cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Burden of NAFLD Worldwide

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now considered to be the fastest growing cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Recent estimates suggest that 25% of the world have NAFLD. Although only a small proportion of NAFLD patients will progress to end-stage liver disease and death, due to the sheer number of individuals affected worldwide, the clinical burden of NAFLD is substantial. In fact, NAFLD is now one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and indications for liver transplantation in the United States. Although liver-related mortality is common, the most common cause of death for those with NAFLD is related to cardiovascular diseases. Although most patients with NAFLD are overweight, obese, and have type 2 diabetes, some NAFLD patients may have lower body mass index within the lean threshold. Nevertheless, the higher the number of components of metabolic syndrome, the higher the risk for adverse outcomes, including liver-related mortality. Therefore, clinicians must be vigilant in assessing patients for NAFLD if they have components of metabolic syndrome. In those at risk for potentially progressive form of NAFLD or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or those with hepatic fibrosis, additional assessments must be undertaken. Although life style modification with diet and exercise and selective use of vitamin E and pioglitazone can be recommended, identification of NAFLD patients with significant fibrosis has important prognostic implications.
Evolution of interfaces for the non-linear parabolic p-Laplacian type reaction–diffusion equations

We present a full classification of the short-time behaviour of the interfaces and local solutions to the nonlinear parabolic p-Laplacian type reaction–diffusion equation of non-Newtonian elastic filtration: \begin{equation*} u_t-\Big(|u_x|^{p-2}u_x\Big)_x+bu^{\beta}=0, \ p>2, \beta >0. \end{equation*} The interface may expand, shrink, or remain stationary as a result of the competition of the diffusion and reaction terms near the interface, expressed in terms of the parameters p, β, sign b, and asymptotics of the initial function near its support. In all cases, we prove the explicit formula for the interface and the local solution with accuracy up to constant coefficients. The methods of the proof are based on non-linear scaling laws and a barrier technique using special comparison theorems in irregular domains with characteristic boundary curves.
Network meta-analysis of drug-coated balloon angioplasty versus primary nitinol stenting for femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease.

Abstract Objective Primary nitinol stenting (PNS) and drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty are two of the most common endovascular interventions for femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease. Although many prospective randomized controlled trials have compared PNS or DCB with plain balloon angioplasty (POBA), no studies have directly compared PNS against DCB therapy. The purpose of this network meta-analysis is to determine whether there is a significant difference in outcomes between PNS and DCB. Methods The primary outcome measure was binary restenosis, the secondary outcome measures were target lesion revascularization (TLR) and change in the ankle-brachial index (ABI). Outcomes were evaluated at 6, 12, and 24 months. A literature review identified all randomized controlled trials published before March 2020 that compared DCB with POBA or PNS with POBA in the treatment of native atherosclerotic lesions of the femoropopliteal artery. Studies were excluded if they contained in-stent stenosis or tibial artery disease that could not be delineated out in a subgroup analysis. Network meta-analysis was performed using the network and mvmeta commands in STATA 14. Results Twenty-seven publications covering 19 trials were identified; 8 trials compared PNS with POBA and 11 trials compared DCB with POBA. The odds of freedom from binary restenosis for patients treated with DCB compared with PNS at 6 months was 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63-2.22), at 12 months was 1.67 (95% CI, 1.04-2.68), and at 24 months was 1.36 (95% CI, 0.78-2.37). The odds of freedom from TLR for patients treated with DCB compared with PNS at 6 months was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.12-3.80), at 12 months was 1.89 (95% CI, 1.04-3.45), and at 24 months was 1.68 (95% CI, 0.82-3.44). The mean increase in ABI for patients treated with PNS compared with DCB at 6 months was 0.06 higher (95% CI, –0.03 to 0.15), at 12 months was 0.05 higher (95% CI, 0.00-0.09), and at 24 months was 0.07 higher (95% CI, –0.01 to 0.14). Conclusions Both DCB and PNS demonstrated a lower rate of binary restenosis compared with POBA at the 6-, 12-, and 24-month timepoints. When comparing DCB with PNS through network meta-analysis, DCB had a statistically lower rate of a binary restenosis and TLR at the 12-month timepoint. This network meta-analysis demonstrates that both DCB and PNS are superior to POBA, and that PNS is a satisfactory substitute for DCB when paclitaxel is not desirable.
Evaluating the impact of a medical school cohort sexual health course on knowledge, counseling skills and sexual attitude change

