cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Severe domestic violence and child maltreatment: considering child physical abuse, neglect, and failure to protect☆

Abstract This study examined differences between families in which less or more severe domestic violence and child maltreatment were present compared to families in which only child maltreatment was known to be present. Both child physical abuse and neglect were examined using a child maltreatment reports involving parental perpetrators. The study found a higher percentage of neglect, specifically lack of supervision, and less child physical abuse in the more severe domestic violence compared to the child maltreatment only and less severe domestic violence groups. More mothers were found responsible for lack of supervision and fewer fathers were responsible for child physical abuse in the severe domestic violence group. Child protection workers also reported a higher level of concern for cases involving domestic violence. However, a closer examination of the qualitative characteristics of the domestic violence cases revealed that quantitative findings do not accurately present the whole story. Both mothers and fathers engaged in serious acts of physical abuse against their children. In addition, many mother were held responsible to ‘failure to protect’ their children from the father's domestic violence. Implications for child welfare practice and policy and future research directions are addressed.
A Dramatic (and Invisible!) Flare in NRAO 530

3 mm λ VLBI observations of the extremely flat spectrum QSO NRAO 530 at the peak of its brightest recorded flare show a resolved core only slightly changed from its pre-outburst state. Observations with Haystack, Kitt Peak and Owens Valley observatories in April 1994, prior to the onset of the flare found a single component with T b = 8 × 1010 K. One year later, within one week of the peak of flare at 3 mm λ, observations with Haystack, Kitt Peak and Hat Creek observatories revealed a component comparable in size and flux density with T b = 7 × 1010 K. Table 1 details the source models for the two experiments.
Respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin: decisions and costs.

A decision analysis was used to evaluate the economic effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus immune globulin (RSVIG) prophylaxis on selected pediatric populations at risk for developing RSV bronchiolitis or all respiratory illness-related hospitalizations. We compared costs, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of administering RSVIG to no treatment in different pediatric populations, including those at risk of developing RSV-bronchiolitis and those at risk of developing any respiratory illness-related hospitalization. We observed that if only infants at high risk of severe RSV infections received treatment with RSVIG, a calculated cost saving of about 27,000 dollars per hospitalization prevented were realized. If the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved indications for RSVIG were followed, the cost to prevent one hospitalization due to RSV bronchiolitis would be over 53,000 dollars. If the aim, however, was to prevent all respiratory illness-related hospitalizations for this broader population, a much lower cost (4,000 dollars) to prevent one hospitalization would result. In this situation, cost neutrality was possible, with a therapy cost of 2,843 dollars compared to the actual average therapy cost of 4,444 dollars. Sensitivity analysis showed that the model was relatively insensitive to all variables, with the exceptions of costs related to RSVIG and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. We conclude that RSVIG resulted in cost savings if therapy were reserved for the infants who are at highest risk for developing severe RSV infections. RSVIG is not cost-effective for preventing RSV bronchiolitis when used according to the FDA-approved indications. Education that emphasizes frequent hand-washing, avoidance of passive smoking, and lessening exposure to sick children remains the least expensive prevention tool.
The impact of an acute care surgery team on general surgery residency

Abstract Background Acute care surgical teams (ACSTs) have limited data in residency. We sought to determine the impact of an ACST on the depth and breadth of general surgery resident training. Methods One year prior to and after implementation of an ACST, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs spanning multiple postgraduate year levels were compared for numbers, case types, and complexity. Results We identified 6,009 cases, including 2,783 after ACST implementation. ACSTs accounted for 752 cases (27%), with 39.2% performed laparoscopically. ACST cases included biliary (19.4%), skin/soft tissue (10%), hernia (9.8%), and appendix (6.5%). Second-year residents performed a lower percentage of laparoscopic cases after the creation of the ACST (20.4% vs 26.3%; P = .003), while chief residents performed a higher percentage (42.1 vs 37.4; P = .04). Case numbers and complexity following ACST development were unchanged within all year groups ( P > .1). Conclusion ACST in a residency program does not sacrifice resident case complexity, diversity, or volume.
Pulmonary β-adrenergic receptors and response do not mature precociously in growth-retarded rabbit fetuses

Abstract Growth-retarded infants have a reduced risk of pulmonary morbidity. We used a naturally occurring model of growth retardation in rabbits to test the hypothesis that reduced risk might be related to precocious maturation of the alveolar β-adrenergic response system in runted neonates. We confirmed that the weights of the fetuses were significantly different, depending on uterine position, as predicted by this model. However, we found no evidence of either increased β-adrenergic receptor concentration or cyclic adenosine monophosphate generation in the smaller fetuses. These results indicate that reduced fetal size in this model of growth retardation does not result in accelerated maturation of alveolar β-adrenergic responses in neonates.
Electrochemical Characterization of a Solid Oxide Membrane Electrolyzer for Production of High-Purity Hydrogen

