cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Sea Ice Data Base

Sailing vessels and shore stations have long recorded sea ice conditions in many parts of the world oceans and recently a more complete global picture has become available via aerial surveillance and satellite remote sensing. The types of measurements that may be made vary considerably in terms of the parameters recorded, their frequency, resolution, reliability, and geographical coverage. Also, whereas standard terminology, practices for ice observations, and codes for their reporting have been documented (e.g., U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office, 1956; Heap, 1972) and procedures for display of ice information on charts have recently been standardized, international standards for data archiving are only now beginning to be formulated (WDC-A for Glaciology, 1979; Thompson, 1981; Krutskikh, 1984). As a result, the state of sea ice data bases remains primitive by comparison with those for meteorological information. Accordingly, this survey indicates what is required in these areas as well as the current status.
Identifying Predictors of Emergency Room Utilization in Primary Care

Emergency room (ER) utilization is a growing, costly concern for health care in the USA. Several variables have been reported as contributing factors to increased ER utilization including chronic health conditions, depression, lower cognitive abilities, and socioeconomic status.1 However, no prior research has simultaneously analyzed these patient-specific variables. Additionally, most of the research that has identified factors related to ER utilization has been conducted after patients have already sought ER services. To decrease ER use, it is important to identify patients before they visit the ER. With the growth of behavioral health services availability in primary care clinics, early identification of patients at risk for utilization of ER services may be possible. The purpose of this study was to determine whether predictors of ER utilization could be identified during a behavioral health consultation in the primary care setting and to investigate which variables were most important in predicting higher ER use.
Moral People or Moral Projects?: Worker Altruism in Youth Residential Treatment

Paraprofessional youth care workers in residential treatment centers (RTCs) are responsible for the everyday care, supervision, and treatment of youth with serious behavioral and mental health challenges. Turnover rates among this poorly paid workforce are high, and it is not known why individuals seek and maintain youth care work despite its significant challenges. Following anthropologists who study morality as situated practice, we investigate the role of altruism in recruiting and retaining workers in RTCs. We ask: How do managers and youth care workers understand altruism and its role in youth care work and what are the consequences of those understandings? Through organizational ethnography of an RTC, we show that workers and management understood altruism differently. Managers viewed altruism as an inherent trait of some and attributed turnover to its lack. Although workers sometimes enacted this script, they understood themselves as engaged in far more complex situated moral projects in which altruism was only one part. We demonstrate political effects of these differing understandings of altruism, namely, that management deflected institutional critique by viewing it as a sign of workers' immorality. We offer modest recommendations for RTCs seeking to recruit and retain competent youth care workers and address potential new directions for moral anthropology of organizations.
Oil-water flow regimes in 4-mm borosilicate glass and fluorinated ethylene propylene channels: Effects of wall wettability

Abstract Formation water, found in oil deposits, is highly corrosive. By utilizing flow phenomena and surface tension forces in smaller channels (e.g., Eotvos number less than one), these fluids can be separated, thus altering corrosion and the pressure required for transport. This research investigates the effects of wall wettability on oil-water flow regimes and pressure drops. Oil-water flows were studied in 3.5-mm hydrophilic borosilicate glass and 4.0-mm hydrophobic fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) channels using Parol 100 mineral oil (i.e., density of 840 kg/m3 and viscosity of 0.0208 Pa s) and tap water (i.e., 997 kg/m3 and a viscosity of 0.001 Pa s). For these oil-water combinations, glass was water wetting (i.e., contact angle of 67° for a water droplet submerged in oil on glass) and FEP was water repelling (i.e., contact angle of 93° for a water droplet submerged in oil on FEP) under static conditions. Flow regimes and pressure drops were recorded for a range of oil superficial velocities [i.e., 0.31–3.7 m/s (glass) and 0.23–2.7 m/s (FEP)] and water superficial velocities [i.e., 0.080m/s–5.5 m/s (glass) and 0.060–5.5 m/s (FEP)]. Stratified, intermittent, annular, and dispersed flow regimes were observed in both tubes. Additional inverted and dual flow regimes were observed in the hydrophobic FEP; oil wetted the wall in inverted flows, and flow regimes occurred inside of another flow regime in dual flows (e.g., inverted-annular intermittent). The modified Weber number indicated whether the walls were wetted by oil, mixed oil and water, or water. Pressure drops were found to be correlated to the flow regime with increased pressure drops observed when oil fully or partially wetted the wall.
The Quest to Lead (with) Millennials in a VUCA-World: Bridging the Gap Between Generations

