cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of intensive dosing of mycophenolate on pancreas allograft survival.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of mycophenolate (mycophenolic acid, MPA) dose on pancreas allograft survival following simultaneous pancreas kidney (SPK) transplant. Methods This was an observational study of adult SPK recipients transplanted between 1/1/2002 and 6/30/2015. Recipients were divided into cohorts based on MPA dose at discharge: high dose (HD), 1000 mg three times daily mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and standard dose (SD), 1000 mg twice daily MMF. Primary outcome was pancreas allograft survival. Secondary endpoints included kidney allograft survival, pancreas allograft rejection, infection, time to initial dose decrease, and patient survival (PS). Results In all, 453 patients met inclusion criteria: 324 in HD-MPA group and 129 in SD-MPA group. HD-MPA patients had higher rates of pancreas graft survival (P = .003). There were no differences in rates of pancreas allograft rejection (P = .8), kidney graft survival (P = .15), overall infection (P = .4), overall malignancy (P = .93), time to first dose reduction (P = .35), or patient survival (P = .3). In a multivariable analysis adjusted for differences between groups and known confounders, dosing group continued to significantly affect incidence of pancreas allograft failure (P = .02). Conclusions HD-MPA significantly impacted pancreas allograft survival in SPK recipients independent of graft rejection. Further studies are warranted to investigate the etiology of this finding and determine the optimal duration of HD-MPA associated with positive graft outcomes.
Applying methods of the global burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors study to developmental neurotoxicants: a commentary

The purpose of this commentary is to consider whether the methods of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) can provide accurate estimates of the impact of developmental neurotoxicant exposures on population health. The discussion focuses on two concerns. First, GBD implicitly largely endorses a “high risk” or “disease” approach to estimating health loss rather than a “population-based” approach. Exposure to many developmental neurotoxicants is highly prevalent but, for most individuals, it does not affect functional health to such an extent that diagnostic criteria for a disease are met. Nevertheless, the impacts are real and can be substantial when viewed in terms of the aggregate impact on a population. Second, in GBD the disability weights used for the most common sequelae of developmental neurotoxicant exposures, based on judgments provided by general population respondents, are not commensurate with the import that these sequelae have for an individual’s lifelong well-being, including their ability to fulfill educational, occupational, and social potential. It would be unfortunate if priorities were set or policy decisions made based on how developmental neurotoxicants compare to other risk factors using the current GBD methods.
Modeling Primary Electron Transfer in Photosynthesis Using Supramolecular Structures

This chapter focuses on modeling primary electron transfer in photosynthesis by using supramolecular structures. Biomimetic models for the study of photosynthetic electron transport are beginning to focus on electron transfer mediated by noncovalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, and on the role of the surrounding protein as a specialized solvent. This chapter reviews a number of covalently linked electron donor–acceptor systems that employ electron donors and acceptors that are closely analogous to the cofactors present in photosynthetic reaction centers. These systems are employed to study the dependence of electron transfer rates on the free energy of reaction, donor–acceptor distance and orientation, and solvents. Significant advances are being made to address problems associated with the environment surrounding a supramolecular species. The protein as a specialized solvent plays a significant role in determining both the rate and the energetics of electron transfer events. This role cannot be ignored in even the most sophisticated structures designed to promote long-lived charge separation. Future work in this field will focus more and more on solvation issues and on how one can understand the influence of the structure of adjacent molecules on electron donor–acceptor behavior.
How and Why More Secure Technologies Succeed in Legacy Markets: Lessons from the Success of SSH

SSH provided superior security while maintaining current functionality. SSH’s acceptance is demonstrated by the fact that installing SSH as an alternative to telnet is now widely considered to be a minimal security practice. The removal of telnet clients is now seen as a best practice [Fenzi, 2002], and this view has further increased the adoption of SSH.
Distributed Consensus to Enable Merging and Spacing of UAS in an Urban Environment

This paper presents a novel approach to enable multiple Unmanned Aerial Systems approaching a common intersection to independently schedule their arrival time while maintaining a safe separation. Aircraft merging at a common intersection are grouped into a network and each aircraft broadcasts its arrival time interval to the network. A distributed consensus algorithm elects a leader among the aircraft approaching the intersection and helps synchronize the information received by each aircraft. The consensus algorithm ensures that each aircraft computes a schedule with the same input information. The elected leader also dictates when a schedule must be computed, which may be triggered when a new aircraft joins the network. Preliminary results illustrating the collaborative behavior of the vehicles are presented.
Pitfalls in liver MRI: Technical approach to avoiding misdiagnosis and improving image quality

The following is an illustrative review of common pitfalls in liver MRI that may challenge interpretation. This article reviews common technical and diagnostic challenges encountered when interpreting dynamic multiphasic T1 -weighted imaging, hepatobiliary phase imaging, and diffusion-weighted imaging of the liver. Additionally, each section includes suggestions for avoiding diagnostic and technical errors. Level of Evidence: 5 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:41-58.
Coherent Hemodynamics Spectroscopy for Dynamic Measurements of Absolute Cerebral Blood Flow

