cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regional Variation in Usage of Ultrasound-Guided Access in the Vascular Quality Initiative

Background Access site complications are among the most common complications following peripheral vascular interventions. Previous studies have demonstrated a reduced rate of complications with ultrasound-guided vascular access (UGVA). The objective of this study is to evaluate the regional use of UGVA within the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI). Methods The VQI peripheral intervention module between 2010 and 2018 was evaluated. Regional ID was used to compare distribution of ultrasound usage. Regions were grouped into terciles based on the rate of ultrasound use. Patients were categorized based on type of access. Primary outcome was use of ultrasound across regions. Secondary outcomes were access site complications. Results Over 43,000 cases across the 18 VQI regions were evaluated. The average rate of ultrasound usage was 71% across the regions with a wide variation (range 38–97%). There is a significant difference in utilization among the top third (87%), middle third (79%), and bottom third (58%) (P Conclusions This is the first study to evaluate ultrasound-guided access across VQI regions. Our results demonstrate that despite strong evidence supporting the utilization of UGVA, there remains a wide variation in ultrasound usage across VQI regions. This is also the first study to show that the prevalence of ultrasound use in peripheral vascular interventions (PVI) is inversely related to access site complications. Given all of the data supporting the usage of UGVA across numerous specialties, our findings encourage the consideration of an ultrasound-first approach for vascular access in PVI and the implementation of targeted strategies and evidence-based guidelines to enhance UGVA utilization in PVI.
P-088 Diabetic Nephropathy and IgA Nephropathy are the Most Prevalent Nephrotic/Nephritic Disease in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background:Various renal diseases and renal complications have been associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which include nephrolithiasis, amyloidosis, interstitial nephritis, and glomerulonephritis (GN). Medications used in IBD treatment such as Aminosalicylates, cyclosporine and Tumor Ne
Using Telemedicine for Pediatric Preanesthesia Evaluation: A Pilot Project.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study was to implement using telemedicine for pediatric preanesthesia evaluation and to evaluate patient and provider satisfaction. Design This is a nonrandomized prospective evidence-based practice project. Methods Pediatric patients were nonrandomly recruited to receive preanesthesia evaluation by telemedicine. Patients, parents, and providers completed a 5-point Likert scale satisfaction survey after the encounter. Findings Overall satisfaction with using telemedicine was very high for both patients, parents, and providers, with an overall mean Likert scale score of 4.63 for patients and parents, and 4.67 for providers. Conclusions This project provides evidence in support of using telemedicine in the setting of pediatric preanesthesia evaluation. Using telemedicine has the potential to improve patient outcomes by improving the patient-provider relationship and increasing access to care.
Analysis of Generalized CCA Errors and Mitigation in LTE-LAA Spectrum Sharing System

Carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) procedures have been specified for medium access control (MAC) in several incumbent and emerging wireless systems, such as wireless local area network (WLAN) and long-term evolution (LTE) with license assisted access (LAA). Clear channel assessment (CCA) errors in carrier sensing can cause significantly degraded network performance. Analyzing the impact of CCA errors in the MAC backoff and transmission process is a challenging task, and very few works have explicitly addressed this. Existing analytical work is only valid for special cases such as independent CCA errors, and the result lacks generality for extension to coexistence systems. In this paper, we try to fill this technical gap by modelling generalized CCA sensing errors which can be either fully correlated or independent due to the fading channel. We develop a new Markov model using matrix-vector representation which captures generalized CCA error events, and analyze the impact of CCA errors on the key performance indicators (KPIs), such as the throughput of both LTE-LAA and WLAN systems. To mitigate the effects of mis-detection and collisions which can cause the network throughput to drop to nearly zero, we propose a soft-collision method to reduce the performance loss. Finally, we program the LTE-LAA and WLAN CCA algorithms and implement extensive computer simulations. Comparisons between analytical and simulation results show consistent matching, and illustrate loss caused by sensing errors and improvement brought by the soft-collision method. This result provides a powerful analytical tool on CSMA/CA MAC-layer performance evaluation with imperfect sensing, applicable to both single and coexistence systems, and has practical value for countermeasure designs against sensing errors.
Risk stratification for surgery in tricuspid regurgitation

Tricuspid valve (TV) surgery carries high mortality and morbidity, and risk-adjusted mortality has not changed. Patients who can withstand the perioperative period benefit from symptomatic improvement as the right ventricle remodels. Risk stratification for patients undergoing surgical intervention is critically important. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score is a reliable and accurate mortality risk predictor given the liver and kidney dysfunction that accompany tricuspid regurgitation. Novel clinical risk calculators for isolated TV surgery have also been developed to further guide patients with projected surgical outcomes and reinforce timeliness to intervention.
COVID-19 and Intimate Partner Violence: A Call to Action

