cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medical Humanities : A Novel Approach to Medicine for Washington County, Utah

To broaden and enrich physician education, the humanities have been introduced into medical school curricula through literature, history, art, and even music. Current medical culture necessitates and even encourages emotional detachment from healthcare providers, but the humanities provide a methodology to bridge that oft-lamented gap between patient and physician. Closing this gap will break down barriers that impede the delivery of outstanding healthcare. The merging of medical humanities in physician education and practice provides not only a methodology but a culture that can be incorporated into the healthcare system. Adopting this culture in Washington County, Utah, could assist in bridging the gap, greatly benefitting citizens and healthcare providers alike. This research project, which includes interviews with members of the St. George community and the University of Utah, suggests the benefits an interdisciplinary approach can have for Washington County in its hospitals and clinics as well as its undergraduate and medical school curricula.
Lithium dipotassium citrate monohydrate, LiK2C6H5O7(H2O).

The crystal structure of dilithium potassium citrate monohydrate, Li+·2K+·C6H5O73−·H2O or LiK2C6H5O7·H2O, has been solved by direct methods and refined against laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional techniques. The complete citrate trianion is generated by a crystallographic mirror plane, with two C and three O atoms lying on the reflecting plane, and chelates to three different K cations. The KO8 and LiO4 coordination polyhedra share edges and corners to form layers lying parallel to the ac plane. An intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs between the hydroxyl group and the central carboxyl­ate group of the citrate anion as well as a charge-assisted inter­molecular O—H⋯O link between the water mol­ecule and the terminal carboxyl­ate group. There is also a weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bond.
AlScN Programmable Ferroelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (FMUT)

This work presents the first demonstration of Scandium-doped Aluminum Nitride (AlScN) Ferroelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (FMUTs). AlScN FMUTs with 28% Sc doping were fabricated and their ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were characterized. The change in the static bending profile of the FMUT for different DC bias values was shown to be dependent on the ferroelectric polarization state of the device. Similarly, its DC bias resonant frequency tunability was shown to change for different combinations of polarization states in separate regions within the transducer. Thus, we demonstrate an unprecedented in-memory sensing and actuation capability enabling simultaneous sensing, computation and data memorization in the same FMUT. The non-volatile nature of the FMUT and its rich polarization switching properties provide a new pathway towards the demonstration of energy-efficient nano electro mechanical neuromorphic hardware with neuronal and synaptic dynamics.
Shipping Fracking Wastes on the Ohio River: A Case Study in Effective Public Advocacy and How Citizen Groups Can Do Even Better

When a publicly held company proposed shipping wastewaters from fracking sites in the Marcellus Shale by barge over the Ohio River, public sentiment was strong. The people of Appalachia had suffered water contamination from accidents involving extractive industries numerous times in the past. This case study used qualitative methods to evaluate and measure public participation in permit proceedings in both the United States Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers. Our study highlighted public success in defeating the proposal to allow shipping of fracking waste by barge on rivers in the United States, but confirms the findings of earlier studies showing difficulties individual citizens have in effectively participating and engaging in federal permit and rulemaking proceedings. The study suggests that to reduce environmental injustices in future proceedings, federal agencies issuing permits and engaged in rulemakings should adapt procedures to expand Internet availability of dockets.
Questions Relating to Procedure of the Security Council: Voting

Procedure of the Security Council is governed by the provisions of the Charter and the Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Council adopted under Article 30 of the Charter. Where there is no conflict between applicable provisions of the Charter and the Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Council, the Charter and the Provisional Rules have equal legal validity.1 Of the several categories of legal questions relating to procedure of the Council, the most important have been the questions relating to the voting in the Council.2
Vertebrate Metabolism in Extreme Conditions

Vertebrates in desert, high altitude and marine environments face physiological challenges caused by temperature, water and pressure. They have therefore evolved physiological strategies and adaptations in order to survive. Keywords: homeostasis; homeotherms; hyperventilation; environmental conditions
What if Auditing was Not 'Low-Margin Business'? Auditors and Their IPO Clients as a Natural Experiment

We use the IPO setting to examine the relation between the auditor's exposure to legal liability, audit fees and audit quality. Consistent with the increase in litigation liability that an IPO audit implies, we find that auditors earn much higher fees for IPO engagements than for first-year, post-IPO engagements. Moreover, these higher fees are strongly associated with our proxy for the auditor's litigation exposure under the 1933 Act, the size of the IPO. In addition, we find that pre-IPO accruals are significantly less than first-year post-IPO accruals. Overall, we find no evidence to suggest that IPO companies engage in opportunistic earnings management. Taken together, IPOs do not appear to be "low-margin" engagements for auditors, nor does it seem that auditors permit their IPO clients an increase in accounting discretion.
Continuous demand chain management: a downstream business model for e-commerce