Coherent Hemodynamics Spectroscopy (CHS) is a novel technique for quantitative assessment of cerebral hemodynamics based on dynamic near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements. Here, we present a new approach for dynamic measurements of absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF) with NIRS and CHS in one healthy subject during transient changes of mean arterial pressure (MAP) in normal breathing and in hyperventilation conditions. Hyperventilation is known to reduce blood flow and enhance cerebral autoregulation. During hyperventilation, with respect to normal breathing at baseline, we found a lower absolute CBF (hyperventilation: 32 ± 3 ml/100 g/min; normal breathing: 35 ± 3 ml/100 g/min) and a faster CBF recovery to baseline (time of half recovery: 6 s for hyperventilation; 11 s for normal breathing). These results demonstrate the application of NIRS and CHS for quantitative, noninvasive, dynamic measurements of cerebral perfusion and cerebral autoregulation in the local cerebral microcirculation.
Timing of parathyroidectomy for tertiary hyperparathyroidism with end-stage renal disease: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Abstract Background Tertiary hyperparathyroidism associated with end-stage renal disease is characterized by progression from secondary hyperparathyroidism to an autonomous overproduction of parathyroid hormone that leads to adverse health outcomes. Rates of parathyroidectomy (PTX) have decreased with the use of calcimimetics. Optimal timing of PTX in relation to kidney transplant remains controversial. We aimed to identify the most cost-effective strategy for patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism undergoing kidney transplant. Methods We constructed a patient level state transition microsimulation to compare 3 management schemes: cinacalcet with kidney transplant, cinacalcet with PTX before kidney transplant, or cinacalcet with PTX after kidney transplant. Our base case was a 55-year-old on dialysis with tertiary hyperparathyroidism awaiting kidney transplant. Outcomes, including quality-adjusted life years, surgical complications, and mortality, were extracted from the literature, and costs were estimated using Medicare reimbursement data. Results Our base case analysis demonstrated that cinacalcet with PTX before kidney transplant was dominant, with a lesser cost of $399,287 and greater quality-adjusted life years of 10.3 vs $497,813 for cinacalcet with PTX after kidney transplant (quality-adjusted life years 9.4) and $643,929 for cinacalcet with kidney transplant (quality-adjusted life years 7.4). Conclusion Cinacalcet alone with kidney transplant is the least cost-effective strategy. Patients with end-stage renal disease-related tertiary hyperparathyroidism should be referred for PTX, and it is most cost-effective if performed prior to kidney transplant.
Rule formalization, gender, and gender congruence: examining prosocial rule breaking for internal and external stakeholders

Rules play a crucial role in the public sector to ensure the effective provision of public services and the equitable treatment of all citizens. What factors influence whether employees abide by or...
Quantification of non-persistent pesticides in small volumes of human breast milk with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass-spectrometry

Existing methods for the analysis of pesticides in breast milk involves multiple extraction steps requiring large sample and solvent volumes, which can be a major obstacle in large epidemiologic studies. Here, we developed a simple, low-volume method for extracting organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, atrazine and imidacloprid from 100-200 microliters of human breast milk. We tested microwave-assisted acid/base digestion and double solvent extraction with 2 or 20 mL of 2:1 (v/v) dichloromethane/hexane, with or without subsequent solid phase extraction (SPE) clean-up. Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry. Analyte recoveries and reproducibility were highest when 100-200 microliters milk were extracted with 2 mL of dichloromethane/hexane without subsequent SPE steps. Analysis of 79 breast milk samples using this method revealed the presence of carbamates, organophsphates, pyrethroids and imidacloprid at detection frequencies of 79-96%, 53-90%, 1-7% and 61%, respectively. This study provides a simple, low-volume method for measuring pesticides in human breast milk.
Incidence of Nerve Injury After Extremity Trauma in the United States.

BackgroundTraumatic peripheral nerve injuries cause chronic pain, disability, and long-term reductions in quality of life. However, their incidence after extremity trauma remains poorly understood....
Use of Deep Learning to Analyze Social Media Discussions About the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine.

