cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pediatricians' attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding clinical practice guidelines: a national survey.

Background. Clinical practice guidelines are increasingly being used for a wide variety of medical conditions, but not enough is known about physicians' attitudes and beliefs about guidelines, how often and under what circumstances they are used, and factors as- sociated with their acceptance. Objective. To determine practice guideline attitudes, beliefs, practices, and factors associated with use among a representative national sample of general pediatricians. Study Design. Cross-sectional mail survey. Subjects. Random sample of general pediatrician members of the American Academy of Pediatrics resid- ing in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Survey Instrument. Twenty-four multiple-choice, Lik- ert scale, yes-no, and open-ended questions about pedi- atric clinical practice guidelines. Results. From 1088 respondents, 461 specialists were excluded; the remaining 627 general pediatricians were mostly male (61%), white (81%), and in group practice (62%) in a suburban location (48%). Practice guidelines are used by 35% of pediatricians, in part by 44%, and not at all by 21%. Over 100 different practice guidelines are used, most commonly for asthma (77%), hyperbiliru- binemia (27%), and otitis media (19%). Common reasons for use of practice guidelines include standardization of care (17%) and helpfulness (10%). Commonly cited prob- lems with practice guidelines include failure to allow for clinical judgment (54%), use in litigation (16%), and lim- itation of autonomy (5%). In multivariate analysis, the odds of practice guideline use were greater among pedi- atricians in health maintenance organization practices (odds ratio (OR): 9.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2- 68.0) and those who were nonwhite (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1- 4.8), but lower in those with more weekly patient visits (OR: .7; 95% CI: .5-.9). Features most likely to lead to practice guideline use include simplicity (16%), feasi- bility (12%), and evidence of improved outcomes (10%). Most pediatricians agree that practice guidelines im- prove outcomes (89%), are motivated by a desire to im- prove quality (94%), and should not be used in litigation (82%) or disciplinary actions (77%), nor be motivated by a desire to reduce costs (73%). Conclusions. Most general pediatricians use practice guidelines, but no specific guidelines, except those for asthma, are used by >27% of pediatricians. The results of this study suggest that practice guidelines are most likely to be followed if they are simple, flexible, rigorously tested, not used punitively, and are motivated by desires to improve quality, not reduce costs. Pediatrics 2000;105: 496 -501; practice guidelines, pediatrics, attitude of health personnel, quality assurance, health services research. ABBREVIATIONS. CPG, clinical practice guideline; AAP, Amer- ican Academy of Pediatrics; HMO, health maintenance organiza- tion; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.
Processing nanocrystalline ceramics for applications in superplasticity

Abstract The production of nanocrystalline ceramics for subsequent use in superplastic forming operations requires that the ceramics be made in large quantities, with high densities, and under stringent grain growth control. To make large amounts of nanocrystalline starting powders, two popular wet chemical techniques (precipitation from salt solutions and alkoxide hydrolysis) can be used and are described in this paper. Unfortunately, pressureless sintering of these powders does not typically lead to the high densities and ultrafine grain sizes desired in the final product. Sintering data suggest that pore shrinkage occurs only when grains reach a critical size with respect to the pore size; thus, if the ceramic contains large pores, densification can require significant grain growth. Separation of large pores from grain boundaries may also occur and lead to incomplete densification, even at extremely large grain sizes. In all cases the pressureless sintering behavior of the nanocrystalline ceramics appears to adhere to well established theories used to explain the sintering of conventional, larger-grained ceramics. During both pressureless sintering and sinter-forging experiments, the grain size of a nanocrystalline ceramic is identical to the average spacing between open pores in the sample. Pressureless sintering results in the closure of these pinning pores by about 90% density and thus3leads to a substantial grain growth at densities greater than 90%. Sinter-forging, however, often allows one to maintain a stable population of small open pores (for pinning purposes) throughtout sintering, while preferentially eliminating the large pores which detract from the sample density. The deformation regime in which sinter-forging is performed has a decided effect on whether large pores or small pores are eliminated preferentially and, consequently, on whether a high density and fine grain size combination is achieved or not.
Externality regulation and the monopoly firm

Abstract Differences in strategic assumptions lead to predictable variations in the conclusions one may draw. The formal theory of monopoly power and externalities reflects this variability in assumptions and conclusions. This paper contains a unified model of monopoly power, marketable product output and externality abatement.
Server Designs for Warehouse-Computing Environments

The enormous scale of warehouse-computing environments leads to unique requirements in which cost and power figure prominently. Models and metrics quantifying these requirements, along with a benchmark suite to capture workload behavior, help identify bottlenecks and evaluate solutions. A holistic approach leads to a new system architecture incorporating volume non-server-class components in novel packaging solutions, with memory sharing and flash-based disk caching.
Prognosis of emergency department patients with suspected infection and intermediate lactate levels: a systematic review.