The COVID-19 pandemic has escalated the risks and dangers for victims of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). This article aims to describe the current state of IPV in Rhode Island as well as best practices for IPV screening and intervention using telehealth. We highlight the particular plight of undocumented immigrant victims of IPV and how healthcare providers can be responsive to their unique vulnerabilities and needs.
Abstract B06: Development of selective LATS1/LATS2 inhibitors for the pharmacologic modulation of the Hippo signaling pathway

We performed a large-scale profiling of currently available kinase inhibitors (KI) to identify “off-targets” that could be repurposed/repositioned as the starting point for the rational development of novel and selective kinase inhibitors against underdrugged targets. We profiled 257 KI at a single dose against a panel of 365 wild-type kinases tested individually, for a total of about 100,000 in vitro drug/kinase data points. After unsupervised hierarchical clustering of this dataset based on percent inhibition values, we identified a well-resolved subcluster driven by 5 KI with limited polypharmacology and a clean kinase-inhibition profile, mostly targeting AGC group kinases. These inhibitors were the AKT inhibitors GSK-690693, AZD-5363, and AT-7867; the MSK inhibitor SB-747651-A; and the Rho kinases (ROCK) inhibitor GSK-269962A. Notably, the AGC and hippo kinases LATS1 and LATS2 were part of this subcluster and were both inhibited to significant extents by these 5 compounds. With the regenerative potential of a candidate LATS1/2 inhibitor in mind, we next developed several orthogonal biochemical and cellular assays to prioritize compounds that possessed the desired activity against LATS1/2 without the burden of cytotoxic “off-targets,” such as those resulting from strong AKT inhibition. Based on the results of these assays, we prioritized one of the initially identified kinase inhibitors as the starting point for an ongoing, rational structure-activity relationship (SAR) effort to develop novel, 1st-in-class, highly selective LATS1 and LATS2 inhibitors. We will present data showing how such novel LATS1/2 inhibitors efficiently block LATS1/2-dependent YAP phosphorylation, induce YAP nuclear translocation in a high cell-density setting, and promote the transcription of bona fide YAP target genes such as AMOTL2, CTGF, and CYR61. Finally, consistently with the activation of a YAP-dependent transcriptional program, small-molecule inhibitors of LATS1/2 kinases promoted proliferation/regeneration in an in vitro wound-healing assay. Altogether, we identified novel small molecules that can be used as chemical probes to acutely inactivate the Hippo signaling pathway and validated LATS1 and LATS2 kinases as novel druggable kinases whose inhibition could be exploited for several indications, spanning from regenerative medicine to cancer immunotherapy. Citation Format: Michele Ceribelli, Patrick Morris, Damien Duveau, Frances A. Tosto, Scott Hoyt, Craig J. Thomas. Development of selective LATS1/LATS2 inhibitors for the pharmacologic modulation of the Hippo signaling pathway [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Hippo Pathway: Signaling, Cancer, and Beyond; 2019 May 8-11; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(8_Suppl):Abstract nr B06.
The Impact of the Texas Medical Liability and Insurance Improvement Act on Informed Consent Recovery in Medical Malpractice Litigation

This article describes changes to the Texas Medical Liability and Insurance Improvement Act.
Inseparable color and form in mouse visual cortex described by random pooling from rods and cones

An image projected onto the retina is composed of local contrasts in color and brightness, both of which can aid in any visual perception task. Recent investigations of the mouses ventral retina demonstrate that rod and cone responses are combined to detect changes between UV and green light, thus providing a new model for color vision. An important question is how the spatial representations of both color and brightness contrast are transformed by downstream circuits. Its known that SF tuning of brightness contrast is sharpened at the level of mouse primary visual cortex, yet color contrast is untested. Here, we presented sinewave gratings that drive one of four axes of rod and cone contrast space, including brightness contrast (rod+cone) and color contrast (rod-cone). We find that V1 neurons are tuned to higher spatial frequencies of brightness contrast than color contrast, and are most responsive to color at the lowest spatial frequencies. These results are consistent with a model of "single-opponency" between rods and cones, but do not match its classic description. The data can instead be described by a simple model of convergent ON and OFF inputs to V1, which randomly pool discrete quantities of each photoreceptor class. Unlike classic depictions of single-opponency, this model requires minimal constraints on the circuit, accounts for our observed bandpass spatial frequency tuning of rod and cone isolating contrast, and is consistent with recent studies showing unselective pooling from photoreceptors in the retina.
Predictors of family violence in North Carolina following initial COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.