The demand side of supply chain management has drawn considerable research attention, with focus on disintermediation and syndication models. In this chapter, we evaluate new business models for establishing a continuous demand chain structure to streamline the logistics between the vendor and its direct consumers. The Continuous Demand Chain Management (CDCM) model of E-Commerce is one in which the physical products for sale are delivered directly to the customer without the use of a third party logistics provider, such as a common carrier, and in which the physical product may be continuously "pulled" from the seller. We present three submodels of CDCM. The CDCM Model A applies to business-to-consumer (B2C) online sellers of physical goods who own or control their own delivery vehicles, and may provide further services to extend the value proposition for the buyer. The online grocer is a typical example of businesses in this category. The CDCM Model B applies to business-to-business (B2B) sellers of physical goods, who also own a significant portion of their delivery fleet and deliver goods on demand to local distributors or business customers. Office supply E-Merchants provide an example of this model. The CDCM Model C applies to businesses that typically provide virtually instantaneous delivery of third party goods to consumers or businesses. Businesses in this category own or control their own delivery fleet and add value by delivering items within very short periods of time, usually one-hour delivery. In order to analyze these models, we conducted structured interviews with key senior managers of one representative business each in the CDCM Model A and Model B categories. We extensively surveyed recent literature on companies in the CDCM Model C category. We use the results of our study to analyze different aspects, such as revenue streams, cost structure, and operational peculiarities of businesses following the CDCM model and, finally, discuss the long-term viability of the sub models.
Association of pre‐operative brain pathology with post‐operative delirium in a cohort of non‐small cell lung cancer patients undergoing surgical resection

Objective Post-operative delirium is associated with pre-operative cognitive difficulties and diminished functional independence, both of which suggest that brain pathology may be present in affected individuals prior to surgery. Currently, there are few studies that have examined imaging correlates of post-operative delirium. To our knowledge, none have examined the association of delirium with existing structural pathology in pre-operative cancer patients. Here, we present a novel, retrospective strategy to assess pre-operative structural brain pathology and its association with post-operative delirium. Standard of care structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) from a cohort of surgical candidates prior to surgery were analyzed for white matter hyperintensities and cerebral atrophy. Methods We identified 23 non-small cell lung cancer patients with no evidence of metastases in the brain pre-operatively, through retrospective chart review, who met criteria for post-operative delirium within 4 days of surgery. 24 age- and gender-matched control subjects were identified for comparison to the delirium sample. T1 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences were collected from standard of care pre-operative MRI screening and assessed for white matter pathology and atrophy. Results We found significant differences in white matter pathology between groups with the delirium group exhibiting significantly greater white matter pathology than the non-delirium group. Measure of cerebral atrophy demonstrated no significant difference between the delirium and non-delirium group. Conclusions In this preliminary study utilizing standard of care pre-operative brain MRIs for assessment of structural risk factors to delirium, we found white matter pathology to be a significant risk factor in post-operative delirium. Limitations and implications for further investigation are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abscess-Fistula Complexes: A Systematic Approach for Percutaneous Catheter Management

Abstract Purpose To describe a systematic catheter management approach for treatment of abscesses with enteric fistulae by abscess evacuation and selective fistula tract cannulation in a series of patients with postprocedural abscess-fistula complexes. Materials and Methods This single-center retrospective study included 27 patients (17 male; mean age, 51.3 y) who underwent percutaneous drainage of postprocedural abscess-fistula complexes from January 2005 to September 2013. There were 15 low-output and 12 high-output fistulae. Intra-abdominal abscesses were evacuated by percutaneous drainage. Multiple catheters were used for collections with viscous fluid or size ≥ 6 cm in diameter. High-output fistulae and recurrent low-output fistulae had additional catheter cannulation of the enteric hole to facilitate the creation of a controlled enterocutaneous tract. There was no preexisting cutaneous tract before catheter insertion in 23 fistulae. Results Abscess-fistula complex resolution occurred in 24 patients (88.9%). Of the 3 cases of failure, 2 patients required surgical repair of the fistula, and 1 patient died. Mean number of drainage procedures was 7.0, and mean catheter duration was 76.1 days. There was no significant difference in catheter duration of low-output and high-output abscess-fistula complexes ( P = .34); however, high-output patients underwent significantly more procedures (9.1 vs 6.1, P = .025). There were 15 fistulae that were cannulated (11 high-output and 4 low-output fistulae). Cannulated abscess-fistula complexes had significantly longer catheter duration (102.5 d vs 53.2 d, P = .04) and underwent significantly more procedures (8.4 vs 5.4, P = .04). Conclusions The catheter management strategy was successful in resolving most abscess-fistula complexes in this series.
The sociability of two-year-olds with their mothers and fathers.

