cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Physiological Role of the Lymphoid System

Blood thrombocytes are shown to bind specific fractions of autologous γ-globulin in isotonic low-ionic-strength sucrose solution. Thrombocytes in freshly drawn blood that were prepared in their plasma not exposed to sucrose solution were found coated with the same specific thrombophilic γ-globulin fractions. Judging by the active physiological role of erythrophilic and leucophilic γ-globulin, it is proposed that thrombophilie γ-globulin may have an equally important role, the nature of which is yet to be determined.
WE-G-BRA-07: Analyzing the Safety Implications of a Brachytherapy Process Improvement Project Utilizing a Novel System-Theory-Based Hazard-Analysis Technique

Purpose: To investigate the hazards in cervical-cancer HDR brachytherapy using a novel hazard-analysis technique, System Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA). The applicability and benefit of STPA to the field of radiation oncology is demonstrated. Methods: We analyzed the tandem and ring HDR procedure through observations, discussions with physicists and physicians, and the use of a previously developed process map. Controllers and their respective control actions were identified and arranged into a hierarchical control model of the system, modeling the workflow from applicator insertion through initiating treatment delivery. We then used the STPA process to identify potentially unsafe control actions. Scenarios were then generated from the identified unsafe control actions and used to develop recommendations for system safety constraints. Results: 10 controllers were identified and included in the final model. From these controllers 32 potentially unsafe control actions were identified, leading to more than 120 potential accident scenarios, including both clinical errors (e.g., using outdated imaging studies for planning), and managerial-based incidents (e.g., unsafe equipment, budget, or staffing decisions). Constraints identified from those scenarios include common themes, such as the need for appropriate feedback to give the controllers an adequate mental model to maintain safe boundaries of operations. As an example, one finding was that the likelihood of the potential accident scenario of the applicator breaking during insertion might be reduced by establishing a feedback loop of equipment-usage metrics and equipment-failure reports to the management controller. Conclusion: The utility of STPA in analyzing system hazards in a clinical brachytherapy system was demonstrated. This technique, rooted in system theory, identified scenarios both technical/clinical and managerial in nature. These results suggest that STPA can be successfully used to analyze safety in brachytherapy and may prove to be an alternative to other hazard analysis techniques.
Regional Variation in Physician Practice Pattern: An Examination of Technical and Cost Efficiency for Treating Sinusitis

Objective. An examination of the physician efficiency and resulting cost patterns by region. Data Sources. Virginia Medicaid sinusitis related claims for 1993 were aggregated to physician level (n e 178), and Area Resources File for 1993 was used to identify regions for evaluation. Study Design. The best practice performance in the usage of five resources (i.e., primary care physician visits, referral services, emergency room visits, prescriptions, laboratory tests) was identified using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Five regions in Virginia were identified according to regional planning to evaluate the variation in efficiency across these regions. Principal findings. Inefficient physicians consumed significantly more resources and were 48% more costly than efficient physicians. Substantial regional variation was found and mainly attributed to the differences in use of prescriptions and laboratory procedures. Urban-rural discrepancy may explain part of the variation. Conclusions. As this study reveals the existence of substantial variation in physician efficiency, actions should be taken to minimize the variation that is more affected by personal and structural factors. For example, information on efficient use of resources and corresponding patient outcomes can be disseminated to the attending physicians. Educational workshops can be conducted to allow sharing of experience between efficient and inefficient physicians. Efforts should also be directed to help inefficient physicians to adhere to practice guidelines.
The challenge of measuring circulating estradiol at low concentrations

Demand for measuring estradiol at low concentrations is increasing, and the widely used 'direct' radioimmunoassays that do not require a preliminary organic purification step may be inadequate in patient care because of their limited accuracy. In observational epidemiology, however, the main concern is to obtain a correct ranking of individuals' hormone concentration relative to the true level (as determined through a 'gold standard'). Despite differences in the absolute scale of measured and true concentrations, correct ranking will permit calculation of unbiased estimates of hormone–disease associations. In prospective studies, the major concerns are the limited volume of often irreplaceable specimens and the need to perform a large number of assays within a reasonable period of time. Organic purification is often not feasible because of sample volume requirements and logistic difficulties, and so the development of accurate, rapid and inexpensive methods to measure sex steroids at low concentrations would represent a valuable new research tool for both clinicians and epidemiologists.
Exploring the relationship between anxiety and insistence on sameness in autism spectrum disorders

