cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parameters of Time-out: Research Update and Comparison to Parenting Programs, Books, and Online Recommendations.

Abstract In reviews published more than 30 years ago, eight parameters important to the use of time-out were identified and available research was summarized. The purpose of the current paper is to provide an updated summary of existing research for each parameter of time-out. Within each parameter, we conducted a thorough review of the published literature and identified all peer-reviewed articles addressing each parameter. We identified and summarized a total of 46 articles across the eight parameters, including 32 not cited in previous reviews. Sufficient findings were available to draw conclusions regarding time-out warning, schedule of time-out, contingent versus noncontingent release, and duration. Tentative conclusions based on only a few studies could be drawn in regard to instructional versus physical administration and verbalized reason for time-out. No conclusions could be drawn regarding time-out signal and specific time-out location. While we know much more today regarding effective implementation of time-out, there is a clear need for further exploration within these identified parameters. In addition to summarizing the literature, we reviewed recommendations made by behavioral parent training programs, parenting books, and parenting Web sites, and compared how well their recommendations matched current research based on the conclusions drawn from our review. We found that parenting sources made strong and specific recommendations on several of the parameters that were either not consistent with available research or simply lacked a sufficient research base.
Electronic Brief Intervention and Text Messaging for Marijuana Use During Pregnancy: Initial Acceptability of Patients and Providers.

Background: Marijuana is the most widely used illicit substance during pregnancy. Technology-delivered brief interventions and text messaging have shown promise in general and pregnant samples but have not yet been applied to marijuana use in pregnancy. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate, among pregnant women and prenatal care providers, the acceptability of an electronic brief intervention and text messaging plan for marijuana use in pregnancy. Methods: Participants included patients (n=10) and medical staff (n=12) from an urban prenatal clinic. Patient-participants were recruited directly during a prenatal care visit. Those who were eligible reviewed the interventions individually and provided quantitative and qualitative feedback regarding software acceptability and helpfulness during a one-on-one interview with research staff. Provider-participants took part in focus groups in which the intervention materials were reviewed and discussed. Qualitative and focus group feedback was transcribed, coded manually, and classified by category and theme. Results: Patient-participants provided high ratings for satisfaction, with mean ratings for respectfulness, interest, ease of use, and helpfulness ranging between 4.4 and 4.7 on a 5-point Likert scale. Of the 10 participants, 5 reported that they preferred working with the program versus their doctor, and 9 of 10 said the intervention made them more likely to reduce their marijuana use. Provider-participants received the program favorably, stating the information presented was both relevant and important for their patient population. Conclusions: The findings support the acceptability of electronic brief intervention and text messaging for marijuana use during pregnancy. This, combined with their ease of use and low barrier to initiation, suggests that further evaluation in a randomized trial is appropriate. [JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2017;5(11):e172]
We FRET so You Don’t Have To: New Models of the Lipoprotein Lipase Dimer

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a dimeric enzyme that is responsible for clearing triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the blood. Although LPL plays a key role in cardiovascular health, an experimentally derived three-dimensional structure has not been determined. Such a structure would aid in understanding mutations in LPL that cause familial LPL deficiency in patients and help in the development of therapeutic strategies to target LPL. A major obstacle to structural studies of LPL is that LPL is an unstable protein that is difficult to produce in the quantities needed for nuclear magnetic resonance or crystallography. We present updated LPL structural models generated by combining disulfide mapping, computational modeling, and data derived from single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET). We pioneer the technique of smFRET for use with LPL by developing conditions for imaging active LPL and identifying positions in LPL for the attachment of fluorophores. Using this approach, we measure LPL–LPL...
Sequential Synthesis for Testability

Test generation for VLSI circuits has traditionally been a post-design activity. In most cases, test generators like those described in the previous chapters are used after the design is complete. Most circuits are designed with only area and performance under consideration, and quite often, the circuits are not fully or easily testable. Therefore, a significant amount of effort might be spent in generating tests for such circuits. Furthermore, design for testability approaches, such as Level Sensitive Scan Design (e.g., [50D), have been primarily used to transform the difficult sequential test generation problem into a more tractable problem of combinational test generation by enhancing the controllability and observability of the sequential circuit. Such approaches have an associated area and/or performance penalty, because the latches used are special Scan latches, which are larger than simple non-scan latches.
High Molecular Weight Materials of Tobacco

