cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
State Preemption: A Significant and Quiet Threat to Public Health in the United States

State and local governments traditionally protect the health and safety of their populations more strenuously than does the federal government. Preemption, when a higher level of government restricts or withdraws the authority of a lower level of government to act on a particular issue, was historically used as a point of negotiation in the legislative process. More recently, however, 3 new preemption-related issues have emerged that have direct implications for public health. First, multiple industries are working on a 50-state strategy to enact state laws preempting local regulation. Second, legislators supporting preemptive state legislation often do not support adopting meaningful state health protections and enact preemptive legislation to weaken protections or halt progress. Third, states have begun adopting enhanced punishments for localities and individual local officials for acting outside the confines of preemption. These actions have direct implications for health and cover such topics as increased minimum wages, paid family and sick leave, firearm safety, and nutrition policies. Stakeholders across public health fields and disciplines should join together in advocacy, action, research, and education to support and maintain local public health infrastructures and protections.
The Effects of Chlordiazepoxide on the Acquisition and Performance of a Conditioned Escape Response in Rats

Drug effects were assessed with a factorial design. Ss were divided into 8 groups for training. Each of 4 groups (D-groups, n=20 ea.) received one dose of drug (5 or 10 mg/kg) at a specified delay before training (10 or 60 min.). The remaining 4 groups ( P-groups,n=20 ea.) received placebo injections. During testing or performance trials (21–40), ½ of each group was maintained under the same drug conditions (D-D and P-P Ss, n=10 ea.). The other ½ was switched to the opposite conditions (D-P and P-D) Ss, n=10 ea.). Analysis revealed that while Ss in the 5 mg/kg. groups were unaffected by GDP, the learning of Ss in the 10 mg/kg groups was greatly retarded, even though CDP at the highest dose did not significantly depress the performance of groups trained under placebo.
Study of thermal and mechanical behaviors of flame retardant polystyrene-based nanocomposites prepared via in-situ polymerization method

Abstract Polymers are widely used in our day-to-day lives and we are often oblivious to the fire hazard imposed by these hydrocarbon-based materials. This paper introduces the application of fire retardant nanofillers for enhanced flame retardancy as a potential remedy for flame spread. The paper also investigates changes in mechanical properties as a result of nanofiller addition. For this purpose, neat polystyrene (PS), PS-silica and PS-montmorillonite (MMT) have been prepared via in-situ polymerization method. The thermal degradation mechanism of the neat polymer and polymer nanocomposites and the effect of nanoparticle loading on thermal properties have been investigated using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) equipment. TGA and corresponding Derivative TG (DTG) results show that there has been improvement in thermal stability for the nanocomposites. PS-1 wt% silica and PS-3 wt% silica nanocomposites have shown approximately 23% and 15% reduction of Peak Mass Loss Rate (PMLR) respectively. The polymer nanocomposites also showed 72–87% more char yield with respect to neat PS. The glass transition temperature (T g ) as measured by the DSC was comparable to those obtained by the Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and the greatest agglomeration was observed for PS-3 wt% MMT. According to the nanoindentation results, there was reduction in hardness of the nanocomposites compared to the neat polystyrene. It was concluded that the addition of nanosilica and nanoclay in small loading can significantly improve thermal stability and mechanical properties; however, higher loading may result in agglomeration and reduction in hardness.
Non-recursive computation of the probability of more than two people having the same birthday

We address a well known problem of computer science, the problem of computing the probability that a given number of people m > 1 have the same birthday from among the members of a larger set of cardinality n ≥ m. The solution to this problem for m = 2 is well known and is usually referred to as the ‘birthday surprise probability’. A solution for m = 3 is also known and appears in the 2004 paper by DasGupta [The matching, birthday and the strong birthday problem: a contemporary review, Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference]. Further approximations to the solution of the related problem of computing the minimum number of people to interview until m people with the same birthday are found are presented in the seminal work by Klamkin and Newman [Extensions on the birthday surprise, Journal of Combinatorial Theory, 1967]. In this paper we present a new non-recursive approximation for the birthday probability applicable to any value of m > 1, which yields results that are experimentally proven accurate under the assumption that the number of birthdays is significantly larger than the number of people. Our expression is easy to compute, non-recursive, and applicable to values of m that can be arbitrarily larger than 2 or 3. We verify the validity of our result computing the birthday probability for different values of m, over billions of sets of random values generated using the Intel ® RDRAND hardware random number generation instruction. Our solution is based on a novel tree-based description of the event space which, if used, allows for the computation of the birthday probability efficiently and without involving recursions or multinomial distributions.
Endocrine Sequelae of Central Nervous System Irradiation