Abstract Background Although there is evidence that family violence increased in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, few studies have characterized longitudinal trends in family violence across the course of initial stay-at-home orders. Objective The purpose of the present study is to investigate patterns and predictors of family violence, such as child maltreatment and harsh punishment, during the first eight weeks of the pandemic after initial stay-at-home orders in North Carolina. Participants and setting Participants included 120 families with children ages 4–11 (53% non-White, 49% female) and a primary caregiver (98% female) living in rural and suburban areas in North Carolina. Participants were recruited based on high risk of pre-pandemic family violence exposure. Methods Caregivers completed weekly surveys during the pandemic assessing family violence, caregiver employment status, and caregiver emotion reactivity. In addition, all caregivers completed pre-pandemic surveys on family violence. Results Mixed-effects models revealed that family violence was highest following initial stay-at-home orders and decreased linearly over time. Higher pre-pandemic child violence exposure and caregiver unemployment were associated with higher initial family violence. Higher caregiver emotion reactivity was associated with changes in family violence across time. Conclusions We observed high levels of family violence following stay-at-home orders, especially in families with higher baseline violence, higher caregiver emotion reactivity, and caregiver unemployment or underemployment. These associations suggest that vulnerable families may respond to the additional stressor of stay-at-home orders with increased violence and thus need additional support in moments of crisis.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the reaction mechanism in Ni/Al reactive intermetallics

Abstract We present an atomistic level description of the reaction mechanisms in thermally ignited samples of reactive core/shell Ni/Al wires. The combination of very long simulation times (up to 0.1 μs) and very reactive core/shell nanostructures enables ignition at unprecedentedly low temperatures for molecular dynamics simulations. Samples ignited at low temperatures (900 K or less) follow a multi-stage reaction process involving solid-phase diffusion and the formation of the B2 NiAl phase, while samples ignited at higher temperatures, follow a direct reaction path with accelerated diffusion of Ni into molten Al, leading to a completely molten final state. Interestingly, NiAl nucleates and grows under a significant concentration gradient, which may explain the absence of other phases like AlNi3. The formation of the B2 intermetallic slows atomic diffusion and consequently the reaction rates.
The Structure of DNA in Native Chromatin as Determined by Ethidium Bromide Binding

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews that favored model of chromatin structure was first suggested by the electron micrographs of Olins and Olins and is supported by various biophysical and biochemical studies. This model proposes that a “core,” containing two molecules each of histones 2a, 2b, 3 and 4, is spaced at 200-nucleotide distances along the DNA backbone. The fifth histone, H1, associates more loosely with the DNA at some point as yet undetermined, possibly among the cores or ν -bodies. Axel has produced evidence that both active and inactive genes are present in the “ ν- body fraction isolated from chromatin. The chapter also discusses that the state of the DNA and the nature of its interaction with histones and nonhistone proteins has important implications for the mechanism by which transcription of this highly organized structure is controlled. It chooses to use the intercalating dye ethidium bromide to investigate this problem.
Biochemical Studies of Bacterial Sporulation II. DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID POLYMERASE IN SPORES OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Extracts of Bacillus subtilis spores were shown to contain deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase with a specific activity comparable to that in extracts of vegetative cells. The enzyme was partially purified and proved to be indistinguishable by several physical and functional criteria from the isolated vegetative cell polymerase. The isolated spore and vegetative cell enzymes are equally heat-labile, whereas inside the spore the polymerase is far more heat-stable than within the vegetative cell. The bulk of polymerase activity disappears during sporulation, and only about 30% is recovered in the spores. It is inferred that there is loss or destruction of the residual polymerase. Whether polymerase molecules are newly synthesized for the spore or simply a legacy from the vegetative cell population remains to be determined.
Academic Success of Public and Private School Students at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College

(1956). Academic Success of Public and Private School Students in Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. The Journal of Educational Research: Vol. 49, No. 7, pp. 481-492.
Biosynthesis and Cross-Linking of the γ-Glutamylglycine-containing Peptidoglycan of Vegetative Cells of Sporosarcina ureae

Abstract A cell-free preparation from vegetative cells of Sporosarcina ureae utilized UDP-acetylmuramyl-pentapeptide and UDP-acetylglucosamine for the synthesis of peptidoglycan. In the presence of glycyl-tRNA, d-glutamic acid, and ATP, both of the amino acids were incorporated into the γ-glutamyl-glycyl interpeptide bridge and the peptidoglycan was cross-linked. The mechanism of incorporation of glycine and d-glutamic acid has been investigated.
Artificial life: an opportunity to include research in the computer science curriculum

Student research and interdisciplinary work persist as desirable components of the undergraduate computer science experience; yet, few schools can afford to allocate scarce resources to these endeavors. The course described in this paper incorporates both student research and interdisciplinary work with minimal expenditure of instructor time. This is accomplished, in part, by a biologist and a computer scientist sharing instructor duties. Students receive journal articles pertaining to evolutionary biology that they study in order to produce computer simulations using genetic algorithms. The results of these simulations allow students to reach conclusions that they publicize in formal presentations and Web page publications.
Design and analysis of a center-fed quad-band ring-focus reflector antenna

