cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Establishing best practices for structured NSQIP review.

Abstract Introduction We describe an institutional program (INR- Interval NSQIP Review), to augment NSQIP utility through structured, multidisciplinary review of surgical outcomes in order to create near ‘real-time’ adverse event (AE) monitoring and improve surgeon awareness. Methods INR is a monthly meeting of quality analysts, surgeons and nursing leadership initiated to validate AE with NSQIP criteria, review data in real-time, and perform in-depth case analyses. Occurrence classification concerns were referred for national NSQIP review. Monthly reports were distributed to surgeons with AE rates and case-specific details. Results Since implementation, 377/3,026 AE underwent in-depth review. Of those, 7 occurrences were referred for clarification by central NSQIP review. Overall 37 (1.2%) were not consistent with NSQIP-defined AE after INR. Time from occurrence to surgeon review decreased by 223 days (296 vs. 73 days, p = 0.006). Discussion Structured monthly institutional review of AE prior to submission can create greater transparency and confidence of NSQIP data, reduce time from occurrence to surgeon recognition, and improve stakeholder understanding of AE definitions. This approach can be tailored to institutional needs and should be evaluated for downstream improvement in patient outcomes.
Stress management in staff supporting electronic health record transitions: A novel approach.

Abstract Objective To describe novel methods of stress management for support staff during electronic health record transition. Methods During the electronic health record transition, a variety of Integrative stress management offerings were made available to the support staff. Participants were surveyed regarding stress pre and post intervention on a scale of 1-10. Results 450 members of the support staff were eligible and 151 surveys were returned. The chair massage was the most utilized offering for which results were analyzed. Pre-intervention average stress was reported at 7.4, and the post-intervention stress levels were 3.6, a reduction of 51% which was statistically significant (p Discussion We recommend that stress management resources be available during all EHR implementations and transitions. These management resources should be discussed during the planning phase, and the resources should be tailored to the time available to the staff to step away from their desks, and space restrictions.
The triangle averaging operator

Abstract We examine the averaging operator T corresponding to the manifold in R 2 d of pairs of points ( u , v ) satisfying | u | = | v | = | u − v | = 1 , so that { 0 , u , v } is the set of vertices of an equilateral triangle. We establish L p × L q → L r boundedness for T for ( 1 / p , 1 / q , 1 / r ) in the convex hull of the set of points { ( 0 , 0 , 0 ) , ( 1 , 0 , 1 ) , ( 0 , 1 , 1 ) , ( 1 / p d , 1 / p d , 2 / p d ) } , where p d = 5 d 3 d − 2 .
Microstrip Power Combiners for V-Band Solid-State Power Amplifiers

This paper analyzes the most popular microstrip power combiners for output power combining in millimeter-wave solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs). Wilkinson, Gysel, and T-junction power combiners are compared with respect to nominal insertion loss and isolation, as well as robustness to fabrication variations and varying termination impedances. This work also presents the design of an 8:1 Gysel microstrip power combiner for SSPAs at V band operating frequencies from 71-76 GHz. Full-wave electromagnetic simulation results for the designed 8:1 Gysel power combiner demonstrate a worst-case 8:1 combiner insertion loss of −2.7dB and worst-case isolation of −16.5dB. The 8:1 combiner consumes $\mathbf{16.8mm\ x\ 11.2mm}$ of area.
Recognizing the emotional state of human and virtual instructors

Abstract Students' learning from an instructional video could be affected by the instructor's emotional stance during a lesson. A first step in investigating this emotional design hypothesis is to determine whether students perceive the emotions displayed by an instructor during an instructional video. Building on Russell’s (1980, 2003) model of core affect and the media equation theory (Reeves & Nass, 1996) this study investigated how well participants were able to perceive different emotions portrayed by a human and virtual instructor (i.e., animated pedagogical agent) in a video lecture on statistics. Participants were shown short video clips of either a human instructor or virtual instructor displaying four different emotions: happy, content, bored, and frustrated. The participants were asked to rate how well each video clip displayed each of those four emotions. Participants were able to recognize each of the emotions displayed by the instructor but were much better at distinguishing between positive (happy and content) and negative (bored and frustrated) emotions than between active (happy and frustrated) and passive (content and bored) emotions. Furthermore, participants were able to recognize the emotions of the instructor for both the human instructor and the animated agent. However, emotions that involved higher activity (happy and frustrated) were more easily recognized in a human instructor than an animated agent. This research shows that learners are aware of the emotions being portrayed by an instructor, both human and animated agent, and establishes the first link in the chain between how the emotional tone displayed by an instructor affects learning outcomes.
Evaluating the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on in-hospital outcomes following left ventricular assist device implantation.

