cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma via the transradial route: Technique, feasibility, and case series.

Abstract Objectives Intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) has become one of the most important pillars in retinoblastoma (Rb) management. It allows for targeted delivery of chemotherapy by superselective catheterization of the ophthalmic artery, thus, reducing systemic toxicity. As in most neurovascular procedures, IAC has traditionally been performed through a transfemoral access. However, recent publications have spurred the use of the transradial route for neuroendovascular procedures due to its lower complication rates and higher patient satisfaction. Here, we present the first case series in the literature on the technique, safety, and feasibility of IAC via the transradial route in the pediatric population. Patients and Methods We retrospectively analyzed our prospectively maintained database and present our technique and initial experience from 5 consecutive pediatric patients aged between 3 and 15 years who underwent 10 transradial IAC treatments. Results All IACs were performed successfully. Two patients had repeat IACs through the same wrist. There were no thromboembolic events or access site complications, such as hand ischemia or hematoma. All patients were discharged home the same day of the procedure. Conclusion Our case series demonstrates the safety and feasibility of transradial IAC in pediatric patients with Rb. As more experience is gained with the transradial route for neurovascular procedures in adults, it may become the preferred route in some pediatric patients as well.
What Elephant? Pedagogical Approaches to Addressing Stigma Toward Mental Disorders in Undergraduate Public Health Education:

In the past decade, the number of undergraduate public health programs has increased exponentially. This growth provides a unique opportunity to explore concepts and issues relevant to understandin...
Whole-genome sequencing reveals uniqueness of black-hulled and straw-hulled weedy rice genomes

Both SH and BHA weedy rice genotypes evolved independently and have distinct genomic composition. Different genetic mechanisms may be responsible for their competitiveness and adaptation to diverse environmental conditions. Two major types of weedy rice are recognized in the USA based on morphology: straw-hull (SH) and black-hull awned (BHA) weedy rice. We performed whole-genome resequencing of a SH weedy rice ‘PSRR-1’, a BHA weedy rice ‘BHA1115’, and a japonica cultivar ‘Cypress’ to delineate genome-wide differences and their relevance to genetics and evolution of weedy attributes. The high-quality reads were uniformly distributed with 82–88% genome coverage. The number of genotype-specific SNPs and InDels was highest in Cypress, followed by BHA1115 and PSRR-1. However, more genes were affected in BHA1115 compared with other two genotypes which is evident from the number of high-impact SNPs and InDels. Haplotype analysis of selected genes involved in domestication, adaptation, and agronomic performance not only differentiated SH from BHA weedy rice and supported evolution of weedy rice through de-domestication, but also validated the function of several genes such as qAn-1, qAn-2, Bh4, Rc, SD1, OsLG1, and OsC1. Several candidate genes were identified for previously reported seed dormancy and seed shattering QTLs. The SH and BHA weedy rice have distinct genomic composition, and the BHA weedy rice likely diverged earlier than SH weedy rice. The accumulation of plant development, reproduction, and defense-related genes in weedy rice possibly helped them to compete, survive, and spread under a wide range of environmental conditions by employing novel and diverse mechanisms. The genomic resources will be useful for both weed management and rice improvement by exploring the molecular basis of key agronomic, adaptive, and domestication attributes.
Gemini: Learning to Manage CPU Power for Latency-Critical Search Engines

Saving energy for latency-critical applications like web search can be challenging because of their strict tail latency constraints. State-of-the-art power management frameworks use Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) and Sleep states techniques to slow down the request processing and finish the search just-in-time. However, accurately predicting the compute demand of a request can be difficult. In this paper, we present Gemini, a novel power management framework for latency-critical search engines. Gemini has two unique features to capture the per query service time variation. First, at light loads without request queuing, a two-step DVFS is used to manage the CPU power. Our two-step DVFS selects the initial CPU frequency based on the query specific service time prediction and then judiciously boosts the initial frequency at the right time to catch-up to the deadline. The determination of boosting time further relies on estimating the error in the prediction of individual query’s service time. At high loads, where there is request queuing, only the current request being executed and the critical request in the queue adopt a two-step DVFS. All the other requests in-between use the same frequency to reduce the frequency transition overhead. Second, we develop two separate neural network models, one for predicting the service time and the other for the error in the prediction. The combination of these two predictors significantly improves the power saving and tail latency results of our two-step DVFS. Gemini is implemented on the Solr search engine. Evaluations on three representative query traces show that Gemini saves 41% of the CPU power, and is better than other state-of-the-art techniques.
Indolent B-Lineage Precursor Populations Identified by Flow Cytometry and Immunohistochemistry in Benign Lymph Nodes.

