cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of Socioeconomic Status, Race, and Ethnicity With Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery

IMPORTANCE For the management of thyroid diseases, there have been few studies aimed at examining the association between disparities and outcomes. OBJECTIVE To measure the effects of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on outcomes following thyroid surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional analysis of 62,722 thyroid procedures identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2003 through 2009. INTERVENTIONS Thyroidectomy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The first set of outcomes included postoperative complication, length of stay (LOS), and overall cost in relation to selected hospital and surgeon characteristics. The second set encompassed accessibility to different surgeon and hospital volumes, hospital locations, and hospital teaching status based on race/ethnicity, income, and health service payer. RESULTS The majority of cases were total thyroidectomies (57.9%) for benign conditions (60.8%). Low-volume surgeons performed most operations (90.8%). Low surgeon volume was associated with higher risk of postoperative complications compared with higher surgeon volume (17.2% vs 12.1%; P < .001). Low-volume compared with high-volume hospitals had higher rates of postoperative complications (17.7% vs 15.1%; P < .001). High surgeon volume was associated with a decreased LOS (mean [SD], 1.74 [0.02] vs 1.20 [0.07] days; P < .001). In addition, LOS was longer at low-volume hospitals (1.85 [0.02] vs 1.57 [0.03] days; P = .001). Hispanics were more likely to be operated on by low-volume surgeons (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; 95% CI, 1.19-3.48), and in certain regions throughout the United States, blacks were more likely to be operated on by low-volume surgeons. Patients with Medicare (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.13-1.53) and lower income (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.19-2.53) were more likely to be treated at low-volume centers. Minorities, including Hispanics, blacks, and other race/ethnicity, were more likely to have their operation in an urban setting (P < .005 for all). Blacks were less likely to have operations performed at nonteaching institutions (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.38-0.60), as were people without private insurance (P < .05 for Medicare, Medicaid, and self-pay). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE There are significant socioeconomic and racial disparities in thyroid surgery outcomes. Low-volume centers and surgeons had a significantly longer LOS and higher risk of complications, and inequalities were prevalent concerning access to these high-volume hospitals and surgeons.
Arousing empathy and promoting prosocial behavior toward bereaved peers: Using guided fantasy with elementary school children

Abstract The content, structure, and outcome of two classroom presentations devised for fourth- and fifth-grade children are discussed. The focus of the presentations was to convey understanding of the feelings associated with an irrevocable loss, especially a death; to consider what support a classmate might need when experiencing the loss of a brother or sister; and to practice expressing such support by means of writing a letter to a classmate whose sibling has died. At each session the children filled out a questionnaire about feelings associated with the death of a sibling. Answers on the second questionnaire indicated appreciation for the enduring aspect of grief reactions.
Characteristics of young offspring of type 2 diabetic parents in a biracial (black-white) community-based sample: The Bogalusa heart study

The impact of race (black-white) and family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus on metabolic characteristics in early life was examined in a community-based sample from Bogalusa, LA. Study subjects included offspring of type 2 diabetics (n = 53, 47% black) and nondiabetics (n = 52, 40% black), with the mean age of each group ranging from 14.2 to 15.6 years. Offspring were given a 1-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Measures of body fatness such as body weight, body-mass index (BMI; weight/height2), and triceps and subscapular thicknesses were significantly higher only in white offspring of diabetics versus nondiabetics; measures of abdominal fat (waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio) were significantly higher among offspring of diabetics of both races. Among the measures of glucose homeostasis, basal glucose, insulin, insulin-to-C-peptide ratio (a measure of hepatic insulin extraction), insulin resistance index (derived from basal glucose and insulin levels), and glucose response after glucose challenge were higher in the offspring of diabetics of both races. The differences in insulin-to-C-peptide ratio and glucose response remained significant after adjusting for BMI; further, these two variables were independently associated with parental diabetes in both races. Waist-to-hip ratio, glucose response, C-peptide response (a measure of insulin secretion) were lower, and basal insulin-to-C-peptide ratio and postglucose suppression of free fatty acids greater in blacks versus whites, regardless of status of parental diabetes. Black-white differences in postglucose suppression of free fatty acids disappeared after adjusting for BMI. Thus, blacks and whites with parental type 2 diabetes show multiple abnormalities in parameters governing glucose homeostasis early in life, and some of these traits differ between the races, regardless of status of parental diabetes.
Dentin shear strength: Effects of tubule orientation and intratooth location

