cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are Social Media Alternatives to Learning Management Systems When Teaching Online

This study explores the use of social media in a graduate online course as an alternative to the traditional learning management systems. It uses a qualitative research approach relying on interviews and document analysis as data collection methods. Findings show that students appreciated the flexibility of the mash-up LMS and the opportunity to learn about different learning technologies while using them to support their own learning. Facebook allows students to get to know each other better on a personal level and Edmodo kept the online conversations organized and easy to follow. As far as improving the online learning experience, students suggested an increase in number and frequency of synchronous sessions along with the use of additional content in audio and visual/video formats.
Political reconciliation, the rule of law, and truces

ABSTRACTNir Eisikovits argues in A Theory of Truces that most contemporary conflicts wind down in a much more piecemeal fashion than our theorizing about the morality of ending wars suggests. Pauses in violence are achieved by securing agreement on narrow questions. Moreover, rather than hoping to do away with violence, theorizing would do best, he writes, to take as its starting point the fact of warfare as part of the human condition. Eisikovits aims to articulate the features of truce thinking, a framework that is more descriptively accurate and normatively useful in navigating contemporary conflicts and promoting reconciliation. After summarizing his view, I argue that Eisikovits’ explanation of the contribution of truces to political reconciliation is too narrow; contrary to what he claims, truces can make an important contribution to the rule of law. I also challenge Eisikovits’ characterization of the first feature of truce thinking. I argue that while there is an important present focus on immedia...
Software Upgrade Cost Justification – Making a Case

Software upgrades are frequent in organizations, including academic departments. As soon as a major software developer releases a new version of their software, the questions repeats itself among various organizations as to whether to upgrade the software or to wait for further releases. Since the beginning of the recent difficult economic times, organizations have been trying to ration their spending and are asking for justifications for most of their expenditures. Academic departments are among those hit with budget cuts and calls to ration spending. One of the areas that was hit by such calls for justification of expenses is in the area of software upgrades. This paper illustrates a case of one academic department that is requesting to upgrade their software and the justifications it provided to make a case to purchase new upgrades for their software. The department of Technology Support and Training (TST) at Eberly College of Business and Information Technology (ECOBIT) Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) wants to upgrade their Adobe Creative Suite software to the most recent version of the market – Adobe Creative Suite 5 (CS5).The TST department was asked to justify the purchase of this software when they submitted their request for upgrade. The reasons for the upgrade and the factors of justifications listed by this department are illustrated in this paper.
Quality of Operative Performance Feedback Given to Thoracic Surgery Residents Using an App-Based System.

Objective Residents frequently report inadequate feedback both in quantity and quality. The study evaluates the quality of faculty feedback about operative performance given using an app-based system. Design Residents requested operative performance evaluation from faculty on a real-time basis using the “Zwisch Me!!” mobile application which allows faculty to provide brief written feedback. Qualitative analysis of feedback was performed using grounded theory. Setting The 7 academic medical centers with thoracic surgery training programs. Participants Volunteer thoracic surgery residents in both integrated and traditional training pathways and their affiliated cardiothoracic faculty. Results Residents (n = 33) at 7 institutions submitted a total of 596 evaluations to faculty (n = 48). Faculty acknowledged the evaluation request in 476 cases (80%) and in 350 cases (74%) provided written feedback. Initial open coding generated 12 categories of feedback type. We identified 3 overarching themes. The first theme was the tone of the feedback. Encouraging elements were identified in 162 comments (46%) and corrective elements in 230 (65%). The second theme was the topic of the feedback. Surgical technique was the most common category at 148 comments (42.2%) followed by preparation for case (n = 69, 19.7%). The final theme was the specificity of the feedback. Just over half of comments (n = 190, 54.3%) contained specific feedback, which could be applied to future cases. However, 51 comments (14.6%) contained no useful information for the learners. Conclusions An app-based system resulted in thoracic surgery residents receiving identifiable feedback in a high proportion of cases. In over half of comments the feedback was specific enough to allow improvement. Feedback was better quality when addressing error prevention and surgical technique but was less useful when addressing communication, flow of the case, and assisting. Faculty development around feedback should focus on making feedback specific and actionable, avoiding case descriptions, or simple platitudes.
Examining the Association Between Different Aspects of Socioeconomic Status, Race, and Disability in Hawaii

Socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity are known to be associated with health disparities. This study used data (2010–2014) from the American Community Survey. Respondents over age 30 from Hawaii were included (n = 44,921). Outcome variables were self-reported disability in vision, hearing, ambulatory function, self-care, independent living, or cognitive function. Four measures of socioeconomic status were personal income, average income for the area, income inequality for area, and education. This study used multivariable logistic regression to predict disability by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, controlling for age and gender. All four measures of socioeconomic status were significant predictors of at least one type of disability after adjustment for age, gender, and other measures of socioeconomic status. Higher education was significantly related to having every type of disability. Similarly, people with high personal income were less likely to have each type of disability than those with middle income, and those with low income were more likely to have all disabilities except hearing. Income inequality was significantly associated with half the disabilities. Low area income was significantly associated with increased vision-related disability, while high income was associated with less likelihood of hearing-related disability. Native Hawaiians were significantly more likely to report having a disability than Filipinos and Chinese for all six types of disability, Japanese for four, and whites for two, after adjustment. These results suggest that in order to reduce health disparities for Native Hawaiians, as well as other ethnic groups, a range of socioeconomic factors need to be addressed.
Report of the 2017-2018 Academic Affairs Standing Committee

### Introduction and Committee Charges The Bylaws of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) state that the Academic Affairs Committee shall consider: the intellectual, social, and personal aspects of pharmaceutical education. It is expected to identify practices, procedures, and
Parent-Driven Technology for Decision Support in Pediatric Emergency Care

Article-at-a-Glance Background A quasi-experimental intervention study composed of control and intervention periods was conducted to determine if a parent-driven health information technology influenced completeness of documentation and adherence to evidence-based emergency care for children. Methods Structured chart abstraction was used to assess documentation and correctness of clinical actions at test ordering, medication prescribed for disease, and medication ordered for pain in a tertiary care pediatric emergency department and a suburban general emergency department. During the intervention periods, parents of children who presented with complaints related to otitis media, urinary tract infection, head trauma, or asthma entered data into a health information technology (ParentLink), which produced treatment plans in the context of evidence-based guidelines. Results Of 1,410 subjects analyzed, 1,072 (76%) were assigned to one of four disease categories: urinary tract infection (22%), otitis media (20%), asthma (11%) and head trauma (47%). During ParentLink use, documentation of pain significantly improved (28% incomplete [control] versus 15% [intervention], p = .003). Incorrect actions for pain treatment decreased, but not significantly (33% [control] versus 24% [intervention], p = .13). ParentLink did not influence actions for test ordering or prescribing for disease. Discussion Parent-driven health information technology intended to translate parents' knowledge into clinical practice and to support evidence-based care suggested a trend toward modest impact on pain management but did not demonstrate broad effects across diseases or care processes. The emergence and proliferation of personally controlled health records (PCHRs) presents opportunities for patients and parents to control their medical profiles. Although ParentLink is not a comprehensive PCHR, it represents a step in incorporating parent-derived information into medical decision making.
Power Sources for Implant Telemetry and Stimulation Systems

Abstract A discussion on various possible power supplies will be given. This includes: (1) mercury, silver oxide, and lithium batteries; (2) nuclear batteries; (3) rechargeable batteries; (4) RF and magnetic induction powering; (5) body fluid galvanic cells; (6) body fluid fuel cells; (7) mechanical convertors; (8) other body energy to electrical power convertors; and (9) combinations of these techniques. The RF powering is the choice for longterm implant telemetry. Either separate frequencies can be used for power in and signal out or a single frequency can be used for power and signal transmission on a time sharing basis. The design of the two frequencies and single frequency RF powering systems will be discussed. The telemetry systems employing each of these schemes will be presented with evaluation data in animals.
Safety of calcium and vitamin D supplements, a randomized controlled trial

Objective It is anticipated that an intake of vitamin D found acceptable by Endocrine Society Guidelines (10 000 IU/day) with co-administered calcium supplements may result in frequent hypercalciuria and hypercalcaemia. This combination may be associated with kidney stones. The objective of this study was to compare the episodes of hypercalciuria and hypercalcaemia from calcium supplements co-administered with 10 000 IU or 600 IU vitamin D daily. This design allows a comparison of the Institute of Medicine recommendation for the RDA of vitamin D along with the upper limit of calcium intake with the high intake of vitamin D suggested by the Endocrine Society. Context Harms of currently recommended high intake of vitamin D have not been studied. Design The design was a randomized controlled trial with 2 groups with evaluation every 3 months for one year: (a) CaCO3 1200 mg/day with 10 000 IU vitamin D3 /day or (b) CaCO3 1200 mg/day with 600 IU vitamin D3 /day. Patients This study was conducted in an ambulatory research centre in healthy, white postmenopausal women. Measurements Serum and 24-hour urine calcium were measured. Results Hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria occurred in both groups. At the final visit, 19/48 in the high dose D group had hypercalciuria. The odds of developing hypercalciuria were 3.6 [OR = 3.6(1.39, 9.3)] times higher in the high dose D group. The odds of developing hypercalcaemia did not differ between groups. Conclusions The safe upper level of vitamin D recommended by the Endocrine Society when accompanied by calcium supplements results in frequent hypercalciuria. The risk of kidney stones at these levels should be investigated.
About the reaction of aryl fluorides with sodium sulfide: investigation into the selectivity of substitution of fluorobenzonitriles to yield mercaptobenzonitriles via SNAr displacement of fluorine

