cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diabetes-related behaviors in Latinas and non-Latinas in California.

OBJECTIVE Certain dietary and physical activity behaviors have been associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, yet little is known about the prevalence of these behaviors among Latinas (Latino women). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare the prevalence of diabetes-related behaviors in Latinas and non-Latinas. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey, we compared self-reported diabetes-related behaviors of Latinas ( n = 4,321) to non-Latinas ( n = 21,112) after excluding women who were pregnant or had diabetes. For six behaviors, we determined the cut point for the least healthy tertile: walking, doing moderate to vigorous physical activity, and consuming fried potatoes, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), desserts, and fast food. We used logistic regression to examine the association between Latina ethnicity and being in the least-healthy tertile compared with the other two tertiles for each of these behaviors. RESULTS In multivariate models adjusted for age, income, education, marital status, health status, smoking, and acculturation, Latinas had a higher risk (odds ratio [95% CI]) of being in the least-healthy tertile for the consumption of fast food (1.94 [1.63–2.31]), SSBs (1.53 [1.29–1.82]), and fried potatoes (1.32 [1.18–1.67]), and lower risk for desserts (0.82 [0.70–0.95]). Latinas and non-Latinas had similar physical activity levels. CONCLUSIONS Dietary differences between Latinas and non-Latinas (particularly in the consumption of fast food and SSBs) may be the focus of interventions to prevent diabetes in Latinas. Further research among Latinas is needed to understand and modify these dietary behaviors.
Female choice of multiple male criteria in guppies: interacting effects of dominance, coloration and courtship

I experimentally examined the relative importance of social dominance, color patterns, and courtship behavior in male mating and reproductive success in the guppy Poecilia reticulata. Female choice of males is based on a complex set of behavioral and morphological traits. The results of 59 paired-male one-female visual choice and mating trials showed that male mating success was positively correlated with dominance, courtship intensity, and male coloration. Only dominant males engaged in full copoulations, and they sired two-thirds of the broods. An analysis of the paternity of broods and results of mating trials showed that a female's visual response when the sexes are separated by a glass partition is a good predictor of a male's reproductive success when the partition is removed and they are allowed to mate. A canonical correlation analysis of male behavioral and morphological traits indicated that female visual response and male mating success were positively correlated with male courtship and with agonistic behavior. However, the relative importance of color varied. Carotenoid and iridescent spots were important both in attracting the female's attention and in enhancing male mating success. Melanins were not correlated with either mating success or female response. There was a relatively low correlation (48%) between male behavioral and morphological variables and female response variables (full copulation and female visual response). These results suggest that female choice is subtle, and is based on a complex suite of male behavioral and morphological traits as well as on competitive interactions among males.
Experimental characterization of full-scale naturally ventilated atrium and validation of CFD simulations

Abstract Natural ventilation is growing in popularity as a low-energy cooling strategy. Many buoyancy-driven naturally ventilated buildings rely on atria to provide a flow path through the building. The proper design of such atria relies on validated modeling techniques. Although a plethora of studies on such techniques exist, very few rely on full-scale experiments within an atrium for validation. Even fewer studies use a naturally ventilated atrium. This study uses a full-scale naturally ventilated atrium to validate three CFD turbulence models, RNG k–ɛ, k–ɛ, and LES, all of which are found to predict experimental temperatures with an RMSE below 1.2 °C. An airflow visualization technique utilizing neutrally buoyant helium bubbles is shown to be an effective method of visualizing the airflow and providing local air velocities through particle image velocimetry techniques. The LES model best predicts local velocities near the heat source. Due to an opposing wind at the roof exit, an unexpected bulk downward flow is observed through the atrium, suppressing the plume from the heat source. This downward flow highlights the necessity of using accurate modeling techniques and boundary conditions in atria design.
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Tobacco Use and Prostate Cancer Mortality and Incidence in Prospective Cohort Studies

Context An association between tobacco smoking and prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and mortality was suggested in an earlier meta-analysis of 24 prospective studies in which dose–response associations and risks per unit of tobacco use were not examined.
Electromyography of oral-facial musculature in craniocarpaltarsal dysplasia (Freeman-Sheldon syndrome).

Electromyography and biopsy of the oral-facial musculature of a patient with craniocarpaltarsal dysplasia (Freeman-Sheldon syndrome) supports the thesis that facial muscle hypoplasia is a significant component of this evolving syndrome complex.
Growth kinetics of Pseudomonas putida G7 on naphthalene and occurrence of naphthalene toxicity during nutrient deprivation