Abstract Objectives. Dentin has a highly oriented tubule structure, and the tubule number density and area fraction of intertubular dentin vary with distance from the pulp. This investigation sought to determine the influence of tubule orientation on shear strength of dentin from samples derived at various intratooth locations. Methods. Third molars were sectioned and prepared to provide samples from two locations (center and cusp) and with one of three specific tubule orientations. In series 1, matched pairs of midcoronal samples were tested using two tubule orientations. A paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. In series 2, three samples from central and cuspal areas were tested using three different tubule orientations. A two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Each sample had dimensions of approximately 1×1×5 mm and was tested in a hydrated state by a single plane lap shear method. Results. The paired dentin samples of the midcoronal dentin in the two orientations had shear strengths of 72.4±15.6 MPa and 78.4±13.2 MPa, and were not significantly different (p>0.05; paired t-test). In the second series, samples from the center location with tubules parallel to the shear plane with applied force in directions rotated by 90° did not exhibit a significant difference (p>0.05), with an average value of 53.5±9.5 MPa. Samples oriented with tubules along the long axis of the specimen and tested with shear force applied perpendicular to the tubule direction had significantly higher (p 0.05; two-way ANOVA) with respect to the three orientations (83.6±8.4; 85.2±13.8; 91.8±12.7 MPa). Cuspal areas were stronger than central areas in two of the three orientations tested. Significance. Results indicated that the shear strength differs in central and cusp areas and is dependent on dentin tubule orientation in the central area. Shear strengths were much larger than values reported in shear bond strength tests. This suggests that dentin shear strength is far in excess of dentin bond strengths using shear tests, and that fractures through dentin in such tests result from flaws or stress concentration in the dentin.
Analyses of nicotine and cotinine in tissues by capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Abstract Selective extraction and chromatographic techniques have been developed to measure low nanogram quantities of nicotine and cotinine in tissues. Analyses were performed by capillary column gas chromatography with a specific nitrogen—phosphorus detector and by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. With close structural analogues for internal standards, high quantitative accuracy and precision were demonstrated for the range 5–1000 ng per g of tissue. The sensitivity limit was 2–3 ng/g for both compounds. The main advantage of these techniques compared to previously published methods is increased selectivity; the other methods were developed for analysis of biological fluids and are not readily adaptable to more complex biological matrices such as tissue homogenates. With the newly developed techniques, we were able to perform a pharmacokinetic study of nicotine and cotinine in mouse liver following a single intraperitoneal injection of nicotine.
The Natural History of Ventricular Septal Defect in Patients Surviving Infancy

It is now possible to synthesize the natural history of ventricular septal defect. Size is fundamental, and stemming from it, the smaller defects (groups 1 and 2) separate from the larger (groups 3, 4, and 5) immediately at birth. Apparent size may differ from real size, for defects may become partially closed by tricuspid valve leaflets, or be gradually obstructed by an enlarging aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva. One instance has been observed in which a muscular defect was obstructed by a large papillary muscle. The reverse may also occur, i.e., a partially obstructed defect may enlarge as a blocking tricuspid leaflet detaches or tears.
Which Path to Educational Equity? How External Policy Influences Internal School Goals

In this manuscript, we will share an experience where our own research with/in teacher education was highly influenced by public policy and narrowed by an outcomes–based approach to learning. We began working in a United States Title I elementary school to understand and describe literacy practice – teaching and learning – through a lens of social justice. However, our effort was largely overshadowed by a new program that was being implemented, without input from school faculty and staff, in all classrooms in this Title I school. This primarily qualitative research study explored the perceptions of elementary school teachers connected to literacy and social justice, determined literacy and social justice practices in elementary school classrooms, and examined the process of teachers’ engaging in a newly implemented, prescriptive program. We focus on the influence of a new school–wide program on literacy teaching and learning practice and the resulting phenomenon of collaboration time and narrowed curriculum and instruction.
Heat capacity and phase equilibria of almandine, Fe3Al2Si3O12

Abstract The heat capacity of a synthetic almandine, Fe3Al2Si3O12, was measured from 6 to 350 K using equilibrium, intermittent-heating quasi-adiabatic calorimetry and from 420 to 1000 K using differential scanning calorimetry. These measurements yield Cp298 = 342.80 ± 1.4 J/mol · K and S298o = 342.60 J/mol · K. Mossbauer characterizations show the almandine to contain less than 2 ± 1% of the total iron as Fe3+. X-ray diffraction studies of this synthetic almandine yield a = 11.521 ± 0.001 A and V298o = 115.11 +- 0.01 cm3/mol, somewhat smaller than previously reported. The low-temperature Cp data indicate a lambda transition at 8.7 K related to an antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition with TN = 7.5 K. Modeling of the lattice contribution to the total entropy suggests the presence of entropy in excess of that attributable to the effects of lattice vibrations and the magnetic transition. This probably arises from a low-temperature electronic transition (Schottky contribution). Combination of the Cp data with existing thermodynamic and phase equilibrium data on almandine yields ΔGf,298o = −4938.3 kJ/mol and ΔHf,298o= —5261.3 kJ/mol for almandine when calculated from the elements. The equilibrium almandine = hercynite + fayalite + quartz limits the upper T P for almandine and is metastably located at ca. 570°C at P = 1 bar, with a dP dT of +17 bars/°C. This agrees well with reversed experiments on almandine stability when they are corrected for magnetite and hercynite solid-solutions. In ‖O2-T space, almandine oxidizes near QFM by the reactions almandine + O2 = magnetite + sillimanite + quartzandalmandine + 02 = hercynite + magnetite + quartz. With suitable correction for reduced activities of solid phases, these equilibria provide useful oxygen barometers for medium- to high-grade metamorphic rocks.
Cosmic microwave background constraints on cosmological models with large-scale isotropy breaking

