cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pancreaticoduodenectomy outcomes in the pediatric, adolescent, and young adult population

Abstract Background Pancreatic malignancy and chronic pancreatitis are rare in the pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (AYA) population, making pancreas resections an infrequent procedure in this demographic. Only case reports and small case series exist in the literature describing surgical outcomes and complications in this population. The aim of this study was to review the surgical outcomes of pediatric/AYA patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) at our institution. Methods All pediatric/AYA adult patients (≤30 years) undergoing PD over a 15-year period (1998-2013) from a large academic institution were included. We provide adult (>30 years) data from our same institution for observational comparison. Retrospective chart review was performed to identify pertinent preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative data. Results Twenty-two patients with a median age of 25 years (range, 11-30 years) underwent PD. The most common postoperative histologic diagnoses were chronic pancreatitis (6, 27.3%), solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (5, 22.7%), and adenocarcinoma (4, 18.2%). Complications were 31.8% in the pediatric/AYA cohort and 58.6% in the adult cohort. The most common postoperative complication was intraabdominal abscess, which occurred in three patients (13.6%). Thirty-day mortality was 0% for pediatric/AYA patients. There were no recurrences or disease-related deaths in patients with solid pseudopapillary neoplasm. Pediatric patients with adenocarcinoma had a median survival of 10.2 mo (interquartile range, 9-21), in contrast to adults of 57.8 mo (interquartile range, 11-132). Conclusions This is the largest series of PD procedures reported in the pediatric/AYA population. The procedure appears to be safe, with no 30-day mortalities and an acceptable complication rate.
146 IMMORTALIZED MAMMARY EPITHELIAL CELLS AND HUMAN MAMMARY TUMOR-DERIVED CELLS DISPLAY INCREASED PROLIFERATION, MOTILITY, AND INVASIVENESS IN OBESE RAT CONDITIONS COMPARED TO LEAN RAT CONDITIONS IN IN VITRO ASSAYS.

Obesity has been linked to an elevated risk for postmenopausal breast cancer, presumably due to increased production of estrogen by adipocytes. We hypothesize that the obese state may also regulate circulating levels of other hormones, growth factors, and cytokines (eg, insulin, IGF-I, leptin), which may also play a role in mammary tumorigenesis. To address this hypothesis, blood was collected from obese and lean rats genetically disposed to be obesity prone or obesity resistant. Three types of hormone-unresponsive mammary cell lines, one non-transformed and two transformed, were used in functional in vitro assays designed to assess the differential effects of sera and/or plasma from obese and lean rats on cell proliferation, motility, and invasiveness. Results revealed that sera or plasma from obese rats increased cell proliferation compared to sera or plasma from lean rats. Obese sera/plasma also increased tumor cell motility and invasiveness in trans-well filter assays. These findings suggest that the obese state alters circulating factors, which foster increased proliferative, motile, and invasive activity in mammary epithelial cells and mammary tumor cells compared to the lean state.
Ontological Idealist Thought of Neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming Dynasties

This paper points out that the analysis and interpretation of the features of idealist ontology made by Lu Jiuyuan, Yang Jian, Chen Xianzhang, Wang Shouren, Wang Ji and Luo Rufang explored further into its essence, and that it reached its zenith by Er-qu in the early Qing Dynasty. Furthermore, on the basis of the study of both Cheng-Zhu School and Lu-Wang School, Feng Congwu and Gao Panlong in the late Ming Dynasty and Li Erqu in the early Qing Dynasty perfected the Confucian ideal saint model of internal sacredness and external social participation.
RENAL CYSTS AND CYSTIC NEOPLASMS

This article reviews the imaging approach to cystic renal lesions. Imaging characteristics of lesions ranging from simple cysts to cystic renal cell carcinomas are discussed. The MR appearance of cystic renal masses is described and the role of MR imaging in the evaluation of these lesions is discussed.
A model comparison initiative for a CO2 injection field test: an introduction to Sim-SEQ

Because of the complex nature of subsurface flow and transport processes at geologic carbon storage (GCS) sites, modelers often need to implement a number of simplifying choices while building their conceptual models. Such simplifications may lead to a wide range in the predictions made by different modeling teams, even when they are modeling the same injection scenario at the same GCS site. Sim-SEQ is a new model comparison initiative with the objective to understand and quantify uncertainties arising from conceptual model choices. While code verification and benchmarking efforts have been undertaken in the past with regards to GCS, Sim-SEQ is different, in that it engages in model comparison in a broader and comprehensive sense, allowing modelers the choice of interpretation of site characterization data, boundary conditions, rock and fluid properties, etc., in addition to their choice of simulator. In Sim-SEQ, 15 different modeling teams, nine of which are from outside the USA, are engaged in building their own models for one specific CO2 injection field test site located in the southwestern part of Mississippi. The complex geology of the site, its location in the water leg of a CO2-EOR field with a strong water drive, and the presence of methane in the reservoir brine make this a challenging task, requiring the modelers to make a large number of choices about how to model various processes and properties of the system. Each model team starts with the same characterization data provided to them but uses its own conceptual models and simulators to come up with model predictions, which can be iteratively refined with the observation data provided to them at later stages. Model predictions will be compared with one another and with the observation data, allowing us to understand and quantify the model uncertainties.
The Common Sense Tradition

