cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An experimental study of newcomers’ information seeking behaviors during organizational entry

While earlier research highlights the importance of newcomers’ information seeking in their adjustment at work, these investigations are limited by a narrow conceptualization of information seeking behaviors. Using an experimental design, this study tests a broader conceptualization of information seeking tactics and examines factors affecting tactic use. Results indicate newcomers use five distinct information seeking tactics (overt, observe, third party, indirect, and testing) and that tactic use varies with the type of information sought, its source, the social costs associated with seeking the information, and newcomers’ departmental assignment. Implications for newcomers and their managers and for future research are discussed.
Boron Injection at Natural Circulation Conditions in PWRs

Combustion Engineering has performed a boron injection test at San Onofre Unit 2 to demonstrate the ability to borate to the cold shutdown concentration at natural circulation conditions. The test was run in July 1983 and it has been analyzed with the BITRAN code developed at BNL. The test results will demonstrate injection and cooldown capability and provide data for validating boron transport and mixing models.
Tolerance Limits for the Output of Systems of Cascaded Elements

A methodology is given for analyzing the cumulative effect of a cascaded system of transducers on an input signal, where the transducers themselves activate peripheral activities, and are designed to leave the input signal unchanged, except for random magnification perturbations. Relationships are developed which relate component tolerances with the system output tolerance, and hence with system reliability. Examples are given which illustrate the type of problems that are amenable to solution by the general methodology developed, in electronics applications and otherwise. They include the determination of system output tolerances from given component tolerances, a system reliability determination when the input represents a binary digit, and a determination of minimal component precisions that are required to achieve given system tolerances. Care has been given to present the basic methodology in a complete, detailed, and self-contained manner.
Characterizing Surface Acidic Sites in Mesoporous-Silica-Supported Tungsten Oxide Catalysts Using Solid-State NMR and Quantum Chemistry Calculations

The acidic sites in dispersed tungsten oxide supported on SBA-15 mesoporous silica were investigated using a combination of pyridine titration, both fast- and slow-MAS 15N NMR, static 2H NMR, and quantum chemistry calculations. It is found that the bridging acidic −OH groups in surface-adsorbed tungsten dimers or multimers (i.e., W–OH–W) are the Bronsted acid sites. The unusually strong acidity of these Bronsted acid sites is confirmed by quantum chemistry calculations. In contrast, terminal W–OH sites are very stable and only weakly acidic as are terminal Si–OH sites. Furthermore, molecular interactions between pyridine molecules and the Bronsted and terminal W–OH sites for dispersed tungsten oxide species are strong. This results in restricted molecular motion for the interacting pyridine molecules even at room temperature, that is, a reorientation mainly about the molecular C2 symmetry axis. The restricted reorientation results in efficient 1H–15N cross-polarization, making it possible to estimate the ...
Fault tree analysis of fuzzy mechanical systems

Abstract The fault tree techniques involve the decomposition of a system into a logic diagram or fault tree in which certain primary events lead to a specified top event that signifies the total failure of the system. The fault trees can be used to find the minimal cut sets which, when coupled with the failure rates of the primary events, lead to an estimation of the reliability of the system. In many practical situations, conventional fault tree analysis is difficult because failure rates corresponding to the basic events are not clearly established. This paper presents a fuzzy fault tree technique for the reliability analysis of mechanical systems. The proposed technique uses fuzzy numbers to quantify the failure rates. Fuzzy arithmetic is then applied in the fault tree analysis to determine the probability of the top event and the corresponding system reliability as fuzzy numbers. The fuzzy approach is illustrated with the analysis of an overhead cam valve train.
Estimation of Time of Fetal Death in the Second Trimester by Placental Histopathological Examination

It has been suggested that certain placental histopathological changes may be useful in predicting the time of death in stillborn fetuses. We retrospectively evaluated 36 placentas from therapeutic terminations in which the time interval between fetal death and delivery was relatively short and well-documented to determine the earliest stillbirth-associated changes and the utility of placental examination in timing death in the second trimester. In each case, termination had been initiated by creating fetal asystole with intracardiac KCl injections. The gestational age ranged from 18-23 wk. The time from asystole to placental delivery range was 2.8-52.0 h. Placental groups were categorized by time intervals from asystole to delivery: I, 36 h [n = 3 (8%)]. Among eight histopathologic changes involving the umbilical cord or chorionic villi evaluated, only three were present in a significant number of cases and also appeared to be the result of stillbirth. Degeneration of cord vascular smooth muscle was present in 33% of umbilical cords in group I, but was seen in 100% of cords in groups II-IV; the extent of these changes increased significantly with increasing time intervals. Intravascular karyorrhexis was present in villous blood vessels in 75, 73, 64, and 100%, respectively, for groups I-IV. Villous blood vessel luminal abnormalities were seen in 25, 7, 21, and 67%, respectively, for groups I-IV. These findings indicate that these are the earliest morphological changes in stillbirth in second trimester placentas, but they cannot be used to accurately predict time of death in the relatively short time intervals evaluated in this study.
Research needs and strategies to establish best practices and cost effective models for chronic critical illness.

