cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rivaroxaban for Stroke Prevention in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation and Active Cancer.

Rivaroxaban is broadly used for the primary prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in the general population with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is little published evidence on the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban for AF in patients with active cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban in patients with active cancer and AF. The use of rivaroxaban in patients with cancer at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is monitored in the setting of a Quality Assessment Initiative. Patients with active cancer and AF, treated with rivaroxaban from January 1, 2014, to March 31, 2016, are included in this analysis. Clinical end points were defined a priori and assessed through text searches of medical records. A total of 163 evaluable patients were identified. After adjusting for competing risks, the estimated 1-year cumulative incidence of ischemic stroke was 1.4% (95% CI 0% to 3.4%) and major bleeding was 1.2% (95% CI 0% to 2.9%). The risk of clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding leading to discontinuation of anticoagulation at 1 year was 14.0% (95% CI 4.2% to 22.7%). The cumulative incidence of mortality was 22.6% (95% CI 12.2% to 31.7%) at 1 year, reflecting an active cancer population. One patient died after developing an acute ischemic cerebrovascular insult. In conclusion, the safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban treatment for nonvalvular AF in patients with active cancer is comparable to the results of the Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared with Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation (ROCKET-AF) study in the general population.
Evolution of biological control agents following introduction to new environments

The introduction of biological control agents (BCAs) creates the potential for adaptive evolution in translocated organisms. BCAs are confronted with new environments that can promote adaptation to exploit novel resources, even within short ecological time frames. In particular, insect BCAs are amenable to rapid evolution due to their short generation times and relatively large population sizes. These factors hypothetically increase the likelihood that, when exposed to novel habitats, environmental selection could cause BCAs to extend their range to non-target host species. Alternatively, insects may simply extend their range as their generalist or polyphagous habits are fully realized. In this review, we consider recent literature that addresses these topics. Adaptations to environmental conditions have been demonstrated in a number of BCAs. Mechanisms of adaptation include founder effects, hybridization, and endosymbiosis. Yet, there is little evidence of adaptive host range expansions among insect and weed biological control agents to non-target species, albeit existing examples are from limited numbers of studies. Important future directions and current developments in the field incorporate next generation sequencing technology that can promote better resolution of population divergence, possible mechanisms involved in adaptation to novel resources, and insect hybridization. Future studies should also include a careful consideration of the influence of microbes on BCA efficacy and environmental adaptation.
The Politics of Prayer: White American Catholicism and “Negro” Sainthood

This article interrogates the way in which Western European and American Catholic clerics, theologians, and writers sought to use both prayer and the memory of an Afro-Hispanic holy man, Saint Mart...
Debating Truth: The Barcelona Disputation of 1263: A Graphic History. By Nina Caputo and Liz Clarke. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2017. Pp. 256. $19.95.)

The 1263 disputation between Rabbi Moses ben Nahman (Nahmanides) and a Jewish convert to Christianity—Paul Christian—is one of the most well‐known theological exchanges between a Christian and a Je...
CT of the Heart

Imaging of the heart and great vessels has previously been done with plain film, cardiac catheterization, nuclear medicine, and echocardiography as the primary imaging modalities. The recent newer advances in the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies, however, have dramatically changed our approach to imaging cardiac disease. CT and MRI, supplemented by CT angiography and MRI angiography, are increasingly replacing the chest film, as well as nuclear and—to some extent—echo imaging as the primary modalities in evaluating heart disease.
Pediatric Computational Models

A computational model is a computer program that attempts to simulate a behavior of a complex system by solving mathematical equations associated with principles and laws of physics. Computational models can be used to predict the body’s response to injury-producing conditions that cannot be simulated experimentally or measured in surrogate/animal experiments. Computational modeling also provides means by which valid experimental animal and cadaveric data can be extrapolated to a living person. Widely used computational models for injury biomechanics include multibody dynamics and finite element (FE) models. Both multibody and FE methods have been used extensively to study adult impact biomechanics in the past couple of decades.
An introduction to OpenGL graphics programming: pre-conference workshop

In order to display computer graphics from a language such as C or C++, a graphics application programmers' interface must be used. The most popular multi-platform API for this is the OpenGL graphics system. Even the complex movie generation systems such as the academy award winning Maya software, used for such computer animation movies as Toy Story, is based on OpenGL. OpenGL, along with an appropriate windowing toolkit such as GL Utility Toolkit (GLUT), can be used to effectively display computer graphics. Students can be taught easily to display windows and make elementary drawings using only the basics of OpenGL.
Thermomechanical Properties and Stress Corrosion of RMI Ti-3A1-8V-6Cr-4Mo-4Zr