Twenty-one two-year-olds were observed interacting with their parents in a laboratory playroom. Previously reported analyses had found that they displayed no preference for interaction with either parent. The present analysis found that there was a high degree of correlation between the sociability of the child with his mother and his sociability with his father. Possible implications of this finding are discussed.
Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of Elevator Cable Dynamics and Control

The vibratory energy of a moving cable in an elevator increases in general during upward movement. A control method is presented to dissipate the energy associated with the lateral vibration of the cable. A novel experimental method is developed to validate the theoretical predictions for the uncontrolled and controlled lateral responses of a moving cable in a high-rise elevator. This includes the design and fabrication of a scaled elevator, experimental setup, and development of measurement and parameter estimation techniques. Experimental results show good agreement with the theoretical predictions.
A statewide analysis of RNs' intention to leave their position.

Abstract The magnitude of the projected nursing shortage supports retention of Registered Nurses (RNs) as an essential healthcare workforce strategy. Purpose: This paper reports an analysis of RN workforce data in one rural state, Vermont; identifies patterns within this workforce; and details predictors of intention to leave current position for reasons of career advancement, life situations, or job dissatisfaction. Method: A secondary analysis of RN relicensure surveys was done, (n= 4418; response rate = 85%). Findings: Differences in intention to leave vary by educational attainment, hours worked per week, gender, practice role, and practice activity. Conclusion: Tackling nurse dissatisfaction in order to improve retention will require increased attention to compensation, education, and career development and flexibility, with resulting implications for state and federal policy formation.
The equivalence of Hausman and Lagrange Multiplier tests of independence between disturbance and a subset of stochastic regressors

Abstract This note shows that the Hausman test and Lagrange Multiplier tests of independence between the disturbance term and a subset of stochastic regressors in a regression equation are algebraically equivalent if they are evaluated at the 2SLS estimates of parameters.
THROMBOPOIETIN SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION REQUIRES FUNCTIONAL JAK2, NOT TYK2

The Janus family of tyrosine kinases (JAKs) plays a critical role in signal transduction by members of the cytokine receptor superfamily. In response to ligand-receptor interaction, these nonreceptor tyrosine kinases are rapidly phosphorylated and activated, triggering tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of downstream signaling intermediates. Upon binding to its receptor, the product of the proto-oncogene c-mpl, thrombopoietin (TPO) activates both JAK2 and TYK2 in multiple cell lines as well as megakaryocytes and platelets. To study whether one or both of these kinases are essential for TPO signal transduction, we engineered a parental human sarcoma cell line (2C4) as well as sarcoma cell lines that are deficient in JAK2 expression (gamma2A) or TYK2 expression (U1A) to express the wild-type Mpl receptor. The ability of TPO to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of Mpl and multiple intracellular substrates in each cell line was then examined. Our results demonstrate that JAK2-deficient cells (gamma2A-Mpl) are unable to initiate TPO-mediated signaling. In contrast, cells that are TYK2-deficient (U1A-Mpl) are able to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of Mpl, JAK2, STAT3, and Shc as efficiently as parental cells (2C4-Mpl). These data indicate that JAK2 is an essential component of Mpl signaling and that, in the absence of JAK2, TYK2 is incapable of initiating TPO-induced tyrosine phosphorylation.
Instructional Variations and Adults' Conceptual Tempo Performance

Summary Forty-six college students were given the adult form of Kagan's Matching Familiar Figures Test twice, once under the standard (neutral) instructions, and a second time during which Ss were randomly assigned to one of three instruction groups. Two groups received instructions to minimize either response time or errors; a third group received neutral instructions. During the second administration, the group instructed to minimize response time showed more errors and lower response latency than the group instructed to minimize errors. Variances during the two administrations were compared within each group, with the use of the F-max test. Variances in the neutral group did not differ, but those in the other groups did, with variances significantly smaller during the second administration of the task. These results suggest that conceptual tempo reflects differences in implicit information processing criteria, which can be changed voluntarily, rather than automatic dispositional personality differences.
Potential energy curves for N2, NO, O2 and corresponding ions

Abstract : Potential energy curves for the observed electronic states of N2, N2(+), NO, NO(+), O2 and O2(+) were calculated from published spectroscopic data by a numerical modification of the Rydberg-Klein method. Potential energy curves for a number of predicted but unobserved states of these molecules, and of the ground states of N2(-) (unstable), NO(-) and O2(-), were estimated with the help of simple theoretical considerations, published quantum-mechanical calculations, and indirect experimental evidence. The results are presented graphically.
Magnetic field navigation in an indoor environment

This paper describes a method that has been developed to aid an inertial navigation system when GNSS signals are not available, by taking advantage of the uniqueness of magnetic field variations. Most indoor environments have many different features (ferrous structural materials or contents, electrical currents, etc.) which perturb the Earths natural magnetic field. The variations in the magnetic field in indoor environments can be used as a way to identify a users position, and possibly orientation, because the 3-dimensional magnetic field varies significantly as a function of position. Using relatively inexpensive 3-axis magnetic field sensors, it is possible to estimate a users location in an indoor environment.
Structural and Inhibition Analysis Reveals the Mechanism of Selectivity of a Series of Aggrecanase Inhibitors

