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A psychology professor reviews the unresolved validity issues in applying assessment to social issues. These issues include response sets, reactive measurement effects, content-irrelevant methods variance, population and content sampling restrictions, and validity-degrading effect of use in organization control. Error correction and irrelevant reliable variance in measures, and the shifting validity concepts in the interpretation of racial differences in achievement and ability measures are a few more validity issues.

A social choice correspondence is Arrovian if it satisfies Arrow's choice axiom and independence of infeasible alternatives. For any such correspondence there is a large fraction of the population whose preferences are irrelevant to the social decision in a large fraction of situations. We consider the case of a finite outcome set, and also an outcome set of positive but finite Lebesgue measure (in some Euclidean space). An unrestricted individual preference domain is assumed. The agenda domain assumption allows for a finite lower bound, possibly greater than 2, on the size of a feasible set.

Asteroids 1 Ceres, 2 Pallas, and 4 Vesta were observed with the 13-cm Arecibo radar and the 3.5-cm Goldstone radar during several apparitions between 1981 and 1995. These observations help to characterize the objects' surface properties. Echoes from Ceres and Pallas are [approximately]95% polarized ([[Mu].sub.C] = [[Sigma].sub.SC]/[[Sigma].sub.OC] [approximately equal to] 0.05) in the sense expected for specular (mirror) reflection yet broadly distributed in Doppler frequency, thus revealing surfaces that are smoother than the Moon at decimeter scales but much rougher (rms slopes > 20 [degrees]) on larger scales. Slopes on Ceres appear to be somewhat higher when viewed with the 3.5-cm wavelength, a trend that is observed for the terrestrial planets and the Moon. In contrast, echoes from Vesta are significantly depolarized, indicating substantial near-surface complexity at scales near 13 cm ([[Mu].sub.C] = 0.24 [+ or -] 0.04) and 3.5 cm ([[Mu].sub.C] = 0.32 [+ or -] 0.04), which is probably a consequence of Vesta's relatively strong basaltic surface material and may be a signature of large impact features inferred to be present on the surface. The low radar albedos of Ceres [Mathematical Expression Omitted] and Pallas [Mathematical Expression Omitted] are in the range expected for surfaces with a carbonaceous chondrite mineralogy. Pallas' distinctly higher albedo implies a [approximately]35% higher surface density, which could result from a lower regolith porosity and/or a higher specific gravity (zero-porosity density). Given a porosity of 45%, the specific gravities of the surface materials on Ceres and Pallas would be [approximately]2.3 and [approximately]3.0 g [cm.sup.-3], respectively, which would be consistent with (1) the presence of an additional silicate component on Pallas' surface (as inferred from spectroscopic observations) and (2) recent mass estimates, which suggest a higher mean (volume-averaged) density for Pallas than for Ceres.

The nitric oxide-related activity of the sarcolemmal L-type calcium channel is regulated by S-nitrosylation/oxidation and cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP) modulation. The signal transduction pathway of the sarcolemmal L-type calcium channel of ferrets is controlled by two opposing mechanisms. Direct redox modulation involves the down regulation of the ion channel which is caused by the reduction of allosteric-site thiols while the oxidation of the allosteric-site thiols up-regulates the calcium channel.

Arrow's (1963) impossibility theorem is analyzed within a standard public choice framework where the array of acceptable individual preferences is naturally limited. This theorem holds that a social function is dictatorial if it meets the Pareto criterion, offers independence of impertinent alternatives and has transitive values. The results suggest that if the last two characteristics are present, dictatorship cannot be avoided without sacrificing efficiency.

Social choice valuation is determined by using a minimal continuity factor, transitivity and limited choice between two similarly unfeasible options. The continuity factor, which proxies for practical variability, indicates the existence of an extreme alternative which is also supported by the transitivity and independent irrelevant options. The process leaves a social rule which can either be dictatorial or a preference-sensitive rule which provides for positive social welfare functions.

Radar observations of the main-belt asteroids 7 Iris, 9 Metis, 12 Victoria, 216 Kleopatra and 654 Zelinda were carried out at Arecibo Observatory between 1980 and 1989. They reveal large-scale topography in all the targets. Meanwhile, the data was combined with available information culled from radiometric, lightcurve and occultation observations to develop inferences about their sizes, shapes, spins and surface properties.

Delay-Doppler images of the Earth-crossing asteroid 4179 Toutatis achieve resolutions as fine as 125 nanoseconds (19 meters in range) and 8.3 millihertz (0.15 millimeter per second in radial velocity) and place hundreds to thousands of pixels on the asteroid, which appears to be several kilometers long, topographically bifurcated, and heavily cratered. The image sequence reveals Toutatis to be in an extremely slow, non-principal axis rotation state., Optical investigations of Earth-orbit-crossing asteroids (ECAs) are limited by their small angular sizes (typically < The images were obtained with the Goldstone Radar in California daily from 2 to 18 [...]

Arrow's theorem holds when the set of alternatives is an Edgeworth hyperbox and the individuals have classical economic preferences over their consumption sets. (Free disposability is not assumed.) By classical individual preferences we mean preorders satisfying continuity, strict convexity, strict monotonicity, and selfishness. A minor, but noteworthy, accomplishment is the development of a general technique for extending two-commodity impossibility theorems to the general m-commodity counterpart.

