cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Metapneumovirus and Parainfluenza Virus Infections in Lung Transplant Recipients: The Effects on Lung Allograft and Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND Human metapneumovirus (HMPVi) and parainfluenza virus (PIVi) infections are common community-acquired infections in lung transplant recipients (LTRs), but data are extremely limited. METHODS A retrospective study including all LTRs at the Johns Hopkins Hospital during July 2010-June 2019 with positive HMPV and PIV polymerase chain reaction respiratory specimens was performed. RESULTS Thirty-one HMPV- and 53 PIV-infected LTRs were identified. LTRs with HMPVi and PIVi had similar baseline characteristics, infection parameters, treatment allocation, and allograft function outcomes. Among entire cohort, 31.6% had chronic allograft dysfunction (CLAD) stage progression within 1 y postinfections (29.2% versus 35.5% for PIVi versus HMPVi, respectively, P = 0.56). In forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent (FEV1%) trajectory analysis showed steadily decline of FEV1 across time among CLAD stage progressors from both viruses. FEV1% decline ≥10% at 90 d had adjusted hazard ratio for CLAD stage progression of 18.4 (4.98-67.76) and 4.6 (1.36-15.34) for PIVi and HMPVi, respectively. PIVi caused higher donor-specific antigen development (11.8% versus 3.2%, P = 0.18) and 1-y mortality (9.4% versus 0%, P = 0.11), compared with HMPVi, even though the results were not statistically significant. Ribavirin did not show protective effect, and mycophenolate discontinuation during infection did not increase risk of CLAD stage progression. CONCLUSIONS One-third of HMPV- and PIV-infected LTRs developed CLAD stage progression within 1 y. The lack of early lung function recovery may predict long-term CLAD progression.
Whipple disease

Whipple disease is a rare disease caused by infection with the bacterium Tropheryma whippelii. Humans are the only known host for the infection. The signs of systemic infection include gastrointestinal problems, weight loss, and arthritis. Signs of central nervous system infection include cognitive changes, supranuclear gaze palsy, altered level of consciousness, and movement disorders. The diagnosis is based on clinical findings as well as microscopic examination of biopsy specimens and, more recently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, which has high sensitivity and specificity. Although the organism historically has been difficult to culture, several recent attempts have been successful. Antibiotic treatment is recommended for 1 year while monitoring the clinical signs and cerebrospinal fluid PCR results.
Securing the Safety Net: Lessons From Nonprofit Organizations on TANF Access During COVID-19

The functioning of the U.S. social safety net as a support for low-income families depends on various means-tested programs and a system of both public agencies and nonprofit organizations. Using in-depth interviews (n = 5) and a survey of nonprofit employees (n = 73), we seek to understand the role of nonprofits in promoting equitable access to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Our findings reveal that public assistance programs are a necessary support for families, but that access is not always easy or equitable, and nonprofits form a protective layer of support providing resources and guidance for those most in need. Implications for policy and partnerships between the various components of the social safety net are discussed.
Learning-Based Control of Multiple Connected Vehicles in the Mixed Traffic by Adaptive Dynamic Programming

Abstract The emergence of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) has increased opportunities to mitigate the traffic congestion, improve safety and reduce accidents. In this paper, we consider the mixed traffic case with multiple heterogeneous human-driven vehicles and multiple CAVs on freeways. Under mild conditions, the stabilizability of the overall system is proved. With the tracking errors of relative distance and velocity as the states, we design an input-to-state stabilizing controller that solves a linear quadratic regulator problem by means of reinforcement learning and adaptive dynamic programming techniques. The priori knowledge of the vehicle network model is not needed. For a string of connected human-driven and automated vehicles, we give the sufficient conditions to guarantee the general string stability. The proposed learning-based control methodology is validated by means of simulation results.
Cryogenic Noise of Staircase Avalanche Photodiodes

We demonstrate very low-noise characteristics at 115 K for 3-step and 5-step staircase avalanche photodiodes with gains of ~9 and ~30 respectively.
The evolution of the written accentuation system in Spanish since 1726

Douglass (1988) examines Greek and Roman precursors and early uses of written accentuation in Spanish, tracing its development to 1726, and the first Diccionario de Autoridades from the Real Academia Espanola ( RAE ). This system continues to evolve, but there appears to be no published research on its development over the last almost 300 years. Along the way there have been inconsistencies, missed generalizations, and overlapping, unmotivated, or ad hoc rules that have undergone significant revisions in the Diccionarios, Ortografias, Prontuarios , and Gramaticas published between 1726 and 2010. The ambiguous and tentative first steps in establishing the rules of written accentuation in Spanish have, over the years, been modified and clarified, coming to form a streamlined and elegant system that constitutes a useful tool for the pronunciation and spelling of unfamiliar words. Early accentuation rules differed widely from the current ones in questions relating to prosody, the accentuation of vowels appearing singly as separate words, the use of the diacritical accent, diphthongization and hiatus, the relation between written accentuation and grammatical categories, and the consolidation of rules for the accentuation of words ending in -n , -s , or a vowel, all of which are explored in the current study.
State Space Representation of the Open Loop Dynamics of the Space Shuttle Main Engine