Several inhibitors of a series of cis-1(S)2(R)-amino-2-indanol-based compounds were reported to be selective for the aggrecanases, ADAMTS-4 and -5 over other metalloproteases. To understand the nature of this selectivity for aggrecanases, the inhibitors, along with the broad spectrum metalloprotease inhibitor marimastat, were independently bound to the catalytic domain of ADAMTS-5, and the corresponding crystal structures were determined. By comparing the structures, it was determined that the specificity of the relative inhibitors for ADAMTS-5 was not driven by a specific interaction, such as zinc chelation, hydrogen bonding, or charge interactions, but rather by subtle and indirect factors, such as water bridging, ring rigidity, pocket size, and shape, as well as protein conformation flexibility.
Association Between Donor-Recipient Serum Sodium Differences and Orthotopic Liver Transplant Graft Function

Previous studies have shown that donor hypernatremia and possibly recipient hyponatremia negatively impact graft function after orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). The purpose of this retrospective investigation was to determine whether measured differences in serum sodium values between cadaveric donors and OLT recipients (DeltaNa(+)) influence immediate postoperative allograft function and short-term patient outcomes. Two hundred and fifty patients that underwent OLT from January 2001 to December 2005 were included in this study. The DeltaNa(+) for each donor recipient pair was correlated with standard postoperative liver function tests as well as recipient length of intensive care unit stay (LOICUS), length of hospital stay (LOHS) and recipient survival. The relationship between donor hypernatremia (serum sodium >or= 155 mEq/mL), recipient hyponatremia (serum sodium level <or= 130 mEq/mL), and postoperative outcomes were analyzed as well. Adjustments were made for baseline potential confounders, including model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, preservation solution used (HTK vs. UW), recipient and donor demographics and cold ischemia time (CIT). DeltaNa(+) as well as donor hypernatremia and recipient hyponatremia were not found to be associated with immediate postoperative allograft function, intraoperative blood product usage, LOICUS, LOHS or short-term patient survival. However, both the preoperative MELD score and HTK preservation solution used were significantly associated with several patient outcomes. A higher MELD score was associated with both increased red blood cell (RBC) (P < 0.001) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) usage (P = 0.002), elevated postoperative total bilirubin levels (P < 0.001), increased LOHS (P = 0.04), and a higher 30-day post transplant mortality (P = 0.02). The use of HTK preservation solution was associated with higher mean postoperative aspartate aminotransferase levels (P = 0.02) and decreased mean RBC (P < 0.001) and FFP usage (P = 0.009) compared to UW preservation solution use.
Detailed phase analysis of a 77 at.% Nb-Al system prepared by low-energy ball milling

Abstract Elemental powders of Nb (77 at.%) andAl (23 at.%) were alloyed in a low-energy ball mill for 360–1800 ks in hopes of forming a nanocrystalline intermetallic compound, Nb3Al. It was revealed by careful deconvolution of XRD spectra into various peaks of possibly existing phases that the resultant powder is a nanocrystalline multiphase mixture consisting of Nb3Al, Nb2Al, elemental Nb and Al, with their particulate sizes of approximately 5–8 nm, even after 1800 ks milling. The volume fractions of these phases were estimated to be 28.4, 39.5, 30.3 and 1.8 vol.%, respectively. The kinetic energy provided by ball-milling was insufficient to produce a single Nb3Al phase, and even heating to 933 K for 25.2 ks failed the total conversion of a multiphase mixture.
Extending the Iterative Convex Minorant Algorithm to the Cox Model for Interval-Censored Data

Abstract The iterative convex minorant (ICM) algorithm proposed by Groeneboom and Wellner is fast in computing the NPMLE of the distribution function for interval censored data without covariates. We reformulate the ICM as a generalized gradient projection method (GGP), which leads to a natural extension to the Cox model. It is also easily extended to support Tibshirani's Lasso method. Some simulation results are also shown. For illustration we reanalyze two real datasets.
Citizen satisfaction with police services in Guadalajara, Mexico

In the summer of 1997, we undertook a research project concerning community satisfaction with police services in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco. Guadalajara is located northwest of Mexico City, roughly a 500 kilometers drive. The estimated population of this urban area is 12 million. We undertook this project to answer three primary questions: 1) Is the nature of Mexican police services appropriate for internships with students from our law and justice program? Our departments recently obtained a grant in which our students live in Mexico, become fluent in Spanish and knowledgeable of Mexican culture, as well as perform internships in social services in Mexico.1 The idea is to equip our students with the wherewithal to assist the Hispanic community in the United States after graduation. 2) What are the crime‐related issues that impact Mexican citizens relative to police services? The U.S. is known for having a high crime rate comparatively on the international level, and significant problems related to ...
District policy and teachers' social networks.