Abstract In this report we describe a simple synthesis of mercaptobenzonitriles from the reaction of fluorobenzonitriles with Na2S in DMF at room temperature and following direct treatment with Zn/HCl. Significantly, 2- and 4-fluorobenzonitriles substituted with chlorine or bromine, but not iodine, undergo selective substitution of fluorine at room temperature to yield synthetically useful halo-substituted mercaptobenzonitriles.
Integral Backstepping Based Automated Control of Blood Glucose in Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 Patients

Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 happens when our immune system destroys beta cells in our pancreas due to which it fails to produce enough insulin; a hormone which allows sugar/glucose to enter in its cells in order to produce energy. To cope with failure of pancreas, artificial ones are used to inject the required amount of insulin in the body. Controllers are used for automatic balancing of blood glucose-insulin level. Bergman's minimal model (BMM) is a physiologically verified model representing this phenomenon. In a recent research BMM is extended to more generic form with an extended state of the system, dealing with the disturbance to the blood glucose level caused by meal intake during medication. In this research paper, we have used BMM along with its extended model and proposed three nonlinear controllers: Integral Backstepping (IBS) Controller, Backstepping (BS) Controller and Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC), for the automatic stabilization of the blood glucose level in Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 patients. The integral action is integrated with Backstepping technique; resulting in reducing steady-state error by significant amount. A mathematical analysis has been done to prove the asymptotic stability of the proposed controllers for the both models using Lyapunov theory. For showing the tracking behavior of the proposed controllers with their respective models to the desired blood-glucose output, simulation results have been performed and discussed using MATLAB/Simulink. Comparison results of the both systems show that the proposed controllers performs far better than the ones given in the literature.
Effects of Teacher- versus Application-Delivered Instruction on the Expressive Vocabulary of At-Risk Preschool Children.

A repeated acquisition (RA) design was used to compare the effectiveness of research-based instruction embedded in repeated storybook reading facilitated by an adult or tablet application (app) on ...
A Fog-Irrigated Soil Substrate System Unifies and Optimizes Cyanobacterial Biocrust Inoculum Production.

ABSTRACT Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are globally important microbial communities inhabiting the top layer of soils. They provide multiple services to dryland ecosystems but are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance from which they naturally recover only slowly. Assisted inoculation with cyanobacteria is held as a promising approach to promote biocrust regeneration. Two different methodologies have been developed for this purpose: mass cultivation of biocrust pioneer species (such as the cyanobacteria Microcoleus spp.) on cellulose supports, and polymicrobial cultivation of biocrusts in soils within greenhouse settings. Here, we aimed to test a novel method to grow cyanobacterial biocrust inoculum based on fog irrigation of soil substrates (FISS) that can be used with either culture-based or mixed-community approaches. We found that the FISS system presents clear advantages over previous inoculum production methodologies; overall, FISS eliminates the need for specialized facilities and decreases user effort. Specifically, there were increased microbial yields and simplification of design compared to those of the culture-based and mixed-community approaches, respectively. Its testing also allows us to make recommendations on underexplored aspects of biocrust restoration: (i) field inoculation levels should be equal to or greater than the biomass found in the substrate and (ii) practices regarding evaluation of cyanobacterial biomass should, under certain circumstances, include proxies additional to chlorophyll a. IMPORTANCE Biocrust inoculum production for use in dryland rehabilitation is a powerful tool in combating the degradation of dryland ecosystems. However, the facilities and effort required to produce high-quality inoculum are often a barrier to effective large-scale implementation by land managers. By unifying and optimizing the two foremost methods for cyanobacterial biocrust inoculum production, our work improves on the ease and cost with which biocrust restoration technology can be translated to practical widespread implementation.
PhD programs and the advancement of nursing science

Abstract Nurses are well-positioned to be groundbreaking researchers, scientists, leaders, and innovators to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Nurse scientists are needed to contribute to scientific discoveries that inform effective strategies to improve patient care and outcomes and to inform future policies. Thoughtful consideration is required about the preparation of nurse scientists to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skill sets to meet the needs of society. Evolving health needs and priority areas of inquiry along with an ever-increasing array of sophisticated methodologies and centrality of interdisciplinary teams to solve complex problems should drive how we prepare PhD students. This paper reflects a panel and subsequent dialogue with nurse leaders at the PhD summit held at the University of Pennsylvania in October 2019. Three aspects of PhD education and the advancement of nursing science are discussed 1) examining important elements to support nurse scientist development; 2) identifying key gaps in science that the discipline needs to address in educating the next generation of nurse scientists; and 3) preparing nurse scientists for the competitive funding environment.
Air pollution in Kenya: a review

