cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minocycline for Symptom Reduction During Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract Context The most debilitating symptoms during oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are neuropathy and fatigue. Inflammation has been suggested to contribute to these symptoms, and the anti-inflammatory agent minocycline is safe and readily available. Objectives This proof-of-concept study investigated minocycline's capacity to reduce treatment-related neuropathy and fatigue and its impact on inflammatory markers during chemotherapy in a Phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Methods Patients with locally advanced or metastatic CRC who were scheduled for oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned to receive either minocycline (100 mg twice daily) or placebo over four months from started chemotherapy. Toxicity assessments and blood samples were prospectively collected monthly. The severity of fatigue and numbness/tingling was assessed weekly using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory. The primary endpoint, area under the curve for numbness/tingling and fatigue over approximately four months, was compared between the two arms. Results Of 66 evaluable participants, 32 received minocycline and 34 placebo. There was no observed significant symptom reduction on both fatigue and numbness/tingling in either arm, nor was there a difference in levels of serum proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers between arms. No Grade 3 adverse events nor disparity mediating effects on intervention were observed. Conclusion Minocycline treatment is feasible and has a low-toxicity profile. However, with 200 mg/day, it did not reduce numbness/tingling or fatigue nor moderate inflammatory biomarkers from this Phase II randomized study. Our results do not support further exploration of minocycline for fatigue or neuropathy symptom intervention in patients treated for CRC.
Partial Nephrectomy for Multifocal, Unilateral Wilms Tumor in a Patient with Hemihypertrophy

Abstract Objective To present the surgical approach to a multifocal Wilms tumor found on screening ultrasound in an asymptomatic 2-year-old female. Materials A 2-year-old female with hemihypertrophy underwent screening imaging every 3 months with renal ultrasound. A solitary, incidental renal mass was detected. Physical exam was unremarkable except for left leg hemihypertrophy. Laboratory workup was largely normal other than an elevated lactate dehydrogenase. Staging imaging revealed multiple masses on the right kidney and a normal left kidney. There were no distant metastases. The most likely diagnosis was Wilms tumor. After receiving chemotherapy for 6 weeks, imaging revealed an excellent response to chemotherapy and surgery was performed. Results The patient underwent open partial nephrectomy of the 3 tumors on the right. Prior to beginning, cystoscopy and ureteral stent placement was performed as it was felt the collecting system would likely be entered during resection. The renal hilum was not clamped throughout this resection and manual parenchymal compression was used to minimize global ischemia. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was also performed. The patient recovered well and was discharged home 5 days after surgery. Her stent was removed at home without complications. Final pathology revealed nephrogenic rests with all 7 lymph nodes were negative for malignancy. Conclusion Management of multifocal, unilateral Wilms tumor with open partial nephrectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an important part of protocol management for patients with Wilms tumor with predisposition syndromes.
Nonlinear Circuit Simulation in the Frequency-Domain

Simulation in the frequency-domain avoids many of the severe problems experienced when trying to use traditional time-domain simulators such as Spice [1] to find the steady-state behavior of analog, RF, and microwave circuits. In particular, frequency-domain simulation eliminates problems from distributed components and high-Q circuits by forgoing a nonlinear differential equation representation of the circuit in favor of a complex algebraic representation.
Robotic assisted extravascular stent placement for nutcracker phenomenon of the left renal vein: a case series

Nutcracker phenomenon of the left renal vein is a rare anatomic anomaly that can present with chronic flank/pelvic pain, pelvic congestion, and hematuria. Conventional treatment options (superior mesenteric artery transposition, endovascular stent placement, auto-transplantation) involve substantial risk, morbidity, or the need for chronic anti-coagulation. We now report our institution’s robotic experience with extravascular left renal vein stent placement. A retrospective, single surgeon series from December 2016 to May 2019 was reviewed. After positioning and port placement (three robotic ports, one assistant), the left renal vein was exposed and dissected free circumferentially down to the inferior vena cava insertion. The distance between the renal vein ostium and adrenal vein was measured and a 1 cm-diameter ringed polytetrafluoroethylene vascular stent of this length placed. The stent edges were secured to itself with 3–0 polyglactin sutures. Demographics, surgical, and functional outcomes were collected. Six patients with mean age of 45 ± 6 years and body mass index of 20.3 ± 3.3 g underwent the procedure. Mean operative time was 143 ± 20 min. Estimated blood loss was minimal. Mean graft length utilized was 2.25 ± 0.3 cm. Median day of discharge was 1.5 days (range 1–3). No high-grade complications occurred. All patients received immediate pain relief and 50% also saw other symptomatic improvements. Robotic assisted extravascular left renal vein stent placement appears safe and effective in a small cohort with short follow-up. Further long-term follow-up for pain relief and graft-related complications are needed.
Abstract 226: Association Between Sleep Duration and Mediterranean Diet Score in Costa Rica

