cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Internet and Sovereignty

The focus of this brief essay is on the two basic constructs in Dean Henry H. Perritt's article?the Internet and sovereignty.1 My argument is that the matters of democracy, jurisdiction, and international law discussed by Perritt might look different if we based them on a more precise understanding of the architecture of the Internet and the emergence of new non-state centered governance mechanisms which have transformed the meaning of national territorial sovereignty independently from whatever impact the Internet has had so far. We cannot take either of these two categories as givens. I should promptly add that I find Perritt has made an important contribution to the lively and mostly fruitful debate about the impact of the Internet on sovereignty that has been taking place over the last few years. However, as someone currently researching both issues of sovereignty and the Internet, I am concerned about the broader theoretical and political implications of their faulty or partial characterization and theorization. The implications for technicalities about jurisdiction and international law are less clear to me, and I will leave that for experts on these subjects. My concern here is simply with the basic elements on which Perritt builds his arguments. I sympathize politically with the thrust of these arguments; especially the possibility that the Internet does not simply erode sovereignty, that its effects will partly depend on the nature of the states involved, whether they are liberal or totalitarian,2 and that the Internet may strengthen democratic practice, therewith furthering broad liberal agendas.3 My problem is, first, with some of the features in Perritt's understanding of what the Internet is, particularly the confusion of private and public digital space and his reading of the impact of the growth of commercial and monetized
The EcAMSat fluidic system to study antibiotic resistance in low earth orbit: Development and lessons learned from space flight

Abstract The E. coli AntiMicrobial Satellite (EcAMSat) was a successful spaceflight mission that performed an autonomous experiment to investigate the effects of microgravity on the antibiotic resistance of uropathogenic E. coli; the latest in a series of biology-focused CubeSats developed at NASA Ames Research Center. While maintaining the bacteria at 37 °C, the payload delivered growth medium, different doses of the antibiotic gentamicin, and finally the metabolic indicator alamarBlue to each of 48 microwells in the fluidic card. An LED and detector system was used to monitor the changes in absorbance in each experiment well at three wavelengths (470, 525, and 615 nm), from which the growth of cells and their metabolic activity could be measured. The success of the mission was in part due to leveraging lessons learned and proven technologies from previous bio-CubeSat missions, including modified spare hardware from the PharmaSat payload. This paper details the design and assembly of the biofluidic system payload; the modifications to the PharmaSat hardware required to run the EcAMSat experiment and the challenges those changes created; and finally, the testing approach employed to ensure the success of the payload during the flight campaign.
Using Vegetation Guilds to Predict Bird Habitat Characteristics in Riparian Areas

Within arid regions riparian forests support high bird diversity compared to surrounding uplands. In these same regions, water demands for agriculture, urbanization, and recreation have altered the structure and composition of riparian forests and degraded bird habitat. Along rivers, plants with similar responses to flood disturbance and water availability can be grouped into functional guilds using traits. The use of plant guilds can mechanistically link bird distributions to traits such as canopy height, specific leaf area, and growth form. We demonstrate that bird species richness, abundance, and diversity are related to the heterogeneity of vegetation structure and plant guilds along a perennial river in the southwestern U.S. High-quality habitat can be explained by canopy cover, foliage height diversity, and foliage cover in the understory. The tall tree guild (dominated by Salix gooddingii) was the strongest predictor of bird habitat followed by drought tolerant shrubs (dominated by Prosopis velutina) demonstrating that riparian shrublands should be considered for conservation alongside gallery forests. Projected changes in flow regimes may result in homogenization of riparian vegetation and reduce habitat quality for migratory and breeding land birds. Practitioners can use developed methods to group vegetation by guilds to focus bird conservation efforts in arid ecosystems.
Diet quality and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective:This study examined associations between diet quality and disease activity in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Perceived stress was also compared to diet and disease activity. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 50 adults with RA were recruited. The Arizona Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to measure dietary intake (four weeks) and diet quality scores were calculated with the Healthy Eating Index - 2015. Perceived stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale. Disease activity was measured with the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index and Pain Scale, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and Disease Activity Score Including 28 Joints-ESR. Results: Diet quality (56; SD ± 12) in participants was lower than the national mean (59). Age (p = 0.015) and gender (p = 0.003) were associated with higher diet quality. The belief that diet affects RA disease activity was reported by 44% of the participants, and these participants were significantly more likely to report dietary changes (p < 0.0001). Higher educational level (at least some college) was associated with this belief (B = -1.535, p = 0.023). Participants with lower diet quality also had significantly higher pain (B = -0.396, p = 0.022) and ESR scores (p = 0.019). Women were more likely to have higher HAQ-DI scores (B = 0.570, p = 0.001). Perceived stress was significantly associated with HAQ-DI and pain scores (B = 0.445, p = 0.001 and B = 0.289, p = 0.042, respectively). Medical cannabis was reportedly used by 8% of participants. Conclusion: In RA patients, lower diet quality may be associated with more pain and inflammation, and perceived stress may be associated with higher disability and disease activity.
Bow shock transients caused by solar wind dynamic pressure depletions

