cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A missense variant in the titin gene in Doberman pinscher dogs with familial dilated cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death

The dog provides a large animal model of familial dilated cardiomyopathy for the study of important aspects of this common familial cardiovascular disease. We have previously demonstrated a form of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in the Doberman pinscher breed that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and is associated with a splice site variant in the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) gene, however, genetic heterogeneity exists in this species as well and not all affected dogs have the PDK4 variant. Whole genome sequencing of a family of Doberman pinchers with dilated cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death without the PDK4 variant was performed. A pathologic missense variant in the titin gene located in an immunoglobulin-like domain in the I-band spanning region of the molecule was identified and was highly associated with the disease (p < 0.0001). We demonstrate here the identification of a variant in the titin gene highly associated with the disease in this spontaneous canine model of dilated cardiomyopathy. This large animal model of familial dilated cardiomyopathy shares many similarities with the human disease including mode of inheritance, clinical presentation, genetic heterogeneity and a pathologic variant in the titin gene. The dog is an excellent model to improve our understanding of the genotypic phenotypic relationships, penetrance, expression and the pathophysiology of variants in the titin gene.
Interspecies scaling: predicting clearance of anticancer drugs in humans. A comparative study of three different approaches using body weight or body surface area

From this study it is proposed that the clearance of anti-cancer drugs may be best estimated if they follow the following trend: (i) that if the exponent of the allometric equation (clearance vs body weight) lies between 0.55–0.75 (0.75 was chosen after Kleiber’s power rule (18)), then a simple allometric equation can predict the clearance reasonably well; (ii) if the exponent of the allometric equation lies between 0.75 to approximately 0.90, clearance can be reasonably predicted using CL × MLP; and (iii) if the exponent of the allometric equation is ≥0.90, the clearance can be predicted using the product of clearance and brain weight.
Sexuality and the Partner Relationship During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period.

Although much work has examined the manner in which pregnancy and childbirth disrupt aspects of sexual functioning (i.e., frequency of intercourse), little work has considered how this disruption affects the quality of the partner relationship during the transition to parenthood. In this chapter, research investigating sexual functioning during pregnancy and the postpartum period is reviewed. It is evident that sexual functioning during pregnancy and the postpartum period changes as compared to sexual functioning prior to conception. Patterns of sexual activity are variable, but the frequency of sexual activity generally declines throughout pregnancy and slowly begins to increase around the second month postpartum (cf. von Sydow, 1999). Other variables such as sexual interest and arousal appear to follow a similar pattern, although there is a subset of individuals who experience increased interest during this time period. There are a wide variety of factors that affect sexual functioning during pregnancy and the postpartum period, such as breastfeeding status, parity, age, and subjective experiences of pain. However, a number of methodological limitations temper the conclusions that can be drawn from this literature, and research in this area to date has been largely atheoretical. Future researchers are encouraged to consider changes in sexual functioning in light of changes in the quality of the partner relationship and identify the factors that might enhance this relationship at a time when sexual activity is occurring at a relatively low level.
Point/Counterpoint: Nonarticulating vs Articulating Spacers for Resection Arthroplasty of the Knee or Hip

Two-stage exchange arthroplasty remains the gold standard for chronic total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty infections in North America. Cement spacers impregnated with high-dose antibiotics have been successfully used in the interim period of the 2-stage exchange process. A number of spacers have been described; however, this article will focus on articulating spacers. In the presence of an intact extensor mechanism (for TKA), reasonable soft tissue envelope, and adequate bone, articulating antibiotic spacers provide several advantages. These include an infection eradication rate of approximately 90%, higher range of motion after reimplantation, and lower complication rates when compared with nonarticulating spacers. In the appropriate patient, articulating antibiotic spacers are an effective and a safe treatment for infected TKAs and total hip arthroplasties.
Anti-tumor and immune modulating activity of T cell induced tumor-targeting effectors (TITE)

Adoptive transfer of Bispecific antibody Armed activated T cells (BATs) showed promising anti-tumor activity in clinical trials in solid tumors. The cytotoxic activity of BATs occurs upon engagement with tumor cells via the bispecific antibody (BiAb) bridge, which stimulates BATs to release cytotoxic molecules, cytokines, chemokines, and other signaling molecules extracellularly. We hypothesized that the release of BATs Induced Tumor-Targeting Effectors (TITE) by this complex interaction of T cells, bispecific antibody, and tumor cells may serve as a potent anti-tumor and immune-activating immunotherapeutic approach. In a 3D tumorsphere model, TITE showed potent cytotoxic activity against multiple breast cancer cell lines compared to control conditioned media (CM): Tumor-CM (T-CM), BATs-CM (B-CM), BiAb Armed PBMC-CM (BAP-CM) or PBMC-CM (P-CM). Multiplex cytokine analysis showed high levels of Th1 cytokines and chemokines; phospho-protein signaling array data suggest that the prominent JAK1/STAT1 pathway may be responsible for the induction and release of Th1 cytokines/chemokines in TITE. In xenograft breast cancer models, IV injections of 10× concentrated TITE (3×/week for 3 weeks; 150 μl TITE/injection) was able to inhibit tumor growth significantly (ICR/scid, p < 0.003; NSG p < 0.008) compared to the control mice. We tested the key components of the TITE for immune activating and anti-tumor activity individually and in combinations, the combination of IFN-γ, TNF-α and MIP-1β recapitulates the key activities of the TITE. In summary, master mix of active components of BATs–Tumor complex-derived TITE can provide a clinically controllable cell-free platform to target various tumor types regardless of the heterogeneous nature of the tumor cells and mutational tumor.
Peer Delinquency among Digital Natives: The Cyber Context as a Source of Peer Influence:

Objectives:This study examines the influence of online peers who are not regularly seen in person by considering if online, pro-delinquent support is associated with self-reported delinquency indep...
Asynchronous stochastic computing (ASC), asynchronous stream processing (ASP), and asynchronous impulse radio (AIR) for energy-harvested ubiquitous sensing at the edge

There are two complementary requirements for implementing energy-harvested applications: the energy harvesting solution and the ultra-low power (ULP) requirements for the circuits. We address the ULP requirements by combining logically consistent design methodologies based on asynchronous streams to provide the essential blocks for a miniaturized ULP “mote.” First, we use an asynchronous stream data representation enabled by the use of continuous time Sigma-Delta modulators as analog-to-stream converters of sensor inputs. Second, we use Asynchronous Stream Processing (ASP) for ULP algorithms equivalent to DSP algorithms. Third we use Asynchronous Stochastic Computing (ASC) for ULP computations, including Machine applications such as Random Forest. Finally, we use Asynchronous Impulse Radio (AIR) UWB as a direct stream-to-radio mapping for compact wireless communication closes the loop for a ULP IoT mote from sensor input to wireless link.
Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies among Firefighters/Paramedicsof a U.S. Fire Department

Background/Aim: Given the high risk of hazardous biological exposures encountered by first responders during routine patient rescue, it is critically important that fire departments have access to ...
Improving Predictive Classification Models Using Generative Adversarial Networks in the Prediction of Suicide Attempts

A number of machine learning methods can be employed in the prediction of suicide attempts. However, many models do not predict new cases well in cases with unbalanced data. The present study impro...
Reflective functioning and teacher burnout: the mediating role of self-efficacy

Teacher burnout is a mental state resulting from job strain that arises when teachers lack the adequate coping abilities to successfully handle the demands of the teaching profession. When compared...
The expression of GAP-43 in relation to neuronal growth and plasticity: when, where, how, and why?

Publisher Summary Studies on where and when GAP-43 gets expressed afford a unique opportunity to visualize neuronal differentiation and synaptic organization as they occur in vivo and in culture. Moreover, it is likely that by investigating how the expression of GAP-43 is regulated and how the protein functions physiologically in the cell, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms may gain that underlie growth and plasticity in the nervous system. Prior to their final cell division and process outgrowth, neurons express very little GAP-43 mRNA and protein. This can be seen in embryonic cortical neurons that are grown in culture in the absence of serum, in which case the cells remain viable but fail to extend neurites. During nerve development and regeneration, levels of GAP-43 mRNA increase just prior to the changes in protein levels. A close parallel between levels of the protein and the mRNA is also observed regionally in the human cerebral cortex. Thus, levels of GAP-43 synthesis appear to be determined primarily by the steady-state level of the mRNA.
Efficacy of emotion-focused and problem-focused group therapies for women with fertility problems.

Competing positions exist in the literature regarding whether problem-focused or emotion-focused coping is more useful when one confronts a chronic health-related problem. In this study, 29 infertile women, who on average had been attempting conception for almost 4 years, were assigned to six sessions of training in problem- or emotion-focused coping or to a no-treatment control condition. Problem-focused training produced improvements in general distress and infertility-specific well-being at treatment termination. However, emotion-focused training resulted in greater improvement at a 1-month follow-up. Emotion-focused participants reported less depression and more infertility-specific well-being at 1 month than did controls. At 18 months, problem-focused group members were more likely to have a child than were other participants. Results argue for the efficacy of both emotion-directed and problem-focused interventions in women's adjustment to infertility.
Role of self carriers in the immune response and tolerance. XI. Correlation of Ia expression and interleukin-1 production with delivery of immunogenic signals in vivo by hapten-modified accessory cell-like tumor lines.