Children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors who are treated with irradiation are uniquely at risk for the development of endocrinopathies due to acquired anterior pituitary and thyroid dysfunction, which can in turn negatively affect linear growth, pubertal development, metabolism, skeletal health, and quality of life. The risk for anterior pituitary dysfunction increases with the dose of radiation delivered to the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) and with the duration of follow-up. Concomitant spinal irradiation also increases the risk of primary hypothyroidism and thyroid neoplasia. Endocrine sequelae may take years to manifest, and their clinical symptoms may be indolent and nonspecific. Early recognition and treatment should lead to better long-term health outcomes and improvements in the quality of life of childhood brain tumor survivors. The radiation oncologist can help reduce the impact of long-term endocrine sequelae by understanding the HPA and thyroid dose tolerance and facilitating the early referral and timely diagnosis of at-risk patients.
The Use of Influence Tactics by Senior Public Relations Executives to Provide Ethics Counsel

Senior public relations executives prefer rational approaches such as research, case studies, and legitimacy appeals when raising ethical concerns to more senior leaders. However, women were more l...
Operational Efficiency and Productivity Improvement Initiatives in a Large Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory

Abstract Objectives This study sought to report outcomes from an efficiency improvement project in a large cardiac cath lab. Background Operational inefficiencies are common in the cath lab, yet solutions are challenging. A detailed report describing and providing solutions for these inefficiencies may be valuable in guiding improvements in productivity. Methods In this observational study, the authors report metrics of efficiency before and after a cath lab quality improvement program in June 2014. Main outcomes included lab room start times, room turnaround times, laboratory use, and employee satisfaction. Time series analysis was used to assess trend over time. Chi-square testing and analysis of variance were used to assess change before and after the initiative. Results The principal changes included implementation of a pyramidal nursing schedule, increased use of an electronic scheduling system, and increased utilization of a preparation and recovery area. Comparing before with after the program, start times improved an average of 17 min, and on-time starts improved from 61.8% to 81.7% (p = 0.0024). Turnaround times improved from 20.5 min to 16.4 min (trend p Conclusions A systematic approach to reducing inefficiencies can improve cath lab start times, turnaround times, and overall productivity. This knowledge may be helpful in assisting other cath labs in similar efficiency improvement initiatives.
Sensor Cloud: Sensing-as-a-Service Paradigm

Traditional model of computing with wireless sensors/devices imposes restrictions on how efficiently these devices can be used due to resource constraints. Newer models for interacting with wireless sensors/devices such as Internet of Things and Sensor Cloud aim to overcome these restrictions. In this seminar, I will discuss sensor cloud architectures, which enable different wireless sensor and IoT networks, spread in a huge geographical area to connect together and be used by multiple users at the same time on demand basis. I will further discuss how virtual sensors assist in creating a multiuser environment on top of resource constrained physical wireless sensors and can help in supporting multiple applications on-demand basis. I will discuss security, privacy and data integrity and other security issues in sensor cloud as well as risk assessment in sensor cloud applications.
Predicted magnitude of alternate access in the contemporary transcatheter aortic valve replacement era.

OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the true extent of alternate access in a contemporary cohort of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients. BACKGROUND Appropriate access selection for TAVR impacts clinical outcomes. Despite device miniaturization, some patients remain ineligible for transfemoral arterial access. METHODS Five hundred seventy-five consecutive TAVR patients were classified according to iliofemoral artery diameters measured by computed tomography (<5.0 mm, 5.0-5.4 mm, 5.5-5.9 mm, or ≥6 mm) and need for alternate access rate was estimated according to commercially available transcatheter heart valve Instructions For Use (IFU). RESULTS Based on iliofemoral artery diameters alone, 11.5% of patients were predicted to require alternate access. After patient-level adjustment for the size of the planned THV and severe tortuosity or severe calcification, 14.9% and 20.8% of patients, respectively were predicted to require alternate access. Overall, 87.8% of patients underwent transfemoral TAVR and 12.3% underwent alternate access. There was no difference in the rate of major vascular complications and life threatening or major bleeding between groups, but transfusion rate was higher in smaller vessel groups. CONCLUSIONS Despite device miniaturization, a substantial minority of contemporary TAVR patients still require alternate access. Most are eligible for newer extrathoracic approaches including transcaval, subclavian, and transcarotid that avoid the morbidity of transthoracic access.
Effect of H-atom concentration on soot formation in premixed ethylene/air flames

Abstract Soot formation is a major challenge in the development of clean and efficient combustion systems based on hydrocarbon fuels. Fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanism leading to soot formation can be obtained by investigating the role of key reactive species such as atomic hydrogen taking part in soot formation pathways. In this study, two-dimensional laser induced incandescence (LII) measurements using λ = 1064 nm laser have been used to measure soot volume fraction ( f V ) in a series of rich ethylene (C 2 H 4 )/air flames, stabilized over a McKenna burner fitted with a flame stabilizing metal disc. Moreover, a comparison of UV (λ = 283 nm), visible (λ = 532 nm) and IR (λ = 1064 nm) laser excited LII measurements of soot is discussed. Recently developed, femtosecond two-photon laser-induced fluorescence (fs-TPLIF) technique has been applied for obtaining spatially resolved H-atom concentration ([ H ]) profiles under the same flame conditions. The structure of the flames has also been determined using hydroxyl radical (OH) planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging. The results indicate an inverse dependence of f V on [H] for a range of C 2 H 4 /air rich flames up to an equivalence ratio, Φ = 3.0. Although an absolute relationship between [H] and f V cannot be easily derived owing to the multiple steps involving H and other intermediate species in soot formation pathways, the present study demonstrates the feasibility to couple [H] and f V obtained using advanced optical techniques for soot formation studies.
Prediction and visualization of achievable orientation tolerances for additive manufacturing

