cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coprescribing of Benzodiazepines and Opioids in Older Adults: Rates, Correlates, and National Trends.

BACKGROUND To estimate prescribing trends of and correlates independently associated with coprescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids among adults aged 65 years or older in office-based outpatient visits. METHODS I examined a nationally representative sample of office-based physician visits by older adults between 2006 and 2015 (n = 109,149 unweighted) using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (NAMCS). National rates and prescribing trends were estimated. Then, I used multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with coprescriptions of benzodiazepines and opioids. RESULTS From 2006 to 2015, 15,954 (14.6%) out of 109,149 visits, representative of 39.3 million visits nationally, listed benzodiazepine, opioid, or both medications prescribed. The rate of prescription benzodiazepines only increased monotonically from 4.8% in 2006-2007 to 6.2% in 2014-2015 (p < .001), and the rate of prescription opioids only increased monotonically from 5.9% in 2006-2007 to 10.0% in 2014-2015 (p < .001). The coprescribing rate of benzodiazepines and opioids increased over time from 1.1% in 2006-2007 to 2.7% in 2014-2015 (p < .001). Correlates independently associated with a higher likelihood of both benzodiazepine and opioid prescriptions included: female sex, a visit for chronic care, receipt of six or more concomitantly prescribed medications, and clinical diagnoses of anxiety and pain (p < .01 for all). CONCLUSION The coprescribing rate of benzodiazepines and opioids increased monotonically over time in outpatient care settings. Because couse of benzodiazepines and opioids is associated with medication burdens and potential harms, future research is needed to address medication safety in these vulnerable populations.
Applying molecular epidemiology in pediatric leukemia

Molecular epidemiology is the study of genetic and environmental risk for disease, with much effort centered on cancer. Childhood leukemia occurs in nearly a third of all patients newly diagnosed with pediatric cancer. only a small percentage of these new cases of childhood leukemia are associated with high penetrant hereditary cancer syndromes. Childhood leukemia, especially acute lymphoblastic leukemia, has been associated with a dysregulated immune system due to delayed infectious exposure at a young age. Identical twins with childhood leukemia suggest that acute lymphoblastic leukemia begins in utero and that the concordant presentation is due to a shared preleukemia subclone via placental transfer. Investigation of single nucleotide polymorphisms within candidate genes find that leukemia risk may be attributed to population-based polymorphisms affecting folate metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism, DNA repair, immunity, and B-cell development. More recently, genome-wide association studies for leukemia risk has led investigators to genes associated with B-cell development. When describing leukemia predisposition due to hereditary cancer syndromes, the following 6 categories become apparent on the basis of biology and clinical presentation: (1) genetic instability/DNA repair syndromes, (2) cell cycle/differentiation syndromes, (3) bone marrow failure syndromes, (4) telomere maintenance syndromes, (5) immunodeficiency syndromes, and (6) transcription factor syndromes and pure familial leukemia. understanding the molecular epidemiology of childhood leukemia can affect the treatment and tumor surveillance strategies for these high risk patients and their family members.
Racial Discrimination and Psychological Distress among African American Adolescents: Investigating the Social Support Deterioration Model

Despite ample evidence of the negative effects of racial discrimination on African American adolescents’ psychological well-being, less is known about the role of social support as a mechanistic pathway. The purpose of this study was to understand whether lower levels of family social support explained the link between racial discrimination and psychological distress by testing the social support deterioration model. A sample of 401 African American adolescents from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods was used for this study. Adolescents self-reported on whether they experienced racial discrimination or worried about racial discrimination across several contexts; their receipt of social support from their family; and measures of psychological distress. Adolescents experiencing or worrying about racial discrimination in one to three contexts reported lower levels of family social support relative to adolescents not experiencing or worrying about racial discrimination experiences in any context, and in turn associated with higher levels of psychological distress. In contrast, relative to adolescents reporting no racial discrimination experiences or worries, family social support was not a significant mediator for adolescents experiencing or worrying about racial discrimination in more than four contexts. These findings suggest that the path by which racial discrimination is linked to psychological distress varies by the number of contexts by which adolescents experience or worry about racial discrimination. Adolescents experiencing fewer instances of racial discrimination may not receive or perceive the familial support they need to combat the negative mental health effects of racial discrimination.
Improving branching fraction calibration methods: The optical to ultraviolet bridge

Abstract Herein we report new measurements of key Ar ii branching ratios (BRs) that span the optical to ultraviolet (UV) wavelength region. Our new measurements are the first to use a standard detector, a NIST calibrated Si photodiode, instead of standard sources. The use of a NIST calibrated Si photodiode requires a stable source with sufficient output to yield power measurements with a good signal-to-noise ratio from the NIST calibrated Si photodiode after filters are used to isolate wavelength regions from the source. In this work we used a Hg pen lamp which has good stability, but is a line source instead of a continuum source. The Hg i lines fell near the Ar ii lines of interest and were easy to isolate using filters. A complete calibration of the filter transmission as a function of wavelength is not necessary when a line source is used. The selected Ar ii BRs are the best for testing and/or improving a bridge between an optical calibration based on a tungsten standard lamp and an UV calibration based on a deuterium lamp.
Initial Observations With Electronic and Mechanical Scans Using a Cylindrical Polarimetric Phased Array Radar