Importance Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine hesitancy or refusal is common among parents of adolescents. An understanding of public perceptions from the perspective of behavior change theories can facilitate effective and targeted vaccine promotion strategies. Objective To develop and validate deep learning models for understanding public perceptions of HPV vaccines from the perspective of behavior change theories using data from social media. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study, conducted from April to August 2019, included longitudinal and geographic analyses of public perceptions regarding HPV vaccines, using sampled HPV vaccine–related Twitter discussions collected from January 2014 to October 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures The prevalence of social media discussions related to the construct of health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB), categorized by deep learning algorithms. Locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS) revealed trends of constructs. Social media users’ US state–level home location information was extracted from their profiles, and geographic analyses were performed to identify the clustering of public perceptions of the HPV vaccine. Results A total of 1 431 463 English-language posts from 486 116 unique usernames were collected. Deep learning algorithms achieved F-1 scores ranging from 0.6805 (95% CI, 0.6516-0.7094) to 0.9421 (95% CI, 0.9380-0.9462) in mapping discussions to the constructs of behavior change theories. LOESS revealed trends in constructs; for example, prevalence of perceived barriers, a construct of HBM, deceased from its apex in July 2015 (56.2%) to its lowest prevalence in October 2018 (28.4%; difference, 27.8%;P Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study provided a good understanding of public perceptions on social media and evolving trends in terms of multiple dimensions. The interstate variations of public perceptions could be associated with the rise of local antivaccine sentiment. The methods described in this study represent an early contribution to using existing empirically and theoretically based frameworks that describe human decision-making in conjunction with more intelligent deep learning algorithms. Furthermore, these data demonstrate the ability to collect large-scale HPV vaccine perception and intention data that can inform public health communication and education programs designed to improve immunization rates at the community, state, or even national level.
Development of Chiral Ligands for the Transition Metal-catalyzed Enantioselective Silylation and Borylation of C-H Bonds

Enantioselective reactions that install functional groups at the positions of unactivated C-H bonds can be envisioned to produce intermediates for the synthesis of the active ingredients in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals directly from simple feedstocks. Among these C-H bond functionalization reactions, those that form carbon-silicon (C-Si) and carbon-boron (C-B) bonds have been pursued because the products of these reactions can be converted to those containing a wide range of functional groups and because compounds containing silicon and boron possess unique properties that can be valuable for medicinal and materials chemistry. Although the silylation and borylation of C-H bonds have undergone extensive development during the past two decades, enantioselective versions of these reactions were not known until a few years ago. In this minireview, we present the rapid development of enantioselective silylation and borylation of C-H bonds, with an emphasis on the design and development of the types of chiral ligands needed to achieve these reactions and an intention to inspire an expansion of these types of transformations.
Comprehensive Tidal Study of the St. Lawrence River

The St. Lawrence River is a major waterway connecting the Port of Montreal to the Atlantic Ocean. As is the case with so many natural rivers, extensive dredging has been necessary to provide adequate navigation conditions. About 100 years ago the Ship Channel of the St. Lawrence River was at several places only 10 ft deep and 150 ft wide; presently it has a minimum depth of 35 ft and a minimum width of 800 ft. However, further improvements are necessary, to meet present and future navigation requirements . The Hydraulics Section of the National Research Council is studying improvement schemes by means of a hydraulic and a mathematical model of the St. Lawrence River from Montreal to Father Point, a distance of about 350 miles. The hydraulic model has been built to a horizontal scale of 1:2000 and a vertical scale of 1-120. The mathematical study uses a finite-difference approach, employing both explicit and implicit computational schemes. This paper describes the two studies and deals briefly with the merits of operating a mathematical and hydraulic model simultaneously.
AIDS Knowledge Among College Freshmen Students: Need for Education?

The present study investigated AIDS knowledge among 175 newly entering college freshmen students. On self-ratings, subjects believed they possessed moderate to high levels of AIDS knowledge, and reported obtaining the majority of their information about AIDS from the media. On a 40-item instrument which measures general AIDS knowledge and specific knowledge of AIDS transmission and prevention, subjects averaged over 90% correct responses. However, important knowledge gaps were identified at the item level. Approximately 12-20% of subjects did not understand the high-risk nature of certain sexual behavior such as anal intercourse and erroneously viewed all homosexual activity and even donating blood as high-risk behavior. Misconceptions about the risk of AIDS transmission from nonsexual exchange of bodily fluids were also identified among a minority of freshmen. It was concluded that there may be a need for more focused AIDS education targeting specific knowledge gaps in college students. Further research ...
Managing Wicked Environmental Problems as Complex Social-Ecological Systems: The Promise of Adaptive Governance

Lessons learned from the failure of rational-comprehensive planning approaches to the management of water and other natural resources have led to a rethinking of the nature of resource management problems. The concept of wicked problems is increasingly used to describe problems that lack consensus in terms of their definition and solutions. In line with the ongoing search for appropriate conceptual frameworks and institutions for managing wicked problems, this chapter argues for a reconceptualization of wicked problems as complex social-ecological systems . Such a reconceptualization calls for a resilience-based approach to managing wicked problems through adaptive governance institutions. Adaptive governance provides a multi-level institutional framework for managing the uncertainties and conflicts that characterize wicked environmental problems. This argument is illustrated using the case of the Cache River watershed in southern Illinois, USA.
The Good Governance Imperative: A Nigeria Economic Development Case Study

In relation to the concept of governance as defined by the World Bank, this article reviews the mistakes and lessons learned from Nigeria's attempt at economic development over the final three or four decades of the 20th century. Special attention is given to the adverse impact of the several exogenous oil boom shocks including resultant economic growth and distributive effects.
Europe and the Sign of the Crucifix: On the Fundamental Questions of the Lautsi and Others v. Italy case

According to the ideal of the secular public sphere, the crucifix and religious symbols in general have no place within the walls of State institutions. Secularism does not have such a generally accepted European meaning based on which a supranational Court could render decisions. Because of this, it is not clear which interpretation would take us closer to the appropriate functioning of the pluralistic State. The State neutrality cannot mean State indifference, and the State can also take positions in value debates. The tradition and history do matter. Tradition includes religious tradition, and tradition must be dealt with somehow. And tradition differs from country to country, which makes the job of international judicial forums more difficult. Keywords:crucifix; Europe; international judicial forums; pluralistic State; religious symbols; secularism
Prostate apoptosis response-4 mediates trophic factor withdrawal-induced apoptosis of hippocampal neurons: actions prior to mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation.

