cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The nursing shortage: is there a solution?

Abstract The nursing shortage of the 1980s is very different from previous shortages. Currently many factors are influencing the supply and demand of registered nurses. A few examples of these factors are decreased enrollment in schools of nursing, a declining pool of potential nursing school applicants, and an increase in many other careers from which women may choose. Economic and noneconomic factors are affecting the supply. Health care agencies and educational institutions are attempting to meet this challenge with several creative strategies. These strategies range from offering existing employees recruiting bonuses and flexible schedules to providing nurses with increased opportunities to manage the delivery of nursing services. Others are initiating recruiting efforts in high schools in hopes of providing long-term solutions to the current shortage.
Efficient insertion of odd-numbered transmembrane segments of the tetracycline resistance protein requires even-numbered segments.

Abstract Functional membrane insertion elements in the pBR322 tetracycline resistance protein were identified by comparing the ability of odd-numbered transmembrane segments and their attached periplasmic loops to insert into the membrane individually or when combined with the next even-numbered segment in the tetracycline resistance protein sequence. The efficiency with which individual odd-numbered segments and periplasmic loops inserted was probed by treating proteins truncated at the distal ends of periplasmic loops P2-P6 with carboxypeptidases and endoproteases in inside-out membrane vesicles. Insertion of odd-numbered segments and attached loops is inefficient when they occupy a C-terminal position in the protein. The C-terminal odd-numbered segment and loop sequences of 34-54% of the molecules of periplasmic loop truncation mutants could be removed by carboxypeptidase Y. In contrast, odd-numbered segments and loops insert efficiently if the next even-numbered segment in the sequence is present. In such cytoplasmic loop truncation mutants, only the cytoplasmic tail sequences of the proteins could be removed by carboxypeptidases. Remarkably, insertion of individual odd-numbered segments and loops is inefficient even though free energies for insertion of these sequences are highly favorable. The results indicate that pairs of adjacent segments, possibly “helical hairpins,” are necessary for efficient membrane insertion of the tetracycline resistance protein.
The Next 25 Years

During the last year, Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) celebrated its first 25 years of publication by reproducing articles from 1983, JCO’s first year of publication, with concurrent commentary by the original authors of those articles. With little editorial direction, all of the authors wrote pieces that inform the history of oncology. Each took a unique approach, giving each article a truly personal perspective on the evolution of our specialty. As a body of literature, they represent the history of oncology. As such, they should be required reading for all who care for patients with cancer, and most particularly for those who have trained recently and may not have known or interacted with the people who defined oncology as a discipline. For each article, at least one of the original authors wrote a commentary, with the exception of Charles (Chuck) G. Moertel’s “Treatment of the Carcinoid Tumor and the Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome.” This is one of the best examples of medical writing in JCO or in any other medical journal. Larry K. Kvols, who worked with Chuck Moertel at the Mayo Clinic for 18 years, was gracious enough to write the commentary for the original 1983 article. When Chuck died, we lost one of our best writers, teachers, and clinical researchers. For those unfortunate enough not to have heard his Karnofsky Memorial Lecture on the topic of gut neuroendocrine tumors, “An Odyssey in the Land of Small Tumors,” JCO published the text of his lecture in 1987. This is not the place to review the entire series of articles—we hope that you will read your print copy or go to www.jco.org and access these articles under “25th Anniversary Celebration” on the home page. Their breadth reflects the amazing job Joe Bertino, MD, JCO’s first Editor-in-Chief, did in attracting seminal papers in oncology. In his editorial published in the January 1, 2008, edition of the Journal, Joe Bertino reflected on what then seemed a daunting task: “...by begging and calling and twisting arms, we persuaded some outstanding investigators to send their ‘good stuff ’ to JCO. So the first issue had a number of seminal papers/reviews by Gianni Bonadonna, Saul Rosenberg, Ray Warrell and Joe Burchenal, and Ian Tannock and Kevin Murphy.” Joe Bertino certainly succeeded. The fledgling JCO published many outstanding articles that likely would have gone to more established journals, making my task of selecting articles to be reproduced throughout this anniversary year—save this last issue— really quite easy. The current editors of JCO will be interested to see whether future editors will recapitulate this series or the concept of it for JCO’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. More importantly, we hope that all of the current readers and editors have had or will have the same pleasure in reading the articles and commentaries as we did throughout 2008.
The relationship between the manganese(II) zero-field interaction and Mn(II)/Mn(III) redox potential of Mn(4'-X-terpy)2 complexes.

The Mn(II)/Mn(III) redox potentials and Mn(II) zero-field interactions were measured for a series of Mn(II)(4‘-X-terpy)2 complexes as a function of the electron-donating properties of the 4‘-substituent. The two properties were found to be linearly related to each other. Density functional calculations demonstrated that the variation of both the redox potential and zero-field interaction depended on the charge on the center nitrogen of the terpy ligand that was modulated by the 4‘-substituent. A similar relationship was found for Mn(II) complexes formed with the N,N-bis(2-ethyl-5-methylimidazol-4-ylmethyl)aminopropane ligand, indicating that the relationship between the Mn(II) zero-field interaction and the Mn(II)/Mn(III) redox potential was likely to be general.
Dapsone-induced hemolytic anemia in lung allograft recipients.

