cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Failed Prednisone Taper off after Heart Transplant: Is There a Price To Be Paid?

Purpose A prednisone taper off protocol (PTOP) is is often initiated in heart transplant recipients 6 months post transplant to avoid the long-term adverse effects of steroid therapy. There have been no large randomized trials of steroid weaning as the benefits of steroid free immunosuppression have been assumed. The purpose of this study was to compared the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent PTOP with the outcomes of patients who did not tolerate PTOP or those who were not candidates. Methods and Materials We evaluated 577 patients transplanted between 1994 and 2010 who underwent PTOP at 6 months post-transplant. Patients who successfully completed PTOP (n=530), initiated but did not complete PTOP (n=47) and a control group (heart transplant patients who did not qualify for PTOP, n=326) were assessed for subsequent 5-year survival, freedom from cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and non-fatal major adverse cardiac events (NF-MACE; myocardial infarction, heart failure, percutaneous coronary intervention, stroke). Results Prednisone withdrawal beginning at 6 months after transplant was successful in 530/577 (92%) patients. PTOP failed (n=47) due to rejection or significant steroid withdrawal side effects. Successful PTOP patients had significantly higher 5-year survival compared with failed PTOP patients and control patients, and significantly higher freedom from NF-MACE than control patients. ( Table ) Conclusions PTOP at 6-months after heart transplant is successful in the majority of patients and confers good prognosis. Patients who fail PTOP have worse survival, and it is not clear if PTOP failure is a marker or cause of poor outcomes. A randomized trial of PTOP is warranted. Patients with 1-Year conditional survival transplanted between 1994 and 2010 Outcomes Prednisone Wean Success (n=530) Prednisone Wean Fail (n=47) No Prednisone Wean (n=326) 5-Year Actuarial Survival 94% 81%* 83%* 5-Year Freedom from CAV 75% 64% 73% 5-Year Freedom from NF-MACE 89% 81% 81% * * p
Exploring the co-morbidity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in a nationally representative community-based sample.

Abstract Emerging evidence signifies the co-occurrence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with clinical and sub-threshold disordered eating behaviors. However, many existing studies have assessed this co-occurrence among inpatient or intensive outpatient populations. The purpose of this study was to examine the co-occurrence of ADHD with clinical eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in a nationally representative sample via a secondary data analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 4,862; 2,243 males; 2,619 females). Results reveal that females have higher rates of co-occurrence of ADHD and diagnosed eating disorders than males (1.05% vs. 0.20%, p
Adsorption and diffusion of the antiparkinsonian drug amantadine in carbon nanotubes

Using molecular simulations, we study the adsorption and diffusion of an antiparkinsonian drug known as amantadine (or 1-aminoadamantane) in different single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNs) with di...
Concomitant Calculus and Caries

While obtaining dental calculus samples from producers for subsequent chemical studies on calculus formation, it was observed that calculus producers of all ages exhibited varying degrees of caries activity. In any studies on factors involved in dental calculus formation the possible antagonism of the caries and calculus processes would have to be considered. Indeed, Hodge and Leung1 suggest that the physicochemical conditions in saliva which contribute to enamel decalcification (caries?) inhibit calculus formation. Bibby2 likewise concluded from an extensive review of the literature that "calculus deposition and increased putrification associated with periodontal pathology oppose caries and variations in salivary chemistry found in periodontitis occur with low caries activity." On the other hand, Maldanado,3 Tishler,4 and Miller and Seidler5 present clinical findings that caries occurrence is independent of periodontal disease. This study was undertaken to clarify the relationship, if any, between increased calculus deposition and caries activity in calculus producers, in order to design subsequent experiments on factors which may predispose to calculus.
IN-VEHICLE ROUTE GUIDANCE PREFERENCES OF DRIVING TOURISTS

The primary purpose of this study was to better understand US travelers’ route guidance information preferences for Advanced Traveler Information Systems (AT1S) for tourist automobile trips in unfamiliar areas. A secondary purpose was to better understand, more generally, information needs and preferences of tourists in order to develop guidelines for designing ATIS that is specific for driving tourists. Data on information needs and preferences were collected through a mail-back questionnaire survey of US adult residents. Among other topics, the questionnaire asked respondents about their preferences for various types of route guidance information. These data are reported here. Survey respondents gave positive ratings to all nine types of route guidance information investigated in the study, including selecting best route to destination, travel routes shown on map, road conditions, traffic congestion on route, presence of construction, weather conditions, time or distance on route, options/recommendation...
Infrared Imaging and Optical Coherence Tomography Reveal Early-Stage Astrocytic Hamartomas Not Detectable by Fundoscopy