RMI 38-6-44 is a newly developed beta titanium alloy of nominal composition, 3 percent aluminum, 8 percent vanadium, 6 percent chromium, 4 percent molybdenum, and 4 percent zirconium. This alloy can be easily worked at room temperature and combinations of mechanical working and thermal treatments produce a variety of complex microstructures. A broad range of engineering properties can be obtained as a result of these processes, This paper presents the procedures and results of a systematic investigation of the effects of various thermomechanical processes on the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, susceptibility to stress corrosion and structure of this alloy. Investigations were conducted on material receiving 0 percent, 40 percent, and 80 percent cold work with no heat treating and material receiving zero percent, 40 percent, and 80 percent cold work and various heat treatments. Aging temperatures used were between 370–565°C for times varying from 15 minutes to 96 hours. Maximum yield strengths of 155 Kg/mm were obtained. A discussion of properties is presented and correlation between these properties and existing microstructures are discussed.
It's About the Relationship: Collaborative Law in the Employment Context

Work is central to American life and drives us in fundamental ways. And the workplace, as a result, dominates our lives. We are spending ever greater amounts of time in the workplace and less time in civic and social engagements. As a consequence, our relationships at work have become so significant that they are nearly as important to us as our family relationships. In fact, the employment relationship is similar to the family relationship in the emotional support from coworkers it can provide and in the financial support it provides. Because the employment relationship is so common and psychologically so important to us, employment disputes are especially difficult and sensitive for both employers and employees. Moreover, disruptions in employment wreak real financial havoc in people's lives and can significantly disrupt the operations of a business as well. Given these factors, trials, with their delays, uncertainties, and expenses look less attractive as a method dispute resolution than they otherwise might. From the perspective of the courts, the potential caseload posed by employment disputes also makes trials an unattractive choice for resolution. Accordingly, alternative forms of dispute resolution (ADR) play a dominant role in resolving and avoiding labor and employment conflicts. This paper, building on the comparison of the employment relationship to the family relationship, focuses on one newer form of ADR, the collaborative law process, and explores its application in the employment context. Collaborative law, as the name implies, is not adversarial and has been used in family law where continuing relationships are an important outcome of the resolution process. Part two of this paper outlines the various forms of ADR, part three details the specific features of the collaborative law process, and part four suggests some possibilities and limitations of using that process in the employment setting. Although collaborative law will probably not transform labor and employment conflicts the way it has some family law matters, there is, nonetheless, significant value to be gained by adapting it.
Natural Nitrate Occurrence in Closed Basins in Southwestern United States

Abstract Expanding development of groundwater supplies in the closed basins of the southwestern United States has led to increasing reports of high nitrate levels in the water. Many of these nitrates appear to be from natural sources. Data indicate that playa areas have substantial quantities of nitrogen that is mobilized to water supplies. Documented areas include Clark and Lyon Counties in Nevada where water supplies have been adversely impacted with nitrate levels reaching 100 mg/l as N. Several other playa areas have soil nitrate levels up to 20,000 mg/kg. Field and laboratory studies are progressing on the origin and process of concentration of nitrogen in the playa areas. Potential sources include solution and transport from bedrock, fixation from the air by organisms and photochemical reactions, and old buried shallow lake deposits of organic or evaporite material. Better understanding of the occurrence of natural nitrates is necessary in order to access the impacts of man on present and future development of groundwater supplies.
Cartilage Damage Is Related to ACL Stiffness in a Porcine Model of ACL Repair.

Inferior anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) structural properties may inadequately restrain tibiofemoral joint motion following surgery, contributing to the increased risk of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Using both a direct measure of ACL linear stiffness and an in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 *-based prediction model, we hypothesized that cartilage damage and ACL stiffness would increase over time, and that an inverse relationship between cartilage damage and ACL stiffness would emerge at a later stage of healing. After either 6, 12, or 24 weeks (w) of healing after ACL repair, ACL linear stiffness was determined from the force-displacement relationship during tensile testing ex vivo and predicted in vivo from the MRI T2 *-based multiple linear regression model in 24 Yucatan minipigs. Tibiofemoral cartilage was graded postmortem. There was no relationship between cartilage damage and ACL stiffness at 6 w (R2 = 0.04; p = 0.65), 12 w (R2 = 0.02; p = 0.77), or when the data from all animals were pooled (R2 = 0.02; p = 0.47). A significant inverse relationship between cartilage damage and ACL stiffness based on both ex vivo measurement (R2 = 0.90; p < 0.001) and in vivo MRI prediction (R2 = 0.78; p = 0.004) of ACL stiffness emerged at 24 w. This result suggests that 90% of the variability in gross cartilage changes is associated with the repaired ACL linear stiffness at 6 months of healing. Clinical Significance: Techniques that provide a higher stiffness to the repaired ACL may be required to mitigate the post-traumatic osteoarthritis commonly seen after ACL injury, and MRI T2 * can be used as a noninvasive estimation of ligament stiffness. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2249-2257, 2019.
Induced pluripotent stem cells as a tool for comparative physiology: lessons from the thirteen-lined ground squirrel

