cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of statin therapy on neurological events following left ventricular assist system implantation in advanced heart failure

BACKGROUND Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death in advanced heart failure patients supported with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist system (CF-LVAS). Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) reduce the risk of major cardiovascular and neurological events such as stroke, but their impact has not been evaluated in patients implanted with a CF-LVAS. We sought to explore the association between use of statin therapy and subsequent occurrence of neurological events, particularly stroke, following CF-LVAS implantation. METHODS We performed a single center, retrospective, observational cohort study in 200 consecutive adults implanted with a durable CF-LVAS over a 10-year period (2008-2018). We compared patients according to statin use following pump implantation, stratified by an exploratory analysis of pump type (HeartMate II, HeartWare HVAD, and HeartMate 3 [HM3] LVAS). RESULTS Overall, 24% of CF-LVAS recipients developed at least 1 neurological event, at a rate of 0.11 events per patient-year (EPPY) among those prescribed statins and 0.22 EPPY among non-users (age-adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI],0.24–0.88; p = 0.019). In the cohort without the HM3 pump, ischemic strokes were 62% lower among statin users (0.05 versus 0.12 EPPY for non-users; age-adjusted HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.15–0.99; p = 0.048). The risk of ischemic stroke did not differ significantly when HM3 recipients were included in the analysis (age-adjusted HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.22–1.21; p = 0.13). However, ischemic stroke rate in HM3 LVAS recipients was similar to the rate in statin users who received a non-HM3 LVAS (0.06 and 0.05 EPPY, respectively). Rates of hemorrhagic stroke and other safety end points were not significantly different according to statin use. CONCLUSION Statin prescription following CF-LVAS is associated with lower rates of neurological events, driven predominantly by a reduction in ischemic strokes. These findings suggest that most patients with a pre-existing indication for statin therapy may continue using statins following CF-LVAS in an effort to decrease the incidence of ischemic stroke.
HEALTH PROVIDING ORIENTATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY AS A FACTOR IN THE FORMATION OF METHODOLOGICAL LITERACY

The article dwells upon the necessity of the usage of the university educational environment in order to formthe methodological literacy of students, taking into account the environmental health-providing orientation.It specifies the definition of the University educational environment and the main features of a methodologicallyliterate person in the context of the orientation of the educational environment. The author reveals opportunitiesof a healthy living for an effective formation of the methodological literacy of future specialists.The conclusions present health-forming technologies of physical education as optimal factors of the formationof students’ methodological literacy, which are constructively available for change within the University.
Epilepsy self-management behaviors among African Americans with epilepsy.

Abstract Purpose Although self-management practices are heavily studied in the general population of adults with epilepsy, African American people with epilepsy (PWE) have been understudied. Improving understanding about epilepsy self-management among African Americans is warrantedbecause of the significantly greater mortality rates among this population compared withPWE from other racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Adult Epilepsy Self-Management Measurement Instrument (AESMMI) for Black/African American adults and describe their self-management behaviors. Methods This study was a cross-sectional survey of self-identified Black/African American adults who reported that a health provider diagnosed them as having epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Participants completed a cross-sectional survey between spring 2017 and fall 2018. The survey measured self-management behaviors (65-itemAESMMI), quality of life, depression, seizure severity, epilepsy history, and demographics. We ran descriptive analyses, computed scales, and ran reliability statistics for the AESMMI. Correlations were run between total AESMMI score and depression symptoms and quality of life to assess construct validity. Results Generally, participants (N = 114) were male (58.6%), from urban/suburban settings (90.5%), at least high school graduates (86.4%), and of lowerincome (90.3%). Their ages ranged from 19 to 64 years with a mean age of 53 years (standard deviation [SD] = 10.9). Participants had general (72.8%) and focal seizures (55.3%) primarily. Many were diagnosed at a young age (M = 10.9), were on antiepileptic medications (91.2%), and had seen a primary care doctor (68.4%) or general neurologist for treatment (54.4%). Sixty percent had visited a neurologist in the past year. African American participants had a low score on quality of life (Quality of Life in Epilepsy [QOLIE], M = 1.86) and low depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-8], M = 3.13). Participants reported conducting self-management behaviors in the following domains more frequently: proactivity (M = 4.11), medication adherence (M = 3.92), healthcare communications (M = 3.91), and social support (M = 3.90). In contrast, they performed self-management behaviors related to treatment (M = 3.34), stress management (M = 3.56), and safety (M = 3.58) less frequently. The overall reliability of the AESMMI was 0.88. Adult Epilepsy Self-Management Measurement Instrument score was correlated with quality of life (r = 0.151). Conclusion Findings are clinically relevant as knowing patients'self-management behaviors enables healthcare clinicians to support and encourage adults to improve the management of their epilepsy. Services or interventions related to coping with stress, safety, and adherence with treatment and medication may be warranted for African Americans with epilepsy.
Evolution of Pelage Luminance in Squirrels (Sciuridae)

