cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The presidential and parliamentary elections in Kenya, December 2007

On 27 December 2007, Kenyan voters participated in the fourth elections since the re-introduction of multi-party politics in 1991, casting ballots for the president and members of parliament. Little violence occurred on election day, and observers considered the voting process wellorganized. However, delay by the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) in announcing the results incited serious unrest in the country. Challenger Raila Odinga had taken an early lead on the first day of counting, but incumbent President Mwai Kibaki erased that margin and went on to win by 2%. The hasty inauguration of Kibaki on 30 December, and claims of vote rigging, fostered violence throughout the country. The fighting resulted in nearly 1200 deaths, 500,000 displaced persons, and the widespread destruction of land and property. Mediation efforts by former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, led to a power-sharing coalition government in February, 2008 leaving Kibaki with the presidency while creating the post of prime minister for Odinga. Independent analyses and the work of the Independent Review Commission to study the election revealed deep flaws in the vote tally process, undermining the credibility of the ECK’s official results. Since the ballot counts are untrustworthy, we present the results of our nation-wide exit poll. These data provide the only reliable information on the results of Kenya’s 2007 elections.
Risedronate in the treatment of mild pediatric osteogenesis imperfecta: a randomized placebo-controlled study.

Intravenous pamidronate is the most widely used treatment for moderate to severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Currently, there is no medical treatment for patients with mild OI. We conducted a single-center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to examine the efficacy and safety of oral risedronate in the treatment of pediatric patients with mild OI. A total of 26 children and adolescents (age, 6.1-17.7 yr; 11 girls) with OI type I were randomized to either placebo (N = 13) or risedronate (N = 13) for 2 yr. Risedronate doses were 15 mg once per week in patients weighing 40 kg. After 2 yr of treatment, risedronate decreased serum levels of the bone resorption marker collagen type I N-telopeptide by 35% compared with a 6% reduction with placebo (p = 0.003). Risedronate increased lumbar spine areal BMD Z-scores by 0.65, whereas patients receiving placebo experienced a decrease of 0.15 (p = 0.002). In contrast, no significant treatment differences in bone mass and density were found at the radial metaphysis and diaphysis, the hip, and the total body. Histomorphometric analysis of transiliac bone biopsies at the end of the study period did not show a significant treatment difference in cortical width, trabecular bone volume, or parameters of bone turnover. Similarly, there was no detectable treatment effect on vertebral morphometry, second metacarpal cortical width, grip force, bone pain, or number of new fractures. Regarding safety, risedronate was generally well tolerated, and the incidence of clinical or laboratory adverse experiences was similar among treatment groups. These results suggest that the skeletal effects of oral risedronate are weaker than those that are commonly observed with intravenous pamidronate treatment but still lead to an increase in lumbar spine areal BMD. Future studies should investigate whether oral risedronate is effective in reducing fracture rates in children and adolescents with mild OI type I.
International and US standards ‐ audit risk and materiality

As investors and companies become more accustomed to crossing national borders to invest or raise capital, interest in comparing international and national accounting and auditing standards is growing. Compares two concepts crucial to planning and performing the audit work: audit risk and materiality. Differences between international and US guidance would imply that the two sets of standards require different levels of audit work; this situation would be a concern to investors and auditors. Similarities in the international and US standards would suggest consensus regarding the levels of work. Shows that the comparison of ISA 6 to SASs 47 and 55/78 indicates many similarities and few differences between international and US guidance.
NEW ADVANCES IN POLYMER/LAYERED SILICATE NANOCOMPOSITES

This review discusses some recent advances in polymer silicate nanocomposites. In particular, we highlight the properties of specific nanocomposites while emphasizing the lack of properties trade-offs in these systems. We also present our work on the structure and dynamics of the polymer/nanofiller interface and attempt to relate them to macroscopic nanocomposite properties.
Not So Slowly Progressive Visual Loss

A 51-year-old man presented with bilateral progressive visual loss during a 2-month period. Visual acuity was 20/60 in both eyes with bilateral constricted visual fields. Funduscopy revealed bilateral disk pallor and arteriolar attenuation. His vision declined rapidly during the next 2 weeks. Investigations showed a positive cerebrospinal fluid Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test (1:8). A diagnosis of neurosyphilis was made, and treatment was started with high-dose intravenous and intramuscular penicillin.
Sub-10 nm nanoimprint lithography by wafer bowing.

