cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seeing Is Believing: Gap Junctions in Motion.

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) channels between cells are composed of connexin proteins that form hexamers (connexons) in adjacent plasma membranes [...]
“Dark, Shapeless Substances”; or, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

This chapter argues that Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is an even clearer example of how the epigenetic point of view affects genre because Shelley’s own aesthetic theory, like Walpole’s, conceives of the art object in epigenetic terms. The novel itself, like its most famous creature, comes into being around a theory of aesthetic origins that favors organic development from internal powers. At the same time, Shelley interrogates contemporary theories of embryology through the various scenes of creation in the novel—from the creature’s initial stitching together to the creation of the female creature. Tracing the details of these scenes, this chapter shows the ways in which Shelley evokes and critiques elements of spermist preformation, vitalist epigenesis, and epigenesis. Victor’s education also includes some of the earliest, female-centered theories of embryology of Agrippa and Paracelsus, suggesting Shelley’s preference for more egalitarian models. These direct engagements with theories of fetal formation and development also address the processes of the creative imagination, making the novel illustrative of the ways in which science affects genre.
Endogenous Stock Market Participation and Wealth Accumulation: A Life-Cycle Model Perspective

We propose a life-cycle model, where individuals facing uninsurable labor income risks choose whether to participate the stock market and make decisions on home-ownership, in an environment with social safety net and the retirement savings system. The model is motivated by the empirical finding that active stock market participation is associated with higher level of education and employment experience in the finance sector. The model exhibits good fit on portfolio choice, home-ownership, consumption pattern in the cross- section and through life-cycle. We find that the lack of stock market access, proxied by a fixed entry cost and variable costs, plays a key role in generating heterogeneous outcome in agent’s wealth accumulation, and therefore, increases wealth inequality.
Post-Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Septal Rupture Bridged to Heartmate 3 with an Impella 5.5.

Optimal timing of surgical repair for patients diagnosed with a post–myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture is controversial. Urgent surgical intervention to prevent hemodynamic decompensation must be balanced against delayed repair to allow for tissue stabilization and increased likelihood of a successful outcome. We report the use of an axillary Impella 5.5 (Abiomed Inc, Danvers, MA) temporary left ventricular assist device to aid in hemodynamic stabilization, shunt fraction reduction, and tissue maturation with eventual definitive surgical repair in a patient who presented with a post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture and cardiogenic shock.
THE URETER, URETEROVESICAL JUNCTION, AND VESICAL TRIGONE.

The musculature of the ureter has a layered arrangement in which the internal layer is mainly longitudinal and the external layer is largely circular. There is, however, intermingling and migration of fascicles between layers. At the passage of the ureter through the bladder wall this layering is lost and all fascicles become oriented longitudinally. At the ureterovesical junction fibers of the detrusor muscle of the bladder, interspersed with delicate connective tissue, reflect onto the ureter over a distance to 2 to 3 cm. This “sheath” of the ureter, as it has been designated, is a reflection of bladder wall muscle onto the ureter. At its passage through the bladder wall, the ureter is loose and an injectable space exists around it. This is properly termed “Waldeyer's separation” since he called attention to it in 1892. Within the bladder, the ureteric wall flattens and widens, allowing the lumen to migrate to the surface to constitute the ureteral aperture at the angle of the vesical trigone. Delicate muscular decussations occur proximal and distal to the aperture. Ureteric muscle mainly forms the vesical trigone. Most fascicles run to the midline and blend with those of the opposite side in the interureteric fold. Others spread through the trigone, its lateral margin being formed of somewhat more numerous fascicles directed toward the vesical orifice. Very few fibers actually descend into the urethra. The principal fixation of the ureter into the bladder is to the mucous membrane of the trigone area and to the deeper lying muscle and connective tissue.
Ribozyme Evolution at the Crossroads

Molecules that have similar sequences usually adopt the same structures and have the same functions. In his Perspective, [Joyce][1] explains that this is not always the case. In a remarkable study ([Schultes and Bartel][2]), an RNA sequence has been designed that can adopt two different structures, each with a different catalytic function. Joyce details how this study sheds light on the evolution of enzymes. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/289/5478/401 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/289/5478/448
Effect of a face sheet tool on medical team provider identification and family satisfaction.

