cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Codependency and Prefrontal Cortex Functioning: Preliminary Examination of Substance Use Disorder Impacted Family Members.

Background and objectives Substance use disorders (SUDs) have negative impacts on an entire family system and each family member may be at risk to develop a "codependency" on their SUD loved-one. Research has demonstrated that SUDs in the family environment associate with altered brain functioning of family members; however, research has not examined specific associations between codependency and brain functioning. Methods Prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation of family members (n = 38) was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy as they viewed images of a SUD loved-one (experimental group; n = 26) or of a "target family member" (control group; n = 12). Correlations between PFC activation and codependency were examined. Results A significant negative association was found between codependency and left dorsomedial PFC activation in response to images of a loved-one with a SUD. This association was significantly larger than that found in the control group in response to a target family member, and that found in response to other affective images. Discussion and conclusions The left dorsomedial PFC is associated with executive functioning during responses to emotional and social situations. Findings may suggest that family members experiencing codependency may be limited in effectively responding to their SUD loved-one, and highlight the importance of systemic treatment and family member recovery. Scientific significance Codependency is often discussed as a learned condition and research has only recently examined brain processes of family members with a loved-one with a SUD. This research is the first to demonstrate an association between codependency and PFC functioning. (Am J Addict 2019;28:367-375).
The Biology of Art

Biological accounts of art typically start with evolutionary, psychological or neurobiological theories. These approaches might be able to explain many of the similarities we see in art behaviors within and across human populations, but they don't obviously explain the differences we also see. Nor do they give us guidance on how we should engage with art, or the conceptual basis for art. A more comprehensive framework, based also on the ecology of art and how art behaviors get expressed in engineered niches, can help us better understand the full range of art behaviors, their normativity and conceptual basis.
Development of an environmental health tool linking chemical exposures, physical location and lung function

A challenge in environmental health research is collecting robust data sets to facilitate comparisons between personal chemical exposures, the environment and health outcomes. To address this challenge, the Exposure, Location and lung Function (ELF) tool was designed in collaboration with communities that share environmental health concerns. These concerns centered on respiratory health and ambient air quality. The ELF collects exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), given their association with diminished lung function. Here, we describe the ELF as a novel environmental health assessment tool. The ELF tool collects chemical exposure for 62 PAHs using passive sampling silicone wristbands, geospatial location data and respiratory lung function measures using a paired hand-held spirometer. The ELF was tested by 10 individuals with mild to moderate asthma for 7 days. Participants wore a wristband each day to collect PAH exposure, carried a cell phone, and performed spirometry daily to collect respiratory health measures. Location data was gathered using the geospatial positioning system technology in an Android cell-phone. We detected and quantified 31 PAHs across the study population. PAH exposure data showed spatial and temporal sensitivity within and between participants. Location data was used with existing datasets such as the Toxics Release Inventory and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hazard Mapping System. Respiratory health outcomes were validated using criteria from the American Thoracic Society with 94% of participant data meeting standards. Finally, the ELF was used with a high degree of compliance (> 90%) by community members. The ELF is a novel environmental health assessment tool that allows for personal data collection spanning chemical exposures, location and lung function measures as well as self-reported information.
Teacher Candidate Apprenticeships: Assessing the Who and Where of Student Teaching:

We use comprehensive data on student teaching placements from 14 teacher education programs (TEPs) in Washington State to explore the sorting of teacher candidates to the teachers who supervise the...
The impact of the ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM transition on the prevalence of birth defects among infant hospitalizations in the United States.

Background Many public health surveillance programs utilize hospital discharge data in their estimation of disease prevalence. These databases commonly use the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding scheme, which transitioned from the ICD-9 clinical modification (ICD-9-CM) to ICD-10-CM on October 1, 2015. This study examined this transition's impact on the prevalence of major birth defects among infant hospitalizations. Methods Using data from the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality-sponsored National Inpatient Sample, hospitalizations during the first year of life with a discharge date between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016 were used to estimate the monthly national hospital prevalence of 46 birth defects for the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM timeframes separately. Survey-weighted Poisson regression was used to estimate 95% confidence intervals for each hospital prevalence. Interrupted time series framework and corresponding segmented regression was used to estimate the immediate change in monthly hospital prevalence following the ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM transition. Results Between 2012 and 2016, over 21 million inpatient hospitalizations occurred during the first year of life. Among the 46 defects studied, statistically significant decreases in the immediate hospital prevalence of five defects and significant increases in the immediate hospital prevalence of eight defects were observed after the ICD-10-CM transition. Conclusions Changes in prevalence were expected based on changes to ICD-10-CM. Observed changes for some conditions may result from variation in monthly hospital prevalence or initial unfamiliarity of coders with ICD-10-CM. These findings may help birth defects surveillance programs evaluate and interpret changes in their data related to the ICD-10-CM transition.
Assessing Patient-Centered Outcomes

With the maturation of traditional quality research, patient advocates and policymakers increasingly are keen to expand and apply new findings in ways that measurably benefit individual patients. Over the past decade, therefore, we have seen an accelerating paradigm shift from “objective” provider-centered care toward a more subjective patient-centered model of care, which prioritizes individual patient autonomy and holistic well-being. The basic concepts of patient-centeredness describe recognition of person as an individual with unique preferences, needs, and values; transparency and coordination of treatment in partnership with the patient and their caregivers; and bi-directional patient-provider communication as a means for accomplishing treatment.
Pediatric cochlear implantation: A quarter century in review.

