cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Administered Activities in Pediatric Nuclear Medicine and the Impact of the 2010 North American Consensus Guidelines on General Hospitals in the United States

We sought to describe the practice of pediatric nuclear medicine at general hospitals in the United States and to assess the impact of dose awareness campaigns such as Image Gently. Methods: A web-based survey was developed that requested information regarding hospital type, whether the hospital practices pediatric nuclear medicine, and the hospital’s method for determining the administered activity for children. The survey invitation was emailed to a sample of general hospitals with more than 300 beds, excluding dedicated pediatric, veterans, psychiatric, and rehabilitation hospitals. Data were collected for 5 procedures performed on children: 99mTc-methylene diphosphate (MDP) bone scans, 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) renograms, 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal cortical scans, 99mTc-based hepatobiliary scans, and 18F-FDG PET scans. The sites reported dosage by weight (MBq/kg), minimum and maximum dosages, and the activities that they would administer to 2 hypothetical patients: a 5-y-old boy (20 kg, 110 cm tall) and a 10-y-old girl (30 kg, 140 cm tall). Results: The invitation was delivered to 196 sites, with 121 (61.7%) responding. Eighty-two hospitals (67.8%) performed nuclear medicine on children. All sites scaled administered activity for children, mostly by body weight. Also, 82.4% of sites indicated they were familiar with Image Gently, 57.1% were familiar with the 2010 North American consensus guidelines for children, and 54.9% altered their protocols because of the guidelines. The median value for parameters defined by the guidelines was equal to the guideline-recommended value for all procedures. More than 50% of the sites—particularly those familiar with the guidelines—were compliant with the guidelines regarding both the acquisition parameters and the administered activities for the 2 hypothetical patients. However, there remained a wide variation in practice, sometimes by more than a factor of 10, for sites not familiar with the guidelines. Conclusion: Image Gently and the North American guidelines have had a substantial impact on pediatric nuclear medicine practice in the United States. However, a wide variation in practice still exists, particularly for sites not familiar with the guidelines. Further promotion and dissemination of the guidelines and best practice are still necessary.
Strain survey and genetic analysis of vasoreactivity in mouse aorta.

Understanding the genetic influence on vascular reactivity is important for identifying genes underlying impaired vascular function. The purpose of this study was to characterize the genetic contri...
The U Visa's Failed Promise for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of immigrants who become victims of crime in the United States, Congress enacted the U visa, a form of immigration relief that provides victims, including survivors of domestic violence, a path to legal status. Along with this humanitarian aim, the U visa was intended to aid law enforcement in efforts to investigate and prosecute crime, based on the notion that victims without legal status might otherwise be too fearful to “come out of the shadows” by reporting offenses to the police. Although these two goals were purportedly coequal, in practice, by requiring survivors to cooperate with law enforcement in order to obtain U nonimmigrant status, the benefits to police and prosecutors are achieved at the expense of the victims Congress sought to protect, exacerbating the very vulnerabilities the U visa was intended to address. This article posits that this marginalization of immigrant victims’ interest should have been foreseen, as U visa requirements are analogous to other mandatory interventions in cases of domestic violence that have disempowered and destabilized survivors, particularly poor women of color. In tracing the history of the public response to domestic violence, from the time when spousal abuse was ignored or condoned to the overcorrection that has led to compulsory state involvement in women’s lives, it becomes clear that the U visa has perpetuated the swing of the pendulum away from victim autonomy and toward an aggressive criminal justice response to domestic violence. This article details why such a shift is particularly damaging for immigrant survivors – due to language barriers, complicated relationships with police, familial ties and economic constraints – and proposes novel solutions that mitigate the harmful effects of the U visa certification requirement and break away from ineffective conventions surrounding assistance for survivors of domestic violence.
Enhanced interconnects through filled metal structures

This paper analyses use of solid metal fill between BGA balls or LGA pins of packages, and between die bumps. The basic principle is to benefit from higher metal-density per unit volume of the substrate in the current path to deliver enhanced electrical, thermal and mechanical performance. Paper conceptualizes different structures and simulated data is presented to show case benefits. Results show power delivery impedance peak reduction by 10 % in the 100 kHz-10 MHz range. In addition, package inductor benefit of 40 % lower DC resistance is reported.
Bacillus Anthracis Spore Inactivation by Fumigant Decontamination

In 2001, envelopes containing virulent Bacillus anthracis spores were placed into the U.S. mail, resulting in contamination of mail processing and distribution facilities and office buildings. Thes...
From the Editors: Brief Synopsis

The current issue of the Journal of Dual Diagnosis continues to probe important aspects of dual diagnosis, including the interaction among tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, other substances and psychiatr...
Specifying Turning Point in Piecewise Growth Curve Models: Challenges and Solutions

