cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gender Differences in Authorship of Family Medicine Publications, 2002-2017.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Representation of women in medicine is increasing, including in academic family medicine. Despite this, women continue to hold a minority of senior faculty and leadership roles. This study examines the trends of women first and senior authorship between 2002 and 2017 in five family medicine journals: Family Medicine, Journal of Family Practice, Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, Annals of Family Medicine, and American Family Physician. The study also examines gender congruence between first and senior authors and women's membership on editorial boards. METHODS We collected and analyzed data on a total of 1,671 original articles published in the five family medicine journals in 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017. We also examined the gender composition of the journals' editorial boards. RESULTS Overall, women first authorship increased significantly from 32.6% in 2002 to 47.7% in 2017. There was no significant difference in women senior authorship or editorial board representation from 2002 to 2017. Both men and women senior authors partnered with women first authors significantly more over the 15 years. CONCLUSIONS While there was a statistically significant increase in women first authors between 2002 and 2017, there is still a gap between women's authorship and editorial board representation and their representation within academic family medicine. These gaps could help to explain the continued lack of women represented within senior faculty positions.
Modern political economy: A brief history and some applications

This article--designed to give readers unfamiliar with public choice a historical overview and flavor for the kinds of problems considered--is divided into three main sections, “historical origins,” the “modern founders of MPE,” and a brief description of some “current issues” studied by public choice scholars.
SU‐C‐304‐05: Use of Local Noise Power Spectrum and Wavelets in Comprehensive EPID Quality Assurance

Purpose: As EPIDs are increasingly used for IMRT QA and real-time treatment verification, comprehensive quality assurance (QA) of EPIDs becomes critical. Current QA with phantoms such as the Las Vegas and PIPSpro™ can fail in the early detection of EPID artifacts. Beyond image quality assessment, we propose a quantitative methodology using local noise power spectrum (NPS) to characterize image noise and wavelet transform to identify bad pixels and inter-subpanel flat-fielding artifacts. Methods: A total of 93 image sets including bar-pattern images and open exposure images were collected from four iViewGT a-Si EPID systems over three years. Quantitative metrics such as modulation transform function (MTF), NPS and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) were computed for each image set. Local 2D NPS was calculated for each subpanel. A 1D NPS was obtained by radial averaging the 2D NPS and fitted to a power-law function. R-square and slope of the linear regression analysis were used for panel performance assessment. Haar wavelet transformation was employed to identify pixel defects and non-uniform gain correction across subpanels. Results: Overall image quality was assessed with DQE based on empirically derived area under curve (AUC) thresholds. Using linear regression analysis of 1D NPS, panels with acceptable flat fielding weremore » indicated by r-square between 0.8 and 1, and slopes of −0.4 to −0.7. However, for panels requiring flat fielding recalibration, r-square values less than 0.8 and slopes from +0.2 to −0.4 were observed. The wavelet transform successfully identified pixel defects and inter-subpanel flat fielding artifacts. Standard QA with the Las Vegas and PIPSpro phantoms failed to detect these artifacts. Conclusion: The proposed QA methodology is promising for the early detection of imaging and dosimetric artifacts of EPIDs. Local NPS can accurately characterize the noise level within each subpanel, while the wavelet transforms can detect bad pixels and inter-subpanel flat fielding artifacts.« less
Programming Computers to Play Games

Publisher Summary Programming computers to play games is a stage in the understanding of the methods that must be employed for the machine simulation of intellectual behavior. The games fall into three categories: (1) those games for which there are no known algorithms, other than the simple process of exhaustion, (2) those games that can be played in a nontrivial manner, without recourse to the known defining algorithm, and (3) the games for which there are known optimum strategies that must be used against a knowledgeable opponent, but in which heuristic procedures may be used with advantage against an opponent who wittingly or unwittingly fails to employ the optimum strategy. Checkers and chess fall into the first category. TIC TAC TOE or noughts and crosses on the British DEUCE computer is a game of the second category. The penny-matching machine is an example of the third. The chess-playing machines are based on the minimaxing procedure, dictionary approach, Shannon's detailed analysis, Turing's contribution, the Los Alamos program, Bernstein's program, and Newell, Shaw, and Simon program. However, the checkers (or draughts) playing machines are based on the Samuel Checker program. Studies proved that it is possible to devise learning schemes that will outperform an average person and that such learning schemes may someday be economically feasible as applied to real-life situations. It seems reasonable to assume that these newer techniques will be applied to real-life situations with increasing frequency, and that the effort devoted to games or other toy problems will decrease.
The effects of quercetin on SW480 human colon carcinoma cells: a proteomic study

