cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of acute viral hepatitis data quality using two methodologies, 2005-2007.

a ABSTRACT Objective. We compared the quality of data reported to the Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention (CDC) from sites that received funding for acute viral hepatitis surveillance through CDC's Emerging Infections Program (EIP) with sites that have electronic infrastructure to collect data but do not receive funding from CDC to support viral hepatitis surveillance. Methods. Descriptive analysis was conducted on acute hepatitis A, B, and C cases reported from EIP sites and National Electronic Disease Surveillance Sys- tem (NEDSS)-based states (NBS) sites from 2005 to 2007. Data were compared for (1) completeness of demographic and risk behavior/exposure information; (2) adherence to CDC/Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) case definition for confirmed cases of acute hepatitis A, B, and C; and (3 ) timeliness of reporting to the health department. Results. Data reported for sex and age were at least 98% complete for both EIP and NBS sites and race/ethnicity was more complete for EIP sites. For acute hepatitis A, B, and C, case reports from EIP sites were more likely than those from NBS sites to include a "yes" response to at least one risk behavior/ exposure variable and were more likely to meet the CDC/CSTE case definition. EIP sites received case reports in a more timely fashion than did NBS sites. The case definition for acute hepatitis C proved problematic for both EIP and NBS sites. Conclusions. Data from the EIP sites were more complete and reported in a more timely way to health departments than data from the NBS sites. Funding for follow-up activities is essential to providing surveillance data of higher qual- ity for decision-making and public health response.
Dependence of NMR Chemical Shifts Upon CH Bond Lengths of a Methyl Group Involved in a Tetrel Bond

Abstract Four different Lewis acids that might participate in a tetrel bond with a nucleophile (SEt2Me+, NMe4+, SMe2, NMe3) are examined. The NMR chemical shifts of the methyl C and H atoms are calculated as the CH bond lengths are systematically stretched and contracted, in the absence of a base. The C shielding diminishes by roughly 2 ppm for a stretch of 0.01 A, while that of H drops by only 0.3 ppm. The deshieldings caused purely by the bond length changes are far too small to account for the amounts that are computed when the nucleophile is actually present.
Who benefits from liver-directed therapy (LDT) for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM)? Development of a prognostic model.

e17745 Background: LDT is an emerging but expensive treatment modality in patients with CRLM. It remains unclear, however, how to identify patients most likely to benefit from this approach, leadin...
Cultivators, Domestics, and Slaves: Slavery in Santo Domingo Under Louverture and Napoleon, 1801–1803

On January 13, 1803, the French notary Derieux visited the first of several estates owned by Domingo Rodriguez, recently deceased. Rodriguez's property lay in the environs of Santiago de los Caballeros, a town in the north-central valley of Santo Domingo on eastern Hispaniola (today, the Dominican Republic). Over a three-week period, Derieux traveled with a team of witnesses and assessors to properties as far away as coastal Puerto Plata in order to assess the value of Rodriguez's cloth store, home, cabins, pasture land, livestock, cane and foodstuff fields, and sugar-processing equipment. Two of the three plantations also included a different kind of asset. At the sugar estate Gourave, Derieux wrote down the names of the 35 cultivateurs, cultivatrices, and enfants, that is, male and female agricultural workers and their children.
The Driverless Car and the Legal System. Hopes and Fears as the Courts, Regulatory Agencies, Waymo, Tesla and Uber Deal with this Exciting and Terrifying New Technology

There are an astounding number of deaths and injuries resulting from car accidents each year. Since the development of the motor vehicle, societies and legal systems have considered vehicular deaths and injuries as an acceptable cost when compared to the benefits of the motor vehicle.The development of the driverless car has the potential to reduce the carnage that result from motor vehicle accidents. Many of these unnecessary deaths and injuries will be prevented by the new technology. This paper will discuss how the legal system in pursuit of justice and corporations in pursuit of profits deal with this new technology.
The past, present, and future of blind inlets as a surface water best management practice

Drainage of tile-riser inlets allow direct discharge of surface water into tile drainage systems, effectively bypassing soil filtration processes and negatively affecting water quality. Blind inlet...
Persistent Hypoxemia in a Teen With Down Syndrome.

CITATIONUpchurch A, Sharma S, Hadigal S, Wagner M, Berry R. Persistent hypoxemia in a teen with down syndrome. J Clin Sleep Med. 2019;15(10):1547–1549.
Brief freezing steps lead to robust immunofluorescence in the Drosophila nervous system.

Drosophila melanogaster possesses a complex nervous system, regulating sophisticated behavioral outputs, that serves as a powerful model for dissecting molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal func...
Inhalation exposure technology, dosimetry, and regulatory issues.

