cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clarithromycin use for adjunct surgical prophylaxis before non-elective cesarean deliveries to adapt to azithromycin shortages in COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate safety and effectiveness of clarithromycin as adjunctive antibiotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing non-elective cesarean delivery in comparison with no macrolides, to adapt to azithromycin shortages in COVID-19 pandemic. Study design We conducted a multi-center, prospective observational cohort study from March 23, 2020 through June 1, 2020. We followed all women receiving either clarithromycin or no macrolide antibiotic for adjunct surgical prophylaxis for non-elective cesarean deliveries. The primary outcome was development of postpartum endometritis. Secondary outcomes included meconium-stained amniotic fluid at time of cesarean delivery, neonatal sepsis, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome. All patients in this study were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection and resulted negative. Results This study included 240 patients, with 133 patients receiving clarithromycin and 107 patients receiving no adjunct macrolide prophylaxis. Patients receiving clarithromycin were noted to have significantly lower rates of postpartum endometritis as compared to those who did not receive adjunct prophylaxis (4.5% versus 11.2%, p = 0.025). In crude (unadjusted) analysis, a significantly lower risk of developing endometritis was noted in the clarithromycin group as compared to the control group (66% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.95, p = 0.040). When adjusted for perceived confounders, a significant difference was again noted (67% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.97, p = 0.034). Stratified analysis of significantly different demographic factors including Black race, BMI, and age was performed. A significantly decreased risk of development of endometritis when taking clarithromycin versus no adjunct macrolide was noted for Black race women in crude and adjusted models (crude: 87% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.83, p = 0.032; adjusted: 91% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.79, p = 0.026). This was also noted for women aged 18–29 years in crude and adjusted models (crude: model, 79% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.80, p = 0.014; adjusted model: 75% decreased risk, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.94, p = 0.028). All other stratified analyses did not yield significant differences in endometritis risk. Conclusion Our study suggests that administration of clarithromycin for adjunctive surgical prophylaxis for non-elective cesarean deliveries may be a safe option that may provide suitable endometritis prophylaxis in cases where azithromycin is unavailable, as was the case during the start of COVID-19 pandemic, most especially for Black race women and women ages 18–29 years.
A Brief History of Fascist Lies: by Federico Finchelstein, Berkeley, University of California Press, 2020, 138 pp., $19.95T/£16.99 (cloth)

A companion piece to Federico Finchelstein’s From Fascism to Populism in History (2017), this generally well-written but otherwise problematic work, presents a conceptual history of “lying” with fa...
Laparoscopic-Assisted Versus Mini-Open Laparotomy for Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement in the Medicare Population.

Background Placement of the distal shunt catheter into the peritoneum during ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) surgery can be done with either laparoscopic assistance or laparotomy. Objective To compare outcomes in laparoscopic-assisted vs laparotomy for placement of VPS in the Medicare population. Methods Patients undergoing VPS placement, between 2004 and 2014, were identified by International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes in the Medicare database. Demographic data including age, sex, comorbidities, and indications were collected. Six- and twelve-month complication rates were analyzed. Results A total of 1966 (3.2%) patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted VPS and 60 030 (96.8%) patients underwent nonlaparoscopic-assisted VPS placement. Compared with traditional open VPS placement, the laparoscopic approach was associated with decreased odds of distal revision at 6- and 12-mo postoperatively (6 mo: odds ratio [OR] = 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21-0.74; 12 mo: OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.39-0.94). At 6- and 12-mo postoperatively, multivariable regression analysis demonstrated increased odds of distal revision in patients with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 Kg/M2, history of open abdominal surgery, and history of laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Additionally, history of prior abdominal surgery and BMI > 30 Kg/M2 were significantly associated with increase odds of shunt infection at 6 and 12-mo, respectively. Conclusion In the largest retrospective analysis to date, patients with a history of abdominal surgery and obesity were found to be at increased risk of infection and distal revision after VPS placement. However, the laparoscopic approach for abdominal placement of the distal catheter was associated with reduced rates of distal revision in this population, suggesting an avenue for reducing complications in well-selected patients.
Viral mediated knockdown of GATA6 in SMA iPSC-derived astrocytes prevents motor neuron loss and microglial activation