High fruit and vegetable intake is known to reduce the risk of colon cancer. To improve understanding of this phenomenon the action of different phytochemicals on colon cells has been examined. One such compound is quercetin that belongs to the group known as flavonoids. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of quercetin on the proteome of the SW480 human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, specifically to identify proteins that could be the molecular targets of quercetin in its amelioration of the progression of colon cancer. To this end, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were used to identify proteins that underwent a change in expression following treatment of the cells with 20 μM quercetin. This could elucidate how quercetin may reduce the progression of colon cancer. Quercetin treatment of the SW480 human colon cancer cells was found to result in the decreased expression of three proteins and the increased expression of one protein. The identified proteins with decreased expression were type II cytoskeletal 8 keratin and NADH dehydrogenase Fe-S protein 3. The other protein with decreased expression was not identified. The protein with increased expression belonged to the annexin family. Several proteins were determined to have altered expression following treatment with quercetin. Such changes in the levels of these particular proteins could underlie the chemo-protective action of quercetin towards colon cancer.
The imaging spectrum of Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

FIG. 1 Noninvasive imaging studies. (A) Electrocardiogram. (B) and (C) Echo-contrast study with Definity® (Bristol-Myers-Squibb Medical Imaging, Inc., Billerica, Massachusetts) during diastole (B) and systole (C), including continuous-wave Doppler measurement of systolic intracavitary gradient (C, insert). (D) Cardiac MRI. Lat = lateral wall, * = left ventricular apex, VS = ventricular septum. FIG. 2 Cardiac catheterization. (A) and (B): Left ventriculogram in diastole and systole, respectively, showing systolic cavity obliteration (arrowhead in B). (C) and (D): Left coronary angiograms in diastole and systole, respectively, showing systolic compression of the mid left anterior descending coronary artery (arrow).
Average behaviors of invariant factors in Mordell-Weil groups of CM elliptic curves modulo p

Let E be an elliptic curve defined over Q and with complex multiplication by O"K, the ring of integers in an imaginary quadratic field K. Let p be a prime of good reduction for E. It is known that E(F"p) has a structure(1)E(F"p)~Z/d"pZ@?Z/e"pZ with uniquely determined d"p|e"p. We give an asymptotic formula for the average order of e"p over primes p@?x of good reduction, with improved error term O(x^2/log^A@?x) for any positive number A, which previously was set as O(x^2/log^1^/^8@?x) by [12]. Further, we obtain an upper bound estimate for the average of d"p, and a lower bound estimate conditionally on nonexistence of Siegel-zeros for Hecke L-functions.
A Review of “The Army and Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan”

Throughout the many twists and turns of Pakistan's history, the political dominance of the military has been one of a few things that could be taken for granted. Even when elected civilians have no...
Analysis of human sarcospan as a candidate gene for CFEOM1

Congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles type 1 (CFEOM1) is an autosomal dominant eye movement disorder linked to the pericentromere of chromosome 12 (12p11.2 - q12). Sarcospan is a member of the dystrophin associated protein complex in skeletal and extraocular muscle and maps to human chromosome 12p11.2. Mutations in the genes encoding each of the other components of the skeletal muscle sarcospan-sarcoglycan complex (α - δ sarcoglycan) have been shown to cause limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD2C-F). To determine whether mutations in the sarcospan gene are responsible for CFEOM1 we: (1) attempted to map sarcospan to the CFEOM1 critical region; (2) developed a genomic primer set to directly sequence the sarcospan gene in CFEOM1 patients; and (3) generated an anti-sarcospan antibody to examine extraocular muscle biopsies from CFEOM1 patients. When tested by polymerase chain reaction, sarcospan sequence was not detected on yeast or bacterial artificial chromosomes from the CFEOM1 critical region. Sequencing of the sarcospan gene in CFEOM1 patients from 6 families revealed no mutations. Immunohistochemical studies of CFEOM1 extraocular muscles showed normal levels of sarcospan at the membrane. Finally, sarcospan was electronically mapped to bacterial artificial chromosomes that are considered to be outside of the CFEOM1 critical region. In this report we evaluate sarcospan as a candidate gene for CFEOM1. We have found that it is highly unlikely that sarcospan is involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. As of yet no sarcospan gene mutations have been found to cause muscular abnormalities.
Signatures of long-range elastic interaction in textured materials

We show that specific signatures in the pair distribution function and x-ray and neutron-scattering structure factors in a variety of functional elastic materials, previously ascribed to local structural distortions, could instead be due to an underlying anisotropic, long-range elastic field. We illustrate this conclusion on simple textures, e.g., twins, tweed, using relaxational computer simulations, pair distribution function analysis, and structure factors in two dimensions. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
The Values and Limits of Qohelet’s Sub-Celestial Economy

AbstractQohelet draws upon the metaphors of a mercantile economy in order to assign values to human life. The primary context in which he calculates these values is time-under-the-sun. In the economy of time-under-the-sun, there are both absolute and relative credits. On the one hand, the inevitable onset of death reduces all credits or debits to zero. Yet on the other hand, Qohelet claims that the enjoyment of one’s profits during one’s lifetime is a relative credit. The sage, however, also perceives another sort of reckoning which reaches beyond his empirical observation. He speaks of a matrix outside of the rule of the sun, which he calls עולם. In this space beyond time God has ordained a judgment in which the pious will profit and the impious will suffer loss. The onset of a new order beyond the sun raises the possibility that zero might not be the final answer after all.
A priori geometric design of an interference free complex planar mechanism