Abstract It was recently demonstrated that a lymphoid dendritic-like tumor, P388AD.2, presented hapten-modified self (HMS) in an immunogenic fashion even after injection via the normally “tolerogenic” intravenous (iv) route. To determine whether this property was unique to the P388AD.2 line, other hapten-modified tumors were administered iv and the result of their presentation was measured by changes in the number of splenic plaque-forming cells (PFC) following in vitro challenge with thymic-independent antigens. Of the six tumors tested, two (P388 and J774.5R) primed for augmented PFC responses, while four others (P388NA.10, P388D1, WEHI-231 and 70Z/3) did not. When these tumors were compared for Ia expression and production of interleukin-1 (IL-1), it was discovered that (1) all of the immunogenic tumors were Ia + and IL-1 producing (IL-1 + ), although not all Ia + ,IL-1 + tumors could elicit augmented PFC responses; (2) none of the tumors that were deficient in either Ia expression or IL-1 production could prime B-cell responses in vivo ; and (3) the ability to augment PFC responses was proportional to the density of Ia on the immunogenic tumors. These results demonstrated that P388AD.2 was not the only tumor line capable of presenting HMS iv as an immunogen, and that the accessory cell phenotype is critical for the induction of an immunogenic response in vivo .
Improving author coreference by resource-bounded information gathering from the web

Accurate entity resolution is sometimes impossible simply due to insufficient information. For example, in research paper author name resolution, even clever use of venue, title and coauthorship relations are often not enough to make a confident coreference decision. This paper presents several methods for increasing accuracy by gathering and integrating additional evidence from the web. We formulate the coreference problem as one of graph partitioning with discriminatively-trained edge weights, and then incorporate web information either as additional features or as additional nodes in the graph. Since the web is too large to incorporate all its data, we need an efficient procedure for selecting a subset of web queries and data. We formally describe the problem of resource bounded information gathering in each of these contexts, and show significant accuracy improvement with low cost.
Cryopreserved red blood cells for pediatric transfusion. Frozen storage of small aliquots in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic bags

Human nonrejuvenated and rejuvenated red bood cells were prepared for cryopreservation and subsequent pediatric transfusion. Glycerol was added to the red blood cells in the primary polyvinyl chloride plastic collection bag to achieve a concentration of 40 per cent W/V. The red blood cells were concentrated by centrifugation, and the supernatant glycerol was discarded. Each glycerolized unit was divided into four equal aliquots in the individual 600-ml bags of a dry quadruple polyvinyl chloride plastic system, and each aliquot was frozen and stored at -80 C. After thawing, sodium chloride solutions were used to wash the aliquots in the IBM Blood Processor 2991-1 or 2991-2 or the Haemonetics Blood Processor 115, and the washed aliquots were stored in a sodium chloride-glucose-phosphate solution at 4 C for 24 hours. Freeze-thaw recovery of the red blood cells was about 97 per cent, and freeze-thaw-wash recovery was about 84 per cent. Twenty-four-hour posttransfusion survival values were about 92 per cent for both nonrejuvenated and indated-rejuvenated red blood cells. Nonrejuvenated red blood cells, those frozen within three to five days of collection without biochemical modification, had normal oxygen transport function at the time of transfusion; rejuvenated red blood cells, those biochemically treated with PIGPA Solution A after three to five days of storage at 4 C, had improved oxygen transport function at the time of transfusion.
Clinical Computing in General Dentistry

Abstract Objective Measure the adoption and utilization of, opinions about, and attitudes toward clinical computing among general dentists in the United States. Design Telephone survey of a random sample of 256 general dentists in active practice in the United States. Measurements A 39-item telephone interview measuring practice characteristics and information technology infrastructure; clinical information storage; data entry and access; attitudes toward and opinions about clinical computing (features of practice management systems, barriers, advantages, disadvantages, and potential improvements); clinical Internet use; and attitudes toward the National Health Information Infrastructure. Results The authors successfully screened 1,039 of 1,159 randomly sampled U.S. general dentists in active practice (89.6% response rate). Two hundred fifty-six (24.6%) respondents had computers at chairside and thus were eligible for this study. The authors successfully interviewed 102 respondents (39.8%). Clinical information associated with administration and billing, such as appointments and treatment plans, was stored predominantly on the computer; other information, such as the medical history and progress notes, primarily resided on paper. Nineteen respondents, or 1.8% of all general dentists, were completely paperless. Auxiliary personnel, such as dental assistants and hygienists, entered most data. Respondents adopted clinical computing to improve office efficiency and operations, support diagnosis and treatment, and enhance patient communication and perception. Barriers included insufficient operational reliability, program limitations, a steep learning curve, cost, and infection control issues. Conclusion Clinical computing is being increasingly adopted in general dentistry. However, future research must address usefulness and ease of use, workflow support, infection control, integration, and implementation issues.
Caging, but not air deprivation, slows tadpole growth and development in the amphibian Xenopus laevis

