cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ambivalence over emotional expression and physical functioning and limitations: mediating and moderating effects of PTSD symptoms and acculturation among Chinese breast cancer survivors.

The psychosocial correlates of physical functioning and limitations are not well-known among Chinese breast cancer survivors. Previous research suggests a link between ambivalence over emotional expression (AEE) and physical functioning. The current study built upon this research by examining post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) as a mechanism. Further, we also examined the moderating effects of mainstream cultural orientation. To this end, we tested study hypotheses using moderated mediation models. Participants were 96 Chinese-speaking breast cancer survivors in the USA. Participants were diagnosed within the past five years with stages 0–III breast cancer. Participants completed questionnaires related to AEE, PTSS, SF-36 physical functioning, and role limitations due to physical health subscales, and acculturation. Results from moderated mediation models provided support for study hypotheses. AEE was positively related to overall PTSS and its three subscales (i.e., re-experiencing symptoms, avoidance, and arousal). Further, PTSS and the three subscales were negatively related to physical functioning and positively related to role limitations due to physical health. The indirect effects of AEE on physical functioning and role limitations due to physical health through PTSS and the three subscales were significant. Moderated mediation models showed that the indirect effects of AEE on physical functioning through PTSS and the re-experiencing subscale were stronger for those high, compared to low, in mainstream culture orientation. Those with high AEE experience had worse physical functioning and greater role limitations due to increased PTSS. However, the indirect effects were stronger for those who endorse greater mainstream culture. Implications for results suggest that interventions aimed at addressing AEE and PTSS may help alleviate physical health problems especially those high in mainstream culture orientation.
Gauging employee theft and other unacceptable behaviors in food service operations.

Unacceptable employee behavior ultimately results in higher prices for consumers. Members of the Indiana Hospitality and Restaurant Association were surveyed about the practices being used to safeguard their assets and control employee deviance in food service. They were also asked to estimate the losses that result from employee theft. This information was used to investigate whether certain policies and procedures were more effective than others in limiting their losses.
Screening for gynecologic cancer. Vulvar, vaginal, endometrial, and ovarian neoplasms.

SUMMARY The success of the Pap smear in screening for cervical cancer illustrates many of the tenets of screening for disease. Unfortunately, no other gynecologic malignancy shares this success. Detection of most gynecologic malignancies occurs once they have become symptomatic and on clinical examination at the interval cancer-related checkup as recommended by the ACS. These examinations, done yearly in women older than 40 and every 3 years in younger women, can go a long way in the detection of genital tract disease. In detecting vulvar neoplasms, visual inspection of the entire perineum coupled with palpation to include Bartholin's glands and early biopsy of suspicious vulvar lesions promotes earlier diagnosis. Self-examination similar to breast self-examination and increased patient awareness are potential education goals for physicians as well as cancer and medical societies. Vaginal examination at the cancer checkup should continue. The finding that most vaginal cancers are picked up by abnormal cytology while they are still asymptomatic argues strongly for Pap testing after menopause. The knowledge that women who are status posthysterectomy for benign disease are not protected from developing vaginal cancers mandates continued Pap testing in this population as well. Because endometrial cancer is common, primary care physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion. Aspiration biopsy is a simple office-based procedure with low risk and good yield, and any woman in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal period who presents with atypical bleeding patterns should be evaluated. Although not recommended as a general screening test, the ACS does advocate endometrial sampling in the high risk woman at the time of menopause. The greatest challenge to primary care physicians may be the early detection of ovarian cancer. No single test is available, nor is any advocated in screening for this lethal disease. Currently, only periodic physical examination is recommended at the cancer checkup interval. Ultrasound, both transabdominal and transvaginal, may help in detecting adnexal masses, but is not sensitive enough to differentiate benign from malignant lesions. In this setting, and in the patient with suspected ovarian cancer, CA 125 and AFP may be helpful in determining which patients require surgical exploration. Women with positive family histories for ovarian cancer require greater vigilance and close follow-up with serial ultrasound and CA 125 determinations. As the population ages, cancer, which is primarily a disease of age, will continue to increase in incidence. Armed with the knowledge of risk factors and the natural history of gynecologic malignancy, primary care physicians can make a difference in the morbidity and mortality of these diseases through early detection and timely treatment.
Patients believe that cosmetic procedures affect their quality of life: An interview study of patient-reported motivations.

