cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Platelets Endocytose Viral Particles and Are Activated via TLR (Toll-Like Receptor) Signaling

Objective: Thrombocytopenia is associated with many viral infections suggesting virions interact with and affect platelets. Consistently, viral particles are seen inside platelets, and platelet act...
Recent advances in third space or intramural endoscopy

Third space endoscopy or intramural endoscopy is based on the principle that the deeper layers of the gastrointestinal tract can be accessed by tunneling in the submucosal space and maintaining the integrity of the overlying mucosa. The era of third space endoscopy started with peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for treatment of achalasia and has expanded to treat various other gastrointestinal disorders. The technique is also currently used for treatment of refractory gastroparesis, Zenker's diverticulum (ZD), resection of subepithelial tumors and early cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and Hirschsprung's disease (HD). These procedures are rapidly emerging as minimally invasive alternatives to conventional surgery. They are safe and effective with excellent outcomes. This review focuses on the evolution and current applications of third space endoscopy in various gastrointestinal disorders. Key points: (1) Third space or intramural endoscopy initially started with the POEM procedure for treatment of achalasia; (2) Advancements in procedural techniques have expanded its application to treat other gastrointestinal disorders such as refractory gastroparesis, ZD, HD, resection of subepithelial tumors and early gastrointestinal cancers; (3) These procedures are highly effective with excellent outcomes and low complication rates; and (4) Third space endoscopic procedures are rapidly emerging as minimally invasive alternatives to conventional surgery.
Enhancing Graphene Plasmonic Device Performance via its Dielectric Environment

Graphene plasmons provide a compelling avenue toward chip-scale dynamic tuning of infrared light. Dynamic tunability emerges through controlled alterations in the optical properties of the system defining graphene's plasmonic dispersion. Typically, electrostatic induced alterations of the carrier concentration in graphene working in conjunction with mobility have been considered the primary factors dictating plasmonic tunability. We find here that the surrounding dielectric environment also plays a primary role, dictating not just the energy of the graphene plasmon but so too the magnitude of its tuning and spectral width. To arrive at this conclusion, poles in the imaginary component of the reflection coefficient are used to efficiently survey the effect of the surrounding dielectric on the tuning of the graphene plasmon. By investigating several common polar materials, optical phonons (i.e., the Reststrahlen band) of the dielectric substrate are shown to appreciably affect not only the plasmon's spectral location but its tunability, and its resonance shape as well. In particular, tunability is maximized when the resonances are spectrally distant from the Reststrahlen band, whereas sharp resonances (i.e., high-$Q$) are achievable at the band's edge. These observations both underscore the necessity of viewing the dielectric environment in aggregate when considering the plasmonic response derived from two-dimensional materials and provide heuristics to design dynamically tunable graphene-based infrared devices.
The Effect of Opioid Supply-Side Interventions on Opioid-Related Business Establishments

In response to climbing opioid misuse and overdoses, states passed several types of programs that target the supply side of the prescription opioid market, including Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) which track patient prescription histories, mandates that doctors use the programs, "Pill Mill Bills" that target over-prescribing offices, and abuse-deterrent versions of prescription opioids. This paper studies the effects of these policies on opioid-related business entry and exit. I use information on counts of establishments across the US, and examine how the policies affect rehabilitation facilities, doctors' offices and clinics, and pharmacies. I find that Pill Mill Bills reduce the number of establishments in a widely-defined category which includes pain management clinics. States that implement the Pill Mill Bills notice a statistically significant 10.5% reduction in the rate of clinics per capita in this category, equal to 23.4 fewer establishments in the average state. The Pill Mill Bills have the potential to reduce the number of pharmacies, but this result is only statistically significant within counties that receive a high concentration of opioids. "Must Access" mandates are associated with a non-significant 1.5-2.5% rise in the rate of residential rehabilitation establishments. There is also weak evidence that pain clinics enter states when PDMPs are passed. There is not evidence that the policies affect inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics or doctors' offices. While the effect of opioid policies on patient and physician behavior has been well-investigated, this paper provides evidence that policies have effects on the business landscape of opioid-related firms.
The Medication Quantification Scale: measurement of medication usage at a multidisciplinary pain center

Program evaluation standards require pain centers to assess medication use as one of an array of outcome criteria. The Medication Quantification Scale (MQS) has been introduced as a continuous method for quantifying medication use in chronic nonmalignant pain patients that overcomes methodological concerns inherent in previous pain medication measures. The reliability and sensitivity to program effects of the MQS was demonstrated by the original authors. The present study reexamined the reliability and sensitivity, and provided evidence for the validity of the MQS in an effort to determine whether use of the MQS can be generalized to other pain centers. Interrater reliability between two nurses on 40 pretreatment and 40 6-month follow-up MQS scores were .958 (p < .0001) and .968 (p < .0001) respectively. Six month follow-up MQS scores were significantly lower than pretreatment MQS scores (t = 5.40, p < .0001) for 106 chronic nonmalignant pain patients treated at a multidisciplinary pain center. Convergent and divergent validity of the MQS were demonstrated by higher correlations between the MQS and conceptually similar rather than dissimilar outcome measures. The reliability, sensitivity, and validity of the MQS was demonstrated suggesting it can be generalized for program evaluation purposes to other pain centers.
The SMV System

