cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychiatric Emergency Services - Can Duty-Hour Changes Help Residents and Patients?

Limitations on resident duty hours have been widely introduced with the intention of decreasing resident fatigue and improving patient outcomes. While there is evidence of improvement in resident well-being and education following such initiatives, they have inadvertently resulted in increased number of hand-offs between clinicians leading to potential errors in patient care. Current literature emphasizes need for more specialty/setting-specific scheduling, while considering residents’ opinions when implementing duty-hour reforms. There are no reports examining the impact of duty-hour changes on residents or patients in psychiatric emergency service (PES) settings. Our purpose was to assess the impact of a recent scheduling change and decrease in overall duty hours, on resident well-being and sense of burnout, while also evaluating changes to patient wait-time and length of stay (LOS) in PES. Residents completed Maslach Burnout Inventory and anonymous surveys focusing on: fatigue, sleep, life outside work for shifts - regular (8 am-8 pm) and swing shifts (12 pm–10 pm). Data from the electronic medical records were collected for 6 months pre- and post-schedule change (January 2016–February 2017), for LOS and patient wait-time. Residents’ preference for shifts was split. However, 86% reported getting enough sleep during swing shifts, while 83% reported lack of sleep during regular shifts. The average patient wait-time and LOS significantly decreased from 169 to 147 and 690 to 515 min, respectively. The change to swing shifts significantly impacts LOS and patient wait-time. The short shifts demonstrated an improvement in well-being for residents, but were not the singular factor for overall resident satisfaction.
Radio Culture in Cold War Hong Kong

Studies of Cold War broadcasting tend to focus on radio as a predominant medium of propaganda. This essay turns the attention to radio’s role in shaping new cultural identities across ethnic and so...
Felling and skidding costs associated with thinning a commercial Appalachian hardwood stand in northern West Virginia

Detailed cost information on thinning operations is needed to develop economic guidelines for managing immature central Appalachian hardwood stands. Three thinning treatments were applied in a 50-yr-old mixed-oak, cove hardwood stand in northern West Virginia. A commercial logging contractor using chain saws and a rubber-tired skidder conducted the logging operations. Time-study data were used to compute production rates for felling marked trees and skidding tree-length logs to roadside landings for each thinning treatment.
Two-year-olds’ executive functioning: The influence of task-specific vocabulary knowledge

Although many executive function (EF) tasks require only nonverbal responses, the language used by experimenters to explain the task may be important for young children's EF task performance. This study investigated how the vocabulary used in explaining an EF task affects 2-year-olds' performance. Experiment 1 used the standard instructions for the Reverse Categorization Task, in which children are asked to sort different-sized blocks into different-sized buckets according to one rule and then switch to a new rule. In Experiment 2, the task remained the same, but different instructions requiring less knowledge of size words were used. Children's productive vocabulary was assessed in both experiments but was only correlated with task performance in Experiment 1. These results suggest that task-specific vocabulary knowledge may play a role in children's performance on tasks designed to measure nonverbal cognitive ability.
Predicting thermal performance of a mass concrete foundation – A field monitoring case study

Abstract High-temperature differentials in a mass concrete structure pose great risks of temperature-induced stresses and cracking. Prior knowledge of temperature development within such a structure is essential. In this context, this paper presents a case study in which the construction of a mass concrete bridge foundation in Iowa, USA was investigated and a computer program, ConcreteWorks (CW), was used to predict its overall thermal performance with an aim to prevent thermal cracking. The properties of mass concrete mixes, required as CW inputs, were measured through isothermal and semi-adiabatic calorimetry tests. The temperature development profile, temperature differential, maturity, and compressive strength of the mixes were predicted and compared with those measured through the real-time monitoring of the bridge foundation. It was observed that CW predictions match well with their corresponding measured values. Three locations, core, top, and the face nearest to the core of the foundation, were found to be critical points for high temperature differentials. A sensitivity analysis, analyzing the effects of various mass concrete parameters, is also presented. The results provided clear insights into the temperature development of concrete with complex material compositions and environmental conditions. CW is a useful tool in developing thermal control plan for mass concrete projects.
Novel Non-Negative Variance Estimator for (Modified) Within-Cluster Resampling