Small (4-9') light-weight, transportable, multi-band, SATCOM reflector antennas are in high demand for military and other applications. Offset prime-focus and dual-reflector designs are optimum front a performance standpoint for these reflector sizes, but structural and tolerance constraints, drive till! design to a center-fed type. One method of realizing a form factor for a transportable center-fed multi-band reflector antenna is to use a single main-reflector/multiple-feed approach. This paper addresses it quad-band ring-focus reflector design utilizing a single main aperture approximately eight feet in diameter with four replacable independent feed/RF chains. The antenna design is derived numerically utilizing the BOR MoM, PO, and GO shaping techniques, and has been constructed and tested. Representative comparisons of measured versus predicted pattern data are presented.
Evaluating an infectious disease information sharing and analysis system

Infectious disease informatics is a subfield of security informatics that focuses on information analysis and management issues critical to the prevention, detection, and management of naturally occurring or terrorist-engineered infectious disease outbreaks. We have developed a research prototype called BioPortal which provides an integrated environment to support cross-jurisdictional and cross-species infectious disease information sharing, integration, analysis, and reporting. This paper reports a pilot study evaluating BioPortal's usability, user satisfaction, and potential impact on practice.
Improved automatic differentiation method for efficient model compiler

The growing complexity of semiconductor devices presents a serious challenge to model developers. Compact device model compilers have been developed over the years to address this challenge. However, those compilers cannot generate very computationally efficient device models. In this paper, we present several effective techniques to improve the automatic differentiation method of model compiler MCAST so that it can generate very efficient device models. Those techniques include function strength reduction, minimum division, minimum function calls, and hierarchical automatic differentiation. Experimental results in modeling industry level semiconductor devices such as BSIM3, BSIM4 and B3SOI, demonstrated that the presented techniques lead to very computationally efficient models that are comparable to manually tuned ones.
1,6‐Diiodohexane

1,6-Diiodohexane reactant: 59 g. (0.5 mole) of recrystallized 1,6-hexanediol product: 1,6-diiodohexane Keywords: replacement reactions, hydroxy by halogen; catalysts, metal, copper chromite
Restriction enzyme and Southern hybridization analyses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from patients with cystic fibrosis.

Conventional typing schemes for Pseudomonas aeruginosa may not discriminate strains. P. aeruginosa isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis were examined by restriction enzyme analysis and Southern hybridization. There was marked diversity of restriction enzyme analysis patterns among P. aeruginosa DNAs from cystic fibrosis isolates; however, sequential isolates obtained from individual patients showed very little variation over an 8-year period. DNA fragments from the alginate biosynthesis gene complex, the exotoxin A gene, and the elastase gene of P. aeruginosa were used in Southern hybridization analysis. The patterns of hybridization to the elastase and algD gene probes were highly conserved in all isolates, therefore, these DNA fragments are not useful in discriminating strains, in contrast to the exotoxin A gene probe. Images
FEVER IN THE ELDERLY

Fever in elderly persons is only one clinical presentation that can be used to assist the clinician at suspecting a serious disease, such as an infection. Infections, like all other illnesses in the geriatric patient, may occur with a variety of nonspecific, atypical, nonclassic, and unusual manifestations. The clinician caring for elderly patients should be aware of these nonclassical presentations of infections in this age group. Unexplained change in functional capacity, worsening of mental status, weight loss or failure to thrive, weakness and fatigue, falls, and generalized pain are only some of the clues that may aid the clinician in considering infection in elderly persons. Key concepts of fever in older adults are: Fever generally indicates presence of serious infection, most often caused by bacteria. Fever may be absent in 20%-30% of elderly patients harboring a serious infection. Criteria for fever in elderly patients should also include an elevation of body temperature of at least 2 degrees F from baseline values. FUO in elderly persons is caused by infections (30%-35%), CTD (25%-30%), and malignancies (15%-20%) in the majority of cases.
A stochastic dominance comparison of truncated normal distributions

Abstract A characterization of first and second order stochastic dominance rules is given for the comparison of two truncated normal distributions. Two types of truncation are considered: equal areas in each tail for both distributions or both distributions truncated at the same value on the left tail. A transformation of the normal distributions makes it possible to display the results graphically. The results can be used to compare the possible returns on investments with limited liability.
On the Dynamics of Wind-Driven Shelf Currents

Measurements of currents, wind, and coastal sea level from off Oregon, northwest Africa and Peru are used to examine characteristics of the depth-integrated momentum balance at mid-shelf locations. Attention is focused on determining the nature of the balance, as a function of frequency, of time-dependent terms in the alongshore momentum equation. Decomposition of the estimated terms into empirical orthogonal functions, and regression of terms on the wind stress to obtain the wind-forced component, are methods used in an attempt to assess objectively the type of balance present. It is found, for Oregon, that there is a relatively large amount of variance in the depth-integrated cross-shelf velocity which is not balanced by other estimated terms. In addition, a substantial component of the flow is wind-forced, with bottom friction insignificant for periods less than 11 days. For northwest Africa, the motion is strongly wind-driven, with bottom friction playing an important role for periods greater than 6 days and with a quasi-steady response evident for periods longer than 10 days. For Peru, the motion is dominated by an inviscid, unforced balance which, for the 5- to 11-day frequency band, is primarily between the alongshore pressure gradient and the rate of change with time of the alongshore velocity.
Pricing Efficiency and Information Use in Risky Markets