Elevated anxiety symptoms are one of the most common forms of psychopathology to co-occur with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The purpose of this study was to explore the association between anxiety and ASD symptoms, particularly the degree to which the relationship is explained by insistence on sameness (IS) behaviors and/or cognitive ability. The sample included 1429 individuals aged 5:8-18:0 years who participated in the Simons Simplex Collection, a genetic consortium study of ASD. Child Behavior Checklist Anxiety Problems T-scores and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised "IS" item raw totals were treated as both categorical and continuous measures of anxiety and IS, respectively. Chronological age, verbal intelligence quotient (IQ), and a variety of ASD phenotype-related and other behavioral variables were assessed for potential association with anxiety and IS. Anxiety and IS continuous variables were minimally, although significantly, associated with each other and with chronological age and verbal IQ. Neither anxiety nor IS was associated with other core autism diagnostic scores. Anxiety was associated with a variety of other psychiatric and behavioral symptoms in ASD, including irritability, attention problems, and aggression, while IS was not. Anxiety and IS appear to function as distinct constructs, each with a wide range of expression in children with ASD across age and IQ levels. Thus, both variables could be of use in ASD behavioral research or in dimensional approaches to genetic exploration. Unlike IS, however, anxiety is related to non-ASD-specific behavioral symptoms.
Regional Integration and the Private Authority of Banks in West Africa

A lacuna in the networked global economy and private regulatory authority literatures—hence the main theoretical contribution of this article—involves situations where regulatory authority is ceded or outsourced to nonstate business actors that, in addition to their commercial mission, espouse and actually integrate their profit motive with political and economic missions that can enhance or undermine regional integration effectiveness. Such identity-based, dual-mission regional business actors are more likely to promote regional economic integration than their foreign counterparts because these firms often define the region as the centerpiece of their investment decisions. The melding of their “region-centricity” with the profit motive may suggest the capacity of states and nonstate actors to “tame” or “regionalize” globalization or even challenge the existing global order. The empirical evidence is drawn from an unlikely source, that is, cross-border, dual-mission regional banks in West Africa to whom governments and INGOs have ceded or “outsourced” critical central banking regulatory authority, empowering or enabling them to (i) act as regional development banks through public–private partnerships; (ii) create and regulate financial instruments as surrogate common currency and regional payments systems; and (iii) cross-border supervision of regional bank subsidiaries and branches. Expanded private authority of regional banks is creating putative region-wide norms of financial integration and behavioral changes among banks and other sectors and governments while amplifying the limits of private-sector-led financial integration. The study fills a gap in the comparative regionalism literature that continues to neglect, misidentify, or undervalue the African experience.
Potential clinical significance in the use of Lexiscan (regadenoson) in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) via treadmill in patients who do not reach their maximum predicted heart rate (MPHR)

2233 Objectives To evaluate the potential clinical significance of Lexiscan for a modified treadmill MPI stress test protocol. In April 2008 the FDA approved Lexiscan, a new stress drug which causes maximum vasodilatation within 30 seconds once given as a bolus injection. MPI treadmill tests in patients who do not reach MPHR can be changed to the Lexiscan protocol immediately; validating their test. Methods All MPI treadmill tests performed at Evanston Hospital from January to July 2008 were reviewed. Patients with heart rates Results 43 of 216 (20%) MPI treadmill tests had a MPHR of Conclusions The data suggests a new protocol using Lexiscan could create a more efficient/effective diagnosis due to more accurate stress testing, better use of patient time, and timely results.
The Unmaking of the Middle East: A History of Western Disorder in Arab Lands – By Jeremy Salt

The audience for this study is “the general reader who feels the need to know more about the Middle East than the mainstream media are able or willing to tell” (5). The book is thus an accessible n...
Solution of eigenvalue problems in Hilbert spaces by a gradient method

A gradient technique is developed for computing a class of nonisolated stationary points, called C-stationary points, for a real functional F defined on a Hilbert space. It is shown that the least-squares solutions of the operator equation Ax=b are C-stationary points for the functional (1/2)@[email protected]?^2 when R(A) is closed and that certain eigenvectors of the general eigenproblem [email protected] are C-stationary points for the functional 1/[email protected]?Ax-(/) [email protected]?^2. Numerical experiments are given to justify the results.
Factors Relating to Recurrence of Chronic Pulmonary Histoplasmosis Following Treatment with Amphotericin B

A retrospective analysis was made of cases of Chronic Pulmonary Histoplasmosis during the admission in which patients received amphotericin B to determine if there were features related to recurrence of the disease. There was significance at the p less than or equal to 0.05 level in that the nonrecurrent cases tended to have a lower initial complement fixation titers using mycelial antigen; had initial complement fixation tests which were likely to result in no reaction using either mycelial or yeast antigen; and had more rapid drops in the complement fixation values using the yeast antigen. Although the present evaluation does not suggest an absolute minimum effective dose of amphotericin B, it would seem plausible to administer a course of at least 2300 mg if the initial complement fixation test was nonreactive but if the drug was tolerated well by the patient and the initial complement fixation test was reactive, the goal should be at least 2500 mg.
High-speed free-space scalable switching network for parallel computing

