cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opioid-Associated Deaths in South Carolina, 2013-2016: A Retrospective Review.

Introduction Rising rates of opioid abuse in the United States have generated an overdose epidemic. Particularly in the last few years, many offices across the country have seen a shift from prescription opioid toxicity to heroin, illicitly produced fentanyl, and, more recently, various fentanyl analogs. Methods A retrospective review was performed to better characterize the incidence of licit opioid, heroin, fentanyl, and fentanyl analog-associated deaths in South Carolina. Three-thousand three-hundred and fifty autopsy records from the Medical University of South Carolina's forensic pathology division were reviewed to identify cases in which oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, fentanyl, and/or fentanyl analogs were detected. Results In 2013, the incidence of both heroin and fentanyl-associated deaths was relatively rare (2.2% and 0.4%, respectively), but increased somewhat steadily throughout the ensuing years. The incidence of fentanyl-associated death increased from 0.4% to 2.4% between 2013 and 2016. A decrease in fentanyl-associated deaths was noted between 2015 and 2016; however, 2016 saw a dramatic increase in fentanyl analogs, likely accounting for this slight dip. Heroin rose from 2.2% to 4.5% between 2013 and 2016. Combined, heroin and fentanyl accounted for 2.6% of autopsy deaths in 2013 and increased to 7.6% in 2016, with more substantial increases in 2014 and 2015. Licit opioid-associated deaths remained relatively stable throughout the study period and, when identified, were almost always polydrug comixtures. Discussion These data illustrate general increases in illicit opioid-related deaths. In contrast to larger jurisdictions, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast, heroin continues to contribute most significantly to intoxication deaths, although synthetic fentanyl and fentanyl analog-associated deaths increased dramatically beginning in 2014.
The Aims of the Socratic Elenchos

The recent explosion of research in the philosophy of Socrates testifies once again to the grip that this man has had on the philosophical imagination of the ages. Socratic wisdom has been the paradigm for wisdom for a variety of philosophical schools.1 But Socrates’ wisdom is critically related to his method-a method by which he claims not to teach,2 but to encourage people ‘to care for wisdom, truth, and the best possible state of their soul’.
Impact of ischemia and scar on therapeutic benefit of myocardial revascularization

The question of how to optimally manage coronary artery disease (CAD) has been a challenge for the cardiology community. The results of early, large randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing strategies of medical therapy alone versus revascularization plus medical therapy in patients with stable CAD suggested a survival advantage for a revascularization strategy in the setting of more advanced, higher-risk CAD (left main, three-vessel CAD), but a superiority of medical therapy in patients with more limited, relatively lower-risk CAD (one vessel, limited two-vessel CAD). The results of the Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation (COURAGE) and Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trials redefined the management of CAD, supporting the concept that the impact of aggressively applied modern "medical therapy" on patient survival and patient-reported outcomes is not further improved by the addition of percutaneous intervention. On the other hand, RCTs incorporating fractional flow reserve have shown that this physiologic metric can help identify which patients will benefit from a revascularization strategy. This paradigm has been extended to the use of myocardial perfusion imaging-identified ischemia to determine which patients may have enhanced survival with early revascularization versus medical therapy. Although data from a series of observational studies suggest that inducible ischemia on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy can identify revascularization candidates, several studies, including substudies from major RCTs, do not support this idea. Until RCTs comparing revascularization with medical therapy strategies are performed, many questions remain open. The correct thresholds for treatment, the metric to guide treatment, and how revascularization should be performed are as yet undefined.
Group C*-Algebras and K-Theory

These notes are about the formulation of the Baum-Connes conjecture in operator algebra theory and the proofs of some cases of it. They are aimed at readers who have some prior familiarity with K-theory for C *-algebras (up to and including the Bott Periodicity theorem). I hope the notes will be suitable for a second course in operator K-theory.
Telemedicine and Business Process Redesign at the Department of Defense

This case is designed to relate the rationale used by the Department of Defense and the Test and Evaluation (T&E) Integrated Product Team, in order to determine the military utility of the Joint Medical Operations Telemedicine Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (JMO-T ACTD). The paper also develops Critical Operational Issues (COI) and Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) as methodologies for investigating military utility of telemedicine. In order to meet increasing global crises, the U.S. military must find ways to more effectively manage manpower and time. Joint Medical Operations Telemedicine (JMO-T) has been developed by the Department of Defense (DOD) to collect and transmit near-real-time, far-forward medical data and to assess how this improved capability enhances medical management of the battlespace. JMO-T has been successful in resolving uncertain organizational and technological military deficiencies and in improving medical communications and information management. The deployable, mobile Telemedicine Teams are the centerpieces of JMO-T. These teams have the capability of inserting essential networking and communications capabilities into austere theaters and establishing an immediate means for enhancing health protection, collaborative planning, situational awareness, and strategic decision-making.
Recent studies on the rule of kinins in inflammatory diseases of human airways.

