cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An assessment of the effectiveness of health education on controlling of endemic fluorosis in Guizhou province

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of health education on controlling of coal-burning-borne endemic fluorosis(referred to as endemic fluorosis) in Guizhou,and to provide a scientific basis for development of control strategies.Methods A total of 37 counties were selected in Guizhou province,and 3 townships were chosen in each project county.Heath educational activities were carried out in the classes of grade 5 in the Central Primary School of each selected township.In the meantime,3 villages were chosen in each selected township where the health education for women of child-bearing age in the community was carried out.Survey on knowledge questionnaire of endemic fluorosis control was conducted among 30 students of grade 5 in the Central Primary School and 15 women of childbearing age of each selected township before and after the health educational activities.Results The knowing rate of endemic fluorosis control of pupils in all the 37 counties increased from 45.03％(14637/32505) to 89.79％(52898/58910),of women of child-bearing age increased from 38.97％ (5729/14700) to 76.55％(19198/25080) after the health education.Conclusions The knowing rate of endemic fluorosis control among pupils and women of child-bearing age is remarkably increased after implementing the health education projects.They have better life and health habits,and the project has reached desired goal. Key words: Health education; Endemic diseases; Fluoride poisoning; Intervention studies; Environmental pollution, Coal
Pedagogical Impasses: Posthuman Inquiry in Exhaustive Times:

Impasses are often understood as blockages, as preventing something from moving along a desired trajectory. Thinking with Lauren Berlant’s conception of the impasse in the historical present and Ro...
National Database Outcomes of Esophageal Dilations

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To better assess rates of postoperative complications and mortality following esophageal dilation, and to identify factors associated with adverse outcomes. STUDY DESIGN Observational, retrospective cohort study. METHODS We queried a national database of insurance claims for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes representing esophageal dilation performed between 2011 and 2017. Patients aged 18 to 100 who were continuously enrolled with their insurance provider were included. Demographic information, additional CPT codes, concomitant diagnoses, and anticoagulant medication data were collected for all patients included. Postoperative mortality was assessed and International Classification of Diseases (ICD)9/10 codes for complications, including esophageal perforation, hemorrhage, mediastinitis, and sepsis were flagged. RESULTS We identified 202,965 encounters for esophageal dilation. Of these procedures, 193 were performed on a patient who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) during the study period and was analyzed separately. Another 244 dilations were excluded due to repeat entries. Of the remaining 202,528 procedures remaining, 42,310 were repeat dilations in the same patient. Data analysis was confined to each patient's initial dilation. 160,218 initial dilations remained. Of these, 62,107 were performed on male patients and 98,111 were performed on female patients. The average age was 57.7 years. There were 12 mortalities within 30 days postoperatively, representing 0.0075% of all dilations. Esophageal perforation and esophageal hemorrhage were the most common reported complications, with 139 and 110 occurrences, respectively. The overall per-dilation complication rate was 0.215%. CONCLUSIONS Evidence from a national insurance claim database suggests that esophageal dilation is a safe procedure with a low rate of serious complications and a 30-day all-cause mortality rate of less than 1 per 10,000 dilations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2436-2440, 2021.
Examining Change in Student Anxiety and Depression After the First Year of a Professional Program Secondary to Perceived Stress: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Background: Research has shown that students in the health sciences experience higher levels of anxiety and depression. Objectives: In this study, we endeavor to investigate these results among first-year pharmacy and veterinary students at Auburn University and among first-year medical students at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (VCOM) Auburn Campus. Methods: We surveyed students after their first year in their respective professional programs using a modified Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) survey. The survey was modified to establish changes in depression and anxiety levels before and after the first year of coursework. Results: Two hundred ninety-five students participated in the survey, 95 veterinary students, 127 pharmacy students, and 73 VCOM students. All programs showed a statistically significant increase in student-reported levels of depression and anxiety. Students from the Harrison School of Pharmacy showed the greatest increase in anxiety and depression, followed by students from VCOM and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Females in all programs entered their programs with higher levels of anxiety than males and also completed their first year with higher anxiety scores than males in the same programs. Conclusions: Students in all three professional programs reported increased levels of anxiety and depression with the largest increase reported in pharmacy students. Efforts to identify the triggers, understand the consequences, and develop interventional methods to improve student wellbeing are recommended.
Timely Filing in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cases: Does Rule 3002(C)'s Deadline Apply to Secured Creditors?

Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 3002 provides the guidelines that creditors must follow to file a proof of claim and participate in the debtor's repayment plan. Subsection (c) of the rule establishes a timeliness requirement, which states “a proof of claim is timely filed if it is filed not later than 90 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors called under § 341(a) of the Code.” While courts universally agree that Rule 3002(c)’s deadline applies to unsecured creditors, much uncertainty has arisen as to whether the rule applies to secured creditors. Some courts interpret the rule as applying to all creditors and therefore hold secured creditors and unsecured creditors to the same deadline. Other courts, however, interpret the rule as applying only to secured creditors and allow secured creditors to file proofs of claim after the rule's deadline. This article evaluates the arguments supporting each side of the discussion and ultimately concludes that the correct interpretation of the rule is that the deadline applies to both secured and unsecured creditors.
A global review of female entrepreneurial finance

This study examines the external financing sources and decisions of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across 56 countries and shows how SMEs modify their funding channels in response to economic stage and owner's characteristics. We find that entrepreneurs' personal characteristics including owners' age, gender, and business skills are main determinants for the types of external investor funding available to SMEs. We show that access to external financing for female entrepreneurs is more difficult when they have new technology; moreover, the impact increases significantly in poorer economies. The paper displays at a global scale how SMEs modify their funding channels in response to owner's characteristics such as sex and age. Moreover, it contributes to the literature of female entrepreneurship the connections between gender, age, and economic conditions to the sources of external funding and the decisions female entrepreneurs take in accessing it.
Low-Complexity Secret Sharing Schemes Using Correlated Random Variables and Rate-Limited Public Communication

We consider secret sharing where a dealer wants to share a secret with several participants such that predefined subsets of participants can reconstruct the secret and all other subsets of participants cannot learn any information about the secret. To this end, the dealer and the participants have access to samples of correlated random variables and a one-way (from the dealer to the participants), authenticated, public, and rate-limited communication channel. For this problem, we propose the first constructive and low-complexity coding scheme able to handle arbitrary access structures. Our construction relies on a vector quantization coupled with distribution approximations with polar codes to handle the reliability constraints, followed by universal hashing to handle the security constraints. We stress that our coding scheme does not require symmetry or degradation assumptions on the correlated random variables, and does not need a pre-shared secret among the participants and dealer. Our result is also optimal in the special case of rate-unlimited public communication when all the participants are needed to reconstruct the secret.
Retrospective Cohort of Patients Treated for Paraaortic and Paracaval Recurrence With Intraoperative Radiation Therapy.

Purpose/Objective(s) Intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) may improve local control when combined with resection +/- external beam RT when there is concern regarding surgical margins (R1 or R2 disease). IOERT allows for delivery of additional radiation while minimizing dose to normal tissue as they can be physically removed from the RT field. While there is a strong body of literature on the use of IOERT in the pelvis, much less is known for treatment of paraaortic and paracaval tumors, where R0 surgical resection is difficult because of vascular or soft tissue involvement. We examined outcomes after surgery and IOERT for treatment of paraaortic and paracaval recurrences. Materials/Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients treated with IOERT to the paraaortic or paracaval region for nodal cancer recurrence between 2008 and 2020 at a single academic institution. Patients selected for IOERT in a multidisciplinary setting had isolated paracaval or paraaortic recurrence, and were deemed good candidates to undergo aggressive surgery with IOERT with curative intent. Overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were calculated using Kaplan-Meier statistics with R statistical computing software. Results Twenty-six patients received IOERT to the paraaortic or paracaval region. Median follow up was 6.5 months (range 0-96). Primary cancer types included 19 colorectal, 2 appendiceal, 2 endometrial, 2 cervical, and 1 ovarian. Twelve patients (46%) had pre-operative EBRT to the paraaortic/paracaval area and 7 additional patients had EBRT to another site prior to IOERT (73% total prior RT). Two patients had multi-site IOERT. IOERT was delivered with 6-12 MeV electrons with 10-20 Gy per treatment (Table 1). One patient was treated to 2 sites and another to 3 sites. Of the 15 patients with known post-IOERT recurrences, 5 had isolated in-field local recurrences (LR), 7 had distant recurrences, and 3 had both local and distant recurrences. Two of the eight LR were in patients treated to multiple sites with IOERT with the LR in the pelvis (not included in paraaortic recurrence). Local control of paraaortic region at 1 year was improved when surgery had negative margins (83%) versus close margins (25%) or positive margins (0%) (Chi-squared P = 0.01). Crude local control in the paraaortic region with IOERT was 77%; it was 93% with negative margins and 58% with close or positive margins. The median OS of the entire cohort was 9 months, with 1 year OS of 64.6% (std error 11.0%), median PFS 4 months, and 1-year PFS of 32.6% (std error 11.6%). Of the 17 patients with colorectal cancer, 1 year OS was 70.2% (std error 12.8%) and 1-year PFS was 17.6% (std error 11.1%). Conclusion IOERT to the paraaortic or paracaval region for cancer recurrence may contribute to local control for patients at high risk of local recurrence after surgery alone, although survival outcomes remain poor due to distant failures.
Effect of Montelukast on Gastrointestinal Tolerability in Patients With Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis Receiving Delayed-Release Dimethyl Fumarate: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study (MITIGATE) (P1.127)