Resident duty hour restrictions may expose families to more trainees during hospitalization and hinder recognition of medical team members. This may negatively impact family satisfaction. Our study sought to determine the effects of a face sheet tool on families' identification and satisfaction rating of the medical team. One of 2 general pediatric units at a large academic center was assigned to intervention; the other served as the concurrent control. Families on the intervention unit were given a face sheet tool with medical team members' photos and role descriptions. Upon discharge, caregivers matched names, photos, and roles to providers they encountered, answered a 10-question satisfaction survey, and answered an overall hospital experience satisfaction question. Caregivers encountered a median of 8 (range, 3–14) medical team members. Caregivers in the intervention group were more likely to correctly identify providers by name (median correct, 25% vs 11% for controls; P < 0.01) and provider roles (median correct, 50% vs 25%; P < 0.01). No significant difference was noted between groups for overall satisfaction. A face sheet tool helped caregivers identify their child's care providers' names and roles, although identification remained poor. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:186–188. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine.
2-D Fitting and Interpolation Applied to Image Distortion Analysis

Most imaging devices induce geometric (spatial) distortions of images (1). In other words, every point is mislocated from its true location to an imaged location, depending on the distortion characteristics of the imaging device. This process leads not only to misevaluation of locations, but also of shapes, sizes, and image intensity within a region of interest. Therefore, every time a quantitative image analysis has to be performed, image distortion characteristics and stability must be assessed; and eventually, a correction procedure must be carried out.
Delayed-elastic model for initiation and accumulation of creep cavitation at high temperatures

ABSTRACT A quantitative model has been developed for stress dependency of the incubation time required for initiation of intergranular cracks under moderate stress during high-temperature creep, the minimum stress required, and the subsequent accumulation of damage from cracking activity. It is based on a combination of theory and observation: cracks form at a critical delayed-elastic strain corresponding to a critical grain-boundary sliding displacement, and further creep cavitation increases exponentially with delayed-elastic strain in excess of this critical value.
Red cell pH in human maternal and fetal blood as determined by 5,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazolidine dione.

Abstract Red cell pH was calculated in human maternal and fetal blood, from plasma pH and the distribution of isotopically labelled 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-oxazoladine dione (DMO). Results show a significant difference, at the same plasma pH, in the red cell pH's of maternal and fetal blood. The difference is in a direction which would reconcile differences observed in oxyhemoglobin dissociation functions of human maternal and fetal whole bloods, and the absence of such differences when maternal and fetal hemoglobin solutions are studied in buffers of the same ionic concentration. The relationship of this observation to the role of DPG and ATP in determining dissociation function is discussed.
Development of digital protective relay tester under IEC61850

The novel tester of digital protective relay based on IEC61850 is proposed in this paper. The tester's system architecture is based on multi-CPU (CPU+DSP) high speed hardware platform and real time operation system, it can receive and sample the analog test data on time, which is then converted into digital test data according to IEC61850 protocol. This tester also has the GOOSE trip signal which receive, the analysis digital protection device sends out,and the circuit breaker position contact signal encoding, the group frame, transmits GOOSE the switch status to give the digitized relay protection installment and so on. The transient simulation testing platform is established, which can construct the electric quantity of each test cycle in the period of protection's operation for sending under IEC61850. Due to the special recursive algorithm and detecting the action of protection,the tester can complete the closed loop experiment of tripping-reclose-tripping forever. With the help of man machine interface, it's very convenient to performance dynamic simulation test, static simulation test and transient simulation test. This tester also get the fine results in the check of transient simulation test.
Health-care-by-phone services spreading across country.

Cynics in the crowd call telehealth “1-800-GO-TO-ER,” while doctors developing the services call them “enhancements” of traditional health care. Meanwhile, the public just keeps calling — a lot. ![Figure][1] Figure. Dr. Peter O'Hanley, RN Lois Scott: The new Grandma? The
Language outcomes among ELBW infants in early childhood

Background Limited data are available evaluating language outcomes of preterm infants in early childhood. Furthermore, the relationship between language outcomes, medical morbidities and developmental trajectory in early infancy is unclear.
Stream supply of dissolved silver, molybdenum, antimony, selenium, chromium, cobalt, rubidium and cesium to the oceans

Abstract Using a freeze-dry method of concentration with high purity sodium carbonate as carrier, 12 rivers from the United States and the world have been analyzed each for several or all of the following elements: Ag, Sb, Cr, Co, Rb, Cs, Se and Mo. The greatest variations in concentration among the rivers were observed for Sb, Cr and Mo. In addition to the dissolved trace element load of streams an attempt was made to estimate the additional supply of soluble material to the oceans as the result of adsorption on particles in streams and desorption on contact with sea water. Cobalt has an additional supply by this mechanism equal to about twice the dissolved load while silver and selenium add only an additional 10 per cent more and chromium and molybdenum none.
Effect on Layer Performance and Shell Quality of Switching Limestones with Different Solubilities