Purpose To describe and correlate the features of astrocytic hamartomas using multimodal imaging. Design Prospective, noncomparative, observational case series. Methods This was a single-center study of 4 patients (8 eyes) with tuberous sclerosis complex. A complete ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), infrared imaging, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were performed for each patient. Images from each modality were analyzed and compared. Results In 2 patients, infrared imaging and SD-OCT detected occult retinal astrocytic hamartomas that were not observed on clinical examination or color fundus photography. FAF demonstrated the greatest contrast between lesions and surrounding retina but failed to identify 1 occult lesion that was detected with infrared imaging and SD-OCT. SD-OCT revealed lesions arising from the retinal nerve fiber layer with overlying vitreous adhesions, hyperreflective dots, and optically empty spaces at all depths of the tumor. Hamartomas were hyporeflective on infrared imaging and hypoautofluorescent on FAF. FAF of some lesions demonstrated hyperautofluorescent spots. Conclusions Infrared imaging and SD-OCT aid in the detection of astrocytic hamartomas that are not visible on clinical examination or color fundus photography. SD-OCT enhances visualization of structural details. FAF is a useful adjunctive test to obtain greater contrast between lesions and surrounding retina. The ability to monitor structural changes over time in astrocytic hamartomas using SD-OCT may be beneficial for monitoring the success of systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of various tuberous sclerosis tumors.
Can a bibliometric indicator predict the success of an analgesic

In the assessment of success of new analgesic drugs over the past 50 years (Kissin, Anesth Analg 110:780---789, 2010) we observed a difference in the publication response to a new drug between biomedical journals in general and top journals: number of published articles on a drug increased (and declined) more rapidly in the top journals. Based on this phenomenon we present a new publication indicator--the Top Journal Selectivity Index (TJSI). It represents the ratio between the number of all types of articles in the top 20 biomedical journals and the number of articles in all (>5,000) journals covered by Medline, over 5 years after a drug's introduction. Ten analgesics developed during the period 1986---2009 were selected for analysis. Three publication indices were used for assessment: the number of all types of articles presented in Medline, the number of articles covering only randomized controlled trials (RCT), and the Top Journal Selectivity Index. We also assessed the success score in the development of these analgesics based on the following criteria: novelty of molecular target, analgesic efficacy, and response by the pharmaceutical market. The relationships between the publication indices and analgesic's success score were determined with the use of the Pearson correlation coefficient. Positive relationship was found only with the Top Journal Selectivity Index (r = 0.876, p < 0.001). We suggest that this index can predict success in drug development at least in the field of analgesics.
Design of digital blind feedforward nearly-jitter-free timing recovery schemes

This paper deals with the compensation of the self-noise (jitter) in a nondata aided (blind) feedforward symbol timing estimator using two samples per symbol for linearly-modulated waveforms transmitted through AWGN channels. The main contribution of this paper is the derivation of an appropriate prefilter to achieve nearly jitter-free digital blind feedforward timing recovery. Computer simulations illustrate that the proposed prefiltering scheme improves significantly the performance at mid and high SNRs.
Credentialing residents for intraoperative cystoscopy.

Abstract Objective: To determine whether incorporation of routine intraoperative cystoscopy for evaluation of potential urinary tract injury into gynecologic residency training provides sufficient experience to justify hospital credentials after graduation. Methods: We developed a curriculum to train residents in intraoperative cystoscopic evaluation of potential lower urinary tract injury. Cystoscopy was performed when indicated with hysterectomy and routinely in conjunction with pelvic reconstruction. Faculty members evaluated conceptual and technical proficiency by oral examination and direct observation in the operating room. Once the resident demonstrated a thorough understanding and proficiency in performing intraoperative cystoscopy, a competency certification document was issued by the Program Director. This certification was transmitted to the postresidency hospital credentials committee to justify granting privileges. Results: Since 1994 over 400 transurethral cystoscopic evaluations have been done in conjunction with major gynecologic abdominal and vaginal surgeries, and since 1997 an additional 50 transvesical microcystoscopies have been done in selected abdominal cases. Twenty-five residency graduates have been certified as fully trained in intraoperative diagnostic cystoscopy. All these graduates have been granted intraoperative cystoscopy privileges at their subsequent hospital practice. Conclusion: Incorporation of cystoscopic urinary tract evaluation into routine gynecologic surgical training is good medical practice and provided a mechanism whereby obstetrics and gynecology residents could obtain intraoperative cystoscopy hospital privileges after graduation. (Obstet Gynecol 2000;96:1014–7.)
Valence bond effects on mean excitation energies for stopping power in metals

Abstract Mean excitation energies for metals of the second and third period are evaluated by the local plasma approximation using a valence bond model of the metallic state. Pauling's ion core charge of 0.72 yielded closer agreement with experiments in general.
Overweight Adolescents and On-time High School Graduation: Racial and Gender Disparities

