cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stability of superconductors against localized disturbances of limited magnitude

Abstract Steady state equilibrium theory has been used to predict the size of the minimum energy disturbance needed to quench a cryostable superconductor; experimental results are in reasonable agreement. The size of the disturbance from which a superconductor can recover decreases rapidly with increasing normal state ohmic heat generation in the conductor. Nevertheless, for disturbances of moderate size, stable recovery can occur in conductors with normal state generation higher than the normally accepted values of ∼ 3 kW m −2 . It should therefore be possible to design cryostable magnets to operate at higher current densities than hitherto, provided the size of the maximum disturbance can be predicted.
When Deficits are Misplaced: A Comparison Between African American and White College Students on Qualitative and Structural Dimensions of Interpersonal Relationships

Previous research on interpersonal relationships has indicated extensive differences between African American and White individuals. These differences often have been interpreted as suggesting deficits among African American, as compared to White, relationship patterns. Much of this research has been at a macro-level of analysis, focusing on structural aspects of relationships (e.g., number of single-parent families, number of friends). Although useful, such a focus tends to obscure more qualitative characteristics (e.g., degree of satisfaction, meaning of relationship, attachment), which are better assessed at a micro-level. This study examined the characteristics of family and other relationships among 73 African American and 185 White college students using measures of qualitative characteristics, as well as broader structural categories. Results replicated and further confirmed previous reports comparing African American and White individuals on relationship patterns when viewed from the perspective of broader structural characteristics. In contrast, few differences existed between these two groups in qualitative dimensions of relationships (i.e., their degree of satisfaction with and attachment to various relational partners).
Tactual Speech Perception by Minimally Trained Deaf Subjects.

Research on tactual perception of speech has shown that many phonetic contrasts can be transmitted to the deaf through artificial hearing devices that stimulate the sense of touch. Past research ha...
Selective laser sintering characteristics of nylon 6/clay-reinforced nanocomposite

Abstract Sintering characteristics and thermal properties of neat polyamide 6 and clay nanoparticle/polyamide 6 composite were compared for applications in the selective laser sintering (SLS) process. Differences in thermal and rheological behavior between the nanocomposite and the standard polymer were studied by differential scanning calorimeter, melt flow index, and compact sintering experiments. Nanoparticles increase the material’s viscosity and its mechanical properties. Sintered nanocomposite powders showed lower final density than the standard polymer due to increased resistance to low shear rate deformation. Because of this flow resistance, SLS parameters such as holding temperature and laser power must be adjusted and it may be impractical to improve rapidly manufactured part strength using such materials.
Increase in heart rate precedes episodes of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators: analysis of spontaneous ventricular tachycardia database.

Patients with heart disease and decreased heart rate variability (HRV) have an increased risk of all-cause mortality as well as arrhythmic death. The question of acute changes in HRV immediately preceding arrhythmic events remains unanswered. We analyzed data from patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators who had ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) detected by the device. The device stores 1,000 consecutive RR intervals preceding the arrhythmic event detection and before device interrogation. Compared to this control segment, the mean heart rate (HR) increased prior to the arrhythmic event for both VT (88.5 vs 72.7 beats/min, P 10%. The frequency of such beats was significantly higher in the prearrhythmic data segments than in the control segments for VT (10.7 vs 6.6/50 beats, P < 0.05) although not for VF (9.8 vs 6.1/50 beats, NS). We conclude that the HR and frequency of ectopic beats are higher prior to onset of the arrhythmic events, although HRV does not change markedly. These results are consistent with sympathetic activation being the predominant autonomic change prior to VT/VF onset in this patient population.
Low 15 N/ 14 N in hydrothermal vent animals: ecological implications

Low-trophic-level animal biomass from the Galapagos and 21 °N hydrothermal vents was found to have 15N/14N ratios which are lower than those previously reported for organic nitrogen1–6, ammonium1,2,5, and nitrate1,2,7,8 in deep Pacific Ocean water. These nitrogen isotope ratios of vent animals are, however, near those of deep-oceanic N2 (refs 1, 2, 7, 9) and resemble those of marine biota associated with N2 fixation2,10. These observations suggest that organic nitrogen of nutritional importance to vent animals is initially synthesized within the vent environment and this synthesis may be preceded by N2 fixation.
Mixed and partial oxidation states. Photoelectron spectroscopic evidence

Abstract X-ray photoelectron spectra of the single valence platinum complexes K 2 [Pt(CN) 4 ] · 3H 2 O(1),K 2 [Pt(CN) 4 ]Cl 0.3 · n H 2 O(2) and K 2 [Pt(CN) 4 ]Cl 2 · 3H 2 O(3) and the mixed valence compound [Pt II (C 2 H 5 NH 2 ) 4 ]Cl 4 · [Pt IV (C 2 H 5 NH 2 ) 4 Cl 2 ] · 4H 2 O(4) have been measured. It is found that one can distinguish clearly between mixed and single valence compounds by electron spectroscopy. The Pt spectrum of (4) is a superposition of a Pt II and Pt IV spectrum. The chemical shift between (1) and (3) is normal, however (2) shows an anomalous low binding energy for the Pt 4f electrons. The importance of using reliable reference peaks for obtaining absolute binding energies is emphasized.
Theoretical predictions of deuterium abundances in the Jovian planets

