cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Promoting the Appropriate Use of Advanced Radiation Technologies in Oncology: Summary of a National Cancer Policy Forum Workshop.

Purpose Leaders in the oncology community are sounding a clarion call to promote "value" in cancer care decisions. Value in cancer care considers the clinical effectiveness, along with the costs, when selecting a treatment. To discuss possible solutions to the current obstacles to achieving value in the use of advanced technologies in oncology, the National Cancer Policy Forum of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a workshop, "Appropriate Use of Advanced Technologies for Radiation Therapy and Surgery in Oncology" in July 2015. The present report summarizes the discussions related to radiation oncology. Methods and Materials The workshop convened stakeholders, including oncologists, researchers, payers, policymakers, and patients. Speakers presented on key themes, including the rationale for a value discussion on advanced technology use in radiation oncology, the generation of scientific evidence for value of advanced radiation technologies, the effect of both scientific evidence and "marketplace" (or economic) factors on the adoption of technologies, and newer approaches to improving value in the practice of radiation oncology. The presentations were followed by a panel discussion with dialogue among the stakeholders. Results Challenges to generating evidence for the value of advanced technologies include obtaining contemporary, prospective, randomized, and representative comparative effectiveness data. Proposed solutions include the use of prospective registry data; integrating radiation oncology treatment, outcomes, and quality benchmark data; and encouraging insurance coverage with evidence development. Challenges to improving value in practice include the slow adoption of higher value and the de-adoption of lower value treatments. The proposed solutions focused on engaging stakeholders in iterative, collaborative, and evidence-based efforts to define value and promote change in radiation oncology practice. Recent examples of ongoing or successful responses to the discussed challenges were provided. Conclusions Discussions of "value" have increased as a priority in the radiation oncology community. Practitioners in the radiation oncology community can play a critical role in promoting a value-oriented framework to approach radiation oncology treatment.
Nonparental Childcare and Child Contact Orders for Grandparents

The U.S. Supreme Court has long recognized that the regulation of certain areas of domestic relations, including standing to seek a childcare order, rests within the virtually exclusive province of the states. State lawmakers recently have undertaken many new domestic relations initiatives relevant to parental and nonparental childcare, prompted by new forms of human reproduction, large numbers of nonmarital births, and shifts in in family structures. In this article we review past, current and future state lawmaking on the availability of nonparental childcare and child contact orders for grandparents. Our work coincides with the current inquiries into new model childcare laws by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) involving both parental childcare, via a “Revised Uniform Parentage Act” (RUPA), and nonparental childcare, via a new “Non-Parental Child Custody and Visitation Act” (NPCCVA). Each model will speak in some ways to childcare by grandparents for their grandchildren. We introduce our examination by describing one grandmother’s efforts to maintain her connections with her granddaughter after her son’s, the father’s, tragic death. Upon describing Grandma Penny’s efforts to maintain connections with her granddaughter, Sidney, we review the preliminary work of the NCCUSL; the federal constitutional limits on nonparental childcare and child contact orders over parental objections; and, current state laws on opportunities for grandparent childcare and child contact. We then explore the key questions facing state lawmakers considering new grandparent childcare and child contact laws. We find existing laws, and the NCCUSL models to date, inadequate for the likes of Grandma Penny and Sidney.
Dendrites go up, axons go down

Dendrites and axons grow from the cell body of neurons, and have to make the right connections. Growth is directed by various repulsive or attractant factors. One such factor is semaphorin 3A, and it now emerges that this molecule acts as a dendrite attractant as well as an axon repellant for pyramidal cells in the cerebral cortex.
An integrated approach to infer cross-talks between intracellular protein transport and signaling pathways

The endomembrane system, known as secretory pathway, is responsible for the synthesis and transport of protein molecules in cells. Therefore, genes involved in the secretory pathway are essential for the cellular development and function. Recent scientific investigations show that ER and Golgi apparatus may provide a convenient drug target for cancer therapy. On the other hand, it is known that abundantly expressed genes in different cellular organelles share interconnected pathways and co-regulate each other activities. The cross-talks among these genes play an important role in signaling pathways, associated to the regulation of intracellular protein transport. In the present study, we device an integrated approach to understand these complex interactions. We analyze gene perturbation expression profiles, reconstruct a directed gene interaction network and decipher the regulatory interactions among genes involved in protein transport signaling. In particular, we focus on expression signatures of genes involved in the secretory pathway of MCF7 breast cancer cell line. Furthermore, network biology analysis delineates these gene-centric cross-talks at the level of specific modules/sub-networks, corresponding to different signaling pathways. We elucidate the regulatory connections between genes constituting signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt, Ras, Rap1, calcium, JAK-STAT, EFGR and FGFR signaling. Interestingly, we determine some key regulatory cross-talks between signaling pathways (PI3K-Akt signaling and Ras signaling pathway) and intracellular protein transport.
Abstract 417: Trf2-Interacting Protein (Terf2ip) S205 Phosphorylation Mediates Atherosclerosis via Orchestrating Endothelial Senescence and Inflammation

