cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The importance of culture in predicting environmental behavior in middle school students on Hawaiʻi Island

Researchers have investigated the factors that influence environmental behavior for decades. Two often-investigated phenomena, connectedness to nature and self-efficacy, often correlate with environmental behavior, yet researchers rarely analyze those correlations along with underlying cultural factors. We suggest that this is a substantial oversight and hypothesize that cultural factors affect environmental behavior, particularly through an interplay with the connectedness to nature and self-efficacy constructs. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed eighth-grade students on the island of Hawaiʻi. The instrument included items to assess connectedness to nature and self-efficacy (both frequently measured in environmental behavior studies) and multiple measures of behavior. Most of the behavior measures are commonly used in studies of environmental behavior, and one was developed in collaboration with local partners to reflect more culturally specific modes of environmental behavior. With those partners, we also developed a construct reflecting the relevance of local culture. We explored the relative influence of the more commonly investigated constructs (connectedness to nature, behavioral variables) along with the newer construct (cultural relevance). We found that, when we took those considerations into account, cultural relevance significantly predicted connectedness to nature, self-efficacy, and a commonly used behavioral measure. Our results thus suggest that many models of environmental behavior may be misspecified when they omit critical culture- and ethnicity-related factors. This may be particularly important in contexts with high cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity or in contexts where mainstream Western environmental approaches are non-dominant. Our results emphasize the importance of addressing ethnicity and culture in environmental thought and action.
Letermovir in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Beyond the Label

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) patients (pts). Cumulative incidence of CMV infection in high-risk patients such as CD34-selected or haploidentical HCT have been reported as high as 61.8-84.5% and 53-81%, respectively. Letermovir (LTV) was approved in 11/2017 for prophylaxis (ppx) in CMV-seropositive recipients (R+) of allo-HCT. Since 12/2017, LTV ppx was implemented at our center for both primary and secondary ppx. We report our real-world experience. Methods Adult CMV R+ allo-HCT pts who initiated LTV as primary or secondary prophylaxis were identified between 1/1/2018 and 6/30/18. Cord blood transplants were excluded. The primary outcome was the incidence of clinically significant CMV infection (CMV viremia requiring preemptive treatment or CMV disease). Pts were followed through 9/2018. Results 53 pts initiated LTV. 69.8% pts were at high risk for CMV reactivation and disease (primarily ex vivo T-cell depleted HCT [n = 18; 34%] or haploidentical T-replete HCT [n = 12; 22.6%]). Baseline characteristics are summarized in Table 1. 39 pts (73.5%) received LTV as primary ppx after HCT, with a median day of LTV initiation of D+7 (range D+7D+40). At LTV initiation, 34 pts had an undetectable CMV DNA, and 4 had CMV Conclusion Primary LTV ppx significantly reduced CMV reactivation, and high-risk patients may benefit from extended prophylaxis. In patients who received preemptive therapy for CMV, use of secondary ppx showed no recurrent CMV reactivation. LTV is well tolerated. Additional studies are needed to determine optimal ppx duration and to clarify role of secondary CMV ppx in high-risk allo-HCT. The future standard of care will likely include extended primary ppx and secondary ppx and result in decreased morbidity and mortality associated with CMV.
Vitamin D treatment for chronic urticaria: a case report

Chronic urticaria is characterized by recurrent hives, with or without angioedema, persisting for 6 weeks or longer. Although often suspected by patients, in fact specific allergen triggers are infrequent. In contrast, the condition may be associated with autoimmune and thyroid disorders. While some evidence suggests an association of chronic urticaria with vitamin D levels, measurement of vitamin D or supplementation is not a part of diagnostic or treatment recommendations. We present a case of a 14-year-old white boy with refractory chronic urticaria who experienced prompt remission with high-dose vitamin D repletion when vitamin D deficiency was identified as an incidental finding. In some patients, vitamin D may have a role in the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic urticaria; however, the cost-effectiveness of routine laboratory screening in chronic urticaria is unknown.
‘My family and friends thought it was a horrible idea’: the classed, gendered project of young adult women’s intimacy choices

Middle-class young adults in the United States increasingly face insecurity around social class. This situation is especially fraught for women, whose economic and social gains are still not equal ...
TOPOISOMERASE 2 BETA DECREASE RESULTS IN DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION VIA P53 AND AKT: A NOVEL PATHWAY

Diastolic Dysfunction (DD) remains one of the most active area of research in cardiology, as we do not have the basic understanding and/or treatments for it. The lack of understanding directly stems from absence of any viable preclinical model. Here we report one of the first ever novel genetically
Patterns of Sexual Risk Behaviors among College Women: A Latent Profile Analysis.

Sexual risk behavior is common among college women, but little work has identified risk patterns or correlates. The current study utilized latent profile analysis to identify sexual risk patterns a...
Monodisperse and Water-Soluble Quantum Dots for SWIR Imaging via Carboxylic Acid Copolymer Ligands.