In this chapter, I begin by describing some of the main features of the common sense tradition, whose chief representatives include Thomas Reid, G. E. Moore, and Roderick Chisholm. There are certainly important differences among the views of Reid, Moore, and Chisholm, but I think one can give a rough account of some central features of the common sense tradition. In the first section, I describe some of the main views accepted by members of the tradition as well as some views to which they are not committed. In the second section, I consider some views about why we should take various common sense propositions as data for assessing philosophical theories. Philosophers in the common sense tradition have offered different sorts of answers to this question. Sometimes they suggest that we simply have no alternative to taking these propositions as data. Sometimes, however, it is suggested that such propositions are “irresistible” – that we cannot give up our belief in them. Reid, for example, appears in places to take this view. In other cases, they point, not to irresistibility, but to the positive epistemic character of our beliefs in such propositions as that which makes them worthy of being taken as data. On this view, it is the fact that we know or are justified in believing certain propositions that makes them worthy of being taken as data. This “epistemic answer” seems to me to be the best.
Finding the story in the TweetStack: mining spatio-temporal clusters for event correlation and visualization

In recent years, social media activity has reached unprecendented levels. Hundreds of millions of users now participate in online social networks and forums, subscribe to microblogging services or maintain blogs. Twitter, in particular, is currently the major microblogging service, with more than 175 million subscribers. Twitter users generate short text messages, called tweets, to report their current thoughts and actions, comment on breaking news and engage in discussions. This work presents time series based clustering of real-time stream data as a pre-cursor to applying sophisticated natural language processing or machine learning techniques. First, we show that for entities related in the physical world, even without the aid of heavy natural language processing techniques, we can cluster them together merely based on the structure of their timelines. Second, by converting the inherent timeline structure into a symbolic representation, we intend to cluster time series of different words to obtain an initial set of clusters that can then be analyzed further using alternate techniques.
“Government Is an Instrument in Their Hands”: Jeanette Rankin on Progressive Technologies of Democracy

ABSTRACTJeannette Rankin’s 1917 address at Carnegie Hall is replete with metaphors of political machinery, systems, and technologies. We argue that the metaphor of political machinery is central to Rankin’s definition and enactment of democratic power because it creates a cohesive vision of systemic change that combines equal suffrage with other progressive reforms. While scholars have noted Rankin’s appeals to domestic ideology, the political-machinery metaphor cluster provides a broader justification for equal suffrage as a necessary part of a democratic system. Further, Rankin’s deconstruction of the complexities of political machinery works to enact Rankin’s political leadership as the first woman to serve in the United States Congress.
The effect of exurban development on wintering birds in Colorado

ABSTRACT Large-scale land-use change driven by residential development has degraded native ecosystems and altered the composition of species communities. Concern over the loss of habitat for human-sensitive species has led to questions about how housing impacts bird communities along the urban to rural gradient. Yet most studies of birds in residential ecosystems are limited to the breeding season, thus the effects of housing on avian habitat use in winter are not well understood. We surveyed winter resident birds, vegetation cover and structure, and human activity along a housing gradient in a Colorado landscape undergoing exurban development. Using an occupancy-based approach, we evaluated models for species with sufficient detections (n = 8). We found that habitat use by six species [American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia), Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea), Townsend's Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi)]...
Implementing a Variational Quantum Eigensolver using Superconducting Qubits

We demonstrate an implementation of the variational quantum eigensolver using superconducting qubits. We explore the algorithm’s ability to go beyond ground state estimation to determine molecular excited states and its inherent robustness to noise.
Efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the front-line setting as compared to previously treated patients.

e20646Background: Drugs targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway show significant clinical activity in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Nivolumab, pembrolizumab and atezolizumab are currently approve...
Creating Disability LibGuides with Accessibility in Mind

The Americans with Disabilities Act created regulations for the accessibility of buildings and services for individuals with disabilities, but libraries still have a deficit in information highligh...
Structural Applications of a Predictive Stochastic Ground Motion Model: Assessment and Use

AbstractThis paper presents a novel stochastic method for simulation of ground motions. The input is a user-specified earthquake scenario description, and the output consists of fully nonstationary...
Rapidity Divergences and Deep Inelastic Scattering in the Endpoint Region

