cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Managing “Vocal Dose” and the acting voice: how much is too much?

AbstractMaintaining vocal health can be challenging for actors and students of acting, given the unique vocal demands placed on the performer’s voice including the use of heightened speech, character voices, prolonged speaking at loud volumes, and stage screaming. Vocal fatigue is related to the amount, type, and duration of voice use, and over time, can lead to acute or chronic vocal injury. This article discusses a measurement technique, called vocal dosimetry, which can quantify in real time the vocal fold tissue stresses related to the frequency, intensity, and accumulated duration of vocal fold vibrations. The unique vocal challenges of three different actors (undergraduate student, professional graduate student, and professor of acting) are reviewed in order to examine ways to effectively manage vocal load and optimize vocal health. Ways to monitor, prevent, and recover from vocal fatigue are presented. The actor should adopt the mindset of a vocal athlete, being intentional about training, exercise...
Mechanical and viscoelastic properties of confined amorphous polymers

Confinement of polymers to nanoscale dimensions can dramatically impact their physical properties. Substantial efforts have focused on the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polymers confined to thin films, but their mechanical properties are less studied despite their technological importance. In this review, challenges with mechanical measurements of polymer thin films are discussed along with novel metrologies that provide insight into their mechanical properties. A comparison of experimental measurements, simulations and theory provide several general conclusions about the mechanical properties under confinement. Confinement impacts the elastic modulus, rubbery compliance and viscosity of polystyrene, the archetypal polymer for confinement, but the confinement effect appears to depend on the measurement technique. This effect may be due to the details of averaging of gradients in properties that are dependent on the measurement details. Routes to minimize confinement effects are addressed. Despite progress in the measurements of mechanical properties of polymer thin films, there remain unresolved questions about the impact of confinement, which we highlight at the end of this review. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017
Use of an antimicrobial pouch/envelope in the treatment of Twiddler's syndrome.

BACKGROUND "Twiddler's syndrome" occurs when a patient consciously or subconsciously manipulates their pacemaker/defibrillator pulse generator, often resulting in lead dislodgement and device system malfunction. Once dislodgement has occurred, corrective measures include resecuring the system to the pectoralis fascia with redundant anchoring sutures. Unfortunately, patients with Twiddler's syndrome tend to have a high rate of recurrence. This study presents a case series of patients with Twiddler's syndrome and evaluates the strategy of using a nonabsorbable antimicrobial pouch to prevent recurrent lead dislodgement events. METHODS Pacemaker and defibrillator operative reports were reviewed at a single institution over a time period of 16 years. Historical, fluoroscopic, and intraoperative findings were used to identify 21 patients with strong evidence for Twiddler's syndrome. Patient charts were retrospectively analyzed, and a cohort of 13 patients who received a nonabsorbable antimicrobial pouch was compared to a cohort of eight patients who received other corrective measures. RESULTS The rate of "retwiddling" events was 0% in the antimicrobial pouch group versus 50% in the suture-only group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Among patients requiring device system revision for Twiddler's syndrome, the use of nonabsorbable antimicrobial pouches was associated with significantly fewer recurrences of lead dislodgement events.
Cyclic peptides from unprotected precursors through ring-chain tautomerism

In 1993, our laboratory introduced a novel approach of blockwise ligation through amide bonds for peptide synthesis using unprotected peptide segments under aqueous conditions [I]. This approach uses a pair of mutually reactive groups to achieve selective amide bond formation between a specific α-amine on one peptide and an α-acyl moiety on another peptide with both peptides containing free αand e-amines. Because of its exclusive chemoselectivity, we have referred to this approach as the orthogonal coupling strategy [ 151. By exploiting different pairs of reactive groups, several methods based on this strategy have been developed and applied successfully to the synthesis of proteins [5, 6]. In addition, we have found that the orthogonal coupling strategy is well suited for preparing cyclic peptides [7,8] when two reactive ends are present on a single chain, largely due to unprotected peptide segments undergoing the entropy-favored ring-chain tautomerization. Ring-chain tautomerization is a novel concept and has the attendant advantage of eliminating the requirement for high dilution in the macrocyclization of unprotected peptides. In this paper, we describe the concept of ring-chain tautomerization in combination with the orthogonal ligation strategy for intramolecular cyclization of unprotected peptides to form end-to-end cyclic peptides using two different orthogonal coupling methods.
From Periphery to Center: Einstein’s Path from Bern to Berlin (1902–1914)

In 1916, two years after moving to Berlin, Albert Einstein wrote to one of his closest friends in Zurich that he had accepted membership in the Prussian Academy of Sciences and a position at the University of Berlin without teaching obligations because of “a cousin, who drew me to Berlin in the first place.”1 Recently recovered letters reveal that Einstein had been corresponding with this cousin, a divorcee named Elsa Lowenthal nee Einstein, since at least 1912.2 Relying in part on this correspondence, I would like to suggest here that Einstein’s reasons for coming to Berlin were far more complex than he indicated to his friend.
Prospective Evaluation of a Practical Guideline for Managing Positive Sterility Test Results in Cell Therapy Products.

