cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness analysis of tension-free vaginal tape vs burch colposuspension for female stress urinary incontinence in the USA.

Objective To compare the cost-effectiveness (CE) of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) with that of burch colposuspension (BC) for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Materials and Methods A Markov-chain decision model was created to simulate treatment of SUI with TVT or BC using Treeage Pro 2011 software (Treeage Software Inc., Williamstown, MA, USA). Costing data were obtained from the Medicare Resource-Based Relative Value Scale. Data regarding the success of TVT vs BC were obtained from the peer-reviewed literature, as were corresponding utilities for different continence states. The CE of each procedure was calculated and compared, and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results At 10-year follow-up, TVT was more cost-effective (CE = $1495/quality-adjusted life year [QALY]) than BC (CE = $1824/QALY). Sensitivity analysis showed that TVT was more cost-effective than BC if the cost of the TVT device was <$3220. If the probability of success after TVT was <42%, then BC became the more cost-effective strategy (CE = $1827/QALY). Conclusion Our study showed that TVT was more cost-effective than BC as a treatment for female SUI. Both cost of TVT device and efficacy of the procedure affect the CE analysis.
INTERACTION OF THE SOLAR WIND WITH THE LOCAL INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM: A THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE

The interaction of the solar wind with the local interstellar medium (LISM) is attracting renewed interest, thanks to the possibility that the Voyager spacecraft may, in the not too distant future, cross the heliospheric termination shock. This has spurred the development of increasingly sophisticated models which attempt to describe various aspects of the physics underlying the interaction of the solar wind and the LISM. A comprehensive review of the subject is presented here.
A perimeter gated single photon avalanche diode based silicon photomultiplier as optical detector

A CMOS silicon photomultiplier based on perimeter gated single photon avalanche diode was designed for optical detection applications. The photomultiplier was fabricated in a standard 0.5 µm 2 poly, 3 metal CMOS process. The perimeter gated single silicon photomultiplier shows an increase in breakdown voltage with increasing gate voltage. The noise floor of the detector was characterized as a function of applied gate bias and excess bias voltages. The sensitivity of the detector to incident optical illumination was characterized. The sensitivity of the detector is ∼ 0.08A per W/cm2.
Estonica in the Midwest: The collections at the University of Illinois and Indiana University

In addition, the authors of the article referred to offer the following programmatic suggestion: "The ultimate dream might be to index and store all of Baltica on those marvellous microchips for instant retrieval at any time and at any place by anyone who needs the information."2 The purpose of the present note is to make a small contribution to this "ultimate dream" in the sector of Estonica by calling attention to two substantial collections of Estonian materials in the Midwest: at Champaign/Urbana, Illinois, and at Bloomington, Indiana. My scope will be limited to the University of Illinois' Estonian collection, with additional comments about Indiana University's holdings.3 The two large universities surveyed are both located in relatively small towns in the American Midwest. Indiana University's Estonian collection is, unquestionably, quite outstanding. According to Murlin Croucher, Slavic bibliographer (who is also responsible for Estonian materials), Indiana's collection is among the best in American universities. One reason for its excellence is Indiana University's graduate department of Uralic and Altaic Studies, which offers graduate and undergraduate courses in Estonian language and culture. In support of these programs, therefore, collection development has proceeded for over three decades. Nevertheless, there is a need for a bibliographical study of the Estonian collection at Indiana; this has not yet been undertaken nor is it in
Imaginary, sink and source flows in the vicinity of the separatrix of non-smooth dynamic systems

In this letter, the real and imaginary flows for non-smooth dynamical systems are described, and the δ-layer of the separation boundary is introduced as well. The onset, existence and vanishing of the sink and source flows in the δ-layer are presented. The switching between the two semi-passable flows and the switching between the sink and source flows are investigated through the singular gluing points. Finally, the necessary and sufficient conditions for the onset, vanishing and switching are presented. These conditions provide the criteria to determine the sliding motion on the separatrix, which can be very easily applied to non-smooth dynamical systems.
Validation of a Six-Item Male Body Image Concerns Scale (MBICS)

Elevated body image concerns may be a risk factor for eating disorders among males and contribute to a range of other mental health problems. This study tested a 6-item measure of general male body image concerns in two studies with adolescent males ages 14–18 (total N = 122). The measure showed strong convergent validity, scale score reliability, and test-retest reliability, and was significantly correlated with the number of episodes of binge eating in the past month. A short scale will relieve participant burden and provide a useful research tool for studies with males at risk for or with eating disorders.
Reduction of a Large Incarcerated Rectal Prolapse By Use of an Elastic Compression Wrap