This article proposes a novel variance estimator for within-cluster resampling (WCR) and modified within-cluster resampling (MWCR) - two existing methods for analyzing longitudinal data. WCR is a simple but computationally intensive method, in which a single observation is randomly sampled from each cluster to form a new dataset. This process is repeated numerous times, and in each resampled dataset (or outputation), we calculate beta using a generalized linear model. The final resulting estimator is an average across estimates from all outputations. MWCR is an extension of WCR that can account for the within-cluster correlation of the dataset; consequently, there are two noteworthy differences: 1) in MWCR, each resampled dataset is formed by randomly sampling multiple observations without replacement from each cluster and 2) generalized estimating equations (GEEs) are used to estimate the parameter of interest. While WCR and MWCR are relatively simple to implement, a key challenge is that the proposed moment-based estimator is often times negative in practice. Our modified variance estimator is not only strictly positive, but simulations show that it preserves the type I error and allows statistical power gains associated with MWCR to be realized.
The impact of a transportation intervention on electoral politics: Evidence from E-ZPass

Abstract How do transportation policies impact electoral politics? Empirically, the question is difficult to answer because policies that create new transit opportunities may involve a large number of community effects. In this manuscript, we focus on a unique kind of transportation intervention—the replacement of human-operated with electronic tolls on highways—which economic theory predicts should have a concentrated effect on local property values. We find that the shift in local property values following a government program to introduce electronic tolling is correlated with a subsequent change in support for conservative candidates in presidential elections. Geographically-linked exit polling data suggests that concern over taxation is the primary observable mechanisms. To show robustness, we use various measures, one of which is computed at the individual level. We also present placebo analyses to address worries that the correlations are driven by community change, turnout, or rising incomes. Remaining limitations are also considered.
An odontoid fracture and vertebral artery injury in fast‐track

While CT scans without IV contrast are obtained commonly to evaluate vertebral injuries, CT angiography scans should be considered whenever a fracture site approaches known vasculature.
The impact of midlife on migraine in women: summary of current views

Migraine is three times more common in women than in men and is the 4th leading cause of disability in women. Onset of migraine increases at menarche, with peaks in prevalence in the late 30s, and a rapid decline after menopause. While the prevalence is highest among women of childbearing age the frequency of headache and burden of migraine frequently worsens during midlife. Abundant population data suggest that hormonal factors may trigger headache attacks and influence onset and remission. The midlife worsening of migraine is attributed to hormonal fluctuations characteristic of the menopausal transition. Drops in estrogen presumably lead to increased migraine attacks at the time of menses as well as during the menopausal transition. During the menopausal transition, recommended approaches include both acute and preventive non-hormonal and hormonal options as well as behavioral approaches. Herein, is a brief review on the presentation of migraine in women across the lifespan, with special emphasis on midlife and the menopausal transition and implications for treatment.
Evaluating the Impact of In-Home Behavioral Health Services on Housing First Residents’ Emergency Room and Inpatient Utilization

: Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness are highly marginalized and frequently access acute healthcare services. This program evaluation used secondary data collected from adults experiencing chronic homelessness (n=133) who participated in a Housing First program offering in-home behavioral health services within a large Midwestern city. Participant demographics (e.g., gender, race, age) and data on health factors (e.g., substance misuse and mental health symptoms, and ER visits and inpatient hospitalizations) were collected at program enrollment and at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. High proportions of missing data led the evaluators to exclude 12-month follow-up and in-home behavioral health data from the analyses. Neither inpatient nights nor ER visits changed significantly between enrollment and 6-months. Males were disproportionately hospitalized throughout the study, suggesting a need for gender-targeted services. Higher rates of hospitalization among African Americans at enrollment subsided by follow-up. Future evaluation should examine if in-home behavioral health services reduced racial health disparities. Acute care use was low overall, likely because of the stabilizing impact of housing. Data limitations suggest a need for more robust study designs to identify causal factors and to enrich our understanding of the role of behavioral health intervention within the Housing First paradigm. Results underscore the importance of using empirically-supported assessment tools to evaluate consumers' individualized needs and responsively allocate supportive services.
Laboratory diagnosis of liver disease

Abstract The liver performs a number of functions that may be broadly classified as synthetic, excretory, or metabolic in nature. Measurement of albumin, bilirubin, and ammonia can be used to evaluate the synthetic, excretory, and metabolic functions of the organ, respectively. However, due to the extensive reserve capacity of the liver, laboratory tests that directly assess hepatic function are largely insensitive in the identification of liver damage. Further, abnormal values may be observed in extra-hepatic disease states. Therefore, markers of hepatocyte or canalicular injury are more reflective of hepatitis or liver damage. The clinical specificity of liver injury markers is dependent on sites of expression, protein half-lives, and subcellular localization. Liver injury markers are helpful both in the recognition and the differential diagnosis of hepatic pathologies, including viral, alcoholic, and toxic hepatitis, as well as biliary tract obstruction and acute liver failure. This chapter discusses hepatic physiology, as well as laboratory methodologies used for the assessment of liver function and injury, and typical laboratory patterns observed in the background of acute and chronic organ injury.
Early Hatch and Managed Native Grasslands Minorly Improve Bobwhite Juvenile Body Condition