Children may to develop latex hypersensitivity reactions or allergies in hospital. Natural latex is a type of rubber used in surgical gloves, intravenous (IV) lines, and catheterization. Latex allergy leads to a range of clinical symptoms and the presence of latex-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in blood. Researchers evaluated the records of 35 children with latex allergy. IgE was present in the blood of all but two children whose symptoms confirmed a diagnosis of latex allergy. Severe reactions within 10 minutes were most common and 17 children had reactions after surgery. Sixty percent the children had spina bifida and bladder inversion. The remaining patients had a variety of diagnoses not formerly associated with a tendency towards latex allergy. A rise in allergy cases among this previously unidentified group may require additional precautions., ABSTRACT. Objective. To better understand the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and possible prevention of immediate hypersensitivity reactions to latex in a hospitalized, pediatric patient population. Methods. We performed a retrospective case analysis of the first 35 patients with latex allergy evaluated by our service over a 2-year period at our institution. Characteristics of patients and clinical reactions were analyzed and the presence of latex-specific immunoglobulin E was assessed using in vitro methods. In a limited group of patients, the success of strict environmental control and premedication with steroids and antihistamines was evaluated for the prevention of latex allergic reactions. Results. The majority of our patients had life-threatening reactions. In previous reports, most pediatric patients underwent reactions in the perioperative period and belonged to two well-recognized "high-risk" patient groups (spina bifida and genitourinary malformations). In our series, 21 patients (60%) had reactions outside of the operating room setting and 14 patients (40%) had primary diagnoses outside of the previously recognized "high-risk" groups. Many patients had a history of multiple surgical procedures, and a history of a surgical procedure in the first year of life was very common. A pre-existing clinical history of latex allergy was present in only 18 of the 35 patients, and a severe or life-threatening allergic reaction was the presenting feature of latex allergy in 11 of the 35 patients. Using in vitro assays, we were able to detect latex-specific immunoglobulin E in the sera of all but two of our patients. Latex gloves and latex-containing intravenous sets were common triggers for reactions. When exposure to latex occurs systemically, as through an intravenous line, premedication with steroids and antihistamines may fail to protect against anaphylaxis. Conclusions. Our experience indicates that the incidence of latex hypersensitivity in children is increasing that the circumstances (patient profile, hospital location, route of exposure) in which life-threatening reactions may occur are more broad than previously reported, and that a better understanding of both environmental sources of latex antigens and host responses to latex exposure are needed for improved prevention of serious reactions. Pediatrics 1995,95:693-699; latex allergy, hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, bronchospasm, urticaria, spina bifida, latex, immunoglobulin E., Allergic or immediate hypersensitivity reactions to natural latex (a form of rubber) have been reported with increasing frequency since Nutter's first account of contact urticaria in 1979.[1] The identification and [...]

As married women continue to enter the work force in large numbers (US Bureau of the Census, 1987), the reciprocal interactions between work life and family life take on increased [...]

An economic model requires the continuity of social preference. Minimal responsiveness (MR) is very mild. MR only inhibits the social welfare function form being extremely unresponsive to everyone's preferences in some situations. Pareto aggregation is the only oligarchical rule which does not completely exclude someone from consideration.

Isolation and analysis of a full-length 645-amino acid protein encoding ferret cDNA clone FK1, with 98% similarity to human K+ transient outward current (Ito)-like HK1, shows that the FK1 cRNA induces an I-like current, that has similar properties as HK1 in the oocytes and Ito in myocytes. The current has activating and inactivating properties that can be explained with Boltzmann relationships. Sequence analysis further confirms the sequence similarity of FK1 and HK1 clones, indicating a molecular basis for the electrophysical homology between human and ferret ventricular Ito.

An analysis is presented of trade-offs that are necessary when criteria used to make social decisions cannot be fully met. The list of axioms in Kenneth J. Arrow's impossibility theorem is used to represent a collection of decision rules. Each axiom represents a desired property of a rule, even if the formal expression of the rule results in a contradiction. Social scientists need to be disciplined, but the formality required exacts a very high price.

The Arrovian social welfare function is dictatorial if it satisfies the Pareto criterion. Proof is presented showing that for any fraction t and any Arrovian social welfare function f, either there will be some individual who dictates on a subset containing at least the fraction of t outcomes, or at least the fraction 1-t of the ordered pair of outcomes have their social ranking fixed independently of individual preference.

A quantitative study was conducted on the properties of 4-aminopyridine's (4-AP) blockade of the calcium-insensitive transient outward potassium current (I sub to) found in myocytes obtained from ferret right ventricles. Results indicate that 4-AP uses a reverse-use dependent closed state blocking mechanism for reducing I(sub to). No evidence was obtained, however, to support an interaction between 4-AP and the open or inactivated state of the I(sub to) channel. A transition in the characteristics of the binding between 4-AP and I(sub to) was found to occur within a range of potentials within which activation and inactivation takes place.

A study was conducted on the properties, selectivity characteristics and potential-dependent macroscopic gating mechanics of the macroscopic Ca(super 2+) independent I(sub to) in enzymatically isolated single myocytes from ferret right ventricles. I(sub to) was found to be selective for K(super +) and its activation was found to be voltage-dependent. Results also revealed that significant inactivation can take place during subthreshold depolarization without any measurable current and that inactivation reaches completion at depolarized potentials. Steady-state activation was found to be sigmoidally membrane potential-dependent.

The right ventricles of ferrets are used as a channel for myocytes which are separated by enzymes. The myocytes reveal the influences of extracellular ATP on the 'L type' Ca current, which is activated by voltage Ia, action potential, resting and transient intracellular Ca2+ levels and cell contraction. Ia is hindered by extracellular ATP in a process which relies on time and concentration by a total cell patch clamp method. The end of 500-ms clamp steps reveals a residual current thatz is not changed when the highest amplitude of Ia is reduced by ATP.