Obesity among U.S. adolescents ages 12–19 rose from 4.6% in 1963–1965 to 17.4% in 2003–2004. This paper contributes to the literature on the impact of unhealthy body mass index (BMI) on health (e.g., obesity) and human capital (e.g., schooling) investments of adolescents. We use the propensity score method to study 8,388 individuals who responded to survey Waves I through III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), for students in grades 7–12. We estimate an economic model that captures longer-term effects of BMI categories (obesity and overweight separately) on on-time (dichotomous) high school graduation. We control for characteristics at the individual, household, and community levels. Baseline probit regression estimates were improved upon by using matching estimators (propensity scores yield consistent estimate of the average treatment on the treated) based on the nearest neighbor and the more robust kernel density weighting schemes. Results from both full and reduced models suggest no adverse impact of overweight or obesity on timely high school completion for males, but a significant average negative effect on females. Investigating disparities in effects across both gender and race, we isolate the adverse effects primarily to white and Asian females. No significant effects were found for African-Americans. One of the novel contributions of our research is that the significant effects of gender- and race- specific adolescent obesity and overweight conditions reach beyond high school GPA standing to also impact on-time high school graduation status.
YqhD: a broad-substrate range aldehyde reductase with various applications in production of biorenewable fuels and chemicals

The Escherichia coli NADPH-dependent aldehyde reductase YqhD has contributed to a variety of metabolic engineering projects for production of biorenewable fuels and chemicals. As a scavenger of toxic aldehydes produced by lipid peroxidation, YqhD has reductase activity for a broad range of short-chain aldehydes, including butyraldehyde, glyceraldehyde, malondialdehyde, isobutyraldehyde, methylglyoxal, propanealdehyde, acrolein, furfural, glyoxal, 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde, glycolaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetol. This reductase activity has proven useful for the production of biorenewable fuels and chemicals, such as isobutanol and 1,3- and 1,2-propanediol; additional capability exists for production of 1-butanol, 1-propanol, and allyl alcohol. A drawback of this reductase activity is the diversion of valuable NADPH away from biosynthesis. This YqhD-mediated NADPH depletion provides sufficient burden to contribute to growth inhibition by furfural and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, inhibitory contaminants of biomass hydrolysate. The structure of YqhD has been characterized, with identification of a Zn atom in the active site. Directed engineering efforts have improved utilization of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde and NADPH. Most recently, two independent projects have demonstrated regulation of yqhD by YqhC, where YqhC appears to function as an aldehyde sensor.
Curriculum development related to information security policies and procedures

Policies and procedures communicate and control access to information assets and other resources. Developing effective policies and procedures involves understanding the environment within which one is working. They should encompass multiple layers. The level of trust needed for various levels of the organization must be determined. Policies are developed for accomplishing the business objectives and the procedures then support how they will be enforced. Internal control is established through design of sound policies and procedures. Also discussed are concepts such as risk assessment, risk control, disaster recovery and business continuity. This paper describes these important topics that would be covered in an information security policies course.
Photoinduced localized charged excitations in polyaniline

Abstract We report the infrared photoinduced absorption spectra of polyaniline in the ‘emeraldine’ base form while pumping into the two optical transitions at 2.0 eV and 4.0 eV, respectively. For optical pumping at energies near 2.0 eV, we found photoinduced infrared-active vibrational (IRAV) modes that are essentially identical to those observed subsequent to protonation. We propose that the optical absorption at 2.0 eV in the emeraldine form is due to an n −π ∗ transition from the non-bonding nitrogen lone-pair to the conduction ( π ∗ band. With 4.0 eV optical pumping, the IRAV modes are significantly different, demonstrating that a different species is produced when pumping into the π−π ∗ transition. Our analysis, based on the amplitude mode formalism, indicates that the charged photoexcitations and the polarons that are generated through protonation are localized and not highly mobile.
Withaferin-A reduces type I collagen expression in vitro and inhibits development of myocardial fibrosis in vivo.

Type I collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Its excessive synthesis results in fibrosis of various organs. Fibrosis is a major medical problem without an existing cure. Excessive synthesis of type I collagen in fibrosis is primarily due to stabilization of collagen mRNAs. We recently reported that intermediate filaments composed of vimentin regulate collagen synthesis by stabilizing collagen mRNAs. Vimentin is a primary target of Withaferin-A (WF-A). Therefore, we hypothesized that WF-A may reduce type I collagen production by disrupting vimentin filaments and decreasing the stability of collagen mRNAs. This study is to determine if WF-A exhibits anti-fibrotic properties in vitro and in vivo and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of its action. In lung, skin and heart fibroblasts WF-A disrupted vimentin filaments at concentrations of 0.5–1.5 µM and reduced 3 fold the half-lives of collagen α1(I) and α2(I) mRNAs and protein expression. In addition, WF-A inhibited TGF-β1 induced phosphorylation of TGF-β1 receptor I, Smad3 phosphorylation and transcription of collagen genes. WF-A also inhibited in vitro activation of primary hepatic stellate cells and decreased their type I collagen expression. In mice, administration of 4 mg/kg WF-A daily for 2 weeks reduced isoproterenol-induced myocardial fibrosis by 50%. Our findings provide strong evidence that Withaferin-A could act as an anti-fibrotic compound against fibroproliferative diseases, including, but not limited to, cardiac interstitial fibrosis.
A chemical genomics approach to understanding drug action