Abstract The bow shock and the dayside magnetopause are the principle boundaries that determine the interaction of the magnetosphere with the solar wind. Specifically, the bow shock determines the properties of the shocked solar wind plasma that interacts with the magnetosphere. In addition to the shocked solar wind plasma, a number of transient events associated with the bow shock and foreshock regions can have a major impact on the magnetosphere. Among these transients, specifically so-called hot flow anomalies (HFAs) can play a significant role for magnetospheric physics including auroral and ionospheric perturbations, ultra low frequency waves, and strong deformations of the magnetospheric boundaries. This paper first reviews the properties and types of bow shock transients with a focus on HFAs, and than investigates the response of oblique fast shocks with upstream transient density depleted regions. It is demonstrated that a density depleted flux tube can cause all of the typical properties associated with HFAs. The results are discussed in the context of observations and simulation.
Architecture of a Residential Solid State Power Substation (SSPS) Node

High integration rates of new loads and distributed generation at the edge of the grid are posing new challenges. However, existing smart power electronic systems are not designed to coordinate and maximize grid support or provide multiple grid services simultaneously. This work presents the application of a solid-state power substation (SSPS) to residential systems to increase this coordination and reduce future challenges. The proposed residential SSPS is validated in simulation including power electronic converter models, feeder models, and optimization.
Coupled uptake and conversion of C12H26 and NO on Pd/SSZ-13: Experiments and modeling

Abstract The uptake of NO in the presence of C12H26 (dodecane) and H2O over a Pd/SSZ-13 washcoated Passive NOx Adsorber (PNA) monolith is reported. When a co-feed containing C12H26 and NO is supplied to an unsaturated (with C12H26) sample, the NO uptake is unaffected but during the subsequent temperature ramp the release of trapped NO is delayed from 175°C to over 220°C. The release delay is beneficial for PNA performance as the primary NOx aftertreatment technology, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), is not operated below 200°C. However, pre-saturation of C12H26 followed by the same NO and C12H26 co-feed results in a decrease in the NO uptake compared to the NO-only feed. We conjecture that C12H26 pre-adsorbed on the exterior surface of the sample blocks NO access to the pores, decreasing the number of available sites for NO uptake. Oxidation of C12H26 leads to the generation of partial oxidation product CO at lower temperatures ( [1] ] is upgraded to include C12H26 storage, release, and conversion. Through a systematic combination of judicious experiments, model tuning, and validation, we provide evidence for the underlying NO uptake and release mechanisms in the presence of C12H26.
Assessment in Musical Theatre: A Tool for Transparency, Equity, and Student Learning

There is an ever-growing need for transparency and accountability in higher education and in the arts. Universities and accreditors are increasingly holding their educators accountable for their st...
Fracking boomtowns? Proximity, intensity, and perceptions of shale gas extraction in Hughesville and Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania

Abstract Research on hydraulic fracturing has documented disruptive effects on communities, noting parallels with and departures from previous energy “boomtown” studies. Some recent national and regional-scale research utilizes proximity to energy industry activity as a predictor of public opinion and perceived impacts of hydraulic fracturing, but few studies examine the role of proximity at the local scale. The current study focuses on two Pennsylvania communities that experienced a heavy wave of Marcellus Shale development, testing whether proximity to different levels of industry activity predicts the degree of support for and perception of impacts from hydraulic fracturing. Also examined is the effect of perceived exposure to industry activity. The results of this study show that proximity to hydraulic fracturing activity matters, reducing support for hydraulic fracturing and strengthening views of community and environmental impacts. This effect of proximity is, however, indirect, operating through respondents’ perceived exposure to the array of hydraulic fracturing activities that took place in their areas.
Exact control for the Schrödinger equation on the torus from small balls

For the standard torus &#120139;2=ℝ2∕ℤ2, we prove observability for the free Schrodinger equation from a ball of radius e with explicit dependence on the observability constant on e.
The Effects of Previous Learning on the Visual Perception of Velocity

Twenty subjects were shown a film containing 54 presentations of a moving standard disc followed immediately by one of six well-known target objects moving at the identical velocity. The subjects were asked to judge the speed of the target in relation to the standard. Judgments were made in arbitrary numbers from 0-50 to enable calculation of error magnitude as well as direction. It was hypothesized that objects which are known to move fast would be overestimated in relation to the standard while objects known to move slow would be underestimated. The results did not fully support the hypotheses. However, they did point up a need for research into the possible existence of differential modes of perception mediated by changes in objective speed of the target.
Routing MAP kinase cascades

