cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rheumatoid myositis leading to acute lower extremity compartment syndrome: a case-based review

Muscle pain and weakness in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient has a broad differential, and myositis should be considered early in the disease course as serious limb and life-threatening sequelae may occur. A 55-year-old woman with a past medical history of methotrexate-controlled RA presented with right leg pain for 4 days. The patient suffered sensory loss in the right foot and decreased strength in the toes. Lab tests revealed elevated creatine kinase, ESR, and anti-rheumatoid factor antibody titers. CT scan revealed myositis of posterior compartment muscles. Progressive edema, pain, and neuromuscular deficits persisted despite steroid and antibiotic therapy, so the patient was taken for urgent fasciotomy for acute compartment syndrome. The muscle biopsy showed diffuse mononuclear cell infiltration as well as perivascular and perineural involvement consistent with rheumatoid myositis (RM). The patient did well post-op on a prednisone taper. This case underlines the systemic nature of RA and exemplifies the severity of inflammation that may lead to grave consequences such as compartment syndrome. The histopathology is diagnostic when there is evidence of mononuclear cell infiltration; however, this is not entirely specific. Early, aggressive therapy with immunosuppressives is warranted in such patients. RM has not, to our knowledge, been recorded to cause acute compartment syndrome. Clinicians should be aware of this uncommon manifestation of RA keeping the various presentations of rheumatoid disease in mind when faced with these patients.
Influence of gender and academic ability in a computer‐based Spanish reading task

In order to determine the effects of gender and scholastic ability on vocabulary retention and reading comprehension in a foreign language, 181 men and women enrolled in a first‐year Spanish course were asked to either read a passage in Spanish on a computer and create annotations for a list of words found in the passage (experimental group), or simply to read the already annotated passage (control group). They were administered vocabulary and reading comprehension tests, and a questionnaire concerning their attitude toward the task. Results showed rather complex interactions between the variables of sex and ability. Although the differences overall failed to achieve statistical significance, an analysis of the attitude questions separately resulted in several significant interactions for gender.
Microsclerodermins C-E, antifungal cyclic peptides from the lithistid marine sponges Theonella sp. and Microscleroderma sp

Abstract Three new cyclic peptides, microsclerodermins C - E (3–5), were isolated from two species of lithistid sponges from the Visayan Islands, Philippines. The sponge Theonella sp. contained peptides 3 and 4, while Microscleroderma sp. contained peptides 4 and 5. Their structures, which feature three unprecedented amino acids, were elucidated using spectroscopic methods and chemical degradation.
Hyperglycemia in mice of the Goodale Giant (G/GW) strain

Abstract Mice of the Goodale Giant strain have a 60-day weight which is over twice that of normal mice and have a non-fasting glucose level of 250 mg/dl. Body composition and insulin levels are normal; however, growth hormone levels are elevated and glucose tolerance is abnormal. The mild hyperglycemia is associated with the rapid rate of growth and elevated level of growth hormone.
Heritable variation in the timing of spermatophore removal, a mechanism of post-copulatory female choice in crickets

Female crickets can exert post-copulatory mating preferences by prematurely removing a male’s spermatophore after copulation, which terminates sperm transfer. Although most models of sexual selection assume that female mating preferences are heritable, there has been little work addressing genetic variation underlying post-copulatory mate choice. We used a paternal half-sib design, in which different males were randomly assigned as mates to several females to create half-sib families, to determine the heritability of spermatophore retention time in female house crickets, Acheta domesticus. There was significant additive genetic variance in the timing of spermatophore removal by females [h2 = 0.50 ± 0.19 (± SE)], suggesting that the timing of spermatophore removal is determined, in part, by the female’s own genotype independent of the quality of her mate. The relatively high heritability of spermatophore retention time may be reflective of the absence of strong selection on this trait, consistent with previous work showing no difference in the fitness of females permitted to freely remove the spermatophore of their mates and those forced to accept complete ejaculates.
Impending Hemorrhagic Shock and the Course of Events following Administration of Dibenamine

By blocking sympathogenic vasoconstrictor mechanisms with dibenamine, a dog's tolerance to severe hemorrhagic hypotension states is definitely improved. New evidence is presented that partial release from vasoconstriction achieved by, giving small doses of dibenamine during the impending shock state seems to provide animals with even greater tolerance to this standardized form of stress. Although the use of dibenamine clinically for this purpose seems contraindicated, the dangers of at administering vasoconstrictor drugs to patients in impending shock are emphasized.
Fathers as intervention agents for their children with developmental disabilities

