cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence-based medicine: is translating evidence into practice a solution to the cost-quality challenges facing medicine?

Article-at-a-Glance Background Evidence-based medicine (EBM) and practice guidelines have been embraced by increasing numbers of scholars, administrators, and medical journalists as an intellectually attractive solution to the dilemma of improving health care quality while reducing costs. However, certain factors have thus far limited the role that EBM might play in resolving cost–quality trade-offs. Factors for success of EBM recommendations and guidelines Beyond the quality of the guideline and the evidence base itself, critical factors for success include local clinician involvement, a unified or closed medical staff, protocols that minimize use of clinical judgment and that call for involvement of so-called physician extenders (such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants), and financial incentive. Troublesome issues related to cost–quality trade-offs Rationing presents many dilemmas, but for physicians one critical problem is determining what is the physician's responsibility. Is the physician to be the patient's advocate, or should the physician be the advocate of all patients (the patients' advocate)? How do we get physicians out of potentially conflicted roles? EBM guidelines are needed to help minimize the number of instances physicians are asked to ration care at the bedside. If the public can decide to share and limit resources–presumably based on shared priorities–physicians would have a basis to act as advocates for all patients. Conclusions Although EBM alone is not a simple solution to the problems of increasing costs and public expectations, it can be an important source of input and information in relating the value of service and medical technology to public priorities.
The Legacy of Slavery: Tales of Gender and Racial Violence in Machado de Assis

The themes of slavery, gender and racism, seen as intertwined, were present in the work of Machado de Assis throughout his career. It is possible to identify three moments, successive but also to some degree coeval, in the way in which Machado approached and interrelated these subjects. First, he denounced the seigneurial custom of resorting to sexual violence against free and enslaved black women, and depicted these women’s dignity in dealing with the problem (in texts written mainly in the 1860s and 1870s). Second, in very allegorical mode, he analyzed the relations among division of labor, scientific ideologies and racial injustice (1880s). Finally, Machado de Assis turned to the legacy of slavery and its consequences for Brazilian history and society (1890s and 1900s).
Advancing Diversity and Inclusivity in STEM Education

Women faculty are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines. The National Science Foundation ADVANCE program strives to increase the representation and advancement of women STEM faculty. This panel will present the efforts of the NSF ADVANCE Program along with specific efforts by university awardees to activate change for STEM faculty. Program elements, milestones, progress and challenges will be described along with strategies on getting started at your own university.
Measurements of K s 0 , Λ + Λ ‾, and Ξ + + Ξ - production in pp, pPb, and PbPb collisions with CMS

Abstract We present measurements of strange hadron ( K s 0 , Λ + Λ ‾ , and Ξ + + Ξ − ) transverse momentum (pT) spectra in pp, pPb, and PbPb collisions over a wide range in charge-particle multiplicity and particle rapidity. The data were taken with the CMS detector at the LHC for pp collisions at s = 7 TeV , pPb collisions at s N N = 5.02 TeV , and PbPb collisions at s N N = 2.76 TeV . We find the average transverse kinetic energy (KET) increases with event multiplicity, with a faster rate for heavier particle species. At similar multiplicities, we observe the separation in the 〈 K E T 〉 , which is defined as 〈 K E T 〉 = 〈 m T 〉 − m , where m T = m 2 + p T 2 , between different particle species is larger for pp and pPb systems than PbPb system. In pPb collisions, 〈 K E T 〉 is found to be larger in the Pb-going direction than in the p-going direction. This trend of asymmetry becomes more evident for heavier particle species as event multiplicity increases. We also compare the data to models motivated by hydrodynamics.
Do As I Say, Not As I Do.

Little is known about the drinking behaviors and perceptions of the peers facilitating campus alcohol interventions. The current study examined these trajectories in peer counselors (N = 12) providing personalized normative feedback interventions to undergraduates mandated to clinical services. Peer counselors completed four monthly self-assessments. In spite of facilitating interventions to reduce drinking and associated harms, peer drinking behaviors and expectancies did not change, although significant between subjects effects suggest various trajectories. Peer counselors did correct overestimates of binge drinking but progressively underestimated abstinence norms. Despite the lack of change in the peer counselor behaviors, the mandated clients significantly reduced their drinking, suggesting it may be more important to “Do as I Say” rather than as the facilitator does.
Influence of segmental body composition and adiposity hormones on resting metabolic rate and substrate utilization in overweight and obese adults

