cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequence analysis: responsiveness of doctors to patient cues during family planning consultations in Mexico.

Providers responsiveness to patients is a key issue for international family planning because providers tend to use a routinized script that leaves little room for patients to participate. In cultures where the wide social distance between health care provider and patient intimidates clients nearly into silence such provider behaviour reinforces clients passivity. On the few occasions when patients do speak up doctors and nurses often ignore them or dismiss the issues they raise--and thus reinforce passive patterns of patient behaviour and undermine the process of informed choice in which clients choose a contraceptive method after learning about available options. Recent studies have begun to examine doctors responses to concerns raised by patients but it is not yet clear what response is best. For example there is contradictory evidence suggesting that reassurance may be either a positive response that dispels anxiety or a negative response that prematurely ends patients disclosures. Van den Brink-Muinen and van Dulmen have argued that responses which acknowledge the emotional component of patient communication are more adequate than responses focused on purely biomedical issues such as asking questions and giving information because they facilitate disclosure and reduce anxiety. (excerpt)
Energy of the quasi-free electron in dense neon

Abstract In this Letter, field ionization of O 2 doped into Ne is used to extract the minimum energy V 0 of the conduction band in dense Ne, and a novel critical point effect is observed. These results represent the first complete view of V 0 from low density to the density of the triple point liquid for a repulsive fluid (i.e., a fluid with a positive zero-kinetic-energy electron scattering length). The recently developed local Wigner–Seitz model is shown to fit these data accurately both at noncritical temperatures and on an isotherm near the critical isotherm.
Optimal 3D single-molecule super-resolution microscopy with engineered point spread functions

Three-dimensional single-molecule localization is a fundamental problem in biological and biophysical experiments such as super-resolution microscopy. Point spread function engineering accompanied by corresponding reconstruction procedures provides a unique approach to increase localization precision. Joint optical/digital design and image reconstruction are investigated.
Surgical treatment of vestibular disorders.

A firm diagnosis needs to be rendered to plan and execute an operative procedure designed to treat vertigo surgically. The specific anatomic area of the vestibular pathway can be addressed when a definitive diagnosis is achieved. Patients who have nonlocalizing pathology or an uncategorized vestibulopathy should not be considered candidates for surgical intervention. This article describes pathologic conditions affecting the vestibular system. Medical management can effectively control vestibular symptoms in most of these disorders. Surgical intervention is the primary mode of management in other disorders or when medical management has failed.
Interaction of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C Receptors in R(−)-2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine-Elicited Head Twitch Behavior in Mice

Drug-elicited head-twitch behavior is a useful model for studying hallucinogen activity at 5-HT2A receptors in the mouse. Chemically diverse compounds active in this assay yield biphasic dose-effect curves, but there is no compelling explanation for the “descending” portion of these functions. A set of experiments was designed to test the hypothesis that the induction of head-twitch behavior is mediated by agonist actions at 5-HT2A receptors, whereas the inhibition of head-twitch behavior observed at higher doses results from competing agonist activity at 5-HT2C receptors. The effects of the phenethylamine hallucinogen R(−)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) on head-twitch behavior were studied over a range of doses in the mouse, generating a characteristic biphasic dose-response curve. Pretreatment with the selective 5-HT2A antagonist (+)-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenylethyl)]-4-piperidine-methanol (M100907) shifted only the ascending limb of the DOI dose-effect function, whereas pretreatment with the nonselective 5-HT2A/2C antagonist 3-{2-[4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidin-1-yl]ethyl}quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (ketanserin) produced a parallel shift to the right in the DOI dose-response curve. Administration of the 5-HT2C agonist S-2-(chloro-5-fluoro-indol-l-yl)-1-methylethylamine (Ro 60-0175) noncompetitively inhibited DOI-elicited head-twitch behavior across the entire dose-effect function. Finally, pretreatment with the selective 5-HT2C antagonists 6-chloro-5-methyl-1-[(2-[2-methylpyrid-3-yloxy]pyrid-5yl)carbamoyl]indoline (SB242084) or 8-[5-(2,4-dimethoxy-5-(4-trifluoromethylphenylsulfonamido)phenyl-5-oxopentyl]-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4,5]decane-2,4-dione hydrochloride (RS 102221) did not alter DOI-elicited head-twitch behavior on the ascending limb of the dose-response curve but shifted the descending limb of the DOI dose-response function to the right. The results of these experiments provide strong evidence that DOI-elicited head-twitch behavior is a 5-HT2A agonist-mediated effect, with subsequent inhibition of head-twitch behavior being driven by competing 5-HT2C agonist activity.
The prevalence of epilepsy along the Arizona-Mexico border.