Inhalation toxicology technology has provided the scientific community with important advances in studies of inhaled toxicants. These advances include new and more efficient exposure systems (e.g., flow-past nose-only exposure systems), and improved approaches to inhalation chamber environmental control (e.g., temperature, humidity, air quality). Practical problems and approaches to testing and operating inhalation exposure systems and the advantages and disadvantages of the major inhalation exposure types (e.g., whole-body, nose-only) are discussed. Important aspects of study design, such as high level particulate exposures resulting in large lung burdens (e.g., greater than or equal to 2 mg/g of lung), slowed pulmonary clearance rates, and nonspecific toxicity are considered, along with practical issues of comparative dosimetry. Regulatory guidelines have continued to present challenges in designing and conducting acute, subchronic, and chronic inhalation studies. The important regulatory issue of performing acute inhalation toxicity studies at high aerosol concentrations and "respirable" particle size distribution is discussed.
Lipid mass spectrometry: A path traveled for 50 years

In the middle of the 1960s, I began graduate school and at the same time started on the path of using mass spectrometry to gain insight into various aspects of lipid biochemistry. This was not a straight path but one that went from organic geochemistry, to lunar sample analysis, to a pursuit of the structure of an elusive and very active, lipid mediator slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A). The discovery of the structure of SRS-A opened important questions about phospholipid biochemistry and the arachidonate cycle in cells. I have written this reflection to highlight the various advances in mass spectrometry that occurred during this time that had a great impact on our ability to study lipid biochemistry. I specifically applied these new advances to studies of leukotriene biosynthesis in vivo, leukotriene metabolism, and arachidonate-containing phospholipids that are essential in providing arachidonic acid for the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Along the way, imaging mass spectrometry was shown to be a powerful tool to probe lipids as they exist in tissue slices. We found this as just one of the ways to use the emerging technology of lipidomics to study human pathophysiology. Our studies of neutral lipids and oxidized phospholipids were especially challenging due to the total number of molecular species that could be found in cells. Many challenges remain in using mass spectrometry for lipid studies, and a few are presented.
The Role of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Reducing Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Heart Transplant Patients.

Abstract Background Methods for reducing major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients after heart transplantation (HTx) are critical for long-term quality outcomes. Methods and Results Patients with cardiopulmonary exercise testing prior to HTx and at least 1 session of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after HTx were included. Exercise sessions were evaluated as ≥ 23 or Conclusions After adjustment for covariates of age, sex, diabetes, body mass index, and pre-HTx peak oxygen consumption, CR attendance of ≥ 23 exercise sessions was predictive of lower MACE risk following HTx. In post-HTx patients, CR was associated with MACE prevention and should be viewed as a critical tool in post-HTx treatment strategies.
Multi-Vehicle Trajectory Design During Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control Platoon Formation:

Cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) organizes connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) in platoons to improve traffic flow and reduce fuel consumption. Platoon formation involves a very compl...
It is time to put hurricane preparedness on the radar for individuals living with spinal cord injury

Hurricane Dorian’s devastating trajectory over the Northwest Bahamas was the most recent Atlantic storm to call attention to the catastrophic impact of climate change. Although disasters create adversities for all members of the affected population, people with disabilities and special medical needs are disproportionately challenged by such events and are more vulnerable to the conditions they create. This point-counterpoint series highlights the hardships faced by individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) when disasters strike. This commentary focuses on the time-urgent need to improve storm readiness among at-risk individuals living with SCI before the start of the upcoming hurricane season. We review the evidence indicating that tropical cyclones are becoming increasingly destructive in the era of climate change and consider how this trend may magnify the difficulties that those with SCI may experience before, during, and in the aftermath of a hurricane. We then review the ways in which health professionals caring for individuals with SCI can help them better prepare for hurricanes while also enhancing their own readiness to provide care during and after an extreme storm.
Strategic property buyouts to enhance flood resilience: a multi-criteria spatial approach for incorporating ecological values into the selection process

The impact of recent flood events, such as hurricane Harvey in 2017 which affected the upper Texas coastal region, has sparked new proposals for buying out damaged properties to reduce flood risk a...
Centrosomes are required for proper β-catenin processing and Wnt response

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is central to metazoan development and routinely dysregulated in cancer. Wnt/β-catenin signaling initiates transcriptional reprogramming upon stabilization of the transcription factor β-catenin, which is otherwise posttranslationally processed by a destruction complex and degraded by the proteasome. Since various Wnt signaling components are enriched at centrosomes, we examined the functional contribution of centrosomes to Wnt signaling, β-catenin regulation, and posttranslational modifications. In HEK293 cells depleted of centrosomes we find that β-catenin synthesis and degradation rates are unaffected but that the normal accumulation of β-catenin in response to Wnt signaling is attenuated. This is due to accumulation of a novel high-molecular-weight form of phosphorylated β-catenin that is constitutively degraded in the absence of Wnt. Wnt signaling operates by inhibiting the destruction complex and thereby reducing destruction complex-phosphorylated β-catenin, but high-molecular-weight β-catenin is unexpectedly increased by Wnt signaling. Therefore these studies have identified a pool of β-catenin effectively shielded from regulation by Wnt. We present a model whereby centrosomes prevent inappropriate β-catenin modifications that antagonize normal stabilization by Wnt signals.
Development of CNS metastases in breast cancer patients treated with curative intent: a case–control study