A laboratory-scale solid oxide membrane (SOM) steam electrolyzer that can potentially use energy value in waste or any source of carbon or hydrocarbon to produce high-purity hydrogen has been fabricated and evaluated. The SOM electrolyzer comprises an oxygen-ion-conducting yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte with a Ni-YSZ cermet cathode coated on one side and liquid-metal anode on the other side. The SOM electrolyzer is operated at 1000 °C by providing a steam-rich gas feed to the Ni-YSZ cermet cathode and feeding a reductant source into the liquid-metal anode. The steam is reduced over the cathode, and oxygen ions are transported through the YSZ electrolyte and are oxidized at the molten metal electrode by the reductant feed. The advantage of SOM electrolyzer over the state-of-the-art solid oxide electrolyzer is its ability to use solid, liquid, and gaseous reductant feed in the liquid-metal anode to reduce the oxygen chemical potential and drive the reaction for hydrogen production. In this study, an electrochemical process model for a SOM electrolyzer was developed. The condition of the liquid-metal anode with reductant was simulated by bubbling humidified hydrogen (3 pct H2O) in the liquid metal, and the electrochemical performance of the SOM electrolyzer was modeled. The experimental data were curve-fitted into the model to identify the various polarization losses. It showed that the performance of the SOM electrolyzer was dominated by the ohmic resistance of the YSZ membrane. Based on the results of this study, future work is needed toward increasing the performance efficiency of the SOM electrolyzer.
Propagation lengths and group velocities of plasmons in chemically synthesized gold and silver nanowires.

Recent advances in chemical synthesis have made it possible to produce gold and silver nanowires that are free of large-scale crystalline defects and surface roughness. Surface plasmons can propagate along the wires, allowing them to serve as optical waveguides with cross sections much smaller than the optical wavelength. Gold nanowires provide improved chemical stability as compared to silver nanowires, but at the cost of higher losses for the propagating plasmons. In order to characterize this trade-off, we measured the propagation length and group velocity of plasmons in both gold and silver nanowires. Propagation lengths are measured by fluorescence imaging of the plasmonic near fields. Group velocities are deduced from the spacing of fringes in the spectrum of coherent light transmitted by the wires. In contrast to previous work, we interpret these fringes as arising from a far-field interference effect. The measured propagation characteristics agree with numerical simulations, indicating that propag...
The elementary theory of subsurface structural contouring

A system of analyzing subsurface data is developed through the use of a new method of graphical division and based on the recognition of special cases where more than three adjacent points lie on the same geometrical plane or nearly planar surface. These surfaces are then used to control the strikes of preliminary contours. The planes are also used in conjunction with cross sections to establish correction data for the placement of final contours. The uses of the system in drawing a new map and in the evaluation of pre-existing maps are demonstrated.
A demonstration of a conversationally guided smart wheelchair

There is a substantial population of wheelchair users who do not have the motor capabilities needed to efficiently operate a power wheelchair on their own. Various interfaces have been devised including some simple voice controlled chairs that can understand simple commands. However, such systems are awkward and slow to use. This demonstration shows operation of a smart wheelchair through a spoken conversational interface. By using a more capable dialogue, rather than a simple command paradigm, the chair can leverage off of the user's perceptual capabilities in order to process natural, high-level commands such as take me to the desk, which initiates a conversation with the chair to determine which desk and -if it is not immediately detected by the chair's sensors - where the desk is located.
EKLF/KLF1 is ubiquitinated in vivo and its stability is regulated by activation domain sequences through the 26S proteasome.

Erythroid Kruppel-like factor (EKLF/KLF1) is an erythroid specific, C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor that is essential for the proper chromatin structure and expression of the adult β-globin gene. Herein, we determine that 26S proteasome inhibitors lead to an accumulation of EKLF protein in murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. In addition, EKLF half-life in both MEL cells (<3 h) and fetal liver cells (between 6 and 9 h) is stabilized in the presence of these inhibitors. EKLF is ubiquitinated in vivo, however its modification does not rely on a particular internal lysine. Finally, EKLF contains two PEST sequences within its N-terminus that have no effect on the ability of EKLF to be ubiquitinated but contribute to its destabilization.
HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean Basin

After Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean Basin has the second highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. The number of HIV cases in the region is likely to increase significantly over the next decade due to patterns of sexual behaviour, drug use, migration, and the sociocultural practices and legal and religious taboos which serve as barriers to safe sex, as well as stigma, shame, and denial which preclude many issues from being openly discussed and addressed. Studying the HIV epidemic in the Caribbean Basin is difficult, as efforts to synthesize information are often hampered by a lack of uniformity and availability of surveillance data in many parts of the region. In addition, behavioural surveillance is limited, and interventions addressing the cultural context of Caribbean populations are few in number. Overall, the geographic, political, cultural, and linguistic diversity of the Caribbean underscores the complexity of understanding broader regional patterns of HIV infection and developing and implementing targeted and appropriate responses.
Demographic Comparisons between Reservoir-Dwelling and Stream-Dwelling Populations of a Threatened Turtle (Sternotherus depressus Tinkle and Webb)