Abstract A complex planar mechanism is usually represented by its simplified schematic representation, called the kinematic skeleton, in both synthesis and analysis. Unfortunately, interference between links may not be evident from the kinematic skeleton. This paper presents a computer aided top-down technique to design the geometry of an interference free mechanism. The method is intended to replace intuitive and trial and error link geometry design techniques. The geometric design of the links of a mechanism is initiated after the kinematic skeleton diagram is created using existing synthesis and analysis techniques. The solution to the interference problem is initialized by placing links into different layers. To ensure a link, called a reference link, does not interfere with other links within its layer, the work space of those links with respect to the reference link is generated. The resulting domain, called a “swept area”, establishes an illegal region whose complement identifies the feasible region to place the geometry of the reference link. The new method is demonstrated with an example.
ON PROFINITE GROUPS WHOSE POWER SUBGROUPS ARE CLOSED

ABSTRACT We say that a profinite group G has Property S if for each integer n, there is a bound k such that every element of the nth power subgroup is a product of k nth powers of elements of G. Finitely generated profinite groups with Property S are completely determined by their group structure in a way conjectured by Hartley to be true of all finitely generated profinite groups; namely, every subgroup of finite index is open. We show that the class of finitely generated profinite groups with Property S is closed under forming extensions of its members and under taking subgroups of finite index. As a consequence, we note that all profinite groups of finite rank have Property S.
Comparative studies on the expression patterns of three troponin T genes during mouse development.

In vertebrates, three troponin T (TnT) genes, cardiac TnT (cTnT), skeletal muscle fast-twitch TnT (fTnT), and slow-twitch TnT (sTnT), have evolved for the regulation of striated muscle contraction. To understand the mechanism for muscle fiber-specific expression of the TnT genes, we compared their expression patterns during mouse development. Our data revealed that the TnT expression in the developing embryo was not as restricted as that in the adult. In addition to a strong expression in the developing heart beginning at day 7.5 p.c (postcoitum), the cTnT transcript was detected at later stages in some skeletal muscles, where beginning at day 11.75 p.c. the fTnT and sTnT genes were also expressed. Only sTnT but not fTnT was found transiently in the developing heart. At day 13.5 p.c., expressions of all three genes were detected in the developing tongue and this co-expression continued to day 16.5 p.c. with the fTnT isoform being predominant. At this stage, overlapping and distinct expression patterns of both sTnT and fTnT genes were also evident in many developing skeletal muscles. These data suggest that different muscles during development undergo a complex change in TnT isoforms resulting in different contractile properties. Unexpectedly, the cTnT transcript was persistently found in the developing bladder, where presumably smooth muscle is present. In transgenic mice, expression of a LacZ gene driven by a rat cTnT promoter (−497 to +192 bp) was very similar to that of the endogenous cTnT gene, suggesting that this promoter contained regulatory elements sufficient for the control of tissue-specific cTnT expression during development. Anat Rec 263:72–84, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thermodynamics of ionic solid solutions. A new treatment of existing distribution data

Excess amounts of two isomorphous salts, which differ with respect to only one ion (the exchanging ions), added to water and equilibrated produce an aqueous solution of the two salts and a solid solution of one salt in the other. The ratio of the two salts in the liquid phase is, in general, different from that in the coexisting solid. Data for twenty-nine such systems, including pairs of double salts (alums and picromerites), and pairs of simple salts, at or near 25°C, have been reviewed. By making the plausible assumption that the activity coefficients of the exchanging ions in the liquid phase are equal, it has been possible to derive the activity coefficients of the salts in the solid phase in addition to the thermodynamic equilibrium constants for the distributions. The interpretation of the data is compared with that of an earlier paper which drew different conclusions and was based on what is shown to be an erroneous premise. Solid solutions of alums are found, for the most part, to be ideal or nearly so. Of nine picromerite solid solutions containing sulfate as the only anion, seven pairs deviate positively from ideality, one deviates negatively, and one shows both positive and negative deviations. Three other picromerite pairs involving exchange of sulfate, selenate, and chromate ions, show only negative deviations. For the pairs [(NH4)2,K2]SO4, (NH4,K)Cl, Ag(Cl,Br), K(Br,Cl), Rb(Br,Cl), (Rb,K)Br, and (Rb,K)Cl the deviations are positive; those for Pb(Cl,Br)2 are negative, and those for Ba(ClO3)2·H2O are both positive and negative. Independent supporting evidence for some of the conclusions is presented.
Implication Algorithms for MOS Switch Level Functional Macromodeling, Implication and Testing