Comparative physiologists are often interested in adaptive physiological phenomena found in unconventional model organisms; however, research on these species is frequently constrained by the limited availability of investigative tools. Here, we propose that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from unconventional model organisms may retain certain species-specific features that can consequently be investigated in depth in vitro; we use hibernating mammals as an example. Many species (including ground squirrels, bats and bears) can enter a prolonged state of physiological dormancy known as hibernation to survive unfavorable seasonal conditions. Our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the rapid transition and adaptation to a hypothermic, metabolically suppressed winter torpor state remains limited partially because of the lack of an easily accessible model. To address the fascinating unanswered questions underlying hibernation biology, we have developed a powerful model system: iPSCs from a hibernating species, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus). These stem cells can potentially be differentiated into any cell type, and can be used for the analysis of cell-autonomous mechanisms that facilitate adaptation to hibernation and for comparisons with non-hibernators. Furthermore, we can manipulate candidate molecular and cellular pathways underlying relevant physiological phenomena by pharmacological or RNAi-based methods, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Moreover, iPSC strategies can be applied to other species (e.g. seals, naked mole rats, humming birds) for in vitro studies on adaptation to extreme physiological conditions. In this Commentary, we discuss factors to consider when attempting to generate iPSCs from unconventional model organisms, based on our experience with the thirteen-lined ground squirrel.
Neutral, Negative, or Negligible? Changes in Patient Perceptions of Disease Risk Following Receipt of a Negative Genomic Screening Result.

Most individuals who undergo genomic screening will receive negative results or results not sufficient to warrant a clinical response. Even though a majority of individuals receive negative results, little is known about how negative results may impact individuals’ perception of disease risk. Changes in risk perception (specifically reductions in perceived risk) may affect both probands and their family members if inaccurate information is communicated to family members. We surveyed patients who received negative results as part of their participation in a genomic screening study and assessed their perceptions of disease risk following receipt of results. Participants had either hyperlipidemia or colon polyps (or both) and received their negative genomic screening results by mail. Of 1712 total individuals recruited, 1442 completed the survey (84.2% completion rate). Approximately one quarter of individuals believed their risk for heart disease to be lower and approximately one third of individuals believed their risk for colon cancer to be lower after receiving and evaluating their negative genomic screening result. 78% of those who believed their risk for one or both diseases had declined had already shared or intended to share their result with family members. Our study suggests patients may interpret a negative genomic screening result as implying a reduction in their overall disease risk.
Something Old, Something New: Teaching the BMB Lab.

Lab courses are a significant component of biochemistry and molecular biology (BMB) education. In teaching the labs, we combine established techniques with novel approaches. Lab formats have also moved from traditional cookbook style labs to guided inquiry to course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), where faculty bring their own research interests into the course setting with a larger number of students in a much more restricted time frame. This presentation is designed to explore some of these ideas and challenge the reader to introduce research opportunities to all students, not just the smaller group of students in their research labs.
Promoting Children’s Mental Health in Schools: A Child’s Rights Framework

This chapter discusses the roots of a child rights orientation to promoting children’s mental health based in psychology, education, and neuroscience, including (a) a family-centered approach to services, (b) a community-responsive approach to service delivery, (c) a social justice orientation, (d) a positive psychology model, (e) a life course framework, (f) a multitier prevention model, and (g) a developmental-ecological framework. Using these models as a foundation, this chapter describes strategies for promoting children’s mental health that may be useful in achieving the aspirations of the UN (1989) Convention on the Rights of the Child. These strategies include establishing the school as the child development home of each child and linking this system with the child’s medical home in pediatric primary care and the child’s personal, cultural home in the family. Additional strategies include enacting school policies reflecting a deep commitment to universal strategies for promoting each child’s mental health and designing individualized development plans to address the educational and mental health needs of each child. The chapter concludes by describing examples of indicators for tracking progress in promoting children’s mental health in schools.
Formal Knowledge Acquisition and Socialization to Educational Leadership by Program Graduates: The Intersection of Social Justice and the Role of Program Faculty:

Through the use of Twale et al.’s model of socialization of graduate students, this study sought to better understand the experiences of graduates from an educational leadership and administration ...
Bmal1 regulates production of larger lipoproteins by modulating cAMP-responsive element-binding protein H and apolipoprotein AIV.

