cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Income Classification Shifting and Financial Analysts’ Forecasts

Income classification shifting involves misclassifying core expenses into non-core items to boost core earnings. Managers engage in classification shifting because they believe they can manage the ...
Solid state deuterium NMR study of LKα14 peptide aggregation in biosilica

In nature, organisms including diatoms, radiolaria, and marine sponges use proteins, long chain polyamines, and other organic molecules to regulate the assembly of complex silica-based structures. Here, the authors investigate structural features of small peptides, designed to mimic the silicifying activities of larger proteins found in natural systems. LKα14 (Ac-LKKLLKLLKKLLKL-C), an amphiphilic lysine/leucine repeat peptide with an α-helical secondary structure at polar/apolar interfaces, coprecipitates with silica to form nanospheres. Previous 13C magic angle spinning studies suggest that the tetrameric peptide bundles that LKα14 is known to form in solution may persist in the silica-complexed form, and may also function as catalysts and templates for silica formation. To further investigate LKα14 aggregation in silica, deuterium solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (2H ssNMR) was used to establish how leucine side-chain dynamics differ in solid LKα14 peptides isolated from aqueous solution, from phosphate-buffered solution, and in the silica-precipitated states. Modeling the 2H ssNMR line shapes probed the mechanisms of peptide preaggregation and silica coprecipitation. The resulting NMR data indicates that the peptide bundles in silica preserve the hydrophobic interior that they display in the hydrated solid state. However, NMR data also indicate free motion of the leucine residues in silica, a condition that may result from structural deformation of the aggregates arising from interactions between the surface lysine side chains and the surrounding silica matrix.
The Relationship between Duration of Tube Feeding and Oral Feeding Success in Preterm Infants

Background. Preterm infants often require extended tube feeding and are challenged to achieve oral feeding success (OFS, ability to consume 100% of the prescribed volume by mouth). The relationship between duration of tube feeding and OFS is not well documented. Purpose. To identify the potential relationships between duration of tube feeding and (1) OFS in preterm infants; (2) alert behavioral states, orally-directed behaviors, and nutritive sucking. Methods. A descriptive correlational study was conducted. Data were collected daily from the infants’ electronic medical records and at a one-time oral feeding evaluation within 48 hours after the removal of the feeding tube. Results. Data from 28 preterm infants were analyzed. A significant negative correlation between duration of tube feeding and OFS (β = −1.10, P = 0.000, Ꙍ² = 0.41) was identified. There was no correlation between duration of tube feeding and alert behavioral states, orally-directed behaviors, or nutritive sucking. Implications for Practice. OFS is one criterion for hospital discharge. While the duration of tube feeding is a non-modifiable factor, preterm infants who are anticipated to have longer duration of tube feeding may be at risk for delayed OFS. Thus, to facilitate OFS, clinicians should focus on modifiable factors, such as providing appropriate and timely assessment and interventions to introduce and advance oral feeding.
17β‐estradiol reduces Cav1.2 channel abundance and attenuates Ca2+‐dependent contractions in coronary arteries

One mechanism by which the female sex may protect against elevated coronary vascular tone is inhibition of Ca2+ entry into arterial smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). In vitro findings confirm that high estrogen concentrations directly inhibit voltage-dependent Cav1.2 channels in coronary ASMCs. For this study, we hypothesized that the nonacute, in vitro exposure of coronary arteries to a low concentration of 17β-estradiol (17βE) reduces the expression of Cav1.2 channel proteins in coronary ASMCs. Segments of the right coronary artery obtained from sexually mature female pigs were mounted for isometric tension recording. As expected, our results indicate that high concentrations (≥10 μmol/L) of 17βE acutely attenuated Ca2+-dependent contractions to depolarizing KCl stimuli. Interestingly, culturing coronary arteries for 24 h in a 10,000-fold lower concentration (1 nmol/L) of 17βE also attenuated KCl-induced contractions and reduced the contractile response to the Cav1.2 agonist, FPL64176, by 50%. Western blots revealed that 1 nmol/L 17βE decreased protein expression of the pore-forming α1C subunit (Cavα) of the Cav1.2 channel by 35%; this response did not depend on an intact endothelium. The 17βE-induced loss of Cavα protein in coronary arteries was prevented by the estrogen ERα/ERβ antagonist, ICI 182,780, whereas the GPER antagonist, G15, did not prevent it. There was no effect of 1 nmol/L 17βE on Cavα transcript expression. We conclude that 17βE reduces Cav1.2 channel abundance in isolated coronary arteries by a posttranscriptional process. This unrecognized effect of estrogen may confer physiological protection against the development of abnormal Ca2+-dependent coronary vascular tone.
Merleau-Ponty’s Appropriation of Husserl’s Notion of „Präsenzfeld“

