cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nursing Education for Newly Implemented Cardiac Monitoring and Titratable Medications in a Stem Cell Transplant Unit

Topic Significance & Study Purpose/Background/Rationale Cardiovascular complications (arrhythmias) are one of the most common adverse effects associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). Telemetry is warranted for patients who are symptomatic or have cardiac histories for early detection and intervention for potential life-threatening arrhythmias which impact patient safety and outcomes during (HSCT). The purpose of the educational plan was to provide nurses on the (HSCT) unit resources to develop the knowledge and skills in recognition, treatment, and management of patients on telemetry. Historically, patients who needed cardiac monitoring and management of arrhythmias were transferred to a telemetry unit. Methods, Intervention, & Analysis Nurses on the (HSCT) unit were required to attend two mandatory classes on rhythm recognition for their initial education. Many nurses verbalized the need for further resources in order to safely care for monitored patients. Nursing created a 6-page reference guide on rhythm recognition, causes, risks, treatment, and nursing responsibilities. Nurses were provided the reference guide before initiating cardiac monitoring on the (HSCT) unit with an explanation on how to utilize the educational material. Pharmacy also collaborated with nursing to create a 2-page reference guide on adult cardiac intravenous medications with cardiac monitoring in telemetry units. After the intervention, nurses stated that the resources were easy to use and helpful especially when patients were placed on a telemetry titratable medication. Findings & Interpretation From the "go live" date mid-April 2018 to July 2018, six patients on telemetry developed atrial fibrillation, five of the patients received Amiodarone infusions and one Cardizem infusion. Nurses utilized the reference guides to properly administer Amiodarone and Cardizem infusions and monitor patients for possible adverse effects. Over 40 patients placed on cardiac monitoring were not transferred to a telemetry unit; therefore continuity of care was maintained. Discussion & Implications Telemetry adds an additional tier of monitoring while caring for the (HSCT) population. These finding suggest that nurses benefit from having additional resources to enhance their knowledge and skills while caring for patients on telemetry and collaboration between nurses and pharmacy is essential in safe practice and administration of medications. We foresee that telemetry will be implemented in other (HSCT) units with opportunities to further develop staff educational materials.
Ferroelectric domain engineering of lithium niobate single crystal confined in glass

Ferroelectric single-crystal-architecture-in-glass is a new class of metamaterials that would enable active integrated optics if the ferroelectric behavior is preserved within the confines of glass. We demonstrate using lithium niobate crystals fabricated in lithium niobosilicate glass by femtosecond laser irradiation that not only such behavior is preserved, the ferroelectric domains can be engineered with a DC bias. A piezoresponse force microscope is used to characterize the piezoelectric and ferroelectric behavior. The piezoresponse correlates with the orientation of the crystal lattice as expected for unconfined crystal, and a complex micro- and nano-scale ferroelectric domain structure of the as-grown crystals is revealed.
IFI16 acts as a nuclear danger sensor and induces the inflammasome in response to Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection (157.8)

Inflammasomes sense diverse classes of foreign molecules in the cytoplasm and induce caspase-1 activation and IL-1β maturation. Whether such a sensing mechanism exists in the nucleus is not known. Nuclear replicating herpesvirus KSHV is associated with Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) that is characterized by a microenvironment of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β. How the caspase-1 inflammasome, which is required for IL-1β maturation is induced during KSHV infection is not known. Here we demonstrate that during de novo KSHV infection of endothelial cells, interferon gamma-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) interacts with ASC and procaspase-1 to form a functional inflammasome. This complex was initially detected in the nucleus and subsequently in the peri-nuclear area. Caspase-1 activation by KSHV was reduced by IFI16 and ASC silencing but not by AIM2 knockdown. Our studies reveal a new function of IFI16 as a nuclear danger sensor and demonstrate that the inflammasome’s danger sensing functions extend into the nucleus.
Life history of oriental beetle and other scarabs, and occurrence of Tiphia vernalis in Ohio nurseries.

The oriental beetle, Anomala orientalis Waterhouse, is a serious pest of nursery crops in northern Ohio and a number of other states because the larvae damage plant roots. In 3 ornamental tree nurseries (field production) in Ohio, the composition of scarab larvae, their life histories, and parasitism rates were examined. Four exotic scarabs, Asiatic garden beetle (Maladera castanea Arrow), European chafer (Rhizotrogus majalis Razoumowsky), Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica Newman), and oriental beetle, were found in this study. The oriental beetle and European chafer were the most common species found. Up to 60% of the oriental beetle population required 2 yrs to complete development, which is much higher than the commonly reported 15% or less in northeastern states. Tiphia vernalis Rohwer, an external parasite of oriental beetle and Japanese beetle larvae, was found in all nurseries surveyed. As much as 31% and 60% of the sampled oriental beetle and Japanese beetle populations, respectively, were parasitized, depending on date and nursery.
Wealth Taxation: An Overview of the Issues