Abstract Product safety assurance is crucial for the clinical use of manufactured cellular therapies. A rational approach for delivering products that fail release criteria (because of potentially false-positive sterility results) is important to avoid unwarranted wastage of highly personalized and costly therapies in critically ill patients where benefits may outweigh risk. Accurate and timely interpretation of microbial sterility assays represents a major challenge in cell therapies. We developed a systematic protocol for the assessment of positive microbial sterility test results using retrospective data from 2007 to 2016. This protocol was validated and applied prospectively between October 2016 and September 2017 to 13 products from which positive sterility results had been reported. Viable and nonviable environmental monitoring (EM) data were collected concurrently as part of a facility control assessment. Three of 13 (23%) positive sterility results were attributable to bone marrow collections that had been contaminated with skin flora during harvest; all were infused without pertinent infectious sequelae. Of the remaining 10, 1 was deemed a true positive and was discarded before infusion, whereas 9 were classified as false positives attributed to laboratory sampling and/or culturing processes. Three products deemed false positive were infused and 6 were withheld because of patient issues unrelated to microbial sterility results. No postinfusion-associated infectious complications were documented. Almost half of the positive EM findings were skin flora. Paired detection of an organism in both product and associated EM was identified in 1 case. Application of our validated protocol to positive product sterility test results allowed for systematic data compilation for regulatory evaluation and provided comprehensive information to clinical investigators to ensure timely and strategic management for product recipients.
Factor structure and measurement invariance of a neuropsychological test battery designed for assessment of cognitive functioning in older Mexican Americans

Abstract Introduction The present study sought to investigate the measurement invariance of commonly used neuropsychological tests in an ethnically (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic) and linguistically (Spanish vs. English) diverse sample. Methods Participants were 736 middle-aged and older adults (MAge = 62.1, SD = 9.1) assessed at baseline. Measurement invariance testing was performed using multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis. Results A five-factor model (memory, attention/executive functioning/processing speed, language, visuospatial, and motor) fit the data well (CFI = 0.979, RMSEA = 0.047) and the composite reliability of the factors ranged from .76 (visuospatial) to .97 (motor). The five-factor model was found to possess strict measurement invariance for ethnicity and language without a decrement in fit compared to a strong (scalar) invariance model (ΔCFI = .000, ΔRMSEA = .002). Discussion These results indicate that a five-factor model is suitable for estimating cognitive functioning in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites without bias by ethnicity or language.
Examining the Case of DICK’s Sporting Goods: Realignment of Stakeholders through Corporate Social Advocacy

This study examined corporate social advocacy and political activism through the case of DICK’s Sporting Goods and the company’s recent stance on gun control reform. Themes related to stakeholders, corporate values, and activism versus advocacy were explored through an interview with DICK’s President, documentation including an interview with DICK’s CEO and statements from the company, and a social media content analysis of 3,000 public tweets to DICK’s in the wake of the announcement. Findings revealed that DICK’s actions extended beyond corporate social advocacy into corporate political activism, partly driven by secondary stakeholders. This action created an opportunity for DICK’s to redefine and realign stakeholders while making corporate values clearer to these stakeholder groups.
Stocking the Patent Pool: What Do Firms Offer for Licensing and Why?

Licensing out intellectual property (IP) such as patents is an important source of firm profit. However, the managerial logic for determining which IP firms offer for licensing remains underexplore...
Towards a Deeper Understanding of Conceptual Models that Incorporate Patient Safety

Over the past decades, researchers, clinicians, and engineers have introduced many different conceptual models that incorporate patient safety. These models share similarities in some dimensions but may differ in others. A hermeneutic and natural language processing approach was utilized to interpret relevant literature on this subject. This descriptive account provides philosophical considerations that help to frame understanding of these models. The aim is to facilitate greater understanding of safety in health care.
COVID-19 pandemic and cardiovascular disease

There seems to be a unique interplay between 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and cardiovascular diseases, although it is predominantly a respiratory illness. Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular co-morbidities appear to be at highest risk for mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) along with the elderly; COVID-19 also contributes to cardiovascular complications, including acute coronary syndromes, arrhythmias, myocarditis, acute heart failure, and, in the most severe cases, cardiogenic shock and death. Several medications proposed in the treatment of COVID-19 require cardiac monitoring owing to their cardiac-specific adverse effects. Ultimately, the COVID-19 pandemic has jeopardized the safety of heart transplantation and has placed transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapies at significant risk. In this article, the authors summarize the rapidly emerging data on the cardiovascular implications of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.
Soft tissue sarcomas in children.