In order to apply symbolic model checking to real problems, we need expressive languages that we can use to describe our model at a suitably high level (eg., a gate level schematic is probably not a high enough level). For our purposes, this means the language must provide operations on suitable high level types (such as symbolic enumerated types), and must allow us to conveniently describe non-deterministic choices, so that we can describe high level protocols without being concerned with implementation details. The language must have a precise mathematical semantics that defines the translation from a program in the langauge to a form suitable for symbolic model checking (ie., a Boolean formula representing the transition relation). For reasons that will be clarified in chapter 7, the semantics should be syntax-directed (defining the meaning of a language construct in terms of the meanings of its syntactic parts), so that we may infer properties of a program from properties of its parts. Ideally, it should also be possible to translate at least a useful subset of the language (not including, for example, non-deterministic choice) into hardware descriptions suitable for synthesis into real hardware. Constructs should be provided to allow us to use most common styles of system design.
Research in Humanitarian Supply Chain Management and A New Framework

With the frequency and magnitude of disasters on the rise, millions of people suffer huge losses every year. Scholars have recently proposed various frameworks in disaster relief management in order to guide the research in this field. Although successful disaster relief requires the entire humanitarian supply chain to respond in harmony, it is surprising that there exists no humanitarian relief framework drawn from the perspective of supply chain management. In this article, we create a new research framework for Humanitarian Supply Chain Management (HSCM) that is complimentary but distinct from commercial supply chain management (CSCM) frameworks. The framework we developed offers a new lens for humanitarian researchers. We also conduct a systematic literature review in this field and identify some opportunities for future research. The results strongly suggest the need for additional empirical research to test the existing concepts and models. Second, there is evidence that research focusing on “upstream” relief chain has been neglected relative to “downstream”. Additionally, due to its rapid advancement, information technology related research opportunities in this field would always be there.
Gaussian setting time for solute transport in fluvial systems

[1] Gaussian setting time is the time scale at which solute plumes converge to their asymptotic Gaussian shape. This study estimates the Gaussian setting time using a high-resolution hydrofacies model of a typical fluvial system, with an instantaneous point source in the mobile phase. Monte Carlo simulations are augmented by a time-nonlocal transport model to forecast plume shape at late time. Analysis of plume spatial moments indicates that convergence to Fickian transport is affected by molecular diffusion and the thickness of low-permeability floodplain layers. These layers can cause non-Gaussian tailing to persist at late time because the low-permeability lenses are elongated in the horizontal, so that most particles escape vertically by diffusion. A simple empirical setting time formula is developed, which can be fitted using data from driller's logs that characterize the thickness of the low-permeability lenses. The empirical formula may be useful for predicting setting time in fluvial aquifers similar to those considered in this study. For such aquifers, the plume will often exit the region prior to the setting time, so the asymptotic Gaussian model will not be a useful predictor of plume shape.
Efficient algorithms to detect pricing inconsistency for customizable products

For assemble-to-order manufacturers, the production is an assembly of predefined items. Products from these manufacturers are usually sold to customers directly, instead of through resellers. When these manufacturers adopt electronic commerce for their businesses, they explicitly publish the prices for their products in their electronic commerce web sites, and allow customers to make on-line purchases based on the prices and the customized configurations. It is critical for the manufacturers to ensure that the same type of products has the same price, no matter how a customer does the customization. Unfortunately, pricing inconsistency exists in some electronic commerce web sites due to various reasons. In this paper, we present the problem to be solved at first. Then, we define two types of pricing inconsistency. Finally, we propose efficient algorithms to solve the problem based on reasonable assumptions.
Search for a solution: a case study

This paper describes a series of attempts at the solution of a conceptually tough problem, the Firing Squad Synchronization Problem. These attempts demonstrate an increasing reliance on man-machine symbiosis and decreasing reliance on powerful heurisics and preplanning. These attempts consist of a clerical checking program, and four attempts utilizing a basic backtracking program for searching the solution space. The first two attempts, Serial Definition of Productions and Symbolic Definition of Productions were non - interactiveentirely computer directed attempts at solution. The second two, Functional Planning and Constraint Satisfaction were man-machine symbiotic attempts designed to allow the human to control and direct the computer search of the solution space. The benefits of these symbiotic attempts and the problems encountered with them are discussed.
Relation Between Clinical, Angiographic and Ischemic Findings at Baseline and Ischemia-Related Adverse Outcomes at 1 Year in the Asymptomatic Cardiac Ischemia Pilot Study

