cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age of First Exposure to Football and Neurocognitive Performance Amongst NCAA Student-Athletes (S8.002)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of estimated age of first exposure (eAFE) to tackle football participation on neurocognitive performance and symptom severity scores in collegiate student-athletes. Background: Repetitive head impacts in young athletes are potentially detrimental to later-life neurological function; however, it is unknown what the short-term effects are in collegiate student-athletes. Design/Methods: Neurocognitive performance was assessed using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test in 4,376 male athletes (age=19.3±1.5 years; mass=96.3±20.3 kg; height=185.0±7.4 cm). Athletes were grouped by sport participation (football or non-contact) and eAFE (eAFE Results: Neurocognitive performance was not associated with the eAFE-by-group interaction (Verbal Memory, p=0.323; Visual Memory, p=0.198; Visual Motor Speed, p=0.293; Reaction Time, p=0.554). The eAFE-by-group interaction was only a significant predictor of symptom severity scores. For symptom severity, pairwise comparisons suggested that the football, eAFE Conclusions: Our findings indicate that participation in tackle football before age 12 does not result in neurocognitive deficits in college. Therefore, we suggest that either consequences of early exposure to repetitive head impacts do not manifest until later in life, symptoms of neurological impairment progress with increased exposure to repetitive head impacts throughout and beyond collegiate play, or there is no association between earlier eAFE and neurocognitive functioning. Future longitudinal studies are warranted. Disclosure: Dr. Caccese has nothing to disclose. Dr. DeWolf has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaminski has nothing to disclose. Dr. Buckley has nothing to disclose.
Design studies of the 2 MeV heavy ion beam probe for TEXT upgrade

Upgrade of the Texas Experimental Tokamak (TEXT) that includes the installation of a poloidal divertor and the addition of sufficient ECRH to achieve H-mode operation has been proposed. The upgrade proposal also includes the installation of a high-energy heavy-ion beam probe that can carry out measurements over the complete plasma cross section. The beam for the upgrade system should, in particular, be capable of probing the null point, investigating the narrowband fluctuations observed on the inside midplane with laser scattering, and looking for the poloidal asymmetries with and without the ergodic magnetic limiter. On the basis of trajectory calculations of the 1+ primary and 2+ secondary Tl ion beam at a magnetic field of 2.16 T at the center of the plasma, the optimized locations of the accelerator, the sweep system, and the energy analyzer have been found. >
Interface composition and band alignment issues in high-K gate stacks

In this paper, we describe the band structure and phase alignment by first principle DFT calculations to study the properties of the different crystalline structures of HfO/sub 2/ and ZrO/sub 2/. It is found that the band gap, barrier height and dielectric response of these two materials are phase dependent. Finally, as charge within the dielectric and at the interface remains a critical issue in high-K integration, we briefly discuss correlations between electrical properties, composition and band alignment.
Chekhov's "Black Monk" and Byron's "Black Friar"

It is generally assumed today that the sources of Chekhov's bizarre story "The Black Monk" have been well established and that significant new information is hardly to be expected. Virtually all criticism and research in this area point to (1) the social environment of Chekhov's time and its influence on his story; (2) pertinent details from his life and from the lives of his relatives and friends; and (3) literary trends and traditions and their role in the author's work.
Are There Three Kinds of Superconductivity

A Maxwell system of differential forms induces a coarse topology on a space time variety. This topology can be refined by certain extremal constraints of domain closure that lead to three topologically distinct, reactive impedances, Z1, Z2, Z3. These non-dissippative impedances are rational fraction ratios of topological invariants. The closure conditions induce physical constraints that permit Z1 to be identified with ordinary type I and II superconductive domains, and Z3 with the fractional quantum Hall effect. Only Z2 admits the time-reversal and parity symmetry breaking associated with Anyon theories.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering of 4-mercaptopyridine on thin films of nanoscale Pd cubes, boxes, and cages

Abstract We have synthesized a variety of Pd nanoparticles of 8–50 nm in size including solid cubes, hollow boxes, and porous cages. Using 4-mercaptopyridine (4MP) as a probe molecule, we have characterized thin films for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity, and have found a significant level of enhancement (with factors ranging from 170 for 8-nm cubes to 1.3 × 104 for boxes). For the cubes and boxes, we observed a trend of stronger enhancement with more red-shifted SPR bands. We evaluated the sensitivity of this approach, and also used SERS to monitor monolayer formation on these particles.
Procedural fairness and organizational commitment under conditions of growth and decline

We surveyed employees from seven relocating firms undergoing either an expansion or decline. Employees' judgments of procedural fairnes regarding the decision procedures used to implement the change showed a stronger effect on normative commitment for sites undergoing decline than for those undergoing growth. Procedural fairness concerns therefore seem to be more important to employees experiencing organizational decline. The finding has implications for research and for the management of organizational decline.
Vascular Perfusion and Blood-Brain Glucose Transport in Acute and Chronic Hyperglycemia

