cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prospective Determination of Airway Response to Upper Airway Stimulation: A New Opportunity for Advanced Device Titration

Objectives/hypothesis Response to upper airway stimulation (UAS) is associated with the degree of airway opening during stimulation. UAS programming may affect this opening. The objective of this study was to examine airway changes in response to five different electrode configurations programmable within the Inspire UAS system. Study design Prospective single-arm cohort study. Methods Subjects who underwent UAS implantation were recruited for a prospective single-arm cohort study during UAS device activation. Functional thresholds were recorded for all settings. Awake nasopharyngoscopy was performed to examine the retropalatal (RP) and retroglossal (RG) regions at rest and during activation with all settings at their functional thresholds. Cross-sectional measurements were made by two blinded reviewers and reported as percent change in airway size. Results Sixteen patients were included. The standard setting (+-+) resulted in the greatest change in RP area in 43.8% of patients. An alternative setting resulted in greatest change in 56.2% of patients (--- and o-o in 18.8% each, -o- in 12.5%, and -+- in 6.3% of patients). Average response to all five settings was utilized to classify degree of palatoglossal coupling. Most patients had some enlargement (20%-70% change in RP area, 43.8%) or no enlargement ( 70% change). RP and RG expansion were not correlated. Conclusion Degree of RP expansion varied among patients and settings. Although the standard setting resulted in greatest RP change in a plurality of patients, over half had a greater response to an alternative setting. Future studies should address whether choice of setting based on RP expansion results in improved outcomes. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 131:218-223, 2021.
The Moderating Influence of Moral Disapproval of Pornography on Couples' Sexual and Relationship Satisfaction.

Using an online sample of participants that reported using pornography in the last six months and being in a committed relationship, support was found for a moderated mediation model in which sexua...
Butylsoyamide protects soybean oil from ruminal biohydrogenation: effects of butylsoyamide on plasma fatty acids and nutrient digestion in sheep.

Based on previous results showing partial resistance of fatty acyl amides to ruminal biohydrogenation, butylsoyamide was added to sheep diets in an attempt to increase unsaturation of plasma fatty acids. Twelve wethers averaging 34±3.2 kg BW were randomly assigned to three diets containing either no added fat (control), 5% soybean oil, or 5% butylsoyamide. Dry matter intake was greater (P .05) on total VFA (54.4 mM) or acetate:propionate (2.96). Total tract ADF digestibility was not affected (P>.05) by either fat supplement. Relative to the control diet, soybean oil increased (P<.05) plasma linoleic acid concentration 22% compared with a 58% increase from feeding butylsoyamide (26.7, 32.6, and 42.1% of total fatty acids, respectively). Linoleic acid concentration in plasma neutral lipids, relative to the control diet, increased 15.8% (P<.05) for soybean oil compared with 64.9% (P<.05) for butylsoyamide (31.6, 36.6, and 52.1% of total fatty acids, respectively). Converting soybean oil triglycerides to fatty acyl amides substantially reduces negative effects of the oil on ruminal fermentation and increases unsaturated fatty acids in plasma. The increase in plasma unsaturated fatty acids demonstrates at least partial resistance of fatty acyl arnides to ruminal biohydrogenation and their digestion and absorption postruminally
COVID-19 in lung transplant recipients: A single center case series from New York City.

There are limited data describing COVID-19 in lung transplant recipients. We performed a single center, retrospective case series study of lung transplant patients followed by the Columbia Lung Transplant program who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March 19 and May 19, 2020. Thirty-two lung transplant patients developed mild (16%), moderate (44%), or severe (41%) COVID-19. The median age of patients was 65 years, and the median time from lung transplant was 5.6 years. Symptoms included cough (66%), dyspnea (50%), fever (47%), and gastrointestinal upset (44%). Patients received hydroxychloroquine (84%), azithromycin (75%), augmented steroids (44%), tocilizumab (19%), and remdesivir (9%). Eleven patients (34%) died at a median time of 14 days from admission. Complications during admission included: acute kidney injury (63%), transaminitis (31%), shock (31%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (25%), neurological events (25%), arrhythmias (22%), and venous thromboembolism (9%). Compared to patients with moderate COVID-19, patients with severe COVID-19 had higher peak white blood cell counts (15.8 vs 7 × 103 /uL, P = .019), C-reactive protein (198 vs. 107 mg/L, P = .010) and D-dimer (8.6 vs. 2.1 ug/mL, P = .004) levels, and lower nadir lymphocyte counts (0.09 vs. 0.4 × 103 /uL, P = .006). COVID-19 is associated with severe illness and a high mortality rate in lung transplant recipients.
Antiemetic Prophylaxis with Fosaprepitant and 5-HT 3 -Receptor Antagonists in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Background High-dose myeloablative conditioning prior to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT) in pediatric patients is usually highly emetogenic. The antiemetic neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist fosaprepitant was safe and effective in children receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. Data on fosaprepitant during autoHSCT in children are currently not available. Methods A total of 35 consecutive pediatric patients, who received an antiemetic prophylaxis with fosaprepitant (4 mg/kg; single dose, max. 1 x 150 mg/kg BW) and ondansetron (24-hours continuous infusion; 8-32 mg/24h) or granisetron (2 x 40 µg/kg∙d-1) during highly emetogenic conditioning chemotherapy before autoHSCT were retrospectively analyzed, and their results were compared with a control group comprising 35 consecutive pediatric patients, who received granisetron or ondansetron only. The antiemetic efficacy and the safety of the two prophylaxis regimens were compared with respect to three time periods after the first chemotherapy administration (0-24h, >24-120h, >120-240h). Results Clinical adverse events and clinically relevant increases/decreases of laboratory markers were similarly low and did not significantly differ between the two study groups (p>0.05). The registered number of vomiting events was significantly higher in the control group in the time periods of 0-24h (64 vs 22 events; p 24-120h (135 vs 78 events; p 120-240h (268 vs 105 events; p 24-120h (100% vs 74.3%) but not the other analyzed time periods (p>0.05). Conclusion The fosaprepitant-based antiemetic prophylaxis was safe, well tolerated and significantly reduced vomiting in children undergoing highly emetogenic chemotherapy prior to autoHSCT. Prospective randomized trials are necessary to confirm these results.
Perspectives and Experiences of Transgender and Non-binary Individuals on Seeking Urological Care.