This letter presents initial weather measurements with a cylindrical polarimetric phased array radar (CPPAR) demonstrator developed at The University of Oklahoma. The overall system specifications, waveform design, beam pattern measurement, and beam-to-beam calibration of the CPPAR demonstrator are presented. The weather observations of convective precipitation are provided, employing a single-beam mechanical scan and commutating beam electronic scan. Measurement results from these two scan modes are compared, and the error statistics are derived and discussed. A new feature of the CPPAR commutating beam electronic scan in clutter detection is observed and explained.
The precedence effect: Is it the same for interaural time and interaural level differences?

Until recently, it was believed that the precedence effect operated for both interaural time and interaural level differences (ITDs and ILDs). Stecker and Brown (2010) demonstrated the absence of precedence effects for ILDs under conditions producing strong effects for ITDs. In order to provide a quantitative measure of the precedence effect, echo weights were measured using a correlational analysis as a function of echo delay for both ITDs and ILDs in 14 individuals for judgments based on binaural cues presented by the echo pulse. Stimuli were pairs of 3000-Hz 4-ms Gaussian pulses presented with echo delays between 4 and 96 ms. Echo weights at short echo delays (4 ms) were significantly higher for ILDs (M = 0.445) than ITDs (M = 0.196). Additional data were collected for conditions in which an ITD followed an ILD versus an ILD followed an ITD. Performance was far superior at short echo delays for ILDs following ITDs, with the leading ITD barely exerting any influence on subsequent processing of ILDs. We speculate that the mechanism by which ILDs are extracted (integration of sound pressure over time) makes later non-zero ILDs informative whereas later arriving ITDs provide little information about the location of sound sources.
Modified Voltage Controlled-Virtual Synchronous Machine Controller in the application of Parallel Connected Grid-Forming Inverters

Renewable Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are on track to dominate in near future, mitigating the ever-growing energy demand. DERs mostly interact with the grid through power electronic converters, whereas traditional power grid’s power operations are controlled by Synchronous Machines (SMs). With more DERs coming into the picture and contributing an increasing portion of power flow, the power control architecture of the grid must be revisited. There are many benefits of using a Voltage Controlled-Virtual Synchronous Machine (VC-VISMA) controller, such as communication-less cooperation between power sources achieving tight regulation of grid voltage and frequency. But a major disadvantage of this controller is it cannot operate under conditions where the central grid is absent, such as black-start. In this paper, a modified VC-VISMA or Dropped VISMA (DVSM) is proposed aiming to control voltage and frequency even under black start. The performance of this modified controller is validated in MATLAB/Simulink.
The World as Metaphor in Robert Musil's The Man without Qualities: Possibility as Reality

Robert Musil, known to be a scientific and philosophical thinker, was committed to aesthetics as a process of experimental creation of an ever-shifting reality. Musil wanted, above all, to be a creative writer, and obsessively engaged in almost endless deferral via variations and metaphoric possibilities in his novel project, 'The Man without Qualities.' This lifelong process of writing is embodied in the unfinished novel by a recurring metaphor of self-generating de-centered circle worlds. The present study analyzes this structure with reference to Musil's concepts of the utopia of the Other Condition, Living and Dead Words, Specific and Non-Specific Emotions, Word Magic, and the Still Life. In contrast to most recent studies of Musil, it concludes that the extratemporal metaphoric experience of the Other Condition does not fail, but rather constitutes the formal and ethical core of Musil's novel. The first study to utilize the newly published Klagenfurt Edition of Musil's literary remains (a searchable annotated text), 'The World as Metaphor' offers a close reading of variations and text genesis, shedding light not only on Musil's novel, but also on larger questions about the modernist artist's role and responsibility in consciously re-creating the world. Genese Grill holds a PhD in Germanic Literatures and Languages from the Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New York.
Accuracy of enhanced and unenhanced MRI in diagnosing scaphoid proximal pole avascular necrosis and predicting surgical outcome