: We studied the effects of acute and streptozotocin-induced chronic hyperglycemia on regional brain blood flow and perfusion characteristics, and on the regional transport of glucose across the blood-brain barrier in awake rats. We found (1) a generalized decrease in regional brain blood flow in both acute and chronic hyperglycemia; (2) that chronic, but not acute, hyperglycemia is associated with a marked and diffuse decrease in brain l-glucose space; and (3) that chronic hyperglycemia does not alter blood-to-brain glucose transport. Taken together, these results suggest that in streptozotocin-induced chronic hyperglycemia, there is a reduction in the proportion of perfused brain capillaries and/or an alteration in brain endothelial membrane properties resulting in decreased noncarrier diffusion of glucose.
The impact of police culture on traffic stop searches: an analysis of attitudes and behavior

Purpose – To examine the extent to which cultural fragmentation among police officers results in differences in searches of suspects and their surroundings during proactive traffic stops.Design/methodology/approach – Cluster and multivariate analyses are performed utilizing survey and observational data collected as part of the Project on Policing Neighborhoods (POPN).Findings – Differences in search behavior among patrol officers are found as a result of variation in cultural alignments. That is, patrol officers that adhere to the culture (in varying degrees) from an attitudinal standpoint are more likely to engage in searches than those who most ardently resist cultural attitudes.Research limitations/implications – Although the classification scheme captured many of the core attitudes associated with police culture, it did not measure all of them. Also, the departments studied would compare to most American municipal police organizations, but would make poor comparisons to very large urban or small rura...
Changes in rat myometrial plasma membrane protein kinase A are confined to parturition.

We have previously shown that pregnant rat myometrial plasma membrane-associated cAMPdependent protein kinase A (PKA) decreases prior to delivery, coincident with a decline in the inhibitory effect of cAMP on contractant-stimulated parameters. We now find that rat myometrial membrane-associated PKA concentrations in early to mid-pregnancy are equivalent to those in cycling rats. Following the decline associated with parturition, membrane PKA recovers within 1– 2 days postpartum. Treatment with the antiprogestin onapristone caused a decrease in myometrial membrane PKA-catalytic and regulatory subunits compared to untreated controls by 12 h. This coincided temporally with recently reported increases in electrical and contractile activity. In unilaterally pregnant rats, the decline in plasma membrane PKA was observed in both nonpregnant and pregnant horns but was more rapid in the pregnant horns. These data indicate that the myometrial plasma membrane PKA pattern before and during most of pregnancy is not consistent with progesterone exerting a primary influence on PKA membrane localization. Rather, the fall in membrane PKA associated with parturition may contribute to or be influenced by the increased contractile and electrical activity of labor that is a consequence of the loss of progesterone influence and is not absolutely dependent on the presence of fetuses.
Limiting safe surface temperature of combustible materials

Clearances around heat producing equipment are predicated on limiting the temperature of the exposed surfaces of adjacent combustibles. The author suggests that the limit can be raised safely. This, of course, could lead to reduced clearance requirements.
Interactions of Hydroxyurea with a Water Molecule. Ab Initio Molecular Orbital Study

Ab initio quantum chemical studies at the HF and MP2 levels with the 6-31G** basis set were performed for hydrogen-bonded complexes of hydroxyurea with a water molecule (HUW). Since at both the HF and MP2 levels of theory the keto forms of both E and Z tautomers of hydroxyurea are found to be much more stable compared to iminol forms, only keto forms were included in our study of HUW. The interaction energies were corrected for the basis set superposition error (BSSE) by using the full Boys−Bernardi counterpoise correction scheme. The zero-point vibrational energies are calculated at the MP2/6-31G**//MP2/6-31G** level. In addition, single-point calculations were performed at the MP2/6-311++G(2df,2pd)//MP2/6-31G** and at the CCSD(T)/6-31G**//MP2/6-31G** levels of theory. It was shown that the complex I of HUW is the global minimum on the potential energy surface and also has the largest interaction energy. On the basis of the results of these calculations, the stability of the different conformers of HUW, ...
Supporting QoS in ad hoc networks with mobility pattern adaptive routing algorithm

