cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sarcoidosis in systemic sclerosis: report of 7 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features of coexistent systemic sclerosis (SSc) and sarcoidosis, 2 conditions of unknown cause associated with altered cellular immune response. METHODS: We reviewed clinical information, results from laboratory and radiologic studies, and lung or lymph node biopsy samples of 7 patients with concurrent SSc and sarcoidosis evaluated at 2 academic referral centers between 1989 and 1993. RESULTS: Each patient fulfilled American College of Rheumatology criteria for the classification of SSc. SSc and sarcoidosis developed simultaneously in 4 patients, whereas in 3 others sarcoidosis was diagnosed more than 6 years after the onset of SSc. The onset of sarcoidosis was characterized by fever, weight loss, or increasing respiratory symptoms. Each patient had radiographic evidence of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and/or interstitial lung disease. Examination of lung or lymph node biopsies demonstrated noncaseating granulomas. Treatment with corticosteroids was associated with improved lung function. CONCLUSION: Since sarcoidosis coexists with SSc more frequently than previously suggested, it should be considered in patients with SSc presenting with new pulmonary symptoms. Recognizing sarcoidosis in patients with SSc is important, since these patients may benefit from corticosteroid therapy.
Does educational gamification improve students’ motivation? If so, which game elements work best?

Educational gamification is a growing field. The authors answer the following important questions: (a) To what degree does educational gamification, in general, increase students' perceived motivat...
A Cohort Study of the Milk Microbiota of Healthy and Inflamed Bovine Mammary Glands From Dryoff Through 150 Days in Milk

The objective of this longitudinal cohort study was to describe the milk microbiota of dairy cow mammary glands based on inflammation status before and after the dry period. Individual mammary quarters were assigned to cohorts based on culture results and somatic cell count (SCC) at dryoff and twice in the first 2 weeks post-calving. Mammary glands that were microbiologically negative and had low SCC (< 100,000 cells/mL) at all 3 sampling periods were classified as Healthy (n = 80). Microbiologically negative mammary glands that had SCC ≥150,000 cells/mL at dryoff and the first post-calving sample were classified as Chronic Culture-Negative Inflammation (CHRON; n = 17). Quarters that did not have both culture-negative milk and SCC ≥ 150,000 cells/mL at dryoff but were culture-negative with SCC ≥ 150,000 at both post-calving sampling periods were classified as Culture-Negative New Inflammation (NEWINF; n = 6). Mammary glands with bacterial growth and SCC ≥ 150,000 cells/mL at all 3 periods were classified as Positive (POS; n = 3). Milk samples were collected from all enrolled quarters until 150 days in milk and subjected to microbiota analysis. Milk samples underwent total DNA extraction, a 40-cycle PCR to amplify the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, and next-generation sequencing. Healthy quarters had the lowest rate of PCR and sequencing success (53, 67, 83, and 67% for Healthy, CHRON, NEWINF, and POS, respectively). Chao richness was greatest in milk collected from Healthy quarters and Shannon diversity was greater in milk from Healthy and CHRON quarters than in milk collected from glands in the NEWINF or POS cohorts. Regardless of cohort, season was associated with both richness and diversity, but stage of lactation was not. The most prevalent OTUs included typical gut- and skin-associated bacteria such as those in the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genera Enhydrobacter and Corynebacterium. The increased sequencing success in quarters with worse health outcomes, combined with the lack of bacterial growth in most samples and the high PCR cycle number required for amplification of bacterial DNA, suggests that the milk microbiota of culture-negative, healthy mammary glands is less abundant than that of culture-negative glands with a history of inflammation.
Reimagining Guardians and Guardianship With the Advent of Body Worn Cameras

The implementation of body worn cameras (BWCs) is occurring at a rapid rate and with relatively little information about their potential impacts on both the police and the citizens they serve. The ...
Myeloablative Conditioning Using Timed Sequential Busulfan in Older Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Long Term Results of a Prospective Phase II Clinical Trial

