cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Future Flows and Worker Rights in S. 744: A Guide to How the Senate Immigration Bill Would Modify Current Law

On June 27, 2013, the U.S. Senate passed the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (also known by its bill number, S. 744) by a vote of 68 to 32. If enacted into law, S. 744 would require extensive reforms of all major aspects of the U.S. immigration system. Many of these reforms would directly affect the U.S. labor market by, for example, modifying rules and annual limits in permanent and temporary foreign worker programs, by creating new protections for foreign and U.S. workers, and by giving unauthorized migrant workers and their families the opportunity to apply for a newly created “provisional” legal status if they meet specified requirements. This document is intended as a resource for anyone seeking to understand how S. 744’s provisions would modify current — or create new — immigration laws regarding future flows of foreign workers, including the recruitment of foreign workers, the rights of U.S. and foreign workers, and how the status of unauthorized workers and their families would be regularized. Other useful guides to S. 744 exist, but most broadly summarize the law, and none lays out the elements of these provisions in as much detail. However, the provisions in Title III that reform the electronic employment verification system (also known as “E-Verify”) have been intentionally omitted because they primarily deal with immigration enforcement, although they include some new due process protections for job applicants.
Low-Dose Alemtuzumab Is Uniquely Effective in Refractory Leukemic Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma (L-CTCL).

Abstract 3748 Poster Board III-684 Sezary Syndrome and other Cutaneous T Cell Lymphomas with peripheral blood involvement (collectively termed leukemic CTCL, or L-CTCL) are often refractory to multiple therapies. Alemtuzumab, an antibody directed against the pan-lymphocyte antigen CD52, has been used to treat multiple hematologic malignancies, including L-CTCL. However, conventional treatment regimens are associated with an increased risk of infections, and this is of particular concern in CTCL patients with compromised skin integrity. We have treated six L-CTCL patients with a modified regimen of alemtuzumab: 10mg/kg, subcutaneously, three times weekly for six weeks (1/3 of the conventional dose). All patients had had disease for >3 years duration, skin biopsies consistent with CTCL, elevated absolute CD4 counts, CD4/CD8 ratios of >10 and were refractory to at least two prior therapies, including extracorporeal photochemotherapy, interferon, and single and combination agent chemotherapy. In five of six patients, the malignant clone was identifiable using a Vb family specific monoclonal antibody; all cells of the malignant clonotype strongly expressed CD52. Within three weeks, all six patients achieved clearance of detectable T and B cells in peripheral blood, including loss of the malignant clone. In parallel, all patients developed clearing of erythroderma, relief of pruritus, and by the end of the six week treatment period, all patients had complete to near complete resolution of all clinical signs of disease. Isolation of T cells from a skin biopsy of one patient in complete remission revealed that Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Mixing Optimization in Grooved Serpentine Microchannels.

Computational fluid dynamics modeling at Reynolds numbers ranging from 10 to 100 was used to characterize the performance of a new type of micromixer employing a serpentine channel with a grooved surface. The new topology exploits the overlap between the typical Dean flows present in curved channels due to the centrifugal forces experienced by the fluids, and the helical flows induced by slanted groove-ridge patterns with respect to the direction of the flow. The resulting flows are complex, with multiple vortices and saddle points, leading to enhanced mixing across the section of the channel. The optimization of the mixers with respect to the inner radius of curvature (Rin) of the serpentine channel identifies the designs in which the mixing index quality is both high (M > 0.95) and independent of the Reynolds number across all the values investigated.
Length of stay and 30-day readmissions after isolated humeral shaft fracture open reduction and internal fixation compared to intramedullary nailing.

Abstract Introduction Open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) and intramedullary nailing (IMN) have similar union rates for treating humerus shaft fractures, but IMN leads to increased incidence of shoulder impingement and reoperation. The difference in 30-day readmission rate and length of stay (LOS) between these procedures is unknown. The objective of the study was to compare 30-day unplanned readmissions and length of stay between humeral shaft fractures fixed with either ORIF or IMN. Methods The nationwide readmissions database (NRD) was queried for patients with humeral shaft fractures treated with ORIF or IMN between 2015–2016. IMN cases were propensity matched to ORIF cases based on demographic and co-morbid variables. Multivariable logistic regression determined if treatment modality was an independent risk factor for 30-day readmission or length of stay >3 days. Results There were 406 patients treated with IMN matched to 406 patients treated with ORIF. The 30-day readmission rate was 6.4% for IMN and 4.9% for ORIF (p = 0.45), and the median LOS was 3 days for each group (p = 0.45). Congestive heart failure (CHF)(OR=2.7, p = 0.04), depression (OR=3.3, p = 0.0008), and electrolyte abnormality (OR=3.6, p = 0.0003) were independent risk factors for readmission. Older age (OR=1.02, p = 0.03), CHF (OR=2.4, p = 0.03), electrolyte abnormality (OR=2.6, p = 0.0001), obesity (OR=2.8, p 3 days. Procedure (ORIF vs. IMN) was not a predictor of 30-day readmission or LOS >3 days. Conclusion Comorbid conditions are risk factors for 30-day readmission and increased LOS. Comorbidity, discharge disposition, and open fractures are risk factors for increased LOS. Treating humeral shaft fractures with either ORIF or IMN did not affect readmission or length of stay.
A Longitudinal Investigation of Falls and Motor Vehicle Crashes in Older Drivers

