cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PAMM and the ischemic cascade associated with radiation retinopathy.

Abstract Purpose To report a case of paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) and evidence of the ischemic cascade documented with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) following radiation treatment of a choroidal melanoma. Observations A healthy young patient was evaluated for an asymptomatic choroidal nevus in the left eye. Fundus examination was remarkable for a choroidal melanocytic lesion that measured 1.8 mm in thickness by initial B-scan ultrasound. Clinical examination 6 months later showed growth of the tumor at several margins with new subretinal fluid, and a B-scan measured thickness of 1.9 mm. The lesion was diagnosed as a small choroidal melanoma and treated with gamma knife radiation with a dose of 3000 cGy. Sixteen months later, examination showed signs of radiation retinopathy including cotton wool spots and PAMM via SD-OCT and OCT angiography and evidence of the ischemic cascade i.e. alternating zones of middle and combined middle and inner retinal layer infarction. Conclusions and Importance: Radiation retinopathy can include signs of microvascular damage and ischemia including lesions such as cotton wool spots and PAMM. A case is presented in this report of radiation retinopathy with OCT evidence of PAMM and the ischemic cascade.
Community-Based Crime Reduction in Tulsa: An Application of Petersilia’s Multi-Stakeholder Collaborative Approach to Improve Policy Relevance and Reduce Crime Risk

The most fitting way to celebrate Joan Petersilia’s numerous advancements within the field of criminal justice is to deliberately practice the two most important lessons that perhaps best define he...
Return to Work After Primary Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis:

Background:Rotator cuff tears are a prevalent pathology in injured workers, causing significant economic ramifications and time away from work. To date, published articles on work outcomes after ro...
Real-World Clinical Outcomes of Bamlanivimab and Casirivimab-Imdevimab among High-Risk Patients with Mild to Moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Background Bamlanivimab and casirivimab-imdevimab are authorized for treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in high-risk patients. We compared the outcomes of patients who received these therapies to identify factors associated with hospitalization and other clinical outcomes. Methods Adult patients who received monoclonal antibody from 19 November 2020 to 11 February 2021 were selected and divided into those who received bamlanivimab (n = 2747) and casirivimab-imdevimab (n = 849). The 28-day all-cause and COVID-19-related hospitalizations were compared between the groups. Results The population included 3596 patients; the median age was 62 years, and 50% were female. All had ≥1 medical comorbidity; 55% had multiple comorbidities. All-cause and COVID-19-related hospitalization rates at 28 days were 3.98% and 2.56%, respectively. After adjusting for medical comorbidities, there was no significant difference in all-cause and COVID-19-related hospitalization rates between bamlanivimab and casirivimab-imdevimab (adjusted hazard ratios [95% confidence interval], 1.4 [.9-2.2] and 1.6 [.8-2.7], respectively). Chronic kidney, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and immunocompromised status were associated with higher likelihood of hospitalization. Conclusions This observational study on the use of bamlanivimab and casirivimab-imdevimab in high-risk patients showed similarly low rates of hospitalization. The number and type of medical comorbidities are associated with hospitalizations after monoclonal antibody treatment.
The Impact of Delayed-Phase Imaging at Admission on the Management of Urinary Extravasation in High-Grade Renal Trauma.

Purpose:American Urological Association Urotrauma guidelines recommend delayed-phase imaging on presentation for all renal injuries, although data to support it are anecdotal. Forgoing delays risks...
Effects of porous walls on near-wall supersonic turbulence

Modification to the structure of wall-bounded turbulence due to the presence of porous walls has been investigated in the low and high supersonic regime. For sufficiently high degrees of wall permeability, streamwise-traveling surface waves are triggered and stay confined in the buffer layer region. These waves yield a sinusoidal modulation of the near-wall turbulent ejection and burst events.
A study of Levi-Civita’s cylindrical solutions in $$f(R,\phi )$$ f ( R , ϕ ) gravity

This manuscript is dedicated to discussing the cylindrical symmetric solutions in a well-known gravity, namely the $$f(R,\phi )$$ theory of gravity, where R stands for Ricci scalar and $$\phi $$ represents the scalar potential. For our current study, $$f(R,\phi )=(1+\xi \uplambda ^2 \phi ^2)R$$ gravity model is used to find the exact solutions of field equations. Furthermore, a well-known Levi-Civita solution by considering some parameters has been investigated. We exclusively worked out the expressions of density and pressure terms and analyzed them graphically. Energy conditions especially null energy conditions are examined while discussing the exact solutions of all these cases. It is concluded that the null energy conditions are violated for some specific regions, which is an indication of the existence of cylindrical wormholes. The charming and fascinating feature of this task is two-dimensional and three-dimensional investigation.
Act First and Look Up the Law Afterward?: Medical Malpractice and the Ethics of Defensive Medicine