Current concepts for the origin of the Jovian planets and current constraints on their interior structure are used to support the argument that the presence of large amounts of 'ice' (H2O, CH4, and NH3) in Uranus and Neptune indicates temperature low enough to condense these species at the time Uranus and Neptune formed. Such low temperatures, however, imply orders-of-magnitude fractionation effects for deuterium into the 'ice' component if isotopic equilibration can occur. The present models thus imply that Uranus and Neptune should have D/H ratio at least four times primordial, contrary to observation for Uranus. It is found that the Jovian and Saturnian D/H should be close to primordial regardless of formation scenario.
The Teacher's Role in Supporting Students' Connections between Realistic Situations and Conventional Symbol Systems.

We use the notion offocusing phenomena to help explain how a teacher’s actions were connected to her students’ interpretations of a linear equation. This study was conducted in a high-school classroom that regularly emphasised dependency relationships in real-world situations. Seven interviews revealed a majority view ofy = b + mx as astorage container—a place to insert b and m values—rather than as a relationship between x- and y-values. Classroom analysis revealed how the teacher directed attention away from functional relationships with increasing frequency as she moved from realistic situations to conventional representations.
Coherent Optical Techniques for High Dynamic Range Photonic Links

In this presentation we will explore the application of coherent optical techniques to high dynamic range analog signal transport, review the advantages and disadvantages, and present recent progress toward the experimental realization of a high performance coherent optical phase-encoded analog link
Density Functional and Reduction Potential Calculations of Fe4S4 Clusters

Density functional theory geometry optimizations and reduction potential calculations are reported for all five known oxidation states of [Fe4S4(SCH3)4]n- (n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) clusters that form the active sites of iron−sulfur proteins. The geometry-optimized structures tend to be slightly expanded relative to experiment, with the best comparison found in the [Fe4S4(SCH3)4]2- model cluster, having bond lengths 0.03 A longer on average than experimentally observed. Environmental effects are modeled with a continuum dielectric, allowing the solvent contribution to the reduction potential to be calculated. The calculated protein plus solvent effects on the reduction potentials of seven proteins (including high potential iron proteins, ferredoxins, the iron protein of nitrogenase, and the “X”, “A”, and “B” centers of photosystem I) are also examined. A good correlation between predicted and measured absolute reduction potentials for each oxidation state of the cluster is found, both for relative potentials wit...
A unified approach from elasticity to viscoelasticity to viscoplasticity of particle-reinforced solids

Abstract This paper presents a novel approach to determine the overall elastic-viscoplastic behavior of a particle-reinforced metal-matrix composite. It is built upon the linkage from elasticity to viscoelasticity through the correspondence principle, and then from viscoelasticity to viscoplasticity by means of the concept of secant viscosity and an energy approach. Albeit approximate, this theory is analytically tractable, and capable of delivering the stress-strain relations of the composite sittem under various applied strain rates. The theory embodies the nonlinear, rate-dependent, and work-hardening nature of the constitutive equations of the ductile matrix, as well as the elasticity of both matrix and inclusions. The influence of particle concentration, elastic stiffness, and applied strain rate on the overall dilatational and deviatoric stress-strain behaviors are examined in detail. The theory is finally applied to predict the response of a silicon-carbide/aluminum system and the result is found to be in accord with experimental observations.
Asymptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Patient and Surgeon Selection

Background and Purpose The applicability of prospective carotid endarterectomy protocols to the general population has been questioned. Outcomes for asymptomatic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were compared with the results of the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (ACAS) patients treated concurrently at our institution. Methods Asymptomatic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomies (n=277) from 1987 to 1993 (ACAS enrollment period) were reviewed. Primary end points were mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Five subgroups were studied: (1) ACAS surgical patients; (2) ACAS-eligible patients not enrolled and ACAS surgeons; (3) ACAS-eligible patients not enrolled and non-ACAS surgeons; (4) ACAS-ineligible patients and ACAS surgeons; and (5) ACAS-ineligible patients and non-ACAS surgeons. Results ACAS-eligible patients were younger (P=.014), had more severe carotid stenosis (P=.001), and had lower incidences of pulmonary (P=.015) and renal (P=.008) diseases compared with inelig...
Agrobacterium‐mediated gene delivery and the biology of hostrange limitations