The objectives of this work were (1) to demonstrate how the chemostat approach could be modified to allow determination of kinetic parameters for a sparingly soluble, volatile substrate such as naphthalene and (2) to examine the influence of the interactions of various nutrients on possible growth-inhibitory effects of naphthalene. Pseudomonas putida G7 was used as a model naphthalene-degrading microorganism. Naphthalene was found to be toxic to P. putida G7 in the absence of a nitrogen source or oxygen. The death rate of cells grown on minimal medium plus naphthalene and then exposed to naphthalene under anoxic conditions was higher than that observed under oxic conditions in the absence of a nitrogen source. The presence of necessary nutrients for the biodegradation of PAH compounds is indicated to be important for the survival of microorganisms that are capable of PAH degradation. The amounts of ammonia and oxygen necessary for naphthalene biodegradation and for suppression of naphthalene toxicity were calculated from growth yield coefficients. A chemostat culture of P. putida G7 using naphthalene as a carbon and energy source was accomplished by using a feed augmented with a methanol solution of naphthalene so as to provide sufficient growth to allow accurate evaluation of kinetic parameters. When naphthalene was the growth-limiting substrate, the degradation of naphthalene followed Monod kinetics. Maximum specific growth rate (micrometer) and Monod constant (Ks) were 0.627 +/- 0.007 h-1 and 0.234 +/- 0.0185 mg/L, respectively. The evaluation of biodegradation parameters will allow a mathematical model to be applied to predict the long-term behavior of PAH compounds in soil when combined with PAH transport parameters.
Hemodialysis Without Anticoagulation

Heparin is usually employed as an anticoagulant during routine hemodialysis. In patients at high risk of bleeding, however, use of heparin significantly increases their morbidity and, presumably, mortality. Over 1 year, we performed 156 hemodialysis procedures successfully without heparin in the transplant dialysis unit. Twenty-eight patients were included in the study; 23 patients had received renal transplants and five patients were in the perioperative period for surgery not relating to transplantation (bilateral nephrectomy, cholecystectomy, fullmouth dental extraction, and parathyroidectomy). Only one of these patients had a coagulopathy. No dialysis procedure produced or aggravated bleeding. Conversely, a coagulopathy was not induced or worsened by dialysis without heparin. A significant complication, defined as complete clotting of the artificial kidney with or without clotting in the lines, occurred in eight dialyses (5.13% of the total) and resulted in an average blood loss of 150 ml. Partial clotting of the dialyzer did not interrupt the procedure and occurred nine times (5.8% of the total). These results compare favorably with previously documented complications from low-dose and regional heparin.
A note on poroacoustic traveling waves under Forchheimerʼs law

Abstract Acoustic traveling waves in a gas that saturates a rigid porous medium is investigated under the assumption that the drag experienced by the gas is modeled by Forchheimerʼs law. Exact traveling wave solutions (TWS)s, as well as approximate and asymptotic expressions, are obtained; decay rates are determined; and acceleration wave results are presented. In addition, special cases are considered, critical values of the wave variable and parameters are derived, and comparisons with predictions based on Darcyʼs law are performed. It is shown that, with respect to the Darcy case, most of the metrics that characterize such waveforms exhibit an increase in magnitude under Forchheimerʼs law.
Inertia elements versus Frobenius elements

In this note we show that the sets of (tame) inertia elements, respectively that of ramification elements, in any Galois extension of fields is closed in the Galois group of the Galois extension. We prove a more precise assertion in the case of arithmetical base fields.
Low-intensity blue light in night-interruption lighting does not influence flowering of herbaceous ornamentals.

Abstract The spectral quality of photoperiodic lighting can affect flowering of short-day plants (SDPs) and long-day plants (LDPs) differently. When delivered during the middle of the night (night interruption, NI), red (R; 600–700 nm) light alone can inhibit flowering of SDPs, whereas a combination of R and far-red (FR; 700–800 nm) light promotes flowering of some LDPs. However, whether or not low-intensity (≈1–2 μmol m−2 s−1) blue (B; 400–500 nm) light, when added to R and/or FR light, influences flowering has not been established. We investigated the effects of mixed B, R, and FR light on flowering of five SDPs [chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium), cosmos (Cosmos sulfureus), two cultivars of dahlia (Dahlia pinnata), and marigold (Tagetes erecta)] and two LDPs [dianthus (Dianthus chinensis) and rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta)]. Plants were grown in a greenhouse at a constant set point of 20 °C and received a truncated 9-h short day (SD) with or without 4-h NI lighting from incandescent (INC) lamps or white (W), B, B + R, B + FR, B + R + FR, or R + FR light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Each NI lighting treatment delivered a mean photon flux of 1.5 μmol m−2 s−1 between 400 and 800 nm at plant height. Blue light alone was not perceived as a long day by all SDPs and LDPs tested. For all SDPs, W LEDs inhibited flowering most effectively. B + R NI was as effective as W NI at creating a long day for all SDPs except chrysanthemum. B + FR NI inhibited flowering of marigold and dahlia ‘Leanne’, but not chrysanthemum or dahlia ‘Gallery Pablo’. For marigold, B + FR NI was less effective than other NI lighting treatments with R light. B + R + FR and R + FR NI similarly delayed flowering of all SDPs except dahlia ‘Gallery Pablo’. NI lighting treatments containing R light similarly promoted flowering of rudbeckia. We conclude that in at least the crops studied, low-intensity B light during the night does not influence flowering. In addition, W LEDs that emit little FR light are effective at creating long days for SDPs but only some LDPs.
EFFECT ON GROWTH AMD APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY OF DIETS VARYING IN GRAIN SOURCE AND PROTEIN LEVEL IN Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Two studies each consisting of a growth and digestibility trial were carried out to evaluate the nutritive merit of four cereal grains (corn, milo, wheat and barley) in diets formulated for Macrobrachium rosenbergii. In the first growth trial four isonitrogenous, isolipidic and isocaloric (gross energy) diets differing in their grain source were fed to prawns with an initial mean weight of 7.3±0.1 g. After 12 weeks the barley based diet produced greater growth than the wheat based diet. No significant differences in feed conversion ratios, protein efficiency ratios, or feed consumption were observed. The same diets containing 1% chromic oxide were fed to larger animals (40–50 g) to determine apparent digestibility of protein and energy. Apparent digestibility of dietary energy ranged from 76.8% to 79.1% for the four diets tested and was significantly lowest in the wheat diet. Apparent digestibility of protein ranged from 84.1% to 88.9% and did not vary significantly among diets. In the second growth trial prawns with an initial mean weight of 4.1±O. l g were fed six isolipidic, isocaloric diets varying in protein level (20%, 30% or 40%) and grain source (wheat or barley). Growth at 12 weeks was significantly different among treatments. The wheat and barley 30% and 40% protein diets supported greater growth than the 20% protein wheat diet. The 40% protein wheat diet and 30% protein barley diet supported greater growth than the 30% protein wheat diet. Higher feed consumption was observed with the higher protein diets. No differences between feed and protein conversion ratios were observed among diets. In the second digestibility trial, apparent digestible protein was not significantly different among treatments, however, digestible energy was significantly different among treatments. It appears from the results that feed consumption and apparent digestible energy contributed to the growth response observed in the two growth trials. At the 30% dietary protein level, barley appears to have been more efficiently utilized than wheat, effectively reducing the level of required dietary protein.
Balloon dilatation of stenotic portacaval anastomosis

