cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Danger of Rigged Algorithms: Evidence from Immigration Detention Decisions

This article illustrates a simple risk of algorithmic risk assessment tools: rigging. In 2017, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed the “release” recommendation from the algorithmic tool that helped officers decide whom to detain and whom to release. After the change, the tool only recommended detention or referred cases to a supervisor. Taking advantage of the suddenness of this change, I use a fuzzy regression discontinuity design to show that the change reduced actual release decisions by about half, from around 10% to around 5% of all decisions. Officers continued to follow the tool’s detention recommendations at almost the same rate even after the tool stopped recommending release, and when officers deviated from the tool’s recommendation to order release, supervisors became more likely to overrule their decisions. Although algorithmic tools offer the possibility of reducing the use of detention, they can also be rigged to increase it.
Rates of Revision and Obstructive Sleep Apnea after Surgery for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency: A Longitudinal Comparative Analysis of More Than 1000 Operations.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the comparative incidence of obstructive sleep apnea following velopharyngeal insufficiency surgery in the United States. METHODS A retrospective analysis of cleft and noncleft pediatric patients who underwent velopharyngeal insufficiency surgery was performed using the IBM MarketScan Commercial Database. Patients were tracked longitudinally from 2007 to 2016 to evaluate the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate predictors of postoperative obstructive sleep apnea and surgical revision. RESULTS A total of 1098 patients underwent a pharyngeal flap (61.0 percent), sphincter pharyngoplasty (22.2 percent), or palatal lengthening with or without island flaps (16.8 percent). Diagnoses were predominantly cleft lip and/or palate (52.8 percent) and congenital oropharyngeal anomalies (42.6 percent). Eighty patients (7.3 percent) developed obstructive sleep apnea at an average of 10.2 months postoperatively. Predictors of obstructive sleep apnea included older age (p = 0.014) and head and neck neoplasm (p = 0.011). The obstructive sleep apnea rate following sphincter pharyngoplasty was 11.1 percent, compared to 7.2 percent after pharyngeal flap surgery. Compared to sphincter pharyngoplasty, pharyngeal flap surgery was associated with a lower risk of further surgery (OR, 0.43; p = 0.010). Of patients with cleft lip and/or palate, 35 developed obstructive sleep apnea (6.0 percent) without a significant association with procedure type. CONCLUSIONS In this national claims database analysis of cleft and noncleft pediatric patients, the rate of obstructive sleep apnea following velopharyngeal insufficiency surgery was not significantly different for pharyngeal flap compared to sphincter pharyngoplasty. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, III.
News media coverage of extreme risk protection order policies surrounding the Parkland shooting: a mixed-methods analysis.

Background Following the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, there was a dramatic increase in media coverage of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) and in state policy proposals for ERPO laws. This study documents the frequency of news coverage of ERPOs throughout 2018 and examines the narratives used by media outlets to describe this risk-based firearm policy. Methods Using a mixed-method descriptive design, we examine the frequency of national news media coverage of ERPO legislation in 2018, before and after the Parkland shooting, and analyze the content of news articles related to a sample of states that considered ERPO legislation after the shooting. Results We find a sharp increase in the frequency of articles related to ERPOs following the Parkland shooting and smaller increases in coverage surrounding ERPO policy proposals and other public mass shootings that year. Nearly three-quarters of articles in our content analysis mentioned the Parkland shooting. The news media often mentioned or quoted politicians compared to other stakeholders, infrequently specified uses for ERPOs (e.g., prevention of mass violence, suicide, or other violence), and rarely included evidence on effectiveness of such policies. More than one-quarter of articles mentioned a mass shooting perpetrator by name, and one-third of articles used the term "gun control." Conclusions This study describes the emerging public discourse, as informed by media messaging and framing, on ERPOs as states continue to debate and implement these risk-based firearm violence prevention policies.
Suffering Narratives of Older Adults : A Phenomenological Approach to Serious Illness, Chronic Pain, Recovery and Maternal Care

In Suffering Narratives of Older Adults, Mary Beth Quaranta Morrissey turns to the traditions of phenomenology, humanistic psychology and social work to provide an in-depth exploration of the deep structure of the suffering experience. She draws upon the notion of maternal holding to develop an original construct of maternal affordances – the ground of possibility for human development, agency and relational practices. The conceptual analysis is based on the life narratives of several elders receiving chronic care in facility environments. Creating new fields of communication for patients, their family members and health professionals in processes of reflection and shared decision making, this book builds on knowledge about suffering to help guide ethical action in preventing and relieving chronic pain and improving systems of care. It offers a phenomenological approach to understanding the maternal as a primary domain of moral experience in serious illness and suffering, and implications for policy, practice and research. A series of applied chapters, looking at individual experiences of suffering and care experiences, present critical areas of ethical inquiry, including: pain and suffering maternal relational ethics evaluation and moral deliberation about care options decision-making and moral agency end-of-life experiences of care. Exploring how an ecological relational perspective grounded in phenomenology may provide fruitful alternatives to traditional frameworks in bioethics, this is an important contribution to the ongoing development of an ecological ethic of care. It will be of interest to scholars and students of bioethics and phenomenological methods in the health and human services, as well as practitioners in the field.
Sexual difference between psychoanalysis and vitalism