Background Lung transplant (LT) recipients often receive dapsone for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis. However, the prevalence of dapsone-induced hematologic toxicity in LT recipients is unknown. We report a high prevalence of hemolytic anemia (HA) associated with dapsone use in LT patients when compared with other patients described in the literature who have been prescribed dapsone prophylaxis. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review on all LT recipients who received dapsone prophylaxis between 2004 and 2006. Demographics, ideal body weight (IBW), severity of anemia, transfusion requirements, laboratory evidence of hemolysis, serum creatinine and glucose-6-phosphate deyhdrogenase (G6PD) enzyme levels were collected. Results Forty-three patients received dapsone. Ten (22.7%) patients had HA, despite normal G6PD levels. The mean drop in hemoglobin from baseline was 2.7 g/dl (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9 to 3.5, p p = 0.04). Mean IBW for the HA group was 58.4 kg. A dapsone dose of 100 mg/day orally resulted in a mean dose of 1.7 mg/kg. Conclusions The prevalence of dapsone-induced HA in LT recipients is 5-fold higher than the reported rate in the population of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. Individuals with renal failure or low body weight and for whom dose exceeds 1.5 mg/kg may be at increased risk for dapsone-induced HA. Although current CDC guidelines do not recommend adjusting dose by IBW or renal function, we suggest that consideration should be given to these dosing strategies.
Multiple resting state network functional connectivity abnormalities in mild traumatic brain injury

Several reports show that traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in abnormalities in the coordinated activation among brain regions. Because most previous studies examined moderate/severe TBI, the extensiveness of functional connectivity abnormalities and their relationship to postconcussive complaints or white matter microstructural damage are unclear in mild TBI. This study characterized widespread injury effects on multiple integrated neural networks typically observed during a task-unconstrained “resting state” in mild TBI patients. Whole brain functional connectivity for twelve separate networks was identified using independent component analysis (ICA) of fMRI data collected from thirty mild TBI patients mostly free of macroscopic intracerebral injury and thirty demographically-matched healthy control participants. Voxelwise group comparisons found abnormal mild TBI functional connectivity in every brain network identified by ICA, including visual processing, motor, limbic, and numerous circuits believed to underlie executive cognition. Abnormalities not only included functional connectivity deficits, but also enhancements possibly reflecting compensatory neural processes. Postconcussive symptom severity was linked to abnormal regional connectivity within nearly every brain network identified, particularly anterior cingulate. A recently developed multivariate technique that identifies links between whole brain profiles of functional and anatomical connectivity identified several novel mild TBI abnormalities, and represents a potentially important new tool in the study of the complex neurobiological sequelae of TBI.
Unusual endoscopic features of gastric and duodenal cryptosporidiosis in AIDS

REFERENCES 1. Savader SJ, Venbrux AC, Faerber EN, Friedman AC. Biliary tract anomalies, congenital and neonatal disorders, and hepatobiliary cystic malformations. In: Friedman AC, Dachman AH, editors. Radiology of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas. St. Louis: Mosby, 1994:397-443. 2. Hand BH. Anatomy and embryology of the biliary tract and pancreas. In: Sivak MV, editor. Gastroenterologic endoscopy. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1987:599-618. 3. Brandt CP, Eckhauser ML. Rare bile duct anomalies. A case report and implications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surg Endosc 1994;8:329-31. 4. Gibney RG, Nichols DM, Osborne JC, Fache JS, Burhenne HJ. Interhepatic duct: a new biliary anomaly. Gastrointest Radiol 1987;12:134-6. 5. Christensen RA, vanSonnenberg E, Nemcek AA Jr, D'Agostino HB. Inadvertent ligation of the aberrant right hepatic duct at cholecsytectomy: radiologic diagnosis and therapy. Radiology 1992;183:549-53. 6. Rizzo RJ, Szucs RA, Turner MA. Congenital abnormalities of the pancreas and biliary tree in adults. Radiographics 1995;15: 49-68.
The Significance of Business History

The study of business history should not be restricted to investigating the development of internal administration in specific firms. The history of business is indivisibly linked to the history of mankind, and business historians should aim at understanding the interplay between the actions of individual companies and changes in the total society. This topic can be illuminated by studying a group of firms in the same industry, by studying business in a certain region, or by relating business policies and methods to such characteristics of the population as the American willingness to work hard in pursuit of a higher standard of consumption.
Engaging a Rising China through Neglected Tropical Diseases

At the end of the day, there is no handbook for the evolving US–China relationship. But the stakes are much too high for us to fail.
Nonlinear diffusion model for annealed proton-exchanged waveguides in zirconium-doped lithium niobate

We are presenting the development of a nonlinear diffusion model to aid the design and fabrication of annealed proton-exchanged (APE) channel waveguides in zirconium-doped lithium niobate (Zr:LiNbO 3 or Zr:LN). This work follows research at Stanford by Bortz [1, 8] and Roussev [2], who developed nonlinear diffusion models for congruently melting LiNbO 3 (CLN).
Where have all of Enron's intangibles gone?