Summary Purpose This study describes the epidemiology of epilepsy on the Arizona–Mexico border. Methods Households in Southern Arizona were identified using two strategies. County-wide random digit dialing telephone surveys were supplemented with door-to-door recruitment in three Arizona border communities. Utilizing a two-step screening process, individuals with a seizure disorder or epilepsy were identified. A consensus diagnosis was arrived at after reviewing results from the detailed interview, medical records and clinical examination. Results A total of 15,738 household individuals were surveyed. Two hundred and three individuals were identified as having had epilepsy at some point in their life; 25% of them were previously not diagnosed. The sex and age-adjusted prevalence estimate was 14.3 per 1000 (95% CI: 12.5–16.1) for lifetime epilepsy, and 11.8 per 1000 (CI: 10.2–13.5) for active epilepsy (seizures in the past 5 years or currently taking antiseizure medications). Non-Hispanic Whites were two times more likely to have active epilepsy than Hispanics. The majority of individuals with lifetime history of epilepsy had idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy; most were localization-related epilepsy although the exact location could not be determined for the majority. Although most individuals with epilepsy report receiving care from a neurology specialist, they were more likely to have visited a non-specialist in the past 3 months. Significance The lower prevalence of epilepsy among Hispanics compared to non-Hispanics supports previous survey findings in the Southwest US and may be due to language, acculturation factors, stigma, or a reflection of the "healthy immigrant effect". The surprisingly high proportion of previously un-diagnosed individuals shows a need for further investigation as well as a need to increase community awareness.
CORR Insights®: Morbid Obesity: Increased Risk of Failure After Aseptic Revision TKA.

T he effectiveness of total joint replacement surgery as a treatment for debilitating arthritic afflictions of the knee has spurred increasing demand for this procedure. This increased demand must be tempered by the realization that as the number of total knee replacement patients climbs, the number with complications resulting in revision also will grow. In contrast to the great improvement in life quality that follows a successful total knee replacement, the failed total knee replacement is remarkable for the morbidity, potential mortality, and huge economic costs that result. Although efforts to improve implant design and surgical technique must continue, I am convinced that understanding the contributions of patient comorbidity to poor outcomes is more urgently needed. In this regard, the current paper by Watts and colleagues from theMayo Clinic makes a meaningful contribution. Recent studies have documented that morbid obesity is a risk factor for complications following total knee replacement [1, 2]. In the currentpaper, the authors have also documented that when compared to nonobesity,morbid obesity is associated with 3.8-fold increase in the likelihood of additional revision and a 6.4 fold increase in risk of prosthetic joint infection following revision surgery. Furthermore, functional outcomes also were markedly compromised. Where Do We Need To Go?
Misalignment of quartz c-axis fabrics and lineations due to oblique final strain increments in the Ruby Mountains core complex, Nevada

Abstract To interpret c-axis stereonet patterns of deformed quartz the patterns must be viewed in the XZ strain plane, which is usually assumed to contain the elongation lineation. This study describes several c-axis patterns from a region of complex, amphibolite facies deformation in the northern Ruby Mountains where the late XZ plane is oblique to most of the lineations. Without the lineation as a guide, the proper orientation for interpretation of each pattern is determined by rotating the c-axis data around the normal to the foliation until the c-axes within the foliation plane lie at the center of the stereonet. This new view is inferred to be the XZ plane for the final increments of strain. The rotation produces an internal symmetry in the patterns. In addition, the rotated views across the area show a more consistent geographic orientation than the lineations. This geographic orientation is aligned with strain in a mylonitic shear zone which represents the latest macroscopic evidence for plastic strain along the edge of the study area. The complete reorientation of the quartz textures during the final strain increments implies that they record very little of the finite strain history. Quartz is the only mineral recrystallized during the late strain thereby providing insight into the geometry of strain increments that cannot be determined from other minerals.
Aerodynamic parameters and sensible heat flux estimates for a semi-arid ecosystem

Abstract Aerodynamic parameters of roughness length ( z 0 ) and displacement height ( d 0 ) for semi-arid grassland, mixed grass–mesquite and mesquite rangeland were computed from eddy covariance measurements of sensible heat flux ( H ), standard deviations of vertical velocity and air temperature ( σ w and σ T ), and mean wind speed ( u ) within the framework of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. Reasonable estimates of z 0 were obtained for all sites but unrealistic d 0 values resulted for most sites except mesquite. Independent estimates of z 0 and d 0 were also determined at the mesquite site with a traditional wind speed profile method and compared with results computed from an approach using laser altimeter data. Results showed good agreement among approaches. Also, within the framework of flux–variance using, σ T , and derived z 0 , d 0 with u , computed H fluxes were evaluated and compared to eddy covariance measurements.
Irreducible representation and projection operator application to understanding nonlinear optical phenomena: hyper-Raman, sum frequency generation, and four-wave mixing spectroscopy.