We introduce the concept of wafer bowing to affect nanoimprinting. This approach allows a design that can fit the key imprinting mechanism into a compact module, which we have constructed and demonstrated with an overlay and resolution of <0.5 μm and <10 nm, respectively. In the short term, this wafer bowing approach makes nanoimprint lithography much more accessible to a broad range of researchers. More importantly, this approach eliminates machine movement other than wafer bowing and shortens the mechanical path; these will enable the achievement of excellent patterning and overlay at a much lower cost. In the long term, wafer bowing is extensible to step-and-repeat printing for volume manufacturing.
The downstream financial effect of hepatology

As a more consultative but less procedurally oriented specialty, Hepatology has been considered a financial liability in some academic centers. However, no actual data exist on the relative contribution of a Hepatology practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the direct and indirect (i.e., downstream effect) charges generated by a Hepatology section in comparison with a Gastroenterology section. Using a computerized database, retrospective cohorts of new outpatient consultations and initial admissions seen by the Hepatology and Gastroenterology sections over a 3-month period were created. The cohorts were followed for 12 months. Charges generated directly to the section (direct charges) and to the hospital system (indirect charges) were calculated. Each cohort consisted of 179 patients. The Hepatology patients generated 5,851,463 dollars in overall charges for the hospital, compared with 2,273,339 dollars for the Gastroenterology cohort. Only 3.6% of the Hepatology charges were direct, compared with 15.9% of the Gastroenterology charges. For every 1 dollar billed by Hepatology, the hospital system generated an additional 26.95 dollars in charges (51.03 dollars for the orthotopic liver transplantation patients, and 14.26 dollars for the non-orthotopic liver transplantation patients). For every 1 dollar billed by Gastroenterology, the hospital system generated an additional 5.31 dollars in charges. Similar inpatient collection rates were seen between the two groups (27.7% for hepatology and 33.6% for gastroenterology). In conclusion, although Hepatology generates only a small amount of direct charges, it accounts for a very substantial amount of indirect or downstream billing for an academic medical center. This study validates the importance of a hospital's support for a Hepatology section, especially in a center performing orthotopic liver transplantation.
A transformer for measuring 60 Hz loss and critical current characteristics of short superconductor tapes

Abstract To test samples of superconductor tape destined for use in power transmission cables, it is necessary to simulate the actual operating conditions for these cables. A transformer in which the field parallel to one side of the superconductor sample is provided by cylindrical iron poles, produces these conditions quickly and efficiently. The design of this transformer is described together with the actual measurement techniques used to assess the performance of samples.
The chemistry of fumarate and maleate inhibitors with platinum hydrosilylation catalysts

Abstract Pt(MviMvi)x (MviMvi = 1.3-divinyltetramethyl disiloxane), 1, was reacted with dimethyl fumarate to give 2. Compound 2 was investigated by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy which showed it to be a mono-nuclear platinum compound containing one dimethyl fumarate and one chelating MviMvi ligand. The reaction of 1 with dimethyl maleate gave 3 which was analogous in structure to the fumarate product as shown by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS). The EXAFS analysis showed the presence of Pt-C bonds and a through space close contact between Pt and the O from the carbonyl. The NMR assignments were confirmed by comparing the NMR spectra of 2 and 3 with that of (PPh3)Pt(MviMvi), 4. Reaction of 2 or 3 with an excess of an SiH-containing compound (either MDHDHM (MDHDHM = 1,3-bis(trimethylsiloxy)-1,3-dimethylsiloxane) or Et3SiH) gave 5 in all cases. Compound 5 contains an alkyl succinate ligand. Hydrogenation of the fumarate ligand (of 2) or of the maleate ligand (of 3) occurs by reaction with SiH; 5 appears to be an intermediate in the hydrogenation process. The reaction between 4, dimethylmaleate, and MDHDHM also gives dimethyl succinate. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to compare the effectiveness of the inhibitors in a curable formulation composed of vinyl-stopped-polydimethyl siloxane, polydimethylsiloxanemethylhydrogen-copolymer, a platinum catalyst and either a maleate or fumarate inhibitor.
Technique d'hémagglutination passive inverse appliquée à la détection de l'antigène HBs

Resume Nous avons presente une nouvelle technique d'hemagglutination passive inverse pour la recherche de l'antigene HBs, appelee Raphadex B. Elle utilise un anticorps anti HBs de chimpanze, purifie, fixe a des hematies humaines stabilisees. Cette methode comporte un controle de la specificite de la positivite, qui utilise le serum d'un chimpanze immunise avec de l'antigene HBs purifie, apres et avant immunisation. Ce serum hyperimmun est utilise pour sa capacite de neutralisation de la reaction d'hemagglutination, en comparaison avec l'absence de neutralisation provoquee par le serum non immun. L'utilisation d'un serum provenant du meme animal permet d'eviter la possibilite theorique que des anticorps diriges contre les immunoglobulines, tels que Gm ou Inv, puissent inhiber la reaction, comme ce pourrait etre le cas de deux serums d'animaux differents, en raison des differences allotypiques existant entre les serums d'animaux differents. Un test de specificite fiable est essentiel pour eviter de porter a tort le diagnostic de porteur chronique du virus de l'hepatite B chez un donneur de sang.
The health status of African-American men: improving our understanding of men’s health challenges

