cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complete remission of advanced and recurrent cervical cancer with pembrolizumab treatment- 3 case reports.

Abstract Objective Recurrent cervical cancer is hard to treat when occurring in a previous radiated area and unresectable or distant metastasis. We present three such cases who achieved complete remission (CR) after chemoradiotherapy and pembrolizumab. Case Report Case 1 was diagnosed with cervical adenocarcinoma, stage IVB. She obtained CR after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and post-CCRT adjuvant chemotherapy and bevacizumab. Recurrence at previous irradiated sacral bone was controlled with pembrolizumab and CCRT using proton therapy (PT). Case 2 was diagnosed with stage IVB squamous cell carcinoma. First recurrence occurred at inguinal lymph node (LN). Secondary recurrence occurred at paraaortic LN ten years later. PT with chemotherapy and pembrolizumab achieved CR. Case 3 had a small cell carcinoma (stage IVB) with bone metastasis. She had CR to CCRT with etoposide-cisplatin. Liver metastasis was salvaged with CCRT and pembrolizumab. Conclusion CCRT with pembrolizumab is potentially curative for recurrent cervical cancer conventionally amenable for palliation.
Enhanced Eicosanoid Release in Ras-Transformed Cells

Our laboratory is studying the spectrum of ionic and biochemical events which are activated seconds to minutes after the addition of mitogens to quiescent fibroblasts. Previous work determined serum and bradykinin to rapidly stimulate phospholipases A2 and C in human fibroblasts (1–4). Activation of these phospholipases results in the production of a variety of lipid-derived “second messengers” (including arachidonate and its metabolites, diacylglycerol and inositol trisphosphate). These messengers stimulate a variety of cellular processes which are thought to be important components of the mitogenic response — including changes in cellular ion fluxes (2–8), activation of protein kinases (7,8), and induction of rapid transcriptional events (9,10).
Biaxial Mechanical Evaluation of Planar Biological Materials

A fundamental goal in constitutive modeling is to predict the mechanical behavior of a material under a generalized loading state. To achieve this goal, rigorous experimentation involving all relevant deformations is necessary to obtain both the form and material constants of a strain-energy density function. For both natural biological tissues and tissue-derived soft biomaterials, there exist many physiological, surgical, and medical device applications where rigorous constitutive models are required. Since biological tissues are generally considered incompressible, planar biaxial testing allows for a two-dimensional stress-state that can be used to characterize fully their mechanical properties. Application of biaxial testing to biological tissues initially developed as an extension of the techniques developed for the investigation of rubber elasticity [43, 57]. However, whereas for rubber-like materials the continuum scale is that of large polymer molecules, it is at the fiber-level (∼1 μm) for soft biological tissues. This is underscored by the fact that the fibers that comprise biological tissues exhibit finite nonlinear stress-strain responses and undergo large strains and rotations, which together induce complex mechanical behaviors not easily accounted for in classic constitutive models. Accounting for these behaviors by careful experimental evaluation and formulation of a constitutive model continues to be a challenging area in biomechanics. The focus of this paper is to describe a history of the application of biaxial testing techniques to soft planar tissues, their relation to relevant modern biomechanical constitutive theories, and important future trends.
Physical Therapy Interventions for Patients With Movement Disorders due to Cerebral Palsy

The purpose of this paper is to present evidence on the efficacy of physical therapy interventions for patients with cerebral palsy and identify goals for these patients. Studies suggest that neuro...
Environment selection and hierarchical place recognition

As robots continue to create long-term maps, the amount of information that they need to handle increases over time. In terms of place recognition, this implies that the number of images being considered may increase until exceeding the computational resources of the robot. In this paper we consider a scenario where, given multiple independent large maps, possibly from different cities or locations, a robot must effectively and in real time decide whether it can localize itself in one of those known maps. Since the number of images to be handled by such a system is likely to be extremely large, we find that it is beneficial to decompose the set of images into independent groups or environments. This raises a new question: Given a query image, how do we select the best environment? This paper proposes a similarity criterion that can be used to solve this problem. It is based on the observation that, if each environment is described in terms of its co-occurrent features, similarity between environments can be established by comparing their co-occurrence matrices. We show that this leads to a novel place recognition algorithm that divides the collection of images into environments and arranges them in a hierarchy of inverted indices. By selecting first the relevant environment for the operating robot, we can reduce the number of images to perform the actual loop detection, reducing the execution time while preserving the accuracy. The practicality of this approach is shown through experimental results on several large datasets covering a combined distance of more than 750Km.
After a Men's Cult

The Cassowary's Revenge: The Life and Death of Masculinity in. New Guinea Society. Donald Tuzin. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997. 248 pp.
THE EFFECT OF ROTATIONAL FREEDOM IN SEVERAL AMMONIUM SALTS AND DIMETHYL ACETYLENE ON THE INELASTIC SCATTERING OF SLOW NEUTRONS

Recent neutron cross-section measurements have shown that certain ammonium salts and methyl substituted compounds may be useful as moderators for cold neutron sources. In the present experiments sl...
Three‐State Carcinogenicity Model