Abstract : Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is the product of a gene up-regulated in prostate cancer cells undergoing apoptosis. We now report that Par-4 mRNA and protein levels rapidly and progressively increase 4-24 h following trophic factor withdrawal (TFW) in cultured embryonic rat hippocampal neurons. The increased Par-4 levels follow an increase of reactive oxygen species, and precede mitochondrial membrane depolarization, caspase activation, and nuclear chromatin condensation/fragmentation. Pretreatment of cultures with 17β-estradiol, vitamin E, and uric acid largely prevented Par-4 induction and cell death following TFW, demonstrating necessary roles for oxidative stress and membrane lipid peroxidation in TFW-induced neuronal apoptosis. Par-4 antisense oligonucleotide treatment blocked Par-4 protein increases and attenuated mitochondrial dysfunction, caspase activation, and cell death following TFW. Collectively, our data identify Par-4 as an early and pivotal player in neuronal apoptosis resulting from TFW and suggest that estrogen and antioxidants may prevent apoptosis, in part, by suppressing Par-4 production.
US federal tax policy: The evolution of percentage depletion for minerals

Abstract We are often tempted to believe that a nation's resource policy is the result of careful deliberation and conscious design and is articulated in a relatively few statutes. This paper traces the history of percentage depletion in the USA and finds that this particular resource policy has evolved in the absence of a recognizable master plan. Percentage depletion has developed through a continuing political tug-of-war in the US Congress as a seemingly unending array of special interest groups sought and finally gained the prize of percentage depletion for their industry.
Imagining and reimagining Waitangi: an encounter with James Boyd White

We can no longer take language for granted as a medium of communication. Its transparency has gone. We are like people who for a long time looked out of a window without noticing the glass – and th...
Histopathological Analysis of Fish from Acorn Fork Creek, Kentucky, Exposed to Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Releases

Abstract Fracking fluids were released into Acorn Fork, KY, a designated Outstanding State Resource Water, and habitat for the threatened Chrosomus cumberlandensis (Blackside Dace). As a result, stream pH dropped to 5.6 and stream conductivity increased to 35,000 µS/cm, and aquatic invertebrates and fish were killed or distressed. The objective of this study was to describe post-fracking water quality in Acorn Fork and evaluate if the changes in water quality could have extirpated Blackside Dace populations. Semotilus atromaculatus (Creek Chub) and Lepomis cyanellus (Green Sunfish) were collected from Acorn Fork a month after fracking in lieu of unavailable Blackside Dace. Tissues were histologically analyzed for indicators of stress and percent of fish with lesions. Fish exposed to affected Acorn Fork waters showed general signs of stress and had a higher incidence of gill lesions than unexposed reference fish. Gill lesions observed were consistent with exposure to low pH and toxic concentrations of heav...
The Influence of the Polymer Backbone Flexibility on the Phase Transitions of Side Chain Liquid Crystal Polymers Containing 6-(4-Methoxy-Beta-Metylstyryl) Phenoxy)Hexyl Side Groups

The influence of the polymer backbone flexibility on the phase transition temperatures of side chain liquid crystalline polymethacrylate, polyacrylate, polymethylsiloxane, and polyphosphazene containing 6-[4-(4-methoxy- β- methylstyryl)phenoxy]hexyl side groups is discussed. Flexible backbones enhance the decoupling of the motions of the side chain and main chain and therefore, increase the rate of side-chain crystallization. Subsequently, the kinetically controlled crystallization process may transform the thermodynamically controlled mesomorphic phases from enantiotropic into monotropic. However, the highest degree of order in the mesophase is exhibited by the polymers based on the most rigid polymer backbone.
Observations and applications of atmospheric neutrinos

Abstract A number of questions regarding the flux of atmospheric neutrinos are raised. Attempts are made to understand the deficiency of muon neutrinos reported by Kamioka. These reports are not confirmed by IMB or Frejus. Questions of detection efficiency, misidentification and muon capture are explored. Conclusions that the observed deficiency is due to muon neutrino oscillations are premature given the uncertainty in expected flux and detector performance.
Ellipsometric measurements by use of photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric downconversion

