cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Transition to Kindergarten

The transition to kindergarten is a significant event for young children and their families. The methods teacher use to orient children and families to formal schooling can have a long term effect on academic achievement. This study examined the transition activities of over 3000 kindergarten teachers that participated in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The results show that most schools do not provide a comprehensive transition plan that allows teachers and parents to exchange important information about child development and school expectations.
The taming of institutions in economics: the rise and methodology of the ‘new new institutionalism’

We examine the origin and methodology of a ‘New New Institutional Economics’ (NNIE) – an emerging research agenda distinguished by its attempt to account for the role of institutions in complex socio-economic change by formally modeling institutions as the background conditions to parameterized cost–benefit calculations. The NNIE expands the application of economic modeling tools to new areas of inquiry, models institutional outcomes with parsimony and mathematical rigor, and introduces political and economic power, thereby allowing for consideration of institutional change that is not Pareto improving. Using a four-part analytical framework, we find that the explanatory power of NNIE analysis derives not from its formal models, but from a more vague, nuanced, and narrative version of the formal models, which we call ‘Quasi-Models’. We find that the NNIE's formal models are too parsimonious to meaningfully illuminate the complex institutions they ostensibly represent.
Characterization of three isotypes of immunoglobulin light chains and T-cell antigen receptor α in zebrafish

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has become a significant model for understanding the developmental regulation of gene expression and holds considerable potential for characterizing the development of the immune system. Using a number of different approaches, including heterologous hybridization and short-primer PCR, cDNAs for three different classes of light-chain genes were identified and characterized. The zebrafish light chains are similar to trout type 1, trout type 2, and catfish type F, respectively. T-cell antigen receptor α (TCRα) was also identified and characterized. A high proportion of unusual transcripts including sterile transcripts, germline VJC transcripts, aberrant splice forms, and V-V transcripts were encountered in the immunoglobulin and TCR cDNAs examined. The light-chain and TCRα loci each consist of multiple families of V gene segments, apparent even from the small numbers of cDNAs of each isotype sequenced. The gene sequences reported provide an essential set of markers of both B- and T-cell lineages that will facilitate investigations of immune system development.
Changes in the trophic state of Lake Erie: discordance between molecular δ13C and bulk δ13C sedimentary records

Abstract Prior to 1980, anthropogenic phosporus (P) loadings resulted in increased algal productivity and the deterioration of water quality within Lake Erie. We measured C and N elemental compositions, geolipid concentrations, and δ 13 C values for bulk organic material and individual alkanes in samples taken from a 40-cm sediment core from the eastern basin of Lake Erie to infer recent trends in primary productivity and diagenesis. The predominance of autochthonous algal-derived C throughout the core is evidenced by low C/N values (9–10) and the persistent abundance of n -C 15 to n -C 17 alkanes throughout the core. The δ 13 C values of bulk organic C from Lake Erie vary between −25.9 and −24.9‰ with a maximum corresponding to the period of elevated historical P loading. Within Lake Erie, δ 13 C values of short-chained algal-derived alkanes ( n -C 18 ) are lower (approximately 1.0‰) than their terrestrial-derived homologs (> n -C 25 ). Down-core variations in the δ 13 C composition of algal-derived short-chained alkanes do not exhibit the same trend as that observed for bulk organic C. Down-core variation in δ 13 C values of individual alkanes likely reflect multiple diagenetic effects including kinetic fractionation effects, variations in the relative contributions of isotopically unique n -alkanes to the sediments, and/or temporal changes in 13 C enrichments of n -alkanes associated with a single source. High sedimentation rates characteristic of this core emphasize temporal variations in molecular δ 13 C values that might not otherwise be observed. Whereas δ 13 C data for bulk sedimentary organic C appear to reflect variation in trophic state, the isotopic record for algal-derived n -alkanes (e.g., n -C 17 and pristane) from Lake Erie must be considered from the perspective of molecular transformations.
Coherent Coupling of Molecular Excitons to Electronic Polarizations of Noble Metal Nanoparticles

We report the observation of coherent polarization coupling between the exciton of a molecular J-aggregate and the electronic polarization of noble metal nanoparticles. For Ag nanoparticles, coherent exciton coupling to the conduction band electrons leads to constructive interference and a long-lived exciton. For Au nanoparticles, the excitonic state interferes destructively with bound electron transition dipoles and the exciton lifetime is reduced by two orders of magnitude. Coherent polarization coupling in heterostructured nanomaterials may strongly impact the functionality of future nanoelectronic and nanooptical materials.
Quality in EUS: an assessment of baseline compliance and performance improvement by using the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy-American College of Gastroenterology quality indicators.