A common stochastic model for animal carcinogenicity data has three states: N (alive with no tumor), T (alive with tumor), and D (dead from natural causes). The intensity rates for N T, T D, and N D transitions at time t are denoted by λ(t), α(t), and β(t), respectively, which correspond to the hazard rates for times from birth to tumor onset, from tumor onset to natural death, and from birth to natural death without a tumor. Carcinogenesis refers to the development of new tumors; so analyses of carcinogenicity data should focus on the tumor incidence rate, λ(t). Three factors complicate tumor incidence analyses: all onset times are censored if tumors are occult; tumor lethality makes censoring informative; and differential mortality exacerbates biases arising from inadequate survival or lethality adjustment. The most appropriate analysis of tumor incidence data depends on what information is available and what assumptions are reasonable. This article describes a variety of scenarios and, in each case, outlines approaches for comparing tumor incidence rates across treatment groups. Keywords: carcinogenesis; cause of death; differential mortality; fatal tumor; incidental tumor; occult tumor; sacrifice; survival; tumor incidence; tumor lethality; tumor onset; tumor prevalence
The Impact of Strategic Focus and Previous Business Experience on Small Business Performance

This study examines whether or not having an internal or external strategic focus interacts with prior experience in small business to impact perceived organizational performance. Utilizing a sample of 237 small business owners from the southeast U.S., a factorial ANOVA and Regression Analysis were used to test hypotheses related to these constructs. Results indicated that utilizing an internal focus was associated with higher performance among both experienced and inexperienced small business owners; however, an external focus was only positively related to performance for inexperienced business owners. No overall difference in performance was found for experience itself.
The metabolism of glutamate and leucine by maize tissues

Abstract Glutamate-U- 14 C and leucine-U- 14 C were rapidly absorbed and metabolized after incubation with maize embryonic axis, scutellum, and endosperm tissues. The embryonic axis of maize absorbed 85 per cent of the available glutamate and 50 per cent of the available leucine in 24 hr. Maize endosperm absorbed 15 per cent of the available amino acid in 6 hr and absorption remained at this level. In all tissues, 85 per cent of the glutamate carbon was metabolized to CO 2 . Of the leucine absorbed, 85 per cent was unmetabolized or incorporated into the insoluble residue. In axis tissue nearly 50 per cent of the leucine appeared in the insoluble residue. The amount of leucine- 14 C incorporated into the residue of scutellum (22%) and endosperm (6%) tissues suggested that protein synthesis was occurring at a rapid rate. Little radioactivity from either amino acid appeared in lipids, sugars, nucleic acids or amino acids other than the amino acid fed. These experiments showed that in maize tissues an extensive conversion of glutamate or leucine into other amino acids did not occur.
Lethal H5N1 influenza viruses are not resistant to interferon action in human, simian, porcine or chicken cells

Lethal H5N1 influenza viruses are not resistant to interferon action in human, simian, porcine or chicken cells
Challenging Messages About Advocacy and Public Relations

The inspiration for this special issue came from the 2008 Child Welfare Track Business Meeting convened at the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting in Philadelphia. The fo...
Identification and sequences of the Treponema pallidum fliM', fli Y, fliP, fliQ, fliR and flhB' genes

Information regarding the biology and virulence attributes of Treponema pallidum (Tp) is limited due to the lack of genetic exchange mechanisms and the inability to continuously cultivate this spirochete. We have utilized TnphoA mutagenesis of a Tp genomic DNA library in Escherichia coli (Ec) to identify genes encoding exported proteins, a subset of which are likely to be important in treponemal pathogenesis. We report here the identification and nucleotide (nt) sequence of a 5-kb treponemal DNA insert that contains seven open reading frames (ORFs). The proteins encoded by six of these ORFs have homology with members of a newly described protein family involved in the biogenesis/assembly of flagella and the control of flagellar rotation in Ec, Salmonella typhimurium (St) and Bacillus subtilis (Bs). Certain members of this family are also involved in the export of virulence factors in Yersinia (Yr) spp., St and Shigella flexneri (Sf). We have named these six ORFs fliM', fliY, fliP, fliQ, fliR and flhB'. The operon containing these ORFs has been designated as the fla operon. We hypothesize that the protein products of these genes are involved in the biogenesis/assembly of flagella and the control of flagellar rotation in Tp.
A recipient risk score for deceased donor renal allocation.