In childhood, soft tissue sarcomas comprise a complex group of malignancies of varied histologic subtypes, the prognoses of which depend on the histology, age, site, extent of involvement and a variety of other factors. This paper discusses the varieties of tumors classified as soft tissue sarcomas in childhood and the multimodal approach taken to cure these tumors, with particular attention to the details of difficult surgical problems. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 16:121–143, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
‘Don’t Change the Hardware, but the Activities’: Emerging Forms of Political, Moral, and Ethnic Heritage Consumption in Seoul, South Korea

The 2008 burning of South Korean National Treasure No. 1, Namdaemun Gate and its 2013 reopening served as central events in local reevaluations of the cultural value of historical sites. Based on i...
Economic Burden of Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorders Among US Medicare Patients

Importance Postoperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs) after surgical procedures are common and may be associated with increased health care expenditures. Objective To quantify the economic burden associated with a PND diagnosis in 1 year following surgical treatment among older patients in the United States. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used claims data from the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced Model from 4285 hospitals that submitted Medicare Fee-for-service (FFS) claims between January 2013 and December 2016. All Medicare patients aged 65 years or older who underwent an inpatient hospital admission associated with a surgical procedure, did not experience a PND before index admission, and were not undergoing dialysis or concurrently enrolled in Medicaid were included. Data were analyzed from October 2019 and May 2020. Exposures PND, defined as anInternational Classification of Diseases, NinthorTenth Revision, diagnosis of delirium, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia within 1 year of discharge from the index surgical admission. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was total inflation-adjusted Medicare postacute care payments within 1 year after the index surgical procedure. Results A total of 2 380 473 patients (mean [SD] age, 75.36 (7.31) years; 1 336 736 [56.1%] women) who underwent surgical procedures were included, of whom 44 974 patients (1.9%) were diagnosed with a PND. Among all patients, most were White (2 142 157 patients [90.0%]), presenting for orthopedic surgery (1 523 782 patients [64.0%]) in urban medical centers (2 179 893 patients [91.6%]) that were private nonprofits (1 798 749 patients [75.6%]). Patients with a PND, compared with those without a PND, experienced a significantly longer hospital length of stay (mean [SD], 5.91 [6.01] days vs 4.29 [4.18] days;P Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this cohort study suggest that among older Medicare patients undergoing surgical treatment, a diagnosis of a PND was associated with an increase in health care costs for up to 1 year following the surgical procedure. Given the magnitude of this cost burden, PNDs represent an appealing target for risk mitigation and improvement in value-based health care.
Todxs cuentan: cultivating diversity in combinatorics

This article describes the efforts of the SFSU-Colombia Combinatorics Initiative to build a research and learning community between California and Colombia. It seeks to broaden and deepen representation in mathematics, based on four underlying principles: 1. Mathematical potential is distributed equally among different groups, irrespective of geographic, demographic, and economic boundaries. 2. Everyone can have joyful, meaningful, and empowering mathematical experiences. 3. Mathematics is a powerful, malleable tool that can be shaped and used differently by various communities to serve their needs. 4. Every student deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
SARS-CoV-2 antibody signatures robustly predict diverse antiviral functions relevant for convalescent plasma therapy

Convalescent plasma has emerged as a promising COVID-19 treatment. However, the humoral factors that contribute to efficacy are poorly understood. This study functionally and phenotypically profiled plasma from eligible convalescent donors. In addition to viral neutralization, convalescent plasma contained antibodies capable of mediating such Fc-dependent functions as complement activation, phagocytosis and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against SARS-CoV-2. These activities expand the antiviral functions associated with convalescent plasma and together with neutralization efficacy, could be accurately and robustly from antibody phenotypes. These results suggest that high-throughput profiling could be used to screen donors and plasma may provide benefits beyond neutralization.
Energy systems in buildings

Abstract The chapter provides a comprehensive summary on the energy systems used in buildings, with emphasis on green buildings. Advanced and up-to-date design concepts in the area of renewable energy technologies for building energy systems are discussed. Both active and passive building heating and cooling technologies are covered. Technologies covered include air source heat pumps, building integrated photovoltaic thermal (BIPV/T) systems, wind, and geothermal energy. In addition, seasonal solar thermal energy storage systems based on sensible and phase change heat transfer are presented. The multidisciplinary nature of the building energy systems makes the chapter useful to communities with diverse engineering and science background such as mechanical, civil, electrical, and architectural engineering and applied physics.
Victory in war : foundations of modern strategy

1. Introduction 2. Foundations of a general theory of victory 3. Historical origins of victory 4. Modern origins of victory 5. American experience with victory 6. American logic of victory 7. 1986 raid on Libya 8. 1989 invasion of Panama 9. 1991 Persian Gulf War 10. Intervention in Bosnia, Kosovo, 1992-1999 11. Intervention in Afghanistan, 2001-2010 12. 2003 invasion of Iraq 13. Influence of military power on victory 14. Conclusion.
Incidentally Detected Celiac Disease with Splenomegaly on 18F FDG PET/CT: A Potential Lymphoma Mimic

