cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Zinc ion induced polymorphism in macromolecular self-assembly of diblock copolymers.

Abstract A novel interconnected cylindrical micellar network was prepared from a diblock copolymer, poly(maleic anhydride- alt -styrene)- b -polystyrene, in ethanol under a self-assembly directing agent: Zn 2+ ions. The solution containing interconnected cylindrical network is bluish and transparent, which is stable for more than 6 months at room conditions without any observable macroscopic phase separation. In aqueous solution, however, hydrolysis of the anhydride yields hydrophilic carboxyl groups, which result in formation of uniform positive spherical micelles from the same diblock polymer. The nanostructures of both the spherical micelles and cylindrical assemblies are characterized with light scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Abelian repetitions in partial words

We study abelian repetitions in partial words, or sequences that may contain some unknown positions or holes. First, we look at the avoidance of abelian pth powers in infinite partial words, where p>2, extending recent results regarding the case where p=2. We investigate, for a given p, the smallest alphabet size needed to construct an infinite partial word with finitely or infinitely many holes that avoids abelian pth powers. We construct in particular an infinite binary partial word with infinitely many holes that avoids 6th powers. Then we show, in a number of cases, that the number of abelian p-free partial words of length n with h holes over a given alphabet grows exponentially as n increases. Finally, we prove that we cannot avoid abelian pth powers under arbitrary insertion of holes in an infinite word.
Ground-water geochemistry of uranium and other elements, Monticello area, New York

ABSTRACT Rose, A.W., Wesolowski, D. and Smith, A.T., 1983. Ground-water geochemistry of uranium and other elements, Monticello area, New York. In: G.R. Parslow (Editor). Geochemical Exploration 1982. J. Geochem. Explor., 19: 163–186. About 500 well and spring waters were collected on an approximately 1-km spacing in an area centered on six small U and Cu-U occurrences near Monticello, N.Y., as an orientation survey in the NURE program. Rocks of the area belong to the Devonian Catskill Group and are predominantly red sandstones and shales of fluvial origin. The sediments dip 0–5° in the main part of the area, but steepen to 45° in the east. The ground waters were analyzed for 46 elements plus several other water properties. An R-mode factor analysis extracted 10 factors. The strongest factor, termed “Dissolved solids”, has heavy loadings on most major elements, plus U, B, Li, Sr, and Zn. This factor is attributed to varying degrees of interaction between original rainwater and Tocks. Recognition of anomalies for elements loaded on this factor is aided by evaluation of ratios or plots against total dissolved solids or conductivity. Three weaker factors apparently represent admixtures with two types of deep brine and with waters of enhanced Fe-Mn resulting from reducing conditions. Other factors include an assemblage of insoluble trace metals and a Zn-Cu-P factor, both possibly related to contamination and/or analytical problems, a rare earth group, and an Se-As-Ag factor. The waters are clearly complex mixtures of effects. The geographic distribution of high U values shows some correlation with the distribution of U occurrences, but many equally high values occur outside the known mineralized area. When the data are projected to a vertical section normal to the strike, high U values define two gently dipping aquifers. The upper anomalous aquifer contains the known occurrences but extends down dip. Samples within this aquifer show patterns in U, dissolved O 2 , and conductivity, apparently related to influx of fresh water from updip, along major rivers, and along possible fractured zones. High He values are also most numerous near the occurrences and define the deeper U-rich aquifer. The interpretation of the data is greatly clarified by separation of individual aquifers. Saturation indices are generally −3.4 to −5 and show patterns similar to dissolved U, except for values of −6 to −9 in a few samples with high phosphate. Predominant U species are usually UO 2 (CO 3 ) 2 2- , or less commonly UO 2 CO 3 0 or UO 2 (HPO 4 ) 2 2- .
Terrestrial laser scanning and exploratory spatial data analysis for the mapping of weathering forms on rock art panels

Rock art conservators are faced with complex decisions to prioritize rock art panels for protection from destructive forces of weathering. We provide a system to facilitate such decision making that blends traditional remote sensing with interactive techniques of exploratory spatial data analysis. Our system, ‘mapping weathering forms in three-dimensional (3D)’ (MapWeF) uses a 3D laser scanning device for sub-centimetre data collection from in situ rock surfaces. After image and digital surface model processing, key rock weathering forms are highlighted through classification. Supervised classification builds training classes as a user probes known weathering forms. Guided by these training classes, the user then interactively brushes and assembles pixels from scatter plots until the user is confident that all manifestations of a particular weathering form have been mapped. The purpose of MapWeF is to construct detailed maps that highlight regions of decay on rock art panels. These maps can help rock art ...
An international multicenter study of blood culture practices