This essay examines the so-called phenomenon of ‘defensive medicine’ and the problematic aspects of attempting to maintain the safest legal position possible. While physicians face genuine litigation threats they frequently overestimate legal peril. Many defensive practices are benign, but others alter patient care and increase costs in ways that are ethically suspect. Physicians should learn to evaluate realistically the legal risks of their profession and weigh the emotional, physical, and financial costs to the patient before employing a defensive measure.
Exploring youths' development in school sport contexts

Current research has highlighted the potential of youth sport contexts to facilitate positive youth development (PYD) (Fraser-Thomas et al., 2005); however, little is known about PYD in non-club sport settings and the mechanisms by which PYD occurs through sport contexts. This study explored youths' development through school-based sport and physical education programs, and their transfer of life skills to general life settings. A mixed-methods case study design was used; participants included 26 students (aged 11-13). Quantitative measures included a demographic questionnaire and the Youth Experience Survey in Sport (YES-S; MacDonald et al., in press). Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured focus groups conducted at the beginning and end of physical education units and sport seasons. Preliminary findings suggest students felt their participation on competitive school teams facilitated their development of self-confidence, and their goal setting, organization and communication skills by providing them opportunities to socialize and gain balance in their life. However, students who participated only in physical education classes did not detail similar experiences. Most youth also recounted negative experiences that they resolved through leadership and initiative skills. Finally, youth provided few examples of transferability of life skills learned in school physical education and competitive sport to other life settings. Findings shed light on the assumption that school sport and physical education contexts are automatically fostering PYD, while offering teachers and administrators insight into means by which to enhance the facilitation of PYD in school contexts.
MODES OF VIBRATION AND SOUND RADIATION FROM THE HANG

The HANG is a new hand-played steel instrument developed by PANArt in Switzerland. We describe the modes of vibration, observed by holographic interferometry and the sound radiation from the instrument observed by measuring the sound intensity in an anechoic room by the two-microphone method. A low-voice HANG is compared with a high-voice HANG.
The fine structural cytochemistry of virus particles found in renal tumors of leopard frogs. I. An enzymatic study of the viral nucleoid.

Abstract Small pieces of leopard frog renal tumors with known viral inclusions were fixed briefly in 10% phosphate-buffered formalin pH 7.6 and embedded in glycol methacrylate. Thin sections were subjected to solutions of 0.5% trypsin, 0.5% pepsin, 0.3% RNase, and 0.3% DNase. Results showed that neither trypsin nor RNase had any visible effect on the viral nucleoids or capsids. Pepsin removed the viral capsid after one-half hour and DNase digested the viral nucleoid within 2 hours. From the results of this study we conclude that the nucleoids of the nuclear, cytoplasmic and extracellular virus particles found in these renal tumors are composed of DNA.
Relationship between cyclic AMP microtubule organization, and mammalian cell shape. Studies on Chinese hamster ovary cells and their variants.

Abstract Treatment of Chinese hamster ovary cells with N 6 ,2′- O -dibutyryl adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-monophosphate (db-cAMP) and hormones converts their shape from a knobbed, epithelial-like morphology to a smooth fibroblast-like form. Ultrastructural studies demonstrate an increased number of microtubules and their arrangement in parallel array along the long axis of the cell after treatment with these agents. Although an epithelial-like variant, when treated with db-cAMP, shows an increase in the number of microtubules; these microtubules remain in a disorganized nonparallel array. The numerous long microtubules which are already present in a fibroblast-like variant become further elongated when the cells are treated with db-cAMP. These experiments establish the relationship between cAMP level, assembly and organization of microtubules, and cell shape in cultured Chinese hamster cells.
The stable signature of a regular cyclic action

Let p be an odd prime and g: M 2n → M 2n a smooth map of order p. Suppose that the cyclic action defined by g is regular and has fixed point set F. If the g-signature Sign(g, M) is a rational integer and n < p - 1, then there exists a choice of orientations such that Sign(g, M) = Sign F.
The English Fox in the Louisiana Civil Law Chausse-Trappe: Civil Law Concepts in English Language: Comparativists Beware!

The Avant-Projet of the French Law of Obligations and the French Law of Prescriptions, which we will cite as the Projet-Catala, is a monumental undertaking to modernize Parts III and IV of Book Three of the French Civil Code, “Obligations,” and to continue the work of Jean Carbonnier who demonstrated “in transfiguring the first Book” that it was possible to “rehabilitate” the Code of 1804 “without damaging its structure or form.” “The program mobilized thirty-four persons” under the sponsorship of the Association Henri Capitant and was presented in the form of a “Rapport a Monsieur le Garde des Sceaux” in September 2005. A few months later, this draft of the Projet-Catala was sent to several foreign comparative law scholars throughout the world for the dual purpose of translating it, if possible, into their national languages and, on that occasion, to contribute their comments, observations, and remarks as they considered appropriate, especially as regards incorporated into the French Civil Code, should it be approved by the French Parliament. These foreign comparative law scholars were advised that, in fulfilling their tasks, the authors of the Preliminary Draft had not been motivated by any “plan to oppose that which is or anything of what should be the idea of the Civil Law” and that “the modernization of the Civil Code will continue as the hub of private law, the sturdy trunk of a tree whose branches can stretch out without losing their strength” so that the modern Civil Code becomes “the natural recourse of the judge faced with the silence of statutes and conventions, the pool of our legal reason.” The instructions received informed us that “the Projet-Catala does not propose a breaking of the Code, but an adjustment” and that “it (the Projet) is supportive of doctrine and jurisprudence.”
Detection of buried dielectric anomalies by means of the bispectrum method

