cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging performance for diagnosis of ovarian torsion in pregnant women with stimulated ovaries.

To determine if asymmetric ovarian edema on non-contrast MRI can be used to distinguish torsed from non-torsed stimulated ovaries in pregnant women. In this retrospective study, our radiology database was searched for women who were pregnant and who had undergone ovarian stimulation and underwent MRI abdomen/pelvis from 1/2000–12/2012. At our institution, ultrasound is typically performed as a first line study for pregnant women with pelvic pain, with MR for those patients with indeterminate findings. 64 pregnant women (gestational age range 3–37 weeks) were included. MRI indication, prospective interpretation, operative diagnosis, and follow-up were recorded. Two blinded radiologists (with a third radiologist tie-breaker) independently measured and described the ovaries, including the likelihood of torsion. If one or both ovaries/adnexa had an underlying lesion such as a dermoid, cystadenoma, or abscess, the patient was excluded from size and signal intensity comparison (N = 14). For the remaining 50 women, comparison was made of the ovaries in women with normal ovaries (N = 27), stimulated ovaries without torsion (N = 11), non-stimulated ovaries with torsion (N = 3), and stimulated ovaries with torsion (N = 3). Patients with asymmetric ovarian edema without stimulation or torsion (N = 3) and with polycystic ovary syndrome (N = 3) were analyzed separately. Average normal ovarian length was 3.2 cm, compared to 4.5 cm for asymmetric edema and 5.6–8.8 cm for the other four groups. Average difference in greatest right and left ovarian diameter was 19% for normal ovaries compared to 24–37% for the other 5 groups. Asymmetric signal on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) was seen in 12% (3/27) of normal ovaries compared to 9% (1/11) of stimulated patients without torsion, 33% (1/3) of patients with PCOS and 67% (2/3) of patients with torsion both without and with stimulation. The correct diagnosis of torsion was made prospectively in 5/6 cases but retrospectively in only 3/6 cases. In patients with stimulation, correct diagnosis of torsion was made in 2/3 cases prospectively (both with asymmetric T2 signal) and retrospectively in only 1/3 cases. In 13/64 patients, other acute gynecologic and non-gynecologic findings were diagnosed on MRI. Enlarged edematous ovary can be seen with ovarian stimulation, ovarian torsion, or both. Although asymmetric ovarian edema occurred more frequently in patients with torsion than without, in pregnant patients with stimulated ovaries referred for MRI (typically after non-diagnostic ultrasound), ovarian torsion could not be confidently diagnosed or excluded retrospectively with non-contrast MRI.
Acute Pulmonary Vasodilator Testing and Long-Term Clinical Course in Segmental Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Results of acute pulmonary vasodilator testing (AVT) and the outcome of medical therapy have not been described in patients with segmental pulmonary vascular disease (SPVD). We sought to compare the pulmonary vasodilatory effects of oxygen, oxygen with nitric oxide, and diltiazem, and to describe the clinical course of patients with SPVD and pulmonary hypertension. A retrospective review of 16 patients with pulmonary hypertension and SPVD involving 2–3 major lung segments who underwent AVT between January 2000 and December 2015 was performed. Baseline hemodynamic measurements were obtained with patients breathing ≤ 30% oxygen. AVT was performed using 100% oxygen, 100% oxygen with 20 ppm nitric oxide, 21–35% oxygen, and 21–35% oxygen with intravenous diltiazem. The events associated with their long-term care were described. Nine of 16 patients were acutely responsive during AVT using the Sitbon criteria. The change in mean pulmonary artery pressure with oxygen or oxygen with nitric oxide (19 ± 12 mmHg) was significantly greater than the change with diltiazem (7 ± 5 mmHg). Pulmonary vasodilator therapy was initiated or escalated after AVT in 12 patients. Five patients subsequently experienced a decrease in mean pulmonary artery pressure or normalization in B-type natriuretic peptide. Three patients experienced adverse events associated with therapy. The actuarial survival was 94% over a period of 1–20 years. This study suggests that AVT can be used to identify patients with SPVD who are reactive to oxygen, oxygen with nitric oxide, and diltiazem. Clinical improvement was temporally associated with pulmonary vasodilator therapy in some patients with few adverse effects.
Amenorrhea in the Adolescent

Amenorrhea in the adolescent presents a complicated diagnostic problem for a gynecologist since the etiologies are numerous, the frequency is low, and the treatments are varied. Organizing the approach into a simplified, easily remembered sequence can allow a gynecologist to adequately initiate the diagnostic pathway that leads to successful definition of the etiology and the correct treatment for amenorrhea. This brief chapter is designed to provide the gynecologist with a simple approach that will allow the physician to appropriately approach the adolescent patient with amenorrhea.
Cancer prevalence among flight attendants compared to the general population

