cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk of mild cognitive impairment among older adults in the United States by ethnoracial group.

Objectives: To compare the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among a wide range of ethnoracial groups in the US. Design: Non-probabilistic longitudinal clinical research. Setting: Participants enrolling into the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center Unified Data Set recruited via multiple approaches including clinician referral, self-referral by patients or family members, or active recruitment through community organizations. Participants: Cognitively normal individuals 55 and older at the initial visit, who reported race and ethnicity information, with at least two visits between September 2005 and November 2018. Measurements: Ethnoracial information was self-reported and grouped into non-Latino Whites, Asian Americans, Native Americans, African Americans (AAs), and individuals simultaneously identifying as AAs and another minority race (AA+), as well as Latinos of Caribbean, Mexican, and Central/South American origin. MCI was evaluated clinically following standard criteria. Four competing risk analysis models were used to calculate MCI risk adjusting for risk of death, including an unadjusted model, and models adjusting for non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors. Results: After controlling for sex and age at initial visit, subhazard ratios of MCI were statistically higher than non-Latino Whites among Native Americans (1.73), Caribbean Latinos (1.80), and Central/South American Latinos (1.55). Subhazard ratios were higher among AA+ compared to non-Latino Whites only in the model controlling for all risk factors (1.40). Conclusion: Compared to non-Latino Whites, MCI risk was higher among Caribbean and South/Central American Latinos as well as Native Americans and AA+. The factors explaining the differential MCI risk among ethnoracial groups are not clear and warrant future research.
[18F]-Alfatide PET imaging of integrin αvβ3 for the non-invasive quantification of liver fibrosis.

Background & Aims The vitronectin receptor integrin αvβ3 drives fibrogenic activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Molecular imaging targeting the integrin αvβ3 could provide a non-invasive method for evaluating the expression and the function of the integrin αvβ3 on activated HSCs (aHSCs) in the injured liver. In this study, we sought to compare differences in the uptake of [18F]-Alfatide between normal and injured liver to evaluate its utility for assessment of hepatic fibrogenesis. Methods PET with [18F]-Alfatide, non-enhanced CT, histopathology, immunofluorescence staining, immunoblotting and gene analysis were performed to evaluate and quantify hepatic integrin αvβ3 levels and liver fibrosis progression in mouse models of fibrosis (carbon tetrachloride [CCl4] and bile duct ligation [BDL]). The liver AUC divided by the blood AUC over 30 min was used as an integrin αvβ3–PET index to quantify fibrosis progression. Ex vivo analysis of frozen liver tissue from patients with fibrosis and cirrhosis verified the animal findings. Results Fibrotic mouse livers showed enhanced [18F]-Alfatide uptake and retention compared to control livers. The radiotracer was demonstrated to bind specifically with integrin αvβ3, which is mainly expressed on aHSCs. Autoradiography and histopathology confirmed the PET imaging results. Further, the mRNA and protein level of integrin αvβ3 and its signaling complex were higher in CCl4 and BDL models than controls. The results obtained from analyses on human fibrotic liver sections supported the animal findings. Conclusions Imaging hepatic integrin αvβ3 with PET and [18F]-Alfatide offers a potential non-invasive method for monitoring the progression of liver fibrosis. Lay summary Integrin αvβ3 expression on activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) is associated with HSC proliferation during hepatic fibrogenesis. Herein, we show that a radioactive tracer, [18F]-Alfatide, binds to integrin αvβ3 with high affinity and specificity. [18F]-Alfatide could thus be used as a non-invasive imaging biomarker to track hepatic fibrosis progression.
Digoxin Targets Central Carbon Metabolism and Remodels the Tumor Microenvironment