Background The current shortage of deceased donor kidneys makes it difficult to design a kidney allocation scheme that balances optimal utility with supply. The aim of this study is to derive a recipient risk score (RRS) that could be used with the deceased donor score (DDS) to maximize the total number of years of renal allograft function as a means to improve allocation. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 47,535 adult recipients of deceased donor renal transplants between 1995 and 2002 from the United Network for Organ Sharing Standard Transplant Analysis and Research Files. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to derive an RRS and estimate recipient and graft survival as a function of RRS. Annual rates of organ supply and recipient demand for deceased donor kidneys were estimated from expectancy data and expressed in renal years (years provided by a functioning kidney allograft). Renal-year analyses were used to optimize allocation. Results The strongest predictors of recipient survival after transplantation used in the RRS were recipient age, history of diabetes mellitus, history of angina, and time on dialysis therapy. When used with DDS, RRS provided a utility-based allocation system for deceased donor kidneys that theoretically increased the annual (2002) rate of supply by 15%. Conclusion The RRS is a practical system that, when combined with a method to assess donor organs, such as DDS, may improve deceased donor renal allocation.
Silver metallation of hen egg white lysozyme: X-ray crystal structure and NMR studies

The X-ray crystal structure, NMR binding studies, and enzyme activity of silver(I) metallated hen egg white lysozyme are presented. Primary bonding of silver is observed through His15 with secondary bonding interactions coming from nearby Arg14 and Asp87. A covalently bound nitrate completes a four coordinate binding pocket.
PANDAA: a physical arrangement detection technique for networked devices through ambient-sound awareness

This demo presents PANDAA, a zero-configuration automatic spatial localization technique for networked devices based on ambient sound sensing. We will demonstrate that after initial placement of the devices, ambient sounds, such as human speech, music, footsteps, finger snaps, hand claps, or coughs and sneezes, can be used to autonomously resolve the spatial relative arrangement of devices, such as mobile phones, using trigonometric bounds and successive approximation.
Characterization of a Cryptosporidium parvum Gene Encoding a Protein with Homology to Long Chain Fatty Acid Synthetase

We describe here the cloning, sequencing, and characterization of a novel Cryptosporidium parvum gene, encoding a protein with significant homology to the long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (LCFA, EC 6.2.1.3). The gene has an open reading frame of 2,301 bp, coding for a 766 amino acid polypeptide, and with an estimated MW of 86.1 kDa. By indirect immunofluorescence assay, monoclonal antibodies C3CE7 and E5D labeled the anterior pole of fixed C. parvum sporozoites and developmental stages in C. parvum-infected cultures at 24, 48, and 72 h post-infection. These monoclonal antibodies inhibited more than 35% of parasite growth in vitro. The effect of triacsin C, a potent selective inhibitor of LCFA synthetase, on parasite growth was assessed in cell culture; complete inhibition of parasite growth at 2.5 ug/ml was obtained with little evidence of drug-associated cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the fatty acyl-CoA synthetase may be a useful target in the development of selective inhibitors and immunologic interventions against C. parvum.
The function of interdomain interactions in controlling nucleotide exchange rates in transducin.

The intramolecular contacts in heterotrimeric G proteins that determine the rates of basal and receptor-stimulated nucleotide exchange are not fully understood. The α subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins consists of two domains: a Ras-like domain with structural homology to the monomeric G protein Ras and a helical domain comprised of six α-helices. The bound nucleotide lies in a deep cleft between the two domains. Exchange of the bound nucleotide may involve opening of this cleft. Thus interactions between the domains may affect the rate of nucleotide exchange in G proteins. We have tested this hypothesis in the α subunit of the rod cell G protein transducin (Gαt). Site-directed mutations were prepared in a series of residues located at the interdomain interface. The proteins were expressed in vitro in a reticulocyte lysate system. The rates of basal and rhodopsin-catalyzed nucleotide exchange were determined using a trypsin digestion assay specifically adapted for kinetic measurements. Charge-altering substitutions of two residues at the interdomain interface, Lys273 and Lys276, increased basal nucleotide exchange rates modestly (5–10-fold). However, we found no evidence that interactions spanning the two domains in Gαt significantly affected either basal or rhodopsin-catalyzed nucleotide exchange rates. These results suggest that opening of the interdomain cleft is not an energetic barrier to nucleotide exchange in Gαt. Experiments with Gαi1 suggest by comparison that the organization and function of the interdomain region differ among various G protein subtypes.
Production of Beauveria bassiana Air Conidia by Means of Optimization of Biphasic System Technology

Air conidia production of Beauveria bassiana, strain CA-603 was studied based on modified diphasic system. The biomass yield obtained in the first phase based on submerged cultivation of fungus was processed using methodology providing different contact with air space. Our study indicated that productivity of the second stage of diphasic system is had inversely proportional dependence on depth of liquid fungal biomass. Increase of biomass depth is significantly decreased production of air conidia. Two methodology of biomass processing extending contact biomass with air space including distribution of fungal material on surface of hygroscopic paper and starch packaging peanuts were investigated. The novel substrates provided optimal contact between the submerged fungal biomass and the air, and overall, conidial production was directly proportional to the total area of air-to-fungal surface. Technologies based on the starch peanuts and hygroscopic paper were the most productive in comparison to the common technology where the submerged culture was transferred to flat containers. The advantages and disadvantages of these different production methods are discussed.
Carbon nanotube-based non-volatile memory and charge sensors

