cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alcohol Intake and Breast Cancer Risk in African American Women from the AMBER Consortium.

Background: Alcohol is a recognized risk factor for invasive breast cancer, but few studies involve African American women.Methods: The current analysis included 22,338 women (5,108 cases of invasive breast cancer) from the African American Breast Cancer Epidemiology and Risk (AMBER) Consortium. The association between number of alcoholic drinks per week (dpw) and breast cancer was estimated using logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders, and stratifying by breast cancer subtype.Results: Approximately 35% of controls were current drinkers at interview. Women who reported current drinking of ≥14 dpw had an elevated risk of breast cancer compared with light drinkers (>0-<4 dpw) [adjusted OR (ORadj), 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-1.64]. We observed elevated risk among women drinking ≥7 dpw for ER - [ORadj, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.00-1.72], PR - [ORadj, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.00-1.63], HER2 - [ORadj, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.09-1.70], and triple-negative [ORadj, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.98-2.00] molecular subtype. Among receptor-positive cases, ORs remained elevated but attenuated relative to receptor-negative cases. Sensitivity analysis of age-defined windows of exposure (<30 years, 30-49, 50+ years of age) did not reveal variation in patterns of association. Risk associated with alcohol intake did not vary significantly by oral contraceptive use, smoking status, or menopausal status.Conclusions: Among African American women, similar to women of European descent, drinking ≥7 alcoholic dpw was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer regardless of subtype.Impact: Alcohol intake is a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer, and reduced intake among African American women should be encouraged. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(5); 787-94. ©2017 AACR.
Aptasensors for Detection of Avian Influenza Virus H5N1

Aptamers are single-stranded RNA or DNA oligonucleotides which have specific three-dimensional (3D) structures for high affinity and specific recognition to their target. In diagnostic and detection assays, aptamers represent an alternative to antibodies as recognition agents and offer advantages, such as reduced cost, rapid and reproducible synthesis, controllable modification, and improved stability. Aptamers are favorably used in biosensors as sensitive and selective bio-receptors coupled with a variety of transducers such as optical, mass-sensitive, and electrochemical sensors, the so-called aptasensors. We report the development of several types of aptasensors for rapid and specific detection of avian influenza virus (AIV) H5N1. DNA aptamers with high affinity and specificity against AIV H5N1 were immobilized on the electrode surface and then incorporated into different transducers such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and electrochemical transducer. The target viruses were captured by the immobilized aptamers resulting in a detectable signal. The fabrication of aptasensors, detection principles, and their applications for AIV H5N1 detection are addressed.
Effect of Ga addition to YBa2Cu3O7.

The effect of Ga substitution for Cu in YBa/sub 2/(Cu/sub 1-//sub x/Gai/sub x/)/sub 3/O/sub y/ has been investigated for nominal compositions xless than or equal to0.10. Samples are tetragonal for x>0.03. For xgreater than or equal to0.05, evidence for second phase appears in x-ray-diffraction diagrams. Superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/ falls systematically with increasing x. The systematic variations in T/sub c/ and lattice parameters with nominal x suggest that Ga solid solution may extend to x = 0.05. However, electron microprobe results indicate that Ga incorporation into the superconducting phase is extremely limited; the Ga content x of the superconducting phase appears to be xless than or equal to0.01. A Ga-rich second phase is also observed by microprobe for 0.01less than or equal toxless than or equal to0.10.
Host Abundance, Sea-Grass Cover, and Temperature Predict Infection Rates of Parasitic Isopods (Bopyridae) on Caridean Shrimp.

Abstract Caridean shrimp are critical components of sea-grass communities and occasionally harbor parasitic bopyrid isopods, which can negatively impact their hosts. However, the ecological factors that drive infection rates of parasitic bopyrid isopods in host carideans are poorly known. We examined 43,875 carideans belonging to 6 families and 11 genera from 19 shallow-water localities throughout south Florida. Of these, only 114 shrimp (belonging to 5 genera) were found to be infested with bopyrids (an additional 251 had deformed carapaces consistent with recent infestation). We identified 13 bopyrid species (Bopyrina abbreviata, Bopyrinella thorii, Eophrixus subcaudalis, Loki circumsaltanus, Metaphrixus carolii, Ovobopyrus alphezemiotes, Parabopyrella lata, Parabopyrella richardsonae, Parabopyriscus stellatus, Capitetragonia alphei, Probopyrus pandalicola, Schizobopyrina urocaridis, and an unidentified Diplophryxus sp.). Bopyrid infection rates were very low throughout the study area, with mean prevale...
"I'm Doing the Best That I Can for Her": Infant-Feeding Decisions of Mothers Receiving Medication-Assisted Treatment for an Opioid Use Disorder.