The development of a target decision system capable of detecting various types of buried dielectric anomalies, such as land mines, under different environmental conditions is addressed. The authors develop a detection and classification scheme for different buried dielectric anomalies. The 2-D extension of a bispectrum method is employed. The feature vectors obtained using this method are used to train and test a three-layer neural network detector. Target detection is based on the shape of the backscattered signals from the anomalies. Detection/classification is performed using a multilayer perceptron neural network. Results of simulations on two types of target are presented. >
Massive haemorrhage associated with inadvertent incision of a suspected carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in a cat

A 12-year-old, castrated male, domestic long-haired cat experienced massive haemorrhage associated with an incision of a swelling on the neck 2 weeks after right-sided ventral bulla osteotomy. Emergent control of haemorrhage was gained through unilateral carotid artery ligation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was provided in conjunction with massive blood transfusion. The cat made an unremarkable recovery. Carotid artery pseudoaneurysm due to surgical disruption of the carotid artery during ventral bulla osteotomy, specifically through the use of self-retaining retractors, was suspected. This case highlights the development of pseudoaneurysm as a potential complication of head and neck surgery, and additionally describes a case of massive transfusion in a cat.
Physical Training for Girls of High School Age—The Biological Point of View

(1909). Physical Training for Girls of High School Age—The Biological Point of View. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 14, No. 5, pp. 271-276.
Optimization in first semester calculus: a look at a classic problem

Optimization problems in first semester calculus have historically been a challenge for students. Focusing on the classic optimization problem of finding the minimum amount of fencing required to enclose a fixed area, we examine students' activity through the lens of Tall and Vinner's concept image and Carlson and Bloom's multidimensional problem-solving framework. We are particularly interested in students' evoked concept images for the mathematical concepts that play a role in the construction of the function whose minimum is needed. Data analysis revealed several gaps in students’ understanding of the optimization process. We highlight the mathematical concepts that play a role in these gaps, focusing on variables, function notation, function composition, properties of rectangles and the relationships between them, the role of the optimizing function, and the graphical representation of the function.
Examining the Relationship Among Ambulatory Surgical Settings Work Environment, Nurses' Characteristics, and Medication Errors Reporting.

Purpose To describe work environment characteristics (leadership style and safety climate) of ambulatory surgical settings and to examine the relationship between work environment and nurses' willingness to report medication errors in ambulatory surgical settings. Design Descriptive correlational design using survey methodology. Methods The sample of this study consisted of 40 unit-based registered nurses, working as full time, part time, or as needed in four ambulatory surgical settings affiliated with one health care system located in Northeast Ohio. Findings The results of two separate regression analyses, one with three nurse manager's leadership styles and another with five safety climate dimensions as independent variables, explained 44% and 50%, respectively, on variance of nurses' willingness to report medication errors. Conclusion To increase nurses' willingness to report medication errors, ambulatory surgical settings administrators should invest in nurse manager leadership training programs and focus on enhancing safety climate aspects, particularly errors feedback and organizational learning.
Misdiagnosis Among Frequent Exacerbators of Clinically Diagnosed Asthma and COPD in Absence of Confirmation of Airflow Obstruction

Clinical diagnosis of severe asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) remains a challenge and often flawed with lack of objective confirmation of airflow obstruction (AO). Misdiagnosis of asthma and COPD has been reported in stable disease, data are non-existent in frequent exacerbators. We investigated misdiagnosis and its predictors in frequent exacerbators. The cohort comprised of frequent severe exacerbators (requiring ≥2 emergency room (ER) visits or hospitalizations) of physician diagnosed (PD)-asthma and PD-COPD. All patients underwent a rigorous diagnostic algorithm over a follow-up period of 10 ± 6 months. Two board-certified pulmonologists ascertained final diagnosis. Patients with persistent absence of AO were identified to have misdiagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of misdiagnoses. Among 333 frequent exacerbators analyzed (171 patients with PD-asthma, 162 with PD-COPD, mean annual exacerbations 3.4 ± 2.8), 24 % of patients had a baseline post-bronchodilator spirometry. Misdiagnosis was found in 26 % (87 of 333) of patients. Another 12 % (41 of 333) of patients had obstructive lung diseases other than asthma and COPD. Independent risk factors for misdiagnosis were spirometry underutilization (PD-asthma: OR = 2.8, 95 % CI 1.16–6.78, p = 0.02 and PD-COPD: OR = 10.7, 95 % CI 2.05–56.27, p = 0.005) and pack years of smoking (PD-COPD: OR = 1.05, 95 % CI 1.01–1.11, p = 0.03). Objective confirmation of AO is essential in preventing misdiagnosis in frequent severe exacerbators of clinically diagnosed asthma and COPD, a third of whom have neither. Spirometry utilization is strongly associated with a reduced risk of misdiagnosis. Smoking is associated with increased risk of misdiagnosis in severe COPD, but not asthma.
Initiation of electroless Cu plating on nonmetallic surfaces