Objective: To assess the longitudinal association between fall history reported at a driver’s license screening visit and the likelihood of subsequent vehicle crashes. Method: A total of 1,127 olde...
Translating Place and Space: The Soviet Union in North Korean Children’s Literature

The 1950s in North Korea were marked by an effort to forge a new society out of the ruins of the Korean War, and the Soviet Union played a leading role in this process. Among Soviet-inspired cultural forms that received attention was literature for children, which Koreans understood as critical to their political and cultural future. Science fiction was introduced as a new genre through translations from Russian, which brought together scientific education and a socialist moral vision. Far from representing mere imitations of Soviet models, however, translations reveal a complex negotiation of ideas about gender and science at a critical moment in North Korea’s early literary development.
Development of standardized regression-based formulas to assess meaningful cognitive change in early Parkinson's disease.

Objective Longitudinal assessment of cognitive and emotional functioning in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is helpful in tracking progression of the disease, developing treatment plans, evaluating outcomes, and educating patients and families. Determining whether change over time is meaningful in neurodegenerative conditions, such as PD, can be difficult as repeat assessment of neuropsychological functioning is impacted by factors outside of cognitive change. Regression-based prediction formulas are one method by which clinicians and researchers can determine whether an observed change is meaningful. The purpose of the current study was to develop and validate regression-based prediction models of cognitive and emotional test scores for participants with early-stage idiopathic PD and healthy controls (HC) enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Methods Participants with de novo PD and HC were identified retrospectively from the PPMI archival database. Data from baseline testing and 12-month follow-up were utilized in this study. In total, 688 total participants were included in the present study (NPD = 508; NHC = 185). Subjects from both groups were randomly divided into development (70%) and validation (30%) subsets. Results Early-stage idiopathic PD patients and healthy controls were similar at baseline. Regression-based models were developed for all cognitive and self-report mood measures within both populations. Within the validation subset, the predicted and observed cognitive test scores did not significantly differ, except for semantic fluency. Conclusions The prediction models can serve as useful tools for researchers and clinicians to study clinically meaningful cognitive and mood change over time in PD.
Imaging and spectroscopy of galaxies associated with two z~0.7 damped Lyman-alpha absorption systems

We have identified galaxies near two quasars which are at the redshift of damped Lyman-alpha (DLA) systems in the UV spectra of the quasars. Both galaxies are actively forming stars. One galaxy has a luminosity close to the break in the local galaxy luminosity function, L*, the other is significantly fainter than L* and appears to be interacting with a nearby companion. Despite the strong selection effects favoring spectroscopic identification of the most luminous DLA galaxies, many of the spectroscopically-identified DLA galaxies in the literature are sub-L*, suggesting that the majority of the DLA population is probably sub-L*, in contrast to MgII absorbers at similar redshifts whose mean luminosity is close to L*.
Acoustic Measures of Voice and Physiologic Measures of Autonomic Arousal During Speech as a Function of Cognitive Load in Older Adults

Summary Objectives/Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among cognitive loading, autonomic arousal, and acoustic measures of voice in healthy older adults. Study Design Prospective and observational. Methods Twelve healthy older adults (six females) produced a sentence containing an embedded Stroop task in each of two cognitive load conditions: congruent and incongruent. Three physiologic measures of autonomic arousal (pulse volume amplitude, pulse period, and skin conductance response amplitude) and four acoustic measures of voice (cepstral peak prominence, low-to-high spectral energy ratio, fundamental frequency, and sound pressure level) were analyzed in each cognitive load condition. Results A logistic regression model was used to predict the cognitive load condition using participant as a categorical predictor and the four acoustic measures and three autonomic measures as continuous predictors. Skin conductance response amplitude and pulse volume amplitude were both predictive of cognitive load; however, no acoustic measures of voice were statistically significant predictors of cognitive load for older adults. Conclusions These findings support the idea that increased cognitive load is associated with increased autonomic nervous system activity in older adults. The lack of changes in acoustic measures of voice with increased cognitive load may result from age-related changes in vocal quality and speech subsystems.
Thinking Outside the Bug: Targeting Outer Membrane Proteins for Burkholderia Vaccines