Western workplaces are currently experiencing a leadership challenge that relates to a conflict between the senior leaders in organizations and the so-called Millennial generation. This has resulted in traditional leadership approaches being less effective in a “dynaxic” (dynamic and complex) world. The purpose of this chapter is to help senior leaders better understand the essence of the conflict between Millennials and the previous generations. It is an attempt to increase understanding of the conflict and solve the problem by suggesting a leadership approach that could work for both generations and help organizations survive in a VUCA world. After the nature of the conflict is described, a relatively new leadership approach—responsible leadership—is suggested, in combination with mentoring. Responsible leadership combines the essential qualities of three well known leadership styles: transformational, servant, and authentic. The transformational aspect of responsible leadership relates to encouraging teamwork, setting high performance targets, and encouraging out-of-the-box thinking among followers. As servants, responsible leaders put the interests of subordinates and organizations first to create an empowering experience for followers. An authentic leadership approaches ensures learning agility, flexibility, and the participation of others. Through mentoring, Millennials may come to identify with their mentees and even adopt some of their values and attitudes. So-called reverse mentoring may provide a very valuable double function: increasing Millennials’ involvement within their organizations while at the same time engaging and educating Baby Boomers.
Mitochondrial GTP Links Nutrient Sensing to β Cell Health, Mitochondrial Morphology, and Insulin Secretion Independent of OxPhos

Mechanisms coordinating pancreatic β cell metabolism with insulin secretion are essential for glucose homeostasis. One key mechanism of β cell nutrient sensing uses the mitochondrial GTP (mtGTP) cycle. In this cycle, mtGTP synthesized by succinyl-CoA synthetase (SCS) is hydrolyzed via mitochondrial PEPCK (PEPCK-M) to make phosphoenolpyruvate, a high-energy metabolite that integrates TCA cycling and anaplerosis with glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Several strategies, including xenotopic overexpression of yeast mitochondrial GTP/GDP exchanger (GGC1) and human ATP and GTP-specific SCS isoforms, demonstrated the importance of the mtGTP cycle. These studies confirmed that mtGTP triggers and amplifies normal GSIS and rescues defects in GSIS both in vitro and in vivo. Increased mtGTP synthesis enhanced calcium oscillations during GSIS. mtGTP also augmented mitochondrial mass, increased insulin granule number, and membrane proximity without triggering de-differentiation or metabolic fragility. These data highlight the importance of the mtGTP signal in nutrient sensing, insulin secretion, mitochondrial maintenance, and β cell health.
Effect of person

The role of the experimenter in the behavioral study, although recognized by Darwin, Pavlov, psychiatrists and others, has not been adequately evaluated in terms of the quantitative measures of the CR. Our study in this paper concerns especially the cardiac changes induced by “Person” in normal and pathological animals—monkey, dog, cat, opossum, guinea pig and rabbit. Owing to the greater sensitivity of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, these are more reliable and delicate measures than the usual somatic muscular ones. The Person can be used as an unconditional stimulus on the basis of which conditional reflexes are formed. Person has an especially pronounced effect on neurotic animals—shown often in a more pronounced way in the cardiorespiratory responses than in the more superficial behavioral ones. This Effect of Person may provide insights into the production of neurosis as well as some of the beneficial effects of therapy, e.g., the personal factor of the therapist.
Developmental toxicity of trichloroethylene in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Trichloroethylene (TCE), an industrial solvent and degreaser, is an environmental toxicant that contaminates over half of Superfund sites, is a known carcinogen, and is linked to congenital defects and neurodegenerative disease. The developmental toxicity of TCE near ecologically relevant levels needs further characterization in order to better assess health risks of exposure. In this study, the toxicodynamics of TCE in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model was investigated through the establishment of a LC50 concentration and by monitoring the acute developmental toxicity of ecologically relevant concentrations (0, 5, 50, and 500 parts per billion; ppb) of TCE during two different exposure lengths (1–72 hours post fertilization (hpf) and 1–120 hpf). Acute developmental toxicity was assessed by monitoring survival and hatching, larval morphology, larval heart rate, and behavioral responses during an embryonic photomotor response test and a larval visual motor response test. Embryonic exposure to TCE was associated with decreased percent hatch at 48 hpf, altered larval morphology, increased heart rate, and altered behavioral responses during the photomotor response test and visual motor response test. Larval morphology and behavioral alterations were more pronounced in the 1–120 hpf exposure length trials. The observed alterations suggest developmental TCE toxicity is still a concern at regulatory concentrations and that timing of exposure influences developmental toxicity.
The effect of subcutaneous brodalumab on clinical disease activity in hidradenitis suppurativa: An open-label cohort study.