Abstract Sternotherus depressus (Flattened Musk Turtle) is a federally threatened species endemic to the Black Warrior River drainage in north-central Alabama. Individuals of both stream-dwelling and impoundment-dwelling populations were trapped for comparative demographic analyses. Carapace length was significantly longer for reservoir turtles than for stream turtles. Size-class distributions between the two populations were also significantly different, with reservoir turtle collections biased toward the larger size classes, and presumably older age classes. These results suggest a reduced recruitment in the reservoir population, and raise concerns about long-term population sustainability in impoundment habitats.
Biomass partitioning in a miniature-scale loblolly pine spacing trial.

Stand conditions influence the partitioning of biomass to stem, needle, branch, and root components. Using data from 4- to 6-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) trees grown in a miniature-scale spacing trial, this study determined the effect of initial spacing on the biomass partitioning of loblolly pine. Multivariate analysis of variance procedures concluded that row and column spacing did not have a significant effect on the relative amount of biomass among tree components. Root/shoot and height/diameter ratios, however, differed across densities, indicating that allometric-based partitioning tradeoffs occurred. Results from the miniature-scale trees showed trends similar to those observed with mature-sized trees at operational spatial scales. Stem and woody roots were 70% and 14% of total mass, respectively. Since these trees were physiologically young at the time of harvest, the allocation of mass to needle continued to be a priority, accounting for 10% of the total mass. Initial planting spacing ...
HEPATIC METALLOTHIONEIN INDUCTION IN INFLAMMATION

Numerous chemically distinct phlogistic substances have been shown to induce hepatic metallothionein-Zn (MT) accumulation when administered to rats. These findings suggest that induction of this cysteine-rich metalloprotein occurs through the action of some common mediator(s). Possible mediators include substances such as leukocytic endogenous mediator (LEM) and/or hormones known to influence hepatic protein synthesis. Studies were performed to examine further the mechanism(s) and potential mediators involved in endotoxin-induced MT accumulation. Additionally, the studies were performed to determine the possible involvement of genetic factors, which reportedly influence LEM production, in the induced MT response. Endotoxin (ET) was administered ip to rats and to EP-resistant, C3H/HeJ, and susceptible, C3Heb/FeJ, stains of mice. ET induced hypozincemia, hyperglucagonemia, and increased MT concentrations in rats. ET induced hypozincemia and MT accumulation to the same extent in both strains of mice. The induction of tolerance in rats to Zn depressing activity of ET also prevented hyperglucagonemia and additional accumulation of MT. Results suggest that glucagon, but not LEM, may be a common mediator in MT response during inflammatory stress.
A calcineurin homologous protein is required for sodium-proton exchange events in the C. elegans intestine

Caenorhabditis elegans defecation is a rhythmic behavior, composed of three sequential muscle contractions, with a 50-s periodicity. The motor program is driven by oscillatory calcium signaling in ...
Application of data-centered approach to Year 2000 problem

The data-centered approach uses variable classifications, dependence analysis, generalised program slicing and ripple effect analysis. In the Year 2000 problem, this approach can be useful. Variable classification is used to identify all input and output variables, and once the initial set of variables that are Year 2000 related is identified, dependence analysis can be used to identify all the variables that are potentially affected by the initial set of variables. The second set of variables is then examined to see if they are Year 2000 related. This process is repeated until all the Year 2000 related variables are identified. This process is essentially ripple effect analysis and uses generalized program slicing and dependence analysis. Once Year 2000 related variables are identified, generalized program slicing is performed to identify all the statements that potentially need to be changed. Once a statement is changed, it may induce additional changes. Ripple effect analysis can be used to ensure that all the parts that need to modified are examined. Finally, the changed software should be validated and regression testing can be used in this stage. Ripple effect analysis can be used in this stage by identifying the relevant test cases that needed to evaluated. This is done by maintaining traceability links between the software and its test cases.
PREDICTING EFFICACY OF PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS IN REGULATING GASTRIC ACID SECRETION

