cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advances in Understanding the Causes and Consequences of Health Disparities in Aging Minorities.

The purpose was to discuss appropriate methods for advancing our understanding of health disparities or minority aging including life-course perspectives, biological measures, pain measurement, and generational approaches. Life course perspectives provide an orientation for studying older minorities that concomitantly captures exposures and stressors that may lead to earlier onset of disease and premature mortality. The use of biological markers to study health disparities in older minorities is necessary in order to identify pathways between psychosocial factors and health outcomes. Work focusing on pain disparities should include explorations of relationships between psychosocial factors and subjective and objective measures of pain. Studying families can provide insight into genetic associations and coping styles in older minorities. Methodological approaches that take life course, biology, and social factors into account may help identify causal pathways between social determinants of health and health outcomes among older minorities. Once these causal pathways have been identified, more strategies and interventions that strive toward health equity across older adults of all race/ethnic groups can be developed.
The cash ceiling: Why only the rich run for office and what we can do about it: by A. Nicholas Carnes, Princeton, NJ, Princeton University Press, 2018, 344 pp., $29.95 (hardcover), ISBN 9780691182001

This well-researched book by Nicholas Carnes asks why so few working-class politicians get elected to American public office. Wealthy Americans represent well over 90% of public office-holders, whi...
Longitudinal changes in echocardiographic measures of ventricular function after Fontan operation.

Background While numerous indices have been developed in an attempt to quantify ventricular function in patients with single ventricle heart disease after Fontan, there are little data on how these parameters change over time. Methods A retrospective observational study was performed of individuals who underwent Fontan operation at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) in 2006 and 2007. Measurements of fractional area change (FAC), tricuspid annular planar systolic excursion (TAPSE), myocardial performance index (MPI), systolic to diastolic (s/d) ratio, and myocardial strain and strain rate were made offline. A composite outcome of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), plastic bronchitis, transplant, or death was created, and change in function was compared between those who did and those who did not meet the outcome. Results There were 312 echocardiograms from 40 unique patients (75% male, 55% dominant right ventricle). The aggregate mean values for most assessed parameters were worse than what would be expected for a healthy age-matched population. The global longitudinal strain rate increased (worsened) by 0.014 (1/s) per year (P = .02), and the global circumferential strain rate increased (worsened) by 0.011 (1/s) per year (P = .01). There was no difference in the rate of change of ventricular function in the 6 patients who met the composite endpoint vs those who did not. Conclusion This study demonstrates that global longitudinal strain rate and global circumferential strain rate decrease over 10 years following Fontan operation. These measures of ventricular performance may be early signs of cardiac dysfunction that predate more obvious echocardiographic signs of deterioration.
Exploring the Role of Partner Satisfaction in Predicting Patient Satisfaction Regarding Post-mastectomy Breast Reconstruction

Qualitative studies have suggested that perceived partner satisfaction is an important predictor of patient satisfaction in post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. To better characterize these relationships, a couple-based study employing a quantitative analysis was conducted. Methods BREAST-Q and a novel partner survey were used to assess relationships among patient satisfaction, perceived partner satisfaction, and reported partner satisfaction in 11 couples. Breast reconstruction patients completed the postoperative BREAST-Q, and their partners completed a survey designed to assess satisfaction with their emotional relationship, partner's breasts, partner's medical care, and sexual relationship. Results The majority of patients were married. Seventy-three percent of women had an implant-based reconstruction, while 27% had an abdominal-based reconstruction. The majority (82%) of patients reported no complications with reconstructive procedures. The mean patient BREAST-Q score was 86 (range, 48-97), and the mean partner score was 87 (64-98). There was a correlation of 0.85 between reported partner satisfaction and patient satisfaction. Fifty-eight percent of partners reported being afraid to touch their partner's reconstructed breasts out of fear of causing pain; 7% of patients reported experiencing pain in the area of their reconstructed breasts. Conclusions This study reveals that partner satisfaction with breast reconstruction correlates with patient satisfaction. With this knowledge, we will be able to formulate suggestions on how preoperative consultations could be conducted as to optimize patient and partner satisfaction and bridge the gap between patient and partner knowledge of postoperative pain.
Left Ventricular Assist Device Outcomes in Non English Speaking Patients