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa is an autoinflammatory disorder of keratinization, with dysregulation of T helper type 17 cytokines. Brodalumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the interleukin (IL) 17 receptor A receptor. Objectives To assess the safety and tolerability and clinical response at weeks 12 and 24 of brodalumab in moderate to severe HS. Ten participants with no history of inflammatory bowel disease were administered brodalumab 210 mg/1.5 mL subcutaneously at weeks 0, 1, and 2 and every 2 weeks thereafter until week 24. Participants were assessed for adverse events (grade 2/3 adverse events) and clinical response (Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response [HiSCR], Sartorius, International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Scoring System [IHS4]), including ultrasonography and skin biopsies. Results All 10 participants completed the study. No grade 2/3 adverse events associated with the use of brodalumab were reported. All patients (100%) achieved HiSCR, and 80% achieved IHS4 category change at week 12. HiSCR achievement occurred as early as week 2, likely due to the unique blockade of IL-17A, IL-17C, and IL-17F by brodalumab. Significant improvements were seen in pain, itch, quality of life, and depression. Conclusions Brodalumab was well tolerated in this HS cohort, with no serious adverse events and improvement in clinical outcomes. Alterations in dose frequency may be required in those with advanced disease, which requires further exploration.
Otopathologic Analysis of Patterns of Postmeningitis Labyrinthitis Ossificans.

ObjectiveLabyrinthitis ossificans (LO) may occur following meningitis and, in cases where cochlear implantation is indicated, complicate electrode insertion. LO is critical to identify for successf...
Breaking up genetic influences on seizure onset, spread, and termination

A study by Weisenberg et al.1 in this issue of Neurology ® took advantage of the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project dataset to explore the familial aggregation of status epilepticus and prolonged seizures in generalized and nonacquired focal epilepsies. Three important findings with relevant pathophysiologic and prognostic implications have emerged from this study. The first finding that there is a genetic contribution to status epilepticus and prolonged seizures reinforces evidence from previous twin studies.2,3 The second finding, which is more innovative, is that familial aggregation of status epilepticus and prolonged seizures in families with common epilepsies is independent of broad epilepsy class and severity. Third, the finding that the mechanisms responsible for seizure precipitation and termination appear to be due, at least partially, to different genetic influences entails important pathophysiologic implications.
Biosurveillance and Research Needs Involving Area-Wide Systematic Active Sampling to Enhance Integrated Cattle Fever Tick (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Eradication

The one-host cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say), and southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini), are important ectoparasitic pests of cattle, Bos taurus L., mostly for transmitting the causal agents of bovine babesiosis. Bovine babesiosis inflicted substantial cattle production losses in the United States before the vectors were eliminated by 1943, with the exception of a Permanent Quarantine Zone in South Texas, a buffer along the Mexico border where the invasive ixodids remain. As suitable hosts, infested white-tailed deer and nilgai antelope populations disperse R. annulatus and R. microplus, which increases the risk for emergence of bovine babesiosis in the United States. A R. microplus incursion first detected in 2016 on the South Texas coastal plain wildlife corridor involved infestations on cattle, nilgai antelope, white-tailed deer, and vegetation. Efforts at passive sampling of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. on hosts are concentrated in the Permanent Quarantine Zone. Hence, a knowledge gap exists on the full extent of the recent incursions. Area-wide, systematic, active sampling and supportive research, involving the Permanent Quarantine Zone, Temporary Quarantine Zone, most of the coastal plain, and other parts of Texas outside of the quarantine zones, are needed to bridge the knowledge gap. Herein, we provide research perspectives and rationale to develop and implement systematic active sampling that will provide an increasingly accurate assessment of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) spp. distribution in Texas. We suggest that this is essential to advance integrated vector-borne animal disease eradication approaches for keeping cattle free of bovine babesiosis.
Anticipated Stigma and Self-Racialization: From Alcohol Flush Reaction to Panethnic Asian Glow

Although the biomedical processes of the alcohol flush reaction are well understood, no research has investigated social responses to the reaction. Interviews and focus groups with college students...
Analysis of islet transplant infiltrate T cells informs design of therapeutic strategies which promote long-term euglycemia (TRAN3P.871)

NOD mice, a well-characterized model of type 1 diabetes, provide a stringent model in which to test transplant tolerance-promoting therapies. We studied the failure of T cell-directed therapies in the autoimmune recipient. When we blocked T cell co-stimulation with a CD154 antibody in NOD isograft recipients transplant survival time doubled (MST 22 days), and we observed a profound decrease in ex vivo cytokine production of graft infiltrating CD4+ T cells. These results suggest that autoimmune CD8+ T cells can mediate disease recurrence with minimal help from CD4+ T cells and that CD154 antibody does not impede the reactivation of primed autoreactive CD8+ T cells. Graft survival was significantly prolonged in NOD mice grafted with syngeneic islets and the combination treatment of CD154 antibody and transient CD8+ T cell depletion (MST 58 days). In the clinically relevant model of islet allografts in NOD mice, anti-CD154 antibody treatment had less effect on graft rejection (MST 10 days), and minimal effect on ex vivo CD4+ T cell cytokine production. Unfortunately, our combination therapy demonstrated minimal allograft survival benefits (MST 12 days). Interestingly, CD4+ T cell depletion therapy yielded superior allograft survival results (MST 24 days). These results highlight clinically relevant differences in the mechanisms of autoimmune disease recurrence and islet allograft rejection by the autoimmune recipient.
New strong-field QED effects at extreme light infrastructure - Nonperturbative vacuum pair production