An international study was organized to review blood culture practices in 67 medical centers, most of which were teaching hospitals with a total of over 58,000 active hospital beds. The number of blood cultures per admission was generally greater than 0.5 in the USA and less than 0.5 in other countries. Criteria varied for defining a septic episode, as well as for ascribing clinical importance to isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci; however, septicemia rates tended to be lower in centers in which clinical evaluation was included among these criteria. Staphylococci were ranked first or second among etiologic agents of septicemia in the USA, whereasEscherichia coli was most frequently ranked first among European and Asian centers. All USA centers recommended collection of two blood cultures per septic episode and all but one recommended a maximum number of blood cultures per septic episode, whereas similar recommendations were less common in Europe and Asia. Collection of more than 10 ml per blood culture was more common in the USA than in Europe or Asia. A variety of broth-based systems were used, often in combination with lysis-centrifugation for special (fungal, mycobacterial) or, on occasion, routine purposes.
Evaluating correlations between interharmonics and voltage fluctuations

Amplitude modulation is a well-known cause of voltage fluctuations resulting in light flicker. Amplitude modulation can be more generally quanlified in terms of interharmonics. As the use of 60 W incandescent lamps declines, the need increases to broaden voltage fluctuation quantification beyond light flicker. If interharmonic measurements could be correlated to currently accepted flicker severity measurements, the effort to make inter-harmonic measurements the grounds of general voltage fluctuation measurement could be justified. This relationship between interharmonics and classic light flicker has been explored in this paper. The recommendations in IEC 61000-4-7 and 61000-4-15 for measuring interharmonics and short-term flicker severity, respectively, were followed. Interharmonic measurements were accumulated over 10 minutes in order for them to be easily compared to the short-term flicker measurements.
Use of a sport socialization inventory with cerebral palsied youth.

The validity and reliability of the 1978 Sport Interest Inventory of Greendorfer and Lewko were examined to evaluate its appropriateness for youth with cerebral palsy, ages 13 to 21 years. Test-retest data from 35 subjects indicated a reliability coefficient of .92. Data from 112 subjects were subjected to factor analysis to examine construct validity. This analysis indicated that the factor structure was similar to that reported for able-bodied youth, except for the items pertaining to friends and opportunity set.
The Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness: what did we learn?

THE CLINICAL ANTIPSYCHOTIC Trials of Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE), conducted between January 2001 and December 2004 and sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health, included two major clinical trials, one focusing on schizophrenia and the other on Alzheimer's disease. The goal of both trials was to study the effectiveness of antipsychotics compared with a conventional antipsychotic without any bias from the pharmaceutical industry. Results from the first phase of the schizophrenia trials were available in 2005, with results from the second phase released in 2006 (Lieberman et al., 2005; McVoy et al., 2006). There were numerous responses to the CATIE trials in the literature from psychiatrists, the larger medical community, and the pharmaceutical industry. Yet, there was a noticeable lack of critique or discussion from the psychiatric nursing community. A recent search of the CINAHL database using the terms CATIE, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease elicited no nursing articles. The following discussion of Phase I of the CATIE schizophrenia trial launches the first, of hopefully, many critiques of these well-publicized, influential trials.
EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF THE THERMAL DIFFUSION COLUMN THEORY AS APPLIED TO THE SEPARATION OF ISOTOPICALLY SUBSTITUTED NITROGEN AND ISOTOPICALLY SUBSTITUTED OXYGEN.

By means of techniques previously developed, column transport coefficients were measured for the 14N14N–14N15N and 16O16O–16O18O separations in a 7.32‐m hot‐wire thermal diffusion column at wire temperatures of 500° and 800°C. These data and several sets of column data from the recent literature were compared with predicted values calculated from the Jones and Furry theory with integrations based on carefully selected tables of smoothed transport properties. On the basis of measurements for nitrogen reported in the literature it was assumed that the isotopic thermal diffusion factors for both gases were 0.7 times the value given by the Lennard‐Jones potential. Good agreement was obtained between theory and experiment. The average ratios of the measured values of the column coefficients to the corresponding predicted values were found to be unity within essentially twice the standard deviation of the experimental determinations. There were negligible differences between column coefficients calculated from tabulated transport properties and those calculated from Lennard‐Jones shape factors.
Localisation of phencyclidine-induced changes in brain energy metabolism.

