cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sexual behavior in adults with autism

A survey of the sexual behavior of 89 adults with autism living in group homes in North Carolina found that the majority of individuals were engaging in some form of sexual behavior. Masturbation was the most common sexual behavior. However, person-oriented sexual behaviors with obvious signs of arousal were also present in one third of the sample. The relationship between sexual behavior and demographic variables and other types of behaviors is explored. Information regarding group home sexuality policies and procedures are described.
Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) and Electrode Surface Chemistry

The experimental objective of electrodic studies is to define electrode surface reactions through the measurable parameters of current, electrode potential, and reactant concentration at the electrode-electrolyte interface. However, the chemical characterization of electrosorbed and electrodeposited products on the electrode surface has been hampered by the lack of molecular specificity in the electrochemical measurements. In addition, the electro-catalytic behavior of electrode surfaces has remained a difficult parameter to quantify with conventional electrochemical measurements. The application of spectroscopic techniques such as ESCA, which can yield molecular information relevant to the electrode surface chemistry, is providing new insight into these problems.
Risk of pediatric malignancy in families known to carry BRCA1/2 mutations.

1535Background: Inherited mutations in cancer predisposition genes typically associated with adult-onset cancers, including BRCA1/2, have been found in children with cancer. However, it is unknown ...
Abstract TP326: Lymphopenia, Infectious Complications and Outcome in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose: lymphopenia is increasingly recognized as a consequence of acute illness and may predispose to infections. We investigated whether admission lymphopenia (AL) is associated w...
2395. Mechanism-Based-Susceptibility Testing (MBST) Using Disc Diffusion Assays (DDA) to Guide Treatment of Multidrug- and Extensively Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-XDR-Pa) in a Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Lung Transplant Recipient; Are We Ready for Combination Therapy vs. MDR-XDR-Pa?

Background Lung infections with MDR-XDR-Pa in patients with CF are challenging due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. We applied MBST with DDA to guide combination antibiotic therapy in an 18-year-old woman with CF. We investigated if this approach can assist in choosing effective regimens.
CARDIAC TAMPONADE SECONDARY TO A NOVEL MICRA LEADLESS PACEMAKER

Leadless pacemakers (PM) are developed to prevent pocket and lead-related complications. However, these new devices are not without adverse events. A 64-year-old man with end-stage renal disease, complete heart block, and leadless PM placed 3 months ago, presented with chest pain, shortness of
Difficulties with emotion regulation as a transdiagnostic mechanism linking child maltreatment with the emergence of psychopathology

Childhood maltreatment is associated with increased risk for most forms of psychopathology. We examine emotion dysregulation as a transdiagnostic mechanism linking maltreatment with general psychopathology. A sample of 262 children and adolescents participated; 162 (61.8%) experienced abuse or exposure to domestic violence. We assessed four emotion regulation processes (cognitive reappraisal, attention bias to threat, expressive suppression, and rumination) and emotional reactivity. Psychopathology symptoms were assessed concurrently and at a 2-year longitudinal follow-up. A general psychopathology factor (p factor), representing co-occurrence of psychopathology symptoms across multiple internalizing and externalizing domains, was estimated using confirmatory factor analysis. Maltreatment was associated with heightened emotional reactivity and greater use of expressive suppression and rumination. The association of maltreatment with attention bias varied across development, with maltreated children exhibiting a bias toward threat and adolescents a bias away from threat. Greater emotional reactivity and engagement in rumination mediated the longitudinal association between maltreatment and increased general psychopathology over time. Emotion dysregulation following childhood maltreatment occurs at multiple stages of the emotion generation process, in some cases varies across development, and serves as a transdiagnostic mechanism linking child maltreatment with general psychopathology.
Simulation of Io’s plumes and Jupiter’s plasma torus

Io is a highly volcanic satellite of Jupiter. Its giant plumes rise hundreds of kilometers, creating large targets for incoming ions as Jupiter’s plasma torus overtakes Io in its orbit. Neutral material from Io’s sublimation atmosphere and volcanic plumes supplies the plasma torus, but the details of the interaction between neutral gas at Io and ions in the torus are not well understood. This paper suggests a process by which plume material is energized and ionized so as to supply the torus. We present three-dimensional direct simulation Monte Carlo simulations of giant plumes being bombarded by S+ and O+ ions which are moved based on precomputed electric and magnetic fields. The dependence of the plume/plasma interaction on the plume’s location on Io is investigated. The plume/plasma interaction is seen to be asymmetric even for a plume at the subplasma point because of the electric field that arises in an Io-fixed reference frame. Plasma is found to inflate and heat plume canopies and to give rise to a large, diffuse neutral cloud over the plume’s entire hemisphere. We also find that plasma can explain the thickness of red deposition rings observed on Io.Io is a highly volcanic satellite of Jupiter. Its giant plumes rise hundreds of kilometers, creating large targets for incoming ions as Jupiter’s plasma torus overtakes Io in its orbit. Neutral material from Io’s sublimation atmosphere and volcanic plumes supplies the plasma torus, but the details of the interaction between neutral gas at Io and ions in the torus are not well understood. This paper suggests a process by which plume material is energized and ionized so as to supply the torus. We present three-dimensional direct simulation Monte Carlo simulations of giant plumes being bombarded by S+ and O+ ions which are moved based on precomputed electric and magnetic fields. The dependence of the plume/plasma interaction on the plume’s location on Io is investigated. The plume/plasma interaction is seen to be asymmetric even for a plume at the subplasma point because of the electric field that arises in an Io-fixed reference frame. Plasma is found to inflate and heat plume canopies and to give rise to a ...
Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple System Atrophy

