cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward Improving Student Learning: Policy Issues and Design Structures in Course-Level Outcomes Assessment

Conscientious instructors at all levels are constantly making decisions about how to improve their teaching. This is a natural, intuitive part of being a good instructor, but even faculty who value student learning and work hard to improve their teaching can fail to make the connection between what they do in the classroom and the continuous improvement philosophy of outcomes assessment. The connection can be missed because understanding course-level outcomes assessment requires understanding evaluation policies and structures that differ markedly from those employed for unit-level program accreditation. The purposes of this paper are two-fold: first, to address policy issues that impede adoption of systematic, course-level outcomes assessment for improving student learning; and second, to describe a design structure for applying outcomes assessment that addresses factors under control of the instructor that affect students' learning. The paper concludes with observations on the crossed purposes of collec...
Centered Composite Analysis of Variations Associated with the Madden–Julian Oscillation

Abstract Centered composite analysis is described and applied to gain a better understanding of the initial phases of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). Centered composite analysis identifies the dates and central locations of key events. The elements of the composite means are centered on these central locations before averages are calculated. In this way much of the spatial fuzziness, which is inherent in traditional composite analysis, is removed. The results for the MJO, based on MJO-filtered outgoing longwave radiation for the reference data and 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and NCEP–NCAR reanalysis products for the composites, show highly significant composites of unfiltered data for not only zero lag, but also lags back to 20 days before the target events. These composites identify propagating patterns of surface pressure, upper- and lower-troposphere zonal winds, surface temperature, and 850-hPa specific humidity associated with MJO convective events in the Indian Ocean. The propagation chara...
Spatial and temporal dimensions of assaults against children in Dallas, Texas, 1980-81

The role of environmental factors in incidents of violence has been relatively neglected in recent decades. Complementing recent research in social psychology and social geography, the present study tested two hypotheses: (1) general environmental conditions-day of the week, season of the y ear, and thermal stress-are significant predictors of the daily incidence of assaults on children, and (2) victim characteristics, sites of incidents, and types of assaults on children vary with levels of neighborhood socioeconomic status. Some 1614 incidents involving persons aged 18 and under were abstracted from a data base of 9994 aggravated assaults drawn from the files of the Dallas, Texas, Police Department, covering a 20-month period from March 1980, through October 1981. Analysis indicated that general environmental indicators are significantly related to daily frequencies of assaults on children. Further, neighborhood socioeconomic status was significantly associated with children's race, sites of assaults on children, and types of assault. Overall, only 11% of the assaults studied were classified as “abuse.” The dominant modes of assault involved firearms (28%) and knives (23%). The analysis revealed how assaults on children varied quantitatively and qualitatively as a function of victim characteristics, temporal and spatial context, and thermal stress.
Is pelvic pain associated with defecatory symptoms in women with pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a common condition with a reported prevalence of 41% in women.1 Common symptoms associated with pelvic organ prolapse include exteriorized tissue, urinary, bowel or sexual symptoms.2 Some studies report that women with pelvic organ prolapse may also complain of pelvic pain. In a cohort of women with rectocele, Hausamman et al reported a prevalence of 17% of pelvic pain.3 The American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists technical bulletin (No, 223) includes pelvic support defects as a gynecologic cause of pelvic pain.4 However, Ellerkman et al did not find a relationship between the severity of prolapse and pelvic pain.5 Thus the underlying cause of pelvic pain in women with pelvic organ prolapse is not clear. Pelvic pain is a common symptom of defecatory disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation.6,7 Three categories of symptoms of defecatory dysfunction i.e. anal incontinence, obstructive bowel symptoms, and rectal prolapse, have been widely reported in women with pelvic organ prolapse.8–11 and the Colorectal Distress Inventory-8 was specifically developed for measuring symptoms of defecatory dysfunction in women with pelvic organ prolapse.12–13 Thompson14 and Sloots15 did report an association between symptoms of defecatory dysfunction and pelvic pain, however, their studies were limited to women with rectoceles. Jelovsek et al used validated questionnaires to measure defecatory disorders in women with pelvic organ prolapse but did not examine the relationship of defecatory symptoms with pelvic pain.16 Thus, the clinical significance of pelvic pain in women with pelvic organ prolapse remains unclear. The aim of the present study is to determine if symptoms of defecatory dysfunction are associated with the presence of pelvic pain in women with pelvic organ prolapse.
Parental Depressive Symptoms: Relationship to Child Development, Parenting, Health, and Results on Parent-Reported Screening Tools