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a cause of ventricular dysfunction. However, in the setting of patients with heart failure undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, there is a paucity of data on the association between COPD and in-hospital outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS Retrospective cohort study based on the NIS including patients ≥18 years who underwent LVAD implantation from 2011 to 2017. Multivariate regression was used to evaluate the impact of COPD on in-hospital outcomes. A total of 25,503 patients underwent LVAD implantation, of which 13.8% also had COPD. COPD group was older (median 62 vs. 58 years), and more males (82% vs. 76.4%, p < .001 for both). COPD group had more hypertension, diabetes, atrial tachyarrhythmias, dyslipidemia, prior stroke, coronary artery diseases, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (p < .001 for all). No differences in strokes, infections, mechanical circulatory support, and LVAD thrombosis. There was a higher incident of inpatient acute kidney injury, major bleeding, cardiac complications, thromboembolism, and cardiac arrest in patients without COPD (p < .05 for all). Compared with no-COPD group, COPD group had a lower mortality (6.2% vs. 12.4%; odds ratio, 0.59; confidence interval, 0.512-0.685; p < .05). CONCLUSION Patients with COPD undergoing LVAD implantation have more comorbidities, without an associated increase mortality.
Hamilton-Jacobi Formulation for State-Constrained Optimal Control and Zero-Sum Game Problems

This paper presents a general Hamilton-Jacobi (HJ) framework for optimal control and two-player zero-sum game problems, both with state constraints. In the optimal con-trol problem, a control signal and terminal time are determined to minimize the given cost and satisfy the state constraints. In the game problem, the two players interact via the system dynamics. Here, a strategy for each player, as well as a terminal time, are determined so that player A minimizes the cost and satisfies the state constraints while player B tries to prevent the success of player A. Dynamics, costs, and state constraints are time-varying. HJ equations are proposed, bridging the viability theory for constrained problems [1] and problems in which the terminal time is specified [2]. A numerical algorithm for computing the solution of the proposed HJ equations is presented and demonstrated with a practical example: vehicle lane-changing while avoiding other vehicles.
Limited Economic-Ecological Trade-Offs in a Shifting Agricultural Landscape: A Case Study From Kern County, California

Increasing global food production and livelihoods while maintaining ecosystem health will require significant changes in the way existing farming landscapes are managed. To this end, developing a systemic understanding of the economic and ecological impacts of different cropping systems, and identifying trade-offs and synergies between them, is crucial to inform decision-making for policy makers and landowners. Here, we investigate the impacts of agricultural land-use change for 15 distinct crops in Kern County, California, by looking at spatial and temporal changes in ecosystem indicators. We focus our analysis on three agricultural ecosystem pressures (water use, soil erosion, and pesticide use) and three agricultural ecosystem services (profits, calorie production, and C sequestration). Between 2002 and 2018, agriculture in Kern County underwent a shift from annual row crop to nut tree crop production. At the landscape-scale, we found high increases in ecosystem service provision (total profits, calorie production, and annual C sequestration increased by 105%, 29% and 37% respectively), coupled with smaller changes in ecosystem pressures (total soil erosion and evapotranspiration increased by 10% and 5%, respectively, and total pesticide use declined by 4%). We identified no salient trade-offs or synergies among crops. Our results illustrate that in the highly productive agricultural hotspot of Kern County, a combination of changes in land-cover allocation or land-use efficiency may have mitigated stronger negative environmental impacts following a broad shift from annual to perennial crops.
Arachnoid Cyst Causing an Oculomotor Nerve Palsy in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

An arachnoid cyst causing a compressive oculomotor nerve palsy is rare in the pediatric population. We describe a case of an acquired, partial oculomotor nerve palsy in a 3-year-old boy caused by an arachnoid cyst in the left crural cistern with associated amblyopia. The patient's amblyopia was aggressively treated, and he underwent cyst fenestration. Two months postoperatively, he continued to demonstrate a partial oculomotor palsy with improved visual acuity and recurrence of the cyst. This case demonstrates that cyst fenestration may not always resolve these paretic effects, cysts may recur after fenestration, and amblyopia must be treated in this setting.
Prescribing Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis Therapy

There are two main types of peritoneal dialysis (PD): CAPD and APD. Within these modalities, even more options exist. The PD prescription involves the goals of solute clearance as well as fluid removal (ultrafiltration). The initial PD prescription should take into account several factors such as the patient’s desired lifestyle, residual renal clearance, fluid status, and desired type of PD. The initial prescription should be evaluated, along with a PET, approximately 1 month after the initiation of PD. Subsequently, the PD prescription should be evaluated clinically at every monthly visit and biochemically at least every quarter, if not every 3 months (for those with residual kidney function contributing to total solute clearance).
Variations on what for in the history of English

Constructions that question kinds have been discussed widely in Germanic, Slavic, and Baltic, but English and earlier stages of English have mostly been overlooked. This paper presents data on kind questioning constructions in English, followed by an analysis of these constructions. The Old English what followed by a partitive genitive noun, labeled the ‘what partitive construction’ (WPC), questions the kind and, unlike in other languages, it also questions the number of the noun. I analyze the WPC as including an unpronounced noun that heads the DP, as is evident from the agreement on the verb. In Middle English, an overt light noun (e.g., kind and number) replaces the WPC which initially functions as the head of the entire DP but later grammaticalizes into a higher functional category. There is also a stage with a ‘what for construction’ (WFC) but, unlike in the history of German, the English WFC appears a few centuries after the loss of the WPC, seems unrelated to the WPC, and is not long-lived. The analysis of the English WFC involves a PredP, adapting ideas from earlier proposals. The main contribution of the paper is to present a new set of data and a synchronic analysis for them.
Epinoia: Intent Checker for Stateful Networks

