cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blood and Oral Fluid Cannabinoid Profiles of Frequent and Occasional Cannabis Smokers.

Increased prevalence of cannabis consumption and impaired driving are a growing public safety concern. Some states adopted per se driving laws, making it illegal to drive with more than a specified blood concentration of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a biological fluid (typically blood). Blood THC concentrations decrease significantly (∼90%) with delays in specimen collection, suggesting the use of alternative matrices, such as oral fluid (OF). We characterized 10 cannabinoids' concentrations, including THC metabolites, in blood and OF from 191 frequent and occasional users by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for up to 6 h after ad libitum smoking. Subjects self-titrated when smoking placebo, 5.9 or 13.4% THC cannabis. Higher maximum blood THC concentrations (Cmax) were observed in individuals who received the 5.9% THC versus the 13.4% THC plant material. In blood, the Cmax of multiple analytes, including THC and its metabolites, were increased in frequent compared to occasional users, whereas there were no significant differences in OF Cmax. Blood THC remained detectable (≥5 ng/mL) at the final sample collection for 14% of individuals who smoked either the 5.9 or 13.4% THC cigarette, whereas 54% had detectable THC in OF when applying the same cutoff. Occasional and frequent cannabis users' profiles were compared, THC was detectable for significantly longer duration in blood and OF from frequent users. Detection rates between frequent and occasional users at multiple per se cutoffs showed larger differences in blood versus OF. Understanding cannabinoid profiles of frequent and occasional users and the subsequent impact on detectability with current drug per se driving limits is important to support forensic interpretations and the development of scientifically supported driving under the influence of cannabis laws.
Responding to an Alarming Problem: Decreasing Alarm Burden and Increasing Safety in the NICU

Primary Aim: Reduce audible cardiorespiratory (CR) alarm burden for all NICU patients by 20% between September 2015 and December 2017. Secondary Aim: Increase by 20% the proportion of Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants spending 80% of their time within their target saturation range during the same epoch. Methods: We utilized the Model for Improvement as an underlying structure to address our aims. Our multidisciplinary improvement team included nursing leadership, physicians, frontline practitioners and hospital clinical engineers. Our team also included partners from the Institute for Medical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. We developed specific aims and measures and a key driver …
PF-QII Analysis of Deep Brain Stimulation versus Levodopa-carbidopa Intestinal Gel: Real-world Differences in Patient Characteristics and Quality of Life Outcomes. (958)

Objective: To evaluate differences in demographics, disease characteristics, quality of life (QOL), and caregiver burden (CB) between deep brain stimulation (DBS) and levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) users in a large international Parkinson’s disease (PD) cohort. Background: For patients with advanced PD complicated by motor fluctuations, device-assisted treatments such as DBS and LCIG have been shown to be safe and effective in stabilizing motor symptoms and reducing dyskinesias. However, data are limited comparing patient characteristics and outcomes between DBS and LCIG. Design/Methods: Data were collected from the PF-QII registry, an international multi-center prospective study of PD care and outcomes at expert centers. Utilization rates of DBS and LCIG were compared between U.S. and non-U.S. centers between 2010–2019. Baseline demographics, disease characteristics, exercise patterns, QOL scores, and CB scores were compared between DBS and LCIG users. Longitudinal analyses compared QOL and CB scores over time between DBS and LCIG users. Results: 3842 patients from U.S. and 2232 patients from non-U.S. centers were included in the analysis. Patients in U.S. centers were more likely to receive DBS than those from non-U.S. centers (22.0% vs 14.4%, p Conclusions: Analysis of a large, real-world international registry revealed that DBS users were younger and had less advanced PD compared to LCIG users. DBS users also had better QOL and less CB, but had a trend toward a greater QOL decline over time. Disclosure: Dr. Shetty has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zadikoff has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Abbvie, USworldMeds, Acadia, Sunovion, UCB, St Jude, Merz, Teva, Adamas, Lundbeck, and Medtronic. Dr. Zadikoff holds stock and/or stock options in Dial N Doc. Dr. Zadikoff has received research support from AbbVie, Allergan, and St Jude.Dr. Wu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Simuni has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Acadia, Adamas, Teva, UCB Pharma, AbbVie, Anavex, Allergan, Acorda, NeuroDerm, PhotoPharmics, Revance, Sanofi, Sunovion, Voyager, US World Meds, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Dr. Simuni has received research support from Biogen, Roche, NeuroDerm, Sanofi, NINDS, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the Parkinson Foundation.
Phenomenon Identification and Ranking Table Development for Future Application Figure-of-Merit Studies on Thermal Energy Storage Integrations with Light Water Reactors

There are no standard prioritization criteria for evaluating thermal energy storage (TES) options for use in integrated energy systems. A framework for proposing, analyzing, and presenting energy s...
Addressing Trauma and Building Resilience in Children and Families: Standardized Patient Cases for Pediatric Residents.