ABSTRACT Cancer therapies targeting metabolism have been limited due to toxicity, compound availability, and efficacy. Therefore, strategies for targeting tumor-specific vulnerabilities remain highly desired. Digoxin, a widely used cardiac glycoside in humans, has been shown to exhibit antineoplastic properties. Using metabolomic approaches, we show that a primary consequence of digoxin treatment in tumor cells is disruption of central carbon metabolism via inhibition of the Na+/K+ ATPase, an enzyme that consumes a large portion of cellular ATP leading to globally altered energy demands when its activity is disrupted. Furthermore, in an immunocompetent mouse model of sarcoma, we show that digoxin targets these metabolic processes in both malignant and healthy tissue, particularly within cardiac tissue, while exhibiting tumor-specific cytotoxic activity. Single-cell RNA sequencing of 31,611 cells within the mouse sarcoma model demonstrates that acute digoxin treatment induces a shift in the tumor microenvironment, leading to transcriptional reprogramming of energy-generating processes in both tumor and immune cells. These results suggest that digoxin suppresses tumor growth by targeting central carbon in both tumor cells and the immune compartment, rendering it promising as an antitumor agent for metabolic therapeutic and immunomodulatory applications.
Cost Analyses of Prosthetic Devices: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Objective To synthesize extant literature on the cost-effectiveness of prosthetic interventions and explore applicability to low- and middle-income country (LMIC) settings. Data Sources A systematic literature review using subject headings including “prosthetics,” “amputation,” and “cost analysis” was performed with PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science search engines, yielding 1194 articles. An additional 22 articles were identified via backward citation searching for 1144 total after duplicate removal. The search was last run in May of 2019. Study Selection Studies were included if they conducted an economic analysis of an upper or lower extremity prosthetic device. Studies were excluded if (1) full text was unavailable in English; (2) study was a systematic review or meta-analysis; or (3) study did not have a prosthetic comparison group. Using DistillerSR software, 2 authors independently conducted title and abstract screening. One author conducted full-text screening. The proportion of initially identified studies that met final inclusion criteria was 1% (12 of 1144). Data Extraction Data were dually extracted by 2 authors and reviewed by 3 additional authors. Data Synthesis All included studies (N=12) examined lower extremity amputations comparing advanced technology. No studies were conducted in LMICs. Comparable data between studies demonstrated (1) the cost-effectiveness of microprocessor- over nonmicroprocessor-controlled knees for transfemoral amputation in high-income settings; (2) equivocal findings regarding osseointegrated vs socket-suspended prostheses; and (3) increased cost for ICEX and modular socket systems over patellar tendon–bearing socket systems with no functional improvement. Conclusions There are few prosthetic cost analyses in the literature. Additional analyses are needed to determine the direct and indirect costs associated with prosthetic acquisition, fitting, and maintenance; the costs of amputee rehabilitation; and long-term economic and quality-of-life benefits. Such studies may guide future prosthetic and rehabilitative care, especially in resource-austere settings where prosthetic needs are greatest.
Indoor Air Quality Issues for Rocky Mountain West Tribes

Native American populations face considerable health disparities, especially among those who live on reservations, where access to healthcare, education, and safe housing can be limited. Previous research on tribal housing has raised concerns about housing construction, damage, and possible linkage to adverse health effects (e.g., asthma). This community-based participatory research (CBPR) project investigated indoor air quality issues on two Rocky Mountain west reservations. At the onset of the project, the research team formed a partnership with community advisory boards (CABs) consisting of representatives from tribal councils and community members. Research design, implementation, and dissemination all took place in full collaboration with the CABs following approval through official tribal resolutions. Residential homes were monitored for particulate matter with diameter <2.5 microns (PM2.5) and radon concentrations. Low-cost air quality sensors and activated charcoal radon test kits were placed in tribal households for 6-8 days. A large amount of data were below the sensor limit of quantification (LOQ), but several homes had daily averages that exceeded suggested PM2.5 guidelines, suggestive of the potential for high exposure. Additionally, nearly half of all homes sampled had radon levels above the EPA action level, with mitigation activities initiated for the most concerning homes. Findings from this study indicate the need for future community-wide assessments to determine the magnitude and patterns of indoor air quality issues.
FoleyGAN: Visually Guided Generative Adversarial Network-Based Synchronous Sound Generation in Silent Videos.

Deep learning based visual to sound generation systems essentially need to be developed particularly considering the synchronicity aspects of visual and audio features with time. In this research we introduce a novel task of guiding a class conditioned generative adversarial network with the temporal visual information of a video input for visual to sound generation task adapting the synchronicity traits between audio-visual modalities. Our proposed FoleyGAN model is capable of conditioning action sequences of visual events leading towards generating visually aligned realistic sound tracks. We expand our previously proposed Automatic Foley dataset to train with FoleyGAN and evaluate our synthesized sound through human survey that shows noteworthy (on average 81\%) audio-visual synchronicity performance. Our approach also outperforms in statistical experiments compared with other baseline models and audio-visual datasets.
Translating Virtual Reality Research into Practice as a Way to Combat Misinformation: The DOVE Website

There are several barriers to research translation from academia to the broader HCI/UX community and specifically for the design of virtual reality applications. Because of the inaccessibility of evidence-based VR research to industry practitioners, freely-available blog-style media on platforms like Medium, where there is no moderation, is more available, leading to the spread of misinformation. The Design of Virtual Environments (DOVE) website, attempts to address this challenge by offering peer reviewed unbiased VR research, translating it for the layperson, and opening it up to contribution, synthesis and discussion through forums. This paper describes the initial user centered design process for the DOVE website through informal expert interviews, competitive analysis and heuristic review to redesign the site navigation, translation content, and incentivized forms for submission of research. When completed, the DOVE website will aid the translation of AR/VR research to practice.
Fostering Cultural Safety in Nursing Education: Experiential Learning on an American Indian Reservation.