Reduction of a large rectal prolapse may be difficult because of significant edema that collects in the rectal tissues. If reduction is unsuccessful, an emergent laparotomy and internal reduction is required. A wide elastic wrap applied around the prolapsed rectum provides progressive compression, which reduces the amount of edema, allowing subsequent manual reduction. This novel technique is simple, safe, inexpensive, and can easily be performed in the emergency department setting. Manual reduction, by this or other described methods, should be attempted before emergent laparotomy for incarcerated rectal prolapse is performed.
Nasal absorption of ergotamine tartrate in rats

Abstract The nasal administration of ergotamine tartrate was studied in rats following a single dose of 0.5 mg/rat and compared to intravenous, intraduodenal and oral administration of the drug. The effect of the addition of caffeine on the extent of nasal absorption was also studied. Relative to the 100% bioavailability from the intravenous route, the bioavailabilities were nasal: 62.0%; intraduodenal: 12.7%; and oral: 5.1%. The addition of 2.5 mg/rat of caffeine slightly improved the extent of nasal absorption; however, such an enhancement was found to be statistically insignificant.
Above- and belowground responses of Arctic tundra ecosystems to altered soil nutrients and mammalian herbivory.

Theory and observation indicate that changes in the rate of primary production can alter the balance between the bottom-up influences of plants and resources and the top- down regulation of herbivores and predators on ecosystem structure and function. The Exploitation Ecosystem Hypothesis (EEH) posited that as aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) increases, the additional biomass should support higher trophic levels. We developed an extension of EEH to include the impacts of increases in ANPP on belowground consumers in a similar manner as aboveground, but indirectly through changes in the allocation of photosynthate to roots. We tested our predictions for plants aboveground and for phytophagous nematodes and their predators belowground in two common arctic tundra plant communities subjected to 11 years of increased soil nutrient availability and/or exclusion of mammalian herbivores. The less productive dry heath (DH) community met the predictions of EEH aboveground, with the greatest ANPP and plant biomass in the fertilized plots protected from herbivory. A palatable grass increased in fertilized plots while dwarf evergreen shrubs and lichens declined. Belowground, phytophagous nematodes also responded as predicted, achieving greater biomass in the higher ANPP plots, whereas predator biomass tended to be lower in those same plots (although not significantly). In the higher productivity moist acidic tussock (MAT) community, aboveground responses were quite different. Herbivores stimulated ANPP and biomass in both ambient and enriched soil nutrient plots; maximum ANPP occurred in fertilized plots exposed to herbivory. Fertilized plots became dominated by dwarf birch (a deciduous shrub) and cloudberry (a perennial forb); under ambient conditions these two species coexist with sedges, evergreen dwarf shrubs, and Sphagnum mosses. Phytophagous nematodes did not respond significantly to changes in ANPP, although predator biomass was greatest in control plots. The contrasting results of these two arctic tundra plant communities suggest that the predictions of EEH may hold for very low ANPP communities, but that other factors, including competition and shifts in vegetation composition toward less palatable species, may confound predicted responses to changes in productivity in higher ANPP communities such as the MAT studied here.
Biomimetics and evolution

Biomimetics is based on the idea that living systems offer novel solutions to engineering challenges, as exemplified by the legendary story of how a stubbornly attached burr led to the development of Velcro. Yet, despite dramatic increases in biomimetic research, marketable products remain rare. Evolutionary analysis can be essential for pinpointing biological features that can be emulated in engineered structures. A recently published approach that links biomechanics and evolutionary analysis ( 1 ) points to a powerful strategy for biomimetics, as illustrated by the development of gecko-inspired adhesives ( 2 , 3 ).
Yields of 85Kr in thermal neutron fission of 235U and 239Pu

Abstract By absolute radiochemical measurements the yields of 10·76-year 85 Kr in thermal neutron fission of 235 U and 239 Pu have been determined: (0·273 ± 0·004)% and (0·099 ± 0·004)%, respectively. The indicated errors are standard deviations per determination. Detailed investigation of possible souces of error in the fission counting, separation procedure, and 85 Kr gas counting lead to overall error estimates of ±3 per cent in the yield from 235 U and of ±5 per cent in the yield from 239 Pu.
Customer business development: identifying and responding to buyer-implied information preferences

Abstract Customer business development (CBD) transforms the selling function from ‘pushing products’ towards creating value by developing the business customer's business. For key accounts, CBD salespeople align their customer relationship management tasks of planning, selling, and implementing solutions to best integrate customer needs with the seller's strategic account management goals. A vital process mechanism involves the salesperson's observations of their business buyer's tendencies to favor solutions steeped in information characterized here as either market-centered or cost-centered. Findings show that CBD salespeople use signals from buyer commitments to identify and adapt selling behaviors (relationship-forging tasks) to achieve relational and financial objectives. To align with market-centered preferences, CBD salespeople share information about the buyer's market and propose plans for market development. In contrast, to align with cost-centered preferences, CBD salespeople focus on coordinating interfirm activities. While cost-centered adaptations yield expected positive financial returns, interestingly, market-centered adaptations negatively impact on the seller's financial returns.
Gender and Romantic-Love Roles