Introduction Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma are common and can negatively impact children's health. Standardized patient (SP) learning may provide trainees with knowledge and skill...
An investigation of the coupling of phonon-polaritons with plasmon-polaritons in hBN/nanopatterned Au layered devices

Thin hexagonal boron nitride layers have been shown to support highly confined hyperbolic phonon-polaritons, which are of interest for light guiding applications. Localized plasmon resonances in nanopatterned metal films can exhibit subwavelength-scale confinement as well as a high local field strength that is of importance to imaging and sensor applications. In this work, the interaction between hyperbolic phonon-polaritons in a hexagonal boron nitride thin film and plasmon-polaritons in a nanopatterned gold thin film is investigated by means of finite-difference time-domain simulations of a series of coupled and uncoupled layered devices. Both far-field and near-field properties are calculated and analyzed, enabling the features due to plasmon-polaritons and phonon-polaritons, individually, to be distinguished and the coupling between these excitations to be explored and characterized.
Superconductors, Dislocations and Cracks: Otto Buck Memorial Lecture

This paper presents two examples of joint work with Otto Buck with emphasis on the effects of tensile stress on metal alloys. In the first example [1], the work was done at cryogenic temperatures where many metals enter the superconducting state. Changes in flow stress were observed when the metal was switched between the superconducting and normal state by the application of the critical magnetic field. The results were interpreted in terms of the unpinning of dislocations. In the second example, crack growth was monitored by the use of surface acoustic wave scattering [2]. The method was described and the results were presented and interpreted. Good quantitative agreement was observed between the ultrasonically determined crack dimensions and those observed in post-failure analysis. Both examples demonstrate the innovative scientific spirit characteristic of Otto Buck’s approach to materials characterization.
Three-dimensional foam-like hexagonal boron nitride nanomaterials via atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) is a high temperature ceramic material with a graphite-like layered atomic arrangement and excellent basal-plane thermal conduction properties. Unlike graphite, however, h-BN is electrically insulating and possesses superior chemical stability, thereby making it attractive for many applications for which carbon allotropes are not suitable. In this work, freestanding three-dimensional foam-like h-BN nanomaterials tens of millimeters in size are realized by a low-cost atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) process. These three-dimensional foams were found to be ultralight with an effective density of 1.7 ± 0.6 mg/cm3. Strut wall thicknesses were observed to be 311 ± 82 nm, significantly thicker than reported in previous works using alternative CVD approaches. The samples were further analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, electron beam energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction revealing the samples to exhibit characteristics consistent with h-BN. APCVD processes like the one presented here may provide a simple, scalable means of realizing ultralight hierarchical h-BN nanomaterials with tunable mechanical and thermal properties.
SU-D-BRB-01: A Predictive Planning Tool for Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of a predictive planning tool which provides SRS planning guidance based on simple patient anatomical properties: PTV size, PTV shape and distance from critical structures. Methods: Ten framed SRS cases treated at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University were analyzed to extract data on PTV size, sphericity (shape), and distance from critical structures such as the brainstem and optic chiasm. The cases consisted of five pairs. Each pair consisted of two cases with a similar diagnosis (such as pituitary adenoma or arteriovenous malformation) that were treated with different techniques: DCA, or IMRS. A Naive Bayes Classifier was trained on this data to establish the conditions under which each treatment modality was used. This model was validated by classifying ten other randomly-selected cases into DCA or IMRS classes, calculating the probability of each technique, and comparing results to the treated technique. Results: Of the ten cases used to validate the model, nine had their technique predicted correctly. The three cases treated with IMRS were all identified as such. Their probabilities of being treated with IMRS ranged between 59% and 100%. Six of the seven cases treated with DCA were correctly classified. These probabilities ranged between 51%more » and 95%. One case treated with DCA was incorrectly predicted to be an IMRS plan. The model’s confidence in this case was 91%. Conclusion: These findings indicate that a predictive planning tool based on simple patient anatomical properties can predict the SRS technique used for treatment. The algorithm operated with 90% accuracy. With further validation on larger patient populations, this tool may be used clinically to guide planners in choosing an appropriate treatment technique. The prediction algorithm could also be adapted to guide selection of treatment parameters such as treatment modality and number of fields for radiotherapy across anatomical sites.« less
A Meta-Analysis of Tax Compliance Experiments

Since 1978, economists, psychologists, sociologists and accountants have used experiments to investigate the determinants of tax compliance. In this paper the author attempts to synthesize this literature in a meta-analysis to draw conclusions regarding the determinants of tax compliance. Specifically, the author examines the impacts of traditional economic determinants of tax compliance: the tax rate, the penalty rate, and the probability of audit. In addition the author examines the effect of a public good “return” to taxes paid. The author finds strong evidence that increasing the penalty rate, the probability of audit and the marginal-percapita return to the public good lead to higher compliance, but finds no statistically significant effect of the tax rate on compliance.
Prevention of Loss of Control in Chemical Plants under Computer Control