Background: Short and long sleep are risk factors for coronary artery disease. One of the mechanistic pathways is likely through diet. While many studies have examined associations between sleep an...
POCOP-type cobalt and nickel pincer complexes bearing an appended phosphinite group

The reaction of 1,3,5-(iPr2PO)3C6H3 with Co2(CO)8 leads to the isolation of a POCOP-type mononuclear pincer complex {κP,κC,κP-2,4,6-(iPr2PO)3C6H2}Co(CO)2 (1) or a tetranuclear species {κP-{κP,κC,κP...
Identifying Abuse and Neglect in Hospitalized Children With Burn Injuries

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to identify the pattern of injuries that relates to abuse and neglect in children with burn injuries. Methods The Nationwide Readmissions Database for 2010-2014 was queried for all patients aged less than 18 y admitted with burn injuries. The primary outcome was child maltreatment identified at the index admission. The secondary outcome was readmission for maltreatment. A subgroup analysis was performed on patients without a diagnosis of maltreatment during the index admission. Multivariable logistic regression was performed for each outcome. Results There were 57,939 admissions identified and 1960 (3.4%) involved maltreatment at the index admission. Maltreatment was associated with total body surface area burned >20% (odds ratio (OR) 2.79, P Conclusions This study demonstrates that a portion of admissions for burn injuries in children could involve maltreatment that was undiagnosed. Identifying these at-risk individuals is critical to prevention efforts.
In Spite of… Urban Latina/o Leaders’ Perspectives on Undergraduate Perseverance and Successful Degree Completion

College completion rates among Latina/o undergraduate students represents a crisis in our national educational system. Latina/o students are seeking higher education, but experiencing multiple barr...
Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma: Results From a Single-Arm Phase II Study.

PURPOSEMetastatic uveal melanoma has poor overall survival (OS) and no approved systemic therapy options. Studies of single-agent immunotherapy regimens have shown minimal benefit. There is the pot...
COVID-19 and Conflict.

What does the threat of and the policy response to the coronavirus pandemic mean for inter-group conflict worldwide? We examine time series trends for different types of conflict and evaluate discernible changes taking place as global awareness of COVID-19 spread. At the country level, we examine changes in trends following policy responses, such as lockdowns, curfews, or ceasefires. We specifically examine violent conflict events (e.g., battles, remote violence and bombings, and violence against civilians) as well as civil demonstrations (e.g., protests and riots) using data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) project. Globally we see a relatively short-term decline in conflict, mostly driven by a sharp decrease in protest events, that has since recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Critical heterogeneity at the country level, however, persists. Finally, context-specific details challenge robust causal inference identifying the specific relationship between policy responses and conflict.
Effects of differing withdrawal times from ractopamine hydrochloride on residue concentrations of beef muscle, adipose tissue, rendered tallow, and large intestine

Ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) is a beta-agonist approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a medicated feed ingredient for cattle during the final days of finishing to improve feed efficiency and growth. Maximum residue limits and U.S. FDA residue tolerances for target tissues have defined management practices around RAC usage in the U.S. However, many countries have adopted zero tolerance policies and testing of off-target tissues, presenting a major challenge for international export. Therefore, the objective this study was to determine the necessary withdrawal time among cattle group-fed RAC to achieve residue concentrations below tolerance levels in muscle and off-target tissues. Specifically, both total and parent RAC residues were quantified in muscle, adipose tissue, rendered tallow, and large intestines from animals group-fed RAC and subjected to withdrawal 2, 4, or 7 days before harvest. Ractopamine (parent and total) residues were below the assay limit of detection ( 0.14 ng/g (detectable but below the limit of quantitation). Results of this study provide a baseline for the development of management protocol recommendations associated with withdrawal following group-feeding of RAC to beef cattle in countries that allow RAC use and intend to export to global markets which may be subject to zero tolerance policies and off-target tissue testing.
Reported Methodological Challenges in Empirical Mixed Methods Articles: A Review on JMMR and IJMRA:

As integration in mixed methods studies is of great interest, we reviewed published articles between 2007 and 2019 in two major journals of mixed methods research to identify the integration challe...
Inrush Current Measurement for Transient Space Characterization and Fault Detection

Training the load identification algorithm for a power-system monitor (PSM) begins with characterization or observation of the loads. This article demonstrates a phase-controlled switch that, in situ , accounts for the effects of source and line impedance on load transients at controllable phase angles with respect to the ac voltage line-cycle. The phase angle significantly affects the inrush for many loads, such as lighting, induction motors, and power supplies. The circuitry and signal identification techniques presented in this article can provide a full set of training data for machine learning algorithms for power system monitoring. The system can also be used as the foundation of a “smart switch” in grid applications for automatic demand response control.
Large herbivore impact on plant biomass along multiple resource gradients in the Serengeti

