cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health Care Integration and Quality among Men with Prostate Cancer

Purpose: The delivery of high quality prostate cancer care is increasingly important for health systems, physicians and patients. Integrated delivery systems may have the greatest ability to deliver high quality, efficient care. We sought to understand the association between health care integration and quality of prostate cancer care.Materials and Methods: We used SEER-Medicare data to perform a retrospective cohort study of men older than age 65 with prostate cancer diagnosed between 2007 and 2011. We defined integration within a health care market based on the number of discharges from a top 100 integrated delivery system, and compared rates of adherence to well accepted prostate cancer quality measures in markets with no integration vs full integration (greater than 90% of discharges from an integrated system).Results: The average man treated in a fully integrated market was more likely to receive pretreatment counseling by a urologist and radiation oncologist (62.6% vs 60.3%, p=0.03), avoid inappropr...
Linking Theory and Data in the Scientific Study of Constructs and Individual Measurements

This chapter discusses how the quantitative vision is applied in traditional science and its complex implications for the work of the local clinical scientist. Central to this vision is an attitude about the scientific importance of part-whole relationships—as between individual and the collective—methodologically expressed in the belief that aggregation sheds light on general scientific phenomena. Data from collections of cases are analyzed to examine higher-order principles that might underlie the similarities or differences observed, as defined in terms of relationships between variables. The individual case and all other aspects of specificity in science are construed as instances of the combined outcome (main effects and interactions) of general forces in nature. Direct observation of aggregates is required to achieve nomothetic, or truly general, knowledge that is reliable and valid. It is assumed that this knowledge is often difficult to view clearly in the individual case. This may be because of the prominence of error, or because lawful effects are small and only discernible when their incremental and systematic impacts can accumulate with the combining of cases relative to the random and relatively limited impacts of error.
Direct Maxwell’s Equation Solvers in Time and Frequency Domains — A Review

In this paper, we present a brief review of partial differential equation (PDE) techniques for solving the problems of electromagnetic scattering from complex bodies and circuit modeling of microwave components. Radar targets as well as microwave circuits in use today often possess intricate geometries and comprise of materials with highly inhomogeneous properties. One consequence of this is that the analytical and asymptotical techniques can seldom be used to solve the field problems in these geometries with sufficient accuracy, and even the application of the integral equation approach, e.g., the Method of Moments, becomes rather involved. However, the direct solution of Maxwell’s equations using PDEs, such as the finite element (FEM) or the finite difference time domain (FDTD) methods, offers an attractive alternative for analyzing these complex problems conveniently, reliably and accurately.
On the dependence of necking upon loading history

Dependence and the shape of tensile specimens upon deformation was studied. It was shown that the flow stress is a function of the strain and strain rate. The shape evolution is independent of deformation history if S(e,e') = f(e)e/sup m/. (FS)
Collimated thermal radiation transfer via half Maxwell's fish-eye lens for thermophotovoltaics

Thermophotovoltaics (TPV) convert heat into electricity by capturing thermal radiation with a photovoltaic (PV) cell, ideally at efficiencies of 50% or more. However, excess heating of the PV cell from close proximity to the emitter substantially reduces the system efficiency. In this work, we theoretically develop and numerically demonstrate an approach to fundamentally improving TPV systems that allow for a much greater separation of an emitter and a receiver. Thus, we solve the excess heating dilemma, required for achieving theoretically high efficiencies. It consists of a spherically graded index lens known as Maxwell's Fish-Eye (MFE) structure, capable of collimating hemispherical emission into a much narrower range of angles, close to the normal direction. To fully characterize the power radiation profile of the MFE, we perform finite-difference time-domain simulations for a quarter MFE and then map it onto a Gaussian beam approximation. The modeled beam properties are subsequently used to study a h...
Melanotic Macule in Conjunction with a Giant Cell Fibroma.

