cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paramedic King Laryngeal Tube airway insertion versus endotracheal intubation in simulated pediatric respiratory arrest.

AbstractIntroduction: Pediatric endotracheal intubation (ETI) is difficult and can have serious adverse events when performed by paramedics in the prehospital setting. Paramedics may use the King Laryngeal Tube airway (KLT) in difficult adult airways, but only limited data describe their application in pediatric patients. Objective: To compare paramedic airway insertion speed and complications between KLT and ETI in a simulated model of pediatric respiratory arrest. Methods: This prospective, randomized trial included paramedics and senior paramedic students with limited prior KLT experience. We provided brief training on pediatric KLT insertion. Using a random allocation protocol, participants performed both ETI and KLT on a pediatric mannequin (6-month old size) in simulated respiratory arrest. The primary outcomes were 1) elapsed time to successful airway placement (seconds), and 2) proper airway positioning. We compared airway insertion performance between KLT and ETI using the Wilcoxon signed-ranks t...
Localization of Acyl Carrier Protein in Escherichia coli

Acyl carrier protein has been localized in Escherichia coli by electron microscopy and autoradiography to a site just inside the cytoplasmic membrane.
Combinatorial autoantibodies to dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, the major autoantigen of primary biliary cirrhosis.

Abstract mRNA from a regional lymph node of a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) was used to construct a combinatorial immunoglobulin library in the lambda phage vector system. Six human monoclonal IgG Fab clones (LC1-LC6) specific for the major autoantigen of PBC--dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase, the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2)--were isolated, appearing at a frequency of 0.01% in the combinatorial immunoglobulin library. These Fab clones recognize human PDC-E2 with high affinity (Ka = 10(-7)-10(-9) M-1). Using both immunoblotting and ELISA, LC1-LC6 showed little cross-reactivity to any of the other autoantigens commonly recognized by PBC sera or to other antigens commonly recognized by PBC sera or to other antigens such as histone, calf thymus DNA, and bovine serum albumin. The Fab monoclonal antibodies show a typical anti-mitochondrial staining pattern in HEp-2 cells but react strongly with the luminal aspect of biliary epithelial cells of patients with PBC. Our results demonstrate that a recombinant combinatorial immunoglobulin library can be used to isolate high-affinity Fabs against a specific autoantigen. Such reagents will facilitate the analysis of immunoglobulin gene structure, idiotype, and antigen-antibody interactions in autoimmune disease.
Relationship between information processing speed in temporal lobe epilepsy and white matter volume

Abnormalities in white matter have been linked to processing speed impairment in clinical populations (e.g., multiple sclerosis, closed head injury). Recent studies indicate the presence of significant reduction in cerebral white matter volume in some patients with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between white matter volume and processing speed and performance efficiency on the Sternberg Memory Scanning Test (SMST). The study groups included TLE subjects with white matter volume reduction (n = 13), TLE subjects with normal white matter volume (n = 14), and healthy controls (n = 18). The groups did not differ in total cerebral gray matter volume. Compared with the controls, the reduced white matter volume TLE group exhibited a significantly steeper slope on the SMST. This was characterized by a disproportionate increase in reaction time with increased processing demands (set size), particularly for negative probe trials. In contrast, no significant differences on the SMST were evident between controls and the normal white matter volume TLE group. These findings suggest the presence of information processing speed and efficiency impairment in TLE and its relationship with white matter volume integrity.
Delay Equalization in Color Television

The signal-delay characteristics proposed by the NTSC for a television transmitter for color provides for the equalization of the delay distortion associated with the high-frequency cutoff of the average receiver. A design for an equalizer is developed with the aid of the potential analogy for all-pass filters.
A comparison of current prediction imaging programs

Abstract To investigate perceived differences in the ability of current software to simulate the actual outcome of orthognathic surgery, we chose 10 difficult test cases with vertical discrepancies and “retreated” them using the actual surgical changes. Five programs—Dentofacial Planner Plus, Dolphin Imaging, Orthoplan, Quick Ceph Image, and Vistadent—were evaluated, by using both the default result and a refined result created with each program's enhancement tools. Three panels (orthodontists, oral-maxillofacial surgeons, and laypersons) judged the default images and the retouched simulations by ranking the simulations in side-by-side comparisons and by rating each simulation relative to the actual outcome on a 6-point scale. For the default and retouched images, Dentofacial Planner Plus was judged the best default simulation 79% and 59% of the time, respectively, and its default images received the best (lowest) mean score (2.46) on the 6-point scale. It also scored best (2.26) when the retouched images were compared, but the scores for Dolphin Imaging (2.83) and Quick Ceph (3.03) improved. Retouching had little impact on the scores for the other programs. Although the results show differences in simulation ability, selecting a software package depends on many factors. Performance and ease of use, cost, compatibility, and other features such as image and practice management tools are all important considerations. Users concerned with operating system compatibility and practice management integration might want to consider Dolphin Imaging and Quick Ceph, the programs comprising the second tier.
LCP 140° Pediatric Hip Plate for fixation of proximal femoral valgisation osteotomy