In Phenomenology of Perception, Merleau-Ponty’s discussion of presence is, to a great extent, conducted in terms of field of presence. Merleau-Ponty acknowledges his debt to Husserl for the term ‚Prasenzfeld‘: “it is defined in Zeitbewustsein, pp. 32–35.”1 In Phenomenology of Perception, Merleau-Ponty makes no explicit criticism of Husserl’s use of this term, but in a note marked ‘Feb. 1959’, Merleau-Ponty argues Husserl’s error is to have described the interlocking (of the pasts in one another) starting from the ‚Prasenzfeld‘ considered as without thickness, as immanent consciousness.2
Learning to Love Krishna: A Living Theology of Moral Emotions

This article explores what I describe as a living theology of moral emotions in the context of a multi-national community of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) devotees in May...
Case 13 Thyroid Supplement Ingestion

This case involves a 2-year-old female who ingested some of her father’s prescribed medication. She presented early to the emergency department where she received activated charcoal. On a follow-up call from the local poison control center 3 days later, she had developed vomiting, agitation, and appeared to have increased work of breathing. We review possible causes for the patient’s symptoms including thyroid hormone toxicity, lithium toxicity, and management guidelines for her specific overdose.
Computer Simulation and Optimization of Cranial Vault Distraction

Objective:The objective of this study was to validate the proof of concept of a computer-simulated cranial distraction, demonstrating accurate shape and end volume.Design:Detailed modeling was perf...
Distributed Estimation of Power System Oscillation Modes Under Attacks on GPS Clocks

Phasor measurement units (PMUs) are playing an increasingly important role in wide-area monitoring and the control of power systems. PMUs allow synchronous real-time measurements of voltage, phase angle, and frequency from multiple remote locations in the grid, enabled by their ability to align to global positioning system (GPS) clocks. Given that this ability is vulnerable to GPS spoofing attacks, which have been confirmed easy to launch, in this paper, we propose a distributed real-time wide-area oscillation estimation approach that is robust to GPS spoofing on PMUs and their associated phasor data concentrators. The approach employs the idea of checking update consistency with histories and across distributed nodes and can tolerate up to one third of compromised nodes. It can be implemented in a completely decentralized architecture and in a completely asynchronous way. The effectiveness of the approach is confirmed by numerical simulations of the IEEE 68-bus power system models.
Overlays: A Great Use for Polymer Concrete

Polymer concrete (PC) overlays have been successfully used since the 1970s primarily by transportation agencies on bridges. Polymers used for overlays have seen significant improvements, and the current overlays have proven to be durable, skid resistant, and cost-effective. Over 2400 overlays had been installed by 2009, and overlays are a standard bridge protection system by departments of transportation based on an extensive survey of US and Canadian provinces. Slurry, multiple-layer, and premixed overlays are the most widely used. Epoxies are the most widely used resins. Many states have published specifications on the construction of overlays.
Green Energy Development in China: The Case of Clean Coal Technologies

Purpose This study examines the three main reasons why China is primed to vigorously pursue clean coal technologies in the years ahead: (1) coal stimulates economic development, (2) improving coal efficiency can immediately reduce demand and emissions, and (3) the Large Substituting for Small program has been a success.
Basic Sources of Information

There was a time when information about grants was so scarce that artists and arts groups were almost totally in the dark about the whole mysterious process. When and if they did find out about the availability of funds, it was often just blind luck. The situation now is quite the reverse: there is a plethora of printed material of every type imaginable, as well as an abundance of consultants offering to assist in ferreting out patrons and to guide the applicant through the process—for a fee, of course.
The effects of whey and soy liquid breakfast on appetite response, energy metabolism, and subsequent energy intake.

Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of animal-based protein (whey; WP) compared with plant-based protein (soy; SP) and carbohydrate (CHO) liquid breakfast on appetite, energy metabolism, and subsequent energy intake. Methods: Seventeen healthy individuals consumed three isocaloric breakfast smoothies with whey, soy, or carbohydrate (no protein) in a double-blind, randomized crossover design. Participants completed an 11-point rating scale of appetite profile (before, 0, 60, 120, and 180 min). Indirect calorimetry was used to determine the thermic effect of a meal (TEM; at 45–60, 105–120, and 165–180 min). An ad libitum lunch was offered at 180 min after breakfast and energy intake was assessed. Results: There was a significant difference in hunger (P = 0.033), fullness (P = 0.002), satiety (P = 0.001), desire to eat (P = 0.024), and prospective food consumption (P = 0.021) between the three breakfast meals. Fullness and SP compared with CHO. A higher (P
Field attraction of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) to synthetic stereoselective enantiomers of the ceralure B1 isomer.