Cells need to convey information from signals on their surface to a variety of intracellular targets, including transcription factors, contractile proteins, and enzymes. To do so efficiently, they construct information pathways with enzymes called kinases, using the same enzymes over and over. But what prevents cross talk between pathways? In her Perspective, Elion discusses new results in this issue by Whitmarsh et al. and Schaeffer et al., who identify proteins that act as scaffolds in mouse cells, binding certain kinases to make a pathway for a specific function that is insulated from the rest of the cell.
Social perceptions as mediators of the effect of speech rate similarity on compliance

Research on the relationship between speech rate and persuasion has provided inconsistent results. Recently, it was proposed that speech rate similarity affects compliance by increasing social attractiveness, which is more important to compliance than speaker credibility. Further, it was speculated that social attractiveness produces obligations to aid the speaker. This experiment tested these claims by predicting that if obligations mediated compliance, social attractiveness would only improve compliance when the speaker benefited from that compliance. In a 5 (Speaker Speech Rate) × 2 (Benefit to Speaker) design, 257 listeners, pretested on their speech rate, were exposed to 1 of 10 requests soliciting volunteers for a bogus research project. As expected, speech rate similarity enhanced social attractiveness, and faster speech rates increased speaker competence and dominance. Social attractiveness had a main effect on compliance, suggesting a direct effect on attraction. Higher sociability/character assessments and lower dominance increased compliance when the speaker benefited more, providing only limited support for the mediating role of obligations. Increased dominance and status also augmented compliance, especially when the speaker benefited less from compliance. Thus speech rate and other nonverbal behaviors may effect compliance by increasing the speaker's social attractiveness, creating obligations to comply, or exerting persuasive force through higher status and power.
Phosphate transport in Neurospora. Kinetic characterization of a constitutive, low-affinity transport system.

Abstract Log-phase cells of Neurospora crassa, grown in standard minimal medium, possess an energy-dependent transport system for inorganic phosphate, with a K 1 2 (at pH 5.8) of 0.123 mM and a Jmax of 1.64 mmoles/l cell water per min. Like the PO43− transport system in yeast, the Neurospora system is stimulated by high intracellular K+. In addition, it is inhibited by high extracellular salt concentrations, an effect which may be related to the known depolarization of the Neurospora plasma membrane at high salt concentrations. The most striking property of the system is its strong dependence upon the extracellular pH. From pH 4.0 to pH 7.3, the Jmax remains essentially constant but the K 1 2 increases nearly 400-fold, from 0.01 to 3.62 mM. The increase cannot be accounted for by a single system with a preference for H2PO4− (which would show only a 3-fold increase in apparent K 1 2 over this pH range) nor by two systems with different affinities and pH optima (which would display nonlinear double-reciprocal plots at intermediate pH values). It can be explained, however, by a model in which OH− or H+ is assumed to act as a modifier of the transport system, altering its affinity for substrate.
Souls in Transition

We might also appreciate Weber's tragic vision of life. Just as humans and animals will always have conflicting interests, so will people living in different places. And guardians for the mentally handicapped will never have quite the same interests as those they take care of. For that matter, those with different moral visions will always use the civil sphere to pursue their own and block other people's. As sociologists, we need a framework that promises to understand these inevitable, often tragic conflicts; we should not fall for a Utopian promise that full communication will ever allow us to reach consensus about the ends of human life. Liberal democracy is probably as good a system as there is for reconciling these interests "less bad than all the others," Churchill said but in the end, it is still none too good at it.
Lipid-Nucleic Acid Supramolecular Complexes: Lipoplex Structure and the Kinetics of Formation

The need for synthetic gene therapy or gene silencing vehicles that can insert therapeutic nucleic acids (DNA or siRNA) into cells (so-called transfection) has focused interest on lipid-nucleic acid assemblies (lipoplexes). This paper reviews the kinetics pathways leading to lipoplex formation and structure. The process is qualitatively comparable to those of cluster nucleation and growth and to the adsorption of polyelectrolytes on colloidal particles: Initially is a rapid stage where the nucleic acid binds onto the surface of the cationic lipid aggregate (adsorption, or nucleation). This is followed by an intermediate step where the lipid/nucleic acid complexes flocculate to form larger structures (growth). The last and final step involves internal rearrangement, where the overall global structure remains constant while local adjustment of the nucleic acid/lipid organization takes place until the equilibrium lipoplex characteristics are obtained. This step can require unusually long time scales of order hours or longer. Understanding the kinetics of lipoplex formation is not only of fundamental interest as a multi-component, multi-length scale and multi-time scale process, but also has significant implications for the utilization of lipoplexes as carriers for gene delivery and gene silencing agents.
Preparation of [1‐(Methoxymethylcarbamoyl)ethyl] Phosphonic Acid Bis‐(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl) Ester: A Useful Intermediate in the Synthesis of Z‐Unsaturated N‐Methoxy‐N‐Methylamides

n-Butyl lithium Ethanamine, N,N, -diethyl Ethanol, 2,2,2-trifluoro- Ethylphosphonic acid bis-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)ester 1,1,1,3,3,3,-Hexamethyldisilazane Methanamine, N-methoxy-, hydrochloride Methanol, trichloro-, carbonate N-Methoxy-N-methylcarbamoyl chloride [1-(Methoxymethylcarbamoyl)ethyl]phosphonic acid bis-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ester Phosphonic dichloride Pyridine Keywords: intermediate; Z-unsaturated N-methoxy-N-methylamines; three-step synthesis; phosphonates; functionality; Weinreb amides; aldehydes; waste disposal
The Effect of Black Descriptive Representation on Black Electoral Turnout in the 2004 Elections