Background Myeloablative conditioning (MA) reduces relapse as compared to reduced intensity (RIC), [Scott BL JCO 2017]. But it is avoided in older patients and those with comorbidities due to high non-relapse mortality (NRM), whose outcomes remain dismal. A CIBMTR study of AML patients ≥60 years (100% CR1) showed NRM of 32-34%, relapse rate of 33-37%, progression free survival (PFS) of 31-34% and overall survival (OS) of 34-36% at 2 years. [McClune. JCO 2010] A prospective trial in AML (≥60 years, 100% CR1) showed better 2-year PFS (42%) and OS (48%). [Devine. JCO 2015] Herein, we report the results of MA HCT using timed-sequential (TS) busulfan (Bu) in 71 AML patients up to age 73. Methods Patients received intravenous Bu in TS manner targeted to achieve an area under the curve of 16,000-20,000 μmol.min, with fludarabine (flu) 40 mg/m2 intravenously for four days. Results Median age was 64 years (range, 29-73). Donor was HLA matched unrelated (n=45, 63%) or related (n=26, 27%). Most received peripheral blood graft (n=46, 65%). Only 26% (n=18) had MRD-negative CR1/2 at HCT; others had MRD-positive CR1/2 (13%, n=9), primary induction failure (PIF; 45%, n=32) or relapsed disease (16%, n=11). Nearly half (47%) had the European LeukemiaNet (ELN) adverse risk disease. More than half (55%) had HCT-CI ≥ 3. Median follow-up was 40 months (range, 21-63). The cumulative incidences of grade II-IV and III-IV acute GVHD at day 100 were 39% (95% CI, 28-51%) and 10% (95% CI, 3-17%), respectively and extensive chronic GVHD at 1 year was 20% (95% CI, 10-29%). NRM was 6% (95% CI, 0-11%) at day 100 and 24% (95% CI, 14-34%) at 2 years. At 2 years, relapse was 28% (95% CI, 3-53%) in the CR/MRD-negative group vs 48% (95% CI, 34-62%) in others; progression-free survival (PFS) was 78% (95% CI, 61-99.6%) vs 25% (95% CI, 16-40%) and overall survival (OS) was 78% (95% CI, 61-99.6%) vs 33% (95% CI, 22-48%), respectively. [Fig 1a] Two year OS was was 67% (95% CI 51-87%) in the CR group, irrespective of MRD [Fig 1b]. In multivariate analysis (MVA) adjusted for covariates higher dose Bu vs lower dose [HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.85, p=0.02] was the only significant predictor of lower relapse risk. In MVA adjusted for age, Bu dose and ELN risk, not being in CR/MRD-negative state was the only predictor of significantly inferior PFS [HR 3.2, 95% CI, 1.3-8.2, p=0.01]. For OS, MVA adjusted for age, Bu dose and ELN risk, HCT-CI ≥3 [HR 1.98, 95% CI, 1-3.9, p=0.05] and not being in CR/MRD-negative state [HR, 2.7, 95% CI 0.98-7.2, p=0.05] were associated with higher mortality. Conclusion Our outcomes of MA HCT in an extremely high risk older population are promising especially in CR patients, whose outcomes approach that of younger patients. This was achieved by delivering Bu in TS manner which minimized toxicity and potentially increased efficacy. This approach warrants further investigation.
What’s New in Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by the formation of sharply demarcated, scaly, erythematous plaques. It affects about 2.2% of the population in the United States and has a large impact on patient quality of life. Many advances have been made in the last few years in the management of psoriasis. Proinflammatory cytokines play major roles in the pathogenesis of disease. Biologic medications targeting the aforementioned cytokines have been developed and studied for the management of psoriatic disease. This article summarizes the newest findings in the management of psoriasis and the various treatment options available.
An association of intrapartum synthetic oxytocin dosing and the odds of developing autism.

A case-control study was performed to determine whether an association exists between exposure to synthetic oxytocin and a subsequent autism spectrum disorder diagnosis; 171 children under age 18 m...
Numerical study on convective heat transfer and friction characteristics of molten salts in circular tubes

Abstract Molten salts including fluoride, nitrate, chloride, and carbonate salts have been proposed for heat -transfer and thermal energy storage applications due to their superior thermal performance at elevated temperatures. Since it is expensive to perform molten salt heat transfer experiments due to the high working temperatures, a numerical analysis is carried out to investigate thermal and hydrodynamic performance of molten salts using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool, STAR-CCM+, and validate the numerical model using existing experimental data and convective heat transfer correlations, including Dittus-Boelter, Gnielinski, Hausen, and Sieder-Tate correlations. The analysis shows the hydrodynamic and thermal performance, such as the hydrodynamic/thermal entrance length, friction factor, and Nusselt number of molten salts in laminar and turbulent flow regimes can be appropriately modeled. In addition, the widely used convective heat transfer correlations provide good predictions for molten salt heat transfer.
Candida auris: a fungus with identity crisis.

Candida auris is a new fungal species that has puzzlingly and simultaneously emerged on five continents. Since its identification in 2009, the scientific community has witnessed an exponential emergence of infection episodes and outbreaks in healthcare facilities world-wide. Candida auris exhibits several concerning features compared to other related Candida species, including persistent colonization of skin and nosocomial surfaces, ability to resist common disinfectants and to spread rapidly among patients. Resistance to multiple drug classes and misidentification by available laboratory identification systems has complicated clinical management, and outcomes of infection have generally been poor with mortality rates approaching 68%. Currently, the origins of C. auris are unclear, and therefore, it is impossible to determine whether environmental and climactic changes were contributing factors in its recent emergence as a pathogen. Nevertheless, a robust response involving rapid diagnostics, prompt interventions and implementation of precautions, are paramount in curtailing the spread of infections by this fungal species. Importantly, there is a pressing need for the development of new antifungal drugs. In this article, we present a brief overview highlighting some of the important aspects of C. auris epidemiology, pathogenesis and its puzzling global emergence.
Tracing the Origins of "Cauliflower Ear" and Its Earlier Names over Two Millenia.

