cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring Oxygen Using Oxygen Dependent Quenching of Phosphorescence: A Status Report

Oxygen dependent quenching of phosphorescence has recently been recognized as providing an optical method for measuring oxygen pressure in biological systems (see for examples Vanderkooi et al, 1986; 1987; Wilson et al, 1987; 1988; 1991; Robiolio et al, 1989; Rumsey et al, 1989). When light is absorbed by a phosphorescent molecule it is raised to an excited singlet state, with the electron remaining in the same spin state it had in the ground state. It can return from the excited singlet state to the ground state with emission of light (fluorescence), a process consistent with excited state lifetimes of a few nanoseconds. In some molecules there is, however, rapid “intersystem crossing” in which the spin state of the electron in the excited state is “flipped” into the opposite spin, yielding a triplet state. The excited triplet is a lower energy state containing unpaired electrons and for which return to the ground state can occur only with a simultaneous change in electron spin state, i.e. return to the ground state is spin forbidden. Triplet states are therefore generally much longer lived than singlet states. When the excited electron of the triplet state returns to the ground state with emission of light, the emitted light is called phosphorescence. Triplet states can have very long lifetimes, but for measuring oxygen it is convenient to use ones with lifetimes of hundreds of microseconds to milliseconds.
St. Paul's Outside the Walls: A Roman Basilica, from Antiquity to the Modern Era

This volume examines one of Rome's most influential churches: the principal basilica dedicated to St Paul. Nicola Camerlenghi traces nearly two thousand years of physical transformations to the church, from before its construction in the fourth century to its reconstruction following a fire in 1823. By recounting this long history, he restores the building to its rightful place as a central, active participant in epochal political and religious shifts in Rome and across Christendom, as well as a protagonist in Western art and architectural history. Camerlenghi also examines how buildings in general trigger memories and anchor meaning, and how and why buildings endure, evolve, and remain relevant in cultural contexts far removed from the moment of their inception. At its core, Saint Paul's exemplifies the concept of building as a process, not a product: a process deeply interlinked with religion, institutions, history, cultural memory, and the arts. This study also includes state-of-the-art digital reconstructions synthesizing a wealth of historical evidence to visualize and analyze the earlier (now lost) stages of the building's history, offering glimpses into heretofore unexamined parts of its long, rich life.
Abstract 384: Pirfenidone Protects the Heart Through Immune Modulation of Subsets of Cardiac B Lymphocytes

Despite the long-standing recognition that the immune response to acute myocardial injury contributes to adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling, it has not been possible to effectively target inf...
Collective MAPK signaling dynamics coordinates epithelial homeostasis

ABSTRACT Epithelial tissues are constantly challenged by individual cell fate decisions while maintaining barrier function. During oncogenesis, mutant and normal cells also differ in their signaling states and cellular behaviors creating competitive interactions that are poorly understood. Here we show that the temporal patterns of MAPK activity are decoded by the ADAM17-EGFR paracrine signaling axis to coordinate migration of neighboring cells and promote extrusion of aberrantly-signaling cells. Concurrently, neighboring cells increase proliferation to maintain cell density while oncogene expressing cells undergo cell cycle arrest. Moreover, the stress MAPK p38 elicits the same paracrine signaling and extrusion response, suggesting that the ADAM17-EGFR pathway constitutes a quality control mechanism to eliminate and replace unfit cells from epithelial tissues. Overall, we show that the temporal patterns of MAPK activity coordinates both single and collective cell behaviors to maintain tissue homeostasis.
Organismic materials for beyond von Neumann machines

The elementary basis of intelligence in organisms with a central nervous system includes neurons and synapses and their complex interconnections forming neural circuits. In non-neural organisms such as slime mold with gel-like media, viscosity modulation enables adaptation to changing environments. At a larger scale, collective intelligence emerges via social interactions and feedback in animal colonies. Learning and memory are therefore multi-scale features that evolve as a result of constant interactions with the environment. There is growing interest in emulating such features of intelligence in computing machines and autonomous systems. Materials that can respond to their environment in a manner similar to organisms (referred to as “organismic materials”) therefore may be of interest as hardware components in artificial intelligence machines. In this brief review, we present a class of semiconductors called correlated oxides as candidates for learning machines. The term “correlated” refers to the fact that electrons in such lattices strongly interact and the ground state is not what is predicted by classical band theory. Such materials can undergo insulator–metal transitions at near ambient conditions under external stimuli such as thermal or electrical fields, strain, and chemical doping. Depending on the mechanism driving the transition, intermediate states can be metastable with different volatilities, and the time scales of phase change can be controlled over many orders of magnitude. The change in electronic properties can be sharp or gradual, leading to digital or analog behavior. These properties enable the realization of artificial neurons and synapses and emulate the associative and non-associative learning characteristics found in various organisms. We examine microscopic properties concerning electronic and structural transitions leading to collective behavior and theoretical treatments of the ground state and dynamical response, showcasing VO2 as a model system. Next, we briefly review algorithms designed from the plasticity demonstrated by phase changing systems. We conclude the brief review with suggestions for future research toward realizing non-von Neumann machines.
Frequency Regulation using Data-Driven Controllers in Power Grids with Variable Inertia due to Renewable Energy

