cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Relationship Between Subject Placement and Overt Pronouns in the Spanish of New York City Bilinguals

This paper reports on a variationist sociolinguistic analysis of the relationship between subject placement and overt pronoun rates in the Spanish of first- and second-generation Spanish-English bilinguals in New York City. The data used for the study come from a spoken corpus of Spanish in New York based on 140 sociolinguistic interviews. We show second-generation speakers exhibit a more rigid word order compared to their newly arrived first-generation peers, more often preferring subjects in the preverbal position, and we explain that this increase in word order rigidity among our second-generation can be attributed, in large part, to their increased use of and contact with English. We further posit that the difference in subject placement across generations can be explained by the different context of acquisition since the Spanish that these second-generation speakers are exposed to contains both a higher rate of overt pronouns and a higher rate of preverbal subjects.
Improving the sensitivity of electrochemical sensors through a complementary luminescent mode: A new spectroelectrochemical approach

Abstract Rapid and sensitive detection and quantification of trace and ultra-trace analytes is critical to environmental remediation, analytical chemistry and defense from chemical and biological contaminants. Though affinity based electrochemical sensors have gained immense popularity, they frequently do not meet the requirements of desired sensitivity and detection limits. Here, we demonstrate a complementary luminescence mode that can significantly enhance sensitivity of impedance or voltammetric electrochemical sensors. Our methodology involves using a redox probe, whose luminescence properties change upon changing the oxidation state. By tailoring the system such that these luminescence changes can be correlated with the capture of target analytes, we are able to significantly lower the detection limit and improve the efficiency of detection compared to the electrochemical modes alone. Our proof-of-concept demonstration, using a model system designed for Ca2+ capture, illustrated that the luminescent mode allowed us to lower the limits of detection by three-orders of magnitude compared to the impedance or voltammetric modes alone without requiring any modification of electrode design or cell configuration. Further, the linear ranges of detection are 10−8 to 10−3 M in the voltammetry mode, 10−8 to 10−5 M in the impedance mode and 2.5 × 10−11 to 10−7 M in the luminescent mode, providing a large range of operational flexibility.
Quantifying Brain Hemodynamics During Neuromuscular Fatigue

Abstract Neuromuscular fatigue, defined as exercise-induced loss of force-generating capacity, is a common disabling problem that substantially decreases quality of life in older adults. The major contributors to neuromuscular fatigue include central and peripheral fatigue. Substantial work has been done to understand the neural signatures of fatigue, but it is limited to the testing of smaller and more distal muscles. However, neural activation of large lower-extremity muscles has not been studied well due to the physical constraints of neuroimaging devices. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive portable neuroimaging device that provides information in good temporal and spatial resolution with flexibility to measure the area of interest during actual movement involving larger muscles. This study presents a methodological approach on quantifying spatiotemporal patterns of neuromuscular fatigue development using NIRS, and proposes reliable procedures to process functional NIRS signals during large lower-extremity exercises.
Kin Recognition in two Species of Cellar Spiders, (Pholcidae), and its Effects on Inter- and Intra-Specific Predation of Spiderlings

Intraguild predation and cannibalism are important behaviors that provide resources and influence interactions between different predators. Cannibalistic species should have a mechanism to identify offspring and suppress predation. We tested this hypothesis using two nonnative species of pholcid spiders in Ohio, Pholcus phalangioides and Pholcus manueli. In the laboratory we allowed females of both species to produce clutches. Once hatched the spiderlings were separated from their mother for 1 h and then reintroduced to the mother, a conspecific, or were introduced to an heterospecific adult female. The proportion of prey items consumed was recorded. Pholcus phalangioides predation patterns were consistent across species, but P. manueli feed on P. phalangioides young at twice the rate of young conspecifics, treating heterospecific young similar to control crickets. Further, mothers did not prey on their own young. These results highlight an important biological difference between the two species and indicate that intraguild predation may play an important role in interactions between the two species.
Erfahrungsnähe und Ähnlichkeit

Wahrend in Studie 1 der Einfluss des Frames als Faktor fur den Handlungserfolg, unter besonderer Berucksichtigung der dabei ausgelosten Emotionen, im Vordergrund stand, wird in Studie 2 und 3 mit der Ahnlichkeit die zweite in der Sozial-kognitiven Theorie benannten Grenze fur die Wirksamkeit von stellvertretenden Erfahrungen thematisiert. Von besonderem Interesse ist die Frage, ob Identifikation die Wirkung von Erfahrungsnahe auf Selbstwirksamkeit vermittelt und welchen Einfluss dabei die Ahnlichkeit besitzt.
Preference for and sensitivity to flavanol mean degree of polymerization in model wines is correlated with body composition.