Abstract In additive manufacturing, process parameters can have a large influence on the quality of the produced part, making it difficult to understand what tolerances are actually achievable. We present a system that can rapidly analyze part geometry and predict parallelism, perpendicularity, and angularity geometric deviations for planar surfaces, based on layer thickness and build direction. Our system can analyze multiple distinct features and their corresponding tolerances and datums to identify build directions where all specified tolerances can be achieved. This tool can be used to select an optimal build direction and to analyze whether specified tolerances are manufacturable using additive manufacturing.
Predictive Biomarkers and Targeted Therapies in Hepatic, Pancreatic, and Biliary Cancers

Hepatic and pancreatobiliary cancers often present at advanced stages, and currently, there are very few approved therapeutic options. This chapter focuses on the predictive biomarkers for current therapies as well as selected alternative options that are currently being evaluated in Phase III trials for these malignancies. In a Phase III trial for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there was a significant improvement in overall survival for patients with elevated alpha-fetoprotein who received ramucirumab. A Phase II trial of glypican-3 (GPC3) peptide vaccines in HCC demonstrated lower recurrence rates in tumors that were GPC3-positive. Advanced HCC cases with high cellular mesenchymal-epithelial transcription factor (c-MET) expression have significantly improved overall survival on tivantinib. A study of adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer reported improved survival in cases with low postoperative CA 19-9. High expression of human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1) has been shown to predict significantly improved overall survival in both pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma after gemcitabine therapy. There are currently no predictive biomarker guidelines for hepatic, pancreatic, or biliary tumors. Additional clinical trials are required before consensus statements outlining the utility of biomarkers in the treatment of these cancers can be effectively formulated. Currently, there are many ongoing clinical trials designed to confirm and expand the roles of predictive biomarkers in hepatic and pancreatobiliary cancers. Incorporation of recent advances in molecular analysis and immunotherapy into clinical trials promises new hope for these dismal diagnoses.
13 Neuroendoscopic and Keyhole Approaches to the Pineal Region

The pineal region, located deep within the brain and cranial vault, is surrounded by important neurovascular structures. Although primary disorders of pineal gland endocrine function are nearly unheard of, the region is host to a wide variety of tumors. Neuroendoscopic keyhole approaches to the pineal region are effective and safe methods to address a variety of these pathologies. Anterior approaches are primarily used for tissue biopsy and for cerebrospinal fluid diversion for lesions that obstruct the cerebral aqueduct or third ventricle. Should the anatomical configuration of the lesion permit, posterior supracerebellar-infratentorial approaches can be used to resect lesions. Compared to traditional open microscopic approaches, these approaches have improved illumination and magnification of the pineal region. Endoscopic keyhole approaches are associated with a steep learning curve, and they require a team-based approach as well as an intimate understanding of the important neurovascular structures of the pineal region.
Knock-Down of Histidyl-tRNA Synthetase Causes Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis of Neuronal Progenitor Cells in vivo .

Histidyl-tRNA Synthetase (HARS) is a member of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase family, which attach amino acids to their associated tRNA molecules. This reaction is a crucial step in protein synthesis that must be carried out in every cell of an organism. However, a number of tissue-specific, human genetic disorders have been associated with mutations in the genes for aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, including HARS. These associations indicate that, while we know a great deal about the molecular and biochemical properties of this enzyme, we still do not fully understand how these proteins function in the context of an entire organism. To this end, we set out to knock-down HARS expression in the zebrafish and characterize the developmental consequences. Through our work we show that some tissues, particularly the nervous system, are more sensitive to HARS loss than others and we reveal a link between HARS and the proliferation and survival of neuronal progenitors during development.
Phase II study of preemptive high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for lymphoma based on early FDG-PET scanning

7561 Background: [18F] FDG-PET after only 2–4 cycles of initial chemotherapy is highly prognostic in patients (pts) with aggressive lymphoma, with reported relapse rates of 71–100% if PET demonstra...
Ultrasound in Trauma Critical Care