An ad hoc network consists of mobile nodes (hosts) that are equipped with wireless transmitters and receivers, which allow them to communicate without the help of wired base stations. With the increasing acceptance of the ad hoc networks the demand for guaranteeing QoS to support various real-time applications has become a major research are. Guaranteeing QoS in ad hoc networks poses a challenging problem, because of the constantly changing network scenario along with the ever changing the QoS state information associated with nodes and bringing in imprecision about the available state information. In our attempt to propose a solution for QoS routing in ad hoc networks we approach this problem by first proposing an efficient routing algorithm and then incorporate QoS routing into the algorithm. The main thrust in our routing algorithm is to reduce the indeterminism factor by characterizing the node movements to various mobility patterns, which can be expressed by mathematically bound functions. Thus in our attempt to quantify the randomness of the motion of mobile nodes, we try to approximate the movements of the mobile nodes and the network as a whole to one of the defined mobility patterns. Then use this information pre-compute routes to a destination before the current link is snapped as now we can predict the possible future locations of the nodes, we can attempt to guarantee QoS as now can also predict the state of a link. Thus with the knowledge of mobility pattern we are in a position to save lot of overhead which the routing algorithm could have incurred either due to a new route initiation process in the event of route failure, in addition to that now we also don’t have to buffer the packets which otherwise had to be buffered at an intermediate node till the new route was computed or in the process of taking collecting the status of each node in case of QoS routing. To sum up our algorithm has four key features 1) establishment of low cost path satisfying the required QoS; 2) the route discovery process comes up with multiple paths which are to be used in case of the failure of the primary path and thus increasing the robustness; 3) the path discovered are more robust as the algorithm takes into consideration stationary and transient links and 4) as our algorithm is not a table driven one it is highly scalable.
SU-FF-J-102: Evaluation of the Dosimetric Differences Resulting From the Application of Gated IMRT Plans to a Non-Gated Patient Anatomy

Purpose: To evaluate the dosimetric impact of applying a plan optimized for gated delivery to a free‐breathing/different breathing phase CT data set, due to gating failure. Method and Materials: A retrospective investigation was performed on two lungIMRT patients. Each patient had a free‐breathing and a 4D CT scan.Tumors and OARs were contoured on each CT data set. The targets are GTV, CTV, and PTV, while OARs are spinal cord, heart, and each lung.IMRT step‐and‐shoot Direct Machine Parameter Optimization (Pinnacle v.7.4f) method was employed in the treatment planning. Evaluated were DVHs and gEUDs for a single fraction. The point marked by the BBs was used as a reference in the plan transfer from the standard (where the plan was optimized) to the compared CT data set. Thus, beam angles, energies, jaw settings, and MLC files were transferred preserving the relative geometry. Results: The coverage for GTV, CTV, and PTV changes within 1%–2%, 1%–7%, and 3%–10% respectively, as planning and delivery CT data sets are interchanged. The OAR gEUDs in the optimized gating plan are lower by as much as 28% than the corresponding gEUDs in the plan delivered to a free‐breathing CT data set, although it may not be significant if the tolerance doses are not exceeded. The lung sparing deteriorates by up to 14% when a plan optimized for an exhale gating is delivered via an inhale gating. Conclusions: The daily dose variations of the order of 7% to 10% may be non‐negligible and may lead to biological consequences. Therefore, an interlock in the record and verify system, coupled to the gating system, will prevent the occurrences of erroneous deliveries and will maximize the patient benefit form the use of new technologies in radiotherapy.
Application of the social ecological model in folic acid public health initiatives.

All women of childbearing age who are capable of becoming pregnant should consume 0.4 mg/400 μcg of folic acid daily. Folic acid decreases the incidence of neural tube defects in newborns. Despite continued public health initiatives, many women still do not consume the recommended daily requirement. This article analyzes the use of the social ecological model in folic acid public health initiatives and emphasizes assessing the outcomes of such initiatives.
Broadband optimization of a pentamode-layered spherical acoustic waveguide

Transformational acoustics offers the theoretical possibility of cloaking obstacles within fluids, provided metamaterials having continuously varying bulk moduli and densities can be found or constructed. Realistically, materials with the proper, continuously varying anisotropies do not presently exist. Discretely layered cloaks having constant material parameters within each layer are a viable alternative, but due to their discrete nature, may become ineffective outside of narrow frequency ranges. Because of such limitations, there is interest in finding discretely layered systems that can be effective in as wide as possible bandwidth without the need for unrealizable material properties within each layer. The present work introduces a novel methodology for finding optimal material parameters for use in such layered cloaks. In principle, the technique could be applied to any acoustic or electromagnetic scattering problem, but for purposes of demonstration, this paper considers a fluid-loaded acoustically hard sphere with a cloak that comprised layered pentamodes, whose material properties are constrained to lie within reasonable ranges relative to the density and bulk modulus of water.
Combination cytokine therapy inhibits tumor growth by generation of tumor-specific T-cell responses in a murine melanoma model.