Policy makers increasingly include provisions aimed at fostering professional community as part of reform initiatives. Yet little is known about the impact of policy on teachers’ professional relations in schools. Drawing theoretically from social capital theory and methodologically from qualitative social network analysis, this article explores how district policies influence teachers’ social networks in eight elementary schools in two districts involved in the scale-up of mathematics curriculum. It is argued that policy affects whom teachers seek out for discussion of mathematics instruction but that differences in policy provisions lead to variations in the nature and quality of interactions. Furthermore, school leaders mediate district policy, thereby influencing these patterns of interaction. By uncovering the dynamics by which policy influences teachers’ social networks, this article contributes to understandings of the factors that foster the development of social capital. It also uncovers opportun...
Comparative evaluation of binary phase-only synthetic discriminant function filters

Because of their suitability to two-level spatial light modulators, binary phase-only synthetic discriminant function (BPOSDF) filters are of much interest in optical pattern recognition. In this paper, we will compare three BPOSDF filter design methods using a common database. The three methods are Relaxation Algorithm, Successive Forcing Algorithm and a Phase Grating Approach recently introduced by us. The figures of merit used for this comparison include: Fisher Ratio, Recognition Rate, and Light Efficiency.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The bent RC N linkage: An AB initio study of NH2CN, NF2CN and PF2CN

Abstract The ab initio energies, nuclear and electron repulsions and charge distributions have been calculated using moderately large basis sets as a function of the RC  N angle (R  NH 2 , NF 2 or PF 2 ). The optimum RC  N angles were calculated to be 178.9°, 176.6°, and 175° for NH 2 CN, NF 2 CN, and PF 2 CN, respectively. A rationalization of the differing bends is presented in terms of nuclear-nuclear and electron-electron repulsions.
Bulimia nervosa: Treatment with exposure and response prevention.

Fear of weight gain, binging, and self-induced vomiting are the salient features of bulimia nervosa in normal weight individuals. An exposure plus vomiting response prevention procedure was evaluated in a multiple baseline design across three classes of food stimuli for a patient suffering from chronic bulimia nervosa. Amount of food consumed without vomiting increased and subjective discomfort after eating decreased when exposure plus response prevention treatment was sequentially applied to each class of food. Complete cessation of vomiting and binging and minimal discomfort were subsequently achieved during a postexperimental response prevention phase. Treatment effects were maintained at 10-month follow-up. The results suggest that binging in bulimia nervosa is more a consequence of vomiting than vomiting is a consequence of binging. They also support the hypothesis that vomiting in bulimia nervosa is an escape-avoidance response reinforced by anxiety reduction, similar in function to compulsive hand washing and checking rituals in obsessive-compulsive neuroses.
Polaron Effects in Semiconducting Cd F 2 : Cyclotron Resonance and Far-Infrared Properties

The results of cyclotron-resonance and far-infrared investigations on rare-earth-doped semiconducting Cd${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$(SC Cd${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$) which were briefly reported previously are presented in greater detail. A tight-binding model is presented for the polaron trapped near the trivalent rare-earth ion. The optical properties of this trap, as determined from the calculated wave functions and energies of the trapped polaron, are related to the absorptions observed in the near and far infrared. In addition, the parameters evaluated from fitting the model calculation to the observed spectra are used to calculate a polaron mass. This is found to agree remarkably well with the mass of 11\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 determined from the cyclotron-resonance measurements. A limited comparison is made between the results obtained here and existing polaron theories. The appropriateness of the various polaron models for SC Cd${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ is discussed in light of the apparent polaron size and the possible importance of other than LO modes.
SU-E-I-45: Measurement of CT Dose to An HDPE Phantom Using Calorimetry: A Feasibility Study.

Purpose:Radiation dose in CT is traditionally evaluated using an ionization chamber calibrated in terms of air kerma in a phantom of specific dimensions. The radiation absorbed dose, J/kg, can also be realized directly by measuring the temperature rise in the medium. We investigate using this primary method to determine the CT dose at a point (a few mm), using the recently proposed (APMM TG220) high density polyethylene (HDPE) phantom as a medium. Methods: The calorimeter detection scheme is adapted from the second generation NIST water calorimeter using sensitive thermistors in a Wheatstone bridge powered by a lock‐in amplifier. The temperature sensitivity is about 3 microK. The expected temperature rise in PE is about 0.6 mK per Gy. The thermistorsensors were placed inside a 26 cm dia. × 10 cm HDPE phantom. Two preliminary tests were made: at a linear accelerator with a 6 MV photon beam, and at a 16‐slice CT scanner with a 120 kV beam, each with the thermal sensor and with a calibrated ionization chamber.Results: The 6 MV photon beam with 10 on/off cycles at 60 s each yielded the (uncorrected) run‐to‐run average dose of 3.06 Gy per cycle (sdm 0.3%), about 8% higher than the Result from the ionization chamber (calibrated in terms of absorbed to water). The CTmeasurements were also made in the middle section of the TG200 30 cm phantom. Twenty consecutive axial scans at 250 mA, which delivers a nominal accumulated dose (CTDIvol) of 705 mGy in 50 s at three axial and three radial locations were measured. The accumulated dose measured by the ionization chamber at the center of the smaller phantom was 347 mGy. Conclusions: The calorimeter data show qualitative tracking of the chamber measurements. Detailed thermal and electrical analysis of the system are planned to obtain quantitative results.
Effect of metal‐complexing agents on mucopolysaccharide sulfate biosynthesis

