cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS OF THE TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

In a recent study, confirmatory factor analyses indicated that, for each of several language groups, TOEFL performance can be characterized by two factors, associated with (a) the Listening Comprehension section and (b) the other sections of the test (Hale, Stansfield, Rock, Hicks, Butler, & Oiler, 1988). This conclusion was inconsistent with that drawn in the most comprehensive previous factor-analytic study of the TOEFL, which suggested a three-factor solution for each of several languages (Swinton & Powers, 1980). The present study investigated the inconsistency in conclusions drawn from these two studies and provided further information about the factor structure of the TOEFL. It was hypothesized that the inconsistency between studies was related to the populations under investigation, as the earlier study used TOEFL examinees in both domestic and overseas test centers, whereas the more recent study used domestic examinees only. The present data did not support this hypothesis, however. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted for each of several language groups, using data from the test form used in the more recent study (a 1984 TOEFL), and these analyses yielded essentially similar results for both domestic and overseas populations, as well as for the combined population. In all cases, the data supported a two-factor interpretation, with the two factors related to the Listening Comprehension section and to the nonlistening sections. Other hypotheses were that the inconsistency between studies was due to differences in factor-analytic methodologies used or to changes in the test over time. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted using the data from the earlier study (taken from a 1976 TOEFL) as well as data from the more recent study. These analyses supported a two-factor interpretation in both cases, for each of several language groups, with the two factors associated with Listening Comprehension and with the other sections of the test. Thus, the use of different factor-analytic methodologies in the two previous studies undoubtedly contributed to the inconsistency, although further work would be needed to determine exactly what aspects of the methodology played a role. The data also provided tentative evidence that the basic factor structure of the test may not have changed substantially between 1976 and 1984. The role of examinee proficiency in determining the TOEFL's factor structure was also examined. For each of several language groups, low- and high-proficiency groups were defined on the basis of approximately one third of the items in the TOEFL, drawn from all sections of the test, and factor analyses were then performed on an abbreviated TOEFL, which consisted of the remaining items. For both proficiency levels within each language group a two-factor structure appeared to underlie performance, with the factors once again linked to Listening Comprehension and to the other, nonlistening sections of the test.
(Un)touchability: Disclosure and the Ethics of Loss

In this lyrical essay, I attempt to unravel the complexity behind new modes of HIV prevention and the rise of segregation among people of different antibody status in queer communities. In particular, I question the ease with which disclosure of HIV status is equated with safe sex. Because disclosure often reproduces the power dynamics of confession, I try to imagine an ethics of reciprocity in bearing witness. The essay is perforated by poetic fragments, the way all bodies are perforated, infected or not.
Evidence-based management of dyslipidemias in women.

Women and men are both susceptible to coronary artery disease (CAD). The predictors or risk factors of CAD are qualitatively identical, although low-density lipoprotein is less of a predictor, and high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides are more predictive in women. Diabetes is also a stronger predictor of CAD in women. Lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is as important in women as in men, as demonstrated in clinical trials. Hormone replacement therapy has not been proven in trials to prevent CAD and may even promote it in some patients. The role of emerging risk factors in CAD prevention is still unclear in either gender. Trials now in progress should clarify this issue.
The Etiology of Administrative Evil: Eric Voegelin and the Unconsciousness of Modernity

Administrative evil, as a research problem, is receiving attention in public administration research. Some of the literature suggests that administrative evil is caused by technical rationality. Although this may be so, technical rationality could also be considered symptomatic of a larger problem, one more directly causative of administrative evil. Exemplifying this claim is the organizational theory of Eric Voegelin. Voegelin, a political theorist, saw administrative evil resulting from the modern era’s refusal to consider existential questions, freedom, and human dignity as important dimensions of reality. Voegelin’s critique of modern organizations is presented along with his positive suggestions for organizational ethics. Last, some current ethical models are discussed that may encompass Voegelin’s ethical concerns.
The temperature-composition phase diagram and mesophase structure characterization of monopentadecenoin in water.

The temperature-composition phase diagram of monopentadecenoin, a monoacylglycerol with a cis monounsaturated fatty acid 15 carbon atoms long (C15:1c10) in water was constructed using x-ray diffraction. Low- and wide-angle diffraction patterns were collected from samples of fixed hydration as a function of temperature in the heating direction on x-ray-sensitive film. The temperature and hydration ranges investigated were 0–104 degrees C and 0–60% (w/w) water, respectively. The phases identified in the system include the lamellar crystalline phase, the lamellar liquid crystalline phase, the fluid isotropic phase, and two inverted cubic phases belonging to space groups la3d (Q230) and Pn3m (Q244). Particular attention has been devoted to the issues of phase equilibrium, phase boundary verification, and structure characterization. The phase diagrams of monopentadecenoin, monomyristolein (C14:1c9), and monoolein (C18:1c9) are compared, and the impact of molecular structure on mesophase stability and structure is discussed.
A simplified HPTLC screening method for the estimation of the PAH content in soil samples.

