cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Job Crafting Among American Workers with Disabilities.

Purpose Job crafting is an informal, employee-initiated approach to job re-design that has not been tested among people with disabilities, thus far. The purpose of this study is to examine crafting behaviors of workers with disabilities and individual factors associated with crafting behaviors. Methods We conducted a survey of employees with disabilities who were 18–64 years old and had at least 1 year of work experience. Bivariate and multivariate methods were used to: (1) compare the use of job crafting behaviors between our sample and published results from a sample of the general population; (2) identify individual characteristics associated with job crafting for workers with disabilities. Results Persons with disabilities engage in job crafting behaviors, albeit at lower levels than that reported in a broader sample (Int J Wellbeing, https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v3i2.1 , 2013). Education, and disability type (visual and mobility impairment) were associated with certain types of crafting behaviors. Conclusions As job crafting can be associated with higher levels of engagement and career growth among persons without disabilities, findings from this research can be utilized to design programs and policies that support the career goals of people with disabilities beyond labor force participation.
Why did the Syrian Uprising Become a Sectarian Conflict? A Provisional Synthesis

When the Syrian uprising broke out in February 2011, protesters voiced a broad range of grievances. Prominent among these were complaints about pervasive corruption and the regime's failure to resp...
Do fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) exposure and its attributable premature mortality differ for immigrants compared to those born in the United States

Abstract In the United States (US), immigrants constitute a considerable and growing proportion of the general population. Compared to the US-born, immigrants have differential health risks, and it is unclear if environmental exposures contribute. In this work, we estimated disparities between immigrants and the US-born in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure and attributable premature mortality, including by region of origin and time since immigration. With PM2.5 estimates from a validated model at ~1 km2 spatial resolution and residential Census tract population data, we calculated the annual area-weighted average PM2.5 exposure for immigrants overall, the US-born, and immigrants separately by geographic region of origin and time since immigration. We then calculated the premature mortality attributed to PM2.5 for each population group, assessing disparities by immigrant status in PM2.5 exposure and attributable premature mortality in the US as a whole and in each US county to evevaluate spatial heterogeneity. Overall, immigrants were exposed to slightly higher PM2.5 (0.36 μg/m3, 3.8%) than the US-born. This exposure difference translates to 2.11 more premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 per 100,000 in population for immigrants compared to the US-born in 2010. Immigrant – US-born disparities in PM2.5 and attributable premature mortality were more severe among immigrants originating from Asia, Africa, and Latin America than those from Europe, Oceania, and North America. Disparities between immigrant groups by time since immigration were comparatively small. Sensitivity analyses using 2000 data and a non-linear set of PM2.5 attributable mortality coefficients identified similar patterns. Our findings suggest that environmental exposure disparities, such as in PM2.5, may contribute to immigrant health disparities in the US.
The role of replication in psychological science

The replication or reproducibility crisis in psychological science has renewed attention to philosophical aspects of its methodology. I provide herein a new, functional account of the role of replication in a scientific discipline: to undercut the underdetermination of scientific hypotheses from data, typically by hypotheses that connect data with phenomena. These include hypotheses that concern sampling error, experimental control, and operationalization. How a scientific hypothesis could be underdetermined in one of these ways depends on a scientific discipline’s epistemic goals, theoretical development, material constraints, institutional context, and their interconnections. I illustrate how these apply to the case of psychological science. I then contrast this “bottom-up” account with “top-down” accounts, which assume that the role of replication in a particular science, such as psychology, must follow from a uniform role that it plays in science generally. Aside from avoiding unaddressed problems with top-down accounts, my bottom-up account also better explains the variability of importance of replication of various types across different scientific disciplines.
Habla Conmigo: Teachers’ Spanish Talk and Latine Dual Language Learners’ School Readiness Skills

Research Findings: Preschool is a critical period during which children’s development and learning exert a long-lasting impact on their school adjustment and academic outcomes. Although research on...
Chimeric Zika viruses containing structural protein genes of insect-specific flaviviruses cannot replicate in vertebrate cells due to entry and post-translational restrictions

Long Pine Key virus (LPKV) and Lammi virus are insect-specific flaviviruses that phylogenetically affiliate with dual-host flaviviruses. The goal of this study was to provide insight into the genetic determinants that condition this host range restriction. Chimeras were initially created by replacing select regions of the Zika virus genome, including the premembrane and envelope protein (prM-E) genes, with the corresponding regions of the LPKV genome. Of the four chimeras produced, one (the prM-E swap) yielded virus that replicated in mosquito cells. Another chimeric virus with a mosquito replication-competent phenotype was created by inserting the prM-E genes of Lammi virus into a Zika virus genetic background. Vertebrate cells did not support the replication of either chimeric virus although trace to modest amounts of viral antigen were produced, consistent with suboptimal viral entry. These data suggest that dual-host affiliated insect-specific flaviviruses cannot replicate in vertebrate cells due to entry and post-translational restrictions.
Genomic Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Infection During the Initial Pandemic Wave and Association With Disease Severity.

