cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Information Asymmetries about Measurement Quality

This article studies contracts between a principal and an agent that are robust to information asymmetries about measurement quality. Our main result is that an information asymmetry about measurement quality not only reduces the usefulness of a given performance measure for stewardship purposes, it also qualitatively changes the way the performance measure is used if the information asymmetry is sufficiently large. We also study the manipulability of performance measures, assuming that poor measurement quality creates room for manipulation via selective (cherry‐picked) corrections by the agent. With known imperfect measurement quality, manipulability lowers the cost of providing incentives. Manipulability introduces overstatements only, while imperfect measurement introduces both overstatements and understatements. However, with an information asymmetry about measurement quality, manipulability can increase the cost of providing incentives, since there is now an induced information asymmetry about manipulability. Asymetrie de l'information relative a la qualite des criteres d'evaluation Les auteurs etudient des contrats mandant‐mandataire suffisamment solides pour resister aux asymetries de l'information relative a la qualite des criteres d'evaluation. Selon leur principal constat, l'asymetrie de l'information quant a la qualite des criteres d'evaluation a pour consequence non seulement de reduire l'utilite d'un critere donne d'evaluation de la performance a des fins de gerance, mais aussi de modifier l'aspect qualitatif de son utilisation lorsque l'asymetrie de l'information est suffisamment importante. Les auteurs analysent egalement la mesure dans laquelle les criteres d'evaluation de la performance peuvent etre manipules, en s'appuyant sur l'hypothese selon laquelle la pietre qualite des criteres d'evaluation les expose a etre manipules par le mandataire au moyen de corrections selectives. Dans le cas de criteres d'evaluation connus mais imparfaits, la possibilite de manipuler les criteres reduit les couts associes a l'instauration de mesures incitatives. Des criteres d'evaluation de la performance exposes a la manipulation entrainent uniquement des surestimations, alors que des criteres d'evaluation imparfaits entrainent a la fois des surestimations et des sous‐estimations. Cependant, en situation d'asymetrie de l'information relative a la qualite des criteres d'evaluation, des criteres d'evaluation de la performance qui se pretent a la manipulation risquent d'accroitre les couts associes a l'instauration de mesures incitatives, compte tenu de l'asymetrie de l'information alors induite quant a la possibilite de manipulation.
Tibial Tubercle Avulsion Fracture with Multiple Concomitant Injuries in an Adolescent Male Athlete

Tibial tubercle avulsion fractures are an uncommon injury occurring due to strong contraction of the quadriceps femoris muscle during leg extension, ultimately causing failure of the physis at the patellar tendon insertion. This injury has been previously reported with various concomitant injuries, such as compartment syndrome from bleeding into the anterior compartment, vascular injury, patellar tendon avulsion, and meniscal injury-exhibited only with fracture types that extend intra-articularly. We report the case of a 14-year-old healthy adolescent male basketball player who sustained this injury as a result of a collision with another player. He initially reported to the emergency department and then presented to our practice, where he was diagnosed with a tibial tubercle avulsion fracture with patellar tendon rupture. During the operative management of these injuries, it was noted that fascial tissue avulsed through the injury site causing subacute extensive bleeding within the anterolateral compartments. Due to concerns of compartment syndrome, a fascial release was performed along the anterolateral compartments. By five months postoperatively, the patient demonstrated near-normal function, no evidence of extensor lag, and nearly full range of motion. Unlike previously reported cases, this is the first report of a patient who suffered such an injury with multiple concomitant injuries to the neighboring structures. Due to the severity of compartment syndrome and the variability in its temporal presentation from the initial injury, it is paramount that careful evaluation of vascular integrity and a low threshold for fasciotomy be in place to prevent vascular compromise.
Allogeneic Transplantation in Septuagenarians Using Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide (PTCy): Similar Outcomes to Younger Patients Except for Higher Late Non-Relapse Mortality (NRM)