In the last few years, we have focussed our efforts on evaluating the role of kinins in inflammatory diseases of the human airways. Our initial studies used the techniques of nasal provocation and lavage to examine the pathogenesis of the immediate response to allergen challenge. The demonstration that bradyktnin and lysylbradykinin were generated in nasal secretions following allergen challenge of allergic subjects, and that this kinin generation accompanied the onset of symptoms and the release of mast cell mediators, represented the first direct evidence of kinin formation during a local allergic reaction in vivo (1). Biochemical analysis of the mechanisms regulating kinin levels during the immediate allergic response revealed that kinin formation involved the transudation of kininogens from plasma (2). Generation of lysylbradykinin occurred following increases in the concentration of glandular kallikrein in nasal secretions (3), while bradykinin could be formed directly from kininogen, as a result of plasma kallikrein activation (4), or from lysylbradykinin via the actions of an aminopeptidase M-like enzyme (5). Catabolism of kinins in nasal secretions during the allergic response was due primarily to a carboxypeptidase N-like enzyme, although a secondary role of angiotensin converting enzyme is also likely (5).
Increased thin filament activation enhances alternans in human chronic atrial fibrillation.

Using a single cell simulation approach, we explored how myofilament protein kinetics alter the formation of alternans in action potential duration (APD) in human myocytes with chronic atrial fibri...
Making the Invisible Visible: The Enduring Essence of Student Affairs

In this article, the author explores the essence of student affairs and its enduring nature. She argues that while the vehicles for delivering the work of student affairs may evolve over time, the ...
An Introduction to Symbolic Artificial Intelligence Applied to Multimedia

In this chapter, we give an introduction to symbolic artificial intelligence (AI) and discuss its relation and application to multimedia. We begin by defining what symbolic AI is, what distinguishes it from non-symbolic approaches, such as machine learning, and how it can used in the construction of advanced multimedia applications. We then introduce description logic (DL) and use it to discuss symbolic representation and reasoning. DL is the logical underpinning of OWL, the most successful family of ontology languages. After discussing DL, we present OWL and related Semantic Web technologies, such as RDF and SPARQL. We conclude the chapter by discussing a hybrid model for multimedia representation, called Hyperknowledge. Throughout the text, we make references to technologies and extensions specifically designed to solve the kinds of problems that arise in multimedia representation.
Muscle force characteristics of male and female collegiate cross-country runners during overground running.

Males and females demonstrate unique running mechanics that may contribute to sex-related differences in common running related injuries. Understanding differences in muscle forces during running m...
Consecutive 265 Profunda Artery Perforator Flaps: Refinements, Satisfaction, and Functional Outcomes.

Introduction The ideal form of breast reconstruction provides total permanent restoration of the breast mound. When a deep inferior epigastric (DIEP) flap is not an option or does not provide significant volume, a secondary source must be considered. In our practice, the profunda artery perforator (PAP flap) from the thigh has emerged as a second choice. We present our experience with the first 265 PAP flaps used for breast reconstruction at our institution. We specifically focus on refinements, satisfaction, and functional outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of the first 265 PAP flaps at our institution. Patient demographics, perioperative data, and postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed. The Breast Q and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) were both implemented. Additionally, a satisfaction survey was performed, particularly focused on the donor site. Results Two hundred sixty-five consecutive PAP flaps were used to reconstruct 244 breasts in 138 patients. The PAP flap was used for bilateral reconstruction (107 patients) and unilateral breast (30 patients). It was used in combination with a second flap as double PAP (21 patients) or combined with a DIEP (62 patients). Mean flap size was 403 g (range: 190-800 g) and mean patient body mass index was 26.5 (range: 18-43). Complications included total flap loss (3%), donor site cellulitis (4.9%), and significant donor site wound (6.8%). Currently, the PAP flap accounts for 16.9% of our autologous breast reconstruction and the DIEP flap accounts for 76.0%. Lower Extremity Functional Scale score was 75/80 (94%) by 6 months. Satisfaction with breast reconstruction was 78.9% and satisfaction with the thigh was 82.1%. Conclusions The PAP flap is an excellent option for autologous breast reconstruction. Success rate and complications are similar to those of other options. There is no significant loss to lower extremity function and satisfaction with the reconstruction is comparable with other options.
Consequences of expressed rumination

Abstract This chapter reviews separate literatures examining the negative and positive consequences of expressed repetitive thought. After briefly describing expressive writing, or repeated writing about thoughts and feelings about upsetting events, I explore the intrapersonal and interpersonal effects of co-rumination, or repeated discussions of a personal problem with a close other. I then turn to the extensive literature on social sharing of emotion. Finally, I describe the newer construct of collective rumination, or repeatedly talking about a shared grievance with similar others. I conclude by exploring similarities and differences of these various constructs, as well as potential mechanisms of the effects of expressed rumination.
Mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on oncology: Clinical and operational lessons from a prospective radiation oncology cohort tested for COVID-19.

