cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A non-reentrant crossed-field amplifier with cycloiding injected beam

Non-reentrant, injected-beam, crossed-field amplifiers usually employ a thin, laminar beam positioned well above the sole electrode. In operation, the beam is gradually bunched by a phase-focusing action. This paper describes the analysis and demonstration of such an amplifier, with one important difference: the electrons of the beam have random, cycloidal trajectories extending to the sole instead of following the usual linear paths. Rapid and effective bunching is accomplished by collecting antiphase electrons on the sole. Experimental results are presented to show that the approach is useful for high current beams. For example, an output power of 600w was obtained at 10 db gain from an 800 ma beam. The advantages and disadvantages of the cycloidal motion are discussed, and the results of computations are given to show the desirable characteristics attainable. For example, an amplifier with a cycloiding beam requires only 35% of the interaction length of a laminar-beam type to produce the same power output, gain, and efficiency.
Comparing Clinical Outcomes of a Pharmacist-Managed Diabetes Clinic to Usual Physician-Based Care:

Background:This study analyzed the impact of a pharmacist-managed diabetes clinic on clinical outcomes compared to usual care received from primary care providers (PCPs). This comparison may more d...
Pax-6 interactions with TATA-box-binding protein and retinoblastoma protein.

PURPOSE. To identify proteins that physically interact with Pax-6, a paired domain- and homeodomain (HD)-containing transcription factor that is a key regulator of eye development. METHODS. Protein-protein interactions involving Pax-6, TATA-box-binding protein (TPB), and retinoblastoma protein were studied using affinity chromatography with Pax-6 as ligand, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays, and immunoprecipitations. RESULTS. The authors have shown that Pax-6 is a sequence-specific activator of many crystallin genes, all containing a TATA box, in the lens. Others have shown that lens fiber cell differentiation, characterized by temporally and spatially regulated crystallin gene expression, depends on retinoblastoma protein. In the present study it was shown that Pax-6 interacted with the TBP, the DNA-binding subunit of general transcription complex TFIID. GST pull-down assays indicated that this interaction was mediated by the Pax-6 HD, with a substantial role for its N-terminal arm and first two α-helices, The experiments also indicated a binding role for the C-terminal-activation domain of the protein. In addition, the present study showed that the HD of Pax-6 interacted with retinoblastoma protein. Immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed retinoblastoma protein/ Pax-6 complexes in lens nuclear extracts. CONCLUSIONS. Blending the present results with those in the literature suggests that Pax-6 and retinoblastoma protein participate in overlapping regulatory pathways controlling epithelial cell division, fiber cell elongation, and crystallin gene expression during lens development.
Drug importation into the United States: impact on Canada.

I write in support of the recent commentary by Nigel Rawson and Louise Binder.[1][1] My recent research examining the effect of US drug importation on Canada supports this commentary. The focus of the proposed bill in the US (i.e., the Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act) is on
The “New Statistics” and Nullifying the Null: Twelve Actions for Improving Quantitative Accounting Research Quality and Integrity

SYNOPSIS: Leveraging accounting scholars' expertise in the integrity of information and evidence, and in managers' self-interested discretion in information collection and reporting, offers the possibility of accounting scholars creating, promoting, and adapting methods to ensure that accounting research is of exemplary integrity and quality. This manuscript uses the six principles from the recent American Statistical Association (ASA) report on p-values as an organizing framework, and considers some implications of these principles for quantitative accounting research. It also proposes 12 actions, in three categories (community actions, redefining research quality, and ranking academic accounting journals) for improving quantitative accounting research quality and integrity. It concludes with a clarion call to our community to create, adopt, and promote scholarship practices and policies that lead in scholarly integrity.
Methods for Solving Management Problems Involving Multiple Objectives

This paper is an overview of methods for solving management problems involving more than one objective. A framework for classifying multiple criteria methods is developed, according to whether the problem has the constraints stated explicitly or not and whether the problem is stochastic or deterministic. The nature of the utility function assumed is also discussed, as is practical experience with the methods.
A New Anthropomorphic Pediatric Spine Phantom for Proton Therapy Clinical Trial Credentialing.

Abstract Purpose: To design and evaluate an anthropomorphic spine phantom for use in credentialing proton therapy facilities for clinical trial participation by the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core Houston QA Center. Materials and Methods: A phantom was designed to perform an end-to-end audit of the proton spine treatment process, including simulation, dose calculation, and proton treatment delivery. Because plastics that simulate bone in proton beams are unknown, 11 potential materials were tested to identify suitable phantom materials. Once built, preliminary testing using passive scattering and spot scanning treatment plans (including a field junction) were created in-house and delivered 3 times to test reproducibility. The following measured attributes were compared with the calculated values: absolute dose agreement using thermoluminescent dosimeters, planar gamma agreement, distal range, junction match, and right and left profile alignment using radiochromic film. Finally, credentialing results f...
Functional Connectivity of Frontoparietal and Salience/Ventral Attention Networks Have Independent Associations With Co-occurring Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children With Autism.