Sexual health is generally considered an integral part of medical and allied healthcare professional training. However, many medical schools do not offer this as a mandatory curriculum, or minimize it. Sexual health as an academic area was introduced in the 1970s, but there have been few cohort evaluations of its impact. This was limited by the availability of few psychometric scales for evaluation. We evaluated the full, mandatory, sexual health course in year 1 medicine at a large state university in the Midwest US, including the course with lectures; panels and tutorials; a video app to give students feedback on their sexual history taking skills; and a 3-station sexual history OSCE at the end of the course. Seventy-four medical students (43% of the course cohort) volunteered, for an incentive, to complete evaluation materials pre- and post-course. We used the Sexual Health Education for Professionals Scale (SHEPS), designed and with appropriate psychometric standardization for such evaluation. The SHEPS data covers 7-point Likert scale ratings of 37 patient situations, asking first how well the student could communicate with such a patient, and on the second part how much knowledge they have to care for such a patient. The third subscale examines personal sexual attitudes and beliefs. Data indicated that the matched pretest-posttest ratings for skills and knowledge were all statistically significant and with very large effect sizes. Few of the attitude subscale items were significant and if so, had small effect sizes. Sexual attitudes and beliefs may be well-formed before entry into medical school, and sexual health teaching and learning has minimal effect on sexual attitudes in this US sample. However, using the 3 sexuality OSCE cases scores as outcomes, two of the 26 attitude-belief items predicted > 24% of the variance. The sexual health course produced major changes in Communications with patients sexual health skills and Knowledge of sexual health, but little change in personal Attitudes about sexuality. These data suggest that personal attitude change is not essential for teaching US medical students to learn about sexual health and sexual function and dysfunction, and comfortably take a comprehensive sexual history.
Compensation Consultants and Executive Pay: Evidence from the United States and the United Kingdom

Executive compensation consultants are investigated using data from the United States and the United Kingdom. The study yields a number of findings. First, CEO pay is generally greater in firms that use compensation consultants, consistent with a rent-extraction theory of executive pay. Second, the amount of equity used in the overall compensation package, such as stock options, is greater in firms that use consultants. This is consistent with an optimal contract theory of pay which aligns manager and shareholder interests. Third, there is little evidence that consultants with potential conflicts of interest, such as supplying other business to client firms, leads to greater CEO pay or the adverse design of pay contracts.
Personal and professional factors influencing career choice regret during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: Many healthcare workers (HCWs) have been subjected to additional workplace and personal stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some stressors may be more likely to contribute to career choice regret and the decision to leave the healthcare profession. Loss of critical numbers of personnel could leave healthcare systems without a ready, capable workforce. The purpose of this research was to determine which personal and professional characteristics increased frequency of career choice regret. Methods: An international, cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine if specific personal and professional characteristics were associated with career choice regret and intent to leave. One short-answer item was included in the 20-item survey. The sample consisted of 874 English-speaking HCWs from 18 countries with representation of various practice settings, disciplines, ages, and years in healthcare. Results: Significant correlations between pre- and intra-pandemic frequency of thoughts about leaving the healthcare profession were observed. Ordinal regression analyses were conducted, finding significant relationships between career regret thoughts and female gender, age, and death of a family member or friend. Death of a coworker was not associated with increased thoughts of leaving the healthcare profession. Themes from the short-answer item included fatigue, anger, doubt, fulfillment, and the pandemic as a journey. Conclusions: Healthcare systems may be vulnerable to a loss of HCWs due to the effects of working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospital and health system executives need to understand the current threats to the stability of the workforce and develop strategies to prevent attrition of skilled, capable professionals.
Examining the Use of Online Platforms for Employment: A Survey of U.S. Job Seekers

Online employment resources are now as important as offline personal and professional networks, which have been pivotal in finding employment. However, it is unclear, which specific online resources are key to employment and how job seekers take advantage of them. Therefore, in an online survey of 768 job seekers, we investigated which online platforms, specific job search phases, behaviors, and job search strategies job seekers used in their job search, and which of these were associated with positive outcomes. We examined whether these results correlated with demographic factors and found differences in online platform use among income, gender, years of education, and race. Our results suggest that higher-income job seekers were more likely to use different strategies and more likely to get callbacks than lower-income job seekers. We raise new questions around demographics and technology and discuss the need for practitioners to design for a wider variety of job seekers.
Changes to Fim-Motogp Rules to Reduce Costs and Make Racing More Directly Relevant to Road Motorcycle Development (2008-01-2957)

The specific power densities and therefore the level of sophistication and costs of FIM-MOTOGP engines 800 cm 3 in capacity have reached levels similar to those of the traditionally much more expensive FIA-Formula One engines and some racing developments have no application at all in the development of production bikes. The aim of the paper is therefore to review FIM-MOTOGP engine rules and make recommendations that could reduce costs and make racing more directly relevant to the development of production bikes while enhancing the significant interest in technical innovation by the sports’ fans.
The choice of brand extension: the moderating role of brand loyalty on fit and brand familiarity