Background:Several professional health organizations have made statements endorsing the safety of breastfeeding for women taking medication-assisted treatment for an opioid use disorder. Yet, breas...
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy on peripheral arterial tonometry in obstructive sleep apnea: a pilot study

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) is being increasingly utilized in the setting of moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While moderate-severe OSA confers excess cardiovascular risk, the impact of HGNS on cardiovascular requires further investigation. With the advent of peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT), one can non-invasively study real-time changes to the autonomic nervous system. This study evaluates the effect of HGNS therapy on autonomic output, using PAT-integrated polysomnography. Subjects included adult patients undergoing 2-month post-operative HGNS titration studies with PAT-integrated polysomnography. Apneic and hypopneic events with arousal during stage 2 sleep were identified at increasing levels of stimulation. With each event, PAT signal attenuations were recorded, processed, and analyzed. Nine subjects were enrolled, and eight met inclusion criteria (mean age 67.8 ± 12.4 years; 50% female). The PAT signal did not significantly change before and during stimulation (mean pre-stimulation 43.4 ± 1.7, mean intra-stimulation 41.1 ± 22.5, p = 0.53) in any patient. The ratio of the PAT signal maximum and minimum amplitudes during sleep breathing events largely demonstrated very weak correlation (R2 = <0.12). Across all subjects, poor linear correlation was present between HGNS and PAT signal attenuation (R2 = 0.028) in both adjusted and unadjusted analyses. Using PAT-integrated polysomnography, PAT output does not appear to be affected by HGNS stimulation at clinical thresholds. These findings support the absence of autonomic system alterations by twelfth nerve stimulation and support the clinical use of PAT-based devices for post-HGNS monitoring. Larger studies examining hard cardiovascular endpoints with HGNS are needed.
The Measurement of Attribution Process: Trait and Situational Approaches

In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to measurement issues in the context of attribution research. Comparative analyses of different methods for assessing causal attributions (e.g., Elig & Frieze, 1979; Russell, McAuley, & T’arico, 1987) as well as the publication of scales to assess attribution processes, including attributions for specific events (Russell, 1982) as well as dispositional tendencies to make certain types of causal attributions (e.g., Peterson, Semmel, von Baeyer, Abramson, Metalsky, & Seligman, 1982; Lefcourt, 1981), have served to improve research methodology in this area.
Classical Methods for the Study of the Block Copolymer Micelles

Block copolymers when dissolved in a selective solvent that is thermodynamically good for one block and poor for the other arrange themselves into a structure in which the insoluble blocks segregate themselves into domains that are rather concentrated with respect to the insoluble blocks. When the overall concentration of the copolymer is small, these domains adopt a spherical shape (a micellar core) that is surrounded by a much less concentrated micellar shell consisting from the soluble blocks.
Partner relationship satisfaction, partner conflict, and maternal cardio-metabolic health in the year following the birth of a child.

Intimate partner relationship quality during the child-bearing years has implications for maternal health. The purpose of this study was to test whether partner satisfaction, partner conflict, and their interaction predicted maternal cardio-metabolic health at 12-months postpartum. Women were recruited in 5 U.S. sites. Partner conflict and satisfaction were measured at 6-months postpartum, and cardio-metabolic indicators (blood pressure, waist-hip ratio, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol:HDL ratio) were assessed at 6- and 12-months. Cardio-metabolic indices were scored continuously (CM risk) and using clinical risk cutoffs (CM scores). A significant conflict-by-satisfaction interaction emerged for the CM risk, b(SE) = .043 (.016), p = .006, and CM scores, b(SE)= .089 (.028), p = .002, such that when partner satisfaction was low, low partner conflict was associated with poorer postpartum cardio-metabolic health. This is the first study to examine close relationships and cardio-metabolic health during the child-bearing years, an issue warranting further attention.
Fallopian Tube Occlusion

Presently, there are a multitude of options available to women to control their fertility, depending on changing needs over a lifetime, as well as their health and specific medical conditions. Temporary choices include barrier methods, e.g., the female and male condoms, oral contraceptives, and intrauterine devices. Permanent solutions include sterilization surgery for men or women and, more recently, noninvasive fallopian tube occlusion for women. The efficacy, risks, side effect profile, and cost for each form of contraception are important considerations for each woman. There are many choices for women to consider for contraception. In the United States alone, greater than 11 million women have chosen tubal sterilization as their contraceptive method of choice, with greater than 300,000 women choosing transcervical fallopian tube occlusion [7]. While LTL is the gold standard, more patients will continue to opt for noninvasive techniques such as transcervical fallopian tube occlusion as a simple, safe, and effective solution.
Effect of shock polarity on defibrillation thresholds with a hybrid patch-coil lead system.