Objective To determine whether parents with depressive symptoms can accurately complete parent-reported developmental screens, and to explore effects of parental depressive symptoms on perceptions of children's health and parenting behaviors. Study design A total of 382 parent-child (ages 0 to 2 years) dyads from pediatric sites across 17 U.S. states were evaluated with the directly administered and parent-reported Brigance Infant Toddler Screen, the Brigance Parent-Child Interactions Scale, a child development and health rating scale, and a caretaker depression screen. Groups were compared by parental status by depression screening. Results Fifteen percent of parents had positive scores on screening for depression. Parents with a positive screen result for depression were twice as likely to rate their children as below average or average and to perceive health problems in their children. Their children were 1.7 times more likely to perform below Brigance Screen cutoffs. Parents with a positive screen result for depression were as accurate as parents with a negative screen result for depression in identifying delayed or average development but were significantly less likely to rate their above-average children as such and reported fewer positive parenting practices. Conclusion Parents with a positive depression screen result were as accurate in identifying developmental problems as parents with a negative depression screen result. Parental depressive symptoms are negatively associated with parenting behaviors, parental perspective on health and development, and child outcomes, which supports screening for depression and intervening promptly.
Developments in terrain-following ocean models: intercomparisons of numerical aspects

During the course of developing new numerical algorithms for a terrain-following ocean modeling system (TOMS), different numerical aspects have been evaluated through a comparison between two widely used community ocean models, the Princeton ocean model (POM) and the regional ocean modeling system (ROMS).While both models aim at modeling coastal to basin-scale problems using similar grids, their numerical algorithms, code structure, and parameterization options are very different.Sensitivity studies with an idealized channel flow and a steep seamount configuration demonstrate how different algorithms in the two models may affect numerical errors, the stability of the code and the computational efficiency.For example, new pressure gradient schemes using polynomial fits and new time stepping algorithms may reduce numerical errors and allow using longer time steps than standard schemes do.However, the new schemes may require more careful choices of time steps and the use of higher order advection schemes to maintain numerical stability. 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.All rights reserved.
Comparison of maximum flow declination rate: children versus adults.

Summary The measure of maximum flow declination rate (MFDR) and location of MFDR provided information regarding the laryngeal mechanism's response to vocal intensity variation as a function of gender and age. Results indicate (a) increases in MFDR values as vocal intensity increases for both children and adults, and (b) higher MFDR values for men versus women and children; no gender difference was found for the children. Results for location of MFDR indicate (a) the location of MFDR to be highest for the loud-intensity production as compared with soft- and comfortable-intensity productions, and (b) the location of MFDR in women to be higher than in men. No gender
Moderate alcohol intake and nutritional status in nonalcoholic elderly subjects

Three hundred and seventy-three female and 213 male nonalcoholic subjects, aged 60-100 y, who had participated in a nutritional status survey of elderly people in the Boston area were grouped according to usual alcohol intake: 0-4, 5-14, or 15+ g/d. The age- and sex-adjusted mean intake of calories, fat, protein, carbohydrate, and 10 micronutrients and the mean levels of 14 nutrient and 22 nonnutrient biochemical indices were compared for the three categories of alcohol intake. The mean micronutrient intakes were also adjusted for total caloric intake and the mean nutrient biochemical concentrations were also adjusted for the corresponding nutrient intakes. The results suggest that caloric intake and blood concentrations of retinol, iron, ferritin, HDL cholesterol, AST, and ALT increased with increasing alcohol intake whereas folate and phosphorus intakes and blood measures of riboflavin, copper, zinc, urea nitrogen, and creatinine decreased with increasing alcohol intake.
Integrin β3 Overexpression Suppresses Tumor Growth in a Human Model of Gliomagenesis Implications for the Role of β3 Overexpression in Glioblastoma Multiforme

αVβ3 integrin complexes are overexpressed in the growing, invading margins of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and in the GBM vasculature, suggesting a key role for αVβ3 in GBM growth and invasion. The function of αVβ3 complexes in tumor formation, however, has been challenged by studies showing that loss of αVβ3 expression (via loss of β3) in the host vasculature enhances, rather than suppresses, the growth of s.c. implanted carcinomas. To directly address the role of tumor-specific αVβ3 overexpression in glioma formation, we increased αVβ3 expression (via overexpression of a wild-type or constitutively activated β3) in human astrocytes genetically modified to form anaplastic astrocytoma-like tumors (Ras cells) on intracranial injection in rats. Overexpression of β3 selectively increased levels of αVβ3 integrin complexes, but had no effect on anchorage-dependent or -independent growth in vitro. After intracranial injection, however, the Ras + β3 cells formed fewer and smaller tumors than did Ras cells. Similarly, Ras-transformed mouse astrocytes that were derived from control animals formed smaller intracranial tumors than those derived from β3 knockout animals. Although tumors formed by human Ras and Ras + β3 cells were similar in blood vessel density, Ras + β3 tumors had smaller, pericyte-depleted vessels and were significantly more hypoxic, suggesting a β3-mediated vascular defect. The growth-suppressive actions of β3, however, could be overcome by stimulation of pathways (Akt or vascular endothelial growth factor) commonly activated in GBM. These results show that tumor-specific αVβ3 overexpression has growth-suppressive effects in gliomas, but that these deleterious effects are mitigated by alterations common to αVβ3-overexpressing GBM.
The high burden of pneumonia on US emergency departments during the 2009 influenza pandemic.