Objective To describe perspectives and experiences related to urology care-seeking of transgender and non-binary (TGNB) individuals assigned male at birth. Materials and Methods This HIPAA-compliant study was IRB approved and followed Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ) guidelines. Through semistructured interviews, perspectives, and experiences of individuals related to urology care-seeking were explored. Open-ended questions were designed to elicit a range of responses rather than quantifiable data. Thematic codes were developed and explicitly defined. Codes pertaining to patient experiences were assessed and described. Results Twenty-five TGNB individuals assigned male at birth were interviewed. Participants reported an array of factors that informed and inhibited care-seeking, factors that framed individual urologic care experiences, and their overall impression of the healthcare system's ability to effectively and respectfully serve the TGNB population. Specifically, participants reported that prior negative healthcare experiences dissuaded them from seeking care such as feeling discriminated against and having a lack of trust in providers. Additionally, participants reported feeling a need and responsibility to “educate” providers on both their medical needs and psychosocial experiences. Participants were also unclear how best to identify “trans-friendly” urologists who are culturally competent and have appropriate medical knowledge. Conclusion TGNB individuals face significant barriers to care for unique healthcare needs. TGNB participants described care avoidance and reported experiences of healthcare discrimination. These data highlight the importance for urologists to understand the perspectives and historical experiences of these individuals who may seek urological care.
Verifying correct usage of context-free API protocols

Several real-world libraries (e.g., reentrant locks, GUI frameworks, serialization libraries) require their clients to use the provided API in a manner that conforms to a context-free specification. Motivated by this observation, this paper describes a new technique for verifying the correct usage of context-free API protocols. The key idea underlying our technique is to over-approximate the program’s feasible API call sequences using a context-free grammar (CFG) and then check language inclusion between this grammar and the specification. However, since this inclusion check may fail due to imprecision in the program’s CFG abstraction, we propose a novel refinement technique to progressively improve the CFG. In particular, our method obtains counterexamples from CFG inclusion queries and uses them to introduce new non-terminals and productions to the grammar while still over-approximating the program’s relevant behavior. We have implemented the proposed algorithm in a tool called CFPChecker and evaluate it on 10 popular Java applications that use at least one API with a context-free specification. Our evaluation shows that CFPChecker is able to verify correct usage of the API in clients that use it correctly and produces counterexamples for those that do not. We also compare our method against three relevant baselines and demonstrate that CFPChecker enables verification of safety properties that are beyond the reach of existing tools.
Population biology of helminth infections of veterinary importance and its relevance to control

This chapter examines how mathematical models can be helpful in the design and evaluation of control programs directed against the debilitating and sometimes fatal diseases that arise when domestic ruminants are infected with helminth parasites. The models comprise hypotheses about the natural processes which control and regulate parasite abundance. The empirical description of regulatory processes is described in detail since these processes act in such a way as to confine parasite population density between certain bounds and so tend to work in opposition to disease control strategies.
Comparison of lipoprotein fractionation by sequential density gradient ultracentrifugation with precipitation or fast phase liquid chromatography

