cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Satisfaction with nursing care: A comparison of patients with HIV/AIDS, non-HIV/AIDS infectious diseases, and medical diagnoses

The purpose of this study was to describe patients' perceptions of nursing care and compare those perceptions based on patients' diagnoses (HIV/AIDS, non-HIV/AIDS infectious diseases, and medical diagnoses). One hundred forty-two patients on five units in a major medical center were surveyed using the Patient Satisfaction Instrument. In addition, 126 staff nurses completed the AIDS Vulnerability Survey. Results of data analysis indicated a statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction with nursing care among patients in the medical group compared to patients in the HIV/AIDS group, with the medical group being more satisfied with their nursing care. Further, there was a statistically significant difference across units between nurses' knowledge, attitude, and fear. In spite of their knowledge base related to HIV/AIDS, nurses felt vulnerable when providing care to this population, thus perpetuating fear and negative attitudes. Additional research into the dynamics of these relationships is imperative as we continue to see increases in the number of patients with HIV/AIDS
Superior mediastinal dissection in the treatment of Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid

Background: Hurthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid frequently metastasizes to regional lymph nodes. Delayed lymph node dissection may become necessary, adding little risk to patient survivability; however, metastatic disease to the superior mediastinum that cannot be promptly detected, represents a survival threat that deserves special attention. The purpose of this study is to review our experience in managing Hurthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid and make recommendations for appropriate treatment. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of 371 thyroid neoplasms seen between 1987 and 1994 yielded six patients with Hurthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland. These include three cases treated with thyroidectomy and transcervical superior mediastinal dissection (SMD) as initial treatment and three cases treated with thyroidectomy alone. Results: Of the three patients treated with SMD as part of their initial treatment, one had occult micrometastases to the superior mediastinum. All three patients remain alive and disease free at least 3 years later, whereas all three patients treated with thyroidectomy alone developed superior mediastinal metastases and died of their disease. Conclusion: We propose that at the time of initial surgery, a transcervical SMD may prevent spread to the superior mediastinum and therefore, improve survivability.
Comparative effects of five tricyclic compounds on the rabbit urinary bladder

The tricyclic antidepressant irniprarnine is widely utilized in treating a number of the disorders of micturition. Its effect on urinary tract smooth muscle is believed to occur through several mechanisms including direct antimuscarinic activity, direct smooth muscle relaxation, and indirectly by the inhibition of noradrenaline uptake into adrenergic neurons. The present study compared the potency of five tricyclic compounds on the contractile response of the rabbit urinary bladder to bethanechol. In addition, the direct antimuscarinic potency of these agents on radioligand binding to muscarinic receptors isolated from rabbit urinary bladder was determined. Of the five agents tested (imipramine, desrnethylirnipramine, amitriptyline, nortripty-line, and doxapine), doxapine was found to be significantly more potent than the other agents with respect to both antimuscarinic and musculotropic relaxant activity.
Levetiracetam in the treatment of antipsychotics-resistant Tourette syndrome.

Levetiracetam, an anti-epileptic agent that enhances GABAergic neurotransmission, is one of the newest alternative treatments of Tourette syndrome (TS). We present the case of a 23-year-old female patient suffering from TS since the age of 7, who exhibited poor response to a variety of agents (haloperidol, pimozide, clonidine and various adjunctive agents) and had four hospitalizations during the previous 2 years due to the deterioration of her clinical state. On her last admission, in addition to clonidine 600 µg/day (already part of her regimen for the previous 4 years), levetiracetam was prescribed, up to 2000 mg/day, progressively titrated over a 3-week period. The patient presented a significant improvement on her TS symptomatology (the score on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale dropped from 70 at admission, to 25 five weeks later, at discharge), which was preserved during the subsequent 4 months, without any serious side-effect.
Effects of pentobarbitone and chlorpromazine on acoustically evoked potentials in the rat

Abstract The effects of pentobarbitone and chlorpromazine on click-evoked potentials from the rat's auditory cortex, medial geniculate body, and hippocampus were investigated. Amplitude and latency measures made on sliding averages by a computer provided essentially continuous measurement of evoked responses throughout long experiments. Following a large dose of pentobarbitone (60 mg/kg) amplitudes of the several components of cortical responses displayed characteristic patterns of change that were readily apparent in the computer displays. Early deflections, for example, showed an initial rapid increase in amplitude, followed by a more gradual increase during deep anesthesia; they became suddenly very large at an early recovery stage and finally diminished slowly in a later recovery period. Late waves followed their own courses, were much reduced during deep anesthesia, and were generally large during late recovery periods when, however, they displayed large fluctuations in amplitude. In contrast, peak latencies of all components were increased in a relatively simple way. Early waves in medial geniculate body responses behaved like early cortical deflections, while late waves looked and behaved like hippocampal responses, disappearing during deep anesthesia. Chlorpromazine increased the amplitudes and latencies of all cortical deflections, while early medial geniculate body components showed similar, though smaller, changes. Waveforms of hippocampal responses were significantly modified by chlorpromazine, and peak latencies were increased, as they were at all sites.
Simulating the impacts of a strategic fuels reserve in California