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disorder triggered by hypersensitivity to gluten occurring in genetically susceptible individuals. A high-index of suspicion is needed for diagnosis as patients can be asymptomatic or present with atypical symptoms or extra-intestinal manifestations. Typical 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) gastrointestinal manifestations of celiac disease include increased multifocal or diffuse jejunal and ileal uptake; focal duodenal uptake is less common. Splenomegaly with increased splenic FDG uptake is also uncommon in celiac disease in the absence of portal hypertension; small-sized spleen and functional hyposplenism are more typical. We report a case of celiac disease diagnosed after PET/CT showed FDG uptake in the duodenum and enlarged spleen. Follow-up after gluten-free diet showed complete metabolic resolution and regression of splenomegaly. The combination of focal bowel and splenic uptake is unusual in celiac disease and may be mistaken for a lymphoproliferative disorder. Awareness of this entity may avoid misdiagnosis and guide appropriate management.
How Localized is the Pro-trade Effect of Immigration? Evidence from Mexico and the United States

I estimate the effect that immigrants have on international trade between states of current residence and states of origin. The pro-trade effect of immigrants has been thoroughly examined since the mid-1990s, connecting both destination countries with origin countries and destination sub-national divisions with origin countries, respectively. However, a recent emphasis on the importance of geographic proximity to the immigration-trade link leads me to pose the question of how localized the trade-enhancing effect of immigrants actually may be. In turn, my analysis provides the ?rst results as to the immigrant-trade nexus at the state level for both places of destination and origin, relying on a unique data set allowing the mapping of Mexican-born immigrants?US states of residence to Mexican states of origin. I ?nd that immigrants indeed promote trade between their US states of residence and Mexican states of origin, estimating a statistically signi?cant elasticity of exports to immigration equal to 0.08. This ?gure is not only qualitatively but also quantitatively important, corresponding to $2467 extra annual exports between respective US and Mexican states associated with each additional immigrant.
Promoting Uniform Question Understanding in Today's and Tomorrow's Surveys

Survey respondents misunderstand questions more frequently than one might expect but, current methods for collecting data make it hard to detect and correct misunderstanding. The conventional practice has been to leave the interpretation of questions up to respondents; interviewers react to requests for clarification with nondirective probes like “Let me repeat the question.” The current article reviews a research program that has explored alternatives to standardized wording, in which interviewers and web survey systems can define survey concepts as needed as a way to assure uniform comprehension across respondents. One problem is that many respondents fail to recognize that their understanding is not aligned with the survey sponsors’ and so do not ask for clarification ‐ a problem that, we argue, is more serious in the survey response task than other tasks in which information is exchanged. Using today’s survey techniques (telephone and face-to-face interviews, web surveys) it is possible to increase respondents’ sensitivity to their own misunderstanding, increasing their requests for clarification; and, based on respondents’ verbal and visual cues of comprehension difficulty, it is possible to intervene to correct misunderstanding. This approach can be extended in surveys of the future by incorporating mature speech recognition capabilities, modeling respondent uncertainty about question meaning so that when clarification is needed it can be provided automatically, and developing interface agents when appropriate. By evaluating simulated versions of these technologies in the near term researchers will be better able exploit them as they become available.
Reporting on pediatric unintentional firearm injury-who's responsible

BACKGROUND: Gun injury is a leading cause of death among US children and adolescents. Unintentional firearm death disproportionately affects youth. Reports have shown that at least a third of US homes with children have firearms. When children are fatally injured by guns, the location is most often a home, the shooter is family, the gun owner is a relative, and the gun most often originates from the home, where it was left unlocked. METHODS: We conducted an Internet search of pediatric (0-18 years old) fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries from January 1 to August 31, 2014, in the United States, querying the terms shot, gun, accident, and year-old for media reports. Cases were screened for intent and coded for demographics, location, gun specifics, circumstances, relationship between the victim, shooter, gun owner, and any resultant charges. RESULTS: A total of 277 unintentional pediatric gun injury events were reviewed, two-thirds were nonfatal. Half of the victims were younger than 13 years; 25.3% were younger than 7 years, 80% of the victims and 85.6% of the shooters were male. Of shooters, 84.3% were the child victim themselves, a family member, or a friend/acquaintance. Seventy-seven percent of the events took place in a residence. When gun ownership was reported, 68% were owned by a family member. When charges were reported, a third were against minors. CONCLUSION: This study reinforced previous studies that unintentional child firearm injuries predominantly involve the home, family guns, young children, and males, and most could be prevented through adult responsibility for minimizing child access and securing storage of firearms. We further learned that media accounts frequently did not report on gun ownership or charges, details which might increase community awareness or inform policies useful to prevention. Shooters, not owners, were more often charged in unintentional child injuries, and minors were charged even when Child Access Prevention laws could be applied. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiologic study, level 4. Language: en
Survival outcomes in acute invasive fungal sinusitis: a systematic review and quantitative synthesis of published evidence.