The objective of this presentation is to briefly discuss the efficiency of the transformation process utilized by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, potential barriers to efficient transformation by Agrobacterium that result in limitation of its useful host range, and how an understanding of the successful Agrobacterium/plant cell interaction might lead to advances in a variety of DNA delivery methodologies
Paricalcitol versus calcitriol in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Paricalcitol versus calcitriol in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Background Management of secondary hyperparathyroidism has included the use of active vitamin D or vitamin D analogs for the suppression of parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. Although, these agents are effective, therapy is frequently limited by hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and/or elevations in the calcium-phosphorus (Ca × P) product. In clinical studies, paricalcitol was shown to be effective at reducing PTH concentrations without causing significant hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia as compared to placebo. A comparative study was undertaken in order to determine whether paricalcitol provides a therapeutic advantage to calcitriol. Methods A double-blind, randomized, multicenter study comparing the safety and effectiveness of intravenous paricalcitol and calcitriol in suppressing PTH concentrations in hemodialysis patients was performed. A total of 263 randomized patients were enrolled at domestic and international sites. Following the baseline period, patients with serum Ca × P Results Paricalcitol-treated patients achieved a ≥50% reduction from baseline PTH significantly faster than did the calcitriol-treated patients ( P = 0.025) and achieved a mean reduction of PTH into a desired therapeutic range (100 to 300 pg/mL) at approximately week 18, whereas the calcitriol-treated patients, as a group, were unable to achieve this range. Moreover, paricalcitol-treated patients had significantly fewer sustained episodes of hypercalcemia and/or increased Ca × P product than calcitriol patients ( P = 0.008). Conclusion Paricalcitol treatment reduced PTH concentrations more rapidly with fewer sustained episodes of hypercalcemia and increased Ca × P product than calcitriol therapy.
Eosinophils within the healthy or inflamed human intestine produce substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide

The purpose of this study was to show if inflammatory cells within healthy or diseased human intestinal mucosa produce some regulatory neuropeptides. First, inflammatory cells were isolated from the intestinal lamina propria of 11 patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Also collected were cells from anatomically normal intestine derived from five patients requiring bowel resection for diseases not related to inflammatory bowel disease. Extracts of these isolated cells contained authentic substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as shown by RIA and their elution profiles on HPLC. Immunostaining of cells from nine of 13 additional patients localized immunoreactive SP and VIP to secretory granules within most mucosal eosinophils. No other cell types stained positive. Messenger RNA encoding SP and VIP was localized to lamina propria eosinophils by in situ hybridization. Mucosa inflammatory cells, from eight of nine more patients, cultured in vitro, released detectable amounts of VIP, but not SP. It is concluded that intestinal eosinophils produce SP and VIP. Since the eosinophils store and release more VIP than SP, it is possible that VIP is the preferred secretory product.
Target-determined expression of alpha3 isoform of the Na+,K+-ATPase in the somatic nervous system of rat.

Factors that determine the differential expression of isoforms of Na+,K+-ATPase in the nervous system of vertebrates are not understood. To address this question we studied the expression of α3 Na+,K+-ATPase in the L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of developing rat, the normal adult rat, and the adult rat after peripheral axotomy. During development, the first α3 Na+,K+-ATPase-positive DRG neurons appear by embryonic day 21. At birth, the L5 DRG have a full complement (14 ± 2%) of these neurons. By 15 days after sciatic nerve transection in adult rat, the number of α3 Na+,K+-ATPase-positive DRG neurons and small myelinated L5 ventral root axons decreases to about 35% of control counts. These results combined with data from the literature suggest that the expression of α3 Na+,K+-ATPase by rat somatic neurons is determined by target-muscle spindle-derived factors. J. Comp. Neurol. 483:114–123, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Iodine analysis of biological samples by neutron activation of 127I, with scintillation counting of cerenkov radiation

Abstract The naturally occurring isotope, 127 I, has been measured by neutron activation, postirradiation extraction of 128 I plus 127 I (added carrier), and timed scintillation counting of aqueous solution utilizing Cerenkov radiation. With extrapolation of the counts to zero time (end of irradiation) and measurement of chemical recovery by weighing of precipitated AgI, there are about 300 cpm above background per nanogram of I, in the range of 0–30 ng. The precision for samples of NH 4 I is ±2.6% coefficient of variation. The accuracy is good when standards, rat liver mitochondria, or thyroxine solutions are measured both by activation analysis and by a chemical method. The use of Cerenkov radiation simplifies sample preparation, eliminates the need for a γ- or β-spectrometer, and acts as an energy band-pass.
Exact and resampling probability values for the Piccarreta nominal–ordinal index of association

Exact, resampling, and Pearson type III permutation methods are provided to compute probability values for Piccarreta's nominal–ordinal index of association. The resampling permutation method provides good approximate probability values based on the proportion of resampled test statistic values equal to or greater than the observed test statistic value.
Initiation of Lactation in the Hypophysectomized Guinea Pig

SummaryA purified lactogenic hormone, unlike crude pituitary extracts, has failed to initiate lactation in hypophysectomized guinea pigs. Lactogenic hormone plus the adrenal cortical hormone (Swingle-Pfiffner extract) has initiated lactation in such animals in every case.†
Using Statistically Significant Correlated Motions of Residues in a MD Based Approach to Investigate Allostery in Ubiquitin Conjugating Protein