Electroless plating of a metal on a dielectric substrate requires the prior deposition of a catalyst such as a Pd-Sn colloid consisting of a metallic Pd core surrounded by a stabilizing layer of Sn ions. The activation step (deposition of the colloid) is usually followed by an acceleration step (removal of excess ionic tin). Adhesion of the deposit to the substrate is improved by mechanical and chemical pretreatment steps. An electrochemical method has been developed for assessing the catalytic activity of Pd-Sn colloids. Hydrogen sorption in the Pd in the colloid can be correlated with catalytic activity, since Pd accessible for the H-sorption reaction is also accessible as the catalyst for the electroless deposition reaction. These conclusions have been confirmed by surface analytical techniques and by functional tests. The efficacy of various accelerating solutions has also been assessed.
Liver biotransforming enzymes in woodrats Neotoma stephensi (Muridae).

Abstract Mammalian herbivores are exposed to extremely high levels of plant secondary compounds naturally present in their diet. It has been speculated that specialist herbivores should express a unique pattern of biotransforming enzymes to permit the consumption of a single species of toxic plant. Specifically, specialists should rely on pathways that effectively biotransform the toxins they routinely encounter in their diet. We examined the hepatic mRNA expression and activity or content of biotransforming enzymes in the specialist herbivorous woodrat, Neotoma stephensi, and compared results to those of laboratory rats (Sprague–Dawley strain Rattus norvegicus). In addition, we investigated the role of α-pinene, a specific plant toxin present in the diet of N. stephensi on the mRNA expression pattern and activity or content of biotransforming enzymes in Sprague–Dawley rats. Overall, the levels of functionalization enzyme activity and mRNA were found to be higher in specialists, while glucuronidation enzyme activity and mRNA were lower. These results support predictions that specialist herbivores rely more on functionalization biotransformation pathways rather than glucuronidation pathways.
An Equilibrium Analysis of Knaster’s Fair Division Procedure

In an incomplete information setting, we analyze the sealed bid auction proposed by Knaster (cf. Steinhaus (1948)). This procedure was designed to efficiently and fairly allocate multiple indivisible items when participants report their valuations truthfully. In equilibrium, players do not follow truthful bidding strategies. We find that, ex-post, the equilibrium allocation is still efficient but may not be fair. However, on average, participants receive the same outcome they would have received if everyone had reported truthfully—i.e., the mechanism is ex-ante fair.
Residents' perspectives on the learning environment: data from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education resident survey.

AbstractPurposeResidents' assessment of their learning environment is an important element of residency accreditation and a strong predictor of resident satisfaction. The authors examined the reliability and validity of a resident/fellow survey and explored the relationship between reported duty hou
In vitro induction of germinal vesicle breakdown in Xenopus laevis oocytes by melittin.

The bee venom, melittin, is an amphipathic polypeptide comprising 26 amino acids with known sequence. It consists of a hydrophobic and a basic hydrophilic segment, possesses lipolytic activity, and stimulates Na+-K+ pump activity. At 1.5 microM melittin induces 98% germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in stage VI (Dumont) oocytes and 96% in stage IV oocytes. Progesterone (30 microM) induced 100% GVBD in stage VI oocytes and none in stage IV oocytes. GVBD occurs earlier with melittin than with progesterone, i.e., 3 h compared to 5 h. An unusual morphologic change observed with melittin is the occurrence of mottling of the animal pole. The inner boundary of the melanin layer appears irregular with projections extending into the cytoplasm. When stage VI oocytes were microinjected with 60 nl of 3 mM melittin only 48% showed GVBD indicating that the effectiveness of melittin was dependent upon the route of administration. On the other hand, 60% of stage VI oocytes underwent GVBD when microinjected with the cytosol fraction obtained from melittin-treated oocytes. Dissolution of isolated germinal vesicles did not occur when they were incubated in modified Barth's medium containing 3 mM melittin. The present results suggest that melittin induces GVBD by promoting the production of maturation promoting factor.
Effect of temperature on nonelectrolyte permeation across the toad urinary bladder