Purpose Femoral osteotomy is one of the most widely performed reconstructive operations in pediatric orthopedic surgery. Many implants for fixation have been used, but so far there is no literature about the application and outcome of the LCP 140° Pediatric Hip Plate for proximal femoral valgisation in children.
A study of low‐albedo deposits within Amazonis Planitia craters: Evidence for locally derived ultramafic to mafic materials

[1] We studied low-albedo deposits in the floors of craters within the Amazonis Planitia region using infrared data from Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) and Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS), high-resolution visible images from the Mars Orbiter Camera and THEMIS, and topographic data from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter. These deposits are found within subdued to sharp-rimmed craters that impacted into thick basaltic lava flows from Olympus Mons. These lava flows flooded the region and were subsequently eroded by aeolian processes. TES spectral modeling of the low-albedo deposits reveals a mineralogy that is dominated by mafic minerals (olivine, pyroxene) with a derived bulk chemistry that ranges from ultramafic to mafic (∼40–52 wt % SiO2) in composition. These bulk compositions are comparable to some Martian lithologies but represent some of the lowest silica contents identified on Mars. The compositional range could be produced by either primary igneous processes or subsequent alteration by aeolian processes. The spatial distribution of the compositions reveals weak to absent groupings and does not distinguish between the igneous or aeolian scenarios. In some craters, possible local sources have been identified within the crater walls, floors and interiors; local sources may be present in additional craters but obscured by dust. No regional sources were identified within a reasonable distance in terms of sand transport but may also be obscured by dust. Therefore, the low-albedo deposits probably resulted from aeolian erosion of local intracrater basaltic materials that were subsequently redistributed within the floors of these craters.
A differential staining reaction demonstrating reciprocal activity in Mauthner's cells.

Die Mautnerzellen des Welses (Ameirus) zeigen nach Reizung des N. statoacusticus ein farberisches Verhalten, das erlaubt, sie von ungereizten Zellen mit Sicherheit zu unterscheiden.
A Preponderance of CCR5+CXCR4+ Mononuclear Cells Enhances Gastrointestinal Mucosal Susceptibility to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection

The gastrointestinal mucosa harbors the majority of the body's CD4+ cells and appears to be uniquely susceptible to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. We undertook this study to examine the role of differences in chemokine receptor expression on infection of mucosal mononuclear cells (MMCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by R5- and X4-tropic HIV-1. We performed in vitro infections of MMCs and PBMCs with R5- and X4-tropic HIV-1, engineered to express murine CD24 on the infected cell's surface, allowing for quantification of HIV-infected cells and their phenotypic characterization. A greater percentage of MMCs than PBMCs are infected by both R5- and X4-tropic HIV-1. Significant differences exist in terms of chemokine receptor expression in the blood and gastrointestinal mucosa; mucosal cells are predominantly CCR5+ CXCR4+, while these cells make up less than 20% of the peripheral blood cells. It is this cell population that is most susceptible to infection with both R5- and X4-tropic HIV-1 in both compartments. Regardless of whether viral isolates were derived from the blood or mucosa of HIV-1-infected patients, HIV-1 p24 production was greater in MMCs than in PBMCs. Further, the chemokine receptor tropism of these patient-derived viral isolates did not differ between compartments. We conclude that, based on these findings, the gastrointestinal mucosa represents a favored target for HIV-1, in part due to its large population of CXCR4+ CCR5+ target cells and not to differences in the virus that it contains.
Middlemen and Midwives of Reform: The In-Between Worlds of Albanian Educational Policy-Makers and Professionals.

Based on a vertical case study in post-communist Albania, this article examines how three local experts become ‘in-betweens’ who strategically mediate processes of social change. For example, they negotiate constructions of time and place, East and West, policy and practice, state and society. As they localise global educational models, the ‘in-betweens’ concurrently engage in re-making cultural meaning. This analysis thus enhances our understanding of the cultural complexity of international educational policy transfer and localisation.
Energy transfer in naphthalene-tetracene solid solutions

Abstract Upon irradiation of naphthalene-tetracene crystals in the absorption region of naphthalene, it was found that the transfer of excitation energy from naphthalene to tetracene (also called naphthacene or 2,3-benzanthracene) occurred almost exclusively by exciton diffusion. The transfer increased with tetracene concentration but reached a constant value at a concentration well below the limit of solid solution. The spectra of naphthalene and naphthalene-tetracene were independent of exciting wavelength in the range 2600–3200 A, at 296°K and 4.2°K, demonstrating very efficient internal conversion to the emitting level, and unchanged efficiency of energy transfer over this temperature range. Partial quenching of energy transfer occurred at low temperatures, but could not be explained by a change in the mean distance travelled by the exciton. However the purity of the naphthalene proved critical. Although zone-refined naphthalene was used, the impurity β-methyl naphthalene was always present, and excitation of crystalline naphthalene resulted in energy transfer to the β-methyl naphthalene, which fluoresces in the same region as naphthalene. It was possible to prepare “pure” naphthalene crystals which showed no temperature dependence for transfer to tetracene. Less pure crystals showed different quenching which was attributed to competition between different “trap” molecules. Measurements of the polarized fluorescence, and of thermal quenching of tetracene excited directly (in naphthalene) made possible a tentative explanation for the constant transfer efficiency at high concentrations.
Pressure as a probe of the glassy state of ferroelectrics with random site disorder