The system architecture and the first prototype demonstrator system for the VCSEL-based Interconnects in VLSI Architectures for Computational Enhancement (VIVACE) program is described. The main goal of the VIVACE program is to build a high bi-section bandwidth free-space optically interconnected switch and to demonstrate it in a system of multiple compute nodes running a distributed algorithm. The prototype demonstrator system developed is a stand alone first-generation VIVACE Optical Network Interface Card (VONIC) communicating to another VONIC through a parallel- data fiber link. This system was developed to test the signal integrity and Bit Error Rate between two VONICs.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
PRODUCTION OF A RUNTING SYNDROME AND SELECTIVE γA DEFICIENCY IN MICE BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF ANTI-HEAVY CHAIN ANTISERA

Conventional Swiss mice were treated from birth with intraperitoneal injections of anti-immunoglobulins in an attempt to create an experimental dysgammaglobulinemia. Mice treated with anti-gammaM were immunologically suppressed in all immunoglobulin classes as determined by serum antibody titers, splenic plaque-forming cells, serum immunoglobulin levels, and immunofluorescent analysis of plasma cells in lymphoid tissues. Treatment immediately after birth with high concentrations of anti-gammaM leads to a developmental arrest characterized by severe immunosuppression, failure to gain weight, and premature death. The pathogenesis of anti-gammaM runting syndrome is unknown. Animals similarly treated with anti-gammaG, anti-gammaA, or control normal goat or rabbit gamma-globulins developed normally. The frequency of occurrence and severity of anti-gammaM-induced runting syndrome is dependent upon the concentration of anti-gammaM-globulin administered. Administration of anti-gammaA resulted in a selective gammaA deficiency that was characterized by a marked reduction in serum-gammaA and an absence of gammaA-containing cells in the spleen. However, essentially normal numbers of plasma cells were found in the gastrointestinal lamina propria of anti-gammaA-treated animals concomitantly with suppressed levels of gammaA in intestinal fluids.
Advances in prevention and treatment of graft versus host disease

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation provides curative therapy for patients with haematologic and immunologic diseases as well as with congenital defects in the haematopoietic system. One obstacle to this therapeutic approach is graft versus host disease (GVHD) that remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. T cell depletion may prevent severe GVHD but this is also associated with an increased risk of graft rejection and relapse rate for haematologic malignancies. Over the past few years, incremental progress has been made in our understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying GVHD, thus leading to innovative approaches to its prophylaxis and successful haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These include manipulation of cytokines, chemokines and novel cellular components, as well as downregulation of host-specific T cell responses. This review will summarise recent developments in this area.
Exploring programmatic moderators of the effectiveness of marriage and relationship education programs: a meta-analytic study.

This study uses meta-analytic methods to explore programmatic moderators or common factors of the effectiveness of marriage and relationship education (MRE) programs. We coded 148 evaluation reports for potential programmatic factors that were associated with stronger intervention effects, although the range of factors we could code was limited by the lack of details in the reports. Overall, we found a positive effect for program dosage: moderate-dosage programs (9–20 contact hours) were associated with stronger effects compared to low-dosage programs (1–8 contact hours). A programmatic emphasis on communication skills was associated with stronger effects on couple communication outcomes, but this difference did not reach statistical significance for the relationship quality/satisfaction outcome. There was no evidence that institutionalized MRE programs (formal manuals, ongoing presence, formal instructor training, multiple evaluations) were associated with stronger effects. Similarly, there was little evidence of differences in program setting (university/laboratory vs. religious). We discuss possible explanations for these findings and implications for program design and evaluation.
Breakthrough pain in cancer patients: new therapeutic approaches to an old challenge.

Breakthrough pain is a well recognized but ill-defined phenomenon that occurs commonly in the presence of otherwise stable, persistent pain. It is defined now as a “transient pain episode that occurs, or breaks through from the otherwise stable background pain.” Breakthrough pain is usually associated with moderate to severe pain and may form a predictor of poor response to treatment with routine pharmacotherapy. Breakthrough pain is also associated with functional impairment and psychological distress.
Developmental and environmental regulation of chloride cells in young American shad, Alosa sapidissima.