Abstract Background Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms have worse functional outcomes and treatment response than those without ADHD symptoms. There is limited knowledge of the neurobiology of ADHD symptoms in ASD. Here, we test the hypothesis that aberrant functional connectivity of two large-scale executive brain networks implicated in ADHD—the frontoparietal and salience/ventral attention networks—also play a role in ADHD symptoms in ASD. Methods We compared resting-state functional connectivity of the two executive brain networks in children with ASD (n = 77) and typically developing control children (n = 82). These two executive brain networks comprise five subnetworks (three frontoparietal, two salience/ventral attention). After identifying aberrant functional connections among subnetworks, we examined dimensional associations with parent-reported ADHD symptoms. Results Weaker functional connectivity in ASD was present within and between the frontoparietal and salience/ventral attention subnetworks. Decreased functional connectivity within a single salience/ventral attention subnetwork, as well as between two frontoparietal subnetworks, significantly correlated with ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, follow-up linear regressions demonstrated that the salience/ventral attention and frontoparietal subnetworks explain unique variance in ADHD symptoms. These executive brain network–ADHD symptom relationships remained significant after controlling for ASD symptoms. Finally, specificity was also demonstrated through the use of a control brain network (visual) and a control co-occurring symptom domain (anxiety). Conclusions The present findings provide novel evidence that both frontoparietal and salience/ventral attention networks’ weaker connectivities are linked to ADHD symptoms in ASD. Moreover, co-occurring ADHD in the context of ASD is a source of meaningful neural heterogeneity in ASD.
Disciplinarity in the Pursuit of Knowledge

From the perspective of systemics, Minati and Collen (1997) have described disciplinarity in terms of phases or forms of human activity to seek, develop, and produce knowledge. Disciplinarity manifests in four forms: singular, multiple, inter-relational, and boundary-breaking pursuits. Although there is the notion that knowledge resultant of each form is reflective of and delimited by its characteristic form, the presentation falls short in its depiction of the scheme as a whole to be a higher order conceptual system.
Development, Evolution and Behavior

Studies of the genetic basis of development have provided a wealth of detailed information on the genes that control how and when morphological development occurs. Examining a wide variety of species has been especially important in understanding how the genome and environment interact to create the bewildering diversity of animal forms. Studies of the genetics of behavior are beginning to catch up to those of development, and this article provides a description of how behavior may or may not obey the same principles ascribed to development. The lessons from evolutionary developmental biology, or ‘evo-devo,’ that can be applied to the study of behavior are also emphasized.
Modularity: Adding New Dimensions to Total Synthesis

As the field of synthetic chemistry seeks to tackle new frontiers, total synthesis is primed to address significant medical challenges such as the rise of antibiotic resistance and cancer. One emerging frontier focuses on increasingly concerted efforts to utilize modular total synthesis as a strategy to generate analogs of natural product targets for biological studies, with the ultimate goal of new therapeutic development. This new frontier is enabled by a confluence of human ingenuity in synthetic design, newly developed reactions that facilitate advances in total synthesis strategies, and emerging technologies. In this review, we highlight the evolving trend of modular total synthesis, including new reactions and automated technologies. This trend should lead to an increasingly important source of new medicines to improve human health.
OPACIFICATION OF A SCLERAL-SUTURED AKREOS AO60 INTRAOCULAR LENS: SURGICAL TECHNIQUE FOR REMOVAL.

Purpose To report a case of an opacified scleral-sutured Akreos intraocular lens (IOL) and discuss the technique for surgical removal. Methods A 27-year-old man presented with blurry vision in the right eye 1 year after trauma, pars plana vitrectomy, glaucoma tube shunt surgery, and a scleral-sutured Akreos AO60 IOL. Examination demonstrated a visual acuity of 20/300, a persistently dilated pupil, 360° of peripheral anterior synechiae, and an opacified IOL. The patient underwent IOL explantation. Results Owing to the expected granulation of the Gore-Tex suture, an external approach for suture ligation was not attempted. The suture was identified and ligated nasally with forceps and IOL cutting scissors. The Gore-Tex suture was granulated into the ciliary body temporally and was unable to be identified. The eyelets of the Akreos IOL were ligated to remove the IOL. Conclusion Granulation of the Gore-Tex suture into the ciliary body and sclera requires an internal approach for ligation of the suture or eyelets to remove an opacified scleral-sutured Akreos IOL.
A comparison of immediate postoperative complications in using left internal mammary artery + vein versus only vein as conduit in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