Bitterness and astringency (dryness) are characteristic sensory attributes of flavanol-rich foods. The degree of polymerization (DP) of flavanols influences their bitter and astringent sensations. Smaller DP compounds can enter the papillae on the tongue, eliciting a bitter response. Larger DP compounds are sterically inhibited from entering papillae and instead interact with oral proteins, cause precipitation, and elicit astringent sensations. Previous research has indicated that bitterness preference is related to health status, density of fungiform papillae on the tongue, and sensitivity to bitter compounds such as 6-n-propyl-thiouracil (PROP). The purpose of this study was to examine trends in liking, bitterness intensity, and astringency intensity of wine-like products with flavanols of different DP using a consumer sensory panel. Participants (n = 102) were segmented by phenotypes: body fat percentage (BF%), body mass index (BMI), PROP sensitivity, and stated bitter food preference. Differences in wine liking, perceived bitterness intensity, and astringency intensity were observed between three model wine samples of varying flavanol mean degrees of polymerization (mDP, i.e. the average size (polymer length) of flavanol compounds in a mixture). Specifically, with increased mDP, overall liking and bitterness liking decreased, with concurrent increased perception of bitterness and astringency intensity. Greater differences between phenotypes were observed when participants were segmented by BF% and BMI classification, than when segmented by PROP sensitivity classification. Reduced ability to detect differences in bitterness and astringency were noted in participants of higher weight status. Overall, these data suggest that weight status in adults is a greater predictor of liking of flavanol-rich foods than bitterness sensitivity (as determined by PROP classification), and that reduced perception of bitterness and astringency associated with weight gain may impact selection and preference for these foods.
Investigating the Microstructure of Poly(Cyclosilane) by 29Si Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations

Using high-resolution magic angle spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR spectroscopy and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, we determine the microstructure of the silicon-based functional polymer poly(1,4Si6) arising from the dehydrocoupling polymerization of cyclosilane 1,4Si6. 1H–29Si refocused-INEPT solid-state NMR experiments allow the unambiguous determination of the number of attached protons to a silicon atom for each 29Si NMR signal in 1,4Si6 and poly(1,4Si6). One-dimensional 1H → 29Si cross-polarization MAS (CPMAS) NMR spectra of poly(1,4Si6) show the development of SiH resonances upon polymerization, and peak integration indicates an average degree of polymerization of 20. The 1H → 29Si CPMAS spectrum of poly(1,4Si6) also shows two sets of isotropic signals, suggesting the presence of at least two distinct species. Two-dimensional 29Si dipolar double-quantum–single-quantum and single-quantum–single-quantum homonuclear correlation NMR spectra reveal similar connectivity in the two species, po...
Frontiers in Bioethics.

Last year a bioethics colleague from another institution was expressing her frustration and doubts about the direction of the field of bioethics to me. Her concern was what she perceived as the gro...
Treatment of double depression: A meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Double depression (DD), the co-existence of DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD) and dysthymia, is a poorly known and sparsely studied phenomenon. Nevertheless, it is prevalent in clinical samples of patients with depression. Thus, it is important to understand the efficacy of its treatment. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis of studies in which antidepressant medication was used to treat depression. Systematic searches in bibliographical databases resulted in 11 samples, including 775 patients that met inclusion criteria. Results The overall effect size indicating the differences in depressive symptoms before and after pharmacotherapy was 1.81 (95% CI: 1.47, 2.16), suggesting that individuals with depression exhibited a significant reduction in their depressive symptoms following treatment. Importantly, a moderation analysis indicated that a higher proportion of individuals with DD within a sample was associated with lower effect sizes. Publication bias did not pose a major threat to the stability of the findings. Limitations High observed heterogeneity indicated substantial variability in effect sizes and elucidation of the potential moderators of treatment outcome was limited due to a paucity of relevant data. Conclusions Pharmacotherapy seems to be effective in treating DD, but DD may be more difficult to treat than either MDD or dysthymia alone. More research specifically focusing on the treatment of DD with larger sample sizes using randomized control trials is needed to make a firm conclusion.
Toward a higher order accountability in local economic development in Ghana

The article examines political accountability that informs local government administration in Ghana in the context of the US experience and challenges of economic development in Africa. It offers a critical perspective on Ghana's local government administration that contributes to higher order accountability to citizens that leads to local economic development. It surmises that while electoral and fiscal decentralisation contribute to political accountability, these are at best lower order accountability mechanisms. Higher order accountability should include a decentralised entrepreneurial leadership that emphasises entrepreneurship, professionalism, local autonomy, and inter-local competition that are necessary for local economic development in Ghana making it a model for Africa's renaissance. The article, therefore, advances the literature on political accountability and local economic development in Ghana and Africa as a whole with practical and progressive solutions to the challenges of economic development on the continent.
Florida HIPPY parents successfully prepare their children for kindergarten

