cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inflammatory markers and overall survival in older adults with cancer

Abstract Background Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic impact of three inflammatory markers - neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR) - on overall survival (OS) in older adults with cancer. Materials and Methods Our sample includes 144 patients age ≥ 65 years with solid tumor cancer who completed a cancer-specific Geriatric Assessment (GA) from 2010 to 2014 and had pretreatment CBC with differential. NLR was dichotomized a previously reported cut-off value of 3.5, while PLR and LMR were dichotomized at the median. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated whether NLR, PLR and LMR were predictive of OS independent of covariates including a recently developed 3-item GA-derived prognostic scale consisting of (1) “limitation in walking several blocks”, (2) “limitation in shopping”, and (3) “≥ 5% unintentional weight loss in 6 months”. Results Median age was 72 years, 53% had breast cancer, 27% had stage 4 cancer, 14% had Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) 3.5. In univariable analysis, higher NLR and PLR and lower LMR were significantly associated with worse OS. NLR remained a significant predictor of OS (HR = 2.16, 95% CI; 1.10–4.25, p = .025) after adjusting for cancer type, stage, age, KPS, treatment intensity, and the GA-derived prognostic scale. Conclusion NLR > 3.5 is predictive of poorer OS in older adults with cancer, independent of traditional prognostic factors and the GA-derived prognostic scale.
A National Comparison of Dual Users of Smokeless Tobacco and Cigarettes and Exclusive Cigarette Smokers, 2015-2016.

Introduction While smoking rates have declined, use of smokeless tobacco (ST) has remained constant. ST is heavily marketed to cigarette smokers, and many ST users smoke cigarettes. This study provides updated comparisons of the characteristics, smoking behaviors, and perceptions of US adult dual ST and cigarette users and exclusive cigarette smokers in 2015-2016. Methods Data were from nationally representative, cross-sectional surveys from 2015 and 2016. Adult smokers reported past 30-day use of ST, current cigarette smoking, risk perceptions, smoking, and quitting behaviors. We estimated Rao-Scott χ2 and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) to compare dual users and exclusive smokers. Results Dual users were more likely to be younger, reside in nonmetropolitan statistical areas (MSA) and outside the Northeast United States. Adjusting for covariates, dual users did not differ significantly from exclusive smokers on most smoker characteristics, including number of past year quit attempts. Dual users were more likely to report past 30-day use of novel tobacco products (AORs 2.90 [little cigars and cigarillos] to 11.02 [hookah]). Dual users who reported at least 1 past year cigarette quit attempt were more likely than exclusive smokers to report using ST, traditional cigars, hookah, or heat-not-burn as a past year quit method (AOR: 9.54 [95% CI: 3.22 to 28.23]). Conclusions Smokers who use ST are more likely than exclusive smokers to attempt to quit smoking cigarettes using other tobacco products. These findings may be attributed to increasing use prevalence of novel products. We recommend further monitoring to assess polytobacco use and differences among these populations. Implications Many current ST users smoke cigarettes and ST promotions often target cigarette smokers. As the FDA considers ST regulations and implements a nicotine centered regulatory framework, it is imperative to evaluate how these policies and promotion of ST as potentially reduced risk products impact dual and polytobacco use. Our study found that many dual users engage in novel tobacco use in general and as a cessation method. Consideration of ST and polytobacco use among smokers may be helpful in the development of forthcoming FDA regulations, messaging, and interventions.
Intracellular RNA-tracking methods

RNA tracking allows researchers to visualize RNA molecules in cells and tissues, providing important spatio-temporal information regarding RNA dynamics and function. Methods such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and molecular beacons rely on complementary oligonucleotides to label and view endogenous transcripts. Other methods create artificial chimeric transcripts coupled with bacteriophage-derived coat proteins (e.g. MS2, λN) to tag molecules in live cells. In other approaches, endogenous RNAs are recognized by complementary RNAs complexed with noncatalytic Cas proteins. Each technique has its own set of strengths and limitations that must be considered when planning an experiment. Here, we discuss the mechanisms, advantages, and weaknesses of in situ hybridization, molecular beacons, MS2 tagging and Cas-derived systems, as well as how RNA tracking can be employed to study various aspects of molecular biology.
Addressing the Problem of Activity Recognition with Experience Sampling and Weak Learning

Quantifying individual’s levels of activity through smart or proprietary devices is currently an active area of research. Current implementations use subjective methods, for instance, questionnaires or require comprehensively annotated datasets for automated classification. Each method brings its own specific drawbacks. Questionnaires cause recall bias and providing annotations for datasets is difficult and tedious. Weakly supervised methodologies provide methodologies for handling inaccurate or incomplete annotations and literature has shown their effectiveness for classifying activity data. As a key issue of activity recognition is capturing annotations, the aim of this work is to evaluate how classification performance is affected by limiting annotations and to investigate potential solutions. Experience sampling combined with the algorithms in this paper can result in a classifier accuracy of 74% with a 99.8% reduction in annotations, with increased compute overheads. This paper shows that experience sampling combined with a method of populating labels to unlabeled feature vectors can be a viable solution to the annotation problem.
Risk and Uncertainty in Style Rotation