Introduction Non-English speaking (NES) status has been identified as a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. Given the complexity of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) care and the need for frequent provider/patient interactions, we aimed to review outcomes of NES LVAD recipients in a single center LVAD cohort. Methods The analysis included all adult patients who underwent first time, continuous flow LVAD implementation at the University of Minnesota Medical Center from June 2005 to July 2019 (n=413). Patients were identified as NES if they identified English as there second language regardless of interpreter use. To assess the impact of NES on post LVAD outcomes, 1-year readmissions and 2-year survival was compared between NES and English speaking LVAD recipients. Results The study cohort included 13 NES (3%) and 400 (97%) English speaking patients. Six of the NES patients (46%) needed an interpreter during clinical interactions. Detailed baseline characteristics and post LVAD complications of the NES cohort are presented (table). Between English Speaking vs. NES LVAD recipients, no statistically significant differences were detected between age (Mean [±SD]) (58 [±14] vs 56 [±15], P=0.65), male sex (80% vs 92%, P=0.28) or bridge to transplant (BTT) status (59% vs 54%, P=0.69). Observed complications among the NES patients over a median (IQR) follow up time of 348 (202, 647) days were the following; driveline infection: 6 (46%), GI bleed: 4 (30%), stroke: 2 (15%), pump thrombosis: 1(8%), and device replacement for driveline malfunction: 1 (8%). No statistically significant differences were detected between 1-year readmissions between English and NES LVAD patients, (2 [IQR 1, 3] vs 1 [IQR 0.5, 4], P=0.86) or 2-year survival (77% vs. 84%, P=0.89). Conclusion Non English Speaking LVAD recipients had a similar survival compared to the larger LVAD cohort in this single center analysis, however this sample size was small. High rates of driveline infections were observed among NES patients. Larger data will be needed to confirm these observations with a higher degree of confidence.
Time-variable differences between H2RG readout channels in high precision spectroscopy: a case study with the Habitable-zone Planet Finder

High precision Doppler spectroscopy hinges on an accurate understanding of the wavelength-to-pixel mapping (wavelength solution) of the spectrograph, including particularly systematics related to the detector. Herein, we describe the uniformity and stability of the wavelength solution of the Habitable-zone Planet Finder (HPF), a near-infrared spectrograph that utilizes a Hawaii-2RG (H2RG) hybrid CMOS detector. We focus on time-varying discontinuities equivalent to approximately 10 m/s in the otherwise-smooth wavelength solution, corresponding to the boundaries between H2RG readout channels. This behavior is revealed by calibration with dedicated laser frequency comb and white light-illuminated Fabry-Perot systems over a ~1 year baseline. These findings will inform the usage of similar near-infrared CMOS devices for high-precision applications including Doppler exoplanet and gravitational lensing WFIRST surveys.
Leveraging Collaborative Repository “Resource-In-Common” Model to Find Space – and Solace – In Downsizing Legacy Print Collection: A Case Study

This case study details the techniques, strategies, and workflow used by Sam Houston State University’s (SHSU) Newton Gresham Library in preparing materials to submit and claim with the Texas A&M U...
Eculizumab for antibody-mediated rejection in heart transplantation: A case-control study.

Complement inhibition offers a novel treatment approach for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). We examined patients with hemodynamic compromise AMR 2010-2020, comparing eight patients supplemented with eculizumab to 10 patients without; administration was at the treating physician's discretion. There were no significant differences between groups though eculizumab patients had a non-significantly higher inotrope score (208.8 mcg/kg/min vs. 2.6 mcg/kg/min; P = .22), more extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (62.5% vs. 20%; P = .066), and worse 1-year survival (37.5% vs. 60%; P = .63). The role of eculizumab is uncertain in AMR; multicenter collaborative studies are essential to better define its role.
Bacterial quorum sensing allows graded and bimodal cellular responses to variations in population density

Quorum sensing (QS) is a mechanism of cell to cell communication that connects gene expression to environmental conditions (e.g. density) in many bacterial species, mediated by diffusible signal molecules. Current functional studies focus on a dichotomy of QS on/off (or, quorate / sub-quorate) states, overlooking the potential for intermediate, graded responses to shifts in the environment. Here, we track QS regulated protease (lasB) expression and show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa can deliver a graded behavioral response to fine-scale variation in population density, on both the population and single-cell scales. On the population scale, we see a graded response to variation in environmental population density. On the single-cell scale, we see significant bimodality at higher densities, with separate OFF and ON sub-populations that respond differentially to changes in density; static OFF cells and increasing intensity of expression among ON cells. While the QS-controlled behavioral output is graded, the underlying multi-signal dynamics display a threshold shift in signal concentration with increasing density, reflecting the onset of positive signal auto-regulation at intermediate densities. Together these results indicate that QS can tune gene expression to graded environmental change, with no critical cell mass or quorum at which behavioral responses are activated on either the individual cell or population scale. In an infection context, our results indicate there is not a hard threshold separating sub-quorate stealth mode and a quorate attack mode.
A SAS/IML Companion for Linear Models

SAS/IML: A Brief Introduction.- IML Language Structure.- IML Programming Features.- Matrix Manipulations in SAS/IML.- Mathematical and Statistical Basics.- Linear Algebra.- The Multivariate Normal Distribution.- The General Linear Model.- Linear Mixed Models.- Statistical Computation Methods.
Triiodothyronine: Molecular Structure and Biologic Function

The active component of the thyroid gland, T4, was the first hormone to be isolated and to have its structure characterized. Moreover, because the thyroid hormones possess relatively simple structures (Fig. 3.1), scientists were led to believe that their mode of action would be easily understood. However, although thyroid hormones have been shown to elicit a multitude of biologic responses, the specific nature of their actions remains unclear. Thus, the impetus to synthesize and test many analogues stemmed from the attempt to define those features essential for T4-like activity.
Julio Cortázar's Axolotl: Literary Archaeology of the Unreal