Advances in allogeneic blood and marrow transplantation (alloBMT), especially nonmyeloablative (NMA) conditioning and haploidentical donors, have made this therapy available to older people in whom it was historically contraindicated or not available. Since Jan 1, 2009, 108 consecutive patients older than 70 (Table 1) underwent alloBMT at Johns Hopkins (through March 31, 2018). The median age was 72 (range 70-78). Refined disease risk index (DRI) was low in 10 (9%), intermediate in 83 (77%), and high or very high in 14 (13%). All patients received NMA conditioning. Haplo donors were used in 94 (87%), including 80 children, 7 grandchildren, and 4 nieces or nephews; matched sibling donors were used in 7 patients and matched unrelated donors in 6. All patients received PTCy, MMF from day 5 to 35, and either tacro or siro from day 5 until day 60 - 180. With a median follow-up of 938 days, the 2 year overall survival is 49% (95% CI 40-61), and 2 year PFS was 41% (95% CI 32-53) (Figure 1). The 180 day cumulative incidence (CuI) of non-relapse mortality (NRM) is 14% (CI 8-21), but 2-year NRM was 29% (95% CI 20-39%), with many late deaths (Fig 1). The 2 year CuI of relapse was 30% (95% CI 20-39%). Graft failure was 6% (95% CI 1-10%) at 100 days and was not different between BM and PBSCT grafts (7.7% vs 6.1%). The CuI of grade III-IV acute GVHD was 7% (95% CI 2-12%), and cGVHD at 2 years was 8% (95% CI 3-14%) (Figure 2). In univariate analyses, there were no differences in NRM, OS, or PFS between bone marrow and peripheral blood grafts. HCT-CI (0, 1-2,or 3 or more) did not predict NRM. Of 78 patients who were alive and had a weight recorded on day 180, the median weight change was loss of 4.4 kg. NRM after day 180 was 10/39 (26%) in patients who lost more than 4.4kg and 3/39 (8%) in those who lost less than 4.4kg (p=0.035). In conclusion, alloBMT with PTCy is relatively safe and feasible in septuagenarians. Acute and chronic GVHD rates with PTCy are low and similar to those seen in younger patients. Relapse rates are also similar. Early (6 month) NRM is also low, but overall NRM is higher at least in part because of late deaths that appear to be in part age-related (e.g., secondary malignancy, dementia, fall, CVA). We are currently studying functional outcomes of older patients undergoing alloBMT in a prospective trial, as well as potential predictors of long-term outcomes.
Rationale and design of an integrated bio-behavioral approach to improve adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV risk reduction among opioid-dependent people who use drugs: The CHRP-BB study

Abstract Background Few primary HIV prevention strategies have successfully integrated both behavioral and biomedical components, with modest HIV risk reduction outcomes among opioid-dependent people who use drugs (PWUD). In response to this unmet need, we developed a brief, bio-behavioral intervention to simultaneously promote PrEP adherence and reduce HIV risk among opioid-dependent PWUD. Methods Using a Hybrid Type I implementation science design, we will examine the efficacy of the integrated bio-behavioral, Community-friendly Health Recovery Program (CHRP-BB) compared to a time-and-attention matched control condition among HIV-negative, opioid-dependent PWUD who are prescribed PrEP and enrolled in a methadone maintenance program (MMP) using a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants are assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention (8 weeks) and follow-ups at weeks 20, 32, and 44 post-intervention. The primary outcome is biomedical (PrEP adherence), with secondary outcomes including behavioral (self-reported drug- and sex-related HIV risk behaviors), ongoing drug use (confirmed with urine drug testing), and related domains of the theoretical information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model of behavior change related to PrEP adherence and HIV-transmission-risk reduction. Additionally, we will conduct a process evaluation of delivery/implementation of the intervention to collect valuable information to be used in future implementation. Conclusions This study will be among the first prospective trial to test an integrated bio-behavioral intervention to improve adherence to PrEP and HIV risk reduction among opioid-dependent PWUD.
Analysis of turbulence in convergent-divergent nozzles with fluid insert noise reduction technology

The noise generated by tactical fighter aircraft engines is harmful to personnel working in the vicinity of the aircraft and can cause annoyance to communities in the vicinity of air bases. The primary noise sources in supersonic jets are related to the supersonic convection of large-scale turbulent structures, which generate intense noise in the jet downstream direction, and the interaction of the turbulence with the jet’s shock cell structure that results in broadband shock-associated noise, which radiates predominantly in the sideline and upstream directions. The use of fluid inserts in the divergent section of variable area exhaust nozzles has been shown experimentally, at small and moderate scale, to reduce noise radiation from both noise sources. To understand the fluid insert noise reduction mechanisms, a Large Eddy Simulation database is developed and analyzed. The focus is on differences between turbulence properties in a baseline and a fluid insert nozzle. The flow database is analyzed using Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and Doak’s Momentum Potential Theory. The latter theory permits the decomposition of the flow into hydrodynamic, thermal and acoustic components. The changes in the acoustic component are related to the observed changes in the radiated noise.
Ligand-Dependent Effects of Methionine-8 Oxidation in Parathyroid Hormone Peptide Analogues

LA-PTH is a long-acting parathyroid hormone (PTH) peptide analogue in preclinical development for hypoparathyroidism (HP). Like native PTH, LA-PTH contains a methionine at position 8 (Met8) that is predicted to be critical for function. We assessed the impact of Met oxidation on the functional properties of LA-PTH and control PTH ligands. Oxidation of PTH(1-34) resulted in marked (~20-fold) reductions in binding affinity on the PTH receptor-1 (PTHR1) in cell membranes, similarly diminished potency for 3',5'-cyclic AMP signaling in osteoblastic cell lines (SaOS-2 and UMR106), and impaired efficacy for raising blood calcium in mice. Surprisingly, oxidation of LA-PTH resulted in little or no change in these functional responses. The signaling potency of oxidized-LA-PTH was, however, reduced approximately 40-fold compared to LA-PTH in cells expressing a PTHR1 construct that lacks the N-terminal extracellular domain (ECD). Molecular modeling revealed that while Met8 of both LA-PTH and PTH(1-34) is situated within the orthosteric ligand-binding pocket of the receptor's transmembrane domain bundle (TMD), the Met8 sidechain position is shifted for the 2 ligands so that on Met8 oxidation of PTH(1-34), steric clashes occur that are not seen with oxidized LA-PTH. The findings suggest that LA-PTH and PTH(1-34) engage the receptor differently in the Met8-interaction environment of the TMD bundle, and that this interaction environment can be allosterically influenced by the ECD component of the ligand-receptor complex. The findings should be useful for the future development of novel PTH-based peptide therapeutics for diseases of bone and mineral ion metabolism.
Two cases of pen ink scleral tattoos and a brief review of the literature.