The abuse of phencyclidine [1(1-phencyclohexyl)piperidine, PCP], commonly referred to as angel dust or hog, is rapidly reaching epidemic proportions. PCP users often appear violent and increases in PCP-implicated homicides and suicides have been reported1. In animal studies PCP has been demonstrated in brain up to 48 h after administration, long after blood levels become undetectable2. However, there is little further information on the distribution of PCP within the central nervous system with regard to the possible sites of action. Recently, Sokoloff and associates3,4 described a new technique which can be used to visualise possible sites of drug action. The technique is based on the premise that neuronal activity is closely related to energy metabolism. Therefore, by directly monitoring 2-deoxy-D-glucose consumption before and after a pharmacological stimulus, we can obtain autoradiographic evidence of changes in neuronal activity in discrete areas of brain as a response to that stimulus. Using this procedure, we now report that PCP causes dramatic changes in glucose metabolism in very specific regions of the rat brain.
Reference literature in metalworking processes

Over the past two decades or so it has become increasingly evident that the successful solution to many problems encountered in metalworking processes requires a careful, scientific approach involving many different factors. It can be said that metalworking is one area of technology which is truly interdisciplinary since it involves subjects such as the behavior and properties of materials, metallurgy, applied mechanics, tribology, heat transfer, etc. in addition to the equally important industrial and economic aspects. With the great advances that are being made in all aspects of various technologies, the production of many parts and components has become very challenging in view of the complexity of design, type of materials available, artd the economic constraints that have become so important in the final decision-making process. These challenges have, in turn, produced a great deal of new and interesting information ranging from highly theoretical studies conducted at various academic and research institutions around the world, to the most practical developments in manufacturing plants. Regardless of the type and level of activity one is concerned with in metalworking, reference publications are indispensable sources of information which are bound to play a vital role in the solution of the techncal problems encountered. Therefore, in accordance with the overall scope and philosophy of the new Journal of Applied Metalworking, the Editorial Policy Board has decided to present articles on the technical literature available on various aspects of metalworking. It is hoped that these references will be of timely benefit to the reader as they contain a wealth of useful information. Every attempt is made to assure that the listings are complete and up-to-date. The author would appreciate receiving information on significant reference materials that may not have come to his attention. Because of the large number of references to be cited, the information will be presented in the following categories:
Hollow Gold−Silver Double-Shell Nanospheres: Structure, Optical Absorption, and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

Hollow gold−silver double-shell nanospheres (AuAgHNSs) have been synthesized and their structural, optical, and single-particle surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties characterized. The structure of these AuAgHNSs have been determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), revealing a uniform silver outer shell of approximately 3 nm deposited by seed-mediated growth on 28 ± 6.2 nm hollow gold nanospheres (AuHNSs). Their plasmon resonance combines the energies of both the silver and the gold shells, broadening the absorption profile, while their overall structure maintains a spherical shape. This property is useful for SERS and other applications that require small, spherical nanostructures and broad, tunable absorption. The mechanism of silver growth on AuHNSs and gold NPs is proposed as silver island formation before complete encapsulation. SERS studies of mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA) before and after silver deposition show a 4−5-fold enhancement over AuHNSs with little change in signal co...
Assessing the Perceptions of Program Providers for Serving Children With Genetic Disorders and Their Families

This article reports on a study examining perceptions of staff of state health and human service programs on the family-centered nature of services for children with genetic conditions and their families. The article provides information on the qualitative and quantitative methodologies used to obtain stakeholder input from staff in partnering organizations. Twenty programs were invited to participate in a Web-based survey that yielded a response rate of 75% (N = 15). Findings indicate that few program staff understand genetic conditions or services. Data also indicate a need to enhance family input into the service design, evaluation, and policy development processes of existing services.
Representativeness of a roster of volunteer North American twins with chronic disease.

To identify large numbers of twins affected by chronic disease as potential subjects for studies of environmental and genetic chronic disease determinants, we advertised for affected twins over the period 1980‐91 in newspapers across North America. Responses were received from 17 245 twin pairs in which cases of cancer or other chronic disease had occurred. To assess the representativeness of affected twins identified by advertising, we evaluated the pattern of reporting, compared the cases identified to the number of cases estimated to be prevalent among all North American twins, compared the cases to population-based singleton case series, compared the healthy co-twins to population-based samples of healthy persons, assessed the impact on ascertainment of opinions about disease causation, compared the pattern of prospective to retrospective ascertainment of disease in the originally unaffected co-twins of cases, and compared the results of the prospective ascertainment of disease in co-twins to comparable published estimates. Youth, gender, zygosity, education, and disease concordance were found to be overall determinants of ascertainment. Disease-discordant DZ twins appeared to be modestly underascertained. While somewhat better educated, both concordant and discordant pairs were judged to be reasonably representative of affected non-Hispanic white North American twin pairs of comparable status, ie of comparable age, sex, race, and zygosity. If interpreted with caution, the concordance patterns of such twins can be used to generate genetic hypotheses, but should not be the basis of definitive heritability analyses. We conclude that advertising offers a method of identifying pairs of twins that can serve as subjects for studies designed to identify disease determinants. Twin Research (2000) 3, 33‐42.
Intelligent CAD workstation for breast imaging using similarity to known lesions and multiple visual prompt aids