The present report constitutes a review of our current knowledge on the high molecular weight constituents of tobacco. Because of the vast literature on the subject, only selected highlights will be discussed. Generally high molecular weight substances of leaf may be divided into three groups: proteins, polysaccharides, and polymeric polyphenols. The polysaccharides include cellulose, starch, and the pectins. The polyphenols include lignin and the brown pigments. The proteins, polysaccharides, and polymeric polyphenols together comprise from 30 to 40% of tobacco leaf, with the polysaccharides being the most abundant group. Due to their extensive occurrence, a thorough knowledge of their chemical and physical properties is essential to our understanding of leaf composition and the effect upon smoke quality and smoke-health hazards. Certainly, the pyrolytic products of the polysaccharides will contribute significantly to smoke composition and will moreover affect the organoleptic characteristics of the smoke. However, this topic is the subject of other presentations and will not be discussed here.
Pitfalls in Tumor Markers Testing

Tumor markers are molecules that are produced by cancer cells or by other cells of the body in response to cancer or certain benign (noncancerous) conditions. More than 20 different tumor markers have been characterized and are in clinical use. Tumor markers can be used for various purposes, including screening a healthy population or a high-risk population for the presence of cancer; making a diagnosis of cancer or of a specific type of cancer; determining the prognosis in a patient; predicting in advance the likely response to therapy; and monitoring the course in a patient in remission or while receiving surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. This chapter discusses most commonly used tumor markers, difficulty in interpretations, limitations, and the interferences in the laboratory results. The hook effect and interferences of heterophile antibodies in tumor marker assays are also discussed in detail.
The Bacterial Phosphoenolpyruvate Phosphotransferase System

Translocation of certain carbohydrates (monosaccharides and disaccharides) across the cytoplasmic membranes of bacteria can occur by two major processes. These processes are distinguished by the nature of the primary energy source involved as well as the actual mechanism by which the translocation proceeds. The two systems are schematically shown in Figure 1 and can be described in the following manner: Active transport. Systems of this type accumulate the solute in an unaltered form in the cytoplasm. The energy for the translocation is primarily derived from an energized membrane state (membrane potential or proton-motive force derived from electron transport or ATP hydrolysis). Group translocation. This differs thermodynamically from “active transport” since the solute is accumulated in the cytoplasm in a derivatized form. Group translocation has so far been associated only with the translocation of sugars; these are accumulated in the form of phosphate esters. The mechanism responsible for this form of translocation is the phosphotransferase system (Figure 2) which uses phosphoenolpyruvate as its primary source of energy.
Risk Level Analysis for Hazard Area During Commercial Space Launch

Current method used for integrating space launch vehicles into National Airspace System (NAS) and reducing aircraft risks includes closing large air space areas to any air vehicles, known as hazard areas. Airspace regulations cause aircraft to reroute increasing flight distance, delays and overall flight cost. Air space restriction area and time are based on profile risk factors of space vehicle launch. This paper describes a method to dynamically construct a risk level map of commercial space launch operations' impact on nearby aircraft. The hazard area is divided into multiple sections, each section is also dynamically evaluated for a risk level, which is a comprehensive index considering the uncertain debris trajectory model and launch failure probabilities. This method provides a framework for modeling an optimal aircraft routing plan within a required risk level.
The influences of facial expression and conducting gesture on college musicians' perceptions of choral conductor and ensemble expressivity:

The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of facial expression and conducting gesture on perceptions of choral conductor and ensemble expressivity. College musicians (N = 156) viewed ...
Competition between ODD- and Even-Electron Processes

The competition between odd- and even-electron processes has been generally recognized in chemistry for many years. One of our earlier interests in this area arose in the study of the reactions of the superoxide radical anion.
An Overview of High-Conversion High-Voltage DC–DC Converters for Electrified Aviation Power Distribution System

This article presents the state-of-the-art review of high-conversion high-voltage (HCHV) dc–dc converters for a modern aerial vehicle’s power distribution system. Higher dc bus voltages have become a trend in recent aerial vehicle development because of the potential reduction in size and weight of the rest of the power system and an increase in power density. Some front-end dc energy sources, such as fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors, may level at a low voltage and require HCHV dc–dc converters to integrate with the high-voltage dc bus. On the other hand, high-conversion step-down converters are required between the dc bus and various low-voltage electronic loads. A detailed review of HCHV dc–dc converters for an aviation power distribution system is limited in the literature. This article presents two main architectures of such converters. Architecture-I employs individual two-port dc–dc converters to link each source to the dc bus, and Architecture-II uses a single multiport converter (MPC) to connect all the sources to the dc bus. Architecture-I categorizes the two-port dc–dc converter topologies into unidirectional and bidirectional converters, followed by further classifications based on isolation and control schemes. Multiport dc–dc converters for Architecture-II are categorized based on port numbers and then source connection methods. This review investigates multiple topologies within each category or classification, highlighting selected circuit diagrams and their features and shortcomings. This article presents several insightful comparisons, among various bidirectional converters for Architecture-I, and MPCs for Architecture-II, for a designer to choose a proper converter. In terms of converter characteristics, this article focuses on dc voltage gain, power density, efficiency, and reliability, as these qualities are of utmost importance in an aviation application.
Use of low-value pediatric services in the Military Health System