In this paper we introduce the concept of implication for MOS switch level circuits. The implication performed on these circuits is an extension of the classical implication now applied to Boolean logic networks. Given the ability to perform implication on MOS circuits we can then; generate functional macromodels of MOS circuits, use these macromodels to verify the Boolean function realized by the MOS circuit extracted from the mask set, generate, directly from the MOS circuit sets of tests for nodes stuck-at-1 and stuck-at-0 as well as transistors stuck open and stuck short. We present the conceptual frame work and algorithms for performing implication on MOS networks. We present examples of MOS implication and discuss extensions of the algorithm to test generation, and to a first order instead of zero order MOS network.
Fourier transform spectroscopy of NiCl: Identification of the [10.3] 4Φ7/2 state

Abstract This paper reports the observation of the [10.3] 4 Φ 7/2 electronic state of NiCl. This state is identified for the first time through the analysis of an electronic band near 10168 cm −1 , namely the [10.3] 4 Φ 7/2 – A 2 Δ 5/2 transition. Molecular parameters for the newly identified [10.3] 4 Φ 7/2 state are presented. Excited NiCl molecules were produced in a King furnace using NiCl 2 heated to 1600 °C. Emission spectra were recorded using the Fourier transform spectrometer associated with the McMath Pierce Solar Telescope at Kitt Peak.
The oxidation of diethylhydroxylamine by nitrogen dioxide

Diethylhydroxylamine, (C2H5)2NOH, was oxidized by NO2 at 25°C in a long-path-length infrared gas cell. The measured products of the reaction were HONO and CH3CHO. The reaction scheme which explains the reaction is was oxidized by NO2, and the reaction was found to be very rapid with k1 > 10−16 cm3/s. The products of the reaction were verified by both infrared absorption (CH3CHO, C2H5NO) and gas chromatography (CH3CHO, NO).
Chemistry and Biochemistry of Polyvalent Iodine Compounds III. Acute Toxicity of 1,3-Dihydro-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-1,2-benziodoxole

The acute toxicity of 1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-3-oxo-1,2-benziodoxole was re-evaluated. An LD 50 of 175mg./Kg. was determined for mice upon intraperitoneal injection of the title compound in a buffered suspension at pH 7.48. The symptoms observed upon injection of this compound in toxic doses were incoordination, lethargy, and respiratory depression. Upon autopsy, no observable lesions could be noted.
Synthesis of hydroxyl‐containing polyimides derived from 4,6‐diamino‐resorcinol dihydrochloride and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

High Tg polyimides containing pendant phenolic hydroxyl groups were synthesized in high molecular weight via one-step solution polymerization of the dihydrochloride salt of 4,6-diaminoresorcinol with various commercially available dianhydrides. Polymerization proceeds via initial dissociation of diaminoresorcinol dihydrochloride to hydrogen chloride gas and diaminoresorcinol, followed by rapid dissolution of diaminoresorcinol and polymerization with the dianhydride monomer to afford soluble, fully-cyclized polyimide. The resulting poly(hydroxy-imide)s, which contain two phenolic hydroxyl groups per repeat unit, were soluble in amide solvents and dilute aqueous bases, displayed reasonably high glass transition temperatures and a high degree of water uptake. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The impact of in utero exposure to diabetes on childhood body mass index growth trajectories: the EPOCH study.

Objective To examine associations between exposure to maternal diabetes in utero and body mass index (BMI) growth trajectories from birth through 13 years of age among a diverse cohort of youth. Study design Mixed linear effects models were constructed to assess differences in BMI and BMI growth velocity from birth through 13 years of age for 95 subjects exposed to diabetes in utero and 409 unexposed subjects enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. Results The overall BMI growth trajectory (adjusted for sex and race/ethnicity) was not significantly different for exposed and unexposed subjects from birth through 26 months of age (P = .48). However, the overall growth trajectory from 27 months of age through 13 years differed by exposure status (P = .008), adjusted for sex and race/ethnicity. The difference was primarily due to a significantly higher BMI growth velocity among exposed youth between 10 and 13 years, increasing by 4.56 kg/m2 compared with 3.51 kg/m2 in the unexposed (P = .005). Control for demographic variables, socioeconomic factors, and maternal prepregnancy BMI did not alter the observed associations. Conclusions Exposure to maternal diabetes in utero accelerates BMI growth in late childhood, thus increasing long-term obesity risk.
A performance analysis of the IEEE 802.6 (DQDB) subnetwork with the bandwidth balancing mechanism

Abstract A performance analysis of the IEEE 802.6 subnetwork of a metropolitan area network is presented. The effect of the bandwidth balancing mechanism and of various other network parameters on the delay characteristics of the subnetwork are investigated via an extensive simulation study. We show that the position dependent characteristics of the network cannot totally be eliminated by the bandwidth balancing mechanism. The latter is due to the association of the medium access mechanism of the network to the greedy protocol. We also show that although the position dependent characteristics become more evident as the size of the network increases, they are not severe provided that the network does not operate very close to its capacity or it does not extend for very large distances (depending on the network bandwidth).
Dielectric grating induced by cavity standing wave as a new explanation of origin of nonlinear gain in semiconductor diode lasers