The awakening to the existence of health disparities has spurred concern about men’s health issues. Questions have arisen as to why racial and ethnic minorities have a lower average life expectancy, greater incidence or prevalence of life-limiting diseases, and a less favorable prognosis, even when diagnosed with the same diseases. ‘Gender and health’ parallels ‘race and health’ because any intellectually honest discussion about health disparities between diverse demographic groups must take account of the striking variations in longevity and health outcomes associated with gender. The health status of minority men can potentially serve to guide our thinking about men’s health challenges in various areas.
Characterization of Hg−Pt optically transparent electrodes

Abstract A mercury-coated platinum film optically transparent electrode, Hg−Pt OTE, has been evaluated with respect to the nature of its surface. An optimum procedure for preparing Hg−Pt OTEs by electrochemically depositing mercury on a vapor-deposited Pt OTE was developed. The resulting electrodes were characterized by voltammetric stripping of the deposited mercury films and microscopic observation. A relatively stable electrode in which the surface consists of platinum-mercury compounds can be prepared by depositing a ca. 5-nm film of mercury. Thicker mercury films are characterized by mercury droplets which amalgamate with the substrate platinum film, eventually forming a platinum-mercury compound surface.
Politics and Historical Imagination.

When I ask students in my educational history and policy courses about the 1954 Brown decision and more broadly about the idea of integration, they recognize that desegregation might be a good strategy to equalize resources but add indignantly that black children certainly do not need to sit next to whites in order to learn. Students of color tend to be more critical of integration than whites, but all have as much difficulty imagining a good integrated school as a good segregated one; all have difficulty imagining the social vision that fueled demands for integration. In part, students' skepticism about assimilationist demands for racial integration represents an appreciation of the vibrancy of African-American culture and a broader commitment to cultural pluralism. But there is more. At a time when virtually no educational research or policymaking takes integration seriously, when the courts regularly declare segregated districts unitary, when the rhetoric of race-blind social justice has been abandoned by the left and appropriated by the opponents of equality, it is not surprising that students share other Americans' skepticism about school integration. Such doubts both limit students' ability to understand the history of American education and circumscribe their political and social imagination. Back in that day, political and educational visions were often less narrow. The demand for integration was animated by the utopian belief that American life could be profoundly transformed so that its reality would match its professed ideals. In order to assess the campaign for school integration, students, like other Americans, need to recover that sense of transcendent possibility. There are no doubt many ways to help students imagine a time when utopian hopes of creating racial justice seemed more plausible than they do today and to help them see the ways our social vision has narrowed in the decades since Brown. Some students and I recently explored this closing of the American mind by looking at how the Brown decision is portrayed in two American history textbooks, one used in middle schools today and the
Ultrastructure of malignant paraganglioma of organ of Zuckerkandl.

Abstract Electron microscopic study of a malignant paraganglioma of the organ of Zuckerkandl revealed similarities between the tumor and the normal paraganglia. The well-differentiated portion of the tumor recapitulated the structure of the basic functional units of the paraganglion. In addition there were signs of anaplasia both at the histologic and ultrastructural level. Large Neurosecretory granules were noted in some of the tumor cells, but most of the cells were agranular. Crystaloids resembling those seen in alveolar soft part sarcoma were also noted. The study supports the theory on the common origin and histogenesis of paragangliomas and alveolar soft part sarcomas.
Investigating the convergent validity of organizational trust

Purpose – Organizational trust is an important construct for organizational and public relations scholars and practitioners for its influence on key organizational outcomes, yet the convergent validity of organizational trust instruments has not been investigated by any study. The purpose of this paper is to address an important gap in the literature by reporting the results of a systematic investigation of the convergent validity of three organizational trust measures, taking an interpersonal, public relations, and organizational approach to trust in organizations respectively.Design/methodology/approach – IRB approval was obtained for a cross‐sectional study design gathering self‐reports from participants through an online data gathering system of a large Midwestern university in the USA. Correlational matrices, along with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses adapting the multitrait‐multimethod matrix, were employed for data analysis.Findings – The three trust measures demonstrate mixed evidence...
Role of prostanoids in renin-dependent and renin-independent hypertension.

We investigated the role of prostanoid-mediated pressor mechanisms in setting the level of blood pressure in renin-dependent and renin-independent models of hypertension in unanesthetized rats. Intravenous administration of a blocker of thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptors, SQ29548 (2 mg/kg bolus injection plus 2 mg/kg/hr for 3 hours), reduced from 162 +/- 4 to 144 +/- 5 mm Hg (p less than 0.05) the blood pressure of rats with aortic coarctation-induced hypertension at 7-14 days after coarctation when plasma renin activity is greatly increased. In contrast, treatment with SQ29548 was without effect on the blood pressure of either normotensive or hypertensive rats (i.e., aortic coarctation-induced hypertension at 90-113 days after coarctation, deoxycorticosterone-salt-induced hypertension) having normal or depressed values of plasma renin activity. The blood pressure-lowering effect of SQ29548 in the early phase of aortic coarctation-induced hypertension was positively correlated with the prevailing plasma renin activity and could not be demonstrated in hypertensive rats pretreated with indomethacin. We attribute the hypotensive effect of SQ29548 to interference with pressor mechanisms that depend on activation of thromboxane A2/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptors and suggest that such prostanoid-mediated mechanisms are operational and contribute to an increase in blood pressure in angiotensin-dependent forms of hypertension. Also prostanoid-mediated vasodepressor mechanisms are operational in the early phase of aortic coarctation-induced hypertension since the blood pressure of rats pretreated with SQ29548 was increased by the subsequent administration of indomethacin. Accordingly, the blood pressure of rats with aortic coarctation-induced hypertension is influenced by the interplay of prostanoid-mediated pressor and vasodepressor mechanisms.
The in vivo effect of 2,6-xylidine on induction of micronuclei in mouse bone marrow cells