Summary Objectives During the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, unusual influenza activity outside the typical winter season provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the association between influenza and pneumonia incidence. We sought to quantify the impact of the 2009 pandemic on the incidence of emergency department (ED) visits for pneumonia in the United States (US). Methods Using the Nationwide Emergency Department Survey, we estimated monthly counts and rates of excess all-cause pneumonia ED visits in the US attributable to the pandemic by comparing observed pneumonia ED visits during the pandemic (April 2009–March 2010) to expected values modeled from the three prior years. Results The pandemic was associated with an excess of 180,560 pneumonia ED visits or 0.59 excess pneumonia visits per 1000 US population (95% confidence interval: 0.55, 0.62). These excess visits accounted for 7.0% of all pneumonia ED visits during the pandemic year. The greatest excess occurred during months with highest influenza activity (September–November 2009). Persons aged Conclusions ED visits for pneumonia increased substantially during the 2009 pandemic, especially during peak influenza activity, suggesting a strong association between influenza activity and pneumonia incidence during the pandemic period.
Scattering by two penetrable cylinders at oblique incidence. I. The analytical solution

The Mueller scattering matrix elements (Sij) and the cross sections for the scattering of an electromagnetic plane wave from two infinitely long, parallel, circular cylinders at oblique incidence are derived. Each cylinder can be of arbitrary materials (any refractive index). The incident wave can be in any polarization state. To find the scattering coefficients needed for calculating Sij and the cross sections, the multiple scatterings are taken into account for all orders. The formal solutions of the scalar wave equation are obtained for the three regions concerned (the region outside the two cylinders and the region inside each cylinder), and the scattering coefficients are found by satisfying the boundary conditions. The scattering coefficients for some special cases (normal incidence, small radii, perfectly conducting cylinders, and a single cylinder) are given and discussed. The results for these special cases are compared (numerically or analytically) with those obtained in other published works. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study of the two-cylinder problem. Applications of this formalism, including calculations of Sij and the cross sections, will be presented in part II of this series [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A5, 1097 ( 1988)].
Authorizing applications in singularity

We describe a new design for authorization in operating systems in which applications are first-class entities. In this design, principals reflect application identities. Access control lists are patterns that recognize principals. We present a security model that embodies this design in an experimental operating system, and we describe the implementation of our design and its performance in the context of this operating system.
Simultaneous determination of plasma prothrombin and antithrombin III (heparin cofactor)

Abstract A method for the simultaneous determination of plasma prothrombin and antithrombin III has been developed. It involves activation of a dilute plasma solution with Taipan snake venom and measurement of the heparin-mediated loss of thrombin activity after short incubation. The antithrombin III content is quantitated on the basis of results with known mixtures of normal and antithrombin III-deficient plasmas.
Discussion: Economic Growth of the South Versus other Regions: Past Trends and Future Prospects

I commend Dr. Bluestone for his paper's major labor productivity have on increasing employcontribution to the complicated subject of eco- ment in the goods-producing sector in developed nomic growth. The title of the paper provides countries, and what will be the effect on costs ample evidence that an "adequate" treatment of (Eddleman et al.)? Unless changes occur, this subject would require the expertise of all goods-producing employment will either coneconomists, that they address the subject in an tinue its shift to developing countries, as others inter- and intra-temporal sense, and the resulting have suggested, or consumers will buy fewer volume be condensed into a readable length. goods at higher prices in the near future Bluestone's paper contains 28 pages. (Drucker; Hansen). Neither of these alternatives A major contribution of his paper is that it pro- is particularly pleasing. vides detailed data about changes in employment Second, the expected reduction in the rate of that are, for all practical purposes, unavailable to growth in manufacturing employment in the researchers in universities. It is unfortunate that South-especially the Southeast, has happened. the possibility of disclosure prevented his inclu- The observed increases in manufacturing emsion of data for smaller geographic areas. ployment in the South during the past 12-15 A major problem, and my strongest criticism years may have been misinterpreted. By and of Bluestone's paper, is that the data are pre- large, the employment increases consisted of relsented in percentages, and changes in per- atively unskilled, displaced farm labor, combined centages. It is most difficult to make meaningful with capital, management, and other technologi(useful) interpretations of data expressed in per- cal resources produced elsewhere, to make centages. goods for export from the area. This was made Comparisons of changes in percentage growth possible because much displaced farm labor rerates among regions, among metro areas, non- mained in rural areas and commuted to their new metro areas, and among industry sectors are dif- place of work. The economic impact of this emficult at best, and impossible at worst. For exam- ployment on the local area was minimal, because pie, a 1-percent change in the employment rate in the low wages did not stimulate the housing and the Northeast may mean that actual employment related social overhead sectors. In many cases, has changed by 6 times as much as a 6-percent the added wages would not have generated suffichange in employment in the South! cient tax revenue to pay the social overhead cost
Quantum dot device