The deep inelastic scattering cross section in the endpoint region, $x \sim 1$, has been subjected to extensive analysis. We revisit this process, and show that in the endpoint individual factors in the factorized hadronic tensor have rapidity divergences. We regulate these divergences using a recently introduced rapidity regulator, and find that each factor requires a different scale to minimize large rapidity logarithms. Interestingly, in this case running in rapidity is non-perturbative. In addition, we give an operator definition of the parton distribution function in the endpoint region, and remark on the issues that should be considered in constructing this function.
Social Cognition and Life-Span Approaches to the Study of Child Development

Publisher Summary The life-span approaches to developmental psychology underscore the importance of gaining a better understanding of the normal course of adult development and of the importance of social forces in shaping these developmental outcomes. This chapter considers the possible implications of these views for investigators, whose research continues to focus on child development in general and on the development of social cognition in particular. The suggestion that “child” psychologists should be more mindful of and better informed about developmental changes across the entire life-span could be urged for any one of several reasons. Perhaps the least compelling reason is that the study of adulthood and aging has been an area lacking adequate research. There are, however, more compelling and complex reasons for the priorities that life-span advocate purpose and it is on these reasons that the chapter focuses.
The Effect of pH on Spore Germination, Growth, and Infection of Strawberry Roots by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, Cause of Fusarium wilt of Strawberry

Previous work has shown that raising the pH of acidic soil to near neutrality can reduce the incidence of Fusarium wilt. The basis for this effect has not been established. The present study assessed effects of pH on spore germination, growth, and infection of strawberry roots by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, the cause of Fusarium wilt of strawberry. There was not a significant effect of pH (5 versus 7) on the rate of spore germination at either 20 or 25°C for any of the three tested isolates (one representative of each clonal lineage of F. oxysporum f. sp. fragariae found in California). Likewise, pH did not have a significant effect on fungal growth at 20°C. At 25°C, two isolates grew faster at pH 7 than at pH 5. Growth of the third isolate was unaffected by the difference in pH. For the strawberry cultivar Albion, the frequency of root infection was significantly higher for plants grown in acidified soil (near pH 5) than for plants grown in soil near neutrality. The higher frequency of root infection in acidified soil was associated with a lower level of microbial activity, as measured by hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate.
Trends in Sedentary and Physical Activity Behaviors in Incarcerated Adolescent Boys During a Sports, Play, and Recreation for Kids Program.

Purpose:To examine the trends in total and segmented sedentary and physical activity behaviors during a Sports, Play, and Recreation for Kids (SPARK) program in incarcerated adolescent boys.Design:...
Wellposedness and regularity of a nonlinear variable-order fractional wave equation

Abstract We prove the wellposedness of a nonlinear variable-order fractional wave differential equation that describes the vibration of a single particle attached to a viscoelastic material. We then prove that the high-order regularity of its solution depends on the behavior of the variable orders α ( t ) and β ( t ) of the fractional damping terms at t = 0 . In particular, we prove that the solution to the model recovers full regularity when the fractional damping terms exhibit (the physically relevant) elastic restoration force and integer-order damping at the initial time t = 0 , which, thus, eliminates the incompatibility between the nonlocal differential operators and the locality of classical initial condition.
Global Liberal Education: Theorizing Emergence and Variability.

Liberal education as a form of higher education is increasing globally even as it struggles for support and legitimacy in the USA. Its emergence and spread are only partially attributable to the gr...
Private government, property rights and uncertain neighbourhood externalities: Evidence from gated communities:

Economists traditionally view public and private land use regulation as alternatives to each other. An alternative view argues that public and private regulation are not equally suited to accomplis...
Exploring the Promises and Perils of Integrated STEM Through Disciplinary Practices and Epistemologies

Growing interest in integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (iSTEM) education has been promoted as one way to increase innovation capacity, support future employment, and enhance learning outcomes in K-12 education throughout the USA. Existing efforts to construct iSTEM curricula have largely focused on finding points of integration among commonly shared disciplinary practices, but these efforts have not explicitly accounted for the distinct epistemologies of the disciplines. In this study, we critically examined the concept of iSTEM by conducting a thematic analysis of K-12 STEM learning standards documents to identify cross-cutting themes among the practices of the various disciplines. We then analyzed these themes using disciplinary epistemologies in order to highlight some promises and perils of an integrated approach to STEM education. We identified eight cross-cutting themes: communicating, investigating, modeling, using tools, working with data, making sense of problems or phenomena, solving problems, and evaluating ideas or solutions. Through our analysis of practices and epistemologies, we discuss the promises of iSTEM, including fewer learning standards, enhanced epistemic fluency, increased diversity and inclusion in STEM, and opportunities to challenge settled and siloed disciplinary knowledge. We also discuss potential perils, which consist of conflation and/or exclusion of various STEM practices and epistemologies. We urge continued examination of iSTEM with an eye toward the epistemic implications.
AFM Probing of Amyloid-Beta 42 Dimers and Trimers