Flight attendants are an understudied occupational group, despite undergoing a wide range of adverse job-related exposures, including to known carcinogens. In our study, we aimed to characterize the prevalence of cancer diagnoses among U.S. cabin crew relative to the general population. In 2014–2015, we surveyed participants of the Harvard Flight Attendant Health Study. We compared the prevalence of their self-reported cancer diagnoses to a contemporaneous cohort in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2013–2014) using age-weighted standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs). We also analyzed associations between job tenure and the prevalence of selected cancers, using logistic regression and adjusting for potential confounders. Compared to NHANES participants with a similar socioeconomic status (n = 2729), flight attendants (n = 5366) had a higher prevalence of every cancer we examined, especially breast cancer, melanoma, and non-melanoma skin cancer among females. SPR for these conditions were 1.51 (95% CI: 1.02, 2.24), 2.27 (95% CI: 1.27, 4.06), and 4.09 (95% CI: 2.70, 6.20), respectively. Job tenure was positively related to non-melanoma skin cancer among females, with borderline associations for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers among males. Consistent with previous studies, we observed associations between job tenure and breast cancer among women who had three or more children. We observed higher rates of specific cancers in flight attendants compared the general population, some of which were related to job tenure. Our results should be interpreted in light of self-reported health information and a cross-sectional study design. Future longitudinal studies should evaluate associations between specific exposures and cancers among cabin crew.
Still not ready for Ebola

Ebola is back. The disease that killed more than 11,000 people in West Africa just a few years ago has returned, striking the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Last week, intervention with a new vaccine was initiated to help contain the outbreak, adding another tool to a response that is exponentially better than it was 4 years ago. But we are not out of the woods. No matter how long this Ebola outbreak continues, the world faces critical tests in its battle against deadly pathogens. Unlike 2014, when delayed recognition of Ebola led to undetected disease spread, the DRC promptly admitted it had an outbreak and called for assistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) did not try to minimize the problem. Rapid response units from within the DRC and around the world deployed immediately. And, fortunately, the DRC has well-trained epidemiologists as well as laboratory capacity to test for the virus.
A multi-objective optimization model for designing resilient supply chain networks

Abstract Supply chains evolve over time: they expand via planned construction and/or corporate mergers and acquisitions, and contract due to required facility closures, partnership terminations, and/or other cost-cutting decisions. In addition, businesses also operate in an uncertain world wherein network and other design decisions must be made despite the reality of unforeseen future events that can and often do disrupt or damage corporate supply chains. We present a multi-objective network design model and accompanying optimization-based decision support methodology for supply chain architects. Our methodology helps to evaluate the trade-off between total network cost minimization and maximizing overall supply chain network connectivity. Decision makers can evaluate a collection of solutions with different cost and connectivity values using our methodology and choose the network configuration that best serves the needs of their organization. Though our multi-objective network design model is applicable for individual companies looking to expand or contract their internal supply chains, we demonstrate our model's efficacy through the lens of a practically-motivated corporate merger and acquisition activity.
Undergraduate Park and Recreation Education: Strategies for Recruitment and Retention in the 1990s

The successful recruitment and retention of undergraduate majors is essential to the well-being of the park and recreation profession. Recruitment strategies for the 1990s need to place a greater e...
Antigenic markers on human monocytes and macrophages.

In an effort to examine heterogeneity within the human reticulo-endothelial system, we have developed a panel of monoclonal antibodies that define the expression of five distinct, nonpolymorphic antigens displayed on the surface of monocytes, macrophages and platelets (1,2). Antigen Mol is shared by peripheral blood monocytes, granulocytes, and a subset of Null cells. The expression of Mo2 and Mo3 is restricted to the monocyte-macrophage lineage. The density of Mo3, as distinguished from Mo2, is low on freshly isolated monocytes, but increases as a function of time in culture. Mo4 is borne by both monocytes and platelets, while Plt-1 is a platelet-specific antigen whose detection on monocytes reflects adsorption of platelets to monocyte surfaces. Mo1–4 are expressed by cultured macrophages derived from peripheral blood monocytes while only Mo1, 2, and 4 are borne by human peritoneal macrophages. Evidence for these conclusions will be presented and the significance of the Mo antigen series as differentiation markers within the monocyte-macrophage lineage will be discussed.
An assessment of sensitivity of the self-excited modelling approach for simulating dynamic ice-structure interactions to changes in temperature and scale effects

Abstract Empirical relationships of compressive ice strength as a function of stress rate have been utilized in models of vibrations that arise during coupled ice-structure interactions. Central to current self-excited models (SEM) is a deterministic relationship of compressive ice strength as a function of stress rate based on uniaxial compressive strength data obtained from thin, first-year sea ice. However, full-scale observations, laboratory test data and fundamental knowledge of ice material behavior suggest that any such relationship would be influenced by factors such as temperature and the scale of the interaction. In this paper, the influence of temperature and scale effects is examined and first-order estimates of their effect on modifying the assumed strength vs. stress rate relationship are presented. This approach is used to assess the sensitivity of the SEM method to changes in environmental and interaction conditions. Results suggest that accounting for changes in ice temperature and the scale of interaction considerably affect ice-induced vibration responses predicted by the model. Additional large-scale experiments, full-scale data and the development of physics-based models of ice compressive failure are needed to better account for different ice conditions and different sized structures that may be considered in design.
Phosphorus Fractionation Responds to Dynamic Redox Conditions in a Humid Tropical Forest Soil