ABSTRACT Parent training aimed at aiding children to overcome social and behavioral problems is an area that has continued to gain attention and support. Very little of the current research has been with developmentally disabled children, the focus of this study. Additionally, for most parent training programs, “parents” actually refers to mothers. In this study three fathers and their developmentally disabled children, who ranged in age from 2 years 10 months to 4 years 5 months, were studied. A multiple baseline across fathers' behaviors was utilized for participants to evaluate effects of parent training on fathers' target behaviors. Child compliance and inappropriate behaviors were also addressed. Parent training resulted in desirable changes on a range of target behaviors. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Second-Generation B Factories at the ϒ(4S)

Abstract Physics goals and technical issues related to very high luminosity B Factories are discussed.
A Simple Equivalent Circuit Model for Ultrawideband Coupled Arrays

Equivalent circuits are proposed to model the radiation impedance of low-profile ultrawideband antenna arrays with strong interelement coupling. Previous approaches provided rudimentary equivalent circuits and referred to much smaller impedance bandwidth arrays. In this letter, we extend these models to include antenna sections that overlap with adjacent array elements (as is the case with interwoven arms of tightly coupled spirals). The proposed equivalent circuits include dielectric superstrates and representations of higher-order grating lobes. Design optimization is carried out for an array of coupled and interwoven antenna elements to develop a 20:1 impedance bandwidth aperture. It is demonstrated that the radiation impedance obtained via the proposed equivalent circuit is in excellent agreement with full-wave simulation.
Active deflection control of multisegment traversing beams

Multisegment SMART traversing beams with built-in sensing and actuation capabilities have been considered in various critical applications where weight and deflection are of utmost importance, such as in long support bridges. With such capabilities, light weight SMART segments can be added one at a time to extend the traversing beam over long gaps with minimal deflections and stresses. Each segment of the SMART beam has a set of distributed wire sensors, embedded in its bottom fibers, to sense the beam deflection and another set of wire actuators, embedded in the top fibers, to compensate for the encountered deflections. The theory governing the operation of this class of SMART beams is developed and validated experimentally on a two-segment prototype of the traversing beam whose sides are made of a photoelastic material.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Evaluating the incorporation of technology and application projects in the higher education mathematics classroom

We report the qualitative and quantitative results of incorporating interdisciplinary application projects and increasing the use of teaching with technology into Calculus I, II and III at the University of Colorado Denver. Minimal changes were made to the curriculum and minimal time was required of instructors to make the changes. Instructors were given one 3-hour introduction to teaching with technology, a 3-hour introduction to one or two interdisciplinary problems to be used in the class, and course instructors met with each other no more than 1 hour per week. To evaluate the effectiveness of these modifications, 24 students were interviewed four times during a 2 year time span, student comments from student evaluations regarding the application projects were recorded, and the grade-point averages (GPAs) of four groups of 40 students for the year following their completion of Calculus III were analysed. The results show that students' enthusiasm and interest in interdisciplinary application projects w...
Dynamical calculation of low-energy electron diffraction intensities from GaAs(110): Influence of boundary conditions, exchange potential, lattice vibrations, and multilayer reconstructions

Dynamical calculations of the intensities of normally incident low-energy electrons diffracted from GaAs(110), performed using a matrix-inversion method, are compared both with earlier kinematical calculations and with measured intensities. The insensitivity of the calculated intensities to the choice of exchange potential and vacuum-solid boundary conditions is displayed. Surface lattice vibrations are found to be adequately described by the bulk Debye temperature. We consider second- and third-layer structural distortions as well as top-layer reconstructions. This analysis leads to the selection of the most probable surface structure for GaAs(110) as one in which the top layer undergoes both a rigid rotation of 27.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and a 0.05-\AA{} contraction with the As atoms moving outward and the Ga atoms inward, giving a relative vertical shear of 0.65 \AA{}. In the second layer the Ga moves outward 0.06 \AA{} and the second-layer As moves inward 0.06 \AA{}. The dynamical analysis reported herein shows no evidence for third-layer distortions.
WE-A-I-609-01: Digital Image Processing in Radiography

