cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Capturing Identity and Fate Ex Vivo: Stem Cells from the Mouse Blastocyst

During mouse preimplantation development, three molecularly, morphologically, and spatially distinct lineages are formed, the embryonic epiblast, the extraembryonic primitive endoderm, and the trophectoderm. Stem cell lines representing each of these lineages have now been derived and can be indefinitely maintained and expanded in culture, providing an unlimited source of material to study the interplay of tissue-specific transcription factors and signaling pathways involved in these fundamental cell fate decisions. Here we outline our current understanding of the derivation, maintenance, and properties of these in vitro stem cell models representing the preimplantation embryonic lineages.
CHRONOLOGY OF OCCUPATION AT GREENWICH COVE

Before considering the subsistence remains at Greenwich Cove, one must order the deposits chronologically into appropriate units of analysis. This procedure is complex for shell middens, but it must precede any study that proposes to examine temporal trends. The problem faced by excavators of shell middens is ascertaining what originally belongs with what and demonstrating that the analytical units selected are based on criteria more powerful than simple spatial association. The deposits at the Greenwich Cove site can be divided into a series of six occupations. These divisions represent the minimum number of depositional episodes at the site and do not necessarily indicate the absolute number of visits made by prehistoric peoples. Of the six occupations proposed for the Greenwich Cove site, five are defined exclusively on the basis of excavations in the shell midden. The remaining Late Archaic component is found over a much larger area, but it is not associated with ny substantial biological remains. The earliest occupation of the Greenwich Cove site occurred during the Late Archaic; it is defined solely on the basis of diagnostic projectile points and associated lithic artifacts. The artifacts characteristic of the small-stemmed point tradition make up the bulk of the Late Archaic points, but other types, such as Brewerton and Snook Kill, are also present in small numbers.
Comprehensive description of deformation and fracture of solids as wave dynamics

A field theory of deformation and fracture is presented. Applying the principle of local symmetry to the law of elasticity, this theory is capable of describing elastic deformation, plastic deforma...
Connections and Disconnections between Levels of Representation and Expression

In which of these instances is it appropriate and advisable to use the verbal approach to imagery, and in which is it more appropriate to use the different aspects of visual expression? How does the use of media influence the different levels of imagery?
Charged-particle transport in biomolecular media: the third generation.

We describe Monte Carlo codes that simulate, event by event, the interaction of energetic electrons with a double-stranded DNA molecule and with the condensed water surrounding it. Both direct and indirect effects are treated explicitly. The cross-sectional input necessary in the transport codes was obtained via quantum-mechanical calculations of the dielectric response function, e(q,ω), of polycytidine. For each inelastic event on DNA we score the energy deposited locally, the position of the event and the moiety that underwent that event. This information provides a detailed picture of the spatial disposition of molecular alterations for DNA exposed to ionizing radiation.
Investigation Of Reconstructed Image Quality In Spect

Several fundamental variables, which can significantly effect the quality of reconstructed images in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) obtained remain. These are attenuation, spatial resolution, scatter, and noise as well as linear and angular sampling. At present, serious controversy is the choice of angular data sampling. The question is whether angular data sampling around complete 360' rotation is necessary or a limited 180' arc would be sufficient. Data obtained from point source in addition to a three-dimensional analytical, non-stationary simulation study are used. The results of these studies have confirmed that the 180' reconstructed images suffer more severely than 360' images from variable geometric distortion.
Retrospective analysis in oculocutaneous albinism patients for the 2.7 kb deletion in the OCA2 gene revealed a co-segregation of the controversial variant, p.R305W.

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is an autosomal recessive disorder. A significant portion of OCA patients has been found with a single pathogenic variant either in the TYR or the OCA2 gene. Diagnostic sequencing of the TYR and OCA2 genes is routinely used for molecular diagnosis of OCA subtypes. To study the possibility that genomic abnormalities with single or multiple exon involvement may account for a portion of the potential missing pathogenic variants (the second), we retrospectively analyzed the TYR gene by long range PCR and analyzed the target 2.7 kb deletion in the OCA2 gene spanning exon 7 in OCA patients with a single pathogenic variant in the target genes. In the 108 patients analyzed, we found that one patient was heterozygous for the 2.7 kb OCA2 gene deletion and this patient was positive with one pathogenic variant and one possibly pathogenic variant [c.1103C>T (p.Ala368Val) + c.913C>T (p.R305W)]. Further analysis of maternal DNA, and two additional OCA DNA homozygous for the 2.7 kb deletion, revealed that the phenotypically normal mother is heterozygous of the 2.7 kb deletion and homozygous of the p.R305W. The two previously reported patients with homozygous of the 2.7 kb deletion are also homozygous of p.R305W. Among the reported pathogenic variants, the pathogenicity of the p.R305W has been discussed intensively in literature. Our results indicate that p.R305W is unlikely a pathogenic variant. The possibility of linkage disequilibrium between p.R305W with the 2.7 kb deletion in OCA2 gene is also suggested.
Semantic Web Knowledge Management