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of loyalty in consumers’ selection of brand extensions in the presence of familiar competitors. The findings show that fit may not have a linear relationship with the choice of an extension when loyalty and brand familiarity are considered. Loyal consumers’ likelihood to choose high-fit and moderate-fit extensions is not much lower than their likelihood to choose products from familiar competitors. We also find an inverted-U-shaped relationship between choice behavior and degree of perceived fit for loyal and moderately loyal consumers. Moreover, brand concepts can make a brand more elastic and extendable, increasing loyal and moderately loyal consumers’ likelihood to choose moderate- and even low-fit extensions. However, disloyal consumers are highly unlikely to choose extensions over products from familiar competitors regardless of fit and types of similarity. Finally, the effect of similarity on consumers’ choice of extensions is fully mediated by loyalty and perceived risks.
WE-G-204-08: Optimized Digital Radiographic Technique for Lost Surgical Devices/Needle Identification

Purpose: Small surgical devices and needles are used in many surgical procedures. Conventionally, an x-ray film is taken to identify missing devices/needles if post procedure count is incorrect. There is no data to indicate smallest surgical devices/needles that can be identified with digital radiography (DR), and its optimized acquisition technique. Methods: In this study, the DR equipment used is a Canon RadPro mobile with CXDI-70c wireless DR plate, and the same DR plate on a fixed Siemens Multix unit. Small surgical devices and needles tested include Rubber Shod, Bulldog, Fogarty Hydrogrip, and needles with sizes 3-0 C-T1 through 8-0 BV175-6. They are imaged with PMMA block phantoms with thickness of 2–8 inch, and an abdomen phantom. Various DR techniques are used. Images are reviewed on the portable x-ray acquisition display, a clinical workstation, and a diagnostic workstation. Results: all small surgical devices and needles are visible in portable DR images with 2–8 inch of PMMA. However, when they are imaged with the abdomen phantom plus 2 inch of PMMA, needles smaller than 9.3 mm length can not be visualized at the optimized technique of 81 kV and 16 mAs. There is no significant difference in visualization with various techniques, or between mobile and fixed radiography unit. However, there is noticeable difference in visualizing the smallest needle on a diagnostic reading workstation compared to the acquisition display on a portable x-ray unit. Conclusion: DR images should be reviewed on a diagnostic reading workstation. Using optimized DR techniques, the smallest needle that can be identified on all phantom studies is 9.3 mm. Sample DR images of various small surgical devices/needles available on diagnostic workstation for comparison may improve their identification. Further in vivo study is needed to confirm the optimized digital radiography technique for identification of lost small surgical devices and needles.
MEDLINE Off-line—A Better Way?

In Reply.— We can only agree with Desch and Johnson9s comments, particularly regarding the rapid changes that are occurring in the on-line database industry. We also agree that for the novice the use of the Grateful Med program in conjunction with the National Library of Medicine9s database is probably the best method. However, for those who are not novices or for those who plan to do a great deal of searching, BRS Colleague may be more appropriate.
Chemistry of the Earth's Earliest Atmosphere

In this chapter we describe chemistry of the early atmosphere of the Earth during and shortly after its formation where there is little if any geological record. We review the arguments for a secondary origin of the terrestrial atmosphere, that is by outgassing during and/or after accretion rather than by capture of solar nebula gas. Then we discuss sources of volatiles accreted by the Earth using meteorites as analogs for the material present in the solar nebula. The next section reviews heating during accretion of the Earth. Subsequently we describe chemistry of the silicate vapor, steam, and gaseous stages of atmospheric evolution on the early Earth. We close with a summary of the key questions that remain unresolved.
Mobilization of the Urethra in the Surgical Treatment of Hypospadias

AbstractUrethral mobilization is an adjunctive surgical technique for improving the position of the urethral meatus in a hypospadias operation. In patients with mild degrees of hypospadias and chordee the mobilized urethral meatus can be placed out onto the glans without constructing a neourethra. In more severe cases of hypospadias urethral advancement distally will reduce the length requirement for the neourethra. Mobilization of the urethra has been done in 21 children in conjunction with standard hypospadias repair techniques and the outcome has been highly successful for the majority.
Lead Accumulation in Quercus Nigra and Q. Velutina near Smelting Facilities in Alabama, U.S.A.

Lead is very toxic and if ingested cancause severe health problems to both animals andhumans. To determine if lead accumulation in treescould provide a direct pathway to enter the foodchain, oaks (Q. nigra or Q. velutina)growing near two lead smelting facilities in Alabama,U.S.A., were analyzed for lead in acorns, leaves and treecores. A relatively pristine site was used as acontrol. Lead was not detected in acorns collected atany site, and was only found in tree cores from thesites near smelters. Significant increases in treecore lead from 1975–1995 were detected at the activesmelter site. Results were different from the inactivesmelter site; lead increased in tree cores until thesmelter ceased operation, then decreased afterclosing. Soil lead decreased linearly with distancefrom both smelters. In addition, a significantpositive relationship was observed between leaf andsoil lead at the site with the active smelter, andmay be the result of both translocation via treeroots, and foliar absorption of deposited lead ionsinto the leaf structure.
The Separation of Powers in United States of America: Past and Present