The permeability of the toad urinary bladder to 22 nonelectrolytes was obtained from measurements of radioactive tracer fluxes. The permeability coefficients (P's), after suitable corrections for unstirred layers, were proportional to the olive oil/water partition coefficients for the majority of the molecules (P α Koil1.3). In the absence of chain branching, inductive effects, and intramolecular hydrogen bonding effects, a hydroxyl group reducedP an average 500-fold and a methylene group increasedP an average four fold. Branched chain solutes were less permeable than their straight chain isomers, and small solutes, polarand nonpolar, exhibited higher rates of permeation than expected from the relationship betweenP and Koil. (Over the molecular size range 18–175 cc/moleP α(Molecular Volume)−2.7.) The high rates of permeation of small molecules are consistent with diffusion through a highly organized lipid structure. Large polar solutes, e.g., sucrose, appear to pass across the epithelium via an extracellular shunt pathway. The apparent activation energies (Ea) for the permeation of 16 select molecules were obtained from permeability measurements over the temperature range 2–32°C. Linear Arrhenius plots (i. e., logP/T−1) were obtained for all molecules after unstirred layer corrections. In the absence of these corrections “phase transitions” were seen for molecules with very highP's (P>300×10−7 cm/sec), but these are simply due to diffusion limited permeation.Ea increased by 2.5–3.6 kcals/mole with the introduction of each additional methylene group into a molecule, and decreased by up to 9 kcals/mole for the addition of a hydroxyl group. Qualitatively similar results were obtained in preliminary studies of olive oil/water partition coefficients. Arrhenius plots of the toad bladder conductance over the temperature range 2–32°C yield apparent activation energies of 4–5 kcals/mole which is identical to that found previously for “leaky” epithelia.
Direct observation of energetic-particle-beam-induced effects in the Argonne national laboratory high voltage electron microscope

Abstract Direct observations in the high voltage electron microscope of electron- and ion-beam-induced effects in solids now form a significant part of the research activity at the Argonne National Laboratory High Voltage Electron Microscope Tandem Facility. The programs utilize unique facilities that permit samples held at temperatures between 10 and 1300 K to be bombarded in vacuo with ions having energies between 20 keV and 8 MeV. Instrumentation both internal and external to the high voltage electron microscope has been provided to characterize fully the ion beam at the specimen rod over a wide range of beam intensities. Several studies of radiation damage in pure metals and model alloys that have contributed to an advancement in the understanding of defect production and cascade behavior are reviewed. A recent study of amorphization in a CuBi bilayer film is also given.
An efficient two-stage iterative method for the steady-state analysis of Markov regenerative stochastic Petri net models

Abstract To enhance the modeling power of stochastic Petri nets (SPNs), new steady-state analysis methods have been proposed for nets that include non-exponential transitions. The underlying stochastic process is a Markov regenerative process (MRP) when at most one non-exponential transition is enabled in each marking. Time-efficient algorithms for constructing and solving the MRP have been developed. However, the space required to solve such models is often extremely large. This largeness is due to the large number of transitions in the MRP. Traditional analysis methods require that all these transitions be stored in primary memory for efficient computation. If the size of available memory is smaller than that needed to store these transitions, a time-efficient computation is impossible using these methods. To use this class of SPNs to model realistic systems, the space complexity of MRP analysis algorithms must be reduced. In this paper, we propose a new steady-state analysis method that is both time and space efficient. The new method takes advantage of the structure of the underlying process to reduce both computation time and required memory. The performance of the proposed method is compared to existing methods using several SPN examples.
Topographic Mapping of Different Types of Bilateral Spike-and-Wave Complexes

Abstract The goal of this investigation was to determine similarities and differences in the brain maps of three types of bilateral spike-and-wave complexes: (1) classic 3/s form, (2) Lennox-Gastaut (L-G) type, and (3) irregular, atypical (Atyp) form at 4-4.5/s. With 90 bursts and 5,000 maps, Fz was most often the peak area for both the spike and the slow-wave component, and Cz was next highest for each of the three groups. Only occasionally did the peak appear on O1, especially in the L-G group, and at times on Fp1 and O1, especially in the Atyp patients. The spike component varied more than the slow component. The L-G group showed an extension from Fz into F4 and only rarely simultaneous bifrontal maxima, never seen in the 3/s group. Also, the Atyp group showed the most consistent Fz peak, whereas the Fz peak was least often seen in the L-G group. The L-G group also showed the most concordance between the spike and wave components, whereas the 3/s group showed the least concordance. Although differences appear in these groups, similarities provide evidence that they may utilize similar (corticoreticular) pathways.
Endoscopic Intranasal Dacryocystorhinostomy—A Cadaver Study:

Several transnasal, transnasal-transseptal, and external approaches for dacryocystorhinostomy have been described. The first two and especially the first have the disadvantage of limited visualizat...
Folk taxonomies and folk theories: The case of Williams syndrome

Work with people with Williams syndrome is reviewed relative to Atran's claim that the universality of taxonomic rank in the animal and plant domains derives from a biological construal of generic species. From this work it is argued that a biological construal of animals is not necessary for the construction of the adult taxonomy of animals and therefore that the existence of an animal (or plant) taxonomy cannot be taken as evidence of a biological domain.
Population Sex Ratios of Pleurocerid Snails (Leptoxis spp.): Variability and Relationships with Environmental Contaminants and Conditions

