cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing knowledge gaps regarding end-of-life issues in patients admitted to the hospital through the emergency department

Introduction: United States law requires hospitals to document advanced directives for patients on admission with no provision for assessment of their understanding. Aim: We sought to assess patients' knowledge gaps regarding end-of-life care, including do-not-resuscitate and do-not-intubate orders, physician orders for life-sustaining treatment, outcomes after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and preferences regarding end-of-life care Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey-based study of adult patients aged 55 and older who were being admitted to a large community hospital from the emergency department (ED). Patients were not excluded based on acuity or reason for admission. The survey questioned patients regarding age, primary care provider status, ED visits and hospitalization within the prior year, prior discussions with family, primary care, or inpatient care physicians regarding advanced medical directives, prior completion of advanced medical directives paperwork, knowledge of outcomes after cardiac arrest, and general attitudes regarding priorities related to a “good death”. Results: Although 98% of patients had primary care physicians, only one-fourth recalled discussing advanced directives with their doctors. About half of patients had discussed their wishes with their families, and 52% had signed advanced directive paperwork. Patients overestimated survival after cardiac arrest. The most common elements reported by patients as being important to a “good death” were the absence of pain (26%), the presence of family (24%), and death at home (16%). Conclusion: Patients have clear ideas for what makes a good death but have inadequate knowledge regarding resuscitative outcomes and do not make use of advanced directives. Physicians miss opportunities to educate patients and assist with these difficult decisions. Closing the gap between providers' understanding of patients' desires, and patients' understanding of end-of-life care is an opportunity for improvement. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Patient care and procedural skills and Systems-based practice.
Vibration-test evaluation of an ULLAGE solid-propellant rocket motor: The dynamic respodence of an inert copy with sinusoidal and random forcing functionals

The mission of the ULLAGE motor is to maintain a positive acceleration of the Saturn rocket during the period between burnout of the first stage and ignitiion of the second stage. The eight ULLAGE motors attached to the Saturn second stage are fired during separation from the first stage. They must withstand intense sound levels and vibrations transferred through the first stage and the interstage structures.
Cell engraftment, vascularization, and inflammation after treatment of equine distal limb wounds with endothelial colony forming cells encapsulated within hydrogel microspheres

Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) may be useful therapeutically in conditions with poor blood supply, such as distal limb wounds in the horse. Encapsulation of ECFCs into injectable hydrogel microspheres may ensure cell survival and cell localization to improve neovascularization and healing. Autologous ECFCs were isolated from 6 horses, labeled with quantum nanodots (QD), and a subset were encapsulated in poly(ethylene) glycol fibrinogen microspheres (PEG-Fb MS). Full-thickness dermal wounds were created on each distal limb and injected with empty PEG-Fb MS, serum, ECFCs, or ECFCs encapsulated into PEG- Fb MS (ECFC/MS). Analysis included wound surface area (WSA), granulation tissue scoring (GS), thermography, collagen density staining, and immunohistochemical staining for endothelial and inflammatory cells. The purpose of this study was to track cell location and evaluate wound vascularization and inflammatory response after injection of ECFC/MS or naked ECFCs in equine distal limb wounds. ECFCs were found near and within newly formed blood vessels up to 3 weeks after injection. ECFC and ECFC/MS groups had the greatest blood vessel quantity at week 1 in the wound periphery. Wounds treated with ECFCs and ECFC/MS had the lowest density of neutrophils and macrophages at week 4. There were no significant effects of ECFC or ECFC/MS treatment on other measured parameters. Injection of microsphere encapsulated ECFCs was practical for clinical use and well-tolerated. The positive ECFC treatment effects on blood vessel density and wound inflammation warrant further investigation.
Palliative Care in Trauma: Violence and the Ethic of Care

Death and disability from violent injury is a major public health problem that disproportionately affects the young and previously healthy. Questions about how and when to provide palliative care raise ethical and other questions about the best quality of end-of-life care in people dying from injuries. This chapter explores the ethic of care and how it informs the delivery of palliative care for those injured by violence.
Mechanistic Differences in the Inhibition of NF-κB by Turmeric and Its Curcuminoid Constituents