On December 31, 2000, Enron’s market value was $75.2 billion, while its book value (balance sheet equity) was $11.5 billion. The market-to-book gap of almost $64 billion, while not equal to the value of intangibles (it reflects, among other things, differences between current and historical-cost values of physical assets), appears to indicate that Enron had substantial intangibles just half a year before it started its quick slide to extinction. This naturally raises the questions: Where are Enron’s intangibles now? And even more troubling: Why did not those intangibles––a hallmark of modem corporations––prevent the firm’s implosion? If intangibles are ‘‘so good’’, as many believe, why is Enron’s situation ‘‘so bad’’? Federal Reserve Board chairman Alan Greenspan in his recent Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress (February 27, 2002) chipped in with an answer:
The Hemodynamic Results of Instrumental and Digital Valvotomy in Patients with Mitral Stenosis

In order to evaluate the postoperative results from mitral valvotomy when patients were selected according to age, sex, cardiac rhythm, and mode of operation, the mitral valve area (MVA) was determined by cardiac catheterization in 32 patients before and 1 year following closed mitral valvotomy. There was a significantly greater increase in MVA in female patients, younger patients, and patients with sinus rhythm than in males, patients over 45 years of age, and patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients who had an instrumental valvotomy (20 patients) did not have a greater postoperative increase in MVA than patients who had a digital valvotomy (12 patients); however, patients with the largest postoperative MVA had instrumental valvotomy. The incidence of postoperative mitral insufficiency was similar in patients with digital and instrumental valvotomy. Small flecks of mitral valve calcification, as determined by preoperative image-intensification fluoroscopy, did not influence the postoperative MVA.
Simulation and analysis of particle trajectory caused by the optical-induced dielectrophoresis force

Optical-induced dielectrophoresis (ODEP) is a novel technology used in the field of micro-/nanoparticles manipulation. The finite element method was applied for ODEP to research the particles motion in this paper. The potential distribution in the optoelectronic chip, which was induced by the incident light spot, was attained through electric current module in the COMSOL 4.3a. The particles motion was studied by coupling the module of electric current and particle tracing for fluid flow. Compared with molecular dynamics, the method proposed in the paper could effectively simplify the tedious programming. The polystyrene sphere (PS) particles with the radius of 2, 5, 10, and 15 μm were, respectively, used as the objects. The kinetic energy of the PS created by the dielectrophoresis (DEP) forces, the Stokes drag forces, the gravity forces, and the Brownian motion forces was calculated during the whole manipulation process. The simulation results indicated that with the decreasing in the particle size, the time on enrichment of the smaller PS would become longer. It was because that for the smaller PS, the effect of DEP forces would play less important role in the system. The conclusions in this paper could be used as a theoretical guidance in the further research.
Volume nullification and asymptotic flatnessof denerate diffusions

LetX t (x) be a singular Process describing a flow of diffeomorphisms ,and kbe a compact surface in with positive finite Hausdorff measure. We present conditions under which the area of Xt:X (k)goes to zero almost surely and in moments as t→∞. It is shown, in particular, that the flowXtX (·) asymptotically nullifies the arc-length of oriented rectifiable arcs . As a consequence, we recover one of our earlier results on the asymptotic flatness of singular diffusions. Though we work with degenerate diffusions, our method applies to the nondegenerate case as well
Nd zero-energy scattering.

Faddeev-type configuration-space three-body scattering equations are solved for selected two-body- and two-body-plus-three-body-potential model Hamiltonians to obtain absolute predictions for the nucleon-deuteron scattering lengths $^{2}$${\mathit{a}}_{\mathit{n}\mathit{d}}$,${\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}}^{4}$${\mathit{a}}_{\mathit{n}\mathit{d}}$, $^{2}$${\mathit{a}}_{\mathit{p}\mathit{d}}$, and $^{4}$${\mathit{a}}_{\mathit{p}\mathit{d}}$. Convergence for these zero-energy scattering parameters as a function of the number of NN-potential partial waves included in the calculation is attained for the first time. Kohn variational estimates provide a measure of the precision of our numerical results. The nd predictions agree well with the measured values. The pd predictions differ substantially from accepted experimental values which are extrapolated from measurements made above 400 keV.
Effects of ongoing brain oscillations on psychometric functions

Extract single trials' power in a specific TF window. (This will be repeated for all TF windows of interest) For each TF window, sort trials in 3 bins: • low-alpha power • mid-alpha power • hi-alpha power For each TF window, fit performance with a Weibull function. • low-alpha power: Threshold (α) and Slope (β) • mid-alpha power: Threshold (α) and Slope (β) • high-alpha power: Threshold (α) and Slope (β) Lo Mi Hi Pe rf or m an ce
Evidence for a histamine-component of the heart rate response to stellate ganglion stimulation.