Xenopus laevis tadpoles raised in submerged cages in normoxic water develop more slowly than tadpolesraisedwith accesstoair. Thisstudy distinguishes between the effects of being caged and being deprived access to air on development andgrowth. Tadpoles were raised in high and low density control tanks and in cages in the same tank that were either completely submerged or with the top exposed to air. Experiments were repeated with the cages in different positions relative to the air stones and with and without the water flow from air stones supplemented with a pump. Whereas caging tadpoles has a large effect on their development and growth, additionally depriving them of air has a small effect and this effect can be removed by optimizing water flow through the cage. The effect of caging, though significant in this study, is small compared to the variation in growth and developmental rates that is commonly encountered within and among controls in lab studies. Caging effects can also be diminished by optimizing rearing conditions and/or having exceptionally vigorous tadpoles. The effects of air deprivation and caging thus pose less of a problem for experimenting on air-deprived (AD) and air-restored Xenopus tadpoles than their inherent variability in growth and developmental rates and their susceptibilitytogrowthanddevelopmentalarrest.Further,theeffectofairdeprivationinthisair- breathingamphibiandoesnotposeaconflictwithevolutionaryhypothesesforlunglossinvolving lengthening of the larval period and delay in the onset of air breathing. J. Exp. Zool. 321A:365- 375, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Howtocitethisarticle: RoseCS.2014.Caging, butnotair deprivation,slowstadpolegrowthand development in the amphibian Xenopus laevis. J. Exp. Zool. 321A:365-375.
Differential regulation of macrophage arginine metabolism: a proposed role in wound healing

Nitric oxide (NO) and ornithine, products of NO synthase or arginase, respectively, have opposing biological activities. The effect of mediators of leukocyte activation and inhibition on arginine metabolism of resident mouse peritoneal exudate cells (MPEC) was determined. Factors that increased basal NO synthase activity, interferon (IFN)-gamma and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), decreased arginase activity in intact cells. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 decreased IFN-gamma-stimulated NO synthase activity and produced a reciprocal increase in urea and ornithine release. TGF-beta1 had no effect on the activity of these enzymes in LPS-stimulated MPEC. Corticosterone (Cort, 100 ng/ml) decreased the basal activity of both enzymes. However, Cort inhibited NO synthase activity and increased ornithine release in MPEC exposed to IFN-gamma or LPS. The difference between arginase activity in intact cells vs. that of cell lysates suggested intracellular inhibition of arginase activity. Products of NO synthase, NO and citrulline, were shown to inhibit MPEC arginase activity under maximal assay conditions. Intracellular pH was not altered by exposure of MPEC to LPS, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta, and Cort. This reciprocal change in arginine metabolism is proposed to be an important component of wound healing. Expression of NO synthase creates a cytotoxic environment that may be important to the early phase of wound healing. As wound healing progresses, increased arginase activity produces an environment favorable for fibroblast replication and collagen production.
Linear stiffness compensation using magnetic effect to improve electro-mechanical coupling for piezoelectric energy harvesting

Abstract Piezoelectric transducers have been widely used in vibration-based energy harvesting. The efficiency of piezoelectric energy harvesting depends to a large extent on the electro-mechanical coupling of the harvester. Improvement of the coupling effect is possible through a variety of means from the transducer material-level to the device-level. At the device-level, the coupling effect of a cantilever-type energy harvester is inversely proportional to its mechanical stiffness which consists of the stiffness of the cantilever beam and that of the piezoelectric transducer. The mechanical stiffness, however, cannot be easily reduced because of the necessary inclusion of the cantilever beam and the inherent stiffness of the transducer. Both the beam and the transducer cannot be made arbitrarily thin due to typical design considerations. This paper reports a device-level approach for improvement of energy conversion efficiency by directly compensating the effective stiffness of a cantilever-type vibration energy harvester through magnetic effect. Specifically, two sheet-type permanent magnets are placed in the vicinity of the piezoelectric composite beam, and another slender magnetic bar is attached onto the beam together with an iron proof mass where one of its poles is located between the two magnetic sheets. It is shown analytically and experimentally that, under such configuration, a linear magnetic field yielding linear force pointing toward the magnetic sheets can be produced, which results in the reduction of the effective stiffness of the energy harvester to improve the electro-mechanical coupling. The experimental case studies demonstrate that the electro-mechanical coupling coefficient can be increased by 65% with 44.1% stiffness compensated. Both the open-circuit voltage and the power output are enhanced.
Influence of distribution of lean body mass on resting metabolic rate after weight loss and weight regain: comparison of responses in white and black women