Ubiquitin conjugating proteins (E2s) are an important component of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. E2s interact with ubiquitin activating enzyme (E1) and ubiquitin ligases (E3s) to transfer ubiquitin to target proteins to mark them for degradation. In some E3s, RING domains act as scaffolds to bind E2s and target proteins so that the ubiquitin can be directly transferred from the E2 to the target protein. This ubiquitin transfer has been shown to be allosterically regulated: E3 RING domain binding to E2 at one site promotes ubiquitin release from the active site cysteine (∼15A distance) without substantial conformational change in E2. Previous studies used statistical coupling analysis (SCA) to identify clusters of residues that might transmit information. Here, we use a novel information-theory approach to identify residues with statistically significant correlated conformations in a set of equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. From the matrix of correlations between residues, we observed substantial coupling between an E2's active site and its E3 RING domain binding site. However, in the I88A mutant, the pattern of correlations is disrupted, consistent with the experimental observation that this I88A mutation abrogates the allostery in the E2s. Thus, our approach is sensitive enough to identify effects of single point mutations in the protein. Unlike SCA, which infers couplings from many protein sequences, our approach identifies couplings between residues in individual proteins, some of which coincide with residues identified by SCA. As our approach is general and sensitive to small physical-chemical differences in sequence, structure, and dynamics, we can apply our approach to study similarities and differences in the allosteric networks of different E2s in order to better understand how protein degradation is regulated, also providing a mechanistic insight of the process.
Quantitative Noncontact Electrostatic Force Imaging of Nanocrystal Polarizability

A simple analytical model describing tip-surface interactions in an electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) experiment is proposed. Tip-surface capacitance is modeled as a sum of capacitances of cone, sphere, and plate with the substrate. Individual tips are calibrated according to this model by the choice of tip radius. Differences in EFM signal amplitude between probes are explained by differences in the sphere radii. Three tips with different sphere radii were used to detect EFM force gradients on an array of samples of dispersed Au nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 6 to 18 nm. The spatial distribution of the electric field created by an Au nanoparticle polarized by the inhomogeneous field of the tip is calculated analytically. The particle diameter and tip-surface separation dependence of the measured force gradient due to metal sphere polarization is compared to that predicted by the model. A statistically significant z-offset factor is introduced into the model to correct for the curvature mismatch between the model system and the actual tip.
Biochemical and pharmacological activity of arene-fused prostacyclin analogues on human platelets

Human platelets have been employed as an assay system to evaluate the pharmacological activity of a group of stable, arene-fused prostacyclin analogs. Prostacyclin (PGI2) is a highly active member of the eicosanoid family and is relatively unstable under physiological conditions. Prostacyclin's best characterized activities are those of inhibition of platelet aggregation and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. These activities are mediated in large part via elevation of intracellular levels of cyclic AMP subsequent to receptor occupation and activation of adenylate cyclase. We previously described the synthesis of a series of arene-fused prostacyclin analogs with stability in aqueous media at physiological pH. Several of these compounds have prostacyclin-like activities, i.e., competitive binding at the platelet prostacyclin receptor, elevation of intraplatelet cyclic AMP levels and inhibition of human platelet aggregation. One compound in particular (11a) demonstrated these activities with potency similar to PGI2, i.e., Kd at platelet receptor of 3.7 nM and IC50 for inhibition of collagen-induced human platelet aggregation in plasma of 2.9 nM.
Effects of ethanol on the gastric mucosa of the Heidenhain pouch of dogs

The effect of ethanol on the mucosa of the Heidenhain pouch in dogs was studied by instilling ethanol in concentrations of 10, 20 and 40% using changes in ionic fluxes of an acid solution and mucosal alterations to measure the effects of ethanol. The instillation of 20 or 40% ethanol resulted in increased insorption of H+ and increased exorption of Na+ into the pouch lumen. Following the administration of 20 and 40% ethanol, the mucous layer and mucin content of the lining epithelial cells decreased markedly. Hourly bathing with the acid test solution aggravated the injury and induced bleeding, but hourly instillation of a buffer solution minimized the damage. Ionic fluxes returned to pre-ethanol levels 2 hr after 20% ethanol and 3–4 hr after 40% ethanol. Partial restoration of mucosal damage occurred in 4–6 hr and was complete in 24 hr.
Microscopic Observations on Blood Coagulation in Several Different Species of Insects

It has been shown elsewhere (Yeager, Shull and Farrar, 1932) that blood coagulation in the cockroach, Periplaneta orientalis , consists of the formation of a coagulum by the blood cells, the plasma not undergoing obvious coagulation. It was also pointed out that this type of blood coagulation is similar to the blood coagulation of the arachnid Limulus , as reported by L. Loeb (1904), and that it seems to fall within one of the three types of crustacean blood coagulation described by Tait (1910–13). The question arises, therefore, is this coagulation picture (marked cell coagulation unaccompanied by obvious plasma coagulation) peculiar to the roach or, on the contrary, typical of insects generally? In an attempt to answer this question the bloods of a number of insects were observed microscopically during the coagulation process. The present paper is a report of the results of these observations.
Glucocorticoids Preserve Calpastatin and Troponin I during Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Immature Pigs