Based on a highly significant correlation between the visual fluorescing fraction of PAH on the one hand and the total EPA-PAH16 content in mineral soils on the other hand, a deliberately incomplete RP-TLC separation of these compounds into a few fingerprint-like compressed bands within a determined “PAH window” has been achieved. The resulting band-pattern does not interfere normally with the more or less non-polar phenolic compounds which are associated with natural soil humic substances. The extraction step has been extremely simplified with regard to the quantity of the soil sample and of the extractant. The accuracy of this procedure has been ascertained by means of recovery experiments with an artificial soil enriched with PAH. A single spot application mode and an evaluation scheme allow the estimation of EPA-PAH16 contents of soil samples in relation to threshold values ¶(1 or 5 or 10 mg/kg). This HPTLC screening method has been compared against standard HPLC methods. The simplified extraction step and the separation by HPTLC minimizes the actual costs and the time spent per sample.
Predictors of screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostatic cancer among community-based primary care practices.

Background: As we enter the year 2000, it is worth looking at whether primary care practices are reaching the goals established in Healthy People 2000 for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostatic cancer screening. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the current rates of cancer screening; and (2) to determine which factors predict completion of a single screening test, of all tests for each cancer, and of all procedures for age and sex. Methods: Medical records of 200 eligible patients (100 men and 100 women) from each of 24 community-based primary care practices were abstracted for cancer-screening events. Results: We audited 5125 charts. A Papanicolaou smear was documented for 63.8% of women with an intact cervix within 3 years of the audit .. We found that 46.8% of women had documentation of ever having a discussion of breast self-examination. For breast cancer screening, 41.8% of the women had a clinical breast examination within 1 year, 48.2% aged 40 to 49 years had a mammogram within 2 years, and 38.5% aged 50 years and older had a mammogram within 1 year. Only 29% of women aged 40 to 49 years and 17% of women 50 years and older were current for all breast cancer-screening tests. Among patients 50 years and older, 33% of men and 38% of women had a digital rectal examination within 1 year, 26% of men and 28% of women had a fecal occult blood test within 1 year, and 22% of men and 16.8% of women had a Oexible sigmoidoscopy within 5 years. Of all men 28.7% had a prostate-specific antigen test within 1 year. Completion of all tests relevant for age and sex were documented for 8.6% of women aged 40 to 49 years, 3% of women 50 years and older, and 5% of men 50 years and older. The single most Significant predictor of documented cancer screening was a health maintenance visit. Conclusions: This sample of primary care clinicians has not reached the goals set in Healthy People 2000 for cancer screening. Interventions aimed at increasing the percentage of patients who schedule a health maintenance visit could serve to increase cancer screening and help us reach goals set for the year 2010.
Sol-gel and microwave processing of PZT materials for sensor and actuator applications

In this work, the preparation of PZT materials used for the fabrication of smart sensors and actuators is closely investigated. The sol-gel method is used for the processing of the PZT powder because of its potential for making fine, pure and homogeneous powders. Sol-gel is a chemical method that has the possibility of synthesizing a reproducible material. Microwave energy is used for the calcining of this powder and the sintering of the PZT samples. Its use for calcination has the advantage of reducing the total processing time and the soak temperature. In addition, the combination of sol-gel and microwave processing leads to smaller particles and a more uniform distribution of their sizes. Microwave sintering of sol-gel prepared PZT has been accomplished successfully and has been shown to yield improved microstructure and good properties.
The African in America: race and the politics of Diaspora

Through a discussion of the film Lilo and Stitch the author provides a description of three different discursive practices that define race for Africans within the United States. The first discursive construction describes social, political and economic distinctions between groups of persons, not individuals, as specific families, cultures, races and species. The second discursive construction is the description of social behaviour as the sole responsibility of the individual and therefore as a social type. The third discursive construction is that of the importance placed on the physical and aural description of persons in the definition of race. The articles concludes by discussing an alternative description of social community and belonging using the work of Octavia Butler.
The determination of210Pb and210Po in biological and environmental materials

The naturally-occurring radionuclides,210Pb and210Po (22 y and 138.4d half-lives, respectively), are important for their contributions to the natural radiation dose in the environment and from technologically-enhanced sources. A description is presented of the methods for the analysis of these nuclides in which the samples are ashed at low temperature by wet ashing or with atomic oxygen (low-temperature asher). The method uses plating of the Po at two different times onto silver disks which are then counted. The polonium daughter is used to determine both the210Pb and210Po using the Bateman equations for radioactive growth and decay. The tracer and non-tracer methods are compared for efficiency.
The Dissolution of Gay and Lesbian Couples

