cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Iterative semi-supervised learning: helping the user to find the right records

This paper proposes extending semi-supervised learning by allowing an ongoing interaction between a user and the system. The extension is intended to not only to speed up search for relevant aircraft engine maintenance records but also to help in improving the user's understanding of the problem domain. After the user has identified a small number of relevant records, the system produces a description which generalizes their common properties. If the user is satisfied with the description, the system retrieves more potentially relevant records. The user critiques the items returned, labeling them as relevant or not. The system updates the description using this new labeling information and retrieves more records. The process continues until the user is satisfied that most relevant records have been found. To validate the efficacy of the approach, a set of related maintenance records are collected using the system. These records are compared to those collected without system support.
Sympathetic activity of internal urethral sphincter

Abstract The sympathetic activity was investigated by recording the fail of internal sphincter pressure produced by a dose of phentolamine (Regitine) which completely abolished all alpha adrenergic sympathetic activity. It was found that when the bladder was empty, the mean fall of internal sphincter pressure was 7.1 cm. water; but when the bladder was partially filled, the mean fall was 17.6 cm. water. After use of reserpine, which creates a “pharmacologic sympathectomy,” no sympathetic activity was demonstrated.
Compiler Techniques for Concurrent Multithreading with Hardware Speculation Support

Recently proposed concurrent multithreading architectures employ sophisticated hardware to support speculation on control and data dependences as well as run-time data dependence check, which enables parallelization of program regions such as while-loops which previously were ignored. The new architectures demand compilers to put more emphasis on the formation and selection of parallel threads. Compilers also play an important role in reducing the cost of run-time data dependence check. This paper discusses these new issues.
Sandia National Laboratories participation in the National Ignition Facility project

The National Ignition Facility is a $1.1B DOE Defense Programs Inertial Confinement Fusion facility supporting the Science Based Stockpile Stewardship Program. The goal of the facility is to achieve fusion ignition and modest gain in the laboratory. The NIF project is responsible for the design and construction of the 192 beam, 1.8 MJ laser necessary to meet that goal. - The project is a National project with participation by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL), the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics (URLLE) and numerous industrial partners. The project is centered at LLNL which has extensive expertise in large solid state lasers. The other partners in the project have negotiated their participation based on the specific expertise they can bring to the project. In some cases, this negotiation resulted in the overall responsibility for a WBS element; in other cases, the participating laboratories have placed individuals in the project in areas that need their individual expertise. The main areas of Sandia`s participation are in the management of the conventional facility design and construction, the design of the power conditioning system, the target chamber system, target diagnostic instruments, data acquisition system andmore » several smaller efforts in the areas of system integration and engineering analysis. Sandia is also contributing to the technology development necessary to support the project by developing the power conditioning system and several target diagnostics, exploring alternate target designs, and by conducting target experiments involving the ``foot`` region of the NIF power pulse. The project has just passed the mid-point of the Title I (preliminary) design phase. This paper will summarize Sandia`s role in supporting the National Ignition Facility and discuss the areas in which Sandia is contributing. 3 figs.« less
The Monetization of Business Tax Credits

This Article examines the history of the development of federal incentive tax credits, from the enactment of the investment credit in 1962 to the cash grant in lieu of credits regime introduced as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and methods for "monetizing" tax credits developed in the context of state tax credits as well as federal tax credits (and associated taxation issues). The principal thesis of the Article is that (1) the current array of federal business tax credits addressed in the Article are in the nature of subsidies rather than structural components of the computation of a "correct" tax; and (2) therefore constraining the monetization of these tax credits through the imposition of normative-based substantive requirements is inappropriate. As the Article states in conclusion, if the judgment is that tax expenditures of this kind play a useful role (i.e., they should not simply be repealed), then the articulation of the underlying goals and intended beneficiaries of current tax-based subsidies should be sharpened and our existing "delivery mechanisms" closely examined and possibly overhauled.
Folic Acid Intake from Fortification in United States Exceeds Predictions

In 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a regulation requiring that all enriched cereal-grain products be fortified with folic acid by January 1998. An average increase in folic acid intake of 100 micro g/d was projected as a result of this fortification. The objective of the present study was to estimate the effect of this fortification on the intake of folic acid and total folate, and on the prevalence of individuals with inadequate folate intake and with high folic acid intake. We used data on food and nutrient intake from 1480 individuals who participated in the 5th and 6th examinations of the Framingham Offspring Cohort Study. Fortification was instituted during the 6th examination so that 931 participants were examined before its implementation (nonexposed) and 549 after implementation (exposed). Published data on total folate in enriched cereal-grain products were used to correct folate content in these foods to reflect fortification. Among nonsupplement users, folic acid intake increased by a mean of 190 [95% confidence interval (CI): 176, 204] micro g/d (P < 0.001) and total folate intake increased by a mean of 323 (95% CI: 296-350) micro g dietary folate equivalents (DFE)/d (P < 0.001) in the exposed participants. Similar increases were seen among supplement users exposed to fortification. The prevalence of exposed individuals with total folate intake below the estimated average requirement (320 micro g DFE/d) decreased from 48.6% (95% CI: 44.2-53.1%) before fortification to 7.0% (95% CI: 3.1-10.9%) after fortification in individuals who did not use folic acid supplements. This prevalence was approximately 1% or less for users of supplements both before and after fortification. Prevalence of individuals with folic acid intake above the upper tolerable intake level (1000 micro g folic acid/d) increased only among supplement users exposed to fortification (from 1.3 to 11.3%, P < 0.001). No changes in folic acid intake were observed over time in the nonexposed participants. By these estimations, folic acid fortification resulted in a mean increase in folic acid intake that was approximately twice as large as previously projected.
Characterization of the Promoter of the Human Gi2 α-Subunit Gene