Bohr model of the atom semiconductor physics on one slide density of states and carriers quantum size effects (QSE)
Cultural intimacy in International Relations

In anthropology, the concept of cultural intimacy expresses those aspects of a cultural identity that are considered a source of international criticism for the state, but are nevertheless used to ...
Race, sport and social support: A comparison between African American and White youths’ perceptions of social support for sport participation

There is a substantial theoretical literature arguing that African American families, more than other ethnic groups, push their children towards sports. However, there is a dearth of generalizable ...
HOW TO WRITE A MANUSCRIPT

Background: Writing a scientific manuscript is an important component of academic medicine. For most novice writers, this task may seem quite formidable. Discussion: This article will review the basic processes of writing a manuscript, with emphasis on the proper structure and organization of the article. The likelihood of a manuscript being accepted is highly dependent on its content and structure. A structured outline is the cornerstone of a successful manuscript. Conclusion: The current article presents the tools necessary for writing a successful manuscript.
Characterization of soil organic carbon pools by acid hydrolysis

Chemically stable fractions ofthe soil organiccarbon (SOC)contribute to the soilC sequestration andmayhaveanimportant role for the global C budget.Soilorganiccarboncharacterizationwasstudiedusingacidhydrolysismethodswith1Mand6MHClandhot-waterextractionintwocoastal plain soils collected from different landscape positions. The residues after the chemical treatments were analyzed by solid state 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to investigate the changes in the structural composition. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of acid hydrolysis treatment with HCl for estimating the labile pools of SOC. Between 1 to 4% of total C was extracted by hot water in both soils compared to 18 to 32%oftotalChydrolyzedbyHCl.AlthoughtherewerequantitativedifferencesintheamountofCreleased,bothsoilsshowedsimilarpercentagesof non-hydrolyzable carbon (18–25% of total C for upland soil, and 24–32% of total C for wetland soil). The NMR spectra of the residues after acid hydrolysis indicated the removal of labile components (i.e. carbohydrates and amino acids), and the ability of 6 M HCl to characterize SOC quality appeared to be superior compared to the 1 M HCl hydrolysis and hot-water extraction. The best two-component model (R 2 =0.994) identified by
Evidence for the presence of high-mannose/hybrid oligosaccharide chain(s) on the mouse ZP2 and ZP3.

Previous studies from this laboratory have identified a novel a-o-mannosidase on plasma membranes of rat, mouse, hamster, and human spermatozoa [Tulsiani et al. J Cell Biol 1989; 109:1257; Biol Reprod 1990; 42:843j. Inhibition of the mouse sperm surface a-o-mannosidase inhibits sperm-egg binding in vitro, suggesting that the sperm enzyme may have a receptor-like role in binding to the complementary molecules (presumably mannose-containing oligosaccharideFOSIchains) on the mouse zona pellucida (ZP) glycoconjugates lCornwall et al. Biol Reprod 1991; 44:9131. In the studies reported here, we demonstrate the presence of high-mannose/hybrid-type OS on mouse zona components. Zona-intact eggs, prepared from superovulated mice, were radioiodinated, and the individual zona components (ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3) were isolated by electrophoresis followed by ekctroelution. The purified ZP components, when resolved by immobilized concanavalin A column chromatography, showed the following results: 1) Nearly all of the ZP 1 applied to the immobilized lectin eluted in the column flow-through (effluent) fractions, and no radioactivity eluted with a-methyl mannoside, suggesting that ZP1 may not contain high-mannose/hybrid OS. 2) A significant amount of both ZP2 and ZP3 bound to the immobilized lectin, and nearly 16% and 8% of the two components, respectively, were repeatedly eluted with a-methyl mannoside. 3) Treatment of ZP2 and ZP3 with endoglycosidase H (an endoenzyme that cleaves high-mannose/hybrid-type OS chains from N-linked glycoproteins) or with jack bean a-D-mannosidase (an exo-enzyme that cleaves a-linked mannosyl residues) before the lectin column chromatography resulted in a decreased amount of radioactivity bound to the lectin and eluted with a-methyl mannoside. These results are consistentwith the possibility that both ZP2 and ZP3 (but not ZP1) contain high-mannose/hybrid OS units. The role of these OS chains in sperm-egg interaction is discussed.
Automatic mixed-mode timing simulation

