cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Avoiding the Unintended Consequences of Growth in Medical Care: How Might More Be Worse?

The United States has experienced dramatic growth in both the technical capabilities and share of resources devoted to medical care. While the benefits of more medical care are widely recognized, the possibility that harm may result from growth has received little attention. Because harm from more medical care is unexpected, findings of harm are discounted or ignored. We suggest that such findings may indicate a more general problem and deserve serious consideration. First, we delineate 2 levels of decision making where more medical care may be introduced: (1) decisions about whether or not to use a discrete diagnostic or therapeutic intervention and (2) decisions about whether to add system capacity, eg, the decision to purchase another scanner or employ another physician. Second, we explore how more medical care at either level may lead to harm. More diagnosis creates the potential for labeling and detection of pseudodisease—disease that would never become apparent to patients during their lifetime without testing. More treatment may lead to tampering, interventions to correct random rather than systematic variation, and lower treatment thresholds, where the risks outweigh the potential benefits. Because there are more diagnoses to treat and more treatments to provide, physicians may be more likely to make mistakes and to be distracted from the issues of greatest concern to their patients. Finally, we turn to the fundamental challenge—reducing the risk of harm from more medical care. We identify 4 ways in which inadequate information and improper reasoning may allow harmful practices to be adopted—a constrained model of disease, excessive extrapolation, a missing level of analysis, and the assumption that more is better.
Use of Lean Production to Reduce Waste When Compounding Sterile Pharmaceutical Products

Purpose: The effects of a 5-batch-per-day schedule for sterile product compounding in an inpatient hospital pharmacy were studied.Summary: Using lean production concepts, an interdisciplinary team implemented a system to standardize delivery locations and improve just-intime delivery for sterile medication products in an inpatient hospital setting. The primary focus of the team was transforming the current sterile medication preparation process from a 2- to a 5-batch-per-day system.Conclusion: Increasing the frequency of sterile product batches from 2 to 5 batches per day reduced rework and waste by 64%. A true just-in-time process for sterile medication compounding has the potential to be safer and more efficient than traditional batch systems. Additional work is needed to determine if a true just-in-time sterile medication compounding process is feasible in an inpatient hospital setting.
Mazing: infertile couples and the quest for a child.

The overall purpose of the ongoing research project on which this report is based is to explore the transition to parenthood of infertile couples who achieve parenthood through adoption or biotechnical means. Mazing, the process of negoitating the paths to parenthood, was found to be a key component of that transition and the core variable that integrates the experiences of infertile couples after a period of trying but failing to have a child of their own on their own. The theory of mazing is grounded in information obtained from 40 couples who were designated for this study by means of theoretical sampling. Techniques generic to grounded theory research were employed; these included open-ended interviews, constant comparison and subject validation. Mazing, a recursive, iterative and resource-intensive process, includes (a) the construction of a calculus of pursuit, (b) six distinctive patterns of pursuit, and (c) the reframing of desire.
Determination of confidence intervals of metabolic fluxes estimated from stable isotope measurements.

Abstract Metabolic fluxes, estimated from stable isotope studies, provide a key to quantifying physiology in fields ranging from metabolic engineering to the analysis of human metabolic diseases. A serious drawback of the flux estimation method in current use is that it does not produce confidence limits for the estimated fluxes. Without this information it is difficult to interpret flux results and expand the physiological significance of flux studies. To address this shortcoming we derived analytical expressions of flux sensitivities with respect to isotope measurements and measurement errors. These tools allow the determination of local statistical properties of fluxes and relative importance of measurements. Furthermore, we developed an efficient algorithm to determine accurate flux confidence intervals and demonstrated that confidence intervals obtained with this method closely approximate true flux uncertainty. In contrast, confidence intervals approximated from local estimates of standard deviations are inappropriate due to inherent system nonlinearities. We applied these methods to analyze the statistical significance and confidence of estimated gluconeogenesis fluxes from human studies with [U–13C]glucose as tracer and found true limits for flux estimation in specific human isotopic protocols.
Analysis of temporal and throughput fair scheduling in multirate WLANs

The IEEE 802.11e Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) provides controlled access features that can be used in conjunction with scheduling algorithms to provide guaranteed per-session services. However, the multirate operation of the WLAN complicates the design of scheduling and Quality of Service (QoS) provisioning algorithms. We propose a new solution based on Controlled Access Phase Scheduling (CAPS) framework, introduced for fixed rate WLANs in our earlier works, and employ a new fair central scheduler to achieve guaranteed fair services in a WLAN. We examine the fairness issues involved in designing such an algorithm and study several fair scheduling algorithms that can be used with CAPS. We present a modified start time fair queuing based scheduler as our choice and analyze its performance under dynamic and static multirate operation. The algorithm is then evaluated through several simulation experiments. We show that the enhanced CAPS is able to adapt to multirate environments and provide both temporal and throughput fair services in 802.11e WLANs.
A review of time critical decision making models and human cognitive processes