Objective: To review the growth of a pediatric cochlear implant (CI) program at one large tertiary care medical center over a 25-year period in order to (1) describe the population of pediatric coc...
Synthesizing New Hybrid Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworksby Controlled Demolition and Reconstruction

A synthesis method to obtain new zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF) materials that are otherwise difficult to synthesize by known techniques such as direct crystallization or solvent-assisted linker exchange, is demonstrated. Treatment of an easily synthesized “template” ZIF (such as ZIF-8) with an acid gas (humid SO2) allows controlled demolition of metal-linker coordination bonds, while preserving overall crystal topology. The partially demolished crystals are then reconstructed into highly crystalline mixed-linker ZIFs with unique characteristics by insertion of different linkers that displace the damaged linkers. One illustration shows the synthesis of a series of mixed-linker ZIFs containing benzimidazole linkers that show entirely different gate-opening and diffusion characteristics from ZIFs of the same composition prepared by direct crystallization. Also shown is the synthesis of new mixed-linker SOD-topology ZIFs containing bulky halobenzimidazole and alkylbenzimidazole linkers, which are very d...
Effects of an Intervention Designed to Increase Toddlers' Hearing Aid Use.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Ears On, an intervention designed to increase toddlers' use of hearing devices. A single-case, multiple-baseline design across participants was used with three parent-child dyads who demonstrated low hearing aid use despite enrollment in traditional early intervention services. Data logging technology was used to objectively measure hearing aid use. A functional relationship was identified between participation in the intervention and the number of hours children utilized their hearing aids. Two dyads met the criterion set for completing the intervention: an average of 8 hr of daily hearing aid use. One dyad did not reach this criterion but did meet the parent's goal of full-time use in the child's educational setting. For all dyads, increases in use were maintained 1 month after completion of the intervention. Findings support use of this short-term, intensive, individualized intervention to improve hearing aid use for toddlers with hearing loss.
Protests of Abundance: Distributive Conflict Over Agricultural Rents During the Commodities Boom in Argentina, 2003–2013:

Whereas the scholarship on rural contention mostly focuses on austerity and busts, we study protests by agricultural export producers in times of high agricultural prices. Aware of price volatility...
A phase 1 dose-escalation study of intraperitoneal cisplatin, intravenous/intraperitoneal paclitaxel, bevacizumab, and olaparib for newly diagnosed ovarian cancer

Abstract Objective We assessed the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor olaparib with intravenous (IV)/intraperitoneal (IP) cisplatin/paclitaxel and IV bevacizumab, followed by olaparib and bevacizumab maintenance, in patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer who had undergone primary debulking surgery. Methods Treatment included: (Cycles 1–6) Day 1, IV paclitaxel 135 mg/m2/3 h + (from Cycle 2 onward) bevacizumab 15 mg/kg; Day 2, IP cisplatin 75 mg/m2; Days 2–8, olaparib (50/100/200 mg BID); Day 8, IP paclitaxel 60 mg/m2 of a 21-day cycle. Maintenance (Cycles 7–22) included: olaparib 300 mg BID and bevacizumab 15 mg/kg Day 1. The primary endpoint was MTD of olaparib, chemotherapy, and bevacizumab. Results Seventeen women were treated (Cohort 1 [50 mg olaparib], 8 patients; Cohort 2 [100 mg], 3 patients; and Cohort 3 [200 mg], 6 patients). Median age was 57 years (47–73); 94% had stage III disease; 29% had a germline BRCA mutation. Two of 6 patients in Cohort 3 experienced a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Grade 3/4 toxicities included: neutropenia (56%), lymphopenia (31%), anemia (25%), and fatigue (19%). Most patients started (88%, 81%) and completed (75%, 50%) maintenance olaparib and bevacizumab, respectively; 36% of patients on olaparib maintenance required a dose reduction. Median PFS was 33 months (26.2-NA). Conclusions The MTD of intermittently dosed olaparib with concurrent IV/IP cisplatin/paclitaxel and bevacizumab is 100 mg BID. Non-hematologic toxicities were predominantly low grade. One-third of patients on olaparib maintenance required dose reduction.
Association of modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) with survival outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI).