Compared to the visible and near-infrared, the short-wave infrared region (SWIR; 1000–2000 nm) has excellent properties for in vivo imaging: low autofluorescence, reduced scattering, and a low-abso...
Innovation Policy, Structural Inequality, and COVID-19

COVID-19 has shown the world that public policies tend to benefit the most privileged among us, and innovation policy is no exception While the US government's approach to innovation-research funding and patent policies and programs that value scientists' and private sector freedoms-has been copied around the world due to its apparent success, I argue that it has hurt poor and marginalized communities It has limited our understanding of health disparities and how to address them, and hampered access to essential technologies due to both lack of coordination and high cost Fair and equal treatment of vulnerable citizens requires sensitive and dedicated policies that attend explicitly to the fact that the benefits of innovation do not simply trickle down
Patent quality and settlement among repeat patent litigants

Repeat patent plaintiffs—those who sue eight or more times on the same patents—have a disproportionate effect on the patent system. They are responsible for a sizeable fraction of all patent lawsuits. Their patents should be among the strongest, according to all economic measures of patent quality. And logic suggests that repeat patent plaintiffs should be risk averse, settling more of their cases and taking only the very best to trial to avoid having their patents invalidated. In this Article, we test those hypotheses. We find that repeat patent plaintiffs are somewhat more likely to settle their cases. But to our surprise, we find that when they do go to trial or judgment, overwhelmingly they lose. This result seems to be driven by two parallel findings: both software patents and patents owned by nonpracticing entities (so-called “patent trolls”) fare extremely poorly in court. We offer some possible explanations for why a group of apparently weak patents nonetheless has so much influence over the patent system and some preliminary thoughts about how these findings should shape the patent reform debate.
Scalable mapping of myelin and neuron density in the human brain with micrometer resolution

Abstract Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an emerging 3D imaging technique that allows quantification of intrinsic optical properties such as scattering coefficient and back-scattering coefficient, and has proved useful in distinguishing delicate microstructures in the human brain. The origins of scattering in brain tissues are contributed by the myelin content, neuron size and density primarily; however, no quantitative relationships between them have been reported, which hampers the use of OCT in fundamental studies of architectonic areas in the human brain and the pathological evaluations of diseases. To date, histology remains the golden standard, which is prone to errors and can only work on a small number of subjects. Here, we demonstrate a novel method that uses serial sectioning OCT to quantitatively measure myelin content and neuron density in the human brain. We found that the scattering coefficient possesses a strong linear relationship with the myelin content across different regions of the human brain, while the neuron density serves as a secondary contribution that only slightly modulates the overall tissue scattering.
Refractive Outcomes After Immediate Sequential vs Delayed Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery.

Importance Approximately 2 million cataract operations are performed annually in the US, and patterns of cataract surgery delivery are changing to meet the increasing demand. Therefore, a comparative analysis of visual acuity outcomes after immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) vs delayed sequential bilateral cataract surgery (DSBCS) is important for informing future best practices. Objective To compare refractive outcomes of patients who underwent ISBCS, short-interval (1-14 days between operations) DSBCS (DSBCS-14), and long-interval (15-90 days) DSBCS (DSBCS-90) procedures. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used population-based data from the American Academy of Ophthalmology Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry. A total of 1 824 196 IRIS Registry participants with bilateral visual acuity measurements who underwent bilateral cataract surgery were assessed. Exposures Participants were divided into 3 groups (DSBCS-90, DSBCS-14, and ISBCS groups) based on the timing of the second eye surgery. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models were used to analyze the refractive outcomes of the first and second surgery eye. Main Outcomes and Measures Mean postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after cataract surgery. Results This study analyzed data from 1 824 196 patients undergoing bilateral cataract surgery (mean [SD] age for those <87 years, 70.03 [7.77]; 684 916 [37.5%] male). Compared with the DSBCS-90 group, after age, self-reported race, insurance status, history of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma were controlled for, the UCVA of the first surgical eye was higher by 0.41 (95% CI, 0.36-0.45; P < .001) letters, and the BCVA was higher by 0.89 (95% CI, 0.86-0.92; P < .001) letters in the DSBCS-14 group, whereas in the ISBCS group, the UCVA was lower by 2.79 (95% CI, -2.95 to -2.63; P < .001) letters and the BCVA by 1.64 (95% CI, -1.74 to -1.53; P < .001) letters. Similarly, compared with the DSBCS-90 group for the second eye, in the DSBCS-14 group, the UCVA was higher by 0.79 (95% CI, 0.74-0.83; P < .001) letters and the BCVA by 0.48 (95% CI, 0.45-0.51; P < .001) letters, whereas in the ISBCS group, the UCVA was lower by -1.67 (95% CI, -1.83 to -1.51; P < .001) letters and the BCVA by -1.88 (95% CI, -1.98 to -1.78; P < .001) letters. Conclusions and Relevance The results of this cohort study of patients in the IRIS Registry suggest that compared with DSBCS-14 or DSBCS-90, ISBCS is associated with worse visual outcomes, which may or may not be clinically relevant, depending on patients' additional risk factors. Nonrandom surgery group assignment, confounding factors, and large sample size could account for the small but statistically significant differences noted. Further studies are warranted to determine whether these factors should be considered clinically relevant when counseling patients before cataract surgery.
Rescue Airway Devices and Techniques