Background An American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy–American College of Gastroenterology (ASGE-ACG) task force recently developed quality indicators for the preprocedure, intraprocedure, and postprocedure phases of each endoscopic procedure. Benchmark rates and clinical significance of compliance have not been determined. Objectives To establish baseline compliance rates to the preprocedure and intraprocedure quality indicators in our EUS cases, identify indicators with the lowest compliance rates, and establish change in compliance rates with a targeted performance improvement plan. Methods We measured baseline compliance to each of the preprocedure and intraprocedure EUS quality indicators in the EUS procedures performed at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville from March 1996 through August 2006. We developed a performance improvement plan that targeted the 4 indicators with the lowest compliance over the entire time period. Compliance rates in the year after plan implementation were compared with those from January 2004 to August 2006, when adjusting for endoscopist and direct access. Results We demonstrated areas of high quality as well as areas for improvement in compliance with the ASGE-ACG quality metrics in a large cohort of EUS cases. We achieved improvement in all 4 areas targeted for quality improvement, statistically significant at the 5% level for two of the quality indicators. Limitations Limitations included our retrospective design and the use of unstructured procedure dictations that may limit application of our results. It is also unclear whether compliance was truly synonymous with performance. Conclusions We established reference levels of compliance rate within our practice and showed that a targeted performance improvement plan that consisted of awareness, individual accountability, and documentation can result in improvement.
Caffeine Inhibition of Ochratoxin A Production

The effect of caffeine and theobromine on growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus ochraceus was determined using microbiological medium. Caffeine produced a small decrease in growth, while reducing ochratoxin production as much as 98%. Theobromine had relatively little effect on growth or ochratoxin production. Screening of caffeine for its effect on the growth of a number of Aspergillus and Penicillium species indicated that caffeine may have biological activity against a variety of mycotoxigenic molds.
Instrumentation for medium-throughput two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection.

In two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis, a sample undergoes separation in the first dimension capillary by sieving electrophoresis. Fractions are periodically transferred across an interface into a second dimension capillary, where components are further resolved by micellar electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis. Previous instruments employed one pair of capillaries to analyze a single sample. We now report a multiplexed system that allows separation of five samples in parallel. Samples are injected into five first-dimension capillaries, fractions are transferred across an interface to 5 second-dimension capillaries, and analyte is detected by laser-induced fluorescence in a five-capillary sheath-flow cuvette. The instrument produces detection limits of 940 ± 350 yoctomoles for 3-(2-furoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde labeled trypsin inhibitor in one-dimensional separation; detection limits degrade by a factor of 3.8 for two-dimensional separations. Two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis expressi...
Estimating the Effects of Increased Urbanization on Surface Meteorology and Ozone Concentrations in the New York City Metropolitan Region

Abstract Land use and pollutant emission changes can have significant impacts on air quality, regional climate, and human health. Here we describe a modeling study aimed at quantifying the potential effects of extensive changes in urban land cover in the New York City (NYC), USA metropolitan region on surface meteorology and ozone (O3) concentrations. The SLEUTH land-use change model was used to extrapolate urban land cover over this region from “present-day” (ca. 1990) conditions to a future year (ca. 2050), and these projections were subsequently integrated into meteorological and air quality simulations. The development of the future-year land-use scenario followed the narrative of the “A2” scenario described by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), but was restricted to the greater NYC area. The modeling system consists of the Penn State/NCAR MM5 mesoscale meteorological model; the Sparse Matrix Operator Kernal Emissions processing system; and the US EPA Community Multiscale Air Quality model, and simulations were performed for two 18-day episodes, one near-past and one future. Our results suggest that extensive urban growth in the NYC metropolitan area has the potential to increase afternoon near-surface temperatures by more than 0.6 °C and planetary boundary layer (PBL) heights by more than 150 m, as well as decrease water vapor mixing ratio by more than 0.6 g kg−1, across the NYC metropolitan area, with the areal extent of all of these changes generally coinciding with the area of increased urbanization. On the other hand, the impacts of these land use changes on ozone concentrations are more complex. Simulation results indicate that future changes in urbanization, with emissions held constant, may lead to increases in episode-average O3 levels by about 1–5 ppb, and episode-maximum 8 h O3 levels by more than 6 ppb across much of the NYC area. However, spatial patterns of ozone changes are heterogeneous and also indicate the presence of areas with decreasing ozone concentrations. When anthropogenic emissions were increased to be consistent with the extensive urbanization in the greater NYC area, the O3 levels increased in outer counties of the metropolitan region but decreased in others, including coastal Connecticut and the Long Island Sound area.
Carbon black-PDMS composite conformal pressure sensor arrays for near-body flow detection