Since the work of Sauter, and Heisenberg, Euler and Kockel, it has been understood that vacuum polarization effects in quantum electrodynamics (QED) predict remarkable new phenomena such as light-light scattering and pair production from vacuum. However, these fundamental effects are difficult to probe experimentally because they are very weak, and they are difficult to analyze theoretically because they are highly nonlinear and/or nonperturbative. The extreme light infrastructure (ELI) project offers the possibility of a new window into this largely unexplored world. I review these ideas, along with some new results, explaining why quantum field theorists are so interested in this rapidly developing field of laser science. I concentrate on the theoretical tools that have been developed to analyze nonperturbative vacuum pair production.
Manuscript and Print in London c. 1475—1530. By Julia Boffey. (London, England: The British Library, 2012. Pp. xx, 246. $75.00.)

For scholars engaged in manuscript studies and book history much unexplored terrain remains, but defining the interactions amongst the older handwritten forms, the new print technology, and readers...
Os isotope chemostratigraphy applied to organic-rich marine sediments from the Eocene-Oligocene transition on the West African margin (ODP Site 959)

[1] The known temporal relationship between the benthic foraminiferal δ18O record and the marine Os isotope record is used to reinterpret the absolute chronology and paleoceanographic context of an episode of organic carbon burial on the West African margin Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 959. Although organic-rich sediments require significant corrections for in situ decay of 187Re to 187Os, these results demonstrate the utility of the marine Os isotope record for chemostratigraphic correlation of organic-rich sediments that are devoid of age diagnostic microfossils with pelagic carbonate sequences. Revision of the ODP Site 959 chronology shifts the age assignment of an interval of biosiliceous, organic-rich sediment deposition from the Oligocene to the late Eocene and earliest Oligocene, likely culminating with the first major glaciation of the Oligocene (Oi1). We speculate that enhanced organic carbon burial over much of the West African margin may have contributed to drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide before and during the Oi1 event and suggest that Os isotope chemostratigraphy provides a valuable tool for further exploring this possibility.
Roots of complex polynomials and Weyl-Heisenberg frame sets

A Weyl-Heisenberg frame for L 2 (R) is a frame consisting of modulates E mb g(t) = e 2πιmbt g(t) and translates T na g(t) = g(t - na), m,n E Z, of a fixed function g E L 2 (R), for a,b ∈ R. A fundamental question is to explicitly represent the families (g,a,b) so that (E mb T na g) m,n ∈ Z is a frame' for L 2 (R). We will show an interesting connection between this question and a classical problem of Littlewood in complex function theory. In particular, we show that classifying the characteristic functions X E for which (E m T n X E ) m,n ∈ E is a frame for L 2 (R) is equivalent to classifying the integer sets {n 1 < n 2 < ... < n k } so that f(z) = Σ k j=1 z ni does not have any zeroes on the unit circle in the plane.
High intensity solar irradiation testing of uv optics

The Orbiting Solar Observatory-I (OSO-8 in orbit) incorporates two high resolution solar pointing spectrometers operating from 1000 A to 4000 A. Energy from the sun enters a Cassegrainian telescope and is focused on a slit while the solar disk is scanned to one arc-second resolution. The stability of the secondary mirrors reflectance was of concern since they would be exposed to intense focused solar energy up to 27 suns. A test program was initiated to simulate this energy input on sample UV mirrors of the MgF2 and LiF types and to evaluate their performance after irradiation. Tests were conducted to simulate the solar spectrum at high intensities (25 suns) and at a single wavelength near Lyman-alpha, but with twenty times the solar intensity at Lyman-alpha. Post-test measurements after every exposure were made at wavelengths from 1025 A to 1849 A. After 75 simulated 'orbits', reflectance changes due to temperature effects were noted to be less than 10%. Reductions in reflectance under high intensity solar radiation were generally greater than 10%. Polymerization of surface contaminations on the LiF mirrors reduced reflectances at short wavelengths by 40%.
Peri-Surgical Nutrition: Perspectives and Perceptions

Peri-surgical nutrition of veterinary patients is in its infancy, with considerable research to be performed to help improve quality of life in our small animal patients. Clues from human immunonutrition may be starting places for investigation. Considerations for future investigations should include essential nutrients, the underlying disease process, therapeutic goals, and species (dog or cat). There are guidelines for caloric requirements. Planning for nutritional support before surgery takes place is likely to be beneficial to patient outcomes. Taking into account case history, method of feeding, metabolic abnormalities, and possible immunonutrition should be part of a complete surgical nutritional plan.
Making the School Environment Safe: Red Rose's Formula.