Determine the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of unenhanced and enhanced MRI in diagnosing scaphoid proximal pole (PP) avascular necrosis (AVN) and correlate whether MRI can help guide the selection of a vascularized or nonvascularized bone graft. The study was approved by the IRB. Two MSK radiologists independently performed a retrospective review of unenhanced and enhanced MRIs from 18 patients (16 males, 2 females; median age, 17.5 years) with scaphoid nonunions and surgery performed within 65 days of the MRI. AVN was diagnosed on the unenhanced MRI when a diffusely decreased T1-W signal was present in the PP and on the enhanced MRI when PP enhancement was less than distal pole enhancement. Surgical absence of PP bleeding was diagnostic of PP AVN. Postoperative osseous union (OU) was assessed with computed tomography and/or radiographs. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for PP AVN were 71, 82 and 78 % for unenhanced and 43, 82 and 67 % for enhanced MRI. Patients with PP AVN on unenhanced MRI had 86 % (6/7) OU; 100 % (5/5) OU with vascularized bone grafts and 50 % (1/2) OU with nonvascularized grafts. Patients with PP AVN on enhanced MRI had 80 % (4/5) OU; 100 % (3/3) OU with vascularized bone grafts and 50 % (1/2) OU with nonvascularized grafts. Patients with viable PP on unenhanced and enhanced MRI had 91 % (10/11) and 92 % (12/13) OU, respectively, all but one with nonvascularized graft. When PP AVN is evident on MRI, OU is best achieved with vascularized grafts. If PP AVN is absent, OU is successful with nonvascularized grafts.
Chemical sensors based on quantum cascade lasers

Quantum cascade lasers operating in the 3.5 to 24 micron spectral range can be used for trace gas detection in ambient air based on absorption spectroscopy. Recent advances in spectroscopic detection techniques have been employed to achieve minimum detectable absorption coefficients of 10/sup -9/ cm/sup -1/ in several real world applications.
Phototrophs in High-Iron-Concentration Microbial Mats: Physiological Ecology of Phototrophs in an Iron-Depositing Hot Spring

At Chocolate Pots Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park the source waters have a pH near neutral, contain high concentrations of reduced iron, and lack sulfide. An iron formation that is associated with cyanobacterial mats is actively deposited. The uptake of [(14)C]bicarbonate was used to assess the impact of ferrous iron on photosynthesis in this environment. Photoautotrophy in some of the mats was stimulated by ferrous iron (1.0 mM). Microelectrodes were used to determine the impact of photosynthetic activity on the oxygen content and the pH in the mat and sediment microenvironments. Photosynthesis increased the oxygen concentration to 200% of air saturation levels in the top millimeter of the mats. The oxygen concentration decreased with depth and in the dark. Light-dependent increases in pH were observed. The penetration of light in the mats and in the sediments was determined. Visible radiation was rapidly attenuated in the top 2 mm of the iron-rich mats. Near-infrared radiation penetrated deeper. Iron was totally oxidized in the top few millimeters, but reduced iron was detected at greater depths. By increasing the pH and the oxygen concentration in the surface sediments, the cyanobacteria could potentially increase the rate of iron oxidation in situ. This high-iron-content hot spring provides a suitable model for studying the interactions of microbial photosynthesis and iron deposition and the role of photosynthesis in microbial iron cycling. This model may help clarify the potential role of photosynthesis in the deposition of Precambrian banded iron formations.
Evaluation of a Rapid PCR-Based Method for the Detection of Animal Material

A rapid PCR-based analytical method for detection of animal-derived materials in complete feed was developed. Using a commercially available DNA forensic kit for the extraction of DNA from animal feed, a sensitive method was developed that was capable of detecting as little as 0.03% bovine meat and bone meal in complete feed in under 8 h of total assay time. The reduction in assay time was accomplished by reducing the DNA extraction time to 2 h and using the simpler cleanup procedure of the kit. Assay sensitivity can be increased to 0.006% by increasing the DNA extraction time to an overnight incubation of approximately 16 h. Examination of dairy feed samples containing either bovine meat and bone meal, porcine meat and bone meal, or lamb meal at a level of 0.1% (wt/wt basis) suggested that this method may be suitable for regulatory uses. The adoption of this commercially available kit for use with animal feeds yields an assay that is quicker and simpler to perform than a previously validated assay for the detection of animal proteins in animal feed.
Cost analysis of nursing home registered nurse staffing times.

Objectives: To examine potential cost savings from decreased adverse resident outcomes versus additional wages of nurses when nursing homes have adequate staffing. Design: A retrospective cost study using differences in adverse outcome rates of pressure ulcers (PUs), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and hospitalizations per resident per day from low staffing and adequate staffing nursing homes. Cost savings from reductions in these events are calculated in dollars and compared with costs of increasing nurse staffing. Setting: Eighty-two nursing homes throughout the United States. Participants: One thousand three hundred seventy-six frail elderly long-term care residents at risk of PU development. Measurements: Event rates are from the National Pressure Ulcer Long-Term Care Study. Hospital costs are estimated from Medicare statistics and from charges in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. UTI costs and PU costs are from cost-identification studies. Time horizon is 1 year; perspectives are societal and institutional. Results: Analyses showed an annual net societal benefit of $3,191 per resident per year in a high-risk, long-stay nursing home unit that employs sufficient nurses to achieve 30 to 40 minutes of registered nurse direct care time per resident per day versus nursing homes that have nursing time of less than 10 minutes. Sensitivity analyses revealed a robust set of estimates, with no single or paired elements reaching the cost/benefit equality threshold. Conclusion: Increasing nurse staffing in nursing homes may create significant societal cost savings from reduction in adverse outcomes. Challenges in increasing nurse staffing are discussed.
A multigrid approach to the Gibbsian classification of mammograms