Past research in chronic critical illness has been effective in defining the population and identifying unique aspects of their outcomes and resource needs, but there has been little research focused on interventions to improve outcomes. This review discusses some research priorities that could have immediate impact on patient outcomes. General topics include prevention or limiting the incidence of chronic critical illness; specific topics related to patient management, such as interventions for weaning, rehabilitation, nutrition or infections; and methods to enhance communication and end-of-life care. In addition to specific patient management interventions, further comparative effectiveness research on care settings is indicated, considering the expected growth in the patient population and the substantial resource needs.
Racial differences in the relationship between vitamin D, bone mineral density, and parathyroid hormone in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Summary It is unclear whether optimal levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in whites are the same as in minorities. In adult participants of NHANES, the relationships between 25(OH)D, bone mineral density (BMD), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) differed in blacks as compared to whites and Mexican-Americans, suggesting that optimal 25(OH)D levels for bone and mineral metabolism may differ by race.
Experimental and theoretical analysis of quasi-steady small-scale enclosure fires

Forty-six small-scale experiments were conducted to measure the characteristics of horizontal plastic (PMMA) pool fires in an enclosure as a function of doorway width and fuel area. A 0.30 m high enclosure was instrumented to measure sample mass loss, the upper gas layer and ceiling temperatures, heat flux to the floor, and the pressure drop across the doorway. Results are reported for the maximum steady burning period; however, a few cases do not seem to have reached a steady state. For small sample sizes, a distinct fire plume could be perceived in the enclosure, while for larger sample sizes flames tended to fill the enclosure (sometimes to within 2 or 3 cm of the floor), and extended out the door opening. The rate of mass loss is a strong function of the radiative feedback from the enclosure. However, reduced oxygen concentration in the flow entrained by the fire plume seems to affect the mass loss rate. For the smaller doorway widths, the rate of mass loss increases almost directly with ventilation. As the width is increased, the mass loss rate instead becomes a function of sample area and radiative heat transfer. For some sample sizes, as the doorway width is increased a maximum rate of mass loss is achieved, followed by a decrease in burning rate at higher ventilation levels. The temperatures and floor heat flux also tend to follow this trend. The data were then compared to the results of a theoretical model. Agreement between theory and data is qualitatively good. But overall, good quantitative agreement is not achieved. This lack of agreement appears consistent with inaccuracies of the flame radiation model and an incomplete description of the flame chemistry.
Radiative influences on ice crystal and droplet growth within mixed‐phase stratus clouds

[1] This study uses a box model and a Lagrangian microphysical parcel model to investigate the influences of radiative heating and cooling on the vapor diffusional growth of liquid drops and ice crystals within mixed-phase clouds. Without radiative effects, the combined influences of drop and ice vapor diffusion lead to slight supersaturations with respect to liquid despite the rapid growth of ice. This allows drops grown on aerosol particles with a critical radius of at least 2.5 μm to continue growing while drops grown on smaller aerosols evaporate (if activation occurs) leading to a broader drop size distribution. Longwave radiation allows drops with radii >10 μm to grow simultaneously with the ice with some drops exceeding 25 μm in radius. Both the box model and the parcel model suggest that longwave cooling reduces, whereas solar heating increases, glaciation time-scales. Although the maximum possible reduction in the glaciation time-scale due to longwave cooling is as much as 45%, the parcel model shows that reductions on the order of 5 to 15% are more likely. Moreover, infrared cooling increases, and solar heating decreases, the temperature at which the Bergeron process is a maximum. Model simulations suggest the conclusion that radiative influences are most substantial for ice concentrations between 5 and 50 l−1, precisely when the glaciation time-scale is on the order of the in-cloud time-scale.
Pregnancy enhances cardiotoxicity of cocaine: role of progesterone.

Abstract Contraction dynamics of isolated papillary heart muscles from nonpregnant, pregnant, and progesterone-treated nonpregnant Long Evans rats were studied during exposure to cocaine. With increasing cocaine concentrations from 10−16 to 10−4 m , papillary muscles from nonpregnant rats demonstrated a biphasic pattern of positive, then negative, inotropy. Only negative inotropy with increasing cocaine concentrations was observed in papillary muscles from pregnant and progesterone-treated nonpregnant rats. Papillary muscles from pregnant and progesterone-treated nonpregnant rats became nonfunctional at cocaine concentrations 1–4 orders of magnitude lower than those for nonpregnant rats. These findings demonstrate that pregnancy and progesterone treatment alter cocaine effects upon cardiac papillary muscle function and response patterns and shift the cocaine dose-function curve to the left when compared to the nonpregnant group. We conclude that pregnancy increases the direct cardiotoxicity to cocaine, and progesterone may be responsible for this enhanced cocaine toxicity.
Tally of Nonprofits