With the increasing penetration of non-synchronous variable renewable energy sources (RES) in power grids, the system's inertia decreases and varies over time, affecting the capability of current control schemes to handle frequency regulation. Providing virtual inertia to power systems has become an interesting topic of research, since it may provide a reasonable solution to address this new issue. However, power dynamics are usually modeled as time-invariant, without including the effect of varying inertia due to the presence of RES. This paper presents a framework to design a fixed learned controller based on datasets of optimal time-varying LQR controllers. In our scheme, we model power dynamics as a hybrid system with discrete modes representing different rotational inertia regimes of the grid. We test the performance of our controller in a twelve-bus system using different fixed inertia modes. We also study our learned controller as the inertia changes over time. By adding virtual inertia we can guarantee stability of high-renewable (low-inertia) modes. The novelty of our work is to propose a design framework for a stable controller with fixed gains for time-varying power dynamics. This is relevant because it would be simpler to implement a proportional controller with fixed gains compared to a time-varying control.
Motor Vehicle Crashes Involving a Bicycle Before and After Introduction of a Bike Share Program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2010–2018

Objectives. To quantify the impact of a citywide bicycle share program on rates of motor vehicle collisions involving a bicycle.Methods. We conducted an interrupted time series analysis, using cras...
The Effect of Non-Pharmacologic Strategies on Prevention or Management of Intensive Care Unit Delirium: A Systematic Review

Abstract Objective The aim of this systematic review is to examine and report on recently available literature evaluating the relationship between non-pharmacologic management strategies and the reduction of delirium in the intensive care unit. Methods Six major research databases were systematically searched for articles analyzing the efficacy of non-pharmacologic delirium interventions in the past five years. Search results were restricted to adult human patients aged 18 years or older in the intensive care unit setting, excluding terminally ill subjects and withdrawal-related delirium. Following title, abstract, and full text review, 27 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and are included in this report. Results The 27 reviewed articles consist of 12 interventions with a single-component investigational approach, and 15 with multi-component bundled protocols. Delirium incidence was the most assessed outcome followed by duration. Family visitation was the most effective individual intervention and mobility interventions were the least effective. Two of the three family studies significantly reduced delirium incidence, while one in five mobility studies did the same. Multicomponent bundle approaches were the most effective of all; of the reviewed studies, eight of 11 bundles significantly improved delirium incidence and seven of eight bundles decreased the duration of delirium. Conclusions Multi-component, bundled interventions were more effective at managing intensive care unit delirium than those utilizing an approach with a single interventional element. Although better management of this condition suggests a decrease in resource burden and improvement in patient outcomes, comparative research should be performed to identify the importance of specific bundle elements.
Influence of external electric field on phase transitions in the thin film ferroelectrics

Based on the phenomenological theory of Landau–Ginzburg–Devonshire, the singularities of the phase transition in a thin ferroelectric film in external electric field are investigated depending on t...
Disseminated intravascular coagulation: new identity as endotheliopathy-associated vascular microthrombotic disease based on in vivo hemostasis and endothelial molecular pathogenesis

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) can be correctly redefined as disseminated intravascular microthrombosis based on “two-path unifying theory” of in vivo hemostasis. “DIC” is a form of vascular microthrombotic disease characterized by “microthrombi” composed of platelets and unusually large von Willebrand factor multimers (ULVWF). Microthrombotic disease includes not only “DIC”, but also microthrombosis occurring in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), TTP-like syndrome, and focal, multifocal and localized microthrombosis. Being a hemostatic disease, microthrombotic disease occurs as a result of lone activation of ULVWF path via partial in vivo hemostasis. In endothelial injury associated with critical illnesses such as sepsis, the vascular damage is limited to the endothelial cell and activates ULVWF path. In contrast, in intravascular traumatic injury, the local damage may extend from the endothelial cell to subendothelial tissue and sometimes beyond, and activates both ULVWF and tissue factor (TF) paths. When endotheliopathy triggers exocytosis of ULVWF and recruits platelets, ULVWF path is activated and promotes microthrombogenesis to produce microthrombi composed of microthrombi strings, but when localized vascular damage causes endothelial and subendothelial tissue damage, both ULVWF and TF paths are activated and promote macrothrombogenesis to produce macrothrombus made of complete “blood clots”. Currently, “DIC” concept is ascribed to activated TF path leading to fibrin clots. Instead, it should be correctly redefined as microthrombosis caused by activation of ULVWF path, leading to endotheliopathy-associated microthrombosis. The correct term for acute “DIC” is disseminated microthrombosis-associated hepatic coagulopathy, and that for chronic “DIC” is disseminated microthrombosis without hepatic coagulopathy. TTP-like syndrome is hematologic phenotype of endotheliopathy-associated microthrombosis. This correct concept of “DIC” is identified from novel theory of “in vivo hemostasis”, which now can solve every mystery associated with “DIC” and other associated thrombotic disorders. Thus, sepsis-associated coagulopathy is not “DIC”, but is endotheliopathy-associated vascular microthrombotic disease.
"I'm Dealing With That": Illness Concerns of African American and White Cancer Patients While Undergoing Active Cancer Treatments.

