cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract DP-011: PRE-DIAGNOSIS USE OF MENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY ASSOCIATED WITH BETTER OVARIAN CANCER SURVIVAL

BACKGROUND: Several lifestyle factors have consistently been associated with survival of ovarian cancer, including body mass index, analgesic medications, physical activity, and smoking. Menopausal hormone therapy (HT), which can comprise of estrogen only (ET) or a combination of estrogen and progestin (EPT), has also been studied for its impact on ovarian survival. Randomized trials as well as a recent meta-analysis have shown better survival for women who took HT after their diagnosis in comparison to women who did not (HR=0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.97). However, the relationship between use of HT prior to ovarian cancer diagnosis and survival is less clear. METHODS: Approximately 4,700 ovarian cancer patients across nine population-based studies participating in the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC) were included in our analysis. Information on HT use prior to diagnosis and potential confounders was obtained via phone or in-person interviews. To estimate the effect of pre-diagnostic HT use on ovarian cancer survival, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models with left and right truncation to account for different observation times. Effects by type and duration of HT use as well as disease histotype were also evaluated. RESULTS: Women who used HT before diagnosis had an 11% decreased risk of death in comparison to those who did not use HT (95% CI 0.82-0.97). Similar effects were observed for both types of HT (HR=0.86, 95% CI 0.75-0.98 for ET and HR=0.89, 95% CI 0.80-0.99 for EPT). In addition, there appeared to be a duration effect with longer HT use conferring better survival (p-trend=0.07 for ET, p-trend=0.003 for EPT). When histotype was considered, the overall decreased risk was driven by serous and mucinous ovarian cancers (HR=0.85, 95% CI 0.77-0.93 and HR=0.54, 95% CI 0.28-1.07, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Use of HT after diagnosis also affords a survival advantage based on published observational and clinical trials data. We now report that pre-diagnosis HT use may confer a survival advantage among women with ovarian cancer. Interestingly, use of ET prior to diagnosis is associated with increased risk of ovarian cancer, but better survival among women diagnosed with the disease. These observations taken together demonstrate the complex nature of ovarian cancer. Citation Format: Alice W. Lee, Siri Peterson, Ashley Wiensch, Malcolm C. Pike, Celeste L. Pearce on behalf of the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium. PRE-DIAGNOSIS USE OF MENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY ASSOCIATED WITH BETTER OVARIAN CANCER SURVIVAL [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 12th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 13-15, 2018; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2019;25(22 Suppl):Abstract nr DP-011.
Socioeconomic Status and Intimate Relationships

The ways that couples form and manage their intimate relationships at higher and lower levels of socioeconomic status (SES) have been diverging steadily over the past several decades. At higher SES levels, couples postpone marriage and childbirth to invest in education and careers, but they eventually marry at high rates and have relatively low risk for divorce. At lower SES levels, couples are more likely to cohabit and give birth prior to marriage and less likely to marry at all. This review examines how SES comes to be associated with the formation, development, and dissolution of intimate relationships. Overall, research has highlighted how a couple's socioeconomic context facilitates some choices and constrains others, resulting in different capacities for relationship maintenance and different adaptive mating strategies for more and less advantaged couples. A generalizable relationship science requires research that acknowledges these differences and one that recruits, describes, and attends to socioeconomic diversity across couples.
Nanoparticle-mediated microRNA-145 Delivery for Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Modulation and Atherosclerosis Treatment

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) change from contractile to the synthetic phenotype during atherogenesis and 30-70% of cells that make up plaques have been elucidated to be of VSMC origin. MicroRNA-145 (miR-145) is responsible for regulating VSMC phenotypic switching, and low miR-145 levels in circulation have been linked with atherosclerosis. Hence, we developed nanoparticles for targeted delivery of miR-145 by synthesizing micelles co-assembled with miR-145 and the CCR2-binding peptides for plaque targeting. The miR cargo was protected in micelles from premature endosomal degradation and rescued contractile markers in synthetic VSMCs and SMCs isolated from patient arteries in vitro. In ApoE-/- mid-stage atherosclerotic mice, miR-145 micelles halted plaque growth and maintained contractile phenotypes similar to baseline levels. In early-stage atherosclerosis, a single dose of miR-145 micelles prevented lesion growth by 49%. We present the potential of miR-145 micelles as a therapeutic that can be applied longitudinally and intervene throughout atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
Did PCAOB rules on ethics, independence, and tax services influence financial reporting for income taxes?

