cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Making Friends with Yourself: A Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Teens and Young Adults

Selbstmitgefuhl hat sich zu einer wichtigen Komponente moderner Psychotherapie entwickelt. In der Erwachsenenpsychotherapie liegen dazu zahlreiche wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen vor. Im Bereich der Kinder- und Jugendlichenpsychotherapie befinden sich selbstmitgefuhlsbasierte Programme noch in den Kinderstiefeln. Die Entwicklung des „Making Friends with Yourself“ soll diese Lucke adressieren. Im Folgenden wird dieses achtwochige Programm ausfuhrlich beschrieben. Dabei wird auch darauf eingegangen, wie Lehrer vorbereitet werden sollten, um Selbstmitgefuhlsubungen passend an Jugendliche zu vermitteln.
Impact of weighing procedures and variation in protein degradation rate on measured performance of growing lambs and cattle.

A lamb growth trial was conducted to evaluate soybean meal and blood meal and to compare two experimental designs (a completely randomized design and a switchback design). A larger amount of variation was observed with the switchback than with the randomized design. A larger number of animals, longer treatment period or increased number of weighings may be needed to overcome end point weighing errors and decrease the variation in the switchback design. In both designs, there was a significantly greater conversion of protein to gain for blood meal (BM)-supplemented lambs than for soybean meal (SBM)-supplemented lambs. The relative value of BM compared with SBM was 251% (completely randomized design) or 296% (switchback design). Weighing steers 2 or 3 d at the beginning and end of the trial reduced variation and increased the probability of detecting differences in daily gain, gain/feed and protein efficiency when compared with a standard weighing method (once at the beginning and once at the end of the trial). Regressing 11 weekly weights on an average of one, two or three initial and final weights also reduced variation and increased the probability of detecting treatment differences. Regressions of weekly weights were more useful as the number of initial and final weights was decreased. Daily gain and gain/feed increased linearly (P less than .05) with protein level when BM or SBM was fed. A nonlinear model was used to predict protein requirement, maximum gain and relative protein values. There was a range in relative values for BM of 255 to 348% depending on the method of analysis used.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Related to COVID-19 in Previously Healthy Children and Adolescents in New York City.

This case series describes clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of 17 previously healthy SARS-CoV-2-infected children and adolescents with an inflammatory phenotype overlapping with but distinct from Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome admitted to a New York City hospital in late April and early May 2020.
Clinical Considerations for Mental Health Professionals Working with Women Who Sell Sex

This book reviews empirical literature on a number of psychological concepts related to selling sex. The goals of the book and the boundaries of what is included can be found in Chap. 1. In brief, this book focuses on private, in-person, consensual sex acts exchanged between a cisgender woman and a paying customer. Research on men, minors, and victims of sex trafficking are deliberately excluded, unless otherwise noted. The review favors peer-reviewed sources of research and is most inclusive of comparative studies. Qualitative findings are used illustratively. This chapter is written with psychotherapists in mind, however, other helping professionals may glean insights as they see fit. To date, very little has been written about providing competent care to psychotherapy clients who are or have been involved in commercial sex. Given the paucity of clinical writings, the goal of this chapter is to explore therapeutic themes that may be relevant to women who sell sex and seek mental health services. Future research will be required to evaluate the effectiveness of particular interventions among this population. This chapter is not intended to suggest that all women who sell sex face particular psychological problems. Clinical assessment will indicate which of the discussed themes, if any, are relevant to the treatment of a particular client. We begin with some basic and ethical considerations for working with women who sell sex. We then focus on a variety of themes relevant to individualizing treatment, including suggestions for assessment and therapeutic work with women who sell sex, women transitioning out of selling sex, and women with a history of selling sex.
Inhalation injury is associated with long-term employment outcomes in the burn population: Findings from a cross-sectional examination of the Burn Model System National Database

Introduction Inhalation injuries carry significant acute care burden including prolonged ventilator days and length of stay. However, few studies have examined post-acute outcomes of inhalation injury survivors. This study compares the long-term outcomes of burn survivors with and without inhalation injury. Methods Data collected by the Burn Model System National Database from 1993 to 2019 were analyzed. Demographic and clinical characteristics for adult burn survivors with and without inhalation injury were examined. Outcomes included employment status, Short Form-12/Veterans Rand-12 Physical Composite Score (SF-12/VR-12 PCS), Short Form-12/Veterans Rand-12 Mental Composite Score (SF-12/VR-12 MCS), and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) at 24 months post-injury. Regression models were used to assess the impacts of sociodemographic and clinical covariates on long-term outcome measures. All models controlled for demographic and clinical characteristics. Results Data from 1,871 individuals were analyzed (208 with inhalation injury; 1,663 without inhalation injury). The inhalation injury population had a median age of 40.1 years, 68.8% were male, and 69% were White, non-Hispanic. Individuals that sustained an inhalation injury had larger burn size, more operations, and longer lengths of hospital stay (p<0.001). Individuals with inhalation injury were less likely to be employed at 24 months post-injury compared to survivors without inhalation injury (OR = 0.63, p = 0.028). There were no significant differences in PCS, MCS, or SWLS scores between groups in adjusted regression analyses. Conclusions Burn survivors with inhalation injury were significantly less likely to be employed at 24 months post-injury compared to survivors without inhalation injury. However, other health-related quality of life outcomes were similar between groups. This study suggests distinct long-term outcomes in adult burn survivors with inhalation injury which may inform future resource allocation and treatment paradigms.
Homeostasis, environmental tracking and phenotypic plasticity. I. A robust control theory approach to evolutionary design tradeoffs