A series of substituted salicylates and other structurally unrelated compounds having the common property of metal-ion complexation have been examined for the ability to inhibit the incorporation of sulfate into mucopolysaccharide. Several very potent inhibitors have been found among the mercaptoamines. It may be stated that the course of mucopolysaccharide sulfation is definitely affected by metal-binding agents, generally by inhibition. A close correlation between per cent inhibition of sulfation and metal-binding strength was observed, which establishes that the mode of inhibition is one of metal binding of the metalloenzymes involved in mucopolysaccharide sulfation.
Characteristics of online and offline health information seekers and factors that discriminate between them

Increasing number of individuals are using the internet to meet their health information needs; however, little is known about the characteristics of online health information seekers and whether they differ from individuals who search for health information from offline sources. Researchers must examine the primary characteristics of online and offline health information seekers in order to better recognize their needs, highlight improvements that may be made in the arena of internet health information quality and availability, and understand factors that discriminate between those who seek online vs. offline health information. This study examines factors that differentiate between online and offline health information seekers in the United States. Data for this study are from a subsample (n = 385) of individuals from the 2000 General Social Survey. The subsample includes those respondents who were asked Internet and health seeking module questions. Similar to prior research, results of this study show that the majority of both online and offline health information seekers report reliance upon health care professionals as a source of health information. This study is unique in that the results illustrate that there are several key factors (age, income, and education) that discriminate between US online and offline health information seekers; this suggests that general "digital divide" characteristics influence where health information is sought. In addition to traditional digital divide factors, those who are healthier and happier are less likely to look exclusively offline for health information. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the digital divide and the patient-provider relationship.
The cost-effectiveness of genetic testing strategies for Lynch syndrome among newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer

Purpose: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of genetic testing strategies to identify Lynch syndrome among newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer and to offer targeted testing to relatives of patients with Lynch syndrome. Methods: We calculated incremental costs per life-year saved for universal testing relative to no testing and age-targeted testing for strategies that use preliminary genetic tests (immunohistochemistry or microsatellite instability) of tumors followed by sequencing of mismatch repair genes. We also calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for pairs of testing strategies. Results: Strategies to test for Lynch syndrome in newly diagnosed colorectal tumors using preliminary tests before gene sequencing have incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of ≤$45,000 per life-year saved compared with no testing and ≤$75,000 per life-year saved compared with testing restricted to patients younger than 50 years. The lowest cost testing strategies, using immunohistochemistry as a preliminary test, cost ≤$25,000 per life-year saved relative to no testing and ≤$40,000 per life-year saved relative to testing only patients younger than 50 years. Other testing strategies have incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ≥$700,000 per life-year saved relative to the lowest cost strategies. Increasing the number of relatives tested would improve cost-effectiveness. Conclusion: Laboratory-based strategies using preliminary tests seem cost-effective from the US health care system perspective. Universal testing detects nearly twice as many cases of Lynch syndrome as targeting younger patients and has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio comparable with other preventive services. This finding provides support for a recent US recommendation to offer testing for Lynch syndrome to all newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer.
Sensing with locally self-assembled one-dimensional nanostructures

One-dimensional nanostructures have attracted considerable interest as potential building blocks and functional components in next generation nanoscale sensing, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), circuits, and interconnect applications. The integration and assembly of one-dimensional nanostructures into such device architectures remains a significant challenge. Techniques for site-specific synthesis and self-assembly of one-dimensional nanostructures have proved suitable for a range of integrated nanostructure based-sensing applications yielding robust sensing capabilities realized with a streamlined fabrication process. Specifically, localized heating has emerged as a viable technique for the site specific synthesis of one-dimensional nanostructures. By localizing the heat source, the extent of chemical vapor deposition synthesis reactions can be confined to well-defined, microscale regions. Using the localized synthesis and self-assembly approach, proof-of-concept gas and pressure sensing applications have been demonstrated. The integration and self-assembly approach and sensing applications are described.
Murine pharmacokinetics and metabolism of oleandrin, a cytotoxic component of Nerium oleander.