Results on lanthanum-modified lead zirconate-titanates (PLZTs) have revealed a pressure-induced crossover from a normal ferroelectric to a relaxor state and the continuous evolution of the dynamics and energetics of the relaxation process. This crossover appears to be a general feature of soft mode ferroelectrics with random site dipolar impurities or polar nanodomains and results from a large decrease in the correlation radius among polar nanodomains -- a unique property of soft mode ferroelectrics.
Cross-layer optimization in TCP/IP networks

TCP-AQM can be interpreted as distributed primal-dual algorithms to maximize aggregate utility over source rates. We show that an equilibrium of TCP/IP, if exists, maximizes aggregate utility over both source rates and routes, provided congestion prices are used as link costs. An equilibrium exists if and only if this utility maximization problem and its Lagrangian dual have no duality gap. In this case, TCP/IP incurs no penalty in not splitting traffic across multiple paths. Such an equilibrium, however, can be unstable. It can be stabilized by adding a static component to link cost, but at the expense of a reduced utility in equilibrium. If link capacities are optimally provisioned, however, pure static routing, which is necessarily stable, is sufficient to maximize utility. Moreover single-path routing again achieves the same utility as multi-path routing at optimality.
Injury control research in pediatric psychology: a commentary and a proposal.

Over the years, the Journal of Pediatric Psychology has published a number of articles related to the problem of childhood injury. It has been stated repeatedly that the amount of research in this area is small relative to the magnitude of the problem. The journal published a special issue on Health Promotion and Problem Prevention in Pediatric Psychology in 1986, with over half of the articles related to injury and safety (Roberts, 1986). In 1990, a task force was appointed by the Society of Pediatric Psychology to consider the problem of nonintentional injuries. Its report was published (Finney et al., 1993), along with a second special section of the journal devoted to nonintentional injuries (Roberts, 1993). Thus, the present special section on injury control might be thought of as a third attempt of the Society to "jump start" this research area.
Metabolism of cinnamic acid in plants: Chlorogenic acid formation☆

Abstract Rapid, efficient synthesis of chlorogenic acid from cinnamate was observed in leaves of plants of several genera. Use of labelled cinnamate, p-coumarate and caffeate showed two pathways were operative in this synthesis in tobacco. Trapping experiments indicated the major route to be: cinnamic acid → p-coumaric acid → p-coumaroylquinic acid → chlorogenic acid, and the secondary route cinnamic acid → p-coumaric acid → caffeic acid → chlorogenic acid. The metabolism of chlorogenic acid is discussed.
The Role of Homeobox Protein Distal-Less 3 and Its Interaction with ETS2 in Regulating Bovine Interferon-Tau Gene Expression-Synergistic Transcriptional Activation with ETS2

Abstract Distal-less 3 (DLX3), a homeodomain transcription factor required for placental development in the mouse, modestly transactivates hCG-alpha subunit gene (hCGA) expression in human choriocarcinoma cells. Because hCG and interferon-tau (IFNT) are expressed in trophectoderm of primates and ruminants, respectively, we have tested the hypothesis that DLX3 regulates the genes for IFNT (IFNT). A bovine IFNT1 promoter (−457 to +66), linked to a luciferase (luc) reporter, was transactivated approximately 20-fold by overexpressing DLX3 in human JAr cells. Elimination of a potential DLX3-binding site (−54 GATAATGAG −46) by either truncation or mutagenesis abolished this effect. A sequence (−59 to −44) encompassing this site bound DLX3 specifically. Coexpression of DLX3 and ETS2, which is known to be a key regulator of IFNT expression, increased reporter activity by more than 250-fold, whereas deletion of the established ETS2 site (−79 to −70) eliminated the ability of DLX3 to transactivate the gene. Convers...
Coronary Artery Revascularization in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is caused by inadequate insulin secretion or an inability to respond appropriately to secreted insulin, which leads to chronic hyperglycemia. An estimated 171 million people worldwide have DM, and the prevalence of DM will more than double over the next 2 decades.1 Patients with DM have a 2- to 4-fold increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) over nondiabetic patients,2 and 75% of diabetic patients die as a result of a cardiovascular cause.3 Diabetic patients commonly undergo percutaneous revascularization procedures; 25% to 30% of all percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are performed in patients with DM.4 A diagnosis of DM is also considered equivalent to having CAD because diabetic patients without a history of CAD have a 5-year cardiovascular mortality that is similar to that of nondiabetic patients who have a history of myocardial infarction (MI).5 According to current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines, patients with DM are therefore treated as having a CAD equivalent.6,7 Previous review articles have summarized specific medical therapies for patients with DM.8,9 This review focuses on mechanisms of accelerated atherosclerosis, percutaneous and surgical revascularization strategies, and outcomes among patients with DM and CAD. Diabetic patients have increased rates, extent, and complexity of atherosclerotic CAD.8 After coronary revascularization, diabetics have an increased risk of target vessel failure (TVF) and need for repeat interventions.10 Altered inflammatory pathways stemming from the effects of hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and altered free fatty acid metabolism predispose diabetic patients to endothelial dysfunction, thrombogenesis, monocyte activation, foam cell transformation, and altered smooth muscle cell migration.11–13 These mechanisms converge to create increased coronary artery plaque burden and more complex CAD (Figure 1A). Figure 1. Mechanisms of atherosclerosis and restenosis in diabetes mellitus. A , The combination …
Nutritional and medical status of lactating women and their infants in the Kathmandu valley of Nepal

