cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survival Impact of Bacteremia on Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients Who Have Suffered Strokes

Purpose Strokes and infection are two potential complications in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The combination of infection and stroke is particularly concerning for LVAD recipients and may be interrelated. We evaluated the impact of concomitant bacteremia in LVAD patients who suffered a stroke. Methods All patients implanted with a continuous flow LVAD at our center from 2009 to 2019 who experienced a stroke post LVAD implantation were included. Stroke was defined by clinical signs of stroke and confirmed by neuroimaging. We then assessed the number of hemorrhagic (HCVA) and ischemic (ICVA) strokes. All patients with bacteremia prior to stroke were included in the analysis. Kaplan Meier survival curves were used to evaluate survival. Results A total of 117 LVAD patients with strokes were included, of those 62 had ICVA (53%) and 55 had HCVA (47%). Forty-three of these patients (37.6%) had an episode of bacteremia prior to their stroke, of whom 14 were in the ICVA group and 29 in the HCVA group. Figure 1 demonstrates that patients with strokes and concomitant bacteremia carry significantly increased risk of mortality over two years (p=0.046) compared to patients with strokes without bacteremia. Of the observed deaths, 8 out of 14 (57%) in the ICVA group died, while 19 of the 29 (66%) in HCVA died within a 2 year period. Conclusion LVAD patients with bacteremia who have a stroke carry significantly worse 2 year survival when compared to those who do not have bacteremia at the time of their stroke. Patients with bacteremia and concomitant stroke may benefit from further investigation to create strategies to reduce the probability of subsequent mortality.
Identifying relapses and stem cell transplants in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia using administrative data: Capturing national outcomes irrespective of trial enrollment.

Introduction Our objectives were to design and validate methods to identify relapse and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) using administrative data representing hospitalizations at US pediatric institutions. Methods We developed daily billing and ICD-9 code definitions to identify relapses and HSCTs within a cohort of children with newly diagnosed ALL between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2013, previously assembled from the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database. Chart review for children with ALL at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) was performed to establish relapse and HSCT gold standards for sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) calculations. We estimated incidences of relapse and HSCT in the PHIS ALL cohort. Results We identified 362 CHOP and 314 TCH ALL patients in PHIS and established true positives by chart review. Sensitivity and PPV for identifying both relapse and HSCT in PHIS were > 90% at both hospitals. Five-year relapse incidence in the 10 150-patient PHIS cohort was 10.3% (95% CI 9.8%-10.9%) with 7.1% (6.6%-7.6%) of children underwent HSCTs. Patients in higher-risk demographic groups had higher relapse and HSCT rates. Our analysis also identified differences in incidences of relapse and HSCT by race, ethnicity, and insurance status. Conclusions Administrative data can be used to identify relapse and HSCT accurately in children with ALL whether they occur on- or off-therapy, in contrast with published approaches. This method has wide potential applicability for estimating these incidences in pediatric ALL, including patients not enrolled on clinical trials.
Addressing Teenage Tobacco Use: Still an Urgent Issue for Pediatricians

* Abbreviation: COVID-19 — : coronavirus disease Smoking is a pediatric disease that usually originates during adolescence, with 90% of adult smokers beginning to smoke before age 18.1 Every day, nearly 200 youth under age 18 become regular cigarette smokers.2 Adolescents’ brains are uniquely susceptible to nicotine addiction, and youth become addicted far more quickly than they realize.3,4 The US Preventive Services Task Force, which recently reassessed the evidence supporting youth-focused tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, continues to recommend that primary care clinicians provide interventions to prevent initiation of tobacco use among school-aged children and adolescents.5 However, the Task Force identified key gaps in our knowledge about how to intervene once teenagers have already become smokers.5 In this issue of Pediatrics , Klein et al6 describe an office-based intervention that could help address this. The investigators trained 120 clinicians in an intervention for smoking cessation based on the “5As” or in a control intervention (social media counseling). The 5As are the foundation for a brief intervention … Address correspondence to Judith Groner, MD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 700 Children’s Dr, Columbus, OH 43205. E-mail: judith.groner{at}nationwidechildrens.org
Young children's exposure to phenols in the home: Associations between house dust, hand wipes, silicone wristbands, and urinary biomarkers.