Introduction: Understanding the factors that affect defibrillation thresholds (DFTs) has important implications both for optimization of defibrillation efficacy and for the design of new lead systems. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the effect of shock polarity on defibrillation efficacy at the time of routine pulse generator replacement in patients with a hybrid patch-coil lead system.
Distributed Approximating Functionals: a Robust, New Approach to Computational Chemistry and Physics

Distributed approximating functionals (DAFs) result from a general approach to describing a class of functions (the “DAF-class”) by expanding them at a point x’ in the neighborhood of x in terms of a complete basis set constructed using the point x as the origin of coordinates: $$f\left( {x'} \right) = {\sum\nolimits_n {{a_n}\left( x \right)\phi } _n}\left( {x' - x} \right).$$ One may use any convenient complete set {on} for expanding f (x’)with x’ near x and furthermore different bases can be used for different neighborhoods. This results in an extremely general basis set approximation. In fact, we use the truncated (on the summation index n) approximation above only at the single pointx’ ≡ x. The specific form of the expansion coefficients, an (x), is determined by a variational optimization. We shall give a detailed derivation in the lecture, and show how a particularly useful approximation to the a n (x) can be obtained. In the course of the discussion, we shall obtain the resulting DAFs. We also show the relationship of DAFs to “two-parameter Delta sequences”. The theory will be illustrated in terms of the DAF that results from choosing Hermite polynomials as the expansion basis. The properties of these DAFs will be explicated by considering their structure both in coordinate space and in Fourier space. Of greatest importance is the so-called “well-tempered” property of the DAFs. DAFs have been widely applied to solving partial differential equations (with particular emphasis on quantum scattering), as well as the more general problem of constructing approximations to functions based on a finite, discrete sampling. The original derivation of a DAF was for the quantum mechanical free propagator. General, non-product sampling in multidimensional systems can be employed, including Monte Carlo and number theoretic methods. Finally, DAFs have an intimate connection to wavelets. In addition to quantum mechanics, example potential applications (some of which have been realized) include solving nonlinear partial differential equations in situations where instabilities are encountered by other methods, signal denoising, signal enhancement, signal inversion, data compression (both lossless and lossy), imaging, pattern recognition and characterization, medical imaging, teleradiology, target acquisition, periodic and non-periodic extensions of functions in 1D, 2D, 3D, 4D,..., filling in gaps in data (including noisy experimental data), imposition of general boundary conditions onto experimental or computational data, etc.
Is It Ethical to Bend the Rules for Undocumented and Other Immigrant Patients

Physicians and other health care professionals who work in hospitals and clinics serving low-income populations will encounter undocumented immigrants as patients, family members, community members, and persons whose health-related rights can be overlooked, imperiled, or difficult to use. The routine uncertainty arising in how to provide good care to patients who are excluded from key public insurance provisions, together with the desire to be a good advocate for this patient population, can give rise to so-called workarounds as problem-solving strategies. This article explores the ethics of workarounds in the care of undocumented patients and considers how advocacy by health care professionals and organizations can assist immigrants in communities they serve.
Compositional Process in Elliott Carter’s String Quartets: A Study in Sketches

Compositional Process in Elliott Carter’s String Quartets is an interdisciplinary study examining the evolution and compositional process in Elliott Carter’s five string quartets. Offering a systematic and logical way of unpacking concepts and processes in these quartets that would otherwise remain opaque, the book’s narrative reveals new aspects of understanding these works and draws novel conclusions on their collective meaning and Carter’s place as the leading American modernist. Each of Carter’s five string quartets is driven by a new idea that Carter was exploring during a particular period, which allows for each quartet to be examined under a unique lens and a deeper understanding of his oeuvre at large. Drawing on key ideas from a variety of subjects including performance studies, philosophy, music cognition, musical meaning and semantics, literary criticism, and critical theory, this is an informative volume for scholars and researchers in the areas of music theory and musicology. Analyses are supplemented with sketch study, correspondence, text manuscripts, and other archival sources from the Paul Sacher Stiftung, the Library of Congress, and the New York Public Library.
A MEMS-Based Fast-Response Miniature Five-Hole Probe With Optical Pressure Transducers

This paper presents the first realization of a fiber-optic lever-based, miniature five-hole probe (5HP) for aerodynamic flow angle sensing applications. Five MEMS optical transducers are embedded in a hemispheric probe tip to mitigate the pneumatic lag problem of conventional 5HP technology. A silicon die with five optical pressure transducers of $400~\mu \text{m}$ radius is microfabricated from a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer and bonded to a hemispheric tip of 5 mm diameter. The optimal transducer and probe tip designs are determined using lumped element modeling. Laser micromachining is utilized to drill micro holes of about $50~\mu \text{m}$ radius on the hemispheric tip. The optical transduction allows for remotely located electronics. This facilitates probe miniaturization and offers potential for high-temperature capability. The resulting 5HP has a fast response with a modeled settling time of 0.24 ms and a measured high-frequency range of about 3.5 kHz. [2020-0182]
Total Synthesis of the Nagelamides - Synthetic Studies toward the Reported Structure of Nagelamide D and Nagelamide E Framework.