Symmetry plays an essential role in understanding optical activities of a molecule in infrared and Raman vibrational spectroscopy as well as in nonlinear optical vibrational spectroscopy. Each vibrational mode belongs to an irreducible representation of the underlying symmetry group. In this paper, using the α-helical polypeptide symmetry as an example, we calculate all the third rank nonzero hyper-Raman tensors as well as the infrared and Raman tensors by applying the projection operators to each irreducible species. We demonstrate that the projection operator method provides selection rules for the infrared, Raman, and hyper-Raman vibrational transitions and also other nonlinear optical spectroscopy such as sum frequency generation and the four-, five-, and six-wave mixing coherent vibrational transitions. Specific expressions for all nonzero elements of the corresponding nonlinear susceptibility tensors in a laboratory-fixed coordinate frame are also deduced.
Arrest of motor neuron disease in wobbler mice cotreated with CNTF and BDNF

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) each promote the survival and differentiation of developing motor neurons, but do so through distinct cellular signaling pathways. Administration of either factor alone has been shown to slow, but not to arrest, progression of motor neuron dysfunction in wobbler mice, an animal model of motor neuron disease. Because CNTF and BDNF are known to synergize in vitro and in ovo, the efficacy of CNTF and BDNF cotreatment was tested in the same animal mode. Subcutaneous injection of the two factors on alternate days was found to arrest disease progression in wobbler mice for 1 month, as measured by several behavioral, physiological, and histological criteria.
On the piezoelectric coupling constant of epitaxial Mg-doped GaN

Abstract The electromechanical coupling coefficient ( k 2 ) of an Mg-doped GaN epilayer has been evaluated by Lee et al. [IEEE Trans Electron Dev 2001;48:524–9] as (4.3 ± 0.3)%, which is much higher than those of other comparable III–V materials. As this is a surprising result, the present paper reports an independent determination of k 2 from a similar Mg-doped GaN epilayer for comparison. A 2 μm thick Mg-doped GaN epilayer ((0 0 0 1) orientation) was grown on a c -plane sapphire substrate. The atomic concentration of Mg was 1.2 × 10 18 /cm 3 . Surface-acoustic wave (SAW) delay-line filters were fabricated using evaporated aluminium and “lift-off” techniques, and consisted of pairs of interdigital transducers (IDTs). Each IDT had 150 pairs of double-fingers. The SAW propagation direction in the sapphire substrate was [ 1 ¯ 1 0 0 ]. Acoustic wavelengths of 32 μm, 40 μm, 48 μm and 56 μm were used in the present work. The insertion loss of these filters was found to be more than 80 dB. This allows an upper bound of the electromechanical coupling coefficient ( k 2 ) of the Mg-doped GaN epilayer to be calculated as 1 × 10 −4 %. Our value, significantly lower than previously reported, shows that an Mg-doped GaN epilayer may not be such a promising material for SAW devices as appeared at first sight.
Evaluating the feasibility and utility of translating Choosing Wisely recommendations into e-Measures.

Abstract Background Efforts to reduce health care spending have focused on reducing use of low-value services, but relatively few performance measures address overuse of care. In 2012, the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation’s “Choosing Wisely” (CW) campaign identified 45 low-value services that clinicians and patients should avoid. Translating these overuse concepts into performance measures could assist in discouraging the use of these services. We assessed the feasibility and utility of converting these recommendations into e-Measures based on data from electronic health records [EHR]). Materials and methods We used four criteria to evaluate 45 CW recommendations for e-Measure development: (1) feasibility of extracting needed data from EHR systems meeting Meaningful Use Stage 2 standards; (2) whether the recommendation’s terminology was sufficiently specific for translation into an e-Measure; (3) scientific evidence supporting the recommendation; and (4) impact on reducing resource use. Results Only six of the 45 CW recommendations were deemed feasible for e-Measure development. Thirty-two recommendations require data elements unlikely to be found in current EHR systems; eight of 45 recommendations do not use sufficiently specific terminology. Conclusions Improved capture of clinical information in EHRs and greater specificity of clinical terminology are required to advance these overuse concepts into standardized e-measures.
The effects of preoperative radiation on healing of rat colonic anastomoses

The effect of delaying surgery, after a nominal standard dose of 4500 rad was administered to the abdomen of rats, on the healing of colonic anastomoses was evaluated. Healing, as determined by bursting pressure of colonic segments, was significantly depressed (p less than 0.05) at five days after surgery in groups irradiated five or 15 days prior to surgery as compared with groups receiving either no radiotherapy or irradiation ten days prior to surgery. Five-day healing was not significantly depressed in the group irradiated ten days prior to operation as compared with the group receiving no irradiation. No significant (p less than 0.05) differences were noted at ten or 15 days after surgery between groups that were and were not irradiated. At ten days after surgery all groups had higher bursting pressures than the control group at five days after surgery. Thus, there appears to be an optimal time interval between radiation and surgery to ensure maximal colonic healing.
Durbin-Hausman tests for cointegration

Abstract We develop Durbin-Hausman tests for cointegration which use regression residuals. The asymptotic distributions of the Durbin-Hausman tests are derived under the null and the rates of divergence under the alternative are obtained. The asymptotic distributions are tabulated by simulation. We also show by simulation that the Durbin-Hausman tests are more powerful in finite samples than the other existing residual-based tests for cointegration.
Preliminary data on the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 from female caregivers of male hemodialysis patients.