As the use of direct computer control in chemical plants increases, loss of control due to computer failure becomes a major concern. A fault tolerant computer control system is constructed and tested using a heat exchanger network. Redundancy and diversity are created both in hardware and software. Tolerance to sensor failure is created by control system reconfiguration. With reassignment of control duties, computer failure cause process upsets similar to temporary process disturbances. The magnitude and duration of upsets are closely related to the takeover time of the substitute computer.
Spin magnetic moment of a free relativistic electron

By decomposing the charge-current density, it is demonstrated that the “built-in” spin magnetic moment of a free relativistic electron iseħ/2mc, wherem is the Lorentz mass.
Virtuality Distributions and ${\gamma\gamma^{*} \to \pi^{0}}$ Transition Form Factor at Handbag Level

We outline a new approach to transverse momentum dependence in hard processes using as an example the exclusive transition $${\gamma^{*}\gamma \to \pi^{0}}$$ at the handbag level. We start with the coordinate representation for a matrix element $${\langle p |{\cal O}(0,z) |0 \rangle}$$ of a bilocal operator $${{\cal O} (0,z)}$$ describing a hadron with momentum p. Treated as a function of (pz) and z$$^{2}$$, it is parametrized through virtuality distribution amplitude (VDA) Φ (x, σ), with x being Fourier-conjugate to (pz) and σ Laplace-conjugate to z$$^{2}$$. For intervals with z$$^{+}$$ = 0, we introduce the transverse momentum distribution amplitude (TMDA) $${\Ψ (x,k_{\perp})}$$ , and write it in terms of VDA Φ (x, σ). The results of covariant calculations, written in terms of Φ (x, σ) are converted into expressions involving $${\Ψ (x,k_{\perp})}$$ . We propose simple models for soft VDAs/TMDAs, and use them for comparison of handbag results with experimental (BaBar and BELLE) data on the pion transition form factor.
(p,d) REACTIONS ON NUCLEI FROM V TO Ni

Pickup ($p, d$) reactions on ${\mathrm{V}}^{51}$, ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$, ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{55}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{54}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{56}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{57}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{58}$, ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$, ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{58}$, and ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{60}$ have been studied using 17.0- and 18.5-MeV protons. The experimental results were analyzed using the predictions of a direct-reaction model using distorted waves. The distorted-wave theory predicted quite accurately the dependence of cross section on bombarding energy, while the plane wave theory failed in that respect. The ground states of ${\mathrm{V}}^{51}$, ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$, and ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{54}$ were found to have almost pure ${(1{f}_{\frac{7}{2}})}^{8}$ neutron configurations, thus furnishing more evidence that the $1{f}_{\frac{7}{2}}$ neutron shell is a major shell. The results for the heavier nuclei indicate a strong mixing of $1{f}_{\frac{5}{2}}$ and $2p$ neutrons in the ground state. The spin assignments obtained for a few levels are in disagreement with $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray angular correlation measurements.
DISEASE SPREADING MODEL WITH PARTIAL ISOLATION

The effect of partial isolation has been studied in disease spreading processes using the framework of susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) and susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) models. The partial isolation is introduced by imposing a restriction: each infected individual can probabilistically infect up to a maximum number n of his susceptible neighbors, but not all. It has been observed that the critical values of the spreading rates for endemic states are non-zero in both models and decrease as 1/n with n, on all graphs including scale-free graphs. In particular, the SIR model with n = 2 turned out to be a special case, characterized by a new bond percolation threshold on square lattice.
Genetic factors in reproduction and their evolutionary significance.

PROBLEM: The reproductive process is a major driving force in human evolution. An evolutionary perspective was brought to bear on some aspects of reproduction and its aberrations, and, conversely, some of the insights of modern reproductive genetics were used to investigate problems in evolution. METHOD: The data used were obtained from the literature in evolution, anthropology, archeology, linguistics, and genetics. RESULTS: The evolutionary line leading to modern humans diverged from that leading to the chimpanzees approximately 5-7 million years ago (Mya). Archaic Homo sapiens emerged ca. 0.3 Mya, and modern Homo sapiens and the development of language ca. 0.1 Mya; thus, modern humans occupy approximately 2% of the evolutionary history of the hominid line. During all of this time, the ancestors of modem humans were migratory hunter-gatherers. It was only during the Neolithic transition ca. 0.01 Mya (approximately 0.2% of of hominid evolutionary history) that agriculture was developed, and with it a settled lifestyle that allowed a more stable existence and the development of a different reproductive pattern. Various estimates indicate that the human population increased from 0.05 million at the time of the emergence of modem Homo sapiens to 6,000 million at the present time (120,000-fold increase). CONCLUSIONS: These evolutionary considerations were used to explore three areas: (I) the extinction of the Neanderthals, who coexisted for ca. 65,000 years with modern humans; (2) the relatively low and stable rate of human conceptions (20-35% of ova fertilized naturally or fertilized in vitro); and (3) the long postnatal period required for the full maturation of the immune response. From these considerations, a broad view of the human reproductive process was obtained that may provide some insight into the rationale for the development of effective reproductive technologies.
Modeling ecological carrying capacity of shellfish aquaculture in highly flushed temperate lagoons