Hemorrhage from esophageal varices is an infrequent occurrence after a portacaval anastomosis. A stenotic portacaval anastomosis resulted in persistent portal hypertension and variceal hemorrhage. Treatment by transluminal balloon dilatation of the stenotic shunt resolved the hemodynamic abnormality as demonstrated by angiographic and hemodynamic techniques.
The Nanoscale Organization of Focal Adhesion Signaling Complexes can Reflect Changes in Cellular Contractility and Motility

Focal adhesions are the conduits through which cells receive and interpret mechanical signals. It is not known if nanoscale protein organization is altered to accommodate changes in mechanical inputs from the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix components. We hypothesized that the relative position of specific focal adhesion proteins could correspond to the engagement of a physical protein clutch for different adhesion functions. To this end we employed Scanning Angle Interference Microscopy to determine the 3D organization of proteins comprising focal adhesions with a precision of ∼5nm. We found paxillin, FAK, vinculin, talin, and zyxin to be stratified in distinct layers over a vertical range of 60 nm. We then compared nascent versus focal adhesions at the cell leading edge, and found that paxillin localized ∼7nm towards the cell membrane in developing adhesions. We inhibited intracellular contractility to see how adhesion architecture dynamically responds to changes in mechanical input, and observed that paxillin and zyxin, but not vinculin, undergoes a marked increase in height of >15nm. Conversely, vinculin without a force dependent auto-inhibition domain, T12; undergoes dramatic reorganization at the nanoscale after contractility inhibition. Overexpression of vinculinT12 resulted in increased intramolecular forces as seen in a vinculinT12 FRET tension sensor, targeting of vinculin to an architecture that corresponded with talin and actin engagement, but not changes in cellular traction. When we reduced cellular motility through overexpression of a constitutively active Rac1 mutant, adhesions at the lamella-lamellipodia border had different vinculin architecture than other adhesions in the cell. Our results suggest that elimination of vinculin force dependent auto-inhibition can dictate focal adhesion architecture and morphology, but not cellular traction; and that there are specific vinculin architectures that reflect distinct states of cellular contractility and motility.
Depressive symptoms among reservation-based pregnant American Indian adolescents.

Objectives To examine rates and correlates of depressive symptoms among pregnant reservation-based American Indian (AI) adolescents from the Southwestern United States (N = 53). Methods Data were derived from a study evaluating a home-visiting program designed to promote positive parenting among young families. Participants included a volunteer, convenience sample of expectant mothers who completed behavioral and mental health self-report questionnaires. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D). Three risk domains were analyzed in relation to depressive symptoms: sociodemographics, family relations, and psychosocial functioning. Results Forty-seven percent of expectant mothers scored at or above the widely accepted clinical cutoff score of 16 on the CES-D; 30% scored at or above 20, a score more likely to reflect elevated depressive symptoms among adolescents; and almost 20% scored at or above 28 (one standard deviation above the mean), a score suggestive of clinical depression. Higher levels of depressive symptoms were associated with less use of public assistance, external locus of control, less social support, and lower self-esteem. Conclusions Data suggest that a large proportion of pregnant AI adolescents reported elevated depressive symptoms, though rates are similar to non-pregnant AI adolescent samples.
Stress Management for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