Objectives/Hypothesis Acute invasive fungal sinusitis (AIFS) is an aggressive and often fatal infection. Despite improvements in medical and surgical therapy, survival remains limited and the factors that contribute to patient outcomes remain poorly understood. The current study systematically reviews and quantitatively synthesizes the published literature to characterize prognostic factors associated with survival. Study Design Systematic review. Methods Fifty-two studies comprising a total of 807 patients met inclusion criteria and were used for analysis of treatment, presentation, and outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify prognostic factors. Results All studies were classified as level 4 evidence, as per definitions provided by the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine. The most common presenting symptoms of patients with AIFS were facial swelling (64.5%), fever (62.9%), and nasal congestion (52.2%). Most patients were treated with a combination of intravenous antifungal medication and surgery. The overall survival rate was 49.7%. On univariate analysis, poor prognosis was associated with renal/liver failure, altered mental status, and intracranial extension. Patients who were diabetic, had surgery, or received liposomal amphotericin B had an improved chance of survival. On multivariate analysis, advanced age and intracranial involvement were identified as independent negative prognostic factors. Positive prognostic factors again included diabetes and surgical resection. Conclusions The overall mortality of patients with AIFS remains high, with only half of the patients surviving. Diabetic patients appear to have a better overall survival than patients with other comorbidities. Patients who have intracranial involvement, or who do not receive surgery as part of their therapy, have a poor prognosis. Level of Evidence N/A.
A method to sparse eigen subspace and eigenportfolios

A new method to sparse eigen subspaces by using the pdf-optimized zero-zone quantizers is proposed. It is called sparse Karhunen-Loeve Transform (SKLT). The performance of the proposed method is presented for sparse representation of eigenportfolios generated from empirical correlation matrix of stock returns in NASDAQ-100 index. Performance results show that the proposed SKLT outperforms the popular algorithms to sparse eigen subspaces reported earlier in the literature.
The comparative biochemistry of developing Ascaris eggs: I. Substrate oxidation and the cytochrome system in embryonated and unembryonated eggs☆

Abstract Homogenates of unembryonated eggs were capable of oxidizing succinate and malate via components of an electron transport system resulting in reduction of cytochrome c. Succinate oxidation proceeded via an antimycin-sensitive component as contrasted with malate oxidation which was antimycin-insensitive. No cytochrome c oxidase was detected by the methods employed in the unembryonated eggs. Succinate and malate oxidation proceeded via the cytochrome system in embryonated eggs. Contrary to the condition observed in unembryonated eggs, cytochrome c oxidase was demonstrable in the embryonated eggs.
A formula and some operators

This article presents a formula for some dispersionless equations and a brief review of the operators which have been used for the dispersionless KP hierarchy.
Climbing performance of Harris' hawks ( Parabuteo unicinctus ) with added load: implications for muscle mechanics and for radiotracking

Two Harris9 hawks were trained to fly along horizontal and climbing flight paths, while carrying loads of various masses, to provide data for estimating available muscle power during short flights. The body mass of both hawks was about 920 g, and they were able to carry loads up to 630 g in horizontal flight. The rate of climb decreased with increasing all-up mass, as also did the climbing power (product of weight and rate of climb). Various assumptions about the aerodynamic power in low-speed climbs led to estimates of the maximum power output of the flight muscles ranging from 41 to 46 W. This, in turn, would imply a stress during shortening of around 210 kPa. The effects of a radio package on a bird that is raising young should be considered in relation to the food load that the forager can normally carry, rather than in relation to its body mass.
Energetics of diffusion processes during nucleation and growth for the Cu/Cu(100) system

Abstract Various diffusion processes during sub-monolayer epitaxy of Cu/Cu(100) were studied using the embedded atom method. These processes include (1) single atom diffusion on a flat Cu(100), (2) adatom diffusion around steps running both in 〈110〉 and 〈100〉 directions, and (3) migration of small clusters of up to 5 atoms on a flat terrace. The results show that the energy barrier for adatom diffusion along the step ledge of 〈110〉 directions is actually lower than that for adatom diffusion on a flat terrace and that diffusion across the descending steps depends on step orientation. The exchange mechanism is favored energetically over direct jumps across 〈110〉 steps, while direct jumps are favored across 〈100〉 steps. Dissociation energies and diffusion barriers for small clusters are oscillatory among clusters of odd and even number atoms. Comparison of dissociation energies and diffusion barriers indicates that (1) tetramers are relatively stable compared to dimers, trimers, and pentamers, and (2) small clusters of up to 5 atoms are quite mobile near room temperature. The calculated results support the conclusions from a recent high-resolution low-energy electron diffraction investigation on sub-monolayer epitaxy for Cu/Cu(100).
Multistation Inspection Schemes