Background:National oncology guidelines recommend early integration of palliative care for patients with cancer. However, drivers for this integration remain understudied. Understanding illness con...
Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis and Cushing’s syndrome

Abstract Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) remains the most common form of drug-induced osteoporosis. Patients may fracture at a different bone mineral density (BMD) threshold and absolute fracture risk using FRAX should be adjusted for glucocorticoid dose. Sufficient calcium and vitamin D are necessary but are generally insufficient for higher risk persons. The use of bone therapy in GIOP is motivated by an understanding of GIOP pathophysiology, including effects on heightened bone resorption and reduced bone formation. Osteoblast and osteocyte apoptosis contributes to both GIOP and glucocorticoid-associated osteonecrosis. Bisphosphonates, teriparatide, raloxifene, and denosumab stabilize or improve BMD more than placebo. Teriparatide, zoledronic acid, and denosumab increased BMD more so than an oral bisphosphonate. Teriparatide also reduced a small number of vertebral fractures more so than risedronate. All drugs tested in GIOP have had reasonable safety profiles, considering the significant comorbidity burden of those being treated with glucocorticoids. International guidelines advocate early and aggressive management of GIOP in order to lower fracture morbidity.
Henry Luce’s American & Chinese Century: An Analysis of US News Magazines’ Coverage of General Chiang Kai-shek from 1936 to 1949

Time magazine founder and publisher Henry Luce was accused by scholars and critics of using his media empire to support and promote General Chiang Kai-shek and his ruling Chinese Nationalist Party ...
A perspective essay on the use of Ga3+ as a proxy for Fe3+ in bioinorganic model studies and its successful use for therapeutic purposes.

Abstract The use of Ga3+ as a structural mimic for Fe3+ in model bioinorganic investigations is usually based on a common assumption that Ga3+ and Fe3+ should form bioligand complexes of similar stabilities due to their similar charge/radius ratio (z/r). However, the literature survey presented here is contrary to this notion, showing that under laboratory conditions often Ga3+ forms weaker bioligand complexes than Fe3+in aqueous medium. We hypothesize that this is because Ga3+ is more aquaphilic than Fe3+ as suggested by their relative heats of hydration (ΔHhyd). The successful use of Ga3+ as a therapeutic agent is also briefly reviewed, showing this success often stems from the redox inertness as well as different pharmacokinetics of Ga3+ than Fe3+, but similar metabolic pathways as Fe3+ in human serum.
Adsorption space for microporous polymers with diverse adsorbate species

The enormous number of combinations of adsorbing molecules and porous materials that exist is known as adsorption space. The adsorption space for microporous polymers has not yet been systematically explored, especially when compared with efforts for crystalline adsorbents. We report molecular simulation data for the adsorptive and structural properties of polymers of intrinsic microporosity with a diverse set of adsorbate species with 345 distinct adsorption isotherms and over 240,000 fresh and swollen structures. These structures and isotherms were obtained using a sorption-relaxation technique that accounts for the critical role of flexibility of the polymeric adsorbents. This enables us to introduce a set of correlations that can estimate adsorbent swelling and fractional free volume dilation as a function of adsorbate uptake based on readily characterized properties. The separation selectivity of the 276 distinct binary molecular pairs in our data is reported and high-performing adsorbent systems are identified.
Understanding the Use of Optimal Formatting and Plain Language When Presenting Key Information in Clinical Trials.

Recent revisions to the Common Rule require that consent documents begin with a focused presentation of the study's key information that is organized to facilitate understanding. We surveyed 1,284 ...
Documenting and Advancing an Organizational Landscape of Teaching-related Routines for Science and Engineering Faculty: Informing Teaching Improvement Initiatives’ Design and Implementation