Abstract The PCAOB Rules on Ethics, Independence, and Tax Services prohibited accounting firms from providing aggressive tax-position transactions to their audit clients. We exploit this setting to examine whether the scrutiny of the PCAOB affects companies’ financial reporting for income tax accounts. We find robust evidence that the overall quality of the income tax accrual increased after companies significantly reduced auditor-provided tax service (APTS) fees in response to the regulation. We show that this improvement is a function of companies’ pre-regulation tax aggressiveness. In addition, we find evidence that after the fee reductions, tax-aggressive companies increased financial statement reserves for uncertain income tax positions without changing tax-aggressive decisions. Overall, our findings are consistent with an improvement in the financial reporting for income taxes under regulatory scrutiny which is more pronounced for companies that were tax aggressive in the pre-regulation period.
Nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in an ombrotrophic peatland: a benchmark for assessing change

Slow decomposition and isolation from groundwater mean that ombrotrophic peatlands store a large amount of soil carbon (C) but have low availability of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). To better understand the role these limiting nutrients play in determining the C balance of peatland ecosystems, we compile comprehensive N and P budgets for a forested bog in northern Minnesota, USA. N and P within plants, soils, and water are quantified based on field measurements. The resulting empirical dataset are then compared to modern-day, site-level simulations from the peatland land surface version of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (ELM-SPRUCE). Our results reveal N is accumulating in the ecosystem at 0.2 ± 0.1 g N m−2 year−1 but annual P inputs to this ecosystem are balanced by losses. Biomass stoichiometry indicates that plant functional types differ in N versus P limitation, with trees exhibiting a stronger N limitation than ericaceous shrubs or Sphagnum moss. High biomass and productivity of Sphagnum results in the moss layer storing and cycling a large proportion of plant N and P. Comparing our empirically-derived nutrient budgets to ELM-SPRUCE shows the model captures N cycling within dominant plant functional types well. The nutrient budgets and stoichiometry presented serve as a baseline for quantifying the nutrient cycling response of peatland ecosystems to both observed and simulated climate change. Our analysis improves our understanding of N and P dynamics within nutrient-limited peatlands and represents a crucial step toward improving C-cycle projections into the twenty-first century.
Mathematical Tooth Proportions: A Systematic Review

Purpose The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and compare three commonly used proportions that include the golden proportion, golden percentage, and Recurring Esthetic Dental (RED) proportion to identify which of the mathematical formulas, if any, can be used to provide predictable and repeatable esthetic clinical outcomes. Methods A comprehensive search of electronic databases that included EBSCO, ProQuest, SCOPUS, Science Direct, Wiley, Google Scholar and PubMed was conducted using the terms: "golden proportion", "golden percentage", and "Recurring Esthetic Dental (RED) proportions" alone or in concurrence with one or both ensuing terms: "tooth proportions" and "esthetic tooth proportions". In addition, the following journals were hand searched for relevant articles: Journal of Prosthodontics, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry and Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. Related citations were also considered. Results Tooth proportions varied substantially in the natural dentition. No studies revealed findings that supported the use of one mathematical formula to predict esthetic success. The golden proportion is present between the central to lateral incisor in some cases, but rarely between the lateral incisor and the canine. When compared to the other proportions, the golden percentage provided better starting points for tooth shape and size, but only when values were adjusted to consider other factors such as ethnicity and/or facial proportions. Conclusion Mathematical formulas did not provide consistent results that would allow for their use as a standardized guide for esthetically pleasing smiles. Although the golden percentage may be a good starting point if the percentages are adjusted on a case-to-case basis, generalized esthetic ideals cannot be determined by a mathematical formula and are open to interpretation by both the clinician and the patient. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Planning for Community Health Emergencies: The Research Challenge

Abstract After initially defining “community health-emergency planning,” this paper proposes research directions that would contribute to the security of healthcare systems, by mitigating disastrous emergencies and by preparing for them. The topics covered are: (1) Hazard-resistant healthcare facilities, (2) biodetection and syndrome surveillance, (3) diagnosis and investigation, (4) stockpiling, (5) disease containment, (6) patient movement, (7) mass decontamination and prophylaxis, (8) mass care, and (9) information and communication.
Tax reform with endogenous borrowing limits and incomplete asset markets

This paper studies different income tax reforms in an infinite horizon economy with a progressive labor income tax code, incomplete markets an endogenous borrowing constraints on capital holdings. In particular, it assumes that households can break their trading arrangements by going into financial autarky, in which case they are excluded from future asset trade. The endogenous limits are then determined at the level at which households are indifferent between defaulting and paying back their debt. These limits are significantly different from zero and they get looser with a higher labor income, a property that is consistent with US data on credit limits. The reforms we study area all revenue neutral and they eliminate capital income taxes but they differ in the changes to the labor income tax code. Our results illustrate that a successful reform has to combine the increase in average labor taxes with an increase in the progressivity of the labor income tax code. On the one hand, this reduces the disposable income of the rich, leading to lower savings and to a lower aggregate capital. On the other hand, it allows the poor and middle income households to supply less labor and consume and more after the reform, increasing the aggregate welfare both in the long run an throughout the transition.
Address obfuscation: an efficient approach to combat a board range of memory error exploits