Axolotl (Final del juego, "end of the game"), one of Julio Cortazar's masterpieces, chronicles one man's discovery of the axolotls, rather unusuallooking amphibians, his growing obsession with them and, ultimately, his supposed transformation into an axolotl. One of the better known and most frequently analyzed of all Cortazar's stories, Axolotl quickly establishes and perpetuates an aura of ambiguity surrounding the narrator and the axolotls which causes the reader to question the nature of reality. 1 Consequently, the text's openness has fueled interpretive speculation with regard to a wide variety of topics, ranging from religion and Aztec mythology to philosophy and psychology. Some readers view Axolotl as a commentary on the creative process itself, among them Alfred MacAdam, who writes that: "The philosophical problem of interpretation ... seems reduced in importance, displaced by the purely aesthetic problem of the representation of the unreal ." Mac Adam's comment prompts the important question: How does Cortazar evoke a "representation of the unreal" that allows for such interpretive breadth? This study will consider how narrative strategies suggest that Cortazar's depiction of the "unreal" is inspired by a variety of literary sources, both classical and modern. Cortazar draws from these other texts to infuse his own story with subtle, yet highly significant nuances. A close reading will explore these fictional interrelationships and explain why Cortazar's vision of reality seems so multifaceted. The examination of how Cortazar manipulates these allusions will lead to an even deeper appreciation for this magnificent tale.
EFFECT OF NEAR INFRARED ENERGY ON RATE OF FREEZE DRYING OF BEEF

— Infrared radiation was extensively investigated as a heat source for freeze drying 1-in.-thick slices of beef. Two approaches were used to study the effect of spectral regions on the drying rate. First, filters which transmitted definite wavebands in the near infrared were interposed between the heaters and the product. Secondly, different spectral distributions were obtained by varying the voltage applied to the heaters while keeping the total radiating power constant. From the work with filters it was concluded that the short wavelengths, 1 μ or less, gave the most rapid drying. Similarly, the work with voltage variation showed that drying rate was improved by increasing intensity and decreasing wavelength to about 0.95 μ The shortest complete drying cycle using infrared heating was 7.0 hr as compared to 11 hr for the conventional control. Samples were evaluated for surface appearance, rehydration characteristics and organoleptic quality of cooked meat. The quality of samples produced with infrared radiation of short wavelengths predominantly at about 1 μ was judged to be similar to that obtained with conventional heating.
Cystein oxygenase. II. Studies on the mechanism of the reaction with 18oxygen

Abstract The mechanism of the conversion of l-cysteine to l-cysteinesulfinic acid in the presence of oxygen, reduced pyridine nucleotide, Fe2+, and an enzyme from rat liver cytoplasm was studied with the aid of 18O2 and H218O. A procedure is described for the isolation of small quantities of cysteinesulfinic acid from enzyme reaction mixtures. Mass spectrometric analysis of enzymatically synthesized cysteinesulfinic acid showed that both oxygen atoms originated from molecular O2. When corrected for nonenzymatic exchange reactions, no oxygen originating from water could be detected in the sulfinyl group. Thus the conversion of cysteine to cysteinesulfinic acid does not involve dehydrogenation steps. Since reduced pyridine nucleotide is not stoichiometrically utilized in the reaction, the reaction appears to be catalyzed by a dioxygenase rather than by two hydroxylases ("mixed function oxidases") acting sequentially.
Welfare Dependency in Delaware: A Study of the State's Program Reform and Advocacy for Change

Abstract This article contrasts the views of two advocacy groups, Action for Families and Children and the Statewide Association of Tenants (SWAT), composed of social service providers and current and former welfare recipients who are residents of assisted housing, respectively, with those framing Delaware's welfare reform program, “A Better Chance” (ABC). Since the mid-1980s, the focus of welfare reform in the state has been on reducing welfare dependency; not addressing poverty, low-wage jobs, growing income inequality, or lack of access to affordable food and housing, as the problems are defined by Action and SWAT. The state claims that “welfare mothers ought to work” and invokes an image of an irresponsible, “dependent” single-parent. Delaware advocates argue that welfare reform is no substitute for anti-poverty policy and confusing the two only promotes excessive welfare bashing such as led to the 1996 welfare law. Focusing on the welfare dependence of single parents as the centerpiece of welfare ref...
Decoupling of fission and regenerative capabilities in an asexual oligochaete