Histamine exerts a positive chronotropic effect on the myocardium mediated by histamine H 2 -receptors. High concentrations of histamine are present in both myocardial tissue and the stellate ganglia which innervate the heart. Stimulation of the right stellate ganglion produces a positive chronotropic myocardial response. These associations suggest a possible neurotransmitter role for histamine. The present study examines the effect of histamine H 1 - and H 2 -receptor blockers on the myocardial chronotropic response to stellate ganglion stimulation and the coronary sinus histamine concentration following right stellate ganglion stimulation in dogs. Neither metiamide alone nor in combination with diphenhydramine diminished the positive chronotropic response to right stellate ganglion stimulation. However, when the animals were pretreated with propranolol to eliminate the β-adrenergic component of the response, metiamide decreased the positive chronotropic response to right stellate ganglion stimulation by 63% (p 2 -receptors, may mediate a portion of the positive chronotropic response to right stellate ganglion stimulation in the dog.
Geographic distribution of HTLV-I and identification of a new high-risk population.

Epidemiologic studies indicate that human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1) the causative agent of most causes of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) in Southeast Japan and the Caribbean islands and the probable cause of a progressive neurological disorder often referred to as tropical spastic paraparesis occurs with unusual geographic clustering. The current largescale serosurvey was undertaken to improve our understanding of HTLV-1 prevalence in different parts of the world. The authors analyzed 43445 serum samples collected from various geographic locales worldwide; 76% of these sera came from clinically healthy donors. Samples were initially screened by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 4353 were further evaluated by means of competition assays. In this study which did not include sera from endemic areas of Japan a high prevalence of infection was observed in several countries in the Caribbean basin. A significant age-sex difference was observed between populations in the Caribbean and nonendemic regions of Japan. The reason for the male excess in nonendemic areas of Japan will require further study while the female excess in the Caribbean basin is compatible with the previously described pattern for other HTLV-1 endemic areas. A newly recognized area of possible endemicity was southern Florida where evidence of infection with HTLV-1 or a related virus was found in a group of native Americans whose sera were collected in 1968. In certain parts of the world particularly sub-Saharan Africa important problems in determining specificity of reactivity occurred probably because of cross-reacting antibodies. No pattern was detected that could explain the cross-reactivity solely on the basis of geographic areas specific patterns of nonviral parasitic infection or methods of handling the specimens. It is possible that these cross-reactivities are antibodies to proteins from HTLV-1-related retroviruses yet to be discovered. (authors)
Attentional strategies and the visual control of discrete movements

Abstract The relationship between the availability of visual information and attention demands during the production of a discrete motor act was examined. Subjects were required to move a linear slide a distance of 15 cm in both 150 and 600 msec conditions under three light manipulations, viz., light always on; light always terminated as movement began; or, subject was unsure as to whether light would stay on or terminate. A simple key press by the index finger of the opposite hand to a tone was used as a secondary task and a measure of attention demands. The light manipulation influenced attention demands on the rapid 150 msec movement such that more attention was demanded when the subject knew the light would terminate. No such attentional strategy differences were found with the slow 600 msec movement. These findings suggest that task constraints in the form of kinematic criteria, together with the perceived availability of visual information, contribute to determining attentional strategy in movement production.
Follow-up compliance of adolescents with cervical dysplasia in an inner-city population.

Abstract Study Objective Adolescent compliance with cytologic and histologic cervical abnormalities is poor. Recent changes in abnormal cytology follow-up and colposcopy indications in young women may delay the diagnosis of cervical dysplasia. The objective of our study was to determine the compliance with follow up. We also wanted to summarize regression or progression of disease, and to determine if the new guidelines could affect severity and time of diagnosis. Design Retrospective review of medical records from adolescent patients (defined as women aged 12 to 21) who had a colposcopy between January 2004 and December 2006. Patients were excluded if they were 22 or older or if they had a previously abnormal cytologic evaluation. Main Outcome Measures Colposcopy records between January 2004 and December 2006 were identified by CPT code from a computerized database. Cytology and histology results, follow-up compliance rates, and demographic data were collected. Data were analyzed with a power > 85% and a P value ≤ .05 for significance. Results Of the 210 records reviewed, 61.9% had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance high-risk HPV, 33.7% had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 4.5% had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Colposcopy was performed in 55.9%, and 15.2% required surgical intervention. Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) was used in 87.5% of patients, and 12.5% had a cold knife cone. Mean time to follow in patients with a surgical intervention was 12.72 months and 11.02 months for those without (P = .371). Conclusion There appears to be no difference in compliance with follow-up, regardless of severity of disease or surgical intervention. There was no significant progression of disease and a high regression rate of abnormalities. This information supports the current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology guidelines to delay aggressive intervention in adolescents.
AUGITE–OLIVINE EQUILIBRIA IN THE KIGLAPAIT INTRUSION, LABRADOR, CANADA