Telomeric repeat-binding factor 2 (TRF2)-interacting protein (TERF2IP) S205 phosphorylation mediates atherosclerosis (AS) via orchestrating endothelial cell (EC) senescence (Sen) and inflammation. Nhat-Tu Le, Kyung-Sun Heo, Kyung Ae Ko, Yunting Tao,Tamlyn Thomas, Raymundo A Quintana Quezada, Keigi Fujiwara, and Jun-ichi Abe Department of Cardiology, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Objective: Shortened telomere (TL) provokes EC Sen, which is associated with focalized EC inflammation and plaque formation in arteries exposed by disturbed blood flow (d-flow). Although d-flow is known to increase both EC inflammation and Sen, the exact mechanism by which d-flow induces these two different EC pathologies and subsequent AS is poorly understood. Methods & Results: TERF2IP, as a member of the sheltrin complex, is not only crucial for DNA double strand break repair at the TL, but also for activation of cytosolic IkB kinase (IKK) and subsequent NF-kB activity. TERF2IP and TRF2 form a stable heterodimer to protect the duplex region of TLs, while activating NF-kB, especially under the d-flow condition. We have discovered that inhibition of p90RSK reduces d-flow-induced EC Sen and inflammation via down-regulating TERF2IP S205 phosphorylation. The nuclear TERF2IP-TRF2 complex protects TLs by repairing DNA damages while the cytosolic complex plays a role in NF-kB activation. When we mutated the TERF2IP phosphorylation site (S205A) in ECs, the nuclear export of the TERF2IP-TRF2 complex was abolished, which inhibited d-flow-induced NF-kB activation and Sen. Both the depletion of TERF2IP by siRNA and S205A mutation inhibited d-flow-induced TERF2 nuclear export, and residual TRF2 at the TL inhibited d-flow-induced TL dysfunction. The mutation of TERF2IP S205A inhibited cytosolic IKK-NF-kB activation by eliminating the cytosolic TERF2IP-TERF2 complex. The inhibition of d-flow-induced inflammatory adhesion molecule expression and consequent AS were also confirmed in EC-specific TERF2IP knock out mice. Conclusion: These results suggest that S205 phosphorylation of TERF2IP induced by p90RSK activation is required for d-flow-induced TL shortening and NF-kB activation via regulating nuclear export of the TERF2IP-TERF2 complex.
Scattering near-field mid-infrared microscopy using self-mixing in quantum cascade lasers

We demonstrated scattering near-field mid-infrared imaging via the self-mixing in a quantum cascade laser used as both a light source and a detector. The experimental setup and preliminary results on gold/sapphire samples are presented.
Frequency and correlates of coronary stent thrombosis in the modern era: Analysis of a single center registry

OBJECTIVES The study examined the frequency, correlates, and outcome of patients with stent thrombosis within 30 days of stent placement. BACKGROUND Patients in trials evaluating stents or dual antiplatelet therapy to prevent coronary stent thrombosis have generally had narrow inclusion criteria; the extent to which stent thrombosis rates in such trials represent current practice, particularly with the availability of newer stents, is unclear. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of the Mayo Clinic Percutaneous Coronary Intervention database and identified all patients who received at least one coronary stent and dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and ticlopidine or clopidogrel for two to four weeks). RESULTS Four thousand five hundred nine patients underwent successful coronary stent implantation and were treated with dual antiplatelet therapy between July 1, 1994, and April 30, 2000. Stent thrombosis occurred in 23 patients (0.51%; 95% confidence interval 0.32%, 0.76%) within 30 days of stent placement. Multivariate analysis using bootstrap model selection to avoid over-fitting the model indicated that only the number of stents placed was an independent correlate of stent thrombosis (odds ratio 1.80, p < 0.001). The frequency of death and frequency of nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) among the 23 patients with stent thrombosis were 48% and 39%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Stent thrombosis is even more rare in the current era than in earlier trials. Number of stents placed was an independent correlate of stent thrombosis. Most patients who suffer stent thrombosis either die or suffer MI.
The “y” of it Matters, Even for Storyline Visualization