Background Although treatments to address cosmetic concerns are common, patients' self-reported motives for considering such procedures have not been systematically explored. Objective To develop a framework of categories to describe patients' self-reported motivations for undergoing minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Methods Face-to-face, semistructured patient interviews were conducted with adult participants who had undergone or were considering minimally invasive cosmetic dermatologic procedures. A qualitative constant comparative approach was used to analyze interview transcripts, yielding themes and subthemes. Results A total of 30 interviews were completed. Most patient-reported motivations for cosmetic procedures could be subsumed under 8 general categories (themes): (1) mental and emotional health, (2) cosmetic appearance, (3) physical health, (4) work and/or school success, (5) social well-being, (6) cost and/or convenience, (7) procedural perceptions, and (8) timing of treatment. Many individual motivations in these categories were unrelated to desire for physical beauty. In particular, participants wanted to avoid being self-conscious, enhance confidence, reduce the time and expense required to conceal physical imperfections, and be perceived as capable at work. Limitations Only English-speaking patients in the United States were interviewed. Conclusion Patient-reported motivations for cosmetic procedures mostly pertained to physical and psychosocial well-being. Indeed, a desire for improved cosmetic appearance was only 1 of the 8 themes revealed through the patient interviews.
Experimentally Validated Method to Measure the ${\lambda}$ – ${i}$ Characteristics of Asymmetric Three-Phase Transformers

Accurate modeling of three-phase asymmetric (three- and five-limb) transformers is still a challenge. In this paper, a method for the calculation of the major hysteresis loop for three-phase asymmetric transformers is proposed. All necessary information can be obtained from measurements taken at the transformer terminals without breaking the connections and using only standard tests. For illustration and validation, the method is applied to Wye–wye and Wye–delta connections for three-limb and five-limb transformers, but the method is applicable to all transformer connections. The obtained hysteresis loops are implemented in three-phase dual-reversible models. Simulation results are validated with laboratory experiments. The excellent agreement between simulations and measurements gives great confidence that the method is practical for engineering work.
IsomiRs and tRNA‐derived fragments are associated with metastasis and patient survival in uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UVM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. With over 50% of patients developing metastatic disease, there is an unmet need for improved diagnostic and therapeutic options. Efforts to understand the molecular biology of the disease have revealed several markers that correlate with patient prognosis, including the copy number of chromosome 3, genetic alterations in the BAP1, EIF1AX and SF3B1 genes, and other transcriptional features. Here, we expand upon previous reports by comprehensively characterizing the short RNA-ome in 80 primary UVM tumor samples. In particular, we describe a previously unseen complex network involving numerous regulatory molecules that comprise microRNA (miRNAs), novel UVM-specific miRNA loci, miRNA isoforms (isomiRs), and tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs). Importantly, we show that the abundance profiles of isomiRs and tRFs associate with various molecular phenotypes, metastatic disease, and patient survival. Our findings suggest deep involvement of isomiRs and tRFs in the disease etiology of UVM. We posit that further study and characterization of these novel molecules will improve understanding of the mechanisms underlying UVM, and lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Lessons from the field: engaging in a long-term research partnership with a school

ABSTRACTIn this reflective essay, principles and practicalities useful in creating and maintaining successful partnerships between university researchers and local K-12 schools are discussed. Prior...
Signatures in drug-induced liver injury.

Purpose of review Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) can be induced by a myriad of drugs. Assessing whether the patient has DILI and assessing which drug is the most likely culprit are challenging. There has been too little attention paid to the concept that certain drugs appear to have unique clinical features or 'phenotypes'. Recent findings Several case series of DILI because of various drugs have been published, and analysis of these case series points to the fact that individual drugs have characteristic DILI signatures. These clinical phenotypes can be characterized by latency, biochemical features (R-value), as well as clinical symptoms and signs. Several drugs, including isoniazid, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, anabolic steroids, β-interferon and others, have highly unique clinical features. Such unique properties may be able to be used to improve adjudication processes. Summary Individual drugs have unique clinical DILI phenotypes or signatures. Furthermore, these may be able to be used to improve adjudication.
Nongeostrophic Baroclinic Instability over Sloping Bathymetry: Buoyant Flow Regime

AbstractBaroclinic instabilities are important processes that enhance mixing and dispersion in the ocean. The presence of sloping bathymetry and the non-geostrophic effect influence the formation a...
Open-Source Multi-Language Audio Database for Spoken Language Processing Applications

Abstract : This report gives a detailed summary of research work completed under Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) grant 53925, over the time period (April 12, 2010 April 10, 2012). There are two main aspects of the work completed. First was the collection and annotation of a large open source data base of speech passages from web sites such as You Tube. 300 passages were collected in each of three languages English, Mandarin, and Russian. Approximately 30 hours of speech were collected for each language. Each passage has been carefully transcribed at the phrasal level by human listeners. Each passage was originally transcribed and then checked and the transcription edited as needed by at least two additional native language listeners. The English and Mandarin were then forced aligned and labeled at the phonetic level using a combination of manual and automatic methods. The Russian passages have not yet been marked at the phonetic level. Another phase of the work was to explore several algorithmic methods for improving automatic speech recognition (ASR) for this intelligible but challenging data base. Note that the body of the report has four main sections plus appendices which introduce, describe, and summarize a portion of the work.
The Emerging Role of Nano-informatics in America