Beyond 65 nm node, the ultra-narrow channel memory device serves as a possible technology for further scaling. A self-assembled carbon nanotube (CNT) channel with self aligned metal nanocrystals is proposed as an alternative to Si based ultra-narrow channel memory. The device demonstrates large memory window and single-electron sensitivity. The analysis of the transport in the CNT channel using non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formalism confirms single electron sensitivity quantitatively at room temperature. The CNT channel conductance exhibits sensitivity to position of the charge along the channel. The NEGF based analysis is easily extended to the application of CNTFET as a charge sensor. The electrostatics of the CNT-nanocrystal memory was analyzed for transport between nanocrystal and CNT. Despite the nanocrystal being in close proximity of the CNT, it is strongly coupled to the gate electrode electrostatically. This effect is not observed in the planar 2D Si- based nanocrystal memory. It obviates a major trade-off in memory design of scaling the control dielectric to decrease operational voltage, while ensuring low gate leakage and should allow ultra-low voltage operations. Large tunneling current should also enhance write times. Large electric field asymmetry should enable a better write/retention ratio.
Experimental Validation of Detonation Shock Dynamics in Condensed Explosives

Experiments in the HMX-based condensed explosive PBX-9501 were carried out to validate a reduced, asymptotically derived description of detonation shock dynamics (DSD) where it is assumed that the normal detonation shock speed is determined by the total shock curvature. The passover experiment has a lead disk embedded in a right circular cylindrical charge of PBX-9501 and is initiated from the bottom. The subsequent detonation shock experiences a range of dynamic states with both diverging (convex) and converging (concave) configurations as the detonation shock passes over the disk. The time of arrival of the detonation shock at the top surface of the charge is recorded and compared against DSD simulation and direct multi-material simulation. A new wide-ranging equation of state (EOS) and rate law that is constrained by basic explosive characterization experiments is introduced as a constitutive description of the explosive. This EOS and rate law is used to compute the theoretical normal shock velocity, curvature relation of the explosive for the reduced description, and is also used in the multi-material simulation. The time of arrival records are compared against the passover experiment and the dynamic motion of the shock front and states within the explosive are analysed. The experiment and simulation data are in excellent agreement. The level of agreement, both qualitative and quantitative, of theory and simulation with experiment is encouraging because it indicates that descriptions such as the wide-ranging EOS/rate law and the corresponding reduced DSD description can be used effectively to model real explosives and predict complex dynamic behaviors.
Cellulated Ceramics for the Structural Clay Products Industry

Cellulated clay products suitable for structural uses and having fine, uniform cellulation, low density, high strength, accurate dimensions, large unit size, open or closed cells, and high or low absorption have been developed. Materials, methods of manufacture, and properties of foamclay, a lightweight material for interior applications, are presented together with the results of a pilot-plant operation. Compositions and firing techniques are given for the manufacture of large firebloated units from buff-burning fire clays. The firebloated products are characterized by low density and high strength and can be produced with either high or zero absorption. The industrial applications and future possibilities of these products are discussed.
A genetic polymorphism in the renin gene of Dahl rats cosegregates with blood pressure

Blood pressure is influenced by multiple genetic loci whose identities are largely unknown. A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the renin gene was found between Dahl salt-hypertension-sensitive (S) and Dahl salt-hypertension-resistant (R) rats. In an F2 population derived from crossing S and R rats, the renin RFLP cosegregated with blood pressure. One dose of the S-rat renin allele was associated with an increment in blood pressure of approximately 10 mmHg, and two doses of this allele increased blood pressure approximately 20 mmHg. From this it can be definitively concluded that in the rat the renin gene is, or is closely linked to, one of the genes regulating blood pressure.
Cryobanking: the brave new world of biobanking and specimen cryopreservation

Correspondence: Martin H Bluth Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit Medical Center, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA Email mbluth@med.wayne.edu The layperson’s depiction of people preservation often conjures up nefarious iterations of Jack Finney’s 1954 novel, The Body Snatchers, or Ira Levin’s thriller, The Boys from Brazil, where maintenance of human composition is employed for perpetuation of ill repute. Recent illustrations of animal preservation-reanimation gone wrong, such as the Jurassic Park films, further echoed such concerns. In contrast, during the 1980s, the advent of cloning morphed with cryopreservation to furnish jocularity in the form of many an Arnold Schwarzenegger film (Twins, Junior). The late 1980s and early 1990s also demonstrated a greater degree of reality-based cryopreservation, public acceptance, and clinical application in the form of cord blood-banking, stem cell transplantation, and in-situ fertilization technologies, thus positively affecting both the biobanking image and human health. So where are we now? In the last decade or so, tissue and fluid preservation, also known as biobanking, biorepository science, or cryopreservation – often referred to as cryobanking – has become mainstream and big business. According to research by the British Broadcasting Corporation, the global biobanking market in 2010 was over $140 billion dollars, with a projected 30% increase by the year 2015 towards fostering biobanking initiatives. The basic idea behind biobanking is straightforward: collect and store tissues obtained from patients with select disease and, in time, you will have access to thousands of specimens to perform the interrogation of choice. These can include but are not limited to: biomarker discovery, pre/post-drug monitoring, disease prognostication, population screening, and sex/race/ethnicity demographics. The stem cell explosion, where reports increasingly suggest that stem cells exist in almost any organ, with the added potentiality of being able to regrow any diseased or damaged organ, provides perfectly poised positioning for the cryobanking industry to regrow a new you from an earlier cellular version of your deep frozen self. Such strategies have been implemented into the animal-based food industry. The possibilities appear to be limited to the imagination. But there are a few hard strops along the way: cost is a major issue. One needs to project the type of bank (disease-specific?), tissues collected (body fluids versus solid tissues and their tributaries), rate of collection, anticipated sample size, collection logic (transport), overhead, labor, time, heating and cooling, structural edification, equipment and maintenance costs, and real estate, among others, to determine what type of infrastructure is necessary. Dovepress
Wire Chamber Aging and Wire Material