Low-value care (LVC) is understudied in pediatric populations and in the Military Health System (MHS). This cross-sectional study applies previously developed measures of pediatric LVC diagnostic tests, procedures, and treatments to children receiving care within the direct and purchased care environments of the MHS. We queried the MHS Data Repository (MDR) to identify children (n = 1,111,534) who received one or more of 20 previously described types of LVC in fiscal year 2015. We calculated the proportion of eligible children and all children who received the service at least once during fiscal year 2015. Among children eligible for each measure, we used logistic regressions to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for receiving LVC at least once during fiscal year 2015 in direct versus purchased care. All 20 measures of pediatric LVC were found in the MDR. Of the 1,111,534 eligible children identified, 15.41% received at least one LVC service, and the two most common procedures were cough and cold medications in children under 6 years and acid blockers for infants with uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux. Eighteen of the 20 measures of pediatric LVC were eligible for comparison across care environments: 6 were significantly more likely to be delivered in direct care and 10 were significantly more likely to be delivered in purchased care. The greatest differences between direct and purchased care were seen in respiratory syncytial virus testing in children with bronchiolitis (AOR = 21.01, 95% CI = 12.23–36.10) and blood tests in children with simple febrile seizure (AOR = 24.44, 95% CI = 5.49–108.82). A notably greater difference of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing was seen in purchased versus direct care. Significant differences existed between provision of LVC services in direct and purchased care, unlike previous studies showing little difference between publicly and privately insured children. In fiscal year 2015, 1 in 7 children received one of 20 types of LVC. These proportions are higher than prior estimates from privately and publicly insured children, suggesting the particular need to focus on decreasing wasteful care in the MHS. Collectively, these studies demonstrate the high prevalence of LVC in children and the necessity of reducing potentially harmful care in this vulnerable population.
Why Organizations Need Them

In this chapter there will be a discussion of the myriad of ways that organizational toxin handlers help their organizations to remain effective and functioning, despite significant distractions and emotional events (e.g. downsizings, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies). Takeaways for Practitioners Clarity about how toxin handlers improve productivity, profitability, and organizational effectiveness An understanding about how to explain the role to senior leaders and to make the case for why it is important to allow toxin handlers to spend their time with employees engaging in this important work
Examining the Causal Structures of Deep Neural Networks Using Information Theory.

Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) are often examined at the level of their response to input, such as analyzing the mutual information between nodes and data sets. Yet DNNs can also be examined at the level of causation, exploring "what does what" within the layers of the network itself. Historically, analyzing the causal structure of DNNs has received less attention than understanding their responses to input. Yet definitionally, generalizability must be a function of a DNN's causal structure as it reflects how the DNN responds to unseen or even not-yet-defined future inputs. Here, we introduce a suite of metrics based on information theory to quantify and track changes in the causal structure of DNNs during training. Specifically, we introduce the effective information (EI) of a feedforward DNN, which is the mutual information between layer input and output following a maximum-entropy perturbation. The EI can be used to assess the degree of causal influence nodes and edges have over their downstream targets in each layer. We show that the EI can be further decomposed in order to examine the sensitivity of a layer (measured by how well edges transmit perturbations) and the degeneracy of a layer (measured by how edge overlap interferes with transmission), along with estimates of the amount of integrated information of a layer. Together, these properties define where each layer lies in the "causal plane", which can be used to visualize how layer connectivity becomes more sensitive or degenerate over time, and how integration changes during training, revealing how the layer-by-layer causal structure differentiates. These results may help in understanding the generalization capabilities of DNNs and provide foundational tools for making DNNs both more generalizable and more explainable.
Combined management of esophagopericardial fistula sustained after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Introduction Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective treatment modality for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, serious complications can occur. We present the case of a highly morbid consequence, the esophagopericardial fistula (EPF). Case A hemodynamically unstable patient with a history of AF and recent RFA presented with chest pain and was found to have pneumopericardium and pericardial effusion. The patient went to the operating room emergently for combined management with surgical pericardial window and endoscopic stent placement. Conclusion EPF must be on the differential diagnosis while evaluating patients who develop constitutional symptoms or sudden onset chest pain days or weeks after catheter ablation for AF. Early detection followed by aggressive management with a combined surgical and endoscopic approach may be considered for successful treatment of this type of postablation esophageal perforation if an atrioesophageal fistula is effectively ruled out.
Increasing Perianesthesia Nurse Competency in Selected Critical Care Modalities