Abstract Purpose Previous studies have shown a correlation between blood lactate greater than 4.0 mmol/L and mortality in patients with suspected infection in the emergency department (ED), but data are more limited regarding the prognosis of intermediate blood lactate (2.0-3.9 mmol/L), particularly in the absence of hemodynamic instability. We sought to quantify the prognostic significance of intermediate blood lactate levels in ED patients with suspected infection, emphasizing patients without hypotension. Methods A systematic review of 4 databases was conducted to identify studies using a comprehensive search strategy. All studies performed on adult ED patients with suspected infection and available data on hemodynamics, intermediate lactate levels, and mortality rates were included. Results We identified 20 potential publications, 8 of which were included. Intermediate lactate elevation was found in 11062 patients with suspected or confirmed infection, 1672 (15.1%) of whom died. Subgroup analysis of normotensive patients demonstrated a mortality of 1561 (14.9%) of 10 442, with rates from individual studies between 3.2% and 16.4%. Conclusion This systematic review found that among ED patients with suspected infection, intermediate lactate elevation is associated with a moderate to high risk of mortality, even among patients without hypotension. Physicians should consider close monitoring and aggressive treatment for such patients.
Leptin receptor interacts with rat chromosome 1 to regulate renal disease traits.

Linkage mapping in a backcross of {Brown Norway [BN/Crl (BN)] × ZUC-Lepr faSte (ZUC)} × ZUC identified a male-specific quantitative trait locus (QTL) for urinary albumin excretion (UAE) on rat chro...
Seed-germination inhibition by volatile alcohols and other compounds associated with Amaranthus palmeri residues

Effects of 3-pentanone and eight low molecular weight aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes identifed in the mixtures of volatiles released byAmaranthus palmeri S. Wats. (AMAPA) residues were determined on germination of onion, carrot, AMAPA, and tomato seeds. Three-day exposures to these volatiles significantly inhibited germination of these assay seeds, and the inhibition was dependent upon exposure time and concentration. Based on the degree of inhibition observed in both time- and concentration-dependent assays, the following activity series was obtained: 2-heptanol > 3-methyl-1-butanol, 1-hexanol > hexanal, 1-pentanol, 3-pentanone, acetaldehyde > ethanol, 2-methyl-1-propanol. The activities of this group of compounds with that of 2-heptanone appear to be additive and related to test compound volatility and hydrophilicity. 2-Heptanol and 2-heptanone also significantly inhibited the germination of other species, including shepherdspurse, soybean, lettuce, alfalfa, common purslane, oats, and lovegrass.
Evaluation of WRF Model Resolution on Simulated Mesoscale Winds and Surface Fluxes near Greenland

AbstractSouthern Greenland has short-lived but frequently occurring strong mesoscale barrier winds and tip jets that form when synoptic-scale atmospheric features interact with the topography of Greenland. The influence of these mesoscale atmospheric events on the ocean, particularly deep ocean convection, is not yet well understood. Because obtaining observations is difficult in this region, model simulations are essential for understanding the interaction between the atmosphere and ocean during these wind events. This paper presents results from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model simulations run at four different resolutions (100, 50, 25, and 10 km) and forced with the ECMWF Re-Analysis Interim (ERA-Interim) product. Case study comparisons between WRF output at different resolutions, observations from the Greenland Flow Distortion Experiment (GFDex), which provides valuable in situ observations of mesoscale winds, and Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) satellite data highlight the importance o...
Hypocholesterolemia as a manifestation of disease activity in chronic myelocytic leukemia

A patient with chronic myelocytic leukemia and hypocholesterolemia displayed marked fluctuations in plasma cholesterol in response to several therapeutic maneuvers. During chemotherapy there was a reciprocal relation between low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and the degree of leukocytosis and splenomegaly. LDL cholesterol increased after splenectomy, but continued to cycle inversely with the leukocyte count. Receptor-mediated degradation of 125I-labeled LDL (125I-LDL) by mononuclear cells in vitro also showed cyclical changes which were unrelated to the number of immature myeloid cells in the population or the level of plasma cholesterol. 125I-LDL degradation rate was normal or slightly increased during relapse and after remission was achieved, but was greatly increased when tested during periods of remission induction. This patient illustrates that significant changes in plasma total and LDL cholesterol occur in chronic myelocytic leukemia in association with alterations in proliferative state. Tumor load, the presence of an enlarged spleen, and changes in lipid metabolism of circulating cells all appear to contribute to the reduction in LDL cholesterol levels.
Finite difference reaction–diffusion systems with coupled boundary conditions and time delays

Abstract This paper is concerned with finite difference solutions of a coupled system of reaction–diffusion equations with nonlinear boundary conditions and time delays. The system is coupled through the reaction functions as well as the boundary conditions, and the time delays may appear in both the reaction functions and the boundary functions. The reaction–diffusion system is discretized by the finite difference method, and the investigation is devoted to the finite difference equations for both the time-dependent problem and its corresponding steady-state problem. This investigation includes the existence and uniqueness of a finite difference solution for nonquasimonotone functions, monotone convergence of the time-dependent solution to a maximal or a minimal steady-state solution for quasimonotone functions, and local and global attractors of the time-dependent system, including the convergence of the time-dependent solution to a unique steady-state solution. Also discussed are some computational algorithms for numerical solutions of the steady-state problem when the reaction function and the boundary function are quasimonotone. All the results for the coupled reaction–diffusion equations are directly applicable to systems of parabolic–ordinary equations and to reaction–diffusion systems without time delays.
Variation in composition of media and reagents used in the preparation of cell cultures from human and other animal tissues: Dulbecco's, Earle's, and Hanks' balanced salt solutions.