Location, abundance, and morphology of gill chloride cells were quantified during changes in osmoregulatory physiology accompanying early development in American shad, Alosa sapidissima. During the larval-juvenile transition of shad, gill chloride cells increased 3.5-fold in abundance coincident with gill formation, increased seawater tolerance, and increased Na + ,K + - ATPase activity. Chloride cells were found on both the primary filament and secondary lamellae in pre-migratory juveniles. Chloride cells on both the primary filament and secondary lamellae increased in abundance (1.5- to 2-fold) and size (2- to 2.5-fold) in juveniles held in fresh water from August 31 to December 1 (the period of downstream migration) under declining temperature. This proliferation of chloride cells was correlated with physiological changes associated with mi- gration (decreased hyperosmoregulatory ability and increased gill Na + ,K + -ATPase activity). In- creases in chloride cell size and number of fish in fresh water were delayed and of a lower magnitude when shad were maintained at constant temperature (24°C). When juveniles were acclimated to seawater, chloride cell abundance on the primary filament did not (though size increased 1.5- to 2- fold), but cells on the secondary lamellae disappeared. Na + ,K + -ATPase was immunolocalized to chloride cells in both fresh water and seawater acclimated fish. The disappearance of chloride cells on the secondary lamellae upon seawater acclimation is evidence that their role is confined to fresh water. The proliferation of chloride cells in fresh water during the migratory-associated loss of hyperosmoregulatory ability is likely to be a compensatory mechanism for increasing ion up- take. J. Exp. Zool. 290:73-87, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. The mechanisms of osmoregulation in teleosts acclimated to seawater (SW) have been aggres- sively studied and are relatively well understood. Chloride cells in the gill have been convincingly shown to be the site of ion excretion in fish accli- mated to hypersaline environments (Keys and Willmer, '32; Foskett and Scheffey, '82). Euryha- line fish can tolerate a wide range of salinities during their life history, and chloride cells have been demonstrated to enlarge and proliferate upon acclimation to increased salinity in a number of teleosts (Karnaky, '86). Chloride cells are rich in Na
Resonance and ac Stark effects in three-photon ionization of Cs

We present a theoretical analysis of an experiment on near-resonant three-photon ionization of Cs. We have calculated all parameters entering in the equations for the density matrix and have shown that previously invoked higher-order laser-induced Stark shifts are negligible. A complete solution of the equations suggests that the observed unusual dependence of the ion signal on laser intensity is the result of spatial beam effects.
Transition to Multilayer Kinetic Roughening for Metal (100) Homoepitaxy

A model for metal (100) homoepitaxy is developed which describes irreversible submonolayer nucleation and growth of 2D square islands, and the subsequent transition to multilayer growth. Roughness is sensitive to the additional barrier to descend a step, which is estimated for Fe/Fe(100). We find oscillatory height-height correlations and non-Gaussian height and height-difference distributions, necessitating refinement of existing diffraction theory. We predict the disappearance of a diffraction ring during growth, and a nonmonotonic variation of roughness with temperature. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital The} {ital American} {ital Physical} {ital Society}.
Task allocation in data flow multiprocessors: an annotated bibliography

The performance of data flow multiprocessors depends to a large extent on the methods used to partition a data flow program and assign the resulting computational tasks among the processors. We cite significant contributions to the field of data flow computing, and categorize these efforts according to the granularity of the partitions and by whether task allocation is static (performed at compile time) or dynamic (performed during execution of the program). Each reference is accompanied by a brief description of the task allocation techniques used in the system.
Analysis of avian bone response to mechanical loading—Part One: Distribution of bone fluid shear stress induced by bending and axial loading

Mechanical loading-induced signals are hypothesized to be transmitted and integrated by a bone-connected cellular network (CCN) before reaching the bone surfaces where adaptation occurs. Our objective is to establish a computational model to explore how bone cells transmit the signals through intercellular communication. In this first part of the study the bone fluid shear stress acting on every bone cell in a CCN is acquired as the excitation signal for the computational model. Bending and axial loading-induced fluid shear stress is computed in transverse sections of avian long bones for two adaptation experiments (Gross et al. in J Bone Miner Res 12:982–988, 1997 and Judex et al. in J Bone Miner Res 12:1737–1745, 1997). The computed fluid shear stress is found to be correlated with the radial strain gradient but not with bone formation. These results suggest that the radial strain gradient is the driving force for bone fluid flow in the radially distributed lacunar-canalicular system and that bone formation is not linearly related to the loading-induced local stimulus.
Protein markers for identification of Yersinia pestis and their variation related to culture.

Abstract The detection of high consequence pathogens, such as Yersinia pestis , is well established in biodefense laboratories for bioterror situations. Laboratory protocols are well established using specified culture media and a growth temperature of 37 °C for expression of specific antigens. Direct detection of Y. pestis protein markers, without prior culture, depends on their expression. Unfortunately protein expression can be impacted by the culture medium which cannot be predicted ahead of time. Furthermore, higher biomass yields are obtained at the optimal growth temperature (i.e. 28 °C–30 °C) and therefore are more likely to be used for bulk production. Analysis of Y. pestis grown on several types of media at 30 °C showed that several protein markers were found to be differentially detected in different media. Analysis of the identified proteins against a comprehensive database provided an additional level of organism identification. Peptides corresponding to variable regions of some proteins could separate large groups of strains and aid in organism identification. This work illustrates the need to understand variability of protein expression for detection targets. The potential for relating expression changes of known proteins to specific media factors, even in nutrient rich and chemically complex culture medium, may provide the opportunity to draw forensic information from protein profiles.
Mr. Afanasiev's Naughty Little Secrets: Russkie zavetnye skazki