Focused assessment with sonography in trauma, commonly referred to as the FAST exam, aims to identify free fluid in the peritoneal cavity and/or pericardial space in the setting of trauma. Additionally, expanded FAST, or eFAST exam, includes additional views above the diaphragm in an effort to identify the presence of hemo- or pneumothorax. In the following chapter, we will examine the use of ultrasound in the setting of trauma critical care, both in the initial patient evaluation in the trauma bay as well as in the intensive care unit setting. We will illustrate and discuss both normal and abnormal ultrasound images of the abdomen, heart, and lung, discuss standard techniques of image acquisition as well as pitfalls and precautions, and touch briefly on evolving uses of ultrasound in trauma, such as identification of diaphragmatic rupture. Finally, we will illustrate a sample clinical protocol for integrating the FAST and eFAST exams into the management of the trauma and critical care patient.
Shape Dependence of Pressure-Induced Phase Transition in CdS Semiconductor Nanocrystals

Understanding structural stability and phase transformation of nanoparticles under high pressure is of great scientific interest, as it is one of the crucial factors for design, synthesis, and application of materials. Even though high-pressure research on nanomaterials has been widely conducted, their shape-dependent phase transition behavior still remains unclear. Examples of phase transitions of CdS nanoparticles are very limited, despite the fact that it is one of the most studied wide band gap semiconductors. Here we have employed in situ synchrotron wide-angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the high-pressure behaviors of CdS nanoparticles as a function of particle shapes. We observed that CdS nanoparticles transform from wurtzite to rocksalt phase at elevated pressure in comparison to their bulk counterpart. Phase transitions also vary with particle shape: rod-shaped particles show a partially reversible phase transition and the onset of the structural phase transition pressure decreases with decreasing surface-to-volume ratios, while spherical particles undergo irreversible phase transition with relatively low phase transition pressure. Additionally, TEM images of spherical particles exhibited sintering-induced morphology change after high-pressure compression. Calculations of the bulk modulus reveal that spheres are more compressible than rods in the wurtzite phase. These results indicate that the shape of the particle plays an important role in determining their high-pressure properties. Our study provides important insights into understanding the phase-structure-property relationship, guiding future design and synthesis of nanoparticles for promising applications.
An Examination of Aperture Effects in Cylindrical Nearfield Holography

The development and implementation of cylindrical holography is derived from the time independent homogeneous Helmholtz equation for acoustic pressure, p, in cylindrical coordinates $$({\nabla ^2} + {k^2})p(r,\phi ,z) = 0$$ (1) , where k = w/c. In solving this equation an e -iwt time dependence is assumed and the method of separation of variables is used. Furthermore, it is assumed that the source is confined to a finite cylindrical band of radius, a, and length, l, in an infinite cylindrical baffle. Also, free-space propagation exists external to a so that at any r ≥ a $$p(r,\phi ,z) = \sum\limits_{n = - \infty }^\infty {{e^{in\phi }}} \int_{ - \infty }^\infty {{A_{n{k_z}}}} {H_n}^{(1)}({k_r}r){e^{i{k_z}z}}d{k_z}]$$ (2) , where \({k_r} = \sqrt {{k^2} - k_z^2}\) and the Hankel function of the first kind represents outgoing waves. By applying a two-dimensional Fourier transform to both sides of (2) and evaluating at r 0, the hologram radius, one obtains $${P_n}({r_0},{K_z}) = \frac{1}{{2\pi }}{A_{n{k_z}}}H_n^{(1)}({k_r}{r_0})$$ (3) .
In a World of 'Fake News,' What's a Social Media Company to Do?

While the circulation of disinformation and misinformation online can pose a variety of risks to societies around the world, it should also be of concern that overreacting to such false information can undermine human rights, including freedom of expression. The business operations of global social media platforms frequently intersect with this latter concern because of a spike in the adoption of national laws that ban “fake news” as well as their own platform policies to tackle false information. This Essay assesses the corporate responsibility standards afforded by the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and explains several key ways in which the guidance that these instruments provide is relevant to social media companies in tackling false information on their platforms, including with respect to their micro-targeting practices.
Trading Volume: NASDAQ and the NYSE

Historically, reported trading volume has been overstated for NASDAQ stocks relative to NYSE stocks. Because NASDAQ volume may be overcounted, many researchers use an adjustment factor to make it comparable to NYSE volumes. Today, electronic communication networks account for about 75 percent of the trading volume for NASDAQ stocks. Many believe that the increased level of trading on ECNs and changes to the order-handling rules have lessened the discrepancy between the exchanges. To investigate, this study examined the relationship between reported trading volume to shares outstanding for a matched sample of NYSE and NASDAQ companies. The evidence indicates that the discrepancy has not diminished but widened.
The Relationship between Servant Leadership Characteristics of School Teachers and Students’ Academic Achievement