Abstract Objectives. We attempted to investigate the relation between patient characteristics and adverse outcome in patients with ischemia and clinically stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Background. Evidence suggests that cardiac ischemia, detected by exercise stress testing (ETT) and ambulatory electrocardiographic (AECG) monitoring during daily living, identifies a subgroup of patients at increased risk for adverse outcome, but the relation between these ischemia findings and clinical and angiographic characteristics is largely unknown. Methods. We examined the relation between clinical, angiographic and ischemia characteristics at entry with adverse outcome observed at 1 year in the 558 patients enrolled in the Asymptomatic Cardiac Ischemia Pilot (ACIP) study. Results. By the 12-month visit 13.1% of patients had an ischemia-related adverse clinical outcome that included death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or an ischemia-related hospital admission. Multivariate analysis identified only the number of AECG ischemic episodes at entry (odds ratio [OR] 1.06, 99% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.12, p = 0.002) as an independent predictor of outcome. Assignment to revascularization (as opposed to an initial medical treatment strategy) showed a trend (OR 0.56, 99% CI 0.26 to 1.2, p = 0.05). None of the other baseline clinical, exercise or angiographic variables examined provided additional information relative to adverse outcome. Conclusions. Determinants of adverse outcome, among clinically stable patients with CAD and ischemia induced by stress and daily life were magnitude of AECG ischemia before treatment and, possibly, initial treatment assignment. Among the many other characteristics examined, including age, symptom status and angiographic and exercise variables, none contributed additional independent prognostic information. These two simple variables, which may be modifiable, need further study in a larger trial. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:1483–9)
Critical speeding-up of non-equilibrium electronic relaxation near Ising-nematic transition in unstrained Ba(Fe 1−x Co x ) 2 As 2

We observe a critical speeding up in the electronic relaxation time that implies that nematic fluctuations govern the electronic thermalization/cooling dynamics and that magnetic fluctuations dominate the nonlinear signals that arise from the Ising-nematicity.
User Perceptions of Privacy and Security on the Web

This paper describes an online survey that was conducted to explore typical Internet users' awareness and knowledge of specific technologies that relate to their security and privacy when using a Web browser to access the Internet. The survey was conducted using an anonymous, online questionnaire. Over a four month period, 237 individuals completed the questionnaire. Respondents were predominately Canadian, with substantial numbers from the United Kingdom and the United States. Important findings include evidence that users have tried to educate themselves regarding their online security and privacy, but with limited success; different interpretations of the term "secure Web site" can lead to very different levels of trust in a site; respondents strongly expressed their skepticism about privacy policies, but nevertheless believe that sites can be trusted to respect their stated policies; and users may confuse browser cookies with other types of data stored locally by browsers, leading to inappropriate conclusions about the risks they present.
On the Topside Ionosphere Over the American Continents

Topside ionosphere over American continents, noting electron density and scale height distribution
Expression of Functional Tyrosine Kinase B Receptors by Rhythmically Active Respiratory Neurons in the Pre-Bötzinger Complex of Neonatal Mice

Genetic loss of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) severely disrupts brainstem control of respiratory rhythmogenesis in newborn mice; however, the sites at which BDNF acts to regulate respiratory rhythmogenesis are unknown. Using immunochemical and multiplex RT-PCR analysis in mouse brainstem slices, we report that the BDNF receptor, Tyrosine kinase B (TrkB), is strongly expressed in the pre-Botzinger complex (PBC), the presumed site for rhythm generation, and colocalizes with neurokinin 1 (NK1), a marker of neurons critical for breathing. The period of the respiratory rhythm generated by PBC neurons in vitro was increased by 30% after BDNF treatment (100 ng/ml) and not by nerve growth factor (100 ng/ml) or BDNF (100 ng/ml) in the presence of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor K252a (200 nm). Both synaptic and voltage-dependent properties of PBC neurons were modified by BDNF. Synaptic currents underlying spontaneous rhythmic bursts and glutamate-evoked currents were enhanced by 66 and 33%, respectively. BDNF reduced the Ih current amplitude in rhythmic neurons by 46% and shifted its activation curve by -17 mV. All neurons expressing TrkB mRNA (n = 8) also expressed mRNAs for the Ih current [hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-sensitive cation nonselective channel (HCN1)], and three of four NK1-positive neurons coexpressed TrkB and HCN mRNA. Six of 16 PBC neurons expressed BDNF mRNA, supporting the possibility of autocrine and paracrine actions of BDNF within the respiratory pattern generator. Our data demonstrate that BDNF can modulate respiratory network activity through TrkB signaling in rhythmic PBC neurons.
Inhibition of Ca2+-induced relaxation by oxidized tungsten wires and paratungstate.