Abstract Background and purpose The COVID-19 pandemic warrants operational initiatives to minimize transmission, particularly among cancer patients who are thought to be at high-risk. Within our department, a multidisciplinary tracer team prospectively monitored all patients under investigation, tracking their test status, treatment delays, clinical outcomes, employee exposures, and quarantines. Materials and methods Prospective cohort tested for SARS-COV-2 infection over 35 consecutive days of the early pandemic (03/19/2020–04/22/2020). Results A total of 121 Radiation Oncology patients underwent RT-PCR testing during this timeframe. Of the 7 (6%) confirmed-positive cases, 6 patients were admitted (4 warranting intensive care), and 2 died from acute respiratory distress syndrome. Radiotherapy was deferred or interrupted for 40 patients awaiting testing. As the median turnaround time for RT-PCR testing decreased from 1.5 (IQR: 1–4) to ≤1-day (P Conclusion The severe adverse events noted among these confirmed-positive cases support the notion that cancer patients are vulnerable to COVID-19. Active tracking, rapid diagnosis, and aggressive source control can mitigate the adverse effects on treatment delays, workforce incapacitation, and ideally outcomes.
A (in)eficácia da alocação orçamentária no sistema prisional: consequências materiais e humanas

The article tries to understand whether, in budgetary terms, the prison system is effective or not. A study in this sense is of fundamental importance for good practices in politics/criminal area, since efficient investments presuppose the perception of the deficiencies that are intended to cure. First, it seeks to elucidate the mechanisms of the public budget, as well as some particularities relating to its non-binding. Second, there is a brief history of the public budget, specific emphasis on the system of the National Penitentiary Fund and the topic of its contingency. It uses the deductive methodology, descriptive and exploratory qualitative research, as well as the documentary analysis of the indices presented by the government at the national level. In this way, it will be possible to fulfill the main objective of the study that is to evaluate, in economic terms, the prison system is feasible, clarifying, showing numbers, the current state of the art in Brazil. Our conclusion is that the policy of public spending and prisons has no symmetry, and that imprisonment is ineffective in fighting crime. Given the numbers, it is possible to affirm that the budget deficit of the prison system is practically irrecoverable.
Deployment and testing of an automated medical equipment service communication and documentation system at a rural hospital in Kenya.

Background The Medical Equipment Network Documentation System (MENDS) provides a simple communication network for equipment servicing from failure to restoration. It is a text messaging-based platform, designed to use existing technologies in place in low- and middle-income settings. The system gathers and relays information about equipment service requests and reports and automatically saves them to an online database. Methods MENDS was deployed at a high volume, rural, charity medical facility in Kijabe, Kenya for a 3-mo pilot test. Results The results show MENDS more than tripled documentation and enhanced ease and speed of communication. Conclusions Comprehensive data provided by MENDS created more accurate measures of equipment performance, which can be used to decrease the time that equipment is out of service and improve the efficiency of repairs, equipment quality and procurement.
A retrospective comparison of radiographic and clinical outcomes in single-level degenerative lumbar disease undergoing anterior versus transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

Background Single-level lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) remains a significant cause of morbidity in adulthood. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are surgical techniques developed to treat this condition. With limited studies on intermediate term outcomes in a single cohort, we compare radiographic and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ALIF and TLIF. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 164 patients (111 TLIF; 53 ALIF) over a 60-month period. X-ray radiographs obtained pre-operatively, prior to discharge, and at one year were utilized for radiographic assessment. Segmental lordosis, lumbar lordosis and HRQOL scores were measured preoperatively and at one-year timepoints. Results Changes in lumbar lordosis and segmental lordosis were significantly greater after ALIF (4.6° vs. -0.6°, P=0.05; 4.7° vs. -0.7°, P<0.05) at one year (mean time, 366±20 days). At one year or greater, there was a greater reduction in mean VAS-leg score in TLIF patients (3.4 vs. 0.6, P<0.05) and ODI score (16.2 vs. 5.4, P<0.05). Similar outcomes were seen for VAS-back, SF-12 Physical Health, and SRS-30 Function/Activity. SF-12 Mental Health scores were found to be lower in patients undergoing TLIF (-3.5 vs. 2.7, P<0.05). Conclusions ALIF demonstrated a superior method of increasing lumbar and segmental lordosis. TLIF was utilized more in patients with higher pre-operative VAS-leg pain scores and therefore, showed a greater magnitude of VAS-leg pain improvement. TLIF also demonstrated a greater improvement in ODI scores despite similar baseline scores, suggesting a possible enhanced functional outcome.
A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Classic Lichen Planopilaris