This paper describes a simulation analysis of the impacts of a strategic fuels reserve (SFR) designed to limit the increase in gasoline prices in the days following a refinery disruption. The analysis is based on a computer simulation model developed for the California Energy Commission. The model simulates the supply of gasoline as the sum of refinery production, cargoes arriving from outside California, withdrawals from private storage and the release of gasoline from the SFR. The demand for gasoline is the sum of the retail demand and the wholesale demand to rebuild inventory. The paper presents simulations to illustrate the impact on California consumers of refinery disruptions of different size and duration. The simulations are repeated with a strategic reserve operated with the time-swap mechanism proposed for California. The simulations demonstrate large intended benefits of a SFR in the event of a major refinery disruption. The simulations are then repeated with an unintended impact. The new simulations show that the SFR could lead to negative impacts on California consumers in the event of small disruptions. The paper concludes that the overall impact of the SFR is likely to be dominated by the frequency of large disruptions.
Effects of trauma and hypermotility on the temporomandibular joint.

Abstract 1. 1. The acute and chronic traumatic derangements of the temporomandibular joint have been classified and defined, and the treatment for each of the derangements described. 2. 2. The term condylar hypermotility has been defined and its component derangements classified. 3. 3. The terms condylar hypermotility, disc derangement, subluxation , and dislocation have been defined and their respective etiologies, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic considerations discussed. 4. 4. The principles of progressive resistance exercise as they relate to condylar hypermotility have been discussed.
Data-dependent concurrency control and recovery

Maintaining the consistency of long-lived, on-line data is a difficult task, particularly in a distributed system. A variety of researches have suggested atomicity as a fundamental organizational concept for such systems. In this paper we present a formal treatment of atomicity. Our treatment is novel in three respects: First, we treat serializability and recoverability together, facilitating the precise analysis of online implementations. Second, we explore how to analyze user-specified semantic information to achieve greater concurrency. Third, we focus on local properties of components of a system, thus supporting modular design. We present three local properties, verify that they ensure atomicity, and show that they are optimal. Previously published protocols are suboptimal. We show that these differences are the result of fundamental limitations in the model used to analyze those protocols; these limitations are not shared by our model.
Symptom exacerbation and hospitalization for heart failure: onset time, progression, and severity

Purpose Congestive heart failure (CHF) is generally described as a clinical syndrome characterized by impairments to the structure and function of the heart. CHF symptom exacerbation is responsible for more than 1 million hospital admissions annually and represents one of the largest Medicare expenditures. The purpose of this study was to determine the onset, progression, and severity of acute symptoms experienced prior to hospital admission. The specific aims of the study were to (i) describe onset times for acute symptoms, (ii) assess the severity of these symptoms prior to admission, and (iii) identify predictors of increased onset and severity of acute symptoms among persons with CHF. Methods A total of 127 patients were interviewed following emergency admission to an urban university medical center. Interviews evaluated acute symptom scores, recent time-activity patterns, and chronic CHF experience. Acute symptoms (including shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling) were assessed with a 10-point visual analog scale at four time periods prior to and at admission. In addition, follow-up information was collected by phone interview at 4 to 6 weeks after discharge. Results Average symptom scores demonstrated progressive worsening prior to admission. Two weeks before admission, the mean score for shortness of breath was 4.6 (SD = 3.0). At admission, this increased to 7.5 (SD = 2.9). Scores for other symptoms showed similar gains. Participants with self-described mild CHF reported greater increases in symptom scores at hospital admission compared with those with moderate or severe illness. Ranked scores did not differ for patients with prolonged discomfort compared with those describing rapid onset of symptom exacerbation. Conclusion Patients hospitalized for exacerbation of CHF experience progressive worsening of acute symptoms prior to admission. The presence of additional chronic conditions, more severe CHF, and comorbid illnesses predict higher acute symptom scores. The understanding of the temporal onset of acute symptoms can aid in education and awareness for patients at risk of hospital admission due to aggravated heart failure conditions.
Acceptance of Learning Disabled Students in the Mainstream Environment A Failure to Replicate

The sociometric status of primary and upper elementary students was investigated. The locale was a suburban area where those children classified as learning disabled were mainstreamed in two elementary schools. There were 362 children participating in the study, 8% of whom were learning disabled. The data do not support the findings of previous studies on the sociometric status of handicapped children in the regular classroom; i.e., learning disabled children would rate significantly lower in terms of popularity than their peers who are not learning disabled peers. A discussion of the reasons for better acceptance of the handicapped in mainstream education is included.
Measurement of the Extensional and Flexural Rigidities of a Subcellular Structure: Marginal Bands Isolated From Erythrocytes of the Newt