In nature, fish rely on the lateral line sensory organ for many critical behaviors including obstacle detection, prey tracking, and schooling. Acting in a similar fashion to an array of pressure sensors, the lateral line allows for the detection of near-body flow structures such as vortex shedding and separated flow. Drawing on the lateral line for inspiration, conformal and highly sensitive pressure sensor arrays were investigated using a carbon black and polydimethylsiloxane (CBPDMS) composite as a piezoresistive sensing material. In order to achieve the sensitivity necessary for the detection of hydrodynamic stimulus while maintaining the flexibility and robustness for use in the maritime environment, a porous CBPDMS composite was developed using sugar as a sacrificial scaffold. When the sacrificial scaffold was dissolved, the Young's modulus of the porous composite was reduced nearly two orders of magnitude compared to solid CBPDMS, leading to an order of magnitude increase in array sensitivity. The porous CBPDMS active material was packaged as an underwater sensing array using multiple encapsulation methods, and successfully tested using water wave stimulus in the MIT Towing Tank.
Autoradiographic evaluation of myocardial collateral circulation in the canine heart.

Although islands of viable muscle are found in areas of myocardial infarction, standard techniques for studying myocardial collateral circulation have not satisfactorily demonstrated a similar heterogeneous pattern of tissue blood flow. In the present study, a non-uniform distribution of myocardial blood flow has been graphically demonstrated in dogs after experimental coronary artery occlusion by use of a macroscopic autoradiographic technique. Patchy blood flow was found in areas of both brief and prolonged ischaemia. These autoradiographic findings were confirmed by similar studies using a fluorescent dye.
The Cluster Elastic Net for High-Dimensional Regression With Unknown Variable Grouping

In the high-dimensional regression setting, the elastic net produces a parsimonious model by shrinking all coefficients towards the origin. However, in certain settings, this behavior might not be desirable: if some features are highly correlated with each other and associated with the response, then we might wish to perform less shrinkage on the coefficients corresponding to that subset of features. We propose the cluster elastic net, which selectively shrinks the coefficients for such variables towards each other, rather than towards the origin. Instead of assuming that the clusters are known a priori, the cluster elastic net infers clusters of features from the data, on the basis of correlation among the variables as well as association with the response. These clusters are then used in order to more accurately perform regression. We demonstrate the theoretical advantages of our proposed approach, and explore its performance in a simulation study, and in an application to HIV drug resistance data. Supplementary Materials are available online.
Predictors of 5-year mortality following inpatient/residential group treatment for substance use disorders

This study examined the prevalence and predictors of 5-year mortality following treatment for substance use disorders. The predictors were assessed at baseline, at discharge, and at a 1-year follow-up for 3698 male veterans, and included demographic, substance use, medical, and psychological functioning, social support, and continuing care. The annual mortality rate was 2.38%, with an observed/expected ratio of 3.05. After accounting for significant demographic, substance use, psychological, and medical conditions, not having a spouse or partner at intake independently predicted 5-year mortality. After accounting for intake variables, more depression at discharge and more medical conditions, a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS, more ounces of ethanol on a maximum drinking day, and lack of a spouse or partner at the 1-year follow-up independently predicted 5-year mortality. Unexpectedly, good quality relationships were related to a higher mortality risk. Results can be used to increase at-risk patients' motivation for recovery.
Slot contention resolution for distributed TDM scheduling in an optical star network

In this paper, we study slot contention resolution in single-hop TDM/WDM star WANs. In this network multiple ingress switches are connected to an all-optical cross connect switch (core switch). The ingress switches transmit traffic in fixed slots to the egress switches via the core switch. There is no coordination among the switches so we expect some contention in the core switch. We assume two types of traffic namely the expedited forwarding (EF) and the best effort (BE). The ingress edge switches randomly transmit traffic in time slots similar to the slotted-ALOHA. Our core switch is a cross bar switch. Since there is no coordination among the ingress switches, different contention resolution and avoidance techniques can be implemented to eliminate the contention at the core. Schemes using shared-per-node wavelength converters (WC), neighbor deflection routing and extra wavelengths are explored
The fluoride content of select brewed and microwave-brewed black teas in the United States

Fluoride (F) intake is recognized to be important for dental health. Tea leaves are known F accumulators and brewed tea as well as the water used for brewing may contribute significantly to individual intake. The USDA's Nutrient Data Laboratory determined the F content of brewed and microwaved teas using geographically matched tap water samples. Two brands of top-selling regular and one of decaffeinated teabags were purchased in 36 locations and brewed either by steeping in boiled water or with microwave heating followed by steeping. The mean F content for caffeinated regular brewed tea was 373 49 mg/100 g (n = 63) and for decaffeinated tea was 270 46 mg/100 g (n = 34). The overall mean for F in microwaved regular tea was lower than regular brew (364 40 mg/100 g vs. 322 30 mg/100 g (n = 36)). In all cases, prepared tea using water from the Midwest had the highest F-values. The mean F content of the brewed teas was 3-4 times higher than the national mean of the tap water, analyzed separately (71 33 mg/ 100 g). These data are the first nationally representative F-values for brewed teas, and will provide valuable information to the dental and medical research communities in assessment of fluoride intake and impact on dental health.
Citalopram in the Treatment of Depression