738Background: The current risk models for mRCC were developed for patients treated with targeted therapy. The mGPS incorporates albumin and C-reactive protein and may serve as a composite prognost...
Ultrafast and accurate 16S microbial community analysis using Kraken 2

For decades, 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing has been the primary means for identifying the bacterial species present in a sample with unknown composition. One of the most widely-used tools for this purpose today is the QIIME (Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology) package. Recent results have shown that the newest release, QIIME 2, has higher accuracy than QIIME, MAPseq, and mothur when classifying bacterial genera from simulated human gut, ocean, and soil metagenomes, although QIIME 2 also proved to be the most computationally expensive method. Kraken, first released in 2014, has been shown to provide exceptionally fast and accurate classification for shotgun metagenomics sequencing projects. Bracken, released in 2016, then provided users with the ability to accurately estimate species or genus abundances using Kraken classification results. Kraken 2, which matches the accuracy and speed of Kraken 1, now supports 16S rRNA databases, allowing for direct comparisons to QIIME and similar systems. Here we show that, using the same simulated 16S rRNA metagenomic data as previous studies, Kraken 2 and Bracken are up to 300 times faster and also more accurate at 16S profiling than QIIME 2.
Trying for a BRAF Slam Dunk.

Summary: The first basket clinical trial testing the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib resulted in evidence of activity in 13 unique cancer types with BRAFV600 mutations, but the response rates were variable. Therefore, different cancer histologies with the same driver oncogene display different degrees of oncogenic pathway addiction. See related article by Subbiah et al., p. 657.
Testing for additivity in nonparametric heteroscedastic regression models

This paper introduces a novel hypothesis test for additivity in nonparametric regression models. Inspired by recent advances in the asymptotic theory of analysis of variance when the number of fact...
Interventions for Loneliness Among Adult Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Problem identification: Loneliness is common after cancer, contributing to poor outcomes. Interventions to modify loneliness are needed. This systematic review describes the current literature rega...
President Obama and the Emergence of Islamophobia in Mass Partisan Preferences

This article argues that the unusually large and persistent association between Islamophobia and opposition to President Obama helped make attitudes about Muslims a significant, independent predict...
Changes in epilepsy causes of death: A US population study.

OBJECTIVES Since 2000, medical treatment for epilepsy and cardiovascular risk-reduction strategies have advanced significantly in the United States (US). However, seizure-free rates remain unchanged, and people with epilepsy are at higher risk than the general population for heart disease and stroke. The purpose of this study is to determine how cardiovascular, epilepsy-related, and other causes of death are changing in epilepsy in comparison with the US population. MATERIALS & METHODS Changes in the 15 underlying causes of death in epilepsy (ICD-10 G40-G40.9) and the US population were analyzed and compared from 2000 to 2018. The CDC multiple cause-of-death database was utilized as the primary data source. Changes in the relative proportions for each cause-of-death over were evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS The proportions of deaths in epilepsy due to heart disease declined 34.4% (p < .001), a rate similar to the general population (39.9%). Epilepsy-related deaths declined 25% as a percentage of all epilepsy deaths (p < .001). The proportions of deaths due to stroke and neoplasms increased significantly in epilepsy versus the US population (p < .001 linear trend). CONCLUSIONS The reduction in ischemic heart disease in epilepsy is a novel and highly significant finding, which reflects widespread implementation of cardiovascular risk-factor reduction and treatment in the United States. Reductions in epilepsy-related deaths are an exciting development which requires further investigation into causality. The increase in deaths due to neoplasms and stroke relative to the US population is concerning, warranting vigilance and increased efforts at recognition, prevention, and treatment.
Persistent exercise fatigue and associative learning deficits in combination with transient glucose dyshomeostasis in a GWI mouse model.

Abstract Aims To characterize exercise fatigue, metabolic phenotype and cognitive and mood deficits correlated with brain neuroinflammatory and gut microbiome changes in a chronic GWI mouse model. Main methods Adult male C57Bl/6N mice were exposed for 28 days (5 days/week) to pyridostigmine bromide: 6.5 mg/kg/day, b.i.d., P.O. (GW1) or 8.7 mg/kg/day, q.d., P.O. (GW2); topical permethrin (1.3 mg/kg in 100% DMSO) and N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamid (DEET 33% in 70% EtOH) and restraint stress (5 min/day). Exercise, metabolic and behavioral endpoints were compared to sham stress control (CON/S). Key findings Relative to CON/S, GW2 presented persistent exercise intolerance (through post-treatment (PT) day 161), deficient associative learning, and transient insulin insensitivity. In contrast to GW2, GW1 showed deficient long-term object recognition memory and behavioral despair. Significance Our findings demonstrate that GW chemicals dose-dependently determine the severity of exercise fatigue and cognitive/mood-deficient phenotypes that show persistence. Our comprehensive mouse model of GWI recapitulates the major multiple symptoms/pathology characterizing GWI, including fatigue and cognitive impairment that can be used to more efficiently develop diagnostic tests and curative treatments for ill GWVs.
Challenges in Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Multicomponent Oxide Glasses