Of all procedures, airway management is one of, if not, the most important. Providers must be comfortable and competent to manage an airway to provide oxygenation and ventilation. When those elements cannot be accomplished, we are in a “Can’t Ventilate/Can’t Oxygenate” situation. Those times call for a back-up airway rescue plan. There are several techniques that are discussed in this chapter. The prepared provider will have a “Plan B, C, D, etc.” when approaching a difficult airway or failed airway. This chapter discusses many options providers should be familiar with before managing an airway.
Losing Women, Losing Power? Gender, Turnover, and EU Legislation

This chapter tests components of the feminist critique of EU personnel dynamics and generates insights into EU throughput legitimacy. We investigate relationships among turnover and gender in the Council of the EU. We couch our analysis in gendered theories of negotiation, which suggest that women are disproportionately strong negotiators and consensus builders. We expect these attributes to be particularly important in a consensus-based institution like the Council. Our empirical analysis supports our intuition: the negative effect of turnover on throughput legitimacy is particularly acute when it is women ministers who are leaving the Council system. Our analysis suggests that not all turnover is equally perilous: the exit of experienced women from the EU decision-making system places a particular strain on throughput legitimacy.
When Do Donors and Investors Unite? Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and the Financing of Hybrid Ventures

A central tenet of hybrid ventures is that their dual focus on social and commercial missions can enable them to attract funding from philanthropic and equity financing sources simultaneously. Yet,...
Robust unsupervised detection of human screams in noisy acoustic environments

This study is focused on an unsupervised approach for detection of human scream vocalizations from continuous recordings in noisy acoustic environments. The proposed detection solution is based on compound segmentation, which employs weighted mean distance, T2-statistics and Bayesian Information Criteria for detection of screams. This solution also employs an unsupervised threshold optimized Combo-SAD for removal of non-vocal noisy segments in the preliminary stage. A total of five noisy environments were simulated for noise levels ranging from −20dB to +20dB for five different noisy environments. Performance of proposed system was compared using two alternative acoustic front-end features (i) Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC) and (ii) perceptual minimum variance distortionless response (PMVDR). Evaluation results show that the new scream detection solution works well for clean, +20, +10 dB SNR levels, with performance declining as SNR decreases to −20dB across a number of the noise sources considered.
A real time lossless data compression technology for remote-sensing and other applications

Lossless data compression has been studied for many NASA missions to achieve the benefit of increased science return; reduced onboard memory requirement, station contact time and communication bandwidth. This paper first addresses the requirement for onboard applications and provides a rationale for the selection of the Rice algorithm among other available techniques. A top-level description of the Rice algorithm will be given, along with some new capabilities already implemented in both software and hardware VLSI forms. The status of the technology will be presented with its performance in several applications including remote sensing, medical imaging and seismology.
Evaluation of Visual Notification Cues for Ubiquitous Computing

With increased use of mobile information technology and increased amounts of information comes the need to simplify information presentation. This research considers whether low-information-rate displays (such as those used in mobile devices) can provide effective information awareness. An experiment was performed to measure the performance/size tradeoff of visual displays ranging in size from two LEDs to nine LEDs, and using a number of display characteristics – i.e., color and blinking in various combinations. Results show a reliable tradeoff between performance (participant response time and accuracy) and display size (number of LEDs). However, even the full set of 27 messages can be conveyed with high recognition accuracy using only three LEDs by mapping the messages into color and position. Thus, mobile devices with micro-level form factors can be designed to convey critical information and provide effective notifications. Future work and a prototype developed from this work are discussed.
Relationship Between Vicarious Traumatization and Turnover Among Child Welfare Professionals

Child welfare professionals work on the front lines with maltreated children and their families every day. The very nature of the work can have a significant impact on their emotional well being and ability to effectively perform their jobs, potentially limiting quality service delivery and contributing to overall workforce capacity issues such a turnover. This study examined the relationship between vicarious traumatization and turnover among 1,192 child welfare professionals in five different child welfare organizations across four states. Propositions from constructivist self-development theory (CSDT) were utilized to examine the causal relationship between vicarious traumatization and child welfare professionals' intent to leave their organization. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess the degree of fit between the observed data and a hypothesized theoretical model examining the relationship between vicarious trauma and intent to leave. Findings from SEM analyses revealed a significant...
NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide levels and the risk of death in the cooperative study of sickle cell disease

