cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mouse- and Human-derived Primary Gastric Epithelial Monolayer Culture for the Study of Regeneration

In vitro studies of gastric wound repair typically involves the use of gastric cancer cell lines in a scratch-wound assay of cellular proliferation and migration. One critical limitation of such assays, however, is their homogenous assortment of cellular types. Repair is a complex process which demands the interaction of several cell types. Therefore, to study a culture devoid of cellular subtypes, is a concern that must be overcome if we are to understand the repair process. The gastric organoid model may alleviate this issue whereby the heterogeneous collection of cell types closely reflects that of the gastric epithelium or other native tissues in vivo. Demonstrated here is a novel, in vitro scratch-wound assay derived from human or mouse 3-dimensional organoids which can then be transferred to a gastric epithelial monolayer as either intact organoids or as a single cell suspension of dissociated organoids. The goal of the protocol is to establish organoid-derived gastric epithelial monolayers that can be used in a novel scratch-wound assay system to study gastric regeneration.
Energy Return on Investment

Many important earlier writers, including sociologists Leslie White and Fred Cottrell and ecologist Howard Odum, as well as economist Nicolas Georgescu-Roegen have emphasized the importance of net energy and energy surplus as a determinant of human culture. Human farmers or other food gatherers must have an energy surplus for there to be specialists, military campaigns, and cities, and substantially more for there to be art, culture, and other amenities. Net energy analysis is a general term for the examination of how much energy is left over from an energy-gaining process after correcting for how much of that energy (or its equivalent from some other source) is required to generate (extract, grow, or whatever) a unit of the energy in question. Net energy analysis is sometimes called the assessment of energy surplus, energy balance, or, as we prefer, energy return on investment, depending upon the specific procedures used. To do this we start with the more familiar monetary assessment and then develop how this relates to the energy behind economic processes [1].
The pyramidal system of financial and economic evaluation of corporation issuing from the financial accounting statements

At the present time, which can be, among others, characterized by a rapid development of information technology and computer science, the issues of a qualified data processing and drawing of reliable and useful information are more and more important. The area of applied economics has not been excluded from this process. Together with the development of financial and capital markets, the economic data for economic analysis are demanded. The main problem has shifted from gathering sufficient database to quality data processing, to reliable and credible interpretation of analysis results. The paper deals with the systemization of economic magnitudes derived from the financial accounting statements. The aim of this paper is to work out the pyramidal system of financial and economical evaluation of corporations to be used for both, the analysis of single enterprise and whole industries. The paper stems from the doctorate dissertation thesis, defended by author at the University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Agriculture, in 2000. The dissertation contains wider analysis of problem, including the definition of magnitudes and application of methodology. The methodology has been applied to analyze the financial and economic results of corporations in Czech Republic in selected industries, including agriculture, food industry, transport, trade, machinery and construction industry. The average number of corporation analyzed between 1993-1997 per year was more than 280.
Osteolytic Lesion of the Tibial Diaphysis After Cementless TKA

Biomaterial wear debris is a known contributing factor in aseptic loosening of total joint prostheses, particularly when cementless tibial trays are used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Local inflammatory response can lead to osteolysis and aseptic loosening of implants. The resulting lesions require careful clinical evaluation. This article presents a case of a 76-year old man with a remote history of prostate cancer and cigarette smoking who presented with acute onset left knee and tibia pain 15 years after TKA. Radiographs showed an osteolytic lesion in the distal tibial diaphysis and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion with evidence concerning for pathologic mid-shaft fracture. Biopsy of the lesion confirmed a foreign body reaction and revision TKA was performed. The patient was seen at 3-year follow-up without complication. The existing literature presents cases reporting osteolytic lesions of the distal femur and proximal tibial metaphysis due to polyethylene wear debris and foreign body reaction following TKA. We are unaware of case reports involving osteolysis of this etiology extending into the distal tibial diaphysis. We conclude that polyethylene wear debris with foreign body reaction should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an osteolytic lesion extending into the tibial diaphysis following TKA.
Strategies for Delivering Molecular Beacons into Cells

Because of their inherent advantages of detection without separation, high sensitivity, and excellent selectivity, MBs are ideal probes for direct imaging of mRNA in complex cellular environments. However, in order for MBs to function inside cells, methods have to be developed for efficient delivery of MBs into cells. In this chapter, some of the most common techniques for delivering MBs into living cells for RNA detection are reviewed. The advantages and limitations of each technique are discussed.
Association of the carrot pathogen alternaria dauci with new diseases, alternaria leaf speck, of lettuce and celery in California

In 2014 an unidentified disease was found on lettuce and celery grown in the Salinas Valley, Monterey Co., CA. Lettuce leaf symptoms were round to oval spots, 2 to 4 mm in diameter, white to tan, w...
Concentrated and Distributed Plasticity Models for Seismic Repair of Damaged RC Bridge Columns