Herbivores form an important link in the transfer of energy within a food web and are strongly influenced by bottom-up trophic cascades. Current hypotheses suggest that herbivore consumption and impact on plants should scale positively with plant resource availability. However, depending on the effect of resources on plant quantity and quality, herbivore impact may vary with different types of resources. We test four alternative hypotheses for the relationship between plant biomass, herbivore impact on plant biomass, and plant resource gradients, each based on how resources might affect plant abundance and quality to herbivores. We measured plant biomass for four non-consecutive years in a long-term grazing exclosure experiment in the Serengeti National Park that includes seven sites that vary substantially in rainfall and soil and plant nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Our data supported the hypothesis that herbivore impact is controlled by plant quality, in this case driven by plant P, as herbivore effects on biomass decreased with higher rainfall but increased with greater plant P, but not N content. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental study to indicate that wild mammalian herbivory is associated with P availability rather than N. Our results suggest that P, in addition to water and N, may play a more important role in driving trophic interactions in terrestrial systems than previously realized.
Take Your Time? How Activity Timing Affects Organizational Learning and Performance Outcomes

Organizational learning theory has long examined how organizations learn to perform better as they accumulate experience. Although experience accumulation is inherently related to the timing of the...
SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia and clinical outcomes in children with COVID-19.

The burden of COVID-19 in children represents a fraction of cases worldwide, yet a subset of those infected are at risk for severe disease. We measured plasma SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a cohort of 103 children hospitalized with COVID-19 with diverse clinical manifestations. SARS-CoV-2 RNAemia was detected in 27 (26%) of these children, lasted for a median of 6 [2-9] days, and it was associated with higher rates of oxygen administration, admission to the intensive care unit, and longer hospitalization.
Calcific Degenerative Mitral Disease

A 70-year-old woman presented to her primary physician with progressive shortness of breath. She was found to have atrial fibrillation and 2/6 pansystolic murmur at the left lower parasternal border on physical examination. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed mild mitral regurgitation and a cardiac mass at the atrioventricular (AV) groove area. She was referred to our institute for cardiac mass removal (Figs. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7).
Resistance-Temperature “Scaling” of Carbon-Composition Thermometers

For several years, Allen-Bradley carbon-composition resistors have been used at low temperatures as secondary thermometers.1 We have recently been considering the possibility that the calibration of each such resistor may be specified by two scaling parameters, R0 and T0, such that R/R0 is a universal function of T/T0, This possibility was suggested by the fact that, for different resistors, plots on logarithmic scales of resistance as a function of temperature could be very nearly superposed by a simple translation of the axes of one graph relative to those of another. Figure 1 shows measurements on ten resistors when plotted in this way. The choice of origin on such a graph is arbitrary, and we have chosen it so that R0 and T0 are unity for a 33 ohm, 1 watt resistor. Table 1 lists R/R0 and T/T0 for a smooth curve passing through the points in Figure 1. Except for a few points at room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperatures, the data scatter about this curve by one or two per cent in resistance.
PDA-based human-robotic interface

There is a desire to provide small, lightweight mobile interaction devices. This paper describes a PDA-based teleoperation interface for mobile robot. This interface differs from previous PDA teleoperation interfaces in that it uses only touch based interactions rather than stylus interaction. Three screens were developed: an imagery-only screen, a sonar and laser range finder based screen, and image with sensory overlay screen. This paper presents the interface motivation and design and discusses issues that arise when employing a PDA as a touch screen. This paper also describes the planned human factors evaluation.
Purification and properties of phosphofructokinase from yeast.

Abstract A scheme has been devised for the purification of phosphofructokinase from bakers' yeast. The purified enzyme retains all the allosteric features observed for partially purified preparations of yeast phosphofructokinase. In contrast to mammalian phosphofructokinase, the yeast enzyme sediments as a single boundary with an s020,w of 17.8 S. The molecular weight was determined to be 5.84 ± 0.21 x 105 from sedimentation equilibrium measurements. The Michaelis constants of the substrates, the pH optima for catalysis, and the ultraviolet absorbance and electrophoretic properties of the purified enzyme are reported.
Accounting for Consumption Volatility Differences

In the wake of emerging market turmoil, the role and welfare consequences of volatility have attracted renewed attention. An emerging consensus points to various types of volatility being both a consequence and a determinant of longerterm growth performance. The linkages appear to be context dependent. This paper employs classification tree analysis to explore determinants of consumption volatility taking account of context dependence. The results suggest output volatility, measures of input volatility, and measures of economic development are best able to differentiate between countries with high and low consumption volatility.
Sustained Adenosine Caused Endothelial Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Implications for Cigarette Smoke-Induced Increased Susceptibility to Acute Lung Injury