OBJECTIVE:To review the efficacy and safety of citalopram in the treatment of depression.DATA SOURCES:MEDLINE search (1966–April 2000), Current Contents search, additional references listed in articles, and unpublished data obtained from the manufacturer were used to identify data from scientific literature. Studies evaluating citalopram (i.e., abstracts, clinical trials, data on file with the manufacturer) were considered for inclusion.STUDY SELECTION:English-language literature was reviewed to evaluate the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and adverse effects of citalopram.DATA EXTRACTION:Controlled animal and human clinical studies published in the English-language literature were reviewed and evaluated. Clinical trials selected for inclusion were limited to those in human subjects and included data from animals if human data were not available.DATA SYNTHESIS:Citalopram is an antidepressant belonging to the class of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) available for the treatm...
Long-Term Studies of Hemoglobin-Oxygen Affinity in Hypoxemic Dogs with a Right-to-Left Cardiac Shunt'

Long-standing hypoxemia was surgically created in dogs by inserting an aortic homograft between the inferior vena cava and right atrium. Ligation of the caval-atria1 junction resulted in a right-toleft cardiac shunt. Arterial p 0, fell immediately and P,, increased within 20 min. The 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration rose in 4 hr following surgery, while hemoglobin concentration increased within 7 days. Alterations in hemoglobin-oxygen affinity can occur rapidly and may be beneficial compensatory responses to acute and chronic hypoxemia caused by a right-to-left cardiac shunt.
Sociology of the SMY

Since Professor de Jager described the history and organization of the Solar Maximum Year (SMY) at the Kansas City Workshop on Max’91 Science, and since the SMY scientific highlights were summarized in Solar Physics, Vol. 114, and in the published proceedings of the SMY and SMA (Solar Maximum Analysis) workshops, I hope you will allow me to reflect on the sociology of the SMY. I served as the SMY science coordinator and as the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) observatory coordinator in 1979-81.
Expanding the diversity of unnatural cell-surface sialic acids.

Novel chemical reactivity can be introduced onto cell surfaces through metabolic oligosaccharide engineering. This technique exploits the substrate promiscuity of cellular biosynthetic enzymes to deliver unnatural monosaccharides bearing bioorthogonal functional groups into cellular glycans. For example, derivatives of N-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc) are converted by the cellular biosynthetic machinery into the corresponding sialic acids and subsequently delivered to the cell surface in the form of sialoglycoconjugates. Analogs of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) are also metabolized and incorporated into cell surface glycans, likely through the sialic acid and GalNAc salvage pathways, respectively. Furthermore, GlcNAc analogs can be incorporated into nucleocytoplasmic proteins in place of {beta}-O-GlcNAc residues. These pathways have been exploited to integrate unique electrophiles such as ketones and azides into the target glycoconjugate class. These functional groups can be further elaborated in a chemoselective fashion by condensation with hydrazides and by Staudinger ligation, respectively, thereby introducing detectable probes onto the cell. In conclusion, sialic acid derivatives are efficient vehicles for delivery of bulky functional groups to cell surfaces and masking of their hydroxyl groups improves their cellular uptake and utilization. Furthermore, the successful introduction of photoactivatable aryl azides into cell surface glycans opens up new avenues for studying sialic acid-binding proteins and elucidating the role of sialic acid in essential processes such as signaling and cell adhesion.
Implementation and evaluation of Google Glass for visualizing real-time image and patient data in the primary care office

Primary care physicians must conduct a staggering number of comprehensive physical exams and medical record reviews, resulting in demanding daily schedules. Few commercial technologies have been marketed towards the primary care market, which has stifled improvements in disease screening and detection, work flow, and records management, taking time away from interactions with patients. In efforts to improve the quality of care in primary care medicine, we integrated our handheld primary care optical imaging system with Google Glass©, a commercial heads-up display (HUD). The integration of a HUD allows the physician to focus on the patient during the medical history review and during the patient exam, resulting in potential improvements to the quality of care and efficient access to real-time data for display and analysis.
There's Method In Cases

The article discusses lesson planning and research by Arch R. Dooley and Wickham Skinner concerning the case method. The characteristics and educational objectives of the case method include: developing concepts and skills to analyze business problems; designing a case as a problemette, complex slice of life, or problem with an emphasis on action; providing the appropriate amount of data or facts; and selecting analytical methods and value dimensions. The case-writer defines the student's level of involvement and the amount of work that the instructor can expect to do.
18. Prediction of Thromboembolic Events in Women With Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Receiving SERMs