Abstract Lipoprotein fractions, i.e. very low density (VLDL, ρ=0.93−1.019), low density (LDL, ρ=1.019−1.063), and high density lipoprotein (HDL, ρ=1.063−1.21) were separated by sequential gradient density ultracentrifugation (SDGU) and their cholesterol values were determined and compared with values determined by fast phase liquid chromatography (FPLC) or HDL cholesterol by phosphotungstic acid-MgCl2 (PTMg) precipitation in hamsters fed diets containing various levels of cholesterol. The correlation coefficient (r) for LDL between the SDGU and FPLC methods in plasma from hamsters fed 0–3% cholesterol diets was 0.21–0.51, n=45. The FPLC method over estimated (+45%) LDL and the HDL values were under estimated (−18%). The agreement between FPLC and SDGU methods was also evaluated by plotting mean values against the differences between the values obtained by the two methods. FPLC method overestimated LDL 22–49% (mean 36%) and HDL was underestimated 14–27% (mean 20%). This was significant systematic bias with the FPLC method in VLDL, LDL and HDL values with the level of cholesterol in the diet. As FPLC is a fast method, it could be used in intervention type experiments to monitor the progress, however final results may need validation for research studies with the SDGU method. HDL determined by the SDGU method and phosphotungstic acid MgCl2 precipitation in hamsters (n=26) fed 0.25% cholesterol diets was represented by two significantly different (P⩽0.05) divergent lines when a regression fitted model and a one-to-one relationship model by the two methods were plotted. The data suggest that in hamsters fed either no added cholesterol or cholesterol-containing diets, lipoprotein fractions determined by the precipitation method or by FPLC need to be validated against a SDGU for critical samples.
An Empirical Test of IS Leadership as the Driving Force in Improving IS Performance: The Service Level Perspective

Existing information system (IS) studies have conceptualized various IS competences and investigated empirically how these competences can impact IS performance. However, these studies incorporate only a few IS competences and the relationships among them are not taken into consideration. This paper is intended to fill these gaps. A more comprehensive set of IS competences is incorporated and the service level perspective of the Strategic Alignment Model is applied to establish the theoretical foundation. An empirical test of the model is conducted. The results show that IS leadership positively impacts IS performance by driving other IS competences. These results partially validate the service level perspective of the alignment model. The model development and test also demonstrate that we need to consider all the information, IT, and organization challenges when dealing with IS management issues. Implications of this research for future studies and practice are presented at the end.
Studies on monosodium glutamate ingestion: I. Biochemical explanation of Chinese restaurant syndrome☆

Abstract The signs and symptoms following the ingestion of monosodium glutamate (MSG) were found strikingly similar to those induced by acetylcholine (ACh). The effects of anticholinergic and cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitor support the hypothesis that Chinese restaurant syndrome is a “transient acetylcholinosis”. The pattern of plasma ChE activity in induced acetylcholinemia was strikingly similar to that following MSG ingestion.
Modifications of myofilament protein phosphorylation and function in response to cardiac arrest induced in a swine model

Cardiac arrest is a prevalent condition with a poor prognosis, attributable in part to persistent myocardial dysfunction following resuscitation. The molecular basis of this dysfunction remains unclear. We induced cardiac arrest in a porcine model of acute sudden death and assessed the impact of ischemia and reperfusion on the molecular function of isolated cardiac contractile proteins. Cardiac arrest was electrically induced, left untreated for 12 minutes, and followed by a resuscitation protocol. With successful resuscitations, the heart was reperfused for 2hrs (IR2) and the muscle harvested. In failed resuscitations, tissue samples were taken following the failed efforts (IDNR). Actin filament velocity, using myosin isolated from IR2 or IDNR cardiac tissue, was nearly identical to myosin from the control tissue in a motility assay. However both maximal velocity (25% faster than control) and calcium sensitivity (pCa50 6.57± 0.04 IDNR vs. 6.34±0.07 control) were significantly (p<0.05) enhanced using native thin filaments (actin+troponin+tropomyosin) from IDNR samples, suggesting that the enhanced velocity is mediated through an alteration in muscle regulatory proteins (troponin+tropomyosin). Mass spectrometry analysis showed that only samples from the IR2 had an increase in total phosphorylation levels of troponin (Tn) and tropomyosin (Tm), but both IR2 and IDNR samples demonstrated a significant shift from mono-phosphorylated to bis-phosphorylated forms of the inhibitory subunit of Tn (TnI) compared to control. This suggests that the shift to bis-phosphorylation of TnI is associated with the enhanced function in IDNR, but this effect may be attenuated when phosphorylation of Tm is increased in tandem, as observed for IR2. There are likely many other molecular changes induced following cardiac arrest, but to our knowledge, these data provide the first evidence that this form cardiac arrest can alter the in vitro function of the cardiac contractile proteins.
A novel scan architecture for power-efficient, rapid test [sequential circuits]

Scan-based testing methodologies remedy the testability problem of sequential circuits; yet they suffer from prolonged test time and excessive test power due to numerous shift operations. The high density of the unspecified bits in test data enables the utilization of the test response data captured in the scan chain for the generation of the subsequent test stimulus, thus reducing both test time and test data volume. The proposed scan-based test scheme accesses only a subset of scan cells for loading the subsequent test stimulus while freezing the remaining scan cells with the response data captured, thus decreasing the scan chain transitions during shift operations. The experimental results confirm the significant reductions in test application time, test data volume and test power achieved by the proposed scan-based testing methodology.
Geomorphology of Natural Hazards and Human-induced Disasters in Ecuador