IN SAMPLING inspection by attributes, each item is classified simply as defective or non-defective, with several different quality characteristics ordinarily considered in making this classification. Very often, the types of possible defects are collected into groups and sampling plans are applied to each group separately. But even within a group there may be numerous equally important sources of defects. For example, in the manufacture of aircraft bolts, defects are classified as critical, major, minor A, and minor B. In the major group there are as many as 13 possible sources of defects, i.e., thread size and form, grip length, plating, etc. Characteristics also may be assigned to groups according to their position in the production process, e.g., in the manufacture of radio receivers natural inspection stations may arise during different stages of the process. In any case, for a given group of more or less equally important types of defects it may be desirable for the vendor or the consumer to inspect a lot for different types of defects during different stages of the production process. In the first place, lots that are certain to be eventually rejected should be caught early and subsequent fabrication costs saved. Lots of radio receivers that are "bad" should be rejected in the production process as early as possible. Secondly, manufacturers are interested in the cause of trouble whenever any arises. If lots of aircraft bolts are rejected, with one of the thirteen characteristics mainly responsible (e.g., more than two imperfect threads), the manufacturer wants to have this information. Finally, further operations in a process may hide defects. In the assembly of radio receivers, additional operations could easily obscure a poorly soldered joint. Painting or plating could prevent identification of surface flaws. It often is necessary that, if characteristics are considered separately, the resulting protection measured in terms of the Operating Characteristic (OC) curve (i.e., for a given sampling procedure and incoming quality, the probability of accepting the lot) should be the same as that which would be achieved if all the characteristics were considered together since, (1) the purchaser may be interested in over-all quality within each group, (2) suppliers, though interested in individual char-
Duality for modules over finite rings and applications to coding theory

This paper sets a foundation for the study of linear codes over finite rings. The finite Frobenius rings are singled out as the most appropriate for coding theoretic purposes because two classical theorems of Mac Williams, the extension theorem and the Mac Williams identities, generalize from finite fields to finite Frobenius rings. It is over Frobenius rings that certain key identifications can be made between the ring and its complex characters.
Kinetic energy distribution of excited N atoms produced through dissociative photoionization excitation of N2 using the fluorescence photon-photoion coincidence technique

Abstract We have measured the kinetic energy distribution of excited nitrogen atoms produced in the dissociative photoionization excitation of N 2 by He II 304 A photons. A fluorescence photon-photoion coincidence technique has been utilized in the present study. We observed coincidence peaks in the 26–33 μs region suggesting that the initial kinetic energies of excited N photofragments cover the range of 0.0 to 2.58 eV. A large fraction, 0.89, of the excited N atoms produced has kinetic energy higher than 0.18 eV.
Hyperon masses in nuclear matter.

We analyze hyperon and nucleon mass shifts in nuclear matter using chiral perturbation theory. Expressions for the mass shifts that include strong interaction effects at leading order in the density are derived. Corrections to our results are suppressed by powers of the Fermi momentum divided by either the chiral symmetry breaking scale or the nucleon mass. Our work is relevant for neutron stars and for large hypernuclei.
Dietary wheat bran inhibits DNA synthesis and enhances 5‐fluorouracil toxicity in Rat pancreas

Abstract The effect of a 20% wheat bran dietary supplement on pancreatic growth and on the content and synthesis of pancreatic RNA and DNA was examined in male Sprague‐Dawley rats fed defined diets for 4–5 weeks. Nutrient intake and body weight gain were similar in the control group (fed a fiber‐free diet) and the groups fed the wheat bran supplement. The wheat bran diet produced no significant change in pancreatic weight, protein, RNA content, or DNA content, but was associated with a 28.8% fall in pancreatic DNA synthesis, measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, when compared with the controls (p <0.05). When rats were injected with 50 mg/kg of 5‐fluorouracil (two injections, one week apart), those fed wheat bran exhibited a 40.1% increase in pancreatic wet weight (p <0.005) and a 24.5% decrease in RNA content (p < 0.001), when compared to controls fed a fiber‐free diet. RNA synthesis, measured by the incorporation of 32P into RNA, increased 3.6‐fold in rats fed wheat bran, when compared with ...
Leg Pain and Gynecologic Malignancy

Gynecologic malignancies affect more than 83 000 women in the United States, each year. Because the disease involves the pelvis, many patients have side effects distal to this area in their lower extremities. The differential diagnosis of leg pain can be divided into vascular, neurologic, and musculoskeletal causes. In this review article, we address numerous etiologies of leg pain, reviewing the prevalence of disease, physical examination findings, diagnostic as well as treatment modalities.
The complex permeability and harmonic generation of a Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8−y crystal: measurements and models