Objective The objective of the study is to compare the immediate postoperative cardiac complications in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) using mixed (arterial and venous grafts) versus only venous grafts and to compare the requirement of packed red cell units and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in both the groups. Materials and Methods This was an observational, analytical, prospective study. Sample Size Fifty new patients were included in the study. Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria Patients diagnosed with triple-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing OPCABG with an ejection fraction (EF) of more than 30%. Patients who have undergone prior CABG, EF <30%, preexisting valvular heart disease, any evidence pulmonary hypertension, preoperative IABP, any history of neurological dysfunction, left atrium size more than 5.5 cm, and history of coagulation disorder was excluded from the study. Results The most common immediate postoperative cardiac complication observed was atrial fibrillation followed by ventricular arrhythmias in both the groups. There was no statistically significant difference in complication rate between the two groups. Postoperative requirement of IABP and requirements of blood products were also similar in both the groups. Conclusion Patients undergoing off-pump CABG have similar immediate postoperative complications irrespective of the type of conduit used.
“No Touch” Period 24 hours Post TPA Infusion (P3.3-060)

Objective: Symptomatic adverse events and bleeding complication rates post TPA drop drastically after 10–12 hrs. Current NINDS monitoring protocol should be further investigated and perhaps the 24 hours no touch period post TPA can be reduced to 12 hrs. Background: 1995 NINDS clinical trial study used a protocol of no IV heparin, warfarin or antiplatelet drugs as well as to avoid NG tubes, arterial blood draws, IM injections, invasive lines or procedures during the first 24 hrs post TPA. It has been our experience that adherence to this protocol has led to instances of reluctance or refusal by physicians to perform important procedures including LPs, ABGs, NG, Foley tube, central line and arterial line insertions leading to additional patient morbidity. In addition, the patients are at bedrest and unable to start physical and occupational therapy during the 24 hour “no touch” period, potentially putting them at increased risk of DVTs and PE, as well as, delaying the start of important rehabilitation services. The rationale behind NINDS protocol was concern about increased bleeding risk post TPA, including sICH and systemic bleeding. However, the precise time interval between IV TPA administration and development of adverse events has never been determined. This post TPA monitoring protocol has not been modified since the original 1995 NINDS trial, hence rigorous evidence to support the practice of “no touch period” 24 hours post TPA is lacking. Design/Methods: Retrospective, observational study with extraction and analysis of clinical data obtained from review of EMR of patients who received IV TPA for acute ischemic stroke from 2014–2017 to investigate rate, type and time of adverse events as well as to determine complication rates upon intervention occurring within 24 hour “no touch” period post TPA. Results: Data collection and analysis underway, however prelim data suggests that after the initial 12 hr window, complication rate drops significantly. Conclusions: If this was found to be true, it could significantly reduce hospital stay and will also allow more timely interventions/procedures. Disclosure: Dr. Fatima has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gilchrist has nothing to disclose.
Cell type–specific microRNA therapies for myocardial infarction

Current interventions fail to recover injured myocardium after infarction and prompt the need for development of cardioprotective strategies. Of increasing interest is the therapeutic use of microRNAs to control gene expression through specific targeting of mRNAs. In this Review, we discuss current microRNA-based therapeutic strategies, describing the outcomes and limitations of key microRNAs with a focus on target cell types and molecular pathways. Last, we offer a perspective on the outlook of microRNA therapies for myocardial infarction, highlighting the outstanding challenges and emerging strategies.
Reducing distress and depression in cancer patients during survivorship.

OBJECTIVE Distress and depression are prevalent in cancer patients throughout survivorship and are associated with adverse outcomes. This study examines the association between outpatient psycho-oncology treatment and distress and depression in cancer patients. METHODS This is a prospective observational study of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of cancer referred for psycho-oncology services. Patients were seen for two psycho-oncology visits in a single clinical setting with various qualified providers. Patients completed the distress thermometer and problem checklist (DT + PL) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at the beginning of their first and second visits and repeated the DT at the end of these visits. RESULTS The analysis included 174 patients seen once and 69 patients seen twice. Patients were seen on average 2.5 years after diagnosis. Both visits were associated with significant reductions in distress (5.56 before and 3.85 after for visit 1, p < 0.001; 4.92 before and 3.43 after for visit 2, p < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in distress from baseline to after visit 2 (p < 0.001). Depression scores significantly decreased from the first to second visits (8.79-7.57; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Psycho-oncology services were associated with significant reductions in distress and depression, with scores after services no longer meeting criteria for clinically significant distress (DT scores ≥ 4) and depression (PHQ-9 scores ≥ 8) as they did at baseline. Reductions in distress and depression were not significantly associated with provider type, intervention or timing of diagnosis. These findings support the use of psycho-oncology services in cancer patients throughout survivorship.
Evaluation of Urinary Tract Dilation Classification System for Prediction of Long-Term Outcomes in Isolated Antenatal Hydronephrosis: A Cohort Study.