Objectives The post-traumatic ear deformity, known today as cauliflower ear, has been described since antiquity. It has long been associated with pugilistic sports (wrestling, boxing) as well as among the mentally ill. The aim of this study is to present the various terms used since antiquity to describe these traumatic deformations of the auricle and to trace the origin of the modern moniker "cauliflower ear." Methods Historical study, only based on original documentation accessed through personal libraries and universities repositories, completed with online sources and etymological dictionaries. Results We were able to identify no fewer than 39 names for the deformity. The term cauliflower ear is of relatively recent origin. It was coined in the first decade of the 20th century, initially in the popular press and subsequently adopted by the medical profession. Conclusion Ironically, the deformity has only superficial resemblance to a cauliflower. The vegetable, which is part of the cabbage family, has a symmetrical and highly ordered fractal geometry with well-circumscribed excrescences. Cauliflower ear, by contrast, notably lacks symmetry and its rounded protuberances flow into one another. Although somewhat a misnomer, the term is deeply rooted in both popular and medical culture. Level of evidence N/A Laryngoscope, 2020.
“Safe and Satisfied:” An Exploratory Study of Two Aspects of Sexual Subjectivity Among Young Women at a Hispanic-Serving Institution in Southern California, USA

Past research has argued that young women in the United States encounter gendered and heteronormative cultural messages that tend to paint men’s sexuality as active and women’s sexuality as passive. Recent research argues that neoliberal ideology—with its focus on individual choice and personal responsibility—has modified these traditional sexual discourses, including women’s entitlement to sexual subjectivity. This study centers the voices of a diverse group of young women who attend a regional, Hispanic-serving university in southern California, USA, in an analysis of their responses to an open-ended survey about two aspects of sexual subjectivity. Results show that the majority of the women in this study feel entitled to sexual responsiveness from their partner and feel comfortable asking for sexual stimulation. In contrast to past research where women from historically marginalized backgrounds in the United States were more likely to prioritize romantic relationships over sexual pleasure, the majority of the participants in this study did not dismiss their sexual needs. Participants describe sexual pleasure as a relational, rather than purely self-interested accomplishment that is important for their own well-being and for building healthy romantic relationships.
Vehicular Edge Computing for Multi-Vehicle Perception

Autonomous vehicle systems require sensor data to make crucial driving and traffic management decisions. Reliable data as well as computational resources become critical. In this paper, we develop a Vehicular Edge Computing Scheduling Pipeline for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) exploring scheduling optimization, pipeline design and vehicle to edge interactions. Through our pipeline, the data, generated by on-board sensors, is used towards various edge serviceable tasks. Due to the limited view of a vehicle, sensor data from one vehicle cannot be used to perceive road and traffic condition of a larger area. To address this problem, our pipeline facilitates data transfer and fusion for cooperative object detection of multiple vehicles. Through real-world experiments, we evaluate the performance and robustness of our pipeline on different device architectures and under different scenarios. We demonstrate that our pipeline achieves a real-time deadline capable edge to vehicle interaction via vehicle-edge data transfer and on-edge computation.
Influence of intrathoracic vagotomy on the cough reflex in the anesthetized cat.

Abstract Recurrent laryngeal afferent fibers are primarily responsible for cough in response to mechanical or chemical stimulation of the upper trachea and larynx in the guinea pig. Lower airway slowly adapting receptors have been proposed to have a permissive effect on the cough reflex. We hypothesized that vagotomy below the recurrent laryngeal nerve branch would depress mechanically or chemically induced cough. In anesthetized, bilaterally thoracotomized, artificially ventilated cats, thoracic vagotomy nearly eliminated cough induced by mechanical stimulation of the intrathoracic airway, significantly depressed mechanically stimulated laryngeal cough, and eliminated capsaicin-induced cough. These results support an important role of lower airway sensory feedback in the production of tracheobronchial and laryngeal cough in the cat. Further, at least some of this feedback is due to excitation from pulmonary volume-sensitive sensory receptors.
The patterns of omnivory

When discussing food webs it is convenient to define an omnivore as a species that feeds on more than one trophic level (Pimm & Lawton, 1978). In some food webs, there are few omnivores ( Fig. 7.1(a)), while in others omnivores are common ( Fig. 7.1(b)). This chapter examines patterns of omnivory using the method outlined earlier, that is, real webs are predicted to have those structures that enhance stability in models. This method gives several predictions that can be tested against real food web structures. These predictions are supported by the data, and this constitutes the most certain evidence that dynamics impose constraints on food web structures. Moreover, the success in predicting specific patterns of omnivory provides the least equivocal evidence that increasing complexity decreases the likelihood of stability in the real world. In Chapter 5, I argued that the relationship of complexity to species number, which is suggested by dynamical considerations, could as easily be explained by simple biological assumptions. Now, other things being equal, increased omnivory means increased complexity. If omnivory is constrained by dynamics, then so is complexity. Unlike the patterns of complexity, the more specific patterns of omnivory cannot be so easily related to simple biological assumptions. Only dynamical constraints predict the detailed patterns of omnivory observed in nature.
Kinetic mechanism of bacterial RNase P