Background: Little is known about the effect of weight change on regional lean body mass (LBM) distribution or on racial differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR). Objective: The study compared total and regional LBM patterns in white and black women after weight loss and regain and assessed the influence of regional LBM on variances in RMR. Design: Eighteen white and 22 black women who did not differ in age, weight, and height were studied 3 times: in the overweight state, after weight reduction to the normal-weight state, and after 1 y without intervention. Total and regional lean and fat masses were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: White and black women did not differ significantly in mean (±SD) weight loss (13.4 ± 3.6 and 12.7 ± 3.2 kg, respectively) and regain (6.1 ± 5.5 and 6.4 ± 5.4 kg, respectively). Black subjects had significantly less trunk LBM and significantly more limb LBM at each time point (P < 0.05). In both races, weight regain was associated with significant increases in limb LBM (P < 0.05) but not in trunk LBM (P = 0.21). RMR, adjusted for total LBM and fat mass, was significantly higher in white women after weight loss (P < 0.01) and regain (P < 0.01). However, no racial difference was found when RMR was adjusted for LBM distribution. Conclusions: In both races, trunk LBM decreased with weight loss and remained lower, despite significant weight regain, which potentially reflected decreased organ mass. Regional LBM distribution explained the racial difference in RMR.
Perceived Benefits and Drawbacks of Disclosure Practices: An Analysis of PLWHAs' Strategies for Disclosing HIV Status.

People living with HIV/AIDS must make decisions about how, where, when, what, and to whom to disclose their HIV status. This study explores their perceptions of benefits and drawbacks of various HIV disclosure strategies. The authors interviewed 53 people living with HIV/AIDS from a large AIDS service organization in a northeastern U.S. state and used a combination of deductive and inductive coding to analyze disclosure strategies and advantages and disadvantages of disclosure strategies. Deductive codes consisted of eight strategies subsumed under three broad categories: mode (face-to-face, non–face-to-face, and third-party disclosure), context (setting, bringing a companion, and planning a time), and content (practicing and incremental disclosure). Inductive coding identified benefits and drawbacks for enacting each specific disclosure strategy. The discussion focuses on theoretical explanations for the reasons for and against disclosure strategy enactment and the utility of these findings for practical...
Infrared Mapping of Oxygen and Correlation with Electrical Measurements on CZ Grown Wafers

Spatial variation of interstitial oxygen concentrations ([O i ]) have been observed in wafers sliced from CZ grown ingots. Oxygen precipitation can occur with subsequent heat treatments causing non-uniform electrical device characteristics across a processed wafer. A new method is presented using infrared absorption measurements to map [O i ]in silicon wafers for correlation with wafer electrical measurements. The new infrared mapping method uses a spectrometer fitted with a software controllable wafer positioner. 100 m m diameter wafers were mapped to show the concentration variations and oxygen precipitation effects resulting from thermal heat treatments. Electrical measurements were made on nearly adjacent wafers from the same ingot and subjected to the same thermal cycling plus a diode-capacitor fabrication process. Two types of electrical measurements were used to map diode-capacitor arrays: reverse leakage current (I r ) and transient reverse recovery lifetime (τ r . The measured values for each device tested were positionally correlated to the fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) [O i ] data. Scatter plots were generated by plotting the electrical measurements as a function of the interpolated concentration data or differential concentration data parameterized at equivalent positions on the wafers. The scatter plots show that the electrical characteristics are strongly dependent on the precipitated oxygen (∆ [O i ]) for larger values of ∆[O i ], but nearly independent for lower ∆[O i ] values.
The clinical application of `edema-weighted' magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of Takayasu's arteritis

Takayasu's arteritis is an inflammatory process affecting medium to large arteries. In about half of cases, constitutional symptoms and laboratory studies do not correlate with disease activity, confounding therapeutic decision making. We present six representative cases of Takayasu's arteritis in which new magnetic resonance imaging sequences for improved morphological and tissue characterization were useful in identifying aortic wall thickening and acute inflammatory changes, respectively. Specifically, fast spin-echo sequences designed to enhance detection of vessel wall edema were included. This information proved useful in guiding clinical decision making, particularly in regard to initiation and monitoring of therapy in our patients.
The Analyst and the Significant Other: Two's Company, Three's a Crowd: Commentary on Paper by Carla Leone

My response to Carla Leone's paper focuses on how psychoanalysts perceive the significant others of their patients is an attempt to both endorse raising this important question and to augment our thinking about it. Leone identifies the dynamic backdrop for the tendency of individual therapists to unquestionably accept their patient's representation of the significant other. From an interpersonal-relational and family systemic perspective, I raise other dynamic possibilities regarding transference and countertransference, the self as co-constructed with the significant other, introduce the importance of attachment theory, and suggest creative ways to keep a balanced view of the partner who is not known to the analyst except through the patient's representation.
Decreasing international HIV transmission: the role of expanding access to opioid agonist therapies for injection drug users