The numerous initiatives targeting postsecondary science education improvement are diverse. Yet a key strategy of many initiatives are new organizational routines, that can regularly bring faculty together to learn new teaching-related knowledge, skills, and commitments. Regardless of some evidence of the success of these initiatives, more theory-informed empirical investigations are needed to explain and predict their efficacy. Such research is especially important for designers and implementers to plan for successful initiatives in light of potential costs. We report on the standing organizational routines through which faculty from science and engineering units typically construct and transfer teaching-related knowledge. We describe characteristics of these routines that can act as affordances and barriers for attending to faculty members’ teaching-related concerns and encourage engagement of faculty in teaching-related improvement activities. We found diverse, shared organizational routines across units, including those created and maintained by faculty to attend to their diverse teaching-related interests. Certain routine types and characteristics both attended to faculty needs and promoted faculty participation in teaching improvement activities, namely routines that felt safe and inclusive, were of varying levels of formality, and that catered to diverse knowledge interests and needs. We identified a tension of educator autonomy which, via coupling with routine membership, can dissuade teaching improvements through constrained knowledge creation and transfer across educators. We discuss implications for those attempting to design and implement successful improvement initiatives, specifically comprehensive initiatives targeting institutions. Initiative proponents need to learn about and build from the routines that faculty have created, sustained, and engage in. Building on faculty knowledge and commitments, initiative designers and implementers can help cultivate a landscape of teaching improvement-related organizational routines that can encourage faculty participation in improvement-related activities and meet their teaching-related needs.
Stimulation of NADH-Cytochrome C Oxidoreductase of Endoplasmic Reticulum Transitional Elements by Retinol

Vesicles, termed transition vesicles, that bleb from part-rough, part-smooth regions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and are thought to be involved in membrane trafficking between the ER and Golgi apparatus, are increased in numbers in livers of rats gavaged with excess retinol (Morre and Morre, 1987). Here, we report studies to elucidate possible biochemical effects on this special vesicle-forming portion of the ER.
Body Contouring following Massive Weight Loss Resulting from Bariatric Surgery

A sharp increase in bariatric surgery has resulted in spike in the population of patients seeking body-contouring procedures. Skin and soft tissue redundancy of the trunk, buttocks, breasts, upper arms, and thighs following massive weight loss is unsightly and results in medical problems such as musculoskeletal strain from increased tissue weight, intertrigo or functional limitation with walking, maintaining adequate hygiene, bowel and bladder habits and sexual activity. These elements compound the inherent psychosocial issues related to massive weight loss. Using time-tested plastic surgical techniques, several operations have been designed and perfected to address the needs of these patients. These include breast, thigh and lower body lift, abdominoplasty, face and neck lifts as well as brachioplasty or arm lift. Recognizing that there is a qualitative as well as a quantitative difference in the type and amount of tissues in postbariatric patients these techniques have been suitably refined to optimize outcomes and provide safe and durable re-contouring. Consequently, bariatric surgery and the subsequent weight loss require an additional 2-3 years commitment towards body contouring procedures. Restoring their body image through reshaping procedures is an integral part of completing the treatment of post-weight-loss patients. Strategic skills in terms of assessment of each patient, careful planning, timing, especially for patient safety and technique are fundamental for the success of these often complex and extensive procedures.
Global assessment of establishment success for amphibian and reptile invaders

Context According to the tens rule, 10% of introduced species establish themselves. Aims We tested this component of the tens rule for amphibians and reptiles globally, in Europe and North America, where data are presumably of good quality, and on islands versus continents. We also tested whether there was a taxonomic difference in establishment success between amphibians and reptiles. Methods We examined data comprising 206 successful and 165 failed introduction records for 161 species of amphibians to 55 locations, and 560 successful and 641 failed introduction records for 469 species of reptiles to 116 locations around the world. Key results Globally, establishment success was not different between amphibians (67%) and reptiles (62%). Both means were well above the 10% value predicted by the tens rule. In Europe and North America, establishment success was lower, although still higher than 10%. For reptiles, establishment success was higher on islands than on continents. Our results question the tens rule and do not show taxonomic differences in establishment success. Implications Similar to studies on other taxa (birds and mammals), we found that establishment success was generally above 40%. This suggests that we should focus management on reducing the number of herptile species introduced because both reptiles and amphibians have a high likelihood of establishing. As data collection on invasions continue, testing establishment success in light of other factors, including propagule pressure, climate matching and taxonomic classifications, may provide additional insight into which species are most likely to establish in particular areas.
A 95 kV klystron power supply crowbar using light triggered SCR

The Stanford Linear Accelerator Center B-Factory accelerator requires the use ten 1.2 MW RF klystron operating at a voltage between 80 and 95 kV. The protection of the klystron against self-arcs is extremely important for the power supply. Although the unique design of the power supplies limits the fault current under klystron fault a light triggered thyristor crowbar is also incorporated. The unique characteristics of the light trigged thyristor make it ideal for the crowbar application. The paper discusses the design of the crowbar SCR stack and its performance. In addition, the design of a light trigged thyristor stack for phase control on the 12.5 kV line regulation will be covered.
NWChem: new functionality

NWChem is a computational chemistry code designed for efficient execution on massively parallel computers. Through effective use of the aggregate resources of such computers, NWChem enables much larger and more accurate production simulations than previously feasible. In this paper we briefly describe the NW Chemarchitecture and highlight some of the new capabilities in NW Chem.
A probabilistic retrieval scheme for cluster-based adaptive information retrieval

This paper discusses a retrieval scheme for an Information Retrieval system in which the feedback from a number of users of the system, about its performance (global feedback), is stored in the form of document clusters called user-oriented clusters. These clusters are utilized in answering a query in conjunction with feedback obtained about the system's performance after a partial retrieval for that query (local feedback).
Synthesis and properties of 5-azido-UDP-glucose. Development of photoaffinity probes for nucleotide diphosphate sugar binding sites.