Objective. The principal objective in this study is to examine the effects of African-American descriptive representation on African-American voter turnout levels. As it stands, the extant literature on minority electoral empowerment has produced conflicting reports. Methods. Unlike previous investigations, this study employs official voter turnout data from the States of Louisiana and South Carolina to test the theoretical assertion that black descriptive representation has a politicizing effect on the black potential electorate. The voting records of the 2004 general elections are examined using ordinary least squares regression. Results. The findings show that descriptive representation does matter, that is, there is a positive association between African-American officeholders and African-American turnout levels. Moreover, this study demonstrates that African-American turnout levels are linked to changes in African-American descriptive representation across time. Conclusions. The benefits of African-American descriptive representation extend beyond the realm of public policy and can be found in the electoral process where the presence of African-American officeholders positively affects the politicalization of the black potential electorate.
Acute Pancreatitis: The Role of Imaging and Interventional Radiology

Acute pancreatitis can manifest as a benign condition with minimal abdominal pain and hyperamylasemia or can have a fulminant course, which can be life-threatening usually due to the development of infected pancreatic necrosis, and multisystem organ failure [1, 2]. Fortunately, 70–80% of patients with acute pancreatitis have a benign self-limiting course (Figs. 1, 2, 4). The initial 24-48 hours after the initial diagnosis is usually the period that determines the subsequent course, and for many of the 20–30% of patients who subsequently have a fulminant course, this becomes apparent within this time frame. With reference to long-term outcome following acute pancreatitis, most cases recover without long-term sequelae with only a minority of cases progressing to chronic pancreatitis [5]. In the initial management of acute pancreatitis, assessment of metabolic disturbances and systemic organ dysfunction is critical. However, the advent and continued refinement of cross-sectional imaging modalities over the past two decades has led to a prominent role for diagnostic imaging in assessing acute pancreatitis. Furthermore, these cross-sectional imaging modalities have enabled the development of diagnostic and therapeutic interventional techniques in the hands of radiologists. In this article we review the diagnostic features of acute pancreatitis, the clinical staging systems, complications and the role of imaging. The role of interventional radiology techniques in the management of acute pancreatitis will be discussed as well as potential complications associated with these treatments.
Ethics of Globalization and the AIDS Crisis from a Jewish Perspective

This essay explores what Jewish ethics has to say about globalization in relation to the AIDS crisis. Special attention is paid to the consequences in affirming current intellectual trends to transcend traditional limits in both society and thought for rethinking traditional Jewish values. The discussion proceeds from two presuppositions. The first is that there is an intimate connection between ethics, science, and politics. The second is that the history of Jewish ethics involves three distinct forms that are generally correlated but rarely identical in content and moral judgment. These three forms are law, wisdom or virtue, and covenant. The discussion considers related issues of accidental connections in time between the bubonic plague and Zionism and between AIDS and homosexuality in relation to moral-theological issues related to divine providence and distributive justice.
Multiple atom resonant photoemission: a new technique for studying near-neighbor atomic identities and bonding

Abstract A new multi-atom resonant photoemission (MARPE) effect between core levels of neighboring atoms in multi-element samples has been observed. Experimental evidence for the effect and several possible applications are considered. In the metal oxides MnO, Fe 2 O 3 , and La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 , we have observed a significant enhancement in the core-level photoelectron peak intensity associated with one element in the sample (e.g. O1s) when the excitation energy is tuned through an energetically deeper absorption edge of a second element (e.g. Mn2p or Fe2p or La3d). The effects observed are up to a 105% increase in peak intensity, and a 29% increase in energy-integrated intensity. A generalization of the theory of single-atom resonant photoemission has also been applied to MARPE, and is found to be in semiquantitative agreement with our experimental results.
Long-Term Disability for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