AbstractTwo models, Model Fiber and Model Rotational Spring (RS), simulating the seismic performance of repaired column-to-cap beam/footing connections using a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP...
Triangular Modular Curves

We consider certain generalizations of modular curves arising from congruence subgroups of triangle groups.
3D echocardiographic global longitudinal strain can identify patients with mildly-to-moderately reduced ejection fraction at higher cardiovascular risk

Severely reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) derived from 2D echocardiographic (2DE) images is associated with increased mortality and used to guide therapeutic choices. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is more sensitive than LVEF to detect abnormal LV function, and accordingly may help identify patients with mildly-to-moderately reduced LVEF who are at a similarly high cardiovascular (CV) risk. We hypothesized that 3D echocardiographic (3DE) measurements of EF and GLS, which are more reliable and reproducible, may have even better predictive value than the 2DE indices, and compared their ability to identify such patients. We retrospectively studied 104 inpatients with 2DE-derived LVEF of 30-50% who underwent transthoracic echocardiography during 2006-2010 period, had good quality images, and were followed-up through 2016. Both 2DE and 3DE images were analyzed to measure LVEF and GLS. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated for two subgroups defined by the median of each parameter as the cutoff. Of the 104 patients, 32 died of CV related causes. Cox regression revealed that 3D GLS was the only variable associated with CV mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that 2D LVEF, 2D GLS and 3D EF were unable to differentiate patients at higher CV mortality risk, but 3D GLS was the only parameter to do so. Because 3D GLS is able to identify patients with mildly-to-moderately reduced LVEF who are at higher CV mortality risk, its incorporation into clinical decisions may improve survival of those who would benefit from therapeutic interventions not indicated according to the current guidelines.
Cardiac Resynchronization Defibrillator Therapy for Nonspecific Intraventricular Conduction Delay Versus Right Bundle Branch Block

Abstract Background The benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with non-left bundle branch block (LBBB) conduction abnormality have not been fully explored. Objectives This study sought to evaluate clinical outcomes among Medicare-aged patients with nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay (NICD) versus right bundle branch block (RBBB) in patients eligible for implantation with a CRT with defibrillator (CRT-D). Methods Using the National Cardiovascular Data Registry implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) registry data between 2010 and 2013, the authors compared outcomes in CRT-eligible patients implanted with CRT-D versus ICD-only therapy among patients with NICD and RBBB. Also, among all CRT-D–implanted patients, the authors compared outcomes in those with NICD versus RBBB. Survival curves and multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were used to assess outcomes including hospitalization and death. Results In 11,505 non-LBBB CRT-eligible patients, after multivariable adjustment, among patients with RBBB, CRT-D was not associated with better outcomes, compared with ICD alone, regardless of QRS duration. Among patients with NICD and a QRS ≥150 ms, CRT-D was associated with decreased mortality at 3 years compared with ICD alone (HR: 0.602; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.416 to 0.871; p = 0.0071). Among 5,954 CRT-D–implanted patients, after multivariable adjustment NICD compared with RBBB was associated with lower mortality at 3 years in those with a QRS duration of ≥150 ms (HR: 0.757; 95% CI: 0.625 to 0.917; p = 0.0044). Conclusions Among non-LBBB CRT-D–eligible patients, CRT-D implantation was associated with better outcomes compared with ICD alone specifically in NICD patients with a QRS duration of ≥150 ms. Careful patient selection should be considered for CRT-D implantation in patients with non-LBBB conduction.
Patterns of Electrolyte Testing at Children’s Hospitals for Common Inpatient Diagnoses

BACKGROUND: Overuse of laboratory testing contributes substantially to health care waste, downstream resource use, and patient harm. Understanding patterns of variation in hospital-level testing across common inpatient diagnoses could identify outliers and inform waste-reduction efforts. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of pediatric inpatients at 41 children’s hospitals using administrative data from 2010 to 2016. Initial electrolyte testing was defined as testing occurring within the first 2 days of an encounter, and repeat testing was defined as subsequent testing within an encounter in which initial testing occurred. To examine if testing rates correlated across diagnoses at the hospital level, we compared risk-adjusted rates for gastroenteritis with a weighted average of risk-adjusted rates in other diagnosis cohorts. For each diagnosis, linear regression was performed to compare initial and subsequent testing. RESULTS: In 497 719 patient encounters, wide variation was observed across hospitals in adjusted, initial, and repeat testing rates. Hospital-specific rates of testing in gastroenteritis were moderately to strongly correlated with the weighted average of testing in other conditions (initial: r = 0.63; repeat r = 0.83). Within diagnoses, higher hospital-level initial testing rates were associated with significantly increased rates of subsequent testing for all diagnoses except gastroenteritis. CONCLUSIONS: Among children’s hospitals, rates of initial and repeat electrolyte testing vary widely across 8 common inpatient diagnoses. For most diagnoses, hospital-level rates of initial testing were associated with rates of subsequent testing. Consistent rates of testing across multiple diagnoses suggest that hospital-level factors, such as institutional culture, may influence decisions for electrolyte testing.
Improving Safety of Intravenous Prostacyclin Administration to Pediatric Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension.