This study examined reactions to separation in both partners of gay and lesbian couples whose relationships ended a mean of 5.92 months ago. There were no differences between gay and lesbian respondents on reasons for the separation, emotional adjustment to the separation and problems since the separation. The most common reasons for the dissolution of the relationship, the most common emotional experiences since the separation and the most frequently reported problems since the separation were identified. Information available from respondents during the last year of cohabitation indicated that the person adjusting well to the separation completed many years of education, knew his or her partner for a few months and lived with that partner for a few months, did not pool finances with the ex-partner, reported low love for the partner, placed a low value on attachment to the partner and reported low severity of psychological distress.
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH: LESSONS FROM THE BRITISH EXPERIENCE

The author addresses the public health policy challenge posed by the increasing numbers of immigrant girls and women in the United States affected by female genital mutilation (FGM), a traditional ritual health practice in which part or all of the external genital structures are removed from females, usually during childhood. The practice is common today in 26 African nations and affects 100 to 126 million women and girls worldwide. The significant lifelong negative health impact of FGM has been documented. Recent developments in British domestic health and social policy are reviewed to provide insights. The definition of FGM, prevalence, health impact, and history of the practice are presented. Implications for the development of health and social services policies and programs in the United States are drawn.
A novel approach to assessing percutaneous VX poisoning in the conscious guinea-pig.

Nerve agents like VX (S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl-O-ethyl-methylphosphonothiolate) are potent irreversible acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. Following percutaneous nerve agent exposure there is a slower rate of absorption, later onset and longer duration of signs of poisoning. Relatively little is known about the physiological effects of percutaneously applied nerve agent in unanaesthetised laboratory animals. Heart rate (ECG), brain electrical activity (EEG), body temperature, locomotor activity and clinical signs were monitored following percutaneous application of VX to conscious guinea-pigs. A fall in heart rate (bradycardia) preceded incapacitation following the highest VX dose, and occurred in the absence of incapacitation at the lower doses. Following the highest dose of VX (0.592 mg kg−1) three out of four animals died within 24 h. The lower two doses of VX (0.296 and 0.148 mg kg−1), produced extended periods of bradycardia in the absence of observable signs of poisoning. Bradycardia preceded, or occurred in the absence of, a temperature decrease; seizure-like EEG changes were not observed at any of the VX doses tested. Acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly inhibited in the blood and most brain areas at 48 h. There were significant dose-related decreases in body weight at 24 and 48 h following VX. This preliminary study suggests that decreased heart rate may be an early sign of the toxic effects of VX, whereas temperature and observable clinical signs are not good early indicators of percutaneous VX poisoning in this animal model. Future studies will use this model to assess the benefit of administering medical countermeasures in response to a defined decrease in heart rate. © Crown Copyright 2007. Reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. This article was published online on 5 December 2007. An error was subsequently identified. This notice is included in the online and print versions to indicate that both have been corrected [30 May 2008].
Glutamic acid decarboxylase-containing neurons in the dorsal column nuclei of the cat

The retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and immunocytochemistry for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) have been employed to examine whether local circuit neurons (LCNs) exist in the dorsal column nuclei (DCN) and whether these neurons may be GABA-ergic. Observations focused on the dorsal part of the middle cuneate nucleus (MCd), since this region has been previously shown to contain projecting neurons whose axons terminate almost exclusively in the contralateral thalamus. After large injections of HRP in the nucleus ventralis posterolateralis and surrounding structures of the feline thalamus, the majority of neurons in MCd are labeled. These represent about 89% of the neurons in MCd as counted in 40-μm frozen sections, and about 69% as counted in plastic-embedded, 2.5-μm-thick section. Unlabeled by the same injections are some medium to largeneurons at the dorsal rim of MCd, and many characteristically small (X ±250/μm2) neurons at the periphery of the cell clusters formed by thalamic-pro...
Transmission of the Blood Flow Pulse through the Pulmonary Arterial Tree of the Dog

We have made simultaneous measurements of the instantaneous flow in the main pulmonary artery using an electromagnetic flowmeter and the pulmonary capillaries using the nitrous oxide body plethysmograph method in six lightly anesthetized and spontaneously breathing dogs. We measured the transmission of the flow wave in the pulmonary arterial tree at a variety of heart rates and during alveolar hypoxia. Fourier analysis enabled us to study transmission in the intact animal in a way similar to that of imposed oscillations of flow in the isolated organ. The amplitude of the pulmonary capillary flow pulse was approximately half that in the main pulmonary artery. There was progressive decrease in amplitude from the first to the fourth harmonic in both the pulmonary arterial and pulmonary capillary flow pulses. Harmonics above the fourth were small and variable in amplitude. Transmission between pulmonary valve and capillaries was independent of heart rate. Hypoxia did not affect transmission. Assuming that the increase in resistance in this instance was due to precapillary vasoconstriction, this finding suggests that other factors may offset the effect of increase in resistance upon transmission.
Regulation of human B cell lymphopoiesis by adhesion molecules and cytokines