Pelage luminance has been found in many mammalian systems to follow patterns predicted by Gloger’s rule where darker colored animals are associated with environments that are warmer and more moist. Sciurids have one of the greatest diversities of color patterns and hues among mammalian families. We have used comparative methods to investigate whether the luminance of dorsal pelage in 137 species across Sciuridae conform to prediction of Gloger’s rule and other background matching expectations. We found using phylogenetic multiple regression, as well as univariate regression, that Sciurids generally conform to expectations of Gloger’s rule. Darker species are associated with environments with higher primary productivity, higher temperature, higher humidity, and lower solar radiation. Moreover, in support of the predictions of background matching, darker squirrel species were associated with environments with greater soil carbon content and higher fire frequency. Our macroevolutionary study sheds some light on selective pressures that are driving the evolution of coloration in Sciurids, but more comparative research is needed to fully understand other selective pressures that have led to the wide diversity of color patterns and hues.
Learning to Think like a Teacher: Effects of Video Reflection on Preservice Teachers’ Practice and Pedagogy

Using video to reflect on practice is an important concept in the field of teacher education because it allows practitioners to review their practice in a timely manner and receive professional fee...
Increased visits to respiratory protection webpages during COVID-19

Background COVID-19 transmission is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes Respiratory protection devices, when properly fitted and used, can prevent this type of illness transmission Methods The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) within the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is responsible for the certification and approval of respirators for use in occupational settings NPPTL maintains webpages with information on respiratory protection devices We monitored the number of webpage views for several NPPTL webpages from January 1, 2020 to May 8, 2020 The number of webpage visits was then compared to significant events during the COVID-19 outbreak as well as the previous year's webpage visits Results The landing page for NIOSH-approved N95 respirators received the most visits This page received a total of 1,637,250 webpage visits with a peak of 63,715 on February 26, 2020, a 38,989% increase from the average daily page visits for that same month in 2019 This occurred on the same day as the White House gave its first televised briefing on COVID-19 The page providing general information on filtering facepiece respirators, including N95 respirators received 834,186 webpage visits with a peak of 20,520 on April 3, 2020, a 13,659% increase from the average daily webpage visits for that same month in 2019 This occurred on the same date as new CDC recommendations were provided for using cloth face masks in public places The counterfeit respirator page maintained a steady, but small number of webpage visits, but increased from 4,261 on March 27, 2020 to 68,145 on March 29, 2020 This occurred as the first reports of fraudulent respirators were being published in the media It then fell to 18,562 on March 30, 2020 and 13,093 on March 31, 2020 While most webpage visits were from the United States, visits from China, and Canada were higher than previous years Conclusion During COVID-19 there was a large increase in the number of webpage visits for respiratory protection information which coincided with major events and media reports Accurate, accessible respiratory protection information is an important resource during public health emergencies
Intersections of food insecurity, violence, poor mental health and substance use among US women living with and at risk for HIV: Evidence of a syndemic in need of attention.

Author(s): Leddy, Anna M; Zakaras, Jennifer M; Shieh, Jacqueline; Conroy, Amy A; Ofotokun, Ighovwerha; Tien, Phyllis C; Weiser, Sheri D | Abstract: BackgroundFood insecurity and intimate partner violence (IPV) are associated with suboptimal HIV prevention and treatment outcomes, yet limited research has explored how food insecurity and IPV intersect to influence HIV-related behaviors. To fill this gap, we conducted a qualitative study with women living with or at risk for HIV in the United States.MethodsWe conducted 24 in-depth interviews with women enrolled in the San Francisco and Atlanta sites of the Women's Interagency HIV study (WIHS). Participants were purposively sampled so half were living with HIV and all reported food insecurity and IPV in the past year. Semi-structured interviews explored experiences with food insecurity and IPV, how these experiences might be related and influence HIV risk and treatment behaviors. Analysis was guided by an inductive-deductive approach.ResultsA predominant theme centered on how food insecurity and IPV co-occur with poor mental health and substance use to influence HIV-related behaviors. Women described how intersecting experiences of food insecurity and IPV negatively affected their mental health, with many indicating using substances to "feel no pain". Substance use, in turn, was described to perpetuate food insecurity, IPV, and poor mental health in a vicious cycle, ultimately facilitating HIV risk behaviors and preventing HIV treatment adherence.ConclusionsFood insecurity, IPV, poor mental health and substance use intersect and negatively influence HIV prevention and treatment behaviors. Findings offer preliminary evidence of a syndemic that goes beyond the more widely studied "SAVA" (substance use, AIDS, and violence) syndemic, drawing attention to additional constructs of mental health and food insecurity. Quantitative research must further characterize the extent and size of this syndemic. Policies that address the social and structural drivers of this syndemic, including multi-level and trauma-informed approaches, should be implemented and evaluated to assess their impact on this syndemic and its negative health effects.
Heinrich Pesch and the Anglo-German Divide in Economics