The promoter of the human gene for the αsubunit of Gi2, a GTP-binding signal transduction protein, was analyzed by cloning the 5' flanking region of the gene upstream of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene and measuring the level of CAT expression after transfection in CV-1 green monkey kidney cells. Analysis of multiple 5' deletion mutants reveals that a minimum of 85 bases upstream of the major transcriptional initiation site are required for full basal promoter activity. Deleting 11 bases to position –74 causes a 4-fold decrease in promoter activity. Another major decrement in activity is seen when a GC box between –46 and –33 is deleted, consistent with this region being a functionally active Sp1 factor-binding site. Primer extension of a CAT-specific primer hybridized to RNA from cells transfected with a Gi2α promoter-CAT construct confirms approximately the same transcriptional start site as the endogenous Gi2α gene. The 3' deletion mutants that either approach or delete the t...
Ultrasound assessment of congenital fetal lung masses and neonatal respiratory outcomes

Objective Fetal congenital lung masses generate concern for compromised postnatal respiratory function. Congenital pulmonary adenomatoid malformation volume ratio (CVR) has been used to predict the risk of hydrops fetalis and need for antenatal intervention. This study investigates whether CVR could be used to predict neonatal respiratory outcomes. Methods The ultrasounds of fetuses diagnosed with a lung mass between 2005 and 2013 were reviewed. CVR was calculated at each ultrasound using the formula for a prolate ellipse divided by head circumference. The pregnancy outcome and information about NICU admission for respiratory insufficiency were collected. Results Forty-two fetuses were diagnosed with a lung mass during the study period. CVR prior to 24 weeks and between 24 and 32 weeks were associated with NICU admission (p < 0.0001 and <0.008, respectively). CVR increased up to 32 weeks and decreased thereafter for most subjects. The decrease in CVR beyond 32 weeks was larger for cases that required NICU admission (p = 0.002). For a CVR cut-off of <0.5, the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity 85.7%, and negative predictive value was 100% for regular nursery care. Conclusion In pregnancies diagnosed with fetal lung masses, CVR predicted normal respiratory outcomes and need for NICU admission. This information may be helpful for delivery planning. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The mechanism for craze-tip advance in glassy polymers

Abstract Stereo electron microscopy of the craze tip in glassy polymers shows unequivocally that the tip breaks up into a series of fingers, as predicted by the meniscus instability mechanism. As the fingers propagate, the familiar fibril structure is developed at the webs of polymer between the fingers. Although there is a region of plastic deformation located in the two surfaces of the polymer film ahead of the tip, no large-scale yielding is observed and no isolated voids are formed. It is possible to construct a simple theoretical model for the critical wavelength of this instability. From this model a range of values, 16–33 nm, is obtained depending on the thickness of the craze behind the craze tip. These values are in agreement with the observed interfibrillar spacing along the craze of 20–30 nm.
Buckling behavior of a graphite/epoxy composite plate under parabolic variation of axial loads

Abstract This paper investigates the buckling behavior of a symmetrically laminated composite rectangular plate composed of AS4 graphite fibers and 3501-6 epoxy resin under parabolic variation of axial loads. The plate is assumed to be general anisotropy and symmetric about its mid-plane. Two loading conditions are considered. They are (a) an axial load that varies parabolically with respect to the plate longitudinal direction, and (b) an axial load that varies parabolically with respect to the plate transverse direction. Analytical solutions of buckling load and mode shape are obtained based on classical laminated plate theory and the Rayleigh–Ritz method. The influences of plate aspect ratio and fiber orientations have been investigated. Some numerical results from the present study are compared with published results and good agreement is found.
Comorbidity in Childhood Anxiety Disorders and Treatment Outcome