This chapter analyzes the functional contributions of the three components required for bacterial RNase P catalysis: PRNA, P protein, and magnesium ions. This comprehensive overview of the bacterial RNase P reaction analyzes the kinetic data demonstrating a minimal kinetic mechanism with diffusion-controlled substrate association, rapid bond cleavage, and slow product release. The possibility of an additional step, a conformational change following substrate binding, in the minimal mechanism is also addressed. The kinetics of pre-tRNA 5′ cleavage catalyzed by the bacterial PRNA ribozyme, bacterial RNase P holoenzyme, and yeast RNase P holoenzyme are carefully compared.
Occult Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia at emergency department: A single center experience.

Abstract Background/Purpose Patients with undetected bacteremia when discharged from a hospital are considered to have occult bacteremia. Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia (KPB) is endemic to Taiwan. Our purpose was to study the impact of occult KPB. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who were discharged from our emergency department (ED) and subsequently diagnosed with KPB (occult bacteremia), from January 2008 to March 2014. All patients are followed for at least 3 months after the index ED visit. The study group was compared to KPB patients who were directly hospitalized (DH) from ED in 2008. Thirty-day mortality was the primary endpoint. Results A total of 913 patients were admitted to our ED with KPB, and 88 of these patients (9.6%) had occult KPB. Among them, 43 had second ED visit and 41 were admitted. The overall 30-day mortality was 2.3%. Relative to patients with occult KPB, DH patients had more respiratory tract infections ( p p = 0.015). Liver abscess was the major diagnosis for the second ED visit (37.2%). DH patients had significantly greater 30-day mortality than that of overall patients with KPB (19.2% vs.2.3%, p Conclusion Most patients with occult KPB had favorable outcomes, but about half of them required a second ED visit. Clinicians should aggressively follow patients with occult KPB and should seek to identify the focus of infection in this endemic area.
Biomimetic staggered composites with highly enhanced energy dissipation: Modeling, 3D printing, and testing

Abstract We investigate the damping enhancement in a class of biomimetic staggered composites via a combination of design, modeling, and experiment. In total, three kinds of staggered composites are designed by mimicking the structure of bone and nacre. These composite designs are realized by 3D printing a rigid plastic and a viscous elastomer simultaneously. Greatly-enhanced energy dissipation in the designed composites is observed from both the experimental results and theoretical prediction. The designed polymer composites have loss modulus up to ~500 MPa, higher than most of the existing polymers. In addition, their specific loss modulus (up to 0.43 km 2 /s 2 ) is among the highest of damping materials. The damping enhancement is attributed to the large shear deformation of the viscous soft matrix and the large strengthening effect from the rigid inclusion phase.
Distance Indicators: Beyond Distances — A Return to Astrophysics

Continuing progress in the development, application, and physical understanding of distance indicators is likely to yield a generally accepted value for the Hubble constant during the VLT construction years. Thus, the VLT’s contribution to that highly visible subfield is unlikely to be pivotal. Nevertheless, the accuracy of distance indicators has increased to the point where discrepancies between methods are astrophysically meaningful; that is, residuals in the methods tell us new information about the physics of the galaxies and their components. The large aperture, extensive instrumentation, and four-telescope availability of the VLT promises to enhance our ability to apply distance indicators as astrophysical research tools. A sample of recent and potential applications are described here.
Embedding Euclidean Lie algebras into quantum structures

We show that it is possible to express the basis elements of the Lie algebra of the Euclidean group,E(2), as simple irrational functions of certainq deformed expressions involving the generators of the quantum algebraUq(so(2, 1)). We consider implications of these results for the representation theory of the Lie algebra ofE(2). We briefly discess analogous results forUq(so(2, 2)).
Lack of Stable-Isotope Differences Between Canada Goose Populations Nesting in the Subarctic and Temperate Zones

Abstract. Ratios of stable isotopes in feathers have great potential for identifying the connectivity of bird migrations and the origin of harvested individuals of game species. In particular, the relationship between the hydrogen ratio due to latitudinal variation in precipitation (δDp) and that in feathers (δDf) is often used to determine unknown individuals' latitude of origin. We assessed this relationship between Canada Geese nesting in the temperate zone (Branta canadensis maxima) and the subarctic (B. c. interior). For this game species, the origin of harvested birds is important for developing management that maintains a desirable level of harvest while ensuring continued viability of all subspecies and breeding populations. We collected freshly grown primaries from three populations of interior and five of maxima and analyzed them for δD, δ13C, and δ15N. Multivariate analysis suggested no overall differences in isotopic composition between subspecies. A univariate assessment indicated a significa...
Streptococcal Cell Wall Arthritis