This study is a quantitative non-experimental design to explore the relationships between servant leadership characteristics of teachers and academic achievement of students in selected public schools. The purpose of this research was to explore the relationships between servant leadership characteristics of school teachers and students’ academic achievement in selected public schools. The hypothesis for this study was that, in the selected schools, the servant leadership of school teachers positively affects students’ academic achievement. The data collected in fifteen public schools located in Houston, Texas. As an instrument, the Organizational Leadership Assessment (OLA) was used in this study (Laub, 1999). This instrument has 66 questions with Likert-scale responses ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree, and data was collected from 362 participants. The servant leadership data was gathered through the OLA survey and interpreted as distinguishable factors that contribute to the larger picture: servant leadership. As our hypothesis, servant leadership behavior and student achievement are expected to have correlation. To understand the relationship between student achievement and servant leadership, univariate and multivariate analysis were used. The data was screened for normality, linearity, and homoscedasticity. Data analysis was conducted by using SPSS Statistics version 22.0, as the tools for the analysis of this research. As a result of the OLA survey regarding the functions of servant leadership, the values people subscale became statistically significant. It is the only subscale that showed any extensive correlation with academic achievement. The scale may indicate how much a teacher values people.
Swing Point Stenosis

The most common complication associated with a dialysis vascular access is venous stenosis. A subcategory of this complication is referred to as swing point stenosis. While venous stenosis in general is problematic, this subcategory of lesions is even more so. Swing point lesions develop where the vein that constitutes the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or its drainage makes a sharp, curved angle. Three swing point lesions have been characterized—(1) juxta- anastomotic stenosis (JAS) seen primarily in association with the radial-cephalic AVF (2) stenosis which develops at the angle of transposition (BATS) in a brachial-basilic AVF, and (3) cephalic arch stenosis (CAS) seen primarily in association with a brachial cephalic AVF. Each of these lesions represents the most common form of stenosis seen in the access with which they are typically associated.
Attribution of Responsibility after Failures within Platform Ecosystems

As digital platform ecosystems grow in prominence, their interconnectedness and complexity also grow, making operational failure likely. How failures in such systems affect user perceptions of sepa...
Forecast GDP with Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model and Dynamic Factor Model

Several methods of time series forecast, including an ADL model, a parameric DFM, and a nonparametric DFM using PCA, were used to forecast US GDP in 2019 using time series data of quarterly US macroeconomic variables from the FRED database. Results were compared with each other and with the true value of GDP in 2019 to compare the models' predictive power.
Winter Tick Burdens for Moose Are Positively Associated With Warmer Summers and Higher Predation Rates

Climate change is expected to modify host-parasite interactions which is concerning because parasites are involved in most food-web links, and parasites have important influences on the structure, productivity and stability of communities and ecosystems. However, the impact of climate change on host–parasite interactions and any cascading effects on other ecosystem processes has received relatively little empirical attention. We assessed host-parasite dynamics for moose (Alces alces) and winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) in Isle Royale National Park over a 19-year period. Specifically, we monitored annual tick burdens for moose (estimated from hair loss) and assess how it covaried with several aspects of seasonal climate, and non-climatic factors, such as moose density, predation on hosts by wolves (Canis lupus) and wolf abundance. Summer temperatures explained half the interannual variance in tick burden with tick burden being greater following hotter summers, presumably because warmer temperatures accelerate the development of tick eggs and increase egg survival. That finding is consistent with the general expectation that warmer temperatures may promote higher parasite burdens. However, summer temperatures are warming less rapidly than other seasons across most regions of North America. Therefore, tick burdens seem to be primarily associated with an aspect of climate that is currently exhibiting a lower rate of change. Tick burdens were also positively correlated with predation rate, which could be due to moose exhibiting risk-sensitive habitat selection (in years when predation risk is high) in such a manner as to increases the encounter rate with questing tick larvae in autumn. However, that positive correlation could also arise if high parasite burdens make moose more vulnerable to predators or because of some other density-dependent process (given that predation rate and moose density are highly correlated). Overall, these results provide valuable insights about interrelationships among climate, parasites, host/prey, and predators.
Characterization of DNA as a solid-state sorptive vapor sensing material

Abstract Solid-state DNA was investigated for mass-based detection of common volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Acoustically thin coatings of DNA films produced gravimetric vapor sorption responses with selectivity and response speeds comparable to conventional synthetic polymer coatings. Short-sequence single-strand DNA oligonucleotides exhibit amphiphilic sorption properties, responding to both polar and non-polar organic vapors. In the vapor concentration range p / p 0
Discovery of second generation quinazolinone non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors of HIV-1.