Intent-Based Networking (IBN) has been increasingly deployed in production enterprise networks. Automated network configuration in IBN lets operators focus on intents- i.e., the end to end business objectives-rather than spelling out details of the configurations that implement these objectives. Automation brings its own concerns as the administrators cannot rely on traditional network troubleshooting tools. This situation is further exacerbated in the case of stateful Network Functions (NFs) whose packet processing behavior depends on previously observed traffic patterns. To ensure that the network configuration and state derived from network automation matches the administrator’s specified intent, we propose, Epinoia, a network intent checker for stateful networks. Epinoia relies on a unified model for NFs by leveraging the causal precedence relationships that exist between NF packet I/Os and states. Scalability of Epinoia is achieved by decomposing intents into sub-checking tasks and maintaining a causality graph between checked invariants. Epinoia checks for network-wide intent violations incrementally to reduce overhead in the event of network changes. Our evaluation results using real-world network topologies show that Epinoia can perform comprehensive checking within a few seconds per network with intent updates.
The Future of Marriage

After briefly examining the history or marriage and the development of modern marriage, this essay describes major themes in the study of marriage, including research on the rise of alternatives to marriage, the “deinstitutionalization” of marriage, and the consequences of these changes. It next considers current demographic trends, recent advances in research, and likely future directions of research. In particular, the imminence of same-sex marriage and the increasing importance of the internet in partner selection are likely to be important areas of research and social change. The conclusion considers the implications of these trends for marriage's future and for future research on marriage. Keywords: marriage; family; cohabitation; divorce; same-sex marriage; online dating
Submillimeter-wave scattering parameter measurements with a sampled-line six-port reflectometer

The experimental investigation of a reflectometer for measuring return loss magnitude and phase at submillimeter wavelengths is presented. The reflectometer, which is designed as a proof-of-principle demonstration, is based on the sampled-transmission line architecture and its design and operation are described. The instrument is a relatively simple implementation of the six-port network analyzer introduced by Engen and consists of a section of rectangular waveguide and an ensemble of Schottky diode power detectors. Design considerations for the instrument are presented and measurements in the 270 GHz to 285 GHz range are discussed.
An Introduction to Space Weather: The variable Sun

The spots do not remain stationary upon the body of the sun, but appear to move in relation to it with regular motions. Galileo Galilei in Letter to Mark Welser, 1613. These “Sunspot Letters” were one of the first written scientific discussions of sunspots . Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo translated with an Introduction and Notes by Stillman Drake, Anchor Books, 1957. Key concepts electromagnetic radiation heat transfer Standard Solar Model solar atmosphere solar cycle Introduction Since the dawn of man, the Sun has elicited worship, inspiration, and study, and tremendous mysteries about its dynamics still occupy the attention of solar astronomers and space physicists. This ignorance has profound implications. We now rely on space for global communication, navigation, and Earth observing, and solar dynamics cause degradation and failure of satellites and space instruments. Understanding solar dynamics is a key part of understanding space weather. This chapter describes what we know about the Sun and how we know it. Much of our knowledge comes from observations of the Sun, and much of it comes from applying the laws of physics (such as thermodynamics and nuclear and atomic physics) within quantitative models to make predictions of observable quantities. This is how we know what goes on inside the core of the Sun without going there or observing it directly. This combination of observation and physics as all owed us to know more about our natural surroundings than at any other time in human history.
Energy price shocks in the 1970s: Impact on industrialized economies

Abstract The energy price increases in the 1970s profoundly affected the major macroeconomic variables in the economies of the industrialized world. This article measures the magnitude of the effect of the 1973 energy price shock on the economies of the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany and France. A short-run model of aggregate supply is developed, estimated and tested for overall performance, and then calibrated to the experience of the 1973–1979 period. A positive feature of the model is that it adopts a generalized multisector framework in which an energy sector is explicitly introduced in construction of the aggregate supply function. The model also heeds labour market rigidities. According to the model, the 1973 leap in energy prices generated a major inflationary impulse in all of the countries studied. The effects on labour productivity, real wages, capital utilization rate, and energy consumption were also found to be considerable and, to a large degree, similar. An interesting result concerning labour demand is that higher energy prices led to substitution of labour-intensive methods of production for energy-intensive ones, raising the magnitude of the labour/output ratio.
Study of flatness-based Automatic Generation Control Approach on an NPCC system model