Abstract The complete collection of yeast deletion strains represents a unique, living biological computer for understanding gene function. The molecular ‘barcodes' present in each of the deletion strains allow a quantitative ranking of the importance of any gene under any experimental condition of choice. In this article, some of the recent results generated from experiments that exploit the yeast deletion collection to understand mechanisms of drug action are discussed.
The Grand Canyon rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis abyssus): Comparison of venom protein profiles with other Viridis subspecies

1. 1. A comparative isoelectrophoretic study was made of venoms of four subspecies of Crotalus viridis with emphasis on the relationships of C. v. abyssus with C. v. nuntius, C. v. lutosus and C. v. concolor. 2. 2. The number of venom protein among the subspecies ranges from 16–21, with most components comprising less than 5% of the total venom protein. 3. 3. Protein profiles as determined by isoelectric focusing confirm the close alliance of the viridis subspecies. C. v. abyssus appears to be more closely related to C. v. lutosus than to other subspecies.
Welfare Reform and the Economic and Cultural Reconstruction of Low Wage Labor Markets

“WELFARE REFORM” RADICALLY reorganizes means-tested cash assistance to families, particularly families headed by women. Much of the public discussion which accompanied these changes focussed on the perverse effects of cash assistance on the personal morality of recipients. More insight can be gained, however, by examining both the material and cultural effects of the campaign against welfare on labor markets. [Welfare reform; labor markets; personal morality]
Temperature-compensated film bulk acoustic resonator above 2 GHz

Two different types of temperature-compensated film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) are designed, fabricated, and tested. One is formed by integrating FBAR with a surface-micromachined air-gap capacitor, which passively reduces the FBAR's temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) by about 40 ppm//spl deg/C at 2.8 GHz. With this approach, zero TCF would easily have been achieved if the FBARs were built on AlN rather than ZnO. The other type of temperature compensated FBAR is built on a surface-micromachined SiO/sub 2/ cantilever that is released by XeF/sub 2/ vapor etching of silicon. The Al-ZnO-Al-SiO/sub 2/ FBAR is measured to have a TCF of -0.45 ppm//spl deg/C (between 85/spl deg/C and 110/spl deg/C) at 4.4 GHz.
Role of Type I (Neuronal) Nitric Oxide Synthase in Pulmonary Vascular Tone in the Ovine Fetus ♦ 348

Role of Type I (Neuronal) Nitric Oxide Synthase in Pulmonary Vascular Tone in the Ovine Fetus ♦ 348
Internal atrial and ventricular defibrillation during electrophysiology procedures.

Over the last twenty years internal defibrillation has evolved from an experimental technique into an important adjunctive procedure in the electrophysiology laboratory. Internal deflbrillation is used for treating persistent atrial fibrillation and refractory ventricular arrhythmias. Atrial defibrillation can be performed with several electrode configurations but generally shocks from 1 to 50 joules are delivered between electrodes placed in the coronary sinus and lateral wall of the right atrium. Ventricular defibrillation is usually performed with electrodes in the right ventricle and superior vena cava, although “unipolar” configurations with an internal ventricular electrode and a skin electrode can be used. Currently, internal deflbrillation can be required in 5–10% of cases within the electrophysiology laboratory and will become more commonly used as electrophysiologists perform more complex catheter ablation procedures.
Low Acceleration Takeoff From a Satellite Orbit

I A 1953 paper (l) titled "Take-Off From a Satellite Orbit," Tsien treated the equations of motion of a powered rocket in a central gravitational field. His method of analysis was direct, and led to elliptic integrals for the radial thrust case and to series approximations for the circumferential thrust case. Most of the subsequent literature on low thrust trajectories continues to use Tsien's results and his direct method of approach. Thus, Dobrowolski (3) makes use of the elliptic integral solution to get formulas for the rate of precession of the line of apses. Copeland (4) also derives the elliptic integral expressions and in addition exhibits graphs of particular trajectories. Perkins (5), treating the case of low level tangential thrust, uses the method of linear perturbations. Many of the results obtained by these direct methods can be obtained much more quickly by the nonlinear techniques of Kryloff and Bogoliuboff (2). A brief statement of this method is given herein. For more details, the reader is referred to Minorsky (6). In the following sections, the Kryloff-Bogoliuboff method is applied to three different examples of low acceleration orbits: Radial thrust, circumferential thrust and intermittent thrust. It is seen that the results agree with those in the literature, and in certain cases are arrived at much more quickly.
An Efficient Algorithm for Calculating Thrust in High Multiplicity Reactions

Abstract An efficient way of calculating the thrust variable is presented. With this method, the CPU goes up approximately as N 2 , where N is the number of particles.
Comparison of Optimal Thermodynamic Models of the Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle from Heterotrophs, Cyanobacteria, and Green Sulfur Bacteria.