Turmeric extract, a mixture of curcumin and its demethoxy (DMC) and bisdemethoxy (BDMC) isomers, is used as an anti-inflammatory preparation in traditional Asian medicine. Curcumin is considered to be the major bioactive compound in turmeric but less is known about the relative anti-inflammatory potency and mechanism of the other components, their mixture, or the reduced in vivo metabolites. We quantified inhibition of the NF-κB pathway in cells, adduction to a peptide mimicking IκB kinase β, and the role of cellular glutathione as a scavenger of electrophilic curcuminoid oxidation products, suggested to be the active metabolites. Turmeric extracts (IC50 14.5 ± 2.9 μM), DMC (IC50 12.1 ± 7.2 μM), and BDMC (IC50 8.3 ± 1.6 μM), but not reduced curcumin, inhibited NF-κB similar to curcumin (IC50 18.2 ± 3.9 μM). Peptide adduction was formed with turmeric and DMC but not with BDMC, and this correlated with their oxidative degradation. Inhibition of glutathione biosynthesis enhanced the activity of DMC but not BDMC in the cellular assay. These findings suggest that NF-κB inhibition by curcumin and DMC involves their oxidation to reactive electrophiles, whereas BDMC does not require oxidation. Because it has not been established whether curcumin undergoes oxidative transformation in vivo, oxidation-independent BDMC may be a promising alternative to test in clinical trials.
Forearc origin for Coast Range Ophiolites inferred from osmium isotopes and highly siderophile elements

Abstract The Jurassic Coast Range Ophiolites, California, provide evidence for tectonic processes that formed the western margin of North America. Whether the ophiolites were formed in a mid-ocean ridge, back arc or forearc setting, however, remains unconstrained. To address this issue, a systematic grid sampling approach was taken to examine the mantle section of an archetypal ~161 Ma Coast Range Ophiolite at Point Sal, California. The Point Sal peridotites are serpentinized, with 187Re 187Os evidence for a localized Late Miocene alteration event in grids closest to the lowermost bounding fault of the ophiolite. This event is interpreted to be related to tectonic changes and hydration-dehydration reactions acting on the serpentinites in response to changes in the azimuth and rate of Pacific-North American plate motion. Alteration and serpentinization have not systematically affected highly siderophile element (HSE) abundances, especially Os, Ir or Ru which, together with rare earth element abundances, record significant melt depletion (>20%) of a fertile mantle protolith (187Os/188Os = ~0.129) during ophiolite formation. Peridotites subsequently experienced localized and heterogenous addition of Re, Pt, Pd and radiogenic 187Os/188Os from Cl-rich, oxidized (QFM) fluids. Geochemical features of both Point Sal peridotites, as well as associated basaltic lavas, are consistent with high degrees of partial melting and variable addition of fluids as also observed in global forearc peridotites. A forearc origin for the Point Sal Ophiolite Complex supports models for the dominant formation process of 153–166 Ma Coast Range Ophiolite infant Arc crust terranes within a single westward facing arc along the Sierra continental-margin.
Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in the Ophthalmology Literature in 2019.

Importance The description of racial and ethnic data in human trials is relatively unregulated, leading to potential confusion with and inconsistent reporting of these data. Objective To determine the frequency and use of racial and ethnic data in the ophthalmology literature in 2019. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study included all full-length human studies published between January and December 2019 in theAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology,JAMA Ophthalmology, andOphthalmology. Main Outcomes and Measures Whether race or ethnicity was included in the data or analysis, how the categorization was described in the methods and results, specific racial and ethnic categories used, and whether and how the categories were determined. Results A total of 547 articles were identified during the study period, 484 (88% ± 2.7%) of which reported background demographic information, including patient age and sex. Only 233 (43% ± 4.1%) reported race and/or ethnicity. Of those articles, 72 (31% ± 5.9%) categorized it as race, 51 (22% ± 5.3%) ethnicity, 56 (24% ± 5.4%) race/ethnicity, 21 (9% ± 3.7%) race and ethnicity, 12 (5% ± 3.0%) descent, 12 (5% ± 2.9%) population, and 5 (2% ± 2.0%) ancestry; in 21 (9% ± 3.8%) it was not defined. Only 30 studies (13% ± 4.4%) described how it was determined in the methods or results, most frequently by self-report (77% ± 3.9%). A total of 78 races and/or ethnicities were defined. Conclusions and Relevance While most articles during the study period reported background demographic information, few included race and ethnicity and only a fraction of those described how these data were determined. The categories used were heterogeneous and often inconsistent. These findings suggest the need for increased and more standardized reporting of ethnic and racial demographic data in the ophthalmology literature.
Design Case for Asynchronous Online Professional Development in Primary Grades Mathematics

This design case shares the process of designing, implementing, and modifying asynchronous online mathematics professional development for elementary school teachers. Based on the recommendations of Boling (2010), we provide a rich description of the design decisions, experiences, and learning outcomes from our project. Further, informed by Smith (2010), this design case includes both typical sampling and critical case sampling. Specifically, we included typical design elements while also attempting to highlight aspects of the case that were very influential on the design and outcomes, such as the video excerpts of students that teachers had to analyze. This design case includes both data triangulation by examining artifacts from the designed professional development, teachers’ work samples, and data that we collected during the project (Smith, 2010).
Contributions of winter foraging to the annual growth of thermally dissimilar fish species