Abstract Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is a home-based intervention for parent engagement and kindergarten readiness. Using a quasi-experimental design, this research sought to determine whether the HIPPY intervention increased children's likelihood of passing the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener and being promoted to the first grade. The sample included 730 children, of whom 379 participated in the intervention group (i.e., HIPPY) and 351 were identified for the comparison group using propensity score matching techniques. Among families at risk due to poverty and limited English language proficiency, the odds of passing the Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screener were almost two times greater for children whose parents participated in the HIPPY program and their odds of being promoted to the first grade were five times greater than a matched sample of non-participants. This research provides evidence of a successful HIPPY scale-up in real-world contexts and among a diverse sample. The discussion includes implications for policy and directions for future research.
An agent-based model of adaptation of holobionts with different microbial symbiont transmission modes

The hologenome theory suggests that holobionts (host plus symbiont) with hosts that are only able to adapt slowly may be able to persist in deteriorating environmental conditions via rapid adaptation of their microbial symbionts. The effectiveness of such symbiont adaptation may vary depending on whether symbionts are passed directly to offspring (vertical transmission) or acquired from the environment (horizontal transmission). However, it has been suggested that holobionts with horizontal transmission cannot pass down their symbionts faithfully, preventing adaptation at the holobiont level because of host-symbiont disassociation between generations. Here we used an agent-based model to investigate whether holobionts with horizontal microbial symbiont transmission can adapt to increasing stress solely through symbiont adaptation and compared their adaptation to holobionts with vertical transmission. We found that holobionts with either transmission mode were able to adapt to increasing abiotic stress solely via symbiont adaptation. Moreover, those with horizontal transmission were more competitive than those with vertical transmission when hosts were able to selectively associate with the most suitable symbionts. However, those with horizontal transmission were less competitive than those with vertical transmission when symbiont establishment was random. Our results support the hologenome theory and demonstrate that holobionts with horizontal microbial symbiont transmission could adapt to increasing abiotic stress via their symbionts. We also showed that whether holobionts with horizontal or vertical symbiont transmission are favored in increasingly stressful conditions depends on the ability of hosts to recognize and foster microbial symbionts that confer stress tolerance. IMPORTANCESymbiotic organisms such as reef building corals are sensitive to environmental perturbations due to anthropogenic disturbances or climate change, and it is critical to understand whether they are able to adapt to previously unfavorable conditions. To date, studies have focused on the impacts of existing microbial symbiont variation on holobiont stress tolerance but here we use agent-based models to explore holobiont adaptation via symbiont adaptation. We studied both deterministic and stochastic processes in holobiont adaptation by investigating the following four factors: holobiont transmission modes, a hosts ability to recognize tolerance-conferring symbionts, a symbionts mutational variance, and rate of stress increase. Our simulation provides a comprehensive understanding of holobiont adaptation under stress, which not only has implications for future endangered symbiotic species management, but also provides fresh insight into species evolution as proposed by the hologenome theory.
Visual Objects As Context: Exploiting Visual Objects for Lexical Entailment

We propose a new word representation method derived from visual objects in associated images to tackle the lexical entailment task. Although it has been shown that the Distributional Informativeness Hypothesis (DIH) holds on text, in which the DIH assumes that a context surrounding a hyponym is more informative than that of a hypernym, it has never been tested on visual objects. Since our perception is tightly associated with language, it is meaningful to explore whether the DIH holds on visual objects. To this end, we consider visual objects as the context of a word and represent a word as a bag of visual objects found in images associated with the word. This allows us to test the feasibility of the visual DIH. To better distinguish word pairs in a hypernym relation from other relations such as co-hypernyms, we also propose a new measurable function that takes into account both the difference in the generality of meaning and similarity of meaning between words. Our experimental results show that the DIH holds on visual objects and that the proposed method combined with the proposed function outperforms existing unsupervised representation methods.
Applied Metabolomics and Emerging Biomarkers in Neonatal Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in neonates presents a unique and ongoing challenge in the early diagnosis and subsequent management of these most vulnerable patients. The globally accepted traditional renal functional marker, serum creatinine (SCr), has long been recognized as unreliable in the neonate, particularly in those born preterm and of low birth weight [1]. In the immediate post-natal week, physiologic adjustments in systemic and renal perfusion lead to an increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from as low as 20 ml/min/1.73 m2 to as high as 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 in term infants [1, 2]. Full maturation of GFR will not be achieved until about 2 years of age. Accordingly, the SCr is initially elevated due to the burden of excreting maternal creatinine. This accounts for a pattern of the SCr rising shortly after birth with a subsequent fall to a nadir <0.4 mg/dL (35 μM/L) in infants with normal post-natal renal development. In contrast, infants born preterm are more likely to have a decreased number of nephrons relative to their shortened gestation as well as intrauterine and perinatal stressors which impede a smooth and positive improvement in GFR [1, 2]. Hence, SCr may be inordinately elevated with a delay in decline to an appropriate nadir. A “true” measure of GFR or recognition of any degree of early kidney injury has been elusive in this setting [2]. While continuing to refine SCr-based definitions of neonatal AKI, a few pioneers have focused research efforts in the emerging field of “omics” in systems biology [3–5]. The suffix, “omics” emerged at the turn of the century to designate a field of biology devoted to the use of high throughput technologies to characterize the molecules that define the structure and function of an organism [5, 6]. Hence, the terms “genomics,” “proteomics,” “metabolomics” and others can be applied to better understand the pathophysiology and to develop biomarkers for the early diagnosis and treatment of neonatal AKI (Fig. 16.1).
Understanding Health Care in America: Culture, Capitalism, and Communication: by Michael Pagano, New York, Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2021, 232 pp., $44.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-138-59293-3