Aims To examine the role of expanded access to opioid agonist treatment as a means to decrease international HIV transmission. Design Review of the English language literature via Medline. Measurements Estimates of prevalence rates for injection drug use, HIV infection and treatment effect sizes for changes in opioid use, opioid injection, needle-sharing, injection-related HIV risk behavior and cost. Findings An estimated 12.6 million injection drug users internationally accounted for 10% of the 4.2 million new HIV infections in 2003. Ninety-three of the 136 countries (68%) that report injection drug use identify HIV infection related to this behavior. Observational studies of methadone treatment demonstrate decreases in opioid use, opioid injection, needle-sharing and lower rates of HIV prevalence and incidence. The effectiveness of buprenorphine in demonstrating similar findings is expected, although implementations and research are still emerging. The cost-effectiveness of opioid agonist treatment has been established. The barriers to international adoption of opioid agonist treatment, despite the research evidence and international guidelines, are discussed. Conclusions Untreated opioid dependence leads to HIV transmission, on an international level. Opioid agonist treatments are associated with reductions in the frequency of opioid use, fewer injections and injection-related HIV risk behaviors and lower rates of HIV prevalence and incidence. Despite international recommendations, treatment for opioid-dependent injection drug users with methadone and buprenorphine is limited. Research, implementation efforts and political strategies to expand access to opioid agonist treatment are needed in order to combat the spread of HIV, especially in the developing world.
Protecting Research Subjects and Unintended Consequences: The Effect of Guarantees of Confidentiality

There is significant concern among researchers and government administrators that individuals who serve as research subjects be protected from risks associated with empirical inquiry. Survey researchers frequently administer guarantees of confidentiality and anonymity in an effort to minimize subjects' psychological harm and to increase the validity of data. This study tests the effect of guarantees of confidentiality and anonymity on (1) the evaluation apprehension of juvenile offenders who provided self-reports of past behavior soon after arrest, (2) their response rates to individual interview items, and (3) the quality of the subjects' responses. Findings are reported and implications for survey researchers are discussed.
Measuring Rotor and Blade Dynamics Using an Optical Blade Tip Sensor

This paper describes an optical measurement system for monitoring combustion turbine blade tips. The sensor measures distance to a blade tip using triangulation of reflected laser light. The system accomplishes triangulation using an optical position sensing device and high speed data acquisition. In this way, it is able to monitor not only average and minimum blade tip clearances, but to monitor the variations of individual blade tip clearances. By appropriate signal processing, it is possible to determine rotor vibration at the probe axial location, variations in shaft DC position, transient losses in blade tip clearance, the potential for tip and seal rubs, vibrations of individual blades in the tangential direction, and rotor torsional vibration at the probe location. Some aspects of blade and torsional vibrations would require more than one probe. The paper presents static calibration data for the measurement system, showing its degree of linearity and range. The paper also presents data obtained on a dynamic blade test rig with tip passing speeds and blade widths comparable to those encountered in high performance industrial combustion turbines. Data from this rig have been processed to show rotor vibration, shift in shaft average position, blade-to-blade tip clearance variation, and variation with speed of minimum blade tip clearance. The measurement system is designed to produce data suitable for use in the monitoring of advanced combustion turbine durability and the diagnosis of turbine functional problems, static and dynamic.© 1990 ASME
Reproductive health in males with cystic fibrosis: knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of patients and parents

Males with cystic fibrosis (CF) are generally infertile as a result of aberrant development of Wolffian duct derivitives. The personal significance of this and related reproductive and sexual health (RSH) issues is unknown. We set out to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences regarding RSH in a group of adolescent and adult males with CF, as well as the knowledge and attitudes of parents. This descriptive study was based on a semi-structured interview utilizing in-depth interview techniques. Questions included aspects of knowledge, attitudes, and experiences. Adolescent (aged 14-17 years) and adult (at least 18 years) males attending the Children's Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, Boston, MA, USA, or hospitalized at the Children's Hospital over that period were eligible; the accompanying parent of the adolescent was also interviewed. Consecutive eligible males were interviewed over a 3 month period. Summary data are presented, attitudinal data are analyzed qualitatively, and a selection of representative transcript data are reported to describe the range of opinions. Fifty males (10 adolescents, 40 adults) participated; this constituted a consecutive sample of 44% of the eligible clinic population. Ninety percent of adults, 60% of adolescents, and 50% of parents knew of male infertility. The mean age (+/-SD) at which adults recalled first hearing this was 16.0 +/- 4.7 years and 13.9 +/- 1.6 years for those adolescents who knew of infertility. Nineteen (48%) of adults and 5 (83%) of adolescents first heard about infertility from their health care providers. Ninety percent reported no major distress upon first hearing about infertility during adolescence. Increasing significance of infertility with maturity was reported by 12 men (30%); only 4 adults (10%) reported that infertility was not a significant aspect of CF. Forty percent knew that males with CF have a small volume ejaculate, but none had been told this by a health care provider. Thirty percent of men had semen analysis performed and all were azoospermic. We conclude that the majority of males with CF know of likely infertility. The significance of this knowledge changes with time. Poor knowledge and confusion surround a range of RSH issues in males with CF.
Auger electron spectroscopy and secondary-ion mass spectroscopy study of interdiffusion in gold-bismuth oxide and aluminium-bismuth oxide thin films