Rapid urbanization, the corresponding increase in vehicle ownership, and the continued use of solid fuels as an energy source have resulted in the deterioration of air quality in Kenya. Despite this, there is no publicly available official source of data on air pollution in the country. This article provides an overview of published studies that report the concentrations of widespread ambient pollutants, outline major themes, and identify data gaps. This review reveals that since the 1980’s particulate matter (PM) concentrations in some Nairobi locations, such as the industrial area, have been at dangerously high levels. Almost all of the studies included show that PM concentrations in Nairobi violate the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Moreover, black carbon (BC) concentrations in Nairobi are among the highest in the world, indicating the need for cleaner vehicles in the city. There has been much less work done measuring the levels of gaseous pollutant concentrations in Kenya. Based on these findings, policies to reduce air pollution in Kenya and monitoring strategies to fill in the existing gaps are presented.
Nanopore Sequencing of the Fungal Intergenic Spacer Sequence as a Potential Rapid Diagnostic Assay.

Fungal infections are being caused by a broadening spectrum of fungi, yet in many cases, identification to the species level is required for proper antifungal selection. We investigated the fungal intergenic spacer sequence (IGS) in combination with nanopore sequencing, for fungal identification. We sequenced isolates from two Cryptococcus species complexes, C. gattii and C. neoformans, which are the main pathogenic members of this genus, using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION device and Sanger sequencing. There is enough variation within the two complexes to argue for further resolution into separate species, which we wanted to see if nanopore sequencing could detect. Using the R9.4.1 flow cell, IGS sequence identities averaged 99.57% compared to Sanger sequences of the same region. When the newer R10.3 flow cell was used, accuracy increased to 99.83% identity compared to the same Sanger sequences. Nanopore sequencing errors were predominantly in regions of homopolymers, with G homopolymers displaying the largest number of errors and C homopolymers displaying the least. Phylogenetic analysis of the nanopore and Sanger derived sequences resulted in indistinguishable trees. Comparison of average percent identities between the C. gattii and C. neoformans species complexes resulted in only a 74-77% identity between the two complexes. Sequencing using the nanopore platform could be completed in less than an hour and samples could be multiplexed in groups as large as twenty-four sequences in a single run. These results suggest that sequencing the IGS region using nanopore sequencing could be a potential new molecular diagnostic strategy.
A Real-Time PCR Assay for Simultaneous Detection and Differentiation of Four Common Entamoeba Species That Infect Humans.

There are over forty species within the genus Entamoeba, eight of which infect humans. Of these, four species (Entamoeba histolytica, E. dispar, E. moshkovskii, and E. bangladeshi) are morphologically indistinguishable from each other, yet differentiation is important for appropriate treatment decisions. Here, we developed a hydrolysis probe-based tetraplex real-time PCR assay that can simultaneously detect and differentiate these four species in clinical samples. In this assay, multi-copy SSU rDNA sequences were used as targets. We determined that the tetraplex real-time PCR can detect amebic DNA corresponding to as few as 0.1 trophozoite-equivalent of any of these species. We also determined that this assay can detect E. histolytica DNA in the presence of 10-fold more DNA from another Entamoeba species in the mixed infection scenarios. With a panel of more than 100 well-characterized clinical samples diagnosed and confirmed using a previously published duplex real-time PCR (capable of detecting E. histolytica and E. dispar), our tetraplex real-time PCR assay demonstrated comparable sensitivity and specificity with that of the duplex real-time PCR assay. The advantage of our assay over the duplex assay is that it can specifically detect two additional Entamoeba species and can be used in conventional PCR format. This newly-developed assay will allow further characterization of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of the four morphologically-identical Entamoeba species especially in low resource settings.
The Heavy Lifting Treatment Helper (HeaLTH) Algorithm: Streamlining the Clinical Trial Selection Process.

The Medical diagnosis and screening field has benefited tremendously from the advancement of computer technology and access to data over the past decades. However, due to the complexity of medical diagnosis and medical research, there are still many unknown problems in this field. With the recent emphasis of the national government and academic agencies in open sharing data and advancement of computational tools, e.g. machine learning and artificial intelligence, there is a renewed hope to tackle such complex problems. One of the fields that can benefit greatly from such advancement is the cancer clinical trial matching. This field has gained a lot of attention due to its complexity and the large number of people it affects. The algorithms proposed in this paper aim to assist clinicians and patients in cancer clinical trial matching by reducing the number of eligible trials using a combination of logical conditions and text mining of trial descriptions. Data for this study is provided by the Clinical Trial website which consists of 100 patients’ demographic and clinical information. Our preliminary results demonstrate the capabilities of unsupervised learning and conditional logic in reducing the matched trials and suggest further exploration for improvement and optimization of clinical trial matching for clinicians.
Runx2-Twist1 interaction coordinates cranial neural crest guidance of soft palate myogenesis