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a pediatric genetic disorder, is characterized by the profound loss of spinal cord motor neurons and subsequent muscle atrophy and death. Although the mechanisms underlying motor neuron loss are not entirely clear, data from our work and others support the idea that glial cells contribute to disease pathology. GATA6, a transcription factor that we have previously shown to be upregulated in SMA astrocytes, is negatively regulated by SMN and can increase the expression of the inflammatory regulator NF{kappa}B. In this study, we identified upregulated GATA6 as a contributor to increased activation, pro-inflammatory ligand production, and neurotoxicity in spinal-cord patterned astrocytes differentiated from SMA patient induced pluripotent stem cells. Reducing GATA6 expression in SMA astrocytes via lentiviral infection ameliorated these effects to healthy control levels. Additionally, we found that SMA astrocytes contribute to SMA microglial phagocytosis, which was again decreased by lentiviral-mediated knockdown of GATA6. Together these data identify a role of GATA6 in SMA astrocyte pathology and further highlight glia as important targets of therapeutic intervention in SMA.
Role of Cyclic AMP in Modifying the Growth of Mammary Carcinomas

It has become a widely held view that cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP), an intracellular chemical switch, regulates cellular growth and differentiation. The precise mechanism of cAMP action is, however, unknown at present.
Genomic Research and Human Subject Privacy

Public genetic sequence databases are a critical part of our academic biomedical research infrastructure. However, human genetic data should only be made public if we can adequately protect the privacy of research subjects. Individual genomic sequence data (such as SNPs) are quite "identifiable" using common definitions, while our efforts to understand disease susceptibility or therapeutic opportunity require access to large genomic data sets. The authors of this Policy Forum argue that surprisingly small amounts of genomic sequence data are identifiable. Therefore, the special privacy challenges posed by genomic data need to be addressed with new policies or creative technical approaches.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Use Among Teens and Young Adults

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine rates of stimulant/atomoxetine use among teens (aged 12–17 years) and young adults (aged 18–23 years) and to investigate associations in medication use before and after the transition from teen to young adult. Methods Repeated cross-sectional analyses using the nationally representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The sample included all teens and young adults between 2003 and 2012. Within this group, a staggered sample of individuals between 2006 and 2012 born during a 5-year range was used to minimize false positive findings due to temporal trends. The primary outcome was attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication use (two or more prescriptions and ≥60 tablets). A multivariable logistic regression was utilized to determine associations between ADHD medication use and race/ethnicity and other sociodemographic factors. Results A total of 62,699 individuals were included between 2003 and 2012. Rates of ADHD medication use increased for both teens (4.2%–6.0%) and young adults (1.2%–2.6%) between 2003–2004 and 2011–2012. In adjusted analysis, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians had lower rates of use compared with whites. The decrease in use among young adults was more pronounced among blacks compared with whites. A usual source of care and health insurance were less common among young adults, and both were associated with ADHD medication use. Conclusions Although there has been an increase in the use of ADHD medications in both teens and young adults, we found a drop-off in levels of ADHD treatment among young adults when compared with teens. A portion of this decrease appears to be related to race/ethnicity, usual source of care, and health insurance status.
The resolution of elevated liver enzymes with elimination of sugar-sweetened beverages independent of weight loss (641.6)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly prevalent and detected in 70% of metabolic syndrome patients. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) contributes to increased ectopi...
Isolation and Partial Chemical Characterization of the Spore Appendages of Clostridium taeniosporum

The spore appendages of Clostridium taeniosporum NI were removed from the spores by sonic treatment and were isolated by using discontinuous sucrose gradients. The amino acid composition of the appendages, which are elaborations of the spore coat, was similar to but not identical with the amino acid composition of the coats. Approximately 80% of the appendage dry weight was composed of 17 common amino acids, whereas 68% of the spore coat dry weight was amino acids. Mole ratios of the amino acids differed between the appendages and spore coats. The appendages contained neither diaminopimelic acid nor hydroxyproline. Glucosamine was an abundant constituent but muramic acid was absent. Approximately 10% of appendage dry weight consisted of three sugars, one of which was glucose. Phosphorus content was high and dipicolinic acid was absent. Appendage fine structure was not affected by common buffers, dilute acids and bases, hydrogen bond-breaking agents, certain proteolytic enzymes, or lysozyme. Images
Content based querying and searching for 3D human motions

From cartoons to medical research world, from the field of arts to scientific visualization, everyone related to these areas have been continuously using 3D motion capture data. Querying on these databases is one of the important tasks. In recent years, almost all the querying interfaces for motion databases are related to tag based search. A lot of manual work is involved in tagging each motion in a database. The focus of this research is on giving the user a freedom of expression by allowing him/her to draw queries and developing a technique to retrieve motions to find an approximate match. In our approach, we have introduced a visual query interface in which a naive user can draw a query expressed in different human body segments. An indexing algorithm is used to produce the result for a given query format, supported by an efficient pre-processing method for large motion databases.
Observations of matte glaze formation independent of firing cycle

Data pertaining to the compositional properties of matte glaze formation independent of cooling cycle properties are presented. The study examines several compositional variations to foster understanding of the formation of crystalline materials in glazes as a condition of glaze composition, as opposed to firing cycle and cooling.
Is the One Laptop Per Child Enough? Viewpoints from Classroom Teachers in Rwanda