The nonlinear gain due to induced index and gain grating caused by the cavity standing wave is analysed using coupled-mode equations. The grating coupling coefficient is calculated using the rate equation with an ambipolar diffusion term. The self-consistent solution of the coupling coefficient and the optical field indicate the existence of a nonlinear gain term with a surprisingly large magnitude. This gain nonlinearity is shown to contribute significantly to the modulation damping factor of semiconductor diode lasers.
A Case of Unrecognized Prehospital Anaphylactic Shock

Abstract A case of prehospital anaphylactic shock that presented atypically, without a known exposure, is discussed. Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires prompt recognition and aggressive treatment. While there is little diagnostic dilemma (specifically used in the conclusion section of this paper) in the recognition and management of "classic" presentations of anaphylaxis there is likely a need for further education of prehospital providers, as well as emergency physicians, on how to recognize atypical cases of anaphylaxis. These cases can be equally severe, with potentially fatal consequences if missed. The diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis are reviewed, as well as barriers that providers encounter in diagnosing uncommon presentations.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR COÖRDINATION IN ANTHROPOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH1

THE creation of a joint Division of the National Research Council to represent anthropology and psychology brings us together here in order that we may consider how and to what degree the aims of both may be co6rdinated. I have been asked to outline some of the problems that invite such co6rdination, but before entering upon the specific discussion of opportunities for co6rdination and co6peration, some general orientation seems necessary. In the first place, we are dealing with two distinct sciences, each of which grew up in its own way and each of which shows every indication of being able to stand upon its own feet. These two sciences differ not only in their points of view, but also in their major contents. About the only ground they seem to have in common is that they both study men. It is true that psychology gives a large place to the study of animal intelligence, but on the other hand, anthropology also concerns itself with morphological problems among the higher mammals and even dips into the pairing and other social habits of the anthropoids. There is, however, a difference in that anthropology is at present largely concerned with the morphology of the case, while psychology puts its emphasis upon what it chooses to recognize as intelligence. Yet this distinction should not obscure the other relations and attitudes of the two sciences. Thus, psychology gives a great deal of attention to the ways of doing things, learning, habit, etc.; and again, anthro-
AN EMPIRICAL RELATION BETWEEN MAGNETORESISTANCE AND HALL COEFFICIENT IN INSULATING n-CdSe

We review results obtained for the temperature- and field-dependence of the magnetoresistance and the Hall coefficient of n-type CdSe:In. Based on measurements between 0.05K and 4.2K, an empirical relation valid in magnetic fields between 3T and 9T is proposed between the transverse and longitudinal resistivities, given by ρxy=KHρxx1/2.
Hormesis: policy implications.

Protecting workers and the public from toxic chemicals, particularly carcinogens, has been a principal focus of public policy. Uncertainty regarding the toxicity of particular chemicals and their dose-response relationship has led to the use of the 'precautionary principle' in which regulators are willing to accept more costly regulation than necessary in order to prevent exposure and disease from these toxic chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) current policy of using 'mechanism of action' to set regulations means that hormesis could be used by the EPA without any change in policy if hormesis is accepted as scientifically valid. Hormesis could result in a qualitative change in regulatory policy. Because exposure to toxic chemicals conveys no health benefit in the current dose-response model, public risk aversion leads to a Delaney Clause-like 'no-risk' model for policy: ban toxic chemicals or lower exposure to trivial levels. Hormesis implies that individuals benefit from low exposure to toxicants. Although hormesis may not be relevant for individuals with compromised immune systems, it would be expected to help the vast majority of people. If so, permitting exposure levels that provided the greatest health benefit to most people would be balanced against these same levels hurting the most immune-compromised individuals. Public health routinely makes these trade-offs using a 'risk-risk' model. Thus, hormesis could transform the 'no-risk' approach into a 'risk-risk' approach that could tolerate much higher exposures to toxic chemicals than the current policy.
A Study of Emerging Teacher Practices in Internet-Based Lesson Plan Development.