Thin-film bismuth oxide systems were prepared by depositing gold or aluminum on glass substrates, followed by deposition of bismuth over the gold or aluminium metal layer, after which thermal oxidation was carried out to yield a Bi2O3 layer. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) were performed on these thin-film systems. AES results show that the average stoichiometry of bismuth oxide films is represented by Bi2O3. SIMS analysis suggests that the oxidation process results in extensive interdiffusion for the BiOx-Al-glass system. The extent of interdiffusion in the BiOx-Au-glass system is certainly far less extensive than in the BiOx-Al-glass system.
Dissociable effects of the 5-HT2 antagonist mianserin on associative learning and performance in the rabbit

Serotonin 5-HT(2) antagonists that significantly retard the acquisition of classically conditioned responses (CRs) also impair the performance of the unconditioned response (UR). Effects on the UR appear to be due to an inverse agonist action at the 5-HT(2) receptor. These findings raised the possibility that the learning deficits were either secondary to a performance deficit and/or that the retardation of learning was not due to actions at the serotonin 5-HT(2) receptor. In this study, we examined the effects of the 5-HT(2)-receptor antagonists, namely mianserin and D-2-bromolysergic acid diethylamide hydrogen tartrate (BOL), on CR acquisition. We also determined whether the retarded acquisition of CRs produced by mianserin (a) was due to an action at the 5-HT(2) receptor and (b) was secondary to a performance deficit. Effects of drugs on CR acquisition, maintenance, and retention were determined during trace-conditioning of the rabbit's nictitating membrane (NM) response. BOL (0.058 to 5.8 micromol/kg) had no effect on CR acquisition, whereas mianserin (0.1 to 10 micromol/kg) produced a significant and dose-dependent retardation of CR acquisition. The retarded CR acquisition produced by mianserin (10 micromol/kg) was due to its actions at the 5-HT(2) receptor, because this effect was completely blocked by a dose of BOL (5.8 micromol/kg) that had no effect when given alone. Neither maintenance nor retention of learning was affected by mianserin treatment during acquisition. We conclude that mianserin acts as an inverse agonist at the serotonin 5-HT(2) receptor to produce both a retardation of CR acquisition and an impairment of the UR. However, the learning and performance effects of mianserin are separable.
Computational prediction of dust production in pebble bed reactors

Abstract This paper describes the computational modeling and simulation of graphite pebbles in frictional contacts as anticipated in a pebble bed reactor. For the high temperature gas-cooled reactor, the potential dust generation from frictional contact at the surface of pebbles and the subsequent lift-off and transport of dust and absorbed fission products are of safety concern at elevated temperatures under an air ingress accident. The aim of this work is to perform a computational study to estimate the quantity of the nuclear grade graphite dust produces from a typical anticipated configuration.
Raw material variables in flexible vinyl dry blending and extrusion

Medium-molecular-weight resins with medium to high porosity have the best processing characteristics of resins normally used for flexible vinyl. Plasticizers improve dryblending and fusion time by their molecular weight and solvating efficiency. Formulations should account for the effect of ingredients on processing and on expected end-use properties. Flexible vinyl extrusions would then be produced more efficiently and have better physical properties—at lower total cost.
Rare earth element geochemistry and the “tetrad” effect

Abstract The “tetrad” effect is found in the rare earth elements (La-Lu) and results from increased stability at quarter, half, three-quarter, and complete filling of the 4f electron shell. Suggestions that this effect is observed in REE patterns of seawater and other geological samples (marine phases, the mineral kimuraite, late stage granitic rocks, the mineral uraninite, and siliciclastic sediments) are not compelling. In the cases of seawater and the carbonate mineral kimuraite, a discontinuity at Gd may be attributed to the “tetrad” effect but the complexity of the overall controls on these REE distributions leaves such an interpretation uncertain at best. Unusual REE patterns in leucogranites and pegmatites are best explained by fractionation of trace minerals, notably apatite. Apparent “tetrad” anomalies in uraninite REEs disappear when normalised to upper crustal (i.e., shale) abundances. Analytical difficulties probably explain apparent “tetrad” effects in some seawater, limestone, and siliciclastic REE patterns.
The Bovine Pulmonary Inflammatory Response: Adjuvant Pneumonitis in Calves

Twenty one- to two-month-old Holstein, Angus, or Holstein-Angus crossbred calves were given intravenous complete Freund's adjuvant and their lungs were examined at 24 hours to 30 days post-injection. Two calves given intravenous saline served as normal controls. The evolving pulmonary inflammatory response was characterized initially by multifocal vasculitis and acute multifocal exudative pneumonitis which progressed to a granulomatous interstitial pneumonitis by seven days post-injection. Discrete granulomas characterized the lesions in the lungs and lymph nodes at 30 days post-injection, and granulomas also were seen in liver, kidney, and spleen. Clinically, the calves were tachypneic and pyrexic during the first week post-injection. Four calves developed acute pulmonary edema and died during, or shortly after, administration of the adjuvant. This model of experimental pneumonia in calves is similar to complete Freund's adjuvant-induced experimental pneumonia in other species. It is reproducible and predictable in its course of development and resolution, and provides a useful model for studying basic mechanisms of pulmonary inflammatory injury and repair in the bovine lung.
Neonatal hormone experience and adult lordosis and fighting in the golden hamster.