Throughout the twentieth century, psychoanalysis and feminism were the practico-intellectual fields most systematic and subversive in demonstrating that humanity is sexually fissured. More recently, further advances in the philosophy of difference and renewed emphases on embodiment, materiality and life offer possibilities for attending to dimensions of gender and sexuality that were previously underdeveloped. This collection examines these possibilities insofar as they can either deepen or displace the traditional centrality of psychoanalysis in matters sexual. The authors come from a wide range of backgrounds and defend their approaches to the problem of sexual difference in a variety of idioms, drawing on key thinkers such as Lacan, Irigaray, Deleuze, Foucault and Badiou. It is rare to come across these thinkers together; but sex is too crucial a site for critical thought not to mobilize every conceptual power available.
Tattooing and body piercing among adolescent detainees: relationship to alcohol and other drug use.

Purpose: The purpose of this preliminary study was to document self-reported tattooing and body piercing behavior among a sample of 860 adolescent detainees. Additionally, the study examined the relationship of alcohol and drug use to tattooing and body piercing — an often overlooked HIV risk behavior. Methods: Adolescents (N=860) participating in a substance use and HIV risk reduction intervention were surveyed upon entrance to a Youth Development Campus (YDC). Results: Twentynine percent of the sample (N=245) had at least one tattoo, and more than half (69%) had at least one body piercing. Fifteen percent hadtwoormore tattoos,while28%hadthree ormore piercings.Although a small percentage of the youth reported knowingly sharing needles for tattoos or piercings (2% and 1.5%, respectively), 21% had tattoos that had been administered unprofessionally and 20% had unprofessionally administered piercings. Marijuana and alcohol were the highest reported substances used in this sample, 62% and 54%, respectively.Alcohol,marijuana,antidepressants,and sedativeswere significant correlates of having tattoos. Alcohol was found to be a marginally significant (P=.052) correlate of body piercing. Conclusion: The popularity of tattooing and piercing and the risk involved with these activities make them an HIV risk behavior worthy of address. Risk reduction messages to youth should consistently address these behaviors and focus on them as they relate to substance use. D 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Composite Powder Synthesis

The synthesis of composite powders by a solution-precipitation process is discussed. In this process, thick coatings can be deposited on particles suspended as slurries in solutions. he coatings are produced as a result of controlled heterogeneous precipitation. The process parameters are discussed on the basis of a model combining simple first order reactions. Processing domains can be defined from this description in which the effects of changes in the processing parameters lead to predictable results. Various examples of coated powders prepared by the solution coating method are presented.
DNA methylases of Hemophilus influenzae Rd: I. Purification and properties☆

Abstract Hemophilus influenzae strain Rd DNA contains small amounts of 5-methylcytosine (0.012%) and significantly greater amounts of N-6-methyladenine (0.34%). Four DNA adenine methylases have been identified and purified from crude extracts of H. influenzae Rd by means of phosphocellulose chromatography. Each of the four enzymes requires (S-adenosyl- l -methionine as a methyl group donor and each differs in its ability to methylate various DNAs in vitro. DNA methylase I is related to the genetically described modification-restriction system in H. influenzae Rd, and is presumably the modification enzyme for that system. DNA methylase II introduces approximately 130 methyl groups into a phage T7 DNA molecule and protects T7 DNA from the H. influenzae Rd restriction enzyme, endonuclease R, described by Smith and Wilcox (1970). These findings indicate that DNA methylase II is the modification enzyme corresponding to endonuclease R. A third modification-restriction system, which does not affect T7 DNA, has been detected in H. influenzae Rd. DNA methylase III is apparently the modification enzyme for this system. The biological function of DNA methylase IV remains unknown.
The preclinical activity of lenalidomide in indolent urothelial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Lenalidomide is an IMiD® immunomodulatory drug, which may warrant evaluation in urothelial carcinoma (UC). MATERIALS AND METHODS The in vitro and in vivo activity of lenalidomide was evaluated in human and murine UC cell lines. Tumors were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for (CD31), cleaved caspase-3 (CC3) and CD3+/CD20+ lymphocyte infiltration. Cereblon, a molecular target of lenalidomide was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Significant pro-apoptotic activity, and reduction of cell viability was seen at low micromolar concentrations of lenalidomide against indolent human RT4 UC cells in vitro. Cereblon expression was quantitatively lower in sensitive RT4 cells compared to resistant 5637 cells. In RT4 xenografts, lenalidomide significantly reduced tumor size and CD31 expression, and increased expression of CC3 (p<0.05). Cereblon expression increased in lenalidomide-treated RT4 xenografts (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Lenalidomide demonstrated preclinical activity against superficially-invasive low-grade UC cells attributable to direct tumor cell apoptosis and anti-angiogenic activity. Clinical trials are warranted in patients with indolent UC.
An Acetonitrile-Related Death