BACKGROUND To improve health equity, especially for American Indian/Alaska Native peoples, cultural safety must be included in the nursing education curricula. Cultural safety requires self-reflection with an examination of one's own culture and an ongoing analysis of biases and power imbalances. METHODS Using a case study approach, a description and discussion of an ongoing Baccalaureate nursing clinical immersion experience on an American Indian Reservation is presented. With travel to the Pine Ridge Reservation, nursing students offer health promotion at community events and partner sites, with a focus on prevention of heart disease, diabetes, and unintentional injury. Transformative Learning Theory provides the foundation for the nursing clinical immersion experience at the Pine Ridge Reservation. Nursing students reflect throughout and after the Pine Ridge clinical experience via blogging. RESULTS Cultural safety themes identified in nursing student reflections include critical consciousness; providing a safe place; seeking to understand historical trauma; and acknowledging power imbalances. Satisfaction surveys are completed by Lakota screening participants, and results provide further evidence of emerging cultural safety. IMPACT STATEMENT A clinical immersion experience at an American Indian Reservation can foster cultural safety while also encouraging transformative learning. CONCLUSIONS Nursing educators should consider clinical experiences focused on American Indian/Alaska populations. With a service component, the clinical immersion at the Pine Ridge Reservation requires that participants reflect on their experiences. A transformative change in perspective, required for cultural safety, is often the end result for nursing student participants.
Positive Coombs test in Hodgkin's disease: significance and implications

To clarify the clinicopathologic characteristics of Coombs' positivity in Hodgkin's disease, the records of 71 cases were reviewed. The direct Coombs test was positive in seven. Mean age of the seven was 22 yr (range 11-33). All were males. All had extensive disease (pathologic stage III or IV) and six had systemic (B) symptoms. Four had mixed cellularity; three had nodular sclerosis. The positive Coombs test was detected at original diagnosis in three and at time of relapse in four. Although all were anemic, only three had evidence of overt hemolysis. The antibody responsible for Coombs positivity was characterized in three and fulfilled the criteria for IgG anti-It. The presence of a positive direct Coombs test in the patient with Hodgkin's disease suggests active and advanced disease. The presence of IgG anti-It may represent a unique antibody in the Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia associated with Hodgkin's disease.
Electronic metering and two-way communications

Abstract As the electric power industry enters its second century, a revolution is changing the way electric service can be metered and priced. More importantly, sophisticated metering coupled with improved communication capabilities, allow power companies to better manage and control their customers' energy consumption. These capabilities will also enable power companies to better utilize their capital assets, better manage their complex distribution networks, provide superior service reliability and quality and reduce their customer's energy service costs.
Elemental and Charge State Composition in the Heliosphere

The heliosphere is filled with material from three samples of matter, solar material in the form of the solar wind and solar energetic particles, material from the neutral fraction of the surrounding interstellar medium, and galactic cosmic rays. In this lecture we will address the first two samples that constitute the main plasma component and evidence of their further acceleration in the heliosphere. We will review the observation techniques and some key observations, which provide information about fractionation, acceleration, and transport. For brevity we limit the discussion of the solar wind to some recurring topics that connect particularly well to the discussion of further acceleration and fractionation.
An economic selecting model for DFT strategies

Exploiting the knowledge-based technology and multi-objective analysis, this paper presents a selecting model and its prototype implementation for design for testability (DFT) strategies. Cores to the knowledge-based selecting are decision tree-based knowledge representation models. Keys to the decision tree model are human-like decision procedures and time elimination of defining cost related equations. Test runs over a design-and-test compatible environment demonstrate both feasibility and potential effectiveness of the decision tree selecting model to support both the current and future needs of VLSI testing.
The effects of microRNAs on regulatory T cells in multiple sclerosis (HUM1P.319)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the CNS. The pathophysiology that propagates MS is hypothesized to be an autoimmune reaction mediated by pro-inflammatory T cells activated against myelin. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), protectors against such autoimmune responses, are dysfunctional in MS patients. We investigated which microRNAs, modulators of cellular and disease processes, are regulators of MS pathogenesis and the extent to which these miRNAs regulate genes critical for Treg development. To this end, miRNA profiling studies performed on naive CD4+ T cells have identified 85 differentially expressed miRNAs in MS patients compared to healthy donors. Of the miRNAs, 23 were predicted to target genes of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling pathway. Given the importance of TGFβ in regards to Treg development and function, we hypothesized that dysregulated miRNAs in the naive CD4+ T cells of MS patients target the TGFβ-signaling pathway, resulting in defective Tregs and enhanced susceptibility to developing MS. Our data indicate that 1) expression of TGFβ-associated genes is decreased in MS patients, 2) several of the identified miRNAs directly target genes of the TGFβ-signaling pathway, and 3) overexpression of TGFβ-targeting miRNAs causes a decrease in Treg development. Taken together, our data have allowed us to highlight specific miRNAs as being potentially highly relevant in the development of defective Tregs in MS.
Abstract 172: Baseline Physical Activity and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Analysis From BARI-2D Trial.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the differences in clinical outcomes among patients with DM and coronary heart disease according to their baseline physical activity status. Methods: We evaluated 2,343 patients with CHD and DM who underwent either prompt revascularization (PR) and intensive medical therapy (IMT) or IMT alone in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial. Patients were categorized according to their baseline physical activity status to sedentary, mild physical activity or moderate/strenuous activity. Primary end points were all cause mortality. Cox Regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of baseline physical activity on all-cause-mortality. Results: Of 2,343 patients, 858 (37%) were able to achieve moderate/strenuous physical activity prior to randomization. Patients with sedentary life style and mild physical activity at baseline had worse survival compared to those with higher activity levels (Figure). In a Cox regression analysis, in patients randomized to IMT alone, there were no differences in mortality across physical activity levels. In the PR arm, sedentary and mild physical activity carried high risk of mortality compared to strenuous activity levels. Furthermore, patients in the low physical activity categories carried an increased risk of death if they were randomized to the insulin sensitizing arm of the trial. Conclusions: In this study, patients with DM and CHD, moderate/strenuous physical activity at baseline had improved survival compared to mild physical activity or sedentary life-style. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Sex Partner Type and Condom Use in African American Adolescent Mothers: A Literature Review