From a general cognitive perspective, decision making is the process of selecting a choice or course of action from a set of alternatives. A large number of time critical decision making models have been developed over the course of several decades. This paper reviews both the underlying cognitive processes and several decision making models. In the first section, we briefly describe the primary underlying cognitive processes and issues that are common to most, if not all, decision making models, with a focus on attention, working memory, and reasoning. The second section reviews several of the most prominent high-level models of decision making, especially those developed for military contexts.
TEMPORAL ASSOCIATION OF AMBLYOMMA AMERICANUM WITH THE PRESENCE OF EHRLICHIA CHAFFEENSIS REACTIVE ANTIBODIES IN WHITE-TAILED DEER

From 1981 through 1993, tick infestations and serum antibodies reactive to Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the causative agent of human ehrlichiosis, were monitored among white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at Whitehall Experimental Forest, Clarke County, Georgia (USA). Neither ticks nor E. chaffeensis antibodies were detected during the first two years of the study. Infestations of the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum), a suspected vector of E. chaffeensis, first were noted on deer in 1983. Prevalence and intensity of A. americanum sharply increased from 1985 to 1989, and prevalence was 100% from 1990 to 1993. Antibodies reactive to E. chaffeensis were first detected in 7% of deer sampled in 1986. Antibody prevalence increased to 21% in 1987 and was 100% from 1988 to 1993. This temporal association between the establishment of A. americanum and the appearance of E. chaffeensis antibodies provides evidence to support the concept that A. americanum could be a natural vector of E. chaffeensis. The high pr...
Special Education Professional Standards: How Important Are They in the Context of Teacher Performance Evaluation?.

Teacher performance evaluation represents a high stakes issue as evidenced by its pivotal emphasis in national and local education reform initiatives and federal policy levers. National, state, and local education leaders continue to experience unprecedented pressure to adopt standardized benchmarks to reflect and link student achievement data to formal teacher performance evaluations. No teacher performance evaluation measures have been developed for use with special education teachers or the settings in which they teach. Dedicated focus is needed to ensure that adopted evaluation measures are sensitive to the specific expertise reflected in the practices of specialty teachers and valid for use. This study explored whether special education stakeholders perceived skills subsumed within nationally endorsed professional special education standards to be important for special education teachers’ effectiveness. Findings are presented in terms of next steps to inform the development of a meaningful measure of...
Volume fraction determination in cast superalloys and directionally solidified eutectic alloys by a new manual point count practice

Volume fraction of a constituent or phase was estimated in six specimens of conventional and directionally solidifed eutectic alloys in accordance with ASTM Recommended Practice for Determining Volume Fraction by Systematic Manual Point Count (E 562–76). Volume fractions determined ranged from 0.086 to 0.36, and with one exception the 95% relative confidence limits were approximately 10% of the determined volume fractions. Since the confidence limit of 10%, which had been arbitrarily chosen previously, was achieved in all but one case, this application of Recommended Practice E 562-76 was considered successful.
Reexamining the vertical structure of tangential winds in tropical cyclones: Observations and theory

A few commonly held beliefs regarding the vertical structure of tropical cyclones drawn from prior studies, bothobservationalandtheoretical,areexaminedinthisstudy.Oneofthesebeliefsisthattheoutwardslopeof the radius of maximumwinds (RMW)is a function of the size of the RMW. Another belief is that the outward slope of the RMW is also a function of the intensity of the storm. Specifically, Shea and Gray found that the RMW becomes increasingly vertical with increasing intensity and decreasing radius. The third belief evaluated here is that the RMW is a surface of constant absolute angular momentum M. These three conventional wisdoms of vertical structure are revisited with a dataset of three-dimensional Doppler wind analyses, comprising seven hurricanes on 17 different days. Azimuthal mean tangential winds are calculated for each storm,andtheslopesoftheRMWandMsurfacesareobjectivelydetermined.TheoutwardslopeoftheRMW is shown to increase with radius, which supports prior studies. In contrast to prior results, no relationship is found between the slope of the RMW and intensity.It is shown that the RMW is indeed closely approximated by an M surface for the majority of storms. However, there is a small but systematic tendency for M to decrease upward along the RMW. Utilizing Emanuel’s analytical hurricane model, a new equation is derived for the slope of the RMW in radius‐pressure space. This predicts a linear increase of slope with radius and essentiallyno dependence of slope on intensity.An exactly analogous equationcan be derivedin log-pressure height coordinates, and a numerical solution yields the same conclusions in geometric height coordinates. These conclusions are further supported by the results of simulations utilizing Emanuel’s simple, timedependent, axisymmetric hurricane model. As both the model and the analytical theory are governed by the dual constraints of thermal wind balance and slantwise moist neutrality, it is demonstrated that it is these two assumptionsthat requirethe slope of the RMW to be a functionof its size but not of the intensityof the storm. Finally, it is shown that within the context of Emanuel’s theory, the RMW must very closely approximate an M surface through most of the depth of the vortex.
Use of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to detect point mutations in the factor VIII gene