The purpose of this study was to assess the school environment of an urban school to illuminate what teachers felt to be important factors in developing a safer school environment. Responses to the School Level Environmental Questionnaire (SLEQ) suggested that teachers wanted more student support, more resources and less work pressure. To decrease work pressure, teachers adopted the work conservation strategies of working without reserves of time and energy, processing curriculum, and working in isolation in order to survive. Yet, when work conservation strategies were used, especially safeguarding time, student aggression surfaced. A School Improvement Committee developed a three-step plan to decrease work pressure. Teachers were concerned with lack of resources and used personal income to buy supplies and shared materials with students, using three styles of sharing. While some teachers were reluctant to share, others shared freely and still other teachers developed responsible sharing systems. Those who shared reluctantly had more behavior problems. Teachers' gravest concerns were students' aggressive behaviors. Teachers thought that student aggression was coming from home and the community. Observations showed that students often came to school angry. Yet, interviews verified that students at Rose more frequently became angry once they were at school. Red Rose's school environment was in the midst of change, but no attention was given to how change affects teachers. Many teachers were not prepared for the amount of change that they were experiencing and they had mixed feelings and opinions and became resistant.
Toward risk assessment as a service in cloud environments

Security and privacy assessments are considered a best practice for evaluating a system or application for potential risks and exposures. Cloud computing introduces several characteristics that challenge the effectiveness of current assessment approaches. In particular, the on-demand, automated, multi-tenant nature of cloud computing is at odds with the static, human process-oriented nature of the systems for which typical assessments were designed. This paper describes these challenges and recommends addressing them by introducing risk assessment as a service.
Utility of the SenseWear Pro 3 armband monitor and the Weight Management System for evaluating energy balance in adults

The progression of the obesity epidemic stems directly from the inability of individuals to achieve a balance between energy expenditure (EE) and energy intake (EI). To enhance research on obesity prevention it is important to develop and validate instruments that can facilitate monitoring of energy balance (EB) under free-living conditions. The SenseWear Pro 3 armband (SWA) monitor and associated weight management system (WMS) offer promise as a non-invasive method suitable for energy balance research. The primary purpose of the study was to evaluate the utility of the SWA and WMS to assess EB during a week of free-living activity. A total of 68 healthy adult participants (31 male and 37 female) wore the SWA monitor for a week while recording a detailed 7-day dietary food record. Estimates of EE were obtained directly from the SWA software. Estimates of EI were obtained by entering the dietary food records into both the Nutritionist Pro and the SenseWear WMS dietary assessment systems. The estimated EB (EI-EE) was compared with the observed EB (obtained from fasted weight measures taken at the beginning and ending of the study). Differences in EB values (observed – estimated) were statistically tested using standard t-tests. A secondary purpose was to compare the assessed EI between Nutritionist Pro and SenseWear WMS. A mixed model analyses of variance was used to evaluate the difference between EI values as well as macronutrient intakes of carbohydrate, fat, and protein. Results indicated that participants lost weight during the week long protocol (mean weight loss = -0.5 ± 1.6 lbs) without an apparent intention to lose weight. Similarly, estimated EB was significantly different than zero, indicating a negative EB (weight loss). Difference in weight difference (observed – estimated) was positive (difference = 0.9 lbs ± 2.0), indicating a significant overestimation of weight loss (p < 0.001). Supplemental analyses indicated that individuals completing more detailed dietary records had a significantly higher weight loss than those providing less detailed records. More interestingly, individuals providing high quality dietary records had a small (non-significant) average EB difference (difference = -0.03 ± 1.4 lbs, p = 0.09) while individuals providing poor quality records had large EB differences (difference = 2.0 ± 1.0 lbs,
Channelopathies of inwardly rectifying potassium channels

Mutations in genes encoding ion channels have increasingly been identified to cause disease conditions collectively termed channelopathies. Recognizing the molecular basis of an ion channel disease has provided new opportunities for screening, early diagnosis, and therapy of such conditions. This synopsis provides an overview of progress in the identification of molecular defects in inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels. Structurally and functionally distinct from other channel families, Kir channels are ubiquitously expressed and serve functions as diverse as regulation of resting membrane potential, maintenance of K+ homeostasis, control of heart rate, and hormone secretion. In humans, persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy, a disorder affecting the function of pancreatic β cells, and Bartter’s syndrome, characterized by hypokalemic alkalosis, hypercalciuria, increased serum aldosterone, and plasma renin activity, are the two major diseases linked so far to mutations in a Kir channel...
Synthesis and Thermoelectric Properties of CoP3

In an effort to expand the range of operation for highly efficient, segmented thermoelectric unicouples currently being developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), skutterudite phosphides are being investigated as potential high temperature segments to supplement antimonide segments that limit the use of these unicouples at a hot-side temperature of about 873-973 K. We report here on the synthesis and transport properties of one of these phosphide skutterudite materials, CoP3. Large amounts of cobalt triphosphide have been prepared by direct reaction from stochiometric powders at synthesis temperatures ranging from 873 to 1223 K. The synthesized powders were analyzed by x-ray diffractometry and hot pressed at 1273 K. The samples were analyzed by microprobe analysis and electrical conductivity, Seebeck voltage and thermal conductivity measurements were performed. The thermoelectric properties are presented and discussed as a function of temperature up to 1000 K. Initial thermal stability results are presented to assess the potential of this material for high temperature operation.
The distribution of pelvic organ support in a population of female subjects seen for routine gynecologic health care