Author(s): Lin, Yang; Bhattacharyya, Amrita; Campbell, Ashley N; Nico, Peter S; Pett-Ridge, Jennifer; Silver, Whendee L
TBX20 Regulates Angiogenesis Through the Prokineticin 2-Prokineticin Receptor 1 Pathway

Background: Angiogenesis is integral for embryogenesis, and targeting angiogenesis improves the outcome of many pathological conditions in patients. TBX20 is a crucial transcription factor for embr...
Opinion Formation Threshold Estimates from Different Combinations of Social Media Data-Types.

Passive consumption of a quantifiable amount of social media information related to a topic can cause individuals to form opinions. If a substantial amount of these individuals are motivated to take action from their recently established opinions, a movement or public opinion shift can be induced independent of the information's veracity. Given that social media is ubiquitous in modern society, it is imperative that we understand the threshold at which social media data results in opinion formation. The present study estimates population opinion formation thresholds by querying 2222 participants about the number of various social media data-types (i.e., images, videos, and/or messages) that they would need to passively consume to form opinions. Opinion formation is assessed across three dimensions, 1) data-type(s), 2) context, and 3) source. This work provides a theoretical basis for estimating the amount of data needed to influence a population through social media information.
Scrubbing the Hub, How Long Is Enough?

Background Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) require a central venous catheter (CVC) for their care. The presence of a CVC increases the risk of bloodstream infections (BSI). Central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) are associated with increase morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Substantial effort is placed in the maintenance and disinfection of needless connectors (NC) with the goal to prevent CLABSI. Current guidelines don't specify the duration of mechanical friction that should be applied to NC prior to accessing a CVC. Our current practice is 30 seconds of scrubbing and 30 seconds of dry time with nurses collectively spending approximately a total of 120 hours/day scrubbing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact that length of mechanical friction has on NC disinfection. Methods Sixty sterile NC were used, divided in groups of ten. McFarland solution composed of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was used to inoculate the NC for 30 minutes. One millimeter of sterile saline was used to flush the NC into a sterile tube and ten microliter loops were used to inoculate blood agar plates followed by use of spreaders for quantification. The first group was negative controls which were flushed after being removed from the package, the second group was positive controls with no scrubbing done prior to the flush. For the remaining 4 groups 2% chlorhexidine gluconate plus 70% alcohol pads were used to scrub the NC per routine practice for 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds and 60 seconds. All the groups had the same drying time of 30 seconds. After 24 hours of incubation at 38 degrees Celsius positive cultures were identified and number of colonies on each plate were recorded. Ten nurses participated in the study scrubbing the hubs. Results All the negative controls were negative, 7/10 positive controls were positive with a mean of 127 CFU/ml. For the 3rd group 8/10 were positive with a mean of 171 CFU/ml. For the 4th group 6/10 were positive with a mean of 122 CFU/ml. For the 5th group 4/10 were positive with a mean of 55 CFU/ml and for the 6th group 3/10 were positive with a total of 15 CFU/ml. There was a statistically significant difference between positive and negative cultures in the 15 second group versus 60 second group (p = 0.02) but not between the 30 second versus the 60 second group (p=0.2). Three cultures were too numerous to count and were given a value of 1000 CFU/ml. Results do not appear to be dependent on who was scrubbing the NC. Conclusions Longer scrubbing time appears to decrease line contamination which can be translated into clinical practice. Results from a larger study with a total of 120 NC assessing different disinfecting solutions as well as drying time will be available by December 2018.
Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Increase in Intestinal Permeability Is Mediated by TAK-1 Activation of IKK and MLCK/MYLK Gene.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are a major component of Gram-negative bacterial cell wall and play an important role in promoting intestinal inflammatory responses. Recent studies have shown that physiologically relevant concentrations of LPS (0 to 2000 pg/mL) cause an increase in intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) permeability without causing cell death. However, the intracellular pathways and the mechanisms that mediate LPS-induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability remain unclear. The aim was to delineate the intracellular pathways that mediate the LPS-induced increase in intestinal permeability using in vitro and in vivo intestinal epithelial models. LPS-induced increase in intestinal epithelial TJ permeability was preceded by an activation of transforming growth factor-β–activating kinase-1 (TAK-1) and canonical NF-κB (p50/p65) pathways. The siRNA silencing of TAK-1 inhibited the activation of NF-κB p50/p65. The siRNA silencing of TAK-1 and p65/p50 subunit inhibited the LPS-induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability and the increase in myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) expression, confirming the regulatory role of TAK-1 and NF-κB p65/p50 in up-regulating MLCK expression and the subsequent increase in TJ permeability. The data also showed that toll-like receptor (TLR)-4/myeloid differentiation primary response (MyD)88 pathway was crucial upstream regulator of TAK-1 and NF-κB p50/p65 activation. In conclusion, activation of TAK-1 by the TLR-4/MyD88 signal transduction pathway and MLCK by NF-κB p65/p50 regulates the LPS-induced increase in intestinal epithelial TJ permeability.
The Genetics of the Chloroplast Ribosome in Chlamydomonas reinhardi