Identification of nonprofit organizations in a study area is often a first step in research or action projects. This article demonstrates the usefulness of combining two data sources: IRS 990 forms...
Flotillin-1 in the substantia Nigra of the Parkinson brain and a predominant localization in catecholaminergic nerves in the rat brain

The substantia nigra cells of a normal and Parkinson’s disease human brain were obtained by the micropunch procedure and total RNA was isolated. Differential display RT-PCR of the total RNA revealed differentially expressed cDNAs that were identified by sequencing. This resulted in the identification of a panel of known and unknown differentially expressed genes. Complex I (NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase) and Complex IV (cytochrome oxidase) whose expressions are decreased in Parkinson’s disease were reduced in the Parkinson brain. Of the various differentially expressed genes, flotillin-1, also known as reggie-2, was of great interest to us. It is a relatively new protein which is an integral membrane component of lipid rafts and has been implicated in signal transduction pathway events. In situ hybridization histochemical studies with human and rat brain sections revealed the presence of this mRNA in discrete neuronal (and possibly glial) cells of the substantia nigra, locus coeruleus, cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, motor nuclei, nucleus basalis, raphe nucleus, and other brain regions. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that flotillin-1 is not present in all the regions where the message was found. In the rat brain, the most prominent observation was the revelation of all cate-cholamine cells (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine) by the flotillin-1 antibody (1:100 dilution). At a more concentrated dilution (1:10) other neuronal cells (e.g., cortex, thalamus, hindbrain) were observed. At both dilutions dense dopaminergic fibers were observed in the rat caudate-putamen, nigrostriatal tract, and substantia nigra. It is significant that there is an increased gene expression of flotillin-1 in the Parkinson substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area. The role of flotillin in these cells is unclear although it is interesting that the reggie-2/flotillin-1 gene was upregulated during retinal axon regeneration in the goldfish visual pathway (Schulteet al., Development 124:577–87, 1997) which suggests that flotillin-1/reggie-2 might play a role in axonal growth from the remaining substantia nigra cells of the Parkinson brain.
Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of phenolic derivatives of benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, and chrysene with monomeric and polymeric C18 columns.

Abstract The separation of monohydroxylated derivatives (phenols) of benzo[ s ]pyrene, benz[ a ]anthracene, and chrysene was studied by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using a monomeric Zorbax ODS column and a polymeric Vydac C 18 column. The Vydac C 18 column resolved the phenols of each hydrocarbon with a wide range of retention times that the Zorbax ODS column. Four K-region phenols of benzo[ a] pyrene are either not separated or marginally separated on both monomeric and polymeric columns. Other K-region and non-K-region phenols of all three hydrocarbons can be separated by using the monomeric and polymeric columns in combination.
Hemispheric activity during affective verbal stimuli: An EEG study

Emotional events from each subject's past were utilized to elicit both positive and negative emotions. In an analysis of variance involving the ratio of right hemispheric EEG power (temporal) to left hemispheric EEG power, we found a significant (P < 0⋯009) interaction between the type of emotion (positive-negative) and time. Further analyses to determine the involvement of each hemisphere demonstrated that the left hemisphere significantly increased power for positive affect over time and decreased power for negative affect. The right hemisphere varied in the same direction though to a much less extent.
#26-S safety of thrombolytic agents in acute ischemic stroke

Abstract PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety of certain thrombolytic agents which can currently be a treatment option for acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Studies were identified using MEDLINE (1966 to January 2002), the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register, and references of the papers selected. A number of biomedical and stroke related websites were also searched. Randomized-placebo-controlled trials of thrombolytic agents for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients were eligible. Streptokinase (SK) trials were excluded since all major SK trials were terminated early and a meta-analysis of individual patient data did not indicate a subgroup of patients for whom SK can be beneficial. Study quality was evaluated by using a previously validated scale. Data was extracted in duplicate by two independent investigators. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SIH) within the first ten days and mortality from all causes during follow-up were the outcomes. Odds ratio, absolute risk difference, and number needed to harm (NNH) which is the number of patients need to be treated to cause one additional adverse outcome were calculated to evaluate the safety of thrombolytic agents. According to homogeneity test results, a fixed effects model for SIH and a random-effects model for mortality were used to pool the individual effects of trials. RESULTS: 11 randomized controlled trials involving 3,643 patients were included in the analysis. Thrombolytic therapy was associated with a three-fold increase (odds ratio [OR], 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.4–4.75; p CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that thrombolytic therapy increases the risk of symptomatic hemorrhage in 10 days when compared with placebo, however there is no significant difference in mortality during follow-up between the groups.
Selective Separation of Germanium(IV) by Iminodiacetic Acid-Type Chitosan Chelating Resin

