cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Breast Development

This review presents an atlas of the histology of the normal physiological states of the human breast including prenatal, prepubertal, and pubertal development, adult resting gland, pregnancy, lactation, and postinvolution. The aim is to produce a pictorial overview of the main stages in development and the common findings in the adult that are considered to be within the range of normality. Unlike inbred strains of animals, in humans it is clear that the chronology of ductal and lobular development is not predictable, either in the fetus, the infant, the peripubertal breast, or the adult. This is probably due to the individual variation in hormone levels both in utero and after birth. For many of the developmental time points there are very little data available. In this review we indicate the current state of knowledge of human breast development and some of the main similarities and differences with the rodent, the main animal model. The major phases of growth and development are described and accompanied by photographs that are representative of each stage. Stress is placed on terminology as there is confusion in the literature. This article is written as an accessory to the companion review on breast cancer.
Treatment and Prevention of Pain in Children and Adults with Burn Injuries

The effective prevention and treatment of pain in children and adults after burn injuries requires intensive “multi-modal analgesia” starting within the first minutes following hospital admission. It is now considered inappropriate and unethical to perform elective painful procedures in children or adults without evidence-based treatments to avoid or minimize pain. Safe multi-modal, i.e., opioid-sparing, analgesia, may include one, several, or all of the following approaches in the effective treatment of pediatric or adult burn patients: pharmacology (e.g., simple analgesia and/or opioids and/or adjuvant analgesia), anesthetic interventions (e.g., neuroaxial analgesia, nerve blocks), rehabilitation (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, sleep hygiene), psychology (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy), and age-appropriate positioning and integrative (“non-pharmacological”) therapies, such as breathing techniques, self-hypnosis, and distraction.
Protective coatings for lithium metal anodes: Recent progress and future perspectives

Abstract The demand for lithium batteries with energy densities beyond those of lithium-ion has driven the recent studies on lithium metal anode. High-efficiency electrochemical cycling of lithium requires improved lithium deposition morphology and reduced parasitic reactions between lithium and the liquid electrolyte. A protective layer on lithium metal is expected to reduce contact between lithium metal and the organic solvent, exert compressive mechanical force on the anode, and improve the selectivity and uniformity of lithium ion transport at the electrode surface. This review covers recent advancements in this topic. We first establish the design criteria for an effective coating followed by a brief description of the methods for depositing the layer, characterizing its structure and morphology, and evaluating its electrochemical performance. Our discussion of the literature is organized on resultant layer composition and corresponding ion conduction mechanisms. In the case of polymeric materials, the polarity difference between the polymer and electrolyte solvents determines the degree of swelling and selectivity of lithium ion transport. We conclude by advocating for the need of increased mechanistic study for the functioning mechanism, improved understanding of layer degradation, and demonstration of the protective function in realistic cell environment, namely lean electrolytes and coupled with appropriate cathodes.
Book review. Intimate investments in drag king cultures: the rise and fall of a lesbian social scene

What happens when lesbian and queer women come together to enact forms of masculinity within the context of a performance? How did the series of such events in a particular locality – Sydney, begin...
Nanoscale Excitation Dynamics of Carbon Nanotubes Probed with Photoinduced Force Microscopy

We perform time-resolved pump-probe measurements on heterogeneous samples of (6,5) enriched single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), both at the ensemble level using transient absorption measuremen...
Multi-Objective Stochastic Bayesian Optimization for Iterative Engine Calibration.

Engine calibration is an important step to achieve optimal engine performance with satisfactory emissions and it is an expensive process in general. In recent years, a new process called Bayesian optimization has come into picture for reducing expensive function evaluations. It efficiently performs exploration-exploitation in design space to identify optimal region. But the work is mostly focused on deterministic case. Unfortunately, practical system measurements almost always contain random noises. Therefore, for this research work, stochastic Bayesian optimization approach has been implemented for a multiobjective engine calibration problem with constraints. Three control parameters: variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) position, exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) valve position, and start of injection(SOI) are calibrated to get a trade-off (Pareto) curve between engine fuel consumption (BSFC) and its emissions (NO x ). Simulations are performed at different noise level to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm at adverse conditions. Promising results are obtained at all noise levels with optimal solutions near actual pareto front.
Distributional Effects of the Panama Canal Expansion

This paper uses a dynamic macro-micro framework to evaluate the potential distributional effects of the expansion of the Panama Canal. The results show that large macroeconomic effects are only likely during the operations phase (2014 and onward), and income gains are likely to be concentrated at the top of the income distribution. The additional foreign exchange inflows during the construction and operations phases result in the loss of competitiveness of non-Canal sectors (Dutch disease) and in higher domestic prices, which hurt the poorest consumers. In addition, the construction and operation activities increase demand for more educated non-farm formal workers. Although these changes encourage additional labor movement out of agriculture and from the informal to the formal sector, much of the impact is manifested in growing wage disparities and widening income inequality. Using the additional revenues of the Canal expansion in a targeted cash transfer program such as "Red de Oportunidades", the Government of Panama could offset the adverse distributional effects and eradicate extreme poverty.
Gradient Assisted Learning.

