cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A spatial regression and clustering method for developing place-specific social vulnerability indices using census and social media data

Abstract This paper presents a new social vulnerability index construction approach that utilizes geographically weighted local regression modeling and spatial clustering to determine location-specific weights of vulnerability indicators. Sub-regions within the study region with homogeneous vulnerability profiles are identified by clustering the local regression coefficients with spatial contiguity constraints. The weights of the indicators are determined using an independent data set showing the disaster impact and fitting a spatial regression model. The approach is applied to Hurricane Harvey as a case study in which block-group level census data were used to obtain the indicators by factor analysis and geocoded rescue request calls posted on social media was used as independent data to compute the indicator weights.
Gender Equality vs. Religious Autonomy: Suing Religious Employers for Sexual Harassment after Hosanna-Tabor

The Supreme Court in Hosanna-Tabor ruled that the Religion Clauses of the Constitution trump the right of “ministerial” employees to be free from discrimination in the workplace. Further, the ministerial exception is merely a subcategory of the broader ecclesiastical abstention or church autonomy doctrine, which forecloses any cause of action that requires a court to examine claims implicating religious doctrine, including those brought by non-ministers. Prior to Hosanna-Tabor, many appellate courts invoked both the ministerial exception as well as the broader ecclesiastical abstention doctrine to preclude Title VII sexual harassment claims against religious employers. Some courts, however, narrowly construed the church autonomy doctrine to allow even ministers to bring sexual harassment claims where only emotional distress damages, rather than reinstatement or back wages, were sought. This Article examines both the ministerial exception and the broader ecclesiastical abstention doctrine in the context of sexual harassment claims brought against religious employers. It explains why Hosanna-Tabor’s ministerial exception should not be read to foreclose Title VII damage actions for the tortious conduct of sexual harassment. Further, it argues that the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine should be given a narrow construction, permitting non-ministerial victims of sexual harassment to fully invoke their federal statutory rights. The doctrine of religious autonomy should not be interpreted to confer on religious employers a broad license to subject their employees to a discriminatory, harassing work environment.
Next-generation regulatory T cell therapy.

Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are a small subset of immune cells that are dedicated to curbing excessive immune activation and maintaining immune homeostasis. Accordingly, deficiencies in Treg cell development or function result in uncontrolled immune responses and tissue destruction and can lead to inflammatory disorders such as graft-versus-host disease, transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases. As Treg cells deploy more than a dozen molecular mechanisms to suppress immune responses, they have potential as multifaceted adaptable smart therapeutics for treating inflammatory disorders. Indeed, early-phase clinical trials of Treg cell therapy have shown feasibility, tolerability and potential efficacy in these disease settings. In the meantime, progress in the development of chimeric antigen receptors and in genome editing (including the application of CRISPR–Cas9) over the past two decades has facilitated the genetic optimization of primary T cell therapy for cancer. These technologies are now being used to enhance the specificity and functionality of Treg cells. In this Review, we describe the key advances and prospects in designing and implementing Treg cell-based therapy in autoimmunity and transplantation. Our increased understanding of how regulatory T cells suppress immune responses has led to their use in early-phase clinical trials for inflammatory disorders, with promising results. This Review describes the key advances and prospects in designing and implementing regulatory T cells as multifaceted, adaptable smart therapeutics in autoimmunity and transplantation.
Diagnostic test interpretation and referral delay in patients with interstitial lung disease.

Diagnostic delays are common in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). A substantial percentage of patients experience a diagnostic delay in the primary care setting, but the factors underpinning this observation remain unclear. In this multi-center investigation, we assessed ILD reporting on diagnostic test interpretation and its association with subsequent pulmonology referral by a primary care physician (PCP). A retrospective cohort analysis of patients referred to the ILD programs at UC-Davis and University of Chicago by a PCP within each institution was performed. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen and pulmonary function test (PFT) were reviewed to identify the date ILD features were first present and determine the time from diagnostic test to pulmonology referral. The association between ILD reporting on diagnostic test interpretation and pulmonology referral was assessed, as was the association between years of diagnostic delay and changes in fibrotic features on longitudinal chest CT. One hundred and forty-six patients were included in the final analysis. Prior to pulmonology referral, 66% (n = 97) of patients underwent chest CT, 15% (n = 21) underwent PFT and 15% (n = 21) underwent abdominal CT. ILD features were reported on 84, 62 and 33% of chest CT, PFT and abdominal CT interpretations, respectively. ILD reporting was associated with shorter time to pulmonology referral when undergoing chest CT (1.3 vs 15.1 months, respectively; p = 0.02), but not PFT or abdominal CT. ILD reporting was associated with increased likelihood of pulmonology referral within 6 months of diagnostic test when undergoing chest CT (rate ratio 2.17, 95% CI 1.03–4.56; p = 0.04), but not PFT or abdominal CT. Each year of diagnostic delay was associated with a 1.8% increase in percent fibrosis on chest CT. Patients with documented dyspnea had shorter time to chest CT acquisition and pulmonology referral than patients with documented cough and lung crackles. Determinants of ILD diagnostic delays in the primary care setting include underreporting of ILD features on diagnostic testing and prolonged time to pulmonology referral even when ILD is reported. Interventions to modulate these factors may reduce ILD diagnostic delays in the primary care setting.
Thermal forming of glass substrates for adjustable optics (Conference Presentation)