While investigators have been successful in developing methods for the computerized analysis of mammograms and ultrasound images, optimal output strategies for the effective and efficient use of such computer analyses are still undetermined. We have incorporated our computerized mass classification method into an intelligent workstation interface that displays known malignant and benign cases similar to lesions in question using a color-coding scheme that allows instant visual feedback to the radiologist. The probability distributions of the malignant and benign cases in the known database are also graphically displayed along with the graphical location of the unknown case relative to these two distributions. The effect of the workstation on radiologists' performance was demonstrated with two preliminary studies. In each study, participants were asked to interpret cases without and with the computer output as an aid for diagnosis. Results from our demonstration studies indicate that radiologists' performance, especially specificity, increases with the use of the aid.
Recurrent headaches : what every allergist should know

Objective To provide the allergist information regarding the recognition, diagnosis, classification, and management of headaches. Data sources Literature and relevant articles pertaining to various types of headache are reviewed and the clinical experience of the authors is presented. Conclusions After reading this article, the allergist should know the various causes of headache, recognize the warning signs of serious neurologic disease, and determine whether allergy or adverse food reactions are playing a role.
Thematic Collation: An Illustrative Analysis of the Experience of Regret

Following the theoretical and methodological trail blazed by the “Duquesne School” (see Garza 2007; Polkinghorne 1989; von Eckartsberg 1998b), this article presents a procedure for phenomenological data analysis. After describing its approach, this article lays out the procedure for thematic collation analysis using the work of Giorgi (1970, 1975, 1985a, 1985b; Giorgi & Giorgi 2003) and this author's thematic moment analysis (Garza 2004) as a point of reference. Idiographic results of a single datum describing an experience of regret are presented along with the steps through which this idiographic thematic narrative was developed. Procedures for arriving at comparative analysis of more than one piece of data are presented and distinguished from claims of generality sought by works drawing on larger data pools. Finally, this work discusses the usefulness of this procedure for lengthy and complex data and situates this procedure within the phenomenological tradition of psychological research.
Performance Management, Managerial Citizenship and Worker Commitment: A Study of the United States Postal Service with Some Global Implications:

This exploratory study of the US Postal Service examines worker perceptions of ‘management citizenship’ in a high performance workplace, and assesses the impact of management citizenship on worker commitment. Qualitative data from employee narratives show many workers view performance management practices as unjust and at a disjuncture with perceived organizational and broader societal goals. Especially salient are issues of worker voice, equity and the non-universalistic treatment of employees by managers. Worker perceptions vary across race and gender. Effects of such perceptions on the organizational commitment of workers have been insuf.ciently studied, but regression analyses show that net of other predictors, worker perceptions of management citizenship are consequential to organizational commitment, as are the intersection of their gender and race for black women, and worker views of workplace heterogeneity, colleague citizenship and personal citizenship in the organization. The implications of the...
Synergistic Regulation of the Human Interleukin-12 p40 Promoter by NFκB and Ets Transcription Factors in Epstein-Barr Virus-transformed B Cells and Macrophages

Monocytes/macrophages produce interleukin-12 (IL-12) in response to pathogenic stimulation, whereas most Epstein-Barr virus-transformed (EBV+) B cells constitutively secrete IL-12. The molecular mechanism regulating the constitutive IL-12 gene expression in EBV+ B cells has not been addressed. In this study, using the EBV+ B cell line RPMI-8866, we localized to the human IL-12 p40 promoter two essentialcis elements, the NFκB site and the Ets site. The NFκB site was shown to interact with members of the NFκB family: p50 and c-Rel. The Ets site constitutively bound a multi-component Ets-2-containing complex. While the NFκB and Ets sites appear equally critical for inducible p40 promoter activity in macrophage cell lines, NFκB plays a more dominant role in the constitutive p40 promoter activity in EBV+ B cells. Transient expression of Ets-2 and c-Rel in B, T, and monocytic cell lines synergistically activated the IL-12 p40 promoter, apparently overcoming the requirement for cell type- or stimulant-specific transcription factors. These data provide new evidence that full activation of the human IL-12 p40 promoter may result primarily from the interplay between NFκB and Ets family members.
Proapoptotic Stimuli Induce Nuclear Accumulation of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β

The goal of this study was to determine whether the intracellular distribution of the proapoptotic enzyme glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is dynamically regulated by conditions that activate apoptotic signaling cascades. In untreated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, GSK-3β was predominantly cytosolic, although a low level was also detected in the nucleus. The nuclear level of GSK-3β was rapidly increased after exposure of cells to serum-free media, heat shock, or staurosporine. Although each of these conditions caused changes in the serine 9 and/or tyrosine phosphorylation of GSK-3β, neither of these modifications was correlated with nuclear accumulation of GSK-3β. Heat shock and staurosporine treatments increased nuclear GSK-3β prior to activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and this nuclear accumulation of GSK-3β was unaltered by pretreatment with a general caspase inhibitor. The GSK-3β inhibitor lithium did not alter heat shock-induced nuclear accumulation of GSK-3β but increased the nuclear level of cyclin D1, indicating that cyclin D1 is a substrate of nuclear GSK-3β. Thus, the intracellular distribution of GSK-3β is dynamically regulated by signaling cascades, and apoptotic stimuli cause increased nuclear levels of GSK-3β, which facilitates interactions with nuclear substrates.
Individualized strategic planning for faculty development in medical schools