Recent advances in the ability to culture normal human B cell precursors have emphasized the supportive relationship between these cells and stromal cells in the bone marrow microenvironment. It is now possible to examine the role of adhesion molecules and cytokines in the regulation of different stages of human lymphopoiesis using these culture systems. Direct cell-cell adhesion mediated by the integrin adhesion molecule VLA-4 plays a critical role in supporting stromal dependent proliferation of human B cell precursors. In addition, human B precursor cell lines migrate underneath the stromal layer. This transmigration is VLA-4 dependent but not inhibitable by antibody to known VLA-4 ligands. IL-7 is secreted by the stromal layer, and is necessary for stromal-dependent proliferation of early human B cell precursors. Proliferation of early human B cell precursors or mature B cells. Since the bone marrow stroma is a source of cytokines with B cell precursor growth stimulatory activity, it is possible that adhesion interactions may play a co-stimulatory role with respect to cytokine secretion or response. As the cytokine requirements for human B cell lymphopoiesis become more completely defined, it will be important to uncover the cell-cell signals that regulate lymphopoiesis either directly or through modulation of cytokine secretion by supporting cells in the bone marrow microenvironment. The dependent relationship between human B cell precursors and the bone marrow microenvironment provides a model system for these cell-cell interactions which may be applicable to progenitor development in other lineages.
Cell death in the heart.

The possibility of regulating apoptosis in cardiac disease is such an exciting prospect that the reader might wonder why there has not been more public clamor for antiapoptosis therapies in cardiovascular disease. Because heart muscle is considered to be nonrenewable tissue, scenarios can be imagined in which health food stores promote specific antiapoptosis remedies. Although fads tend to focus on diseases of less obvious mechanical origin, part of the credit lies in the tendency of cardiologists to demand theoretic and experimental justification for adopting new procedures. Although research into apoptosis is likely to affect the management of cardiovascular disease, research ideas must first coalesce into a consensus, and, for that to occur, the ground rules must be defined clearly. The term cardiovascular disease encompasses a wide range of problems, including acute emergencies, chronic stresses, infectious and inflammatory processes, and autoimmune disease. The role of apoptosis varies among these pathologies and frequently is simply one of the markers of an end-stage event: Apoptosis of a differentiated, adult cardiac myocyte may not be easily recognizable as apoptosis. To review the current state of affairs, several questions must be addressed: (1) the detection of apoptosis, (2) the evaluation of apoptosis and programmed cell death in culture and in developing embryos, (3) evidence for the induction of apoptosis in the mature heart, (4) the means by which apoptosis may be triggered (and by which it may be amenable to regulation), (5) and apoptosis in several pathologies threatening the heart. Each of these subjects is addressed in turn.
On the Figuring and Correcting of Mirrors by Controlled Deposition of Aluminum1

It is possible to change the figure of reflecting surfaces quantitatively by controlled deposition of metals, evaporated in vacuum. The theory for calculating screens and the experimental technique are described. A spherical 12-inch mirror has been repeatedly parabolized, obtaining a surface perfect within 0.05 wave-length. A 558‐inch spherical mirror has been parabolized with the optical axis outside of its periphery. A defective parabolic mirror was corrected for turned up and down edges. A convex spherical secondary mirror was hyperbolized. The limitations and possible applications of the method are discussed.
OOPS, Turning MIT Opencourseware into Chinese: An analysis of a community of practice of global translators

An all-volunteer organization called the Opensource Opencourseware Prototype System (OOPS), headquartered in Taiwan, was initially designed to translate open source materials from MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) site into Chinese. Given the recent plethora of open educational resources (OER), such as the OCW, the growing use of such resources by the world community, and the emergence of online global education communities to localize resources such as the OOPS, a key goal of this research was to understand how the OOPS members negotiate meanings and form a collective identity in this cross-continent online community. To help with our explorations and analyses within the OOPS translation community, several core principles from Etienne Wenger’s concept of Communities of Practice (COP) guided our analyses, including mutual engagement, joint enterprise, shared repertoire, reification, and overall identity of the community. In this paper, we detail how each of these key components was uniquely manifested within the OOPS. Three issues appeared central to the emergence, success, and challenges of the community such as OOPS: 1) strong, stable, and fairly democratic leadership; 2) participation incentives; and 3) online storytelling or opportunities to share one’s translation successes, struggles, and advice within an asynchronous discussion forum. While an extremely high level of enthusiasm among the OOPS members underpinned the success of the OOPS, discussion continues on issues related to quality control, purpose and scope, and forms of legitimate participation. This study, therefore, provides an initial window into the emergence and functioning of an online global education COP in the OER movement. Future research directions related to online global educational communities are discussed.
Interviews with seven holders of endowed chairs in nursing.