In distributed settings, collaborations between different entities, such as financial institutions, medical centers, and retail markets, are crucial to providing improved service and performance. However, the underlying entities may have little interest in sharing their private data, proprietary models, and objective functions. These privacy requirements have created new challenges for collaboration. In this work, we propose Gradient Assisted Learning (GAL), a new method for various entities to assist each other in supervised learning tasks without sharing data, models, and objective functions. In this framework, all participants collaboratively optimize the aggregate of local loss functions, and each participant autonomously builds its own model by iteratively fitting the gradients of the objective function. Experimental studies demonstrate that Gradient Assisted Learning can achieve performance close to centralized learning when all data, models, and objective functions are fully disclosed.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Mountain Yet to Be Scaled Despite the Triumphs

Metastatic progression and tumor recurrence pertaining to TNBC are certainly the leading cause of breast cancer-related mortality; however, the mechanisms underlying TNBC chemoresistance, metastasis, and tumor relapse remain somewhat ambiguous. TNBCs show 77% of the overall 4-year survival rate compared to other breast cancer subtypes (82.7 to 92.5%). TNBC is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer, with chemotherapy being the major approved treatment strategy. Activation of ABC transporters and DNA damage response genes alongside an enrichment of cancer stem cells and metabolic reprogramming upon chemotherapy contribute to the selection of chemoresistant cells, majorly responsible for the failure of anti-chemotherapeutic regime. These selected chemoresistant cells further lead to distant metastasis and tumor relapse. The present review discusses the approved standard of care and targetable molecular mechanisms in chemoresistance and provides a comprehensive update regarding the recent advances in TNBC management.
Influences of Search Engine Optimization on Performance of SMEs: A Qualitative Perceptive

Search engines have become an important channel for increasing SMEs' global reach as well as competing with larger companies. Therefore, SMEs are enhancing their business visibility through search engine optimization SEO. With effective SEO techniques, small companies can appear ahead of large, well-known companies on search results. However, in addition increasing the ranking on a search engine results page SERP, there may be other benefits that SMEs may enjoy while engaging in an SEO campaign. This study uses multiple firms as cases to illustrate how SEO initiatives can impact performance for SMEs. The authors found that in addition to increasing the rankings on SERPs, SMEs saw an increase in number of visitors to the site, the average time duration of users visiting the site, more user engagement and an increase of annual sales revenue.
Dynamic Coupling of Iron, Manganese, and Phosphorus Behavior in Water and Sediment of Shallow Ice-Covered Eutrophic Lakes.

Decreasing duration and occurrence of northern hemisphere ice cover due to recent climate warming is well-documented; however, biogeochemical dynamics underneath the ice are poorly understood. We couple time-series analyses of water column and sediment water interface (SWI) geochemistry with hydrodynamic data to develop a holistic model of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and phosphorus (P) behavior underneath the ice of a shallow eutrophic freshwater bay. During periods of persistent subfreezing temperatures, a highly reactive pool of dissolved and colloidal Fe, Mn, and P develops over time in surface sediments and bottom waters due to reductive dissolution of Fe/Mn(oxy)hydroxides below the SWI. Redox dynamics are driven by benthic O2 consumption, limited air–water exchange of oxygen due to ice cover, and minimal circulation. During thaw events, the concentration, distribution and size partitioning of all species changes, with the highest concentrations of P and “truly dissolved” Fe near the water column surfa...
Nutritional Control of Nematode Development

The cultivation of worms in species isolation has been tried since the beginning of our century. Much of this effort was motivated by the hope that important parasitic species might be more adequately studied, understood and, therefore, controlled if they could be separated from their host without being physiologically damaged. First results, however, were with roundworms (nematodes) living as predators of microorganisms in the soil or as saprophytes on decaying organic matter. There is no telling when, originally, samples of soil or detritus were brought into the laboratory and purposely enriched to yield greater numbers of worms. The late Ellsworth C. Dougherty, historian and neologist of the culturing of invertebrate metazoa (1959), mentioned Perez (1866) as being the first to grow worms, probably a mixture of rhabditid nematode species, in chicken ovalbumin, a medium differing significantly from their natural environment (Dougherty & Calhoun, 1948). However, no rigorous attempt was made to dissociate the worms from other microbes. This was tried by Metcalf (1903) with Rhabditis brevispina, “a nematode associated with plant decay”, which he grew on an asparagus juice agar that was partially digested by microbial action and then heat sterilized.
Abstract P358: Discovery Loci and Generalization of Platelet Count Associations in the Hispanic Community Health Study: Study of Latinos (HCHS/SoL)