The rapid expansion of nanotechnology coupled with its integration into different scientific domains has led to a new era. In recent decades, there has been an emergence of nano-informatics in the USA and other European countries which deals with information science and nanotechnology. The present study reports the initiation and applicative properties of nano-informatics in accordance to its scientific roles in America. In order to achieve the required milestone in nano-informatics, there are major challenges that need to be addressed as scanty reports are available on nano-informatics. Hence, the study highlights the importance of nano-informatics in data curation and mining along with the role of governing bodies and the establishment of databases. These establishments are well organized to implement the untapped role of nano-informatics which is rapidly growing. The information provided in the present mini-review adds scientific inputs towards the growing knowledge of nanotechnology and information science along with their future prospects.
Personal Protective Equipment and Donning and Doffing Techniques in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights From an Internet Search for Protocols

Background: Due to the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a need for precise donning and doffing protocols for personal protective equipment (PPE) among healthcare infrastructures is paramount. Procedures involving the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) are routinely non-aerosolizing but have the potential for rapid patient deterioration, creating the need for aerosolizing generating procedures. Multiple societal and governmental guidelines on the use of PPE during medical procedures are available on Internet websites; however, there is limited literature available in peer-reviewed formats in this context. This study aims to provide an overview of current PPE donning and doffing protocols specific to the catheterization laboratory. Methods: A series of internet searches regarding donning and doffing of PPE in the CCL including published articles and internet protocols were compiled and compared using Pubmed.gov, Google.com, www.twitter.com, and www.youtube.com. Results: Most institutions used N95 masks, shoe covers, at least one head covering, face shield or goggles, two pairs of gloves, and inner and outer gowns. Doffing variation was greater than donning. Doffing has the potential to contaminate the healthcare worker (HCW), and therefore, this step of PPE management requires further study. Common steps in temporal priority included cleaning of gloved hands, removal of outer (or only) gown, removal of outer gloves, repeat gloved hand cleaning, removal of facial PPE last, and a final non-gloved hand cleaning. Conclusions: This analysis provides a summary of commonly used practices that may be considered when designing CCL-specific PPE protocols. Analysis of consistent steps from the literature led the authors to formulate a suggested protocol for CCL HCWs when performing procedures on patients with confirmed or suspected/unknown COVID-19.
COSMIC ORIGINS SPECTROGRAPH OBSERVATIONS OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SNR LMC N132D

We present new far-ultraviolet (far-UV) spectra of an oxygen-rich knot in the Large Magellanic Cloud supernova remnant N132D, obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST)-Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS). Moderate-resolution (Δv ≈ 200 km s–1) spectra in the HST far-UV bandpass (1150 A λ 1750 A) show emission from several ionization states of oxygen as well as trace amounts of other species. We use the improvements in sensitivity and resolving power offered by COS to separate contributions from different velocity components within the remnant, as well as emission from different species within the oxygen-rich knot itself. This is the first time that compositional and velocity structure in the ultraviolet emission lines from N132D have been resolved. No nitrogen is detected in N132D, and multiple carbon species are found at velocities inconsistent with the main oxygen component. We find helium and silicon to be associated with the oxygen-rich knot and use the reddening-corrected line strengths of O III], O IV], O V, and Si IV to constrain the composition and physical characteristics of this oxygen-rich knot. We find that models with a silicon-to-oxygen abundance ratio of N(Si)/N(O) = 10–2 can reproduce the observed emission for a shock velocity of ~130 km s–1, implying a mass of ~50 M ☉ for the N132D progenitor star.
Glazed Steatite and Faience Technology at Harappa, Pakistan (>3700–1900 BCE): Technological and Experimental Studies of Production and Variation

Excavations at the site of Harappa, Pakistan, have revealed important archaeological evidence for the development of glazed steatite and faience production in the Indus Tradition. This paper will focus on the discoveries of glazed steatite and faience slag from the Ravi Phase occupations (>3700–2800 BCE) and the development of more complex glazing and faience technologies during the subsequent Kot Diji Phase (2800–2600 BCE). The main focus will be on the diverse range of glazed steatite and faience production during the Harappa Phase (2600–1900 BCE). During the Late Harappa Phase (1900–1700 BCE) at the site, there is evidence for continued production of both glazed steatite and faience. The chemical composition and technology of archaeological examples are compared with experimental replicas to better understand the possible stages of production and recipes used to make both glazes and faience. The implications of Harappan glazing and faience for later developments of glass are discussed.
Intra-articular use of a platelet-rich product in normal horses: clinical signs and cytologic responses.