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms in the development of such a devastating neurodegenerative disorder as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is currently one of the major challenges of molecular medicine. Evidence strongly suggests that the development of AD is due to the accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) oligomers; therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms defining the conversion of physiologically important monomers of Aβ proteins into neurotoxic oligomeric species is the key for the development of treatments and preventions of AD. However, these oligomers are unstable and unavailable for structural, physical, and chemical studies. We have recently developed a novel flexible nano array (FNA)-oligomer scaffold approach in which monomers tethered inside a flexible template can assemble spontaneously into oligomers with sizes defined by the number of tethered monomers. The FNA approach was tested on short decamer Aβ(14-23) peptides which were assembled into dimers and trimers. In this paper, we have extended our FNA technique for assembling full-length Aβ42 dimers. The FNA scaffold enabling the self-assembly of Aβ42 dimers from tethered monomeric species has been designed and the assembly of the dimers has been validated by AFM force spectroscopy experiments. Two major parameters of the force spectroscopy probing, the rupture forces and the rupture profiles, were obtained to prove the assembly of Aβ42 dimers. In addition, the FNA-Aβ42 dimers were used to probe Aβ42 trimers in the force spectroscopy experiments with the use of AFM tips functionalized with FNA-Aβ42 dimers and the surface with immobilized Aβ42 monomers. We found that the binding force for the Aβ42 trimer is higher than the dimer (75 ± 7 pN vs. 60 ± 3 pN) and the rupture pattern corresponds to a cooperative dissociation of the trimer. The rupture profiles for the dissociation of the Aβ42 dimers and trimers are proposed. Prospects for further extension of the FNA-based approach for probing of higher order oligomers of Aβ42 proteins are discussed.
Accuracy of contrast-enhanced computed tomography for thrombus detection prior to atrial fibrillation ablation and role of novel Left Atrial Appendage Enhancement Index in appendage flow assessment.

Abstract Aims To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of different protocols of contrast enhanced computed tomography venogram (CTV) for LAA thrombus detection in patients undergoing AF ablation and study the correlation of the novel LAA enhancement index (LAA-EI) to LAA flow velocity obtained using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods Study comprised of patients undergoing CTV and TEE on the same day from October 2016 to December 2017. Three CTV scanning protocols (described in results), were evaluated wherein ECG gating was used only for those with sinus rhythm on day of CTV. LAA-EI was calculated as Hounsfield Unit (HU) in the LAA divided by the HU unit in the center of the LA. The diagnostic accuracy for CTV was calculated in comparison to TEE. The LAA-EI was compared to LAA emptying velocities as obtained from TEE. Results 590 patients with 45.6% non-ECG-gated without delayed imaging, 26.9% non-ECG-gated with delayed imaging and 27.5% ECG-gated with delayed imaging, were included in the study. All three protocols had 100% negative predictive value with improvement in specificity from 61.8% to 98.1% upon adding delayed imaging. The LAA-EI correlated significantly with reduced LAA flow velocities (r = 0.45, p 0.6 (36.2 cm/s [95% CI: 32.6–39.7] vs, (58 cm/s [95% CI 55.3–60.8]), respectively (p Conclusion CTV with delayed imaging (with or without ECG gating) is highly specific in ruling out LAA thrombus. The novel LAA-EI can detect low LAA flow velocities.
Clinical Signs to Categorize Shock and Target Vasoactive Medications in Warm Versus Cold Pediatric Septic Shock.

Objectives Determine level of agreement among clinical signs of shock type, identify which signs clinicians prioritize to determine shock type and select vasoactive medications, and test the association of shock type-vasoactive mismatch with prolonged organ dysfunction or death (complicated course). Design Retrospective observational study. Setting Single large academic PICU. Patients Patients less than 18 years treated on a critical care sepsis pathway between 2012 and 2016. Interventions None. Measurements and main results Agreement among clinical signs (extremity temperature, capillary refill, pulse strength, pulse pressure, and diastolic blood pressure) was measured using Fleiss and Cohen's κ. Association of clinical signs with shock type and shock type-vasoactive mismatch (e.g., cold shock treated with vasopressor rather than inotrope) with complicated course was determined using multivariable logistic regression. Of 469 patients, clinicians determined 307 (65%) had warm and 162 (35%) had cold shock. Agreement across all clinical signs was low (κ, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.20-0.30), although agreement between extremity temperature, capillary refill, and pulse strength was better than with pulse pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Only extremity temperature (adjusted odds ratio, 26.6; 95% CI, 15.5-45.8), capillary refill (adjusted odds ratio, 15.7; 95% CI, 7.9-31.3), and pulse strength (adjusted odds ratio, 21.3; 95% CI, 8.6-52.7) were associated with clinician-documented shock type. Of the 86 patients initiated on vasoactive medications during the pathway, shock type was discordant from vasoactive medication (κ, 0.14; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.31) and shock type-vasoactive mismatch was not associated with complicated course (adjusted odds ratio, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-1.02). Conclusions Agreement was low among common clinical signs used to characterize shock type, with clinicians prioritizing extremity temperature, capillary refill, and pulse strength. Although clinician-assigned shock type was often discordant with vasoactive choice, shock type-vasoactive mismatch was not associated with complicated course. Categorizing shock based on clinical signs should be done cautiously.
Current Treatment Options of Fontan Arrhythmias: Management