Abstract Background Environmental phenols, such as parabens, bisphenol A, and triclosan, are ubiquitous in indoor environments because of their use in packaging, plastics, personal care products, and as anti-microbials. The primary pathways of exposure, as well as habits and behaviors that may lead to greater exposure, are still unclear. Objectives Herein, we investigate the relationships between phenols found in residential environments by comparing levels in paired samples of house dust and hand wipes with children’s urine. In addition, phenols were analyzed in a novel exposure tool, the silicone wristbands, to investigate which external matrix best correlates with individual exposure based on urinary phenol biomarkers. Methods Children aged 3–6 years in central North Carolina, United States, provided paired hand wipe (n = 202), wristband (n = 76), and spot urine samples (n = 180), while legal guardians completed questionnaires on habits and behaviors. House dust samples (n = 186) were collected from the main living area during home visits completed between 2014 and 2016. Results Environmental phenols were detected frequently in all matrices investigated. Ethyl, methyl, and propylparaben levels observed in hand wipes, dust, and on wristbands were significantly correlated to their associated urinary biomarkers. In addition, intra-paraben correlations were noted, with biomarkers of ethyl, methyl, and propylparabens generally positively and significantly correlated, which suggests co-application of parabens in products. Triclosan levels in dust were positive and significantly correlated with levels in hand wipes and wristbands and with urinary concentrations, suggesting non-personal care product sources may be important in children’s overall triclosan exposure. Generally, chemicals on wristbands were more highly correlated with urinary biomarkers than with chemicals in hand wipes or house dust. In addition, more frequent lotion use was positively associated with urinary concentrations of paraben biomarkers. Conclusions Our results suggest that the home environment is an important source of exposure which has been under-investigated for some environmental phenols (e.g., triclosan in house dust). Associations between wristbands and biomarkers of exposure, which were stronger than for hand wipes and house dust, suggest that silicone wristbands may provide a suitable exposure assessment tool for some phenols.
Patterns of seroconversion for SARS-CoV-2 IgG in patients with malignant disease and association with anticancer therapy

Patients with cancer have been identified in several studies to be at high risk of developing severe COVID-19; however, rates of SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroconversion and its association with cancer types and anti-cancer therapy remain obscure. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in patients with cancer that underwent SARS-CoV-2 IgG testing. Two hundred and sixty-one patients with a cancer diagnosis underwent SARS-CoV-2 IgG testing and demonstrated a high rate of seroconversion (92%). However, significantly lower seroconversion was observed in patients with hematologic malignancies (82%), patients that received anti-CD-20 antibody therapy (59%) and stem cell transplant (60%). Interestingly, all 17 patients that received immunotherapy, including 16 that received anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies, developed SARS-Cov-2 IgG antibodies (100% seroconversion). These data show differential rates of seroconversion in specific patient groups and bear importance for clinical monitoring and vaccination strategies that are being developed to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overly shallow?: Miscalibrated expectations create a barrier to deeper conversation.

People may want deep and meaningful relationships with others, but may also be reluctant to engage in the deep and meaningful conversations with strangers that could create those relationships. We hypothesized that people systematically underestimate how caring and interested distant strangers are in one's own intimate revelations and that these miscalibrated expectations create a psychological barrier to deeper conversations. As predicted, conversations between strangers felt less awkward, and created more connectedness and happiness, than the participants themselves expected (Experiments 1a-5). Participants were especially prone to overestimate how awkward deep conversations would be compared with shallow conversations (Experiments 2-5). Notably, they also felt more connected to deep conversation partners than shallow conversation partners after having both types of conversations (Experiments 6a-b). Systematic differences between expectations and experiences arose because participants expected others to care less about their disclosures in conversation than others actually did (Experiments 1a, 1b, 4a, 4b, 5, and 6a). As a result, participants more accurately predicted the outcomes of their conversations when speaking with close friends, family, or partners whose care and interest is more clearly known (Experiment 5). Miscalibrated expectations about others matter because they guide decisions about which topics to discuss in conversation, such that more calibrated expectations encourage deeper conversation (Experiments 7a-7b). Misunderstanding others can encourage overly shallow interactions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Revisiting convergence: A research note.

Abstract A number of recent studies show that income inequality is declining between countries. In this research note, I question the significance of this trend by examining the role of initial conditions in producing convergence. An important (but neglected) property of inequality dynamics is the tendency for extreme distributions to become more moderate. When income disparities are large, the subsequent trend is biased toward convergence. Conversely, when initial conditions approach parity, divergence becomes the more likely long-term outcome. I apply this principle to trends in GDP PC across 127 countries during the 1980–2010 period. Using counterfactual analysis, I manipulate the initial level of inequality in GDP PC while holding constant each country’s observed growth rate during the sample period. I find that the growth dynamics of GDP PC produce either convergence or divergence based simply on the initial distribution of income. The point of transition occurs at a moderate level of inequality, whether using population weights (Gini = .365) or not (Gini = .377). I conclude that the recent convergence observed in GDP PC is primarily a function of large income gaps between countries and would not have materialized at more moderate levels of initial inequality. By contrast, an examination of the pre-1950 period reveals divergent growth patterns that are not sensitive to initial conditions.
Extreme points and descriptive sets