The first appearance of abundant cumulus augite in the Kiglapait layered mafic body, on the coast of Labrador, defines the base of the Upper Zone at 84 PCS (percent solidified). The appearance of this phase is gradual, culminating in an impressive overproduction in the region around 90 PCS. This behavior can be rectified to yield an “errorless equivalent” cumulus arrival of augite at 81 PCS. The observed modal behavior was interpreted as evidence for a poorly stirred magma in which augite components were sequestered in the core of a convection cell. The compositional relations of augite and olivine offer some support for this hypothesis. These relations are best viewed in the context of linear partitioning in binary solutions extended to coexisting pairs of mineral species that share the same exchange reaction, here FeMg. Hence, rather than a melting loop, the partitioning of Fe and Mg involves the two crystalline solutions augite and olivine. Here, the partition coefficient D is formulated as X Aug / X Ol (hence D ≤ 1.0). A test of linear partitioning is applied: D = X Aug* K + X Aug , where K has its usual Roeder–Emslie meaning. For the subsolidus Kiglapait equilibria, a strong linear correlation is found (r 2 = 0.995) for PCS > 91.4, running from fictive D = K = 0.32 at the pure Mg end of the augite series to D = 1.0 at the pure Fe end of the augite series. For the stratigraphic interval 84–91 PCS, D is clustered well above the line at D = 0.63–0.68. This higher value of D suggests a metastable equilibrium on a narrower loop driven by an overstepping reaction. At high temperature modeled by QUILF, the same general relations hold, but all values of D are higher, and the linear array leads back to a significantly higher K = 0.44, as would be expected for higher-temperature interphase equilibria. Hence, linear partitioning can be used successfully to describe both liquidus and subsolidus interphase equilibria. With calibration, the fictive K can be correlated with T , from liquidus equilibria at the higher limit to intracrystalline cation diffusion blocking at the lower limit.
Functional Transplantation of the Rat Pituitary Gland

OBJECTIVE These studies evaluated the ability of transplanted pituitary cells to restore pituitary function in hypophysectomized rats. METHODS The pituitary glands of neonatal Lewis rats were rapidly removed, enzymatically dispersed, and stereotactically introduced into the third ventricle of hypophysectomized adult male Lewis rats. Four weeks after implantation, plasma levels of anterior pituitary hormones in implanted animals were compared with those of sham-transplanted control animals. RESULTS Plasma levels of prolactin, growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and beta-endorphin were below the range of detection in 14 sham-operated animals. In implanted animals, restitution of serum prolactin occurred in 100% of the animals tested, with levels of 2.6 +/- 1.0 ng/ml (mean +/- standard error of the mean; normal, 2-4 ng/ml). Growth hormone was assayable in 71% of the animals, with a mean value of 29 +/- 13 ng/ml over all animals (normal, 1-100 ng/ml); thyroid-stimulating hormone was restored in 68%, with mean resting levels of 79 +/- 13 ng/ml (normal, 100-400 ng/ml); luteinizing hormone levels were found in 53%, with mean levels over all animals of 0.2 +/- 0.1 ng/ml (normal, 0.5-1.0 ng/ml); and beta-endorphin was restored in 45% to high resting levels of 163 +/- 31 pg/ml (normal, 20-30 pg/ml). A challenge with hypothalamic releasing factor and a cold stress test were performed on the animals that had received transplants. Positive hormone responses to both of these tests suggested sensitivity of the pituitary grafts to both endogenous and exogenous sources of stimulation. Histological sections of paraformaldehyde-fixed brains from implanted animals clearly demonstrated survival of clusters of grafted pituitary cells. Positive immunohistochemical staining for adrenocorticotropic hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone was demonstrated in sections of the grafted tissue. CONCLUSION These data suggest survival of neonatal pituitary transplants in the third ventricle of adult hypophysectomized rats with concomitant restoration of anterior pituitary hormone function.
Four Multiply Separated Positions in Coplanar Motion

The combination of infinitesimally and finitely separated positions in coplanar kinematics is investigated. Each combination requires a separate analytical treatment based on the fundamental concepts of Krause [1] and Bottema [2]. The combination considered in this paper is three infinitesimally separated and one finitely separated position. The result is a cubic curve having very similar properties to those already existing in the literature.
Measuring workpiece dimensions using a non-contact laser detector system