Abstract Lagoons are some of the most productive systems on the planet — not only for aquaculture, but for fisheries, recreation, and as nurseries for many important species. These systems are also highly susceptible to degradation. Aquaculture is a rapidly increasing industry capable of impacting these sensitive systems. Dense human populations and intensive multiple uses of ecologically sensitive coastal waters have forced resource managers to evaluate the impact of expanding shellfish aquaculture to ensure sustainable development. A mass-balance ecosystem model of highly flushed temperate lagoons in Rhode Island, USA was constructed to calculate the ecological carrying capacity for shellfish aquaculture. Cultured oyster biomass is currently 12 t km −2 live weight and could be increased to 62 times this value before exceeding the ecological carrying capacity of 722 t km −2 . The lagoons were found to be a detritus-dominated system with high energy throughput which may permit the high capacity of the system for additional shellfish biomass allowing managers to consider expansion of shellfish aquaculture to densities much higher than comparatively oligotrophic systems could support. Managing by ecological carrying capacity follows an Ecological Approach to Aquaculture by maintaining ecological integrity and the sustainability of the aquaculture industry as well as other human uses of the lagoon system.
Cutaneous manifestations of human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type-1-associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: a single-center, retrospective study.

Background Limited data exist regarding cutaneous involvement of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), particularly in the United States. Objective We sought to characterize clinical and histopathologic features of ATLL in patients with skin involvement. Methods We retrospectively identified patients with ATLL from a single institution given a diagnosis during a 15-year period (1998-2013). Patients were categorized by the Shimoyama classification and stratified into skin-first, skin-second, and skin-uninvolved courses. Results The study population included 17 skin-first, 8 skin-second, and 29 skin-uninvolved cases. Skin-first patients (6 acute, 1 lymphoma, 4 chronic, 6 smoldering) were overwhelmingly of Caribbean origin (94%). They had longer median symptom duration (11.9 vs 1.9 months, P P + (71%), large cell morphology (70%), CD30 + (68%), epidermal infiltration of atypical lymphocytes (67%) forming large Pautrier-like microabscesses (55%), and folliculotropism (65%). Limitations This was a retrospective, single-center, tertiary referral center study with small sample size. Conclusion Skin-first patients with ATLL in the United States are diagnostically challenging. Familiarity with clinicopathologic features may aid in diagnosis.
Abstract 4037: Loss of Par3 induces an epithelial to metastatic-epithelial transition during ErbB2 induced mammary tumor progression

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The Partitioning defective (Par) proteins are part of an evolutionarily conserved complex that is known to regulate asymmetric cell division, cell junction biogenesis and epithelial morphogenesis, but the role they play in cancer is not well understood. Here we demonstrate that loss of Partitioning defective 3 (Par3) cooperates with activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB2 to induce migration and invasion of normal and tumor-derived human mammary epithelial cells. Surprisingly, the acquisition of invasive ability was not associated with an overt mesenchymal transition as determined by a lack of expression of mesenchymal markers and retention of an epithelial morphology. We demonstrate that loss of Par3 induces aberrant activation of the small GTP binding protein Rac, loss of cortical actin and a decrease in cell-cell adhesion. Par3 is known to interact with and inhibit the Rac exchange factor Tiam1, consistently, ectopic expression of Tiam1 phenocopied Par3 loss and was sufficient to cooperate with ErbB2 to induce invasion and a decrease in intercellular adhesion. Inhibition of Tiam1-induced Rac activation restores cortical actin network and cell-cell junctions and blocks ErbB2-induced migration and invasion. Expression of Par3 was downregulated in both human breast cancer and in the metastasis resulting from ErbB2-expressing primary mouse mammary tumors. Forced downregulation of Par3 in ErbB2-tumor-derived primary epithelial cells promoted metastasis in vivo demonstrating that loss of Par3 is sufficient to initiate metastatic progression of ErbB2-induced mammary tumors. Thus, loss of Par3 induces metastatic properties to epithelial cells while expression of Par3 is required to maintain a non-metastatic epithelial state of tumor cells. Our observations on metastatic epithelia identify a novel mechanism by which tumor cells metastasize while retaining epithelial characteristics. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4037. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4037
Death Education and Physicians' Attitudes toward Dying Patients:

The literature suggests that physicians have difficulty relating to dying patients. Medical schools traditionally have not addressed themselves to this issue. The object of this research was to det...
Chronic nicotine‐induced improvement of spatial working memory and D2 dopamine effects in rats