Our interest in the general problem of the interaction between nuclear and organelle genomes in the life and development of eukary-otic cells has led us to study the genetics of proteins of chloro-plast ribosomes of the single-celled green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardi. Specifically, we have dealt with the proteins of the large, i.e. 52S, subunit of these ribosomes.
Adorno and the Subversive Potential of Popular Music

The essay begins by addressing the analytic frame that Adorno opens up for a critical theory of music, to then focus on a hermeneutic-pragmatic account of music as aesthetic agency, followed by a reconstruction of the uniquely transgressive potentials that this account of musical experience entails for popular music. The new account is motivated by the impasse created by Adorno’s own philosophy of music to provide a grounding for the cognitive capacities necessary to understand autonomous music. The hermeneutic-pragmatic reconstruction of aesthetic features of music as structurally similar to experiential dimensions of agency overcomes Adorno’s dilemma by allowing us to see music as a socializing medium that enables reflexive experiences. The musical dimensions of rhythm, harmony, and melody are reconstructed as exemplifying features of situated agency. Against this background, popular music is shown to enable experiences of bodily transgression, cultural transcendence, as well as individualized attentiveness, thus continuing Adorno’s project of reconstructing the critical cognitive value of music.
Ethical and legal challenges

Abstract As the technology of artificial intelligence (AI) grows in cardiovascular medicine, so do the ethical and legal challenges that come with it. Currently, the medical community is ill-informed of what these challenges entail, and policy and ethical guidelines are lacking. Physicians and policy makers should be informed of these issues to minimize harm and promote patient care. Three overarching themes relating to the data, the algorithms, and the results comprise the foundation of these challenges and will be discussed in this chapter. The introduction of big data raises concern for patient privacy and security, with issues of data quality and inconsistent medical records. There is also risk for biases in the algorithms that could worsen health disparities or skew results for financial gain. Finally, the archetypal “black box” algorithm, questions of legal liability, and what happens when humans and machine disagree are discussed in depth. Ultimately, a code of ethics in the coming integration of AI is needed to ensure the preservation of human rights.
Arbitrary control of Jones matrix properties in a metasurface diffraction grating using matrix Fourier optics

Metasurfaces are arrays of artificially engineered subwavelength nanostructures. Owing to the strong form birefringence of these nanostructures, metasurfaces provide a fascinating platform to realize novel polarization optics. Recently, we proposed a more general design strategy for polarization-dependent metasurfaces using Fourier optics principles applied to the Jones calculus. We use this to design metasurface devices with arbitrarily chosen polarization responses embedded on diffraction orders, such as polarizers, waveplates, and cases that are mixtures of the two. We fabricate these gratings (for operation at visible wavelengths) and test them with Mueller matrix polarimetry, showing agreement with design.
Hospitalization trends and determinants of inpatient costs for eosinophilic esophagitis patients in the United States: results from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample analysis.

Background Inpatient care for patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is thought to be uncommon, there are few data on inpatient care costs for individuals with EoE. The purpose of this study was to assess trends in inpatient admissions for EoE and examine factors that drive hospitalization costs. Methods We examined EoE hospitalizations using ICD-9/10 codes, from 2010-2016 in the National Inpatient Sample. We also identified the diagnosis-related group codes, current procedural terminology codes, and common symptom codes documented during admission. We conducted 2 main analyses, primary (all EoE-related hospitalizations) and secondary (hospitalization with a primary diagnosis for EoE), and a sensitivity analysis using only hospitalizations with the secondary diagnosis for EoE, to determine the trend and cost of EoE-related hospitalizations. We used univariate and multivariate models to evaluate the effect of factors that drive hospitalization on total costs. Results Our primary analysis showed that an estimated total of 33,467 EoE-related hospitalizations occurred in the US between 2010 and 2016, representing approximately 13 per 100,000 hospitalizations in the US. The admission rate increased by approximately 70% from 2010-2016 (9.26 to 15.75 per 100,000 hospitalizations), while the total annual and mean inflation-adjusted per-patient costs for EoE-related admissions were $24 million per year and $5135 (standard deviation $153), respectively. Patients and hospital characteristics were independently associated with cost of hospitalization. Conclusion The rate of hospital admission for EoE has markedly increased in the US, as has the mean cost for EoE-related hospitalization, at a rate tenfold that of inflation from 2010-2016.
Resolution enhancement of deconvolved ground penetrating radar images using singular value decomposition