PROBLEM: Teen mothers may need mental health counseling that goes beyond addressing the parenting stressors of motherhood to include those related to sexual risk decision-making. Sexual risk behaviors of adolescent girls are influenced by partner type. Coparent, “baby's daddy” partner types may exert unique psychosocial influences on their sexual risk decisions and, thus, their risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection. METHODS: A review of literature was conducted to identify, critique, and summarize the research on partner-type influences on the sexual risk decision-making of African American adolescent mothers. Extensive searches of PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CRISP were conducted. Data displays were constructed to compare constructs across studies. Both the strengths and limitations of these studies are highlighted. FINDINGS: Most studies on partner types and sexual behavior are quantitative, and few target adolescent mothers. Only four studies were identified that focused on sexual partner influences on condom use in African American adolescent mothers, with only one examining the coparent as a partner type. No published studies were identified that examined adolescent mothers’ reasons for making partner-specific sexual risk decisions or choices made in regard to having sex with their “babies’ daddies.” CONCLUSION: The state of the science is inadequate regarding partner-type influences on the sexual risk decisions of African American adolescent mothers. Further research is vital for mental healthcare providers so that the depth and complexity of partner-related influences on sexual risk decisions can be appropriately addressed during risk assessments and counseling.
Mapping land cover types in Amazon basin using 1 km JERS-1 mosaic

The 100 meter JERS-1 Amazon mosaic image was used in a new classifier to generate a 1 km resolution land cover map. The inputs to the classifier were 1 km resolution mean backscatter and seven first order texture measures derived from the 100 m data by using a 10/spl times/10 independent sampling window. The classification approach included two interdependent stages: 1) a supervised maximum a posteriori Baysian approach to classify the mean backscatter image into 5 general land cover categories of forest, savanna, inundated, white sand, and anthropogenic vegetation classes, and 2) a texture measure decision rule approach to further discriminate subcategory classes based on taxonomic information and biomass levels. Fourteen classes were successfully separated at 1 km scale. The results were verified by examining the accuracy of the approach by comparison with the IBGE and the AVHRR 1 km resolution land cover maps.
Old Age in Transition: The Geriatric Ward Revisited

Old Age in Transition: The Geriatric Ward Revisited. Peter Woolfson. Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey, 1997.133 pp.
The incidence of skull fractures underlying cephalhematomas in newborn infants

CEPHALHEMATOMA in the newborn infant has been reported1-4, 6 as occurring in as low as 0.2% in one series 6 and as high as 2.5% in another I (Table I). Few reports of roentgenographic studies of this condition are available; generally, roentgen examinations were made only to rule out encephaloceles and depressed fractures of the skull. Kendall and Woloshin I in 1952 reported an incidence of 2.49% (69) of cephalhematomas among 2,774 newborn infants. Roentgenographic examinations of the skull in 64 of these infants were obtained and 16 (25%) were found to have linear fractures at the site of the cephalhematomas. No substantiation of this high incidence of f ractures associa ted with c e p h a l h e m a t o m a s has appeared during the intervening years. Our experience did not indicate the existence of such a high incidence; consequently, we decided to secure additional data.
On the Road to Effective Teaching: A Pedagogical TripTik for Student Teachers

Even though student teachers have learned content and pedagogy during their formative years, occasionally they become frustrated when attempting to transfer conceptual ideas to a real classroom sit...
Circulating neutrophils from patients with ulcerative colitis have a normal respiratory burst.