Degradation of troponin I (TnI) by calpain occurs with myocardial stunning in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Glucocorticoids attenuate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, but their effect on TnI degradation is unknown. A piglet model was used to test the hypotheses that cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) are associated with TnI degradation and that TnI alterations could be prevented by glucocorticoid treatment. Piglets were cooled to 18°C, subjected to 2 h of circulatory arrest, rewarmed to 37°C, and allowed to recover for 2 h. Methylprednisolone was administered 6 h before surgery (3 0 mg/kg) and at initiation of CPB (30 mg/kg). The untreated group received saline. Left ventricular tissue was collected after recovery and analyzed by Western blot for TnI, calpain, and calpastatin (the natural inhibitor of calpain). CPB/DHCA animals had 27.4 ± 0.2% of total detected TnI present in degraded form. Glucocorticoid treatment significantly decreased the percentage of degraded TnI (12.0 ± 0.1%, p < 0.05). Calpain I and calpain II increased after CPB/DHCA compared with non-CPB/DHCA controls (p < 0.05), with or without glucocorticoid treatment. Calpastatin significantly decreased in untreated CPB/DHCA animals compared with non-CPB/DHCA controls (p < 0.05), but levels were preserved by glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids were associated with preservation of maximum rate of increase of left ventricular pressure at 95 ± 10% of baseline, whereas maximum rate of increase of left ventricular pressure decreased to 62 ± 12% of baseline without steroids. TnI degradation occurs after CPB/DHCA in neonatal pigs. Reduction in reperfusion injury by glucocorticoids may depend partly on preservation of calpastatin activity and intact TnI.
Quality of life of patients with severe chronic neutropenia receiving long-term treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Objective To evaluate the impact of long-term granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) treatment on quality of life of patients with congenital, cyclic, or idiopathic neutropenia. STUDY DESIGN, INTERVENTION, AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Twenty-one patients receiving daily subcutaneous GCSF responded to retrospective questions about disease-related symptoms and physical, psychological, and social functioning before and with GCSF therapy. Results Statistically significant improvement occurred in energy, emotional reactions, social isolation, functional ability, life satisfaction, decreased hospital admissions, and school attendance. Conclusion GCSF greatly improves quality of life in patients with severe chronic neutropenia.
1.88- $\hbox{m}\Omega\cdot\hbox{cm}^{2}$ 1650-V Normally on 4H-SiC TI-VJFET

The SiC trenched-and-implanted vertical junction field-effect transistor (TI-VJFET) is an excellent device for power switching applications, but its on-resistance needs to be further reduced to suppress ON-state power loss. In this paper, we used small cell pitch size and high channel/drift layer doping concentration to achieve low on-resistance. Advanced fabrication processes, such as Bosch process trench etching, self-aligned Ni silicide, and self-aligned gate overlay were implemented to support such an aggressive design. Normally on 4H-SiC TI-VJFETs of various channel-opening dimensions have been designed and fabricated based on a 12 mum, 1.8 times 1016 cm-3 doped drift layer. Record high performance TI-VJFETs have been achieved and will be reported. Other SiC VJFET structures under active research are reviewed and compared to TI-VJFET. Without the need for epi-regrowth or stringent lithography alignment, TI-VJFET has the advantage of a less demanding fabrication process. In addition, its high current density, adjustable channel width and low gate resistance make TI-VJFET an excellent device for fast power switching applications.
Synthesis of L -Amino-succinimide

IN our earlier consideration of the relationships of asparagine and glutamine, substances which are of great physiological importance, we directed attention to the interest which would be aroused by an unequivocal synthesis of amino-succinimide and whether “it proved to be, when hydrated, identical or different from asparagine”1,2.
Organization development: a new modality for community mental health.

Organization development (OD) is discussed as being a valid tool for advancing mental health and for promoting the present goals of community mental health centers, as well as for accomplishing organization development's traditional objectives of increasing organizational effectiveness in business, industry, and government agencies. A comparison is made between the main objectives of the community mental health movement in the United States and the major thrusts of current OD practiee, showing how the loci of the two fields are essentially similar. The psychological aspects of OD are presented in their relation to mental health. Organization development is demonstrated to be both a legitimate and an effective modality for the community mental health practitioner to use in reaching large numbers of people in promoting positive mental health, primary prevention, improved interpersonal relations, and personal growth activities in the community. Although the practice of consultation to organizations and agencies in the community is widespread, there appears to be a distinct separation made between professionals who practice mental health consultation and those who perform organization development consultation. At first glance it seems reasonable to offer different types of consultation to the community according to their very different needs. Agencies which provide mental health services or social services would appear to receive the most benefit from professionals who can aid them in dealing with their problem clients, while businesses and organizations would seem to be best suited for consultants who can help them in improving management techniques in order to increase their organizational effectiveness. As a result of this logic, two separate bodies of literature on consultation have devel
A test statistic for the affected-sib-set method.