Both formal and informal locally-adaptive cooling schedules have been suggested to improve the convergence rate of Gibbs (and Gibbs-like) classification algorithms. One strategy involves maintaining a global cooling schedule/visiting schedule which is turned on or off (or forcing extremal temperature values) at a site depending on the interiteration behaviour of the classifier. This (0,1)-valued behaviour of the cooling schedule is parameterized relative to the site. We give a preliminary discussion of a method of assigning such parameters based on a multigrid decomposition of the image. The application domain is mammography.
Physical recovery in Arthroscopic knee surgery: unique contributions of coping behaviors to clinical outcomes and stress reactivity

Few studies have examined whether certain coping behaviors are associated with physical outcomes following surgery. This prospective, longitudinal study investigated the effect of active and avoidant coping behaviors on two physical outcomes over time, pain and knee function, in a group of patients experiencing knee arthroscopic surgery (n = 81). Structured interviews and physician clinical assessments were conducted preoperatively and at 3 and 24 weeks postoperatively. Coping behavior was assessed during the preoperative interview, and patients were divided into high and low avoidant and active coping groups. Using repeated measures MANCOVA/ANCOVA, avoidant coping was significantly associated with knee pain and active coping was associated with knee function. Serum cortisol levels were available for a patient subset (n = 16); higher cortisol was related to both avoidant coping and poorer functioning during early recovery. Results suggest that these divergent coping behaviors are differentially associated...
Factors related to decision making and substance use in adolescent survivors of childhood cancer: a presenting clinical profile

Background Adolescent survivors of childhood cancer are more vulnerable to the consequences of health risk behaviors because of the late effects of their disease and its treatment. Decision making related to risk behaviors is important as they have reached an age during which initiation of substance use risk behavior is common.
User-centered design in the enterprise

While some major corporations are now establishing centers of excellence for UCD, other organizations treat it is as a relative unknown---one which still requires careful nurturing.
Hierarchical Bayesian modeling of marked non-homogeneous Poisson processes with finite mixtures and inclusion of covariate information

We investigate marked non-homogeneous Poisson processes using finite mixtures of bivariate normal components to model the spatial intensity function. We employ a Bayesian hierarchical framework for estimation of the parameters in the model, and propose an approach for including covariate information in this context. The methodology is exemplified through an application involving modeling of and inference for tornado occurrences.
Understanding consumer interest in product and process‐based attributes for fresh produce

The choices consumers make about fresh produce, such as where it is purchased and what they are willing to pay, are likely influenced by a range of private and public attributes. This study uses factor and cluster analysis techniques to explore the preferences of consumers who responded to a 2006 national survey to determine the dimensions over which consumers make purchasing decisions and to identify key market segments. Analysis is based on a variety of survey questions relating to preferences for various fresh produce traits and process attributes, as well as willingness to pay for a subset of these attributes. We find that although there is only a small degree of correlation between tested variables, four consumer clusters can be identified as market segments: Urban, Assurance Seekers, Price Conscious Consumers, Quality and Safety Consumers, and Personal Value Buyers. Each cluster values both private and public attributes, though with differing intensities and focus. [EconLit citations: Q130, D120]. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How do T-cell receptors, MHC molecules and superantigens get together?

Abstract The current model of superantigen activity assumes that the superantigen simultaneously binds to both the MHC molecule on the presenting cell and the V β element of the TCR, resulting in crosslinking of both molecules and subsequent activation of the T cell. Here, David Woodland and Marcia Blackman discuss the concept that there is an additional interaction between the TCR and MHC molecule during superantigen engagement and the significant impact this has on superantigen specificity and function.
Silicic acid biogeochemistry in the Gulf of California

Silicon is an essential nutrient for the growth of siliceous phytoplankton, which accounts for a significant amount of marine primary production. Constraints on silicic acid limit primary production and carbon export, so biogeochemical silicon cycling influences the carbon cycle and climate. Silicon cycling has been studied mostly in iron-limited regions of the ocean, and not much is known about the effects of iron availability on silicon cycling in coastal upwelling systems. Pichevin et al. investigated nutrient profiles and sedimentary records from the Gulf of California, which is not limited by iron year-round. They found that iron limitation even in this type of setting is an important factor in silicon cycling in coastal upwelling regions. (Paleoceanography, doi:10.1029/2011PA002237, 2012)
Observational learning of modeled responses under shock-avoidance conditions as a function of attitude similarity and attraction toward the model