Despite tremendous progresses made in the past few decades in molecular dynamics simulations of glass and related materials, there exist a number of challenges in MD simulations of multicomponent glasses. This chapter summarizes the progresses in this field and present the challenges that include the reliable and transferable empirical potentials, cooling rate, system size and concentration effect on the simulated glass structures, and the validating structures of multicomponent oxide systems. Several practical examples on multicomponent and technologically important glass systems using classical MD simulations are also given to highlight the capabilities and challenges.
Information Systems for Self-Management

A model of democratic organization and individual learning is used to integrate commonly available computer programs into an information system appropriate to the self-managed firm. Distribution of information, participation through debate, and voting and feedback on decision performance are mediated by appropriate programs. Rights are guaranteed by programmed constraints and a jury of peers.
The ferroic phase transition behavior of Pb(Zr0·6Ti0·4)O3

Abstract Neutron diffraction and diffuse neutron scattering experiments upon samples of chemically co-precipitated Pb(Zr0·6Ti0·4)O3 PZT reveal an interesting diffuse behavior, and a modulation of the background intensity. The observations are consistent with the development of a short range order, either in the Zr:Ti distribution, or in the occurrence of a precursor for the ferroelectric tetragonal phase which becomes stable at the morphotropic composition. To test the latter hypothesis, a phenomenological energy function has been used to calculate the separation in free energy ΔG, between tetragonal and rhombohedral forms over the whole temperature range below Tc
Ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal discomfort of iron workers in highway construction.

Objective The purpose of this study is to ergonomically evaluate the risk of work-related musculoskeletal injuries of the iron workers in highway construction. Two specific job duties are analyzed: (1) tying the vertical, pier support systems, and (2) tying rebar on a horizontal bridge deck. Participants Eleven right-handed male subjects participated in this study. The eleven rodworkers (5 pier tiers and 6 deck tiers) were recruited from a heavy and highway/bridge building project. Methods The ergonomic assessment tools included the BodyMap instrument for measuring potential ergonomic concerns, and a handgrip dynamometer for measuring the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and applied grip force of the rebar-tying tasks. Results This study suggests that there is a significant risk for injury and musculoskeletal disorders among iron workers performing these designated tasks. Findings also show that the ergonomic issues of greatest concern are the discomforts in the lower back and right wrist/hand of the rodworkers. Conclusions The ergonomic assessment techniques could assist the early identification of work-related musculoskeletal concerns and help prioritize jobs for intervention in the construction field.
Studies on the diversity of inositol-containing yeast phospholipids: incorporation of 2-deoxyglucose into lipid.

Abstract Seven inositol-containing phospholipids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be resolved by two-dimensional chromatography on silicic acid-impregnated paper. Four of these lipids are stable to mild alkaline methanolysis; one of these has already been characterized as a mannosyl di(inositolphosphoryl) ceramide. Addition of labeled 2-deoxy-d-glucose to a growing culture results in label appearing in five lipids, some of which are alkali-stable and have the same RF values as the alkali-stable inositol-containing phospholipids. These lipids are labeled rapidly. The deoxyglucose is incorporated intact, probably in a glycosidic link, since the deoxyglucose is released by mild acid treatment.
Intravenous administration of Basergen during the third stage of labor

The preparation used by us was Basergen,’ a water-soluble tartrate of ergonovine, C,,H,,O,N,. As quickly as possible after delivery of the baby 1 cc. (0.2 mg.) of the drug was given intravenously, usually by the anesthetist. Although the lapse of time between the completion of the second stage and the administration of the basergen varies, the interval rarely exceeded one to two minutes. Within one minute after the injection, expression of the placenta was attempted. An occasional delay of one or two minutes occurred whenever there was no assistant available to tie the cord. While it was necessary in most instances to express the placenta by compressing the anterior and posterior surfaces of the uterus, spontaneous expulsion within two minutes after the administration of basergen was by no means uncommon. In a control series of 200 patients no attempt was made to expedite the separation of the placenta. In this group, the placenta, after spontaneous separation, was expressed by pressure on the fundus, and the patient was then given an injection of 1 cc. each of ergone and posterior pituitary extract. The time of placental expulsion as well as the loss of blood were recorded for comparison. Both groups comprised a consecutive number of patients regardless of the method of delivery, cesarean sections being excluded.
Review: Observations of recent comets, ion tails

Photographic plates of the moving structures in the cometary tail are examined. Several divergent explanations for the case of comet Kohoutek are presented. It is suggested that these hypotheses be tested by observing the motion of the material spectroscopically by means of the Doppler effect.
Risky Signals: The Political Costs of Exchange Rate Policy in Post-Communist Countries

It can be risky for governments to renege on exchange rate commitments, but it is misleading to characterize the costs as audience costs. While an audience costs approach assumes that the punishment for reneging is automatic, we model the choice of exchange rate policy in the shadow of elections as a signaling game between voters and governments, where governments have private information and voters are rational. We find that voters draw different inferences when they see reneging by different actors, and only Left governments are punished for breaking their promises. We test this hypothesis in the context of the post-Communist countries from 1990 to 2007 and find that Left governments were more likely to fall if they reneged on exchange rate commitments, but Right governments were not.
Pressure Effects on the Turbulent Consumption Speeds of High H2 Mixtures