Piecewise growth curve model (PGCM) is often used when the underlying growth process is not linear and is hypothesized to consist of phasic developments connected by turning points (or knots or change points). When fitting a PGCM, the conventional practice is to specify turning points a priori. However, the true turning points are often unknown and misspecifications of turning points may occur. The study examined the consequences of turning point misspecifications on growth parameter estimates and evaluated the performance of commonly used fit indices in detecting model misspecification due to mis-specified locations of turning points. In addition, this study introduced and evaluated a newly developed PGCM which allows unknown turning points to be freely estimated. The study found that there are severe consequences of turning point misspecification. Commonly used model fit indices have low power in detecting turning point misspecification. On the other hand, the newly developed PGCM with freely estimated unknown turning point performs well in general.
COEXISTENT PHASES IN OIL-IN-WATER EMULSIONS FLOCCULATED BY POLYSACCHARIDE

A detailed investigation of the creaming behaviour of a 20.2% v/v alkane-in-water emulsion with and without non-adsorbing polymer is reported. The presence of hydroxyethylcellulose in the continuous phase destabilises the emulsion, causing flocculation. A non-intrusive ultrasonic monitor is employed to obtain oil concentration profiles during creaming. Measurement of the creaming velocities of contours of constant oil concentration within the emulsion allows an estimate of the size of the flocs to be made. The coexistence of a flocculated and an unflocculated fraction is characterised, enabling the construction of a phase diagram for the system.
Abnormal Microvasculature in Laryngectomy Mucosal Margins may be Associated with Increased Risk of Fistula

Pharyngocutaneous fistula after laryngectomy is common and significantly increases the morbidity of the procedure. Intraoperative, objective variables that can reliably predict fistula formation would be useful to surgeons deciding how to reconstruct the laryngectomy defect. Retrospective chart review of 50 radiated patients and 10 non-radiated patients who underwent total laryngectomy at a single tertiary care institution. Patients with pharyngocutaneous fistula were selected to ensure a representative sample were available for comparison. All patients had pathology slides available for re-review by a single, blinded pathologist. Margins of both radiated (n = 50) and non-radiated (n = 10) larynges were examined for 7 histologic features, and odds ratios were calculated to assess whether these features were associated with fistula. When evaluating all 60 patients, both telangiectatic capillaries and hyalinized arterioles were associated with fistula (OR 3.72 and 9.21, respectively). Collinearity between the variables was evaluated; findings indicated a high likelihood of having hyalinized arterioles if telangiectatic capillaries were also present (OR 31.67 [3.13, 320.06]). Microvascular changes in radiated tissue have previously been described in other anatomic subsites, but the larynx and pharynx have not been specifically evaluated. Laryngectomy mucosal margins appear to display similar changes, and evidence of this damage may be associated with fistula formation. These features could potentially guide the surgeon to alter the reconstructive technique.
Formamidinium + Cesium Lead Triiodide Perovskite Thin Films: Optical Properties and Devices

Optical characterization and simulations have been applied to study formamidinium + cesium lead triiodide (FA}1}$X \mathbf{Cs} X$textbf{PbI3}\textbf{) perovskite thin films and solar cells. Near infrared to ultraviolet complex index of refraction ($N = n +_{\mathbf{\, }} ik$) spectra of varying cesium-to-formamidinium ratios in solution processed perovskite thin films have been extracted. Critical point transitions and the absorption onset are extracted, with $x =$ 0.2 showing the sharpest absorption edge and least contribution from defects to absorption near the band edge. External quantum efficiency simulations of perovskite based solar cells using optical properties as input are performed and compared to experimental device results.
Extending Spatial and Temporal Characterization of Indoor Wireless Channels From 350 to 650 GHz

Communication at terahertz carrier frequencies is a promising way to satisfy the ever-growing demands for high-speed wireless networks. The studies of terahertz wireless channels have so far been limited to the atmospheric transmission bands below 350 GHz. Availability of high-power transmitters and high-sensitivity receivers at higher frequencies necessitates extending the wireless channel studies to enable higher data-rate communication systems. With a view to assessing communication system design requirements at higher frequencies, we present the channel measurement results for 650-GHz carrier frequencies in comparison with 350 GHz carrier frequencies in a typical indoor environment. To obtain the spatial and temporal characteristics of the channel, the power angle profile and the power delay profile are measured based on new measurement methods. Multiple spatially resolvable paths are observed at both 350- and 650-GHz carrier frequencies. Signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal through the non-line-of-sight (NLoS) paths is sufficiently high to enable robust communication when the direct line-of-sight (LoS) path is blocked due to a moving object. The measurement results are used to calculate the reduction in the 650-GHz channel capacity in comparison with that of the 350-GHz channel for both LoS and NLoS paths. Channel dispersion characterization over a 10-GHz bandwidth shows that the delay spreads for the resolved LoS and NLoS paths are less than 80 ps for both 350- and 650-GHz bands. Therefore, no complicated equalizer is required to compensate for channel dispersion at both 350 and 650-GHz, which greatly simplifies the terahertz transceiver design.
Fungi in Ecosystem Processes

Preface Introduction Fungi and Primary Productivity: Making Nutrients Available Fungi and Primary Productivity: Plant Growth and Carbon Fixation Fungi, Secondary Productivity, and Other Fungal-Faunal Interactions Fungi and Population and Community Regulation Fungal Interactions with Humans Synopsis and Outlook to the Future Index
Enhanced expression of interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor subunits in murine hematopoietic cells stimulated with hematopoietic growth factors.