The Rev. Heinrich Pesch, S.J. was a German economist and social philosopher who was an active scholar from the 1890s to 1920s. His work had a significant impact on a generation of German Catholic social thinkers and particularly the papal encyclical Quadragesimo Anno. His method of social analysis,which he called Solidarism, was informed by Catholic Social Thought, but based on natural law principles that he argued were accessible to all people of good will. This article argues that, although his school of thought did not survive the Nazi and World War II years, many of his ideas had a lingering effect on Economic thought for the German center-right. This influence may be contrasted with the center-right in the English-speaking world, where there was a strong divorce between Christian social thinking and Economics. Consequently, a gap emerged between Economic policy in Germany and Britain, which contributed to some of the divides leading to Brexit.
Class is in Session: The Third Circuit Heightens Ascertainability with Rigor in Carrera v. Bayer Corp.

This Casebrief discusses the declining practicability of consumer class actions in light of the Third Circuit's recent interpretation of the ascertainability requirement in Carrera v. Bayer Corp.
A Review of Pramlintide in the Management of Diabetes

Tight glycemic control in type 1 and type 2 diabetes reduces the risk for microvascular complications, including retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. Yet, despite intensive insulin regimens, m...
The Schur Subgroup of the Brauer Group

In this final chapter we apply the techniques of group cohomology to the representation theory of finite groups. Given G a finite group we know that ℙ(G) is semi-simple for any field of characteristic zero. Consequently, from the Wedderburn theorems there is a decomposition $$F(G) = \sum {{M_{ni}}({D_i})} $$ (0.1) where the D i run over central simple division algebras with center Ki a finite cyclotomic extension of F. The question that we answer here is the determination of all the classes {D i } ∊ B(F) which arise in this way, that is to say, which division algebras occur in the simple components of the group ring of a finite group.
The relationship between psychological ownership and IT-driven value

The concept of psychological ownership is employed in order to enhance our understanding of the relationship between users and information technology professionals and to describe the IT/business process relationship. We use co-ownership to signify a complementary relationship in which users are involved in IT while IT professionals are simultaneously involved in business processes. In an initial study, interviews at four organizations suggest that co-ownership explains information systems’ success and top-rated returns from IT investments. In a second study, we are developing a measure of co-ownership and testing its effect on IT value and performance through a large-scale survey.
MARBLE TOMBSTONE WEATHERING RATES: A TRANSECT OF THE UNITED STATES

Mean weathering rates measured on marble tombstones appear to vary linearly with mean annual rainfall at locations along the 10°C mean annual isotherm in the United States. Chemically-induced granular weathering is the dominant mechanism. Weathering is most rapid on upper portions of stone faces, which recede at about 1 mm/1,000 yrs where mean annual rainfall is 200 mm/yr, and 16 mm/1,000 yrs when rainfall is 1,000 mm/yr. These rates are about 50% greater than on central inscribed portions of vertical faces and on upward-facing horizontal slabs. Weathering rates of marble tombstones are perhaps one-quarter of those reported for limestone denudation in locations with similar climates and about one-half of the rates on marble tombstones in heavily polluted environments. Preliminary work in a high mountain environment with a mean annual temperature of 2°C indicates that marble weathering rates are an order of magnitude greater than at 10°C, possibly because of frost weathering. Where sprinkler irrigation is ...
Assessing Rice Chlorophyll Content with Vegetation Indices from Hyperspectral Data

Leaf chlorophyll content is not only an important biochemical parameter for determinating the capacity of rice photosynthesis, but also a good indicator of crop stress, nutritional state. Due to the reliable, operational and non-destructive advantages, hyperspectral remote sensing plays a significant role for assessing and monitoring chlorophyll content. In the study, a few of typical vegetation indices (VI) with the combination of 670nm and 800nm band reflectance, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Modified Simple Ratio index (MSR), Modified Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index (MCARI), Transformed Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index (TCARI), and Optimized Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (OSAVI) are modified by using 705nm and 750nm band reflectance so as to reduce the effect of spectral saturation in 660-680nm absorptive band region, and then used to assess the rice chlorophyll content. The result shows that the five mentioned VIs have better correlation with rice chlorophyll content while using 705nm and 750nm. In addition, in the study the Weight optimization combination (WOC) principle is utilized to further assess the capacity of the five modified VIs for estimating rice chlorophyll content, it is proved that OSAVI and MSR display the better performance.
A Cautiously Pessimistic Appraisal of Trends in Toxic Regulation