In the second decade of the 21st century, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of the U.S. health-care system. Utilizing an organizational lens with an interdependent focus across organi...
Kinetics and Mechanism of the Interaction and Transaldimination of Products of Condensation of Pyridoxal Hydrochloride with L-α-, D-α-, and β-Alanines

The kinetics and mechanism of the condensation and transaldimination of products of pyridoxal condensation with L-α-, D-α-, and β-alanines are studied via UV spectroscopy and polarimetry. It is found that pyridoxal hydrochloride interacts stereospecifically with L-α- and D-α-alanines, accompanied by the formation of intermediate products with a strictly defined structure that promote the elimination of hydrogen atoms (with L-α-alanine) or CO2 (with D-α-alanine) and the subsequent formation of a quinoid structure whose hydrolysis yields the final products. The reactions of transaldimination between pyridoxalidene-β-alanine, pyridoxalidene-L-α-, pyridoxalidene-D-α-alanines, and L-α- and D-α-alanines are studied. It is shown that transaldimination proceeds in two stages: the addition of L-α- and D-α-amino acids to Schiff bases with the formation of N-acetals of a strictly defined structure, and the cleavage of one of the amino acids with the formation of new Schiff bases. Schemes are proposed for the mechanisms of the studied reactions.
Essential fatty acids in the diet of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri): growth, feed conversion and some gross deficiency symptoms.

Experiments are described to define further the fatty acid requirements of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). In all cases, feeding semipurified diets containing no polyunsaturated fatty acids resulted in poor growth and feed conversion. Linolenic acid was superior to linoleic in stimulating growth and improving feed conversion. The requirement of linolenic acid (ω3 fatty acids) for rainbow trout is 1% of the diet or approximately 2.7% of the dietary calories. Essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms that were cured or prevented by linolenic acid included fin erosion, heart myopathy, and a shock syndrome. It is concluded that linolenic acid has an essential role in rainbow trout similar to that assigned to linoleic acid in man and higher animals.
Somatization: Social control and illness production in a religious cult

The aim of this ethnographic work is twofold: first, to document the specifics of the illness experience within the highly controlling milieu of a religious cult; second, to explore the connection between somatization and social control in this particular context. Anthropologists have long realized that in order to comprehend disease etiology, one must examine both biological and sociocultural processes, as both are implicated in the production of illness. Illness experiences of those members of the cult described here appeared to be direct responses to extreme intrapsychic and social control: that is, members were required to be celibate, unmarried, and detached from their pre-cult identity and the emotional support structure of family and friends. Additionally, members were subjected to constant surveillance by peers and were often punished for expressing views that were in conflict with the ideology of the leader, thereby encouraging the somatization of distress. This research is based upon two years of participant observation within the milieu, during which time more than 100 participants were interviewed; however, this paper specifically discusses in-depth interviews with eight individuals whose health problems exemplify those experienced by other members of the cult.
Cybercrimes vs. Cyberliberties

This new Introduction explains how all of the themes and conclusions of the original chapter remain valid despite intervening developments, including the 2001 terrorist attacks. It shows that the major points that the 1999 chapter made about one particular medium, at one particular historical point, concerning particular safety and security issues that were then at the forefront of public concern, apply more universally to other media, during other historical periods, and regarding other safety and security concerns. The Introduction supports this generalization by analyzing two sets of subsequent developments. First, it shows that post-911 surveillance measures that target communications, including Internet communications, violate freedom of speech and privacy without sufficient countervailing security benefits. Second, it shows that the government’s continuing efforts to suppress online sexual expression, in order to protect children from seeing it, continue appropriately to be struck down by the courts as violating free speech rights without sufficient countervailing benefits.
Principles of Extraction and the Extraction of Semivolatile Organics from Liquids

