cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulators—Mechanisms and Therapeutic Utility

Selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) are a new class of compounds developed to target the progesterone receptor (PR) with a mix of agonist and antagonist properties. These compounds have been introduced for the treatment of several gynecological conditions based on the critical role of progesterone in reproduction and reproductive tissues. In patients with uterine fibroids, mifepristone and ulipristal acetate have consistently demonstrated efficacy, and vilaprisan is currently under investigation, while studies of asoprisnil and telapristone were halted for safety concerns. Mifepristone demonstrated utility for the management of endometriosis, while data are limited regarding the efficacy of asoprisnil, ulipristal acetate, telapristone, and vilaprisan for this condition. Currently, none of the SPRMs have shown therapeutic success in treating endometrial cancer. Multiple SPRMs have been assessed for efficacy in treating PR-positive recurrent breast cancer, with in vivo studies suggesting a benefit of mifepristone, and multiple in vitro models suggesting the efficacy of ulipristal acetate and telapristone. Mifepristone, ulipristal acetate, vilaprisan, and asoprisnil effectively treated heavy menstrual bleeding (HBM) in patients with uterine fibroids, but limited data exist regarding the efficacy of SPRMs for HMB outside this context. A notable class effect of SPRMs are benign, PR modulator-associated endometrial changes (PAECs) due to the actions of the compounds on the endometrium. Both mifepristone and ulipristal acetate are effective for emergency contraception, and mifepristone was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012 for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome due to its additional antiglucocorticoid effect. Based on current evidence, SPRMs show considerable promise for treatment of several gynecologic conditions.
Model Dependent Realism and the Rule-Governed Behavior of Behavior Analysts: Applications to Derived Relational Responding

A fundamental assumption within radical behaviorism is that all human behavior, including the rule-governed behavior of scientists, can be understood within a functional account. I propose that models of human behavior can be best described as a set of rules that are selected by behavior analysts to solve applied challenges, rather than descriptions of nature as it "truly exists." Model dependent realism (MDR) developed within the field of physics may provide useful criteria that could allow behavior analysts to more accurately track the relative probability of success of a given model within applied contexts. As a case example, I examine dispersive models of derived relational responding in terms of the criteria outlined within MDR, and I describe a preliminary level-scaling account of derived relational responding that encompasses several models in pursuit of a unified account. The account is context dependent and adopts a pragmatic truth criterion, consistent with assumptions within functional contextualism and radical behaviorism as an overarching rule governing the behavior of our applied subfield.
Chapter 16 – Self-reference and paradox in two and three dimensions

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on variations of the Dualist conceived in an infinite-valued logic, in which sentences are allowed to take on any real truth-value in the [0, 1] interval. The dynamical semantics of self-reference can be mapped using iterated algorithms. The Liar paradox is a familiar sentence that asserts its own falsehood. The Dualist (slightly less familiar), involves a pair of mutually referential sentences. This chapter considers variations on the Dualist and Triplist, modelling their dynamical semantics using iteration within an infinite-valued logic. Strange attractors and fractal escape-time diagrams appear in two dimensions for the Dualist and in three dimensions for the Triplist.
An Interactive Mixed Reality Platform for Bedside Surgical Procedures

In many bedside procedures, surgeons must rely on their spatiotemporal reasoning to estimate the position of an internal target by manually measuring external anatomical landmarks. One particular example that is performed frequently in neurosurgery is ventriculostomy, where the surgeon inserts a catheter into the patient’s skull to divert the cerebrospinal fluid and alleviate the intracranial pressure. However, about one-third of the insertions miss the target.
Incidence, Characteristics, and Outcomes of Emergent Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Data on emergency coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) are limited. We studied patients who underwent isolated CABG at Mayo Clinic between 1993 and 2019. Baseline characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of emergent CABG were described in consecutive eras (1993 to 2000, 2001 to 2010, and 2011 to 2019). Cumulative survival was estimated by the Kaplan Meier method for the overall group, and stratified by the indication of surgery. In the 14,455 isolated CABG included, 427 (2.95%) were emergent. The number of emergent CABG decreased from 222 to 150 and 55 in the consecutive study eras. There was a temporal increase in the prevalence of heart failure, but no change in mean age, and prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, or atrial fibrillation. The proportion of patients with failed/complicated percutaneous coronary intervention decreased from 38.2% in 1993 to 2000 to 22.7% in 2001 to 2010 and 25.5% in 2011 to 2019 (p = 0.003). In 2011 to 2019, 100% of patient received an internal mammary graft compared with 75.6% in 1993 to 2000 (p
Endoscope-assisted scleral buckle procedure

Retinal reattachment surgery requires clear visualization of the posterior segment for optimal outcomes. Select patients may benefit most from primary scleral buckling without vitrectomy, but lack adequate posterior segment ophthalmoscopic visualization to use standard techniques. The authors describe a retinal reattachment technique utilizing endoscope-assisted visualization to perform a primary scleral buckle procedure for a 34yo female with Peters’ Anomaly and a macula-sparing retinal detachment. Retinal reattachment was achieved with a single procedure and she remained stable with preservation of baseline visual acuity at 30 months follow-up. In cases where a primary scleral buckle procedure is the preferred retinal detachment repair technique but posterior segment visualization is limited, intraoperative fundus examination, cryotherapy administration, and scleral buckle positioning can be facilitated with intraocular endoscopy.
Predictive value of non-ocular findings for retinal haemorrhage in children evaluated for non-accidental trauma.

