cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Food Safety Regulations for Childcare Programs: State Agency Perspectives

Regulations for childcare facilities vary greatly in terms of licenses, services provided, times of operation, and type of care offered. Food safety regulations are determined by each state and they can differ depending on the type of childcare operation (childcare centers and in-home operations). Determining differences between food safety regulations for childcare centers and in-home operations is important to establish food safety education and training needs specific to each setting. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to identify food safety regulations of both center and in-home childcare operations through a questionnaire distributed to personnel responsible for the Child and Adult Care Food Program in each of the 50 states. A total of 41 representatives from 29 states completed the questionnaire. Different state agencies and personnel were involved in the regulation and licensing of childcare facilities. Personnel from most states reported having different opening requirements and food safety regulations between childcare centers and in-home childcare operations. The difference reported most often was the requirement for childcare centers to follow public state and local food safety regulations, while in-home operations are not required to follow these regulations. In-home operations are subject to licensing standards alone—or they have no regulations at all—in most of the responding states. However, similar food safety concerns and needs for education and training were reported for centers and in-home operations. Results from this study are intended to inform the future development of food safety education and training materials for childcare facilities.
Mouse Microbiota Models: Comparing Germ-Free Mice and Antibiotics Treatment as Tools for Modifying Gut Bacteria

As the intestinal microbiota has become better appreciated as necessary for maintenance of physiologic homeostasis and also as a modulator of disease processes, there has been a corresponding increase in manipulation of the microbiota in mouse models. While germ-free mouse models are generally considered to be the gold standard for studies of the microbiota, many investigators turn to antibiotics treatment models as a rapid, inexpensive, and accessible alternative. Here we describe and compare these two approaches, detailing advantages and disadvantages to both. Further, we detail what is known about the effects of antibiotics treatment on cell populations, cytokines, and organs, and clarify how this compares to germ-free models. Finally, we briefly describe recent findings regarding microbiota regulation of infectious diseases and other immunologic challenges by the microbiota, and highlight important future directions and considerations for the use of antibiotics treatment in manipulation of the microbiota.
Neutronic Space-Time Effects with Thermal-Hydraulic Feedback in Large Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Liquid-Metal Fast Breeder Reactors

Two-dimensional multigroup space-time kinetics calculations with thermal-hydraulic feedback were performed for 1000- and 1800-MW(electric) homogeneous and heterogeneous liquid-metal fast breeder reactors. The recent development of the FX2-TH code has made feasible an evaluation of the importance of spatial effects in the calculation of operational fast reactor transients. This paper concerns two basic questions. The first is the relative capability of point kinetics and space-time kinetics calculations in predicting reactor parameters under an initiating transient due to the asymmetric withdrawal of a single control rod. The second question concerns the neutronic transient behavior with thermal-hydraulic feedback of homogeneous and heterogeneous LMFBR cores. 6 refs.
What Is the Optimal Timing of Endoscopy

Management of an acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the acute care setting is challenging because definitive care requires emergency endoscopy. Since an emergency endoscopy is an unscheduled and unpredictable event, 24-hour access to specialists is critical. Effective communication of the urgency for the endoscopy to the on-call specialist may determine how quickly the endoscopy is performed. We will discuss the optimal timing of the endoscopy.
Time Analysis of CIBMTR Forms: A Reporting Center's Perspective into Determining Personnel Hours and Reporting Burden.

There is a lack of published data on personnel time required to complete CIBMTR forms. Therefore, calculating the Full Time Employees (FTE) needed to complete Transplant Essential Data (TED) or Comprehensive Report Forms (CRF) is challenging. Reporting center supervisors are required to generate business justifications for the number of FTEs needed to meet the required data submission. Intuition or estimates are what guide FTE justification without quantified data. Barnes Jewish Hospital/Washington University School of Medicine performed a time analysis to determine actual personnel hours needed to complete forms, giving us the ability to calculate FTEs needed to meet current reporting burden and to anticipate future FTE needs. An opening meeting with Data Managers was scheduled to discuss the project and determine relevant forms to track. A paper data collection tool was created utilizing the feedback from this meeting. Time was recorded using a simple kitchen timer. Any time applied to complete the form was counted i.e. reviewing chart, completing form, and resolving any issues. No breaks or interruptions were counted. Reporting centers interpreting the data should take into account several considerations. The period of data collection was only six months. During data collection, Data Managers utilized both electronic and paper health records and had a specific transplant software to collect, integrate, and submit data through AGNIS. Other centers applying the data should make appropriate adjustments, depending on the institution's software and reporting practices. Despite the limitations, the time analysis data can provide a platform for reporting center supervisors to justify current FTEs and project future personnel requirements based on growth projections.
Using reflexivity journaling to lessen the emic–etic divide in a qualitative study of Ethiopian immigrant women:

This article explores the use of journaling about reflexivity as a method of lessening the etic–emic divide in a cross-cultural qualitative study. The journaling process discussed demonstrates refl...
Synthesis and invitro activity of a hormone-diphtheria toxin fragment a hybrid

Abstract The synthesis and in vitro biological activity of a hybrid protein composed of intact human chorionic gonadotropin and fragment A of diphtheria toxin in a disulfide conjugate is reported. This hybrid retained >90% of the binding ability of uncoupled hCG and was shown to be specifically toxic to a mouse Leydig cell tumor which binds hCG while being non-toxic towards cells which lack receptors for hCG.
Your Patient Has a New Health App? Start With Its Data Source

Recent regulatory and technological advances have enabled a new era of health apps that are controlled by patients and contain valuable health information. These health apps will be numerous and use novel interfaces that appeal to patients but will likely be unfamiliar to practitioners. We posit that understanding the origin of the health data is the most meaningful and versatile way for physicians to understand and effectively use these apps in patient care. This will allow providers to better support patients and encourage patient engagement in their own care.
Association Between Pain Scores and Successful Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation.

INTRODUCTION Determining reduction in pain score during spinal cord stimulation (SCS) trial is important prior to permanent SCS implantation. However, this association remains elusive. We investigate the association between post-SCS pain scores and successful permanent SCS implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS This IRB-approved, retrospective study identified patients who underwent SCS trials and implantation. Predictive modeling with nonparametric regression and margins plot analysis was used to determine the threshold for post-SCS trial pain scores associated with successful permanent SCS implant (defined as >50% pain relief). Nonparametric sensitivity and specificity analysis was performed. p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Eighty-eight patients with SCS trials were retrospectively identified (57.95% female, median age 52.5 ± 15.5 years). Of the total cohort, 79% had successful permanent SCS implantation. Post-SCS trial pain scores less than or equal to 4.9 had greater than 50% probability of a successful permanent SCS implant (97.14% sensitivity, 44.44% specificity, ROC = 0.71). Post-SCS trial pain scores between 4 and 7 were associated with a significantly higher probability of a successful SCS implant among patients without spine surgery compared with those with a history of spine surgery. Compared with males, females with pain scores between 5 and 7 had a higher probability of a successful SCS implant. CONCLUSION Low pain scores after SCS trial are predictive of successful SCS implants with high sensitivity. Males and surgical patients with higher pain scores had a lower probability of successful SCS implant than their counterparts. Larger studies are needed to further elucidate this relationship.
Green infrastructure site selection in the Walnut Creek wetland community: A case study from southeast Raleigh, North Carolina

Abstract Recent findings have shown that minority communities are frequently underserved by green infrastructure developments relative to non-minority communities, as local installations of green infrastructure often follow patterns of gentrification. Antipathy from these communities toward existing environmental management efforts present further obstacles related to green infrastructure placement. While hydrologic modeling has been highly utilized in decision support for green infrastructure placement, this technique does not consider ownership, access concerns, or the importance of visibility. Alternatively, participatory geographic information systems (PPGIS) can provide a different perspective from hydrologic models, as they have the potential to forecast community perceptions of green infrastructure utility, rather than hydrological benefit. We use a mixed-methods approach to optimize green infrastructure site-selection that considers hydrologic vulnerabilities in the context of place-based knowledge and historical realities. Residents’ perceptions of the locations of nuisance flooding were reported via participatory mapping within a paper-based survey (n = 95) conducted in the communities surrounding Walnut Creek, a historically African-American community in Raleigh, North Carolina. Hotspot analysis was used to identify statistically significant clustering, which was related to a correspondence between participant-indicated nuisance flooding sites and high flow accumulation cells. Comparison of the participatory and hydrologic hotspot analyses show some geospatial overlap for potential green infrastructure placement. We propose that, when undertaken with community input, green infrastructure installation in these downstream areas may help offset localized flooding patterns while facilitating greater trust with stormwater and environmental practitioners.
Fixmer-Oraiz, Natalie. Homeland Maternity: US Security Culture and the New Reproductive Regime. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2019. xii + 258 pp. $24.95 (paperback). ISBN-13: 978-0-252-08414-0.

Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz’s Homeland Maternity: US Security Culture and the New Reproductive Regime is a timely and important text that uses a reproductive justice framework to interrogate how dominant ...
Construction and Evaluation of a Bio-Engineered Pump to Enable Subpulmonary Support of the Fontan Circulation: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Purpose Create a bio-engineered pump (BEP) intended for subpulmonary Fontan circulation support consisting of a biological blood reservoir flanked by valves that can be externally compressed and produce a 2-6 mmHg pressure gradient across the device without flow obstruction. Methods Decellularlized urinary bladder matrix (UBM), previously shown to be a suitable substrate for endothelial cells, underwent a lamination process to created bilayer UBM sheets which were then used to create biological reservoirs. Reservoir testing included compliance and pressure evaluation. BEPs were constructed by securing the biological reservoir between inlet (Vi) and outlet (Vo) valves and compressed with a polyurethane balloon (A). The BEP function was evaluated in a simple flow loop representative of a modified subpulmonary Fontan circulation with representative vena cava (IVC) and pulmonary artery (PA) with a baseline “filling pressure” of 6 mmHg at a flow rate of 4.0 liters per minute (LPM). Results BEPs were successfully constructed (B). The devices demonstrated high compliance with small pressure increases at low volumes (4.25 mmHg/mL) and were able to withstand internal pressure increases >70 mmHg. Placement of a non-active BEP into the flow loop caused a flow rate change from ∼4.0 LPM to ∼3.9 LPM with Conclusion Urinary bladder matrix can be formed into a biological reservoir and used to construct a bio-engineered pump. In a simple flow loop representative of a subpulmonary Fontan circulation, the BEP can produce pulsatile downstream flow and create a favorable pressure gradient across the device while maintaining a low upstream pressure.
Sexual Addiction: A Missed Diagnosis

Sex is an integral part of human behavior but what constitutes healthy versus pathological sexual behavior can vastly differ between individuals and remains a topic of wide debate. What is not deba...
Functional hotness score based on three genes predicts long-term survival of triple-negative breast cancer independent from tumor mutational burden.

e12583Background: Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) infiltration into tumor is a positive prognostic factor in breast cancer. Infiltration of CTLs are believed to be driven by mutation-induced neoanti...
XMM-Newton X-ray Observatory Guest Observer program (AO-1) at CASA

In this research program, we obtained and analyzed X-ray observations of the Wolf-Rayet (WR) star WR 110 (HD 165688) using the XMM-Newton space-based observatory. Radio observations were also obtained using the Very Large Array (VLA) radio telescope located in New Mexico and operated by the Natl. Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO). This star was targeted for observations primarily because it is believed to be a single WR star without a companion. Single WR stars are thought to emit X-rays from cool plasma in shocks distributed throughout their powerful stellar winds. However, there has been little observational work done to test this idea since single WR stars are relatively weak X-ray sources and have been difficult to detect with previous generation telescopes. The launch of XMM-Newton provides a new telescope that is much more sensitive than its predecessors, allowing single WR stars to be studied in detail for the first time. X-ray emission was clearly detected from WR 110. Analysis of its spectrum yields a surprising result. Its X-ray emitting plasma is distributed over a range of temperatures and is dominated by relatively cool plasma with a characteristic temperature T is approximately 6 million K. Such plasma can be explained by existing theoretical wind shock models. However, the spectrum also shows hotter plasma whose temperature is uncertain but is thought to be in excess of T approximately 30 million K. The origin of this hotter plasma is yet unknown, but possible mechanisms are identified
Creating an Elementary to College Education Pipeline Through a University-School-Community Partnership

Higher education institutions are in a great position to create authentic programming to support local underfunded or underperforming public school districts. This article gives an overview of an education outreach collaborative between a 4-year public university, local schools, and a community institution and highlights lessons learned from the project. This community outreach program emphasizes literacy, social justice, and college preparation. It consists of a fifth grade literacy program, a high school tutoring and mentoring program, and a scholarship program for precollege students, all situated within a local public school system. Literature reviewed shows how collaborative projects can be utilized to support community outreach programs using university resources. Preliminary results from impact measures show positive outcomes among program participants. The program can be replicated in similarly situated university–school–community collaboratives.
Imperial Confusion: America’s Post-colonial and Post-revolutionary Empire

This essay explores the question of whether we should consider the newly-independent United States an ‘empire.’ It does so by discussing emerging schools of thought that have suggested that the pos...
Search and Discovery in Personal Email Collections