Increasing antimicrobial resistance due to misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, as well as a lack of new and innovative antibiotics in development has become an alarming global threat. Preventative therapeutics, like vaccines, are combative measures that aim to stop infections at the source, thereby decreasing the overall use of antibiotics. Infections due to Gram-negative pathogens pose a significant treatment challenge because of substantial multidrug resistance that is acquired and spread throughout the bacterial population. Burkholderia spp. are Gram-negative intrinsically resistant bacteria that are responsible for environmental and nosocomial infections. The Burkholderia cepacia complex are respiratory pathogens that primarily infect immunocompromised and cystic fibrosis patients, and are acquired through contaminated products and equipment, or via patient-to-patient transmission. The Burkholderia pseudomallei complex causes percutaneous wound, cardiovascular, and respiratory infections. Transmission occurs through direct exposure to contaminated water, water-vapors, or soil, leading to the human disease melioidosis, or the equine disease glanders. Currently there is no licensed vaccine against any Burkholderia pathogen. This review will discuss Burkholderia vaccine candidates derived from outer membrane proteins, OmpA, OmpW, Omp85, and Bucl8, encompassing their structures, conservation, and vaccine formulation.
Non-conventional dysplastic subtypes in inflammatory bowel disease: a review of their diagnostic characteristics and potential clinical implications

The early detection and grading of dysplasia is the current standard of care to minimize mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. With the development of advanced endoscopic resection techniques, colectomy is now reserved for patients with invisible/flat dysplasia (either high-grade [HGD] or multifocal low-grade dysplasia) or endoscopically unresectable lesions. Although most pathologists are familiar with the morphologic criteria of conventional (intestinal type) dysplasia, the most well-recognized form of dysplasia, an increasing number of diagnostic material has led to the recognition of several different morphologic patterns of epithelial dysplasia. The term "non-conventional" dysplasia has been coined to describe these changes, but to date, the recognition and full appreciation of these novel forms of dysplasia by practicing pathologists is uneven. The recognition of these non-conventional subtypes is becoming increasingly important, as some of them appear to have a higher risk of developing HGD or CRC than conventional dysplasia or sporadic adenomas. This review describes the morphologic characteristics of all seven non-conventional subtypes that have been reported to date as well as our current understanding of their clinicopathologic and molecular features that distinguish them from conventional dysplasia or sporadic adenomas.
Outage Analysis for Cooperative mmWave UAV Communications With Beam Training Overhead

In this letter, we investigate the tradeoff between reliability and beam training overhead in cooperative millimeter wave (mmWave) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) communications. In particular, we analyze how outage probability varies with the number of neighboring UAVs being probed as potential relays for relay selection. Unlike existing work, the limited number of UAV beams as well as UAV orientations are explicitly considered in our analysis. We derive the outage probability in closed form and verify our analysis via simulations. The results facilitate us to understand the fundamental limits of cooperative mmWave UAV communications.
A Case of Infantile Perianal Pyramidal Protrusion Masquerading As Imperforate Anus at Birth

Infantile perianal pyramidal protrusion (IPPP) is an uncommon and underreported benign cutaneous lesion characterized by a protrusion from the anal orifice. It is also believed to be often mistaken for other conditions. The unawareness of this lesion may be responsible for underreporting and an excessive concern both in providers and in parents. Timely diagnosis and reassurance need to be emphasized in the provider community. We report an interesting case of IPPP on the first day of life, which was erroneously diagnosed as imperforate anus at her delivery.
Effects of brewing conditions on the antioxidant capacity of twenty-four commercial green tea varieties

A novel paper-based Nanoceria Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (NanoCerac) assay for antioxidant detection (Sharpe, Frasco, Andreescu, & Andreescu, 2012), has been adapted for the first time as a high-throughput method, in order to measure the effect of brewing conditions and re-infusion on the antioxidant capacity of twenty-four commercial green teas. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, frequently applied to complex foods and beverages, was used as a comparator measure of antioxidant capacity. A novel measure of sustained antioxidant capacity, the total inherent antioxidant capacity (TI-NanoCerac and TI-ORAC) was measured by infusing each tea six times. Effects of brewing conditions (temperature, brew time, etc.) were assessed using one popular tea as a standard. Both NanoCerac and ORAC assays correlated moderately (R(2) 0.80 ± 0.19). The average first-brew NanoCerac, TI-NanoCerac, first-brew ORAC and TI-ORAC were: 0.73 ± 0.1 GAE/g tea; 2.4 ± 0.70 mmolGAE/g tea; 1.0 ± 0.3 mmolTE/g tea and 2.1 ± 0.71 mmolTE/g tea respectively. Brewing conditions including water temperature and infusion time significantly affected antioxidant capacity. The high-throughput adaptation of the original NanoCerac assay tested here offered advantages over ORAC, including portability and rapid analysis.
Using Software Engineering Methodologies to Port a Scientific Code to GPUs: Experiences and Lessons Learned

This work was carried out as a master's level software engineering project over the course of two semesters. Software engineering methodologies were applied to try to improve the portability, maintainability, and performance of a fusion energy code by systematically using tools to try to map computationally intensive parts of the code to GPUs using Open ACC. Our experiences show that while the approach is promising, tool support for Fortran is lacking and difficulties in working with the complex code in a supercomputing environment limit what can be achieved in a reasonable amount of time.
Adenosine-5'-sulfatopyrophosphate, an analogue of adenosine triphosphate. II. Interaction with myosin, actomyosin, and muscle fibers.