Background: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors that may predispose breast cancer patients to the development of CNS metastases. Materials & methods: We conducted a matched case-control study of breast cancer patients treated with surgery with curative intent. A total of 71 cases and 71 controls were analyzed, matched by year of surgery. Results: In our multivariable model, positive lymph node status (odds ratio [OR]: 5.08; CI: 2.04-12.65), the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR: 6.02; CI: 2.06-17.57) and triple-negative breast cancer (OR: 5.44; CI: 1.99-14.90) were statistically significant predictors of the development of CNS metastases. Conclusion: Women with certain risk factors have an increased odds of developing CNS metastases and evaluation of utility in brain metastases screening should be considered.
Diversity in Pacific Slender-Toed Geckos, Nactus pelagicus Complex (Reptilia: Squamata), of New Guinea and Adjacent Islands

The diversity within the genus Nactus is slight in comparison to the other Australasian genus of narrow-toed geckos (Cyrtodactylus). The latter now has more than 290 species, with over half of these species newly described in the twenty-first century. In contrast, prior to this study, 12 Nactus species were recognized formally in the recent herpetological literature: three species in the Mascarene Islands, two in the Pacific Islands, three in Australia, and six in New Guinea and associated island groups. Three of these New Guinea species are miniature (snout–vent length ≤ 40 mm) species, and three are in the pelagicus complex; with the exception of the recently described N. kunan, all other New Guinean populations were labeled N. pelagicus even though they were known to be bisexual species and differed from the unisexual N. pelagicus of Oceania. Considering only bisexual New Guinean “pelagicus,” my morphological analyses recognize 24 distinct populations for which I provide new names or resurrected species names from synonymies. Of these 24, two species are extralimital (Morotai and Kei Islands). The sampling of Nactus in Indonesia Papua is very poor, with only one specimen from the base of the Vogelkop, two from south coast drainages, and more than a dozen from islands from the east coast of Cenderawasih Bay; the remainder derive from Papua New Guinea (PNG). The Indonesia Papua populations represent four species, two of which are shared with PNG. Papua New Guinea thus has a total of 20 species, varying from widespread species (e.g., north coast of main Papua to the Sepik-Ramu area) to a single locality in Madang or single islands in the Louisiade Archipelago. Most distributions of the PNG species match at least one other PNG anuran or reptile species. The greatest diversity of PNG species occurs in Madang Province to Huon Peninsula and the Milne Bay mainland with sympatry in both areas. The “pelagicus complex” of species is herein confirmed to be polyphyletic. In spite of its use in this study, its subsequent use should be restricted to the unisexual species and their parental species, of which only one (N. multicarinatus) is known. The preceding represents a subgroup within the larger clade of Australian and New Guinean bisexual species. For the present, I do not recommend a name for this group because a molecular phylogenetic analysis will be required to identify the cladogenesis of the Nactus species.
Inequality's Economic and Social Roots: The Role of Social Networks and Homophily

I discuss economic and social sources of inequality and elaborate on the role of social networks in inequality, economic immobility, and economic inefficiencies. The lens of social networks clarifies how the entanglement of people's information, opportunities, and behaviors with those of their peers and communities leads to persistent differences in outcomes across groups in education, employment, health, income and wealth. The key role of homophily in dividing groups within the network is highlighted. A network perspective's policy implications differ substantially from a strictly economic perspective. I discuss the importance of ``policy cocktails'' that include aspects that are aimed at both the economic and social forces driving inequality.
Poverty and Deprivation in America

We offer a general discussion of deprivation and poverty, emphasizing their similar natures to demonstrate the multidimensionality of poverty. This is followed by the introduction of three measures of poverty/deprivation—the United States’ Official Poverty Measure (OPM), its Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). By comparing and contrasting the MPI to the OPM and the SPM, we stress the relative narrowness of income-based measures of poverty and the comparative broadness of the multidimensional approach. The chapter concludes with a “road map” that informs readers of the scope and aims of this book and that serves to refocus attention before we proceed to review the related literature and to a more detailed discussion of multidimensional poverty measurement.
A Soft Robot for Peripheral Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancers and is often diagnosed by performing biopsies with the use of a bronchoscope. However, this diagnostic procedure is limited in ability to explor...
Cardiogenic shock complicating multisystem inflammatory syndrome following COVID-19 infection: a case report.