The American version of the separation of powers was designed to prevent tyranny (i.e., capricious, arbitrary rule) and to ensure the rule of law by preventing the concentration of all powers in any one branch. That legislators, as well as their family and friends, would be subject to the impartial administration and adjudication of laws which they passed was a key factor in assuring these objectives. While Congress was regarded as the most representative and powerful branch in the system, over the course of American history presidential powers have increased enormously, often at the expense of Congress. The emergence and growth of political parties has facilitated this development so that today the presidency is the predominant branch of government, viewed as representing all the people, not special or narrow interests. In recent years, a new and expansive theory of presidential authority, �the unitary executive theory,� has gained currency; a theory which justifies an even greater concentration of authority in the executive branch. Moreover, the Supreme Court in recent decades, largely through an expansive interpretation of both its function and the language of the Constitution, has assumed new power, again at the expense of Congress. While the Constitution has not been amended to alter the original design, the reality is that the present system does not correspond to that intended by the Framers. Yet, the concerns posed by the Framers about a concentration of power remain.
Environmental Sampling for Salmonella spp. in Colorado Animal Shelters

Salmonella enterica is an important zoonotic agent and nosocomial infections and epidemics have occurred in animal facilities. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella in the environment in animal shelters. From 12 to 25 samples were taken from each shelter to represent environmental contamination. Samples were collected from surfaces in areas used by animals and in public access areas including animal receiving rooms, kennels, paediatric wards, treatment, visitation rooms, isolation, euthanasia, outdoor runs and play areas, reception rooms, animal transport vehicles, offices, break rooms and restrooms. Samples were tested for Salmonella and compared within shelters to identify high- and low-risk areas; and between shelters to identify differences in environmental contamination by geographical location, infection control policies, and shelter size characteristics. Twenty-eight per cent of sampled Colorado shelters had environmental Salmonella contamination. Two regions in the eastern 1/3 of the state had prevalences of 30% and 100%. Within-shelter sample prevalence ranged from 0 to 100%. Results of this study indicate that animal shelters can be frequently contaminated with Salmonella spp., a variety of Salmonella species may be present, contamination can be widespread within a facility and recovered isolates may harbour antibiotic resistance The findings from this study may influence and help focus educational policy on issues of infection control and zoonotic disease awareness in animal shelters.
The thermal-cycled adhesion of thick-film copper conductors

The thermal-cycled adhesion performance of a high-solder-acceptance, high-adhesion, mixed-bonded copper conductor is described. An empirical expression that relates the adhesion strength of the conductor to the number of thermal cycles and to their temperature extremes has been developed. Refinements to the expression include the shape and duration of the thermal cycles and the influence of conductor thickness. The qualitative effects of solder type and the presence of underlying dielectric are also discussed. The performance of the conductor is compared to that for two other thick-film copper conductors; one is a mixed-bonded, low-firing temperature material (600 degrees C), and the other is an earlier generation material used as the experimental control. Significant chemical and metallurgical changes occur during the thermal cycling of a solder joint. Observations from the present work have been used to develop a general picture of the joint-weakening processes. >
A Review of “What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know About Sex”

In What Every Mental Health Professional Needs to Know About Sex, Buehler (2014) has crafted one of the most informative and comprehensive books on treating sexual concerns. Buehler divides the boo...
Endocytosis: biochemical analyses.

Many integral membrane proteins synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum ultimately arrive at the cell surface to contact the cell environment. During transit through the Golgi and trans-Golgi network, proteins acquire post-translational modifications that can be used to track the appearance of such modified proteins at the cell surface. Cellular proteins can be treated with enzymes--e.g., sialidase or protease--or antibodies, or biotinylated to identify molecules that have reached the cell surface. Some proteins first enter the endocytic pathway before appearing at the cell surface; this is detected by treating the cells at 4 degrees and 37 degrees C. Analysis of the number of sialic acids on proteins of cells treated at 4 degrees C identifies proteins resident at the cell surface, while cells treated at 37 degrees C internalize the sialidase, which can then act with proteins in the endocytic compartments.
On electron pairing in a periodic potential

A model Hamiltonian is proposed, based on the assumption that two electrons with the same group velocity effectively attract each other, to examine the existence of unconventional electron pairs formed by electrons in a strong periodic potential.
A New Latitudinal Record for the Ant Genus Leptogenys (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in North America

Abstract. We report the first record of the ant genus Leptogenys in Oklahoma. Two species have been recorded from the United States, but northern range boundaries for both have been primarily limited to Gulf Coast states. This collection increases the known distribution northward into the central United States for one of those species, Leptogenys elongata (Buckley 1866).
Similar normalized Emax and O2 consumption-pressure-volume area relation in rabbit and dog