The effectiveness of the VIX index as a leading indicator of style returns has been examined in the finance literature, finding that increases in this “fear index” lead to outperformance of “value” vs “growth” stocks, although the effect has attenuated over time. This study introduces the concept of “uncertainty” as an additional indicator of returns to value, as measured by the CBOE® VVIX (“volatility of volatility”), that that may be considered as a proxy for “uncertainty” in the Knightian sense. Increases in uncertainty (the VVIX index) lead to negative short-term returns to value. Additional macroeconomic variables provide additional incremental information regarding these phenomena.
Epilogue: A Figure of Wax

This final chapter retraces questions of gender, writing, art, and the nature of humanity that have recurred throughout this project. It also offers additional avenues for exploration in and around wax.
Membrane Modulation of the Steroid Hydroxylase Activity of Adrenocortical Mitochondria

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses membrane modulation of the steroid hydroxylase activity of adrenocortical mitochondria. It is believed that the rate-limiting step of adrenal corticoidogenesis is the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone by the mitochondrial adrenodoxin reductaseadrenodoxin-P-450scc dependent mixed function oxidase. This side-chain cleavage reaction is stimulated by the action of ACTH on adrenocortical cells via multiple steps, in which c-AMP, protein kinase, cholesterol esterase, and ribosomal synthesis of a so-called labile protein have been implicated as involved. In a study presented in the chapter, intact bovine adrenocortical mitochondria and their inner membrane fractions were prepared. The anaerobic mitochondria were prepared by the same method except deoxygenated argon was bubbled through all buffers to remove O2. Orientation of cytochromes P-450 in the inner mitochondrial membranes was investigated by using controlled tryptic digestion of intact, sonicated, and detergent solubilized inner membranes. It was found that when intact inner membranes were treated with trypsin, less than 5% of the cytochomes P-450 were converted to P-420. However, when sonicated and detergent solubilized inner membranes were treated with trypsin, over 50% of the total P-450 was converted to P-420.
Kidnapping and Missing Person Hoaxes and False Reports

In this chapter, the Missing Person Project (MPP) findings are used to investigate the characteristics and motivation of persons who make false claims and carry out hoaxes about kidnappings and missing persons. This chapter examines the ways in which police respond to the uncertainties and complexities of these possible false reports and hoaxes. This analysis examines the process by which various conditions may influence the process in which law enforcement personnel, judges, family members, community residents and others respond to the uncertainties and complexities of these false claims. The traumatic and stigmatizing effects of these false kidnapping and missing person police reports and hoaxes are investigated.
Mechanical tricuspid balloon 'valvuloplasty' in a prohibitive risk patient with cardiogenic shock: a case report.

Background We present a complex case of a failing tricuspid mechanical valve prosthesis in a patient with refractory cardiogenic shock at prohibitive risk for surgery in whom balloon 'valvuloplasty' resulted in immediate haemodynamic improvement in valve function. Case summary A 67-year-old woman with remote history of endocarditis s/p tricuspid valve repair and mechanical aortic valve replacement was referred for second opinion and management of new severe symptomatic tricuspid valve stenosis resulting in progressive debilitating congestive heart failure (HF). The patient was approved by the heart team to undergo redo open heart for surgical repair of the tricuspid valve. Intraoperative technical challenges were met to repair the tricuspid valve. In turn, the native valve was resected and a 33 mm On-X mechanical valve prosthesis. The patient's post-operative course was complicated by recurrent haemoptysis, prolonged mechanical respiratory support, acute kidney injury, and cardiogenic shock. Surgical re-exploration to address the dysfunctional mechanical tricuspid valve was felt to be prohibitive. Structural heart team was consulted. Cardiac catheterization was recommended to ascertain and confirm findings. The patient was transferred to the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Initial fluoroscopic examination of the heart confirmed the echocardiographic results of an immobile septal leaflet of the recently implanted mechanical tricuspid valve. An 8 × 40 mm Mustang OTW angioplasty balloon was then advanced across the mechanical valve and inflated gradually at nominal pressure. A single inflation resulted in successful restoration of valve leaflet function. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first balloon 'valvuloplasty' on a mechanical On-X valve in the tricuspid position.
Educators’ views on the location of Pre-K programs and its relation to features of P-3 alignment: An exploratory study

Abstract Prekindergarten (Pre-K) programs are provided in a variety of different physical locations, including elementary school buildings, Head Start centers, and private child care centers. A recent national survey found that 50 percent of elementary schools have a Pre-K program located in them (Fuller et al., 2018). The purpose of this study is twofold. First, it explores how educators view differences between Pre-K location types. Second, it explores how different Pre-K location types may relate to features of Pre-K through third grade (P-3) alignment—specifically, examining the theory that locating Pre-K programs in elementary schools facilitates features of P-3 alignment. Educators reported significant differences between school- and center-based Pre-K locations, particularly regarding P-3 alignment. I find that locating Pre-K programs in elementary schools, alone, is insufficient to promote features of P-3 alignment; rather, it sets the conditions for local elementary schools to do so. I outline the implications of these findings for policy, practice, and future research.
Status of the MicroBooNE Low Energy Excess Search.