Abstract Switching of limestone to oyster shell or switching of a higher soluble limestone to a lower soluble limestone and vice versa in short-term laying trials showed no significant differences in shell quality or layer performance. Blood pH, gastrointestinal pH, apparent calcium digestibility, blood calcium, bone ash, and bone-bending moment were also not affected by the switching of different calcium sources in either direction. Hens adapted to different sources of limestone and oyster shell when a large portion of calcium carbonate was in a particulate form and when calcium intake was adequate.
An improved offshore wind turbine to MVDC grid interface using high frequency resonant isolation and input power factor control

This work introduces a new approach using high frequency (HF) isolation transformers with a series resonant power transfer mechanism for interfacing next-generation offshore wind turbine generators (WTGs) to medium voltage DC (MVDC) collection grids, a necessity for the continued development of offshore wind resources as farms are sited further out to sea. Analysis of the proposed approach is provided, as well as a practical design example. Detailed simulation results demonstrate converter operation from full rated power down to 25% rated power. The WTG displacement power factor is found to be 0.96 lagging. The three-phase multilevel input rectifier allows 5 times reduction in DC link capacitance over the previous per-phase approach. Near-sinusoidal WTG and transformer currents, continuous output currents, stiff DC link voltages and zero current switching (ZCS) in the HF inverter are all observed in simulation. Experimental results from 50 W prototype single-phase multilevel input rectifier stage corroborate corresponding to simulation results, with measured DPF of 0.92 lagging.
Macroscale constitutive modeling of kinking nonlinear elastic solids

Abstract A large class of solids has recently been identified as kinking nonlinear elastic (KNE) solids because they deform predominantly by the formation of dislocation-based, incipient and regular kink bands [M.W. Barsoum, A. Murugaiah, S.R. Kalidindi, T. Zhen, Phys. Rev. Lett. 92 (2004) 255508 1–4; M.W. Barsoum, T. Zhen, A. Zhou, S. Basu, S.R. Kalidindi, Phys. Rev. B (2005) 134101 1–8]. The incipient kink bands are fully reversible and have been shown to be the hysteretic mesoscopic units invoked to explain the nonlinear elastic deformation in rocks. In this paper, we present a theoretical framework to model the macroscale aspects of the nonlinear elastic behavior of KNE solids in a uniaxial stress state. The theory assumes that the probability of kinking is given by Weibull statistics. Despite its simplicity, the model captures reasonably well the fully reversible, hysteretic, rate-independent, and discrete memory aspects of the macroscale behavior of KNE solids in the nonlinear elastic regime.
Ethics and action theory on refraining: A familiar refrain in two parts

We can see from the analysis set out here that the two accounts that were the focus of consideration are complementary to one another. It has been my contention that a problem like specifying a concept such as ‘refrain’ is highly complex. One part of it is the problem of determining the relation between the action (or event) and the result. Another part of the problem is that of describing the event itself; what kind of an event is it? These two projects are related and so it is clear that the results must be consistent. However, it is equally clear that the definition which is useful for one project is not the same as that which is helpful for another. The point is that it should not be assumed that an account that initially looks incompatible with one's own must be refuted. It is sometimes better to consider what is needed for a complete account, and whether many different approaches may contribute pieces to the puzzle.
A rare cause of ischemic colitis: Polyarteritis nodosa

This paper details the first case report of a patient with fulminant, gangrenous, ischemic colitis caused by polyarteritis nodosa which was successfully treated surgically. Ischemic colitis is a rare complication of polyarteritis nodosa. It should be suspected in patients with a past history of polyarteritis nodosa who develop abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. The identification of cutaneous lesions preoperatively and or mesenteric or serosal vascular beading at operation are helpful in establishing this diagnosis. Prognosis is generally determined by the extent of systemic involvement by polyarteritis nodosa, and death is generally associated with renal failure.
Manifesting Destiny: Re/presentations of Indigenous Peoples in K–12 U.S. History Standards

In this mixed-methods study, we use a postcolonial framework to investigate how state standards represent Indigenous histories and cultures. The research questions that guided this study include: (...
Four Coats for Our Lady: Gender, Space, and Marian Devotion in the Parish of St. Stephen, Coleman Street, London 1466-1542

AbstractOne entry in a parish inventory from a London church in 1542, and another line from an inventory dated 1547 are all that remain of a late medieval devotional practice that obviously meant a great deal to the members of St. Stephen, Coleman Street. With no further direct information concerning "Our Lady's coats," a methodology centering on interdisciplinary contextualization helps to unlock the meaning of these ritual objects. While some other parishes possessed similar ritual objects, historians of the Reformation era have largely neglected such evidence. First, there is not much to go on. Second, for members of the Protestant culture which defined the English-speaking world for centuries, clothing the Virgin has not seemed that important. Yet understanding the expression of pre-Reformation piety is central to refining our knowledge of the Reformation as a movement. Currently, historians of popular religion, popular culture, and women's history frequently find themselves faced with scare documenta...
Comparison of particle and photon excited x-ray fluorescence applied to trace element measurements of environmental samples.