Introduction The aim of this study is to describe a case of a melanotic macule found in conjunction with a giant cell fibroma (GCF). For oral pigmented lesions without an identifiable etiologic factor, critical factors in determining the differential diagnosis are clinical history, symmetry, and uniformity of the lesions. Potential differential diagnosis includes racial pigmentation, endocrine disturbance, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, trauma, hemochromatosis, oral malignant melanoma, or idiopathic etiology and melanotic macules. Melanotic macules are the most common solitary pigmented melanocytic lesions in the oral mucosa, corresponding to 86.1% of melanocytic lesions of the mouth. Giant cell fibromas are reactive connective tissue lesions in the oral cavity. They were first described as a distinct entity in 1974 by Weathers and Callihan and make up around 5 to 10% of all oral mucosa fibrous lesions. They are commonly mistaken for other growths, such as pyogenic granuloma and fibroma, and diagnosis is accurately based on its distinctive histopathology. This article presents the clinicopathologic findings of a 15-year-old Hispanic male presenting for biopsy of a melanotic macule on the mandibular anterior buccal gingiva. Histologic evaluation of the specimen revealed that the lesion also contained a GCF. Pathologic lesions of the mouth should be carefully diagnosed. Conventionally, histologic evaluation is the gold standard to produce a final diagnosis. As evidenced in this article, multiple lesions may exist in a site and may be mistakenly diagnosed as a single entity. Clinical significance While each lesion has been reported individually, in reviewing the literature, no cases were reported in which both histopathologic findings of GCF and melanotic macule were present within the same lesion.
5 Categorical class formation by an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the categorical class formation by an African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus). It discusses the way Psittacus erithacus categorizes individual items in numerous ways, to demonstrate emergent relationships, to exhibit competence in understanding several unrelated concepts (same/different, bigger/smaller, quantification), and to form new arbitrary categories. Studies on the formation of categorical classes must be designed to take into account the ecological and ethological framework of the creature that is being studied—that is, a framework consisting of the niche in which the subject lives and its species-specific behavior patterns. The findings must be interpreted within this same framework. Certain level class formation is one of the most basic of capacities, and the level of such categorization is a consequence of the subject's general ecological and ethological circumstances.
A Case of Pancreatic Cancer: Abdominal Anatomy Team-Based Learning Module for Medical Students.

Introduction Team-based learning (TBL) is an instructional method utilized by the University of Alabama School of Medicine to facilitate collaboration and integration of concepts introduced in unde...
Weeding out bad alleles

Geneticists and breeders are enthralled with the variability of traits within a species, but fundamental questions remain about what types of molecular changes underlie phenotypic variation. An investigation of the transcriptomes of agricultural varieties of maize provides insights into the variability of gene expression and it’s phenotypic consequences.
Religiosity and Coping: Racial Stigma and Psychological Well-Being among African American Girls.

This study examined how having a relationship with God served as a protective factor between racial stigma beliefs and psychological well-being. A church sample of African American adolescent girls (N = 117, Mage= 15) completed measures on racial stigma, psychological well-being, and reports on having a relationship with God. After controlling for adolescent age, family income, and church attendance, positive racial beliefs and having a relationship with God were associated with a healthier psychological well-being. Findings also revealed that having a relationship with God and internalizing healthier racial beliefs were associated with a healthier psychological well-being, whereas reporting higher levels of having a relationship with God served as a protective factor for African American girls when internalizing moderate levels of racial stigma. Overall, results suggest that having a relationship with God can serve as a coping mechanism and promote a healthier psychological well-being for African American adolescent girls.
FAQ: Bioidentical Hormones: Compounded and Non-compounded

There’s a great deal of confusion about what bioidentical hormones are, and how they relate to once-standard prescriptions like Premarin, and whether they are natural or synthetic or organics. Additional confusions circle around whether bioidentical HT hormones have to be compounded at a special compounding pharmacy, whether that is a safe practice, and whether bioidentical hormones are available through ordinary prescription of FDA-regulated and manufactured hormone products.
Dynamic Fracture and Impact Energy Absorption Characteristics of PMMA-PU Transparent Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPNs)

In this work, transparent Interpenetrating Polymer Networks (IPNs) were synthesized using poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as the stiff phase and polyurethane (PU) as the tough phase. Several IPNs with varying PMMA:PU ratios in the range of 90:10 to 70:30 were formulated. Dynamic fracture tests on IPNs were conducted using a long-bar impactor setup in conjunction with digital image correlation method and high-speed photography. Low-velocity impact studies of IPNs were also performed using falling weight drop-tower impact apparatus. Dynamic fracture and low-velocity impact experiments show that an optimum range of PMMA:PU ratio in the IPNs can produce enhanced dynamic crack initiation fracture toughness and impact energy absorption capability when compared to PMMA. Macro scale damage features revealed distinct failure modes as a result of low-velocity impacts.
Holocene environmental changes in the Whitefish Dunes Area, Door Peninsula, Northern Lake Michigan Basin, USA

A two meter sediment core taken from an inter-dune pond in Whitefish Dunes State Park, Door Peninsula, Wisconsin, provides a record of paleoenvironmental changes in the area from approximately 3600 RCYBP to 5100 RCYBP. The hydrology of the Whitefish Dunes pond is now apparently dependent on ground water recharge from local precipitation that infiltrates into the dunes and from Clark Lane, making it very sensitive to low magnitude, short term climate fluctuations. Changes in lithology, molluscan species diversity, oxygen isotopes from gastropod shells, and sediment organic content permit division of the core into several intervals representing different environmental regimes. The basal sediments are older than 5130 RCYBP and resemble those of the Liberty Grove Member of the Pleistocene Horicon Formation. The oldest Holocene sediments recorded in the core are an organic rich layer dated at 5130 RCYBP, which accumulated in a depression on the surface of a sand bar. Continued rise in the local water table during the Nipissing Transgression produced paludal conditions in the area, which were followed by the onset of lacustrine conditions. During this interval, the area supported a diverse molluscan fauna. Minor, short term climate fluctuations are reflected in sediment and oxygen isotope changes which are absent from the record in deep water cores from Lake Michigan. This phase in the history of the area ended with the eutrophication of the pond and the development of dunes. Information from Whitefish Dunes pond and other onshore sites within the Lake Michigan basin are an important source of data for reconstructing the history of water levels and climate changes for this area of the Great Lakes drainage.
Information Literacy Skills for Preservice Teachers: Do They Transfer to K-12 Classrooms?.