ABSTRACT Objective Psychiatric comorbidity is common in anxious children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of comorbidity on treatment outcome in anxious children. Method Participants were 173 children between the ages of 8 and 13 years who met primary DSM-III-R/DSM-IV diagnoses of separation anxiety disorder, overanxious disorder/generalized anxiety disorder, or avoidant disorder/social phobia assessed by the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children (ADIS-C). The majority (79%) had at least one comorbid diagnosis. Participants were randomly assigned to cognitive-behavioral therapy or waitlist. Group differences in ADIS-C diagnoses were compared after treatment. Multiple parent and child self-report measures were used to measure symptoms as well. Results Pretreatment comorbidity was not associated with differences in treatment outcome: 68.4% of noncomorbid participants and 70.6% of comorbid participants were free of their primary diagnosis after treatment. Regarding parent and child self-report symptoms, multivariate analyses of variance revealed significant time (treatment) main effects, but no significant main effect for group (comorbid status) or time/group interaction. Conclusions The cognitive-behavioral treatment program was similarly effective in anxious children with and without comorbid disorders; both groups showed clinically significant reductions in pretreatment diagnoses and symptoms.
T2 oral tongue carcinoma treated with radiotherapy: analysis of local control and complications.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to analyze the time factor and the proportion of the total dose delivered with external-beam irradiation versus interstitial implant in 42 patients with previously untreated T 2 squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue managed with irradiation alone between 1964 and 1986. All patients had a 2-year minimum follow-up, and 93% were observed for at least 5 years. Seven patients died within 2 years of treatment with the primary site continuously disease-free and were excluded from analysis of local control. All patients were included in the analysis of complications. Patients were staged according to the 1983 AJCC staging system. Treatment was delivered with interstitial implant alone (4 patients), external-beam radiotherapy and implant (34 patients), or external-beam radiotherapy alone (4 patients). The following are the rates of local control with radiotherapy and ultimate local control, including patients successfully salvaged after a local recurrence: 21/35 (60%) and 26/35 (74%). In the group of patients treated with external-beam radiotherapy and an interstitial implant, local control was 12/16 (75%) for an implant plus ⩽3000 cGy external-beam radiotherapy compared with 6/15 (40%) for an implant plus >3000 cGy external-beam radiotherapy. For the entire group of patients, local control was 16/21 (76%) if the treatment time was ⩽40 days and 5/14 (36%) if the overall treatment time was >40 days. It is difficult to discern the effect of overall treatment time versus proportion of treatment delivered with interstitial implant because patients who received most of their treatment with an implant tended to be treated with shorter overall treatment times.
Impact of Procedural Factors on Perceived Justice in Divorce Settlements

We used a decision-making conceptual framework from family resource management combined with procedural justice frameworks from social psychology to (i) articulate the elements and rules of procedural fairness, (ii) develop a theoretical organization and code to include procedural fairness principles as applied to legal decision processes in divorce, and (iii) describe the perceptions of divorcing parties about the violations of procedural fairness principles in their own divorce process. Procedural fairness principles included accuracy, consistency, ethicality, bias suppression, correctability, and representativeness. Results of qualitative data analyses were consistent with experimental studies in that divorced people were concerned with fair procedures and particularly with violations of the principles of ethicality, consistency, accuracy, and representativeness.
A requiem for the IFQ in US fisheries

Abstract Despite their apparent economic benefits to harvesters, individual fishing quotas (IFQs) have only been adopted in three US fisheries: Mid-Atlantic surf clam and ocean quahog; South Atlantic wreckfish; and, North Pacific halibut and sablefish. During the 1996 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Congress temporarily blocked implementation of additional IFQ programs in US fisheries. In this paper, we argue that because of the emergence of an alternative, the cooperative, it is unlikely that new IFQs will be adopted in federally managed US fisheries. From an economic perspective, cooperatives offer the advantage of eliminating production externalities that may remain under an IFQ program with relatively large owner classes. More significantly, development of IFQ programs appears to be increasingly overwhelmed by the proliferation of both equity concerns and seemingly interminable rent-seeking behavior — both issues that can effectively block adoption of IFQs. Ironically (and paradoxically?), by reducing the scope of the equity issues acknowledged, the cooperative alternative narrows the pool of claimants and modifies the behavior of the remainder, making implementation more likely. A further irony exists in that IFQs are widely thought to be best designed at the local/regional level while part of the appeal of the cooperative model is that it appears to shortcut the often protracted nature of the local/regional political process by relying on direct intervention from Washington, DC, in the form of actions by Congress or the Justice Department.
Toward the Implementation of Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Targets 1 to 3 in Hawai‘i1

Hawai‘i has a unique natural history, ideal for studying the mechanisms of evolution. With over 90% endemism in its native flora of 1300 species, over half are threatened with extinction. This immense challenge requires working collaboratively, effectively, and efficiently. Despite extensive conservation activity, we do not have a unified strategy, and leaders in Hawaiian conservation are discussing the creation of a Hawai‘i Strategy for Plant Conservation (HSPC) based on the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) targets. Here we analyze the effectiveness of the conservation work taking place in Hawai‘i through the lens of the GSPC Targets 1 to 3 that include: (1) the establishment of an online flora of all known plants; (2) the assessment of the conservation status of all known plant species; and (3) the development and sharing of research and methodology related to on-the-ground conservation.
Disease named entity recognition using semisupervised learning and conditional random fields