Email has been an essential communication medium for many years and the information accumulated in our mailboxes has become valuable for all of our personal and professional activities. As our mailboxes grow, so does the need for the development of new effective approaches to information finding in this repository. For years, researchers have been developing interfaces, models and algorithms to facilitate search, discovery and organization of email data. In this survey, the authors bring together these diverse research directions by providing both a historical background as well as a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the field. In particular, they lay out all the components needed in the design of a privacy-centric email search engine. They also go beyond search, presenting recent work on intelligent task assistance in email. Finally, they discuss some emerging trends and future directions in email search and discovery research.
El sistema financiero chileno frente a la Gran Depresión y la crisis de la deuda

espanolSe analiza el desarrollo del sistema financiero chileno durante los dos episodios economicos mas criticos del siglo xx en ese pais. En particular, se estudia la dinamica de endeudamiento externo, evidenciando una diferencia en la administracion de los compromisos internacionales durante las dos crisis. Por otro lado, se observa el impacto de las crisis sobre las instituciones financieras y bancarias respecto de operadores (tipos de instituciones) y flujos (colocaciones, depositos y capital y reservas). Se sostiene que ambas crisis modificaron el comportamiento y la estructura del sistema financiero chileno. Aunque dichos cambios fueron de distinta magnitud, los shocks externos impulsaron el abandono de las posturas ortodoxas que caracterizaron el periodo previo a las crisis. EnglishThis article aims to analyse the Chilean financial system during the two most severe economic crisis in the XX century. Primarily it studies the external debt evolution, revealing the different management in 1930s vis a vis 1980s. Besides, it examines how these crises impacted on financial and banking institutions, both within their structure (i. e., bank types) and flows (loans, deposits and capital and reserves). Although different regarding their magnitude, we purpose that those crises led to a change in the financial sector through the demise of orthodox regimes, namely the gold exchange standard and the monetary approach to the balance of payments.
Menthol-induced activation of TRPM8 receptors increases cutaneous blood flow across the dermatome.

Abstract Topical menthol-based analgesics increase skin blood flow (SkBF) through transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) receptor-dependent activation of sensory nerves and endothelium-derived hyperpolarization factors. It is unclear if menthol-induced TRPM8 activation mediates a reflex change in SkBF across the dermatome in an area not directly treated with menthol. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of localized topical menthol application on SkBF across a common dermatome. We hypothesized that SkBF would be increased with menthol at the site of application and across the dermatome (contralateral limb) through a spinal reflex mechanism. In a double blind, placebo controlled, cross-over design, 15 healthy participants (7 men; age = 22 ± 1 yrs) were treated with direct application (3 ml over 8 × 13 cm) of 5% menthol gel (Biofreeze™) or placebo gel on the L4 dermatome, separated by 48 h. Red blood cell flux was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry over the area of application, on the contralateral leg of the same dermatome, and in a separate dermatome (L5/S1) to serve as control. Cutaneous vascular conductance was calculated for each measurement site (CVC = flux/MAP). At baseline there were no differences in CVC between menthol and placebo gels, or among sites (all p > 0.05). After 30 ± 6 min, CVC increased at the treated site with menthol (0.12 ± 0.02 vs. 1.36 ± 0.19 flux/mm Hg, p 0.05), suggesting the lack of a systemic response. In conclusion, menthol containing topical analgesic gels increased SkBF at the treated site, and modestly throughout the dermatome. These data suggest menthol-induced activation of the TRPM8 receptors induces an increase in SkBF across the area of common innervation through a localized spinal reflex mechanism.
Electrical stimulation of rat retina elicits retinotopic cortical electrophysiology activity with a dose response characteristic

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to characterize electrophysiological response in the visual cortex elicited by electrical stimulation of rat retina. Methods: Three Long Evans female rats under anesthesia were used for this study. A 75 µm diameter cylindrical Pt-Ir electrode was inserted into the left eye.The tip of the electrode was placed 50-100 µm from the ventral temporal area of the retina. Charge balanced biphasic stimulus current pulses from 30 to 100 µA and 0.5 ms duration were delivered to the retina at 1 Hz. A craniotomy was performed to expose the right visual cortex. A tungsten recording electrode was advanced into the visual cortex to capture elicited electrophysiological signals. The electrically evoked response (EER) was amplified (gain 2000) and low-pass filtered (cutoff frequency 8 kHz), and sampled at 20 kHz. EERs were recorded at multiple sites in the visual cortex of each rat. For each stimulus condition, the EER was averaged over 25 stimulus pulses. Digital filtering was applied to remove high frequency and 60 Hz noise before analysis. The root mean square (rms) value of the EER after stimulus pulse over 40 ms (signal) was compared with the rms value before stimulus (noise) to calculate signal to noise ratios (SNR) for each stimulus condition. Results: We measured detectable EERs (defined as > 10 dB SNR with 100 uA stimulus) 3.25 - 4 mm lateral and 0.75 mm anterior - 0.5 mm posterior to lambda. Previous studies have shown that light stimulus of ventral temporal retina evokes cortical activity in the region 3 - 5 mm lateral and 2 mm anterior - 0.5 mm posterior to lambda. No detectable EERs were measured 0.25 mm away from this cortical region. The measured EER SNR (n=17 locations in 3 rats) showed a dose response relationship with respect to stimulus current with some locations showing monotonic behavior (n = 6) and some locations showing peak SNR at intermediate current (n = 8). At 100 µA stimulus current, the mean SNR was 17.3 dB with a standard deviation of 3.3 dB (n=15) in the cortical regions that showed detectable EERs. Conclusions: Our results show that focal electrical stimulation of rat retina elicits visual cortex activity in the same region where light stimulus generates activity. This study will form a baseline to evaluate long-term stimulation of rat retina.
Juxtaposition as Visual Argument: Health Rhetoric in Super Size Me and Fat Head