A parameter and structure estimation technique for multivariable systems is used to obtain state space representation of open loop dynamics of the space shuttle main engine (SSME). The parametrization being used is both minimal and unique. The simplified linear models may be used for fault detection studies and control system design and development.
A Position Paper on 'Living Laboratories': Rethinking Ecological Designs and Experimentation in Human-Computer Interaction

HCI have long moved beyond the evaluation setting of a single user sitting in front of a single desktop computer, yet many of our fundamentally held viewpoints about evaluation continues to be ruled by outdated biases derived from this legacy. We need to engage with real users in 'Living Laboratories', in which researchers either adopt or create functioning systems that are used in real settings. These new experimental platforms will greatly enable researchers to conduct evaluations that span many users, places, time, location, and social factors in ways that are unimaginable before.
Using Technology to Increase Support for Rural and Regional Legal Professionals

An examination of available continuing professional education (CPE) opportunities for legal practitioners in rural and regional Australia illustrates that more can be done to ensure that practitioners receive a high quality and synchronous program that can be sustained and that is adequate to fulfil the ongoing needs of rural and regional practitioners. The provision of CPE is focused principally upon the delivery of professional knowledge relevant to legal practice. However, there is limited evidence of highly developed systems that draw on sophisticated educational pedagogy and synchronous interactive technology to deliver professional content. The use of synchronous interactive technologies which provide for a deeper, peer-to-peer interaction are not currently in widespread use. Moreover, there is currently minimal support for the broader issues of the management of rural and regional practice, the specific family or health and welfare issues of rural and regional legal professionals, and the particular problems confronting rural and regional professionals living in small communities where complementary services are lacking. This paper explores the potential to significantly increase support for rural and regional legal professionals in ways that address the above issues.
Human Health Risks Associated with Drug Residues in Animal-Derived Foods

Adulteration of food supply by agricultural chemicals has gained national attention as a potential health hazard. Public fears over chemical residues in foods do not appear commensurate with the risks established through experimental or epidemiologic studies. This paper examines the risk to human health from consumption of drug residues in animal-derived foods. In particular, it focuses on antimicrobial residues and residues of natural and synthetic hormones used to enhance the growth of livestock. In addition, the paper addresses the disastrous consequences to public health when safe and effective veterinary drugs are banned from use because of socioeconomic considerations.
Assessment of the susceptibility degree to landslides within Ciulucurilor Hills by Method of Frequency Rate

Landslide susceptibility map for Ciulucurilor Hills was carried out using frequency ratio method. Its calculation is performed by the ratio of the percentage of landslide areas for each factor taken into account (lithology, elevation, drainage depth, slope, exposition, land use, distance from river and drainage network density) and the percentage of the total area corresponding to each factor. Very low susceptibility land occupies 10.1% of the region surface and is the most common in the south-west and the Big Ciuluc and the Middle Ciuluc river valleys. There is 25.8% of the built surface on this area. Low susceptibility land occupies 40.3% of the territory, being the largest class of susceptibility. It holds 56.2% of the arable land and 47.6% of the built surface. The average susceptibility is recorded on 22.9% of the territory and has a more compact distribution in Soloneţ basin. This land holds 38.8% of the pasture surface and 28.5% of the perennial plantations. The land with high and very high susceptibility occupies 26.7% of the territory, with a high frequency in the south-west of the region, on interfluve between the Big Ciuluc and the Middle Ciuluc rivers. These classes have 81.9% of forest surface and only 12.6% of the arable land. The length of the roads located on the land with high and very high susceptibility is 164.5 km
Algorithm Design and Optimization for Sensor Systems

Distributed collaborative computation will play a key role in next generation of smart sensor systems. Till now, most research has focused upon development of networking protocols and simple data aggregation algorithms to facilitate robust communication and localized processing in sensor systems. One of the key challenges involved in realizing future sensor systems is design of efficient and scalable algorithms to facilitate large scale collaborative computation in such networks.
Matrix ℓ-algebras over ℓ-fields

It is shown that if a matrix l-algebra Mn(K) over certain l-fields K contains a positive n-cycle e such that I+e+⋯+en-1 is a d-element on K then it is isomorphic to the l-algebra Mn(K) over K with the entrywise lattice order.
Diphosphopyridine nucleotide-linked D-lactate dehydrogenases from the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus and the seaworm, Nereis virens. I. Physical and chemical properties.