OBJECTIVE: Describe an ongoing study to evaluate whether montelukast reduces the severity of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms associated with delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF; also known as gastro-resistant DMF). BACKGROUND: In clinical trials, DMF demonstrated significant efficacy on clinical and radiological measures in people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). While DMF demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and no new safety signals have emerged with long-term follow-up, the incidence of adverse events associated with GI tolerability in clinical trials was increased with DMF compared with placebo. In an independent, open-label, 30-day study (N=21), DMF-related GI symptoms were attenuated in a majority of patients receiving montelukast, a leukotrine receptor antagonist [Tornatore, AAN 2014]. DESIGN/METHODS: MITIGATE is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in approximately 226 patients with relapsing MS treated with DMF at approximately 40 sites in the United States. Following a 2-week screening period to allow characterization of baseline GI symptoms, eligible patients (蠅18 years of age; diagnosed with relapsing form of MS; no significant background GI symptoms) will initiate DMF therapy (120 mg twice daily [BID] for 1 week; 240 mg BID thereafter) and record GI symptoms in an eDiary using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) for up to 4 weeks. During this period, patients who reach a specific threshold GSRS score start taking randomized symptomatic treatment (placebo or montelukast 10 mg once daily; 1:1 randomization) with DMF for 8 weeks. Enrolled patients are evaluated by study site staff at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 weeks following initiation of randomized study treatment. RESULTS: Enrollment of patients is expected to begin in January 2015. CONCLUSIONS: MITIGATE will examine whether montelukast reduces the severity of DMF-related GI symptoms. Study Supported by: Biogen Idec Disclosure: Dr. Tornatore has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Novartis, and Genzyme Corporation as an advisory board member and/or speakers bureau member. Dr. Walsh has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee. Dr. Mann has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee. Dr. Li has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee. Dr. Von Hehn has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee.
Treponomics: Treponema denticola Genome and Functions

This chapter reviews current progress in applying Treponema denticola genome information to the research areas and suggests some topics that have yet to be addressed adequately by the research community. A group of seven genes was identified by homology with TP0155, a fibronectin-binding protein of T. pallidum. While five of these proteins showed at least some fibronectin-binding activity in recombinant form, only one was clearly demonstrated to be surface localized. This study provides a rational basis for further examination of the relative contribution of these proteins to T. denticola interactions with fibronectin. The T. pallidum repeat (tpr) genes, which encode paralogous proteins with sequence similarity to major surface protein (Msp) of T. denticola, were expressed at relatively low levels. This study, as well as numerous similar studies of other pathogens, demonstrates the potential utility of in vivo microarray analysis of bacterial gene expression. The current paucity of microarray-based T. denticola global expression analysis is likely the result of several factors. As in many bacteria, the T. denticola genome contains genes that appear to be more closely related to those of eukaryotes or archaea than to those of other bacteria. Several groups are investigating various aspects of T. denticola molecular physiology, especially as it relates to microbial community ecology and periodontal pathogenesi. In addition to the continued need to characterize putative virulence determinants very little is known about several important biological components of these cells, including nutrient uptake and processing, secretion and efflux systems, and various lipids and lipid-containing molecules.
Implications for CP asymmetries of improved data on B→K0π0

Abstract The decay B 0 → K 0 π 0 , dominated by a b → s penguin amplitude, holds the potential for exhibiting new physics in this amplitude. In the pure QCD penguin limit one expects C K π = 0 and S K π = sin 2 β for the coefficients of cos ( Δ m t ) and sin ( Δ m t ) in the time-dependent CP asymmetry. Small non-penguin contributions lead to corrections to these expressions which are calculated in terms of isospin-related B → K π rates and asymmetries, using information about strong phases from experiment. We study the prospects for incisive tests of the Standard Model through examination of these corrections. We update a prediction C K π = 0.15 ± 0.04 , pointing out the sensitivity of a prediction S K π ≈ 1 to the measured branching ratio for B 0 → K 0 π 0 and to other observables.
Abstract 1838: MUC1 serves as metabolic regulator in triple negative breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, is the most common cancer among North American women, accounting for nearly 1 in 3 cancer cases diagnosed in the U.S. women. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype accounts for approximately 15-25% of all breast cancer cases and has an increased incidence of metastasis, high recurrence within 1-3 years and a high mortality rate. Therefore, identifying factors that facilitate tumor growth and metastases have the potential to serve as novel molecular targets for breast cancer therapy. Mucin1 (MUC1), a glycoprotein associated with chemoresistance, is aberrantly overexpressed in TNBC and facilitates growth and metastasis of TNBC cells. This occurrence can be partially attributed to MUC1 interaction with hypoxia-inducible factor alpha (HIF1α), a key regulator of glycolysis. In the present study we examined the effect of MUC1 expression on cancer cell metabolism of TNBC cell lines under normoxic (20% Oxygen) and hypoxic (1% Oxygen) conditions. MUC1 was ectopically overexpressed in the MDA-MB-231 cell line and stably knocked down in the MDA-MB-468 cell line. Results indicate that MUC1 interacts with HIF1α and the interaction is further enhanced under hypoxic conditions. In addition, MUC1 expression enhanced glucose and glutamine uptake, enhanced lactate secretion and altered the expression of several metabolic genes. Furthermore, untargeted global metabolomic profiling identified metabolite alterations in which MUC1 expression modulates cancer cell metabolism to facilitate growth properties of TNBC cells. Thus our results support the notion that MUC1 serves as a metabolic regulator in TNBC, facilitating metabolic reprogramming that influences growth of TNBC. Citation Format: Gennifer D. Goode. MUC1 serves as metabolic regulator in triple negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1838. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1838
Introduction To Robust Optimization