An intensive research effort to identify potent, viable drugs for the management of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) resulted in the development of SUSTIVATM (efavirenz), the first non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) approved by the FDA as a preferred first-line therapy. The search for NNRTIs that possess a broader activity spectrum against mutant viral forms of human immunodeficiency syndrome type-I reverse transcriptase culminated in the discovery that trifluoromethyl-containing quinazolin-2(1H)-ones possess potent activity as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). This chapter reviews the discovery and structure activity relationships that resulted in the identification and subsequent preclinical and clinical development of four quinazolinone NNRTIs at the DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company.
Ortved, The Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History

People who follow The Simpsons whether for some, most, or all of its now two-decade reign have started to sound a lot like Homer Simpson's father, the elderly, cantankerous Abe Simpson. These Simps...
Molecular cloning, expression, and gene localization of a fourth melanocortin receptor

The recent cloning of three melanocortin receptors suggests an unexpected diversity in this family of seven transmembrane G-protein linked receptors. Herein, we report the cloning, expression, and gene localization of a fourth human melanocortin receptor, the melanocortin-4 receptor. By Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization, this receptor is expressed primarily in the brain, but its expression is notably absent in the adrenal cortex, melanocytes, and placenta. Agonist stimulation of COS-1 cells transiently transfected and L-cells permanently transfected with the coding region of the cloned melanocortin-4 receptor leads to increases in intracellular cyclic 3‘,5‘-adenosine monophosphate. The profile of the responses of the melanocortin-4 receptor to different melanocortins distinguishes it from melanocortin receptors previously described. Using the technique of fluorescent in situ hybridization, the gene encoding the melanocortin-4 receptor was localized to chromosome 18 (q21.3).
Statistical Inconsistencies in the Use of No-Observed-Effect Levels in Toxicity Testing

Use of the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) as an experimental end point violates the principle of negative inference, the logical basis of statistical hypothesis testing. The NOEL is based on the nonrejection of the hypothesis of no toxic effect, whereas scientific methods stress conclusions based on the rejection of a hypothesis. Failure to reject this hypothesis may result either because the concentration is safe or because the experimental protocol to detect a toxic response is insensitive, but the cause is indeterminant and the error rate unknown. The lowest rejected concentration tested (LRCT) is recommended as an experimental end point. By the use of LRCT the rate of misclassification is known and is equal to ..cap alpha... Experimental designs that emphasize both the biological and the statistical significance of LRCT end points are recommended.
Effects of time factors in paired-associate verbal learning

Phase I consisted of the development of a group-administered paired-associate learning task, involving 491 S s, used in later phases as a matching variable. Reliability was high ( r = .92), and a validity coefficient (ϱ) of .42 for predicting Phase III scores was obtained. Phase II was designed to determine the effects of the inter-trial interval (T r n -s 1 ) and the post-anticipation interval (T r-s ), and simultaneously to provide two values of T r-s which could be considered empirically equivalent and used in a later phase to manipulate the anticipation interval (T s-r ). Eighty S s, divided into 16 independent groups of five each, received the treatment combinations derivable from four values of T r n -s 1 (4, 10, 20, 40 sec) and four values of T r-s (2, 8, 16, 32 sec). All groups then practiced a five-pair list of dissyllables with T s-r = 2 sec for 30 trials, rehearsal being prevented by a number-calling task. The influence of T r-s was positive and significant ( p r n -s 1 nor their interaction reached significance. Because two of the groups (T r-s = 8 sec and T r-s = 16 sec) appeared to be equivalent, the experimental treatments were replicated on two new groups of five S s each with confirmatory results. Phase III employed these same values of T r-s (8 sec vs. 16 sec) to manipulate the inter-stimulus interval (T s-s ) in order to discover possible interactions between T s-s , T s-r , stimulus familiarization (SF), and amount of practice (N). Eighty S s divided into eight independent groups of 10 S s each on the basis of T s-r (2 sec vs. 8 sec) and Method (constant vs. variable T s-s interval) received either 0 or 20 exposures of SF, then practiced for 25 trials on the list used in Phase II. Analysis of total correct responses (R+) showed significant main effects of N and T s-r , as well as their interaction; SF was effective at 2 sec but not at 8 sec. The Method factor failed to be relevant in interaction or in main effect, thereby removing consideration of T s-s . Since S-term familiarization and the anticipation interval are both significant variables in paired-associate learning using the S-term articulation method, these findings help to resolve conflicting interpretations of recent experiments containing methodological variations.
High resolution R banding in amniotic fluid cells using the BrdU-Hoechst 33258-Giemsa (RBG) technique

While standard Giemsa banding is generally adequate for amniotic fluid chromosome analysis, small deletions, duplications, or translocation breakpoints involving Gnegative bands may be difficult to appreciate. We report a method for producing high resolution R banding in human amniotic fluid cultures using the BrdU-Hoechst 33258-Giemsa (RBG) technique. RBG banding can be useful in confirming and precisely defining structural abnormalities in amniotic fluid cultures.
Magneto-Mechanical MEMS Sensors for Bio-Detection

Ferromagnetic materials have shown to possess some unique and useful properties, one of which is that they are magnetomechanical transducers, that is, they exhibit a change in dimension when they are subjected to an external magnetic field and vice versa. This magneto-mechanical coupling enables magnetoelastic sensors to be driven to resonance via a modulated magnetic field to detect biological species via frequency shift by mass addition [1,2]. This work details the development of an algorithm to predict the number of captured E. coli cells based only upon the resonance frequency shift. This is an important issue as attaching cells influence resonance based upon their location on the sensor. It is therefore necessary to develop a statistical protocol to predict the concentration of the target agent present. A protocol was developed based upon data from microscale resonators using polystyrene beads as a simulant. The protocol was verified with numerical studies and experiments using E. coli cells.
593 UNIQUE HEPATIC PATHOLOGY IN CHILDREN WITH BOTH EXTRAHEPATIC BILIARY ATRESIA (EHBA) AND ARTERIOHEPATIC DYSPLASIA (AHD)