Objectives (1) To report the clinical and synovial effects of a platelet-rich product (PRPr) in normal equine joints, (2) to assess the persistence of platelets within synovial fluid after intra-articular injection, (3) to compare responses to different preparations of that product, and (4) to evaluate a gravity filtration system for PRPr preparation in horses. Study Design Experimental. Methods A platelet-rich saline product (PRPr) was prepared from 7 normal horses using a proprietary preparation device and was divided into 3 treatments: resting, CaCl2-activated (23 mM, final), and bovine thrombin-activated (10 U/mL, final). Each horse had 3 concurrent randomly assigned intra-articular PRPr treatments administered in their metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joints; the fourth limb was injected with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution as a control. Clinical assessments, cytologic analysis of synovial fluid and hemograms were performed at 6, 24, 48, and 96 hours after injection. PRPr composition and growth factor content were analyzed. Results The gravity filtration system produced a moderately concentrated PRPr. At 6 and 24 hours, when compared to control values, all PRPr treatments caused a significant increase in synovial WBC concentration (P < .0059) and neutrophil percentage (P < .0005). Bovine thrombin-activated PRPr injection consistently caused increased effusion scores and periarticular signs. At all time points, the synovial WBC concentration after thrombin-activated PRPr was significantly greater (P < .001) than for the control, CaCl2-activated or resting PRPr. Intact platelets could be observed in synovial fluid for up to 5 days after intra-articular PRPr injection. Conclusions Resting and CaCl2-activated PRPr may be safely used to treat equine joints, but bovine thrombin activation is not recommended at 10 U/mL. A PRPr can be prepared using a gravity filtration system, eliminating the need for centrifugation.
Long-term catheter angiography after aneurysm coil therapy: results of 209 patients and predictors of delayed recurrence and retreatment

Object Aneurysm recurrence after coil therapy remains a major shortcoming in the endovascular management of cerebral aneurysms. The need for long-term imaging follow-up was recently investigated. This study assessed the diagnostic yield of long-term digital subtraction angiography (DSA) follow-up and determined predictors of delayed aneurysm recurrence and retreatment. Methods Inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) available short-term and long-term (> 36 months) follow-up DSA images, and 2) no or only minor aneurysm recurrence (not requiring further intervention, i.e., < 20%) documented on short-term follow-up DSA images. Results Of 209 patients included in the study, 88 (42%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. On shortterm follow-up DSA images, 158 (75%) aneurysms showed no recurrence, and 51 (25%) showed minor recurrence (< 20%, not retreated). On long-term follow-up DSA images, 124 (59%) aneurysms showed no recurrence, and 85 (41%) aneurysms showed recurrence, of which 55 (26%) required retreatme...
Breast milk carotenoid concentrations are decreased in obese mothers (645.5)

Maternal obesity has been linked with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants. We investigated the impact of maternal obesity on breast milk (BM) carotenoids. Subjects included 13 control/lean (Lc, mean BMI 21) and 9 obese (Ob, mean BMI 37) mothers who delivered healthy term babies (gestational age >37 weeks). The study was approved by Tufts Medical Center IRB and informed consent was obtained from all subjects. BM and 3-day diet records were collected between 6 and 10 weeks postpartum. BM was analyzed using standard lipid extraction and reverse phase HPLC. Carotenoid concentrations were lower in BM from Ob compared to Lc mothers. The differences were statistically significant for lutein, α- and β-carotene. Adjusting for dietary intake did not alter the significance. Lutein, along with zeaxanthin, preferentially accumulates in the macular region of the retina and may influence visual development. The provitamin A carotenoids α-carotene and β-carotene provide a significant source of vitamin A for the B...
Structured frequency weighted model reduction

We consider the problem of reducing a model in a way that preserves a partition of the system states. This is motivated, for instance, in situations where state variables are associated with the topology of a networked system. In earlier work we proposed an LMI method based on block-structured generalized controllability and observability gramians; to make such strategy feasible, coprime factor model reduction was employed. In this paper, we consider the frequency-weighted version of the problem. This is motivated by the usual desire to have model accuracy vary with frequency, but also by the fact that the feasibility of our LMI method can be greatly enhanced through frequency weighting. We show that block-structure can be imposed directly in gramians for frequency weighted problems, and often gives a feasible solution without the need to resort to coprime factors. We also explore the coprime factor version, and give comparisons to other related work in this area.
Near optimal sensor selection in the Columbia river (CORIE) observation network for data assimilation using genetic algorithms