Recent studies of rat mesenteric arteries using a wire myograph detected decreased Ca2+ and acetylcholine-induced relaxation responses. Preliminary experiments indicated the reduced responses were associated with the tungsten wire used in the myograph system. Compared with earlier observations, arteries mounted on aged 28-microm tungsten wire showed decreased maximal Ca2+-induced relaxation responses of arteries precontracted with phenylephrine (91.9 +/- 1.5 versus 54.8 +/- 4.5%, p 14-microm tungsten >> 28-microm aged tungsten wire. Laser Raman spectral analysis of the aged 28-microm tungsten wire showed that the surface was in an oxidized state that shared spectral characteristics with the paratungstate [W12O42](-12) anion. The effect of the paratungstate anion on arterial relaxation was therefore tested. Paratungstate, but not the structurally dissimilar tungstate and metatungstate anions, significantly reduced the sensitivity and magnitude of relaxation induced by Ca2+ and to a lesser extent, relaxation induced by acetylcholine. To learn whether paratungstate inhibits relaxation through the generation of oxygen radicals, the effect of the superoxide dismutase mimetic 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (1 mM) was assessed and found to have no effect. Since Ca2+-induced relaxation is inhibited by iberiotoxin, the effect of paratungstate on K+ channel activity was assessed. Paratungstate had no effect on currents through large conductance, Ca2+-activated K+ channels in whole-cell recordings from vascular smooth muscle cells, ruling out an action at the BK(Ca) channel. We conclude that: 1) surface oxidation of tungsten wire commonly used in wire myography significantly and adversely affects vascular responses to vasodilator compounds, 2) the effect is likely mediated by the paratungstate anion, and 3) the effects of the anion are not associated with free radical generation or K+ channel inhibition.
Reduced split/merge propagation in a modified B-link tree design

For concurrent database access, the B-link tree is a well-suited data structure; this paper describes a modification of the B-link tree to reduce the expense associated with splits and merges while moving down the tree. The modification is keyed to the concept of stability in each B-link tree node. Being stable amounts to a node having somewhere between a small percentage more than the minimum number and a small percentage fewer than the maximum number of child links such a node may have. When additions or deletions lead to instability in a node, either an overflow or underflow is considered to be imminent. Upon visiting a node, an update process will determine if the node's content is at the B-link maximum or minimum; if this is the case, the process performs whatever split or merge and redistribution operations necessary to make this and any related node stable. As a result of this action, there will always be room for an overflowed child to insert an entry in its parent and likewise room for an underflowed child to remove an entry from its parent; backward propagation of insertions or deletions further up the Blink tree are thus eliminated, improving the possible degree of concurrency. Further, no node will be left without a parent, obviating horizontal traversal within the tree in all but highly infrequent process scheduling scenarios.
Big huggin: a bear for affection gaming

Today the world of human computer interaction is an impersonal one. It is one where touch is mediated through glass and plastic. Where multi-touch means antiseptic sleek materials with little texture. Why isn't touch more personal? Why isn't touch more tactile? Big Huggin' is a game played with a 30 inch custom teddy bear controller. Players complete the game by providing several well-timed hugs. It is an experiment and gesture in alternative interface. Instead of firing toy guns at countless enemies or revving the engines of countless gas guzzling virtual cars, why not give a hug? The Big Huggin' game is designed to offer reflection on the way we play and the cultural benefit of alternative play.
Proton-Neutron Damage Equivalence in Si and Ge Semiconductors

Following an analysis of the basic radiation damage processes in semiconductors, and an analysis of existing radiation effects data, a proton-neutron damage equivalence was experimentally determined for silicon solar cells. The basis for comparison is the degradation of minority carrier lifetime during irradiation, as expressed by the lifetime damage constant, K?, or the diffusion length damage constant, KL . Both p on n cells and n on p cells were irradiated with 96, 69, 48 Mev protons, and with fission and moderated neutrons. Measurements were made on the degradation of the solar cell dark voltage-current characteristics, the forward bias characteristics under one sun illumination, and the short circuit current response to monochromatic illumination of one micron wavelength. The degradation of minority carrier diffusion length was calculated from the short circuit current response at one micron. From the analysis of radiation damage processes in silicon, the derivation of a theoretical proton-neutron damage equivalence was hindered by inadequately developed theory relating the number and type of active defects associated with the vacancies created by the incident particles. The analysis of available data indicate that a reliable proton-neuton damage equivalence in Si or Ge is not possible, due to the spread in the existing damage constants and the absence of damage constants for proton and neutron irradiations of equivalent samples. The experimentally determined proton to neutron ratio of minority carrier diffusion length damage constants in silicon solar cells ranges from 0.96 to 4.
Determinants of change in service employment in the United States 1998–2005: findings based on a new classification of industries