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) are degenerative neurological diseases that have significant urological manifestations. Both diseases can be accompanied by erectile dysfunction, nocturia, urgency, urgency incontinence, and urinary frequency. These diseases are quite different in their presentation with urological symptoms occurring after motor symptoms in PD and before in MSA. MSA is also much more likely to have obstructive or retention symptoms. It is important that urologists are aware of these diseases since some patients may present to them before their neurological disease is identified and the management of their lower urinary tract symptoms is also different. This chapter describes the neuropathology and presentation of these diseases and the urological treatment both conservative and surgical.
The Role of Intravaginal Brachytherapy in Surgically-Staged 1988 Figo Stage IC Grade 3 Endometrial Cancer

ABSTRACT Purpose/objectives Patients with 1988 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Stage IC grade 3 (ICgr3) endometrial cancer (EC) were excluded or underrepresented on practice-defining intermediate-risk EC trials due to relatively high rates of occult nodal and/or distant metastasis. Adjuvant therapy recommendations in this population vary widely, but standard practice is to offer adjuvant pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) +/- chemotherapy. We report our single-institution's experience using adjuvant high-dose rate (HDR) vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) alone +/- chemotherapy for patients with surgically-staged 1988 FIGO ICgr3 EC. Methods From 1998 to 2011, 47 women with FIGO ICgr3 EC underwent TAH/BSO with pelvic/paraaortic lymph node dissection (median nodes evaluated, 47; range, 5-88) followed by VBT. All VBT was performed using a multi-channel cylinder, treating the entire vaginal mucosa from the cuff to within 1-2 cm of urethral meatus to 21 Gy in 3 fractions. No patient received pelvic EBRT. Twenty-one patients (45%) also received 3 to 6 cycles of adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. Results At a median follow-up of 30 months (range, 1 to 127 months), 3 patients had experienced a vaginal relapse (VR), and the 3-year Kaplan-Meier (KM) estimate of VR was 8%. Rates of isolated pelvic (PR), locoregional (LRR, VR + PR), and distant relapse (DR) were similarly low, with 3-year estimates of 3, 10, and 14%, respectively. Estimates for 3-year disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 87 and 80%, respectively. On univariate analysis, administration of chemotherapy significantly correlated with improved DFS (p = 0.03). Conclusions Rates of isolated vaginal and pelvic relapse after VBT +/- chemotherapy in these women with surgically-staged 1988 FIGO ICgr3 EC were comparable to those seen with pelvic EBRT, implying additional radiotherapy is likely unnecessary. Adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy was associated with improved disease-free survival. While VBT reduced the rate of pelvic relapse, the vagina remained the most common pelvic site of recurrence. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Coordinated mapping of Li+ flux and electron transfer reactivity during solid-electrolyte interphase formation at a graphene electrode

Interphases formed at battery electrodes are key to enabling energy dense charge storage by acting as protection layers and gatekeeping ion flux into and out of the electrodes. However, our current understanding of these structures and how to control their properties is still limited due to their heterogenous structure, dynamic nature, and lack of analytical techniques to probe their electronic and ionic properties in situ. In this study, we used a multi-functional scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) technique based on an amperometric ion-selective mercury disc-well (HgDW) probe for spatially-resolving changes in interfacial Li+ during solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and for tracking its relationship to the electronic passivation of the interphase. We focused on multi-layer graphene (MLG) as a model graphitic system and developed a method for ion-flux mapping based on pulsing the substrate at multiple potentials with distinct behavior (e.g. insertion–deinsertion). By using a pulsed protocol, we captured the localized uptake of Li+ at the forming SEI and during intercalation, creating activity maps along the edge of the MLG electrode. On the other hand, a redox probe showed passivation by the interphase at the same locations, thus enabling correlations between ion and electron transfer. Our analytical method provided direct insight into the interphase formation process and could be used for evaluating dynamic interfacial phenomena and improving future energy storage technologies.
Influence of steady and oscillating swirl on the near-field spray characteristics in a two-fluid coaxial atomizer