Regulatory control systems respond to environmental changes and maintain homeostatic setpoints. The evolutionary design of regulatory control balances various tradeoffs in performance. Fast reaction to environmental change tends to favor plastic responsiveness at the expense of greater sensitivity to short-term perturbations that degrade homeostatic control. Greater stability against unpredictable disturbances tends to reduce performance in the target environment. This article applies the classic principles of engineering control theory to the evolutionary design of regulatory systems. The engineering theory clarifies the conceptual aspects of evolutionary tradeoffs and provides analytic methods for developing specific predictions. On the conceptual side, this article clarifies the meanings of integral control, feedback, and design, concepts that have been discussed in a confusing way within the biological literature. Error-correcting feedback is perhaps the single greatest principle of design in both human-engineered and naturally designed systems. This article presents extensive methods of analysis and examples for error-correcting feedback. The broad framework and associated software code provide a comprehensive how-to guide for making models of regulatory control. The analysis also provides the outlines of a unified theory of regulatory control and the basis for making specific comparative predictions about regulatory design in response to various kinds of environmental challenge.
Analytical and experimental study of a clamped-clamped, bistable buckled beam low-frequency PVDF vibration energy harvester

Abstract Vibration-based energy harvesting devices have drawn interest as a potential low-maintenance power source for a variety of applications, such as for systems involving distributed networks of remote sensors. In this work, an energy harvesting system is considered that is based on bistable, buckled beams and the flexible piezoelectric polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The stability and dynamic response of the structure under vibration loading is modeled, and the resulting output voltage is analytically predicted. Modeling outputs are compared with experimental results for driving frequencies below 30 Hz, the range for many common vibration energy harvesting environments. The modeling approach used in this work is based on coupled electrical-mechanical equations of motion for a geometrically nonlinear Euler-Bernoulli piezoelectric beam that were developed via Hamilton's principle. A component sectioning procedure was used in conjunction with implementation of matching conditions at the boundaries to solve for the nonlinear static and linearized dynamic structural equations. These gave both the buckling and dynamic shape functions, which were used as a basis for finding the device nonlinear dynamic response. Several parameters including vibrational motion, output voltage, and frequency response were analyzed both theoretically and experimentally under different driving conditions. Good agreement was found between the developed model and the experiments, particularly with respect to predicted regimes of behavior and power output. The results suggest that the proposed modeling approach could be successfully implemented in the design and analysis of other multi-component piezoelectric-based energy harvesting systems.
Algebraic monodromy groups of $l$-adic representations of Gal$(\overline{\mathbb{Q}} /\mathbb{Q})$

In this paper we prove that for any connected reductive algebraic group G and a large enough prime l , there are continuous homomorphisms Gal ( ℚ ∕ ℚ ) → G ( ℚ l ) with Zariski-dense image, in particular we produce the first such examples for SL n , Sp 2 n , Spin n , E 6 sc and E 7 sc . To do this, we start with a mod- l representation of Gal ( ℚ ∕ ℚ ) related to the Weyl group of G and use a variation of Stefan Patrikis’ generalization of a method of Ravi Ramakrishna to deform it to characteristic zero.
Operation time effect on rates of perioperative complications after operative treatment of distal radius fractures.

Abstract Purpose The purpose is to identify the impact of operation time length on complications for patients undergoing operative treatment of distal radius fracture. Methods Patients who underwent operative treatments for distal radius fractures were identified in a national database. Data collected include patient demographic information, comorbidities, and complications. Results Operation time was found to be an independent predictor for return to the operating room. Operation time was not found to be a predictor of other postoperative complications. Conclusion Surgeons should work to shorten procedure duration whenever possible to minimize the risks that longer operative times can have on patient outcomes.
Asparagine Biosynthesis as a Mechanism of Increased Virulence of Serratia marcescens in Simulated Microgravity Environments