The elastic properties of marginal band, a microtubular structure isolated from the newt (notophthalmus viridescens) have been measured. Bands were isolated using Triton X-100 and pepsin at pH 6.8 according to the method of Cohen (1978). Isolated bands were manipulated with a glass microhook in a buffer-filled chamber under the microscope. Single bands were stretched between the hook and a thin glass fiber. The fiber was calibrated so that the force on the band could be calculated from the displacement of the fiber. The data pairs of force versus band deflection were analyzed according to the theoretical work of Libai and Simmonds (1983) to obtain the flexural and extensional rigidities of the band. Band dimensions calculated from the data were consistent with microscopically determined values. The average flexural rigidity of the bands (EI) was 5.3 X 10(-13) dyn X cm2 and the average extensional rigidity (EA) was 0.017 dyn. Compared to the cell membrane, the marginal band is nearly inextensible and has a much greater resistance to bending, indicating that the band makes an important contribution to the deformability of the circulating cell.
GAP-releasing enzyme is a member of the pro-hormone convertase family of precursor protein processing enzymes.

Abstract The recent discovery of mammalian endoproteinases which show extensive sequence homology with the yeast Kex 2 gene product (kexin) has lead to the hypothesis that processing enzymes of pro-hormone precursor proteins belong to a family of calcium dependent, subtilisin-like serine proteinases. We previously showed that hypothalamic GAP-releasing enzyme shares these characteristics and possesses the requisite specificity to be considered as a processing enzyme of progonadotropin releasing hormone (pro-GnRH) precursor protein. Thus, GAP-releasing enzyme (and other non-related proteins) were tested for their immunological reactivity with antisera raised against pituitary pro-hormone convertase 1 3 ( PC 1 3 ) and insulinoma PC2. On the basis of indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) and Western blot assays, GAP-releasing enzyme is now shown to be immunologically related to PC 1 3 . We can conclude that GAP-releasing enzyme is also likely to be a member of the pro-hormone convertase family and should be considered the physiologically relevant processing enzyme of pro-GnRH. It is possible that GAP-releasing enzyme represents bovine hypothalamic PC 1 3 .
Clean and Conductive Wafer Bonding for MEMS

Various categories of bonding technologies were investigated for MEMS encapsulation applications. The bonding processes presented in this paper include Al to Al, Si to Si, and metal (Al or Au) to Si. Among the above different bonding schemes, the Al to Al bonding gave the highest process yield and bond strength. In addition, actual MEMS accelerometers were successfully integrated with Al to Al bonding with high yield all the way through plastic over-mold packaging and assembly.
A Note on the Determination of Some Alkali Salts of Organic Acids by Ion Exchange

The present official method of analysis for preparations containing alkali salts of organic acids is time consuming. A cation exchange resin was used to convert the salts to the corresponding free acid which was then titrated directly with sodium hydroxide. The method was applied to four parenteral preparations, i. e., anticoagulant sodium citrate solution, anticoagulant acid citrate dextrose solution, sodium lactate injection, and sodium salicylate ampuls. The citric acid in A. C. D. solution was determined by direct titration before passing the solution through the resin column. Dextrose does not interfere in the ion exchange assay procedure. The ion exchange assay procedure is rapid, with an accuracy equal to or better than that achieved by the official method.
Radial bands in the optic nerve myelin sheath.

WHILE examining the histochemistry of the optic nerve, we observed beaded transverse band-like areas, which were more dense than the other areas in the myelin sheath in osmium-tetroxide-fixed tissues (Fig. 1 A, arrows), These beads of dark areas in the myelin sheath were fairly constantly observed in cross as well as in longitudinal sections. The bands became very clear when the osmium-tetroxide-treated, paraffin-embedded sections were cleared in xylol, immersed in turpentine or dioxane for 1½ h, and then cleared again in xylol and mounted in dibutylphthalate polysterene xylene mounting medium. With this procedure, banded arrangements of beads were clearly seen (Fig. 1 B, arrows), and the lipid material which is in between these beads had been extracted, whereas the beads themselves were left unextracted. This suggests that these dark beaded areas in the myelin sheaths of the optic nerve, which are seen in osmium-tetroxide-treated material, are resistant to fat solvents. It is probable that these banded areas are made up of some kind of proteolipid or polysaccharide material which is resistant to fat solvents.
A Drift-Fence Pit Trap that Preserves Captured Rodents

The efficiency of lead fences of hardware cloth to direct rodents into funnel traps is discussed; a new type of pit trap that excludes birds and automatically preserves captured rodents is described. Rodents entering the trap fall through a trap door into a gallon jar containing alcohol. The pit traps primarily catch dispersing rodents; resident populations do not appear to be destroyed. Each pit trap yielded 2.5 to 45 times as many rodents as did Sherman live traps set for only one night.
Involvement of Transmembrane Helix Dimerization and Rotation in Signaling by the Thrombopoietin Receptor