Pharmacokinetic studies of [3H]oleandrin, a cardiac glycoside component of Anvirzel, were conducted in mice after either an i.v. dose (40 micrograms/kg) or a p.o. dose (80 micrograms/kg). Oleandrin was rapidly absorbed after oral dosing (Cmax at 20 min) although the elimination half-life was longer (2.3 +/- 0.5 h) than that after i.v. dosing (0.4 +/- 0.1 h). The AUC0-infinity values obtained after i.v. and p.o. dosing were 24.6 +/- 11.1 and 14.4 +/- 4.3 (ng.h/ml), respectively, resulting in an oral bioavailability of approximately 30%. After i.v. administration, oleandrin concentration in liver was approximately twice that measured in heart or kidney tissue. Oleandrigenin, the aglycone of oleandrin, was also found in these tissues. At 5 min, > 60% of the total radioactivity in liver was due to oleandrin while 28% of the given dose was present as oleandrigenin. Twenty-four hours following injection, 8% of total radioactivity was excreted in urine and contained both oleandrigenin (4.4% of the injected dose) and oleandrin (1.9%). Sixty-six percent of injected radioactivity was found in feces and consisted of oleandrin and oleandrigenin in equal amounts. Uptake of oleandrin in brain after i.p. injection of oleandrin (3 mg/kg) or oleander extract (700 mg/kg) was examined. Measured by LC/MS/MS, oleandrin content in brain was higher following injection of extract than it was with an equivalent dose of oleandrin. The data suggest that components within oleander extract may enhance transport of oleandrin across the blood brain barrier.
Polarized Light Microscopy for Analyzing Tissue Mechanics During In Vitro Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional therapy originating in China almost 2000 years ago. Acupuncture has slowly been growing in popularity in the West, and clinical evidence has shown the potential for acupuncture as a low-cost ‘alternative’ therapy for an assortment of ailments [1]. The practice of acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into the skin followed by needle manipulation, usually by rotation. Recent studies by Langevin et al demonstrate that this rotation causes the subcutaneous connective tissue to couple to and wind around the needle [2–4], which suggests that mechanotransduction in the connective tissue might play a role in the therapeutic mechanisms that underlay acupuncture [2, 3]. To begin to decompose and quantify this complex mechanism at the tissue level in a controlled setting, we have simulated acupuncture in type I collagen gels in vitro, and have developed algorithms to quantify the tissue response following imaging with polarized light microscopy (PLM).Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Is song special

Akutagawa and Konishi (2001)([this issue of Neuron]) describe the spatial and temporal pattern of SNAg (song system nuclear antigen) expression within a subset of song-associated forebrain nuclei of grass finches. The timing and estrogen inducibility of SNAg expression suggest that it may function in establishing neural connections key to vocal learning.
Impaired Myofibrillar Energetics and Oxidative Injury During Human Atrial Fibrillation

Background— Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with severe contractile dysfunction and structural and electrophysiological remodeling. Mechanisms responsible for impaired contractility are undefined, and current therapies do not address this dysfunction. We have found that myofibrillar creatine kinase (MM-CK), an important controller of myocyte contractility, is highly sensitive to oxidative injury, and we hypothesized that increased oxidative stress and energetic impairment during AF could contribute to contractile dysfunction. Methods and Results— Right atrial appendages were obtained from AF patients undergoing the Maze procedure and from control patients who were in normal sinus rhythm and undergoing cardiac surgery. MM-CK activity was reduced in AF patients compared with controls (25.4±3.4 versus 18.2±3.8 μmol/mg of myofibrillar protein per minute; control versus AF; P<0.05). No reduction in total CK activity or myosin ATPase activity was detected. This selective reduction in MM-CK activity was a...
Germ cell origin and spermatogenesis in the Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens

Residual germ cells larger than primary spermatogonia but similar in other respects are found throughout the testis in the walls of the lobules and in the cysts of developing germ cells. There is no evidence for germ cell migration through the testis. Spermatogonia arise in situ from residual cells. Forty-two chromosomes are found in the spermatogonial cells. Two of these chromosomes are much larger than the others and possibly represent sex chromosomes. The haploid chromosome number as seen in primary spermatocyte cells is twenty-one. A large ovoid chromosome, considered to be a sex chromosome, lags during the formation of the primary spermatocyte spindle. It divides after the division of the other chromosomes into equal chromosomes which pass to opposite poles of the spindle. The evidence for sex chromosomes as presented here is meagre but is consistent with the evidence from chromosome studies in other teleosts. It has been proposed that sex chromosomes are in a nascent condition and hence are differentiated but little from autosomes and also that the members of the sex chromosome pair are morphologically alike.
Web-Based Triage in a College Health Setting.

The authors describe the initiation and use of a Web-based triage system in a college health setting. During the first 4 months of implementation, the system recorded 1,290 encounters. More women accessed the system (70%); the average age was 21.8 years. The Web-based triage system advised the majority of students to seek care within 24 hours; however, it recommended self-care management in 22.7% of encounters. Sore throat was the most frequent chief complaint (14.2%). A subset of 59 students received treatment at student health services after requesting an appointment via e-mail. The authors used kappa statistics to compare congruence between chief complaint and 24/7 WebMed classification (κ = .94), between chief complaint and student health center diagnosis (κ = .91), and between 24/7 WebMed classification and student health center diagnosis (κ = .89). Initial evaluation showed high use and good accuracy of Web-based triage. This service provides education and advice to students about their health care ...
Effect of hematoporphyrin derivative and photodynamic therapy on atherosclerotic rabbits