We present a novel interferometric technique for performing ellipsometric measurements. This technique relies on the use of a nonclassical optical source, namely, polarization-entangled twin photons generated by spontaneous parametric downconversion from a nonlinear crystal, in conjunction with a coincidence-detection scheme. Ellipsometric measurements acquired with this scheme are absolute; i.e., they do not require source and detector calibration.
Applications of mobile activity recognition

Activity Recognition (AR), which identifies the activity that a user performs, is attracting a tremendous amount of attention, especially with the recent explosion of smart mobile devices. These ubiquitous mobile devices, most notably but not exclusively smartphones, provide the sensors, processing, and communication capabilities that enable the development of diverse and innovative activity recognition-based applications. However, although there has been a great deal of research into activity recognition, surprisingly little practical work has been done in the area of applications in mobile devices. In this paper we describe and categorize a variety of activity recognition-based applications. Our hope is that this work will encourage the development of such applications and also influence the direction of activity recognition research.
Noninvasive detection of subcritical coronary arterial narrowings with a coronary vasodilator and myocardial perfusion imaging.

Myocardial perfusion imaging after administration of the potent coronary vasodilator ethyl adenosine-5′-carboxylate, which increases flow to normal areas in excess of that to areas supplied by subcritically stenosed vessels, was investigated as a nonischemia-producing stimulus for detecting subcritical coronary stenosis. Preliminary studies in 10 dogs with reactive hyperemia were performed with thallium-201 and potassium-43 to determine which tracer was a better indicator of increased flow. Neither agent was a linear indicator of increased flow caused by reactive hyperemia but thallium-201, because of its imaging characteristics, was selected as a flow indicator after administration of ethyl adenosine. Five dogs were studied after placement of a subcritical stenosis on the left circumflex coronary artery. Strontium-85 microspheres were injected into the left atrium after placement of the stenosis to verify that changes in resting blood flow were only minimal. Thereafter, intravenous administration of ethyl adenosine was followed by injection of chromium-51-labeled microspheres into the left atrium and intravenous administration of thallium-201. The mean ratio of left circumflex to left anterior descending coronary arterial flow was 0.96 ± 0.16 for the control experiment after subcritical stenosis; after administration of the vasodilator the ratio of activity levels in the two arteries was 0.43 ± 0.09 with the chromium-51 microspheres and 0.56 ± 0.07 with thallium-201. Imaging performed in three additional dogs after injection of microspheres in the presence of subcritical stenosis revealed a normal pattern, whereas imaging after administration of the vasodilator and thallium-201 revealed a perfusion deficit. In two additional dogs without subcritical stenosis, thallium was administered after injection of ethyl adenosine to determine that the drug alone did not cause perfusion deficits. The perfusion scans in these two dogs were normal. These studies suggest that a coronary vasodilator and thallium-201 myocardial imaging can be used to detect subcritical coronary stenosis.
Malaria-related deaths among U.S. travelers, 1963-2001

Nearly 1500 malaria cases occur each year in the United States; approximately 60% are among U.S. travelers. Despite the availability of sophisticated medical care, malaria-related deaths continue to occur. The authors reviewed all 185 fatal cases between 1963 and 2001 that were reported to the National Malaria Surveillance System: 123 (66.5%) occurred among U.S. travelers, and of these, 114 (92.7%) were attributed to Plasmodium falciparum. Failure to take or adhere to recommended chemoprophylaxis, to promptly seek medical care for post-travel illness, and to promptly diagnose and treat suspected malaria all contributed to fatal outcomes. Health care providers need to take a travel history, obtain a blood film for suspected malaria, and use the 24-hour malaria management advice available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Malaria Hotline (770-488-7788) or the CDC Malaria Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/Malaria). Hospitals must maintain intravenous quinidine gluconate on formulary because it is the only drug available to treat severe malaria in the United States.
Stacked patch excited horn antenna at 94 GHz

This article presents wideband transition from coplanar waveguide (CPW) to horn antenna (CPWHA) based on slot-coupled stacked patch antenna technique. Multiple patches are used to excite the fundamental mode into the rectangular waveguide. The antenna provides an efficient solution to vertical integration with optoelectronic devices on lithium niobate (LN) for the applications of millimeter-wave (mmW) to optical signal processing. The design is optimized using 3D finite element method (FEM) software HFSS. For −10 dB return loss, 30% bandwidth is achieved centered at 94 GHz. The return loss and far-field radiation pattern of fabricated CPWHA are measured and has been found in very good agreement with the simulated results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 2071–2074, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23562
Shielding factors of ions in rock-salt crystals

The calculation of the quadrupole shielding factor of closed-shell ions in crystalline solids with rock-salt structure is done based on the self-consistent-field local-density approximation, modified Sternheimer equation, and spherical solid model. A significant reduction of the values of the quadrupole shielding factor is found for the anions, and the amount of the reduction is different in different crystals. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Chemical-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration and elevations in TNFalpha, TNFbeta, IL-1alpha, IP-10, and MCP-1 mRNA in osteopetrotic (op/op) mice.