Several anomalies appear to be present in the large-angle cosmic microwave background anisotropy maps of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, including the alignment of large-scale multipoles. Models in which isotropy is spontaneously broken (e.g., by a scalar field) have been proposed as explanations for these anomalies, as have models in which a preferred direction is imposed during inflation. We examine models inspired by these, in which isotropy is broken by a multiplicative factor with dipole and/or quadrupole terms. We evaluate the evidence provided by the multipole alignment using a Bayesian framework, finding that the evidence in favor of the model is generally weak. We also compute approximate changes in estimated cosmological parameters in the broken-isotropy models. Only the overall normalization of the power spectrum is modified significantly.
The Alcoholic Family at Home: Patterns of Interaction in Dry, Wet, and Transitional Stages of Alcoholism

• Thirty-one alcoholic families were observed in their homes on nine separate occasions over a six-month period. During each occasion, behavioral observers made systematic recordings of interactional behavior using the Home Observation Assessment Method, a method that concentrates on the family's style of regulating its home environment. Three distinct patterns of home behavior could be identified using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. Each pattern was associated with one of three "family alcohol phases": a stable wet, stable dry, or transitional phase. This suggests that these families manifest characteristic family-level patterns of behavior in their homes at different stages in the course of chronic alcoholism. The critical issue was the relative rigidity vs flexibility of behavior. Families in either stable wet and transitional phases proved to have rigid patterns of behavior; those in the stable dry phase had flexible patterns. The findings provide an initial insight into how families manage a chronic disease process in their home environment.
The Popliteofibular Ligament Rediscovery of a Key Element in Posterolateral Stability

We have recently become aware of a strong direct attachment of the popliteal tendon to the fibula. To investigate the importance of this attachment, we ex amined 20 cadaveric knees. The popliteofibular liga ment was identified in all 20 knees. The cross-sectional area of the popliteofibular ligament was 6.9 ± 2.1 mm 2, compared with 7.2 ± 2.7 mm2 for the lateral collateral ligament. Biomechanical testing of these structures, simulating a purely varus stress on the knee, revealed that the lateral collateral ligament always failed first, followed by the popliteofibular ligament, and then the muscle belly of the popliteus. The mean maximal force to failure of the popliteofibular ligament approached 425 N (range, 204 to 778), compared with 750 N (range, 317 to 1203) for the lateral collateral ligament. Our results indicate that the popliteofibular ligament contributes to posterolateral stability.
Quantitative evaluation of NMR and MRI methods to measure sucrose concentrations in plants

Developing pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds were chosen to evaluate the performance of various nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods of detecting sucrose in plants. The methods included chemical shift selective imaging (CHESS), heteronuclear correlation via13C-1H coupling (HMQC), and homonuclear correlation via1H-1H coupling (DQF). The same experiments were also performed on sucrose phantom samples to evaluate the methods in the absence of the line broadening observed in plant systems. Using the spin echo technique for multi-slice imaging, we could discern the detailed internal structure of the intact seed with a resolution of tens of microns. The proton spin-lattice relaxation time and linewidth as a function of the age of the seed were measured to optimize the efficiency of the NMR and MR experiments. The age-dependent changes in these NMR parameters are consistent with the accumulation of insoluble starch as age increases. Both the NMR and MRI results are in accord with the results of chemical analysis, which reveal that the sucrose concentration is higher in the embryo than in the seed coat, and glucose is at low concentration throughout the seed. Of the three methods for proton observation, the enhanced version of the CHESS approach (CD-CHESS) provides the best combination of sucrose detection and water suppression. Direct observation of13C is preferable to indirect detection using HMQC because of water signal bleed-through in samples with large (>200 Hz) linewidths.
Urodynamic changes in voiding after anti-incontinence surgery: an insight into the mechanism of cure

Abstract Objectives. To measure the effect on voiding pressure and flow rate of three different operations for stress urinary incontinence. Methods. In a previous study of cure rates, 289 women with genuine stress incontinence and genital prolapse were prospectively allocated in a randomized manner to one of three procedures: the Burch retropubic urethropexy, anterior repair, or the modified Pereyra procedure. In the current derivative study, we retrospectively evaluated the urodynamic indicators of voiding dysfunction in the original subjects preoperatively and at the 1-year postoperative follow-up visit. Results. One hundred thirty-two charts were available for review. One year after surgery, pressure and flow during voiding were altered to more obstructive levels with the suspension procedures (Burch and modified Pereyra). The proportion of patients with obstructive and equivocal voiding patterns after the suspension procedures was significantly greater than after anterior repair. Conclusions. This post hoc comparison of randomized data shows a difference in postoperative voiding indexes between suspension procedures and anterior colporrhaphy. Successful bladder neck suspension depends on altering the pressure and flow during voiding to more obstructive levels. Suspension procedures alter the voiding pressure and flow toward obstruction to a greater extent than anterior repair.
Who Integrated Major League Baseball Faster Winning Teams or Losing Teams? A Comment

This article offers some comments on recent articles in this journal about the process of racial integration in certain sports venues. Nothing in these articles changes the basic result in an earlier article where the authors show that entrepreneurship by winning teams is the key to understanding which teams integrated first and why.
Neuroprotection by group I metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists in forebrain ischemia of gerbil.