The purpose of the study was to explore the utility of stress-reduction techniques within a population of hospitalized multiple sclerosis patients. Four stress-management groups, each composed of 8 to 10 patients, were formed with each participant receiving a pre- and posttest battery focusing on emotional/mood factors (the Profile of Mood States). Group sessions were held once/weekly for 13 wk. Relaxation, cognitive, and behavioral strategies were incorporated into the program. The findings indicate that stress-management techniques were effective in the reduction of psychological distress. Significant decreases were noted in scores on depression and anxiety and significant increase on vigor.
Correlations of Dogmatism and Internal-External Factor Scales

Various theoretical threads lead to the postulate that covariation occurs between patterns of eye gaze and world view (Ashton & Dwyer, 1975; Tomkins, 1965). Aspects of world view may include various cognitive dimensions (Tomkins, 1963) without specific content but with general structural characteristics (Rokeach, 1960). Rokeach's dogmatism scale and Rotter's (1966) external locus of control scale are two such scales which have been historically associated (Everly, 1975 ) . Valecha (1972) has described a 20-item short version of Rotter's internalexternal scale that articulates more consistently with the demands of survey research. Robinson and Shaver (1973) note that further analysis is sorely needed prior to a general application of this short scale. In a similar vein, Troldahl and Powell (1965) have proferred a short version of the dogmatism scale with 20 items. In the context of research on eye gaze, both of the above mentioned short forms were administered to a sample of 50 college students recruited from classes in introductory sociology. A six-point Likert-type format, identical to the California F Scale response format (Adorno, et al., 1950), was adopted. This excludes a possible neutral answer. First principal components were used to construct factor scores for both scales, because a priori theory suggests these instruments measure particular and individual dimensions of attitude. The first component of the I-E scale accounted for 18% of the response variance. The first component of the dogmatism scale accounted for 14.7% of the variance. Factor scores from principal components analysis are standardized, so the means of both scales were 0.00 and the standard deviations were 1.00. The product-moment correlation was .267 ( p = .03). Everly (1975) reported correlations of .29 and .74 between scores on the full length dogmatism and I-E scales. Franklin's (1963) first factor in
Improving medical students' success in promoting health behavior change: a curriculum evaluation.

Introduction Effective behavior change counseling is an important component of the optimal care of patients, yet only a minority of medical schools currently include such training in their curriculum.
REM sleep episodes during the multiple sleep latency test in narcoleptic patients

Abstract Forty narcoleptic patients were given the Multiple Sleep Latency Test, consisting of 20 min opportunities to sleep offered at 10.00, 12.00, 14.00, 16.00 and 18.00 o'clock. Eleven patients had 2 episodes of REM sleep, 5 had 3, 11 had 4, and 13 had 5 before they were awakened. Fourteen control subjects given similar opportunities to sleep (reported in a companion article (Richardson et al. 1978)) had no REM sleep episodes. For the 10.00–18.00 o'clock opportunities respectively, there were 32, 29, 30, 28 and 27 REM sleep episodes. We conclude that this procedure can provide physicians with data useful in the diagnosis of narcolepsy.
Sperm capacitation after injection of LH or HCG in rabbits.

SummarySperm incubated in uteri of rabbits given intravenous injections of LH or HCG were assayed for capacitation in superovulated test rabbits inseminated either within the uterus or within the oviduct 12.5 hr after an injection of ovulating hormone. Injection of LH at levels up to 2000 μg had no significant influence on sperm capacitation, but 300 IU of HCG reduced fertility. Test rabbits inseminated within the uterus had significantly higher fertility than those inseminated within the oviduct. The results indicated that sperm may be inseminated at either location in experiments to assess the influence of these gonadotropins on capacitation.
Slip regime explanation of observed size effects in fretting

Previous studies in fretting fatigue have observed size effects related to contact width such that a critical contact width exists where there is drastic change in the fretting fatigue life. Several fatigue or fracture mechanics based concepts have been invoked to explain this interesting observation by previous researchers. The experiments conducted in the present study were similar in nature to the previous studies, but analyses and conclusions are different. These tests were conducted to investigate the contact width effects as well as to characterize the contact condition as contact width changed. Two series of tests were performed in the present investigation which again showed the critical contact width phenomenon. Fretting hysteresis loops were recorded and the profiles of fretting scars were characterized. These showed that the critical contact width is a demarcation of contact condition between partial slip and gross slip on either side of this characteristic width in the present study. Either failure occurred in a relatively short fatigue life due to partial slip fretting condition or there was almost infinite fatigue life due to gross slip fretting condition. There was also a drastic difference in the magnitude of relative slip amplitude between pad and specimen in tests on either side of the critical contact width. Furthermore, the size of critical contact width was affected by the coefficient of friction.
Development of Megahertz-Rate Planar Doppler Velocimetry for High-Speed Flows