Cigarette smoke (CS) has been independently associated with the development of acute lung injury (ALI). We have previously demonstrated that CS exposure increases lung adenosine levels in mice and that sustained exposure to adenosine causes lung endothelial injury by equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) 1/2-dependent mechanism. In this study we hypothesize that CS-induced increased adenosine causes lung endothelial injury, leading to increased susceptibility to ALI, via ENT1/2- mediated mitochondrial dysfunction. Using inhaled Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a clinically relevant model of ALI, we found that CS pre-exposure exacerbated P. aeruginosa-induced lung injury. Pharmacological inhibition of ENT1 attenuated P. aeruginosa-induced lung edema and inflammation. Using cultured lung endothelial cells, we found that sustained exposure to adenosine decreased mitochondrial basal respiration, increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), enhanced expression of fission/fusion markers (Drp1 and Mfn1) an...
Comment: Regional versus Industrial Shift-Share Analysis

Hoppes recently proposed a reformulation of the classic shift-share model for disaggregated use by local practitioners. His arguments ignore demand-pull considerations, and his alternative model implies that policymakers can dramatically alter the sectoral composition of the local economy in the medium term.
Writing in the e-Sphere: Where Connectivity and Literacy Collide

In setting forth the intended philosophy of the eSphere column, the column’s editor introduces what is possible in the teaching of writing in today’s technological climate as compared to the much less connected era when he started teaching several decades ago. At that time, computers were viewed as tools supporting behaviorist and algorithmic training philosophies, whereas current perspectives regard them more as adjuncts to constructivist and connectivist methodologies, and where writing is concerned, as a means of promoting authentic communication enhanced by social networking. Technology is now seen to facilitate most aspects of each step of the writing process. The eSphere column intends not only to document developments along these lines and to shed light on their impact on teaching writing, but to foretell them, following and extrapolating the trends and paradigm shifts as teaching practitioners utilize and adapt the affordances inherent in modern technologies. The column aims to encourage teachers to experiment and become familiar with the new tools and the most appropriate methodologies for their use. It is hoped that the eSphere column will become part of the conversations among teachers promoting informal learning with one another, which in subsequent stages can be applied with transformative effects in classrooms.
Minkowski iteration of sets

Abstract The Minkowski addition, ⊕, is a natural generalization of vector addition. However, ⊕ and scalar multiplication do not follow all the usual laws of vector space operations. This is reflected upon the properties of a new operation, ∘, which maps vector sets into vector sets. The study of a linear iterative process (with ∘ acting recurrently on vector sets) brings out the outstanding value of vector balls and convex hulls for obtaining explicit solutions or bounds.
Screened Auger Sampling: The Technique and Two Case Studies

The screened auger is a laser-slotted, hollow-stem auger through which a representative sample of ground water is pumped from an aquifer and tested for water-quality parameters by appropriate field-screening methods. Screened auger sampling can be applied to ground water quality remedial investigations, providing:(1) a mechanism for determining a monitoring well's optimal screen placement in a contaminant plume; and (2) data to define the three-dimensional configuration of the contaminant plume. Screened auger sampling has provided an efficient method for investigating hexavalent chromium and volatile organic compound contamination in two sandy aquifers in Cadillac, Michigan. The aquifers approach 200 feet in thickness and more than 1 square mile in area. A series of screened auger borings and monitoring wells was installed, and ground water was collected at 10-foot intervals as the boreholes were advanced to define the horizontal and vertical distribution of the contaminant plumes. The ability of the screened auger to obtain representative ground water samples was supported by the statistical comparison of field screening results and subsequent laboratory analysis of ground water from installed monitoring wells.
Effect of Hydrocarbon Emissions From PCCI-Type Combustion on the Performance of Selective Catalytic Reduction Catalysts

Core samples cut from full size commercial Fe- and Cu-zeolite SCR catalysts were exposed to a slipstream of raw engine exhaust from a 1.9-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine operating in conventional and PCCI combustion modes. Subsequently, the NOx reduction performance of the exposed catalysts was evaluated on a laboratory bench-reactor fed with simulated exhaust. The Fe-zeolite NOx conversion efficiency was significantly degraded, especially at low temperatures (<250 C), after the catalyst was exposed to the engine exhaust. The degradation of the Fe-zeolite performance was similar for both combustion modes. The Cu-zeolite was much more resistant to HC fouling than the Fe-zeolite catalyst. In the case of the Cu-zeolite, PCCI exhaust had a more significant impact than the exhaust from conventional combustion on the NOx conversion efficiency. For all cases, the clean catalyst performance was recovered after heating to 600 C. GC-MS analysis of the HCs adsorbed to the catalyst surface provided insights into the observed NOx reduction performance trends.
Modeling of nonequilibrium effects in a high-velocity nitrogen-hydrogen plasma jet

A numerical simulation has been performed of a high-velocity nitrogen hydrogen plasma jet in air at atmospheric pressure including finite-rate chemical kinetics. Ions, electrons, and neutral atoms and molecules are treated as separate species in the plasma mixture. The chemical reactions considered are dissociation of molecular species, ionization of atomic species, charge exchange and dissociatioe recombination of nitrogen, and hydrogen-oxygen reactions. The calculational results show that strong departures from ionization and dissociation equilibrium develop in the downstream region as the chemical reactions freeze out at lower temperatures, in spite of the assumed chemical equilibrium at the nozzle exit. The calculations also show that ionized species are over-populated throughout the flow, while dissociated species in the core of the jet are underpopulated near the nozzle exit and become over-populated farther downstream. This initial underpopulation is due to diffusive depletion of dissociated species and enrichment of molecular species in the core of the jet.
Percutaneous, radiographically guided biopsy: a history.