This research tests the notion that gender differences in love-role definitions contribute to male dominance in intimate relationships. Six factor-analytic scales—fidelity, communication, sacrifice...
GENDER AND FAMILY EFFECTS ON THE “SECOND-SHIFT” DOMESTIC ACTIVITY OF COLLEGE-EDUCATED YOUNG ADULTS:

This study examines gender differences in the extent and type of household activity and sense of domestic obligation across familial stages within a sample of young college-educated adults (N = 1,151). When children are present, substantial gender differences appear in housework and perceived home obligations. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of gender socialization and preparation for parenting.
Effectiveness of a stannous fluoride-containing dentifrice in reducing dental caries in children in a boarding school environment

DMFS dental caries reductions of from 42 to 67 per cent were found, after 19 months, in subjects who used the stannous fluoride-calciuin pyrophosphate dentifrice. Subjects in the study were from three military schools for boys and one boarding school for girls.
The seasonality of mortality in Alaska

Abstract The seasonal variation in mortality in the more northern latitudes has generally been neglected by both epidemiologists and medical geographers. Among Alaskans, for whom mortality data are available, different racial groups (white versus non-white) are seen to have different seasonal mortality patterns. White patterns generally resemble those seen in temperate climates. For nonwhites April and October are particularly prominent months both for total mortality and for selected causes of death. This pattern may be attributable to a number of geographic or cultural factors which need to be evaluated further. This pattern may have implications for the planning of native health care in Alaska.
Three-stranded paranemic joints: Architecture, topological constraints and movement

The RecA and SSB proteins will catalyze the joining of two DNA molecules containing homologous sequences but lacking homologous ends in a reaction termed paranemic joining. The absence of homologous ends can be achieved by (1) pairing two circular DNAs or (2) using linear DNA(s) with ends lacking homology to the pairing partner. Here we have used electron microscopy (EM) to examine such pairings. Circular M13 single-stranded (ss) DNA enveloped by RecA protein into a presynaptic filament was paired with linear M13mp7 double-stranded (ds) DNA containing non-M13 sequences at its ends. Joint complexes were frequently seen in which the dsDNA was joined with the presynaptic filament over several kilobase (10 3 bases) lengths of the dsDNA. In this region, the presynaptic filament appeared disorganized as contrasted to the customary helical structure of the filament containing only a single strand of DNA. The same ultrastructure, but with greater detail, was observed when the samples were prepared for EM without fixation using a new method of fast-freezing and freeze-drying. EM immunogold staining demonstrated the presence of SSB protein in the disorganized region containing all three strands, but not in the regular helically arranged region. Psoralen photo-crosslinking of the DNA in the joint complexes revealed that the three DNA strands were in close proximity only over a single short (200 to 300 base-pairs) region. The joining of nicked circular M13 dsDNA and presynaptic filaments containing circular M13 ssDNA resulted in the intertwining of the dsDNA about the circular presynaptic filament. The joints produced in this case were short, as was the single region of psoralen photo-crosslinking of the three DNA strands. A model of how these long three-stranded joints form is presented involving the movement of a short “true” paranemic joint along the presynaptic filament.
The effect of calcium on the tryptic digestion of bovine intestinal calcium-binding protein

The tryptic hydrolysis of bivine intestinal calcium-binding protein in the presence and absence of excess calcium has been investigated. Calcium-binding activity and immunological reactivity of the protein were not significantly affected in the presence of 1.0 mM CaCl2 following 24 h incubation at 38 degrees C with trypsin at ratios of 1:9 of enzyme to calcium-binding protein. Some modification of the protein did occur under these conditions, however, since analysis by analytical acrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated the formation of a more rapidly-migrating species from the slower-moving original protein band. Omission of added calcium from the incubation medium resulted in rapid and essentially complete destruction of calcium-binding activity and immunological reactivity, and the formation of peptides of low molecular weight. This provides evidence that the conformation of the calcium-binding protein in the presence of calcium differs from that in its absence.
Quantitation of left-to-right cardiac shunts with radionuclide angiography.