An iminodiacetic acid-type chitosan chelating resin selectively adsorbed germanium(IV) from aqueous solutions over the range of strongly acidic to weakly basic media. The adsorption capacity of the chitosan resin for germanium(IV) was about 1mmol g-1 in acidic media. The selective separation of germanium(IV) from tellurium(VI) and boron was achieved with a column method using the chitosan resin. The breakthrough points of germanium(IV) in the chitosan resin columns were about 70 bed volumes over the range of strongly acidic to weakly basic media. The germanium(IV) adsorbed on the column was almost quantitatively recovered by elution with aqueous sodium hydroxide. On the other hand, it was difficult to separate germanium(IV) from tellurium(VI) using a column of the polyamine-type chitosan chelating resin.
Confinement Properties for Multi-Threaded Programs

Abstract Given a program that has access to some private information, how can we ensure that it does not improperly leak the information? We formalize the desired security property as a property called noninterference. We discuss versions of noninterference appropriate for multi-threaded programs with probabilistic scheduling and describe rules for ensuring noninterference.
The effect of rectus muscle recession, resection and plication on anterior segment circulation in humans

Background Plication is an alternative tightening procedure to resection. In monkeys, plication has been shown to preserve anterior segment circulation compared with full-tendon tenotomy, but this is unconfirmed in humans. Purpose To evaluate anterior segment circulation by iris angiography before and after strabismus surgery in humans. Methods Prospective, blinded study of 14 patients (mean age (SD), 58.6 (14.3)) undergoing plication and/or full tendon tenotomy (resection or recession) from August 2013 to March 2014. Eight patients (mean age (SD), 59.0 (13.3)) underwent plication of one muscle with or without recession of a second muscle on the same eye and six patients (mean age (SD), 58.2 (16.8)) underwent tenotomy of one to two muscles on the same eye. Preoperative and postoperative iris angiograms were compared for changes in perfusion by a masked examiner. In patients undergoing binocular surgery, one eye was chosen preoperatively to be the study eye. Results Postoperative iris filling defects were present in four patients (67%) after tenotomy and one patient (12.5%) after plication (p=0.09). Of the seven total vertical rectus muscles operated (three tenotomies and four plications), filling defects were present after three tenotomies and one plication (100% vs 25%; p=0.14). Of the 13 total horizontal rectus muscles operated (eight tenotomies and five plications), filling defects were present after one tenotomy and none of the plications (13% vs 0%; p=0.99). Conclusions Rectus muscle plication spares the ciliary vessels and may be considered a safer alternative to resection for patients at risk for anterior segment ischaemia, especially when surgery involves a vertical rectus muscle.
Effects of Occupational Exposure to Inorganic Lead on Neuromuscular Functioning

In an investigation of the behavioral effects of Occupational Exposure to lead, nineteen measures of neuromuscular performance and five measures of the body burden of lead were obtained from 316 experimental and 112 control subjects. The experimental subjects were volunteers from among workers exposed to inorganic lead at their jobs in three storage (lead-acid) battery manufacturing companies; the controls were volunteers from companies involved in other various types of light manufacturing. The relationships among the measures of neuromuscular functioning and body burden of lead were determined through the use of correlation and multiple-regression analyses. The results of these analyses suggest that functional capacity decreased in terms of tremor and eye-hand coordination but increased in terms of muscular strength. In addition, the data suggest that these changes occur on the preferred side and at blood-lead levels between 70 and 79 micrograms per cent.
Development and extension of the calibration of the radiocarbon time scale: Archaeological applications

The purpose of the 14C calibration process is to convert a conventional 14C age into solar time and express the resultant transformation in a manner which accurately reflects the overall precision of the age expression. Comparisons of 14C and dendrochronological data provides a detailed calibration record for the Holocene. The results of paired uranium/thorium and 14C measurements have been used to examine the 14C/solar time offset during the terminal Pleistocene. This potential extended calibration data base permits researchers to view within a larger perspective the Holocene 14C time spectrum as well as the characteristics of the various Holocene 14C ‘time warps’. As an example of the potential effect of the extended calibration data based on the initial coral data, we compare calibrated 14C age determinations associated with the Clovis and Folsom fluted point tradition in North America prehistory.
Metabolic Inhibition as an Index of Bacterial Susceptibility to Drugs

Abstract Detection of bacterial growth by measuring the release of 14CO2 from the metabolism of uniformly labeled 14C-glucose has proven to be accurate, sensitive, and rapid. The inhibition of glucose metabolism by antibiotics as an index of bacterial susceptibility was evaluated based on radiometric methodology. Bacterial dose-response curves to antibiotics were defined. The susceptibility to drugs was determined within several hours after inoculation of the cultures. The pentose phosphate shunt appeared to be the major metabolic pathway involved during this period. There was a consistent relationship between the dose-response curves determined by the inhibition of glucose metabolism and the minimal inhibitory concentrations determined by a serial broth dilution technique. Inhibition of metabolism as an index of bacterial susceptibility to drugs appears to be valid, rapid, and readily applicable to available automation.
A symbolic substitution based parallel architecture and algorithms for high-speed parallel processing