Purpose:The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the new classification of urinary tract dilatation (UTD) to predict long-term clinical outcomes in infants with isolated antenatal h...
Socioeconomic Inequities in the Surgical Management of Moyamoya Disease

Background Given the vasculopathic nature of moyamoya disease (MMD) and high susceptibility to ischemic events, patients with MMD often require surgical revascularization via an indirect or direct bypass, and analysis of disparities in receipt of appropriate management is critical. Methods The 2012–2016 Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for patients admitted with a diagnosis of MMD using International Classification of Diseases codes. Patient baseline demographics, hospital characteristics, and associated symptoms were collected. Patients were grouped by receipt of bypass procedure, and propensity score matching was performed to identify socioeconomic disparities between operative and nonoperative groups. Results Inclusion criteria were met by 4474 patients (827 pediatric patients and 3647 adult patients). Mean (SD) age for pediatric patients was 10.4 (4.6) years and for adult patients was 40.5 (14.4) years. Among pediatric patients, Black and Hispanic/Latino patients were less likely to undergo revascularization surgery (odds ratio [OR] 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21–0.78, P ≤ 0.01; OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26–0.84, P = Conclusions Further investigation into socioeconomic disparities in adult and pediatric patients with MMD is warranted given the potential for inequities in access to appropriate intervention.
Chlamydial Genetics: Decades of Effort, Very Recent Successes

This chapter addresses the challenging aspects of the chlamydial system and points out some avenues that can be exploited, perhaps opening the door to technologies for routine genetic modification of chlamydiae. It discusses the challenges in transforming chlamydiae. The rigid, extensively disulfide cross-linked outer membrane complex of the metabolically inactive elementary bodies (EBs) may hinder the introduction of exogenous DNA into the developmental form. The chapter then focuses on genomics and our understanding of natural lateral gene transfer in chlamydiae. The relative abundance of candidate gene transfer systems in members of the Chlamydiales suggests that contemporary Chlamydia spp. evolved into their genetically intractable niche by reductive evolution from a genetically amenable ancestor. The chapter addresses the surprising finding that chlamydiae have the tools to naturally acquire and integrate homologous DNA into their genome as long as the DNA is donated by a related chlamydial strain. It reviews exciting new approaches that are being used to genetically manipulate the chlamydial genome and discusses how these efforts have helped one to understand different aspects of chlamydial biology. The chemical mutagenesis could be used to generate mutant chlamydial strains. A report was published describing the first stable transformation of chlamydiae by an exogenous plasmid, leading to replication of antibiotic-resistant and green fluorescent protein-expressing C. trachomatis. The experimental studies demonstrate that chlamydiae can share DNA, can be transformed, and can incorporate introduced DNA into the genome via homologous recombination.
Assigning Probabilities to Logical Formulas

Publisher Summary Probability concepts nowadays are presented in the standard framework of the Kolmogorov axioms. A sample space is given together with an σ-field of subsets, the events, and an σ-additive probability measure defined on this σ-field. It is more natural in many situations to assign probabilities to statements rather than sets. It may be mathematically useful to translate everything into a set-theoretical formulation, but the step is not always necessary or even helpful. The main task is to carry over the standard concepts from ordinary logic to what might be called “probability logic.” Indeed ordinary logic is a special case: the assignment of truth values to formulas can be viewed as assigning probabilities that are either 0 (for false) or 1 (for true). In a sense, the symmetric probability systems are opposite to ordinary relational systems.
Contrail: enabling decentralized social networks on smartphones

Mobile devices are increasingly used for social networking applications, where data is shared between devices belonging to different users. Today, such applications are implemented as centralized services, forcing users to trust corporations with their personal data. While decentralized designs for such applications can provide privacy, they are difficult to achieve on current devices due to constraints on connectivity, energy and bandwidth. Contrail is a communication platform that allows decentralized social networks to overcome these challenges. In Contrail, a user installs content filters on her friends' devices that express her interests; she subsequently receives new data generated by her friends that match the filters. Both data and filters are exchanged between devices via cloud-based relays in encrypted form, giving the cloud no visibility into either. In addition to providing privacy, Contrail enables applications that are very efficient in terms of energy and bandwidth.
Nanoparticles in Catalysis

Catalysis plays a vital role in providing fuels, fine chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, and means for strengthening environmental safeguards. In comparison with many other fields of chemical and materials sciences, catalysis was perhaps one of the first fields to take advantage of nanotechnology. Supported noble metal catalysts with particle sizes down to a few hundred nanometers and zeolite catalysts with pore size of subnanometers, all developed in the 1950s–60s, are widely used in today’s chemical processes. The field of catalysis continuously reinvents itself and become highly interdisciplinary. Many of the recent advances, some of which are discussed in this chapter, are a result of such interdisciplinary developments involving nanotechnology. The nanotechnology-guided design and fabrication of catalysts, enhancement of catalytic activity or selectivity, and reduction in cost of catalysts will have enormous impacts to the chemical industry. The ability to harness the large surface area-tovolume ratios and the unique binding sites of nanoparticles (1–100 nm), especially in heterogeneous catalysis, constitutes a major driving force in fundamental research and practical applications of nanoparticle catalysts. Importantly, deliberate tailoring of nanoparticle size, shape and surface could lead to improved or new catalytic properties. This aspect was indeed inspired by the surprising discovery of high catalytic activity of nanosized gold towards oxidation or reduction of hydrocarbons.1, 2, 3, 4 Gold is traditionally considered catalytically inactive as a practical catalyst, but this property is completely changed when the size dimension is reduced to a few nm.
Operations Research Approaches to Asset Management in Freight Rail