Abstract The mechanisms of interfacial instability due to gas-liquid shear and liquid ligament acceleration that occurs in the near-field of a coaxial two-fluid atomizer play a determining role on the spray characteristics in the far-field, making understanding of these near-field physics key for spray modeling. Several metrics for these physical processes, with an emphasis on the liquid core length, are characterized in detail, using high-speed shadowgraphy, over a wide range of gas-to-liquid momentum ratios, comparing the fluids’ dynamic pressures at the exit of the atomizer. A method that does not require arbitrary thresholds is proposed to rigorously define the initial spreading angle of a spray. The effect of adding azimuthal momentum to the gas co-flow (swirl) on the spray near-field is analyzed, and the possibility of periodic oscillations of the swirl is explored. Increased spreading angle is expected when swirl is present, but a decrease of the liquid core length average and standard deviation is also observed, with variations happening over timescales shorter than the actuation period. The overall effect is a wider, more dynamic spray, that presents a dramatic decrease in characteristic droplet sizes. At high momentum and swirl ratios, while the effects on the liquid core length follow similar trends, the temporal evoluation is largely modified by the development of long-time dynamics, attributed to a vortex formed by recirculating gas downstream of the liquid core on the spray centerline, that becomes unstable and penetrates inside the liquid nozzle. Oscillations of the swirl have little effect on the mean spray structure, as the oscillation frequency is decorrelated from the spray timescales. While the liquid core length may seem to present quasi-steady dynamics, the maxima never exceed the lengths obtained for a steady case, when the swirl equals the value at the trough of the oscillations, while the minima are below what would be observed for the spray under steady conditions equal to the peak of value of the swirl and momentum ratios. Variations of the intact length around the quasi-equilibrium state present similar magnitude and timescale as the steady cases.
Prognostic significance of T1 mapping parameters in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a systematic review

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for almost one-half of all heart failure (HF) patients and continues to increase in prevalence. While mortality with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has decreased over the past few decades with use of evidence-based HFrEF therapy, mortality related to heart failure with HFpEF has not changed significantly over the same time period. The combination of poor prognosis and lack of effective treatment options creates a pressing need for novel strategies for better patient characterization. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)–derived T1 relaxation time and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) in HFpEF patients. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central were searched for relevant studies. The primary outcomes of interest were hospitalization for HF and all-cause mortality. Five studies with 2741 patients were included. Four studies reported correlation of outcomes with ECV, 2 studies reported correlation of outcomes with native T1 time, and 1 study reported correlation of outcomes with post-contrast T1 time. All five studies showed significant correlation of CMR-derived parameters with adverse outcomes including event-free survival to cardiac event, all cause, and cardiac mortality. CMR-determined ECV is strongly correlated with adverse outcomes in HFpEF cohorts.
Abstract PO-062: EMT-induced gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer involves the functional loss of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells drives cancer chemoresistance, yet the molecular events of EMT that underpin the acquisition of chemoresistance are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate a significant loss of gemcitabine chemosensitivity facilitated by human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) during EMT in pancreatic cancer and identify that cadherin switching from the epithelial (E) to neuronal (N) type, a hallmark of EMT, contributes to this loss. Our findings demonstrate that N-cadherin decreases ENT1 expression, basolateral membrane localization and gemcitabine transport, while E-cadherin augments each of these. Besides E- and N-cadherin, another epithelial cell adhesion molecule, EpCAM, played a more prominent role in determining ENT1 membrane localization. Forced expression of EpCAM opposed cadherin switching with restored ENT1 expression, basolateral localization and gemcitabine transport in EMT-committed pancreatic cancer cells. In gemcitabine-treated mice, EpCAM positive tumors had high ENT1 expression and reduced metastasis, whereas tumors with N-cadherin expression resisted gemcitabine treatment and formed extensive secondary metastatic nodules. Tissue microarray profiling and multiplexed immunohistochemical analysis of pancreatic cancer patient-derived primary tumors revealed EpCAM and ENT1 cell surface co-expression is favored, and ENT1 plasma membrane expression positively predicted median overall survival times in patients treated with adjuvant gemcitabine. Together, our findings identify ENT1 as an inadvertent target of EMT signaling mediated by cadherin switching and provide a mechanism by which mesenchymal pancreatic cancer cells evade gemcitabine therapy during EMT. Citation Format: Brenna Weadick, Debasis Nayak, Avinash K. Persaud, Sau Wai Hung, Radhika Raj, Wei Chen, Junan Li, Terence M. Williams, Rajgopal Govindarajan. EMT-induced gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer involves the functional loss of equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer; 2020 Sep 29-30. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(22 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-062.
Exploring Undergraduate Students' Abilities to Collect and Interpret Formative Assessment Data.