In six villages in the Kathmandu valley of Nepal, an intensive health and nutrition study was conducted on 26 lactating women and their 2--6-month-old infants. Analysis of 24-h duplicate diet composites indicated that the mothers were consuming approximately 2100 kcal energy/d. The diets contained approximately 62 g protein (11.6% of the calories), 392 g carbohydrate (73.3% of the calories), and 20.9 g fat (8.6% of the calories) and a mean of 24 g neutral detergent fiber. Although anthropometric measurements indicated that the mothers had mild protein malnutrition and inadequate energy reserves, their infants exhibited low-normal weight and length for age. All the mothers had hepatitis A antibodies; 92% had tropical eosinophilia, indicating intestinal parasites; 16% had cheilosis and angular stomatitis, indicating a possible B-vitamin deficiency; and 8% had elevated urinary nitrite, indicating urinary tract infection. There were no unusual physical findings on the infants. Although the children appeared healthy, the mothers showed evidence of multiple infections and possible nutrient deficiencies.
Parallel Organization: Policy Formulation, Learning, and Interdivision Integration

A parallel organization improves problem solving and decision making by liberating creative, rigorous inquiry blocked or unavailable in the formal organization. This article reports a study of a pa...
Treating diabetes and obesity with an FGF21-mimetic antibody activating the βKlotho/FGFR1c receptor complex

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a distinctive member of the FGF family with potent beneficial effects on lipid, body weight, and glucose metabolism and has attracted considerable interest as a potential therapeutic for treating diabetes and obesity. As an alternative to native FGF21, we have developed a monoclonal antibody, mimAb1, that binds to βKlotho with high affinity and specifically activates signaling from the βKlotho/FGFR1c (FGF receptor 1c) receptor complex. In obese cynomolgus monkeys, injection of mimAb1 led to FGF21-like metabolic effects, including decreases in body weight, plasma insulin, triglycerides, and glucose during tolerance testing. Mice with adipose-selective FGFR1 knockout were refractory to FGF21-induced improvements in glucose metabolism and body weight. These results in obese monkeys (with mimAb1) and in FGFR1 knockout mice (with FGF21) demonstrated the essential role of FGFR1c in FGF21 function and suggest fat as a critical target tissue for the cytokine and antibody. Because mimAb1 depends on βKlotho to activate FGFR1c, it is not expected to induce side effects caused by activating FGFR1c alone. The unexpected finding of an antibody that can activate FGF21-like signaling through cell surface receptors provided preclinical validation for an innovative therapeutic approach to diabetes and obesity.
Black Race is an Adverse Prognostic Factor for Prostate Cancer Recurrence Following Radical Prostatectomy in an Equal Access Health Care Setting

AbstractPurpose: We determined if black men with clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate have the same recurrence-free outcome following radical prostatectomy, and whether they have similar preoperative, operative and pathological characteristics as white men in an equal access health care environment.Materials and Methods: We studied consecutive single hospital case series of 366 white and 107 black patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1975 and February 29, 1995. Evaluation included comprehensive retrospective chart review, prospective data collection and proactive followup. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were done of preoperative, operative, pathological and recurrence data by race.Results: Although the incidences of hypertension and diabetes, pretreatment prostate specific antigen (PSA) and serum creatinine measurements, elevated PSA as an indication for biopsy and clinical stage were greater in black men, the operative variables of blood loss, operative ti...
Different Toll-like receptor agonists induce distinct macrophage responses