The century of the x ray has witnessed a slow and sporadic perfection, acceptance, and general application of percutaneous, radiographically guided biopsy. In addition to the need for advances in radiographic equipment, such as the roentgenoscope and, in the 1950s, the TV fluoroscope, widespread use of the percutaneous biopsy technique required technical advances and the development of expertise among pathologists to process and interpret such small cyto-and histopathologic specimens. In addition, use of percutaneous biopsy in tumor diagnosis during the past century frequently faced a tremendous, concerted opposition from many prominent, well-known surgeons who strongly advocated surgical biopsy. While such opposition continues in many corners today, radiographically guided percutaneous biopsy has now become a common procedure and is performed in every region of the body with a variety of ingenious techniques, approaches, and devices. It is difficult to document the origin of aspiration biopsy because the available medical literature from the first half of the 19th century is so sparse. Kun, in 1847, may have been the first to report the use of aspiration biopsy (1,2) ; James Paget (3), in 1853, favored aspiration biopsy in his lectures on surgical pathology. In 1883, Leyden
An Employer's Perspective on LIS Education

Abstract Across the past few decades of the twentieth century library technical services have changed to incorporate computers, cooperative acquisition, cataloging and preservation programs, bibliographic utilities, vendor services, local and wide area networks, and other emerging technologies. New operational realities require skilled support staff and highly educated professional librarians. Despite what are probably overall declining numbers of dedicated technical services units in libraries, the importance of professional education continues its upward spiral. This paper addresses reasons underlying the significance of professional education as well as knowledge requirements for technical services librarians.
Photosynthetic responses to slowly decreasing leaf water potentials in Encelia frutescens

The importance of reduced leaf conductance (stomatal and boundary layer) in limiting photosynthetic rates during water stress was studied in Encelia frutescens, a drought-deciduous leaved subshrub of the Mohave and Sonoran Deserts. Light-saturated CO2 assimilation rates of greenhouse grown plants decreased from 42.6±1.6μmol CO2 m-2 s-1 (x±s.e.) to 1.7±1.7 μmol CO2 m-2s-1 as leaf water potential decreased from-1.5 MPa to-4.0 MPa. The dependence of light saturated, CO2 assimilation rate on leaf intercellular CO2 concentrations between 60 and 335 μl l-1 was also determined as leaf water potential decline. This enabled us to compare the effects of leaf water potentials on limitations to carbon assimilation imposed by leaf conductance and by intrinsic photosynthetic capacity. Both leaf conductance and intrinsic photosynthetic capacity decreased with decreasing leaf water potential, but the decrease in leaf conductance was proportionately greater. The relative stomatal limitation, defined as the percent limitation in photosynthetic rate due to the presence of gas-phase diffusional barriers, increased from (x±s.e.) to 41±3% as water potentials became more negative. Since both leaf conductance and intrinsic photosynthetic capacity were severely reduced in an absolute sense, however, high photosynthetic rates could not have been restored at low leaf water potentials without simultaneous increases in both components.
Massive suprachoroidal hemorrhage in penetrating keratoplasty.

We studied the frequency of massive suprachoroidal hemorrhage during and after penetrating keratoplasty. Nine cases of intraoperative or immediately postoperative massive suprachoroidal hemorrhage were identified in 830 consecutive patients (1.08%) undergoing penetrating keratoplasties at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital over a 2½-year period. Six of the nine patients had atherosclerotic disease or hypertension, six of nine patients had glaucoma, and eight of nine patients had undergone previous intraocular surgery. Surgery was performed under general anesthesia in 714 patients, and four of these patients (0.56%) suffered hemorrhages. Five of 116 (4.3%) local anesthesia patients experienced expulsive choroidal hemorrhage. The increased resistance to venous outflow associated with retrobulbar anesthetic injection may significantly contribute to the risk of massive suprachoroidal hemorrhage.
A strategy to deal with harmful algal blooms

A coordinated federal program is needed to develop a strategy for the prevention, control, and mitigation of harmful algal blooms (HABs), according to a 12 September interagency report issued by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. National Science and Technology Council. The congressionally mandated report, “National Assessment of Efforts to Predict and Respond to Harmful Algal Blooms in U.S. Waters,” notes that “the frequency and geographic distribution of HABs have been increasing worldwide.” The report also indicates that all U.S. coastal states have experienced HABs over the last decade and that the blooms appear to be affecting freshwater systems more frequently. NOAA Administrator Conrad C. Lautenbacher said the report “is the first step in developing a national plan to improve those efforts.” The report, which calls for increased availability of probes and for platforms for continuous real-time monitoring, also notes that newly developed technologies can be used for rapid detection of toxins. In addition, satellite and automated underwater vehicles together with transport models have helped coastal managers to better predict bloom movement. For more information, visit the Web site: http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/docs/iwg4h_prrpt_final.pdf.
Comparison of Urinary Urea Nitrogen Excretion and Measured Energy Expenditure in Spinal Cord Injury and Nansteroid-Treated Severe Head Trauma Patients