Abstract The sensitivities of particle and photon excitation methods of X-ray fluorescence have been compared for the analysis of trace elements in environmental samples. The analysis sensitivity for comparing different methods of excitation has been shown to be proportional to the square root of the product of the peak to background ratio at the X-ray energy of interest and the peak to total ratio. The sensitivities possible with high energy alpha particle excitation are in the tens of ppm range while excitation by low energy proton, transmission tube X-rays and 100 mCi radioisotopic sources provide sensitivities in the 1 to 5 ppm range for environmental material in analysis times of about 10 min. Fifteen to twenty-five elements can be detected at the concentrations present in typical environmental samples with demonstrated quantitative techniques available for the measurement of 10 to 20 elements, depending on sample type. The results indicate that low energy proton excitation techniques do not exhibit analysis capabilities significantly different from those of photon excitation methods while high energy alpha excitation is not competitive.
Macroeconomic Interdependence Between Mainland China and Taiwan: A Cross-Strait Perspective on Globalization

Macroeconomic interdependence between China and Taiwan is assessed in terms of an array of output, price, money, and stock price measures for each economy. Sizeable simple correlations between these variables are accompanied by significant bidirectional Granger causality in many cases. Further evidence of interdependence arises from impulse response and variance decomposition analysis. As expected, the effects of mainland China variables on Taiwan appear to be stronger than the reverse. The indicated responses of the Taiwanese M2 money supply to developments in China are particularly noteworthy as M2 was generally the central bank target variable over the sample period.
A bonding process between grains in mechanically disaggregated snow

Collections of disaggregated snow particles were examined in a temperature-controlled microscope stage. In addition to necks that appeared to sinter in a manner congruent with the two-particle model, there also appeared unanticipated dendritic growth, which developed on some grains and grew into the pore space. These branches developed preferentially only on part of, and in different directions on, individual grains. Some of these grew enough to join with adjacent grains that were in close proximity but not initially in contact, while the surface of the adjacent grains did not show measurable growth or loss. Growth orientation is hypothesized to be due to crystal habit dependence on temperature. Columnar growth was observed at -5°C and plate-like at -15°C. The random growth orientation is in contrast to observed source and sink development aligned with a temperature gradient imposed using a gradient stage. In this case, a source-to-sink directionality across the pore was apparent in which faceted crystals grew at the expense of neighboring source grains. The process of mechanically disaggregating snow produces numerous broken shards and sharp-edged fracture surfaces. We hypothesize that it is the sublimation of these high-surface-energy regions that provides the excess vapor to facilitate the diffusion-limited dendritic growth observed in this 'equitemperature', mechanically processed snow.
Murine Sall1 Represses Transcription by Recruiting a Histone Deacetylase Complex

The multi-zinc finger proteins of the Sal family regulate organogenesis. Genetic evidence from Drosophilahas shown that spalt (sal) can alter gene expression in a cell autonomous fashion, but Sal proteins have never been directly analyzed for their ability to activate or repress transcription. In this report, we show that a member of the Sal family, mouse Sall1, is a potent transcriptional repressor. When fused to a heterologous DNA-binding domain, Sall1 represses transcription of a luciferase reporter by over 100-fold. Expression of the N terminus alone is sufficient for dose-responsive repression that, as shown by deletion analysis, requires the extreme N-terminal amino acids of the protein. The N terminus of Sall1 can repress at both short and long range relative to the promoter, and treatment with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, trichostatin A, alleviates repression by 3-fold. The same regions of the protein that are required for repression physically interact with components of chromatin remodeling complexes, HDAC1, HDAC2, RbAp46/48, MTA-1, and MTA-2. Finally, we demonstrate that Sall1 is localized to discrete nuclear foci and this localization depends on the N-terminal repression domain. Together, these results suggest that the N terminus of mouse Sall1 can recruit HDAC complexes to mediate transcriptional repression.
Demonstration of a molt-inhibiting hormone from the sinus gland of the lobster, Homaru americanus

Abstract 1. 1. Assays are described for the putative molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) from the sinus glands of American lobsters ( Homarus americanus ). 2. 2. Homogenates of dissected sinus glands are able to significantly delay induced molts in eyestalkablated juvenile lobsters. 3. 3. In addition, these extracts are also able to significantly decrease circulating titers of ecdysteroids (as measured by radioimmunoassay) when injected into ablated lobsters.
Prevalence of maternal group B streptococcal colonization and related risk factors in a Brazilian population