Low resting metabolic rate (RMR) and high carbohydrate reliance at rest are associated with weight gain, but are highly variable in obese individuals. This study determined the relationship of total and segmental body composition and adiposity hormones with RMR and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in overweight and obese adults. In 49 men (n = 23) and premenopausal women (n = 26) [mean ± SD; age = 35.0 ± 8.9 years; body mass index (BMI) = 33.6 ± 5.2 kg·m−2; percent body fat (%fat) = 40.0 ± 8.0%], RMR and RER were evaluated using indirect calorimetry. Total and segmental body composition [fat mass (FM), percent fat (%fat), lean mass (LM), visceral adipose tissue (VAT)] were estimated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasted blood and saliva samples were analyzed for insulin, leptin, estradiol, and cortisol. In men (M) and women (W), RMR significantly correlated (p 0.05). Segmental evaluation of body composition, specifically in the lower extremities and abdomen, may be an effective and efficient way to evaluate metabolic status. Sex-specific evaluations are also imperative.
An Empirical Study of Program Performance of OpenMP Applications on Multicore Platforms

Current architectures of multicore machines are becoming increasingly complex due to hierarchical designs. Consequently, to achieve better performance stability, reproducibility and predictability requires a deep understanding of the interactions between multi-threaded applications and the underlying hardware. In this thesis, we study two important aspects for the performance of multi-threaded applications. We show that performance stability is an important criteria to consider in the process of performance evaluation, and thread placement is an effective technique in termes of program performance stability and improvement. We first study the variability of program execution times, defining a rigourous performance evaluation protocol, and analysing the reasons of such variability and its implications for program performance measurement. Then, we study the relation between the inter-thread data sharing and thread placement strategies on hierarchical machines. We consider various strategies where the same placement is applied for the whole execution of the program. While some of them rely on the characteristics of the application, others are not. We also present other thread placement strategies that allow thread migrations in order to exploit data sharing during different program phases.
Picking apart surgical pick lists - Reducing variation to decrease surgical costs.

Abstract Background Average costs associated with common procedures can vary by surgeon without a corresponding variation in outcome or case complexity. Methods De-identified cost and equipment utilization data were collected from our hospital for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by 17 different surgeons over a 6-month period. A group of surgeons used this data to design a standardized equipment pick list that became optional (not mandated) for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Cost and consumable surgical supply utilization data were collected for six months prior to and following the creation of the standardized pick-list. Results 280 elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed during the study interval. In the 6 months after standardized pick list creation, the cost of disposable supplies utilized per case decreased by 32%. Conclusions Surgical cost savings can be achieved with standardized procedure pick lists and attention to the cost of consumable surgical supplies.
Moral Voice: Talking About Ethics at Work

There are a number of reasons that individuals find it challenging to engage in discussion about ethics and values in the workplace environment, yet engagement regarding values is critically important for organizations. Effective organizations talk about and enact their values. This note discusses some of the key barriers to exercising “moral voice” in the workplace environment and offers suggestions for individuals and managers regarding how to foster such open discussion and how to minimize moral muteness. Excerpt UVA-E-0411 Rev. Jan. 5, 2016 Moral Voice: Talking About Ethics at Work Organizational learning and functioning depend on the willingness of employees to give voice to their ideas, opinions, and concerns. When expressed constructively, employee voice helps groups learn, make better decisions, and identify and address problems. Yet the default tendency for employees in many organizations is simply to remain silent; speaking up at work is perceived to be risky. High-performing organizations seek to overcome this workplace silence and find ways to encourage and listen to feedback from a diverse range of employees and individuals who might have a tendency to be overlooked or lost—the less powerful, the disenfranchised, and those who due to personality might simply be less inclined to speak up. Employee voice is a vital part of organizational functioning, because the ideas raised by employees can be a valuable source of innovation and a powerful impetus for change. Employee voice is especially important when it concerns matters of ethics and values, because moral voice highlights opportunities for organizations to better meet the needs of their stakeholders—opportunities that might otherwise fade into the background of a business narrative dominated by immediate competitive pressures. Moral voice is also a powerful deterrent to unethical workplace behavior. For instance, research demonstrates that employee tips are the single most effective mechanism for detecting and deterring corporate misconduct and uncovering more fraudulent behavior than audits, technology controls, and management reviews combined. Finally, moral voice can enhance workers' ability to engage with or question—and therefore better connect with—the purpose and values of an organization. For all of these reasons, ethics and values are among the most important topics for open discussion within organizations. Despite the many benefits of moral voice for effective organizational functioning, the process of speaking up about ethical matters can be difficult for both employees and their managers. Why is it so difficult to talk about moral issues at work? And why do managers tend to shy away from fostering and engaging in discussions related to ethics and values? Even more importantly, how can leaders overcome these challenges to encourage more effective conversations about ethics in the workplace? . . .
Observation of a low temperature n-p transition in individual titania nanotubes

Manipulating the transport properties of titania nanotubes (NTs) is paramount in guaranteeing the material's successful implementation in various solid state applications. Here we present the unique semiconducting properties of individual titania NTs as revealed from thermoelectric and structural studies performed on the same individual NTs. The NTs were in the anatase phase fabricated by anodic oxidation and doped with intrinsic defects created by reducing the lattice thermally. Despite their polycrystalline nature and nanoscale walls, the doped NTs were found to be 4-5 orders of magnitude more electrically conducting than TiO2 nanowires and thin films, with values approaching the bulk single crystal conductivity. The reason for the high conductivity was found to be the high carrier concentration on the order of 1022 cm-3, which counteracted the low mobility values ∼0.006 cm2 V-1 s-1. Furthermore, this high level of carrier concentration transitioned the NTs to a degenerate state, which is the first such example in thermally doped titania NTs. More importantly, our study showed the creation of acceptor states along with donor states in individual nanotubes upon lattice reduction. These acceptor levels were found to be active at low temperatures when donor states were not ionized, shifting the Fermi level (Ef) from the conduction band to the valence band.
National trends in emergency department visits and hospitalizations for food-induced anaphylaxis in US children.