A class of closed, bounded, convex sets in the Banach space c0 is shown to be a complete PCA set. Introduction. Let K denote a closed, bounded, convex set in a separable B-space X, and let exK denote its set of extreme points. It is possible that exK = ∅, and also that exK fail to be a Borel set ([5, 6]). Hence it is natural to ask for the complexity of the set CE of sets K in X having an extreme point. This question will be answered for X = c0, after a digression on the class F (M) of all closed subsets of a metric space (M,d). This class can be quite mysterious ([4, 7]), but we mention only the rudiments. When F (M) is provided with the Hausdorff metric—a minor adjustment is necessary when d is unbounded—certain sets [U ] in F (M) are open. Here U is open in M and A ∈ [U ]↔ A ∩ U 6= ∅ . When d is totally bounded—equivalently, when F (M) is separable—the sets [U ] generate the field of Borel sets, called the Effros Borel structure, and therefore the Borel structure in F (M) has a definite meaning when M is separable (since then there is some totally bounded metric). Some sets are always closed, for example the subset of M × F (M) defined by m ∈ A. When X is a separable B-space, the convex sets form a Gδ. To see this, let (Un)n=1 be a basis for the open sets; then A is convex provided A meets 1 2 (Un + Um) whenever A meets both Un and Um. The Hausdorff metric in F (X), relative to the usual metric, will be called the strong metric; that relative to a totally bounded metric in X will be called a weak metric. (This has no relation to the weak topology.) Let E be the subset of F (X)×X×X×X containing elements (A, x, y, z) Supported in part by the National Science Foundation.
A method for the detection of the severe rain‐on‐snow event on Banks Island, October 2003, using passive microwave remote sensing

[1] Severe wintertime rain-on-snow (ROS) events create a strong ice layer (or layers) in the snow on arctic tundra that act as a barrier to ungulate grazing. They are linked with large-scale ungulate (reindeer, caribou, elk, and musk-ox) herd declines via starvation and reduced calf production rate when the animals are unable to penetrate the resulting subsnowpack ice layer. ROS events also produce considerable perturbation in the mean wintertime soil temperature under the snowpack. ROS is a sporadic but well-known and significant phenomenon that is currently very poorly documented. Characterization of the distribution and occurrence of severe ROS events is based only on anecdotal evidence, indirect observations of carcasses found adjacent to iced snowpacks, and irregular detection by a sparse observational weather network. We have analyzed in detail a particular ROS event that took place on Banks Island in early October 2003 that resulted in the death of 20,000 musk oxen. We make use of multifrequency passive microwave imagery from the Special Sensor Microwave Imager satellite sensor suite in conjunction with a strong-fluctuation-theory (SFT) emissivity model. We show that a combination of time series analysis and cluster analysis based on microwave spectral gradients and polarization ratios provides a means to detect the stages of the ROS event resulting from the modification of the vertical structure of the snowpack, specifically wetting the snow, the accumulation of liquid water at the base of the snow during the rain event, and the subsequent modification of the snowpack after refreezing. SFT model analysis provides quantitative confirmation of our interpretation of the evolution of the microwave properties of the snowpack as a result of the ROS event. In addition to the grain coarsening owing to destructive metamorphism, we detect the presence of the internal water and ice layers, directly identifying the physical properties producing the hazardous conditions. This analysis offers the potential to characterize both the frequency and global distribution of ROS using multifrequency satellite passive microwave imagery.
Comparative Ecology of the Harvester Ants Pogonomyrmex Barbatus (F. Smith) and Pogonomyrmex Rugosus (Emery)

Factors affecting local geographic distribution, foraging behavior and activity, forage selection, numbers of foragers per colony, nest spacing and nest structure ofPogonomyrmex rugosus andPogonomyrmex barbatus wer estudied. There were seasonal differences in foraging activity.P. barbatus was more active in early summer and foraged at night whileP. rugosus was more active in mid-summer foraging at night during July. Both species exhibited forage preference for grass seeds but took a variety of other materials. Where both species inhabited the same area they had an index of overlap for forage of 0.7. The colonics of both species were randomly distributed. Colony density was approximately 20 per hectare in areas supporting one or both species. There was no evidence of intraspecific aggression and foraging areas of colonies of the same species overlapped considerably.P. barbatus andP. rugosus avoid competition by habitat selection. Interspecific aggression probably accounts for the lack of overlap in local distribution.
Building and Sustaining a Campus-Wide Multicultural Initiative.

This chapter summarizes the implementation of a campus-wide multicultural initiative at a large public Midwestern university, exploring strategies, challenges, and lessons learned.
A method for evaluating the importance of system state observations to model predictions, with application to the Death Valley regional groundwater flow system

[1] We develop a new observation-prediction (OPR) statistic for evaluating the importance of system state observations to model predictions. The OPR statistic measures the change in prediction uncertainty produced when an observation is added to or removed from an existing monitoring network, and it can be used to guide refinement and enhancement of the network. Prediction uncertainty is approximated using a first-order second-moment method. We apply the OPR statistic to a model of the Death Valley regional groundwater flow system (DVRFS) to evaluate the importance of existing and potential hydraulic head observations to predicted advective transport paths in the saturated zone underlying Yucca Mountain and underground testing areas on the Nevada Test Site. Important existing observations tend to be far from the predicted paths, and many unimportant observations are in areas of high observation density. These results can be used to select locations at which increased observation accuracy would be beneficial and locations that could be removed from the network. Important potential observations are mostly in areas of high hydraulic gradient far from the paths. Results for both existing and potential observations are related to the flow system dynamics and coarse parameter zonation in the DVRFS model. If system properties in different locations are as similar as the zonation assumes, then the OPR results illustrate a data collection opportunity whereby observations in distant, high-gradient areas can provide information about properties in flatter-gradient areas near the paths. If this similarity is suspect, then the analysis produces a different type of data collection opportunity involving testing of model assumptions critical to the OPR results.
Weighted random pattern testing based on test counts