When comparison was made of directions given for three salt solutions commonly used in cell culture preparations and identified as Dulbecco’s, Earle’s, and Hanks’, variations in composition were found. Some significantly alter the suitability of the materials for the intended use. Other differences may have less effect. This brief review reveals a tendency among researchers to follow procedures obtained from colleagues for the preparation of laboratory reagents and media, to cite the original publication rather than their colleagues’ work as the source of the information, and to fail to compare the two for differences. Some failures in cell culture propagation may be attributed to similar instances with other published but incorrectly cited work. Tables are provided that facilitate comparison of the correct original formulations with variants from selected published sources.
The effect of nitrogen mustard in altering the histocompatibility rejection sequence in splenic homotransplantation in the dog.

Summary o 1. When nitrogen mustard is administered to the recipient of a splenic homograft, there is prolonged persistence of the normal lymphoid follicular architecture in the graft. During the period of study of the canine splenic homografts, there was no evidence that the usual splenic homograft rejection pattern was developing. 2. In the doses of nitrogen mustard used, there was no uniform prolongation of the survival of the canine splenic homograft. The failure of the splenic homograft could not be related to the usual mechanism of rejection. Failure may be related to direct effects of nitrogen mustard on the host and/or effects which might be on the basis of a graft-versus-host reaction, since the lymphoid follicular pattern of the spleen was preserved and there was also evidence of hematopoiesis in the splenic homograft. 3. The presence of the splenic homograft does not lead to accelerated recovery of the lymphoid tissues and marrow after nitrogen mustard. Depression of these tissues persists, possibly on the basis of a graft-versus-host reaction. 4. The phrase “balance of survival” refers to the delicate biologic situation that exists when the recipient of a homotransplant is treated with a toxic suppressive drug. If the drug toxicity is too great, the animal dies; if it is inadequate, the animal rejects the graft. Whether or not a perfect balance between these two extremes can be achieved either experimentally or clinically remains uncertain. 5. In this experimental model an immunologically competent organ has been used for the transplantation. Therefore, when the “balance of survival” moves to favor the continued existence of the transplant, its immunologic potency in a graft-versus-host reaction further adds to the toxicity of the drug in causing the death not only of the dog but also of the transplant itself.
Application of a single-particle-theory calculation of g - 2 to spin one

It is illustrated how, in principle, one may apply the Heisenberg-equation-of-motion technique in a single-particle theory, recently discussed in connection with the calculation of the electron's anomalous magnetic moment, to a charged spin-one Yang-Mills particle. (AIP)
Hybrid poplar spacing/productivity relations in short rotation intensive culture plantations

Abstract It is often argued that in short rotation intensive culture plantations, biomass productivity increases with narrower tree spacings. Biomass productivity and tree spacing relations were studied for up to 16 years in northern Wisconsin hybrid poplar plantations. Maximum mean annual biomass increment was 12.8 Mg ha −1 yr −1 for Populus clone NE-41 planted at a l m 2 spacing. Productivity differences related to spacing were found to be minor. Productivity was influenced mainly by clone, irrigation and disease. A hypothesis is proposed that time to canopy closure is linearly related to time to maximum mean annual biomass productivity. Wide spacing and wide-crown trees that permit wider tree spacing allow longer rotations, which can lower costs and increase flexibility in management.
Characterization of Fatigue Damage in Asphalt Mixtures Using Pseudostrain Energy