Abstract Stimulation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR 1 and 5) activates G-protein coupled-phospholipase C (PLC) to release 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and arachidonic acid (ArAc). To elucidate the role of group I mGluR, we tested the effects of (S)-α-methyl-4-carboxy-phenylglycine (MCPG, mGluR 1 and 5 antagonist), 1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid (AIDA, mGluR 1a specific antagonist) and 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl) pyridine (MPEP, mGluR 5 antagonist) on ArAc release and neuronal survival after transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils. Ischemia resulted in (a) significant release of ArAc at 1-day reperfusion and (b) significant neuronal death in the hippocampal CA 1 subfield after 6-day reperfusion. MCPG and MPEP decreased ArAc release and also significantly increased neuronal survival. AIDA was less effective in decreasing ArAc release and had no effect on neuronal death. These results suggest that activation of mGluR 5 may be an important pathway in ArAc release and neuronal death after transient ischemia.
Structure and Dynamics of Water at Interfaces

In order to develop general insight into the perturbation of water by solid interfaces and into the consequences of this perturbation, a comparison of the theoretical view of structure and dynamics of liquid water at room temperature in a diverse set of environments is carried out. These environments include the interface of the liquid with generic hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and model metallic planar interfaces, and some informative results for particle-surface interactions are also included The surfaces considered include models of an idealized, perfectly flat, hydrophobic Lennard-Jones-like surface[l–4], a hexagonally close packed atomic Lennard-Jones surface with the same average solvent-surface interaction[2–4], and a hydrophilic fully hydroxylated silica surface[3,4]. The metallic models include an image force, continuum, metal [5] and an atomic based interaction site model [6].
Show Horses, Work Horses, and Dead Horses:

This study brings data on House members' use of time to bear on the traditional distinction between show horses and work horses in Congress. Analysis fails to produce the hypothesized two-dimensional structure in the time allocations of House members, calling into question the empirical validity of the show horse-work horse distinction.
Cleansing agents: a review of several investigations concerned with skin effects and cleansing efficiency.

Abstract The historical background of the development, concepts and applications of various skin cleansers is reviewed. The factors of physiologic effects on skin, efficiency of cleansing, and testing of irritancy and sensitization are discussed. Some areas of need for future investigations are cited.
Gonadal venography for preoperative localization of nonpalpable testes in adults

Abstract Gonadal venography was attempted in an effort to locate preoperatively ten non-palpable testes in adults. In five attempts, neither selective catheterization nor complete visualization of the gonadal vein could be accomplished and no definitive information was obtained regarding the presence or location of a gonad. However, in 4 cases we were able either to visualize the position of the nonpalpable testis or predict correctly the absence of testicular tissue by the appearance of an abrupt termination or absence of the gonadal vein. One false negative study was obtained.
Guanylate-cyclase-inhibitory protein is a frog retinal Ca2+-binding protein related to mammalian guanylate-cyclase-activating proteins

Two guanylate-cyclase-activating proteins (GCAP) encoded by a tail-to-tail gene array have been characterized in the mammalian retina. Using frog retina as a model, we obtained evidence for the presence of a photoreceptor Ca2+-binding protein closely related to GCAP. This protein (206 amino acids) does not stimulate guanylate cyclase (GC) in low [Ca2+], but inhibits GC in high [Ca2+], and is therefore termed guanylate-cyclase-inhibitory protein (GCIP). Sequence analysis indicates that GCIP and GCAP1 and GCAP2 have diverged substantially, but conserved domains present in all vertebrate GCAP are present in GCIP. Moreover, partial characterization of the GCIP gene showed that the positions of two introns in the GCIP gene are identical to positions of corresponding introns of the mammalian GCAP gene array. As to the major differences between GCIP and GCAP, the fourth EF hand Ca2+-binding motif of GCIP is disabled for Ca2+ binding, and GCIP does not stimulate GC. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant GCIP identified high levels of GCIP in the inner segments, somata and synaptic terminals of frog cone photoreceptors. The results suggest that GCIP is a Ca2+-binding protein of the GCAP/recoverin subfamily. Its localization in frog cones closely resembles that of GC in mammalian cones. GCIP inhibits GC at high free [Ca2+], competing with GCAP1 and GCAP2 for GC regulatory sites.
TU-D-BRB-04: Reconstruction of Brachytherapy Seed Positions and Orientations from Conebeam CT X-Ray Projections: A Novel Iterative Forward Projection Matching Algorithm