Streptococcal cell wall (SCW) arthritis in rats is an experimentally-induced inflammatory model with many features that resemble rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in humans. In this unit, Lewis rats are injected with an aqueous suspension of Group A SCW streptococcal cell wall peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers (SCW PG-PS) and observed for the development of arthritis. The resulting arthritis is biphasic. An acute phase typically develops within 48 hr, followed 10 to 21 days later by a chronic phase which persists for months. Support protocols are included for preparing Group A PG-PS and measuring PG-PS concentration.
Noninvasive coronary artery angiography using electron beam computed tomography

Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT), also known as ultrafast-CT or cine-CT, uses a unique scanning architecture which allows for multiple high spatial resolution electrocardiographic triggered images of the beating heart. A recent study has demonstrated the feasibility of qualitative comparisons between EBCT derived 3D coronary angiograms and invasive angiography. Stenoses of the proximal portions of the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries were readily identified, but description of atherosclerotic narrowing in the left circumflex artery (and distal epicardial disease) was not possible with any degree of confidence. Although these preliminary studies support the notion that this approach has potential, the images overall were suboptimal for clinical application as an adjunct to invasive angiography. Furthermore, these studies did not examine different methods of EBCT scan acquisition, tomographic slice thicknesses, extent of scan overlap, or other segmentation, thresholding, and interpolation algorithms. Our laboratory has initiated investigation of these aspects and limitations of EBCT coronary angiography. Specific areas of research include defining effects of cardiac orientation; defining the effects of tomographic slice thickness and intensity (gradient) versus positional (shaped based) interpolation; and defining applicability of imaging each of the major epicardial coronary arteries for quantitative definition of vessel size, cross-sectional area, taper, and discrete vessel narrowing.
How Probability Arises in Quantum Mechanics

A version of the postulates of quantum mechanics is presented in which no reference is made to probability. Instead we rely on a weaker postulate referring to eigenvalues and eigenstates. The modulus squared of the inner product of two state vectors is shown to be an eigenvalue of the operator representing a frequency measurement on the system of an infinite number of copies of the original system. The argument makes essential use of the Strong Law of Large Numbers.
Dynamic dipole polarizabilities of rubidium

We present a procedure for the calculation of dynamic polarizabilities and we obtain numerical values of the dynamic polarizabilities of rubidium to compare with recent measurements at the frequency of the Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser at 1064 nm. We obtain at 1064 nm a polarizability of 711.4${\mathit{a}}_{0}^{3}$ compared to the measured value of (769\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}61)${\mathit{a}}_{0}^{3}$.
Controversies in Knowledge Translation for Community-Based Drug Treatment: The Need to the End Policies of the War on Drugs and Mass Incarceration of Drug Offenders to Achieve Health Equity

The purpose of this article was to discuss significant challenges to the achievement of urban health, specifically acknowledging numerous controversies in knowledge translation for community-based drug treatment that prevent the achievement of health equity. Seven specific controversies are analyzed in this article. The results of the analysis are recommendations for moving toward the resolution of each controversy. Among the most important recommendations is a call to end the policies of the war on drugs and mass incarceration of drug offenders—as policies reflecting how politics and the misuse of power may derail knowledge translation. The article provides justification for evidence-based policy that supports community-based drug treatment as a public health approach consistent with the goals of health equity, ethical practice, and effective knowledge translation.
Effect of Environmental Factors on Lactone Potential in Bovine Milk Fat

Abstract Butteroil from mixed herd milk collected weekly was steam-deodorized and the C-10, C-12, and C-14 aliphatic delta-lactones quantitated. The samples, representing 276 animals, averaging 96.0ppm of lactone (range 58.6–139.0) and 67.2ppm of lactone (range 47.7–100.2) while on barn feed and pasture feed, respectively, exhibited a pronounced seasonal trend, being higher in the winter than in the summer. Analyses of weekly milk samples from an individual Holstein during a 310-day lactation indicated dramatic shifts in lactone potential. Following parturition the concentration was 25–30ppm, which increased to 170–180ppm at about 150 days. Throughout lactation, lactone concentration showed a negative correlation (P Analyses of milk from various breeds, on identical feeding regimens, showed a slightly higher lactone potential in Holstein fat. Ketotic animals were characterized by a marked depression in steam volatile compounds, i.e., lactones, earbonyls, and fatty acids. These data, together with other information, strongly imply that the lactone precursors are biological in origin and may be involved in fatty acid synthesis.
“No crystal stair”: rural women's collegiate enrollment and persistence

This ethnography focuses on rural women's motivation for careers and a higher education. As in other areas of study such as science and medicine, the psychology of motivation has been shaped by pioneering studies that used males as subjects. Data derived from interviews and participant observation of 16 women in higher education established additional motivational factors for females, namely that achievement can be oriented toward nurturance as well as independence. The factors that motivated these students were also barriers to their success in higher education. Participants were mostly older‐than‐average students, members of the working class, and the first generation in their families to enroll in college. Most of the informants were considered “at risk” during their K‐12 school years. They were motivated to achieve despite overwhelming odds such as low SAT scores, dropping out of school, and/or having been teenage mothers.
On the almost unperturbed Schrödinger pair of operators