To test the reliability and concurrent validity of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20, 45 spouses or first-degree female caregivers of male hemodialysis patients in northern and eastern Iowa were administered the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 and the Rhoten Fatigue Scale. Four of the five subscales had a high Cronbach alpha (.76 to .82). There were low to moderate statistically significant Pearson correlations between scores on the Rhoten Fatigue Inventory and the MFI-20 subscales (.40 to .72). Limitations of generalizations are addressed.
Design of an in-core fast neutron generator

Abstract A device is described to convert thermal reactor neutrons to 14 MeV neutrons, via the reaction sequence 6 Li(n,α)T-D(T,n) 4 He, in a solution of LiOD in D 2 O. The device's conversion efficiency was 1.93 × 10 −4 , i.e., for every 5200 thermal neutrons absorbed, one 14 MeV neutron was produced. Flux profiles above various threshold energies are given for the device when located in an outer ring fuel element position of the KSU TRIGA Mark II nuclear reactor. Use of the LiOD converter in fast neutron-activation analysis and CTR-materials damage studies is suggested.
Silence is also evidence: interpreting dwell time for recommendation from psychological perspective

Social media is a platform for people to share and vote content. From the analysis of the social media data we found that users are quite inactive in rating/voting. For example, a user on average only votes 2 out of 100 accessed items. Traditional recommendation methods are mostly based on users' votes and thus can not cope with this situation. Based on the observation that the dwell time on an item may reflect the opinion of a user, we aim to enrich the user-vote matrix by converting the dwell time on items into users' ``pseudo votes'' and then help improve recommendation performance. However, it is challenging to correctly interpret the dwell time since many subjective human factors, e.g. user expectation, sensitivity to various item qualities, reading speed, are involved into the casual behavior of online reading. In psychology, it is assumed that people have choice threshold in decision making. The time spent on making decision reflects the decision maker's threshold. This idea inspires us to develop a View-Voting model, which can estimate how much the user likes the viewed item according to her dwell time, and thus make recommendations even if there is no voting data available. Finally, our experimental evaluation shows that the traditional rate-based recommendation's performance is greatly improved with the support of VV model.
Transient moisture diffusion through paperboard materials

Abstract The performance of many products such as those made of containerboard or other paperboards is sensitive to moisture. Transient moisture profiles result in heterogeneities in mechanical properties and can often lead to catastrophic failure. Viewed as a composite porous medium the system comprises hygroscopic fibers and void spaces both of which are continuous. Furthermore, both phases conduct moisture by diffusion and for typical paperboards diffusion through the fiber matrix predominates at high moisture contents whereas vapor phase diffusion through the void space is dominant at lower values. Depending upon the external and initial conditions, competition between these two pathways and local sorption interplay and produce interesting effects, which can have significant impact on the mechanical performance of the composite medium. In order to delineate the different effects that can occur, we used a mathematical model for unsteady state diffusion to analyze the case of transient moisture transport through a paperboard exposed to differential humidity conditions on either side. Diffusion is assumed to occur along the thickness direction in the void space and in the fiber space. Local uptake of moisture is represented by the linear driving force approximation. A numerical solution of the mathematical model is sought. The dominant path for moisture transport can undergo a change from the fibers to the void spaces under large humidity differentials. A fiber conduction layer whose thickness develops with time and reaches a constant value at steady state is found. This raises the possibility of moisture response, which could depend on the direction of diffusion for significantly heterogeneous media. Another interesting feature is the development of minima in the moisture flux versus time curves, which are sensitive to the diffusion and local sorption parameters. Tracking such minima can provide a good method to tune the model parameters based on experimental flux data. The role of the interfacial region between the layers can affect the overall resistance and alter moisture content profiles significantly. Since similar ‘two-equation’ models have been proposed for other transport processes such as heat and momentum transfer, these results can have wider applicability. In particular, steady and unsteady profiles and fluxes can be exploited to yield information about the local and global transport coefficients for the heterogeneous medium under consideration.
Comparison study of aqueous binder systems for slurry-based processing

Abstract The use of environmentally friendly alternatives, such as water, to replace volatile and toxic solvents for material forming applications has been gaining increased attention from industry in recent years. This study provides the groundwork for selecting water-compatible binders for clean slurry-based processing based on the relative performance of binders. In particular, the study examines the influence of various binders, including thermoplastic starch, polyvinyl alcohol, styrene–butadiene latex, and acrylic latex, on the properties of aqueous-based powder suspensions and pre-fired multilayer laminates fabricated using a modified dip coating process. Tungsten (W)/aluminum oxide (Al2O3), a common metal–ceramic system used in various slurry-based processes and applications, is selected as a representative material system for the study. Through the characterizations of physical properties and microstructures of the materials, the application-specific property optimization of each binder system is determined and discussed. Latexes and cross-liked PVA are found feasible for water-based processing, provided that there is proper control of processing parameters.
Changes in sexual behavior and condom use among teenaged males: 1988 to 1995.