Background Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) significantly improve outcomes with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer but are associated with an increased risk for thromboembolic events. The purpose of this study was to compare the thromboembolic risks of toremifene and tamoxifen and to determine additional clinicopathologic factors associated with this risk. Methods Using data collected during the North American Fareston vs. Tamoxifen Adjuvant trial, we identified women who had experienced thromboembolic events, and evaluated the effects of several factors on their development of thromboembolic events. Results Ninety-four (5.5%) patients experienced a thromboembolic event, including 25 cerebrovascular accidents, 19 pulmonary emboli (PE), 36 deep venous thrombosis (DVT) (8 women had both a DVT and a PE), 8 transient ischemic attacks, and 14 acute myocardial infarctions. The incidence of thromboembolic events by treatment arm was not different. On univariate analysis, age > 67, lymphovascular invasion, and the number of positive nodes were associated with the risk of developing a thromboembolic event. On multivariate analysis, age (P Conclusion Older women taking SERMs are at increased risk for developing a thromboembolic event.
The evolutionary history of quorum-sensing systems in bacteria

Communication among bacterial cells through quorum-sensing (QS) systems is used to regulate ecologically and medically important traits, including virulence to hosts. QS is widespread in bacteria; it has been demonstrated experimentally in diverse phylogenetic groups, and homologs to the implicated genes have been discovered in a large proportion of sequenced bacterial genomes. The widespread distribution of the underlying gene families (LuxI/R and LuxS) raises the questions of how often QS genes have been transferred among bacterial lineages and the extent to which genes in the same QS system exchange partners or coevolve. Phylogenetic analyses of the relevant gene families show that the genes annotated as LuxI/R inducer and receptor elements comprise two families with virtually no homology between them and with one family restricted to the c-Proteobacteria and the other more widely distributed. Within bacterial phyla, trees for the LuxS and the two LuxI/R families show broad agreement with the ribosomal RNA tree, suggesting that these systems have been continually present during the evolution of groups such as the Proteobacteria and the Firmicutes. However, lateral transfer can be inferred for some genes (e.g., from Firmicutes to some distantly related lineages for LuxS). In general, the inducer/receptor elements in the LuxI/R systems have evolved together with little exchange of partners, although loss or replacement of partners has occurred in several lineages of c-Proteobacteria, the group for which sampling is most intensive in current databases. For instance, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a transferred QS system has been incorporated into the pathway of a native one. Gene phylogenies for the main LuxI/R family in Pseudomonas species imply a complex history of lateral transfer, ancestral duplication, and gene loss within the genus.
LUMINESCENT HOMOATOMIC EXCIPLEXES IN DICYANOARGENTATE(I) IONS DOPED IN ALKALI HALIDE CRYSTALS. 1. EXCIPLEX TUNING BY SITE-SELECTIVE EXCITATION

The photoluminescence behavior of dicyanoargentate(I) ions doped in KCl host crystals has been studied. Several ultraviolet and visible emission bands are observed in this system. Each emission band becomes dominant at a characteristic excitation wavelength; that is, the energy of the emission can be tuned by site-selective spectroscopy. Both the experimental and the theoretical results suggest the formation of Ag-Ag-bonded excimers and exciplexes between adjacent Ag(CN)2 - ions in the host lattice. The experimental evidence includes the broadness, the absence of detailed structure, the large Stokes shifts, and the very low band energies of the luminescence bands. Meanwhile, ab initio calculations show that the LUMO is bonding with respect to Ag-Ag bonds while the HOMO is antibonding. Moreover, excited state extended Huckel calculations indicate the formation of exciplexes with shorter Ag-Ag distances, higher binding energies, and higher Ag-Ag overlap populations than the corresponding ground-state oligomers. The emission bands are assigned to different *(Ag(CN)2 - )n luminescent exciplexes. Tuning of the emission over the 285-610-nm range has been achieved by site-selective excitation in a single KCl:Ag(CN)2 - crystal. The results in this
Maternal selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition suppresses estrogen alpha receptor transcripts in the pregnant rabbit uterus