A quantitative radionuclide angiogram technique using an intravenous injection of technetium-99m (Tc-99m) pertechnetate is described for quantitation of left-to-right shunts in the central circulation. Data analysis assumes exponential indicator clearance from normal cardiac chambers by dilution. A late prolongation of tracer disappearance compared to the initial clearance rate indicates an abnormally early return of indicator to the cardiac chamber. Patients with left-to-right shunts demonstrate prolonged clearance of radioactivity from all cardiac chambers distal to the site of shunt. The magnitude of curve distortion is quantitatively related to the size of shunt, and counts recorded from the right lung are used for shunt quantitation. Quadratic regression analysis of data from 21 patients with left-to-right shunts and eight normal subjects demonstrated a correlation coefficient of 0.951 between measurements of left-to-right shunts by the radionuclide and by the Fick method. Observations on 14 patients...
Nanotechnology in cosmetics: Opportunities and challenges

Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating atoms and molecules in the nanoscale - 80,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. The world market for products that contain nanomaterials is expected to reach $2.6 trillion by 2015. The use of nanotechnology has stretched across various streams of science, from electronics to medicine and has now found applications in the field of cosmetics by taking the name of nanocosmetics. This widespread influence of nanotechnology in the cosmetic industries is due to the enhanced properties attained by the particles at the nano level including color, transparency, solubility etc. The different types of nanomaterials employed in cosmetics include nanosomes, liposomes, fullerenes, solid lipid nanoparticles etc. Recently, concerns over the safety of such nanocosmetics are raised and have forced the cosmetic industries to limit the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics and for enforcing laws to undergo a full-fledged safety assessment before they enter into the market. In this review, emphasis is made on the types of nanomaterials used in cosmetics by the various cosmetic brands, the potential risks caused by them both to human life and also to the environment and what all regulations have been undertaken or can be taken to overcome them.
The binding of exogenously added neuraminidase to cells and tissues in culture.

Abstract When neuraminidase-treated cells or tissues and untreated cells or tissues were washed thoroughly and incubated with [3H]glucosamine, the culture medium from the neuraminidase-treated cells and tissues contained at least 1.5 times the amount of free sialic acid as that from untreated cells and tissues. When neuraminidase-treated and control cells were incubated with neuramin-lactose, a substrate for neuraminidase, it was cleaved only in the presence of neuraminidase-treated cells. Increased synthesis of sialic acid after neuraminidase treatment cannot explain both sets of data. It appears that neuraminidase is bound at the cell surface, from which it cannot be removed by washing, and is active there in cleaving newly synthesized sialic acid from polysaccharide and/or glycoprotein.
A method for using direct injection of plasmid DNA to study cis-regulatory element activity in F0 Xenopus embryos and tadpoles

The ability to express exogenous reporter genes in intact, externally developing embryos, such as Xenopus, is a powerful tool for characterizing the activity of cis-regulatory gene elements during development. Although methods exist for generating transgenic Xenopus lines, more simplified methods for use with F0 animals would significantly speed the characterization of these elements. We discovered that injecting 2-cell stage embryos with a plasmid bearing a ϕC31 integrase-targeted attB element and two dual β-globin HS4 insulators flanking a reporter transgene in opposite orientations relative to each other yielded persistent expression with sufficiently high penetrance for characterizing the activity of the promoter without having to coinject integrase RNA. Expression began appropriately during development and persisted into swimming tadpole stages without perturbing the expression of the cognate endogenous gene. Coinjected plasmids having the same elements but expressing different reporter proteins were reliably coexpressed within the same cells, providing a useful control for variations in injections between animals. To overcome the high propensity of these plasmids to undergo recombination, we developed a method for generating them using conventional cloning methods and DH5α cells for propagation. We conclude that this method offers a convenient and reliable way to evaluate the activity of cis-regulatory gene elements in the intact F0 embryo.
Long-term behavior of a portland cement-electroplating sludge waste form in presence of copper nitrate

Abstract The microchemistry and microstructure of a waste form containing a synthetic electroplating sludge in portland cement (OPC) in the presence of various amounts (2%, 5%, and 8%) of copper nitrate were studied over a period of eight years. The electroplating sludge, dewatered to 25% solids, contained 86.2 mg g−1 of Ni, 84.1 mg g−1 of Cr, 18.8 mg g−1 of Cd, and 0.137 mg g−1 of Hg. The OPC to sludge ratio was 0.3:1. A waste form without copper nitrate was prepared as control. The microstructure and microchemistry were studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, thermal analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Increasing amounts of copper nitrate effected significant changes in crystallinity, porosity and phase chemistry. The principal copper-bearing phase in the presence of copper nitrate was CuO · 3H2O, whose appearance was both time- and concentration-dependent. Some amount of copper was also trapped in the newly formed crystalline calcium silicates. At the same copper nitrate level, subtle changes in the microchemistry occurred over time, but the microstructure remained qualitatively unchanged. Some of the sludge heavy metal phases disappeared with increasing copper nitrate concentration but others were not affected.
The Children's Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale

Abstract The Children's Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale is a measure of hypnotic responsiveness in children. This report describes the development of the scale and the standardization sample. It reports norms for the scale, reliability and validity data, and studies which have used the scale.
Disrupted Lives, Fragmented Care: Illness Experiences of Criminalized Women