Nicotine improves working memory function in a variety of different testing situations. In a series of studies, we have found that chronic nicotine infusion improves working memory performance of rats in the win-shift version of the radial-arm maze. In the current studies, we examined the interaction of chronic nicotine effects in the radial-arm maze with dopamine D 2 agonist and antagonist drugs, since we have previously found significant interactions of acute nicotinic agonist and antagonist effects with D 2 systems. Replicating our earlier results, significant nicotine-induced improvements in working memory performance were seen. Chronic co-infusion of raclopride, a D 2 antagonist, or quinpirole, D 2 /D 3 agonist, were not found to significantly interact with the choice accuracy improvement caused by nicotine. Acute challenge with a range of quinpirole doses also did not affect the facilitating effect of chronic nicotine. This stands in contrast to the significant interactions of D 2 systems with acute nicotine effects. Acute and chronic nicotine administration have similar effects of facilitating memory performance in the radial-arm maze. However, these effects appear to have differential interactions with D 2 systems.
Lis1 reduction causes tangential migratory errors in mouse spinal cord

Mutations in human LIS1 cause abnormal neuronal migration and a smooth brain phenotype known as lissencephaly. Lis1+/− (Pafah1b1) mice show defective lamination in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation, whereas homozygous mutations result in embryonic lethality. Given that Lis1 is highly expressed in embryonic neurons, we hypothesized that sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPNs and PPNs) would exhibit migratory defects in Lis1+/− mice. The initial radial migration of SPNs and PPNs that occurs together with somatic motor neurons appeared unaffected in Lis1+/− mice. The subsequent dorsally directed tangential migration, however, was aberrant in a subset of these neurons. At all embryonic ages analyzed, the distribution of SPNs and PPNs in Lis1+/− mice was elongated dorsoventrally compared with Lis1+/+ mice. Individual cell bodies of ectopic preganglionic neurons were found in the ventral spinal cord with their leading processes oriented along their dorsal migratory trajectory. By birth, Lis1+/− SPNs and PPNs were separated into distinct groups, those that were correctly, and those incorrectly positioned in the intermediate horn. As mispositioned SPNs and PPNs still were detected in P30 Lis1+/− mice, we conclude that these neurons ceased migration prematurely. Additionally, we found that a dorsally located group of somatic motor neurons in the lumbar spinal cord, the retrodorsolateral nucleus, showed delayed migration in Lis1+/− mice. These results suggest that Lis1 is required for the dorsally directed tangential migration of many sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons and a subset of somatic motor neurons.
In Vivo Kinematics of the Knee After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction A Clinical and Functional Evaluation

BackgroundRecent follow-up studies have reported a high incidence of joint degeneration in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Abnormal kinematics after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have been thought to contribute to the degeneration.HypothesisAnterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, which was designed to restore anterior knee laxity under anterior tibial loads, does not reproduce knee kinematics under in vivo physiological loading conditions.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsBoth knees of 7 patients with complete unilateral rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament were magnetic resonance imaged, and 3D models were constructed from these images. The anterior cruciate ligament of the injured knee was arthroscopically reconstructed using a bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft. Three months after surgery, the kinematics of the intact contralateral and reconstructed knees were measured using a dual-orthogonal fluoroscopic system while the subjects performed a s...
Bacterial Desulfonation of the Ethanesulfonate Metabolite of the Chloroacetanilide Herbicide Metazachlor

Metazachlor (R-CH2-Cl), a chloroacetanilide herbicide, is converted in soil to products including the ethanesulfonate metabolite (R-CH2-SO3-; BH 479-8). Nothing is known about the degradation of the ethanesulfonates of this class of herbicides. We used inocula derived from five sources for enrichment cultures to utilize R-CH2-SO3- as a sole sulfur source for the growth of microorganisms. Each culture yielded bacteria that caused the disappearance of R-CH2-SO3- and the formation of a product identified as the glycolate metabolite (R-CH2-OH; BH 479-1) by mass spectrometry. A pure culture, strain HL1, was isolated, and this bacterium quantitatively desulfonated R-CH2-SO3-, the sulfur being recovered in cell protein. Recovery of the organic moiety was usually about 80%. A second ethanesulfonate (R‘-CH2-SO3-) and two alkylsulfonates, but not taurine, were utilized by strain HL1 as sulfur sources.
Effects of somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 on enterotoxigenic diarrhea.

Somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 causes a dose-related suppression of the release and/or action of several gastrointestinal hormones and impairs several anterior pituitary functions. Some patients with illness involving abnormal hormonal activity have responded to treatment with SMS 201-995, including resolution of severe secretory diarrhea. This study examined SMS 201-995 inhibition ofEscherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin STa (STa) effects and effects of the analog in the rabbit RITARD model with enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli. SMS 201-995 did not alter STa binding to its receptor on piglet brush border membranes. The analog, at concentrations of 0.1 μg/ml (0.1 μM) and 1 μg/ml (1 μM) did not significantly alter STa activation of intestinal epithelial cell particulate guanylate cyclase. At maximal dosing the analog significantly reduced intestinal fluid secretion in suckling mice that was induced by either 8-bromo cyclic GMP or STa. In piglets, the analog reduced by 37–44% the amount of diarrhea induced by STa. However, even with maximal dosing, the piglets still had significant diarrhea, although of a lesser amount. In the rabbit RITARD model the drug failed to alter the severe diarrheal response seen when dosing the animals with enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli. Overall, SMS 201-995 had a significant but incomplete effect in reducing the STa effects seen in the various assays. Additionally, in the RITARD model the analog did not alter the clinical responses to various enterotoxigenic bacteria. SMS 201-995 should be useful as a probe into the mechanisms involved in intestinal fluid secretion, but a clinical role in enterotoxigenic gastrointestinal disease was not supported by this study.
A research methodology for the development of risk assessment tools in social work practice.

A social work professor uses a series of 3 studies to develop test and revise a prediction model of oral contraceptive (OC) continuation among adolescents 3 months after beginning OC use. She uses discriminant analysis to select those variables which best predict return to the family planning clinic for follow up care and continued OC use. It identifies sexually transmitted disease irregular menstrual periods a Pap smear >1 year before the 1st clinic visit considerable general health problems referral for additional medical tests and long interval since 1st coitus and seeking birth control as the variables of teenagers least likely to return to the clinic. The initial model includes demographic and medical history data plus the 6 variables. It shows that the variables could moderately predict discontinued OC use (66.2% of correctly predicted cases). Next the researcher revises the model by adding psychosocial variables and more variables (score on personal pregnancy risk scale score on costs of pill use scale number of options generated and score on decision to use pill scale). The 8 variable model correctly predicts 78.6% of cases (false negative rate=42.9% and false positive rate=9.4%). This model achieves 75% of correctly predicted cases with another set of data and false negative and false positive rates of 13% and 40%. This final model could predict outcome better than chance alone but it remains susceptible to some error. This risk assessment approach can be used to screen for other behaviors. This methodology minimizes the false negative predictions. This is important because false negatives can lead to stigmatization and an adverse effect. This multifactorial model can help social workers to develop more effective prevention strategies.
Reducing Plantar Pressure in the Neuropathic Foot: A comparison of footwear

OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of therapeutic, comfort, and athletic shoes with and without viscoelastic insoles. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We compared pressure reduction at ulcer sites under the hallux ( n = 10), first metatarsal ( n = 10), and lesser metatarsals ( n = 12), using extra-depth, athletic, and comfort shoes with and without viscoelastic insoles. A rubber-soled canvas oxford was used to establish baseline pressure values. RESULTS When used in conjunction with a viscoelastic insole, all shoe types reduced mean peak plantar pressure better than their non-insoled counterparts ( P P P CONCLUSIONS When used in conjunction with a viscoelastic insole, both the comfort and athletic cross-trainer shoes studied were as, if not more, effective than commonly prescribed therapeutic shoes in reducing mean peak first and lesser metatarsal pressures. Furthermore, comfort shoes were as effective as therapeutic shoes in reducing pressure under the great toe. Both of these shoe types may be viable options to prevent the development or recurrence of foot ulcers.
Direct correlation of human skull vault thickness with geomagnetic intensity in some northern hemisphere populations

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to test to what extent the recently discovered preferential occurrence of thick fossil human bone during eras of high geomagnetic intensity corresponds to actual skull vault thickness (SVT) measurements. A modification of Twiesselmann's direct osteometric method was followed, employing nine of his standard points: frontal bosses, midfrontal, bregma, parietal bosses, obelion, pterion, asterion, lambda and cerebral fossas. An average SVT index, computed relative to the baseline modern values, was used in intergroup comparisons. Ambient geomagnetic intensities during lifetime were taken from data published by Wollin et al. (1971) and Bucha et al. (1970), in dipole moment units (DMU). Altogether 36 such SVT-DMU northern hemisphere populations of the last 360,000 years were studied, including 4 from Mesoamerica. SVT index is a direct function of DMU for these data. Depending on taxonomic and other pooling arrangements, the correlation coefficient (r) of the least-squares regression equation varies between 0·62 and 0·97, and is highly significant. Review of the medical literature leads to the advancement of a plurifactorial biomagnetic mechanism to account for this osteotrophic phenomenon.
Progress on Phase Separation Microfluidics

Abstract - High power density GaN HEMT technology can increase the capability of defense electronics systems with the reduction of CSWaP. However, thermal limitations have currently limited the inherent capabilities of this technology where transistor-level power densities that exceed 10 kW/cm2 are electrically feasible. This paper introduces the concept of an evaporative microcooling device utilizing some of the current two-phase vapor separation technologies currently being developed for water and dielectric liquids.
Glyph-based generic network visualization

Network managers and system administrators have an enormous task set before them in this day of growing network usage. This is particularly true of e-commerce companies and others dependent on a computer network for their livelihood. Network managers and system administrators must monitor activity for intrusions and misuse while at the same time monitoring performance of the network. In this paper, we describe our visualization techniques for assisting in the monitoring of networks for both of these tasks. The goal of these visualization techniques is to integrate the visual representation of both network performance/usage as well as data relevant to intrusion detection. The main difficulties arise from the difference in the intrinsic data and layout needs of each of these tasks. Glyph based techniques are additionally used to indicate the representative values of the necessary data parameters over time. Additionally, our techniques are geared towards providing an environment that can be used continuously for constant real-time monitoring of the network environment.
Comment on "Density matrix renormalization group study of the Haldane phase in random one-dimensional antiferromagnets".