This chapter focuses on three widely used techniques for extraction of semivolatile organics from liquids: liquid–liquid extraction (LLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), and solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Other techniques may be useful in selected circumstances, but these three techniques have become the extraction methods of choice for research and commercial analytical laboratories. A fourth, recently introduced technique, stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), is also discussed. To understand any extraction technique it is first necessary to discuss some underlying principles that govern all extraction procedures. The chemical properties of the analyte are important to an extraction, as are the properties of the liquid medium in which it is dissolved and the gaseous, liquid, supercritical fluid, or solid extractant used to e¤ect a separation. Of all the relevant solute properties, five chemical properties are fundamental to understanding extraction theory: vapor pressure, solubility, molecular weight, hydrophobicity, and acid dissociation. These essential properties determine the transport of chemicals in the human body, the transport of chemicals in the air–water–soil environmental compartments, and the transport between immiscible phases during analytical extraction. Extraction or separation of dissolved chemical component X from liquid phase A is accomplished by bringing the liquid solution of X into contact with a second phase, B, given that phases A and B are immiscible. Phase B may be a solid, liquid, gas, or supercritical fluid. A distribution of the com-
Cryptochrome blue-light photoreceptors of Arabidopsis implicated in phototropism

Phototropism-bending towards the light-is one of the best known plant tropic responses. Despite being reported by Darwin and others over a century ago to be specifically under the control of blue light, the photoreceptors mediating phototropism have remained unknown. We have characterized a blue-light photoreceptor from Arabidopsis, named CRY1 for cryptochrome 1; this photoreceptor is a flavoprotein that mediates numerous blue-light-dependent responses. In Arabidopsis, HY4 (the gene encoding CRY1) is a member of a small gene family that also encodes a related photoreceptor, CRY2, which shares considerable functional overlap with CRY1. Here we report that mutant plants lacking both the CRY1 and the CRY2 blue-light photoreceptors are deficient in the phototropic response. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing CRY1 or CRY2 show enhanced phototropic curvature. We conclude that cryptochrome is one of the photoreceptors mediating phototropism in plants.
Folded L-antennas

The concept of folded L-antennas is to increase the radiation by adding additional parasitic L-radiators. To enhance the performance, these parasitic L-radiators are shorted to the driving L-radiator about a quarter of a wavelength (/spl lambda//4) away from the feeding point. The circuit models for the inverted and folded L-antennas were established to investigate the unloaded antenna quality (Q) values, the intrinsic and commonly used 50-ohm bandwidths, and radiation and broadbanding capabilities. It is shown that folded L-antennas broaden the antenna bandwidth via the increase of the effective antenna thickness, impedance step-up, and proper susceptance compensation. The impedance increase of folded L-antennas depends not only on the wire thickness ratio but also on the relative positions of the driving and parasitic radiators.
Lead concentrations in small mammals living near highways

Abstract Lead concentrations were higher in small mammals living 5–10 m from interstate highways than in populations adjacent to less used roads. Absolute concentrations of lead were well below toxic levels. Interstate rights-of-way constitute less than 12·5% of the total habitat available for most species of small mammals in central Illinois. Dispersal from adjacent populations would compensate for any decrease in population density resulting from the deleterious effects of lead in automobile emissions on reproduction or survival of populations of small mammals living adjacent to highways.
A high-resolution real-time ultrasonic imaging system for NDI applications

Ultrasonic NDI methods have an impressive record of applications on metallic and composite structures. However, limitations arise from the need for a wet couplant between the specimen and the transducer and the rather long inspection times necessitated by point-by-point scanning of large structures. To overcome these constraints, a dry-contact large-area ultrasonic imaging system is being developed for real-time high-resolution NDI applications. This system includes the following: a large ultrasonic source, either piezoelectric or laser-based, a polymer dry-couplant, and a commercially available real-time ultrasonic CCD camera displaying easy-to-interpret images rather than A-scans. Applications of this real-time high-resolution ultrasonic imaging system on metallic and composite structures, using either PZT or laser-based ultrasound generation as the source, are presented. Aluminum and unidirectional and woven composites have been investigated. Images acquired in both through-transmission and pulse-echo modes are presented. Images of artificial defects of different types and shapes in the investigated materials will be demonstrated. The latest developments of the imaging system, with laser-based ultrasound generation as the source, are also reported. The laser-based source provides an efficient solution for some applications of the imaging system. In this configuration, the ultrasound is generated in a 1in. diameter area by an expanded laser beam which heats a constrained absorbing polymer layer. The soft polymer layer is also used as dry couplant to transmit the ultrasound between the test sample and the imaging system.
A note on topological degree theory for holomorphic maps