Introduction A large academic center's satellite campus Pre/Post unit rarely sees patients needing certain critical care modalities; the need to establish and maintain competencies in these modalities has been identified. Identification of the problem The unit identified the need to improve competency for selected high risk, low frequency critical care modalities. Challenges to increasing competency include varying critical care experience among staff and the infrequency with which these modalities occur in practice on the unit. QI question/Purpose of the study Develop an effective education strategy to improve competency in Pre/Post nurses for selected critical care modalities. Methods Per the QSEN Institute, competency is the knowledge, skills, and attitude (KSA) needed to provide safe and effective care. Expectations for the selected critical care modalities were derived from ASPAN's CBO. A sequential, tiered education strategy was developed. First, nurses completed pre-intervention surveys to capture baseline self-reported competency using a Likert scale based on Patricia Benner's “From Novice to Expert” theory. Second, staff completed didactic prework validated by quizzes that primarily consisted of policy and procedure review. Third, staff will attend skills stations to gain haptic experience with associated supplies and equipment. Finally, staff will be precepted by ICU nurses to gain hands-on experience with critically ill patients. Outcomes/Results At the interventions completion, the survey will be re-administered to assess changes in self-reported competency. Analysis of pre- versus post-intervention surveys will be available during the first quarter of 2021. Discussion Pending analysis of pre- and post-intervention surveys. Conclusion It is the ethical responsibility of Pre/Post leadership to ensure safe and effective care is provided. Whether the tiered education strategy will be effective in improving competency in Pre/Post nurses for the selected modalities is pending analysis of pre- and post-intervention surveys. Implications for perianesthesia nurses and future research This education strategy addresses improving competency. Future research is needed for an effective education strategy to maintain competency and mitigate knowledge/skill decay. This education strategy uses pre- and post-intervention surveys of self-reported competency to assess the intervention's effect on attitudes; further research using other competency validation methods is needed to better assess the intervention's effect.
Whole-body PET Image Synthesis from Low-Dose Images Using Cycle-consistent Generative Adversarial Networks

This work sets out to investigate the performance of full-dose (FD) PET prediction from fast or low-dose (LD) whole-body (WB) PET scans using convolutional neural networks. One hundred patients who underwent WB PET/CT examinations were retrospectively used to develop LD to FD PET conversion models. The patients underwent two separate WB examinations lasting ~27 min (regular scan) and ~3 min (fast or LD scan) acquisition times. The fast (3 min) WB PET examinations are equivalent to 1/8th of the full-dose PET scan. A residual neural network (ResNet) and a modified cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN) architecture were employed to model the LD to FD PET conversion. The quality of synthetic PET images produced by ResNet and CycleGAN models, referred to as RNET and CGAN, respectively, were evaluated by two nuclear medicine physicians using a five-point scoring. Quantitative metrics, including structural similarity index (SSIM), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), mean square error (MSE) and standardized uptake value (SUV) bias were calculated within the left/right lung, brain, liver, and one hundred hot spots (malignant lesions) in PET images predicted using CGAN and RNET models. The physicians assigned scores of 3.88 and 4.92 (out of 5) to the CGAN-predicted FD PET images for the neck & trunk and brain regions, respectively. Considering the PSNR and SSIM metrics, the CGAN model exhibited superior performance with PSNR=39.08±3.56 and SSIM=0.97±0.02 compared to the RNET model with PSNR=34.91±1.50 and SSIM=0.93±0.04. Overall, the CGAN model outperformed the RNET model exhibiting lower SUV bias and higher image quality in the predicted FD PET images.
Brain Distribution of Berzosertib: An Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3-Related Protein Inhibitor for the Treatment of Glioblastoma.

The effective treatment of brain tumors is a considerable challenge in part because of the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that limits drug delivery. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive and infiltrative primary brain tumor with an extremely poor prognosis after standard-of-care therapy with surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and chemotherapy. DNA damage response (DDR) pathways play a critical role in DNA repair in cancer cells, and inhibition of these pathways can potentially augment RT and chemotherapy tumor cell toxicity. The ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) kinase is a key regulator of the DDR network and is potently and selectively inhibited by the ATR inhibitor berzosertib. Although in vitro studies demonstrate a synergistic effect of berzosertib in combination with temozolomide, in vivo efficacy studies have yet to recapitulate this observation using intracranial tumor models. In the current study, we demonstrate that delivery of berzosertib to the brain is restricted by efflux at the BBB. Berzosertib has a high binding affinity to brain tissue compared with plasma, thereby leading to low free drug concentrations in the brain. Berzosertib distribution is heterogenous within the tumor, wherein concentrations are substantially lower in normal brain and invasive tumor rim (wherein the BBB is intact) when compared with those in the tumor core (wherein the BBB is leaky). These results demonstrate that high tissue binding and limited and heterogenous brain distribution of berzosertib may be important factors that influence the efficacy of berzosertib therapy in GBM. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study examined the brain delivery and efficacy of berzosertib in patient-derived xenograft models of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Berzosertib is actively effluxed at the blood-brain barrier and is highly bound to brain tissue, leading to low free drug concentrations in the brain. Berzosertib is heterogeneously distributed into different regions of the brain and tumor and, in this study, was not efficacious in vivo when combined with temozolomide. These factors inform the future clinical utility of berzosertib for GBM.
Using artificial neural networks to improve phosphorus indices