Background: The biology of platelets_anuclear megakaryocyte fragments required for clotting_is well defined, with abnormalities resulting in clotting disorders ranging from asymptomatic to severe. Although platelet count (PLT) is highly heritable (h 2 =0.57 in NHANES), genetic regulation of this trait remains incompletely characterized. In particular, Hispanic Latinos are a diverse population in which the genetic variability of PLT has not been analyzed. We aimed to 1) identify novel loci associated with PLT in participants of HCHS/SoL; and 2) determine if previously identified PLT loci generalize to the Hispanic Latino population. Methods: We performed a genome-wide association study of PLT in 12,491 participants of HCHS/SoL, which includes individuals with Dominican, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban, South American, and Central American ancestral origins residing in the United States. Participants were genotyped on the Illumina SoL Omni2.5M array and imputed to the 1000 Genomes Phase I Reference panel. We implemented linear mixed-model regression assuming an additive genetic model, adjusting for sex, age, study center, ancestry and sample weights, and including random effects for individual relatedness, household, and block group. Results: Ten independent loci were significantly (α = 5x10 -8 ) associated with PLT in HCHS/SoL and 13 of 57 previously identified platelet-count GWAS loci generalized to HCHS/SoL (+/-500kb, α = 8.78x10 -4 ). Discovery loci included a significant association near GABBR1 (rs3131857, MAF = 40%, β = -0.16) and a suggestive association near ETV7 (rs9470264, MAF = 20%, β = -0.19). Furthermore, a noncoding variant in ACTN1 was associated with increased PLT (rs117672662, MAF = 6%, β = 0.61); ACTN1 codes for alpha-actinin, a multi-isoform actin-binding protein involved in cytoskeleton organization and platelet/megakaryocyte structural integrity. Missense mutations in ACTN1 were recently implicated in congenital thrombocytopenia; exome sequencing also associated this locus with PLT, which supports a potential functional role in PLT for this gene. Conditional regression analyses to assess secondary association signals are in progress. Conclusions: Genetic associations in two discovery loci ( ETV7 and GABBR1 ) underscore the benefit of using diverse populations in GWAS. Expanding the number of loci associated with platelet count will help elucidate disease mechanisms and develop approaches to treat platelet disorders in populations of all ancestries.
The solar wind mass flux problem

The variation of the proton flux with coronal temperature and density in thermally driven solar wind models is discussed. It is shown that the rapid increase of the proton flux with increasing temperature can be reduced by adiabatic cooling of the expanding plasma. A significant coronal helium abundance can also act as a 'regulator' for the solar wind proton flux.
Graves' Disease Patients with Persistent Hyperthyroidism and Diffuse Lymphoplasmacytic Infiltration in the Thyroid Show No Histopathological Compatibility with IgG4-Related Disease.

Background IgG4-related disease is a novel disease entity characterized by diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltration rich in IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibrosis into multiple organs. There is still controversy over whether some thyroid diseases are actually IgG4-related disease. The objective of this study was to elucidate the clinicopathological features of Graves’ disease with diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltration in the thyroid. Patients and Methods Among 1,484 Graves’ disease patients who underwent thyroidectomy, we examined their histopathological findings including the degree of lymphoplasmacytic and fibrotic infiltration and levels of IgG4-positive plasma cells in the thyroid. Their clinical pictures were defined by laboratory and ultrasonographic evaluation. Results A total of 11 patients (0.74%) showed diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltration in the stroma of the thyroid gland. Meanwhile, other patients showed variable lymphoid infiltration ranging from absent to focally dense but no aggregation of plasma cells in the thyroid gland. Based on the diagnostic criteria of IgG4-related disease, 5 of the 11 subjects had specifically increased levels of IgG4-positive plasma cells in the thyroid. Fibrotic infiltration was present in only 1 patient developing hypothyroidism after anti-thyroid drug treatment for 4 years, but not in the other 10 patients with persistent hyperthyroidism. Obliterative phlebitis was not identified in any of the 11 subjects. Thyroid ultrasound examination showed 1 patient developing hypothyroidism who had diffuse hypoechogenicity, but the other hyperthyroid patients had a coarse echo texture. Conclusions In our study, Graves’ disease patients with persistent hyperthyroidism who had diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltration rich in IgG4-positive plasma cells in the thyroid showed no concomitant fibrosis or obliterative phlebitis.
Cutting Edge: CD4 and CD8 T Cells Are Intrinsically Different in Their Proliferative Responses

In this study, we compared the proliferation and differentiation of Ag-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells following Listeria infection. Our results show that CD4 T cells responding to infection divide a limited number of times, with progeny exhibiting proliferative arrest in early divisions. Even with increased infectious doses, CD4 T cells display this restricted proliferative pattern and are not driven to undergo extensive clonal expansion. This is in striking contrast to CD8 T cells, which undergo extensive proliferation in response to infection. These differences are also evident when CD4 and CD8 T cells receive uniform anti-CD3 stimulation in vitro. Together, these results suggest that CD4 and CD8 T cells are programmed to undergo limited and extensive proliferation, respectively, to suit their function as regulator and effector cells.
Chip-scale fully reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexing subsystem in polymer microphotonic circuits