The osteopetrotic (op/op) mouse, deficient in biologically active colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), was used to examine the role of microglia in chemical-induced trauma. Op/op mice and normal phenotype littermates (non-op/op) received an acute i.p. injection of the hippocampal toxicant, trimethyltin hydroxide (TMT; 1.5 or 2.0 mg/kg). At 2.0 mg/kg, both mice displayed severe degeneration of dentate granule neurons. At 1.5 mg/kg, non-op/op mice showed a limited punctate pattern of neuronal death while op/op mice showed prominent neuronal death. TMT-induced astrocyte reactivity was similar in both groups. RNase protection assays were conducted on hippocampal tissue at 24 hr post-TMT. Elevations were seen in mRNA levels for the host response genes: intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM-1; non-op/op 80%, op/op 85%), the protease inhibitor EB22 (non-op/op 60%, op/op 300%), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; non-op/op 300%, op/op 480%) within 24 hr. Macrophage-1 antigen (Mac-1) mRNA levels were lower in all op/op mice and were not induced by TMT exposure. Macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha and MIP-1beta mRNA levels were elevated in non-op/op mice while mRNA levels for interferon inducible protein (IP-10) and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) were elevated in op/op mice. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) mRNA levels were significantly elevated in both non-op/op (100%) and op/op (600%) mice. TNFbeta mRNA levels in op/op mice were elevated 200% and interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha) 150%. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed a TMT-induced elevation in INFalpha and INFbeta mRNA levels and no elevation of INFgamma. mRNA levels of the CSF-1 receptor, c-fms, were unaltered.
Sequence selective coordination of Mg2+(aq) to DNA

Thermodynamic parameters for magnesium binding to a series of DNA molecules of defined sequence have been evaluated by 25Mg NMR spectroscopy. These results demonstrate that G/C-DNA binds Mg2+(aq) up to 40 to 100-fold more strongly than A/T-DNA, i.e., coordination of Mg2+(aq) to G/C-DNA is ca. 2.1-2.7 kcal (mole Mg2+)-1 more stable relative to A/T-DNA. Activation free energies [delta G* approximately (12.7-13.3) x 10(3) kcal] and exchange rates [k(ex) approximately (0.5-3.0) x 10(3)s-1] were estimated by variable temperature experiments. The low value of the quadrupole coupling constants (chi B = 0.2-0.6 MHz) is indicative of outer-sphere coordination by Mg(H2O)6(2+).
Cyanophycin Granules from the Blue-Green Alga Anabaena cylindrica: A Reserve Material Consisting of Copolymers of Aspartic Acid and Arginine

The cyanophycin granules from two-week-old cultures of the blue-green alga Anabaena cylindrica were isolated by sonication of the cells followed by differential centrifugation. These particles are composed of polypeptides containing only two amino acids, aspartic acid and arginine, and have a molecular weight between about 25,000 and 100,000.
"Effortless" texture segmentation and "parallel" visual search are not the same thing.

Abstract If a region composed of one set of texture elements is effortlessly perceived on a background composed of another set, the texture segmentation is said to occur “preattentively”. If the time required to find a target item among distractor items is independent of the number of distractor items, the visual search is said to occur with all items processed “in parallel”. Effortless, preattentive texture segmentation and parallel visual search are sometimes assumed to be equivalent measures of the same parallel processing stage in the visual system. The demonstrations presented here show that this is not the case. Parallel processing can occur with stimuli that do not support effortless texture segmentation and vice versa.
Is waiting time a measure of access to liver transplantation? Is shorter necessarily better?

BACKGROUND The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has been used since February 2002 to allocate livers for transplantation from deceased donors according to medical need. Allocation based on MELD scores should ensure that sicker patients receive transplants first regardless of transplantation center volume. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the MELD score at transplantation and waiting time of liver transplant recipients differs by transplantation center volume. DESIGN Analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database. Centers were classified according to the volume of transplantations performed in 2005: high (> or =100 transplantations), medium (50 to 99 transplantations), and low (<50 transplantations). SETTING Transplantation centers in the United States. PATIENTS 20,075 transplant recipients between 27 February 2002 and 30 April 2006. MEASUREMENTS MELD scores and waiting times of liver transplant recipients. RESULTS Transplant recipients at high-volume centers had lower MELD scores (35.1% with MELD scores < or =18 vs. 22.7% and 27.0% at medium- and low-volume centers, respectively; P < 0.001), and the median MELD score was 22 compared with 24 at both medium- and low-volume centers. Despite having lower MELD scores, recipients at high-volume centers also experienced shorter waiting times (median waiting time, 69 days vs. 98 days and 94 days at medium-and low-volume centers, respectively; P < 0.001). LIMITATIONS The definition of transplantation center volume was subjective. The recent implementation of MELD precluded analysis of differences in long-term outcomes related to waiting time or center volume. CONCLUSIONS The MELD scores and waiting time of liver transplant recipients differed by transplantation center volume. High-volume centers have shorter waiting times and perform more transplantations for less sick patients. The reasons for these differences are unclear but warrant further investigation.
SULFAMETER IN CLINICAL MEDICINE