In a recent Letter (PRL 83, 3297 (1999)), Hida presented numerical results indicating that the Haldane phase of the Heisenberg antiferromagnetic spin-1 chain is stable against bond randomness, for box distributions of the bond strength, even when the box distribution stretches to zero bond strength. The author thus concluded that the Haldane phase is stable against bond randomness for any distribution of the bond strength, no matter how broad. In this Comment, we (i) point out that the randomness distributions studied in this Letter do not represent the broadest possible distributions, and therefore these numerical results do not lead to the conclusion that the Haldane phase is stable against any randomness; and (ii) provide a semiquantitative estimate of the critical randomness beyond which the Haldane phase yields to the Random Singlet phase, in a specific class of random distribution functions for the bond strength.
How do consumer hedonic ratings for extra virgin olive oil relate to quality ratings by experts and descriptive analysis ratings

Abstract A consumer study was conducted to evaluate preferences and attitudes regarding extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in an emergent market, the US. A generic descriptive analysis was used on 22 samples of EVOO in order to identify the drivers of liking for this consumer population. Results showed that, for the majority of consumers, bitterness and pungency were negative drivers of liking. Properties that drove positive ratings were fruity (green and ripe), nutty, and tea-like flavors. A panel of EVOO experts provided quality ratings for the products and these were correlated to the hedonic ratings by consumers, revealing some disconnection between consumer preferences and expert evaluations. Cluster analysis and preference mapping of the consumer hedonic ratings revealed segmentation of preferences. The EVOO’s price, available information, and reputation were key factors that drove purchases in this consumer population.
Heat and mass exchange processes between the surface of the human body and ambient air at various altitudes.

The rates of convection and evaporation at the interface between the human body and the surrounding air are expressed by the parameters convective heat transfer coefficient h c, in W m–2°C–1 and evaporative heat transfer coefficient h e, W m–2 hPa–1. These parameters are determined by heat transfer equations, which also depend on the velocity of the airstream around the body, that is still air (free convection) and moving air (forced convection). The altitude dependence of the parameters is represented as an exponential function of the atmospheric pressure p: h c∼p n and h e∼p 1–n, where n is the exponent in the heat transfer equation. The numerical values of n are related to airspeed: n=0.5 for free convection, n=0.618 when airspeed is below 2.0 ms–1 and n=0.805 when airspeed is above 2.0 ms–1. This study considers the coefficients h c and h e with respect to the similarity of the two processes, convection and evaporation. A framework to explain the basis of established relationships is proposed. It is shown that the thickness of the boundary layer over the body surface increases with altitude. As a medium of the transfer processes, the boundary layer is assumed to be a layer of still air with fixed insulation which causes a reduction in the intensity of heat and mass flux propagating from the human body surface to its surroundings. The degree of reduction is more significant at a higher altitude because of the greater thickness of the boundary layer there. The rate of convective and evaporative heat losses from the human body surface at various altitudes in otherwise identical conditions depends on the following factors: (1) during convection – the thickness of the boundary layer, plus the decrease in air density, (2) during evaporation (mass transfer) – the thickness of the boundary layer, plus the increase with altitude in the diffusion coefficient of water vapour in the air. The warming rate of the air volume due to convection and evaporation is also considered. Expressions for the calculation of altitude dependences h c (p) and h e (p) are suggested.
Cdk5 regulates activation and localization of Src during corneal epithelial wound closure