Precocial young leave their nest immediately after hatch to move and forage as a group during a rapid period of development. Growth and body condition are correlated with survival; young are better able to thermoregulate as they become larger, and they are better able to escape predators as they become more mobile. Environmental conditions can influence development and ultimately survival. We evaluated weather, cover type, and temporal factors affecting northern bobwhite juvenile body condition. We captured 216 individuals from 33 broods >16 d old on five conservation areas in southwest Missouri in 2017 and 2018. Brood hatch dates ranged from 26 May through 19 September. Body condition was measured as the residuals from a linear regression of juvenile tarsus length and body mass on capture. We found some support for improved body condition earlier in the breeding season and in native grasslands that were burned and grazed within the previous 2 y. However, models representing these effects had similar support to the null model (i.e., ΔWAIC<2), indicating weak support. Limited support for these effects may have been due to limited data or the influence of other environmental factors not considered in our competing model set. Our top model supported negative effects of later hatching date and agricultural crop cover on juvenile body condition. The early breeding season is an important period for successful bobwhite productivity, and native grasslands managed with rotational fire and grazing may create higher quality brood rearing habitat for improved juvenile body condition.
Error analysis of upper tropospheric water vapor in CMIP5 models using “A-Train” satellite observations and reanalysis data

Upper tropospheric water vapor (UTWV) plays a critical role in amplifying global warming caused by increasing greenhouse gases, yet it is one of the most poorly simulated quantities in climate models. It is not clear what physical processes play a central role in controlling the model errors in UTWV. We diagnose the UTWV simulation errors from AMIP models submitted to the CMIP5 project by using “A-Train” satellite observation and reanalysis data. We identify the relative contributions of errors in relative humidity (RH), temperature, and large-scale circulation (represented by vertical pressure velocity at 500 hPa, ω500) to the modeled UTWV errors over the tropics (30°N–30°S). It is found that models generally have positive biases in UTWV, except over the continental convective regions where negative biases predominate. The errors in the patterns and amplitudes of climatological UTWV are highly correlated with those in RH and ω500. The fractional UTWV errors show large positive errors over the large-scale descending regimes (0 300 K or ω500 < −30 hPa/day) and these errors are positive (negative) where anomalous descent (ascent) occurs during El Nino. We find that the water vapor errors are dominated by the errors in RH rather than in temperature throughout the troposphere, while temperature errors play an important role for water vapor errors near the tropopause.
Electrical brain stimulation reward: a model of drug reward and euphoria

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a model of drug reward and euphoria. Reward refers to the positive reinforcement contingency in which the probability that a response or responses will occur is increased by the appearance of a stimulus. In such instances, the initial response is followed by an appetitive stimulus that increases the likelihood of subsequent responses, producing and strengthening learning, or enhancing performance, or both. When the probability of responding is increased by the removal of an aversive stimulus, this is termed negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement also produces and strengthens learning and/or increases performance. Such terms as appetitive stimulus in reward and aversive stimulus in negative reinforcement refer to the basic, affective, and motivational qualities of these stimuli. Stimuli that an organism will seek and approach, such as sweet tastes or sexual stimulation, are referred to as appetitive. Stimuli that an organism will escape or avoid, such as painful stimuli or loud noises, are referred to as aversive. The chapter also describes the major brain stimulation reward methodologies and approaches to investigating drug effects on brain reward mechanisms and provides a critical review of selected techniques.
Adrenal Mild Hypercortisolism

Adrenal incidentalomas have become detected more often as the use of abdominal imaging has increased. Up to one-third of these may be secreting low levels of cortisol, known as mild hypercortisolism or subclinical Cushing syndrome. These low levels of cortisol have been found to be associated with an increased in the metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, cardiovascular events, and mortality. This article discusses in detail the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical associations, and treatment options of mild hypercortisolism.
A microstructural investigation of the nonlinear response of electrorheological suspensions. I: Start-up of steady shear flow

Particle-level simulations are employed to investigate the transition from linear to nonlinear rheological behavior for electrorheological suspensions under start-up of steady shear flow. This transition is found to first arise from the very slight rearrangement of structures, as opposed to the gross rupture of particulate columns. Linear stability analysis shows that these rearrangements occur when the structures are sheared into electrostatically unstable configurations. The rearrangements also produce a second type of relaxation phenomenon that appears at low frequencies and finite strain amplitudes. Incorporating more realistic force descriptions into the idealized simulation model shifts the transition to nonlinear deformation to smaller strain amplitudes, approaching experimentally observed values. The role of the rearrangement of unstable structures on the oscillatory shear flow response is investigated in the following paper, Part II.
The c-myb proto-oncogene: a novel target for human gene therapy.