Thirty-three women recently released from a Massachusetts correctional facility were included in a qualitative study, carried out between January and July 2007, in which semi-structured, open-ended, individual interviews were conducted. The women described lives repeatedly disrupted, typically by sexual and physical violence, and then again by homelessness, joblessness, bad relationships, loss of their children, legal troubles, fractured physical and mental health, and fragmented medical attention by a large, disjointed variety of providers and facilities. This article argues that rather than repairing life disruptions, the women's fragmented health care histories tended to echo or even become part of that fragmentation. We suggest that criminalization and medicalization actually served as two sides of the same coin in the women's life experiences.
Generator-coordinate theory of molecular spectra

We review the merits and shortcomings of the Born-Oppenheimer separation and suggest a nonadiabatic approach to molecular spectra using the generator-coordinate method. The adiabatic approximation and the new scheme are worked out in parallel for diatomic molecules.
The quantitative measure of pattern representation in images using orientation-specific color aftereffects

A quantitative method is developed for assessing the quality of pattern information in imagery, using the magnitude of color aftereffects as an objective index. Subjects were given instructions to project imagined bar patterns of particular width and orientation onto adapting color fields, in such a manner as to simulate standard conditions for establishing the McCollough effect. Our control procedures indicate that the resulting orientation-specific complementary color aftereffects cannot be attributed to the conditioning of particular directions of eye scanning movements to color processing during adaptation, or to other possible sources of experimental bias. Furthermore, subjects who rated themselves prior to the adaptation procedure as having relatively vivid imagery showed significantly larger aftereffects than those who reported having relatively low imagery. These results not only provide an important confirmation of our earlier finding that imagination can replace physical pattern information in the formation of basic color-feature associations in the human visual system, but also demonstrate that these aftereffects can provide a practical measure of the fidelity of pattern representation in visual images.
Synthesis of perylene-porphyrin dyads for light-harvesting studies

The spectral coverage of porphyrin-based light-harvesting arrays can be enhanced through the use of suitable accessory pigments. Perylene-monoimide dyes can serve as valuable accessory pigments with porphyrins. To investigate the choice of perylene-monoimide and the effects of molecular architecture on light-harvesting efficacy, five perylene-porphyrin dyads were prepared. Each dyad employs a diphenylethyne linker that bridges the perylene N-imide site and the porphyrin meso-position. Three dyads incorporate a mono-phenoxy perylene at the o-, m-, or p-position of the meso-aryl group on the porphyrin. The two remaining dyads incorporate a perylene-monoimide (bearing zero or three phenoxy substituents) at the p-position of the meso-aryl group on the porphyrin. The introduction of phenoxy groups on the perylenes increases the solubility, a key requirement for use in light-harvesting arrays. The long-wavelength absorption band of the perylene shifts from 506 nm to 532 or 533 nm upon substitution with one or three phenoxy groups, respectively. The synthesis of the dyads entails Pd-mediated coupling of a bromo-perylene and an ethynyl porphyrin, or the mixed-aldehyde condensation with a perylene-aldehyde, mesitaldehyde, and pyrrole. Five perylene-monoimide dyes bearing an ethyne or bromo substituent at the p-position of the N-aryl unit were developed for this modular chemistry. Each perylene-porphyrin dyad exhibits efficient energy transfer from the excited perylene to the ground-state porphyrin.
Local Journal Utilization Report: Supporting Data for Collection Decisions

The Local Journal Utilization Report (LJUR) is a customized report about an institution's citation and publishing history. Based on data from the Web of Science database, LJUR can be a useful tool for libraries in a variety of capacities, from informing journal cancellation decisions to quantifying institutional research trends.
Correlated simulation experiments

This paper studies the effects of using correlated random-number streams in replications of a simula tion experiment in which output is to be related to input by linear or quadratic response surfac...
Significance of one pronucleus before fertilization

Abstract Objective To describe a case of primary infertility associated with oocytes having one pronucleus before fertilization on repeated IVF attempts. Design Case report. Setting A university-based assisted reproduction unit. Patient(s) A 30-year-old woman with primary infertility and oocytes containing one pronucleus before fertilization. Intervention(s) Oocyte donation. Main outcome measure(s) Pregnancy. Result(s) Conceived triplets after transfer of three embryos using donor oocytes. Conclusion(s) This patient's infertility was likely associated with an oocyte abnormality, as evidenced by the premature formation of one pronucleus before fertilization. In the future, more studies on the appearance of a single pronucleus before fertilization will be needed to determine its overall significance on fertility.
Reflections on higher mammalian phylogenetics