Arrhythmias are a common complication of patients with single ventricle anatomy who undergo the Fontan operation. This review will address current management strategies for acute and chronic arrhythmias. Alterations to surgical techniques, newer antiarrhythmic medications, and improvements in catheter ablation procedures have improved the management of patients with arrhythmias following Fontan palliation. Arrhythmias predict poor prognosis for Fontan patients. Early and aggressive management of arrhythmias improve patient outcomes. For bradyarrhythmias, management strategies strive to maximize atrial pacing and minimize ventricular pacing. For tachyarrhythmias, urgent evaluation and aggressive interventions strive to convert and maintain sinus rhythm. Strategies include antiarrhythmic medications, catheter ablation, and early referral for Fontan conversion and arrhythmia surgery for those who do not respond. There is much interest in prophylactic arrhythmia surgery at the time of initial Fontan operation; however, the future role remains to be elucidated.
Can Investors Profit from the Prophets? Security Analyst Recommendations and Stock Returns

We document that purchasing ~selling short! stocks with the most ~least! favorable consensus recommendations, in conjunction with daily portfolio rebalancing and a timely response to recommendation changes, yield annual abnormal gross returns greater than four percent. Less frequent portfolio rebalancing or a delay in reacting to recommendation changes diminishes these returns; however, they remain significant for the least favorably rated stocks. We also show that high trading levels are required to capture the excess returns generated by the strategies analyzed, entailing substantial transactions costs and leading to abnormal net returns for these strategies that are not reliably greater than zero. THIS STUDY EXAMINES WHETHER INVESTORS can profit from the publicly available recommendations of security analysts. Academic theory and Wall Street practice are clearly at odds regarding this issue. On the one hand, the semistrong form of market efficiency posits that investors should not be able to trade profitably on the basis of publicly available information, such as analyst recommendations. On the other hand, research departments of brokerage houses spend large sums of money on security analysis, presumably because these firms and their clients believe its use can generate superior returns.
Vaginal metastasis presenting as postmenopausal bleeding

Vaginal cancer is rare worldwide and represents 2% of all gynaecological cancers in Singapore. Primary vaginal malignancies are rare and vaginal metastases constitute the majority of vaginal malignancies. Most of these metastases arise from the cervix, endometrium or ovary, although they can also metastasise from distant sites such as the colon, breast and pancreas. We report a rare case of vaginal metastasis in a patient with previous gastric and rectal adenocarcinomas. An 89-year-old woman with a history of gastric and rectal malignancy presented with postmenopausal bleeding. A 2-cm vaginal tumour at the introitus was discovered upon examination. This case demonstrates the importance of performing a gynaecological examination during follow-up for patients with a history of malignancy. The prognosis for vaginal metastasis is poor, as it is often associated with disseminated disease. Depending on the extent of the lesions, radiotherapy or surgery can be considered.
Control of Bleeding

This chapter describes basic techniques for achieving hemostasis, including ligatures (“tying off”), suture ligature, hemostatic clips, electrocautery, and other mechanical methods. It briefly discusses topical hemostatic adjuncts. It introduces concepts essential for dealing with massive bleeding, either unexpected bleeding during an elective procedure or bleeding during laparotomy for trauma.
A New Neural Network Control Architecture for a Class of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems

Neural network control strategies are considered for a class of nonlinear time varying systems. Neural networks have been shown to be viable alternatives to present day controllers for nonlinear systems. This paper reports a novel neural network architecture for the control of a class of nonlinear systems. This architecture incorporates both feedforward and feedback components using multiple networks. Implementation in simulation shows that the architecture is capable of modeling and `learning' the nonlinear system characteristics more efficiently with very good control characteristics when compared with two other designs even for varying operating points.
Performance Characterization of LDPC Codes for Large-Volume NAND Flash Data

High bit error rates of next-generation flash devices necessitate the use of more powerful error correction codes (ECCs), such as low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, instead of the legacy Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) codes. Unlike algebraic codes, the random nature of LDPC codes as well as their ability to use soft information requires the use of Monte Carlo (MC) simulations to evaluate code performance. Given a large volume of NAND data, this can pose resource challenges both in terms of simulation platforms and time needed for the Monte Carlo simulations. In order to overcome these challenges, we introduce a new channel metric in this paper to quantify the quality of soft information and propose a practical LDPC code performance characterization methodology.
Oxygen dependency of one-electron reactions generating ascorbate radicals and hydrogen peroxide from ascorbic acid.