Many of the most dramatic and politically salient environmental disasters have involved toxic substances of one form or another. Yet despite the iconic status of these events, regulation of toxic substances in the United States (and elsewhere) is criticized by a broad cross section of stakeholders and experts. Among those on the left, the primary statute, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), is considered moribund and structurally unsound because of the high barriers it creates to regulatory action. Critics on the right challenge the tenuous scientific bases for regulation and question, often on the basis of cost-benefit analyses, the rationality of the regulations that exist. Other countries are establishing innovative regulatory programs, most notably in the European Union (EU) and Canada. The brightest light in the firmament is surely the Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) program recently enacted in the EU. REACH, at least on the surface, corrects many of the perceived defects in TSCA. This Article adopts a guarded view of recent regulatory and scientific developments. While the regulatory advances in the EU will undoubtedly alter the landscape of toxics regulation in the United States and elsewhere, they incorporate many compromises that qualify their procedural and regulatory mandates. The past thirty years have demonstrated that toxics regulation is inextricably tied to scientific understanding. Science informs the architecture of regulatory regimes and supplies the factual grounding for agency decisions. The likelihood is low, if not negligible, that advances in toxicogenomics will significantly improve toxics regulation over the next decade or so. Policymakers and stakeholders should be leery of claims, whether regulatory or scientific, that the tensions in toxics regulation can be resolved. For the foreseeable future, the problems are too complex and our understanding too modest for difficult choices to be avoided. This recognition does not imply that toxics regulation in the United States cannot be improved, such as by adopting certain elements of REACH, or that investments in toxicological science are futile. Rather, it suggests that toxics regulation, particularly in the near term, must take into account the prevailing constraints – it should not be premised on transcending knowledge gaps, but instead on empowering agencies, in conjunction with stakeholders, to manage the unavoidable uncertainties effectively
A parallel, asynchronous method for derivative-free nonlinear programs

Derivative-free optimization algorithms are needed to solve real-world engineering problems that have computationally expensive and noisy objective function and constraint evaluations. In particular, we are focused on problems that involve running cumbersome simulation codes with run times measured in hours. In such cases, attempts to compute derivatives can prove futile because analytical derivatives are typically unavailable and noise limits the accuracy of numerical approximations. Furthermore, the objective and constraint functions may be inherently nonsmooth, i.e., because the underlying model is nonsmooth.
Detection of Giardia cysts with a cDNA probe and applications to water samples

Giardiasis is the most common human parasite infection in the United States, causing a lengthy course of diarrhea. Transmission of Giardia species is by the fecal-oral route, and numerous waterborne outbreaks have been documented. The Environmental Protection Agency has regulated Giardia species in drinking water through the Surface Water Treatment Rule. Current methods for detection of Giardia species in water rely primarily on microscopic observation of water concentrates with immunofluorescence techniques. We evaluated the efficacy of using a gene-specific probe for the detection of Giardia species in water. A cDNA probe, 265 bp long, from the small subunit of rRNA of Giardia lamblia was used for detection of cysts. The replicative form of the M13 vector with an insert was isolated from lysed host Escherichia coli XL1-Blue and used for production of the cDNA probe by nick translation with 32P-labeled nucleotides. Six different protocols were tested for extracting nucleic acids from the cysts. With the most efficient procedure, disrupting Giardia cysts with glass beads in the presence of proteinase K, as few as 1 to 5 cysts per ml can be detected in water sample concentrates with dot blot hybridization assays. Images
Synthesis and intestinal metabolism of ursodeoxycholic acid conjugate with an antiinflammatory agent, 5-aminosalicylic acid.

Aminosalicylic acid conjugate of ursodeoxycholic acid was synthesized in above 90% yield by adding a basic solution of 5-aminosalicylic acid into the mixed anhydride formed with ursodeoxycholic acid and ethyl chloroformate. The 5-aminosalicylic acid conjugate of ursodeoxycholic acid was poorly secreted into the bile and was deconjugated with cholylglycine hydrolase and Clostridium perfringens, that deconjugate naturally occurring glycine and taurine conju- gates of bile acids. However, ursodeoxycholic acid 5-amino- salicylic acid conjugate was not absorbed from the duode- num but was concentrated in the colon wher e it was partially hydrolyzed by the intestinal bacteria to ursodeoxy- cholic acid and 5-aminosalicylic acid. We believe that this unique conjugation of ursodeoxycholic acid with 5-ami- nosalicylic acid may facilitate the transpor t of both 5- aminosalicylic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid to the colon and may be useful for the treatment of colonic inflamma- tory bowel diseases, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's dis- ease.— Batta, A. K., G. S. Tint, G. Xu, S. Shefer, and G. Salen. Synthesis and intestinal metabolism of ursodeoxy- cholic acid conjugate with an antiinflammatory agent, 5-ami- nosalicylic acid. J. Lipid. Res. 1998. 39: 1641-1646.
Involvement of intracellular calcium and protein phosphatases in long-term depression of A-fiber-mediated primary afferent neurotransmission