Fatigue cracking and permanent deformation develop simultaneously in asphalt mixtures under repeated destructive loading regardless of temperature. Because these two distinctively different damage mechanisms always occur together, it is not possible to obtain pure cracking damage or pure permanent deformation damage in any asphalt mixture by varying the temperature or loading level. This paper develops an energy-based method to separate fatigue cracking from permanent deformation in terms of energy consumption. Specifically, the dissipated pseudostrain energy (DPSE) expended on cracking is separated from that expended on permanent deformation. Controlled-strain repeated direct tension (RDT) tests are performed on asphalt mixture specimens to determine their nondestructive properties, critical nonlinear viscoelastic properties, and destructive properties. The total DPSE, which is the amount of energy dissipated for the fatigue damage, including both fatigue cracking and permanent deformation, is calculated based on the critical nonlinear viscoelastic properties in order to separate both linear and nonlinear viscoelastic effects from the strain energy that is available to cause damage. The energy distribution in an asphalt mixture under destructive loading is investigated at the microscopic level. Balance equations are established between the true stress/strain/energy of the intact material and the apparent stress/strain/energy of the bulk specimen. These balance equations are utilized to completely formulate the DPSE for cracking and the DPSE for permanent deformation, respectively. As a result, the DPSE for cracking is separated from the DPSE for permanent deformation. The formulations of the two types of DPSE and the RDT data will be used to calculate the amount of each type of DPSE. The DPSE for cracking will be used to predict the crack growth, average crack size, and number of cracks in the asphalt mixture under repeated destructive loading. The DPSE for permanent deformation will also be used to predict the growth of permanent deformation. This will be introduced in following papers. This paper is one of a series of companion papers that characterize nondestructive and destructive behaviors of an asphalt mixture under tensile loading.
The role of specific solvent modes in the non-radiative relaxation of an excess electron in methanol

Abstract Mixed quantum-classical molecular dynamics simulations have been used to examine the contributions of specific solvent degrees of freedom to the non-adiabatic coupling leading to relaxation of the first electronic excited state of an excess electron in methanol. Compared to water, we find that the presence of a reduced number of high frequency modes per solvent molecule and of a smaller number of molecules per unit volume combine to produce a three-fold decrease in the magnitude of the non-adiabatic coupling in methanol. The first solvation shell dominates the electronic coupling, most strongly through rotational and vibrational motions involving the hydrogen atom of the methanol molecule. Considering these results, the excited state lifetime in methanol is estimated to be an order of magnitude longer than in water, of the order of 7 ps. Combined with the result of our previous work (Mosyak et al., J. Chem. Phys. 109 (1998) 6390), which reports relatively much slower solvation dynamics following ground state photoexcitation, compared to water, the current results lead to a firm conclusion regarding corresponding recent experimental data on excited state relaxation as well as classic experiments on solvated electron formation in alcohols. We conclude that the longest time dynamics can be identified with the excited state lifetime, rather than solvation dynamics of the neoformed ground state. It is predicted that for excess electrons in higher alcohols, the non-adiabatic transition should be increasingly induced primarily by molecules of the first solvation shell. This dominance of the first shell coupling should lead to a lifetime that continues to increase to a value at least four times its value in methanol, also consistent with the experiment.
Pseudo gradient search for solving nonlinear multiregression based on the Choquet integral

In some real optimization problems, the objective function may not be differentiable with respect to the unknown parameters at some points such that the gradient does not exist at those points. Replacing the classical gradient, this paper tries to use pseudo gradient search for solving a nonlinear optimization problem—nonlinear multiregression based on the Choquet integral with a linear core. It is a local search method with rapid search speed.
RNA degradation: Sm-like proteins wRING the neck of mRNA

Ring-shaped structures containing seven Sm or Sm-like proteins are stable components of several small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles that function in pre-mRNA splicing. Recent reports describe a role for a distinct complex of seven Sm-like proteins in a very different process: mRNA degradation.
EVALUATIONS OF FORCED-CHOICE AND LIKERT-TYPE TESTS OF MOTIVATION TO ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Summary. One forced-choice test of academic motivation and two Likert-type tests were developed and their validity assessed. One of the Likert tests appeared to possess little validity, for several possible reasons. But the forced-choice test and a Likert test constructed from the same materials (sentences) and administered to comparable groups under comparable conditions appeared to be about equally valid, as judged by significant relations with teacher ratings and stream level of the pupil.
Fatal and non-fatal child maltreatment in the US: An analysis of child, caregiver, and service utilization with the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Set

The purpose of this study was to compare children who are fatally and non-fatally maltreated in the United States. In this first national-comparison study, we used the Child Abuse and Neglect Data Set of children and families who encounter/receive support from child welfare services. We found that children who were fatally maltreated were younger, were more likely to live with both their parents, and that their families experienced more financial and housing instability compared to non-fatally maltreated children. Overall, families in which children die use/receive fewer social services, as compared to families in which children live. We discuss the results with regard to child welfare practice and research.
Cellular regulation of prostaglandin H synthase catalysis

Prostanoids are a group of potent bioactive lipids produced by oxygenation of arachidonate or one of several related polyunsaturated fatty acids. Cellular prostaglandin biosynthesis is tightly regulated, with a large part of the control exerted at the level of cyclooxygenase catalysis by prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS). The two known isoforms of PGHS have been assigned distinct pathophysiological functions, and their cyclooxygenase activities are subject to differential cellular control. This review considers the contributions to cellular catalytic control of the two PGHS isoforms by intracellular compartmentation, accessory proteins, arachidonate levels, and availability of hydroperoxide activator.
Ownership effects on operating strategies: Evidence of expense-preference behavior in the hospital industry