This study examines the implementation of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program in Rwanda from the viewpoint of primary school teachers involved with the program. It seeks to understand how these teachers feel about the program, how they incorporate the low-cost laptops into their classrooms, and their impressions of the laptops’ impacts on their students. Results of the study reveal that the teachers like the initiative, but recognize many challenges in adapting the program to their realities. The teachers think of the initiative primarily as a computer literacy and rote learning project, and they report outcomes along these lines. Beyond learning computer skills, the teachers note that the program has had both positive and negative impacts on several students—some have become more empowered as learners, and some have become rude and disruptive in class. Most significantly, the teachers often view themselves, and not their students, as the primary users of the laptops, and they have found ways to employ the laptops for both personal and school-related work.
Network intrusion and fault detection: a statistical anomaly approach

With the advent and explosive growth of the global Internet and electronic commerce environments, adaptive/automatic network/service intrusion and anomaly detection in wide area data networks and e-commerce infrastructures is fast gaining critical research and practical importance. We present and demonstrate the use of a general-purpose hierarchical multitier multiwindow statistical anomaly detection technology and system that operates automatically, adaptively, and proactively, and can be applied to various networking technologies, including both wired and wireless ad hoc networks. Our method uses statistical models and multivariate classifiers to detect anomalous network conditions. Some numerical results are also presented that demonstrate that our proposed methodology can reliably detect attacks with traffic anomaly intensity as low as 3-5 percent of the typical background traffic intensity, thus promising to generate an effective early warning.
Outcome assessment in social skills training with children

Abstract Thirty-eight social skills training studies that used a social-learning or social-cognitive approach and were published between 1976 and 1985 were reviewed with respect to methods of outcome assessment. Recommendations in the literature regarding the assessment of treatment outcomes are grouped into two categories. First, assessment measures should evaluate the extent to which skills taught generalize across tasks, settings, behaviors, children, and time. Second, outcome measures should assess both whether the skills taught improved and whether training had an impact on a socially valued criterion, such as peer acceptance or teacher ratings. The majority of studies neither adequately measured generalization and durability of treatment effects nor permitted a functional analysis of the relationship between target behaviors and socially valid outcomes. Exemplary practices in outcome assessment are discussed and recommendations for future research are offered.
Influence Analysis of the Incorrect Construction Sequence on Concrete Strength of Cast-in-Place Piles

The core drilling method is used for testing the concrete strength of the cast-in-place piles during the construction of a power plant. The concrete strength of some cast-in-place piles is far lower than the normal expected value. The incorrect construction sequence is the main cause of the quality problem. It is inadvisable to shorten the time limit for a project while ignoring the project quality. The more time will be spent to solve the quality problem of the project after the construction is complete. The construction organization is important for the quality of the projects and the reasonable construction sequence can improve the project quality.
Potential model calculations and predictions for cs̄ quarkonia

We investigate the spectroscopy and decays of the charm-strange quarkonium system in a potential model consisting of a relativistic kinetic energy term, a linear confining term including its scalar and vector relativistic corrections, and the complete perturbative one-loop quantum chromodynamic short distance potential. The unperturbed wave functions of the various states are obtained using a variational technique. These are then used in a perturbative treatment of the potential to fit the mass spectrum of the $c\overline{s}$ system and calculate the radiative decay widths. Our results compare well with the available data for the spectrum of ${D}_{s}$ states. We include a discussion of the effect of mixing and investigation of the Lorentz nature of the confining potential.
Leaf litter quality affects aquatic insect emergence: contrasting patterns from two foundation trees