PURPOSE To determine non-ocular examination findings in non-accidental trauma (NAT) patients that are associated with retinal haemorrhage and warrant urgent examination by an ophthalmologist. METHODS A hospital- and clinic-based retrospective cross-sectional and cohort study of children age 0-12 years who underwent workup for NAT over a span of nine years in a level I trauma and tertiary referral centre. Details of ocular and non-ocular examination and imaging findings at the time of NAT evaluation were collected by chart review. Univariate and logistic regression analysis for association between retinal haemorrhage and non-ocular examination findings was performed. RESULTS A total of 557 patients with ophthalmology evaluation and 425 without were included in this study. All ages combined, none of the cutaneous signs of trauma or non-skull fractures were associated with retinal haemorrhage on univariate analysis (p > 0.05). By logistic regression, subdural or extra-axial haemorrhage (OR = 16.2; 95% CI [5.11-51.3]), occipital lobe insult (OR = 6.2; 95% CI [1.77-21.6]) and Glasgow coma score (GCS) <15 (OR = 5.8; 95% CI [1.96-17.4]) were significant predictors of retinal haemorrhage. CONCLUSION Subdural or undistinguished extra-axial haemorrhage, GCS <15, and occipital lobe insult are risk factors for the presence of retinal haemorrhage in patients with suspected NAT and their presence warrant urgent dilated fundus examination by an ophthalmologist. The presence of cutaneous trauma or non-skull bone fractures without the aforementioned risk factors does not warrant ophthalmology evaluation.
HIV-1 propagation is highly dependent on basal levels of the restriction factor BST2.

BST2 is an interferon-inducible antiviral host protein antagonized by HIV-1 Vpu that entraps nascent HIV-1 virions on the cell surface. Unexpectedly, we find that HIV-1 lacking Nef can revert to fu...
n-Type Conducting CdSe Nanocrystal Solids

A bottleneck limiting the widespread application of semiconductor nanocrystal solids is their poor conductivity. We report that the conductivity of thin films of n-type CdSe nanocrystals increases by many orders of magnitude as the occupation of the first two electronic shells, 1Se and 1Pe, increases, either by potassium or electrochemical doping. Around half-filling of the 1Se shell, a peak in the conductivity is observed, indicating shell-to-shell transport. Introducing conjugated ligands between nanocrystals increases the conductivities of these states to approximately 10(-2) siemens per centimeter.
Developing a Graduate Level Science Education Course on the Nature of Science

The purpose of this report is to outline our experiences designing and teaching a course on the nature of science to science education graduate students. By addressing questions related to the creation of a new university course, the design of the course syllabus, and the transformation of the syllabus into instruction, we hope to make our craft knowledge more accessible to others who create such courses.
Introductory Terms and Concepts

The terms and concepts addressed in sections I – 1. 2, I – 2. 2, and I – 3. 2 above, are subject to criticism by academic physicians, philosophers of science, and statisticians, respectively, more than by epidemiological researchers. By contrast, the terms and concepts in this section – and in sections II – 3-4 and III – 2-4 – are, principally, for epidemiological researchers themselves to weigh and consider (cf. Preface). As in those sections above, an asterisk (*) attached to a term indicates its inclusion in the I.E.A. dictionary [4].
Major trade trends in East Asia : what are their implications for regional cooperation and growth

This study's empirical findings have positive implications for further efforts to expand East Asian regional trade and cooperation initiatives. Since the mid-1980s regional intra-trade has grown at a rate roughly double that of world trade, and at a rate far higher than the intra-trade of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) member countries or the European Union. Evidence based on intra-industry trade ratios or statistics on international production sharing show economic linkages and the interdependence of East Asian economies have considerably strengthened over the past two decades. On a global scale, East Asia (excluding Japan) now originates 19 percent of world trade, which is approximately the same share as the NAFTA member countries.
Thermophoretically augmented mass transfer rates to solid walls across laminar boundary layers