The ability of 2,6-xylidine to produce chromosome breakage and/or spindle malformation in vivo was evaluated by an assessment of the capacity of the compound to induce micronuclei in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes. Male ICR mice were administered a single oral dose of 350, 175 or 87.5 mg/kg of 2,6-xylidine by oral gavage and bone marrow was extracted from the femurs 24, 48 and 72 h thereafter. The frequency of micronuclei in animals treated with 2,6-xylidine was not different from that observed for the corresponding solvent treated controls.
How Do Social Service Providers View Recent Immigrants? Perspectives from Portland, Maine, and Olympia, Washington

This article explores how social service providers in two small, geographically distinct cities—Portland, Maine, and Olympia, Washington—understand the importance of welcoming and incorporating new immigrants in their cities. We focus on how providers characterize their responsibilities, how they understand the importance of responding to new immigrants, and what they describe as the challenges and opportunities presented by recent immigration to their cities. Despite differences in Portland and Olympia, we find that providers in both cities combine a sense of moral responsibility to help immigrants, with an emphasis on the economic and cultural resources immigrants bring to cities. These insights expand recent immigration scholarship from a focus on immigrants alone to include the perspectives and logics of social service workers who are often their first points of contact in new places.
Duration of smoking abstinence as a predictor for non-small-cell lung cancer survival in women.

Summary Background: Previous studies have attempted to investigate the impact of smoking cessation on lung cancer survival but have been limited by small numbers of former smokers and incomplete data. Methods: Over a six-year period, 5229 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) were enrolled in a prospective cohort of whom 2052 were former smokers. Patient's characteristics were obtained from medical records and a baseline interview. Vital status was determined through multiple sources. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the effect of smoking abstinence on post-diagnosis mortality. Results: For all patients with NSCLC, the median survival among never, former, and current smokers was 1.4 years, 1.3 years, and 1.1 years, respectively ( P Conclusions: The identification of smoking history as a prognostic factor in lung cancer survival supports previous research suggesting a direct biologic effect of smoking on survival. However, this effect may vary by sex and type of lung cancer.
Ministerial Tax Issues: On Wingo and a Prayer

Special tax provisions apply to individuals who qualify as “ministers.” For example, they are allowed to exclude certain housing allowances from gross income and are exempt from federal tax withholdings. Most ministers are classified as employees, yet courts have also held some of them to be independent contractors. Minister‐employees have a dual tax status. They are considered employees for income reporting, fringe benefit, and expense deducting purposes but are treated as self‐employed persons for social security purposes. Because of their intricacies and material financial impact, special provisions that apply to ministers demand thorough legal analysis and careful tax planning. This article analyzes several key tax issues that confront ministers and provides a variety of tax planning ideas.
Effects of an Environmentally Realistic Pesticide Mixture on Daphnia magna Exposed for Two Generations

Daphnia magna were exposed under semistatic conditions (i.e., conditions taking natural degradation into account) to a pesticide mixture consisting of a pyrethroid insecticide (cyfluthrin) and a pre-emergent herbicide (diuron) as well as pesticides individually using a full life cycle exposure (21 days). Subsequently, offspring from the second reproductive brood were used to continue exposure for a second generation. Survival, time to first brood, total number of offspring produced, number of broods produced, growth rate, and population growth rate were recorded for each generation and concentration. Significant differences existed between F0 and F1 D. magna for survival, in which F1 were less sensitive to pesticide mixtures than F0. In addition, F1 D. magna were significantly smaller than F0, which resulted in longer time to first brood. There were no differences in any end point examined between D. magna exposed to the pesticide mixture and diuron alone, although differences existed in survival, total number of offspring, total number of broods, and population growth rate when F0 D. magna were exposed to cyfluthrin alone. This study illustrates the utility of a two-generation study design that may more fully reflect, and more accurately predict, population level effects of pesticide exposures to short-lived aquatic organisms.
Supply management and e-procurement: creating value added in the supply chain

Abstract The increasing emphasis on supply chain management is creating a greater focus on the supply management link in the supply chain. This focus will become even more intense as firms continue to adopt e-procurement strategies to leverage the competitive advantages of the Internet. Supply managers need to understand the impact of technology and gain competency in making a business case for e-procurement. The implications are profound for the industrial marketer.
In vitro cytolytic activity of lymphocytes from tumor-draining lymph nodes is associated with increased numbers of CD8+ cells and increased cytokine production.