Background Pulmonary hypertension is a rare, life-threatening disease with limited therapeutic options and no definitive cure. Continuous intravenous prostacyclin therapy is indicated for treatment of severe disease. These medications have a narrow therapeutic index and a brief half-life; therefore, administration errors can be lethal. Objective To reduce medication errors through an inpatient program to improve, standardize, and disseminate continuous intravenous prostacyclin therapy practice guidelines. Methods Data were collected from the electronic safety reporting system of a single hospital to determine the number and types of continuous intravenous prostacyclin therapy errors that were reported over an 8-year period. A clinical database and hospital pharmacy records were used to determine the number of days on which hospitalized pediatric patients received the therapy. Interventions A nursing-directed quality improvement initiative to enhance the safety of continuous intravenous prostacyclin therapy for pediatric patients was begun in January 2009. Efforts to improve safety fell into 4 domains: policy, process, education, and hospital-wide safety initiatives. Results The number of therapy errors per 1000 patient days fell from 19.28 in 2009 to 5.95 in 2016. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the result for 2009 with that for each subsequent year, with P values of .66, .35, .16, .09, .03, .12, and .25 found for 2010 through 2016, respectively. Conclusions The trend in reduction of continuous intravenous prostacyclin therapy errors suggests that proactive processes to standardize its administration, emphasizing both policy and education, reduce medication errors and increase patient safety.
The Vocal Repertoire of Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) and Congeneric Comparisons

Macaques are the most geographically widespread and behaviorally diverse non-human primate genus and are ideal for teasing apart the effects of phylogenetic, social, and ecological factors on the evolution of communication. I explored vocal complexity and made congeneric comparisons between Tibetan macaques and other species by identifying homologous and species-specific derived calls through visual inspection of spectrograms, as well as the phylogenetic, social, and ecological factors that may influence variability across the genus. Macaques share the following call types: coo, growl, non-tonal scream, greeting call, tonal scream, squeak, food call, alarm call, female and male copulation call, bark, and loud call. Most of the species-specific derived vocalizations in the genus were the copulation calls of species with distinct copulation styles. For example, Tibetan macaques emit an acoustically distinct female copulation call uncharacteristic of the genus and display behaviors that are considered rare in primates (e.g., female harassment of matings, lack of proceptive behaviors indicative of estrus). In addition, Tibetan macaques do not emit loud calls or greeting calls, and calls associated with mother-infant interactions were limited because of sample size. It is not likely that any single phylogenetic, ecological, or social factor can explain the call repertoire of Tibetan macaques. Instead, a complex interplay likely shapes the development of derived calls and the preservation of homologous calls across the genus.
Heart Transplantation in Mustard Patients Bridged With Continuous Flow Systemic Ventricular Assist Device - A Case Report and Review of Literature

Thirty four-year-old male with history of D-transposition of the great arteries (D-TGA) who underwent Mustard operation at 14 months of age presented in cardiogenic shock secondary to severe systemic right ventricular failure. Catheterization revealed significantly increased pulmonary pressures. Due to the patient's inotrope dependence and prohibitive pulmonary hypertension, he underwent implantation of a Heart Ware HVAD® for systemic RV support. Within 4 months of continuous flow ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation complete normalization of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was achieved. He ultimately underwent orthotopic heart transplantation with favorable outcomes. This is the second report of complete normalization of PVR following VAD implantation into a systemic RV in <4 months. We conducted a thorough literature review to identify Mustard patients that received systemic RV VAD as a bridge to a successful heart transplantation. In this article, we summarize the outcomes and focus on pulmonary hypertension reversibility following VAD implant.
Interim methadone – Effective but underutilized: A scoping review