SummaryWe evaluate potential mechanisms for increased virulence of Serratia marcescens in low-shear modeled microgravity (LSMMG). LSMMG is used in ground-based studies to model the effects of microgravity as experienced in spaceflight. Our previous findings showed that both spaceflight and LSMMG treatment increased the virulence of S. marcescens in the Drosophila melanogaster host. Here, we present evidence that LSMMG increases asparagine uptake and synthesis in S. marcescens, and can potentially prime the pathogen to compete effectively with host cells during infection. The increased virulence of LSMMG bacteria grown in rich media can be recapitulated in minimal media by adding only aspartate and glutamine, the substrates of asparagine biosynthesis. We also find that L-asparaginase mediated break-down of asparagine is an effective countermeasure for the LSMMG-induced increase in virulence. This investigation helps uncover mechanisms that underlie increased virulence of human pathogens during spaceflight and provides a potential mitigation strategy.
Endoscopic Removal of Foreign Body Within the Ureter

Abstract Introduction: Migration of surgical clips is a well-known phenomenon that is not uncommon. Migration of clips into the ureter is a rarely described event with only few case reports describ...
The LLV decomposition of hyper-Kähler cohomology (the known cases and the general conjectural behavior)

Looijenga–Lunts and Verbitsky showed that the cohomology of a compact hyper-Kahler manifold X admits a natural action by the Lie algebra $$\mathfrak {so} (4, b_2(X)-2)$$ , generalizing the Hard Lefschetz decomposition for compact Kahler manifolds. In this paper, we determine the Looijenga–Lunts–Verbitsky (LLV) decomposition for all known examples of compact hyper-Kahler manifolds, and propose a general conjecture on the weights occurring in the LLV decomposition, which in particular determines strong bounds on the second Betti number $$b_2(X)$$ of hyper-Kahler manifolds (see Kim and Laza in Bull Soc Math Fr 148(3):467–480, 2020). Specifically, in the $$K3^{[n]}$$ and $$\mathrm {Kum}_n$$ cases, we give generating series for the formal characters of the associated LLV representations, which generalize the well-known Gottsche formulas for the Euler numbers, Betti numbers, and Hodge numbers for these series of hyper-Kahler manifolds. For the two exceptional cases of O’Grady (OG6 and OG10) we refine the known results on their cohomology. In particular, we note that the LLV decomposition leads to a simple proof for the Hodge numbers of hyper-Kahler manifolds of $$\mathrm {OG}10$$ type. In a different direction, for all known examples of hyper-Kahler manifolds, we establish the so-called Nagai’s conjecture on the monodromy of degenerations of hyper-Kahler manifolds. More consequentially, we note that Nagai’s conjecture is a first step towards a more general and more natural conjecture, that we state here. Finally, we prove that this new conjecture is satisfied by the known types of hyper-Kahler manifolds.
Epigenetic DNA Modifications Upregulate SPRY2 in Human Colorectal Cancers

Conventional wisdom is that Sprouty2 (SPRY2), a suppressor of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) signaling, functions as a tumor suppressor and is downregulated in many solid tumors. We reported, for the first time, that increased expression of SPRY2 augments cancer phenotype and Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this report, we assessed epigenetic DNA modifications that regulate SPRY2 expression in CRC. A total of 4 loci within SPRY2 were evaluated for 5mC using Combined Bisulfite Restriction Analysis (COBRA). Previously sequenced 5hmC nano-hmC seal data within SPRY2 promoter and gene body were evaluated in CRC. Combined bioinformatics analyses of SPRY2 CRC transcripts by RNA-seq/microarray and 450K methyl-array data archived in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GEO database were performed. SPRY2 protein in CRC tumors and cells was measured by Western blotting. Increased SPRY2 mRNA was observed across several CRC datasets and increased protein expression was observed among CRC patient samples. For the first time, SPRY2 hypomethylation was identified in adenocarcinomas in the promoter and gene body. We also revealed, for the first time, increases of 5hmC deposition in the promoter region of SPRY2 in CRC. SPRY2 promoter hypomethylation and increased 5hmC may play an influential role in upregulating SPRY2 in CRC.
Perceived Control and Adjustment to Infertility among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

Infertility is, by definition, a loss of control over one’s reproductive ability. Yet very little systematic empirical research has examined how the objective facts of infertility translate into subjective experiences of personal control. On the one hand, infertile individuals are poignantly aware of their inability to control reproduction, and this perceived lack of control might increase the psychological distress of infertility. On the other hand, infertile individuals may differ widely in how they interpret their unsuccessful efforts to conceive. Some may emphasize the available options for enhancing the probability of becoming pregnant, rather than focusing on their past failure to conceive. Particularly for those who persist in efforts to conceive, the belief that personal efforts make a difference may be essential.
Status of the Algebraic Approach to Super Riemann Surfaces

I review the description of super Riemann surfaces as algebraic curves in projective superspace, as opposed to the usual descriptions as 2d supergravity geometries or (1,1) supermanifolds with superconformai structure. Some applications and several open problems in this approach are described.
Chapter 64 The functional significance of event-related spectral changes (ERD/ERS) from the perspective of electrocorticography