In this study, we investigate the role of the transmembrane (TM) domain in the activation of one member of the cytokine receptor family: the thrombopoietin receptor (TpoR). The TM domain is thought to play a key role in the activation by facilitating receptor homodimerization and by transmitting the ligand-induced re-orientation of the extracellular domain to the cytoplasmic domain through conformational changes. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these events are not fully understood. Here, we considered several unanswered questions: Is the homodimerization of TpoR TM domain important in receptor activation? Which TM residues are involved in stabilizing receptor interactions? Additionally, we investigated the role of a constitutively activating mutation (S505N) and the mechanism of action of a piperidine-4-carboxylic acid TpoR agonist (Compound 2). We show that the TM domain of the human TpoR dimerizes strongly and that the full-length receptors exist as homodimers on the surface of mammalian cells in the absence of ligand. Our results indicate that TpoR can adopt two different conformations involving two different sets of residues. One of the contact interfaces mimics an inactive unliganded TpoR dimer and the other corresponds to an active conformation that is compatible with the constitutive signaling induced by the S505N mutation. We also show that Compound 2 interacts specifically with the N-terminus portion of the active dimer conformation. Overall, our results give new insight into the role of the TM domain in the activation mechanism of TpoR and provide a more detailed model of cytokine receptor activation and modulation by small molecule agonists.
A finite dynamic element for laminated composite plates and shells

Development of finite dynamic elements can result in a significant reduction of computing time and cost for calculation of natural frequencies and mode shapes, which is an essential part of flutter prediction. Analysis with and without the dynamic terms is an alternative to constructing a new finite element mesh, to determine whether the mesh is sufficiently refined. Finite dynamic elements show spectacular improvement in convergence of higher modes with mesh refinement, but the improvement for lower modes is not so great. Cost reduction ratios greater than 20 have been observed for some modes. An average cost reduction ratio of 12 was achieved for the first six modes of a swept, tapered sandwich composite plate, at the 3 percent error level. Another set of calculations was made to determine the mesh density and cost parameters for which none of the first 12 frequencies was in error by more than 3 percent. It was found that the computing cost parameter for the dynamic element was about three times lower than the basic triangular element and 5.9 times lower than an eight-node isoparametric element.
Student affect regarding library-based and web-based research before and after an information literacy course

Affective responses toward library- and web-based research were measured in surveys administered before and after an eight-week, one-credit-hour, university course in information literacy. Affect refers to attitudinal and emotional responses as measured via Likert scale questions regarding: like-dislike, difficulty-ease, confidence-anxiety, and interest-boredom. Approximately 90 students participated. Affective responses to web-based research (WR) did not appreciably change and remained more positive than responses to library-based research (LR). However, affect responses to LR increased positively by 9 percent for all students. The most notable LR affect increases among sub-groups were: (1) 13 percent among males and (2) 28 percent among the 21—24 age group. (Numbers are rounded.)
Exposure therapy in the treatment of PTSD among cocaine-dependent individuals: preliminary findings.

Individuals (n = 39) participated in an outpatient, 16-session individual, manual-guided psychotherapy designed to treat concurrent PTSD and cocaine dependence. Therapy consisted of a combination of imaginal and in-vivo exposure therapy techniques to treat PTSD symptoms and cognitive-behavioral techniques to treat cocaine dependence. Although the dropout rate was high, treatment completers (i.e., patients who attended at least 10 sessions; n = 15) demonstrated significant reductions in all PTSD symptom clusters and cocaine use from baseline to end of treatment. Significant reductions in depressive symptomatology, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory, and psychiatric and cocaine use severity, as measured by the Addiction Severity Index, were also observed. These improvements in PTSD symptoms and cocaine use were maintained over a 6-month follow-up period among completers. The average pre- to posttreatment effect size was 1.80 for PTSD symptoms and 1.26 for drug and alcohol use severity. Baseline comparisons between treatment completers and noncompleters revealed significantly higher avoidance symptoms, as measured by the Impact of Events Scale, and fewer years of education among treatment noncompleters as compared to completers. This study provides preliminary evidence to suggest that exposure therapy can be used safely and may be effective in the treatment of PTSD in some individuals with cocaine dependence. However, the study is limited by the uncontrolled nature of the study design, small number of subjects, and high dropout rate.
Seed availability constrains plant species sorting along a soil fertility gradient