The active geology of Ecuador, as volcanic, tectonic, and plutonic conditions interact in the tropical landscape, makes up for the country’s high propensity to disaster. In this chapter, the anthropogenic impact of landscape change is highlighted to contribute to a better understanding of what seems to be the catastrophe-prone existence of Ecuadorian villages and cities inserted into the capricious topography of the Tropical Andes. Changing the forest cover for pasture and agriculture has left many mountain areas unprotected against erosion, biodiversity loss, massive migrations, and overall farmscape transformation. Construction of mega-projects in the higher watersheds, along with road networks that defy gravity in the slope lands, are indicated as direct triggers of an explicit human driver of landscape change. With a review of the major calamities that Ecuador has suffered related to geomorphologic forces, and the implications of the lack of planning and preparedness, the lax social responses are also criticized for the risk transfer inconsistencies in disaster management of an increased number of low-intensity and ephemeral events in Ecuador.
Regulation of the Tryptophan Synthetic Enzymes in Clostridium butyricum

Experiments concerned with the regulation of the tryptophan synthetic enzymes in anaerobes were carried out with a strain of Clostridium butyricum. Enzyme activities for four of the five synthetic reactions were readily detected in wild-type cells grown in minimal medium. The enzymes mediating reactions 3, 4, and 5 were derepressed 4- to 20-fold, and the data suggest that these enzymes are coordinately controlled in this anaerobe. The first enzyme of the pathway, anthranilate synthetase, could be derepressed approximately 90-fold under these conditions, suggesting that this enzyme is semicoordinately controlled. Mutants resistant to 5-methyl tryptophan were isolated, and two of these were selected for further analysis. Both mutants retained high constitutive levels of the tryptophan synthetic enzymes even in the presence of repressing concentrations of tryptophan. The anthranilate synthetase from one mutant was more sensitive to feedback inhibition by tryptophan than the enzyme from wild-type cells. The enzyme from the second mutant was comparatively resistant to feedback inhibition by tryptophan. Neither strain excreted tryptophan into the culture fluid. Tryptophan inhibits anthranilate synthetase from wild-type cells noncompetitively with respect to chorismate and uncompetitively with respect to glutamine. The Michaelis constants calculated for chorismate and glutamine are 7.6 x 10(-5)m and 6.7 x 10(-5)m, respectively. The molecular weights of the enzymes estimated by zonal centrifugation in sucrose and by gel filtration ranged from 24,000 to 89,000. With the possible exception of a tryptophan synthetase complex, there was no evidence for the existence of other enzyme aggregates. The data indicate that tryptophan synthesis is regulated by repression control of the relevant enzymes and by feedback inhibition of anthranilate synthetase. That this enzyme system more closely resembles that found in Bacillus than that found in enteric bacteria is discussed.
Perimeningitis: Staphylococcus septicemia complicated by osteomyelitis of the second lumbar vertebra

Summary 1. An unusual complication of a staphylococcus septicemia is presented. 2. The case demonstrates the value of open operation in the treatment of perimeningitis.
Broadband Search Techniques for Periodic Sources of Gravitational Radiation

Full exploitation of the potential of a laser interferometric gravitational wave detector to detect sources emitting periodic gravitational waves will require the development of specialized search techniques and place unprecedented demands upon computer memory and speed. Traditional approaches to detecting small amplitude sinusoidal signals of unknown period in the presence of broadband noise must be modified to accomodate the unusual nature of the received signal from a gravitational wave source. This paper outlines two methods that have been developed and presents the results of an application of these methods to data taken with the M.I.T. 1.5 meter prototype. Based on these results, a combined hardware/software solution to the data analysis problem is needed before full scale gravitational wave astronomy with periodic sources becomes practical.
Acousto-electromagnetic properties of human dentin

Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) near-field scanning microwave microscopy (NSMM), micro-Raman spectroscopy (/spl mu/RS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study dentin, its demineralization, and its interface and bonding with epoxy and adhesives. SAM yielded information regarding micro-mechanical properties of dentin and its interface while /spl mu/RS provided information regarding the curing state of the epoxy and presence of contaminants at the dentin/epoxy interface. NSMM, a new technique developed in our laboratory, provided information regarding the interface conductivity and permittivity that are related to density, presence of ionic species and among other factors. Simultaneously performed with AFM, NSMM provided interesting complementary information regarding dentin and epoxy system. Owing to the large penetration depth of its sensing signal in most biological materials, NSMM is capable of imaging sub-surface non-uniformity the scanned surfaces. We report preliminary findings indicating complementary and corroborating natures of SAM, NSMM, /spl mu/RS, and AFM.
Nerve Growth Factor, But Not Epidermal Growth Factor, Increases Fra-2 Expression and Alters Fra-2/JunD Binding to AP-1 and CREB Binding Elements in Pheochromocytoma (PC12) Cells

In pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) activate similar receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways but evoke strikingly different biological outcomes: NGF induces differentiation and EGF acts as a mitogen. A novel approach was developed for identifying transcription factor activities associated with NGF-activated, but not EGF-activated, signaling, using random oligonucleotide clones from a DNA recognition library to isolate specific DNA binding proteins from PC12 nuclear extracts. A protein complex from NGF-treated, but not EGF-treated, cells was identified that exhibits increased mobility and DNA binding activity in gel mobility shift assays. The binding complex was identified in supershift assays as Fra-2/JunD. The clones used as probes contain either AP-1 or cAMP response element binding (CREB) recognition elements. Time course experiments revealed further differences in NGF and EGF signaling in PC12 cells. NGF elicits a more delayed and sustained ERK phosphorylation than EGF, consistent with previous reports. Both growth factors transiently induce c-fos, but NGF evokes a greater response than EGF. NGF specifically increases Fra-1 and Fra-2 levels at 4 and 24 hr. The latter is represented in Western blots by bands in the 40-46 kDa range. NGF, but not EGF, enhances the upper bands, corresponding to phosphorylated Fra-2. These findings suggest that prolonged alterations in Fra-2 and subsequent increases in Fra-2/JunD binding to AP-1 and CREB response elements common among many gene promoters could serve to trigger broadly an NGF-specific program of gene expression.
Explaining the Tenure of Local Government Managers

In recent years, considerable attention has been given to turnover in the executive ranks of local government. In particular, the issue of what factors account for turnover among local government managers has been the subject of several empirical analyses (DeSantis and Renner 1993; Renner 1990; DeHoog and Whitaker 1990; Whitaker and DeHoog 1991). Understanding and predicting manager turnover is not only important to the field of public management, it may have implications for public policy. Management researchers argue that administrative turnover leads to inconsistent organizational outcomes (Finkelstein and Hambrick 1990). Within the field of public administration, scholars have assumed that administrative turnover is significant because it indicates a loss of institutional memory and neutral competence (Heclo 1977; Wilson 1994; Hass and Wright 1989; Lewis 1991).
Exciton-polaritons in nonlinear optical phenomena in semiconductors: An overview of major developments

In the past decade, the availability of techniques for generating very intense tunable ultrashort-pulse laser radiation in the picoseconds and femtoseconds range have made it possible to use time-resolved pump probe techniques for studying the dynamics of the nonlinear response of bulk semiconductors and semiconductor quantum well structures to intense EM beams. Moreover, as a result of interest in nonlinear optical phenomena that might be used in optical memory, logic and switching applications, there has been an intensification of research on the effects of intense EM beams on optical properties in the vicinity of the exciton resonances and optical absorption edges of semiconductors. In this article we present an overview of key experimental and theoretical developments that underlie our understanding of the role played by exciton-polaritons in nonlinear optical phenomena in semiconductors and, in particular, the role played by exciton-polaritons in the nonlinear optical effects, including the optical Stark effect, which result from the virtual excitation of excitons, continuum electron-hole pairs and biexcitons by an ultrashort pulse of intense EM radiation at frequencies below the exciton resonance, and which exist only during the time of the pulse.
A pilot survey of animal-facilitated therapy in Southern California and South Dakota nursing homes

The purpose of this study was to identify the current uses of animal-facilitated therapy (AFT), in nursing facilities located in Southern California and South Dakota. A mail questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 105 California and 45 South Dakota nursing facility administrators. Selection criteria for Southern California nursing facilities included a geographical location south of 36 degrees latitude, and listing of pet therapy as a facility activity in the Directory of Nursing Homes (1993). South Dakota nursing facilities were randomly selected. A total of 56 nursing facility administrators from South Dakota and California completed the survey resulting in a 40% return rate. The study supported previous research indicating the multiple benefits of AFT. Both California and South Dakota nursing facility administrators identified sensory stimulation, facilitation of resident social interaction, stress reduction, and companionship as the top four therapeutic purposes for using pets and animals in the nursing home. Administrators also identified patient-therapist interaction, increasing muscle strength and ROM, pain management, reduction of blood pressure and heart rate, increasing responsibility, self-esteem, and patient independence as therapeutic benefits of pet therapy. Further research is needed in the field of pet therapy to demonstrate the efficacy of AFT. In addition, occupational therapists should become more involved with the use of AFT for treatment purposes. It has been demonstrated that pet therapy can be used with a variety of diagnoses and conditions and for implementing therapeutic goals. It is recommended that occupational therapists participate in research on pet therapy and consider its use in nursing homes with older patients. It is also recommended that the use of pets in therapy be incorporated into occupational therapy curricula. Copyright © 1996 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
BCG vaccination to prevent tuberculosis in health care workers: a decision analysis