Abstract A murine footpad tumor model was used to determine the cytotoxic activity, tumor specificity, phenotypic profile, and cytokine production of stimulated cells from draining lymph nodes (DLN). Popliteal DLN from 5-day-old P-815 footpad tumors were stimulated with 10-7M phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate + 5 × 10-7M ionomycin for 16 hr and cultured in IL-2 (20 units/ml) for 7 or 14 days without autologous tumor. Most cells in both groups were CD3+ (93% at Day 7, 99% at Day 14); however, the percentage of CD8+ cells increased as the cell population matured in the presence of low-dose IL-2. On Day 7, the phenotypic profile was 62% CD4+ and 29% CD8+, whereas on Day 14 it was 16% CD4+ and 81% CD8+. Similarly, in vitro cytokine production increased with time in culture. After 7 days, the level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was 220 pg/mL and the interferon-γ (IF-γ) production was 150 pg/ml. At Day 14 the TNF level had increased to 500 pg/ml, and IF production had increased to 350 pg/ml. These increases in the CD8+ population and in cytokine production correlated with the increase in the percentage of target cells killed by the DLN cells. Cytolytic activity against P-815 was only 13% on Day 7 but 39% on Day 14. Neither group of effector cells (Day 7 or Day 14) had any cytolytic activity against the syngeneic tumor cell line L-1210, demonstrating the tumor specificity of the DLN cells. We describe a model for generating tumor-specific cytotoxic T-cells that have significant cytokine production, which may account for previously described in vivo activity.
Beyond the resolution limit: Modeling the dipteran visual system

The common housefly has realized a visual system that can detect stimulus displacements with higher resolution than those predicted by the packing of detectors within Its retinal array. Its neural substrate extracts and encodes this Information directly from the visual scene. This substrate utlllzes detectors whose size Is near the diffraction limit and yet achieves ten times better resolution than would be expected from the spacing of such coarse detectors. The functional basis of this substrate and Its significance to hyperaculty has been modeled and simulated.
REGULATION OF CYTOKINESIS

At the end of mitosis, daughter cells are separated from each other by cytokinesis. This process involves equal partitioning and segregation of cytoplasm between the two cells. Despite years of study, the mechanism driving cytokinesis in animal cells is not fully understood. Actin and myosin are major components of the contractile ring, the structure at the equator between the dividing cells that provides the force necessary to constrict the cytoplasm. Despite this, there are also tantalizing results suggesting that cytokinesis can occur in the absence of myosin. It is unclear what the roles are of the few other contractile ring components identified to date. While it has been difficult to identify important proteins involved in cytokinesis, it has been even more challenging to pinpoint the regulatory mechanisms that govern this vital process. Cytokinesis must be precisely controlled both spatially and temporally; potential regulators of these parameters are just beginning to be identified. This review discusses the recent progress in our understanding of cytokinesis in animal cells and the mechanisms that may regulate it.
The association of ethnicity with antibody responses to pneumococcal vaccination among adults with HIV infection

Ethnicity may be associated with the incidence of pneumococcal infections and the frequency of protective vaccine responses. Earlier studies have suggested that HIV-infected persons of black ethnicity develop less robust immune responses to pneumococcal vaccination that may relate to their higher incidence of invasive disease. We evaluated the association of ethnicity with capsule-specific antibody responses to pneumococcal revaccination, with either the pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) or polysaccharide (PPV) vaccines among 188 HIV-infected adults. The proportion of the 77 African Americans (AA) and 111 Caucasians with comparable virologic and immunologic parameters who achieved a positive immune response (≥2-fold rise in capsule-specific IgG from baseline with post-vaccination value ≥1 μg/mL for ≥2 of 4 serotypes) at day 60 after revaccination was similar (43% vs. 49%, respectively, p=0.65). Results were also similar when vaccine types (PPV and PCV) were examined separately. Mean changes in log(10) transformed IgG levels from baseline to days 60 and 180 post-vaccination were also not significantly different between AA and Caucasians. In summary, in this ethnically diverse cohort with equal access to care, we did not observe differential antibody responses between AA and Caucasian HIV-infected adults after pneumococcal revaccination.
Color Doppler velocimetry and three-dimensional color power angiography of cervical carcinoma.