The aim of the Semantic Web is to allow access to more advanced knowledge managment by organizing knowledge in conceptual space according to its meaning. Semantic Web agents will use the techniligies of the Semantic Web to identfy and extract information from Web sources. However, the implementation of the Semantic web has a problem, namely, that the Semantic Web ignores the different types of already-existing resources in the current implementation of the Web. As a result, many of the resources will not be included in the conceptual spaces of the Semantic Web. This research introduces a framework that catalog allows mulit-access points to different resources, and it allows agents to discover the sought-after knowledge. This catalog can be established through the creation of a framework that helps computer-to-computer communication, knowledge management, and imformation retrieval general.
Crystalline Coordination Networks of Zero-Valent Metal Centers: Formation of a 3-Dimensional Ni(0) Framework with m-Terphenyl Diisocyanides.

A permanently porous, three-dimensional metal–organic material formed from zero-valent metal nodes is presented. Combination of ditopic m-terphenyl diisocyanide, [CNArMes2]2, and the d10 Ni(0) precursor Ni(COD)2, produces a porous metal–organic material featuring tetrahedral [Ni(CNArMes2)4]n structural sites. X-ray absorption spectroscopy provides firm evidence for the presence of Ni(0) centers, whereas gas-sorption and thermogravimetric analysis reveal the characteristics of a robust network with a microdomain N2-adsorption profile.
Oral fluoroquinolones and the incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and symptomatic retinal breaks: a population-based study.

Objective To examine whether oral fluoroquinolone antibiotics are associated with an increase in subsequent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and symptomatic retinal breaks in a large population-based cohort. Design Population-based cohort study. Participants and Controls Adult residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who were prescribed oral fluoroquinolone medications from January 1, 2003, to June 30, 2011. Comparison cohorts consisted of patients prescribed oral macrolide and β-lactam antibiotics during the study period. Methods Procedure codes were used to identify retinal detachment repair and prophylaxis procedures occurring within 1 year of prescription dates. Travel clinic, pro re nata, and self-treatment prescriptions were excluded. Patients with tractional retinal detachment, previous retinal detachment repair, endophthalmitis, and necrotizing retinitis were excluded, as were those with intraocular surgery or severe head/eye trauma ≤90 days before the procedure. Main Outcome Measures Rates of retinal detachment repair and prophylaxis procedures within 7, 30, 90, and 365 days of the first prescription were calculated and compared between antibiotic prescription cohorts using chi-square tests. Retinal detachment repair rates also were compared with the expected Olmsted County, Minnesota, rates using the one-sample log-rank test. Results Oral fluoroquinolones were prescribed for 38 046 patients (macrolide n = 48 074, β-lactam n = 69 079) during the study period. Retinal detachment repair procedures were performed within 365 days of the first prescription in 0.03% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01–0.06) of the fluoroquinolone cohort, 0.02% (95% CI, 0.01–0.03) of the macrolide cohort, and 0.03% (95% CI, 0.02–0.05) of the β-lactam cohort ( P > 0.05). Retinal detachment prophylaxis procedures for symptomatic retinal breaks were performed within 365 days of the first prescription in 0.01% (95% CI, 0.00–0.03) of the fluoroquinolone cohort, 0.02% (95% CI, 0.01–0.04) of the macrolide cohort, and 0.02% (95% CI, 0.01–0.04) of the β-lactam cohort ( P > 0.05). Similar comparisons of treatment rates within 7, 30, and 90 days of the first prescription were all nonsignificant between cohorts. Post-fluoroquinolone retinal detachment repair rates were similar to expected rates (36.8 per 100 000/year vs. 28.8 per 100 000/year for age- and sex-matched historical rates, P = 0.35). Conclusions Oral fluoroquinolone use was not associated with an increased risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment or symptomatic retinal breaks in this population-based study.
FRET Detects the Size of Nanodomains for Coexisting Liquid-Disordered and Liquid-Ordered Phases

Abstract Biomembranes with as few as three lipid components can form coexisting liquid-disordered (Ld) and liquid-ordered (Lo) phases. In the coexistence region of Ld and Lo phases, the lipid mixtures 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC)/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC)/chol or brain sphingomyelin (bSM)/DOPC/chol form micron-scale domains that are easily visualized with light microscopy. Although large domains are not observed in the mixtures DSPC/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)/chol and bSM/POPC/chol, lateral heterogeneity is nevertheless detected using techniques with nanometer-scale spatial resolution. We propose a simple and accessible method to measure domain sizes below optical resolution (∼200 nm). We measured nanodomain size for the latter two mixtures by combining experimental Forster resonance energy transfer data with a Monte-Carlo-based analysis. We found a domain radius of 7.5−10 nm for DSPC/POPC/chol, similar to values obtained previously by neutron scattering, and ∼5 nm for bSM/POPC/chol, slightly smaller than measurable by neutron scattering. These analyses also detect the domain-size transition that is observed by fluorescence microscopy in the four-component lipid mixture bSM/DOPC/POPC/chol. Accurate measurements of fluorescent-probe partition coefficients are especially important for the analysis; therefore, we exploit three different methods to measure the partition coefficient of fluorescent molecules between Ld and Lo phases.
Hearing and quality of life in older adults.