Abstract For a single crystal of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8− y at 77 K and subject to simultaneous ac and dc magnetic fields, measurements are reported for the complex ac permeability (”' − i”) and for the generated harmonic power P ( nf ). A plot of ”versus log 10 ( H ac ) shows one peak at H ac = 5.2 Oe, which is interpreted as the penetration field H ∗ in a critical state model. T his result corresponds to only one component of the supercurrent, in contrast to both inter- and intragranular components generally observed in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ . The observed dependence of ”, ” and P ( nf ) on H dc and H ac are only mod ately well explained by a generalized critical state model.
Quantized Optical Field Analysis in OCT: Deeper Insights and Future Directions

To date, the optical field in OCT has been treated primarily classically. This work examines the OCT interferometer in full quantization, identifying often ignored effects as vacuum fluctuations, indistinguishable paths, radiation pressure, and photon statistics.
An impedance measurement method for double-gap klystron cavity

A new method has been developed for measuring the impedance of a two-gap cavity used in high-power klystrons. The principle is based on network analysis. The cavity under test is considered as a microwave network. The two gaps of the cavity and its output terminal are referred to as three ports. We then can use an impedance matrix to characterize this system, and the six independent impedance parameters can be found by measuring the input impedance seen from the output waveguide when the gaps are in different conditions; viz., either open, shorted, or perturbed. The gap impedance then can be deduced therefrom. It is shown that there are three impedances for a double-gap cavity instead of one for a single-gap cavity. Another problem dealt with here is how to evaluate the capacitance introduced by the perturbation. A few typical experimental results are presented.
High-fat diet alters prostanoid balance and perfusion in ischemic myocardium of naproxen-treated swine

Background The effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the cardiovascular system remains controversial, especially in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities. We used a swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia to investigate whether hypercholesterolemia alters the cardiovascular effects of the nonselective NSAID naproxen. Methods Yorkshire swine were fed normal chow (NAP; n = 7) or a high-fat diet (HF-NAP; n = 8). Chronic myocardial ischemia was created in all animals by left circumflex ameroid constrictor placement. All swine were started on oral naproxen (440 mg/day) at the time of ameroid placement. After 7 weeks, myocardial perfusion and microvessel reactivity in the ischemic territory were assessed. Tissue levels of prostanoid metabolites 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 (11-d-TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1-α (6-k-PGF1α) were measured. Tissue was analyzed for capillary density and protein expression. Results Myocardial perfusion was significantly decreased in the HF-NAP group both at rest and during ventricular pacing. Microvessel relaxation responses to sodium nitroprusside and adenosine 5′-diphosphate were similar between groups. Tissue 11-d-TXB2 levels were similar between groups, but tissue 6-k-PGF1α was significantly decreased in the HF-NAP group (P = .001). Expression of thromboxane synthase was significantly higher in the HF-NAP group (P = .02), while prostacyclin synthase expression was significantly decreased in the HF-NAP group (P = .04). Capillary density was higher in the HF-NAP group (P = .005). Proangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; P = .0002) and Akt (P = .01) were downregulated in the HF-NAP group. Conclusion A high-fat diet impairs tissue perfusion in ischemic myocardium of naproxen-treated swine by shifting the prostanoid balance to favor production of thromboxane over prostacyclin. Dietary modification may improve myocardial blood flow and alter the safety profile in chronically ischemic cardiac patients taking naproxen.
Microbiological assay of antibiotics based on inhibition of ammonia production monitored with an ammonia electrode

A potentiometric method with an ammonia gas sensor is described for the microbiological assay of tetracycline hydrochloride, gentamicin, streptomycin, and neomycin in pharmaceutical preparations. The method is based on the inhibiting effect of antibiotics on the production of ammonia by a suspension of Escherichia coli in a nutrient solution.
Circadian rhythm of cat flea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) locomotion unaffected by ultrasound.

Cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche), had a circadian rhythm of locomotion that peaked during the last 2 h of the photophase and declined to a lower level that was maintained throughout the scotophase. Activity was lowest during the first 8 h of photophase. The circadian rhythm of these fleas was not affected by an ultrasonic pest control device.
A Preliminary Evaluation of Multi-probe Resonance-frequency Electrical Impedance Based Measurements of the Breast

Rationale and Objectives The aim of this study was to preliminarily assess the performance of a new, resonance-frequency electrical impedance spectroscopy (REIS) system in identifying young women who were recommended to undergo breast biopsy following imaging. Materials and Methods A seven-probe REIS system was designed and assembled and is currently being prospectively tested. During examination, contact is made with the nipple and six concentric points on the breast skin. Signal sweeps are performed, and outputs ranging from 200 to 800 kHz at 5-kHz intervals are recorded. An initial set of 140 patients, including 56 who eventually had biopsies, 63 who had negative results on screening mammography, and 21 recalled for additional imaging but later determined to have negative results, was used. An initial set of 35 features, 33 representing impedance signal differences between breasts and two representing participant age and average breast density, was assembled and reduced by a genetic algorithm to 14. The performance of an artificial neural network–based classifier was assessed using a case-based leave-one-out method. Results The substantially greater asymmetry between signals of mirror-matched regions ascertained from biopsy (“positive”) compared to nonbiopsy (“negative”) cases resulted in an artificial neural network classifier performance (area under the curve) of 0.830 ± 0.023. At 90% specificity, this classifier, optimized for “recommendation for biopsy” rather than “cancer,” detected 30 REIS-positive cases (54%), including six of nine (67%) actual cancer cases and six of nine women (67%) recommended for surgical excision of high-risk lesions. Conclusions Asymmetry in impedance measurements between bilateral breasts may provide valuable discriminatory information regarding the presence of highly suspicious imaging-based findings.
Introduction: Exchange Rates, Capital Flows, and Commercial Policies in Transition Economies