Abstract d -lactate dehydrogenase has been purified from horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) skeletal muscle and the seaworm (Nereis virens). The purified Limulus dehydrogenase was shown to be a dimer, with a molecular weight of approximately 70 000. Sephadex gel filtration and equilibrium sedimentation yield molecular weights of about 80 000 and 70 000 respectively. Acid dissociation yields a molecular weight species of about 35 000. The native enzyme has an so20w of 3.95. Extrapolation of para-hydroxymercuribenzoate inhibition curves to 100% inhibition corresponds to two molecules of para-hydroxymercuribenzoate bound per molecule of enzyme. Studies on the stoichiometric binding of reduced coenzyme show two molecules bound per molecule of enzyme. The number of tryptic peptides has been found to be one-half that expected from the amino acid composition. The electrophoretic pattern of isoenzymic forms can be best interpreted as suggesting that the enzyme is dimeric. In vitro high salt, freeze-thaw hybridizations of the isolated Limulus muscle isoenzymes yield the electrophoretic pattern predicted by a dimeric structure. The physical properties ot Nereis lactate dehydrogenase have been found to be similar to those for the Limulus muscle lactate dehydrogenase.
December 4, 2001: Rapid Track for Review and Publication

The Editors of Circulation wish to remind readers of a special category of manuscripts we initiated nearly two years ago. Rapid Track for Publication is a …
Women in Social Work Education: Progress or Promise?

Abstract The literature on the status of female social work educators has addressed the problems these educators face in the areas of salaries, academic rank and tenure, publication rates, and level of decision making. Given this attention to the status of these educators, one might expect positive resolutions to these problems. This article, which is based on a review of both the current literature and statistics on US social work faculty, evaluates the status of women faculty in social work academia to determine if progress has been made. Findings reveal that female educators are seeing slow improvment in some areas; however, inequalities continue. The authors suggest strategies for supporting the development and retention of women faculty.
A tale of two enzymes, deoxycytidylate deaminase and thymidylate synthase.

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the two critical enzymes— namely, deoxycytidylate deaminase and 1-thymidylate synthase, involved in providing substrate precursors for DNA synthesis, with particular emphasis on the contributions to these areas of research. dCMP deaminase and dTMP synthase appear to be intimately associated both in their association with the mitotic process and in maintaining a flux of nucleotides into the pools of dCTP and dTTP. It was perhaps intuitive on a part to study dTMP synthesis in conjunction with the newly discovered dCMP deaminase, since it was felt that, if one enzyme provides substrate for another, particularly, at a rate-limiting step in DNA synthesis, something would come of these studies and it did. In the course of studying the properties of dCMP deaminase, it was found to be an exquisitely regulated enzyme, controlled to a fine degree by the end products of its metabolic pathway, dCTP and dTTP. However, the potential role of these enzymes in cell division took on added significance when it was found that both increased from practically undetectable levels to those that were easily measurable during a time frame that was just prior to mitosis. Since these enzymes appeared to be associated mainly with dividing tissues, it was reasonable to consider them as potential diagnostic tools for various disease states, in which the enzymes are elevated.
Appendix A: MATLAB Software

This appendix contains sections titled: Notice General System Requirements CD Directory Structure MATLAB Software for Chapter 2 MATLAB Software for Chapter 3 MATLAB Software for Chapter 4 MATLAB Software for Chapter 5 MATLAB Software for Chapter 6 MATLAB Software for Chapter 7 MATLAB Software for Chapter 8 MATLAB Software for Chapter 9 Other Sources of Software ]]>
Ion cyclotron waves at Mars: Occurrence and wave properties

Ion cyclotron waves (ICWs) are generated during the interaction between the solar wind and the Martian exosphere in a process called ion pickup. Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) detected waves near the proton gyrofrequency, indicating pickup of the exospheric hydrogen. To analyze these waves, we first improve the zero levels of the MGS magnetic field data taken during the first aerobreaking phase and then perform a statistical study of the ICWs observed from just outside the Martian bow shock to over 14 Mars radii away. These ICW events typically last for 5 to 30 min but can occasionally last for hours. The wave power decreases slowly with distance on both the upstream and downstream sides. From the variation of wave properties with the strength of the background field, we find that there are likely still remaining offsets in at least some the data sets even after applying our calibration technique. Thus, we use the events with a strong background field to examine the wave properties that depend on an accurate determination of the field direction and strength. We find the pickup angle associated with the largest occurrence rate of ICWs to be around 45°, but neither the wave amplitude, nor wave frequency, nor wave duration appear to vary with pickup angle. Finally, we find the waves with background field strength greater than 4 nT occur on both the positive and negative electric field sides of Mars but have a larger occurrence rate on the side of Mars in the positive electric field direction (which is defined as the direction of the cross product of the magnetic field vector and solar wind flow vector).
Blue light-activated signal transduction in higher plants

In this review, we discuss recent progress in the understanding of various elements of signal transduction cascades activated by blue light. We consider two responses in particular: inhibition of stem growth and phototropism. Included is a discussion of recent work related to the identification of photoreceptors and their chromophores. We also discuss blue light-modulated regulation of gene expression and ion movements. Physiological investigations are included where they appear relevant.
Explosives detection with a frequency modulation spectrometer.