Ss differing in the degree to which they were led to believe that a stranger’s attitudes were similar to their own observed the stranger (a confederate) in a verbal learning situation in which shock was supposedly administered for incorrect responses. The confederate’s performance was programmed so as to be the same for all Ss. Ss in the high-similarity condition, while manifesting greater attraction toward the model, showed significantly less observational learning than did low-similarity Ss. While tending to rate the shock supposedly experienced by the model as being more painful, high-similarity Ss did not rate themselves as having experienced more distress in seeing the model shocked.
Almost-optimum speed-ups of algorithms for bipartite matching and related problems

We present algorithms for matching and related problems that run on an EREW PRAM with p processors. Given is a bipartite graph G with n vertices, m edges, and integral edge costs at most N in magnitude. We give an algorithm for the assignment problem (minimum cost perfect bipartite matching) that runs in O(√nm log (nN)(log(2p))/p) time and O(m) space, for p ≤ m/(√nlog2n). For p = 1 this improves the best known sequential algorithm, and is within a factor of log (nN) of the best known bound for the problem without costs (maximum cardinality matching). For p > 1 the time is within a factor of log p of optimum speed-up. Extensions include an algorithm for maximum cardinality bipartite matching with slightly better processor bounds, and similar results for bipartite degree-constrained subgraph problems (with and without costs). Our ideas also extend to general graph matching problems.
First Report of a Bulb Decay of Onion by Enterobacter cloacae in Colorado.

Sweet Spanish onion cultivars (Allium cepa L.) in northern Colorado displayed symptoms of postharvest bulb rot during September to November of 1999. This disease appears identical to that reported from infected onions in California in 1988 and is presumably associated with high temperature stress (1). Mature, firm bulbs harvested from scattered fields in Weld County exhibited a brownish discoloration and breakdown of inner scales. Gram negative, rod-shaped, cream-colored bacteria were consistently recovered from infected bulb tissue on nutrient agar. Physiological tests showed that the bacteria utilized glucose in an oxidative and fermentative manner and were catalase positive and oxidase negative. A representative strain was identified by Microbe Inotech Laboratories (St. Louis, MO) as Enterobacter cloacae (Jordan) Hormaeche & Edwards (2) using Biolog analysis, with a similarity index of 0.81. To confirm pathogenicity, a 0.5- to 1.0-ml suspension of bacteria (108 CFU/ml sdw) was injected into firm onion bulbs (7.5 to 10.0 cm diameter). After incubation for 14 days at 22°C in closed plastic bags in the dark, bulbs were cut in half and evaluated. Tan to brown discoloration and initial dry rot, similar to that observed postharvest, was observed in inoculated bulbs. The pathogen was reisolated from six of eight bulbs inoculated with the representative strain. No discoloration or disease developed on eight control bulbs injected with water. To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. cloacae from onion grown in Colorado. References: (1) A. L. Bishop and R. M. Davis. Plant Dis. 74:692, 1990. (2) Hormaeche and Edwards. Int. J. System. Bacteriol. 30:293, 1960.
Isolation of α-melanotropin from the pars intermedia of the larval amphibian, Ambystoma tigrinum

The effect of background adaptation on the steady-state levels of alpha-melanotropin in the pars intermedia of the larval amphibian. Ambystoma tigrinum, was investigated. Acid extracts of pars intermedia obtained from light-adapted and dark-adapted animals were analyzed by radioimmunoassay following Sephadex gel filtration chromatography, reverse-phase HPLC, and Sulfopropyl Sephadex cation-ion-exchange chromatography. For both background adaptation conditions similar results were obtained. The major form of alpha-melanotropin present in the pars intermedia has the following properties: (1) an apparent molecular mass of 1.5 kDa; (2) a net charge at pH 3.5 of +4; and (3) a retention time following reverse-phase HPLC similar to that of synthetic ACTH(1-13)amide. In dark-adapted animals a minor form of alpha-melanotropin which has a net charge of +3 at pH 3.5 was also detected. The latter form represented approximately 10% of the total alpha-melanotropin immunoreactivity in the pars intermedia of dark-adapted animals. These results strongly suggest that the predominant form of alpha-melanotropin in the pars intermedia of larval A. tigrinum is a nonacetylated ACTH(1-13)amide-like polypeptide.
Protestant ethic endorsement and the fairness of equity inputs

Abstract Two studies are reported which show how endorsement of the Protestant ethic is related to the perceived fairness of using various equity inputs. In Experiment 1, male undergraduates scoring high and low on the Protestant Ethic (PE) Scale made salary decisions for hypothetical workers who differed with respect to their performance quantity and duration. High PEs paid workers in proportion to their total productivity by taking into account both quantity and duration. However, low PEs ignored differences in quantity by paying workers the same amount, but did pay in proportion to duration. In the follow-up study, high PEs reported that it is fairer to base reward on performance when differences are attributable to internal causes than external causes, while the reverse was found for low PEs.
The Meteoritical Bulletin, No. 82, 1998 July