Digital radiography systems are capable of capturing a wide range of x‐ray exposures in a single image. The wide latitude of these capture devices dictates that images are digitally processed before display. Attempting to directly print or display the full dynamic range of the captured image will result in an image with low contrast that is unacceptable for diagnostic interpretation. Image processing algorithms are used to identify the range of exposures (represented as code values) that correspond to the diagnostically relevant regions, followed by a rendering process to transform signal values in the diagnostically relevant regions to display values. The image processing algorithms need to perform these steps completely automatically, or with a minimum amount of human intervention, to facilitate technologists' workflow. Image processing performance is ultimately gauged by the ability to automatically and consistently generate images of diagnostic quality. Recognition of the diagnostically relevant exposures consists of segmentation of the collimation, direct exposure, and anatomy regions. This is a challenging computer‐recognition problem because several factors cause the characteristics of the image, and corresponding code value histogram, to vary. These factors include the body part and projection, exposure technique, collimation, use of anti‐scatter devices, use of contrast media, etc. Robust segmentation will also automatically recognize other features such as prosthetic implants, pacemakers, and left‐right markers. Once the image is properly segmented, the signal values for the diagnostically relevant regions are transformed into values for display. Rendering the region of interest for display generally consists of establishing the image grayscale rendition, and signal equalization and contrast enhancement, which is based on spatial frequency decomposition and reconstruction. Because of the tremendous flexibility to render images to different aims, understanding the rendering preferences of radiologists is a critical component of digital radiographyimage processing. Establishing the aim appearance for different exam types, then adapting the image processing algorithms and database parameters to automatically and consistently deliver the preferred rendering, will affect both the technologists' and the radiologists' satisfaction with the capture device. This course will review fundamentals of image processing for digital radiography. Specific course content will include a discussion of radiographicimage segmentation, correlation of image content with different regions of the histogram, and a review of image‐rendering functions, including the tone scale, spatial frequency methods to enhance contrast, and signal equalization. The course will also include a review of the role of image processing in the end‐to‐end image chain (capture through interpretation), with considerations for image quality performance of different capture and display devices, the effect of the human visual system and ambient viewing conditions, and grayscale calibration.
The Vitamin A Requirements of Breeding Turkeys and Their Progeny

Abstract UPON evaluation of available information, the Committee on Animal Nutrition of the National Research Council (1954) set the minimum vitamin A requirements for breeding turkeys and for starting and growing turkeys at 2,400 USP units per pound of diet. The estimates are based upon research work in which carotene, fish liver oils or “un-stabilized” vitamin A preparations were used to supply the vitamin. These studies showed extremely variable results and indicated requirements for the young poult, for example, ranging from the neighborhood of 2,400 USP units (Wilgus, 1940; Van Reen et al., 1951) to over 7,500 USP units of vitamin A per pound of diet (Wharton et al., 1949). Very limited published work is available upon which to base a minimum vitamin A requirement for breeding turkeys. It is probable that the extreme variation in reported vitamin A requirements is due to variations in stability of the reference vitamin A…
Filtering data from the collaborative initial glaucoma treatment study for improved identification of glaucoma progression

Background Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is a prevalent, degenerate ocular disease which can lead to blindness without proper clinical management. The tests used to assess disease progression are susceptible to process and measurement noise. The aim of this study was to develop a methodology which accounts for the inherent noise in the data and improve significant disease progression identification.
Volatile Contaminants in the Welland River Watershed

Surveys of selected volatile contaminants in water of the Welland River, a tributary to the Niagara River, in 1980 and 1981 show high levels of carbon disulfide, methylene chloride, and chloroform immediately below two industrial outfalls. Downstream from these point sources, a rapid decline in the contaminant concentrations is noted due to dilution, degradation, and/ or volatilization of the compounds. Although toxic effects of other components of these effluents have been observed, the concentrations of the volatile contaminants are several orders of magnitude lower than those at which acute toxic effects on biota are observed.
Is it protestant tradition or current protestant population that affects corruption

Abstract The percentage of Protestants 100 years ago has a more significant impact on today's level of corruption than the current percentage of Protestants within a country. This supports Williamson [Williamson, O.E., 2000. The new institutional economics: taking stock, looking ahead, Journal of Economic Literature XXXVIII, 595–613]'s claim that religion is at Level-1 of social analysis.
Computation and its role in the unification of design

Abstract The structural design process by use of computers has come to mean an integration of graphics, in the form of computer aided design (CAD) and modern analysis, usually in the finite element method (FEM). Although these have achieved a high degree of sophistication, the ultimate goals of design will generally demand a unification of CAD, FEM, and optimal structural design. The history and key concepts of the latter are described, and issues related to its unification with the former are discussed.
Rise-Time Characteristics of Organic Solution Scintillators

A special demountable cathode-ray tube has been designed to produce electron-beam excitation of organic scintillator solutions. Solutions are irradiated through an electron-permeable window. The beam is swept across the window in 0.4 × 10-9 seconds. A 1P28 photomultiplier and traveling-wave oscilloscope are used in recording. About 25,000 mev of excitation energy is delivered per pulse and pulse oscillograms are free of statistical variations. System response time is due almost wholly to photomultiplier transit-time dispersion. A pure Gaussian form is assumed for the response function of the system in analyzing pulse contours. The time resolution of the system is adequate to permit observation of the dependence of pulse rise times on concentration in solutions of p-terphenyl in toluene and anthracene in benzene. The results are in good agreement with the energy-transfer theory proposed by Kallmann and Furst.
Continuous passive motion after arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Comparison of short- versus long-term use