Storylines are adept at communicating complex change by encoding time on the x-axis and using the proximity of lines in the y direction to represent interaction between entities. The original definition of a storyline visualization requires data defined in terms of explicit interaction groups. Relaxing this definition allows storyline visualization to be applied more generally, but this creates questions about how the y-coordinate should encode interactions when this is tied to a particular place or state. To answer this question, we conducted a design study where we considered two layout algorithm design alternatives within a geo-temporal analysis tool written to solve part of the VAST Challenge 2014. We measured the performance of users at overview and detail oriented tasks between two storyline layout algorithms. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first work to question the design principles for storyline visualization, and what we found surprised us. For overview tasks with the alternative layout, which has a consistent encoding for the y-coordinate, users performed moderately better (${p}\lt.05$) than the storyline layout based on existing design constraints and aesthetic criteria. Our empirical findings were also supported by first-hand accounts taken from interviews with multiple expert analysts, who suggested that the inconsistent meaning of the y-axis was misleading. These findings led us to design a new storyline layout algorithm that is a “best of both” where the y-axis has a consistent meaning but aesthetic criteria (e.g., line crossings) are considered.
The colonial origins of fiscal capacity: Evidence from patronage governors

Abstract We combine historical personnel data from the British colonial administration with modern public finance data to study the impact of colonial governors on fiscal capacity. Exploiting rule-based variation in the allocation of governors connected to their superior at the time of appointment, we find that modern-day countries exposed to more patronage governors exhibit lower fiscal capacity today. These negative effects are persistent over time and driven by indirect taxes that patronage governors disproportionately controlled in the colonial period. The results thus provide evidence for a public finance channel through which the effects of patronage appointments extend beyond decolonization.
Foot Binding: A Feminist Point of View

Foot binding is a cultural tradition that has been portrayed in terms of feminism and subjugation of women. Generally, in the United States, it is not per se illegal. Arguments against it, which have not persuaded the law, but have infiltrated culture, appear to be xenophobic or bigoted. Section II of this Article examines some historical notes about foot binding in China and describes cultural input from Christians. Section III analyzes relevant law, which may be used to deter foot binding activities. Section IV compares ballet shoes and other western forms of body modification to Chinese foot binding. Section V criticizes feminist cultural attacks on foot binding. Section VI concludes that foot binding is an acceptable form of cultural expression.
Structural and environmental impact of new-generation wide-base tires in New Brunswick, Canada

The loading and environmental impacts of new-generation wide-base tires (NG-WBT) and dual tire assemblies (DTA) on typical asphalt concrete (AC) pavement sections of New Brunswick, Canada were eval...
Building Healthy Relationships: A Conversation With Dr. Ellen McGinnis-Smith:

Dr. McGinnis-Smith earned a PhD in special education with emphasis in EBD at the University of Iowa and an administrator certification from Drake University. She is coauthor of the social skills te...
Kickbacks, Rebates and Tying Arrangements In Real Estate Transactions; The Federal Real Estate Settlement Act of 1974; Antitrust and Unfair Practices

ors, insurers and attorneys. Perhaps the consumer homebuyer and homeborrower can finally avoid the economic burden of .ultimately paying for secret rebates, kickbacks and referral fees so prevalent in these transactions. 185. Kauper, "The Challenge of Competition," 28 The Business Lawyer 169, 175-176 (Special Issue Mar. 1973). 186. Address by Assistant Attorney General Kauper, Southwestern Legal Foundation, September 14, 1973. 187. To date, the Justice Department has entered into twelve (12) consent decrees. These decrees challenged fee-fixing arrangements and other anticompetitive practices by local realty boards. U.S. Department of Just. Release November 19, 1974.
Interconnections: Pollution, Waste Management, and Energy

Environmental sustainability of pollution, waste management, and energy is linked in complex ways. There are many types of pollutants including air, water, soil, light, noise, and visual pollution. In addition, many chemical pollutants, like lead or nutrients, can linger in the environment where they cause long-term health and environmental problems. Some pollutants, like some volatile organic compounds, can bioaccumulate within ecosystems. While many pollutants have been banned or are regulated in many areas, there are just too many different types of emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceutical products, that are difficult to regulate or assess. In the past century, waste was dumped in oceans or landfills and sewage released into surface waters after modest treatment. Today there is much more emphasis on turning waste into a resource, particularly energy. Waste-to-energy power plants that burn garbage and that turn sewage into methane are growing in significance.
Carcinogenesis in vitro. II. Chemical transformation of diploid human cell cultures: A rare event.

Seventy-five diploid human cell strains were subjected to a number of chemical carcinogens, including urethane and polycyclic hydrocarbons. In most cases, no visible morphological alterations were induced by any treatment. Development of morphologically altered foci was noticed in urethane-treated cultures derived from a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease. This disease is transmitted by an autosomal dominant gene, and has a high rate of spontaneous transformation of neurofibromas to neurofibrosarcomas. Attempts to isolate continuous cell lines from altered foci were successful in only two of several attempts. These continuous cell lines demonstrate altered morphology, loss of contact inhibition, accelerated growth rate, and have attained over 240 generations in a period of 140 weeks. Untreated control cultures became terminal by the 20th generation. Giemsa banding procedures showed that the chromosomal complement consisted of heteroploid human chromosomes. A second diploid cell strain derived from the above patient's sibling, also suffering from von Recklinghausen's disease, likewise was morphologically altered by urethane. Chemical transformation of human cells is difficult to induce; however, selection of genetically predisposed cells and prolonged, intermittent, and repeated chemical treatment may be important factors in achieving transformation.
Value of application of serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan in neonates’ fungal sepsis