This article describes operations research methodologies as they apply to asset management in freight rail. We describe state-of-the-art methods for locomotive, crew, railcar, line and yard planning and management. We conclude with emerging areas of research in rail. Keywords: freight rail asset management; locomotive consist planning; crew scheduling; railcar distribution; yard planning; line planning
The Role of Adrs in the Development of Emerging Equity Markets

This study measures the dynamics of the growth and expansion of international cross-listings through American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) in emerging equity markets around the world and evaluates its impact on their development and integration with world markets. Overall, I find that the increasing number of new ADR programs, their market capitalization and trading volume in those countries are positively associated with the pace of international capital flows and greater market integration, but, at the same time, adversely impact the size, scope and liquidity of the home markets. I discuss the implications of these findings for existing research on capital market liberalization and on ADR markets and for the public policy debate on ADRs and their impact on the global competitiveness of national stock markets.
Abstract 12750: Atrial Tissue MicroRNAs 411-5p, 21-5p, 409-3p and 320a Are Associated With Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small RNAs that play a role in regulating cardiac remodeling and have been implicated in cardiac arrhythmogenesis. However, few studies have examined the association of atrial miR expression to AF. Hypothesis: Changes in miR expression (estimated as fold-difference in the delta cycle threshold compared to global mean) in human atria can be associated with AF. Methods: Thirty-one consecutive patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were divided into 2 groups: those with history of AF (n=19) and those with no history of AF who stayed in sinus rhythm post-operatively (n=12). Atrial tissue samples were obtained from the right atrium in all but one (left atrium). Based on pilot data and prior literature, the expression of 82 miRs was assessed using high-throughput quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We used logistic regression adjusting for age and sex to detect the asso...
Virus on virus infects bacterium.

The bacterium that causes cholera,Vibrio cholerae, does not encode the cholera toxin itself. The toxin is encoded by a virus (known as a bacteriophage), which infects the V. choleraethrough a bacterial structure called the toxin co-regulated pilus. It now turns out that this pilus is itself encoded by yet another bacteriophage. So, only when the bacterium has acquired both phages will it have its full complement of virulence genes.
The Electronic Influence of Abasic Sites in DNA

Abasic sites in DNA are prevalent as both naturally forming defects and as synthetic inclusions for biosensing applications. The electronic impact of these defects in DNA sensor and device configurations has yet to be clarified. Here we report the effect of an abasic site on the rate and yield of charge transport through temperature-controlled analysis of DNA duplex monolayers on multiplexed devices. Transport yield through the abasic site monolayer strongly increases with temperature, but the yield relative to an undamaged monolayer decreases with temperature. This is opposite to the increasing relative yield with temperature from a mismatched base pair, and these effects are accounted for by the unique structural impact of each defect. Notably, the effect of the abasic site is nearly doubled when heated from room temperature to 37 °C. The rate of transport is largely unaffected by the abasic site, showing Arrhenius-type behavior with an activation energy of ∼300 meV. Detailed abasic site investigation elucidates the electrical impact of these biologically spontaneous defects and aids development of biological sensors.
On hedgehogs, foxes and leadership: Uncovering the other Tolstoy

Abstract While known for his view that heroes are nothing but “a lie and invention,” Leo Tolstoy also offered effusive praise for Abraham Lincoln, noting that America's 16th president “overshadows all other national heroes.” In this sense, the Russian novelist is something much more than a simple antidote to Thomas Carlyle's imagery of the hero and the heroic in history. There is, in fact, another Tolstoy revealed by his comments on Lincoln, as well as in his short novel Hadji Murad. And this article seeks to uncover that other Tolstoy, using Isaiah Berlin's The Hedgehog and the Fox as a guide.
Evaluating biological control of fire ants using phorid flies: effects on competitive interactions

Abstract The effects of the parasitic phorid fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, on the competitive interactions between the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, and a native North American ant, Forelius pruinosus (Roger), were investigated in the laboratory. P. tricuspis is a highly host-specific endoparasitoid of S. invicta workers that is currently being reared and released as a biological control agent of S. invicta in the US. We tested the effect of P. tricuspis on the colony growth rate of S. invicta when S. invicta was forced to compete with F. pruinosus for a protein resource (freeze-killed crickets) in laboratory competition arenas. In addition to colony growth rate, we quantified the effect of the phorid flies on the foraging rate of S. invicta . Though S. invicta significantly reduced its foraging rate in the presence of the phorid flies, we did not detect an effect of the flies on colony growth rate. Possible explanations for these results include behavioral compensation by S. invicta for the presence of the flies. We present these laboratory results in light of a literature search indicating that laboratory tests of biological control agent efficacy are good predictors of field efficacy. We conclude that P. tricuspis alone is unlikely to suppress S. invicta populations in the field by reducing their competitive ability.
Zur Chemie des Schwefeltrioxyds III. Die Umsetzung von Kaliumselenat mit Schwefeltrioxyd