Summary 1. Spatial variation in species composition within and among communities may be caused by deterministic, niche-based species sorting in response to underlying environmental heterogeneity as well as by stochastic factors such as dispersal limitation and variable species pools. An important goal in ecology is to reconcile deterministic and stochastic perspectives of community assembly and to assess the contribution of each class of processes to community dynamics and structure. 2. We present an 8-year field experiment of grassland secondary succession that documents plant community differentiation in response to an experimental gradient of nitrogen (N) fertilization, factorially crossed with a manipulation of the available species pool achieved using a multi-species seed sowing treatment. We evaluate the hypothesis, adapted from meta-community theory, that seed availability limits the contribution of niche-based, species sorting to patterns of community variation along an environmental gradient. 3. The magnitude of species sorting and community differentiation observed in response to N fertilization (measured as N effect size on multivariate community composition) became progressively more distinct and more statistically significant over time in experimental plots as succession proceeded. However, this response was significantly more pronounced among plots that had been exposed to experimentally enriched propagule pools. 4. Synthesis. Our findings support the hypothesis that dispersal limitations and species pools can mediate the contribution of niche-based, species–environment sorting to plant community development and limit the extent to which underlying resource gradients become deterministically expressed in patterns of vegetation composition. We suggest that continued habitat destruction and fragmentation in the former prairie landscape where this study was conducted would further reduce native species pools and habitat connectivity, diminishing opportunities for species–environment sorting and compromising the capacity of these grassland systems to respond to environmental change.
In Vivo Hyperglycemic Effect of (−)- and (+)-Epinephrine in Dogs

(−)-Epinephrine is a major component in the regulation of the physiological homeostasis of glucose levels in the blood. (+)-Epinephrine, a synthetic stereoisomer, has been reported to have 10% of the in vitro adrenergic-lipolytic activity of (−)-epinephrine and only 7% in vitro competitive binding activity to fat cells. The in vivo hypergly-cemic effects of the two stereoisomers were studied in 6 dogs using a continuous glucose monitor. The method allowed a direct comparison between the hyperglycemic effects of the two stereoisomers in each dog in the course of each test; therefore, the effect of individual variability of response was eliminated. Previous reports on the relative activity of the two stereoisomers were carried out only in vitro. The previous methods required interassay comparison. The present method is in vivo and uses intra-assay comparison. The hyperglycemic activity of (+)-epinephrine bitartrate was found to have 12.8% of the hyperglycemic activity of its natural (−)-stereoisomer.
Factors influencing hydroxylamine inactivation of photosynthetic water oxidation

Abstract The kinetics of Mn release during NH2OH inactivation of the water oxidizing reaction is largely insensitive to the S-state present during addition of NH2OH. This appears to reflect reduction by NH2OH of higher S-states to a common more reduced state (S0 or S−1) which alone is susceptible to NH2OH inactivation. Sequences of saturating flashes with dark intervals in the range 0.2–5 s−1 effectively prevent NH2OH inactivation and the associated liberation of manganese. This light-induced protection disappears rapidly when the dark interval is longer than about 5 s. Under continuous illumination, protection against NH2OH inactivation is maximally effective at intensities in the range 103–104 erg · cm−2 · s−1. This behavior differs from that of NH2OH-induced Mn release, which is strongly inhibited at all intensities greater than 103 erg · cm−2 · s−1. This indicates that two distinct processes are responsible for inactivation of water oxidation at high and low intensities. Higher S-states appear to be immune to the reaction by which NH2OH liberates manganese, although the overall process of water oxidation is inactivated by NH2OH in the presence of intense light. The light-induced protection phenomenon is abolished by 50 μM DCMU, but not by high concentrations of carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, which accelerates inactivation reactions of the water-splitting enzyme, Y (an ADRY reagent). The latter compound accelerates both inactivation of water oxidation and manganese extraction in the dark.
The recognition without cued recall phenomenon: Support for a feature-matching theory over a partial recollection account☆

Abstract Among cues that fail to elicit successful recall, participants can still discriminate between cues that do and do not resemble studied items. This ability is referred to as recognition without cued recall (RWCR). We hypothesized that whereas recognition with cued recall is at least partly based on recalled studied information, RWCR results from a feature-matching process whereby cue features are matched with features in memory to produce a variable familiarity signal that is stronger when there is a greater match. To create some degree of feature-match at test, we used non-word cues (e.g., foneheed) that potentially graphemically resembled studied words (e.g., forehead). In Experiments 1 and 2, study word features that were not reinstated in the test cues themselves (study word concreteness and study word emotionality) affected recognition with recall but did not affect RWCR. In Experiment 3, RWCR was shown to be greater when there was a greater degree of match between the features in the cue and those in memory, and differed from recognition with recall in this regard. These results support a feature-matching theory of RWCR. More broadly, they support dual-process theories of recognition in suggesting that there are at least two different bases for recognition memory decisions: recalled information in response to the test item, or a sense of familiarity with the test item brought on by the type of feature-matching process described by global matching models of recognition.
Artificially ordered BiSb alloys: growth and transport properties