We previously reported that gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates cells via Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, whereas the mycobacterial cell wall glycolipid lipoarabinomannan (LAM) activates cells via TLR2. We also identified a secreted TLR2 agonist activity in short-term culture filtrates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli, termed soluble tuberculosis factor (STF). Here we show that STF contains mannosylated phosphatidylinositol (PIM) and that purified PIM possesses TLR2 agonist activity. Stimulation of RAW 264.7 macrophages by LPS, LAM, STF, and PIM rapidly activated nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, activator protein-1 (AP-1), and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. These TLR agonists induced similar levels of NF-kappaB and AP-1 DNA-binding activity, as well as trans-activation function. Unexpectedly, these TLR agonists induced tumor necrosis factor alpha secretion, whereas only LPS was capable of inducing interleukin-1beta and nitric oxide secretion. Thus, different TLR proteins are still capable of activating distinct cellular responses, in spite of their shared capacities to activate NF-kappaB, AP-1, and MAP kinases.
Impact of digital radiography on clinical workflow and patient satisfaction.

Compared to traditional film radiography, digital radiography is believed to improve workflow and patient throughput. Digital radiography permits the technologist to immediately view the quality of the film directly at the modality. Additional workflow improvements, therefore, should be achieved with the integration of the radiology information system (RIS). To learn more about this proposed efficacy, a study was performed at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Cleveland, OH) comparing timings in three groups: traditional film radiography; digital radiography; and digital radiography with RIS integration. Our data validated a timesaving of digital radiography over traditional or standard films and an even greater timesaving in a digital radiography/RIS environment. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A00RM031 00013
High-Throughput Screening Techniques for Biomass Conversion

High-throughput (HTP) screening of biomass or biomass-degrading enzymes, regardless of the desired outcome, is fraught with obstacles and challenges not typically faced in more traditional biotechnology. The enzyme systems are complex and synergistic and the substrate is highly heterogeneous, insoluble, and difficult to dispense. Digestions are often carried out for days at temperatures of 50°C or higher, leading to significant challenges regarding evaporation control in small well volumes. Furthermore, it is often desirable to condition or “pretreat” the biomass at extreme temperatures and/or pH to enhance enzyme digestibility. Once the substrate has been saccharified, evaluation of the extent and efficiency of conversion is made more difficult by time-consuming and tedious techniques used to measure the sugar products. Over the past decade or so, biomass researchers have creatively addressed these challenges by developing techniques to reduce biomass heterogeneity, uniformly distribute biomass samples at the small scale, pretreat the biomass at the small scale, quantitatively load these samples with enzymes, control evaporation of small reaction volumes for multiday incubations, and rapidly quantify the products. Other aspects of these measurements remain problematic and are being addressed. This review will address some of these challenges in detail, but more importantly, we will endeavor to educate the reader about the trials, tribulations, and pitfalls of carrying out HTP screening in biomass conversion research.
Toll-like receptor 4 signaling is required for induction of gluconeogenic gene expression by palmitate in human hepatic carcinoma cells

Saturated free fatty acids (FFA) can activate inflammatory cascades including the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway. TLR4 is expressed by hepatocytes and may help link FFA to altered hepatic gluconeogenesis in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study examined the role of TLR4 in mediating palmitate effects on the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) and the catalytic subunit of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC), rate-determining gluconeogenic enzymes. Human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 and HuH7) were incubated in media including 2% bovine serum albumin and 250 to 1000 μM palmitate for 24 h. Signaling mediated by TLR4 was blocked by a TLR4 decoy peptide or small interfering RNA knockdown of TLR4. Palmitate induced dose-dependent increases in PCK1 and G6PC mRNA abundance, which were prevented by the TLR4 decoy peptide. Palmitate doubled PCK1 promoter activity, and TLR4 knockdown ablated this response. Lipopolysaccharide and monophosphoryl lipid A also up-regulated G6PC and PCK1 transcript abundance in a TLR4-dependent manner. Addition of oleate attenuated palmitate-induced increases in G6PC and PCK1 mRNA abundance. Palmitate increased nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells reporter gene activity, which was unaffected by TLR4 blockade, but increased mRNA abundance of hepatocyte-specific cyclic AMP response element binding protein, a transcriptional regulator of PCK1, in a TLR4-dependent manner. Finally, TLR4 activation by palmitate increased subsequent cellular uptake of palmitate, and inhibiting ceramide synthesis ablated palmitate effects on PCK1 mRNA abundance and promoter activity. These results suggest that TLR4 signaling could play a critical role in linking elevated saturated FFA to increased transcription of gluconeogenic genes.
Using growth models to monitor school performance: comparing the effect of the metric and the assessment