Proper process control procedures are important considerations in the optimisation of any manufacturing process. Ultimately, a continuous update on the size and quality of the products being manufactured is desirable. A non-contact laser detector system was developed to measure the dimensions of wood products in a real-time operating environment, employing a two-axis lateral effect photodiode as the sensor. Computer algorithms were developed to measure the thickness, warp, and width of wood samples (pencil slats). The effect of mechanical vibration due to slat transport was identified and when possible eliminated. The system was evaluated at different transport speeds. The results indicated that, except for width measurement which is limited by the computing speed, the system can measure thickness and warp quite accurately at feed speeds of 240 feet per minute. Although the work described is specific to certain applications, the implications for use in other industrial activities where visual sensing is required is apparent.
Diverse interpretations: The “relevance”; of race in the construction of meaning in, and the evaluation of, a television news story

The concept of relevancy is used to analyze differences between African American and European American viewers’ readings of a TV news investigative report documenting discrimination in the housing industry. In 17 focus group discussions (8 Black, 9 White) lasting about two hours, four key relevancies were discovered: the relevancy of oppression, the relevancy of the problem of racism, the relevancy of the characters in the news story, and the relevancy of home ownership. By investigating the relevancies of race and racism as they became clear in the group discussions, a subtle form of racism, passive racism, was discovered in even the most liberal of this study's White viewers.
Involvement of stretch-sensitive calcium flux in mechanical transduction in visceral afferents

The spinal and vagal visceral innervation to the gastrointestinal tract contains mechanosensitive afferents that are activated by contraction, distension of smooth muscle or movement in the receptive field. The mechanism by which free nerve endings detect changes in smooth muscle tension is not clear. The present study investigated the effects of mechanical stimulation on dorsal root ganglion neurons in vitro. Neurons were cultured using standard techniques and used in experiments after 24-72 h. Intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i was visualized using a video microscopic technique (Attoflour) in Fura-2 loaded neurons. DRG neurons innervating the stomach or colon were identified by the presence of a retrograde tracer, dextran-conjugated Texas Red, injected into the visceral wall 14-28 days previously. Increases in [Ca2+]i were measured in response to transient (0.5 s) mechanical stimulation of the cell soma using a flame polished probe. Approximately 25% of the whole population of DRG neurons (n = 199) were mechanosensitive, showing a transient rise in [Ca2+]i. In labeled afferents (n = 12), approximately 40% of neurons were mechanosensitive. The increase in [Ca2+]i in response to mechanical stimulation was reduced (100 microM) or abolished (250 microM) by superfusion with gadolinium or by removal of extracellular calcium. Cell somata of visceral spinal afferents show a stretch-sensitive calcium flux that may be involved in sensory transduction of mechanical stimuli that lead to autonomic and sensory reflexes.
Career change: In quest of a controllable lifestyle

Abstract Over the past decade, top medical students are selecting “controllable lifestyle” (CL) specialties at an increasing rate. CL specialties include anesthesiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, neurology, ophthalmology, pathology, psychiatry, and radiology. The choice of “noncontrollable lifestyle” (NCL) specialties such as family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and pediatrics was negatively affected by this trend. The effect of CL on the selection of surgical training by top medical students was variable. The purpose of this study was to determine if CL is a factor in career change by young surgeons during and after residency. Graduates of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine from 1975 to 1983 ( n = 796) were questioned regarding the specialty they entered after graduation and whether they remained in that specialty as of March, 1988. NCL and surgery specialties showed a net loss of practitioners during the study period ( P P P
Framework design and development of an informatics architecture for a systems biology approach to traumatic brain injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a problem of major medical and socioeconomic significance, although the pathogenesis of its sequelae is not completely understood. As part of a large, multi-center project to study mild and moderate TBI, a database and informatics system to integrate a wide-range of clinical, biological, and imaging data is being developed. This database constitutes a systems-based approach to TBI with the goals of developing and validating biomarker panels that might be used to diagnose brain injury, predict clinical outcome, and eventually develop improved therapeutics. This paper presents the architecture for an informatics system that stores the disparate data types and permits easy access to the data for analysis.
Socially Constructed Embodiment: Neurohormonal Connections as Resources for Theorizing about Health Inequalities

This paper explores possible linkages between neurohormonal activity, embodied subjectivity, contexts of social inequalities, and health. The focus is on the construction of embodied subjectivity (including its neurohormonal aspects) in contexts of social inequality. To address issues of embodied agency, concepts of ‘bioagency’ and ‘tuning’ are introduced. These are used to theorize about how past experiences with social inequalities might influence an individual's psychobiological reactivity to more recent experiences with inequality. This paper questions the assumptions that ‘positivist’ and ‘interpretist’ approaches are incommensurate and raised the possibility of hybrid methodologies and theorizing. It is concluded that biophysical approaches (including animal studies) can make important contributions to sociological theorizing about health inequalities. These contributions can help link both micro- and macrostructural social contexts, over time, to what have been called ‘perturbations of the organism.’
Prospective Comparison of Nonnarcotic versus Narcotic Outpatient Oral Analgesic Use after Laparoscopic Appendectomy and Early Discharge