Abstract Background Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) may provide interim methadone services – up to 120 days of methadone dosing without counseling. Regulatory requirements limit use of interim methadone services. We summarized the evidence on interim methadone and other strategies to minimize wait lists in OTPs. Methods A scoping review selected studies of interim methadone and strategies that facilitated access to methadone. Randomized trials and controlled observational studies were prioritized; if evidence was lacking, lesser quality evidence was included. Results Six studies examined interim methadone and three studies examined alternatives: low threshold services, an open access policy, and a medication first policy. The studies included four randomized clinical trials of interim methadone (with three follow-up reports and five secondary analyses), one prospective cohort of interim methadone, one retrospective cohort of interim methadone, one randomized trial of low threshold services and two pre-post assessments of changes in program or state policies. The clinical trials and observational cohorts reported reductions in heroin use during interim methadone and participants were more likely to enter OTPs than those on wait lists. Retention rates in interim methadone were similar to patients in active treatment. Studies testing strategies to facilitate access to methadone were effective without interim methadone’s restrictions. Conclusion Interim methadone appears to be effective and safe compared to wait list controls and provided similar outcomes to standard services. Interim methadone could increase access to OTPs. More research is needed on the alternative approaches to facilitate access to medication with comparisons to wait list controls and assessment of patient outcomes.
Prediction and assessment of flammability hazards associated with metered-dose inhalers containing flammable propellants.

Several potential replacements for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) are flammable. The flammability hazard associated with their use was assessed using a range of MDIs containing 0–100% (w/w) n-butane (flammable) in HFC-134a (nonflammable) fitted with either 25-, 63-, or 100-µl metering valves or continuous valves. In flame projection tests each MDI was fired horizontally into a flame, and the ignited flume length emitted from the MDI was measured. Flame projections of ≥60 cm were produced by all formulations fitted with continuous valves which contained ≥40% (w/w) n-butane in HFC-134a. Using metering valves the maximum flame projection obtained was 30 cm. This was observed with a formulation containing 90% (w/w) n-butane in HFC-134a and a 100-µl valve. For a particular formulation, smaller metering valves produced shorter flame projections. Because many MDIs are used in conjunction with extension devices, the likelihood of accidental propellant vapor ignition was determined in Nebuhaler and Inspirease reservoirs and a Breathancer spacer. Ignition was predictable based on propellant composition, metered volume, number of actuations, and spacer capacity. Calculated n-butane concentrations in excess of the lower flammability limit [LFL; 1.9% (v/v)] but below the upper flammability limit [UFL; 8.5% (v/v)] were usually predictive of flammability following ignition by a glowing nichrome wire mounted inside the extension device. No ignition was predicted or observed following one or two 25-µl actuations of 100% n-butane into large volume Nebuhaler (750 ml) or Inspirease (660 ml) devices. Additionally, several other formulations containing lower proportions of n-butane also remained nonflammable, due to failure to reach the LFL. In the small-volume Breathancer spacer (140 ml), nonflammability was usually due to n-butane exceeding its UFL. In this situation further dilution during respiration could result in a flammable mixture. Using a carefully selected propellant blend, metering volume, and spacer design, environmentally acceptable flammable propellants may have considerable utility in MDIs reformulated without CFCs.
W.G. Sebald and the Tasks of Ethical and Moral Remembrance

At the same time, I also hope to contribute to an emerging literature in our field that addresses questions of historical consciousness, remembrance, and education. In two recent PES essays, for example, Mario Di Paolantonio and Ann Chinnery elucidate important perspectives on education and remembrance. Chinnery questions the power of personal testimony to move today’s students to establish a morally responsible relation with the past, especially when that past is marked by social injustices. She asks about the efficacy of testimonial writing and witnessing in an image-saturated, confessional zeitgeist in which people seemingly pour out their souls on television, radio, the Internet, and in print. Chinnery argues that hard-hitting historical facts can often be more effective in dislodging students from comfortable moral stasis. If presented well and at timely moments, facts can render students receptive to the voice of historical testimony and position them to feel the difference between serious-minded, reflective testimony as contrasted with the shallowness of so much that bombards persons today. A school curriculum that artfully fuses fact and testimony, Chinnery suggests, stands the best chance of helping young people cultivate an historical consciousness saturated with a sense of shared moral responsibility.
Economics and Culture

We survey recent research on the economic effects of culture. We discuss definition and measures of culture used in research. We highlight the strong inertia of culture, document its effects on institutional change, and discuss other economic effects of culture, such as on innovation and growth. Keywords: culture; individualism; collectivism; innovation; growth; institutions
Globalising the Class Size Debate: Myths and Realities: (doi: 10.14425/00.50.26)

Public opinion reflects a 'common sense' view that smaller classes improve student academic performance. This review reveals that the 'class size' effect of increased academic performance, although significant for disadvantaged students and students in the very early years of schooling, does not necessarily transfer to other student groups. Moreover, the literature indicates there are other more cost-effective variables that enhance student learning outcomes such as those associated with teacher quality. Internationally, large-scale interventions concluded that systematic class size reductions were more resource intensive requiring more personnel, training and infrastructure. From the large quantitative studies of the 1980s to the more qualitatively focused research in the last decade, there is a now an understanding that class size reductions function to provide opportunities for more student-focused pedagogies and that these pedagogies may be the real reason for improved student academic performance. Consequently, the impact of class size reductions on student performance can only be meaningfully assessed in conjunction with other factors, such as pedagogy.
Rodent kinin-forming enzyme systems—I: Purification and characterization of plasma kininogen