A novel technique is introduced for automatically performing mixed-mode timing simulation of MOS circuits. A SPICE2 circuit description is assumed to be given, the circuit is first partitioned into channel-connected subcircuits. Each subcircuit is then examined and is statically classified as digital or analog if one of many configurations is detected. Subcircuits which contain memory cells, sense amplifiers, or internal feedback are automatically classified as analog. Any user-specified analog subcircuits are classified as analog. Analog subcircuits are simulated using detailed electrical simulation while digital subcircuits are simulated using fast timing simulation with a ramp waveform representation. Fast timing simulation uses a nonlinear macromodel to model the charging and discharging of subcircuit output nodes. State transitions are initially modeled using a single ramp. Static and dynamic mode selection are used to ensure that accuracy is retained during simulation while minimizing simulation time. The implementation of these techniques in IDSIM2 is discussed. Examples of automatic mixed-mode timing simulation are presented. >
In Vitro Evaluation of New Approach to Digital Dental Model Articulation

Purpose The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of our newly developed approach to digital dental model articulation. Materials and Methods Twelve sets of stone dental models from patients with craniomaxillofacial deformities were used for validation. All the models had stable occlusion and no evidence of early contact. The stone models were hand articulated to the maximal intercuspation (MI) position and scanned using a 3-dimensional surface laser scanner. These digital dental models at the MI position served as the control group. To establish an experimental group, each mandibular dental model was disarticulated from its original MI position to 80 initial positions. Using a regular office personal computer, they were digitally articulated to the MI position using our newly developed approach. These rearticulated mandibular models served as the experimental group. Finally, the translational, rotational, and surface deviations in the mandibular position were calculated between the experimental and control groups, and statistical analyses were performed. Results All the digital dental models were successfully articulated. Between the control and experimental groups, the largest translational difference in mandibular position was within 0.2 mm ± 0.6 mm. The largest rotational difference was within 0.1° ± 1.1°. The averaged surface deviation was 0.08 ± 0.07. The results of the Bland and Altman method of assessing measurement agreement showed tight limits for the translational, rotational, and surface deviations. In addition, the final positions of the mandibular articulated from the 80 initial positions were absolutely agreed on. Conclusion The results of our study have demonstrated that using our approach, the digital dental models can be accurately and effectively articulated to the MI position. In addition, the 3-dimensional surface geometry of the mandibular teeth played a more important role in digital dental articulation than the initial position of the mandibular teeth.
Review: Evidence against the hypothesis that antibodies to the inner core of lipopolysaccharides in antisera raised by immunization with enterobacterial deep-rough mutants confer broad-spectrum protection during Gram-negative bacterial sepsis

Antisera to rough enterobacterial mutants of chemotypes Ra, Rc, and Re have been reported to confer broad-spectrum protection against wild-type smooth strains. It has been hypothesized that binding and neutralization of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) by antibodies to common core epitopes underlies such protection. This review summarizes experiments by our laboratory and others that do not confirm this concept and proposes reasons for the divergent results. Studies indicating broad-spectrum protection by rough-mutant antisera often had defects in experimental design or methodology. These include the failure: (i) to use matched pre- and postimmune sera from the same donors to control for variable protective activity of normal sera; (ii) to exclude the role of natural and polyclonally stimulated antibodies with proven protective activity against the infecting bacterial strain (e.g. O-specific, capsular, Pseudomonas exotoxin A); (iii) to exclude protective effects of acute-phase serum factors; (iv) to exclude prot...
Differential Requirements for T Cells in Viruslike Particle- and Rotavirus-Induced Protective Immunity

Correlates of protection from rotavirus infection are controversial. We compared the roles of B and T lymphocytes in protective immunity induced either by intranasally administered nonreplicating viruslike particles or inactivated virus or by orally administered murine rotavirus. We found that protection induced by nonreplicating vaccines requires CD4 + T cells and CD40/CD40L. In contrast, T cells were not required for short-term protective immunity induced by infection, but both T-cell-dependent and -independent mechanisms contributed to long-term maintenance of protection. Our findings indicate that more than one marker of protective immunity exists and that these markers depend on the vaccine that is administered.
Parent gender, victim gender, and family socioeconomic level influences on the potential reporting by nurses of physical child abuse

In 1974, the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act required reporting of child abuse in all states. Although nurses have since this time been designated as mandated reporters of abuse, only recently have nurses begun to hold positions where they are directly responsible for abuse reporting. This study investigated whether the gender of the victim, the gender of the abusing parent, or the family's socioeconomic level influences the potential reporting of child abuse by nurses. Participants were shown three vignettes of children being admitted to an emergency room with symptoms of possible abuse. When asked if they would or would not report the incident as child abuse, participants indicated they were significantly less apt to report abuse when the victim was female rather than male, and when the family was perceived as being from a middle rather than a low or high socioeconomic background. The implication of this finding is that female children from middle-class backgrounds may be left less protected than others as nurses become more actively involved in child abuse reporting.
Efficacy of Intravenous Granisetron in Suppressing the Bradycardia and Hypotension Associated with a Rabbit Model of the Bezold‐Jarisch Reflex