The authors present an algorithm to generate weighted random test patterns based on multiple probability distributions. The algorithm to generate distributions is based on S.B. Akers and B. Krishnamurthy's test counting method, and has a running time which is linear in the number of gates. The algorithm has been implemented in C, and tested on several of the ISCAS benchmark circuits. The results are significantly superior to both pure random testing, and the weighted random pattern testing reported by R. Lisanke et al. (1986, 1987). >
Genes in the GABA Pathway Increase in the Lateral Thalamus of Sprague–Dawley Rats During the Proestrus/Estrus Phase

Pain can vary over the estrous cycle as a result of changes in estradiol concentration but the mechanism causing this variation is unclear. Because the thalamus is important in pain control, gene expression in the lateral thalamus (ventral posteromedial, ventral posterolateral, reticular thalamic nuclei) was screened at different phases of the estrous cycle. Gene expression changes in Sprague–Dawley rats were further analyzed by real-time PCR and ELISA and plasma estradiol levels were measured by RIAs at different phases of the estrous cycle. Our results indicated that both the RNA and protein expression of glutamate decarboxylase 1 and 2 (GAD1, GAD2), GABA(A) receptor-associated protein like 1 (GABARAPL1), and vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) significantly increased in the lateral thalamus when plasma estradiol levels were elevated. Estradiol levels were elevated during the proestrus and estrus phases of the estrous cycle. Estrogen receptor α (ERα) was observed to be co-localized in thalamic cells and thalamic infusion of an ERα antagonist significantly reduced GAD1 and VGAT transcript. GAD1, GAD2, GABARAPL1, and VGAT have been shown to effect neuronal responses suggesting that attenuation of pain during the estrous cycle can be dependent, in part, through estradiol induced changes in thalamic gene expression. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1057–1064, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adaptive radiation of photosynthetic physiology in the Hawaiian lobeliads: dynamic photosynthetic responses

Hawaiian lobeliads have radiated into habitats from open alpine bogs to densely shaded rainforest interi- ors, and show corresponding adaptations in steady-state photosynthetic light responses and associated leaf traits. Shaded environments are not uniformly dark, however, but punctuated by sunXecks that carry most of the photosyn- thetically active light that strikes plants. We asked whether lobeliads have diversiWed in their dynamic photosynthetic light responses and how dynamic responses inXuence daily leaf carbon gain. We quantiWed gas exchange and dynamic light regimes under Weld conditions for ten species repre- senting each major Hawaiian sublineage. Species in shadier habitats experienced shorter and less numerous sunXecks: average sunXeck length varied from 1.4 § 1.7 min for Cya- nea Xoribunda in shaded forest understories to 31.2 § 2.1 min for Trematolobelia kauaiensis on open ridges. As expected, the rate of photosynthetic induction increased signiWcantly toward shadier sites, with assimilation after 60 s rising from ca. 30% of fully induced rates in species from open environments to 60% in those from densely shaded habitats. Uninduced light use eYciency—actual photosynthesis versus that expected under steady-state conditions—increased from 10 to 70% across the same gradient. In silico transplants—modeling daily carbon gain using one species' photosynthetic light response in its own and other species' dynamic light regimes—demonstrated the potential adaptive nature of species diVerences: under- story Cyanea pilosa in its light regimes outperformed gap- dwelling Clermontia parviXora, while Clermontia in its light regimes outperformed Cyanea. The apparent cross- over in daily photosynthesis occurred at about the same photon Xux density where dominance shifts from Cyanea to Clermontia in the Weld. Our results further support our hypothesis that the lobeliads have diversiWed physiologi- cally across light environments in Hawaiian ecosystems and that those shifts appear to maximize the carbon gain of each species in its own environment.
Detailed computational modeling of laminar and turbulent sooting flames

This study reports development and validation of two parallel flame solvers with soot models based on the open-source computation fluid dynamics (CFD) toolbox code OpenFOAM. First, a laminar flame solver is developed and validated against experimental data. A semi-empirical two-equation soot model and a detailed soot model using a method of moments with interpolative closure (MOMIC) are implemented in the laminar flame solver. An optically thin radiation model including gray soot radiation is also implemented. Preliminary results using these models show good agreement with experimental data for the laminar axisymmetric diffusion flame studied. Second, a turbulent flame solver is developed using Reynolds-averaged equations and transported probability density function (tPDF) method. The MOMIC soot model is implemented on this turbulent solver. A sophisticated photon Monte-Carlo (PMC) model with line-by-line spectral radiation database for modeling is also implemented on the turbulent solver. The validation of the turbulent solver is under progress. Both the solvers show good scalability for a moderate-sized chemical mechanism, and can be expected to scale even more strongly when larger chemical mechanisms are used.
Cation-π effects in the complexation of Na+ and K+ with Phe, Tyr, and Trp in the gas phase