Objective: To describe the activities of selected nurses holding endowed-chair positions and the development and funding of endowed chairs. Design: Longitudinal, exploratory/descriptive. Sample, Setting, Years: Data were collected 1992–1995 from seven university nurses in five states. Methods: Questionnaire and interviews. Findings: Nurses holding endowed-chairs are highly committed to advancing nursing. There is an extremely high level of job satisfaction and also mobility into upper administrative positions. Activities commonly extend beyond the faculty role and involve working with local and national groups. Conclusions: The numbers and funding of endowed chairs in nursing are increasing. Holders are contributing significantly to the profession's advancement and to human welfare. Implications: Clinical practice and nursing's image are enhanced by the research and other scholarly activities of nurses holding endowed positions.
Trends in emergency department management of skin abscesses.

Background Abscess is a distinct skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) requiring incision and drainage (I&D). Previous national surveys combined all SSTIs to estimate abscess and evaluate management. We hypothesized that antibiotic rates are declining in response to evidence that antibiotics are unnecessary for most SSTIs requiring I&D. Methods Emergency department (ED) patients included in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2007-2010 with diagnosis codes for cutaneous abscess or SSTI were filtered using a procedure code for I&D available since 2007. The number of patients with SSTI, the percentage of patients receiving I&D, and the percentage of patients receiving antibiotics were determined. Antibiotics were characterized based on efficacy to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Results ED visits for SSTI increased from 3.55 million (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.24 million-3.86 million) in 2007 to 4.21 million (95% CI, 3.89 million-4.55 million) in 2010. Incidences of I&D rose from 736,000 (95% CI, 602,000-869,000) to 1.48 million (95% CI, 1.30 million-1.65 million) and comprised 32.2% of SSTI visits over the 4 years. In 2007, 85.1% (95% CI, 82.6%-87.7%) of patients received antibiotics after I&D with no change over 4 years. In 2010, 15.5% (95% CI, 12.1%-18.7%) received ≥2 antibiotics. Commonly prescribed antibiotics were trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (mean, 50.4%) followed by cephalexin (mean, 17.2%) and clindamycin (mean, 16.3%). Conclusion ED visits for SSTIs continue to rise. Despite mounting evidence, antibiotic use in SSTIs requiring I&D is high, and many patients receive multiple antibiotics, including drugs with no efficacy on MRSA.
Microhabitat Selection, Demography and Correlates of Home Range Size for the King Rail (Rallus elegans)

Abstract. Animal movements and habitat selection within the home range, or microhabitat selection, can provide insights into habitat requirements, such as foraging and area requirements. The King Rail (Rallus elegans) is a wetland bird of high conservation concern in the United States, but little is known about its movements, habitats, or demography. King Rails (n = 34) were captured during the 2010–2011 breeding seasons in the coastal marshes of southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. Radio telemetry and direct habitat surveys of King Rail locations were conducted to estimate home ranges and microhabitat selection. Within home ranges, King Rails selected for greater plant species richness and comparatively greater coverage of Phragmites australis, Typha spp., and Schoenoplectus robustus. King Rails were found closer to open water compared to random locations placed 50 m from King Rail locations. Home ranges (n = 22) varied from 0.8–32.8 ha and differed greatly among sites. Home range size did not vary b...
Tumor detection in nonstationary backgrounds

The authors introduce two detectors which they use to locate simulated tumors of fixed size in clinical gamma-ray images. The first method was conceived when it was observed that small tumors possess an identifiable signature in curvature feature space, where "curvature" is the local curvature of the image data when viewed as a relief map. Computed curvature values are mapped to a normalized significance space using a windowed statistic. The resulting test statistic is thresholded at a chosen level of significance to give a positive detection. Nonuniform anatomic background activity is effectively suppressed. The second detector is an adaptive prewhitening matched filter, which uses a form of preprocessing known as statistical scaling to adaptively prewhiten the background. Tests are performed using simulated Gaussian-shaped tumors superimposed on twelve clinical gamma ray images. When the tumors to be detected are small-less than 3 pixels in diameter-the curvature detector out-performs the matched filter in true positive/false positive tests. A mean true positive rate of 95% at one false positive per image is achieved when the local signal-to-noise ratio of the tumor-background is /spl ges/2. At larger tumor sizes the best performance is displayed by a different form of matched filter, namely the statistical correlation function proposed by Pratt (1991). >
Mechanisms of Hypoglycemia-Associated Autonomic Failure in Diabetes

Asymptomatic hypoglycemia is a major problem in diabetes. Mechanisms involved in a patient's inability to sense low glucose levels are reviewed. Autonomic dysfunction is a key contributor. Mechanistic studies suggest interventions that may restore the normal autonomic response.
Anisotropy in the absorption and scattering spectra of chicken breast tissue.