This study investigated whether granisetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, can alter the Bezold-Jarisch reflex (i.e., hypotension and inappropriate heart rate slowing). A hemorrhagic rabbit model that has been shown to induce the Bezold-Jarisch reflex was used. In 11 rabbits (3.8 kg), catheters were placed in the carotid arteries one day before experimental hemorrhage. On the day of the study, the rabbits were given intravenous granisetron (50 micrograms/kg) or an equal volume of saline. Five minutes after administration of granisetron or saline, hemorrhage was induced by continuous blood withdrawal at 5 mL/min and blood pressure (BP) and heart rates were obtained at frequent intervals until systolic BP declined to 80 mmHg. Six rabbits received saline and five granisetron. An average of 77.6 mL +/- 16.4 mL of blood was removed in the group receiving granisetron (compared with 56.5 mL +/- 13.1 mL for the saline group) before achieving the target systolic BP of 80 mmHg. The group receiving granisetron demonstrated the same ability to increase their heart rate from baseline as the saline group. However, the granisetron group had a final heart rate that was closer to their maximal heart rate than the saline group. In this animal model, granisetron was significantly more effective at preventing inappropriate heart rate slowing and allowed significantly more blood to be removed before reaching the target blood pressure. This implies that granisetron may be effective in preventing vasovagal syncope, although further study should be carried out to verify these potentially interesting findings.
Interactive Features of Proteins Composing Eukaryotic Circadian Clocks

Research into the molecular mechanisms of eukaryotic circadian clocks has proceeded at an electrifying pace. In this review, we discuss advances in our understanding of the structures of central molecular players in the timing oscillators of fungi, insects, and mammals. A series of clock protein structures demonstrate that the PAS (Per/Arnt/Sim) domain has been used with great variation to formulate the transcriptional activators and repressors of the clock. We discuss how posttranslational modifications and external cues, such as light, affect the conformation and function of core clock components. Recent breakthroughs have also revealed novel interactions among clock proteins and new partners that couple the clock to metabolic and developmental pathways. Overall, a picture of clock function has emerged wherein conserved motifs and structural platforms have been elaborated into a highly dynamic collection of interacting molecules that undergo orchestrated changes in chemical structure, conformational state, and partners.
Notions of security and opacity in discrete event systems

In this paper, we follow a state-based approach to extend the notion of opacity in computer security to discrete event systems. A system is (S, P)-opaque if the evolution of its true state through a set of secret states S remains opaque to an observer who is observing activity in the system through the projection map P. In other words, based on observations through the mapping P, the observer is never certain that the current state of the system is within the set of secret states S. We also introduce the stronger notion of (S,P, K)-opacity which requires opacity to remain true for K observations following the departure of the system's state from the set S. We show that the state-based definition of opacity enables the use of observer constructions for verification purposes. In particular, the verification of (S,P, K)-opacity is accomplished via an observer with K-delay which is constructed to capture state estimates with K-delay. These are the estimates of the state of the system K observations ago and are consistent with all observations (including the last K observations). We also analyze the properties and complexity of the observer with K- delay.
The influence of female power in marriage on sexual behaviors and attitudes: A holocultural study

Abernethy (1974) hypothesized that the quality and quantity of sexual activity within marriage is affected by the dominance relations between partners. This paper reviews her argument and the reactions it engendered. A holocultural test of the relationship between a wife's power within marriage and various measures of sexual behaviors and attitudes is conducted to explore one aspect of Abernethy's position. The results suggest that high levels of female power within marriage do not have an adverse affect on male sexual functioning. Results also indicate that societies characterized by high female power within marriage exhibit behaviors and attitudes which Western thought sees as sexually “healthy.”
Low-Wage Employment and Ghetto Poverty: A Comparison of African- American and Cambodian Day-Haul Farm Workers in Philadelphia*