AIC2A and AIC2B are closely related genes encoding components of the receptors for murine interleukin-3 (IL-3) (AIC2A) and granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and IL-5 (AIC2B). We have studied the parallel regulation of expression of these genes in erythroid and myeloid progenitor cell lines. AIC2A and AIC2B transcription was transiently induced in these cells in response to a variety of hematopoietic growth factors, including erythropoietin (EPO), monocyte-CSF, IL-3, GM-CSF, and stem cell factor (SCF or kit ligand). Run-on assays established that the increase occurred mainly at the transcriptional level. Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that the increase in messenger RNA expression resulted in augmented synthesis of both AIC2A and AIC2B proteins, and binding studies further showed these proteins to be functional. We observed a fourfold increase in low-affinity IL-3 sites in an erythroid precursor cell line stimulated with EPO, and a threefold increase in GM-CSF high-affinity sites in a myeloid cell line stimulated with IL-3. In addition, we showed that the increase in the IL-3 receptor chain AIC2A in the erythroid precursor cell line correlated with the ability of IL-3 to exert a cooperative effect with EPO in the induction of beta-globin in these cells.
Employed Vocational Rehabilitation Applicants with Visual Disabilities: Factors Associated with Timely Service Delivery:

Introduction:Employed applicants for vocational rehabilitation need timely services to improve the likelihood of their successful job retention or career advancement. Little research exists that ex...
Incidental Findings on Brain MRI in People with HIV Infection

Background: Incidental findings are a well-known complication of imaging studies done for both diagnostic and research purposes. Little is known about the rates and types of incidental findings found on brain MRI in patients with HIV infection, who may be at risk for HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND). Methods: The parent study included 108 adults with HIV infection and 125 demographically-matched uninfected controls who completed MRI and neuropsychological testing. Incidental findings were classified by the study team as vascular, neoplastic, congenital, other neurologic, or non-neurologic. Categorical measures were compared using Pearson chi-square tests; continuous measures were compared using t-tests. Results: Among participants with HIV infection, 36/108 (33%) had incidental findings compared to 33/125 (26%) controls (p = 0.248). Rates of incidental findings were significantly correlated with increasing age in both participants with HIV infection (p = 0.013) and controls (p = 0.022). We found no correlation between presence of incidental findings and sex or race/ethnicity among either cohort, and no correlation with CD4 count or HAND status for the HIV-infected cohort. Conclusions: Incidental findings were common in both participants with HIV infection and controls, at higher rates than previously reported in healthy populations. There was no significant difference in prevalence between the groups.
Single-port robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy: initial clinical experience and lessons learned for successful outcomes

The Intuitive Surgical DaVinci SP (“Single Port”) robotic platform was approved in 2014, but, recently, there has been a dissemination of the technology with multiple urological procedures successfully adapted to this robot. There are some important differences from prior models. We aimed to share our early outcomes and lessons learned for performing successful single-port robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (SP-RAPN). This study is a retrospective review of sequential SP-RAPN cases between 7/2019 and 3/2020. We extracted patient characteristics and early surgical outcomes. Surgical tips and tricks were recorded during these cases and compiled. SP-RAPN was successfully completed in 12 patients. Patients mean age was 57.8 ± 11.0 years and median ASA score was 2. Mean tumor size was 3.1 ± 2.2 cm. The average OR Time was 172 ± 41 min and EBL was 68 ± 75 mL. All cases had warm ischemia time < 25 min. Tumor pathology included 8 RCC (6 pT1a, 1 pT1b, 1 pT2a), 2 AML, and 2 oncocytoma. There were no complications. Our top surgical tips involved: (1) patient positioning, (2) port placement, (3) insufflation, (4) air docking, (5) assistant port placement, (6) dynamic arm control, (7) hilar clamping, (8) camera relocation, (9) tumor excision, and (10) extraction and port closure. SP-RAPN is safe and feasible in this series. There are advantages and disadvantages to this platform. As the technology matures and techniques evolve, SP-RAPN may become more appealing. Future studies should focus on long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of the SP system.
Marijuana Vaping in U.S. Adults: Evidence From the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Introduction As of February 18, 2020, states have reported 2,807 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use–associated lung injury to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most cases involved cannabinoids. This study identifies current risk factors for adult marijuana vaping by analyzing 2017 and 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Methods Data on 8,255 people who recently used marijuana were analyzed in September 2019. Sample-weighted multivariate logistic regressions considered a binary indicator for vaping as the primary method of marijuana use. Adjusting for demographic controls, regressions assessed the association between marijuana vaping and marijuana use for medical purposes (versus nonmedical only), current conventional cigarette use, current nicotine e-cigarette use, and 2 mental health variables. Demographic controls were binary indicators for female sex, Hispanic ethnicity, race, and having completed ≥1 year of college. Results Odds of marijuana vaping were higher among those who reported using for medical purposes (AORage18−24years=3.8, 95% CI=1.91, 7.67; AORage25−54years=1.8, 95% CI=1.02, 3.08; AORage55−64years=2.3, 95% CI=0.75, 7.07) and lower among people who smoked combustible cigarettes (AORage18−24years=0.2, 95% CI=0.06, 0.65; AORage25−54years=0.2, 95% CI=0.10, 0.26; AORage55−64years=0.1, 95% CI=0.05, 0.34). Vaping nicotine e-cigarettes was associated with greater odds of vaping marijuana for adults aged 25–54 years (AOR=4.6, 95% CI=2.70, 7.78) but not those aged 18–24 years (AOR=0.9, 95% CI=0.33, 2.26). Conclusions Among people who use marijuana, adults reporting medical marijuana use were more likely to vape as their primary mode of consumption, whereas conventional cigarette smokers were less likely to do so. Use of nicotine e-cigarettes was associated with a greater likelihood of vaping marijuana for adults aged 25–54 years.
Use of ICD-10 Codes for Identification of Injection Drug Use-Associated Infective Endocarditis Is Nonspecific and Obscures Critical Findings on Impact of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.