Information has economic value if it helps estimate the value of something. Both individuals and society at large are interested in the extent to which information about an object's value is contained in its market price. Apart from distributional issues, society's interest is that price guide resource allocation so as to maximize value-weighted production. Prices that would induce such efficient resource use are themselves efficient. The purpose of the present paper is to distinguish various notions of an efficient price and to discuss problems in the assessment and achievement of pricing efficiency. Emphasis is placed on the information content and time domain of prices.
Grafting sites of acrylic mixed monomers onto unsaturated fatty acids: Part 2

Abstract Acrylic groups were grafted onto alkyds via free radical chemistry. The alkyd comprised soybean oil, glycerol, phthalic anhydride, and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride. To closely model acrylated-alkyds, a mixture of four acrylic monomers were copolymerized with the alkyd including: methyl methacrylate (MMA), butyl acrylate (BA), methacrylic acid (MAA), and vinyltrimethyoxysilane (VTMS). Two different initiator systems were used, benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), for comparison. To elucidate the grafting sites, 1D NMR spectroscopy and 2D NMR spectroscopy were used. Gradient heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (gHMQC) was needed to assign the chemical shifts of the 1D carbon and proton NMR spectra. The gHMQC spectra provided evidence of acrylic–alkyd grafted structures formed at doubly allylic hydrogens located on the fatty acid chains. As a side reaction, acrylic groups were grafted into the polyester backbone of the alkyd via hydrogen abstraction of the glycerol. The gHMQC spectra show no evidence of grafting across double bonds on either the fatty acid side chains or the THPA backbone. It was also determined that choice of initiator has no effect on graft location. However, the system initiated with BPO provided spectral evidence of the formation of benzoic acid, which shows that the peroxide initiator can directly abstract the doubly allylic hydrogen. The side product, isobutyronitrile did not appear in the spectra obtained from the AIBN initiated system.
Measurements of backscattered radiation from Therac-20 collimator and trimmer jaws into beam monitor chamber

The field size dependent photon output is known to be influenced by the existence of backscattered radiation (BSR) generated in the collimator or trimmer jaws of a linear accelerator. This paper describes the results of measurements made to study the existence of such backscatter by simulating the geometry of the treatment head of a Therac-20 linear accelerator. The machine's monitor chamber, flattening filter, and collimator jaws were simulated by another real monitor chamber, a 1-cm thick lead sheet and 2.5-cm thick low-melting-point alloy divergent blocks, respectively. BSR from the simulated collimator jaws (SCJ) was measured with the simulated monitor chamber (SMC) as a function of the openings of the SCJ and as a function of distance between SMC and SCJ. The present results demonstrate the presence of BSR in an 18-MV photon beam from a Therac-20 linear accelerator.
Remote memory during marijuana intoxication

The effects of acute marijuana intoxication on remote memory and new learning were assessed. To test for the effects of marijuana on remote memory, titles of oneseason television shows, aired up to 14 years previously, were used in three tests measuring recognition, temporal judgement and detailed recall of facts from the shows. Marijuana did not affect remote memory in comparison to placebo. The effects of marijuana on the learning of a word list were also tested. Marijuana significantly impaired new learning at the same time that remote memory was unaffected.
American Roulette: The Effect of Reminders of Death on Support for George W. Bush in the 2004 Presidential Election

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of a subtle reminder of death on voting intentions for the 2004 U.S. presidential election. On the basis of terror management theory and previous research, we hypothesized that a mortality salience induction would increase support for President George W. Bush and decrease support for Senator John Kerry. In late September 2004, following a mortality salience or control induction, registered voters were asked which candidate they intended to vote for. In accord with predictions, Senator John Kerry received substantially more votes than George Bush in the control condition, but Bush was favored over Kerry following a reminder of death, suggesting that President Bush's re-election may have been facilitated by nonconscious concerns about mortality in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.
The physician's role in selecting a factor replacement therapy.