Abstract Purpose Scleral tattooing, also known as episcleral, subconjunctival, or simply eyeball tattooing, is a relatively new form of extreme body modification that first emerged in 2007. There are few reports of the management of these tattoos in the medical literature, and we aim to increase the body of knowledge surrounding this rare and potentially dangerous practice. Observations We present two new cases of improvised scleral tattooing, both performed in prison using pen ink and insulin needles, and both with minimal complications and managed with topical medications. A brief review of the literature is included which details the dangers of scleral tattooing. Conclusions and importance We discuss management of complications for this new, previously unreported method of scleral tattooing using pen ink. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the presentation, possible complications, and management of these cases.
Why teaching technology must adapt to our teaching

Pandemic pedagogy in its initial spring 2020 iteration was a process of rapid adaptation, focused on the immediate technical concerns of refashioning lectures on Zoom, reshaping assignments into on...
Mentees and their mothers: The association between maternal relationship difficulties and targeted outcomes of mentoring

Maternal relationship characteristics have been found to impact academic and behavioral outcomes for youth. However, less is known about how and through what mechanisms these characteristics impact outcomes for mentored youth. In this study, we examined if mentoring relationship quality mediated the relations between maternal relationship characteristics and academic and behavioral outcomes targeted by mentoring programs. Data were drawn from 205 participants who participated in a mentoring program that pairs adolescent girls with college women mentors for 1 year of mentoring. Mentoring relationship quality was the hypothesized mechanism of change and was included in the analysis as a mediator. Results revealed that maternal relationship characteristics (i.e., maternal quality communication/trust and maternal alienation) were directly related to academic and behavioral outcomes of mentoring. The relationship between maternal relationship characteristics and behavioral outcomes was mediated by mentoring relationship quality. Results suggested that girls with stronger maternal quality communication and trust as well as girls who felt more alienated from their mothers may benefit more from mentoring. Results can be used to inform mentor training to include a focus on relationship development with girls experiencing a variety of relational difficulties with their mothers to help improve targeted mentoring outcomes.
Technology Craving and Withdrawal: Exploring Compulsive Mobile App Use

To date, very little research has looked at the cravings and withdrawal individuals may experience for certain mobile apps. Research has demonstrated that some individuals may be classified as addicted to various mobile apps. Current research has difficulty explaining why some individuals have difficulty controlling their addictive behaviors while others do not (Abrams 2000), primarily because they have not taken technology craving into account. Accounting for technology craving in models of technology use is important as craving has the potential to drive addictive behaviors. This study explores the roles of technology craving and technology withdrawal in compulsive mobile app use.
Role of FinTech Adoption for Competitiveness and Performance of the Bank: A Study of Banking Industry in UAE

FinTech is the combination of innovation and technology to deliver financial products and services to stakeholders. The paper aims to investigate the impact of FinTech on the competitiveness and performance of the banking industry in the UAE. The research is empirically tested based on the 76 banking professionals and executives (bankers) from Dubai (UAE). The findings suggest that the adoption of FinTech had a significant influence on the competitiveness and competitiveness results in the performance of the banking industry in the UAE. The second findings suggest that proper adoption of FinTech and aligning with the management of technology also have a direct impact on the performance of the baking industry in the UAE. The study becomes important because the UAE Banking industry serves almost 200 nationalities and its performance depending on FinTech and competitiveness.
Regions outside of conserved PxxPxR motifs drive the high affinity interaction of GRB2 with SH3 domain ligands

SH3 domains are evolutionarily conserved protein interaction domains that control nearly all cellular processes in eukaryotes. The current model is that most SH3 domains bind discreet PxxPxR motifs with weak affinity and relatively low selectivity. However, the interactions of full-length SH3 domain-containing proteins with ligands are highly specific and have much stronger affinity. This suggests that regions outside of PxxPxR motifs drive these interactions. In this study, we observed that PxxPxR motifs were required for the binding of the adaptor protein GRB2 to short peptides from its ligand SOS1. Surprisingly, PxxPxR motifs from the proline rich region of SOS1 or CBL were neither necessary nor sufficient for the in vitro or in vivo interaction with full-length GRB2. Together, our findings show that regions outside of the consensus PxxPxR sites drive the high affinity association of GRB2 with SH3 domain ligands, suggesting that the binding mechanism for this and other SH3 domain interactions may be more complex than originally thought.
Redefining our Understanding of Narrative