Recent studies on wire chamber aging has shown surprising results indicating that anode wire material may have a strong influence on the useful life-time of a chamber or counter. The aging process discussed here is related to changes in the surface characteristics of the anode wires. Those changes may be due to an oxidation process involving molecules produced from the dissocation of organic quenching agents during the avalanche process. It is observed that after some running time the anode wire surface is coated with a nonconductive film, which drops the electric field around the anode wire, reducing the gain as the aging process continues. Aging due to polymerization and other processes have been known since the early years of Geiger and proportional counter operation. Interesting phenomena found here shows that the aging process is not only dependent on the gas mixture, it is strongly related to the anode material. Results reported earlier showed that chambers with gold plated tungsten anode wire using Argon-Ethane-Ethyl alcohol gas mixtures performed well for a very long time. They showed no appreciable loss of gain after an accumulated charge of one to two Coulombs per centimeter of wire length. There was no evidence of polymerization. Aging was accelerated when the gold plated tungsten anode wire was replaced by Stablohm-800 resistive alloy (75% Ni + 20% Cr + Al + Cu) wire using the same gas in the same chamber.
Mediated transport of chloride from blood into cerebrospinal fluid

The kinetics of transport of chloride from blood into CSF have been studied in the adult cat in vivo for a wide range of concentrations of chloride in arterial plasma: 1. In studies employing isosmotic replacement of body chloride with isethionate by means of extracorporeal hemodialysis, the chloride content in cerebral cortex and corpus callosum and concentration in CSF were relatively resistant to change despite the fact that plasma chloride was varied over the range 120.5 to 8.1 mM. 2. During hemodialysis the ratio of the concentration of chloride in CSF (or content in cerebral cortex) versus the concentration of chloride in arterial plasma was maintained for at least 1 or 2 h at as much as 10 times the ratios present in normal animals. 3. In studies with 36Cl, the rate of entry of chloride from blood into CSF followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with the Vmax=0.55 μmole/ ml/min and with the Km < 60 mM and possibly < 8.1 mM. On the other hand the rate of entry of chloride from blood into cerebral cortex and corpus callosum was much slower and followed simple diffusion kinetics. 4. Evidence is presented indicating that chloride is transported from blood to CSP at the choroid plexus as well as at other sites. 5. On the basis of the rate of entry of chloride into CSF, the rate of bulk production of CSF in the adult cat was calculated to be 17.1 μl/min at normal plasma concentrations of chloride, a value in close agreement with previous estimates of the rate of production of CSF in the adult cat. 6. The relationships of the content of chloride in skeletal muscle and in liver to the concentration of chloride in plasma are presented, when the latter is varied over the range 120.5 to 8.1 mM.
A Time-Out Procedure in a Public School Setting.

This study uses time-out as the primary therapeutic intervention with a 13-year-old highly aggressive male in a public school setting. Specific behaviors were listed prior to beginning TO and were explained to the child and teachers. TO was used over a 10-week period with extinction of the specified behaviors occurring after the seventh week. During an 8-week follow-up only three instances of the aggressive behaviors were observed. During the third and fourth weeks of TO the child began to show spontaneous interest in school work. Statistical analysis by an interrupted time-series program revealed a t (102) = - 8.290 (p <.0005) for change in level between baseline observations with intervention and follow-up data. It is concluded that TO is a sufficiently intense aversive event of itself to alter some types of deviant behavior without direct application of positive reinforcers. It is most propitiously used when alternative response modes are made available for the child.
The formation and reactions of (η5-formylcyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylcobalt and (η5-acetylcyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylcobalt

Abstract (η5-Formylcyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylcobalt and (η5-acetylcyclopentadienyl)dicarbonylcobalt have been prepared and the reactivity of the organic functional groups studied. These transformations include the Wittig reaction, sodium borohydride reduction, and Grignard reactions. In addition, alcohol derivatives were converted into their acrylates. Reaction pathways indicating the formation of cobalt-stabilized carbonium ions as intermediates have been implicated.
Assessing the long-term impact of drug court participation on recidivism with generalized estimating equations