Long-term depression (LTD) of monosynaptic and polysynaptic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons can be induced by brief high-frequency electrical stimulation (HFS, 300 pulses at 100 Hz) of primary afferent fibers in dorsal roots. Here we examined the possible cellular mechanism underlying spinal LTD. Conventional intracellular recordings were made from SG neurons in a transverse slice-dorsal root preparation of the young rat lumbar spinal cord. LTD of both monosynaptic and polysynaptic EPSPs was induced in 16 of 24 SG neurons by HFS of dorsal root in either the presence or absence of the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline and the glycine receptor antagonist strychnine. Loading the postsynaptic cell with BAPTA, an intracellular Ca(2+) chelator, almost completely blocked the induction of LTD. Induction of LTD was abolished by bath application of calyculin A (100 nM), a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. These results indicate that: (i) a rise in postsynaptic Ca(2+) is necessary for LTD induction, (ii) synaptic activation of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A plays an important role in the induction of LTD of primary afferent A-fiber neurotransmission in the young rat spinal cord, and (iii) the effect of LTD may be physiologically relevant for transmission and integration of sensory information, including nociception.
An Efficient Nelson-Oppen Decision Procedure for Difference Constraints over Rationals

Nelson and Oppen provided a methodology for modularly combining decision procedures for individual theories to construct a decision procedure for a combination of theories. In addition to providing a check for satisfiability, the individual decision procedures need to provide additional functionalities, including equality generation. In this paper, we propose a decision procedure for a conjunction of difference constraints over rationals (where the atomic formulas are of the form x=
Origin of small lymphocytes following blastogenesis induced by short-term PHA stimulation.

WE have reported that short-term (24 h) exposure of human lymphocyte cultures to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) results in the conversion of 90 per cent or more of the small lymphocytes to “blastlike” forms. Subsequently, the cultures revert to cells which resemble the original unstimulated small lymphocytes, both morphologically and metabolically, but remain fully reactive to renewed PHA stimulation1. In this report, we offer evidence that, in the 24 h PHA-stimulated cultures, most lymphocytes become blastoid but do not divide; instead, they return to their original form by 9 or 10 days after stimulation.
An ontological bagging approach for image classification of crowdsourced data

In this paper, we study how to use semantic relationships for image classification in order to improve the classification accuracy. We achieve the goal by imitating the human visual system which classifies categories from coarse to fine grains based on different visual features. We propose an ontological bagging algorithm where most discriminative weak attributes are automatically learned for different semantic levels by multiple instance learning and the bagging idea is applied to reduce the error propagations of hierarchical classifiers. We also leverage ontological knowledge to augment crowdsourcing annotations (e.g., a hatchback is also a vehicle) in order to train hierarchical classifiers. Our method is tested on a vehicle dataset from the popular crowdsourcing dataset ImageNet. Experimental results show that our method not only achieves state-of-the-art results but also identifies semantically meaningful visual features.
1370 LYSIS OF AORTIC THROMBUS WITH STREPTOKINASE

D.W. was a 2.6kg term male with perinatal asphyxia due to an initial hemoglobin of 2.5gm/dl. An umbilical arterial catheter(UAC) was placed. At age 5 days the left leg was pale and pulseless. An aortic ultrasound showed the UAC tip 1cm above the bifurcation with a saddle thrombus in the lumen. Contrast material injected through the UAC demonstrated total occlusion of the left common iliac and partial occlusion of the right. In attempt to lyse the thrombus, 2500u of Streptokinase was infused through the UAC over 1 hour followed by 1000u per hr. After 12 hours there was some clinical improvement and after 18 hrs. a repeat aortogram showed patency of both common iliac arteries. The UAC was pulled and Streptokinase discontinued. 240u of intravenous heparin was given every 4 hrs. for 24 hrs., then changed to continuous low dose infusion. No bleeding complications occurred. Follow up aortic ultrasound showed a small amount of clot at the bifurcation. 6 days later both legs had palpable pulses and equal perfusion. Digital subtraction angiography revealed normal branching of the aortic bifurcation, and symmetric runoff into the ileo-femoral system with no abnormal collaterals. Streptokinase infusion appeared to hasten thrombus, dissolution in this infant.
Unreacted cement content in macro-defect-free composites: impact on processing-structure- property relations