Abstract Objective. To perform a decision analysis to determine the optimal strategy to prevent tuberculosis (TB) in health care workers with negative tuberculin skin tests. Methods. We used a Markov model to study the occurrence of events each year and compared BCG vaccination to annual tuberculin testing plus isoniazid (INH) preventive therapy for those who become skin-test positive. The outcome measures studied were the number of cases and deaths from TB and BCG and/or INH adverse reactions over 10 years. Results. Annual tuberculin testing decreases the number of TB cases by 9% and BCG vaccination decreases the number by 49%, relative to no prevention intervention. BCG vaccination results in fewer deaths than annual tuberculin testing if the workplace incidence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is greater than 0.06%, BCG vaccination effectiveness exceeds 3%, or the rate of fatal BCG adverse reactions is less than 15 times the rate reported in the literature. Conclusions. BCG vaccination results in less morbidity and mortality than annual tuberculin skin testing for health care workers in workplaces with documented TB transmission despite comprehensive infection control policies and procedures. Current policy on the prevention of TB among health care workers should be reconsidered.
Second-Stratum Personality Traits of Students in Physical Education

Data age-corrected to adult general population norms (3, 4) on the primary personality traits of the 16 PF test were used to determine four second-stratum traits for seven groups of physical education students. The 1962 Edition (1) was used with three groups and the 1970 Edition (2) with the remainder. Centiles derived from the mean scens for the second-stratum traits were obtained (4) . A z formula for proportions was used to find significance levels for the centiles.
Crime Victimization and Subjective Well-Being: Evidence from Happiness Data

Crime hurts victims financially and often physically. This paper examines how individual well-being is affected by the direct experience of burglary and robbery, using micro-level happiness data from Japan. I find that the direct experience of burglary significantly reduces victims’ reported happiness. In monetary terms, being burglarized is as bad as losing approximately $35,000–$52,500. This paper also tests for heterogeneous effects of victimization on happiness. Happiness of the wealthy, who can afford to lose some money as well as buy some safety, is not affected by the direct experience of burglary or robbery. Crime victimization hurts homeowners more than renters most likely because their barriers to mobility make it difficult for homeowners to move in response to crime victimization. Finally, this paper suggests that victims’ psychological non-pecuniary costs are substantially larger than the pecuniary losses.
Pathways to Adolescent Internalizing: Early Attachment Insecurity as a Lasting Source of Vulnerability

Despite theoretical links between attachment quality in early childhood and subsequent internalizing symptoms, there is limited empirical evidence supporting direct effects. In this article, we test whether early attachment insecurity indirectly contributes to adolescent internalizing by increasing the likelihood of certain pathways leading to elevated symptoms (i.e., moderated mediation). Structural equation modeling and bootstrapping were used to test for moderated mediation using longitudinal data from 910 adolescents participating in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care (M age = 15.1; 50% female, 23% racial/ethnic minority). Among dyads with a history of an insecure attachment in early childhood, mothers’ negative emotions during the transition to adolescence significantly predicted less availability during parent–adolescent interactions, which in turn increased adolescents’ preoccupation with parental relationships. The same process was not evident in...
Framing Power: Comparing U.S. Newspaper Visuals of Latino and Non-Latino Candidates

Despite political representation remaining below Latinos’ share of the population, no research has solely compared news coverage between Latino candidates and non-Latino candidates. This study content analyzed 815 newspaper photographs and 608 photograph-associated headlines of Latino candidates and non-Latino candidates in 14 newspapers during the last 2 months of 4 statewide elections between 2003 and 2008 in the U.S. Southwest. Overall, newspaper treatment of Latino and non-Latino candidates competing for statewide office was similar by state. Similarities in newspaper coverage may be explained by institutional policies of balance and news workers viewing Latino senatorial and gubernatorial candidates as equally legitimate and important because of Latinos’ continuous presence and large proportion of the population in the U.S. Southwest.
Inference on the Minimum Effective Dose Using Binary Data

This article proposes a confidence interval procedure for an open question posted by Tamhane and Dunnett regarding the inference on the minimum effective dose of a drug for binary data. We use a partitioning approach in conjunction with a confidence interval procedure to provide a solution to this problem. Binary data frequently arise in medical investigations in connection with dichotomous outcomes such as the development of a disease or the efficacy of a drug. The proposed procedure not only detects the minimum effective dose of the drug, but also provides estimation information on the treatment effect of the closest ineffective dose. Such information benefits follow-up investigations in clinical trials. We prove that, when the confidence interval for the pairwise comparison has (or asymptotically controls) confidence level 1 − α, the stepwise procedure strongly controls (or asymptotically controls) the familywise error rate at level α, which is a key criterion in dose finding. The new method is compare...
Photochemistry of all-trans 1,1,2-trideuterio-octatetraene

Abstract The all-trans isomers of octatetraene and 1,1,2-trideuterio-octatetraene were synthesized and characterized by UV-visible, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopic techniques, and their photochemistry was studied. The quantum yields φ of disappearance were determined in hexane by monitoring the intensity changes in their electronic absorption spectra. Deuterium substitution reduces the measured φ values by a factor of approximately 2. High pressure liquid chromatographic analysis of the photoreaction of octatetraene reveals the formation of four separable products upon prolonged irradiation (5 min, greater than 5% conversions), but cis and trans isomers could not be separated under our liquid chromatography conditions.
Differences in American English, Spanish, and monkey perception of thesay-stay trading relation