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan in neonatal invasive fungus infection. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and laboratory data of the neonates with invasive fungus infection admitted to the NICU of our hospital from January, 2015 to December, 2017; thirty neonates were included as an infected group. Meanwhile, twenty-five neonates without infection were enrolled as a control group. The serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan, WBC and PLT count, and levels of CRP and PCT were compared between the two groups; and the ROC of serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan alone or in combine with CRP, PCT or PLT was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy. Results Compared with non-infected group, the serum levels of (1,3)-β-D-glucan and CRP were higher the PLT level was lower in the infected group than in the control group. The area under the ROC of serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan was 0.79; and with cut-off value of 13.69 pg/ml, its sensitivity and specificity were 76.0% and 71.4%, respectively. The combination of serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan with CRP had the best diagnostic value. The serum level of (1,3)-β-D-glucan was significantly lower after than before the treatment. Conclusions There is great value of serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan detection in the diagnose of neonatal invasive fungus infection and in the evaluation of anti-fungus treatment. The combination of serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan with CRP further increases the diagnostic value. Key words: Neonates; Fungus; Sepsis; Serum (1,3)-β-D-glucan.
A Little Goes a Long Way: Adapting an Ethics Training Program to Work for Smaller Universities.

The present project modified an existing ethics intervention aimed at graduate students, which had previously been evaluated and determined to be effective. The existing program was modified to sho...
The Impact of Fiber Arrangement and Advective Transport in Porous Electrodes for Silver-Based Thermally Regenerated Batteries

Abstract The silver-based thermally regenerative ammonia battery is a new technology for converting low-grade waste heat (
A Usability Evaluation of Research Data Management Librarian Academy (RDMLA): Examining the Impact of Learner Differences in Pedagogical Usability

This paper reports the results of a usability and user experience (UX) investigation into the Research Data Management Librarian Academy (RDMLA) course site, a free online learning platform develop...
Definition and Prediction of Early Recurrence and Mortality Following Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases: Towards Predicting Oncologic Futility Preoperatively.

Early recurrence (ER) is a significant challenge for patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases (CRPM) following cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS HIPEC). Preoperative risk stratification for ER would improve preoperative decision making. We conducted a retrospective study examining patients who underwent CRS HIPEC for CRPM from 2000 to 2018. Optimal definition of ER was determined via minimum p-value approach based on differentiation of post-recurrence survival. Risk factors for ER were assessed in a derivation cohort by uni- and multivariate logistic regression. A predictive score for ER was generated using preoperative variables and validated in an independent cohort. 384 patients were analyzed, 316 (82%) had documented recurrence. Optimal length of post-operative RFS to distinguish ER (n = 144, 46%) vs. late recurrence (LR) (n = 172, 63%) was 8 mos (p 20: OR 4.37) were significant predictors of ER (all p<0.05). Using this model, patients were assigned risk scores from 0 to 9. Intermediate (scores 4-6) and high-risk patients (score 7-9) had observed rates of ER of 56% and 79% and overall 2-year survival rates of 27% and 0% respectively. The model showed fair discrimination (AUC 0.72) and good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow GOF p = 0.68). ER predicts markedly worse OS following surgery. Preoperative factors can accurately stratify risk for ER and identify patients in whom CRS-HIPEC for CPRM is futile.
Thiophilic Interaction Chromatography (TIC) of Amyloid-β Protein Precursor

Neuritic plaques, one of the diagnostic characteristics of an AD, contain extracellular deposits of amyloid-beta (Abeta) derived from amyloid-beta protein precursor (AbetaPP). The objective of this study was to extract AbetaPP out of HEK293 cells and to purify it. Two procedures were chosen for purification of AbetaPP: Thiophilic Interaction Chromatography (TIC) and molecular sieving. Using Superdex 75, Superose 12, and Fractogel gel matrices, AbetaPP was isolated on HPLC. The chromatograms illustrate the purification of AbetaPP. Our method describes a new and elegant way for the extraction and purification of AbetaPP from HEK293 cell lines using thiophilic interaction chromatography (TIC).
Fluorescence Spectroscopy In Vivo

