cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis in mastectomy patients: A 5-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND Venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis in breast surgery remains controversial. In 2012, we instituted a practice change of routine chemoprophylaxis for patients with invasive cancer undergoing mastectomy. Herein, we report the effects of this on rates of VTE and hematoma. METHODS Our 30-day rates of VTE and hematoma requiring reoperation among patients with mastectomy since the practice change were retrospectively collected from National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). The subsequent 5-year data (2012-2017) was compared with historic NSQIP data (2006-2010). We utilized information from our 30-day follow-up databank to assess patients not sampled by NSQIP. RESULTS After the practice change, the heparin prophylaxis rate rose from 19.5% to 95.6% (P < .001) and the VTE rate fell from 0.8% to 0% (P = .30). There was no significant change in reoperative hematoma rate (P = .39). The majority of the current NSQIP patient population (93.1%) had a Caprini score of 5 or greater. Among 663 patients obtained from 30-day postoperative follow-up, there were 2 VTE (0.3%) and 7 (1.1%) reoperations for hematoma. CONCLUSIONS The practice change resulted in an increase of VTE chemoprophylaxis without significant change in hematoma incidence. Although not statistically significant, VTE incidence decreased. This supports the use of standardized VTE chemoprophylaxis in this population and warrants further study.
Reframing justice in a globalizing world

Globalization is changing the way we argue about justice. Not so long ago, in the heyday of social democracy, disputes about justice presumed what I shall call a “Keynesian-Westphalian frame.” Typically played out within modern territorial states, arguments about justice were assumed to concern relations among fellow citizens, to be subject to debate within national publics, and to contemplate redress by national states. This was true for each of two major families of justice claims – claims for socioeconomic redistribution and claims for legal or cultural recognition. At a time when the Bretton Woods system of international capital controls facilitated Keynesian economic steering at the national level, claims for redistribution usually focused on economic inequities within territorial states. Appealing to national public opinion for a fair share of the national pie, claimants sought intervention by national states in national economies. Likewise, in an era still gripped by a Westphalian political imaginary, which sharply distinguished “domestic” from “international” space, claims for recognition generally concerned internal status-hierarchies. Appealing to the national conscience for an end to nationally institutionalized disrespect, claimants pressed national governments to outlaw discrimination and accommodate differences among citizens. In both cases, the Keynesian-Westphalian frame was assumed. Whether the matter concerned redistribution or recognition, class differentials or status hierarchies, it went without saying that the unit within which justice applied was the modern territorial state.
Progress on Surface Charges of Insulating Materials and Modification Methods

In HVDC transmission system, surface charges accumulate easily on the surface of insulating materials, which cause surface discharge and surface flashover. This phenomenon reduces the insulation performance of insulating materials and restricts the engineering application of HVDC transmission. The researches of surface charges on insulating materials and its suppression measures in DC system have become a hot research direction. According to the current research of surface charges characteristics, this paper systematically describes the source, accumulation characteristics and dissipation characteristics of surface charges. In order to further reduce the influence of surface charges on HVDC transmission system, this paper also discusses the surface modification methods of controlling surface charges.
Topological Phonon Modes and Their Role in Dynamic Instability of Microtubules

Microtubules (MTs) are self-assembled hollow protein tubes playing important functions in live cells. Their building block is a protein called tubulin, which self-assembles in a particulate 2 dimensional lattice. We study the vibrational modes of this lattice and find Dirac points in the phonon spectrum. We discuss a splitting of the Dirac points that leads to phonon bands with nonzero Chern numbers, signaling the existence of topological vibrational modes localized at MTs edges, which we indeed observe after explicit calculations. Since these modes are robust against the large changes occurring at the edges during the dynamic cycle of the MTs, we can build a simple mechanical model to illustrate how they would participate in this phenomenon.
Molybdenum oxide on carbon nanotube: Doping stability and correlation with work function

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have great potential for future high-performance and energy-efficient transistor technology. To realize this potential, methods to dope the CNTs need to be developed to achieve low parasitic resistance of the transistor. Two key issues present themselves: (a) understanding the doping mechanism of the various methods and (b) stability of the doping method. For instance, although studies on molybdenum oxide (MoOx) demonstrate its ability to heavily dope nanomaterials, the interaction between MoOx and the CNT is unclear. Here, we observe an unstable effect of MoOx on the CNT and demonstrate dielectric passivation as a means to preserve the doping strength. The semiconducting CNTs exhibit greater than 103× reduction in resistance after stably doped with MoOx. By exploiting the instability of MoOx, we delve deeper into clarifying the doping mechanism. The relationship between the time-dependent material property of MoOx and the change in the electrical measurements of CNT devices is investigated to study the role of work function in doping the CNTs. We conclude that the doping mechanism of MoOx on the CNT is due to bandgap modulation by charge transfer, which occurs due to the difference in work function between MoOx and the CNT.
Outcomes following port-a-catheter placement in the Medicare population