On etudie la paire d'operateurs auto-adjoints non bornes {U, V} satisfaisant la condition i [U, V] CI+D, ou D est la classe de trace
Location and movements of cardiogenic cells in the chick embryo: The heart-forming portion of the primitive streak

Abstract The precardiac portion of the primitive streak of the chick embryo was investigated by placing tritiated thymidine-labeled transplants within it. The movements and final positions of the transplanted cells in the incubated recipient embryos were documented by study of radioautographed serial sections. The precardiac portion of the primitive streak is located about halfway between the anterior and posterior ends of the streak from the early short streak to the head process stage; the anterior part of this portion contributes to dorsal myocardium, while the posterior part of this portion contributes to ventral myocardium. The initial migration of the grafts from the streak into the mesoderm layer is lateral, and is followed shortly by an anterior movement that places the grafts in the heart-forming region of the mesoderm layer at the head process stage. The sequence of migration of the precardiac cells from the heart-forming portion of the streak is orderly and logical, i.e., conus migrates into mesoderm before ventricle and ventricle migrates before atrium. The ventral half of each part of the heart, however, migrates from the streak before the dorsal half of each part. By the 10–22 somite stage transplants made to the heart-forming portion of the streak at the short streak stages had migrated into the ventral part of the conus and ventricle, transplants made at the medium streak stage contributed to the dorsal half of the conus and the ventral part of the ventricle and atrium, and transplants made at the definitive streak and head process stage contributed to dorsal ventricle and atrium, and to both dorsal and ventral parts of the sinus venosus.
Comet and asteroid ephemerides for spacecraft encounters

To a significant degree, the success of spacecraft missions to comets and asteroids depends upon the accuracy of the target body ephemerides. In turn, accurate ephemerides depend upon the quality of the astrometric data set used in determining the object's orbit and the accuracy with which the target body's motion can be modelled. Using error analyses studies of the target bodies for the NEAR, Muses-C, Clementine 2, Stardust, and Rosetta missions, conclusions are drawn as to how to minimize target body position uncertainties at the times of encounter, In general, these uncertainties will be minimized when the object has a good number of optical observations spread over several orbital periods. If a target body lacks a lengthy data interval, its ephemeris uncertainties can be dramatically reduced with the use of radar Doppler and delay data taken when the body is relatively close to the Earth. The combination of radar and optical angle data taken at close Earth distances just before a spacecraft encounter can result in surprisingly small target body ephemeris uncertainties.
Infantile stimulation and adult exploratory behaviour in the rat: Effects of handling upon visual variation-seeking

Abstract Experimental rats were handled daily between birth and weaning; controls were not disturbed during this interval. In adulthood two experiments were run to test for visual exploratory behaviour. Experiment 1 : three degrees of visual stimulus variation were created in a Greek-cross apparatus by having walls painted flat black; flat white; or black, white, and gray. Thirty handled and thirty non-handled subjects were tested. As the degree of stimulus variation increased, the exploratory behaviour of handled rats increased while the exploratory behaviour of the controls was depressed. In addition, handled animals spent significantly more time in the gray and white compartments than did controls. Experiment 2: The Greek cross was painted flat white and two degrees of visual stimulus variation was prepared by varying the illumination in each compartment. Twenty handled and twenty non-handled rats were tested. As the degree of stimulus variation increased, the exploratory behaviour of handled subjects increased while the exploratory behaviour of controls was depressed. In addition, handled rats spent significantly more time in the brightly illuminated compartment than did non-handled controls.
Quantitative end-tidal carbon dioxide in acute exacerbations of asthma.

Objective To examine quantitative end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO 2 ) in children with acute exacerbations of asthma. We hypothesize that quantitative ETCO 2 will be lower in children during an acute exacerbation of asthma and will correlate with the severity of the exacerbation. We also hypothesize that ETCO 2 can be successfully performed in all groups in the setting of a pediatric emergency department. Study design Patients with acute exacerbation of asthma (n = 86) and control subjects without respiratory or metabolic disturbances (n = 88) were prospectively enrolled in a pediatric emergency department. A physical examination, vital signs, and ETCO 2 measurements were performed on arrival and, in the patients with asthma, after each bronchodilator treatment. Results ETCO 2 was measured successfully in 97% of enrolled children. After adjusting for respiratory rate, ETCO 2 was significantly lower in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma than in control subjects ( P 2 measured after the first and after the final bronchodilator treatment were significantly associated with the number of bronchodilator treatments received and with hospital admission ( P ≤ .002). Conclusions ETCO 2 can be successfully measured in all children and is significantly lower in children with acute exacerbations of asthma compared with healthy control subjects. Quantitative ETCO 2 may be an objective, noninvasive, and effort-independent way to assess the severity of asthma.
Change in Gender-Ideology, 1977-1996: The Contributions of Intracohort Change and Population Turnover