For well over a decade, the higher-level relationships of mammals has been the focus of intensive and broad-ranging investigations. The sources of evidence drawn upon for this purpose are both traditional (e.g., paleontology, skeletal morphology) and newly sampled (e.g., comparative gene sequencing). A basic methodology, nonetheless, pervades this diversity of sampling. Issues that concern all types of data include the assumptions for recognizing homology, the techniques for building trees, the justification of parsimony and weighting, and the means of evaluating and comparing different results. In some areas (e.g., paleontology, molecular comparisons), we have been continual or even explosive expansion of the data base. In other areas (e.g., comparative behavior, physiology, or comparisons involving many aspects of nonskeletal morphology), the expansion has been far less dramatic. Codifying large arrays of characters is no substitute for penetrating studies of comparative form, function, and ontogeny or careful sampling of a diversity of genes. It is hoped that the latter emphases are maintained and nourished. The results of all this recent activity show a mixed profile of resolution for higher-level patterns of phylogeny. Particularly, the higher eutherian mammal radiation still presents many problems. Such challenges, however, have attracted an unprecedented level of synthesis and interaction.
Towards taming the labor-management frontier: A strategic marketing framework

Turbulent changes in the American business landscape over the past several years present a potentially ominous future for our society. The confluence of corporate downsizing, declining unionism and the surging preference for hiring part-time/temporary workers poses a threat to the very existence of our blue-collar middle class. Furthermore, when these conditions are juxtaposed against prevailing corporate rhapsodies to employee participation programs and a teamwork approach to quality improvement, the scenario becomes absurd.
Parametric assessment of climate change impacts of automotive material substitution.

Quantifying the net climate change impact of automotive material substitution is not a trivial task. It requires the assessment of the mass reduction potential of automotive materials, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their production and recycling, and their impact on GHG emissions from vehicle use. The model presented in this paper is based on life cycle assessment (LCA) and completely parameterized, i.e., its computational structure is separated from the required input data, which is not traditionally done in LCAs. The parameterization increases scientific rigor and transparency of the assessment methodology, facilitates sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of the results, and also makes it possible to compare different studies and explain their disparities. The state of the art of the modeling methodology is reviewed and advanced. Assessment of the GHG emission impacts of material recycling through consequential system expansion shows that our understanding of this issue is still incomplete. This is a critical knowledge gap since a case study shows that for materials such as aluminum, the GHG emission impacts of material production and recycling are both of the same size as the use phase savings from vehicle mass reduction.
Viral vaccines for aquaculture

Abstract A description of the types of viral vaccines that are being developed for fish is presented in this review. All three types of vaccines, i.e. killed, attenuated, and subunit vaccines, have worked to some extent in fish under controlled laboratory conditions. However, with the exception of a killed vaccine for spring viremia of carp, there are no commercially available viral vaccines for fish. The introduction of these vaccines to aquaculture will require an understanding of immune recognition in fish and the development of cost-effective ways of producing a safe, immunogenic vaccine. A review of available information on vaccines for infectious pancreatic necrosis virus, viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus, spring viremia of carp virus, and channel catfish virus is presented. These are the main viruses that have been investigated for vaccine development. Very little information is available on vaccines for other viral diseases of fish.
Medical and Infectious Complications Associated with Pyelonephritis among Pregnant Women at Delivery

Objective. Pyelonephritis is a common cause of antepartum admission and maternal morbidity. Medical complications associated with pyelonephritis during delivery are not well described; thus the objective of this study was to estimate medical, infectious, and obstetric complications associated with pyelonephritis during the delivery admission. Study Design. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) for the years 2008–2010. The NIS was queried for all delivery-related discharges. During the delivery admission, the ICD-9-CM codes for pyelonephritis were used to identify cases and were compared to women without pyelonephritis. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed for various medical, infectious, and obstetric complications among women with pyelonephritis compared to women without, while controlling for preexisting medical conditions and demographics. Results. During the years 2008–2010, there were 26,397 records with a diagnosis of pyelonephritis during the delivery admission, for a rate of 2.1 per 1000 deliveries. Women with pyelonephritis had increased associated risks for transfusion, need for mechanical ventilation, acute heart failure, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, acute renal failure, preterm labor, and chorioamnionitis, while controlling for preexisting medical conditions. Conclusions. Pyelonephritis at delivery admissions is associated with significant medical and infectious morbidity.
Construction of recA mutants of Acholeplasma laidlawii by insertional inactivation with a homologous DNA fragment.