The seasonal energy dynamics of temperate fishes will likely be affected by climate change, especially during the winter. Few studies, however, have focused on winter. Fishes are more active in winter than previously thought, thus, an inquiry into the energetic contributions of winter foraging to the annual growth of fishes is needed given expected changes in winter conditions. We used stomach content data, total lipid analyses, and bioenergetics modeling to assess the effects of winter foraging on three species in Lake Champlain, Vermont, USA. We compared species in two thermal guilds, the cool-water species yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and two warm-water species, pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). Our results indicate that winter energy dynamics likely depend on the thermal preference of individual fish species – the cool-water species foraged in all seasons whereas the two warm-water species foraged only in the open-water seasons. In addition, winter foraging provided sufficient energy for overwinter growth in cool-water species but not in warm-water species. Climate change will affect the seasonal energy dynamics that these species have evolved to survive winter conditions in temperate lakes. Thus, we expect climate change to affect individual survival and reproductive success.
Gender-based differential item functioning on the child behavior checklist in youth on the autism spectrum: A brief report

Abstract Background Given the call for gender-informed autism research ( Mandy & Lai, 2017 ), understanding the presentation and measurement of commonly co-occurring behavioral and emotional concerns among males and females on the autism spectrum is paramount. The validity of conclusions in this area of research necessitates that questionnaires capture true differences in constructs rather than systematic gender-based differences in measurement, an assumption which may be violated due to differential item functioning (DIF). Method In the present study, caregiver-report data on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (N = 502) were gathered across multiple studies from the National Database for Autism Research (NDAR), an NIH-funded data repository. Results Confirmatory factor analysis initially revealed poor to acceptable fit across subscales, suggesting a lack of unidimensionality. Fit was acceptable on all subscales following modifications for low factor loadings or highly correlated residuals. Multiple indicator multiple cause (MIMIC) models indicated that the majority of items did not show substantial DIF, with no items flagged for gender-based DIF on the Attention Problems, Withdrawn/Depressed, and Somatic Problems subscales. Items were flagged for gender-based DIF, however, on the Social Problems, Anxious/ Depressed, Aggressive Behavior, and Thought Problems subscales. Conclusions These findings indicate that few items on a measure of emotional and behavioral problems (Child Behavior Checklist; CBCL) function differently for male and female youth on the autism spectrum. This study has implications for future autism research aiming to accurately capture co-occurring emotional or behavioral problems and examine the etiology, trajectory, and ultimately treatment for males and females on the autism spectrum.
Orbital Hall effect as an alternative to valley Hall effect in gapped graphene

The authors show that the valley Hall effect in gapped graphene can be understood as a manifestation of the orbital Hall effect, in which electrons in states of opposite orbital magnetic moment flow in opposite directions, generating an orbital magnetization current. Replacing the ambiguous valley indices by a physical quantity -- the orbital magnetic moment -- this reformulation provides a convincing explanation of optical rotation measurements in gapped graphene.
Thyroid Hormone Dependent Transcriptional Programming by TRβ Requires SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodelers

Transcriptional regulation in response to thyroid hormone (T3) is a dynamic and cell-type specific process that maintains cellular homeostasis and identity in all tissues. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) actions at the molecular level are actively being refined. We used an integrated genomics approach to profile and characterize the cistrome of TR{beta}, map changes in chromatin accessibility, and capture the transcriptomic changes in response to T3 in normal thyroid cells. There are significant shifts in TR{beta} genomic occupancy in response to T3, which are associated with differential chromatin accessibility, and differential recruitment of SWI/SNF chromatin remodelers. We further demonstrate selective recruitment of BAF and PBAF SWI/SNF complexes to TR{beta} binding sites, revealing novel differential functions in regulating chromatin accessibility and gene expression. Our findings highlight three distinct modes of TR{beta} interaction with chromatin and coordination of coregulator activity.
Non-invasive characterization of complex coronary lesions