Drug courts are one of the most common strategies for dealing with the large proportion of criminal offenders who are drug-involved, yet methodological limitations limit the conclusions that can be drawn from many existing evaluations of their effectiveness. The current study examined the long-term impact of drug court participation compared to regular probation on the recidivism of 475 drug-involved offenders under supervision in Hillsborough County, Florida. Using a combination of self-reported data (collected through in-person interviews at baseline, i.e., the beginning of supervision) and administrative records, the study employed a repeated measures framework (examining five 6-month time periods from baseline to 30 months post-baseline) and generalized estimating equations to compare the likelihood of being arrested between drug court participants and a matched sample of comparison offenders. The results indicate that participation in drug court was associated with a significant decrease in the likelihood of being arrested in the 12-18 months post-baseline time period. Although the drug court effect was somewhat delayed (it was not significant prior to 12 months) and short-lived (it was not significant after 18 months), the fact that significant program effects were observed during a time period that coincides with the conclusion of drug court participation for graduates and a time period well beyond initial program exposure, suggests that drug court participants are more likely than comparable offenders not exposed to drug court to remain arrest free when no longer under community supervision.
Recent weight loss is related to short-term mortality in nursing homes.

A two-year review of weight changes and mortality in nursing home residents was completed. Factors examined included age, gender, principal diagnosis, cause of death, and amount and duration of weight loss before death. A 10% loss of body weight over a six-month interval strongly predicted mortality in the ensuing six months, with sensitivity 0.60, specificity 0.91, positive predictive value 0.62, and negative predictive value 0.90. Diagnosis and cause of death did not appear to influence this relationship. Routine weight measurements may be useful as predictors of six-month survival in certain nursing home residents.
Microwave-accelerated fluorodenitrations and nitrodehalogenations: expeditious routes to labeled PET ligands and fluoropharmaceuticals

Abstract Methods for the expeditious fluorination of arenes have been investigated, using readily available fluoride sources. An optimized procedure for microwave-accelerated fluorodenitration has been developed, giving good to excellent yields in less than 10 min, rendering it practical for use in the preparation of F 18 labeled ligands for PET imaging. Application of the method in the synthesis of CNS agents is demonstrated, and a practical method for the preparation of substrates is also presented.
Rotational isomerism in methallyl iodide

Abstract Infrared spectra were obtained for methallyl iodide (3-iodo-2-methylpropene)in the liquid state at room temperature and for the vapor state at a series of temperatures. The spectra show that this compound exists in only one form in the neat liquid at room temperature. In the vapor, the concentration of a second form becomes appreciable at elevated temperatures. The energy difference between the two forms in the vapor state is about 4 Kcal/mole. Some of the infrared bands were assigned.
Low temperature heat capacity of some rare earth aluminum Laves phase compounds: YAl2, LaAl2 and LuAl2

Abstract The heat capacity of three rare earth Laves phase compounds YAl2. LaAl2 and LuAl2 were measured in the temperature range of 2·5°–20°K. A superconducting transition was observed in LaAl2 at 3·29°K. The C T vs. T2 data yielded γ = 1·81 mJ/g at.−°K2 and θ = 473°K for YAl2. γ = 3·65 mJ/g at.−°K2 and θ = 352°K for LaAl2, and γ = 1·9 mJ/g at.−°K2 and θ = 384°K for LuAl2. The Debye temperatures indicate that the low temperature lattice dynamics are controlled by the B element (aluminum). The Debye temperature of LaAl2 is anomalously low compared to those of YAl2 and LuAl2. and the electronic specific constant, γ. of LaAl2 is anomalously high compared to YAl2 and LuAl2. The high γ value is thought to account for superconductivity in LaAl2 and the absence of superconductivity in the other two Laves phases. It is found that LaAl2 behaves as a B.C.S. superconductor.
Control of the Heterogeneous Azeotropic n-Butanol/Water Distillation System

The interest in n-butanol as a biofuel has increased in recent years because of its superior fuel qualities compared to ethanol: higher octane number, lower heat of vaporization, higher energy density (energy/volume), and lower vapor pressure. However, the concentration of n-butanol coming from the fermenter is lower than that achieved in ethanol fermentation. In addition, acetone and ethanol are also produced. Recent studies to improve yield and increase n-butanol concentration have explored fed-batch systems with stripping, adsorption, liquid−liquid extraction, distillation, and/or pervaporation to recover products. The production of n-butanol involves removing the acetone and ethanol and separating the n-butanol from the water. This separation is made difficult by the presence of an azeotrope. Fortunately, unlike the homogeneous azeotrope found in the ethanol/water system, the n-butanol/water azeotrope is heterogeneous; thus, two liquid phases occur in the decanter. Therefore, a simple two-column disti...
Risk Perceptions and Management Responses of Arizona Dairy Producers