Two Democratic presidential candidates, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), have proposed annual wealth taxes. Annual wealth taxes have been adopted in a number of European countries (many of which later repealed them), but not in the United States. Although the proposed wealth tax rates appear low, they are equivalent to high-rate income taxes. Due to the pronounced concentration of wealth in the United States, a wealth tax would be highly progressive. The tax would probably reduce national saving and investment to some extent, although capital inflows would ameliorate the investment reduction. Congress would likely add exemptions for selected assets, which would be distortionary and diminish the tax’s revenue yield. The tax would face compliance and administration challenges due to undervaluation and concealment of assets and it might be ruled unconstitutional in the absence of suitable modifications. Although those challenges would probably not be insurmountable, it would be simpler and more prudent to pursue any desired increase in tax progressivity through reforms of the income tax and estate and gift taxes.
The Case for a Portable Open-Source 3D Ultrasound: Issues, Benefits, and Challenges

Ultrasound diagnostic imaging is an essential aspect of modern healthcare, but barriers such as cost, technical training, and access to medical facilities impede global adoption. To tackle these factors, the need for a portable open-source three-dimensional ultrasound system is discussed. Such a system, equipped with artificial intelligence, can provide unparalleled global accessibility to life-saving affordable medical diagnostic care as well as create copious amounts of data needed for training automated systems; however, it may also carry disadvantages. This paper assesses the considerations for and against an open- source approach and draws insights from successful open-source hardware projects in the past.
Human Prehistoric Demography Revealed by the Polymorphic Pattern of CpG Transitions

The prehistoric demography of human populations is an essential piece of information for illustrating our evolution. Despite its importance and the advancement of ancient DNA studies, our knowledge of human evolution is still limited, which is also the case for relatively recent population dynamics during and around the Holocene. Here, we inferred detailed demographic histories from 1 to 40 ka for 24 population samples using an improved model-flexible method with 36 million genome-wide noncoding CpG sites. Our results showed many population growth events that were likely due to the Neolithic Revolution (i.e., the shift from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement). Our results help to provide a clearer picture of human prehistoric demography, confirming the significant impact of agriculture on population expansion, and provide new hypotheses and directions for future research.
Accuracy of the Scratch Collapse Test for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Comparison With Electrodiagnostic Studies

Background: The scratch collapse test (SCT) is a clinical examination maneuver that has been previously reported as a reliable and reproducible test to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The initial study by Cheng et al in 2008 showed a simple test with high sensitivity. However, subsequent attempts to reproduce those findings have resulted in lower accuracy. Our goal was to evaluate the use of the SCT for patients presenting with symptoms of pain, numbness, or weakness in an upper extremity. Methods: Forty patients were referred to the electrodiagnostic (EDX) lab for evaluation of an upper extremity. One blinded examiner who was familiar with the maneuver performed the SCT on all 40 patients. Another physician or technician performed the nerve conduction study and electromyography. Patient history and accompanying physical examination findings were not revealed to the SCT examiner. Results: The relationship between the SCT performed by a blinded examiner and the EDX performed by blinded examiners was nonsignificant (P = .676) and showed a sensitivity of 0.48, specificity of 0.59, positive predictive value of 0.61, and negative predictive value of 0.45. Conclusion: Based on this study and previous findings by other authors, we would advise against the use of the SCT in CTS for important patient-care decisions, such as surgical decision-making, until future research is done. It is possible that the SCT, in combination with other physical examination maneuvers, could increase diagnostic accuracy and enhance patient management.
Non-Esterified Fatty Acids and Risks of Frailty, Disability, and Mobility Limitation in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) play central roles in the relationship between adiposity and glucose metabolism, and they have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, but few studies have assessed their effects on complex geriatric syndromes like frailty that cross multiple organ systems. We sought to determine the relationships between NEFAs and incident frailty, disability, and mobility limitation in a population‐based cohort of older persons. METHODS We analyzed 4,710 Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) participants who underwent measurement of circulating total fasting NEFAs in 1992–1993 and were assessed for frailty in 1996–1997 and for disability and mobility limitation annually. We used ordinal logistic regression to model incident frailty, linear regression to model components of frailty, and Cox regression to model disability and mobility limitation in relation to baseline NEFAs. To ensure proportional hazards, we truncated follow‐up at 9 years for disability and 6.5 years for mobility limitation. RESULTS A total of 42 participants became frail and 510 became pre‐frail over a 4‐year period, and we documented 1,720 cases of disability and 1,225 cases of mobility limitation during follow‐up. NEFAs were positively associated in a dose‐dependent manner with higher risks of incident frailty, disability, and mobility limitation. The adjusted odds ratios for frailty were 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–1.86; P = .04) across extreme tertiles and 1.17 (95% CI = 1.03–1.33; P = .01) per standard deviation increment. The corresponding hazard ratios for incident disability were 1.14 (95% CI = 1.01–1.30; P = .04) and 1.11 (95% CI = 1.06–1.17; P < .0001); those for incident mobility limitation were 1.23 (95% CI = 1.06–1.43; P = .006) and 1.15 (95% CI = 1.08–1.22; P < .0001). Results were largely consistent among both men and women. Among individual components of frailty, NEFAs were significantly associated with self‐reported exhaustion (β = .07; standard error = .03; P = .02). CONCLUSION Circulating NEFAs are significantly associated with frailty, disability, and mobility limitation among older adults. These results highlight the broad spectrum of adverse health issues associated with NEFA in older adults.
COVID-19 and Leisure in the United States