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of maternal group B Streptococcal (GBS) colonization and compare risk factor data related to GBS colonization. A prospective surveillance study of 598 pregnant women was conducted in two socioeconomically diverse maternity hospitals in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil between June and October 1999. Swabs from the lower vagina were obtained between 35 and 37 weeks gestation and cultured on selective media. Risk factor data were obtained by patient interview and chart review. The overall maternal GBS colonization prevalence rate was 17.9%. There was no association of GBS colonization with maternity hospital and no association of GBS colonization with previously identified risk factors, such as age, race, martial status, maternal education, parity, smoking, or alcohol use. There is a relatively high prevalence of maternal GBS colonization in this Brazilian population, although previously-identified-risk factors were not found to be important. This study provides baseline data for the creation of community-based GBS disease prevention protocols.
A novel one-step, highly sensitive fluorometric assay to evaluate cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Abstract In this study, a fluorometric method using alamarBlue has been developed for detecting cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro. AlamarBlue is a non-toxic metabolic indicator of viable cells that becomes fluorescent upon mitochondrial reduction. Specific lysis of targets by effector cells is quantified by comparing the total number of viable cells in wells containing effector and targets together, with wells where target and effector cells were separately seeded. Cell-mediated cytotoxic activity by alloreactive T cells and natural killer cells has been detected using a novel application of the alamarBlue technique. The assay that we have developed to detect cell-mediated cytotoxicity is extremely sensitive and specific and requires a significant lower number of effector cells than the standard 51 Cr assay. Since alamarBlue reagent is non-toxic to cells and the assay can be performed under sterile conditions, effector cells may be recovered at the end for further analysis or cell expansion, if desired. Direct comparison of cell-mediated cytotoxicity measured by the alamarBlue method with the standard 51 Cr release assay revealed that the former method is as specific and more sensitive than the conventional assay. Moreover, very small inter and intra-assay variations have been observed for alamarBlue cytotoxicity assays. In conclusion, this study shows that the alamarBlue assay is an extremely sensitive, economical, simple and non-toxic procedure to evaluate cell-mediated cytotoxicity that yields accurate results using a limited number of effector cells. Furthermore, since this assay is a one-step procedure, and does not involve any risk for the personnel, it may be useful to analyze automatically cell-mediated cytotoxicity in a large number of samples.
Social Science Fiction

Periodically, books appear that claim to be, and are celebrated as, “fundamental,” or even revolutionary—intended to transform received opinions as to how the world works. Sulloway’s Born to Rebel is such a book, not least in the author’s own assessment of its signiacance. Sulloway’s self-evaluation is shared by such distinguished scholars—quoted on the cover—as Edward O. Wilson, I. B. Cohen, Steven Pinker, and Robert Merton. Although a long, densely footnoted, statistically complex work by a scholar with sterling academic credentials—including a MacArthur Fellowship—it has enjoyed (with some notable exceptions) respectful, and even deferential, reviews in popular and highbrow journals from Newsweek to the New York Review of Books. Sulloway and his book were featured in a New Yorker proale, and received the imprimatur of the New York Times’ Book Review: “[D]espite both particular and general limitations this book is a stunning achievement.” Born to Rebel is an immensely ambitious attempt to apply evolutionary theory to human history through the accumulation
Reservation Wages: An Analysis of the Effects of Reservations on Employment of American Indian Men

American Indians have experienced a large degree of difficulty in the labor market. They have lower levels of labor-force participation, higher levels of unemployment and lower wages than the rest of the population, which in turn leads to lower median household income and higher poverty rates. Despite the fact that these economic problems are particularly acute for Indians living on reservations, no previous research has examined the effects of reservations on individual employment rates, controlling for other observable attributes. In this paper, we examine the effects of reservations on employment using a sample of young males from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79). We compare outcomes for Indians with those of a nationally representative cross section of the same birth cohort controlling for (i) contemporaneous proximity to a reservation and (ii) whether the respondent lived at age 14 in a county with a reservation. Controlling for other factors, including local labor-market conditions, proximity to a reservation reduces the probability of employment among Indian men by 11 percentage points. Having lived in a county with a reservation at age 14 reduces the probability of employment among Indian men by 5–10 percentage points. Neither measure of proximity to a reservation reduces employment of other groups.
Upper and lower bounds for the energy-release rates in an elastic body

Abstract A numerical method of evaluation of the energy-release increment resulting from the crack propagation in the elastic body is proposed. The method is based on the extremum principles established for the elastic-perfectly plastic body. An example of calculation of the upper and lower bounds for the energy released in edge-crack specimen is given.
Background model for the majorana demonstrator neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment

Abstract The Majorana Demonstator will field an array of approximately 40 kg. of high purity germanium crystals. Some of the crystals will be enriched in the double-beta decaying 76 Ge isotope. The Majorana Demonstrator will search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay mode, as well as for light WIMP dark matter. The primary experimental challenge is the reduction and estimation of residual radioactive backgrounds. This reduction is achieved by a combination of extremely pure and clean materials, an underground location, passive and active shielding, and data-analysis methods. This poster describes the quantitative background model of the Majorana Demonstrator that takes into account all known sources of residual background radioactivity and the efficacy of the background mitigation schemes.
Randomized trial of parathyroidectomy in mild, asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism as measured by the SF-36 health survey

Background Management of patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) remains controversial despite a National Institutes of Health consensus statement on this issue. As part of the above statement, a randomized clinical trial was recommended since none exist to address this issue. Methods Informed consent was obtained from 53 asymptomatic patients with confirmed primary HPT who agreed to participate in this randomized clinical trial of parathyroidectomy versus observation. Upon entry to the study and 24 months later the patients completed the SF-36 health survey which is an instrument that measures nine different levels of function. Scores were tabulated and the difference over 24 months between operated and non-operated patients was compared with Student's t test. Results Fifty-three patients (42 women and 11 men) with asymptomatic, mild primary HPT (serum calcium 10·1–11·5 mg dl−1) who agreed to participate were randomized into either a surgical group or an observation group. Mean serum calcium for these patients was 10·3 mg dl−1. The only demographic difference between the groups was age; the operated group was older (66·7 versus 62·6 years; P < 0·03). Scores on three of the nine domains (health perception, emotional problems and social functioning) on the SF-36 were significantly different (P < 0·05), all favouring the operated group. Conclusion Improved function, as measured by the SF-36 health assessment tool, is seen after parathyroidectomy compared with non-operated patients. This work supports surgical management of mild primary HPT at the time of diagnosis since many patients have reversible non-classical symptoms of the disease. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd
What can we hope to accomplish in generalized Ramsey theory

Abstract In its relatively short existence as a field of study, generalized Ramsey theory for graphs has achieved a remarkable degree of coherence. A major reason for this coherence is the presence of guiding principles and conjectures that give most results in the field a general setting. We will surveey some of these principles and conjectures here. It is hoped that considering these, as well as the illustrative results given, will help give focus to future research. We emphasize Ramsey numbers, but consider arrow relations as well.
Partisan Governments, the International Economy, and Macroeconomic Policies in Advanced Nations, 1960–93

This article examines the impact of parties, domestic institutions, and the international economy on the conduct of monetary and fiscal policies using time-series cross-section data from nineteen oecd countries for the years between 1960 and the mid-1990s. The results are as follows. Partisan governments have affected, alone and in interaction with the organization of labor markets, the pattern of macroeconomic management. Still, their impact has varied over time, partly as a function of economic conditions but fundamentally as a function of the degree of financial liberalization and the exchange-rate system in place. After following broadly similar macroeconomic policies in the 1960s, oecd governments pursued divergent monetary and fiscal policies in response to the economic slowdown of the 1970s. Even when they initially adopted countercyclical measures, conservative governments quickly favored tight monetary policies and strove to achieve fiscal discipline. By contrast, taking advantage of generalized capital controls and floating exchange rates, socialist cabinets embraced demand management policies in a systematic fashion--mostly through budget deficits in corporatist countries and through both loose monetary and loose fiscal measures in noncorporatist settings. As financial liberalization progressed in the early 1980s, partisan- and institution-led differences in macroeconomic policies waned across countries.
A survey of current practice of vascular surgeons in venous disease management

Objective Acute venous thromboembolism and chronic venous diseases are common conditions that affect a large proportion of the United States population. The diagnosis of venous disease has improved, and the treatment options have rapidly evolved over the past decade. To date, it is unclear to what extent vascular surgeons have become involved in the modern management of venous disorders. This survey was undertaken to explore the current interest and practice of vascular surgeons in the contemporary care of venous disease. Methods A survey was administered via a web-based platform to active and candidate members of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS). The survey included 30 questions investigating the characteristics of venous surgeons and scope of venous practice. Open-ended questions were also included for commentary. Results A total of 1879 surveys were sent to SVS members nationwide, and 385 members participated (response rate of 20.5%). The participants were mostly men (89.6%) with 37.7% practicing in an academic setting and 59.2% in private practice. The respondents treated superficial veins (92.9%) and deep veins (85.8%) in clinical practice, with 89.9% having their own vascular laboratory. A wide spectrum of interventions for superficial (91.9%), deep (85.8%), and perforator veins (52.7% endovenous, 19.4% subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery) are being performed by respondents. Only 26.2% had learned endovenous thermal ablation in their training program; however, over 96% of those performing venous interventions utilized this technique. Overall, the majority (85.5%) devoted 50% or less of practice to venous disorders. Respondents indicated that limitations to expansion of vein practices mainly involved challenges with third party payers, local competition, and existing large volumes of arterial interventions needing to be performed. Despite the widespread incorporation of venous disease into current vascular practices, 66.1% are not members of the American Venous Forum (AVF) or other venous society. Many believe there is still a lack of standardization of care and guidelines for venous disease. Conclusions The care of patients with venous disease has become more widespread among SVS members, with most offering both deep and superficial venous interventions as well as incorporation of minimally invasive techniques into their treatment armamentarium. Dissemination and incorporation of protocols and guidelines into clinical practice as well as postgraduate courses in venous disease may be areas in which the SVS could facilitate members' involvement in the care of patients with venous disease.
Ampere tension in electric conductors