SummaryTo determine the quality of medical evaluations leading to long-term disability payments for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) we conducted a structured cross-sectional study of 76 patients receiving such benefits for an average of 2.1 years. Most of the subjects were middle-aged, white (99%), women (87%) who had been previously employed in “white-collar” jobs (96%). In all cases the claim of disability was based on subjective reports of substantial impairment in exercise tolerance and cognitive ability. The quality of disability determinations was judged by the fulfillment of four requirements: correct CFS diagnosis, psychiatric evaluation, neuro-psychological testing and physical capacity measurement. The analysis indicated that none of the claims had been fully evaluated and that in 34% of cases none of the requirements had been fulfilled. The diagnosis of CFS was incorrect in 38% of cases. The majority of claimants (84%) had active psychiatric disorders, but only 32% had been evaluated by psychiat...
AMPA/kainic acid glutamate receptor antagonism in the zona incerta dorsal to the subthalamic nucleus inhibits amphetamine-induced stereotypy but not locomotor activity

The effect of 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), an alpha-amino-3- hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA)/kainic acid glutamate receptor antagonist, injected into the zona incerta (ZI) was investigated to determine whether the behavioral responses to systemic amphetamine involve AMPA/kainic acid receptors in this brain region. Rats were injected bilaterally in the ZI with either vehicle or DNQX (1 microgram/0.5 microliter) and immediately given a systemic injection of D-amphetamine (0.5, 1.0 or 10.0 mg/kg, s.c.). Locomotor activity was recorded for 1 h. DNQX did not significantly affect hypermotility stimulated with 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg amphetamine, but markedly increased the level of locomotor activity elicited by the higher dose, 10 mg/kg. To test the hypothesis that the enhanced locomotor response to high dose amphetamine was due to an inhibition of stereotyped behavior, the effect of DNQX in the ZI on amphetamine and apomorphine-induced stereotypy was investigated. DNQX significantly inhibited stereotypy induced by amphetamine (10 mg/kg) and apomorphine (1 mg/kg), with the onset of inhibition of amphetamine-induced stereotypy corresponding to the onset of enhanced locomotor activity. Ibotenic acid lesions of the ZI produced similar results, having an insignificant effect on locomotor activity stimulated by low dose amphetamine (1 mg/kg) and an attenuation of apomorphine-induced stereotypy which was of a magnitude comparable to that produced by DNQX. Thus, the AMPA/kainic acid subtypes of glutamate receptors in the ZI may be involved in the regulation of motor function mediated via striatal output but not mesolimbically generated locomotor activity.
Electron microscopic analysis of aggregation of embryonic cells: the structure and differentiation of aggregates of neural retina cells*

Summary The fine structure of 24-hour aggregates of cells dissociated from neural retinas of 7-, 10-, and 14-day chick embryos was examined. Two basic structural patterns of aggregation of these cells were described: (1) lumicentric rosette , typical of aggregates of 7-day cells; (2) axocentric rosette , typical of aggregates of 14-day cells. Aggregates of 10-day cells contained both kinds of rosettes. The composition and morphogenesis of these cellular configurations are expressions of age-dependent differences in the donor tissue and reflect primarily the types of cells and intercellular junctions that prevail in the retina at the time of dissociation. The formation of rosettes in retina cell aggregates is discussed in the general context of mechanisms of cell specificity, sorting out, and histogenetic association. The results support the hypothesis that qualitative differences in the properties of cell surface consituents are decisive in the sorting out and specific associations of cells. Aggregates of 7-day retina cells undergo in long-term culture advanced differentiation resulting in the development of plexiform layer, synaptic junctions, outer limiting membrane, and photoreceptor cells.
The Efficiency of Net Asset Values for Asian–Country Mutual Funds in the US

Institutional peculiarities in the pricing of Asian-country mutual funds in the US, and their implications for market efficiency, are the focus of this study. Asian-country mutual funds in the US trade at net asset values (NAVs) that are publicly disclosed and effective at or after the 4pm NY time market close. Asian markets, however, close much earlier in the NY day, making a mutual fund’s policy regarding the determination of its NAVs crucial with respect to market efficiency. Generally, funds such as the Fidelity Japan Fund most often calculate NAVs based on market closing prices in Asia earlier in the NY day. Lately, a controversy surrounding fair value pricing of fund shares has accompanied some fund’s departure from general practices, including Fidelity, in the midst of the October 27, 1997, market declines in the Far East, especially Hong Kong (for example, see the Wall Street Journal, November 3, 1997). In fair value pricing, market closing prices may be disregarded because of turbulent markets, and other means, including the use of futures prices, are employed to obtain an underlying asset’s price contemporaneous to the NY market close. 1
Collagen type IV and Perlecan exhibit dynamic localization in the Allantoic Core Domain, a putative stem cell niche in the murine allantois

A body of evidence suggests that the murine allantois contains a stem cell niche, the Allantoic Core Domain (ACD), that may contribute to a variety of allantoic and embryonic cell types. Given that extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates cell fate and function in niches, the allantois was systematically examined for Collagen type IV (ColIV) and Perlecan, both of which are associated with stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Not only was localization of ColIV and Perlecan more widespread during gastrulation than previously reported, but protein localization profiles were particularly robust and dynamic within the allantois and associated visceral endoderm as the ACD formed and matured. We propose that these data provide further evidence that the ACD is a stem cell niche whose activity is synchronized with associated visceral endoderm, possibly via ECM proteins.
TOXICITY OF GLYPHOSATE AS GLYPRO AND LI700 TO RED-EARED SLIDER (TRACHEMYS SCRIPTA ELEGANS) EMBRYOS AND EARLY HATCHLINGS