Publisher Summary The most commonly used index of cortical activation in electro physiological recordings is the event-related potential (ERP), derived from averaging the signal in the time domain. An alternative approach, event-related spectral averaging (ERSA) consists of examining event-related changes in the power spectrum of the electrophysiological signals. In this approach, the signal is converted into the frequency domain before averaging across trials. The theoretical basis for studying the event-related changes in electroencephalography (EEG) power spectra is derived from the studies of oscillatory activity in recordings of single units, multiple units, local field potentials (LFP), and large neuronal populations— that is, EEG and MEG, as well as computer simulations of the neural circuits. This chapter discusses the power augmentation in the gamma band. Synchronization at gamma frequencies was hypothesized to form a temporal code that dynamically “binds” the spatially segregated neurons into assemblies, representing higher order or global stimulus properties. Synchronization identifies neurons, belonging to different assemblies, solving the “superposition problem” of assembly coding. These hypotheses have been linked with gamma oscillations by experiments demonstrating synchronization of single unit firing bursts with LFP gamma oscillations, raising the possibility that gamma oscillations facilitate and/or are facilitated by neuronal synchronization. Because of the theoretical significance of gamma oscillations, they have been studied in humans, using EEG and MEG. Gamma oscillations are observed in auditory cortex during tone bursts. Based on the theoretical roles of gamma oscillations in cortical processing and alpha oscillations in thalamocortical gating of cortical processing, it may be hypothesized that the neurophysiological mechanisms of alpha event-related desynchronization (ERD) serve to facilitate cortical processing. Based on the theoretical roles of gamma oscillations in cortical processing and alpha oscillations in thalamocortical gating of cortical processing, it is hypothesized that the neurophysiological mechanisms of alpha ERD facilitates cortical processing.
New findings for concreteness and imagery effects in written composition

This experiment investigated the effects ofword concreteness and either imagery, verbal,or control strategy instructions on thecomposition of written definitions. Resultsrevealed significant effects of wordconcreteness on several quantity and qualityvariables, but no significant effect ofstrategy instructions or interaction betweenconcreteness and strategy instructions. Results of self-ratings of strategies actuallyused in composing revealed that a mentalimagery strategy was used with concrete wordsand a verbal strategy was used with abstractwords regardless of strategy instructions. Findings replicated the results of Tirre,Manelis and Leicht [(1979) Journal of ReadingBehavior 11, 99–106] in the production ofwritten composition on word relationships, andpartially replicated the results of Sadoski,Kealy, Goetz and Paivio [(1997) Journal of EducationalPsychology 89, 518–526] in the timedwritten production of word definitions. Results are interpreted from Dual Coding Theoryand levels of processing perspectives.
Use of Intraoperative Navigation for Minimally Invasive Retrieval of a Broken Dental Needle

This report describes a case of needle breakage during an inferior alveolar nerve block to perform a restorative dental procedure on a 13-year-old patient. The needle was removed in a minimally invasive fashion using a Medtronic StealthStation S7 surgical navigation system and custom interocclusal splint to allow for stable, identically repeatable positioning of the mandible. This report adds another example of the utility of image-guided surgery for the removal of foreign bodies from the head and neck region in a minimally invasive fashion.
The Radon Transform on ℝn

It was proved by J. Radon in 1917 that a differentiable function on ℝ3 can be determined explicitly by means of its integrals over the planes in ℝ3. Let J(ω, p) denote the integral of f over the hyperplane 〈x, ω〉 = p, ω denoting a unit vector and 〈,〉 the inner product.
The growth of peak velocity, noise, and signals in O-type electron beams

A new phenomenon, the growth of peak velocity of an electron beam originating from a shielded gun, has been investigated. Its behavior with distance, magnetic field, and phasing between beam voltage pulse and heater current zero is presented. This phenomenon bears a general but not a detailed resemblance to the noise growth observed by previous investigators. The noise growth phenomenon has been re-examined in detail on the beam used for peak velocity growth measurements. The single most striking observation is that whereas peak velocity and 3-kmc noise growth take place at magnetic field strength primarily above the Brillouin flow value, 3-kmc signal growth occurs only at magnetic fields below the Brillouin value. A combination of linear axially symmetric surface-wave mode theory and simple intermodulation theory is unable to describe quantitatively the noise growth rate. Consideration of other axially-symmetric modes on near-Brillouin beams, namely body modes and near-synchronous modes, also leads to poor correlation with experiment. It seems likely that the correct explanation involves consideration of one or more of the following: 1) theta-varying dc beam media, 2) theta-varying RF excitation, or 3) a more accurate nonlinear representation of noise.
Effects of Free Fatty Acids and Glucose on Splanchnic Insulin Dynamics