Purpose: To generalize and experimentally validate a new algorithm for reconstructing the 3D pose (position and orientation) of implanted brachytherapy seeds from a few 2D conebeam‐CT x‐ray projections. Methods and materials: The iterative forward projection matching (IFPM) algorithm finds the set of seed poses that minimizes the sum‐of‐intensity‐difference‐squared (SSD) of computed and experimentally‐acquired auto‐segmented rojections of the seed array. IFPM starts with an initial approximation to the seed configuration, e.g., the pre‐planned seed arrangement and then iteratively refines the 3D seed pose and imaging viewpoint parameters until the SSD converges. We have demonstrated the IFPM method using both synthetic projection images of clinically‐realistic Model‐6711 seed arrangements and measured projections of an in‐house precision‐machined prostate implant phantom that allows the orientations and locations of up to 100 seeds to be set to known values. The phantom was scanned using an Acuity‐digital‐simulator with full 660‐projections. Three‐to‐ten x‐ray projection images were selected from the conebeam‐CT dataset and were pre‐processed to create binary seed‐only images. In addition to comparing the reconstructed to the known seed poses, 2D matching accuracy was quantified comparing the reconstructed seed projection with the measured projection using the dice‐similarity‐coefficient (DSC). The estimated 3D seed positions were also compared with clinically obtained VariSeed‐planning coordinates derived from conebeam‐CT images.Results: For the simulations, the seed reconstruction error was better than 0.4mm/2°. For the phantom experiments, IFPM absolute accuracy was (0.56±0.45)mm for position, while and (2.9±2.8)° and (3.6±4.0)° for polar and azimuthal angles, respectively. The DSC was better than 0.76 in each image‐pair.Conclusions: We have developed a novel algorithm for accurately recovering 3D pose of implanted brachytherapy seeds from as few as 3 projections. IFPM avoids the need to match corresponding seeds in each projection and accommodates incomplete data, overlapping seed clusters, and highly‐migrated seeds. Supported by Varian Medical Systems
Scale-up of the axial profile of material hold-up in horizontal rotating cylinders

Abstract Scale-up of the axial profile of the hold-up of material flowing through grate-discharge horizontal rotating cylinders is presented. parameters investigated were drum length, rotational speed and material feed rate. Equations useful for engineering design for relating material hold-up in the cylinder to the feed rate, cylinder dimensions and speed of rotation are given.
Covariabilities of spring soil moisture and summertime United States precipitation in a climate simulation

This paper explores the space-time connections between springtime soil moisture and summer precipitation over the continental United States by applying a singular value decomposition (SVD) method to a 50-year climate simulation. The first two SVD modes were analyzed. The two leading SVD modes account for 43% of the squared covariance between spring soil moisture and summer precipitation. Their corresponding components explain 14% of the soil moisture variance and 19% of the precipitation variance, respectively, which is larger than that contributed by tropical Pacific sea-surface temperatures (SSTs). The temporal correlations between the two expansion coefficients of each SVD mode are 0.83 and 0.88, respectively, indicating a significant association between spring soil moisture variation and summer precipitation variability. Both positive and negative cross-correlations exist over different regions of the United States in the two modes. Linear regression relates surface relative humidity and surface air temperature to the soil moisture SVD time series. The patterns revealed by the SVD analysis show where the local soil moisture-precipitation coupling contributes to the model's simulation of precipitation. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Differential Characters of Two Strains of Clostridium botulinum, Type E: Action of Toxins in Chickens.

SummaryDifferential characters of two strains of Clostridium botulinum, type E, are described. One strain was isolated from German-canned sprats; the other from Nova Scotian smoked salmon. Culturally they can be differentiated by colony formation on horse blood agar plates. Agglutination and absorption tests indicate them to be of distinct serologic groups.The toxins of both strains were neutralized reciprocally by their antitoxins. Tests for toxigenic activity demonstrated, however, that the toxins were not identical. Subcutaneous injections of both toxins uniformly gave rise to symptoms characteristic of botulism in guinea pigs, mice, rabbits, and kittens. White Leghorn chickens were highly susceptible to the toxin of the salmon strain but not to that of the sprat strain. In chickens 4 to 12 weeks old, approximately 6 to 8 guinea pig M.L.D. of the salmon toxin gave rise to fatal botulism, while doses of the sprat toxin several hundred times as large failed to kill or induce symptoms of botulism. The spr...
Hepatitis B or C virus infection and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma among solid organ transplant recipients.

Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV/HCV) substantially increase risk for hepatocellular carcinoma, likely through both direct oncogenic effects (e.g. interaction of HCV proteins with host proteins that regulate cell proliferation, integration of HBV DNA into the host genome) and indirect effects (e.g.
C 2 for Mathematics Teachers

C/sup 2/ (Confidence and Competence) for Mathematics Teachers was a highly successful program for elementary and middle school mathematics teachers which was a cooperative effort between Colorado School of Mines and Jefferson County Schools and was funded through the Colorado Commission on Higher Education with Eisenhower Funds. It featured standards based mathematics, use of technology, and adult learning methods. Extensive evaluation of both teachers and their students was another feature of the program.
Full-time and reduced-hours work schedules and marital quality: A study of female physicians with young children

In this stratified random sample of 98 married full-time and reduced-hours female physicians with children, the authors tested the hypothesis that the relationship between work hours and marital-role quality would be mediated by the proportion of low-schedule-control household tasks performed by the physicians. The hypothesis was supported: Physicians working longer hours reported higher marital-role quality than those working fewer hours to the extent that they performed fewer low-schedule-control household tasks than did their reduced-hours counter-parts. Conversely, reduced-hours physicians, who, on average, performed more low-schedule-control tasks, reported lower marital-role quality.
A comparison of response characteristics of airflow and pressure transducers commonly used in rhinomanometry

Although the ranges in which pneumotachographs evidence linear output to static flows are documented in the literature, output reliability or the stability of calibration functions resulting from the input of dynamic nonsinusoidal flows (such as those which occur during nasal breathing) have not been investigated. Furthermore, it is not known whether the type of requisite pressure transducer used in conjunction with the pneumotachograph influences the pneumotachograph's linearity, output reliability, or dynamic response. To provide information on these points, the authors determined the dynamic and static responsiveness of three pneumotachographs commonly used in rhinomanometry, in combination with three requisite pressure transducers. Experimental data indicate that: (a) output reliability depended on the pneumotachograph-pressure transducer combination and was not readily predictable from the reliabilities of the individual components, (b) heating increased pneumotachograph reliability, and (c) differences in accuracy existed among transducer combinations of high, but not low, flow frequencies. >
Integrated Hybrid Lasers and Amplifiers on a Silicon Platform

An overview is given of the hybrid AlGaInAs-silicon platform where InP active and silicon passive components are integrated using wafer bonding. Hybrid optical amplifiers and lasers demonstrate the functionality this platform bring silicon photonics.
B Cells Expressing a Natural Polyreactive Autoantibody Have a Distinct Phenotype and Are Overrepresented in Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Transgenic Mice

Despite stringent regulation of disease-associated autoantibodies, a substantial proportion of circulating Abs in sera of healthy individuals exhibit self-reactivity. These Abs are referred to as naturally occurring or natural autoantibodies (NAAs). To understand the origin and function of NAAs, we have generated a new site-directed transgenic mouse model in which a prerearranged VDJ gene coding for the H chain of a typical polyreactive NAA, ppc1-5 , is inserted into the IgH locus. This H chain, when combined with its original L chain, the λ1 L chain, yields a NAA that characteristically binds a variety of self and non-self Ags including ssDNA, actin, ubiquitin, and nitrophenyl phosphocholine. Despite their autoreactivity, B cells expressing ppc1-5H/λ1 NAA are not negatively selected, but rather are overrepresented in the transgenic mice. The shift toward λ1 expression mainly occurs during the transition of immature to mature B cells in the spleen, suggesting a BCR selection process. The ppc1-5H/λ1 B cells exhibit a phenotype that is different from those of the known mature B cell populations, and they are located predominantly in the lymphoid follicles of the spleen and the lymph nodes. These B cells are functionally active, producing high levels of Abs in vivo and responding well to BCR stimulation in vitro. The findings indicate that the ppc1-5/λ1 natural autoantibodies originate from a distinct B cell subset that may be positively selected by virtue of its poly/autoreactivity.
DNA repair and aging in mouse liver: 8-oxodG glycosylase activity increase in mitochondrial but not in nuclear extracts

8-oxo-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) is one of the major DNA lesions formed upon oxidative attack of DNA. It is a mutagenic adduct that has been associated with pathological states such as cancer and aging. Base excision repair (BER) is the main pathway for the repair of 8-oxodG. There is a great deal of interest in the question about age-associated accumulation of this DNA lesion and its intracellular distribution, particularly with respect to mitochondrial or nuclear localization. We have previously shown that 8-oxodG-incision activity increases with age in rat mitochondria obtained from both liver and heart. In this study, we have investigated the age-associated changes in DNA repair activities in both mitochondrial and nuclear extracts obtained from mouse liver. We observed that 8-oxodG incision activity of mitochondrial extracts increases significantly with age, from 13.4 + or - 2.2 fmoles of oligomer/100 microg of protein/16 h at 6 to 18.6 + or - 4.9 at 14 and 23.7 + or - 3.8 at 23 months of age. In contrast, the nuclear 8-oxodG incision activity showed no significant change with age, and in fact slightly decreased from 11.8 + or - 3 fmoles/50 microg of protein/2 h at 6 months to 9.7 + or - 0.8 at 14 months. Uracil DNA glycosylase and endonuclease G activities did not change with age in nucleus or mitochondria. Our results show that the repair of 8-oxodG is regulated differently in nucleus and mitochondria during the aging process. The specific increase in 8-oxodG-incision activity in mitochondria, rather than a general up-regulation of DNA metabolizing enzymes in those organelles, suggests that this pathway may be up regulated during aging in mice.
Intraobserver and Interobserver Reliability of the Kneeling Technique of Stress Radiography for the Evaluation of Posterior Knee Laxity