Abstract The ATP analogue, adenosine-5′-sulfatopyrophosphate (ADP-sulfate), is not a substrate for either myosin or actomyosin and will not replace ATP as an energy source for contraction of glycerol-extracted muscle fibers or superprecipitation of actomyosin gels. Preincubation of actomyosin with ADP-sulfate inhibits superprecipitation at all ATP concentrations. Similar treatment activates actomyosin ATPase activity at high ATP concentrations but inhibits at low ATP concentrations. Adding ATP and ADP-sulfate together eliminates these effects. Myosin Ca ++ - and Mg ++ -moderated ATPase activity is uncompetitively inhibited by ADP-sulfate indicating that it does not bind to the normal ATP binding site. The inhibition is reversible as judged by the absence of permanent effects on myosin ATPase activity. A rapid mixing device has been used to mix actomyosin and ATP reproducibly for assaying superprecipitation by the increase in turbidity at 660 mμ. This method has the advantage that the resulting “contracted” gel particles are so small that no mixing is necessary for consistent absorbancy readings.
GPS/INS Based Lateral and Longitudinal Control Demonstration: Final Report

This report describes the results of a study focusing on implementing and analyzing the performance of a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) aided Inertial Navigation System (INS) for possible future application in Advanced Vehicle Control Systems (AVCS). The DGPS/INS system provided estimates of vehicle position, linear velocities, and angular rates. Position accuracy at the centimeter level was achieved and demonstrated through two experiments.
Complementary immune roles for infected and uninfected cells during bacterial infection (INC7P.425)

The innate immune system responds to virulent pathogens, yet many pathogens manipulate host signaling pathways which should limit immune activation. To understand how the immune system overcomes pathogenic manipulation we study the intracellular bacterium Legionella pneumophila , the cause of the severe pneumonia Legionnaire’s disease. Legionella utilizes a type IV secretion system to inject bacterial proteins into the cytosol of infected cells. Several of these bacterial effector proteins inactivate host cell factors involved in protein translation. Despite Legionella9s ability to block host protein translation, inflammatory cytokines are still made against Legionella. It is unclear how infected cells can mount a cytokine response when host protein synthesis is blocked. Our studies demonstrate that infected cells do not produce many cytokines, such as IL-6 and TNF, critical for controlling Legionella infection. Instead, uninfected, bystander cells produce these cytokines. Infected host cells do produce IL-1 de novo. These data suggest that infected cells have mechanisms to overcome protein synthesis inhibition to produce IL-1 and that uninfected, bystander cells are important contributors to the immune response during infection with Legionella. This mechanism of immune activation has broad significance as many other bacterial pathogens manipulate immune cell signaling.
Geometry Modeling and Grid Generation for Design and Optimization

Geometry modeling and grid generation (GMGG) have played and will continue to play an important role in computational aerosciences. During the past two decades, tremendous progress has occurred in GMGG; however, GMGG is still the biggest bottleneck to routine applications for complicated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Structures Mechanics (CSM) models for analysis, design, and optimization. We are still far from incorporating GMGG tools in a design and optimization environment for complicated configurations. It is still a challenging task to parameterize an existing model in today''s Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems, and the models created are not always good enough for automatic grid generation tools. Designers may believe their models are complete and accurate, but unseen imperfections (e.g., gaps, unwanted wiggles, free edges, slivers, and transition cracks) often cause problems in gridding for CSM and CFD. Despite many advances in grid generation, the process is still the most labor-intensive and time-consuming part of the computational aerosciences for analysis, design, and optimization. In an ideal design environment, a design engineer would use a parametric model to evaluate alternative designs effortlessly and optimize an existing design for a new set of design objectives and constraints. For this ideal environment to be realized, the GMGG tools must have the following characteristics: (1) be automated, (2) provide consistent geometry across all disciplines, (3) be parametric, and (4) provide sensitivity derivatives. This paper will review the status of GMGG for analysis, design, and optimization processes, and it will focus on some emerging ideas that will advance the GMGG toward the ideal design environment.
Sudden Death Owing to Right Atrial Hemangioma