Background No International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10), diagnosis code exists for injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis (IDU-IE). Instead, public health researchers regularly use combinations of nonspecific ICD-10 codes to identify IDU-IE; however, the accuracy of these codes has not been evaluated. Methods We compared commonly used ICD-10 diagnosis codes for IDU-IE with a prospectively collected patient cohort diagnosed with IDU-IE at Barnes-Jewish Hospital to determine the accuracy of ICD-10 diagnosis codes used in IDU-IE research. Results ICD-10 diagnosis codes historically used to identify IDU-IE were inaccurate, missing 36.0% and misclassifying 56.4% of patients prospectively identified in this cohort. Use of these nonspecific ICD-10 diagnosis codes resulted in substantial biases against the benefit of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with relation to both AMA discharge and all-cause mortality. Specifically, when data from all patients with ICD-10 code combinations suggestive of IDU-IE were used, MOUD was associated with an increased risk of AMA discharge (relative risk [RR], 1.12; 95% CI, 0.48-2.64). In contrast, when only patients confirmed by chart review as having IDU-IE were analyzed, MOUD was protective (RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.19-1.22). Use of MOUD was associated with a protective effect in time to all-cause mortality in Kaplan-Meier analysis only when confirmed IDU-IE cases were analyzed (P = .007). Conclusions Studies using nonspecific ICD-10 diagnosis codes for IDU-IE should be interpreted with caution. In the setting of an ongoing overdose crisis and a syndemic of infectious complications, a specific ICD-10 diagnosis code for IDU-IE is urgently needed.
Premating Behavior of Dealates of the Formosan Subterranean Termite and Evidence for the Presence of a Contact Sex Pheromone

Swarming by alates of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, occurs around dusk during April–June in Louisiana and adjoining states. Dispersal is the primary purpose for swarming. We studied the premating behavior, following swarming. Loss of wings, especially in females, was essential for successful formation of tandem pairs between the two sexes. No calling was observed and apparently a long-range volatile sex pheromone, reported in some other species of termites, may not be involved in mate attraction in C. formosanus. Males moving randomly use their antennae to detect a female, and, together with maxillary and labial palps, contact is maintained with her while in tandem. Previously mated males paired with virgin females showed tandem behavior. The incidence was very low when both males and females were previously mated and then paired. Males with complete ablation of antennae did not form tandem pairs. Ablation of 10 terminal antennal segments or the labial palps caused a significant increase in the time to initiate tandem behavior. Electrophysiological recordings from gustatory sensilla on both antennae and maxillary palps revealed increased neural activity in response to female abdominal tip extracts compared to activity elicited by a solvent control. Analysis of extracts of male and female abdominal tips using high-performance liquid chromatography showed a peak unique to the female extract. We discuss the presence of a nonvolatile chemical in female C. formosanus and its involvement in the specific premating behavior.
Schumpeter the incomplete rhetorician

Schumpeter’s Capitalism Socialism, Democracy was typical of 1942 in being pessimistic about all three terms of its title. Socialism would come, he thought, but without liberalism. His historical evidence was necessarily imperfect in light of later scholarship. But so too is his economics, good in parts, but falling in with the pre-analytic vision of the “imperfections” of something called “capitalism,” neither of which has held up well. The book later became popular because it had his characteristic breadth of scholarship, especially historical, but also his ironic stance on almost all issues. What’s finally missing in Schumpeter’s grim prognoses, largely falsified by events, is an acknowledgment of the power of language. Ideas, words, rhetoric, ideology, language games—indeed the world is governed, said another economist, by little else. Denying it is the paradox of the conflicted materialist writer: while denying rhetoric, he enacts it, for what purpose is unclear.
Analytical Hessians for Ewald and particle mesh Ewald electrostatics