Information extraction is an important text-mining task that aims at extracting prespecified types of information from large text collections and making them available in structured representations such as databases. In the biomedical domain, information extraction can be applied to help biologists make the most use of their digital-literature archives. Currently, there are large amounts of biomedical literature that contain rich information about biomedical substances. Extracting such knowledge requires a good named entity recognition technique. In this article, we combine conditional random fields (CRFs), a state-of-the-art sequence-labeling algorithm, with two semisupervised learning techniques, bootstrapping and feature sampling, to recognize disease names from biomedical literature. Two data-processing strategies for each technique also were analyzed: one sequentially processing unlabeled data partitions and another one processing unlabeled data partitions in a round-robin fashion. The experimental results showed the advantage of semisupervised learning techniques given limited labeled training data. Specifically, CRFs with bootstrapping implemented in sequential fashion outperformed strictly supervised CRFs for disease name recognition. The project was supported by NIH/NLM Grant R33 LM07299–01, 2002–2005. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efferent projections of the subthalamic nucleus in the rat: light and electron microscopic analysis with the PHA-L method.

Efferent projections of rat subthalamic nucleus were studied by use of the axonal transport of phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L), and the results were analyzed with light and electron microscopes. PHA-L injections in the subthalamic nucleus (STH) resulted in heavy labeling of fiber plexus with en passant boutons and terminals in the pallidal complex, i.e., the entopeduncular nucleus (EP), the globus pallidus (GP) and the ventral pallidum (VP), and the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR). Labeling in GP was characterized by two distinct bands of labeled terminals oriented dorsoventrally, whereas labeling in SNR was patchy. STH efferents to the pallidum and SNR displayed a mediolateral topographic organization. With regard to dorsoventral organization, projections to GP were inverted, but those to SNR were not. There were moderate projections to the neostriatum and sparse projections to the frontal cortex, substantia innominata, substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC), pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus, ventral part of the central gray matter including the dorsal raphe nucleus, and the mesencephalic and pontine reticular formation. PHA-L injections in the zona incerta and the lateral hypothalamic area resulted in fiber and terminal labelings in many structures, including the basal forebrain, EP, SNC, and other brainstem areas that overlap with some of the terminal sites of STH projections. Ultrastructural observations of PHA-L labeled processes in GP and SNR revealed that STH terminals in both structures contained small pleomorphic vesicles and formed asymmetrical contacts. These contacts were mainly on dendritic shafts, but some were on somata. It also was observed that the myelinated axons of STH neurons lost their myelin after reaching their target areas and the synaptic boutons arose from relatively thin unmyelinated axons.
Transcriptional reprogramming in murine liver defines the physiologic consequences of biliary obstruction

Abstract Background/Aims : While the metabolic and histological responses to cholestasis are recognized, the consequences of impaired biliary flow on liver gene expression are largely undefined. We hypothesized that biliary obstruction results in transcriptional reprogramming that dictates the physiologic response. Methods : We determined global gene expression in murine livers 1–21 days following bile duct ligation. Total hepatic cRNA from experimental and sham mice was hybridized to Affymetrix gene chips. Gene expression data was analyzed by GeneSpring ® software and validated by Northern analysis. Results : We found 92 genes over-expressed ≥2-fold at one or more time points following bile duct ligation. Functional classification of these genes revealed the activation of three main biological processes in a sequential and time-restricted fashion. At day 1, genes involved in sterol metabolism were uniquely over-expressed, including HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis. This was followed by an increased expression of growth-promoting genes at day 7, the time point coinciding with peak cholangiocyte proliferation. In later phases (days 14–21), the liver over-expressed genes encoding structural proteins and proteases. Conclusions : Transcriptional reprogramming in the liver following biliary obstruction favors the activation of genes regulating metabolism, cell proliferation, and matrix remodeling in a time-restricted and sequential fashion.
Clinic visits and prescribing patterns among veterans affairs maryland health care system dementia patients

Our objective was to determine how patient demographics and outpatient referrals to specialized dementia (DEM) or mental health (MH) clinics influence receipt of anti-dementia (AD), antidepressant (ADEP), antipsychotic (APSY) and sedative-hypnotic (SEDH) medications among veterans with dementia. Retrospective, cross-sectional observational study. Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS). Veterans aged ≥ 60 years with Alzheimer's or related dementia diagnosis after 1999 with minimum of one-year follow-up or death were included. Retrospective analysis of VAMHCS electronic medical records were used to determine predictors of AD, ADEP, APSY, and SEDH prescribing using logistic regression models that examined visits to DEM or MH clinics, patient age, follow-up time, race/ethnicity and marital status. Among 1209 veterans with average follow-up of 3.2 (SD 1.9) years, 36% percent had MH visits, 38% had DEM visits and 19% visited both clinics. DEM visits were associated with AD and ADEP but not APSY medication receipt (OR(AD:DEM) = 1.47, 95% CI = (1.052, 2.051); OR(ADEP:DEM) = 1.66, 95% CI = (1.193, 2.302); OR(APSY:DEM) = 1.35, 95% CI = (0.941, 1.929)). MH visit was associated with ADEP and APSY medication receipt (OR(AD:MH)/ = 1.16, 95% CI = (0.821, 1.631); OR(ADEP:MH) = 2.83, 95% CI = (2.005, 4.005); OR (APSY:MH) = 4.41, 95% CI = (3.109, 6.255)). In the VAMHCS dementia population, visits to DEM or MH specialty clinics increase the odds of receiving AD, ADEP, and APSY medications.
Typical symptoms are predictive of acute coronary syndromes in women