Importance Understanding of SARS-CoV-2 variants that alter disease outcomes are important for clinical risk stratification and may provide important clues to the complex virus-host relationship. Objective To examine the association of identified SARS-CoV-2 variants, virus clades, and clade groups with disease severity and patient outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study, viral genome analysis of clinical specimens obtained from patients at the Cleveland Clinic infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the initial wave of infection (March 11 to April 22, 2020) was performed. Identified variants were matched with clinical outcomes. Data analysis was performed from April to July 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures Hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mortality, and laboratory outcomes were matched with SARS-CoV-2 variants. Results Specimens sent for viral genome sequencing originated from 302 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (median [interquartile range] age, 52.6 [22.8 to 82.5] years), of whom 126 (41.7%) were male, 195 (64.6%) were White, 91 (30.1%) required hospitalization, 35 (11.6%) needed ICU admission, and 17 (5.6%) died. From these specimens, 2531 variants (484 of which were unique) were identified. Six different SARS-CoV-2 clades initially circulated followed by a rapid reduction in clade diversity. Several variants were associated with lower hospitalization rate, and those containing 23403A>G (D614G Spike) were associated with increased survival when the patient was hospitalized (64 of 74 patients [86.5%] vs 10 of 17 patients [58.8%]; χ21 = 6.907;P = .009). Hospitalization and ICU admission were similar regardless of clade. Infection with Clade V variants demonstrated higher creatinine levels (median [interquartile range], 2.6 [−0.4 to 5.5] mg/dL vs 1.0 [0.2 to 2.2] mg/dL; mean creatinine difference, 2.9 mg/dL [95% CI, 0.8 to 5.0 mg/dL]; Kruskal-WallisP = .005) and higher overall mortality rates (3 of 14 patients [21.4%] vs 17 of 302 patients [5.6%]; χ21 = 5.640;P = .02) compared with other variants. Infection by strains lacking the 23403A>G variant showed higher mortality in multivariable analysis (odds ratio [OR], 22.4; 95% CI, 0.6 to 5.6;P = .01). Increased variants of open reading frame (ORF) 3a were associated with decreased hospitalization frequency (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.96;P = .04), whereas increased variants of Spike (OR, 0.01; 95% CI, Conclusions and Relevance Within weeks of SARS-CoV-2 circulation, a profound shift toward 23403A>G (D614G) specific genotypes occurred. Replaced clades were associated with worse clinical outcomes, including mortality. These findings help explain persistent hospitalization yet decreasing mortality as the pandemic progresses. SARS-CoV-2 clade assignment is an important factor that may aid in estimating patient outcomes.
Comparing Surgical Site Occurrences in 1 versus 2-stage Breast Reconstruction via Federated EMR Network.

TriNetX (TriNetX Inc., Cambridge, Mass.) is a federated electronic medical record network. The TriNetX system conducts customized search queries of over 36 million electronic medical records, and returns results in just minutes. To our group's knowledge, TriNetX has not been previously used in plastic surgery research. This study aimed to utilize a continuously updated federated network of 36,000,000 electronic medical records (TriNetX) for comparing 90-day postoperative outcomes between prosthetic breast reconstruction techniques. Methods Using TriNetX, we analyzed the records of approximately 36 million patients in 31 health care organizations. The de-identified records of 18,744,519 women (age 18-9) were retrospectively screened. A cohort of 4747 patients with a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of the breast, any stage, having undergone mastectomy, and breast reconstruction with tissue expander was compared with a second cohort of 870 patients diagnosed with malignant neoplasm of the breast, any stage, mastectomy, and immediate insertion of breast implant following mastectomy. Surgical site occurrences occurring within 90 days postoperatively were compared using propensity score matching. Results Propensity score matching resulted in 870 patients in both well-balanced cohorts. There were no statistically significant differences between the balanced cohorts with respect to 90-day surgical site occurrences. Conclusions TriNetX enables data-driven clinical research such as retrospective cohort comparison. During the 90-day postoperative period, there were fewer complications noted in the single-stage cohort for all outcomes studied; although this comparison was not statistically significant, we believe it demonstrates a clinically significant finding that single-stage direct-to-implant is at least as safe as the more complicated 2-stage approach.
Recent progress in the medicinal chemistry of 2,4-diaminopyrimidines.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the developments in the study of 2,4-diaminopyrimidines since 1970 and analogues as targets for the chemotherapy of infectious disease. This category of compounds owes its activity to inhibition of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase that is vital to life processes and that differs markedly from species to species. The chapter discusses the enzyme itself and its mode of binding to inhibitors. In addition to simple pyrimidines, bicyclic analogues such as the quinazolines and pteridines have been described, including direct analogues of folic acid that are used for the treatment of neoplastic disease. The closely allied dihydrotriazines and related pyrimidine isosteres have also been discussed as an essential part of this body of therapeutic agents. Tremendous strides have been made in understanding the biological activity of the diaminopyrimidines at the molecular level.
Telomerase: A Eukaryotic DNA Polymerase Specialized in Telomeric Repeat Synthesis