Background:Stress radiography provides an objective tool to measure posterior knee instability. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability has been reported for the Telos device, but it has not been studied using the kneeling technique.Purpose:This study was conducted to evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of measurements made using kneeling stress radiography to quantify posterior knee instability.Study Design:Case series (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 4.Methods:One hundred thirty-two stress radiographs in 44 patients with suspected posterior knee instability were prospectively taken using the kneeling technique. The amount of posterior displacement on the radiographs was then measured independently by 3 blinded testers (an orthopaedic sports medicine faculty member, an orthopaedic chief resident, and a medical student) on 2 separate occasions. Changes in mean and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were examined to assess the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of t...
SAMPLING POPULATIONS OF PINE LEAF CHERMID PINEUS PINIFOLIAE (HOMOPTERA: CHERMIDAE): II. ADULT GALLICOLAE ON THE SECONDARY HOST

Procedures for absolute population sampling of the gallicola migrans stage of the pine leaf chermid on its secondary host are described. This involves determining the mean numbers of gallicolae per fascicle on one twig from each of 29–240 pines per stand and estimating the numbers of fascicles in the stand from the distribution of stem diameters. Patterns and distributions of the gallicolae within trees and stands are discussed with comments on their biological significance.
Tissue factor expression and angiogenesisin human prostate carcinoma

Abstract In tumors, the switch to the angiogenic phenotype is thought to be controlled by a balance of positive and negative angiogenic factors. Tissue factor (TF) produced by tumor cells has been implicated in the regulation of this “angiogenic switch” through its ability to concurrently induce the expression of angiogenic molecules such as vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), while inhibiting the expression of anti-angiogenic molecules such as thrombospondin 2. We have examined TF expression and its relationship to angiogenesis and tumor progression in human prostate carcinomas. Most of the prostate carcinoma specimens examined (73%; n = 67) express high levels of TF Immunohistochemical analysis localized TF expression to the epithelial cells of malignant glands. TF expression was significantly correlated with tumor angiogenesis as measured by the microvessel density (MVD). In addition, TF expression was correlated with the preoperative PSA level, a strong predictor of recurrence in prostate carcinomas. Our findings show that TF expression by the malignant glands in prostate cancer is common and suggest a role for this molecule in regulating prostate cancer progression and angiogenesis.
Predeinterleaving soft decision performance for MFSK detection on the Rayleigh fading channel

The authors consider MFSK (M-ary frequency shift keying) communications systems that achieve time diversity by using convolutional interleaving of L repeated chips per symbol. Two system processing options are investigated. The first is that of conventional deinterleaving followed by demodulator magnitude accumulation and soft decision bit recovery. The second is predeinterleaver soft decision, in which demodulator magnitudes are soft detected before recombination. The soft decision metric used in each case is the difference of maximums algorithm. The advantage of soft decision before deinterleaving is a significant deinterleaver memory reduction at the cost of a performance degradation. This degradation is quantified for an ideal Rayleigh fading channel by simulation for a range of chip repeats and bit energy to noise ratios. Preliminary results indicate an implementation loss of 1-4 dB or less for diversities up to 16 over the signal-to-noise ratios of interest. System implementation complexity reductions for several deinterleaver cases are also given. >
Operator Equations in Two Field Theory Models

Two soluble relativistic field theory models are considered. Both models are two-dimensional, and both models have infinite renormalization constants. It is shown that the current operators for these models satisfy local field equations.(T.F.H.)
Differential Expression of 92-kDa Gelatinase in Primary Atherosclerotic Versus Restenotic Coronary Lesions

Rupture of atherosclerotic plaque resulting in intravascular thrombosis and myocardial infarction (MI), while a common sequelae of de novo atherosclerotic lesions, is an uncommon consequence of restenosis. We hypothesize that the rarity of MI associated with restenotic lesions is a result of cellular and biochemical modifications induced by the local response to mechanical injury rendering the site resistant to rupture. Clinical and angiographic features of patients presenting with symptomatic primary (n = 24) or restenotic coronary lesions (n = 12) who underwent directional atherectomy were compared. Histologic analysis and immunostaining for 92-kDa gelatinase were performed on each atherectomy specimen. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding age, gender, incidence of diabetes, smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or previous MI. Lesion length, extent, and distribution of disease and percent stenosis were not significantly different between groups. However, 8% of primary lesions were hypercellular compared with 75% of restenotic specimens (p = 0.0001). Hypercellularity in restenotic specimens was shown by adjacent section staining to be composed of smooth muscle cells. Ninety-two kDa gelatinase was expressed in 79% of primary lesions versus 0% of restenotic specimens (p = 0.0001). Thrombus was identified in 54% of primary lesions versus 22% of restenotic lesions (p <0.05). These findings suggest that, independent of clinical or angiographic influences, balloon injury induces increased lesion cellularity and reduced expression of 92-kDa gelatinase, possibly resulting in a reduced propensity for plaque rupture and thrombosis.
The Impacts of Success for All on Reading Achievement in Grades 3–5: Does Intervening During the Later Elementary Grades Produce the Same Benefits as Intervening Early?