We have applied a new stochastic simulation approach to predict the metabolite levels, material flux, and thermodynamic profiles of the oxidative TCA cycles found in E. coli and Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, and in the reductive TCA cycle typical of chemolithoautotrophs and phototrophic green sulfur bacteria such as Chlorobaculum tepidum. The simulation approach is based on modeling states using statistical thermodynamics and employs an assumption similar to that used in transition state theory. The ability to evaluate the thermodynamics of metabolic pathways allows one to understand the relationship between coupling of energy and material gradients in the environment and the self-organization of stable biological systems, and it is shown that each cycle operates in the direction expected due to its environmental niche. The simulations predict changes in metabolite levels and flux in response to changes in cofactor concentrations that would be hard to predict without an elaborate model based on the law of m...
Primary adenocarcinoma of urinary bladder Clinicopathologic study of 16 cases

The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of 16 pure adenocarcinomas primary in the urinary bladder were reviewed. Only 3 patients were found to have disease confined to the urinary bladder. Of 13 cases with follow-up only 3 are free of disease. Histologically, the tumors were classified as signet ring cell (3), colloid (3), colonic type (5), clear cell (1), and not otherwise specified (NOS, 4). Immunohistochemically, all tumors but one colloid carcinoma were immunoreactive for cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen, and most tumors were likewise immunoreactive for carcinoembryonic antigen. Eight cases were immunoreactive for Leu M1 antigen. Prostate specific antigen, S-100 protein, and placental alkaline phosphatase were uniformly negative. No correlation between immunohistochemical profile and histologic type or clinical outcome was found. The utility of immunohistochemistry and other pathologic findings is reviewed.
Change in the Form of Evolution: Transition from Primate to Hominid Forms of Social Organization

ABSTRACT In this paper I sketch a model for the transition from biologically to culturally based forms of social organization. The impetus for the transition arises from increased individualization among the non-human primates that can be observed as one moves phylogenetically from the Cercopithecoids and Ceboids (Old and New World monkeys) to the hominoids, especially the African apes. Increased individualization introduced a conflict with coherent and stable social integration that was only resolved among the hominid ancestors to modern Homo sapiens by shifting to a cultural/conceptual, rather than a behavioral/biological, basis for social organization. The shift entailed a change from evolution driven by individual fitness to evolution driven by the structural coherency of a conceptual system for social organization; that is, to selection based on group, rather than individual, level traits. Conceptually the transition depended upon the evolution of mental capacities such as a theory of mind and recurs...
Graphs with degrees from prescribed intervals

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of simple graphs with degrees from prescribed intervals, are given.
Photothermal lens spectrometry of homogeneous fluids with incoherent white-light excitation using a cylindrical sample cell

A model for photothermal lens signal generation in a cylindri- cal sample cell under constant irradiance excitation is described and tested. The model is developed with and without the assumption that the sample cell does not change temperature over the irradiation time. In both cases, the photothermal lens is predicted to be parabolic in form with a strength that is independent of sample cell radius. The predicted irradiance independence suggests that incoherent illumination can be used to perform photothermal lens spectroscopy in low-volume cells. Experimental evidence is obtained using a Xe arc lamp to perform pho- tothermal lens spectroscopy in a 6 mL cylindrical spectrophotometric cell. Optical filters are used to reduce the power at IR and UV wavelengths of the Xe lamp emission spectrum. This pseudo-white-light source enables indirect optical absorbance measurement independent of the absorption spectrum of the analyte. The preliminary data reported show that photo- thermal lens signals can be obtained using wide-spectral-bandwidth, in- coherent excitation sources. Although the theoretical enhancement fac- tor is found to be only ;0.01 for these experiments, limits of detection of the order of 30 to 300 pM pseudoisocyanine dye in ethanol solution are found. This corresponds to spectral integrated absorption detection limit from 10 24 to 10 26 au in the centimeter path length cell. These low de- tection limits are found even with low enhancement factors because the factors that affect the noise in the photothermal lens and conventional transmission spectroscopy signals are not the same in these experi- ments. The major sources of uncertainty in these detection limit esti- mates are knowledge of the excitation source spectrum and periodic chaotic behavior of the diode laser used as a probe of the photothermal lens. Examination of the response time of the signal reveals that thermal conductivity of the sample cell influences the characteristic signal rise and decay time constants. The radiative heat transfer model is applied to interpret measured time constants in terms of the cell thermal conduc- tivity and thickness of the sample cell walls. The sample cell thermal conductivity determined by this method is consistent with ferrous mate- rials. © 1997 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
Binaural Cues and Consonant Perception in Reverberation and Noise