Summary This paper discusses generalizations of the affected-sib-pair method. First, the requirement that sib identity-by-descent relations be known unambiguously is relaxed by substituting sib identity-by-state relations. This permits affected sibs to be used even when their parents are unavailable for typing. In the limit of an infinite number of marker alleles each of infinitesimal population frequency, the identity-by-state relations coincide with the usual identity-by-descent relations. Second, a weighted pairs test statistic is proposed that covers affected sib sets of size greater than two. These generalizations make the affected-sib-pair method a more powerful technique for detecting departures from independent segregation of disease and marker phenotypes. A sample calculation suggests such a departure for tuberculoid leprosy and the HLAD locus.
Obstetric Pharmacokinetic Dosing Studies are Urgently Needed

Use of pharmacotherapy during pregnancy is common and increasing. Physiologic changes during pregnancy may significantly alter the overall systemic drug exposure, necessitating dose changes. A search of PubMed for pharmacokinetic clinical trials showed 494 publications during pregnancy out of 35,921 total pharmacokinetic published studies (1.29%), from the late 1960s through August 31, 2013. Closer examination of pharmacokinetic studies in pregnant women published since 2008 (81 studies) revealed that about a third of the trials were for treatment of acute labor and delivery issues, a third included studies of infectious disease treatment during pregnancy, and the remaining third were for varied ante-partum indications. Approximately, two-thirds of these recent studies were primarily funded by government agencies worldwide, one-quarter were supported by private non-profit foundations or combinations of government and private funding, and slightly <10% were supported by pharmaceutical industry. As highlighted in this review, vast gaps exist in pharmacology information and evidence for appropriate dosing of medications in pregnant women. This lack of knowledge and understanding of drug disposition throughout pregnancy place both the mother and the fetus at risk for avoidable therapeutic misadventures - suboptimal efficacy or excess toxicity - with medication use in pregnancy. Increased efforts to perform and support obstetric dosing and pharmacokinetic studies are greatly needed.
Salinity tolerance and osmotic regulation in the diamond killifish, Adinia xenica

Salinity tolerances and plasma osmotic regulatory capacity were determined in individuals of Adinia xenica following laboratory acclimations. Survival of individuals was better than 90% of those entered into the acclimation sequence from an initial acclimation salinity of 17.0 ppt down to fresh-water, and up to 95.0 ppt. Survival of individuals transferred from 95.0 to 105.0 ppt was low. Adinia showed most consistent plasma osmotic regulation in the range of ambient salinities from 17.0 to 60.0 ppt, but responded well over the ambient salinity range from 0.5 ppt to 85.0 ppt. Plasma osmotic concentrations were higher at common ambient salinities, but in a generally similar overall pattern of response, compared with such euryhaline cyprinodontids as Cyprinodon variegatus and Fundulus kansae.
Fluid Stresses in the Vicinity of Disk, Ball, and Tilting Disk Prosthetic Heart Valves From In-Vitro Measurements

Experiments were conducted in a steady flow test apparatus with an axisymmetric aortic shaped test chamber using hot-wire anemometry to obtain local momentum transfer and turbulence data in the vicinity of the model disk, Kay-Shiley disk, Starr-Edwards ball and Bjork-Shiley tilting disk prosthetic heart valve configurations. These data for Reynolds numbers of 2000, 4000, and 6000 were used to locate regions of high stress where erythrocytes may be lysed or severely strained. Nondimensionalized velocity profiles downstream of the valves indicated a similarity of behavior for all Reynolds numbers at an axial location. Velocity gradients of magnitudes potentially damaging to erythrocytes were found. These gradients were largest for disk-type occluders. Large regions of separated flow were found to occur behind the valve sewing ring, distal to the valve occluder, and along the test chamber wall distal to the valve for all valves tested. Relatively high turbulence was found to exist distal to all valves tested. Turbulent stresses of magnitudes potentially hemolytic were measured.
Obesity, Cholesterol Metabolism, and Breast Cancer Pathogenesis

Obesity and altered lipid metabolism are risk factors for breast cancer in pre- and post-menopausal women. These pathologic relationships have been attributed in part to the impact of cholesterol on the biophysical properties of cell membranes and to the influence of these changes on signaling events initiated at the membrane. However, more recent studies have indicated that the oxysterol 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), and not cholesterol per se, may be the primary biochemical link between lipid metabolism and cancer. The enzyme responsible for production of 27HC from cholesterol, CYP27A1, is expressed primarily in the liver and in macrophages. In addition significantly elevated expression of this enzyme within breast tumors has also been observed. It is believed that 27HC, acting through the liver X receptor (LXR) in macrophages and possibly other cells is involved in maintaining organismal cholesterol homeostasis. It has also been shown recently that 27HC is an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist in breast cancer cells and that it stimulates the growth and metastasis of tumors in several models of breast cancer. These findings provide the rationale for the clinical evaluation of pharmaceutical approaches that interfere with cholesterol/27HC synthesis as a means to mitigate the impact of cholesterol on breast cancer pathogenesis.
PixIO: sharing any surface