With the high prevalence of COVID-19 infections worldwide, the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) is becoming an increasingly recognized entity. This syndrome presents in patients several weeks after infection with COVID-19 and is associated with thrombosis, elevated inflammatory markers, hemodynamic compromise and cardiac dysfunction. Treatment is often with steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). The pathologic basis of myocardial injury in MIS-A, however, is not well characterized. In our case report, we obtained endomyocardial biopsy that revealed a pattern of myocardial injury similar to that found in COVID-19 cardiac specimens. A 26-year-old male presented with fevers, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 5 weeks after his COVID-19 infection. His SARS-CoV-2 PCR was negative and IgG was positive, consistent with prior infection. He was found to be in cardiogenic shock with biventricular failure, requiring inotropes and diuretics. Given concern for acute fulminant myocarditis, an endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) was performed, showing an inflammatory infiltrate consisting predominantly of interstitial macrophages with scant T lymphocytes. The histologic pattern was similar to that of cardiac specimens from COVID-19 patients, helping rule out myocarditis as the prevailing diagnosis. His case was complicated by persistent hypoxemia, and a computed tomography scan revealed pulmonary emboli. He received IVIg, steroids, and anticoagulation with rapid recovery of biventricular function. MIS-A should be considered as the diagnosis in patients presenting several weeks after COVID-19 infection with severe inflammation and multi-organ involvement. In our case, EMB facilitated identification of MIS-A and guided therapy. The patient’s biventricular function recovered with IVIg and steroids.
Genetic Risks of Ovarian Cancer

Although most cases of ovarian cancer occur sporadically, some families carry germline mutations that can increase the risk for developing ovarian and other cancers substantially. Practitioners need to recognize characteristics of an individual patient or family to identify those who are more likely to carry one of these mutations and who might benefit from genetic testing. There is not a known gene that increases the risk only for ovarian cancer. Mutations in two well-established genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase the risk substantially for both breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Mutations in other more recently discovered and less common cancer susceptibility syndrome genes increase the risk for ovarian cancer, along with increasing the risk for several other cancers specific to each syndrome. A thorough family medical history can identify relatives whose medical history may be related to the current patient’s situation. It is also necessary to understand the strategies to follow in identifying which family member is most informative for initial testing, how to interpret the test results, and what to recommend regarding testing for relatives. For patients at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer due to germline mutations, guidelines have been published with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality among those at highest risk.
Book Review: A History of AIDS Social Work in Hospitals: A Daring Response to an Epidemic

Editors: Barbara I. Willinger and Alan Rice Reviewer: J. Gary Linn, Ph.D., Professor, School of Nursing and Center for Health Research, Tennessee State University Publisher: Binghamton, NY: Haworth, 2003 Paper, ISBN: 0 7890-1587-0, 360 pages Cost: $39.95
Advanced Topics in Layer 3 BGP/MPLS Virtual Private Networks

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Routing between CE and PE Differentiated VPN treatment in the core Route reflectors and VPNs Scalability discussion Convergence times in a VPN network Security issues QoS in a VPN scenario IPv6 VPNs Conclusion References Further reading Study questions
Local antibiotic therapy strategies in orthopaedic trauma: Practical tips and tricks and review of the literature

The use of local antibiotics for the prevention of infection in the setting of open fractures and as part of the treatment of osteomyelitis is well established. Antibiotics are most commonly incorporated into polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement, which can then be formed into beads, moulded to fit a bone defect or used to coat a guide wire or IM nail. Newer delivery vehicles and techniques are being evaluated to improve upon these methods. Many factors influence how local antibiotics are applied. Treatment strategies are challenging to standardise due to the variability of clinical presentations. The presence of hardware, upper versus lower extremity, healed versus non-healed fracture and quality of soft tissues overlying the affected bone, as well as patients' comorbidities all need to be considered. Despite the accepted use of local antibiotic therapy in orthopaedic trauma, high-quality evidence regarding the use of local antibiotics is lacking. Indications, techniques, dosages, types of antibiotics, elution properties and pharmacokinetics are poorly defined in the clinical setting. The purpose of our manuscript is to review current strategies and provide practical tips for local application of antibiotics in orthopaedic trauma. We focus on delivery vehicles, types of antibiotics, dosage recommendations when mixed with PMMA and indications.
Diarios on line: Efectos de los comentarios generados por usuarios