Abstract Sharpening ground-penetrating radar (GPR) images remains a persistent challenge. Two approaches in particular—singular value decomposition (SVD) and sparse blind deconvolution (SBD)—have been shown to effectively denoise GPR images and resolve a reflectivity model, respectively. To our knowledge, these approaches have not been used to process GPR data from archaeological sites. This paper highlights the treatment of a sample GPR profile acquired over two graves in sandy soil. SVD can remove user-specified components of the GPR image such as the direct wave, horizontal banding, and ringing from surface features. These are removed via a low order eigenimage filter in which the decomposed GPR data is reconstructing without the eigenimages containing them. This type of filter significantly alters the frequency content and total amplitude, which may or may not negatively influence subsequent filtering techniques or data analysis. Thus, we use SBD to investigate the influence of eigenimage filtering. The eigenimage-filtered GPR image returns a more physically meaningful reflectivity model compared to SBD of the original GPR profile. We additionally test the common approach ‘denoising’ GPR data by also omitting higher-order eigenimages from the reconstructed GPR image. The resulting reflectivity model was less sparse indicating that higher-order eigenimages contain signal information critical to deconvolution. To test the effectiveness of other filtering steps with SVD filtering, we compare the migration of the original GPR profile against that of an eigenimage-filtered image. The migrated filtered image, particularly if higher-order eigenimages are preserved, provides more spatially constrained point reflectors regardless of the migration algorithms used compared to the migrated original profile.
Impostor Phenomenon: A Concept Analysis.

Impostor phenomenon was first described by Clance and Imes in 1978 as the disbelief of own person’s capacities and skills in overachieving women. Since then, studies have focused on causes and char...
The ulnar artery: A site suitable for arterial cannulation in pediatric patients.

Background Historically, the ulnar artery has rarely been considered for arterial cannulation as it is less easily palpated than the radial artery. With the current routine use of ultrasound in pediatric patients the ulnar is as accessible as the radial and could be viewed as an equivalent site for cannulation. Aims The purpose of this study was to compare ulnar and radial artery suitability for arterial cannulation in pediatric patients using 2-dimensional ultrasound. Methods We examined the ulnar and radial arteries of pediatric patients aged birth to 6 years who were scheduled to undergo general anesthesia. Following anesthesia induction, the investigators positioned the patient's wrist to 30-45 degrees of extension and obtained images of the ulnar and radial arteries in the transverse and longitudinal planes. Assessments of the arteries' anterior-posterior diameter, cross-sectional area and depth were made by visual inspection at the time of image acquisition and by electronic caliper measurement of recorded images. Results In 108 patients, mean anterior-posterior diameter of the ulnar artery was larger than the radial artery in the transverse view, longitudinal view, and cross-sectional area in 63.6%, 59.4%, and 60.4% of patients (p = 0.002, 0.004, and 0.006, respectively). Mean ulnar artery size was, on average, larger than the radial artery by 7.7%, 8.1% and 12.9% in the transverse AP diameter, longitudinal AP diameter, and cross-sectional area (95% CI 3.1%-12.4%; 3.2%-13.0%; 4.4%-21.5%). The investigator's visual evaluation of vessel size at the bedside showed substantial agreement with the measured cross-sectional area (linear-weighted kappa of 0.73). In a subset of 13 patients age Conclusions The ulnar artery was larger than the radial artery in 60% of pediatric patients thus may offer an arterial cannulation site advantage due to its larger size. The use of 2-dimensional ultrasound examination allows accurate assessment of upper extremity distal arteries in order to optimize site selection for arterial cannulation in pediatric patients.
The impact of a grief Workshop for pediatric oncology nurses on their grief and perceived stress

Abstract Coping with the death of a pediatric patient with whom the nurse has developed a close relationship is reported by nurses as the most stressful experience of being a pediatric nurse. Such losses are inevitable for a pediatric nurse regardless of subspecialty and can contribute to a nurse leaving the specialty or the discipline. To prevent those consequences, nurses' grief needs to be acknowledged, and their grieving needs to be facilitated. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a grief workshop on grief symptoms and perceived stress in two groups of pediatric oncology nurses who differed in years of experience in the specialty. Study findings indicated that the workshop affected the two groups differently, with the more experienced nurses reporting significantly higher stress levels after the workshop than did the less experienced nurses. Study findings are interpreted and recommendations for future work are offered.
Female Labour Force Participation