Although a binaural advantage for understanding speech in adverse listening conditions has long been recognized, little is known about how binaural hearing influences consonant error patterns. The goal of the present study was to examine differences in consonant perception when stimuli distorted by noise and/or reverberation were presented using monaural, binaural, and diotic presentation modes. Results showed significant differences in error patterns among the three listening conditions (noise, reverberation, and reverberation + noise). Differences among the three presentation modes (monaural, binaural, and diotic) were subtle, as were interactions among presentation modes and listening conditions.
Rescue by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in dogs from bone marrow failure after total-body irradiation.

In order to determine the minimum dose of buffy coat cells necessary to achieve hematopoietic rescue following supralethal irradiation, mongrel dogs under general anesthesia were subjected to leukacytapheresis using three different techniques of cell separation. The buffy coats were frozen with dimethylsulfoxide and stored at −196 degrees C until transfused. Sixteen dogs were irradiated with 800 rads and were supported with antibiotics and transfusions of irradiated homologous blood. They were transfused with the frozen and thawed buffy coat cells, and, if they survived, they were followed for 100 days, sacrificed, and their tissues studied. The mean yield of mononuclear cells during leukocytapheresis ranged from 4.1 +/− 2.0 × 10(9) (mean +/− SD) to 6.0 +/− 4.0 × 10(9) for the three leukacytapheresis methods; one technique was not as satisfactory as the other two. Six of the 16 dogs fully recovered with evidence of marrow rescue; however, only one had a dose of mononuclear cells less than 11.1 × 10(9). These data indicate that seven to 17 leukacytapheresis procedures would be required to reconstitute a 70 kilogram patient. These preliminary findings suggest that, because the yields of transplantable cells with current technology are not adequate, the transplantation potential of buffy coat cells exposed to mobilizing agents should be evaluated.
Costly signaling and cheap talk in models of political influence

The motivation for the paper is that, insofar as agents can inflict self-imposed utility losses, purely cheap talk communication is never the only available instrument for information transmission. Given this and the importance of recent work applying cheap talk models to understand a variety of political phenomena, we explore two related questions for the theory. First, what are the equilibrium implications for cheap talk communication when an informed agent is free to use both costless and costly signals and, second, what are the consequences of allowing both sorts of signal for the widespread use of ex ante welfare comparisons as a basis for predictions on the degree of information transmission or institutional choice?
Surface interaction of [3H]norepinephrine with cultured chick embryo myocardial cells

Abstract Cultured chick embryo cardiac myoblasts specifically bind [ 3 H]nonrepinephrine. The binding is rapid and reversible. Bound [ 3 H]nonrepinephrine, dissociated by 1 M HCl, can be rebound to fresh cells. β-Adrenergic catecholamines were most potent in displacing [ 3 H]nonrepinephrine from the cellular bindign sites. The binding reaction did not show stereospecificity. α-Adrenergic amines were much less potent. Propranolol, but no phentolamine, competed for the sites. Approximately 2.5 · 10 6 specific binding sites are present per myocardial cell. The sites appear to be present predominantly at the cell surface in that nonrepinephrine linked to agarose beads competes for th sites. Similarly, the sites were degraded by either trypsin or trypsin bound to agarose. Two different binding constants, K = 2 · 10 6 and 1 · 10 5 , were observed. Proteolytic enzymes decreased binding whereas certain hospholipases led to an increase in specific binding. Divalent cations at concentrations > 1 mM diminished binding as did chelating agents.
Canine hookworm disease in Nairobi, Kenya.

The age and sex incidence, monthly and seasonal occurrence, signs and symptoms, clinical pathological changes and gross lesions associated with hookworm disease in 264 dogs are described. Less commonly reported clinical signs have been pointed out. The impact of concurrent infection with babesiosis is discussed.
Polynomial representations of the symplectic groups

The irreducible finite dimensional representations of the symplectic groups are realized as polynomials on the irreducible representation spaces of the corresponding general linear groups. It is shown that the number of times an irreducible representation of a maximal symplectic subgroup occurs in a given representation of a symplectic group, is related to the betweenness conditions of representations of the corresponding general linear groups. Using this relation, it is shown how to construct polynomial bases for the irreducible representation spaces of the symplectic groups in which the basis labels come from the representations of the symplectic subgroup chain, and the multiplicity labels come from representations of the odd dimensional general linear groups, as well as from ℂ subgroups. The irreducible representations of Sp(4) are worked out completely, and several examples from Sp(6) are given.
Multidimensional assessment of phonological similarity within and between children