Abstract The effect of oxygen on the two separate one-electron reactions involved in the oxidation of ascorbic acid was investigated. The rate of ascorbate radical (Asc −) formation (and stability) was strongly dependent on the presence of oxygen. A product of ascorbic acid oxidation was measurable levels of hydrogen peroxide, as high as 32.5 μM from 100 μM ascorbic acid. Evidence for a feedback mechanism where hydrogen peroxide generated during the oxidation of ascorbic acid accelerates further oxidation of ascorbic acid is also presented. The second one-electron oxidation reaction of ascorbic acid leading to the disappearance of Asc − was also strongly inhibited in samples flushed with argon. In the range of 0.05–1.2 mM ascorbic acid, maximum levels of measurable hydrogen peroxide were achieved with an initial concentration of 0.2 mM ascorbic acid. Hydrogen peroxide generation was greatly diminished at ascorbic acid levels of 0.8 mM or above.
5q- chromosome: Evidence for complex interstitial breaks in a case of refractory anemia with excess blasts

Abstract Interstitial loss of the long arm of chromosome 5 (5q-) is an anomaly frequently seen in myelodysplasia (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Although the limits of the interstitial deletions vary among patients, there is a critical region of overlap at 5q31 that is consistently deleted in most cases. The order of genes in the critical 5q31 region is centromere, interleukin gene cluster, an anonymous polymorphic locus D5S89, early growth response factor, CSF1 receptor, telomere. Fluorescence in situ hybridization of specific 5q31 probes to metaphases with del(5)(q11q31) from a patient with secondary refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation demonstrates that the interstitial deletion is not contiguous. The 5q- chromosome has lost the D5S89 and CSF1R loci while retaining some of the sequences in between. A probe derived from a 300-kbp yeast artificial chromosome containing the D5S89 locus is interrupted on the normal chromosome 5 of this patient. Data presented in this report are consistent with (i) presence of a critical gene within the YAC and (ii) more than a single interstitial break within the 5q- chromosome. These results, while pinpointing one of the critical 5q31 loci, also provide evidence for a second telomeric locus.
The Persistence of Neighboring as a Determinant of Community Attachment: A Community Field Perspective*

We examined the community field perspective as a complement to the linear-development and systemic models of community attachment, wherein community attachment is defined as a social bond to the community of place. We empirically evaluated indicators of the actor's interaction within the social field, such as the perceived quality of neighboring and density of friendships, using social survey and census data from 99 communities in 1994 and 2004 and evaluated as well the percentage change in these indicators from 1994 to 2004. Results show that the community field perspective can complement previous approaches by highlighting the importance of per- ceived neighboring and friendship density and the persistence of perceived neighboring over time. We suggest implications for community development efforts aimed at enhancing community attachment.
Purification and characterization of heme oxygenase from chick liver

A major inducible form of heme oxygenase (EC 1.14.99.3) was purified from liver microsomes of chicks pretreated with cadmium chlride. The purification involved solubilization of microsomes with Emulgen 913 and sodium cholate, followed by DEAE-Sephacel, carboxymethyl-cellulose (CM-52) and hydroxyapatite chromatography, and FPLC through Superose 6 and 12 columns operating in series. The final product gave a single band on silver-stained SDS/polyacrylamide gels (Mr= 33000). Optimal conditions for measurement of activity of solubilized heme oxygenase were studied. In a reconstituted system containing purified heme oxygenase, NADPH-cytochrome reductase, biliverdin reductase and NADPH, the Km for free heme was 3.8 ± 0.5 μM; for heme in the presence of bovine serum albumin (5 mol heme/3mol albumin) the Km the 5.0 ± 0.8 μM; and the kmfor NADPH was 6.1 ± 0.4 μM (all values mean ± SD,n= 3). Oxygen concentration as low as 15uM, with saturating concentrations of heme and NADPH, did not affect the reaction rate, indicating that the supply of oxygen is not involved in the physiological regulation of activity of the enzyme. The pH optimum of the reaction was 7.4; at 37°C, the apparent Vmax was 580 ± 44 nmol biliverdin. (mg protein)−1· min−1 and the molecular activity was 19.2 min−1. Biliverdin IXa was the sole biliverdin isomer formed. In the presence of purified biliverdin reductase, biliverdin was converted quantitatively to bilirubin. Addition of catalase to the reconstituted system decreased the breakdown of heme to non-biliverdin products and led to nearly stoichiometric conversion of heme to biliverdin. Activity of the enzyme in the reconstituted system was inhibited by metalloporphyrins in the following order of decreasing potency: tin mesoporphyrin > tin protoporphyrin > zine protoporphyrin > manganese protoporphyrin > cobalt protoporhyrin. Protoporphyrin (3.3 or 6.6 μM) (and several other porphyrins) and metallic ions (100 μM) alone had little if any inhibitory effect, except for Hg2+ which inhibited by 67% at 10 μM and totally at 15 μM. Following partial cleavage, fragments of the purified enzyme were sequenced. Comparison of sequences to those derived from cDNA sequences for the major inducible rat and human heme oxygenase showed 69% and 76% similarities, respectively. The histidine residue at position 132 of rat heme oxygenase-1 and the residues (Lys128-Arg136) flanking His132 were conserved in all three enzymes, as well as in the corresponding portion of a fourth less highly similar rat enzyme, heme oxygenase-2. It is suggested that this region plays a critical role in heme binding and in catalyzing the heme oxygenase reaction.
Mapping of Effector Binding Sites of Transducin α-Subunit Using Gαt/Gαil Chimeras