The nagelamides are a small subset of the oroidin family of marine sponge derived alkaloids and are, for the most part, dimeric in nature. As part of our efforts to develop synthetic access to this...
Modulating hip stiffness with a robotic exoskeleton immediately changes gait

Restoring healthy kinematics is a critical component of assisting and rehabilitating impaired locomotion. Here we tested whether spatiotemporal gait patterns can be modulated by applying mechanical impedance to hip joints. Using the Samsung GEMS-H exoskeleton, we emulated a virtual spring (positive and negative) between the user’s legs. We found that applying positive stiffness with the exoskeleton decreased stride time and hip range of motion for healthy subjects during treadmill walking. Conversely, the application of negative stiffness increased stride time and hip range of motion. These effects did not vary over long nor short repeated exposures to applied stiffness. In addition, minimal transient behavior was observed in spatiotemporal measures of gait when the stiffness controller transitioned between on and off states. These results suggest that changes in gait behavior induced by applying hip stiffness were purely a mechanical effect. Together, our findings indicate that applying mechanical impedance using lower-limb assistive devices may be an effective, minimally-encumbering intervention to restore healthy gait patterns.
Neighborhood Food Environment and Self-Rated Health: An Investigation with a Spatial Perspective

Previous studies primarily focused on analyzing the statistical correlations between health status and food environment, without considering the spatial autocorrelation of health outcomes. This study filled this research gap by investigating the spatial dependence of self-rated health (SRH), and how it was related to the food environment. We used data from the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation’s (PHMC) Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Surveys. The individual-level 2008 and 2010 PHMC data were combined and aggregated to create ecological data for 959 census tracts. To account for the spatial autocorrelation observed in SRH, we employed a spatial lag model to study the impact of the neighborhood food environment on SRH. We also controlled for neighborhood social capital, health behaviors, and socio-demographic characteristics in the spatial regression. Results from the spatial lag model showed that the percentage of poor or pair health in a tract was positively related to that in neighboring tracts, indicating a diffusion process between people living nearby. Two measures of the neighborhood food environment, namely difficulty in finding fruits and vegetables and food-desert status, were significantly associated with the percentage of poor or fair health in a tract. Neighborhood social capital, health behaviors, and socio-demographic characteristics were also strong predictors for SRH. These results reinforced previous findings that the geographical inequalities in health status might be partially explained by the disparities in the neighborhood environment. As such, living close to relatively healthy neighborhoods and improving the built environment might help reduce the number of the population with poor/fair health.
Introduction to Maple V

Maple V is an extensive software system capable of computing and manipulating data symbolically, numerically, and graphically. It is often generically referred to as a Computer Algebra System (CAS). Although it is a very powerful tool for mathematical manipulations, the sheer size of the program can be intimidating to someone considering using it in science or engineering. However, as will be seen in this text, even a small subset of Maple can be quite useful to the study of physics. Maple’s symbolic abilities can reduce the amount of tedious algebra that is often necessary in solving physics problems. Furthermore, its numeric and graphical abilities allow us to go further into a given problem and extract physical understanding that is otherwise difficult to obtain. This book considers Maple’s application specifically to the study of classical mechanics, but much of what is discussed is also applicable to other disciplines.
Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Against Pryeria sinica (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae), an Invasive Pest of Euonymus2

Pryeria sinica Moore (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae), an invasive pest of Euonymus, is susceptible in the second instar to the Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner product Thuricide®, and to several strains isolated from other B. thuringiensis products. Third instars are also susceptible, whereas susceptibility declines in the fourth (last) instar. The susceptibility of second-instar P. sinica to B. thuringiensis is comparable to that of second-instar gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), a pest commonly controlled with B. thuringiensis. Pryeria sinica, thus, should also be controllable with B. thuringiensis.
Disjunction and Existence in Formalized Intuitionistic Analysis1)

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the theorem for the common portion of intuitionistic and classical analysis, as formalized by Kleene, and for various weaker systems. The method of proof is outlined and the specific axioms for intuitionistic analysis are discussed in the chapter. Several semiformal systems as well as formal systems are employed in the chapter for the usual solutions. The axiom of choice x 2.1 is also presented in the chapter. The chapter presents Brouwer's principle for a function ( x 27.1) and for a number ( x 27.2). The theory of Kleene's is extended to twelve systems in the chapter. The chapter also deals with the problem of constructing suitable supersystems to carry out the program with the systems ( α , β ) for β = 2. The systems (1, β ) and the systems (2, β ) are also examined in the chapter.
Characterization of the Proα1 Chain of Procollagen ISOLATION OF A SEQUENCE UNIQUE TO THE PRECURSOR CHAIN

Abstract Radioactively labeled proα1 chains, obtained by culture of embryonic chick cranial bones in the presence of [35S]cysteine, were cleaved with cyanogen bromide. A 35S-containing peptide was isolated and purified by agarose and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Its molecular weight, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate acrylamide gel electrophoresis, was approximately 20,000. Labeling experiments with [3H]tryptophan revealed that the peptide also contained tryptophan. Comparison of the amino acid composition and molecular weights of purified proα1 and α1 chains indicated that the CNBr peptide contained the great majority of the additional sequence present in the precursor proα1 chain. The amino acid composition of this sequence clearly precludes its existence in a triple helical conformation.
Space commercialization: Lessons from history☆