El siguiente articulo explora los efectos que la presencia de comentarios tiene en la percepcion de calidad del medio que entrega la noticia y pretende aportar nuevas aristas al debate sobre la actitud que deberian tener editores de periodicos online frente a las opiniones generadas por los usuarios. Tomando como base la tendencia que mostro la poblacion norteamericana en la eleccion del 2008 en el consumo de noticias online, el articulo tambien analiza las consecuencias que los comentarios podrian generar en la imagen de los candidatos y plantea una serie de interrogantes que deberan considerar los equipos comunicacionales de los postulantes a la presidencia en las elecciones de diciembre. Palabras clave: calidad periodistica; diarios on line; sentido de comunidad on line; comentarios. This paper explores the effects that comments have on readers’ perception about journalistic quality. It aims to contribute with a new perspective concerning the debate about the attitude that online newspapers’ editors should have regarding users’ opinions. Based on the main trends that showed the American population in the last presidential election regarding the use of news websites, this paper also analyses some of the consequences that comments might produce on candidates’ images and asks relevant questions to be considered by strategic communicators for the next Chilean presidential elections. Keywords: Journalistic quality; online newspaper; sense of online community; comments.
Trap-loss collisions of 85 Rb and 87 Rb : Dependence on trap parameters

We report on measurements of trap-loss collisions between ultracold Rb atoms that are confined in a magneto-optical trap. Both isotopes, ${}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ and ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb},$ have been studied over a wide range of trap laser intensities and detunings. The trap-loss collisional rate constant exhibits variations over three orders of magnitude. At low intensities and/or large detunings, the trap loss is dominated by ground-state hyperfine-changing collisions, while at high intensities and small detunings, collisions involving excited atoms are more important. We see significant differences between the isotopes in both regimes. At large detunings, the ability of the trap to recapture products of a hyperfine-changing collision is significantly diminished. This finding is supported by our numerical simulations of the recapture process. The trap loss rates due to collisions with room-temperature background gas have also been measured. A surprisingly large increase in this rate is seen when the confining power of the trap is reduced.
Conflict Management in the Ethiopian Multi-national Federation: A Critical Examination

Both policy-makers and scholars have turned their attention to federalism - or decentralized governance - as a means for managing conflict between central governments and sub-national groups as well as conflict among sub-national groups themselves. Both the theoretical literature and the empirical track record of federations point to federalism’s ability to manage conflicts of diversity and preserve peace. More particularly, multi-national federalism has considerable, albeit critical support, among contemporary academics (Hechter 2000, Linz 1997, Keating 2001, Kymlicka, 1998, Kymlicka 2001, Moore 2001, Stepan 1999, Watts 1999, McGarry and O’Leary 1993, O’Leary 2001).This paper argues that multi-national federalism is the sure way to peace and development in Ethiopia, as it is the only way to manage the Ethiopian ethnic diversity peacefully, democratically and respectfully. The paper attempts to explore the evolution of Ethiopian multi-national federation against the back drop of its recent political and legal history. Given its history of gross and systematic group domination and discrimination (ethnic, religious, linguistic, etc.), the adoption of a multi-national federation is not a luxury that Ethiopia can afford but a necessity. The adoption of a multi-national federation was necessitated by the urgency and intensity of the need to address the claims of the country’s ethnic groups of historic discrimination and inequality, and to build a multi-national democracy. The multi-national nature of the new Ethiopian federation can be gathered from the following three sites. First, the 1995 Federal constitution vests sovereign powers with the nations, nationalities, and peoples of the country (Article 8). Second, the Federal constitution entitles the nations, nationalities, and peoples the right to self-determination including and up to secession (Article 39). Third, all Ethiopia’s nations, nationalities, and peoples have equal representation in the House of Federation (HoF), which is vested with the ultimate power to interpret the constitution (Article 39 cum 61-62). The paper aims to explore the institutions, policies, and practices of conflict management in the context of Ethiopian multi-national federation.
CHIDIM: A FORTRAN Program for Assessing the Dimensionality of Binary Item Responses Based on Mcdonald's Nonlinear Factor Analytic Model:

The assumption of unidimemsionality is central to most item response theory (IRT) models. Procedures based on McDonald's nonlinear factor analytic model and accompanying principle of weak local independence have proven to be useful with respect to identifying the number of dimensions underlying a set of binary item responses. In particular, an approximate chi-square statistic, which tests the null hypothesis that the off-diagonal elements of a residual correlation matrix are equal to zero after fitting an m-factor model to a set of item responses, was shown to be accurate in identifying the true number of dimensions underlying various simulated test structures. This article briefly describes CHIDIM, a FORTRAN computer program that calculates the approximate chi-square statistic. The use of the program and the interpretation of the results are illustrated through a simulated data set.
Which States Enter into Treaties, and Why?