Attacks which exploit memory programming errors (such as buffer overflows) are one of today's most serious security threats. These attacks require an attacker to have an in-depth understanding of the internal details of a victim program, including the locations of critical data and/or code. Program obfuscation is a general technique for securing programs by making it difficult for attackers to acquire such a detailed understanding. This paper develops a systematic study of a particular kind of obfuscation called address obfuscation that randomizes the location of victim program data and code. We discuss different implementation strategies to randomize the absolute locations of data and code, as well as relative distances between data locations. We then present our implementation that transforms object files and executables at link-time and load-time. It requires no changes to the OS kernel or compilers, and can be applied to individual applications without affecting the rest of the system. It can be implemented with low runtime overheads. Address obfuscation can reduce the probability of successful attacks to be as low as a small fraction of a percent for most memory-error related attacks. Moreover, the randomization ensures that an attack that succeeds against one victim will likely not succeed against another victim, or even for a second time against the same victim. Each failed attempt will typically crash the victim program, thereby making it easy to detect attack attempts. These aspects make it particularly effective against large-scale attacks such as Code Red, since each infection attempt requires significantly more resources, thereby slowing down the propagation rate of such attacks.
How students’ achievement goals shape their beliefs about effective teaching: A ‘build-a-professor’ study

Background. Which instructor qualities do students consider most important? The answer likely depends on the student. This study attempted to trace beliefs about the most essential instructor qualities to students’ academic achievement goals. Aims. The present study tested the hypothesis that students pursuing mastery goals favour instructors who stimulate and challenge them intellectually, whereas those pursuing performance goals favour instructors who present material clearly and provide clear cues about how to succeed. Sample. Participants were 157 students at a 4-year public university. Method. Participants designed the ideal professor through a hypothetical combination of nine widely valued instructor qualities, such as enthusiasm, presentation clarity, and an interactive teaching style. The more they acquired of any one instructor quality, the less they could acquire of the others, thus compelling students to distinguish necessary qualities from desirable luxury qualities. Results. Students’ achievement goals corresponded to their views about the most essential instructor qualities. Mastery goals predicted greater demand for professors who intellectually challenge students and possess topic expertise, whereas performance goals predicted high demand for professors who present material clearly and provide cues about how to succeed in the course. Conclusions. The findings support emerging theorizing about how mastery and performance goals nudge students to pursue different learning agendas, with distinct consequences to their learning experience.
A Foray into Quantum Dynamics

The dynamics of a quantum mechanical particle in a time-independent potential are found to contain many interesting phenomena. These are direct consequences of the (typical) existence of more than one time scale governing the problem. This gives rise to full revivals of initial wavepackets, fractional revivals (multiple wavepackets appearing at fractions of the revival time) and the striking quantum carpets. A variety of analytic techniques are used to consider the interference that gives rise to these phenomena while skirting calculations involving cross-terms. Novel results include a new theorem on the weighting coefficients $a_m$ that govern fractional revivals, a demonstration that $\Psi_{cl}$, the function that governs the distribution and features of these fractional revivals, really does behave classically, a treatment of the wavepacket dephasing in the infinite square well by means of the Poisson summation formula, and a correct analysis of the spatial distribution of intermode traces. Also, this work presents a coherent treatment of these phenomena, which before now did not exist.
Dissemination of Goss’s Wilt of Corn and Epiphytic Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis from Inoculum Point Sources

Goss's wilt of corn, caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis, has reemerged since 2006 as an economically important disease of corn in in the Midwestern United States. In 2012 and 2013, field plot studies were conducted with a pathogenic, rifampicin-resistant C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis isolate and a Goss's wilt-susceptible corn hybrid to monitor epiphytic C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis population densities and the temporal and spatial spread of Goss's wilt incidence originating from inoculum point sources. The randomized complete block trial included three treatments: noninoculated control, inoculum point sources established by wound inoculation, and inoculum point sources consisting of C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis-infested corn residue. Epiphytic C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis was detected on asymptomatic corn leaves collected up to 2.5 m away from inoculum sources at 15 days after inoculation in both years. The percentage of asymptomatic leaf samples on which epiphytic C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis was detected increased until mid-August in both years, and reached 90, 55, and 35% in wound-, residue-, and noninoculated plots, respectively, in 2012; and 50, 11, and 2%, respectively, in 2013. Although both growing seasons were drier than normal, Goss's wilt incidence increased over time and space from all C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis point sources. Plots infested with C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis residue had final Goss's wilt incidence of 7.5 and 1.8% in 2012 and 2013, respectively; plots with a wound-inoculated source had final Goss's wilt incidence of 16.6 and 14.0% in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Our findings suggest that relatively recent outbreaks of Goss's wilt in new regions of the United States may be the result of a gradual, nondetected buildup of C. michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis inoculum in fields.
Endothelial Cells Stimulate T Cell NFAT Nuclear Translocation in the Presence of Cyclosporin A: Involvement of the wnt/Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β Pathway