This study surveyed current education majors (n=70) in two Kansas universities to gain a perspective on their understanding of Information Literacy (IL) concepts and skills, and to learn whether they anticipated teaching such concepts to their future K-12 students. School media specialists in the state were also surveyed (n=85) and asked to share their observations of teachers new to the profession as to their understanding and practice of IL. Results indicate many education students were not familiar with IL concept terminology and at least some new teachers in the state do not have a clear understanding or priority for teaching such skills in K-12 classrooms.
Collaborative and Accountable Hardware Governance Using Blockchain

Hardware systems are complex and the complexity of such systems is increasing with the adoption of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and with the advent of cryptocurrency and Internet-of-Things. The increase in complexity makes it harder to address failure, security compromises, and lack of performance in hardware systems. Further, such systems need to be customized and integrated by several parties and stakeholders in order to implement specific end-to-end applications. In this paper, we make two contributions towards managing this complexity: (1) we present a vision on how hardware system development and governance should be carried out, and (2) we advocate applying a fresh approach to the problem of hardware development and verification, going from a blackbox driven model to a white-box model in order to improve trust, reliability and efficiency in a dynamic, collaborative and accountable manner. We think that it is essential to employ automated validation of technical and business specification as well as to carry out analytics and machine learning on the internal states of hardware devices and systems in order to dynamically determine and/or predict faults, security issues, performance issues and address them in a collaborative manner. We lay out the desiderata, challenges and issues in accomplishing this. We also present a blockchain-based governance platform for hardware systems as part of our solution.
Learning a Mixture of Gaussians via Mixed Integer Optimization

We consider the problem of estimating the parameters of a multivariate Gaussian mixture model (GMM) given access to n samples that are believed to have come from a mixture of multiple subpopulation...
The visual presidency of Donald Trump's first hundred days: Political image making and digital media

From frequent scrum photos of the president holding up signed executive orders in the Oval Office to images of the president energetically sitting behind the wheel of a Mack truck parked outside his back door, like previous administrations, visuals have been central to Donald Trump’s presidency. This chapter analyzes the visuals on White House social media accounts (i.e., Twitter and Facebook) in Trump’s first 100 days in office and explores how his administration used visuals as an essential vehicle for storytelling, image building, and persuading. Building on previous research on the communicative functions of visual symbols in politics, the chapter finds that the Trump administration used socially mediated images to build an image based on success, power, and leadership and to legitimize his new administration.
Coffee chemistry: Not your average joe

The judges of the World Barista Championship silently tasted the signature beverage we had created, and we waited nervously as they reduced all of our hard work to a single number. At this curious competition, the best baristas from each country prepare a variety of coffee drinks, including the formidable signature beverage: a unique concoction of espresso and any noncoffee ingredients except for alcohol. The alcohol prohibition ruled out our inspired pairing of a washed Ethiopian espresso featuring tannic, fruity, and tea-like flavors with a rotary evaporated bottle of 2014 Château du Santenay Pinot Noir (a lovely wine with flavors similar to the espresso). Instead of giving up, we prepared to meet the challenge by leveraging our backgrounds in chemistry. As our first strategy, my partner—Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, the 2015 UK barista champion—and I decided to scientifically test the Pinot reduction. Using high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, we showed that the 60 mL wine concentrate contained no detectable ethanol. However, officials told us that the concentrate was still inadmissible and that our tests showing it to be alcohol free were merely “pieces of paper.” #### Call for submissions Life in Science is an occasional feature highlighting some of the humorous or unusual day-to-day realities that face our readers. Can you top this? Submit your story to [www.submit2science.org][1]. Undeterred, we turned to our next tactic: recreating the amazing flavor of the Pinot concentrate by mixing nonalcoholic ingredients. After reading hundreds of analytical chemistry studies, we approximated the wine with only four ingredients: a water extraction of the skins of black grapes (for color and grape flavors), cranberries (for mild tannins, fruity acids, and tartness), pomegranate (for fruity flavors and a source of natural sugars), and the key ingredient: the second wash of the white, flaky skin of walnut, a source of extremely high levels of tannins. We presented our unusual recipe to the judges in a tulip glass. Our meticulous research into flavor profiles paid off: We took home the title of Best Signature Beverage and came in fifth overall. As my research has long indicated, coffee and chemistry are the perfect pairing. ![][2] The author creates a coffee concoction in the lab. PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER H. HENDON, UNIVERSITY OF OREGON [1]: http://www.submit2science.org [2]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Pathways to Pleasure and Protection: Exploring Embodiment, Desire, and Entitlement to Pleasure as Predictors of Black and White Young Women’s Sexual Agency:

Sexual agency is a fundamental dimension of sexual subjectivity and well-being. Research and theory suggest that it functions in the service of both protection from harm and enabling sexual pleasur...
Interstate War Battle dataset (1823–2003):

Extant scholarship on interstate war and conflict resolution predominantly utilizes formal models, case studies, and statistical models with wars as the unit of analysis to assess the impact of bat...
One-way-street revisited: Streamlined admission of critically-ill trauma patients

Abstract Introduction Emergency department (ED) crowding is associated with increased mortality and delays in care. We developed a rapid admission pathway targeting critically-ill trauma patients in the ED. This study investigates the sustainability of the pathway, as well as its effectiveness in times of increased ED crowding. Materials & methods This was a retrospective cohort study assessing the admission of critically-ill trauma patients with and without the use of a rapid admission pathway from 2013 to 2018. We accessed demographic and clinical data from trauma registry data and ED capacity logs. Statistical analyses included univariate and multivariate testing. Results A total of 1700 patients were included. Of this cohort, 434 patients were admitted using the rapid admission pathway, whereas 1266 were admitted using the traditional pathway. In bivariate analysis, mean ED LOS was 1.54 h (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.41, 1.66) with the rapid pathway, compared with 5.88 h (95% CI: 5.64, 6.12) with the traditional pathway (p Conclusion This study found that a streamlined process to admit critically-ill trauma patients is sustainable and associated with reduction in ED LOS. As ED crowding remains pervasive, these findings support restructured care processes to limit prolonged ED boarding times for critically-ill patients.
Loss of HOXB13 expression in neuroendocrine prostate cancer

HOXB13, the most posterior HOX B gene, is primarily expressed in the prostate. Using immunohistochemical staining, we evaluated the expression of HOXB13 in prostatic tissues. We found that HOXB13 was expressed in both benign prostatic tissues and prostate adenocarcinoma (AdPCa) but its expression was reduced or lost in neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPCa). Additionally, using RNAseq data of HOXs in cell lines derived from various tissue origins, we established HOX codes for these tissue types. We applied the HOX codes to PCa samples and found that the majority of AdPCa samples sustained the prostate-specific HOX code but the majority of NEPCa samples lost it. Our analysis also showed that the NEPCa samples did not correlate well with the HOX codes of any other tissue type. This indicates that NEPCa tumors lose prostate identity but do not gain a clear-cut new tissue identity. Finally, we treated PCa cells with all trans retinoic acid and found that the reduced/lost HOXB13 expression can be reverted, as can AR and AR targets. Taken together, our data indicate that HOXB13 expression is reduced or lost in NEPCa and a loss of prostate-specific HOX code in NEPCa represents a loss of prostatic identity.
Expanded Ethical Principles for Research Partnership and Transdisciplinary Natural Resource Management Science

Natural resource researchers have long recognized the value of working closely with the managers and communities who depend on, steward, and impact ecosystems. These partnerships take various forms, including co-production and transdisciplinary research approaches, which integrate multiple knowledges in the design and implementation of research objectives, questions, methods, and desired outputs or outcomes. These collaborations raise important methodological and ethical challenges, because partnering with non-scientists can have real-world risks for people and ecosystems. The social sciences and biomedical research studies offer a suite of conceptual tools that enhance the quality, ethical outcomes, and effectiveness of research partnerships. For example, the ethical guidelines and regulations for human subjects research, following the Belmont Principles, help prevent harm and promote respectful treatment of research participants. However, science–management partnerships require an expanded set of ethical concepts to better capture the challenges of working with individuals, communities, organizations, and their associated ecosystems, as partners, rather than research subjects. We draw from our experiences in collaborative teams, and build upon the existing work of natural resources, environmental health, conservation and ecology, social science, and humanities scholars, to develop an expanded framework for ethical research partnership. This includes four principles: (1) appropriate representation, (2) self-determination, (3) reciprocity, and (4) deference, and two cross-cutting themes: (1) applications to humans and non-human actors, and (2) acquiring appropriate research skills. This framework is meant to stimulate important conversations about expanding ethics training and skills for researchers in all career-stages to improve partnerships and transdisciplinary natural resources research.
Chemistry-specific responses due to rice-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere to counteract mefenacet stress.