Robust optimization models are used to address optimization problems with uncertain data. These models enforce the condition that a feasible solution should satisfy all constraints under any possible realization of constraint data. Furthermore, the optimization process should provide a worst-case guarantee on the quality of the solution, for any possible realization of objective data. Thus, for a minimization problem, the objective minimizes the maximum objective that could result from uncertain data. This article provides an overview of robust optimization models and properties, with an emphasis on robust linear optimization. Keywords: linear optimization; robust linear programming; budgeted uncertainty; Stackelberg game; polyhedral uncertainty
Viruses and renal carcinoma of Rana pipiens. IV. Nucleic acid synthesis in frog virus 3-infected BHK 21/13 cells.

Abstract Infection of BHK 21 13 cells with FV 3 inhibited host cell RNA synthesis within 1 hour and DNA synthesis between 2 and 4 hours after infection. Between 3 and 4 hours a new species of DNA was synthesized in the cell cytoplasm and by 5 hours reached a maximal rate equal to 6 times that of DNA synthesis in uninfected cells. This new DNA had a G + C content of 53% (ϱ = 1.712 g/ml). Virus-induced RNA synthesis began within 2 hours after infection and reached a maximal rate at 5–6 hours. This new RNA was found in the cytoplasm at the periphery of areas of DNA synthesis. Infectious virus was detected 6 to 7 hours after infection.
Some quirks in precession dynamics-the antiLarmor response

In this paper, some quirks in precession dynamics-the antiLarmor response were investigated. The processing magnetic magnetic moment in an applied static field H is driven by a transverse circularly polarized anti-Larmor high frequency excitation field.
A miniaturized tester for detecting weak individual cells in Ni/Cd batteries

Reliability of battery powered equipment is only as good as the reliability of the power source itself. One way to ensure the reliability of a nickel/cadmium power source is to periodically test the battery under given load conditions and study the reaction. After loading the battery for a specified period of time, a pass or fail determination can be made by comparing the loaded voltage of the battery under test to the expected voltage of a healthy battery subjected to the same test. Most batteries are made up of individual low voltage cells connected together in series to achieve a higher voltage, and it is often only a small number of individual cells that cause a battery to fail the test. Even so, substandard batteries are replaced in their entirety at a substantial cost. A low cost, miniaturized, constant resistance tester has been developed to determine which individual cells in a battery are weak. This is accomplished by automatically loading the cell under test and comparing the final loaded voltage to a preset value. Individual cells found to be substandard may then be replaced at a cost savings to the owner of the battery. Based on parameters specified by the user, the tester can be configured to test individual cells with different capacities and even small battery packs. Results of prototype field tests are presented. >
Near-Optimum Design of Linear Time Invariant Large-Scale Interconnected Systems

In this paper we study the decentralized near-optimization of linear time-invariant large-scale systems. We consider those systems which may be viewed as an interconnection of lower order subsystems. The proposed scheme is carried out by using both local and global feedback control associated with each subsystem.
Sudden onset of the blastic phase of chronic myelogenous leukemia: Patterns and implications