OBJECTIVES In this retrospective study, we report a series of benign lymph nodes showing small populations of normal B-cell precursors characterized by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. METHODS Ten cases identified during clinical flow cytometry practice were retrospectively reanalyzed with particular attention to hematogone categorization and enumeration. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on five excisional lymph node biopsy specimens to characterize the morphologic correlate. RESULTS Populations of hematogones ranging from 0.13% to 1.86% (median, 0.51%) of all viable leukocytes were demonstrated in 10 benign lymph node samples from eight different patients ranging in age from 17 to 45 years (median, 37.5). These hematogones showed a characteristic immunophenotype (CD19+/CD10+) and maturational pattern by flow cytometry, with progression from stage 1 (median, 0.03%) to stage 2 (median, 0.19%) to stage 3 (median, 0.26%) seen in all cases. Immunohistochemical staining on five excisional biopsy specimens demonstrated a distinct perisinusoidal distribution of CD10+/CD20+ cells with a subset of TdT+ cells, providing a morphologic correlate. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize distinct hematogone populations within benign lymph nodes by both flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Recognizing these normal B-cell precursor populations is important to avoid their miscategorization as a CD10+ B-cell neoplasm.
Emerging Adults and Social Distancing During COVID-19: Who Was More Likely to Follow Guidelines and What Were the Correlates With Well-Being and Weight-Related Behaviors?

The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence, predictors, and psychosocial well-being (depressive symptoms, stress) and weight-related behavior (eating behaviors, physical activity, and sedentary behavior) correlates of social distancing during COVID-19 among emerging adults. A rapid-response survey was sent to participants (n=720;mean age=24.7 ± 2.0 years, 62% female) in a population-based cohort study in Minnesota during April?October 2020. Half of emerging adults reported fully social distancing. Emerging adults from White backgrounds were least likely to social distance while those from Asian backgrounds were most likely to social distance, in addition to those living with a parent. Females who partially/did not social distance reported less healthy eating behaviors, while males and ?essential workers? reported higher levels of psychosocial distress. Public health messaging and practical supports for social distancing may need to be made more relevant to emerging adults during public health crises. Resources may need to differ depending on sex of emerging adult.
I Was Wrong: Introduction: Apologies as a Source of Moral Meaning in Modernity

Maimonides' Hilchot Teshuvah , compiled between 1170 and 1180, arguably provides the most recent philosophical monograph devoted to apologies. Considering the relevance of apologies to moral philosophy and current general interest in acts of contrition, this surprised me. Philosophers have long delighted in scrutinizing suspect social practices, and apologies now seem more than ripe. We share a vague intuition that something has gone afoul with this ubiquitous gesture, a sense that apologies are rotting on the vine. The arguments in this book track that intuition at various levels. We might think of our standards for apologies as buried deep within our evolutionary hardwiring, as primatologists have documented reconciliation protocols between chimpanzees. These “natural conflict resolutions” can look uncannily similar to handshakes, and from this perspective we might measure the quality of an apology by the amount of oxytocin released by the hominid on its receiving end. Bad apologies, like spoiled fruit, do not satisfy our primal needs. Alternatively, we might consider the steady stream of odd apologies in the daily news to be like hiccups of etiquette, passing symptoms of normative dyspepsia as we become accustomed to a multicultural buffet of beliefs and manners. Taking the long view of history, we live in a transitional age for apologies and we will eventually settle into more stable habits. Technological shifts accelerate these growing pains, as a connected world creates more opportunities to offend each other, capture these transgressions digitally, and reproduce them on command for anyone across the globe who might take umbrage.
Basic Principles Underlying Posture

(1931). Basic Principles Underlying Posture. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 2, No. 8, pp. 13-56.
Referrals of adult patients from primary care: demographic disparities and their relationship to HMO insurance

Background Increasing enrollment in managed care organizations and dissatisfaction with policies to restrict direct access to specialists have intensified interest in referrals from primary care physicians to specialists. We examined the associations of demographic factors and insurance with referrals of adult patients by primary care physicians. Methods Office visits of adult patients to primary care physicians (general practitioners, family physicians, and internists) reported in the National Ambulatory Care Survey for the years 1985 through 1992 were used to examine referrals by primary care physicians. Regression analyses were adjusted for patient factors (age, sex, race, insurance, case mix, diagnostic category, new problem or not, new patient or not, and visit length), physician factors (age, sex, specialty, and degree of specialization), and practice factors (proportion of HMO patients, rural location, region, and study year). Results Overall, 4.5% of patients were referred compared with 7.5% of patients with HMO insurance. After adjustment, an increased likelihood of referral was associated with being a male patient, having fewer medications prescribed, not being seen before for the presenting problem, a longer visit, less physician specialization, seeing a female physician, seeing an internist, and seeing a physician with a greater proportion of patients with HMO insurance. Among patients with HMO insurance, no gender disparity in referral rate was observed, and patients who also had Medicaid or Medicare insurance were more likely to be referred. Conclusions Male patients are more likely to be referred. HMO insurance may reduce this gender disparity and increase the access of patients with Medicaid and Medicare to specialty care.
A New Application of Taylor Rules: Model Evaluation