Reciprocal subsidies between rivers and terrestrial habitats are common where terrestrial leaf litter provides energy to aquatic invertebrates while emerging aquatic insects provide energy to terrestrial predators (e.g., birds, lizards, spiders). We examined how aquatic insect emergence changed seasonally with litter from two foundation riparian trees, whose litter often dominates riparian streams of the southwestern United States: Fremont (Populus fremontii) and narrowleaf (Populus angustifolia) cottonwood. P. fremontii litter is fast-decomposing and lower in defensive phytochemicals (i.e., condensed tannins, lignin) relative to P. angustifolia. We experimentally manipulated leaf litter from these two species by placing them in leaf enclosures with emergence traps attached in order to determine how leaf type influenced insect emergence. Contrary to our initial predictions, we found that packs with slow-decomposing leaves tended to support more emergent insects relative to packs with fast-decomposing leaves. Three findings emerged. Firstly, abundance (number of emerging insects m(-2) day(-1)) was 25% higher on narrowleaf compared to Fremont leaves for the spring but did not differ in the fall, demonstrating that leaf quality from two dominant trees of the same genus yielded different emergence patterns and that these patterns changed seasonally. Secondly, functional feeding groups of emerging insects differed between treatments and seasons. Specifically, in the spring collector-gatherer abundance and biomass were higher on narrowleaf leaves, whereas collector-filterer abundance and biomass were higher on Fremont leaves. Shredder abundance and biomass were higher on narrowleaf leaves in the fall. Thirdly, diversity (Shannon's H') was higher on Fremont leaves in the spring, but no differences were found in the fall, showing that fast-decomposing leaves can support a more diverse, complex emergent insect assemblage during certain times of the year. Collectively, these results challenge the notion that leaf quality is a simple function of decomposition, suggesting instead that aquatic insects benefit differentially from different leaf types, such that some use slow-decomposing litter for habitat and its temporal longevity and others utilize fast-decomposing litter with more immediate nutrient release.
Complications of acute peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract A detailed analysis was made of the complications of peritoneal dialysis encountered during 184 dialyses performed in 107 severely ill patients at two teaching hospitals where the major responsibility for the dialysis rests outside a specialized renal unit. Only 9.8% of the dialyses were done to maintain patients for renal transplantation, and no chronic maintenance peritoneal dialyses were performed. Significant mechanical, infectious, cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurologic and metabolic complications occurred in 68% of the dialyses. Dialysis related peritonitis occurred in 6.3% of the dialyses and no instance of perforation of an abdominal viscus occurred. In spite of the high incidence of complications 75% of the dialyses produced significant improvement in the clinical status of the patient. In 32% of the dialyses no or only minimal complications were encountered. Death occurred in 20 patients and was assumed to have been a direct result of the dialysis in 7 or 6.5%. It is apparent that this assumedly safe procedure carries a considerable risk. However, increased knowledge of the mechanics and hazards of peritoneal dialysis, close patient observation and meticulous attention to apparently small details, should decrease the number of complications and preserve the effectiveness of the procedure.
What is the time derivative of a quantum observable

Abstract A reasonable-sounding prescription for measuring dA dt is to measure A itself at times t and t + Δt and to calculate [A(t + Δt) − A(t)] Δt ⋍ dA dt , with Δt sufficiently small. However, this interpretation is shown to be untenable if dA dt is defined by the Heisenberg equation of motion for A. Thus a phenomenon noted by Ruijsenaars for the position and velocity observables of a relativistic particle is actually a general feature of quantum theory.
Limited change in anisometropia and aniso-axial length over 13 years in myopic children enrolled in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial

Purpose. We investigated changes in anisometropia and aniso-axial length with myopia progression in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET) cohort.
Category killers and big‐box retailing: their historical impact on retailing in the USA

Purpose – This study aims to examine the evolution of category killers or big‐box retailers over a 17‐year time span and the impact that this retail format has had on seven retail sectors, sales revenue, and per capita retail consumption in the USA.Design/methodology/approach – Sales revenue, average store size and per capita income were examined over a 17‐year period – 1988‐2004 – for the book, sporting goods, home center, electronic, toy, home furnishings and the grocery sector (warehouse stores) to determine the effect of large retail formats on sales revenue and per capita spending.Findings – This longitudinal study demonstrates that evolving to big‐box formats had a positive impact on both sales revenue and per capita spending in each of the retail sectors.Research/limitations/implications – It is a starting‐point for fully understanding the impact of large retail formats on the retail industry.Originality/value – The evolution of large format retailers has not been studied from a macro view. Most st...
Careers in Caring: Mothers of Children with Disabilities

ABSTRACT This study concerns 14 women, mothers of children with disabilities, who have extended their family care-giving responsibilities to disability-related public work. Recognized as parent leaders on the local and state levels, the women described their experiences and talked about their work during in-depth interviews. The women's stories offer testimony to the power of experience in personal change and vocational calling. However, the findings from the interviews suggest that the mothers' public missions represented the ambiguities and contradictions present in women's work of caring for others. One problem described by the women concerned the socially devalued status accorded their activities in terms of economic compensation. Although the women received little or no pay, they reported satisfaction and personal fulfillment with their work. Another dilemma existed for some women who desired professional status and credibility, even though they recognized the unique contributions that parents of chi...
Resources, life events, and changes in psychological states: a prospective framework

A framework is presented that examines resources, environmental changes, and time in relation to one another and to changes in psychological affect. Resources in the aggregate are assumed to have both main effects and interactive effects on changes in psychological states. With undesirable life events, the resource interaction is assumed to be a buffer function, with resources making their strongest contribution at moderate levels of undesirable events. With desirable events, the resource interaction is assumed to be a multiplicative booster function, the effect of resources increasing as the level of desirable events increases. Cumulative undesirable demand is a variable with broader context than life events and is assumed to directly increase negative changes in psychological states. Time is considered a passive moderator, reducing the impact of either desirable or undesirable changes on psychological states. Alternative paths leading to positive change, status quo, and negative change in psychological states are then described, including the "false hope" hypothesis, and relations among variables are specified.
Integrating work and basic values into the Spherical Model of Interests