Cranial neural crest (CNC) cells give rise to bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments of the vertebrate craniofacial musculoskeletal complex, as well as regulate mesoderm-derived craniofacial muscle development through cell-cell interactions. Using the mouse soft palate as a model, we performed an unbiased single-cell RNA-seq analysis to investigate the heterogeneity and lineage commitment of CNC derivatives during craniofacial muscle development. We show that Runx2, a known osteogenic regulator, is expressed in the CNC-derived perimysial and progenitor populations. Loss of Runx2 in CNC-derivatives results in reduced expression of perimysial markers (Aldh1a2 and Hic1) as well as soft palate muscle defects in Osr2-Cre;Runx2fl/fl mice. We further reveal that Runx2 maintains perimysial marker expression through suppressing Twist1, and that myogenesis is restored in Osr2-Cre;Runx2fl/fl;Twist1fl/+ mice. Collectively, our findings highlight the roles of Runx2, Twist1, and their interaction in regulating the fate of CNC-derived cells as they guide craniofacial muscle development through cell-cell interactions.
Frequency of platelet aggregation defects in children suffering fromg β-thalassemia

Background: β-thalassemia is a genetic disorder of hemoglobin synthesis, which is not uncommon in world's population. According to international studies, platelet aggregation is increased in splenectomized patients while it is decreased or normal in non-splenectomized adult patients and children. These findings are one of the indications of hypercoagulable state in β-thalassemia patients, which leads to thromboembolic disease. Aims: To determine the frequency of platelet aggregation defects in children (aged 6 months to 5 years) suffering from β-thalassemia. Settings and Design: This study was conducted in Department of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine of the Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore. It was a cross-sectional study. Subjects and Methods: We selected 100 β-thalassemia patients of age between 0 and 5 years. History taking, examination, and investigations like complete blood count (CBC), Hb-electrophoresis on High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), serum iron, and platelet aggregation were performed on these patients. Results: During the study period, 100 children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected, and platelet aggregation with ADP, collagen, and ristocetin, was performed. It was found out that 66, 62, and 69% of the children showed decreased aggregation with ADP, collagen, and ristocetin, respectively, while 34, 38, and 31% children were found to have normal aggregation with ADP, collagen, and ristocetin, respectively. Conclusions: It was found that majority of the children showed decreased aggregation with ADP, collagen and ristocetin.
AERPAW emulation overview and preliminary performance evaluation

Abstract The Aerial Experimentation and Research Platform for Advanced Wireless (AERPAW) has been recently funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR) program. The AERPAW platform will enable experiments with programmable radios and programmable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), conducted in a safe and repeatable manner. Several architectural components are crucial for enabling the envisioned capabilities of the testbed. In this paper, after providing a high level overview of AERPAW, we first present the emulation design of AERPAW vehicles. Subsequently, we describe various different options for wireless channel emulation in AERPAW. We start with a generalized model for wireless emulation, and expand that model to packet-level emulation, I-Q level emulation, and radio-frequency (RF)-level emulation. A discussion on the trade-offs among these various different emulation possibilities is also provided.
Strategies and Challenges: Qualitative Lessons Learned From Georgia Produce Prescription Programs.

Produce prescription programs (PPPs) have grown in numbers in the past decade, empowering health care providers to promote health by issuing subsidies for produce to vulnerable patients. However, l...
Assessment of trawlable and untrawlable seafloor using multibeam-derived metrics

Abstract Groundfish that associate with rugged seafloor types are difficult to assess with bottom-trawl sampling gear. Simrad ME70 multibeam echosounder (MBES) data and video imagery were collected to characterize trawlable and untrawlable areas, and to ultimately improve efforts to determine habitat-specific groundfish biomass. The data were collected during two acoustic-trawl surveys of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) during 2011 and 2012 by NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) researchers. MBES data were collected continuously along the trackline, which included parallel transects (1–20 nmi spacing) and fine-scale survey locations in 2011. Video data were collected at camera stations using a deployed camera system. Multibeam-derived seafloor metrics were overlaid with the locations of previously conducted AFSC bottom-trawl (BT) survey hauls and 2011 camera stations. Generalized linear models were used to identify the best combination of multibeam metrics to discriminate between trawlable and untrawlable seafloor for the region of overlap between the camera stations or haul paths and the MBES data. The two best models were developed using data collected at camera stations with either oblique incidence backscatter strength ( S b ) or mosaic S b in combination with bathymetric position index and seafloor ruggedness; these described over 54% of the variation between trawlable and untrawlable seafloor types. A map of predicted seafloor trawlability produced from the model using mosaic S b and benthic-terrain metrics demonstrated that 58% of the area mapped ( 5987 km 2 ) had ≥ 50 % probability of being trawlable and 42% of being untrawlable. The model correctly predicted 69% of trawlable and untrawlable haul locations. Successful hauls occurred in areas with 62% probability of being trawlable and gear damage occurred in areas with a 38% probability of being trawlable. This model and map produced from multibeam-derived seafloor metrics may be used to refine seafloor interpretation for the AFSC BT surveys and to advance efforts to develop habitat-specific biomass estimates for GOA groundfish populations.
Role of Calcium in the Regulation of Mammalian Lipoxygenases