Na+ and K+ gas-phase affinities of the three aromatic amino acids Phe, Tyr, and Trp were measured by the kinetic method. Na+ binds these amino acids much more strongly than K+, and for both metal ions the binding strength was found to follow the order Phe ≤ Tyr < Trp. Quantum chemical calculations by density functional theory (DFT) gave the same qualitative ordering, but suggested a somewhat larger Phe/Trp increment. These results are in acceptable agreement with predictions based on the binding of Na+ and K+ to the side chain model molecules benzene, phenol, and indole, and are also in reasonable agreement with the predictions from purely electrostatic calculations of the side-chain binding effects. The binding energies were compared with those to the aliphatic amino acids glycine and alanine. Binding to the aromatic amino acids was found to be stronger both experimentally and computationally, but the DFT calculations indicate substantially larger increments relative to alanine than shown by the experiments. Possible reasons for this difference are discussed. The metal ion binding energies show the same trends as the proton affinities.
Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by inborn errors of cholesterol metabolism resulting from mutations in 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7). There are only a few studies describing the brain imaging findings in SLOS. This study examines the prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in the largest cohort of patients with SLOS to date. Fifty-five individuals with SLOS (27 M, 28 F) between age 0.17 years and 25.4 years (mean = 6.2, SD = 5.8) received a total of 173 brain MRI scans (mean = 3.1 per subject) on a 1.5T GE scanner between September 1998 and December 2003, or on a 3T Philips scanner between October 2010 and September 2012; all exams were performed at the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health. We performed a retrospective review of these imaging studies for both major and minor brain anomalies. Aberrant MRI findings were observed in 53 of 55 (96%) SLOS patients, with abnormalities of the septum pellucidum the most frequent (42/55, 76%) finding. Abnormalities of the corpus callosum were found in 38 of 55 (69%) patients. Other findings included cerebral atrophy, cerebellar atrophy, colpocephaly, white matter lesions, arachnoid cysts, Dandy-Walker variant, and type I Chiari malformation. Significant correlations were observed when comparing MRI findings with sterol levels and somatic malformations. Individuals with SLOS commonly have anomalies involving the midline and para-midline structures of the brain. Further studies are required to examine the relationship between structural brain abnormalities and neurodevelopmental disability in SLOS.
Revised assignment of absolute configuration of the cis- and trans-N6-deoxyadenosine adducts at C14 of (+/-)-11beta,12alpha-dihydroxy-13alpha,14alpha-epoxy-11,12,13,14-tetrahydrodibenzo[a,l]pyrene by stereoselective synthesis.

We have reassigned relative and absolute configurations by unambiguous stereoselective syntheses of the cis- (13S and 13R) and trans-N6-deoxyadenosine (dAdo) adduct diastereomers (14S and 14R) derived from (±)-11β,12α-dihydroxy-13α,14α-epoxy-11,12,13,14-tetrahydrodibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DB[a,l]P DE-2), previously reported by Li et al. [(1999) Chem. Res. Toxicol. 12, 758−767]. Two stereoselective methods, asymmetric aminohydroxylation of the (±)-trans-11,12-dihydrodiol (3) with 3′,5′-di-O-(tert -butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-deoxyadenosine (4) and the highly stereoselective cis addition of 4 to (±)-DB[a,l]P DE-2 in hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFP), were employed. Both afforded a 1:1 mixture of the cis-N6-dAdo adduct diastereomers, which were separated as triacetates (5S and 5R) in comparable yields (∼80%). The corresponding trans adduct diastereomers (10S and 10R) were obtained by coupling the aminotriol derived from trans opening of (±)-DB[a,l]P DE-2 with 6-fluoro-(2′-deoxy-3,5-di-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-β-d-erythro-p...
Sonography of tuberculous kidney

Sonography of 8 patients with renal tuberculosis is reported and collated with 3 additional cases reported in the literature. The patterns of hydronephrosis versus granuloma formation are presented and the differential diagnoses at sonography reviewed.
Boron depletion during progressive metamorphism: Implications for subduction processes