Developing drugs to treat gastric acid related illnesses such as ulcers and acid reflux disease is the leading focus of pharmaceutical companies. In fact, expenditure for treating these disorders is highest among all illnesses in the US. Over the last few decades, a class of drugs known as a proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) appeared on the market and are highly effective at abating gastric illnesses by raising stomach pH (reducing gastric acid levels). While much is known about the action of PPIs, there are still open questions regarding their efficacy, dosing and long-term effects. Here we extend a previous gastric acid secretion model developed by our group to incorporate a pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic model to study proton pump inhibitor (PPI) action. Model-relevant parameters for specific drugs such as omeprazole (OPZ), lansoprazole (LPZ) and pantoprazole (PPZ) were used from published data, and we conducted simulations to study various aspects of PPI treatment. Clinical data suggests that duration of acid suppression is dependent on proton pump turnover rates and this is supported by our model. We found the order of efficacy of the different PPIs to be OPZ>PPZ>LPZ for clinically recommended dose values, and OPZ>PPZ=LPZ for equal doses. Our results indicate that a breakfast dose for once-daily dosing regimens and a breakfast-lunch dose for twice-daily dosing regimens is recommended. Simulation of other gastric disorders using our model provides atypical applications for the study of drug treatment on homeostatic systems and identification of potential side-effects.
Effect of an Evaporative Cooling and Dust Control System on Rearing Environment and Performance of Male Broiler Chickens

Abstract An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of a micromist, high pressure, evaporative cooling and dust control system on rearing environment characteristics and performance of broiler chickens. Air of rearing chambers with the cooling and dust control system had significantly lower dust concentrations than that of chambers without the system. Birds reared with the cooling and dust control system were 45 and 165 g heavier at 4 and 7 wk of age, respectively, and had significantly higher 7-wk bursa weights than those reared without the system. Presence of the cooling and dust control system had no effect on mortality or lung weights.
Issues for Detecting Undeclared Post-Closure Excavation at Geologic Repositories

Following closure, safeguards monitoring will be required for geologic repositories storing spent fuel and other waste forms not qualifying for international safeguards termination. Monitoring for acoustic emission from tunneling machinery, periodic satellite surveillance and site visits are the primary methods proposed for detecting undeclared excavation. Of these, only acoustic monitoring can detect subsurface activity, allowing a fixed monitoring perimeter to be established around a repository. If acoustic monitoring can be defeated, and other subsurface detection methods are unavailable, then surface monitoring must be performed for a larger, more ambiguous radius around the repository. This paper presents a fundamental classification scheme for identifying excavation technologies. The classification allows definition of a spectrum of small‐diameter tunnel excavation scenarios. Analysis suggests that even for hard rock, national groups may be able to field compact, modular hydraulic or thermal excavat...
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: A Novel Noninvasive, Nonionizing Method for the Detection of Brown Adipose Tissue in Humans

Background Brown adipose tissue (BAT) consumes glucose when it is activated by cold exposure, allowing its detection in humans by 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) with computed tomography (CT). The investigators recently described a novel noninvasive and nonionizing imaging method to assess BAT in mice using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Here, they report the application of this method in healthy humans. Methods Thirteen healthy volunteers were recruited. CEUS was performed before and after cold exposure in all subjects using a continuous intravenous infusion of perflutren gas-filled lipid microbubbles and triggered imaging of the supraclavicular space. The first five subjects received microbubbles at a lower infusion rate than the subsequent eight subjects and were analyzed as a separate group. Blood flow was estimated as the product of the plateau ( A ) and the slope (β) of microbubble replenishment curves. All underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT after cold exposure. Results An increase in the acoustic signal was noted in the supraclavicular adipose tissue area with increasing triggering intervals in all subjects, demonstrating the presence of blood flow. The area imaged by CEUS colocalized with BAT, as detected by 18 F-FDG PET/CT. In a cohort of eight subjects with an optimized CEUS protocol, CEUS-derived BAT blood flow increased with cold exposure compared with basal BAT blood flow in warm conditions (median A β = 3.3 AU/s [interquartile range, 0.5–5.7 AU/s] vs 1.25 AU/s [interquartile range, 0.5–2.6 AU/s]; P = .02). Of these eight subjects, five had greater than twofold increases in blood flow after cold exposure; these responders had higher BAT activity measured by 18 F-FDG PET/CT (median maximal standardized uptake value, 2.25 [interquartile range, 1.53–4.57] vs 0.51 [interquartile range, 0.47–0.73]; P = .02). Conclusions The present study demonstrates the feasibility of using CEUS as a noninvasive, nonionizing imaging modality in estimating BAT blood flow in young, healthy humans. CEUS may be a useful and scalable tool in the assessment of BAT and BAT-targeted therapies.
Measure Phrase Equatives and Modified Numerals