MicroBooNE is a neutrino experiment that utilizes a liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) located on-axis in the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) at Fermilab. One of the experiment's main goals is to search for excess low-energy electromagnetic-like events as seen by the MiniBooNE experiment, located just downstream of MicroBooNE in the BNB. As MicroBooNE nears the completion of its first single-electron-like and single-photon-like searches, these proceedings present the status of MicroBooNE's low-energy excess search as of early summer 2020. In addition to presenting an overview of the approach to the analysis, we showcase results from $\pi^0$ calibrations and e/$\gamma$ separation, and sample results from sidebands aimed at validating the analysis' progress outside the low-energy signal region.
Magnetic launching and collimation of jets from the disc–magnetosphere boundary: 2.5D MHD simulations

We use axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic simulations to investigate the launching and collimation of jets emerging from the disc–magnetosphere boundary of accreting magnetized stars. Our analysis shows that the matter flows into the jet from the inner edge of the accretion disc. It is magnetically accelerated along field lines extending up from the disc and simultaneously collimated by the magnetic pinch force. In the reference run which we use for analysis, the matter in the jet crosses the Alfven surface a few R* above the disc and the fast magnetosonic surface ∼13R* above the disc. At larger distances, the magnetic pressure is a few times smaller than the total matter pressure, but the magnetic force continues to accelerate and collimate the jet. In steady state, we observe a matter ejection-to-accretion ratio of ∼0.2. Across different simulation runs, we measure a range of half-opening angles between Θ≈ 4° and 20° at the top of the simulation region, depending on the degree of magnetization in the outflow. We consider the case of stars undergoing epochs of high accretion [such as EX Lupi (EXors), FU Orionis (FUORs) and Classical T Tauri Stars (CTTSs)] where the stellar magnetosphere is strongly compressed by the incoming accretion disc. For a typical EXor (mass 0.8 M⊙, radius 2 R⊙) accreting at ∼10−5 M⊙ yr−1, we measure poloidal velocities in the jet ranging from 30 km s−1 on the outer edge of the jet to more than 260 km s−1 on the inner edge. In general, the models can be applied to a variety of magnetized stars – white dwarfs, neutron stars and brown dwarfs – which exhibit periods of high accretion.
Predicting Neural Deterioration in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease Using a Convolutional Neural Network

Alzheimer’s disease causes neural damage, including brain atrophy in the patient. Consequently, ventricles that contain cerebral fluid a re e xpanded to filling th oseregions, which increases the proportional volume of ventricles in the brain. Therefore, abnormal growth of ventricle volume is an important indicator for estimating neural damage and, in turn, for the progression of Alzheimer’s diseases. The rate of this volumegrowth, i.e., neural damage, can be predicted by predictive and machine learning models using the patient’s current status. These predictions help assess the effectiveness of a particular treatment for a patient, in addition to providing some expectation of the disease timeline. In this work, we propose a convolutional neural network (CNN) model using region-level features for predicting ventricle volume biomarkers. The region-level representation with domaindriven features benefits from the CNN spatial pattern recognition capability. It also prevents learning irrelevant features and overfitting tot he t raining d ata a s a r esult 0 fd ata scarcity. Our model is applied to the ADNI dataset in the TADPOLE competition and outperforms the best leaderboard results.
The Principal Eigenvalue Problems for Perturbed Fractional Laplace Operators

We study a variety of basic properties of the principal eigenvalue of a perturbed fractional Laplace operator and weakly coupled cooperative systems involving fractional Laplace operators. Our work extends a number of well-known properties regarding the principal eigenvalues of linear second-order elliptic operators with Dirichlet boundary condition to perturbed fractional Laplace operators. The establish results are also utilized to investigate the spatio-temporary dynamics of population models.
A Deep Neural Network Approach to Tracing Paths in Cybersecurity Investigations

Security Analysts (SAs) operating within Security Operation Centers (SOCs) conduct cybersecurity investigations on cyber events using methods which pave a measurable path. These paths serve as a source of evidence to study the transitions of the cognitive tasks performed by the SA throughout the investigation. Insight into these paths can support the observation and understanding of how to evaluate and measure the critical decisions made during an investigation such as when a SA transitions from analyzing event logs to observing threat intelligence. We propose a framework we call the Cyber Analysis Transition Framework which applies a quantitative approach for evaluating and measuring the transitions of the SA conducting cyber analysis methods. The novel approach for this framework includes the application of process mining and deep neural network output as a means for evaluating and measuring a SA's performance while conducting cybersecurity investigations.
Taking the Long View