T cells resistant to the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) may be important mediators of chronic graft rejection. We previously reported that T cells activated in the presence of endothelial cells (EC) develop resistance to CsA, and initiate IL-2 secretion within 8-12 h of triggering. CsA normally blocks the phosphatase, calcineurin, thus preventing nuclear translocation of the transcription factor, NFAT. We find that in the presence but not the absence of EC, NFAT1 can be detected in the nuclei of CsA-treated T cells within 8 h of triggering, reaching a maximal level of 60% of control by 24 h. Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), which rephosphorylates NFAT and promotes nuclear export, is inhibited by EC costimulation. GSK-3beta is a component of the wnt signaling pathway, and EC express wnt-5a and T cells express frizzled-5, a wnt-5a receptor. Wnt-5a promotes T cell NFAT nuclear accumulation in the presence of CsA, an effect mimicked by Li(+), a potent inhibitor of GSK-3beta. The protein kinase C agonist PMA dramatically synergizes with both EC and wnt-5a in stimulating T cell IL-2 synthesis, and inhibition of either protein kinase C by Ro-31-8425 or G-proteins by pertussis toxin effectively blocks the actions of wnt-5a on T cells. Finally, a secreted, dominant-negative form of frizzled-5 blocks EC-mediated CsA resistance. Thus, EC promote CsA-resistant nuclear localization of NFAT and subsequent IL-2 synthesis through a noncanonical wnt-dependent pathway.
House Officers’ Guidelines 2: Procedures

This chapter reviews the indications, techniques, precautions and complications associated with placement of central lines, arterial lines, naso/oro gastric tubes, feeding tubes, paracentesis, and thoracentesis.
The Phylogenetic Relationships of the Members of the DROSOPHILA ROBUSTA Group

The phylogenetic relationships among the species of the D. robusta group were investigated by the analysis of chromosomal differences. Six of the ten known members of the D. robusta group were available for the study: D. colorata and D. robusta from the United States, and D. sordidula, D. pseudosordidula, D. lacertosa, and D. moriwakii from Japan. Analysis of the metaphase chromosomes from larval ganglion cells suggests that D. moriwakii and D. colorata, with rod-shaped X-chromosomes, are the more ancestral species, while D. sordidula, D. pseudosordidula, D. robusta, and D. lacertosa, with V-shaped X-chromosomes, are derived. The ancestral position of D. colorata and D. moriwakii is further strengthened by the fact that these are the two species in the D. robusta group that are cytologically closest to D. nigromelanica of the related D. melanica group. Of the four derived species, D. sordidula was found to be the closest to the ancestral species. The phylogeny based on the analysis of the gene sequences in the homologous chromosomes agreed with that indicated by the metaphase chromosomes. Since all attempts to obtain hybrids were unsuccessful except for the cross involving D. moriwakii females and D. colorata males, photographic maps of the salivary chromosomes were used to determine homology between the chromosomes of the different species. Evidence is presented to indicate that the D. robusta group originated in Asia (Japan), and that there were two migrations to the New World, the first leading to D. robusta, and the second to D. colorata. It is suggested that the route of migrations was across the Bering Land Bridge, and further, that the migrations occurred during the period from late Oligocene to middle Miocene, 20-25 million years ago.
Medial Epicondyle Fractures in Children and Adolescents: Shifting Care from General Hospitals to Children's Hospitals?

Objectives To determine if there is a shift in the treatment of children with medial epicondyle fractures toward children's hospitals, and to explore potential confounders of any observed effect. Study design The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database was used to examine the epidemiology of medial epicondyle fractures, particularly with attention to whether they were admitted to a general hospital or a children's hospital (defined as free-standing children's hospitals, specialty children's hospitals, and children's units within general hospitals). Age and insurance payer status were also collected and evaluated as potential confounders. Results The proportion of medial epicondyle hospital discharges from children's hospitals increased (from 29%-46%; P P Conclusions This study demonstrates an increase in the proportion of discharges for pediatric medial epicondyle fractures from children's hospitals. Although this finding is likely multifactorial, it may represent increasing subspecialization and increasing medical liability when treating children. Children's hospitals should identify those conditions which will continue to increase in number and consider constructing clinical pathways in order to optimize delivery of care and resource utilization.
Signal transducing GTP-binding proteins in olfaction.