We evaluate the impact of Success for All literacy instruction in grades 3 through 5 using data from the same cluster randomized trial used to evaluate effects in the earlier grades (K–2). In contrast to the early benefits, there is no effect on reading achievement in the later grades, either overall or for students and schools with high or low baseline reading achievement. This suggests that the impact of Success for All—including established long-term positive effects—may depend on early exposure. As a result, educators may experience difficulty replicating the typical positive achievement impacts of the intervention when children participate in Success for All only during the later elementary grades, as is common for mobile students in program schools.
Isolated splenomegaly as the presenting feature of Niemann–Pick disease type C

WE DESCRIBE FOUR PATIENTS WITH NIEMANN Pick disease type C (NPC), in whom the presentation was isolated splenic enlargement; this remained the only abnormality for a number of years. Diagnosis can be suggested by either finding abnormal storage material in a tissue biopsy specimen or by showing a modest elevation in plasma chitotriosidase activity. In patients with suggestive abnormalities, filipin staining of a skin fibroblast sample should confirm the abnormality in cholesterol trafficking. Formal esterification studies and mutation analysis should also be performed, especially if prenatal testing is to be performed in subsequent pregnancies. If the diagnosis is not considered and established, the family are at risk of having further affected children. Investigation of patients with isolated splenomegaly is not complete until NPC has been excluded.
Lithium Di‐n‐propylcuprate

[43093-17-0] C6H14CuLi (MW 156.69) InChI = 1S/2C3H7.Cu.Li/c2*1-3-2;;/h2*1,3H2,2H3;; InChIKey = SETCBEYYECBQHR-UHFFFAOYSA-N (propylating reagent; undergoes conjugate addition reactions,1a,b,e epoxide addition reactions,1a,e substitution reactions with alkyl and vinyl substrates,1a,c,e carbocupration with alkynes,1e and acylation reactions1e) Physical Data: dark suspension in Et2O at 0 °C;2 brown–black solution in THF between −20 and −10 °C.3 Solubility: sol THF, Et2O. Preparative Methods: prepared in situ from CuI salts (CuI or CuBr·SMe2) under N2 or argon atmosphere.4 Rate of cuprate formation is temperature- and CuI salt-dependent, and reagent prepared from CuI halides is critically dependent on the purity of the CuI salts used (see Lithium Dimethylcuprate for purification of CuI and CuBr). Handling, Storage, and Precautions: stable in solution for several hours below −60 °C; cuprate reactions are generally carried out at −78 °C. Air- and moisture-sensitive; use in a fume hood.
Optimal correction and design parameter search by modern methods of rigorous global optimization

Abstract Frequently the design of schemes for correction of aberrations or the determination of possible operating ranges for beamlines and cells in synchrotrons exhibit multitudes of possibilities for their correction, usually appearing in disconnected regions of parameter space which cannot be directly qualified by analytical means. In such cases, frequently an abundance of optimization runs are carried out, each of which determines a local minimum depending on the specific chosen initial conditions. Practical solutions are then obtained through an often extended interplay of experienced manual adjustment of certain suitable parameters and local searches by varying other parameters. However, in a formal sense this problem can be viewed as a global optimization problem, i.e. the determination of all solutions within a certain range of parameters that lead to a specific optimum. For example, it may be of interest to find all possible settings of multiple quadrupoles that can achieve imaging; or to find ahead of time all possible settings that achieve a particular tune; or to find all possible manners to adjust nonlinear parameters to achieve correction of high order aberrations. These tasks can easily be phrased in terms of such an optimization problem; but while mathematically this formulation is often straightforward, it has been common belief that it is of limited practical value since the resulting optimization problem cannot usually be solved. However, recent significant advances in modern methods of rigorous global optimization make these methods feasible for optics design for the first time. The key ideas of the method lie in an interplay of rigorous local underestimators of the objective functions, and by using the underestimators to rigorously iteratively eliminate regions that lie above already known upper bounds of the minima, in what is commonly known as a branch-and-bound approach. Recent enhancements of the Differential Algebraic methods used in particle optics for the computation of aberrations allow the determination of particularly sharp underestimators for large regions. As a consequence, the subsequent progressive pruning of the allowed search space as part of the optimization progresses is carried out particularly effectively. The end result is the rigorous determination of the single or multiple optimal solutions of the parameter optimization, regardless of their location, their number, and the starting values of optimization. The methods are particularly powerful if executed in interplay with genetic optimizers generating their new populations within the currently active unpruned space. Their current best guess provides rigorous upper bounds of the minima, which can then beneficially be used for better pruning. Examples of the method and its performance will be presented, including the determination of all operating points of desired tunes or chromaticities, etc. in storage ring lattices.