Taylor rules posit a linear relationship between the output gap, inflation, and short-term nominal interest rates. Previous work has shown that the relationship between these key economic variables as captured by the Taylor rule is quite robust both across countries and monetary policy regimes. Consequently, the Taylor rule has become a useful characterization of monetary policy with much recent work focussed on the optimal formulation of the Taylor rule and the properties of equilibrium. While this research has provided insights into the conduct of monetary policy, our interest in the Taylor rule is from a quite different perspective: we ask whether a calibrated monetary model can produce Taylor rule behavior similar to that seen in the data. That is, since the Taylor rule is a useful summary of the characteristics of a monetary economy, it seems reasonable to ask whether a monetary model, when calibrated to the data, produces a similar relationship. For our analysis, we employ a version of the limited participation model of Christiano, Eichenbaum, and Evans (1997) that permits both technology and money shocks. We find that this model, when the shock process is calibrated to US data, is able to replicate qualitatively the correlation of interest rates with inflation implied by the Taylor rule but fails dramatically to match that between nominal interest rates and output.
Dysgerminoma presenting as a calcified abdominal mass with hypercalcemia.

Ovarian neoplasms account for less than 2% of all pediatric malignant tumors. About one third of these tumors are pure dysgerminomas, which rarely present with abdominal calcification or hypercalcemia. This communication reports the unusual occurrence of both a calcified dysgerminoma and hypercalcemia in a 101/2-year-old girl. CASE REPORT A 101/2-year-old white girl was hospitalized for evaluation of anorexia of six months9 duration, an 11-kg weight loss, polyuria, and polydipsia. On admission, she appeared weak and cachectic. Blood pressure was 110/80 mm Hg; pulse rate, 120 beats per minute; respirations, 28/mm; temperatare, 38.2 C; height, 130 cm; and weight, 25 kg. A left-lower-quadrant abdominal mass extended across the midline.
Who are Hispanic Youth? Considerations for Adolescent Addiction Clinical Research and Treatment

Despite a strong and growing presence within the United States, there is a history of health disparities for Hispanic populations. These issues have been even more pronounced for Hispanic youth. To take a step towards providing culturally relevant care for Hispanic youth, this article presents an overview of important issues for clinical treatment and research including Hispanic cultural heritage, Hispanic identity, and biculturalism/multiculturalism. Furthermore, this review discusses salient factors for Hispanic youth including acculturation, cultural norms and cultural scripts. Understanding these factors in relation to substance abuse treatment is critical to offering the best services for Hispanic youth.
Influence of volcanic activity at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, on earthquake occurrence in the Kaoiki Seismic Zone

[1] The Kaoiki Seismic Zone at Mauna Loa's east flank is the locus of some of the largest earthquakes on Hawaii. In this paper we examine the link of those earthquakes to volcanic activity at Mauna Loa. We calculate the changes of Coulomb failure stress along the Kaoiki faults for typical volcanic events at Mauna Loa volcano. We simulate the dislocation associated with the 1950 eruption at the Southwest Rift Zone, the 1984 eruption at the Northeast Rift Zone, and the subsequent replenishment of the shallow magma chamber. Our model calculations suggest that the earthquake occurrence in the Kaoiki Seismic Zone strongly depends on the type of volcanic activity. Kaoiki earthquakes are encouraged by dike intrusions into the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa, but discouraged by dike intrusion into the Northeast Rift Zone. Inflation of a shallow magma chamber may again encourage earthquakes.
México y las cruzadas anticomunistas estadounidenses, 1924-1964

Este trabajo analiza la reaccion mexicana ante las cruzadas anticomunistas de Estados Unidos durante tres episodios: la presidencia de Calles, la Guatemala de Arbenz, y el gobierno revolucionario de la Cuba de Castro. El tema permite analizar la intrigante paradoja de que, durante la guerra fria, un regimen anticomunista -producto de una revolucion que el gobierno estadunidense califico alguna vez de bolchevique- practicara una politica amistosa hacia movimientos supuestamente comunistas
Moving from Recommendations to Innovations: Increasing the Relevancy and Effectiveness of Chemistry Education

The chemistry community should seize the opportunity posed by the 2009 report, Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians, and the planned revisions to the Medical College Admissions Test to develop and implement curricular innovations that have potential benefit for students in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry courses. The process of envisioning, developing, and adopting curricular innovations, particularly those that are comprehensive, takes time. Educational innovations should be initiated with long-term goals in mind. Building on research-based practices will streamline implementation and maximize initial impacts. Fostering the identification of learning outcomes and competencies, engaging in continuous assessment, and using evidence-based practices will have both short- and long-range results. We will be able to meet the current expectations of the medical community. Moreover, these strategies will position us to respond to future changes, with an eye to the overarching goal o...
Distribution of emissions allowances as an opportunity