A 39-year-old female who lived alone was discovered dead in her home. An autopsy produced no cause of death. The blood sedative screen was negative and only diphenhydramine was found by the urine organic base analysis. Examination of the blood and urine for volatiles produced an unexpected peak by GC analysis, which was then identified as acetonitrile by GC/MS. Acetonitrile concentrations were 31 and 56 mg/dL in two separate blood samples and 44 mg/dL in the urine. The blood cyanide concentration was 4.4 micrograms/mL. The cause of death was determined to be acetonitrile poisoning although the source of the acetonitrile was not discovered. Language: en
Effects of hexoprenaline on the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio and pressure-volume relationships in fetal rabbits

A placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was carried out on 74 New Zealand White rabbit fetuses from 15 does to assess the effect of a fetal injection of hexoprenaline on surfactant release. After the uterus was exposed, half the fetuses received 0.1 ml (0.25 microgram) of hexoprenaline injected intraperitoneally through the intact uterine wall; the other half received an equivalent volume of placebo. After 3 hours, the abdomen was reopened, and the fetuses were surgically delivered and killed before breathing. The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios, obtained from lung washings, revealed a mean of 1.59:1 for the placebo group and 1.92:1 for the hexoprenaline group (p less than 0.001). Pressure/volume curves were generated from the lungs of 24 fetuses from 10 does, and the volume of air in the lungs for each pressure was analyzed in four ways: total volume, volume per gram of fetal body weight, volume per gram of dry lung weight, and as a percentage of total lung capacity at a pressure of 40 cm H2O. A first and second inflation-deflation curve was obtained for each experiment. The lungs from the hexoprenaline-treated group retained significantly more air than those from the placebo group. The most significant comparison was obtained when lung volume was expressed per gram of dry lung weight. The possibility of administering a beta 2-sympathomimetic drug to the mother in advanced preterm labor, specifically to release surfactant in the fetal lung, is suggested.
Treatment of Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma: 2001

The neoplastic cells of mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sezary syndrome are recognized to be clonal expansions of “memory” T cells that home into the upper dermis and epidermis via the interplay of adhesion molecules and chemokines, and this may account for the marked effectiveness and even curative potential of various skin-directed therapies utilized to treat clinically early disease. However, because neoplastic T cells freely circulate and are detectable in extracutaneous tissues by PCR prior to other methods, effective long-term control of more advanced MF and Sezary syndrome, i.e. reduction of tumor burden and decreased risk of transformation into aggressive lymphoma, often requires long-term administration of a therapy with systemic activity in addition to skin-directed therapies. Therapies with immunomodulatory activities, e.g. interferon alfa, bexarotene or extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP), are probably superior to traditional cytotoxic drugs in this regard although the response rates are relatively low. Selected patients with advanced or biologically aggressive CTCL should be considered for an allogeneic stem cell transplantation regimen to induce a graft-versus-tumor response. New and emerging treatments include immunotoxins such as denileukin diftitox that selectively target neoplastic T cells, potent immunomodulatory cytokines such as rIL-12 to enhance innate antitumor immune mechanisms, novel immunotherapeutic approaches that use dendritic cells loaded with tumor-associated antigens or vaccination using synthetic peptides or DNA plasmids that express the variable region of the T cell receptor beta chain, and possibly gene and protein transduction therapy to correct intracellular defects in neoplastic T cells. Overall the future of therapy for CTCL seems quite optimistic.
A Theoretical Model of Common Process Factors in Youth and Family Therapy

Recently there has been an increasing emphasis in the youth and family mental health treatment literature on the use of empirically supported treatments (ESTs). In contrast there has been scant attention paid to more universal aspects of the therapy process that may have even greater impact upon therapy outcomes. It is likely that the success of the techniques proposed by ESTs may depend on the presence of common process factors. In this article, the authors explore the status of common process factors research in the youth and family therapy literature, and propose a theoretical model linking specific therapeutic relationship variables and treatment outcomes for children and adolescents. This model is intended to guide synthesis of the empirical evidence for common process factors in youth and family treatment and to stimulate future research on common process factors.
Evidence for overlapping myosin heads on relaxed thick filaments of fish, frog, and scallop striated muscles.