Epidemiological studies support a hypothesis that pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) that is associated with a high risk of death and evolves as a complication of haemolytic anaemia. This fundamental hypothesis has been recently challenged and remains controversial. In order to further test this hypothesis in a large and independent cohort of SCD patients we obtained plasma samples from the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD) for analysis of a biomarker, N-terminal-pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), which is elevated in the setting of pulmonary arterial and venous hypertension. A NT-pro-BNP value previously identified to predict PH in adults with SCD was used to determine the association between the risk of mortality in 758 CSSCD participants (428 children and 330 adults). An abnormally high NT-proBNP level ≥160ng/l was present in 27·6% of adult SCD patients. High levels were associated with markers of haemolytic anaemia, such as low haemoglobin level (P<0·001), high lactate dehydrogenase (P<0·001), and high total bilirubin levels (P<0·007). A NT-proBNP level ≥160ng/l was an independent predictor of mortality (RR 6·24, 95% CI 2·9-13·3, P<0·0001). These findings provide further support for an association between haemolytic anaemia and cardiovascular complications in this patient population.
Effects of global electrosensory signals on motion processing in the midbrain of Eigenmannia

Wave-type weakly electric fish such as Eigenmannia produce continuous sinusoidal electric fields. When conspecifics are in close proximity, interaction of these electric fields can produce deficits in electrosensory function. We examined a neural correlate of such jamming at the level of the midbrain. Previous results indicate that neurons in the dorsal layers of the torus semicircularis can (1) respond to jamming signals, (2) respond to moving electrosensory stimuli, and (3) receive convergent information from the four sensory maps of the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL). In this study we recorded the intracellular responses of both tuberous and ampullary neurons to moving objects. Robust Gaussian-shaped or sinusoidal responses with half-height durations between 55 ms and 581 ms were seen in both modalities. The addition of ongoing global signals with temporal-frequencies of 5 Hz attenuated the responses to the moving object by 5 dB or more. In contrast, the responses to the moving object were not attenuated by the addition of signals with temporal frequencies of 20 Hz or greater. This occurred in both the ampullary and tuberous systems, despite the fact that the ampullary afferents to the torus originate in a single ELL map whereas the tuberous afferents emerge from three maps.
Network-based social capital and capacity-building programs: an example from Ethiopia

Introduction Capacity-building programs are vital for healthcare workforce development in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to increasing human capital, participation in such programs may lead to new professional networks and access to social capital. Although network development and social capital generation were not explicit program goals, we took advantage of a natural experiment and studied the social networks that developed in the first year of an executive-education Master of Hospital and Healthcare Administration (MHA) program in Jimma, Ethiopia.
Effect of operating pressure and heated length on the stability of CICCs

The intrinsic properties of low temperature helium exhibit strong variations with changes in pressure and temperature. As a result, important design parameters such as the energy margin of superconductors in the cable in conduit configuration is a strong function of the initial operating conditions. Since the energy margin of CICC's is dominated by the available helium enthalpy, the dependence of the energy margin on initial conditions can be derived from an examination of the helium properties. For superconductors operating in the range of 6 to 8 K, the energy margin can be improved by a factor of three with a suitable choice of initial operating pressure. Other factors effecting the energy margin include the length of the initial heated zone, and the length of the heating pulse.
Sedimentary development of the Louisiana continental shelf related to sea level cycles: Part II—seismic response

Cyclic sequences occur worldwide in nearly every stratigraphic sequence; they are particularly well-developed in fluvial and deltaic sediments that have been influenced by high-frequency eustatic sea-level fluctuations. The large data base for this study (including 471 deep foundation borings, thousands of line kilometers of high-resolution seismic, and sedimentological and dating analyses) represents the most complete information on high-resolution chronostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy that is available on any modern continental shelf/upper slope. These data are used to document sedimentological characteristics and high-resolution seismic responses during three complete sea-level cycles over the entire continental shelf/upper slope of offshore Louisiana.
Quantitative and qualitative hemispheric asymmetry for processing Japanese kana.

Native Japanese speakers identified three-letter kana stimuli presented to the left visual field and right hemisphere (LVF/RH), to the right visual field and left hemisphere (RVF/LH), or to both visual fields and hemispheres simultaneously (BILATERAL trials). There were fewer errors on RVF/LH and BILATERAL trials than on LVF/RH trials. Qualitative analysis of error patterns indicated that there were many fewer errors of first-letter identification than of last-letter identification, suggesting top-to-bottom scanning of the kana characters. In contrast to similar studies presenting nonword letter trigrams to native English speakers, qualitative error patterns were identical for the three visual field conditions. Taken together with the results of earlier studies, the results of the present experiment indicate that the ubiquitous RVF/LH advantage reflects a left-hemisphere superiority for phonetic processing that generalizes across specific languages. At the same time, qualitative aspects of hemispheric asymmetry differ from one language to the next and may depend on such things as the way in which individual characters map onto the pronunciation of words and nonwords.
Prototype for real-time adaptive sampling using the fan algorithm.