Super Size Me (SSM) and Fat Head (FH) are documentary films that make arguments about responsibility in America's obesity epidemic. Drawing on Kenneth Burke's pentadic elements of agent and scene, ...
A Systemic View of Enterprise: Adding Value to Performance

Abstract Uniqueness of person, organization, and environmental situation is a fact of life. Imitating practices that occurred in a different unique environment does not work well. Improving organizational performance requires managing within the constraints of two sets of variables that are specific to each organization: variables that connect the organization to the environment and variables that support individual human performances. Organizational variables include those relevant to two specific categories of value-adding outputs (the financial marketplace and the consumer service marketplace), and four specific categories of costly but necessary inputs (money, technology, materials and labor). The paper specifies ten guidelines for understanding and managing the interplay between the organizational variables and psychological variables. The guidelines permit systemic organizational and performance management which enables organizational improvement.
Seasonal and long-term vertical deformation in the Nepal Himalaya constrained by GPS and GRACE measurements

[1] We analyze continuous GPS measurements in Nepal, southern side of the Himalaya, and compare GPS results with GRACE observations in this area. We find both GPS and GRACE show significant seasonal variations. Further comparison indicates that the observed seasonal GPS height variation and GRACE-derived seasonal vertical displacement due to the changing hydrologic load exhibit very consistent results, for both amplitude and phase. For continuous GPS stations whose observation time span are longer than 3 years, the average WRMS reduction is ∼45% when we subtract GRACE-derived vertical displacements from GPS observed time series. The comparison for annual amplitudes between GPS observed and GRACE-derived seasonal displacements also shows consistent correlation. The good seasonal correlation between GPS and GRACE is due to the improved GPS processing strategies and also because of the strong seasonal hydrological variations in Nepal. Besides the seasonal signal, GRACE also indicates a long-term mass loss in the Himalaya region, assuming no GIA effect. This mass loss therefore will lead to crustal uplift since the earth behaves as an elastic body. We model this effect and remove it from GPS observed vertical rates. With a 2D dislocation model, most GPS vertical rates, especially in the central part of Nepal, can be interpreted by interseismic strain from the Main Himalayan Thrust, and several exceptions may indicate the complexity of vertical motion in this region and some potential local effects.
The “Dream of Black Metropolis” in the Early Twentieth-Century United States: Racial Segregation, Regional Location, and Black Population Size

The present study uses Census data on occupations to examine the opportunity structures of Black Metropolises in the early twentieth century. The Black Metropolises with the highest odds of blacks’ employment in medicine, retailing, and social work were those with the highest black-white segregation levels, implying that a racially segregated Black Metropolis promoted blacks’ employment in occupations serving black clientele. In addition, the odds of blacks’ employment in many occupations were approximately equal in northern and southern Black Metropolises, casting doubt on the argument that the North was the more favorable region. Finally, when New York (Harlem) and Chicago (Bronzeville) are omitted, the odds of blacks’ employment in most occupations are unrelated to black population size, indicating that, outside the two largest Black Metropolises, additional numbers of blacks were of little consequence for the pursuit of the Dream of Black Metropolis.
Heat Transfer and Film Cooling on a Contoured Blade Endwall With Platform Gap Leakage

Turbine blade components in an engine are typically designed with gaps between parts due to manufacturing, assembly, and operational considerations. Coolant is provided to these gaps to limit the ingestion of hot combustion gases. The interaction of the gaps, their leakage flows, and the complex vortical flow at the endwall of a turbine blade can significantly impact endwall heat transfer coefficients and the effectiveness of the leakage flow in providing localized cooling. In particular, a platform gap through the passage, representing the mating interface between adjacent blades in a wheel, has been shown to have a significant effect. Other important turbine blade features present in the engine environment are non-axisymmetric contouring of the endwall, and an upstream rim seal with a gaspath cavity, which can reduce and increase endwall vortical flow, respectively. To understand the platform gap leakage effect in this environment, measurements of endwall heat transfer and film cooling effectiveness were performed in a scaled blade cascade with a non-axisymmetric contour in the passage. A rim seal with a cavity, representing the overlap interface between a stator and rotor, was included upstream of the blades and a nominal purge flowrate of 0.75% of the mainstream was supplied to the rim seal. Results indicated that endwall heat transfer coefficients increased as platform gap net leakage increased from 0% to 0.6% of the mainstream flowrate, but net heat flux to the endwall was reduced due to high cooling effectiveness of the leakage flow.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Acoustically responsive fibers in the vestibular nerve of the cat