Abstract The use of continuous passive motion (CPM) following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has become common. The duration of use of CPM for maximal therapeutic benefit is not known. This study compared 4-day CPM use with 14-day CPM use following arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft prospectively in 20 patients. The patients were randomly allocated to the CPM 4-day group [6 h daily CPM for 4 days in hospital followed by intermittent passive motion (IPM) at home] or to the CPM 14-day group (6 h daily CPM for 14 days). The objective parameters measured were girth measurements at four lower limb locations for joint swelling and muscle atrophy; range of motion of the knee, measured goniometrically; and KT-1000 arthrometry measurements for joint laxity. The measurements were made prior to surgery, and on days 2, 7, 14, and 42, postoperatively. There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) at 42 days postoperatively between groups in all parameters measured with the exception of KT-1000 laxity at 42 days.
The International Trade Union Campaign for Core Labor Standards in the WTO

This paper explores the international campaign for a labor rights clause in the WTO. The author argues that, while the campaign has successfully highlighted the importance of core labor standards, it could greatly benefit by broadening the campaign to include development-related demands; increasing Southern union and base-level involvement; and complementing lobbying efforts with increased membership mobilization and protest activity.
Modeling light bullets with the two-dimensional sine—Gordon equation

Abstract Light bullets are spatially localized ultra-short optical pulses in more than one space dimensions. They contain only a few electromagnetic oscillations under their envelopes and propagate long distances without essentially changing shapes. Light bullets of femtosecond durations have been observed in recent numerical simulation of the full Maxwell systems. The sine–Gordon (SG) equation comes as an asymptotic reduction of the two level dissipationless Maxwell–Bloch system. We derive a new and complete nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equation in two space dimensions for the SG pulse envelopes so that it is globally well-posed and has all the relevant higher order terms to regularize the collapse of the standard critical NLS (CNLS). We perform a modulation analysis and found that SG pulse envelopes undergo focusing–defocusing cycles. Numerical results are in qualitative agreement with asymptotics and reveal the SG light bullets, similar to the Maxwell light bullets. We achieve the understanding that the light bullets are manifestations of the persistence and robustness of the complete NLS asymptotics.
Who has ‘the right stuff’? human capital, entrepreneurship and institutional change in China

This paper argues that, contrary to conventional thought, the market development of the institutional environment not only lowers constraints to entrepreneurship, but in addition, encourages those of higher ability to choose entrepreneurship through an increase in expected returns. The data exploits a natural experiment to explore the transition to entrepreneurship using a differences-in-differences approach (over time and across regions). The results provide evidence that the greatest increase in entrepreneurship after the 1999 constitutional amendment (which made illegal prior discriminatory policies preventing the growth of entrepreneurial firms) was among the top quartiles of the ability distribution. The findings suggest that the selection of high quality individuals into entrepreneurship is shaped less by the relaxation of constraints such as the costs of entry and more by the risk/return profile of founding a firm. In addition, both developing and developed countries may want to consider institutions that encourage high human capital individuals to enter entrepreneurship since their firms are found to have higher productivity and to be more innovative. This paper analyzes unique data from a recently conducted survey of alumni graduating from 1947–2007 from a technical university in China.
Iterative learning control for nonsmooth dynamical systems

In this paper, two approaches to iterative learning control for nonsmooth dynamical systems are considered. If the system satisfies certain passivity conditions, a simple update law may be applied. For more general dynamical systems, an iterative update algorithm based on a quadratic optimal control problem is considered. The passivity approach does not require model information but it may be restrictive. The optimal control approach is general, but requires model information for its implementation. A mechanical system with dry friction is used as a simulation example for the comparison between the two approaches.
Using Cursor Hints to Supplement a Less Interruptive Desktop Notification

In this study we designed an assistive notification mechanism that did not interrupt users' primary task so that they could focus on their main activity in a desktop environment. When a notification appeared in the peripheral area of the users' field of view, we gave hints such as the color of cursor or a label to cursor to lead their attention to the notification that was originally outside of users' field of view. To test our mechanism, we performed a multi-task experiment in a desktop environment with a word-finding game and the mouse cursor hints. The result revealed that the color hint as well as label hint coming from the cursor could increase the accuracy of participants’ ability to aware of the notification and decrease their subjective frustration while having little effect on their primary task. This implies that these approaches can be a potential assistive mechanism to current notification systems in a desktop environment.
Scale interactions of turbulence subjected to a straining-relaxation-destraining cycle