Task and reference spaces are important channels of communication for remote collaboration. A number of systems exist for sharing these spaces, but all of them have an inherent flaw: none can share arbitrary physical and digital objects on arbitrary surfaces. We have created PixIO, a new cost-effective, light-weight peripheral device that solves this problem. It shares hand gestures and arbitrary objects, such as notes, drawings, and digital documents, on arbitrary surfaces, such as tables and whiteboards.
Distribution-free test procedures for a factorial experiments

A general class of distribution-free s-sample rank tests for location is proposed to test whether any effect (either main or interaction) ia aero The procedure is based on the pencil which is associated with each factorial effect
Neutralized vesicular stomatitis virus binds to host cells by a different “receptor”

The addition of immune serum to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) results in the formation of VSV/antibody complexes which are non-infectious. Despite their being neutralized, these complexes still bind to host cells and are internalized at a rate equivalent to or greater than that observed for infectious virus. However, in contrast to infectious virus, the binding and uptake of neutralized VSV is not inhibited by phosphatidylserine and is partially sensitive to trypsin treatment. These results suggest that neutralized VSV binds to a different or additional cell binding site. By altering the VSV binding site, neutralizing antibodies may interfere with the fusogenic activity of G protein.
A distributed graphics system for large tiled displays

Recent interest in large displays has led to renewed development of tiled displays, which are comprised of several individual displays arranged in an array and used as one large logical display. Stanford's “Interactive Mural” is an example of such a display, using an overlapping four by two array of projectors that back-project onto a diffuse screen to form a 6' by 2' display area with a resolution of over 60 dpi. Writing software to make effective use of the large display space is a challenge because normal window system interaction metaphors break down. One promising approach is to switch to immersive applications; another approach, the one we are investigating, is to emulate office, conference room or studio environments which use the space to display a collection of visual material to support group activities.In this paper we describe a virtual graphics system that is designed to support multiple simultaneous rendering streams from both local and remote sites. The system abstracts the physical number of computers, graphics subsystems and projectors used to create the display. We provide performance measurements to show that the system scales well and thus supports a variety of different hardware configurations. The system is also interesting because it uses transparent “layers,” instead of windows, to manage the screen.
Classroom-Based Interventions: Evaluating the Past and Looking Toward the Future

The inclusion of children with disabilities in programs with their typically developing peers is one of many changes that has occurred in the field of early childhood special education over the las...
Factors Associated With Hospital Retention of RNs in the New York City Metropolitan Area An Analysis of the 1996, 2000, and 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses

The nursing shortage is well documented, and government estimates indicate that shortfalls will worsen in the future. As the largest employer of registered nurses (RNs), hospitals are the most seriously affected by shortages, as they compete with other employment settings for limited nursing resources. Recruitment remains the primary avenue for ensuring staffing levels, but retention is increasingly important as applicant pools shrink because of demographic and employment trends. Effective retention strategies must address the factors that contribute to exodus of RNs from hospitals, as well as isolating the factors that enable RNs to remain in hospital employment. This secondary analysis of the 1996, 2000, and 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses examines the demographic, employment, and educational factors associated with working in hospitals, having full-time status, and holding patient care positions. The findings suggest that hospitals must address nonwork issues to retain nursing personne...
Evaluation of female external genitalia sensitivity to pressure/touch: a preliminary prospective study using semmes-weinstein monofilaments

Abstract Objectives. To assess the use of pressure aesthesiometers (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments) in the evaluation of female external genitalia. The pressure aesthesiometers are widely used to assess the pressure/touch perceptions of the hand, face, and breast dermatomes. Methods. Thirty-two consecutive neurologically intact women (mean age 48.7 ± 13.8 years) and 5 neurologically impaired women referred for a routine gynecologic examination were prospectively enrolled. The monofilaments were applied to the S2-S5 vulvar dermatomes using specific anatomic landmarks. Test-retest reliability studies were performed at the same clinical session. A comparison was made between premenopausal (n = 17) and postmenopausal (n = 15) women; hypoestrogenic (n = 9) and normoestrogenic (n = 23) women; postmenopausal women with (n = 6) and without (n = 9) estrogen replacement therapy; women with normal (n = 18) and abnormal (n = 14) sexual function; and neurologically impaired (n = 5) and neurologically intact (n = 5) women, matched by age, parity, and estrogen status. Results. A clear association was found between reduced vulvar sensitivity to pressure/touch and estrogen deficiency, sexual dysfunction, and neurologic impairment. Postmenopausal women had significantly reduced sensitivity to pressure/touch compared with premenopausal women. Similar decreased sensitivity was found in hypoestrogenic compared with normoestrogenic women, with significantly reduced sensitivity in postmenopausal women not using estrogen replacement therapy. Women with sexual dysfunction and those with neurologic impairment had significantly reduced vulvar sensitivity to pressure/touch. No correlation was found between the sensitivity to pressure/touch and either levator ani muscle bulk or the levator contraction score, but significant differences were found between women with and without vulvovaginal atrophy at the time of the examination. Test-retest analysis confirmed the reliability of the monofilaments in testing vulvar sensation. Conclusions. The Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments may be used as a valid and reliable diagnostic tool in the evaluation of vulvar sensitivity to pressure/touch. Additional studies with larger series are needed to establish the role of this clinical tool in the evaluation of various treatment outcomes.
Recolonization of Deep-Water Hard-Substrate Communities: Potential Impacts From Oil and Gas Development.