Significant progress in the identification of genes, responsible for cellular transformation has been seen in recent years [1]. For example, rapidly transforming retro-viruses are known to carry specific genes likely to be responsible for induction of the malignant phenotype in the cells they infect [2–5]. These genes, termed viral-oncogenes (v-onc), are derived from highly conserved, normal cellular genes which were almost certainly incorporated into the viral genome during its transit through the host cell. These normal cellular genes, called protooncogenes (c-onc), are thought to be intimately involved in the processes of cell proliferation and differentiation [6–12]. Accordingly, it is not difficult to envision a scenario where c-onc amplification, mutation, translocation leading to structural alteration, or change in transcriptional regulation might either lead to, or be associated with, induction of a malignant phenotype in the cell where these changes occurred [13–15].
Ingestion of Giardia lamblia trophozoites by human mononuclear phagocytes.

Abstract Mononuclear phagocytes may be important effector cells against Giardia lamblia. Human monocyte-derived macrophages were incubated with G. lamblia trophozoites in 13% heat-inactivated autologous serum. At a G. lamblia/macrophage ratio of 1:1, the number of trophozoites ingested per 100 macrophages ranged from 1 to 12 at 0.5 h and increased for all donors (n = 6) to 10 to 92 at 8 h. Ingestion was confirmed by electron microscopy. Increasing the parasite/phagocyte ratio to 5:1 increased the percentage of macrophages with adherent but not ingested trophozoites. Incubating Giardia cells and macrophages with 20% immune serum increased ingestion of parasites eightfold, indicating that anti-G. lamblia antibody can enhance ingestion. Both phase-contrast microscopy and electron microscopy documented trophozoite destruction within macrophages. Ingestion of parasites elicited an oxidative burst as measured by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. In vitro, Giardia trophozoites were killed by greater than or equal to 5 X 10(-5) M H2O2. Fusion of lysosomes with parasite-containing phagosomes was suggested by acridine orange-stained preparations. Human macrophages have the capacity to ingest Giardia trophozoites and to kill intracellular parasites, possibly by oxidative microbicidal mechanisms.
MAPK phosphorylation-induced stabilization of ACS6 protein is mediated by the non-catalytic C-terminal domain, which also contains the cis-determinant for rapid degradation by the 26S proteasome pathway

Ethylene is an important hormone in plant growth, development and responses to environmental stimuli. The ethylene-signaling pathway is initiated by the induction of ethylene biosynthesis, which is under tight regulation at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels by exogenous and endogenous cues. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) is the rate-limiting enzyme that catalyzes the committing step of ethylene biosynthesis. Recently, we found that ACS2 and ACS6, two isoforms of the Arabidopsis ACS family, are substrates of a stress-responsive mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Phosphorylation of ACS2/ACS6 by MPK6 leads to the accumulation of ACS proteins and the induction of ethylene. In this report, we demonstrate that unphosphorylated ACS6 protein is rapidly degraded by the 26S proteasome pathway. The degradation machinery targets the C-terminal non-catalytic domain of ACS6, which is sufficient to confer instability to green fluorescent protein and luciferase reporters. Phosphorylation of ACS6 introduces negative charges to the C-terminus of ACS6, which reduces the turnover of ACS6 by the degradation machinery. Consistent with this, other nearby conserved negatively charged amino acid residues are essential for ACS6 stability regulation. Protein degradation and phosphorylation are two important post-translational modifications of proteins. This research reveals an intricate interplay between these two important processes in controlling the levels of cellular ACS activity, and thus ethylene biosynthesis. The post-translational nature of both processes ensures a rapid response of ethylene induction, which is detectable within minutes after plants are exposed to stress.
Two concepts of consciousness

This chapter explains two different definitions of mentality that comprise the core of the two pictures. It discusses non-Cartesian concept of mind and consciousness to construct a systematic and theoretically satisfying explanation of what it is for a mental state to be conscious — an explanation of what it is that distinguishes conscious from nonconscious mental states. The chapter explores how the definition of mentality central to each of the two pictures determines a distinct conception of consciousness and the Cartesian concept of consciousness makes any informative explanation of consciousness impossible. It argues that the non-Cartesian explanation can save the phenomenological appearances and explain the data of consciousness as well as the more familiar Cartesian picture. The chapter also argues that the standard considerations that favour the Cartesian view are baseless. It concludes with some observations about consciousness and our knowledge of the mental, and about the actual significance of the insights that underlie the Cartesian picture.
Equity In Private Insurance Coverage For Substance Abuse: A Perspective On Parity