The spread of Covid-19 was tracked in the United States, from January 21 until July 21, 2020, and daily observations were noted regarding people's leisure behaviours. It appeared people's leisure n...
Beyond party lines: the roles of compassionate goals, affect heuristic, and risk perception on Americans’ support for coronavirus response measures

Employing a nationally representative sample (N = 1009), this research examines Americans’ support for coronavirus response measures influenced by three psychological factors—compassionate goals, a...
Development and Application of an Interdisciplinary Rapid Message Testing Model for COVID-19 in North Carolina.

IntroductionFrom the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials have sought to develop evidence-based messages to reduce COVID-19 transmission by communicating key information to media...
Feedyard Managers and Veterinarian Response to a Delphi Feedyard Biosecurity Survey

Biosecurity is an important aspect of disease prevention in any agricultural production system. The beef feedyard is particularly vulnerable to disease introduction because of the large number of different cattle arriving from multiple sources. Additionally, the large concentration of animals makes a feedyard a likely target for bioterrorism from domestic or international terrorist groups. The economic losses that accompany the treatment or elimination of an infectious or toxic agent to a feedyard would be substantial. The purpose of this survey was to determine the importance of different aspects of biosecurity in feedyards utilizing a Delphi survey.
A Miniaturized Acoustic Dual-Band Bandpass Filter using Thin-Film Lithium Niobate

This work presents a new design of an acoustic-only dual-band bandpass filter operating beyond 6 GHz. The operating frequencies are achieved by resorting to the third-order antisymmetric Lamb wave mode (A3) in an 800 nm thick Z-cut lithium niobate thin film. The dual-band operation utilizes a fine-controlled regional thinning technique on lithium niobate thin film. Due to the spurious-free and high-Q performance of the A3 dual-resonance lithium niobate resonators, the fabricated dual-band bandpass filter has been demonstrated with small in-band ripples and sharp roll-offs. The two transmission bands are contiguous and located at 6.75 GHz and 7.35 GHz, respectively, with a fractional bandwidth of 2.5%. These two passbands share the same static capacitance leading to a miniaturized footprint of 0.6 mm2, which shows the strong potential of this dual-band design for front-end applications.
Dynamic structural agricultural price stabilization policy models for producers

In this thesis, using dynamic models, we have criticized conventional static price stabilization models. Since dynamic intertemporal resource allocation instruments such as physical storage and financial assets are most powerful means for producers to stabilize their price or income, we cannot understand producers' behavior against instability without these instruments;First, we criticize the Waugh-Oi-Massel model by introducing dynamics in the model;Second, we emphasize the importance of economic instruments such as physical storage or futures market in a supply response model. Using storage instead of futures market, we investigate the possibility of extending the separation result to commodities which are not traded in the futures market;Third, using the separation result, we estimate U.S. rice supply response curve and some other structural parameters which determine rice producers' behavior.
Cyber Crime: Identity Theft

Identity theft is considered to be ‘one of the fastest growing crimes in America.’ Due to the technological advancements and the almost ubiquitous use of computers and the Internet, identity theft is a crime that can occur practically anywhere. This article explores the various types of identity theft including medical identity theft, financial identity theft, and child identity theft. Additionally, this article highlights the prevalence of identity theft and its costs to victims both monetarily and in relation to physical and emotional stress. Finally, this article examines the recent strides of legislation to identify and combat identity theft.
Dawn Chatty and Bill Finlayson (Eds.). Dispossession and Displacement: Forced Migration in the Middle East and North Africa

Dispossession and Displacement: Forced Migration in the Middle East and North Africa offers a broad look at contemporary forced migration from diverse locations between western North Africa and Afg...
Effects of Colicins E1 and K on Transport Systems