An explosives detection instrument was designed and tested at SRI International. The instrument uses frequency modulation spectroscopy with midinfrared lead-salt diode lasers to perform high-sensitivity detection of characteristic nitrogen-containing decomposition products of explosives. Ultimately, the instrument should be capable of detecting and identifying subpicogram levels of plastic explosives, which would be suitable for screening passengers at airports. Using the laboratory breadboard instrument and two different explosive vapor generators, we demonstrated a lower limit of detection of 5–10 pg for cyclotrimethylene trinitramine and linearity of the signal over an order of magnitude.
Prediction of long-term mean and mean square pollutant concentrations in an urban atmosphere

Abstract The general problem of predicting long-term average (say yearly) pollutant concentrations in an urban atmosphere is formulated. The pollutant concentration can be viewed as a random process, the complete description of which requires knowledge of its probability density function, which is unknown. The mean concentration is the first moment of the concentration distribution, and at present there exist a number of models for predicting the long-term mean concentration of an inert pollutant. The second moment, or mean square concentration, indicates additional features of the distribution, such as the level of fluctations about the mean. In this paper a model proposed by Lamb for the long-term mean concentration is reviewed, and a new model for prediction of the long-term mean square concentration of an inert air pollutant is derived. The properties and uses of the model are discussed, and the equations defining the model are presented in a form for direct application to an urban area.
The molt cycle and its hormonal control in Rhithropanopeus harrisii larvae

Abstract Stages of the zoeal and megalopal molt cycles of Rhithropanopeus harrisii were characterized by the appearance of epidermal cells in the spines and antennae. Eyestalk removal of the beginning of the last zoeal instar slightly accelerated the molt cycle. Fourth-instar larvae which had undergone eyestalk ablation during the third instar progressed through the molt cycle significantly faster than did control larvae. Eyestalkless megalopae also demonstrated an enhanced molting rate. The results suggested that the larval eyestalks contain a factor (molt-inhibiting hormone) which plays a role in controlling the molting rate.
Cardiovascular disease in long-term survivors of pediatric Hodgkin's disease

Abstract Treatment of pediatric Hodgkin's disease is largely a success story enabling investigators to explore the late of effects of cancer treatment in long-term survivors. Since mediastinal irradiation is an important component in the management of pediatric Hodgkin's disease, there are potentially significant long-term effects on the cardiovascular system. These are frequently associated with radiation therapy, both with and without chemotherapy. This review article explores the effect of such therapy on the pericardium, myocardium, coronary arteries, branch pulmonary arteries, conduction system as well as the valves. Although early and late effects are identified, their significance remains somewhat unclear. The most severe changes are most often associated with outdated treatment techniques.
Human Gingival Collagenase in Periodontal Disease: The Release of Collagenase and the Breakdown of Endogenous Collagen in Gingival Explants

Collagen degradation in different stages of gingival inflammation was examined. Higher collagenolytic activity and nonspecific protease activity were found in the severely inflamed gingiva, as compared to mildly inflamed or healthy gingiva. This was shown by electrophoretic studies and measurement of peptide-bound hydroxyproline in the culture.
Relative Efficacy of a Drinking‐Water Treatment Residual and Alum in Reducing Phosphorus Release from Poultry Litter

Abstract Amending poultry litter with alum (aluminum sulfate) effectively reduces soluble phosphorus (P) concentrations, but the practice can be expensive. Aluminum (Al)‐based drinking‐water treatment residuals (WTRs) can be obtained free of charge and are enriched in Al hydr(oxides) that make them efficient P sorbents. Substituting Al‐WTRs for alum would be a cost‐effective practice to reduce soluble P in manures when compared with alum‐only use. The research studied the reductions in soluble P, Al, and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations in suspensions prepared by mixing variable Al‐WTR and alum rates (0 to 25% by weight) with poultry litter. Suspensions were maintained at pH of 6.5 during the sorption step, and allowed to react up to 50 d, without shaking. On a per‐mole of oxalate‐extractable Al basis, the Al‐WTR was nearly as effective as alum in reducing P release. Increasing mixed alum/WTR mass loads resulted in greater soluble P reduction, simply due to increased molar Al/P ratios. Contact ti...
The evolution of industrial environmental performance metrics: Trends and challenges

Abstract Environmental performance metrics are measuring sticks against which companies can gauge their progress toward environmental goals and related business strategies. Good metrics represent information that has been purposefully distilled into manageable bits that help focus attention on key issues. For example, a particular compliance goal may require tracking the mass or concentration of regulated substances that are released to the environment. Progress toward meeting an internal goal of reducing materials or eliminating targeted substances from the waste stream may be tracked by measuring the mass of material inputs and outputs. These metrics, when compared to an appropriate benchmark, such as a regulatory standard or an industry average, give a company some means of assessing its performance. A comprehensive set of metrics can assist management to direct corporate resources toward the most processing problems and identify the most cost efficient manner of addressing them. They can also be used by companies to communicate the details of their environmental performance to customers, investors and other external audiences.
The Dual-Factor Model of Mental Health: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study of School-Related Outcomes