It is shown that the application of the Ampere and Lorentz force laws to a closed current in a metallic circuit results in two different mechanical force distributions around the circuit. In addition to the transverse forces, which both laws predict, the Ampere electrodynamics requires a set of longitudinal forces that subject the conductor to tension. These longitudinal forces explain electromagnetic jet propulsion and the recoil mechanism in a railgun. Pulse current experiments are described in which Ampere tension shattered solid aluminum wires. Electrons moving through the metal lattice are the basic current-elements of the Lorentz force theory. But Ampere assumed his current-elements to be infinitely divisible. With the help of computer-aided analysis and experiment, it is demonstrated that the amperian current-element must also be of finite size and involve at least one lattice ion in addition to the conduction electron. Calculations with Ampere's formula have been found to give reasonable results when the atom, or unit atomic cell, is taken to be the smallest possible current-element. Some technological consequences of Ampere tension are discussed briefly with regard to pulse currents in normal conductors and steady currents in superconductors. The use of large macroscopic current-elements of unit length-to-width ratio gives rough approximations to the Ampere tension. The accuracy of the calculations can be improved by resolving the conductor into a number of parallel filaments, each filament being subdivided into cubic current-elements.
The leucine zipper symmetrically positions the adjacent basic regions for specific DNA binding.

Abstract The bZIP structural motif present in several eukaryotic transcription factors is defined by the leucine zipper, a coiled-coil dimerization interface, and an adjacent basic region that directly interacts with DNA. To examine the functional importance of the highly conserved spacing between the leucine zipper and the basic region, we have analyzed the DNA-binding ability of yeast GCN4 proteins containing amino acid insertions between these two subdomains. Proteins containing a surprisingly wide variety of seven-amino acid insertions, but none containing two-, four-, or six-amino acid insertions, are functional. However, heterodimers between wild-type GCN4 and functional derivatives containing seven amino acid insertions are unable to bind DNA. These observations provide strong experimental support for several aspects of the scissors grip and induced fork models for DNA-binding by bZIP proteins. Specifically, they demonstrate that continuous alpha-helices symmetrically diverging from the leucine zipper correctly position the two basic regions for specific binding to abutting DNA half-sites. In addition, the results indicate that GCN4 homodimers are primarily responsible for transcriptional activation in yeast cells.
Ischemic stroke in the elderly. Role of the common factor V mutation causing resistance to activated protein C.

Background and Purpose A common missense mutation in coagulation factor V (Arg 506 Gln) creates phenotypic resistance to the anticoagulant effects of activated protein C and predisposes carriers to venous thrombosis. To assess a correlation between this common hypercoagulable state and ischemic cerebrovascular disease, we have compared the prevalence of this mutation in a group of stroke patients with that in several control patient groups. Methods The presence of the factor V Arg 506 Gln mutation was determined by a direct polymerase chain reaction–based assay on peripheral blood leukocytes from 161 elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke, 116 elderly patients with stroke risk factors but without acute stroke, 54 healthy elderly control subjects, and 287 younger control individuals (197 blood donors and 90 neonates). Results The prevalence of the heterozygous Arg 506 Gln factor V mutation was not significantly different in the elderly stroke patients (2.5%) compared with either of the age-matched con...
Resistance in introduced populations of a freshwater snail to native range parasites