We report on a highly integrated photonic circuit using a polymer-based planar waveguide system. The properties of the materials used in this work such as ultra-low optical loss, widely tunable refractive index, and large thermo-optic coefficient, enable a multi-functional chip-scale microphotonic circuit. We discuss the application of this technology to the fabrication of a fully reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer. This subsystem includes channel switching, power monitoring, load balancing, and wavelength shuffling functionalities that are required for agile wavelength-division multiplexing optical networks. Optical properties of our material systems and performance characteristics of the implemented optical passive/active elements are presented, and the integration schemes of the devices to achieve a fully integrated reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer are discussed.
Local structures in crystalline and amorphous phases of Diglyme-LiCF3SO3 and poly(ethylene oxide)-LiCF3SO3 systems : Implications for the mechanism of ionic transport

The ability of ethylene oxide-based materials to dissolve salts and form ionically conducting systems has attracted widespread interest. Our molecular level understanding of ionic conductivity in these systems critically depends on our understanding of local structures. The crystal structure of diethylene glycol dimethyl ether:LiCF3SO3 or diglyme:LiCF3SO3 consists of diglyme−salt dimers with the lithium ion in a 5-fold coordination strikingly similar to that in crystalline poly(ethylene oxide)3:LiCF3SO3. However, spectroscopic studies of diglyme−LiCF3SO3 solutions indicate that lithium ion is coordinated by only three oxygen atoms from a diglyme molecule and one oxygen atom from a CF3SO3- anion as part of a contact ion pair. A parallel spectroscopic study of high molecular weight PEO−LiCF3SO3 suggests that the ionically conducting amorphous phase also contains four-coordinate lithium ions in a local structure similar to that in the diglyme solution. Analysis of Raman and X-ray data of PEO−LiCF3SO3 films s...
Practice parameters for the management of single brain metastasis.

Object In January 1998 the Guidelines and Outcomes Committee of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) issued a charge for the development of evidence-based practice parameters focusing on the treatment of patients with single metastasis to the brain. The charge was imposed in response to the significant controversy surrounding questions relating to the optimal management strategies for patients with single brain metastasis. Methods A team consisting of physicians from the AANS, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American Association of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology convened and the literature was reviewed. Methodically drawing from the best of Class I, II, and III levels of available evidence, authors sought to determine how the literature addressed and disposed of the question of the optimal management for an adult with a known history of cancer and a single meta-static brain lesion. Framing the question in this specific manner allowed researchers to focus directly on treatmen...
Leopold Jessner's theories of dramatic production

(1936). Leopold Jessner's theories of dramatic production. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 197-206.
Monolayer films of surfactant derivatives of methylene blue

Abstract Surfactant derivatives of methylene blue have been synthesized and shown to form stable monolayer films at the air-water interface. From a comparison of experimental II-A curves and dimensions derived from molecular models, probable orientations of the methylene blue chromophore in these films are discussed. The absorption spectra of glass-supported monolayer arrays of surfactant methylene blue derivatives are reported and show differences based on the number of hydrocarbon chains attached to the chromophore, the glass pretreatment, subphase counterion, and surface pressure at which the film was transferred onto the glass surface. The absorption spectra of methylene blue adsorbed on to glass surfaces from aqueous solution are described and shown to depend on glass pretreatment.
Responses to self-disclosure and interaction goals

Abstract Three types of responses to another's self-disclosure are distinguished: descriptive intimacy (the extent to which intimate facts are revealed), evaluative intimacy (the extent to which strong emotions or judgments are expressed), and topical reciprocity (the extent to which the response addresses the same subject matter as the initial disclosure). Descriptive intimacy was found to be most pronounced in traditional self-disclosure settings emphasizing impression formation and information exchange. Evaluative intimacy was found most often in the replies of subjects attempting to increase their attractiveness after receiving intimate disclosure. Topical reciprocity was pronounced following both intimate and nonintimate disclosure when the demand to exchange information was eliminated. Results are discussed in terms of responsiveness and the nature of interactions.
The design and implementation of a dynamic feature for a high-level language

Abstract Most high-level programming languages are unable to control the bindings between names and separately compiled implementations of those names at run time, while checking the correctness of such bindings at compile time. This facility is necessary for the use of the language in a monolingual programming environment. This paper describes the semantics of a dynamic binding feature for a block-structured, strongly typed language and the incorporation of the feature into a Pascal implementation.
Echocardiographic Findings in Severe Paradoxical Pulse Due to Pulmonary Embolization

Abstract A 47 year old man with acute pulmonary embolism had severe pulsus paradoxicus in the absence of pericardial disease. Echocardiography demonstrated inspiratory failure of the aortic valve to open, a decrease in left ventricular cavity size and a decrease in mitral valve diastolic excursion.
Natural Convection From Isothermal Cubical Cavities With a Variety of Side-Facing Apertures