A pulse burst laser and either one or two high-speed charge-coupled-device cameras were used to perform onecomponent time-resolved planar-Doppler-velocimetry (PDV) measurements in a rectangular Mach 2.0 jet. The measurements were carried out on a streamwise plane passing through the jet centerline and covering approximately 6‐12 jet heights downstream of the jet exit. The pulse burst laser operated at 0.532-µ mw avelength and produced 28 pulses at 250 kHz with approximately 9 mJ/pulse energy. Velocity image sequences consisting of 28 frames showed dynamics of the velocity field over a time span of 108 µs (approximately 4.5 convective timescales). A typical sequence of images is presented, which demonstrates the process of entrainment of low-speed fluid into the high-speed region of the jet. Mean and standard deviation statistics of the velocity calculations produced expected trends and showed good agreement between the single- and two-camera experiments. An error analysis revealed speckle as the predominant source of noise, as in a conventional PDV technique. At a transmission ratio of 0.5, the estimated total error is 13 m/s for the single-camera experiment and 15 m/s for the two-camera experiment. I. Introduction P LANAR Doppler velocimetry is a powerful optical diagnostic technique that can be used to measure all three components of instantaneous velocity over a two-dimensional plane within a flowfield with high spatial resolution. This is accomplished by using an atomic or molecular vapor filter to measure the frequency shift of light as it is scattered by particles contained in the flowfield. The �
Firm performance and the strategic fit of manufacturing technology

Scholars have widely asserted that a firm’s manufacturing technologies must be aligned with its competitive strategy. This study tests the existence of such a strategy‐technology “fit”, determines whether good fit results in better performance, and examines the nature of fit in light of computer controlled or “advanced manufacturing technologies”. For a sample of 399 metal machining firms, a strategy‐technology alignment was found to exist and relate to higher financial performance. Advanced manufacturing technologies were found to both reinforce and alter conventional thinking about the flexibility‐efficiency tradeoff. Specific technologies were found to be uniquely bundled or combined to support specific competitive requirements.
Taurine Excretion Following Drug-Induced Muscle Necrosis and X-Irradiation.∗

SummarySimilar increases in urinary excretion of taurine follow drug-induced muscle necrosis and x-irradiation. The excess taurinuria appears to be unrelated to altered renal function but is probably a non-specific manifestation of increased tissue catabolism.
The inclusion problem with a crack crossing the boundary

The problem of an elastic plane containing an elastic inclusion is considered. It is assumed that both the plane and the inclusion contain a radial crack and the two cracks are collinear. The problem is formulated in terms of a system of singular integral equations. In the interesting limiting cases in which the crack tips approach the interface from either one or both sides, the dominant parts of the kernels become generalized Cauchy kernels giving rise to stress singularities of other than 13-1 power. For these unusual cases of a crack terminating at or crossing the interface stress intensity factors are defined and some detailed results are given for various crack-inclusion geometries and material combinations.
Acute Unilateral Pulmonary Edema in Non-Cardiac Settings

Unilateral pulmonary edema is an uncommon manifestation of pulmonary edema. We report a case of unilateral pulmonary edema in a 45-year-old woman with chronic kidney disease, hypertension and diabetes who presented after a motor vehicle collision and was down with the left lung in dependent position. She was found to have a left lung infiltrate on the chest computed tomography (CT) scan. Resolution of radiological findings after hemodialysis pointed toward pulmonary edema. The patient did not have any pre-existing parenchymal lung abnormality; therefore the cause of pulmonary edema was ascribed to dependent position. J Med Cases. 2014;5(7):417-419 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/j mc1808w
Modeling adaptive autonomous agents

One category of research in Artificial Life is concerned with modeling and building so-called adaptive autonomous agents, which are systems that inhabit a dynamic, unpredictable environment in whic...
The Mark-II vertex drift chamber

We have completed constructing and begun operating the Mark-II drift chamber vertex detector. The chamber, based on a modified jet cell design, achieves 30 μm spatial resolution and <1000 μm track-pair resolution in pressurized CO2 gas mixtures. Special emphasis has been placed on controlling systematic errors, including the use of novel construction techniques which permit accurate wire placement. Chamber performance has been studied with cosmic ray tracks collected with the chamber located both inside and outside the Mark-II. Results on spatial resolution, average pulse shape, and some properties of CO2 mixtures are presented.
Region-based adaptive slicing

In this paper, we describe a method for region-based adaptive slicing. Whereas in traditional adaptive slicing the user can impose a single surface finish (cusp height) requirement for the whole object, in region-based adaptive slicing, user has the flexibility to impose different surface finish requirements on different surfaces of the model. We describe the method and its implementation. Two example parts were built using the slicing technique and the results are included.
BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH STRATEGIC PLANNING: A CASE STUDY OF McPHERSON COUNTY, KANSAS

As citizens in McPherson County, Kansas, engaged in strategic planning to position themselves economically for the future, they also worked to build community. Data were collected during seven months of strategic planning. Two visions of community emerged during the strategic planning sessions. One group of citizens articulated community as the entire county while another group constructed community as individual towns and population groups within the county. Ultimately, the county-wide view of community dominated the strategic planning discussions. Conclusions are offered to explain this outcome and implications are provided for community development.
Neocortical Atrophy, Third Ventricular Width, and Cognitive Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis

Results: Patients with secondary progressive MS had more atrophy than patients with relapsing-remitting MS and controls. Neocortical volume was significantly correlated with all neuropsychological measures, withr values ranging from 0.29 to 0.58. Third ventricular width was retained in most stepwise regression analyses predicting cognitive impairment in patients with MS and distinguishing secondary progressive from relapsingremitting courses of MS. Conclusions: We confirm an association between neocortical volume and multiple cognitive domains in MS, although neocortical volume did not explain significantly more variance than other magnetic resonance imaging measures. Of the magnetic resonance imaging variables studied, third ventricular width was retained in most regression models.
Readmission of breastfed infants in the first 2 weeks of life.