Agametic reproduction by fission has evolved numerous times in the Annelida. In this group, as well as others, the developmental processes of fission appear to be based on those of regeneration. Thus far, all fissiparous annelids whose regenerative abilities have been investigated fully are capable of regenerating both anteriorly and posteriorly. However, in this paper, I describe a unique exception to this association between fission and regenerative abilities. Regeneration experiments demonstrate that the fissiparous annelid Paranais litoralis (Oligochaeta: Naididae) has lost the capacity for full anterior regeneration. The four anterior segments of P. litoralis are produced routinely during each round of fission, yet this species is incapable of producing these same segments by anterior regeneration. I propose that fissiparous reproduction, possibly coupled with a low susceptibility to amputation in nature, may have relaxed selection for anterior regeneration in P. litoralis. The decoupling of fission and regenerative abilities suggests that some steps in the developmental trajectories that lead to fission and regeneration may have diverged in this species.
Correctness proofs for device drivers in embedded systems

Computer systems do not exist in isolation: they must interact with the world through I/O devices. Our work, which focuses on constrained embedded systems, provides a framework for verifying device driver software at the machine code level. We created an abstract device model that can be plugged into an existing formal semantics for an instruction set architecture. We have instantiated the abstract model with a model for the serial port for a real embedded processor, and we have verified the full functional correctness of the transmit and receive functions from an open-source driver for this device.
Semantic Leaps: Frame-Shifting and Conceptual Blending in Meaning Construction

Acknowledgments 1. Semantic leaps Part I. Frame-Shifting: 2. Frame-shifting and models of language processing 3. Models of sentential integration 4. Frame-shifting and the brain Part II. Conceptual Blending: 5. Conceptual blending in modified noun phrases 6. Conceptual blending in metaphor and analogy 7. Counterfactual conditionals Part III. Applications: Blending, Framing, and Blaming: 8. Framing in moral discourse 9. Frame-shifting and scalar implicature 10. The space structuring model Bibliography Index.
Direct Measurement of Rate Constants for Photoexcited Molecules

Absolute collision frequencies were obtained for the loss of internal energy of an energetically defined isolated molecule. These values are an order of magnitude less than predicted from the kinetic theory of gases. Measurements were made by a differential comparison of the lifetime of isolated molecules with that in the presence of an inert gas. The lifetime spectrum gives absolute rate constants in the excited state, the differential spectrum gives energy transfer information. Measurements were made continuously over a broad range of wavelengths involving the first two excited states of β-naphthylamine.
O‐Ethylperoxycarbonic Acid

[70288-43-6] C3H6O4 (MW 106.09) InChI = 1S/C3H6O4/c1-2-6-3(4)7-5/h5H,2H2,1H3 InChIKey = UYKQBCCHYMNDCF-UHFFFAOYSA-N (oxygen atom transfer reagent, useful for the epoxidation of alkenes) Preparative Method: formed in situ by the reaction of aqueous Hydrogen Peroxide with Ethyl Chloroformate. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: generated in situ; not stable to storage.
869 AN EVALUATION OF ZINC STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Characteristics of zinc deficiency include growth retardation, delayed sexual maturation, alopecia and hypogeusia. Zinc deficicient rats have hypovitaminosis A, thought to be caused by impaired synthesis of retinol-binding protein (RBP), a zinc-metalloprotein. Since these findings are also features of A.N., zinc status was assessed in 26 hospitalized patients (26 female, 1 male) ages 12 to 32, who had lost>25% of their body weight in the absence of other discernible medical causes. Standardized taste discrimination tests indicated no dysgeusia (taste perversions) although reduced taste acuity was present in 6 of 13 patients tested. Plasma and hair zinc levels did not correlate with taste perception or serum carotene, vitamin A or RBP, nor did they reflect the amount of weight loss or the duration of the symptoms, including amenorrhea.
Ultrastructure of neurons and synapses in the tentacle epidermis of the sea anemone Calliactis parasitica.

Little is known about gastrodermal neurons and synapses in the tentacles of sea anemones. Using transmission electron microscopy of serial thin sections of Calliactis parasitica, we have identified both a sensory cell and a ganglion cell with granular vesicles originating from the Golgi complex and have identified four types of synapses in the tentacular gastrodermal nerve plexus. The sensory cell has a recessed apical cilium with a basal body and a perpendicularly oriented centriole, below which are several strands of striated rootlets surrounded by mitochondria. The ganglion cell lacks a cilium and resembles a bipolar neuron, with oppositely directed processes lying parallel to the basally located circular smooth muscle. Both one-way and two-way interneuronal synapses are present with 60- to 90-nm granular vesicles of various densities aligned at the paired electron-dense membranes and fine cross filaments in the intervening 13-nm cleft. Two types of neuroeffector synapses have been located. Dense granular vesicles are present at neuromuscular synapses, whereas less dense vesicles are present at neuroglandular synapses. Most of the synaptic vesicles range from 60 to 120 nm in diameter. Two types of nerve cells and a variety of synaptic loci provide morphological substrates for the spontaneous SS2 conduction pulses in the tentacular gastrodermis of C. parasitica. J Morphol 231:217-223, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Improving Public High Schools: Evidence from New York