The rapid integration of wind power has begun to impact overall power system control, and particularly frequency control. On the other hand, power system sensor and measurement technologies have shown great improvement during the last decade. These technologies could allow for greater use of advanced control techniques based on wide-area measurement signals to mitigate the challenges related to wind and similar renewable resources integration. In this work, it is proposed that the Automatic Generation Control (AGC) can be performed using local Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), in two levels of trajectory generation and trajectory tracking, based on flat systems properties. The approach is implemented on NPCC system in presence of load changes and wind power variations.
Optimum transmit beamforming scheme for underlay cognitive radio networks

Cognitive Radio (CR) is a promising intelligent technology to increase the spectral efficiency by permitting Primary Users (PU) and Secondary Users (SU) to share the radio spectrum. This paper proposes an optimum transmit beamforming scheme that allows multiple SU, stationary and/or moving, to co-exist with a stationary PU. With knowledge of channel information only between the secondary transmitter and stationary users (but not moving SU), the optimization problem is formulated to ensure maximum transmission power towards the desired SU, while constraining the interference to PU. The transmission power is constant in an area of angles when the SU is not static. The interference to PU can be forced to zero. By first converting the problem into convex form, the optimum solution is obtained through second-order cone programming. Simulation results show that the probability of successful transmission between SU is significantly boosted without degrading the communication of the PU. Simulation results also show that the proposed scheme maintains uniform transmission power for moving SU within a desired range of directions, while nulling the interference to PU and other SU.
Ovarian cycle-linked plasticity of δ-GABAA receptor subunits in hippocampal interneurons affects γ oscillations in vivo.

GABAA receptors containing δ subunits (δ-GABAARs) are GABA-gated ion channels with extra- and perisynaptic localization, strong sensitivity to neurosteroids (NS), and a high degree of plasticity. In selective brain regions they are expressed on specific principal cells and interneurons (INs), and generate a tonic conductance that controls neuronal excitability and oscillations. Plasticity of δ-GABAARs in principal cells has been described during states of altered NS synthesis including acute stress, puberty, ovarian cycle, pregnancy and the postpartum period, with direct consequences on neuronal excitability and network dynamics. The defining network events implicated in cognitive function, memory formation and encoding are γ oscillations (30-120 Hz), a well-timed loop of excitation and inhibition between principal cells and PV-expressing INs (PV+INs). The δ-GABAARs of INs can modify γ oscillations, and a lower expression of δ-GABAARs on INs during pregnancy alters γ frequency recorded in vitro. The ovarian cycle is another physiological event with large fluctuations in NS levels and δ-GABAARs. Stages of the cycle are paralleled by swings in memory performance, cognitive function, and mood in both humans and rodents. Here we show δ-GABAARs changes during the mouse ovarian cycle in hippocampal cell types, with enhanced expression during diestrus in principal cells and specific INs. The plasticity of δ-GABAARs on PV-INs decreases the magnitude of γ oscillations continuously recorded in area CA1 throughout several days in vivo during diestrus and increases it during estrus. Such recurring changes in γ magnitude were not observed in non-cycling wild-type (WT) females, cycling females lacking δ-GABAARs only on PV-INs (PV-Gabrd-/-), and in male mice during a time course equivalent to the ovarian cycle. Our findings may explain the impaired memory and cognitive performance experienced by women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
The differential effects of verbal and pictorial representations of stimuli upon responses evoked

Summary The responses of 80 fourth graders to pictorial (line drawing) and to verbal (word) stimuli were studied. It was found that: (1) pictorial presentation of stimuli tends to evoke more responses than verbal presentation of the same stimuli, but the magnitude of the difference is influenced by the particular stimuli employed; and (2) responses evoked by pictorially presented stimuli tend to differ in nature from responses evoked by verbally presented stimuli.
Influence of Shade Depth on the Effectiveness of Selected Ultraviolet Absorbers in Reducing Fading

This study evaluates the ability of seven ultraviolet (UV) absorbers to reduce fading of nylon colored with nine synthetic acid dyes applied at 0.5% and 0.05% owf con centrations. By including two concentrations, we could evaluate the influence of depth of shade on the absorbers' effectiveness. Specimens were treated with UV absorbers using one of two application methods: an exhaust bath at 100°C or an immersion treatment at room temperature. After treatment, specimens were exposed to 160 AFUs of light in a xenon-arc Weather-Ometer, then evaluated instrumentally to determine the amount of color change. The UV absorbers examined here provided only very limited beneficial effects. Only two had no detrimental effects on all dye/shade com binations to which they were applied, and their beneficial effects were limited to four to seven of the eighteen dye/shade combinations evaluated. Based on this research, we cannot make general recommendations regarding UV absorber use because some of the acid-dyed nylon spe...
Band absorption in nonhomogeneous, isotropically-scattering planetary atmospheres: theory and experiment

A computer program is developed which predicts the vertical distribution of an absorbing species in an isotropically-scattering, finite planetary atmosphere from measurements of the upwelling band radiance determined by a vertically traversing 2-channel radiometer. Comparison is made with experiment.
DIFFERENTIAL NERVE BLOCKING ACTIVITY OF AMINO-ESTER LOCAL ANAESTHETICS