Much of the debate on climate policy in the USA focuses on the gain or loss to the macroeconomy of alternative policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, the economy is made up of multiple individuals, not a single representative agent. This article reports the results of alternative ways of distributing emissions allocations across citizens. Macroeconomic effects interact with the policy for distribution, but the distributional weights are more important for the welfare of individual agents than the economy-wide effects of the emissions reductions. Egalitarian distributions of the emissions allowances have the potential to increase the welfare of most people, even if significant emissions reductions are mandated. Focusing on the distribution of emissions allowances (or the revenues generated from an emissions tax) rather than on aggregate GDP may provide guidance in identifying and implementing politically viable solutions to the climate change mitigation problem.
Diurnal patterns and sex differences in cortisol, 11-ketotestosterone, testosterone, and 17β-estradiol in the bluebanded goby (Lythrypnus dalli)

Abstract The primary goals of this study were to evaluate diurnal patterns of and sex differences in the levels of cortisol, 11-ketotestosterone, testosterone, and 17β-estradiol in the sex-changing bluebanded goby Lythrypnus dalli. Steroid hormones were collected from water samples and analyzed by enzyme immunoassay. During the breeding season, hormones were sampled from both males and females at seven time points between 0600 and 2000 h. When comparing each time point separately, there were significant overall time effects for cortisol and 17β-estradiol. Cortisol concentrations were lowest at the 0800–1000 h sampling point and showed a qualitative peak in late morning (1000–1200 h). Concentrations of 17β-estradiol were elevated at the last sampling point (1800–2000 h). Broader temporal trends were revealed for testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone concentrations, both of which were elevated in the morning. There were no sex differences in overall hormone concentrations or temporal profiles for cortisol, 11-ketotestosterone, or testosterone. Males and females showed similar diurnal patterns of 17β-estradiol but females had significantly higher water-borne 17β-estradiol levels than males. The results show the presence of diurnal changes in steroid hormone levels in male and female bluebanded gobies. The lack of sex differences in androgens suggests that males of this species, and perhaps other bi-directional sex-changing species in which males do not exhibit prominent secondary sexual characteristics, do not require persistent elevations in 11-ketotestosterone or testosterone to maintain the male phenotype. Although the role of 17β-estradiol in maintaining sex differences in sexually plastic species is unclear, our results suggest that, of the hormones measured, 17β-estradiol has the greatest potential for future studies interested in this question.
Crawling of worms

Abstract The mechanics of a worm crawling along a flat surface is analyzed. The external forces of friction and gravity, and the internal pressure and tension, are taken into account. An equation of motion is formulated, and solutions are sought in which both the tension and the linear density are required to lie between prescribed bounds. Pulse and periodic travelling wave solutions are constructed. The maximum crawling velocity is determined, as well as the wave form which achieves it. Comparison of the results with experimental observations shows that the theory yields a maximum crawling velocity which is much larger than the observed velocity. Therefore, the theory is changed to require that the time rate of change of tension be less than a prescribed bound, rather than that the tension be bounded. With this modification, the theory agrees fairly well with the observations.
Cytokine response is lower after lung volume reduction through bilateral thoracoscopy versus sternotomy.

Background Lung volume reduction surgery performed through bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopy (BVATS) was associated in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial with a statistically significant reduction in intensive care unit days, failure to wean, hospital stay, and cost, and earlier recovery compared with median sternotomy. Studies comparing other minimally invasive techniques with "open" procedures, including pulmonary lobectomy, have demonstrated reduced serum proinflammatory mediators postoperatively. We measured these levels after lung volume reduction surgery through BVATS and sternotomy. Methods Serum cytokine levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 9 consecutive, steroid-free patients undergoing sternotomy and lung volume reduction surgery and 6 undergoing BVATS and lung volume reduction surgery. The groups were not statistically different with respect to age, partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide, percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second, percent residual volume, percent total lung capacity, diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, 6-minute walk, or apical perfusion fraction. Proinflammatory interleukin 6 and interleukin 8 and antiinflammatory interleukin 10 were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively on days 1, 4, and 5. Clinical data were prospectively collected. Results There were no major postoperative complications or deaths. Interleukin 6 levels were lower in the BVATS than the sternotomy group ( p = 0.016 by repeated measures analysis of variance). Interleukin 8 levels were lower in the BVATS group at most postoperative time points, but there were no significant differences in interleukin 8 or interleukin 10 levels between the sternotomy and BVATS groups at any individual time point or by analysis of variance. Conclusions Use of a BVATS approach to lung volume reduction surgery is associated with reduced postoperative release of proinflammatory cytokines compared with a sternotomy approach. This may account for the reduction in recovery time and some measures of postoperative morbidity seen with the BVATS approach.
Categorizing Rice Cultivars Based on Cluster Analysis of Amylose Content, Protein Content and Sensory Attributes