Abstract Private enterprise seeks to undertake virtually any activity that is institutionally and technologically feasible and that promises a high return on investment. Commercial activities in space would seem to be no exception. Indeed, it is reasonable to expect that, at some future date, commercial activities in space will overshadow government-sponsored research and military activities combined. But this date remains well into the future, it is highly uncertain, and it depends on government policies. Two major factors inhibiting further space commercialization are the current lack of necessary infrastructure and the lack of viable commercial activities. The necessary infrastructure is developing with the increasing operational status of the Space Shuttle and plans for a space station. It remains, however, to place increasing emphasis on the conduct of research in space to identify valid commercial uses of space.
I Love You, Big Brother

The image of the judge as social crusader increasingly seems a relic of times past. Over the past several years, left-leaning political scientists, law professors, and interest groups have made clear that courts should steer clear of policy making. For some, courts lack the capacity to change the world through their edicts and, as such, policy making is a "hollow hope.'1 For others, elected officials are more apt to embrace progressive causes than are judges.2 Judicial policy making has, moreover, always been a whipping boy for traditionalists. Most notably, judicial policy making must overcome the so-called countermajoritarian difficulty-that is, the presumption that the democratic character of legislation, in and of itself, warrants judicial
Geology and Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical engineering is concerned with all aspects of the sites upon which civil engineering works are to be carried out. Geology is that branch of science concerned with the constituents of the earth's crust, their arrangement and structure, and the natural forces which tend to modify them. Study of the geology of engineering sites would therefore appear to be the logical starting point for all geotechnical site studies. In many cases it is, but in all too many cases in the past geology has been neglected, and others in which geological studies have aided design and construction, sometimes with substantial monetary savings. A brief review of some leading features of geological studies are listed. A sound balance between field and laboratory geotechnical studies is always desirable. This does not appear to be reflected in current geotechnical literature, either in volume or periodical form.
β‐Particle Emitters, Determination of

Radioisotopes have unstable nuclei that decay in a statistically predictable manner with the release of radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves. In β-decay ‘fast electrons’ called β-particles are released, which have a spectrum of kinetic energies ranging from near zero to a characteristic maximum (Emax). Emax can vary by orders of magnitude among different types of emitters. The low mass of β-particles causes them to lose energy quickly through molecular collisions, producing excitation of valence electrons, ionization of atoms, and in some cases specialized radiation (bremsstrahlung and Ĉerenkov radiation, and Compton scattering). Detection of β-particle emissions is complicated by the wide range of possible energies and the weakness of some emissions so that a single type of detector is inadequate for the analysis of radiation from all β-particle emitters. Detectors are characterized by a sensitive volume in which particles interact with matter to produce a signal, an example of which is the emission of photons. The signal can produce a continuous current or a pulse. In pulse mode, it is desirable to choose a detector such that the pulse is proportional to the energy of the particle, giving the instrument the property of energy discrimination. This property permits spectral analysis and methods of quantitation that are based in part on energy spectra. Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) is the most accurate and widely used method for detecting low-energy β-particles. Usually, the information obtained by LSC must be corrected for signal loss due to absorption of incident particles or emitted photons. This signal loss is called quenching. For quantitation of low-energy β-radiation, quench corrections are usually made using the sample channels ratio (SCR) or an external standard method. All such calculations are subject to error and derived values are subject to the compounding of precision error during mathematical manipulation of the data. Scintillation counting with organic crystal detectors is the method of choice for high-energy β-particle emitters. Gas-filled detectors are of limited value for β-particle detection, although windowless proportional counters are appropriate for detection of low-energy particles, especially in gaseous form. When neither energy discrimination nor precise quantitation is required, Geiger–Muller counters are acceptable for high-energy β-particle detection. They can detect all but the least energetic of low-energy emitters, although Geiger–Muller counters are not practical for the analysis of activity from such emitters because the signal is very weak, and the energies from incident particles are frequently absorbed before reaching the sensitive volume. Silicon-barrier semiconductors support energy discrimination and are of value for some applications. Visual imaging with photographic film is used for localization of β-particle emitter activity, as in labeling of biological tissues or macromolecules.
Some Thoughts on the Adult Treatment Panel III Report

The guidelines of the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) of the National Cholesterol Education Program are similar to prior recommendations in focusing on elevations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol as the primary target of therapy and in gauging the intensity of therapy to the degree of coronary heart disease risk. New elements in the current guidelines include: quantification of risk, heightened attention to the risk imparted by low high-density lipoprotein levels, utilization of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in risk assessment for hypertriglyceridemic individuals, and emphasis on the metabolic syndrome. Nonetheless, the current guidelines are not perfect. The recommended algorithm for treatment is excessively complex; this complexity may keep the guidelines from being widely used. This complexity is generated by a hybrid scheme of risk assessment utilizing both counting of categorical coronary heart disease risk factors and calculation of coronary heart disease using the Framingham model. This hybrid method also results in undesirable inconsistencies in treatment. ATP III explicitly agrees that the therapeutic LDL goal should be determined by the burden of non-LDL risk factors. However, the current guidelines violate this principle by giving the baseline LDL cholesterol level a role in determining the therapeutic LDL goal. Additionally, the ATP III guidelines lead to under-treatment of women. Simplification should be a goal of the next iteration of the guidelines. Specific suggestions are given for simplification of the guidelines and for enhanced treatment of women. Furthermore, it is urged that the risk-assessing spreadsheet be provided in an “unlocked” form so that its details can be inspected.
Flash-lag effect: differential latency, not postdiction.