An experimental investigation of heat transfer by natural convection from a smooth, isothermal cubic cavity with a variety of side-facing aperatures is described in this paper. The study was motivated by the desire to predict the convective loss from large solar thermal-electric receivers and to understand the mechanisms which control this loss. Hence, emphasis is placed on the large Rayleigh number, Ra, regime with large ratios of the cavity wall temperature T{sub w} to the ambient temperature T{sub {infinity}}. A cryogenic wind tunnel with test section temperatures which are varied between 80 K and 310 K is used to facilitate deduction of the influences of the relevant parameters and to obtain large temperature ratios without masking the results by radiative heat transfer. A 0.4-m cubic cavity, which is mounted in the side wall of this tunnel, is used. The area of the aperture A{sub a} and its location are key variables in this study. The data which are presented cover the ranges: 1 < T{sub w}/T{sub {infinity}} < 3, L{sup 2}/18 {le} A{sub a} {le} L{sup 2}, and 3 {times} 10{sup 10}.
Quinupristin-Dalfopristin A Viewpoint

- Quinupristin-dalfopristin (RP 59500) is an injectable streptogramin antibiotic. - It possesses a wide spectrum of activity against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant staphylococci, glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium and penicillin-resistant pneumococci. - Quinupristin-dalfopristin has activity against some anaerobes and selected Gram-negative pathogens. - Quinupristin-dalfopristin, by way synergism of between its 2 components, is unaffected by most forms of bacterial resistance. Rare forms of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin group B resistance may affect its activity ; however, at present the incidence of strains with this type of resistance remains low. - Quinupristin-dalfopristin is bactericidal against streptococci and staphylococci but has weak or no bactericidal activity against enterococci. - In a compassionate use programme, 67% of 95 evaluable patients with vancomycin-resistant Gram-positive infections or intolerant of vancomycin showed improvement with eradication of infection.
Multidimensionality and prediction of treatment outcome in opioid addicts: 2.5-year follow-up.

Abstract Treatment outcome for drug abusers may be almost entirely dependent on drug abstinence (unidimensional view) or may involve a complex of several relatively independent dimensions. In a 2.5-year follow-up of 150 opiate addicts, we found that their medical, social, psychological, legal, and employment problems, as assessed by the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), improved substantially. Clinician ratings demonstrated more improvement than self-report composites of medical, employment, and family problems. Using factor analysis, the seven outcome areas covered by the ASI formed two factors that accounted for about 50% of the variance at both intake assessment and follow-up. The first factor included strong loadings from the employment, medical, psychological, family, and alcohol problem scales, while the second factor included the drug and legal problem scales primarily. Drug abstinence was correlated with better drug abuse and legal outcome at the 2.5-year follow-up, and abstainers showed more improvement than continued abusers. However, in most non-drug abuse areas the differences between abstainers and abusers were relatively small. Follow-up outcomes were only weakly predicted by the intake clinician ratings of problems, and the intake ratings did not have high specificity in predicting corresponding outcome areas. Thus, a unidimensional view focusing on abstinence described an important part of drug abuse treatment outcome, but a psychosocial factor, that did not include drug abuse, accounted for a large part of outcome variance.
The Family Map: A Graphical Representation of Family Systems Theory

Family systems theory offers an explanation of how families interact and develop. A statistical representation of such interactions has been problematic. The present study proposes that "family maps," defined through role-playing and multidimensional scaling analysis, offer a diagnostic means of understanding current and hypothetical familial interactions. Empirical experimental data illustrate the utility of this methodology.
Influence of the valine zipper region on the structure and aggregation of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain of activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5).

Protein aggregation is a major problem for biopharmaceuticals. While the control of aggregation is critically important for the future of protein pharmaceuticals, mechanisms of aggregate assembly, particularly the role that structure plays, are still poorly understood. Increasing evidence indicates that partially folded intermediates critically influence the aggregation pathway. We have previously reported the use of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain of Activating Transcription Factor 5 (ATF5) as a partially folded model system to investigate protein aggregation. This domain contains three regions with differing structural propensity: a N-terminal polybasic region, a central helical leucine zipper region, and a C-terminal extended valine zipper region. Additionally, a centrally positioned cysteine residue readily forms an intermolecular disulfide bond that reduces aggregation. Computational analysis of ATF5 predicts that the valine zipper region facilitates self-association. Here we test this hypothesis using a truncated mutant lacking the C-terminal valine zipper region. We compare the structure and aggregation of this mutant to the wild-type (WT) form under both reducing and non-reducing conditions. Our data indicate that removal of this region results in a loss of alpha-helical structure in the leucine zipper and a change in the mechanism of self-association. The mutant form displays increased association at low temperature but improved resistance to thermally induced aggregation.
Packing-Density Effects on the Friction of n-Alkane Monolayers