The end-systolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR), a measure of ventricular contractile state, and systolic pressure-volume area (PVA), a primary determinant of cardiac oxygen consumption per beat (VO2), have been derived from the pressure-volume diagram of the cross-circulated dog left ventricle. The slope of the PVA-VO2 relation represents the efficiency of chemomechanical energy transduction of the contractile machinery. To see whether these relationships were similar in other animals, we studied the isovolumic ESPVR and the VO2-PVA relation in nine excised, cross-circulated rabbit left ventricles. The base-line ESPVR was linear (r = 0.94-0.99) with the slope (Emax) and volume-axis intercept (V0) equal to 83.4 +/- 18.3 mmHg/ml and 0.43 +/- 0.17 ml, respectively. When normalized for left ventricular weight, Emax (4.1 +/- 1.1 mmHg.ml-1.100 g) and V0 (8.9 +/- 3.7 ml/100 g) were similar to values reported for the dog left ventricle. The correlation between PVA and VO2 was linear (r = 0.93-1.00), and the slope (1.90 X 10(-5) +/- 0.44 X 10(-5) ml O2.mmHg-1.ml-1) and VO2-axis intercept (0.040 +/- 0.009 ml O2.beat-1.100 g-1) were similar to values found in the dog left ventricle. Hence, despite the greatly different heart size, the base-line contractile state and chemomechanical energy conversion efficiency of the excised, cross-circulated rabbit left ventricle are similar to those of the dog left ventricle.
Imine-Linked Microporous Polymer Organic Frameworks

Imine-linked microporous polymer organic frameworks (POFs) were synthesized via Schiff base condensation between 1,3,5-triformylbenzene and several readily available diamine monomers. Our facile, one-pot approach results in quantitative yields of POFs with the flexibility to incorporate several functional groups in their pores for tuning the interaction of their surface with different guest molecules. Synthesized POFs exhibit high specific surface areas (up to 1500 m2 g−1) as well as high isosteric heats of H2 adsorption (up to 8.2 kJ mol−1).
Effects of developmental age, ambient temperature, and dietary alterations on Δ12 desaturase activity in the house cricket, Acheta domesticus

Double bond formation in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is mediated by desaturase enzymes. Certain insect species have been found to possess a Δ12 desaturase, previously thought to occur exclusively in plants. We have begun to characterize this enzyme to determine its relatedness to those found in plants and animals. Desaturase activity can be altered significantly by a number of environmental factors in protozoa, cyanobacteria, plants, fish, and rats. We present evidence here that Δ12 desaturase activity in Acheta domesticus is affected by developmental stage, starvation, dietary alterations, and fluctuations in ambient temperature. Highest activity is observed during the middle of the penultimate instar and 3 to 6 days after adult emergence. Starvation markedly decreases Δ12 activity, whereas resumption of feeding on fat-free or low fat diets increases activity. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 44:112–119, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interaction between adriamycin cytotoxicity and hyperthermia: growth-phase-dependent thermal sensitization.

Thermal sensitization of adriamycin cytotoxicity was studied in vitro and in vivo using tumour cells originated from a spontaneous mouse fibrosarcoma, FSa-II. The adriamycin dose-cell survival curve for exponentially growing cells was biphasic with the initial sensitive portion followed by a resistant tail. The survival curves determined in vitro as a function of treatment time at various temperatures were also biphasic. With increasing temperatures the initial portion became steeper and the resistant fraction decreased. At a temperature of 43°C, which gives lethal damage to cells by itself, the cell survival decreased rapidly during the initial 30 min of treatment and became relatively constant for subsequent treatment times up to 180 min. The tumour response determined by the median tumour growth time for one-half of treated tumours to reach 1000 mm3 from the treatment day (35 mm3) indicated that the tumour response to adriamycin was independent of temperature. Hyperthermia at 43·5°C for 60 min prolonge...
The effects of self-esteem, task label, and performance feedback on goal setting, certainty, and attribution

ABSTRACT An identical task was labeled as either difficult or easy. Bogus performance feedback was given to each subject at random after the first work period. Subjects were divided into high or low self-esteem groups based on a median split in their scores on the self-esteem measure. The results showed that subjects set lower goals in the difficult condition than they did in the easy condition in the first period; however, no difference was found in the second period. Subjects with high self-esteem had higher certainty than those with low self-esteem in the second period. Subjects in the positive feedback group made higher ability and effort attributions than those in the negative feedback group.
Plastic deformation and sliding friction of metals

Abstract Most theories of sliding friction have emphasized surface roughness or adhesion. In some cases plastic deformation has been invoked to account for energy dissipation. After a brief review of published explanations of friction, a new model is described for the source of friction during the steady state sliding of metals. It focuses on the plastic work done in the near-surface region, described in terms of work hardening, recovery and the microstructure existing during steady state sliding. The model is discussed with respect to several alternate ways in which plastic deformation has been incorporated in recent theories of friction. Reasonable results are found when the new model is used to estimate friction coefficients for metals. Also, the model appears to be consistent with a number of published observations on the relation of friction to load, sliding distance, surface temperature and microstructure, and with a model for sliding wear which has been presented earlier.
Effects of body-weight supported treadmill training on kinetic symmetry in persons with chronic stroke