Predictions of mass transfer (heavy vapor and small particle deposition) rates to solid walls, including the effects of thermal (Soret) diffusion ('thermophoresis' for small particles), are made by numerically solving the two-dimensional self-similar forced convection laminar boundary-layer equations with variable properties, covering the particle size range from vapor molecules up to the size threshold for inertial (dynamical nonequilibrium) effects. The effect of thermophoresis is predicted to be particularly important for submicron particle deposition on highly cooled solid surfaces, with corresponding enhancement factors at atmospheric conditions being over a thousand-fold at T(w)/T(e) equal to about 0.6. As a consequence of this mass transfer mechanism, the particle size dependence of the mass transfer coefficient to a cooled wall will be much weaker than for the corresponding case of isothermal capture by Brownian-convective diffusion.
Role of controlled debonding along fiber/matrix interfaces in the strength and toughness of metal matrix composites

In metal matrix composites toughness is derived primarily from the plastic work of rupture of ductile matrix ligaments between the fractured fibers and from the plastic work of simple shear separation along steps connecting major fracture terraces. In the optimization of tensile strength in the longitudinal and transverse directions together with the respective works of fracture the most important factor is the control of the extent of debonding along interfaces between the fibers and the matrix, which develops locally in the course of deformation in a continuously changing mix of modes. In Al alloy matrix composites reinforced with Al2O3 fibers an effective means of controlling the key interface fracture toughness is through coarsening of Al2Cu intermetallic interface precipitates which prescribe a ductile fracture separation layer. A combined experimental approach and micromechanical modeling, utilizing a specially tailored novel tension/shear: traction/separation law provides the means for further optimization of overall behavior.
Writing Instruction and Policies for Written Corrective Feedback in the Basic Language Sequence

This study presents results of a May 2009 online survey that asked foreign language program directors at U.S. universities about corrective feedback options their teachers use in response to student writing in beginning and intermediate courses. Survey categories included: 1) general information, 2) general written corrective feedback (WCF) policies, 3) specific WCF types applied at different instruction levels, and 4) open-ended commentaries. Results indicate a number of common tendencies: 1) teachers in most programs provide WCF on multiple drafts of student writing; 2) the number of programs with uniform writing policies has been recently increasing; and 3) written feedback on holistic aspects in addition to surface-level error correction is expanding. The study concludes with suggestions for further research and pedagogical applications.
In pursuit of petaflops - the Cray Cascade Project

For the last decade, the high performance computing community has explored the potential opportunities and challenges of realizing computing systems capable of operating in the trans-Petaflops performance regime. Since the inaugural multiagency 1994 Workshop on Enabling Technologies for Petaflops Computing, the goal of establishing and exploiting such unprecedented capability for defense, scientific, industrial, and commercial applications has been investigated in the abstract.
Consumer durables, permanent terms of trade shocks, and the recent US trade deficits

Abstract This paper employs an open economy real business cycle model to suggest that part of the 1980s US trade deficits may have been driven by permanent declines in consumer durable import prices. We also show that most of the resulting decline in the trade balance is due to wealth effects, not substitution effects.
Polarizability of helium in the 2 3S state

Abstract The electronic polarizability, α, and dipole shielding factor, γ, were calculated for helium in the metastable 2 3S state using Hartree-Fock perturbation theory, yielding α = 322 a3o, and γ = 1.0000.
Suppression of damping-off caused by Pythium spp in soil from the indigenous mexican chinampa agricultural system

Abstract Soil from the traditional chinampa agroecosystem in the Valley of Mexico was compared to soil from a nearby modem agroecosystem in Chapingo. Several soil physical, chemical and biological features were monitored during an 8-month study. Damping-off caused by natural populations of Pythium spp was less in soils from the chinampa system than in soils under the modern system of cultivation. Disease caused by introduced inoculum of P. aphanidermatum was also suppressed in the chinampa agriculture soil. Biological factors associated with disease suppression in the traditional system were an increased amount of biological activity (measured by soil dehydrogenase activity), reduced rate of germination of P. aphanidermatum oospores, and elevated populations of Pseudomonas spp and saprophytic Fusarium spp. Physicochemical factors associated with suppression included lower pH values, and higher organic matter, Ca, K and Mg contents. Dynamic biological processes in the traditional agroecosystem may be responsible for the suppression of the pathogen, P. aphanidermatum , through increased biological activity brought about by the high content of organic matter and elevated mineral nutrient status of the soils.
NATURAL MYCOPLASMA GALLISEPTICUM INFECTION IN A CAPTIVE FLOCK OF HOUSE FINCHES

Naturally-occurring mycoplasmal conjunctivitis is described among 104 wild-caught, and initially seronegative, house finches (Carpodacus mexicanus) maintained in captivity for 12 wk during November 1995 through January 1996. Finches housed in three pens were monitored for clinical signs, and ≥10 birds were euthanatized for necropsy and mycoplasma testing every 2 wk. Within 2 to 4 wk following initial detection of lesions, >50% of the birds in each of three pens developed a debilitating disease characterized by mild to severe ocular swelling, conjunctivitis, and ocular and nasal discharge. Microscopic lesions in affected finches consisted of mild to severe lymphoplasmacytic inflammation with epithelial and lymphoid hyperplasia in conjunctivae, nasal turbinates, and trachea. Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection was confirmed by culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in all birds with conjunctival lesions and in 43% of birds without lesions. An arbitrary primer PCR was used to confirm M. gallisepticum isol...
Cycloheximide induced amnesia and recovery as a function of training parameters