Introduced species provide an opportunity to examine responses to novel ecological conditions, in particular to the absence of co-evolved enemies. Introduced populations could evolve lower investment in resistance or could down-regulate their immune system as a plastic response to enemy absence. The response might have consequences for the success of introduced species. Assuming a trade-off between resistance and traits related to demographic success, an evolved change or reallocation from resistance could increase the chances of invasions. On the other hand, introduced populations could have increased resistance as a correlate of greater vigour and competitive ability among successful invaders [Sampling Bias hypothesis (SBH)]. These hypotheses make different predictions about investment in resistance in introduced populations. Using a New Zealand clonal snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum), we examined the resistance of three introduced genotypes (one from the US and two from Europe) to several populations of a native range parasite (Microphallus sp.). One genotype (Euro A) was resistant to all native range parasite populations, consistent with the SBH. However, two remaining genotypes (Euro C and US 1) were less susceptible to parasite populations that were allopatric to their source populations. Furthermore, resistance of one genotype (US 1) collected from the introduced range was indistinguishable from its resistance when collected from the range of the parasite. Hence, there was no evidence for decreased resistance in the absence of native enemies, which is inconsistent with hypotheses that envision reduced allocation to resistance or a trade-off between competitive ability and resistance.
Meet the Abrahams: Colonial Law and a Mixed Race Family from Bellary, South India, 1810–63

To what extent did legal notions of identity conceal more porous and dynamic social relationships experienced outside of court? This article reconstructs events surrounding a famous court case, Abraham v. Abraham (1863), involving a property dispute within a mixed race family from Bellary, South India. Using the case's original documents it presents a narrative about the Abraham family, highlighting their negotiations of identity within the domains of family, market and law. The narrative shows how Indians, even under colonialism, could experience far more dynamic and flexible boundaries than what is often portrayed in the literature on communalism. At the same time, it demonstrates the very real impact of personal law categories upon the choices and litigation strategies of Indians. Indians had real agency in crafting their identities, but only as they adopted the conceptual tools of the colonial judiciary to pursue their interests.
Direct measurement of photoinduced charge distribution responsible for second-harmonic generation in glasses

We have found that borosilicate glasses that produce second-harmonic generation after simultaneous irradiation by fields at ω and 2ω exhibit postexposure selective etching. We use the charge specificity of the selective etching process to spatially map the photoexcited electron distributions responsible for second-harmonic generation. The results show that nearly symmetric nondipolar charge distributions exist for some regimes of encoding and that, at higher intensities, a nearly dipolar distribution is produced.
Inside the subduction factory: Modeling fluid mobile element enrichment in the mantle wedge above a subduction zone

Abstract Enrichment of the mantle wedge above subduction zones with fluid mobile elements is thought to represent a fundamental process in the origin of arc magmas. This “subduction factory” is typically modeled as a mass balance of inputs (from the subducted slab) and outputs (arc volcanics). We present here a new method to model fluid mobile elements, based on the composition of peridotites associated with supra-subduction ophiolites, which form by melt extraction and fluid enrichment in the mantle wedge above nascent subduction zones. The Coast Range ophiolite (CRO), California, is a Jurassic supra-subduction zone ophiolite that preserves mantle lithologies formed in response to hydrous melting. We use high-precision laser ablation ICP-MS analyses of relic pyroxenes from these peridotites to document fluid-mobile element (FME) concentrations, along with a suite of non-fluid mobile elements that includes rare earth and high-field strength elements. In the CRO, fluid-mobile elements are enriched by factors of up to 100× DMM, whereas fluid immobile elements are progressively depleted by melt extraction. The high concentrations of fluid mobile elements in supra-subduction peridotite pyroxene can be attributed to a flux of aqueous fluid or fluid-rich melt phase derived from the subducting slab. To model this enrichment, we derive a new algorithm that calculates the concentration of fluid mobile elements added to the source: C wr,add = [ C cpx-obs / [ [ D cpx / ( D bulk - PF ) ] ∗ [ 1 - ( PF / D bulk ) ] ( 1 / P ) ] ] - [ C 0 ,wr ] where Cwr,add = concentration of FME added to mantle wedge during a given melt increment, Ccpx-obs = concentration of observed pyroxene, Dcpx and Dbulk = mineral and bulk partition coefficients, P = melt proportion, and F = melt fraction required to model the observed MREE–HREE concentrations. Application of this algorithm to CRO peridotites shows that fluid influx must be continuous with open system melting, which allows us to calculate FME concentrations for small melt increments. Addition of the calculated FME concentrations to depleted MORB mantle (DMM) asthenosphere or refractory arc mantle (RAM) results in pooled magmas that match primitive arc tholeiites and boninites.
Temperature dependence of Ce-emission kinetics in YAG:Ce optical ceramic

We have measured the scintillation decay kinetics of the Ce-emission from a YAG:Ce optical ceramic material over a temperature range between 110 and 450 K. Above room temperature the decay can be well described by the sum of two exponential terms, but below room temperature a third term is needed. This new component has a characteristic time shorter than the radiative lifetime of the Ce ion, varying from 33 ns at 110 K to 18 ns at 300 K. The presence of the short component can be explained in terms of the distortion of the YAG host band structure and the introduction of surface-boundary states into the otherwise forbidden energy region, which drains the emitting 5d levels of Ce ions located in the vicinity of the grain-boundaries.