Abstract The organization of surface subunits on muscle thick filaments has been demonstrated by three-dimensional reconstructions of electron microscopic images. Rarely, however, do the resolutions attained allow unequivocal assignment of orientation to individual myosin heads within the subunits. Using a bifunctional agent to cross-link the active sites of nearest-neighbor myosin heads, we recently demonstrated that the two heads within each surface subunit of relaxed Limulus thick filaments are oppositely oriented and arise from axially sequential myosin molecules. Here, the effect of similarly cross-linking nearest-neighbor myosin heads with the bifunctional agent 3,3′-dithio-bis[3′(2′)-O-(6.propionylamino)hexanoyl]adenosine 5′-triphosphate in the presence of vanadate was studied on thick filaments from scallop, goldfish, and frog striated muscles. After incubation on high salt, treated filaments remained intact but untreated filaments and those with severed cross-links dissolved. This indicates that intermolecular bonds, formed between active sites, prevented myosin disaggregation. Optical transforms of images of treated, intact filaments showed retention of many features of patterns obtained from relaxed filaments, including layer-line reflections. Thus, it seems most likely that the two heads originating from a single myosin molecule are widely splayed and each overlaps with one originating from an axially sequential molecule on these, as on Limulus, filaments. These findings are discussed with respect to other structural and functional parameters of different muscles.
A possible role for a paralemniscal auditory pathway in the coding of slow temporal information

Low-frequency temporal information present in speech is critical for normal perception, however the neural mechanism underlying the differentiation of slow rates in acoustic signals is not known. Data from the rat trigeminal system suggest that the paralemniscal pathway may be specifically tuned to code low-frequency temporal information. We tested whether this phenomenon occurs in the auditory system by measuring the representation of temporal rate in lemniscal and paralemniscal auditory thalamus and cortex in guinea pig. Similar to the trigeminal system, responses measured in auditory thalamus indicate that slow rates are differentially represented in a paralemniscal pathway. In cortex, both lemniscal and paralemniscal neurons indicated sensitivity to slow rates. We speculate that a paralemniscal pathway in the auditory system may be specifically tuned to code low-frequency temporal information present in acoustic signals. These data suggest that somatosensory and auditory modalities have parallel sub-cortical pathways that separately process slow rates and the spatial representation of the sensory periphery.
The stigma of AIDS : persons with AIDS and social distance

Persons with AIDS (PWAs) are faced with the social isolation and discrimination that accompanies a deviant and stigmatized status. In this reasearch, we used the labeling or societal reaction theor...
Impact of Cultivar and Production Practices on Yield and Phytonutrient Content of Organically Grown Watermelon

Abstract Cultural practices can affect quality and phytonutrient content of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus var. lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai]. Knowing which cultivars perform well under various production systems, and how these systems affect quality, yield, and phytonutrient content is imperative to ensure high quality and yield. There is limited information on how watermelon cultivars perform when grown with organic practices. Production characteristics of six watermelon cultivars from certified organic seed sources were compared under high (black plastic and mechanical cultivation for weed control) and low input (no-till) organic culture. The high input production method almost doubled the number of fruit produced for all cultivars; producing greater yields and heavier average fruit weights, but fruit had decreased quality (lower Brix and lycopene content) compared with the low-input production. ‘Triple Star’ was the most productive seedless cultivar in terms of number of fruit in both organic field...
Spectroscopic survey telescope design: III. optical support structure and overall configuration

The Universities of Texas and Penn State are working together on an Arecibo-type optical telescope to be utilized in a semitransit mode for spectroscopic survey work. Its optics include a spherical primary mirror, a 2-element all-reflecting Gregorian spherical aberration corrector, and a series of optical fibers that will transmit light to a family of spectrographs. An optical support structure is being developed to permit position adjustment in azimuth only. During an azimuth position change, the instrument's entire weight is borne by steel rollers bearing on a circular crane rail of standard section, with support loads transmitted to the telescope base through pneumatic springs. Extensive application of various analytical procedures and computer-aided engineering tools has effectively allowed the detailed examination of several design iterations, thereby increasing the probability of success in the realized structure.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Geometry of random Toeplitz-block sensing matrices: bounds and implications for sparse signal processing

A rich body of literature has emerged during the last decade that seeks to exploit the sparsity of a signal for a reduction in the number of measurements required for various inference tasks. Much of the initial work in this direction has been for the case when the measurements correspond to a projection of the signal of interest onto the column space of (sub)Gaussian and subsampled Fourier matrices. The physics in a number of applications, however, dictates the use of "structured" matrices for measurement purposes. This has led to a recent push in the direction of structured measurement (or sensing) matrices for inference of sparse signals. This paper complements some of the recent work in this direction by studying the geometry of Toeplitz-block sensing matrices. Such matrices are bound to arise in any system that can be modeled as a linear, time-invariant (LTI) system with multiple inputs and single output. The reported results therefore should be of particular benefit to researchers interested in exploiting sparsity in LTI systems with multiple inputs.
Nurses and physicians: prospects for collaboration.

Excerpt Relations between professional groups reflect their histories as well as the politics, economics, and culture of the times. Those between physicians and nurses are no exception. The current...
Diastereoselective, vinylogous mukaiyama aldol additions of silyloxy furans to cyclic ketones: annulation of butenolides and gamma-lactones.

Vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reactions employing silyloxyfurans and substituted cyclic ketones are described. These annulations proceed with moderate to good diastereoselectivity. The potential application of this process to the synthesis of butenolide and γ-lactone containing natural products was demonstrated by further transformations of the addition products.
Activities of daily living scale in hoarding disorder

Abstract Research on hoarding over the last two decades has shown that hoarding disorder appears to be a distinct disorder that burdens the individual, the community and the families of people who hoard. Although hoarding clearly interferes with the daily functioning, especially in the context of extensive clutter, no validated measures of this interference have been developed. The present research examined the psychometric properties of the Activities of Daily Living in Hoarding scale (ADL-H) in two large samples of individuals with significant hoarding problems, one identified through the internet (n=363) and a second through clinical diagnostic interviews (n=202). The ADL-H scale test–retest (1–12 weeks), interrater and internal reliabilities ranged from .79 to .96. Convergent and discriminant validity were established through analyses of correlational data collected for measures of hoarding severity and non-hoarding psychopathology (obsessive–compulsive disorder [OCD], moodstate, attention deficit, and perfectionism/uncertainty), as well as through comparisons of scores among individuals with hoarding, hoarding plus OCD, OCD without hoarding, and community controls. The ADL-H scale appears to have strong psychometric properties and to be useful in clinical and research settings. Suggestions are made for expansion of the scale, and study limitations are noted.
GPR35 is a functional receptor in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

GPR35, previously an orphan G-protein coupled receptor, is a receptor for kynurenic acid. Here we examine the distribution of GPR35 in the rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the effects of its selective activation. GPR35 was expressed predominantly by small- to medium-diameter neurons of the DRG. Many of these same neurons also expressed the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channel, a nociceptive neuronal marker. The GPR35 agonists kynurenic acid and zaprinast inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP production by cultured rat DRG neurons. Inhibition required G(i/o) proteins as the effect was completely abolished by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. This is the first study to report the expression and function of GPR35 in rat nociceptive DRG neurons. We propose that GPR35 modulates nociception and that continued study of this receptor will provide additional insight into the role of kynurenic acid in pain perception.
The use of visual feedback to control vocal intensity and nasalization.

Abstract A device which provides visual feedback of vocal intensity, nasalization, or a ratio of nasalization to vocal intensity, is described. The device was used in several experiments in which control of vocal intensity was a necessary component. Normal and hypernasal speakers were able to control their vocal intensities successfully when using the visual display. The display also was used in an experiment designed to determine how well normal speakers can manipulate their nasalization without visual feedback and whether they improve when feedback is provided. Subjects manipulated their nasalization first without feedback, then with feedback, then, again, without feedback. The subjects' performance improved when feedback was provided and deteriorated when feedback was removed. It appears that this device is useful for many applications in a variety of settings.
Phugoid Damping Control

Abstract : A novel phugoid damping control design methodology is developed, based on the use of wind axes and a point-mass aircraft model. The state variables are air speed, flight path angle, and heading angle, the control variables are thrust setting, angle of attack, bank angle, and sideslip angle, and the command signals are airspeed, flight path angle, and heading angle or heading rate. All the variables and parameters are nondimensionalized. A multivariable set point controller is developed which consists of: (1) a trim calculation-based nonlinear feed-forward control computer; thus, given a commanded new trim state (air speed, flight path angle, and yaw rate), the required trim thrust setting and trim angle of attack, bank angle, and sideslip angle inputs are determined, and (2) a small signal linear feedback regulator; the equations of motion linearized about the trim condition of wings level, and constant altitude flight, which simplifies the dynamics to allow separation between the lateral and longitudinal control channels, are used, and a small-signal linear multivariable regulator is designed. The linear compensator also entails integral action. Thus, the controller consists of a strongly nonlinear feed-forward module and a linear small signal compensator. The novel proposed multi variable nonlinear set point controller encompasses full three-axes autopilot functions. Moreover, this controller is used as a tracking controller, a.k.a. a 'phugoid damping' controller, provided that the bandwidth of the command signal is substantially less than the bandwidth of the closed loop flight control system. The phugoid damping controller's performance is examined in extensive simulations and its wide operational envelope is demonstrated.
Droplet Charging for Wet Scrubbers

Water droplet charge/mass of wet scrubbers was measured over the direct charging applied potential range of 0-20 kV, 30-70 pounds per square inch gauge (206.8-482.6 kPa) water pressure, and with spiral, impingement, and whirl nozzles. The measured charge/mass ranged from -0.0005 to 0.2 microcoulomb/gm and was directly related to the applied voltage. The water charge/mass was a function of the spray nozzle, with the smaller orifice lower-flow nozzles having the higher charge/mass.
Electron-beam guiding and phase-mix damping by a laser-ionized channel.