Abstract Mice were given 2 or 3 training trials in a passive avoidance task following an injection of cycloheximide or saline. They were tested 1, 1.5, 3, 24, or 72 hr after training and tested again 72 hr after the first test trial. All the cycloheximide groups except the 1 hr groups were inferior to saline controls on the first test trial, and there was no suggestion of spontaneous recovery over the intervals tested. Test 2 performance was generally inferior to Test 1 performance for all groups, but the cycloheximide groups showed the greatest drop in performance. A second experiment extended train/test intervals to 144, 146, 148, and 192 hr. Spontaneous or test induced recovery again did not occur. The discussion attempts to reconcile these results with prior reports of recovery in terms of differential conditioning of different components of passive avoidance memory by the different training procedures. This results in partial sparing of some components of passive avoidance memory by cycloheximide, which has the appearance of recovery under certain test conditions.
The Evolution of Curricular Change Models within the Foundation Coalition

This paper examines one aspect of the curricular change process undertaken by the Foundation Coalition (FC); specifically, how understanding about curricular change held by the FC leaders evolved as they moved through the process of establishing a new curriculum at their institutions. The initial change model was similar to that used for product development and emphasized the role of a pilot program. However, as the curriculum moved beyond the pilot stage to adoption and full-scale implementation, and then into the final stage where sustaining the new curriculum was the focus, the change model became more complex. Those complexities reflect a parallel evolution in their understanding of what constitutes a curriculum, from their initial conceptualization of it as a product to be carefully designed towards an understanding of it as a dynamic entity whose growth must be sustained.
Peptide vaccines for the treatment of glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an extremely malignant brain tumor for which current therapies do little to remedy. Despite aggressive treatment with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, tumors inevitably recur as a direct consequence of the infiltrative nature of GBM. The poor prognosis of patients with GBM underscores the clear and urgent need for more precise and potent therapies. Immunotherapy is emerging as a promising means to treat GBM based on the immune system's capacity to mediate tumor-specific cytotoxicity. In this review, we will discuss the use of peptide vaccines for the treatment of GBM. The simplicity of peptide vaccines and their ability to elicit tumor antigen-specific immune responses make them an invaluable tool for the study of brain tumor immunotherapy.
Prehospital 12-lead ST-segment monitoring improves the early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

Abstract Aims/Methods We studied 620 patients who activated “911” for chest pain symptoms to determine the sensitivity and specificity of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) ST-segment monitoring in the prehospital period (PH ECG) for diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to assess whether the addition of PH ECG signs of ischemia/injury to the initial hospital 12-lead ECG obtained in the emergency department would improve the diagnosis of ACS. Results The sensitivity and specificity of the PH ECG were 65.4% and 66.4%. There was a significant increase in sensitivity (79.9%) and decrease in specificity (61.2%) when considered in conjunction with the initial hospital ECG ( P P Conclusions Prehospital ECG data obtained with 12-lead ST-segment monitoring provides diagnostic information about ACS above and beyond the initial hospital ECG.
Expert vs. novice: Problem decomposition/recomposition in engineering design

The purpose of this pilot research was to investigate the differences of using problem decomposition and problem recomposition among dyads of engineering experts, dyads of engineering seniors, and dyads of engineering freshmen. Fifty participants took part in this study. Ten were engineering design experts, twenty were engineering seniors, and twenty were engineering freshmen. All participants completed the same engineering design challenge within an hour. The entire design process was video and audio recorded. After the design session, members participated in a group interview. This study used protocol analysis as the methodology. Video and audio data were transcribed, segmented, and coded. Two coding systems including the FBS ontology and “levels of the problem” were used in this study. A series of statistical techniques were used to analyze data. Interview data and participants' design sketches were used as supplemental data to help answer the research questions. By analyzing the quantitative and qualitative data, it was found that students used less problem decomposition and problem recomposoition than engineer experts in engineering design. This result implies that engineering education should place more importance on teaching problem decomposition and problem recomposition. Students were found to spend less cognitive effort when considering the problem as a whole and interactions between subsystems than engineer experts. In addition, students were also found to spend more cognitive effort when considering details of subsystems. These results showed that students tended to use dept-first decomposition and experts tended to use breadth-first decomposition in engineering design. The use of Function (F), Behavior (B), and Structure (S) among engineering experts, engineering seniors, and engineering freshmen were compared on 3 levels. Level 1 represents designers considering the problem as an integral whole, Level 2 represents designers considering interactions between subsystems, and Level 3 represents designers considering details of subsystems. The results showed that students used more “S” on Level 1 and 3 but they used less “F” on Level 1 than engineering experts. The results imply that engineering curriculum should improve the teaching of problem definition in engineering design because students need to understand the problem before solving it.
Economic optimization of combined cycle district heating systems

