20-fold (from 3 to 60 million)
Expression of cartilage intermediate layer protein/nucleotide pyrophosphohydrolase parallels the production of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate in response to growth factors and with aging.

Objective. To evaluate the role of the extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate (ePPi)-generating ectoenzyme cartilage intermediate layer protein/nucleotide pyrophosphohydrolase (CILP/NTPPH) in chondrocyte PPi elaboration, we studied CILP/NTPPH expression in response to growth factors during aging. Methods. Porcine chondrocytes from adult (3-4-year-old) and young (2-week-old) animals were stimulated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), which enhances ePPi elaboration, and/or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which diminishes ePPi elaboration. Measurements of ePPi, NTPPH enzyme activity, Western blot analysis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Northern blot analysis were performed. Results. Elaboration of ePPi into conditioned media from adult chondrocytes was significantly increased by TGFβ1 and significantly inhibited by IGF-1, but no significant differences were observed in young chondrocytes. The protein levels of CILP/NTPPH by Western analysis in the media from adult and young porcine chondrocytes were increased by TGFβ1. RT-PCR and Northern analysis showed that CILP/NTPPH messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in both adult and young chondrocytes was increased by TGFβ1 and decreased by IGF-1, but these changes were less significant in the young chondrocytes. Basal and TGFβ1-up-regulated levels of CILP/NTPPH expression were higher in adult chondrocytes than in young chondrocytes. Conclusion. These results provide evidence that CILP/NTPPH expression and ePPi elaboration are concomitantly stimulated by TGFβ1 and down-regulated by IGF-1, especially in adult chondrocytes, implicating CILP/NTPPH as a functional participant in ePPi elaboration. Increased CILP/NTPPH mRNA expression in chondrocytes derived from aged animals compared with young animals might promote the formation of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in aged cartilage.
Characteristics of a surgical trainer 2010–2020

Abstract The type of individual most commonly employed as a surgical trainer is a Clinical Instructor, usually in the junior stages of a faculty position, who has voiced an interest in education and who joins initially with a great deal of enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the lifespan of such an individual as a surgical trainer in a simulation center is relatively limited
Relationship between chemical degradation and thickness loss of an amine-cured epoxy coating exposed to different UV environments

The relationship between chemical degradation and thickness loss of an unpigmented, non UV-stabilized, crosslinked amine-cured epoxy coating exposed to three UV conditions was investigated. Spin-coated samples having a thickness of approximately 7 μm on an Si substrate were prepared from a stochiometric mixture of a bisphenol A epoxy resin and a tetra-functional amine curing agent. Samples were exposed outdoors and to two accelerated laboratory UV environments. Chemical degradation and thickness loss were measured by transmission Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS) and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), respectively. In addition, surface roughness and morphological changes were measured by atomic forcemicrosocopy (AFM) and LSCM. Substantial chemical degradation, thickness loss, and morpholocal changes occurred in the exposed films, and the rate of chemical degradation was greater than that due to the thickness loss. This additional chemical loss was attributed to an inhomogeneous degradation process in which nanoscale localized depressions initiate at certain sites on the surface, which then enlarge and deepen with exposure time. The results of this study provide a better understanding of the degradation mechanism and should lead to the development of scientific-based models for predicting the service life of crosslinked amine-cured epoxy coatings.
Members of soil bacterial communities sensitive to tillage and crop rotation

Abstract Pyrosequencing was used to study the effect of rotation and tillage on total bacterial communities. We designed primers to the bacterial 16s rDNA and amplified DNA from soil samples from a long-term tillage/rotation trial in Kansas for two seasons. The 2 × 2 factorial trial had two rotation treatments (wheat–wheat and wheat–soybean) and two tillage treatments (conventional and no-till). A total of 20,180 16s rDNA sequences were generated and 2337 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were assembled using a 97% similarity cut-off. The phylum Proteobacteria represented 38% of 299 identified taxa. The second most abundant phylum was Acidobacteria, making up 20% of the sequences, the majority of which were Acidobacteria Group 1. The phyla Actinobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes comprised 12% and 3.5% of the sequences. Other groups detected included TM7, Nitrospira, Verrucomicrobia, and Bacteroidetes. Some clusters of Acidobacteria Group 1 were more frequent in continuous wheat versus wheat–soybean rotation, some Acidobacteria Group 2 were more frequent in no-till, and some Acidobacteria Group 4 were more frequent in wheat–soybean rotation. These results were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. Pyrosequencing provided taxonomic information about the overall bacterial community, and detected community shifts resulting from different cropping practices.
Blind modulation classification based on spectral correlation and its robustness to timing mismatch

Blind modulation classification which identifies the modulation class of a received signal with minimal a priori knowledge about the transmitter's characteristics is crucial for both civil and military applications. Many modulation classification algorithms based on the spectral correlation function have already been proposed, but very few of them address practical aspects of its implementation and the impact of imperfect estimation of signal parameters. In particular, sampling at a non-integer multiple of the symbol rate has been shown to suppress the spectral correlation peaks of a modulated signal. In this paper, we propose a practical modulation classification architecture which blindly extracts the symbol rate from the received samples, recovers optimal samples through interpolation, and feeds them to a reduced-complexity modulation classifier based on cyclostationary feature detection. Using the proposed architecture, we evaluate the classification performance as a function of the number of samples and sampling mismatch, resulting from the symbol rate estimation error, under different SNRs for QAM, MSK, BPSK and AM signals.
Identity Crisis: Searching for Personal Responsibility, Justice, and Community in the Real Estate Market Crash

The author introduces his own and, to a different extent, society's identity crisis in the context of the real estate market crash. Through personal reflection and analysis of federal policies, four challenges are observed: (1) lack of community focus, (2) neglect of certain populations, (3) unambiguous devotion to encouraging personal responsibility, and (4) no clear statement of moral commitment. Policy and institutional changes are suggested to better address these issues.
Effects of activity on ascending aortic velocity in children with valvar aortic stenosis.

Abstract The peak velocity of aortic blood flow was measured in 12 normal children and 20 children with valvar aortic stenosis (AS) by continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound (CWD). Measurements were made at rest, after 2 forms of exercise and, in the 11 children who underwent cardiac catheterization, while under sedation. The exercise was both formal cycle ergometry and a 200-meter jog. The peak velocity in normal children was 1.5 ± 0.2 m/s at rest, increasing to 2.1 ± 0.4 m/s (p