An ultraviolet-laser-ionized channel in low-pressure benzene has been successfully used to guide and focus a 7-kA relativistic electron beam over distances up to 4 m. In addition, phase-mix damping of coherent, transverse beam motion has been demonstrated. A simple analytical model of the equilibrium beam profile is presented which is in reasonable agreement with the data.
Maturation of secretory function in rat pancreas.

Summary: In contrast to morphologic maturity, the newborn rat pancreas is unresponsive to carbachol. At 24 h, carbachol-stimulated secretion of exportable proteins markedly increases. Responsiveness to the calcium ionophore, A23187, is present at term. At age 24 h, pancreas from fasted newborn rats is also unresponsive to carbachol. When cholecystokinin octapeptide or hydrocortisone was administered to fasted newborn rats secretory function developed normally. Thus, responsiveness of newborn rat pancreas to secretagogues matures rapidly and can be induced by hormones. Speculation: When either cholecystokinin octapeptide or hydrocortisone is administered to fasted newborn rats, normal maturation of in vitro secretory function occurs. The actions of these exogenous agents may mimic endogenous release stimulated by first feeding.
50 Role of the GH/IGF-I Axis in the Growth Retardation of Weaver Mice

IGF-I is an anabolic growth factor essential for growth and development, both as a mediator of growth hormone (GH) action and as a growth factor for cell proliferation and differentiation. Although the role of the GH/IGF-I axis is established for normal postnatal growth, its functional state in neurodegenerative diseases is not fully characterized. The weaver (wv) mutant mouse is a commonly used model for studying hereditary cerebellar ataxia and provides an opportunity to study the function of IGF-I in postnatal growth during neurodegeneration. Previously, we reported that weaver mice are growth retarded and their body weights correlate with a decrease in circulating IGF-I levels, suggesting that IGF-I's endocrine function is impaired in weaver mice. This study further investigated the cause of lower circulating IGF-I levels. Most circulating IGF-I is synthesized in the liver under the control of GH. We found that GH levels in wv mice are reduced, but the hepatic GH receptor signal transduction pathway functions normally, because acute GH treatment increased STAT5b phosphorylation and IGF-I mRNA levels in weaver mice. To investigate whether decreased circulating GH contributes to wv mouse growth retardation, we treated weaver mice with GH for 2 weeks and found a signify cant increase in body weights and circulating IGF-I levels in weaver mice, but not in wild type mice. In summary, our results suggest that postnatal growth retardation in weaver mutant mice likely results from a dysfunction in the GH/IGF-I axis.
Introduction to another special issue on a multicultural view of domestic violence: Part II

Since our publication of the special issue on a multicultural perspective on domestic violence by this journal (Vol. 3, No. 1, 1994), there has been an explosion of media coverage about this issue, partly precipitated by the O. J. Simpson story. Following the sensational coverage on television of the minute details of that incident, it appears that the number of reports of domestic violence increased substantially, and the society experienced a period of high awakening to the pervasiveness and seriousness of the problem. It was truly a desperate call for action as we all became poignantly aware that even our superheroes are not immune to the heinous impact of domestic violence; and that we can no longer afford to bury our head in the sand or to turn back our head to this problem as in the past, if we are going to restore our heroes to their rightous position in our lives. As a 12-year-old boy said in response to the O. J. Simpson story, "I just have to take them [his athlete heroes] for what they are, human." It is, indeed, a human problem in need of a more human response. It is not an unusual occurrence that a situation of a highly visible individual could serve as a catalyst for a whole society to mobilize itself from stagnation and indifference. But would this call be sufficient for our legal, educational, religious, governmental, health and mental health institutions to become more systematically responsive to victims of domestic violence? Would this lead to a systematic development of policies and pro-
Closed-form linear stability conditions for rotating Rayleigh Bénard convection with rigid stress-free upper and lower boundaries

The linear dynamics of rotating Rayleigh–Benard convection with rigid stress-free boundaries has been thoroughly investigated by Chandrasekhar (1961) who determined the marginal stability boundary and critical horizontal wavenumbers for the onset of convection and overstability as a function of the Taylor number the marginal stability boundary is determined by this curve until it is intersected by the curve \[ T(R,P)= R{\Bigg[\bigg(\frac{1+P}{2^3 P^4}\bigg)^{1/2}(R/R_c)^{1/2} -\frac{1+P}{2P^2}\Bigg]}. \]A simple expression for the intersection point is derived and also for the critical horizontal wavenumbers for which, along the marginal stability boundary, instability sets in either as stationary convection or in an oscillatory fashion. A simple formula is derived for the frequency of the oscillations. Further, we have analytically determined critical points on the marginal stability boundary above which an increase of either viscosity or diffusivity is destabilizing. Finally, we show that if the fluid has zero viscosity the system is always unstable, in contradiction to Chandrasekhar's conclusion.
Ca2+ and Zn2+ bind to different sites and induce different conformational changes in human calcyclin