This paper investigates whether inferences about school performance based on longitudinal models are consistent when different assessments and metrics are used as the basis for analysis. Using norm-referenced (NRT) and standards-based (SBT) assessment results from panel data of a large heterogeneous school district, we examine inferences based on vertically equated scale scores, normal curve equivalents (NCEs), and nonvertically equated scale scores. The results indicate that the effect of the metric depends upon the evaluation objective. NCEs significantly underestimate absolute individual growth, but NCEs and scale scores yield highly correlated (r >.90) school-level results based on mean initial status and growth estimates. SBT and NRT results are highly correlated for status but only moderately correlated for growth. We also find that as few as 30 students per school provide consistent results and that mobility tends to affect inferences based on status but not growth – irrespective of the assessment ...
Effective modeling of factory throughput times

Describes an effective approach to TPT modeling. Though this approach can be used in any factory, our focus here is limited to predicting TPT in a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility. We describe an abstract simulation that runs very quickly on standard PCs and is based on a model that focuses on the factors that have a major influence on TPT. The simple model includes machine assignments and variability of machine availability, operator assignments and variability of operator availability and transportation times and variability of transportation availability. The model can also handle a range of WIP management policies and include test wafer loading. Given the contents of the model, the simulation tool can be used to perform a variety of "what-if" analyses. The simulation approach as well as validation results based on implementation at actual fabrication sites are described.
New Observations on Interference Channels under Strong and Very Strong Interference

This paper revisits the interference channels under strong interference and very strong interference, for both discrete memoryless and Gaussian channels. In particular, it is shown that for the classical definitions, while the conditions of strong interference for discrete and Gaussian cases coincide with each other, those of very strong interference are not consistent with each other in terms of mutual information inequalities. Based on this observation, a new class of discrete memoryless interference channels under very strong interference is introduced whose capacity region is characterized. This new class of channels is consistent with the Gaussian interference channel under very strong interference. Moreover, this new class of interference channels is not a subset of any existing classes of discrete memoryless interference channels with known capacity region.
Photosensitivity of reflection notch tuning and broadening in polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals

The position or bandwidth of the selective reflection of polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals (PSCLCs) prepared from negative dielectric anisotropy ("-Δe") liquid crystalline hosts can be shifted by applying a DC voltage. The underlying mechanism of the tuning or broadening of the reflection of PSCLCs detailed in these recent efforts is ion-facilitated, electromechanical deformation of the structurally chiral, polymer stabilizing network in the presence of a DC bias. Here, we show that these electro-optic responses can also be photosensitive. The photosensitivity is most directly related to the presence of photoinitiator, which is a known ionic contaminant to liquid crystal devices. Measurement of the ion density of a series of control compositions before, during, and after irradiation with UV light confirms that the ion density in compositions that exhibit photosensitivity is increased by irradiation and correlates to not only the concentration of the photoinitiator but also the type. Thus, the magnitude of the electrically tuned or broadened reflection of PSCLC of certain compositions when subjected to DC field is further increased in the presence of UV light. While interesting and potentially useful in applications such as architectural windows, the effect may be deleterious to some device implementations. Accordingly, compositions in which photosensitivity is not observed are identified.
Biliary secretion and excretion in health and disease: current concepts.

Biliary secretion in health and disease is reviewed. The powerful techniques of molecular biology have enabled cloning of the transporters involved in biliary secretion and the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. This, in turn has permitted elucidation of their function as well as their regulation by nuclear receptors. Bile acid secretion is required for efficient lipid absorption, and bile acids also possess powerful direct and indirect antimicrobial functions in the small intestine. The enterohepatic circulation results from efficient ileal absorption, and is highly regulated at two sites. In the hepatocyte, biosynthesis of bile acids is regulated in negative feedback manner by the nuclear receptor FXR as well as by cytokines and by a peptide (FGF-19) liberated by bile acids from the ileal enterocyte. In the ileal enterocyte, bile acid reclamation is regulated in negative feedback manner by FXR and other nuclear receptors. The bile salt export pump (BSEP) mediates uphill canalicular bile acid secretion. Inborn defects in its function cause intrahepatic cholestasis in infants; inhibition of its function by drugs causes hepatotoxicity. Bile acid therapy is based on correction of bile acid deficiency by supplemental bile acids or displacement in which a noncytotoxic bile acid (ursodeoxycholic acid, ursodiol, UDCA) is administered and dilutes out the endogenous cytotoxic bile acids. Administration of primary bile
On the Significance of Membership in Approaches to Global Justice: Putting Carens in Context

My main theme is to compare Caren's take on membership with Michael Blake's and mine. Both Carens and Blake think membership matters enormously in the context of global justice. But they develop this point very differently. However, from the standpoint of my theory (pluralist internationalism), Carens' and Blake's accounts have symmetrical shortcomings. Neither view takes a genuinely globally balanced approach to immigration.
Supragingival Root Surface Removal during Maintenance Procedures Utilizing an Air-Powder Abrasive System or Hand Scaling*