This paper is born out of my concern about the increasing use of narrative as merely a different methodology. I argue that narrative as methodology ultimately depoliticizes the potentiality of narratives. Narrative simply becomes one of the many methods that belong to qualitative inquiry. We generally discuss narrative as storytelling. We also focus on doing good narrative analysis. In this paper I recast in narrative in language of cosmology so as to highlight the libratory potentiality that narrative affords persons who strive for a new and different world. I discuss narrative in terms of being in the world. I also unpack the implications that attend to this emergent way of understanding narrative for qualitative inquiry. The paper ends with a discussion of how our narrativeness complements a world that is increasingly seen as complex and quantum. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License. This article is available in The Qualitative Report: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol7/iss1/4 Redefining our Understanding of Narrative
Entrepreneurial Healthcare: A Study in State Policy Arbitrage

The author explores the relationship between entrepreneurship and health policy, specifically insurance policy, and the question of optimal design of insurance system to catalyze entrepreneurial activity in light of current policies designed primarily to address equity and cost issues. The analysis reviews the theory on the impact of social policy, specifically health insurance, upon the entrepreneur, and constructs a framework for analysis of health financing/insurance with respect to entrepreneurial activity. It presents a high level summary of current state initiatives and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)/High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) and evaluates them in light of this framework. The author finds that HSAs/ HDHPs and transitioning the insurance market to an individually oriented market remain the policy alternative most consistent with an entrepreneurial economy.
Prenatal alcohol exposure, adaptive function, and entry into adult roles in a prospective study of young adults.

Abstract Introduction Although many studies have demonstrated effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on physical, cognitive, and behavioral development in children, few have focused on the long term effects on adults. In this study, data are presented on adaptive function and entry into adult roles in a community sample of young adults with PAE. The expectation was that prenatally exposed adults would show lower adaptive functioning and more difficulty with entry into adult roles than the non-exposed control group and that these effects would be related to the severity of PAE effects. Method The predominantly African-American, low income sample included adults with a wide range of prenatal exposure (n = 123) as well as control groups for socioeconomic (SES) (n = 59) and disability (n = 54) status. The mothers of the alcohol-exposed and SES-control group participants were recruited before birth and offspring have been followed up periodically. The disability control group was recruited in adolescence. The adults were interviewed about adaptive function in day-to-day life and adult role entry. Collateral adults who were well-acquainted with each participant were interviewed concerning adaptive function. Results Results showed that adults who were dysmorphic and/or cognitively affected by PAE had difficulty with adaptive function and entry into adult roles. Males showing cognitive effects with no physical effects were the most severely affected. Results for exposed adults not showing physical or cognitive effects were similar to or more positive than those of the control group for most outcomes. Conclusion PAE has long-term effects on adaptive outcomes in early adulthood. Additional research should focus on possible interventions at this transition and on factors contributing to the adjustment of the exposed, but unaffected participants.
Reducing Excess Disability in Dementia Patients

This study investigated the relationships between depressed mood and pleasant activities in patients with dementia and major depressive disorder, a cause of excess disability in patients. Four patients and their caregivers participated in a behavioral treatment program designed to improve patient depression. Caregivers were taught (1) to track patients' mood, duration and frequency of pleasant activity, (2) to increase pleasant activities for the patient and (3) to decrease behavioral disturbances that interfered with engagment in these pleasant activities. Caregivers of all patients successfully increased the frequency and duration of pleasant events, and decreased the patient's depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Further, increased frequency and duration of activity was significantly associated to decreased levels of depression in each of the patients. implications for using such methods with demented elderly patients who also present with de...
Competency to Stand Trial

While the insanity defense has preoccupied attorneys, psychiatrists, and other scholars, the issue of incompetency to stand trial is actually of greater significance insofar as it affects many more individuals and raises just as many moral problems. More than a hundred times as many defendants are found incompetent to stand trial (and are sent to institutions for the criminally insane without having been convicted) than are acquitted on grounds of insanity.1 The incompetency plea can be invoked by any of the participants in the criminal proceeding—the defense, the prosecution, or the court. It can be invoked at any point in the trial, and even after the defendant has already been found guilty he may still be found incompetent to be sentenced.
From conventional dynamic systems to linguistic dynamic systems

In this paper, conventional dynamic systems are converted to type-I and type-II linguistic dynamic systems (LDS). The evolving laws of a type-I LDS are the same as those of its conventional counterpart while Its states are linguistic. Since the evolving laws of type-I LDS are In the numerical do. main, a type-I LDS can be directly constructed from its conventional counterpart by using extension principle. The evolving laws of a type-II LDS are modeled by linguistic rules while its states are linguistic. By using extension principle, a method of converting a conventional dynamic system into a type-II LDS is presented. Based on a-cuts, the existence of fixed points of type-I LDS is studied. Also based on a-cuts, an efficient numerical procedure called acute mapping is developed for studying LDS. Numerical examples using a conventional dynamic system, namely, logistic map, are presented.
Borrowing constraints, collateral fluctuations, and the labor market