Abstract The widespread use of herbicides has raised considerable concern with regard to their harmful consequences on plant growth, crop yield and the soil ecological environment. It has been well documented that colonization of rhizobacteria in the plant root system has a positive effect on activation of plant defenses to protect the plant from damage. Using the platform of high-throughput analysis with tandem mass spectrometry and Illumina sequencing, we identified the specific activated rhizobacteria, the key growth stimulating substances and the metabolic pathways involved in seedling stage tolerance to mefenacet stress in rice. The relative abundance of beneficial rhizospheremicrobes such as Acidobacteria and Firmicutes increased with mefenacet treatment, indicating that the rhizosphere recruited some beneficial microbes to resist mefenacet stress. Mefenacet treatment induced alterations in several interlinked metabolic pathways, many of which were related to activation of defense response signaling, especially the indole-3-pyruvate pathway. Indole-3-acetaldehyde and indole-3-ethanol from this pathway may act as flexible storage pools for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Our findings also suggest that a significant increase of IAA produced by the enrichment of beneficial rhizospheremicrobes, for example genus Bacillus, alleviated the dwarfing phenomenon observed in hydroponic medium following mefenacet exposure, which may be a key signaling molecule primarily for phytostimulation and phytotolerance in microbe-plant interactions.
Evaluation of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Measurement of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy can be based on patient report, clinician report, or objective assessment of nerve function. In this chapter, we discuss patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecological Cancer Group-Neurotoxicity questionnaire (FACT/GOG-Ntx), and the PRO-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE). In addition, we describe clinician-reported scales: the CTCAE, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) criteria, the World Health Organization (WHO) neurotoxicity scale, and the Ajani scale. Two scales that are specifically used for oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity are also discussed: the Oxaliplatin Neurological Toxicity Scale (ONTS] and the Neurotoxicity Criteria of Debiopharm (DEB-NTC). We also explain how nerve conduction studies assess peripheral nerve action potential amplitudes and velocity, and we describe the use of quantitative sensory testing, in which patients report whether they can detect sensations of vibration, mechanical stimuli, and warmth/cold applied to the skin at different locations. We discuss how these two types of studies can augment patient- and clinician-reported assessments, in part because they can detect abnormalities before they become clinically evident. Further, we highlight important biomarkers of CIPN, discuss options for nerve imaging, and make recommendations for clinical practice.
An Examination of Standardized Letters of Recommendation Rating Scales Among Neurosurgical Residency Candidates During the 2020-2021 Application Cycle.

BACKGROUND Letters of recommendation (LORs) are historically an important, though subjective, component of the neurosurgery residency application process. Standardized LORs (SLORs) were introduced during the 2020 to 2021 application cycle. The intent of SLORs is to allow objective comparison of applicants and to reduce bias. OBJECTIVE To examine the utility of SLORs during this application cycle. We hypothesized that "grade inflation" and poor inter-rater reliability, as described by other specialties using SLORs, would limit the utility of SLORs in their current form. METHODS This cross-sectional study analyzed all SLORs submitted to a single neurosurgery residency program over the 2020 to 2021 cycle. Data from 7 competency domains and the overall rating were recorded and stratified by academic category of letter writer. Inter-rater reliability was evaluated using Krippendorff's alpha. RESULTS One or more SLORs was submitted as part of 298 of 393 applications (76%). Approximately 58.3% of letters written by neurosurgery chairpersons rated a given applicant as being within the top 5% across all competencies. Approximately 44.4% of program director letters similarly rated applicants as amongst the top 5%, while 73.2% and 81.4% of letters by other neurosurgeons and general surgery evaluators, respectively, rated applicants in the top 5%. Inter-rater reliability was poor (<0.33) in all rating categories, including overall (α = 0.18). CONCLUSION The utility of the first iteration of SLORs in neurosurgery applications is undermined by significant "grade inflation" and poor inter-rater reliability. Improvements are necessary for SLORs if they are to provide meaningful information in future application cycles.
Individuality, History and Laws of Nature in Biology

David Hull and I approached the problem of the ontological status of species from very different directions, and a long time elapsed before our views on such matters converged. Early in my career as a comparative anatomist I found myself involved in the philosophy of systematic biology. Some authors had argued from a nominalistic position, and maintained that species, being classes, are not ‘real’. I pointed out that this argument rested on false premises. To me it seemed obvious that species are individuals, not classes, and their names have to be defined ostensively (Ghiselin 1966, 1969). At first Hull, who approached taxonomic theory from the point of view of analytical philosophy, did not find this solution attractive. We exchanged a long series of letters, in which I presented arguments based upon analogies and counter-examples, but to no avail
Abstract 15693: Genetic Deletion of Interleukin-6 Attenuates Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Remodeling After a Reperfused Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine, which is known to have a close association with cardiovascular diseases. Although myocardial expression of interleukin (IL)-6 increases after acute myocardial infarction (MI), its role in left ventricular (LV) remodeling and pathogenesis of heart failure remains unclear. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the absence of IL-6 will have a favorable impact on LV remodeling after a reperfused MI. Methods: Because most heart attacks in humans are followed by spontaneous or interventional reperfusion, we used a model of reperfused MI. Age-matched male C57BL/6 control mice and IL-6 knockout (KO) mice were subjected to a 30-min occlusion of the LAD coronary artery followed by reperfusion. Cardiac structure and function were serially assessed by echocardiography at baseline (4 d before MI) and at 48 h and 35 d after MI. Mice were sacrificed after 35 days for histological and biochemical assessments. Results: At 48 h post-MI, ejection fraction (EF) was similarly and significantly reduced in both groups compared with baseline (Figure), indicating that the ischemic injury was comparable between groups. However, 35 d after MI, IL-6 KO mice exhibited significantly greater EF compared with control mice. Moreover, LV end-diastolic volume was significantly smaller in IL-6 KO mice (Figure), indicating superior remodeling. Conclusions: The amelioration of postinfarct LV dysfunction and remodeling in IL-6 KO mice indicates that IL-6 plays a deleterious role in myocardial healing after a reperfused MI. Modulation of IL-6 signaling may therefore have therapeutic potential for patients after MI at risk for adverse remodeling and development of heart failure.
“Drag Me to the Asylum”: Disguising and Asserting Identities in an Urban School