Oblique incidence reflectometry is a simple and accurate method for measuring the absorption and the reduced-scattering coefficients of turbid media. We used this technique to deduce absorption and reduced-scattering spectra from wavelength-resolved measurements of the relative diffuse reflectance profile of white light as a function of source–detector distance. In this study, we measured the absorption and the reduced-scattering coefficients of chicken breast tissue in the visible range (400–800 nm) with the oblique incidence probe oriented at 0° and 90° relative to the muscle fibers. We found that the deduced optical properties varied with the probe orientation. Measurements on homogenized chicken breast tissue yielded an absorption spectrum comparable with the average of the absorption spectra for 0° and 90° probe orientations measured on the unhomogenized tissue. The reduced-scattering spectrum for homogeneous tissue was greater than that acquired for unhomogenized tissue taken at either probe orientation. This experiment demonstrated the application of oblique-incidence, fiber-optic reflectometry to measurements on biological tissues and the effect of tissue structural anisotropy on optical properties.
Waveguide micro-opto-electro-mechanical resonant chemical sensors

We demonstrate a silicon micro-opto-electro-mechanical sensor based on mass-loading of a chemo-selective polymer coated onto a microbridge. The sensor is probed optically using an on-chip waveguide Fabry–Perot interferometer for high resolution displacement and resonant frequency measurement. The mechanical resonator is designed with paddles to simplify chemo-selective polymer deposition and to minimize any strain effects from the polymer during analyte sorption. Water vapor sensing experiments indicate mass-loading with minimum humidity detection of ΔRH = 0.25% corresponding to a measured limit-of-detection of 68 parts-per-million. The sensor response time constant is 30 s with minimum frequency noise of 58 Hz at 149.4 kHz resonance. The measured mass-loading resolution is 4.6 picograms. We extract the chemo-selective polymer's partition coefficient and confirm that strong sorption and mass-loading occurs. Various device improvements are discussed, including scaling up to large single-chip sensor arrays, increasing mass-loading resolution by adjusting the device geometry, and using other chemo-selective polymers with larger partition coefficients. These improvements suggest parts-per-billion limit-of-detection levels for a variety of toxic chemicals.
Isolation and Characterization of a Rat Brain Triakontatetraneuropeptide, a Posttranslational Product of Diazepam Binding Inhibitor: Specific Action at the Ro 5‐4864 Recognition Site

This report describes the purification and characterization from rat brain of triakontatetraneuropeptide (TTN, DBI 17-50), a major biologically active processing product of diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI). Brain TTN was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography with polyclonal octadecaneuropeptide, DBI 33-50) antibodies coupled to CNBr-Sepharose 4B followed by two reverse-phase HPLC steps. The amino acid sequence of the purified peptide is: Thr-Gln-Pro-Thr-Asp-Glu-Glu-Met-Leu-Phe-Ile-Tyr-Ser-His-Phe-Lys-Gln-Ala-Thr-Val - Gly-Asp-Val-Asn-Thr-Asp-Arg-Pro-Gly-Leu-Leu-Asp-Leu-Lys. Synthetic TTN injected intracerebroventricularly into rats induces a proconflict activity (IC50 0.8 nmol/rat) that is prevented by the specific "peripheral" benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor antagonist isoquinoline carboxamide, PK 11195, but not by the "central" BZ receptor antagonist imidazobenzodiazepine, flumazenil. TTN displaces [3H]Ro 5-4864 from synaptic membranes of olfactory bulb with a Ki of approximately 5 microM. TTN also enhances picrotoxinin inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-stimulated [3H]flunitrazepam binding. These data suggest that TTN, a natural DBI processing product acting at "Ro 5-4864 preferring" BZ binding site subtypes, might function as a putative neuromodulator of specific GABAA receptor-mediated effects.
Possible use of non-neuroleptic isomers of anti-psychotics in anti-sickling therapy.

Abstract Non-neuroleptic isomers and derivatives of three types of anti-psychotic drugs (phenothiazine, thioxanthene and benzocyclo-heptapyridoisoquinoline) were found to have in vitro anti-sickling activity. The anti-sickling activity of non-neuroleptic isomers is of the same magnitude as that of the anti-psychotic forms. The degree of the suppression of sickling ranged from 40–60% at a concentration of 200 μM. For these drugs, a significant correlation was found between the anti-sickling activity and the inhibition of calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase activity. A possibility is raised that deoxy hemoglobin S polymerization is influenced by membrane-linked mechanisms.
Polymorphisms of GSTT1 and related genes in head and neck cancer risk

Background. Glutathione S-transferase T1 detoxi- fies some environmental carcinogens while activating others and is deleted in 15% to 38% of humans. We sought to determine whether GSTT1 genotype and genotypes of several related genes are associated with risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). Methods. Somatic genotypes for GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1, and CYP1A1 were determined in 283 individuals with HNSCC and 208 population-based controls. Results. The OR for presenceof GSTT1 was 1.6 (CI, 1.1-2.5, p = .03). HNSCC risk was not associated with GSTM1 null genotype, the presence of the GSTP1 Val/Val genotype, or the Val/Val homozygous genotype for CYP1A1. Stratified analysis revealed disparate ORs for women (OR, 3.0; CI, 1.5-6.3) and men (OR, 1.2; CI, 0.7-2.1) for the presence of GSTT1. Conclusions. In this population, the presence of GSTT1 gene was associated with a significant increase in the risk of HNSCC. This association was particularly robust in women. B 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 26: 63-70, 2004
Optically encoded second-harmonic generation in bulk silica-based glasses