Conventional invasive diagnostic imaging techniques do not adequately resolve complex Type B and C coronary lesions, which present unique challenges, require personalized treatment and result in worsened patient outcomes. These lesions are often excluded from large-scale non-invasive clinical trials and there does not exist a validated approach to characterize hemodynamic quantities and guide percutaneous intervention for such lesions. This work identifies key biomarkers that differentiate complex Type B and C lesions from simple Type A lesions by introducing and validating a coronary angiography-based computational fluid dynamic (CFD-CA) framework for intracoronary assessment in complex lesions at ultrahigh resolution. Among 14 patients selected in this study, 7 patients with Type B and C lesions were included in the complex lesion group including ostial, bifurcation, serial lesions and lesion where flow was supplied by collateral bed. Simple lesion group included 7 patients with lesions that were discrete, [Formula: see text] long and readily accessible. Intracoronary assessment was performed using CFD-CA framework and validated by comparing to clinically measured pressure-based index, such as FFR. Local pressure, endothelial shear stress (ESS) and velocity profiles were derived for all patients. We validates the accuracy of our CFD-CA framework and report excellent agreement with invasive measurements ([Formula: see text]). Ultra-high resolution achieved by the model enable physiological assessment in complex lesions and quantify hemodynamic metrics in all vessels up to 1mm in diameter. Importantly, we demonstrate that in contrast to traditional pressure-based metrics, there is a significant difference in the intracoronary hemodynamic forces, such as ESS, in complex lesions compared to simple lesions at both resting and hyperemic physiological states [n = 14, [Formula: see text]]. Higher ESS was observed in the complex lesion group ([Formula: see text] Pa) than in simple lesion group ([Formula: see text] Pa). Complex coronary lesions have higher ESS compared to simple lesions, such differential hemodynamic evaluation can provide much the needed insight into the increase in adverse outcomes for such patients and has incremental prognostic value over traditional pressure-based indices, such as FFR.
Shining a light on cultural neuroscience: Recommendations on the use of fNIRS to study how sociocultural contexts shape the brain.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a portable neuroimaging technique that may serve as a methodological tool for studying how sociocultural contexts can shape the human brain and impact cognition and behavior. The use of fNIRS in community-based research may (a) advance theoretical knowledge in psychology and neuroscience, particularly regarding underrepresented ethnic-racial communities; (b) increase diversity in samples; and (c) provide neurobiological evidence of sociocultural factors supporting human development. The review aims to introduce the use of fNIRS, including its practicalities and limitations, to new adopters inquiring how sociocultural inputs affect the brain. The review begins with an introduction to cultural neuroscience, and a review on the use of fNIRS follows. Next, benefits and guidelines to the design of fNIRS research in naturalistic environments (in the community or in the field) using a cultural lens are discussed. Strengths-based and community-based approaches in cultural neuroscience are recommended throughout. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Can feeding strategies alter immune signaling and gut sepsis in critical illness

The insult necessitating admission to the intensive care unit propels the patient along a course involving increasing oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and adverse outcomes. As the largest immune organ with the greatest microbial burden, the gastrointestinal tract may change the speed and direction the patient follows along this pathway. The gut's influence is mediated by a complex process of cross-talk immune signaling between the intestinal epithelium, the liver, and the microbiome. Agents which invoke this response vary from mitochondrial DNA, inflammatory cytokines, and bacterial organisms to short chain fatty acids and bile salts. The site of action of these agents again varies widely from Pattern Recognition Receptors, G protein receptors, and Farnesoid X receptors in the gut and liver to transcriptional factors in epithelial cells, hepatocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. While the initial focus of response may be local within the gastrointestinal tract and liver, the process extends in a systemic manner to affect immune tissue and various organs at distant sites. The gut can modulate this cross-talk signaling through numerous strategies in design of nutritional therapy. The physiologic response to luminal nutrients and short chain fatty acids, and more novel approaches like use phosphorylated polyethylene glycol, bovine serum-derived immunoglobulin, and specialized pro-resolving molecules may help slow disease progression and even reverse the patient's course toward one of health and recovery. The optimal benefit to be derived from nutritional therapy may have more to do with the degree to which immune cross-talk signaling can be modified by such innovative strategies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Safety and tolerability of lenalidomide maintenance in post-transplant acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome.

Relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplant in unfavorable-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) portends a poor prognosis. We conducted a single-center phase I dose-escalation study with lenalidomide maintenance in high-risk MDS and AML patients after allogeneic transplantation. Sixteen patients enrolled in a “3 + 3” study design starting at lenalidomide 5 mg daily, increasing in increments of 5 mg up to 15 mg. Lenalidomide was given for 21 days of a 28-day cycle for a total of six cycles. Most common dose-limiting toxicities were lymphopenia, diarrhea, nausea, and neutropenia. Two patients had acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and five patients developed chronic GVHD. The maximum tolerated dose was 10 mg, after dose-limiting toxicities were seen in the 15 mg group. Two dose-limiting toxicities were seen from development of acute GVHD and grade III diarrhea. Limitations of the study include time to initiation at 6 months post transplant, as many high-risk patients will have relapsed within this time frame before starting maintenance lenalidomide. Overall, lenalidomide was well tolerated with minimal GVHD and low rates of relapse rates, warranting further study.
Automating acquisitions with NOTIS: A southern exposure: Acquisitions Librarians/Vendors of Library Materials Discussion Group

Abstract A talk at an RTSD Discussion Group, ALA Midwinter, 1988, relates one library's acquisitions experiences in using a fully integrated system. Auburn University Library, an early user of the NOTIS acquisitions package, found the advantages outweighed the difficulties of limited financial functions and reports. The integration of records into one system for use throughout all processes is the principal benefit of the system.
Quantified differential dynamic logic for distributed hybrid systems