Dairy producers make decisions based on their perceptions and understanding of their economic and social environment. A survey of Arizona dairy producers was conducted to gather data on their risk perceptions and management responses. Risk or variability associated with production inputs (feed, labor, credit) was perceived to be as important to these producers as fluctuating milk prices and milk production of cows. Producers respond to these perceptions in a logical fashion by using management tools that assist in reducing this variability (e.g., forward contracting of feed). Although generalizations can be made about the risk perceptions and management responses of the Arizona dairy sector as a whole, attempts to categorize individual producers into risk-related groups based on socioeconomic variables were not successful.
Clinical evaluation of fasTENS, an inexpensive, disposable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator designed specifically for postoperative electroanalgesia

Abstract Previous studies have shown that electroanalgesia is an effective method of reducing postoperative pain in patients who have urologic surgery. All prior studies of postperative transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) have employed TENS stimulators which were designed for the control of chronic pain. Disadvantages to the use of standard TENS stimulators in postoperative patients include the high cost of the devices and their operative complexity which make it difficult for staff and patients to use them. FasTENS is a lightweight, relatively inexpensive disposable TENS stimulator which has been designed specifically for use in postoperative patients. We evaluated the effectiveness of FasTENS in patients who had implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis, radical retropubic prostatectomy, or radical nephrectomy. Patients treated with FasTENS used 60 percent less pain medication (P
Proximity-based wireless access control through considerate jamming

As diverse types of wireless devices emerge, it becomes difficult to apply the existing wireless security measures to them without efforts. Those devices lack conventional user interfaces or they are resource-constrained to process the security protocols. Meanwhile, many of them are used within a geographical boundary to access to the basestation. This motivates us to develop a complementary non-cryptographic technique to secure communication of such wireless devices. In this paper, we present considerate jamming, a novel wireless access control mechanism allowing access to only the wireless devices within a given boundary. The proposed mechanism does not require any modification in the wireless clients, but instead it is implemented with separate jamming devices and the modified basestation. We provide the theoretical model with system parameters and validate it through simulation.
Δ9-THC-induced cognitive deficits in mice are reversed by the GABAA antagonist bicuculline

The results of recent in vitro studies have underscored the important role that activation of CB1 receptors has on GABAergic activity in brain areas associated with memory. The primary purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the memory disruptive effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in vivo are mediated through GABAergic systems. Conversely, we also evaluated whether blocking CB1 receptor signaling would alter memory deficits elicited by GABA agonists. The GABAA antagonist bicuculline and GABAB antagonist CGP 36742 were evaluated for their ability to ameliorate Δ9-THC-induced deficits in a mouse working memory Morris water maze task. Mice were also assessed in a T-maze task, as well as non-cognitive behavioral assays. Additionally, the effects of GABAA and GABAB agonists were assessed in either CB1 (−/−) mice or wild type mice treated with the CB1 antagonist SR 141716. Memory deficits resulting from 10 mg/kg Δ9-THC in the Morris water maze were completely reversed by bicuculline, though unaffected by CGP 36742. Bicuculline also blocked the disruptive effects of Δ9-THC in the T-maze, but failed to alter non-mnemonic effects of Δ9-THC. Although CB1 (−/−) mice exhibited supersensitivity to muscimol-induced water maze deficits compared with wild type control mice, muscimol elicited virtually identical effects in SR 141716-treated and vehicle-treated wild type mice. This is the first demonstration of which we are aware showing that GABAA receptors may play a necessary role in Δ9-THC-induced memory impairment in whole animals.
Human peripheral lymph lipoproteins are enriched in sphingomyelin.

The concentrations of total choline-containing phospholipids and of sphingomyclin have been determined in peripheral lymph from six volunteers. The concentration in lymph of total phospholipids was 14.6 ± 6.0 mg/dl and of sphingomyelin 6.1 ± 2.7 mg/dl; the estimated concentration of phosphatidylcholine (by subtracting the concentration of sphingomyelin from that of total choline-containing lipoproteins) was 8.5 ± 5.1 mg/dl. The concentration of free choline in lymph was less than 1 mg/dl. The ratio of the concentration in lymph to that in the subject's own plasma of sphingomyelin was 0.18 ± 0.07 and that of (estimated) phosphatidylcholine 0.05 + 0.04; the difference between these two ratios was significant at P < 0.002. The present data are compatible with the hypothesis that some of lipoprotein phosphatidylholine is lost while crossing from plasma to lymp.
Complementary and alternative medicine use in rheumatoid arthritis: proposed mechanism of action and efficacy of commonly used modalities

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become popular in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) worldwide. The objective of this study is to systematically review the proposed mechanisms of action and currently available evidence supporting the efficacy of CAM modalities in relieving signs and symptoms of RA. The prevalence of CAM usage by RA patients is anywhere from 28% to 90%. Many published studies on CAM are based on animal models of RA and there is often insufficient evidence for the efficacy of CAM modalities in RA. The existing evidence suggests that some of the CAM modalities, such as acupuncture, herbal medicines, dietary omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and pulsed electromagnetic field show promising efficacy in reducing pain. While the use of CAM modalities for the treatment of RA continues to increase, rigorous clinical trials examining their efficacy are necessary to validate or refute the clinical claims made for CAM therapies.
Computed Tomography Perfusion Imaging in the Selection of Acute Stroke Patients to Undergo Emergent Carotid Endarterectomy