Formative assessment has been proven to be highly effective in improving student understanding. Nevertheless, many instructors struggle to engage in this practice, particularly when working in large-enrollment classrooms. To facilitate and foster the implementation of formative assessment in chemistry courses, undergraduate students at our institution have been trained to gather and analyze formative assessment data in real time in different classrooms. These “Learning Researchers” generate written reports that instructors use to inform their practice. In this article, we characterize what learning researchers involved in this project tended to notice in their observations and the nature of the interpretations that they built. The findings of our qualitative study provide insights into the affordances and potential constraints of using undergraduate students to collect and interpret formative assessment data to inform instructional practices in large-classroom environments.
Biologic Mesh in Surgery: A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis of Selected Outcomes in 51 Studies and 6079 Patients.

In recent decades, biologic mesh (BM) has become an important adjunct to surgical practice. Recent evidence-based clinical applications of BM include but are not limited to: reconstruction of abdominal wall defects; breast reconstruction; face, head and neck surgery; periodontal surgery; other hernia repairs (diaphragmatic, hiatal/paraesophageal, inguinal and perineal); hand surgery; and shoulder arthroplasty. Prior systematic reviews of BM in complex abdominal wall hernia repair had several shortcomings that our comprehensive review seeks to address, including exclusion of laparoscopic repair, assessment of risk of bias, use of an acceptable meta-analytic method and review of risk factors identified in multivariable regression analyses. We sought articles of BM for open ventral hernia repair reporting on early complications, late complications or recurrences and included minimum of 50. We used the quality in prognostic studies risk of bias assessment tool. Random effects meta-analysis was applied. This comprehensive review selected 62 articles from 51 studies that included 6,079 patients. Meta-analytic pooling found that early complications are present in about 50%, surgical site occurrences (SSOs) in 37%, surgical site infections (SSIs) in 18%, reoperation in 7%, readmission in 20% and mortality in 3%. Meta-analytic estimates of late outcomes included overall complications (42%), SSOs (40%) and SSIs (22%). Specific SSOs included seroma (14%), hematoma (4%), abscess (10%), necrosis (5%), dehiscence (8%) and fistula formation (5%). Reoperation occurred in about 17%, mesh explantation in 9% and recurrence in 36%. Estimates of nearly all outcomes from individual studies were highly heterogeneous and sensitivity analyses and meta-regressions generally failed to explain this heterogeneity. Recurrence is the only outcome for which there are consistent findings for risk factors. Bridge placement of BM is associated with higher risk of recurrence. Prior hernia repair, history of reintervention and history of mesh removal were also risk factors for increased recurrence.
Access Denied: Inequities in Clinical Trial Enrollment for Pancreatic Cancer

The influence of social determinants of health (SDH) on participation in clinical trials for pancreatic cancer is not well understood. In this study, we describe trends and identify disparities in pancreatic cancer clinical trial enrollment. This is a retrospective study of stage I–IV pancreatic cancer patients in the 2004–2016 National Cancer Database. Cohort was stratified into those enrolled in clinical trials during first course of treatment versus not enrolled. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to understand the relationship between SDH and clinical trial participation. A total of 1127 patients (0.4%) enrolled in clinical trials versus 301,340 (99.6%) did not enroll. Enrollment increased over the study period (p 21%). Age, race, insurance, and geography are barriers to clinical trial enrollment for pancreatic cancer patients. While overall enrollment increased, Black patients and patients on Medicaid remain underrepresented. After adjusting for cancer-specific factors, SDH are still associated with clinical trial enrollment, suggesting need for targeted interventions.
Evaluation of a two-dimensional diode array for patient-specific quality assurance of HyperArc.

PURPOSE To evaluate a two-dimensional diode array for patient-specific quality assurance of VMAT stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) plans. METHODS The diode array, an SRS MapCHECK (SRSMC), was composed of a 77 mm ×77 mm face-centered array having a spacing of 2.47 mm. Sixty SRS plans were selected from our clinical database, 30 for treatment of a single target and 30 for multiple targets. The target sizes ranged from 2.4 mm to 44.7 mm equivalent diameter (median 8.7 mm). The plans were delivered to the diode array. For multiple target plans, two measurements were obtained at two locations, one corresponding to the largest target and the other to the smallest target. Gamma using a 3%/1 mm criteria and the dose to the center diode were compared with radiochromic film (RCF). Dose to selected regions of the detector electronics was calculated. RESULTS The mean difference between the center diode and RCF was -1.2%. For a threshold of at least 95% of detectors/pixels having gamma < 1 for a 3%/1 mm criteria, SRSMC and RCF gave consistent results for 79 of the 90 measurements. For plans with an arc having a patient support angle of 90° or 270°, the median dose to the electronics was 0.65% of the prescription dose. CONCLUSIONS SRSMC is an efficient tool for accurate patient-specific quality assurance of VMAT single and multiple target radiosurgery, yielding similar clinical decisions as radiochromic film.
Can’t You All Just Get Along? Effects of Scientific Disagreement and Incivility on Attention to and Trust in Science:

Disagreement and incivility are increasingly common in science communication. While previous work has explored effects on issue attitudes, it has not examined how disagreement and incivility in new...
Bulgarien: Wachstum, Disparität und die Macht des Populismus

In Bulgarien existiert dreisig Jahre nach dem politischen Systemwechsel eine funktionierende Demokratie, die jedoch seit langem mit institutionellen Problemen ringt, zu denen eine ubermachtige Generalstaatsanwaltschaft, Korruption und ein von wenigen, politisch einflussreichen Wirtschaftsakteur*innen abhangiges Mediensystem gehoren. Das hohe Wirtschaftswachstum der 2010er Jahre war mit anhaltender Armut und zunehmenden soziookonomischen Disparitaten verbunden, die zu Politikverdrossenheit und zur Entstehung neuer, populistischer und extremistischer politischer Krafte beitrugen.
Racial Disparities in Health-Related Quality of Life After Lung Cancer Surgery: Findings From the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium.

Introduction: This study investigated racial disparities in postsurgical health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Data were collected by the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium. Inclusion criteria were greater than or equal to 21 years of age, NSCLC, and receipt of surgery. HRQOL data were available from patients' surveys, and complete medical record abstraction was performed to obtain clinical data. HRQOL was assessed by the physical/mental component summary scores (PCS/MCS) of the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey at two time points. Mean time between surgery and the initial assessment (time 1) after surgery was 4.1 (SD 2.2) months and between surgery and second assessment (time 2) was 12.7 (SD 3.8) months. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine associations between race and HRQOL. Results: Of 650 patients, 80.5% were White, 8.8% Black, and 10.7% other races. At second assessment, Blacks reported lower MCS than Whites (47.4 versus 52.6, p = 0.002). In multivariable analysis, Blacks had lower MCS compared with Whites. No difference was found between Whites and Blacks on PCS. Those with less than high school education reported lower MCSs. Older age and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery were associated with gain in MCS. Male, less than college education, and comorbidities were associated with impaired PCS. Older age was associated with improved PCS. Conclusion: Racial disparities exist in postoperative mental HRQOL. Results highlight the need for interventions after lung cancer surgery to improve mental health in Black and younger patients.
Aryl hydrocarbon (benzo(a)pyrene) hydroxylase induction in rat liver cells in culture.

Abstract Aryl hydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene) hydroxylase is inducible by polycyclic hydrocarbons in an epithelial cell strain cloned from Buffalo rat liver. The hydroxylase is NADPH-dependent and carbon monoxide-sensitive. Hydroxylase induction requires both RNA and protein synthesis, and these events can occur independently. The results suggest that the RNA species the synthesis of which is required for induction is not ribosomal RNA and is contained within the "heterogeneous RNA" fraction and that induction requires the synthesis of polyadenylic acid sequences. The hydroxylase is induced by concentrations of polycyclic hydrocarbons as low as 4 x 10-10 m. Fetal calf serum contains a substance(s) which increases hydroxylase activity. Polycyclic hydrocarbons can also induce the hydroxylase in the absence of serum added to the medium. This cell system may be useful for the study of the molecular biology of hydroxylase induction, for the bioassay of compounds for activity as hydroxylase inducers, and for the study of the role of the hydroxylase in chemical carcinogenesis.
Computing the Busy Beaver Function

Efforts to calculate values of the noncomputable Busy Beaver function are discussed in the light of algorithmic information theory.
The Move to Counter the Move to Counter Fair Use

“Fair use” has two meanings. In its colloquial guise, most people who buy books, CDs, DVDs, software, or consumer goods think that it is only “fair” for them to be able to use their purchases however they choose, and that it would be “unfair” for the manufacturer to prohibit noncommercial use. In its technical guise, fair use is a copyright law doctrine that mirrors the colloquial conception quite imperfectly. As technology enables consumers to engage in new and exciting activities with the information products that they purchase, the intuitive colloquial notion of “fair use” expands — increasingly often in ways that appear to contradict the copyright laws. Congress responded to this expansion in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA). The DMCA explicitly prohibits “circumvention,” or the disabling of a technological solution that a copyright owner put in place to “control access” to the copyrighted product. The DMCA also reopened the discussion of numerous issues related to third-party liability for copyright infringement. Both of these issues have proved critical in the recent battles among copyright holders, technologists, and the public.
High-resolution receiver function imaging reveals Colorado Plateau lithospheric architecture and mantle-supported topography