Abstract Various cytokines, including interferon α (IFNα), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), have been used as adjuvant therapy for advanced-stage melanoma with some success but with marked toxicity, which appears to be related to higher doses. We investigated the efficacy of IFNα, GM-CSF, and TNFα in various combinations to induce antitumor and immune responses in a B16F10 murine melanoma model. These studies showed that GM-CSF, IFNα, and TNFα, when injected together intratumorally, mediated significant inhibition of tumor growth. Tumor regression correlated with local tumor necrosis and significant infiltration of T cells. In addition, this injected intralesional cytokine cocktail also induced lymphadenopathy, with an increase in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the draining lymph nodes. Furthermore, tumor-specific CD8+ T cells were identified from draining lymph nodes. These investigations identify the combined effects of IFNα, GM-CSF, and TNFα in induction of the adaptive immune response and generation of antigen-specific T-cell reactivity. These results support potential clinical trials of the low-dose cytokine combination as adjuvant therapy for melanoma.
CEOs'Career Backgrounds and Corporate Long‐Term Strategic Planning*

CEOs affect corporate outcomes along various dimensions, including the emphasis placed on long-term strategic planning. This study assesses the impact of CEOs’functional and industry specializations on R&D and capital spending in four manufacturing industries. We found only limited support for our position that CEOs with more professional-type careers are less willing than other CEOs to have their firms make long-term investments. “A critical theme of… the modem industrial enterprise is that creating and maintaining such capabilities is a continuing, long-term process–a process that requires sound, long-term perspectives from the decision makers responsible for the health and growth of their enterprise.” (Chandler 1991, p. 627)
Hot gas particulate cleanup for advanced coal-based power systems

Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle and Pressurized Fluidized-Bed Combustion power systems have made it possible to use coal while still protecting the environment. Such power systems virtually eliminate the pollutants associated with coal-fired plants built before the 1970`s. Superior environmental performance and high system efficiency requires that gas stream cleanup be conducted under high temperature and high pressure process conditions. To realize this high system efficiency, particulate cleanup levels must meet gas turbine particulate tolerance limits. Discussed below are some of the particulate cleanup requirements and challenges for these advanced power systems. Also presented is the work underway to support particulate cleanup technology and the Clean Coal Technology (CCT) Program through pilot-scale testing and filter component development.
A DIETARY REGIMEN IN THE TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS

SUMMARY.— A dietary regimen employing turkey meat as the major protein source has been evaluated in patients with severe psoriasis. These patients had been selected for failure to remit spontaneously and failure to respond to other methods of therapy. Of 12 patients studied, 7 exhibited excellent response, 3 moderate response, and 2 no response to the dietary regimen. Two patients, who responded initially, were studied further. Upon resumption of a normal diet, their disease exacerbated. Reinstitution of the study diet again resulted in complete clearing of their psoriasis. Addition of turkey to a normal diet, however, did not prevent re-exacerbation. These results suggest that turkey meat may lack a substance potentially harmful to patients with psoriasis.
Osler's museum specimens of heart disease. Their nature and significance.

There are 55 of Osler's autopsy museum specimens on display at the McGill Pathology Institute. Of these, 23 are examples of heart disease, including ten cases of endocarditis. A review of related publications reveal that Osler was one of the first to stress the significance of micrococci and prior scarring of valves in infective endocarditis, and the differences between congenital and acquired bicuspid aortic valves. His review articles on other heart diseases, such as cardiac thrombi, tuberculous endocarditis and congenital heart disease, contributed significantly to the general understanding of these entities during the latter part of the nineteenth and the first part of the twentieth centuries. It is concluded that Sir William Osler played an important role in the development of current concepts of heart disease.
Widespread Production of Extracellular Superoxide by Heterotrophic Bacteria

Superoxide and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) originate from several natural sources and profoundly influence numerous elemental cycles, including carbon and trace metals. In the deep ocean, the permanent absence of light precludes currently known ROS sources, yet ROS production mysteriously occurs. Here, we show that taxonomically and ecologically diverse heterotrophic bacteria from aquatic and terrestrial environments are a vast, unrecognized, and light-independent source of superoxide, and perhaps other ROS derived from superoxide. Superoxide production by a model bacterium within the ubiquitous Roseobacter clade involves an extracellular oxidoreductase that is stimulated by the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), suggesting a surprising homology with eukaryotic organisms. The consequences of ROS cycling in immense aphotic zones representing key sites of nutrient regeneration and carbon export must now be considered, including potential control of carbon remineralization and metal bioavailability.
Nanotechnology and occupational health: New technologies – new challenges