Expense preference offers an alternative to profit-maximization theory in explaining firms' operating strategies (Williamson, 1963; Rees, 1974). Expense-preference theory suggests that when disctretionary behavior is allowed, corporate managers may choose to maximize individual utility instead of corporate profit. Expense-preference behavior tends to be evidenced by higher expenditures on items for which managers have a positive personal preference than would be justified by profit maximization. Conditions under which significant managerial discretion can emerge include weak competition, strictly controlled entry, a high degree of regulation, separation of ownership and control, and existence of a strong public interest character for the firm or industry (Awh and Primeaux, 1985; Edwards, 1977). The hospital industry may be characterized as operating under all the above conditions. Hospital ownership can be classified as being either not-for-profit or proprietary. Profit-maximization influences are generally not present in not-for-profit hospitals, thus further increasing managerial discretion with respect to operating expenses. This study provides support for the contention that expense-preference behavior exists in not-for-profit hospitals as compared to proprietary hospitals. Specifically, we present evidence of considerable managerial discretion in the allocation of resources in not-for-profit hospitals.
Pines versus oaks: effects of fire on the composition of Madrean forests in Arizona

Abstract I examined contrasts in response to moderate-intensity fire between two pine species (Pinus leiophylla Schiede and Deppe and P. engelmannii Carr.) and four oak species (Quercus hypoleucoides Camus., Q. arizonica Sarg., Q. emoryi Torr., and Q. rugosa Nee.) in Madrean forests in southeastern Arizona. Stem survival of pines after fire was greater than for oaks, but oaks sprouted more successfully after top-kill than did the only sprouting pine species, P. leiophylla. As a result, post-fire decline and subsequent recovery in oak populations was more marked than for the pines, and the ratio of oaks to pines decreased as a result of fire but increased during recovery. In typical forest stands, most individuals established from 1860 to 1920 at the interface between a period of high fire frequency and the onset of fire exclusion. Ages of Q. hypoleucoides were more clustered than for the pines, suggesting post-fire sprouting rather than long-term top-survival of fire. The results point to contrasts in mechanisms of persistence in this fire-prone ecosystem: fire resistance in the pines versus post-fire sprouting in the oaks. As a result, fire regime controls the balance between the two groups, with moderate-intensity fire favoring the pines and periods of low fire frequency – due to natural causes or anthropogenic fire exclusion – favoring the oaks. The species and community response patterns found in this study may apply generally to other pine-oak communities.
A new dynamic visual illusion: the bending hourglass.

A white hourglass moving laterally across a black surface appears to bend in such a way that the narrow portion lags behind its true position, but only when a stationary point is fixated. Visually tracking the moving hourglass eliminates the apparent distortion. However, visually tracking an object moving in front of a stationary white hourglass produces the illusory bending, although saccadic eye movements across the hourglass do not. A black hourglass, moving or stationary, presented against a white background produces no illusory bending. These effects are explained in terms of the differential visual persistence of the wide and narrow portions of the hourglass figure.
Missions And Commercial Opportunities, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

The national Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) program has entered the hardware stage and is directed on two parallel development paths: OTEC plants for direct transmission of electricity to US utility grids from offshore sites, and OTEC industrial plant-ships for the onboard production of energy-intensive products such as ammonia, hydrogen (possibly transported as ammonia), aluminum, and other metals and chemicals. The industrial plant-ship path has been the major subject of the OTEC work by the Applied Physics Laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University. The onboard production of ammonia appears particularly attractive for two reasons: there is a growing market for fertilizers and chemicals based on ammonia, which is now made from natural gas; and ammonia is a hydrogen carrier - it can be used for generation of electricity via hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells anywhere in the US. Estimates of ammonia production cost in the mid-1980s - about $100/short ton (1975 dollars) on tropical ''grazing'' plant-ships - and the possible cash flow picture for sales for the fertilizer/chemical market at various sales prices ($300-$142) indicate that the plant investment can be recovered in 3.2 to 6.3 years. Thus, the potential for early profitability is good. Two possible types of venture organizations underpinnedmore » by take-or-pay contracts for the ammonia product are described - an outright ownership type and a leveraged lease arrangement. By 1990 it may be possible to achieve electricity costs of 28-33 mills/kWh (1975 dollars) by the OTEC ammonia/H/sub 2/-O/sub 2/ fuel cell route, competitive with other baseload power sources.« less
Hypomagnesemia in brachycephalic dogs.