ABSTRACT Presently, rice cultivars are categorized according to grain dimensions, amylose content, and alkali spreading value (gelatinization temperature type). Categorization of rice cultivars based on total sensory impact is needed. This work endeavors to divide world rices into groups based on amylose, protein, flavor, and texture properties. Ninety-one rice samples representing 79 different cultivars and seven growing locations were separated into seven groups with Ward's Cluster Analysis. Cluster 1 included a third of the rice samples and had cultivars with a large diversity of grain shapes and amylose contents. Mean attribute scores for this cluster were near the grand mean for the collective rice samples for nearly every sensory attribute. Cluster 2 included conventional U.S. short- and medium-grain cultivars. Cluster 3 included conventional U.S. medium cultivars that were produced in Louisiana. Mean sensory scores for this cluster characterized these cultivars as having relatively undesirable flav...
A mathematical model of rat proximal tubule and loop of Henle

Proximal tubule and loop of Henle function are coupled, with proximal transport determining loop fluid composition, and loop transport modulating glomerular filtration via tubuloglomerular feedback...
Stability analysis of bilinear systems

The stability of the differential bilinear systems is studied. The authors consider time-varying bilinear systems with output feedback. The input or control u(t) is not only a signal but also an input with output feedback, i.e., u(t)=f(Y(t)). It is assumed that the feedback function f is in a function space which contains the class of linear functions, functions satisfying the Lipschitz condition, and quadratic functions. >
Role of laparoscopy in colorectal surgery A prospective evaluation of 200 cases

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the role of laparoscopic-assisted surgery in patients presenting for routine colorectal surgical procedures. METHODS: Two hundred consecutive patients were assessed for the possible use of laparoscopic surgery. The decision regarding suitability of the patient for the procedure was made by the operator. For the purpose of analysis, patients were assigned to open, converted, and laparoscopic groups. RESULTS: Ninety-five of 200 patients were considered appropriate for laparoscopic surgery, 62 (65.3 percent) being successfully completed. These completed operations included right colectomy (24/30), sigmoid colectomy (22/36), appendectomy (9/10), anterior resection (3/8), abdominoperineal resection (3/5), and left colectomy (1/2). Complications attributable to laparoscopy were infrequent (6.3 percent) and were not responsible for any deaths. Patients in the laparoscopic group required less analgesia, tolerated oral intake earlier, and were discharged from the hospital earlier than those who were converted or who had open procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic assisted surgery is safe, effective, and applicable to many of the standard colorectal procedures. Observed benefits include less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stay.
Estimating the Storm Surge Recurrence Interval for Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy’s storm surge peaked at 2.87 m (9.40 ft) above mean sea level (MSL) (9.64 ft Manhattan Borough Datum [MBD]) at the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City on October 29, 2012 at 9:24 pm. The peak storm surge coincided with a tide of 0.64 m MSL (0.24 ft MBD), only 30 minutes after a high tide, contributing to catastrophic flooding of near-coastal areas. Traditional flood analysis fitting techniques using various probability distribution functions (normal, lognormal, Gumbel, and log-Pierson III) yielded return frequencies from 667 years to over 10,000 years. The more advanced Lin et al. (2010; 2012) analyses yielded recurrence intervals of between 559 and 650 years for the storm surge alone and 993 years for the surge plus tide. Considering the 2.77-mm/yr (0.11-in/yr) sea-level rise and using the analysis of Lin et al. (2012), future storms equal in magnitude to Hurricane Sandy will result in even greater flooding.
Health effects and exposure assessment of aerosolized pentamidine handlers.

Nurses administering aerosolized pentamidine (AP) were studied to determine any effect AP may be having on their health. Exposure was determined by each nurse's self-report of treatment given as recorded in a daily log and personal and area pentamidine sampling. Outcome measures were self-reported symptoms recorded in a daily log and peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) and cross-shift and cross-week pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Results revealed no dose-response effect of pentamidine exposure on cross-shift and cross-week PFTs. However, declines in cross-shift PEFRs, diffusion capacities, and increased symptom complaints were observed for a subset of the study population. This suggested that outcomes were modulated by host factors (history of hay fever and allergy) as well as exposure doses. Treatment booth efficacy in containing fugitive AP aerosol was also corroborated as a means of minimizing worker exposure.
Detection thresholds within a display that manifests contour enhancement and brightness contrast.