The effect of unreacted cement content on the processing, structure, and properties of macro-defect-free (MDF) composites fabricated from calcium aluminate cement (CAC), α-alumina (Al2O3), and polyvinyl alcohol-acetate (PVAA) has been investigated. Three systems were formed with initial CAC: Al2O3 ratios of 50∶50, 35∶65, and 25∶75 by volume in their respective formulations. The amount of unreacted cement was reduced from 68.1 vol% which is present in standard (100% CAC) MDF cement, to 14.9 vol % for composites with an initial CAC: Al2O3 ratio of 25∶75, while the hydration product content was reduced from 18.1 vol % to 11.4 vol % for these respective systems. A hard core/soft shell continuum percolation model was used to determine that alumina substitution did not significantly affect the percolative nature of the interphase and bulk polymer regions. However, experiments showed that the reduction in unreacted cement content through Al2O3 substitution affected both the processing and microstructural features of these composites. The moisture absorption kinetics and flexural strength of composites exposed to 100% relative humidity were also evaluated, and it was found that their moisture sensitivity improved with decreasing unreacted cement content. A hypothesis is presented to explain the role of unreacted cement on the moisture sensitivity of these materials.
Coronary heart disease risk prediction in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Risk prediction functions for incident coronary heart disease (CHD) were estimated using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, a prospective study of CHD in 15,792 persons recruited in 1987-1989 from four U.S. communities, with follow-up through 1998. Predictivity of which individuals had incident CHD was assessed by increase in area under ROC curves resulting from adding nontraditional risk factors and markers of subclinical disease to a basic model containing only traditional risk factors. We also assessed the increase in population attributable risk. The additional factors were body mass index; waist-hip ratio; sport activity index; forced expiratory volume; plasma fibrinogen, factor VIII, von Willebrand factor, and Lp(a); heart rate; Keys score; pack-years smoking; and subclinical disease marker carotid intima-media thickness. These factors substantially improved prediction of future CHD for men, less for women, and also increased attributable risks.
Gas Identification with Microwave Excitation and a Small Spectroscope-Camera

The combination of a microwave excitation source with a small spectroscope mounted in focus to a 35 mm camera (Figure 1) has proved to be rapid and relatively simple for the identification of various gases. The source is a standard magnetron unit, type CMD-4, from Raytheon which produces microwave power of 10 to 100 watts at a frequency of 2450 megacycles. Both the excitation source and the spectroscope-camera are compact and portable and can be used under a wide variety of conditions. All parts are comparatively inexpensive and easily assembled.
Sintering of Tailored Powder Components: Multi-Scale Modeling and Experimentation

A true multi-scale approach is applied for the development of a new meso-macro methodology for modeling of sintering. Sintering distortions of multi-layer and capillary-porous composite powder structures are determined based upon the continuum theory of sintering implemented in a finite-element code. The macroscopic constitutive parameters of the powder material are obtained on the basis of the meso-scale simulations of a realistic grain-pore structure. The model follows both the densification and the damage development during sintering using a new fracture criterion for the prediction of macroscopic strength in sintering. The simulation results are compared with the experimental data on sintering of zirconia, alumina, and Cu powder composites. The modeling results contribute to the development of multi-layer powder metalceramic technologies used for fabrication of components for thermal management of electronic circuitry and wireless communication appliances.
Sulfonium salts as lanthanide shift donors in PMR amd CMR spectroscopy

Abstract Lanthanide shift reagents (LSR) may be used in the structural elucidation of sulfonium salts by both PMR and CMR. In these investigations there is qualitative agreement with the McConnel-Robertson equation and complexatlon appears to occur at the anion.
Part 2. Younger Pacifics arcs and the eastern marginal seas: Rifting and seafloor spreading in marginal basins: Shikoku basin

Marginal basins of the western Pacific Ocean comprise the small semi-enclosed seas which occur behind most island arc-trench systems. Seismic refraction measurements and petrology of dredged samples indicate that the crust of marginal basins is oceanic in type. Two hypotheses are currently held regarding the origin of these features. Karig, and Packham and Falvey have proposed that marginal basins are formed during episodes of extension behind island arcs. Sequential intervals of extension during the Cenozoic have caused the series of marginal basins and aseismic ridges (remnant portions of the island arc) to the west of the Izu- Bonin-Mariana and the Tonga-Kermadec island arc-trench systems. Crustal extension behind island arcs may not, however, explain the formation of all marginal basins. Magnetic lineations which trend at high angles to active or remnant island arcs in the West Philippine basin and the Aleutian basin have led to the suggestion that these marginal basins formed by entrapment of oceanic crust when an island-arc trench system developed in situ.
Parallel correction of cancerous growth and of a genetic defect of cell-to-cell communication.