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to describe the distribution of pelvic organ support stages in a population of women seen at outpatient gynecology clinics for routine gynecologic health care. Study Design: This was an observational study. Women seen for routine gynecologic health care at four outpatient gynecology clinics were recruited to participate. After informed consent was obtained general biographic data were collected regarding obstetric history, medical history, and surgical history. Women then underwent a pelvic examination. Pelvic organ support was measured and described according to the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system. Stages of support were evaluated by variable for trends with Pearson χ 2 statistics. Results: A total of 497 women were examined. The average age was 44 years, with a range of 18 to 82 years. The overall distribution of pelvic organ prolapse quantification system stages was as follows: stage 0, 6.4%; stage 1, 43.3%; stage 2, 47.7%; and stage 3, 2.6%. No subjects examined had pelvic organ prolapse quantification system stage 4 prolapse. Variables with a statistically significant trend toward increased pelvic organ prolapse quantification system stage were advancing age, increasing gravidity and parity, increasing number of vaginal births, delivery of a macrosomic infant, history of hysterectomy or pelvic organ prolapse operations, postmenopausal status, and hypertension. Conclusion: The distribution of the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system stages in the population revealed a bell-shaped curve, with most subjects having stage 1 or 2 support. Few subjects had either stage 0 (excellent support) or stage 3 (moderate to severe pelvic support defects) results. There was a statistically significant trend toward increased pelvic organ prolapse quantification system stage of support among women with many of the historically quoted etiologic factors for the development of pelvic organ prolapse. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;183:277-85.)
Genetic engineering of proteins with cell membrane permeability

The discovery of methods for generating proteins with inherent cell membrane-translocating activity will expand our ability to study and manipulate various intracellular processes in living systems. We report a method to engineer proteins with cell-membrane permeability. After a 12–amino acid residue membrane-translocating sequence (MTS) was fused to the C-terminus of glutathione S-transferase (GST), the resultant GST-MTS fusion proteins were efficiently imported into NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and other cells. To explore the applicability of this nondestructive import method to the study of intracellular processes, a 41-kDa GST-Grb2SH2-MTS fusion protein containing the Grb2 SH2 domain was tested for its effect on the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated signaling pathway. This fusion protein entered cells, formed a complex with phosphorylated EGF receptor (EGFR), and inhibited EGF-induced EGFR–Grb2 association and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation.
Experience with the Hickman catheter: unusual complications and suggestions for their prevention.

With the expanding clinical use of the Hickman catheter, new complications have emerged. This report describes two such complications: one in an adult with postplacement malposition and a second in a child with a ballooning double-lumen catheter. The risk of postplacement malposition can be reduced by placing the catheter's tunnel as medial as possible; the risk of material malfunction can be reduced by careful quality control and careful surgical technique. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition10:311-315, 1986)
Confined Thin Film Delamination in the Presence of Intersurface Forces With Finite Range and Magnitude

A circular membrane clamped at the periphery is allowed to adhere to or to delaminate from a planar surface of a cylindrical punch in the presence of intersurface forces with finite range and magnitude. Assuming a uniform disjoining pressure within the cohesive zone at the delamination front, the adhesion-delamination mechanics is obtained by a thermodynamic energy balance. Interrelations between the instantaneous applied load, punch displacement, and contact circle, and the resulting critical thresholds of "pinch-off, " "pull-off, " and "pull-in" are derived from the first principles. Two limiting cases are obtained: (i) intersurface force with long range and small magnitude in reminiscence of the classical Derjaguin―Muller―Toporov (DMT) model and (ii) short range and large magnitude alluding to the Johnson―Kendall―Roberts (JKR) model. The DMT-JKR transitional behavior has significant impacts on adhesion measurements, microelectromechanical systems, and life-sciences.
Book review: Stochastic processes in physics and chemistry

To paraphrase an old Yiddish joke, this second edition of the van Kampen classic is the new and improved version of Shakespeare. The book itself consists of all of the material covered in the first edition with the cited literature more or less brought up to date, in addition to three new chapters covering the Langevin equation, first-passage times, and quantum statistics. New problems have been added, some based on papers published after the first edition, and several parts of the book have been rewritten, simplifying some of the older analysis. This is probably not the book for a graduate student totally unacquainted with the subject matter (my preference being for the text by Gardiner), but it can be read for profit and pleasure by anyone who has mastered the fundamentals. Nico van Kampen brings to many aspects of the subject both physical insight and clarity of thought regarding the basic nature of stochastic processes applied to problems in the physical sciences. It is highly recommended to the novice for supplemental reading and to the professional for illuminating and highly enlightening points of view on subjects generally treated mainly as a branch of mathematics.
Factors affecting withdrawal from an escalating conflict: Quitting before it's too late