Abstract Two prominent models of values, one in work and the other in life, were examined as they each related to the dimensions underlying the Spherical Model of Interests (Tracey & Rounds, 1996) as measured by the Personal Globe Inventory (PGI; Tracey, 2002). The technique of external property vector fitting was utilized to plot the value constructs onto two- and three-dimensional interest structures in a sample of 206 college students. Results, when compared across both theoretical and empirical definitions of interest space, indicated that all work values and fewer basic values related to two dimensions, but that only the work value of Achievement and the life value of Power related to the Prestige dimension. Implications for research and for assessment that involves integrating the results of values and interest inventories are discussed.
Broadband and Dual-Band Coplanar Folded-Slot Antennas (CFSAs) [Antenna Designer's Notebook]

This paper presents a unified design methodology for dual-band and broadband coplanar folded-slot antennas (CFSAs). The design is achieved by using a coplanar waveguide-fed antenna element that is asymmetric with respect to the folded slot, and by adjusting the length of the stub inside the slot. A mathematical derivation, based on a transmission-line model for the asymmetrically-fed coplanar folded-slot antenna, is used on a single-frequency coplanar folded-slot antenna to determine the condition for a second resonance. In this way, when the second resonant frequency is close to the first, broadband uniplanar antennas with ~30%, bandwidth can be designed. In addition, at the dual-band mode, a frequency ratio (f2/f1) of the order of 2.5 or more can be obtained. The effect of the ratio of the feed-shift distance to the length of the stub on the bandwidth is an important parameter, and is shown for both the broadband and dual-band designs. The presented method and tables are simple to use, provide very accurate results, and correctly predict the resonant frequencies for the dual-band coplanar folded-slot antennas. The theoretical and simulated results were verified by measurements of fabricated prototypes. The design guidelines cover a broad range of applications in the 2.4 GHz to 5.25 GHz range, with various bands and bandwidths.
Reducing burnout and enhancing job satisfaction: Critical role of hotel employees’ emotional intelligence and emotional labor

Abstract Despite its strong theoretical relevance with emotional labor, employees’ ability to understand and regulate emotions (i.e., emotional intelligence, EI) has seldom been studied, especially how it affects hotel employees responding to the firm's display rules (i.e., emotional labor) and experiencing burnout and job satisfaction. Thus, this study investigated direct and indirect effects of employees’ EI on two different forms of emotional labor (i.e., emotional effort: EE; emotional dissonance: ED): burnout and job satisfaction. Data were collected from 309 customer-contact hotel employees and managers in the United States. Results of structural equation modeling showed that EI had a direct, positive effect on EE and personal accomplishment and a direct, negative effect on ED and depersonalization. EI was also found to indirectly affect job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion through the mediating roles of personal accomplishment and ED, respectively. Additionally, ED was found to directly affect depersonalization and indirectly affect job satisfaction through emotional exhaustion while EE directly affects personal accomplishment and indirectly affects job satisfaction through personal accomplishment. Finally, personal accomplishment was found to mediate the depersonalization–job satisfaction relationship. Managerial implications for human resource practices are provided.
Homotopic and nonhomotopic interhemispheric cortical projections in the squirrel monkey

Abstract Electrophysiological studies of interhemispheric (IH) connections in the squirrel monkey revealed IH projections from the postcentral forelimb, hind limb, and trunk areas of primary somatosensory cortex (SM I) to frontal lobe polysensory areas of motor and premotor cortex (areas 4 and 6), to SM I trunk area, and to the postcentral dimple of parietal lobe. Anatomical studies in the squirrel monkey also demonstrated the projections to contralateral SM I and to other ipsilateral and contralateral areas, but not to the contralateral frontal lobe. The failure of the anatomical technique to demonstrate the frontal lobe IH projections emphasizes the role of electrophysiological studies in supplementing anatomical studies of cortico-cortical projections. The electrophysiological studies demonstrated, in addition, that visual cortex of the squirrel monkey has IH projections to areas 4 and 6 of frontal lobe as well astto nonstriateaareas of occipital lobe. By combinations of cortical ablations and cuts of the corpus callosum it was determined that the projection from SM I to contralateral frontal lobe probably involves a slowly conducting fiber system running rostrally from SM I in white matter, then crossing in the rostral corpus callosum. The precentral corpus callosum does not appear to be essential for the occipitofrontal projection.
Acute kidney injury: novel biomarkers and potential utility for patient care in urology