The in vitro sensitivities to local anaesthetic blockade of A, B and C nerve fibres in rabbit vagus nerves were examined using a series of structurally similar amino-ester agents which varied in lipid solubility and anaesthetic potency. A fibres were found to be the most sensitive and C fibres the least sensitive to conduction blockade with all the agents, provided that equilibrium blockade was allowed to develop. A correlation existed between the intrinsic anaesthetic potency of the various agents and their lipid solubilities. Equipotent concentrations of the drugs blocked C fibres at approximately the same rate, but there were marked variations in the rate at which A fibres were blocked. Amethocaine, an agent of high lipid solubility, blocked A fibres more quickly than C. As lipid solubility decreased through the series studied, so the onset of conduction blockade of A fibres was prolonged. It is suggested that this related to decreasing ability to penetrate the lipid diffusion barriers around A fibres. The traditional view that C fibres were more sensitive to block may have arisen because of confusion between absolute sensitivity and rate of development of conduction blockade.
Cerebral ischemia in young and adult gerbils: Effects on cholinergic metabolism

The effect of transient cerebral ischemia on cholinergic metabolism was investigated in adult and young gerbils subjected to bilateral carotid artery occlusion (15 min) alone or with release. Ischemia decreased brain acetylcholine (ACh) and increased choline (Ch) levels, affecting the young to a lesser degree than the adult gerbils. Blood recirculation induced a rapid early restoration of brain ACh levels in young animals, whereas a tremendous rebound of ACh was observed in the adults. After 2 h of reflow, Ch levels normalized in the adult brain, whereas a decreased choline level was seen in the young brain. This is the first study demonstrating an age-dependent susceptibility of cholinergic neurotransmission to cerebral ischemia.
Thermal evolution of crystal shapes: The fcc crystal

The thermal evolution of the equilibrium shape of an fcc crystal with both first- and second-nearest-neighbor interatomic interactions is studied. Exact zero-temperature calculations are extended to nonzero temperatures by use of solid-on-solid models appropriate to 001g and 110g directions in the crystal, yielding a reasonably complete global description of the thermal evolution. Universal features of the shape associated with second-order phase transitions are described, as are first-order phase transitions which appear as sharp edges between facets. Some new results for the six-vertex model appear as by-products. Contact is made with experiment, including a discussion of practical limitations on measurements of universal features of crystal shapes.
Communitas and reflexive social theory

The article develops a critique of the notion that anomie invariably results from socio-cultural dislocation (sudden, rapid and wide-spread social change). In exploring and developing the concept of communality (communitas), the author argues that persons can and not infrequently do respond to serious disruption in social life by meaningfully reaffirming social bonds. Informed by this recognition, social theory is able to better clarify its potential contribution to the minimization of the socially and psychologically destructive consequences of structural and cultural dissolution.
The Power of 1 + α for Memory-Efficient Bloom Filters

Abstract This paper presents a cache-aware Bloom-filter algorithm with improved cache behavior and lower false-positive rates compared to prior work. The algorithm relies on the power-of-two choice principle to provide a better distribution of set elements in a blocked Bloom filter. Instead of choosing a single block, we insert new elements into the less-loaded of two blocks to achieve a low false-positive rate while performing only two memory accesses on each insert or query operation. The paper also discusses an optimization technique to balance cache effectiveness with the false-positive rate to fine-tune the Bloom-filter properties.
The non-specific esterases of the marine snail: Littorina littorea. Histochemical characterization

Abstract o 1. Esterases from the soft body parts of the marine snail Littorina littorea were extracted and analyzed by starch gel electrophoresis using a variety of substrates and inhibitors. 2. On the basis of relative mobility and substrate and inhibitor specificities, the multiple bands of activity revealed were divided into eight distinct “regions”. 3. Five of the eight esterase regions are different biochemically and are tentatively considered to be genetically distinct. 4. The possible usefulness of L. littorea as an indicator of the genetic effects of environmental factors is discussed.
Increased synthesis of phosphatidylcholine by rat lung following premature birth

Abstract Pregnant rats were delivered prematurely at 20 days and 21 days gestation (2 and 1 day premature). The survival was 52 ± 3% at 20 days gestation and 100% at 21 days gestation. [Me- 14 C]Choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine increased by 60% during the 3 h of survival after delivery at 20 days gestation. The increase in incorporation occurred during the first hour of survival. [Me- 14 C]Choline incorporation also increased to a lesser extent following survival at 21 days gestation. The incorporation after 3 h of survival at 20 days and 21 days gestation was similar to that obtained with adult lung slices. The incorporation of [U- 14 C]glycerol, D -[U- 14 C]glucose, [1- 14 C]palmitate and [1,2- 14 C]-ethanolamine did not increase following delivery at either 20 days or 21 days gestation. The incorporation of 33 PO 4 into phosphatidylcholine increased to the same relative extent as [Me- 14 C]choline incorporation. D -[U- 14 C]Glucose incorporation into the fatty acid portion of phosphatidylcholine and triacyl-glycerols and oxidation to 14 CO 2 decreased during the 3 h of survival. The pattern of D -[U- 14 C]glucose incorporation following survival at 20 and 21 days gestation is similar to that obtained with adult lung slices. Dexamethasone treatment of mothers at 17 and 18 days gestation caused [Me- 14 C]choline incorporation to increase to adult values at 20 days gestation but not at 19 days or 21 days. We conclude that an adaptive mechanism exists which produces specific biochemical changes in lung metabolism following premature birth. This mechanism is functional in the rat as early as 2 days prior to normal term.
Grouped coordinate minimization using Newton's method for inexact minimization in one vector coordinate