THREE strains of cells have recently been found which, unlike normal cells, do not make junctions of a kind that connects the cell interiors to each other1,2. These three strains are also cancerous1,2. We explore here whether the junctional defect is related to the cancerous state of these cells; we fuse cells of one of the strains with normal cells that make junctions and examine the junctional permeability and growth properties of the resulting hybrids. This approach is based on the findings of Harris and Klein and colleagues, and of Weiss, Todaro and Green, that tumorigenicity is markedly reduced3,4 and contact inhibition of growth resumed5 in hybrids between various kinds of cancer and normal cells. This also turned out to be the case with the present cell systems. The question is then, is the normalization of the growth properties associated with normalization of junctional connexion? The results show that both defects are corrected in the hybrids.
Amyloid β peptide as a vaccine for Alzheimer's disease involves receptor-mediated transport at the blood-brain barrier

Much research is now focused on a potential vaccine for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current studies involve administering the amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) in Freund's complete adjuvant, which cannot be used in humans. Our studies show that the immune complex of Abeta is taken up by a receptor-mediated process at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The success of immunization for AD, therefore, may be critically dependent on circulating Abeta levels which are lower in AD patients compared to AD transgenic mice. Moreover, we have found that modifying the antibody with polyamine increases its BBB permeability and may provide a better approach to passive immunization for Alzheimer's disease.
HIV/AIDS Care in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: An Interview With Dr. Leana Uys

Human suffering from the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa has reached unprecedented proportions. In 1998, an estimated 50% of all new infections in sub-Saharan Africa occurred in South Africa; and it is predicted that by the year 2003, South Africa will be experiencing a negative population growth. Besides the toll in human lives, the estimated cost for basic care and prevention services in Africa is 10 times the current expenditure. Three unique factors are critical in the South African HIV/AIDS epidemic: HIV transmission patterns, the effect of this disease on women and children, and the role that traditional healers play in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. In a recent interview, Dr. Leana Uys, an educational leader in the School of Nursing at the University of Natal in Durban, Republic of South Africa, provided an insightful perspective on HIV/AIDS policies and related sociocultural issues that have a direct effect on the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She communicated her personal experiences as well as the experiences of South African nurses working as caregivers, educators, and policy makers with AIDS patients and their families in KwaZulu-Natal.
Through-the-glass spectroscopic ellipsometry of CdTe solar cells

Ex-situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) has been advanced for the determination of the optical structure of CdTe solar cells on transparent conducting oxide (TCO) coated glass superstrates. SE measurements directly through the top glass are performed using a method in which the reflection from the glass/film-stack interface is collected whereas the reflection from the ambient/glass interface is blocked. The approach applies reference dielectric functions for the CdS and CdTe deduced from real time SE and for the TCO components from the coated glass before solar cell fabrication. A step-by-step fitting procedure identifies the most important thicknesses and compositional parameters for optimum methodology of characterization. This methodology has potential applications for quantum efficiency predictions, large area mapping, and on-line monitoring. SIMS analysis has been performed in an attempt to corroborate step-by-step analysis of through-the-glass SE data. SIMS and SE are in reasonable accord, and this supports SE as a viable non-invasive method for solar cell analysis at a single point or in a mapping mode.
Forced resonant undulation in the deep Mascarene Basin

Abstract Current meters moored for 19.5 months at Lat. 20°S in the deep water of the western Mascarene Basin recorded a distinct, large-amplitude [O(10 cm s −1 )] undulation of bimonthly period, propagating westward at 7 cm s −1 . Its characteristics demonstrate that it was a barotropic Rossby wave of relatively large meridional scale. Simple theory accounts for it as having been forced by local wind-stress curl at one of the resonant frequencies of the Mascarene Basin. A sharp bimonthly peak is also prominent in spectra of TOPEX/POSEIDON sea-surface height in the Mascarene Basin, but is not seen to the eastward, as is consistent with the local generation. Fluctuations of 45-day period reported earlier in the upper ocean just northeast of Madagascar might have been generated through a similar process, but with frequency shifted by the South Equatorial Current.
Exotic Signatures from Supersymmetry

Minor changes to the standard supersymmetric model, such as soft flavor violation and R parity violation, cause large changes in the signatures. The origin of these changes and the resulting signatures are discussed.
Error detection in a class of decimal codes

Consideration is given to the problem of multiple parity checks for an n-digit number. Each check relates to specific digits, where the probability p of a particular digit being in error is fixed. The author proves that it is best, in the sense of minimizing the probability of an undetected error, to add either one or n parity checks, depending on the value of n and p. >
The expansion history of a sexual and asexual species of Cortaderia in California, USA