Retrospective studies have established that the fan algorithm is an effective means of acquiring high-quality digital cardiac measurements. A prototype has now been constructed that samples adaptively in real time. The prototype uses two Texas Instruments TMS32010 signal processors and 79 additional TTL integrated circuits, at a component cost of approximately US$1000. The device acquires transient samples of the incoming analogue signal at up to 16000 samples s−1, selects samples from this input stream according to the fan algorithm, and transmits the samples and the time intervals between them at a fixed permanent rate. The permanent rate is between 100 and 400 samples s−1, as selected by the user. To respond to changing waveforms and repetition rates, while maintaining a fixed transmission rate, the prototype varies the fan tolerance. The lowest fan tolerance that will allow transmission of samples and time intervals at a rate not exceeding the permanent rate is used. If permanent samples at uniform intervals result in lower peak error than the fan samples, the prototype transmits the uniformly spaced samples instead of the fan samples. Results with test and real signals show that the device performs as designed and can accurately measure fast waveforms at low average sampling rates. For example, bipolar pulses 350 μs in duration were recorded with permanent rates of only 400 samples s−1, and cardiac signals were measured with 10–390 times lower peak error than would have resulted from uniform sampling at the same average rates.
Consistency of spherical, gravity-dominated dynamics with quasar high-ionization emission-line profiles

Line profile data are used to test a simple kinematic model - spherically symmetric gravitational free fall - in which the number of free parameters is limited by requiring physical self-consistency. The predictions of this model are fitted to high-resolution spectra of the stronger rest-frame UV emission lines in 12 quasars with z of about 2. It is found that if all the lines are radiated predominantly from the illuminated faces of the emission-line clouds, the profiles of Ly-alpha, N V 1240 A, and C IV 1549 A can be simultaneously well fitted with very similar parameters for all 12 quasars. It is concluded that spherically symmetric gravitational free fall does not correctly describe the dynamics of quasar broad emission-line regions.
Comparison of in vivo and in vitro percutaneous absorption of T-2 toxin in guinea pigs.

Abstract B. W. Kemppainen , J. G. Pace and R. T. Riley . Comparison of in vivo and in vitro percutaneous absorption of T-2 toxin in guinea pigs. Toxicon 25, 1153 – 1162, 1987. — The fate and distribution of T-2 were examined in 6 guinea pigs. T-2 (1.2 μg/cm 2 ), in methanol or DMSO, was painted onto the shaved backs of guinea pigs, a screen barrier was applied, urine and feces were collected daily and the guinea pigs were killed after 48 hr. Disks of skin (lateral to the in vivo site of application) were excised from the guinea pigs and used for in vitro penetration studies with static diffusion cells. Skin excised from 6 additional guinea pigs was used for penetration studies with flow-through diffusion cells. For in vitro studies, T-2 dissolved in methanol or DMSO was applied to the epidermal surfaces and the appearance of penetrant in receptor fluid bathing the dermal surfaces was monitored for 48 hr. Metabolism of T-2 was measured by using thin layer radiochromatography to identify metabolites. In the in vivo study, mean cutaneous absorption ( n = 3) after 48 hr (expressed as per cent dose) was 22.5 and 51.9 for the methanol and DMSO groups, respectively. In vitro cutaneous penetration for static diffusion cells was 3.9 and 38.4 for the methanol and DMSO groups. For flow-through diffusion cells, mean penetration ( n = 9) was 14.6 and 42.6 for the methanol and DMSO groups. Urinary metabolites of T-2 were T-2 triol, 3′ OH-HT-2, T-2 tetraol, the glucuronide conjugate of HT-2 and several more polar metabolites. The main metabolite of T-2 in the receptor fluid bathing the dermal surfaces of excised skin was HT-2.
The spectrum of cranial neuropathy in patients with Bell's palsy

Background There is controversy regarding whether, and how frequently, other cranial nerve deficits accompany Bell’s palsy. We sought to determine prospectively the presence of signs indicating an associated cranial neuropathy in patients with Bell’s palsy. Methods All subjects presenting to an emergency department with Bell’s palsy over a 2-year period were evaluated. The study included 51 consecutive patients. One patient with Bell’s palsy was not examined by a neurologist at the time of presentation and was excluded. The main outcome measure was presence of other cranial nerve deficits. Results We identified 4 patients with additional cranial neuropathies (contralateral trigeminal [n=1], glossopharyngeal [n=2], and hypoglossal [n=1]). We also identified 13 patients with ipsilateral facial sensory loss, suggesting an ipsilateral trigeminal neuropathy; 3 patients with a contralateral facial palsy; and 3 patients with hearing impairment. Conclusion This prospective study indicates that a small percentage (approximately 8%) of patients with otherwise typical Bell’s palsy may harbor additional cranial neuropathies.
A quantitative chemical approach to problems of nematocyst distribution and replacement in Hydra.