Background . Faculty development is essential to provide skills not taught in typical medical training such as designing curricula or scientific writing, to help medical faculty acquire new skills valued today such as financial management, and to maintain institutional vitality. Faculty development receives relatively little attention in many medical schools and is narrowly focused upon teaching skills. Innovation . We propose a program that includes individual needs assessment and strategic planning. This strategy is consistent with Knowles’ principles of andragogy, a model of adult learning that differs in some ways from traditional pedagogy. We have included a self-assessment tool that may be useful to medical schools and an illustrative case study. Evaluation . We have introduced the self-assessment tool to a small number of faculty members who have found it clear and useful. We plan to introduce it to a large number of faculty members and to measure completion rates, perceived usefulness, and subsequent participation in faculty development activities and fulfillment of goals. Conclusions . Faculty development needs to be a higher priority in medical schools and to better reflect the current needs of faculty members. An individualized faculty development process has the potential to have a substantial impact upon acquisition of important skills, and faculty and institutional morale and vitality.
The Kinetics of X-ray Survival of Mammalian Cells in Vitro

SummaryThe shapes of the x-ray survival-curves of two tissue-cultured mammalian cell-lines have been studied, using machine methods for data fitting. It was found that the survival data fit a ‘multi-process’ cell-killing model better than the ‘single-process’ model proposed by other workers. In addition, the effects of the mode of plating and the time of irradiation were studied. Although both affect the sensitivity of the cells, no effect on the shapes of the survival-curves was demonstrated.
The role of dπ orbitals in spin-orbit coupling

A general framework is developed for the theoretical treatment of d-orbital contributions of heavy atoms to the spin-orbit coupling of planar molecules. Unlike pπ orbitals for which only three-centre spin-orbit terms are non-vanishing, it is shown that a number of one- and two-centre terms will contribute. The case of thiophene (C4H4S) is examined, and all one- and two-centre integrals are evaluated explicitly. Although the two-centre terms are individually only a few per cent of the one-centre term, it is found that because of the large number of two-centre terms, they usually dominate the one-centre term. In thiophene, it is found that the contribution of individual dπ terms is on the order of 0·02-2·0 cm-1, which is comparable in magnitude to other contributions. An examination of the results as a function of effective nuclear charge and internuclear distance is also made.
Improvement of pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia with decreasing mosaicism for isochromosome Xp

We report the unique association of variable constitutional mosaicism 46,X, i(X)(p10)/46,XX with recurrent thrombocytopenia in a child with failure to thrive and apnea in infancy. Her bone marrow had equal distribution of the normal and abnormal cell lines at diagnosis, at nearly 6 years of age. Improvement of her pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia was concurrent with a decreasing level of mosaicism observed in multiple studies over the next 3 years. This suggests that extra copies of genes on the p-arm are inhibitory to blood cell maturation, with long-term selection against the i(Xp)-containing cells. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:650–652. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cumulative corticosteroid exposure and infection risk after complex pediatric cardiac surgery.

Background Children undergoing cardiac surgery may receive corticosteroids preoperatively to temper cardiopulmonary bypass-related inflammation, postoperatively for hemodynamic instability, and periextubation to reduce airway edema. Recent data have associated preoperative corticosteroids with infection. We aimed to determine if there is a relationship between cumulative corticosteroid exposure and infection. Methods A retrospective review of children who underwent cardiac surgery at our institution from January 2009 to July 2010 was performed. To limit study heterogeneity, patients who were 5 years or younger with basic Aristotle score of 7 or higher and intensive care unit stay of 7 days or more were included. Infections during the first 30 postoperative days were recorded, defined as clinically relevant positive blood, urine, respiratory, or wound cultures, or culture-negative sepsis treated with 7 or more days of antimicrobial therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors for infection. Results Seventy-six patients were reviewed. All patients received intraoperative methylprednisolone, 48% received postoperative hydrocortisone, and 86% received periextubation dexamethasone. Twenty-six patients (36%) had 58 infections. On univariate analysis, patients with infection had greater median comprehensive Aristotle score (14.5 [intraquartile range (IQR): 12.5 to 16] versus 11.5 [IQR: 10 to 13.1], p = 0.001), maximum vasoactive inotrope score (29 [IQR: 24 to 40] versus 24 [IQR: 17 to 31], p = 0.031, days endotracheally intubated (12 [IQR: 7 to 30] versus 5 [IQR: 4 to 6.5], p p p = 0.008). On multivariate analysis, days endotracheally intubated ( p = 0.023) and days of corticosteroid exposure ( p = 0.015) remained significant. Conclusions For children undergoing complex cardiac surgery, greater cumulative duration of corticosteroid exposure is independently associated with postoperative infection.
Crop and Soil Response to Long-Term Tillage Practices in the Northern Great Plains