CORIE is a pilot environmental observation and forecasting system (EOFS) for the Columbia River. The goal of CORIE is to characterize and predict complex circulation and mixing processes in a system encompassing the lower river, the estuary, and the near-ocean using a multi-scale data assimilation model.The challenge for scientists is to maintain the accuracy of their modeling system while minimizing resource usage. In this paper, we first propose a metric for characterizing the error in the CORIE data assimilation model and study the impact of the number of sensors on the error reduction. Second, we propose a genetic algorithm to compute the optimal configuration of sensors that reduces the number of sensors to the minimum required while maintaining a similar level of error in the data assimilation model. We verify the results of our algorithm with 30 runs of the data assimilation model. Each run uses data collected and estimated over a two-day period. We can reduce the sensing resource usage by 26.5% while achieving comparable error in data assimilation. As a result, we can potentially save 40 thousand dollars in initial expenses and 10 thousand dollars in maintenance expense per year.This algorithm can be used to guide operation of the existing observation network, as well as to guide deployment of future sensor stations. The novelty of our approach is that our problem formulation of network configuration is influenced by the data assimilation framework which is more meaningful to domain scientists, rather than using abstract sensing models.
THE QUICK DEMENTIA RATING SYSTEM (QDRS): A RAPID DEMENTIA STAGING TOOL.

Introduction Test the validity and reliability of the Quick Dementia Rating System (QDRS), a rapid dementia staging tool.
Comparison of NK-1 Receptor Antagonist (Maropitant) to Morphine as a Pre-Anaesthetic Agent for Canine Ovariohysterectomy

Objective To compare the NK-1 receptor antagonist maropitant to morphine during and after surgery in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OHE). Methods 30 healthy female dogs were randomly divided to receive either a pre-anaesthetic dose of morphine (0.5 mg/kg SQ) or maropitant (1 mg/kg, SQ) prior to OHE. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Expired isoflurane concentration, heart rate (HR), systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and respiratory rate were measured. Post-operative pain scores and appetite were evaluated during the recovery period. Rescue analgesia (morphine 0.1 mg/kg IV) was administered as needed post-operatively based on blinded pain score assessments. Results Although clinically comparable; during surgical stimulation, the maropitant group had lower HR (108±18 vs 115±24 bpm; p = 0.04), lower SAP (114±23 vs 125±23 mmHg; p = 0.003) and required slightly lower percent of isoflurane anaesthetic (1.35±0.2 vs 1.51±0.4%; p = 0.005), when compared to the morphine group. In the recovery period, the maropitant group had lower pain scores at extubation (1.7±0.7 vs 3.4±2.3; p = 0.0001) and were more likely to eat within 3 hours after extubation (64.7 vs 15.3%). However, post-operative rescue analgesia requirements were similar between groups. All other measured parameters were similar between groups. The overall difference observed between groups was small and all monitored and measured parameters were within the expected range for anesthetized dogs. Clinical Significance No major differences in cardiorespiratory parameters or anaesthetic requirements were observed between maropitant and morphine when used as a pre-anesthetic agent for OHE. Further studies are necessary to fully elucidate the benefits of maropitant as a pre-anaesthetic agent for canine OHE.
Conditioned fear training and later avoidance learning in the goldfish

In Experiment 1 goldfish showed early facilitation of one-way avoidance behavior following conditioned fear training. In a second experiment, two-way avoidance behavior was studied. An interference effect emerged but only under conditions suggesting a fatigue explanation.
The current convergence in linguistic theory: some implications for second language acquisition research

To the outsider, generative grammar must appear to contain a bewildering variety of different frameworks for syntactic description, each with its own distinct goals, research programme and technical vocabulary. It seems fair to say that this seeming inability of theoretical linguists to get their own house in order has led many applied linguists to question whether even the most general conceptions of generative grammar have any relevance to their concerns. Despite superficial appearances, however, the differences between the major generative frameworks are relatively minor, and are steadily lessening. Indeed, a convergence is taking place among the three most important, namely, the government-binding theory, generalized phrase structure grammar, and lexical-functional grammar. In particular, all now accept two basic concepts governing grammatical processes: 'modularity' and 'locality'. According to the former, grammatical complexity results from the interaction of autonomous grammatical subsystems; accor...
Constraints on $${\rm I}\beta$$ I β cellulose twist from DFT calculations of $$^{13}\hbox {C}$$ 13 C NMR chemical shifts

We investigate theoretically the NMR response of twisted configurations of $${\rm I}\beta$$ cellulose in the tg conformation. These finite helical angle structures were constructed by a mathematical deformation of zero-angle configurations obtained via the periodic density functional energy minimizations with dispersion corrections (DFT-D2). Subsequent calculations of the $${^{13}\hbox {C}}$$ nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts $$({\delta}^{13} \hbox {C})$$ were compared with experimental findings by Erata et al. (Cellul Commun 4:128–131, 1997) and Kono et al. (Macromolecules 36:5131–5138, 2003). We determine the sensitivity of the NMR chemical shifts to helical deformation of the microfibril and find that a substantial range of helical angle, ±2 degrees/nm, is consistent with current experimental observations, with a most probable angle of ∼0.2 degree/nm. Through exhaustive combinatorial provisional assignments, we also demonstrate that there are different choices of the chemical shift $$({\delta}^{13} \hbox {C})$$ assignments which are consistent with the experiments, including ones with lower deviations than existing identifications.
Provocation on the politics of government‐funded research. Part 2