The classical molecular dynamics simulations presented here examine the tribology associated with the sliding of a hydrogen-terminated diamond counterface across a monolayer of n-alkane chains that are covalently bound to a diamond substrate. Two systems using chains of fixed length (18 carbon atoms per chain) on diamond (111) are examined: a tightly packed (2 × 2) arrangement and a loosely packed system with approximately 30% fewer chains. Both systems give a similar average friction at low loads. Under high loads, the tightly packed monolayer exhibits significantly lower friction than the loosely packed monolayer. While the movement of chains is greatly constricted in both systems, the tightly packed monolayer under high loads is clearly more uniform in geometry and more constrained with respect to the movement of individual chains than the loosely packed monolayer. This suggests that efficient packing of the chains is responsible for the lower friction for tight packing under high load. This is suppor...
Psychologic Stress in a Video-Simulated Dental Restoration

Psychologic stress was studied in relation to several variables: instructional set, sex, dental anxiety, and order of presentation of stressful and nonstressful stimuli. Verbal and autonomic measures were obtained from 64 subjects. Order of presentation had an important effect on autonomic response. Dental anxiety was clearly related to verbal evaluation but not to autonomic response.
The potentiometric determination of stability constants for zinc acetate complexes in aqueous solutions to 295°C

Abstract A potentiometric method was used to determine the formation quotients of zinc acetate complexes in aqueous solutions from 50 to 295°C at ionic strengths of 0.03,0.3, and 1.0 m . The potentiometric titrations were carried out in an externally heated, Teflon-lined concentration cell fitted with hydrogen electrodes. Formal sodium acetate concentrations of the experimental solutions ranged from 0.001 to 0. 1 m with acetic acid to sodium acetate ratios ranging from 30 to 300. Sodium trifluoromethanesulfonate (F 3 CSO 3 Na) was used as a supporting electrolyte. Stoichiometries and formation quotients for the complexes ZnCH 3 COO + , Zn(CH 3 COO) 2 , and Zn(CH 3 COO) − 3 were derived from the titration data by regression analysis. Stability constants at infinite dilution ( K n ) and other relevant thermodynamic quantities were calculated for these three complexes. Logarithms for the formation constants of the general reaction Zn 2+ + nCH 3 COO − = Zn ( CH 3 COO ) n 2− n are n = 1−(1.9 ± 0.2, 50° C ), (2.3 ± 0.1, 100° C ), (2.8 ± 0.1, 150° C ), (3.5 ± 0.1, 200° C ), (4.3 ± 0.2, 250° C ), (5.3 ± 0.3, 300° C ); n = 2−(3.4 ± 0.1, 50° C ), (4.0 ± 0.1, 100° C ), (4.83 ± 0.09, 150° C ), (5.9 ± 0.1, 200° C ), (7.1 ± 0.1, 250° C ), (8.7 ± 0.2, 300° C ); n = 3−(4.1 ± 0.3, 50° C ), (4.7 ± 0.3, 100° C ), (5.5 ± 0.3, 150° C ), (6.6 ± 0.3, 200° C ), (7.9 ± 0.3, 250° C ), (9.4 ± 0.3, 300° C ). Calculations of zinc speciation in acetate-chloride solutions show that zinc acetate complexes should have an importance similar to zinc chloride complexes in high acetate waters where chloride to acetate molal ratios are less than about 10.
The Rhetoric of Strategic Retreat: Carter and the Panama Canal Debate.

In his televised address on the Canal Treaties, President Carter failed to employ the commonsense arguments that a policy of retreat requires. Five topoi for a rhetoric of retreat—timeliness, urgency, value, advantage, and shrewdness—help connect persuasion to policy, a rhetorical feat Carter more often accomplished in informal, impromptu speeches.
Establishing and Using a Local/Regional Cardiac Surgery Database ☆

Background In 1993, the Minnesota Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Minnesota Cardiac Surgery Database were organized in response to a third-party payer demand for data about practice protocols and patient outcomes. It has matured to an active organization of 46 cardiothoracic surgeons, 14 institutions, and more than 7,000 patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods Data are validated for completeness and accuracy through a statewide auditing process. They are coded by hospital, analyzed using the standard Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Surgery Database format and definitions, and reviewed quarterly in a continuous quality improvement process. Results Through data review and exchange site visits, variations in practice protocols and outcomes have been identified. For example, our statewide data review and continuous quality improvement process identified prolonged ventilation (more than 24 hours) as one variation. Multidisciplinary teams were defined, and statewide exchange site visits led by cardiovascular surgeons were implemented. An example of the improvement in the accuracy and completeness of the data used to study procedure outcomes is represented by the improved reporting of ejection fraction values that has resulted from this process. Conclusions Using the standardized Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Cardiac Surgery Database and the Minnesota Society of Thoracic Surgeons organizational structure to establish a high-quality database will allow for statewide peer review, exchange of practice guidelines, and promotion of standardization, which eventually can improve outcomes and reduce costs. This organization or model can be replicated at any local, state, or regional level. Thoracic surgeons faced with similar challenges for public disclosure of surgical results can learn much from the successful development of the Minnesota Cardiac Surgery Database.
Exact Tests using Two Correlated Binomial Variables in Contemporary Cancer Clinical Trials

New therapy strategies for the treatment of cancer are rapidly emerging because of recent technology advances in genetics and molecular biology. Although newer targeted therapies can improve survival without measurable changes in tumor size, clinical trial conduct has remained nearly unchanged. When potentially efficacious therapies are tested, current clinical trial design and analysis methods may not be suitable for detecting therapeutic effects. We propose an exact method with respect to testing cytostatic cancer treatment using correlated bivariate binomial random variables to simultaneously assess two primary outcomes. The method is easy to implement. It does not increase the sample size over that of the univariate exact test and in most cases reduces the sample size required. Sample size calculations are provided for selected designs.
Sex differences in dehydroepiandrosterone-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat.