The effect of colicins E1 and K on active transport of β-d-galactosides and of α-methyl-d-glucoside (αMG) by Escherichia coli was studied. These colicins strongly inhibited the accumulation of thio-methyl-galactoside (TMG) by bacteria and caused rapid exit of previously accumulated TMG. The inhibition effect was limited to the accumulation phase of galactoside transport; the rate of hydrolysis of o-nitrophenyl galactoside, which is dependent on transport of the substrate by the lactose-permease system, was only slightly affected. The accumulation of αMG was highly resistant to inhibition by these colicins under conditions which caused complete suppression of TMG accumulation. These effects of the colicins on transport resemble qualitatively those of sodium azide. The findings were interpreted by assuming that colicins E1 and K inhibit the energy-dependent steps in the accumulation of TMG but do not affect facilitated diffusion of galactosides mediated by the specific transport mechanism. The continued accumulation of αMG was attributed to the fact that this compound is stored by E. coli cells as a phosphorylated compound by a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent transport system rather than by an adenosine triphosphate-linked accumulation mechanism.
The X‐ray structure determination of bovine carbonmonoxy hemoglobin at 2.1 Å resoultion and its relationship to the quaternary structures of other hemoglobin crystal forms

Crystallographic studies of the intermediate states between unliganded and fully liganded hemoglobin (Hb) have revealed a large range of subtle but functionally important structural differences. Only one T state has been reported, whereas three other quaternary states (the R state, B state, and R2 or Y state) for liganded Hb have been characterized; other studies have defined liganded Hbs that are intermediate between the T and R states. The high-salt crystal structure of bovine carbonmonoxy (CO bovine) Hb has been determined at a resolution of 2.1 A and is described here. A detailed comparison with other crystallographically solved Hb forms (T, R, R2 or Y) shows that the quaternary structure of CO bovine Hb closely resembles R state Hb. However, our analysis of these structures has identified several important differences between CO bovine Hb and R state Hb. Compared with the R state structures, the β-subunit N-terminal region has shifted closer to the central water cavity in CO bovine Hb. In addition, both the α- and β-subunits in CO bovine Hb have more constrained heme environments that appear to be intermediate between the T and R states. Moreover, the distal pocket of the β-subunit heme in CO bovine Hb shows significantly closer interaction between the bound CO ligand and the Hb distal residues Val 63(E11) and His 63(E7). The constrained heme groups and the increased steric contact involving the CO ligand and the distal heme residues relative to human Hb may explain in part the low intrinsic oxygen affinity of bovine Hb.
Debt, investment, and product market competition: A note on the limited liability effect

Abstract This paper extends a model by Brander and Lewis [Brander, J., Lewis, T., 1986. Oligopoly and financial structure: The limited liability effect. American Economic Review 76, 956–970] on the relationship between capital structure, investment and product market competition based on the limited liability effect of debt. Empirical papers (see for example Campello [Campello, M., 2003. Capital structure and product markets interactions: Evidence from business cycles. Journal of Financial Economics 68, 353–378], and Chevalier [Chevalier, J., 1995a. Capital structure and product market competition: Empirical evidence from the supermarket industry. American Economic Review 85, 415–435; Chevalier, J., 1995b. Do LBO supermarkets charge more? An empirical analysis of the effect of LBOs on supermarket pricing. Journal of Finance 50, 1095–1112]) generally reject the limited liability theories in favor of the predatory theories because leverage leads to less investment and weaker product market competition. This paper shows that when firms also have an investment choice, leverage can lead to weaker product market competition in a limited liability model. In addition, non-zero leverage is still optimal within this model based solely on the limited liability effect. In predatory models debt is motivated by issues outside of product market concerns, for example to solve an agency problem. Finally, this model is also consistent with the investment decisions documented empirically.
Dynamic gap junctional communication: a delimiting model for tissue responses.

Gap junctions are aqueous intercellular channels formed by a diverse class of membrane-spanning proteins, known as connexins. These aqueous pores provide partial cytoplasmic continuity between cells in most tissues, and are freely permeable to a host of physiologically relevant second messenger molecules/ionic species (e.g., Ca2+, IP3, cAMP, cGMP). Despite the fact that these second messenger molecules/ionic species have been shown to alter junctional patency, there is no clear basis for understanding how dynamic and transient changes in the intracellular concentration of second messenger molecules might modulate the extent of intercellular communication among coupled cells. Thus, we have modified the tissue monolayer model of Ramanan and Brink (1990) to account for both the up-regulatory and down-regulatory effects on junctions by second messenger molecules that diffuse through gap junctions. We have chosen the vascular wall as our morphological correlate because of its anisotropy and large investment of gap junctions. The model allows us to illustrate the putative behavior of gap junctions under a variety of physiologically relevant conditions. The modeling studies demonstrated that transient alterations in intracellular second messenger concentrations are capable of producing 50–125% changes in the number of cells recruited into a functional syncytial unit, after activation of a single cell. Moreover, the model conditions required to demonstrate such physiologically relevant changes in intercellular diffusion among coupled cells are commonly observed in intact tissues and cultured cells.
Low albumin gradient ascites complicating severe pseudomembranous colitis