Congress is considering enactment of comprehensive parity legislation. The intent of parity is to equalize private coverage of behavioral and general medical care, thereby improving efficiency and fairness in insurance markets. One issue is whether to extend parity to substance abuse (SA) benefits. In the past, inclusion of substance abuse has been a hurdle to passage of parity. We examine the politics of SA parity, compare coverage trends for substance abuse and mental health, and assess the rationale for equalizing benefits. We conclude that the justification for SA parity is as compelling as it is for mental health parity.
Equality and Quality in Education. A Comparative Study of 19 Countries

This contribution assesses the performance of national education systems along two important dimensions: The degree to which they help individuals develop capabilities necessary for their successful social integration (educational quality) and the degree to which they confer equal opportunities for social advancement (educational equality). It advances a new conceptualization to measure quality and equality in education and then uses it to study the relationship between institutional differentiation and these outcomes. It relies on data on final educational credentials and literacy among adults that circumvent some of the under-appreciated conceptual challenges entailed in the widespread analysis of international student assessment data. The analyses reveal a positive relationship between educational quality and equality and show that education systems with a lower degree of institutional differentiation not only provide more educational equality but are also marked by higher levels of educational quality. While the latter association is partly driven by other institutional and macro-structural factors, I demonstrate that the higher levels of educational equality in less differentiated education systems do not entail an often-assumed trade-off for lower quality.
Commissioning Tests Of The Bonneville Power Administration 30 MJ Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage Unit

A 30 MJ (8.4 kWh) Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) unit with a 10 MW converter has been installed and commissioned at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) substation in Tacoma, Washington. This is the first large-scale application in the US of superconductivity in an electric utility system. The unit, which is capable of absorbing and releasing up to 10 MJ of energy at a frequency of 0.35 Hz, was designed to damp the dominant power swing mode of the Pacific AC Intertie. This paper describes the electrical characteristics of the magnetic energy storage unit, its modes of operation, results of device tests, means for controlling real and reactive power, and some initial power system response tests. A short summary of the operating history of the unit over the first eleven months is also presented.
Enhanced responses to tyramine and angiotensin produced by 4,4′-biphenylene bis-[(2-oxoethylene)-bis-(2,2-diethoxyethyl) dimethylammonium bromide] (DMAE)☆

Abstract The contractile responses of the acutely denervated (g.f.n.m.) and decentralized (d.n.m.) nictitatingmembrane of the cat to angiotensin (0.2 – 0.4 μg/kg), tyramine (50 – 100 μg/kg) and norepinephrine (1 – 2 μg/kg) were measured before and after the administration of cumulative doses of DMAE (0.8 – 3.2 mg/kg, i.v.). The contractile responses of the g.f.n.m. and d.n.m. to each of the agonists did not differ. Twenty minutes after the administration of DMAE the contractile responses of both nictitating membranes to angiotensin, tyramine and norepinephrine were enhanced to the same extent. Nerve terminal blockade by bretylium and reserpine-induced catecholamine depletion antagonized the responses to angiotensin and tyramine and blocked DMAE-induced potentiation of the contractile responses to these agonists. Atropine reduced significantly the contractile responses of the g.f.n.m. and d.n.m. to angiotensin but did not affect either the response of the membrane to tyramine or DMAE-induced potentiation of the responses to angiotensin. These results suggest that DMAE acts to enhance, as well as cause, release of catecholamines from the adrenergic nerve terminal. The results also suggest that a portion of the contractile response of the d.n.m. and g.f.n.m. to angiotensin is mediated by stimulation of neuronal cholinergic muscarinic receptors which result in release of norepinephrine.
Books and Macromarketing

This article offers some perspectives on the state of marketing and macromarketing education. Academics with a recognized interest in macromarketing were asked to designate books that were particularly helpful in enhancing their interest and understanding of macromarketing. The results are summarized. The book with the most mentions was Wroe Alderson's Marketing Behavior and Executive Action.
Protein half-lives of calmodulin and the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase in rat brain.