Calcyclin (CaCY) is a member of the S100 subfamily of helix-loop-helix (EF-hand) calcium-binding proteins. Human CaCY was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified with an overall yield of 40 mg/l culture. Ca2+ and Zn2+ binding properties of CaCY were examined with respect to the oxidation state of the single Cys residue at position 3. CaCY with the SH group either reduced, blocked or oxidized stays as a dimer as shown by analytical ultracentrifugation. Upon binding of Ca2+, CaCY exhibits 30% enhancement of the Tyr fluorescence, the apparent binding constant (Ka) being 2.8-5.8x10(4) M(-1). Oxidized CaCY binds Ca2+ approximately twice as weakly than its reduced form. The affinity for Ca2+ is increased in the presence of caldesmon, which could be a potential target molecule. Fully reduced CaCY binds Zn2+ with an affinity of at least 1.0x10(7) M(-1). As compared to Ca2+, Zn2+ binding results in a three times greater enhancement of the Tyr fluorescence. Saturation occurs at a Zn2+/CaCY ratio of 2:1. The reactivity of Cys3 is reduced by Zn2+ binding, although oxidized CaCY still binds Zn2+. On the basis of the effects of thiol-directed labels on the affinities for Ca2+ and Zn2+, the fluorescence changes accompanying the binding, and the CaCY reactivity with a hydrophobic probe, it was concluded that the two cations bind to CaCY at different sites: Ca2+ binds probably at the EF-hand type sites, whereas binding of at least one Zn2+ ion involves the Cys residue, and results in a different structural change.
Preparing General Education Teachers for Inclusive Settings: The Role of Special Education Teachers in the Professional Development School Context

Despite the widespread growth of professional development schools (PDS), few reports have examined the professional development school context — and the role of special educators within these conte...
Comprehensive maternal hemorrhage protocols reduce the use of blood products and improve patient safety.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of instituting a comprehensive protocol for the treatment of maternal hemorrhage within a large health care system. A comprehensive maternal hemorrhage protocol was initiated within a health care system with 29 different delivery units and with >60,000 annual births. Compliance with key elements of the protocol was assessed monthly by a dedicated perinatal safety nurse at each site and validated during site visits by system perinatal nurse specialist. Outcome variables were the total number of units of blood transfused and the number of puerperal hysterectomies. Three time points were assessed: (1) 2 months before implementation of the protocol, (2) a 2-month period that was measured at 5 months after implementation of the protocol, and (3) a 2-month period at 10 months after implementation. There were 32,059 deliveries during the 3 study periods. Relative to baseline, there was a significant reduction in blood product use per 1000 births (−25.9%; P P = .2) in the number of patients who required puerperal hysterectomy. Within a large health care system, the application of a standardized method to address maternal hemorrhage significantly reduced maternal morbidity, based on the need for maternal transfusion and peripartum hysterectomy. These data support implementation of standardized methods for postpartum care and treatment of maternal hemorrhage and support that this approach will reduce maternal morbidity.
Ultrasound-guided transhepatic radiofrequency ablation of renal tumors: a safe and effective approach.

Purpose This study was designed to determine the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided transhepatic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of masses in the right kidney.
Hypertension: A Disease of Abnormal Circulatory Control

There is a widespread belief that some of the rapidly acting pressure control mechanisms such as the baroreceptor feedback mechanism and the reninangiotensin mechanism are also the primary determinant factors for longterm arterial pressure control. But recent theoretical analyses, supported by great amounts of experimental and clinical evidence, have shown that the primary controller of the longterm pressure level is a renal-body fluid volume feedback mechanism for pressure control. This mechanism operates simply as follows: an increase in arterial pressure causes the kidneys to excrete markedly increased quantities of urine. This, in turn, decreases the level of body fluids and eventually decreases the arterial pressure toward normal. However, the short-term arterial pressure control mechanisms obscure this mechanism in acute experiments. Therefore, acute experiments have, until recently, failed to demonstrate the extreme importance and potency of the fluid mechanism. The renal-body fluid volume mechanism for pressure control is a feedback control system of the integral control type that, under appropriate conditions, has infinite capability to return the arterial pressure to its reference pressure level. This reference pressure level is determined by two primary factors: (1) the urinary volume load; and (2) the renal function curve that relates arterial pressure to the urinary volume load. The second of these is usually by far the more important. Therefore, the kidneys play an almost insuperable role in longterm arterial pressure regulation and in hypertension. Nonrenal hypertensive abnormalities can be shown both theoretically and experimentally to cause hypertension by altering either kidney function or fluid intake. Studies indicate that the portions of the kidney most responsible for arterial pressure control are the pretubular segments: the afferent arterioles and the glomerular membrane. Therefore, one can predict that most types of hypertension mechanisms must in one way or another result from primary or secondary abnormal function of one of the pretubular elements of the kidney.
Three Factors of the Comprehensive System for the Rorschach and their Relationship to Wechsler IQ Scores in an Adolescent Sample