Summer fallow is the most common cultural practice in the northern Great Plains. With proper cultural management, however, annual cropping may be feasible and economical. Our objective was to determine crop and soil response to nontraditional annual cropping practices (till and no-till) in lieu of conventional fallow-crop rotation for the production of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in the northern Great Plains. The study, initiated in 1983, was on a Dooley sandy loam (fine-loamy, mixed Typic Argiboroll) 11 km north of Culbertson, MT. Tillage practices on annually cropped treatments included sweep tillage in autumn and disk tillage in spring; sweep tillage in spring; and no-tillage. Conventional fallow-spring wheat rotations were included as the control. With three exceptions, there were no statistical differences among treatments in soil P, soil nitrate N, and pH. Phosphorus and N were nonlimiting in all years; pH decreased about 0.06 units per year in the 0- to 8-cm layer because of N fertilization. Bulk density differences in the 0- to 10-cm layer appeared after 7 yr, with the lowest bulk density for the no-tillage annual crop treatment. Grain and straw yields with the no-tillage treatment were both 80% of yields with the fallow-crop treatment. Total water use efficiency, based on soil water differences between harvest of one crop and harvest of the next, was significantly greater with no-tillage than with the fallow-crop treatment. Soil organic C decreased nearly 0.4 g kg I per year with the fallow-crop treatment; there was a negligible decline with the no-tillage annual crop treatment. No-tillage annual spring wheat crop production was the most efficient crop and soil management practice from the standpoint of yield, water use efficiency, soil organic C, and bulk density.
Childhood body mass index and subsequent physician-diagnosed asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

Childhood asthma and obesity prevalence have increased in recent years suggesting a potential association. However, the direction of any association is poorly understood and the potential causal-relationship is unknown. We examined the association between overweight/obesity, defined by body mass index (BMI) <18 years of age, and subsequent physician-diagnosed incident asthma at least one year after BMI assessment. We sought to explore potential effect modification by sex. PubMed and Embase were searched using keywords and restricted to subjects aged 0–18 years. There were no date or language restrictions. From each study we extracted: authors, publication date, location, overweight/obesity definitions, asthma definitions, number of participants, recruitment duration, description of cohort, follow-up time, adjusted effect estimates (with 95% CI) and estimates of subgroup analysis. Six prospective cohort studies which focused on children <18 years of age met criteria for inclusion. The combined risk ratio (RR) of overweight was associated with asthma (RR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.15, 1.58). In boys, the combined RR of overweight on asthma was significant (RR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.05, 1.88). For girls, when BMI was defined by Z-score, the combined RR of overweight on asthma was also significant (RR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.06, 1.34). The combined risk ratio (RR) of obesity was associated with asthma in both boys and girls (RR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.22, 1.83), in boys only (RR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.93) and in girls only (RR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.09, 2.14). Overweight and, especially, obese children are at increased risk of subsequent physician diagnosed asthma in comparison to normal weight children. Except for sex, no studies reported any other potential effect modifiers. The observed sex effects were inconsistent.
Persistent Staphylococcus aureus Colonization Is Not a Strongly Heritable Trait in Amish Families

About 20% of adults are persistently colonized with S. aureus in the anterior nares. Host genetic factors could contribute susceptibility to this phenotype. The objective of this study was to determine whether the phenotype of persistent S. aureus colonization aggregates in family members who live in different households. Healthy adults and their eligible same sex siblings who lived in different households were recruited from the Old Order Amish of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. All participants had two cultures of the anterior nares to determine if they were persistently colonized with S. aureus. Three hundred and ninety eight participants finished the study, of whom 166 were index cases and 232 were siblings of index cases. Eighteen per cent (71/398) of all participants and 17% (29/166) of index cases were persistently colonized with S. aureus. Twenty two per cent (8/36) of siblings of persistently colonized index cases were persistently colonized with S. aureus compared to 17% (34/196) of siblings of non-persistently colonized index cases, yielding a prevalence rate ratio of 1.28 (95% CI: 0.65–2.54, p = 0.64) and sibling relative risk of 1.25 (95% CI: 0.65–2.38, p = 0.51). The heritability of persistent colonization was 0.19±0.21 (p = 0.31). Persistent S. aureus colonization does not strongly aggregate in Amish family members in different households and heritability is low, suggesting that environmental factors or acquired host factors are more important than host genetic factors in determining persistent S. aureus colonization in this community.
The quest for international accounting harmonization: A review of the standard setting agendas of the IASC, US, UK, Canada, and Australia, 1973–1997