Journal of Semantics Advance Access published April 18, 2014 Journal of Semantics, 0, 2014: 1–51 doi:10.1093/jos/ffu004 Measure Phrase Equatives and Modified Numerals Abstract In English, equatives can be formed with a numeral or measure phrase (MP) standard (e.g. John can dive as deep as 500m; Rett, 2010). These ‘measure phrase equatives’ (MPEs) differ semantically from their clausal counterparts (e.g. John can dive as deep as Sue can) in two important ways. First, while clausal standards set lower bounds, resulting in an ‘at least’ interpretation of the equative, MP standards tend to set upper bounds, resulting in an ‘at most’ interpretation. Second, MPEs are restricted in their distribution relative to clausal equatives: they are only acceptable when the subject is associated with a range of values or when the value they’re associated with is signifi- cantly high (or both). The main goal of this paper is a unified analysis of the equative morpheme that accounts for these semantic and distributional differences between clausal and MP equatives. I attribute these differences to the fact that MPEs can trigger two different conversational implicatures: a quantity implicature (because they are less informative than MP comparatives); and a manner implicature, because they are more marked than MP constructions like John can dive 500m (deep). I end by suggesting an expansion of this account of MPEs to modified numerals generally, in particular to the differences between Class A and Class B modifiers (Geurts & Nouwen 2007; Nouwen INTRODUCTION In English, equatives can be formed with a numeral or measure phrase (MP) standard (e.g. John can dive as deep as 500m; Rett 2010). These measure phrase equatives (MPEs) are semantically different from clausal equatives in a number of different ways. I argue here that the difference is best attributed to the fact that MPEs trigger an additional manner implicature, in contrast to clausal equatives, as a result of their relation- ship to MP constructions like John dove 500m (deep). The analysis pro- vides insight into the semantic relevance of manner implicatures; I will argue that it can also inform the discussion of modified numerals (e.g. John read fewer than 3 books) generally. I’ll begin by describing the empirical challenge posed by these measure phrase equatives. Section 1.2 outlines the approach and the organization of the article. s The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com Downloaded from http://jos.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of California, Los Angeles on April 19, 2014 JESSICA RETT University of California, Los Angeles
Shapeshifter: Dynamically changing pipeline width and speed to address process variations

Process variations are a manufacturing phenomenon that result in some parameters of the transistors in a real chip to be different from those specified in the design. One impact of these variations is that the affected circuits may perform faster or slower than the design target. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of chips speed up whereas the vast majority incur slow downs. While die-to-die variations have been addressed by clock binning, within-die variations are increasing in importance with scaling. Clock binning in the presence of within-die variations results in slow clock speeds for dies with many components that can operate at higher clock speeds. A recent paper addressing within-die variations proposes variable-latency functional units and register file so that the fast instances of these components take fewer clock cycles to operate than the slower instances. However, in pipeline stages where the instances are interdependent, the fast instances would be held up by the slow instances. Also, variable latency may complicate timing-critical instruction scheduling. Instead of varying the number of clock cycles, we advocate varying the clock speed. Our scheme, called Shapeshifter, maintains high clock speeds during low-ILP program phases by using a narrower pipeline of only the faster instances, and reduces the clock speed only in the high-ILP phases which use all the instances. Shapeshifter simply turns off the slow instances, removing them from any interdependence among all the instances. Also, Shapeshifter requires minimal additions to the pipeline because almost all pipelines already support varying the clock speed for power management purposes. Using simulations, we show that Shapeshifter performs better than clock binning and the variable-latency approach.
Comparing Transcription Rate and mRNA Abundance as Parameters for Biochemical Pathway and Network Analysis

The cells adapt to extra- and intra-cellular signals by dynamic orchestration of activities of pathways in the biochemical networks. Dynamic control of the gene expression process represents a major mechanism for pathway activity regulation. Gene expression has thus been routinely measured, most frequently at steady-state mRNA abundance level using micro-array technology. The results are widely used in statistical inference of the structures of underlying biochemical networks, with the assumption that functionally related genes exhibit similar dynamic profiles. Steady-state mRNA abundance, however, is a composite of two factors: transcription rate and mRNA degradation rate. The question being asked here is therefore whether steady-state mRNA abundance or any of two factors is a more informative measurement target for studying network dynamics. The yeast S. cerevisiae was used as model organism and transcription rate was chosen out of the two factors in this study, because genome-wide determination of transcription rates has been reported for several physiological processes in this species. Our strategy is to test which one is a better measurement of functional relatedness between genes. The analysis was performed on those S. cerevisiae genes that have bacterial orthologs as identified by reciprocal BLAST analysis, so that functional relatedness of a gene pair can be measured by the frequency at which their bacterial orthologs co-occur in the same operon in the collection of bacterial genomes. It is found that transcription rate data is generally a better parameter for functional relatedness than steady state mRNA abundance, suggesting transcription rate data is more informative to use in deciphering the logics used by the cells in dynamic regulation of biochemical network behaviors. The significance of this finding for network and systems biology, as well as biomedical research in general, is discussed.
A suicide by pancuronium bromide injection: evaluation of the fluorometric determination of pancuronium in postmortem blood, serum and urine.

A fatal case of suicidal injection of pancuronium bromide is presented. Pancuronium was detected in blood and urine by ion-pair extraction and fluorometry. An evaluation of the fluorometric procedure for the determination of pancuronium in postmortem blood, serum and urine is presented. Stability of the extracted ion-pair, possible interferences from other drugs, and the effects of specimen storage were studied. Language: en
Genetic stability and oxidative stress: common mechanisms in aging and cancer.