Abstract. Anthropogenic introduction of steroidal estrogens and synthetic estrogenic compounds to aquatic environments has increased interest in assessment of the endocrine-disrupting effects of these compounds on aquatic organisms, including mollusks. For gonochoristic freshwater snails in the family Pleuroceridae, little is known about the spatial and temporal variation in population sex ratios or potential relationships between sex ratios and exposure to estrogenic compounds. Population sex ratios of Leptoxis (Rafinesque, 1819) spp., were evaluated within the Shenandoah River watershed (Virginia, U.S.A.), where agricultural operations are a source of estrogenic compounds to streams, and in four other river basins in Virginia. Proportions of females varied among streams within the Shenandoah River watershed, with overall mean proportions from four sampling periods ranging from 0.46–0.87. Sex ratios were consistently female-biased at nine of fifteen stream sampling sites. There was little within-site var...
Molecular Orbital Calculations of the Electronic Structure of the Sydnones

The electronic structure of the sydnone ring has been calculated from an ω-HMO technique. Several new parameters for the calculation have been derived, in conjunction with previously used parameters. Charge densities derived have yielded accurate calculations of dipole moments. Energy levels have yielded values which correlate well with observed U.V. maxima. A general discussion of the calculated structures is presented.
LOCUS OF CONTROL AND GOAL-SETTING

Effects of goal-setting and locus of control were studied in 188 undergraduate men in a laboratory setting using a card-sorting task. Two trials were employed with one of three goals assigned on Trial 2 (easy, moderately difficult, or hard goals representing, respectively, a 10%, 20%, or 50% increase over Trial 1 card sort). A curvilinear relationship moderated the relationship between goal-setting and card sorting when differences in locus of control were examined. However, when these individual differences were partialled out, a linear relation between goal-setting and card sorting typical of the goal-setting literature was obtained.
Causation issues in structural equation modeling research

As the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) has increased, confusion has grown concerning the correct use of and the conclusions that can be legitimately drawn from these methodologies. It appears that much of the controversy surrounding SEM is related to the degree of certainty with which causal statements can be drawn from these procedures. SEM is discussed in relation to the conditions necessary for providing causal evidence. Both the weaknesses and the strengths of SEM are examined. Although structural modeling cannot ensure that necessary causal conditions have been met, it is argued that SEM methods may offer the potential for tentative causal inferences to be drawn when used with carefully specified and controlled designs. Keeping in mind that no statistical methodology can in and of itself determine causality, specific guidelines are suggested to help researchers approach a potential for providing causal evidence with SEM procedures.
Becoming Swedish-American: The construction of an ethnic identity in the Augustana Synod, 1860-1917

This dissertation examines the construction of an ethnic identity in the Swedish-American community around the turn of the century 1900. It takes its starting points in discussions of the nature of ethnic identity, the role of ethnic leadership, and the process of nation-building and nationalism in 19th-century Europe and America.The study focuses on the largest organization founded by Swedish immigrants in theUnited States, the Lutheran denomination the Augustana Synod, and examines its rolefor the creation of an ethnic identity. Three fundamental questions are posed: How didan ethnic identity develop in the Augustana Synod, what did it consist of, and why didit come into being. Three main empirical areas are used to analyze the development andcontents of the Swedish-American identity: the Synod's largest institution of highereducation, Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois; the Synod's publishing house,the Augustana Book Concern; and the way in which a Swedish-American history wasfashioned within the Synod.The results of the study show how a Swedish-American identity was constructed by a cultural leadership in the Augustana Synod, This idealized and romanticized identity included Swedish, Swedish-American, and American cultural elements. An awareness of a Swedish-American culture, separate from both Sweden and the United States, developed in which the construction of a Swedish-American history played an important role, emphasizing an early Swedish presence on the American continent and significant Swedish and Swedish-American contributions to the American republic. The reasons for the creation of the identity are seen in the light of the nature of American nationalism, which made it possible for European immigrant groups to develop and maintain ethnic identities and still be loyal Americans.
Relation of the c′ elastic modulus to stability of b.c.c. transition metals

Abstract There is reasonably sound evidence that the magnitude of the elastic shear modulus C′ in b.c.c. transition metals is derived almost completely from the number of electrons per atom in the unfilled d electron bands. For the 3d series C′ = 1.391 × 10 10 (e ∗ a ) 3.34 dynes/cm 2 at 25°C for 2.15 e ∗ a , assuming a d4 configuration for Cr metal. This unique relationship appears to explain the dependence of b.c.c. phase stability on the electron concentration in transition metals and alloys.
Characterization and measurements collected from Infrared Grazing Angle Reflectometer