Urologists are integrally involved in the management of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is common after renal surgery or secondary to postrenal (obstructive) etiologies. The measurement of serum creatinine is a suboptimal indicator of AKI because it lags behind acute changes in renal function. Recent advances indicate that serum/urine biomarkers will prove useful for early detection of AKI, analogous to the use of cardiac enzymes for acute myocardial infarction. These serum/urine markers may guide future therapy, facilitate research efforts to reduce the severity of AKI, such as after partial nephrectomy, and allow for more accurate prognostication for patients with AKI.
The nature and subtlety of abnormal findings in chest radiographs

All detected abnormal findings were recorded for 1085 consecutive chest x‐ray examinations. Each finding was classified by descriptive criteria and graded for subtlety. Accuracy of interpretation was evaluated in a randomized sample of 100 cases using follow‐up or multiple readers. Seventy percent of standard examinations and 93% of bedside examinations revealed abnormal findings. Pulmonary infiltrates were the most commonly detected abnormality, being present in 55% of abnormal cases. Noncalcified pulmonary nodules and pneumothoraces were each present in approximately 5% of abnormal cases. The most commonly encountered subtle findings were due to intravenous catheters, pulmonary infiltrates, pneumothoraces, rib lesions, and pulmonary nodules in descending order of frequency. It is concluded that it is reasonable to use selected examples of these findings in observer tests when evaluating new imaging modalities such as digital radiography.
Influence of different phosphorus phase-feeding programs and dietary calcium level on performance and body phosphorus of laying hens.

Abstract Two nonphytate P (NPP) feeding programs (.35, −.25, −.15% NPP or .45, −.35, −.25% NPP during the age intervals of 23 to 35, 35 to 51, and 51 to 71 wk, respectively) were evaluated for White Leghorn hens in a complete factorial arrangement with 3.3 or 4.0% dietary Ca. Total P (TP) concentrations of the NPP feeding programs, as determined by analysis, were .60, −.48, and −.37 or .70, −.58, and −.46%, respectively. Egg production, feed efficiency, and egg weight over the 48-wk experiment were reduced significantly by the .35, −.25, and −.15% NPP program, irrespective of dietary Ca. Most adverse effects of the low NPP program occurred from 51 to 71 wk when hens fed .15% NPP consumed about 150 mg NPP daily as compared with NPP intake of 250 mg daily for hens fed .25% NPP. Hens fed 3.3% Ca consumed significantly more feed than did those fed 4.0% Ca, irrespective of NPP feeding program or age period. Neither NPP or Ca levels affected eggshell thickness at 71 wk nor mortality during the experiment. Dietary NPP and Ca did not significantly affect P content of the body, including feathers. Body P declined from an average of 8.6 g/hen at 23 wk of age to 7.3 g/hen at 55 and 63 wk. By 71 wk, body P returned o t 8.6 g/hen. The results show that NPP intakes of 250 mg and 150 mg/hen daily from 35 to 51 and from 51 to 71 wk, respectively, were inadequate for laying hens’ performance, but no adverse effects of these NPP intakes on body P were detected. It seems that utilization of dietary P was affected adversely by high ambient temperatures.
Outcomes Research: An Overview

Outcomes research is increasingly important in contemporary medicine. Outcomes research differs from traditional clinical research in that outcomes are typically measured from the patient's perspective, and expanded measures of outcome are used, such as quality of life and cost-effectiveness. In this introduction to the special journal edition, the author will discuss the background behind outcomes research and describe several of its important aspects. Outcomes research consists of the clinical study of expanded, patient-based outcomes, as well as the study of populations, databases, and the delivery of health care. Outcomes research also includes the development of validated instruments to assess patient-based outcomes, development of disease severity staging systems, identification of comorbid conditions, and meta-analysis.
The influence of carbon nanotube aspect ratio on the foam morphology of MWNT/PMMA nanocomposite foams

Polymer nanocomposite foams, products from the foaming of polymer nanocomposites, have received increasing attention in both the scientific and industrial communities. Nanocomposite foams filled with carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes with high electrical conductivity, enhanced mechanical properties, and low density are potential effective electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. The EMI shielding efficiency depends on the electrical conductivity and bubble density, which in turn, depend on the properties of the filler. In the current study, multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) with controlled aspect ratio were used to alter the bubble density in MWNT/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites. It was found that the nanocomposite foams filled with shorter MWNT had higher bubble density under the same foaming conditions and MWNT concentration. Both the ends and sidewalls of carbon nanotubes can act as heterogeneous bubble nucleation sites, but the ends are more effective compared to the sidewalls. Shorter nanotubes provide more ends at constant MWNT concentration compared to long nanotubes. As a result, the difference in the foam morphology, particularly the bubble density, is due to the difference in the number of effective bubble nucleation sites.
The effect of hypophysectomy on the function of the insulin-sensitive central nervous system glucoregulator receptor.