Abstract This study was performed to demonstrate selective uptake of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) within actively developing atheroma, to localize the site of uptake of HPD within the atheroma, and to determine the potential for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of atherosclerosis in the rabbit model. Fifteen rabbits were rendered atherosclerotic. Five rabbits received neither HPD nor PDT and 2 rabbits received HPD, 10 mg/kg intravenously, without subsequent irradiation. Eight other rabbits received 5 to 20 mg of HPD intravenously and subsequent intravascular 636-nm laser radiation to either the thoracic aorta or the aortic arch. A total of 32 to 288 J of laser energy was delivered through a 300-μ quartz fiber. All rabbits that received in vivo HPD had red fluorescence of their aortas when placed under ultraviolet light. The pattern of fluorescence corresponded precisely to the pattern of atheroma. In segments that received PDT, light microscopic examination revealed an accumulation of smooth muscle cells at the intimal surface. Fluorescence microscopy revealed a diminishing concentration gradient of HPD from intimal surface layers towards the media. Assessment of treated thoracic aortic segments revealed quantitative and qualitative differences compared with control segments. In the arch-treated segments, however, no changes were seen. It is concluded that HPD localizes within rabbit atheroma, can be detected by fluorescence and is deposited in a diminishing concentration gradient from lumen toward media. Irradiation with 636-nm light may induce qualitative and quantitative changes in atheroma.
The value of the sonographic appearance of the deflux deposit following endoscopic VUR-therapy in respect of therapeutic success

Purpose Is there a connection between the quality of the deposit shown by a sonogram examination and proven reflux in an MCUG? Material and methods Between 2003 and 2006, 141 ureteric orifices (73 patients, mean age 57 months, 41 bilateral VUR) underwent endoscopic anti-reflux correction (SDIN). 3 months after the procedure the control VCUG and ultrasound examinations were repeated. The results were graded as no reflux, improved or persistent reflux and were correlated with the ultrasound appearance of the deflux deposit: “well-definable” (>/ = 8mm), “moderately definable” ( 5 mm), “no evident deposit”. Evaluation of the clinical course, renal function (DMSA) and special anatomic conditions were included in this retrospective study. Results After 1.2 times SDIN per orifice 86% of the primary refluxiving ostia was reflux-free. Where the deposit was easily definable (n = 55), 87% were healed, 6% improved and 7% still refluxing In the case of a moderately definable deposit, (n = 60), 71% were reflux-free, 17% improved and 12% refluxing. In the case of a non-provable deposit (n = 17), 33% were healed, 11% improved and 56% unchanged (p Conclusions The ultrasound appearance of a deposit permits a statement on the VUR course with a sensitivity of 97%, with relatively low specification. These results should be taken into account when considering when and how often a control VCUG in conformity with SDIN should be carried out.
Endocytosis in the inner segment of rod photoreceptors: analysis of Xenopus laevis retinas using horseradish peroxidase.

To evaluate endocytosis † in rod photoreceptor inner segments, isolated retinas from Xenopus laevis were maintained in vitro in the presence of the tracer, horseradish peroxidase (HRP). HRP-positive vesicles, 110±82 nm in diam. (mean± s.d. ), appeared in the inner segment cytoplasm within 2 min of incubation. Within 8–15 min, 20–30% of the vesicles in the ellipsoid were HRP-positive, reaching approx. 50% by 30–60 min and maintaining this level through 4 hr of culture. In retinas incubated 30 min with HRP and then cultured for an additional period without tracer, the HRP-labeled vesicles were reduced in number by 50- and 75% in the 1- and 2-hr chase incubations, respectively. In retinas cultured for 8 min or longer, multivesicular bodies in the inner segments also contained HRP reaction product, suggesting that the HRP-labeled endocytotic vesicles enter multivesicular bodies. Retinas cultured with HRP for ⩾ 1 hr contained significantly more vesicles (per unit area of ellipsoid cytoplasm) as compared with unincubated retinas, retinas incubated from 1 hr in normal media or retinas incubated 30 min with HRP followed by normal chase medium for ⩾ 30 min. Taken together, these data indicate that the rod photoreceptor inner segment is capable of extensive endocytotic activity, a process which may function to recover components of the inner segment plasma membrane and the inter-photoreceptor matrix.
Frequency and the lexical storage of regularly inflected forms

It has often been hypothesized that speakers store regularly inflected forms as separate entries in the lexicon. If this hypothesis is true, high-frequency lexical items will have lower error rates on their inflections than will low-frequency lexical items. This is shown to be the case for errors on irregular inflected forms in naturally occurring speech errors. High-frequency regularly inflected forms exhibit a small (but nonsignificant) advantage in naturally occurring errors, and a larger (significant) advantage in a more controlled experimental task in which subjects produced the past-tense forms of regular verbs. These data are best explained by assuming that high frequency inflected forms are stored as separate entries in the lexicon. Consequences of this finding for theories of language production and language learning are discussed.