Telomerase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase (reverse transcriptase) specialized in the synthesis of short DNA repeats onto chromosome ends, a function essential for chromosome stability and cellular immortality in eukaryotes. Unlike conventional polymerases, telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) enzyme, minimally composed of the catalytic telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the telomerase RNA (TR) subunit. While the TERT catalytic core is well conserved and shares several motifs with conventional reverse transcriptases, the TR subunit is highly divergent and has evolved species-specific structural elements essential for telomerase RNP assembly and biogenesis. Telomerase is unique among polymerases, capable of producing a DNA product vastly longer than the RNA template. This unique polymerization reaction relies on repeatedly regenerating and reusing the short TR template during DNA synthesis, producing the characteristic repetitive telomeric DNA sequence. Processive telomeric repeat synthesis is dependent on “template translocation” for template regeneration, a complex mechanism that is only partially understood. Correspondingly, telomerase-specific domains within telomerase TERT-TR core function cooperatively with telomerase accessory proteins to coordinate template translocation during processive telomeric DNA repeat synthesis. Telomerase is thus a fascinating polymerase, singular in function and unrivaled in complexity.
Mutations in a new Streptomyces coelicolor locus which globally block antibiotic biosynthesis but not sporulation.

Streptomyces coelicolor produces four known antibiotics. To define genetic elements that regulate antibiotic synthesis, we screened for mutations that visibly blocked synthesis of the two pigmented antibiotics and found that the mutant strains which we recovered were of two classes--double mutants and mutants in which all four antibiotics were blocked. The mutations in these multiply blocked strains define a new locus of S. coelicolor which we have named absA. The genetic location of absA, at 10 o9clock, is distinct from the locations of the antibiotic gene clusters and from other known mutations that affect antibiotic synthesis. The phenotype of the absA mutants suggests that all S. coelicolor antibiotic synthesis genes are subject to a common global regulation that is at least in part distinct from sporulation and that absA is a genetic component of the regulatory mechanism. Images
The Application Accuracy of the Frameless Implantable Marker System and Analysis of Related Affecting Factors

The purpose of this study was to determine the application accuracy of a new frameless marker system for interactive intraoperative localization of intracranial lesions. The influence of image quality, registration error, repeatability, and marker distribution on the application accuracy were analyzed and compared. A phantom was mounted with the standard Z-D ring and also implanted with frameless marker system, which randomly distributed on the surface. The phantom was scanned as routine with 1 mm and 2 mm sections. The pixel sizes were used 1.18×1.18 and 0.59×0.59. The two systems were tested under different image quality and registration. The target point was digitized and the coordinates were recorded and compared with reference points. The difference between two systems were tested with paired t-test. Image data were loaded into a SUN Workstation and registered with NSPS.4.0 software. The coordinate of each fiducial marker was recorded into a file as the reference. The tip of each semi-invasive fiducial marker was digitized to achieve a frameless transformation matrix, and the special points on the Z-D ring were digitized to achieve a frame-based transformation matrix. The differences from the reference points were used as the deviation from “true point”. The mean square root (RMS) was calculated to show the sum of vectors. The results of 2 mm section group showed that the registration error of frame-based system is 3.42±0.22 mm and the error of the frameless system is 1.01±0.63 mm (P<0.001). The RMS are 2.57±0.54 mm and 1.53±0.65 mm respectively (P<0.001). The RMS of error registration (one point off 5 mm) are 5.01±0.26 mm and 2.23±0.13 mm respective (P=0.003). The results of 1mm section group showed that the RMS are 1.20±0.42 mm and 0.90±0.47 mm respectively (P=0.121). The higher the quality (the thinner scan thickness) of image it is, the better the application accuracy will be (P=0.001 and 0.032 respectively). These preliminary results showed that the frameless semi-invasive fiducial marker system can provide clinical acceptable accurate localization as the frame based surgical localization system did. There is no significant difference between the experimental and clinical results. The higher the quality of image it is, the better the application accuracy will be. But there is no significant difference between 1mm sections and 3 mm sections of MRI images.
Neutron Yields from Alpha-Particle Bombardment

Thick-target (α,n) neutron yields have been measured for 6,7,NATLi, 9Be,10,11,NATB, Pb19F2 and Zn19F2, NATMg, 27Al, NATSi, and 28SiNATO2. From the Pb19F2 and Zn19F2 data, we have extracted the neut...
Vitamin D and osteocalcin levels in liver transplant recipients: Is osteocalcin a reliable marker of bone turnover in such cases?