If one were to judge solely from nineteenth century collections of Russian folktales, the Russian peasant never swore, never abused priests or their wives, and indulged in procreative acts only in the most delicate fashion. The collections of the populists (narodniki), who were mostly school teachers by occupation if not training, are devoid of such things, as is the great collection in three volumes of Alexander Afanasiev. But Afanasiev collected many tales that he clearly intended to publish in his "Narodnye russkie skazki" [Folk Russian tales] which were banned by the tsarist censors on the grounds that they were obscene or anticlerical. Clearly, such tales existed and were in circulation throughout Russia. The history of these tales that could not be printed in Russia until 1991 is most curious. but far from sufficiently studied. First mention of them dates to 1856, when the ethnographer and lexicographer, Vladimir Oal', wrote Afanasiev about them in conjunction with Oal's transmittal of several thousand folktales that were to serve as the basis for Afanasiev's three volume collection. By 1862 Afanasiev had compiled the collection of anticlerical and obscene tales known in manuscript form as "Narodnye russkie skazki. Ne dUa pechati" [Folk Russian tales. Not for print]. Afanasiev died in 1871, and there is no evidence that he knew they would ever be printed. Most probably it was in 1872 that the "Russkie zavetnye skazki" [Russian secret tales] appeared. (It could have been as late as 1875). The place of publishing was Geneva, that citadel of Calvinism! There is nothing in the first edition to identity any editor, publishing house, or date or city, and the facts have had to be teased out of a great variety of sources. Suffice it here to say that Yurii Sokolov long ago established that the tales were from Afanasiev's collection. They appear to have been taken to Western Europe, probably to London first, by V. I. Kasatkin, a young friend of Afanasiev. There the Russian emigre circles, which included N. P. Ogarev and A. I. Herzen, decided to publish the tales anonymously. Why they waited until 1872 or later to publish them is unknown. If the date was connected to Afanasiev's death, then there is in any case no mention of him in the book. There are seventy seven tales in the collection, and this order has been observed in all subsequent editions. The tales have been catalogued according to the AarneThompson system, and each is indexed in the "Sravnitel'nyi ukazatel'siuzhetov. Vostochnslavianskaia skazka" (SUS) [Comparative index of types. The east Slavic tale], the indispensable guide to the East Slavic folktale. Throughout the nineteenth century these tales were not officially known to exist, although it is clear that copies of the Geneva editions, usually the second (1879), circulated and made their way into both public and private collections. Nor were Afanasiev's obscene tales the
Modeling Inter-Device Leakage in 90 nm Bulk CMOS Devices

We demonstrate an analytical modeling approach that captures the effects of total ionizing dose (TID) on the Id -Vgs characteristics of field-oxide-field-effect-transistors (FOXFETs) fabricated in a low-standby power commercial bulk CMOS technology. Radiation-enabled technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulations and experimental data allow validating the model against technological parameters such as doping concentration, field-oxide thickness, and geometry. When used in conjunction with the closed-form expressions for the surface potential, the analytical models for fixed oxide charge and interface trap density enables accurate modeling of radiation-induced degradation of the FOXFET Id -Vgs characteristics allowing the incorporation of TID into surface potential based compact models.
The join algorithms on a shared-memory multiprocessor database machine

The authors develop and present a large set of parallel algorithms for implementing the join operation on a shared-memory multiprocessor database machine. The development of these algorithms follows a structured approach. The major steps involved in the processing of the join operation by the machine are first identified. Then, alternative join algorithms are constructed by concatenating the different ways of performing these steps. A study of the performance of the proposed algorithms is presented. This study shows, among other things, that for a given hardware configuration there is not just one overall best performing join algorithm, but rather different algorithms score the best performance, depending on the characteristics of the data participating in the join operation. >
Homelessness in the United States: 1980-1990

Homelessness is a condition characterized by shelter insecurity, societal disaffiliation, and human suffering. It is a growing problem, spreading from our urban centers to our exurban landscape. It is also a complex problem, both in origin and solution. Since the late 1970s there has been a surge of media coverage, research, legislation, and litigation regarding homelessness. Much of the research has been done by planners and planning academics. The planning literature on homelessness from the 1980s has set the stage for the research, literature, and public policy concerning homelessness in the 1990s. This article reviews the major early planning reports and the planning literature in terms of the definition of homelessness, its causes, and the short- and long-term solutions to it. Included are discussions about the politicization of the homeless count and the 1990 census. Undeveloped areas of planning research on homelessness are also presented.
Optimizing the Minimally Invasive Approach to Mediastinal Parathyroid Adenomas