Abstract 1. 1. A quantitative colorimetric assay for hydroxyproline was used to measure changes in the distribution of nematocysts in Hydra . The assay was based on the observation that probably most of the intracellular hydroxyproline of Hydra is localized in the nematocysts. 2. 2. The distribution in hydroxyproline during bud development changed significantly. The large amounts of hydroxyproline observed in the “bud zone” during early development were subsequently found in the detached bud. 3. 3. The hydroxyproline lost from the tentacles on feeding was replaced within 2 days. At this time a maximum amount of hydroxyproline per tentacle was reached. 4. 4. These results are discussed in relation to the general problems involved in a quantitative study of the mechanisms involved in the distribution of nematocysts.
A methodology for controlling the size of a test suite

This paper presents a technique to select a representative set of test cases from a test suite that provides the same coverage as the entire test suite. This selection is performed by identifying, and then eliminating, the redundant and obsolete test cases in the test suite. The representative set replaces the original test suite and thus, potentially produces a smaller test suite. The representative set can also be used to identify those test cases that should be rerun to test the program after it has been changed. Our technique is independent of the testing methodology and only requires an association between a testing requirement and the test cases that satisfy the requirement. We illustrate the technique using the data flow testing methodology. The reduction that is possible with our technique is illustrated by experimental results.
Isolated endometriosis in an inguinal hernia

Presented is the case of a patient with inguinal endometriosis adjacent to a hernia sac in whom laparoscopy revealed no evidence of pelvic endometriosis.
GATE REVENUE SHARING AND LUXURY TAXES IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

This paper examines the impact of gate revenue sharing and luxury taxes on professional sports leagues within the context of a less restrictive demand function than those used in prior models. In contrast to previous studies, the analysis finds that the increased sharing of revenues may enhance competitive balance. Consistent with other models, the analysis finds that player salaries will diminish as the percentage of shared gate receipts rises. The analysis also explores several variations of luxury taxes. All have the effect of lowering salaries. The impact on league balance depends on how the tax is implemented and on how its proceeds are distributed. As with salary caps, enforcement problems exist with the tax.
Interdependence of corticosterone and thyroid hormones in toad larvae (Bufo boreas). II. Regulation of corticosterone and thyroid hormones.

Typically, the role of corticosterone (B) in metamorphosis is considered secondary to that of thyroid hormone, with B having only enhancing effects. In the current study, we demonstrate that the relationship between the thyroid hormones and B is much more complex and that thyroxine (T4) may depend on B for some of its functions. Tadpoles of the western toad (Bufo boreas) were treated with various combinations of corticosterone (B), thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), a goitrogen (thiourea; Thio), and a corticoid synthesis inhibitor (metyrapone; MTP). Hormones were extracted from individual tadpoles and whole-body hormone levels determined by radioimmunoassay. B-treatment decreased the ratio of T4 to T3, suggesting that B increased the conversion of endogenous T4 to T3. In addition, B-treatment in combination with T4 resulted in high whole body-levels of T3. B also caused a decrease in whole body-thyroid hormone levels (T4 and T3), suggesting negative feedback on the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis and T3 had a similar effect, decreasing whole body-T4 levels. T4-treatment, but not T3, increased whole body-B levels and MTP-treatment in combination with T4 prevented the stimulatory effect of T4 on B production. MTP-treatment alone blocked all steroid metabolism of [3H]progesterone by the interrenal in vitro, and lowered whole body-B levels three-fold in vivo. Thio-treatment reduced thyroid hormone levels and also resulted in decreased B. Finally, we suggest that these results demonstrate a system in which T4 may regulate its own potency: increasing T4 stimulates B production, which increases the conversion of T4 to its more active form T3. Rising T3 levels then cause a decrease in T4, removing the stimulatory effect of T4 on B. These interactions between the thyroid hormones and B help clarify the mechanisms underlying the morphological effects of these hormones described in the previous study. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Tamm-Horsfall Protein Regulates Circulating and Renal Cytokines by Affecting Glomerular Filtration Rate and Acting as a Urinary Cytokine Trap

Although few organ systems play a more important role than the kidneys in cytokine catabolism, the mechanism(s) regulating this pivotal physiological function and how its deficiency affects systemic cytokine homeostasis remain unclear. Here we show that elimination of Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP) expression from mouse kidneys caused a marked elevation of circulating IFN-γ, IL1α, TNF-α, IL6, CXCL1, and IL13. Accompanying this were enlarged spleens with prominent white-pulp macrophage infiltration. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exacerbated the increase of serum cytokines without a corresponding increase in their urinary excretion in THP knock-out (KO) mice. This, along with the rise of serum cystatin C and the reduced inulin and creatinine clearance from the circulation, suggested that diminished glomerular filtration may contribute to reduced cytokine clearance in THP KO mice both at the baseline and under stress. Unlike wild-type mice where renal and urinary cytokines formed specific in vivo complexes with THP, this "trapping" effect was absent in THP KO mice, thus explaining why cytokine signaling pathways were activated in renal epithelial cells in such mice. Our study provides new evidence implicating an important role of THP in influencing cytokine clearance and acting as a decoy receptor for urinary cytokines. Based on these and other data, we present a unifying model that underscores the role of THP as a major regulator of renal and systemic immunity.
Lost Opportunities for Compromise in the Bank War: A Reassessment of Jackson's Veto Message