We address a fundamental mismatch between the combinations of dynamics that occur in complex physical systems and the limited kinds of dynamics supported in analysis. Modern applications combine communication, computation, and control. They may even form dynamic networks, where neither structure nor dimension stay the same while the system follows mixed discrete and continuous dynamics. We provide the logical foundations for closing this analytic gap. We develop a system model for distributed hybrid systems that combines quantified differential equations with quantified assignments and dynamic dimensionality-changes. We introduce a dynamic logic for verifying distributed hybrid systems and present a proof calculus for it. We prove that this calculus is a sound and complete axiomatization of the behavior of distributed hybrid systems relative to quantified differential equations. In our calculus we have proven collision freedom in distributed car control even when new cars may appear dynamically on the road.
High-efficiency module design

Progress on the development of a high efficiency module is described. The effort includes development of high efficiency cells using crystalline silicon wafers from float zone silicon. Module-size cells, 53 sq cm in area, were fabricated with efficiency of 18%. Operating temperature reduction is also studied.
Festo and the Doctrine of Equivalents: Implications for Patent Infringement Litigation

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the Federal Circuit’s en banc decision in Festo Corporation v. Shoketsu Kinzokukogyo Kabushiki Co., Ltd. Overall, “the Federal Circuit failed to expressly limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to those accused products or processes that were not reasonably foreseeable at the time of the patent, but did limit the doctrine of equivalents by expanding the reach of the doctrine of prosecution history estoppel.” The article notes that the “key issue[s] left unsettled by Festo [are] the status of prosecution history by argument as well as the meaning of an amended limitation.”
Decision-Making Situations in Health Care

Social workers in health care settings are constantly required to make clinical decisions about patient care and treatment. Although much attention has been devoted to the normative or ethical aspects of decision making in such settings, little attention has been given to the typical situational aspects of decisions social workers must make in health care. This article discusses four types of clinical decision situations--operational, strategic, authoritative, and crisis--and presents a model to assist in analyzing their components and requirements. Case vignettes drawn from practice experience illustrate each type of decision-making situation. The article concludes that knowledge of the situational aspects of practice decision making can be helpful to practitioners by enabling them to sort out courses of action and intervention.
“The Old Man Is Dead”: Hip Hop and the Arts of Citizenship of Senegalese Youth

On the afternoon of Thursday, February 23, 2012, thousands of youth from across Senegal’s capital city Dakar gathered in the streets surrounding the city’s Independence Square1 in protest of the elections to be held that Sunday. Waving national flags, wearing political t-shirts, and chanting at the top of their lungs, the crowd’s energy was tense and frenetic as everyone braced for the inevitable teargas and rubber bullets that would soon be fired to break up the rally. When the mobile sound system blared the rap songs that had become anthems of the massive opposition movement, the intensity of the protest reached a crescendo. Almost on cue, their caustic chants in Wolof, “Goor gi doy na, Goor gi dee na, soul na nu ko” (“Enough of the old man, the old man is dead and buried”) and “Goor gi: Na dem, na dem, na dema dema dem” (“The old man must go, he must go go go”) were interrupted by shots and stinging clouds of teargas.2 Within minutes, the streets had been cleared. Although on this day the dispersal left no fatalities in its wake, other days had ended on a more somber note.
Cloud-point curves for polystyrenes of low polydispersity in cyclohexane solution

Cloud-point curves and relative volumes of the coexisting phases just below the cloud-point temperatures were observed for a commercial sample of “monodisperse” polystyrene and one of its fractions. As expected from theoretical considerations, the cloud-point curve for the more monodisperse sample was flatter near the peak over a greater concentration range than that of the parent sample. Furthermore, the critical point for the fraction appeared to be closer to the peak of the cloud-point curve than was that of the unfractionated polymer. In addition, it was learned that one type of impurity could be detected with extraordinary sensitivity by means of the cloud-point curve.
Typologies of substance use and illegal behaviors: A comparison of emerging adults with histories of foster care and the general population

This study used latent class analysis (LCA) to explore whether patterns of substance use and illegal behaviors among emerging adults, 18 to 28 years old, differ depending on whether they have a prior history in foster care. The study sample, consisting of 316 respondents who had previously been in foster care and 14,301 respondents without a foster care history, was drawn from the third wave of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. A multiple-group LCA compared former foster youth to their peers in the general population. The following four classes were identified: illegal behaviors, substance use, illegal behaviors with problematic substance use and normative behaviors. Most of the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. However, within the illegal behavior class former foster youth were less likely to have bought, sold, or held stolen goods; injured someone in a fight so that she or he needed medical attention; to have sold drugs; and to have been drunk at school or work. Additionally, in the illegal behaviors with problematic substance use class emerging adults in the general population were more likely to have used cocaine. Within the normative behaviors class, former foster youth were more likely to be current smokers, and to have injured someone in a fight so that he or she required medical attention. Within the substance use class, emerging adults from the general population were more likely to have taken place in a fight where one group fought another. Additional statistically significant, but very small differences were also identified.
Cell Density and Culture Factors Regulate Keratinocyte Commitment to Differentiation and Expression of Suprabasal K1/K10 Keratins