[1] After maintaining elevations near sea level for over 500 million years, the Colorado Plateau (CP) has a present average elevation of 2 km. We compute new receiver function images from the first dense seismic transect to cross the plateau that reveal a central CP crustal thickness of 42–50 km thinning to 30–35 km at the CP margins. Isostatic calculations show that only approximately 20% of central CP elevations can be explained by thickened crust alone, with the CP edges requiring nearly total mantle compensation. We calculate an uplift budget showing that CP buoyancy arises from a combination of crustal thickening, heating and alteration of the lithospheric root, dynamic support from mantle upwelling, and significant buoyant edge effects produced by small-scale convecting asthenosphere at its margins.
Settlement Response to Various Rope Substrates in Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis Linnaeus) in a Hatchery Setting

ABSTRACT A critical aspect of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis L.) aquaculture is industry dependence on a highly variable supply of wild seed. The objective of this study was to investigate responses of cultured pediveligers of blue mussels to different types of rope collectors. The study consisted of two trials in which competent larvae (approximately 5,000 per experimental tank—400 L) were exposed to rope collectors (polyethylene and polypropylene) exhibiting diverse structural features such as long loops, short loops, long filaments, short filaments, and smooth (Trial I—four rope types; Trial II—five rope types). In Trial I, rope segments (3 cm long) were placed at two different levels in four culture tanks (top and bottom of water column). In Trial II, segments were placed in the middle of the water column in six culture tanks. After 5 days, rope collectors were removed from experimental tanks and the number of settled larvae on each segment was counted. Rope collectors with the highest structural complex...
Development and Implementation of Soil Quality and Cleanup Criteria for Contaminated Sites

A critical but vexing problem with contaminated land has always been assessing the significance of contamination and the degree of cleanup required for contaminated soils and sediments. Various approaches have evolved to address this difficult issue and debate continues over which is the most appropriate. With the growing number of contaminated sites, the majority of which are non-catastrophic, interest in criteria-based approaches has grown. While there are difficulties associated with the development and implementation of generic criteria, they serve a definite purpose in an overall program for contaminated land management their usage is gaining favor in a growing number of jurisdictions around the world.
Ionic conductivity of anhydrous zirconium bis(monohydrogen orthophosphate) and its sodium ion forms

Abstract Conductivities have been measured by the vector impedance method for the layered compounds anhydrous α-zirconium phosphate, Zr(HPO4)2, and several of its sodium ion phases. The values of the ionic diffusion coefficients are of the order of 10−6-10−8 cm2/s at 200°C and activation energies range from 15.6 cal/mol for Zr(HPO4)2 to 18.6 cal/mol for ZrHNa(PO4)2. Comparisons are made with literature values of conductivity and self-diffusion coefficients for Zr(NaPO4)2·3H2O and kinetically determined diffusion coefficients for the phases containing both sodium and hydrogen ions.
Arm anomalies and bone marrow failure may go hand in hand

Children with congenital anomalies involving the hand, the forearm, or both are often seen by hand surgeons. An unknown proportion have inherited bone marrow-failure syndromes, such as Fanconi's anemia, Diamond-Blackfan anemia, thrombocytopenia-absent radii, and others. In many cases the hematologic cytopenias are not yet apparent at the time of surgery. This review discusses these syndromes, summarizing the types of malformation, the types of hematologic complication, and the ages at which they occur. There are often clues in otherwise normal hematologic data, such as macrocytic red cells or slow decreases in blood counts that are still at a level at which surgery can be performed. Early and often presymptomatic diagnosis is of value for the planning of staged surgery before cytopenias preclude intervention, the performance of surgery after hematologic improvements, and genetic counseling for young families in which syndromes with a known inheritance pattern might be detected in utero. Hand surgeons may be the first to make these important diagnoses.
On the mechanism of enzyme action. LV. A study of the interaction between calcium and trypsin.

1. 1. In the neighbourhood of pH 5 the electrophoretic analysis of crystalline trypsin results in patterns characteristic of a homogeneous protein, while the addition of calcium, manganese or calcium ions (0.033 M) causes the moving boundary to separate into two distinct peaks. The two components of trypsin have comparable stability both in the presence or absence of calcium ions and, if separated electrophoretically, possess similar proteolytic activity. 2. 2. Trypsin has a sedimentation constant of 2.4–2.5 S at the pH values of 2.3 and 8. On the acid side of pH 2.3, the denaturation causes a slow appearance of faster sedimenting components, whereas at pH 8, the self-digestion prompts the appearance of slower sedimenting breakdown products. The rate of sedimentation of the remaining unaltered trypsin appears unaffected by the presence of either the faster or the slower sedimenting components. 3. 3. In the intermediate pH range, around pH 5, the sedimentation constant may increase up to 3.5 S, depending upon the conditions, while the enzyme sediments as a homogeneous protein. This is due to a reversible aggregation equilibrium which is strongly temperature dependent. Calcium prevents the aggregation. 4. 4. Trypsin has to be viewed as a heterogeneous protein consisting of two components. In the absence of calcium, manganese or cadmium, in the neighbourhood of pH 5, the reversible molecular interaction of the two components induces the aggregation and results in apparently homogeneous electrophoretic and ultracentrifugal patterns. The addition of calcium or of the other two ions prevents the interaction, restores the normal sedimentation behaviour, and reveals the true electrophoretic heterogeneity of the enzyme.
Factors XWenatchee I and II: compound heterozygosity involving two variant proteins