Diagnostic techniques based on optical spectroscopy have the potential to link the biochemical and morphological properties of tissues to individual patient care. In particular, these techniques are fast, noninvasive and quantitative. Furthermore, they can be used to elucidate key tissue features, such as the cellular metabolic rate, vascularity, intravascular oxygenation and alterations in tissue morphology. These tissue features can be interpreted to shed light on a variety of clinical problems, such as precancerous and cancerous growth and atherosclerosis. The goal of this report is to review the development and application of optical spectroscopy in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) spectral regions, as a diagnostic tool in clinical applications. A particular emphasis is placed on steady-state, UV/VIS fluorescence spectroscopy for the detection of precancers and cancers, in vivo.
ALOHA cabled observatory installation

At 10:23 am on 6 June 2011, the ALOHA Cabled Observatory (ACO) saw “first light,” extending power, network communications and timing to a seafloor node and instruments at 4726 m water depth 100 km north of Oahu. Station ALOHA is the field site of the Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT) program that has investigated temporal dynamics in biology, physics, and chemistry since 1988. HOT conducts near monthly ship-based sampling and makes continuous observations from moored instruments to document and study climate and ecosystem variability over semi-diurnal to decadal time scales. The cabled observatory system will provide the infrastructure for continuous, interactive ocean sampling enabling new measurements as well as a new mode of ocean observing that integrates ship and cabled observations. The ACO is a prototypical example of a deep observatory system that uses a retired first-generation fiber-optic telecommunications cable. The system was installed using ROV Jason operated from the R/V Kilo Moana. Here we provide an overview of the system and instrumentation, the installation operation, and a sample of initial data. Sensors now connected to the ACO provide live video of the surrounding seafloor, sound from local and distant sources, and measure currents, pressure, temperature, and salinity.
Numerical Solution of the Schroedinger Equation using a Quantum Lattice Boltzmann Equation

The quantum Lattice Boltzmann equation (QLBe), a new variant of the lattice Boltzmann equation, specifically designed to describe non relativistic quantum motion, is validated for the case of a free-particle in (1+1) space-time dimensions. The proper parameter regime under which the method needs to be operated in order to reproduce faithful non-relativistic quantum motion is also discussed.
One-carbon metabolism in microorganisms. I. Oxidative demethylation in a sarcosine-utilizing bacterium.

Abstract A bacterial strain utilizing sarcosine as its sole course of C, N, and energy has been isolated in pure culture by the soil enrichment technique. The organism is a straight, Gram-negative rod, 0.7 × 1.25 μ, and is motile with a polar flagellum 80 A × 5 μ. When cultured in the absence of Fe 2+ or Fe 3+ , the cells produce a blue-fluorescent pigment whose absorption spectrum has a single peak at 400 mμ (pH 8.30). Demethylation is the major dehydrogenation reaction which sarcosine undergoes as a substrate. The oxidation level reached by the methyl carbon is determined by the degree of cell integrity and/or the age of the culture. In unfractionated preparations of cells isolated in log phase, the N-CH 3 group can be oxidized to carbon dioxide. With older cultures or with (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 fractions of the supernatant of sonically irradiated cells, the methyl carbon is oxidized only to the level of formaldehyde. In all cases, glycine also accumulates as a reaction product and is the only amino acid which can be detected after all of the sarcosine has been oxidized. Flavin and also cytochromes of the c and b (or o ) types function as electron carriers in the sarcosine oxidase system. Preparations lacking the b (or o ) cytochrome have oxidase activity only in the presence of phenazine methosulfate. The oxidase flavin is peptide bound, or acid nonextractable, and its concentration in the bacteria parallels the level of sarcosine oxidase.
Differential additions to the myoglobin prosthetic heme group. Oxidative gamma-meso substitution by alkylhydrazines.

The oxidative reaction of equine myoglobin with alkylhydrazines results primarily in introduction of the alkyl group at the sterically hindered gamma-meso position. The gamma-meso adducts formed with ethyl- and n-butylhydrazine have been isolated and unambiguously identified. With high pressure liquid chromatography, evidence for the formation of similar adducts with methyl- and n-propylhydrazine but not tert-butyl-, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl-, or 2-phenylethylhydrazine has also been obtained. The gamma regiospecificity of the reaction of myoglobin with alkylhydrazines contrasts with the delta meso regiospecificity in the alkylation of peroxidases. Addition to the porphyrin vinyl groups is not detected, but N-alkylheme adducts appear to be formed in very low yield. Cofactor studies establish that H2O2 is absolutely required for meso heme alkylation and EPR/spin trapping studies show that alkyl free radicals are the probable alkylating species. In contrast, the reductive reaction of sperm whale myoglobin with CBrCl3 results in addition of the CCl3.radical to the 2-vinyl moiety of the heme group (Osawa, Y., Highet, R. J., Murphy, C. M., Cotter. R.J., and Pohl, L.R. (1989) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111, 4462-4467). Carbon radicals thus apparently add to different sites of the myoglobin prosthetic group under reductive and oxidative conditions, presumably because of differences in the oxidation state of the heme and/or the intrinsic reactivities of alkyl and polyhaloalkyl radicals.
Cholinergic enzymes in the cerebellum and the hippocampus of the senescent mouse.