The phosphorus index (PI) was developed as a field-scale assessment tool used to identify critical source areas of phosphorus (P) loss, thus most US states have adopted the PI as their strategy for targeted management and conservation practices for effective mitigation of P loss from agricultural landscapes to surface waters. Recent studies have focused on evaluating and updating PI weighting factors (WFs) to ensure agreement between PI values and measured losses of P. Given that the WF of each site characteristic is usually determined individually without considering possible interactions, the goal of this study was to demonstrate how artificial neural networks (ANNs) that consider real-world interdependence can be used to determine WFs. Our specific objectives were to evaluate ANN performance for predicting soluble P (SP) concentrations in tile effluent using site characteristics as predictor variables, and to evaluate whether ANN-generated WFs can be used to improve PI performance. Garson’s algorithm was used to determine the relative importance of each site characteristic to SP loss. Data from a monitored in-field laboratory were used to evaluate the ability of a PI with no WFs (PINO), a PI with WFs as proposed in the original Lemunyon and Gilbert PI (PILG), and a PI with ANN-generated WFs (PIANN), to estimate SP loss potential in tile discharge. Simulation results showed that the ANN model provided reliable estimates of SP in tile effluent (R2 = 0.99; RMSE = 0.0024). The relative importance analysis underscored the value of routine soil P testing for agronomic sufficiency for environmental stewardship, and highlighted the necessity of prioritizing both contemporary and legacy P sources during P loss risk assessments. Unlike the other PIs, PIANN was able to provide reasonable estimates of SP loss potential as illustrated with significant exponential relationships (R2 = 0.60; p
Concurrent Use of E-cigarettes, Combustible Cigarettes, and Marijuana.

OBJECTIVE Subgroups of adolescent single and dual e-cigarette and cigarette users have been identified, but usage patterns have changed in recent years, and there has been an increase in marijuana use. Research is needed with current data to identify subgroups of use including marijuana and determine their behavioral correlates. METHODS We cross classified ever and recent use of e-cigarettes, combustible cigarettes, and marijuana among US high school students in the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), providing 8 different groups. Levels of 14 risk and protective factors were compared across groups in general linear models with demographic covariates using omnibus tests, pairwise comparisons, and planned contrasts. Replicability was tested through identical analyses for 2017 YRBS data. RESULTS The nonuser group was 43.9% of the sample. The most frequent user groups were triple users (ever-use proportion: 16.9%), dual (e-cigarette and marijuana) users (15.8%), and exclusive e-cigarette users (13.2%). For risk profiles on levels of psychosocial variables, the triple-user group was typically elevated above all other groups. Exclusive e-cigarette users were above nonusers in risk profile but below dual users (both cigarettes and marijuana). Results were similar for ever use and recent use. The patterning of results in 2019 YRBS data were closely replicated in 2017 YRBS data. CONCLUSIONS Co-occurrence of e-cigarette, cigarette, and marijuana use is currently substantial among adolescents and is associated with an elevated psychosocial risk profile. This has implications for both epidemiology and prevention studies. Further research is needed to study prevalence and identify pathways to triple use.
The Doha Declaration at Twenty: Interpretation, Implementation, and Lessons Learned on the Relationship Between the TRIPS Agreement and Global Health (preprint)

In the two decades since adoption of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health (“Doha Declaration”), it has been the subject of intense debate. The Declaration sets out WTO Members’ understanding of the relationship between the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (“TRIPS Agreement”) and global health;recognizes the existence of “flexibilities” in the Agreement;and identifies (in Paragraph 6) a “problem” that required “an expeditious solution.” In line with Paragraph 6, WTO Members ultimately agreed to amend the TRIPS Agreement to enable compulsory licensing for export to countries with insufficient pharmaceutical manufacturing capacities. This article reviews and interprets the language of the Doha Declaration, and considers its legal status. The article then examines practical experiences with the system established pursuant to Paragraph 6, drawing conclusions about that system and, more generally, compulsory licensing. Compulsory licensing is often a deeply flawed means to the critically important end of increasing access to medicines, and may ultimately be counterproductive to a country’s objectives of improving public health. The article also explains how the ongoing development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics provides real-world confirmation of the importance of intellectual property protection for incentivizing investments in R&D and fostering voluntary collaborations. It considers that proposals to reduce intellectual property protection in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic may reduce the pace of collaborations that are essential to producing the billions of vaccine doses needed in the coming months, while leaving the world unprepared for the next pandemic.
Evidence For and Against the Kinins as Endogenous Mediators of Arthritis