Abstract 1. 1. Several members of the family of heterotrimeric signal transducing GTP-binding proteins have been identified in the olfactory epithelium of vertebrates by biochemical and molecular cloning techniques. 2. 2. Biochemical and electrophysiological evidence indicates that one or more GTP-binding proteins mediate many olfactory responses by coupling stimulus receptors to second messenger systems. 3. 3. Although GTP-binding proteins may function in additional transduction events, a novel GTP-binding protein, expressed only in olfactory neurons, may mediate stimulus activation of adenylate cyclase in olfactory cilia.
Regional cerebral blood flow during object naming and word reading.

By several accounts, reading single words may be accomplished either by sequentially transcribing orthographic units into their corresponding sounds (an indirect route), or by directly associating a visual word form to the semantic or articulatory representation (a direct route). By contrast, the similar task of naming objects must rely only on a direct route, since objects cannot be “sounded out.” To study the localization of cognitive processes specific to reading, we used positron emission tomography (PET) to measure regional cerebral blood flow while subjects named words and pictures of objects silently or aloud. Group averages of blood flow changes were obtained for experimental vs. control tasks. Object and word presentations elicited similar blood flow increases in extra-striate visual cortices compared with a visual noise control. Silent reading invoked a neural network very similar to that seen when subjects named objects silently, consistent with a “direct” route. Naming objects aloud produced the addition of motor output regions to this network. By contrast, oral reading produced a markedly different pattern of activated regions, suggesting reliance on a separate phonological pathway. These results provide support for the dual coding hypothesis in reading and challenge the use of strict hierarchical models of cognitive operations in PET activation studies. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Insulinotropic and gastrin-releasing action of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)

Abstract The effect of intravenous administration of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on serum gastrin and insulin levels was studied in ad libitum fed and 24-h fasted rats. Administration of GRP (55 μg/kg body weight) caused a significant ( P ) elevation in serum gastrin levels at 10, 30, 60, and 120 min in the rats fed ad libitum, whereas in the fasted rats, gastrin levels rose significantly only at 10 min. GRP did not cause insulin release in fasted rats, but in the fed rats, it led to a significant elevation in serum insulin levels at 10 and 30 min, in comparison to controls. GRP appears to have an insulinotropic action in addition to a gastrin-releasing effect.
Tailoring Anisotropic Wetting Properties on Submicrometer-Scale Periodic Grooved Surfaces

The use of simple plasma treatments and polymer deposition to tailor the anisotropic wetting properties of one-dimensional (1D) submicrometer-scale grooved surfaces, fabricated using interferometric lithography in photoresist polymer films, is reported. Strongly anisotropic wetting phenomena are observed for as-prepared 1D grooved surfaces for both positive and negative photoresists. Low-pressure plasma treatments with different gas compositions (e.g., CHF(3), CF(4), O(2)) are employed to tailor the anisotropic wetting properties from strongly anisotropic and hydrophobic to hydrophobic with very high contact angle and superhydrophilic with a smaller degree of wetting anisotropy and without changing the structural anisotropy. The change of the surface wetting properties for these 1D patterned surfaces is attributed to a change in surface chemical composition, monitored using XPS. In addition, the initial anisotropic wetting properties on 1D patterned samples could be modified by coating plasma treated samples with a thin layer of polymer. We also demonstrated that the wetting properties of 1D grooved surfaces in a Si substrate could be tuned with similar plasma treatments. The ability to tailor anisotropic wetting on 1D patterned surfaces will find many applications in microfluidic devices, lab-on-a-chip systems, microreactors, and self-cleaning surfaces.
Stable pull-in electrodes for narrow gap actuation

This paper reports the use of movable electrodes that can be electrostatically pulled in to achieve narrow gaps beyond lithography / etch capabilities. Width-extensional resonators with frequencies of 50 MHz and quality factors of 150k are demonstrated with such movable electrodes to have a significantly lower motional impedances when pullin occurs. Sub-ppm stability over 105 pull-in/pull-out cycles is measured using temperature-compensated resonators within the epi-seal epitaxial polysilicon encapsulation process. The pull-in phenomena is reversible, but can be made permanent by electrically welding the pulled-in electrode to a stop.
Developmental Modeling Effects on the Acquisition, Retention, and Transfer of a Novel Motor Task

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of modeling strategies on the acquisition, retention, and transfer of a novel motor task. Forty males and 40 females, divided equally between two age groups (9.0 to 10.6 and 18.0 to 45.0 years), were randomly assigned within each age group to visual model (control), visual model plus cues, visual model plus verbal rehearsal, or visual model, verbal rehearsal plus cues conditions. The task consisted of juggling three nylon scarves during acquisition and retention and three bean bags during transfer. A 4 x 2 (Model Type x Age) MANOVA revealed a significant age by model type interaction. For acquisition, children in the visual model plus verbal rehearsal condition and visual model, verbal rehearsal plus cues condition performed significantly better than children in the visual model only or visual model plus cues groups. Adults performed equally well during acquisition under any of the model type conditions. The retention data indicated that the adults' pe...
Assessing self-report of pain: A comparison of two recording procedures