An overview of the special issue of the Journal of Nanoparticle Research on nanotechnology and occupational health is presented.
Use of computerized tomography and chest x-rays in evaluating efficacy of aerosolized recombinant human DNase in cystic fibrosis patients younger than age 5 years: a preliminary study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) of the chest and chest x-rays (CXR) to determine efficacy of inhaled recombinant human DNase (rhDNase) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients younger than 5 years of age. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of 12 patients with CF younger than 5 years of age, attending the University of Michigan Cystic Fibrosis Center (Ann Arbor, MI) was conducted. The changes in the HRCT and CXR score from baseline to day 100 of therapy were assessed using a previously validated scoring system. The mean changes of HRCT scores between the rhDNase and placebo groups were found to be significant at the 95% level, with mean change +/- SE mean of - 1.00 +/- 0.53 and 0.58 +/- 0.24 for rhDNase and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.02). The difference in CXR score was not significant between the two groups. An analysis was performed to relate HRCT subscores to CXR score; only thickening of the intra-interlobular septae was significantly correlated with the total CXR score (r = - 0.7, P < 0.01). There was improvement in the parents' assessments of the patients' well-being, with improvement in physical activity, decreased cough, sleep quality, and appetite in those subjects receiving rhDNase. We conclude that the administration of rhDNase was associated with improvement in the HRCT scan in CF patients younger than 5 years of age. Findings indicate that HRCT of the chest is useful and sensitive in studying responses to therapy in patients with CF lung disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of HRCT to assess the effectiveness of a therapeutic modality in so young a CF patient population.
Resection of the descending thoracic aorta: outcomes after use of hypothermic circulatory arrest.

Background Use of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) for operations on the descending thoracic aorta is controversial. While deep hypothermia may provide better end-organ and spinal cord function, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest may increase morbidity. This study assessed outcomes after use of HCA for descending thoracic aortic resection in a large cohort of consecutive patients. Methods Hypothermic circulatory arrest was utilized if arch or extensive descending thoracic aortic resection was required, or if aortic pathology precluded cross-clamping. One hundred thirty-two patients (mean age, 61.3 years) were identified. Diagnosis included fusiform (41.2%) or saccular aneurysm (10.7%) and acute (4.6%) or chronic (38.9%) dissection. Twenty-one patients presented with rupture. Arch resection (distal arch 100, total arch 11) was required in 111 patients (84.1%). The extent of descending thoracic aortic resection (required in 94%) included proximal third in 41 patients, proximal two-thirds in 6, and complete thoracic aorta in 77. The proximal anastomosis was performed with total body HCA while the distal anastomosis was constructed with lower body HCA only (duration upper body HCA 33.7 ± 8.0 minutes; total duration lower body HCA 71.3 ± 24.2 minutes). Results Thirty-day mortality was 6.0%. Neurologic events included stroke (6.8%) and permanent lower extremity paralysis-paresis (4.5%). Temporary dialysis was needed in 7 (5.3%), though only 2 patients required permanent dialysis (1.9%). Independent predictors of a composite endpoint of death, stroke, permanent paralysis, or dialysis included duration of lower body HCA ( p = 0.03) and major postoperative infection ( p = 0.003). Conclusions Adjunctive use of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest for descending thoracic aortic resection affords excellent preservation of end-organ and spinal cord function with acceptable rates of mortality and significant morbidity.
Changes in morphology of ionic crystals due to capillarity

Abstract The problem of mass transport in ionic crystals to reduce surface free energy is discussed. The treatment follows the previous work of Mullins on one-component systems, for surfaces which are nearly planar. The present analysis includes the existence of two interdependent ionic fluxes and of the space charge layer in the vicinity of the surface.
Board independence and market reactions around news of stock option backdating

This study focuses on whether board independence explains stock price reactions to backdating and factors that explain backdating decision. Consistent with previous studies, we find negative stock returns around backdating news. Although our findings show that board independence variables fail to explain the incidence of backdating, our regression results show that stockholders consider these variables to be important. Abnormal stock returns around news of backdating are higher when firms have higher proportion of outside directors and when outside directors have lower stock ownership in the firm.
Effects of pyrolysis conditions on dielectric properties of PLZT films derived from a polyvinylpyrrolidone-modified sol-gel process §

Graphical abstract: SEM images showing the surface morphology of PLZT films derived from solutions with various PVP content and treated with either RTA (rapid thermal annealing) or SPT (step-wise preheat treatment) process. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer High-quality PLZT films were fabricated by using a polyvinylpyrrolidone-modified sol-gel method. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Improved film density and integrity was achieved by employing a novel step-wise preheat treatment (SPT) process. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Enhanced dielectric properties were correlated to the improved microstructures as a result of the SPT process. -- Abstract: Pb{sub 0.92}La{sub 0.08}Zr{sub 0.52}Ti{sub 0.48}O{sub 3} (PLZT) films were deposited on platinized silicon substrates (Pt/Si) using a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) modified sol-gel method. Pyrolysis of the green films was conducted via two methods: rapid thermal annealing (RTA) and a step-wise preheat treatment (SPT). Microstructure analysis and dielectric property characterization were performed on samples treated by these two methods. Results showed that the SPT-pyrolyzed films exhibited much better dielectric properties when compared with the RTA-pyrolyzed films. The differences in dielectric properties were correlated to microstructural features caused by the different pyrolysis conditions. High-quality PLZT films with high dielectric constant ( Almost-Equal-To 860 at zero bias) and high breakdown strength ( Almost-Equal-To 2.1 MV/cm) were fabricated under controlled pyrolysis conditions. This workmore » demonstrated the potential application of this material for power electronics in electric drive vehicles.« less
Oxygen desaturation and changes in breathing pattern in patients undergoing colonoscopy and gastroscopy