BACKGROUND Food is the leading cause of anaphylaxis in children seen in emergency departments in the United States, yet data on emergency department visits and hospitalizations related to food-induced anaphylaxis are limited. The objective of our study was to examine national time trends of pediatric food-induced anaphylaxis-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. METHODS We conducted an observational study using a national administrative claims database from 2005 through 2014. Participants were younger than 18 years with an emergency department visit or hospitalization for food-induced anaphylaxis. Outcome measures of our study included time trends of pediatric food-induced anaphylaxis-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations, including observations (in an emergency department or a hospital unit), inpatient admissions, and intensive care unit admissions. RESULTS During the study period, participants had 7310 food-induced anaphylaxis-related emergency department visits. Emergency department visits for food-induced anaphylaxis increased by 214% (P < .001); the highest rates were in infants and toddlers (age 0-2 years). Rates of emergency department visits significantly increased in all age-groups, with the highest increase in adolescents (age 13-17 years: 413%; P < .001). Peanuts accounted for the highest rates (5.85 per 100 000 in 2014) followed by tree nuts/seeds (4.62 per 100 000 in 2014). The greatest increase in rates of emergency department visits for food-induced anaphylaxis occurred with tree nuts/seeds (373.0% increase during the study period). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of food-induced anaphylaxis has significantly increased over time in children of all ages. Food-induced anaphylaxis in children is an important national public health concern.
Ultra-Wideband Communications Using Pseudo-Chaotic Time Hopping

Pseudo-chaotic time hopping (PCTH) is a recently proposed encoding/modulation scheme for UWB (ultra-wide band) impulse radio. PCTH exploits concepts from symbolic dynamics to generate aperiodic spreading sequences, resulting in a noiselike spectrum. In this chapter we present the signal characteristics of single-user PCTH as well as a suitable multiple access technique. In particular, we provide analytical expressions for the BER (bit-error-rate) performance as a function of the number of users and validate it by simulation.
THE INFRARED SPECTRA OF NITROBENZENE DERIVATIVES

Abstract The infrared spectra of o-, m- and p-disubstituted nitrobenzenes have been recorded in KBr pellets with an accuracy of ± 2 wave numbers. Sixty spectra were recorded of the following compounds with a nitro group in the o-, m- or p-position: fluorobenzene, chlorobenzene, bromobenzene, iodobenzene, nitrosobenzene, benzonitrile, benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, benzene sulphonyl chloride, acetophenone, aniline, acetanilide, anisole, diphenyl ether, toluene, biphenyl, phenol, phenoxide (Na salt) and cinnamic acid (trans). Contrary to earlier reports, a plot of the nitro asymmetric frequency versus the Hammett σ constant does not produce a straight line for the m- and p-disubstituted nitrobenzenes. An attempt will be made to correlate the nitro asymmetric and symmetric frequencies with the inhibition of mesomerie of the o-halonitrobenzenes and the o,o′-dihalonitro-benzenes.
Selected Topics in Critical Element Detection

In this paper we consider the problem of detecting critical elements in networks. The objective of these problems is to identify a subset of elements (i.e., nodes, arcs, paths, cliques, etc.) whose deletion minimizes a given connectivity measure over the resulting network. This paper surveys some of the recent advances for solving these kinds of problems including heuristic, mathematical programming, approximated algorithms, and dynamic programming approaches.
Dynamic Unemployment along Recessions and Recoveries:The U.S. Experience 1968 – 2015

This research examines the dynamics of the unemployment rate and jobless recoveries in The United States. We find that GDP, productivity, and inflation are positively related to employment recovery and real wage growth has a negative impact on employment recovery. A low inflation rate is a major factor associated with lengthened recoveries. The unemployment rate is significantly negatively related with productivity, real wage, and lagged GDP growth. Rising imports as a percentage of GDP put upward pressure on the unemployment rate. We find that unknown and unmeasurable factors associated with recessions are positively related to the unemployment rate.
Socially Constructed Authenticity: Empirical Tests of an Organizational Theory

Authenticity commands increasing attention among consumers in advanced modern market economies, who tacitly assign it value. Of special interest to social scientists is socially constructed authent...
What Teachers Retain From Historic Site-Based Professional Development:

Using a broad-based assessment for understanding what teachers learn in historic site-based professional development (HSBPD), this study follows 29 teachers from a HSBPD at Thomas Jefferson’s Monti...
Seasonal and Subseasonal Variability of Potential Energy Injected into the Tropical UTLS by Convective and Tropical Cyclone Outflow

AbstractThis study employs 40 years of ERA-Interim data to quantify the periodic behavior of the integral amount of potential energy stored in the tropical upper UTLS (upper troposphere and lower s...
Award-winning faculty online teaching practices: Elements of award-winning courses

The purpose of this study was to explore award-winning instructors’ insights on elements of their course design that were “award-winning” and the differences between expert and novice online instructors. Interviews were conducted with eight award-winning online faculty members from across the United States who had received online teaching awards from one of three professional associations. The five main areas that emerged from the data analysis were, a) authentic and relevant course materials that connect to practice, b) the use of multimedia resources c) student creation of digital content individually and collaboratively d) students’ reflection on learning and e) the instructor’s explanation of the purpose of activities, technologies and assessments in the online course. Additionally, award-winning faculty emphasized the importance of using data and evaluation practices and reflecting on course offerings in the development of an excellent online course. Award-wining faculty described expert online instructors as being experienced and comfortable in the online environment, using a wide range of strategies, being willing to learn, using data and analytics, and engaged in continuous improvement. The findings add to the literature on best practices and what constitutes excellence in online courses.
Selection of an Optimal Abrasion Wheel Type for Nano-Coating Wear Studies under Wet or Dry Abrasion Conditions

Nanocoatings have numerous potential applications in the indoor environment, such as flooring finishes with increased scratch- and wear-resistance. However, given concerns about the potential environmental and human health effects of nanomaterials, it is necessary to develop standardized methods to quantify nanomaterial release during use of these products. One key choice for mechanical wear studies is the abrasion wheel. Potential limitations of different wheels include the release of fragments from the wheel during abrasion, wearing of the wheel from the abrasion process, or not releasing a sufficient number of particles for accurate quantitative analysis. In this study, we evaluated five different wheels, including a typically used silicon oxide-based commercial wheel and four wheels fabricated at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), for their application in nanocoating abrasion studies. A rapid, nondestructive laser scanning confocal microscopy method was developed and used to identify released particles on the abraded surfaces. NIST fabricated a high performing wheel: a noncorrosive, stainless-steel abrasion wheel containing a deep cross-patch. This wheel worked well under both wet and dry conditions, did not corrode in aqueous media, did not release particles from itself, and yielded higher numbers of released particles. These results can be used to help develop a standardized protocol for surface release of particles from nanoenabled products using a commercial rotary Taber abraser.
Towards deep space optical communications

Optical communications will provide the next generation of interplanetary missions with high-bit-rate data transmission, requiring modifications on the ground and in space, explains Leslie Deutsch.
Cardiac Xenotransplantation in Nonhuman Primates

For many years, exploration of pig heart transplantation in nonhuman primates was carried out after placing the pig heart in a heterotopic position, e.g., in the neck or abdomen, of the recipient. This allowed observations to be made of rejection and of how this could be prevented by immunosuppressive therapy and/or immunomodulation procedures, e.g., anti-pig antibody adsorption. With the development of genetic engineering techniques, and the availability of ever-more sophisticated pigs and novel immunosuppressive agents, e.g., costimulation blockade, survival of the grafts increased from minutes to weeks and months, until some pig hearts were functioning for more than 2 years. However, translation of these improvements to orthotopic heart transplantation was delayed by a high incidence of early graft dysfunction from a non-immunological cause. This problem has been overcome by improved methods of protection of the myocardium from ischemic insult during transplantation. Graft and recipient survival after orthotopic heart transplantation have now increased to 6 months. Nevertheless, ventricular hypertrophy has been observed and may be related to a higher systemic vascular resistance in baboons than in pigs. With the availability of continually improving mechanical assist devices, the selection of patients for the first clinical trial of pig heart transplantation may prove more difficult than that for kidney transplantation.
Caffeine increases alcohol self-administration, an effect that is independent of dopamine D2 receptor function.