A continuously moving object typically is perceived to lead a flashed object in space when the two retinal images are physically aligned, a phenomenon known as the flash-lag effect ([1][1]). Eagleman and Sejnowski ([2][2]) recently published data that they interpreted to disagree with a previous
Overview and status of the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) technology development

Optical and infrared interferometry will open new vistas for astronomy over the next decade. Space based interferometers, operating unfettered by the Earth's atmosphere, will offer the greatest scientific payoff. They also present the greatest technological challenge: laser metrology systems must perform with sub-nanometer precision; mechanical vibrations must be controlled to nanometers requiring orders of magnitude disturbance rejection; a multitude of actuators and sensors must operate flawlessly and in concert. The Interferometry Technology Program at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is addressing these challenges with a development program that plans to establish technology readiness for the Space Interferometry Mission by end of 2001.
Distribution and metabolism of the teratogen nitrofen (2,4-dichloro-4'-nitro diphenyl ether) in pregnant rats.

Abstract Oral exposure of pregnant Long-Evans rats on day 11 of gestation to the teratogen, nitrofen (2,4-dichloro-4′-nitro diphenyl ether), which was uniformly labeled with 14C in the nitrophenyl ring, resulted in the accumulation of radioactivity in maternal fat with lesser amounts found in liver, kidney, other tissues, and in the embryonic compartment. The peak concentration of radioactivity occured 7–9 h after dosing and the half-life of the label in maternal blood was apporximately 8 days. In the embryonic compartment, radioactivity was first detected at 2 h after dosing, peaked at 4–6 h, and declined to half of that initially seen by 24 h. High performance liquid chromatography of embryo-placental extracts revealed 4 metabolites in addition to the parent compound: 4′-amino and 4′-acetylamine derivatives plus 2 hydroxylated derivatives. A similar metabolic frofile was observed in maternal blood and liver. In another experiment, purified 4′-amino metabolite was found to have no adverse effect on neonatal survival when administered orally on day 11 of gestation at doses up to 215 mg/kg. These results suggest that the teratogenicity of nitrofen cannot be readily explained by preferential distribution of the compound in the embryo or by a unique profile of stable, extractable metabolites in the embyronic compartment.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy for colorectal cancer screening in the elderly.

Data on performance characteristics of flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) between age groups are limited. This study evaluates screening FS in subjects ≥75 years of age (elderly) compared with ages 50–74 years (general screening population). Data were collected on patient characteristics, insertion depth, procedural difficulties, complications, and endoscopic findings. There was an increased rate of endoscopist-reported limitations (50.4% vs. 34.9%; P = 0.0001) and incomplete examinations (15.6% vs. 5.4%; P = 0.0001) in the elderly cohort relative to subjects aged 50–74. The complication rate (1.0% vs. 1.5%; P = 0.53), adenoma detection rate (7.2% vs. 5.6%; P = 0.213), and advanced adenoma detection rate (0.71% vs 0.65%; P = 0.86) were similar. More carcinomas were detected in the elderly (0.53% vs. 0.06%; P = 0.042). Factors associated with incomplete examinations in the elderly included age, female gender, and poor bowel preparation. Despite technical difficulties, FS in the elderly is safe and detects significant pathology.
Epitaxial growth of HfB2(0 0 0 1) on Si(0 0 1) by etching through a SiO2 layer

Abstract Using the single-source chemical vapor deposition (CVD) precursor Hf(BH 4 ) 4 , HfB 2 films can be grown epitaxially on Si substrates at 1000 °C by etching through a pre-existing SiO 2 layer. Despite the different symmetries in the plane of the interface, the film is oriented with HfB 2 (0 0 0 1)∥Si(0 0 1) and the X-ray rocking curve is exceptionally sharp, with full-width at half-maximum (FWHM)=0.076°. Top-view scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs show that the film consists of micrometer size domains on the substrate. X-ray pole figures and electron backscattering diffraction studies indicate the existence of four types of domains with in-plane orientations rotated 45° from each other, HfB 2 [2 1 1 0]∥Si[1 0 0] and HfB 2 [2 1 1 0]∥Si[1 1 0].
SECONDARY FRUIT ONTOGENY IN NAVEL ORANGE