Much evidence indicates that age-related diseases as well as the aging process itself may be a result of genetic instability, resulting in cells changing their proper state of differentiation. Such genetic changes could be of an epigenetic or genetic nature (or both) and suggest that mechanisms acting to stabilize the differentiated state of cells could be major determinants of animal species’ general health and longevity. There is also much data indicating that a causative factor in cancer is genetic instability, suggesting the importance of genetic stabilized factors governing the frequency of this disease. Possibly related to these two observations is the good positive correlation between rate of cancer and the rate of aging of different mammahan species. In addition, cells from longer-lived species appear to have a higher intrinsic ability to maintain their proper differentiated state and animals whose life span has been extended by food restriction also have a postponed onset of cancer. These data suggest the possibility that genetic instabihty may represent a common causative mechanism for both aging and cancer. This suggestion is supported by evidence indicating that oxidative stress can increase cancer frequency and that longer-lived species appear to have a lower oxidative stress state. However, there appears to be a serious lack of evidence indicating that physical and chemical mutagenic agents accelerate aging as they do cancer. For these and other considerations, it is proposed that aging is not a result of genetic instability as are many different age-related diseases. Thus, physiological aging and some age-related diseases could have separate and distinct mechanisms of causation and control.
Attempting to Automate Compliance to Aircraft Collision Avoidance Advisories

As automation increasingly takes over functions requiring humans’ skill- and rule-based behaviors, effective human-automation interaction increasingly depends upon human reasoning about when the automation should be disengaged. This paper uses the aircraft traffic alert and collision avoidance system (TCAS) as a case study where the pilot needs to decide how to respond to decision automation that generates collision avoidance advisories commanding vertical maneuvers. Of note, recent installations of TCAS can now automatically execute the advisories, potentially to improve compliance with TCAS advisories. This paper describes a Human-in-the-loop flight simulator study examining pilots’ interaction with the automatic execution of advisories, including situations in which pilots chose to disengage it. While overall automatic execution appears to improve compliance to TCAS advisories in the aggregate, it was also disengaged in some of the same situations in which pilots historically had not manually flown compliant avoidance maneuvers. Further, the autopilot’s subsequent reversionary mode settings after following the TCAS advisory may not be appropriate for returning to air traffic clearances. These results highlight the importance of designing automation to support effective pilot reasoning about traffic events, a task that remains in place while the pilot remains ultimately responsible for safety.
Radiation Exposure During Percutaneous Ablation of Small Renal Masses: A Multi-Institutional Multimodality Analysis

Abstract Objective: To understand the effective radiation dose during percutaneous cryoablation (CA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and characterize variables that may affect the individual dose. Materials and Methods: The effective radiation dose was determined by conversion of the dose–length product from CT scans performed during percutaneous CA or RFA for patients with solitary renal masses (<4 cm) at four academic centers. Radiation dose per case was compared between patients and institutions using multivariate and univariate analysis. Lifetime attributable risk of cancer was calculated for each institution and utilized to determine the number needed to harm for a range of ages at the time of exposure. Results: One hundred twenty-three patients met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 71 years. Sixty-nine percent of patients were male, mean body–mass index (BMI) was 29.4, and mean tumor size was 2.2 cm. The mean effective radiation dose per ablation was 40 mSv (range 3.7–147). On multivariate...
Tick infestations and tick-borne diseases in Zimbabwe Rhodesia

The distribution of tick species in Zimbabwe Rhodesia is significantly influenced by land utilization practices. The most commonly occurring species in the over-grazed tribal areas is Boophilus decoloratus. By contrast, well-managed commercial farms and ranches support a wide range of tick species, the most important of which is Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Until recently tick-borne diseases of cattle were efficiently controlled through dipping. The low incidence of disease was an important factor contributing to over-grazing in tribal areas. Between 1973 and 1978 political unrest resulted in a collapse of the dipping service in tribal areas. Populations of B. decoloratus built up and outbreaks of babesiosis and anaplasmosis occurred, normally between one and three years after the cessation of dipping. Reduced grazing pressure after the initial disease waves resulted in increased grass cover, allowing species such as R. appendiculatus and Amblyomma hebraeum to become re-established. Outbreaks of theileriosis and heartwater usually followed, decimating the already depleted herds. The heavy cattle mortality resulted from lack of immunity to tick-borne diseases, as a result of efficient disease control through dipping in previous years.
Reversing Age-Related DNA Damage Through Engineered DNA Repair