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is a frequently severe, sometimes fatal iatrogenic disease that is antibiotic-associated in almost all cases. The most common clinical features of PMC include abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, fever, leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, and hypovolemia. Ascites, not considered a well-known feature of PMC, is fairly common, based on a review of the English language literature but has not been characterized fully. This case report describes 5 patients with PMC who presented with low serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) and neutrocytic ascites, without evidence of infectious, malignant, or inflammatory peritoneal disease, which has not been reported previously. In 1 patient, massive low SAAG ascites was the presenting manifestation of PMC, a feature also not reported previously. Three of the 5 (60%) patients had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The characteristics of the fluid specimens in these 5 patients and the possible pathogenetic mechanisms are proposed. The findings suggest that PMC should be included in the differential diagnosis of low SAAG ascites, especially in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Unintended Negative Consequences of Primary Endoscopic Realignment for Men with Pelvic Fracture Urethral Injuries

Purpose: We evaluated the clinical course of patients with pelvic fracture urethral injury referred to our institution to elucidate the differences between initial management strategies.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our institutional review board approved, prospectively maintained urethroplasty database from 2007 to 2013. Patients with pelvic fracture urethral injury were stratified into 2 groups based on initial treatment before referral. Group 1 (21 of 38, 55%) was treated with suprapubic tube placement alone followed by elective bulbomembranous anastomotic urethroplasty and group 2 (17 of 38, 45%) underwent early primary endoscopic realignment. We recorded the number of endoscopic interventions and time from injury to successful definitive treatment. Data regarding stricture length, reconstruction technique and treatment outcomes were analyzed.Results: Among 766 urethroplasties performed during the study interval 38 (5%) consecutive pelvic fracture urethral injury cases were identi...
The impact of professional athlete sponsorship on educational attainment in Western Kenya

Abstract This paper analyzes how a primary school affiliation with a professional athlete affects pupils’ educational attainment on Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). Taking an advantage of a data set of 2010 KCPE scores for 80 primary schools in the Eldoret district, the study statistically illustrates a strong positive correlation between professional athlete sponsorship and educational attainment of pupils on all subject portions of the KCPE exam, except Kiswahili. The evidence presented in this paper highlights the impact of the athlete sponsorship on quality of education in Kenya.
Expression of angiogenic factors and structural proteins in central nervous system vascular malformations.

LITTLE IS KNOWN of the molecular mechanisms mediating the genesis and subsequent biological behavior of central nervous system vascular malformations. The role of angiogenic and permeability-inducing factors in the pathogenesis of these lesions has not been previously explored. In this study, we subject specimens from 12 cases of excised vascular malformation to a battery of immunostaining for vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and selected structural and matrix proteins. The lesions consisted of seven arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), including one angiographically occult AVM, one arterialized vein from a dural AVM, and five cavernous malformations (CMs). Vascular endothelial growth factor was expressed by all lesions and was localized predominantly in the subendothelial layer and in perivascular spaces. Four of seven AVMs and four of five CMs demonstrated faint basic fibroblast growth factor expression that was localized to the media of AVM vessels and the subendothelial layer and intercavernous matrix of CMs. This pattern of angiogenic factor immunostaining was correlated with the expression of structural and matrix proteins in the same lesions. Laminin was not expressed in any of the CMs, confirming previous reports from our laboratory. By contrast, fibronectin expression was more prominent in CMs than in AVMs. Collagen Type IV and alpha smooth muscle actin expression occurred in every lesion. We conclude that angiogenic growth factors are expressed in all types of vascular malformations of the central nervous system. The pattern of expression suggests diffuse activation of angiogenesis without specific relation to individual vessel types or recent clinical behavior. Defining the role of angiogenesis in vascular malformations might provide insight into their pathogenesis and suggest novel strategies for modification of their behavior.
Design and testing of a small human-powered generator for developing rural communities

Access to reliable electricity remains unavailable to approximately one fifth of the world's population, with a disproportionate concentration of these people living in developing or rural communities. This paper describes the design, construction and testing of a small human-powered generator for electrical energy conversion in developing rural communities. The generator is designed to provide small amounts of electrical power in the range of 1–10 W so that electronic devices such as Light Emitting Diode lamps, cellular phones and radios—all of which are becoming increasingly common in rural communities—can be used. A permanent magnet axial flux generator is determined to be most suitable for this application. The designed generator is unique in that it it can be constructed using locally available materials and lay manufacturing processes. Theoretical and circuit models of the generator are developed. Laboratory test results, culminating in a proof-of-concept test on a cellular phone from Zambia, are provided.
Application of bulk hydrogen standards to the calibration of ion beam surface analysis