The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of root surface removal in vitro using an air-powder abrasive system or sharp curet on root surfaces simulating the cumulative effects of an every 3-month periodontal maintenance regimen over a 3-year period and to compare the amount of time spent in the utilization of each instrument. Fifty extracted teeth with fully formed roots were cleaned and mounted in one of 10 different artificial alveolar arches. Each arch contained one central incisor, one lateral incisor, one canine, one first and one second premolar. The buccal and mesial tooth root diameters were measured initially and after each treatment with a digital point micrometer. All teeth were stained with coffee and repositioned in their artificial alveolae and treated by the air-powder abrasive system or curet until all visible stain was removed. Time required for removal of stain in both treatment groups was recorded. Both groups were restained, retreated, and retimed 12 times to reproduce a 3...
Study on Commercial Foestry Resource Management Policy in Ji'an Prefecture

Ji'an prefecture is one of the most important forestry areas of the Southern China.The forest resource management objecitve,forest resource asset management,logging policy, menagement institutional arrangement, tax and fee charge policy are not compatible to market oriented economy and forest resource management.Therefore,mangement policies for commerial forest resources should be improved.Above aspects of forestry policies should be adjusted,
Loading Axially on Rotating Assembly Using Hollow Hydraulic Cylinder

The principle of loading axially on rotating assembly using hollow hydraulic cylinder, as well as the structure and design of hollow hydraulic cylinder are introduced.
Patients' Survival Expectations With and Without Their Chosen Treatment for Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE Overtreatment of screen-detected localized prostate cancer (LPC) is an important public health concern, since the survival benefit of aggressive treatment (surgery or radiation) has not been well established. We investigated the survival expectations of patients who had LPC with and without their chosen treatment. METHODS A population-based sample of 260 men (132 black, 128 white) 75 years old or younger with newly diagnosed LPC completed a self-administered survey. How long the patients expected to live with their chosen treatment, how long they would expect to live with no treatment, and factors associated with the difference in perceived life expectancy were assessed using multivariable analysis. RESULTS Without any treatment, 33% of patients expected that they would live less than 5 years, 41% 5 to 10 years, 21% 10 to 20 years, and 5% more than 20 years. With their chosen treatment, 3% of patients expected to live less than 5 years, 9% 5 to 10 years, 33% 10 to 20 years, and 55% more than 20 years. Treatment chosen, age, general health perception, and perceived cancer seriousness predicted the differences in perceived life expectancy, while race and actual tumor risk did not. After adjustment for other covariates, men who choose surgery or radiation expected greater gain in survival than men who chose watchful waiting or active surveillance. CONCLUSIONS Most patients with LPC underestimated their life expectancy without treatment and overestimated the gain in life expectancy with surgery or radiation. These unrealistic expectations may compromise patients’ ability to make informed treatment decisions and may contribute to overtreatment of LPC. Primary care physicians, when included in the decision process, should focus on helping patients develop realistic expectations and choices that support their treatment goals.
Theories of Social Movement Mobilization

Over the past two hundred years, American and British evangelical Christians have been politically active in social movements. In the nineteenth century, evangelicals became convinced that drinking was the root of the religious and social problems in their respective nations and they formed a movement to prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol. In the past several decades, evangelicals on both sides of the Atlantic have organized a social movement to impose restrictions on abortion services and the publication of pornographic material. Evangelical activism leads to important questions about the study of social movements, particularly about what the cause of social belief and action might be.
LMS analog and digital narrowband rejection system for UWB communications

The impact of narrowband interference on ultra-wideband (UWB) communications systems and inversely, the impact of UWB signals on narrowband systems are discussed. An analog and digital narrowband rejection system for UWB receivers is presented and evaluated. This rejection system is shown to offer significant communications system improvement in the presence of strong interferers.
Reasoning about rationality

Abstract We provide a sound and complete axiomatization for a class of logics appropriate for reasoning about the rationality of players in games, and show that essentially the same axiomatization applies to a very wide class of decision rules. We also consider games in which players may be uncertain as to what decision rules their opponents are using, and define in this context a new solution concept, D -rationalizability.
LGBT-Competence in Social Work Education: The Relationship of School Contexts to Student Sexual Minority Competence.

ABSTRACTThis study examined the relationship between master of social work programs’ (MSW) support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people (LGBT-competence) and the sexual minority competence (LGB-competence) of social work students. Data were gathered from a sample of MSW program directors, faculty members, and students (N = 1385) within 34 MSW programs in the United States. A series of hierarchical linear models tested if a MSW program’s LGBT-competence was associated with the LGB-competence of its students. Results showed a significant relationship between organizational LGBT-competence and individual LGB-competence within schools of social work, and that programs with greater LGBT-competence also had students who felt more competent to work with sexual minorities. These findings suggest schools of social work can take substantive action at an organizational level to improve the professional LGB-competence of future social workers. Implications for social work education are discussed.
HAYES, HERR AND SACK: ESQUIRE GOES TO VIETNAM