Abstract The rising popularity of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmEDs) has become a significant public health concern, with AmED users reporting higher levels of alcohol intake than non-AmED users. One mechanism proposed to explain this heightened level of alcohol intake in AmED users is that the high levels of caffeine found in energy drinks may increase the positive reinforcing properties of alcohol, an effect that may be dependent on interactions between adenosine receptor signaling pathways and the dopamine D2 receptor. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to confirm whether caffeine does increase the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol using both fixed ratio (FR) and progressive ratio (PR) designs, and to investigate a potential role of the dopamine D2 receptor to caffeine-induced increases in alcohol self-administration. Male Long-Evans rats were trained to self-administer a sweetened alcohol solution (10% v/v alcohol + 2% w/v sucrose) on an FR2 schedule of reinforcement, and the effects of caffeine (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, i. p. [intraperitoneally]) on the maintenance of alcohol self-administration and alcohol break point were examined. Parallel experiments in rats trained to self-administer sucrose (0.8% w/v) were conducted to determine whether caffeine's reinforcement-enhancing effects extended to a non-drug reinforcer. Caffeine pretreatment (5–10 mg/kg) significantly increased sweetened alcohol self-administration and motivation for a sweetened alcohol reinforcer. However, similar increases in self-administration of a non-drug reinforcer were not observed. Contrary to our hypothesis, the D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride did not block a caffeine-induced increase in sweetened alcohol self-administration, nor did it alter caffeine-induced increases in motivation for a sweetened alcohol reinforcer. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that caffeine increases the positive reinforcing effects of alcohol, which may explain caffeine-induced increases in alcohol intake. However, the reinforcement-enhancing effects of caffeine appear to be independent of D2 receptor function.
‘Picture me heart disease free’: understanding African Americans’ cardiovascular disease experiences through a culture-centered approach

African Americans have a disproportionately high risk of premature death caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and related risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obes...
Harmony COVID-19: a ready-to-use kit, low-cost detector, and smartphone app for point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection

Abstract RNA amplification tests sensitively detect SARS-CoV-2 infection, but their complexity and cost are prohibitive for expanding COVID-19 testing. We developed “Harmony COVID-19”, a point-of-care test using inexpensive consumables, ready-to-use reagents, and a simple device accommodating up to 4 samples simultaneously. Our ready-to-use, multiplexed reverse-transcription, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) can detect down to 0.38 SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies/µL and can report in 17 min for high viral load samples (5,000 copies/µL). Harmony detected 97% or 83% of contrived samples with ≥0.5 viral particles/µL in nasal matrix or saliva, respectively. Evaluation in clinical nasal specimens in viral transport media (VTM, n=101) showed 100% detection of RNA extracted from specimens with ≥0.5 SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies/µL, with 100% specificity in specimens positive for other respiratory pathogens. VTM is non-ideal for Harmony system, yet extraction-free analysis (n=29) had 95% success in specimens with ≥1 RNA copies/µL. Usability testing performed first-time by healthcare workers showed 95% accuracy. Teaser A novel four-plexed RT-LAMP test kit operated by health workers can provide faster and more sensitive results than lab tests.
Design of the national adaptive trial for PTSD-related insomnia (NAP study), VA cooperative study program (CSP) #2016.

There are currently no validated pharmacotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related insomnia. The purpose of the National Adaptive Trial for PTSD-Related Insomnia (NAP Study) is to efficiently compare to placebo the effects of three insomnia medications with different mechanisms of action that are already prescribed widely to veterans diagnosed with PTSD within U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers. This study plans to enroll 1224 patients from 34 VA Medical Centers into a 12- week prospective, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial comparing trazodone, eszopiclone, and gabapentin. The primary outcome measure is insomnia, assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index. A novel aspect of this study is its adaptive design. At the recruitment midpoint, an interim analysis will be conducted to inform a decision to close recruitment to any "futile" arms (i.e. arms where further recruitment is very unlikely to yield a significant result) while maintaining the overall study recruitment target. This step could result in the enrichment of the remaining study arms, enhancing statistical power for the remaining comparisons to placebo. This study will also explore clinical, actigraphic, and biochemical predictors of treatment response that may guide future biomarker development. Lastly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this study will allow the consenting process and follow-up visits to be conducted via video or phone contact if in-person meetings are not possible. Overall, this study aims to identify at least one effective pharmacotherapy for PTSD-related insomnia, and, perhaps, to generate definitive negative data to reduce the use of ineffective insomnia medications. NATIONAL CLINICAL TRIAL (NCT) IDENTIFIED NUMBER: NCT03668041.
The Behavior of Nonlinear Systems

Many of the phenomena that occur in the world around us are governed by nonlinear relationships. In the development of the mathematical sciences, the difficulties of nonlinear analysis have hindered the formulation of nonlinear concepts that would permit us to understand such phenomena. In the present article, our progress in understanding the behavior of nonlinear systems is reviewed and an attempt is made to present the resulting concepts in such a way that the} may be applied with some generality to other problems.
IBM’s HIS System

IBM’s HIS (High-Level IBM Synthesis) system includes scheduling and data path synthesis. See also IBM’sYorktown Silicon Compiler and Univ. of Karlsruhe’s DSL Synthesis System / CADDY System—Camposano was previously involved with those systems.
In/dependence, Intergenerational Uncertainty, and the Ambivalent State: Perceptions of Old Age Security in India