Abstract Mycoplasmas (class Mollicutes) are wall-less prokaryotes phylogenetically related to gram-positive bacteria. This study describes the construction of recA mutants of the mycoplasma Acholeplasma laidlawii . An internal fragment of the recA gene from A. laidlawii was cloned into a plasmid that does not replicate in this organism. When this plasmid construct was used to transform A. laidlawii , it inserted into the chromosome, disrupting the recA gene. The pheno-type of the resulting recA mutant was compared to that of wild-type cells and to that of a strain that has a naturally occurring ochre mutation in its recA gene. As found in other bacterial systems, loss of RecA activity resulted in cells deficient in DNA repair.
G1 cyclin-dependent kinases are sufficient to initiate DNA synthesis in quiescent human fibroblasts

Abstract Mammalian fibroblasts require mitogens in order to exit from G0 (quiescence) and progress through the G1 phase of the cell cycle, although once they pass the restriction point late in G1 they can enter S phase and complete the cell cycle without mitogens [1]. Mitogenic signals are integrated through the GTPase Ras, which regulates the levels of cyclin D1 [2–5], a component of the cell cycle machinery that operates during G1 phase by activating cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (Cdk4). The accumulation of active cyclin E–Cdk2 complexes also requires Ras [6]. These two G1 cyclin–Cdk complexes act on a family of E2F-associated transcriptional repressors typified by the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) to bring about a transcriptional program that promotes passage through S phase [7–9], but can also activate DNA replication independently of Rb–E2F [10–12]. Although G1 cyclin–Cdk complexes are required for S-phase entry and can shorten G1 phase when overexpressed [13–15], it is not known whether they are sufficient for this transition. Here, we report that serum-starved (G0) diploid human fibroblasts initiate DNA synthesis upon microinjection of active G1 cyclin–Cdk complexes, but not upon microinjection of an S-phase cyclin–Cdk complex. These data indicate that G1 Cdk activation is rate-limiting for S-phase entry, and that Cdk activation is likely to be the primary function of growth factor signalling pathways that lead to DNA synthesis.
The Influence on Mathematics Test Scores, by Ethnicity and Sex, of Prior Achievement and High School Mathematics Courses.

Data from a national sample of high school sophomores in 1980 from the High School and Beyond project show that senior-year mathematics test scores are highly dependent on the number of courses taken in mathematics, Algebra I or above. Within each level of course taking, senior test scores are predicted reasonably well from student socioeconomic status, sophomore-year verbal test scores, and sophomore-year mathematics test scores. The results support the theses that (a) whether black or white, female or male, sophomore students with similar levels of mathematics achievement may be expected to experience similar levels of improvement by taking additional mathematics courses and (b) the expected improvement is elevated for students with four or more credits of advanced mathematics or with three credits that include calculus.
Artificial Sweetened Beverages and Pediatric Obesity: The Controversy Continues

The pediatric obesity epidemic has gathered public and political interest recently. People often choose "diet" or artificial sweetened beverages (ASB) to combat this epidemic, but the obesity incidence continues to rise. First, I review the pediatric studies on the effect of ASB consumption with subsequent food intake. Next, I present pediatric studies of chronic ASB consumption and weight change. Some epidemiologic pediatric studies have supported an association between artificial sweetener use and increased BMI but cannot prove causation. Randomized control trials have provided some evidence of weight loss with ASB ingestion among children, but study limitations may minimize these conclusions. Finally, I summarize the possible mechanisms that may drive potential effects of artificial sweeteners.
Derivation of a clinical decision instrument to identify adult patients with mild traumatic intracranial hemorrhage at low risk for requiring ICU admission.

Study objective The objective of this study is to derive a clinical decision instrument with a sensitivity of at least 95% (with upper and lower bounds of the 95% confidence intervals [CIs] within a 5% range) to identify adult emergency department patients with mild traumatic intracranial hemorrhage who are at low risk for requiring critical care resources during hospitalization and thus may not need admission to the ICU. Methods This was a prospective, observational study of adult patients with mild traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (initial Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score 13 to 15, with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage) presenting to a Level I trauma center from July 2009 to February 2013. The need for ICU admission was defined as the presence of an acute critical care intervention (intubation, neurosurgical intervention, blood product transfusion, vasopressor or inotrope administration, invasive monitoring for hemodynamic instability, urgent treatment for arrhythmia or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and therapeutic angiography). We derived the clinical decision instrument with binary recursive partitioning (with a misclassification cost of 20 to 1). The accuracy of the decision instrument was compared with the treating physician's (emergency medicine faculty) clinical impression. Results A total of 600 patients with mild traumatic intracranial hemorrhage were enrolled; 116 patients (19%) had a critical care intervention. The derived instrument consisted of 4 predictor variables: admission GCS score less than 15, nonisolated head injury, aged 65 years or older, and evidence of swelling or shift on initial cranial computed tomography scan. The decision instrument identified 114 of 116 patients requiring an acute critical care intervention (sensitivity 98.3%; 95% CI 93.9% to 99.5%) if at least 1 variable was present and 192 of 484 patients who did not have an acute critical care intervention (specificity 39.7%; 95% CI 35.4% to 44.1%) if no variables were present. Physician clinical impression was slightly less sensitive (90.1%; 95% CI 83.1% to 94.4%) but overall similar to the clinical decision instrument. Conclusion We derived a clinical decision instrument that identifies a subset of patients with mild traumatic intracranial hemorrhage who are at low risk for acute critical care intervention and thus may not require ICU admission. Physician clinical impression had test characteristics similar to those of the decision instrument. Because the results are based on single-center data without a validation cohort, external validation is required.
Complexity in the Wiring and Regulation of Plant Circadian Networks