Irreversible growth arrest and commitment to differentiation are among the earliest events in the pros gram of cellular terminal differentiation, The transition from highly proliferative human keratinocytes in subconfluent culture to stationary cells in confluent culture was studied in a serum-free culture system to identify conditions that regulate the initiation of terminal differentiation in keratinocytes. We observed that culture confluence strongly induced commitment to terminal differentiation, as demonstrated by a dramatic loss of keratinocyte clonogenicity. Commitment was accompanied by the rapid induction of early differentiation markers, represented by expression of suprabasal keratin 1 (K1) and 10 (K10) genes. Induction of differentiation was independent of low (0.1 mM) or high (1.5 mM) calcium concentration In the medium. Epidermal growth factor suppressed expression of K1 and K10 mRNA in cultures induced to differentiate. Suspension of keratinocytes in methylcellulose medium failed to induce in subconfluent cultures, or enhance in confluent cultures, the expression of K1 and K10 genes. Subconfluent cells cultured in medium containing high calcium and no exogenous growth factor induced expression of K1 and K10 transcripts, but commitment and loss of proliferative potential were not observed. Confluent cell density primarily controlled keratinocyte commitment to terminal differentiation and differentiated keratin gene expression. However, suprabasal K1 and K10 gene expression also was regulated by medium calcium and exogenous growth-factor concentrations in subconfluent cultures that promoted cell-cell association. Epidermal growth factor inhibited the expression of suprabasal keratins but not the commitment to terminal differentiation mediated by cell confluence. Control of keratinocyte commitment and expression of selected differentiation genes are mediated by cell confluence and, at subconfluence, by specific culture factors.
Randomized distributed shortest paths algorithms

This paper is concerned with distributed algorithm for finding shortest paths in an asynchronous communication network. For the problem of Breadth First Search, the best previously known algorithms required either T(V) time, or T (E + V · D) communication. We present new algorithm, which requires O(D1+e) time, and O(E1+e) messages, for any e > 0. (Here, V is number of nodes, E is number of edges and D is the diameter.) This constitutes a major step towards achieving the lower bounds, which are O(E) communication and O(D) time.For the general (weighted) shortest paths problem, previously known shortest-paths algorithms required O(k · V2) messages and O(V · logkV) time. Our algorithm requires O(E1 + e · log W) messages and O (V1 + e · log W) time.Our results enable to improve significantly solutions for other basic network problems (e.g. leader election).
Corticosterone-induced enhancement of memory and synaptic Arc protein in the medial prefrontal cortex

Acute administration of the stress hormone corticosterone enhances memory consolidation in a manner that is dependent upon the modulatory effects of the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA). Posttraining administration of corticosterone increases expression of the activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) in hippocampal synaptic-enriched fractions. Interference with hippocampal Arc expression impairs memory, suggesting that the corticosterone-induced increase in hippocampal Arc plays a role in the memory enhancing effect of the hormone. Blockade of β-adrenoceptors in the BLA attenuates the corticosterone-induced increase in hippocampal Arc expression and blocks corticosterone-induced memory enhancement. To determine whether posttraining corticosterone treatment affects Arc protein expression in synapses of other areas of the brain that are involved in memory processing, a memory-enhancing dose of corticosterone was administered to rats immediately after inhibitory avoidance training. As seen in the hippocampus, Arc protein expression was increased in synaptic fractions taken from the prelimbic region of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Blockade of Arc protein expression significantly impaired memory, indicating that the protein is necessary in the mPFC for long-term memory formation. To test the hypothesis that blockade of β-adrenoceptors in the BLA would block the effect of systemic corticosterone on memory and attenuate mPFC Arc expression, as it does in the hippocampus, posttraining intra-BLA microinfusions of the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol were given concurrently with the systemic corticosterone injection. Although this treatment blocked corticosterone-induced memory enhancement, it increased corticosterone-induced Arc protein expression in mPFC synaptic fractions. These findings suggest that the BLA mediates stress hormone effects on memory by participating in the negative or positive regulation of corticosterone-induced synaptic plasticity in efferent brain regions.
Can we justify ipratropium therapy as initial management of acute exacerbations of COPD