OBJECTIVE: Readmission of breastfeeding infants for hyperbilirubinemia and/or dehydration has been increasing in recent years. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the indications for and condition of these infants at readmission, and to determine factors present prior to initial hospital discharge which might have identified them to be at risk. STUDY DESIGN: The records of 125 breastfeeding infants who were admitted to Children's Mercy Hospital from 1995 to 1997 in the first 2 weeks of life with diagnoses of hyperbilirubinemia, dehydration, or feeding problems were reviewed. Infants with hemolytic disease, infection, or other underlying causes were excluded. At readmission, 80 infants had total bilirubin levels >342 μmol/l (20 mg/dl) and gestational age ≥38 weeks or total bilirubin levels >308 μmol/l (18 mg/dl) and gestational age <38 weeks. Forty-nine infants had a weight loss ≥12% from birth weight or a serum sodium concentration ≥145 mmol/l. Twenty-six infants had both hyperbilirubinemia and excessive weight loss or hypernatremia. RESULTS: The mean gestational age of all infants was 38.6 weeks, 95% CI, 38.3 to 38.9 weeks. Mean length of initial hospital stay was 1.8 days (SD 1.03) for vaginally delivered infants compared with 3.4 days (SD 2.1) for those delivered by C-section (p=0.003). The Cesarean birth rate (9%) was disproportionally low in infants readmitted compared with overall C-section rate in Kansas City, MO (17%) (p=0.03). There was a significantly lower rate of readmission for infants whose initial hospital stay was ≥3 days (p=<0.002), but not for infants whose initial stay was ≥2 days (p=0.1). Infants admitted for hyperbilirubinemia only were at 38.3±1.6 weeks gestation compared with infants admitted for excessive weight loss or hypernatremia, 39.2±1.3 (p=0.06), and 1 day older, 5.4±1.9 days vs. 4.4±2.5 days (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that prematurity and short hospital stays are risk factors for readmission of breastfeeding infants with hyperbilirubinemia and/or excessive weight loss and hypernatremia. An initial hospital stay ≥3 days was associated with a reduced risk for readmission of these infants.
Shapes and Shape Grammars: From Mathematical Model to Computer Implementation

Shape grammars, a well-structured method of generating designs, are suitable for computer implementation. In this paper, a formal representation of shapes as individuals is developed; some binary operations and relations are then defined upon shapes. The formal mechanisms of shape grammars are presented, with some of the computational problems illustrated. Algorithms to solve some of these problems are given. A Prolog implementation of a generic shape grammar system is demonstrated.
Clinical Measures of Disease Progression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Progressive weakness remains the clinical hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Accordingly, a variety of tools has been developed to capture this disease feature, including questionnaires, such as the ALS-functional rating scale, strength testing, pulmonary function tests, electrophysiologic measures, including motor unit number estimation, and imaging techniques. Despite this plethora of approaches, there is little agreement as to what measures to use in a given clinical trial or in the clinic during routine patient care. Part of the reason for this uncertainty is that ALS is a remarkably protean disease. Some individuals progress rapidly, others slowly; some patients have considerable upper motor neuron dysfunction, whereas others have little; and there is considerable variation in the sequence of body regions affected, in some the disease beginning in the bulbar musculature and in others in one arm or one leg. Here, I present a variety of basic and more complex clinical measures for potential use in therapeutic trials with the aim of offering a balanced and practical set of recommendations, as well as considerations for future studies.
Considerations in measuring cartilage thickness using MRI: factors influencing reproducibility and accuracy.