Objectives We assessed quality of life (QoL) in older adults with and without hearing loss (HL) and studied how hearing aids were associated with QoL. We hypothesized participants with normal hearing would have significantly better QoL than participants with HL and hearing aids, and participants with HL but no aids would have the worst QoL. Method At the University of Alabama and rural public health departments in surrounding counties, we tested 100 males and females aged 60-87 using pure-tone audiometry. They completed Short Form-36 and Medical Outcome Study assessments. We analyzed data with MANCOVA (covariate income). Results Participants without hearing aids had significantly poorer QoL than participants with normal hearing, who did not significantly differ from participants with aids. General health drove the difference. Conclusions Hearing aids are associated with better QoL than having HL and going without aids. Clinical psychologists can improve coping among those with HL and motivate hearing aid use.
Organization and Regulation of Rhizobius meliloti and Parasponia Bradyrhizobium Nitrogen Fixation Genes

Most of what is known about the control of nif gene expression in Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium species has been obtained by analogy with the more detailed knowledge of the regulation of nif genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Myokardfibrose: Die Rolle von Angiotensin II und Aldosteron

In diesem Bericht geben wir einen Uberblick uber die Ersatz- (d. h. Bildung von Narbengewebe) und die reaktiven fibrosen Gewebsveranderungen (d. h. perivaskulare und interstitielle Fibrose), die man im Myokard als Reaktion auf Effektorhormone des Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-Systems findet. Es werden experimentelle Daten vorgestellt um zu zeigen, das a) endogene oder exogene Erhohungen von Angiotensin II im Plasma mit einer akuten Nekrose kardialer Myozyten einhergehen und das es daraufhin zu einer mikroskopisch nachweisbaren Narbenbildung kommt; b) chronische Erhohungen des Aldosterons (ALDO) im Plasma, die mit der Na+-Zufuhr zusammenhangen, mit einer perivaskularen und interstitiellen Fibrose des koronaren und des systematischen Kreislaufs einhergehen, und das man diese Erhohungen auch als Reaktion auf eine chronische Verabreichung des Mineralcorticoidhormons Deoxycorticosteron (DOC) beobachten kann; und c) ein chronischer Mineralcorticoiduberschus aufgrund von ALDO oder DOC mit einer vermehrten K+-Ausscheidung im Urin zusammenhangt, mit einer Nekrose kardialer Myozyten und mit einer Narbenbildung. Pharmakologische Substanzen, die mit diesen Effektorhormonen interferieren (d. h. ACE-Inhibition und ALDO-Rezeptor-Antagonismus) schutzen das Myokard vor diesem pathologischen strukturellen Umbau, der von der reaktiven und Ersatz- (reparativen) Fibrose hervorgerufen wird. Es werden auch Anhaltspunkte vorgestellt, die darauf hinweisen, das eine chronische ACE-Inhibition mit einer Regression der reaktiven Myokardfibrose einhergeht. Aufgrund dieser experimentellen Befunde mochten wir vorschlagen, das klinische Untersuchungen angezeigt sind, die die Pravention und Regression der Myokardfibrose zum Gegenstand haben — eine wichtige Determinante des pathologischen strukturellen Umbaus und der abnormen Myokardstarre.
The Safety Characteristics of LaNi5 Hydrides

Experimental studies have been conducted to determine the limits of safety in handling, shipping, and usage of LaNi hydride. Emphasis has been given to the accident-oriented safety problems such as punctured containers, impact, explosion, shock, and external fire. Various aspects of hazards have been evaluated for bulk powders; the ignition temperature, the relative combustibility, flammability, shock sensitivity, impact sensitivity, electrostatic spark sensitivity and potential explosibility. Since the LaNi5 hydrides break down to powders after repeated absorption and desorption of hydrogen, the ultimate interest in the safety considerations is with fine powders. A characterization study of the particles and particle size was included as part of the study. Another independent study was also made of the safety of dust clouds of LaNi5 hydrides. The ignition sensitivity and explosion severity were determined, and an index of explosibility of dust clouds was established.
The Singapore Summit and Northeast Asian Security