Treaties are the primary source of international law. But little is known about which countries enter into treaties, which forms the treaties take, and which subjects they address. We present an exploratory analysis of a unique dataset of roughly 50,000 treaties ratified since 1946. We hypothesize that states enter treaties in order to obtain public goods but that the transaction costs of negotiating and enforcing treaties also limit the value of treaties. Simple predictions are that larger and richer states should benefit more from cooperation: therefore, they should be parties to more treaties. Older, less corrupt, and (again) larger states should face lower transaction costs and should belong to more treaties. Consistent with this prediction, these states enter into more bilateral treaties and "closed" multilateral treaties, but universal multilateral treaties where the benefits of cooperation are more attenuated and the costs of negotiation are low for small states.
Application of a New Peroxide Indicator Reaction to the Specific, Automated Determination of Glucose with Glucose Oxidase

We describe an automated, colorimetric determination of glucose in biological fluids that combines the specificity of glucose oxidase and of a new peroxide indicator reaction. In the presence of peroxidase, 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone oxidatively couples with N,N-dimethylaniline to form a stable, intensely colored, water-soluble indamine dye, the concentration of which is proportional to that of the third reactant, hydrogen peroxide. This reaction, used earlier to determine uric acid [Clin. Chem. 17, 1154 (1971)], is substantially less affected by negative interference of reducing substances than are previously described peroxide indicators. Results from use of AutoAnalyzers I and II and this method were compared with those from a manual spectrophotometric hexokinase/glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase procedure, and showed good correlation for specimens from patients. The automated methods are suitable for measuring glucose in serum, plasma from fluoride-or iodoacetate-preserved blood, urine (without ion-exchange pretreatment), or cerebrospinal fluid. They eliminate the problem of falsely high results caused by medication or reducing metabolites associated with uremia, in methods in which alkaline ferricyanide or copper—neocuproine is used.
Exposure testing of dielectric liquids for aircraft EHD heat exchanger applications

An eight-week test evaluated long-term exposure effects of pulsed high voltage electric fields on fluid properties. Two electronics cooling fluids suitable for aviation use were tested: FC-72, a perfluorocarbon, and PAO, or polyalphaolefin, a dielectric cooling oil. These fluids were exposed to approximately 10,000 on-off cycles and tested for changes in fluid physical and electrical properties and chemical composition. Test results showed no significant changes in FC-72 properties, but a substantial reduction in the dielectric strength and increase in electrical conductivity of PAO. Further testing is required to isolate the cause of these changes.
Localized staging of prostate carcinoma: Comparison of transrectal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging

To evaluate the usefulness of two new imaging modalities in the clinical staging of prostate cancer the following study was done. Twelve patients with biopsy-proved carcinoma of the prostate were evaluated preoperatively with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis and transrectal ultrasound of the prostate. The main parameters evaluated were the ability of these two modalities to accurately predict capsular penetration and seminal vesicle involvement in these 12 patients: 10 went on to pelvic lymph node dissections, and 8 had radical retropubic prostatectomies. Thus the preoperative studies could be compared to the pathologic results. Based on our results we believe transrectal ultrasonography is more accurate in the assessment of seminal vesicle involvement and comparable to MRI in determining capsular penetration. Because of the lower cost of ultrasound we believe it to be both an economical and accurate way to preoperatively stage prostate carcinoma.
Electrophysiologic sequelae of chronic myocardial infarction: local refractoriness and electrographic characteristics of the left ventricle.

Abstract Ventricular tachycardia (VT) has been shown to arise from ischemically damaged left ventricular myocardium, which possesses heterogeneity of refractoriness and activation. Catheter techniques were used to study left ventricular refractoriness using the strength-interval relation and activation by local electrographic characteristics in 8 patients with and 6 patients without previous myocardial infarction (MI). Noninfarcted myocardium in patients with and without previous MI was similar overall with respect to refractoriness and excitability, whereas local electrographic duration in MI patients was longer (66 ± 2 vs 52 ± 3 ms, p
Deciphering the inert atmosphere degradation patterns in hybrid silicones

Abstract Structurally similar silicone ceramers were synthesized by sol–gel processing of organic silanes. The chemical structures of the hardened ceramer materials were investigated by studying the gaseous products produced during elevated temperature heating. Fourier transformation infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were utilized to study the degradation phenomenon in the ceramers. The pyrolyzed residues were analyzed by Raman and 29Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The surfaces of the residues were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results from the characterization techniques were utilized to investigate the degradation mechanisms of the ceramer materials.
Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3-Beta (GSK3-β) inhibitors decrease protein degradation in L6 myotubes