An interesting phenomenon in human speech perception is the trading relation, in which two different acoustic cues both signal the same phonetic percept. The present study compared American English, Spanish, and monkey listeners in their perception of the trading relation between gap duration andFl transition onset frequency in a syntheticsay-stay continuum. For all the subjects, increased gap duration caused perception to change fromsay tostay; however, subjects differed in the extent to which theFl cue traded with gap duration. For American English listeners, a change from a low to a highF1 onset caused a phoneme boundary shift of 26 msec toward shorter gap durations, indicating a strong trading relation. For Spanish listeners, the shift was significantly smaller at 13.7 msec, indicating a weaker trading relation. For monkeys, there was no shift at all, indicating no trading relation. These results provide evidence that thesay-stay trading relation is dependent on perceptual learning from linguistic exposure.
Sox10 is expressed in primary melanocytic neoplasms of various histologies but not in fibrohistiocytic proliferations and histiocytoses.

Background Sox10 is a transcription factor associated with neural crest development. Its expression has been reported in melanocytes and peripheral nerve sheath cells and their associated tumors. Objective To assess Sox10 sensitivity in benign and malignant melanocytic neoplasms of various histologic subtypes and to discern the specificity of Sox10 in distinguishing between melanocytic neoplasms and fibrohistiocytic and histiocytic mimickers. Methods Sox10 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in 145 cases of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, including benign and malignant melanocytic lesions of various histologies and stages (n = 83), fibrohistiocytic and histiocytic lesions (n = 33), and peripheral nerve sheath tumors (n = 19), among others (n = 10). Results Immunoreactivity with Sox10 was observed in 100% (83/83) of benign and malignant melanocytic lesions of various subtypes, as well as in 100% (19/19) of benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath lesions. Among the fibrohistiocytic proliferations and histiocytoses examined, Sox10 was negative in all cases (0/33). Sox10 expression did not vary by histologic subtype in nevi or melanoma; however, both the percentage of tumor nuclei demonstrating Sox10 expression and the intensity of expression were inversely correlated with malignant potential (nevi, melanoma in situ, invasive and metastatic melanoma) ( P P = .016, respectively). Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors also showed decreased mean Sox10 expression and decreased intensity of expression when compared with benign counterparts ( P P = .021, respectively). Limitations This is a retrospective study with 145 cases included. Conclusions Sox10 is a highly sensitive marker for melanocytic proliferations and may be useful diagnostically when the differential diagnosis includes fibrohistiocytic and histiocytic proliferations demonstrating S100 expression.
Solid solubility and electrical conduction mechanisms in 3-layer Aurivillius ceramics

Abstract The Aurivillius ceramics Bi(2−y)PbySr2Nb2TiO(12−δ) and Bi2Sr2Nb2Ti(1−x)MxO(12−δ) (M = Fe, Cr, Mn) were successfully prepared and the solid solubility limits were determined to be y = 0.2 and x = 0.2. The solubility limits for the phases are limited by the oxygen vacancy concentration. The electrical conductivity was measured as a function of temperature and oxygen activity, and showed that undoped Bi2Sr2Nb2TiO12 is an electronic conductor at high oxygen activity, while acceptor doping with Pb or Fe results in ionic conduction. The total conductivity increases with dopant concentration to a maximum at the solubility limits of 7.5 × 10− 4 to 10 × 10− 4 S/cm at 800 °C for Pb, Fe, and Mn dopants.
Alcohol effects on synaptic membrane calcium ion fluxes.

Abstract The effects of ethanol on Na + -dependent CA 2+ fluxes have been examined in resealed synaptic membrane vesicles assayed at 3 different temperatures. Sodium chloride-loaded vesicles were preincubated with various concentrations of ethanol for 120 sec prior to being diluted into 45 CaCl 2 -containing medium in the presence or absence of an outward-directed Na + gradient. The effect of ethanol on Na + -dependent CA 2+ transport measured at 23°C was biphasic. However, when the assay was conducted either at 16°C or at 35°C, all ethanol concentrations tested (10–300 mM) produced only inhibition of Ca 2+ influx. The role of membrane fluidization in the ethanol-induced inhibition was explored by determining the effects of incorporating various fatty acids into the membranes. Membrane fluidizing agents such as cis -vaccenic acid stimulated Ca 2+ influx whereas trans -vaccenic and saturated fatty acids had little effect. The fluidizing effect of incorporating cis -vaccenic acid into the membranes was confirmed with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The data obtained from these studies suggest that the inhibition of Ca 2+ fluxes produced by alcohol and local anesthetics is not the result of a general increase in bulk phase synaptic membrane fluidity.
Sub-Doppler Heterodyne Frequency Measurements of Carbonyl Sulfide Transitions between 56 and 62 THz