This study examined why differing public high schools have widely varying levels of student success. Two outcomes, namely the dropout and the college attendance rates, were analyzed using data for suburban schools just outside of New York City. While the dropout and college attendance rates proved most sensitive to community economic differences, they also responded to the way high schools were managed. Schools with smaller classes and less crime employing more experienced and qualified teachers enjoyed better outcomes. Teacher pay, however, was not a significant factor determining student success.
Evidence for a long-lived excited state of CH4+ from a beam scattering study of the collision-induced dissociation of CH4+ to CH2+ at low energy

Abstract A crossed-beam study of the collision-induced dissociation of CH 4 + by Ar was carried out at a center-of-mass (c.m.) collision energy of 5.5 eV. The scattering shows three patterns for the formation of CH 2 + , (1) large-angle scattering at preferred impact parameters with little internal excitation of the products, (2) scattering near the c.m. with nearly all collision energy transferred into products internal energy and (3) superelastic scattering, i.e. conversion of internal energy to translational energy, implying the reaction is initiated by a long-lived excited state of CH 4 + generated by electron impact ionization of methane. No previous evidence exists, to our knowledge, that excited states of CH 4 + thus generated may have microsecond lifetimes.
ROBUST CONTROLLER DESIGN AND EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF I.C. ENGINE SPEED CONTROL

Presented in this paper is the robust idle speed control of a Ford 4⋅6 L V-8 fuel injected engine. The goal of this investigation is to design a robust feedback controller that maintains the idle speed within a 150 rpm tolerance about 600 rpm despite a 20 Nm step torque disturbance delivered by the power steering pump. The controlled input is the by-pass air valve which is subjected to an output saturation constraint. Issues complicating the controller design include the nonlinear nature of the engine dynamics, the induction-to-power delay of the manifold filling dynamics, and the saturation constraint of the by-pass air valve. An experimental verification of the proposed controller is included. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2-(1,3-Dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)ethyl 4-methyl-benzene-sulfonate.

In the title mol­ecule, C17H15NO5S, the dihedral angle between the essentially planar atoms of the tosyl moiety (the S atom and the seven tolyl C atoms) and the phthalimide moiety is 6.089 (3)°. The mol­ecule is folded about the ethyl­ene bridge, adopting a staggered conformation such that the benzene ring of the tosyl group and the five-membered ring of the phthalimide moiety have a face-to-face orientation with a centroid-to-centroid separation of 3.7454 (12) A. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak inter­molecular π–π inter­actions between symmetry-related five-membered rings of the phthalimide groups, with a centroid-to-centroid distance of 3.3867 (11) A. The compound is used for the attachment of a suitable chelate functionality for radiolabeling purposes.
With Heart, Tongue, and Limbs: Ibn Hazm On the Essence of Faith

In the Kitāb al-īmān or Book of Faith, a section from Ibn Hazm of Cordoba's major treatise on religions and heresies entitled Al-fasl fi al-milal wa al-ahwā' wa al-nihal, the author uses the exegetic techniques of Zāhirism to lay out what he believes are the essential characteristics that make one a Muslim. Those characteristics fall into three categories: belief held in the heart (tasdīq bi al-qalb), profession of belief with the tongue (iqrār bi al-lisān), and pious work of the body (amal al-jawārih). His intent in the Kitāb al-īmān is to attack the concept of religious tolerance and to reaffirm that being a Muslim means being different from Jews and Christians in thought, word, and deed. His use of Zāhirism as a guide to reading scripture directly supports his attack on Christianity and Judaism.
Methanethiolate adsorption site on Au(111): a combined STM/DFT study at the single-molecule level.

The chemisorptive bonding of methanethiolate (CH3S) on the Au(111) surface has been investigated at a single-molecule level using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (LT-STM) and density functional theory (DFT). The CH3S species were produced by STM-tip-induced dissociation of methanethiol (CH3SH) or dimethyl disulfide (CH3SSCH3) at 5 K. The adsorption site of an isolated CH3S species was assigned by comparing the experimental and calculated STM images. We conclude that the S-headgroup of chemisorbed CH3S adsorbs on the 2-fold coordinated bridge site between two Au atoms, consistent with theoretical predictions for CH3S on the nondefective Au(111) surface. Our assignment is also supported by the freezing of the tip-induced rotational dynamics of a single CH3SH molecule upon conversion to CH3S via deprotonation.
Mesoportal bypass for extrahepatic portal vein obstruction in children: close to a cure for most!