Summary. Over the past 20 years, transmissions of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus have been virtually eliminated from plasma-derived or recombinant therapy in the USA, a record that can be largely attributed to the use of effective screening and inactivation technologies for known pathogens. The next significant threat will likely come from the emergence of a new, blood-borne infectious disease, perhaps one transmitted by a non-lipid-enveloped virus or prion, for which current inactivation methods are ineffective. Following the HIV crisis of the 1980s, government, patient advocacy groups, medical and scientific communities and the manufacturers of clotting therapies can learn from the past and approach potential threats from emerging pathogens in a proactive and productive manner. For clinicians, this includes actively engaging patients in a dialogue about all the factors that may influence their choice of clotting factor therapies, including emerging pathogens, patient convenience, consistency and reliability of supply, relative cost/benefit ratios, reimbursement issues (where applicable), patient preference and brand loyalty. It is our obligation as healthcare providers to understand potential risks and help make proactive decisions with our patients, decisions that often must be made in an environment of scientific uncertainty. Threats from infectious agents that were once deemed theoretical can, and often do, ultimately become real, with serious implications for morbidity and mortality.
New interests in old issues: Antiprotection and the end of the manufacturing clause of the U.S. copyright law

The manufacturing clause of the U.S. copyright law, which prohibited the import of most books by U.S. authors that were not printed in the United State or Canada, expired on July 1, 1986. It expired despite initial congressional support and strong efforts by printing industry and union interests to expand its scope and make it permanent. The expiration occurred largely because of the emergence of new interests: industries whose exports were threatened by possible European Community retaliation and those concerned about international property rights issues. Those groups joined forces with top officials of the Reagan administration to gain the expiration of the clause.
D-glucosyl isothiocyanate, an affinity label for the glucose transport proteins of the human erythrocyte membrane.

Abstract D-glucosyl isothiocyanate has been found to be a potent irreversible inhibitor of glucose translocation in the human erythrocyte. [ 14 C]-D-glucosyl isothiocyanate was incorporated into two major proteins of the erythrocyte membrane, and this incorporation was inhibited by D-glucose. These proteins may be components of the glucose transport system.
An Algorithm for Converting Signed Digrapls to Forrester Schematics

An algorithm for converting signed digraphs to Forrester schematics is described and illustrated. A theoretical framework for the algorithm consisting of theorems is developed first. This theoretical framework is based upon discussions found in a companion paper [1]. Specifically, the algorithm uses the definitional properties of the various quantities and couplings, the consistency supposition, and related axioms and theorems as outlined in [1]. The algorithm is applied to an illustrative example.
Victimization in a Nationwide Sample of Gay and Bisexual Men

Research indicates a high level of bias-related victimization among gay and bisexual men, but the total amount of victimization experienced by this population, including sexual orientation bias-related, other bias-related, and non-bias-related victimization, has hardly been examined. The relationship between coping and non-sexual orientation bias-related victimization among these populations has also received little research attention. This study examines total victimization during the previous 6 months and dispositional coping in a nationwide nonprobability sample of 297 self-identified gay and bisexual men. Results showed a high incidence of total victimization, with 72% of participants reporting a victimization occurrence. Emotion-oriented coping was positively correlated with victimization. The results indicate that many gay and bisexual men live in stressful environments which may contribute to negative health and mental health outcomes among them.
Response strategies in the oddity discrimination of preschool children

Abstract Preschool children were trained on an oddity discrimination with one, two, or three relevant redundant dimensions and with either verbal or nonverbal reinforcement. Few S s acquired the oddity solution, supporting the results of earlier studies, and performance was unaffected by amount of relevant redundant information and type of reinforcement. Many S s showed systematic response strategies, especially Stimulus Perseveration, and the occurrence of these strategies was highly consistent even though they result in only intermittent reinforcement. It was hypothesized that the difficulty of oddity discriminations for preschool children may result from their failure to reject incorrect strategies and from the low availability of the correct oddity strategy. A forced-trial procedure was proposed to avoid these problems.
The circuit of culture: a strategy for understanding the evolving human dimensions of wildland fire.

In this conceptual article, the authors explore the possibilities of another approach to examining the human dimensions of wildland fire. They argue that our understanding of this issue could be enhanced by considering a cultural studies construct known as the “circuit of culture.” This cross-disciplinary perspective provides increased analytic power by accounting for the meaningful role of 5 cultural processes in terms of their location and interrelation within social experience. The authors compare the circuit of culture approach with a body of recent literature focused on wildland fire. The authors make the case that this research has moved in a positive direction since wildland fire first ignited social scientific interest in the 1980s, but it is still missing key cultural processes. Ultimately, following the circuit allows us to make more nuanced statements about meaning, something much needed in the face of the wicked problem of wildland fire.
A web-based methodology for product design evaluation and optimisation

The authors have developed a methodology that takes advantages of the World Wide Web to analyse and develop optimal new product designs. This paper describes the methodology and illustrates its application to a case study involving the design of an actual Web site where music CDs are sold. The proposed methodology has the following features: (a) it is based on a design inspired by conjoint analysis; (b) it involves unobtrusive electronic measurement of the actual behavior of Web users who remain undisturbed by experimental factors; and (c) it utilises an integer programming approach to seek optimal Web site configurations. The methodology uses limited dependent variable methods to develop response models that provide the basis for the development of objective functions for an optimisation model. The optimisation model can consider either single or multiple objective functions by using a Pareto optimum approach.
Deferoxamine Therapy in a Mouse Model of Neonatal Brain Hypoxia-Ischemia|[bull]| 1853