Abstract This paper studies the effects of changes in collateral requirements on the cyclical properties of unemployment and job creation. I develop a general equilibrium model in which labor market frictions prevent the costless adjustment of employment. Financial frictions arise from an imperfect enforcement contract. An environment in which borrowing limits are linked to the firm׳s physical capital stock can quantitatively account for the sluggish response of labor market variables to productivity shocks. I find that fluctuations in those variables are mainly driven by changes in financial conditions. The model can explain 75% of the variation in job creation observed in the data, and it can also account for the persistent reduction in both output and leverage that follows a contraction in credit availability.
Synthesis of 10-deacetoxytaxol and 10-deoxytaxotere

Abstract 10-Deacetoxytaxol (9) and 10-deoxytaxotere (10) have been prepared from 10-deacetylbaccatin III by attachment of the C-13 side-chain and deoxygenation. 10-Deacetoxytaxol is comparable to taxol in its cytotoxicity to P-388 cells, but 10-deoxytaxotere is significantly more cytotoxic than taxol.
Improvements to PARMILA

PARMILA is an internationally accepted standard for Monte Carlo simulation of linac and transport line performance. We discuss several modifications and improvements to this code. A generalized magnet routine allows the simulation of electrostatic and magnetic quadrupoles, solenoids, sextupoles, and octupoles. Optional inclusion of linear fringe fields and/or geometric aberrations is provided for in the quadrupole transformation. The dipole routine has been replaced with a more accurate algorithm. The accelerating gap transformation has been replaced by a set of implicit equations which accurately describe the relativistic particle behavior in the presence of longitudinal and transverse electric fields described by a set of 6 weighted Fourier moments (transit time factors). A simple model allows these moments, in turn, to be approximated from the cell geometry and the usual T and S functions. A number of added convenience features - interactive disk storage and retrieval of particle coordinates, individual particle input and observations, an interactively callable test for particle longitudinal stability, and an automated quadrupole tuning procedure - all add to the code's versatility, convenience, and strength as a design tool.
Prepotentials in superstring world sheet supergravity

Abstract The vielbein of ( p , 0) supergravity is solved for in terms of prepotentials. The properties of the prepotentials under supercoordinate, Lorentz, and super-Weyl transformations are discussed, and a proof given that ( p , 0) superspace is superconformally flat. The superdeterminant of the ( p , 0) supergravity vielbein is shown to transform as a density superfield. Using this density, the Einstein and heterotic string actions are constructed in an arbitrary gauge, and proven to be invariant under super-Weyl transformations.
CPR in terminally ill patients

Abstract While limiting and forgoing therapy at the end of life is now accepted on medical, ethical, moral and legal grounds, many Americans continue to die with heroic measures being taken to prevent their death. When the patient does eventually die, attempts are frequently made to revive the patient by performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). While CPR may result in the establishment of a perfusing pressure, in almost all instances, the patient succumbs despite advanced life support technology. The widespread adoption of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) protocols has not prevented CPR from being performed on patients, who are unlikely to survive. We present two cases, which highlight the modern American way of dying. We submit that poor end-of-life care may result from physicians discomfort with death, their poor communication skills and their failure to fully comprehend the benefits and limitations of advanced life support technology. Furthermore, we maintain that CPR should only be performed on patients, who are likely to derive benefit from this intervention.
Optical and thermal charge-transfer processes occurring in a series of three-centered, cyanide-bridged intervalent charge-transfer complexes

The mixed-valent compound (Pt(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}){sub 2}((NC){sub 5}Fe-CN-Pt(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}-NC-Fe(CN){sub 5} was used as the starting point for the synthesis and characterization of two series of trinuclear {open_quotes}M-Pt-M{close_quotes} compounds. The first group of complexes have the general formula Na{sub 2}(L(NC){sub 4}Fe-CN-Pt(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}-NC-Fe(CN){sub 4}L) (where the sixth coordination site on the terminal iron units has been varied using six different substituted pyridine or pyrazine ligands, L), and the secondary group of compounds have the general formula (Pt(NH){sub 3}){sub 4}){sub 2}((NC){sub 5}M-CN-Pt(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}-NC-M(CN){sub 5}) (where M = Fe, Ru, and Os). All of the compounds yielded an absorption spectrum containing an intervalent charge-transfer (IT) band in the visible. Both series of complexes were modeled using Marcus-Hush theory to estimate the reorganization energies for the optical electron-transfer processes, electron-transfer rate constants, thermal-activation barriers, and the degrees of delocalization of these species. In addition, the kinetics of formation, photochemical decomposition, and a novel solvent-gated charge-transfer process are discussed. 26 refs., 10 figs., 4 tabs.
Speech and articulatory rates of school-age children in conversation and narrative contexts.