In this article Professor Perkins reexamines President Andrew Jackson's objections to the bill to recharter the Second Bank of the United States, as expressed in his famous veto message of 1832. He observes that, in addition to its exaggerated rhetoric, the veto message discusses at length a number of alleged deficiencies in the existing charter provisions. Professor Perkins's systematic analysis of the probable ramifications of a series of judicious alterations reveals that a compromise bill reformulated to meet most of the president's stated objections would not have seriously undermined the institution's position in American financial markets. Although several opportunities for sensible compromise arose, Nicholas Biddle and other members of the probank faction disregarded them. Perkins argues that the failure of bank supporters to consider comparatively modest modifications in the terms of recharter was a major blunder that ultimately doomed the Second Bank.
Photomodulation spectroscopy of soluble polyacetylene

Abstract Photoexcitation of soluble polyacetylene has been investigated by both steady-state and transient picosecond photomodulation spectroscopies. The steady-state photoinduced absorption spectrum shows the usual band at 0.5 eV assigned to charged solitons, while the neutral soliton absorption band is concealed under the strong photoinduced electroabsorption. The picosecond spectrum confirms the anomaly in the high-energy photoinduced absorption band, which appears to be much weaker, broader and more strongly temperature dependent than in regular Shirakawa polyacetylene films. This is correlated with the particular sample morphology and the defect-mediated stabilization mechanism of the neutral photoexcitations.
Circadian variation of [3H]N6-(l-phenylisopropyl)adenosine binding in rat brain

Abstract Since considerable recent experimental evidence suggests a role for the purine nucleoside adenosine in the regulation of mammalian sleep, circadian variations of adenosine receptor binding were examined in whole rat brain using [ 3 H]N 6 - l -phenylisopropyl)adenosine ([ 3 H] l -PIA). These results demonstrate a significant circadian variation in the number of [ 3 H] l -PIA. binding sites (B max ) with a maximum 3 h after the beginning of the dark phase of a 12 h light 12 h dark cycle , and a minimum 8 h later ( P K d ) of [ 3 H] l -PIA at adenosine receptors did not exhibit any statistically significant circadian variation. These data indicate a daily rhythm in the number of adenosine receptors without a change in K d and may support the hypothesized involvement of adenosine in the regulation of sleep in rats.
Representations and Remembrance: Tracing Civil Rights Meanings in the Narratives of Civil Rights Activists and Hollywood Filmmakers

In this article, we examine the narratives of the Civil Rights Movement as presented in cinematic narratives and in accounts of civil rights leaders. We conduct a comparative analysis focusing on the comparison of the Civil Rights narratives of the Hollywood films The Long Walk Home (1989) and Driving Miss Daisy (1989), to the 1997 audio series Will the Circle Be Unbroken? In the analysis, we identify a Hollywood and a black consensus narrative, but there are important differences in the representational politics of black activists who participated during the Civil Rights Movement and that of Hollywood filmmakers. In particular, our findings reveal that the two Hollywood films downplay black agency, deploy the white heroin character, privilege sentimental aspects over historical references, limit the historical scope of the movement, and use a language of intimacy and optimism about race relations. These depictions sharply differ from the black consensus narrative in which life under Jim Crow, black activism, unity, struggle, and group resilience are emphasized.
Ecological impacts of energy-wood harvests: lessons from whole-tree harvesting and natural disturbance

Recent interest in using forest residues and small-diameter material for biofuels is generating a renewed focus on harvesting impacts and forest sustainability. The rich legacy of research from whole-tree harvesting studies can be examined in light of this interest. Although this research largely focused on consequences for forest productivity, in particular carbon and nutrient pools, it also has relevance for examining potential consequences for biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems. This review is framed within a context of contrasting ecosystem impacts from whole-tree harvesting because it represents a high level of biomass removal. Although whole-tree harvesting does not fully use the nonmerchantable biomass available, it indicates the likely direction and magnitude of impacts that can occur through energy-wood harvesting compared with less-intensive conventional harvesting and to dynamics associated with various natural disturbances. The intent of this comparison is to gauge the degree of departure of energy-wood harvesting from less intensive conventional harvesting. The review of the literature found a gradient of increasing departure in residual structural conditions that remained in the forest when conventional and whole-tree harvesting was compared with stand-replacing natural disturbance. Important stand- and landscape-level processes were related to these structural conditions. The consequence of this departure may be especially potent because future energy-wood harvests may more completely use a greater range of forest biomass at potentially shortened rotations, creating a great need for research that explores the largely unknown scale of disturbance that may apply to our forest ecosystems.
Topological solitons in the Weinberg-Salam theory