Objectives To investigate the blood flow within invasive cervical carcinoma by transvaginal two-dimensional (2D) color spectral Doppler and three-dimensional (3D) color power angiography and to correlate these parameters with the clinicopathological characteristics. Methods Seventy-four patients with invasive cervical carcinoma were enrolled for the analysis. Squamous cell carcinoma serum antigen levels (SCC) were obtained for all the patients. Sections of all malignant tissues were analyzed for tumor expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). All patients underwent color and spectral Doppler examination and 44 patients had 3D color power angiography. Color spectral Doppler parameters (color score, lowest resistance index (RI), highest peak systolic velocity (PSV)) and 3D color power angiography indices (relative color, average color, flow measure) of FIGO I/II cervical cancers were compared with those obtained in a control group of 24 patients with a normal uterine cervix. Pulsed Doppler parameters and the 3D vascular indices were compared with clinicopathological parameters, SCC serum antigen levels and tumor COX-2 expression. Results At color Doppler analysis 72 patients (97%) showed intralesional detectable vessels. Color spectral Doppler and 3D-derived parameters were significantly different in FIGO I/II cervical cancers compared with those in women with a normal cervix. A significantly higher color score (P = 0.0008), lower RI (P = 0.032) and higher PSV (P = 0.004) were associated with a tumor diameter ≥4 cm compared with smaller tumors. The highest PSV was significantly higher in patients with FIGO stage III/IV compared with FIGO stage I/II (P = 0.0069). There was a direct correlation between PSV and SCC (r = +0.44, P = 0.003). The median relative color was significantly higher in patients with a higher color score (P = 0.0006). No statistically significant correlations were found between 3D color power angiography parameters and the clinicopathological characteristics or between the 3D vascular parameters and biological factors. Conclusions Alterations of 3D ultrasound-derived vascular indices were found in patients with cervical cancer compared with those with a normal cervix. Moreover, some vascular indices proved to be associated with tumor size. The assessment of a possible clinical role of 2D and 3D ultrasound-derived vascular indices in cervical cancer deserves further investigation. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the response properties and light-integrating characteristics of the c-wave in the rabbit eye

The c-wave of the electroretinogram was recorded from Dutch rabbits. Both the amplitude and time-to-peak of the c-wave increased with either stimulus intensity, stimulus duration or stimulus energy (intensity×duration). However, amplitude and time-to-peak differed in the shape of their stimulus-response curves and in their dependence on the integration of light. c-Wave amplitude exhibited a sigmoidal relationship to log stimulus intensity or duration, but could not be plotted as a single curve against log stimulus energy except over a limited range of stimuli. In contrast, values for c-wave time-to-peak clustered along a single line or monotonic curve when plotted against log stimulus energy over almost the entire range of stimulus intensities (more than 3 log units) and durations (5 msec-4 sec) that were used in these experiments. Thus c-wave time-to-peak, but not amplitude, follows the Bunsen-Roscoe law (reciprocity law) which states that stimuli of equal energy should always produce equal responses. This relationship fails at a critical duration which may be defined for each stimulus intensity, and which we have found to increase with stimulus intensity. If a stimulus exceeds the critical duration, the c-wave rises only during the period of illumination and begins to fall as soon as the stimulus ends. The light-integrating characteristics of the c-wave may be useful in the normalization of clinical recordings.
Anti-Tumor Vaccines in Head and Neck Cancer: Targeting Immune Responses to the Tumor

Immune therapies aiming at the destruction of a residual tumor and inducing tumor-specific memory responses are gaining acceptance among clinicians treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This solid tumor lends itself remarkably well to currently popular vaccination strategies. Immune suppression is a hallmark of HNSCC, and its reversal accompanied by the vaccine-mediated restoration of antitumor immunity might be a promising approach to achieving improved survival of HNSCC patients. To date, few antitumor vaccines for HNSCC have been clinically evaluated. The reasons for this slow start are discussed, and the ongoing phase I clinical vaccination trials for HNSCC patients are briefly described. The emphasis is on dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines, largely because of enhanced immunogenicity of epitopes presented by adoptively-transferred DC to responder T cells in vivo. Delivery of such antitumor vaccines in combination with conventional therapies and in the setting of a minimal residual disease to HNSCC patients takes advantage of exquisite specificity of the immune system at the time when tumor-induced suppression is reduced. Vaccine-driven generation, long-term survival and maintenance of tumor-specific immune cells are the objectives that antitumor vaccines have to realize to be clinically beneficial in HNSCC.
The neurology of autism spectrum disorders

Purpose of review—Neurological comorbidities in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are not only common, but they are also associated with more clinical severity. This review highlights the most recent literature on three of autism’s most prevalent neurological comorbidities: motor impairment, sleep disorders, and epilepsy. Recent findings—Motor impairment in ASD manifests as both delays and deficits, with delays found in gross and fine motor domains and deficits found in praxis, coordination, and gait, all of which affect other cognitive and behavioral domains. Sleep disorders, especially insomnia, occur in up to 83% of children with ASD and recent studies have begun to explore the underlying biochemical and behavioral basis of the impairment, which has bolstered treatment studies. Epilepsy is reported in up to one-third of children with ASD, and new studies have focused on identifying the genetic causes of this association. Summary—Better characterization of the phenotype, developmental trajectory, and underlying pathophysiology of these neurological comorbidities will enable us to define neurological endophenotypes within the autism spectrum. Future studies must investigate the emergence of these comorbidities prospectively in order to determine whether they lie on the causal pathway to ASD or whether they reflect epiphenomena of the disorder. Since epilepsy and sleep disorders can be treated and may contribute significantly to behavioral and cognitive abnormalities in ASD, their identification is of high clinical relevance.
The kinetics of the attachment of polymer chains to reactive latex particles and the resulting latex stabilization