This paper describes measurements and correlations of turbulent consumption speeds, ST,GC, of hydrogen/carbon monoxide (H2/CO) fuel mixtures, with a focus on recently acquired elevated pressure data. Turbulent consumption speed data were obtained at mean flow velocities and turbulence intensities of 30 < U0 < 50 m/s and 5 < u′rms/SL,0 < 30, respectively, for H2/CO mixtures ranging from 30–90% H2 by volume at 5 and 10 atm. Experiments were conducted where the mixture equivalence ratio, ϕ was adjusted at each fuel composition to have nominally the same un-stretched laminar flame speed, SL,0. In comparing two blends with the same composition, SL,0 value, and flow conditions, the 5 and 10 atm data have ST,GC values that are consistently about 1.8 and 2.2 times larger than the 1 atm data, respectively. These data are also correlated with a scaling law derived from quasi-steady leading points concepts using detailed kinetics calculations of highly stretched flames. For a given pressure, these scalings do an excellent job in scaling data obtained across the H2/CO fuel composition and fuel/air range. However, the pressure sensitivities are not captured by this scaling. This pressure sensitivity may be more fundamentally a reflection of the non-quasi-steady nature of the flame leading points. In support of this argument, we show that the spread in the data can largely be correlated with the ratio of a chemical time scale to a flow time scale.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Distribution of H-2 alloantigen in adult and developing mouse brain.

Abstract Quantitative assays for the major histocompatibility antigen system H-2 in mouse brain were carried out by absorption technique. The representation of H-2 in brain reaches the adult level 3–4 weeks after birth and is approximately equal in various parts of the brain. A method is described for obtaining single cell suspensions by trypsinization of developing mouse brain and the cells were used in a complement mediated cytotoxic test. H-2 is stable to trypsin treatment and was detected by this method at 8 days but not at 4 days after birth. While the direct cytotoxic test is less sensitive than the quantitative absorption methods, it should serve for detection of antigenic specificities unique to brain.
Comparison of the Sr/Ca Ratio of Fossil and Recent Mollusc Shells

BIOCHEMICAL evolution has occurred in mollusc shells with respect to their Sr contents, according to Lowenstam1, and this thesis has subsequently been elaborated2,3. Contemporary forms are thought to be able to discriminate more efficiently than ancient molluscs against Sr relative to Ca in seawater, so that modern mollusc shells generally contain lower Sr/Ca ratios than ancient shells. Evidence for this is a systematic decrease in the Sr/Ca ratio in unrecrystallized aragonitic gastropod shells from the Pennsylvanian to present1 and in unrecrystallized aragonitic cephalopods from Carboniferous to present3. Hallam and Price3 do not seriously consider the possibility of post-depositional alteration of shells without recrystallization as an explanation for the observed relationship between the Sr/Ca ratio and age, and it may be that the Sr content of calcareous shell material is altered before recrystallization4–6. If so, it may be difficult to differentiate the role of biochemical evolution from post-depositional alterations caused by diagenesis or weathering.
Dependence of RBE on fraction size for negative pi-meson induced renal injury.

Abstract A method is described for quantitation of murine late renal radiation response using histopathologic grading. Effective dose-50 percent (ED 50 ) is defined as the radiation dose at which 50% of animals showed renal tubular alterations of a specific histologic grade. The designated histologic grade was selected on the basis of its correlation with renal failure manifested by elevated blood urea nitrogen levels, weight loss and mortality of the experimental animals. Using this system, the ED 50 was determined for single, two, five, and fifteen (daily) fraction exposures with 300 kVp X rays and negative pi-meson (pion) beams generated at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility. The correlation between total radiation dose and the number of fractions was linear for both x ray and pion exposures when plotted on logarith mic coordinates, i.e. this relationship followed a power function. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for pions increased from 1.12 for a single dose of 1130 red, to 2.18 for 15 daily fractions of 145 rad. This latter fraction size approaches that being used in clinical trials, and provides an estimate of the RBE to be expected for kidney injury under conventional treatment protocols.
Using mixed frequency data to improve macroeconomic forecasts of inventory investment

This paper briefly reviews and extends the evidence on the importance of inventory investment in business cycles. A method for combining high-frequency observations with forecasts of a conventional quarterly econometric model is then proposed. The method is applied to the Michigan Quarterly Econometric Model of the U.S. Economy to see if improved forecasts of inventory investment can be obtained. The use of a small set of monthly indicators is found to yield improved forecasts of real GNP but are of little help in forecasting inventory investment. A more comprehensive set of monthly indicators including inventory and sales may be needed to obtain improved estimates of quarterly inventory investment.
Torsion elements in p-adic analytic pro-p groups