Calf nutrition and management programs have focused on early weaning and modest liquid feed intake designed to encourage dry feed intake for enhanced rumen development. This was done primarily to reduce cost and also to reduce the risk for diarrhea and other disease concerns. Data are being generated demonstrating that early life management and nutrition, starting with colostrum, positively reinforces the genetic capacity of the calf for feed efficiency and milk producing ability. Factors in colostrum, such as certain growth factors and hormones, appear to enhance the efficiency of use of absorbed nutrients, providing a broader role for colostrum intake and composition beyond the traditional role for immune function. Published data demonstrate differences in feed efficiency of over 26% in calves with higher levels of colostrum intake, independent of Ig status. The objective of doubling the birth weight of the calf by weaning through increased milk or milk replacer intake has demonstrated positive effects on milk production in the first and subsequent lactation. In several studies, the milk yield of calves have been enhanced from 500 to over 3,000 lb in the first lactation through increased liquid feed intake and data are now available indicating the increased milk yield is extended into subsequent lactations. Overall, this data demonstrates that the calf experiences epigenetic modification of their milk producing ability through increased nutrient intake in the first 42 to 49 days of life. The economic consequences of this outcome are discussed.
Glycemic control, depression, diabetes distress among adolescents with type 1 diabetes: effects of sex, race, insurance, and obesity.

To determine whether diabetes distress or depression screening better predict increased hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and to assess interactions with age, sex, race, obesity, and insurance status. Diabetes distress is a negative emotional reaction to diabetes, diabetes complications, self-management demands, unresponsive providers, and/or poor interpersonal relationships. Guidelines recommend annual depression screening, however diabetes distress may be mistaken for depression. Depression (PHQ-9) and diabetes distress (PAID-T) scores from self-administered tests were studied in 313 patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) between the ages of 13–17. Spearman correlations and robust rank order multivariable regression analysis were used to assess relationships to age, duration, HbA1c. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to assess differences between sexes, races, and insurance status. Receiver operator curves (ROC) were constructed to see whether PAID-T or PHQ-9 scores more closely predicted HbA1c greater than 9%. HbA1c was more strongly correlated with PAID-T (rs = 0.37, p < 0.01), than PHQ-9 (rs = 0.27, p < 0.01) scores. Area under ROC curve for poor HbA1c was 0.75 for PAID and 0.64 for PHQ-9. PAID-T and PHQ-9 scores were increased in females and subjects with public insurance and both were significantly related to HbA1c even when accounting for age, sex, race obesity, and insurance status. PHQ-9 and PAID-T scores correlated with BMI-Z scores in Blacks, but not Whites. Both depression and diabetes distress are associated with increased HbA1c in adolescents with T1D, though distress is more so. Diabetes distress and depression should be routinely assessed in T1D adolescents, particularly those with public insurance.
Long-lived Excited State in a Solubilized Graphene Nanoribbon

Graphene nanoribbons exhibit excellent light-absorbing properties, but often exhibit short excited-state lifetimes that prevent their applications in photocatalysis. Here, we report a long-lived charge-transfer triplet excited state in a well solubilized, chlorinated graphene nanoribbon (Cl-GNR) with edges modified by bipyrimidine (bpm) moieties. The photophysical behavior of Cl-GNR was observed and characterized by steady-state UV-vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, transient absorption spectroscopy on the ps-ms timescale, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Both the Cl-GNR and its monomeric subunit, chlorinated graphene quantum dot (Cl-GQD), were synthesized using bottom-up techniques to produce the H- analogs of the compounds followed by edge-chlorination to achieve soluble products. The absorption spectra of Cl-GQD and Cl-GNR appear in the UV-vis range with lowest-energy peaks at 375 and 600 nm, respectively. The excitons in Cl-GNR were found to exhibit charge-transfer character with the bpm edges serving as electron acceptors. DFT calculations indicate that the excitons are relatively localized, spreading over at most two monomeric units of the GNR. Transient absorption spectroscopy shows that singlet excited states of Cl-GQD and Cl-GNR undergo intersystem crossing with ~300 ps lifetime to form triplet state that lasts for 15.7 μs (Cl-GQD) and 106 μs (Cl-GNR). These properties, combined with the ability of bpm sites to coordinate transition metals, make Cl-GNRs promising light-harvesting motifs for photocatalytic applications.
COVID-19 in Rural America: Impacts of Politics and Disadvantage*

Abstract Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, people living in cities were much more likely than rural residents to become infected with and die from the virus. Beginning in the summer of 2020, however, the proportional increase in virus spread became much greater in rural areas. By March 2021, per capita cases and deaths were greater in nonmetro than in metro areas. Multi-variate regression analysis found that political views were the most important variable explaining per capita COVID-19 cases, while measures of disadvantage were the best predictors of COVID-19 deaths. Counties with high proportions of Trump voters had higher per capita cases, and in nonmetro areas, these counties had higher death rates. Overall, the best predictor of COVID-19 death rates is low levels of educational attainment, high poverty rates, and high minority populations.
Reply to Grigoriev et al., Sequences of SARS-CoV-2 "Hybrids" with the Human Genome: Signs 1 of Non-coding RNA?""