Abstract Androgenization by testicular secretions or exogenous testosterone propionate (TP treatments administered 24–48 hr post partum) suppressed sexual receptivity in the golden hamster. In response to prolonged adult estradiol benzoate (EB) treatment, gonadectomized normal females and neonatally castrated males exhibited significantly longer total lordosis durations than normal males or neonatally TP-treated (20 μg or 200 μg) females. These results suggest that one aspect of androgen-induced masculinization in the hamster involves reduced estrogen sensitivity. Responses to sequential EB followed by progesterone treatment were also lower in the androgenized groups. Neonatally castrated males did not differ significantly from normal females in their lordosis behavior. Irrespective of adult hormone treatment, androgenized animals fought more than normal females or neonatally castrated males. A genital mask was used to reduce sex differences in peripheral stimulation during testing.
The Neutron Absorption Limit in Cadmium

In order to find the high energy absorption limit in Cd the absorption in boron of the transmitted neutrons was measured. The slow neutron absorption coefficient in boron is found to be 38 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/g in agreement with Amaldi and Fermi. The Cd penetrating neutrons are inhomogeneous in energy and therefore are not absorbed exponentially but according to the law $\frac{(1\ensuremath{-}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}x})}{x}$, where $x=\ensuremath{\kappa}\ensuremath{\delta}$, $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ is the absorption coefficient for neutrons just penetrating Cd and $\ensuremath{\delta}$ is the thickness of boron traversed. $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ is found to be 9.5 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/g B. A sheet of Cd 0.5 mm thick reduces the neutron counts to 8.4 percent of the total; 5.7 percent are absorbable in heavy layers of boron. Assuming the $\frac{1}{v}$ law for the absorption of neutrons in boron the absorption limit in Cd is found to be 0.41 ev. With the aid of data from the wheel experiment of Rasetti and collaborators the resonance energy and the half-width are calculated and are ${E}_{r}=0.18$ ev and $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=0.15$ ev, respectively. An estimate is made of the neutron width which turns out to be ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}=1.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ ev.
Orientation of sampling grids for determining the extent of wavefront contamination

Traditionally, sampling grids for the detection of hazardous waste plumes are oriented perpendicularly to the direction of the wavefront of the contaminant. When rotated 45° to the direction of the wavefront, square lattices reduce the maximum waste plume that could go undetected and reduce the number of sampling stations. Improved site characterization and reduced sampling costs can both be achieved through this simple modification.
Urinary Tract Infection at the Age Extremes: Pediatrics and Geriatrics

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and generally benign conditions among healthy, sexually active young women without long-term medical sequelae. In contrast, UTIs are more complicated among those individuals at either end of the age spectrum: infants/young children and geriatrics. UTI in children younger than 2 years has been associated with significant morbidity and long-term medical consequences, necessitating an extensive and somewhat invasive imaging evaluation to identify possible underlying functional or anatomic abnormalities. Pediatric UTI should be considered complicated until proved otherwise, and treatment should reflect the severity of signs and symptoms. Management in the acutely ill child frequently involves parenteral broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, and less ill children can be treated with trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), beta-lactams, and cephalosporins.UTI among older patients (>65 years) may be complicated by comorbidities, the baseline presence of asymptomatic bacteriuria, and benign urinary symptoms that can complicate diagnosis. The etiology of UTI encompasses a broader spectrum of infecting organisms than is seen among younger patients and includes more gram-positive organisms. Symptomatic UTI is generally more difficult to treat than among younger populations. Management should be conservative, of longer treatment durations, and cover a broad spectrum of possible uropathogens. Oral or parenteral treatment with a fluoroquinolone for 7 days is the preferred empiric approach. TMP-SMX can also be considered a first-line agent in women only, but only if the pathogen is known to be TMP-SMX sensitive.
Effects of nest size and dispersion on brood production in a North American population of wood ant Formica fusca (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

We examined several key parameters of the population ecology of a North American population of Formica fusca (L.), including nest dispersion, colony size and brood production. Physical nest size was significantly correlated with colony size, and colony size, in turn, was significantly correlated with brood production. Sex allocation was male biased, although larger nests were more likely to produce reproductive female brood (gynes). Neither nest temperature nor moisture level was significantly correlated with brood production. Formica fusca nests in this population had a comparatively low average nearest-neighbor distance with a significantly even pattern of dispersion, which suggests relatively high intraspecific competition. However, nearest-neighbor distance was not significantly associated with either colony size or relative brood production.