Ontogeny of the secondary fruit of navel orange (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) was studied using flower buds and fruit from groves in north central Florida. The secondary fruit, or navel, develops as a whorl of secondary-carpel primordia within the primary-carpel whorl when the flower bud is 1.5 to 2.0 mm in length. A complete secondary gynoecium with fused ovary but separate styles and stigmas develops within the primary gynoecium before anthesis. The stigma and style of secondary carpels are not as distinct as those of primary carpels. Three types of tissue protrusions from the secondary fruit into primary-fruit locules were abnormal placentae, free secondary carpels, and secondary-carpel outgrowths, the last being the most common. An abscission layer is present in the central axis of the primary fruit near the base of the secondary ovary. This layer is indistinguishable from adjacent tissues prior to commencement of secondary fruit abscission. Parenchyma cells in the abscission layer, however, contain large numbers of starch grains during abscission. Secondary and primary fruit have similar sigmoid growth patterns; however, onset of the cell-enlargement stage is approximately 2 wk later in secondary fruit. NAVEL ORANGES constitute a group of sweet orange cultivars (Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) characterized by a small, secondary fruit at the stylar end of the primary fruit. Fruit drop of navel orange after fruit set is related to the unique structure of the stylar end (Lima 1983; Lima and Davies, 1981; Lima, Davies and Krezdorn, 1980). Secondary-fruit yellowing,
Photoperiodic influences on ultradian rhythms of male Siberian hamsters

Seasonal changes in mammalian physiology and behavior are proximately controlled by the annual variation in day length. Long summer and short winter day lengths markedly alter the amplitude of endogenous circadian rhythms and may affect ultradian oscillations, but the threshold photoperiods for inducing these changes are not known. We assessed the effects of short and intermediate day lengths and changes in reproductive physiology on circadian and ultradian rhythms of locomotor activity in Siberian hamsters. Males were maintained in a long photoperiod from birth (15 h light/day; 15 L) and transferred in adulthood to 1 of 7 experimental photoperiods ranging from 14 L to 9 L. Decreases in circadian rhythm (CR) robustness, mesor and amplitude were evident in photoperiods ≤14 L, as were delays in the timing of CR acrophase and expansion of nocturnal activity duration. Nocturnal ultradian rhythms (URs) were comparably prevalent in all day lengths, but 15 L markedly inhibited the expression of light-phase URs. The period (τ’), amplitude and complexity of URs increased in day lengths ≤13 L. Among hamsters that failed to undergo gonadal regression in short day lengths (nonresponders), τ’ of the dark-phase UR was longer than in photoresponsive hamsters; in 13 L the incidence and amplitude of light-phase URs were greater in hamsters that did not undergo testicular regression. Day lengths as long as 14 L were sufficient to trigger changes in the waveform of CRs without affecting UR waveform. The transition from a long- to a short-day ultradian phenotype occurred for most UR components at day lengths of 12 L–13 L, thereby establishing different thresholds for CR and UR responses to day length. At the UR-threshold photoperiod of 13 L, differences in gonadal status were largely without effect on most UR parameters.
Adsorbate densities on /100/W

Auger electron spectroscopy and flash desorption mass spectrometry were used to determine the relative saturation densities of C, O, H, and N atoms on (100)W from adsorption of O2, H2, N2, CO, NO, and H2O. Particular attention is given to a discussion of the densities of CO, N2, and H2. It is found that no models of the structure of H2 on (100)W are consistent with all of the experimental data on this system, but a density of 1.5 times 10 to the 15th atoms per sq cm suggests that sites of fourfold coordination may be more likely than bridge-bonded sites of twofold coordination. For the other adsorbates, the measurements are in good agreement with previously assumed densities and they confirm that adsorbate densities are simple multiples or fractions of substrate atom densities.
CRT-157 Does the Drug Eluting Stent Implantation Decrease with Age Increase in Elderly Population?

The aim of this study is to investigate whether age increase affects the decision to use drug-eluting stents (DES) in elderly patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This is a single center registry including elderly patients (≥ 65 year-old) undergoing PCI. We defined first
The role of inferences in discourse comprehension

Abstract This study examined how people use inferences to aid comprehension of connected discourse. Subjects were presented passages in which a target sentence was followed later in the passage by an experimentally controlled continuation sentence. A recognition test measured subjects' false alarm rates to equally plausible inferences from the target sentence. When the continuation sentence was unrelated to the inferences, false alarm probabilities were equal for the inferences. When comprehension of the continuation sentence depended on the target plus an inferential chain that included one of the inferences, false recognition rates for that inference were increased relative to the control condition. This suggests that people store in memory both explicitly stated information and inferences required for contextual integration of that information.
Stereospecific 2'-amination and 2'-chlorination of adenosine by Actinomadura in the biosynthesis of 2'-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine and 2'-chloro-2'-deoxycoformycin.