Abstract A new active site directed photoaffinity probe, which is a model compound for studying nucleotide diphosphate sugar binding proteins, has been synthesized by coupling 5-azido-UTP and [32P]Glc-1-P using yeast UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase to produce [beta-32P]5-azidouridine 5'-diphosphoglucose (5N3UDP-Glc). This probe has photochemical properties similar to that of 5-azidoUTP (Evans, R. K., and Haley, B. E. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 269-276). The efficacy of 5N3UDP-Glc as an active site directed probe was demonstrated using yeast UDP-Glc pyrophosphorylase. Saturation effects of photoinsertion were observed with an apparent Kd of 51 microM and the natural substrate, UDP-Glc, prevented photoinsertion of [beta-32P]5N3UDP-Glc with an apparent Kd of 87 microM. Prevention of photoinsertion was also seen with UTP and pyrophosphate with apparent Kd values less than 200 microM. UMP, UDP, ATP, and GTP were much less effective competitors. Selective photoinsertion was observed with several partially purified enzymes including UDP-Glc dehydrogenase, UDP-Gal-4-epimerase, Gal-1-P uridyltransferase, and phosphorylase a. The absence of nonselective photoinsertion into bulk proteins was demonstrated with crude homogenates of rabbit liver as well as with several UDP-Glc binding proteins. Of the six purified enzymes tested, only phosphoglucomutase has been shown to incorporate radiolabel from the photoprobe in the absence of UV irradiation. These results and a discussion of the utility of 5N3UDP-Glc for detecting UDP-Glc binding proteins and isolating active site peptides are presented.
Mobilizing the emergency room record: A case study in the capture of technology developed elsewhere for use in health care delivery

Abstract The Georgetown University Pediatric Pulmonary Program developed an automated Emergency Room patient record. The on-line, commercially available time-shared system, was used by four hospitals. No new technology was required for the system. Rather, existing technical capability was captured for use in a medical setting. An expanded version of the record system is now being tested in private physicians offices, county medical clinics and the University Pediatric Center.
Discussion of “Accruals, Cash Flows and Equity Values”

Accruals are at the very heart of accounting and are the subject of constant debate among investment professionals. Some academics and practitioners advocate ‘backing out’ accruals in evaluating corporate performance, encouraging investors to focus on cash flows rather than earnings. Yet most investors still clearly embrace the earnings number with its accruals intact, as evidenced by Wall Street’s continued fixation on quarterly EPS results. The paper by Beaver, Barth, Hand and Landsman (1999, BBHL hereafter) therefore clearly focuses on an important and contentious topic. The major conclusion reached by BBHL is that investors should condition on both the cash flow and accrual components of earnings when forecasting fundamentals and determining firm value. Using a valuation framework developed in Ohlson (1999), the authors also show that stock prices act as if investors at least partially incorporate information in the accrual and cash flows components of earnings. My main concern with the paper of BBHL is that its incremental contribution does not become clear. Relative to previous research, BBHL’s use of the Ohlson valuation framework enables them to more explicitly articulate the links between current cash flows and accruals, future fundamentals and firm value. However, at the end of the day, our understanding of the properties of cash flows and accruals and the extent to which these properties are reflected in stock prices is not enhanced much beyond previous research. I expand on my concerns below, and finish with a call for more research in this area, along with some general suggestions concerning the focus of such research.
Playgrounds and Safety

(1931). Playgrounds and Safety. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 2, No. 9, pp. 10-58.
Delivering Tailored Asthma Family Education in a Pediatric Emergency Department Setting: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE. Many children are brought to the pediatric emergency department (ED) with acute asthma symptoms. Emergency asthma care is costly, and many ED visits may be preventable. Families often do not have written asthma action plans and lack asthma self-managment skills. This study tests a tailored self-managment intervention delivered in the ED for families of children with asthma. The primary hypotheses were that the intervention group would have greater confidence to manage asthma 14 days postintervention and more well-asthma visits and fewer urgent care/ED visits at 9 and 12 months. METHODS. This randomized intervention/usual-care study was part of a larger ED asthma surveillance project in 4 urban pediatric ED sites. Asthma educators used a computer-based resource to tailor the intervention messages and provide a customized asthma action plan and educational summary. Children with acute asthma were enrolled during an ED visit, and follow-up telephone interviews were conducted during the next 9 months. The ED clinician classified the child’s acute and chronic severity. RESULTS. To date, 464 subjects aged 1 to 18 years have been enrolled. The ED clinicians reported that 46% had intermittent and 54% had persistent chronic severity with 51% having mild acute severity episodes. The confidence level to prevent asthma episodes and keep them from getting worse was significantly higher in the intervention group at 14 days postintervention. More subjects in the intervention group reported well-asthma visits by 9 months. Return ED visits were significantly lower in the intervention group in those with intermittent asthma. Twelve-month follow-up is in process. CONCLUSIONS. The tailored ED self-management intervention demonstrates significant effects on caregiver self-confidence and well-visit follow-up. Additional evaluation is needed to determine what impact this intervention has long-term.
Age-dependent stereoselective increase in the oral clearance of hexobarbitone isomers caused by rifampicin.