A new parallel architecture that is amenable to optical implementation is presented for massively data-parallel computing. The architecture is an SIMD model that exploits spatial parallelism and processes 2-D binary images as fundamental computational entities. Processing is based on a new technique called symbolic substitution logic. A hierarchical mapping technique is presented for designing data-parallel algorithms and mapping them onto the optical architecture. The mapping of several numerical algorithms onto the architecture is presented. Implementation issues as well as performance analysis of the optical system are also considered.
U.V. and I.R. absorption in OH−-doped NaF☆☆☆

Abstract The i.r. absorption of OH−-doped NaF displays two prominent features: (1) a broad line at 3728 cm−1 attributed to a substitutional OH− ion, and (2) a sharp line spectrum between 3540 and 3660 cm−1 produced by OH−-impurity complexes. The assignment of the former is confirmed by the observation of the isotope shift in crystals containing OH− enriched in O18. Upon x-irradiation at room temperature the OH− ions are decomposed and substitutional H− and O2− ions are formed. H− has an u.v. absorption band at 7.9 eV. An absorption near 8.7 eV is believed to arise from the O2− ions.
Weaving An Integrated Web: Multilevel and Multisystem Perspectives of Ecologically Sustainable Organizations

This article explores the concept of ecological sustainability and applies it to organizations by utilizing a systems framework and multiple levels of analysis. The implications for ecological sustainability of dyadic relationships between the organization and entities at the individual, organizational, political-economic, social-cultural, and ecological environment levels are examined. Critical factors that influence the degree to which an organization's behaviors are ecologically sustainable are examined, and behavioral and structural elements that are likely to be manifested by ecologically sustainable organizations (ESOs) are suggested.
A Simplified Method for Obtaining Requirements of Wiener's Optimum System

This paper presents a simplified method of deriving Wiener's optimum frequency-response system based on the meansquare-error. The initial step follows closely other authors but the final solution is obtained without resorting to cumbersome algebraic manipulation of "completing the square." Furthermore, the present approach is more rigorous and provides a solution representing a unique minimum for the variables considered.
Cemented Distal Femoral Endoprostheses for Musculoskeletal Tumor: Improved Survival of Modular versus Custom Implants

Background Advocates of newer implant designs cite high rates of aseptic loosening and failure as reasons to abandon traditional cemented endoprosthetic reconstruction of the distal femur.
High and Low Neurobehavior Disinhibition Clusters within Locales: Implications for Community Efforts to Prevent Substance Use Disorder

Background: Knowledge of where substance use and other such behavioral problems frequently occur has aided policing, public health, and urban planning strategies to reduce such behaviors. Identifying locales characterized by high childhood neurobehavioral disinhibition (ND), a strong predictor of substance use and consequent disorder (SUD), may likewise improve prevention efforts. Objectives: The distribution of ND in 10–12-year olds was mapped to metropolitan Pittsburgh, PA, and tested for clustering within locales. Methods: The 738 participating families represented the population in terms of economic status, race, and population distribution. ND was measured using indicators of executive cognitive function, emotion regulation, and behavior control. Innovative geospatial analyzes statistically tested clustering of ND within locales while accounting for geographic barriers (large rivers, major highways), parental SUD severity, and neighborhood quality. Results: Clustering of youth with high and low ND oc...
Designing the Fourier space with transformation optics

We show that transformation optics can be applied to extend the functionalities of conventional optical devices. In particular, geometrically compressing the input facet of any conventional optical elements can extend the input spatial frequency bandwidth. As an example, we design a Fourier lens that can transform the image to its reciprocal space and operate for incident light of subwavelength profile. An explicit design employing metal-dielectric layers is given for realization.
Plasma insulin, C-peptide, and proinsulin concentrations in obese and nonobese individuals with varying degrees of glucose tolerance.