Un latex de poly(vinyl benzyl chlorure) est mis en reaction avec l'ethanolamine et avec des molecules en chaine a terminaison amine contenant jusqu'a 33 restes oxyde d'ethylene
Reaction of atomic hydrogen with chemisorbed species: C2H4 on W

Abstract Atomic hydrogen produced in controlled thermonuclear reactors is capable of very rapid reaction with both the material of the first wall and with adsorbed species. We have been investigating the reactions of thermal atomic hydrogen with ethylene adsorbed on a tungsten film. When adsorbed at room temperature ethylene reacts to yield gaseous hydrogen and a carbonaceous residue which reacts with incident atomic hydrogen to yield methane along with minor amounts of ethane. This product distribution, however, depends on the chemical nature of the adsorbed species. Adsorption at 178K, a temperature at which the ethylene molecule is stable, inverts this distribution with ethane now being the major product. Analysis of the system dynamics shows that the rate of production of each product is proportional to the product of the steady state increase in the product pressure and the pumping time constant of the vacuum system. For the case of methane production following room temperature adsorption of ethylene, the reaction probability for the production of methane for the reaction C + 4 H → CH 4 is ~0.001 and arguments are given for a larger value.
Semiempirical calculation of the hyperpolarizabilities of polyenes

Semiempirical finite-field methods based on the MNDO, AM1, and PM3 Hamiltonians are employed to study the hyperpolarizability of polyenes {H(C2H2)nH, n = 2, 20}. These results are compared with ab initio results. Also of interest is the large n behavior and methods to extract a value per subunit are explored.
Nature of enhanced severity of anthurium root rot by diuron treatment for weed control

Diuron treatment for weed control greatly increased anthurium root rot caused by Pythium splendens, P. spinosum, P. vexans and Calonectria crotalariac. Diuron in agar medium was inhibitory to the growth of mycelium, formation and germination of sporangia of P. splendens. Sporangia of P. splendens produced in diuron-amended medium did not differ in pathogenecity to anthurium roots from those produced in diuron-free medium. When diuron was applied to kill weeds in the planting medium, the population of P. splendens in it was not decreased during the test. Diuron was inhibitory to a number of micro-organisms in the platiting medium. Exudation of anthursum roots was not increased by diuron treatment. Increase in severity of anthurium root rot by diuron treatment was similar whether the experiments were performed in the presence or absence of planting medium, suggesting that the enhancing effect of diuron on root rot is mainly due to an increase in susceptibility of the host plants.
Diphenhydramine-induced toxic psychosis

A 24-year-old man presented to the emergency department with acute anticholinergic symptoms, hallucinations, and bizarre behavior following a large ingestion of diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Because of the large number of nonprescription preparations containing this antihistamine, similar ingestions are becoming increasingly frequent. Minor anticholinergic side effects associated with diphenhydramine are general medical knowledge. The effects of overdosage are less well known. The clinical presentation of toxic psychosis, its differential diagnosis, and its subsequent treatment are discussed.
Purification and characterization of human converting enzyme (kininase II)

We purified peptidyl-dipeptidase (converting enzyme, EC 3.4.15.1) to homogeneity from the membrane fraction of human lung and for comparison, from human and hog kidney. The membrane-bound lung enzyme was purified 1800-fold with 19% yield, and the kidney enzyme 640-fold with 10% yield. The specific activities with Bz-Gly-His-Leu were 81 mumol/min/mg for the lung and 65 for the kidney enzyme. The lung enzyme was homogeneous in gel electrophoresis with Mr = 155,000 and Sw,20 = 8.0 in ultracentrifugation. Antibodies elicited against lung or kidney enzyme cross-reacted with enzyme from other organ, but not with the hog enzyme. In isoelectric focusing both human enzymes had a major form with a pI of 5.2. The lung preparation also contained more acidic forms (pI = 4--5), which were eliminated by treatment with neuraminidase. Lung and kidney converting enzyme hydrolyzed bradykinin, angiotensin I, and enkephalins and had similar kinetic constants. Bradykinin was the best substrate, as indicated by its kcat/Km, but Met5-enkephalin had the highest turnover number. The hydrolysis of Bz-Gly-His-Leu was inhibited by captopril (SQ 14225) competitively, and by Keto-ACE, a non-peptide derivative of Bz-Phe-Gly-Pro, non-competitively.
5 S RNA-like structures in large ribosomal subunit RNAs of fungal mitochondria