Background Brachycephalic dogs are at risk for arterial hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea, which are both associated with chronic magnesium (Mg) depletion. Hypothesis/Objectives To compare the period prevalence of hypomagnesemia between Boxers and Bulldogs presented to a referral teaching hospital. To screen a group of Bulldogs for evidence of hypomagnesemia, and to obtain pilot data regarding the utility of parenteral Mg tolerance testing (PMgTT) in the diagnosis of whole-body Mg deficiency. Animals Chemistry laboratory submissions were retrospectively analyzed for serum total Mg (tMg) in Boxers and Bulldogs. Prospectively, 16 healthy client-owned Bulldogs were enrolled. Methods Retrospective case study. tMg concentrations were compared between Boxers and Bulldogs. Dogs with low serum albumin or high serum creatinine concentrations were excluded. Prospectively, ionized Mg (iMg), tMg, and arterial blood pressure were measured and iMg-to-tMg ratio (iMg : tMg) was calculated. Parenteral Mg tolerance testing (PMgTT) was performed in 3/16 dogs. Results In the retrospective study, period prevalence of hypomagnesemia was 4.7% in Boxers and 15% in Bulldogs (P = .02). The risk ratio for hypomagnesemia in Bulldogs was 1.8 when compared to Boxers (CI: 1.3–2.7). In the prospective study, iMg was [median (interquartile)] 0.43 (0.42–0.46) mmol/L (reference range 0.4–0.52), tMg was 1.9 (1.8–1.9) mg/dL (reference range 1.9–2.5). iMg : tMg was [mean (±SD)] 0.59 ± 0.04. Percentage retention after PMgTT were 55%, 95%, and 67%, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Mg deficiency is common in Bulldogs and could contribute to comorbidities often observed in this breed. iMg : tMg and PMgTT might prove helpful in detecting chronic subclinical Mg deficiency.
Competitive Position and Promotion Rates: Commercial Television Station Top Management, 1953–1988

While the scholarship on internal labor markets and promotion chances has contributed substantially to the sociology of organizations and labor markets, it has not developed a rich understanding of how career trajectories are influenced by the firm's competitive position in its product market. Our central claim is that a firm's implicit bargaining power over its employees depends on its product market position and its sensitivity to environmental change. The greater the firm's bargaining power, the less the firm will be compelled to use promotions as a device to induce productivity. Firms occupying robust competitive positions should have greater bargaining power in the labor market and be less likely to fill vacancies through internal promotions. Analyses of promotion rates among top managers in a longitudinal sample of television stations support our thesis.
Does academic intervention impact ABS qualifying examination results

Objectives To assess the impact of a focused academic support program on American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores and Qualifying Examination (QE) outcomes. Methods A mandatory intervention program was begun in April 2001 for residents with ABSITE Total Test (TT) percentiles Results Fifteen residents graduated during the study period. Eight residents completed nine interventions; seven returned to TT percentiles >30 (7/8, 88%). First post-intervention ABSITE gains were large compared to NI and national peer groups. Standard Score (SS) TT gains were maintained until residency completion by four AI residents. Median AI PGY-5 TT percentile was 32 and three scores were ≤25. Six AI residents (6/8, 75%) and all NI residents (7/7, 100%) passed the QE on their first attempts. AI and NI groups were similar for conference attendance, rotation evaluations, and operative log totals. Conclusions A focused academic support intervention for residents with marginal ABSITE TT percentiles can produce immediate substantial gains. Gains are variably maintained through remaining residency years. PGY-5 TT percentiles ≤25, seen with three AI residents (3/8, 38%), are associated with a 40% first QE failure rate. Therefore, our 75% QE first-time pass rate for AI residents argues for intervention success.
On-Line Detection of Drill Wear

This paper reports on an on-line system for drill wear detection that has been developed by using a sensor fusion strategy. Both acceleration and thrust signals were analyzed. Flank wear area was used to evaluate drill wear states. The drill wear area was measured by a vision system and classified into two groups: usable and worn-out. The wear prediction model was obtained by a two-category linear classifier. On-line detection tests indicate that the prediction model has over a 90 percent success rate.
Studies on the mechanism of E rosette formation and inhibition.

Abstract Lymphocytes were separated by density gradient centrifugation into fractions enriched in either “early” or “late” rosette-forming cells (RFC), and the susceptibility of each fraction to inhibition by antilymphocyte serum (ALS) was determined. Early RFC were found to be approximately 10 times more susceptible to inhibition than late RFC. Treatment of early RFC with either trypsin or neuraminidase decreased their susceptibility to inhibition, so that early RFC resembled late RFC in this respect. These findings suggest that early and late rosette-forming lymphocytes might differ in the distribution of receptors on the cell surface and/or in their surface charge. The negative correlation between ALS titers and the sheep red blood cell-to-lymphocyte ratio used for separation implies a continuous gradation within the T-lymphocyte population in susceptibility to inhibition of ALS. Thus, early and late RFC probably represent quantitatively different subsets of a continuously variable RFC population, rather than discrete lymphocyte subpopulations.
Experimental equations of state for the rare gas solids

Abstract Piston-displacement equations of state (EOS) for the rare gas solids neon, argon, krypton and xenon have been determined to 20 kbar at temperatures from 4.2 K to the triple point in each case, with V(P,T) relations which are believed to be accurate to roughly 0.1 per cent. The present paper describes the results for the three heavier solids, argon, krypton and xenon, and indicates consistency between these results and other low pressure experiments at all temperatures. In particular, the individual isotherms can be represented by P(V) relations which are suggested by the form of the Lennard-Jones potential, the bulk moduli are only slightly temperature dependent at constant volume, and the data for the three solids appear to obey a reduced EOS both at T = 0 and near the triple point.
Does Prescribed Fire Benefit Wetland Vegetation