In many inner-city high schools, students face violence on a regular basis. Authorities contain and curtail the use of weapons and other acts that threaten the individual and the functioning of the institution. These attempts to create a safe environment separate students, who are largely black working class and poor, into criminal and noncriminal categories, creating a labeling system that denies complex individuality. In this article, I demonstrate how teens reaffirmed and subverted harmless/dangerous labels by disguising themselves and creating personas through the use of clothing, graffiti, and poetry. These forms of communication allowed them to achieve anonymity, assert violent identities, and resist dehumanization. Ultimately, I analyze how poetry became a means to explore individual interests, fears, and fantasies. Through personification and metaphor, students articulated and elided psychological and physical constraints despite the monolithic labels of school. Their work often conveyed a subtlety that subverted institutional categories that otherwise reduced them to a single identity. “Drag Me to the Asylum” emerged from research conducted in and outside a large urban high school. From 1992 until 1997, I collected student poetry, listened to the stories of students and school staff, and taped over 100 hours of unstructured interviews with students and teachers.
Usability-testing healthcare software with nursing informatics students in distance education: a case study

For two years, the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center nursing informatics program has joined with McKesson, a leading vendor of health care provider software, to simultaneously teach distance education students about user-centered design and to improve the usability of McKesson's products. This paper describes lessons learned in this industry-education partnership. We have found that usability testing with nursing informatics students who are also experienced nurses compares well to testing with nonstudent nurses in terms of data collected, although there can be differences in how the data are interpreted organizationally and in the constraints on the data collection process. The students find participation in a remote usability test of health care software to be an engaging and helpful part of their coursework.
A high glycemic meal suppresses the postprandial leptin response in normal healthy adults.

Background/Aims: To evaluate the metabolic effects of meals with varying glycemic index (GI). Methods: We measured the glucose, insulin and leptin responses to two contrasting breakfast cereals in a group of 10 young healthy volunteers. Meals were provided on two separate occasions in random order after a 12-hour overnight fast, and consisted of 50 g of available carbohydrate from either Corn Flakes (Kellogg’s), or Fiber One® (General Mills). Blood samples were obtained at rest, and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after eating. The GI was calculated from the glucose response to the test meal normalized against a 50 g oral glucose load. Results: The GI for Corn Flakes was 125 ± 17 units and 49 ± 8 units for Fiber One®. These meals were classified as high GI and low GI, respectively, and were significantly different from each other (p Conclusions: Lower insulin and higher leptin suggests that low glycemic meals promote a postprandial metabolic milieu that is favorable for reduced food consumption; this may be advantageous in the control of obesity and related disorders including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Interaction of Carbon Monoxide with Anatase Surfaces at High Temperatures: Optimization of a Carbon Monoxide Sensor

Sensing the presence of particular gases in harsh environments, such as at high temperatures, poses challenges in the choice of materials as well as in measurements of the appropriate sensing-related property of the material. In this study, we examine the sensing of carbon monoxide (CO) in a nitrogen background at temperatures up to 600 °C using the anatase phase of TiO2 as the sensing material. In particular, the change in resistance of anatase is used to detect the presence of CO. Copper oxide (CuO) is added to anatase to increase the sensitivity toward CO detection. However, the presence of CuO led to partial transformation of anatase to rutile at temperatures of 800 °C used for bonding the sensor material to the sensing platform. By adding La2O3 to the CuO/anatase, the anatase phase is maintained under all thermal treatments. Diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy is used to examine the mechanism of CO oxidation. Interaction of lanthanum with the anatase increased the reactivity of the anatase surf...
Equations of state from van der Waals theory: the legacy of Otto Redlich

Abstract Redlich showed that with carefully chosen modifications, the concepts of van der Waals can be effectively used for realistic respresentation of fluid-mixture properties. He placed emphasis on algebraic simplicity and on adherence to boundary conditions at low and at high densities. The spirit of Redlich has motivated recent and current work in equation-of-state development. A few examples are given here.
Grodzinsky's latest stand – or, just how specific are “lesion-specific” deficits?