Methods and Results We directly observed 246 women and 276 men seen in the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of ACS and documented their symptoms verbatim. ACS was eventually diagnosed in 89 (36%) women and 124 (45%) men on the basis of standard electrocardiogram and cardiac enzyme criteria. Presence of typical symptoms (chest pain or discomfort, dyspnea, diaphoresis, and arm or shoulder pain) was significantly associated with a diagnosis of ACS in women but not in men. On the other hand, atypical symptoms were not related to ACS diagnosis in women, whereas in men some atypical symptoms (dizziness or faintness) were inversely associated with ACS (P = .007). In multivariate analysis, the only symptoms that showed significant or borderline associations with ACS in women were diaphoresis (P = .019) and chest pain or discomfort (P = .069). Chest pain or discomfort and other typical symptoms were not significantly associated with ACS in men. Adjusted relative risks for ACS associated with the presence of typical symptoms in women compared with men were close to 1.0, indicating no sex differences. Conclusions Typical symptoms are the strongest symptom predictors of ACS in women, and they are as important in women as in men. Clinicians need to take very seriously any woman who has typical symptoms and pursue a full cardiac work-up. (Am Heart J 2002;143:283-8.)
Medical Consultation for the Elderly Patient With Hip Fracture

Background: This article describes a family physician geriatrician9s perspective on the comprehensive management of hip fracture in frail elderly patients. Primary care physicians might be called upon to provide medical consultation for these patients. Methods: Guidelines were developed by a combination of personal experience in consulting for several hundred elderly patients with hip fracture at a large community hospital, literature review using the key words “hip fractures,” “aged,” and “aged, 80 and over,” and educational presentations for family practice residents. Results and Conclusions: Elderly patients with hip fracture offer a prime opportunity for comprehensive geriatric assessment. Intertrochanteric fractures are almost always treated with internal fixation, whereas femoral neck fractures can be treated by either fixation or by hemiarthroplasty. Hip fracture should be regarded as a surgical urgency, and generally operation should not be delayed, even if patients have serious comorbidity. The family physician can be instrumental in preparing the patient for surgery, preventing and treating complications, and assisting in the placement and rehabilitation of patients after hospital discharge.
NK-1 receptors modulate the excitability of ON cells in the rostral ventromedial medulla.

The role of neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) was studied using extracellular single-unit recording combined with microiontophoresis. In rats, on- and off-type...
Fatigue Issues of Polymeric Foam Sandwich Core Materials in Simple Shear

Obtaining the fatigue properties of sandwich core materials is a particularly difficult issue. This work evaluates the ASTM C 394 test procedure for determining the fatigue properties of core materials using compression-compression loading. The stress concentration at the ends of the specimen where the specimen meets the fixture has been suggested to lead to premature failures. A geometric optimization of specimen ends was attempted to minimize the effects of the stress concentration. This resulted in removing a circular arc of material from the specimen ends. While this allowed the stress concentration to be shifted away from the corner interface of the specimen and fixture, it did not seem to positively influence the fatigue life for the load levels tested. Fatigue results obtained using the compression-compression loading compared well with data obtained using other test methods, including four-point bending. This suggested that the current ASTM C 394 test standard, when used with compression-compressi...
Paroxetine as an in vivo indicator of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine neurotoxicity: a presynaptic serotonergic positron emission tomography ligand?

Abstract The present study sought to determine whether [3H]paroxetine, a potent and selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake in vitro, could be used to label the serotonin transporter in the rat brain in vivo such that it might be employed to develop a presynaptic serotonergic positron emission tomography ligand. Tritium labeled paroxetine was administered intravenously to rats by means of tail vein injection. Four hours later, specific [3H]paroxetine binding was determined by subtracting non-specific binding in the cerebellum from total binding in other brain regions of interest. The distribution of specific [3H]paroxetine binding paralleled the distribution of serotonin uptake sites in all brain regions examined. Pretreatment with serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (citalopram or sertraline) reduced in vivo specific [3H]paroxetine binding by as much as 99%. Specific in vivo [3H]paroxetine binding was further characterized through the use of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT), a known serotonergic neurotoxin. 5,7-DHT (200 μg, i.c.v.) caused a marked reduction in specific [3H]paroxetine binding, and induced a prolonged depletion of regional brain serotonin. In a final study, the feasibility of using in vivo [3H]paroxetine binding as an indicator of serotonergic damage induced by another neurotoxin (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) was tested. MDMA-treated rats showed a profound reduction in in vivo [3H]paroxetine binding, along with a lasting depletion of regional brain serotonin. These results demonstrate that [3H]paroxetine can be used to label serotonin uptake sites in rat rat brain in vivo, and that the damage induced by serotonergic neurotoxins can be detected using in vivo [3H]paroxetine binding as an indicator. Paroxetine (or one of its derivatives) therefore holds promise as a PET ligand for studying serotonergic neurons in the living human brain in health as well as after neurotoxic injury.
Stopping Cross Sections of Metals for Protons of Energies from 400 to 1000 kev