The Dual-Factor Model of Mental Health, proposed by Greenspoon and Sasklofske (Soc Indic Res 54:81–108, 2001), suggested that student mental health should be assessed on a dimension of psychopathology as well as a dimension of subjective well-being (SWB). Greenspoon and Sasklofske (Soc Indic Res 54:81–108, 2001) argued that measuring both psychopathology and SWB allow mental health professionals to have a more complete understanding of the child’s psychological health. The present exploratory study provided a further evaluation of the usefulness of the Dual-Factor model in understanding adolescents’ SWB using both person-centered and variable-centered analyses. Using person-centered analyses, we explored whether group membership revealed differential changes in middle school students’ GPAs as well as emotional, cognitive, and behavioral engagement across a 5-month time period. Furthermore, we used variable-centered analyses to examine whether middle school students’ levels of SWB at Time 1 predicted changes in our criterion variables. Specifically, we assessed whether SWB at Time 1 predicted student school engagement and GPA at Time 2 above and beyond their levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviors at Time 1, levels of student engagement and grades at Time 1, and demographic variables. Results of the person-centered analyses found statistically significant differences across the four groups identified in the Dual-Factor Model for emotional, cognitive and behavioral engagement as well as GPA. The results from the variable-centered analyses suggest subjective well-being to be a significant predictor of emotional, cognitive and behavioral engagement beyond measures of psychopathology. These results provide additional support for use of the Dual-Factor Model.
Order out of chaos.

In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order. (Carl Jung) In this issue of Blood , Inamoto et al show that chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) has emerged from the chaos as a distinct disease with validated staging and response criteria. Inomata et al also show that there
Use of Approximating Polynomials to Estimate Profiles of Wind, Divergence, and Vertical Motion

Abstract “Least-squares” approximating polynomials are used to suppress bias and random errors in estimating vertical profiles of winds, divergence, and vertical motion. A quadratic polynomial is used to filter each wind profile. Profiles of divergence and vertical motion computed from a linear, a cross-product, and a quadratic two-dimensional (horizontal) approximating polynomial model and from the Bellamy technique are compared. The random-error variance component of the wind observations is estimated from the filtering polynomial prediction errors. In turn, the random-error variance component of the filtered wind, divergence, and vertical motion is determined from the wind observational error variance for the various models. In the presence of nonlinear variation in the horizontal wind field, the Bellamy modeling assumption of linear wind variation introduces biased divergence errors. The bias divergence errors will persist through a considerable portion of the troposphere as a result of the thermal wi...
The evaluator's role in valuing: Who and with whom

The act of valuing in an evaluation may be perceived in different ways. We consider the multiple theoretic perspectives that govern an evaluator's behavior and present a typology of evaluator valuing roles. Within this typology we describe three ways in which value judgments are typically reached-by stakeholders alone, stakeholders and evaluators in consort with each other, or by evaluators only. This heuristic offers a more explicit understanding of how valuing occurs in evaluation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company, and the American Evaluation Association.
SU-C-19A-04: Evaluation of Patient Positioning Reproducibility with Three Supine Breast Boards

Purpose: To evaluate positioning reproducibility using three commercially available breast board immobilization systems for whole breast radiation therapy. Methods: Weekly pre-treatment cone beam CT images from 18 free-breathing breast radiotherapy patients, each immobilized with one of three breast boards, were retrospectively registered to the planning CT. Relative shifts between breast tissue and sternum/chest wall (CW), and breast tissue and spine compared to planning CT were obtained for each board. Positioning reproducibility, inter-patient variation and intra-patient variation were evaluated by group mean (M), standard deviation of group mean (Σ) and standard deviation of random shift (σ). Margins to account for setup uncertainties were calculated based on shift uncertainties in x, y, and z directions. Results: For breast positioning relative to sternum/CW, the average shift from planned positioning was 4.5mm (95% CI: 3.5 – 5.3), 3.3mm (CI: 2.9 - 3.8) and 2.6mm (CI: 1.8 - 3.5) for Breast Boards I, II, and III, respectively. The respective numbers for breast positioning relative to spine were 7.2 mm (CI: 4.1 – 10.3), 6.4 mm (CI: 4.3 – 8.3) and 4.3 mm (CI: 2.5 – 6.2). Localizing to the sternum/CW as a surrogate for the breast tissue, margins for setup uncertainties were 5.7mm, 5.5mm, andmore » 6.0mm for Breast Board I, 5.0mm, 4.0mm and 4.3mm for Breast Board II, and 3.8mm, 3.5mm and 4.8mm for Breast Board III, in the lateral, anterior/posterior, and superior/inferior directions, respectively. Conclusion: Better patient positioning reproducibility was observed with Boards II and III compared to Board I. Inter- and intra-patient set-up uncertainties were also improved with Boards II and III, which requires smaller PTV margins. Independent of breast board, breast cancer patient positioning to the sternum/CW is a better surrogate than the spine. Our findings have potential dosimetric consequences from set-up uncertainties when employing IMRT or proton treatments, and further analyses are on-going.« less
In Vivo Inhibition of LH Release by a Synthetic Antagonist of LH-Releasing Hormone (LH-RH)*