Abstract A procedure is described for the preparation and selection of U.S. National Bureau of Standards hydrogen-in-titanium standards, certified for bulk hydrogen content, for use as hydrogen references for surface analysis with ion beams.
Pulsed Laser Deposition of Nd:YAG using Femtosecond Laser

Neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) is a well known host crystal for the production of coherent pulses of light for laser operation [1]. These inherent properties of the Nd:YAG makes it suitable for optoelectronics such as waveguide and miniature laser in thin film form [2,3].
THE EXCRETION OF ANDROGENIC AND ESTROGENIC SUBSTANCES IN THE URINE OF CHILDREN12

With the introduction of adequate quantitative methods for the extraction of sex hormones from urine, it becomes feasible to investigate the presence of these substances in the urine of children. The purpose of this paper is to present in preliminary form the results of our study of this problem. The urines assayed were individual specimens obtained from children who ranged in age from 6 to 16 years and represented the total urinary excretion of each child for periods varying from 24 to 168 hours. They were collected under careful supervision, in order to insure that all the urine voided during the period of observation would be included in the sample. The method for the quantitative extraction of androgenic and estrogenic substances employed in this study has been previously described (1). Our only deviation from the procedure as described was to reduce the length of the hydrolysis from 2 hours to 15 minutes. It has recently been found that this modification increases the yield of androgenic material by ...
Ventilatory effects of morphine infusions in cyanotic versus acyanotic infants after thoracotomy.

Summary Background: Previous studies show that the age of an infant affects morphine clearance but that ventilatory effects from morphine infusions are similar at the same morphine steady-state concentration in infants and children after surgery. The presence of cyanotic heart disease in infants receiving postoperative morphine infusions was studied for its potential effect on ventilatory effort. Methods: Twenty infants under 90 days of age (10 cyanotic, 10 acyanotic) received morphine intravenous infusions following thoracotomy. PaCO2 during spontaneous breathing, CO2 rebreathing trials during morphine infusions and time to wean from assisted mechanical ventilation after decreasing infusion rates were compared. Analgesia scoring in the first postoperative 24 h was also compared between cyanotic and acyanotic infants. Results: PaCO2 during spontaneous breathing and CO2 response curve slopes were not different between groups. The time to wean from assisted mechanical ventilation after decreasing morphine infusion rates was not statistically different (median 6.9 h versus 5.8 h in cyanotic and acyanotic, respectively). Median morphine concentrations were higher in cyanotic infants at the time of ventilatory testing (32 versus 20.5 ng·ml−1 in cyanotic versus acyanotic infants, respectively, P = NS). Both groups had good pain relief. Steady-state morphine clearance rates showed two- to three-fold variability between infants. They were not statistically different in cyanotic versus acyanotic infants but tended to be lower in the cyanotic. Morphine clearance increased significantly with increasing age. Conclusions: Morphine i.v. infusions given to infants following thoracotomy show the same ventilatory effects in infants with cyanotic heart disease as in acyanotic infants. Age is the more important determinant of morphine response by its effect on morphine clearance than cyanosis in infants aged less than 3 months.
FiberWire is superior in strength to stainless steel wire for tension band fixation of transverse patellar fractures

Abstract Background The metal implants used to achieve fixation of displaced transverse patellar fractures are associated with implant failure, postoperative pain and a significant re-operation rate. Recent studies have examined braided suture as a possible alternative to stainless steel wire to increase patient satisfaction and decrease re-operation rates, but suture has not demonstrated clearly superior fixation strength. FiberWire® is a reinforced braided polyblend suture that has demonstrated superior characteristics to the previous sutures studied and has not to our knowledge been examined as a material for tension band fixation of transverse patellar fractures. Methods Materials testing was performed on repeated samples of No. 5 FiberWire suture and 18-gauge stainless steel wire. The strength and stiffness of each material was measured. The two materials were then used for tension band fixation on a novel transverse patellar fracture model and tested to failure by three-point bending. The constructs included a single stainless steel wire, a single-strand FiberWire tied with a sliding knot, double-strand FiberWire tied with sliding knots and double-strand FiberWire tied with a Wagoner's Hitch. The fixation strength and stiffness of the constructs were measured. Findings Unlike stainless steel, FiberWire maintained its initial stiffness until failure. Furthermore, during three-point-bend testing, double-strand FiberWire was found to have a significantly higher failure load than stainless steel wire when the suture was tied and locked under the tension produced by a modified Wagoner's Hitch. Interpretation FiberWire is a potentially superior alternative to stainless steel wire in tension band fixation of transverse patellar fractures.
Free-Flight Tests of a Blunt-Nosed Flare-Stabilized Body at Speeds to 8.2 km/sec

Static and dynamic stability and drag of blunt- nosed flare-stabilized bodies at velocities up to 8.2 kilometers per second
In utero gene transfer into the pulmonary epithelium