The proposed Lynx telescope is an X-ray observatory with Chandra-like angular resolution and about 30 times larger effective area. The technology under development at SAO is based on the deposition of piezoelectric material on the back of glass substrates, used to correct longer wavelength figure errors. This requires a large number (about 8000) of figured segments with sufficient quality to be in the range of correctibility of the actuators. Thermal forming of thin glass offers a convenient approach, being based on intrinsically smooth surfaces (which doesn’t require polishing or machining), available in large quantity and at a low cost from flat display industry. Being a replica technique, this approach is particularly convenient both for development and for the realization of modular/segmented telescopes. In this paper we review the current status and the most recent advances in the thermal forming activities at SAO, and the perspectives for the employment of these substrates for the adjustable X-Ray optics.
Probing Sources of Capacity Fade in LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC622): An Operando XRD Study of Li/NMC622 Batteries during Extended Cycling

LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 (NMC622) is one of the most promising Li-ion battery cathodes as it delivers high capacity at high potentials. However high potentials also lead to decreases in capacity retenti...
Socrates, Thrasymachus, and Competition among the Unjust: Republic 1.349b–350c

In Republic 1, Thrasymachus makes the radical claim that being just is ‘high-minded simplicity’ and being unjust is ‘good judgment’ (348c–e). Because injustice involves benefiting oneself, while ju...
The Utility of Cervical Spine Bracing As a Postoperative Adjunct to Multilevel Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery.

ABSTRACT Background: Use of cervical bracing/collar subsequent to anterior cervical spine discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is variable. Outcomes data regarding bracing after ACDF are limited. Here, we study the impact of bracing on short-term outcomes related to safety, quality of care, and direct costs in multilevel ACDF. Methods: Retrospective cohort analyses of all consecutive patients undergoing multilevel ACDF with or without bracing from 2013 to 2017 was undertaken (n = 616). Patient demographics and comorbidities were analyzed. Tests of independence and logistic regressions were used to assess differences in length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition (home, assisted rehabilitation facility [ARF], or skilled nursing facility [SNF]), quality-adjusted life year (QALY), direct cost, readmission within 30 days, and emergency room (ER) visits within 30 days. Results: Amongst the study population, 553 were braced and 63 were not braced. There was no difference in comorbidities (P > .05) such as obesity, smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and problem list number. A significant difference in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score was found, with more ASA 2 patients in the braced cohort and more ASA 3 patients in the unbraced cohort (P = .007). LOS was extended for the unbraced group (median 156.9 ± 211.4 versus 86.67 ± 130.6 h, P = .003), and ER visits within 30 days were 0.21 times less likely in the braced group (P = .006). There was no difference in readmission (P = .181), QALY gain (P = .968), and direct costs (P = .689). Conclusion: Bracing following multilevel cervical fixation does not alter short-term postoperative course or reduce the risk for early adverse outcomes in a significant manner.
Illusory effects of performance management: the case of contracts for excellence in New York school districts

Performance Management systems are ubiquitous in contemporary public management. However, evidence of their performance effects is inconclusive. The Contracts for Excellence (C4E) reform required 5...
Mechanisms of skeletal fragility in diabetes mellitus

Abstract Diabetes mellitus is well-recognized as a risk factor for osteoporotic fractures. Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have lower bone mineral density (BMD) with associated increases in fracture risk. Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) also have a higher risk of fracture despite paradoxically elevated BMD suggesting differing mechanisms of skeletal fragility. In this chapter, we explore skeletal imaging methods as well as more invasive methods for evaluation of bone architecture and bone quality used in both clinical and research settings. We also discuss bone mineralization matrix alterations, disruptions in skeletal cellular function, and hormonal and metabolic influences that lead to skeletal fragility in diabetes mellitus. Finally, due to declines in muscle mass and strength in the setting of impaired balance, the fall risk is much higher in diabetes mellitus. Both skeletal fragility and higher fall risk contribute to osteoporotic fractures and clinicians should be aware of the higher risk of fracture in their diabetes mellitus patients.
Acute limb shortening or creation of an intentional deformity to aid in soft tissue closure for IIIB/IIIC open tibia fractures.