The stopping cross sections of manganese, copper, germanium, selenium, silver, tin, antimony, gold, lead, and bismuth are reported for protons in the energy range 400 to 1000 kev. The cross sections are roughly proportional to the square root of the atomic number of the stopping element and inversely proportional to the velocity of the incident protons. There is some evidence that the stopping cross section increases more rapidly than ${Z}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ as the various $p$ shells are filled.
The localization of hydrophilic sites within an osmium polypyridyl compound can produce a negative activation energy for emission decay

Abstract The temperature dependence of the emission lifetimes of two structural isomers of an osmium polypyridyl complex are reported. The compounds [Os(bpy) 2 (4,4 ′ -dcbpy)] ( 1 ) and [Os(bpy) 2 (3,5-dcbpy)] ( 2 ), where 4,4 ′ -dcbpy=4,4 ′ -dicarboxy-2,2 ′ -bipyridine and 3,5-dcbpy=3,5-dicarboxy-2,2 ′ -bipyridine, differ only in the placement of their two hydrophilic carboxylate groups within the unique bipyridine ligand. In argon-saturated water, the emission life-time of 1 decreases with increasing temperature and can be fit to the Arrhenius expression (k obs =k 0 exp (−E a /RT)) to give values of k 0 =(2.6±0.3)×10 8 s −1 and E a =+330±20 cm −1 . In contrast the emission of 2 measured in ethanol displays longer lifetimes at higher temperatures to give k 0 =(2.9±0.3)×10 6 s −1 and E a =−590±20 cm −1 . Thus, the specific localization of the hydrophilic carboxylate groups in these molecules significantly alters their photophysical properties and can produce negatively activated emission lifetimes.
Managed care and merger mania.

The ascendancy of managed care and the concomitant stampede to consolidation of health care organizations through mergers and acquisitions are transforming the body and soul of American medicine. Not long ago, insured patients could choose freely among available providers, physicians' decisions were rarely questioned by insurers, most physicians practiced solo or in small groups and were reimbursed fee-for-service, and most hospitals were stand-alone organizations reimbursed retrospectively according to their average costs. Today under managed care, purchasers selectively contract with providers, patients face financial penalties if they seek care "out of plan," fees and prices are negotiated in advance, physicians' decisions are subject to outside review and management, and providers often share in the insurance risk. Moreover, the locus of care has shifted dramatically toward consolidated organizations. What explains the triumph of managed care and consolidation over traditional modes of finance and organization? Will current trends continue, and if so,
Partial versus total splenectomy in children with hereditary spherocytosis.

Background Partial splenectomy is utilized selectively in children with hereditary spherocytosis (HS) to decrease hemolysis while maintaining immunity. Our aim was to compare outcomes between laparoscopic total splenectomy (LTS) and laparoscopic partial splenectomy (LPS). Methods After obtaining institutional review board approval, we reviewed the records for all children ≤18 years with HS undergoing LTS and LPS between 2002 and 2012. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used. Results Eighty-seven HS children underwent LTS ( n = 71) and LPS ( n = 16). Mean age was 7.1 ± 3.6 years (LTS) and 5.5 ± 2.8 years (LPS; P = .14). Concomitant cholecystectomy was performed in 32% of LTS and 38% of LPS cases. Operative time was 87 ± 33 minutes (LTS) and 140 ± 36 minutes (LPS; P = .0005). Duration of stay was 1.2 ± 0.5 days (LTS) and 2.4 ± 1.4 days (LPS; P = .003). Reticulocyte and hemoglobin levels improved after both operations. LPS children had lower preoperative (8.8 ± 1.9 vs 10.2 ± 1.7 g/dL; P = .0148) and postoperative (10.5 ± 1.7 vs 13.8 ± 1.1 g/dL; P Conclusion These data demonstrate that LPS decreases hemolysis, although LTS is more effective. LPS children had lower preoperative hemoglobin levels, indicating more severe hemolysis. LPS also has greater operative time and duration of stay, disadvantages balanced by retained immunity.
Effects of an intrathecal dopamine agonist, apomorphine, on thermal and chemical evoked noxious responses in rats