Abstract This paper presents a methodology for economic optimization of combined cycle district heating systems. Heat and power requirements vary over 24 h periods due to changing weather conditions and consumer requirements. System thermal performance is highly dependent on ambient temperature and operating load, because individual component performances are nonlinear functions of these parameters. Since electric grid charges are much higher for on-peak than off-peak periods, on-site fuel choices vary in prices, and cheaper fuel availabilities are limited by suppliers, opportunities arise to optimally schedule system operation, and minimize total daily running cost. For such problems a mixed-integer nonlinear programming formulation is proposed. Limited fuel availability constraints make problem solving difficult using classical techniques such as the branch-and-bound method. As an alternative, a genetic algorithm is proposed in which a genetic search is applied only on integer variables and a gradient search is applied on continuous variables. A comparative study using actual system operation data shows optimal scheduling can reduce total daily running cost by 11% and improve system operating efficiency by 6%.
A Site-Specific Tetrafunctional Reagent for Protein Modification: Cross-Linked Hemoglobin with Two Sites for Further Reaction

A tetrafunctional site-directed reagent for protein modification has the potential for introducing specific cross-links by reaction at two of its four reactive sites. The remaining reactive groups on the link within the protein are available for further reaction with added reagents. The first example of such a designed multifunctional cross-linker, 3,5,3‘,5‘-biphenyltetracarbonyl tetrakis(3,5-dibromosalicylate), BTDS (1), was prepared by treatment of the tetra tert-butyl ester with trifluoroacetic acid. The ester was from reaction of the acid chloride of biphenyl 3,5,3‘,5‘-tetracarboxylic acid with tert-butyl-3,5-dibromosalicylate. BTDS contains four anionic sites each adjacent to four electrophilic sites. The reaction of BTDS with deoxy human hemoglobin A generates in high yield the biphenyl bis carboxamide at the e-amino of lysine-82 of each of the β subunits (BBS-Hb). The remaining ester groups from the biphenyl cross-link are available to react with other nucleophiles. This is demonstrated by efficien...
Integrative Literature Review: Workplace Incivility: Impacts on Individual and Organizational Performance

Although workplace incivility has been found to negatively impact individual and organizational performance and interfere with the creation of a civil and respectful workplace, the phenomenon has been largely overlooked by the field of human resource development (HRD). This article reviewed the workplace incivility literature to provide a better understanding of the characteristics, prevalence, trends, causes, and impacts of this phenomenon in contemporary workplaces. The review indicates that workplace incivility frequently occurs and is harmful; however, it is generally not well understood and accordingly not recognized as an issue needing attending. Therefore, this article calls for research attention from HRD scholars. The authors further provide HRD practitioners some guidelines that may assist them in identifying and dealing with uncivil behaviors at work and ultimately bringing out the desired individual and organizational performance.
Comparison of two- and three-dimensional echocardiography with cineventriculography for measurement of left ventricular volume in patients

Abstract Objectives. We compared two- and three-dimensional echocardiopaphy with cineventriculography for measurement of left ventricular volume in patients. Background. Three-dimensional echocardiography has been shown to be highly accurate and superior to two-dimensional echocardiography in measuring left ventricular volume in vitro. However, there has been little comparison of the two methods in patients. Methods. Two- and three-dimensional echocardiography were performed in 35 patients (mean age 48 years) 1 to 3 h before left ventricular cineventriculography. Three-dimensional echocardiography used an acoustic spatial locator to register image position. Volume was computed using a polyhedral surface reconstruction algorithm based on multiple nonparallel, unevenly spaced short-axis cross sections. Two-dimensional echocardiography used the apical biplane summation of disks method. Single-plane cineventriculographic volumes were calculated using the summation of disks algorithm. The methods were compared by linear regression and a limits of agreement analysis. For the latter, systematic error was assessed by the mean of the deferences (cineventriculography minus echocardiography), and the limits of agreement were defined as ±2 SD from the mean difference. Results. Three-dimensional echocardiographic volumes demonstrated excellent correlation (end-diastole r = 0.97; end-systole r = 0.98) with cineventriculography. Standard errors of the estimate were approximately half those of two-dimensional echocardiography (end-diastole ±11.0 ml vs. ±21.5 ml; end-systole ±10.2 ml vs. ±17.0 ml). By limits of agreement analysis the end-diastolic mean diferences for two- and three-dimensional echocardiography were 21.1 and 12.9 ml, respectively. The limits of agreement (±2 SD) were ±54.0 and ±24.8 ml, respectively. For end-systole, comparable improvement was obtained by three-dimensional echocardiography. Results for ejection fraction by the two methods were similar. Conclusions. Three-dimensional echocardiography correlates highly with cineventriculography for estimation of ventricular volumes in patients and has approximately half the variability of two-dimensional echocardiography for these measurements. On the basis of this study, three-dimensional echocardiography is the preferred echocardiographic technique for measurement of ventricular volume. Three-dimensional echocardiography is equivalent to two-dimensional echocardiography for measuring ejection fraction.
Effect of nitroglycerin ointment placement on headache and flushing in healthy subjects