We report the half-lives for two proteins involved in the regulation of intracellular calcium in the brain: the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase and its regulatory protein, calmodulin. [14C]-labeled leucine was injected into seven month old adult Fischer 344 rats and the time-dependent appearance and loss of radioactivity was monitored in both the serum and proteins from the brains of rats sacrificed from 4 hours to 13 days after injection. Experimental data obtained for calmodulin and the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase are best described by theoretical curves accounting for leucine reutilization that assume apparent half-lives of 18 (±2) hours and 12 (±1) days, respectively.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reveals Changes in Language Localization in Children With Benign Childhood Epilepsy With Centrotemporal Spikes

In children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes, centrotemporal spikes may cause language dysfunction via disruption of underlying functional neuroanatomy. Fifteen patients with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes and 15 healthy controls completed 3 functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) language paradigms; standardized cognitive and language assessments were also performed. For all paradigms, children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes showed specific regional differences in activation compared to controls. Children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes also differed from controls on neuropsychological testing. They did not differ in general intelligence, but children with benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes scored significantly lower than controls on tests of language, visuomotor integration, and processing speed. These results extend previous findings of lower language and cognitive skills in patient...
The sensory response to capsaicin during repeated topical exposures: differential effects on sensations of itching and pungency.

Changes in sensory irritation were measured during repeated topical exposures to capsaicin over 2 days. The perceived intensities of itching and pungent sensations, predominantly burning and stinging/pricking, were assessed every 60 sec during 5 applications of capsaicin at inter-stimulus intervals (ISI) of 90 min (Exp. 1) or 15 min (Exp. 2) and in follow-up tests 24 h later. Psychophysical measurements were obtained with a hand-held dynamometer in conjunction with the method of magnitude production. When the ISI was 90 min, itching and pungency were both significantly reduced (i.e., desensitization occurred) by the fifth exposure; however, the reduction occurred more rapidly and dramatically for itching. After 24 h, desensitization remained significant only for itching. When the ISI was 15 min, the sensations on day 1 first intensified in a manner consistent with sensitization, then declined in a manner consistent with desensitization; compared to pungency, itch exhibited less sensitization and more desensitization. On day 2, overall intensity was less for both categories of sensation, primarily because of a reduction in sensitization. Marked individual differences were observed in the overall sensitivity to capsaicin, the time course of sensation, the susceptibility to capsaicin-induced itch, and the rate and duration of sensitization and desensitization. The results are discussed in terms of current hypotheses about the sensory mechanisms that underlie chemically induced itch and the use of capsaicin as a topical analgesic and antipruritic.
Mesoscale Folding: A Physical Realization of an Abstract, 2D Lattice Model for Molecular Folding

Figure 1. (a) Analogy between our models and molecular amino acids. (b) Nomenclature of the system used. The hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces are indicated by thick and thin lines, respectively. The number of the edges is clockwise, with “1” being a face with a linker. (c) Sixteen possible patterns of hydrophilic and hydrophobic faces for hexagons of the type o-H.
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-1 Is Decreased and Activated Gelatinases Are Increased in Chronic Wounds

The balance between matrix deposition and tissue turnover is fundamental in wound healing. It is likely that the balance between proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors contributes to this balance. Matrix metalloproteinases are clearly important in tissue turnover, but their roles in wound healing are poorly understood, To investigate this, fluid from healing wounds resulting from mastectomies was collected from 1 h to 10 d post-surgery, and was analyzed for tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 concentrations. In all cases, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 levels were initially comparable to those in serum, but increased rapidly to significantly higher levels within two days, with a tenfold average increase for five patients. On the other hand, zymography revealed that gelatinase A (72 kDa) levels increased moderately, whereas gelatinase B levels (92 kDa) decreased an average of twofold within 4 d. In contrast, fluid from chronic wounds had significantly more gelatinolytic activity, including lower-molecular-weight proteinase species that may represent activated or superactivated gelatinase fragments, as suggested by immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 levels were lower in chronic than in healing wounds. These data may indicate that excess proteolysis in chronic wounds retards successful healing, and results from an Imbalance of proteinase and inhibitors, as well as the presence of higher levels of activated metalloproteinases.
Moving prevention research forward.