The Singapore summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un committed the DPRK to complete denuclearization. In return, the United States pledged to satisfy key elements of the DPRK’s longstanding aim: an end to US enmity. Denuclearization is unlikely without political and economic normalization, a formal peace treaty to end the Korean War, regional security arrangements, and, ultimately, a US–DPRK alliance long sought by Pyongyang. If implemented, those actions could have profound consequences for the balance of power in Northeast Asia. Such a radical shift could raise concern in Japan, South Korea, China and Russia. To ease their concern, a multilateral solution might be preferable. A nuclear weapons-free zone (NWFZ) could potentially serve as an alternative form of security partnership. A NWFZ could offer an effective substitute for outright alliance by providing the DPRK, once it is certified as nuclear weapons-free, with a guarantee that the United State...
MELAS: Monitoring treatment with magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Background To assess the utility of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) as a biomarker of response to L-arginine in mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). Aims To describe a case of MELAS treated with L-arginine that showed improvement clinically and on serial MRS METHODS: MRS was performed on a 1.5-Tesla scanner to evaluate a MELAS patient before, during, and after intravenous (IV) L-arginine therapy for the treatment of stroke-like episodes. L-arginine was infused at a dose of 500 mg/kg daily for 7 days followed by oral arginine therapy. Results The patient had clinical improvement after treatment with IV L-arginine. MRS performed before, during, and after treatment with IV L-arginine showed significant improvement in brain lactate and increase in the N-acetylaspartate/Choline (NAA/Cho) ratio compared to pre-treatment baseline. Conclusion Serial MRS imaging showed significant improvement in lactate peaks and NAA/Cho ratios that corresponded with clinical improvement after L-arginine therapy. Given this correlation between radiologic and clinical improvement, MRS may be a useful biomarker assessing response to treatment in MELAS.
Prospective Genotyping of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Implications of Next Generation Sequencing for Matching Patients to Targeted and Immune Therapies

Purpose: Prior molecular profiling of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has identified actionable findings that may have a role in guiding therapeutic decision-making and clinical trial enrollment. We implemented prospective next-generation sequencing (NGS) in the clinic to determine whether such analyses provide predictive and/or prognostic information for HCC patients treated with contemporary systemic therapies. Experimental Design: Matched tumor/normal DNA from patients with HCC (N = 127) were analyzed using a hybridization capture–based NGS assay designed to target 341 or more cancer-associated genes. Demographic and treatment data were prospectively collected with the goal of correlating treatment outcomes and drug response with molecular profiles. Results: WNT/β-catenin pathway (45%) and TP53 (33%) alterations were frequent and represented mutually exclusive molecular subsets. In sorafenib-treated patients (n = 81), oncogenic PI3K–mTOR pathway alterations were associated with lower disease control rates (DCR, 8.3% vs. 40.2%), shorter median progression-free survival (PFS; 1.9 vs. 5.3 months), and shorter median overall survival (OS; 10.4 vs. 17.9 months). For patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (n = 31), activating alteration WNT/β-catenin signaling were associated with lower DCR (0% vs. 53%), shorter median PFS (2.0 vs. 7.4 months), and shorter median OS (9.1 vs. 15.2 months). Twenty-four percent of patients harbored potentially actionable alterations including TSC1/2 (8.5%) inactivating/truncating mutations, FGF19 (6.3%) and MET (1.5%) amplifications, and IDH1 missense mutations ( Conclusions: Linking NGS to routine clinical care has the potential to identify those patients with HCC likely to benefit from standard systemic therapies and can be used in an investigational context to match patients to genome-directed targeted therapies. See related commentary by Pinyol et al., p. 2021
Diffuse lamellar keratitis after epi-off corneal crosslinking: An under-recognized complication?

Abstract Purpose To report diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) occurring in an eye that underwent epithelium-off (epi-off) corneal cross-linking (CXL) as a treatment for post-surgical ectasia and the successful treatment of progressive ectasia with a novel epi-on CXL and conductive keratoplasty (CK) treatment. Observations A 42-year-old man presented with corneal ectasia in his right eye 3 years after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. He underwent epi-off corneal CXL using the Dresden protocol. Grade II DLK was diagnosed within days of CXL. Despite successful treatment of DLK, best-corrected visual acuity in the right eye deteriorated over the next 4 months due to progression of ectasia and remained worse than the patient's pre-operative baseline 1 year after epi-off CXL. Because of apparent disease progression, despite his CXL treatment, the patient underwent a novel, transepithelial CXL (TE-CXL) treatment combined with conductive keratoplasty (CK). This treatment improved his vision and stabilized his ectasia without subsequent DLK. Approximately 3 years after CK and TE-CXL, his eye remains stable with 4 Snellen lines of improved vision and no progression of ectasia. Conclusion and importance Epithelium-off CXL is used increasingly to treat post-LASIK ectasia. First, in this case, DLK occurred after epi-off CXL. We suggest careful scrutiny of such cases as DLK is difficult to identify after epi-off CXL. Second, the epi-off CXL was unsuccessful in stopping the post-LASIK ectasia. Transepithelial CXL successfully treated the ongoing ectasia after resolution of the DLK with no subsequent re-occurrence of DLK. We suggest that TE-CXL may provide a successful initial treatment for post-LASIK ectasia that also minimizes the epithelial disruption that can lead to DLK.
Do Sell-Side Analysts Play a Role in Hedge Fund Activism? Evidence from Textual Analysis