In this paper we describe two aspects of an Internet-based lesson plan development project called “Science On-Line-Earth and Space Science for the Classroom.” First, we discuss the design of the Science On-Line (SOL) Project, which focuses on building a community of practice, appropriate task and setting, and contact with the scientific workplace. Second, we examine strategies teachers used as they approached the task of creating Internet-based science lesson plans for the World Wide Web. Based on the analysis of data gathered during the various project phases, results show that the teacher-developed strategies have varying degrees of effectiveness in facilitating Internet-based lesson plan design, information-gathering, and organization. We describe how the strategies began to evolve into formulated practices for Internet-based lesson development within the SOL teacher community. The SOL investigation develops a case study of the strategies and emerging practices in the context of the creation and pilot-testing of Internet-based lesson plans. This case study may serve as an exemplar of tested Internet-based lesson development strategies and practices for the educational community.
Epidemiology of Clostridium difficile Colonization in Newborns: Results Using a Bacteriophage and Bacteriocin Typing System

We used a typing system based on bacteriophage and bacteriocin susceptibility to study the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile colonization of newborn infants. C. difficile was found in the stools of 30 (16.0%) of 187 infants who were screened. Increased length of stay in the nursery (P less than .001) and delivery by cesarian section (P less than .001) were associated with higher rates of colonization. The isolates initially detected from the environment and the infants were strain B1811-1700. Strain B1537/Cld7 became the predominant isolate obtained from the infants; positive cultures were also obtained from the environment and the hands of personnel who worked in the nursery and had strain B1537/Cld7. Our results suggest that the infants acquired C. difficile through transfer from the hands of hospital staff.
Key role of a downstream specificity protein 1 site in cell cycle-regulated transcription of the AP endonuclease gene APE1/APEX in NIH3T3 cells.

Abasic (apurinic/apyrimidinic or AP) sites are a frequent type of DNA damage that threatens genetic stability. The predominant mammalian enzyme initiating repair of AP sites is the Ape1 AP endonuclease (also called Apex or Hap1), which also facilitates DNA binding by several transcription factors (Ref1 activity). We found that expression of the APE1 gene was coordinated with the cell cycle in murine NIH3T3 cells: APE1 mRNA levels rose after the G1-S transition and peaked ∼4-fold higher in early to mid-S phase. The increased APE1 mRNA was the result of transcriptional activation rather than increased mRNA stability. Fusions of various APE1 promoter fragments to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase CAT reporter gene indicated that APE1 expression depends on two transcription factor Sp1 binding sites within the promoter region. Mutation of these sites or of two CCAAT elements within the APE1 promoter, in conjunction with protein binding studies, demonstrated their specific roles. The Sp1 site upstream of the transcription start, together with an adjacent CCAAT element, establishes a protein-DNA complex required for basal transcription of APE1. The Sp1 site downstream of the transcription start was required for the response to cell growth. Because Ape1 is a dual function enzyme, its cell cycle-dependent expression might affect both DNA repair and the activity of various transcription factors as a function of the cell cycle.
Preventing medication errors in transitions of care: A patient case approach

Abstract Objective To discuss common causes of medication errors occurring upon transitions of care and review key interventions that should be implemented to ensure effective communication and accurate completion of medication reconciliation. Data sources MEDLINE (1946 to November 2014) using MeSH terms medication errors, medication reconciliation, and nursing homes in addition to conventional text words, including transitions of care and medication safety; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Network using search terms transitions of care, medication errors, and medication reconciliation; and relevant websites of national organizations pertaining to transitions of care and medication reconciliation. Study selection Limited to English-language journals with no limitation set on the year of publication for clinical trials, meta-analyses, and reviews. Data extraction At the authors' discretion, preference was given to references focusing on pharmacists' role in transitions of care and medication reconciliation. Results Most medication errors stem from a lack of effective communication between health care providers during transitions of care. Part of successful communication and correct patient hand-off is completing accurate medication reconciliation. A patient case highlights a life-threatening medication error that occurred during a transition of care due to ineffective communication between a pharmacist and nurse while transferring medication information. Conclusion To provide patients with accurate medication information, pharmacists should perform medication reconciliation upon transitions of care using The Joint Commission's five-step process. Pharmacists can conduct numerous interventions to prevent medication errors during transitions of care and ensure patient safety. Pharmacists are integral to evaluating the appropriateness of medication use, ensuring information is updated in the health record, and verbally communicating accurate information to other health professionals.
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN VERBAL LEARNING.

Hull (8) recognized the need for a reconciliation between the striving for general behavior laws and the need to predict the behavior of individuals. He reasoned that general laws may be formulated as equations, but that certain constants in these equations vary to reflect individual differences among Ss. No systematic attempt has been made to pursue this point of view in the area of verbal learning, although the need for a programmatic approach to this problem has been outlined by Noble (9). To srudy how differences among Ss affect constants in equations describing general behavioral laws, it is desirable initially to isolate chose dimensions of inter-S differences which are associated with response variation on some standardized verbal learning task. This study was designed as pilot work in the prediction of individual differences on a group-administered paired-associate learning task (2, 3, 4). Psychologists have traditionally been divided on the issue of the ideographic versus the nomothetic approach to the study of behavior. Some nomothetically-oriented psychologists have avoided controversy by implicitly regarding all within-condition variation in response measures as "error" variance and have concerned themselves solely with analyses based on measures of central tendency. Much of this within-condition variance, however, may be accounted for by differences among individual Ss in their reactivity to the experimental condition, rather than primarily by chance variation in stimulus (task) and environmental conditions. That there are wide individual differences in verbal learning is evident on
Exfoliative sputum cytology of cancers metastatic to the lung