Keywords:forensic science;tumor;hemangioma;sudden death Abstract: Primary cardiac tumors are rare, with an autopsy incidence of 0.03%. Seventy-nine percent to 85% of primary cardiac tumors are benign, and of the benign tumors, cardiac hemangiomas account for 5�10% of cases. Most cardiac hemangiomas are asymptomatic and are discovered incidentally at autopsy, or by echocardiography, computerized tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. We report a case of sudden death owing to cardiac hemangioma in a 22-year-old woman who collapsed while shopping and became unresponsive. The autopsy revealed a hemorrhagic mass on the surface of the right atrium which was infiltrating and replacing the wall of the right atrium; histopathological examination confirmed the tumor was a cavernous hemangioma. Fewer than 20 cases of right atrial cavernous hemangiomas have been reported in English literature, emphasizing the rarity of our case.
How well can relative specialist Rhagoletis flies learn to discriminate fruit for oviposition

We show that blueberry maggot females [Rhagoletis mendax(Curran)], apple maggot females [Rhagoletis pomonella(Walsh)], and walnut husk fly females [Rhagoletis suavis(Loew)], all relative specialists in range of fruit species attacked in nature, are able to learn to discriminate between types of fruit in which they oviposit. It appears, however, that these relative specialists express less capacity to learn fruit characters than relative generalist tephritids. This difference in expression of learning ability may be associated in part with differences in assignments species are asked to learn. Apparent differences in learning capability between relative specialist and relative generalist tephritids may therefore depend as much upon differences in the physical and chemical nature of host fruit as upon species differences in the adaptive value of learning.
Ultra-thin film encapsulation processes for micro-electro-mechanical devices and systems

A range of physical properties can be achieved in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) through their encapsulation with solid-state, ultra-thin coatings. This paper reviews the application of single source chemical vapour deposition and atomic layer deposition (ALD) in the growth of submicron films on polycrystalline silicon microstructures for the improvement of microscale reliability and performance. In particular, microstructure encapsulation with silicon carbide, tungsten, alumina and alumina–zinc oxide alloy ultra-thin films is highlighted, and the mechanical, electrical, tribological and chemical impact of these overlayers is detailed. The potential use of solid-state, ultra-thin coatings in commercial microsystems is explored using radio frequency MEMS as a case study for the ALD alloy alumina–zinc oxide thin film.
Class and Congregations: Class and Religious Affiliation at the Congregational Level of Analysis

Since Niebuhr's seminal work on the social sources of denominationalism, nearly all research on the relationship between social class and religious affiliation has focused on the denominational (or individual) level of analysis. This research examines the effects of social class at the congregational level--effects that were previously glossed over by a unit of analysis that was too large. After demonstrating the relative strength of social class at the denominational and congregational level, I argue that our theoretical attempts to link class and religious affiliation must include congregational-level explanations.
O- and N-methylation in the biosynthesis of staurosporine

The feeding of (13)C- and (2)H-enriched methionine to Streptomyces staurosporeus established that the methyl carbon and proton source of both the 3'-O- and 4'-N-methyl groups of staurosporine (1) was methionine and that all three methyl protons from methionine were retained on 1. In the presence of the methyltransferase inhibitor, sinefungin, the biosynthesis of staurosporine was blocked at the last step, O-methylation. An intermediate, 3'-demethoxy-3'-hydroxystaurosporine (2), was efficiently accumulated in the medium. Other general methyltransferase inhibitors failed to produce any other staurosporine intermediates or analogues.
A seasonal radiative-dynamic model of Saturn's troposphere

The present steady-state, linearized and zonally-averaged model of the thermal response of Saturn's atmosphere to seasonal insolation is compared with extant data in order to extract diagnostic information on the planet's troposphere and stratosphere. The planet's rings are shown to constitute a strong modulator of the seasonal insolation function. A detailed comparison of the model with existing temperature measurements shows that the large thermal inertia of Saturn and uncertainties in the wind and thermal measurements overwhelm the rings' thermal effects. A meridional asymmetry in heating is noted which is consistent with an enhancement of aerosols and of photochemically generated ethane and acetylene in the southern hemisphere's summer.
A dynamic model of calcific nodule destabilization in response to monocyte- and oxidized lipid-induced matrix metalloproteinases.

Vulnerable plaque remains clinically undetectable, and there is no accepted in vitro model. We characterize the calcific nodules produced by calcifying vascular cells (CVC) in ApoE-null mice, demon...
Analysis of Cross-Stratification Orientation in the St. Peter Sandstone in Southwestern Wisconsin

The orientation of cross-bedding in the St. Peter Sandstone in southwestern Wisconsin has been known to be very complex and possibly even random. Special attention to cross-set trough-axis plunge azimuths, together with the recent reinterpretation of large-scale cross-stratification in the St. Peter as relict internal structures of large submarine sand dunes, waves, and ridges, provides added insight for a refined analysis of cross-set orientations and, thus, for inference of paleocurrent directions. In the hierarchical array of cross-sets west of Madison, Wisconsin, smaller scale sets show no significant orientation by vectorial and variance analyses. The large sets, however, have a significant preferred orientation toward the southwest (260° ± 85° standard deviation), and trough axes show a significant plunge toward the northwest (281° ± 82° standard deviation). Only by recognition of the complexity of the cross-stratification and by careful selection of particular geometric features to be measured can any meaningful index of paleo-currents be discerned. At least for the limited area of study (700 sq mi), the net sand transport direction was toward the west rather than south-southwest as previously postulated from limited data for the upper Mississippi Valley region.
International Submarine Rescue: A Constructive Role for China?