OBJECTIVES: This study examines shifts in sexual experience and condom use among US teenaged males. METHODS: Results from the 1988 and 1995 National Surveys of Adolescent Males were compared. RESULTS: The proportion of never-married 15- to 19-year-old males who had had sex with a female declined from 60% to 55% (P = .06). The share of those sexually active using a condom at last intercourse rose from 57% to 67% (P < .01). Overall, the proportion of males who had sex without condoms last year declined from 37% to 27% (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Although protective behaviors among teenagers have increased, significant proportions of teenagers--especially Black and Hispanic males--remain unprotected.
Middle Eastern Impression-Management Communication

This study examines Israeli and Syrian impression management (facework), drawing on Hofstede’s theory of cultural dimensions. Using a MANCOVA design while controlling for social desirability and ge...
CdSe quantum dot internalization by Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli

Biological labeling has been demonstrated with CdSe quantum dots in a variety of animal cells, but bacteria are harder to label because of their cell walls. We discuss the challenges of using minimally coated, bare CdSe quantum dots as luminescent internal labels for bacteria.
57 EFFECT OF CHOLESTANOL OR CHOLESTEROL ON THE MOTILITY OF FROZEN GOAT SPERMATOZOA AFTER A THERMAL RESISTANCE TEST

The objective of the present study was to determine the concentration of cholesterol or cholestanol-loaded-cyclodextrin that needs to be added to goat sperm before cryopreservation to optimize its survival. The cholesterol or cholestanol loaded methyl-β-cyclodextrin was prepared as described by Moraes et al. (2010 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 118, 148–154). A working solution of the cholesterol or cholestanol-loaded cyclodextrin was prepared by adding 50 mg of each one to 1 mL of TALP at 37°C and mixing the solution briefly using a vortex mixer. Ejaculates (n = 24) from 5 bucks were used for this experiment. Sperm from each ejaculate were diluted 1 : 1 (vol : vol) in Tris diluent (200 mM Tris, 65 mM citric acid, and 55 mM glucose) and centrifuged at 800 × g for 10 min. The pellets were resuspended to a concentration of 120 × 106 sperm mL–1 in Tris and subdivided into 7 aliquots of 5 mL each (600 × 106 total sperm). Sperm were treated in 7 treatment groups that received no additive (0 mg; control) or different levels of cholesterol or cholestanol (0.75, 1.5, or 3.0 mg/120 × 106 sperm). All treatments were incubated for 15 min at room temperature and then cooled to 4°C over 2 h. The samples were diluted with Tris-egg yolk diluent containing 2% glycerol. The sperm were packaged into 0.5-cc straws and frozen in static liquid nitrogen vapor for 20 min and then straws were plunged into liquid nitrogen and stored until analysed for motility and thermal resistance test using a computer-assisted semen analysis system (CASA). Two straws from each treatment were thawed in a 37°C water bath for 30 s and extended in Tris. For the thermal resistance test, after thawing, 0.5 mL of semen from each treatment was placed in 1.5-mL tubes in a water bath at 37°C for 3 h. At 0, 60, 120, and 180 min, subsamples were evaluated for sperm total and progressive motility using a computer-assisted sperm motion analyzer. A total of 200 spermatozoa were counted in at least 5 different fields. Data were analysed using ANOVA and treatment means were separated, using the SNK test at 5% probability. Cholesterol (0.75 mg; 46.7%) and cholestanol (1.5 mg; 40.5%) produced an increase in progressive motility compared with other treatments after 1 h of incubation (P < 0.05). However, cholestanol (0.75 mg; 39.5 and 31%) was higher for total and progressive motility after 3 h of sperm incubation compared with the control (27 and 17.8%; P < 0.05), respectively. The addition of 0.75 mg of cholestanol in fresh sperm before cryopreservation improved the motility of freeze-thawed goat sperm compared with cholesterol. Therefore, adding cholestanol to goat sperm membranes improved cell cryosurvival. Supported by Fundacao de Amparo a Ciencia e Tecnologia de Pernambuco (FACEPE) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq).
Particle Acceleration in Cislunar Space

THE recent discovery1 of a characteristic red luminescence when enstatite achondrites are bombarded by 40-keV protons led Kopal and Rackham2,3 to observe the Moon in order to determine whether a similar luminescence might be excited in lunar materials by solar wind bombardment. On the night of November 1–2, 1963, Kopal and Rackham observed an enhanced red emission from the vicinity of the crater Kepler. The duration of the red glow was of the order of 10 min or longer, and it appeared twice within a 2-h period. No repetition of this phenomenon was observed on the following night or at the next lunation.
Accessibility of digital special collections using screen readers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discover whether digitized materials from special collections libraries can be accessed using screen reader technology.Design/methodology/approach – The researchers looked at 69 US academic library web sites from the ARL in 2011 to determine whether textual materials sampled from their digitized special collections were readable with screen reader technology.Findings – The researchers found that 42 percent of the sampled digital collection items are screen‐readable, while 58 percent are not readable.Research limitations/implications – Screen readers are not evaluated against one another for effectiveness with digital collections. Library web site pathways to digital special collections were not evaluated with screen readers.Originality/value – This is the first study to examine the accessibility of digitized special collections materials to persons using a screen reader.
Adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase in transitional epithelium of the urinary bladder.