Variant factor X in an individual with a mild bleeding tendency was suspected based on deficient procoagulant activity (10-20% of normal) and antigen (30-35% of normal) levels of plasma factor X. Heteroduplex analysis of factor X gene exons indicated heterozygosity for mutations in both exons 6 and 4, confirmed by direct sequencing of the amplified exons. Substitution of C by T at nucleotide position 13,984 (Arg-139 to Cys) was found in the factor X gene exon 6 of the propositus. This mutation creates a BsmI site and the patient tested heterozygous for the BsmI cleavage involved, as did one of his two daughters. In addition, exon 4 was found to have the normal A and a novel C (Asn-57 to Thr) at nucleotide position 9338. The exon 4 mutation creates a BsaJI site, detectable after amplification mismatch to remove an existing BsaJI site. Both the patient and the second of his two daughters were heterozygous for this cleavage. The two variant proteins are called factors XWenatchee I (Arg-139 to Cys) and II (Asn-57 to Thr). A mixed variant isolate derived from the plasma of the propositus exhibited heavy/light chains of normal size, as well as an apparent single-chain molecule not dissociable by reducing agent. A single-chain molecule would be predicted for form I, if the mutation blocks processing cleavages that normally remove a tripeptide interposed between the heavy and light chains. A Western blot of partially purified factor X from the daughter who inherited the form I defect revealed a component migrating the same as the putative single-chain species. Based upon the factor X activity vs. antigen ratios for the propositus and both daughters, both forms I and II are probably dysfunctional molecules.
Influence of the X-chromosome on neuroanatomy: evidence from Turner and Klinefelter syndromes.

Studies of sex effects on neurodevelopment have traditionally focused on animal models investigating hormonal influences on brain anatomy. However, more recent evidence suggests that sex chromosomes may also have direct upstream effects that act independently of hormones. Sex chromosome aneuploidies provide ideal models to examine this framework in humans, including Turner syndrome (TS), where females are missing one X-chromosome (45X), and Klinefelter syndrome (KS), where males have an additional X-chromosome (47XXY). As these disorders essentially represent copy number variants of the sex chromosomes, investigation of brain structure across these disorders allows us to determine whether sex chromosome gene dosage effects exist. We used voxel-based morphometry to investigate this hypothesis in a large sample of children in early puberty, to compare regional gray matter volumes among individuals with one (45X), two (typically developing 46XX females and 46XY males), and three (47XXY) sex chromosomes. Between-group contrasts of TS and KS groups relative to respective sex-matched controls demonstrated highly convergent patterns of volumetric differences with the presence of an additional sex chromosome being associated with relatively decreased parieto-occipital gray matter volume and relatively increased temporo-insular gray matter volumes. Furthermore, z-score map comparisons between TS and KS cohorts also suggested that this effect occurs in a linear dose-dependent fashion. We infer that sex chromosome gene expression directly influences brain structure in children during early stages of puberty, extending our understanding of genotype–phenotype mechanisms underlying sex differences in the brain.
A Structural Analysis of International Conflict: From a Communication Perspective

The study describes the structure of international conflict with the tools of network analysis to enhance the understanding of multilateral conflict-communication relations and to predict the conflict structure with existing international relations theories (liberal and realist) plus global communication variables. Using data obtained from the Correlates of War Project (http://cow2.la.psu.edu/), the structure of international conflict is described for the period 1993–2001 for 145 nations. The results indicate that this network is very sparse; 42 nations had no conflict, and 36 only one bilateral disagreement. The network is centered about former Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), Russia, the United States, Iraq, and China. Most conflicts are regional. The paper also evaluates both the liberal, expanded liberal (with communication variables included), and realist (including Huntington's Clash of Civilizations Theory) perspectives as predictors of conflict. The results indicate that communication variables...
Some rewarding effects of androgens may be mediated by actions of its 5α-reduced metabolite 3α-androstanediol

The abuse of anabolic–androgenic steroids (AS) is a growing problem; however, the effects and mechanisms underlying their addictive effects are not well understood. Research findings regarding androgen abuse in people and hedonic effects of androgens in laboratory rats are reviewed. Androgens, like other steroids, can have traditional actions via cognate intracellular steroid receptors, as well as other substrates. Our recent results indicate that testosterone (T) metabolites may have actions in part via γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A/benzodiazepine receptor complexes (GBRs) and/or dopaminergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens, to mediate T's positive hedonic states. This may provide the basis for positive reinforcing effects of androgen seeking and use behavior. Following a comprehensive review of the background literature, our findings are presented that have explored the extent to which metabolites of T mediate euphorogenic effects of androgens by acting in the nucleus accumbens. Then results regarding whether GBRs are necessary substrates for androgens' positive hedonic effects are discussed. Lastly, research that addresses if dopaminergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens are necessary for these effects of androgens are discussed. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the hedonic properties and abuse/addiction potential of androgens and the putative mechanisms underlying these effects.
Proficiency and school‐college articulation