Lead oxid– and barium oxide–doped silicate glasses were optically encoded for efficient second-harmonic generation at 532 nm. Measurements of the tensor components of the encoded χ(2) grating and analysis of the radiated second-harmonic mode symmetries provide strong evidence that radial symmetries dominate the encoded χ(2) over most of the preparation-intensity regime. Gratings written with the highest-intensity writing beams radiated a free-space second-harmonic mode whose symmetry and tensor components were more consistent with an internal electric field that would evolve from a mixing process in an isotropic medium. Experiments were also performed to determine the dependence of the saturated χ(2) on the writing-beam intensities, the effect of UV irradiation before the encoding process, and the activation energy for thermal erasure of the gratings.
Automated protein motif generation in the structure-based protein function prediction tool ProMOL

ProMOL, a plugin for the PyMOL molecular graphics system, is a structure-based protein function prediction tool. ProMOL includes a set of routines for building motif templates that are used for screening query structures for enzyme active sites. Previously, each motif template was generated manually and required supervision in the optimization of parameters for sensitivity and selectivity. We developed an algorithm and workflow for the automation of motif building and testing routines in ProMOL. The algorithm uses a set of empirically derived parameters for optimization and requires little user intervention. The automated motif generation algorithm was first tested in a performance comparison with a set of manually generated motifs based on identical active sites from the same 112 PDB entries. The two sets of motifs were equally effective in identifying alignments with homologs and in rejecting alignments with unrelated structures. A second set of 296 active site motifs were generated automatically, based on Catalytic Site Atlas entries with literature citations, as an expansion of the library of existing manually generated motif templates. The new motif templates exhibited comparable performance to the existing ones in terms of hit rates against native structures, homologs with the same EC and Pfam designations, and randomly selected unrelated structures with a different EC designation at the first EC digit, as well as in terms of RMSD values obtained from local structural alignments of motifs and query structures. This research is supported by NIH grant GM078077.
Addressing wrong-way driving as a matter of policy: The Florida Experience

Wrong-way driving (WWD) incidents garner considerable interest from the media, elected representatives, and policy makers. Almost a half-century after Hulbert and Beers (1966), the National Transportation Safety Board and others continue to research WWD countermeasures. The recent increase in WWD re-kindled a national discussion in the United States of America, and is bringing about a significant change in the approach to addressing this crash type. The main purpose of this work is to present a policy-oriented framework toward addressing WWDs in a systematic manner and to suggest a systemic discipline for transforming policy objectives to actionable outcomes. To accomplish this goal, the leadership of the Florida Department of Transportation played a pivotal role in converting strategy to reality by promoting organizational linkages and active collaboration. The method included: (a) implementing pilot projects; (b) conducting a statewide study with crash evaluation and field reviews, identifying interchange types, and developing countermeasures; (c) evaluating and deploying experimental devices specifically approved by the Federal Highway Administration; (d) conceptualizing a human factors study; (e) transforming recommendations to design guidance; (f) discussing with planners on interchange types susceptible to WWDs; (g) retrofitting exit ramps with the recommended countermeasures; and (h) leveraging the media to promote awareness and to educate the public about the dangers of driving under the influence. The result of this policy push is that, from an engineering view point, design changes were made; from an education perspective, WWD awareness was prioritized; and from an enforcement angle, the Florida Highway Patrol proactively detects and addresses WWD crashes.
Phase I and other dose-ranging studies of Ondansetron

Phase I studies of intravenous (IV) ondansetron in cancer patients receiving emetogenic chemotherapy were designed to assess the degree of antiemetic protection and pattern of adverse events produced by ondansetron at various doses. In a study of 44 patients receiving various forms of chemotherapy (including cisplatin), ondansetron was administered in three IV doses 2 hours apart beginning 30 minutes prior to chemotherapy. Antiemetic efficacy was seen at all dose levels (0.04 mg/kg to 0.35 mg/kg), with 54% of patients experiencing no vomiting and 76% experiencing two or fewer vomiting episodes within the first 24 hours. Overall, ondansetron was well tolerated, and no dose-limiting toxicity was observed. The most common adverse events were mild sedation, mild headache, and transient elevations of transaminases. In a second phase I study, 45 patients receiving cisplatin (median dose 100 mg/m2) were given ondansetron in three IV doses (range, 0.01 mg/kg to 0.48 mg/kg) 4 hours apart. There was no statistically significant difference in antiemetic efficacy among dose levels from 0.06 mg/kg to 0.48 mg/kg; however, there was a trend toward a decrease in the number of patients with failure of antiemetic protection at the higher exposures. Overall, 44% of patients had no emetic episodes, and 81% of patients had two or fewer emetic episodes within the first 24 hours. The number and intensity of adverse events, of which headache was the most common, appeared to increase at the 0.48 mg/kg dose level. A randomized double-blind study that compared three dose levels of ondansetron indicated that three doses of 0.15 mg/kg was superior in efficacy to three doses of 0.015 mg/kg, and not significantly different from three doses of 0.30 mg/kg. Dystonic reactions or akathisia were not noted in any study.
Perspectives: Long-Term Work Activity and Use of Employment Supports Among New Supplemental Security Income Recipients