The particle mesh Ewald (PME) method has become ubiquitous in the molecular simulation community due to its ability to deliver long range electrostatics accurately with ON ⁡log(N) complexity. Despite this widespread use, spanning more than two decades, second derivatives (Hessians) have not been available. In this work, we describe the theory and implementation of PME Hessians, which have applications in normal mode analysis, characterization of stationary points, phonon dispersion curve calculation, crystal structure prediction, and efficient geometry optimization. We outline an exact strategy that requires O(1) effort for each Hessian element; after discussing the excessive memory requirements of such an approach, we develop an accurate, efficient approximation that is far more tractable on commodity hardware.
Object Detection and Tracking in Real Time Videos

Object and human tracking in streaming videos are one of the most challenging problems in vision computing. In this work, we review some relevant machine learning algorithms and techniques for human identification and tracking in videos. We provide details on metrics and methods used in the computer vision literature for monitoring and propose a state-space representation of the object tracking problem. A proof of concept implementation of the state-space based object tracking using particle filters is presented as well. The proposed approach enables tracking objects/humans in a video, including foreground/background separation for object movement detection.
Magnetic nanoparticle-based hybrid materials in the biomedical field: fundamentals and applications

Abstract This chapter covers the fundamental principles and uses of magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) based hybrid materials in the biomedical field. Factors such as size, surface effect, and types of metallic ion precursors that dictate the magnetic properties of MNPs are discussed. The principles and advances in bioinspired physical and chemical methods for the synthesis of MNPs are reviewed. Additionally, the effect of the synthetic approaches on the structure and magnetic properties of MNPs are discussed. Various chemical modifications and ligand attachments onto the surface of MNPs that help to improve nanoparticle properties, such as hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, porosity, and targeting ability, are outlined. These modifications enhance the versatility of MNPs for various biomedical applications. This chapter focuses on advances in the use of MNPs in the medical and diagnostic industries. Finally, future trends and research directions for these applications are summarized.
The Metabolism of Inositol Phosphates

Phosphatidylinositols are phospholipid precursors of a series of inositol phosphates. Several inositol phosphates function as messenger molecules that evoke responses in cells following stimulation by extracellular agonists. While many different compounds are formed, the functions of only a few are understood. The pathways of formation of the inositol phosphates are complex and only partially worked out. The very complexity of the system implies that many functions may be served by these molecules. Myo-inositol (Fig. 1) is a hexatol that can be substituted with various combinations of phosphate esters and 1,2 cyclic phosphate esters. Allowing for all possible combinations of phosphates, we could have as many as 63 distinct noncyclic inositol phosphates and at least 3 cyclic inositol phosphates. Each of these compounds could specify some function, and the amount of information that could be derived from this system is therefore immense. Thus far, 15 inositol phosphates have been described in tissues or extracts of tissues (listed in Table I).
Women's Socialization into Nontraditional Heavy Work

An increasing number of opportunities are available for women in nontraditional, blue-collar work. However, for many women the lack of job skills, poor work conditions, differential treatment, shift work, and heavy physical labor deter them from entering or remaining in such jobs. This case study attempted to uncover workplace issues, the socialization process, and adaptive strategies for a female steel worker. Her strategies for survival included hard work, high work standards, "courteous but cool" relationships with coworkers, "standing up" for herself, and good friends or support systems.
Accelerating Japan's Economic Growth: Resolving Japan's Growth Controversy

1. Introduction and Summary of the Project 2. The Economic Growth Record in Japan 3. The Challenges to Japanese Economic Growth 4. The IT/E-Business Revolution And Globalization: Implications of the New Economy for Japan 5. Theoretical Framework: IT and Productivity Growth 6. The East Asian Growth Process and IT: Implications for Japan 7. Information and Communications Technology and Productivity Growth in Japan 8. Revisiting Japanese Industrial Organization and Corporate System 9. Case Study of Government Policy and the Telecommunications Market in Japan 10. IT-Related Development and Policy: Some Examples from the United States with Relevance to Japan 11. Estimating a New Economy Production Function for Japan 12. Simulation Studies for Accelerating Japanese Economic Growth 13. Polices to Achieve Faster Economic Growth in Japan 14: Accelerating Japan's Economic Growth: Conclusions
Something More to the Story

First Prize in Hoffman Student Bioethics Writing Competition 2009–2010 Do you have any property rights in your body parts, such as tissues and cells, once they are removed from your body? This rela...
Role of drug absorption in the pharmacokinetics of therapeutic interventions for stroke

Absorption is a critical component of the pharmacokinetics for solid dosage forms administered orally. Many barriers must be overcome in order for a drug molecule to reach its effect site. To effectively address each of these barriers, drug-specific properties, formulation issues, and (patho)physiological changes in the gastrointestinal tract must be considered. First-pass metabolism in the gut and/or liver can dictate the extent to which a drug reaches the systemic circulation. Drug-metabolizing enzymes in the gut and liver are very susceptible to inhibition by other drugs, increasing the risk of drug interactions. In this paper, we will discuss absorption-related issues for solid dosage forms used in the management of stroke patients.
The Self and Spirituality: Overcoming Narrative Loss in Aging