Abstract In an experimental study of “entrapping” conflicts —situations in which a decisionmaker may continue to expend resources in part to justify previous expenditures—subjects were given an initial stake of $4.00 and had the opportunity to win an additional $2.00 jackpot. Two independent variables (Process of Resource Allocation and Prior Limit-Setting) were combined in a 2 × 3 design. Once the subjects had started to invest, half of them had to make an “active” decision to continue. Unless they actively decided to continue, their investments automatically ceased and they were no longer eligible for the jackpot (Selfterminating condition). The other half only had to make a “passive” decision to continue. Unless they actively decided to dis continue, their investments for the jackpot automatically increased (Self-sustaining condition). In addition, before investments began, some subjects were asked to inform the experimenter of the nonbinding limit they had set on the amount they planned to invest (Public condition), some were asked to set a limit which they kept to themselves (Private condition), while a third group was not asked to set a limit (Control condition). Subjects invested significantly more money in the Self-sustaining condition. Also, investments were somewhat greater in the Control than the Public condition. Although the mean investments in the Public and Private conditions did not differ, those in the Public condition deviated significantly less from their earlier set limits, suggesting greater commitment to these limits. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Sensory neuropeptide release by bradykinin : mechanisms and pathophysiological implications

Bradykinin (BK) and related kinins excite primary sensory neurons, thus leading to the activation of sensory impulses. More recently, both functional and neurochemical evidence have been accumulated that BK evokes release of neuropeptides, including calcitonin gene-related peptide and the tachykinins substance P and neurokinin A, from peripheral terminals of capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents. The present article will review the mechanisms and the pathophysiological implications of the ability of BK to release sensory neuropeptides at the peripheral level. An account of the clinical studies performed on this subject will be also given.
Room-temperature continuous-wave operation of a Ti:Al2O3 laser.

Room-temperature cw operation of a Ti:Al2O3 laser has been demonstrated for the first reported time. Laser emission at 770 nm was excited with an all-line Ar-ion laser pump. The maximum output power was 1.6 W. Values of (64 ± 10)% for the internal quantum efficiency and (2.4 ± 0.5)% for the round-trip cavity loss are obtained from the thresholds and slope efficiencies measured with 0.7 and 4.9% output couplers. The cavity-loss value places an upper bound of 0.007 cm−1 on the absorption coefficient of the laser rod for the π polarization (E||ĉ) at 770 nm, compared with 0.73 cm−1 measured at 490 nm, the peak of the Ti3+ pump band.
The Role of Academic Motivation and Engagement on the Relationship Between Dual Enrollment and Academic Performance

I examine whether academic motivation and engagement—conditions that advocates consider mechanisms for the effect of dual enrollment—account for the relationship between dual enrollment and academic performance. Few studies examine the claimed mechanisms that account for the impact of dual enrollment, which leaves the processes through which dual enrollment influences a student’s college experience as a black box. Using data from the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education, I find a positive direct effect of dual enrollment on first-year college GPA, which remains even after controlling for precollege variables. I further find students who participated in dual enrollment are more academically motivated and engaged than nonparticipants. Although dual enrolled students are more academically motivated and engaged in class than nonparticipants these indicators generally account for less than 20% of the effect of dual enrollment on academic performance. Finally, for some students (e.g., students who earned college credit through dual enrollment but not though examination), participation in dual enrollment exerts a stronger effect on first-year college GPA at midselective and very selective institutions than at highly selective institutions.
Effect of one or three timed artificial inseminations before natural service on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows not observed for detection of estrus

The objectives were to determine the effects of one or three timed artificial insemination (AI) before natural service (NS) in lactating dairy cows not observed for detection of estrus on hazard of pregnancy, days nonpregnant, and 21-days cycle pregnancy rate. A total of 1050 lactating Holstein cows were subjected to a double Ovsynch program for their first postpartum AI. On the day of first AI (78 ± 3 days in milk), cows were blocked by parity and randomly assigned to receive either one timed AI (1TAI, n = 533) or three timed AI (3TAI, n = 517) before being exposed to NS. Cows assigned to 1TAI were exposed to bulls 7 days after the first AI. Nonpregnant cows in 3TAI were resynchronized with the Ovsynch protocol supplemented with progesterone twice, with intervals between AI of 42 days, before being exposed to NS 7 days after the third AI. Cows were evaluated for pregnancy 32 days after each timed AI, or every 28 days after being exposed to NS. Pregnant cows were re-examined for pregnancy 28 days later (i.e., 60-day gestation). Exposure to heat stress was categorized based on the first AI being performed during the hot or cool season, according to the temperature-humidity index. Body condition was scored at first AI. All cows were allowed a period of 231 days of breeding, after which nonpregnant cows were censored. Pregnancy to the first AI did not differ between 1TAI and 3TAI on Day 60 after insemination (30.8 vs. 33.5%). Cows receiving 3TAI had a 15% greater hazard of pregnancy and a 17% greater 21-days cycle pregnancy rate than 1TAI and these benefits originated from the first 84 days of breeding. These changes in rate of pregnancy reduced the median and mean days nonpregnant by 9 and 10 d, respectively. Despite the long inter-AI interval in cows subjected to 3TAI, reproductive performance was improved compared with a single timed AI and subsequent exposure to NS. In dairy herds that use a combination of AI and NS, allowing cows additional opportunities to AI before onset of breeding with bulls is expected to improve reproductive performance.
Quantum-confined Stark effects in semiconductor quantum dots