The thermal cutaneous evoked tail flick and hot plate nociceptive responses as well as the chemical visceral elicited acetic acid writhing response were determined in rats following lumbar intrathecal administration of the dopamine (DA) agonist apomorphine. Apomorphine failed to influence tail flick latency even at high doses (660 nmol). In contrast, intrathecal apomorphine (33-330 nmol) produced a dose-dependent increase of the hot plate and acetic acid writhing responses, which was antagonized by the prior intrathecal administration of cis-flupenthixol (a DA receptor antagonist). Intrathecal pretreatment with either trans-flupenthixol (the inactive stereoisomer of cis-flupenthixol), methysergide, phentolamine or naloxone did not antagonize the apomorphine-induced increase of hot plate response latency. Intrathecal apomorphine did produce an increase of tail flick latency following pretreatment with methysergide and phentolamine, however. Intraventricular administration of apomorphine (82.5-165 nmol) had no influence on either tail flick or hot plate response latencies. The present data provide evidence for the modulatory role of apomorphine on spinal afferent sensory functions. It is suggested that a spinal DA receptor population has an inhibitory effect on noxious input to the spinal cord.
The Prevention of Cancer

1. The major causes of cancer are as follows: (a) Smoking: about a third of U.S. cancer (90% of lung cancer). (b) Dietary imbalances, e.g., lack of dietary fruits and vegetables: The quarter of the population eating the least fruits and vegetables has double the cancer rate for most types of cancer compared to the quarter eating the most; micronutrients may account for much of the protective effect of fruits and vegetables. Excess calories may also contribute to cancer. (c) Chronic infections: mostly in developing countries. (d) Hormonal factors influenced by life-style. 2. There is no epidemic of cancer, except for lung cancer due to smoking. Cancer mortality rates have declined 16% since 1950 (excluding lung cancer and adjusted for the increased life span of the population). 3. Regulatory policy that is focused on traces of synthetic chemicals is based on misconceptions about animal cancer tests. Recent research contradicts these ideas: (a) Rodent carcinogens are not rare. Half of all chemicals tested in standard high-dose animal cancer tests, whether occurring naturally or produced synthetically, are "carcinogens." (b) There are high-dose effects in these rodent cancer tests that are not relevant to low-dose human exposures and which can explain the high proportion of carcinogens. (c) Though 99.9% of the chemicals humans ingest are natural, the focus of regulatory policy is on synthetic chemicals. Over 1000 chemicals have been described in coffee: 27 have been tested and 19 are rodent carcinogens. Plants that we eat contain thousands of natural pesticides which protect plants from insects and other predators: 64 have been tested and 35 are rodent carcinogens. 4. There is no convincing evidence that synthetic chemical pollutants are important for human cancer. Regulations that try to eliminate minuscule levels of synthetic chemicals are enormously expensive: EPA estimates that total expenditures on environmental regulations cost $140 billion/year. It has been estimated by others that the United States spends 100 times more to prevent one hypothetical, highly uncertain death from a synthetic chemical than it spends to save a life by medical intervention. Attempting to reduce tiny hypothetical risks also has costs; for example, if reducing synthetic pesticides makes fruits and vegetables more expensive, thereby decreasing consumption, then cancer will be increased. 5. Improved health will come from knowledge due to biomedical research and from life-style changes by individuals. Little money is spent on biomedical research or on educating the public about lifestyle hazards, compared to the cost of regulations.
Revascularisation de l'artère sous-clavière : analyse des résultats en fonction du mode de traitement et de la symptomatologie

Le traitement des lesions occlusives atherosclereuses de l'artere sous-claviere est en train de passer de la chirurgie conventionnelle au traitement endoluminal. Le but de ce travail est d'etudier les changements de presentation et d'evolution clinique bases sur les symptomes de la revascularisation de l'artere sous-claviere. Nous avons realise une analyse retrospective des malades consecutifs traites pour des lesions occlusives atherosclereuses symptomatiques de l'artere sous-claviere de 1992 a 2006. Le suivi moyen etait de quatre ans. Cent quatorze malades d'un âge moyen de 63 ans (extremes 33 et 89 ans, 61% de femmes) ont eu 137 procedures. Parmi eux, 89% avaient une hypertension arterielle, 32% etaient diabetiques, 69% avaient une hyperlipidemie et 13% avaient une insuffisance renale chronique. Soixante-sept tentatives de mise en place de stents (5 echecs techniques) et 70 interventions chirurgicales (64 pontages carotido-sous-claviers, 10 transpositions sous-clavieres) ont ete realisees. Aucun deces n'est survenu dans la periode de 30 jours post-operatoire. Cinquante-sept pour cent des malades presentaient des symptomes d'ischemie du membre superieur : douleurs a l'effort (84%), douleurs de repos (12%) et ulcerations (4%). La permeabilite primaire assistee etait de 81 ± 7% et 80 ± 10% respectivement a 5 et 10 ans. Les symptomes ont disparu chez tous les malades et aucun n'a necessite d'amputation majeure ou mineure. L'indemnite de recidive des symptomes du membre superieur etait de 71 ± 8% et 71 ± 10% respectivement a 5 et 10 ans. Vingt-cinq pour cent des malades se presentaient avec une indication cardiaque : preparation pour un pontage a l'aide de l'artere mammaire interne (AMI) gauche chez 61% et ischemie cardiaque recidivante chez les autres. La permeabilite primaire assistee etait de 97 ± 6% a 5 ans. Aucune AMI n'a ete abandonnee dans ce groupe et l'indemnite de symptomes cardiaques recidivants en rapport avec la distribution de l'AMI etait de 79 ± 10% a 5 ans. Dix-huit pour cent des malades se presentaient avec des symptomes au niveau de la circulation posterieure secondaire a une insuffisance vertebro-basilaire. La permeabilite primaire associee etait de 100 ± 0% et 100 ± 0% a respectivement 5 et 10 ans. L'indemnite de recidive de symptomes vertebro-basilaires etait de 95 ± 6% et 95 ± 10% respectivement a 5 et 10 ans. La revascularisation de l'artere sous-claviere est sure et efficace mais les resultats a long terme sont determines par la symptomatologie initiale.
Regional Efficiency in the Manufacturing Sector: Integrated Shift-Share and Data Envelopment Analysis