ALPHA RECEPTOR TRANSCRIPTS IN THE PREGNANT RABBIT UTERUS WILBERT FORTSON JR, KAY BEHARRY, NICOLE HAUSMAN, JOSHUA WALTZMAN, STEPHEN NAGEOTTE, TAMEROU ASRAT, University of California, Irvine, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Irvine, California, University of California, Irvine, Pediatrics, Orange, California, U.C. Irvine Medical Center, Long Beach, California, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Long Beach, California, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Orange, California, University of California, Irvine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Orange, California OBJECTIVE: Parturition is associated with decreased progesterone receptor (PR) responsiveness and estrogen receptor (ER)-a activation in the myometrium. Inducible cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is principally enzyme involved in parturition, andmay be regulated by estrogen and progesterone.We examinedwhetherCOX-2 inhibition would influence mRNA expression of PR and ER in the uterus from non-laboring pregnant rabbits at term. STUDY DESIGN: Three groups of timed pregnant New Zealand rabbits at 13 days gestation (term = 32 days) were examined. Group 1 was administered celecoxib in suspension (30 mg/kg/day, equivalent to 200 mg BID in humans) in a mixture of 0.5% methylcellulose and 0.1% polysorbate 80 in water (vehicle) by gavage, from 13 to 20 days gestation (Cel-A); Group 2 received celecoxib from 13 to 28 days gestation (Cel-B); and Group 3 (control) received equivalent volume vehicle from 13 to 28 days gestation. At 29 days gestation, the rabbits underwent aseptic cesarean section. Uterine samples were collected and analyzed for PRA/B, PRB, and ERa mRNA expression. PRA was calculated as the difference between PRA/B and PRB. Data was normalized using GAPDH mRNA. RESULTS: Uterine PRA was reduced only in the Cel-A group (ANOVA, P ! .05). ERamRNA expression was reduced 2-fold in the Cel-A and Cel-B groups (P ! .05). PRB mRNA expression remained comparable among the groups. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated a link between COX-2 and ERa mRNA expression in the non-laboring pregnant rabbit uterus at term. This finding requires further investigation to determine it’s clinical implication. SMFM Abstracts S133
Voriconazole Treatment of Disseminated Paecilomyces Infection in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

We describe a patient with poorly controlled, multidrug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus disease who developed >20 skin lesions caused by Paecilomyces lilacinus. The lesions failed to improve during treatment with oral itraconazole, amphotericin B, and amphotericin B lipid complex but improved during treatment with voriconazole.
Follow‐up Text Messages for Patients at High Risk of Postpartum Hypertension

Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program A subset of postpartum patients in whom hypertension was diagnosed was readmitted within 7 days of giving birth at the hospital because of advancing disease. Our current practice for providing care to these women was to have them return for reevaluation at a 1‐week follow‐up appointment at our hypertensive clinic. As a result of our readmission data, we determined that increased outreach was needed between discharge time and follow‐up time when subtle signs of advancing disease may occur. Proposed Change To improve patient outcomes and decrease our 7‐day readmission rate for this population, we piloted a nurse outreach program using text messages (TM) as a tool to bridge this time gap. We hypothesized that TM would provide the woman flexibility in response time that would better meet her and her infant's needs during this early recovery period. The implementation of TM is not time dependent, and the script can be cut and pasted from patient to patient. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation The purpose of this TM was to provide reassurance, answers to questions and problem‐solving solutions, and to identify women who needed escalated care. We developed a standardized TM that was sent to women 3 to 4 days after discharge. During our 3‐month pilot ( N = 123 patients), we observed a 34% ( n = 41) response rate; 27% ( n = 11) required a follow‐up phone contact to attain additional information to determine if escalation was needed. In nine instances, phone triage was adequate in addressing concerns. Two of the 11 phone contacts indicated a need for escalation in care and referral to an acute care center. In one TM the woman stated, "I'm at the baby's appointment and they checked my blood pressure and I think I need to go to the hospital but I have no way to get there." In response to this woman's needs, the nurse called the woman to obtain further assessment, determined that additional care was required, and facilitated the woman's transport to care. Implications for Nursing Practice Nurses and participants expressed satisfaction with TM. Because of the success of this pilot program, we plan to offer it to all postpartum women in whom hypertension is diagnosed to determine whether our 7‐day readmission rate for this issue decreases.
The noncoherent rician fading Channel-part I: structure of the capacity-achieving input

Transmission of information over a discrete-time memoryless Rician fading channel is considered, where neither the receiver nor the transmitter knows the fading coefficients. First, the structure of the capacity-achieving input signals is investigated when the input is constrained to have limited peakedness by imposing either a fourth moment or a peak constraint. When the input is subject to second and fourth moment limitations, it is shown that the capacity-achieving input amplitude distribution is discrete with a finite number of mass points in the low-power regime. A similar discrete structure for the optimal amplitude is proven over the entire signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) range when there is only a peak-power constraint. The Rician fading with the phase-noise channel model, where there is phase uncertainty in the specular component, is analyzed. For this model, it is shown that, with only an average power constraint, the capacity-achieving input amplitude is discrete with a finite number of levels. For the classical average-power-limited Rician fading channel, it is proven that the optimal input amplitude distribution has bounded support.
Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Serum Biomarkers for Detection of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Teratomas