Abstract A finitely generated pro- p group is p -adic analytic if and only if there exists m and h with m p h such that the m th term of the lower central series of the group is contained in the subgroup generated by the p h th powers of elements of the group. Recent work has shown that if m ⩽2 p −3 then the torsion elements form a subgroup. An example shows that if m ⩾ h ( p −1)+1 with h ⩾2 then the torsion elements need not form a subgroup. We prove for odd primes p that if m ⩽ h ( p −1) then the torsion elements do form a subgroup and provide an explicit bound on the order of the product of two elements of order dividing p i in terms of i , h , and p .
Intraindividual differences dimensions of mood change during pregnancy identified in five P-technique factor analyses

Daily-self-ratings of mood and state were obtained for approximately 120 days of observation from five pregnant subjects. Measurements were based on a total pool of 75 adjectives culled from the literature to represent eight dimensions of affect established in primarily cross-sectional studies. The data were analyzed in a P-technique factor analysis context to determine both the extent to which interindividual differences and intraindividual variability concepts were interchangeable and how general such intraindividual variability concepts were among different subjects. Although evidence was found that subjects construe many adjectives differently, for dimensions such as Energy, Well Being, Fatigue, and Concentration, the data indicate that cross-sectionally and longitudinally based personality concepts exhibit a fair degree of convergence.
Low-frequency sound transmission through a gas–liquid interface

Sound transmission through gas–solid interfaces is usually very weak because of the large contrast in wave impedances at the interface. Here, it is shown that diffraction effects can lead to a dramatic increase in the transparency of gas–solid interfaces at low frequencies, resulting in the bulk of energy emitted by compact sources within a solid being radiated into a gas. The anomalous transparency is made possible by power fluxes in evanescent body waves and by excitation of interface waves. Sound transmission into gas is found to be highly sensitive to absorption of elastic waves within a solid.
Development of porcine embryos following microsurgical blastomere transplantation

Abstract The objective of these studies was to characterize the in vitro and in vivo development of porcine embryos following microsurgical blastomere transplantation. In Experiment 1, 60 four-cell embryos recovered on Day 3 of gestation (Day 0 = onset of estrus), were subjected to either blastomere transplantation (micromanipulated; n = 30) or no microsurgical procedure (control; n = 30). Four-cell embryos were cultured in modified Kreb's Ringer bicarbonate medium supplemented with 0.4% bovine serum albumin and 10% bovine calf serum. After 72 h in culture, embryos were stained and the number of nuclei per embryo was determined. Blastomere transplantation had no effect on embryonic development in vitro as the numbers of micromanipulated and control embryos that reached the 12–24 and ≥25 nuclei stages were similar ( P n =33) or micromanipulated ( n =31). Micromanipulated embryos each received a single blastomere from a donor embryo at the same stage of development. After culture for 4–5 h, seven recipients which exhibited estrus within 24 h of the donors, received either control or host embryos. Seventy-two hours later, the transferred embryos were recovered from the recipient females, stained and the number of nuclei per embryo was determined. The proportion of micromanipulated and control embryos recovered was not different. In comparison with control embryos, a greater ( P 100 nuclei stage was greater ( P
Anaemia of prematurity: Pathophysiology and treatment

Most infants with birth weight <1.0 kg are given multiple red blood cell (RBC) transfusions within the first few weeks of life. The anaemia of prematurity is caused by untimely birth occurring before placental iron transport and fetal erythropoiesis are complete, by phlebotomy blood losses taken for laboratory testing, by low plasma levels of erythropoietin due to both diminished production and accelerated catabolism, by rapid body growth and need for commensurate increase in red cell volume/mass, and by disorders causing RBC losses due to bleeding and/or hemolysis. RBC transfusions are the mainstay of therapy with recombinant human erythropoietin largely unused because it fails to substantially diminish RBC transfusion needs--despite exerting substantial erythropoietic effects on neonatal marrow.
Retention of Pregnancy-Related Weight in the Early Postpartum Period: Implications for Women's Health Services

Objective: To examine the proportion of women who reached their prepregnant weight at 6 weeks postpartum and the average amount of weight retained or lost by this time; to determine predictors of early (6 week) postpartum weight retention; and to propose related implications for women’s health care and services. Data Sources: The literature review was based on a search of Medline for the years 1986 to 2004 using the keywords postpartum weight with inclusion of additional articles known to the authors that did not appear in the electronic search. Study Selection: The resulting 83 articles were scrutinized to identify those that reported data on weight retention at 6 weeks postpartum (range, delivery to 3 months) and associated anthropometric, social, obstetric, or behavioral predictors. A total of 12 articles met inclusion criteria for the review. Data Extraction: Data were extracted related to the proportion of women achieving their postpartum weight at 6 weeks postpartum, the amount of weight retained or lost up to 6 weeks postpartum, and predictors of amount of weight retained or lost. Data Synthesis: On average, at 6 weeks postpartum, women retain 3 to 7 kg of the weight gained during pregnancy, with at least two thirds exceeding their prepregnant weights. Gestational weight gain is the most significant predictor of weight retention. Conclusions: Women vulnerable to obesity and weight gain need weight-related health care and improved access to such care to promote weight loss after 6 weeks postpartum.
The Influence of Electrostatic Charge on the Performance of 10-mm Nylon Cyclones