Patients with advanced liver disease are at increased risk for the development of hepatic osteodystrophy in the form of either osteomalacia or osteoporosis. The pathogenesis of these two bone diseases is multifactorial and includes, among other factors, alterations in vitamin D metabolism, malnutrition and hypogonadism. Little is known regarding vitamin D metabolism and the osteoblastic activity in liver transplant recipients. In order to clarify these issues, vitamin D metabolites and osteocalcin levels were measured prior to and 30 days following liver transplantation in 30 cirrhotic patients of various etiologies. While the mean plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D of the entire group of 30 patients were significantly greater prior to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) as compared to those after OLTx (11.5 ± 8.6 vs. 7.4 ± 5.8 ng/ml, p = 0.0066 and 41.0 ± 34.6 vs. 20.4 ± 11.0 pg/ml, p = 0.0003, respectively), no significant changes in osteocalcin concentrations pre- or post-transplantation could be demonstrated (5.2 ± 3.0 vs. 6.4 ± 4.1 ng/ml, p = 0.51). Furthermore, no correlation between the plasma concentration of osteocalcin and either vitamin D metabolite, the prothrombin time or cyclosporine levels was found. The reasons for the normal levels of osteocalcin prior to OLTx can be explained by the fact that in vitamin-K-deficient states osteocalcin is predominantly decarboxylated and, therefore, a smaller proportion is bound to bone and/or the synthesis of osteocalcin is partially modulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the level of which has been found to be normal. The effect of cyclosporine on bone formation could explain the normal levels of osteocalcin in the post-OLTx period despite the suppressive effect of corticosteroids. The reduction in vitamin D levels seen following OLTx was probably a result of the corticosteroid therapy used postoperatively. Based upon these data, it can be concluded that osteocalcin levels in liver transplant recipients treated with a combination of cyclosporine/prednisone are usually within normal limits, probably as a result of the opposite pharmacologic effects of each drug on bone remodeling. As a result, osteocalcin levels may not be a reliable marker of bone formation in liver transplant recipients, at least in the early postoperative period.
A time for emoting: when affect-sensitivity is and isn't effective at promoting deep learning

We have developed and evaluated an affect-sensitive version of AutoTutor, a dialogue based ITS that simulates human tutors. While the original AutoTutor is sensitive to learners' cognitive states, the affect-sensitive tutor is responsive to their affective states as well. This affective tutor automatically detects learners' boredom, confusion, and frustration by monitoring conversational cues, gross body language, and facial features. The sensed affective states guide the tutor's responses in a manner that helps students regulate their negative emotions. The tutor also synthesizes affect via the verbal content of its responses and the facial expressions and speech of an embodied pedagogical agent. An experiment comparing the affect-sensitive and non-affective tutors indicated that the affective tutor improved learning for low-domain knowledge students, particularly at deeper levels of comprehension. We conclude by discussing the conditions upon which affect-sensitivity is effective, and the conditions when it is not.
Characterizing the Plasmas of Dense $Z$ -Pinches

This mini-tutorial summarizes the plasma characteristics important for the $Z$ -pinch research, with an emphasis on high-density collisional plasmas. It begins with the discussion of the most basic plasma properties related to collisionality and magnetization and then proceeds to more complex phenomena associated with magnetic field evolution in a highly dynamical plasma. Plasma transport properties are discussed mostly in conjunction with the Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion concept. Issues of interplay of the classical and anomalous transport in a plasma whose pressure is higher than the magnetic pressure are elucidated. Differences in magnetic reconnection in weakly versus highly collisional plasmas are discussed. Kinetic effects and the role of microturbulence are mentioned in conjunction with the formation of high-energy tails in the particle distribution functions and the generation of particle beams. The discussion is based on the order-of-magnitude estimates suitable for initial orientation in the problem. The two appendixes contain some auxiliary material.
Bilateral vestibular paresis: Diagnosis and treatment:

Patients with bilateral peripheral vestibular dysfunction present a substantial diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the otologist. Caloric irrigations that suggest bilateral weakness may mislead the clinician when considerable peripheral function remains. Rotary chair testing at several frequencies is helpful in confirming the degree of residual function and may identify patients who have a better prognosis in rehabilitation. Forty-nine patients with bilateral vestibular paresis were evaluated. The diagnosis was based on caloric responses of less than 5 degrees/sec in both ears and reduced gain on rotary chair trials. Oscillopsia occurred in the minority of patients (35%) and was rare unless severe paresis was present. Episodic vertigo occurred in 43%. All patients had abnormal posturography results, with vestibular dysfunction and severe dysfunction patterns predominating. The treatment outcomes of 22 patients who underwent vestibular rehabilitation are discussed. Prevention of bilateral vestibular paresis remains a high priority.
Two dimensional dynamic channel assignment for wireless mobile high speed data network

In order to increase resource utilization in wireless mobile high speed data networks, two dimensional dynamic channel assignment is proposed The quality of the wireless channel inherently varies with time and, in order to get the best use of the available spectrum, the proposed new assignment method changes the bandwidth and the period of assignment dynamically. It is based on the channel condition, type of traffic, and signaling overhead. The new scheme not only reduces waste of radio resources when the channel condition is poor, but also gives the capability to maintain the QoS of users in an optimum fashion.
Modeling general and specific variance in multifaceted constructs: a comparison of the bifactor model to other approaches.