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of site of nitroglycerin ointment placement on headache and flushing in healthy subjects. Twenty-six subjects were given two doses of nitroglycerin ointment 3 hr apart in a randomly assigned arm-chest sequence or chest-arm sequence. Subject reports of headache and flushing using the visual analogue scale were recorded. There were no significant differences in headache or flushing based on the site or sequence of placement. Thus, the practice by nurses of routinely teaching patients to vary the site of nitroglycerin ointment placement to minimize side-effects must be questioned.
Adverse work outcomes and events attributed to asthma.

Background Asthma is a chronic condition that has been linked to lower employment rates, job effectiveness, productivity and increased absenteeism. The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of asthma on work function, workplace events, and career. Methods One hundred ninety-six patients in an urban practice completed standardized major and minor life events scales and rated whether adverse work events were caused by asthma. Results Thirty-eight percent of the patients had either changed jobs, work hours, or work duties, and 65% had taken days off because of asthma. In multivariate analyses, less education, not wanting to work, more comorbidity, prior use of oral corticosteroids, and current use of oral beta agonists and methylxanthines (P ≤ 0.05 for all comparisons) were associated with these outcomes. Also, currently working patients were more likely to be using inhaled corticosteroids (P = 0.018). Thirty-nine percent believed asthma had adversely affected their career by causing them to: not pursue a desired career; not get promoted due to absenteeism; change to a worse job; and be perceived as incapable of more responsible assignments. Seven percent had a negative work event in the preceding year that they attributed to asthma, including job loss and unfavorable interactions with co-workers. Conclusions Patients attribute daily and long-term adverse work outcomes to asthma. Asthma severity and demographic and occupational characteristics were associated with adverse occurrences. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:236–245, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparison of Isoflurane and Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Holstein Calves for Placement of Portal and Jugular Vein Cannulas

Isoflurane and sevoflurane are the two most commonly used inhalation anesthetics in veterinary medicin e today. This study compared the anesthetic effects between isoflurane and sevoflurane in 17 calves undergoing surgery for placement of portal and jugular vein cannulas. Using a randomized control trial, calves were assig ned to receive sevoflurane or isoflurane. Anesthesia was i nduced with xylazine and ketamine then maintained with the assigned inhalation anesthetic. Parameters for hear t rate, respiratory rate, indirect blood pressures, oxygen hemoglobin saturation and end-tidal carbon dioxide were monitored and recorded during surgery. The anesthetic concentrations of the vaporizers were adjusted acco rding to the calves’ responses, e.g., blood pressur e, eye position, respiratory and heart rate, to surgical s timulation. Upon discontinuation of the inhalation anesthetic, calves were placed in sternal recumbency and recovery variables including time to extubation, time to first movement, attempts to stand and time to standing were observed and recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-sample t-test on the recorded variables . There were no statistical differences between iso flurane and sevoflurane for any of the parameters recorded duri ng anesthetic maintenance or recovery. The results of this study showed a faster time to first movement and extubation, 3.38±1.85 min and 11.75±3.73 min for sevoflurane compared to 7.56±5.34 min and 15.56±8.69 min for isoflurane, respectively. Attempts to stand were 3.00 ±2.14 for sevoflurane and 3.22±1.79 for isoflurane. Thoug h the time to standing during recovery was not stat istically different between anesthetics, the values did indic ate a quicker trend of recovery from sevoflurane. B oth inhalation anesthetics produced comparable anesthet ic qualities and there were no statistical differen ces between the parameters recorded during maintenance of anesthesia. On the basis of the reported results, sevofl urane and isoflurane are suitable inhalation anesthetics for use in calves. However, present cost of sevoflurane is a limiting factor for its use in food animals.
Dynamic and Steady-State Features of a Cooled Countercurrent Flow Reactor