The anti-LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) activity of des-His2-desGly10-LH-RH ethylamide (antagonist I), an analogue of LH-RH, was studied in several animal systems. An iv infusion of antagonist 1 for 2 hr significantly inhibited LH release in response to the administration of LH-RH in ovariectomized, estrogen and progesterone treated (OEP) rats and intact adult male rats. In OEP rats, a good dose-response inhibition curve was found. Similarly, a quick injection of antagonist I was able to inhibit partially the LH release induced by LH-RH in OEP rats. In addition, the high levels of serum LH in rats ovariectomized for 2 months were lowered by the infusion of antagonist I. In cycling female rats, two injections of antagonist I blocked ovulation induced by exogenous LH-RH in the second day of diestrous and chronic administration of antagonist I delayed spontaneous ovulation for at least 48 hr. The synthesis of this antagonist of LH-RH capable of partially blocking LH release may be a first step toward the develo...
Growth and decay of a thermal pulse predicted by the hyperbolic heat conduction equation

Etude de la nature ondulatoire de la propagation de la chaleur dans un milieu semi-infini contenant des sources volumiques d'energie par resolution de l'equation hyperbolique de la conduction thermique. Etablissement d'expressions analytiques pour les repartitions de temperature et de flux thermique. Demonstration de la vitesse finie de propagation d'une onde thermique avec decroissance exponentielle
Sjöbring personality dimensions: norms for some American populations.

An American version of the MNT Inventory (Sjobring personality dimensions) was administered to three separate groups of American subjects. Normative data on the Sjobring dimensions, including correlational data between the dimensions, was reported for these groups and compared to published normative data from prior studies in Sweden and in the United Kingdom. For the American groups, the correlations between dimensions were negligible or very small, in accord with Sjobring theory. There were similar patterns to the scale scores and to the correlational data for the American groups and comparable Swedish groups. The results suggest that the American version of the MNT inventory is a valid tool for obtaining Sjobring dimension scores on American subjects.
Erbium-doped laser with multi-segmented silicon nitride structure

We report on DFB and DBR lasers formed from a wavelength insensitive multi-segmented silicon nitride waveguide. Using a five-segment waveguide, we obtain lasing in erbium-doped DBR (-3.6 dBm) and DFB (-7.3 dBm) cavities.
A Therapeutic Interviewing Strategy for Effective Counseling Practice: Application to Health and Medical Issues in Individual and Couples Therapy

Training to become an effective provider of health-focused counseling with individuals and couples can be a daunting challenge given the complexity that medical and other health issues adds to the ...
Interaction of estrogenic alkylphenols and tamoxifen in Fundulus heteroclitus embryos and larvae

Abstract Alkylphenols, such as nonylphenol (NP) and octylphenol (OP), have been identified in the aquatic environment and are considered estrogenic. Previously, we reported that NP and 4-tert-octylphenol (4-tOP) were embryotoxic to Fundulus heteroclitus, an estuarine teleost. Here we report that tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor antagonist, can rescue embryos in lethal concentrations of NP and 4-tOP and that this rescue effect is more pronounced with NP. While the embryos coexposed to tamoxifen survive, sublethal abnormalities are still evident. Further studies evaluating hatch success and subsequent larval behavior have shown that these endpoints are also adversely affected by alkylphenol exposure and that tamoxifen does not appear to alleviate the effects on these endpoints. Larval exposure to the alkylphenols demonstrates that NP and 4-tOP are lethal to larvae at concentrations at least an order of magnitude less than those that are embryo-lethal. The relationship between specific sublethal embryonic abnormalities and hatch success is being evaluated. Additionally, current studies are evaluating the effect of chronic low-dose exposure of NP to Fundulus larvae.
Mutations to increased antibiotic sensitivity in naturally-occurring gonococci

CLINICAL isolation of mutations giving increased drug sensitivity has not been previously reported. The experiments presented here indicate that a significant proportion of clinical strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae contain mutations which result in markedly increased susceptibility to a variety of antibiotics. Previously, Maness and Sparling1 isolated and characterised mutants (env) of laboratory gonococci which had markedly increased sensitivity (‘hypersensitivity’) to a variety of antibiotics, detergents and dyes. The env mutations were phenotypically dominant over, and totally suppressed, low-level nonspecific drug resistance determined by mutations at a locus formerly designated ery2, but now designated mtr3. Both mtr and env affected the permeability of the cell envelope4. Most of the clinical hypersensitive strains are also shown to (possess mutations to nonspecific drug resistance, similar to mtr, which are suppressed phenotypically. We have studied strains which included 502 random isolates from patients in North Carolina with uncomplicated gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis, as well as selected erythromycin-hypersensitive strains from London (kindly supplied by 1. Phillips), and five penicillinase-producing gonococci (four from the Far East, one from Rotterdam).
Replicative intermediates in UV-irradiated Simian virus 40