Arachidonic acid is the precursor to a variety of oxygenated metabolites that have been implicated as regulators of various cell functions. The prostanoids are one group of metab olites that are formed from arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenase pathway. Arachidonic acid metabolism catalyzed by the lipoxygenase pathway, which produces metabolites such as hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HPETEs), the corresponding hydroxy analogs (HETEs), leukotrienes (LTs), and lipoxins (Pace-Asciak and Smith, 1983), will be the focus of this paper. Our laboratory as well as others has shown that the HETEs can modulate cellular lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, and phospholipase activities (Vanderhoek, 1985). LTB4causes leukocyte adhesion, degranulation and chemotaxis of neutrophils while LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4, which are released during an anaphylactic reaction, cause broncho-and vasoconstriction and an increase in vascular permeability (Samuelsson, 1983). Lipoxin A causes a contraction of bronchial smooth muscle while lipoxins A and B can inhibit natural killer cell function without preventing natural killer cell binding to target cells (Samuelsson, 1987).
Cryptomonads from the Salton Sea, California

Using freshly collected field samples and enrichment cultures, eight genera of cryptomonads from the Salton Sea are recorded for the first time. Comparative data from light and scanning electron microscopy were utilized to identify these genera and species. The genera included Chroomonas, Falcomonas,Hemiselmis, Plagioselmis, PyrenomonaslRhodomonas, Storeatula,Teleaulax, and the kathablepharid Leucocryptos. One putative genus remains unidentified and may represent a new taxon. SEM has not been conducted on this cryptomonad, but it has been isolated and is being maintained in culture. The genera and species identified from the Salton Sea are typical of marine rather then freshwater environments and may play an important role in primary productivity and as preferred fool organisms for zooplankton.
The Latinization of the Central Shenandoah Valley

Virginia is among a number of southern states in the United States, such as North Carolina, Arkansas and Georgia, which have experienced a sudden growth in Latino immigration during the past decade. Not only is the volume of growth unprecedented, but many of the destinations are new and located in rural areas. Places that have not hosted immigrant populations for generations are quickly becoming multicultural. The small city of Harrisonburg (population 43,500 according to the 2005 estimate), which is located in the rural Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, is perhaps the premier example of this new pattern of change. While local advertising once promoted Harrisonburg for its “99.2% American-born and 93.7% white” population, the area today holds the distinction of hosting the most diverse public school enrollment in the state (in 2006-2007), with students from 64 countries who speak 44 languages. Among them are Spanish speakers from at least 14 different countries. Drawing on social network theory, the paper examines how social networks among Latino immigrants become activated in new settlement areas. It presents a case history of the historic process of “Latinization” involving the settlement of a number of diverse Latino populations (from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Cuba and Uruguay) in Harrisonburg and the surrounding Central Shenandoah Valley. The study demonstrates how a number of key institutions, including local agricultural industries (apples and poultry), a refugee resettlement office and churches recruited “pioneers” from these immigrant groups to the area and how “pioneers” subsequently engaged in further social network recruitment, thus creating multiple transnational “daughter communities” in the Harrisonburg area. The policy implications of this historical process are explored.
Expression of Laminin Isoforms, Receptors and Binding Proteins Unique to Nucleus Pulposus Cells of Immature Intervertebral Disc