Deficits observed in Broca's aphasia are much more general than Grodzinsky acknowledges. Broca's aphasics have a broad range of problems in lexical and morphological comprehension; furthermore, the classic “agrammatic” syntactic profile is observed over many populations. Finally, Broca's area is implicated in the performance of many linguistic and nonlinguistic tasks.
The phenotype of antigen-specific suppressor T cells generated in human mixed leucocyte culture depends on the nature of the major histocompatibility regions recognized.

Abstract Following secondary stimulation of mixed leucocyte culture (MLC) populations with a class I plus II HLA difference, antigen-specific suppressor-effector cells of the OKT8 + 4 − phenotype are generated. On the other hand, stimulation with a class II HLA genetic difference only gave rise to OKT4 + suppressor T cells. These effector cell populations which were maintained as “lines” by the addition of exogenous T cell growth factor (TCGF) and feeder cells, mediated antigen-specific suppression over a 6–8 week period during which they were assayed. The data reported here demonstrate that the phenotype of suppressor cells, generated in allogeneic MLC, depends on the nature of the class of HLA antigen recognized as disparities in the suppressor-generating MLC. Moreover, both OKT8 + 4 − and OKT4 + suppressors, obtained following stimulation with class I plus II or class II genetic disparities, respectively, appear to be specific for DR (or related class II product) antigens.
Subduction zones: not relevant to present-day problems of waste disposal.

SUBDUCTION zones are considered to be sites of disposal for vast areas of the Earth's surface1, while new surface is generated simultaneously at rise crests2. Bostrom and Sherif3 suggest that the world's industrial and domestic waste be dumped into subduction zones at deep sea trenches to allow nature to complete the recycling process at geologically rapid rates of 5 to 10 cm/yr. They also point out that trenches are often sites of rapid rates of deposition and suggest that the dumped wastes would, speaking geologically, soon be buried. Francis4 suggests that canisters of toxic chemical and radioactive wastes could be dumped onto trench sediments and be expected to sink at rates of 20 m/yr, assuming that the mass of turbidites in the trench fill often spontaneously liquefies on shaking by earthquakes. The assumption is based on the supposed lack of evidence for deformed sediment in trenches. I will argue that the suggestion of Bostrom and Sherif3 is not useful for the next few dozen generations of human populations and will point out observational evidence to show that Francis's4 assumption is incorrectly founded.
Fever Curve as an Indicator for Steroid Therapy in Miliary Tuberculosis

A clinical review of 26 adult cases of uncomplicated miliary tuber culosis proved most rewarding when it was observed that the fever curve in 75 per cent was most typical and quite frequently became a valuable aid in establishing a working diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis. During the first two weeks of hospitalization, temperatures ranged from 1030 to 105Â°F.and the third to fifth weeks were marked by daily spikes from 101Â° to 103Â°F. In the sixth and seventh weeks, elevations were noted from 1000to 102Â°F. and from the seventh to thirteenth week, a low grade temperature of 99Â°to 100Â°F.was frequently encountered. It is of particular interest to point out that the curve was not appre ciably altered by triple drug therapy, that is, isoniazid, streptomycin, and para-aminosalicylic acid.
Antecedents and Consequences of Faculty Women’s Academic–Parental Role Balancing

This paper examines antecedents and consequences of faculty women’s academic–parental role balancing, defined as the process of experiencing greater interrole facilitation/enhancement than interrole conflict/depletion. It is posited that childcare responsibilities affect the career–family challenges academic women face, i.e., dueling tenure and biological clocks, reduced mobility for faculty women with children, and the illusion that a flexible academic schedule permits one to perform all the responsibilities of a full-time academic and a full-time parent. The paper presents a theoretical model of factors that serve either to contribute to or complicate academic–parental role balancing. Propositions about the relationships between these antecedents and role balancing, and between role balancing and its consequences, are identified. Practical implications of academic–parental role balancing are also considered.
Racial differences in glycemic control in a well-functioning older diabetic population: Findings from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study

OBJECTIVE —To evaluate racial differences and factors associated with worse glycemic control in well-functioning older individuals with type 2 diabetes. Our hypothesis was that glycemic control would be worse among black than white diabetic individuals but that this association would be explained by differences in severity of diabetes, health status, health care indicators, and social, psychological, or behavorial factors. We further hypothesized that the association of race with poorer glycemic control would be limited to those with lower education or lower income. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —Cross-sectional analysis of 468 diabetic participants among a cohort of 3,075 nondisabled blacks and whites aged 70–79 years living in the community enrolled in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. Glycemic control was measured by the level of HbA 1c . RESULTS —A total of 58.5% of the diabetic individuals were black. Although control was poor in all diabetic participants (HbA 1c ≥7% in 73.7%), blacks had worse glycemic control than whites (age- and sex-adjusted mean HbA 1c , 8.4% in blacks and 7.4% in whites; P 1c concentrations. Controlling for these factors reduced the association by 27%. Race remained an important factor in glycemic control, even when results were stratified by education or income. CONCLUSIONS —HbA 1c concentrations were higher in older black diabetic individuals. Differences in glycemic control by race were associated with disease severity, health status, and poorer quality of care, but these factors did not fully explain the higher HbA 1c levels in older black diabetic individuals.
Ideology in the Reemergence of North American Midwifery