Recordings were made from single afferent fibers in the inferior vestibular nerve, which innervates the saccule and posterior semicircular canal. A substantial portion of the fibers with irregular background activity increased their firing in response to moderately intense clicks and tones. In responsive fibers, acoustic clicks evoked action potentials with minimum latencies of 80 dB SPL) caused synchronization of spikes to preferred phases of the tone cycle. PUSH and PULL fibers had preferred response phases approximately 180 degrees apart. These two response classes are consistent with fibers that innervate hair cells having opposite morphological polarizations, an arrangement found in the saccule. With low-frequency tone bursts, sound levels of > or = 90 dB SPL evoked increases in mean spike rate. Spike rates increased monotonically with sound level without saturating at levels < or = 115 dB SPL. Contraction of the middle-ear muscles decreased responses to sound, consistent with the sound transmission path being through the middle ear. Several fibers were labeled with biocytin and traced. All labeled fibers had bipolar cell bodies in the inferior vestibular ganglion with peripheral processes extending toward the saccular nerve and central processes in the vestibular nerve. Two fibers were traced to the saccular epithelium. One fiber was traced centrally and arborized extensively in vestibular nuclei and a region ventromedial to the cochlear nucleus. Our results confirm and extend previous suggestions that the mammalian saccule responds to sound at frequencies and levels within the normal range of human hearing. We suggest a number of auditory roles that these fibers may play in the everyday life of mammals.
Butylphenamide; A New Anti-Fungal Agent: Preliminary Studies1

The persistent need for effective therapy of dermatomycoses spurs an increasing search for, and evaluation of, new agents which offer promise of effective clinical action and freedom from harmful or unpleasant side effects.
Intravascular large B cell lymphoma presenting as anasarca: an unusual presentation of a rare lymphoma

Dear Editor, An 82-year-old male presented with progressive generalized edema over a month without associated fever, angina, dyspnea, rash, lymphadenopathy, and neurological or gastrointestinal symptoms. He was found to be profoundly hypotensive requiring vasopressor support. Initial blood work revealed severe hypoalbuminemia of 1.6 g/dL and a markedly elevated LDH of 1891 U/L. Complete blood count revealed normocytic anemia with hemoglobin of 9.8 g/dL and normal platelet and leukocyte count. Peripheral smear showed no abnormal cells. Liver function tests, urinalysis, chest X-ray, and echocardiogram were unremarkable. Random skin biopsies were subsequently performed revealing intravascular infiltration of CD5and CD20-positive malignant cells compatible with intravascular B cell lymphoma (IVLBCL; Fig. 1). IVLBCL is a rare malignancy with estimated incidence of less than one per million per year [1]. It was first described as endothelial cell tumor [2]. Subsequent immunohistochemical studies confirmed its lymphoidal nature [3]. In 2008, WHO classified IVLBCL as a subtype of extranodal diffuse large B cell lymphoma characterized by limited proliferation of lymphoma cell within lumina of small blood vessels [4]. Diagnosis of IVLBCL can be challenging given its bewildering presentation. Virtually, any organ can be affected as a result of small vessel occlusion. Fever, night sweat, and weight loss are the most common presentation. In western countries, these constitutional symptoms are frequently accompanied by neurological and cutaneous symptoms, whereas hemophagocytic syndrome is more predominant in Asian population [1, 5]. Anarsarca is an unusual initial presentation and was found in less than 5 % in one case series [5]. Biopsy is mandatory for the diagnosis. Involved tissues demonstrate large lymphoid cells with prominent nucleoli and frequent mitotic figures in the capillaries and venules. B cell-associated antigens, particularly CD20, CD5, and CD10, are typically positive. Selection of organ for biopsy should be guided by patient's manifestation as identification of tumor cells is relatively easy when an affected organ is biopsied [6]. In case of no apparent specific organ involvement, as seen in our patient, random skin biopsy from normal-appearing skin is an alternative diagnostic approach with a high sensitivity of 83.3 % [7]. Prognosis of a patient with IVLBCL is unfavorable although recent retrospective studies suggest more promising outcome with the use of rituximab in conjunction with anthracycline-based chemotherapy [1, 8]. Our patient, with unstable hemodynamics despite of vigorous resuscitation, was not a suitable candidate for instituting chemotherapy. Unfortunately, his clinical course deteriorated and he passed away after a week of hospitalization.
Through Another Europe: An Anthology of Travel Writing on the Balkans, edited by Andrew Hammond