Background Patients with refractory hyperparathyroidism after neck exploration may have a mediastinal parathyroid gland that has not been identified reliably with a single radiologic study. We report 17 patients who underwent minimally invasive resection for mediastinal parathyroid adenomas after confirmatory multipoint radiologic imaging. Methods Fifteen patients underwent thoracoscopic procedures and 2 patients underwent mediastinoscopic procedures for resection of suspected mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. Preoperative localizing studies included sestamibi scan, computed tomography scan of the neck and chest, and selective venous sampling of parathyroid hormone levels. Once a mediastinal location was determined, thoracoscopic or mediastinoscopic resection was performed. Successful removal of parathyroid tissue was confirmed with a 50% or greater reduction in intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels. Results Parathyroid adenoma was resected in 88% of patients after the operation. The cure rate was 100% in patients with two or more concordant studies locating parathyroid tissue in the mediastinum and 60% in those with one positive study. The thoracostomy tube was removed on median postoperative day 1 (range, 0 to 2 days). Median hospital stay was 3 days (range, 2 to 7 days). The most common complication was temporary hypocalcemia, which occurred in 18% of patients. Conclusions Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy is an effective treatment of hyperparathyroidism caused by mediastinal parathyroid tissue. Targeted exploration depends on the guidance of preoperative localization studies and measurement of intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels to verify successful resection. Selective venous sampling and high-resolution computed tomography scanning can be helpful in patients with negative sestamibi scans.
Iridium(III) amine complexes as high-stability structure-directing agents for the synthesis of metal phosphates

Structure-directing agents based on iridium(III) complexes provide a hydrothermally robust alternative to the corresponding cobalt compounds. The slight size difference between Co(III) and Ir(III) does not dramatically influence the nature of the AlPO products that are obtained from hydrothermal synthesis using complexes based upon the ligands 1,2-diaminoethane and trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (chxn). However, the very slow ligand exchange kinetics of the Ir(III) complexes facilitate the use of increased hydrothermal synthesis temperatures when compared to the corresponding Co(III) complexes. For the two systems that they have examined, the use of Ir(III) allows the synthesis temperatures to be increased by {approximately} 40 C over the maximum that is viable for the corresponding cobalt complexes. This increase allowed us to prepare AlPO single crystals using Ir({+-}chxn){sub 3}{sup 3+}, whereas they authors could only obtain powders using the corresponding cobalt complexes. The use of iridium in place of cobalt increases the range of ligands that can be considered in constructing chelate complexes for use as structure-directing agents and may facilitate the preparation of different AlPO products from those found using cobalt complexes, as higher hydrothermal synthesis temperatures can be employed.
In situ phytoremediation of PAH- and PCB-contaminated marine sediments with eelgrass (Zostera marina).

Abstract In view of the fact that there are presently no cost-effective in situ treatment technologies for contaminated sediments, a 60-week-long phytoremediation feasibility study was conducted in seawater-supplied outdoor ponds to determine whether eelgrass (Zostera marina) is capable of removing polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from submerged marine sediments. It was determined that all PAHs and PCBs, independent of the number of aromatic rings and degree of chlorination, respectively, were removed to a much larger extent in planted sediments compared to unplanted controls. After 60 weeks of treatment, the concentration of total PAHs decreased by 73% in planted sediments but only 25% in unplanted controls. Similarly, total PCBs declined by 60% in the presence of plants while none were removed in the unplanted sediment. Overall, the apparent PAH and PCB biodegradation was greatest in the sediment layer that contained most of the eelgrass roots. Abiotic desorption tests conducted at week 32 confirmed that the phytoremediation process was not controlled by mass-transfer or bioavailability limitations since all PAHs and PCBs desorbed rapidly and to a large extent from the sediment. PAHs were detected in both roots and shoots, with root and shoot bioaccumulation factors for total PAHs amounting to approximately 3 and 1, respectively, after 60 weeks of phytoremediation treatment. Similarly, the root bioaccumulation factor for total PCBs was around 4, while no PCBs were detected in the eelgrass leaves at the end of the experiment. The total mass fraction of PAHs and PCBs absorbed and translocated by plant biomass during the 60-week period was insignificant, amounting to less than 0.5% of the total mass of PAHs and PCBs which was initially present in the sediment. Finally, the number of total heterotrophic bacteria and hydrocarbon degraders was slightly but not statistically significantly greater in planted sediments than in unplanted controls. After ruling out contaminant loss to the water column or absorption and transformation within plant cells, it is most likely that the presence of eelgrass stimulated the microbial biodegradation of PAHs and PCBs in the rhizosphere by releasing root exudates, plant enzymes, or even oxygen. Additional research is needed to further elucidate these potential phytoremediation mechanisms.
Monomers containing large alkyl groups. IV. Polymerization and properties of the polymers of 2‐alkyl‐1,3‐butadienes