Abstract Point mutations in the factor VIII gene are responsible for the majority of cases of hemophilia A, and only a small fraction of these mutations can be recognized by restriction endonuclease analysis. We have now used polymerase chain reaction and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to characterize single nucleotide substitutions in the factor VIII gene. Five regions of the gene were studied: exon 8, the 3′ end of exon 14, exon 17, exon 18, and exon 24. A GC clamp was attached to the 5′ PCR primer to allow detection of the majority of single base changes in DNA fragments ranging from 249 to 356 bp. Ten of eleven known point mutations were definitively separated. Fifty-two patients with unknown mutations were then studied by these methods, and the disease-producing mutation was found in three. First, we identified a new missense mutation in exon 14 which is the likely cause of hemophilia A in one patient (tyrosine changed to cysteine at amino acid residue 1709). Second, we found a new missense mutation in exon 18 in one patient (asparagine to aspartic acid at amino acid residue 1922). Third, a previously described mutation in exon 24 was detected (arginine changed to glutamine at amino acid residue 2209). In addition, a new polymorphic nucleotide substitution was found in intron 7. Moreover, these mutations can be detected when the GC-clamped PCR products from all five regions are run in the same denaturing gel. Our results indicate that denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis can be successfully applied to the analysis of point mutations in large genes whose transcripts are not readily available.
Recent Advances in Mitochondrial Research

Mitochondria are fundamental regulators of life and death. Not surprisingly, their role in the cardiovascular system is an intense area of research, with many important advances in the field published recently. Such articles have continued to enhance our appreciation of the importance of mitochondria in cardiovascular health and have further contributed to the idea that mitochondrial dysfunction is a sine qua non of cardiovascular disease (CVD). An old question addressed anew relates to mitochondrial form. How do the shapes of mitochondria regulate their function? Do conditions associated with CVD alter mitochondrial dynamics? And does mitochondrial structure impact CVD? If so, how? For the past 2 years, there has been remarkable progress addressing these questions. Essential regulators of mitochondrial fission and fusion such as mitofusins 1 and 2 (Mfn 1/2), dynamin-related protein 1, and optic atrophy 1 are proving to be important in cardiac development, vascular homeostasis, and CVD. In the heart, Mfns have been shown to regulate permeability transition, cell death,1,2 and autophagy,3 and Mfn2 was shown to be integral in the removal of damaged mitochondria.4 Interestingly, loss of either Mfn12 or Mfn21 leads to increased tolerance to stress, whereas loss of both is lethal after e9.5 of development.5 It has also been reported that conditional ablation of both Mfn1 and Mfn2 in adult hearts causes mitochondrial fragmentation, respiratory dysfunction, and lethal dilated cardiomyopathy.5 These effects of Mfn2 are likely related, in part, to its ability to tether mitochondria to sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum, allowing for propagation of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum-mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling and regulation of bioenergetic responses to stress.6,7 Not unexpectedly, Mfn 1 and 2 are essential for postnatal metabolic remodeling in the heart8 and cardiomyocyte differentiation.9 Other regulators of mitochondrial fusion such as optic atrophy 1 …
What are patients and their families told about the diagnosis of dementia? Results of a family survey

Background Controversy exists as to whether dementia patients should be told their diagnosis and prognosis. Objective This study examined the experience of patients and families when a diagnosis of dementia is given. Method Fifty-seven family members from community dementia support groups answered a questionnaire regarding the diagnosis of dementia in a family member. Results Family members were significantly more likely to have been told the diagnosis and symptoms to expect in dementia than patients themselves. Half of the families felt they were not given enough information regarding dementia. Interestingly, the majority of family members believed patients should be told their diagnosis and prognosis yet about half had reported that informed patients had reacted poorly to being told their diagnosis and only about a third felt it was helpful to the patient. Conclusion The results suggest physicians should better involve patients and their families in disclosing diagnoses and information regarding dementia. The results also suggest the current AMA guidelines to inform patients their diagnosis of dementia are inadequate to address the clinical complexities of this issue. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Truncation-free Online Variational Inference for Bayesian Nonparametric Models

We present a truncation-free online variational inference algorithm for Bayesian nonparametric models. Unlike traditional (online) variational inference algorithms that require truncations for the model or the variational distribution, our method adapts model complexity on the fly. Our experiments for Dirichlet process mixture models and hierarchical Dirichlet process topic models on two large-scale data sets show better performance than previous online variational inference algorithms.
Structure-toxicity assessment of metabolites of the aerobic bacterial transformation of substituted naphthalenes