The hallmark of ulcerative colitis is a diffuse infiltration of neutrophils from the circulation into the colonic mucosa. The underlying mechanism for neutrophil tissue infiltration is unknown. One possible hypothesis is abnormal circulating neutrophils. This hypothesis has been previously tested with conflicting results. The aim of our study was to re-evaluate circulating neutrophil function in the absence of several possible confounding factors. To this end, we measured the respiratory burst of circulating neutrophils in response to two different stimuli by chemiluminescence in patients with active and inactive ulcerative colitis being off all medications. Our results show no significant difference between ulcerative colitis patients and controls in peak chemiluminescence, area-under-the-curve and time to peak comparisons. However, 27 % of patients with active ulcerative colitis had an abnormally elevated chemiluminescence to stimuli. In addition, no correlations were seen between disease activity and peak chemiluminescence. Thus circulating neutrophils in the majority of patients with ulcerative colitis do not appear to be either “primed” or hyperactive. This may suggest the presence of local colonie factors that lead to neutrophil tissue infiltration and activation.
Diamond and non-diamond carbon synthesis in an oxygen-acetylene flame

diamond and non-diamond carbon deposition in an oxygen-acetylene combustion flame has been analyzed over a range of oxidizer:fuel ratios (Rf) and substrate temperatures (Ts). The effects on diamond deposition of substrate preparation and position in the oxygen-acetylene flame have been examined. Diagrams relating diamond, microcrystalline graphite and amorphous carbon growth to the oxygen:acetylene flow ratio and substrate temperature have been developed. In addition, the dependences of particle morphology and growth rate on Ts and Rf were examined. Micro-Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze the growth.
Nonlinear elastic-plastic analysis using the modified finite quasi-prism element

Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element problems are generally very time consuming to solve accurately. A modified version of the Finite quasi-prism (FQP) element is an accurate and efficient alternative to conventional nonlinear elastic-plastic finite element analysis of bodies of nearly prismatic geometry. One Modified FQP element can replace several standard eight-noded hexahedral elements by using higher order interpolation functions in the direction of the nearly constant cross-section.The reduction in the number of elements translates into fewer finite element equations to solve, leading to a significant decrease in CPU time for nonlinear problems, which require multiple iterations per increment. In addition to the decrease in solution time, the analysis results using this element are smoother and very near theoretical solutions. The formulation of the Modified FQP element and a thorough discussion of the properties of this element are given in this paper. Solution accuracy is evaluated by comparisons with both analytical results and a commercial code.
ESTIMATING MISSING DAILY TEMPERATURE EXTREMES USING AN OPTIMIZED REGRESSION APPROACH

A variation of a least squares regression approach to estimate missing daily maximum and minimum temperatures is developed and evaluated, specifically for temperature extremes. The method focuses on obtaining accurate estimates of annual exceedence counts (e.g. the number of days greater than or equal to the 90th percentile of daily maximum temperatures), as well as counts of consecutive exceedences, while limiting the estimation error associated with each individual value. The performance of this method is compared with that of two existing methods developed for the entire temperature distribution. In these existing methods, temperature estimates are based on data from neighbouring stations using either regression or temperature departure-based approaches. Evaluation of our approach using cold minimum and warm maximum temperatures shows that the median percentage of correctly identified exceedence counts is 97% and the median percentage of correctly identified consecutive exceedence counts is 98%. The other existing methods tend to underestimate both single and consecutive exceedence counts. Using these procedures, the estimated exceedence counts are generally less than 80% of those that actually occurred. Despite the fact that our method is tuned to estimate exceedence counts, the estimation accuracy of individual daily maximum or minimum temperatures is similar to that of the other estimation procedures. The median absolute error (MAE) using all temperatures greater than or equal to the 90th percentile (T90)−1.1°C for ten climatically diverse stations is 1.28°C for our method, while the other methods give MAEs of 1.27 and 1.17°C. In terms of median error, however, the tendency for underprediction by the existing methods is pronounced with −0.77 and −0.61°C biases. Our optimized method is relatively unbiased as the resulting mean error is −0.12°C. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society
Effects of TSH and thiourea upon thyroid function in the lizard, Xantusia henshawi☆

Xantusia henshawi at 26.0°C displayed significantly altered patterns of thyroidal 131I accumulation when treated with thyroid-stimulating hormone or thiourea for 13 days. Despite extensive individual variation, statistical study of 120-hour tracer results showed that TSH significantly increased and thiourea significantly decreased the cumulative radioactivity of the thyroid at each of the 12-hour counting intervals following 131I injection, with three exceptions of non-significant differences from the control by each experimental group. Once characteristic levels of radioactivity were reached at this temperature (24–48 hours), little release of iodine was observed. 131I counts particularly in the TSH-treated group, indicated alternating periods of higher and lower thyroid function which may be correlated with the nocturnal habits of Xantusia. Histological criteria of increased glandular activity, usually associated with active secretory function, were observed in thyroids from both treated lizard groups.
Bluffing in labor negotiations: Legal and ethical issues