Low molecular weight (LMW) kininogen was purified 70-fold with a 16% yield from fresh rat plasma by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography, ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, SP-Sephadex chromatography, CM-cellulose chromatography, and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. Ferguson plots of polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic patterns revealed four bands with relative molecular weights of 64,000, 123,500, 252,436 and 357,900 (ratio of 1:2:4:6). Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis provided a single protein band with a molecular weight of 72,000, suggesting that the four kininogen bands had been caused by the aggregation of a single oligomeric protein. The purified LMW rat kininogen Fraction B (3.9 micrograms bradykinin/mg) was used to elicit an antiserum in the rabbit. Monospecificity of the antiserum was demonstrated by immunoelectrophoresis (Laurell rocket and Grabar methods) and, thus, the homogeneity of the kininogen was also. The purified kininogen (both Fractions A and B) formed kinin with human urinary kallikrein, rat urinary kallikrein and hog pancreatic kallikrein. Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma acid protease also formed kinin when incubated with the kininogen at pH 3.0. The isoelectric point for both fractions was at pH 4.3. Amino acid analyses showed the two kininogen fractions to be rich in acidic amino acids and to have a total carbohydrate content of 8.5% consisting of galactose (1.2 to 1.5%), mannose (1.9 to 2.1%), N-acetylglucosamine (4.3 to 5.1%), N-acetylgalactosamine (0.3%), and sialic acid (0.68%).
Special Relativity as an Open Question

There seems to me to be a way of reading some of the trouble we have lately been having with the quantum-mechanical measurement problem (not the standard way, mind you, and certainly not the only way; but a way that nonethe-less be worth exploring) that suggests that there are fairly prosaic physical circumstances under which it might not be entirely beside the point to look around for observable violations of the special theory of relativity. The suggestion I have in mind is connected with attempts over the past several years to write down a relativistic field-theoretic version of the dynamical reduction theory of Ghirardi, Rimini, and Weber [Physical Review D34, 470-491 (1986)], or rather it is connected with the persistent failure of those attempts, it is connected with the most obvious strategy for giving those attempts up. And that (in the end) is what this paper is going to be about.
Stability of estimators for linear systems

The stability of distributed estimators in the limit as time goes to infinity is examined. A counterexample is given to show that standard stability requirements on the global system and the local filters are not sufficient to guarantee that covariance of the error between the actual state and the estimate remains finite in the limit. Sufficient conditions for uniformly bounded error covariance are presented, and in a special case, necessary and sufficient conditions are given. >
Private web search

Web search is currently a source of growing concern about personal privacy. It is an essential and central part of most users' activity online and therefore one through which a significant amount of personal information may be revealed.To help users protect their privacy, we have designed and implemented Private WebSearch (PWS), a usable client-side tool that minimizes the information that users reveal to a search engine. Our tool protects users against attacks that involve active components and timing information, to which more general Web-browsing privacy tools (including the combination of FoxTor and Privoxy) are vulnerable. PWS is a Firefox plugin that functions as an HTTP proxy and as a client for the Tor anonymity network. It configures Firefox so that search queries executed from the PWS search box are routed through the HTTP proxy and Tor client, filtering potentially sensitive or identifying components of the request and response.
An integrated approach to quality assurance of expert system knowledge bases

As a result of a large-scale invasion of expert sys-tems (ES) in almost all areas of human life, a ma-jor problem related to their quality and reliability wasidentified. This paper presents a possible solution tothis problem which consists of extending the function-ality of expert systems with a built-in quality assur-ance facility to allow the ES developer constantly tokeep track of the most important structural and func-tional characteristics of the model.
Effects of DL-3-(5-benzimidazolyl)-2methylalanine on brain and heart catecholamines—I. Depleting effects

Abstract The intraperitoneal administration of DL -3-(5-benzimidazolyl)-2-methylalanine (MBA) causes a marked decline in rat brain and heart catecholamines. The release of tritiated norepinephrine from the rat heart by MBA indicates a release component in the action of the compound. The releasing potency of decarboxylated MBA and the inability of MBA to lower heart norepinephrine in the presence of a decarboxylase inhibitor implicate a decarboxylation product of the amino acid as responsible for the release of norepinephrine by MBA. When MBA and then a monoamine oxidase inhibitor are administered to reserpinized rats, the level of brain amines remains constant, indicating inhibition of norepinephrine synthesis in vivo . The activity of tissue tyrosine hydroxylase in MBA-treated rats confirms this inhibition.
The effectiveness of a joint labor-management program in controlling awkward postures of the trunk, neck, and shoulders: Results of a field study