ABSTRACT The Infrared Grazing Angle Reectometer (IGAR) measures the Directional Hemispherical Re-ectance (DHR) of samples at infrared wavelengths and at angles close to grazing incidence. Whileother devices measure DHR at or near normal, IGAR makes measurements with the angle of in-cidence ranging from 30 to 85 degrees. IGAR is equipped with a tunable laser source, allowingDHR measurements at wavelengths from 9.2 to 10.7m. Additional lasers can be easily added,and future plans include integrating our tunable external cavity quantum cascade lasers, extend-ing our wavelength range from 4.3 to 9.7 microns. IGAR utilizes a hemi-elliptical mirror and ave-sided pyroelectric detector to measure DHR. By using this setup, IGAR can make low noisemeasurements while still capturing all of the reected light. Our future sample set includes infraredmaterial standards such as infragold, carbon nanotubes, as well as nanostructured devices, andvarious layered media.Keywords: DHR, infrared, grazing angle, LWIR, reectometer
A further test of the chaining hypothesis of serial learning

After learning a 12-adjective serial list to a criterion of one perfect recitation, Ss were given 10 trials on a double-function paired-associate list in which the successive elements of the serial list were preserved (E groups) or which consisted of an unrelated set of adjectives (C groups). Two E and C groups differed in the method of stimulus presentation. In Cond. S the starting point remained the same on all trials, while in Cond. V the starting point was varied on each trial. The E groups produced marked positive transfer which was significantly greater for the V method on the first transfer trial. It was concluded that the associative strength formed between contiguous items in the serial list is the critical factor producing the positive transfer observed on the paired-associate list.
Identification and characterization of two Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinases required for normal nuclear division in Aspergillus nidulans.

We utilized an expression screen to identify two novel Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-regulated protein kinases in Aspergillus nidulans. The two kinases, CMKB and CMKC, possess high sequence identity with mammalian CaM kinases (CaMKs) I/IV and CaMKKα/β, respectively. In vitro CMKC phosphorylates and increases the activity of CMKB, indicating they are biochemical homologues of CaMKKα/β and CaMKI/IV. The disruption of CMKB is lethal; however, when protein expression is postponed, the spores germinate with delayed kinetics. The observed lag corresponds to a delay in the G1-phase activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase NIMXcdc2 . Disruption ofcmkC is not lethal, but spores lacking CMKC also germinate with delayed kinetics and a lag in the activation of NIMXcdc2 . Analysis of ΔcmkC suggests a role for CMKC in regulating the first and subsequent nuclear division cycles. We conclude that both CMKB and CMKC are required for the proper temporal activation of NIMXcdc2 as spores enter the cell cycle from quiescence and suggest that this relationship exists during the G1/S transition of subsequent cell divisions.
CHIP: a link between the chaperone and proteasome systems

CHIP, carboxy terminus of Hsc70 interacting protein, is a cytoplasmic protein whose amino acid sequence is highly conserved across species. It is most highly expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle and brain. The primary amino acid sequence is characterized by 3 domains, a tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain at its amino terminus, a U-box domain at its carboxy terminus, and an intervening charged domain. CHIP interacts with the molecular chaperones Hsc70-Hsp70 and Hsp90 through its TPR domain, whereas its U-box domain contains its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Its interaction with these molecular chaperones results in client substrate ubiquitylation and degradation by the proteasome. Thus, CHIP acts to tilt the folding-refolding machinery toward the degradative pathway, and it serves as a link between the two. Because protein degradation is required for healthy cellular function, CHIP's ability to degrade proteins that are the signature of disease, eg, ErbB2 in breast and ovarian cancers, could prove to be a point of therapeutic intervention.
Preparation of Y-Ba-Cu-O thin films on MgO by dc magnetron sputtering from a stoichiometric Y1Ba2Cu3O7-δ target

Y‐Ba‐Cu‐O thin films have been deposited on MgO substrates by dc magnetron sputtering from a stoichiometric YBa2Cu3O7−δ target, after which they are subjected to a short heat treatment. Zero resistance is routinely achieved near 60 K, and one film shows zero resistance at 68.0 K.
Bacterial fermentation of dimethyl-beta-propiothetin.

Abstract A clostridium was isolated from mud by the enrichment culture technique using dimethyl-β-propiothetin as the major source of carbon. Growth of the organism required, in addition, the presence of small amounts of yeast extract. A fermentation balance obtained using washed cell suspensions indicates that the decomposition of dimethyl-β-propiothetin takes place according to the following equation: Lactic acid, acrylic acid, β-alanine, and α-alanine are fermented to propionic and acetic acids in the ratio of 2:1, while pyruvic acid is fermented to propionic and acetic acid in the ratio of 1:2. This clostridium contains the enzyme acrylyl Co A aminase. A possible relation of this organism to Clostridium propionicum is discussed.
Evaluation of tissue eosinophilia in the pouch and afferent limb in patients with restorative proctocolectomy