This paper uses a new classification of employment in the USA based on hierarchical cluster analysis to analyze trends in employment from 1998 to 2005. Measures of growth in employment at the state level are presented, along with selected analyses of correlates of employment change. Specialization in key clusters is related to state growth rates, and the markets of the clusters are identified through the use of input–output data. Shifting consumption patterns are examined for clusters with strong household markets.
First Language Influences in Second Language Composition: The Effect of Pre-Writing

Abstract: Within these exciting and changing times for second language (L2) writing, a wealth of studies — from those examining the effects of composition time constraints to inquiries into computer-assisted writing software — have taken place. One area that begs further investigation is the role played by the native language during the brainstorming or idea-generation stages of the second language composing process. This study sought to compare the effects of English language (i.e., L1) brainstorming activities with similar activities conducted in French (i.e., the L2) in terms of their effects on the coherence of compositions drafted by intermediate-level college French students.
Effect of clonidine on cardiac acceleration in vagotomized dogs.

Abstract In anesthetized dogs, clonidine, 3, 10 and 30 μg/kg, i.v., antagonized cardiac acceleration induced by electrical stimulation of right post-ganglionic sympathetic fibers. In dogs with vagi intact, the effect of clonidine was not dependent on the frequency of electrical stimulation. In vagotomized dogs, clonidine antagonized cardiac acceleration induced by low (1.58 or 5 Hz) but not high (15.8 Hz) frequency electrical stimulation. Clonidine-induced antagonism of cardiac acceleration cannot be explained by enhancement of vagal activity only. It is likely to involve also a peripheral inhibitory action at the sympathetic nerve endings.
Three-dimensional modeling of agricultural canopies for thermal ir exitance studies

We present a simple, three-dimensional vegetation canopy thermal infrared exitance model for agricultural scenes. Computer graphics and ray-tracing techniques are used to estimate three-dimensional canopy view factors and scene shadows. The view factors are used to weight the individual contributions of soil and vegetation emission computed by steady-state energy budget formulations. We compare the three- dimensional model results to a one-dimensional formulation for an agricultural test site from the Hydrologic Atmospheric Pilot Experiment and Modelisation du Bilan Hydrique. The root mean square error is daylight brightness temperature for the one dimensional model was 2.5 degrees Celsius and 2.0 degrees Celsius for the three dimensional model.
Breakdown of Zakharov-Shabat theory and soliton creation

The Zakharov-Shabat theory of integrable systems with more than one spatial dimension breaks down when certain resonances between solitons occur. Remarkably, the resonance condition is precisely the same as that for the strong interaction of three weakly coupled linear dispersive waves. This provides a mechanism for the creation of new particles by collision.
The application of a chemical determination of N-homocysteinylation levels in developing mouse embryos: implication for folate responsive birth defects

Elevated homocysteine levels have long been associated with various disease states, including cardiovascular disease and birth defects, including neural tube defects (NTDs). One hypothesis regarding the strong correlation between these various disorders and high levels of homocysteine is that a reactive form of this small molecule can attach to mammalian proteins in a phenomenon known as homocysteinylation. These posttranslational modifications may become antigenic or may even directly disrupt certain protein function. It remains to be determined whether dietary influences that can cause globally increased levels of circulating homocysteine confer negative effects maternally, or may otherwise negatively and materially impact the metabolic balance in developing embryos. Herein we present the application of a chemical method of determination of N-homocysteinylation to a set of neural tube closure stage mouse embryos and their mothers. We explore the uses of this newly described technique to investigate levels of maternal and embryonic N-homocysteinylation using dietary manipulations of one-carbon metabolism with two known folate-responsive NTD mouse models. The data presented reveal that although diet appeared to have significant effects on the maternal metabolic status, those effects did not directly correlate to the embryonic folate or N-homocysteinylation status. Our studies indicate that maternal diet and embryonic genotype most significantly affected the embryonic developmental outcome.
Angiotensin-induced release of prostacyclin from perfused organs.

Summary Angiotensin I, angiotensin II and bradykinin induce the release of a PGI 2 -like substance from perfused guinea pig lungs and rabbit mesenteric artery preparation. The PGI 2 -like releasing activity of angiotensin II is blocked by saralasin. Angiotensin I is ineffective in releasing of a PGI 2 -like substance when its conversion to angiotensinII is inhibited by captopril. It is concluded that angiotensin exerts its effect on the arachidonic acid cascade through specific membrane receptors.
Cosmic-ray electrons and positrons

Abstract Measurements of cosmic-ray electrons and positrons address a number of significant astrophysical questions concerning the nature and distribution of sources in the galaxy, and the characteristics of cosmic ray propagation in the galactic disk and halo. The abundance of positrons may also carry the signature of unusual pair production processes or dark matter particle decays. We shall review the body of information available, including recent results from the HEAT collaboration. We describe constraints on the source energy spectrum of electrons, which appears to have the same shape as that of nuclear cosmic rays, and we discuss the evidence that positrons are predominantly if not exclusively of interstellar secondary origin. Finally, we emphasize the need for several key observations that are required in the future in order to resolve the remaining questions.
Multiple Modes of Motility: a Second Flagellar System in Escherichia coli