Abstract For 1973 through 1997, the research examines the evolution of accounting standards to ascertain the extent of similarities and differences in financial reporting practices among the IASC and national standard setters in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Collective and individual efforts aimed at minimizing differences to achieve harmonization/compatibility are discussed. The impact of the IASC's modified philosophy for the 1990s, specifically its cooperative endeavors with the G4 standard setters on agenda coordination and harmonization/compatibility of accounting standards, is also investigated. During the 1970s and 1980s, the IASC, US, UK, Canada, and Australia achieved accounting standard compatibility in very few areas. Successes included the funds flow statement and leases. This failure to make significant progress toward harmonization/compatibility can be linked to limited agenda coordination and cooperation between the IASC and national standard setters. The research also reveals that significant periods of time, of as much as two decades or more, passed before the IASC and Anglo-American standard setters attained some form of consensus on agenda items initiated during the IASC's first two decades. The IASC and Anglo-American standard setters entered the 1990s better equipped than in prior decades to engage in cooperative endeavors. By focusing on common themes in their conceptual frameworks and adopting a philosophy of harmonization via cooperation, the IASC and G4 have made considerable progress. Areas where the five standard setters have achieved consensus, or are close to achieving concurrence, include several projects initiated during the 1970s and 1980s. These projects include investments in associates, interim reporting, business combinations, joint ventures, deferred taxes, and pensions. In addition, projects launched by the G4+1 members during the 1990s have often produced compatible standards (or proposals) on a relatively timely basis. Examples include financial instruments, EPS, segment reporting, and comprehensive income. The research also reveals a few areas where consensus has not been achieved, such as accounting for the correction of errors, R&D, and interest capitalization.
The relative decline of a Musgrave ‘Merit Good:’ the case of public support of flagship public universities

Fifty years ago, Richard Musgrave put forward the notion of a “merit good”—one that despite its virtue would be undersupplied and under consumed in a free market economy driven by traditional notions of consumer sovereignty. Higher education is considered by many to be a merit good because they believe it generates highly desirable spin-off effects. If higher education has been a merit good, then that status appears to be disappearing. Declining state funding for higher education, increasing tuition rates and highly successful fund-raising by independent institutions have diminished public flagship universities, at least relatively. Consequently, their rankings have declined.
Altered Endocrine and Autocrine Metabolism of Vitamin D in a Mouse Model of Gastrointestinal Inflammation

The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, [1,25(OH)2D3] has potent actions on innate and adaptive immunity. Although endocrine synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D3 takes place in the kidney, the enzyme that catalyzes this, 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1-hydroxylase (CYP27b1 in humans, Cyp27b1 in mice), is expressed at many extra-renal sites including the colon. We have shown previously that colonic expression of CYP27b1 may act to protect against the onset of colitis. To investigate this further, we firstly characterized changes in Cyp27b1 expression in a mouse model of colitis. Mice treated with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) showed weight loss, histological evidence of colitis, and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines. This was associated with decreased renal expression of Cyp27b1 (5-fold, P 0.013) and lower serum 1,25(OH)2D3 (51.8 5.9 pg/nl vs. 65.1 1.6 in controls, P < 0.001). However, expression of CYP27b1 was increased in the proximal colon of DSS mice (4-fold compared with controls, P < 0.001). Further studies were carried out using Cyp27b1 null (/) mice. Compared with / controls the Cyp27b1 / mice showed increased weight loss (4.9% vs. 22.8%, P < 0.001) and colitis. This was associated with raised IL-1 in the distal colon and IL-17 in the proximal and distal colon. Conversely, DSS-treated Cyp27b1/ mice exhibited lower IL-10 in the proximal colon and toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in the distal colon. These data indicate that both local and endocrine synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D3 affect colitis in DSS-treated mice. Lack of Cyp27b1 exacerbates disease in this model, suggesting that similar effects may occur with vitamin D deficiency. (Endocrinology 149: 4799–4808, 2008)
Enhancement of iron absorption from ligated segments of rat intestine by histidine, cysteine, and lysine: effects of removing ionizing groups and of stereoisomerism.