This paper presents an analysis of bluffing in labor negotiations from legal, economic, and ethical perspectives. It is argued that many forms of bluffing in labor negotiations are legal and economically advantageous, but that they typically constitute lying. Nevertheless it is argued that it is generally morally acceptable to bluff given a typical labor-management relationship where one's negotiating partner is familiar with and most likely employing bluffing tactics him/herself. We also consider whether it is an indictment of our present negotiating practices and our economic system as a whole that, given the harsh realities of the marketplace, bluffing is usually morally acceptable.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic Activity of Y-Doped CeO2 Nanorods

Yttrium-doped ceria (YDC) nanorods were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and characterized using Raman, UV–vis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. The ceria nanorods showed an increase in the amount of oxygen vacancies with an increase in the Y concentration. When the doping level is <30%, the optical band gap of the doped ceria is lower than that of pure ceria nanorods. At < 50% of Y doping, the composite nanorods exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of model organic dyes compared to the pure ceria at room temperature, and the catalyst with 10% loading showed the maximum photocatalytic efficiency. However, at 100 °C, the photocatalytic activity significantly improved for all the nanorods with different Y loadings, and the greatest improvement was obtained for the sample with the highest number of oxygen vacancies.
Methylene blue restores spatial memory retention impaired by an inhibitor of cytochrome oxidase in rats

Cytochrome oxidase is the mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the utilization of oxygen for the electron transport chain during cellular respiration. Chronic subcutaneous infusion of sodium azide, an inhibitor of cytochrome oxidase, produced a spatial memory retention deficit in rats in a holeboard maze. Methylene blue, which has been shown to increase oxygen consumption in vitro, was used to restore mitochondrial electron transport in order to facilitate memory consolidation. Administration of 1 mg/kg methylene blue after training, during the memory consolidation period, completely restored the memory retention impaired by the inhibitor of cytochrome oxidase. This suggests that methylene blue may compensate for impaired mitochondrial respiration and improve spatial memory retention. Memory retention deficits found in some neurodegenerative diseases may be improved by drugs targeting impaired mitochondrial respiration.
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder: Case reports of three children with kidney transplant

SUMMARY Introduction Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a heterogeneous group of diseases, characterized by abnormal lymphoid proliferation following transplantation. It is a disease of the im- munosuppressed state, and its occurrence is mostly associated with the use of T-cell depleting agents, and also intensification of immunosuppressive regimens. In the majority of cases, PTLD is a consequence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and is a B-cell hyperplasia with CD-20 positive lymphocytes. The 2008 World Health Organization classification for lymphoid malignancies divides PTLD into four major categories: early lesions, polymorphic PTLD, monomorphic PTLD and Hodgkin PTLD. The treatment and prognosis depend on histology. The cornerstone of PTLD therapy includes reduction/withdrawal of im- munosuppression, monoclonal anti CD-20 antibody (rituximab) and chemotherapy. Outline of Cases We reported here our experiences with three patients, two girls aged 7.5 and 15 and a 16-year old boy. They had different organ involvement: brain, combined spleen-liver and intestines, respectively. Even though EBV was a trigger of lymphoid proliferation as it was confirmed by histopathol- ogy or in cerebrospinal fluid, qualitative EBV-PCR was positive only in one patient at disease presentation. Reduction of immunosuppression therapy was applied in treatment of all three patients, while two of them received rituximab and ganciclovir. They had an excellent outcome besides many difficulties in diagnosis and management of disease. Conclusion Qualitative EBV-PCR is not useful marker in pediatric transplant recipients. Our suggestion is that patients with the risk factors like T-cell depleting agents, immunosuppressant protocol or increasing immunosuppressive therapy and EBV miss-match with donor must be more accurately monitored with quantitative EBV PCR.
Noise and impedance measurements in voltage regulator tubes

Synopsis The results of a series of measurements of the admittance and the noise of OA3 voltage regulator tubes over a frequency range of 1 cycle/sec—30 mc/sec are presented. It is shown that the noise resistance of the tube is relatively constant below 1 mc/sec and that the equivalent saturated diode current of the tube is relatively constant above 1 mc/sec. The measurements indicate that both the admittance and the noise at low frequencies are influenced by the same current multiplication process. A tentative theory of the admittance and the noise is presented; it can explain most of the experimental data.
Interexaminer comparison of bone scintigraphy and panoramic radiography of temporomandibular joints: Correlation with signs and symptoms

Panoramic radiographs of the temporomandibular joints of patients with orofacial pain were examined for evidence of pathology by three different groups of four dental specialists and by a group of four general dentists. Bone scans of the same joints were used as the "gold standard" for identification of disorder and indicated a low rate of correct readings by the four professional groups. When the symptomatic side of the complaint was used as the gold standard, there was no statistically significant association with the bone scan observations. Comparative analysis of other patient symptoms showed little agreement with panoramic radiographs and scintigraphs. Reliability estimates may be highly variable, even among clinical experts. These results show that neither radiologic technique would be definitive for diagnosis of TM disorders.
Sunscreens and their use in the preventive treatment of sunlight-induced skin damage.