In this article, the authors propose an approach to investigate regional economic structure, sectoral productivity, and relative efficiency by using a modified shift-share model and data envelopmen...
Privacy concerns of patients and nurse practitioners in primary care--an APRNet study.

Purpose This study explores and compares the privacy concerns of primary care nurse practitioners (NPs) and their patients. Data sources Privacy concerns were identified in separate focus groups of NPs and patients, and then parallel survey instruments were designed and administered to 27 NPs and 185 of their patients. All subjects were recruited through APRNet, a regional practice-based research network of NPs in southern New England encompassing 58 practices. Conclusions Both groups demonstrated high levels of concern regarding privacy. While NPs and patients had similar levels of concern about most issues, there were some notable differences regarding breeches because of carelessness, disclosures for research, and which disorders require the most care in maintaining privacy. Implications for practice These results allow NPs to anticipate patient privacy concerns and to enhance trust in the clinical relationship. These results also indicate the need to educate patients regarding privacy rights and expectations.
Rates and Characteristics of Sleep Paralysis in the General Population of Denmark and Egypt

In the current research we report data from two studies that examined rates and characteristics of sleep paralysis (SP) in the general population of Denmark and Egypt. In Study I, individuals from Denmark and Egypt did not differ in age whereas there were more males in the Egyptian sample (47 vs. 64 %); in Study II, individuals from Denmark and Egypt were comparable in terms of age and gender distribution. In Study I we found that significantly fewer individuals had experienced SP in Denmark [25 % (56/223)] than in Egypt [44 % (207/470)] p < .001. In Study II we found that individuals who had experienced at least one lifetime episode of SP from Denmark (n = 58) as compared to those from Egypt (n = 143) reported significantly fewer SP episodes in a lifetime relative to SP experiencers from Egypt (M = 6.0 vs. M = 19.4, p < .001). SP in the Egyptian sample was characterized by high rates of SP (as compared to in Denmark), frequent occurrences (three times that in the Denmark sample), prolonged immobility during SP, and great fear of dying from the experience. In addition, in Egypt, believing SP to be precipitated by the supernatural was associated with fear of the experience and longer SP immobility. Findings are discussed in the context of cultural elaboration and salience theories of SP.
On Darboux points of real functions

The nature and relationship of the sets of Darboux points and continuity points of real function are studied.
CONDITIONS FOR THE EXISTENCE OF A MIXED SUPERCONDUCTING AND EXCITONIC PHASE IN SEMI-METALS.

Abstract In this letter we have found the conditions under which a semi-metal can have a mixed superconducting and excitonic phase.
Association study of CYP17 and HSD11B1 in polycystic ovary syndrome utilizing comprehensive gene coverage.

Cytochrome P450-C17 enzyme (CYP17) is an important component of the androgen synthesis pathway, a pathway that is dysfunctional in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Variation in 11-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD11B1) is associated with cor- tisone reductase deficiency, a condition with a phenotype similar to PCOS. Both CYP17 and HSD11B1 genes have been previously studied for their possible relationship with PCOS, yielding inconsistent results. In this study, we evaluated the association between variation in these genes and PCOS. Two-hundred and eighty-seven Caucasian PCOS women and 187 Caucasian controls were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were specifically chosen to allow full coverage of CYP17 and HSD11B1, including four SNPs in CYP17 and eight SNPs in HSD11B1. SNP and haplotype association analyses were conducted. Our results indicate that variants in the two genes are not associated with PCOS, or with the quantitative traits characteristic of PCOS, suggesting that these genes are not major risk factors for the syndrome.