Increment and decrement thresholds expressed as Weber fractions were measured from the center to the edge of a square control field. The luminance necessary for a brightness match at each of these locations was also recorded and used to provide an additional index of discriminability for purposes of comparison. Discriminability was also measured across a square experimental field which was centered in a high-luminance surround. The surround produced no change of either increment or decrement threshold luminances from the center of the square experimental field to 10′ of visual angle from its edge, although the apparent brightness of the field diminished. The experiment was repeated at two levels of luminance in which the contrast ratio between the surround and the experimental field was kept constant. Weber fractions derived from brightness matches yielded similar results with respect to location and surround luminance.
A Quantitative Form of Expressing Persistency of Milk or Fat Secretion

Summary 1. When all other conditions are uniform, the monthly milk or fat production during the lactation period after the maximum is passed, is a constant percentage of the preceding month's production. 2. Pregnancy, seasonal changes of environmental temperature, nutrition, and management may cause slight changes in the rate of decline of milk and fat secreted. 3. Two methods for the quantitative determination of persist ency of milk secretion are explained with a discussion of their relative merits. 4. The use of a combination of these methods in predicting total yearly production from the first part of the record by the use of the maximum month's yield and the persistency of production shown during that period was illustrated. 5. The uses of a quantitative index for persistency of secretion of milk or fat by dairy cattle in relation to problems of breeding, feeding, and management were indicated.
Outcome After Fontan Failure and Takedown to an Intermediate Palliative Circulation

Background Fontan takedown to an intermediate palliative circulation is an important treatment option for patients with acute or subacute failure of a Fontan circulation from a variety of causes. Little is known about the subsequent outcome of these patients or their potential candidacy for a second attempt at Fontan completion. Methods Patients followed up at Children's Hospital Boston who underwent takedown of a Fontan circulation to an intermediate palliative circulation within 1 year of Fontan completion were reviewed. Results Between 1979 and 2006, 53 patients underwent Fontan takedown at a median age of 2.3 years (range, 0.3 to 36.5 years). Takedown was performed during the Fontan procedure itself in 12 patients (22%), within the first postoperative month in 31(58%), and between 1 month and 1 year in 10 (18%). Overall, 29 patients (55%) survived the early period after takedown, and 19 ultimately underwent successful Fontan completion a median of 4.6 years after takedown; all but one was alive a median of 6.4 years later. Thirteen (68%) of the 19 had treatable abnormalities contributing to Fontan failure. Conclusions Fontan takedown can provide effective stabilization of the acutely or subacutely failing Fontan circulation, although a substantial number of patients die early despite Fontan takedown. Subjects surviving the perioperative period can often undergo uneventful redo Fontan. A thorough evaluation for treatable abnormalities should be performed in all patients with a failing Fontan circulation and in patients who undergo Fontan takedown.
An evaluation of school-level factors used in a successful school-based hepatitis B immunization initiative

Abstract Purpose To examine the effect of different school-level factors on the percent return of consent or refusal forms, the percent student participation/enrollment rate, and the percent completion rate of all 3 immunizations in the vaccination series in a school-based hepatitis B immunization initiative. Methods The Houston Hepatitis B Immunization Initiative (HBII) was conducted from 1998 through 2001 to provide free hepatitis B immunizations to elementary school students in low socioeconomic areas. At the end of each academic school year, the nurse from each school participating in the initiative was asked to complete a survey evaluating the different strategies utilized in each school to aid in the program's success. The effect of different organizational methods on rate of return of consent/refusal forms, participation rates, and immunization completion rates from the program year 1999–2000 was determined using frequencies, Mann-Whitney analyses, Kruskal-Wallis analyses, and Spearman's correlations. Results An increase in percent return of signed consent/refusal forms was more likely when teachers helped in publicity/promotion ( p = .012) and educational packet distribution ( p = .041). Additionally, when teachers assumed responsibility for collecting the forms, the percent return of signed consent/refusal forms ( p = .018) and the percent of students receiving all 3 vaccines in the series through HBII ( p = .030) were more likely to increase. An increase in signed consent/refusal forms returned was also associated with increased rates of student participation in the program for each school. In schools where students helped specifically with educational packet distribution ( p = .039), the percent of students receiving at least 1 vaccine dose from the program was more likely to be higher. Conclusions The involvement of teachers in vaccination programs is very important for program success, especially in the enrollment and return of consent/refusal form phases of immunization initiatives. Student involvement may empower the students and encourage other students to participate in the program. Future school-based immunization initiatives can utilize these data to incorporate the most effective school-level factors into their programs to maximize the number of students immunized.
Fluticasone Propionate Pharmacogenetics: CYP3A4*22 Polymorphism and Pediatric Asthma Control