Abstract Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid secreted by the adrenal gland, is a peroxisome proliferator and a hepatocarcinogen. Previously, we have shown that 15-week-old male rats given DHEA in AIN-76 diet without vitamin E developed liver tumors. In the present study, we have examined the carcinogenic effect of DHEA in 5–6-week-old male rats and in intact and ovariectomized female rats. Rats were fed Purina chow containing DHEA at a concentration of 0.45% for 100 weeks and livers were evaluated for tumor incidence and multiplicity. In male rats the incidence of total tumors and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) was 94 and 81%, respectively, with 1.9±0.3 (mean±SD) tumors per liver. In intact and ovariectomized females the total tumor incidence was 46 and 60%, respectively. However, the incidence of HCC and the mean number of tumors were similar in both intact and ovariectomized groups. Phenotypically the neoplastic nodules and HCC in female rats were negative for γ -glutamyltranspeptidase. The results of these studies further confirm that DHEA is a hepatocarcinogen in male and female rats. The possible reasons for the decreased incidence of liver tumors in females in relation to the peroxisome proliferative effect of DHEA is discussed.
Influence of a dipole magnetic field on the topology of toroidal magnetic configurations around a gravitating body

The topological structure of the toroidal magnetic field, which is affected by a dipole magnetic field, is studied. It is shown, that a dipole magnetic field is able to split the initial toroidal configuration into two toroids and, at a certain critical value of the magnetic dipole, can completely destroy the toroidal configuration. The dependence of the total mass excess on the dipole magnetic field is found.
Specialties Differ in Which Aspects of Doctor Communication Predict Overall Physician Ratings

BACKGROUND Effective doctor communication is critical to positive doctor–patient relationships and predicts better health outcomes. Doctor communication is the strongest predictor of patient ratings of doctors, but the most important aspects of communication may vary by specialty.
Microstructure and corrosion properties of diode laser melted friction stir weld of aluminum alloy 2024 T351

Abstract Friction stir welding is a promising solid state joining process for high strength aluminum alloys. Though friction stir welding eliminates the problems of fusion welding as it is performed below melting temperature ( T m ), it creates severe plastic deformation. Friction stir welds of some aluminum alloys exhibit relatively poor corrosion resistance. This research enhanced the corrosion properties of such welds through diode laser surface melting. A friction stir weld of aluminum alloy 2024 T351 was laser melted using a 1 kW diode laser. The melt-depth and microstructure were investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The melt zone exhibited epitaxially grown columnar grains. At the interface between the melted and the un-melted zone, a thick planar boundary was observed. Energy dispersive spectroscopy analyzed the redistribution of elemental composition. The corrosion properties of the laser melted and native welds were studied in aqueous 0.5 M sodium chloride solution using open circuit potential and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization. The results show noticeable increase in the pit nucleation resistance (390 mV) after the laser surface treatment. The repassivation potential was nobler to the corrosion potential after the laser treatment, which confirmed that the resistance to pit growth was improved.
Blunted responsiveness of posterior hypothalamic norepinephrine to quinpirole in DOCA/NaCl hypertensive rats

Abstract Our previous studies have demonstrated that the specific dopamine D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole (LY171555), has a presser effect in conscious normotensive rats and that this is accompanied by a centrally mediated increase in sympathetic activity and arginine vasopressin release. This pressor response to quinpirole is blunted in the DOCA/NaCl hypertensive rat. To examine the hypothesis that the responsiveness of the central noradrenergic and serotonergic systems to quinpirole treatment is altered in DOCA/NaCl rats, the norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) contents of hypothalamic and brainstem areas were measured in 4-week DOCA/NaCl hypertensive and H 2 O control rats 15 minutes after the intravenous administration of quinpirole (1 mg/kg). The results demonstrate that quinpirole selectively reduced (26%) posterior hypothalamic NE content in control rats, but not in DOCA/NaCl hypertensive rats. The NE content in the spinal cord and 5-HIAA content in the pons were greater in DOCA/NaCl rats than in normotensive controls in both saline and quinpirole treated groups. Our data suggest that the specific D2 agonist may effect its central pressor response by stimulating NE release from posterior hypothalamic area, a “pressor” region of hypothalamus, and that this D2 agonist induced pressor mechanism may be blunted in DOCA/NaCl hypertension.
Tilt-invariant approximation for the admittance operator in the rough-surface scattering theory

Tilt-Invariant Approximation is used in the frame of the admittance-operator formalism ft the scattering theory. The result is an explicitly-reciprocal formula for the scattering amplitude which is accurate up to the third order of the perturbation series, and is equivalent to the Kirchoff's approximation in the high-frequency limit.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Coronary artery disease in masters-level athletes.