Systematic differences in trace element compositions of volcanic arc versus intraplate magmas are commonly attributed to involvement of subducted sediments and/or seawater-altered oceanic crust in arc magma genesis. The exact contributions from these materials is poorly understood. Metamorphic processes may significantly modify subducted oceanic slabs before they reach subarc depths. The nature and magnitude of such compositional modifications, as exemplified by the element boron, are investigated in metamorphic suites having protoliths analogous to subducted marine sediments and basalts. Our results indicate that in addition to protolith type, B content depends on metamorphic temperature. Greenschist and amphibolite facies metasediments generally have B contents at least a factor of two lower than in equivalent unmetamorphosed sediments. Moreover, four low-pressure pelitic to semipelitic metasediment suites display progressive loss of B with increasing peak metamorphic temperature (ca. 200–750°C). Metabasalts of greenschist and higher grades also have consistently lower B contents (</ 10 ppm) than estimated for altered oceanic crust. Granulites and migmatites are invariably depleted in B (typically < 3 ppm). Most subducted B initially resides in marine sediment and altered oceanic crust (i.e., within the uppermost kilometer). Our observations suggest that B may be extracted by fluids released by devolatilization reactions upon progressive heating during subduction. The relatively high B contents observed in many arc basalts imply that slab temperatures at subarc depths commonly do not exceed conditions at which B is systematically depleted. Otherwise, subducted slabs would retain insufficient quantities of B to balance its inventory in arc magmas. Using the temperature dependence of B depletion estimated from metamorphic suites, maximum temperatures are unlikely to exceed ∼ 800–900°C for uppermost portions of subducted slabs beneath arcs which show typical B enrichments. In contrast, arc basalts commonly have eruptive temperatures approaching the dry liquidus (ca. 1300°C) of subducted oceanic crust. By the time such temperatures are reached in subducted slabs, it is likely that H2O, B and other fluid-mobile elements are strongly depleted by metamorphic processes. Thus, slab melting does not appear to be a viable process for generating typical arc basalts. A more plausible scenario that is commonly invoked for production of arc basaltic magmas involves migration of aqueous fluid and fluid-mobile elements from the slab to hotter regions in the mantle wedge. Such fluids could metasomatize portions of the mantle wedge and induce melting to produce B-rich arc magmas.
An analysis of changes in the spatial vectorcardiogram with aging.

Abstract Spatial vectorcardiograms of 223 normal subjects between the ages of 20 and 68 years have been analyzed in an attempt to determine changes attributable to the normal aging process. Distortion of the QRSsE loops of the sVCG, or pronounced irregularity in the time course of the wave of depolarization, was observed with increasing frequency as the age of the patient advanced. Although no arbitrary decision could be made in all cases, most spatial vectorcardiograms could be separated into those with and without distorted QRSsE loops. The mechanism of the changes remains unknown but seems attributable in large part to alterations with age in the time course of depolarization. More extensive investigation of a larger series of subjects of various ages, involving serial tracings, is necessary to elucidate the clinical significance of the distortions.
Symposium–CONTEMPORARY AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS IN AUSTRALIA

This review of the present state of agricultural economics concentrates on some aspects which appear to be of particular importance or interest. In no sense is it an attempt to discuss the whole field of agricultural economics, nor to review the scope of work in the Bureau of Agricultural Economics. I have concentrated on aspects which seem to me to have given agricultural economics in Australia a separate identity within the broader fields covered by general economics. In the final section of this paper, rather than on the selected aspects discussed in more detail in the main part of it, the scope of agricultural economics, as I see it, is set out.
Subsurface hydrology at waste disposal sites

One result of the growing concern over surface-water pollution has been an increase in the popularity of ground-based waste disposal practices that save the streams but have a high potential for subsurface pollution. One of these, sanitary landfill, appears quite promising in its ability to handle large waste loads with a minimum of contamination; but two others, waste lagoons and deep-well injection of liquid wastes into geologic formations, lead to irreversible subsurface pollution. In all cases, the mechanism of pollution is an interaction between the pollutant source and the existing soil-moisture and groundwater flow systems. A mathematical model of the sub-surface flow can be used to predict this interaction and to assess theim pact on the environment of a proposed disposal site. The model applied in this paper can predict transient and steady state subsurface flow systems in two or three dimensions and includes consideration of both the saturated and the unsaturated zones. It can be applied at the reconnaissance stage on a regional basis to analyze a large number of alternative sites and at the chosen site to test the efficiency of various design alternatives and to provide guidance in the design of a monitoring system. The model predicts only convective transport and does not consider dispersion or hydrochemical reactions.
Synthesis of Photoactive Magnetic Nanoparticles with Atomic Layer Deposition

Iron-based magnetic nanoparticles have been produced by decomposition of iron oxalate powder. The micrometer-size iron oxalate powder was first ground by use of a cryogenic milling process. A titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film was then deposited on the synthesized iron nanoparticles with an in situ atomic layer deposition (ALD) process at 100 °C with TiCl4 and H2O2 as precursors. However, because of the high surface area, the iron nanoparticles were unstable and spontaneously oxidized when exposed to H2O2 during the TiO2 ALD process, thus reducing the magnetic moment of the core particles. As an improvement in the process, prior to the TiO2 deposition, an aluminum nitride (AlN) film was deposited in situ to coat and passivate the iron core particles. The AlN ALD was performed at 250 °C with trimethylaluminium (TMA) and ammonia (NH3) as precursors. This passivation provided a significant decrease in the iron oxidation as determined by X-ray diffraction and magnetization measurements. Photoactivity of the Ti...
Trends in unintentional drowning: the role of alcohol and medical care