Abstract Adenylate cyclase activities in cell-free preparations of isolated transitional epithelium from rabbit urinary bladders were shown to be stimulated by epinephrine, prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ), 5-guanylyl imidodiphosphate (GMP-PNP), and NaF. ACTH, aldosterone, insulin, glucagon, oxytocin, parathyroid hormone and vasopressin were without effect at the concentrations tested. The effects of epinephrine, PGE 1 , and GMP-PNP appeared to be additive. Essentially all of the adenylate cyclase activity was particulate, while approximately 70% of the cyclic nucleotide 3':5'-phosphodiesterase activity was soluble. Single reciprocal plots of the phosphodiesterase data revealed non-linear kinetics.
Geoeffectiveness of halo coronal mass ejections

[1] We studied the geoeffectiveness, speed, solar source, and flare association of a set of 378 halo coronal mass ejections (CMEs) of cycle 23 (1996–2005, inclusive). We compiled the minimum Dst values occurring within 1–5 days after the CME onset. We compared the distributions of such Dst values for the following subsets of halo CMEs: disk halos (within 45 deg from disk center), limb halos (beyond 45 degrees but within 90 deg from disk center), and backside halo CMEs. Defining that a halo CME is geoeffective if it is followed by Dst ≤ −50 nT, moderately geoeffective if −50 nT < Dst < −100 nT, and strongly geoeffective if Dst ≤ −100 nT, we find that the disk halos are followed by strong storms, limb halos are followed by moderate storms, and backside halos are not followed by significant storms. The Dst distribution for a random sample is nearly identical to the case of backside halos. About 71% of all frontside halos are geoeffective, supporting the high rate of geoeffectiveness of halo CMEs. A larger fraction (75%) of disk halos are geoeffective. Intense storms are generally due to disk halos and the few intense storms from limb halos occur only in the maximum and declining phases. Most intense storms occur when there are successive CMEs. The delay time between CME onset and minimum Dst value is the smallest for limb halos, suggesting that the sheath is geoeffective in these cases. The geoeffectiveness rate has prominent dips in 1999 and 2002 (the beginning and end years of the solar maximum phase). The numbers of all frontside and geoeffective frontside halos show a triple peak structure similar to the number of intense geomagnetic storms. The difference in flare sizes among geoeffective and nongeoeffective halos is not significant. The nongeoeffective CMEs are generally slower and have more easterly or limbward solar sources compared to the geoeffective ones; source location and speed are the most important parameters for geoeffectiveness.
Protein content of western Canadian hard red spring wheat in relation to some environmental factors

Abstract Area sample survey data for 2,274 wheat belt district-years were related to point meteorological records of daily rainfall and air temperature and to specific district and year characteristics. Although these variables specified the actual crop environments only incompletely and imprecisely, they nevertheless yielded provisional quantitative statistical associations of below average midsummer and previous season rainfall and above average July temperatures with above average protein and of exceptionally heavy spring rainfall or undue heat and drought during terminal ripening with below average protein. They were also suggestive of a slight tendency, over the 25 years, for the crop to have become more sensitive to spring and less sensitive to later weather conditions. After allowing for variations thus associated with the specified weather factors, after 1942 no appreciable decline in annual average wheat protein levels was indicated. The analysis also suggested that interzones between main brown (prairie grassland) and black (parkland), and between grey (northern forest) and black soil types might have been of above type average protein potential.
Pulmonary abnormalities in patients intravenously receiving the methanol extraction residue (MER) of bacillus calmette-guerin

Eight of 64 patients receiving intravenous administration of methanol extraction residue (MER) of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), developed miliary-type pulmonary parenchymal changes. The clinical and radiological characteristics are described. An increased incidence was noted in patients with a history of previous BCG exposure or with positive PPD skin reactivity. Spontaneous resolution was observed upon discontinuation of MER. These changes most likely respresent a granulomatous inflammatory process, although no histological confirmation was obtained.
Water under the bridge: 5-year outcomes after percutaneous ablation of obstructing parapelvic renal cysts.