Through Another Europe: An Anthology of Travel Writing on the Balkans, edited by Andrew Hammond, Oxford, Signal Books, 2009, xxiv + 265 pp., $24 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-904955-53-5 Orientations: An...
Properties of almost all graphs and complexes

There are many results in the literature asserting that almost all or almost no graphs have some property. Our object is to develop a general logical theorem that will imply almost all of these results as corollaries. To this end, we propose the first-order theory of almost all graphs by presenting Axiom n which states that for each sequence of 2n distinct vertices in a graph (u1, …, un, v1, …, vn), there exists another vertex w adjacent to each u1 and not adjacent to any vi. A simple counting argument proves that for each n, almost all graphs satisfy Axiom n. It is then shown that any sentence that can be stated in terms of these axioms is true in almost all graphs or in almost none. This has several immediate consequences, most of which have already been proved separately including: (1) For any graph H, almost all graphs have an induced subgraph isomorphic to H. (2) Almost no graphs are planar, or chordal, or line graphs. (3) Almost all grpahs are connected wiht diameter 2. It is also pointed out that these considerations extend to digraphs and to simplicial complexes.
Postinfarction angina: results of early revascularization

To assess the efficacy of surgical revascularization for postinfarction angina within 30 days of acute infarction, the clinical course of 103 patients treated surgically from January 1979 to July 1982 was reviewed. There were 84 men (82%) and 19 women (18%) with a mean age of 58 years (range 34 to 80). Group A (11 patients) underwent surgery within 24 hours of infarction, Group B (21 patients) within 7 days and Group C (71 patients) within 30 days. Eighty-four patients (82%) had subendocardial infarctions and 19 patients (18%) had transmural infarction. Transmural infarction was more common in patients in Group A (36%) than in those in either Group B (19%) or Group C (15%). There were two deaths, both in Group C (1.9%), within 30 days of surgery. The use of intraaortic balloon or inotropic support and the occurrence of major arrhythmias or perioperative infarction was noted in 30 patients (29%)(64% in Group A, 33% in Group B and 18% in Group C). The average time in the intensive care unit was 3.2 days, with an average total hospital stay after surgery of 8.3 days. Late follow-up (mean 15.4 months, range 1 to 39) is complete for 97 patients (97%). There were no late myocardial infarctions and 93 patients (96%) were essentially free of angina. The only late death (1.0%) was caused by septicemia from delayed sternal wound infection. This study suggests that myocardial revascularization within the first 30 days after myocardial infarction can be accomplished with an acceptable operative mortality in selected patients with postinfarction angina refractory to medical management.
Evolutionary theory in public health and the public health of evolutionary theory

Evolutionary theory is the most powerful explanatory system in the life sciences and is the only framework that can unify knowledge in otherwise disparate fields of research. Considerable advances have been made in the application of evolutionary biology to health issues in recent decades. Health researchers and practitioners could benefit considerably from an understanding of the basic principles of evolution and how humans have been shaped by natural and sexual selection, even if they are not explicitly testing evolutionary hypotheses. Life History Theory is a powerful framework that can be used for examining modern human environments and developing environments that maximize opportunities for positive health outcomes. Many of the recommendations derived from this framework converge with the visions of current public health advocates. Despite the benefits of an evolutionary framework, the challenges that face those attempting to integrate evolutionary theory into public health are perhaps greater than those in the social sciences. Although considerable advancements in the understanding of health issues have already been made, health researchers with an evolutionary perspective are very few in number and face constraining disciplinary attributes. Advances in medical technology will continue to extend the boundaries of saving lives in danger, however traditional public health efforts may be reaching their limits of effectiveness in encouraging health-promoting behaviors. This may partially account for the current interest in broad social and policy change to enhance health and reduce health disparities amongst sub-populations. Such substantial physical and social restructuring will face many challenges and gradual progress may be enhanced by a strong foundation of evolutionary human science. The slow but eventual integration of evolutionary principles will gradually enhance the effectiveness of health interventions and provide an ultimate explanation for patterns in health outcomes that are otherwise puzzling. The speed at which the field of public health adopts a Darwinian framework has yet to be determined, and several futures are possible. This pace will depend on several factors, including the visible utility of evolutionary theory for addressing the health promotion goals of the field.
CRITERION‐REFERENCED APPLICATIONS OF CLASSICAL TEST THEORY 1,2