That the kallikreins, the specific endogenous enzymes which liberate the kinins, are capable of increasing capillary permeability has been known for three decades (1,2). However, it was not until the kinins were isolated and synthesized in the early 1960s that they were found to be among the most potent agents in this regard (3–9). Preliminary electron microscopic observations suggested that the kinins may increase capillary permeability by causing a marked discontinuity in the endothelium of the capillaries (with intact subendothelial membrane) (10). Other investigators have provided evidence to suggest that these polypeptides increase venous pressure (11) or elevate capillary hydrostatic pressure (12) which leads to the production of edema. Since the pharmacological properties of the kinins (13) are such that they can reproduce some, although not all, of the clinical symptoms of arthritis, these polypeptides, like other chemical mediators, may contribute to the inflammatory synovial reaction seen in arthritides of varying etiology.
The Application of Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy During Flour Milling and Wheat Processing

Light and scanning electron microscopy have been employed as part of an on-going study on the effect of the milling system on flour composition and quality. Examples are given of some areas where microscopy has been particularly useful in understanding the functional changes that take place during milling or the subsequent processing of the flour . The use of heavy reduction roll pressures was shown to modify gluten protein quality as well as produce the desired increase in starch damage. The use of in-line impact machines not only disrupted flaked flour particles but also fragmented wheat germ and allowed it to enter the flour . This reduced the dough mixing time and influenced the improver requirement. Microstructural studies also assisted in establishing production methods for two Middle-Eastern wheat products and formed an integral part of a study that investigated the factors influencing noodle quality . Initial paper received January 23, 1985. Final ma nu script received May 1, 1985. Direct inquiries to R. Mos s . Telephone number: 02 88 021 1.
Pricing of Software Services.

Author(s): Bala, R.; Carr, S. C. | Abstract: We analyze and compare fixed-fee and usage-fee software pricing schemes - in fixed-fee pricing, all users pay the same price; in usage-fee pricing, the users’ fees depend on the amount that they use the software (e.g., the user of an online-database service might be charged for each data query). We employ a two-dimensional model of customer heterogeneity - specifically, we assume that customers vary in the amount that they will use the software (usage heterogeneity) and also in their per-use valuation of the software.To understand the performance of these pricing schemes and their sensitivity to the competitive environment in which they are used, we look at a number of different scenarios: a monopolist offering just one of these schemes, a monopolist offering a choice of pricing schemes, and several duopoly scenarios. We characterize and compare the equilibria that arise in these scenarios and provide insights into optimal pricing strategies.
Distributed feedback lasers integrated with micromachined wavelength meters for dense WDM systems

Summary form only given. In conclusion, a single-chip micro-optical system consists of a DFB laser and a surface micromachined precision wavelength meter an a Si free-space micro-optical bench has been demonstrated for the first time, to our knowledge. A wavelength sensitivity of 0.26 V/nm, and a resolution of 0.3 nm have been demonstrated. The photodetector and the electronic circuits could potentially be integrated on the same Si chip to realize a very compact, light weight and low-cost optical source for dense WDM systems.
A procedure for accurate calibration of a tabletop haploscope AR environment

In previous papers, a novel haploscope-based AR environment was implemented [1, 3]. In that system, a participant looks through a set of reflective lenses onto a real-world environment. However, at the same time, there are monitors to the side displaying a virtual object. This object is reflected onto the lenses and is thus, from the viewpoint of the participant, overlaid onto the real environment. In Hua [1], some initial work was done designing a calibration procedure for this haploscope-based AR environment. The current work seeks to modify and expand Hua's original calibration procedure to make it both more effective and more efficient. As part of developing this new calibration procedure, this paper examines potential sources of error and recommends processes and steps for reducing or eliminating these potential error sources.
Using geometric rewrite rules for solving geometric problems symbolically

Abstract This paper describes the theoretical framework of a geometric problem solver based on rewrite rules which were directly derived from axioms of Euclidean geometry. Completeness and termination of the system were obtained by making the set of rewrite rules locally confluent and by introducing a simple, well-founded ordering. This research presents a first step in finding a geometric alternative to the numerical and computer algebra methods currently used for such problems and, thus, has the potential of supporting geometric applications such as computer-aided geometric design.
Reflections on Interdisciplinary Teamwork in Service-Learning