High throughput sequencing reads from virally infected cells provide detailed information about both the infected host cells and invading viruses (1). For example, RNA-sequencing techniques from infected cells contains reads that unequivocally align to either the host or the viral transcriptomes, enabling quantification of host and viral gene expressions (2). Occasionally, there are reads with split characteristics, having one part (e.g., the 5' end) unambiguously matching the host and another part (e.g., the 3' end) clearly matching the viral genomes. The split characteristic with unambiguous matching on either part is the key here, typically requiring convincing stretches of sequence matches such as >30bp that we used in our analysis (3). Such reads are termed host-virus chimeric reads (HVCRs). Indeed, HVCRs that surpass statistical reproducibility and signal-to-noise standards might carry novel insights into the biology of host-virus interactions (4, 5). Thus, it is important to unambiguously detect statistically rigorous and biologically relevant HVCRs. We and others have shown that detection of relevant HVCRs is complicated by unfaithful reverse-transcriptase and polymerase enzymes that template-switch during typical high throughput sequencing library preparation protocols (6-9).
Stress Fractures of the Ankle

Malleolar stress fractures are rare and often misdiagnosed. Delay in diagnosis leads to prolonged pain, significant disability, and loss of time in sport. Clinicians should have a high suspicion for stress fractures about the ankle in active young individuals who participate in high-impact endurance and jumping activities. Patients typically present with insidious atraumatic ankle pain with point tenderness over the medial or lateral malleolus. Plain radiographs are rarely positive, and MRI is often needed to confirm the diagnosis of a stress fracture about the ankle. Lateral malleolar stress fractures are more common than medial and will often heal with rest and activity modification. A period of immobilization is sometimes required and care should be taken to ensure that any ankle malalignment is treated. Medial malleolar stress fractures are at high risk for progression to fracture completion and nonunion. These fractures also respond to similar conservative treatment; however, operative intervention is warranted in select cases.
Determination of Trace Element Forms in Solvent Refined Coal Products

The Solvent Refined Coal Processes SRC I and SRC II are designed to produce low ash, low sulfur solid (SRC I) and liquid fuels (SRC II) from coal. Both processes are currently undergoing scale-up to a 6000 tons per day demonstration plant stage. The fate and distribution of Ti, V, Ca, Mg, Al, CI, Mn, As, Se, Sb, Hg, Br, Ni, Co, Cr, Fe, Na, Rb, Cs, K, Sc, Eu, Sm, Ce, La, Sr, Ba, Th, Hf, Ta, Zr and Cu in the SRC I and SRC II processes have been determined using neutron activation analysis. The nature of the chemical species of several elements has been investigated using fission track analysis for U and a combination of gel permeation chromatography, HPLC, activation analysis and atomic absorption spectroscopy for other elements. In solid SRC I, U was measured to be 0.266 ppm and it was also found that the U was distributed inhomogeneously. The concentration of U on mineral particulates was found to be approximately 76 ppm, thus ruling out U minerals. In SRC I it was established that Ti, V, As, Ga, Fe, Zn, and Se showed distinct organic affinity and that these elements were probably present as metal-organic complexes or complexed in the asphaltene or preasphaltene structure. The nature of these complexes could not be established, but for Ti and V there is a strong possibility of phenolic-type complexes.
Modeling Global Synchrony in the Visual Cortex by Locally Coupled Neural Oscillators

It has been demonstrated that the nervous system exhibits stimulus-dependent oscillations, and synchronization exists in spatially remote sites which reflects global stimulus properties. This paper addresses the neural mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon. We find that locally coupled neural oscillators can yield global phase synchrony. The model assumes that the efficacy of the connections can be modified on a fast time scale. Based on the known connectivity of the visual cortex, the model outputs closely resemble the experimental findings of neural oscillations. This model lays a computational foundation for Gestalt perceptual grouping.
Indirect Coupling: Semiempirical Calculations

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Early Semiempirical Methods 3 Finite Perturbation Theory 4 Transmission Mechanisms of the Coupling Constants 5 Conclusions 6 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
Influence of production method of zinc blende concentrate on its parameters determining ability for safe shipment by sea