Objective To determine the relationship between allelic variations in genes involved in fluticasone propionate (FP) metabolism and asthma control among children with asthma managed with inhaled FP. Study design The relationship between variability in asthma control scores and genetic variation in drug metabolism was assessed by genotyping 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYP3A4 , CYP3A5 , and CYP3A7 genes. Genotype information was compared with asthma control scores (0 = well controlled to 15=poorly controlled), determined using a questionnaire modified from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's Expert Panel 3 guidelines. Results Our study cohort comprised 734 children with asthma (mean age, 8.8 ± 4.3 years) and was predominantly male (61%) and non-Hispanic white (53%). More than one-half of the children (56%; n=413) were receiving an inhaled glucocorticoid daily, with FP the most frequently prescribed agent (65%). Among the children receiving daily FP, single nucleotide polymorphisms in CYP3A5 and CYP3A7 were not associated with asthma control scores. In contrast, asthma control scores were significantly improved in the 20 children (7%) with the CYP3A4*22 allele (median, 3; range, 0-6) compared with the 201 children without the CYP3A4*22 allele (median, 4; range, 0-15; P = .02). The presence of CYP3A4*22 was associated with improved asthma control scores by 2.1 points (95% CI, 0.5-3.8). Conclusion The presence of CYP3A4*22 , which is associated with decreased hepatic CYP3A4 expression and activity, was accompanied by improved asthma control in the FP-treated children. Decreased CYP3A4 activity may improve asthma control with inhaled FP.
Ultrastructural study of Norrie's disease.

We studied the clinicopathologic and ultra-structural features of a full-term infant with Norrie's disease. The infant had bilateral retrolental fibrous vascular masses and retinal detachment with no other apparent physical abnormalities and no family history of ocular defects. A vitrectomy and a membrane peeling were attempted, and specimens of the retina, the retrolental membrane, and a vascularized epiretinal peripheral mass were examined by light and electron microscopy. The retrolental membrane was composed of layered collagenous tissue and contained structures resembling blood vessels. Inner and outer neuroblastic layers were identified in the retinal tissue, but no vessels were present. In the epiretinal mass, portions of retina and cortical vitreous were seen along with primitive vascular structures. The histologic appearance of these specimens suggests that the major pathologic event of Norrie's disease occurs in the retina in the third to fourth gestational month. We believe the subsequent ocular abnormalities found in this patient were secondary to this early retinal malformation and did not represent a progressive ocular disorder.
The rate of progression of long intestinal tubes in a dog with a jejunal fistula

The rates of progression of various types of commercially available intestinal tubes, as well as of experimental tubes of various design, were tested in a large dog with a high jejunal fistula. The Cantor polyvinyl tube filled with mercury gave the best performance.
A redetermination of lithium chloride dioxane

The crystal structure of the title compound, poly­[μ2-chloro-μ2-dioxane-κ2O:O′-lithium(I)], [LiCl(C4H8O2)]n, displays a three-dimensional diamondoid network composed of Li—Cl and Li—O interactions. Each metal centre is similarly surrounded by two dioxane mol­ecules and two chlorine atoms. The Li—O coordination is propagated along the c axis, forming a one-dimensional chain, and the three-dimensional structure is completed by Li—Cl interactions parallel to the ab plane. Principal dimensions include Li—Cl distances of 2.3115 (10) and 2.3270 (11) A and Li—O distances of 1.9574 (10) and 1.9981 (11) A.
Communication and aging: A study of the effects of cohort‐centrism and perceived decoding ability on communication competence and communication satisfaction

From a sample of 190 males and females (120 “young,”; 70 “old"), this study sought to determine differences in perceived levels of communication competence and communication satisfaction as a function of the main and joint effects of cohort‐centrism and perceived decoding ability. Analyses provided only weak support for the joint effects. However, older persons considered their conversational partners, whether young or old, to be more competent than did younger persons. Also, on the whole, older persons were more satisfied conversing with young persons, while younger persons were less satisfied, regardless of the age of the conversational partner. Those who perceived themselves as high decoders rated their partners as more competent than did those who perceived themselves as low decoders, and high decoders were also more satisfied with the interaction than low decoders. Cohort‐centrism was supported only in the case of low‐decoding older persons.
IL-15-independent antiviral function of primary and memory CD8+ T cells.

Abstract Memory CD8 + T cells are comprised of CD122 hi IL-15-dependent and CD122 lo IL-15-independent subsets. Induction and retention of IL-15-independent memory CD8 + T cells was assessed in IL-15 −/− and wild-type (wt) mice immunized with recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) or Sindbis virus (rSIN) vectors expressing the identical foreign epitope. Both vectors induced epitope-specific CD8 + T cell expansion and function, independent of IL-15. Similar kinetics of rVV clearance confirmed effective CD8 + T cell function in IL-15 −/− mice. CD44 hi CD122 hi CD8 + T cells, mainly of the CD62L −/lo phenotype, increased more dramatically and declined more rapidly in IL-15 −/− mice, independent of the vector. Rapid IL-15-independent memory CD8 + T cell expansion following challenge of immune mice compensated for the limited memory CD8 + populations in IL-15 −/− mice. However, despite expansion and expression of potent effector function, viral clearance was delayed in the absence of IL-15, coinciding with a rapid loss in cytolytic function.
The Gendered Nature of Sexual Scripts