The last two decades have shown significant advances in our understanding of age- and disease-related alterations in the regulation of gene expression and the underlying endogenous gene repair pathways. As a result, there have been some important strides in the development of engineered technologies for repairing mutated or damaged DNA via the development, delivery, and integration of specific and selective modified DNA into precise locations. This chapter describes available strategies for engineered gene repair including homologous recombination, the use of ribozymes, antisense nucleotides and DNA ribonucleases, single strand replacement/ chimeraplasty, and triplex DNA. The evolution of these approaches together with RNA interference is discussed, and relevant mechanisms and pathways are described. Present demonstrations of the utility of each of these gene modification approaches for therapeutic use imply that these methods can be employed to correct inherited and aging-related mutations and their consequences in future applications.
The Rise of Representation: Electing County Officeholders in Colonial Pennsylvania

Tracing the development of the county commission system provides a unique opportunity for examining the nature of participatory government in colonial America. Yet, despite the prominence of the county commission system today, studies of the county commission system and, in fact, all county government have been few (Bromage, 1933: 15-35). Colonial historians have preferred to investigate the New England town and the provincial legislature. Most of these studies (Grant, 1961: 106, 120-127, 150-153; Bushman, 1967: 268-270; Syndor, 1965: 42, 6-73; Gross, 1976: 38-39, 179-181; Pole, 1962: 626-646; Greene, 1959: 485-506; Greene, 1963: 25-47; Cook, 1971: 586-608; Zemsky, 1971: 28-38; Lockeridge, 1970: 47-49, 119-138, 94; Cook, 1976: 9, 10, 19-22, 80-94, 115-118) have concluded that although the franchise was exercised by most adult male property owners, town councils and colonial legislatures tended to be dominated by a social and economic elite continually returned by the electorate to positions of power. In other words, exercising the vote did not seem to make much practical difference.' An analysis of county officeholding in colonial Pennsylvania, however, challenges the belief in the universality of such voter behavior. For when male adult property owners gained the opportunity to elect county officials who levied, collected, and disbursed
Thyroid and Blood Thyrocalcitonin Concentrations and C-Cell Abundance in Two Strains of Rats at Different Ages

SummaryWe have shown an increase in TCT in the blood and thyroid gland with increased age in two different strains of rats.Fischer (F344) rats, 6 to 18-months old, have a higher level of circulating TCT (-1.5 ng/ml) than young 10-week-old Fischer rats (<0.2 ng/ml). Thyroid TCT concentrations in old Fischer rats also were significantly higher than in young Fischer rats, and this was associated with a significantly higher area ratio of C-cells to follicular cells in the older rats. In Holtzman rats a similar increase in blood and thyroid TCT with age was also observed. Comparing the two strains, both thyroid and serum TCT in old Fischer rats were significantly higher than in old Holtzman rats.The authors wish to thank Drs. Paul L. Munson and Philip F. Hirsch for valuable suggestions during the course of this study. The authors also thank Dr. H. Stanley Bennett and Mr. Yukio Tanaka of the Laboratories for Reproductive Biology at the University of North Carolina for advice, criticism, and permission to use th...
Community Organization for War and for Peace

ANY period of war is necessarilv a more or ti less revolutionary era. Movements and tendencies already under way are speeded up and new ones develop to meet new conditions. There is a conflict between the status quo ante and the pressure to meet vital needs in a new way. This has been well brought out by Kenneth Roberts in his story, Oliver Wiswell, in which he holds that the American Revolution was as much a revolution of the lower and middle classes against the tories as against England. The first World War brought about a general awakening to the need for community organization. From small beginnings of using the school as a social and civic center in the first decade of this century, there had grown up a strong community center movement which held its first national conference in 'Chicago in 1916 under the leadership of John Collier. It formed the National Community Center Association which did much to spread its gospel through its monthly publication, The Community Center, during the next eight years of its existence, when it was absorbed into the National Education Association.1 When this country entered the war in 1917 Congress established the system of national, state and county councils of defense through which all civilian war activities cleared. Through the influence of some of the leaders in the community center movement this system was carried down to the local community, and just before the Armistice was declared a vigorous campaign was under way for organizing community councils to carry on civilian war activities.2 With peace these quickly dissolved, but the need for coordination between the efforts of various voluntary organizations had been demonstrated and the feeling of identity with a local community had been aroused as never before. Other movements for community organization also arose during the war and have had more lasting influence. Due to the many drives for funds for war activities, war chests were formed in large numbers of cities, which were later transformed' into community chests, so that we now have a wellestablished system of privately supported community chests and councils for the support of private philanthropic and character-building agencies, and for the study and coordination of programs of social work. War Camp Community Service, which had provided recreation centers for the men in service during the war, became Communily Service, Inc. and for a few years made a vigorous campaign for erecting community buildings for social and recreational centers as war memorials, which did much toward fostering community identification and providing better facilities for organizations devoted to the 4eneral community welfare. Although the Smith-Lever Act for extension work in agriculture and home economics had been passed in 1914, it was the need for food production
When does it hurt to try? Effort as a mediator of the links between anxiety symptoms and the frequency and duration of unwanted thought recurrence