593 UNIQUE HEPATIC PATHOLOGY IN CHILDREN WITH BOTH EXTRAHEPATIC BILIARY ATRESIA (EHBA) AND ARTERIOHEPATIC DYSPLASIA (AHD)
Challenges and Opportunities for Genomic Developmental Neuropsychology: Examples from the Penn-Drexel Collaborative Battery

Genomics has been revolutionizing medicine over the past decade by offering mechanistic insights into disease processes and engendering the age of “individualized medicine.” Because of the sheer number of measures generated by gene sequencing methods, genomics requires “Big Science” where large datasets on genes are analyzed in reference to electronic medical record data. This revolution has largely bypassed the behavioral neurosciences, mainly because of the paucity of behavioral data in medical records and the labor-intensity of available neuropsychological assessment methods. We describe the development and implementation of an efficient neuroscience-based computerized battery, coupled with a computerized clinical assessment procedure. This assessment package has been applied to a genomic study of 10,000 children aged 8–21, of whom 1000 also undergo neuroimaging. Results from the first 3000 participants indicate sensitivity to neurodevelopmental trajectories. Sex differences were evident, with females ...
Distribution of intensities of gamma-ray bursts

A spatial distribution of gamma-ray bursts which is based on a log N - log n(max) relation, where N is the number of bursts which have a maximum photon count rate in excess of n(max), is proposed. A relation of N of about n(max) exp -1.5 is predicted for the case of sources uniformly distributed in infinite, flat space. It is noted that the apparently isotropic distribution of about 100 bursts over the sky combined with the N of about n(max) exp -1.5 distribution does not permit a purely observational distance estimate for the sources. It is predicted that the data from the GRANAT and GRO missions will help distinguish between a Galactic and an extragalactic origin of the bursts.
Catalytic and photocatalytic effects on photoplatinized macroscopic TiO2 photoanodes in dilute ethanol solutions

Abstract TiO2, platinized TiO2, and platinized Pt anodes have been studied in both acidic and basic electrolytes in the presence of ethanol. In the case of macroscopic platinized TiO2 anodes, the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde and the further oxidation of acetic acid is predominantly a catalytic rather than a photocatalytic effect, and can be accomplished in the dark with a bias voltage of approximately 0.6 V. This same result has been shown to occur with platinized Pt electrodes in the absence of TiO2. Cyclic voltammetry studies suggest that oxidation of acetic acid, previously reported in particulate platinized TiO2 systems, requires the production of the highly reactive OH radical. Thus both catalytic and photocatalytic processes are occuring simultaneously at illuminated platinized TiO2 anodes.
Noncontact Endocardial Mapping: Reconstruction of Electrograms and Isochrones From Intracavitary Probe Potentials

Noncontact Endocardial Mapping. Introduction: Mapping endocardial activation and repolarization processes is critical to the study of arrhythmias and selection of therapeutic procedures. Previously, we developed methodology for reconstructing endocardial potentials from potentials measured with a noncontact, intracavitary probe. This study further develops and evaluates the ability of the approach to provide detailed information on the spatiotemporal characteristics of the activation process. Specifically, we reconstructed endocardial electrograms and isochrones throughout the activation process over the entire endocardium during a single beat. Methods and Results: Cavity potentials were measured with a 65-electrode probe placed inside an isolated canine left ventricle. Endocardial potentials were measured simultaneously using 52 electrodes. Potentials were acquired during subendocardial pacing from different locations. Computed electrograms at various sites closely resemble the measured electrograms (correlation coefficient > 0.9 at 60% of the electrodes). Computed isochrones locate subendocardial pacing sites with 10-mm accuracy. Two pacing sites, 17 mm apart, were resolved. Critical regions, such as areas of isochrone crowding, were accurately reconstructed. Conclusions: Results indicate the applicability of the approach to mapping the cardiac excitation process on a beat-by-beat basis without occluding the ventricle. The ability of locating electrical events (e.g., single or multiple initiation sites) is demonstrated. Importantly, the method is shown to be capable of reconstructing electrograms over the entire endocardium and determining nonuniformities of activation spread (e.g., areas of slow conduction). These capabilities are important to clinical application in the electrophysiology laboratory and experimental studies of arrhythmias in the intact animal.
When crime prevention harms: a review of systematic reviews