Conventional immunoassays to quantify insulin concentration do not differentiate between insulin and proinsulin. Thus, previous conclusions as to the relationship between the development of hyperglycemia in patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and pancreatic insulin secretory function may have been confounded by not being able to determine the contribution made by plasma proinsulin to the putative measurements of plasma insulin concentration in these patients. The current study was initiated to address this issue by making specific measurements of plasma insulin, proinsulin, and C-peptide concentrations in 42 individuals: 14 with normal glucose tolerance, 12 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 16 with NIDDM. The study population was further subdivided into a nonobese (body mass index, 30 kg/m2) group. Mixed meals were given at 0800, 1200, and 1800 h, and blood was removed at 0800 h (before the meal) and at hourly intervals from then until 1600 h. Plasma glucose concentrations throughout the sampling period were slightly, but significantly (P < 0.01), greater in patients with IGT than in normal individuals. Patients with NIDDM had markedly elevated glycemic excursions, greater than either of the other two groups (P < 0.002). Both plasma immunoreactive insulin and C-peptide concentrations from 0800-1600 h were higher (P < 0.002-0.001) in patients with either IGT or NIDDM than in the group with normal glucose tolerance. Although day-long plasma immunoreactive insulin and C-peptide concentrations were higher, on the average, in patients with IGT compared to those with NIDDM, the difference was not statistically significant. Plasma proinsulin concentrations were highest in patients with NIDDM (P < 0.002), lower in those with normal glucose tolerance (P < 0.002), and intermediate in patients with IGT. When the calculated "true" insulin concentration was determined by taking the proinsulin content into consideration, patients with IGT had the highest day-long levels, with the lowest values found in the control population (P < 0.002). Although absolute values varied as a function of obesity, the generalizations outlined above were found in both weight groups. These results show that ambient plasma proinsulin concentrations increase as glucose tolerance declines. However, true plasma insulin concentrations in response to mixed meals remain highest in patients with IGT, lowest in normal individuals, and intermediate in patients with NIDDM. Thus, previous conclusions that absolute day-long plasma insulin concentrations are not lower than normal in patients with NIDDM do not appear to result from an inability to differentiate true insulin from proinsulin.
Intensified Charge-Coupled Device (ICCD) Single Photoelectron Response

Princeton University Observatory has developed an Intensified Charge Coupled Device (ICCD) image tube with a 200 mm diagonal S-20 photocathode and a 100 x 160 pixel Texas Instruments CCD. Measurements of the CCD's response to accelerated photoelectrons have been made with this tube, as well as other configurations. The paper presents the pulse height distribution and point spread function for single photoelectrons of 20 keV energy. These data are discussed in relation to a photon counting image system.
Paradoxical effects of d-amphetamine upon seizure susceptibility in 2 selectively bred lines of mice

The ontogeny and substrates of amphetamine-induced changes in flurothyl-induced myoclonic and clonic seizure thresholds were investigated in 2 selectively bred lines of mice. The long-sleep mice exhibited dose-dependent increases in myoclonic and clonic susceptibility following amphetamine, irrespective of age. The noradrenergic agonist clonidine and the dopaminergic agonist apomorphine produced increases in susceptibility comparable to those seen with amphetamine. The short-sleep mice, however, exhibited a dichotomous myoclonic response to amphetamine that was age-dependent. Between 15 and 35 days of age amphetamine decreased seizure susceptibility whereas increases in susceptibility were noted at later ages. With the exception of 80 days, amphetamine did not affect clonic thresholds. In respect to myoclonus, clonidine persisted in producing effects similar to those seen in the long-sleep mice whereas apomorphine exhibited the same ontogenetic alteration in effect seen with amphetamine. These results confirm that the short-sleep mice might be a naturally occurring animal model of preadolescent hyperkinesis. Furthermore, the neuropharmacological tests demonstrate that the paradoxical response to amphetamine in the young short-sleep mice is mediated via a dopaminergic mechanism that must undergo dramatic change during ontogeny.
Neonatal enucleations reduce specific activity of acetylcholinesterase but not choline acetyltransferase in developing rat visual cortex

Infant rats were subjected to unilateral or bilateral enucleation or sham lesions on the day of birth. On postnatal day 13 or 14, tissue blocks from cortex were assayed for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Bilateral enucleation resulted in a decrease in specific activity of AChE in occipital cortex, as compared with control animals. Unilateral enucleation resulted in a decrease of AChE activity in the hemisphere contralateral to the enucleated orbit. However, neither type of enucleation resulted in significant changes of ChAT specific activity. These data suggest that reductions in AChE activity resulting from neonatal enucleations are not due to a direct involvement of cholinergic afferents to visual cortex.
Impact of an evidence-based algorithm on quality of care in pediatric parapneumonic effusion and empyema

Objective To determine whether implementation of a collaborative, evidence-based algorithm for care of pediatric parapneumonic effusion and empyema (PPE) can improve the quality of care delivered. Study Design Prospective cohort with retrospective control comparison of children aged 1 month to 18 years admitted with a clinical diagnosis of PPE. Quality improvement techniques were used to develop an algorithm, which was implemented September 2008. Primary outcome measures were decreased median and variability in length of stay (LOS), reduction in the use of chest computed tomography (CT), reduction in the total number of painful procedures, and increased initial use of effective drainage procedures when drainage was indicated. Results Compared with controls, algorithm implementation substantially reduced use of chest CT (0% vs. 41% of patients, P = 0.01) with no observed negative impact on LOS. Reductions in median LOS were not significant, but variability in LOS was reduced (P < 0.01 by F-test). Changes in number of procedures and use of effective drainage when indicated were in the predicted direction but not statistically significant. Conclusions Quality improvement techniques are an effective means for incorporating evidence-based medicine into pediatric care. PPE can be managed safely without the use of chest CT. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:722–728. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Hotel Real Estate Markets

In the absence of lease friction, hotel markets provide a unique laboratory for addressing how space and asset markets respond to local and macroeconomic condition changes. The knowledge gained from studying hotel markets lies scattered in bits and pieces across the literature. A consolidation of what we now know about hotel markets is useful in that case. Here are some views on what we can learn about hotel markets as the market moves closer to a peak.
Molecular characterization of dematiaceous root endophytes.