As humans we make sense of our Selves and our world through narrativization, a process which concerns matters of purpose, truth, and values. This is at one and the same time a spiritual activity as both spirituality and narrative involve a sense of openness and indeterminacy, and the generation of meaning and purpose. As we age, however, physical, mental, and social changes may disrupt how we narrativize our lives resulting in “narrative loss.” With reference to mental health, we explore such narrative losses and some possible ways of countering these, drawing on practices in spiritual direction and narrative theory.
Immunogenically Fit Subunit Vaccine Components Via Epitope Discovery from Natural Peptide Libraries

Antigenic peptides that bind pathogen-specific Abs are a potential source of subunit vaccine components. To be effective the peptides must be immunogenically fit: when used as immunogens they must elicit Abs that cross-react with native intact pathogen. In this study, antigenic peptides obtained from phage display libraries through epitope discovery were systematically examined for immunogenic fitness. Peptides selected from random peptide libraries, in which the phage-displayed peptides are encoded by synthetic degenerate oligonucleotides, had marginal immunogenic fitness. In contrast, 50% of the peptides selected from a natural peptide library, in which phage display segments of actual pathogen polypeptides, proved very successful. Epitope discovery from natural peptide libraries is a promising route to subunit vaccines.
Protein: Polyanion interaction. The effect of heparin on thetrehalosephosphate synthetase of Mycobacterium smegmatis.

Abstract The effect of the polyanion heparin on the trehalose phosphate synthetase of Mycobacterium smegmatis had been studied. In the presence of heparin (0.5 mg/ml), the synthetase shows greatly increased stability when heated at 50 °C for various periods of time as compared to the enzyme in the absence of heparin. Heparin also prevents digestion of the enzyme by trypsin. In the absence of heparin, the synthetase is retained on a Sephadex G-200 column and elutes in an area suggesting a molecular weight of about 40,000–50,000. However, when heparin (0.5 mg/ml) is mixed with the enzyme, the synthetase is excluded from the Sephadex G-200 column and elutes in an area suggesting a molecular weight of greater than 450,000. The trehalose phosphate synthetase was purified by binding it to a column of heparin covalently attached to Sepharose 4B. The synthetase was eluted from this column with a linear gradient of heparin. This enzyme fraction which contained bound heparin showed greatly increased stability at 50 °C, and eluted from the Sephadex G-200 column in an area suggesting a molecular weight of greater than 450,000. These results indicate that heparin, and presumably other polyanions, stabilizes the synthetase to adverse conditions and also causes an association of the enzyme to high molecular weight forms. The synthetase, when bound to the heparin-Sepharose gel, still retained good enzymatic activity. This immobilized enzyme was active with various glucose sugar nucleotides (ADP-glucose, GDP-glucose, UDP-glucose, TDP-glucose) and did not require additional polyanion. The product formed from each of these sugar nucleotides was shown to be trehalose phosphate by a variety of chemical and enzymatic procedures.
Plant callose synthase complexes.

Synthesis of callose (β-1,3-glucan) in plants has been a topic of much debate over the past several decades. Callose synthase could not be purified to homogeneity and most partially purified cellulose synthase preparations yielded β-1,3-glucan in vitro, leading to the interpretation that cellulose synthase might be able to synthesize callose. While a rapid progress has been made on the genes involved in cellulose synthesis in the past five years, identification of genes for callose synthases has proven difficult because cognate genes had not been identified in other organisms. An Arabidopsis gene encoding a putative cell plate-specific callose synthase catalytic subunit (CalS1) was recently cloned. CalS1 shares high sequence homology with the well-characterized yeast β-1,3-glucan synthase and transgenic plant cells over-expressing CalS1 display higher callose synthase activity and accumulate more callose. The callose synthase complex exists in at least two distinct forms in different tissues and interacts with phragmoplastin, UDP-glucose transferase, Rop1 and, possibly, annexin. There are 12 CalS isozymes in Arabidopsis, and each may be tissue-specific and/or regulated under different physiological conditions responding to biotic and abiotic stresses.
Studies on an Endonuclease Activity Associated with the Bacteriophage T7 DNA-Membrane Complex

Abstract Infection of Escherichia coli with bacteriophage T7 results in the formation of an endonuclease which is selectively associated with the T7 DNA-membrane complex. A specificity of association with the complex is indicated by the finding that the enzyme is completely resolved from a previously described T7 endonuclease I. When membrane complexes containing 3H-labeled in vivo synthesized DNA are incubated in the standard reaction mixture a specific cleavage product is formed which is about one-fourth the size of T7 DNA. The endonuclease associated with the complex produces a similar cleavage product after extensive incubation with native T7 DNA or T7 concatemers. Degradation of concatemers occurs by a mechanism in which the DNA is converted to molecules one-half the size of T7. This product is in turn converted to fragments one-fourth the size of mature phage DNA. The endonuclease is not present in membrane complexes from uninfected cells or cells infected with gene 1 mutants. The enzyme activity is, however, present in cells infected with mutants defective in T7 DNA synthesis or maturation.
Speciation by Reinforcement: A Model Derived from Studies of Drosophila