Letf(x,y) be a function of the vector variablesx ∈R n andy ∈R m. The grouped (variable) coordinate minimization (GCM) method for minimizingf consists of alternating exact minimizations in either of the two vector variables, while holding the other fixed at the most recent value. This scheme is known to be locally,q-linearly convergent, and is most useful in certain types of statistical and pattern recognition problems where the necessary coordinate minimizers are available explicitly. In some important cases, the exact minimizer in one of the vector variables is not explicitly available, so that an iterative technique such as Newton's method must be employed. The main result proved here shows that a single iteration of Newton's method solves the coordinate minimization problem sufficiently well to preserve the overall rate of convergence of the GCM sequence.
The Genesis and Correlates of Attitudes Toward Pets

AbstractPet Attitude Scale score (Templer, Salter, Dickey, Baldwin, and Veleber 1981) of adolescents was best predicted both in univariate and multivariate analyses by Pet Attitude Scale score of the adolescent's mother and by the presence or absence of a pet in the home. The pet attitude of daughters correlated more highly with the pet attitude of their mothers and their fathers than did the pet attitude of the sons. A noteworthy finding was the virtual absence of any relationship between pet attitude of fathers and pet attitude of sons. Other variables associated with higher pet attitudes of adolescents included not being afraid of animals, and on the Family Environment Scale, more expressiveness, more independence, less achievement orientation, and less control. Pet contact in school was not related to adolescent pet attitude.
Ischémie grave du membre inférieur après des piqûres d’abeilles

Les piqures d’abeilles causent des reactions allergiques qui peuvent etre graves, parfois meme mortelles. Ces reactions peuvent se produire immediatement ou plusieurs jours apres avoir ete pique. Dans cette etude, nous rapportons un cas de l’ischemie grave du membre inferieur gauche observe chez un homme sans antecedents medicaux pique plusieurs fois par des abeilles.
THE FORMATION OF MILK SUGAR: THE IN VITRO SYNTHESIS OF LACTOSE BY ACTIVE MAMMARY GLAND PREPARATIONS

1. The mammary glands of rats in the height of lactation were frozen in situ, removed, and dried in the vacuum in the frozen state. 2. The dried gland, added to pig serum, pig serum plus glucose, pig serum plus galactose, and pig serum plus lactose, then incubated at 37.5 degrees C., yielded a synthesis of non-fermentable, reducing material. 3. The dried gland added to glucose solution alone and incubated at 37.5 degrees C. yielded a synthesis of a non-fermentable reducing disaccharide, having a reaction velocity of reduction resembling that of pure lactose. 4. There is a "short time" storage of some forms of lactose precursor in the active mammary gland. This precursor is non-reducing but becomes available and reducing when the gland is placed in a solution containing glucose.
SOCIAL DESIRABILITY AND MARITAL HAPPINESS

Data from a study by Dymond (1954) which showed personality differences between groups of happily and unhappily married couples are reanalyzed in terms of social desirability (SD). The happy and un...
Response to Sage and Mogrovejo.

To the Editor: We thank Dr Sage and Dr Mogrovejo for their thoughtful comments regarding our manuscript and the opportunity to clarify many of the points made in their comments (1). They correctly note that the focus of this study was to determine the effect on length of stay and costs when performing nonemergent procedures on weekends rather than a full analysis of the safety and outcomes of weekend procedures, which might require a larger sample size. However, the similarly low complication rates for both weekday and weekend procedures does suggest that performing weekend ERCPs with an experienced team is safe, in addition to being cost-effective. As expected, there is a significant difference in emergent procedures between the weekend and weekday cohorts, but this variable was included in our multivariate and propensity score analysis, and a significant difference remained between groups.
Uptake of free hemoglobin by rat liver parenchymal cells.

Abstract Parenchymal cells isolated from rat liver are capable of taking up free hemoglobin. Uptake was saturable with a concentration for half maximal velocity of 1.35 mg/ml (1.99 × 10 −5 M) hemoglobin. At a concentration of 0.088 mg/ml, the endocytic index for hemoglobin uptake was 4.5 μl/h per mg of cell protein. This may be compared with the rate of fluid pinocytosis by these cells of 0.025 μl/h per mg of cell protein (determined with yeast invertase as the marker). Free β globin chains were also taken up with an endocytic index of 26.7 μl/h per mg of cell protein at a β chain concentration of 0.075 mg/ml. Hemoglobin inhibited the uptake of labeled β globin. Hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex at a concentration of 0.12 mg/ml (as hemoglobin) was cleared at a rate of 0.89 μl/h per mg cell protein and its uptake was also inhibited by free hemoglobin. We conclude that haptoglobin serves to conserve the iron of hemoglobin by preventing its renal clearance and not by promoting its hepatic uptake.
The methodological war of the hardheads versus the softheads