The response of turbulence subjected to planar straining and de-straining is studied experimentally, and the impact of the applied distortions on the energy transfer across different length scales is quantified. The data are obtained using planar particle image velocimetry (PIV) in a water tank, in which high-Reynolds-number turbulence with very low mean velocity is generated by an array of spinning grids. Planar straining and de-straining mean flows are produced by pushing and pulling a rectangular piston towards, and away from, the bottom wall of the tank. The data are processed to yield the time evolution of Reynolds stresses, anisotropy tensors, turbulence kinetic energy production, and mean subgrid-scale (SGS) dissipation rate at various scales. During straining, the production rises rapidly. After the relaxation period the small-scale SGS stresses recover isotropy, but the Reynolds stresses still display significant anisotropy. Thus when destraining is applied, a strong negative production (mean backscatter) occurs, i.e. the turbulence returns kinetic energy to the mean flow. The SGS dissipation displays similar behaviour at large filter scales, but the mean backscatter gradually disappears with decreasing filter scales. Energy spectra are compared to predictions of rapid distortion theory (RDT). Good agreement is found for the initial response but, as expected for the time-scale ratios of the experiment, turbulence relaxation causes discrepancies between measurements and RDT at later times.
MOD5 translation initiation sites determine N6-isopentenyladenosine modification of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic tRNA.

Abstract MOD5 is one of several genes that code for enzymes found in mitochondria and another cellular compartment. Like other such genes, it contains two in-frame ATGs that could be used to produce two proteins, differing from each other by an amino-terminal extension. Certain other genes produce heterogeneous mRNAs with some 5' ends falling upstream of the longest open reading frame and some 5' ends falling between the first and second ATGs. In these cases, selection of transcription start sites appears to play a significant role in translation start site selection. MOD5, in contrast, produces mRNAs with 5' ends that all fall upstream of both ATGs. To determine how MOD5 encodes isozymes that are located in different cellular compartments and to determine whether they differ in structure, we constructed MOD5 and MOD5-COXIV fusions with mutations of the first, second, or both ATGs. The effect of these alterations on protein production, tRNA modification, and cellular location was assessed. Both the first and second ATGs are used to produce MOD5 protein in vivo, but only the long form of the protein is imported into mitochondria. Thus, the first 11 amino acids present on the amino-terminal extended protein are necessary for mitochondrial import. Surprisingly, this extension does not promote complete import of the long form of the protein, but rather a functional pool of the extended protein remains in the cytoplasm. The amino-terminal extension is also unusual because it is probably not proteolytically removed upon import and therefore does not constitute part of a mitochondrial presequence.
Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in cancer cell migration and invasion

Malignant cancer cells utilize their intrinsic migratory ability to invade adjacent tissues and the vasculature, and ultimately to metastasize. Cell migration is the sum of multi-step processes initiated by the formation of membrane protrusions in response to migratory and chemotactic stimuli. The driving force for membrane protrusion is localized polymerization of submembrane actin filaments. Recently, several studies revealed that molecules that link migratory signals to the actin cytoskeleton are upregulated in invasive and metastatic cancer cells. In this review, we summarize recent progress on molecular mechanisms of formation of invasive protrusions used by tumor cells, such as lamellipodia and invadopodia, with regard to the functions of key regulatory proteins of the actin cytoskeleton; WASP family proteins, Arp2/3 complex, LIM-kinase, cofilin, and cortactin.
Genetics of speciation in the Aedes (Stegomyia) scutellaris group (Diptera: Culicidae). VI: Inheritance of red-eye in interspecific crosses

Summary The inheritance pattern and linkage association of red-eye (re) of Aedes kesseli, have been determined in Ae. polynesiensis and Ae. pseudoscutellaris through interspecific crosses. It showed the similar mode of inheritance as in Ae. kesseli, i. e. sex-linked recessive controlled by a single pair of alleles. However, the recombination frequencies between sex and red-eye loci were increased over those in Ae. kesseli by approximately two fold. Nevertheless, red-eye locus is present on the linkage group I in all three species of the Aedes (Stegomyia) scutellaris subgroup, and also sex determining mechanism is the same, males being (Mm) and females (mm). Zusammenfassung Genetische Grundlagen der Artbildung in der Aedes (Stegomyia) scutellaris-Gruppe (Diptera: Culicidae) VI. Vererbungsmodus von “ed-eye” bei zwischenartlicher Hybridisierung Der Vererbungsmodus und die Koppelungsbeziehungen fur das Gen ˝ed-eye” (re) von Aedes kesseli wurden bei Ae. polynesiensis and Ae. pseudoscutellaris durch interspezifische Hybridisierung untersucht. re erwies sick in den beiden anderen Arten ebenso wie bei Ae. kesseli als ein geschlechts-gekoppeltes, rezessives Allel. Die Rekombinationshaufigkeit zwischen dem Geschiechtsrealisator and re war jedoch in den Hybriden auf nahezu das Doppelte erhoht. Jedenfalls gehort re bei alien drei Arten der Aedes (Stegomyia) scutellaris-Gruppe zur Koppelungsgruppe I, und die Geschlechtsbestimmung ist dieselbe mit (Mm) Mannchen and (mm) Weibchen.
The ocular lesions of bovine viral diarrhea-mucosal disease.