The mechanism of hyperinsulinemia that accompanies insulin resistance in some abdominally obese and diabetic individuals is poorly understood. Both increased secretion of insulin and decreased clearance have been demonstrated. The present study was undertaken to examine the role of free fatty acids (FFAs) and glucose in regulating splanchnic insulin dynamics in vivo. Plasma FFA levels were raised approximately twofold via an intralipid/heparin infusion in eight lean women. Insulin dynamics were assessed using the individual's C-peptide kinetic coefficients. Studies were performed in the basal state and during two levels of glycemia, 7 and 11 mmol/l. Studies were repeated using saline, and thus each subject served as her own control. Under basal conditions, raising FFA flux resulted in a modest increase in plasma insulin concentration (PIC) secondary to an increase in insulin secretion rate (ISR); however, endogenous insulin clearance (EIC) was not influenced. During the 7 mmol/l hyperglycemic clamp, maintaining a high FFA flux resulted in a 30% increase in PIC above the effect produced by glucose alone. This represents the cumulative effects of stimulation of ISR and inhibition of EIC. Clamping plasma glucose at 11 mmol/l while maintaining a high FFA flux increased PIC twofold above that produced by glucose alone. This increase in PIC was mainly due to a significant reduction in EIC without an accompanying increase in ISR (392 ± 159 and 787 ± 187 ml/min with and without intralipid infusion, respectively). Analysis of variance indicated that the suppressive effect of FFA on EIC was independent of the effect of glucose. The effect of the two substrates seems to be additive.
DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW PRODUCT FOR THE CIVIL DEFENSE PROGRAM

SUMMARY– Development of a new cereal-based product—proposed as a replacement for existing rations now used in the Civil Defense Ration Program—is described. Major emphasis was placed on developing a product containing adequate amounts of protein (46 g/day vs 14 g/day for existing rations) and at a competitive cost. Selection of raw materials, nutritive value and processing conditions were developed to meet these and other criteria of the Office of Civil Defense. Major ingredients were whole wheat flour, casein and lard. The finished product cost was 20c/lb vs 23c/lb for the existing rations. Application of these efforts to other civilian areas is discussed.
On the application of equivocation for the extraction of features from imperfectly labeled patterns

Upper and lower bounds on the equivocation I calculated from the probability density functions of perfectly labeled patterns are presented in terms of the equivocation I obtained from the probability density functions of imperfectly labeled patterns. Furthermore, it is shown that the minimization of I minimizes an upper bound on the probability of misrecognition.
Who is the fairest of them all? An attributional approach to price fairness perceptions

Abstract We use attribution theory to understand consumers' perceptions of fairness of price increases. Using the dual entitlement (DE) principle, researchers in the past have suggested that price increases will be perceived as fairer if they are cost-justified. In this study, we empirically demonstrate that this is not universally true. We conduct three experiments to examine the fairness perception on two attributional dimensions — locus of cause and controllability. We find empirical evidence to conclude that even cost-justified price increases can be perceived as less fair when the locus of causality is internal to the seller and/or when the price increase is within the volitional control of the seller. For example, when competitors' prices stay the same or when the cost increase is directly attributable to the seller's actions, even cost-justified price increases are seen as less fair. Implications of these findings for managers and policymakers are discussed.
Playing it again: A study of vaudeville and the aesthetics of incorporation in restoration France

(1989). Playing it again: A study of vaudeville and the aesthetics of incorporation in restoration France. Nineteenth-Century Contexts: Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 197-210.
Cue utilization and hippocampal lesions in rats

Hippocampal lesioned and sham-operated control rats were trained on a go, no-go task to assess the importance of multiple relevant cues on learning. When one stimulus (e.g., a light) was presented during the go trials and a second stimulus (e.g., a tone) was presented during the no-go trials, the lesioned animals performed more poorly than the control animals. However, when a light-tone combination was presented during the go (or no-go in a second condition) trials, and their absence signified the no-go trials (or the go trials), the performance of the lesioned and control animals did not differ. The data suggest that the use of multiple cues in an operant go, no-go discrimination task does not necessarily eliminate the learning deficit typically seen on this task by animals with hippocampal lesions. The manner in which these cues are presented is also important.
The 1996 Gorda Ridge eruption: geologic mapping, sidescan sonar, and SeaBeam comparison results

Abstract As part of a response effort following the February 1996 T-wave swarm on the North Gorda Ridge, camera tows were conducted at the site in April and discovered that a lava flow had erupted onto the seafloor during the earthquake swarm. The lava flow is located on axis between 42.665° and 42.688°N, just south of the axial high of the ridge segment, near the northern extent of T-wave epicenters, and under the site where a hydrothermal event plume was found 2 weeks after the swarm began. Temperature sensors on the camera sled recorded anomalies up to 0.5°C over and near the new flow, showing that it was still actively cooling. Data from camera tows, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives, sidescan sonar imagery, and SeaBeam resurveys show that the new flow is 2.6 km long, 400 m wide, and up to 75 m thick, with a volume of 18×106 m3. We interpret that this flow was erupted during the first half of the T-wave swarm. A combination of T-wave, plume, sidescan, and SeaBeam evidence also suggests that another lava flow (not imaged by camera or ROV) may have erupted ∼8 km to the south between 42.605° and 42.615°N, where the second half of the T-wave swarm was concentrated. However, this possible second eruption site remains unconfirmed.
Chips, Bits, and the Law: An Economic Geography of Internet Gambling