Abstract Background We aimed to evaluate the long-term complication profile associated with port-a-catheter placement. Methods Patients undergoing port-a-catheter placement from 2007 to 2012 with 5-year follow up were identified. Descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and multivariate regression models were analyzed. Results Any complication occurring within 5 years postoperatively was common (59.04%, n = 53,353). Arrhythmogenic (32.66%, n = 30,625) and thrombovascular (36.80%, n = 34,499) complications were more common than infection (17.86%, n = 16,745) and mechanical (10.31%, n = 9,670) complications. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that history of atrial fibrillation is a risk factor for developing any complication (odds ratio 7.99, 95% confidence interval 7.29–8.77). Conclusion Patients with history of atrial fibrillation have increased odds of developing infectious, thrombovascular, mechanical, and arrhythmogenic complications with port-a-catheter placement. This study is the first to show that postprocedure arrhythmias occur at significant rates within the 5-year follow-up period. We caution that development of new arrhythmia should be monitored throughout a prolonged follow-up period. We hope our analysis encourages multidisciplinary coordination of patients with ports so that implants are promptly removed when they are no longer needed to avoid these complications.
Large variation in the association between seasonal antibiotic use and resistance across multiple bacterial species and antibiotic classes

Background. Understanding how antibiotic use drives resistance is crucial for guiding effective strategies to limit the spread of resistance, but the use-resistance relationship across pathogens and antibiotics remains unclear. Methods. We applied sinusoidal models to evaluate the seasonal use-resistance relationship across 3 species (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and 5 antibiotic classes (penicillins, macrolides, quinolones, tetracyclines, and nitrofurans) in Boston, Massachusetts. Results. Use of all 5 classes and resistance in 10 of 15 species-antibiotic combinations showed statistically significant amplitudes of seasonality (p < 0.05). While seasonal peaks in use varied by class, resistance in all 10 species-antibiotic combinations peaked in the winter and spring. The correlations between seasonal use and resistance thus varied widely, with resistance to all antibiotic classes being most positively correlated with use of the winter-peaking classes (penicillins and macrolides). Conclusions. These findings challenge the simple model of antibiotic use independently selecting for resistance and suggest that stewardship strategies will not be equally effective across all species and antibiotics. Rather, seasonal selection for resistance across multiple antibiotic classes may be dominated by use of the most highly prescribed antibiotic classes, penicillins and macrolides.
Injury incidence and patterns associated with electric scooter accidents in a major metropolitan city.

Abstract Purpose Despite increased use of e-scooters globally, actionable data around injury incidence and patterns associated with e-scooter accidents are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of imaging exams, injury incidence, and patterns related to e-scooter injuries, with the hope of guiding an appropriate policy response. Methods This was a retrospective observational study of imaging exams ordered for injuries related to e-scooters seen in an Emergency Department (ED) setting within our health system from September 2018 through December 2019. Our institutional Radiology Information System (RIS) was searched for the presence of the word “scooter.” Manual query of search results was conducted in the electronic medical record (EMR) and only studies confirmed to be related to e-scooters were included. Results A total of 477 radiologic studies performed on 192 unique patients were confirmed to be performed for injuries related to e-scooters. The median patient age was 28 years and 58.3% were male. One hundred forty patients (72.9%) had injuries identified on imaging, with an overall exam positivity rate of 44.4%. The most common injuries were soft tissue and musculoskeletal in nature. Over half (51.9%) of the entries with the keyword “scooter” were excluded because of lack of EMR specificity regarding scooter type. Conclusion While this study showed that injuries following e-scooter accidents are common and frequently involve the face and extremities, it is limited by lack of documentation in the EMR. Further research with a standardized documentation protocol will be needed to better understand injuries patterns following e-scooter accidents.
COVID-19 infection and severe rhabdomyolysis

Although patients with COVID-19 can have mild nonspecific myalgia and mild elevation of creatinine kinase levels, severe myalgia along with elevation of creatinine kinase levels >10 times the upper...
A cascade of care for alcohol use disorder: Using 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data to identify gaps in past 12-month care.