The effectiveness of L-histidine, L-cysteine, and L-lysine in enhancing iron uptake from ligated, in vivo segments of duodenum was compared with that of several structurally similar compounds from which certain ionizing groups had been removed. Decarboxylation of histidine, removal of the e-amino of lysine, and the substi tution of either a hydrogen or hydroxyl group for the sulfhydryl of cysteine all resulted in a loss of their ability to enhance iron uptake. Thus it appears that the ability of these three amino acids to form tridentate chelates is essential to their effectiveness in enhancing iron uptake. Additionally, it was found that the L isomers were not signifi cantly better than the D forms in enhancing iron uptake, suggesting that "active trans port" of the L forms is of little quantitative significance in the enhancement of iron uptake. J. Nutr. 103: 139-142, 1973.
Cognitive‐behavioral treatment for chronic nightmares in trauma‐exposed persons: assessing physiological reactions to nightmare‐related fear

Cognitive-behavioral treatments (CBTs) that target nightmares are efficacious for ameliorating self-reported sleep problems and psychological distress. However, it is important to determine whether these treatments influence objective markers of nightmare-related fear, because fear and concomitant physiological responses could promote nightmare chronicity and sleep disturbance. This randomized, controlled study (N=40) assessed physiological (skin conductance, heart rate, facial electromyogram) and subjective (displeasure, fear, anger, sadness, arousal) reactions to personally relevant nightmare imagery intended to evoke nightmare-related fear. Physiological assessments were conducted at pretreatment as well as 1-week, 3-months, and 6-months posttreatment. Results of mixed effects analysis of variance models suggested treatment reduced physiological and subjective reactions to nightmare imagery, gains that were generally maintained at the 6-month follow-up. Potential implications are discussed.
The Racial Retreat of Contemporary Political Theory

Few contemporary political scientists would disagree that race has been a pivotal force in American politics since this country's founding. The magnitude and scope of its impact on current political life is, however, a matter of intense debate. Political theorists have conspicuously not been at the forefront of these race-specific discussions. This is not because political theory has ignored race per se. On the contrary, contemporary political theorists increasingly include race in their descriptive and normative analyses of democratic politics. Debates about identity politics, multiculturalism, the redress of invidious discrimination, and feminist discourse on intersecting social identifications have moved from the margin to the center of political theory and typically involve at least some attention to racial difference. But these discussions have for the most part not examined racial meaning in a sustained, focused manner. While there are exceptions, political theory, as a discipline, has not given theoretical priority to American race.See, for example, Balfour 2001; Appiah and Gutmann 1996; Young 1990.
A physical record of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current: Late Miocene to recent slowing of abyssal circulation

Abstract Sediments recovered from a drift deposit lying along the Pacific margin of the Antarctic Peninsula, (ODP Leg 178, Site 1095) provide a physical record of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current since late Miocene time. Determination of the strength of the magnetic fabric, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility, provides a proxy for current strength. Fabric strength declines throughout the record from high values in the late Miocene; a pronounced step occurs between 5.0 and 5.5 Ma, and values decrease more gradually since about 3.0 Ma. The mass accumulation rate of terrigenous sediment derived from the Antarctic Peninsula indicates stabilization of the Antarctic Peninsula Ice Cap prior to about 8.5 Ma.
Habitat mapping for bird conservation in North America

In view of the continuing appropriation and conversion of natural land areas in North America for human uses, there is growing concern about the impacts of changing land use on terrestrial bird species. In order to promote conservation of critical remaining habitats for birds, Partners in Flight (PIF) initiated a project in 1997 in which bird conservation plans were prepared by members in each of 60 ecologically defined physiographical areas throughout the United States. Accurate, nationwide information on the location and extent of vegetative cover types, as well as lands under state and federal management, are critically important elements in the creation of effective bird conservation plans. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) awarded a challenge grant to The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Wings of the Americas Program to assist Partners in Flight in acquiring land cover data to serve as the foundation of the planning effort. Canon U.S.A., Inc. and the American Bird Conservancy also contributed support toward this goal. The Center for Advanced Spatial Technology at the University of Arkansas was contracted to produce the needed land cover maps and associated tabular products. Digital land cover databases created by the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, the University of California-Santa Barbara Department of Geography, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics were used in this project. The final spatial products were produced during 1998–1999 and are described in this paper. This effort represents the first nationwide habitat mapping project in the United States aimed at supporting and enhancing conservation of terrestrial bird species.
Intelligent Video Monitoring to Improve Safety of Older Persons

This paper presents the application of computer vision and machine learning technologies to a clinical task of paramount importance, improving safety of older persons. We propose an intelligent monitoring system equipped with a camera network and an automatic elopement detection algorithm to reduce the risks of un-witnessed elopements from a dementia unit in order to avoid their potential catastrophic consequences. The camera network employs 23 cameras to record daily activities in our test bed, which includes 15 residents, 4 registered and licensed practical nurses and a number of certified nursing assistants. An elopement detector is then built by using computer vision algorithms and a machine learning algorithm to automatically detect elopements and alert caregivers. The experiments demonstrate that the proposed system leverages the advantages of monitoring from multiple cameras and is able to detect elopements with almost 100% accuracy.