In this paper presented are results of testing three types of Polish zinc blende concentrates with taking into account their production method as it significantly influences properties of the concentrates, important from the point of view of sea transport safety. The test results are thoroughly discussed and concluded that despite the susceptibility to liquefaction of the fine-grained metal concentrates is tightly related to the grain size content, their transportable moisture limit (TML) values mainly depend on a way of their manufacturing.
Self-appraisals in Mexico

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to assess the validity of the self-enhancement tactician perspective, which proposes that workers inflate their self-ratings regardless of their national culture, while exploring the nature of self-ratings in Mexico. Design/methodology/approach – Structural equation modeling and t tests were applied to data collected from a sample of 300 employees randomly selected from a manufacturing company in Mexico. The data collected include self-performance ratings, employees’ expected evaluations from supervisors, evaluations by supervisors and a pay-per-performance measure. Findings – The results provide general support to the self-enhancement tactician model, showing that self-rating is inflated and that supervisory rating constitutes the best predictor of employees’ performance. Research limitations/implications – Based on previous research findings, it was presumed that Mexican workers participating in this investigation reflected collectivistic-oriented traits. Future resear...
A Modeling Technique for Generating Causal Explanations of Physical Systems

This paper introduces an approach for physical system modeling that gives a basis for generating causal explanations of system behaviors. We explicitly represent knowledge about structures and functions of physical systems in two levels of abstraction: domain and prime models. Domain models explicitly represent the actual structures and processes that make up particular systems, whereas prime models explicitly represent the abstract normal and abnormal structures and processes underlying certain classes of physical systems with analogous behavior. Each domain model is viewed as an instance of a particular prime model and thus during the reasoning about the domain model,any causal behavior of a corresponding prime system model can be inherited. Our approach differs from other systems that generate causal explanation for tutorial purposes in two ways. First it generates a causal explanation of a particular physical system's behavior from general knowledge of causal mechanisms derived from appropriate physical principles rather than a specific causal knowledge about the particular system. Second, unlike the systems that generate causal explanation from qualitative simulation, our approach explicitly represents system structures and processes, instead of sets of qualitative constraints, and thus can directly generate causal explanations for behaviors of the system structures and processes with no additional interpretation required. This paper discusses the approach with an illustrated example and an ongoing research in extending this technique when dealing with multiple granularities. The limitations and other advantages of this approach are described.
Thermal environment of Mars

Thermal observations of Mars are reviewed focusing on surface and atmospheric temperatures. Data obtained indicate that the effect of increasing dust in the atmosphere is to reduce diurnal temperature variation at the surface, while enhancing atmospheric thermal variation. Atmospheric thermal effects can be induced by global dust storms even in regions of polar night. Maximum temperatures occur near the equator in summer or at local sites with sunward facing slopes, where low surface thermal inertias make it possible to achieve values up to about 310 K. Radiation and convection in the daytime affect atmospheric temperatures near the surface, which are limited by radiation at night. Results of thermal observations confirm that Mars' thermal state and climate can significantly vary from year to year, due to the variation in dust activity.
Clostridium difficile infection in neonatal piglets: Pathogenesis, risk factors, and prevention

Clostridium difficile is a gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium and considered the major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in many countries worldwide. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in humans causes pseudomembranous colitis. Clinical signs range from mild diarrhea to potentially toxic megacolon, bowel perforation, peritonitis and even death. Naturally occurring C. difficile infection has also been described in several non-human species including pigs, horses, primates, rabbits, rats, dogs and cats. The majority of cases, both humans and animals, are associated with disequilibrium of commensal intestinal microbiota which is often attributed to antibiotic treatments. The pathogenesis of CDI is tightly associated with the cellular effects of toxin A and toxin B and the immunologic response associated with these toxins. Despite the importance of these toxins, the specific role of each toxin on the pathophysiology of disease is not yet completely understood. Clostridium difficile is one of the major causes of enteric disease in neonate piglets, yet risk factors associated with C. difficile infection in piglets are unknown. Furthermore, there is a general lack of prevention strategies available for swine medicine. In our first study we used snatch farrowed neonatal pigs to investigate the role of different inoculum doses, antimicrobial therapy, and piglet-age on the development of disease. Our results indicated that C. difficile dosage appears to be an important risk factor for CDI; 10 day-old pigs can develop disease associated with C. difficile, and antibiotic administration following inoculation is not a major contributor for disease in neonatal piglets. In our second study we investigated the use of lactobacillus and a non-toxigenic C. difficile strain (NTCD) as probiotics to prevent CDI in piglets. Our results showed that NTCD reduces the incidence of
Low-Barrier Hydrogen Bonding in Aqueous and Aprotic Solutions of Dicarboxylic Acids: Spectroscopic Characterization