The methodological war between industrial-organizational (I/O) "hardheads" and organizational development (OD) "softheads " has persisted throughout the 20th century and shows no signs of abatement. This article proposes grounds for a truce in this war by (a) explaining the fundamental trade-offs between "hard-headed" and "soft-headed" research; and (b) showing how an empirical test for bias that has been used by hardheads to criticize the "quality" of OD research is itself flawed. Bias studies test the hypothesis of "positive findings" bias, which predicts that OD studies with "low quality" should have largerstudy outcomes than studies with "high quality. " Methods used by hardheads to test for bias, however, actually operate against finding support for the positive findings hypothesis.
Hierarchy of masking‐level differences obtained for temporal masking

Masked thresholds were obtained in four binaural conditions (N0S0, N0Sm, NπS0, and N0Sπ) and in four temporal‐masking conditions (simultaneous masking, forward masking, backward masking, and combined forward–backward masking). In all conditions Gaussian noise was the masker and was low‐pass filtered at 5000 Hz and presented at 43‐dB spectrum level. The signal was a 20‐msec, 500‐Hz tone gated with a 5‐msec rise‐decay time. The temporal interval between signal offset and masker onset (masker duration 500 msec) in the backward‐masking condition was 1 msec. The temporal interval between masker offset and signal onset was 10 msec in the forward‐masking condition. These same temporal intervals (but 250‐msec maskers) were used in the combined forward–backward masking condition. The hierarcy of masking‐level differences (MLD’s) was the same in all of the temporal‐masking procedures and matched that obtained in the simultaneous masking condition. More additional masking was obtained in the combined forward–backwar...
Separation and characterization of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside 2'-hydroxylase and thymine 7-hydroxylase from Aspergillus nidulans

Partially purified preparations from Aspergillus nidulans were shown to catalyze two alpha-ketoglutarate dependent dioxygenase reactions: the pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside 2'-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.11.3) and the thymine 7-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.11.6) reactions. These reactions showed an absolute requirement for alpha-ketoglutarate and molecular oxygen and were stimulated by Fe(II), ascorbate and catalase. Both reactions demonstrated a stoichiometry such that for each mole of substrate (deoxyribonucleoside or pyrimidine) hydroxylated one mole of CO2 was produced from alpha-ketoglutarate. These two activities were separated using DEAE-Sephacel chromatography.
Somatic Complaints in Primary Care: Further Examining the Validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15)

The authors examined the reliability and validity of the PHQ-15, a measure of current somatic complaints. An index of medically unexplained symptoms was used as a key criterion. Data were utilized from medical outpatients enrolled in a treatment study for moderate-to-severe somatization (N=172). Approximately 68% of the sample was Hispanic. Results showed that the PHQ-15 was moderately related to a history of medically unexplained symptoms among non-Hispanic participants. Results indicated ethnic differences on the validity profile of the PHQ-15 showing that the criterion variables were less predictive of the PHQ-15 among Hispanics than among non-Hispanics. Also, among the Hispanic group, the PHQ-15 was less related to medically unexplained symptoms and more to psychiatric distress. General support was provided for using the PHQ-15 with clinical samples composed of non-Hispanics. Also, the PHQ-15 appears to measure medically unexplained symptoms, psychiatric distress, and physical functioning. Further study is recommended to better evaluate ethnic variations and other types of validity for the PHQ-15.
Interaction of glycophorin with phosphatidylserine: a Fourier transform infrared investigation

Glycophorin, from the human erythrocyte membrane, has been isolated in pure form and reconstituted into unilamellar vesicles with bovine brain phosphatidylserine (PS). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has been used to monitor the protein conformation as well as the effect of protein on lipid order and melting. Glycophorin, at levels of 1 mol %, nearly abolishes the gel to liquid-crystal phase transition seen in pure PS vesicles between 8 and 16 degrees C by inducing significant disorder into the lipid gel phase. A transition of reduced magnitude remains between 14 and 22 degrees C in the lipid/protein complexes. Evidence is presented for specific interaction of glycophorin with the interfacial region of PS. In general, the effects on lipid melting produced by protein at the 1 mol % level are more pronounced than those noted in a previous study of glycophorin/phosphatidylcholine interactions [ Mendelsohn , R., Dluhy , R. A., Taraschi , T., Cameron, D., & Mantsch , H.H. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 6699-6706]. Two bands are observed for the protein amide I (C = O stretching) mode. A main feature at 1653 cm-1 indicates that the bulk of the secondary structure is random coil or alpha-helical. A weaker shoulder at 1675 cm-1 suggests the occurrence of a small proportion of the beta-sheet form. The results confirm circular dichroism studies of Schulte & Marchesi (1979) [ Schulte , T.H., & Marchesi , V.T. (1979) Biochemistry 18, 275-280]. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) studies of a ternary complex of PS/dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine- d62 (DPPC- d62 )/glycophorin indicate that the glycophorin preferentially interacts with the PS component.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Antixi production in K+p interactions3at 9 GeV/c