Abstract We have used Simian virus 40 (SV40) as a probe to study the replication of UV-damaged DNA in mammalian cells. Viral DNA replication in infected monkey kidney cells was synchronized by incubating a mutant of SV40 (tsA58) temperature-sensitive for the initiation of DNA synthesis at the restrictive temperature and then adding aphidicolin to temporarily inhibit DNA synthesis at the permissive temperature while permitting pre-replicative events to occur. After removal of the drug, the infected cells were irradiated at 100 J/m2 (254 nm) to produce 6–7 pyrimidine dimers oper SV40 genome, and returned to the restrictive temperature to prevent reinitiation of replication from the SV40 origin. Replicative intermediates (RI) were labeled with [3H]thymidine, and isolated by centrifugation in CsCl/ethidium bromide gradients followed by BND-cellulose chromatography. The size distribution of daughter DNA strands in RI isolated shortly after irradiation was skewed towards lengths less than the interdimer spacing in parental DNA; this bias persisted for at least 1 h after irradiation, but disappeared within 3 h, by which time the size of the newly-synthesized DNA exceeded the interdimer distance. No significant excision of dimers from parental strands in either replicative intermediates or Form I (closed circular) DNA molecules was detected. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that replication forks are temporarily blocked by dimers encountered on the leading strand side of the fork, but that daughter strand continuity opposite dimers is eventually established. Evidence was obtained for the generation at late times after irradiation, of Form I molecules in which the daughter DNA strands contain dimers. Thus DNA strand exchange as well as trans-dimer synthesis may be involved in the generation of supercoiled Form I DNA from UV-damaged SV40 replicative intermediates.
Visual and spatial mental imagery: Dissociable systems of representation

Abstract We argue that the debate over whether mental images are visual or spatial representations is based on the false premise that they must be one or the other. In support of the hypothesis that mental imagery has distinct visual and spatial components of representation, we (1) point out a correspondence between the notions of visual appearance and spatial location representations in visual neurophysiology, on the one hand, and the notions of visual and spatial representations as used in the debate about mental imagery, on the other; and (2) present the performance of a brain-damaged patient with impaired visual appearance representations on a variety of tasks used by cognitive psychologists on one side or other of the visual vs spatial imagery debate. The patient is severely impaired on tasks previously used to argue for the visual nature of imagery, but performs normally on tasks previously used to argue for the spatial nature of imagery. This implies that the two groups of tasks tap distinct types of representation, which are neurologically dissociable and hence comprise functionally independent subsystems of imagery representation.
Dangers of multiyear averaging in analyses of long-term climate trends

Multiyear averaging in studies seeking long-term trends can be risky and misleading. It is shown here that a change of 1 year in the starting point of the averaging done in generating a multiyear-average sequence can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of the sequence, even including whether the apparent trend is upward or downward. An example is given in which the same time series, when grouped to 3-year averages by starting in turn at the first, second, and third points of the series, yields one 3-year-average sequence that is monotonically increasing, a second 3-year-average sequence that is monotonically decreasing, and a third 3-year-average sequence that has constant values. Furthermore, it is proven in general that such series can be created for n-year averages for any integer n > 2, and can be extended to exceed any desired length. Finally, historical sea-ice data from Iceland are used to illustrate with a long-term climate data set the misrepresentation of climate statistics which can occur through selective multiyear averaging.
Physician Awareness and Knowledge of Stroke Practices

Physician knowledge and attitudes regarding acute stroke and stroke prevention are increasing. However, awareness about best practices for diagnosing and managing stroke is still very limited. The approach of many physicians to stroke diagnosis and treatment even for such well-studied areas such as TPA for acute stroke, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, carotid endarterectomy, and antithrombotic therapy is still very haphazard. There is great potential for improving stroke outcomes simply by improving physician awareness about currently existing “evidence-based medicine” regarding cerebrovascular disease.
Ellipsometry studies of albumin films on tantalum oxide and SiO2

Abstract The adsorption of (1) bovine serum albumin in acetate buffer, (2) albumin followed by glutaraldehyde crosslinking, (3) albumin followed by exposure to an albumin/glutaraldehyde solution, and (4) albumin after the surface was subjected to treatment (3), has been studied using Ta oxide/Ta chips and SiO 2 /Si wafers as substrates. The films were washed, air dried and measured in air using an automatic laser ellipsometer, 6328 A. The films formed from treatment (3) and treatment (4) have a lower refractive index and are thicker than films formed from treatment (1) and treatment (2). The adsorption of albumin on SiO 2 /Si wafers seems to be slower than that on the Ta oxide/Ta surfaces.
On selecting between theories of selective attention