ContextDuring the last few decades, mortality from drowning has decreased in the United States for unknown reasons. It has been hypothesized that this decline may be due to decreased use of alcohol in and around water or improved medical treatment after a submersion.ObjectivesTo estimate changes in unintentional mortality due to submersion, estimate trends in drownings attributable to alcohol use, and assess the role of medical care in these mortality trends.DesignA 21-year longitudinal study of case findings, from January 1, 1975, through December 31, 1995.Setting and ParticipantsAll residents of King County, Washington, who died unintentionally from submersion and 284 persons hospitalized for submersion who survived.Main Outcome MeasuresChanges in submersion-related mortality incidence over time, proportion of this mortality that could be attributed to alcohol use, changes over time in the case-fatality rate of treated patients, and estimate of deaths prevented in 1995 compared with projected estimates had there been no change in incidence since 1975.ResultsThere were 539 deaths due to drowning in King County during 21 years. Mortality rates during this period declined by 59% (95% confidence interval [CI], −70% to −46%). The incidence of death attributable to alcohol use decreased by 81% (95% CI, −91% to −57%); this could account for 51% of deaths prevented in 1995. Among 249 comatose patients who received prehospital care, 205 died; the odds of survival decreased 40% over 21 years (P=.40). Among 101 comatose patients who were hospitalized, 63 died; the odds of survival decreased 29% (P=.75). The incidence of survival of comatose hospital patients decreased by 29% from 1975 to 1995 (95% CI, −78% to +125%). We found no evidence that trends in medical treatment prevented any deaths due to drowning in 1995.ConclusionsDrowning incidence in King County, Washington, declined because of a decrease in severe submersion episodes rather than an increase in success of medical interventions. Our data support the theory that less use of alcohol around water prevents some deaths. About half of the decrease was unexplained.
Clinical Subtypes of Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) was one of the lesser known dementias until the recent advancements revealing its genetic and pathological foundation. This common neurodegenerative disorder has three clinical subtypes- behavioral, semantic and progressive non fluent aphasia. The behavioral variant mostly exhibits personality changes, while the other two encompass various language deficits. This review discusses the basic pathology, genetics, clinical and histological presentation and the diagnosis of the 3 subtypes. It also deliberates the different therapeutic modalities currently available for frontotemporal dementia and the challenges faced by the caregivers. Lastly it explores the scope of further research into the diagnosis and management of FTD.
Comparing Two Opacity Models in Monte Carlo Radiative Heat Transfer: Computational Efficiency and Parallel Load Balancing

Thermal heating from radiative heat transfer can have a significant effect on combustion systems. A variety of models have been developed to represent the strongly varying opacities found in combustion gases (Goutiere et al., 2000). This work evaluates the computational efficiency and load balance issues associated with two opacity models implemented in a 3D parallel Monte Carlo solver: the spectral-line-based weighted sum of gray gases (SLW) (Denison and Webb, 1993) and the spectral line-by-line (LBL) (Wang and Modest, 2007) opacity models. The parallel performance of the opacity models is evaluated using the Su and Olson (1999) frequency-dependent semi-analytic benchmark problem. Weak scaling, strong scaling, and history scaling studies were performed and comparisons were made for each opacity model. Comparisons of load balance sensitivities to these types of scaling were also evaluated. It was found that the SLW model has some attributes that might be valuable in a select set of parallel problems.
Some Statistical Analysis Issues at the World Fertility Survey

Abstract The World Fertility Survey carried out cross-sectional probability surveys of fertility in more than 40 developing countries between 1972 and 1984. Statistical issues in regression analysis of the data are reviewed, including treatment of interactions, the selection of regressor variables, and appropriate linear models for rate variables. Similar issues arise in many other applications of regression to observational data.
The Urban Crisis and Pathways to a Multiracial Democracy

Realization of a multiracial democracy is challenged like never before by a new era of color-blind politics and postracial supposition, fueled in part by the election of our first black President in 2008, but contradicted by the chronic persistence of racial segregation and social inequality.
Dnase treatment in primary ciliary dyskinesia : Assessment by nocturnal pulse oximetry

DNA from disintegrating neutrophils is thought to be an important determinant of the high viscosity of cystic fibrosis sputum. Recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (DNase), an enzyme which cleaves DNA, has proven to be effective in improving sputum clearance from the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Inhaled DNase improves pulmonary function, reduces the frequency of respiratory tract infections and improves general well-being in CF. Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), like CF, is a chronic lung disease in which sputum retention leads to lung damage. Impairment of mucociliary transport results in chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and subsequently bronchiectasis, and in about 50% to situs inversus. Currently, PCD patients are treated with chest physiotherapy, antibiotics, and bronchodilators. We present here an infant with PCD. His severe respiratory symptoms and hypoxemia did not improve, despite nebulized isotonic NaCl solution, physiotherapy, and aggressive antibiotic treatment. Immediately after starting nebulized DNase therapy the respiratory symptoms, lung function, and overnight oximetry improved. During two readmissions because of acute worsening of dyspnea, the baby again showed overnight improvements on treatment with DNase, antibiotics, and bronchodilators. Withholding DNase during an asymptomatic period caused no worsening. The therapeutic potential of nebulized DNase in PCD should be established by controlled trials.
Ontogeny of the Serotonergic System in the Rat: Serotonin as a Developmental Signal