Multidimensional analysis involves moving away from one-dimensional analyses such as most articulation tests to comprehensive analyses involving levels of phonological information from the word level down to segments. This article outlines one such approach that looks at four levels from words to segments, using nine phonological measures. It also presents a new methodology for comparing children across the levels (multidimensional assessment of phonological similarity (MAPS)), and demonstrates the approach through a comparison of four sibling pairs. The results show that children can differ greatly and unpredictably in their similarities and differences, and that only a multidimensional analysis can identify where these similarities and differences may occur.
The amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex: functional contributions and dysfunction in psychopathy

The current paper examines the functional contributions of the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the evidence that the functioning of these systems is compromised in individuals with psychopathy. The amygdala is critical for the formation of stimulus–reinforcement associations, both punishment and reward based, and the processing of emotional expressions. vmPFC is critical for the representation of reinforcement expectancies and, owing to this, decision making. Neuropsychological and neuroimaging data from individuals with psychopathy are examined. It is concluded that these critical functions of the amygdala and vmPFC, and their interaction, are compromised in individuals with the disorder. It is argued that these impairments lead to the development of psychopathy.
Intraspecific and interspecific variation in use of forest-edge habitat by snakes

Variation in use of edge habitat among populations and species of snakes should reflect underlying causes (e.g., thermal ecology, prey availability) and consequences (e.g., predation on birds' nests) of habitat selection. We compared the habitat use of ratsnakes, Elaphe obsoleta (Say in James, 1823), in Illinois and Ontario and compared habitat use by ratsnakes and racers, Coluber constrictor (L., 1758), in Illinois. Ratsnakes in Illinois used upland forest more and forest edges less than ratsnakes in Ontario. Female ratsnakes in Illinois used edges less than males, regardless of their reproductive status. Relative to ratsnakes, racers preferred forest edges and avoided forest interior. Female racers used edges more than males, especially while gravid. These results, and most of the seasonal patterns in habitat use, were broadly consistent with variation expected from differences in thermoregulatory needs, although other factors potentially influencing habitat use cannot be ruled out. Although it has been...
Automated Retrieval of Security Statistics from the World Wide Web

Many statistics pertaining to information security are cited with little supporting evidence. Consider the fraction of cyber-attacks due to insiders. The U.S. Secret Service in 1996 estimated 60%, Network World in 2000 estimated 70% to 90% for "corporate networks" (and said only 1 in 50 attacks is detected), Deloitte and Touche gave it as 35% in 2004 in a study of the financial industry, a CERT briefing in 2005 gave it as 20%, a Carnegie-Mellon report in 2004 gave it as 39%, and the CSI/FBI annual survey for 2006 estimated that 26% of financial losses anyway came from insiders. Which should we believe? The figures are based on different data collection methods and some are more reliable than others. Most do not adequately identify their sources. To explore this, we have developed a Java data-mining program that collects statements of security-related statistics from the World Wide Web. Besides providing a single source for scattered data, our program permits comparing the sources and influences of statistics.
Self-limiting benign paroxysmal positional vertigo following use of whole-body vibration training plate.

Objective We describe a case of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo which occurred after use of a whole-body vibration training plate. Method Case report and literature review concerning the secondary causes of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and the physiological effects of whole-body vibration training plates. Results A 44-year-old woman was referred with classic symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo following use of a whole-body vibration training plate, a popular form of fitness equipment widely used in sports, rehabilitation and beauty treatments. The condition resolved spontaneously after several days. There have been reports of negative side effects in users of this equipment, such as dizziness, headache and a sensation of imbalance; however, there have been no reported cases involving vertigo. Based on a literature review, this equipment may cause side effects, including vertigo, by generating forces that can increase the original amplitude of internal organs, which may potentially cause labyrinthine trauma or dislocation of otoconia, leading to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Conclusions We suggest that whole-body vibration training plates may potentially induce benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Manufacturers may need to make users of this equipment aware of this risk, and remind them to use it with caution.
Transport in line junctions of ν = 5 2 quantum Hall liquids

We calculate the tunneling current through long-line junctions of a $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{5}{2}$ quantum Hall liquid and (i) another $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{5}{2}$ liquid, (ii) an integer quantum Hall liquid, and (iii) a quantum wire. Momentum-resolved tunneling provides information about the number, propagation directions, and other features of the edge modes and thus helps distinguish several competing models of the 5/2 state. We investigate transport properties of two proposed Abelian states: $K=8$ and 331 state, and four possible non-Abelian states: Pfaffian, edge-reconstructed Pfaffian, and two versions of the anti-Pfaffian state. We also show that the nonequilibrated anti-Pfaffian state has a different resistance from other proposed states in the bar geometry.
Do longshore bars shelter the shore