Intensive vs. reduced demand self-monitored pain levels were compared in nine pain patients. Each patient self-monitored pain intensity on a 6-point scale every 2 hr. Overall, daily mean and maximum pain levels were calculated for each patient (1) across all intervals (intensive self-monitoring) and (2) four times per day, at meal times and bedtime (reduced-demand self-monitoring). Differences were found to be negligible. The reduced-demand procedure produced data that were closely representative of pain fluctuations indicated in the more intensive bihourly ratings. Results are discussed in terms of the representativeness and standardization in pain self-monitoring as well as possible enhancement of recording compliance through the use of the less demanding four times per day procedure.
Effects of progesterone and estrogen on the electrical activity of the limbic system.

The electrical activity of the hippocampus amygdala and septum in a spontaneous ovulator was investigated to determine if these structures would exhibit a change in ongoing electrical activity due to the presence of a gonadal steroid. Under ether anesthesia bipolar electrodes were stereotaxically placed in the lateral septum dorsal hippocampus medial amygdala and parietal cortex in female rats. Following cutaneous injections of novacain the virgin rats were injected with tubocurare and respirated artificially. Intraperitoneal (ip) injections of estradiol-17beta (.1 mg/ml) and progesterone (1 mg/ml) in propylene glycol (1 ml) were given the electrical activity of the limbic structures was recorded and a frequency analysis made. Those areas which responded to the systemic treatment were implanted with the same gonadal steroids using a recording cannula-electrode. The parietal cortex and medial amygdala showed no significant changes in electrical activity that was consistent throughout the experiment. The dorsal hippocampus responded to ip injections of both estradiol-17beta and progesterone in diestrous and estrous rats but did not respond to direct stimulation with the gonadal steroids. The electrical activity of the hippocampus increased within 30 minutes when the septum was stimulated directly with either progesterone or estradiol-17beta. The lateral septum responded to injections of both estradiol-17beta and progesterone in diestrous and estrous animals. Following direct implantation of either gonadal steroid into the lateral septum there was an immediate increase in the activity of the septum. The lateral septum appears to be a site within the limbic system that is able to respond to both estrogen and progesterone.
Synthesis and separation properties of B-ZSM-5 zeolite membranes on monolith supports

Abstract Alumina-coated, silicon carbide monoliths were used as supports for B-ZSM-5 zeolite membranes, which were synthesized by in situ hydrothermal crystallization. Both 2 mm ×2 mm (66 channels) and 4 mm ×4 mm (22 channels) monoliths with effective membrane area/volume ratios of 10.6 and 7.2 cm 2 /cm 3 , respectively, were used. The membranes separated C 4 and C 6 hydrocarbon isomer vapor mixtures with high selectivities. The selectivities and permeances were comparable to tubular ZSM-5 membranes for butane isomers. The highest ideal selectivities at 473 K were 34 for n -C 4 H 10 / i -C 4 H 10 and 77 for H 2 / i -C 4 H 10 . The highest n -C 4 H 10 / i -C 4 H 10 separation selectivity was 35 at 373 K, and the highest n -hexane/2,2-dimethylbutane separation selectivity was 247 at 436 K.
Elevated 4-hydroxyhexenal in Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression

Multiple studies have demonstrated elevations of α, β-unsaturated aldehydes including 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) and acrolein, in vulnerable regions of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), preclinical Alzheimer's disease (PCAD), and late stage Alzheimer's disease (LAD) brain. However, there has been limited study of a third member, 4-hydroxyhexenal (HHE), a diffusible lipid peroxidation product of the ω-3 polyunstataturated fatty acids (PUFAs). In the present study levels of extractable and protein-bound HHE were quantified in the hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus (HPG), superior and middle temporal gyri (SMTG), and cerebellum (CER) of MCI, PCAD, LAD, and normal control (NC) subjects. Levels of extractable and protein-bound HHE were increased in multiple regions in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Extractable HHE was significantly elevated in the hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus (HPG) of PCAD and LAD subjects and protein-bound HHE was significantly higher in MCI, PCAD, and LAD HPG. A time- and concentration-dependent decrease in survival and a concentration-dependent decrease in glucose uptake were observed in primary cortical cultures treated with HHE. Together these data support a role for lipid peroxidation in the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Dissociative recombination of cold and its interstellar implications

plays a key role in interstellar chemistry as the initiator of ion–molecule chemistry. The amount of observed in dense interstellar clouds is consistent with expectations, but the large abundance of seen in diffuse clouds is not easily explained by simple chemical models. A crucial parameter in predicting the abundance of in diffuse clouds is the rate constant for dissociative recombination (DR) with electrons. The value of this constant has been very controversial, because different experimental techniques have yielded very different results, perhaps owing to varying degrees of rotational and vibrational excitation of the ions. If the value of this rate constant under interstellar conditions were much lower than usually assumed, the large abundance could be easily explained. In an attempt to pin down this crucial rate constant, we have performed DR measurements at the CRYRING ion storage ring in Stockholm, using a supersonic expansion ion source to produce rotationally cold ions. These measurements suggest that the DR rate constant in diffuse clouds is not much lower than usually assumed and that the abundant must be due to either a low electron fraction or a high ionization rate.
The role of surgery in the treatment of mitral regurgitation