Abstract We present additional spectroscopic evidence for the formation of low-barrier hydrogen bonds (LBHBs) within vicinal and geminal dicarboxylic acid monoanions. Hydrogencis-cyclohexane 1,2-dicarboxylate, displays low-field1H NMR signals in aprotic solvents at 19.3 to 19.7 ppm, depending on the solvent. The LBHB in hydrogen 2,2-dimethylmalonate is further characterized by the observation of a positive value for the deuterium isotope effect on the chemical shift, Δ[δH− δD], of 0.8 ± 0.3 ppm. Low-field1H NMR signals are not observed for hydrogentrans-cyclohexane 1,2-dicarboxylate, hydrogen succinate, or hydrogen malonate under the same conditions. These compounds lack internal structural constraints forcing close contact between the caboxylic acids, although close contacts are possible, confirming that compression of carboxylic acid groups facilitates LBHB formation. Internally strained dicarboxylic acid monoanions also display low field1H NMR signals in aqueous solutions (90/10, acetone-d6/H2O) at low temperatures, at which proton exchange is slowed. The low field signals at −50°C are centered at 20.2 ppm for hydrogen maleate, 19.0 ppm for hydrogen 2,2-dimethylmalonate, and at 19.2 ppm for hydrogencis-cyclohexane 1,2-dicarboxylate.
Sex Dimorphism in the Pelvis of Rodents

Although it has been known for some time that intraspecific structural variation in the region of the pelvis occurs in certain mammals, it was not until 1936 that single pelvis bone shape differences were described and attributed to sex dimorphism (Gardner, 1936). More recent studies on the meadow mouse Microtus have demonstrated that the pubic arm of the pelvis in female Microtus tends to be narrower than that of the male and that it tends to be longer in proportion to the ischial arm in the female than in the male (Guilday, 1951). Other studies have shown that sex differences are present in the pelvis of Apodemus, Mus , and Clethrionomys and that males may be separated from females quite accurately in these species by taking certain pelvic measurements (Becker, 1954). Use of a single innominate bone only for sexing (and perhaps aging) small rodents may prove a useful device for the worker in population dynamics. Knowledge of pelvic sex dimorphism finds immediate use in owl pellet analysis since pelvis halves of small rodents are usually found nearly intact in the pellet. The technique proved valuable in a recent study of the relation between snowy owl predation and the lemming cycle in Alaska. Method .—Measurements were made on the pelves of seven species of rodents. In each species the length of the pelvis was measured since there is good indication that pelvis length is correlated with sexual maturity. Other measurements were chosen that would bring out the differences between the male and female pelvis in each species. To avoid bias in taking the measurements, the sex of each specimen was not determined (from labels) until after the dimensions were recorded. Dial calipers were used, and the measurements were made to the nearest tenth of a millimeter. Some of the …
Interfacial recognition by bee venom phospholipase A2: insights into nonelectrostatic molecular determinants by charge reversal mutagenesis.

The basis for tight binding of bee venom phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2) to anionic versus zwitterionic phospholipid interfaces is explored by charge reversal mutagenesis of basic residues (lysines/arginines to glutamates) on the putative membrane binding surface. Single-site mutants and, surprisingly, multisite mutants (2−5 of the 6 basic residues mutated) are fully functional on anionic vesicles. Mutants bind tightly to anionic vesicles, and active-site substrate and Ca2+ binding are not impaired. Multisite mutants undergo intervesicle exchange slightly faster than wild type, especially in the presence of salt. It is estimated that electrostatic contribution to interfacial binding is modest, perhaps 2−3 kcal/mol of the estimated 15 kcal/mol. Elution properties of bvPLA2 from HPLC columns containing solid phases of tightly packed monolayers of phosphocholine amphiphiles suggest that ionic effects provide a modest portion of the interfacial binding energy and that this contribution decreases as the number of ca...
Locational effects on AFDC exits: Examining local labor markets

Abstract Recent welfare reform limits welfare recipients to a maximum of five years of cash assistance. This policy change raises the question of whether it is reasonable to expect welfare recipients to be able to leave the rolls within a five year period, regardless of the economic conditions of the state or area in which they live. This article pursues this issue by examining the effects of economic conditions and residential location on a welfare recipient’s likelihood of leaving welfare over time. The analysis uses linked files from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the 1970 and 1980 U.S. Censuses, and County and City Data Book data from 1972 to 1994 to determine AFDC exit probabilities. The results indicate that being low-skilled and living within one of the largest U.S. cities dramatically decreases the likelihood of exit from AFDC via increased earnings. The results also show that the job loss within cities has a significant negative impact on AFDC exit probabilities for marriage, increased earnings and all exits for high school dropouts and African American AFDC recipients. However, including city employment variables did not decrease the negative effects of living within large northern cities for earnings exits. These results indicate that negative economic conditions and poor transportation within cities impede low-skilled AFDC recipients from increasing earnings and leaving welfare.
Variability of Lip and Jaw Movements in Children and Adults

The development of speech motor skill was studied by measuring the variability of lower lip and jaw movements. Groups of five adults, and children at ages 4, 7, and 10 years produced [mae] and [bae] ...
Metal Optics in CO2 Laser Fusion Systems