Sterile dematiaceous fungi are commonly isolated from plant roots. They are often assigned to Mycelium radicis atrovirens , a name originally proposed for black, sterile, fast-growing, pseudomycorrhizal fungi. Dematiaceous fungi isolated from roots may be mutualists, commensalists, or pathogens and, in the absence of sporulation, identification is not possible. Forty-six isolates of dematiaceous fungi from the roots of different hosts and locations were characterized using restriction site mapping of polymerase chain reaction amplified nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers. The restriction site maps were compared to identified dematiaceous mycorrhizal and pseudomycorrhizal fungi. Computer generated trees (UPGMA and parsimony analysis) characterized two unknown isolates as Phialophora finlandia , an ectendomycorrhizal fungus. The majority of the isolates were characterized as Phialocephala fortinii -like. Phialocephala fortinii has been reported as both pathogenic and non-pathogenic in a number of hosts. There was variation within the P. fortinii -like group suggesting intraspecific variation or a species complex.
Two new standard reference materials for the determination of drugs of abuse in human hair

Two new standard reference materials (SRM) for drugs of abuse in human hair have been developed. SRM 2379 consists of hair spiked with cocaine, benzoylecgonine, cocaethylene, phencyclidine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine. SRM 2380 consists of hair spiked with codeine, morphine, monoacetylmorphine, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The SRMs were prepared by soaking the hair in a solution of the target analytes in water-dimethylsulfoxide. The concentration of each analyte was determined using two methods, one based upon gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and one based upon liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Both methods used 0.1 M HCl for extraction of all the analytes from the hair, except for THC, which was extracted with 1 M NaOH. For isolation of the analytes from the extracts, the GC/MS-based methods used different clean-up procedures from those used for the LC/MS-based methods. The results from the two methods were in good agreement with mean differences for the analytes ranging from 4% to 16%. These materials will enable laboratories performing analyses of hair for drugs of abuse to test the accuracy of their methods.
Chronic abdominal wall pain: clinical features, health care costs, and long-term outcome.

Abstract Background & Aims: Chronic abdominal wall pain (CAWP) often is misdiagnosed. We evaluated CAWP patients regarding diagnosis accuracy, clinical features, comorbidity, referral frequency, use of care, and long-term outcome. Methods: We reviewed the records of all outpatients referred to a gastroenterologist in 5 years, recorded referral indications, and identified patients initially diagnosed with CAWP or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Charts of all CAWP patients were reviewed, and direct costs were estimated for abdominal pain-related physician visits and imaging studies during the 12 months before and 12 months after consultation. We appraised long-term pain status by telephone. Results: Of 2709 patients, CAWP was diagnosed by physical examination in 137 patients; the diagnosis remained unchanged after 47.3 ± 17.7 (mean ± SD) months in 133 (97.1%) patients. Women predominated over men 4 to 1, pain was usually upper abdominal, had lasted 25.3 ± 46.3 months, and obesity and painful comorbidities and depression were common. CAWP and IBS comprised 7.8% and 16.3% of symptomatic referrals, respectively. Prereferral, physicians rarely suspected CAWP and often prescribed therapy for acid-peptic disease. Postconsultation, primary care, emergency and specialist visits, and radiologic examinations markedly decreased ( P P
Fast, large-signal, free-standing foil bolometer for measuring ultrasoft x-ray burst fluence.

A fast (∼300 ns), large‐signal (≳1 V), free‐standing foil bolometer was developed for measuring ultrasoft x‐ray burst fluences. The results of bolometer measurements of the radiation output of an imploding foil liner plasma indicate yields of several tens of kJ, assuming isotropic emission. This is in substantial agreement with filtered metal photocathode (x‐ray diode) measurements. The bolometer design, response function, and comparison with x‐ray photodiode data are discussed. This type of bolometer is particularly applicable to radiation measurements of high‐energy, destructive pulsed plasmas such as high‐energy imploding liner plasmas.
SEMPA domain observation compared to three other methods

SEMPA (scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis) is compared to well-known methods of magnetic imaging, Bitter colloid, longitudinal magnetooptical Kerr effect (MOKE), and Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (LTEM), with no extraordinary image processing. Resolution is established by direct micrograph measurement of the smallest structure available. The images have been acquired using a thin-film (35-nm) Permalloy chevron-shaped object. Bitter images gave their usual delineation of domain walls. Longitudinal MOKE images produce results similar to Bitter images; however, diffraction patterns near the chevron's boundary blurred the magnetic information. The LTEM micrographs provided by far the most qualitative data about the magnetization of the chevron; magnetization ripple structure was apparent. SEMPA images are produced with the highest magnification, 5000*, and the present generation of instrumentation did provide quantitative information about surface magnetization. However, the angle of magnetization in the plane of the film suffers from instrumental and electronic asymmetries. The magnitude of magnetization information appears to be consistent, even though it is uncalibrated. >
Chemical Genetic Analysis of Protein Kinase Cascades.