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of free radical scavenging using deferoxamine (DFO) in seven day old mice after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
Synthetic aperature radar (SAR) geometric invariants: experimental results

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors have many advantages over electro-optical sensors (EO) for target recognition applications, such as range-independent resolution and superior poor weather performance. However, the relative unavailability of SAR data to the basic research community has retarded analysis of the fundamental invariant properties of SAR sensors relative to the extensive invariant literature for EO, and in particular photographic sensors. Prior work that was reported at this conference has developed the theory of SAR invariants based on the radar scattering center concept. This paper will give several examples of invariant configurations of SAR scatterers from measured SAR image data.
Electromagnetic and weak constraints on the ground state wave functions of 13C and 13N

Abstract The nuclear wave functions of the A = 13 ground state isodoublet system are analysed by constraining them (within the 1p shell) to fit the best available electromagnetic and weak data. It is found that the wave functions are dominated by only two basis states of the possible five, with a greater degree of configuration mixing than that predicted by Cohen-Kurath. The use of these phenomenological wave functions to study 13C(γ, π−)13Ng.s. at low energies gives better agreement with data than using Cohen-Kurath wave functions but a factor of three enhancement still persists.
Animal-assisted therapy at Mayo Clinic: The time is now.

Abstract The animal–human bond refers to an emotional, almost existential, relationship between animals and people. From the time of antiquity, domestic animals were an important source of economic vitality, but with the changing cultural landscape, the companion animal has become a faithful friend. Overwhelming anecdotal evidence supports the healing power of this relationship. We summarize the emerging literature on the neurobiochemical and cardiovascular benefits of companion pet ownership. We address the peer-reviewed data from myriad journal articles assessing the impact of the companion animal on the quality and often the length of life of select patients.
Demand for Whole‐grain Bread Before and After the Release of Dietary Guidelines

The federal government has issued Dietary Guidelines for Americans seven times since 1980, but the 2005 whole-grain recommendation was the first instance in which consumers were given a specific dietary target, that whole grains should be at least half of their grain consumption. Anecdotal evidence pointed to a unique result, an increase in demand for whole-grain foods. Contemporaneous decreases in prices of whole-grain foods, relative to refined-grain foods, however, confound the evidence. We show that for whole-grain bread, there was an increase in retail demand even after accounting for price changes. Separate models for higher- and lower-income consumers show that the demand shift occurred among higher-income consumers, but not for lower-income consumers. Copyright 2012, Oxford University Press.
Biological Effects of 60-Hz Electric Fields on Miniature Swine: Exposure Facility

A facility for the exposure of miniature swine to vertical, 60-Hz, 30-kV/m electrical fields has been constructed. Exposed and sham-exposed colonies of swine are housed in separate, environmentally equivalent buildings. The electric field uniformity over the area of a swine stall is ±2.5% at ground-level and ±8% at the maximum height of a swine. The swine are not subject to spark discharges. The current between a drinking swine and its water nozzle is less than 20 ?A. No levels of audible noise, hum, vibration, or ozone attributable to the high-voltage system have been detected. The total electric field harmonic distortion is 0.5%.
Evaluation of aerosol IL-2 in sarcoma patients with lung metastases for future combination therapy with infused natural killer cells

Meeting abstracts To circumvent significant toxicities associated with high dose systemic IL-2 treatment, organ-specific delivery such as inhalational IL-2 has been studied. Our pre-clinical data demonstrated therapeutic efficacy of aerosol IL-2 in a human OS mouse model with no toxicity. The
Therapy for angina pectoris: Comparison of nicardipine with other antianginal agents

Abstract Nicardipine is a new dihydropyridine calcium channel blocking drug with actions that suggest condiserable usefulness as an agent for chronic stable angina. Hemodynamic studies in patients with coronary artery disease confirm major coronary vasodilator actions, perhaps even exceeding its considerable systemic vasodilator properties with little or no negative inotropic effect. Three recent controlled clinical trials that used nicardipine alone suggest approximately 20% to 30% increase in exercise time, and at least that much decrease in anginal episodes and sublingual nitroglycerin consumption when compared with placebo in doses of 90 to 120 mg daily. Five trials comparing nicardipine with other calcium channel blockers, and three with beta blockers, suggest equivalent efficacy, including decrease in angina and increase in exercise time. Adverse effects of nicardipine generally relate to its potent vasodilatory capability and are usually minor. Side effects are frequent at the beginning of many trials, usually do not cause undue withdrawals, and are quite rare after 6 to 12 months on the drug in most studies.
Ternary Thiol-ene/Acrylate Photopolymers: Effect of Acrylate Structure On Mechanical Properties