Ocular abnormalities, consisting of retinal atrophy, optic neuriris, cataract, and microphthalmia with retinal dysplasia occurred in calves born to Cows artificially infected with BVD-MD virus. Retinal lesions were also seen in the calves from a naturally-infected herd. The degree of retinal atrophy varied from back of formation of normal layers to focal loss of the rod and cone layer with pigmentary migration. Cataracts were primarily cortical. There were acute and chronic optic neuritis.
Full Work Analysis of Resident Work Hours

Background Resident duty hour restrictions, while intended to improve patient safety and resident well-being, may decrease time available for patient care and education. Our objective was to perform in-depth analysis of how a pediatric surgical resident utilizes his time in hopes of eliminating waste, and in effect, add educationally relevant hours. Materials and methods Work done by a senior pediatric surgical resident was prospectively collected using three methods. The duty hours logged by the resident for a full academic year were analyzed. A detailed work analysis was performed by an independent observer who videotaped the resident. Finally, the resident recorded and categorized his daily activities during the month in which the videotaping occurred. Results 18.9 h (1134.9 min) of videotaped data were collected. The total time spent directly related to patient care, including the operating room, was 656 min. One hundred seventy-five min were spent on education, both didactic and teaching on the wards. The resident spent 139.8 min traveling within the hospital; 132.7 min were categorized as communication; only 1.5% of time was deemed pure waste. A total of 344.75 h (20,685 min) were self-reported and categorized. Didactic education comprised 6.7% of total time while less formal teaching is embedded in the clinical activities of consultation, rounds, and clinic. Conclusions Increased efficiency in the operating room, where the most time was spent, coupled with workflow redesigns that decrease travel and time spent on the phone would increase time available for education and patient care.
Crystallographic study of an esteroproteolytic enzyme

The esteroproteolytic enzyme, a serine protease from porcine pancreas, has been crystallized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Two closely related crystal forms were observed. The unit cell dimensions of the first form are a = 59.2 A, b = 96.4 A and c = 47.4 A, space group P21212 with one molecule (mol. wt 30,000) per asymmetric unit. The unit cell dimensions of the second form are a = 59.2 A, b = 96.4 A and c = 94.8 A, space group P212121. Mercury derivatives of enzyme inhibitors were used to obtain multiple isomorphous heavy-atom substituents suitable for phase determination.
Expression of functional NK-1 receptors in murine microglia.

Cells of myeloid origin such as microglia have the potential to contribute significantly to the development of inflammatory responses in the CNS. The ability of the neuropeptide substance P to augment proinflammatory responses by other myeloid cell types such as macrophages and dendritic cells is well recognized. In the present study, we demonstrate the presence of mRNA encoding NK-1 (substance P) receptors in murine microglia cell lines. Importantly, we have utilized specific antibodies developed by our laboratory to detect the expression of the NK-1 receptor protein in murine microglia cell lines by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry. Furthermore, we have investigated the presence of this receptor on primary murine microglia and report the presence of authentic NK-1 receptors as determined by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry. In addition, we demonstrate that NK-1 receptors expressed on microglia are functional as demonstrated by the ability of nanomolar concentrations of substance P to initiate activation of the transcriptional activator, NF-kappaB. Given the weight of evidence supporting the role of substance P--substance P receptor interactions in the initiation of optimal proinflammatory responses by myeloid cells, the demonstration of authentic and functional NK-1 receptors in microglia identifies this neuropeptide as a potentially important contributor to CNS inflammatory responses during disease states.
Comparisons Between Adolescents With and Without Diabetes.

One hundred twenty-five secondary school adolescents with diabetes were matched with same grade, same sexed non-diabetics. Comparisons were made of the Interpersonal Check List, Level II conscious description profiles and vector diagrams. Analysis of the responses indicates that the child with diabetes presents self-descriptions similar to his non-diabetic counterpart. The implications of these findings with respect to the public school education of the child who has diabetes as a chronic condition are discussed.
Formyl-methanofuran synthesis in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum

The initial step of methanogenesis from CO2 is the formation of formyl-methanofuran (formyl-MFR) from methanofuran (MFR), CO2 and H2. The enzymology of this novel type of CO2 fixation reaction has been difficult to study because formyl-MFR synthesis is subject to a complex activation. Recently, however, a number of advances have made questions regarding formyl-MFR synthesis more approachable.
Teaching about Approximate Confidence Regions Based on Maximum Likelihood Estimation