In the 1960s, Esquire magazine served as the vanguard for a new generation of literary journalists. These brash young practitioners of “New Journalism” were to play an integral role in defining what that most turbulent of decades was all about. True, cross-town competitors like New York and The New Yorker were in their own right producing fabulous examples of the genre, but no one was covering the conflict in Vietnam quite like Esquire (Weingarten, 2006). Much of the credit goes to editor Harold Hayes, who understood that in order to better serve its audience, a magazine had to spread its wings and move beyond the strictly objective reporting espoused by conventional journalism.
Immigration and crime and the criminalization of immigration

Historically in the United States, periods of large-scale immigration have been accompanied by perceptions of threat and stereotypes of the feared criminality of immigrants. A century ago major commissions investigated the connection of immigration to crime; each found lower levels of criminal involvement among the foreign-born. The present period echoes that past. Over the past quarter century, alarms have been raised about large-scale immigration, and especially about undocumented immigrants from Latin America. But over the same period, violent crime and property crime rates have been cut in half; the decline in crime has been more pronounced in cities with larger shares of immigrants; and foreign-born young men are much less likely to be incarcerated than natives. The evidence demonstrating lower levels of criminal involvement among immigrants is supported by a growing number of contemporary studies. At the same time the period has been marked by the criminalization of immigration itself, and by the confluence of immigration and criminal law and enforcement apparatuses. A series of critical events succeeded by moral panics influenced the passage of hyper-restrictive laws and a massive injection of institutional resources that has built the “crimmigration” enforcement apparatus into the “formidable machinery” underpinning mass deportation today.
Norm Proselytizers Create a Privacy Entitlement in Cyberspace

This article explores an important development in the informal regulation of online privacy. Privacy norm proselytizers have been the leading contributors toward the recognition by Internet users of a moral entitlement to privacy in cyberspace. This article begins by examining the non-moral social meaning of the original personal data collection practices that emerged at the World Wide Web's inception in the early 1990s. Next, it analyzes methods by which privacy activists endeavored to moralize the social meaning of online data collection. It also emphasizes that other norm entrepreneurs, namely, the Federal Trade Commission and creators of new software privacy solutions, have subsequently supported an entitlement to privacy for reasons less selfless, but no less efficacious, in terms of helping to stimulate demand for increased privacy protections. The article concludes that even though a grundnorm of respect for consumer data privacy has generally emerged in American culture, American society is only at the beginning of the difficult task of incorporating this grundnorm into its social and business practices.
Survival of patients with head and neck cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin or concurrent cetuximab: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare analysis

BACKGROUND Cisplatin and cetuximab are both systemic therapies commonly used in combination with radiation (RT) for the definitive treatment of head and neck cancers, but their comparative efficacy is unclear. METHODS Patients with locoregionally advanced (American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III-IVB) squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database. Patients received either cisplatin or cetuximab concurrent with RT, as determined by Medicare claims. The primary study outcome was head and neck cancer-specific mortality (CSM) analyzed with competing risks. Filtering, propensity score matching, and multivariable Fine-Gray regression were used to adjust for differences between the cisplatin and cetuximab cohorts, including age, comorbidity, and cycles of systemic therapy received. RESULTS The total cohort consisted of 1395 patients, of whom 786 (56%) received cisplatin and 609 (44%) received cetuximab; the median follow-up was 3.5 years in the patients who remained alive. In the cetuximab cohort, CSM was significantly higher than in the cisplatin cohort (39% vs 25% at 3 years; P < .0001). In the matched cohorts (n = 414), the adjusted hazard ratio of CSM for cetuximab was 1.65 (95% confidence interval, 1.30-2.09; P < .0001) relative to cisplatin, corresponding to an absolute difference of approximately 10% in both CSM and overall survival at 3 years. Cetuximab was associated with less dysphagia, more dermatitis, and a similar incidence of mucositis. CONCLUSIONS In this sizeable, national patient population, treatment with cetuximab was associated with significantly higher CSM than cisplatin. These results suggest that cisplatin may be the preferred chemotherapeutic agent in this setting.
Beck Depression Inventory-II: Self-report or interview-based administrations show different results in older persons.

ABSTRACTBeck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is one of the most-used rating scales. It was developed as a tool administered either as a self-rating or interview-based, observer-rating scale. Objective The goal of this study is to compare BDI-II scores obtained with two standard methods of administration in community-based older persons. Methods BDI-II was administered at first in the self-rated version to a sample of 60 mentally healthy older persons (age 60-87 years). Afterward, the interview-based administration was performed. Analyses We compared the scores with nonparametric tests - Spearman's correlation coefficient and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test. We also computed internal consistency. Results Self-rated BDI-II yielded significantly higher total score than interview (p l 0.001, P = 88%). The correlation between total scores was moderate (rs = 0.46, p l 0.001). Item analysis revealed a larger decrease (lower scores) in the somatic items in the interview-based version. Conclusions The two methods of administration result in different total score in healthy older persons. Therefore, interpretation of the scores should reflect the administration, which should be always specified in the studies.