Background Although effective treatments exist, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is undertreated. We used a cascade of care framework to understand gaps in care for persons with AUD. Methods Using 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data, we evaluated the following steps in the cascade of care: (1) adult prevalence of AUD; (2) proportion of adults with AUD who utilized health care in the past 12 months; (3) proportion with AUD screened about their alcohol use; (4) proportion with AUD who received a brief intervention about their alcohol misuse; (5) proportion with AUD who received information about treatment for alcohol misuse; and (6) proportion with AUD who received treatment. Analyses were stratified by AUD severity. Results Of the 214,505 persons included in the sample, the weighted prevalence of AUD was 7.8% (95% CI 7.6-8.0%). Cascades of care showed the majority of individuals with AUD utilized health care in the past 12 months [81.4% (95% CI 80.7-82.1%)] and were screened about alcohol use [69.9% (95% CI 68.9-70.8%)]. However, only a minority of individuals received subsequent steps of care, including 11.6% (95% CI 11.0-12.2%) who reported receiving a brief intervention, 5.1% (95% CI 4.6-5.6%) who were referred to treatment, and 5.8% (95% CI 5.4-6.3%) who received treatment. Similar patterns were observed when cascades of care were stratified by AUD severity. Conclusions Persons with AUD commonly utilize health care and are often screened about alcohol use, but few receive treatment. Healthcare settings-particularly primary care settings-represent a prime opportunity to implement AUD treatment to improve outcomes in this high-risk population.
Templated interfacial synthesis of metal-organic framework (MOF) nano- and micro-structures with precisely controlled shapes and sizes

Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) are an emerging class of microporous materials with promising applications. MOF nanocrystals, and their assembled super-structures, can display unique properties and reactivities when compared with their bulk analogues. MOF nanostructures of 0-D, 2-D, and 3-D dimensions can be routinely obtained by controlling reaction conditions and ligand additives, while formation of 1-D MOF nanocrystals (nanowires and nanorods) and super-structures has been relatively rare. We report here a facile templated interfacial synthesis methodology for the preparation of a series of 1-D MOF nano- and micro-structures with precisely controlled shapes and sizes. Specifically, by applying track-etched polycarbonate (PCTE) membranes as the templates and at the oil/water interface, we rapidly and reproducibly synthesize zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) and ZIF-67 nano- and micro structures of sizes ranging from 10 nm to 20 μm. We also identify a size confinement effect on MOF crystal growth, which leads to single crystals under the most restricted conditions and inter-grown polycrystals at larger template pore sizes, as well as surface directing effects that influence the crystallographic preferred orientation. Our findings provide a potentially generalizable method for controlling the size, morphology, and crystal orientations of MOF nanomaterials, as well as offering fundamental understanding into MOF crystal growth mechanisms. Control over the morphology of porous materials is key for many applications, but can be challenging when targeting small particle sizes. Here one dimensional nano- and microstructures of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks are prepared using track-etched polycarbonate membranes as templates for interfacial synthesis.
The dark triad and honesty rules in romantic relationships

The Dark Triad of personality (Machiavellianism, Narcissism and Psychopathy) was explored in relation to honesty rules in romantic relationships. These traits have been found to predict deception in romantic relationships, lower relationship commitment, and preference for short-term relationships. Given these findings, the Dark Triad was expected to predict stronger endorsement of discretionary honesty rules that are flexible on deception, but weaker endorsement of obligatory rules that are strict on honesty. Participants completed the Short Dark Triad scale (SD3) and reported their endorsement of honesty rules in romantic relationships. Results indicated that Machiavellianism and Psychopathy predicted stronger endorsement of discretionary rules, while only Psychopathy predicted weaker endorsement of obligatory rules. Implications of these findings are discussed.
The Ten Commandments Cases: A View From Within

This Article examines two recent United States Supreme Court decisions on the public display of the Ten Commandments, Van Orden v. Perry and McCreary County v. ACLU. It suggests that the Court's new reliance on examining the context of the public display of original symbols assumes an observer who ignores a reading of historical intent, and, instead of a more complex reading of how different parts of society might see the Decalogue, suggests that current religious groups universally favor public presentations of sacred iconography.
Guidelines for Asthma

International guidelines for the management of asthma are now available. These include the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) International Consensus for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma and the NHLBI/World Health Organization Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA).
AtMSI4 and RbAp48 WD-40 repeat proteins bind metal ions1

The mammalian RbAp48 protein is the most extensively studied member of the conserved family of Msi1-like WD-40 repeat proteins, which are components of complexes involved in the assembly and modification of chromatin. We have isolated a plant homolog of RbAp48, AtMSI4. By metal affinity chromatography, zinc blotting and atomic absorption analysis, we demonstrate that purified recombinant RbAp48 and AtMSI4 proteins bind 3–4 metal ions per molecule of protein. Metal competition assays indicate a preference for zinc. Both N- and C-terminal halves of RbAp48 and AtMSI4 display zinc binding activity, suggesting it is an intrinsic property of the propeller structures likely to be formed by these proteins. Metal binding might mediate and/or regulate protein-protein interactions which are functionally important in chromatin metabolism.
Bush, missile defence and the Atlantic alliance