Bei der Umsetzung von K2SeO4 mit SO3 wird in erster Phase gemas K2SeO4 + n SO3 K2[SeSnO3n+4] SO3 angelagert. Bei 35° bildet sich Kaliumtriselenatosulfat, K2SeS2O10, im Gemisch mit Trisulfat. Ein Teil des SeO3, das nach der in 2. Phase verlaufenden Reaktion: K2SeO4 + n SO3 K2[SnO3n+1] + SeO3 entstanden ist, verfluchtigt sich beim Vertreiben des uberschussigen SO3 im Vakuum. Das Kaliumtriselenatosulfat geht beim Erhitzen auf ∼150° unter Abgabe von einem Mol SO3 in Diselenatosulfat uber, das sich bei ∼440° in K2SO4 und SeO2 + 1/2 O2 zersetzt. Die Konstitution des Triselenatosulfates wird diskutiert. Die Selenatosulfate sind mit den entsprechenden Sulfaten hochstwahrscheinlich isomorph.
Transsexuals in the military: flight into hypermasculinity.

A sample of 11 male gender-dysphoric patients meeting DSM-III criteria for transsexualism was seen over a 3-year period by a military psychiatrist. Eight patients had extensive military experience, including combat duty in some cases. At the time of evaluation three were on active duty, one was a Department of Defense employee, and four were veterans. Evidence is presented for a hypermasculine phase of development that coincides with the age of enlistment in nearly all cases. The psychodynamic underpinnings of the choice to enlist in transsexual males are discussed. Outcome of military service was premature discharge in over 60%. The military's management of genderdysphoric servicemen is described. Current military policies, in association with the proposed hypermasculine phase of transsexual development, may actually result in a higher prevalence of transsexualism in the military than in the civilian population.
Acetyl-l-carnitine supplementation reverses the age-related decline in carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) activity in interfibrillar mitochondria without changing the l-carnitine content in the rat heart

Abstract The aging heart displays a loss of bioenergetic reserve capacity partially mediated through lower fatty acid utilization. We investigated whether the age-related impairment of cardiac fatty acid catabolism occurs, at least partially, through diminished levels of l -carnitine, which would adversely affect carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), the rate-limiting enzyme for fatty acyl-CoA uptake into mitochondria for β-oxidation. Old (24–28 mos) Fischer 344 rats were fed ± acetyl- l -carnitine (ALCAR; 1.5% [w/v]) for up to four weeks prior to sacrifice and isolation of cardiac interfibrillar (IFM) and subsarcolemmal (SSM) mitochondria. IFM displayed a 28% ( p p V max and K m (60% and 49% respectively, p l -carnitine. ALCAR supplementation restored CPT1 activity in heart IFM, but not apparently through remediation of l -carnitine levels. Rather, ALCAR influenced enzyme activity over time, potentially by modulating conditions in the aging heart that ultimately affect palmitoyl-CoA binding and CPT1 kinetics.
Habituation of the orienting response in sleep.

This experiment was designed with stimulus parameters deliberately chosen to maximize the probability of observing habituation of the orienting response (OR) in sleep: weak stimulus, short interstimulas interval. with test for both dishabituation and spontaneous recovery, Habituation of finger plethysmograph. heart rate, skin potential. and skin resistance responses was studied in delta sleep and RKM sleep in 46 male undergraduate volunteers. There was significant habituation of both finger plethysmograph and heart rate responses in both delta and REM sleep, as well as dishabituation and spontaneous recovery. None of these effects was observed in the electrodermal measures. Results were compared with other studies of habituation of the OR in sleep, as well as theories of habituation. The authors do not interpret the results as demonstrating learning during steep.
Cysteinyl leukotriene receptors.

Abstract Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are important inflammatory mediators in asthma and allergic disorders. Two types of CysLT receptors, CysLT 1 and CysLT 2 , which were originally defined pharmacologically based on their sensitivity to CysLT 1 specific antagonists, are responsible for most of the known CysLT biological actions. The regulation of CysLT receptor expression and signaling in disease processes is largely unclear. Recent molecular cloning of both receptor subtypes from several different species will greatly facilitate future research in understanding CysLT signal transduction mechanisms. Expression of the relatively better-studied CysLT 1 is verified in lung tissues and peripheral blood cells. Elucidating how this receptor mediates airway inflammation will deepen our understanding of asthma etiology. On the other hand, detection of CysLT 2 in the heart, brain, and adrenal glands will inject new excitement into the search for novel CysLT functions. This review summarizes receptor cloning, ligand binding, expression, signaling, and functions in an effort to bridge early pharmacological studies to future studies at the molecular level.
Alcohol misuse, firearm violence perpetration, and public policy in the United States.