This paper examines the determinants of female labour force participation in OECD countries, including a number of policy instruments such as the tax treatment of second earners (relative to single individuals), childcare subsidies, child benefits, paid maternity and parental leaves, and tax incentives to sharing market work between spouses. The econometric analysis uses a panel data set covering 17 OECD countries over the period 1985-1999, and distinguishes between part-time and full-time female participation rates. It shows a positive impact on female participation of a more neutral tax treatment of second earners (relative to single individuals), stronger tax incentives to share market work between spouses, childcare subsidies, and paid maternity and parental leaves Unlike childcare subsidies, child benefits reduce female participation due to an income effect and their lump-sum character. Finally, female education, the general labour market conditions, and cultural attitudes ...
Voices from the past, lessons for the future

Purpose – As academic fields increasingly turn to social action and seek partnerships with groups beyond the academy, so too are we looking for guidance. Rural sociology developed out of applying research to social action and within this field was a unique unit. The purpose of this paper is to present a history of the Division of Farm Population and Rural Life, which was part of the US Department of Agriculture from 1919 to 1953 was a pioneer in applying sociological knowledge to policy and action.Design/methodology/approach – This article looks back to the history of this unit to examine the lessons to be learned.Findings – Placing these lessons within the context of contemporary issues underscores the continuing relevance of this historical experience.Originality/value – The issues surrounding engaging external partners are both particularistic and universal. However, without an historical sense of the challenges, each time we encounter them, the challenges feel new and somehow unique. This article look...
Comparison of Myoglobins from Harbor Seal, Porpoise, and Sperm Whale: VI. RENATURATION OF COPPER(II)-DENATURED FERRIMYOGLOBINS

Abstract Denaturation of dilute solutions of ferrimyoglobins at pH 6.50 and 50° by a 7- to 10-fold molar excess for copper(II) is completely reversible on addition of excess chelating agent. The renaturation reaction exhibits first order kinetics. In the ultracentrifuge, the copper(II)-denatured proteins show little aggregation except for an increase in sedimentation constant for the sperm whale protein from 1.9 to 2.8 to 2.9. Copper(II) denaturation of sperm whale protein does not result in liberation of the heme group from the protein. Bound copper(II) ion inhibits alkylation of ferrimyoglobin histidyl residues by iodoacetamide. First order rate constants for renaturation of porpoise, harbor seal, and alkylated sperm whale ferrimyoglobins have different pH-independent values under mildly acidic and mildly basic conditions; the transition between the two can be accounted for by the ionization of a single group with a value of pKa near 6.5. Renaturation of native sperm whale protein is nearly pH independent over the accessible range. In all cases, the entropy of activation for the renaturation process is near zero. The rate constants for ferrimyoglobin renaturation show little sensitivity to variations in ionic strength but are increased about 2-fold in the presence of 0.01 m benzene.
An empirically-informed cognitive theory of propositions

Scott Soames has recently argued that traditional accounts of propositions as n-tuples or sets of objects and properties or functions from worlds to extensions cannot adequately explain how these abstract entities come to represent the world. Soames' new cognitive theory solves this problem by taking propositions to be derived from agents representing the world to be a certain way. Agents represent the world to be a certain way, for example, when they engage in the cognitive act of predicating, or cognizing, an act that takes place during cognitive events, such as perceiving, believing, judging and asserting. On the cognitive theory, propositions just are act types involving the act of predicating and certain other mental operations. This theory, Soames argues, solves not only the problem of how propositions come to represent but also a number of other difficulties for traditional theories, including the problem of de se propositions and the problems of accounting for how agents are capable of grasping pr...
Production planning and control in flexibly automated manufacturing systems: current status and future requirements

Starting from the observation that currently we lack the control policies to effectively establish and manage the operational flexibilities required by contemporary flexibly automated manufacturing systems, the paper articulates a proposition towards the development of a formal production planning and control framework for these environments. This framework essentially attempts to integrate emerging results on the representation and control of these environments through a bottom-up hierarchical modeling and analysis approach. Open research problems that will underlie such an integration effort are identified, and potential solution approaches are briefly outlined.
Hydrogen peroxide downregulates IL-1-driven mesangial iNOS activity: implications for glomerulonephritis.

In glomerulonephritides, autacoids such as nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species, and prostanoids are produced in increased amounts in response to cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1). These autacoids influence the expression of glomerular injury by their direct as well as interactive actions. We studied the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on NO production in rat mesangial cells. We demonstrate that transient exposure of mesangial cells to H2O2 prior to sustained exposure to IL-1 decreased extracellular accumulation of NO2/NO3 and cellular guanosine 3,'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) content. H2O2 markedly impaired inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity induced by IL-1 directly measured by the conversion of L-[14C]arginine to L-[14C]citrulline. Such impairment in iNOS activity was accompanied by a parallel reduction in iNOS protein abundance but not by a reduced expression of iNOS mRNA. The inhibitory effect of H2O2 on NOS activity was further supported by peroxide-induced impairment in ...
Effect of Erythromycin on Ethanol's Pharmacokinetics and Perception of Intoxication