For decades inner-city residents of Philadelphia participated in seasonal farm work in nearby rural areas of New Jersey. In the 1980s newly arrived Cambodian refugees became the dominant group, replacing African Americans in this workforce. Review of theories that address the relationship between ghetto poverty and labor markets raises key questions about the observed labor market transformation: I) Were African-American day-haul workers systematically replaced with workers from other racial or ethnic groups due to discriminatory hiring practices by employers? 2) Was the transformation of the day-haul farm workforce simply a reflection of the growth of better employment opportunities for African Americans? 3) Were African Americans unwilling to accept this type of low-wage employment? This research answers these questions. Little secondary data on this labor market are available, so a variety of sources are used to reconstruct this transformation. Data include those from participant observation field work, a community survey, and numerous interviews with informants. Census and other data are used to corroborate results based on original fieldwork. Analysis of these data indicates that the labor market transformation in question is the result of a complex set of factors, especially changes in family structure and the labor process, that combine to limit farm work opportunities. These findings provide negative answers to each of the key questions posed. The evidence does not support the conclusion that African Americans were systematically replaced due to the discriminatory hiring practices of employers. Many African Americans had left farm work before the influx of Cambodian refugees, and while there was recent evidence of employer discrimination, it was against Cambodians, not African Americans. Also, African American participation in farm work bore no relationship to the unemployment rate, indicating that African Americans did not leave farm work for more desirable employment. Finally, the findings indicate that the inelasticity of African-American participation in farm work was not the result of an unwillingness to accept low-wage employment, but was due to 1) a decline in the population of recent migrants with weak labor force attachments, and 2) a lack of access to social networks that link potential farm workers to crew leaders. This study demonstrates the importance of “social buffers” in linking the ghetto poor with low-wage employment opportunities. In the case of Philadelphia day-haul farm work, incentives to crew leaders to integrate the ghetto poor into the farm labor market have steadily declined for more than a decade. This study points to the need for more research on the role of social buffers in providing the ghetto poor with access to employment.
The Distribution of Cu(II) on Boehmite and Silica Surfaces: Correlating EPR Signal Loss with the Effective Bohr Magneton Number of Sorbed Ions

Abstract The effective Bohr magneton number μeffof Cu(II) adsorbed at the boehmite/water interface is 14% to 21% less than anticipated for a uniform dispersal of Cu(II) ions throughout the interface. Insufficient evidence for exchange coupling indicates the lost electron paramagnetic resonance signal intensity must largely result from spin–spin relaxation. Polynuclear Cu(II) clusters at the silica/water interface are superparamagnetic with a blocking temperature between 5 K and 7 K. Superparamagnetic Cu(II) clusters at the silica/water interface do not saturate at magnetic fields as high as 10,000 G.
Scalable coordination of a tightly-coupled service in the wide area

Today's large-scale services generally exploit loosely-coupled architectures that restrict functionality requiring tight cooperation (e.g., leader election, synchronization, and reconfiguration) to a small subset of nodes. In contrast, this work presents a way to scalably deploy tightly-coupled distributed systems that require significant coordination among a large number of nodes in the wide area. Our design relies on a new group membership abstraction, circuit breaker, to preserve efficient pairwise communication despite transient link failures.We characterize our abstraction in the context of a distributed rate limiting (DRL) service's deployment on a global testbed infrastructure. Unlike most distributed services, DRL can safely operate in separate partitions simultaneously, but it requires timely snapshots of global state within each. Our DRL deployment leverages the circuit breaker abstraction along with a robust gossipbased communication protocol to meet its demanding communication requirements. Through local and widearea experiments, we illustrate that DRL remains accurate and fair in the face of a variety of failure scenarios.
Can the Use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Be Improved to Optimize Quadriceps Strengthening

Context:Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a common modality used to retrain muscles and improve muscular strength after injury or surgery, particularly for the quadriceps muscle. There are parameter adjustments that can be made to maximize the effectiveness of NMES. While NMES is often used in clinical practice, there are some limitations that clinicians should be aware of, including patient discomfort, muscle fatigue, and muscle damage.Evidence Acquisition:PubMed was searched through August 2014 and all articles cross-referenced.Study Design:Clinical review.Level of Evidence:Level 3.Results:Clinicians can optimize torque production and decrease discomfort by altering parameter selection (pulse duration, pulse frequency, duty cycle, and amplitude). Pulse duration of 400 to 600 µs and a pulse frequency of 30 to 50 Hz appear to be the most effective parameters to optimize torque output while minimizing discomfort, muscle fatigue, or muscle damage. Optimal electrode placement, conditioning progr...
Transport of protein in the abdominal wall during intraperitoneal therapy. I. Theoretical approach.