In most past theories on Bragg reflection of waves by a finite patch of rigid bars, only outgoing waves are allowed on the transmission side, simulating the effect of an idealized shoreline where all the incident wave energy is consumed by breaking. In these theories the amplitudes of both the incident and reflected waves are found to decrease monotonically over the bar patch in the shoreward direction. This result has motivated the idea of artificially constructing bars to protect a beach from incident waves. However, some numerical calculations have suggested that this tendency does not always hold when there is some reflection from the shore. We show here that with finite reflection by the shoreline the spatial distribution of wave energy over the patch can indeed be reversed, indicating that the mechanism can increase the hazards to the beach. The phase relation between the bars and the shoreline reflection is found to be the key to this qualitative change of wave response.
VICTIMIZATION OF WOMEN AND ITS IMPACT ON ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT IN THE PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY SETTING

An understanding of victimization is critical to the practice of emergency psychiatry. Victimization histories are disturbingly common among women presenting to the PES, particularly among frequent service users. The sequelae of victimization are both psychological and physical and often impair health and functioning across numerous domains. PTSD, BPD, and substance-use disorders are often seen among women with victimization histories, which can be particularly challenging for PES providers. Screening for trauma on PES presentation or history should not be overlooked in any person, including severely mentally ill, homeless, disabled, or elderly women. PES clinicians should remember to ask about victimization and pose questions privately in a direct and an open-ended format while conveying empathic validation. Clinical assessment of women with victimization histories in the PES should be guided by the principles of standard emergency psychiatry and be informed by an understanding of trauma. This includes a working knowledge of trauma dynamics, adherence to sound professional boundaries, and care not to retraumatize patients or re-enact perpetrator-victim dynamics. Voyeurism and regression should be avoided, particularly when eliciting trauma history. The PES should be a place for screening and acute intervention, not for conducting intensive trauma therapy. In the PES, the focus should remain on triage and treatment priorities, those of safety and stabilization, and carefully evaluating for substance use and psychosis. The PES ideally provides a "holding environment" that affords a balance of nurturing, limits, consistency, and communication. A basic knowledge of cognitive-behavioral interventions affording "crisis survival strategies," such as DBT, can be particularly useful to PES clinicians. Clinicians also need to monitor issues of countertransference and the potential to be dismissive to these women with complex, comorbid, and chronic problems and diseases. The role for the use of psychotropic medication in PES cohorts with victimization histories should target acute symptoms. Involving regular providers of these decisions is advised to coordinate care and minimize splitting and risks of polypharmacy. Although the SSRIs are effective in symptom management of disorders related to victimization, patients must be reminded of the side-effect profile, particularly sexual dysfunction and withdrawal and discontinuation syndromes.
Class I Ribonucleotide Reductases: Metallocofactor Assembly and Repair In Vitro and In Vivo

Incorporation of metallocofactors essential for the activity of many enyzmes is a major mechanism of posttranslational modification. The cellular machinery required for these processes in the case of mono- and dinuclear nonheme iron and manganese cofactors has remained largely elusive. In addition, many metallocofactors can be converted to inactive forms, and pathways for their repair have recently come to light. The class I ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) catalyze the conversion of nucleotides to deoxynucleotides and require dinuclear metal clusters for activity: an FeIIIFeIII-tyrosyl radical (Y•) cofactor (class Ia), a MnIIIMnIII-Y• cofactor (class Ib), and a MnIVFeIII cofactor (class Ic). The class Ia, Ib, and Ic RNRs are structurally homologous and contain almost identical metal coordination sites. Recent progress in our understanding of the mechanisms by which the cofactor of each of these RNRs is generated in vitro and in vivo and by which the damaged cofactors are repaired is providing insight int...
The Rights of War and Peace. Political Thought and the International Order from Grotius to Kant , Oxford University Press, Nueva York, 1999.

In this part of his book, Richard Tuck reveals a new perspective on the philosophical tradition that gave birth to some of the most fundamental liberal principles. The author explains how the skepticism and the raison d´etat recovered by Renaissance theorists are applied to the behavior of the nation-states in International Relations during the European expansion, suppressing all kind of affective or moral quality and are translated to the civil society in order to convert the individuals into perfect liberal agents.
On the minimax optimality of block thresholded wavelet estimators with long memory data

We consider the estimation of non-parametric regression function with long memory data and investigate the asymptotic rates of convergence of wavelet estimators based on block thresholding. We show that the estimators achieve optimal minimax convergence rates over a large class of functions that involve many irregularities of a wide variety of types, including chirp and Doppler functions, and jump discontinuities. Therefore, in the presence of long memory noise, wavelet estimators still provide extensive adaptivity to many irregularities of large function classes.
Oral ingestion of silver nanoparticles induces genomic instability and DNA damage in multiple tissues

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in consumer and medical products. However, most AgNP toxicity data are based on in vitro studies. Only a few studies were performed in mammals and no st...