We propose a new approach for potentially achieving high-ZT materials: artificially ordered alloy structures. We have prepared artificially ordered Bi/Sb alloys with different (Bi/Sb) periods from 7.7 /spl Aring/ to 55 /spl Aring/ by MBE. Atomic-scale ordering effects on the structural and transport properties have been studied. The formation of an ordered alloy was confirmed by the presence of XRD superlattice satellites. Using electrical resistivity, thermopower, and magneto-transport measurements, we have observed a semimetal-semiconductor transition in an ordered BiSb superlattice. The intentional ordering of the layered Bi-Sb structure has produced a new phase and the measured differences in the electronic spectrum relative to the random alloy are a consequence of its atomic structure.
ModelTracker: Redesigning Performance Analysis Tools for Machine Learning

Model building in machine learning is an iterative process. The performance analysis and debugging step typically involves a disruptive cognitive switch from model building to error analysis, discouraging an informed approach to model building. We present ModelTracker, an interactive visualization that subsumes information contained in numerous traditional summary statistics and graphs while displaying example-level performance and enabling direct error examination and debugging. Usage analysis from machine learning practitioners building real models with ModelTracker over six months shows ModelTracker is used often and throughout model building. A controlled experiment focusing on ModelTracker's debugging capabilities shows participants prefer ModelTracker over traditional tools without a loss in model performance.
Lecithin:retinol acyltransferase from mouse and rat liver. CDNA cloning and liver-specific regulation by dietary vitamin a and retinoic acid.

Lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT), present in microsomes, catalyzes the transfer of the sn -1 fatty acid of phosphatidylcholine to retinol bound to a cellular retinol- binding protein. In the present study we have cloned mouse and rat liver LRAT cDNA and tested the hypothesis that LRAT mRNA, like LRAT activity, is regulated physiologi- cally in a liver-specific manner. The nucleotide sequences of mouse and rat liver LRAT cDNA each encode a 231-amino acid protein with 94% similarity between these species, and approximately 80% similarity to a cDNA for LRAT from human retinal pigment epithelium. Expression of rat LRAT cDNA in HEK293T cells resulted in functional retinol esteri- fication and storage. RNA from several rat tissues hybridized with liver LRAT cDNA. However, LRAT mRNA was virtually absent from the liver of vitamin A-deficient animals, while be- ing unaffected in intestine and testis. LRAT mRNA was rap- idly induced by retinoic acid (RA) in liver of vitamin A-defi- cient mice and rats ( P , 0.01). LRAT mRNA and enzymatic activity were well correlated in the same livers of rats treated with exogenous RA (r 5 0.895, P , 0.0001), and in a dietary study that encompassed a broad range of vitamin A exposure (r 5 0.799, P , 0.0001). Liver total retinol of , 100 nmol/g was associated with low LRAT expression ( , 33% of control). We propose that RA, derived exoge- nously or from metabolism, serves as an important signal of vitamin A status. The constitutive expression of liver LRAT during retinoid sufficiency would serve to divert retinol into storage pools, while the curtailment of LRAT expression in retinoid deficiency would maintain retinol for secretion and delivery to peripheral tissues. — Zolfaghari, R., and A. C. Ross. Lecithin:retinol acyltransferase from mouse and rat liver: cDNA cloning and liver-specific regulation by dietary vitamin A and retinoic acid. J. Lipid Res. 2000. 41: 2024- 2034.
Effect of noise variance in the channel estimation on dual-MRC over Rayleigh fading channels

The performance analysis of dual (two-branch) MRC under imperfect weight is derived. The weight of the perfect MRC is the conjugate of the channel gain normalized to the noise variance of each branch. On the other hand, the imperfect MRC in this paper means the case that the weight is only the conjugate of the channel gain, not being normalized to the noise variance. Considering the system (or channel) conditions that the noise level of each branch is different, we present the accurate performance analysis of imperfect dual MRC in terms of average combined signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), outage probability and average symbol error rate for arbitrary modulations in closed-form and compare them with the performance of the perfect MRC and the selection combining (SC). The interesting statistical results such as probability density function, cumulative distribution function, and moment generating function of the combined output SNR, which follows the ratio distribution of the square of the sum of the exponential random variables (RVs) to the weighted sum of the exponential RVs are derived. From the performance results we provide the criterion in choosing the imperfect MRC, perfect MRC, or SC depending on the degree of the difference of the noise level between branches.
Thin-film polarizers for the OMEGA EP laser system

Thin-film polarizers are essential components of large laser systems such as OMEGA EP and the NIF because of the need to switch the beam out of the primary laser cavity (in conjunction with a plasma-electrode Pockels cell) as well as providing a well-defined linear polarization for frequency conversion and protecting the system from back-reflected light. The design and fabrication of polarizers for pulse-compressed laser systems is especially challenging because of the spectral bandwidth necessary for chirped-pulse amplification. The design requirements for a polarizer on the OMEGA EP Laser System include a T p greater than 98% over a spectral range of 1053±4 nm while maintaining a contrast ratio ( T p / T s ) of greater than 200:1 (500:1 goal) over the same range. An allowance must be made for the uniformity of the film deposition such that the specifications are met over the aperture of the component while allowing for some tolerance of angular misalignment. Production results for hafnia/silica designs will be shown, illustrating high transmission and contrast over an extended wavelength/angular range suitable for the 8 nm spectral bandwidth of OMEGA EP. Difficulties in production will also be illustrated, as well as the methods being implemented to overcome these challenges. A key challenge continues to be the fabrication of such a coating suitable for use on fused-silica substrates in a dry environment. Laser-damage thresholds for 1-ns and 10-ps pulse widths will be discussed.
Understanding barriers to implementing quality lunch and nutrition education.