Recent studies have shown that Cdk5, a member of the cyclin-dependent-kinase family, regulates adhesion and migration in a mouse corneal epithelial cell line. Here, we extend these findings to corneal wound healing in vivo and examine the mechanism linking Cdk5 to cytoskeletal reorganization and migration. Cdk5 was overexpressed in the corneal epithelium of transgenic mice under control of the ALDH3 promoter. Elevated Cdk5 expression retarded corneal debridement wound closure in these animals and suppressed remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. Conversely, the Cdk5 inhibitor, olomoucine, accelerated debridement wound healing in organ cultured eyes of normal mice, caused migrating cells to separate from the epithelial cell sheet, and increased the level of activated Src(pY416) along the wound edge. To explore the relationship between Cdk5 and Src in greater detail, we examined scratch-wounded cultures of corneal epithelial cells. Src was activated in cells along the wound edge and blocking this activation with the Src kinase inhibitor, PP1, inhibited wound closure by 85%. Inhibiting Cdk5 activity with olomoucine or a dominant negative construct, Cdk5T33, increased the concentration of Src(pY416), shifted its subcellular localization to the cell periphery and enhanced wound closure. Cdk5(pY15), an activated form of Cdk5, also appeared along the wound edge. Inhibiting Src activity with PP1 blocked the appearance of Cdk5(pY15), suggesting that Cdk5 phosphorylation is Src dependent. Cdk5 and Src co-immunoprecipitated from scratch-wounded cultures, demonstrating that both kinases are part of an intracellular protein complex. These findings indicate that Cdk5 exerts its effects on cell migration during corneal epithelial wound healing by regulating the activation and localization of Src.
Diagnostic Clinical Genome and Exome Sequencing

The use of clinical genome and exome sequencing for genetic diagnosis has grown substantially. This review provides guidance for clinicians seeking diagnostic confirmation of a disease suspected to be genetic in origin.
The role of calcium in the regulation of prostacyclin synthesis by porcine aortic endothelial cells.

Both bradykinin (EC50=8 ng/ml) and the ionophore A23187 (EC50=3×10−7 M) potently stimulated arachidonate release and prostaglandin synthesis in porcine aortic endothelial cells. The response to each was completely dependent on extracellular Ca2+ (EC50=3×10−7 M); no role for intracellular Ca2+ was noted. The rapid Ca2+ influx prompted by either activator was consistent with the time course for arachidonate release. Whereas the arachidonate released in response to bradykinin was trasient, that released in response to A23187 was more prolonged, and paralleled a continued influx of Ca2+. Ca2+ entry elicited by bradykinin was mediated by channels which could not be blocked by verapamil. When Mn2+ was substituted for Ca2+, no stimulation of prostacyclin synthesis was seen in response to A23187; however, the bradykinin response was unaffected. The mechanism of these effects was studied using doses of bradykinin or A23187 which resulted in increases in Ca2+ influx and prostacyclin synthesis of similar magnitude for each agonist. Under these conditions, trifluoperazine blocked elevated prostacyclin synthesis (ID50=5–6×10−6 M for each agonist). Trifluoperazine sulfoxide, however, was much less active. Pimozide inhibited bradykinin-stimulated prostacyclin synthesis at low doses (ID50=3×10−6 M). Trifluoperazine was much less effective against high doses of A23187 (4×10−6 M). These data suggest that arachidonate release and prostacyclin synthesis are dependent on influx of extracellular calcium and subsequent activation of a Ca2+-dependent phospholipase by a calmodulin-mediated mechanism.
Principal diffusion direction in peritumoral fiber tracts: Color map patterns and directional statistics

The ability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to probe the ultrastructural properties of biological tissues presents new possibilities for DTI-based tissue characterization, with the potential for greater pathologic specificity than conventional imaging methods. This is urgently needed in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral neoplasms, where clinical decisions depend on the ability to discriminate tumor-involved from uninvolved tissue, a major shortcoming of conventional imaging. Several investigators have attempted to make this determination on the basis of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) or the fractional anisotropy (FA), with mixed results. The directionally encoded color map, with hues reflecting tensor orientation and intensity weighted by FA, provides an aesthetic and informative summary of DTI features throughout the brain in an easily interpreted format. The use of these maps is becoming increasingly common in both basic and clinical research, as well as in purely clinical settings. These examples serve to demonstrate our approach to the quantitation of regional diffusion tensor distributions using directional statistical methods.
Interaction of rabbit reticulocyte elongation factor 1 with guanosine-triphosphate and aminoacyl-transfer ribonucleic acid.

Abstract Elongation Factor 1 (EF-1) from rabbit reticulocytes interacts with GTP to form a complex that is retained on a nitrocellulose filter. EF-1 also interacts with GDP; however, the concentration of GDP required for maximal complex formation is higher than the concentration of GTP required and the extent of binding is lower. Interaction of EF-1 with GTP in the presence of various aminoacyl-tRNAs from rabbit liver or E. coli results in a 50–75% decrease in the amount of GTP complex retained on a filter. No reduction in the amount of GTP complex retained is observed with deacylated tRNA or with N -acetylphenylalanyl-tRNA. EF-1 is inactivated by heating at 37 °C in the presence of GTP. Aminoacyl-tRNA protects EF-1 from the inactivation observed in the presence of GTP. These data indicate that an interaction of reticulocyte EF-1 with GTP and aminoacyl-tRNA occurs; however, attempts to demonstrate the formation of a stable ternary complex by chromatography on Sephadex G-150 were unsuccessful. Also, no difference is observed between the rate of binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to reticulocyte ribosomes obtained with EF-1 and the rate obtained with EF-1 that had been incubated previously with GTP and aminoacyltRNA.