High plasma lipid/lipoprotein levels are risk factors for various metabolic diseases. We previously showed that circadian rhythms regulate plasma lipids, and deregulation of these rhythms cause hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in mice. Here, we show that global and liver-specific Bmal1-deficient mice maintained on a chow or a Western diet developed hyperlipidemia, denoted by the presence of higher amounts of triglyceride- and ApoAIV-rich larger chylomicron and very-low-density lipoprotein, due to overproduction. Bmal1 deficiency decreased Shp and increased MTP, a key protein that facilitates primordial lipoprotein assembly and secretion. Moreover, we show that Bmal1 regulates Crebh to modulate ApoAIV expression and the assembly of larger lipoproteins. This is supported by the observation that Crebh- and ApoAIV-deficient mice, along with Bmal1-deficient mice with knockdown of Crebh, had smaller lipoproteins. Further, overexpression of Bmal1 in Crebh-deficient mice had no effect on ApoAIV expression and lipoprotein size. These studies ind15icate that regulation of ApoAIV and assembly of larger lipoproteins by Bmal1 requires Crebh. Mechanistic studies showed that Bmal1 regulates Crebh expression by two mechanisms. First, Bmal1 interacts with the Crebh promoter to control circadian regulation. Second, Bmal1 increases Rev-erbα expression, and Rev-erbα interacts with the Crebh promoter to repress expression. In short, Bmal1 modulates both the synthesis of primordial lipoproteins and their subsequent expansion into larger lipoproteins by regulating two different proteins, MTP and ApoAIV, via two different transcription factors, Shp and Crebh. It is likely that disruptions in circadian mechanisms contribute to hyperlipidemia, and avoiding disruptions in circadian rhythms may limit/prevent hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Rates of Discordant Information in the National Cancer Database.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Publications utilizing the National Cancer Database (NCDB) have risen over 1000-fold over the past decade. While some studies address identical questions, sample sizes and thusly conclusions are often different. Furthermore, there is little correlation between NCDB analysis and level I data. Many of these publications are not adequately addressing the methodology with which they create their sample from the initial dataset. Our goal in this analysis was to address the rate of discordant information in the NCDB, primarily with TNM staging, to underscore the needs to adequately display methods. MATERIALS/METHODS We utilized the NCDB Non-Small Cell Cancer Database to demonstrate the rate of errors and referenced the NCDB data dictionary to compile terms. We compared rates of differing information between NCD terms of "Tumor Size" to T stage ("TNM We also compared group stage ("TNM_Stage Group") to N stage (TNM_CLIN_N"), M stage ("TNM_CLIN_M"). We further assessed differences between "TNM_CLIN_M" and listed sites of metastatic disease as well as comparing whether Radiation administrations was concordant with given doses. RESULTS We evaluated the entire database with an initial size of N = 121,930 patients. After including only complete information only on TNM and tumor size criteria we evaluated concordance for 106262 patients. We noted marked discordant rates between T stage and Tumor size. Specifically, between tumors that were staged T1 did not meet correlate with their "Tumor Size" criteria in 12.5% of the time, T2 tumors did not meet size criteria in 8.5% of instances. Patients that were stage as M0 were only given a group stage of IV in 2.5% of instances while in 0.75% of instances was a group stage IV given when there was no identified metastatic site. For N stage, there was an error rate of approximately 2.6% between reported stage. With regard to "RAD Administered" there was a 1.7% error rate in dose being reported when it was listed that no radiation was administered. CONCLUSION This demonstration serves to show that proper explanation of how the primary sample size is achieved is paramount. Depending on how one builds their data set (i.e., utilizing tumor size vs T1) could alter sample sizes and lead to the variance noted in NCDB studies evaluating similar questions. A comprehensive detailing of, or attachment of precise methodology can result in more overall transparency in analysis of large database oncology data.
Women in Weimar Fashion: Discourses and Displays in German Culture, 1918-1933

In the Weimar Republic, fashion was not only manipulated by the various mass media - film, magazines, advertising, photography, and popular literature - but also emerged as a powerful medium for women's self-expression. Female writers and journalists, including Helen Grund, Irmgard Keun, Vicki Baum, Elsa Maria Bug, and numerous others engaged in a challenging, self-reflective commentary on current styles. By regularly publishing on these topics in the illustrated press and popular literature, they transformed traditional genres and carved out significant public space for themselves. This book re-evaluates paradigmatic concepts of German modernism such as the 'flâneur,' the 'Feuilleton,' and 'Neue Sachlichkeit' in the light of primary material unearthed in archival research: fashion vignettes, essays, short stories, travelogues, novels, films, documentaries, newsreels, and photographs. Unlike other studies of Weimar culture that have ignored the crucial role of fashion, the book proposes a new genealogy of women's modernity by focusing on the discourse and practice of Weimar fashion, in which the women were transformed from objects of male voyeurism into subjects with complex, ambivalent, and constantly shifting experiences of metropolitan modernity. Mila Ganeva is Associate Professor of German at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.
Human Evolution: Radiations in the Last 300 000 Years

Homo sapiens and Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) evolved from Homo heidelbergensis in the last 300 000 years. H. sapiens subsequently spread throughout the world; all other hominins disappeared. The Out of Africa and multiregional models offer different explanations for this pattern. Keywords: Homo sapiens; Neanderthals; Homo erectus; Out of Africa model; multiregional evolution
Solving NP-complete problems with quantum search