We investigate variation in information production by sell-side analysts and its potential role in hedge fund activist intervention, an important external corporate governance mechanism that creates shareholder value. Using textual analysis to derive an activism dictionary from intervention objectives and tactics, we find substantially more activism content in pre-intervention analyst reports of target firms than propensity score matched control firms. Activism content is associated with more detailed reports containing more quantitative information. Target firm activism-date stock returns are significantly higher when 13D filings are supported by reports with more general and objective-specific activism content. 31.9% of activists’ public letters to stakeholders directly mention sell-side analysis, amplifying the association between target returns and analyst report information. The relationship between analyst information and activism returns is robust to using brokerage closures as an exogenous shock, is consistent with analyst incentives, but is inconsistent with a “quid pro quo” explanation. Activist funds with no prior disclosed position in target firms and more experienced funds capture higher returns from sell-side information. Overall, our results suggest sell-side analysts play a significant informational role supporting hedge fund activism.
Regionalization of thoracic surgery improves short-term cancer esophagectomy outcomes.

Background: Some studies have found that outcomes from cancer esophagectomy are better at higher-volume centers than at lower-volume centers. Reports on outcomes following systematic centralization have largely demonstrated subsequent improvements, but these originate in nationalized healthcare systems that are not very comparable to the heterogeneous private-payer systems that predominate in the United States. We examined how regionalization of thoracic surgery to Centers of Excellence (CoE) within our American integrated healthcare system changed overall care for our patients, and whether it changed outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 461 consecutive patients undergoing cancer esophagectomy between 2009–2016, spanning the 2014 shift to regionalization. High-volume was defined as ≥5 esophagectomies per year. We compared characteristics of the surgeon, hospital, and operation pre- and post-regionalization using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and Kruskal-Wallis test for age. We evaluated their associations with patient outcomes with hierarchical linear and logistic mixed models, which adjusted for clustering within surgeon and facility levels and relevant covariates. Results: While there was no difference in their baseline demographics, patients undergoing esophagectomy post-regionalization were much more likely to have their surgery performed at a designated Center of Excellence (78.8% of cases versus 34.2%, P Conclusions: Regionalization of thoracic surgery in our hospital system resulted in esophagectomies being performed by more experienced surgeons at higher-volume centers, with a concomitant improvement in short-term outcomes. Patients undergoing esophagectomy, particularly MIE, post-regionalization benefited significantly from decreased LOS and perioperative complication rate. Our results suggest that, in a large integrated healthcare system, regionalization significantly improves overall outcomes for patients undergoing cancer esophagectomy.
Interfacial electron transfer in dye-sensitized mixed metal oxides for water splitting

Interfacial electron transfer (IET) dynamics have been measured in a series of dye-sensitized metal oxides commonly using in water splitting dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells using optical-pump terahertz-probe spectroscopy. The IET dynamics were compared using a model that allows for the relative contributions of injection from the singlet and triplet excited states of the dye to be distinguished. In addition, we present a newly developed method for performing terahertz (THz) measurements under potentiostatic control (i.e., THz spectroelectrochemistry).
“Do You Want to Be a Well-Informed Citizen, or Do You Want to Be Sane?” Social Media, Disability, Mental Health, and Political Marginality:

This article examines the experiences of people with disabilities, a traditionally marginalized group in US politics, with social media platforms during the 2016 presidential election. Using focus ...
Isolated surgical left atrial appendage closure: Revisiting utility and indications in a burgeoning era of percutaneous therapy.

Background and aim Oral anticoagulation (AC) and percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion are the primary treatment modalities for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF), but there remains a subset of patients in whom these approaches present excess risk and isolated surgical LAA excision should be considered. We describe a 63-year-old female with AF and recurrent thromboembolic events who presented with an acute intraparenchymal hemorrhage and was found to have an intracardiac thrombus. Methods Given contraindications to AC and LAA occlusion, an isolated LAA surgical excision was pursued. Results She underwent successful surgical LAA excision and has since remained event-free. Conclusion It is important to recall the utility of therapies that have been previously used with success for intracardiac thrombi and still remain as viable options.
Evaluating the Relationship of Social Service Usage to Neighborhood Community for Older Adults: A Case Study:

Older adults who live in cities can cultivate a sense of neighborhood community that mitigates problems like poverty and ill health. However, it is not certain residence in urban neighborhoods is a...
Using the Research Literature to Develop an Adaptive Intervention to Improve Student Explanations of an SN1 Reaction Mechanism

Two key topics of many second-year organic chemistry courses are substitution and elimination reactions. Predicting and explaining substitution and elimination reactions tends to be a challenging t...
David Oliver: Should doctors be on first name terms?

I work in an 800 bed hospital employing over 4000 people, yet everyone knows the chief executive and the chief operating officer as “Steve” and “Dom.” Earlier in my career, you’d often hear nurses addressed as “Nurse/Sister/Matron” and their surname, but I haven’t heard that for years. Many NHS doctors, by contrast, still seem keen on using professional titles among ourselves or with patients. We’re perhaps no longer wedded to it and moving towards informality: I know that some doctors in general practice or outpatient clinics are on first name terms with familiar patients. In my own hospital, first names (plus roles for that day) are used for group handovers in acute areas and are common in emergency medicine, as well as anaesthetics and intensive care. This is part of a wider focus on patient safety and a human factors culture. …
Hearing in Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus): sensitivity to infrasound.