Severe head trauma patients (HT) exhibit markedly elevated energy expenditure and 24-hr urinary urea nitrogen excretion (UUN) values. The objective of this study was to compare seven spinal cord injured patients (SCI) to seven HT for changes in UUN and measured energy expenditure (MEE) over the first 18 days following injury. Energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry and compared to values predicted by the Harris Benedict Equation (PEE). There were six quadriplegics and one paraplegic in the SCI group. HT patients had peak Glasgow Coma Scale scores of 3 to 10 for the first 24 hr postinjury. Patients were studied prospectively and matched for age, sex, and admitting weight Week 1 following the injury, SCI had mean UUN values of 0.18 +/- 0.04 g/kg/day vs 0.18 +/- 0.01 for HT patients. The mean MEE/PEE ratio was 0.56 for the SCI and 1.4 for HT (p less than 0.01). Over the entire study period the mean UUN value for SCI was 0.23 +/- 0.03 g/kg vs 0.21 +/- 0.01 for HT. The mean MEE/PEE ratio for SCI was 0.94 while HT remained elevated at 1.5 (p less than 0.05). Although the UUN was comparable in SCI vs HT, there was a significant difference in MEE/PEE between the groups. The elevation in UUN observed in SCI is not due to a hypermetabolic state. This suggests that different mechanisms promote the increased nitrogen excretion observed in these two populations.
Left main coronary artery disease: Assessment, diagnosis, and therapy

This article reviews and updates the current literature concerning the assessment, diagnosis, and therapy of coronary disease involving the LMCA. Included is recent information regarding the natural history, congenital abnormalities, noninvasive diagnostic studies, and role of coronary bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary interventions in treating disease of the LMCA. At present, it remains that the LMCA is a difficult segment to assess angiographically. The use of noninvasive imaging does not specifically distinguish LMCA from other types of coronary disease. Coronary bypass surgery has a proven benefit in the treatment of disease of the LMCA. Currently, interventional procedures are limited by significant risks, and surgical treatment with coronary bypass surgery remains the therapy of choice.
A scalable substrate noise coupling model for design of mixed-signal IC's

This paper describes a design-oriented scalable macromodel for substrate noise coupling in heavily-doped substrates. The model requires only four parameters which can be readily extracted from a small number of device simulations or measurements. Once these parameters have been determined, the model can be used in design for any spacing between the injection and sensing contacts and for different contact geometries. The scalability of the model with separation and width provides insight into substrate coupling and optimization issues prior to and during the layout phase. The model is validated with measurements from test structures fabricated in a 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS process. Applications of the model to circuit design are demonstrated with simulation results.
Wound Pain Management in the Home Care Patient

Pain is now identified as the fifth vital sign, yet this component is not always addressed as part of a wound assessment. With more patients being cared for at home with chronic wounds, adequate pain management options are essential to improve quality of life and patient outcomes. The focus of this article is to identify the importance of appropriate pain assessment and offer specific management options for our wound patients at home.
Degradation of highly chlorinated PCBs by Pseudomonas strain LB400

Congeners of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) differ in the number and position of chlorine substituents. Although PCBs are degraded, those congoners with five or more chlorines have been considered resistant to bacterial degradation. Metabolism byPseudomonas strain LB400 of PCBs representing a broad spectrum of chlorination patterns and having from two to six chlorines was investigated. Degradation of pure PCB congeners and synthetic congener mixes was measured in resting cell assays with biphenyl- or Luria broth-grown cells. In addition, the appearance of metabolites was followed using HPLC purification, and GC and GC-MS characterization. 2,4,5,2′,4′,5′-[14C]hexachlorobiphenyl was also used to follow the accumulation of14C-labeled metabolites. Evidence indicates that LB400 aerobically metabolizes representatives of all major structural classes of PCB's including several congeners which lack adjacent unchlorinated carbon atoms. The mechanisms by which many of these congeners are degraded are not fully understood, but it is apparent that aerobic bacteria can degrade a broader spectrum of PCB congeners than previously believed and that this broad spectrum of degradative competence can exist in a single strain.
Time trends of ulcer mortality in Europe.