Large, short-pulsed CO2 laser systems have been developed to investigate the feasibility of laser driven fusion. Metal mirrors are an important component in these systems. This paper discusses CO2 systems and mirror considerations. Mirror material constraints and choices as well as fabrication techniques are reviewed.
Boys and Criminal Justice in Young Adolescent Fiction

In this article, books with male characters who have incarcerated parents, older siblings in prison, and who face their own incarceration or who have already faced punishment for breaking the law are introduced. Possible reader responses are given, as well as helpful ways to incorporate these novels into the curriculum. Finally, strategies for using these books in critical literacy discussions are provided.
Angiotensinogen production by rat astroglial cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract To investigate the production of angiotensinogen by the brain, primary cultures were prepared from the brains of one-day-old rats. Two to four weeks after plating, they were transferred to serum-free medium. The cultures, which contained approximately 15% neurons, 80% astroglia and 5% other types of cells, produced angiotensinogen at a steady rate for three to four days in serum-free medium. Cultures prepared from subcortical tissue produced more angiotensinogen than cultures prepared from cerebral cortical tissue. Angiotensinogen mRNA was also identified in those cultures. Forskolin treatment had no effect on angiotensinogen production. Astroglia-enriched cultures that contained no identifiable neurons also produced angiotensinogen and its mRNA. Astroglial cells from hypothalamus and thalamus produced more of both than astroglial cells from the cerebral cortex. In situ hybridization histochemistry on sections of the hypothalamus of adult male rats showed a diffuse distribution of cells containing angiotensinogen mRNA that was more consistent with a glial than a neuronal distribution. The data indicate that most if not all of the angiotensinogen in rat brain is produced by astrocytes.
Sexual objectification and the construction of whiteness in the gay male community

This paper presents interview data and media analysis on the gay male community in the USA. It describes how sexual objectification is more than the outcome of racism in the gay male community. Sexual objectification of gay men of colour in the USA produces a white sexual community. Ideologies of inclusivity and non‐discrimination blind white gay men to the harmful effects of sexual objectification. Moreover, discussing negative effects of objectification is met with considerable resistance. The experiences of African American men, described in this paper, show the pervasiveness of sexual objectification. The sexual objectification of men of colour forces them to play specific roles in sexual encounters that are not necessarily of their own choosing.
Chemistry of Hypusine Formation on Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 5A in Biological Systems

Hypusine, an unusual amino acid, is derived from the hydrolysis of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A), the only cellular protein known to contain hypusine residue. Hypusine residue is formed through a spermidine-dependent posttranslational modification of eIF-5A at a specific lysine residue. Each mature eIF-5A molecule contains only one hypusine. Hypusine formation on eIF-5A is essential for cell survival and proliferation. The biochemistry of hypusine formation has been actively investigated in a number of leading laboratories during the past decade. The precise functional role of eIF-5A remains a mystery. This paper reviews recent progress in the study of the biochemistry of hypusine formation and offers speculation on the possible function of eIF-5A.
Report on DART '96: databases: active and real-time (concepts meet practice)

DART '96 was held in conjunction with the Conference of Information and Knowledge Management (CIKM) on Nov 15th in Baltimore. Its goal was to provide a forum for researchers and practitioners involved in integrating concepts and technologies from active and real-time databases to discuss the state of the art and chart a course of action. To this end, nine speakers from academia, industry, and research laboratories were invited to provide a perspective on the theory and practice underlying active real-time databases. In addition, some selected papers were presented briefly to complement the invited speakers' talks. The second half of the workshop was devoted to discussions aimed at identifying the problems that still need to be addressed in the contexts of the diverse target applications.
The impact of health insurance status on adolescents' utilization of school-based clinic services: Implications for health care reform

Purpose: 1) To examine variations among students with different health insurance coverage in their use of school-based clinics (SBCs), reasons for not receiving health care when needed, and reasons for using or not using SBCs, and 2) to determine if insurance status is a significant factor in predicting SBC use, after controlling for demographic variables and health status. Methods: Confidential questionnaires were administered to 2,860 adolescents attending 3 urban high schools with on-site SBCs. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess differences among insurance groups in patterns of SBC use and reasons for clinic use/nonuse. Results: Students with private insurance or HMO coverage had the highest rates of SBC utilization (67% & 66%) and students without health insurance and with Medicaid had the lowest (57% & 59%) (p Conclusions: SBC users represent a variety of insurance groups. Health care reform efforts need to take into account the special needs of adolescents and the challenges they face in accessing care that go beyond financial barriers to care. SBC have been shown to provide a convenient and acceptable source of care, as well as offering the opportunity to provide preventive and primary care services to at-risk youth. As the country moves to a managed care environment potential partnerships with SBCs represent a unique opportunity to improve the delivery of care to adolescents, assuring increased access to a package of health services that they need.