The G protein transducin has been an often-used model for biochemical, structural, and mechanistic studies of G protein function. Experimental studies have been limited, however, by the inability to express quantities of mutants in heterologous systems with ease. In this study we have made a series of G alpha t/G alpha i1 chimeras differing at as few as 11 positions from native G alpha t. Ten chimeras are properly folded, contain GDP, can assume an A1F4(-)-induced activated conformation, and interact with beta gamma t and light-activated rhodopsin. They differ dramatically in their affinity for GDP, from Gi-like (initial rates 225 mumol/mol s) to Gt-like (initial rates 4.9 mumol/mol s). We have used these chimeras to define contact sites on G alpha t with the effector enzyme cGMP phosphodiesterase. G alpha t GTP but not G alpha t GDP activates it by removing the phosphodiesterase (PDE) gamma inhibitory subunit. In solution, G alpha t GTP interacts with PDE gamma (Kd 12 nM), while G alpha t GDP binds PDE gamma more weakly (Kd 0.88 microM). The interaction of G alpha i GDP with PDE gamma is undetectable, but G alpha i GDP-A1F4- interacts weakly with PDE gamma (Kd 2.4 microM). Using defined G alpha t/G alpha i chimeras, we have individuated the regions on G alpha t most important for interaction with PDE gamma in the basal and activated states. The G alpha t sequence encompassing alpha helix 3 and the alpha 3/beta 5 loop contributes most binding energy to interaction with PDE gamma. Another composite P gamma interaction site is the conserved switch, through which the GTP-bound G alpha t as well as G alpha i1 interact with P gamma. Competition studies between PDE gamma and truncated regions of PDE gamma provide evidence for the point-to-point interactions between the two proteins. The amino-terminal 1-45 segment containing the central polycationic region binds to G alpha t's alpha 3 helix and alpha 3/beta 5 loop, while the COOH-terminal region of P gamma, 63-87, binds in concert to the conserved switch regions. The first interaction provides specific interaction with both the GDP- and GTP-liganded G alpha t, while the second one is conserved between G alpha t and G alpha i1 and dependent on the activated conformation.
Boiling Behavior of Sodium-Potassium Alloy in a Bench-Scale Solar Receiver

During 1989-90, a 75-kW{sub t} sodium reflux pool-boiler solar receiver was successfully demonstrated at Sandia National Laboratories. Significant features of this receiver include (1) boiling sodium as the heat transfer medium and (2) electric-discharge-machined (EDM) cavities as artificial nucleation sites to stabilize boiling. Since this first demonstration, design of a second-generation pool-boiler receiver that will bring the concept closer to commercialization has begun. For long life, the new receiver uses Haynes Alloy 230. For increased safety factors against film boiling and flooding, it has a refined shape and somewhat larger dimensions. To eliminate the need for trace heating, the receiver will boil the sodium-potassium alloy NaK-78 instead of sodium. To reduce manufacturing costs, it will use one of a number of alternatives to EDM cavities for stabilization of boiling. To control incipient-boiling superheats, especially during hot restarts, it will contain a small amount of inert gas. Before the new receiver design could be finalized, bench-scale tests of some of the proposed changes were necessary. A series of bench-scale pool boilers were built from Haynes Alloy 230 and filled with NaK-78. Various boiling-stabilizer candidates were incorporated into them, including laser-drilled cavities and a number of different sintered-powder-metal coatings. These bench-scale poolmore » boilers have been operated at temperatures up to 750{degree}C, heated by quartz lamps with incident radiant fluxes up to 95 W/cm{sup 2}. The effects of various orientations and added gases have been studied. results of these studies are presented. 15 refs.« less
Sociocultural dimensions of the ebola virus disease outbreak in Liberia.