Summary Objective The primary goal of this study was to describe and evaluate conditions that could influence the precision and accuracy of measuring in vivo cartilage thickness in the weight bearing regions of the knee from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Design Three-dimensional (3D) models of the femoral cartilage were created from segmented MR images. The weight bearing regions on femoral cartilage were selected for the portion of the tibiofemoral joint that sustains contact during walking. Six regions of interest (three on each condyle) were located on the femur. Average cartilage thickness was calculated over each region. The sensitivity of the precision of the measurements to observer variability was evaluated using intra- and inter-observer reproducibility tests of cartilage thickness measurements from the MRI-derived 3D models. In addition, the quantitative influence of a rule-based protocol for segmentation was evaluated using the inter-observer reproducibility protocol. Accuracy tests were conducted on porcine knees by comparing 3D models from MR images and laser scans across weight bearing and non-weight bearing regions. Results The precision was substantially better for the intra-observer tests (Coefficient of variation (CV)=1–3%) than the inter-observer tests. Adding a rule-based protocol reduced variability in inter-observer tests substantially (CV=6.6% vs 8.3%). Accuracy tests showed that the central and weight bearing regions on each condyle were more accurate than boundary and non-weight bearing regions. In addition, these results indicate that care should be taken when determining cartilage thickness of weight bearing regions with cartilage degenerations, since the thickness of thinner cartilage can be systematically overestimated in MR images. Conclusions A rule-based approach can substantially increase inter-observer reproducibility when measuring cartilage thickness from multiple observers. This improvement in inter-observer reproducibility could be an important consideration for longitudinal studies of disease progression. In quantifying cartilage thickness, central and weight bearing regions on each condyle can provide more accurate measurement than boundary and non-weight bearing regions with average accuracy of ±0.2–0.3mm. An important finding of this study was that the weight bearing regions, which are usually of the greatest clinical interest, were measured most accurately by sagittal plane imaging.
Differential convergence of self-report and informant data for multidimensional personality questionnaire traits: implications for the construct of negative emotionality.

Construct validation work on Tellegen's (1982) Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) resulted in further inferences about Negative Emotionality. Two hundred thirty-two students were rated by three knowledgeable informants, yielding a total of 928 participants. The median monotrait correlation of MPQ primary scores with summed observer ratings was .48, and all were significant, p < .01. These data show higher self-report to informant rating convergences in the Positive Emotionality (Extroversion) domain than in the Negative Emotionality (Neuroticism) domain. Furthermore, in the Negative Emotionality domain, peers, mothers, and fathers were not equivalent as classes of raters. Stress Reaction ratings showed uniformly lower levels of convergence with self-report (relative to Positive Emotionality traits) across all rater classes. For Alienation, peer and maternal ratings were comparable, but paternal ratings correlated significantly less with self-report scores than did maternal ratings. And final...
Selective spin labeling of terminal galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine residues on the membrane surface of erythrocytes

Abstract A method to selectively spin label galactose and N -acetylgalactosamine residues of erythrocyte membrane glycoconjugates is described. The method is based on the activation of the C-6 CH 2 OH group of these two sugars by galactose oxidase followed by reductive amination with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-aminopiperidine-1-oxyl in the presence of a mild reducing agent, NaBH 3 CN. The extent and distribution of the spin labeling suggest that the major sialoglycoprotein, PAS-1, incorporates the greatest amount of spin label while the glycolipids incorporate less than `0% of the spin label.
Enhancing individual perceptions of objectivity in performance appraisal

Abstract This study identified 4 goal development and performance evaluation activities— participation in goal development, goal quantification, goal flexibility, and performance improvement discussions—that may enhance individual perceptions of appraisal objectivity. Participation, flexibility, and improvement discussions related positively and significantly to perceived objectivity, whereas goal quantification related negatively. The 4 variables collectively accounted for 28% of the variance in perceived objectivity; participation and goal flexibility contributed uniquely. Results were discussed and suggestions were made for future research in this area.
Cannabinoid Stability in Authentic Oral Fluid after Controlled Cannabis Smoking

BACKGROUND: Defining cannabinoid stability in authentic oral fluid (OF) is critically important for result interpretation. There are few published OF stability data, and of those available, all employed fortified synthetic OF solutions or elution buffers; none included authentic OF following controlled cannabis smoking. METHODS: An expectorated OF pool and a pool of OF collected with Quantisal™ devices were prepared for each of 10 participants. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) stability in each of 10 authentic expectorated and Quantisal-collected OF pools were determined after storage at 4 °C for 1 and 4 weeks and at −20 °C for 4 and 24 weeks. Results within ±20% of baseline concentrations analyzed within 24 h of collection were considered stable. RESULTS: All Quantisal OF cannabinoid concentrations were stable for 1 week at 4 °C. After 4 weeks at 4 °C, as well as 4 and 24 weeks at −20 °C, THC was stable in 90%, 80%, and 80% and THCCOOH in 89%, 40%, and 50% of Quantisal samples, respectively. Cannabinoids in expectorated OF were less stable than in Quantisal samples when refrigerated or frozen. After 4 weeks at 4 and −20 °C, CBD and CBN were stable in 33%–100% of Quantisal and expectorated samples; by 24 weeks at −20 °C, CBD and CBN were stable in ≤44%. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabinoid OF stability varied by analyte, collection method, and storage duration and temperature, and across participants. OF collection with a device containing an elution/stabilization buffer, sample storage at 4 °C, and analysis within 4 weeks is preferred to maximize result accuracy.
Interaction of Designed Sulfated Flavanoids with Antithrombin: Lessons on the Design of Organic Activators

Recently, we designed (−)-epicatechin sulfate (ECS), the first small nonsaccharide molecule, as an activator of antithrombin for the accelerated inhibition of factor Xa, a key proteinase of the coagulation cascade (Gunnarsson, G. T.; Desai, U. R. J. Med. Chem. 2002, 45, 1233−1243). Although sulfated flavanoid ECS was found to bind antithrombin with an affinity (∼10.7 μM) comparable to the reference trisaccharide DEF (∼4.5 μM), it accelerated the inhibition of factor Xa only 10-fold as compared to the ∼300-fold observed with DEF. To determine whether this conformational activation of the inhibitor is dependent on the structure of the organic activator and to probe the basis for the deficiency in activation, we studied the interaction of similar sulfated flavanoids with antithrombin. (+)-Catechin sulfate (CS), a chiral stereoisomer of ECS, bound plasma antithrombin with a 3-fold higher affinity (KD = 3.5 μM) and a 2-fold higher second-order rate constant for factor Xa inhibition (kACT = 6750 M-1 s-1). On th...
Pain management at home. Struggle, comfort, and mission.