To the consternation of many Europeans, US President George W. Bush has made clear that he intends to deploy a national missile defence (NMD) as soon as possible. Whereas Bush sees NMD deployment as indispensable in a world of proliferating weapons of mass destruction, Europeans worry that it will spur an arms race with Russia and China; decouple Europe from the US; and waste scarce resources on technologies that may never work against a threat that may not exist. Narrowing this gap is critical, however, because the US needs European support - in the form of radar sites and diplomatic cooperation - if the NMD project is to succeed. As it moves forward, the Bush administration should make clear that NMD is not directed at Russia or China; make good-faith efforts to modify the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty; not rush into deployment; and stand ready to provide missile-defence coverage for Europe as well.
Congestion control performance of R-DSDV protocol in multihop wireless ad hoc networks

Ad hoc wireless networks are composed of mobile nodes communicating through wireless links, without any fixed backbone infrastructure. Frequent topology changes due to node mobility make routing in such dynamic networks a challenging problem. Moreover, successful message routing implies every mobile node is potentially capable of acting as a router, thus supporting store-and-forward mechanisms. However, resource limitations on these nodes also require a control on congestion due to message forwarding. In this paper, we consider our recently proposed randomized version of the well-known Destination-Sequenced Distance Vector (DSDV) routing protocol, referred to as R-DSDV, and validate its performance through extensive simulation experiments. Our results demonstrate that a probabilistic control on message traffic based on local tuning of protocol parameters is feasible, and that R-DSDV outperforms the basic DSDV protocol by significantly reducing the average queue size associated with each mobile node and hence the average packet delay.
Basis for the Mutational Acquisition of the Ability of Aerobacter aerogenes to Grow on l-Mannose

Growth of Aerobacter aerogenes PRL-R3 on the unnatural hexose l-mannose as a sole carbon source is dependent upon the selection of a mutant. Growth of the mutant on l-mannose did not require the synthesis of novel enzymes for the degradation of l-mannose, since enzymes of the l-rhamnose degradative pathway could serve this function. However, unlike most other apparent gain mutations that have been described, the mutant was not constitutive for the degradative enzymes; isomerase, kinase, and aldolase activities functional in the degradation of both l-mannose and l-rhamnose were induced by either of these hexoses in the wild type as well as in the mutant. The fact that the wild type could metabolize l-mannose also ruled out the possibility that the cells were not permeable to l-mannose. Growth of the wild type on nutrient broth was severely inhibited by l-mannose coincident with the onset of l-mannose metabolism. A similar inhibition of growth of the mutant was overcome in about 2 hr. Both strains utilized l-rhamnose and l-mannose sequentially in a mineral medium containing both of these hexoses; at the onset of l-mannose metabolism, growth of the wild type, but not of the mutant, was inhibited. Thus, wild-type A. aerogenes cannot grow on l-mannose because of the toxicity of l-mannose or its metabolites. A mutation which overcomes the toxicity enables the organism to utilize l-mannose as a sole source of carbon and energy for growth.
Efficiency and management of a computing system

The study of efficiency in computing systems can be subdivided in the following way: (1) efficiency of hardware, (2) efficiency of software, and (3) efficiency of operating systems. Efficiency in this context will be considered as performance for the average customer divided by potential performance. It is granted that both "average customer" and "potential performance" are concepts about which it is difficult to be precise and rigorous.
LGB Cultural Phenomena and the Social Work Research Enterprise: Toward a Strengths-Based, Culturally Anchored Methodology

Although the lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) community has seen new protections and benefits in the last quarter century, LGB people continue to experience stigmatization throughout American society. Social work research that frames the LBG community and its members as disenfranchised, marginalized, and oppressed tends to support a stigmatizing attitude toward LGB people. Social work research with the LGB community and its members must shift from a focus on pathology to strengths and resources. This article examines the potential application of a strengths perspective and its usefulness in reshaping the discourse on stigmatization of the LGB community and its members.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 channels contribute to reflex cutaneous vasodilation in humans

Mechanisms underlying the cutaneous vasodilation in response to an increase in core temperature remain unresolved. The purpose of this study was to determine a potential contribution of transient r...
Twelve electronic states and potential energy surface of Zr3

Abstract We compute the properties of twelve electronic states (of singlet, triplet and quintet spin multiplicities) of zr 3 using the complete active space multiconfiguration self-consistent field (CAS-MCSCF) method followed by multireference singles + doubles configuration interaction (MRSDCI) calculations. We find two nearly degenerate states ( 1 A 1 , 3 B 1 ) as candidates for the ground state of Zr 3 at the MRSDCI level. The 1 A 1 state exhibits a double minimum due to an avoided crossing.
The electrocyclic interconversion of perfluoro-3-methylcyclubutene with Z- and E-perfluro-1,3-pentadiene

Abstract Z- and E-Perfluoro-1,3-pentadienes have been synthesized and their thermal interconversions with perfluoro-3-methylcyclobutene studied kinetically.
Epidemic of Aseptic Peritonitis Caused by Endotoxin during Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis

Of all episodes of peritonitis among patients undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis 15 to 30 per cent1,2 are described as aseptic — that is, all symptoms and signs of peritonitis are present, but ...
Investigation of the Variability of NIR In-line Monitoring of Roller Compaction Process by Using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Analysis

The purpose of this research was to investigate the variability of the roller compaction process while monitoring in-line with near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. In this paper, a pragmatic method in determining this variability of in-line NIR monitoring roller compaction process was developed and the variability limits were established. Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis was used to study the source of the systematic fluctuations of the NIR spectra. An off-line variability analysis method was developed as well to simulate the in-line monitoring process in order to determine the variability limits of the roller compaction process. For this study, a binary formulation was prepared composed of acetaminophen and microcrystalline cellulose. Different roller compaction parameters such as roll speed and feeding rates were investigated to understand the variability of the process. The best-fit line slope of NIR spectra exhibited frequency dependence only on the roll speed regardless of the feeding rates. The eccentricity of the rolling motion of rollers was identified as the major source of variability and correlated with the fluctuations of the slopes of NIR spectra. The off-line static and dynamic analyses of the compacts defined two different variability of the roller compaction; the variability limits were established. These findings were proved critical in the optimization of the experimental setup of the roller compaction process by minimizing the variability of NIR in-line monitoring.
Carcinosarcoma of the urinary bladder

Six examples of carcinosarcoma of urinary bladder consisting of intimate mixtures of carcinomatous and sarcomatous tissues are reported. Five patients were men, 43 to 79 years of age, and one was a 71-year-old woman. Two neoplasms were collision tumors and consisted of leiomyosarcoma and transitional cell carcinoma with squamous and glandular foci in one. Four neoplasms were considered to be composition tumors originating from the mucosa and characterized by heterologous sarcoma. Carcinosarcomas of urinary bladder tend to be large, bulky, intraluminal tumors that grow rapidly and infiltrate widely. Irrespective of their histogenesis, the prognosis is poor, with 5 of 6 patients in this series dying of recurrent and/or metastatic disease within 33 months of diagnosis.
Evidcnce for the Functional Heterogeneity of the Two Sites of Transferrin in Vitro

A recently developed crossed immunoelectrophoretic method for displaying and quantitating the four possible molecular species of transferrin has been utilized to assess the relative effectiveness of each site of rabbit and human diferric transferrin in providing iron to rabbit reticulocytes. The site which appears to reside in the N-terminal half of the rabbit protein was found to be at least 5 times more effective than its counterpart. However, both sites may serve as iron donors in monoferric as well as diferric rabbit transferrins. It is also possible that iron may be removed from rabbit transferrin in pairwise as well as sequential fashion. In human diferric transferrin, the site in the C-terminal domain functions as the better iron donor for rabbit reticulocytes.
Economics of oilseed production

United States production of oilseeds has increased 71% over the last 10 yr(1971–1981), from 42 to 72 mill tons. Soybeans have provided the big boost in output, accounting for 86% of the 30 mill ton gain, followed by sunflowers with 7%, cottonseed 7%, and peanuts 2%. Flaxseed and safflower output declined during the decade. Many factors contributed to the sharp boost in soybean output during this period. Because soybeans were competitively priced, market demand showed a steady growth and stocks remained relatively low. Soybeans provided favorable returns to growers and were widely used in rotations with other crops. Sunflower production skyrocketed since 1974 due to development of higher-yielding hybrid sunflower varieties and strong European demand for the seed. Costs of crop production in the United States have been continuing their relentless climb, spurred largely by rising fuel costs and more recently by high interest rates. Fertilizer and agricultural chemicals have also contributed to the increased costs. In the next decade, world demand for high protein meal and vegetable oils will continue to increase as population increases and use will expand in less developed countries. Much of these expanded oilseed requirements, particularly for soybeans and sunflower, will be provided by the United States.
Evolution of the Concentration of Inorganic Ions during the Initial Stages of Precipitation Events

Ion concentrations in relatively low-intensity precipitation were measured in southern Indiana, USA and are presented as a function of their temporal evolution during individual precipitation events with a specific focus on the first 30 min of those events. These data indicate that during individual rain events potassium concentrations in precipitation may decline by up to 70%–80% in the first 30 min of the event. The other ions exhibited less rapid concentration declines during this event which are in rank order (highest to lowest); sodium, chloride, magnesium, nitrate, calcium, sulfate and ammonium. There is some evidence that the initial declines for precipitation accumulations up to 2 mm in the concentrationof chloride, calcium and sulfate in precipitation more closely approximate a power-law dependency on precipitation depth than the commonly applied exponential form which, if confirmed, may have implications for efforts to correct flux networks for under-sampling due to delay in sample collection. Scavenging coefficients (b) derived using an exponential relationship over entire events for sodium, chloride, nitrate, calcium, sulfate and ammonium indicate highest values for sodium and lowest for ammonium, but the uncertainty bounds on ion-specific values of b are sufficiently large that they are statistically indistinguishable.
Adsorption of H2O and H2S on thin films of cobalt oxide supported on alumina