Intraperitoneal therapies such as peritoneal dialysis or regional chemotherapy use large volumes of solution within the peritoneal cavity. These volumes increase intraperitoneal hydrostatic pressur...
Theoretical Investigation of the Effect of Membrane Properties of Nanoporous Reservoirs on the Phase Behavior of Confined Light Oil

This theoretical study is an effort to probe the effect of semi-permeable membrane properties of a nanoporous medium on hydrocarbon phase behavior in tight-oil reservoirs. It is assumed that the fluids stored in a nanoporous reservoir are divided into two parts: one part that is already filtered and can flow to a production well without compositional change, and another part that replenishes the filtered fluid according to the filtration efficiency of the nanoporous medium and the prevailing filtration pressure. This selective hydrocarbon transport leads to a pressure difference between the unfiltered and filtered parts of the porous medium as well as significant compositional changes in the filtered and unfiltered parts. The compositional change, fluid density, viscosity and interfacial tension are calculated as functions of pressure when the depletion pressure decreases below the bubble point pressure of the filtered part. Through simulating a pressure depletion of a porous medium with internal filtration, we find that membrane filtration makes the produced hydrocarbon mixture lighter, and traps the heavier components in the reservoir. These findings and results can help us better understand and characterize the behavior of reservoir fluids during pressure depletion, and may provide us new perspectives for potential EOR applications.
Dynamometer Development of a Lightly Stratified Direct Injection Combustion System

This paper describes the dynamometer development of a lightly stratified direct-injection spark-ignition engine. The engine was designed for stratified charge operation at speeds and loads below 2000 RPM, 2 bar BMEP. Test results detailed in this report include evaluation of part-load stratified-charge, part-load homogeneous-charge, and WOT operation. The program had aggressive goals in improving WOT performance and part-load fuel consumption compared to a baseline PFI engine while meeting Stage V emissions levels. Mini-map analysis of the engine data indicated that the engine was able to meet the emissions and fuel consumption goals.
Histopathology and Treatment Of Vaginitis

Summary 1. Vaginal trichomoniasis and senile vaginitis have been cured by using lactose (95 per cent) and citric acid (5 per cent) therapy. Focal infections have been treated simultaneously by appropriate means. Although recurrences have developed there have, as yet, been no failures. 2. Generally, vaginal trichomoniasis and senile vaginitis respond slowly to treatment. The maximum period of treatment and observation was ten months in one instance, while the minimum was two months. 3. The average number of clinic visits in the “cured” group was 6.2, 9.2, and 8.3 far the pregnant trichomoniasis, nonpregnant trichomoniasis, and senile vaginitis patients, respectively. The respective average time intervals for treatment and observation were 2.7, 4.4, and 4.5 months. Perhaps these averages are higher than are necessary, especially since several of these were severe and extremely chronic cases which had not responded to other procedures. 4. Some recurrence of vaginal trichomoniasis and probably some exacerbations are due to reinfection and reinfestation from sexual partners. 5. The principle of this therapy is to supply directly nutritive substances which are necessary for a normal vaginal flora. This nutritive material may be supplied indirectly as a result of hormonal stimulation after the menopause. 6. The histopathologic pictures obtained by biopsy from the vaginal wall in tricllomoniasis, mycoses and senile vac initis are not distinguishable. 7. Biopsies from the vagina have revealed that even though the clinical appearance and smears are normal, inflammation may continue to exist in the epithelial and subepithelial. layer for varying periods. 8. The microscopic examination indicates an increased number of glycogenic granules in the epithelial cells of the treated cases, the deposition of which may be a factor in producing the beneficial effects of this treatment. 9. As yet, no conclusions can be drawn as to the modus operandi of this treatment. It may be from the creation of conditions which favor the development of a normal vaginal flora or from factors which permit or stimulate normal epithelial growths, or it may be a combination of both. 10. A biochemical approach to the treatment o.r some of the lower genital tract infections has been reported. 11. At the University of Chicago Clinic (Max Epstein Clinic) the most favorable results in trichomoniasis therapy have been achieved through the use of lactose (95 per cent) and citric acid (5 per cent) therapy, and the elimination of foci of infection end infestation.
Phorbol ester inhibits granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor binding and tyrosine phosphorylation

Exposure of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) results in a 70-75% reduction in the specific binding of 125I-granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to its receptors. The PMA-induced reduction in 125I-GM-CSF binding is due to a decrease in the number of available GM-CSF receptors, as derived from Scatchard analysis of the binding data. On the other hand, the phorbol ester 4-alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4 alpha-PDD) fails to affect 125I-GM-CSF binding. PMA promotes phosphorylation on tyrosine residues of several proteins, as demonstrated by Western blotting analysis using antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. The molecular masses of those proteins are 41, 55, 66, 78, 85, 104, and 115 kDa. GM-CSF increases the levels of the tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, the majority of which have similar Mr to those found in PMA-stimulated neutrophils. This increase, on all but the 41-kDa protein, is partially prevented by treatment of the cells with PMA. The inhibition by PMA of GM-CSF binding to its receptors and its phosphorylated effects is partially prevented by the protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine and, to a greater extent, by staurosporine. It is suggested that PMA, through the activation of protein kinase C, interrupts the excitation-response sequence initiated by GM-CSF, which includes tyrosine phosphorylation, and that the earliest altered step is the binding of GM-CSF to its receptor.