(1990). Provocation on the politics of government‐funded research. Part 2. Social Epistemology: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 125-126.
Granulocyte Transfusion: Current Status

Infection associated with therapy-related neutropenia continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Renewed interest in granulocyte transfusion therapy as treatment for this condition has been generated by the observation that large doses of granulocytes can be obtained from donors who have been stimulated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Granulocytes collected from these donors have been shown to effectively raise the patient's neutrophil count and appear to function normally as judged both by in vitro and in vivo measures. The evidence for clinical efficacy is limited to that of case reports and small series, and the results are not uniform. Randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to determine whether this therapy is useful in either clearing infections or prolonging survival.
The Reflection of electromagnetic waves from almost periodic structures

We investigate the reflection of electromagnetic waves from structures charaterized by a spatially varying dielectric permittivity of an almost periodic nature. The reflection from almost periodic structures is compared and contrasted with the reflection from periodic structures. Paradoxically, it is found that almost periodic structures may prove superior to their periodic counterparts when these structures are used as filters.
Race, Surplus Population and the Marxist Theory of Imperialism

: This paper argues that capitalist accumulation requires imperialist expansion, and that this expansion creates a “raced” surplus laboring population. The argument proceeds in seven parts: that Marx's assertion in chapter 25 of Capital that capitalism produces an ever-increasing relative surplus population is tenable in all but the longest of time frames; that imperial expansion played an important role in the transition to capitalism, though not for the reasons traditionally given; that overinvestment rather than the increasing organic composition of capital best explains imperial expansion in the capitalist era; that the uneven development of capitalism produces at the same time an uneven development of the surplus laboring population; that race has served as a mark of membership in the surplus laboring population; that by intertwining itself with the surplus laboring population, race serves to perpetuate itself despite its contradictions; and that despite this resilience, the contradictions of race also set in process conflicts that make it possible to overcome imperialism.
LEDs: A flexible option for machine vision

Describes the benefits that arise from the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for illumination in industrial machine vision systems. These include long life, stability and narrow frequency bands. Also discusses precautions that need to be taken for obtaining a uniform illumination and pulsed operation.
Parents as Cotherapists in the Treatment of Psychotic Children.

A treatment program for psychotic and autistic children in which parents are helped to function as primary developmental agents is described and evaluated. Research and clinical experience is reviewed suggesting that parents react to their child's developmental disorder, rather than cause the disability. Demonstrations to parents observing through a one-way screen have been focused on corrective approaches to relatedness, competence motivation, cognitive, and perceptual motor functions. Parental participation has also included program sessions and research activities at home. The latter corroborated clinical observations that autistic children responded best to high external structures for acquiring new patterns and to relative freedom to practice those which have been mastered. Initial outcome trends are presented, indicating that parents have been developing effective skills as cotherapists. Objective recognition of their children's disabilities has helped to improve family equilibrium. Substantial improvements in participating children have been noted. Optimal or normal levels of development are prognosticated, depending on IQ, consistency of appropriate education and degree of impairment.
Feed Restriction in Laying Hens

Abstract Brown egg Sex Link and White Leghorn laying birds were full fed, restricted 5 and 10%, and time restricted with the goal of restricting feed 10%. The production of the restricted Sex Links ranged from 5.3 more eggs per bird than the full fed to a maximum of 10.3 less eggs per bird. The restricted White Leghorns ranged from 2.8 more eggs per bird than the full fed to a maximum of 10.5 less eggs per bird. Feed restriction at the levels tested did not significantly affect mortality, but average egg size was reduced from 62.1 g in the full fed Sex Links to 60.4 g and 60.9 g, respectively, for the 10% and time restricted groups. In the White Leghorns the corresponding egg size figures were 58.6 g for the full fed and 57.2 g and 57.3 g for the other two groups. Difference in egg size in both types of hens between the various treatments was significant at the P≤.05 level. The total body weight gain during the laying year was approximately 30% less with the restricted groups.
The Effect of Polychlorinated Biphenyls on the Song of Two Passerine Species