Many regions of the California, USA, outer continental shelf are subject to ongoing and planned oil and gas development, but there is very limited information on the recolonization and recovery of deep-water (e.g., 60-300 m) hard-substrate communities that may be affected by these activities. The purpose of this study was to summarize existing information on these communities, thereby aiding regulatory agencies and the scientific community in assessing potential impacts, and to determine whether additional studies may be necessary. Impacts from anchoring and increased sedimentation (e.g., from discharges of drilling muds and cuttings) are particularly likely. Sedimentation effects can be natural or human- induced, but habitat disruption from anchoring has few natural parallels. Disturbances from anchoring and sedimentation generally produce Type 1 and Type 2 patches (sensu Sousa 1985, Connell and Keough 1985), respectively. Recolonization and recovery of these patches in deep-water environments are expected to vary in accordance with current models of succession (i.e., inhibition, facilitation, and tolerance). However, inhibition responses likely will predominate in Type 1 patches, particularly high-relief (e.g., > 1 m) areas, where regrowth from the margins often is possible from sheet-like or mound- like forms such as those represented by many sponge taxa. In contrast, recovery of Type 2 patches, particularly low-relief (e.g., < 1 m) areas, also may be influenced primarily by inhibition responses, but the relative lack of nearby colonizers suggests greater numbers of species interactions in accordance with facilitation and tolerance models. This is due to the greater stochastic component associated with recolonization by long-range larval dis- persers. Recovery is expected to require a few to several years to accomplish for these deep-water hard-substrate communities. This is based on estimated times for recovery of slow-growing, generally long-lived taxa, such as some vase sponges and anemones char- acteristic of many high-relief areas, and the uncertainties of long-range recruitment coupled with variable sediment movement in many low-relief areas.
Samarium–neodymium chronology and rubidium–strontium systematics of an Allende calcium–aluminum-rich inclusion with implications for 146Sm half-life

Abstract Calcium–aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) are primitive objects that formed within the protoplanetary disk surrounding the young Sun. Recent Pb–Pb chronologic studies have demonstrated that CAIs are the oldest solar system solids, crystallizing 4567 Ma ago ( Amelin et al., 2002 , Connelly et al., 2012 ). The isotope systematics of CAIs therefore provide critical insight into the earliest history of the Solar System. Although Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr geochronometers are highly effective tools for investigating cosmochemical evolution in the early Solar System, previous studies of CAIs have revealed evidence for isotopically disturbed systems. Here we report new age data for Allende CAI Al3S4 derived from both the long-lived (147Sm–143Nd) and short-lived (146Sm–142Nd) isotopic systems. The 147Sm–143Nd chronometer yields an age of 4560 ± 34 Ma that is concordant with 207Pb–206Pb ages for CAIs and indicates that the Sm–Nd system was not significantly disturbed by secondary alteration or nucleosynthetic processes. The slope of the 146Sm–142Nd isochron defines the Solar System initial 146Sm/144Sm of 0.00828 ± 0.00044 . This value is significantly different from the value of 0.0094 determined by Kinoshita et al. (2012) . Ages recalculated from all published 146Sm–142Nd isochron data using the traditional 103 Ma half-life and the initial 146Sm/144Sm value determined here closely match Pb–Pb and 147Sm–143Nd ages determined on the same samples. In contrast, ages recalculated using the 68 Ma half-life determined by Kinoshita et al. (2012) and either of the initial 146Sm/144Sm values are often anomalously old. This is particularly true for the youngest samples with 146Sm–142Nd isochron ages that are most sensitive to the choice of 146Sm half-life used in the age calculation. In contrast to the Sm–Nd isotope system, the Rb–Sr system is affected by alteration but yields an apparent isochron with a slope corresponding to a much younger age of 4247 ± 110 Ma . Although the Rb–Sr system in CAIs appears to be disturbed, the initial 87Sr/86Sr value determined from the isochron is 0.698942 ± 0.000008 , and closely approximates estimates of the initial Solar System value. Although this isochron may be a mixing line, it might also record alteration on the Allende parent body in which Rb was added to the Al3S4 CAI that was initially largely devoid of Rb.