Objectives In a series of important scholarly works, Joan McCord made the case for the criminological community to take seriously harmful effects arising from individual-based crime prevention programs. Building on these works, two key questions are of central interest to this paper: What has been the state of research on harmful effects of these crime prevention programs since McCord’s works? And what are the theoretical, methodological, and programmatic characteristics of individual-based crime prevention programs with reported harmful effects?
Mammographic breast density and breast cancer risk by menopausal status, postmenopausal hormone use and a family history of breast cancer

Purpose Few studies have investigated the association between breast density and breast cancer by a family history of breast cancer, menopausal status, and postmenopausal hormone use (PMH). We investigated if associations of breast density and breast cancer differ according to the status of these risk factors.
Morphodynamic Interpretation of Acute Coronary Thrombosis, with Special Reference to Volcano-Like Eruption of Atheromatous Plaque Caused by Coronary Artery Spasm

Routine autopsy studies of hearts with coronary thrombosis, collected over a period of eleven years, showed unique morphologic features of rupture of soft atheromatous plaques. These features include: (1) irregular luminar outline: angulation, invagination, upheaval, and/or wrinkles, (2) wavy outline of atheromatous cavity, (3) volcano-like rupture with seepage or gushing of semiliquid atheromatous contents into lumen, (4) cholesterol crystals arranged in rheologic vector direction, (5) rupture of deeper intimal fibrous tissue, (6) one or multiple intimal upheavals, (7) focal thickening of contracted media, (8) vestige of volcano-like eruption with organized thrombus, and (9) old thrombotic occlusion with wavy appearance of thick intimal fibrous tissue. The authors present a dynamic model of vasoconstriction or artery spasm that accounts for these features and the rupture of soft atheromatous plaques.
White-matter abnormalities in unirradiated patients cured of primary central nervous system lymphoma.

On MRI, primary brain tumors are commonly seen as contrast-enhancing masses surrounded by areas of abnormal signal on T2-weighted images. Following successful treatment tumors may no longer show contrast enhancement. The residual abnormalities are assumed to be represent “edema” and infiltrating tumor cells. We report nine patients with primary lymphoma of the central nervous system who had complete responses to intravenous methotrexate, but did not receive intrathecal chemotherapy or cranial irradiation. After complete resolution of contrast-enhancing lesions, persistent abnormalities on T2-weighted images in the region of prior tumor were initially assumed to reflect residual viable tumor. As they remained unchanged for years, however, this may not hold true in the cases in which primary central nervous system lymphoma responds to chemotherapy alone.
MONITORING AND REINFORCEMENT BY PARENTS AS A MEANS OF AUTOMATING ARTICULATORY RESPONSES-II. STUDY OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

mothers to the identification and evaluation of speech sounds. During the first wk. of home training, each mother was to evaluate her child's articulation of a training sound in an imitative word drill situation and in elicited conversation. Candy or stickers were given to the children for correct responses. During the remaining 4 wk., each mother was to monitor daily her child's spontaneous speech and to evaluate 30 conversational productions of the training sound. Correct responses were rewarded. When an incorrect response was produced, the mother was to have the child imitate the word after her. Each mother kept a record of how many of the 30 responses were correctly articulated each day. That record plus the children's scores on sound-production tasks and talking-casks constituted the data for analysis. For the group, soundproduction task and talking-task measures obtained after training reflected better articulation than did pretreatment scores. Greater gains were made on sounds taught than on ocher sounds misarticulated by some of the children. Records accumulated by five of the parents also indicated improved arriculation.
Role of tail chemistry on liquid and gas transport through organosilane-modified mesoporous ceramic membranes

Abstract To develop hydrophobic ceramic membranes, the permeability of liquids (water, ethanol, hexane, and CO 2(l) ) and gases (CO 2 and N 2 ) were examined in unmodified and surface-modified 1 kDa titania and 5 nm γ-alumina membranes. Octyltrichlorosilane (Cl 3 SiC 8 H 17 ) and its fluorinated analog trichloroperfluorooctylsilane (Cl 3 SiC 2 H 4 C 6 F 13 ) were chosen as modifying agents. SEM/EDS analysis revealed tri-bonding of the silanes to both materials with no evidence of a thick polymerized surface layer. Characterization by CO 2 and N 2 gas permeability indicated Knudsen diffusion in all membranes with minimal CO 2 selectivity, except for 5 nm C8F (CO 2 /N 2 = 2.6) where a surface-flow mechanism was apparent. In contrast, surface modification yielded significant solvent- and modifier-dependent differences in liquid permeability. For example, hexane exhibited the greatest permeability in the C8H mesoporous titania and γ-alumina membranes, while liquid CO 2 (fluorophilic) permeability was the greatest with the C8F membranes. As expected, the hydrophobic C8F membranes were impermeable to water. Low gas and liquid permeabilities in the C8F-modified membranes were consistent with large transport resistances due to the bulky fluorinated tails. These results demonstrate that silane surface modification can be used to tailor liquid transport behavior and improve apolar solvent flux in ceramic membranes relative to polar solvents. In addition, these membranes have proven amenable to liquid CO 2 , a green solvent alternative.