A countercurrent flow reactor (CFR) is an autothermal reactor, in which the reactants flow countercurrently at equal velocities and flow rates through two compartments, with negligible heat-transfer resistance between the two sections. Two-reactor configurations can be used: a “regular” one, in which the two components are fed by two separate feeds; a “folded” configuration, in which a single feed flows first through one compartment and then reverses its direction and flows countercurrently in the second. Temperature and concentration profiles in the regular CFR configuration usually have mirror symmetry around its center. Under cooling, however, asymmetric steady-state profiles may form. The interaction between the heat removed by the effluents and by cooling through the wall may generate complex periodic or even chaotic states. The temperature and concentration profiles in a folded CFR are the same as those attained in a regular CFR, which are symmetric around the reactor center. The imposed symmetry causes the steady-state and dynamic features of the folded CFR to be less complicated than those of the regular CFR and is less likely to cause operational problems. Boundaries of parameter regions with qualitatively different features for both CFR configurations were constructed by the method of Khinast et al. (1998a). The analysis of the CFR enhances the understanding of similar dynamics observed in a reverse-flow reactor.
Recovering affine illumination changes from ray projections in an image pair

Images taken of a scene at different times are often acquired from different angles under possibly different lighting conditions. Some of the macroscopic illumination changes between a source image and a target image can be captured by an affine illumination model with two parameter † s, viz. a factor by which the contrast is changed and the offset of brightness. We propose an algorithm that embeds a photometric recovery in an iterative geometric recovery process. The convergence of this iteration gives a combined recovery of the geometric and photometric distortion.
Recovery of heat-injured spores of Clostridium perfringens types B, C and D by lysozyme and an initiation protein.

R.G. LABBE AND C.-A. CHANG. 1995. Heat-injured spores of several strains of Clostridium perfringens types B, C and D could be partially recovered if lysozyme was included in the recovery medium. As little as 25 ng ml-1was effective. D90°C values of 1.3–2.6 were obtained with an approximate 2–3-fold increase in the presence of 1 μg ml-1of lysozyme. In the absence of lysozyme, prolonged heating of spores resulted in the appearance of satellite colonies surrounding colonies of surviving spores. An initiation protein, previously reported in the case of type A strains, was also produced by type B, C and D strains. When added to the recovery medium it too promoted the recovery of spores from thermal injury though not as effectively as lysozyme.
Parameter estimation for highly nonlinear models with noisy data

Thermal properties are generally determined through solving inverse problems. Because the temperature is a non-linear function of the properties, the solutions are usually effected by linearizing the equations. The statistics of these linearized estimates are based upon the assumptions that the measurement noise has zero mean and is normally distributed, yielding unbiased and normally distributed parameter estimates. In fact, even for this type of noise, nonlinear functions can lead to bias and nonnormal distributions of estimated properties. We examine these effects and show that for typical thermal systems that while the estimates are unbiased and normal, the confidence limits may be inaccurately defined and the residuals of the fits may not be zero mean and uncorrelated. Characterizing the estimated parameters is critical when nonlinear models are to be used for extrapolation.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A Simple Model for Predicting the Flux Distribution Through the Focal Plane of a Multifaceted-Concentrator Solar Furance

The authors describe a small doubly reflecting research furnace. Its optical components, a heliostat and a concentrating array of hexagonal-in-plan-form mirrors, focus sunlight at the aperture of a cavity receiver. A perfect paraboloid of revolution would have given higher concentration ratios. But large paraboloids are difficult to make and manipulate. Small hexagons are convenient and can be close packed. Spherical mirrors centered on a sphere simplified construction and were economical. In this note they use a simple model to describe the radial distribution of the normal flux at the focus of such an array. A schematic representation of a cross section of the concentrator mirror array in a plane which includes its axis is shown.
Theory at Risk: Accounting for the Excellence Movement

Amidst widespread concern about educational crisis and the need for reform, the current “excellence movement” places a pronounced emphasis on “rigor,” “standards,” and a “core” curriculum of “basic” studies. At issue here is whether major macro-the-oretical perspectives can account for the emergence of this movement. Functional and Marxian theories do not meet this challenge well, especially insofar as they posit a tight, rational linkage between school and economy and downplay the institutional autonomy of the educational system. A status conflict approach, emphasizing middle class mobilization, offers greater insight, though it must be complemented with a recognition of constraints imposed by capitalist organization and the institutionalization of educational myths.
Sequence and chromosomal localization of two PET genes required for cytochrome c oxidase assembly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The nuclear genes PET117 and PET191 are required for the assembly of active cytochrome c oxidase in S. cerevisiae, yet their gene products are not subunits of the final assembled cytochrome c oxidase complex. Plasmids bearing PET117 or PET191 were isolated by their ability to complement the pet117-1 or pet191-1 mutations, respectively. By restriction mapping, subcloning, and deletion analysis of yeast DNA fragments that complement these mutations, the PET117 and PET191 genes were localized to smaller regions of DNA, which were then sequenced from both strands. The PET117 open reading frame is of 107 codons and the PET191 open reading frame is of 108 codons. Neither the PET191 nor PET117 DNA sequences have been reported previously, and the derived amino-acid sequences of the PET191 and PET117 open reading frames exhibit no significant primary amino-acid sequence similarity to other protein sequences available in the NBRF data base, or from translated Genbank sequences. By hybridization of PET117 or PET191 probes first to a chromosome blot and next to a library of physically mapped fragments of yeast genomic DNA, the map locations of the PET191 and PET117 genes were determined. PET117 is located on chromosome V near the HIS1 gene and PET191 is located on chromosome X near the CYC1 gene.
Current Accounting Practices of Preopening Costs by Lodging Firms —Do They Violate U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles?