Lichen planopilaris is a primary lymphocytic cicatricial alopecia that commonly presents with hair loss at the vertex or parietal scalp. Patients may also have associated scalp itching, burning or tenderness. Due to scarring, hair loss is typically permanent. The main goals of treatment are reducing symptoms and preventing disease progression and further hair loss. Currently, the literature has limited evidence on treatments for this difficult condition, and most available evidence is from case reports and case series. Furthermore, the evidence shows a varied response to therapy, with frequent reports of poor response. This article reviews the diagnosis of this rare disease, summarize the currently available treatments, and provide insights and practices from alopecia experts.
Diabetes and the Link between Plasticity and Glutamate Metabolism in the Human Motor Cortex

Background: Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can affect the brain leading to cognitive deficits and impaired neuroplastic mechanisms. The objective of this study was to assess glutamate metabolism and its relationship with cortical plasticity in older adults with impaired glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Methods: Forty adults (50-87 years) participated, including 17 with T2DM, 14 with pre-diabetes (PreDM), and 9 controls. All subjects underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify glutamate and other key metabolites within a 2cm3 region around the hand knob of the left primary motor cortex. Thirty-six participants underwent a separate transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) assessment of cortical plasticity, defined as the change in the average amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) following intermittent theta-burst TMS (iTBS). Group differences in cortical plasticity and metabolism were assessed with one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and related to each other by linear regression. Findings: The ANOVAs yielded significant group variance in relative concentrations of glutamine (p=.028), glucose (p=.008), total cholines (p=.048), and the glutamine/glutamate ratio (p=.024). Cortical plasticity was reduced in both T2DM and PreDM (p's<.05). As a possible mechanism of action, there was a significant association in T2DM between glutamate concentration and facilitation of MEPs (r=.56, p=.030). Interpretation: The current findings indicate impaired mechanisms of plasticity may be present at the earliest stages of glucose intolerance and that in T2DM, cortical plasticity may depend in part on the availability of free glutamate at the synapse. Funding Statement: This study was primarily funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH R21 NS082870). A.P.-L. was also supported in part by the Sidney R. Baer Jr. Foundation, the NIH (R01HD069776, R01NS073601, R21 MH099196, R21 NS085491, R21 HD07616), and Harvard Catalyst | The Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center (NCRR and the NCATS NIH, UL1 RR025758). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of Harvard Catalyst, Harvard University and its affiliated academic health care centers, the National Institutes of Health, or the Sidney R. Baer Jr. Foundation. Declaration of Interests: A.P.-L. serves on the scientific advisory boards for Nexstim, Neuronix, Starlab Neuroscience, Neuroelectrics, Cognito, Constant Therapy, and Neosync; and is listed as an inventor on several issued and pending patents on the real-time integration of transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging. The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: The manuscript details research conducted on human participants. All provided written informed consent consistent with the Declaration of Helsinki. All forms and procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where the research took place.
Panoramic transesophageal echocardiography. Clinical application of real-time, wide-angle, transesophageal two-dimensional echocardiography and color flow imaging.

Panoramic transesophageal echocardiography is a new development in transesophageal echocardio-graphic (TEE) technology, which yields a wide-angle imaging field for real-time two-dimensional and color flow imaging. We report our early experience in patients with the use of an annular-array TEE probe that provides a wide, 270° angle imaging field for two-dimensional echocardiography imaging. The field of view can, however, be narrowed to 15°. The field of view for color flow imaging can be varied from 180° to 10°. Pulsed-Doppler recordings of flow velocity are also possible. This TEE system provides a panoramic vision of cardiac and paracardiac structures from the esophagus and stomach. Besides cardiovascular structures, other thoracic and upper abdominal organs can be visualized. The wide field of view allows a better comprehension of the cardiac anatomy and its relationship with adjacent structures. The initial experience suggests that this method, besides providing the usually required diagnostic information, may have a number of additional applications. Its clinical potential and directions for future developments are reviewed. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 8, November 1991)
Transmission of biological maternal sounds does not interfere with routine NICU care: assessment of dose variability in very low birth weight infants

Maternal auditory stimulation is playing an increasing role in neonatal critical care. The goal of this study was to determine the dose variability in the administration of Biological Maternal Sounds (BMS) in Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants as part of routine clinical care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The BMS intervention aimed to provide infants with individualized and biologically appropriate auditory stimuli, featuring acoustic stimuli from their own mothers. Sixteen preterm infants, born between 26-32 weeks gestational age (GA) and < 1,500 g, took part in this study. The study was conducted in a 46-bed, level-III NICU with four multi-patient pods. Mother’s voice and heartbeat sounds were recorded individually for each infant. Nurses were instructed to administer BMS 4x per 24-hour period by pressing play on an MP3 player connected to micro-speakers installed in the infant’s bed. BMS was initiated for each infant on approximately the sixth day of life (DOL) (mean = 5.78 ± 2) and continued until NICU discharge (mean length of stay = 46.62 ± 27.28). On average, infants received 80% of the target BMS dose. There were no significant differences in BMS administration between nursing shift (day vs. night; p = 0.35), bed type (crib vs. isolette; p = .41), and respiratory support (on vs. off oxygen; p = .93). There was a slight increase in the number of times BMS was initiated on days without exams versus days with exams; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). This study demonstrated the successful incorporation of maternal sounds into routine daily care in VLBW infants as early as DOL six until NICU discharge. The effectiveness of BMS needs to be further evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.
Teaching SoC-oriented computer design course