BACKGROUND Therapeutic options in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia (Ph-positive CML) in chronic phase include allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) and treatments other than allogeneic SCT. The choice of therapy often depends on the mortality risk of allogeneic SCT. Delaying SCT until the disease demonstrates resistance to other strategies (e.g., imatinib mesylate or interferon-α) entails the risk of the development of a sudden blastic phase, which may not permit enough time to perform a SCT. METHODS The current study was performed to define the incidence and patterns of sudden-onset blastic-phase CML in relation to the risk inherent in delaying allogeneic SCT. Of a study group of 1286 patients who were referred in early chronic-phase CML between 1981–2001 and who received therapies other than allogeneic SCT, 1093 patients had regular follow-up at the study institution. A sudden onset of blastic phase was defined as having its onset within 3 months from a previously documented complete hematologic response. RESULTS Among the 1093 patients, 183 patients developed blastic-phase disease, which was of sudden onset in 46 patients (25%; 4% of the total). The incidence of sudden blastic phase was 0.4% in the first year, 1.8% in the second year, and 2.6% in the third year. Patients with sudden blastic-phase disease were found to have more often low-risk features at the time of presentation, including low incidences of blasts and thrombocytosis. Sudden blastic-phase CML was found to be associated with a higher incidence of lymphoid blastic morphology (67% vs. 22%; P < 0.0001), which resulted in a higher response rate to blastic-phase therapy (70% vs. 29%; P < 0.0001) and significantly longer survival from the onset of blastic-phase disease (median of 12 months vs. 6 months; P < 0.01). Twenty-four of the 42 patients with sudden blastic-phase disease who were treated at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center were able to undergo allogeneic SCT in second chronic phrase (n = 13) or transformed phase (n = 11); at the time of last follow-up, 6 patients were alive without evidence of disease at a median of 18 months. CONCLUSIONS The low rates of sudden blastic transformation in the first 3 years of the course of disease for CML and the salvage rate of these patients with allogeneic SCT should be considered in relation to the transplantation mortality in patients with early chronic-phase disease and the early promising results with imatinib mesylate therapy. Cancer 2003;98:81–5. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11477
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the factor Xa inhibitor apixaban after oral and intravenous administration to cats

OBJECTIVE To determine pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the novel factor Xa inhibitor apixaban in clinically normal cats. ANIMALS 5 purpose-bred domestic shorthair cats. PROCEDURES A single dose of apixaban (0.2 mg/kg, PO) was administered to each cat (time 0), and blood samples were obtained at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 240, 360, 480, and 1,440 minutes. After a 1-week washout period, another dose of apixaban (0.2 mg/kg, IV) was administered to each cat, and blood samples were obtained at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 240, 360, 480, and 1,440 minutes. Apixaban concentrations in plasma were measured via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacodynamic effects of apixaban were determined with a commercial assay for factor × activity, which measures endogenous factor Xa activity chromogenically. RESULTS Factor Xa was inhibited as a function of time after a single dose of apixaban administered orally or IV, and a direct inverse correlation with the plasma apixaban concentration ...
Judge Frankel's Search for Truth

The theme of Judge Marvin E. Frankel's Cardozo Lecture is that the adversary system rates truth too low among the values that institutions of justice are meant to serve. Accordingly, Judge Frankel takes up the challenging task of proposing how that system might be modified to raise the truth-seeking function to its rightful status in our hierarchy of values. His proposals, delivered with characteristic intellect, grace, and wit, are radical and, I believe, radically wrong. Judge Frankel directs his criticism at the adversary system itself and at the lawyer as committed adversary. Challenging the idea that the adversary system is the best method for determining the truth, Judge Frankel asserts that "we know that others searching after facts-in history, geography, medicine, whatever-do not emulate our adversary system."1 I would question the accuracy of that proposition, at least in the breadth in which it is stated. Moreover, I think that to the extent that other disciplines do not follow a form of adversarial process, they suffer for it. Assume, for example, a historian bent upon determining whether Edward de Vere wrote the plays attributed to William Shakespeare, or whether Richard III ordered the murder of the princes in the Tower, or even whether it was militarily justifiable for the United States to devastate Nagasaki with an atomic bomb. Obviously, the historian's inquiry would not be conducted in a courtroom, but the conscientious historian's search for truth would necessarily involve a careful evaluation of evidence marshalled by other historians strongly committed to sharply differing views on those issues. In short, the process of historical research and judgment on disputed issues of history is-indeed, must be-essentially adversarial. In medicine, of course, there is typically less partisanship than in historical research because there is less room for the play of political persuasion, and less
The influence of Na+, K+-pump blockade on doxorubicin-mediated cytotoxicity and DNA strand breakage in human tumor cells

We have previously shown that blockade of the Na+, K+-pump by the cardiac glycoside ouabain produces doxorubicin resistance and decreases topoisomerase II-mediated DNA strand breakage in hamster cells. To determine if this were a general phenomenon, the effect of pump blockade on doxorubicin resistance was assessed in three human tumor cell lines: A549 lung and HT29 colon adenocarcinomas and U1 melanoma. When cells were exposed to 1 µM ouabain prior to and during incubation with doxorubicin, cytotoxicity was markedly reduced. Ouabain had no effect on either the influx or the efflux of doxorubicin. However, all cell lines showed a ouabain-induced decrease in doxorubicin-induced topoisomerase-mediated DNA strand breakage (SSB). These data suggest that blockade of the Na+, K+ pump decreases doxorubicin cytotoxicity in human tumor cells by inhibiting topoisomerase-mediated SSB. Furthermore, they indicate that altered ionic gradients are a potential cause of resistance to drugs that use topoisomerase II as a target.
The role of autologous ”distal-origin bypasses” in the treatment of isolated tibioperoneal arterial occlusive disease in diabetic patients with critical foot ischaemia