This article recommends an alternative method for testing multifaceted constructs. Researchers often have to choose between two problematic approaches for analyzing multifaceted constructs: the total score approach and the individual score approach. Both approaches can result in conceptual ambiguity. The proposed bifactor model assesses simultaneously the general construct shared by the facets and the specific facets, over and above the general construct. We illustrate the bifactor model by examining the construct of Extraversion as measured by the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R; Costa & McCrae, 1992), with two college samples (N = 383 and 378). The analysis reveals that the facets of the NEO-PI-R Extraversion correlate with criteria in opposite directions after partialling out the general construct. The direction of gender differences also varies by facets. Bifactor models combine the advantages but avoid the drawbacks of the 2 existing methods and can lead to greater conceptual clarity.
Using geometric morphometrics for integrative taxonomy: An examination of head shapes of milksnakes (genus Lampropeltis)

Species discovery and identification has long relied on traditional morphometric analyses, although molecular methods for species delimitation are becoming increasing popular and important. Despite an increase in studies that rely solely on molecular data to differentiate between species, additional evidence that supports genealogically-based species delimitation is desirable at least for field and museum identification of species and is part of an integrative approach to taxonomy. The present study uses geometric morphometric (GM) analyses to examine six species of milksnake (genus Lampropeltis) that have recently been delimited based on multilocus data in a coalescent framework. Landmarks are plotted onto the dorsal view of 487 specimens and canonical variate analysis (CVA) is used to determine whether the differences in head shape of these six species can be used to correctly classify specimens. For five of the six species, CVA accurately classifies individuals >70% of the time. The present study illustrates that, although GM-based analyses may not correctly differentiate between species 100% of the time, GM methods can be useful for detecting shape differences between species and help to corroborate species delimitation. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London
Evaluating adaptive smoothing models: some guidelines for implementation

A number of multiple-parameter adaptive exponential smoothing models have been proposed and demonstrated over the last two decades for short range forecasting. There have been conflicting results on their performance and no systematic study has been conducted to compare them in a controlled environment. The work reported here fills this void by testing a set of well known multiple-parameter adaptive procedures against the three-parameter Winters' model. First, sets of synthetic time series with known characteristics are used to compare performance for the different approaches using the standard deviation of forecast errors. Second, the information gathered at this point is used to predict the technique's performance on six empirical time series. And third, general guidelines are presented for model selection.
Perspectives on the Efficacy of Antidepressants for Child and Adolescent Depression

Raz looks at the ongoing controversies surrounding the use of SSRI antidepressants in children.
Options resilience during extreme volatility: Evidence from the market events of May 2010

Abstract Using intraday trades and quotes data, we study the stock options market before, during, and after the market events of May 6, 2010. Focusing on the S&P 500 and S&P 100 stock options, we explore if the options market provided any discernible signals that forewarned the extreme volatility on that day and whether the recovery was fast and without a permanent impact. We find that the options market reacted to the volatility- rather than predicting it, and almost all of the variables are indistinguishable from their previous levels in the next few trading days. Intraday empirical analysis suggests that most of the impact was over within a few hours from the peak of market volatility.
Effects of diet composition on triacylglycerol metabolism in humans.

Whereas it is well documented that high carbohydrate (CHO) diets increase fasting plasma triacylglycerol (TG) levels (1,2), the mechanism(s) responsible for this increase remain elusive. It has been suggested that high CHO diets may increase de novo lipogenesis in the liver, that in turn may increase TG production by increasing FFA availability for esterification (3). However, recent studies have revealed that the liver has very limited capacity for de novo synthesis of fatty acids (4). Kinetic studies have suggested that the CHO-induced hypertriglyceridemia may be due to increased hepatic very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-TG secretion (5), and/or a reduction in the clearance rate of VLDL-TG (6). Using oral-fat-tolerance tests, however, Blades and Garg concluded that postprandial clearance of VLDL-TG is normal in NIDDM patients on high-CHO diet (7). In the present study, we attempted to determine the mechanisms by which low fat, high-CHO diets result in increased fasting plasma TG concentration in human volunteers. We used the splanchnic and leg balance technique, in combination with stable isotopic tracer techniques, to clarify the relationships between hepatic glucose uptake and FFA uptake and oxidation and the rate of secretion of VLDL-TG after two weeks on a high fat (HF) versus a high CHO (HC) diet. The main hypotheses were that fasting hypertriglyceridemia in HC diet results mainly from increased hepatic VLDL-TG production and secretion and that this is the consequence of glucose-induced inhibition of hepatic fatty acid oxidation. A decrease in hepatic fatty acid oxidation is expected to increase the availability of fatty acids for TG production (8).
Labor-Market Integration, Investment in Risky Human Capital, and Fiscal Competition