This article highlights the opportunity available for the Chinese navy to participate in international efforts to improve and coordinate cooperation in the rescue of disabled submarines.
Levels of adrenodoxin, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and cytochromes P-45011β, P-45021, P-450scc, in adrenal zona fasciculata-reticularis tissue from androgen-treated rats

Abstract Treatment of rats with methylandrostenediol (MAD), an anabolic androgen, caused a profound reduction (65%) in the level of cytochrome P -450 11 β in rat adrenocortical mitochondria as measured by immunoblots using a specific antibody. The decreases in mitochondrial cytochrome P -450 scc (15%) and adrenodoxin (20%) were much less than that observed for cytochrome P -450 11 β . A 35% decrease in adrenal microsomal cytochrome P -450 21 and NADPH-cytochrome P -450 reductase levels was brought about by the treatment with MAD. The data establish that the preferential decrease in adrenal steroid 11β-hydroxylase activity associated with androgen treatment results from a decrease in cytochrome P -450 11 β . This is consistent with the role of 11-deoxycorticosterone in the pathogenesis of androgen-induced hypertension in rats.
Survival Probability in Dissociative Attachment

The survival probability in dissociative attachment is investigated with special attention to the ($e$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$) system. It is shown that the simple expression for the dissociative-attachment cross section, as given by the product of a capture cross section and a survival probability, is equivalent to the $s$-wave approximation for the $g\ensuremath{\rightarrow}g$ dissociative attachment. This expression, however, does not constitute an approximation for the $g\ensuremath{\rightarrow}u$ dissociative attachment, since the parity of the initial rotational states of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ is always opposite to that of the relative angular momentum states of H and ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and the capture cross section appearing in the simple expression is identically zero. According to the Kronig selection rules and the symmetry requirements, only odd partial waves of the incident electron may contribute to the $g\ensuremath{\rightarrow}u$ dissociative attachment in the ($e$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$) system. Consequently, the lowest contributing partial wave is not the $s$ wave but the $p$ wave of the incident electron. This, then, destroys the simple proportional dependence of the cross section on the survival probability. However, one may still express the cross section as a sum of products of a capture cross section and a survival probability for the various contributing angular momentum states of the constituent nuclei. The dependence of the survival probability on the angular momentum states of the constituent nuclei is also investigated for the ($e$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$) system. It is observed that for the $g\ensuremath{\rightarrow}u$ dissociative attachment the survival probability depends strongly on the angular momentum states. This arises because the $g\ensuremath{\rightarrow}u$ dissociative attachment occurs at such a low energy that variations in the centrifugal barrier become comparable with the breakup energy of the constituent atoms. This then suggests a strong temperature dependence for the $g\ensuremath{\rightarrow}u$ dissociative attachment in the ($e$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$) system. For the $g\ensuremath{\rightarrow}g$ dissociative attachment, such dependence is much weaker since here the process significant at a somewhat higher energy and the variation in centrifugal energy is overshadowed by the larger break-up energy of the constituent atoms. The validity of the commonly adopted approximation for survival probability (involving the auto-ionization width and relative velocity of the nuclei) is also examined.
K and L X-ray yields for relativistic electron impact on Xe ions

Abstract Theoretical cross sections for production of K and L X-rays by impact of relativistic electrons on ions of xenon are presented.
On stokeslets in a two-fluid space

A uniform force is applied over an arbitrarily orientated bounded plane area in the interior of a semi-infinite incompressible viscous fluid overlain by a dissimilar fluid. Based upon the Papkovitch-Neuber approach to the displacement equations of equilibrium in the theory of elasticity, it is shown that for any orientation of the force and loaded area, the velocities and stresses in the two phases can be found very simply by applying thesame set of differential operators on the corresponding flow fields for a single homogeneous fluid occupying the whole space. A specialization of this theorem admits interpretations in terms of plate bending and extension.
Residual Stresses in Unidirectional Composites with Closely Spaced Fibers