S ince December 2013, an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the West African nation of Guinea has rapidly evolved into a humanitarian crisis of unforeseen proportions, overwhelming vulnerable communities in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Senegal. While previous outbreaks of Ebola cumulatively resulted in 2,486 cases and 1,590 deaths, the current Ebola epidemic has so far resulted in 8,376 infections and claimed 4,024 lives (as of October 10, 2014), prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to designate it as a public health emergency of international concern. Officials from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that, in the absence of public health interventions, Liberia and Sierra Leone could experience as many as 550,000 cases (or 1.4 million after correcting for underreporting) by January 2015. Few research initiatives thus far have analyzed the community dynamics of Ebola outbreaks. Similarly, current relief efforts have not focused on ways to address the social and cultural factors shaping West Africans’ perceptions of and responses to Ebola or their perceptions of the international community’s efforts to mitigate the epidemic. To date, surveillance and infection control measures have failed to stop the outbreak, prompting WHO to call for greater community engagement efforts to enhance ongoing relief activities. This article examines some of the social and cultural factors at play in the Ebola outbreak in Liberia and suggests the type of sociocultural investigation that has been largely absent in attempts to thwart the Ebola threat. WHO assessments show that Liberia has borne the brunt of the current outbreak, having reported the most cases (more than 3,000) and deaths (nearly 2,000), as well as the highest case-fatality rate (70.8%). Some of the practices and social norms shaping the trajectory of the Liberian outbreak include funeral rituals, disparate gender roles, and the stigma faced by those who contract Ebola.
Downscaling Environmental Justice Analysis: Determinants of Household-Level Hazardous Air Pollutant Exposure in Greater Houston

Environmental justice (EJ) research has relied on ecological analyses of coarse-scale areal units to determine whether particular populations are disproportionately burdened by toxic risks. This article advances quantitative EJ research by (1) examining whether statistical associations found for geographic units translate to relationships at the household level; (2) testing competing explanations for distributional injustices never before investigated; (3) examining adverse health implications of hazardous air pollutant (HAP) exposures; and (4) applying an underutilized statistical technique appropriate for geographically clustered data. Our study makes these advances by using generalized estimating equations to examine distributive environmental inequities in the Greater Houston (Texas) metropolitan area, based on primary household-level survey data and census block–level cancer risk estimates of HAP exposure from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to main statistical effects, interact...
Etomidate in sepsis: understanding the dilemma.

Etomidate is the most commonly utilized induction agent for rapid sequence intubation in emergency departments in the United States (1). Favorable characteristics include reliably good intubating conditions, a rapid onset and offset of activity, non-renal elimination, and maintenance of the cardiorespiratory drive (2). Unfortunately, etomidate causes relative adrenal insufficiency in up to 90% of patients after a single dose (3). Serious safety concerns first surfaced in the early 1980’s when continuous infusions were associated with increased mortality in trauma patients (4,5). Since then, there has been considerable uncertainty regarding its role for rapid sequence intubation, especially in septic patients who may depend on their adrenal reserves for survival during the acute phase of illness (6,7). Understanding the history of this controversy, and reviewing the most recent research into etomidate use in sepsis may help clinicians decide whether or not to use the drug in routine clinical practice.
Indoor multiple-antenna channel characterization from 2 to 8 GHz

In multiple-antenna channels, the optimality of a transmission scheme hinges on a detailed characterization of the channel. In this paper, we will present measurement results from 2 to 8 GHz in both LOS and NLOS scenarios, at both office and residential environments. Data processing methods are briefly outlined and a statistical characterization of the channel is presented as well.
FUNGAL BRAIN ABSCESSES (ASPERGILLOSIS/MUCORMYCOSIS) IN TWO IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENTS

Although the mortality rate for fungal brain abscesses in immunosuppressed patients remains unacceptably high, this figure may be reduced if computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans are performed more promptly in susceptible individuals with seemingly mild intracranial complaints. Earlier presumptive amphotericin B treatment and more timely surgical debridement may minimize neurological injury and enhance survival. These assumptions were only tentatively supported by the clinical courses of two patients, one an alert patient with promyelocytic leukemia and an aspergillosis brain abscess who survived, and the other, a comatose intravenous drug abuser with mucormycosis who died.
Transport equations for suspensions of inelastic particles

Abstract We consider a system consisting of n Brownian particles of arbitrary shape, with internal degrees of freedom, in a both of N spherical bath particles. We obtain a generalized Fokker-Planck equation for the distribution function, W( Q n , P n ,t) , where Q n and P n denote the generalized coordinates and momenta of the Brownian particles. The effects of the Brownian particle motion on the bath are described and a Smoluchowski equation for the distribution function, R( Q n ,t) , has been derived.
Late-Life Depression

A 71-year-old man, whose wife died 6 months previously, presents with foot pain from diabetic neuropathy, poor sleep, lack of energy, and increasing frustration about his inability to “keep his diabetes under control.” On examination, he also notes lack of interest, decreased appetite, a weight loss of 4.5 kg (10 lb) over the past 3 months, and intermittent thoughts that he would be better off dead. How should his case be managed?