Purpose. To compare narcotic versus nonnarcotic outpatient oral pain management after pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy. Methods. In a prospective study from July 1, 2010, to March 30, 2011, children undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy on a rapid discharge protocol were treated with either nonnarcotic or narcotic postoperative oral analgesia. Two surgeons in a four-person faculty group employed the nonnarcotic regimen, while the other two used narcotics. Days of medication use, time needed for return to normal activity, and satisfaction rate with the pain control method were collected. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results. A total of 207 consecutive children underwent appendectomy for acute, nonperforated appendicitis or planned interval appendectomy. The age and time to discharge were equivalent between the nonnarcotic (n = 104) and narcotic (n = 103) groups. Both had an equivalent number of medication days and similar times of return to normal activity. Ninety-seven percent of the parents of children in the nonnarcotic group stated that the pain was controlled by the prescribed medication, compared to 90 percent in the narcotic group (P = 0.049). Conclusion. This study indicates that after non-complicated pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy, nonnarcotic is equivalent to narcoticbased therapy for outpatient oral analgesia, with higher parental satisfaction.
The “foxes” outfoxed: contestations between Koreans and Jews in South American textile industries

This paper is an analysis of the complex and contradictory experiences of Korean immigrants in South America. It critically analyzes the political economy of development and neoliberalism in South Korea, Brazil, and Argentina, while highlighting Korean immigrants in the apparel industry and analyzing their interactions with Jewish clothing manufacturers. The different position of Jews and Koreans in relation to the state apparatus, national belonging, global capitalism, and transnational networks and resources tends to create sociopolitical barriers which contribute to ethnic contestation and obstruct an otherwise meaningful social relationship. This paper will present and examine how these differences were formed and affected by global capitalism and neoliberalism.
Fluorescence spectroscopy of dermal wounds in rats

Fluorescence spectra of dermal lesions on 48 rats were investigated using excitation wavelengths of 275, 300, and 340 nm. Emissions at 340 and 460 nm were measured in both the forequarter and hindquarter lesions as function of time after incision. Unlike the 460-nm emission, intensity at 340 nm increased with time and then saturated. Control studies on intact skin and lesions in dead rats failed to demonstrate any time-dependent changes at these wavelengths. It appears that the increase in the 340-nm intensity is due to changes in the tryptophan level, and may reflect accumulation of fibrinogen in the early wound healing process. © 1997 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
High concept and design documentation: Using Prezi for undergraduate game design

This paper examines how students in an undergraduate game-studies course used Prezi to develop both high concept and design documentation for text adventure games. Rather than using text-heavy Word files, PowerPoint presentations, or flow charts, students used Prezi to answer specific planning questions for their projects. The paper's larger claim is that game development stages can be used to teach technical communication students about the development cycle of software projects. The experience of conceptualizing, documenting, and developing games therefore offers a valuable pedagogical frame for technical communication instructors.
Network dynamics contribute to a gamma rhythm highly robust to synaptic variation

Dynamic homeostatic compensation in neural networks has recently attracted study. The gamma rhythm is often the focus of computational studies, as it is a local phenomenon and clinically significant: its disruption has been linked with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and epilepsy. However little is known about dynamic compensation in relation to gamma rhythms. In (Reimers et al, in preparation) we observed that in all human brain genomics data sets, there is surprisingly high variability in mRNA levels for the key components of the GABA-A receptors, which are the mediators of fast inhibition. Further work showed that the variation was not compensated by substitution of different components of the same class of GABA-A receptor, suggesting at least a 20-fold variation in inhibitory signaling strength between individuals. Nevertheless most people seem to produce comparable gamma rhythms even with very different genetics. We work with the Borgers-Kopell model, which has been used to demonstrate network mechanisms. They argue for a weak ‘PING’ model, in which the excitatory neurons play a role in maintaining oscillations as opposed to firing randomly between the regular spiking of inhibitory neurons. We find that their model is not very robust to large changes in synaptic parameter values (Figure ​(Figure1A).1A). We make a series of realistic modifications to the model, such as sparse connections, a lognormal distribution of connection weights, and a lowered inhibitory decay time constant [1]. We also lower the external drive in the model so that inhibitory neurons will not spike without excitatory input. Finally, we attempt to use more realistic synapses in our model, in which we fit model synapses to measured PSP data from physiological recordings. Figure 1 Figure 1 compares the original Borgers-Kopell ‘weak PING’ (left) to our modified version (right). A. and B. demonstrate the robustness of the models on gamma frequency over 100-fold inhibitory strength (Y) and 20-fold excitatory ...
Water Management in PEMFC with Ultra-Thin Catalyst-Layers

A two-dimensional non-isothermal multi-physics proton-exchange-membrane fuel-cell (PEMFC) modeling has been undertaken to investigate the interplay between the platinum (Pt) loading, water-capacity, water transport and cell performance at low operating temperatures (< 40 °C). Two ultra-thin catalyst layers (CLs), traditional Pt/C with extremely low Pt loading and nano-structured thin-film (NSTF), have been the main focus in the present model. Modeling data are compared with experimental polarization curves for both NSTF and traditional Pt/C CLs. Using the model, the interplay between the inherent CL water-capacity versus its removal rate through either the anode or cathode side of the PEMFC is explored. The controlling parameters for the water removal and accumulation (e.g., thickness of catalyst layer, existence of microporous layer, etc.) are also analyzed and the tradeoff between these parameters elucidated with a path towards efficient water management for ultra-thin CLs.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Computerized vision for the geologist