Although largely replaced by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and bronchoscopy, cytological examination of sputum for exfoliated malignant cells still is considered a valuable initial diagnostic test in patients presenting with a lung mass. Thirty-five cases of secondary/metastatic tumors involving the lung and diagnosed on sputum were retrospectively reviewed from our cytopathology files for a period of 22 yr (1980-2001). Clinical history and the relevant histopathological material were examined and correlated with the cytological findings. In all cases, a history of malignancy was known. Cytological diagnoses included colonic adenocarcinoma (7 cases); non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL; 5 cases); malignant melanoma (MM; 5 cases); breast carcinoma (5 cases); Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL; 3 cases); pancreatic adenocarcinoma (2 cases); prostatic adenocarcinoma (2 cases); and 1 case each of urothelial carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, hepatic small-cell carcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma (cervix), and leiomyosarcoma (LMS). Cellular preservation was optimal in all cases. The smear background was relatively clean in 25 (71%) cases and predominantly inflamed and/or necrotic in 10 (29%) cases. In non-lymphoid tumors (27 cases), isolated single malignant cells were seen in 7 (26%) cases (all cases of MM and prostatic adenocarcinoma), whereas 20 (74%) cases displayed fragments with intact tumor architecture. Overall, only 10/35 (29%) cases showed noticeable tumor-cell necrosis. In one case (LMS), cell block sections were used for immunoperoxidase (IPOX) studies with positive staining for desmin and actin. Exfoliation of cancer cells in sputum from secondary tumors in the lung is a rare phenomenon in current-day practice, with metastatic colonic adenocarcinoma seen most commonly. Intact tumor architecture was observed in exfoliated cells in 75% of the cases.
Manifestations of the Schur complement

In this paper the author is concerned with some of the ways in which the Schur complement can be used in numerical linear algebra.
Paul Everett Meehl

Abstract A brilliant thinker and a gifted teacher, Paul Meehl’s love for and dedication to the philosophy of science did not lead him, as it seems to have led others, to assume that all minds have the same structure and differ only parametrically. One of Meehl’s main interests in the latter part of his career was in taxometric methods for identifying psychological types or taxa. Another taxonomic method seeks traits that are very similar, for genetic reasons, in monozygotic twins, but not in other sib pairs. These emergenic traits may be more common than previously realized. Two examples are briefly discussed.
Low-energy signal processing using circuit-level timing-error acceptance

In digital signal processing (DSP) applications, large energy gains can be obtained by accepting some degradation in the output signal quality. In this paper, we present static and dynamic techniques for circuit-level timing-error acceptance to significantly improve energy efficiency by shaping the quality-energy tradeoff achievable via aggressive V DD scaling. The proposed techniques specifically target the earliest and worst timing error offenders to allow for larger V DD reduction while maintaining high signal quality. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed techniques on image processing applications, including a DCT/IDCT-based image compression system and an image-sharpening filter. The designs were synthesized using a 45nm standard cell library. Results show that 40–60% energy savings can be achieved at less than 1dB loss in the peak signal-to-noise ratio. The overhead for the needed control logic is less than 6% of the area of the original design.
Association of Social Problem Solving With Glycemic Control in a Sample of Urban African Americans With Type 2 Diabetes

The Social Problem-Solving Inventory—Revised, Short Form, was administered to 65 urban African Americans with type 2 diabetes to examine association of generic problem-solving styles and orientation with hemoglobin A1C (A1C). Eighty-five percent of participants had total social problem-solving scores in the Average range or higher. In linear regression models adjusted for education, each interquartile increase in impulsive/careless score was associated with a 0.82 increase in A1C (%) (p = 0.01), and each interquartile increase in avoidant score was associated with a 1.62 increase in A1C (%) (p = 0.004). After adjusting for depressive symptoms, the association of impulsive/careless style with A1C was attenuated, while the association of avoidant problem solving with A1C remained significant (p = 0.01). Associations of rational problem-solving style, positive orientation, and negative orientation with A1C and health behaviors were not statistically significant. Ineffective problem-solving styles may prove to be important targets for intervention to improve glycemic control.
Revisiting mendelian randomization studies of the effect of body mass index on depression