. In this brief review, clinically relevant practical aspects of topical protection against the harmful effects of solar radiation on human skin are discussed. The article covers information in the following areas of photo-protection: (a) nature of solar radiation; (b) classification of normal individuals into sun-reactive skin types I-VI; (c) minimal erythema doses of UVB and UVA radiation for individuals of skin types I-VI; (d) classification of sunscreens and SPF values of brand-name sunscreens; (e) a list of UVB- and UVA-absorbing chemicals used in sunscreen formulations in the USA; (f) guidelines for recommending topical sunscreens for the prevention of sunburn, skin photoaging, and skin cancer; and (g) concerns about the harmful effects of UVA radiation and tanning parlors on human skin and the methods used to minimize the potential damaging effects of UVA.
Backordering in a multiperiod transshipment network

This paper demonstrates that when the backordering of demand is permitted in a Multiperiod Transshipment Problem it is necessary to include additional side constraints that restrict the number of backorders a node can have in a time period. Computer experience on a small set of test problems is presented to validate this problem formulation. Two stricter backorder constraint sets are also presented, both of which are piecewise linear. For these piecewise linear constraint cases, a method is outlined whereby the original network problem is transformed into a mixed integer linear network flow problem that is very difficult to solve. Some highlights of work by other authors in solving mixed integer linear network flow problems are given. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of Defect on Elastic-Plastic and Creep Behavior of Cellular Materials

Cellular solids, such as foams, are widely used in engineering applications. In these applications, it is important to know their mechanical properties and the variation of these properties with the presence of defects. Several models have been proposed to obtain the mechanical properties of cellular materials. However, some of these models are based on idealized unit cell structures, and are not suitable for finding the mechanical properties of cellular materials with defects. Furthermore, the creep response changes in cellular solids when the exposed temperature is higher than 1/3 of the material’s melting temperature. The objective of this work is to understand the effect of missing walls and filled cells on mechanical and creep behavior of both the regular hexagonal and non-periodic Voronoi structures using finite element analysis. The finite element analysis showed that on average the non periodic structures have inferior mechanical properties compared to that of the regular hexagonal structures with the same relative density. The yield stress of Voronoi structures had a mean of 27% lower compared to that of the hexagonal structure with the same relative densities. Defects, introduced by removing cell walls at random locations, caused a sharp decrease in the effective mechanical properties of both Voronoi and periodic hexagonal honeycombs. However, our results indicated that elastic properties of Voronoi Structures are more sensitive to missing walls when compared to those of regular honeycomb structures. The yield strength of Voronoi and regular honeycombs exhibited the similar sensitivity to cell wall removal. For creep analysis, the results suggest that removal of struts dramatically increases the creep rate. In the case of filled cells, regular honeycomb structures showed less sensitivity to the defect compared to Voronoi structures. The overall elastic modulus of the structure increased by 11% when 5% of cells were filled in regular hexagonal honeycombs while for Voronoi structure it had more significant effect (22% increase). The results also show that filled cell did not have a significant effect on yield strength of the regular and Voronoi structures.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Geochemical detection of carbon dioxide in dilute aquifers