Many of the composites utilized in current applications are consolidated at high temperatures. After cooldown to room temperature, the differences in the expansions of the constituent materials may lead to very high residual stresses. Since failure is driven by critical rather than average states, the local stress field becomes essential in evaluating any composite before it is tested under service conditions. The present study describes an analytical solution for the local residual field of a composite with fibers that are closely spaced. The geometry under consideration involves three fibers with their centers located at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. This arrangement corresponds to the generic element of the hexagonal array, an arguably natural fiber distribution. It was found that when the interfaces are perfectly bonded and the three fibers are very close to each other, tensile radial stresses may develop in the constrained matrix region. The analysis can be generalized for any number of fibers at the vertices of a regular polygon.
Short-distance behavior of a renormalizable quantum field theory

A new method which gives the short-distance behavior of a renormalizable quantum field theory is proposed. The method does not use a lattice formulation and is based on identifying those ''paths'' which make the dominant contribution to the Feynman functional integral in a continuum theory. We apply the method to (phi/sup 4/)/sub 4/ theory. Our initial results show that a nontrivial ultraviolet fixed point in (phi/sup 4/)/sub 4/ theory must necessarily be an essential zero of the Gell-Mann--Low function, as in the case of QED. We also show that the wave-function renormalization constant Z/sub 3/ does not vanish. This case is not yet included in the (phi/sup 4/)/sub 4/ ''triviality'' results of Froehlich and others.
Evaluation of narrative text for case finding : The need for accuracy measurement

This article reviews the analysis of a narrative text electronic search technique being used in the insurance industry. We reviewed a previously published study of motor vehicle crashes in roadway construction workzones as well as additional data supplied by the authors with respect to the methods of keyword selection. The narrative text search technique was evaluated with decision statistics and was found to have a sensitivity of 92.3%, 95% confidence interval 67.5–99.6%. This range of sensitivity, at its most extreme value, led to a 32.5% underestimation of claims prevalence. Furthermore, because the electronic search developed two classification categories from a limited text field (approximately 20 words), only half of the cases had at least one classification. Systematic error estimates were used to obtain true population proportions for crash characteristics, revealing significant underestimations in costs. This analysis highlights the need for investigators to apply decision statistics to narrative text searching techniques when they are used essentially as diagnostic test procedures on insurance claims datasets. Am. J. Ind. Med. 34:133–136, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Age-Friendly Portland: A University-City-Community Partnership

This article addresses the question of how creating an age-friendly city has come to be an important policy and planning issue in Portland, Oregon. In 2006, researchers from Portland State University's Institute on Aging examined the meanings of age friendliness among a broad range of participants in Portland, Oregon. The research was conducted in conjunction with the World Health Organization's (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities project and followed the completion of two earlier non-WHO-related projects. The city of Portland, through the Institute on Aging, was one of nine original members to apply for and be accepted into the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. An Age-Friendly Portland Advisory Council was formed to guide the development of an action plan, monitor progress over time, and suggest additional research. To understand how Portland's age-friendly policy effort has developed over time, we use Kingdon's (1984) agenda-setting framework to explain how the policy problem was formulated, how solutions were developed, and the influence of local politics. The policy actors, including individuals and organizations working within and outside of government, are described. The Portland experience provides a case study that other cities, especially those with a strong commitment to community-engaged urban planning, may find useful as they develop age-friendly initiatives.
Black Phytokarst from Hell, Cayman Islands, British West Indies

Phytokarst is a distinctive landform resulting from a curious type of biologic erosion. Filamentous algae bore their way into limestone to produce black-coated, jagged pinnacles marked by delicate, lacy dissection that lacks any gravitational orientation. Ordinary rainfall-produced karst and littoral karst are characterized by flat-bottomed pans and vertically oriented flutes, thus differing from phytokarst. Algae attack by dissolving calcite preferentially to dolomite.
Acute generalized exanthemous pustulosis (AGEP) with aromatase inhibitor (exemestane)

Abstract Rationale We report a new association between Exemestane and AGEP. Methods A 75 year old Caucasian woman with metastatic breast cancer presented with pruritic rash on chest and right arm 2 weeks after initiation of therapy with exemestane for disease progression. She had prior therapy with anastrozole and tamoxifen with no known cutaneous or systemic adverse drug reactions. The rash subsequently became generalized extending to her trunk, limbs and face. Allergy history was significant for rash with vancomycin, penicillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, metronidazole, fluconazole and cimetidine. She had no prior history of psoriasis. Results Skin examination revealed discrete and confluent erythematous maculopapular raised lesions which became purpuric with dependency. Target lesions and facial edema were present. She had interspersed corporal nonfollicular pustules on an edematous base which were also detected on mucosal surfaces (tongue). Although the patient remained afebrile she had a persistent neutrophilic leukocytosis. Cutaneous punch biopsy was diagnostic of AGEP with sterile spongiform pustulosis and mixed inflammation. Conclusion Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis is a clinical syndrome with characteristic pustular cutaneous eruptions. 90% cases have been adverse drug events with antibacterials being the most frequent triggers, typically one to three weeks after drug initiation. This represents the first reported case of AGEP associated with aromatase inhibitors. These drugs are increasingly being used in the hormonal therapy of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. The rash resolved with oral steroids and withdrawal of the offending agent.
Amino acid compositions and amino-terminal end groups of α and β chains from polymorphic hemoglobins of Pongo pygmaeus