Mendelian Randomization studies, which use genetic instrumental variables (IVs) as quasi-experiments to estimate causal effects, report inconsistent findings regarding effects of body mass index (BMI) on mental health. We used genetic IV to estimate effects of BMI on depression and evaluated validity of a commonly used IV. Female Nurse's Health Study participants (n=6989, average age 56.4, [Standard Deviation 6.91] years at first depression assessment) self-reported BMI, which was averaged across eight reports prior to depression assessment (mean=24.96, SD 4.50). Genetic instruments included fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) alleles, melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) alleles, and polygenic risk scores based on 32 established polymorphisms for BMI. Depression was assessed using multiple symptom measures, scaled to the Geriatric Depression Scale 15, averaged across up to 7 biennial waves. We used over-identification tests to assess the validity of genetic IVs. In conventional estimates, each additional BMI point predicted 0.024 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.020-0.029) higher average depression scores. Genetic IV estimates were not significant when based on FTO (beta: 0.064, CI: -0.014, 0.142), MC4R (beta: 0.005, CI: -0.146, 0.156), polygenic score excluding FTO (beta=-0.003, 95%-CI -0.051, 0.045), or mechanism-specific scores. The over-identification test comparing IV estimates based on FTO to estimates based on the polygenic score excluding FTO rejected equality of estimated effects (P=0.014). Results provide no evidence against a null effect of BMI on depression and call into question validity of FTO as an instrument for BMI in Mendelian Randomization studies.
The effect of aminophylline on pentagastrin-induced gastric secretion in the dog.

The effect of aminophylline on gastric hydrochloric acid secretion was investigated in five dogs each with a Heidenhain pouch (HP) and gastric fistula (GF). Aminophylline administered intravenously in a single dose of 20 mg/kg during the resting state had no effect on gastric secretion. However, when this methylxanthine was administered during the secretory response to pentagastrin, it augmented the action of this peptide. On the basis of indirect evidence, it may be suggested that both agents act by increasing the cyclic adenosine monophosphate level in the gastric mucosa.
SEM/STEM observation of magnetic minerals in presumably unremagnetized Paleozoic carbonates from Indiana and Alabama

Abstract The Silurian Wabash Formation in Indiana and the Mississippian Pride Mountain Formation in Alabama appear not to have been affected by a late Paleozoic remagnetization event. In an attempt to characterize the magnetic mineralogy in these (presumably) unremagnetized carbonates and in order to compare their magnetic mineralogy to that of remagnetized carbonates, scanning and scanning transmission microscope (SEM/STEM) observations and rock magnetic investigations were carried out. It is possible to recognize differences in magnetic mineralogy in the unremagnetized carbonate from that in remagnetized carbonates: 1. (1) iron oxides associated with iron sulfides are hematite (in this study) as a result of replacement of pyrite (instead of magnetite as was found elsewhere); 2. (2) occurrences of large euhedral pure-iron oxides of secondary origin are common in the unremagnetized carbonates 3. (3) a rare occurrence of fine-grained single-crystal magnetite capable of carrying a remanence in the unremagnetized carbonates is noticeable as compared to the abundance of such grains in the remagnetized carbonates. Although the abundance of the fine-grained magnetite grains in remagnetized carbonates is inferred to be a diagnostic factor to distinguish the remagnetized from the unremagnetized carbonates, this clarifies only the carriers in the remagnetized rocks and leaves the question of the carriers in unremagnetized limestones unresolved to a large extent. The lack of remagnetization is commonly attributed to a restricted amount of fluid influx into the rocks. For the Wabash and the Pride Mountain Formations this may also be true; early cementation has significantly reduced the porosity and permeability in the Wabash Formation in Indiana, whereas the presence of the impermeable Chattanooga Shale may have ‘protected’ the Mississippian Pride Mountain Formation in Alabama.
Alzheimer's Disease: Addressing the Information Needs of the Public

The importance of libraries as centers for the distribution of material dealing with the concerns of the elderly was highlighted recently in an open letter to state library associations from Bessie B. Moore, vice‐chairperson of the National Commission of Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS). She wrote:
The Subversive Stitch: Embroidery and the Making of the Feminine Rozsika Parker

(2012). The Subversive Stitch: Embroidery and the Making of the Feminine Rozsika Parker. The Journal of Modern Craft: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 119-121.
Airway mucus: its components and function

The airway surface liquid (ASL), often referred to as mucus, is a thin layer of fluid covering the luminal surface of the airway. The major function of mucus is to protect the lung through mucociliary clearance against foreign particles and chemicals entering the lung. The mucus is comprised of water, ions, and various kinds of macromolecules some of which possess the protective functions such as anti-microbial, anti-protease, and anti-oxidant activity. Mucus glycoproteins or mucins are mainly responsible for the viscoelastic property of mucus, which is crucial for the effective mucociliary clearance. There are at least eight mucin genes identified in the human airways, which will potentially generate various kinds of mucin molecules. At present, neither the exact structures of mucin proteins nor their regulation are understood although it seems likely that different types of mucins are involved in different functions and might also be associated with certain airway diseases. The fact that mucins are tightly associated with various macromolecules present in ASL seems to suggest that the defensive role of ASL is determined not only by these individual components but rather by a combination of these components. Collectively, mucins in ASL may be compared to aircraft carriers carrying various types of weapons in defense of airbome enemies.