Abstract Ribosomes from fungal mitochondria apparently lack free 5 S rRNA. However, secondary-structure models of nucleotide sequences within domain V of the large ribosomal subunit rRNAs (L-rRNAs) from the mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus nidulans reveal the presence of inserted segments which can be folded into highly base-paired structures that resemble free 5 S rRNA. The occurrence of such structures within domain V, which contains a number of important functional sites as well as a region that in Escherichia coli 23 S rRNA mediates the attachment of 5 S rRNA and its associated proteins, lends support to the notion that the 5 S rRNA-like inserts in fungal mitochondrial L-rRNAs may carry out the activities performed by free 5 S rRNA in ribosomes from other organisms. 5 S ribosomal RNAMitochondrial ribosomeProtein synthesisSaccharomyces cerevisiaeAspergillus nidulans
Disseminated Strongyloides stercoralis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected Patients: Treatment Failure and a Review of the Literature

We describe a North American human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient with Strongyloides stercoralis infection of the gastrointestinal tract, who required repeated "standard" courses of thiabendazole. Pulmonary infection with numerous roundworms developed, as suspected by bronchoalveolar lavage, and while he was receiving therapy, dissemination occurred. On autopsy, S stercoralis was recovered in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, lung, and heart. After a literature review, we conclude that HIV-positive patients have a higher risk of dissemination and "standard" treatment failure. This may occur without elevation of IgE or eosinophilia. Those patients may require prolonged courses of thiabendazole or alternatively ivermectin therapy.
Comparison of intrauterine hematologic and biochemical values between twin pairs with and without stuck twin syndrome

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare hematologic and biochemical values in cordocentesis specimens from twin pairs with and without stuck with syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Cordocentesis was performed on 38 twin pairs. Assignment to the stuck twin syndrome group ( n = 8) was based on ultrasonographic findings of discordant size and amniotic fluid volume, concordant gender, and a single placenta. A receiver-operator characteristics curve was constructed with the use of intertwin hemoglobin differences. For the stuck twin syndrome group regression analysis of gestational age and intertwin hemoglobin difference was done. RESULTS: We found significant ( p = 0.03) intertwin differences in hemoglobin between the stuck twin syndrome group (mean 5.35 gm;dl, range 0.5 to 15.4 gm/dl) and the comparison group (mean 0.10 gm/dl, range 0.0 to 2.4 gm/dl). A nearly significant relationship between gestational age and intertwin hemoglobin difference was noted in the stuck twin syndrome group. When the hemoglobin difference was > 2.4 gm/dl, all cases had stuck twin syndrome (sensitivity = 50%, specificity=100%, positive predictive value=100%, negative predictive value=91%). In the stuck twin syndrome group there was a trend toward larger intertwin differences in albumin and total protein. Intertwin blood gas values between the groups did not differ, but the average Po 2 was lower when the smaller twins of the two groups were compared. CONCLUSION: An intertwin difference in hemoglobin > 2.4 gm/dl is consistent with stuck twin syndrome. Large intertwin hemoglobin differences and imbalances in albumin and total protein may be seen in stuck twin syndrome.
Stochastic Comparisons of Order Statistics and Spacings: A Review

We review some of the recent developments in the area of stochastic comparisons of order statistics and sample spacings. We consider the cases when the parent observations are identically as well as nonidentically distributed. But most of the time we will be assuming that the observations are independent. The case of independent exponentials with unequal scale parameters as well as the proportional hazard rate model is discussed in detail.
Development of position-sensitive time-of-flight spectrometer for fission fragment research

Abstract A position-sensitive, high-resolution time-of-flight detector for fission fragments has been developed. The SPectrometer for Ion DEtermination in fission Research (SPIDER) is a 2 E –2 v spectrometer designed to measure the mass of light fission fragments to a single mass unit. The time pick-off detector pairs to be used in SPIDER have been tested with α-particles from 229 Th and its decay chain and α-particles and spontaneous fission fragments from 252 Cf. Each detector module is comprised of thin electron conversion foil, electrostatic mirror, microchannel plates, and delay-line anodes. Particle trajectories on the order of 700 mm are determined accurately to within 0.7 mm. Flight times were measured with 250 ps resolution FWHM. Computed particle velocities are accurate to within 0.06 mm/ns corresponding to a precision of 0.5%. An ionization chamber capable of 400 keV energy resolution coupled with the velocity measurements described here will pave the way for modestly efficient measurements of light fission fragments with unit mass resolution.
Employee Engagement: Conceptual Model and Computation Framework

In this paper we present a conceptual model of employee engagement (EE). We outline various factors that influence EE. Contrary to the common practice of measuring EE by surveys and measuring EE collectively for large groups (usually corresponding to different lines of business), we propose using direct and sensed data for each individual to compute a personalized measure of EE. We show how the data collected through surveys can be mapped to already existing enterprise data and how this can reduce the size of such surveys or eliminate them altogether. The framework also allows us to capture the differences between employees based on personal factors like the number of years of experience and the business unit with which they are associated in computing EE. Since the computation is based on an employee's data, we can point to exact data dimensions that resulted in a low EE score. This enables the organization to take personalized actions for each employee to improve his/her employee engagement. Additionally, with our approach, EE measurement can be a continuous process, as opposed to an irregular periodic one where we might conduct surveys once or twice a year. Thus, we can help reduce the IT and administrative cost of conducting surveys.