Social scripting theory points to the fact that much of sexual behavior seems to follow a script. Similar to scripts that stage actors use to guide their behavior, social scripts instruct members of a society as to appropriate behavior and the meanings to attach to certain behaviors. In Western cultures, scripts for sexual activity are markedly different for males and females. In this article, the goals are to provide (a) an introduction to social scripting theory, (b) an exploration of the ways and potential reasons sexual scripts differ by gender, and (c) a discussion of ways that a social scripting perspective can be applied to work with individuals and couples experiencing sexual problems.
Sublinear algorithms for outlier detection and generalized closeness testing

Outlier detection is the problem of finding a few different distributions in a set of mostly identical ones. Closeness testing is the problem of deciding whether two distributions are identical or different. We relate the two problems, construct a sub-linear generalized closeness test for unequal sample lengths, and use this result to derive a sub-linear universal outlier detector. We also lower bound the sample complexity of both problems.
Diffuse Reflectance Studies of Solid-Solid Interactions

Tetracycline and its derivatives, bishydroxycoumarin, and methantheline bromide have been studied by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for possible solid-solid interactions with various metallic adjuvants. Examination of the spectra of some of these drug-adjuvants systems show rather small spectral changes, while other spectra show large bathochromic and hyperchromic changes, new band formation, and visual color changes which are indicative of charge-transfer interactions. Although these interactions vary in variety and intensity, they may significantly alter the availability and activity of the medicinal agent in pharmaceutical dosage forms.
Intensity modulated radiotherapy for stage III non-small cell lung cancer in the United States: predictors of use and association with toxicities.

Abstract Background Intensity modulated radiotherapy for stage III lung cancer has become commonplace in the United States in the absence of randomized controlled trials. We used a large, population-based database to determine which factors led to increased utilization of IMRT and to evaluate associations of IMRT with toxicities. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare records identified 3986 individuals aged 66 years or older diagnosed with stage III lung cancer between 2001 and 2007 and treated with IMRT or 3D conformal radiotherapy. Predictors of IMRT use were determined using logistic regression. Associations of IMRT use with diagnosis codes for radiation-related toxicities were evaluated with multivariate proportional hazards regression and propensity-score matching. Results Among the 3986 patients studied, the median age was 75 years, 54.1% were male, and 62% had IIIA disease. Two hundred and fifty seven (6.5%) patients received IMRT, with use increasing from 0.5% in 2001 to 14.7% in 2007 ( P P Conclusion These findings suggest that practice environment strongly influenced adoption of IMRT for lung cancer. Patient and tumor factors were not significant predictors of IMRT use. Esophagus and lung toxicity rates were similar between IMRT and 3DCRT.
Matrix Isolation and Density Functional Study of the Reaction of OVCl3 with CH3SH

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with infrared spectroscopy to isolate, identify, and characterize the initial intermediates in the thermal and photochemical reactions of OVCl3 with CH3SH. The thermal reaction proceeds through formation of a 1:1 complex that is characterized by perturbations to the −VCl3, −VO, and S−H stretching modes, as well as the −CH3 rocking and bending modes. The photochemical reaction leads to HCl elimination from the initial 1:1 complex, and formation of Cl2V(O)SCH3. Additional support for the species identification and vibrational band assignments comes from isotopic substitution. Density functional calculations (B3LYP/6-311G+(d, 2p)) were carried out to confirm the experimental band assignments for this latter species. Efforts to study the thermal reaction beyond formation of the initial complex were unsuccessful, despite pyrolysis at temperatures as high as 300 °C prior to sample deposition.
Natural magnetic disturbance fields, not precursors, preceding the Loma Prieta earthquake

[1] Available records of the magnetic indices Dst and ap together with standard observatory recordings of 1-min field levels were examined for the period preceding the earthquake of October 1989, centered near Loma Prieta, California. The magnetic records showed that the Fraser-Smith et al. (1990) report claiming the existence of a 100-s (ultralow frequency) geomagnetic field precursor signal at Corralitos, California, foretelling a nearby earthquake is not valid. My study shows that the Stanford ULF signal was not local but rather widespread throughout the western United States and, therefore, expected to be due to a coincidental geomagnetic solar-terrestrial disturbance field.
Hands-on with the NetFPGA to build a Gigabit-rate Router

An open platform called the NetFPGA has been developed at Stanford University. The NetFPGA platform enables researchers and instructors to build high-speed, hardware-accelerated networking systems. The platform can be used in the classroom to teach students how to build Ethernet switches and Internet Prototcol (IP) routers using hardware rather than software. The platform can be used by researchers to prototype advanced services for next-generation networks. Hardware circuits within the NetFPGA will be implemented to measure and plot the occupancy of buffers. Circuits will be downloaded into reconfigurable hardware and tested with live, streaming Internet video traffic.