Food services and nutrition education are priorities for the Coordinated School Health Program in Massachusetts, which is a CDC-funded partnership between the Massachusetts Departments of Education and Public Health. Despite funding and resources provided by governmental and non-governmental agencies, schools are facing barriers in effectively creating a healthy nutritional environment. A qualitative survey was conducted to understand barriers to implementing quality lunch and nutrition education programs perceived by superintendents, principals, food service directors, nurses, and health educators in Massachusetts. The results suggest that while funding can initially enable schools to provide quality lunch, but without changes in students' preference for unhealthy food and parental and community involvement in fostering students' healthy eating behavior, the lunch programs cannot achieve a sustainable success. Lack of opportunity for communication among food service staff, health educators, and teachers appears to hinder the coordination necessary to promote school lunch as well as school-wide nutrition education. Respondents acknowledged that the state's academic assessment system is the priority issue in their schools, but expressed that the interests and initiatives of superintendents and principals in the lunch and nutrition education programs can be enhanced. Overall, the results suggest that successful implementation of quality lunch and nutrition education programs require not only the collaborative efforts of school administration and staff but also the support of parents, community, and the mass media.
Heated-Atmosphere Airship for the Titan Environment: Thermal Analysis

Future exploration of Saturn's moon Titan can be carried out by airships. Several lighter-than-atmosphere gas airships and passive drifting heated-atmosphere balloon designs have been studied, but a heated-atmosphere airship could combine the best characteristics of both. This work analyses the thermal design of such a heated-atmosphere vehicle, and compares the result with a lighter-than-atmosphere (hydrogen) airship design. A design tool was created to enable iteration through different design parameters of a heated-atmosphere airship (diameter, number of layers, and insulating gas pocket thicknesses) and evaluate the feasibility of the resulting airship. A baseline heated-atmosphere airship was designed to have a diameter of 6 m (outer diameter of 6.2 m), three-layers of material, and an insulating gas pocket thickness of 0.05 m between each layer. The heated-atmosphere airship has a mass of 161.9 kg. A similar mission making use of a hydrogen-filled airship would require a diameter of 4.3 m and a mass of about 200 kg. For a long-duration mission, the heated-atmosphere airship appears better suited. However, for a mission lifetime under 180 days, the less complex hydrogen airship would likely be a better option.
Factors That Influence Electrical Resistivity Measurements in Cementitious Systems

The electrical resistivity of cement-based materials can be used in quality control or service life prediction as an indicator of the fluid transport properties of these materials. Although electrical tests have the advantage of being easy and rapid to perform, several key factors can influence the results: (a) specimen geometry, (b) specimen temperature, and (c) sample storage and conditioning. This paper addresses these issues and compares the measurements from several commercially available testing devices. First, the role of sample geometry is explained with the use of three common geometries: surface, uniaxial, and embedded electrodes. If the geometry is properly accounted for, measurements from different test geometries result in electrical resistivity values that are similar. Second, the role of sample temperature is discussed for both pore solution and uniaxial tests on cylinders. Third, the paper examines the importance of sample curing, storage, and conditioning. Sample storage and conditioning ...
Perceptions of diabetes symptoms and self-management strategies: a cross-cultural comparison.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to compare and contrast perceived symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus and self-management strategies between Russian-speaking Slavic immigrant American women and non-Hispanic, nonimmigrant White American women. Methods: The qualitative–descriptive study design was conducted with a convenience sample of Slavic immigrant women 50 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes (n = 10), and non-Hispanic, nonimmigrant White American women 50 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes (n = 10). Results: Slavic immigrants reported more global holistic symptoms of diabetes, whereas nonimmigrants reported more specific physiological somatic symptoms. The nonimmigrant women used more complex diabetes self-management techniques compared with the Slavic group. A lack of education and awareness of hypoglycemia may contribute to less medication adherence in Slavic immigrants and may prevent them from being motivated to participate in diabetes self-management. Discussion and Con...
Cost disparities in lung cancer treatment by disability status, sex, and race