Using degree theory, an elementary topological proof is given of some well-known results in the theory of several complex variables. In particular it is shown that a compact analytic variety consists of finitely many points.
Management and utilization of knowledge for the automatic improvement of workflow performance

We present a framework that enables reengineers to build a base of performance improvement knowledge that can be used to automatically improve workflow performance. Automatic improvement of workflow performance involves modification of a business information system such that the predicted performance of its business workflows satisfies a performance goal. The number of possible modification options is very large, so a significant body of knowledge is needed to choose among them. We demonstrate, using a simple example, the requirements for the types of knowledge necessary in a automatic improvement framework. We define a knowledge model for representing these types of knowledge. We use the model to provide the framework with a body of domain-independent performance improvement knowledge. We then describe how the framework enables reengineers to provide additional performance improvement knowledge to the model and how the framework utilizes that knowledge to automatically improve workflow performance to meet the performance goal.
Teledermatology and teledermatopathology.

Abstract Teledermatology is in essence an application of clinical telemedicine that deals with the practice of dermatology via the latest communication and information technology. As with other telemedicine applications, the goal is to provide the highest quality of dermatologic care more efficiently by moving patient information rather than the patient. Teledermatopathology, on the other hand, is a nonclinical telemedicine application specifically relating to diagnosis of cutaneous histologic specimens. There are numerous articles evaluating diagnostic concordance of teledermatology. However, because of a lack of a "true" gold standard, most published studies have compared diagnostic capabilities of teledermatology to our traditional face-to-face evaluations. Although the diagnostic correlation varies from study to study, most experts agree that Store and Forward and real-time video teleconferencing teledermatology is as clinically effective as a face-to-face consultation, which is less than 100% accurate. Teledermatopathology is showing similar potential, but because of the limitations on sampling error and the high cost of the alternative, robotic remote telepathology units, its acceptance into our daily practice has been delayed. This article focuses mainly on Store and Forward Teledermatology given its significant advantage and reviews the literature on teledermatology and teledermatopathology's diagnostic concordance and acceptance.
Homeward Bound: How Do Skin Dendritic Cells Find Their Way into the Lymph System?

The success of the adaptive immune system relies upon the transport of antigens by dendritic cells (DCs) from skin via lymphatic vessels to lymph nodes where DCs present antigen to T cells. Little is known about the requirements for so-called "reverse transmigration" (RT). Torzicky et al. in this issue demonstrate that CD31, CD99, and CXCR4 play key roles in RT, suggesting that adhesion occurs in a defined sequence during the passage of DC into lymphatics.
Re: Brandt et al.--An evidence-based approach to the management of irritable bowel syndrome in North America.

Re: Brandt et al. —An evidence-based approach to the management of irritable bowel syndrome in North America
Recent Trends in Waist Circumference and Waist-Height Ratio Among US Children and Adolescents

OBJECTIVES. Abdominal obesity may be a better predictor than overall obesity for the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Waist circumference and waist-height ratio are 2 simple, yet effective, surrogate measures of abdominal obesity. We sought to examine the recent trends in mean waist circumference and waist-height ratio and prevalence of abdominal obesity among children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years in the United States. METHODS. Representative samples of the civilian, noninstitutionalized US population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted during 4 time periods, 1988–1994 (ie, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III), 1999–2000, 2001–2002, and 2003–2004, were examined to estimate the mean waist circumference and waist-height ratio of boys and girls in 4 different age groups. Data from the 3 most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were combined to establish a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004 category. RESULTS. Categorized by age group, the unadjusted mean waist circumference for boys increased between National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004 from 50.7 cm (aged 2–5 years), 61.9 cm (aged 6–11 years), 76.8 cm (aged 12–17 years), and 81.3 cm (aged 18–19 years) to 51.9, 64.5, 79.8, and 86.6 cm, respectively. During the same time periods and within the same age groups, the unadjusted mean waist circumference for girls increased from 51.0, 61.7, 75.0, and 77.7 cm to 51.8, 64.7, 78.9, and 83.9 cm, respectively. The relative change in waist-height ratio was similar to waist circumference at each age group for both boys and girls. Using the 90th percentile values of waist circumference for gender and age, the prevalence of abdominal obesity increased by 65.4% (from 10.5% to 17.4%) and 69.4% (from 10.5% to 17.8%) for boys and girls, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. Mean waist circumference and waist-height ratio and the prevalence of abdominal obesity among US children and adolescents greatly increased between 1988–1994 and 1999–2004.
Temperature and Field Dependence of Hyperfine Fields and Magnetization in a Dilute Random Substitutional Ferromagnetic Alloy: Fe 2.65 Pd 97.35