Abstract Introduction. Previous reports suggest that inhibition of GSK3-β results in muscle hypertrophy. Muscle hypertrophy may result from increased protein synthesis, decreased protein degradation, or a combination of both processes. The effect of GSK3-β inhibition on protein degradation in skeletal muscle has not been reported. We tested the hypothesis that the GSK3-β inhibitors lithium chloride (LiCl), SB216763, and SB415286 decrease protein degradation in cultured L6 myotubes. Methods. Fully-differentiated, cultured L6 myotubes, a rat skeletal muscle cell line, were treated with LiCl, SB216763, or SB415286 for 24 h. Protein degradation was assessed by measuring the release of TCA-soluble 3 H-tyrosine from proteins that had been pre-labeled with the amino acid. Results. Treatment of cultured myotubes with the GSK3-β inhibitors resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in protein degradation. Results in the Table show the maximal inhibition (24–30%) caused by the GSK3-β inhibitors. Conclusions. This study provides evidence that inhibition of GSK3-β reduces protein degradation in skeletal muscle cells. The hypertrophy reported previously following inhibition of GSK3-β may, at least in part, be due to a decrease in protein breakdown. TABLE—ABSTRACT P26 . − Inhibitor + Inhibitor LiCl 25 mM 13.7 ± 0.2 10.0 ± 0.1 ∗ SB216763 25 μM 11.5 ± 0.3 8.8 ± 0.5 ∗ SB415286 100 μM 12.8 ± 0.3 8.9 ± 0.8 ∗ Note. Protein degradation (%/24 hours) in myotubes treated with GSK3-β inhibitors. Results are means ± SEM with n = 6 per group. ∗ P versus no inhibitor by ANOVA.
Thermodynamics and surface chemistry

Equilibrium in Solutions; Surface and Colloid Chemistry. By G. Scatchard. Pp. xxxv + 306. (Harvard University: Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, 1976.) £20.40.
Propentofylline attenuates allodynia, glial activation and modulates GABAergic tone after spinal cord injury in the rat.

In this study, we evaluated whether propentofylline, a methylxanthine derivative, modulates spinal glial activation and GABAergic inhibitory tone by modulation of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)65, the GABA synthase enzyme, in the spinal dorsal horn following spinal cord injury (SCI). Sprague–Dawley rats (225–250 g) were given a unilateral spinal transverse injury, from dorsal to ventral, at the T13 spinal segment. Unilateral spinal injured rats developed robust bilateral hindlimb mechanical allodynia and hyperexcitability of spinal wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in the lumbar enlargement (L4–L5) compared to sham controls, which was attenuated by intrathecal (i.t.) administration of GABA, dose-dependently (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 μg). Western blotting and immunohistochemical data demonstrated that the expression level of GAD65 protein significantly decreased on both sides of the lumbar dorsal horn (L4/5) after SCI (p < 0.05). In addition, astrocytes and microglia showed soma hypertrophy as determined by increased soma area and increased GFAP and CD11b on both sides of the lumbar dorsal horn compared to sham controls, respectively (p < 0.05). Intrathecal treatment with propentofylline (PPF 10 mM) significantly attenuated the astrocytic and microglial soma hypertrophy and mechanical allodynia (p < 0.05). Additionally, the Western blotting and immunohistochemistry data demonstrated that i.t. treatment of PPF significantly prevented the decrease of GAD65 expression in both sides of the lumbar dorsal horn following SCI (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our present data demonstrate that propentofylline modulates glia activation and GABAergic inhibitory tone by modulation of GAD65 protein expression following spinal cord injury.
Forensic psychological public safety risk assessment integrated with culturally responsive treatment for juvenile fire setters: DSM‐5 implications

Purpose – This paper aims to present an overview of a variety of risk assessment issues that are of particular relevance for work with juvenile fire setters in clinical and forensic settings. The paper seeks to consider Juvenile Fire Setting (JFS)‐Youthful Misuse of Fire (YMF) across a broad array of clinical domains, including developmental, prognostic, and the diagnostic utility anticipated by using the DSM‐5. National standards and risk assessment levels are to be examined.Design/methodology/approach – The paper includes a comprehensive review of the research and practices related to juvenile fire setters. This review included assessment and intervention resources that are used in diverse practice environments. The authors reviewed the literature to establish a nexus between risk assessment and community‐based interventions which were illustrated by a nationally recognized YMF mental health program (FATJAM).Findings – The paper provides empirically‐based insights into key issues for working with these ...
Modeling of the tracking system components of the laser satellite communication systems

High data rate of laser communication systems should be matched by wide operational bandwidth of beam positioning. This could be achieved by the application of non-mechanical beam steering technologies utilizing acousto-optic phenomena. Major components of acousto-optic beam steering systems, a Bragg cell and a quadrant detector, are subjected to comprehensive laboratory testing and characterization as components of a control system. Mathematical and computer simulation model of the entire steering system, addressing system dynamics, cross-coupling of azimuth and elevation channels, and nonlinearity, and facilitating synthesis of advanced control laws, is developed.
Examining the Correspondence between Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Achievement: A Case Study Analysis