We present long-term cumulative statistics on the extent to which individuals who began receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability payments from 1996 through 2006 found work and used SSI work incentives. Among the 2001 award cohort, for which the richest data are available, 18.6 percent had worked by December 2007; 8.4 percent had had their SSI payments suspended because of work, but qualified for eligibility extensions under SSI's Section 1619(b) work incentive in at least 1 month; and 9.8 percent had had their payments suspended or terminated because of work regardless of their 1619(b) status. The corresponding percentages are much higher for those who were younger than 40 when they entered the SSI program for the first time as adults. In a substantial share of the months in which SSI payments were suspended or terminated because of work income, however, these individuals received Social Security Disability Insurance benefits.
THERMOREGULATION: ITS ROLE IN MICROWAVE EXPOSURE

The thermogenic properties of exposure to radio frequency (RF) and microwave fields are well recognized. Indeed, most current safety guidelines are based on the premise that significant increases in tissue temperature of RF-exposed human beings should not be permitted. While some investigators have argued that there are other responses that can be initiated at “non-thermal” levels of RF energy, concrete evidence to support this view is lacking. The term “non-thermal” is often defined in terms of the lack of a measurable increase in the temperature of exposed tissues. However, even when no changes can be measured in the deep or peripheral temperatures of the body, sensitive thermoregulatory mechanisms are mobilized to dissipate any heat generated in body tissues by the absorption of thermalizing energy from RF sources in the environment. When RF field strengths are significant, these mechanisms are so efficient that only modest increments in body temperatures may occur. However, when RF fields are very intense, as is the case with high-power microwave applications, regions of localized high specific absorption rate (SAR) may occur in which heat is generated faster than it can be dissipated. This condition poses a challenge for the thermoregulatory system of the exposed organism. In describing the role of thermoregulation in microwave exposure, this paper presents information on the organization and function of the controlling system for thermoregulation and some insights on the importance of both SAR and frequency to behavioral and autonomic thermoregulatory responses.
Factory Legislation and Management Modernization during Japan's Industrialization, 1886–1916

Faced with a labor shortage at a crucial point in the industrialization of Japan, tradition-oriented businessmen reacted not by raising wages but by longing for the authority-ordered labor relations of the past. Given this situation, the Meiji government moved to improve working conditions through non-economic means. Professor Taira shows that the debate over proposed factory legislation, along with the coming-of-age of a new generation of entrepreneurs, produced a “conversion” to modern management among businessmen of the late-Meiji generation.
Reflection on Reforming Grain Distribution System

Taking account of the reality of grain distribution system reform in Heilongjiang province, the author looks into the major problems that exist in similar areas and puts forward some measures in response to such issues as cost incurrence of the reform, aftermath roles of the government, subsidiaries to the farmers, and actions for the Agricultural Development Bank of China.
Drug conjugated nanoparticles activated by cancer cell specific mRNA

// Nathan P. Gossai 1, * , Jordan A. Naumann 1, * , Nan-Sheng Li 4 , Edward A. Zamora 1 , David J. Gordon 3 , Joseph A. Piccirilli 4, 5 , Peter M. Gordon 1, 2 1 Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA 2 University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA 3 Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA 4 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA 5 Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Peter M. Gordon, email: gord0047@umn.edu Keywords: gold nanoparticles, drug delivery, leukemia, molecularly targeted therapy, anti-sense Received: February 08, 2016 Accepted: May 01, 2016 Published: May 18, 2016 ABSTRACT We describe a customizable approach to cancer therapy in which a gold nanoparticle (Au-NP) delivers a drug that is selectively activated within the cancer cell by the presence of an mRNA unique to the cancer cell. Fundamental to this approach is the observation that the amount of drug released from the Au-NP is proportional to both the presence and abundance of the cancer cell specific mRNA in a cell. As proof-of-principle, we demonstrate both the efficient delivery and selective release of the multi-kinase inhibitor dasatinib from Au-NPs in leukemia cells with resulting efficacy in vitro and in vivo . Furthermore, these Au-NPs reduce toxicity against hematopoietic stem cells and T-cells. This approach has the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy of a drug and minimize toxicity while being highly customizable with respect to both the cancer cell specific mRNAs targeted and drugs activated.