1. The disposition of hexobarbitone enantiomers before and after rifampicin treatment (600 mg daily for 14 days) was investigated in six young (29 +/- 3 years old) and six elderly (71 +/- 4 years old) healthy male volunteers. Hexobarbitone was given as a single 500 mg oral dose of the racemate. 2. The mean (+/- s.d.) oral clearance of S-(+) hexobarbitone was 1.9 +/- 0.3 and 1.8 +/- 0.2 ml min-1 kg-1, respectively, in young and elderly subjects and increased approximately six fold following 14 days of rifampicin treatment in both young (to 11.9 +/- 2.2 ml min-1 kg-1) and elderly (to 10.7 +/- 2.8 ml min-1 kg-1) subjects. 3. In contrast, rifampicin treatment produced a larger and a differential increase in the oral clearance of R-(-) hexobarbitone in young and elderly subjects; an 89 fold change in the young (15.6 +/- 16.4 to 1146.7 +/- 1478.0 ml min-1 kg-1) and a 19 fold change (10.3 +/- 3.0 to 199.9 +/- 98.1 ml min-1 kg-1) in the elderly.
Non‐parametric inference on the number of equilibria

This paper proposes an estimator and develops an inference procedure for the number of roots of functions that are non-parametrically identified by conditional moment restrictions. It is shown that a smoothed plug-in estimator of the number of roots is superconsistent under i.i.d. asymptotics, but asymptotically normal under non-standard asymptotics. The smoothed estimator is furthermore asymptotically efficient relative to a simple plug-in estimator. The procedure proposed is used to construct confidence sets for the number of equilibria of static games of incomplete information and of stochastic difference equations. In an application to panel data on neighbourhood composition in the United States, no evidence of multiple equilibria is found. (author's abstract)
Comparison of sp-C–H···N Hydrogen Bond Lengths in Fluorinated and Nonfluorinated Ethynylbenzenes

1,4-Diethynyltetrafluorobenzene was prepared and separately co-crystalized with 4,4′-bipyridine, 1,2-bis(4′-pyridyl)ethyne and trans-1,2-bis(4′-pyridyl)ethane to form 1:1 co-crystals that each contain essentially linear C–H···N hydrogen bonded ribbons of alternating diyne and dipyridine. The C–H···N hydrogen bond distances and angles in the 1:1 co-crystals are analyzed and compared to the previously reported C–H···N hydrogen bond distances and angles in the corresponding co-crystals formed with 1,4-diethynylbenzene. 1,4-Diethynyltetrafluorobenzene was prepared and separately co-crystalized with 4,4′-bipyridine, 1,2-bis(4′-pyridyl)ethyne and trans-1,2-bis(4′-pyridyl)ethane to form 1:1 co-crystals that each contain essentially linear C–H···N hydrogen bonded ribbons of alternating diyne and dipyridine. The C–H···N hydrogen bond distances and angles in the 1:1 co-crystals are analyzed and compared to the previously reported C–H···N hydrogen bond distances and angles in the corresponding co-crystals formed with 1,4-diethynylbenzene.
Gender and ethnic differences in factors that influence food intake

The objective of this research was to ascertain the gender-and ethnic-related factors that influence what one eats. This survey was conducted using a validated, pilot-tested questionnaire in 11 states and the District of Columbia, which were participating in the W-182 Western Regional Research project. The results indicated that the factors that influence what one eats differ by gender and ethnicity. Men were very much influenced by likes and dislikes, and by their spouse or significant other. Women were influenced by likes and dislikes, and health. Food likes/dislikes and concerns about health and weight were among the leading four factors for all ethnic groups. Food likes/dislikes were the top factor influencing what is eaten by 51% or more of Asians, Pacific Islanders, Caucasians and Hispanics. Concern about health was the top factor for 62% and 58%, respectively, of African Americans and Native Americans.
Overexpression of NQO1 protects human SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells against dopamine-induced cell death