Abstract Four hemoglobins of Pongo pygmaeus , orangutans, were purified and separated by ion-exchange chromatography of hemolyzates. The α chains and β chains were separated by ion-exchange chromatography of globins. Amino acid compositions and amino-terminal end groups of two types of a chains, α A and α B , and two types of β chains, β A and β C , were determined. The amino acid compositions of the α chains are similar to those of human α chain, and the compositions of the β chains are similar to those of human β chain. Differences in the α A and α B chains of orangutan hemoglobin are: α A , 14 aspartyl and 6 glycyl residues; α B , 13 aspartyl and 7 glycyl residues. Differences in the β A and β C chains are: β A , 12 lysyl, 11 glutamyl, and 16 alanyl residues; β C , 11 lysyl, 12 glutamyl, and 15 alanyl residues. These differences are consistent with charge differences inferred from relative electrophoretic and Chromatographic mobilities of intact hemoglobins and isolated chains. Valine is the amino-terminal end group of each chain.
Human reliability analysis ― Why not turn to the human factors community?

Abstract In response to the Dougherty thesis that contemporary human reliability analysis (HRA) methods are inadequate, this paper proposes that credible assessments of these HRA methods adequacy can be obtained only by means of their full exploitation by human factors specialists as part of the probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) process. The paper traces the history of human factors in PRA. It concludes that regarding PRA, only peripheral attention has been given to human factors; further that there has been almost a total absence of human factors specialists involved in the PRA process. The paper introduces and discusses a recent US Nuclear Regulatory Commission research initiative on a task analysis-linked evaluation technique (TALENT) concept for integrating human factors expertise into the PRA process, and fully exploiting state-of-knowledge HRA methods and data. The paper concludes that by means of TALENT implementation: (1) more credible assessments of HRA methods adequacy can be made, and (2) more realistic estimates of the overall impact of human error on complex high reliability systems' reliability and risk can be achieved.
Application of fiber optic delay lines and semiconductor optoelectronics to microwave signal processing

The use of fixed, tapped, and programmable fiber delay lines in signal processing applications at bandwidths to 10 GHz is discussed. Optoelectronic ring resonators, traveling-wave photodetectors, and differential amplifiers for microwave signal processing are also described.
Impurity Site Determination From High Resolution Localized Vibrational Mode Infrared Absorption Measurements

High resolution infrared absorption measurements of the localized vibrational mode (LVM) of light substitutional impurities in compound semiconductors have provided direct spectroscopic evidence for the impurity site location in the lattice without the need for supplementary measurements. Additional structure arises whenever the impurity is surrounded by differing isotopes of the nearest neighbor (nn) host atoms as opposed to the single LVM line that occurs when the nn are composed of a single isotope. For the examples of carbon and silicon in GaAs, the advantages of sensitivity and nondestructive nature are explored as well as the problems in obtaining an accurate calibration to the actual impurity concentration. Various influences on the LVM measurement considered are the effect of sample temperature, instrument resolution, and mathematical manipulations to the data. Finally, other materials are considered in light of the possible potential for application of this new feature of the LVM technique.
Modelling completion risk using stochastic critical path‐envelope method: a BOT highway project application

In integrated project delivery methods such as build‐operate‐transfer (BOT), a thorough financial risk analysis model should incorporate completion risk analysis into operation risk analysis as the timing of financial events such as refinancing and debt servicing depend on the construction completion date. During construction, project managers always have opportunities to react to negative events and to take corrective actions whenever possible to recover late‐running schedules. These opportunities to react are ‘real options’ embedded in the construction process. However, current models of completion risk analysis ignore this feature of project managers. A reliable construction completion risk model for project feasibility studies should capture a manager's option to react to unforeseen, negative events. A novel approach for modelling construction completion risk analysis is developed by combining stochastic critical path method with the envelope method (SCP‐EM). The SCP‐EM approach can model the option‐l...
Organometallic π-complexes XII. The metalation of benzene and ferrocene by n-butyllithium-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine

Abstract A detailed study has been made concerning the metalation of benzene and ferrocene by means of n-butyllithium + N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine in hexane and ethyl ether solution. Optimum conditions are described for the formation of phenyllithium and 1,1′-ferrocenylenedilithium, and the utility of these reagents inorganic and organometallic syntheses is demonstrated by their conversion in good yield to a variety of products. The n-butyllithium—diamine complex in hexane has been shown to metalate the methyl group of methyldiphenylphosphine in 54% yield.