More than 8.2 billion ha of cropland, gardens, and forests are treated with the herbicide glyphosate each year. Whereas the toxicity of glyphosate and associated adjuvants has been measured in other vertebrates, few, if any, studies have looked at their effects in reptiles. In some instances, management of turtle habitat requires control of successional stages through application of herbicides. Adults and juvenile turtles may be exposed directly, whereas embryos may contact the chemicals through the soil. In the present study, we exposed eggs of red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) to single applications of herbicide ranging from 0 to 11,206 ppm wet weight of glyphosate in Glypro® and 0 to 678 ppm of the surfactant, LI700. Hatching success at the highest concentration was significantly lower (73%) than in other treatments (80–100%). At hatch, turtles at the highest concentration weighed less than those at other concentrations. During a 14-d holding period, we observed dose–response relationships in the ability of hatchlings to right themselves when turned on their backs. At the end of the holding period, hatchlings at the highest dose level were still lighter, and somatic indices were lower, than those in other treatments. Genetic damage, as measured by flow cytometry, increased with treatment concentration except for the highest dose. We conclude that because of the high concentrations needed to produce effects and the protection offered by several centimeters of soil or sediment, glyphosate with LI700 poses low levels of risk to red-eared slider embryos under normal field operations with regards to the endpoints measured in the present study. Carelessness in handling glyphosate or failure to follow label directions may produce adverse effects. There also is a risk that the health of turtle embryos may be affected in ways not measured in the present study.
Tumor implantation model for rapid testing of lymphatic dye uptake from paw to node in small animals

Morbidity and complexity involved in lymph node staging via surgical resection and biopsy calls for staging techniques that are less invasive. While visible blue dyes are commonly used in locating sentinel lymph nodes, since they follow tumor-draining lymphatic vessels, they do not provide a metric to evaluate presence of cancer. An area of active research is to use fluorescent dyes to assess tumor burden of sentinel and secondary lymph nodes. The goal of this work was to successfully deploy and test an intra-nodal cancer-cell injection model to enable planar fluorescence imaging of a clinically relevant blue dye, specifically methylene blue – used in the sentinel lymph node procedure – in normal and tumor-bearing animals, and subsequently segregate tumor-bearing from normal lymph nodes. This direct-injection based tumor model was employed in athymic rats (6 normal, 4 controls, 6 cancer-bearing), where luciferase-expressing breast cancer cells were injected into axillary lymph nodes. Tumor presence in nodes was confirmed by bioluminescence imaging before and after fluorescence imaging. Lymphatic uptake from the injection site (intradermal on forepaw) to lymph node was imaged at approximately 2 frames/minute. Large variability was observed within each cohort.
Reasons for continuing and ceasing breastfeeding in low income Hispanics and Whites

The benefits of breastfeeding for both the mother and infant are well documented. Among these benefits are convenience, cost savings, increased uterine contractions resulting in a more rapid return to the pre-pregnancy state, emotional bonding between the mother and the infant, decreased rate of infections and illness, and a lower rate of allergies (1-4). It is now commonly accepted by most professionals in the health care field that breast milk is the milk of choice for infants (1, 5-7). Perhaps due to the recognition by professionals of the importance ofbreastfeeding, its incidence in the United States has been increasing over the past two decades (5-12). However, the proportion of women who breastfeed and the median duration ofbreastfeeding still fall below recommended levels. Results from the National Survey of Family Growth, Cycle III, found that 53% of mothers initiated breastfeeding in 1981, but only 33% of these mothers continued to breastfeed their infants for at least three months (8). The Ross Laboratories Mothers' Survey found that 55% of mothers initiated breastfeeding in 1987, but that only 10% of full time employed mothers and 24% of nonworking mothers breastfed their infant at six months (11). This incidence is substantially lower than the Surgeon General's objective that by 1990, 75% of women breastfeed and 35% continue to do so for six months (13). Table 1 lists a number of the reasons that have been suggested for the premature cessation ofbreastfeeding (5-28). In contrast with the large amount of research on the incidence and duration of breastfeeding by White and Black Americans is the relative paucity of information about breastfeeding by Hispanic Americans. Although several studies have found the incidence ofbreastfeeding to be lower in Hispanics than in non-Hispanic Whites (12, 19, 29-31), fewer have considered the duration of breastfeeding in Hispanics (19, 31-33) or the reasons that Hispanic women give for initiating and continuing breastfeeding (19, 32-34). The present study reports on a survey of 123 low income Hispanic and White women who had begun to breastfeed a baby, in order to
Long-term outcome and toxicities of intraoperative radiotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma.