This paper addresses the processes underlying the dramatic shift in beliefs about womens work and family roles in the US over the past 2 decades. Following Mason and Lu (1998) the authors posited this shift to be a function of actual change in individual opinions as well as changes in population membership that result from births and deaths. Using pooled cross-sections from the General Social Surveys (1977-96) the authors found that although demographic processes and microlevel attitude change are both important in understanding attitude trends the contribution of cohort succession is substantially greater now than in the period that Mason and Lu examined. Multivariate analyses show that 1) the sex difference in attitudes is greater among recent cohorts and 2) the strong association between education and attitudes that characterized earlier cohorts is significantly weaker among cohorts born after 1945. (authors)
A Convenient Method for the Synthesis of Aminomethylmonoalkylphosphinate

Starting from the readily available 4-methylbenzoic acid, an efficient protocol for the preparation of ethyl 4-(aminomethyl) benzyl (methyl) phosphinate (1), a novel aminomethylmonoalkylphosphinate was reported in this communication. The important step involves the selective monochlorination of phosphonic ester by POCl3 and forming the phosphonochloridate, and followed by nucleophilic addition of CH3MgBr to the acid chloride intermediate.
Salivary diagnostics for periodontal diseases

ABSTRACT Background and Overview The use of salivary diagnostics continues to develop and advance the field of risk determination for periodontal diseases. Researchers are investigating genetic, microbial and protein biomarkers with the objective of translating findings to such aspects of clinical care as broad patient screening, monitoring and treatment planning. Methods In this review, the author briefly explores currently available salivary diagnostics used to identify bacteria prevalent in periodontal disease, and focuses on the future development and use of a variety of rapid disease detection platforms, such as lab-on-a-chip, as a point-of-care device for identification of patients' risk. Conclusions and Clinical Implications Several diagnostic tests are commercially available, and point-of-care tests are under development. However, challenges remain regarding the introduction of these technologies to clinical practice and adoption by dental practitioners for promotion of personalized oral health care. The author explores currently available salivary diagnostics for periodontal disease and focuses on future developments in the field.
A method for evaluating Web page design concepts

In redesigning the Intranet at Fidelity Investments, we used a paper-based technique for getting user feedback on initial design concepts for the web pages. The technique involved color printouts of “Greeked” versions of five different candidate web page designs. Users had to try to identify nine standard elements that appeared on each page (e.g., owner, last updated). They also rated each on three subjective rating scales (format, attractiveness, color). The technique was successful in helping us to derive a new design.
Discriminative stimulus effects of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its metabolic precursor, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) in rats

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is becoming an increasingly popular drug of abuse. Metabolic precursors of GHB, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BDL), are commercially available industrial solvents that may also present potential health risks. Relatively little is known about the neurobehavioral effects of GHB and its precursors. The aim of the present investigation was to characterize the discriminative stimulus effects of GHB and its precursor, GBL. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were trained to discriminate GHB [300 mg/kg, IG; n=16] or GBL (150 mg/kg, i.p.; n=8) from vehicle under a fixed ratio 20 (FR 20) schedule of food reinforcement. Stimulus generalization tests were then conducted with several compounds. GHB and GBL produced cross-generalization and BDL was fully substituted for both GHB and GBL. Two benzodiazepines, alprazolam and diazepam, and the 5-HT1A agonist, buspirone, did not substitute for either training drug nor did ethanol or the NMDA antagonists, PCP and ketamine. The GHB antagonist, NCS-382, and the GABAB antagonist, CGP-35348, blocked the discriminative stimulus effects of GHB but not those of GBL. These findings suggest that GHB and its metabolic precursors produce similar subjective effects that differ from those of other sedative-hypnotic drugs. Further investigations into the neurochemical actions underlying the subjective effects of these drugs are warranted.
Human-object-object-interaction affordance

This paper presents a novel human-object-object (HOO) interaction affordance learning approach that models the interaction motions between paired objects in a human-object-object way and use the motion models to improve the object recognition reliability. The innate interaction-affordance knowledge of the paired objects is modeled from a set of labeled training data that contains relative motions of the paired objects, humans actions, and object labels. The learned knowledge of the pair relationship is represented with a Bayesian Network and the trained network is used to improve recognition reliability of the objects.
Sexual Desire and Responsiveness Following Hysterectomy and Menopause

Three measures of sexuality were studied based on women's self-reports. A total of three hundred and sixty premenopausal, hysterectomized, and normally postmenopausal women were compared. Frequency of sexual desire and vaginal lubrication were found to differ signicantly between the three groups when age was not controlled. When age was held constant, no differences were found. In all groups, increasing age was related to decreasing (a) libido, (b) sexual satisfaction, and (c) vaginal lubrication.
Investigating Word Learning in Fragile X Syndrome: A Fast-Mapping Study