Online gambling offers valuable insights into the relationship between real and virtual places. Gambling in most countries is highly regulated, with its geography reflecting the licensing of gambli...
X-Ray Scattering and Thermal Characterization of α,β-Dimethyl Stilbene Polycarbonates

Abstract Structural and thermal characterization is reported for a series of recently synthesized1 liquid crystalline polycarbonates based on di-methyl substituted stilbene mesogen and methylene-containing flexible spacer of length n. In this work, we focus on the α, β-dimethyl stilbene (DMS-n) polycarbonates and on the comparison between them and α-methyl stilbene (HMS-n) polycarbonates2–4, especially those with heptane spacer. Wide angle X-ray scattering patterns show that DMS polycarbonates are able to form a nematic liquid crystalline phase. However, the liquid crystalline phase is generally not stable with respect to the crystalline phase. In the DMS polycarbonates, no distinct isotropic-to-nematic (i → lc) transition is seen either by polarizing optical microscopy or by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We suggest that the steric effect of the second lateral substituent results in a less stable, virtual mesophase. For DMS-n, an odd-even effect is observed in the crystallization and melting te...
Differential expression and phosphorylation of distinct STAT3 proteins during granulocytic differentiation.

External stimuli act in concert with intracellular signals to regulate a cell's genetic program, activating genes important in granulocytic lineage commitment, proliferation, and maturation. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a transcription factor, has been implicated in mediating granulocytic differentiation. We have examined the role of STAT3 as a physiologic mediator of granulocytic kinetics. Distinct isoforms—the long form STAT3α, the truncated forms STAT3β and STAT3γ, and a putative novel form STAT3δ—were expressed and activated in a maturation stage–specific manner. With the progression of differentiation, the ratio of isoforms shifted from predominantly STAT3α to STAT3β. The kinetics of STAT3γ, generated through proteolytic cleavage of STAT3α, coincided with but were inverse to those of STAT3α. STAT3δ was expressed at low levels and decreased with differentiation but was preferentially phosphorylated during an intermediate stage of maturation. Under different culture conditions (pH, O2 tension [pO2], IL-3), we found that the expression and phosphorylation status of the different STAT3 isoforms displayed unique kinetic patterns that correlated with the effects on granulocyte differentiation. The evidence suggests that signals triggered by pH, pO2, and IL-3 each converge on STAT3 through independent mechanisms, exploiting the flexibility granted by the diversity in expression and phosphorylation of the different STAT3 isoforms, to regulate distinct granulocytic cell responses. The selective expression of STAT3 isoforms and their activation is a major determinant of granulocytic cell development and provides a molecular basis for evaluating the effects of various environmental factors on the STAT3-mediated signaling pathway.
Can money market mutual funds provide sufficient liquidity to replace deposit insurance

Narrow banking is an arrangement in which deposittaking and lending functions are separated and performed by different institutions. This separation is aimed at avoiding panics at uninsured banks, without moral hazard associated with deposit insurance. Money Market Mutual Funds (MMMFs) are promoted as replacements for bank deposits. For MMMFs to compete with banks, they must be able to withstand a monetary shock without losing shareholders in a flight to quality at government-insured institutions. VAR analysis indicates that MMMFsincrease share issue subsequent to a monetary tightening. This bolsters the case that liquidity can be provided in a narrow banking framework.
Pain Relief in the Intensive Care Unit

Treatment of severe pain in the intensive care unit first requires an assessment of pain type: nociceptive, cen tral, visceral, or referred. Narcotics given parenterally are the most commonly used agents for severe nocicep tive pain. Attention to potency, lipophilicity, route of administration, and side effects are all important. Cen tral nervous system pain may require nonnarcotic adju vants, anticonvulsants, or monoamine altering drugs for effective analgesia. The concomitance of emotional suf fering with the pain is an important problem to recog nize so that psychiatric disorders are properly treated.
POSSIBILITY OF HYPERFRAGMENT FORMATION IN K$sup -$-d REACTIONS

If there exist bound ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-neutron and/or ${\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}$-proton systems, the interaction between slow ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-mesons and deuterons may be an effective means for their production. Estimates are given for the ratio $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ of production of bound states to the corresponding free states for the reactions ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}+d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{\ensuremath{-}}+n+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+} or {\ensuremath{\Lambda}}^{0}+p+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, where the ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ is supposed to be bound in a low-lying atomic orbit. The following connected alternatives must be considered: (1) ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ is scalar or pseudoscalar, (2) the capture takes place from an atomic $s$- or $p$-state, (3) the final bound state is $^{3}S$ or $^{1}S$. The $^{3}S$ and $^{1}S$ cases are qualitatively different. Apart from this it turns out that $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ depends mainly on the binding energy of the hyperon-nucleon system and is insensitive to its effective range. If the (${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{\ensuremath{-}}, n$) system is bound in a $^{3}S$-state with an energy \ensuremath{\sim}1 Mev, $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ may be anticipated to be of order unity. It is also noted that the reactions in question may yield partially polarized hyperon beams.
Inhibition of lordosis in female rats by subcutaneous implants of testosterone, androstenedione or dihydrotestosterone in infancy.