Background & Aims: The aim of the present study was to follow the time trends of ulcer disease in a representative sample of European countries and assess whether the most recent behavior of peptic ulcer still fits the overall pattern governed by an underlying birth-cohort phenomenon. Methods: Mortality data from 6 countries between 1921 and 2004 were analyzed, including Denmark, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. The age-specific death rates of gastric and duodenal ulcers from each individual country were plotted as period-age and cohort-age contours. Results: The data from the past 50–80 years show striking similarities among the 6 European countries. In all countries alike, the risk of dying from gastric and duodenal ulcer increased among consecutive generations born during the second half of the 19th century until shortly before the turn of the century, and then decreased in all subsequent generations. The time trends of gastric ulcer preceded those of duodenal ulcer by 10–30 years. The increase in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug consumption or introduction of potent antisecretory medications have not affected the long-term downward trends of ulcer mortality. The birth-cohort pattern has continued to influence the temporal variations of peptic ulcer until most recently. Conclusions: The unique shape of the birth-cohort patterns of gastric and duodenal ulcers and their identical appearance in countries with different health care systems and varying political and socioeconomic histories reflect the overriding influence of Helicobacter pylori infection.
Cabibbo angle and quark masses in the Weinberg-Salam model☆

Abstract We examine the renormalization behavior of the Yukawa couplings in the Weinberg-Salam model and discuss its implication for the q 2 -dependence of the Cabibbo angle and of the quark masses.
Traveling Fronts in a Reactive Boussinesq System: Bounds and Stability

This paper considers a simplified model of active combustion in a fluid flow, with the reaction influencing the flow. The model consists of a reaction-diffusion-advection equation coupled with an incompressible Navier-Stokes system under the Boussinesq approximation in an infinite vertical strip. We prove that for certain ignition nonlinearities, including all that are C2, and for any domain width, planar traveling front solutions are nonlinearly and exponentially stable within certain weighted H2 spaces, provided that the Rayleigh number ρ is small enough. The same result holds for bistable nonlinearities in unweighted H2 spaces. We also obtain uniform bounds on the Nusselt number, the bulk burning rate, and the average maximum vertical velocity for chemistries that include bistable and ignition nonlinearities.
Emotional disturbance and chronic low back pain

Treated chronic low back pain patients (N = 102) in a university hospital clinic. Ss were given the EPI, the Recent LIfe Changes Questionnaire, and the Locus of Control Scale in order to isolate the principal dimensions of emotional disturbance in such patients and to see whether derived dimensions were related to response to conservative treatment for back pain. Self-report ratings of current pain intensity were obtained approximately 1 year after the start of treatment. Factor analysis revealed five factors: Distrust and alienation, somatic concern, vulnerability, extraversion, and social desirability; these accounted for 71% of the total variance among patients. Patients with above-average pretreatment distrust and alienation scores more frequently failed to return the follow-up form than patients with below-average scores. Low scores on somatic concern were related to good outcome. Results suggest that patients in alienation and distrust may be prone to be poor compliers. Because only the somatic concern dimension predicted outcome, a single scale that measures this characteristic may be sufficient for effective identification of the potential good vs. poor responders to conservative treatment of low back pain.
Control of cytochrome P-450 in rat testis mitochondria by human chorionic gonadotrophin

Cytochrome P-450 cannot be detected spectrophotometrically in testis mitochondria of untreated rats because of the high cytochrome a3 to Cytochrome P-450 ratio. Injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) causes a large increase in mitochondrial cytochrome P-450. After 14 days injection, mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 levels are increased 15- to 30-fold (from 0.007 to 0.134 nmoles/mg protein) over control levels. Levels of cytochrome a + a3 are not altered by this treatment. Mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 can also be demonstrated by injection of HCG into rats which were hypophysectomized 24 days previously. During hypophysectorny the mitochondrial cytochromes c + ci, a + a3 and mitochondrial protein decay with halflives of 14, 16, and 15.5 days, respectively. HCG treatment for 8 days increases mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 (from < 0.003 to 0.24 nmoles/mg protein) without altering the levels of the other mitochondrial cytochromes. The control of cytochrome P-450 levels in the mitochondria by HCG suggests that the level of this key component of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme may be of importance in the regulation of steroidogenesis in the testis.
Global motion control and support base planning

Advanced humanoid robots capable of operating in complex 3D environments likely utilize an online optimization strategy where joint accelerations are varied to achieve whole-body postural balance. To this end, we propose one such strategy that optimizes global body parameters such as spin angular momentum and body principal angles, or the angles between the inertia tensor principal axes and the lab frame axes. This optimization strategy is easily combined with other optimization objectives (e.g. maximal efficiency) subject to physical constraints such as requiring that the ZMP operates within the support base. To deal with Bellman's "curse of dimensionality" we suggest, in parallel, two computational simplifications that may make the optimization problem tractable and easily implemented on today's humanoid robots. Finally, we address the problem of support base planning during ground and aerial locomotory phases. We propose novel online strategies for robust coordination of interacting limbs compatible with the proposed optimization strategy.
Parent-Child Activity Group Treatment in Preventive Psychiatry