Background and Purpose: There have been no large case series reporting on the success of percutaneous transparenchymal endocystolysis for obstructing parapelvic renal cysts. We report the largest series to date with 5-year outcomes. Patients and Methods: Percutaneous endocystolysis was performed in eight patients with obstructing parapelvic cysts between September 1998 and May 2002. The patients ranged in age from 52 to 79 years. Each patient underwent preoperative CT and retrograde pyelography. Postoperative follow-up, ranging from 60 to 103 months (mean 83.9 months), has included both symptomatic and radiologic assessment. Results: There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The mean operative time was 55 minutes (range 34–135 minutes). The mean decrease in the hematocrit was 2.7% (range 0.2–4.9%), with no patient requiring blood transfusion. The mean hospital stay was 1.3 days (range 1–2 days). Two patients have persistent small fluid-filled cysts but no clinical or radiographic eviden...
Pretravel health preparation among US residents traveling to India to VFRs: importance of ethnicity in defining VFRs.

Background International travelers visiting friends and relatives (VFRs) in lower income countries experience high rates of travel-related infections. We examined demographic characteristics and pretravel preparation practices among US residents traveling to India to determine factors that may contribute to higher infection rates and that would allow for improved prevention strategies. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among US residents traveling to India in departure areas for flights to India at three US international airports during August 2005. Eligible travelers were US residents going to India who were English speaking and ≥18 years. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess knowledge of and compliance with pretravel health recommendations. Results Of 1,574 eligible travelers, 1,302 (83%) participated; 60% were male and the median age was 37. Eighty-five percent were of South Asian/Indian ethnicity and 76% reported VFR as the primary reason for travel. More than 90% of VFRs had at least a college education and only 6% cited financial barriers as reasons for not obtaining travel health services. VFRs were less likely than non-VFR travelers to seek pretravel health advice, to be protected against hepatitis A or typhoid fever, and less likely to be taking appropriate antimalarial chemoprophylaxis. However, when stratified by ethnicity, travelers of South Asian ethnicity were less likely than other travelers to adhere to pretravel health recommendations, regardless of VFR status. Conclusions Similar to previous studies, VFR status was associated with pretravel health practices that leave travelers at risk for important infectious diseases. This association differed by ethnicity, which may also be an important marker of nonadherence to pretravel health recommendations. These findings have important implications for identifying at-risk travelers and properly targeting prevention messages.
Zero Tolerance, Imperialism, Dispossession

Over the past decade there has been a worldwide exportation of the US discourse of ‘zero tolerance’, and the whole panoply of ideological baggage that it carries with it. First identified by Loic Wacquant in Les Prisons de la Misere (1999; see also the expanded English edition, 2008), the global movement of this body of thought has subsequently been traced and interrogated by numerous scholars (Smith, 2001; Harcourt, 2001; Wacquant, 2003; Belina and Helms, 2003; Newburn, 2002). In many of its landings it cohered with local ideas and practices to form reputedly common sense rationalities vis-a-vis ‘problematic’ behavior and populations and how best to control them. In recent years these ideas also scaled up from an emphasis on local urban social control to a greater association with global military pacification.
Prostaglandin E2 regulation of amnion cell vascular endothelial growth factor expression: relationship with intramembranous absorption rate in fetal sheep.

We hypothesized that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates amniotic fluid transport across the amnion by upregulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in amnion cells and that amni...
Behavioral effects of the novel potent cannabinoid CB1 agonist AM 4054

Due to the ubiquity of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor throughout the nervous system, as well as the many potential therapeutic uses of CB1 agonist-based interventions, it is desirable to synthesize novel probes of the CB1 receptor. Here, the acute behavioral effects of systemic (i.p.) administration of the putative novel CB1 full agonist AM 4054 were tested in rats. In Experiment 1, a dose range (0.15625-1.25 mg/kg) of AM 4054 produced effects consistent with CB1 agonism in the cannabinoid tetrad of tasks in rats, including induction of analgesia, catalepsy, hypothermia, and locomotor suppression. These effects were reversed with the CB1-selective inverse agonist AM 251 in Experiment 2, indicating that AM 4054 produced CB1 receptor-mediated effects. Analysis of open-field activity indicated that the reduction in locomotion is more consistent with general motor slowing than anxiogenesis. AM 4054 (0.0625-0.5 mg/kg) also dose-dependently reduced fixed-ratio 5 (FR5) operant responding for food in Experiment 3, and microanalysis of the timing and rate of lever pressing indicated a pattern of suppression similar to other CB1 agonists. Minimum doses of AM 4054 (0.125-0.3125 mg/kg) required to produce significant effects in these behavioral assays were lower than those of many CB1 agonists. It is likely that AM 4054 is a potent pharmacological tool for assessment of cannabinoid receptor function.
Modifying Alun Munslow's classification of approaches to history

Alun Munslow distinguishes three approaches to historical knowledge: reconstructionism, constructionism and deconstructionism. This threefold classification proved to be an effective means for him to discuss recent developments concerning such topics as narrative, correspondence, reference, etc. Moreover, his classificatory framework has also been utilized by other authors to interpret various issues of historical work. In this paper, however, I modify his classification and make a distinction between direct realism and impositionalism. I argue that the latter categorization seems to be more appropriate if one wants to follow the most general epistemological and ontological presuppositions of the views on historical knowledge.
Nutritional Quality and Nutrition Marketing