INTRODUCTION. Renewed appreciation for the power of small organic molecules to address questions in cell biology has fueled an explosion of interest in chemical biology[1]. Using small molecules to perturb protein function has many advantages including: the effects of drugs are (1) rapid, potentially diffusion-limited, (2) often reversible due to metabolism/clearing, (3) tunable, allowing for graded phenotypes by varying concentration, and (4) conditional, since they can be introduced at any point in development.
Effect of dietary fatty acids on experimental manifestation of salmonella-associated arthritis in rats II. Effect of dietary fatty acids on experimental manifestation of salmonella-associated arthritis in rats

Abstract Dietary supplementation with a marine lipid concentrate rich in n-3 fatty acids and pure ethyl ester of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DHLA) resulted in inhibition of the chronic phase of inflammation in Salmonella-associated arthritis. The anti-inflammatory effect of DHLA was much stronger than that of two n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) present in marine oil. Fatty acid profiles in phosphoglyceride fractions of red blood cells showed incorporation of the respective supplemented fatty acids. Concentrations of 4 cyclookygenase products in femoral vein plasma were smaller in the fatty acid supplemented rats. These studies suggest that DHLA and marine n-3 fatty acids may have useful anti-inflammatory effects in Salmonella-associated arthritis.
Business process change: a coordination mechanism approach

We study business in terms of the coordination mechanisms encapsulated within the business processes. Our framework for studying the coordination mechanisms consists of our aspects, namely, the decision structure, information structure, workflow structure and agency structure. The research integrates various literature streams to develop this descriptive framework. We present examples drawn from the financial industry utilizing the framework. Some future research directions to understand and analyze business processes using the coordination approach are discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. and Cornwallis Emmanuel Ltd.
Literacy skills and communication methods of low-income older persons

The objectives of this study were to (a) characterize the literacy skills of low-income, community-dwelling, older adults, (b) determine how they obtain information, and (c) determine whether they have difficulty understanding written information provided by clinicians. We studied 177 subjects (mean age 72.2, range 60-94). None had cognitive or visual impairments that precluded assessing literacy. Reading skills were tested, sociodemographic data were recorded, and information was collected on whether subjects have trouble understanding information given to them by health providers. Data analysis determined if literacy was associated with how subjects obtain and understand medical information. The subjects' mean reading skills were at grade level 5, below those of the general US population. One-fourth of subjects reported difficulty understanding written information from clinicians; this was more frequent among poor readers (P = 0.0002). Ninety-seven percent of subjects, regardless of literacy, reported that television was their primary source of information. Health information for low-income seniors should be transmitted through literacy-appropriate communication methods.
Effect of thiazide on established furosemide-induced nephrocalcinosis in the young rat.

A previous study on furosemide-induced nephrocalcinosis (NC) showed only partial resolution of the calcifications after discontinuation of the diuretic. We investigated whether treatment with chlorothiazide (CTZ) will expedite the resolution of established furosemide-induced NC. Seventy-eight weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight groups. Three groups were studied for 1 week: A, control; B, furosemide 40 mg/kg per 24 h; C, CTZ 100 mg/kg per 24 h. Five groups were studied for 5 weeks: D, control; E, F, G, furosemide 40 mg/kg per 24 h for 1 week followed by 4 weeks of observation (E), CTZ 50 mg/kg per 24 h (F), and CTZ 100 mg/kg per 24 h (G) and; and CTZ 100 mg/kg per 24 h (H) for 5 weeks. At the end of each study period urine and blood were collected, one kidney was studied histologically and the contralateral ashed for quantitative calcium (Ca) analysis. Animals in group B developed NC with a kidney Ca content of 1,844±203 µg/g dry tissue compared with group A 248±86 (P<0.05) and group C 256±56 (P<0.05). There were no differences among the three groups with regard to creatinine clearance, urine phosphate (P) or Ca excretion, although the latter tended to be lower in group C. Animals in group E showed a reduction in the magnitude of NC, with kidney Ca of 550±398 µg/g dry tissue, which was lower than in group B (P<0.05) but still higher than in groups D (140±27) (P<0.05) or H (162±63) (P<0.05). Kidney Ca content in groups F (497±142) and G (489±271 µg/g dry tissue) was similar to that in group E. There were no differences among the five groups with regard to creatinine clearance or urine P excretion. Urine Ca excretion was significantly lower in groups F and G than groups D and E. We conclude that once established, NC caused by furosemide is not affected by CTZ therapy in spite of the anticalciuric property of the latter.