Pseudomonas fluorescens 5R, a naphthalene-degrading bacterium isolated from manufactured gas plant soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was examined for its degradative capacity of a number of substituted naphthalenes. In general, those compounds substituted on only one ring with an electrically neutral substituent were found to be transformed primarily to substituted salicylic acids according to the classical (NAH7) naphthalene dioxygenase-initiated upper pathway reactions of the naphthalene degradative pathway (i.e., the NAH system). Dimethylnaphthalenes with a substituent on each ring, and certain halogenated naphthalenes, were transformed via a monohydroxylation reaction to form hydroxylated dead-end products. Of the substituted salicylic acids examined, only 3- and 4-methylsalicylic acid, the respective products of the degradation of 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene, were further degraded by salicylate hydroxylase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, the first two enzymes of the NAH lower pathway. Using the Tetrahymena pyriformis acute toxicity assay, many of the monohydroxylated products of incomplete biodegradation were found to be polar narcotics. Substituted salicylic acids that are not further degraded by the NAH lower pathway were found to be toxic via carboxylic acid narcosis.
Plasma methionine sulfoxide in persons with familial Alzheimer's disease mutations.

Background: Convergent evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We asked if consequently, oxidation of methionine residues to methionine sulfoxide (MetO) was increased in plasma proteins of persons carrying familial AD (FAD) mutations. Methods: Plasma was collected from 31 persons from families harboring PSEN1 or APP mutations. Using Western blot analysis with a novel anti-MetO polyclonal antibody, MetO levels were measured and compared between FAD mutation carriers (MCs) and non-mutation carrying (NCs) kin. Results: A MetO-positive 120-kDa gel band distinguished FAD MCs and NCs (mean 11.4 ± 2.8 vs. 4.0 ± 3.1, p = 0.02). In a subset of subjects for whom both measurements were available, MetO levels correlated well with plasma F2-isoprostane (r = 0.81, p Conclusion: Our data provide evidence for elevated MetO levels in persons carrying FAD mutations that correlate with other indices of oxidative stress and suggest that plasma oxidative stress markers may be useful for diagnosis of AD.
The non-human primate striatum undergoes marked prolonged remodeling during postnatal development.

We examined the postnatal ontogeny of the striatum in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) to identify temporal and spatial patterns of histological and chemical maturation. Our goal was to determine whether this forebrain structure is developmentally static or dynamic in postnatal life. Brains from monkeys at 1 day, 1 month, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months of age (N=12) and adult monkeys (N=4) were analyzed. Nissl staining was used to assess striatal volume, cytoarchitecture, and apoptosis. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize and measure substance P (SP), leucine-enkephalin (LENK), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and calbindin D28 (CAL) immunoreactivities. Mature brain to body weight ratio was achieved at 4 months of age, and striatal volume increased from ~ 1.2 cm3 to ~1.4 cm3 during the first postnatal year. Nissl staining identified, prominently in the caudate nucleus, developmentally persistent discrete cell islands with neuronal densities greater than the surrounding striatal parenchyma (matrix). Losses in neuronal density were observed in island and matrix regions during maturation, and differential developmental programmed cell death was observed in islands and matrix regions. Immunohistochemistry revealed striking changes occurring postnatally in striatal chemical neuroanatomy. At birth, the immature dopaminergic nigrostriatal innervation was characterized by islands enriched in TH-immunoreactive puncta (putative terminals) in the neuropil; TH-enriched islands aligned completely with areas enriched in SP immunoreactivity but low in LENK immunoreactivity. These areas enriched in SP immunoreactivity but low in LENK immunoreactivitiy were identified as striosome and matrix areas, respectively, because CAL immunoreactivity clearly delineated these territories. SP, LENK, and CAL immunoreactivities appeared as positive neuronal cell bodies, processes, and puncta. The matrix compartment at birth contained relatively low TH-immunoreactive processes and few
Veiling Infitah With Muslim Ethic: Egypt's Contemporary Islamic Movement

An examination of the contemporary Islamic Movement in Egypt shows it to represent a creative alternative to institutional Islam. Alternative Islam serves to bind Egyptian youth on university campuses as Muslim brothers and sisters in one community. Its two fundamental features—egalitarianism and sexual segregation—are analyzed in the context of the cultural correlates of Infitah and the social correlates of development. Within this community a new Egyptian woman is emerging—educated, professional, nonelitist, and veiled. The veil is part of an assertive movement with a powerful message symbolizing the beginning of a synthesis between modernity and authenticity.
Entertaining agents: a sociological case study