The use of cells derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) for regenerative therapies confers a considerable risk for neoplastic growth and teratoma formation. Preclinical and clinical assessment of such therapies will require suitable monitoring strategies to understand and mitigate these risks. Here we generated human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), selected clones that continued to express reprogramming factors after differentiation into cardiomyocytes, and transplanted these cardiomyocytes into immunocompromised rat hearts post-myocardial infarction. We compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cardiac ultrasound, and serum biomarkers for their ability to delineate teratoma formation and growth. MRI enabled the detection of teratomas with a volume >8 mm(3). A combination of three plasma biomarkers (CEA, AFP, and HCG) was able to detect teratomas with a volume >17 mm(3) and with a sensitivity of more than 87%. Based on our findings, a combination of serum biomarkers with MRI screening may offer the highest sensitivity for teratoma detection and tracking.
Abstract C36: Psychosocial outcomes in cancer survivors treated at a comprehensive cancer center or a minority-serving institution

Background: Cancer health disparities are well described for incidence, diagnosis and treatment. Little is known about disparities among long-term survivors. Methods: At Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center and Meharry Medical College (MMC), minority serving institutional partner, we evaluated quality of life (QOL) using the FACT-G, FACT-B, FACT-L, and FACT-P; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using the PTSD Checklist (PCL); and posttraumatic growth (PTG) using the PTG Inventory (PTGI) among breast, lung or prostate cancer survivors. We used linear regression to compare the scale mean values by institution while adjusting for confounding variables. Results: Among 111 breast, 53 lung and 68 prostate cancer survivors, mean age was 62 years, 61% were female, 33% were black, 65% were married, 22% and 67% respectively had a high school degree or some college/higher education, 36% were employed and 94% were insured. MMC survivors were younger (p = 0.0005), more likely to be black (p Conclusion: Cancer health disparities extend into the survivorship period. Although overall QOL did not differ, survivors treated at an underserved institution had significantly higher PTSD than those treated at a comprehensive cancer center. Underserved survivors also exhibited higher degrees of PTG. Further evaluation will identify the most significant sources of stress and resilience in order to design interventions to improve psychosocial wellbeing and decrease disparities. Citation Format: Debra L. Friedman, Maureen Sanderson, Pamela Hull, Debra Wujcik, Dira R. Ashworth, Amaka Okafor, Jane Kennedy, Paula Hill, David Shen-Miller. Psychosocial outcomes in cancer survivors treated at a comprehensive cancer center or a minority-serving institution. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C36. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-C36
Informational Asymmetries in Informal Property Systems: A Theoretical Model

This article presents a theoretical model for mapping the impact of informational asymmetries in informal property systems. The foundation of this model is Akerlof's 'lemons' market - a market where asymmetric information has the potential to lead to market failure where trades within the market cannot take place at any price. An informal property system presents an analogous situation, but where others have confined their assessment of such markets to an analysis of asymmetries in the knowledge of structural and latent characteristics, the instant article posits a third class of information that ultimately may determine whether or not transactions will take place - the legal attributes of the property. These attributes include titling requirements and adequate access to dispute settlement mechanisms. Asymmetries in information on the legal attributes of a property will most likely be manifest only in outsiders to any given system. Within the system, the informal structure is largely community based. Thus, while the informal system may be highly efficient and be backed by its own form of dispute settlement mechanisms, the lack of adequate legal protections or, at the very least, gross uncertainty as to the legal status of any property, is a severe impediment to development and the injection of capital into depressed and impoverished regions. Without adequate institutional and structural safeguards, including some form of legal, recognized title, the nature of an informal property system may be a significant barrier to much needed local investment.
Effect of Coronary Perfusion of Prostigmine on Ventricular Fibrillation in the Hypothermic Dog.

SummaryProstigmine is shown to have an antifibrillatory effect in the hypothermic dog. This agent is more effective when given by coronary perfusion than when given intravenously. When ventricular fibrillation occurs in the unprotected animal, coronary perfusion of prostigmine will allow conversion to a normal rhythm by massage and electric shock. It is felt that the antifibrillatory effect of prostigmine is probably due to an accumulation of acetylcholine.
Synthesis of High Purity Diamond Single Crystal

This paper presents the outline of the temperature gradient method at high pressures and high temperatures for the epitaxial growth of a high purity diamond single crystal. Several elimination techniques of the impurities (mainly nitrogen atoms) in a single crystal are discussed. High purity diamond single crystals, containing impurities as low as 0. 1 ppm, are successfully grown up to 1 or 2 carats by adding titanium and copper in the solvent bath in the temperature gradient method. In order to reduce the nitrogen content of a solvent bath, titanium is added as a nitrogen getter, while copper is added to decompose titanium-carbide which is contained in a crystal as bulky inclusion by adding of titanium.
Gender Differences in Capabilities for Work among Poor: Challenges and Opportunities

Gender inequality is exceptionally high in India. It shows up through various explicit measures, but implicit disparities embedded in patriarchal norms are harder to measure. This article explores whether disparate freedoms between genders influence paid-work capabilities—abilities, skills, resources, and opportunities at personal, interpersonal, and structural levels. Using a mixed-methods design, purposive sampling, and face-to-face interviews, this article reports paid-work capabilities of 67 women and 25 men. The study finds statistically significant gender differences in some work capabilities; however, combined capabilities for work impact type of work and income more for women than for men. Implications are discussed.
Perforation of the inferior vena cava by the Kim-Ray Greenfield filter.