Intervertebral disc (IVD) disorders are believed to be related to aging-related cell loss and phenotypic changes, as well as biochemical and structural changes in the extracellular matrix of the nucleus pulposus (NP) region. Previously, we found that the laminin gamma1 chain was more highly expressed in immature NP porcine tissues, in parallel with the expression pattern for a laminin receptor, integrin alpha6 subunit, as compared to adjacent anulus fibrosus region. This result suggests that cell-matrix interactions may be unique to the immature NP. However, the identity of laminin isoforms specific to immature or mature NP tissues, their associated receptors, and functional significance are still poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the zonal-specific expression of the laminin chains, receptors (i.e., integrins), and other binding proteins in immature tissue and isolated cells of rat, porcine and human intervertebral disc. Our goal was to reveal features of cellular environment and cell-matrix interactions in the immature NP. Results from both immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry analysis found that NP cells expressed higher levels of the laminin alpha5 chain, laminin receptors (integrin alpha3, alpha6, beta4 subunit, and CD239), and related binding proteins (CD151), as compared to cells from adjacent anulus fibrosus. These differences suggest that laminin interactions with NP cells are distinct from that of the anulus fibrosus and that laminins may be important contributors to region-specific IVD biology. The revealed laminin isoforms, their receptors, and related binding proteins may be used as distinguishing features of these immature NP cells in the intervertebral disc.
DOPAMINERGIC BLOCKADE OF THE RENIN‐ANGIOTENSIN‐ALDOSTERONE SYSTEM: EFFECT OF HIGH AND LOW SODIUM INTAKES

Recent investigations suggest that dopamine inhibits aldosterone secretion. To test the hypothesis that dopamine contributes to the reduced aldosterone secretion on a high sodium intake, eight normal subjects were studied in metabolic balance on both 200 and 10 mmol sodium diets. On each diet, the subjects received a constant 4 h intravenous infusion of the dopamine antagonist, metoclopramide (MCP). Although MCP significantly increased plasma aldosterone (PA) throughout the infusion on both diets, the maximum increment in PA was greater on the low (37 +/- 5 ng/dl) than on the high (14 +/- 4 ng/dl) sodium intake (P less than 0.02). The greater response on the low sodium intake could not be ascribed to changes in potassium, cortisol or ACTH. However, plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin II (AII) levels were significantly (P less than 0.01) increased by MCP while on the low but not the high sodium intake. We conclude that the rise in PA while on a high sodium intake reflects dopaminergic antagonism by MCP directly at the level of the adrenal gland. On the low sodium intake, the enhanced PA response to MCP probably reflects both a direct adrenal effect and an indirect effect mediated via activation of the renin-angiotensin system.
The use of cancer treatment summaries and care plans among Massachusetts physicians

Purpose Cancer survivorship presents many challenges for affected individuals and their health care providers. Reports from The Institute of Medicine document these challenges and recommend the use of survivorship treatment summaries and care plans to improve communication and coordination of care for cancer survivors. The purpose of our study was to assess current use of treatment summaries and care plans in Massachusetts and identify obstacles to greater use.
Theory of the semiconductor photon echo.

The semiconductor Bloch equations are solved numerically for a two-pulse photon-echo configuration. The time-dependent diffracted signal is computed and the significance of many-body effects, carrier relaxation, and dephasing is investigated in detail. Assuming femtosecond-pulse excitation at various intensities and frequencies, distinctly different results are obtained if the exciton or the continuum electron-hole-pair states are excited. It is shown that pure exciton excitation produces a free-induction decay signal and no photon echo. An echo signal is obtained only if continuum states are excited either directly by choosing the central pulse frequencies appropriately or if the band-gap renormalization is sufficiently strong to shift continuum states into resonance. A continuous transition between free-induction decay and photon-echo signal is obtained with increasing excitation amplitude. A perturbative analytical analysis of the equations allows one to identify the role of the many-body effects in producing the different features.
A Delphi Forecast for Alaska

Alaska is undergoing rapid economic change as it seeks to diversify away from its petroleum-based economy. State government is trying to influence this development through long-range planning. A major Delphi study, where a 91-member panel was used to forecast policies, trends, and events, was found to be generally suitable for forecasting in this highly dynamic context. But the generic Delphi approach had to be modified to fit the Alaska case: the panel was designed around the categories of decision makers, technical experts, and advocates; parallel interviews were conducted to obtain input from Alaska natives; and the last round was designed to produce scenarios and a limited implicit cross-impact analysis.
Water Use in Crop Production.

Edited by M.B. KIRKHAM. Food Products Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580. Hard cover, $89.95. ISBN: 1560220686. Soft cover, $49.95, ISBN: 1560220694. Co-published as Journal of Crop Production , Vol. 2, No. 2, 1999, this book comprises 16 chapters on the state of research on water
Gated SPECT in assessment of regional and global left ventricular function: major tool of modern nuclear imaging.

We have reviewed the development of assessments of ventricular function by use of gated MPS and the ways in which these measurements have contributed to the emergence of gated SPECT with regard to its important role as a major tool of modern cardiac imaging. We conclude that gated MPS imaging has shown a unique capability to provide precise, reproducible, and operator-independent quantitative data regarding myocardial perfusion, global and regional systolic and diastolic function, stress-induced RWMAs, ancillary markers of severe and extensive disease, LV geometry and mass, and finally, the presence of scars and viability. Adding functional data to perfusion provides highly effective means of increasing both diagnostic accuracy and reader confidence in the interpretation of the results of perfusion scans. Assessment of global and regional LV function has improved the prognostic power of the MPS study, which has been shown to play a central role in guiding patient management decisions, particularly regarding the need for revascularization, even without function variables.
Overwhelming Escherichia coli sepsis in ureterovesical junction obstruction without reflux.