Despite the excitement that followed the report of infrasound sensitivity in pigeons 40 years ago, there has been limited followup, with only eleven species of birds having auditory thresholds at frequencies below 250 Hz. With such sparse data on low-frequency hearing, there is little understanding of why some birds hear very low frequencies while others do not. To begin to expand the phylogenetic and ecological sample of low-frequency hearing in birds, we determined the behavioral audiogram of the Indian peafowl, Pavo cristatus. Peafowl are thought to use low frequencies generated by the males’ tail feathers and wing flutters during courtship displays, and their crest feathers are reported to resonate at infrasound frequencies. The peafowl were able to respond to frequencies as low as 4 Hz, and their hearing range at 60 dB SPL extended from 29 Hz to 7.065 kHz (7.9 octaves). Removing the crest feathers reduced sensitivity at their resonant frequencies by as much as 7.5 dB, indicating a modest contribution to detectability in that range. However, perforation of the tympanic membranes severely reduced sensitivity to low frequencies, indicating that sensitivity to low frequencies is mediated primarily by the ears and cannot be attributed to some other sensory modality.
Learning process and rational expectations: An analysis using a small macro-economic model for New Zealand

Abstract The nature of expectations matters when conducting monetary policy. Models with a learning process can exhibit very different properties from models with other types of expectation rules. This paper draws on the work of Orphanides and Williams [Orphanides, A., Williams, J.C. 2002. Imperfect knowledge, inflation expectations and monetary policy, Federal Reserve Board Finance and Economics Discussion Series, 2002-27], extending it to allow for the possibility that the learning process may not be perpetual, but rather might be converging towards a rational expectations equilibrium. By modelling expectations using a learning process, we obtain that inflation expectations in New Zealand are moving towards rational expectations. The closer expectations are to rational, the more inflation can be reduced without costs, thus arguing for a rather tough policy aimed at anchoring expectations on the target.
Gender Disparities in Environmental Negotiations

This Article examines the disparities between men and women regarding their success in environmental negotiations as compared to disparities between the genders with regard to success in negotiations in general. As a starting point, the Article explores differences between men and women in negotiation approaches and tactics in general. Based on a review of the current literature, it concludes that women tend to take a more collaborative approach to negotiating than men, which puts them at a disadvantage when facing a more adversarial, male opponent. Subsequently, the Article examines how the observed gender differences in negotiating style would affect success in environmental negotiations. The Article argues that environmental negotiations share certain common characteristics that set them apart from negotiations in general, and concludes that environmental negotiations share certain common characteristics that may work to a woman’s benefit, while also having commonalities that tend to put women at a disadvantage. The Article concludes with a suggestion for empirical research that may confirm or disconfirm the hypotheses put forward with regard to environmental negotiations. The Article offers practical advice on gender issues in environmental negotiations in order to enable women to use their skills in various contexts and learn to overcome their disadvantages in less favorable contexts.
Editorial: a call for more research on authenticity in corporate social responsibility programs

As evidenced by the Business Roundtable’s (2019) revised ‘Statement of the Purpose of a Corporation,’ which commits to companies serving a broader set of stakeholders than just shareholders – inclu...
Practical immunohistochemistry in the classification of salivary gland neoplasms.

Abstract Diagnosis of salivary gland neoplasms can be challenging for surgical pathologists due to low incidence of tumors as well as overlapping histologic features. On small biopsy, the most important information to be conveyed for clinical management is the distinction between a benign/low grade tumor and a high grade carcinoma. This review will discuss the differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumors based on four broad morphologic patterns: basaloid/tubular/cribriform, (micro)cystic/secretory/mucinous, solid-nested/clear-spindled, and oncocytic/oncocytoid. With the assistance of immunohistochemistry, demonstration of the number of cell types (mainly epithelial versus myoepithelial/basal) can further subclassify tumors within these morphologic categories. Additional tumor-specific immunomarkers are useful in some cases. Underlying tumor-specific genetic anomalies can be of value, however, immunohistochemical correlates are only available for some. When used judiciously, in the correct morphologic context, and with knowledge of their limitations, immunohistochemical stains can aid in differentiating tumors with similar morphology.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN THE USSR: NEW INFORMATION ON DISTRIBUTION

Analysis of newly available data and recent newspaper reports on the corrective labor system reveals important distributional and spatial aspects to the problem of crime and its punishment in the USSR. The article supplies data on the major categories of offenses, notes the general similarity of crime rates between rural and urban areas and the significant interregional variations in overall and specific crime rates. Evidence is presented which indicates that the total crime rate in Siberia and the Far East greatly exceeds the USSR average. This is attributable to distinctive features of the region's population structure, the instability of its labor force, unsatisfactory living conditions, and the (relatively) still large number of inmates brought to corrective labor camps in Siberia from all over the country.
Case Studies in Pediatric Infectious Diseases: CLINICAL CASE EXERCISES