The polymerization and properties of the polymers of 2-isopropyl, 2-n-heptyl, 2-n-decyl, and 2-tert-butyl-1,3-butadienes are described. Second-order transition temperatures were obtained for the 2-alkyl-1,3-butadiene polymers. Poly-2-n-heptyl-1,3-butadiene has a transition temperature of −83°, near that of polybutadiene. Polymers of isopropyl, tert-butyl, and n-decylbutadiene have higher transition temperatures than polyisoprene. Branched side-chains raise the second-order transition temperatures markedly. This is especially true of the tert-butylbutadiene polymer (Tm = +20°). Poly-2-n-decylbutadiene has a transition temperature at −53° and is birefringent below −40°. From these results and those of previous workers it is apparent that sidechain branching raises the transition temperatures of poly-2-alkyl-1,3-butadienes and that low temperature flexibility cannot be materially improved over that exhibited by polybutadiene by the use of butadiene monomers containing 2-substituted alkyl groups.
On Lp input to state stabilizability of affine in control, nonlinear systems subject to actuator saturation

Abstract The Lp input to state stabilizability of affine in control nonlinear systems subject to actuator saturation is examined. A few sets of conditions under which the system is (finite gain) Lp input to state stabilizable are identified and the stabilizing feedback laws are explicitly constructed.
Radiation protection considerations of overhead fluoroscopic installations.

Abstract Recently some X-ray manufacturers in this country have copied a European trend for installation of diagnostic X-ray rooms with an overhead fluoroscopic arrangement. The obvious advantage for performing fluoroscopy in this manner is an economic one. Thus, one X-ray tube can be used for both radiographic exposures and fluoroscopic examinations. When operated remotely, radiation protection problems are minimal. However, in actual practice, some users of this equipment find it necessary to be situated near the patient during fluoroscopy. Data are presented to show the hazards associated with such use. Remedial efforts for achieving acceptable “in-room” operation are described. The different back-scatter geometry that obtains in overhead fluoroscopy can explain the increased exposure levels to personnel versus those found in conventional fluoroscopy.
Modulating vascular intimal hyperplasia using HSV-1 mutant requires activated MEK

Outcomes of cardiovascular procedures, such as angioplasty and stent or bypass grafting are limited by failure, predominantly caused by pathological smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, known as intimal hyperplasia. Local delivery of a genetically engineered herpes simplex virus (HSV) is known to block vascular SMC proliferation while allowing for re-endothelialization. However, the mechanism this mutant virus uses to prevent SMC hyperplasia is unknown. The Ras signaling cascade is activated in SMCs undergoing hyperplasia leading to phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In this study we tested the hypothesis that MAPK kinase (MEK) activity is the molecular basis by which SMCs are susceptible to mutant HSV. We show that genetically engineered herpes simplex-1 viruses (HSV-1) can target proliferating SMCs. We demonstrate that the molecular basis of this HSV-1 anti-proliferative effect is MEK activation in SMCs. We demonstrate efficacy and practicality of the MEK-dependent HSV-1 for the treatment of intimal hyperplasia in a clinically relevant in vivo model. Important to this strategy is the ability to modulate the effects by controlling viral dose. These results propel genetically engineered HSV-1 therapy towards clinical evaluation in treatment of intimal hyperplasia.
The Modal Elements mos and maskie in Cape Dutch

Abstract In historical linguistics one may confront a feature that could plausibly have either an endogenous or contact origin. Lass (1997. Historical Linguistics and Language Change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p. 209) argues that if “the (informal) probability weightings of both source-types converge for a given character, then the choice goes to endogeny.” However, intensive language contact may produce characteristics that cannot be adequately accounted for in terms of a binary opposition between endogeny and exogeny, as the history of two Cape Dutch modal adverbs illustrates.
Guanidination of tryptic peptides without desalting for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis.

Derivatizations that enhance mass spectral quality often require desalting, which presents as a bottleneck in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)-proteomics. Guanidination, which converts lysine to homoarginine, an arginine analogue, can increase detection of those peptides 5–15-fold. Our aim was to improve guanidination by using a novel reagent, O-methylisourea-freebase. In a simple reaction, interfering salts were removed prior to guanidination. Freebase preparation took about 30 min and could be applied to samples all at once as opposed to desalting samples one-by-one for 5 min each. For freebase guanidinated BSA tryptic peptides, more than 6-times the peptides were observed relative to tryptic peptides or those guanidinated with the conventional reagent, O-methylisourea hemisulfate. Peptide signals increased more than 10-fold relative to those from guanidination with the conventional reagent and were equivalent to those from conventional guanidin...
Surface Ignition of Coal and Other Fuel Particles in Radiative and Diffusive Environment