A reliability coefficient for criterion-referenced tests is developed from the assumptions of classical test theory. This coefficient is based on deviations of scores from the criterion score, rather than from the mean. The coefficient is shown to have several of the important properties of the conventional normreferenced reliability coefficient, including its interpretation as a ratio of variances and as a correlation between parallel forms, its relationship to test length, its estimation from a single form of a test, and its use in correcting for attenuation due to measurement error. Norm-referenced measurement is considered as a special case of criterion-referenced measurement. What are criterion-referenced measures? According to Robert Glaser (1963) they are measures which "depend on an absolute standard of quality," as opposed to norm-referenced measures, which "depend on a relative standard." Glaser goes on to say that, for any individual student, "The degree to which his achievement resembles desired performance at any specified level is assessed by criterion-referenced measures." In other words, norm-referenced measures compare the student's performance with the mean of a norm group, whereas criterion-referenced measures compare his performance with a specified criterion score. In this paper, the term "criterion-referenced" will be used to refer to any test for which a criterion score is specified without reference to the distribution of scores of a group of examinees.3 This definition implies that all the items on the test must measure the same thingotherwise it makes no sense to specify a single criterion score. This means that if the test user is interested in measuring specific behaviors, all the items on the test must measure the same specific behavior. What constitutes a specific behavior is a question that the test user must answer for himself. For one test user it might be "solving arithmetic computation problems," for another it might be "solving multiplication problems," for another it might be "solving multiplication problems with a
Activation of Xenopus MyoD Transcription by Members of the MEF2 Protein Family

Members of the MEF2 family of DNA binding proteins interact with a set of AT-rich sequences commonly found in the promoters and enhancers of muscle-specific genes. We have shown that a MEF2 binding site precisely overlaps the TFIID binding site (TATA box) in the Xenopus MyoDa (XMyoDa) promoter and appears to play an important role in muscle-specific activity of this promoter. To further investigate the potential role of MEF2 in the regulation of XMyoDa transcription, we have analyzed the appearance of factors that interact with the XMyoDa TATA/MEF2 site during early amphibian development. Proteins that bind specifically to this site were present at low levels during early development and increased in abundance during gastrulation and neurulation. Two related cDNAs were isolated that encode proteins that recognize the XMyoDa TATA motif. Both proteins are highly homologous to each other, belong to the MADS (MCM1 agamous deficiens SRF) protein family, and are most highly related to the mammalian MEF2A gene products. Xenopus MEF2A (XMEF2A) transcripts accumulated preferentially in forming somites after the appearance of XMyoD transcripts. Ectopic expression of XMEF2A and other members of the MEF2 gene family activated transcription of a reporter gene controlled by the XMyoDa promoter. Transcriptional activation of the XMyoDa promoter required only the conserved DNA binding domain of XMEF2A and was independent of a domain necessary for activity when this factor was bound to multiple upstream sites. These results suggest that the XMyoDa promoter can be activated by binding of MEF2 to the XMyoDa TATA motif and indicate that MEF2-dependent transcriptional activation occurs by different mechanisms depending on the location of the MEF2 binding site. We suggest that XMEF2 expression in myogenic cells contributes to the activation and stabilization of XMyoDa transcription during muscle cell differentiation.
On the additivity of bond dipole moments. Stark effect studies of the rotationally resolved electronic spectra of aniline, benzonitrile, and aminobenzonitrile

We study the influence of an applied electric field on the fully resolved electronic spectra of aniline (AN), benzonitrile (BN), and 4-aminobenzonitrile (ABN) in the gas phase. Using these data, we test the commonly held but rarely proven assumption that the total dipole moment of a polyatomic molecule is the vector sum of bond dipole moments, localized in different parts of the molecule. We find that μa(ABN)≈μa(AN)+μa(BN) in the excited S1 state, but not in the ground S0 state. Possible reasons for this non-additivity are discussed.
NATURAL LANGUAGE INTERACTIONS IN DISTRIBUTED NETWORKS OF SMART DEVICES

Advances in sensing and networking hardware have made the prospect of ambient intelligence more realistic, but the challenge of creating a software framework suitable for ambient intelligence systems remains. We present ADE, the Agent Development Environment, a distributed agent infrastructure with built-in natural language processing capabilities connected to a sophisticated goal manager that controls access to the world via multiple server interfaces for sensing and actuating devices. Unlike other ambient intelligence infrastructures, ADE includes support for multiple autonomous robots integrated into the system. ADE allows developers of ambient intelligence environments to implement agents of varying complexity to meet the varying requirements of each scenario, and it provides facilities to ensure security and fault tolerance for distributed computing. Natural language processing is conducted incrementally, as utterances are acquired, allowing fast, accurate responses from system agents. We describe ADE and a sample of the many experiments and demonstrations conducted using the infrastructure, then an example architecture for a "smart home" is proposed to demonstrate ADE's utility as an infrastructure for ambient intelligence.