Background: Although tissue eosinophilia in mucosal biopsy specimens from the ileal pouch in patients treated with restorative proctocolectomy is frequently seen, its clinical significance has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to assess whether tissue eosinophilia was associated with disease status of ileal pouches. Methods: Hematoxylin and eosin slides of pouch and afferent limb biopsy specimens from 106 patients randomly selected from the Pouchitis Database were evaluated by 2 gastrointestinal pathologists. Of 106 patients, 81 had corresponding mucosal biopsy specimens of the afferent limb that were available for review. Tissue eosinophil infiltration was evaluated in a semiquantitative fashion with scores ranging from 0–3. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the association between eosinophil scores and demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and histologic features. Results: Multivariate analyses showed that tissue eosinophilia of the pouch and afferent limb was not associated with chronic inflammatory conditions of the pouch and the presence of concurrent autoimmune-mediated disorders. Tissue eosinophil score of the pouch was significantly higher than that in the corresponding afferent limb in the same patient population (P = 0.043). A high tissue eosinophil score in the afferent limb was associated with non-use nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use (odds ratio = 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2, 10.4) and high endoscopic inflammation scores in the afferent limb (odds ratio = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.2). Similar associations were not found in pouch biopsy specimens. Conclusions: Tissue eosinophilia in the pouch was more prominent than that in the afferent limb in patients with restorative proctocolectomy. Tissue eosinophilia in the pouch and afferent limb appeared to be associated with different risk factors. These findings suggest that luminal factors in different topographical locations of the pouch may contribute to eosinophil-mediated inflammation at these sites. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008)
Decrease in glomerulonephritis and Th1-associated autoantibody production after progesterone treatment in NZB/NZW mice.

Objective While estrogen treatment exacerbates disease in models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the effects of progesterone are unclear. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of continuous progesterone treatment on autoantibody production and spontaneous glomerulonephritis (GN) in a mouse model of SLE. Methods Female (NZB × NZW)F1 (NZB/NZW) mice were treated with vehicle, 2 mg of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), or 10 mg of DMPA every 6 weeks. Survival, proteinuria, and serum anti–double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) levels were monitored. At 39 weeks of age, kidneys were analyzed for abnormalities and glomerular accumulation of IgG subclasses and C3. Spleen leukocyte subsets were also analyzed. Results DMPA treatment reduced mortality in a dose-dependent manner in association with reduced proteinuria and glomerular damage. High-dose DMPA treatment resulted in a reduction of total serum IgG and IgG2a anti-dsDNA antibody levels, whereas IgG1 anti-dsDNA antibody levels were modestly increased. High-dose DMPA reduced glomerular accumulation of IgG1, IgG2a, IgG3, and complement, while low-dose DMPA decreased glomerular IgG2a and IgG3 levels compared with vehicle treatment. Conclusion Our findings indicate that treatment of premorbid female NZB/NZW mice with DMPA reduces mortality and attenuates spontaneous GN, likely through multiple mechanisms, including altered ratios of protective Th2-related IgG antibodies versus nephritogenic Th1-related IgG autoantibodies. Thus, estrogen and progesterone may have disparate effects on lupus autoimmunity, lending new significance to observed hormonal imbalances in patients with SLE. These data also suggest that treatment of SLE patients with DMPA may have therapeutic benefit.
Estimating honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colony strength by a simple method: measuring cluster size

A cluster count method for estimating honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colony strength is presented in contrast to intensive frame-by-frame evaluations. Correlation coefficients between the two methods were highly significant for 5 yr. Cluster counts are recommended to growers and beekeepers involved in pollination contracts as a simple, rapid, economic evaluation method which is not excessively disruptive to the colony. The observed adult honey bee colony populations can be estimated accurately by using the derived regression equation. The relation of cluster and intensive count to the brood area is discussed.
Expression and function of the CD3-antigen receptor on murine CD4 + 8 + thymocytes

Mature T cells arise from progenitor cells by a complex and poorly understood process of differentiation in the thymus. Thymocytes can be divided into four major compartments on the basis of surface expression of the murine equivalents of CD8 (Lyt-2) and CD4 (L3T4) (refs 1,2). Functionally mature thymocytes express only CD4 or CD8. The CD4-8- subset contains progenitor cells capable of giving rise to all the phenotypic and functional classes of T cells on adoptive transfer. The function of the major population, the CD4+8+ cells, which carry both the CD4 and CD8 antigens, in thymic differentiation is controversial. It has been variously proposed that they represent terminally differentiated cells which die in the thymus or that they represent an intermediate stage and can differentiate into functionally and phenotypically mature single positive T cells. The CD3-antigen receptor complex is probably important in thymic differentiation. The receptor has two functions: recognition and transmembrane signalling. To help clarify the function of CD4+8+ thymocytes in thymic differentiation, the expression and function of the antigen receptor complex on these cells should be determined. We show here that most CD4+8+ thymocytes express CD3 which functions in transmembrane signalling. The consequences of this signalling differ from those in mature T cells, however, in that the CD4+8+ cells do not secrete IL-2, express IL-2 receptor, or proliferate.