The interaction of hydrogen sulfide and water with a CoO/Al2O3 surface has been examined by Auger electron spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption. AES and TPD show that H2S decomposition occurs readily on Coo/Al2O3 at low temperature. For low H2S exposures at 140 K, no molecular water desorbs in TPD. With large exposures, hydrogen sulfide appears to react with the surface to form water, which is the only product observed. No significant amounts of hydrogen are desorbed. These results are compared with TPD of directly dosed water.
The effect of corticosteroids on serum fungistatic activity

The direct impairment of a serum fungistatic factor has been postulated as a mechanism to account for the greater severity of cutaneous fungal disease in patients treated with corticosteroids.Trichophyton mentagrophytes andTrichophyton rubrum were grown on Mycosel® agar containing increasing concentrations of normal human sera and sera from patients with Cushing's syndrome and from those receiving high doses of prednisone. Fungistatic activity, observed as a retardation of the normal growth pattern, was not significantly different in any of the sera tested.
Intervention Activities and Strategies for Promoting Academic Language in Preschoolers and Kindergartners

Teaching academic language has recently become a separate focus from teaching subject content for schoolaged children, but it is rarely considered with preschoolers and kindergartners. The critical importance of fostering academic language before children enter elementary school has recently been posited and supported by various strands of research, and the term academic talk has been used to capture the fact that early exposure to and use of this register is in the oral modality only. There is a pressing need for an early focus on this register for children with language impairments, given that their language weaknesses often foreshadow academic difficulties. In this article, an integrative framework of academic talk developed by van Kleeck is used to discuss concrete ways in which professionals can foster the social-interactive and cognitive features of academic talk among young prereading children. A focus on these social-interactive and cognitive features, which provide a coherent and accessible conceptual framework for the interventionist, automatically recruits the many specific linguistic features that have been found to be characteristic of academic language. Previous research has directly or indirectly shown that preschool and kindergarten children’s exposure individually to each of these features is associated with future academic success. However, this previous research has not provided a construct for considering the full constellation of features that combine to create the academic talk register. This article provides ideas for approaching these features individually at first, but then posits the need to gradually combine a focus on more and more features simultaneously to more completely reflect the nature of the academic talk register.
Horsehair Worms (Phylum Nematomorpha) in Wisconsin, With Notes on Their Occurrence in the Great Lakes

ABSTRACT Wisconsin records for Chordodes morgani, Gordius robustus, and Paragordius varius are summarized. The occurrence of horsehair worms in the Great Lakes Is reviewed. Sexual size differences are demonstrated In G. robustus, with females being significantly longer than males. Skewing of sex ratios in horsehair worm populations is discussed.
Breaking Down the Barriers: The Schoharie County Local Agri-Preneurship Project for Next Generation Farmers

ABSTRACT The Schoharie County Local Agri-Preneurship Project for Next Generation Farmers (hereafter, the SCHOCO-LOCA project) was initiated to determine the opportunities and barriers facing that locale's new agriculturists. Using data collected from a series of focus groups including area high school students, farmers, and agricultural, financial, educational and human service professionals, the study identifies a set of barriers named by the acronym TACS (Technical problems, Assumptions, Community concerns and Social issues) that is threatening the health and future of Schoharie County's agricultural industry. After examining the changing structure of U.S. agriculture and the concomitant impact on Schoharie County, the study explains the problems that collectively create the barrier of TACS. Technical problems included a lack of custom services, lack of knowledge about farm transfers, an unfulfilled demand for information about alternative agriculture, and a need for improved business management skills....
Reaction of p-azidophenacyl lodoacetate, a photolabile reagent, with yeast alcohol dehydrogenase

Abstract When yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH) was incubated with one or two molar equivalents of the photolabile reagent p-azidophenacyl iodoacetate (1), 10–15% of the enzymatic activity was lost per mole of inhibitor incorporated, a result which suggests 1 may be modifying in a cooperative process both the Cys-43 and the Cys-153 groups found at each active site of the enzyme. YADH incorporated a maximum of 5.6 mol of 1 per mole of enzyme. When YADH was first carboxymethylated and then allowed to react with an excess of 1, 3.2–3.6 mol of 1 were incorporated into the enzyme with a corresponding loss of 4.0 mol of free sulfhydryl groups in the enzyme. Carboxymethylated YADH was reacted with one molar equivalent of 14C-1 and then was treated sequentially with hydroxylamine and pepsin. Cellulose phosphate chromatography of this peptic digest gave one major radioactive peak eluting in the region where peptic peptides of YADH known to be modified at the Cys-153 are found to elute. When carboxymethylated YADH was treated with one molar equivalent of 1 and then photolyzed, at least 18% of the 1 residues became covalently bound to a second site in the enzyme. This finding establishes that 1 is a useful reagent for investigating the three-dimensional structure of the active site of YADH. Furthermore, 1 should be suitable for investigations into a variety of biological systems.
Peering inside the clock: using success case method to determine how and why practice-based educational interventions succeed.