Abstract Female rats were implanted on the day of birth with Silastic capsules containing nonesterified testosterone, androstenedione, or dihydrotestosterone. The date of vaginal opening was assessed until sacrifice. The animals were ovariectomized, treated with estradiol benzoate and progesterone, and tested for the display of lordosis. The animals were then administered testosterone propionate and the size of the phallus was taken. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone completely inhibited vaginal opening; androstenedione was partially effective. Testosterone almost completely inhibited lordosis behavior; androstenedione was partially effective and dihydrotestosterone was ineffective. All three androgens facilitated phallic development.
Differential diagnosis of etiologic types of hypertension

Abstract In differential diagnosis of the etiologic types of hypertension, the history and results of the physical examination and a few laboratory tests will indicate the bulk of patients with one of the known causes of hypertension. These are the patients who deserve further study. For most of those without suggestive signs, a diagnosis of essential hypertension is justified, and for the remaining few, clinical judgment will determine the extent to which further investigation seems warranted.
Soybean yield response to residual NO3−N and applied N

During 1976 through 1978, 10N treatments (combinations of N application times and rates) were used in a corn study. Those treatments created different levels of soil NO 3 − −N content that were well-suited to a study of the influence of residual NO 3 − −N and applied N on soybean yield. In April 1979 we applied ammonium nitrate at rates of 0, 75, or 150 kg N/ha to three subplots formed from each of the whole plots (previous N treatment plots). With N fertilization in 1979, seed yield increased where the residual NO 3 − −N amount was less than 190 kg/ha but decreased where the residual amount was greater than 190 kg/ha. As the NO 3 − −N content in the soil increased by 1 kg/ha, the soybean yield increase due to N fertilization in 1979 decreased by approximately 4 kg/ha.
Quantitative Auger electron spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering of potassium-implanted silicon, silica and sodium trisilicate

Abstract Samples of silicon, silica, and sodium trisilicate, which were ion implanted with potassium, were analyzed by Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS). Depth profiles obtained by both techniques showed that approximately 50% of the implanted potassium migrated from the subsurface implant region to the surface for both the silica and sodium trisilicate samples. Less migration was detected for the silicon samples. Analyses of the results suggest that some of the ion migration observed in Auger depth profiles is induced by the analysis technique. With this exception, it is demonstrated that a combination of AES and RBS techniques can provide quantitative compositional analyses for altered glass surfaces.
Nursing in Russia: A "travelogue".

Abstract The following article provides highlights from a Russian and United States-sponsored nursing conference entitled, “Building Bridges Between US and Russian Nurses.” This “travelogue” was written by two pediatrics nurses who participated in the 2003 conference. One of these nurses, Rachel, has been a co-organizer of these biannual conferences. Rachel and Diane have had significant, ongoing interests in Russia and Russian nursing. In their travelogue, they use first person to accentuate what was most meaningful to them. The background information about Russian nursing is an example of collaborative work among Rachel, Diane, and their Russian colleague, Marina, a pediatrics nurse from St. Petersburg, Russia.
Optimal clip application and intraoperative angiography for intracranial aneurysms

Abstract BACKGROUND The actual incidence of residual aneurysm after clipping is unknown. The natural history of residual aneurysm can be regrowth and hemorrhage. Intraoperative angiography offers a cost-effective, safe interdiction to the problem of residual aneurysm and parent vessel stenosis. METHODS/RESULTS Forty consecutive patients harboring 54 aneurysms underwent 42 operative procedures to clip 52 aneurysms, during which 220 intraoperative angiographic runs were performed. Ninety-three percent of the procedures were performed on patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. There were 4 giant (>2.5 cm, 4/52 = 8%, all anterior circulation), 21 large (1.0-2.5 cm, 21/52 = 40%, 16/21 = 76% anterior circulation, 6/21 = 28% posterior circulation), and 27 small ( CONCLUSION A grading scale was applied to test the relationship between anatomical site and size as they relate to the necessity for clip adjustment for complete aneurysm obliteration and/or parent artery compromise. Significance was related to site (basilar bifurcation, anterior communicating, middle cerebral bifurcation, and ophthalmic) and size (>1.0 cm), both as independent and codependent variables. An analysis of the cost-effectiveness of intraoperative angiography was demonstrated.
SU-E-T-206: Standardization in Documentation Format Can Significantly Reduce Manual Data Entry Error in Patient Chart.