Abstract— Meteoritical Bulletin No. 82 lists information for 974 new meteorites, including 521 finds from Antarctica, 401 finds from the Sahara, 21 finds from the Nullarbor region of Australia, and 7 falls (Ban Rong Du, Burnwell, Fermo, Jalanash, Juancheng, Monahans (1998), and Silao). Many rare types of meteorites are reported: counting pairing groups as one, these include one CR chondrite, two CK chondrites, two CO chondrites, four CV chondrites, one CH chondrite or Bencubbin-like, six C2 (unclassified) chondrites, two EH chondrites, two EL chondrites, three R chondrites, thirty unequilibrated ordinary chondrites, one un-grouped chondrite, three eucrites, six howardites, one diogenite, eleven ureilites, nine iron meteorites, one mesosiderite, two brachinites, one lodranite, one winonaite, and two lunar meteorites (Dar al Gani 400 and EET 96008). All italicized abbreviations refer to addresses tabulated at the end of this document.
Constrained model-predictive thermal dose control for MRI-guided ultrasound thermal treatments

Ultrahigh resolution OCT using broadband light sources achieves improved axial image resolutions of ~2-3 um compared to standard 10 um resolution OCT used in current commercial instruments. High-speed OCT using Fourier/spectral domain detection enables dramatic increases in imaging speeds. 3D OCT retinal imaging is performed in human subjects using high-speed, ultrahigh resolution OCT, and the concept of an OCT fundus image is introduced. Three-dimensional data and high quality cross-sectional images of retinal pathologies are presented. These results show that 3D OCT may be used to improve coverage of the retina, precision of cross-sectional image registration, quality of cross-sectional images, and visualization of subtle changes in retinal topography. 3D OCT imaging and mapping promise to help elucidate the structural changes associated with retinal disease as well as to improve early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment.
New estimators of discriminant coefficients as the gradient of log-odds

We consider the problem of estimating the discriminant coefficients, = ~'~--1(0(1) -- 8 (2)) based on two independent normal samples from Np(O (*), ~) and Np(0 (2), ~E). We are concerned with the estimation of rl as the gradient of log-odds between two extreme situations. A decision theoretic approach is taken with the quadratic loss function. We derive the unbiased estimator of the essential part of the risk which is applicable for general estimators. We propose two types of new estimators and prove their dominance over the traditional estimator using this unbiased estimator.
An automatic neuron reconstruction system

Abstract Most contemporary neuron tracing systems are semi-automatic; that is, an operator follows neuron branches in a microscope or on a data tablet and instructs a computer when to record a spatial sample. A list of such samples is then used to generate a display of the neuron and to summarize statistically its structure. The tracing is tedious, and the operator must make subjective decisions about point types, thus biasing the results. A fully automatic system in which the computer views the image through a television digitizing system has been constructed. The computer follows the fibers and recognizes branchpoints and fiber endings. The coordinates, types of points, and fiber diameters are recorded in computer memory. An operator is required only to start the tracing of a fiber and to help the computer when it becomes “confused”. The results are mixed. The computer can follow fibers quite successfully and can determine branches and endings with some success, but the procedure is an order of magnitude more slow than that of a skilled operator using a well-designed semi-automatic system.
Conversion of type II procollagen to collagen in Vitro: Removal of the carboxy-terminal extension is inhibited by several naturally occurring amino acids, polyamines, and structurally related compounds

Abstract Chick embryo sterna, which actively synthesize type II procollagen, were pulse-labeled with radioactive proline; protein synthesis was then inhibited by unlabeled proline and cycloheximide. After the inhibition of protein synthesis, several amino acids, polyamines, or structurally related compounds were added to the incubation medium. The conversion of procollagen, first to two intermediates, pC-collagen and pN-collagen, and then to collagen, was monitored by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis. The addition of 50 m m β-alanine, arginine, asparagine, glutamine, hydroxylysine, lysine, or ornithine, as well as agmatine, ϵ-aminocaproic acid, S-2-aminoethylcysteine, cadaverine, canavanine, putrescine, or spermine clearly inhibited the removal of the carboxy-terminal extension and pC-collagen accumulated; the removal of the amino-terminal extension was not affected. The inhibition of the conversion was reversible and unaffected by fetal calf serum. The results suggest that the conversion of type II procollagen to collagen requires at least two separate proteinases for the removal of amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal extensions. The results further suggest that naturally occurring molecules may be used to modulate the rate of conversion of procollagen to collagen, and development of analogs of these compounds may provide the means to interfere with excessive deposition of collagen in diseases with tissue fibrosis.
LIQUID-EXCHANGE PROCESSING AND PROPERTIES OF SIC-AL COMPOSITES