The respiratory effect of diagnostic colonoscopy and upper endoscopy were studied in 32 elderly patients. Twenty-two underwent colonoscopy and 10 upper endoscopy. In the group undergoing upper endoscopy, 4 of 10 patients experienced a decrease in oxygen desaturation ≥4% during the medication period; an additional 2 patients desaturated during the procedure. In the group undergoing colonoscopy, 12 of 22 patients experienced oxygen desaturation during the medication period; 3 other patients desaturated during the procedure. Mean SaO 2 for each group was lowest (p Oxygen desaturation ≥4% occurs frequently during both upper endoscopy and colonoscopy in this elderly population. This is related to the effects of sedation; the procedure itself worsened the desaturation in only 16% of the patients. Furthermore, the desaturation did not correlate with changes in the breathing patterns of the patients. Low-flow oxygen and/or close monitoring of patients during and subsequent to administration of medication is advised.
Nonuniformity of particle coating on a size distribution of particles in a fluidized bed coater

Abstract The focus of the current work is to evaluate the effect that particle size has on the uniformity of coating received during a batch fluidized bed coating process. Batches of near-spherical Nu-Pareil™ sucrose particles comprising a wide range of sizes (548–1205 μm) were formulated so as to have the same mass average particle size but with different size distributions. These batches were then coated under identical coating conditions using a coating medium of FD&C (Food, Drug, and Cosmetic) blue dye no. 1 dissolved in a suitable aqueous-based polymeric binder. At the end of each run the particles were sieved back to the different size fractions. From each size fraction 30 particles were chosen at random and analyzed for their blue dye content. The results showed that the amount of blue dye deposited on a given size of particle was proportional to the particle diameter to the power of 3.4 (dp3.4). The variance of blue dye content for different size cuts was also measured. It was found that the variance could also be correlated with particle diameter but that the dependence was lower than that for the mean (dp3.0). The experimental procedures and possible mechanistic explanations for these results are presented.
Oral Self-Care: A Promising Alternative Behavior Model

The way in which patients are introduced to an oral self-care program may greatly influence their decision to alter their present habits.
Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness: Construct Validity and Psychometric Properties of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire

The present study examined the psychometric properties and construct validity of scores derived from the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ) using latent variable modeling with 5 independent samples varying in age and level of psychopathology. The INQ was derived from the interpersonal theory of suicide and was developed to measure thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness-both proximal causes of desire for suicide. Results support that thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness are distinct but related constructs and that they can be reliably measured. Further, multiple-group analyses were consistent with invariance for young versus older adults and nonclinical versus clinical populations, thereby supporting the relevance of these constructs to diverse populations. Finally, both constructs demonstrated convergent associations with related interpersonal constructs-including loneliness and social support for belongingness and social worth and death ideation for burdensomeness--as well as prospective associations with suicidal ideation.
The effect of occupational segregation on the relative earnings of black males

Abstract An earnings model which incorporates racial differences in occupational attainment is employed to investigate sources of the earnings differential between black and white males. Our results suggest that occupational segregation of black men accounts for nearly half of the observed racial earnings differential
Glutathione stimulates A549 cell proliferation in glutamine-deficient culture: The effect of glutamate supplementation

Extracellular glutathione (GSH) is degraded by an external cell-surface enzyme, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT). The products are transported into cells to participate in important cellular processes. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that extracellular GSH is a source of glutamic acid for cells that express gamma-GT. Under a glutamine-deficient culture condition, the extracellular GSH-supplemented glutamic acid would enhance intracellular glutamine synthesis, thereby stimulating cell proliferation. Human lung carcinoma A549 cells were cultured in glutamine-deficient Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium, and they did not proliferate unless glutamine was supplemented. Extracellular GSH, however, provoked a partial proliferation. The GSH effect correlated with a high level of gamma-GT activity and an increased intracellular level of glutamic acid. A constituent amino acid of GSH, glutamic acid but not cysteine, produced the same growth-stimulatory effect as GSH. Furthermore, neither oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTC), a cellular cysteine-delivery compound, nor cysteinylglycine, a dipeptide released from the gamma-GT reaction, stimulated cell proliferation. Moreover, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a selective inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, enhanced the GSH growth stimulatory effect, suggesting that increased cellular GSH synthesis does not correlate with cell growth stimulation. The results obtained demonstrated that glutamine is required for A549 cell proliferation and exogenous GSH partially substitutes for the growth stimulatory action of glutamine. It also suggests that the glutamic acid rather than the cysteine released from the GSH is responsible for the cell proliferation.
T cell recognition of an HLA-A2-restricted epitope derived from a cleaved signal sequence