The effects of fire on wetland vegetation in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States are poorly known, despite the historical use of fire by federal, state, and private landowners in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Prescribed fire is widely used by land managers to promote vegetation that is beneficial to migratory waterfowl, muskrats, and other native wildlife and to reduce competition from less desirable plant species. We compared vegetative response to two fire rotations, annual burns and 3-year burns, and two control sites, Control 1 and Control 2. We tested the effects of fire within six tidal marsh wetlands at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area in Maryland. We examined changes in total live biomass (all species), total stem density, litter, and changes in live biomass and stem density of four dominant wetland plant species (11 variables). Our results suggest that annual prescribed fires will decrease the accumulation of litter, increase the biomass and stem densities of some wetland plants generally considered less desirable for wildlife, and have little or no effect on other wetland plants previously thought to benefit from fire.
Equivalence of Gaussian measures for some nonstationary random fields

Abstract Gaussian random fields whose covariance structures are described by a power law model provide a simple and flexible class of models for isotropic random fields. This class includes fractional Brownian fields as a special case. Because these random fields are nonstationary, the extensive results available on equivalence of Gaussian measures for stationary models do not apply to them. This work shows that results on equivalence for two stationary Gaussian random field models extend in a natural way to the equivalence of a stationary model and a power law model. This result is used to show that if we use a power law model for predicting a random field at unobserved locations when in fact the random field is stationary, we can obtain asymptotically optimal predictions as long as the high frequency behavior of the true spectral density is sufficiently close to the high frequency behavior of the spectral density of the power law model.
Endoribonuclease activity associated with nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particles from Novikoff hepatoma

Abstract Ribonucleoprotein particles have been extracted from isolated nucleoli from Novikoff hepatoma ascites cells. Electron microscopic examination of these ribonucleoprotein particles showed that they are 200–300 A in diameter and contain electron dense filaments. Incubation of these particles with nucleolar 45-S RNA resulted in degradation of the RNA into fragments that sedimented in the region of a sucrose gradient corresponding to 10–16 S. No exonuclease activity was detected in these preparations. Incubation of ribonucleoprotein particles with 28-S or 18-S RNAs resulted in a less complete degradation suggesting a greater affinity of the enzyme for 45-S RNA. The endoribonuclease activity was not removed from the ribonucleoprotein particles by treatment with 8 mM EDTA, but was extracted with 2 M LiCl into a soluble fraction which was separated into 8 bands by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels.
Forced convection heat transfer to freon 12 near the critical state in a vertical annulus

Abstract Experimental investigations of forced convection heat transfer to Freon 12 in a vertical annulus indicate a pseudo-boiling phenomenon when bulk temperatures are maintained within a few degrees of the critical temperature. An empirical correlation of the experimental data, as well as visual and photographic studies, indicate a film boiling type of process.
Prognostic value of computed tomography in intracerebral hematomas

Abstract The prognostic value of computed tomography (CT) information in 44 patients with hypertensive intracerebral hematomas is presented. Results from a review of 110 cases of intracerebral hematoma of all etiologies which occurred in 5500 consecutive CT scans are discussed. A grading system based on the size of intracerebral hematoma (ICH) and amount of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is presented. Data reveal that mortality of patients with hypertensive ganglionic hematomas increases directly as the grades of ICH and IVH increase. Mortality rate in the present series is compared to that in surgical and non-surgical series prior to CT. Statistics of this study reveal that the mortality rate varies with etiology and location of hemorrhage.
Child sexual abuse prevention policy: an analysis of Erin's law.

Child sexual abuse affects thousands of children in the United States and is vastly underreported. Tertiary prevention policies, primarily in the form of sex offender registries and community notification programs, have received the most attention and funding. Few policies have focused on school-based prevention. One recently passed law in Illinois mandates all K–5 public schools to implement sexual abuse prevention programs. The law was championed by a young social worker, Erin Merryn. Through the multiple streams framework, this article examines the unique set of political circumstances, united with Merryn's advocacy, which created the opportunity for the law to pass.
The relationship between work organization and workforce agility in small manufacturing enterprises

Abstract Organizational agility requires development of an adaptable workforce that is able to deal with unexpected and dynamic changes in the business environment. However, little research has been done on the attributes and characteristics of workforce agility. Even less is known about what organization characteristics are conducive to the agile performance of employees. The main goal of this study was to explore the effect of agile strategies on work organization and employees' performance. A total of 41 managers, 82 office workers, and 52 production workers from six small manufacturing companies participated in the study. Three questionnaires, including Agility Strategy Scale, Work Organization Scale, and Workforce Agility Scale, were used for the purpose of data collection. The results support a hypothesized relationship between management strategies focused on agility development, work characteristics, and workforce agility. The results also reveal that autonomy at work is one of the most important predictors of workforce agility. A combination of job demands and job uncertainty had a significant effect on workforce agility. The study also suggests that developing strong cooperative relationships within an organization and with customers and suppliers promotes workforce agility in small manufacturing enterprises. Relevance to industry This paper investigated organizational practices that were conducive to implementing agile management and strategies in small manufacturing enterprises. The study results can be used for optimizing work demands and conditions in the workplace environments that require constant change and adaptation.
Pore solution chemistry of alkali-activated ground granulated blast-furnace slag