Purpose To review a historical cohort of consecutively accrued patients with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) to determine the therapeutic effect and late complications of this treatment. Methods and Materials Between 1986 and 2002, 31 patients with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma were treated with IORT as part of multimodality therapy. Their medical records were reviewed to determine the outcome and complications. Kaplan-Meier probability estimates of local control, progression-free survival, and overall survival at 36 months after diagnosis were recorded. Results Intraoperative radiotherapy to the primary site and associated lymph nodes achieved excellent local control at a median follow-up of 44 months. The 3-year estimate of the local recurrence rate was 15%, less than that of most previously published series. Only 1 of 22 patients who had undergone gross total resection developed recurrence at the primary tumor site. The 3-year estimate of local control, progression-free survival, and overall survival was 85%, 47%, and 60%, respectively. Side effects attributable to either the disease process or multimodality treatment were observed in 7 patients who developed either hypertension or vascular stenosis. These late complications resulted in the death of 2 patients. Conclusions Intraoperative radiotherapy at the time of primary resection offers effective local control in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. Compared with historical controls, IORT achieved comparable control and survival rates while avoiding many side effects associated with external beam radiotherapy in young children. Although complications were observed, additional analysis is needed to determine the relative contributions of the disease process and specific components of the multimodality treatment to these adverse events.
Initial tobacco use episodes in children and adolescents: current knowledge, future directions

Approximately three-quarters of adult tobacco users report that their first tobacco use occurred between ages 11 and 17, while many adults who do not regularly use tobacco report that they experimented with it as adolescents. Surprisingly little is known about the effects of these initial tobacco use episodes and their influence on adult tobacco use patterns. In particular, understanding the role that nicotine plays in these early tobacco use experiences may be important in understanding the development of regular tobacco use and concomitant nicotine dependence. One goal of this review is to summarize current knowledge regarding the effects of initial tobacco use episodes in adolescents and to discuss nicotine exposure in initial tobacco use episodes. Another goal is to outline a research agenda designed to learn more about initial tobacco use episodes and the effects of nicotine in children. An ethical rationale and some potential methods for this research agenda are presented.
Restless legs symptoms among incident dialysis patients: association with lower quality of life and shorter survival.

Abstract Background: Symptoms of restless legs are common among patients treated with long-term hemodialysis. We investigated the relation between symptoms of restless legs, quality of life, and survival among incident hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients. Methods: This report includes 894 dialysis patients who responded to an item regarding severity of restless legs symptoms in the Choices for Healthy Outcomes in Caring for End-Stage Renal Disease Study. We examined participant responses both as categorized by the 5-point symptoms of restless legs item and classified with severe symptoms of restless legs if they reported they were very or extremely bothered by symptoms. Independent predictors of restless legs symptoms were estimated using logistic regression. The association of restless legs symptoms with quality of life was examined by means of mixed-model regression, and adjusted mortality risk was estimated by means of Cox proportional hazards. Results: Fifteen percent of dialysis patients were classified as having severe restless legs. Those characterized by severe restless legs were significantly more likely to be administered benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and antiepileptics. Age and diabetes mellitus were independently associated with severe symptoms of restless legs. Symptoms of restless legs were associated with lower Physical and Mental Component Scores, vitality, bodily pain, and sleep quality (all P
Thomas Bruce Ferguson, MD, May 6, 1923–May 26, 2013

Thomas Bruce Ferguson, the 12th president of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, died surrounded by his family on May 26, 2013. He was a legendary figure in the world of cardiothoracic surgery. His visionary leadership was an inspiration to generations of cardiothoracic surgeons around the world.
A note on the melting point of α-solanine

A discussion of the problems involved in the determination of the melting point of α-solanine is combined with an estimation of the reliability of this physical property for establishing the purity of a preparation.
Development and validation of a new histological score for pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background & Aims Pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may present with a distinct histopathological pattern characterized by the presence of predominant portal-based injury and portal inflammation (PI). We aimed at developing a new grading score for pediatric NAFLD to be used in clinical trials that takes into account the presence of PI and the weight of histological features. Methods Our training set consisted of 203 children with biopsy-proven NAFLD. The diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was based on Brunt's criteria. Histological features were scored: steatosis (0–3), lobular inflammation (0–3), ballooning (0–2), and PI (0–2). Logistic regression analysis was performed to apply weight to each feature. The new score was called the Pediatric NAFLD Histological Score or PNHS. The validation set consisted of 100 children with NAFLD. Results The mean age of the initial cohort was 12.4±3.4years and significant fibrosis (fibrosis stage ⩾2) was present in 26 patients (12.8%). NASH was diagnosed in 135 patients with a mean NAS of 4.5±1.4. The mean PNHS in the NASH group was 89±20.5 compared to 21.9±24.5 in the "not NASH" group, p p =0.011. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the diagnosis of NASH was 0.96 for PNHS. Similar findings were observed in the validation set with an AUC of 0.94. Conclusions PNHS may be used for histological grading of pediatric NAFLD with excellent correlation with the presence of NASH.
Mechanism of Vinylic and Allylic Carbon−Fluorine Bond Activation of Non-Perfluorinated Olefins Using Cp*2ZrH2