An alternative pathway for class I-restricted antigen presentation has been suggested on the basis of peptides bound to HLA-A2 molecules in cells lacking the transporter for antigen presentation (TAP). Most of these peptides were derived from signal sequences for translocation into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, it is not known whether these peptides can be presented to T cells. The hydrophobic nature of an HLA-A2-restricted T cell epitope (M1 58-66) was exploited to test whether it could be presented to T cells when derived from a signal sequence. Replacing the signal sequence of the influenza virus hemagglutinin molecule H3 with an artificial sequence containing that HLA-A2-restricted T cell epitope resulted in efficient translocation of H3 molecules into the ER and transport to the cell surface. This signal sequence-derived epitope was presented to HLA-A2-restricted T cells. Involvement of cytosolic processing for this presentation is very unlikely, because (a) presentation occurred in cells lacking TAP; (b) expression of H3 molecules with the artificial signal sequence did not produce a detectable cytosolic form of H3; and (c) presentation of the same epitope expressed in cytosolic forms of antigen required TAP. Thus, a peptide derived from a signal sequence cleaved in the ER can provide an epitope for HLA-A2-restricted T cell recognition.
Erf4p and Erf2p Form an Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Complex Involved in the Plasma Membrane Localization of Yeast Ras Proteins

Ras oncogene proteins are plasma membrane-associated signal transducers that are found in all eukaryotes. Posttranslational addition of lipid to a carboxyl-terminal CaaX box (where "C" represents a cysteine, "a" is generally an aliphatic residue, and X can be any amino acid) is required to target Ras proteins to the cytosolic surface of the plasma membrane. The pathway by which Ras translocates from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane is currently not clear. We have performed a genetic screen to identify components of the Ras plasma membrane localization pathway. Mutations in two genes, ERF2 and ERF4/SHR5, have been shown to affect the palmitoylation and subcellular localization of Ras proteins. In this report, we show that Erf4p is localized on the endoplasmic reticulum as a peripheral membrane protein in a complex with Erf2p, an integral membrane protein that was identified from the same genetic screen. Erf2p has been shown to be required for the plasma membrane localization of GFP-Ras2p via a pathway distinct from the classical secretory pathway (X. Dong and R. J. Deschenes, manuscript in preparation). We show here that Erf4p, like Erf2p, is involved in the plasma membrane localization of Ras2p. Erf2p and Erf4p represent components of a previously uncharacterized subcellular transport pathway involved in the plasma membrane targeting of Ras proteins.
Towards a triple bottom-line sustainability assessment of the U.S. construction industry

The construction industry has considerable impacts on the environment, economy, and society. Although quantifying and analyzing the sustainability implications of the built environment is of great importance, it has not been studied sufficiently. Therefore, the overarching goal of this study is to quantify the overall environmental, economic, and social impacts of the U.S. construction sectors using an economic input–output-based sustainability assessment framework. In this research, the commodity-by-industry supply and use tables published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, as part of the International System of National Accounts, are merged with a range of environmental, economic, and social metrics to develop a comprehensive sustainability assessment framework for the U.S. construction industry. After determining these sustainability assessment metrics, the direct and indirect sustainability impacts of U.S construction sectors have been analyzed from a triple bottom-line perspective. When analyzing the total sustainability impacts by each construction sector, “Residential Permanent Single and Multi-Family Structures" and "Other Non-residential Structures" are found to have the highest environmental, economic, and social impacts in comparison with other construction sectors. The analysis results also show that indirect suppliers of construction sectors have the largest sustainability impacts compared with on-site activities. For example, for all U.S. construction sectors, on-site construction processes are found to be responsible for less than 5 % of total water consumption, whereas about 95 % of total water use can be attributed to indirect suppliers. In addition, Scope 3 emissions are responsible for the highest carbon emissions compared with Scopes 1 and 2. Therefore, using narrowly defined system boundaries by ignoring supply chain-related impacts can result in underestimation of triple bottom-line sustainability impacts of the U.S. construction industry. Life cycle assessment (LCA) studies that consider all dimensions of sustainability impacts of civil infrastructures are still limited, and the current research is an important attempt to analyze the triple bottom-line sustainability impacts of the U.S. construction sectors in a holistic way. We believe that this comprehensive sustainability assessment model will complement previous LCA studies on resource consumption of U.S. construction sectors by evaluating them not only from environmental standpoint, but also from economic and social perspectives.
Reduced NOR association frequency in a 13/18 translocation chromosome. A family study