The sources of these cases are as follows: The majority are derived from my own clinical experience. Because this experience covers a period of 30 years, many of these are reconstructed from memory, and therefore some of the details, especially the child's age and sex, may not be accurate. Three cases are based on reports in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reviews (MMWR). This is indicated by “(MMWR)” with the number of the case and in the reference. Several cases are composites of different cases from my experience. These are indicated by (“COMP”). The remainder of the cases are hypothetical, based on current knowledge of the clinical manifestations of a particular illness. These include cases in which I have constructed a clinical scenario to match a photograph. These are indicated by (“HYP”). Where names of the cases have been used, they are not the patients' real names, but they contain clinically important information. CASE 1. A previously well 13-year-old girl presents with a history of nausea, anorexia, abdominal pain, and dark urine for 3 days. On examination she has mild right upper quadrant discomfort. Jaundice cannot be detected. The rest of the examination is normal. What is your differential diagnosis? What quick (2-minute) test can you do to help you? further studies might you do? The differential diagnosis in this patient includes the following: acute hepatitis cholecystitis, cholangitis, cholelithiasis gastritis and peptic ulcer disease pancreatitis pyelonephritis hepatic sludging/sequestration if she has sickle cell disease liver abscess
TIRE MODELING FOR LOW-SPEED AND HIGH-SPEED CALCULATIONS

With the advent of serious attention to driving simulators, low speed tire modelling has become more important. This presents a numerical challenge to traditional formulations for longitudinal slip and slip angle. This paper presents a new formulation which differs from previous work in that both longitudinal slip and slip angle become state variables rather than kinematic functions of wheel spin rate and wheel velocity. The result is a model which: (1) yields traditional solutions at high speed; and (2) which comes to a stop in a reasonable way without numerical problems. The calculated longitudinal slip and slip angle can be paired with any semi-empirical tire model. Several challenging examples, including braking-induced spinout ending in a stop on a severely inclined surface, illustrate the power of the new technique. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 875861.
Modeling natural killer cell responses against lung cancer (TUM2P.917)

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that recognize and kill transformed and pathogen-infected cells. Thought to act as a first line of defense in immune surveillance, NK cells secrete inflammatory cytokines that stimulate adaptive immune responses. Thus, the quality of NK cell responses may impact the potency of adaptive responses against cancer and, perhaps, the efficacy of immunotherapy in individual patients. In a Kras and p53-driven model of autochthonous non-small cell lung cancer, we observe dysfunctional phenotypes in infiltrating NK cells, similar to what is seen in human disease. We have adapted this model to study NK cell responses against lung cancer in a targeted manner, by inducing expression of potent model NK cell ligands in developing tumors. Induced expression of the MCMV surface protein, m157, triggers robust lymphocytic infiltration in tumors within 6 days of induction. Infiltrates include NK cells as well as large numbers of T cells and B cells. Recruitment of T cells and B cells upon ligand induction is dependent on NK cells, and on the interaction of m157 with the Ly49H activating receptor expressed on NK cells. This work demonstrates that NK cells residing in or near established tumors can be stimulated by activating ligands, and that this stimulation leads to the recruitment of adaptive immune responses at the site of tumors. Future work will dissect the mechanisms by which activated NK cells recruit T cells and B cells to tumors.
Deuterium in the Local Interstellar Medium: Its Cosmological Significance

We report on our ongoing program to measure the deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) ratio and interstellar gas properties along many lines of sight through the local interstellar medium using the HST Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph. For the line of sight towards Capella (12.5 pc) we had previously found D/H=1.65(+0.07, -0.18)×l0-5, T=7,000 K, and turbulent velocity 1.66 km s-1. These quantities were determined by modeling the interstellar hydrogen and deuterium Lyman alpha lines and the resonance lines of Fe II and Mg II against the background stellar emission-line profiles. We now report on our preliminary analysis of these spectral lines for the line of sight toward Procyon (3.5 pc). We find that D/H=1.40 ± 0.05 × 10-5 (±3σ photometric random errors only), which is lower than but perhaps consistent with the value of D/H derived for the Capella line of sight when the systematic errors associated with the uncertain intrinsic Procyon emission line are included. Further analysis of this and other lines of sight are planned to determine whether the D/H ratio varies within the local interstellar medium. We infer the primordial value of D/H from Galactic evolution models and comment on the derived baryon density of the Universe.
Persistence of Virus and Bacteria in Seawater

Abstract : Although seawater has been known to be bactericidal and virucidal, there are antagonistic factors capable of lowering these properties. The bactericidal property has been ascribed to several factors including: sunlight, salinity of the water; the presence of powerful oxidants; the presence of bacteriophage; and certain filterable, thermolabile agents of marine origin. Most of these factors, were likewise virucidal. On the other hand, the addition of simple organic matter reduced substantially the bactericidal power of seawater, but reduction in activity against poliovirus was not apparent. The paper concerns studies on the protective effect of low concentrations of organic substances on the survival rate of bacterial and viral models, i.e., E. coli and type 6 Echo virus, representative of the enteric flora in sewage. Studies employing these models demonstrated a correlative relationship between the rate of bacterial survival and the degree of organic 'pollution,' and between the viral survival and the temperature of the water.
The effects of ceftriaxone on skill learning and motor functional outcome after ischemic cortical damage in rats.