This paper presents a general-equilibrium model where human capital investment increases specialization and exposes skilled workers to region-specific earnings risk Interjurisdictional mobility of skilled labor mitigates these risks; state-contingent migration of skilled labor also improves efficiency. With perfect capital markets, labor-market integration raises welfare and reduces ex post earnings inequality. If instead human capital investment can only be financed through local taxes, labor-market integration leads to interjurisdictional fiscal competition, shifting the burden of taxation to low-skilled immobile workers. Decentralized public provision of human capital investment creates earnings inequalities and is inefficient.
Sesquiterpene lactones of eupatorium anomalum and eupatorium mohrii

Abstract Several new guaianolides and the previously known heliangolide eurecurvin have been isolated from Eupatorium anomalum . Eupatorium mohrii also yielded three of the new guaianolides together with eurecurvin and a new germacradienolide. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Predictors of children's emotional distress in a mother-absent situation: implications for caregiving research.

Abstract Although many factors have been found to be associated with caregiving behavior among preschool-age siblings, few studies have considered the older child's emotional responses to the distress of a younger sibling in the mother's absence. In this study, the authors considered both individual and family factors that predict older and younger sibling distress in a mother-absent situation designed to elicit caregiving behavior. For both older and younger siblings, the strongest predictor of distress following the mother's departure was distress in the other sibling, suggesting the importance of situational factors. Individual and family factors, however, were also found to predict child distress. Among older siblings, shy and sociable temperaments were associated with greater distress during the mother's absence. Higher levels of parenting stress were found to be associated with less distress among both older and younger siblings in the mother-absent situation. Results are discussed in terms of indiv...
Against the Minimalistic Reading of Epistemic Contextualism: A Reply to Wolfgang Freitag

Several philosophers have argued that the factivity of knowledge poses a problem for epistemic contextualism (EC), which they have construed as a knowability problem. On a proposed minimalistic reading of EC’s commitments, Wolfgang Freitag argues that factivity yields no knowability problem for EC. I begin by explaining how factivity is thought to generate a contradiction out of paradigmatic contextualist cases on a certain reading of EC’s commitments. This reductio results in some kind of reflexivity problem for the contextualist when it comes to knowing her theory: either a knowability problem or a statability problem. Next, I set forth Freitag’s minimalistic reading of EC and explain how it avoids the reductio, the knowability problem and the statability problem. I argue that despite successfully evading these problems, Freitag’s minimalistic reading saddles EC with several other serious problems and should be rejected. I conclude by offering my own resolution to the problems.
Rapid and accurate quantitation of Hb Bart's and Hb H using weak cation exchange high performance liquid chromatography: correlation with the alpha-thalassemia genotype.

The Bio-Rad Variant™ Hemoglobin testing system is an automated high performance liquid chromatography analyzer marketed with a β-thalassemia short program to quantify Hbs F and A2, and assist in detecting Hbs A, S, D, C., and E. Although the two hemoglobins present in Hb H disease, Hb Bart's and Hb H, are separated by the system, they are not quantitated. In this study we modified the β-thalassemia short program in order to facilitate quantitation of Hb Bart's and Hb H. Blood samples from 60 patients with Hb H disease, with various underlying genotypes, were studied. Analyses were performed on the day of blood collection or on hemolysates stored at -80°C in cyanide or carbomonoxy forms. The mean sum of Hb Bart's and Hb H levels in all patients was found to be 12% (range 1.8-35%). Patients with nondeletional mutations (or association of α0 deletion and nondeletional mutations) had notably higher Hb Bart's and Hb H levels when compared to patients with deletional genotypes.
MURINE OVARIAN CANCER VASCULAR LEUKOCYTES REQUIRE ARGINASE-1 ACTIVITY FOR T CELL SUPPRESSION

The predominant leukocyte population present in both human and murine peritoneal ovarian tumors is the Vascular Leukocyte (VLC). VLCs are recruited en masse to the ovarian tumor microenvironment whereupon they promote tumor progression. Importantly, the presence of VLCs is requisite for peritoneal ovarian cancer progression: selective elimination of VLCs inhibits tumor burden and ascites accumulation. Despite the critical importance of VLCs to ovarian tumors, their derivation and the mechanisms by which they facilitate tumor progression are not well understood. Here we demonstrate in vivo that the murine ID8 ovarian tumor model can usurp the host peritoneal macrophage pathway to elicit and recruit VLCs. Moreover, we demonstrate that VLCs express CD11b and Gr-1, a characteristic phenotype shared amongst heterogeneous populations of leukocytes referred to as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). In accord with their MDSC phenotype, both murine and human VLCs express arginase-1 (ARG1). Importantly, we demonstrate that the VLCs suppress both CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells responses and that this immunosuppression is ARG1-dependent, since blockade of VLC ARG1 activity with nor-NOHA reversed the immunosuppression. These data further characterize the tumor-associated leukocytes in ovarian cancer and provide insights into the mechanisms by which they promote tumor growth.
Evolutionary Genetics: Jumping into a New Species