Traditional AI has not concerned itself extensively with sociology nor with what emotional reactions might be produced in its users. On the other hand, entertainment is very concerned indeed with these issues. AI and ALife programs which are to be used in entertainment must therefore be viewed both as AI/ALife endeavors and as psychological and sociological endeavors. This paper presents a brief description of Julia [Mauldin 94], an implemented software agent, and then examines the sociology of those who encounter her, using both transcripts of interactions with Julia, and direct interviews with users. Julia is designed to pass as human in restricted environments while being both entertaining and informative, and often elicits surprisingly intense emotional reactions in those who encounter her. An introduction to MUDs and Julia Julia [Mauldin 94] is a MUD [Curtis 92] [Bruckman 93] [Evard 93] robot. A MUD is a text-only, multiperson, virtual reality. [Mauldin 94], while describing Julia’s internal structure, gives very little ‘feel’ for what it like to interact with her outside of the strictures of a formal Turing test; hence, transcripts of many interactions with her appear below as examples. (Since Julia adamantly insists that she is female, I refer to the program here as ‘she’.)
Aegean Surface Circulation from a Satellite-Tracked Drifter Array

A pilot experiment using an array of 45 drifters to explore the circulation in the north and central Aegean Sea is described. The global positioning system drifters with holey-sock drogues provide positions every hour with data recovery through the Argos system. The drifters were launched in four separate deployments over a 1-yr period. The resulting trajectories confirm the existence of a current around the rim of the basin consistent with a buoyancy plume created by the outflow of Black Sea waters through the Dardanelles (Strait of Canakkale in Turkish). The degree to which this is augmented by an Ekman response to the dominant northerly winds is not obvious in the dataset owing to mesoscale dynamics that obscure the existence of any westward Ekman flow. The mesoscale eddy field involves anticylonic eddies in the current around the rim of the basin consistent with eddies with low-salinity-water cores. Cyclones are also seen, with the most prominent forming over deep regions in the basin topography. The array also documents the interaction of the currents with the straits through the Sporades and Cyclades island groups. These interactions are complicated by the nature of the mesoscale flow and in some trajectories suggest a Bernouilli acceleration in straits; in others the flow through the island groups appears to be more diffusive and involves deceleration and eddy motions. The rapid sampling by the drifters reveals an extremely nonlinear submesoscale eddy field in the basin with length scales less than 4 km and Rossby numbers of order 1. A better understanding of the dynamics of these features is of importance for understanding the circulation of the basin.
Transition elements to be used with quarter-point crack-tip elements

A generalization of the (r−1/2) strain or stress singularity capability of the quadratic isoparametric element is presented. It is shown that, by variable placement of the side-nobe between quarter- and mid-point, the point of singularity sensed by the element can be controlled. By using eight-noded quadrilateral isoparametric elements with appropriately placed side-nodes as transition elements between the quarter-point crack-tip trinagular and remaining non-singular elements, stress intensity factors may be computed with higher accuracy.
Analysis of spine morphological plasticity in developing hippocampal pyramidal neurons

Dendritic spines are targets of most excitatory inputs in the central nervous system (CNS) and are morphologically heterogeneous. Ultrastructural studies have traditionally classified spines into four major categories (filopodia, stubby, thin, and mushroom) based on their distinct morphologies. The recent discovery of rapid morphological plasticity of spines has raised the possibility that those categories, rather than being intrinsically different populations of spines, represent instead temporal snapshots of a single dynamic phenomenon. We examined this question with two-photon time-lapse imaging of developing hippocampal pyramidal neurons, transfected with E-GFP in cultured slices. After blind scoring to morphologically classify spines into the four traditional groups, we analyzed the fate of populations of spines over a period of 2-4 h. We found considerable morphological conversions among all categories, although systematic trends were detected. While most stubbies and spines (defined for our analysis as the combination of thin and mushroom protrusions) retained their basic morphologies, most filopodia transformed into stubbies and spines, although they could also extend out of existing spines. Our results suggest that in developing hippocampal pyramidal neurons, traditional morphological distinctions are stable over short (<4 h) periods of time, but that at the same time, considerable mixing among these groups takes place.
Stereotype Threat in Organizations: Implications for Equity and Performance

Over the past 20 years, a large body of laboratory and field research has shown that, when people perform in settings in which their group is negatively stereotyped, they may experience a phenomenon called stereotype threat that can undermine motivation and trust and cause underperformance. This review describes that research and places it into an organizational context. First, we describe the processes by which stereotype threat can impair outcomes among people in the workplace. Next, we delineate the situational cues in organizational settings that can exacerbate stereotype threat, and explain how and why these cues affect stereotyped individuals. Finally, we discuss rel- atively simple empirically based strategies that organizations can im- plement to reduce stereotype threat and create conditions in which employees and applicants from all groups can succeed.
Gender and Cardiovascular Disease: A Psychobiological and Integrative Approach

Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of morbidity, mortality, and economic loss in all industrialized countries. Although there are gender differences in the prevalence, causes, symptoms, treatment, and outcome of heart disease, the differences are complex and often misunderstood. These gender differences are a function of psychological influences, physiological influences, and an interaction of the two. Understanding these complex interactions and how they differentially influence the development and progression of heart disease will ultimately contribute to a greater understanding of how to integrate information from medicine and epidemiology with that from psychology and behavioral medicine. Ultimately, it is this integrated approach that will allow us to better understand heart disease in both men and women.
Calcium-sensing soluble adenylyl cyclase mediates TNF signal transduction in human neutrophils

Through chemical screening, we identified a pyrazolone that reversibly blocked the activation of phagocyte oxidase (phox) in human neutrophils in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or formylated peptide. The pyrazolone spared activation of phox by phorbol ester or bacteria, bacterial killing, TNF-induced granule exocytosis and phox assembly, and endothelial transmigration. We traced the pyrazolone's mechanism of action to inhibition of TNF-induced intracellular Ca2+ elevations, and identified a nontransmembrane (“soluble”) adenylyl cyclase (sAC) in neutrophils as a Ca2+-sensing source of cAMP. A sAC inhibitor mimicked the pyrazolone's effect on phox. Both compounds blocked TNF-induced activation of Rap1A, a phox-associated guanosine triphosphatase that is regulated by cAMP. Thus, TNF turns on phox through a Ca2+-triggered, sAC-dependent process that may involve activation of Rap1A. This pathway may offer opportunities to suppress oxidative damage during inflammation without blocking antimicrobial function.
Expression and structure of the human NGF receptor

The nucleotide sequence for the human nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor has been determined. The 3.8 kb receptor mRNA encodes a 427 amino acid protein containing a 28 amino acid signal peptide, an extracellular domain containing four 40 amino acid repeats with six cysteine residues at conserved positions followed by a serine/threonine-rich region, a single transmembrane domain, and a 155 amino acid cytoplasmic domain. The sequence of the extracellular domain of the NGF receptor predicts a highly ordered structure containing a negatively charged region that may serve as the ligand-binding site. This domain is conserved through evolution. Transfection of a full-length cDNA in mouse fibroblasts results in stable expression of NGF receptors that are recognized by monoclonal antibodies to the human NGF receptor and that bind [125I]NGF.
Circular dichroism of DNA: temperature and salt dependence.

The temperature dependence of the circular dichroism and ultraviolet absorbance of calf thymus DNA and poly dAT were measured in aqueous solutions of various 1–1 electrolytes. Although there was very little change in absorbance, the circular dichroism changed dramatically as a function of both temperature and solvent. There is a correlation of the heat of hydration of the cation and the magnitude of the temperature dependence of the circular dichroism. Our results are interpreted in terms of a large number (possibly a continuum) of intermediate secondary structures.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Boys’ Probability of Arrest and Court Actions in 1980 and 2000 The Disproportionate Impact of “Getting Tough” on Crime

This study was designed to examine whether the shift in juvenile justice policy toward punitive sanctioning disproportionately impacted racial and ethnic minority boys. Using a nationally representative sample derived from the National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth 1979 and 1997 (NLSY79, NLSY97), this study examines 1980-2000 differences in contact with the justice system, controlling for self-reported delinquency. RESULTS confirmed that boys in 2000 were significantly more likely than those in 1980 to report being charged with a crime. Once charged, they were less likely to be diverted and more likely to be convicted and placed in a correctional institution. Consideration of interaction effects revealed these effects were magnified for Black and Hispanic males. These findings provide evidence of a general trend toward more punitive treatment of boys in the juvenile justice system, especially racial and ethnic minority boys. Language: en
Employer-sponsored health insurance and the gender wage gap

During prime working years, women have higher expected healthcare expenses than men. However, employees' insurance rates are not gender-rated in the employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI) market. Thus, women may experience lower wages in equilibrium from employers who offer health insurance to their employees. We show that female employees suffer a larger wage gap relative to men when they hold ESI: our results suggest this accounts for roughly 10% of the overall gender wage gap. For a full-time worker, this pay gap due to ESI is on the order of the expected difference in healthcare expenses between women and men.
The mechanism of facilitated cell membrane resealing