Stereoselectively synthesized enantiomers of ethyl cis-5-iodotrans-2-methylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate (ceralure B1), a potent lure for male Mediterranean fruit flies, were tested in the laboratory and the field against laboratory reared sterile flies. The (−)-ceralure B1 enantiomer was significantly more attractive than the (+)-ceralure B1 antipode. Dose–response studies of the above compounds demonstrated that (−)-ceralure B1 and to a lesser extent, racemic ceralure B1, captured consistently more male flies than trimedlure, the current male attractant used in detection programs. Longevity tests demonstrated that, over a three-week period, both (−)-ceralure B1 and racemic ceralure B1 caught significantly more flies than trimedlure. The synthesis of specific enantiomers of ceralure B1 shows great promise as a male attractant that could replace trimedlure for detection and delimitation in action programs aimed at this exotic pest.
Middle School Music Ensemble Participation, Homophobic Name-Calling, and Mental Health:

Homophobic name-calling is commonplace in middle schools and is emerging as an antecedent to more serious, deleterious concerns, including depressive or anxious symptoms among youth. While music ed...
International Service-Learning: Students'Personal Challenges and Intercultural Competence

International service-learning offers students a complex cluster of educational opportunities that include cultural competency acquisition combined with professional development. An interdisciplinary program in a remote area of Tanzania revealed that the journey toward competence can be an arduous one. Drawing from students’ reflections in journals and focus groups, the authors identified students’ personal apprehensions and challenges, intra-group relationships and processes, reciprocity with the community participants, and students’ emerging self-confidence and competencies as the major developmental experiences. The affective domain of learning was prominent in the students’ reflections on their experiences and personal development. Constructivist grounded theory guided the qualitative analysis of journals and focus group transcripts. The authors suggest that faculty contemplating an international service-learning program prepare not only for program logistics, but also for processing personal and intra-group challenges, and incorporating them as part of the international service-learning experience.
Stenting of Mobile Calcified Emboli After Failed Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Case Report and Literature Review.

Background Mobile calcified emboli are a rare cause of large vessel occlusion and acute ischemic stroke and pose unique challenges to standard mechanical thrombectomy techniques. Intracranial stenting has been reported as a rescue maneuver in cases of failed mechanical thrombectomy owing to dissection or calcified atherosclerotic plaques, but its use for calcified emboli is not well described. Case Description We present 2 cases of acute ischemic stroke caused by mobile calcified emboli. Standard mechanical thrombectomy techniques using aspiration catheters and stent-retrievers failed to remove these emboli, so intracranial stenting was successfully performed in each case, albeit after overcoming unique challenges associated with the stenting of calcified emboli. We also review the literature on intracranial stenting as a salvage therapy for failed mechanical thrombectomy. Conclusions Mobile calcified emboli are rare causes of acute ischemic stroke. Intracranial stenting can be used to successfully treat calcified emboli when mechanical thrombectomy has failed.
A look at the incidence and risk factors for dog bites in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, USA.

Aim This study examined the incidence, demographic predictors, and map patterns of dog bites to humans in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, USA. Materials and methods Dog bites reported to Harris County Veterinary Public Health (HCVPH) between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2016, were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. Canine and victim characteristics and bite circumstances were evaluated to establish risk factors for bites. Geographic location was used to produce choropleth maps. Results There were 6683 dog bites reported to HCVPH between the years of 2013 and 2016, with stable incidence rates over time. The incidence was highest for both children and older adults. Dogs with the primary breed of Pit Bull had the greatest frequency of bites (25.07%), with the second highest breed being Labrador Retrievers (13.72%). Bites were more common from intact dogs of both genders, especially from intact males. Persons aged 70+ had the greatest incidence of severe injury (14.09/100,000). A strong correlation between dog bite incidences and stray dogs was found after controlling for the human population and income. Conclusion Dog bites remain a largely preventable issue, and risk factors identified in this study can help direct preventative efforts to reduce the incidence of dog bites.
Nurses' heart failure discharge planning part II: Implications for the hospital system.

Abstract Aim The purpose of this interpretive descriptive study was to understand bedside nurses' motivation and decision-making during discharge planning for patients with HF on a 48-bed telemetry unit. Background Heart failure (HF) discharge planning interventions have largely excluded the contributions of bedside nurses. Methods Fifteen nurses were interviewed. Coding was done using NVivo and thematic analysis was completed. Results This paper is the second in a two-part series which presents separate results of one interpretive descriptive study delineating the factors that impact bedside nurses' HF discharge planning. This paper presents how nurses' lack of time, competing priorities, and hospital policies affect nurses' HF discharge planning. In addition to the previous report (part I) of how nurses felt more motivated during HF discharge planning when they had time to establish a personal connection with patients, nurses reported being motivated when they had time to individualize HF education and did not feel rushed to complete discharge planning tasks. Conclusions Findings from this study suggest that patients with HF may benefit if bedside nurses are afforded the support to effectively assess patients' discharge needs and educate them. A shift in organizational practice is needed, such as employing HF nurse educators to lead bedside nurses in a more structured method of HF education delivery, requiring discharge planning as a component of each shift's work, and promoting bedside nurse involvement in HF discharge planning decision-making within interdisciplinary teams.
Systemic benefits of Gc inhibition to preserve insulin sensitivity