Purpose Ceftriaxone, a β-lactam antibiotic, can selectively enhance the expression of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1), the most abundant astrocytic glutamate transporter expressed in the cortex. It has been found to have neuroprotective effects when administered prior to brain ischemic damage or during the acute phase post-stroke, but its effects in chronic period have not been examined. Methods We examined the effects of ceftriaxone on the acquisition of motor skill and the functional outcome after focal ischemic cortical lesions. In adult male rats, ceftriaxone (200 mg/kg) or vehicle was intraperitoneally injected daily for 5 days, a treatment regime previously established to upregulate GLT-1. This preceded 28 days of skilled reach training in intact animals or began 3 days following lesions, followed by 5 weeks of rehabilitative reach training. Results In intact rats, ceftriaxone did not affect skill learning rate or final performance. Following ischemic lesions, though there was no significant difference in lesion sizes between groups, ceftriaxone exacerbated initial deficits in reaching performance. Conclusion These findings of detrimental effects on motor functional outcome suggest that ceftriaxone may be more useful for neuroprotection during the acute phase of ischemia than for functional recovery in the post-acute period after ischemic damage.
From Colonial Animal to Imperial Edible: Building an Empire of Sheep in New Zealand, ca. 1880–1900

During the nineteenth century, efforts to feed Britain’s growing industrial and urban population enrolled vast swaths of the Southern Hemisphere in producing meat for British tables. This system relied on refrigerated shipping and was concurrent with efforts to improve and regulate the conditions of slaughter within Great Britain, in which the act of killing receded from public view. Drawing on the satirical fiction of Samuel Butler and the work of anthropologist Noelie Vialles, Woods’s article argues that the relocation of part of the work of raising and rendering sheep for consumption in Britain extended a general distancing of live animal and dead meat on an imperial scale. The outcome of this was not only economic and ecological change throughout much of the Southern Hemisphere, but also the reformulation of colonial flocks to suit the new trade in frozen meat.
Noncontact optical detection of explosive particles via photodissociation followed by laser-induced fluorescence.

High-sensitivity (ng/cm2) optical detection of the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is demonstrated using photodissociation followed by laser-induced fluorescence (PD-LIF). Detection occurs rapidly, within 6 laser pulses (~7 ns each) at a range of 15 cm. Dropcasting is used to create calibrated samples covering a wide range of TNT concentrations; and a correspondence between fractional area covered by TNT and PD-LIF signal strength is observed. Dropcast data are compared to that of an actual fingerprint. These results demonstrate that PD-LIF could be a viable means of rapidly and remotely scanning surfaces for trace explosive residues.
Market orientation and the innovative culture: a preliminary empirical examination

The market orientation has been identified as a managerial focus that can enhance firm performance. Current research proposes that the mechanisms by which market orientation enhances performance relies on the existence of an innovative I entrepreneurial culture. A nonparametric analysis indicates that significant differences in the distributions do exist between firms who maintain high and low levels innovation in their culture.
Scintillating-glass-fiber neutron sensors

Abstract Cerium-doped lithium-silicate glass fibers have been developed at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) for use as thermal neutron detectors. By using highly-enriched 6Li, these fibers efficiently capture thermal neutrons and produce scintillation light that can be detected at the ends of the fibers. Advantages of scintillating fibers over 3He or BF3 proportional tubes include flexibility in geometric configuration, ruggedness in high-vibration environments, and less detector weight for the same neutron sensitivity. This paper describes the performance of these scintillating fibers with regard to count rates, pulse height spectra, absolute efficiencies, and neutron/gamma discrimination. Fibers with light transmission lengths ( 1 e ) of greater than 2 m have been produced at PNL. Neutron sensors in fiber form allow development of a variety of neutron detectors packaged in previously unavailable configurations. Brief descriptions of some of the devices already produced are included to illustrate these possibilities.
Numerical analysis of the steady-state behaviour of a MOS field effect transistor†

A numerical scheme is developed to simulate the non-isothermal steady-state behaviour of a MOS field effect transistor. In a desire to develop a fast, stable numerical scheme, physical instabilities were eliminated by using a simplified device model. The numerical technique developed permits a computer solution of the majority carrier transport equation, the nonlinear heat conduction equation, in which the heat generation term is obtained from the solution of the transport equation, and a number of auxiliary differential equations. The simplified model of the MOS transistor adopted will not, of course, produce any information on the actual operation of the short channel MOS transistor of practical interest today, but the numerical scheme can be extended to simulate short channel models that are of great practical interest.