Abstract Whiteson JH, Bartels MN, Kim H, Alba AS. Coronary artery disease in masters-level athletes. Screening athletes and advising them regarding exercise are parts of the practice of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Being able to recognize athletes at risk of coronary events is an important part of preparticipation screening. Good guidelines have been developed that let physicians proceed with confidence in screening and in recommending testing for athletes at risk. This review provides the recommended guidelines for physiatrists in practice. Overall Article Objectives (a) To recognize risk of coronary disease in athletes, (b) to identify appropriate screening for people at risk, and (c) to interpret test results in people with coronary disease.
Genome-Wide Microarray Analysis of the Differential Neuroprotective Effects of Antioxidants in Neuroblastoma Cells Overexpressing the Familial Parkinson’s Disease α-Synuclein A53T Mutation

In Parkinson’s disease substantia nigra neurons degenerate likely due to oxidative damage interacting with genetic risk factors. Here, SH-SY5Y cells expressing wild-type or A53T α-synuclein had increased sensitivity to methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide (MPP+), which induces mitochondrial dysfunction, and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), which causes oxidative stress. Edaravone protected only against MPP+, and EGCG ((−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate) protected only against 6-OHDA. Thus genomic responses to MPP+ and 6-OHDA in the presence of these antioxidants were analyzed using microarrays. Pathway analysis indicated that MPP+ activated p53 (P < 0.001) while 6-OHDA induced the Nrf2 antioxidative stress response (P < 0.0001). EGCG was more effective at blocking 6-OHDA-mediated genomic responses, while edaravone was more effective against MPP+. We identified 32 genes that responded to both toxins except in the presence of an effective anti-oxidant; eight are transcription factors and potentially constitute a stress-response transcriptional network. These data provide insights into the mechanisms of neurotoxicity and identifies genes that might mediate antioxidant efficacy.
Quarantine Cold Treatment for Hawaiian Carambola Fruit Infested with Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Melon Fly, or Oriental Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Eggs and Larvae

Cold storage at 1.1 ± 0.6 for 12 d was tested as a quarantine treatment against Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann); melon fly, Baetrocera cucurbilae (Coquillett); and oriental fruit fly, B. dorsalis (Hendel), infesting Hawaiian carambola (starfruit), Averrhoa carambola L. Cold storage for 12 d at 1.1 ± 0.6 disinfested ‘-16’, ‘Golden Star’, ‘Kajang’, ‘Kari’, ‘Kyra’, and ‘Sri Kembangan’ of Mediterranean fruit fly, melon fly, and oriental fruit fly eggs and larvae, providing Probit 9 quarantine security. Modified fruit infestation and holding techniques used to obtain adequate estimated treated populations from poor host fruits, such as carambola, are described.
Spin-lattice relaxation in the mixed state of the high- T c cuprates: Electronic spin-flip scattering versus spin fluctuations

Recent experimental and theoretical studies have established that the spin-lattice relaxation rate ${1/T}_{1}$ measured in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments is a site-sensitive probe for the electronic spectrum in the mixed state of the high-${T}_{c}$ cuprates. While some groups suggested that ${1/T}_{1}$ is solely determined by spin-flip scattering of BCS-like electrons, other groups stressed the importance of antiferromagnetic spin-fluctuations. We show that these two relaxation mechanisms give rise to a qualitatively different temperature and frequency dependence of ${}^{17}\mathrm{O}$ ${1/T}_{1}.$ A comparison of our results with the experimental ${}^{17}\mathrm{O}$ ${1/T}_{1}$ data provides support for a relaxation mechanism dominated by antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations.
Synthesis and structure of the diglyme-bridged lead hexafluoroacetylacetonate complex [Pb(hfac)2(μ-η3:η1-diglyme)]2

Abstract The hexafluoroacetylacetonate (hfac) chemistry of lead was investigated to make comparisons with the similarly sized lanthanides that form air stable Ln(hfac)3(diglyme) complexes. [Pb(hfac)2(μ-η3:η1-diglyme)]2 was obtained from PbO, (MeOCH2CH2)2O, and H(hfac) and was found to exist in the solid state as chiral pairs linked via diglyme. The metal is eight coordinate, but has sufficient vacant space in the coordination sphere to be considered to have an hemi-directed coordination environment. In contrast to the Ln(hfac)3(digyme)/K reactions that generate [LnF(hfac)3K(diglyme)]2 fluoride complexes, the potassium reduction of the lead complex gave only [(18-crown-6)K(hfac)]n in pure form, a complex that displays bridging CF3 linkages in the solid state.