Type 2 diabetes is caused by an imbalanced supply and demand of insulin. Insulin resistance and impaired beta cell function contribute to the onset of hyperglycemia. No single treatment modality can affect both aspects of diabetes pathophysiology. Thus, current treatments focus either on increasing insulin secretion (incretin mimetics, sulfonylureas) or insulin sensitivity (metformin and TZD), or reducing hyperglycemia (insulin, sglt2i). Previously, we reported that ablation of Gc, encoding a secreted protein with a primary role in vitamin D transport, improves pancreatic beta cell function in models of diet-induced insulin resistance. Here, we show that Gc ablation has systemic insulin-sensitizing effects to prevent weight gain, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, and lower NEFA and triglyceride in mice fed a high-fat diet. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps show that Gc ablation protects insulin9s ability to reduce hepatic glucose production, and increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Moreover, acute Gc inhibition by way of adeno-associated virus encoding a short hairpin RNA to promote Gc mRNA degradation, prevents glucose intolerance caused by high fat feeding. The data suggest that Gc inhibition can provide an approach to increase insulin production in beta cells, and insulin action in peripheral tissues.
A Recipe for Honest Consumer Research

In the past decade, consumer research using experiments has experienced a crisis of confidence. Research in our field has rightfully been criticized for p-hacking, Hypothesizing After the Results are Known, and other practices that lead to overestimation of the reliability and replicability of published results. Remediation has centered on more closely approximating the ideal hypothetico-deductive method. There has been a push towards forming, and registering, one or few hypotheses before running experiments, testing only those hypotheses, and testing each hypothesis with a single, preplanned analysis. We argue that doing better hypothetico-deductive experiments is not the (whole) solution and that p-hacking and HARKing are not the problem per se. The problem is that we misrepresent exploratory research as hypothetico-deductive. Forcing exploratory research into a hypothetico-deductive straightjacket leads to bad hypothesis testing. The straightjacket also leads to bad exploration, crowding out essential, good exploration that deserves space in our journals. We propose a recipe for more honest consumer research, in which authors report exploratory studies meant to generate hypotheses followed by truly hypothetico-deductive studies that test those hypotheses.
Subcutaneous Infiltration of Indocyanine Green From a Malpositioned Intravenous Catheter.

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a water-soluble, iodine-containing molecule with a wide variety of applications in various fields of medicine. In this paper, we report an adverse event of ICG infiltration into subcutaneous tissue from a malpositioned intravenous (IV) catheter. Although ICG can be injected intradermally and subcutaneously for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer surgery, no reports exist regarding inadvertent infiltration from an IV catheter. It is our objective to provide an example should this unfortunate event occur in other populations, to describe the timing of resolution from infiltration, and to provide recommendations for future occurrences. In this case, the discoloration from infiltration became apparent on postoperative day one and had resolved completely at the time of the follow-up appointment on postoperative day 18.
In a Defiant Stance: The Conditions of Law in Massachusetts Bay, The Irish Comparison, and the Coming of the American Revolution, by John Phillip Reid

or irrelevant or distanced from the society in which that debate occurred. The constitution was a description of the organization of society, and the constitution encompassed in detail and concretely all aspects of legal order and structure. Debate over the nature of the constitution was in essence a debate over the political nature of the society in which
Immunofluorescence and Herpes-Type Virus Particles in the P3HR-1 Burkitt Lymphoma Cell Line

A subline of the P3 (Jijoye) Burkitt lymphoma cell line, designated P3HR-1, initially contained 1 to 5% of cells which were positive by indirect immunofluorescence with selected human sera. After 4 months of propagation, this cell line regularly showed 15 to 40% reactive cells. Antigen(s) in the cell line which was reactive by immunofluorescence was similar or identical to that found in several other Burkitt tumor cell lines in previous studies. When the cells were incubated at 35 or 32 C for 9 to 15 days without refeeding, more than 50% of the cells became immunofluorescence-positive. Thirteen different cultures of P3HR-1 cells, which contained up to 75% immunofluorescence-positive cells, were thin-sectioned and examined by electron microscopy. The percentage of cells containing herpes-type virus particles in the cultures varied from <3 to 78%. There was generally a good correlation between the number of immunofluorescent cells and the number of cells containing virus particles. The number of virus particles per cell section ranged from 1 to more than 100. These results strongly support the hypothesis that the immunofluorescent antigen is related to the presence of the herpes-type virus particle in the cells.
A Survey of Indian Health Service and Tribal Health Providers' Colorectal Cancer Screening Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices

Background. Provider recommendation is critical for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening participation, yet few data exist on practices of providers serving American Indians and Alaska Natives. We examined Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal provider prac- tices, beliefs about screening efficacy, and perceptions of barriers. Methods. We developed a Web-based questionnaire and recruited respondents via electronic distribution lists. We generated descriptive statistics by region, provider type, and workplace setting. r esults. Most respondents (77%) recommend starting CRC screening of average-risk patients at age 50; however, 22% recommend flexible sigmoidoscopy and 43% colonoscopy at inter - vals inconsistent with national guidelines. Of those recommending fecal occult blood test (FOBT), 23% use a single, in-office FOBT card as their only FOBT method. Respondents reported barriers to screening to include underutilized reminder systems and inadequate resources. Conclusions. Indian Health Service/tribal providers are knowledgeable about when to begin CRC screening; however, education about the appropriate use and frequency of CRC tests is needed.
The effects of age on the neural correlates of feedback processing in a naturalistic gambling game

We examined age-related differences in the spatiotemporal distribution of event-related brain potentials (ERPs) related to feedback processing in a virtual blackjack game. The behavioral data revealed that older adults were less risk seeking than younger adults both within and across trials. Age-related differences were observed in the amplitude of several ERP components (P2-FN-P3a, P3a, slow wave activity) related to feedback processing. These components were localized to the anterior and posterior cingulate, the occipital cortex, and the inferior and medial frontal cortices. The effects of aging on the ERPs ranged from 200-2,000 ms after feedback onset. Our findings indicate that aging affects the activity of a distributed neural network that underpins processing the valence and motivational significance of feedback related to risky decisions.
Privatizing the Adjudication of International Commercial Disputes: The Relevance of Organizational Form

What role should for-profit organizations play in governing commercial transactions? Recent scholarship on the privatization of commercial law has advocated expanding the role of for-profits. This essay tests the merits of that proposal in a context where the case for relying on for-profits seem particularly strong, namely the adjudication of international commercial disputes. Both theory and evidence suggest that there is a role for providers of dispute resolution services that take a variety of organizational forms, including for-profits, not-for-profits, international organizations and various kinds of hybrid organizations.
Army E3 program: a process focused on teaming

The authors highlight the history of the US Army Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) program, including the management approaches that were used to execute the program. Weaknesses in this process resulted in very serious system deficiencies that have been difficult and expensive to correct. The authors review the Department of the Army's policy changes that have been implemented to improve the E3 program. Key changes include the establishment of E3 Review Boards as advisory teams designed to support the acquisition managers' awareness of the electromagnetic environment in which systems must survive. The teams' main functions are to define the environment, establish impact, and propose solutions for management decisions. The power of the total quality management (TQM) based working group process, with specific case studies worked by E3 boards, is highlighted. Benefits that the program has achieved while operating in a world of diminishing resources are examined. >
Rupture process of the Ms 6.6 Superstition Hills, California, earthquake determined from strong-motion recordings: Application of tomographic source inversion

Abstract We analyze strong-motion recordings of the M s 6.6 Superstition Hills earthquake to determine the timing, location, spatial extent, and rupture velocity of the subevents that produced the bulk of the high-frequency (0.5 to 4 Hz) seismic energy radiated by this shock. The earthquake can be characterized by three principal subevents, the largest ones occurring about 3 and 10 sec after initiation of rupture. Timing relationships between pulses on the seismograms indicate that the three subevents are located within 8 km of each other along the northern portion of the Superstition Hills fault. The two largest subevents display different directivity effects. We apply a tomographic source inversion to the integrated accelerograms to determine the slip acceleration on the fault as a function of time and distance, based on a one-dimensional fault model. The azimuthal distribution of amplitudes for the second subevent can be largely explained by a rupture that propagated about 2 km to the southeast along the Superstition Hills fault at a velocity about equal to the P -wave velocity. An alternative model with rupture propagating to the northeast along a conjugate fault plane can also account for the observed directivity of this subevent, but it is not supported by the aftershock distribution. The third subevent ruptured to the southeast along an 8-km long portion of the Superstition Hills fault at about the shear-wave velocity. This rupture propagation caused the relatively large accelerations and velocities observed in strong-motion records for stations southeast of the hypocenter. The long time intervals between the subevents and their relative proximity to each other indicate a very slow component to the rupture development. The southern half of the Superstition Hills fault did not generate significant high-frequency strong ground motion, although it showed substantial co-seismic surface displacement. The subevents are situated along the same northern portion of the fault where most of the aftershocks are located. The locations of the subevents appear to be controlled by bends in the fault mapped at the surface and by changes in basement structure at depth.
Incision and drainage of subcutaneous abscesses without the use of packing