The 10-mm nylon cyclone is commonly used for measuring the respirable aerosol concentration of airborne dust. Under some conditions, the measured respirable aerosol concentration may be lower than the actual value due to electrostatic charge. An ideal solution to this inaccuracy is a cyclone, identical to the nonconducting type but molded of conducting, graphite-filled nylon, which performs the same as the nonconducting nylon cyclone under electrically neutral conditions. When exposed to conditions which tend to produce electrostatic charge, the performance of the conducting cyclone is unaffected, but aerosol penetration of the nonconducting cyclone decreases as a function of charge. Relatively high electrostatic charges are used in this study for demonstration purposes since the magnitudes of charges found in the field are hard to predict. Using the conducting cyclone gives consistent measurements, resulting in more accurate representation of deposition in the human respiratory tract.
1513 PERITONITIS IN CHILDHOOD NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

A retrospective review (1970-1980) of 310 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome revealed 24 episodes of peritonitis in 19 patients (6.9 ± 3.7 years old). None were on cytotoxic drugs and only 64% were on steroids at the onset of peritonitis. All had proteinuria; 23 occurred during a relapse and one was at presentation of nephrosis. No morphologic subtype was at significantly greater risk for peritonitis. Abdominal pain, tenderness, edema, ascites, leukocytosis (22,300 ± 7,700 wbc/mm3) were universal. Other signs and symptoms included: fever (96%), anorexia (65%), vomiting (65%), diarrhea (52%), and abdominal wall cellulitis (22%); 17/19 had > 1000 wbc/mm3 of peritoneal fluid. Gram stain was positive in only 7/18. Organisms isolated included pneumococcus (13), E. coli (5), E. coli and B. fragilis (1-with appendicitis), and α-streptococcus (1); 4 were culture negative. Only 1/8 pneumococci typed is not included in the commercial vaccine (type 33). All pneumococci and E. coli were sensitive to all antibiotics routinely tested. Serum IgG levels in 13 episodes measured were dramatically reduced (116±77 mg%) compared to 43 control nephrotics (579±293; p < 0.001). Thus, peritonitis is still common in patients with nephrosis (6%); second episodes are frequent (26%); pneumococcus is the most frequent agent (54%) with 7/8 types represented in available vaccine. Patients in relapse, with ascites, edema, and severe hypogammaglobulinemia appear at greatest risk.
Environmental education and nongovernmental activities in protecting the enclosed coastal sea of the Malacca Straits

Abstract This paper discusses the amounts and types of pollutants present in the inland sea of the Malacca Straits. The functional role of nongovernmental organizations and the Malaysian educational system have played in endeavouring to protect this possibly stagnant and very vulnerable water body is also discussed.
The paternally imprinted DLK1-GTL2 locus is differentially methylated in embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas

Parental imprinting of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) contributes to appropriate expression of several developmentally important genes from paternally or maternally derived chromosomes. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children and is associated with altered expression of certain parentally imprinted genes. As previously reported, RMS cells display loss of imprinting (LOI) of the DMR at the IGF2-H19 locus, resulting in insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) transcription from both paternally and maternally inherited chromosomes, and overall IGF2 overexpression. As the DLK1-GTL2 locus is structurally similar to the IGF2-H19 locus, the status of parental imprinting of the DLK1-GTL2 locus was studied in RMS. We observed that while both embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas (ERMS and ARMS, respectively) show LOI of the DMR at the IGF2-H19 locus, imprinting of the DMR at the DLK1-GTL2 locus varies in association with the histological subtype of RMS. We found that, while ERMS tumors consistently show LOI of the DMR at the DLK1-GTL2 locus, ARMS tumors have erasure of imprinting (EOI) at this locus. These changes in imprinting status of the DLK1-GTL2 locus result in a higher GTL2/DLK1 mRNA ratio in ARMS as compared to ERMS. This difference in imprinting elucidates a novel genetic difference between these two RMS subtypes and may provide a potential diagnostic tool to distinguish between these subtypes.
Electrically floating conductivity detection system for capillary electrophoresis

Abstract A conductivity detector is designed for capillary electrophoresis in which the detection electronics are isolated and float with the separation voltage applied to the capillary. This design minimizes the detrimental effect of the high voltage to the detection system and is powered using a battery. A simple arrangement is fabricated for the conductivity measurement electrodes. The electrical signal generated at these electrodes is carried through the floating electronics and then transmitted to a data-acquisition computer through a optical (infrared) serial link. As a preliminary demonstration, a sample solution containing three alkali metal ions is analyzed. The detection limits for the ions are about 2·10−6 M.
Ethical tension points in whistleblowing