Abstract Objective Firearm violence is a significant public health problem in the United States, and alcohol is frequently involved. This article reviews existing research on the relationships between alcohol misuse; ownership, access to, and use of firearms; and the commission of firearm violence, and discusses the policy implications of these findings. Method Narrative review augmented by new tabulations of publicly-available data. Results Acute and chronic alcohol misuse is positively associated with firearm ownership, risk behaviors involving firearms, and risk for perpetrating both interpersonal and self-directed firearm violence. In an average month, an estimated 8.9 to 11.7 million firearm owners binge drink. For men, deaths from alcohol-related firearm violence equal those from alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes. Enforceable policies restricting access to firearms for persons who misuse alcohol are uncommon. Policies that restrict access on the basis of other risk factors have been shown to reduce risk for subsequent violence. Conclusion The evidence suggests that restricting access to firearms for persons with a documented history of alcohol misuse would be an effective violence prevention measure. Restrictions should rely on unambiguous definitions of alcohol misuse to facilitate enforcement and should be rigorously evaluated.
The Cultural Geography Model: Evaluating the Impact of Tactical Operational Outcomes on a Civilian Population in an Irregular Warfare Environment:

The civilian population has been described as ‘the center of gravity in irregular warfare’. Understanding the behavioral response of the civilian population in irregular warfare operations presents a major challenge area to the joint modeling and simulation community where there is a clear need for the development of models, methods, and tools to address civilian behavior response. This paper provides a conceptual and theoretical overview of the Cultural Geography (CG) model, a government-owned, open-source agent-based model designed to address the behavioral response of civilian populations in conflict environments. With an embedded case study, we describe the development of cognitive modules to represent the civilian population and their implementation as Bayesian belief networks (BBNs), the social structure module implemented using homophily, the process of adjudicating the effects of tactical level outcomes on a population segment within the model, and a sample case study analysis using a designed exp...
COMPARISON OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PWD/PhJ AND C57BL/6J MICE IN CALCIUM SOLUTION PREFERENCES AND CHORDA TYMPANI NERVE RESPONSES

We used the C57BL/6J (B6) and PWD/PhJ (PWD) mouse strains to investigate the controls of calcium intake. Relative to the B6 strain, the PWD strain had higher preferences in two-bottle choice tests for CaCl2, calcium lactate (CaLa), MgCl2, citric acid and quinine hydrochloride, but not for sucrose, KCl or NaCl. We also measured taste-evoked chorda tympani (CT) nerve activity in response to oral application of these compounds. Electrophysiological results paralleled the preference test results, with larger responses in PWD than in B6 mice for those compounds that were more highly preferred for the former strain. The strain differences were especially large for tonic, rather than phasic, chorda tympani activity. These data establish the PWD strain as a “calcium-preferring” strain and suggest that differences between B6 and PWD mice in taste transduction or a related peripheral event contributes to the differences between the strains in preferences for calcium solutions.
Chemotherapy of carcinoma of the cervix

Abstract At the Mayo Clinic, 18.7% of 208 patients with carcinoma of the cervix who were treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) showed an objective response or stabilization of their tumors. In 24 additional patients, 5-FU was used with local radiation, and 8.3% showed a similar response. Of 40 patients treated with cyclophosphamide alone, 17.5% had tumor control.
Development and optimization of SERS-based immuno-nanosensor for single cell analyses

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an extremely sensitive and selective spectroscopic technique commonly employed for trace environmental analyses. We are currently developing and optimizing novel SERS based immuno-nanosensors for the monitoring of protein expression within individual living cells. These sensors, based upon antibody bound, silver coated silica nanospheres, can be inserted into individual cells and non-invasively positioned to the subcellular location of interest using optical tweezers. Because a HeNe laser is used for excitation, both photodamage to cells and cellular autofluorescence are minimized. Fabrication of the nanosensors is performed by first depositing a thin layer of silver on silica nanospheres by either homogeneous chemical deposition or vapor deposition. This is followed by binding an antibody against the analyte of interest to the sensor’s surface. In this paper we have investigated and optimized the reduction conditions of a chemical deposition substrate fabrication method and have compared these substrates to three types of vapor deposited substrates: (1) single layer silver film over nanosphere (SFON), (2) dual layer silver film over nanosphere (DUAL-FON) substrates (produced by coating an additional layer of silver film over the SFON), and (3) multilayer silver film over nanosphere (MULTI-FON) substrates (prepared by repeated coatings of several silver films over a SFON). In the case of chemical deposition, parameters optimized included silver nitrate concentration, reaction temperature, and silver coating time of substrates. In general, we have found SFON substrates yield better signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) with less background than the optimized, chemically prepared substrates. Even greater SERS enhancements have been found using multilayered SERS substrates (i.e., DUAL-FON substrates and MULTI-FON substrates). Both the stability and S/N of these substrates are enhanced by using multiple silver layers compared to SFON substrates of similar thickness. From this work, SERS signal enhancements of over an order of magnitude can be predicted by combining the enhancements obtained from the multilayered geometry and that from optimized silver deposition parameters. This paper includes investigations into the mechanism of multi-layer enhancement by studying the SERS S/N changes after different amount of exposure time of underlayer silver films to air. From these studies, we suggest that silver oxide layers play an important role in this multilayered enhancement. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first report of this type of silver oxide layer production affecting and even enhancing the resulting SERS signals from continuous film SERS substrates. In this paper, the fabrication, characterization and comparison of these SERS substrates in terms of enhancement factor, and lifetime will be discussed.
Examining the process and dilemmas of reality negotiation