Summary To date 146 patients with pure and combined mitral regurgitation have had surgical correction. The sustained benefit derived in over 80 percent of the patients so treated lends enthusiasm for this surgical approach to this otherwise progressively deteriorating disease. Further improvement in the remaining 30 percent of the patients not significantly hemodynamically improved in the past is dependent upon earlier surgical intervention and greater improvement in the efficacy of surgical technics. Success in the surgical correction of valvular dysfunction is dependent upon a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of valvular pathology and physiology, continued improvement in the effectiveness of surgical technics and their employment made possible by a highly proficient surgical team and extracorporeal circulation to enable the surgeon ample time for contemplative surgical correction at a time in the disease process that greatest improvement can be anticipated.
An autozeroing sample and hold IC

A sample and hold circuit with autozeroing of dc errors, providing accuracy adequate for use in 12b data-acquisition applications will be discussed. Device includes all digital control circuitry and requires no external components.
Controlled Sliding and Pullout of Nested Shells in Individual Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

A mechanical-loading stage operating inside a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to realize the sliding between nested shells of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A stick−slip motion and a smooth pullout motion were observed for the two separate MWCNTs studied. A model that includes the shear interaction, the “capillary” effect, and the edge effect, was used to explain the observed sliding between nested shells. The shear strength between shells was determined and the surface energy of the MWCNT shell estimated.
Bone marrow mast cell immunophenotyping in adults with mast cell disease: a prospective study of 33 patients

The aberrant co-expression of CD2 and CD25 antigens is the immunophenotypic hallmark of neoplastic mast cells, and has been consistently identified on bone marrow mast cells from patients with indolent mast cell disease (MCD). We prospectively analyzed the bone marrow mast cell immunophenotype by multiparametric flow cytometry (FC) for 33 MCD cases, to examine the role of CD2 and CD25 expression in establishing diagnosis, detecting histologically occult bone marrow mast cell infiltration, and assessing treatment response. While CD25 was almost uniformly expressed, only 6 of 13 patients with indolent MCD, 1 of 8 with aggressive MCD, 2 of 7 with MCD and an associated hematological disorder, and none of the 2 patients with either mast cell leukemia or smoldering systemic mastocytosis, expressed CD2. One of three patients with cutaneous mastocytosis had an aberrant CD2+/CD25+ mast cell population suggesting histologically occult bone marrow involvement. CD25 expression was lost in one patient who achieved complete histologic remission with therapy, but not in two patients who achieved a partial remission. In conclusion, CD25, but not CD2, is a reliable marker for neoplastic mast cells, and CD25 expression indicates histologically occult bone marrow infiltration and residual disease after therapy.
Covert drug abuse among patients hospitalized in the psychiatric ward of a university hospital.

Fourty-four consecutive admissions less than 41 years of age to the Psychiatric Ward of Temple University Hospital were screened by urine chromatographic analysis for detection of amphetamines, barbiturates, and narcotics. The survey showed a majority of the patients (66%) had detectable levels of drugs of abuse in their urine at least once. As many as 52 % had evidence of covert drug abuse while in the hospital. The amphetamines were, by far, the most frequently abused drugs. Abuse was episodic and no obvious dependence was encountered. The value of urine screening in hospitalized psychiatric patients, especially with regard to its usefulness in evaluation of unexpected changes in their moods and behavior on the ward, is noted. Routine urine chromatographic screening for drugs commonly abused by hospitalized psychiatric patients is recommended.
Copper distribution and speciation across the International GEOTRACES Section GA03