Abstract NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) can metabolize dopamine-derived quinones (DAQ) and absence of NQO1 due to the NQO1*2 polymorphism has been suggested to be a risk factor for Parkinson's disease. In order to define whether NQO1 plays a protective role in dopamine toxicity, we have examined the potential role of NQO1 in the SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cell line. SK-N-MC cells were stably transfected with NQO1 to generate stable clones with NQO1 enzymatic activity of 245 nmol/mg min while vector control and parental cells had NQO1 activities of less than 12 nmol/mg min. Incubation of dopamine for 24 h in both parental and vector control SK-N-MC cells resulted in 85% and 72% cell death as assessed by annexin-V/propidium iodide analysis. In agreement, 88% and 84% of parental and vector control cells, respectively underwent loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assessed by tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester. In contrast, NQO1-transfected cells were resistant to dopamine toxicity and both cell death and loss of MMP were markedly abrogated in NQO1-transfected SK-N-MC cells. When dopamine was added to medium, oxygen uptake could be detected indicating autoxidation with concomitant formation of oxygen radicals and quinones. However, dopamine-induced cell death was not affected by the inclusion of either superoxide dismutase or catalase suggesting that superoxide and hydrogen peroxide were not involved in toxicity. Quinones formed in medium may exert toxicity extracellularly or intracellularly but the protective role of NQO1 argues for an intracellular mechanism. In summary, transfection of SK-N-MC cells with NQO1 protects against dopamine-induced toxicity.
Content analysis of gender roles in media: Where are we now and where should we go?

This paper provides a commentary regarding the quantitative content analyses of gender roles in media published in the two special issues of Sex Roles (Rudy et al. 2010a, 2011). A few themes and some overarching lessons emerge from the wide variety of data presented. First, it is clear that women are under-represented across a range of media and settings. Second, when women are portrayed, it is often in a circumscribed and negative manner. Women are often sexualized—typically by showing them in scanty or provocative clothing. Women are also subordinated in various ways, as indicated by their facial expressions, body positions, and other factors. Finally, they are shown in traditionally feminine (i.e., stereotyped) roles. Women are portrayed as nonprofessionals, homemakers, wives or parents, and sexual gatekeepers. Although the studies generally support these conclusions, some interesting moderating factors are identified, such as race. It is suggested that next steps involve the development of theory and a body of empirical evidence regarding the effects of exposure to under-representation of women. Data concerning the effects of exposure to sexualized or stereotypical portrayals on young audiences is also lacking. Finally, content analyses of new media, including those created and distributed by users, are recommended as a next step. It is concluded that, while increasing the representation of women in media may be valuable, it is also critical that the manner in which they are portrayed be simultaneously considered to avoid increasing negative or stereotypical depictions that may be particularly harmful to viewers.
Public displays and private values: A guide to buried wealth in Harappan archaeology

Abstract The distribution of material goods in hoards and in funeral offerings is tabulated and summarized for the Harappan Civilization of Bronze Age South Asia. It is argued that hoards are private, secular deposits, while grave goods are public, ritualized objects and therefore ideological in nature. Comparing an overtly ideological wealth deposit with one less so can reveal discrepancies between public and private statements of value and status. It is concluded that hoarded items, those of high secular value, were not monopolized for the sole use of elites, seeming instead to have been available for the status rivalries of the general population. However, differences in funereal wealth, while severe, were not communicated with items commonly found in hoards; rather, the. public status distinctions of the dead were expressed with materials of low relative value. It is therefore suggested that the potential for an unequal distribution of secular wealth was veiled by an egalitarian ideology, one that per...
Nonprice Barriers to Ambulatory Care After an Emergency Department Visit

Study objective Availability of timely follow-up care is essential in emergency medicine. We describe nonprice barriers to care experienced by callers reporting to be emergency department (ED) patients in need of follow-up care. Methods This was a secondary analysis of data collected during a survey of ambulatory clinics in 9 US cities. Research assistants called a random sample of 603 ambulatory clinics, generated from actual ED referral lists. Callers identified themselves as new patients referred by the local ED. Outcome measures were the percentage of callers experiencing failed appointment attempts for a variety of reasons and inconvenience factors associated with the appointment process: number and amount of time spent on hold, voicemail, repeated calls, and total telephone time. Results Only 242 (23%) of 1065 total calls resulted in an appointment within one week, for an ultimate caller success rate of 40% (242/603 pseudopatient scenarios). Independent of insurance status, 43% of 603 initial calls to ED referral numbers were unsuccessful: 27% of initial call failures were due to clinic closures, busy signals, voicemail, or personnel too busy to take the call; 6% wrong numbers; 4% disconnected or extended holds; and 6% out of practice scope. If they reached clinic personnel, 55% of callers were placed on hold; average hold time was 2.43 minutes (median 1.35 minutes). Answering system time averaged 1.17 minutes (median 0.68 minutes; range 0.02 to 13.90 minutes). On average, it required 1.7 calls to reach appointment staff and 8% of clinic contacts required 4 or more attempts. Total telephone time averaged 11.1 minutes for successful appointments. Conclusion There are important nonprice barriers to obtaining follow-up appointments for urgent conditions, independent of insurance status.
Radiographic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a predictor of local control and survival in soft tissue sarcomas.