In this paper we demonstrate a novel liquid-exchange process to replace a secondary silicon phase in reaction-bonded siliconized silicon carbides (RBSC’s) with a ductile metal reinforcement phase. When RBSC is exchanged with pure Al or Al–Si liquid, secondary phase silicon is dissolved and is substituted by Al or Al–Si alloy. The resulting composites show improvements in fracture toughness (single-edge precracked beam technique), with KIC value up to 8.6 MPa ?m1/2, compared to 3–4 MPa•m1/2 in otherwise similar siliconized silicon carbide. Increased fracture strength (four point flexure) was also observed after the liquid exchange process. The processing furthermore allows the coefficient of thermal expansion to be adjusted, and the thermal conductivity increased, for electronic packaging applications.
Biological notes on Anthophora urbana urbana and its parasite, Xeromelecta californica (Hymenoptera: anthophoridae), including descriptions of late embryogenesis and hatching

Biologies of three populations of Anthophora urbana urbana Cresson are described and compared. Notes on parasites are included and biology of the cleptoparasitic bee Xeromelecta californica (Cresson) is described. Late embryogenesis and hatching of both species are described in detail. Quantitative data are presented on rates of Xeromelecta parasitism and their effect on sex ratio of the host species. Interrelationships of egg deposition, embryogenesis, and methods of hatching are described for both bee species. Pupal characteristics of Xeromelecta are compared with those of other melectine bees and representatives of other bee taxa to show, for the first time, relationships between structures peculiar to the pupal stage and their functions. Facultative cocoon spinning by Xeromelecta larvae is noted.
DIFFERENCES IN THE REINSTATEMENT OF ETHANOL SEEKING WITH GANAXOLONE AND GABOXADOL

Abstract The endogenous neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) has previously been shown to induce reinstatement of ethanol seeking in rodents. ALLO is a positive allosteric modulator at both synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA A receptors. The contribution of each class of GABA A receptors in mediating reinstatement of ethanol seeking is unknown. The first aim of the present study was to determine whether ganaxolone (GAN), a longer-acting synthetic analog of ALLO, also promotes reinstatement of ethanol seeking. The second aim was to examine whether preferentially activating extrasynaptic GABA A receptors with the selective agonist gaboxadol (THIP) was sufficient to reinstate responding for ethanol in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were trained to lever press for access to a 10% ethanol (v/v) solution (10E), using a sucrose-fading procedure. Following extinction of the lever-pressing behavior, systemic THIP (0, 4 and 6 mg/kg) and GAN (0, 10, and 15 mg/kg) were tested for their ability to reinstate ethanol-appropriate responding in the absence of 10E access. GAN significantly increased lever pressing on the previously active lever, while THIP did not alter lever-pressing behavior. The results of this study suggest that direct activation of extrasynaptic GABA A receptors at the GABA site is not sufficient to induce ethanol seeking in the reinstatement procedure. Future studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms and brain areas by which differences in the pharmacological activity of GAN and THIP at the GABA A receptor contribute to the dissimilarity in their effect on the reinstatement of ethanol seeking. Nonetheless, based on the increased use of these drugs in clinical trials across multiple disease states, the effects of GAN or THIP on alcohol seeking may be an important consideration if these drugs are to be used clinically in a population with a co-occurring alcohol use disorder.
Atrioventricular nodal parasystole associated with complete A-V heart block∗

Abstract A rare case of atrioventricular nodal parasystole in the presence of complete A-V block is reported. The parasystolic beats interfered, at times, with the synchronization of the sinus rhythm and the idioventricular beats. Carotid sinus stimulation did not change the parasystolic rate during and after the procedure. Coronary artery disease, responsible for A-V block, may have caused the destruction of vagal nerve fibers innervating the parasystolic focus. The concept that the shortest manifest P-P′ interval in A-V nodal parasystole represents the refractory period of A-V nodal tissues and not the refractory period of atrial muscle would adequately explain the long interval between sinus beat and parasystole in our case and others.
Phase-equilibrium fractionation of continuous distributions

Fractionation of continuously distributed homologous mixtures is described in terms of molecular distributions. The concepts apply to phase equilibrium in vapor–liquid hydrocarbon mixtures and sol–gel polymer mixtures. Models of both differential and finite phase-equilibrium separations are presented when the partition coefficient for the equilibrium distributions is given. Analytical solutions for the distributions, including a similarity solution for a differential fractionation, can be formed. A differential fractionation solution compares satisfactorily with experimental data.
INHALATION TOXICITY STUDIES WITH AEROSOLS OF SESQUI-MUSTARD.