Awkward working posture at the trunk, neck and shoulders may be caused by a number of factors, including: workstation layout, visual demands of the job, design of equipment and tools, and work methods. Because awkward posture is a recognized risk factor for the development of fatigue, discomfort, and/or disability, the elimination or reduction of awkward work posture is a major objective of many workplace ergonomic programs. A longitudinal study was undertaken in a large automotive corporation to evaluate the effectiveness of a participative union-management program in reducing work-related musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, including those caused by awkward postures. Following a one-week training program, plant personnel used checklists to evaluate posture on 335 jobs in selected departments at four participating plants. The results of these evaluations were used to develop an intervention program in each plant for controlling awkward postures. To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention programs, a subset of 151 jobs was tracked by an independent team of university-based ergonomists who performed comprehensive posture analyses at six-month intervals. The independent evaluation found that the labor-management teams were generally effective in reducing awkward postures at the trunk and shoulders. There were significant decreases in the time spent in awkward trunk and shoulder postures as a result of interventions that were implemented during the study. However, the teams were not effective in controlling neck postures as the frequency of awkward neck postures actually increased over the course of the study. Most of the successful intervention projects involved modifications to workstation layout in order to reduce or eliminate low, far, or overhead reaches associated with awkward trunk and shoulder postures. Interventions that required changes in product design or major changes in manufacturing processes were generally not observed during the monitoring period. Relevance to industry Awkward working postures can lead to discomfort or injury. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a joint, plant-level labor-management program in controlling worker exposures to awkward postures.
Territorial Threat, Mobilization, and Political Participation in Africa

The link between territorial issues and incidents of militarized conflict is one of the most consistent patterns found in the empirical study of international relations. Consequently, disputes over territory are generally perceived to be more salient to state decision-makers than other types of issues. Given this relative issue salience, state elites are thought to be more likely to engage in domestic mobilization efforts when territory is externally threatened. The political participation literature observes wide cross-national differences in participatory behavior and contends that the level and timing of participation is partially a function of elite-led strategic mobilization. I propose that these phenomena are connected and that territorial threats are associated with overall patterns in non-voting political participation across countries. I assess this relationship with cross-national, multilevel models using 27 Afrobarometer surveys collected in 16 different countries from 1999 to 2003. As expected...
Clinical characteristics of sudden death victims in heritable (chromosome 1p1-1q1) conduction and myocardial disease

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics of family members at risk of sudden death. Background. The significance of sudden death in heritable cardiac disorders with delayed expression is incompletely understood. Additional insights come from a four-decade experience of seven generations of a family of German origin with autosomal dominant (chromosome 1p1-1q1) cardiac conduction and myocardial disease. Methods and Results. A total of 38 family members (20 males; 18 females) were identified with sudden death. Twenty-eight family members (mean age 48 ± 8 years) from earlier generations had no pacemaker at the time of sudden death. In this group, 15 subjects were asymptomatic prior to sudden death. Ten family members with sudden death, from later generations, had chronically implanted pacemakers for high grade atrioventricular block. This group was older (mean age 57 ± 2 years), with decreased functional status (New York Heart Association class II to IV), enlarged left atria, dilated left ventricles with reduced systolic function and documented ventricular fibrillation in three members. Twenty-eight family members with sudden death were descendants of sib lineages 2 or 6; 21 family members with sudden death were offspring of a parent who also suffered sudden death. Conclusion. Sudden death is an important late outcome in heritable (chromosome 1p1-1q1) cardiac conduction and myocardial disease. Pacemaker therapy is important for the treatment of symptomatic bradycardia, but it does not prevent sudden death. Family members who are beyond the third decade of life with reduced functional capacity, left ventricular dysfunction, pacemakers and who are the offspring of a parent with sudden death appear to be at greatest risk.
Nonviral gene transfer as a tool for studying transcription regulation of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes

Numerous xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes are regulated by nuclear receptors at transcriptional level. The challenge we currently face is to understand how a given nuclear receptor interacts with its xenobiotics, migrates into nucleus, binds to the xenobiotic response element of a target gene, and regulates transcription. Toward this end, new methods have been developed to introduce the nuclear receptor gene into appropriate cells and study its activity in activating reporter gene expression under the control of a promoter containing xenobiotic response elements. The goal of this review is to critically examine the gene transfer methods currently available. We concentrate on the gene transfer mechanism, advantages and limitations of each method when employed for nuclear receptor-mediated gene regulation studies. It is our hope that the information provided highlights the importance of gene transfer in studying the mechanisms by which our body eliminates the potentially harmful substances and maintains the homeostasis.
Charge-injection-device 2×64 element infrared array performance