Abstract We report the first sub-Doppler frequency measurements on carbonyl sulfide (OCS) between 56 and 62 THz (1886 and 2064 cm −1 ). The experiment utilizes heterodyne techniques to measure the frequency of a CO laser, which is locked to saturation dips of OCS transitions at low pressure, against combination frequencies of two saturation-stabilized CO 2 lasers. For these measurements, ground state and hot band absorptions, we achieved absolute accuracies between 17 and 48 kHz. We fitted the results together with the existing data set to determine improved OCS transition frequencies for calibration of spectra in the 2000-cm −1 region. In addition, by combining our new hot band measurements with existing frequency data for the lower energy levels, we provide improved transition frequencies for higher wavenumber regions. New calibration tables are given at 1890, 2050, and 2730 cm −1 .
Birth size and postnatal growth in cave- and bridge-roosting Brazilian free-tailed bats

As the human population continues to expand, increased encroachment on natural landscapes and wildlife habitats is expected. Organisms able to acclimate to human-altered environments should have a selective advantage over those unable to do so. Over the past two decades, bats have increasingly begun to roost and raise offspring in spaces beneath pre-cast concrete bridges. Few studies have examined the health or fitness of individuals living in these anthropogenic sites. In the present study, we examined birth size and postnatal growth, as surrogates of reproductive success, in Brazilian free-tailed bat pups born at a natural and a human-made roost. Based on putative stress-related conditions (noise from vehicular traffic, chemical pollutants and a modified social environment) present at bridges, we predicted that bats at these sites would have reduced reproductive success. Contrary to our prediction, pups born at a bridge site were on average heavier and larger at birth and grew faster than those born at a cave site. Also, both birth size and growth rates of pups differ between years. We attribute observed differences to a combination of roost-related conditions (i.e. roost temperature and proximity to foraging areas), climate and maternal effects with larger mothers raising larger pups. Thus, some bridge roosts, at least in the short term, are suitable, and in some cases may provide better conditions, for raising young bat pups than cave roosts.
Transdifferentiation in the labial gland of silk moths: is DNA required for cellular metamorphosis?

Abstract In the silkmoth, Antheraea polyphemus, a region of the larval silk gland consists of cuticle-producing cells which, without dividing, ‘transdifferentiate’ into salt-secreting cells during metamorphosis to the adult moth. This functional transformation is accompanied by marked ultrastructural changes. In the normal course of events, elaboration of two mitochondria-rich zones of cytoplasm characteristic of the salt-secreting state starts shortly after the beginning of a period of DNA synthesis. Nevertheless, this correlation may not reflect a causal relationship. By the use of mitomycin C, a substantial suppression of the thymidine incorporation can be achieved, without interference with the transformation of the cells.
Vertical Lorentz Force and Cross-Field Currents in the Photospheric Magnetic Fields of Solar Active Regions

We demonstrate that the vertical Lorentz force and a corresponding lower limit of the cross-field electric current density can be calculated from vector magnetograms of solar active regions obtained at a single height in the solar atmosphere, provided that the vertical gradient of the magnetic field strength is known at this height. We use a predicted vertical magnetic field gradient derived from a previous analysis. By testing various force-free solutions, we find that the numerical accuracy of our method is satisfactory. Applying the method to active region photospheric vector magnetograms, we find vertical Lorentz forces ranging from several hundredths to a few tenths of the typical photospheric gravitational force, and typical cross-field current densities up to several times 10 mA m-2. The typical vertical current density is found to be 2-3 times smaller, on the order of 10-15 mA m-2. These differences are above the associated uncertainties. The values of the cross-field currents decrease in an averaged vector magnetogram, but the ratio of the cross-field to the vertical current density increases, also above the uncertainties. We conclude that the photospheric active region magnetic fields are not force-free, contrary to the conjectures of some recent studies.
Perverting Ozu: Suō Masayuki's Abnormal Family

AbstractThis article examines an instance in which Ozu Yasujirō‘s famous self-restricting cinema was refashioned into a genre not widely known for its restraint: the softcore pornographic ‘pink’ film. I consider how Director Suō Masayuki's film Abnormal Family: My Brother's Wife (1984) appropriates and incorporates Ozu's thematics and stylistics into a generic pinku eiga/porn film and to what end. With this film, Suō simultaneously manages to flex his credentials as a debuting pink film director and as an astute Ozu critic who studied under leading Ozu scholar Hasumi Shigehiko. Suō was not only forcing a rereading of Ozu's films and criticism, but also pointedly commenting on the state of the Japanese film industry itself. Tellingly, Suō invokes a paterfamilias of Japanese cinema in a genre-based commercialized film at a time when the financial crisis for the domestic film industry left few avenues for new directors other than pornographic productions. In so doing, Suō suggests the intersections and tensi...
Some new insights in the physics of quantum-well devices

The optical response of conduction electrons in a superlattice is presented. The time response of electron tunneling through a double barrier is examined with the time dependent Schroedinger''s equation. The energy states of a silicon quantuirt box are calculated with the use of a variational procedure for a spherical box. The regions of applicability of the band-model and the hoppingmodel for negative differential conductivity are discussed. And finally sonie problems involv ing phase rardoraization and inelastic scatterings with the presence of attractive o repulsive elastic scattering centers in a confined re gion are discussed.