Abstract Purpose The classic intervention for subcutaneous abscesses is incision and drainage followed by wound packing. This is thought to aid hemostasis, and prevent reorganization of the abscess. Removal of packing material may be painful and anxiety provoking. We sought to determine whether packing could be omitted with equal efficacy. Methods One hundred pediatric patients with subcutaneous abscesses were enrolled between May, 2008 and December, 2010. All underwent incision and drainage, then seven days of oral antibiotics and warm soaks. Patients were randomized to the packing group (PG) or non-packing group (NPG). Packing was removed 24h after the procedure. Patients were excluded if: 1) diabetic/immunosuppressed, 2) the abscess was perianal or pilonidal, or 3) the abscess was secondary to a previous operation. Patients were evaluated in clinic if recurrence was suspected during follow-up calls on postoperative days seven and 30. Results Eighty-five patients completed the study (43 PG/42 NPG). The two groups were not statistically different with respect to initial parameters, recurrent abscesses (one in each group), or MRSA incidence (81.4% PG/85.7% NPG). Conclusion Incision and drainage of subcutaneous abscesses without the use of packing is a safe and effective technique. This approach omits a traditional, but painful and anxiety provoking, component of therapy.
Sequence restrictions in T cell receptor β-chains that have specificity for a self-peptide/Ld complex

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes that react with a complex of Ld and a ubiquitous self-peptide derived from the enzyme α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (p2Ca, LSPFPFDL) can be readily elicited by the addition of synthetic peptide to cultures of BALB/c speen cells. As with other Ld restricted CTL, the p2Ca-specific cells use predominantly the Vβ8.3 region. In addition, the p2Ca-specific cells use almost exclusively one of three Jβ gene segments. Selection for these Jβ regions appears to be related to the presence of a glutamic acid residue that is encoded at the 5' end of the Jβ and is present within the CDR3. As p2Ca does not contain a complementary charged residue, this finding may suggest that the β-chain CDR3 from p2Ca-specific CTL contacts one of the five basic residues located on the Ld helices. Together, the results support the possibility that CDR1 and/or CDR2 (within Vβ8.3) and the CDR3 may each contact the Ld molecule. In contrast to the Vβ and Jβ regions, the VβDβJβ junctions and Vα Jα repertoires were diverse. The diversity could explain why p2Ca-specific CTL have relatively high precursor frequencies allowing them to be generated rapidly in primary cultures.
Menopausal symptoms among four major ethnic groups in the United States.

The purpose of the study was to explore ethnic differences in symptoms experienced during the menopausal transition among four major ethnic groups in the U.S. This study was done via a cross-sectional Internet survey among 512 midlife women recruited using a convenience sampling. The instruments included: questions on background characteristics, health, and menopausal status, and the Midlife Women’s Symptom Index. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Significant ethnic differences in the total number and severity of the symptoms were found. The most frequently reported symptoms and predictors of the total number and severity of the symptoms differed by ethnic identity. More in-depth cultural studies are needed to understand the reasons for the ethnic differences in menopausal symptom experience.
CHEMICAL HAZARDS IN URBAN AMERICA

This paper examines the spatial distribution of airborne releases of acutely toxic materials in 3 17 metropolitan areas in the United States. There were 1,362 incidents in urban areas between 1980 and 1989.One-third of the urban areas had no recorded releases during the decade, while 1 I% had at least one per year. Metropolitan areas were classified into high, medium, and low hazard areas based on incident frequency. A discriminant analysis was used to help differentiate these places using measures of risk and mitigation. The analysis correctly classified 81% of the metropolitan areas and found that five variables were the most important indicators of hazard: number of chemical services; number of railroad track miles; number of nondurable agricultural suppliers; population density; and number of railroad yards. Four of these variables stress the importance of risk indicators (industrial infrastructure) within a city that contribute to the potential for disaster. While we can begin to understand the hazar...
All Things Considered: A Content Analysis of National Public Radio's Flagship News Magazine From 1999–2009

NPR's All Things Considered is going strong in the radio news business despite constant worries over funding, perceived bias, and an increasingly online-based news audience. This content analysis of the program examines how ATC covered news over a decade (1999–2009) and found changes in topic and source use over time that merit discussion of ways NPR uses gatekeeping in its story choice and news operation in today's constantly changing media world. The results also provide discussion points on perceived news bias at NPR, sourcing credibility, and the changing nature of gatekeeping in a major news organization.
Effects of larval secretions on Queen fecundity in the fire ant

For social insects, queen fecundity is central to queen survival. In addition, coordinating workload, in the form of hungry larvae, with labor, in the form of workers, is critical to queen survival. Such coordination is accomplished by transporting waste products from molting fourth instars to queens that then amplify queen egg production. The source of the fecundity-amplifying factors that are transmitted from larvae to queens is still under debate. This article reports a case study on the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, demonstrating that larval excretory products amplified queen fecundity rather than larval fecal fluids, larval saliva, or nutrients. Queens were active participants in their intake of fecundity-amplifying factors, often grazing over larvae, squeezing and ingesting the expelled droplet. In summary, these findings support a queen-centered rather than a worker-centered model for the social regulation of queen fecundity and survival.
Modifications of electrosurgery electrodes

Dermatologists often find that electrosurgical electrodes that are commercially available do not always suit their specific clinical requirements. Some physicians modify electrodes to achieve specific electrosurgical effects. The more popular modifications have given rise to new varieties of commercially available electrodes.
Analysis of Variance in Small Group Research