In his seminal paper, Grover points out the prospect of faster solutions for an NP-complete problem like SAT. If there are n variables, then an obvious classical deterministic algorithm checks out all 2n truth assignments in about 2n steps, while his quantum search algorithm can find a satisfying truth assignment in about 2n/2 steps. For several NP-complete problems, many sophisticated classical algorithms have been designed. They are still exponential, but much faster than the brute force algorithms. The question arises whether their running time can still be decreased from T(n) to O (√T(n)) by using a quantum computer. Isolated positive examples are known, and some speed-up has been obtained for wider classes. Here, we present a simple method to obtain the full T(n) to O(√T(n)) speed-up for most of the many nontrivial exponential time algorithms for NP-hard problems. The method works whenever the widely used technique of recursive decomposition is employed. This included all currently known algorithms for which such a speedup has not yet been known.
Reliability prediction of substitute parts based on component temperature rating and limited accelerated test data

This paper presents a practical method of estimating failure rates of substitute electronic component with temperature characteristics different from that of an original part. For a number of reasons electronics designers occasionally substitute electronic components with comparable parts having different power-temperature rating. The proposed method describes how the accelerated test data pertaining to the original part can be applied to the substitute component while accounting for the difference in temperature ratings. Also due to climatic differences between the regions of operation the authors suggest the use of equivalent failure rate by incorporating the temperature distribution function into the process of warranty prediction. The proposed combined technique offers the reliability engineer a practical procedure to achieve considerable savings in terms of time and cost of product validation by eliminating redundant testing and improving the accuracy of reliability prediction.
One-way paper chromatography of the chloroplast pigments of leaves

Abstract 1. 1. One-way paper chromatography of leaf extracts provides an effective procedure for the separation of most of the chloroplast pigments, but small variations of the technique may lead to spurious results. With high loading of the adsorbent, precipitation of the pigments from solution in light petroleum may lead to double zoning, and colorless substances in the extracts may produce double tailing and multiple zoning. These multiple-zoning effects are less conspicuous at low loading of the adsorbent and with solvents in which the pigments are readily soluble. For a given chromatographic system, the lower the loading, the better the separations, but the greater the difficulties in detecting the minor constituents. These effects illustrate two basic rules for chromatography, namely, each zone in a chromatographic separation does not necessarily indicate an unique species different from those in all the other zones; the chromatogram may not indicate precisely the number of pigments in the extracts. 2. 2. The migration of the pigments was influenced by their concentration, the solvent and the presence of colorless contaminants. Because of these effects, the R values were subject to great variation. Consequently, the R values for the pigments are not a reliable basis for their description and identification. 3. 3. Alteration products of the chlorophylls were often encountered. Some were formed by treating the leaves with boiling water; others were produced when leaves were frozen and thawed. None of these alteration products was found in normal untreated leaves. 4. 4. When spurious zonation effects were avoided, the principal pigments of leaves were chlorophylls a and b , neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein with or without zeaxanthin and carotene. No carotenoid pigments corresponding to lutein epoxide, neozeaxanthin or eloxanthin were observed.
Late Mesozoic Sedimentation and Orogenesis along Southwestern Oregon Coast: ABSTRACT

Mapping, petrology, and paleocurrent investigations by the speaker and students provide new evidence of sedimentation in a continuously active orogenic belt in southwestern Oregon. Formational units have been traced into California, demonstrating that at least the northern part of the "Franciscan terrane" is divisible. Intensely sheared, northerly trending zones up to 3 miles wide have been traced from California for 100 miles north along the Oregon coast. They pass offshore beneath the seismically active northeast Pacific Basin. Paleogeology shows that these were superimposed upon arcuate Klamath Province fold trends from late Mesozoic to the present. Extrusion of Jurassic rhyolitic to basaltic marine pillow lava and pyroclastics accompanied deposition of graded and non-graded arkosic wacke, mudstone and bedded chert (Dothan and Rogue? Formations). Associated local conglomerates contain granitic boulders, evidencing hitherto unrecognized "pre-Nevadan" granites. Laminated quartz arenite and argillite intruded by diorite contain Late Jurassic? Foraminifera (Galice Formation). Over large areas these units all have been metamorphosed to form the Colebrook Schist. Thus Late Jurassic orogeny is recorded by deformation, metamorphism, and ultramafic and dioritic plutons. Latest Jurassic and Early Cretaceous rocks contain excellently graded volcanic wackes, mudstone, and thick chert-volcanic conglomerates (Myrtle Group). Diorite, serpentine and schist clasts together with overlap relationships provide sensitive indicators of diastrophic pulses. Volcanism ceased during Cretaceous. Later orogeny is recorded by severe deformation (but lack of metamorphism) of the Myrtle Group, emplacement of batholiths inland in the eastern Klamath Province, and unconformable overlap by shallow marine Late Cretaceous (Campanian) quartz arenites, quartz wackes, and mudstone. Major shear zones were developed at least by mid-Cretaceous and have been reactivated intermittently since. Post-Cretaceous warping and erosion recurred prior to widespread Eocene transgression, renewed volcanism, and deposition of graded volcanic wackes cross-stratified volcanic arenites, and coal. Regression commenced in Late Eocene. Later Cenozoic movements along the major faults apparently formed the north-trending Coos synclinorium and were related to formation of north-trending Cascade volcanoes and plut ns and to widespread faulting in eastern Oregon and Nevada. End_of_Article - Last_Page 264------------
The effect of the temporal locus of the introtact probe on the hypothesis-testing strategies of kindergarten children