It is a privilege to assume one of the Associate Editor positions for The Journal of Primary Prevention under the leadership of Dr. Susan Tortolero. I look forward to furthering the journal’s mission to advance prevention research from a multidisciplinary perspective. The current issue represents this approach and includes a diverse collection of topics ranging from the role of peers in the development and prevention of adolescent risk behaviors to implementation, fidelity, and dissemination of effective programs. This compilation of articles represents JPP’s commitment to ‘‘cutting edge’’ issues related to prevention research. In the first article, Simons-Morton and Farhat provide a review of recent longitudinal research on social influence and adolescent smoking. Though researchers agree that peers strongly influence behavior, this review adds a unique perspective regarding the methods by which this influence occurs. Examples of methods include socialization and selection effects from peers and effects from parents in protecting youth against unhealthy peer influences. Burns and colleagues also discuss peer influence but in the context of bullying behavior. They conducted a qualitative study and discuss the mechanisms by which peer groups can positively curtail bullying behavior. They suggest that bullying youth can be influenced to stop their negative behavior by prosocial friends who do not approve of this behavior and that youth can be positively influenced to leave a peer group that does approve of bullying. In the studies led by both Simons-Morton and Burns, the authors provide important recommendations for how the positive aspects of peer influence (i.e., through friendships with peers who participate in prosocial and non-risky behaviors) can be incorporated into prevention efforts for changing social norms related to the prevention of adolescent risk behavior. In the next three articles, the focus shifts to a different topical area, that of implementation and dissemination of effective interventions. As prevention researchers continue to develop and disseminate effective interventions, it is critical to understand the factors that accelerate their uptake and influence their implementation. Shapiro and colleagues discuss the challenges and lessons learned in conducting widespread dissemination of the Triple P interventions, which are innovative parent-targeted strategies shown to reduce child maltreatment. Issues discussed include the time needed to coordinate large dissemination efforts and the need for methods to ensure program fidelity across sectors that provide a wide array of services. Many of these factors are applicable to the dissemination of other large-scale public health interventions. M. F. Peskin (&) Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA e-mail: melissa.f.peskin@uth.tmc.edu
The use of DSM-III in the United States: A case of not going by the book

Abstract During a five month period in 1983 to 1984, the authors surveyed a random sample of 1,000 U.S. psychiatrists and all the graduating psychiatric residents (fourth postgraduate year [PGY-IV]), requesting detailed reports of signs and symptoms they required to diagnose major depression, mania, or schizophrenia. Despite the fact that a sizable subgroup of the 658 respondents supported the use of DSM-III, none of them reported using all the inclusion and exclusion criteria required by DSM-III for a diagnosis of major depression or mania, and only one respondent reported using all of the DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for the development of diagnostic manuals.
Seniority and experience of college teachers as related to evaluations they receive from students

A review of relevant research shows that many studies have found the academic rank, age, and extent of instructional experience of college teachers to be unrelated to their students' global evaluation of them. Yet many other studies have found these indicators of the teacher's seniority and instructional experience to be related to the overall evaluation of teachers, and with a consistent pattern. In this latter group of studies, the teacher's academic rank is positively associated with the overall evaluation of the teacher, whereas both the teacher's age and extent of instructional experience are inversely associated with overall evaluation. Although these associations are generally weak in strength, they are robust enough to hold under a variety of controls (including the size of course enrollment and the gender of the teacher). Also, at least for extent of instructional experience, the number and strength of the associations may be underestimated by considering the relationship in question as linear when in fact it may be curvilinear. Just as the teachers' age and extent of instructional experience in general have been either not related or inversely related to the global evaluation of teachers, so they have been for more specific evaluations of teachers. When academic rank has been found to be related to specific evaluations, the relationships tend to be positive for only certain specific rating dimensions while being inverse for others. This being so, it is puzzling that the associations that have been found between academic rank and global evaluations have generally been positive only. A possible explanation for this is offered and supportive evidence marshaled. Finally, several reasons why associations between any of the indicators of seniority or instructional experience and either specific or overall evaluations may be inverse, positive, or curvilinear in the first place are advanced. These hinge on such factors as the teacher's motivation and career circumstances, the pedagogical training and abilities of different cohorts of teachers, as well as the criteria and practices of colleges in their recruitment of teachers, the extent of an age (or generation) gap between students and teachers, and students' expectations and perceptions of teachers and pedagogical characteristics attributed to them. Those reasons having the greater support empirically as well as those that seem the most plausible are noted.
Drug-related deaths and the sales of needles through pharmacies

Background Providing needles to people who inject drugs is a well-proven public health response to the transmission of HIV and other blood borne viruses. Despite over a quarter of a century of research, new concerns about potential unintended negative consequences of needle distribution continue to emerge. Specifically, a claim was recently made that the introduction of pharmacy sales of needles was followed by an increase in overdoses in pharmacy parking lots. If true, this would have serious implications for the design of needle access programs, particularly those involving pharmacy sales of needles.
Ecology of yeasts in polluted water.

The general size and composition of the extant yeast populations in 13 polluted freshwater habitats were surveyed. Subsequently the yeast populations in three of the 13 locations were quantitatively determined and compared. The three locations had (A) low pollution levels, (B) heavy industrial waste pollution, and (C) heavy domestic waste pollution.
Preface to Special Topic: A Survey of Some New Developments in Heterogeneous Catalysis

This special topic section on heterogeneous catalysis contains essays on fast-evolving topics by several leading scientists in the field. In this preface, I outline those issues, raised in the special topic articles, that seemed most interesting to me. I selected those aspects that should be of greatest interest to physical chemists who are not experts in catalysis but might be interested in entering this exciting and important field of research.
Localization in an occupied-subspace-optimization approach to electronic structure: application to yttria-stabilized zirconia