Model ternary thiol−ene/acrylate photopolymerization involving acrylate homopolymerization and copolymerization of thiol−ene and thiol−acrylate monomers were monitored by real-time FTIR. In all ternary mixtures, including those prepared with different acrylate concentrations, acrylate conversion was 100%. However, thiol−ene conversions were found to be controlled by their initial concentrations. The influence of acrylate monomer chemical structure on the thermophysical properties of ternary thiol−ene/acrylate systems was studied with DMA, DSC, and the absorbance of a nondestructive impact energy. The addition of acrylate to the thiol−ene system increased the rubbery modulus while the tan δmax shifted to higher temperatures. Densely cross-linked, heterogeneous matrix formation was observed with the broadening of tan δ peaks at high acrylate concentrations. The high impact absorption of these ternary thermoset photopolymers was correlated with the dynamic mechanical damping ability of the networks. Acrylate...
Kinetic characterization of the weak binding states of myosin V.

Myosin V is a molecular motor shown to move processively along actin filaments. We investigated the properties of the weak binding states of monomeric myosin V containing a single IQ domain (MV 1IQ) to determine if the affinities of these states are increased as compared to conventional myosin. Further, using a combination of non-hydrolyzable nucleotide analogues and mutations that block ATP hydrolysis, we sought to probe the states that are populated during ATP-induced dissociation of actomyosin. MV 1IQ binds actin with a K(d) = 4 microM in the presence of ATP gamma S at 50 mM KCl, which is 10-20-fold tighter than that of nonprocessive class II myosins. Mutations within the switch II region trapped MV 1IQ in two distinct M.ATP states with very different actin binding affinities (K(d) = 0.2 and 2 microM). Actin binding may change the conformation of the switch II region, suggesting that elements of the nucleotide binding pocket will be in a different conformation when bound to actin than is seen in any of the myosin crystal structures to date.
BH3-only proteins Noxa, Bmf, and Bim are necessary for arsenic trioxide–induced cell death in myeloma

The use of arsenic trioxide (ATO) to treat multiple myeloma (MM) is supported by preclinical studies as well as several phase 2 studies, but the precise mechanism(s) of action of ATO has not been completely elucidated. We used gene expression profiling to determine the regulation of apoptosis-related genes by ATO in 4 MM cell lines and then focused on Bcl-2 family genes. ATO induced up-regulation of 3 proapoptotic BH3-only proteins (Noxa, Bmf, and Puma) and down-regulation of 2 antiapoptotic proteins Mcl-1 and Bcl-XL. Coimmunoprecipitation demonstrated that Noxa and Puma bind Mcl-1 to release Bak and Bim within 6 hours of ATO addition. Bak and Bim are also released from Bcl-XL. Silencing of Bmf, Noxa, and Bim significantly protected cells from ATO-induced apoptosis, while Puma silencing had no effect. Consistent with a role for Noxa inhibition of Mcl-1, the Bad-mimetic ABT-737 synergized with ATO in the killing of 2 MM lines. Finally, Noxa expression was enhanced by GSH depletion and inhibited by increasing GSH levels in the cells. Understanding the pattern of BH3-only protein response should aid in the rational design of arsenic-containing regimens.
On the complexity of some geometric problems in unbounded dimension

This paper examines the complexity of several geometric problems due to unbounded dimension. The problems considered are: (i) minimum cover of points by unit cubes, (ii) minimum cover of points by unit balls, and (iii) minimum number of lines to hit a set of balls. Each of these problems is proven not to have a polynomial approximation scheme unless P = NP. Specific lower bounds on the error ratios attainable in polynomial time are given, assuming P NP. In particular, it is shown that covering by two cubes is in P while covering by three cubes is NP-complete.
Transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

Recent advances in the understanding of the genetic basis of Alzheimer's disease have enabled the production of transgenic mouse models of the disease. Utilizing both cDNA- and genomic-based approaches, these mouse models for Alzheimer's disease have already provided valuable insights into the pathogenesis of the disease and potential therapeutic interventions.
Comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography with coupling of reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography and supercritical fluid chromatography.

Abstract A 2D comprehensive chromatographic separation of blackberry sage fragrant oil was performed by using HPLC in the first dimension and SFC in the second. A C18-bonded silica column eluted with an ACN gradient was used in the HPLC dimension and an amino-bonded silica column eluted with ACN as a modifier in the SFC dimension. This 2D separation was completed in the off-line mode, the fractions from the HPLC column being collected and injected in the SFC column. The retention factors on the two columns have a −0.757 correlation coefficient. The method provides a practical peak capacity of 2400 in 280 min. The first eluted peaks in HPLC are the last ones eluted in SFC and vice versa. The results demonstrate that the coupling of an HPLC and an SFC separation have a great potential for 2D chromatographic separations.