Sulfameter (sulfamethoxydiazine, Sulla) is a safe long-acting sulfonamide of low toxicity. It can maintain blood and urinary sulfonamide levels, with 5 per cent acetylation in the blood and 20–30 per cent acetylation in the urine. The dosage is 500 mg three times daily for the first day, followed by a maintenance dosage of 500 mg daily for two weeks. Good clinical and bacteriological results have been reported from both Europe and the United States in the treatment of respiratory infections, urinary-tract infections, ear, nose and throat infections, and skin infections including pustular acne vulgaris. Sulfamethoxydiazine also can be used as a suppressive drug for as long as nine months in the management of chronic urinary-tract infections, with no adverse side effects.
A population-based study of renal cell carcinoma and prostate cancer in the same patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence of prostate cancer in men with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the incidence of RCC in men with prostate cancer. METHODS We evaluated the database of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute from 1973 to 1996, to calculate the incidence of RCC in men with prostate cancer and the incidence of prostate cancer in men with RCC. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR, observed/expected) was calculated for each of the scenarios of interest, as well as for RCC and prostate cancer in men with other common malignancies. Lung/bronchus cancer, colon/rectal cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were selected for the control scenarios because they are the most common non-urological cancers among men in the USA. RESULTS There was a higher incidence of RCC in men with prostate cancer (SIR 1.25, P < 0.01). RCC incidence was also higher in men with each of the other malignancies. Prostate cancer incidence was higher in men with RCC (SIR 1.42, P < 0.001), but was not significantly elevated for any of the control scenarios. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of RCC is higher in men with each of the index cancers, whereas that for prostate cancer was higher only in men with RCC. A common aetiological factor is possible. However, it is also possible that detection bias explains these findings. Serial imaging might increase the detection of RCC among patients with a variety of index malignancies. Patients with RCC who are followed by a urologist might be screened more rigorously for prostate cancer than patients with other primary malignancies, leading to increased detection in these men.
Relative interfacial free energies in pure nickel, dispersion hardened nickel, and a precipitation hardened nickel-base alloy

Abstract The ratio of the twin boundary free energy to grain boundary free energy, δtb/δgb, for coherent twin boundary-grain boundary intersecting systems in thin foils of nickel, TD-nickel, and Inconel 600 has been measured by transmission and diffraction electron microscopy. Final, corrected mean ratios of 0·031, 0·025 and 0·022 for δtb/δgb were obtained for nickel. TD-nickel and Inconel 600 respectively. Using experimentally measured and estimated values of δgb, the twin boundary free energy δtb, for nickel, TD-nickel and Inconel 600 was observed to be approximately 27, 27 and 19 ergs/cm2 respectively.
Diversity and learning in groups

This paper examines how groups respond to diversity. Specifically, a framework is developed that integrates prior research on diversity in groups within a learning perspective. The value of the framework is that it seeks to integrate various dimensions of group diversity with the intent of highlighting critical characteristics of groups that effectively manage diverse member contributions. Within this framework, the focus is on cognitive rather than demographic diversity and on how groups use diverse ideas and approaches to learn collectively. Based on this framework, it is suggested that groups manage cognitive diversity in three distinct ways, through accommodation, elaboration and transformation. These responses to diversity may represent different levels of group learning along a continuum ranging from routine, exploitative to non‐routine, exploratory learning. An exploratory study is presented in which this framework is used to understand how groups manage cognitive diversity. Preliminary study results suggest that most groups seem to respond to diversity by accommodating or elaborating while very few groups seem to engage in transformation. Specifically, few groups seem to invest the necessary resources to capitalize on diversity and create opportunities for non‐routine learning. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Study of the Charge Transfer Spectra of the Complexes of S-trinitrobenzene and Tetraalkylammonium Halides

Abstract The n,π complexes of s-trinitrobenzene (TNB) and the tetraalkylammonium halides have been studied from the analytical point of view in nonaqueous solvents. Mixtures of tetraalkylammonium chlorides and TNB give little evidence of charge transfer spectra in the visible region, but both the corresponding bromides and iodides form colored complexes with TNB. Proton donors are poor solvents, but acetonitrile, methylene chloride, and chloroform are useful for analytical work. Using excess TNB, plots of absorbance at 410, 415 or 425 mu versus concentration of the bromides are linear and can be used for analysis.
Kinetic and thermodynamic studies on nitrobenzylthioinosine binding to the nucleoside transporter of chinese hamster ovary cells

The binding of [G-3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine to intact Chinese hamster ovary cells has been studied kinetically and thermodynamically. The association of nitrobenzylthioinosine with cells is a second-order process which proceeds at 24 degrees C with a rate constant of 2 X 10(7) M-1 X S-1. Dissociation of the complex was characterized as a simple first-order process with rate constant on the order of 7 X 10(-3)S-1. The quotient of these is comparable to the dissociation constant as measured in equilibrium binding studies, 2.2 X 10(-10) M. The temperature dependence of the rate of association indicated an Arrhenius activation energy of 8.4 kcal X mol-1, while that of the equilibrium constant for dissociation indicated a standard enthalpy change of 8.8 kcal X mol-1. The large increase in affinity of nitrobenzylthioinosine as compared to natural nucleosides is attributable to an entropy-driven interaction with the binding site. Thymidine, dipyridamole and papaverine each decrease the apparent dissociation constant for the nitrobenzylthioinosine-cell complex; the latter, inhibitors of nucleoside transport, decrease the rate of dissociation of the complex.
Considerations for brain pH assessment by 31P NMR.