Abstract Acute inhalation toxicity studies with 1,2-bis(2-chloroethylthio)ethane have been made in mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters, pigeons, and dogs. Following exposure, animals show loss of body weight, coughing, dyspnea, ataxia, and diarrhea prior to death. Deaths occurred over a 14-day observation period with a primary peak between the third and sixth day. Pigeons were the least sensitive of the species tested. Tissue damage in most animals was limited to the upper respiratory tract and digestive tract.
STUDENT HEALTH: CHALLENGES FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Little has been written in the academic literature about community college student health services. Perhaps community college student health services have been overlooked because some leaders, such as presidents, trustees, and policy makers, are simply uninformed about the direct relevance of student health to the community college mission of student success. This article describes community colleges--historically, philosophically, and demographically--and makes a case that a true learning college, a college committed to student success, is one that is committed to a healthy climate for students and to student health. A policy agenda for community college student health programs is discussed in the context of leadership policy issues and individual college and consortia issues.
Direct repair of an extracranial vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm: case report and review of the literature.

Abstract A case of a 47-year-old man with weakness secondary to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is presented. During removal of the ossified ligament, the patient's dominant right vertebral artery was injured. Although the bleeding from this artery was controlled intraoperatively, the patient developed an expanding cervical hematoma on the 3rd postoperative day. An angiogram demonstrated a large pseudoaneurysm of the right vertebral artery. The patient was taken back to the operating room where the cervical hematoma was removed, and direct repair of the pseudoaneurysm of the vertebral artery was performed. The previously reported cases of pseudoaneurysms of the extracranial vertebral artery are reviewed. We advocate the use of direct vascular repair as the treatment of choice in these lesions.
Scalar potential depolarizing dyad artifact for a uniaxial bianisotropic medium

A scalar potential formulation for a homogeneous uniaxial bianisotropic medium is derived through the use of Helmholtz's theorem and operator orthogonality and compared with prior findings. It is shown that an expected and unexpected depolarizing dyad appears in the development. Using a spectral domain analysis and Leibnitz's rule in the field recovery process, it is shown the unexpected depolarizing dyad is canceled. Thus, a mathematically and physically consistent scalar potential theory is confirmed.
Measuring the longitudinal relaxation time of GABA in vivo at 3 Tesla.

Purpose: To measure the in vivo longitudinal relaxation time T1 of GABA at 3 Tesla (T). Materials and Methods: J-difference edited single-voxel MR spectroscopy was used to isolate γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signals. An increased echo time (80 ms) acquisition was used, accommodating the longer, more selective editing pulses required for symmetric editing-based suppression of co-edited macromolecular signal. Acquiring edited GABA measurements at a range of relaxation times in 10 healthy participants, a saturation-recovery equation was used to model the integrated data. Results: The longitudinal relaxation time of GABA was measured as T1,GABA = 1.31 ± 0.16 s. Conclusion: The method described has been successfully applied to measure the T1 of GABA in vivo at 3T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:999–1003. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stable amorphous danazol nanostructured powders with rapid dissolution rates produced by spray freezing into liquid.

The objective of this study was to produce, by spray freezing into liquid (SFL) technology, high‐potency, high glass transition temperature (Tg) danazol/polymer powders that remain amorphous and exhibit high dissolution rates after 6 months. Three polymers were investigated, including polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K‐15, poloxamer 407, and PEG 8000. The physicochemical properties of SFL powders were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, particle size distribution, surface area analysis, moisture content, and dissolution rate. The influence of moisture content, drug potency, and excipient type on Tg of SFL powders was investigated using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (mDSC). XRD results indicated that danazol was amorphous for each added excipient. The surface area of danazol/PVP K‐15 powders (89.8 m2/g) was higher than that of danazol/PEG 8000 (12.0 m2/g) and danazol/poloxamer 407 (5.49 m2/g). The SFL powders with the various excipient types exhibited similar and...
Promoter-containing ribosomal DNA fragments function as X-Y meiotic pairing sites in D. melanogaster males.

The Drosophila melanogaster ribosomal DNA (rDNA) functions as an X-Y meiotic pairing site. Deletions encompassing the X chromosomal rDNA block (located in the heterochromatin) disrupt X-Y pairing and disjunction. Insertions of single, complete rRNA genes at ectopic locations on the heterochromatically deficient X partially restore X-Y pairing capacity. This study was undertaken to test fragments of an rDNA repeat for the ability to stimulate X-Y pairing and disjunction and to test for relationships between pairing capacity and two other phenotypes associated with rDNA insertions: transcription and the ability to organize a nucleolus. Insertions of three different fragments, all of which retained the rDNA promoter and upstream spacer sequences and which differed among each other in the length of downstream sequences, were obtained by P-element mediated transformation. One of the fragments is truncated only 140bp downstream from the promoter. Insertions of all three fragments proved capable of stimulating X-Y disjunction. Double insertions were substantially more effective than single insertions. RNA/PCR analysis was used to show that transcripts initiated at the inserted rDNA promoters are present in testis RNA from all insertions. Treatment with an antinucleolar antibody revealed that none of the insertions was associated with a mininucleolus. Thus promoter-containing rDNA fragments are autonomously capable of being transcribed and of functioning as X-Y pairing sites, but not of forming a mini-nucleolus. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.