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemical pollutants with demonstrated detrimental toxic and developmental effects on humans and wildlife. Laboratory studies suggest that PCBs influence behavior due to their effects on endocrine and neurological systems, yet little is known about the behavioral consequences of sublethal PCB exposure in the field. Additionally, specific PCB congener data (in contrast to total PCB load) is necessary to understand the possible effects of PCBs in living organisms since number and position of chlorine substitution in a PCB molecule dictates the toxicity and chemical fate of individual PCB congeners. We non-lethally investigated total PCB loads, congener specific PCB profiles, and songs of black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) and song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) along a historical PCB gradient at the Hudson River in New York State. Our results indicate that black-capped chickadees and song sparrows have higher total blood PCBs in regions with higher historic PCB contamination. The two bird species varied substantially in their congener-specific PCB profiles; within sites, song sparrows showed a significantly higher proportion of lower chlorinated PCBs, while black-capped chickadees had higher proportions of highly chlorinated PCBs. In areas of PCB pollution, the species-specific identity signal in black-capped chickadee song varied significantly, while variation in song sparrow trill performance was best predicted by the mono-ortho PCB load. Thus, PCBs may affect song production, an important component of communication in birds. In conclusion, we suggest that the ramifications of changes in song quality for bird populations may extend the toxic effects of environmental PCB pollution.
STUDIES ON ABSCISSION: THE PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS OF THE ABSCISSION-SPEEDING EFFECT OF INTACT LEAVES

IN EARLIER PAPERS -in this series, the dominant role of auxin from a given leaf blade in controlling the normal rate of abscission of that petiole was demonstrated once again and the relation was quantified (Wetmore and Jacobs, 1953); it was further shown that the presence of intact, unfolded leaves resulted in faster abscission of nearby petioles which had been debladed (Rossetter and Jacobs, 1953). In general, the larger the number of intact, unfolded leaves and the closer they were to the debladed petiole, the faster was the abscission of the debladed petiole. The present paper reports experiments designed to elucidate the mechanism by which the presence of leaves speeds abscission of debladed petioles. A search through the literature brought to light no other reports of leaves speeding abscission of nearby organs. However, both auxin and ethylene, when artificially applied, have been reported to have activities such as might explain our observations. Minute amounts of artificially applied ethylene gas have been known for decades to induce rapid abscission of intact leaves (e.g., Doubt, 1917; Zimmerman et al., 1931). More recently, the production of ethylene gas by plant tissues has been demonstrated for a variety of detached and ripening fruits (Biale et al., 1954; review of earlier work in Biale, 1950). Hall (1951, 1952) stated that cotton and rose leaves which had been excised from the parent plants and placed for 4 days with their petioles in water "produced measurable amounts of ethylene." The "assay," however, was not as specific as the conclusion: it showed that some volatile substance could be collected which would reduce potassium permanganate. By the use of a more specific chemical test, ethylene production by excised leaves of Silybumn has recently been demonstrated (Pratt, 1954). Even before publication of this proof that at least some excised leaves can emit ethylene, Gawadi and Avery (1950) suggested that an "auxin-ethylene" balance might control abscission in the normal, intact plant-an idea taken up by Hall (1952) and Barlow (1952), although at that time there was no evidence that intact leaves produce ethylene or even have an abscission-speeding (and, therefore, ethylene-like) effect on each other. Addicott and Lynch (1951) reported an experi-
Effective Middle Level Principals

Today, more is expected of principals than ever before. Instructional leadership, curricular management, test data monitoring, day-by-day management, parent committees, participative management are...
Improving runway capacity: an integrated approach using modeling, simulation, and analysis

Today, congestion and delay are common problems facing many metropolitan airports. The JPDO (Joint Planning and Development Office) is attempting to alleviate these problems by defining and implementing a number of changes including improved use of the runways and higher density operations in terminal areas along with many other concepts. Our objective is to develop guidelines for improving the runway throughput while minimizing aircraft holding times. Towards this objective, we have developed a runway arrival model that is amenable for analysis as well as simulation. While the current results target a single runway, the model can be extended to multi-runway scenarios. We have limited our current study to aircraft arrivals only. Our study exhibits a way in which both analysis and simulation can be effectively integrated to develop guidelines for managing air traffic control applications. It also establishes the importance of ensuring the timely arrival of aircraft at the metering point so as to minimize the holding times and improve runway throughput. Clustering aircraft of the same type at the metering point is also shown to reduce the holding times. The first-come-first-scheduled policy seems to be as effective as a minimum-holding-time-first scheduler. The work could be extended to include multiple runways as well as departing aircraft.
Computer-Assisted Techniques to Enhance Transformative Learning in First-Year Literature Courses

When students use computers as learning tools, the whole process of learning, and, indeed, the learners themselves, are transformed. This article illustrates some techniques that foster transformative learning in computer-assisted first-year literature classes: first, a lesson plan on “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” that uses Microsoft Word functions, including format painter, tables, and annotation to explore meaning in context; second, a plan for learners to use subconference options in the Daedalus Interactive Writing Environment to analyze Oedipus Rex; finally, a demonstration of how students engage in a meta-reflection process as they explore “Barn Burning” with Freelance Graphics.
Mood stabilizers in children and adolescents.