Recently in vivo NMR spectroscopy has been used to measure brain pH non-invasively. Both the inorganic orthophosphate (Pi) chemical shift (delta) and the difference between the chemical shifts of phosphocreatine (PCr) and Pi(delta delta PCr-Pi) have been proposed as indicators of brain pH. However, the precise delta of Pi may be difficult to determine under normoxic conditions as is the delta of PCr under hypoxic/ischemic conditions. Ideally one needs a NMR delta parameter that: (1) linearly changes between pH 6.0-8.0, (2) is either relatively unaffected or predictably affected by cations (e.g., Mg2+) other than H+, and that (3) comes from readily observable 31P NMR resonances whose delta's can be accurately assessed under all physiological conditions. Therefore, we undertook a systematic 31P NMR study of the pH and Mg2+ titration curves for 16 phosphorus-containing metabolites observed in brain by 31P NMR. On the basis of the titration curves, the delta delta's for PCr-Pi, phosphoethanolamine (PE)-Pi, and PCr-PE fulfill criteria (1) and (2), but not criterion (3). However, the delta delta of ATP gamma-alpha fulfills all three criteria and potentially provides information on the intracellular Mg2+ concentration.
Mesoscale Edge Measurement Using a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

In many mesoscale parts (> 100μm) with microscale features (100nm to 100μm), the edge can constitute a large percentage of the total feature size. These edges need to be measured and characterized. Unfortunately, very few tools exist that are able to measure a range of angles with a resolution appropriate to these parts. The measurement methods commonly used to characterize mesoscale parts are designed for nominally planar surfaces and fail when used on a surface with moderate slope. Other tools exist which can adequately capture a sloping surface, however they have characteristics which make them less desirable for edge measurement (contact, destructive, image-output). The confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) is a non-contact method which has special properties that allow it to measure sloping surfaces of various materials and finishes. This paper will discuss the CLSM and its ability to measure edges of mesoscale parts.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Theory of Infrared Conductivity from Density Waves: (TMTSF)2CIO4

In Fig. 1 I show schematically the real part of the conductivity below about 50 wavenumbers obtained by NG, TIMUSK, and BECHGAARD [1] for (TMTSF)2ClO4 at 2K and zero pressure. Similar results were obtained by CHALLENER, RICHARDS and GREENE [2]. When I first saw these results late in 1982, we believed that at this temperature the specimen was in a spin density wave (SDW) state. The sharp peak at 7 cm−1 and the asymmetric peak commencing slightly above 20 cm−1 suggest the sharp phonon peaks and asym-metric single-particle peak in Reσ(ω) for TEA(TCNQ)2 explained by the theory of Michael RICE and colleagues [3,4]. In the Rice theory, intramolecular vibrational modes which are infrared inactive for a normal metallic or insulating state become active in the presence of a charge density wave (CDW), and the phonon states with wavevector equal to the CDW wavevector Q and with frequency in the gap for electron states are very sharp. The problem appeared then to be that we required a theory for a similar effect arising from a SDW in (TMTSF) 2ClO4.
Adaptive motion estimation schemes using maximum mutual information criterion

Summary We consider the motion estimation problem in video coding. In our previous work, we proposed a new motion estimation method where motion estimation is formulated as an optimization problem and an adaptive system under the minimum error entropy (MEE) criterion is used for motion estimation. In this paper, we develop an adaptive system under the criterion of maximum mutual information to address the motion estimation problem. Our proposed motion estimation algorithms have very low encoding complexity and hence are ideally suited for wireless video sensor networks where limited bandwidth, restricted computational capability, and limited battery power supply impose stringent constraints on the video encoding system. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural correlates of information storage in the mammalian brain: a review and hypothesis

While the cellular, and possibly the molecular, bases of some forms of learning appear to be at the threshold of understanding in some invertebrate preparations, the bases of learning and memory in complex nervous systems have proven considerably more complicated. However, increasing evidence points to synapse formation as a component of mammalian long term memory and related aspects of adult information storage. In early development, experience effects appear often to be encoded via the selective preservation of a subset of preformed connections. In adults, experience may both initiate synaptogenesis and select connections in the memory formation process.
A Relationship between the Flash Point, Boiling Point and the Lean Limit of Flammability of Liquid Fuels

The premise: of this paper is that a flame would flash over the surface of a liquid fuel, upon subjecting to Ian external ignition source, only if the (fuel vapor+air) mixture in gas phase contains...