Congenital anomalies now account for a large percentage of infant deaths. 1 Clinically significant congenital anomalies of the genitourinary tract are relatively common. A study from Buffalo, NY, in 1988 demonstrated that 1.37% of unselected, otherwise healthy infants will have a urinary tract anomaly seen on ultrasonography that may require operative repair. 2 The first clinical manifestation of many genitourinary anomalies is a urinary tract infection (UTI) during infancy, which presents as fever, vomiting, or irritability. 3 Even when detected early, these anomalies can sometimes result in significant early morbidity or death. This is demonstrated by the following case report. Patient Report. A 24-day-old male infant was born by a scheduled cesarean section at 36 weeks' gestation with rapidly worsening congenital hydronephrosis of the left kidney. He was evaluated on the 18th day of life with abdominal ultrasonography, vesicoureterography, and a renal scan. Ultrasonography revealed severe congenital hydronephrosis of the
Prefixation use of hyaluronidase to improve in situ preservation for electron microscopy

A brief, 2–5 minute exposure to relatively strong hyaluronidase in normal saline or Ringer solutions is regarded as a desirable prefixation treatment whenever connective tissue might be expected to retard the penetration of osmium tetroxide. The rapid physical effect of hyaluronidase was observed objectively following its topical application to exposed pial blood vessels which then quickly became dilated. Its effect on the subsequent penetration of osmic acid was assessed by the rate of darkening of underlying tissues. Following hyaluronidase prefixation treatment, arterial walls having as many as five layers of smooth muscle and a corresponding number of fenestrated elastic laminae were well preserved in all their thickness. Sweat glands embedded in dense connective tissue were uniformly fixed throughout blocks of moderate size. Comparison of material with and without hyaluronidase treatment did not reveal that any formed elements had been extracted or lost. No deleterious effects upon cytological preservation could be observed.
Ultrastructural modifications of the intercalated disc during hypothermia in the rat and the ground squirrel

Summary The electrocardiographic conduction pattern disc in cardiac muscle samples from hypothermic rats and ground squirrels were comparatively studied. The rats were sacrificed at a body temperature of 15°C and the ground squirrels were sacrificed at a body temperature of 5°C. In the hypothermic rat the rate of conduction slows, voltage decreases and the QRS complex appears distorted and ectopic foci appear. This pattern is associated with widening of the plasma membranes at the intercalated discs and no concomitant change in intracytoplasmic density along the disc. In the hypothermic ground squirrel the components of the electrocardiogram lengthen with slowing of the heart rate. Voltage is maintained between 15 and 5°C a shift to nodal rhythm is seen. The width of the plasma membranes at the interealated dises has been maintained and increased intracytoplasmic density is apparent in the specialized regions. This suggests increased chemical activity which results in decreased resistance to conduction It is concluded that the functional integrity of the cardiac muscle cell during hypothermia in a hibernator, such as the ground squirrel, is dependent, in part, on the fine structure of its membrane system.
Enhancing social support, hardiness, and acculturation to improve mental health among Asian Indian international students.

International students, upon relocation to a foreign country, undergo a major life event which can cause distress that can potentially affect their mental health. This study pilot tested an internet-based intervention to enhance the social support, hardiness, and acculturation among students of Asian Indian origin at a large midwestern university. A pretest-posttest randomized design was employed. The pretest was administered to 60 students who were then randomly assigned to experimental and comparison groups. The experimental group was offered online instruction about social support, hardiness, and acculturation through Blackboard™ over 2 months. The comparison group received an equivalent protocol based on general wellness. Repeated measures ANOVA was done which showed significant improvement in mental health variable (F(1, 37) = 4.768, p < 0.05). Recommendations for replicating such interventions in other groups of international students are presented.
Personality and Adaptation in an Overseas Enclave

When people move to foreign lands, they face the problem of adaptation to a changed environment. That there is variation in adaptability in such a situation is obvious but the reasons for it need further exploration. This article deals with factors influencing adaptability—particularly personality type and foreign enclave—in a colony of immigrant Japanese on the Isle of Pines, Cuba. We will argue that the foreign enclave is an important instrument of adaptation for most men, that certain personality types are particularly adaptable as individuals, and that they come as consequence to play key roles in the maintenance and adaptation of the enclave. A discussion of types of personality relative to the problem of adaptation will conclude our presentation.