Summary Background Ring fixator techniques can precisely correct complex long bone deformities. In select patients, controlled shortening or intentional fracture deformation with delayed correction can also aid in complex wound coverage and limb salvage. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed all patients who underwent acute limb shortening or intentional temporary fracture deformation between 2005 and 2020. Patients were divided into three groups based on reason for acute shortening or intentional deformity: (1) skeletal indications alone, with traditional flap coverage; (2) skeletal and soft tissue indications, to augment traditional reconstructive measures; and (3) skeletal and soft tissue indications, to avoid microsurgery altogether. Comorbidities, orthopedic and reconstructive methods, and functional outcomes were recorded. Results Eighteen patients were identified: six in Group 1, five in Group 2, and seven in Group 3. Fractures were primarily in the distal third of the tibia. On initial assessment, all wounds would have required free tissue transfer. Group 1 patients were reconstructed with free flaps. Among Group 2, closure was accomplished by skin grafting (N = 1), local flaps (N = 1), pedicled muscle flaps (N = 1), and free flaps (N = 2). In Group 3, five wounds were closed primarily and two were skin grafted. All limbs were shortened, averaging 25.1 mm; seven were intentionally deformed, most commonly varus (10–20°). After skeletal correction, residual leg length discrepancy averaged 5.7 mm. No patients required amputation. Conclusions Acute skeletal shortening with or without intentional temporary deformation in select IIIB/IIIC open tibial fractures can facilitate soft tissue coverage and limb salvage in patients who might otherwise require amputation.
Impact of successive exertional heat injuries on thermoregulatory and systemic inflammatory responses in mice

The purpose of the study was to determine if repeated exertional heat injuries (EHIs) worsen the inflammatory response and subsequent organ damage. We assessed the impact of a single EHI bout (EHI0...
Impedance of Thermal Conduction from Nanoconfined Water in Carbon Nanotube Single-Digit Nanopores

There has been recent interest in understanding the transport of nanoconfined fluids through single-digit nanopores (SDNs) or those smaller than 10 nm in diameters, where confinement alters the flu...
Contra-Thermodynamic Positional Isomerization of Olefins

A light-driven method for the contra-thermodynamic positional isomerization of olefins is described. In this work, stepwise PCET activation of a more substituted and more thermodynami-cally stable olefin substrate is mediated by an excited-state oxi-dant and a Bronsted base to afford an allylic radical that is cap-tured by a Cr(II) co-catalyst to furnish an allylchromium(III) intermediate. In situ protodemetalation of this allylchromium complex by methanol is highly regioselective and affords an isomerized and less thermodynamically stable alkene product. The higher oxidation potential of the less substituted olefin isomer renders it inert to further oxidation by the excited-state oxidant, enabling it to accumulate in solution over the course of the reaction. A broad range of isopropylidene substrates is ac-commodated, including enol ethers, enamides, styrenes, 1,3-dienes, and tetrasubstituted alkyl olefins. Mechanistic investiga-tions of the protodemetalation step are also presented.
Bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection of bovine embryonic lung cultures: enhancement of infectivity with diethylaminoethyl-dextran and virus-infected cells.

The effects of incorporating diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAE-D) in the inoculum with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) on the infectivity of BRSV was evaluated. A concentration of 40 µg DEAE-D/ml provided maximal enhancement of infection as determined by the time of onset of cytopathic effect (CPE), the percentage of cells infected by the inoculum, and the amount of virus produced. When DEAE-D was used in the inoculum, the CPE appeared a day earlier, the percentage of cells infected by the inoculum, as determined by the fluorescent antibody test, was increased 11 times, and the viral titer was increased 2 times as compared to results obtained without DEAE-D. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus-infected cultures contained much cell-associated virus which could be liberated by sonication to increase the titer of virus stocks. The use of BRSV-infected cells rather than supernates from BRSV-infected cells increased the rate at which a cytopathic effect developed, although it did not substantially increase the titer of virus which was harvested. The use of DEAE-D in the inoculum and the passage of BRSV-infected cells instead of viral suspensions was found to be the quickest and most effective method of consistently obtaining BRSV with a titer of about 105.5 TCID50/ml.
Collecting and Preserving Marine and Freshwater Isopoda (Crustacea: Peracarida)

BACKGROUND Isopoda are the most diverse Crustacea. In order to encourage the study of isopod crustaceans and their use in biodiversity studies, systematics, ecology, physiology and more, one needs to know who the isopods are and where to find them. NEW INFORMATION This is a short "how to" guide focusing on the free-living marine and freshwater isopods: where they live and how to collect and preserve them. The tools and techniques described here are simple, but invaluable in accessing the natural history of these remarkable creatures.
Trends in the Utilization of Penile Prostheses in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in the United States

Abstract Background The utilization of penile prosthesis (PP) insertion in the general population for medically refractory erectile dysfunction (ED) has not been well‐characterized. This study assessed the national temporal trends in the surgical management of ED utilizing PP. Materials and Methods An analysis of the 5% Medicare Public Use Files from 2001 to 2010 was performed to assess the use of PP. Regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with PP placement, type of PP utilized, and factors associated with revisions. Results A total of 1,763,260 men were diagnosed with ED, 3% (53,180) of whom underwent PP insertion. The utilization of PP for ED decreased from 4.6% in 2002 to 2.3% in 2010 ( P 1 were more likely to have a PP inserted for ED ( P P Conclusions The surgical management of ED with PP changed significantly between 2001 and 2010. The overall utilization of PP decreased, but its use in patients with significant medical comorbidities increased. Age >65, ethnicity, and geography influenced the likelihood of PP placement, prosthesis type, as well as the likelihood of prosthesis removal or revision. Lee DJ, Najari BB, Davison WL, Al Hussein Al Awamlh B, Zhao F, Paduch DA, Mulhall JP, Chughtai B, and Lee RK. Trends in the utilization of penile prostheses in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in the United States. J Sex Med 2015;12:1638–1645.
Promoting Intercultural Competence for Technical Writing Students: A Case Study of an Intercultural Business Memo Research Project