Abstract Background The purpose was to examine changes in kinetic symmetry in persons with chronic stroke immediately and 6-months after body-weight supported treadmill training. Methods Fifteen participants at least six-months post stroke and able to ambulate between 0.4 and 0.8 m/s and 20 participants without neurological conditions completed all phases of the study and were included in the analysis. The non-disabled group served as a comparison for describing changes in kinetic symmetry. The stroke group completed 24 sessions of body-weight supported treadmill training over 8-weeks with 20 minutes of total walking per session. Bilateral 3-dimensional motion analysis and gait speed were assessed 1-week before training (pre-test), 1-week after training (post-test) and 6-months after training (retention) in a repeated measures design. Relative propulsion of the paretic leg and relative positive work of the hip, knee and ankle joints of both legs were calculated to evaluate symmetry of kinetic forces. Findings Statistically significant differences in relative propulsion and positive joint work within the paretic and non-paretic legs were not found over time. The stroke group significantly improved gait speed from pre- to post-test ( p = .001) and pre-test to retention ( p = .008). In comparison to the non-disabled group, forces produced by the stroke group were asymmetrical demonstrating compensatory adaptation. Interpretation Although the participants with chronic stroke walked faster after body-weight supported treadmill training, the relative percentages of propulsion and positive work remained unchanged. These findings suggest that the increase in speed was likely due to strengthening existing compensatory strategies rather than through recovery of normal kinetic symmetry.
Phosphorylation of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole4-propionic acid receptor GluR1 subunit by calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II.

Modulation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic Acid (AMPA) receptors in the brain by protein phosphorylation may play a crucial role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity. Previous studies have demonstrated that calmodulin (CaM) kinase II can phosphorylate and modulate AMPA receptors. However, the sites of CaM kinase phosphorylation have not been unequivocally identified. In the current study, we have generated two phosphorylation site-specific antibodies to analyze the phosphorylation of the glutamate receptor GluR1 subunit. These antibodies recognize GluR1 only when it is phosphorylated on serine residues 831 or 845. We have used these antibodies to demonstrate that serine 831 is specifically phosphorylated by CaM kinase II in transfected cells expressing GluR1 as well as in hippocampal slice preparations. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping experiments indicate that Ser-831 is the major site of CaM kinase II phosphorylation on GluR1. In addition, treatment of hippocampal slice preparations with phorbol esters and forskolin increase the phosphorylation of serine 831 and 845, respectively, indicating that protein kinase C and protein kinase A phosphorylate these residues in hippocampal slices. These results identify the site of CaM kinase phosphorylation of the GluR1 subunit and demonstrate that GluR1 is multiply phosphorylated by protein kinase A, protein kinase C, and CaM kinase II in situ.
Comparison of local anesthesia techniques during transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies.

Objectives. To compare the effectiveness of periprostatic nerve blockade versus intrarectal lidocaine during transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsies. Methods. A prospective randomized study was performed on 150 men requiring biopsy of the prostate. Patients were assigned to three groups: group 1 received no anesthetic, group 2 received 10 mL of 2% lidocaine gel intrarectally, and group 3 received a periprostatic injection of 5 mL of 1% lidocaine solution before undergoing prostate biopsy. Patients were asked to respond to a preprocedural and postprocedural questionnaire that consisted of four questions designed to evaluate pain perception and pain experienced, respectively, during the entire procedure. Results. The mean pain scores, comparing responses from groups 2 (topical lidocaine) and 3 (periprostatic) individually with those from group 1 (control), were not statistically different for any of the preprocedural questions. The postprocedural pain scores were significantly lower in groups 2 and 3 compared with those from group 1 (control) for overall procedure impression (3.1 ± 1.7 and 2.6 ± 1.8 versus 3.8 ± 1.8, respectively; P <0.05 for both). The postprocedural scores for probe insertion were significantly lower for the topical group than for the control group (2.2 ± 1.7 versus 3.7 ± 2.1, P <0.05) but not for the periprostatic group compared with the control group (3.0 ± 1.9, P = 0.14). The biopsy postprocedural scores were significantly lower for the periprostatic group than for the control group (2.8 ± 1.9 versus 4.3 ± 1.7, P <0.05). Conclusions. Our data confirm that both techniques of local anesthesia are effective in reducing patient discomfort; however, periprostatic nerve blockade using injectable lidocaine appears to be more specific in reducing pain during the biopsy portion of the procedure.
A Multivariate Analysis of Responses to Dissatisfaction