As SoC becomes the mainstream design approach for embedded computing systems, a challenging task for the education community is to update the traditional curriculum to reflect the changes in technology. This paper reports the author's experience at San Jose State University in teaching a graduate-level computer design course based on the SoC approach. Motivation, scope of the course, teaching approach and outcomes are presented; ongoing activities and future development plans are mentioned in the conclusion part of the paper.
The Struggle for the Files: The Western Allies and the Return of German Archives after the Second World War

1. The confiscation of German documents, 1944-9 2. The first German calls for restitution 3. The positions of the United States and Great Britain 4. Negotiation marathon 5. Ad fontes: the captured German documents and the writing of history 6. Conclusion.
Aspects of Long-Term Variability in Sun and Stars

Evidence of long-term solar variability is reviewed, including historical data and the tree-ring record of radiocarbon. Epochs of suppressed activity like the Maunder Minimum are shown to be frequent occurences of the last several thousand years, but without no obvious period of recurrence. Weak evidence exists for the 11-year cycle as early as Medieval times, although with insufficient accuracy to establish long-term phase stability.
A computed stereoscopic method for laparoscopic surgery by using feature tracking

This paper presents a technique that generates rough depth maps from laparoscopy camera using feature tracking techniques for depth sampling. The method is applicable to single laparoscopy video images through local motion cues to improve the inferred depth maps. The feature tracking is used to ensure temporal depth consistency, such as SURF. The results show that the proposed methods significantly improve the depth estimation for laparoscopy surgery. The technique can be used to convert a 2D laparoscopy video into stereo for 3D visualization, and it demonstrates this through a laparoscopy surgery video, including results of surgical instruments.
Effects of Long-Term Service on The Aging Behavior of A Water-Quenched U6Nb Alloy

Microhardness testing and transmission electron microscopy are used to study the effects of long-term service on the aging behavior of a water-quenched U-6wt.% Nb alloy when subjected to isothermal aging at 200°XC. The original α''c phase in the WQ-U6Nb alloy is found to become partially ordered over 18 years of aging at ambient temperatures, i.e., natural aging, forming a microstructure that is featured by antiphase domain boundaries (APBs). When subsequently aged at 200 °C, an ordered phase U3Nb is precipitated through a nucleation-and-growth mechanism, suppressing spinodal decomposition that occurs when the water-quenched alloy is artificially aged at the same temperature. The different phase transformation paths lead to different microhardness changes during artificial aging: the naturally aged alloy is more slowly hardened, but to a greater microhardness peak value.
Coupled microbial and human systems: evidence for a relationship between infectious disease and gross national product.

We provide evidence that maternal metabolic energy is diverted to increased birth rates in nations experiencing high infectious disease risk. The “economic stoichiometry” of such situations limits the availability and distribution of metabolic resources available for national production. Lowering disease risk, and thus the metabolic energy required for replacement human biomass production, makes energy available for national production during the demographic transition, and increases the national GDP.
Design and implementation of a sensorimotor network for chemical sensing using a mobile robot platform

Many current robotic systems are application-specific and have difficulty if the environment changes. These controllers do not scale well with increased task complexity, and rely on widely used high quality sensors. However, biological systems exhibit impressive adaptability. Therefore, self-organizing architectures should be incorporated into robotic systems to allow for emergent intelligence and robustness given less than optimal sensors and environments. In this study, a flat, fully-connected sensorimotor architecture was implemented on the EvBot III platform for the application of chemical sensing. The network was trained to associate increased alcohol concentration with increased battery charge. Seven training and testing experiments were conducted using different learning protocols. Although the sensorimotor network was shown to be a good initial step towards robotic reflex behavior, the robot was unable to successfully learn to home to the alcohol source.
Low-cost mass screening for breast cancer with mammography.

The articles in this issue of the journal by Warren Burhenne et al. [1 ] and Vogel et al. [2] describe large-scale efforts to bring low-cost mammography screening to substantial numbers of women over wide geographic areas. Each of these projects succeeded admirably in achieving its goals. Readers interested in initiating or participating in such mass screening activities can learn a great deal from these articles about the complexity of planning that is required to ensure smooth operation. However, there is much more to be learned by contrasting the articles. By examining various differences in design between the two projects (expertise of participating screeners, extent of quality assurance procedures, completeness of data collection methods), one can appreciate how such factors govern the scope, the character, and ultimately the results of a screening program.
Atom Transfer Radical Copolymerization of Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate and Dimethylaminoethyl Methacrylate in Polar Solvents

We determined the reactivity ratios of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) during atom transfer radical copolymerization (ATRP) in isopropyl alcohol, tetra...
Facultative expression of behavioral differences between one-male and multimale savanna baboon groups.