In early gestation the internal surface of the lung is structurally simple and an ideal target for somatic gene transfer1–3. The transfer of genes into the growing lung would be particularly useful in the prenatal correction of cystic fibrosis, which has devastating pulmonary complications. In addition, in utero gene therapy has the potential to immunotolerize the individual, and thereby to avoid the immune reactions now seen with the current generation of adenoviral vectors4,5. We injected a replication-defective adenoviral vector containing the lacZ reporter gene (Ad5.CMVlacZ) into the amniotic fluid of rat pups on the 16th day of gestation6–9. At 16 days of gestation, rat lungs are equivalent in maturity to those of a 22-week human fetus as their airways are lined with undifferentiated multipotential stem cells. The pups showed high-level reporter gene expression in their airways a week following birth (13 days following infection). The expression was maintained during a time when the lung volume increased approximately 20-fold, alveolarization occurred, and the epithelial cells differentiated2,3. These data establish gene targeting of undifferentiated fetal cells as an effective means of gene therapy.
A Note on the Significance of the Surface Inquiry

It is a plain fact that the backs of solid objects are not in view. This has no skeptical significance, for reasons Austin explains. Skeptical implications could attach only to a corresponding non-plain fact. This brings out a distinctive interest in Clarke’s surface inquiry.
A Quick Language Screening Test for Young Children: The Token Test:

The usefulness of a modified version of the Token Test as a quick language screening test is demon strated by comparison of Token Test Scores with Preschool Language Scale (PLS) Scores. Subjects were 90 children ages 31 months to 103 months with a mean age of 66.4 months. High correlations were found between the Token Test and the PLS overall Language Age raw scores (r = .78, p < .01), between the Token Test and PLS Auditory Comprehension raw score (r = .74, p < .01) and between the Token Test and the PLS Verbal Ability raw score (r = .76, p < .01). The Token Test also demonstrated strong agreement with the PLS in identifying children as either normal or language delayed.These findings indicate that the modified version of the Token Test is a quick, sensitive, and reliable predictor of both receptive and expressive language abilities.
Polycystin-1 transforms the cAMP growth-responsive phenotype of M-1 cells

Polycystin-1 transforms the cAMP growth-responsive phenotype of M-1 cells . Background Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of tubular epithelial cells. It was recently shown that the growth of PKD cyst-lining cells is stimulated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), whereas the growth of normal human kidney cortex cells is inhibited. Methods We have examined the effects of overexpressing the C-terminal cytosolic tail of mouse polycystin-1, as a membrane-targeted fusion protein, on cAMP-responsive cell proliferation in stably transfected M-1 cortical collecting duct cells. Two cell lines that express high levels of the polycystin-1 fusion protein and two control cell lines that do not express the fusion protein were tested. Results Growth of parental M-1 cells and the control cell lines was inhibited by 8-Br-cAMP and by a variety of cAMP agonists. In contrast, growth of the polycystin-1–expressing clones was stimulated by cAMP. Consistent with this, the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 caused either a positive or a negative growth effect depending on the primary response to cAMP. PD98059 blocked the cAMP stimulation of cell proliferation, indicating that the pathway is MEK1 dependent. Conclusions Expression of the polycystin-1 C-terminal tail disrupts normal cellular signaling and transforms the stably transfected M-1 cells to an abnormal PKD cell proliferation phenotype.
Comparisons of electron beam dose measurements in water and polystyrene using various dosimeters

A comparison has been made of central axis percent depth dose and absorbed dose in electron beams of 7.8 and 10.2 MeV, measured with devices of differing geometry and construction. Flat and cylindrical ionization chambers have been used as well as thin thermoluminescent dosimeters. The ionization chambers had walls of air equivalent or tissue equivalent plastic. Results indicate that central axis depth dose measurements are independent of measuring device. No significant difference was found among the various ionization chambers with air equivalent walls in the determination of absorbed dose. The dose determined by the tissue-equivalent wall chamber was about 3% higher than the dose determined by the other ionization chambers. Dose maximum on the central axis in water is about 4% greater than when this same quantity is calculated from data measured in polystyrene.
The Case against Computerized Analysis of Student Writings

Proponents of computerized text-analysis (CTA) systems like Bell Laboratories' Writer's Workbench contend that the computer's analysis of a text's surface features can help students become better w...
The role of gender in academic achievement

This article focuses on findings from a study involving 30 highly successful, low‐income, African American public high school students. The students’ gender‐based experiences defy the traditional patterns of educational underachievement associated with this minority group. They challenge John Ogbu’s influential notions of ‘involuntary’ minority students as oppositional and resistant to schooling. Moreover, the strong gender‐based variation found among these students in terms of their college aspirations and strategies for attaining success raise questions about an undifferentiated treatment of the African American student population. School practices, peer interactions and students’ lived familial and community experiences are crucial factors in shaping educational outcomes. The intertwining of school, family and community cultures constructs gendered attitudes and beliefs. Even when students share a racial and class identity, gender may strongly mediate their perceptions and behavior, in and out of school.
An analytic solution to the homogeneous EIT problem on the 2D disk and its application to estimation of electrode contact impedances