Abstract Evidence is mixed regarding the circumstances in which anxiety predicts more versus less unwanted thought recurrence. This study examined subjective, self-reported suppression effort as a mediator of the relationship between anxiety symptoms and both the frequency and duration of unwanted thought recurrence during a thought suppression paradigm. Additionally, a moderated mediation model examined whether initial instructions to suppress versus monitor thoughts, and state and trait differences in cognitive resources, moderated the mediating effects of effort. Amazon Mechanical Turk volunteers (N = 939) were instructed to either suppress or monitor an emotionally aversive thought for a one-minute period, followed by a second period during which all participants monitored. Trait cognitive resources were measured at baseline via a working memory task, and state cognitive resources were manipulated between-subjects via a depleting Stroop task. Results indicated that self-reported effort mediated the relationship between anxiety symptoms and both the frequency and duration of thought recurrence, but in opposite directions—such that anxious individuals' greater effort predicted higher frequency (i.e., more initial activation) but lower duration (i.e., faster override) of the target thought. No moderation effects were found. Implications for the role of self-reported suppression effort as a “double-edged sword” in the context of anxiety are discussed.
Hypertension Resulting From Stenosis of the Renal Artery: Diagnosis and Treatment

In hypertension caused by stenosis of the renal artery, surgical repair is preferable to medical palliation unless contraindicated by the patient's physical condition.Conclusive diagnosis requires renal angiography, although intravenous urography and radiorenography are useful diagnostic adjuncts.
Monitoring climate from space: a metrology perspective

Application of the principles of metrology for the NASA Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) infrared high spectral resolution measurements is presented, starting with the use of a Standard International (SI) reference source on orbit, developing uncertainty traceability for intercalibration to other spaceborne sensors, and finally tracing the direct effects of radiance uncertainty on climate products originating from state parameter retrievals. The Absolute Radiance Interferometer (ARI) IR prototype employs an On-orbit Absolute Radiance Standard (OARS), developed under the NASA Instrument Incubator Program for CLARREO, for on-orbit calibration verification to better than 0.1 K 3-sigma. The OARS consists of a variable temperature, high emissivity blackbody with temperature calibration established to better than 16 mK on-orbit and provision for on-orbit emissivity monitoring. The temperature scale is established using miniature melt cells of Ga, H2O, and Hg. Transferring the high accuracy of ARI measurements to other IR instruments, especially the high spectral resolution operational sounders (AIRS, CrIS and IASI), is an important objective of CLARREO. The mathematical approach to rigorous traceability of sampling uncertainties is explained and applied in simulations of the intercalibration process. Results show that it will be possible to make intercomparisons of better than 0.05 K 3-sigma with just 6 months of observations from a single CLARREO in true polar orbit. Finally, the effects of radiance perturbations representing realistic uncertainties (for the CrIS on Suomi NPP) on retrieved temperature and water vapor profiles are evaluated. The results demonstrate a stable, physically reasonable impact of Dual regression retrievals.
Application of Quality Control Circle activity to improve the qualified rate in surgical instruments packaging

Objective: To explore the method of improving the rate of qualified surgical instruments packaging with the application of Quality Control Circle(QCC) activity. Methods: QCC group was established to grasp the current status, set goals, analyze major factors, form and implement countermeasures with QCC method for the low rate of qualified surgical instruments packaging in the disinfection supply center. Result: The rates of qualified surgical instruments packaging increased from 97.2% to 99.8% after conducting QCC activities. The difference was statistically significant(P0.01). Conclusion: QCC activities played a positive role in improving packaging quality of surgical instruments, strengthening collaboration between departments, promoting team spirit, and timely adapting to changes in the management mode of disinfection supply center.
Short Stay Surgery in Pediatric Urology

Abstract: Short stay surgery represents an innovation in the delivery and cost of medical care. The short stay surgical unit at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan has provided urologic care for 311 children during the most recent 12 months of its operation. Eighteen patients (5.7 per cent) required postoperative hospitalization. No children have required rehospitalization after discharge from the short stay unit. Short stay surgery in pediatricurology has resulted in more economic and efficient use of hospital facilities and has decreased cost per procedure. Morbidity has not increased. Short stay surgery is well accepted by the child, parent and referring physician, and has notposed problems for the operating surgeons. Short stay urologic surgery is safe and applicable to many diagnostic and therapeutic urologie surgical procedures.
Lipid Determination With the Hydroxylamine Method

Different classes of lipids which contain ester groups react with alkaline hydroxylamine to form hydroxamic acid. The hydro-xamic acid reacts with acid ferric Perchlorate forming a purple-colored iron chelate complex. Free fatty acids do not react with alkaline hydroxylamine. This procedure was elaborated for quantitative determination of lipids by Snyder and Stephens (1959).