Aim: Extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EPVO) is a common cause of portal hypertension in children and can lead to life-threatening bleeding, thrombocytopenia, and coagulation disorders. Mesoportal bypass (MPB) restores normal physiologic portal flow to the liver and corrects portal hypertension. There is, however, little long-term outcome data after MPB. The aim of our study was to analyze the long-term outcome after MPB in children. Methods: Retrospective single-center review of all MPB with more than 5-year follow-up was performed in children between 1998 and 2003. Results: Thirty children underwent MPB, which was successful in 29. Long-term follow-up is available for 24. Median age at the time of bypass was 8.5 years (range, 0.4-14.2 years). Material used for bypass was as follows: left internal jugular vein (n = 20), recanalized umbilical vein (n = 2), gastric vein, and a large colic vein (n = 2). Median time since MPB is 8 years (range, 5.3-8.8 years). One MPB using recanalized umbilical vein thrombosed at 4 months but was successfully refashioned using Gortex. One MPB with left internal jugular vein was thrombosed at 1 year after cardiac surgery. Overall, 23 of 24 children have a patent bypass and resolution of portal hypertension. All showed an decrease in spleen size. Recurrent blood flow in the cavernoma with secondary increase in spleen size occurred in 5 children (median time, 3.4 years after MPB). Further evaluation of these 5 revealed no recurrence of portal hypertension. Conclusion: The MPB provides long-term correction of portal hypertension owing to EPVO. Where technically feasible, MPB is the preferred surgical procedure for treatment of EPVO.
Human health and environmental toxicity issues for evaluation of halon replacements

Abstract The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 require the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase out production and use of ozone-depleting chemicals — among them, the fire suppressants, halons. As part of its rulemaking efforts EPA must evaluate the potential hazards to human health and the environment that could result from exposure to compounds that may substitute for halons. The EPA bases health hazard assessment on data obtained in studies involving short-term and long-term exposures. The former are used to evaluate potential risks of acute or delayed effects potentially resulting from short exposures at high concentrations, such as might be experienced in episodic emissions in the workplace. Studies with long-term exposure are used to assess potential adverse effects from continued exposure to low ambient concentrations. In addition, reproductive and developmental hazards are evaluated in several animal species. About ten chlorinated-, brominated-, and/or fluorinated-hydrogen-containing hydrocarbons, to be used alone or in combination, have been proposed as halon substitutes. In addition to health and safety, environmental, efficacy, and marketability considerations (Table I) need to be addressed for the selection of proposed halon substitutes. This presentation will discuss current EPA/Office of Air and Radiation thinking on a decision-tree approach for testing the toxicity of halon substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy program.
Invisible pioneers? The impact of women on the recreation movement

Abstract This article explores and describes the impact of women on the American recreation movement from 1900 to 1960. The theses that emerged in this article are that women were actively involved in the early and middle years of the movement, that their activities were different from men's activities and thus largely invisible as recorded in the history of the recreation movement, and that the social “ethic of caring” embodied the professional and volunteer activities that women undertook. These theses provided a transitional history about the women who were involved with the recreation movement in various capacities. Although notable women were identified through the data collection, it was the “collective biography” of the women in the field that provided the archetypical model that described the impact of women on the recreation movement.
Immunoreactivity of CD10 and inhibin alpha in differentiating hemangioblastoma of central nervous system from metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma

The differential diagnosis between hemangioblastoma of the central nervous system and metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma can be problematic, because they may share striking morphologic similarities. Since CD10 is expressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, while inhibin alpha is expressed in hemangioblastoma, we used CD10 and inhibin alpha (inhibin A) to study their possible use in the distinction of these two entities. A total of 22 cases of cerebellar hemangioblastoma, five cases of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma to the central nervous system, and 16 primary cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma were studied with immunohistochemical staining of both CD10 and inhibin A. All 22 cases of hemangioblastoma were immunonegative for CD10 in the stromal cells. In contrast, all five cases of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma and 16 cases of primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma showed positive CD10 membranous staining. In all, 20 cases of hemangioblastoma (20/22, 91%) expressed inhibin A in the stromal cells. Two cases of primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma (2/16, 13%) and three cases of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (3/5, 60%) showed immunopositivity for inhibin A. In conclusion, in addition to the immunostaining of inhibin A, CD10 is a superior marker for distinguishing between a hemangioblastoma and a metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
New developments in high-pressure discharge lamps

Two new high-intensity light sources are described, both of the high-pressure vapour discharge type and suitable for general lighting service. The new lamps are similar in their geometrical and electrical characteristics to the well known high-pressure mercury-vapour lamps used for street and area lighting, but they are capable of giving 50?100% more light, with much better colour. The introduction of these new lamp types is likely to have farreaching effects on external lighting and industrial lighting generally.
Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on obesity and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the lethal yellow mouse (strain 129/Sv ‐ Ay/Aw)

We investigated the anti-obesity effects of the adrenal androgen, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), on genetically predisposed obese lethal yellow mice (Ay/Aw). Secondly, we tested the hypothesis that DHEA promotes its anti-obesity effects by decreasing the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). We subjected four genotype-sex combinations of yellow and agouti (control) mice to four dietary treatments and determined weight changes, food consumption, and G6PDH activity. Although G6PDH activities of yellow mice were considerably decreased in the 0.4% DHEA treatment group, they were elevated in the 0.0 and 0.1% DHEA treatment groups. In contrast, G6PDH activities of DHEA-treated control agouti mice remained relatively constant. These studies confirm that DHEA prevents the Ay gene from promoting excess fat deposition via some mechanism(s) other than reduced dietary intake. However, the overall absence of agreement between weight change (gain or loss) and G6PDH activity suggests that the anti-obesity activity of DHEA is not mediated via G6PDH. Since yellow obese (Ay/Aw) mice were found to be more susceptible to DHEA's effects than their agouti (Aw/Aw) littermates, Ay appears to induce an altered metabolism in Ay/Aw mice which is more susceptible to the effects of DHEA than the normal metabolism of Aw/Aw mice.
A comparison of secondary ion emission from polycrystalline metals under MeV and keV heavy ion bombardment