Abstract Copper (Cu) distribution and speciation were characterized along a zonal section in the North Atlantic Ocean from Lisbon, Portugal, to Woods Hole, Massachusetts as part of the U.S. GEOTRACES program. Dissolved Cu profiles displayed many of the same features identified by other researchers, including sub-surface scavenging and a linear increase with depth, but many also exhibited unique properties and geographic trends. Concentrations ranged from 0.43 nM at the surface to 3.07 nM near the seafloor. The highest concentrations were measured in deep waters to the west of Cape Verde and northwest of the Canary Islands while the lowest concentrations were measured in upper waters, mostly between Mauritania and Cape Verde. The westernmost sampling sites overlying or adjacent to the U.S. east coast continental shelf featured surface maxima that decreased in magnitude moving east toward Bermuda, reflecting declining inputs from Cu-enriched coastal waters and North American aerosols. Free Cu (Cu 2+ ) concentrations were tightly controlled by organic complexation and scavenging across the section with values varying between 1.54 fM and 1.07 pM. These results provide the first evidence that Cu 2+ concentrations are strongly complexed throughout the water column, even in boundary zones where dissolved Cu concentrations are elevated because of local sources. Strong organic ligands ( L ) acted as a buffer for Cu 2+ , restricting concentrations to a narrow range (10–100 fM) throughout most of the water column. Cu 2+ and dissolved Cu were strongly scavenged by suspended particulate matter within several benthic nepheloid layers and a hydrothermal plume above the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR).
Laxity and flexibility of the ankle following reconstruction with the Chrisman‐Snook procedure

The effect of reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament with the Chrisman-Snook procedure on neutral zone laxity (anterior-posterior displacement at low loads) and flexibility (a measure of the nonlinear load-displacement response) of the ankle was investigated in vitro during the anterior drawer test. Neutral zone laxity was defined as the magnitude of anterior-posterior displacement of the ankle joint at +/- 2.5 N of applied load. The flexibility parameter was defined as the slope of a line between the natural logarithm of the anterior load applied to the ankle and the resulting displacement. After reconstruction with the Chrisman-Snook procedure, the values for neutral zone laxity of the ankle were significantly less than normal at 0 degree of plantar flexion, whereas the flexibility values were significantly greater than normal. This study revealed that, after the Chrisman-Snook procedure, values for ankle flexibility are not restored to normal even if those for neutral zone laxity are reduced to less than normal. The findings suggest that this nonanatomical reconstruction procedure does not reproduce normal kinematics of the ankle joint. This may help explain some of the adverse clinical reports associated with the Chrisman-Snook reconstruction procedure.
The role of propranolol for post-exposure chemoprophylaxis of posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder may be due to excessive adrenergic activation immediately following trauma leading to over-consolidation of traumatic memories. Based on this premise, propranolol has been studied as a means of post-exposure prophylaxis of posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder. Published trials include a retrospective chart review, a prospective cohort study, and a number of randomized clinical trials. Current data suggest ineffectiveness of propranolol for this indication, but larger, randomized, placebo-controlled trials that include more diverse types of traumas are needed in order to provide more definitive evidence.
A spectroscopic study of the pH sensor response of fluorescein doped silica and aluminosilica sol-gel glasses

The pH dependent absorption spectrum of fluorescein doped silica and aluminosilica sol-gel glasses is used to demonstrate that the xerogel matrices alter the stability of certain fluorescein structures. In addition, time-resolved spectral changes demonstrate that ionic diffusion plays a significant role in the observed kinetics.
Evolution of the Filmless Cardiac Angiography Suite: Promise and Perils of the Evolving Digital Era

Although cineangiography has been in use for 35 years, it has important limitations. Films are expensive to produce, cannot be readily copied or transmitted electronically, are bulky, and require a large storage space. Digital angiography will soon replace film for archiving cardiac catheterization images, ultimately offering powerful new capabilities at a reduced cost. The transition toward the filmless angiogram is characterized by both great promise and important risks. Current nonfilm archiving systems (such as super-VHS videotape or analog optical disks) have not met the needs of the cardiovascular community, owing to poor image quality and resolution inferior to that of cine films. Analog storage media can result in a standard error in lesion measurements exceeding 1 mm and have a suboptimal signal-to-noise ratio. While digital media record adequate image detail, proprietary formats preclude the universal compatibility supplied by cine film. As a consequence of incompatibility, referred patients must undergo repeat catheterization prior to surgery or intervention. To resolve the compatibility problem, a committee established by the American College of Cardiology in conjunction with manufacturers (DICOM) has developed a standardized digital recording format using CD-ROM to transfer images between medical centers. The availability of this standardized interchange medium will have a positive impact on research as well as on patient care by eliminating barriers to image exchange throughout the cardiovascular community. Support for the DICOM approach by practitioners is vital to the transition to digital future.
Mediated release of glutamate and GABA by cathodic reduction of cobalt complexes

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of cobalt (III) complexes containing the neurotransmitter GABA or GLU as ligands were investigated using aqueous solutions as a model sytem for drug release. The release of the neurotransmitter was found to be efficient. In one case the reduction proceeded directly, in another it was mediated by methyl viologen. The kinetic of the catalyzed process were analyzed using electrochemical techniques. In addition, unusual trace crossings in the cylic voltammograms of the catalytic system, as well unusual chronoamperometric curves, were observed. These phenomena wwere attributed to the electrodeposition of cobalt metal.