Abstract Acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase activities in the cerebellum and the hippocampus of the mouse were determined during the postmaturity period of life of the animal. In the cerebellum, both cholinergic enzymes did not undergo significant changes between 3 and 24 months of age. On the other hand, hippocampal ChAc activity declined with age after 8 months and was unassociated with a reduction in acetylcholinesterase level. Wet weights and total protein contents of both brain areas remained stable throughout the age period under investigation.
GPR Pulse Attenuation in a Fine-Grained and Partially Contaminated Formation

We have determined attenuation rates and relative dielectric permittivities of a fine-grained sediment formation, part of which was contaminated by hydrocarbons. Our purpose was to test previous laboratory documentation of the effects of probable adsorption and∕or capillary tension on the electrical properties of water at a common ground-penetrating radar center frequency of 200MHz. The formation is a saturated, and dense glacio-marine diamicton that had a small area partially contaminated by jet fuel. Surface and trench observations showed saturation near 30% by volume, uniform and high density, resistivity at 50–80ohm‐m, and a total hydrocarbon content of less than 0.1% within a small zone. The local hydrocarbon contamination and a spatial gradient in grain size allowed the possibility of seeing if an increase of adsorbed water and∕or relief of capillary tension within interstitial water affected the attenuation rates. We calculated the rates from the amplitude decay of ground surface wave pulses within...
Nanocomposite synthesis and characterization of Kesterite, Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) for photovoltaic applications

Abstract Nanocomposite processing of binary metal chalcogenide solids has led to the synthesis of Kesterite, Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS), which is an important emerging material for thin film photovoltaic devices. Nanophase precursors are combined in stoichiometric ratios and annealed in a 350–500 °C sulfur-rich nitrogen atmosphere to form CZTS. Processing methods for CZTS in the literature are either energy-intensive, requiring the sequential sputtering of metal layers at 700 °C, followed by an annealing step in a sulfur-containing atmosphere at 500 °C, or the use of chemicals and solvents that are detrimental to the environment. The presence of CZTS is clear in the resulting powders as confirmed by both XRD and UV–Vis analysis. Our results show that increasing the annealing temperature of the nanophase precursor mixture led to a higher level of CZTS purity and that a copper-poor and zinc-rich environment produced the purest CZTS. Tin disulfide, SnS 2 , precursors produced a purer CZTS than when tin monosulfide, SnS, was used, because the latter is more volatile and decomposes at lower temperatures than the former. This synthetic route is more cost effective and environmentally friendly, avoiding the use of long processing times and harsh solvents.
Effect of lanthanide complex structure on cell viability and association.

A systematic study of the effect of hydrophobicity and charge on the cell viability and cell association of lanthanide metal complexes is presented. The terbium luminescent probes feature a macrocyclic polyaminocarboxylate ligand (DOTA) in which the hydrophobicity of the antenna and that of the carboxyamide pendant arms are independently varied. Three sensitizing antennas were investigated in terms of their function in vitro: 2-methoxyisophthalamide (IAM(OMe)), 2-hydroxyisophthalamide (IAM), and 6-methylphenanthridine (Phen). Of these complexes, Tb-DOTA-IAM exhibited the highest quantum yield, although the higher cell viability and more facile synthesis of the structurally related Tb-DOTA-IAM(OMe) platform renders it more attractive. Further modification of this latter core structure with carboxyamide arms featuring hydrophobic benzyl, hexyl, and trifluoro groups as well as hydrophilic amino acid based moieties generated a family of complexes that exhibit high cell viability (ED50 > 300 μM) regardless of ...
Why Do People Accept Public Policies They Oppose? Testing Legitimacy Theory with a Survey-Based Experiment

The orthodox answer to the question posed in the title of this article is that the legitimacy of institutions has something to do with acquiescence to unwelcome public policy decisions. We investigate that conventional wisdom using an experiment embedded within a representative national sample in the United States. We test hypotheses concerning not only the effect of institutional legitimacy on acquiescence, but also the influence of partisanship, the rule of law, and simple instrumentalism on willingness to accept an objectionable policy decision. Our analyses reveal that legitimacy does matter for acquiescence, and that the Supreme Court is more effective at converting its legitimacy into acceptance than is Congress. Yet, many important puzzles emerge from the data (e.g., partisanship is not influential), so we conclude that Legitimacy Theory still requires much additional empirical inquiry.
Mechanisms of enhanced lung injury during sepsis.