Abstract Maximum likelihood (ML) provides a powerful and extremely general method for making inferences over a wide range of data/model combinations. The likelihood function and likelihood ratios have clear intuitive meanings that make it easy for students to grasp the important concepts. Modern computing technology has made it possible to use these methods over a wide range of practical applications. However, many mathematical statistics textbooks, particularly those at the Senior/Masters level, do not give this important topic coverage commensurate with its place in the world of modern applications. Similarly, in nonlinear estimation problems, standard practice (as reflected by procedures available in the popular commercial statistical packages) has been slow to recognize the advantages of likelihood-based confidence regions/intervals over the commonly use “normal-theory” regions/intervals based on the asymptotic distribution of the “Wald statistic.” In this note we outline our approach for presenting, ...
Jury Nullification in Political Trials

Judges in the United States usually do not tell juries of their historic power to nullify the law by acquitting defendants who are guilty according to the evidence. This fact may affect the fortunes of political defendants and their protest movements. This paper looks at the history of jury nullification in political trials in England and the United States and the ideological consequences of the refusal of many judges in trials of Vietnam War protesters to inform jurors of their power to nullify. Had jurors been so informed, more acquittals or hung juries would probably have resulted, presenting a serious challenge to the government's conduct of the war. I also address the theoretical and research implications of my analysis. Political protesters have faced criminal prosecution throughout the history of the United States. From the tax and mercantile protests of the colonial era to the demonstrations against nuclear power and nuclear weapons of the 1970s and 1980s, tens of thousands of U.S. citizens have been arrested, prosecuted, and often imprisoned for dissent. This use of the courts has affected the fate of many social movements. In several periods of protest, the courts have provided effective vehicles of social control for government officials and other antagonists. In 1917 and 1918, for example, federal and state prosecutions of some 2,000 socialists, anarchists, and other radicals under laws forbidding virtually all criticism of the First World War stifled dissent and helped destroy the Industrial Workers of the World (Chafee, 1941). In other times, though, the legal system has enabled insurgents to mobilize needed resources and gain other important advantages. Colonial law and legal proceedings, for example, proved a "creative force" (Teachout, 1981:198) in the struggle against English rule. Despite this rich history of political justice, however, sociologists have paid little attention to the impact of the legal system, and especially the criminal courts, on social movements. Courts are some of the many "third-party" resources (McCarthy and Zald, 1977; Oberschall, 1939) which may help achieve or obstruct the goals of social movement organizations (Barkan, 1980c; Handler, 1978).' In this framework, political trials are especially important.2 Government officials may use criminal charges and prosecutions to discredit a movement and compel its members to spend time, money, and energy avoiding conviction and punishment. A movement may in turn use the court proceedings to convince the public of the justness of its cause and the unfairness of the prosecution (Allen, 1974; Becker, 1971; Hakman, 1972; Kirchheimer, 1961). The jury's verdict thus has a crucial effect on both sides. Conviction advances the prosecution's goals of social control; acquittal frustrates the labeling of the movement's beliefs and conduct * The larger study from which this paper is derived would not have been possible without the advice and
Overexpressed nuclear factor κB correlates with enhanced expression of interleukin-1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase in aged murine lungs to endotoxic stress

Abstract Background Transcriptional regulation is a major determinant of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) protein synthesis. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) plays a central role in the regulation of IL-1β and subsequent IL-1β-dependent inflammatory processes. Previously, we observed in a murine endotoxic stress model a progressive increase with age in the amount of IL-1β mRNA. We test the aging pulmonary response of NF-κB and NF-κB-dependent genes, IL-1β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the same model. Methods Young (2-month-old) and senescent (25-month-old) mice were given 0.5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneally. Lung and blood samples were harvested after 4 hours. IL-1β production in blood samples and the expression levels of protein and mRNA of IL-1β and iNOS in lung tissues were measured. NF-κB binding activity in lung tissues was also determined. Results LPS induced higher levels of IL-1β in the sera and lungs of senescent mice over young mice. Northern and Western blot analyses showed that mRNA and protein signals of IL-1β and iNOS were significantly higher in old lungs than in young lungs. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay also showed that NF-κB activation was significantly higher in the older animals. Conclusions Our results suggest that elevated activation of NF-κB, at least in part, contributes to the dysregulated expression of IL-1β and iNOS in the lungs of senescent animals. Thus increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and inflammatory responsive genes in the lung may play a role in the increased susceptibility in aging animals to endotoxic stress.
Recent Trends in Monetary Policy Implementation: A View from the Desk

A paper presented at the April 2001 conference "Financial Innovation and Monetary Transmission," sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The Small Entrepreneur and Economic Development

A popular argument for extending the public sector and direct state action for economic development in many of the underdeveloped countries is that there is a shortage of private entrepreneurs. It is now increasingly recognized that many underdeveloped countries may be held back, not so much by a shortage of savings (and investment) but by a shortage of skills and knowledge resulting in the limited capacity of their organizational framework to absorb capital in productive investment.
Using discrete event simulation to improve the patient care process in the emergency department of a rural Kentucky hospital.