Objective: In a substantial number of diabetic patients, isolated tibioperoneal arterial occlusions are found to be the underlying cause for severe ischaemic foot lesions. To avoid limb loss under these conditions, short vein grafts have been being used to bypass the occluded crural arteries since the early 1980s. This presentation describes our nearly 12-year experience with this strategy. Patients and methods: Between 1 May 1986 and 31 December 1997, in 109 patients, 115 bypass grafts from the BK-popliteal artery or the proximal anterior tibial artery to malleolar vessels were performed in the presence of extended infrapopliteal arterial occlusions and critical foot ischaemia (rest pain 3, tissue loss 112). The mean age in this group was 70.1 years. Autologous vein was used in all cases (GSV rev. 79, GSV nonrev. 17, GSV in situ 15, LSV rev. 2, cephalic vein 2). Results: Using life-table analysis, primary and secondary patency rates for these bypasses with distal graft origination were 89% and 97% at 30 days, 76% and 83% at 1 year, and 60% and 62% at 6 years, respectively. The corresponding limb salvage rates amounted to 94%, 79%, and 70%. Conclusion: Our results suggest that short vein grafts represent an effective strategy for limb salvage in diabetic patients with infrapopliteal artery occlusions and critical foot ischaemia.
Are Case Formulations Useful for Outcomes Research

THE ARTICLE by Horowitz and colleagues 1 is most helpful in defining and illustrating some of the difficulties facing clinical researchers who are investigating psychodynamic constructs and psychotherapy. Horowitz et al rightly point out the gap between symptoms and the in-therapy focus on psychotherapeutic intervention. Even when the final goal of treatment is symptom reduction, eg, reduction in depression, the various schools of psychotherapy approach this final goal with quite different mediating goals of treatment. How to measure these mediating goals is extremely important to the advancement of the field. Horowitz and colleagues attempt to bridge dynamic and cognitive-behavioral constructs and to measure these constructs in a reliable manner. See also pages 625, 633, 637, 639, 642, 646, 649, 651, and 654 Horowitz and colleagues' own work highlights some of the difficulties they and others have faced. Is their method reliable? The data suggest that it is reliable, although one
Determination of Relative Timing of Pubertal Maturation through Ordinal Logistic Modeling: Evaluation of Growth and Timing Parameters

Abstract Purpose (1) To propose a new method using statistical modeling to determine relative timing of pubertal maturation; (2) to validate the new method by evaluating its relationship with pubertal growth and timing parameters, including age at menarche, age onset of areolar maturation, age of peak height velocity, age at attainment of adult height, adult height, peak height velocity, body mass index, and percent body fat; and (3) to contrast the new method with relative timing of menarche on these pubertal parameters. Background The timing of puberty has a well-known impact on anthropometric and psychosocial outcomes. Multiple methods have been used to determine pubertal timing, but all with limitations. A uniformly applicable method is needed for different study designs and study populations. Methods Using the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study data, an ordinal logistic modeling was used to assess relative timing of pubertal maturation. Results The proposed method demonstrated good reliability and strong associations with all pubertal timing parameters, also body mass index and percent body fat. Timing was not significantly associated with adult height and peak height velocity. Conclusions The proposed method is highly feasible, easy to implement, and valid. The study demonstrated important differences between the relationships of relative timing of secondary sexual characteristics and the timing of menarche on pubertal parameters. The study also demonstrates that individuals with early or late timing at one point of time are likely to maintain the same relative timing throughout puberty.
Density-dependence of diffusion constant and nuclear spin lattice relaxation rate of 3He gas

Abstract Diffusion constant and nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate of 3 He gas with 4 % oxygen impurity were measured as a function of density at room temperature using spin-echo. Zero and first density coefficients of the diffusion constant were deduced.
Quantitative analyses of the ontogeny of predatory behaviour in coyotes, Canis latrans

Four infant coyotes (Canis latrans) were studied in order to describe quantitatively the development of predatory behaviour. Our results indicated that prior play and agonistic experience had virtually no effect on later predatory success. Also, there was no relationship between an individual's social rank and its prey-killing ability. Latency to kill was shortened when animals were tested in, pairs and hunger level was not related to latency to kill. The results are discussed with respect to current ‘functionalist’ theories of play behaviour and Leyhausen's concept of the relative hierarchy of moods. The practice theory of play should be reconsidered in light of the results of this and other recent studies.
Phenomenology of the effective stress intensity related to fatigue crack growth thresholds

Abstract The fatigue crack growth threshold conditions for effective stress intensity amplitude are examined using simple phenomenological models for crack face interference and internal stresses. We show that behaviors correlating with all pure fatigue classifications can be generated from a single ‘ideal fatigue’ behavior by accounting for internal stress and crack face interference. The possible threshold or near-threshold manifestations of an intrinsic KMAX threshold, independent of effective ΔK effects, are discussed.
Compact relay lenses using microlenslet arrays