Severe acute stroke patients with critical carotid stenosis or occlusion without intracranial thrombus typically do not undergo emergent carotid thromboendarterectomy (CEA) because of the risk of reperfusion-related intracranial hemorrhage. Past studies have not consistently demonstrated benefit of early operative intervention. Cerebral computed tomography (CT), cervical and cerebral CT angiography (CTA), and cerebral CT perfusion (CTP) imaging may identify a subset of acute stroke patients without intracranial thrombus who may benefit from emergent CEA. Acute stroke patients underwent unenhanced brain CT imaging to exclude pathology that would contraindicate emergent therapy. Emergent CTAs of the intracranial and extracranial vessels were utilized to identify patients who presented with stroke symptoms based on the presence of isolated extracranial carotid disease in the absence of intracranial thromboembolism. CTP was then used to assess the extent of potentially reversible cerebral ischemia (penumbral tissue). Patients with isolated extracranial carotid lesions with significant reversible ischemia in the absence of large areas of irreversible cerebral damage underwent emergent CEA to salvage ischemic penumbra. In 1 year, 3 patients presented with large acute strokes in which CTA disclosed symptomatic extracranial internal carotid artery preocclusive or occlusive lesions without intracranial thromboembolic occlusions. CTP indicated a large area of ischemic penumbra with limited permanent injury. Mean age, time to presentation, and National Institutes of Health stroke score (NIHSS) were 66 years, 4.2 hr, and 19.3. All patients underwent emergent CEA with cervical carotid thrombectomy. Average time from stroke symptom onset to revascularization was 12.5 (range 5.9-19.0) hr. There were no perioperative deaths. At day 5, the mean NIHSS decreased to 7.6 and at day 30 was 4.7. The modified Rankin scale score dropped from a poststroke, preoperative level of 5 to 2.3 by day 30. Emergent CEA should be considered in patients presenting with large acute strokes based on favorable CT, CTA, and CTP findings. Emergent clot localization and physiological assessment of brain "tissue at risk" relative to irreversible cerebral infarction using CT, CTA, and CTP is now available. Utilization of this information by an experienced stroke team of neurologists, radiologists, and surgeons may aid in the recognition of a select group of patients in which emergent CEA may drive to improved outcomes.
Monadic Algebras with finite degree

A monadic algebraA has finite degreen ifA/M has at most 2n elements for every maximal idealM ofA and this bound is obtained for someM. Every countable monadic algebra with a finite degree is isomorphic to an algebra Γ(X, S) whereX is a Boolean space andS is a subsheaf of a constant sheaf with a finite simple stalk. This representation is used to prove that every proper equational class of monadic algebras has a decidable first-order theory.
Characterization of transferrin binding and specificity of the placental transferrin receptor

This study systematically examined the characteristics of specific binding of adult diferric transferrin to its receptor using a Triton X-100 solubilized preparation from human placentas as the receptor source. The following information was obtained. The ionic strength for maximal binding is in the range of 0.1-0.3 M NaCl. The pH optimum for specific binding extends over the range, from pH 6.0-10.0. Specific binding of diferric transferrin is not affected by 2.5 approximately 50 mM CaCl2 or by 10 mM EDTA. Triton X-100 in the concentration range of 0.02-3.0% does not affect specific binding. Specific binding is saturated within 10 min at 25 or 37 degrees C in the presence of excess amounts of diferric transferrin. The binding is reversible and the dissociation of diferric transferrin from the transferrin receptor is complete within 40 min at 25 degrees C. Apotransferrin, both adult and fetal, showed less binding than the holotransferrin species by competitive binding assay in the presence of 10 mM EDTA independent of up to 20 mM CaCl2. A 1500-fold molar excess of adult and fetal apotransferrin is required to give 40% inhibition for 125I-labeled diferric transferrin binding. Since calcium ion is not a factor, and since apotransferrin has such high binding affinity for iron (Ka = 1 X 10(24], this experiment suggests that the EDTA was necessary to prevent conversion of apotransferrin to holotransferrin from available iron in the reaction system. The specificity of the transferrin receptor for transferrin was examined by competitive binding studies in which 125I-diferric transferrin binding was measured in the presence of a series of other proteins. The proteins tested in the competitive binding studies were classified into three groups; in the first group were human serum albumin and ovalbumin; in the second group were proteins containing iron ions, such as hemoglobin, hemoglobin-haptoglobin complex, heme-hemopexin complex, ferritin, and diferric lactoferrin; in the third group were the metal-binding serum proteins, ceruloplasmin and metallothionein. None of these proteins except ferritin showed inhibition of diferric transferrin binding to the receptor. The effect of ferritin was small since a 700- to 1500-fold molar excess of ferritin is required for 50% inhibition of binding of diferric transferrin to the receptor.