Three 2 x 64 element Si:Bi accumulation-mode charge-injection-device (CID) arrays were tested at low and moderate background to evaluate their usefulness for space-based astronomical observations. Testing was conducted both in the laboratory and in ground-based telescope IR observations. The devices showed an average readout noise level below 200 equivalent electrons, a peak responsivity of 4 A/W, and a noise equivalent power of 3 x 10 to the -17th W/sq rt Hz. This sensitivity compares well with that of nonintegrating discrete extrinsic silicon photoconductors. The array well capacity was significantly smaller than predicted. The measured sensitivity makes extrinsic silicon CID arrays useful for certain astronomical applications. However, their readout efficiency and frequency response represent serious limitations in low-background applications.
Binding of inorganic polyphosphate to the cell wall ofNeurospora crassa

Abstract Incubation of mycelium of Neurospora crassa with inorganic polyphosphate brought about adsorption of the polyphosphate to receptor substances on the surface of the hyphae. The binding sites appear to be identical with those previously found to bind intracellular polyphosphate in cell-fractionation studies. Binding of polyphosphate to isolated cell walls led to the formation of two complexes. In an acid environment, an acid-dissociable complex was formed due to interaction of the polyphosphate with protein components of the cell wall. A second complex, stable to cold acid, which formed even in neutral solution, resulted from interaction of the polyphosphate with free amino groups of a polysaccharide. The latter was isolated and shown to be a polymer of galactosamine.
Conquering Duppies in Kingston: Miss Tiny and Me, Fieldwork Conflicts, and Being Loved and Rescued

This is an account of my relationship with Miss Tiny, an informal commercial importer, with whom I worked during my dissertation research project in Jamaica. Our interactions, always fraught with conflict, illustrate the nuances of personal and social negotiations that frame the data-gathering process in the field. This narrative explores the contradictions that arise when using analytical tools and methods that fail to consider the intersections of race/color, class, and gender of the ethnographer and her subjects. This article also is a commentary on the dynamics of working with people like Miss Tiny who have been overstudied.
Impurity pinning in one, two, and three dimensions in incommensurate modulated lattices

Applying methods used by Economou and Cohen in the study of Anderson localization in impure lattices to the study of the impure discrete sine-Gordon chain, we have extended to two and three dimensions the results of Fukuyama and Lee on impurity pinning in one-dimensional lattices containing charge-density waves. Our results are also applicable to other systems with two incommensurate periods such as mercury chain compounds, superionic conductors, lubricating thin films, etc.
LEPTOMENINGEAL AND ADVENTITIAL GLIOSIS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

Leptomeningeal and adventitial gliosis as a consequence of chronic inflammation Astroglial cell bodies and processes identified ultrastructurally and immunocytochemically are described within the subarachnoid and Virchow-Robin spaces of white matter throughout the CNS of Strain 13 guinea-pigs with chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. These heterotopic astroglial elements, invariably in close proximity to subpial chronically-demyelinated lesions, were derived from subpial astrocytes and extended for great distances perpendicular and circumferential to the underlying white matter. Subpial astrocytes overlying adjacent grey matter regions appeared unaffected. This phenomenon is probably a subpial astrocyte response to inflammation and demyelination and may be related to the protection of damaged white matter against subsequent inflammatory events.
Heme formation from Fe(II) and porphyrin in the absence of ferrochelatase activity

Abstract Characteristics of the reaction of iron with porphyrin have been studied in aqueous solution in the absence of cellular material according to an established set of conditions used for the assay of cell preparations for ferrochelatase activity. Chelation of iron by porphyrin occurred only with Fe(II) and under anaerobic conditions. The reaction was activated by GSH when Fe(III) was added to the reaction mixture and inhibited by GSH when iron was present in its divalent state. The rate of heme formation was dependent on the nature of the porphyrin side-chains and completely inhibited by esterification of the carboxylic acid side-chains. pH optima of 8.25 and 9.5 were demonstrated for hemato- and mesoheme formation, respectively. The reaction was strongly inhibited by the detergent Tween 80 at concentrations as low as 0.05%. In addition, the results indicated that the heme formed with the dicarboxylic acid porphyrins was equivalent to or greater than that reported for the reaction in the presence of ferrochelatase preparations. A comparison of these results with reported properties of the reaction catalyzed by cell-free preparations is made and criteria suggested for the future assignment of enzyme activity to cell extracts.
The Effects of Antihypertensive Agents on Serum Lipids

ABSTRACT: Because various antihypertensive drugs adversely affect lipid metabolism, these drugs may increase associated risks for coronary artery disease and thus offset some of the beneficial effects of blood pressure reduction. In this paper the current literature regarding the effects of antihypertensive agents on serum lipids is reviewed. Differing effects of various classes of antihypertensives are assessed to further our understanding of this very important subject.
Effects of ground EMS and ED personnel on air medical trauma on-site times.