Study Objective. To determine the effect of erythromycin on ethanol's pharmacokinetics and perception of intoxication. Design. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Setting. A clinical research center. Participants. Ten healthy volunteers. Interventions. Erythromycin base 500 mg or identical placebo was administered 3 times/day for 7 days. On day 8, ethanol 0.8 g/kg was administered by mouth concurrently with erythromycin or placebo. A 2-week washout period was allowed between each treatment arm. Measurements and Main Results. Twelve blood samples were obtained over a 12-hour period to determine ethanol concentrations. Perception of intoxication was determined at each time point using a 10-cm visual analog scale. Ethanol concentrations were determined using a gas chromatographic method. Mean ± SD ethanol pharmacokinetics for erythromycin versus placebo were time to peak ethanol plasma concentrations 1.1 ± 0.4 hours versus 1.3 ± 0.3 hours, peak ethanol concentrations 118 ± 18 mg/dl versus 114 ± 27 mg/dl, ethanol oral clearance (CL/F) 2.9 ± 0.8 ml/min/kg versus 3.4 ± 2.2 ml/min/kg, and area under the curve 481 ± 104 mg·hour/dl versus 465 ± 132 mg·hour/dl (p>0.05). The blood ethanol concentrations and perception of intoxication scores on a visual analog scale were well correlated (r2=0.78, p 0.05). Conclusion. Oral erythromycin base 1500 mg/day compared with placebo does not alter ethanol's pharmacokinetics or perception of intoxication in healthy volunteers.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is the delivery of irradiation at the time of an operation. This is performed by different techniques including intraoperative electron beam techniques and high-dose rate brachytherapy. IORT is usually given in combination with external-beam radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy and surgical resection. IORT excludes part or all dose-limiting sensitive structures, thereby increasing the effective dose to the tumor bed (and therefore local control) without significantly increasing normal tissue morbidity. Despite best contemporary therapy, high rates of local failure occur in patients with locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer, retroperitoneal sarcoma, select gynecologic cancers, and other malignancies. The addition of IORT to conventional treatment methods has improved local control as well as survival in many disease sites in both the primary and locally recurrent disease settings. More recently, there has been interest in the use of IORT as a technique of partial breast irradiation for women with early breast cancer. Given newer and lower cost treatment devices, the use of IORT in clinical practice will likely grow, with increasing integration into the treatment of nonconventional malignancies. Optimally, phase III randomized trials will be carried out to prove its efficacy in these disease sites.
The Teacher-Child Relationship and Children's Early School Adjustment

The teacher-child relationship may serve important support functions for young children in their attempts to adjust to the school environment. A sample of kindergarten children (N = 206, mean age = 5.58 years) and their teachers participated in the present study, which was designed to examine how three distinct features of the teacher-child relationship (closeness, dependency, and conflict) were related to various aspects of children's school adjustment. Dependency in the teacher-child relationship emerged as a strong correlate of school adjustment difficulties, including poorer academic performance, more negative school attitudes, and less positive engagement with the school environment. In addition, teacher-rated conflict was associated with teachers' ratings of children's school liking, school avoidance, self-directedness, and cooperative participation in the classroom. Finally, teacher-child closeness was positively linked with children's academic performance, as well as teachers' ratings of school liking and selfdirectedness. The findings highlight the importance of considering various features of children's relationships with classroom teachers when examining young children's school adjustment. © 1997 Society for the Study of School Psychology
Activation of Raf by ionizing radiation

THE critical pathways through which ionizing radiation induces malignant transformation and cell death are not well defined. Raf-1, a cytoplasmic serine–threonine protein kinase, mediates the transmission of mitogenic signals initiated at the cell membrane to the nucleus, resulting in the activation of transcription factors that regulate cell growth and proliferation1,2. Moreover, Raf-1 overexpression and activation increases the survival response of mammalian cells to the toxic effects of ionizing radiation by an as-yet unknown mechanism (refs 3, 4 and V. Soldatenkov et al.; manuscript submitted). Somewhat analogous to mitogen-induced signalling, radiation stimulates protein-tyrosine kinase (s) and transcription factors5,6. No direct biochemical link has been established, however, between radiation-stimulated protein tyrosine phosphorylation and downstream signals. Here we report a series of radiation-responsive events in which protein-tyrosine phosphorylation is followed by membrane recruitment, then tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of Raf-1 in vivo. Our results show that radiation-stimulated protein-tyrosine kinase(s) modify Raf-1, and implicate Raf-1 in the ionizing-radiation signal-transduction pathway.
A parametric failure time model of international return migration