Four high school students received 11 weeks of a self-regulated learning (SRL) intervention, called the Self-Regulation Empowerment Program (SREP), to improve their classroom-based biology exam scores, SRL, and motivated behaviors. This mixed model case study examined the correspondence between shifts in students’ strategic, regulated behaviors with their performance on classroom-based biology tests. The authors used traditional SRL assessment tools in a pretest-posttest fashion (e.g., self-report questionnaires, teaching rating scales) and gathered SRL data during the intervention using field note observations and contextualized structured interviews. This multidimensional assessment approach was used to establish convergence among the assessment tools and to facilitate interpretation of trends in students’ biology test performance relative to their SRL processes. Key themes in this study included the following: (a) the close correspondence between changes in students SRL, biology exam performance, and SREP attendance; (b) individual variability in student performance, SRL behaviors, and beliefs in response to SREP; and (c) the importance of using a multi-dimensional assessment approach in SRL intervention research. Furthermore, this study provided additional support for the potential effectiveness of SREP in academic contexts.
Preferred microtubules for vesicle transport in lobster axons

The hypothesis that transported vesicles are preferentially associated with a subclass of microtubules has been tested in lobster axons. A cold block was used to collect moving vesicles in these axons; this treatment caused the vesicles to accumulate in files along some of the microtubules. Quantitative analysis of the number of vesicles associated with microtubule segments indicated that lobster axons have two distinct populations of microtubules--transport microtubules that are the preferred substrates for vesicle transport and architectural microtubules that contribute to axonal structure.
The preparation and some reactions of 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachlorophenylmagnesium chloride

Abstract The reaction of pentachlorobenzene with metallic magnesium in THF at 10–15°C gives after hydrolysis 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachlorobenzene (76%) and pentachlorobenzene (8%); after trimethylsilylation, 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachloro-3-(trimethylsilyl)benzene (74%), pentachloro(trimethylsilyl)benzene (8%) and 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachlorobenzene (6%); after iodination, 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachloroiodobenzene (44%), pentachloroiodobenzene (12%) and 1, 2, 4, 5-tetrachlorobenzene (9%); and finally after carbonation, 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachlorobenzoic acid (58%). These products indicate that in the Grignard reaction a mixture of largely 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachlorophenylmagnesium chloride and some pentachlorophenylmagnesium chloride is formed. The formation pentachlorophenylmagnesium chloride is explained on the basis of metal—hydrogen exchange reaction between 2, 3, 5, 6-tetrachlorophenylmagnesium chloride and the unreacted pentachlorobenzene.
LIFE‐SPAN EDUCATION: A NEED FOR RESEARCH WITH MEANINGFUL PROSE

The movement in favor of lifelong education has grown rapidly in the last 5 years and has provided the impetus for changing our philosophy and ideas concerning the critical needs and requirements for education and training for all age groups, including the elderly. Numerous authors, having questioned the notions of universal decline in various cognitive and intellectual abilities as a function of age, have begun to seek new approaches to studying the learning and memory performance of elderly groups and to place more emphasis on solving real‐life, applied problems. Although there is this current emphasis on and critical need for extracting practical principles and teaching methods for use in the newly designed and future education and training programs for the elderly, it does not appear to be possible to generalize from the existing literature. Virtually all of the research in learning and memory has concentrated on analog tasks with unconnected words, digits, and letters, which may not be generalizable ...
Evaluation of residual patient position variation for spinal radiosurgery using the Novalis image guided system.

Purpose: The Novalis system has been demonstrated to achieve accurate target localization on anthropomorphic phantoms. However, other factors, such as rotational deviation, patient intrafraction motion, and image fusion uncertainty due to patient body deformation, could contribute additional position uncertainty for actual patients. This study evaluates such position uncertainty for spinal radiosurgery patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two consecutive spinal radiosurgery patients were included in the study. Rotational deviation was evaluated from 6-deg of freedom (6D) fusion results for all patients. The combined uncertainty of patient motion and image fusion was determined from fusion results of additional kV x-rayimages acquired before, during, and after treatment for 25 of the 52 patients. The uncertainty of image fusion was also evaluated by performing 6D fusion ten different times with various regions of interest in the images selected for fusion. This was performed for two patients with L3 and T2 lesions, respectively, for comparison. Results: The mean rotational deviation was 0.7 ± 1.8 , 0.7 ± 1.5 , and 0.7 ± 1.6 deg along the yaw, roll, and pitch directions, respectively. The combined uncertainty from patient motion and image fusion was 0.1 ± 0.9 , 0.2 ± 1.2 , and 0.2 ± 1.0 mm in the anteroposterior (AP), longitudinal, and lateral directions, respectively. The uncertainty (standard deviation) due to image fusion was less than 0.28 mm in any direction for the L3 lesion and 0.8 mm in the AP direction for the T2 lesion. Conclusion: Overall position uncertainty for spinal radiosurgery patients has been evaluated. Rotational deviation and patient motion were the main factors contributed to position uncertainty for actual patient treatment.