Abstract The hypothesis-testing behavior of kindergarten children in discrimination learning was studied in a factorial design with two temporal placements of introtact probes (pretrial and posttrial) and two types of pretraining (unidimensional and multidimensional). Pretrial probes consisting of a request for the child's current hypothesis were administered in a conventional manner at the beginning of each trial with the stimuli in view and prior to the choice response. Posttrial probes were administered also with the stimuli in view, but after the choice response had occurred and feedback information had been provided. Learning-to-learn experience in solving three pretraining problems was given either with unidimensional simultaneous problems or with more complex multidimensional problems like the criterion tasks. The results indicated that posttrial probes produced superior local consistency, win-stay, and lose-shift probabilities, relative to pretrial probes, for both types of pretraining. Posttrial probes, however, facilitated learning and the testing of valid hypotheses only for multidimensional pretraining. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that posttrial probes constrain the child to be locally consistent and therefore improve short-term efficiency in hypothesis testing under both pretraining conditions. However, posttrial probes produce an improvement in long-term efficiency, and therefore in learning, only when other components of a successful strategy are acquired as in multidimensional pretraining.
Generating quasi-random sequences from semi-random sources

Abstract We consider mathematically the problem of generating random bit-sequences from physical noise sources (such as zener diodes). We propose a very general mathematical model for such physical sources: the semi-random source , and show how to convert the output of such sources into quasi-random sequences . Such sequences are indistinguishable from truly random ones in a strong sense. This enables us to prove that quasi-random sequences can be used in place of truly random ones for applications such as seeds for pseudo-random number generators, randomizing algorithms, and stochastic simulation experiments.
Lessons in drug development.

To the Editor: There are indeed many implications arising from the recent problems surrounding the use of cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 inhibitors. However, it is an over simplification to suggest that less selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) do not increase cardiovascular risk with long term use.1 The literature is certainly complex and at times conflicting in its overall message confounded by difficulties between studies of the patients’ baseline cardiovascular risk, age, drug dosage, concomitant use of low-dose aspirin, duration of dosing, possible use of over the counter analgesic remedies and different underlying pathologies. Nevertheless some (reasonably) firm conclusions can be made: 1. Many studies have shown increased cardiac events,2,3 primarily thrombotic in nature, in patients taking COX 2 inhibitors compared to placebo or nonselective COX inhibitors. 2. Some studies have suggested that some COX 2 inhibitors are worse than others e.g., rofecoxib compared to celecoxib4,5 perhaps related to their degree of COX selectivity. Lumiracoxib seems not to be associated with increased cardiac risk.6 3. Many studies also show increased cardiovascular risk with the COX 1 inhibitors7–9 at times comparable to the increased risk associated with COX 2 inhibitors. 4. Patients still die from gastrointestinal complications – more so with the less selective NSAIDs. The imbalance created by the COX 2 mediated suppression of the vasodilator prostaglandin and the lack of suppression of the vasoconstrictor thromboxane A2 (the major COX 1 product of platelets causing platelet aggregration and vasoconstriction) has been suggested to explain the increased thrombotic complications, but this in itself does not explain the increased risk seen with non selective drugs. Other cardiac effects may do so. All NSAIDs are associated with worsening of hypertension control and probably increased risk of developing hypertension. In addition, fluid retention, renal dysfunction and increased edema will increase the likelihood of developing or worsening heart failure. Lessons in drug development to be learned should include rigorous evaluation or reevaluation of the risks vs benefits of all NSAIDs, not just the COX 2 group. In the perioperative setting this should include sensible guidelines on duration of therapy, caution in elderly patients especially those with heart disease, hypertension or heart failure, possible use of concomitant low-dose aspirin, and an understanding that nonselective COX inhibitors are not necessarily safer.
A Parse-and-Trim Approach with Information Significance for Chinese Sentence Compression

In this paper, we propose an event-based approach for Chinese sentence compression without using any training corpus. We enhance the linguistically-motivated heuristics by exploiting event word significance and event information density. This is shown to improve the preservation of important information and the tolerance of POS and parsing errors, which are more common in Chinese than English. The heuristics are only required to determine possibly removable constituents instead of selecting specific constituents for removal, and thus are easier to develop and port to other languages and domains. The experimental results show that around 72% of our automatic compressions are grammatically and semantically correct, preserving around 69% of the most important information on average.
Heat Transfer From a Small Heated Region to R-113 and FC-72

On considere une petite region chauffee de dimensions 0,25×2,0 mm situee au fond d'un canal rectangulaire parcouru par un fluide refrigerant R 113 ou FC 72. Applications: sources RX pour lithographie et applications medicales, turbines a gaz et supraconducteurs
Long-term microtensile bond strength of surface modified zirconia.