This essay examines competing perspectives on old age security within contemporary Indian families and society. Ideas and policies concerning old age security are intricately connected to broader cultural meanings and values—surrounding personhood, the life course, family moral systems, and perceptions of the very nature and identity of a wider society and nation. The family in India has long been viewed as the central site of ageing and elder care, yet there is a widespread perception that family-centred elder care is on the decline. Market-based options such as for-pay old age homes are on the rise among the solvent urban middle classes, along with discourses emphasising the need for older individuals to rely on themselves. At the same time, recent parental care legislation and limited state-funded social security programs emphasise that family care is best. Confronting such developments, this essay explores competing Indian perspectives on: where is the best site of elder care: the family, the market, ...
The 1985 ‘Brown-Tide’ and the Open Phytoplankton Niche in Narragansett Bay During Summer

The unprecedented mesoscale bloom of the chrysophyte Aureococcus anophagefferens Sieburth, Johnson et Hargraves during the 1985 summer in Narragansett Bay (Smayda & Villareal, 1989; Smayda & Fofonoff, 1989; Sieburth et al., 1988), Long Island coastal embayments (Cosper et al., 1987) and Barnegat Bay, New Jersey (Olsen, 1989) probably was partly triggered and maintained by a regional climatological and/or hydrographical event. However, the apparent absence of a similar bloom in the contiguous waters of Buzzards Bay, located immediately east of Narragansett Bay, and in Delaware Bay, just south of Barnegat Bay, is noteworthy. Aureococcus was either absent in those areas, or its niche was not locally favored despite similar regional characteristics. Thus, the Aureococcus anophagefferens bloom was probably regulated on two levels: by events operative on both regional and local scales. These simultaneous bloom events in Narragansett Bay, the Long Island embayments and Barnegat Bay indicate that the Aureococcus niche opened up concurrently in three widely separated environments: a most remarkable happening.
White Flight and Coming to the Nuisance: Can Residential Mobility Explain Environmental Injustice?

AbstractEffective environmental justice (EJ) policy requires an understanding of the economic and social forces that determine the correlation between race, income, and pollution exposure. We show how the traditional approach used in many EJ analyses cannot identify nuisance-driven residential mobility. We develop an alternative strategy that overcomes this problem and implement it using data on air toxics from Los Angeles County, California, USA. Differences in estimated willingness to pay for cleaner air across race groups support the residential mobility explanation. Our results suggest that Hispanics may dislike cancer risk but be less willing to trade other forms of consumption to avoid it. As a result, household mobility responses may work against policies designed to address inequitable siting decisions for facilities with environmental health risks.
The Pancreas and Ulcerative Colitis: A Case of Chronic Relapsing Pancreatitis Complicated by Ulcerative Colitis

Summary The case history of a patient with the unusual combination of chronic relapsing pancreatitis and chronic ulcerative colitis is presented. Recent reports concerning the relationship between the pancreas and ulcerative colitis are reviewed. The findings in this patient appear to militate against any etiological role of pancreatic ferments in the development of colonic ulceration.
Lift vs. drag based mechanisms for vertical force production in the smallest flying insects

We used computational fluid dynamics to determine whether lift- or drag-based mechanisms generate the most vertical force in the flight of the smallest insects. These insects fly at Re on the order of 4-60 where viscous effects are significant. Detailed quantitative data on the wing kinematics of the smallest insects is not available, and as a result both drag- and lift-based strategies have been suggested as the mechanisms by which these insects stay aloft. We used the immersed boundary method to solve the fully-coupled fluid-structure interaction problem of a flexible wing immersed in a two-dimensional viscous fluid to compare three idealized hovering kinematics: a drag-based stroke in the vertical plane, a lift-based stroke in the horizontal plane, and a hybrid stroke on a tilted plane. Our results suggest that at higher Re, a lift-based strategy produces more vertical force than a drag-based strategy. At the Re pertinent to small insect hovering, however, there is little difference in performance between the two strategies. A drag-based mechanism of flight could produce more vertical force than a lift-based mechanism for insects at Re<5; however, we are unaware of active fliers at this scale.
Porosity and pore size distribution of starch materials

Abstract Bulk porosity and pore size distribution were measured for granular, heat-gelatinized and extruded starch materials, using helium stereopycnometry and mercury porosimetry. Most of the pores of granular materials had a radius of 1–3 μm and bulk porosity about 0·6. About 20% of the total porosity is due to the 6–8-μm voids between starch agglomerates, about 60% is due to the voids around starch granules (1–3·5 μm) and 10% is due to the very small pores. The remaining 10% of the total porosity might be due to pores larger than 150 μm. Gelatinized starches had average pore sizes of 0·8–1·5 μm and bulk porosity lower than 0·1. Extruded starches had pores varying from 1 to 120 μm and bulk porosity 0·1–0·95, depending on the experimental extrusion conditions. High porosity and large pores resulted when starch was extruded at high temperatures and/or low moisture contents. Mechanical compression reduced the bulk porosity and the size of the pores. The porosity and the mean pore size of starches increased during the drying process. Porosity and pore size distribution are important parameters in the transport (diffusion) of water in starch materials and starch-based foods.
Stem cell factor and c-kit are expressed by and may affect vascular SMCs through an autocrine pathway.