The assumption of proportionality between hyperfine magnetic field and bulk magnetization, which has been shown to obtain in elemental ferromagnetic Fe, is shown to apply as well in the random substitutional cubic dilute ferromagnetic alloy ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2.65}$${\mathrm{Pd}}_{97.35}$. The same sample of this alloy was studied by means of both the M\"ossbauer effect and bulk magnetization. The M\"ossbauer data represent the first detailed study of the hyperfine field in a ferromagnet in the presence of large external fields. Proportionality between the bulk magnetization and the hyperfine field is found over an extended range of temperature and applied external magnetic field. Extrapolations of the bulk-magnetization data to yield the Curie point disclose significant discrepancies with the M\"ossbauer results when standard extrapolation techniques are used. Good agreement is obtained if one assumes that the magnetization varies near the Curie temperature $\ensuremath{\theta}$ as ${(\ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{-}T)}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ with $\ensuremath{\beta}$ between \textonequarter{} and $\frac{1}{3}$. This type of behavior suggests that the sample may be describable in the region of the Curie temperature by recent Pad\'e-approximant calculations based upon Ising and Heisenberg models. The temperature variation of the hyperfine field is compared to molecular-field calculations in both zero and nonzero external fields. Although qualitative agreement is found, there are significant quantitative discrepancies, indicating the inapplicability of the molecular-field model. A description is included of the Brookhaven cryogenic M\"ossbauer apparatus involving a variable-temperature cell mounted inside a high-field superconducting magnet.
Conflict, War, and Redistribution

This article analyzes the circumstances under which conflict leads to the outbreak of war using a formal model which incorporates both the redistribution of resources as an alternative to war and imperfect information. Countries act as rational agents concerned with both consumption and the public bad of a war. In the first period both countries can either consume or build arms, whereas in the second period there can be either the threat or the use of force to reallocate resources. If both countries are fully informed, then there will be no war but rather a voluntary redistribution of resources. In a situation of asymmetric information, however, in which one country is fully informed and the other is not, a war can occur if the uninformed country uses a separating equilibrium strategy, precommitting itself to a positive probability of war in order to prevent bluffing by the informed country.
Privatizing Professional Licensing Boards: Self-Governance or Self-Interest?

Because professional licensing boards represent nondemocratic elements in a political system founded on democratic principles, their legitimacy has been questioned in recent years. This article examines legal and medical licensing boards in three states—Georgia, California, and Massachusetts—to determine whether developments in those states suggest a trend toward appointing citizen members to boards. The article concludes that although public acceptance of licensing boards might improve in the wake of appointing citizen members, such a cosmetic change does not necessarily ensure that the “public interest” is protected. Only when the private interests of democratically selected citizen board members are balanced against the private interests of professional board members will concerns about the legitimacy of licensing boards possibly be assuaged.
Automatic Roi Selection for First Transit Nuclear Cardiology

A fully automated chest parsing algorithm has been developed to delineate eight major regions of the upper body after a bolus injection of radiopharmaceutical. The algorithm uses the time-to-max functional image and depends on only one size parameter. Regions are selected by a 4-connected region growing procedure which is table driven from values extablished by an analysis of moments of the time-to-max image and region separation by iterative cluster optimization with a Fisher's linear discriminant. On a set of 88 scans (59 cardiac outputs with 11 in heart failure and 29 pediatric shunt analyses), the chest parsings algorithm gave a satisfactory choice for the lungs, 89%; the right heart, 93%; and the left heart, 76%.
THE DESIGN OF MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS

Municipal Development Funds (MDFs) have become the preferred means of many donors and, increasingly, national governments for the finance of urban infrastructure. This article assesses their performance and design based on extensive data collection on ten MDFs and recommends changes. MDFs have two overall goals: credit and development. The greatest appeal of MDFs as credit providers is that they can wholesale funds for a wide variety of small urban infrastructure project to many local governments. However, they have largely failed to move toward market principles, and, too often, have succeeded in building infrastructure without strategically promoting local development. In this context, donors have focus sed on gearing MDFs to promoting local development - improving project appraisal, rationalizing the inter-governmental transfer system, establishing capital budgeting and fiscal planning, distributing funds among regions and municipal-size categories, and promoting community participation. But MDFs have also produced uneven results in achieving these goals. At bottom, MDFs have failed to connect with local demand. Local governments often have little idea what local people - particularly poor communities - want and need. Not surprisingly, they often fail to accept or repay charges for MDF projects. The best hope for improving MDFs lies in relating these funds closer to local people's preferences. Means to this end include: involving neighborhood associations and households in project selection; relying on project revenues rather than transfers as the main guarantee and source for loan repayment; using commercial financial institutions to underwrite, disburse, and collect loans; and hiring community development staff at the MDF.
Bounding the first passage time on an average