Abstract Exchange rate movements in all transition economies have followed a similar time path, with a sharp depreciation followed by gradual real appreciation. Such a time path is rather surprising given the differences in monetary and real shocks that these countries have encountered. This introduction and this symposium examine critically whether this time path of the exchange rates can be viewed as a gradual approach to these countries' equilibrium exchange rates and whether we can deduce these equilibrium exchange rates from purchasing power parity exchange rates computed for these countries. J. Comp. Econom., December 1998, 26(4), pp. 613–620. Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287-3806
GLYCOPROTEIN-INSPIRED MATERIALS PROMOTE THE PROTEOLYTIC RELEASE OF CELL SURFACE L-SELECTIN

Abstract The proteolytic release, or shedding, of a cell surface protein can serve a regulatory role; the process liberates a soluble form of the protein into circulation while downregulating its cell surface concentration. The characteristics that render a protein susceptible to proteolytic cleavage are not known. We hypothesized that the clustering of a protein at the cell surface might target it for proteolysis. To test this hypothesis, we synthesized molecules that display multiple copies of sulfated galactose residues, termed neoglycopolymers, that are designed to mimic natural ligands for the cell adhesion protein l -selectin. We found that treatment of human neutrophils with the neoglycopolymers resulted in a dose-dependent loss of l -selectin from the cell surface, while monovalent compounds and unsulfated neoglycopolymers had no effect. Because l -selectin is an important mediator in the inflammatory response, such compounds could lead to novel antiinflammatory drugs. Moreover, molecules that control receptor shedding can be used to alter cellular responsiveness to specific ligands or to promote responses at distal sites; consequently, these results have broad implications for regulating the location and presentation of important biomolecules.
Effect of anterior-posterior lesion location on the asymmetrical behavioral and biochemical response to cortical suction ablations in the rat.

Abstract Small cortical suction ablations were produced at one of several stereotaxically located sites along the anterior-posterior axis of the right or left hemisphere in the rat. Analysis of variance showed a highly significant effect of lesion location in the right hemisphere on locomotor activity. The most anterior lesions produced both the most hyperactivity and also the greatest reductions in the concentrations of noripinephrine in the ipsilateral and contralateral cortex and locus coeruleus. These results suggest that the effect of cortical lesions on spontaneous activity may be graded across the right hemisphere and that the anatomy of certain neurotransmitter pathways in the cortex may help to explain both the biochemical and behavioral findings.
Examining the reliability and validity of an adapted scale of educational-vocational undecidedness in a sample of graduate students

Abstract The present study was an attempt to determine the reliability and validity of an adapted vocational indecision scale designed for undergraduates ( Osipow, S. H., Carney, C. G., Winer, J. L., Yanico, B. J., & Koschir, M., In Journal of Vocational Behavior , 1976 , 9 , 237) for use in a graduate student population. Internal consistency, test-retest, interrater reliability, and validity coefficients were calculated. A factor analysis and a multiple regression were also conducted. The findings suggest that the characteristics of the adapted indecision scale for the graduate students sample are similar to the characteristics of the unadapted instrument for the undergraduate sample in the S. H. Osipow, C. G. Carney, and A. Barak ( Journal of Vocational Behavior , 1976 , 9 , 223–243) study. Potential therapeutic and research uses of the adapted indecision scale are also discussed.
Carolina Thunder: A Geography of Southern Stock Car Racing

Abstract Ask any Southern “good old boy” to name three things which are irrefutably of the region and he will likely list: grits, moonshine, and stock car racing. These elements of the popular culture have been largely ignored by most social geographers, much in the same manner that most other aspects of the popular culture of the contemporary American scene have remained unstudied. It may be argued, however, that for an understanding of the modern cultural geography of this country we must study not only the traditional past, but also the popular present. Stock car racing is clearly one of the most visible elements of the Southern popular culture and has developed not only an extensive following, but also a widespread mythology. But, is stock car racing a Southern phenomenon, or is this in itself a myth of the region? The principal goal of this paper will be to examine the origins and distribution of stock car racing to determine if the sport indeed has a Southern orientation today as is commonly believed.