Abstract Introduction Stem cell factor (SCF) is a membrane-bound and soluble growth factor that activates the c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor. Given the similarities between c-kit and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors, we hypothesized that similar to PDGF, SCF/c-kit signaling may play a role in smooth muscle cell (SMC) function and thus the development of intimal hyperplasia. Materials and methods Human saphenous vein SMCs were harvested from veins procured at the time of bypass grafting. Carotid arteries from rats that were balloon injured ( n = 12) at variable time points were compared to sham-operated controls ( n = 3). Expression of SCF and c-kit was measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting. Results Western blotting revealed that human SMCs express membrane-bound SCF. In separate experiments, we found that this growth factor undergoes proteolytic cleavage to its soluble form following exposure to matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a ubiquitous MMP released at the time of arterial injury. We next evaluated in human SMCs, expression of the SCF receptor, c-kit. Western blotting of human SMC lysates revealed minor but consistent expression of c-kit. IHC demonstrated c-kit expression to be localized to the media. To determine if c-kit is up-regulated during the development of intimal hyperplasia, we evaluated expression of this receptor in a rat carotid balloon injury model. Quantification of IHC staining on injured vessels revealed that c-kit expression within the media was significantly increased at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days following injury (28.1, 30.8, 16, and 10.4% increase over sham controls, respectively, P Conclusion Human vascular SMCs express the growth factor SCF and its receptor, c-kit. SCF is released from its membrane-bound form via MMP-9. This finding and the dramatic increase in c-kit expression observed in the rat carotid artery after balloon injury suggests SCF/c-kit signaling may affect SMC function via an autocrine pathway.
Discount pricing policies for inventories subject to declining demand

Until only recently, the mechanism behind determining item price has been ignored and the discount price taken as a given in quantity-discount inventory decision problems. Inventory subject to declining demand further complicates both pricing and replenishment decisions. This article provides the vendor with the means for optimally determining both the discount price and replenishment order frequency for all buyers in the system in an environment of declining demand. In the multiple-buyer case, we provide an efficient algorithm for classifying buyers into homogeneous subgroups to further enhance joint cost savings among all system participants.
Studies on host-virus interactions in the chick embryo-influenza virus system. XII. Further analyses of yields derived from heat-inactivated standard seeds.

An experimental analysis is here presented of the conditions that lead to the appearance of non-infectious hemagglutinins (NIHA) in the allantoic fluid of chick embryos injected with standard influenza virus (PR8 strain) which had been exposed to 37°C. in vitro for various periods of time. On progressive reduction of the infectivity of the undiluted inocula from about 109 to 103 ID50 (103.2 HA units) the yields of infectious virus in 24 hours decreased in straight correspondence 1 millionfold, but those of hemagglutinins only by a factor of 10. Thus the proportions of NIHA in the yields increased sharply but the total quantity obtained decreased gradually. The quantities of infectious virus produced per ID50 injected were the same throughout this range; i.e., between 50 and 100 ID50, regardless of increasing proportions of heat-inactivated virus in the seeds. This value agrees with previous estimates of yields under other conditions. Thus, initiation and completion of first cycles by the infectious virus remaining in the inocula were not, or at most, slightly inhibited. The inactivated virus, therefore, failed to establish immediate interference. It was capable, however, of holding the infectious process to one cycle. Upon 10-fold dilution of the seeds essentially similar results were obtained except that a slight loss in interfering activity could now be detected with an increase in exposure to 37°C. With further dilutions little or no interference was noted. The capacity to yield NIHA decreased slowly during exposure of the seeds to 37°C. over a period of 5 days, thereafter more rapidly. It could not be restored by addition of infectious virus. Furthermore, since NIHA was obtained when the seeds contained as little as 102 or 103 ID50, it is unlikely that it was derived from those cells which had adsorbed both infectious and inactivated seed virus. It is suggestive that multiple adsorption of inactivated virus particles per se will yield NIHA. The available information, as discussed, favors the view that the NIHA does not represent seed virus in some form but is newly produced.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids derived from Senecio jacobaea

Abstract The plant, Senecio jacobaea is commonly found in the northwestern United States and has been reported to contain 6 pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are well known to cause liver damage to humans and livestock. This article reports that 6 pyrrolizidine alkaloids may be rapidly isolated using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC also provides evidence that there are a number of other pyrrolizidine alkaloids present in S. jacobaea. Not all these peaks have as yet been identified and characterized.
Optical probes of the lattice dynamics of graphite