This article examines partnership experiences in a community-based research project that involved an interdisciplinary team composed of nursing and social work clinical faculty and graduate students. Using Bronfenbrenner’s social ecology theory, the project assessed individual and community levels of health and quality of life in a low-income housing community. Students were involved in research activities that required community collaboration and needs assessment. They also actively engaged community members in problem solving related to their health concerns. The effects of these experiences on student learning were examined using a student reflection technique. Service-learning activities led to mutual positive regard, increased cultural sensitivity, improved organizational and research skills, growth in ethical decision making, and valuing interdisciplinary teamwork. These findings are discussed in light of the literature on the social determinants of health. Reflection on work in an interdisciplinary team and the importance of mutuality in relationships with community members were determined to be important considerations in service-learning. Student learning in this setting has implications for graduate teaching and learning, and the conduct of research. Keywords : service-learning, research, health disparities, community, reflection, graduate student
Treading Through Trade-Through: A Law and Economics Analysis of Sec Proposed Regulation Nms

The Note, being the first comprehensive critique of the SEC's Reproposed Regulation NMS, tries to evaluate the core Trade-Through Rule from an interdisciplinary perspective, expose some of the problems that can arise as a consequence of the rule and expound on certain approaches which may offer better alternatives. To be sure, the newly reproposed Regulation NMS scores many strong points in making regulations more align with the evolving market realities. Even the much criticized trade-through rule reflects laudable efforts by the SEC to reconcile divergent interests of various market constituents. Nevertheless, the unbalanced competitive strengths of NYSE, which holds the largest liquidity pool and offers best opportunities for price improvement but lags behind in terms of fast execution and other dimensions of execution quality, would make SEC's balancing act of engrafting flexible exceptions on a rigid best price rule untenable to improving liquidity and price discovery, and unappealing to electronic markets competing on multiple dimensions of execution quality. In light of a new environment where investors now demand more than low execution costs and markets compete not just on the basis of price, an all encompassing standard of best execution would be better suited, to balancing multidimensional needs of investors with a necessary degree of uniformity in regulating a broker's duty to seek best price across markets. The bottom line is that a piecemeal approach within the confine of the old NMS framework and without the recognition of changing governance structures and evolving economic function of stock exchanges will never prove to be satisfactory and the time has ripened to a point where the SEC should reassess its role in market regulation before articulating a new set of guidelines for the future of U.S. securities market.
Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica polydysplastica. A case of anesthetic management in oral surgery.

Abstract Epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica is a rare disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes. Manifest at birth, it is characterized by poor dentition, esophageal strictures, syndactyly, and severe chronic anemia. Our 12-year-old patient required extensive dental treatment which necessitated overcoming problems of anesthesia as well as developing a technique of management that provided maximum safety and a minimum of discomfort. Transmission electron microscopy of sections of the gingiva revealed possible degenerative collagen fibers and an interrupted basement membrane. Anchoring fibrils normally found in the connective tissue beneath the epithelium were absent.
cDNA cloning of a dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel from rat aorta : evidence for the existence of alternatively spliced forms

Several complementary DNAs have been isolated from rat aorta cDNA libraries that encode the alpha 1 subunit of the L-type dihydropyridine-sensitive voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC). The clones were isolated using previously cloned rabbit skeletal and cardiac VDCC cDNAs as well as newly isolated rat aorta cDNA clones as probes. The complete nucleotide sequence of the 8305-base pair aortic alpha 1 cDNA codes for a protein of 2169 amino acids, which corresponds to an Mr of 243,615. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibits 93 and 65% amino acid identity with previously cloned rabbit cardiac and rabbit skeletal muscle dihydropyridine-sensitive VDCCs, respectively. The close identity of the aortic alpha 1 cDNA with cardiac alpha 1 cDNAs suggests that they arise from the same gene. Specific divergent areas of the aortic cDNA suggest that this cDNA represents an alternatively spliced form. We report the existence of two forms of a specific region within this aortic cDNA which also exists in cardiac tissue. This evidence supports the existence of alternative splicing for calcium channel cDNAs, a mechanism which provides diversity and potential tissue-specific isoforms of the L-type VDCC. The rat aorta alpha 1 isoform has a message size of 8.6 kilobases (kb). Rat aorta also contains additional transcripts of 12.0 and 6.5 kb. Northern blot analysis of poly(A)+ RNA from several rat tissues including heart, brain, and several smooth muscles reveals the co-existence of the 8.6- and 12.0-kb mRNA species but not the 6.5-kb species. Southern analysis of rat genomic DNA reveals a low copy number of the gene encoding this type of calcium channel.
The crystal structure of the mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3019c‐Rv3020c ESX complex reveals a domain‐swapped heterotetramer