Endogenous circadian rhythms regulate many aspects of an organism's behavior, physiology and development. These daily oscillations synchronize with the environment to generate robust rhythms, resulting in enhanced fitness and growth vigor in plants. Collective studies over the years have focused on understanding the transcription-based oscillator in Arabidopsis. Recent advances combining mechanistic data with genome-wide approaches have contributed significantly to a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular interactions within the oscillator, and with clock-controlled pathways. This review focuses on the regulatory mechanisms within the oscillator, highlighting key connections between new and existing components, and direct mechanistic links to downstream pathways that control overt rhythms in the whole plant.
Nonlinear impact response of thin imperfect laminated plates using a reduction method

Abstract The nonlinear transient response of thin imperfect laminated plates subjected to impact loads is studied using a 48 DOF finite element based on the classical laminated plate theory. Comparison between the first-order shear deformation theory and the classical laminated plate theory is also made to study the effect of shear deformation. The modified Hertzian law by Tan and Sun is incorporated to evaluate the impact loads due to a projectile. The transient response of an example problem is obtained using both full and reduced equations of motion. A reduction method using Ritz vectors as the basis vectors is employed to reduce the size of the nonlinear problem and thus save computational effort. The resulting reduced (but still coupled) set of equations is integrated in a step-by-step fashion using the Newmark constant-average acceleration time integration scheme along with an iterative scheme for dynamic equilibrium. It is observed that geometric imperfections cause significant changes in the impact response of thin laminated plates. The reduction method used in this study was not found to be very efficient for obtaining the nonlinear impact responses. Further research is needed to develop reduction methods that are more suitable for studying nonlinear impact responses.
Narrative as an organizing process: identity and story in a new nonprofit

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore narratives in a new nonprofit arts center. It includes the macro‐, meso‐, and personal narratives that keep the center organized in the midst of the chaotic everyday activities. It advocates the explanatory force of narrative as an alternative to organizational life cycle theory for understanding organizational startups.Design/methodology/approach – This narrative ethnography involved participant observation, full participation, and narrative interviews over a three‐year period. Using grounded theory, narratives were examined to discover how they engendered and maintained order.Findings – This paper contributes to the understanding narratives as a constitutional organizing and sensemaking process, including the narratives of “do it yourself,” and economic production, family and home, and personal narratives that constitute community, community boundaries, and identity, adding to our knowledge of organizing.Research limitations/implications – The research e...
Drug Interactions Among the Antiretrovirals.

There are 20 antiretroviral agents approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), four of which were approved in 2003. With 20 antiretrovirals FDA-approved, interactions occur when the medications alter the toxicity profile or efficacy of the other medication. In order to maintain clinical relevance, only the most significant interactions published within the past 12 months are highlighted in this article. Interactions discussed involve atazanavir, fosamprenavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, tenofovir, proton pump inhibitors, H2-blockers, clarithromycin, and vardenafil. Important interaction-management strategies also are discussed. The field of HIV pharmacology is constantly advancing, as are the drug interaction data. To screen, manage, dose adjust, and counsel, the physician and other health care professionals are highly advised and encouraged to consult with an infectious disease clinical pharmacist when managing patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Gombel's Hypothesis regarding the origin of manganese nodules

The Bavarian geologist Gumbel (Figure 1) was the first German scientist to study manganese nodules in some detail (1878). Gumbel studied nodules from expeditions of both the Gazelle and the Challenger, which operated in the North Pacific at the same time (1875), and he gave detailed descriptions. He generated a remarkable range of ideas to explain the origin of the nodules and concluded that most or all of the iron and manganese in deep ocean ferromanganese concretions have their source in submarine vents that emit gas and hot water. It seems that his choice between different hypotheses was strongly influenced by his experience with metal-bearing hot springs on land and his convictions regarding mechanisms of ore formation in general. In any case, contemporary experts did not find his reasoning compelling. Gumbel's hypothesis was essentially forgotten until it was recreated in the middle of this century.
Parenting in the Twenty-First Century: An Introduction

This introduction provides some insight into the issues related to parenting and an overview of the articles selected for this special issues journal presentation. Families come to the attention of the service delivery system through a variety of agencies and institutions—child serving agencies, mental health, hospitals, courts, and schools. Although many referrals are made specific to children, treatment interventions often include work with parents around parenting issues. The results of a survey of social work field instructors indicated the need and desire for additional training for MSW students and professional practitioners for work with parents and evaluation of program outcomes. The overview presents a unique variety of articles on various perspectives on parenting and the types of programs available to assist parents as well as the professional community.