Abstract Ignition of an impervious solid fuel of spherical shape in contact with a quiescent hot oxidizing medium is analyzed. The governing mass and energy balance equations are solved by employing the Laplace transformation technique, Mellin's complex inversion theorem, and the Laplace asymptotic method of evaluating integrals with large parameters. The model is used to study the ignition of coal particles in a typical MHD-open-cycle combustor environment. The effects of the initial coal temperature, combustor pressure, particle size, and combustor temperature on ignition time are discussed
Structural Characterization of an Enantiomerically Pure Amino Acid Imidazolide and Direct Formation of the β-Lactam Nucleus from an α-Amino Acid

Decomposition of a diazo beta-ketoamide derived from N-trityl serine imidazolide and N-protected acetanilides provides, instead of the expected 3-acyloxindole product, an enantiomerically pure (EP) beta-lactam. The amino acid stereocenter is incorporated, the second chiral center is induced, and trityl protection of the beta-lactam ring is realized for the first time. The desired 3-acyloxindole is obtained from oxindole and Tr-Ser(OBn)-imidazole, the X-ray of which provides the first structural determination of an EP amino acid imidazolide.
An unusual and efficient reaction of 2-methylene-3-phenyloxetane in the presence of lithium and 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl in THF

Abstract When 2-methylene-3-phenyloxetane ( 4 ) was treated with excess lithium and DTBB (cat.), lactone 6 was isolated as an unexpected product in high yield. It is postulated that 6 arises from a coupling of a radical enolate derived from 4 and the enolate of acetaldehyde, a product of THF decomposition under the reaction conditions.
The Effect of Incentives on Cognitive Processing of Text

This study examines the effect of incentives, a motivational manipulation, on cognitive processes of reading. Extrinsic motivation was manipulated through the use of monetary incentives to assess its effect on information processing in reading. One group of college students was paid for what they remembered from several narrative passages they read, whereas another group of college students was not offered an incentive. Motivated participants had longer reading times and better recall performance than did participants who were not extrinsically motivated. When reading was constrained at a fixed pace, motivated participants still performed better, with no interaction effect between pacing and motivational status. Therefore, the observed enhanced memory performance of motivated readers was not attributable to additional time spent on reading, indicating that efficient processes that do not influence reading time are involved. The results corroborate observations that extrinsic motivation, in the form of inc...
Disneyland and Disney World: Designing and Prescribing the Recreational Experience

Abstract Disneyland and Walt Disney World are two of the best known and most highly visited tourism destinations in the world. With this visibility and audience reach, the action of the Disney Company extends well beyond the boundaries of their theme parks. That is, the standards that Disney sets in the management of its park environments have the potential to become the standards against which all environments are judged. Similarly, the visitor expectations and experiences that Disney constructs can become models to which visitors would have all recreation managers aspire. Disney is often acknowledged as the premier visitor services organization, and it is partly this excellence that gives it stature and impact. As recreational visitors are increasingly being treated as customers, natural resource managers should consider the appropriateness of Disney's approach to designing and prescribing the visitor experience.
Medical Education in Modern China: An Update

Excerpt In 1975 after my third China visit I reported, with Axelrod and Leaf (1), on medical education and practice in People's Republic of China. Since then much change has taken place in China no...
An accurate and efficient procedure of fitting electric field potential by point charges for QM/MM calculations

An accurate and efficient computational procedure of fitting an electric field potential given on the grid in a finite QM cavity of arbitrary shape by point charges is described. The charges are located on the surface of the sphere that encloses the QM cavity, and also inside the sphere, but outside the QM cavity. The procedure is based on the use of spherical harmonics and singular value decomposition. An example of application of the procedure in QM/MM calculations of pKa values in proteins is discussed.
The solubility of cellulose in liquid ammonia/ammonium thiocyanate solution: The effect of composition and temperature on dissolution and solution properties

The dissolution process and some solution properties of cellulose in mixtures of liquid ammonia (NH3) and ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN) are discussed. The mole fraction ratio of NH3, NH4SCN, and H2O which dissolve cellulose were determined. The effect of temperature on several solution properties was also examined. The temperature coefficient d In [n]/dT for the limiting viscosity number [n] has a value of −1.58 × 10−2 °C−1. This is considered to be rather large but is, in fact, a common occurrence for almost all cellulose derivatives in solution. The values for the Huggins constant K′ showed no systematic trends with temperature. They did, however, suggest the presence of considerable association of the cellulose in solution. Miscibility results of adding the cellulose solutions to organic liquids are also reported.
Electron Spin Resonance Absorption in Metals. II. Theory of Electron Diffusion and the Skin Effect

The theory of paramagnetic resonance absorption by the conduction electrons in a metal is worked out, taking into account the diffusion of the electrons in and out of the thin skin into which the radio-frequency field penetrates. Calculations are carried through in detail for the case of a flat metal plate. It is found that the diffusion has no marked effect on the width of the resonance absorption line, but has a radical effect on the shape of the line. In particular, for a piece of metal thick compared to the skin depth and with a relaxation time long compared to the diffusion time, the line is antisymmetrical about its center and has an unusual characteristic shape.