Reinforcement is an increase in premating reproductive isolation between taxa resulting from selection against hybrids. We present a model of reinforcement with a novel type of selection on female mating behavior. Previous models of reinforcement have focused on the divergence of female mating preferences between nascent species. We suggest that an increase in the level of female mating discrimination can yield reinforcement without further divergence of either male characters or female preferences. This model indicates that selection on mating discrimination is a viable mechanism for reinforcement and may allow speciation under less stringent conditions than selection on female preference. This model also incorporates empirical results from genetic studies of hybrid fitness determination in Drosophila species. We find that the details of inheritance, which include sex-linked transmission, sex-limited fertility reduction, and X-autosome epistasis, have important effects on the likelihood of reinforcement. In particular, X-autosome epistasis for hybrid fitness determination facilitates reinforcement when hybrid fertility reduction occurs in males, but hinders the process when it occurs in females. HALDANE's rule indicates that hybrid sterility will generally evolve in males prior to females within nascent species. Thus, HALDANE's rule and X-autosome epistasis provide conditions that are surprisingly favorable for reinforcement in Drosophila.
Estimation of Time-Averaged Surface Divergence and Vorticity from Satellite Ocean Vector Winds

AbstractTwo methods of computing the time-mean divergence and vorticity from satellite vector winds in rain-free (RF) and all-weather (AW) conditions are investigated. Consequences of removing rain-contaminated winds on the mean divergence and vorticity depend strongly on the order in which the time-average and spatial derivative operations are applied. Taking derivatives first and averages second (DFAS_RF) incorporates only those RF winds measured at the same time into the spatial derivatives. While preferable mathematically, this produces mean fields biased relative to their AW counterparts because of the exclusion of convergence and cyclonic vorticity often associated with rain. Conversely, taking averages first and derivatives second (AFDS_RF) incorporates all RF winds into the time-mean spatial derivatives, even those not measured coincidentally. While questionable, the AFDS_RF divergence and vorticity surprisingly appears qualitatively consistent with the AW means, despite using only RF winds. The a...
An 80-kilodalton antigen from Histoplasma capsulatum that has homology to heat shock protein 70 induces cell-mediated immune responses and protection in mice

An extract of the cell wall and cell membrane from Histoplasma capsulatum yeast cells was assayed by Western blot (immunoblot) for reactivity with two monoclonal antibodies to heat shock protein 70. Four bands with molecular masses of 80, 66, 54, and 32 kDa bound both antibodies. The 80-kDa protein was isolated, analyzed for homology to heat shock protein 70, and tested for antigenicity and immunogenicity in C57BL/6 mice. The 80-kDa protein reacted with monoclonal antibody to heat shock protein 70. Sera from mice immunized with the antigen recognized H. capsulatum heat shock protein 70. Moreover, the amino-terminal sequence of the 80-kDa protein revealed substantial homology with heat shock protein 70 from several species. The 80-kDa protein induced delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in mice immunized with either viable yeast cells or antigen. Splenocytes from mice immunized with yeast cells or with antigen responded in vitro to the 80-kDa antigen. Immunization of mice with the antigen enhanced host resistance against a sublethal inoculum of H. capsulatum yeast cells, but it did not reduce the mortality of mice given a lethal challenge of yeast cells. Thus, this antigen manifests homology with members of the heat shock protein 70 family. Furthermore, the 80-kDa protein elicits cellular immune responses to H. capsulatum, and it mediates protective immunity.
TURNING THE CLOCK BACK OR BREAKING WITH THE PAST?: Charismatic Temporality and Elite Politics in Côte d’Ivoire and the United States

The article explores the forms of punctuated time that characterize evangelical discourse in both Cote d’Ivoire and the United States. It compares forms of punctuated time that not only form the basis of End Times theology in both places, but also have served as the basis of important lobbying networks. Although evangelical politics in each place has different roots, both are linked by populist anti-immigrant and Islamophobic rhetoric. Most importantly, I argue, the shared structure of eschataological temporality shapes the elective affinities that brought together such strange bedfellows as Pat Robertson and Laurent Gbagbo.
Methodology for Counting Pedestrians at Intersections: Use of Automated Counters to Extrapolate Weekly Volumes from Short Manual Counts

Accurate methods of counting pedestrians are needed to quantify exposure for safety analysis, rank infrastructure improvements and safety programs by priority, evaluate the benefits of pedestrian projects, develop models of pedestrian volumes, and track changes in pedestrian activity over time. However, pedestrian counts are still much less common than motor vehicle counts in most communities. In addition, existing count methodologies are not standardized and rarely provide enough information to extrapolate to weekly, monthly, or annual volumes. This exploratory study presents a methodology for estimating weekly pedestrian intersection crossing volumes based on 2-h manual counts. The methodology, implemented in Alameda County, California, involves a combination of manual and automated counts to determine weekly volumes. More than 690,000 pedestrians were counted during the 13-week study period. Manual counts were conducted at a set of 50 intersections. Automated counts from sidewalk locations in close proximity to a subset of 11 intersections were used to adjust these counts for time of day and week, surrounding land use characteristics, and weather conditions. The extrapolated pedestrian volume estimates were then used to calculate the number of reported crashes per 10 million pedestrian crossings at each of the study intersections. The results of this study demonstrate how pedestrian volumes can be routinely integrated into transportation safety and planning projects.
Quantum calculation of cold-atom diffraction using periodic magnetic fields