Disruption of the plasma membrane evokes an exocytotic response that is required for rapid membrane resealing. We show here in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts that a second disruption at the same site reseals more rapidly than the initial wound. This facilitated response of resealing was inhibited by both low external Ca2+ concentration and specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, bisindolylmaleimide I (BIS) and Go-6976. In addition, activation of PKC by phorbol ester facilitated the resealing of a first wound. BIS and Go-6976 suppressed the effect of phorbol ester on resealing rate. Fluorescent dye loss from a FM1-43 pre-labeled endocytotic compartment was used to investigate the relationship between exocytosis, resealing and the facilitation of resealing. Exocytosis of endocytotic compartments near the wounding site was correlated with successful resealing. The destaining did not occur when exocytosis and resealing were inhibited by low external Ca2+ concentration or by injected tetanus toxin. When the dye loaded cells were wounded twice, FM1-43 destaining at the second wound was less than at the first wound. Less destaining was also observed in cells pre-treated with phorbol ester, suggesting newly formed vesicles, which were FM1-43 unlabeled, were exocytosed in the resealing at repeated woundings. Facilitation was also blocked by brefeldin A (BFA), a fungal metabolite that inhibits vesicle formation at the Golgi apparatus. Lowering the temperature below 20 degrees C also blocked facilitation as expected from a block of Golgi function. BFA had no effect on the resealing rate of an initial wound. The facilitation of the resealing by phorbol ester was blocked by pre-treatment with BFA. These results suggest that at first wounding the cell used the endocytotic compartment to add membrane necessary for resealing. At a second wounding, PKC, activated by Ca2+ entry at the first wound, stimulated vesicle formation from the Golgi apparatus, resulting in more rapid resealing of the second membrane disruption. Since vesicle pools were implicated in both membrane resealing and facilitation of membrane resealing, we reasoned that artificial decreases in membrane surface tension would have the same result. Decreases in surface tension induced by the addition of a surfactant (Pluronic F68 NF) or cytochalasin D facilitated resealing at first wounding. Furthermore, Pluronic F68 NF restored resealing when exocytosis was blocked by tetanus toxin. These results suggest that membrane resealing requires a decrease in surface tension and under natural conditions this is provided by Ca2+-dependent exocytosis of new membrane near the site of disruption.
What Is Space–Time?

Time has been discussed in philosophy, metaphysics, and physics. It continues to be a confusing notion to many people, especially because of a lack of understanding of Einstein’s relativity theories, which are often misinterpreted and confused with the subjectivity of observers or even their psychological states. It has even been questioned by some whether “time” exists, that it may be only an illusion created by our minds.
Quantum efficiency loss after PID stress: Wavelength dependence on cell surface and cell edge

It is known that the potential induced degradation (PID) stress of conventional p-base solar cells affects power, shunt resistance, junction recombination, and quantum efficiency (QE). One of the primary solutions to address the PID issue is a modification of chemical and physical properties of antireflection coating (ARC) on the cell surface. Depending on the edge isolation method used during cell processing, the ARC layer near the edges may be uniformly or non-uniformly damaged. Therefore, the pathway for sodium migration from glass to the cell junction could be either through all of the ARC surface if surface and edge ARC have low quality or through the cell edge if surface ARC has high quality but edge ARC is defective due to certain edge isolation process. In this study, two PID susceptible cells from two different manufacturers have been investigated. The QE measurements of these cells before and after PID stress were performed at both surface and edge. We observed the wavelength dependent QE loss only in the first manufacturer's cell but not in the second manufacturer's cell. The first manufacturer's cell appeared to have low quality ARC whereas the second manufacturer's cell appeared to have high quality ARC with defective edge. To rapidly screen a large number of cells for PID stress testing, a new but simple test setup that does not require laminated cell coupon has been developed and is used in this investigation.
“Mere conduits” Or Editors? ISPs, Web Masters, Immunity and Safe Harbor in Online Defamation versus Online Intellectual Property Cases

(2004). “Mere conduits” Or Editors? ISPs, Web Masters, Immunity and Safe Harbor in Online Defamation versus Online Intellectual Property Cases. Free Speech Yearbook: Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 80-96.
Electrophilic Ln(III) Cations Protected by C–F → Ln Interactions and Their Coordination Chemistry with Weak σ- and π-Donors

A homoleptic cerium(III) amide complex, Ce(NPhF2)3 (1-Ce) (PhF = pentafluorophenyl), in an unusual pseudo-trigonal planar geometry featuring six C–F → Ce interactions was prepared. The C–F → Ln interactions in solution were evident by comparison of the 19F NMR shifts for the paramagnetic 1-Ce with those of the 4f0 lanthanum(III) analogue. Coordination of weak σ- and π-donors, including ethers and neutral arene molecules, was achieved by the reversible displacement of the weak C–F → Ce interactions. Computational studies on Ce(NPhF2)3 and Ce(NPhF2)3(η6-C6H3Me3) provide information on the F → Ce interactions and Ce−η6-arene bonding.
Yield Improvement through Mechanism Study on WSi2 Abnormal Growth