Recent years have brought a much wider recognition of the contribution that fruits and vegetables can make toward better health and physical fitness. The extent of this contribution is still being determined, but there is a general belief that consumer awareness of their nutritional attributes has been responsible in large part for the growth in consumption of this group of commodities, particularly in fresh form.
Occupational Hazards of Drug Crop Cultivation in Latin America

Coca Mama–The War On Drugs. Jan Thielen. 52 minutes. Color. New York: Filmakers Library, 2001. Voices of the Sierra Tarahumara. Robert Brewten and Felix Arthur, Gehm. 52 minutes. Color. Berkeley: University of California Extension and Center for Media and Independent Learning, 2001.
Emerging functions of mammalian mitochondrial fusion and fission

Mitochondria provide a myriad of services to the cell, including energy production, calcium buffering and regulation of apoptosis. How these diverse functions are coordinated among the hundreds of mitochondria in a given cell is largely unknown, but is probably dependent on the dynamic nature of mitochondria. In this review, we explore the latest developments in mitochondrial dynamics in mammals. These studies indicate that mitofusins and OPA1 are essential for mitochondrial fusion, whereas Fis1 and Drp1 are essential for mitochondrial fission. The overall morphology of the mitochondrial population depends on the relative activities of these two sets of proteins. In addition to the regulation of mitochondrial shape, these molecules also play important roles in cell and tissue physiology. Perturbation of mitochondrial fusion results in defects in mitochondrial membrane potential and respiration, poor cell growth and increased susceptibility to cell death. These cellular observations may explain why mitochondrial fusion is essential for embryonic development. Two inherited neuropathies, Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2A and autosomal dominant optic atrophy, are caused by mutations in mitofusin 2 and OPA1, suggesting that proper regulation of mitochondrial dynamics is particularly vital to neurons. Mitochondrial fission accompanies several types of apoptotic cell death and appears important for progression of the apoptotic pathway. These studies provide insight into how mitochondria communicate with one another to coordinate mitochondrial function and morphology.
Atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) for post-annealing of aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) films

Abstract Aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) is a material that can have high electrical conductivity while being highly transparent at the same time. It has been used in many applications such as displays, mobile devices and solar cells. Currently AZO films are considered as attractive alternatives to materials such as indium–tin oxide (ITO) due to its much cheaper cost and comparable high electrical conductivity. A process of depositing AZO film by dual DC magnetron and RF enhancement system has been developed. Film thicknesses were measured to be at about 200 nm by a stylus contact profilometer and transparency of greater than 90% in the visible range was measured with spectrophotometry methods. Film conductivities were on the order of 10 − 3 Ω-cm using the four-point probe method. By using a dielectric barrier discharge operating at atmospheric pressure, the conductivity of film can be further lowered. A 300 mm × 60 mm line source operating at a nitrogen flow of ~ 250 L/min was used and ~ 0.4 L/min hydrogen gas was also introduced into the discharge system to create hydrogen radicals for surface modification. A 10%–15% decrease in electrical resistance was observed with no changes in the optical properties of the AZO films.
A Digital Amplitude-to-phase Conversion for High Efficiency Linear Outphase Power Amplifiers

This paper introduces a digital amplitude-to-phase conversion scheme to facilitate the outphase amplifying concept, enabling the use of high efficiency, non-linear power amplifiers in linear systems. The digital implementation enables a fast and accurate amplitude-to-phase conversion by exploiting the computational capability that can be easily incorporated in today’s integrated circuits (ICs). The proposed scheme minimizes amplitude variation of the outphase signals, which reduces the gain requirement of the power amplifiers that can be traded for higher efficiency. Our analysis demonstrates that outphase amplifying can be twice as efficient as the conventional class-A power amplifiers, and is suitable for wireless systems with large peak-to-average ratios.
A comprehensive, high-resolution map of a gene's fitness landscape

Mutations are central to evolution, providing the genetic variation upon which selection acts. A mutation's effect on the suitability of a gene to perform a particular function (gene fitness) can be positive, negative, or neutral. Knowledge of the distribution of fitness effects (DFE) of mutations is fundamental for understanding evolutionary dynamics, molecular-level genetic variation, complex genetic disease, the accumulation of deleterious mutations, and the molecular clock. We present comprehensive DFEs for point and codon mutants of the Escherichia coli TEM-1 β-lactamase gene and missense mutations in the TEM-1 protein. These DFEs provide insight into the inherent benefits of the genetic code's architecture, support for the hypothesis that mRNA stability dictates codon usage at the beginning of genes, an extensive framework for understanding protein mutational tolerance, and evidence that mutational effects on protein thermodynamic stability shape the DFE. Contrary to prevailing expectations, we find that deleterious effects of mutation primarily arise from a decrease in specific protein activity and not cellular protein levels.