Reality negotiation is the process people use to examine information from their environment and make judgments about the accuracy and importance of that information. Although this process has been found to be inaccurate, nurses often express discomfort when clients hold perceptions of reality that run counter to their own views. Nurses in these circumstances see the client as denying or as having unrealistic hopes. This article examines reality negotiation in light of this clinical dilemma, focusing on three areas: 1) the assumptions made regarding the nature of reality; 2) the potential and real outcomes of different types of reality negotiation; and 3) the process by which reality is redefined and how unrealistic perceptions are threatened and/or abandoned. These issues are explored as they relate to nursing research and practice.
Operation of a Novel Dry Hydrocarbon Tolerant Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Many factors including lower materials cost for stack and balance of plant components drive an effort to reduce the operating temperature of SOFCs. Sr- and Mg-doped LaGaO3 (LSGM) has gained popularity as an intermediate temperature electrolyte due to its high oxygen conductivity. However, challenges remain regarding its mechanical strength and the lack of suitable electrode materials due to incompatibilities with conventional anode and cathode materials. Additionally, operation of conventional solid oxide fuel cells on dry hydrocarbon gas streams is precluded by the catalyzed formation of carbon whiskers within the matrix of nickel-based anodes. The incompatibility of LSGM with conventional anodes allows for investigation of other benefits of a Ni free anode; among which are hydrocarbon tolerance and redox stability. LSGM electrolyte supported cells were fabricated to test the performance and hydrocarbon tolerance of a Ni-free materials set. The composite anode was comprised of Sr-, Mg- and Co-doped LaGaO3 (LSGMC), La-doped CeO2 (LDC) as a catalytic component and Y-doped SrTiO3 as a conductive component. The cathode was made from a composite of LSGMC and Sm-doped SrCoO3. Materials were synthesized by wet chemical methods, characterized and fabricated into durable cells of high quality. The processing conditions of anode conductive components are discussed as an important factor impacting the performance of the cells. The cells were tested in dry methane and hydrogen. Testing showed cell voltages very near theoretical voltage indicating that sealing and electrolyte quality were excellent. Temperature cycling performance and post-test inspection showed that durability of the materials set was achieved. The cell showed a low power density when operating on hydrocarbons directly. Cells had no visible degradation in performance or coking after operation on dry hydrocarbons, in stark contrast to nickel-based anode performance under the same operating conditions. Poor catalytic activity to the reforming process and direct reaction of methane were found to contribute to the overall low performance. Strategies for improving catalytic activity without introducing coke-promoting materials are discussed.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Trends in operator and hospital procedure volume and outcomes for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 1996 to 2001.

Although the volume/outcome relation for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is well established, it is unclear how the relation has changed over time. To examine trends in hospital and operator volume and outcomes for PTCA, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of discharge records of patients who underwent PTCA at nonfederal hospitals in Florida and New York from 1996 to 2001. Hospital/operator pairs were divided into 4 classes using American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association volume classifications. Outcome measurements were operator and hospital procedure volume and a combined end point of inpatient mortality and emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Of 452,404 patients, the number of patients who underwent PTCA from 1996 to 2001 increased from 58,180 to 92,277, with a mean annual increase of 9.1%. The risk-adjusted end point of mortality and emergency coronary artery bypass grafting decreased over time, occurring in 2.8% of admissions in 1996 and in 1.6% of admissions in 2001. Class 1 hospital/operator pairs, which were operators performing ≥75 procedures at hospitals performing >400 procedures, had the lowest occurrence of the end point overall and in each year. The risk-adjusted end point difference between classes narrowed over time. In conclusion, outcomes were best for patients receiving care from class 1 hospital/operator pairs, and an increasing proportion of patients received care from class 1 pairs. There were outcome differences within subpopulations of operators in classes 2 and 4, which suggest possibilities for alternative volume classification guidelines.