Purpose This study provides preliminary reference data for speech and articulatory rates of school-age children in conversational and narrative speaking contexts. Method Participants included 36 typically developing children in 3 groups of 12 participants at ages 7, 9, and 11 years. Conversational and narrative speech rates were measured in words per minute, syllables per minute, and syllables per second. Results Speaking rates increased with age between ages 7 and 9, but rates were similar between ages 9 and 11. Between contexts, only the words per minute measure was significantly higher (faster) in narrative than in conversation. Implications These results are important to the assessment, treatment, and management of children with communication disorders in clinical or school settings.
Routine mapping of Fusarium wilt resistance in BC1 populations of Arabidopsis thaliana

Susceptibility to Fusarium wilt disease varies among wild accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana. Six RESISTANCE TO FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM (RFO) quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling the resistance of accession Columbia-0 (Col-0) and susceptibility of Taynuilt-0 to Fusarium oxysporum forma specialis matthioli (FOM) are detected in a recombinant population derived from a single backcross of the F1 hybrid (BC1). In particular, the RFO1 QTL appears to interact with three other loci, RFO2, RFO4 and RFO6, and is attributed to the gene At1g79670. When resistance to FOM was mapped in a new BC1 population, in which the loss-of-function mutant of At1g79670 replaced wild type as the Col-0 parent, RFO1’s major effect and RFO1’s interaction with RFO2, RFO4 and RFO6 were absent, showing that At1g79670 alone accounts for the RFO1 QTL. Resistance of two QTLs, RFO3 and RFO5, was independent of RFO1 and was reproduced in the new BC1 population. In analysis of a third BC1 population, resistance to a second pathogen, F. oxysporum forma specialis conglutinans race 1 (FOC1), was mapped and the major effect locus RFO7 was identified. Natural quantitative resistance to F. oxysporum is largely specific to the infecting forma specialis because different RFO loci were responsible for resistance to FOM and FOC1. The mapping of quantitative disease resistance traits in BC1 populations, generated from crosses between sequenced Arabidopsis accessions, can be a routine procedure when genome-wide genotyping is efficient, economical and accessible.
Lymphocytes from thymectomized rats: immunologic, proliferative, and metabolic properties.

Thoracic duct lymphocytes from neonatally thymectomized Lewis rats fail to produce runt disease in newborn Brown Norway rats when injected with up to ten times the number of normal lymphocytes needed to cause runting. The immunologically deficient lymphocytes appear, however, to confer tolerance, and at least some enlarge and divide when stimulated in vitro with phytohemagglutinin, or xenogeneic or allogeneic cells. Small lymphocytes from thymectomized animals have defective RNA metabolism as judged by a marked impairment in their ability to incorporate uridine-5-H 3 or cytidine-H 3 in vitro.
Stability and Gel Strength of Frankfurter Batters Made with Reduced NaCl

A detailed examination of fat emulsification and water-binding capacities in frankfurter batters and the cooked batters' textural responses to lowered levels of added sodium chloride was conducted. In response surface analyses of water and fat exudations and gel strength with varying compositions of fat, water, meat, and salt, the area of maximum stability decreased and moved toward a higher fat content when the salt was reduced from 2.5 to 1.5%. Gel strength increased with increasing content of lean meat and decreased with lowered salt levels. When salt, pH, chopping temperature, and cooking temperature were varied from the standard conditions, water exudate was generally affected first and most intensely while the gel strength was second. Fat release did not occur until more extreme conditions were encountered.
UV/Visible and infrared spectra of polyethylene/nanoscopic gold rod composite films: effects of gold particle size, shape and orientation.

Abstract We have prepared nanoscopic gold rods of various radii and aspect ratios via anodic aluminum oxide - based template synthesis, and incorporated these particles into polyethylene films. The resulting composite films exhibit linear dichroic properties which result from a net orientation of the rods. The plasmon resonance absorption maxima occur at the longest wavelengths when the incident electric field is polarized along the direction of particle orientation, and are blue-shifted as the polarization angle is directed perpendicular to the orientation direction. These results are in general accord with Rayleigh scattering theory, though effective medium type approaches which account for inter-particle interaction yield a closer quantitative agreement. We will also discuss the application of these composite materials to surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy.
Glutathione peroxidase activity in insects: A reassessment

In vertebrate species, cytotoxic H2O2 and other lipid or organic hydroperoxides (ROOH) formed in aerobic metabolism are removed by a selenoprotein, glutathione peroxidase (GPOX). The GPOX activity in most rat tissues ranges from 100 to 1,000 units (1 unit = 1 nmol NADPH oxidized·mg protein−1·min−1), except for muscles (20–30 units). In contrast, GPOX activities of two strains of the housefly (Musca domestica), cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania), and black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes), were found to be in the range 2–12 units. Trivial GPOX activity was detected in the confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum). In the earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris), banana slug (Ariolimax columbianus), and market squid (Loligo opalescens), the GPOX activity ranged from 1 to 5 units. Tissue selenium concentrations were about 500–1,000 ppb for adult M. domestica, 600 ppb in T. confusum, 32 ppb in T. ni, 17 ppb in S. eridania, and 31 ppb in P. polyxenes larvae. The form of selenium incorporated at such high levels in tissues of invertebrates such as M. domestica remains an unresolved issue. Peroxidase activity of non-selenium glutathione-S-transferase (GT) against ROOH may compensate for the low GPOX activity. Catalase (CAT) has high activity and wide subcellular distribution in insects. This may be an evolutionary adaptation to GT's inability to catalyze the reduction of H2O2. The GT's peroxidase and CAT activities were not assessed for other invertebrate species, and warrants an investigation due to their reported low GPOX levels.
Development of ten polymorphic microsatellite loci for three closely related chameleons in Madagascar: Furcifer lateralis, Furcifer major, and Furcifer viridis