An analytic solution of the potential distribution on a 2D homogeneous disk for electrical impedance tomography under the complete electrode model is expressed via an infinite system of linear equations. For the shunt electrode model with two electrodes, our solution coincides with the previously derived solution expressed via elliptic integral (Pidcock et al 1995 Physiol. Meas. 16 77–90). The Dirichlet-to-Neumann map is derived for statistical estimation via nonlinear least squares. The solution is validated in phantom experiments and applied for breast contact impedance estimation in vivo. Statistical hypothesis testing is used to test whether the contact impedances are the same across electrodes or all equal zero. Our solution can be especially useful for a rapid real-time test for bad surface contact in clinical setting.
Trails, tourism and regional development

Abstract Chrys Horn (Lincoln University) reports on the Trails, Tourism and Regional Development Conference held in the small community of Cromwell, South Island, New Zealand. Offering both ambience and location appropriate to the conference theme, delegates considered the issues in a series of papers reflecting an international perspective.
Development of Zero-Spin Planetary Traction Drive Transmission: Part 1 — Design and Principles of Performance Calculation

A novel design of planetary tapered roller traction drive was described. The design eliminated the spin motion induced sliding, offering high mechanical efficiency and improved wear performance. Principles of performance calculation have been outlined. Torque and life calculations on a186 wk (250 hp) prototype indicated a remarkable torque capacity and satisfactory durability.
Preliminary development of a sensation seeking scale for children

Abstract A sensation seeking scale designed for use with school-aged children (SSSC) was standardized on an elementary school population. Test-retest reliability was adequate and gender differences were comparable to the adult sensation seeking scale. The SSSC was administered to 176 clinic-referred boys aged 7–12 years. Factor analysis of the scores of the combined school and clinic samples yielded two factors which corresponded to the Boredom Susceptibility (BS) and Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TAS) factors of the adult Sensation Seeking Scales. Boys with diagnoses of conduct disorder (CD), childhood anxiety disorders (ANX), and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were compared to a clinic control group in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design. Main effects for ADHD and CD were significant for the BS subscale, reflecting higher scores in children with CD and lower scores in children with ADHD. A marginally significant CD × ANX interaction for total SSSC score may indicate a moderating effect of anxiety on sensation seeking in children with CD. These results tentatively suggest that sensation seeking can be validly measured in prepubertal children, but argue for further refinements in the SSSC.
The Responsibility of the Physician in the Selection of Patients with Mitral Stenosis for Surgical Treatment

The anatomy of the mitral leaflets, a classification of the variations in pathologic morphology of rheumatic stenosis, and the evolution of a practical technic for relief of that stenosis while restoring valve action are considered. The life cycle of patients suffering from mitral stenosis is reviewed and a clinical classification of these patients is presented. Some indications and contraindications for surgery are discussed in the light of strength and weakness of present surgical methods. Results of surgical treatment are reviewed.
PREDICTORS OF PROGRAM COMPLETION FOR WOMEN IN RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

Although there is increasing emphasis on providing drug treatment programs for women that address their specific needs (including parenting and childcare), some women still fail to complete treatme...
MEMS Force Sensor in a Flexible Substrate Using Nichrome Piezoresistors

MEMS force sensors embedded in flexible polyimide substrates are reported, motivated by the need to monitor force and pressure on nonplanar surfaces for structural health monitoring. Details of the fabrication, measured preliminary results, and figures of merit are described. The sensors showed an average piezoresistive gauge factor of 1.75. The average value of normalized Hooge noise coefficient K1/f was found to be 1.89×10-10. The sensitivity was measured to the range from 0.266 to 2.248 V/N with an average sensitivity of 1.25 V/N. The noise equivalent force was calculated to the range from 8.83 to 46.56 μN with an average value of 20.47 μN for the force sensors in a noise frequency bandwidth from 1 to 8 Hz.
Environment-tensile property relationship in AISI 1018 steel

The present work is a characterization of strain rate and environment influences on the tensile properties of a steel having a fully spheroidized microstructure, and is part of a larger study which investigated the influence of ion implantation on the tensile properties, fracture behaviour, cyclic stress response and fatigue properties of a high strengh steel. The material used in this investigation is AISI 1018 steel
Accountability and Evaluation: Necessary for the Survival of Guidance Programs?.

Accountability and evaluation are necessary for counselor survival, warn these writers, who outline a three-step process for justifying the guidance program.