In a recent paper, Shiffrin, McKay, and Shaffer (1976) claimed they had shown strong evidence to support the view that " ... perceptual processing is automatic, not under subject control, and that selec­ tive attention is the result of subsequent processes in short-term memory" (p. 21). We argue that, in order for such a strong claim to be accepted, more compelling evidence must be presented. In fact, we feel that the current experiments reported by Shiffrin et ai. (1976) were designed not to allow selection between competing theories so much as to provide data consistent with their own theory. This is not a trivial or meaningless distinction. Our argument is that advancement in science is more likely to come from evidence capable of rejecting theories than from evidence which merely supports one theory (Platt, 1964; Popper, 1963). More specifically, we argue that any theory should be formulated so as to be testable under the most severe tests. Following Popper (1963), any conjec­ ture or theory should be boldly put forward for trial, to be eliminated if it clashes with observations. These observations should as a rule be undertaken "with the definite intention of testing a theory by obtain. ing, if possible, a decisive refutation." The experi­ ments reported by Shiffrin et al. fall far short of meeting these requirements. We now proceed to a close examination of the experimental manipulations and data interpretations reported by Shiffrin et al. (1976).
THE RELATION OF AMPLITUDE OF ALPHA RHYTHM TO HEART RATE

With heart rate as a criterion measure of arousal, amplitude of alpha rhythm of the electroencephalogram (EEG) was studied in 99 subjects aged 28 to 99 years. The physiological recordings were made while the subjects were performing a simple reaction task. Conditions of the experiment provided a range of arousal states from drowsiness to alertness. Careful examination of data from each of the 99 cases failed to reveal any evidence of an inverted-U relationship between alpha amplitude and heart rate scores. It was shown that the method of analysis, which combines observations from different subjects and which was used in a previously reported investigation (Stennett, 1957), is Invalid.
901-33 Should Age be a Consideration in Mode Selection in Permanent Pacing? A Survival Analysis

Although it has been suggested that functional benefits from dual-chamber pacing may be greater in the elderly than in the younger patient population partially due to age-related decrease in cardiac compliance, the relative impact on long-term survival with respect to mode of pacing and age has not been established. To assess interactions between age and pacing mode, we analyzed survival outcome of 631 patients ≥70 yrs of age paced between 1980 to 1985. There were 260 women and 371 men. Mean age was 78 ± 6 yrs (range 70 to 98 yrs), and mean follow-up was 5.2 ± 3.2 yrs. Forward step-wise Cox regression analysis identified several independent risk factors for increased mortality, including: age, CHF, Ml, diabetes, renal failure, and cancer. Dual-chamber pacing was also an independent predictor for improved survival (X 2 = 11.4, p ≤ 0.0001). Survival was further analyzed, stratified by both age and pacing mode as shown below: Age Pacing mode (n) Probability of Survival 1%) Log Rank p 1yr 3yr 5yr ≥80 Dual (51) 96 82 64 0.0014 Single (166) 81 61 44 l80 Dual (155) 88 78 67 0.3556 Single (259) 90 77 59 When the interaction between pacing mode and age was included in the multivariate proportional hazard model, there was a clear trend of interaction (X 2 = 3,46, p = 0.06). These findings suggest that beneficial effects of dual chamber pacing on long-term survival may be greater in older patients. Selection of dual chamber pacing should be considered in the elderly.
Violent conflict and economic growth: Some time-series evidence

Abstract This paper uses time-series methods to examine interrelationships between growth and violent conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa. Results show bidirectional causalities, but the key determinant of conflict risk is prior conflict experience, not fluctuations in economic growth.
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis : progression to invasion and malignancy

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is the most common benign tumor of the larynx in children. The disease often runs a protracted course necessitating multiple endolaryngeal procedures. Rarely, these papillomata become invasive and/or undergo malignant degeneration. A case report of malignant degeneration and widespread invasion in long-standing laryngeal papillomatosis and a review of the relevant literature are presented.
Contradictions of democratic education: International teachers' perspectives on democracy in American schools

Abstract This study highlights a range of perspectives offered by 11 international teachers, participating in a cultural immersion experience, as they reflect on how they saw democracy manifested at their school internships. Teachers from six different countries studied and taught in a rural community in the Southern United States, where a medium-sized research university hosted the teachers as part of a federally-funded program during an academic semester. As a part of a larger qualitative research study analyzing the international teachers' perception of American schooling, data from intercultural sessions, individual interviews, and assigned reaction papers highlighted multiple contradictions between the teachers' interpretation of democratic ideals and democratic education as they saw manifested in American schools. These narratives highlight the complex forces that shape individuals' perceptions of democracy as played out in the everyday life of a cultural immersion experience. The researchers suggest that these transnational perspectives can serve as a mechanism allowing Western educators to listen to the “Other” as they interrogate taken-for-granted assumptions about American schooling. Narratives primarily highlight inconsistencies between the goals of citizenship education and the way in which citizenship is promoted or neglected in K-12 classrooms.