In the age of globalization, acquiring intercultural communication skills and developing intercultural competence are essential for technical and business communication students and practitioners. Using a case study from a technical writing course assignment, which explores the effectiveness of incorporating an intercultural business memo research project to improve students’ intercultural competence, the paper has come to some valuable conclusions. The findings show that it is useful and effective for teachers to use technical writing course research projects to help teach intercultural communication in the workplace for these ends.The findings indicate that the technical and business writing teachers need to find more effective ways of motivatingstudents in this intercultural communication learning process. The teachers also need to create more real-life tasks such as internship opportunities or service learning projects in some intercultural workplace settings to help students acquire intercultural competence.
Syntactic pattern recognition for HRR signatures

A classifier based on a syntactic approach is developed for High range resolution (HRR) radar target recognition. An attribute grammar is used to represent the structure of an HRR signature and an error-correcting parsing mechanism is implemented to extract peaks in the HRR profile and suppress the extraneous spikes. In the training phase, an error correcting grammatical inference technique is employed for structural inference of HRR signatures using a positive sample set. Recognition is done using a minimum distance classifier where Levenshtein error measure is used as the distance metric. The error-correcting parsing procedure for peak extraction is used to perform both inference and recognition. Experiments performed using public release MSTAR database indicate that this approach has sufficient discrimination power to perform target detection in HRR signatures.
Response to Vitamin D of Magnesium Deficient Rats.

SummaryMeasurements of concentrative calcium transport by the rat small intestine in vitro were made in preparations from vitamin D deficient and vitamin D fed magnesium deficient and control rats....
Complement-mediated leukocyte adhesion on poly(etherurethane ureas) under shear stress in vitro

Blood-contacting biomaterials may activate the complement cascade, thus promoting leukocyte adhesion to the biomaterial surface. We hypothesize that the extent of complement activation is modulated by biomaterial formulation and the presence of fluid shear stress. To investigate this hypothesis, we tested base poly(etherurethane ureas) formulated with or without Santowhite antioxidant, a nucleophilic additive. We found that adherent leukocyte densities decreased with increasing shear stress. Moreover, leukocyte adhesion was decreased significantly further by Santowhite additive under shear stress but not under static conditions. Monocytes showed a higher propensity for adhesion than did neutrophils under shear and static conditions. Under static conditions, adherent cells on the Santowhite-containing polyurethane had a slightly more activated morphology than those on the base polyurethane. Cell adhesion under shear stress was significantly decreased when C3 or fibronectin was depleted from the suspension medium. Santowhite additive increased Factor B adsorption to the test surface while shear stress increased Factor H adsorption. The combination of Santowhite additive and shear stress increased the adsorption of both Factor B and Factor H and the serum protein S-terminal complement complex levels, but it did not further increase the state of activation of adherent cells. We conclude that leukocyte adhesion on poly(etherurethane urea) surfaces is sensitive to the levels of shear stress and that both C3 and fibronectin are required to maintain adhesion in the presence of shear stress. The low state of cellular activation and increased Factor H adsorption may explain the decreased adherent leukocyte density on the Santowhite-containing polyurethane.
Flow of variable-viscosity fluid between eccentric rotating cylinders

Abstract We examine the effects of coupling the equations of motion to the equation of energy by allowing variation of the fluid viscosity with temperature, for flow between eccentric, rotating cylinders. The cylinders are held at constant temperature and are infinitely long. This coupling of motion to heat transfer plays a significant role in determining the streamline pattern, in the positioning of separation and reattachment points, in the magnitude of the drag, and in determining the rate at which heat is transferred between the cylinders. The numerical methods employed in this study include Galerkin's method with B-spline test functions and spline-blended approximation, and are applied to the steady-state problem. The viscosity-temperature relationship used is typical of mineral oils.
Strain-dependent migration of lymphocytes to the vaginal mucosa after peripheral immunization

We have previously demonstrated a genetic predisposition among mice regarding their ability to be protected against vaginal candidiasis after peripheral immunization. Both BALB/c and (BALB/cx C57BL/6) F1 mice are protected against vaginal candidiasis after subcutaneous immunization with Candida albicans extract and C57BL/6 mice are not protected by this immunization. In the present study, the ability of F1-derived immune cells to transfer protection to naive parental strains was observed in BALB/c recipient mice, but not apparent in B6 recipient mice. This result is highly suggestive that the microenvironment of the B6 mouse is responsible for the susceptible phenotype. Genetic studies using (BALB/cx C57BL/6)F1x C57BL/6 backcross mice demonstrated that two genes appeared to regulate the protective effect of peripheral immunization to vaginal challenge. Microsatellite mapping indicated that candidate loci involved in controlling the immune response to vaginal candidiasis after peripheral immunization included the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), the Icam-1 related sequence 1, and the Fc epsilon RII (P<0.01). Thus, the ability of cells to bind to vaginal endothelial cells may play an important role in protection against vaginal candidiasis mediated by peripheral immunization.
A Review of the Effects of Glutamine-Enriched Diets on Experimentally Induced Enterocolitis