Fast-mapping paradigms have not been used previously to examine the process of word learning in boys with fragile X syndrome (FXS), who are likely to have intellectual impairment, language delays, and symptoms of autism. In this study, a fast-mapping task was used to investigate associative word learning in 4- to 10-year-old boys with FXS relative to younger typically developing boys and age-matched boys with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Task performance exceeded chance levels for all groups; however, boys with FXS outperformed boys with ASD, despite having lower levels of nonverbal cognition. Memory task demands significantly impacted performance only for boys with typical development. For boys with FXS or ASD, fast-mapping uniquely accounted for small but significant variance in concurrent levels of vocabulary comprehension as did chronological age and nonverbal IQ, but not autism severity. Understanding the fast-mapping process has implications for designing interventions to support word learning and language acquisition in these populations.
Hallowell's challenge Explanations of illness and cross-cultural research

A. Irving Hallowell challenged those involved in cross-cultural research to establish the categories used for making comparisons through an examination of how experience is endowed with meaning wit...
Notes from a life influenced by Wendell Bell

Abstract Wendell Bell's idealistic vision of the role of the sociologist in creating a brighter future for society and his theoretical framework of the role of intellectual elites in the decisions of nationhood are examined through the personal lens of a former Caribbean student of the West Indies Study Program at UCLA.
User's perspective on x-ray FELs

X rays can be produced from FELs by either inverse Compton scattering or by self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE). Very high brightness peak power is extremely important for a number of users with various requirements for energy spread, positional stability and so on.
On Again, off Again: The SRC-3 Transcriptional Coactivator Moonlights as a Translational Corepressor

In a recent issue of Molecular Cell , Yu et al. (2007) reported that the steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3) has a novel cytoplasmic function: it activates the translational silencers TIA-1 and TIAR and thus inhibits the translation of proinflammatory cytokines.
Characterization and manipulation of embryogenic response from in-vitro-cultured immature inflorescences of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Characterization and optimization of the embryogenic response from in-vitro-cultured immature inflorescences of rice (Oryza sativa L. sub-species indica and japonica) are described. Histological and morphological analyses revealed that the parenchymatous ground tissue present in the region between the second whorl of sterile bracts and the base of the fertile bracts, the embryogenically competent region (ECR), was involved in the embryogenic response. Initial cell divisions within the ECR occurred in the vicinity of the pro-vascular regions of the spikelet. Continued cell divisions resulted in groups of proliferating units and each single proliferating unit was the product of a coordinated behavior of neighboring cells functioning as a morphogenic group. Further proliferation of this embryogenic tissue was due to the development of cambium-like tissue(s) often forming an embryogenic stratum which under optimal culture conditions produced plants at a high frequency. The morphogenic pathways governing plant regeneration from spikelets of the immature rice inflorescence were dependent upon the growth-regulator composition of the culture medium. Three different modes of plant regeneration were observed: (i) direct plant regeneration, (ii) plant regeneration with an intervening callus phase (prolific non-embryogenic growth associated with unorganized, loose and mucilaginous tissue), and (iii) plant regeneration without an intervening callus phase (compact embryogenie tissue with highly organized growth). The efficiency of plant regeneration, via somatic embryogenesis without an intervening callus phase, was increased by optimizing the culture conditions. In a two-step procedure, immature inflorescences of rice were first cultured on a conditioning medium supplemented with 2.0 mg · 1−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid + 1.5 mg · 1−1 kinetin + 0.75 mg · 1−1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid for a period of two weeks. The conditioning medium, with the appropriate culture conditions, allowed redirection of partially differentiated cells of the ECR into embryogenically competent pro-embryogenic groups. Maturation of these pro-embryogenic groups was achieved by transferring them to an embryo proliferation medium, and plants could then be regenerated at a high frequency upon their transfer to the regeneration medium.
Value orientations of clinical social work practitioners

Six hundred and forty-two of 1,218 randomly sampled social workers in Texas certified as Advanced Clinical Practitioners responded to a pretested, mailed questionnaire as part of a study of personal value systems and personality traits. Agency practitioners, combination practitioners and those in private practice only are compared on their rank ordering of eight statements corresponding to four value orientations: (1) entrepreneurial, (2) social, welfare/change, (3) low risk, and (4) providing psychotherapy. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney tests yielded significant differences between the three groups. Nonprivate practitioners and those in private practice only were found to have almost symmetrically juxtaposed personal value systems. Combination practitioners were found to be a distinct group with a unique value system different in important respects from both nonprivate practitioners and from those in private practice only. Comparisons with other studies and implications for future research are discussed.
Measurement of transient temperature during thermomagnetic writing in MO recording media

Real-time Kerr contrast images produced by a time-resolved microscope were used to derive transient temperature during thermomagnetic (TM) writing. Temperature profiles in magnetooptical films during TM writing were measured, and Curie diameter could be derived. With 5-ns and 0.3- mu m temporal and spatial resolutions, one could determine transient temperature during both heating and cooling cycles in TM writing with adequate resolutions. Since thermal parameters such as heat conductivity K, and specific heat C of thin films are difficult to measure accurately, the numerical analyses tend to fit C, K, and others to match reasonable transient temperature profiles. With the developed techniques, a more reliable way to determine the outcome of a TM writing is thus feasible. Moreover, these methods, in conjunction with numerical methods, can be used to derive more realistic values of the thermal parameters of material in thin-film form. >