This paper discusses an ANOVA design appropriate for small group research in which dependent variables are derived from individual member responses. In such instances, subjects are nested within groups and groups are nested within treatments. Conditions under which it would be appropriate to pool the subjects within groups means square with the groups mean square to form the error term for the ANOVA are discussed. Such an error term will have somewhat greater power than that based on the groups means square alone. A common practice of using the subjects within groups mean square alone as the error term is shown to be inappropriate.
A kinetic and mechanistic study of the formation of sulfinato iridium(III) complexes by oxidative addition reactions

Abstract The kinetics of oxidative addition of sulfonyl chloride (RSO 2 Cl) to trans -Ir(CO)XL 2 is given by the second order rate law: rate = k 2 [Ir(CO)XL 2 ] [RSO 2 Cl]. The rates increase with increasing basicity of ligands L and X in the order Cl 3 3 p -CH 3 C 6 H 4 ) 3 3 )Ph 2 . The dependence of the rate on R in RSO 2 Cl is p- ClC 6 H 4 6 H 5 p- CH 3 C 6 H 4 n- C 3 H 7 . The activation parameters for the reaction of Ir(CO)Cl(PPh 3 ) 2 with PhSO 2 Cl in benzene are ΔH* = 16 kcal/mol and ΔS* = −14 cal/deg mol. This reaction it not inhibited by radical scavengers galvinoxyl or duroquinone and not promoted by benzoyl peroxide. The mechanistic implications of these results are discussed.
The effect of acoustic overexposure on the tonotopic organization of the nucleus magnocellularis

We assessed the effect a sound-induced cochlear lesion had on the tonotopic organization of the nucleus magnocellularis (NM) immediately after acoustic overexposure and following a twelve day recovery period. The acoustic overexposure was a 0.9 kHz tone at 120 dB sound pressure level (SPL) for 48 h. Initially after the acoustic overexposure, the tonotopic organization of the NM was statistically different from that of age-matched controls. Specifically, it appeared that the center frequencies of units in the frequency region of the NM associated with the acoustic overexposure had higher center frequencies than their control counterparts. Following a twelve day recovery period, when threshold sensitivity and frequency selectivity were operating normally, the tonotopic organization of the NM was not statistically different from age-matched controls. We suggest that the sound-induced changes in the tonotopic organization of the NM reflect peripheral damage in the basilar papilla. It has been well documented that similar exposure paradigms produce a loss of short hair cells and a degeneration of the tectorial membrane in the region of the basilar membrane associated with the overexposure. We postulate that the loss of these structures alters the micromechanics and tuning of the basilar membrane which is reflected in the observed changes in NM tonotopy. Following the recovery period, when those structures destroyed by the overexposure had regenerated and basilar membrane micromechanics were operating normally, the tonotopic organization of the NM returned to normal.
Amodal completion: Simplicity is not the explanation

Six experiments were performed to investigate factors that might influence the use of symmetry versus good continuation in the completion of a partially occluded shape. With 1-sec presentations, subjects used good continuation on 74.6% of the trials and were not influenced by manipulations designed to draw their attention to different aspects of the shapes. With a 9-sec presentation, good continuation completions dropped to 37% and symmetric completions rose to 53.2%. The results suggest a precedence effect with naive subjects. Features favoring completion through good continuation (e.g., lines at points of intersection) are read out of a sensory store more quickly than are features favoring completion through symmetry (e.g., symmetrically opposite comers). Showing only selected parts of the stimulus through holes in a mask influenced subjects’ responses. The results suggest that completion is not based on the simplicity of the completed shape, but rather is determined by the parts of the stimulus that are processed.
Variable phenotype in murine transverse aortic constriction.

Abstract Background In mice, transverse aortic constriction (TAC) is variably characterized as a model of pressure overload-induced hypertrophy (left ventricular [LV] hypertrophy, or LVH) or heart failure (HF). While commonly used, variability in the TAC model is poorly defined. The objectives of this study were to characterize the variability in the TAC model and to define a simple, noninvasive method of prospectively identifying mice with HF versus compensated LVH after TAC. Methods Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice underwent TAC or sham and then echocardiography at 3 weeks post-TAC. A group of sham and TAC mice were euthanized after the 3-week echocardiogram, while the remainder underwent repeat echocardiography and were euthanized at 9 weeks post-TAC. The presence of TAC was assessed with two-dimensional echocardiography, anatomic aortic m-mode and color flow, and pulsed-wave Doppler examination of the transverse aorta (TA) and by LV systolic pressure (LVP). Trans-TAC pressure gradient was assessed invasively in a subset of mice. HF was defined as lung/body weight>upper limit in sham-operated mice. Results As compared with sham, TAC mice had higher TA velocity, LVP and LV weight, and lower ejection fraction (EF) at 3 or 9 weeks post-TAC. Only a subset of TAC mice (28%) developed HF. As compared with compensated LVH, HF mice were characterized by similar TA velocity and higher percent TA stenosis, but lower LVP, higher LV weight, larger LV cavity, lower EF and stress-corrected midwall fiber shortening, and more fibrosis. Both EF and LV mass measured by echocardiography at 3 weeks post-TAC were predictive of the presence of HF at 3 or 9 weeks post-TAC. Conclusions In wild-type mice, TAC produces a variable cardiac phenotype. Marked abnormalities in LV mass and EF at echocardiography 3 weeks post-TAC identify mice with HF at autopsy. These data are relevant to appropriate design and interpretation of murine studies.
SnapShot: Sensing and Signaling by Cilia