The patient care process of a rural Kentucky hospital is a complex process that must be flexible in order to deal with a large variety of patient needs and a fluctuating patient volume where all patients are unscheduled. A simulation model of an average month in the emergency department was built using the Arena Simulation package. Methods for creating a simulation using Arena are included in this work. Statistics were generated from a number of different sources to create an accurate representation of the model. The Hospital reporting shows a need to improve on two quality measures being tracked, the length of time a patient is in the emergency department from entry to completion of care, and the number of patients who leave without being seen by the physician (most often due to the length of their waiting room time prior to the initiation of care). Due to the complex nature of the emergency department and its impact by other departments of the Hospital as well as outside factors such as patient demand, the ability to quantify an expected gain from a change to the facility or to a process can be difficult to establish. A simulation model will allow for experiments on the system to be created and observed, thus enabling the Hospital to identify the best opportunities for improvement. Experiments included in this work show changes to the emergency department facility by adding an additional patient treatment bed, and changing a policy regarding transfer of a patient from the emergency department to inpatient care in the Hospital. Both experiments show improvement in quality measures, with reduced waiting room times, fewer patients who leave without being seen by the physician, and an overall reduction in the length of stay from entry to completion of care in the ED. In the creation of the simulation model, an objective was to develop a model that could be used to guide decision through its flexibility and statistical reliability. The model can be used to test a variety of physical or procedural changes to the emergency department, as well as to test to the impacts of increased patient volume.
An optimization-based treatment planner for gamma knife radiosurgery.

This research addresses the planning of Gamma Knife radiotherapy, which is an alternative to treating a variety of brain abnormalities with surgery. The principal aim of this work is to develop an automated planning system that will make it simpler, less time consuming and hopefully more effective for the clinical personnel to develop treatment plans. Currently, treatment planning is a time-consuming task that involves an iterative process of shot selection, placement, and adjustment. Our goal is to replace the iterative part of the planning with an optimization-based real-time planner. Our strategy is to: (1) automate initial shot selection and placement using a combined process of skeletonization and bin-covering, (2) optimize the exposure time for each shot to improve the target coverage while minimizing toxicity to the surrounding tissues, and (3) fine-tune the shot configuration by adjusting shot locations, and adding or deleting shots to further improve the balance between target coverage and normal tissue toxicity. The efficiency and effectiveness of our approach is derived from (1) the use of skeletonization and bin-covering to provide good starting point for the development of the plan, (2) the easy-to-solve linear fractional program that explicitly accounts for the dual objectives of maximizing target coverage while minimizing toxicity, at the same time accounting for dose-renormalization and (3) the fine-tuning step that explicitly accounts for shot overlapping, dose renormalization, and target shape to make determining of hot spots and estimating the effects of shot movement, addition and/or deletion possible. The planning system has been implemented on a Windows-based platform and tested using clinical cases from the standard Gamma Knife treatment model as well as the automatic positioning system (APS) model. The planner consistently produces, in 1-2 minutes, plans with dose conformity compatible to manual plans normally created in 1-4 hours.
Bilingualism alters children's frontal lobe functioning for attentional control

Bilingualism is a typical linguistic experience, yet relatively little is known about its impact on children's cognitive and brain development. Theories of bilingualism suggest that early dual-language acquisition can improve children's cognitive abilities, specifically those relying on frontal lobe functioning. While behavioral findings present much conflicting evidence, little is known about its effects on children's frontal lobe development. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), the findings suggest that Spanish-English bilingual children (n = 13, ages 7-13) had greater activation in left prefrontal cortex during a non-verbal attentional control task relative to age-matched English monolinguals. In contrast, monolinguals (n = 14) showed greater right prefrontal activation than bilinguals. The present findings suggest that early bilingualism yields significant changes to the functional organization of children's prefrontal cortex for attentional control and carry implications for understanding how early life experiences impact cognition and brain development.
Home-based Treatment for Children and Families Affected by HIV and AIDS: Dealing With Stigma, Secrecy, Disclosure, and Loss

Children affected by HIV/AIDS face multiple challenges beyond the disease itself. This article discusses the mental health and treatment needs of HIV affected children and families, with particular attention to the important issues of stigma, secrecy, disclosure, and loss. A home- and community-based intervention that takes a developmentally informed, psychoanalytic perspective is described. The goal of this program, which is supervised by the authors, makes use of a multi-systemic approach to assist HIV affected children and their families to work through the psychological, health, economic, and other burdens placed upon them by the disease.
Dual blockade of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX 2) may be dependent upon the EGFR mutational status in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines

7170 Background: Recent data has shown that the benefit of EGFR TKIs (tyrosine kinase inhibitors) in NSCLC is in patients with tumors that have EGFR mutations and /or gene amplification. Even among...