This study examines the practice of accounting for preopening costs in U.S.-based hotels. The study surveyed 225 CFOs, controllers, and senior-level executives of lodging companies during the 2012–2013 period to examine current accounting practices for preopening costs in their firms. The research questions measured the amounts spent on preopening costs, key expenditures included as preopening costs; when/where these preopening costs were expensed, and the incentive operating fee arrangement. Results revealed that many lodging firms did not account properly for their preopening costs in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAPs). As such, the current practice of accounting of preopening costs in lodging firms is better understood and the need for further guidance on treatment of preopening expenses in the next (11th) edition of Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) is explored.
Approximate methods for the fast computations of EPR and ST-EPR spectra. IV. A perturbation approach with back substitution of the diagonal density matrix elements

Abstract The electron paramagentic resonance (EPR) and saturation transfer electron paramagnetic resonance (ST-EPR) spectra of nitroxide spin labels are theoretically investigated. The perturbation treatment, employing the Zeeman modulation frequency as the perturbation parameter described in papers I and III of this series is modified to incorporate back substitution of the diagonal density matrix elements. The calculations are extended to consider large Zeeman modulation amplitudes and frequencies employed in recent ST-EPR experiments. In every case the accuracy of simulation of the experimentally important first harmonic in-phase absorption, first harmonic phase-quadrature dispersion, and harmonic phase-quadrature absorption signal components is enhanced when back substitution is employed. Moreover, the accuracy of simulation of most signal components is employed for the case of both high Zeeman modulation frequencies and large modulation amplitudes.
Defining the limits of local government power in China: The relevance of international experience

This paper looks at the impact of decentralization on China's market system. It is argued that as the Chinese central government relaxed its control over the economy through decentralization, local governments turned many of the transferred powers to restrict market competition. This paper proposes that an umbrella legislation of Interregional Commerce be enacted and a Fair Trade Commission be created to ensure that government policies at all levels be pro‐competition. As an institutional prerequisite, the government organizational reform should be extended to more sectors of the economy.
Fluorescence microscopy: established and emerging methods, experimental strategies, and applications in immunology.

Cutting-edge biophysical technologies including total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, single molecule fluorescence, single channel opening events, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, high-speed exposures, two-photon imaging, fluorescence lifetime imaging, and other tools are becoming increasingly important in immunology as they link molecular events to cellular physiology, a key goal of modern immunology. The primary concern in all forms of microscopy is the generation of contrast; for fluorescence microscopy contrast can be thought of as the difference in intensity between the cell and background, the signal-to-noise ratio. High information-content images can be formed by enhancing the signal, suppressing the noise, or both. As improved tools, such as ICCD and EMCCD cameras, become available for fluorescence imaging in molecular and cellular immunology, it is important to optimize other aspects of the imaging system. Numerous practical strategies to enhance fluorescence microscopy experiments are reviewed. The use of instrumentation such as light traps, cameras, objectives, improved fluorescent labels, and image filtration routines applicable to low light level experiments are discussed. New methodologies providing resolution well beyond that given by the Rayleigh criterion are outlined. Ongoing and future developments in fluorescence microscopy instrumentation and technique are reviewed. This review is intended to address situations where the signal is weak, which is important for emerging techniques stressing super-resolution or live cell dynamics, but is less important for conventional applications such as indirect immunofluorescence. This review provides a broad integrative discussion of fluorescence microscopy with selected applications in immunology. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Manganese as an austenite stabilizer in FeCrMnC steels

Abstract As part of an alloy development program for a nickel-free stainless steel, five FeMn, 13 FeCrMn and 15 FeCrMnC alloys were examined to determine the austenite-stable region in the FeCrMnC system. After various heat treatments, optical and electron microscopy studies and magnetic measurements were used to assess the microstructural constituents present. The results indicate that the Schaeffler diagram, which was developed to predict the phases present in FeCrNiC stainless steels, cannot be directly applied to FeCrMnC steels. Manganese has a lower austenite-stabilizing capability against δ-ferrite formation than the Schaeffler diagram predicts by simply considering it half as effective as nickel. However, its stabilizing capability against martensite formation is higher than predicted by the diagram on the same basis. The new results can be used to establish the austenite-stable composition region that should be suitable for alloying to develop a manganese-stabilized stainless steel.