Studies in animal models of enterocolitis have failed to confirm the purported metabolic and functional benefits of bowel rest induced by use of an elemental diet. Recent reports have demonstrated that glutamine-supplemented diets ameliorate or reverse many of the adverse effects of experimentally induced enterocolitis. Human studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Measurement of Local Temperatures Using µ-Raman of SiC and AlGaN-GaN/SiC Power and RF Devices

Confocal μ-Raman was used to measure the operating temperatures in SiC MESFETS, AlGaN/GaN/SiC HEMT’s and 4H-SiC PiN diodes. Temperatures obtained from thermal imaging of the MESFETS compared well with those measured from Raman scattering. Operating temperatures were also obtained for large area PiN diode and it was shown that a single point at the center of the device can be used to measure the average temperature.
Thermal Modeling Of Background And Targets For Air-To-Ground And Ground-To-Ground Vehicle Applications

Evaluation of military ground combat vehicle system's IR signature has in the past been a time consuming measurements using a thermal camera. Many limitations exists using modify and measure techniques for thermal signature design and analysis including cost, logistics and limited data sets. One further consideration occurs if the thermal signature of a concept system is to be evaluated at the CAD/CAM stage of development. To help solve these problems, the background and, target are simulated using high fidelity thermal prediction models. This paper will present recent advances in background and target thermal models. Several examples and image sequences will be presented showing detection performance through dynamic scenes.
A model for fatigue crack growth, part I: phenomenology*

A fatigue crack growth model for metals is presented in this two part paper. The model is based on experimental evidence obtained on the aluminium alloy Al 7475-T7351. In Part I of this paper, the physical basis of the model is discussed. The model accounts for residual compressive stresses ahead of the crack front and crack closure, which constitute an intrinsic and extrinsic effect, respectively. The centre of this model is the crack propagation stress intensity factor, K PR . There are two basic sequences involving a load step following constant amplitude loading which cause two different types of transitional processes that are fundamental to fatigue crack growth. An increase in the maximum load causes instant and 'dynamic' changes in K PR . This transition in K PR is cycle dependent. An example is a multiple overload sequence. A decrease in the maximum load causes a crack growth dependent transition. Crack growth retardation after a tensile overload is an example of this type of a transition. The general description of these two transitional processes constitutes the complete solution for the fatigue crack growth problem in metals for Mode 1 loading. Part I of this paper provides the general description of the two transitional processes in terms of K PR . In Part II, the results of Part I are generalised, which leads to a new fatigue crack growth prediction model for variable amplitude loading.
Neural effects of cognitive control load on auditory selective attention

Whether and how working memory disrupts or alters auditory selective attention is unclear. We compared simultaneous event-related potentials (ERP) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses associated with task-irrelevant sounds across high and low working memory load in a dichotic-listening paradigm. Participants performed n-back tasks (1-back, 2-back) in one ear (Attend ear) while ignoring task-irrelevant speech sounds in the other ear (Ignore ear). The effects of working memory load on selective attention were observed at 130-210ms, with higher load resulting in greater irrelevant syllable-related activation in localizer-defined regions in auditory cortex. The interaction between memory load and presence of irrelevant information revealed stronger activations primarily in frontal and parietal areas due to presence of irrelevant information in the higher memory load. Joint independent component analysis of ERP and fMRI data revealed that the ERP component in the N1 time-range is associated with activity in superior temporal gyrus and medial prefrontal cortex. These results demonstrate a dynamic relationship between working memory load and auditory selective attention, in agreement with the load model of attention and the idea of common neural resources for memory and attention.
Concanavalin A stimulates phospholipid methylation and phosphatidylserine decarboxylation in rat mast cells

Abstract When histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells is stimulated by concanavalin A, membrane phospholipids are methylated in the early stage of this process. Exogenously added phosphatidylserine enhances the concanavalin A-induced histamine release, and at the same time the lectin markedly stimulates the decarboxylation and methylation of phosphatidylserine. Within minutes after the addition of concanavalin A to rat mast cells, the newly methylated phospholipids begin to disappear and an increased formation of lysophosphatidylcholine is observed. When rat mast cells are treated with concanavalin A in the absence of Ca2+, phospholipid methylation is stimulated but no significant release of histamine is detected. The subsequent exposure of the pretreated cells to Ca2+ causes increased release of histamine and degradation of methylated phospholipids. The inhibition of either synthesis or degradation of methylated phospholipids results in the inhibition of histamine release. These observations suggest that the synthesis and degradation of methylated lipids are an intrinsic part of the biochemical mechanism that modulate histamine release from mast cells.
Hypertonic saline resuscitates dogs in endotoxin shock