When cold atoms approach a periodically magnetized surface, they are scattered by the effective repulsive potential $U(x,y)={\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}{m}_{F}gB(x,y)$. If the period $a$ of the magnetized surface is larger than the de Broglie wavelength $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ of the atoms, the atoms are diffracted. We have developed a method for calculating the location and intensity of the diffraction peaks using formal scattering theory. We solve the exact two-dimensional Schr\"odinger equation with the finite element method and calculate the scattering amplitude $f(\ensuremath{\phi})$ using the integral formula; a plot of $\ensuremath{\mid}f(\ensuremath{\phi}){\ensuremath{\mid}}^{2}$ provides a visualization of the diffraction pattern. By varying the experimental parameters within a realistic range, we predict the optimal conditions for observing atom diffraction.
ENDOCRINE CONTROL OF THE LIPID METABOLISM OF THE BIRD. IV. LIPID METABOLISM OF THE BIRD DURING PUBESCENCE AND THE ANNUAL REST1

PREVIOUS WORK has shown that the lipid metabolism of the bird is influenced by the ovarian estrogenic hormone (1–3). The rapidity of the response of the blood lipids to estrogen injections suggests that the blood lipid level may offer a good method for determining changes in ovarian activity within this animal. In the present investigation, lipid levels have been correlated with ovarian activity during 2 periods in the life of the bird, pubescence and the annual rest, for it is in these periods that the most rapid and pronounced changes in ovaries occur. Single comb White Leghorn chickens of the Poultry Division stock were employed. The birds used in the study of puberty were maintained in individual cages. At suitable intervals, as judged by comb growth, blood was removed by heart puncture, and immediately thereafter these animals were killed for examination of reproductive tract and liver.
Sex Differences in Long-Term Mortality After Myocardial Infarction A Systematic Review

Background—Studies of sex differences in long-term mortality after acute myocardial infarction have reported mixed results. A systematic review is needed to characterize what is known about sex differences in long-term outcomes and to define gaps in knowledge. Methods and Results—We searched the Medline database from 1966 to December 2012 to identify all studies that provided sex-based comparisons of mortality after acute myocardial infarction. Only studies with at least 5 years of follow-up were reviewed. Of the 1877 identified abstracts, 52 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 39 were included in this review. Most studies included fewer than one-third women. There was significant heterogeneity across studies in patient populations, methodology, and risk adjustment, which produced substantial variability in risk estimates. In general, most studies reported higher unadjusted mortality for women compared with men at both 5 and 10 years after acute myocardial infarction; however, many of the differe...
Abstract C99: Panitumumab conjugated gold nanoparticles induce hyperthermic cytotoxicity in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines after noninvasive radiofrequency field exposure

Introduction: Many cancer cells that highly express epidermal growth factor receptor‐1 (EGFR‐1) have been demonstrated to endocytose antibody specific targeted nanoparticles such as cetuximab conjugated gold nanoparticles. These gold nanoparticles are subsequently delivered throughout the cell. When gold nanoparticles are exposed to near infrared laser (NIR) radiation or non‐invasive radiofrequency fields, they heat in a concentration dependent manner. Radiofrequency (RF) fields are advantageous because they easily penetrate through body tissues without injury. We investigated the effects of a clinically available EGFR‐1 antibody, panitumumab, conjugated to gold nanoparticles in noninvasive RF fields. Methods: Solid gold nanoparticles (10 nm) were covalently linked to panitumumab, a monoclonal antibody against EGFR‐1. Two pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, Panc‐1 and Capan‐1, were treated with 200 nM panitumumab linked gold nanoparticles in media for four hours. After replacing the media with fresh media not containing the antibody linked gold nanoparticles, the cells were exposed to an RF field at a generator power of 600W for a total of 3 minutes. The media temperature was kept below 42°C in order to prevent non‐specific apoptosis. Viability and apoptosis were evaluated with flow cytometry three days later. Statistical analysis was performed with the Student9s t‐test and uncertainties represent standard errors of the mean. Results: The viability of control cells not treated with the conjugate remained greater than 90% for both cell lines. The antibody‐nanoparticle conjugate alone decreased the viability of Panc‐1 cells to 81.0% ± 1.1%. However, after RF field exposure, the viability decreased to 57.2% ± 7.9% (p Conclusions: The susceptibility of pancreatic carcinoma cell lines to gold nanoparticle mediated noninvasive RF field hyperthermic therapy may be related to the combined effects of monoclonal antibody treatment and intracellular hyperthermia. Based on this simple model, it appears that there is a relationship between EGFR‐1 expression, cytotoxicity associated with monoclonal antibody therapy, and hyperthermic cytotoxicity after RF field exposure. Combined rational therapy utilizing non‐invasive RF fields may provide for opportunities where traditional radiotherapy has failed and NIR therapy is not readily possible due to tumor location deep within a body cavity. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C99.