This article presents findings from an exploratory, descriptive study that investigated the experiences of pain in the home from the perspective of the patient, the primary family caregiver, and the home care nurse. The following research questions are addressed: What are the special problems associ
Effects of repeated exposure to 4‐nonylphenol on the zooplankton community in littoral enclosures

The effects of 4-nonylphenol (NP) on freshwater zooplankton were evaluated in 18 littoral enclosure mesocosms in northeastern Minnesota. The 18 enclosures were allocated to three blocks of six units with each block including two untreated control enclosures and one enclosure for each of four NP treatments. Treated enclosures received 11 applications of NP over a 20-d period between July 8 and 28, 1993. Maximum NP concentrations measured in the water column 2 h after each application averaged ({+-} SD) 5 {+-} 4, 23 {+-} 11, 76 {+-} 21, and 243 {+-} 41 {micro}g/L over the 11 applications. Nonylphenol dissipated rapidly from the water column but was more persistent in sediments and in/on macrophytes. All cladoceran and copepod taxa were significantly reduced in abundance at 243 {+-} 41 {micro}g/L; some sensitive taxa were also affected by 76 {+-} 21 and 23 {+-} 11 {micro}g/L. While many rotifer taxa were unaffected at any of the test concentrations, several were affected at {ge} 76 {+-} 21 {micro}g/L. Ostracods were only affected at 2,243 {+-} 41 {micro}g/L. No zooplankton taxon was affected at 5 {+-} 4 {micro}g/L. The period of maximum impact usually occurred within 1 to 7 d of the last NP application,more » and recovery to control abundance levels generally occurred within 7 to 28 d of the last NP application. Two sensitive taxa, Acroperus and Calanoida, did not recover at {ge} 76 {+-} 21 {micro}g/L by the end of the study. The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration for protection of all zooplankton taxa was estimated at {approximately} 10 {micro}g/L, although overall community diversity was unaffected at 23 {+-} 11. The water was the most probable route of NP exposure, but the greater persistence of NP residues in/on macrophytes may have contributed to the lack of recovery of some macrophyte-associated taxa.« less
Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne Spp.) in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

Meloidogyne javanica, M. incognita var. acrita, M. hapla und M. arenaria sind bisher in Rhodesien und Nyasaland nachgewiesen worden. Mehrere tausend Untersuchungen, meistens naturliche Infektionen, wurden zu Wirtslisten zusammengestellt, die hauptsachlich landwirtschaftliche Gewachse von wirtschaftlicher Bedeutung, Gemuse, Gartenblumen und Unkrauter von Ackerboden umfassen. Berichtet wird uber den Grad der durch Nematoden verursachten Gallen und Eimassen sowie uber die Verbreitung der Meloidogyne-Arten. Es wird die Ansicht vertreten, dass M. javanica einheimisch sein kann, wahrend die ubrigen drei Arten des Wurzelgallennematoden moglicherweise mit Pflanzenmaterial eingeschleppt wurden. Die Rasse von M. javanica, die Arachis hypogaea und Gossypium hirsutum befallt, unterscheidet sich in dieser Hinsicht von der Rasse, die SASSER (1954) aus Maryland, U.S.A. beschreibt.
Urban vulnerability to temperature-related hazards: A meta-analysis and meta-knowledge approach

Research on urban vulnerability has grown considerably during recent years, yet consists primarily of case studies based on conflicting theories and paradigms. Assessing urban vulnerability is also generally considered to be context-dependent. We argue, however, that it is possible to identify some common patterns of vulnerability across urban centers and research paradigms and these commonalities hold potential for the development of a common set of tools to enhance response capacity within multiple contexts. To test this idea we conduct an analysis of 54 papers on urban vulnerability to temperature-related hazards, covering 222 urban areas in all regions of the world. The originality of this effort is in the combination of a standard metaanalysis with a meta-knowledge approach that allows us not only to integrate and summarize results across many studies, but also to identify trends in the literature and examine differences in methodology, theoretical frameworks and causation narratives and thereby to compare “apples to oranges.” We find that the vast majority of papers examining urban vulnerability to temperature-related hazards come from an urban vulnerability as impact approach, and cities from middle and low income countries are understudied. One of the challenges facing scholarship on urban vulnerability is to supplement the emphasis on disciplinary boxes (e.g., temperature–mortality relationships) with an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to adaptive capacity and structural drivers of differences in vulnerability.