Introduction: No educational method or combination of methods will facilitate implementation of clinical practice guidelines in all clinical contexts. To develop an empirical basis for aligning methods to contexts, we need to move beyond “Does it work?” to also ask “What works for whom and under what conditions?” This study employed Success Case Method to understand how 3 performance improvement CME activities contributed to implementation of tobacco cessation practice guidelines in 9 outpatient practices. Methods: Success criteria were applied to clinical data from 93 practices, generating a pool of 14 success cases; 9 were recruited into the study. We conducted semistructured telephone interviews with 1 to 4 informants in each practice. Individual case reports were developed summarizing changes made, what was done to effect the changes, relevant contextual factors, and contributions of the educational interventions to change. A cross-case analysis followed. Results: Twenty informants were interviewed. Practice changes varied in number and degree. Implementation mechanisms included acquisition of new knowledge and skills, making improving cessation practice an active goal, engaging the clinical team, adopting a more proactive approach with smokers, and making smokers and clinical practice performance more visible. Contextual factors influencing the implementation process were also identified. Discussion: The study shows that (1) the appropriate target of an educational intervention may be a team rather than an individual, (2) implementing even relatively simple practice guidelines can be a complex process, and (3) change requires scientific and practical knowledge. A richer understanding of implementation mechanisms and contextual factors is needed to guide educational planning.
Suppression of serum iron-binding capacity and bone marrow cellularity in pigs fed aflatoxin.

Flavus-parasiticus species of the genus Aspergillus are recognized as the primary producers of aflatoxins B/sub 1/, B/sup 2/, G/sup 1/, and G/sup 2/, hereafter referred to as aflatoxin (AF). The effects of feeding AF-contaminated diets to growing and finishing pigs have been described with changes in clinical performance, serum biochemistry, histology, and hematology attributed to aflatoxicosis. However, most of these studies evaluated AF-induced changes for a single AF dosage at a given point in time. The present study was designed to characterize how various AF dosages influence bone marrow histology, hematology, prothrombin and activated thromboplastin times, serum amino acids, and serum iron binding capacity during aflatoxicosis in growing pigs.
A committee report on schizophrenic language.

If in a large sample of written or spoken language the words are ranked according to the frequency with which they appear and the frequency is plotted against the rank, the resulting curve can be fitted by the equation P = Po(R + Bo)−α, where P is the frequency with which a group of words occur, R is their average rank, and Po, Bo, and α are parameters. The equation has been rigorously derived by B. Mandelbrot on the basis of some theoretical considerations. In this derivation, the parameters Po, Bo, and α receive a physical interpretation, which converts them with psycholinguistic concepts. Here the values of all three parameters are compared in several language samples, ranging from James Joyce's Ulysses through Standard English, to the language of a diagnosed schizophrenic with paranoic tendencies. Comparison indicates that all three parameters characteristic of definite schizophrenics are definitely larger than those of others, in agreement with theoretical expectations.
Attracting Retirees as a Community Development Option

This paper compares recent trends in population and employment growth in nonmetropolitan retirement counties with those in other types of nonmetropolitan counties. Nonmetropolitan retirement counties number 481 out of approximately 2,400 nonmetropolitan U.S. counties. Since 1980, nonmetropolitan retirement counties have accounted for over half of all nonmetropolitan population growth and they have grown at a rate over four times greater than that for the remaining nonmetropolitan counties. Post-1980 employment growth in nonmetropolitan retirement counties also far outstripped that for the remaining nonmetropolitan counties. Local government fiscal data indicate increased expenditures for services to meet the needs of growing elderly populations. Strategies for community development practitioners to use in assessing the effects of retirement migration as a local development option are discussed.
Stable rank three vector bundles on P4 with Chern classes (c1,c2,c3)=(−2,4,0)

Abstract The stable rank three vector bundles on projective fourspace with Chern classes (−2,4,0) whose first twists have no non-zero global sections form an open subset of the moduli space of all stable rank three vector bundles in this class. Furthermore, these bundles are precisely those associated with elliptic conic bundles in projective fourspace. We prove that the family of these bundles is irreducible, non-singular of dimension 28. As a corollary, we show that the family of elliptic conic bundles is irreducible of dimension 36.
The protein tyrosine phosphatase LAR has a major impact on insulin receptor dephosphorylation.