This paper analyzes the number of procedural and substantive tension points with which a conscientious whistleblower struggles. Included in the former are such questions as: (1) Am I properly depicting the seriousness of the problem? (2) Have I secured the information properly, analyzed it appropriately, and presented it fairly? (3) Are my motives appropriate? (4) Have I tried fully enough to have the problem corrected within the organization? (5) Should I blow the whistle while still a member of the organization or after having left it? (6) Should I keep anonymity? (7) How ethical is it to assume the role of a judge? (8) How ethical is it to set in motion an act which will likely be very costly to many people? Substantive tension points include such questions as: (1) How fully am I living up to my moral obligations to my organization and my colleagues? (2) Am I appropriately upholding the ethical standards of my profession? (3) How adversely will my action affect my family and other primary groups? (4) Am I being true to myself? (5) How will my action affect the health of such basic values as freedom of expression, independent judgment, courage, fairness, cooperativeness, and loyalty?
MFN Tariff Treatment of Imports from China: Effects on U.S. Employment

Abstract This article estimates the effects on U.S. output and employment of granting most-favored-nation (MFN) tariff treatment to imports from the People's Republic of China (PRC). Import demand elasticities are used to estimate changes in imports resulting from the lower tariff rates. A highly disaggregated U.S. input-output table and labor-output ratios are used to convert changes in imports into changes in domestic output and employment at a detailed sectorial level. U.S. import restraints on the textile and apparel industry are incorporated into the analysis. The article explores the implications of increased imports from the PRC for U.S., PRC, and LDC policy makers.
Long-term growth of a vascularized auricular perichondrocutaneous flap in laryngotracheal reconstruction.

Abstract This study addresses the potential for ongoing cartilage proliferation after repair of laryngotracheal stenosis with vascularized perichondrium. We randomly assigned 32 New Zealand white rabbits to 1 of 3 groups: group 1 (early cartilage growth, n = 10), group 2 (long-term cartilage growth after pedicle ligation, n = 11), and group 3 (long-term cartilage growth without pedicle ligation, n = 11). Bilateral auricular perichondrocutaneous flaps were elevated and transposed into full-thickness anterior tracheal wall or anterior cricothyroid membrane defects. Six weeks after elevation of the flap, animals were randomly assigned to undergo ligation of either the right or left vascular pedicle (group 2), with the contralateral auricular flap used as a matched control (group 3). Neochondrogenesis was present at 6 weeks in group 1 (0.74 ± 0.14 mm, n = 12 ears). Cartilage thickness did not differ between groups 2 and 3 one year after ligation of the vascular pedicle: group 2 (0.48 ± 0.24 mm, n = 18) versus group 3 (0.42 ± 0.12 mm); P > 0.05. We conclude that in the rabbit model, chondrogenesis did not appear to be ongoing and did not result in late stenosis of the reconstructed airway. Furthermore, delayed ligation of the vascular pedicle neither inhibited nor stimulated cartilage proliferation. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;120:693-7.)
Wear and failure mechanisms of polycrystalline diamond compact bits

Abstract Four mechanisms of polycrystalline diamond compact cutter failure are identified in a detailed study of cutters damaged in both laboratory rock-cutting tests and field operation. One mechanism is smooth wear. This occurs when individual diamond grains are polished away by a combination of high mechanical and thermal loads. A second mechanism is microchipping of the polycrystalline diamond table. This is caused mainly by the action of the bit cutting forces. A third mechanism is gross fracturing. This is caused by the application of excessive normal force to the bit. A fourth mechanism is delamination at the interface between the diamond table and the cemented tungsten carbide substrate. This results both from impact loading in the bit normal-force direction and thermal stress build-up at the interface between the diamond layer and carbide substrate due to the mismatch in the thermal expansion coefficients of these materials. All these processes lead to the formation of a wear flat beneath the cutter. Once this flat forms, repeated frictional heating and cooling cause thermal fatigue which results in the commonly observed heat checking on this surface.
A New Method of Linking Courses: A Theologian and a Sociologist Share Their Experience

In this article we briefly address the rationale for linking courses and the types of student learning communities that exist in various institutions of higher education. We then describe a new method we used to link our theology (Protestant Churches in America) and sociology (Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Inequality) courses in which no students were enrolled in both courses. We discuss the practical aspects of our linkage and conclude by highlighting the evaluation of the linked courses. We found that the students went beyond the stated learning objectives and that all parties involved in the courses were satisfied with the new undertaking.
Optimal and Robust Design of the Laser Forming Process

Abstract The laser forming process of sheet metal has been extensively analyzed, but few attempts have been made in the area of process design. The task of the process design in the laser forming of sheet metal is to determine a set of parameters, including laser scanning paths, laser power, and scanning speed, given a prescribed shape. Response surface methodology is used as an optimization tool. The propagation of error technique is built into the design process as an additional response to be optimized via desirability function and hence make the design robust. Focusing on a class of shapes, the design scheme is applied progressively in four cases in which issues such as a large number of design variables are properly addressed.