ABSTRACT Objectives The efficacy of mood stabilizers in children and adolescents has not been studied adequately. This article will review existing studies and highlight some important issues in designing future studies on these agents. Method: Electronic databases including Medline, Psychlnfo , and CRISP were searched for data in children receiving compounds that have mood-stabilizing properties in adults. Results Some open clinical data and an extremely modest amount of controlled research data suggest lithium, carbamazepine, and valproate may be effective mood stabilizers in children and adolescents. There are no controlled data on other potential mood stabilizers in children. Conclusions The disorders that may be responsive to mood stabilizers are among the most morbid in child psychiatry. More studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of these compounds in children and adolescents and to provide a rational basis for choosing among them.
IGF-1 levels across the spectrum of normal to elevated in acromegaly: relationship to insulin sensitivity, markers of cardiovascular risk and body composition.

Purpose Activity of acromegaly is gauged by levels of GH and IGF-1 and epidemiological studies demonstrate that their normalization reduces acromegaly’s excess mortality rate. However, few data are available linking IGF-1 levels to features of the disease that may relate to cardiovascular (CV) risk. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that serum IGF-1 levels relative to the upper normal limit relate to insulin sensitivity, serum CV risk markers and body composition in acromegaly.
Dynamic statistical linearization

The problem of linearization is defined as the approximation of a nonlinear system by a general dynamic linear operator which is defined over the class of the system input functions. From this standpoint, the concept of dynamic statistical linearization is developed. The approach is formulated in a general way for the nonstationary nonlinear case, and the necessary and sufficient conditions are presented for the specification of an optimal equivalent-linear system. A mean-square error criterion is used to develop a modified Wiener-Hopf equation, with explicit solutions being obtained for systems subject to stationary random inputs, and for systems subject to deterministic functions of random amplitude.
Microwave limb-sounding of Earth's upper atmosphere

Microwave limb-sounding can be used to improve understanding of earth's upper atmosphere. This paper summarizes general features of the technique. An experiment being developed for the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite is described. Plans for the future Earth Observing System are discussed.
A Novel Load-Flow Analysis for Stable and Optimized Microgrid Operation

This paper proposes a novel load-flow analysis (LFA) algorithm for droop-based islanded microgrids (DBIM). The standard LFA is not applicable for DBIM due to the absence of a node with fixed reference voltage. As the voltage in the islanded microgrid depends on the droop relations, these relations are included as part of the load-flow equations. The proposed LFA is used with particle swarm optimization to select the droop parameters that optimize the reactive power sharing. Voltage compensation terms are also suggested to improve voltage regulation. By using the proposed LFA, a modeling procedure is suggested to check the stability and stabilize the microgrid. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is verified through different simulation studies.
The effects of hyperlipidemia on lbpoprotein metabolism in squirrel monkeys and rabbits

Abstract We studied the metabolism of different classes of lipoprotein in squirrel monkeys and rabbits. Lipoproteins were labeled in vivo in donor animals with [ 3 H]leucine and [ 3 H] cholesterol. The rate of disappearance from plasma of recipient squirrel monkeys of the protein moiety of the very low density lipoproteins was rapid, that of high density lipoproteins slow, and the rate for low density lipoproteins was intermediate. The fractional turnover of the apoprotein of low density lipoproteins was slightly reduced in hyperlipidemic monkeys, but the absolute rates of synthesis and catabolism were increased. Hyperlipidemia in rabbits resulted in a dramatic reduction in the fractional catabolic rate of low density lipoprotein apoprotein. Hyperlipidemia in the donors of biosynthetic low density lipoproteins also influenced the rates of catabolism in rabbits. We showed with cycloheximide that although there was recycling of [ 3 H]leucine into other proteins, the reutilization of leucine from low density lipoproteins for nascent low density lipoproteins was not significant. In most tissues the ratio of cholesterol:protein radioactivity was much greater than that for plasma 24 h after administration of labeled low density lipoproteins, but the ratios for aortic intima plus inner media and for plasma low density lipoproteins were similar. The presence of atherosclerosis resulted in a large increase in the apparent uptake of low density lipoproteins by the aortas of rabbits and monkeys.
Minority Business Contracting with Local Government

The trend in government contracting with minority-owned businesses in a racially and ethnically diverse community (Hillsborough County, Florida) is examined in this article. Using data from the county's Minority Business Enterprise program for FY 1987 and FY 1988, three hypotheses are tested and confirmed: (1) Getting contracts is related to the degree of economic and social assimilation of a racial or ethnic group; (2) getting contracts is related to the size of the minority population; and (3) getting contracts is related to the degree to which a minority group is incorporated into the political system. Through an analysis of the drop-out rate of the minority businesses participating in the program, a market explanation of this phenomenon is offered.