Carbon storage in deep saline reservoirs has the potential to lower the amount of CO2 emitted to the atmosphere and to mitigate global warming. Leakage back to the atmosphere through abandoned wells and along faults would reduce the efficiency of carbon storage, possibly leading to health and ecological hazards at the ground surface, and possibly impacting water quality of near-surface dilute aquifers. We use static equilibrium and reactive transport simulations to test the hypothesis that perturbations in water chemistry associated with a CO2 gas leak into dilute groundwater are important measures for the potential release of CO2 to the atmosphere. Simulation parameters are constrained by groundwater chemistry, flow, and lithology from the High Plains aquifer. The High Plains aquifer is used to represent a typical sedimentary aquifer overlying a deep CO2 storage reservoir. Specifically, we address the relationships between CO2 flux, groundwater flow, detection time and distance. The CO2 flux ranges from 103 to 2 × 106 t/yr (0.63 to 1250 t/m2/yr) to assess chemical perturbations resulting from relatively small leaks that may compromise long-term storage, water quality, and surface ecology, and larger leaks characteristic of short-term well failure. For the scenarios we studied, our simulations show pH and carbonate chemistry are good indicators for leakage of stored CO2 into an overlying aquifer because elevated CO2 yields a more acid pH than the ambient groundwater. CO2 leakage into a dilute groundwater creates a slightly acid plume that can be detected at some distance from the leak source due to groundwater flow and CO2 buoyancy. pH breakthrough curves demonstrate that CO2 leaks can be easily detected for CO2 flux ≥ 104 t/yr within a 15-month time period at a monitoring well screened within a permeable layer 500 m downstream from the vertical gas trace. At lower flux rates, the CO2 dissolves in the aqueous phase in the lower most permeable unit and does not reach the monitoring well. Sustained pumping in a developed aquifer mixes the CO2-affected water with the ambient water and enhances pH signal for small leaks (103 t/yr) and reduces pH signal for larger leaks (≥ 104t/yr). The ability to detect CO2 leakage from a storage reservoir to overlying dilute groundwater is dependent on CO2 solubility, leak flux, CO2 buoyancy, and groundwater flow. Our simulations show that the most likely places to detect CO2 are at the base of the confining layer near the water table where CO2 gas accumulates and is transported laterally in all directions, and downstream of the vertical gas trace where groundwater flow is great enough to transport dissolved CO2 laterally. Our simulations show that CO2 may not rise high enough in the aquifer to be detected because aqueous solubility and lateral groundwater transport within the lower aquifer unit exceeds gas pressure build-up and buoyancy needed to drive the CO2 gas upwards.
CT evidence of grey matter calcification secondary to radiation therapy

There are four previously reported cases of post-irradiation calcification in the basal ganglia as demonstrated on the conventional skull roentgenograms. We have described two additional cases with grey matter calcification, which were demonstrated 10 and 14 yr after radiation therapy for an optic glioma and a medulloblastoma, respectively. The calcification was clearly demonstrated on CT scan, although it was not apparent on the skull roentgenogram. The extract pathogenesis of this condition is not clear. It appears, however, to be related to radiation vasculitis of the small vessels of the brain with resultant hyalinization and calcification. A long-term follow up study would be necessary to evaluate the significance and implication of post-irradiation calcification of the grey matter. CT is the most sensitive method of demonstrating the intracranial calcification in vivo.
Hijacking of the mismatch repair system to cause CAG expansion and cell death in neurodegenerative disease

Mammalian cells have evolved sophisticated DNA repair systems to correct mispaired or damaged bases and extrahelical loops. Emerging evidence suggests that, in some cases, the normal DNA repair machinery is "hijacked" to become a causative factor in mutation and disease, rather than act as a safeguard of genomic integrity. In this review, we consider two cases in which active MMR leads to mutation or to cell death. There may be similar mechanisms by which uncoupling of normal MMR recognition from downstream repair allows triplet expansions underlying human neurodegenerative disease, or cell death in response to chemical lesion.
Environmental variables controlling site suitability for corn-based ethanol production in Nebraska.

Ethanol production from corn (Zea mays L.) has become a new avenue for economic vitality in the state of Nebraska. Although economic, technological and political analyses have previously been performed, this study aims to analyze a suite of environmental variables specific to corn production in Nebraska. The overall objective of this research is to better understand the spatial distribution of natural resources in Nebraska related to site selection of corn-based ethanol plants. Principal component analysis was used to determine, which environmental variables explained the majority of the variance in determining location suitability for an ethanol plant. In the first principal component, the highest loadings are irrigation requirement (0.912), growing season precipitation (0.870), rain-fed corn yield (0.840), and corn land abundance (0.735). In the second principal component, the highest loadings are potential competition for corn inputs (0.629) and irrigation restrictions (0.613). Our findings support the hypothesis that the controls related to water and land resources are playing a larger role in determining the location for ethanol plant locations than controls related to competition. This research was intended to become a foundation of methodology which could be used in other states and on other crops harvested for biofuel production. The results of this study illuminate some of the most influential environmental variables on Nebraskan ethanol plant location suitability.
The laryngeal mask airway for thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Summary The role of the laryngeal mask airway for thyroid and parathyroid surgery was studied in 97 consecutive patients. In 50% the technique combined electrical stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve with visualisation of vocal cord movement via a fibreoptic bronchoscope. Stimulation was required in 10% to assist in identifying recurrent laryngeal nerve position during difficult surgical dissection. In the remaining 40% stimulation was used to confirm nerve integrity and for teaching purposes. Tracheal intubation was required for seven patients but in only two of these was intubation unplanned. The incidence of postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve dysfunction was zero. These data suggest that the technique offers a safe alternative in airway management and may provide advantages in terms of preservation of recurrent laryngeal nerve function.