Although consumer dissatisfaction is ubiquitous in the marketplace, empirical studies of dissatisfaction have been narrow in focus. This is especially true for studies of responses to dissatisfaction, for these investigations tend to ignore all dissatisfaction responses except complaint behavior. The study reported here replicates and extends an earlier investigation by concurrently examining three dissatisfaction responses—complaints, word of mouth, and brand switching intentions. Three sets of variables were examined in relationship to these responses: characteristics of the product problem, perceptions of the redress environment, and consumer characteristics. Complaint behavior and intention to switch brands showed strongest relationships with the first two types of variables. Word of mouth, on the other hand, seemed to be more heavily influenced by the consumer’s level of social interaction, a consumer characteristic. Findings indicate that the three dissatisfaction responses are independent in that they share little if any common variance and they seem to be influenced in different ways by the correlates studied.
Effect of Increasing Total Dietary Fat Intake on Plasma Lipids of Hyperlipidemic Children

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To describe the relationship between fat and saturated fat intakes and serum lipid values in hyperlipidemic children consuming very low fat diets. The Expert Panel on Blood Cholesterol levels in Children and Adolescents of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association recommend a low fat ( Methods: 34 Caucasian middle class suburban hyperlipidemic children , 18 boys, with a mean age 7.4±3.9 years referred to an ambulatory pediatric atherosclerosis prevention center received individualized nutritional counseling by a Registered Dietitian on the NCEP Step I Diet. Pre and post counseling 3 day food records were analyzed with Minnesota Nutrient Data System software. Initial and follow-up fasting serum lipid profiles were measured. in a standardized lab. The minimum time of follow-up was 3 months. Results: Dietary fat intake was significantly increased from a mean (+SD) of 16.2±3% to 21.1±3% of total energy primarily from monounsaturated fat. Saturated fat expressed as a % of total fat was significantly decreased from 34.7±6 to 29.2±4%. Energy was significantly increased. Serum lipid values showed a significant decrease in Total Cholesterol(246±63mg/dl to 234±73mg/dl) and Triglyceride (165±103mg/dl 128.7±47mg/dl) levels. HDL-Cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol remained unchanged, p values t test. Conclusion: Increasing dietary fat while concurrently decreasing the percent of saturated fat, lowers serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in hyperlipidemic children and adolescents who were consuming very low fat diets. Nutritional counseling is an integral component in the effective treatment of pediatric hyperlipidemia.
Hydrographic sections across the Kuroshio extension at 165°E and 175°W

Abstract Two meridional CTD/O 2 sections were occupied across the Kuroshio extension in the autumn of both 1983 and 1984 along the longitudes of 165°E and 175°W. The western section spanned the latitudes 29°N–44°N, east of the Shatsky Rise and west of the Emperor Seamount chain. The eastern section was east of the Hess Rise between 28° and 44°N latitudes. The baroclinic flow across 165°E was concentrated into two eastward jets approximately 100 km wide which could be identified with the eastward extensions of the Kuroshio and Oyashio (subarctic) fronts. The former had an eastward volume transport of 56 ± 2 Sv while the latter had an eastward transport of 22 ± 3 Sv relative to the ocean bottom. These two narrow zones of flow were embedded in a broad zone of weaker, baroclinic volume transport to the west. To the east of Emperor Seamounts, the meridional density gradients were substantially reduced. While the signatures of the Kuroshio and subarctic property fronts were still evident, the 175°W section was dominated by eddies with meridinal scales of approximately 200 km. In 1983 one of these eddies appeared to be a detached warm-core ring of Kuroshio water. Salinity variations in the oxygen minimum layer indicate a deep property front at 30°N at both longitudes which may extend westward toward Japan to at least 152°E.
Effect of graphene nanoplatelets on coefficient of thermal expansion of polyetherimide composite

Abstract Thermal expansion is one of the major concerns for polymer composites. In this research, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were added to polyetherimide (PEId) thermoplastic polymer in order to reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the injection molded composite. First, the coefficient of linear thermal expansion (LTE) was measured in three directions in the anisotropic coupon: 0°, 90° and the out of plane Z direction. It is found that the GNP particles are very effective in terms of reducing the LTE in 0° direction due to high degree of alignment. After annealing above glass transition temperature, significant increase of 0° LTE and decrease of Z ° LTE were observed. The bulk CTE was calculated by adding up the LTEs in all three directions and is found to be independent of annealing. Second, several models were applied to predict both CTE and LTE. It is found that Schapery's lower limit model fits the experimental CTE very well. Chow's model was applied for LTEs in three directions. The behavior of GNP-5/PEId composites is explained by the combination of Chow's model and morphology obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM).
DEFENDING THE HARVESTMAN

![Figure][1] Growing up in Uruguay, Thomas Eisner was always fascinated by a curious arachnid, the harvestman, that `reacted fearlessly and gave out these juices' whenever he attempted to collect them. For years, Eisner wondered about these harvestmen: what are the yellow secretions and why
Transverse Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability in a Q -Machine Plasma

The $Q$-machine "edge oscillation" is identified as a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability by a comparison of theory with experiment. Specifically, measurements of frequency and of radial variation in wave phase and amplitude agree with numerical integrations of the radial wave equation, including finite parallel wavelength. The computations show that the instability is caused principally by velocity shear.
Nucleon-nucleon scattering analyses. I. Proton-proton scattering, from 1 to 500 MeV