A new study finds a dramatic increase in transposable element numbers in three new sunflower hybrid species, and may suggest a novel role for transposable elements in speciation.
Conflict and coexistence

Here is a tightly organized edited volume that looks closely at the array of strategies for preventing, or mitigating, conflicts between humans and wildlife. By restricting analysis primarily to large vertebrates, for the most part predators and crop raiders, much of the discussion is about animals that are dangerous to humans and their crops and livestock, such as tigers, lions, elephants, wolves and bears (although birds of prey also feature). The editors set the scene with introductory chapters reviewing first how lethal control directly and indirectly impacts the persistence of species and ecosystem function and, second, how communities are negatively affected by wildlife.
Band Spectrum of TiCl

The emission spectrum of TiCl has been excited by both high frequency and low frequency discharges through a continuous flow of Ti${\mathrm{Cl}}_{4}$ vapor in a discharge tube. The spectrum consists of one strong group of bands and several weaker groups, all degraded to shorter wave-lengths. The strong group occurs between 4200 and 4100A and the weak groups between 4100 and 3700A. The strong group is attributed to a transition between doublet electronic levels. The analysis of this system gives the values ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}=23820.0$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=503.4$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, ${x}^{\ensuremath{'}}{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=2.5$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=456.4$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, ${x}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}{\ensuremath{\omega}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=6.3$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$.
Computing the multiplicity structure in solving polynomial systems

This paper presents algorithms for computing the multiplicity structure of a zero to a polynomial system. The zero can be exact or approximate with the system being intrinsic or empirical. As an application, the dual space theory and methodology are utilized to analyze deflation methods in solving polynomial systems, to establish tighter deflation bound, and to derive special case algorithms.
Integer generalized inverses of incidence matrices

Graphical procedures are used to characterize the integral {1}- and {1, 2}-inverses of the incidence matrix A of a digraph, and to obtain a basis for the space of matrices X such that AXA = 0. These graphical procedures also produce the Smith canonical form of A and a full rank factorization of A using matrices with entries from {-1, 0, 1}. It is also shown how the results on incidence matrices of oriented graphs can be used to find generalized inverses of matrices of unoriented bipartite graphs.
Mo1554 Inpatient Colonoscopy May Be Inadequate for Colorectal Cancer Screening

treatments during the study period were 34% in Rigidflex, 32% in Botox, 31% in Maloney, 19% in Savary, 17% in balloon, and 13% in other treatments (p 0.001). The mean interval between repeat treatments was 14.5 16.3 months. Only 1 immediate serious complication (perforation) occurred in the Rigidflex group. Conclusions: Botox has become the primary choice of initial endoscopic therapy in achalasia, especially in older patients. Dilation with Rigidflex balloon tends to be used for younger patients. About one third of achalasia patients undergo a repeat therapeutic procedure within 15 months.
Passive scalar statistics in high-Péclet-number grid turbulence

The statistics of a turbulent passive scalar (temperature) and their Reynolds number dependence are studied in decaying grid turbulence for the Taylor-microscale Reynolds number, Rλ, varying from 30 to 731 (21[les ]Peλ[les ]512). A principal objective is, using a single (and simple) flow, to bridge the gap between the existing passive grid-generated low-Peclet-number laboratory experiments and those done at high Peclet number in the atmosphere and oceans. The turbulence is generated by means of an active grid and the passive temperature fluctuations are generated by a mean transverse temperature gradient, formed at the entrance to the wind tunnel plenum chamber by an array of differentially heated elements. A well-defined inertial–convective scaling range for the scalar with a slope, nθ, close to the Obukhov–Corrsin value of 5/3, is observed for all Reynolds numbers. This is in sharp contrast with the velocity field, in which a 5/3 slope is only approached at high Rλ. The Obukhov–Corrsin constant, Cθ, is estimated to be 0.45–0.55. Unlike the velocity spectrum, a bump occurs in the spectrum of the scalar at the dissipation scales, with increasing prominence as the Reynolds number is increased. A scaling range for the heat flux cospectrum was also observed, but with a slope around 2, less than the 7/3 expected from scaling theory. Transverse structure functions of temperature exist at the third and fifth orders, and, as for even-order structure functions, the width of their inertial subranges dilates with Reynolds number in a systematic way. As previously shown for shear flows, the existence of these odd-order structure functions is a violation of local isotropy for the scalar differences, as is the existence of non-zero values of the transverse temperature derivative skewness (of order unity) and hyperskewness (of order 100). The ratio of the temperature derivative standard deviation along and normal to the gradient is 1.2±0.1, and is independent of Reynolds number. The refined similarity hypothesis for the passive scalar was found to hold for all Rλ, which was not the case for the velocity field. The intermittency exponent for the scalar, μθ, was found to be 0.25±0.05 with a possible weak Rλ dependence, unlike the velocity field, where μ was a strong function of Reynolds number. New, higher-Reynolds-number results for the velocity field, which smoothly follow the trends of Mydlarski & Warhaft (1996), are also presented.
Advanced Symbolic And Inference Optical Correlation Filter Results

New optical correlation filter results are reviewed for use in symbolic and inference correlators for ATR scene analysis. MACE filter synthesis has attractive properties that include: easily detectable peaks, distortion-invariance, simplified training set selection, solutions to input bias effects, performance in high noise, performance in real background clutter, region-of-interest MACE filters, filter quantization tests, and less clutter with its reduced number of training set images.
Validation of biological markers for quantitative risk assessment.