BACKGROUND Downstaging of large soft tissue sarcomas can be accomplished by the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NeoCT). The authors tested the hypothesis that radiographic response to NeoCT predicts improved local control and survival. METHODS The authors reviewed the medical records of 65 patients with Stage II or III soft tissue sarcoma (42 extremity, 23 retroperitoneal) who were treated with doxorubicin or ifosfamide-based NeoCT from January 1991 to December 1996. Radiographic response and impact on surgical therapy were determined retrospectively by comparing imaging studies obtained before and after chemotherapy. RESULTS The radiographic responses observed were partial response (PR; 22 patients [34%]); minor response (MR; 6 patients [9%]); stable disease (20 patients [31%]); and progressive disease (17 patients [26%]). Downstaging sufficient to decrease the scope of the operation occurred in 13% of the patients, 78% had no change, and 9% had disease progression sufficient to increase the scope of the operation. Patients having any radiographic response (PR or MR) had a higher margin-negative resection rate, a better local recurrence-free survival rate, and a better overall survival rate than did nonresponders. CONCLUSIONS The NeoCT regimens used in this study resulted in tumor shrinkage sufficient to impact surgical therapy in a few patients. However, radiographic response predicted improved local control and overall survival rate. Cancer 2002;95:1120–6. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10794
Global Disaggregation of Information-Intensive Services

Information-intensive services are being globally disaggregated as corporations respond to the pressures of increasing global competition, and take advantage of the opportunities made available by the progress of information technology and the emerging global work force. In order to globally disaggregate services, corporations must decide whether or not to carry out a service activity within the organization, and where to locate it, within or outside the geographic boundary of the home-base country. This paper analyzes the opportunities and challenges of global disaggregation of information-intensive services. Specifically, the paper proposes a taxonomy of disaggregation, and develops a theoretical framework that identifies the criteria and guidelines for successfully selecting service activities to be globally disaggregated.
Canine trapped plasma factors at different microhematocrit levels

Abstract Data on trapped plasma using the microhematocrit technique on “normal” canine blood at various packed cell volumes are presented. Over the range of PCV's from 25 to 55% the trapped plasma factor increased by 0.6. A series of three trapped plasma factors is suggested for blood volume determinations in canine research.
Female Sex Offenders: A Controlled Comparison of Offender and Victim/Crime Characteristics

The current study was a chart review of 31 female sex offenders (FSO), 31 male sex offenders (MSO), 31 female violent offenders (FO), and 31 male violent offenders (MO) using a 2 (female or male) by 2 (sex or violent offender) design. This is the first known study to employ three control groups when researching female sex offenders. Multiple variables appeared related to gender and crime. However, some variables emerged as FSO specific. They reported the least alcohol abuse history and had fewer admissions of guilt to the crime than the two violent offender samples. More FSOs knew their victim and were biologically related to their victim than MSOs. Lastly, the FSO sample was the least discriminating as to their victim’s gender and had the highest overall rate of sexual victimization.
What is the optimal regimen for preventing hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation

The outcome of liver transplantation for hepatitis B has markedly improved in the last two decades. This commentary discusses the findings and limitations of a study by Hwang et al., which retrospectively examined the outcome of 639 adult patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation for hepatitis B. The authors reported a 5-year HBV recurrence rate of 7.3% and concluded that high-dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) monotherapy and rescue antiviral therapy is an effective way to prevent HBV recurrence after liver transplantation. With the availability of safe and effective antiviral agents associated with low rates of drug resistance, HBIG monotherapy is rarely used. The standard approach involves administration of antiviral therapy to suppress HBV replication before transplantation, followed by a combination of HBIG and antiviral therapy after transplantation. Combination prophylaxis permits the dose of HBIG to be reduced, which results in cost savings and reduces rates of HBV recurrence.
Influence of Quaternary Ammonium on Sorption of Selected Metal Cations onto Clinoptilolite Zeolite

Clay minerals and zeolites have large cation exchange capacities, which enable them to be modified by cationic surfactant to enhance their sorption of organic and anionic contaminants. In this study, the influence of quaternary ammonium surfactants on sorption of five metal cations (Cs+, Sr+, La3+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) onto a clinoptilolite zeolite was investigated. Generally, the metal cation sorption capacity and affinity for the zeolite decreased, indicating that presorbed cationic surfactants blocked sorption sites for metal cations, as the surfactant loading on the zeolite increased. Cesium and Pb2+ sorption was affected to a small extent, indicating that selective sorption for Cs+ and specific sorption for Pb2+ play an important role in addition to cation exchange. Sorption of cationic surfactants on zeolite preloaded with different metal cations showed a strong correlation with the chain length of the surfactant tail group, while the roles of the charges and types of the metal cations were minimal. As the chain length increases, the critical micelle concentration decreases and the surfactant molecules become more hydrophobic, resulting in progressive bilayer coverage. Desorption of presorbed metal cations by cationic surfactants was strongly affected by the surfactant chain length and metal type. More metal cations, particularly Sr2+ and Zn2+, desorbed with an increase in surfactant chain length. The results, in combination with those from organic and oxyanion sorption on surfactant-modified zeolite, may be used for future surfactant modification to target sorption and desorption of a specific type of contaminant or a mixture of different types of contaminants.