Summary 1 The expansion histories of two South American species of Cortaderia, similar in morphology but differing profoundly in their breeding systems, were compared in California, USA. 2 Both species were introduced to California in the mid-1800s, but herbarium records indicate that the sexual C. selloana has expanded spatially at twice the rate of the asexual C. jubata. 3 The invasiveness of C. selloana has increased over time, whereas that of C. jubata has remained relatively constant. Populations of C. selloana now occupy more vegetation types and more non-ruderal habitats than C. jubata. 4 Populations of C. selloana have experienced directional morphological change, whereas the morphology of C. jubata has been constant over the 90 years for which preserved specimens are available. 5 The invasion of an alien species appears to be a malleable process, rather than a singular event. Species traits, such as inbreeding, can be advantageous at some stages but disadvantageous at others. Alien species also adjust over time to the novel and diverse selective regimes that they encounter as they expand spatially. Sexual species may have a greater ability to adjust to diverse selective landscapes relative to asexual species.
An Unusual Case of Dysphagia From Intrathoracic Liver

We report an unusual case of heterotopic intrathoracic liver resulting in severe dysphagia and esophageal obstruction.
The role of nutrition in creation of the eye imaginal disc and initiation of metamorphosis in Manduca sexta

With the exception of the wing imaginal discs, the imaginal discs of Manduca sexta are not formed until early in the final larval instar. An early step in the development of these late-forming imaginal discs from the imaginal primordia appears to be an irreversible commitment to form pupal cuticle at the next molt. Similar to pupal commitment in other tissues at later stages, activation of broad expression is correlated with pupal commitment in the adult eye primordia. Feeding is required during the final larval instar for activation of broad expression in the eye primordia, and dietary sugar is the specific nutritional cue required. Dietary protein is also necessary during this time to initiate the proliferative program and growth of the eye imaginal disc. Although the hemolymph titer of juvenile hormone normally decreases to low levels early in the final larval instar, eye disc development begins even if the juvenile hormone titer is artificially maintained at high levels. Instead, creation of the late-forming imaginal discs in Manduca appears to be controlled by unidentified endocrine factors whose activation is regulated by the nutritional state of the animal.
Commodity advertising: Theoretical issues relating to generic and brand promotions

Both generic and brand advertising have become increasingly important to food production and marketing systems. These two advertising messages may be complementary or competitive. Generic advertising is generally more factual and most likely reduces entry barriers. As generic advertising is increased, brand advertising will be forced to convey messages that are more difficult to validate. Generic advertising should encourage general consumption of the commodity class while brand advertising is directed to the consumption of specific brands that have both “real” and “fancied” differences.
Long-term efficacy of human papillomavirus vaccination

Achieving long-term protection following vaccination is crucial to ensuring that high levels of immunity are maintained within a population while eliminating the need to introduce booster vaccinations. Based on an analysis of the hepatitis B virus vaccine, several factors have been shown to contribute to long-term protection, namely: specific lymphoproliferation, the in vivo humoral response, and immune memory. To ensure protection against persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the subsequent development of cervical lesions, an effective HPV vaccine must be able to induce strong humoral immune responses. Mathematical modeling analyses based on a three-dose regimen of HPV type 16 prophylactic vaccine indicated that 99% of 16- to 23-year-old women would have almost life-long detectable anti-HPV-16 levels. Available data on the quadrivalent HPV vaccine demonstrated that long-term immune memory was induced, with anti-HPV geometric mean titers after 5 years remaining at or above those observed with natural infection. Vaccination also resulted in a substantial reduction in the combined incidence of HPV-6/11/16/18 related persistent infection or disease, and there were no cases of precancerous cervical dysplasia compared with six cases in women receiving placebo. Similarly the bivalent HPV vaccine has been shown to induce long-term immunity with >98% seropositivity maintained after 4.5 years of follow-up and geometric mean titres at this time point remaining substantially higher than those noted with naturally acquired infection. Countrywide registration regarding population and health events in a stable population of approximately 25 million makes the Nordic countries an ideal setting for the evaluation of long-term cervical cancer control. Population-based long-term efficacy trials conducted in these countries aim to investigate the long-term efficacy of HPV vaccination with regard to invasive cervical cancer, and the results of these trials are awaited with interest.
Controlling rebellious behavior through successive contracts

The concept of therapeutic or performance contracts emerges from the literature in widely diverse areas--for example, the psychoanalytic (Menninger, 1958) and behavior modification (Clements & McKee, 1968; Homme, 1970) literature. The basic virtue of the performance contract is the clarification of the responsibilities of both parties in the treatment encounter. If relationships (friendship, love, politics, and so forth) are conceived of as undefined contracts, as suggested by Dinoff and Rickard (1969), it becomes possible to define behavioral "adjustment" in terms of an individual's capactiy for and efficiency in keeping such undefined contracts. Performance contracts as described in the present paper may be viewed as a more structural approach for youngsters who need help in moving toward the ability to establish and fulfill the more usual and spontaneous interpersonal contracts--those that are not explicitly defined. The performance contract, particularly when it is in writing, serves to define and underscore what is anticipated by or expected of both parties in their interpersonal interactions. Thus a performance contract should be more than a statement o f rules. It is an agreement