The three chameleon species Furcifer lateralis, Furcifer viridis, and Furcifer major are endemic to Madagascar, and are of conservation importance because they are exported in high numbers in the pet trade. These species represent a recently evolved species complex, with relatively low levels of genetic differentiation for nuclear genes. We here characterize 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci that are variable across the three species. These loci are the first microsatellites to be developed for any Malagasy chameleon. Allelic diversity greatly differs among loci, ranging from 4 to 40. This is also true of observed heterozygosity, with values ranging from 0 to 0.96. These microsatellite loci are expected to be useful for detecting potential hybridization at the contact zones between these species.
Determination of efficacy of new hemostatic dressings in a model of extremity arterial hemorrhage in swine.

Background: The HemCon (HC) bandage and QuickClot have been used over the past 6 years for treating external compressible hemorrhage in combat casualties. Previously, we tested three new hemostatic agents in granular/powder forms that were superior to these products. In this study, four new dressings (preselected) that are more suitable for battlefield application were evaluated. The efficacy and acute safety of the dressings were tested in our standard arterial hemorrhage model. Methods: Anesthetized pigs (n = 38, 37 kg) were instrumented, and arterial blood was collected for hematological and coagulation assays. After splenectomy, the right femoral artery was isolated, injured (6 mm arteriotomy), and unrestricted bleeding allowed for 45 seconds. A hemostatic dressing (HC RTS [n = 6], Celox-D [CXb, n = 6], TraumaStat [TS, n = 10], Combat Gauze [CG, n = 10], or placebo gauze [PG, n = 6]) was then applied over the wound randomly and compressed for 2 minutes. Fluid resuscitation was administered and titrated to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 65 mm Hg. Animals were observed for 180 minutes or until death. Computed tomography angiography was performed on survivors and tissues were collected for histology. Results: No differences were found in baseline blood measures, pretreatment blood loss or fluid infusion among groups. HCs and CXb testing discontinued after six unsuccessfial tests, and the data were excluded. Stable hemostasis was achieved in two PG, two TS, and eight CG pigs in remaining groups resulting in stabilized mean arterial pressure and significantly different survival rates (20-80%, p = 0.03). CG secured hemostasis for 134.6 minutes ± 22.2 minutes, which was significantly longer than TS (35.7 ± 22.0 minutes, p 1°C) was recorded after treatment with dressings and computed tomography images showed no flow through the vessels. Histologic observations showed mild to moderate changes in treated vessels with no difference between CG and PG. In vitro analysis of blood treated with CG or PG (lesser extent) showed increased clotting rate and clot strength. TS treatment had no effect on blood clotting activity. Conclusion: CG was the most effective dressing tested in this arterial hemorrhage model. The hemostatic property of CG is attributed to its raw material (nonwoven Rayon and polyester blend), kaolin coating, and the large surface area (3 inch X 4 yd) of this absorbent sponge. CG is now recommended as the first line of treatment for life-threatening hemorrhage on the battlefield, replacing HC.
The mechanism of elevated toxicity in HepG2 cells due to combined exposure to ethanol and ionizing radiation

Ethanol and ionizing radiation exposure are independently known to cause tissue damage through various mechanisms. The non-enzymatic and enzymatic metabolism of ethanol, the latter via the cytochrome P(450) 2E1-dependent pathway produces free radicals, which deplete cellular glutathione (GSH). Ionizing radiation exposure has been shown to induce lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, protein oxidation and GSH depletion. It was postulated that cells sensitized by ethanol will be susceptible to additional insult, such as by radiation through increased oxidative stress. In this investigation, cultured liver cells (HepG2, human hepatocellular liver carcinoma) were exposed to ethanol, followed by ionizing radiation. The antioxidant status of the cells was evaluated by an array of techniques. Levels of glutathione, cysteine (CYS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by HPLC. Activities of antioxidant enzymes, catalase and glutathione reductase (GR) were determined enzymatically. Apoptosis was evaluated by the caspases-3 assay and fluorescence microscopy. The data showed that combined treatment with ethanol and radiation resulted in the lowest levels of GSH, and highest MDA level compared with the control. The catalase activity was lower in the combined exposure groups, when compared with the single agent exposure groups, and the glutathione reductase activity was the highest in the combined exposure groups and lowest in the control. These findings suggest that a combination of ethanol and ionizing radiation results in greater toxicity in vitro through elevated oxidative stress.
PRIMARY DRUG ABUSE AMONG WOMEN: A NATIONAL STUDY