In this experiment we determined if infusions of hypertonic saline (HS, 1080 Na meq/liter) could resuscitate dogs in endotoxin shock as effectively as Ringer's lactate (RL, 130 Na meq/liter). Anesthetized dogs received iv 0.5 mg/kg of Escherichia coli endotoxin, and mean arterial pressure (MAP, mm Hg) decreased from 148 +/- 5 to 58 +/- 14 within 30 min. To resuscitate the dogs 13 meq/kg of sodium was intravenously infused over 90 min as either a 10% body weight load of RL (n = 5) or a 1.2% body weight load of HS (n = 5). Both solutions produced an equivalent hemodynamic resuscitation 3 to 4 hr postinfusion with an increase in MAP (RL, 119 +/- 4; HS, 108 +/- 7), the restoration of cardiac outputs to baseline (RL, 2.0 +/- 0.2; HS, 1.9 +/- 0.3 liter/min), and similar renal inulin clearances (RL, 48 +/- 16; HS, 44 +/- 7 ml/min). The net fluid gain (resuscitation fluid volume infused minus urine output as percentage of body weight) was much greater in the RL group (7.2 +/- 1.0%) than in the HS group (0.48 +/- 0.2%). Plasma volume (PV, percentage of body weight) was measured with Evans blue dye in these splenectomized dogs. The increase in PV in the RL dogs (1.25 +/- 0.04%) was slightly greater than the increase in the HS group (0.94 +/- 0.13). Prenodal skin lymph was collected from both hindpaws, and the fractional increase in skin lymph flow after RL (4.5 +/- 2.9) was greater than the increase in the HS group (1.7 +/- 0.3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nitrite ion-promoted hydration of acetonitrile by the bis(μ-hydroxo)bis{tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine)chromium(III)} ion

Abstract The hydration of CH 3 CN by [Cr(tmpa)(OH)] 2 4+ is promoted by NO 2 − in refluxing acetonitrile solution, affording an oxo, acetamide-bridged product. Spectroscopic, electrochemical, magnetic and acid-base properties are presented in support of the formula [Cr 2 (tmpa) 2 (μ-O)(μ-C 2 H 5 NO)](ClO 4 ) 4 , where C 2 H 5 NO represents the acetamide moiety. Nitrite ion evidently cleaves one of the reactant Cr(μ-OH)Cr units, exposing a non-bridging hydroxide ligand which then attacks the CH 3 CN nitrile carbon atom.
Hollywood as Music Museum & Patron: Bringing Various Musical Styles to a Wide Audience

The role of Hollywood films in holding up a mirror–albeit sometimes a distorted one–to the American public is indisputable. Less discussed is their role in bringing a wide range of music–popular, classical, jazz, avant-garde, ethnic–to an unsuspecting audience. Whether the music is in the foreground, as in biographical movies about composers, for example, or in the background supporting the narrative, watching a movie educates the viewers' ears. Indeed, the role of movies in widening the public's aural palate has parallels with the role of art museums in broadening the public's visual taste. To supply the music needed for movies, Hollywood studios have employed a large number of composers of the most varied backgrounds, taking on a significant function as patron of contemporary music. This essay briefly examines some of the varied interactions of movies, music, and the public.
Gas-Phase Reactions of Fe(CH2O)+ and Fe(CH2S)+ with Small Alkanes: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

The gas-phase reactions of Fe(CH2O)+ and Fe(CH2S)+ with a series of aliphatic alkanes were studied by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry. Like bare Fe+, C−C insertion, particularly terminal C−C insertion, is predominant for the reactions of Fe(CH2O)+, while C−H insertion is preferred for Fe(CH2S)+. About 90% of the Fe(CH2O)+ reaction products are formed by C−C insertion with small alkane loss. For Fe(CH2S)+, after initial C−H insertion, the proposed mechanism includes hydrogen transfer to sulfur, followed by migratory insertion of methylene into the metal−alkyl bond and formation of an activated H2S−Fe+−olefin complex, which dissociates by H2S elimination. The structures of the reaction products were probed by collision-induced dissociation, ion−molecule reactions, and use of labeled compounds, yielding information about the reaction mechanism. Collision-induced dissociation and ligand displacement reactions yield the brackets D0(Fe+−C3H6) = 37 ± 2 kcal/mol < D0(Fe+−CH2S) ...
K-turn motifs in spatial RNA coding.

Three-dimensional architectural motifs are increasingly recognized as determinants of RNA functionality. We submit that such motifs can encode spatial information. RNAs are targeted to subcellular localities in many eukaryotic cell types, and especially in neuronal and glial cells, RNAs can be transported over long distances to their final destination sites. Such RNAs contain cis-acting long-range targeting elements, and recent evidence suggests that kink-turn motifs within such elements may act as spatial codes to direct transport. Kink-turns are complex RNA motifs that feature double- and single-stranded components and introduce a signature three-dimensional structure into helical stems. We propose that the overall architectural design as well as the individual character — as specified by nucleotide identity and arrangement — of kink-turn motifs can serve as RNA targeting determinants.
Risk of Fluorosis in a Fluoridated Population: Implications for the dentist and hygienist