Mycobacterium tuberculosis encodes five gene clusters (ESX-1 to ESX-5) for Type VII protein secretion systems that are implicated in mycobacterial pathogenicity. Substrates for the secretion apparatus are encoded within the gene clusters and in additional loci that lack the components of the secretion apparatus. The best characterized substrates are the ESX complexes, 1:1 heterodimers of ESAT-6 and CFP-10, the prototypical member that has been shown to be essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis. We have determined the structure of EsxRS, a homolog of EsxGH of the ESX-3 gene cluster, at 1.91 A resolution. The EsxRS structure is composed of two four-helix bundles resulting from the 3D domain swapping of the C-terminal domain of EsxS, the CFP-10 homolog. The four-helix bundles at the extremities of the complex have a similar architecture to the structure of ESAT-6·CFP-10 (EsxAB) of ESX-1, but in EsxRS a hinge loop linking the α-helical domains of EsxS undergoes a loop-to-helix transition that creates the domain swapped EsxRS tetramer. Based on the atomic structure of EsxRS and existing biochemical data on ESX complexes, we propose that higher order ESX oligomers may increase avidity of ESX binding to host receptor molecules or, alternatively, the conformational change that creates the domain swapped structure may be the basis of ESX complex dissociation that would free ESAT-6 to exert a cytotoxic effect.
Is It Big Brotherness

Once again, Dr. Kempe has spoken on behalf of children everywhere in his article on family intervention.1 Certainly this tireless crusader from Colorado has few peers when it comes to expounding on the rights of children. However, on reading his plea for home visitors such as those used in Scotland and Holland, I can9t help but hear the bells of the socialistic society ringing through our land. One recalls the old adage "You can lead a horse to water but you can9t make him drink."
A Modern Integration of Cognitive and Computer Sciences

Cognitive and Computer sciences have a long history of shared concepts and shared terminology. This paper explores a radical way of interdisciplinary thinking that ventures beyond loosely modeled metaphorical applications of computer systems and the use of terminology with mere face validity. Our focus is on interdisciplinary conceptual, structure and process commonalities. We provide an example of the discovery of shared concepts, knowledge structures and a common mental model using semantic memory organization in humans and object oriented programming, in particular the principle of inheritance. We discuss whether JAVA applications forget and suggest further research topics.
Reducing Interruptions in the Reading Room: Standardized CT/MRI Contrast Orders.

THE PROBLEM One major source of interruptions in workflow that we identified in our academic practice was phone calls to the radiology reading room from technologists and nursing staff members requesting written prescription orders for oral and intravenous contrast and prescription of protocols to be entered into our computerized protocoling system. Technologists would routinely call for protocols and nurses would call for contrast media, with potentially a minimum of two phone calls per patient examination. Although prescribing imaging protocols and contrast orders are essential tasks for quality patient care, this pattern of workflow in our department was problematic, inevitability leading to delays and interruptions of patient care at multiple levels. For patients, wait times were potentially prolonged because orders were not in place in advance of patients’ arrival to the department. For technologists and nurses, the time spent trying to contact physicians negatively affected throughput and could potentially lead to errors due to interruptions in their workflow. For radiologists, interruptions in the reading room lead to prolonged turnaround times, foreshortened consultations with referring clinicians and readout sessions with trainees and potential errors in image interpretation or reports. Error rates in interpretations rendered by radiologists range from
Comprehensive Program for Handling Hazardous Drugs

Development and implementation of a comprehensive program for safe handling of hazardous drugs is described. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary program for handling hazardous drugs was developed at a 1000-bed tertiary care, university teaching institution. Hazardous drugs were identified by a hazardous-drug working group consisting of occupational health professionals, pharmacists, and an industrial hygienist. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 1986 handling guidelines were used as a template, with input solicited from pharmacy staff and from other institutions. A new system for receiving, storing, and transporting hazardous drugs--which also included new labeling for such drugs--was implemented. The new guidelines were discussed with the staff, with emphasis placed on absolute compliance and incorporation of the guidelines into standard operating procedures and daily pharmacy practices. All pharmacy employees underwent retraining to ensure complete understanding. A voluntary medical surveillance program for pharmacy employees was developed concomitantly to monitor exposure to genotoxic hazardous drugs. Implementation of a comprehensive program for safe handling of hazardous drugs increased employee understanding of the need for such a program and improved the hospital's compliance with recent OSHA regulations.