International return migration is conceptualized and modeled as the outcome of two opposing forces: assimilation into the host society and attachment to the home country. Assimilation is a cumulative learning process that, over time, lowers the tendency to return; attachment levels are less predictable: they might decrease, increase, or remain constant over time. From this proposition, we derive a generalized gamma function for the probability density function of the duration of stay, allowing for increasing, decreasing, and constant hazards of return. The applicability of the model is explored using the case of foreign migrants returning to their home countries from West Germany.
Immunopathological aspects of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) represents a leading cause of blindness worldwide. While the clinical and histopathological aspects of AMD are well characterized, its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Recent findings suggest a role for immunologic processes in AMD pathogenesis, including the age-related generation of extracellular deposits inside the Brusch membrane and beneath the retinal pigment epithelium, recruitment of macrophages for clearance of these deposits, complement activation, recruitment of tissue-destructive macrophages, microglial activation and accumulation, and proinflammatory effects of chronic inflammation by Chlamydia pneumoniae. This review discusses the evidence for the role of inflammation in human AMD and in animal models of AMD.
Neuropsychological test performance of successful brain injury simulators.

This study provided an examination of the performance characteristics of successful brain injury simulators (SBIS). Coached (n = 56) and uncoached (n = 35) brain injury simulators received instructions to fake cognitive impairment; controls were asked to do their best. The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) was administered along with standard neuropsychological measures (e.g., Wisconsin Card Sorting Test). The TOMM identified 80% of uncoached and 60% of coached brain injury simulators. SBIS were participants from the brain injury simulation groups whose TOMM performance indicated adequate effort. A total of 32% of all brain injury simulators scored above the TOMM cutoff scores for adequate effort (the SBIS group). Significantly more coached than uncoached participants composed the SBIS group (76% vs. 24%, respectively). SBIS performed significantly worse than controls and significantly better than unsuccessful brain injury simulators on select standard neuropsychological measures. The SBIS scores were low...
Improving the estimation of total factor productivity growth: capital operating time in a latent variable approach

Measuring labor and capital services accurately is essential to obtaining reliable estimates of production functions and total factor productivity (TFP) growth. Using data on the operating time of capital, a series that exists for the French business sector, greatly improves the measurement of effective capital services in production. The ensuing estimation results are consistent with Cobb–Douglas technology under constant returns to scale, with the factor elasticities not statistically different from their income shares. In the same framework, TFP growth is estimated as a latent variable and found to be less volatile than accounting residuals, negatively correlated with employment, and free of cyclicality. It is statistically best estimated as a first-order autoregressive process, with an autoregressive coefficient of 0.95. Total factor productivity growth was estimated to have declined steadily between the mid-1970s and mid-1990s, but the rate of decline has diminished since then.
Communication: Spectroscopic measurements for HfF+ of relevance to the investigation of fundamental constants

The properties of the HfF(+) cation are thought to be well-suited for investigations of the electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) and temporal variations of the fine structure constant. Precision spectroscopic measurements involving the X(1)Σ(+) and low-lying (3)Δ(1) states have been proposed to measure both. Due to the lack of data for HfF(+), the design of these experiments has relied entirely on the predictions of electronic structure calculations. Spectroscopic characterizations of the X(1)Σ(+), (3)Δ(1), (3)Δ(2) and (3)Δ(3) states are reported. The results further support the contention that HfF(+) is a viable candidate for eEDM measurements. The spacings between adjacent X(1)Σ(+) and (3)Δ(1) levels are found to be less favorable for the proposed studies of the fine structure constant.
Environmental Boundary Spanning and Information Processing Effects on Organizational Performance

The boundary spanning activity of the entrepreneur is used to examine the strategic management process in small business. In a sample of 82 owner/operators, intensive boundary spanning activity was...
The impact of government decentralization on county health spending for the uninsured in California.

We analyze Program Realignment, California’s 1991 policy of decentralizing control of health, mental health, and social services, from the state to the counties. Drawing from the economics literature on intergovernmental transfers and using data constructed for this study, we analyze the impact of Realignment on uninsured health spending. We find a change in the pattern of spending on indigent health services by counties following decentralization. Our results suggest, however, that county-level governments maintain a level of commitment to social-service spending that recent studies indicate may be lacking at the state level.
MOLECULAR MECHANICS FORCE FIELD FOR PLATINUM COORDINATION COMPLEXES

A molecular mechanics study of square planar Pt(II) coordination complexes is reported. Three new ligating atom types which are representative of the σ-donor ligands prevalent in Pt(II) coordination chemistrychloride, carboxylate oxygen, and amine nitrogenare developed to extend the MM2 force field. The newly derived MM force field accurately describes the geometry of both the inner and outer coordination sphere of Pt(II) complexes. Quick and efficient modeling is obtained despite simplifications used in constructing the force field, e.g., neglect of anharmonic corrections to the bond-stretching and angle-bending potentials. The simplifications used in construction of the force field allow accurate structural prediction in a timely manner using readily available software and hardware. Additionally, the new MM force field shows the ability to predict structures, in the absence of a starting guess of the geometry from X-ray crystallography, that are subsequently found to be in good agreement with experiment...