Abstract Transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) may act as regulators of the insulin receptor. Supporting this hypothesis, antisense suppression of the PTPase LAR in McA-RH7777 hepatoma cells increased insulin receptor signaling (Kulaset. al., J. Biol. Chem.(1996) 271, 748–754). The effects of decreased LAR expression may be mediated by decreased dephosphorylation of the insulin receptor. The rate of insulin receptor dephosphorylation was examinedin situ,following elution of surface bound insulin at pH 4.0. In LAR antisense cells, dephosphorylation was prolonged by 2.6-fold with a t1/2 of 87±11 sec compared to a t1/2 of 34±6 sec in control cells. EGF receptor dephosphorylation was also prolonged in LAR antisense cells. These results are further evidence that LAR is a physiological regulator of the insulin receptor and is consistent with its direct interaction with the tyrosine phosphorylated insulin receptor.
SnI42--Based Hybrid Perovskites Templated by Multiple Organic Cations: Combining Organic Functionalities through Noncovalent Interactions

Two and more different organic cations have been incorporated within single-phase hybrid perovskite frameworks derived from SnI42- layers. The single-crystal structure of (5FPEA·NEA)SnI4, containing in 1:1 ratio the 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenethylammonium (5FPEA) and 2-naphthyleneethylammonium (NEA) cations [C2/m, a = 37.040(7) A, b = 6.161(1) A, c = 12.345(3) A, β = 101.84(3)°, and Z = 4], provides details of the packing and interaction of the two organic species confined within the inorganic sheets. Controlled crystallization from solutions suggests that the 1:1 ratio is thermodynamically favored, perhaps as a result of the fluoroaryl−aryl interaction between the two organic cations. Systems with other ratios of the above two cations, however, can be accessed as thin films by spin coating from organic solutions. Structure and property studies indicate that the ratio of the organic cations is in monotonic correlation with the spacing of the perovskite sheets as well as the exciton energy associated with t...
Posttransplant microbiological surveillance

Posttransplant microbiological surveillance should be used when the likelihood of infection in a transplant recipient is high and the sensitivity and specificity of the test can provide a high positive or negative predictive value. Testing is also performed in some instances to monitor the patient's response to therapy. Examples of successful posttransplant microbiological surveillance include molecular detection of cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus and virus load determinations, as well as hepatitis B and C detection and virus load testing. Routine fungal and bacterial surveillance are generally not necessary, except for Candida colonization detection or vancomycin-resistant enterococcal detection in high-risk subgroups. The organ transplanted may also play a role in the type of routine surveillance recommended.
Rapid prototyping using excimer laser microfabrication system

To demonstrate proof of concept and obtain faster turnaround times on prototype development, an integrated excimer laser microfabrication system can be used for direct drawing-to- production of photoablated microstructures. A system currently in use consists of excimer lasers (248 nm and 351 nm), high- resolution stages, CAD system, and a visual observation and real-time metrology system. The material for the process is selected depending on the required edge wall definition, aspect ratio, surface roughness, and debris formation and ablation threshold. If the material is already defined, then the best process is found by selecting the following parameters: (1) machining feedrate, (2) laser pulse characteristics, (3) beam defocus, (4) number of passes, (5) laser aided cleaning, (6) high velocity gas cleaning, (7) vacuum machining. Some of the structures fabricated include microtube holders incorporating snap-fasteners for click-on microassembly. Where necessary, laser ablation is complemented by other micromachining processes like micromilling.
An analysis of multiple staging management strategies for carcinoma of the esophagus: computed tomography, endoscopic ultrasound, positron emission tomography, and thoracoscopy/laparoscopy

Abstract Background . This study compares the health care costs and effectiveness of multiple staging options for patients with esophageal cancer. Techniques studied included computed tomographic (CT) scan, endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA), positron emission tomography (PET), thoracoscopy/laparoscopy, and combinations of these. Methods . A decision-analysis model was constructed to compare different staging strategies. Costs were derived from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked databases and from other Medicare reimbursement rates. Life expectancies were obtained from the 1973–1996 SEER database and adjusted for quality of life. Cost and effectiveness measures were discounted at 0% and 3% per year. Sensitivity and specificity measures were obtained from the published literature and a parallel prospective clinical trial, and all key variables were subjected to sensitivity analyses. Results . Under baseline assumptions, CT + EUS-FNA was the most inexpensive strategy and offered more quality-adjusted life-years, on average, than all other strategies with the exception of PET + EUS-FNA. The latter was slightly more effective but also more expensive. The marginal cost-effectiveness ratio for PET + EUS-FNA was $60,544 per quality-adjusted life-year. These findings were robust and changed very little in all of the sensitivity analyses. Conclusions . The combination of PET + EUS-FNA should be the recommended staging procedure for patients with esophageal cancer, unless resources are scarce or PET is unavailable. In these instances, CT + EUS-FNA can be considered the preferred strategy.