A major complication in sepsis is progressively impaired lung function and susceptibility to intrapulmonary infection. Why sepsis predisposes the lung to injury is not clear. In the current studies, rats were rendered septic by cecal ligation/puncture and evaluated for increased susceptibility to injury after a direct pulmonary insult (deposition of IgG immune complexes or airway instillation of lipopolysaccharide). By itself, cecal ligation/puncture did not produce evidence of lung injury. However, after a direct pulmonary insult, lung injury in septic animals was significantly enhanced. Enhanced lung injury was associated with increased accumulation of neutrophils in lung, enhanced production of CXC chemokines (but not tumor necrosis factor-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, and increased expression of lung vascular intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Complement depletion or treatment with anti-C5a abolished all evidence of enhanced lung injury in septic animals. When stimulated in vitro, bronchoalveolar lavage macrophages from septic animals had greatly enhanced CXC chemokine responses as compared with macrophages from sham-operated animals or from septic animals that had been complement depleted. These data indicate that the septic state causes priming of lung macrophages and suggest that enhanced lung injury in the septic state is complement dependent and related to increased production of CXC chemokines.
What if?... Why not?

Fellow members of the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA), it is a great honor to be your 40th president. Before I discuss the 2 questions that have dominated my professional life, “What if?” and “Why not?” I want to recognize some special guests: Nobel laureate Stanley Pruisner is our Robert E. Gross Lecturer; Michael Longaker will regale us with The Jay and Margie Grosfeld Lecture; Marcelo Martinez-Ferro will present the International Guest Lecture. This year, the Journal of Pediatric Surgery Lecture will be a symposium introducing themarvelous newAPSA Information Technology infrastructure. I am very proud of our new APSA interactive Web page and APSA case log system. But my greatest joy is to share this moment with my amazing wife, Gretchen, and our wonderful kids, Todd, Tenley, Brittany, and Kelcey. Thanks, Todd, for that insightful introduction. This morning, I'd like to talk about one surgeon's lifelong struggle with 2 questions: “What if?” and “Why not?” I believe that these 2 questions define the professional lives of all pediatric surgeons. So I will describe how the what-ifwhy-not process played out in 3 phases of my professional
New organizational strategy for managing the forests of southeast China The share-holding integrated forestry tenure (SHIFT) system

Abstract This study examines the factors influencing the adoption of a unique organizational innovation for local forest management in China. The share-holding integrated forestry tenure (or the SHIFT) system in Sanming prefecture of Fujian province, People's Republic of China, is based on a system of benefit sharing and tenureship that provides both management responsibility and economic incentive to local villagers. The adoption of SHIFT has improved sustainability, productivity, equity, and flexibility in the face of changes caused by biophysical and human intervention, and encouraged a more democratic rural life and more power of independent decision-making. It has also given a greater role to professional foresters and led to a more diversified set of management goals.
EXPRESSION OF ONCODEVELOPMENTAL MARKERS (REGAN ISOZYME, β-HCG, CEA) IN TUMOR TISSUES AND UNINVOLVED BRONCHIAL MUCOSA. AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

Eighty-nine human tumor tissues were examined for the presence of Regan isozyme of alkaline phosphatase, beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin, and of carcinoembryonic antigen by immunoperoxidase staining.CEA was the most commonly detectable antigen in the cases examined here, whereas Regan isozyme was rarely found in these tumor specimens.Multiple expression of the marker antigen, such as concordance of CEA and β-HCG was shown in some cases.Tumor marker and its incidence seemed to be different depending on the origin of the tumors, histological type, and the degree of differentiation.Well differentiated tumors were likely to show a higher incidence of certain markers than poorly differentiated carcinomas.
Inhibition of 2',5'-oligo(A)-dependent endoribonuclease by 2',5'-oligo(A) degradation products.

Addition of extract of interferon (IFN)-treated HeLa cells to transcription reactions containing activated reovirion cores decreases the yield of viral mRNA (C. Baglioni, A. De Benedetti, and G. J. Williams, 1984, J. Virol. 52, 865–871). The 2′5′-oligo(A) (2–5A)-dependent endonuclease (RNase L) cleaves specifically viral mRNA, but little 5′-triphosphate 2–5A is recovered from these reactions by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. However, in the present study we detected μM concentrations of 2–5A derivatives by binding to RNase L. Similar results were obtained when the synthetic double-stranded RNA poly(I) · poly(C) was incubated with extract from IFN-treated cells: μM concentrations of 2–5A were detected by the binding assay, but little rRNA was degraded by RNase L. 2–5A derivatives which inhibited the activation of RNase L by authentic 2–5A were eluted from DEAE-cellulose with 90 mM KCl. These inhibitors were also formed by incubating purified 2–5A with HeLa cell extract. These results indicated that 2–5A was synthesized in the incubations with reovirion cores or poly(I) · poly(C), but that it was in large part degraded to compounds inhibitory for RNase L. IFN-treated HeLa cells were incubated with poly(I · C), but little rRNA degradation was detected in spite of the presence of high concentrations of 2–5A in these cells. Most of this 2–5A was eluted with 90 mM KCl from DEAE-cellulose and was inhibitory for RNase L. This indicated that 2–5A was degraded to inhibitory derivatives also in intact cells. The structure of the degradation products of 2–5A has not been established, but they contain free terminal phosphate(s), since their binding to RNase L and the inhibition of this enzyme is abolished by digestion with phosphatase.
Estimating yield and nutrient losses due to rainfall on field-drying alfalfa hay