Abstract Mass spectra of positive secondary ions emitted from polycrystalline metal targets bombarded by 70 MeV 79Br7+ and 100 keV 40ar+ ions have been measured under similar conditions in order to identify changes which may be attributed to the increased energy of the projectile. Presented here are results obtained from Al, Ti, V, and Ni foils. A significant enhancement of some low-mass target constituents relative to the atomic metal ions is observed with MeV ion bombardment. Most prominent is the increase in abundance of 16O+ secondary ions.
UV induced thermoluminescence of benzophenone

The UV induced thermoluminescence (TL) of benzophenone has been investigated at 77 K. Intensity dependence studies of TL induced by ultraviolet light suggest that TL is due to a biphotonic ionization of the molecule by UV. The TL excitation and emission spectra are observed to coincide with the phosphorescence excitation and emission of the molecule. It is concluded that the TL of this molecule is a result of the ion—electron recombination leading to excitation of the triplet state.
Concerning the Glass Transition Temperature of Coal

The evidence for the presence of a glass transition temperature (Tg) in certain coals near 100 °C has been examined. A transition reported previously using differential scanning calorimetry measure...
Local Structure around Cr3+ Ions in Dilute Acetate and Perchlorate Aqueous Solutions

The hydration structure and aqueous acetate complexation of Cr3+ ions were studied by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy as a function of pH, concentration, acetate:Cr ratio, and a...
Risk Assessment and Management: A Critique of Current Practices and Policy Implications

Risk assessment and management and their progeny risk perception and communication, pervade social dialogue and policy formulation in much of social, particularly environmental, action today. Following an introduction to the current context, the article critically examines the nature of risk relative to the policy domain. The critique suggests that the objective positivist notion of risk that dominates current dialogue has obscured the full set of concerns of the parties involved and has led to breakdowns common in risk dialogues. An alternative construction of risk based on speech act theory and social construction, particularly as adapted by Habermas, is offered along with consequent reinterpre tations of risk. The reconstruction shows a fundamental difference between the social process of assessing environmental hazards, such as chemicals and incinerators, and the individual act of assessing risk prior to taking an action. The article concludes with suggestions for improved processes to deal with "risky" propositions.
Advanced leak location-research evaluation demonstration (ALL-RED) project

The technique of utilizing infrared (IR) thermography for predictive maintenance and early failure detection has advanced considerably over the past few years in the utility industry. There has been a substantial increase in the use of the equipment and the available training, in addition to the equipment technology advancements. These changes, as well as the utilities` continued concern for producing power effectively, has brought about investigations of additional areas where IR thermography would be beneficial. As a result, the ALL-RED Project was developed to evaluate the use of IR thermography in three specific new areas: condenser air-in leakage; condenser tube leaks; and boiler casing leaks. These areas have plagued the utility industry by causing unscheduled downtime, increasing maintenance costs, and creating performance difficulties. Developing techniques that include: establishing specific methods of detection for each application; preparing guidelines for a program structure, technical approach, and cost benefit; as well as organizing a training program, will further enhance the use of this versatile technology and help utilities reduce down time and maintenance costs through condition monitoring using advanced IR thermography techniques.
Cardiovascular outcome ascertainment was similar using blinded and unblinded adjudicators in a national prospective study

Abstract Objective Observational studies can avoid biases by blinding medical records to characteristics of interest before outcome adjudication. However, blinding is costly. We assessed the effect of blinding race and geography on outcome ascertainment. Study Design and Setting The Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke - Myocardial Infarction (REGARDS-MI) Study is an ancillary study to the REGARDS national prospective cohort study including 30,228 participants. The primary characteristics of interest are race and geography, and the prespecified acceptable agreement rate between adjudicators is set at less than 80%. We selected 116 suspected cardiovascular events that underwent adjudication with usual blinding. At least 3 months later, cases were readjudicated without blinding race and geographic location of the patient. We assessed differences in outcome ascertainment using Cohen's κ statistic and ARs. Results Agreement between blinded and unblinded reviews was good to excellent for all four outcomes. κ statistics were 0.80 (chest pain), 0.85 (heart failure), 0.86 (revascularization), and 0.74 (MI) ( P Conclusion In observational studies, blinding medical record review for outcome ascertainment for some types of patient characteristics may cause an unwarranted expense.
Difference spectrophotemetric assay of mixtures of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride with guaifensesin or fextromethorphan hydrobromide in olid cough formulations