Introduction: On-site times for helicopter EMS (HEMS) providers are hypothesized to increase when procedures indicated by national standards of care and local HEMS are not consistently completed by ground EMS (GEMS) or ED providers before HEMS arrival in trauma cases. Methods: In this prospective study, we divided all trauma missions (120) flown by a university-based HEMS during a 3-month period into interfacility missions (between hospitals, ground providers are ED personnel) and scene missions (between scenes and hospitals, ground providers are GEMS). HEMS completed forms identifying which procedures were completed and omitted by GEMS or ED providers. We collected relevant times from county dispatchers and HEMS flight control. Results: Ground providers frequently did not complete indicated basic and advanced procedures. A relationship existed between scene GEMS omissions and HEMS on-site times. If no procedures were omitted, average HEMS time on-site was 13 minutes, increasing to 17 minutes for one procedure omitted and 20 minutes for two or more. No relationship was found on interfacility missions between ED provider omissions and HEMS on-site times. However, any existing effect may have been eclipsed by external factors significantly extending HEMS on-site times (mean 43 minutes). An average of 93 minutes elapsed between the request for HEMS transport and patient arrival at the transferring hospital. Conclusion: GEMS frequently omit indicated procedures. For scene missions, reducing the number of indicated procedures omitted by scene GEMS providers could reduce on-site HEMS times. For interfacility missions, further study is indicated to determine what occurs before HEMS is contacted and while HEMS is on-site.
InSAR measurements of surface deformation over permafrost on the North Slope of Alaska

[1] Ground-based measurements of active layer thickness provide useful data for validating/calibrating remote sensing and modeling results. However, these in situ measurements are usually site-specific with limited spatial coverage. Here we apply interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) to measure surface deformation over permafrost on the North Slope of Alaska during the 1992–2000 thawing seasons. We find significantly systematic differences in surface deformation between floodplain areas and the tundra-covered areas away from the rivers. Using floodplain areas as the reference for InSAR's relative deformation measurements, we find seasonally varying vertical displacements of 1–4 cm with subsidence occurring during the thawing season and a secular subsidence of 1–4 cm/decade. We hypothesize that the seasonal subsidence is caused by thaw settlement of the active layer and that the secular subsidence is probably due to thawing of ice-rich permafrost near the permafrost table. These mechanisms could explain why in situ measurements on Alaskan North Slope reveal negligible trends in active layer thickness during the 1990s, despite the fact that atmospheric and permafrost temperatures in this region increased during that time. This study demonstrates that surface deformation measurements from InSAR are complementary to more traditional in situ measurements of active layer thickness, and can provide new insights into the dynamics of permafrost systems and changes in permafrost conditions.
Analysis of Hawaiian diurnal rainfall patterns

We analyzed hourly precipitation data over the period 1965–1998 for 133 stations located throughout the Hawaiian Islands and found distinctive diurnal cycles in the amount and frequency of the rainfall. The diurnal signals were generally strongest on the island of Hawaii and more pronounced in the summer than in the winter. Windward sides of the islands generally showed the time of maximum for frequency or amount to be before sunrise while the leeward sides generally revealed the primary maximum in the afternoon. We conducted the analyses for El Nino years and La Nina years and found the diurnal patterns in rainfall to be unaffected by this Pacific-area oscillation. The results are consistent with others who have argued, based on work on the island of Hawaii, that anabatic and katabatic wind flows are responsible for the observed diurnal rainfall patterns. A semi-diurnal cycle with two maxima and two minima appears to be important in the summer season in the leeward locations. Our results show that processes and patterns described for the island of Hawaii are found throughout the larger islands of the Hawaii chain.
Mutagenic topography of theE. Coli chromosome

The lactose fermenting genes inE.coli have been transposed to various chromosomal locations. The bacterial strains were mutagenized with different chemical mutagens and the frequency of Lac negative mutant colonies was measured as a function of lactose gene location in the chromosome. There appears to be a highly mutable location between 58–60 minutes on theE.coli map. This region does not appear to be correlated with the origin of DNA replication or with the terminus. The possible significance of this mutable region in the evolution of new bacterial genes is discussed.
Categories of Participants Based on Their Expectations of Instructor-Led Training

SUMMARY Trainees' expectations of training are important considerations in the development of training programs, yet a lack of research exists to understand the expectations of trainees as they relate to various training delivery methods. To investigate the underlying dimensions or factors that determine trainees' expectations in instructor-led training sessions, 164 surveys were collected from attendees at six different hospitality industry instructor-led training sessions. Utilizing a factor analytic procedure, the following five dimensions of trainees' expectations were identified: courtesy, entertainment, climate, tangibles, and relevance. These expectations of training dimensions were then used to cluster analyze trainees into three groups: “the good-timers,” “the high hopes,” and “the serious students.”