Hypophysectomized and healthy control rats were studied to investigate the mechanism of action of the insulin-sensitive glucoregulator receptor of the central nervous system (CNS). Glucagon- free insulin (500/xαU) was injected into the carotid artery, and the peripheral blood glucose was monitored. An immediate significant fall in the blood sugar was observed in intact as well as in hypophysectomized rats. To control these experiments buffer was injected into the carotid artery, or 500 αU insulin was given through the jugular vein of intact and hypophysectomized animals. The systemic blood sugar level remained unchanged for 10-15 min in the control experiments. The results indicate that the function of this insulin-sensitive glucoregulator CNS receptor is not impaired in the hypophysectomized state. The initial phase of its effect, the sudden decrease of the blood sugar level, appears to be independent of pituitary hormone secretion. (Endocrinology 97: 734, 1975)
A Comparison of Two Sampling Methods for the Detection of Airborne Methylene Bisphenyl Diisocyanate

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference between two readily available sampling methodologies for airborne methylene bisphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), which is an essential precursor in the spray-on truck bed lining industry. Seventy-two personal airborne samples of MDI were collected and analyzed from nine spray-on truck bed liner businesses in northern Colorado. Wide ranges of exposure concentrations were encountered during the spray-on application, including concentrations that exceeded the OSHA permissible exposure limit. The highest airborne MDI concentration measured was 690 ppb. A statistically significant difference between field-desorbed and laboratory-desorbed methods was determined. The field-desorbed sampling methodology yielded consistently higher MDI concentrations than the laboratory-desorbed sampling methodology, which suggests that immediate desorption minimizes isocyanate loss and potential underestimations. Results from the analysis of variance also i...
Decreased myocyte tension development and calcium responsiveness in rat right ventricular pressure overload.

Background The contractile dysfunction observed in end-stage myocardial hypertrophy has at its base an abnormality in myocyte function. However, whether depressed contractile function is related to an alteration in contractile protein function is presently unknown. Methods and Results Contractile force, tension, and calcium responsiveness were measured in single-skinned myocytes isolated from rats with right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) and control rats. RVH was induced by pulmonary artery constriction for 36 weeks and was associated with significant myocyte hypertrophy. Myocytes were attached to micropipettes that extended from a force transducer and motor. Isometric force was measured over a wide range of calcium concentrations at two sarcomere lengths (SLs). Maximal force was increased in the RVH group: 1.20±0.10 versus 1.62±0.13 mg at SL=2.0 μm and 1.33±0.10 versus 1.84±0.15 mg at SL=2.3 μm (P<.05). Maximal tension, however, was reduced in the RVH group: 24.3±1.91 versus 37.5±2.92 mN/mm2 at SL=2.0 μm...
Relationship between phytoplankton cell size and the rate of orthophosphate uptake: in situ observations of an estuarine population

Orthophosphate uptake by a natural estuarine phytoplankton population was estimated using two methods: (1) 32P uptake experiments in which filters of different pore sizes were used to separate plankton size-fractions; (2) 33P autoradiography of phytoplankton cells. Results of the first method showed that plankton cells larger than 5 μm were responsible for 2% of the total orthophosphate uptake rate. 98% of the total uptake rate occurred in plankton composed mostly of bacteria, which passed the 5 μm screen and were retained by the 0.45 μm pore-size filter. There was no orthophosphate absorption by particulates in a biologically inhibited control containing iodoacetic acid. Orthophosphate uptake rates of individual phytoplankton species were obtained using 33P autoradiography. The sum of these individual rates was very close to the estimated rate of uptake by particulates larger than 5 μm in the 32P labelling experiment. Generally, smaller cells were found to have a faster uptake rate per μm3 biomass than larger cells. Although the nannoplankton constituted only about 21% of the total algal biomass, the rate of phosphate uptake by the nannoplankton was 75% of the total phytoplankton uptake rate. Results of the plankton autoradiography showed that the phosphate uptake rate per unit biomass is a power function of the surface: volume ratio of a cell; the relationship is expressed by the equation Y=2x10-11X1.7, where Y is μgP μm-3 h-1 and X is the surface: volume ratio. These results lend support to the hypothesis that smaller cells have a competitive advantage by having faster nutrient uptake rates.
Pediatric community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection and colonization: trends and management.