Choosing transportation presents numerous decisions. Something fast has its attraction, as does something fuel efficient and economical. Then again, in inclement conditions and harsh terrain something more substantial seems indispensable. Bacteria must also solve this dilemma. Optimal locomotion under different circumstances requires different equipment. Thus, although costly, it may be advantageous to possess more than one mode of motility. In this issue of the Journal of Bacteriology, Mark Pallen and his colleagues at the University of Birmingham and the Sanger Institute report that even Escherichia coli has indulged in investment in two distinct flagellar systems (43).
Effect of acute standing and prolonged upright activity on left ventricular hemodynamics, systolic and diastolic intervals, and QT-QS2 relationship.

It is generally accepted that upright posture decreases preload and afterload, which could alter left ventricular (LV) performance. It is not known if changes occurring with acute standing persist after prolonged ambulatory activity (amb-act). In seven normal subjects echocardiographic end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, percent shortening of the internal diameter (%Δd) and end-systolic wall stress (ES-WS), radionuclide diastolic volume and ejection fraction, preejection period over left ventricular ejection time (PEPLVET), and diastolic time and QT-QS2 were measured supine, within 1 to 2 minutes after standing and after prolonged (60 minutes) amb-act. In addition, serial measurements were performed in PEPLVET for 105 minutes at 15-minute intervals. With acute standing, end-diastolic diameter, diastolic volume, and ES-WS decreased (p < 0.01); heart rate and PEPLVET increased (p < 0.01); while %Δd and ejection fraction remained unchanged. There was an inverse correlation between change in PEPLVET and diastolic diameter (r = −0.59), but no correlation between PEPLVET and ES-WS. The diastolic time per beat and per minute decreased (375 ± 115 msec from 519 ± 176 msec [p < 0.01] and 31.3 ± 4.2 sec/min from 33.7 ± 4.5 sec/min [p < 0.01]). The QT-QS2 increased when compared to supine (−7 ± 7.6 msec from −22 ± 7.7 msec [p < 0.005]), but the QT-QS2 relationship remained normal (QT ≤ QS2). All the dynamic changes that occurred with acute standing tended to persist during prolonged amb-act.
Factor analytic examination of role attitudes of married women.

Summary.-A questionnaire dealing with the attitudes married women have regarding their sex-related roles was administered to 139 married women in the Wichita, Kansas area. 16 factors underlying the attitudes married women held regarding female roles were uncovered: marital satisfaction, sex-role frustration, traditional values, value about motherhood, feelings about men, age, breaking the stereotype, membership in the feminist movement, opinion of men, relationships with women, financial equality in marriage, resentmew of versus enjoyment of the homemaker role, income, educational achievement orientation, acceptance of the housewife role, acceptance of the marital decision. The feminist movement has had a tremendous impact on current thinking regarding female roles and the consequences of being born female. As atcitudes about roles change, the problems related to those roles may also change. Attitudes that permit few or no sex-role alternatives may be stressful for some individuals who get locked into roles which are unsuitable or unsatisfying for them. Many other individuals find it stressful to be faced with choices without adequate information or support for selecting alternatives. Attitudes suggesting alternative roles for women have been increasing rapidly since the onset of the feminist movement of the 1960's and 70's. As these attitudes have been shifting, the problems of individuals involved in that change may be shifting also ( 17). To evaluate and utilize women's atcitudes they must first be measured. Frequent attempts have been made via questionnaires (8, 15, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24). The majority of these studies were performed with the intent of simply counting the frequency and variety of such problems. To understand best such attitudes one needs to investigate the interrelations of specific attitudinal questions. A factor analytic approach may be used to provide some underlying order to the wide array of attitudinal questions. Several factor analytic studies in the women's problem areas have been done. Generally such studies fall in two categories: (a) those only peripherally related to the question of women's problems (12, 16) and (b) those with serious factor analytic methodological problems (9, 20). Thus the primary approach of this research was to factor analyze a set of attitudinal questions sampled from the domain of women's problems. The next goal was to define the domain of women's problems. An entire symposium of the New .York Academy of Sciences (1) dealt with the de'This article was based upon a Master's thesis by the first author directed by the second author. Reprint requests should be sent ro C A. Burdsal, Dept. of Psychology, Wichita State University, Wichim, KS 67208.
Synonyms of Formica Difficilis Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