Although inhaled ipratropium is commonly accepted as the drug of choice for long-term management of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, little evidence is available to promote its administration in conjunction with a beta2-agonist as part of initial management of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the acute care setting. Reasons for its widespread acceptance for acutely ill patients may include its status as a first-line agent for long-term therapy, its relative safety, and attempts to provide optimal patient care. Since inhaled ipratropium is beneficial as immediate therapy for asthma in the emergency department, some practitioners attempted to extrapolate these findings to treatment of COPD. Review of available studies reveals wide variability in methodologies and results. Although some studies reported improvement in pulmonary function tests, no clinically significant differences in patient outcomes, including shorter hospitalization, were evident. In patients who fail traditional therapies, inhaled ipratropium is reasonable. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials in patients receiving emergency department care and in hospitalized patients that reveal shorter length of stay or other improved outcomes, are necessary to establish routine addition of inhaled ipratropium to beta2-agonists in the initial management of acute COPD.
Multiple satellite observations of leakage of particles from the magnetosphere

The properties of four potential sources for energetic ions and electrons in the magnetosheath are considered: upstream Fermi acceleration and shock drift acceleration of incident solar wind particles at the bow shock, acceleration of magnetosheath ions through merging at the magnetopause, and escape from the magnetosphere. A review of previous observations suggests that the magnetosphere is the dominant source of the magnetosheath energetic particle population. Despite recent work to the contrary, it is questioned whether energetic particle observations alone provide any evidence for merging at the dayside magnetopause.
Yield and fracture behaviour of cross-linked epoxies

The yield stress and fracture energies of a series of cross-linked epoxy resins were studied in order to correlate the macroscopic mechanical properties with the polymer microstructure. Five networks with varying cross-link densities were synthesized by reacting a homologous series of epoxy resins with stoichiometric quantities ofm-phenylenediamine. For all the networks, the yield stress decreased with increasing temperatures in accordance with the predictions of the Eyring theory of viscosity. At constant temperatures, the yield stress decreased with increasing molecular weight between cross-links. The fracture studies revealed two distinct types of crack propagation behaviour above and below approximately 0 °C. Below 0 °C the cracks propagated in a stable and continuous manner, while the crack propagation behaviour changed to an unstable “stick-slip” mode as the test temperature was increased above 0 °C. For unstable crack growth, the fracture energies for crack initiation increased with increasing temperature, while the fracture energies for crack arrest were, within the limits of experimental error, independent of temperature. The crack arrest fracture energies were similar in magnitude to the fracture energies for stable crack propagation. An empirical power-law type correlation was observed between the glassy arrest fracture energies and the average molecular weight between cross-links. Micrographs of specimens which failed by the unstable, “stick-slip” mode revealed characteristic plastic deformation zones which highlighted the positions of crack initiation and arrest along the crack path. The deformation zone widths were observed to increase with increasing test temperatures, providing evidence of greater localized plastic deformations and higher fracture initiation energies at higher temperatures.
Agribusiness and Professional M.S. Degree Programs in Agricultural Economics in the United States

American agriculture deserves most of the accolades it has received for its rich and productive history, especially in farm productivity. But a managerial crisis exists in agriculture (French). This blemishes the brilliant record of agricultural economists. Kellogg Foundation's Leadership Programs have been the most effective to date for upgrading agriculture leadership. They have brought broader social maturation to younger rural people, but unfortunately not leadership and wisdom for sound food and agricultural policy. And such a policy is vitally needed for better management. In fairness, these Kellogg programs were not designed to deal directly with management needs. They were targeted at farmers, not at managers of broadly based agribusinesses as defined by Goldberg and others (Woolverton et al., p. 1). Other contributions have not been nearly enough to avert the managerial crisis. Agribusiness has done some in-house executive education, and economists such as Emerson Babb and David Downey have effectively assisted these. Among the younger set, Randall Westgren at Santa Clara, Rob King at Minnesota, and Kerry Litzenberg at Texas have shown creativeness in agribusiness programs. Farm management had a rich university history. Its professional visibility has declined but may have increased recently in response to the farm financial crisis. The formal management education of both farm and agribusiness people has been weak. Priority placed on executive education by agribusiness industry has not been high enough. The Cooperative Extension Service has de-emphasized management. Thus, both formal and informal education have inadequately avoided a crisis. We have not taught enough modern business mana ement using the behavioral approach to management in marketing, finance, personnel, and production. Farm management and production economics were root priorities in this association. A few professionals got little association encouragement as they made pale thrusts into agribusiness management, so not many are into it. Erven reported in 1984 that sixty-seven agricultural economics departments showed only 5% of FTE's in agribusiness management and onl 15% in farm management. An equitable evaluation would inpute much upgrading of agribusiness management to non-land grant education.
Prolactin-Releasing Factor: Cellular Origin in the Intermediate Lobe of the Pituitary