Principal axis factor analyses of the Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS) in a clinical sample of 152 adolescents yielded three clearly defined factors: Synthesized Complexity (defined by Zf, DQ+, and F%), Productivity (defined by R, D, and Dd), and Form Quality (defined by X+%, F+%, and X-%). Variables on the Synthesized Complexity and Form Quality factors were generally correlated with Wechsler Full Scale IQ, Verbal IQ, and Performance IQ scores. Overall, the factors in this adolescent sample replicated factors identified in earlier studies with adults. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.
A Multi-Instrument Examination of Preschool Classroom Quality and the Relationship Between Program, Classroom, and Teacher Characteristics

Research Findings: A statewide study of preschool classroom quality was conducted using 3 distinct classroom observation measures in order to inform a statewide quality rating system. Findings suggested that Tennessee preschool classrooms were approaching “good” quality on the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Revised (ECERS-R) and provided a mid-to-high emotional and engaging climate as indicated by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) domains of Emotional Support and Student Engagement. However, classrooms were only minimal on the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale–Extension and the CLASS Instructional Support domain. Past performance on a state quality rating assessment consistently predicted the current quality of preschool classrooms as assessed by all 3 measures. Lead teachers' education in early childhood and experience were also predictors across quality measures. Practice or Policy: Tennessee preschool classrooms scored higher on the ECERS-R, which is the measure utilized ...
Shallow seismic imaging of folds above the Puente Hills blind-thrust fault, Los Angeles, California

[1] High-resolution seismic reflection profiles image discrete folds in the shallow subsurface (<600 m) above two segments of the Puente Hills blind-thrust fault system, Los Angeles basin, California. The profiles demonstrate late Quaternary activity at the fault tip, precisely locate the axial surfaces of folds within the upper 100 m, and constrain the geometry and kinematics of recent folding. The Santa Fe Springs segment of the Puente Hills fault zone shows an upward-narrowing kink band with an active anticlinal axial surface, consistent with fault-bend folding above an active thrust ramp. The Coyote Hills segment shows an active synclinal axial surface that coincides with the base of a 9-m-high scarp, consistent with tip-line folding or the presence of a backthrust. The seismic profiles pinpoint targets for future geologic work to constrain slip rates and ages of past events on this important fault system.
Presumed rapid eye movement behavior disorder in Machado-Joseph disease (spinocerebellar ataxia type 3).

Rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD) is a recently recognized sleep disorder in which patients are occasionally not paralyzed during the dream portions of sleep. When not idiopathic, this state has been associated primarily with parkinsonian conditions but also with a small number of medications and other neurodegenerative disorders. Dopamine deficiency may play a role in some patients. This report describes the occurrence of a syndrome that appears to be RBD in 6 of 7 patients followed with Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (Machado-Joseph disease). Polysomnography was normal in 1 patient. Two of these patients had had single photon emission computed tomographic imaging of the dopamine transporter 1 year previously.
The effects of ouabain on endothelial function in human and rabbit corneas.

These experiments were undertaken to study the effects of ouabain on endothelial function in isolated perfused human and rabbit corneas. Both human and rabbit corneas swell at rates which are dose-dependent when perfused with ouabain (10-8 to 10-5 M). The human tissue, however, requires tenfold higher concentrations to achieve swelling rates comparable to rabbit. Dose-dependent ultrastructural changes are seen in ouabainperfused endothelia progressing from moderate endothelial edema (7.5 × 10-7 M) to marked edema with altered subcellular organelles and vacuolization (10-5 M). Ouabain-perfused human corneas show marked endothelial edema even at the lowest concentrations of ouabain tested. Apical junctions remain intact, however, in both human and rabbit endothelia at all concentrations. These results suggest that endothelial Na/K ATPase is essential to pump function in both human and rabbit corneas.
Experimentally observed soft‐tissue preservation near a marine brine seep

A sea urchin placed on the sea floor near an active brine seep was recovered after 13 years with detailed soft-tissue preservation. Growth of an amorphous calcium carbonate solid with small amounts of the mineral bassanite occurred on the spines and test. The solid also exhibits striations at both the macro- and microscopic scales that preserve the muscle texture of the sea urchin. Such soft-tissue replacement and mineralization could lead to exquisite fossilization. Soft-tissue mineralization has been previously replicated in controlled laboratory conditions; however, this is the first report of the lithologic replication of soft tissues in an open marine experiment. Examples of extraordinary fossil preservation, or Lagersatten, give a distinct snapshot of the past and have led to a greater understanding of the history of life. Soft-tissue lithification occurs in special circumstances in which local chemical conditions (often mediated by decay or bacterial factors) promote early diagenetic mineralization, the first steps of which are observed in this instance. The preservation of articulated skeletons, especially within echinoderms, is normally attributed to rapid burial, but that may not be necessary given that this urchin was at or very near the sediment–water interface for 13 years.