Abstract Perforation of the inferior vena cava has been reported following insertion of the Kim-Ray Greenfield filter. This report describes this complication as a consequence of a preventable technical error. However, the clinical implications of such a malpositioned filter may extend beyond the possible obvious complications of retroperitoneal hemorrhage or paracaval organ injury. Inadequate protection against pulmonary embolism may result. A three-dimensional concept is presented to illustrate the loss of equal "compartmentalization" of the cava.
22 MEN'S HEALTH IN SARATOGA, WYOMING.

Purpose of Study Saratoga, WY, like many rural towns in Wyoming, has a ranching economy. The prevailing attitude among men of this town is that they do not need to visit the doctor unless severely ill or injured. While some men visit the doctor for a yearly physical, most do not. This community medicine project focused on creating a well man exam form for Platte Valley Medical Clinic (PVMC) in Saratoga, as well as promoting men9s health in general. Methods Used The well man exam form was modeled after PVMC9s existing well woman exam form. The primary health care provider was interviewed to determine the preferred content of the form. Additionally, national screening guidelines were consulted to ensure that it met preventive medicine recommendations. Summary ofResults A well man exam form was created for use in PVMC. An article was placed in the Saratoga Sun newspaper promoting Men9s Health Week 2005 and highlighted the rationale for men receiving yearly physical exams. Flyers and posters were placed in PVMC drawing attention to the importance of men9s health. Conclusions Reached The newspaper article provided excellent community education about the importance of men9s health and the need for men to receive yearly exams. The well man exam form at PVMC provides an efficient mechanism to ensure that consistent health information is elicited from male patients and documented in the medical record.
IMPROVEMENT OF THERMODYNAMIC MODEL OF LIQUID PHASE BY SRO IN Al-Cu ALLOY

Melt structure and its influence on solidification behaviors are a fundamental problem in the field of materials science. The AlCu3 associate in Al-Cu melt is incorporated into the classic substitution model as kind of short range order (SRO), and a Redlich-Kister polynomial-described associated solution model is developed to deal with the phase calculation by Thermo-Calc. The model is applied to improve the thermodynamic description of the liquid phase in the Al-Cu binary alloy. The enthalpy of mixing, solidus and equilibrium partition coefficient are calculated in several binary alloys. It is found that the present model offers more exact description than Saunders's model and is also proved to be suitable to other binary alloys, for example, Mg-Sn and In-Sb alloys.
“Germans Against Germans in Africa”: East German Philanthropic Aid in the Context of the Cold War

Gregory Witkowski focuses on international philanthropy in the context of a state with totalitarian ambitions. This study analyzes forms of giving for international causes in the German Democratic Republic (GDR), including the communist Solidarity Fund, the government aligned Red Cross, Protestant Bread for the World, Catholic Need in the World, and various student collections for international causes. This work illustrates both the overlapping nature of aid and the way in which it became progressively independent from the state. The GDR serves as an excellent case study because little is known of its citizens’ philanthropic activities and of their role in creating and broadening alternative public spheres.
Feasibility of Informed Consent for Computed Tomography in Acute Trauma Patients.

Author(s): Moore, Nicole; Patel, Bhavesh; Zuabi, Nadia; Langdorf, Mark I; Rodriguez, Robert M | Abstract: BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) is common for trauma victims, but is usually done without informing patients of potential risks or obtaining informed consent.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of two elements (time and normal level of alertness) necessary for informed consent for CT in adult trauma patients.MethodsWe conducted this prospective observational, two-phase cohort study at two urban, Level I trauma centers. In the first phase, we determined the median time needed to obtain informed consent for CT by performing sham consent on 11 injured patients at each site. In the second phase, we observed all adult trauma activation cases that presented during specified time blocks and recorded Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and the time available for consent (TAC) for CT-defined as the time between the end of the secondary trauma survey and when the patient left the resuscitation room to go to CT. We defined, a priori, feasible consent cases as those in which the patient had a GCS of 15 and a TAC greater than the median sham consent time at that site.ResultsThe median times for sham CT consent at the two sites were 3:36 and 2:09 minutes:seconds (range = 1:12-4:54). Of the 729 trauma patients enrolled during phase II, 646 (89%) had a CT scan, and of these 646 patients, 461 (71.4% [95% confidence interval = 67.8%- 74.7%]) met feasible consent criteria. Of the 185 patients who failed to meet feasible consent criteria, 171 (92.4%) had a GCS l 15, one (0.5%) had a TAC less than the sham consent time, and 13 (7.0%) had both.ConclusionWe found that informed consent for CT was likely feasible in over two-thirds of acute, adult trauma patients.