The prevalence of enamel fluorosis has increased in optimally fluoridated areas in recent years. This has led to efforts to identify the cause or causes and to make recommendations that seek to maintain the caries-preventive effectiveness of fluoride use while minimizing the risk of fluorosis. In this study, the author estimated the potential direct impact that dental practitioners could have on reducing the amount of enamel fluorosis in U.S. children. The findings suggest that dental practitioners could have an important impact on reducing the prevalence of enamel fluorosis by guiding the public toward the most appropriate use of fluoride products.
Cracks formation and residual stress in chromium carbide overlays

Abstract A chromium carbide overlay is often welded on the surfaces that are subject to severe wear attack, of mining equipment in order to prolong its service time. The welding causes unequal and unsynchronized thermal expansion/shrinkage between the overlay and its substrate, leading to a significant level of thermal strain/stress in the overlay. When the stress level at any location becomes higher than material strength, at that location a crack will start to form and propagate, resulting in partial release of stress. The residual stress varying by location can lead to delamination and spalling of chunks of the overlay. This paper tries to give better understanding of cracks-formation and residual stress, covering the driving force for cracks formation and residual stress, the locations where cracks initiate, the directions towards to which the cracks propagate, the resulting patterns of the cracks and the residual stress at the interfaces between the overlay and its substrate. The approach to realize this is through mechanics modeling and simulation plus experimental observations. The practical significance of this work lies in its values to improvement of welding processes and the basis for evaluating overlay quality.
Comparison between carbachol iontophoresis and intravenous pilocarpine stimulated accommodation in anesthetized rhesus monkeys.

Abstract Rhesus monkeys are an animal model for human accommodation and presbyopia and consistent and repeatable methods are needed to stimulate and measure accommodation in anesthetized rhesus monkeys. Accommodation has typically been pharmacologically stimulated with topical pilocarpine or carbachol iontophoresis. Intravenous (i.v.) pilocarpine has recently been shown to produce more natural, rapid and reproducible accommodative responses compared to topical pilocarpine. Here, i.v. pilocarpine was compared to carbachol iontophoresis stimulated accommodation. Experiments were performed under anaesthesia on five previously iridectomized monkeys aged 10–16 years. In three monkeys, accommodation was stimulated with carbachol iontophoresis in five successive experiments and refraction measured with a Hartinger coincidence refractometer. In separate experiments, accommodation was stimulated using a 5 mg/kg bolus of i.v. pilocarpine given over 30 s followed by a continuous infusion of 20 mg/kg/hr for 5.5 min in three successive experiments with the same monkeys as well as in single experiments with two additional monkeys. Refraction was measured continuously using photorefraction with baseline and accommodated refraction also measured with the Hartinger. In subsequent i.v. pilocarpine experiments with each monkey, accommodative changes in lens equatorial diameter were measured in real-time with video-image analysis. Maximum accommodation of three monkeys with carbachol iontophoresis (five repeats) was (mean ± SD; range) 14.0 ± 3.5; 9.9–20.3 D and with i.v. pilocarpine stimulation (three repeats) was 11.1 ± 1.1; 9.9–13.0 D. The average of the standard deviations of maximum accommodation from each monkey was 0.8 ± 0.3 D from carbachol iontophoresis and 0.3 ± 0.2 from i.v. pilocarpine. The average latency to the start of the response after carbachol iontophoresis was 2.5 ± 3.9; 0.0–12.0 min with a time constant of 12.7 ± 9.5; 2.3–29.2 min. The average latency after i.v. pilocarpine was 0.31 ± 0.03; 0.25–0.34 min with a time constant of 0.19 ± 0.07; 0.11–0.31 s. During i.v. pilocarpine stimulated accommodation in five monkeys, lens diameters decreased by 0.54 ± 0.09; 0.42–0.64 mm with a rate of change of 0.052 ± 0.002; 0.050–0.055 mm/D. Accommodative responses with i.v. pilocarpine were more rapid, consistent and stable than those with carbachol iontophoresis. The accommodative decrease in lens diameter with i.v. pilocarpine as a function of age was consistent with previous results using constant topical pilocarpine. Intravenous pilocarpine stimulated accommodation is safe, more consistent and more rapid than carbachol iontophoresis and it requires no contact with or obstruction of the eye thus allowing continuous and uninterrupted refraction and ocular biometry measurements.
Factors Influencing Tacit Knowledge in Construction

Increased complexity of the construction business and consequentuse of new management concepts and technologies ledconstruction organisations to focus more on the transfer of explicitknowledge. However, it is the tacit knowledge that determinesthe construction companies’ competitiveness in a business thatis driven by turbulent market conditions and customers’ everincreasingdemands. This paper highlights the importance of tacitknowledge sharing in construction, explores the challenges andopportunities to efficiently share tacit knowledge, and based on theliterature review identifies some critical factors that influence tacitknowledge in construction. It is argued that employees’ knowledgesharing (learning) behaviours are influenced by work practices thatare borne by respective organisational behaviours. Organisational,cultural, and project characteristics that facilitate knowledgesharing among construction employees are explored and thepractices that influence the construction employee behaviour insharing tacit knowledge are highlighted.
ω-Oxidation of α-chlorinated fatty acids: Identification of α-chlorinated dicarboxylic acids