Abstract Background The recent literature contains numerous reports of disparities in the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of lung cancer across a growing list of population subgroups, including disability status. A common assumption is that disparities stem mainly from variations in the level and type of treatment resources available to specific subgroups. Few studies, however, have directly measured resource differentials. Since policy makers identify reducing health disparities as a critical priority, this study examined whether cumulative Medicare costs (resource consumption) for lung cancer treatment differ across eight patient subgroups defined by disability status, sex, and race. Hypothesis Treatment disparities across the eight subgroups will be reflected in variations in the cumulative cost profiles of those subgroups, controlling for other plausible cost drivers. Failure to detect statistically significant differentials in these cost profiles implies that treatment disparities stem from factors other than access to, and utilization of, health care services. Methods Linked SEER-Medicare data were used to construct cost profiles by service type and treatment phase for roughly 80,000 incident lung cancer cases in patients aged 45 to 85 years at diagnosis. Multiple regression models then tested for cost differentials across the eight subgroups, controlling for various patient and disease characteristics. Results Significant cost differentials were detected, some unanticipated. Women tended to have higher treatment costs than men; they also had more favorable survivals. Nonwhites also tended to have higher treatment costs than whites, although they had significantly shorter survivals. On average, men with disabilities consumed the fewest treatment resources and had the shortest survivals. Mixed results were obtained for women with disabilities. Conclusions Among others, the findings suggest that reducing disparities will take more than just improving access to health care. Special attention must be paid to lung cancer patients with disabilities by both policy makers and clinicians.
The relationship between media consumption and eating disorders

This study examined the relationship between college women's media use and two sets of variables (disordered-eating symptomatology and a set of related variables, including body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness) and assessed the relationship between college men's media use and their endorsement of thinness for themselves and for women. We expected to find consumption of thinness-depicting and thinness-promoting TDP) media related to disordered eating and thinness endorsement, with the social learning process of modeling accounting for the relationships. For women, media use predicted disordered-eating symptomatology, drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and ineffectiveness. For men, media use predicted endorsement of personal thinness and dieting and select attitudes in favor of thinness and dieting for women. Magazine reading was a more consistent predictor than television viewing. Several relationships remained significant when interest in fitness and dieting as media topics was partialled out of the analyses. Exposure to TDP media appears to be associated with a subsequent increase in eating disorder symptomatology. Selective exposure to these media based on initial interest in fitness and dieting as media topics is not a viable alternative explanation for this association.
CATECHOLAMINE MECHANISMS: INTERACTION WITH β-ENDORPHIN INDUCED SEIZURES

ABSTRACT The endogenous opioid peptide β-endorphin (β-E) elicits non-convulsive limoic seizures when administered intraventricularly (i.c.v.) to rats. Reserpine or O-OH-DA administered to rats prior to β-E potentiates these epileptiiorm signs. This potentiation can be attenuated by pre-treating rats with agents that selectively increase synaptic catecholamines or serotonin. As is similar with other experimental models of epilepsy, β-E induced limbic seizures are responsive to brain monoamine alterations.
Characterization and analysis of structural and optical properties of perovskite thin films

The development of perovskite thin films by spin-coating, deposition techniques have been investigated. The methyl ammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite has a direct band gap of 1.5 eV and a large absorption coefficient of over 104 cm−1. The perovskite absorber was deposited by a non-vacuum liquid-based coating method with chlorobenzene and without chlorobenzene by using Laurell Technologies WS650 spin processor. Optical, structural and electronic characterization and analysis of the thin films were performed by using the Hitachi S-4800 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and the Bruker D8 Discover X-ray diffractometer (XRD), the Thermo Scientific DXR SmartRaman spectrometer, and the Cary 5000 UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Results were used to determine the crystal structure, orientation and crystallite size, and energy band gap (Eg) of perovskite thin films.
Cartographic Multimedia and Praxis in Human Geography and the Social Sciences

The most vital issues in multimedia cartography are not technical issues. Cartographic multimedia has great potential for human geographers and social scientists engaged in attempts to understand and represent complex human and social environments through space and over time. This potential can be realised if we, as cartographers, approach cartographic multimedia as a substantive method, with a conceptual and theoretical foundation, rather than as a technology in search of applications. In this chapter I suggest that the idea of praxis — an explicitly theorised practice — should underpin our approach to and understanding of multimedia cartography.
The Larva of Limonius Consimilis Walk. (Coleoptera, Elateridae)

The wireworm Limonius consimilis Walker is closely related to Limonius bructeri (Panz.) of Europe, which Eschscholtz made the genotype of Limonius in 1829 and Kiesenwetter of Pheletes in 1858 and is now placed in synonymy under L. aeneoniger (Degeer) by Schenkling (1927). These species apparently stand alone in their respective faunal zones and together represent a group which is distinct from the other species usually included within the larger concept of the genus Limonius .
Ion exchange activity in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells: the response to hypoxia.

The purposes of this study were to determine 1) the presence of the major ion transport activities that regulate cytoplasmic pH (pHc) in cat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, i.e., Na+/H+ and t...