Energy-independent and energy-dependent analyses are given for the proton-proton scattering data from 1 to 500 MeV. These analyses are similar to those of the Livermore series, but a number of modifications have been made, particularly in the low-energy representation. First, the range of the analyses has been extended by 50 MeV (i.e., from 450 to 500 MeV) and provisions have been made to include total cross sections in the analyses. This and new data additions have resulted in a 20% expansion of the data base. The other modifications concern the low-energy data and the representation bases. To help alleviate normalization difficulties with the low-energy data, the normalization errors of all experiments in the 0- to 10-MeV energy range were floated. The $S$-wave scattering-length and effective-range parameters were adjusted to give the best fit to the data, and the energy-dependent representation was modified to account for low-energy Coulomb effects. A 28-parameter energy-dependent solution is obtained which is quite good, with ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}=1052$ for 1233 data. This is a definite improvement over the Livermore result, but the phase shifts in the 50- to 400-MeV range are virtually unchanged (with the exception of the $^{3}F_{4}$ and $^{1}G_{4}$ phases) despite the modifications to the bases functions, a strong indication that the data place strong restrictions on the phases.[NUCLEAR STRUCTURE energy-dependent, energy-independent phase-shift analyses of 1-500-MeV $p\ensuremath{-}p$ scattering data.]
One dimensional polaron effects and current inhomogeneities in sequential phonon emission

Abstract We have constructed a physical model to explain the tunneling current oscillations reported by Hickmott et. al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 52 , 2053] for GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures in high magnetic fields. We propose that the periodic structure observed is due to space charge which builds up in the undepleted layer when electrons enter it with energy just below the phonon emission threshold. Such electrons interact with the lattice to form polarons whose energy is pinned to the phonon energy, and thus have a very small group velocity. The polaron effect is strongly enhanced by the confinement of the electrons by the strong magnetic field. We infer from the current-voltage data that most of the tunneling current flows through a small area of the sample. The combined model gives reasonable quantitative agreement with experiment.
Electronic structure of poly(iminomethylene) using semi-empirical methods

Abstract The electronic structure of poly(iminomethylene), the parent polymer for a class of rigid rod polymers known as polyisocyanides, has been studied by semi-empirical methods using the AM1 and PM3 hamiltonians. All of the possible helical geometries, 21, 31 and 41, as well as pseudo-helical and more generalized geometries have been studied. The most stable geometry is a generalized structure with four residues per translational unit, which is only slightly distorted from a helical geometry. It is an isotactic geometry, with the hydrogen substituents directed parallel to the screw direction. The most stable helical geometry has three residues per translational unit. The C–C bond lengths for the 21 geometries are longer than those for the 31 and 41 geometries, but the calculated band gaps are smaller for the former. The calculated density of states for the 31 and 41 geometries are not highly correlated. For a set of polyisocyanides with the same conformation, the density of states of the parent polymer is expected to be a good approximation to the backbone density of states of the members of the set.
Frequency domain lifetime and spectral imaging microscopy

In the femtoliter observation volume of a two-photon microscope, multiple fluorophores can be present and complex photophysics can take place. Combined detection of the fluorescence emission spectra and lifetimes can provide deeper insight into specimen properties than these two imaging modalities taken separately. Therefore, we have developed a detection scheme based on a frequency-modulated multichannel photomultiplier, which measures simultaneously the spectrum and the lifetime of the emitted fluorescence. Experimentally, the efficiency of the frequency domain lifetime measurement was compared to a time domain set-up. The performance of this spectrally and lifetime-resolved microscope was evaluated on reference specimens and living cells labeled with three different stains targeting the membrane, the mitochondria, and the nucleus.
Corporate Social Performance and Economic Cycles

Do firms respond to changes in economic growth by altering their corporate social responsibility programs? If they do respond, are their responses simply neglect of areas associated with corporate social performance (CSP) or do they also cut back on positive programs such as profit sharing, public/private housing programs, or charitable contributions? In this paper, we argue that because CSP-related actions and programs tend to be discretionary, they are likely to receive less attention during tough economic times, a result of cost-cutting efforts. However, the various CSP performance areas vary in terms of their resource requirements and their influence on financial performance (short- and long-term), which suggests that firms may respond differently depending on area. Consequently, in addition to examining CSP concerns separately from positive actions and programs (CSP strengths), we also examine the influence of economic growth across the five areas of diversity, employee relations, the environment, product quality/safety, and the community. Based on data from 837 firms over 15 years, our results suggest that firms neglect some areas associated with CSP during economic downturns, resulting in increased concerns about community and employee relations, product safety/quality, and the environment. However, this relationship does not apply to positive actions and programs. Instead, firms tend to increase their positive CSP programs in areas such as diversity, employee relations, and the environment during periods of slow economic growth and reduce them when the economy picks up. We offer potential explanations for our findings and discuss their importance to research on CSP.