Abstract 2′-Amino-2′-deoxyadenosine and 2′-chloro-2′-deoxycoformycin (2′-CldCF) are two nucleoside antibiotics produced by Actinomadura. The biosynthesis of these two nucleoside antibiotics has been studied by the addition of [U-14C]adenosine with or without unlabeled adenine to cultures of Actinomadura. By this experimental approach, it is possible to demonstrate that adenosine is the direct precursor for the biosynthesis of 2′-amino-2′-deoxyadenosine and 2′-CldCF. These conclusions are based on the observation that the percentage distribution of 14C in the aglyconic and pentofuranosyl moieties of 2′-amino-2′-deoxyadenosine and 2′-CldCF were similar to the distribution of 14C in the adenine and ribosyl moieties of the [U-14C]adenosine (i.e., 48:52) added to cultures of Actinomadura. Experimentally, the percentage distribution of 14C in the (i) adenine: 2-amino-2-deoxy-β- d -ribofuranose of 2′-amino-2′-deoxyadenosine is 51:49; (ii) 8-(R)-3,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-d]-[1,3-diazepin-8-o1]:2-chloro-2-deoxy-β- d -ribofuranose of 2′-CldCF is 45:55; and (iii) adenine:ribose of the adenosine isolated from the RNA of Actinomadura is 42:58. Further proof that adenosine is the direct precursor for the biosynthesis 2′-amino-2′-deoxyadenosine and 2′-CldCF was demonstrated by the addition of 75 μmol of unlabeled adenine together with [U-14C]adenosine to nucleoside-producing cultures of Actinomadura. The percentage distribution of 14C in the aglycon and the sugar moieties of 2′-amino-2′-deoxyadenosine and 2′-CldCF were 46:54 and 47:53, respectively; the percentage distribution of 14C in the adenine and ribose moieties of the adenosine isolated from the RNA of Actinomadura was 51:49. These data show that the hydroxyl on C-2′ of the ribosyl moiety of adenosine undergoes a replacement by a 2′-amino or a 2′-chloro group to form 2′-amino-2′-deoxyadenosine or 2′-CldCF with retention of stereconfiguration at C-2′. Finally, Actinomadura can utilize inorganic chloride from the medium as demonstrated by the isolation of [36Cl]2′-CldCF following the addition of [36Cl]chloride to the culture medium. Mechanisms for the regioselective modification of the C-2′ hydroxyl group and stereospecific insertion of the amino and chloro groups are discussed.
Improving Rates of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy Utilization

AbstractBackground: The most preventable causes of death in the hospitalized patient are deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. Despite the long-term (> 15 years) availability of evidence-based consensus guidelines for prevention of venous thromboembolism, thromboprophylaxis remains underused. Improving staff and patient utilization of prophylactic treatment for postoperative patients reduces hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism and improves patient outcomes. Anecdotal evidence and observations of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy utilization at the authors' institution suggested that ordered IPC therapy was not consistently in use with postsurgical patients. Objectives: We sought to increase the use of IPC devices by all staff on our hospital pilot units and to promote sustained use of IPC devices. Methods: Multiple methodologies were employed to address this issue, including point prevalence audits, root-cause analyses, a nursing survey, and a pilot project on selected sur...
Detection of networks blocks used by the Storm Worm botnet

Storm Worm is a prolific web-spread Trojan virus that infects computers and turns them into nodes (called bots) of a botnet. The bots then can be used to distribute spam messages, launch DOS attacks, host phishing web sites, etc. This paper investigated Storm Worm bots that were used to propagate the virus during a four-month period of time. We found certain network blocks, because of their vulnerability, were more likely to contain Storm Worm bots.
X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction study of cementitious materials derived from coal combustion by-products

Abstract Cementitious materials derived from coal combustion by-products have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and S and Ca K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. The XRD analysis revealed that these materials are a complex mixture of a small amount of quartz [SiO 2 ] and three calcium-bearing compounds: hannebachite [CaSO 3 ·1/2H 2 O], gypsum [CaSO 4 ·2H 2 O] and ettringite [(Ca 6 (Al(OH) 6 ) 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·26H 2 O)]. Analysis of the S XAFS data focused on deconvolution of the X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) regions of the spectra. This analysis established that sulfate and sulfite are the two major sulfur forms, with a minor thiophenic component contained in unburned carbon in the fly ash. Increasing sulfate and decreasing sulfite correlated well with increasing gypsum and ettringite and decreasing hannebachite content in the samples. Different calcium compounds were identified primarily through simple comparison of the Ca K-edge XANES and radial structure functions (RSFs) of the cementitious samples with those of reference compounds. Because of the complex coordination chemistry of calcium in these materials, it was difficult to obtain detailed local atomic environment information around calcium beyond the first CaO peak. Analysis of the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and the RSF gave average CaO distances in the range 2.44–2.5 A, with each calcium atom surrounded roughly by eight oxygen atoms. In certain samples, the average CaO distances were close to that in ettringite (2.51 A), suggesting that these samples have higher ettringite content. The results of S and Ca K-edges XAFS and the XRD data were in reasonable agreement.
Störmer theory and Euler potentials

Abstract A recently published calculation is examined (Rajappa, Venkatarangan and Viswanathan, 1967), in which the motion of a charged particle in a deformed magnetosphere is treated by an extension of Stormer's method. It is shown that equivalent results may be obtained by replacing the Earth's field with a suitable axisymmetric field derived from first-order geomagnetic Euler potentials, and that the results numerically evaluated and tabulated in the article have a simple interpretation in terms of the guiding-center approximation.