Primary cilia are cellular appendages that coordinate diverse sensory and signaling activities. They are important for proper mammalian development, adult tissue homeostasis, and vision and odorant detection, and their dysfunction contributes to disease pathology and developmental defects.
Constructing Conservation Impact: Understanding Monitoring and Evaluation in Conservation NGOs

A growing number of scholars critically examine large conservation organisations to explore organisational intentions, practices, and outcomes. In parallel, other scholars have problematised audit cultures, suggesting that these seemingly good practices of evaluation and measurement are not neutral and instead have consequences for governance and power. This article combines literature on conservation NGOs, organisational theory, and audit culture to study the inner workings of conservation and to understand the construction of effectiveness and impact. I draw on semi-structured interviews to examine how a large, international conservation organisation, which I term the World Conservation Organisation (WCO; a pseudonym), coordinates monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes among its international, national, and local offices. I find individual staff within WCO make varying assumptions about the M&E policies and place different values on M&E, which results in different institutional logics towards M&E and a broader organisational failure to measure progress and reflect upon outcomes. The findings also show difficulties in translating broad organisational goals into specific project activities, underscoring tensions in implementation and limitations in M&E practice. I also find that organisational and managerial pressure to report success is greater than donor pressure, a finding that expands understandings of NGO-donor dynamics.
Iodine metabolism in surviving human thyroid slices maintained in a medium of constant composition.

IN A previous paper (Molnar et al., 1956) it has been shown that rates of I131 uptake by surviving human and canine thyroid slices could not be determined by the method of incubation of slices in a fixed volume of medium containing I131. A new method was therefore devised in which a medium of constant composition flowed by gravity at a constant rate over thyroid slices. This method, termed “gravity-flow incubation,” and its potentialities and limitations form the subject of this paper.
Multicomponent profile refinement of time-of-flight neutron diffraction data

Abstract Methods of profile analysis of time-of-flight neutron diffraction data containing contributions from several materials have been developed and have been used to fit patterns obtained from materials under high pressure. Several hundred diffraction lines from up to four different materials can be analyzed simultaneously. The analysis yields the atomic positions, lattice parameters, temperature factors, preferred orientation parameters, and scale factors directly from fitting the raw data. The scale factors can be used to estimate the percentages of each component contributing to the pattern.
Experimenting with a shared virtual memory environment for hypercubes

This paper describes the design and implementation of a shared virtual memory (SVM) system for the nCUBE 2 machine. The SVM system provides the user a single coherent address space across all nodes. It is implemented at the user level in a C programming environment using high level constructs to support data sharing. Shared variables are treated as objects rather than pages. We have improved upon an existing algorithm for maintaining coherency in the SVM system, thus achieving a reduction in the number of internode messages required in coherency maintenance. Detailed timing analysis is conducted to analyze the feasibility of this shared environment. Experimental results indicate that parallel programs running under an SVM system show linear speedup, suggesting that SVM systems could provide an effective programming environment for the next generation of distributed memory parallel computers. The bottleneck of this implementation is associated with the expensive interrupt handling capability of the nCUBE 2.
Ranking Desirable Field Instructor Characteristics: Viewing Student Preferences in Context with Field and Class Experience

Although research on what students consider desirable in field instructors is extensive, little of it focuses on the relative weight students assign to each of their preferences or the context within which student preferences emerge. This article reports the survey findings from a case study that asked BSW graduates to rank the desirable characteristics of field instructors, and then provides supporting interview data that describe their experiences with the six most highly rated items. The social worker scale received the highest mean compared with the teacher and person scales, respectively. Specifically, “availability” ranked highest followed by four items on the social worker scale. In aggregate, the data suggest that students expect their instructors to be role models and learn much about professional behavior by observing it negatively enacted. Implications for research and field education are discussed.
The black spot test for recognizing poison ivy and related species

A black, enamel-like deposit is frequently present on injured areas of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. This finding can also be produced deliberately as a field test for the toxic nature of the plant. Observing proper precautions, one crushes sap from leaves onto a sheet of white paper. The resulting stain should darken on exposure to the air if it came from a Toxicodendron. This test employs only one quality of these plants, and it is not, therefore, a substitute for other proved means of identification.