In 1939, I described as new the ant, Formica habrogyna . Some time after that a formicologist wrote me that he considers habrogyna to be a synonym of difficilis var. consocians Wheeler. Upon further study of long series of all castes of habrogyna and comparisons of them with topotypes of consocians , kindly sent to me by the American Museum of Natural History, I have arrived at an opinion that although habrogyna is undoubtedly identical to consocians, consocians is also well within the limits of specific variation of difficilis .
Observations suggesting a high incidence of exercise-induced severe mitral regurgitation in patients with mild rheumatic mitral valve disease at rest

Abstract Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the hemodynamic effects of upright bicycle ergometry in symptomatic patients with mild, mixed mitral stenosis and regurgitation. Background. Patients with seemingly mild rheumatic mitral valve disease often complain of exertional dyspnea or fatigue. These symptoms are usually ascribed to flow-dependent increases in the gradient across the stenotic mitral valve. Although catheterization studies in these patients may demonstrate an increase in mitral valve gradient proportional to an increase in cardiac output, this approach does not specifically address the underlying mechanism of any observed increases in mitral gradient or left atrial (i.e., pulmonary capillary wedge) pressure. Exercise echocardiography is uniquely suited to the dynamic assessment of exercise-induced hemodynamic changes. Methods. Fourteen symptomatic patients with exertional dyspnea and mild mitral stenosis and regurgitation at rest performed symptom-limited upright bicycle ergometry with quantitative two-dimensional, Doppler and color Doppler echocardiographic analysis. Results. Average pulmonary artery systolic pressure in the 13 patients with adequate spectral signals of tricuspid regurgitation increased from 36 ± 5 mm Hg (mean ± SD) at rest to 63 ± 14 mm Hg at peak exercise (p Conclusions. Patients with exertional dyspnea and mild mitral stenosis and regurgitation at rest demonstrate a marked increase in pulmonary artery systolic pressure and mean transmitral pressure gradient during dynamic exercise. In a subset of these patients, marked worsening of mitral regurgitation appears to be the underlying mechanism of this hemodynamic deterioration. Because of the small sample size, this novel observation must be considered preliminary with respect to the true prevalence of exercise-related development of severe mitral regurgitation. If additional studies confirm the importance of this phenomenon, it has important implications for the management of patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease.
Using Student-Written Cases to Enhance Competency-Based Assessment and Diagnostic Skills

Abstract The current article describes the use of student-written cases as a pedagogical tool in helping direct practice graduate students improve competency-based assessment and diagnostic skills. The history of the case method and case writing is presented, followed by an example of a student-written case that was assigned in a course that covers mental disorders. The use of the student-written case is explored in regard to its efficacy in helping students improve their assessment and diagnostic skills using the competency-based model. Student-written cases are then discussed in terms of their benefit to: (1) the student writing the case; (2) the student learning from the case; and (3) the instructor who uses the case as a teaching tool.
Sialylation of Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) and blood type NM antigens by transferases in human sera measured by [14C]NAN uptake.

Summary Human erythrocyte T & NN antigens were exposed to fresh sera from single human donors and CMP-[14C]sialic acid without activators in a single 24 hr incubation at 37° C. There was similar sialic acid (NAN) uptake, on the average 2.7 mol/mol T antigen subunit (mol wt 40,000), with various NN-and MM-derived T antigens and transferase sera in all different combinations. Sera from donors with the M gene but not from those lacking it incorporated NAN into NN antigen (c. 1 mol NAN/mol NN antigen subunit, mol wt 50,000). The profound difference in sialytransferase action between sera from donors with the M gene and those lacking it was substantiated by repeated incubations of NN-derived T antigen with CMP-NAN and MM donor transferase serum, which incorporated 32% more NAN than did repeated incubations of the same antigen with CMP-NAN and NN donor transferase serum. The greater NAN incorporation by sera of donors with the M gene is due to an additional transferase or a transferase-modifier substance present only in persons possessing the M gene.
Low temperature hot corrosion of CoCrAl alloys

Abstract Hot corrosion of CoCrAl alloys occurs rapidly at temperature of 600–750°C because of the formation of the low melting Na 2 SO 4 CoSO 4 eutectic. In this paper the mechanisms and solutions of this low temperature hot corrosion (LTHC) are reviewed. Rapid degradation results from the dissolution of the more noble metal (cobalt) and its oxides (CoO and Co 3 O 4 ) on the surface. On the basis of this mechanism, we have developed CoCr coatings containing about 37.5 wt% Cr or more which are resistant to LTHC and provide adequate resistance against the normal high temperature hot corrosion. Theoretical calculations have also been performed to predict the conditions under which binary K 2 SO 4 CoSO 4 and ternary Na 2 SO 4 K 2 SO 4 CoSO 4 eutectics can form. These calculations suggest that the presence of K 2 SO 4 can aggravate the LTHC caused by Na 2 SO 4 .
Resource selection and space use by sea ducks during the non-breeding season: Implications for habitat conservation planning in urbanized estuaries