The association frequency of a functional, intercalary NOR in fibroblasts of five carriers of a translocation t(13;18) was significantly lower than the average association frequency of normal G- and D-group chromosomes in the same carriers. This decreased coefficient of association does not seem to be attributable to partial loss of the NOR during rearrangement or to a loss of NOR activity, as indicated by silver staining. It is hypothesized that either (1) interphase associations including this chromosome form less frequently or, more likely, (2) associations with this chromosome are differentially susceptible to physical disruption due to flattening of association complexes during cell preparation. The presence of this abnormal NOR chromosome did not affect the association behavior of normal G- and D-group chromosomes in carrier cells. In addition, the present study supports previous observations that G-group chromosomes associate with a greater average frequency than D-group chromosomes.
Thermodynamics of electrolytes. III. Activity and osmotic coefficients for 2–2 electrolytes

The peculiar behavior of 2–2 and higher valence type electrolytes is discussed in terms of various theories some of which assume, while others do not, an equilibrium between separated ions and ion pairs as distinct chemical species. It is recognized that in some case a distinct species of inner-shell ion pairs is indicated by spectroscopic or ultrasonic data. Nevertheless, there are many advantages in representing, if possible, the properties of these electrolytes by appropriate virial coefficients and without chemical association equilibria. It is shown that this is possible and is conveniently accomplished by the addition of one term to the equations of Parts I and II of this series. The coefficients of these equations are given for nine solutes. It is also noted that these equations have been successfully applied to mixed electrolytes involving one component of the 2–2-type.
Single-Case Evaluation on Trial: Broken Promise or New Scapegoat?

This article takes issue with Rubm and Knox on three main points: (1) misrepresentation of single-case experimental designs; (2) logical inconsistencies; and (3) skewed portrayal of weaknesses existing in single-case designs. Possible reasons why single-case experimental designs are often misinterpreted in the social work literature are also discussed.
An empirical study of bank efficiency in China after WTO accession

Abstract This paper documents the technical efficiency of Chinese banks over 1999–2010. With stochastic frontier analysis, we find that Chinese banks are about 18% more efficient in generating lending assets than profits. We also observe an upward trend of bank efficiency after China's entry to WTO in 2001. The improvement of bank efficiency is most prominent for the largest banks with substantial state ownership. We also find that majority state-owned banks are least efficient; well capitalized banks are less efficient; bank efficiency decreases with bank size at the lower end, but banks gain efficiency and realize economies of scale when bank size grows large enough; more fee-generating business reduces efficiency; better management improves efficiency.
A nursing intervention to decrease depression in family caregivers of persons with dementia

The goal of this study was to evaluate a community-based psychoeducational-nursing intervention designed to teach home caregivers to manage behavioral problems of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) using the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model, and to compare this intervention with routine information and referrals for case management, community-based services, and support groups. Previous caregiver studies have overwhelmingly pointed to the adverse effects of caregiving on the caregivers' physical and mental health, and high prevalence rates of depression among caregivers of persons with ADRD have consistently been reported. Therefore, a primary aim was to evaluate the impact of the intervention on caregivers' affective responses, especially depression. Data from both the Profile of Moods States and the Geriatric Depression Rating Scale support the effectiveness of this intervention in decreasing depression among caregivers who received the experimental training. Additional analysis of factors associated with caregiver depression are also reported. The pivotal role of psychiatric nurses in the assessment and treatment of depression among caregivers of persons with ADRD is discussed.
In memory of Herbert Spiegelberg and the phenomenological workshops

I first read the name of Alfred Schutz in a footnote in an article by Harold Garfinkel which a colleague at Indiana gave me to read around I960.1 Schutz and phenomenology were not known to me prior to that time. I then began to read phenomenology. Another of Garfinkel's papers introduced the name of Herbert Spiegel berg.2 From this reading I learned that Spiegelberg was also connected to phenomenology. In 1963 I moved to Washington University. Herbert also arrived that year. I had only just begun to read in phenomenology and the idea of meeting a living, breathing, phenomenological philosopher such as Herbert Spiegelberg made me tremble. It took me at least a year to summon the courage to call him and to introduce myself. Then, to my amazement, I found a warm and kind, friendly and modest human being. He was interested in learning more about me and my inter? ests, how I had come to phenomenology via my introduction to Schutz via Garfinkel, and what developments were occurring in sociology. I found over the next few years at Washington University, a genuine colleague, mentor and friend. First, some remembrances of Herbert. He had, for many years, suffered with cataracts. These were becoming worse. He was having difficulty seeing. I remember once seeing him walking erratically down the sidewalk. I was certain he would trip and fall. But it was clear that he did not wish to be offered help. He was an indepen? dent spirit. He sailed along as though the pitch and roll in his walking were due to the fortunes of the winds and waves.