Our laboratory has provided substantial evidence for the presence of PRL-releasing factor (PRF) in the posterior pituitary. The objectives of this study were 1) to determine the distribution of PRF activity between the neural and intermediate lobes, and 2) to assess the PRF activity of cultured posterior pituitary cells. Posterior pituitaries from adult male rats were dispersed with trypsin and cultured for 1-7 days. Cultured cells or intact posterior pituitaries were extracted with acid and lyophilized. PRF activity was determined by the ability of reconstituted extracts to increase PRL release from cultured anterior pituitary cells. Upon dissection of the posterior pituitary, PRF activity was primarily present in the intermediate lobe. There was minimal contamination between the two lobes, as indicated by the localization of 90% of the total oxytocin in the neural lobe and 95% of alpha MSH in the intermediate lobe. Extracts from intact posterior pituitaries and posterior pituitary cells cultured for 4 days stimulated PRL secretion in a similar dose-dependent manner. Cultured liver and cerebral cortex cells had very low PRF activity. Both oxytocin and dopamine, two neuronal markers, were reduced to less than 5% of their original values within 1 week of cell culture. There was also a significant reduction in the cell content of alpha MSH. On the other hand, PRF activity was relatively stable during culture. Incubation of posterior pituitary cells for 4 days with either cycloheximide or PRL caused a 55-60% reduction of the PRF activity of the cells. We conclude the following. 1) PRF is localized, almost exclusively, in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary. 2) PRF activity is present within nonneuronal cells, either melanotrophs or a small subpopulation of nonopioid-producing cells. 3) PRF is tissue specific, and its presence in cultured posterior pituitary cells depends at least in part on de novo synthesis. 4) The synthesis and/or release of PRF may be subjected to short loop negative feedback regulation by PRL.
Finite element evaluation of the microbond test: meniscus effect, interphase region, and vise angle

Abstract An axisymmetric finite element model (FEM) was used to determine the stresses that develop during a microbond test of a glass fiber/polymer matrix composite system. The complete bead shape including the meniscus that occurs as the bead wets to the fiber was included in the FEM to determine the influence of the bead geometry on the resulting stresses. Significant differences in the stress fields were found near the fiber/bead contact point due to the geometry and resulting z-location of the vise. In addition, the vise angle and interphase properties were varied to examine their influence. As the vise angle increases, the combined state of stress decreases considerably. The effect of the interphase, while not as significant as the effect of the vise angle, did produce a 10% variation in von-Mises stress at the fiber/bead contact point for the properties used. It was found that the ratio of the maximum shear to average shear equaled 4 near the fiber/bead contact point. At this location the interfacial material has yielded with a von-Mises stress 8× the average shear. Finally, results are provided showing the average interfacial shear stress value obtained by the FEM is within 2% of the theoretical solution.
A dynamic decision-theoretic model of technology adoption for the competitive firm

Abstract In this article, the technology adoption problem of the competitive firm is revisited. The firm is assumed to allocate a quasi fixed factor between a traditional and a new technology. In the presence of costs of adjustment and learning, the adoption problem is formulated as an optimal control problem.
The effects of hypnosis, relaxation and reinforcement on hypnotic behaviors and experiences.

Abstract This study investigated the relative effectiveness of hypnosis and relaxation in obtaining a subject's compliance with suggestions and the effect of verbal reinforcement upon compliance. On the basis of a suggestibility premeasure, 48 female undergraduates were divided into high (H.S.) and low (L.S.) suggestible groups. Equal numbers of H.S. and L.S. subjects were randomly assigned to a hypnosis or relaxation procedure and remeasured on the same suggestibility scale, with or without reinforcement. It was hypothesized that: (a) reinforcement would produce more compliance than would non-reinforcement; (b) that hypnosis would elicit more compliance than relaxation because of its association with behavioral compliance; and (c) that H.S. subjects would rate their experiences as more vivid than L.S. subjects. The latter two hypotheses were supported, and reinforcement's ineffectiveness was discussed in terms of its frequency of occurrence.
Benchmarks Curricular Planning and Assessment Framework: Utilizing Standards Without Introducing Standardization

The national early learning community faces the challenge of using early learning standards and assessments to improve learning environments while preserving educators’ freedom to plan early childhood curriculum that accord with a child-centered focus and developmentally appropriate practices. Drawing on recent developments in approaches to undergraduate assessment, this article introduces an approach to curricular planning and assessment that uses state benchmarks as an umbrella structure to support curricular planning, assessment, and feedback among them. The benchmarks have a hierarchical structure that allows educators to think about benchmarks as embedded within educational goals, spanning different age-ranges, and involving activity across multiple domains of child development. The framework prompts educators to identify benchmarks for particular activities and to assess the age-appropriateness of activities and the degree to which they incorporate multiple domains of development. There are two primary curricular measures: (1) the match measure between educator predictions and observed activity, which provides timely feedback about the accuracy of educator predictions for different age-groups and across developmental domains, and (2) an open-ended measure, which provides information about the ways the children surprised educators by using the activity in an unpredicted manner. Both of these measures inform the development of classroom activities and curriculum. This article reports on the pilot implementation of this approach within an early learning program.