Wide-ranging marine birds rely on multiple habitats for wintering, breeding, and migrating, and their conservation may be dependent on protecting networks of key areas. Urbanized estuaries are critical wintering and stopover areas for many declining sea ducks in North America; however, conservation measures within estuaries are difficult to establish given lack of knowledge about habitat use by these species and the variety of competing human interests. We applied hierarchical modeling to evaluate resource selection of sea ducks (surf scoters, Melanitta perspicillata) wintering in San Francisco Bay, California, USA, a large and highly urbanized estuary. We also examined their distribution, home range, and movements with respect to key habitat features and regions within the estuary. Herring roe was the strongest predictor of bird locations; however, eelgrass, water depth and salinity were also highly-ranked, with sea ducks using deeper areas of higher salinity associated with herring roe and eelgrass presence during mid-winter. Sea ducks were also strongly associated with ferry routes, suggesting these areas may contain resources that are too important to avoid and emphasizing the need to better understand water traffic effects. Movements and home range size differed between males and females in early winter but became more similar in late winter. Birds traveled farther and used several sub-bays in early winter compared to mid-winter when herring roe availability peaked in the Central Bay. Our findings identified key environmental variables, highlighted core use areas, and documented critical periods for consideration when developing conservation plans for sea ducks in urbanized estuaries.
Modified bovine serum albumin. III. Hydrolysis studies with trypsin, chymotrypsin and pepsin.

Abstract 1. 1. Previous work on the acetylated, guanidinated, and deaminated derivatives of BSA and their heat-denatured products was extended to a study of their behavior as substrates to the three proteolytic enzymes trypsin, chymotrypsin, and pepsin. 2. 2. Each derivative acts as a different and individual protein with its own characteristic kinetics of hydrolysis by the three enzymes. As judged by proteolysis studies, all the three chemical modifications brought about denaturation of BSA. 3. 3. The observed changes in the pH optima, Michaelis-Menten constants, and rates of proteolytic hydrolysis of the derivatives of BSA are discussed in terms of steric effects, changes in the charge distribution or altered specificity of protein resulting from the chemical modifications.
Integrating Self-Rated Health and Social Involvement for the Examination of Mortality among Older Persons.

Self-rated health status and social network variables have each been shown to independently predict mortality among older persons. However, the potential effect of these two variables when combined into a single index has not been studied. Therefore, this investigation integrated ratings of global health status and reports of social involvements into a single, combined variable. This variable was then used to predict mortality over three time periods (1984–1986, 1984–1988, 1984–1990). Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Aging, and were based on 6053 self-respondents aged seventy and older at baseline in 1984. Multiple logistic regression analysis, using several health status and demographic controls, showed that the combined variable produced substantial effects on mortality, particularly for the 1984–86 and 1984–88 follow-up time periods. Results suggested that integrating these two constructs may be a helpful step in research on the psychosocial epidemiology of aging.
Gene therapy for the vulnerable plaque

Acute coronary events result from the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, leading to formation of an occlusive coronary thrombus. Recent developments in the field of gene transfer provide the opportunity to genetically modify cells involved in plaque rupture as well as thrombus formation and thus prevent acute coronary syndromes. A first approach consists of transferring genes, the product of which may stabilize the vulnerable plaque by reducing the plaque content in lipids and macrophages. Alternatively, the introduction into the atherosclerotic plaque of genes encoding for thrombolytic proteins or growth factors able to restore physiologic antithrombotic functions of endothelial cells may inhibit thrombus formation should the plaque rupture. The success of such strategies depends on the efficiency with which the transgene is introduced and expressed into the target cell, the duration of transgene expression and the ability of the transgene product to ultimately prevent plaque rupture or thrombus formation, or both.
Preparing parents for children with special needs: A three-part approach

Abstract This paper describes a community-based educative-small group method for working with prospective foster and adoptive parents. As an educational approach, the program prepares applicants to be substitute parents. The small group process method provides the applicants with an atmosphere conducive to discussing fears and frustrations while gaining peer and professional support. Community-centeredness not only allows the agency to recruit much-needed minority parents, but to make a contribution to the community in the form of prevention of problems through availability and education. Evaluation of the program demonstrates that the combined communitybased, small group approach is an effective and efficient method for “screening-in” foster and adoptive parents for children with special needs.
A simple method for the in situ determination of alluvial densities

Abstract Alluvial density is an important parameter in hydrogeologic surveys. These density values are often difficult and expensive to obtain, especially in the large Basin and Range province of the southwestern United States. Various methods are available for obtaining densities; however, many are complex and involve expensive and cumbersome equipment. In most cases, in situ densities can be determined by the shallow core-barrel method, which can be used to obtain both wet and dry density values. Values obtained are well within the accuracy limitations demanded by exploratory hydrological or geophysical surveys. Equipment needs and sampling procedures are simple and inexpensive.