Abstract We have observed charged antixi production in K + p interactions at 9 GeV/ c with σ ≈ 5.3 > b. Nothing observed indicates that these antixi hyperons are decay products of an intermediate resonance. We have found no event consistent with antiomega production.
Bronchial arteriography and embolotherapy for hemoptysis in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Bronchial arteriography and embolotherapy were performed to control hemoptysis in 11 patients with advanced stages of cystic fibrosis. Two patients suffered massive, 1 moderate, and 8 mild but recurrent hemoptysis. The embolization procedures were performed with Gelfoam, Ivalon, and coils in one to four separate procedures. Altogether, 19 of 20 procedures were successful, with follow-up periods ranging from 9 months to 8 years. No serious complications were encountered except for one femoral artery pseudoaneurysm which required surgical repair. Rapid digital subtraction angiography and “roadmapping” were considered helpful in avoiding the complication of reflux embolization and expediting the procedures. Bronchial embolization is a life-saving procedure for severe hemoptysis in patients with cystic fibrosis and is considered safe enough to include the indications of moderate and mild/recurrent hemoptysis to improve the quality of life in these patients.
Achievement and Adjustment Correlates of the Matching Familiar Figures Test.

Abstract To help clarify the relationship between the Matching Familiar Figures (MFF) Test and measures of school achievement and adjustment, 450 children from kindergarten, second, and fifth grades were tested and achievement scores and teacher's ratings of classroom and personal adjustment were obtained. Regardless of grades, MFF latency in most instances did not predict achievement or adjustment. At the kindergarten level the correlations between MFF errors and both achievement and adjustment were significant for most subscales but at second grade correlations were lower and generally nonsignificant except for a few adjustment items. At the fifth grade level the correlations were moderately high but when IQ was partialled out the correlations with achievement and school adjustment dropped to near zero; however, partialling out IQ did not affect the moderate correlations between errors and personal adjustment. The errors score evidencedmore important relationships than the latency scores. The relationship between the MFF and ratings of social and emotional adjustment was consistently higher than the correlations between the MFF and achievement. These results suggest that MFF errors are personalogically relevant and that MFF performance is generally more related to adjustment than achievement.
Environmental Politics: Domestic and Global Dimensions

See how environmental policy is shaped with ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS: DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL DIMENSIONS! Easy-to-read and concise, this political science text shows you how environmental problems are identified and how solutions are formulated and implemented. With objective and clear explanations of controversies, you will gain an understanding of how politics affects policymaking and how that affects progress toward solving environmental problems. Coverage of events such as the tsunami in Indonesia, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the 2004 presidential campaign give you insight into the environmental policy behind recent events.
Sharpening of carbon nanocone tips during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor growth

In situ tip sharpening of vertically aligned carbon nanocones (VACNCs) was demonstrated. VACNCs were synthesized on patterned catalyst dots of 100 nm in diameter using dc plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The VACNC tip diameter was found to decrease with growth time. This enables synthesis of ultra-sharp VACNCs even for relatively large catalyst dot sizes, which is quite important for practical applications. We also find that for a given set of growth parameters the diameter of the initially formed catalyst nanoparticle determines the maximum length of the growing VACNC. The mechanism of VACNC growth and sharpening is discussed.
Towards a pragmatic study of magic poetry

In this paper, we introduce the basic concepts needed for a pragmatic analysis of a specific kind of magic poetry, viz. Romanian love charms. We first distinguish between five types of charms: charms for love and beauty; charms for knowing one’s fated spouse; charms for bringing one’s fated spouse; charms for hate; charms for undoing hate. Our study concentrates on charm scenarios, i.e. on the instructions transmitted by charm-performers. Each charm scenario combines two sets of textual data: charm formulas (verses or poems) and charm techniques. The technique texts contain prose directions concerning the nonverbal component of the charm. After analyzing an example of each type of charms, we suggest that some rhetorical topoi of love charms (generally, metaphors) should be understood as modal indications that “guide” the magic process by illustrating its ideal result.
Stimulus abstractness and emotionality as determinants of behavioral and physiological responses in a word-association task

In this study stimulus correlates of word-associational behavior were examined. A list of 60 nouns rated as abstract-neutral, abstract-emotional, concrete-neutral, or concrete-emotional were visually presented twice to each of 40 female S s. On the first presentation, S was asked to give the first response that came to mind, while on the second presentation S was asked to recall the earlier association. The results showed that words rated as emotional elicited higher GSRs than neutral words but did not produce differential effects in associational performance. On the other hand, stimulus abstractness, when compared to concreteness, was significantly associated with (a) longer association and recall latencies; (b) greater forgetting of associations; (c) less response agreement; and (d) higher GSRs. These effects were interpreted within the framework of Osgood's mediation hypothesis.