Myeloperoxidase-derived HOCl targets tissue- and lipoprotein-associated plasmalogens to generate α-chlorinated fatty aldehydes, including 2-chlorohexadecanal. Under physiological conditions, 2-chlorohexadecanal is oxidized to 2-chlorohexadecanoic acid (2-ClHA). This study demonstrates the catabolism of 2-ClHA by ω-oxidation and subsequent β-oxidation from the ω-end. Mass spectrometric analyses revealed that 2-ClHA is ω-oxidized in the presence of liver microsomes with initial ω-hydroxylation of 2-ClHA. Subsequent oxidation steps were examined in a human hepatocellular cell line (HepG2). Three different α-chlorinated dicarboxylic acids, 2-chlorohexadecane-(1,16)-dioic acid, 2-chlorotetradecane-(1,14)-dioic acid, and 2-chloroadipic acid (2-ClAdA), were identified. Levels of 2-chlorohexadecane-(1,16)-dioic acid, 2-chlorotetradecane-(1,14)-dioic acid, and 2-ClAdA produced by HepG2 cells were dependent on the concentration of 2-ClHA and the incubation time. Synthetic stable isotope-labeled 2-ClHA was used to demonstrate a precursor-product relationship between 2-ClHA and the α-chlorinated dicarboxylic acids. We also report the identification of endogenous 2-ClAdA in human and rat urine and elevations in stable isotope-labeled urinary 2-ClAdA in rats subjected to intraperitoneal administration of stable isotope-labeled 2-ClHA. Furthermore, urinary 2-ClAdA and plasma 2-ClHA levels are increased in LPS-treated rats. Taken together, these data show that 2-ClHA is ω-oxidized to generate α-chlorinated dicarboxylic acids, which include α-chloroadipic acid that is excreted in the urine.
A CYTOTAXONOMIC STUDY IN THE GENUS ANDROPOGON

TIHE SECTION AMPHILOPHIS of the genus Andropogon is represented in North America by plants referred to the species A. sacchiaroides Swartz, A. barbinodis Lag., A. exaristatus (Nash) Hitchc., A. edwardsianus Gould, A. perforatus Trin ex Fourn., and A. wrightii Hack. All are perennial bunchgrasses with paniculate inflorescences of few to many racemose flowering branches in a terminal cluster. This study was made primarily to establish a more satisfactory basis for taxonomic disposition of these grasses. The cytological and morphological data will serve as the foundation for a comprehensive investigation of systematic relationships in the Amphilophis section. The writer is indebted to Dr. Edgar Anderson of the Missouri Botanical Garden and to Dr. G. Ledyard Stebbins, Jr., of the University of California, for numerous suggestions. Dr. Charles LaMotte of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas has generously contributed time and effort in the preparation of the photomicrographs. Grateful acknowledgment for the loan of herbarium specimens is made to the curators of the herbaria of the University of Arizona, the University of California, the University of Texas, Southern Methodist University, and the U. S. National Museum. Morphological data were obtained from herbarium specimens and from population samples consisting of ten randomly selected influorescences. The latter for the most part were taken from plants growing in their natural habitats. Samples of the two species designated as "taxon RF 70".and "taxon RF 402, and one collection of A. exaristatus were obtained from plants grown in the Range and Forestry Department grass nursery at the A. and M. College of Texas. No population samples or chromosome counts were obtained for A. wrightii and this species is known to the writer only by herbarium specimens. Cytological studies were made of pollen mother cell divisions. Bud material was obtained mainly from plants growing in their natural habitat, but some chromosome counts were made from plants grown from seed and a few were obtained from transplanted clones. Grasses of the Amphilophis section of Andropogon flower whenever moisture and temperature conditions are favorable for growth. In Texas and adjacent areas the flowering period extends from spring to late fall, a highly desirable situation from the viewpoint of the cytologist. Bud material for P.M.C. counts was fixed in a solution of 3:1:1 absolute alcohol, glacial acetic acid, and chloroform. For storage the buds were transferred to 70 per cent alcohol and kept in re-
Functional Changes in Platelets During Extracorporeal Circulation

An in vitro trauma test was conducted to determine the effects of extracorporeal circulation on platelet count and function. Fresh human blood was circulated in two identical in vitro circuits for six hours at a rate of 500 ml per minute (500 recirculations). One circuit included a G.E.--Peirce membrane lung and the other was a control. Platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), epinephrine, or collagen was studied before and after six hours of perfusion. No important drop in platelet count occurred in the control circuit (Control-C) following bypass, but there was a 20% drop for the lung circuit (Lung-C). Platelet aggregation was reduced by about 30% for the control circuit and 65% for the lung circuit. The large decrease in platelet function accompanied by only a moderate decrease in platelet count is discussed in terms of loss of the youngest and most active platelets, platelet inhibition due to ADP released by red blood cell lysis, and platelet trauma.