First and second order Raman and first order infra-red reflectance spectra of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) have been obtained for both E∥c and Efc. From the infra-red measurement, the A2u out of plane mode is identified for the first time and occurs at 868 cm−1. The macroscopic effective changes of both the A2u and E1u modes have also been calculated. The second order Raman spectra have been recorded for graphite forms of various crystallite sizes. The second order Raman spectra of both HOPG and single crystal graphite exhibit an anomalously sharp feature at 3 248 cm−1, which is, in fact, sharper than the first order zone center E2g band at 1 581 cm−1. Of the six recent, and in some cases mutually inconsistent, lattice dynamics calculations on graphite, only that due to Nicklow et al. is compatible with the 3 248 cm−1 feature, and even that model does not provide a satisfactory explanation of the entire second order spectrum.
Partial molal volumes in alkyl sulfate solutions

Abstract Measurement of the partial molal volumes of n-hexyl and n-octyl alcohol in sodium decyl and dodecyl sulfate solutions shows that for these materials dissolution occurs with almost no change in apparent volume. From the partial molal volumes of sodium decyl and dodecyl sulfate it appears that the “hydrocarbon center” of the micelle is a slightly looser structure than in liquid hydrocarbons. Added salts and higher alcohols have very little effect on the partial molal volumes of these alkyl sulfates.
Indomethacin protects permeability barrier from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis serum.

Indomethacin protects permeability barrier from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis serum. Background Eicosanoids are believed to play a role in the pathophysiology of several models of glomerular disease. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin reduces proteinuria in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) or other glomerular diseases. We have shown that sera of some patients with FSGS significantly increase glomerular albumin permeability (P alb ) in an in vitro assay. Methods To determine the role of eicosanoids in the increased P alb caused by the FSGS factor, glomeruli were isolated from normal rats, preincubated with indomethacin, then incubated with FSGS serum or normal serum and P alb was calculated. To study the direct effect of individual eicosanoids on P alb , glomeruli were incubated with prostaglandin E 2 , prostaglandin F 2α or a thromboxane A 2 mimetic, and P alb was calculated. In the final set of experiments, normal glomeruli were preincubated with the thromboxane synthase inhibitor furegrelate, incubated with FSGS serum, and P alb was calculated. Results Preincubation of isolated glomeruli with either the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin or the thromboxane synthase inhibitor furegrelate protected glomeruli from the increase in P alb caused by FSGS serum. Each of the three principal glomerular eicosanoids significantly increased P alb of isolated glomeruli. Conclusions These studies implicate a product of the cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism as mediating the increased P alb caused by FSGS serum in our in vitro assay and possibly the proteinuria seen in patients with FSGS.
Sexual Behavior in Adolescence

Surveys conducted between the 1930s-1970s on the sexual behavior of adolescents are reviewed. This review concentrating on coitus focuses on the issue of liberalization in sexual behavior. Although there are large discrepancies in data from various surveys and methodological difficulties associated with most of them 3 major conclusions seem warranted. Older adolescents are more sexually experienced now than in earlier generations. Through the mid-1960s just over 1/2 of all males reported experiencing coitus by late in their college life and about 1/4 of all college women admitted premarital coitus. Recent data suggests a dramatic increase in coital experience among college students: between 70-85% for both genders. The data show a greater increase in incidence of coitus among women leading to intergender convergence in sexual standards. Data on sexual behavior in early and middle adolescence are less clear; however they do suggest that young people are engaging in intercourse at an earlier age than in previous decades. This shift toward sexual permissiveness may be part of a larger liberal trend in adolescent behavior but does not imply a complete overthrow of established standards or "sexual revolution.""
Electronic Processing In Flaw Detection

We discuss very briefly how electronic, especially digital, techniques, could help flaw detection in three areas: cueing, automatic detection, and internal flaw detection.© (1975) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Genetic Analysis of a Class of Polymyxin Resistant Partial Revertants of Stage O Sporulation Mutants of Bacillus subtilis: Map of the Chromosome Region Near the Origin of Replication

A group of extracistronic mutations restored polymyxin resistance to stage O sporulation mutants of Bacillus subtilis, as well as resistance to antibioticfrom the wild type sporulating strain, and to phages Φ2 and Φ15,without restoring the ability to sporulate.The spoOA mutants containing these partial revertant mutations fell into two major classes: Those that grew well in minimal media and produced little antibiotic;and those that grew poorly and produced high levels of antibiotic.The partial revertant mutations were located near the origin of replication of the chromosome on the genetic map,in a locus called abrB.A detailed map of this region was constructed using data from two and three factor transduction and transformation crosses.The following order of markers was obtained: purA 16-spo-CM1-novA1-gua-1-(dnaH151-ts8132)-recG13-abrB-pac-tms-26-lysS-cysA14. The abrBlocus was separated by at least 50% recombination in transformation from the known loci on either side of it.Similar partial revertant mutations from other laboratories (cpsX, abs, and tol markers)also mapped at the abrB locus. The mutations at this locus were closely linked by transformation (recombination index <0.1 in most cases)suggesting that they comprise a single gene.