In an investigation of approaches to compact relay lenses for special effect photography, the potential of microlenslet arrays in image formation is investigated. In this paper, various arrangements of microlenslet arrays and associated baffles are considered and their role on image quality presented. Findings through software simulations clearly demonstrate the trade-offs between image quality and compactness.
Central elevation of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity following stress

Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT, E.C.2.1.1.28) is the terminal enzyme in the synthesis of adrenaline ill the adrenal medulla 1, other chromaffin tissues, and in the mammalian brain iv. Changes in the level of adrenal and hypothalamic PNM T activity have been correlated with changes in the tissue content of adrenaline 13,15,1s,2°. It is well established that PNMT requires glucocorticoids for maximal activity. The synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, has been shown to induce adrenal PNMT in hypophysectomized rats ~9 and to stimulate the enzyme in extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue of neonatal rats~, 6 and brain of adult rats 13. Induction occurs over a period of days and is presumed to be due to an increase in the rates of enzyme synthesisS, 20. The dose of dexamethasone employed to produce PNMT stimulation has been very high, generally 0.5-1.0 mg/kg. The physiological role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of PNMT in the intact animal is less clear. Adrenal PNMT activity may be regulated by ACTH (indirectly acting through adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis), by circulating glucocorticoids directly, and also by neuronal activity via the splanchnic nerves in different strains of mice 5 and rats H. Short-term treatment with dexamethasone has been reported to be without effect on adrenal PNMT in the intact animaPg, z0, although the activity of the adrenal enzyme is increased 40 days after unilateral adrenalectomy 3 and the brain enzyme after 13 days of dexamethasone treatment lz. The half-life of adrenal PNMT, estimated without blockade of protein synthesis, is reported to be quite long (6 days) 4. Based on these considerations, Ciaranello and Black 4 have suggested that PNMT finds its bio- logical role only in chronic stress situations. Nothing is known regarding the effect of stress on the activity of PNMT in brain tissue. The neuroanatomical positions of the adrenergic cell bodies in the rostral medulla oblongata of the brain stem ~0 is suggestive of a relationship to stress. The ventral adren- ergic cell group (C1) coincides in part with the vasomotor center 9 and is thought to project to the spinal cord, the hypothalamus, and other forebrain regions known to mediate aspects of the stress response 10. The dorsal cell group (C2) is in part coincident with the cardioinhibitory center (the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus) 9 which re- ceives input from baroreceptors.
Regional Densities of Benzodiazepine Sites in the CNS of Alcohol-Naive P and NP Rats

The regional densities of benzodiazepine (BDZ) recognition sites coupled to GABAA receptors were studied in ethanol-naive alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) lines of rats by using quantitative autoradiography to measure the amount of 2 nM [3H]flunitrazepam (FNZ) binding in the absence and presence of 100 microM GABA. Lower values (p < 0.025) for [3H]FNZ binding (in the absence of GABA) were observed in the prefrontal cortex, layer 4 of the parietal cortex, and the nucleus accumbens shell of the P relative to the NP line. GABA significantly (p < 0.025) stimulated [3H]FNZ binding in all 50 central nervous system regions examined in both the P and the NP rats. The largest percent increases (190-220%) were observed in the prefrontal, cingulate, frontal, and parietal cortices; shell and core nucleus accumbens; caudate putamen; dorsal lateral, intermediate lateral, ventral lateral, and medial septal nuclei; and lateral hypothalamus. In several layers of the frontal and parietal cortices, a 25-30% greater net or percent increase (p < 0.025) in GABA-enhanced [3H]FNZ binding was observed in the P rats compared with the NP rats. In contrast, lower net or percent increases (p < 0.025) in GABA-enhanced [3H]FNZ binding were found in the entorhinal cortex, the mediodorsal thalamus, and the dorsal CA3 area and middle dentate gyrus of the posterior hippocampus of the P line relative to the NP line. The present findings suggest that there are innate regional differences between P and NP rats in the densities and/or affinities of BDZ recognition sites and in the coupling between the GABAA and BDZ binding sites.
Radar Scattering from a Diffuse Vegetation Layer over a Smooth Surface

A simple model is presented for the oblique backscatter and bistatic scatter from a smooth surface overlain by a diffuse layer. Only single scattering in the diffuse layer is taken into account. The model analysis shows that the combination of volume scattering and oblique reflection at the surface may increase appreciably the waves scattering. The scattering strongly depends on the properties of the smooth surface. These results support some of the observations made with the Seasat spaceborne imaging radar over flooded regions with heavy vegetation cover.
Thermal performance of ionic liquids for solar thermal applications