Abstract A difference spectrophotometric method is described for the selective assay of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride(I) in the presence of guaifenesin(II) or dextromethorphan hydrobromide(III) without prior separation. The method is based on the spectral change upon oxidation of phenylpropanolamine to benzaldehyde by sodium metaperiodate. The difference absorption spectrum is obtained by measuring oxidized against unoxidized phenylpropanolamine. This spectrum exhibits a maximum of 251.5 nm, a minimum at 275 nm and an isosbestic point at 272.5 nm. Absorbance is linear with concentration for 25–100 μg ml −1 phenylpropanolamine at 251.5 nm. No changes in the spectra of compounds II and III were observed when these compounds were treated with metaperiodate. Guaifenesin and dextromethorphan are assayed by measuring an aliquot of the sample solution against methanol at 281.5 nm and 286 nm, respectively. Phenylpropanolamine does not interfere at these wavelengths. Calibrations are linear over the range 25–125 μg ml −1 for II and III. Overall recoveries (±SD, n = 5) from simulated tablets were 99.8 ± 2.6% for I and 100.5 ± 0.5% for II; from simulated capsules, the recoveries were 99.2 ± 0.4% for I and 99.6 ± 0.2% for III. The assay was succesfully applied to commercial tablets and capsules containing these compounds.
A method to predict harmonic distortion in small-geometry MOS analog integrated circuits

A method to predict the small-signal linear gain and level of harmonic distortion in analog MOS circuits is presented. This method, based on a generalized nonlinear transfer function approach, lends itself to implementation in the AC small-signal analysis routine of the circuit simulation program SPICE. A low-frequency nonlinear distortion model based on the CSIM simulator MOSFET model is applied to three simple MOSFET circuits. Results presented emphasize the need to consider small-signal quantities in the development of MOSFET models and in the determination of device parameters. The method can be easily extended to include capacitive effects and a prediction of intermodulation distortion.
TigerEye: augmented reality for Clemson University tours

TigerEye is an iPhone application developed to enhance Clemson University's existing mobile applications by adding navigation and augmented reality features.
Plastic and reconstructive surgery approaches in the management of anal cancer

Various reliable reconstructive options are available for treatment of perineal and perianal skin and soft tissue defects resulting from tumor ablation. Indications for TAR include the following: very low rectal cancers, in which low anterior resection or resection with coloanal anastomosis is not possible: persistent or recurrent anal cancer that has failed to respond to chemoradiation therapy; and previous rectal excision with either recurring colostomy complications or an unacceptable quality of life with a stoma. Of course, adequate surgical oncologic principles must not be compromised to enhance sphincter reconstruction. Either primary reconstruction at the time of cancer excision or secondary reconstruction at a later date is an acceptable alternative. Most investigators believe that primary reconstruction is technically easier and associated with fewer complications. Secondary reconstruction provides the advantage of oncologic certainty. Double dynamic graciloplasty after APR has proved to be anoncologically sound procedure with a good chance of continence and a life without a stoma in most patients. Finally, the preliminary experience with new techniques of electrode implants encourages further application. In most patients who have rectal cancer, a sphincter-saving resection can avoid the need for a permanent stoma. Very low rectal tumors, however, still require an APR as the treatment of choice when a safe coloanal anastomosisis not possible. In recent years, several authors have reported their experience on sphincteric reconstruction after APR. Most of these authors used gracilis muscles transposed from the thigh to the perineum (graciloplasty) to surround a coloperineal anastomosis after pull-through of the distal colon. The best way to achieve fecal continence is to obtain a mechanically sufficient contraction of the sphincter. Electrostimulation of the transposed gracilis muscles creates an essential framework for their postoperative muscular growth and contractility. In particular, adoption of continuous low-frequency stimulation has proved to be effective in increasing fatigue resistance of the transposed muscles, allowing their continuous "pseudotonic" contraction. Despite the general acceptance of the efficacy of this scheme, there are significant variations in various authors' experiences pertaining to graciloplasty configuration, surgical timing of resection and transposition, and electrostimulation device use and implantation.
Cognitive Motivation and Religious Orientation

This research investigated the hypothesis that the more circumscribed religious orientations should be systematically related to broader social-cognitive motivations tapping general needs for order, structure, consistency, and certainty. Specifically, the relationships between four cognitive motivations (Need for Cognition, Preference for Consistency, Personal Need for Structure, and Personal Fear of Invalidity) and the Means (extrinsic), End (intrinsic), and Quest orientations were examined. Five hundred and twenty seven undergraduates completed questionnaires assessing each of these constructs. A path model tested with structural equation modeling demonstrated good support for the influence of general cognitive motivations on the more specific religious motivations. Key findings include: Need for Cognition and internal Preference for Consistency positively influenced Quest orientation; Need for Cognition directly and Personal Need for Structure indirectly correlated with Means orientation; public Preference for Consistency positively and internal Preference for Consistency negatively predicted Means orientation.