A one-male unit (OMU) of chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in northern Botswana formed by the asymmetrical fissioning of a multimale (MM) group. During long-term (13 years) observations in this area, which has a relatively high density of baboons, we observed only MM groups with 6 or more adult males per group (N = 19). The behavioral repertoire of the OMU generated a pattern of sociality unrepresentative of these MM groups. Distinctive behavior patterns expressed by the male of the OMU included vigilance oriented away from the group and suppression of intra-group aggression among all other group members. There was also a difference between the foraging and movement patterns of the OMU and those of MM groups in environmentally similar or the same areas. The OMU moved and foraged in a cohesive formation and all group members often foraged in single fruiting trees. Under comparable circumstances at the same time and places MM groups foraged in dispersed formation. Diet and habitat choices of the OMU differed from those of neighboring groups. Patterns of sociality associated with OMUs have been interpreted as responses to extreme environmental conditions [Byrne et al.: Am J Primatol 20:313–329, 1990]. However, it is also possible that alternative behavior patterns are facultative tactical responses to social circumstances, The alternative social styles of OMUs arising within typically MM populations identify the breadth of the behavioral repertoire and the capacity for social flexibility within contemporary savanna baboon and perhaps other primate populations. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cell-specific Transcription of Leukotriene C4Synthase Involves a Kruppel-like Transcription Factor and Sp1

Leukotriene C4synthase (LTC4S) is responsible for the biosynthesis of cysteinyl leukotrienes that participate in allergic and asthmatic inflammation. We analyzed 2.1 kilobases of the 5′-flanking region of the human LTC4S gene, which contains three DNase I hypersensitivity sites, for its transcriptional activity when fused to a promoterless and enhancerless luciferase gene. Deletion analysis revealed a nonspecific basal promoter region between nucleotides −122 and −56 upstream of the translation start site which contains a consensus Sp1 binding site and a putative initiator element (Inr) and cell-specific enhancer regions further upstream. A single mutation of either the Sp1 binding site between nucleotides −120 and −115 or the Inr (CAGAC) between nucleotides −66 and −62 reduced the expression of the reporter gene by ∼60%, whereas double mutations decreased the expression by ∼80%. The incubation of nuclear extracts from THP-1 and K562 cells with a 32P-labeled oligonucleotide containing the Sp1 site or the Inr sequence gave gel-shifted complexes that were blocked by their respective cold oligonucleotides, and antisera specific for Sp1 and Sp3 provided supershifts for the former. Linker-scanning mutations of a cell-specific regulatory region revealed that mutations from nucleotides −165 to −125 reduced reporter activity. This region contains a tandem CACCC repeat (at nucleotides −149 to −145 and −139 to −135). An oligonucleotide containing the distal CACCC motif was gel shifted by THP-1 cell nuclear extract and was supershifted by antisera to Sp1 and Sp3. Cotransfection of an Sp1 expression plasmid into Drosophila SL2 cells with a −228 to −3 LTC4S reporter construct transactivated the reporter gene, whereas mutations at the CACCC repeat region reduced Sp1 transactivation by ∼66%. Similarly, the Kruppel-like factor Zf9/CPBP (core promoter-binding protein) transactivated the −228 construct in COS cells but not its CACCC mutant construct. These findings indicate the involvement of Sp1 and an Inr in non-cell-specific regulation and a Kruppel-like transcription factor and Sp1 in the cell-specific regulation of the LTC4S gene. These are the first such analyses of a member of a newly recognized superfamily of membrane-associated proteins involved in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism, which contains key proteins involved in the generation of both prostanoids and cysteinyl leukotrienes.
The Volumetric Response of Brain Metastases After Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Its Post-treatment Implications

Background Changes in tumor volume are seen on magnetic resonance imaging within weeks after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), but it remains unclear what clinical outcomes early radiological changes portend. Objective We hypothesized that rapid, early reduction in tumor volume post-SRS is associated with prolonged local control and favorable clinical outcome. Methods A retrospective review of patients treated with CyberKnife SRS for brain metastases at the University of North Carolina from 2007 to 2009 was performed. Patients with at least 1 radiological follow-up, minimal initial tumor volume of 0.1 cm, no previous focal radiation, and no recent whole-brain radiation therapy were eligible for inclusion. Results Fifty-two patients with 100 metastatic brain lesions were analyzed and had a median follow-up of 15.6 months (range, 2-33 months) and a median of 2 (range, 1-8) metastatic lesions. In treated metastases in which there was a significant tumor volume reduction by 6 or 12 weeks post-SRS, there was no local progression for the duration of the study. Furthermore, patients with metastases that did not reduce in volume by 6 or 12 weeks post-SRS were more likely to require corticosteroids (P = .01) and to experience progression of neurological symptoms (P = .003). Conclusion Significant volume reductions of brain metastases measured at either 6 or 12 weeks post-SRS were strongly associated with prolonged local control. Furthermore, early volume reduction was associated with less corticosteroid use and stable neurological symptoms.
Effect of nifedipine on coronary hemodynamics in patients with left anterior descending coronary occlusion

The mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of calcium channel antagonists in patients with effort angina were investigated by studying the coronary hemodynamic responses of the anterior left ventricular region before and after administration of nifedipine in 13 patients whose left anterior descending coronary artery was filled by flow from collateral vessels. Nifedipine was given bucally in a dose (10 or 20 mg) that decreased aortic pressure 5 mm Hg or more. Nifedipine increased collateral flow (regional thermodilution) in only three patients (p = NS), but consistently decreased coronary resistance in the left ventricular anterior region (p Lactate metabolism was evaluated in eight patients: values were abnormal in four patients before nifedipine; after nifedipine, values remained abnormal in three of these patients and became abnormal in one other. During atrial pacing stress, angina occurred in all patients before nifedipine and at the same or lower heart rate in nine patients after nifedipine. After nifedipine administered at the same rate that induced angina during the control period, collateral flow and myocardial oxygen consumption were usually lower (both p
Treatment of indolent, nonencapsulated cryptococcal meningitis associated with hydrocephalus

Infection with cryptococcal meningitis is uncommon in immunocompetent patients. The major virulence factor is the polysaccharide capsule, while nonencapsulated mutants are generally considered nonpathogenic. The authors present a case of hydrocephalus caused by meningitis from an indolent, nonencapsulated Cryptococcus sp. requiring placement and multiple revisions of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). The patient presented with progressively worsening occipital headaches. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed significant hydrocephalus with no apparent cause. Her symptoms initially resolved after placement of a VPS, but returned four months later. Cultures of the shunt tubing and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed no bacterial infection. When the symptoms failed to resolve, CSF fungal culture revealed Cryptococcus-like yeast, although the organisms were nonencapsulated, and the cryptococcal antigen was negative. After antibiotic therapy, the symptoms resolved. The unusual clinical presentation delayed the diagnosis, highlighting the importance of understanding the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of meningeal infections caused by C. neoformans.
THE NATURE OF STORAGE IRON IN IDIOPATHIC HEMOCHROMATOSIS AND IN HEMOSIDEROSIS ELECTRON OPTICAL, CHEMICAL, AND SEROLOGIC STUDIES ON ISOLATED HEMOSIDERIN GRANULES

Using three different methods of cells fractionation, hemosiderin granules were isolated from tissues (liver and/or spleen) of three patients. The samples were obtained from a case of idiopathic hemochromatosis, a case of thalassemia major with secondary (transfusional?) hemosiderosis, and a case of transfusional hemosiderosis associated with an unclassified anemia. Iron, nitrogen, and protein content of the hemosiderin granules varied over a wide range. Electron microscopy of sectioned granules revealed aggregates of dense particles of different shapes, with diameters ranging from 10 A to about 75 A. In some of the granules dense particles corresponding to the iron hydroxide micelles of ferritin molecules were abundant. But many of the granules contained very few of these molecules. The presence of ferritin and apoferritin in the samples of hemosiderin granules was demonstrated by means of precipitin tests in agar-gel, using rabbit antiferritin sera with known antibody nitrogen concentrations. At least three antigenic components were detected in highly purified crystalline ferritin prepared from tissues of the three patients; the hemosiderin granules contained the same antigens, but probably in much smaller quantities. Both ferritin and apoferritin molecules were extracted from hemosiderin granules, and were demonstrated in the electron microscope after suitable preparation. The solubility curve of human ferritin in solutions of (NH4)2SO4 was investigated. The results indicate that substantial quantities of ferritin or apoferritin can be lost in saline, aqueous media during isolation of hemosiderin granules from cells. It was shown by means of electron microdiffraction on selected hemosiderin granules that the dense particles represent forms of partly hydrated α-Fe2O3. The conditions necessary for electron microdiffraction in an electron microscope precluded an exact determination of the state of hydration of the α-Fe2O3 or of its structural relation to (FeOOH) micelles of pure ferritin in its undenatured state. The findings were considered in the light of evidence on the structure and disposition of hemosiderin in situ in cells, and on the structure of ferritin. Differences between endogenous hemosiderin and hemosiderin derived from injections of colloidal iron compounds were pointed out. The evidence indicates that in hemochromatosis and in secondary hemosiderosis much of the inorganic storage iron in liver and spleen is derived from degraded ferritin. The findings suggest that an abnormal cellular metabolic pathway of ferritin is implicated in the pathogenesis of hemochromatosis and transfusional hemosiderosis.
Some Effects of Inflating Information Feedback on the Acquisition of a Discrete Lever-Positioning Response