Abstract We establish the existence of multivortices arising in the self-dual phase of the standard model of Weinberg-Salam, and its two-Higgs-doublet extension, in the unified theory of electromagnetic and weak interactions. For the standard model, we prove the existence of solutions in a periodic lattice domain and study the effect of the gravitational coupling. We find an important connection of these self-dual vortices and the cosmological constant problem: the cosmological constant Λ may be written explictly in terms of several fundamental parameters in electroweak theory and the two-dimensional surface on which the vortices reside becomes noncomplete. We then prove that such a gravitational background leads to the existence of finite-energy vortices on the full plane with a non-Abelian nature. For the extended electroweak model with two Higgs doublets, we solve the self-dual equations completely. For the periodic case, we prove an existence and uniqueness theorem under a necessary and sufficient condition. This result reveals some exact restrictions to the vortex charges. For the problem on the entire plane, we obtain existence, uniqueness, sharp decay estimates, and quantized fluxes.
Characterization of a 4 kb Variant of the nifD Element inAnabaena sp. Strain ATCC 33047

Heterocyst differentiation in some cyanobacteria is accompanied by a programmed DNA rearrangement within the nitrogen fixation gene nifD. The nifD element is excised from within nifD during the latter stages of heterocyst differentiation by site-specific recombination. There is considerable variation in those nifD elements examined thus far, with Nostoc sp. Strain PCC 7120 and Anabaena variabilis having 11 kb elements, and Nostoc punctiforme having a 24 kb element. Here we characterize a 4 kb nifD element in Anabaena sp. Strain ATCC 33047, and compare it with the other sequenced nifD elements. While there is considerable variation in both the size (ranging from 4 kb to 24 kb) and composition of the nifD elements examined thus far, there are regions that are conserved in all. These conserved regions include the flanking 3′ and 5′ regions, the xisA gene, and a small open reading frame known as ORF2 in Nostoc sp. Strain PCC 7120.
Immune responses of elk to Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette Guerin vaccination

Abstract Although rare, detection of Mycobacterium bovis infection of captive or free-ranging elk (Cervus elaphus) elicits serious concern due to regulatory and zoonotic implications. Few studies, however, have evaluated the immune response of elk to M. bovis or other pathogens. To model natural infection, elk were vaccinated with live M. bovis bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG, Pasteur strain) for evaluation of immune responsiveness to this attenuated live vaccine. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of vaccinated elk proliferated in response to stimulation with a soluble mycobacterial antigen preparation (i.e. M. bovis purified protein derivative, PPDb). Greater numbers of sIgM+ cells (i.e. B cells) proliferated in this response than did either CD4+, γδTCR+ or CD8+ cells. The in vivo response (i.e. delayed type hypersensitivity, DTH) to PPDb by vaccinated elk exceeded both the response by non-vaccinated elk and BCG-vaccinated cattle at 24, 48, and 72 h post-administration of PPD. In vivo responses to PPDb by vaccinated elk diminished after 72 h as compared to responses at 24 and 48 h. Serum was also collected periodically and evaluated by ELISA for immunoglobulin (i.e. IgG heavy and light chains) reactivity to crude mycobacterial antigens. Two weeks post-vaccination and throughout the duration of the study, serum immunoglobulin reactivity to PPDb and to a proteinase K-digested whole cell sonicate of BCG exceeded that of serum from non-vaccinated elk. Intradermal administration of PPD for measurement of hypersensitive responses boosted the serum antibody response. These findings demonstrate that BCG vaccination of elk induces a serum antibody response to crude M. bovis antigens, a B cell in vitro proliferative response, and in vivo trafficking of mononuclear cells to sites of mycobacterial antigen administration (i.e. delayed type hypersensitivity). A predominant B cell in vitro proliferative response by elk PBMC to crude mycobacterial test antigens will likely impact the development of improved diagnostic tests of tuberculosis infection for this species.
Pulvis de sclerotium and the mummified finger.

October, 1951, and hamlets throughout the south of France were still in the throes of economic recovery; the struggle in Vietnam further drained French resources. Despite postwar scarcities, Fall's harvest had provided a good yield — an outcome in doubt given Spring's heavy rainfall and June's hot sun. Sustenance for destitute Mr. H., his wife and two children, depended on pickled pork, cheese, honey and well water. Spirits soared when they learned baker J. would provide them flour. Though mottled gray and having a sticky texture that made working batter difficult, H. beamed when bread tasted fine. Within days all were brought to clinic, where Nicole Monier, resident in internal medicine, was working. In wife and children, throbbing calves gave way to burning pains and discolored toes. For H., painful fingers turned black. As Nicole examined his right index finger, it fell off! What caused this affliction in previously healthy people? None …