This article describes the role that occupational therapy played in a community outreach program instituted collabora- tively by a major teaching hospital and a local day care center. The program focused on preschool children at risk for developing psychiatric disorders. A parent-child activity group was introduced and developed by an occupational therapist who was a member of the hospital staff. The frame of reference, the parent-child intervention including the use of play and group process, and the method of monitoring change in families are explained. A case study is also provided.
Technique and follow-up of minimally invasive Heller myotomy for achalasia

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy has been proven effective. Reliable predictive factors for outcome and the true benefit of the da Vinci robotic system, however, remain unknown. Seventy patients underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy. The number of intraoperative perforations and the symptom-predictive value of postoperative esophagogram width measurement at the gastroesophageal junction were analyzed. The overall complication rate was 11%. Four patients experienced intraoperative perforation during the laparoscopic technique. No perforations were experienced with the da Vinci robotic system (n = 19). Of the total, 82% of patients had resolution of dysphagia, 91% of regurgitation, 91% of heartburn and 82% of chest pain. Immediate postoperative esophagogram gastroesophageal junction width demonstrated a positive predictive trend from 0 to 10 mm for dysphagia. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is an effective treatment for achalasia. Immediate postoperative esophagogram gastroesophageal junction width measurement as a predictor for symptom resolution requires further study.
Novel and Efficient electroluminescent organo-iridium phosphorescent OLED materials

We investigated and synthesized different orientation and substituted group of the thieno-pyridine framework organo-iridium complexes ( PO-01, PO-02, PO-03 ). These materials exhibited yellow light. Fabrication of these emissive phosphorescent dopants with the device configuration of ITO/ NPB/ CBP: Ir-complex (4–6%) /BCP/Alq 3 /LiF/Al showed the EL emitting peak from 532nm to 564nm. The electroluminescent efficiencies of the devices were from 9.62 lm/W to 30.41 lm/W and maximum brightness was all above 7000 cd/m 2 . We demonstrated high-efficiency, high-brightness and saturated yellow Ir-complex phosphorescent materials for OLED.
Effects of thyrotoxic materials and vitamin B12 on the epinephrine content of adrenals.

Abstract The addition of thyrotoxic materials to a casein-sucrose or a soybean ration reduced by about 50% the epinephrine content of the adrenals of rats. A partial restoration of the epinephrine levels of glands of thyrotoxic animals was obtained upon administration of crystalline vitamin B12. It was demonstrated that the beneficial qualities of this vitamin on epinephrine content did not necessarily parallel its growth-promoting effects. On the basis of these experiments it is suggested that vitamin B12 may function in the formation of the methyl group of epinephrine.
Relationship between the concentrations of estriol sulfate and estrone sulfate in human breast cyst fluid.

Estriol-3-sulfate (E3S) is present in human breast cyst fluid (BCF) in median levels of 8.7-10.4 nmol/L, yet is barely detectable in the serum (less than 0.034 nmol/L). The source of this huge concentration of E3S is unknown. It may accumulate from blood by active transport or be synthesized and concentrated within the cyst. Since estrone sulfate (E1S) and its possible precursor, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are elevated in BCF, E3S may originate via 16 alpha-hydroxylation of E1S. The present study examined the correlations between the levels of DHEAS and E1S with those of E3S in BCF. The sodium and potassium ions were also quantified and related to the steroid concentrations. By linear regression analysis of log-normalized data there was a highly significant correlation between the concentrations of E1S and E3S (n = 355, r = 0.690, P less than 0.001) and between DHEAS and E3S (n = 361, r = 0.577, P less than 0.001). The BCF were classified according to their K/Na ion ratios: type 1, greater tha...
On the Optimum Quantity of Money

It is pretty well established within Austrian economics that the optimum quantity of money is whatever level is established at any given time. The logical implication of this claim is that any amount of the commodity that intermediates trade will do as well as any other in acquitting this task. This being the case, there is no social or even private gain to be obtained by anyone adding to the money stock.The present paper challenges this view, but from within the praxeological tradition. That is, we shall argue that although prominent Austrian economists have indeed made this argument, they are incorrect from their own basic perspective, which is shared in full by the present authors. Our thesis, in contrast to theirs, is that “more is better,” or, more strictly speaking, at the very least it is possible that additional stocks of money can make a positive contribution to economic welfare.
The inorganic side of chemical biology

Bioinorganic chemistry remains a vibrant discipline at the interface of chemistry and the biological sciences. Metal ions function in numerous metalloenzymes, are incorporated into pharmaceuticals and imaging agents, and inspire the synthesis of catalysts used to achieve many chemical transformations.
Neuroimaging Characteristics in Fabry Disease: White Matter Hyperintensity Volume Assessment in Patients with Fabry Disease

Background: Cerebrovascular disease is a significant source of morbidity in patients with Fabry disease (FD). Current markers of central nervous system (CNS) disease burden in FD patients are limited to histories of stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). MRIdetectable white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) has been associated with stroke and poor outcome in the general population. We hypothesize that WMHV is a marker of increasing CNS disease burden in FD patients.