160 military trainees who were randomly placed into four equal groups were taught to displace a lever to an initial target by an error training procedure. Unknown to these Ss, the target position shifted; Ss were then trained to move the lever to this new target. During this phase of countertraining (CT), information feedback (IF) was inflated by different factors for each of the three experimental groups. The control group in this stage received the same unamplified IF which all groups were given during initial training. Ss receiving exaggerated IF neither engaged in more hunting behavior for the CT target, nor oscillated around it over and above those Ss not given misproportioned IF. Individual differences in responding were greater for the control group than any of the experimental groups. The second half of countertraining for all groups was marked by a progressive deterioration in S-alignment. The most pronounced effects of IF distortion did not occur during the first CT trial as expected. All Ss app...
Pulsed-field fingerprinting of vaginal group B streptococcus in pregnancy

Abstract OBJECTIVE: There is more to be learned about the epidemiology of group B β-hemolytic streptococci infections in pregnancy. In this study, we investigated the discriminating capabilities of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of group B streptococci strains from pregnant patients and mother/infant pairs of patients compared with serotyping. METHODS: Forty-two vaginal strains of group B streptococci cultured from pregnant patients in the third trimester and strains from 20 mother/infant pairs with documented newborn group B streptococci infection were studied. Isolates were serotyped by the Lancefield capillary precipitin method and molecularly characterized by counterclamped homogeneous electrical field pulsed-field gel electrophoresis with rarely cutting restriction enzymes. RESULTS: Nine of the 13 serotypes of group B streptococci identified thus far in the scientific literature (Ia, Ia/c, Ib, Ib/c, II, IIc, III, V, and NT/c) were represented among the 62 isolates. Among the 42 maternal isolates, eight serotypes were represented, and among the 20 mother/infant isolates, six serotypes were represented. Serotypes of mother/infant isolates matched in nine of the ten pairs. Restriction endonuclease profiles, or digests, from the 42 maternal isolates resulted in 25 unique profiles that were arranged into five major groups based on the overall relatedness. Each group was comprised of one predominant serotype. The 20 mother/infant paired isolates displayed nine unique restriction endonuclease profiles and nine of the ten paired isolates showed indistinguishable restriction endonuclease profiles between mother and infant. CONCLUSION: Deoxyribonucleic acid profiling using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis is more discriminating of group B streptococci strains than serotyping because of the different yet closely related patterns within each restriction endonuclease profile group that are linked to one specific serotype. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis can refine our epidemiologic studies of group B streptococci transmission and acquisition.
The Nature of the Metal-Metal Bond in Bimetallic Surfaces

The formation of a surface metal-metal bond can produce large perturbations in the electronic, chemical, and catalytic properties of a metal. Recent studies indicate that charge transfer is an important component in surface metal-metal bonds that involve dissimilar elements. The larger the charge transfer, the stronger the cohesive energy of the bimetallic bond. On a surface, the formation of a heteronuclear metal-metal bond induces a flow of electron density toward the element with the larger fraction of empty states in its valence band. This behavior is completely contrary to that observed in bulk alloys, indicating that the nature of a heteronuclear metal-metal bond depends strongly on the structural geometry of the bimetallic system.
Study of the effect of hematoporphyrin on hypophyseal-adrenal relationships.

Summary and Conclusions1. Four hundred and forty-six mice were sensitized to horse serum, and 295 of these were treated with ACTH, Cortisone, hematoporphyrin, phenol, and air jets, in order to compare their influence on the survival of these mice when given a shocking dose of horse serum. 2. Twenty-six percent or 38 of 148 control mice sensitized to horse serum survived. 3. One hundred percent (41) of the horse serum-sensitized mice survived a shocking dose when treated with 3 mg of Cortisone 24 hours prior to the injection of 1 cc of horse serum. 4. ACTH failed to protect sensitized mice from shocking doses of horse serum, as did low doses of hemato-porphyrin and stress procedures. Both of the latter procedures appeared to increase the incidence of death from anaphylaxis. 5. Hematoporphyrin in doses of 4-6 mg protected mice from shocking doses of horse serum, since a significantly higher percentage (45%) of the mice survived. 6. While our evidence indicates that high doses of hematoporphyrin protect mice...
Modified Drug Release From Beads Prepared with Combinations of Two Grades of Microcrystalline Cellulose

AbstractIn previous work, the use of binary drug diluent mixtures with various grades or types of microcrystalline cellulose were shown to exhibit varying degrees of release from beads prepared by extruder/marumerizer technology.In this work beads of suitable physical appearance were prepared with varying proportions of two grades of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH-101 and Avicel RC-581) and 10% drug. In-vitro dissolution results varied with the proportion and the grade of the microcrystalline cellulose and with the dissolution medium utilized. Microcrystalline cellulose beads remained intact in water or in acid, but beads with the microcrystalline cellulose/carboxymethylcellulose sodium product exhibited gel structures in water and remained as beads in acid. The quantity of gel formation increased with an increasing level of the carboxymethylcellulose sodium product.