This article explains the reemergence of North American midwifery in terms of the role of ideology. An ideology is a set of beliefs by which a social group makes sense of its environment and which those groups manipulate in order to project images of themselves. I analyze the ways that two particular ideologies-science and feminism-have been used by midwives and their supporters in their struggles to legitimate midwifery in the health care systems of Canada and the United States. The rhetoric of science has been used in establishing the safety of home birth and natural childbirth, and feminist principles and rhetoric often underlie claims about midwifery made by midwives and their advocates. Although both nurse midwives and independent midwives have used these ideologies to legitimate their occupational boundary claims, they have been more important to independent midwives' struggles for occupational legitimacy.
Deep venous thrombosis after orthopedic surgery in adult cancer patients.

Background and Objectives: Patients with cancer and patients undergoing major orthopedic procedures are two groups at risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The objective was to determine the rate of venous thromboembolic disease in patients with a malignant neoplasm and major orthopaedic surgery of the lower limb. Methods The study included 169 patients. All patients were given knee-high intermittent pneumatic compression devices for prophylaxis. Postoperative surveillance for thrombosis was performed on all patients with venous duplex doppler ultrasonography. Results Proximal DVT occurred in 24 of 169 patients (14.2%). One patient (0.6%) developed a symptomatic, nonfatal pulmonary embolus (PE). The development of DVT was not associated with age, sex, type of surgery, type of neoplasm, location, or pathologic fracture. The addition of anticoagulant medication such as warfarin did not significantly reduce the rate of DVT in a subset of 54 patients. In three patients, the DVT occurred only in the contralateral limb, and in four patients, there were bilateral DVTs. Conclusions When intermittent compression boots were used for prophylaxis in conjunction with ultrasound screening, the risk of proximal DVT was substantial (14.2%), but the rate of symptomatic PE was low (0.6%). J. Surg. Oncol. 1998;68:41–47. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SU-C-211-03: Using OVH and IMRT Plan Data to Automate VMAT Planning: A Head-And-Neck Study

Purpose: Although VMAT is widely used, VMAT planning faces challenges similar to those of IMRT planning, particularly with respect to planning efficiency and plan quality. The study is to investigate whether VMAT planning efficiency and quality can be improved through an overlap volume histogram (OVH)‐driven, automated planning application using an IMRTdatabase.Methods: Based on comparable dosimetric results between planner‐generated head‐and‐neck VMAT and IMRT plans, an in‐house developed OVH‐driven, automated planning application containing a database of 182 prior clinical head‐and‐neck IMRT plans manually created by dosimetrists is built into Pinnacle SmartArc to automate VMAT planning on an Elekta Infinity Linac. The only required inputs to the application are the contours of the CTVs and OARs delineated on a patient's planning CT. All the planning tasks are fully automatically executed by the application without any user intervention. Double arcs, 2 degree sampling frequency of gantry, 180 s/arc maximum delivery time, 45 degree collimator angle and 0.25 cm/deg constrain leaf motion are used in VMAT planning. VMAT plans of 4 oropharynx, 4 nasopharynx and 4 larynx patients are fully automatically generated and compared with corresponding clinical IMRT plans in the database. Efficiency is evaluated by the number of optimization rounds required for a complete plan. Results: All VMAT plans are automatically generated in two optimization rounds, while the average optimization rounds in clinical IMRT oropharynx, larynx and nasopharynx planning are 28, 36 and 67 respectively. In VMAT plans, significant dose reductions (p<0.05) to the cord+4mm (D0.1cc: 3.7 Gy), brainstem (DO.1cc: 4.9 Gy), brachial plexus (D0.1cc: 1.6 Gy), larynx (V(50 Gy): 5.3%) and inner ear (mean dose: 4.4 Gy) with a slight degradation in low‐level PTV coverage (V95: 0.3%; p=0.25) are observed. Conclusions: IMRT‐data‐ driven VMAT planning is an efficient and effective way to automate VMAT planning.
Debye-Waller factors of PdDx materials by neutron powder diffraction☆

Abstract We have completed a neutron powder diffraction study of four PdDx materials: palladium metal, α-PdDx and two samples of β-PdD0.6. We measured the lattice constants and Debye-Waller factors at several temperatures between 15 and 300 K. This information was analyzed to yield thermal expansion data and atom-specific Debye temperatures for each of the samples. We were unable to locate the deuterium atoms in α-PdDx.