Abstract Experimental investigations were carried out to evaluate thermophysical properties, i.e. density, viscosity, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity and high temperature forced convection behavior of N -butyl- N , N , N -trimetylammoniumbis(trifluormethylsulfonyl)imide ([N4111][NTf2]) ionic liquid (IL) for its potential application in concentrated solar power (CSP). Results from the experiments will be useful in assessing the potential of using ILs for solar thermal collectors. Experimental results show that thethermal conductivity was slightly decrease with the increase of temperature; vary from 0.124 to 0.121 W/m K for a change in temperature of 283–343 K, strong temperature effect on the viscosity of IL was observed and maintain an exponential relationship with the temperature; heat capacity increases linearly with temperature measured from 298 to 618 K. Forced convection performance of the IL was studied in a circular tube under both in laminar and turbulent conditions. Although the heat transfer coefficient of the IL was found to be lower compared to the De-Ionized (DI) water, its thermal stability and other attractive properties may make it a viable candidate for solar collector use. Our experimental results also established that Shah’s equation and Gnielinski’s equation can predict forced convection performance of IL for both the laminar region and turbulent region respectively.
Cobalt-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of CO and CN bonds

An earth-abundant metal cobalt catalyst has been developed for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones, aldehydes, and imines under mild conditions. Experiments are described which provide insights into the mechanism of the transfer hydrogenation reaction.
A Note on Emergence

The line of attack against emergence is to equate (I) and (II) and to argue that (II) is false.2 I wish to consider the argument that (II) is false. It seems to me that this argument implicitly affirms (I); hence (I) and (II) cannot be equivalent, and refutations of (II) do not thereby refute (I). The argument that (II) is false is perhaps most clear when dealing with examples of chemical emergence. In these cases, (II) is interpreted to mean, e.g. that salt has properties not found in the analysis of the properties of sodium and chlorine, or that it is not possible to predict the properties of salt from those of sodium and chlorine. Against this it is argued that in principle we can deduce (or predict) the properties of the compound from the spectroscopic properties of the constituent atoms. In practice, however, this is not the usual order of procedure because of the
The Canonical Forms of a Lattice Rule

Much of the elementary theory of lattice rules may be presented as an elegant application of classical results. These include Kronecker group representation theorem and the Hermite and Smith normal forms of integer matrices. The theory of the canonical form is a case in point. In this paper, some of this theory is treated in a constructive rather than abstract manner. A step-by-step approach that parallels the group theory is described, leading to an algorithm to obtain a canonical form of a rule of prime power order. The number of possible distinct canonical forms is derived, and this is used to determine the number of integration lattices having specified invariants.
Ontogeny of adenosine uptake sites in guinea pig brain: differential profile of [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine and [3H]dipyridamole binding sites.

The ontogenetic profile of adenosine uptake sites was investigated in guinea pig cerebral cortex and cerebellum using as ligand probes the uptake inhibitors, [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine ([3H]NBI) and [3H]dipyridamole ([3H]DPR). In cerebral cortex [3H]NBI binding was highest at E50 and decreased subsequently until P28 while in cerebellum after a first peak at E50 and a subsequent decline it increased again until P28. [3H]DPR binding increased by 25% from E40 to P28 in cerebral cortex while in cerebellum hardly any binding could be detected before E50 and it afterwards increased by more than 250% until P28. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that [3H]NBI labeled approximately as many sites as [3H]DPR in cerebral cortex at E44 while at P28 [3H]DPR labeled more than double as many sites. Accordingly, NBI was more potent in displacing [3H]DPR binding at E44 than at P28. These findings suggest that part of the [3H]DPR binding sites, i.e. the NBI-insensitive one develops later than [3H]NBI binding sites during ontogeny in guinea pig cerebral cortex and cerebellum.
Analysis of system voltage profiles and harmonic filter design in the presence of time varying current injection by dynamic system models

Abstract Dynamic nonlinear loads, such as power electronic devices, often inject time varying currents into the power network. These time varying currents may cause harmonic voltage resonance at noninteger multiples of the fundamental frequency and degrade the voltage quality and performance of harmonic filters. As the conventional frequency domain method is not valid for studying the effect of time varying currents, a dynamic system model is developed by using a symbolic mathematical program. In this paper the effects of several types of time varying current, including actual recorded waveforms, have been studied using the dynamic model. Results and conclusions of the study are also presented.
A defect-based compact modeling approach for the reliability of CMOS devices and integrated circuits

Abstract Reliability simulations are critical for lifetime prediction and verification of long-term performance of integrated circuits designed in advanced CMOS technologies. The existing techniques for reliability simulation model aging effects using threshold voltage ( V th ) shifts that do not reflect the bias-dependence of stress-induced defects. In this work we present a defect-based modeling approach that captures the dynamic effects of both oxide-trapped charge and interface traps through calculations of surface potential. Such defects are attributed to aging effects and to ionizing–radiation damage in advanced CMOS technologies. The approach provides a connection between physics-based reliability models and integrated circuit simulation. The model is implemented as a Verilog-A sub-circuit module and is compatible with standard EDA tools and MOSFET compact models. The model formulation is verified using two-dimensional TCAD simulations. Demonstrations with digital integrated circuit simulations in SPICE and comparisons with calculations using V th -based models are also presented.