Purpose of reviewThe scourge of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pediatrics continues unabated. This review provides information on changes in epidemiology, therapeutic considerations, and measures to control the epidemic.Recent findingsThe epidemiology and clinical
Treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders in the emergency department: Special considerations

Abstract Because of their particular difficulties in social interactions and language and communication, individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) present to the emergency department (ED) with unique needs. There are a number of important concepts for the treating physician and care team to keep in mind when treating patients in this milieu. A review of the literature reveals that little has been recorded in regard to the treatment of this particular population in an acute care setting. Therefore, through a series of instructive vignettes, an attempt is made to begin a discussion about issues unique to treating these individuals in the ED.
Antifungal Activity of 5-Fluorocytosine as Measured by Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Testing

The susceptibilities of 216 isolates of pathogenic and commensal yeasts to 5-fluorocytosine were tested by a disk diffusion technique with use of 1- and 10-,/g disks. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by an agar dilution procedure with yeast morphology agar, pH 5.0, supplemented with 0.25 mg of thiamine/ dl. Zones of inhibition produced by the two disks were correlated with paired MIC values. An MIC of 16 ,/g/ml, the upper limit of probable clinical susceptibility, correlated with zones of 14 mm and 25 mnm, respectively, for the 1- and 10-pg disks. With these values as interpretative breakpoints, the 1-/~g disk would have failed to predict clinical susceptibility with 25% of the susceptible isolates of Candida species other than Candida albicans, with 14% of the susceptible isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans, with 7% of the susceptible isolates of C. albicans, and with one of the 25 susceptible isolates of Torulopsis glabrata. The 10-,ug disk would have failed to predict susceptibility with only two isolates of Candida species.
Stereochemical constraints on the substrate specificity of phosphotriesterase

A series of achiral, chiral, and racemic mixtures of paraoxon analogues containing various combinations of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, or phenyl substituents were synthesized as probes of the stereochemical constraints within the active site of phosphotriesterase. The kinetic constants for these paraoxon analogues with the enzyme varied significantly with the size of substituents surrounding the phosphorus center. These results indicate that binding and catalysis depend significantly on the relative size and orientation of the two subsites that must accommodate the coordination of the alkyl or aryl substituents within the enzyme active site. Individual enantiomers of paraoxon analogues were also synthesized and the stereochemical specificity for phosphotriesterase determined. In general, the kinetic constants, kcat and kcat/Km, for the (-)-enantiomers of these phosphotriesters were 1-2 orders of magnitude greater than the (+)-enantiomers. In every case, the preferred isomer is of the SP-configuration. For example, the kcat/Km for SP-(-)-ethyl phenyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate is 1.8 x 10(8) M-1 s-1 but is only 1.8 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 for the RP-(+)-isomer. These results suggest that one enantiomer is positioned for hydrolysis more favorably than the other enantiomer. The inactivation of acetylcholinesterase with the same series of organophosphate nerve agents was also measured. The stereoisomer that more rapidly inactivates human acetylcholinesterase is hydrolyzed more slowly than its enantiomer by the phosphotriesterase.
Computed tomography of ilio-psoas muscle tumors.

Abstract A retrospective evaluation of computed tomography scans done at our institution showing psoas muscle tumors is presented. The anatomy of the psoas muscle along with a discussion of normal psoas anatomy which can be mistaken for tumor are reviewed. Primary muscle tumors along with metastatic, neurogenic, and lymphomatous tumors affecting the psoas muscle is discussed. The use of computed tomography for assessment of extent, origin, and structure of psoas muscle tumors is demonstrated.
Fluorescence spectroscopy to evaluate dermal wounds

Fluorescence spectra of dermal lesions on 48 rats have been investigated using excitation wavelengths of 275 nm, 300 nm and 340 nm. Emission at 340 nm and 460 nm were measured in both forequarter and hindquarter lesions. Unlike 460 nm emission, intensity at 340 nm increased with time and then saturated. Control studies on intact skin and lesions in dead rats failed to demonstrate any time dependent changes. It appears that the 340 nm intensity changes is due to changes in the tryptophan level, and may reflect a factor in the wound healing process.
Rotational Brownian motion in a fluid with internal degrees of freedom

The coefficient of frictional torque acting on a rough hard sphere (Brownian particle) which rotates about a fixed axis in a fluid composed of finite-sized particles with internal rotational degrees of freedom is computed. Inertial effects are included. The long-time limit of the angular-velocity-autocorrelation function is obtained. We find that angular-velocity-autocorrelation function decays as ${t}^{\frac{\ensuremath{-}5}{2}}$, but with a coefficient that is altered from the usual Navier-Stokes result to include contributions from transport processes involving internal rotational degrees of freedom of the fluid.
Predicting the job performance of managers: What do the experts know?

Abstract US personnel experts, like their New Zealand, UK, and French colleagues, do not know or apply the research base of their profession when selecting managers. Students do know which are the most valid predictors but do not apply them to their work. Nor does it appear that predictors are chosen on the grounds of technical feasibility, cost, or legal defensibility. It seems that practitioners do not believe the research evidence, or are prevented from using it by established practices in their organizations, or they consider other issues more important than validity in the choice of methods for selecting managers.