The chemical composition and pH of the pore solution extracted from six different ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) pastes were determined. The concentrations of Si, Ca, Al, and Mg are functions of the pH of the aqueous phase, with high pH associated with the higher concentrations of Si and Al and the lower concentrations of Ca and Mg. When GGBFS is mixed with an aqueous phase with pH higher than 11.5, the reaction is activated or accelerated. The main hydration product was identified as C-S-H, and hydrotalcite, at later stages of hydration, was observed in the pastes with an aqueous phase of a high pH. The effect of pore solution on the alkali activation of GGBFS is discussed with reference to the hydration products.
An improved approximate Newton method for implicit Runge–Kutta formulas

Abstract Implicit Runge–Kutta (IRK) methods (such as the s -stage Radau IIA method with s = 3 , 5 , or 7) for solving stiff ordinary differential equation systems have excellent stability properties and high solution accuracy orders, but their high computing costs in solving their nonlinear stage equations have seriously limited their applications to large scale problems. To reduce such a cost, several approximate Newton algorithms were developed, including a commonly used one called the simplified Newton method. In this paper, a new approximate Jacobian matrix and two new test rules for controlling the updating of approximate Jacobian matrices are proposed, yielding an improved approximate Newton method. Theoretical and numerical analysis show that the improved approximate Newton method can significantly improve the convergence and performance of the simplified Newton method.
Consequences of Motor Copy Number on the Intracellular Transport of Kinesin-1-Driven Lipid Droplets

SUMMARY The microtubule motor kinesin-1 plays central roles in intracellular transport. It has been widely assumed that many cellular cargos are moved by multiple kinesins and that cargos with more motors move faster andforlongerdistances;concreteevidence,however, is sparse. Here we rigorously test these notions using lipid droplets in Drosophila embryos. We first employ antibody inhibition, genetics, biochemistry, and particle tracking to demonstrate that kinesin-1 mediates plus-enddropletmotion.Wethenmeasurehowvariation in kinesin-1 expression affects the forces driving individual droplets and estimate the number of kinesins actively engaged per droplet. Unlike in vitro, increased motor number results in neither longer travel distances nor higher velocities. Our data suggest that cargos in vivo can simultaneously engage multiple kinesinsandthattransportpropertiesarelargelyunaffected by variation in motor number. Apparently, higher-order regulatory mechanisms rather than motor number per se dominate cargo transport in vivo.
The Rd8 Mutation of the Crb1 Gene Is Present in Vendor Lines of C57BL/6N Mice and Embryonic Stem Cells, and Confounds Ocular Induced Mutant Phenotypes

PURPOSE. We noted an unexpected inheritance pattern of lesions in several strains of gene-manipulated mice with ocular phenotypes. The lesions, which appeared at various stages of backcross to C57BL/6, bore resemblance to the rd8 retinal degeneration phenotype. We set out to examine the prevalence of this mutation in induced mutant mouse lines, vendor C57BL/6 mice and in widely used embryonic stem cells. METHODS. Ocular lesions were evaluated by fundus examination and histopathology. Detection of the rd8 mutation at the genetic level was performed by PCR with appropriate primers. Data were confirmed by DNA sequencing in selected cases. RESULTS. Analysis of several induced mutant mouse lines with ocular disease phenotypes revealed that the disease was associated 100% with the presence of the rd8 mutation in the Crb1 gene rather than with the gene of interest. DNA analysis of C57BL/6 mice from common commercial vendors demonstrated the presence of the rd8 mutation in homozygous form in all C57BL/6N substrains, but not in the C57BL/6J substrain. A series of commercially available embryonic stem cells of C57BL/6N origin and C57BL/6N mouse lines used to generate ES cells also contained the rd8 mutation. Affected mice displayed ocular lesions typical of rd8, which were detectable by funduscopy and histopathology as early as 6 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS. These findings identify the presence of the rd8 mutation in the C57BL/6N mouse substrain used widely to produce transgenic and knockout mice. The results have grave implications for the vision research community who develop mouse lines to study eye disease, as presence of rd8 can produce significant disease phenotypes unrelated to the gene or genes of interest. It is suggested that researchers screen for rd8 if their mouse lines were generated on the C57BL/6N background, bear resemblance to the rd8 phenotype, or are of indeterminate origin. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:2921‐2927) DOI:10.1167/iovs.12-9662