The serotonergic system is an early forming component of the CNS circuitry, beginning its development on gestational days 11-12 in the rat. Owing to its early presence in the embryonic nervous system, 5-HT has been proposed to act as a developmental signal for receptive cells. In vivo and in vitro evidence that 5-HT can influence both biochemical and morphological differentiation of raphe neurons and receptive target cells suggests that this neurotransmitter may have an organizing function in the developing nervous system which involves effects on neurite outgrowth and other aspects of neuronal differentiation, including synaptogenesis. Such functions may be mediated by a variety of 5-HT receptors located on both neuronal and non-neuronal cells. The apparent function of 5-HT as a differentiation signal in the developing nervous system raises important issues regarding the use of psychoactive serotonergic drugs by pregnant women, since these drugs may act as neural teratogens in the unborn child.
Positional cloning of the HYP gene: A review

X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (HYP) is the most common form of familial hypophosphatemic rickets. Patients variably prcsent with lower extremity deformities, rickets, short stature, bone pain, dental abscesses, enthesopathy, and osteomalacia [1]. It is an X-linked dominant disorder [21 characterized by decreased renal tubular phosphate reabsorption and consequent hypophosphatemia. Observations in the Hyp mouse, one of the murine homologues of the human diseasc, indicate that the disorder is not due to an intrinsic renal defect [3—6]. However, the HYP gene may directly or indirectly regulate the expression of the sodium dependent phosphate cotransporter (NPT2) in the renal proximal tubule [7]. Despite extensive study, the pathophysiology of the disorder has not been elucidated. To gain better understanding of this disorder we have used the positional cloning approach to locate and clone the HYP gene.
A Collaborative Approach to Returning Clients to Work During the First Year After Spinal Cord Injury

This article presents an aggressive collaborative approach for returning clients with new spinal cord injuries to work. We introduce an innovative case management program designed to follow clients after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. The article describes how vocational services and the case management program work together to assist clients in their plans to return to the work force.
Residential treatment services: A review of some current trends

Residential treatment continues to be a major vehicle for delivering services to troubled youth and their families. A review of some current trends is presented to examine research supporting current practice and to highlight professional issues and concerns in residential treatment. In particular, incentive systems, child-care staffing, parent involvement, and programming activities are examined.
An evaluation of fatigue cracking in an aerial platform yoke from a fire-fighting vehicle

Abstract A case study of cracking in a heat-treated aluminum tubular yoke from an aerial fire-fighting platform is presented. An evaluation of the yoke was undertaken to assess its integrity that included a visual examination, photo documentation, metallurgical replication, chemical analysis, tensile testing and scanning electron microscopy. This paper reports the findings of this assessment and discusses the design issues associated with fatigue cracking at welded attachments in these types of components.
Rotation and kinematics of the premain-sequence stars in Taurus-Auriga with Ca II emission

Radial velocities and v sin i values for the stars in the Taurus-Auriga region that were found to have strong Ca II H and K emission by Herbig, Vrba, and Rydgren 'HVR', (1986) are reported. Most of the velocities are determined to better than 2 km/s precision. The kinematic properties of the Ca II emission stars with strong Li are found to be indistinguishable from conventional T Tauris in Taurus-Auriga, contrary to HVR. These Li-rich stars also rotate like T Tauris. Most of the stars that lack Li are probable or possible members of the Hyades, in the foreground, and are among the brightest and most active stars in that cluster for their spectral types. It is suggested following Jones and Herbig (1979), that the apparent absence of low-mass stars older than 10 Myr in Taurus-Auriga is real, and is due to the finite lifetime of the cloud.
Non-Gaussian Limiting Behavior of the Percolation Threshold in a Large System

We study short-range percolation models. In a finite box we define the percolation threshold as a random variable obtained from a stochastic procedure used in actual numerical calculations, and study the asymptotic behavior of these random variables as the size of the box goes to infinity. We formulate very general conditions under which in two dimensions rescaled threshold variables cannot converge to a Gaussian and determine the asymptotic behavior of their second moments in terms of a widely used definition of correlation length. We also prove that in all dimensions the finite-volume percolation thresholds converge in probability to the percolation threshold of the infinite system. The convergence result is obtained by estimating the rate of decay of the limiting distribution function's tail in terms of the correlation length exponent ν. The proofs use exponential estimates of crossing probabilities. Substantial parts of the proofs apply in all dimensions.