Quantum-confined Stark effects (QCSE) on excitons, i.e., the influence of a uniform electric field on the confined excitons in semiconductor quantum dots (QD's), have been studied by using a numerical matrix-diagonalization scheme. The energy levels and the wave functions of the ground and several excited states of excitons in CdS and ${\mathrm{CdS}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Se}}_{\mathit{x}}$ quantum dots as functions of the size of the quantum dot and the applied electric field have been obtained. The electron and hole distributions and wave function overlap inside the QD's have also been calculated for different QD sizes and electric fields. It is found that the electron and hole wave function overlap decreases under an electric field, which implies an increased exciton recombination lifetime due to QCSE. The energy level redshift and the enhancement of the exciton recombination lifetime are due to the polarization of the electron-hole pair under the applied electric field.
A simple method for insertion of multiple catheters through a single venipuncture site.

We have recently developed a technique for the insertion of multiple catheters or electrodes through a single venipuncture site. This technique has been applied in 22 consecutive cases without significant bleeding or hematoma at the site of insertion.
Sociospatial behavioral relationships among hospitalized psychiatric patients

Abstract Two questions were asked in this study: (1) What are the relationships between spatial proximity and behavior in hospitalized, acutely ill psychiatric patients? (2) What effect does the behavior of one individual have on another at different interpersonal distances? Results indicated specific relationships between behavior and interpersonal spacing. Cluster analyses supported these basic relationships and indicated a reciprocal influence between patient behaviors at different interpersonal distances.
'Mere bellies'?: A new look at Theogony 26-8

One of the most famous scenes in classical literature is the Dichterweihe at the beginning of the Theogony (22–35): when Hesiod was tending his sheep below Mount Helicon, the Muses approached him, provided him with a staff and a divine voice, and told him to sing of the blessed, everlasting gods.
High-performance liquid chromatography separation of chlordecone and its metabolites

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to separate chlordecone (Kepone), and two of its metabolites, hydrochlordecone and dihydrochlordecone. Elution of the three peaks occured after the solvent concentration reached 100% methanol and was maintained at 100% for approximately five minutes. The method was linear for chlordecone in the concentration range of 10 to 100 μg.
Molecular weight distribution of hydrolysis products during biodegradation of model macromolecules in suspended and biofilm cultures I. Bovine serum albumin

Macromolecules can comprise a significant portion of dissolved organic carbon in wastewater and affect wastewater treatability by engineered systems, but little information is available about mechanisms of macromolecule degradation. The release of protein hydrolytic fragments was monitored during the degradation of the model protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) in batch and continuous suspended cultures and in fixed-film reactor systems. Three different inocula that represent a range of bacterial diversity were used: a protein degrading isolate, a commercial biological oxygen demand (BOD) test inoculum (limited diversity culture) and a wastewater inoculum. Molecular size distributions were monitored during degradation using membrane ultrafiltration techniques. Intermediate-molecular-weight protein hydrolytic fragments (2000–10,000 amu) were produced and released into solution by all cultures in all reactor types investigated. In batch suspended culture reactors with initial BSA concentrations of 100 mg liter−1, maximum concentrations of intermediate-molecular-weight hydrolytic fragments of 25, 10 and 6 mg liter−1 were found, respectively, in pure, limited diversity and wastewater cultures. Since material in the 2000–10,000 amu fraction decreased as culture diversity increased, it was concluded that the involvement of many microbial species during protein degradation limits the accumulation of hydrolytic fragments under conditions typical of wastewater treatment systems. These results lead to the proposal of a protein degradation mechanism that features cell-bound hydrolysis of protein and the subsequent release of hydrolytic fragments back into bulk solution. Hydrolysis and release is repeated by the same or different cells until fragments are small enough (< 1000 amu) to be directly assimilated by cells. Because the concentration of protein hydrolysis fragments released in high-diversity wastewater inoculated reactors was low and they were rapidly degraded, the release of hydrolysis fragments should have little impact on overall macromolecule degradation kinetics in domestic wastewater treatment systems.