This study focuses on women's primary patterns of abuse for selected drugs (heroin, marijuana, barbiturates, amphetamines, sedatives, and tranquilizers) at treatment admission in relation to age at first use, marital status, education status, and race. The sample consisted of 51 390 women admitted to treatment during a recent 12 month period. The results indicated that heroin was the most abuse drug in relation to all the variables examined. Those clients who never married and those unemployed at the time of admission reported the greatest abuse of each of the primary drugs investigated. More than half of the sample had their first drug experience before age 18. This suggests the need to educate young women about drugs and to make professionals in schools and communities more aware of the nature of this problem in order that prevention and treatment programs can be developed to meet women's specific needs.
Influence of pericarp and endosperm colour and type on digestibility of grain sorghum by pigs

Abstract Twenty-five grain sorghum cultivars were used to study differences in digestible energy, digestible protein and apparent nitrogen retention. Eight pigs were used to evaluate each cultivar. Results indicated that cultivars with a yellow seed coat are significantly superior in digestibility to cultivars with brown seed coats. Cultivars having a yellow endosperm had greater digestibility of energy and protein and more of the absorbed nitrogen was retained than with those cultivars having either white, white corneous or yellow corneous endosperm.
The role of modern neutron powder diffraction techniques in the study of solid state ionics

Abstract Ionic conductors are characterized by a skeleton structure of fixed atoms within which disordered ions can move more or less freely. The complexity introduced by disorder and high mobility makes the study of these materials difficult, and it is not suprising that a majority of diffraction experiments have been restricted to single crystal techniques. The Rietveld method, however, offers the possibility of circumventing in part the problem posed by the overlapping of powder diffraction lines, because the data it uses are profile intensities rather than integrated intensities of single reflections.
Philosophy of Science: A Subject with a Great Future

Among philosophers of science nearly a century ago the dominant attitude was that (in Rudolph Carnap’s words) philosophy of science was “like science itself, neutral with respect to practical aims, whether they are moral aims for the individual, or political aims for a society.” The dominant attitude today is not much different: our aim is still to articulate scientific rationality, and our understanding of that rationality still excludes the moral and political. I contrast this with the growing entanglements within the sciences of the ethical and the epistemic, and I suggest ways in which philosophers of science can usefully respond.
Local antibiotic delivery using tailorable chitosan sponges: the future of infection control?

Objectives: Local antibiotic delivery is a viable and attractive option for preventing infection. Unfortunately, the current options are limited and often necessitate surgical removal. This study evaluates the ability of a biodegradable and biocompatible chitosan sponge to minimize infection by delivering local antibiotics within the wound. Methods: A complex musculoskeletal wound was created on the hindlimb of goats and contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (lux) or Staphylococcus aureus (lux) bacteria. These bacteria are genetically engineered to emit photons, allowing for quantification with a photon-counting camera system. The wounds were closed and similarly debrided and irrigated with 9 L normal saline using bulb-syringe irrigation 6 hours after inoculation. Goats were assigned to different treatment groups: a control group with no adjunctive treatment and an experimental group using a chitosan sponge loaded with either amikacin (for wounds contaminated with P aeruginosa) or vancomycin (for wounds contaminated with S. aureus). The wounds were closed after the procedure and evaluated 48 hours after initial contamination. Serum levels of the antibiotics were also measured at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 42 hours after treatment was initiated. Results: The wounds treated with the antibiotic-loaded chitosan sponge had significantly less bacteria than the untreated wounds (P < 0.05). The highest serum levels were 6 hours after treatment but remained less than 15% of target serum levels for systemic treatment. At study end point, all sponges were between 60% and 100% degraded. Conclusions: The chitosan sponges are effective delivering the antibiotic and reducing the bacteria within the wounds.
Enhancement of Anti-Tumor Immunity Through Local Modulation of CTLA-4 and GITR by Dendritic Cells

Cancer vaccines have now demonstrated clinical efficacy, but immune modulatory mechanisms that prevent autoimmunity limit their effectiveness. Systemic administration of mAbs targeting the immune modulatory receptors CTLA-4 and glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein (GITR) on Treg and effector T cells augments anti-tumor immunity both experimentally and clinically, but can induce life-threatening autoimmunity. We hypothesized that local delivery of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-GITR mAbs to the sites where T cells and tumor antigen-loaded DC vaccines interact would enhance the induction of anti-tumor immunity while avoiding autoimmunity. To achieve this goal, DCs transfected with mRNA encoding the H and L chains of anti-mouse CTLA-4 and GITR mAbs were co-administered with tumor antigen mRNA-transfected DCs. We observed enhanced induction of anti-tumor immunity and significantly improved survival in melanoma-bearing mice, without signs of autoimmunity. Using in vitro assays with human DCs, we demonstrated that DCs transfected with mRNA encoding a humanized anti-CTLA-4 mAb and mRNA encoding a soluble human GITR-L fusion protein enhance the induction of anti-tumor CTLs in response to DCs transfected with mRNAs encoding either melanoma or breast cancer antigens. Based on these results, this approach of using local delivery of immune modulators to enhance vaccine-induced immunity is currently being evaluated in a phase I clinical cancer immunotherapy trial.