The digital computer can be a tireless friend and assistant to the geologist. The computer has no innate intelligence, but given adequate programs to analyze and interrelate the information on maps, photos, surveys, and other material, the computer can serve as an analytical tool and consultant. To the geologist's qualitative knowledge, theories, and models can be added the possibility of the computer's mathematically precise numerical answers, confirming or refuting the original ideas. In the interactive mode in particular, a dialogue between the geologist and the computer is established, where the geologist and the computer can complement each other's abilities. The basic principles of processing two-dimensional geological data, such as maps, charts, photos, and survey results, are discussed. Some comparisons are also made between the rule-based methods of Prospector, developed at Stanford Research Institute, and the more intuitively guided image-based procedures of GIAPP, developed on the equipment at the National Research Council of Canada, in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Canada and the University of Ottawa.
The modulatory effects of ellagic acid and vitamin e succinate on TCDD‐induced oxidative stress in different brain regions of rats after subchronic exposure

The effects of ellagic acid (EA) and vitamin E succinate (VES) on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced oxidative stress in different brain regions of rats have been studied after subchronic exposure to the compounds. TCDD was administered to groups of rats at a dose of 46 ng/kg/day for 90 days. EA and VES were administered to groups of rats, either separately or simultaneously with TCDD, every other day for 90 days. At the end of the treatment period, animals were sacrificed and brains were dissected to cerebral cortex (Cc), hippocampus (H), cerebellum (C), and brain stem (Bs), and were assayed for production of superoxide anion (SA), lipid peroxidation (LP), and DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs). While TCDD administration to rats resulted in significant production of SA, LP, and DNA SSBs in Cc and H, simultaneous administration of VES or EA with the xenobiotics resulted in significant protection against those effects. The results also indicate that VES provided a better protyection against TCDD-induced effects in brains when compared with EA. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 18:196–203, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20030
Metastatic Melanoma in Horses

The clinical and pathologic findings are reviewed for 14 horses with metastatic melanoma. All were older gray horses, with an average age of 16 years. The most common sites of primary tumors were the ventral tail, perineum, and parotid salivary gland. Metastases were found in multiple locations and caused a variety of clinical syndromes. The most common sites for metastases were the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, skeletal muscle, lungs, and surrounding or within blood vessels throughout the body. Many of the horses had dermal melanomas for years (range 1-6 years) before succumbing to metastatic disease. Histologic characteristic of dermal masses was not predictive of malignancy in the majority of cases. Treatment consisting of surgical debulking and administration of cimetidine, an autogenous vaccine, or both was attempted in 4 horses with no effect on outcome.
Recognising and evaluating disordered mental states: a guide for neurologists.

The overlap between neurology and psychiatry should be obvious, given the two disciplines’ shared concerns with disorders of the human nervous system and the effect of these disorders on such fundamental aspects of our species as thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, and feelings. Nevertheless there is quite a division in terms of training, specialists (medical or otherwise), and service structures for patients who have disorders of the brain or mind. These structural and professional divisions can arguably lead to difficulties for patients accessing appropriate assessments and treatments. In the UK at least it is not currently a requirement of either neurological or psychiatric training to have experience of the other speciality, although progress is being made slowly in this respect with the introduction of more formal neuropsychiatry training modules into both neurology and psychiatry higher training schemes. This issue of Neurology in Practice may go some way towards addressing this gap. Perusal of the literature will reveal that there have long been those arguing for bridges, rapprochements, and integration between the two disciplines, but real change is harder to see. There continues to be controversy within psychiatry whether the discipline is “mindless” or “brainless” and in which direction it and its practitioners should move. The persistence of mind brain dualism is sadly all too common in our medical practice. It is not uncommon for patients with primary psychiatric illness to have minimal examination of physical state and the mental state examination is rarely done in a systematic way in general medical or even neurological settings. Of course, sometimes that is entirely appropriate, but just as psychiatrists should hopefully be able to detect and describe physical signs, so too should the neurologist be able to describe adequately and systematically abnormalities of mental state. Studies have repeatedly shown that psychiatric illness in medical patients …
Best tool for the job: How to select an appropriate eBook format

eBooks are suitable genres for a wide variety of professional publications, and eBooks can be produced in file formats including PDF, HTML, Mobi, and EPUB. The IPCC 2012 workshop presented how to identify an appropriate eBook format—PDF, HTML, Mobipocket, EPUB—for producing and distributing these documents. In this working paper, we focus on how to produce Mobi and EPUB documents, since production methodologies are an important part of the file format decision process.