The study of a foreign language must appear to some students like a cross-country journey in which roads suddenly turn into railroads, bridges do not reach their banks, and roadmaps do not reflect reality. Few travelers will reach their goal, just as few students in our educational system have become really proficient in a language. The casualties are numerous and varied: the learners who pass from the "foods and festivals" teacher to the passionate grammarian; the juniors who must wait until college to continue language study because advanced courses are not offered; the first year college students whose placement scores require them to "start over" in the 101 class; the college seniors who cannot student teach because they cannot pass a proficiency test. One of the principle causes of such problems is the lack of articulation in the foreign language curriculum. Articulation is defined here as the effective coordination of a sequence of courses leading to a desired competence, particularly where the sequence crosses institutional boundaries. Coordination must apply to the goals of instruction, the content, the methods, and the contiguity of the courses in the sequence. Perhaps no other school subject has needed good articulation more, and enjoyed it less, than foreign languages.
Amino acid composition of the milk of some mammalian species changes with stage of lactation

To determine whether the amino acid composition of milk changes during lactation, we compared the amino acid pattern (concentration of each individual amino acid relative to the total amino acid concentration) of colostrum with that of mature milk in six mammalian species. In the human, horse, pig and cow, the pattern of amino acids changed between colostrum and mature milk: glutamate, proline, methionine, isoleucine and lysine increased; cystine, glycine, serine, threonine and alanine decreased. In these four species, the total amino acid concentration also decreased 75% between colostrum and mature milk. In the baboon (Papio cynocephalus anubis and Papio cynocephalus anubis/Papio cynocephalus cynocephalus) and rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta), however, there was little change in the pattern of amino acids between colostrum and mature milk, and total amino acid concentration decreased only about 25% between colostrum and mature milk. Mature milk rather than colostrum was the most similar among the three primates in both amino acid pattern and total amino acid concentration. We conclude, in those species in which total amino acid concentrations decline substantially between colostrum and mature milk, amino acid patterns also change. The presence of a change in amino acid pattern and total amino acid concentration during lactation appears to be unrelated to phylogenetic order.
The Toms phenomenon: turbulent pipe flow of dilute polymer solutions

Thesis (Sc. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, 1967.
Efficacy of disulfiram and Twelve Step Facilitation in cocaine-dependent individuals maintained on methadone: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Abstract Background Cocaine use remains a major problem within methadone maintenance programs. Disulfiram's efficacy in reducing cocaine use has been demonstrated in several trials, but its relative efficacy among individuals who use versus abstain from alcohol remains unclear. Treatment approaches which seek to enhance substance users’ involvement in self-help activities (Twelve Step Facilitation, TSF) have been associated with better outcomes among alcohol and cocaine users, but have rarely been evaluated among methadone-maintained cocaine-opioid users. Methods We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind (for medication condition), factorial (2 × 2) trial with 4 treatment conditions: Disulfiram plus TSF, disulfiram plus standard counseling only, placebo plus TSF, and placebo plus standard counseling in the context of a community-based methadone maintenance program. Participants (N = 112) received either disulfiram (250 mg/d) or placebo in conjunction with daily methadone maintenance. Results Assignment to TSF was associated with less cocaine use throughout treatment and a higher number of cocaine-negative urines. While there were no significant main effects of disulfiram versus placebo, individuals without an alcohol use disorder demonstrated greater reductions in cocaine use over time when assigned to disulfiram. Conclusions TSF appears feasible in this methadone maintenance program and was associated with modest reductions in cocaine use, an often intractable problem in this setting. Support for the efficacy of disulfiram was weaker, as it appeared effective only for those without a current alcohol use disorder for this sample.
Novel Technology for X‐ray Mapping of Ceramic Microstructures

Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was coupled with a technology called position-tagged spectrometry (PTS) to characterize the microstructure of a ceramic-matrix composite at the submicrometer level. Low-voltage microscopy with an FESEM microscope achieves both high-resolution imaging of uncoated ceramic specimens and submicrometer X-ray resolution with minimal specimen charging. The PTS technology involves scanning the electron beam and collecting X-rays, as in mapping; however, in this case, the X-ray photons are tagged with position information. X-ray maps and full spectra were reconstructed from discrete parts of the composite. The distribution of oxygen within the fibers was measured and found to decrease from the surface to the interior. The composition and phase distribution of the matrix were also revealed at high resolution, and the phase compositions were quantified.