The constraint of localization on Wannier orbitals is the central approximation in many linear scaling methods. We investigate the effects of localization constraints on non-orthogonal Wannier-like orbitals (resulting from an occupied-subspace-optimization in our Gaussian representation) in determining the accuracy of forces acting on the atoms, the relaxed geometries and the relative energies to determine the formation enthalpies of defects. We use yttria-stabilized zirconia as a testing system because it has been thoroughly studied and can serve as reference for comparison. A minimum of 5.0 Bohr for the localization range is required to determine reasonably accurate forces and a relaxed atomic configuration. We comment on the versatility of using localization constraints with optimization approaches and compare the computational effort to diagonalization.
Image Restoration Made Simple

Many image restoration methods have been developed over the years ranging from the simple-minded inverse matrix method to the hard-to-understand maximum likelihood methods. Authors have tended to use high-falutin' language (projection onto convex sets, regularization methods, solution of the Fredholm equation of the first kind, etc.) scaring off potential users. These users fall back on the Wiener filter and its many variants because it is understandable and relatively simple to program. I will simplify the approach to image restoration by presenting a class of recursive restoration algorithms based on the classical imaging equation. These algorithms were developed by employing simple algebraic identities to manipulate the imaging equation into recursive forms. Some of the algorithms naturally satisfy the positivity constraint, making them useful for superresolution of degraded imagery. These recursive techniques are simple to understand and to implement, and give results approaching those of the most sophisticated image restoration algorithms.
Hepatitis A virus in West Africa: Is an epidemiological transition beginning?

Background: Studies of hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalence in sub-Saharan Africa have generally found very high anti-HAV IgG seroprevalence rates, but economic development and improved drinking water access may be contributing to decreasing incidence. Materials and Methods: This review evaluates all 19 articles that have been published on HAV epidemiology in West Africa. Results: Nearly all studies conducted before 1990 found that the majority of preschool-aged children had already developed immunity due to prior infection. However, several recent studies have observed that the age at midpoint of population immunity in some urban populations has shifted to school-aged children. Conclusion: There is preliminary evidence that some West-African countries are beginning the transition towards lower hepatitis A endemicity levels. Additional studies of child seroprevalence rates in diverse parts of West Africa are required in order to clarify the extent to which an early transition may be occurring.
Helium liquefaction with a 4 K pulse tube cryocooler

Helium liquefaction with a two-stage 4 K pulse tube cryocooler is introduced in this paper. The helium liquefier has a feature of precooling helium gas to be liquefied by using inefficiency of the second stage regenerator in the pulse tube cryocooler. This process reduces enthalpy of the incoming helium gas when entering the condenser and significantly increases the condensation rate. Numerical analysis predicts the precooling heat load on the second stage regenerator, decreases the PTC second stage cooling capacity by only 11% of the heat actually absorbed into the regenerator. A prototype pulse tube helium liquefier was built, which has two precooling heat exchangers on the first stage cold head and the second stage regenerator. It continuously liquefies helium with a rate of 4.8 l/day under normal pressure while consumes 4.6 kW power input.
Dynamic response of tubular dielectric elastomer transducers

Abstract In this paper, a numerical model for the dynamic response of tubular dielectric elastomer transducers is presented and validated with experimental results for the first time. Dielectric elastomers (DE) are soft polymer based smart materials that can be potentially employed in applications such as actuation, sensing and energy harvesting ( Kornbluh, 2004 , Carpi et al., 2005 , Waki et al., 2008 ). In our previous work, the quasi-static response of tubular DE transducers was studied ( Goulbourne et al., 2007 , Son and Goulbourne, 2009 ). Here, a numerical model is developed to predict the dynamic response of tubular DE transducers. Inertia effects are included in our previous static model which yields a system of partial differential equations. The results of the dynamic response of the tubular DE transducers are obtained by numerically solving the simplified partial different equations using a finite difference scheme. The capacitance change induced by the dynamic deformation of the tubular DE is also calculated by a simple electrostatic model, illustrating dynamic passive sensing. Several tubular DE transducer samples (VHB 4905 and silicone) were fabricated and an experimental setup was developed to investigate the dynamic response by measuring capacitance and radial deformation. In the sensing experiments, a sweep of dynamic pressure profiles (0–5 Hz) are applied. It is observed that silicone transducers have a larger dynamic sensing range. In the actuation experiments, the deformation of the silicone actuator is monitored while a voltage signal (4.5 kV) is applied from 0 to 30 Hz. The silicone actuator shows a good actuation response. The comparison between numerical and experimental results for the DE transducers shows an overall error of 3%.