Abstract Let ζ t , t⩾0 , be a process taking nonnegative values, T r = inf {t>0;ζ t >r}, r>0 , and ψ a nondecreasing function. An interesting question is: Is it possible to bound Eψ ( T r ) above and below by expectations of functions of ζ t ? We answer this question and give the desired upper and lower bounds.
Improved transport apparatus for examining diffusion of drugs across isolated tissues and synthetic membranes

Abstract A three‐compartment diffusion apparatus that can accommodate synthetic as well as small isolated biological membranes such as rat intestine was developed and tested. The diffusion of drug from two outer donor cells into a central recipient cell allows for more membrane surface exposure and greater sensitivity in assaying as compared with previously published techniques. Reproducibility values for the synthetic membrane were equivalent to those obtained in more elaborate designs, while the reproducibility for biological membranes compared favorably with everted gut preparations and a similar diffusion apparatus. The clearance, per square centimeter of membrane, of salicylamide at pH 7.4 and 37° was 0.288 ml/hr/cm 2 , which agreed with previous literature reports of different techniques. Although the diffusion through a synthetic membrane was more rapid, introduction of a nonionic surfactant enhanced the biological perfusion rate while having no significant effect on the synthetic barrier. The enhancement of the diffusion rate effected by 0.1 and 0.01% (w/v) surfactant was about twofold, rapid in onset, and not progressive, giving clearance values per square centimeter of 0.606 and 0.537 ml/hr/cm 2 , respectively.
Mechanical properties of lumbar spine motion segments under large loads

The mechanical behavior of fourteen fresh human lumbar motion segments taken at autopsy from males with an average age of 29 yr was studied. Forces up to 1029 N were applied in anterior, posterior and lateral shear; and moments up to 95 Nm were applied in flexion, extension, lateral bending and torsion. In response to these loads endplate displacements up to 9 mm and rotations up to 18 degrees were measured. Stiffness values ranged from 53 to 140 N mm-1 in response to the shear forces and 6-11 Nm degree-1 in response to the moments. Lumbar motion segments can develop significant passive resistances to loads in situations where they are allowed to undergo substantial deformations.
Corrosive Effects of Various Salt Mixtures Under Combustion Gas Atmospheres

Abstract Laboratory studies are discussed in which steels were exposed to synthetic flue-gas atmospheres at temperatures ranging from 316 to 538 C (600 to 1000 F) in the presence of various salt mixtures. It was shown that the addition of chloride salts to mixed sulfates greatly accelerated the corrosion, particularly at 538 C. At 316 C, sulfur containing salts such as bisulfates and pyrosulfates were very corrosive. The importance of such materials on the fireside corrosion in municipal incinerators is discussed.
Burrow Systems of the Prairie Vole, Microtus ochrogaster, in Central Kentucky

We examined burrow systems of prairie voles ( Microtus ochrogaster ) in fields of fescue ( Festuca elatior ) in central Kentucky. Burrow systems were associated with patches of lush vegetation and consisted of numerous surface entrances, extensively branched and interconnected tunnels and dead end passages, and nest chambers, feeding chambers, and chambers that were plowing artifacts. Most vole burrowing was within 20 cm of the surface.
Whites' neighbourhood racial preferences and neighbourhood racial composition in the United States: evidence from the multi‐city study of urban inequality

Within the housing segregation literature major disagreements have developed over two fundamental issues: (1) the role that whites' aversion to racially mixed neighbourhoods plays in causing modern segregation in the US; and (2) the factors that underlie this aversion, including the effects of inter‐racial contact on whites' neighbourhood racial preferences and whether these preferences reflect neighbourhood stereotyping as opposed to pure racial prejudice. Extant evidence on these issues is either old or indirect. This paper provides direct evidence on these issues using new data from the Multi‐City Study of Urban Inequality. The results suggest that (1) whites' neighbourhood racial preferences play an important role in explaining the racial composition of their neighbourhoods; (2) inter‐racial contact in neighbourhoods and workplaces leads to a greater willingness among whites to live with blacks; and (3) although younger and more educated whites express a stronger taste for integration than other white...
Human platelet vasopressin receptors

Abstract Specific saturable binding of 125I-arginine-vasopressin to human platelets is described. For ten normal volunteers the mean (± S.D.) KD is 5.6 nM (± 2.1) and the mean (± S.D.) Bmax is 115 fmoles/mg protein (± 30). Association studies indicate that equilibrium is reached after 90 minutes on ice. Pharmacological inhibition studies with analogues indicate that the platelet receptor is very similar to the kidney medulla receptor. The function of the receptor may involve serotonin release and platelet aggregation. Vasopressin binding to platelets should provide a readily available means of assessing vasopressin receptor function in man.