Abstract Objective To compare long-term microtensile bond strength of zirconia, surface-modified via a novel treatment, to current surface conditioning methods for zirconia, when resin bonded to dental composite. Methods Two ProCAD (porcelain) and 10 sintered ZirCAD (ZrO 2 ) blocks (18 mm × 14 mm × 12 mm) were obtained from manufacturers. Twelve Herculite XRV composite blocks were fabricated (18 mm × 14 mm × 12 mm). Bonding surface of blocks was polished through 1200-grit SiC and air-abraded (50 μm alumina, 0.28 MPa, 20 s). Blocks were then separated into six groups: (1) porcelain (control), HF-etched/silane-treated, (2) ZrO 2 , tribochemical-coated/silane-treated, (3) ZrO 2 , primer-treated, (4) ZrO 2 , modified via novel 3.2 nm silica layer/silane-treated, (5) ZrO 2 , modified via novel 5.8 nm silica layer/silane-treated, and (6) ZrO 2 , modified via novel 30.4 nm silica layer/silane-treated. Blocks were bonded to composite using Clearfil Esthetic cement. Blocks were stored in distilled water (37 °C, 24 h), then cut into microtensile bars ( n = 8/gp), then bond strengths were measured using a universal testing machine at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months. All groups were statistically analyzed (ANOVA, Tukey's, p Results At 6 months (aging), all silica seed layer specimens displayed microtensile bond strength similar to CoJet specimens but less than that of silane-modified dental porcelain. Conclusion The deposition of a silica layer on zirconia resulted in similar or superior long-term resin bond strength when compared to traditional silanation and bonding techniques for zirconia but lower than that for silane-treated dental porcelain.
A Rare Examination of Typically Unobservable Factors in US Asylum Decisions

The United States has obligations under international law and US statutory law to adhere to the legal principle of nonrefoulement to consider asylum claims. Under these laws, a person who qualifies as a refugee may be eligible for asylum and may avoid being deported to his or her country of origin if the applicant meets specific legal requirements. Because of congressional limitations to asylum case information, few studies have used individual level data and none have been able to include evidentiary factors or applicant characteristics. Using an original database of asylum applicants from a Dallas, Texas based NGO we examine individual, case and country factors to explore factors that affect the likelihood of receiving asylum in the immigration system in 1998–2005.
Developing Distress Protocols for Research on Sensitive Topics

Two protocols that were developed to address risks related to emotional distress in an ongoing, qualitative, community-based study of adolescent dating violence are presented. The first protocol is for use in telephone screening to identify individuals at high risk of adverse emotional reactions. The second protocol guides interviewer's responses to emotional distress expressed by participants during in-depth research interviews. The study is briefly described, and the process used to develop the protocols is discussed. The process of developing the protocols caused the authors to reconsider some previously held assumptions about human subject protections in research on sensitive topics.
INSTRUMENTAL NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF Na IN BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

Sodium contents in seven mixtures of biological materials from varying aliquants of wheat flour and oyster tissue were analyzed using the INAA (instrumental neutron activation analysis) method. The samples were activated in the thermal column (TC) of the 1 MW TRIGA reactor at our laboratory. To analyze and compare the measured results, the ratioa of the epithermal neutron flux to the thermal neutron flux was determined in the TC, the rotating rack (RR) and the pneumatic terminal (PT). Due to the negligible interferences of24Mg(n, p)24Na and27Al(n, α)24Na to23Na(n, γ)24Na, the Na results were obtained with ≥97% accuracy and 99% precision. It is shown that the method is suited for accurately determining Na contents in 12 various biological materials, especially for the samples that are low in Na content. From the cadmium ratio measurements of Au (4.9 eV resonance of198Au) and Sm (8 eV resonance of153Sm), ratios ofa≡Φe/Φ0 were determined at 0.0011, 0.052 and 0.053 in the TC, RR and PT activation positions, respectively.
Hepatic lobular patterns of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, glycogen synthase, and glycogen phosphorylase in fasted and fed rats.:

The goal of this study was to localize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glycogen synthase (GS), and glycogen phosphorylase (GP) in the liver lobule by immunocytochemical techniques and to describe the effects of feeding and fasting on the distribution and quantity of these enzymes. Livers from ad lib fed and overnight fasted normal adult male rats were frozen in liquid nitrogen after transcardial perfusion with 30% sucrose. Serial cryostat sections of tissue were collected on slides, fixed by immersion in 4% paraformaldehyde, and incubated with antibodies against PEPCK, GS, and GP. Antibodies to these enzymes were visualized with a gold-conjugated secondary antibody and a silver enhancement technique. Fed animals demonstrated a periportal to pericentral gradient of PEPCK. Fasting increased the periportal content of PEPCK, induced the midlobular and centrilobular cells to express the enzyme, and steepened the periportal to pericentral gradient. The increase of PEPCK was confirmed by Western blot ...
Tracking Phospholipid Populations in Polymorphism by Sideband Analyses of 31P Magic Angle Spinning NMR

A method was developed to track the distributional preferences of phospholipids in polymorphism based on sideband analyses of the 31P magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The method was applied to lipid mixtures containing phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho), phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) and either cholesterol (Chol) or tetradecane, as well as mixtures containing the anionic phosphatidylmethanol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and diolein. The phospholipid composition of coexisting lamellar (Lalpha) and inverted hexagonal (HII) phases remained constant throughout the Lalpha --> HII transition in all mixtures, except those that contained saturated PtdCho and unsaturated PtdEtn in the presence of cholesterol-mixtures that are known to be microimmiscible because of favored associations between Chol and saturated acyl chains. In the latter mixture, saturated PtdCho was enriched in the planar bilayer structure, and unsaturated PtdEtn was enriched in the highly curved HII structure. This enrichment was coincident with an increase in the transition width. When compositional heterogeneity among coexisting phases was observed, it appeared that preexisting lateral microheterogeneities led to compositionally distinct transitional clusters, such that the distributional preferences that resulted were not those of the individual phospholipids.
Making Micrologic: The Development of the Planar IC at Fairchild Semiconductor, 1957&#x2013;1963

The modern integrated circuit evolved from developments at Fairchild Semiconductor during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Using information from laboratory notebooks, internal company memoranda, oral histories, and personal communications, this article reconstructs and analyzes the activities of the Fairchild development team, including the company's efforts to improve and market ICs during the early 1960s.
Two neuro-ophthalmic episodes separated in time and space

Abstract A-46-year-old woman with a prior history of a spontaneously resolving right central retinal artery occlusion presented with an acute right thirrd order Horner's syndrome and vague ocular pain. Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated a right internal carotid artery dissection. The dissection improved on anticoagulation therapy. Marfans syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was suspected but ruled out by clinical criteria and skin biopsy respectively.
Dynamic Response Optimization of Piezoelectrically Excited Thin Resonant Beams

Piezoelectrically excited, resonant, elastic beams find wide use as piezoelectric fans, optical choppers, MEMS sensors, and piezoelectric motors. The devices consist of either one piezoelectric ceramic patch (piezopatch) bonded on one side (asymmetric configuration), or of two oppositely poled patches placed symmetrically on either side of a thin, flexible elastic beam (symmetric configuration). Field equations of the coupled structure governing the coupled longitudinal and bending motions of the resonator are derived using linear constitutive equations, slender beam approximations, and Hamilton's principle. Analytical solutions are found to the coupled eigenvalue problem. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for the short-circuited and open-circuited configurations are predicted analytically and are found to be in excellent agreement with results from three-dimensional finite element simulations. Electromechanical coupling factors (EMCF) are computed using the analytical and finite element model and optimal resonator geometries are identified for maximal EMCF. The EMCF predictions are also compared with experiments for an asymmetrically configured resonator. The analytical solution provides a convenient tool for the optimal design of such devices.
Zinc‐associated acute pancreatitis in a dog

Zinc-induced haemolytic anaemia is a common phenomenon in dogs in the USA following the ingestion of pennies minted after 1982. A case of acute pancreatitis secondary to zinc toxicosis in a dog is described. Acute pancreatitis has been reported in humans, following the ingestion of liquid zinc chloride, but zinc-associated pancreatitis has not been reported previously in the dog. The mechanism of toxicity is unknown, although the pathophysiology may relate to the role of the pancreas in zinc excretion. Acute pancreatitis as a sequela to zinc toxicosis in the dog represents a complication that may prolong hospitalisation and worsen the prognosis.
HCV In At Risk Populations: Who Can be Treated and How?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major cause of chronic liver disease, affects an estimated 5 million people in the Unites States [1] and close to 170 million people worldwide. Certain subpopulations including injection drug users, prison inmates, the homeless, ethnic minorities, American veterans, and HIV co-infected patients are considered high risk for viral acquisition and are disproportionately affected by HCV. This review describes the prevalence of HCV in these at-risk populations including those with cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), solid organ transplantation and presents current treatment options.
Incidental discovery of pelvic leiomyosarcoma at radical prostatectomy.

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignancy of smooth muscle that may develop in the retroperitoneum. 1,2 Its prognosis is poor, although tumor size is an important prognostic factor. We report a case of a small incidental leiomyosarcoma discovered at radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.