More than 7% yield loss from a 0.11 um deep trench DRAM product line was incurred due to short current between the gate contact and the bit line contact caused by abnormal growth of WSix. Tungsten rich during WSi2 deposition was suspected by customer at the beginning of the issue. Further study shows that the oxygen attacking during GC annealing stage is the culprit which causes the abnormal growth of WSix. The paper also explains in detail on why WSi2 will grow abnormally after the oxygen attack. The paper also explains how can the oxygen attacks the WSi2 layer when there is a silicon nitride cap layer on top of the WSi2 film. There is still one more question remain, why O2 in GC RTO process which is just right after GC anneal process will not cause WSi2 abnormal grow? As a summary, the O2 control in GC anneal step is the key to eliminate the WSi2 tumor defects. GC anneal recipe was modified to avoid O2 sensor delay effect to keep the O2 under control.
Importance of Oviduct Relaxation in Artificial Insemination of Turkeys

This experiment was designed to determine whether or not relaxation of the turkey oviduct prior to the release of the semen was necessary for optimal fertilization to occur with artificial insemination. A total of 96 large type turkey caged laying hens were inseminated with 0.025 ml. of pooled semen near the area of the uterovaginal junction while the oviduct was still everted or after pressure on the hen was released and the oviduct returned to its non-everted position with the insemination tube in place. The difference in fertility of 9% between the non-everted (87.4%) and everted (78.5%) group was significant (P less than 0.01). The embryonic mortality of the non-everted group (10.6%) was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than in the everted group (13.2%).
Targeting efforts to raise rivals' costs: Moving from “Whether” to “Whom”

Abstract Considerable attention has been devoted to determining when a vertically integrated provider (VIP) of an essential input will disadvantage its rivals anticompetitively. In contrast, little attention has been devoted to identifying which of its rivals a VIP will target for cost-raising activities. We identify industry and firm characteristics that render a particular rival a more likely target for a VIP's cost-raising activities. The potential for targeted “sabotage” introduces many subtleties, including the fact that a VIP typically prefers to sabotage an industry leader under retail quantity competition but an industry follower under price competition.
Study on hepatitis B knowledge of CDC staff

Objective To assess CDC staff's hepatitis B prevention and care knowledge, and to provide scientific evidence for health education and training in the future. Methods Survey on hepatitis B knowledge was completed by CDC staff from provincial, city and county level CDCs.The participants first registered at the online training course(www.knowhbv.org) developed by the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, and then filled the questionnaire online which contained 20 questions such as symptoms and complications of hepatitis B, transmission routes, preventative measures, and regular tests for those who were chronically infected.Results Among the 377 participants who completed the survey, only 32.4% answered all 20 questions correctly. About 15% of the participants believed hepatitis B could be transmitted through contaminated food, and 19.1% didn't know hepatitis B could be transmitted through unprotected sex. 97.9% of the participants knew hepatitis B could be prevented by vaccination. However, the participants knew less about the knowledge of chronic hepatitis B regular test measures. Only 59.9% and 54.4% participants knew the chronically infected persons should take blood alpha fetoprotein level detection and abdominal ultrasound examination. There was no significant difference between knowledge levels of CDC staff with different education levels and professional titles, and from different administrative levels. Conclusion CDC staff lack systematic and comprehensive hepatitis B prevention and care knowledge.It is necessary to enhance health education to improve CDC staff's overall level of hepatitis B knowledge which would enable them to spread the correct knowledge, and protect themselves.
Functional colonic and anorectal disorders. Detecting and overcoming causes of constipation and fecal incontinence.

Preview They are problems no one wants to talk about. But like most disorders, constipation and fecal incontinence probably won't disappear by being ignored. To discover the specific type of problem present and the possible causes, physicians must overcome reluctance to discuss defecation disorders and pursue thorough history taking. Dr Rao summarizes methods for determining the underlying cause. In addition, he describes approaches to management that are often successful and help restore confidence and dignity to patients.
Primate Behavior and Human Origins

This comprehensive introduction demonstrates the theoretical perspectives and concepts that are applied to primate behavior, and explores the relevance of non-human primates to understanding human behavior. Using a streamlined and student-friendly taxonomic framework, King provides a thorough overview of the primate order. The chapters cover common features and diversity, and touch on ecology, sociality, life history, and cognition. Text boxes are included throughout the discussion featuring additional topics and more sophisticated taxonomy. The book contains a wealth of illustrations, and further resources to support teaching and learning are available via a companion website. Written in an engaging and approachable style, this is an invaluable resource for students of primate behavior as well as human evolution.
Love Thy Neighbor: Sharing and Cooperativity in the Gut Microbiota.

To persist in the competitive gastrointestinal ecosystem, microbes often enforce selfish strategies that limit resource loss to neighboring bacteria. In contrast, a recent study in Nature by Rakoff-Nahoum et al. (2016) reveals that one commensal bacterium releases nutrients to benefit another species, which reciprocally provides growth-promoting factors to the producer.