The evaluation of biological markers is recognized as necessary to the future of toxicology, epidemiology, and quantitative risk assessment. For biological markers to become widely accepted, their ...
Proximal row fusion as a solution for radiocarpal arthritis

Abstract A retrospective study evaluated the function of thirty-six patients treated by radius-scaphoid-lunate arthrodesis for painful posttraumatic radiocarpal arthritis from 1982 through 1987, and determined whether the procedure created arthritic or other functional problems in the remaining joints. Thirty-one men and five women with a mean age of 41 years were studied. The standard surgical technique employed iliac crest bone graft and internal fixation. Seven patients required revision of the proximal fusion to complete wrist fusion because of pain; arthritic changes in the midcarpal joint had been noted in these patients at the time of the limited fusion. The remaining twenty-nine patients required no further surgical treatment. Grip strength averaged 70% of the uninvolved side. The average arc of wrist flexion and extension was forty-eight degrees. Eighteen patients returned to their original employment, in many cases to heavy labor. Five did not return to work because of wrist problems. We conclude that the probability of a good functional result is high for this procedure if there is no midcarpal arthritis.
Foraminal and far lateral lumbar disc herniations: surgical alternatives and outcome measures.

Far lateral disc herniations constitute 7-12% of all disc herniations. They may be purely far lateral or extraforaminal in location, located beyond the pedicles, or may include intraforaminal and even intracanalicular components. Occurring predominantly at the L4-L5 and L3-L4 levels in almost equal numbers, they are occasionally noted at L5-S1. Clinical syndromes reflect compression of the superiorly exiting nerve root and ganglion; ie an L4-L5 far lateral disc produces a L4 root syndrome. Clinical complaints often include severe radicular pain accompanied by very positive mechanical signs; Lasegue and reverse Lasegue (femoral stretch test) maneuvers. Neurological deficits, including motor, reflex, and sensory findings, are seen over 75% of the time. Although conservative management is occasionally successful (10%), surgery is usually required. The extent of stenosis and attendant degenerative changes dictate whether laminectomy, hemilaminectomy or laminotomy are required along with one of several facet resection options; full facetectomy, the intertransverse approach, medial facetectomy, or an extreme lateral procedure. Postoperatively, patients' neurological outcomes based on both surgeon and patient based outcome measures (SF-36), were comparable for the different surgical procedures which had been based on the individual patient's pathology.
Close encounters of small bodies and planets

A small body in an orbit which crosses that of a planet may be eliminated by collision or ejected from the solar system. A method is developed for computing the probabilities of these fates. With some simplifying assumptions, the probabilities can be expressed as functions of the relative velocity only, rather than the orbital elements. The ejection probability does not vary greatly with velocity. The results are in agreement with those of Bandermann and Wolstencroft, but not with those of Opik; a reason for this disagreement is suggested. This method can be adapted to compute probabilities of generalized orbital changes. Some applications are discussed.
Cultured allogenic keratinocyte grafts in the management of wound healing : prognostic factors

. Cultured allografts derived from neonatal fore-skin provide a potent stimulus to wound healing in a wide variety of wounds. Their application is a simple outpatient procedure involving no discomfort for the patient. In contrast to autografting, no biopsy is necessary, and growth of newborn keratinocytes in cultures is more rapid than that of adult cells. Use of cultured allogeneic cells offers immediate graft availability and the possibility of stockpiling and preserving the graft for future use. Cultured epidermal allografts may be valuable in accelerating healing by second intention in surgical wounds, as well as being a helpful addition to chronic ulcer management. In venous disease, the outcome is at least comparable to other forms of skin grafting. Ulcers due to connective tissue disorders fared less well and deep chronic ulcers (down to fascia or tendon) were not significantly improved by cultured allograft application. Surprisingly, patient age did not influence outcome.
Nonphysician providers in hospital medicine: not so fast.

editorial in this month’s Journal of Hos-pital Medicine raises important questions concerning theuse of nonphysician providers in hospital medicine. Theyfocus primarily on the use of mid-level providers (MLPs),namely physician-assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners(NPs), as a potential solution to the current physician work-force shortages in our ﬁeld. While we acknowledge the chal-lenges of meeting workforce needs, we also believe thatmuch is unknown about the optimal use of MLPs on inpa-tient general medicine services and it is premature to toutMLPs as the solution to hospital medicine stafﬁng problems.This is especially true in those hospitals where hospitalistscare for complex, general medical patients with a wide vari-ety of medical conditions, a trend that is especially commonin academic medical centers.