Purpose: To demonstrate that standardization in documentation format can significantly reduce manual data entry error in patient chart. Method and Materials: Due to lack of direct data link between CT on rail imaging registration software and patient R&V system, therapists have to manually enter translation correction of patient position into R&V system after performing imaging registration between CTimage taken just before treatment delivery and treatment planningCTimage. Approximately six months after CT on rail was placed into clinical service, we started requiring therapists to use a standard format to document the shifts when they manually enter data to reduce manual data entry error rate. The therapist manual data entry errors in R&V system before (551 entries) and after the format standardization (1645 entries) are the subjects of statistical analysis. The errors are divided into two categories (recoverable and non‐recoverable errors) depending on whether a human being can recover the translation shifts in lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions from the therapist notes. Fisher's exact test is performed to test the statistical significance of therapist's data entry error reduction after our imposing the documentation format requirement. Temporal information on when the errors were made is also analyzed to find out when errors are more likely to happen. Results:Statistical analysis indicated that reductions in the numbers of recoverable, non‐recoverable, and total errors after standardization in document format are all statistically significant with p values less than 0.05. Conclusion: A simple and low cost measure like standardization in document format can significantly reduce the errors operators introduce to patient R&V system when they perform manual data entry. We hope our experience will convince people to follow more disciplined documentation rule to reduce the error rate and therefore potentially can improve the quality of patient care when manual data entry is involved.
Evacuated-tube directional-radiating cooling system

Abstract A new type of radiative cooling system is described. The radiator makes use of nonimaging optics and evacuated-tube technology to radiate significant amounts of heat to the 3 K environment of outer space. The nonimaging optics are used to direct the radiation overhead, through the most transparent part of the 8–13 μm atmospheric window. The required optical concentration is small, and relatively simple mirror geometries are possible. The evacuated-tube technology is used to attain storage temperatures at or below the freezing point, even when dewpoint temperatures are well above the freezing point.
An experimental UAV system for search and rescue challenge

The overall UAV approach discussed in this article provided satisfactory performance for the avionics systems; however, the design is limited with regard to the wireless link and the image processing. Future development will focus on redesign of the airframe platform, the wireless link, and the image processing. UAV flight characteristics need to be better understood and more thoroughly tested to accommodate less-than-ideal flight conditions. Full analyses of the link margin for spectrum management and of risk assessment to handle flight failure/termination events, e.g., loss of data link, GPS, or autopilot, are needed. Overall, the design experience demonstrated systems trade-offs present in a practical vehicle and UAV capabilities even using off-the-shelf component integration. The prototype UAV could be used for aerial mapping, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue at a cost significantly lower than using traditional full-size aircraft for the same missions.
Impact of consumers' personal characteristics on hedonic prices of energy-conserving durables

Abstract Since the oil crisis of 1973, American consumers have made progress conserving energy, but the average home remains far short of its potential thermal efficiency. An incentive for investing in energy-conserving home improvements is the potential increment they make to the home sale price. Our purpose was to determine whether the addition that energy-conserving improvements made to home sale prices (hedonic price) varied with the demographic characteristics of the buyers. Nonpooled regression analysis was used to estimate the hedonic prices of the housing attributes for each group of consumers. The focus was on wall and ceiling insulation, as well as wood or vinyl window frames. The hedonic prices of these features tended to vary with consumers' ages, levels of education and per capita incomes, but not with household size.
Extracellular matrix and hormones transcriptionally regulate bovine beta-casein 5' sequences in stably transfected mouse mammary cells.

Abstract Milk protein regulation involves synergistic action of lactogenic hormones and extracellular matrix (ECM). It is well established that substratum has a dramatic effect on morphology and function of mammary cells. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the ECM- and hormone-dependent gene expression, however, have not been resolved. To address this question, a subpopulation (designated CID 9) of the mouse mammary epithelial cell strain COMMA-1D has been developed in which more than 35% of the cells express beta-casein, form alveoli-like structures when plated onto a reconstituted basement membrane, and secrete beta-casein unidirectionally into a lumen. These cells were stably transfected with a series of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion genes to study transcriptional regulation of the bovine beta-casein gene. The expression of CAT in these lines demonstrated a striking matrix and hormone dependency (greater than 150-fold induction in some cases). This regulation occurred primarily at the transcriptional level and was dependent on the length of the 5' flanking region of the beta-casein promotor. Both matrix and hormonal control of transcription occurred within at least the first 1790 base pairs upstream and/or 42 base pairs downstream of the transcriptional initiation site. The ECM effect was independent of glucocorticoid stimulation. However, prolactin was essential and hydrocortisone further increased CAT expression. Endogenous beta-casein expression in these lines was similar to that of the parent CID 9 cells. Our data indicate the existence of matrix-dependent elements that regulate transcription.