Cp*2ZrH2 (1) (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) reacts with vinylic carbon−fluorine bonds of CF2CH2 and 1,1-difluoromethylenecyclohexane (CF2C6H10) to afford Cp*2ZrHF (2) and hydrodefluorinated products. Experimental evidence suggests that an insertion/β-fluoride elimination mechanism is occurring. Complex 1 reacts with allylic C−F bonds of the olefins, CH2CHCF3, CH2CHCF2CF2CF2CF3, and CH2C(CF3)2 to give preferentially 2 and CH3−CHCF2, CH3−CHCF−CF2CF2CF3, and CF2C(CF3)(CH3), respectively, by insertion/β-fluoride elimination. In the reactions of 1 with CH2CHCF3 and CH2CHCF2CF2CF2CF3, both primary and secondary alkylzirconium olefin insertion intermediates were observed in the 1H and 19F NMR spectra at low temperature. A deuterium labeling study revealed that more than one olefin-dihydride complex is likely to exist prior to olefin insertion. In the presence of excess 1 and H2, CH2CHCF3 and CH2CHCF2CF2CF2CF3 are reduced to propane and (E)-CH3CH2CFCFCF2CF3, respectively.
Rigid-body motion correction with self-navigation MRI

The use of phase correlation to detect rigid-body translational motion is reviewed and applied to individual echotrains in turbo-spin-echo data acquisition. It is shown that when the same echotrain is acquired twice, the subsampled correlation provides an array of delta-functions, from which the motion that occurred between the acquisitions of the two echotrains can be measured. It is shown further that a similar correlation can be found between two sets of equally spaced measurements that are adjacent in k-space. By measuring the motion between all adjacent pairs of k-space subgroups, the complete motion history of a subject can be determined and the motion artifacts in the image can be corrected. Some of the limiting factors in using this technique are investigated with turbo-spin-echo head and hand images. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Is it safe to have a laboratory test

A recent US Institute of Medicine report indicated that up to 98,000 deaths and more than 1 million injuries occur each year in the United States due to medical errors. These include diagnostic errors, such as an “error or delay in diagnosis, failure to employ indicated tests” and the “use of outmoded tests.” Laboratory tests provide up to 80% of the information used by physicians to make important medical decisions, therefore it is important to determine how often laboratory testing mistakes occur, whether they cause patient harm, where they are most likely to occur in the testing process, and how to prevent them from occurring. A review of the literature and a US Quality Institute Conference in 2003 indicates that errors in laboratory medicine occur most often in the pre-analytical and post-analytical steps in the testing process, but most of the quality improvement efforts focus on improving the analytical process. Measures must be developed and employed to reduce the potential for mistakes in laboratory medicine, including better indicators for the quality of laboratory service. Users of laboratory services must be linked with the laboratory’s information system to assist them with decisions about test ordering, patient preparation, and test interpretation. Quality assessment efforts need to be expanded beyond external quality assessment programs to encompass the detection of non-analytical mistakes and improving communication between the users of and providers of laboratory services. The actual number of mistakes in laboratory testing is not fully recognized, because no widespread process is in place to either determine how often mistakes occur or to systematically eliminate sources of error. We also tend to focus on mistakes that result in adverse events, not the near misses that cause no observable harm. The users of laboratory services must become aware of where testing mistakes can occur and actively participate in designing processes to prevent mistakes. Most importantly, healthcare institutions need to adopt a culture of safety, which is implemented at all levels of the organization. This includes establishing closer links between providers of laboratory services and others in the healthcare delivery system. This was the theme of a 2003 Quality Institute Conference aimed at “making the laboratory a key partner in patient safety.” Plans to create a permanent public–private partnership, called the Institute for Quality in Laboratory Medicine, whose mission is to promote improvements in the use of laboratory tests and laboratory services are underway.
The effects of ganglionic blockade on tracheobronchial muscle in fetal and newborn lambs

Abstract Changes in diameters of the trachea and bronchi of fetal and newborn lambs were studied by cineroentgenograms and histological sections after administration of a ganglionic blocking agent. Mean increases in diameters of the trachea and left and right bronchi were 90 %, 69 % and 62 %, respectively, in the fetal lambs. In the newborn lambs, the mean increases in tracheal and left and right bronchial diameters (51 %, 38 % and 60 %, respectively) were considerably less than those observed in the fetal lambs. This suggests that after birth the enhanced activity of the sympathetic component of the autonomic nervous system under normal circumstances overcomes the parasympathetic dominance over the respiratory tract which is characteristic of fetal life.