Abstract Alfalfa forage was cut with a swather (3.048 m wide) at two stages of maturity (latevegetative or early-bloom). Drying forage was treated with three levels of simulated rain (0, 5 or 20 mm) applied with a sprinkler irrigation system at 24 or 48 h after cutting. Otherwise, the forage dried under clear skies with only a slight breeze and temperatures ranging from 15 to 34°C. Air-dry hay was baled when it had regained sufficient water from evening dew to prevent leaf loss. Chemical composition of untreated forage or hay taken immediately after swathing, before sprinkling, before baling and before feeding did not significantly differ. Plant cell wall constituents (CW) of undamaged hay increased from 38.1 to 41.6% ( P P P
Comparison of TRMM Precipitation Retrievals with Rain Gauge Data from Ocean Buoys

Abstract Four years of precipitation retrievals from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite are compared with data from 25 surface rain gauges on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Pacific Marine Environment Laboratory (NOAA/PMEL) Tropical Atmosphere–Ocean Array/Triangle Trans-Ocean Buoy Network TAO/TRITON buoy array in the tropical Pacific. The buoy gauges have a significant advantage over island-based gauges for this purpose because they represent open-ocean conditions and are not affected by island orography or surface heating. Because precipitation is correlated with itself in both space and time, comparisons between the two data sources can be improved by properly averaging in space and/or time. When comparing gauges with individual satellite overpasses, the optimal averaging time for the gauge (centered on the satellite overpass time) depends on the area over which the satellite data are averaged. For 1° × 1° areas there is a broad maximum in the correlation for ga...
[Gly2]LRF and des-His2-LRF. The synthesis, purification, and characterization of two LRF analogues antagonistic to LRF

Abstract Two peptide analogues of LRF (Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2), [Gly2]LRF and des-His2-LRF were synthesized by solid phase techniques on a benzhydrylamine resin. The peptides, purified by ion-exchange chromatography (CMC-32) and by partition chromatography, were characterized by amino acid analysis, u. v. analysis, tlc in seven systems, and optical rotation. As agonists [Gly2]LRF has low specific biological activity and des-His2-LRF has no detectable activity at the same doses. Both peptides inhibit LRF-induced release of LH in vitro .
Portable Electrocardiographic Monitoring: Performance in Patients With Short P-R Intervals Without Delta Waves

Twenty-four-hour continuous portable tape-recorded electrocardiograms were obtained in 24 patients with short P-R intervals without delta waves. Atrial premature beats were noted in 15 patients (62%), paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) in 5 (21%), ventricular premature beats in 14 (58%), and noticeable ventricular arrhythmia in 5 (21%). All episodes of PSVT reflected either unifocal or multifocal atrial ectopic firing. Atrioventricular nodal reentrant PSVT was not observed. Electrocardiographic correlation of symptoms with arrhythmias was not striking. In 21 of the patients, the P-R interval remained short and constant through the 24-hour recording period. Patients with a short P-R interval without delta waves have frequent arrhythmias involving multiple areas of the conduction system. The presence of an accessory atrioventricular connection (James tract) would not explain the arrhythmias recorded in these patients.
Arginine and lysine product inhibition of bovine adrenomedullary carboxypeptidase H, a prohormone processing enzyme.

Carboxypeptidase H (CPH) is one of the later enzymes in the cascade of proteolytic steps required for the posttranslational processing of peptide hormone precursors, including processing of proenkephalin. In this study, CPH activity in the soluble and membrane fractions of enkephalin-containing bovine chromaffin granules was competitively inhibited by its products arginine and lysine. Ki values for arginine and lysine were 4.6 ± 1.3 and 7.6 ± 1.9 mM, respectively, indicating that arginine was a more effective inhibitor than lysine. Other amino acids (at 10 mM) had no effect. The invivo intragranular concentrations of lysine and arginine are similar to the measured Ki values, indicating that product inhibition of CPH by basic amino acids may occur invivo.
College Student Suicide: A Call To Action

This article examines current issues related to the topic of college student suicide and why it continues to be an issue of major concern. The nature/extent of the problem, risk and protective factors, responses to college student suicide, legal issues, and training issues are discussed. The importance of addressing the issue of college student suicide and its prevention on college campuses is emphasized as is the importance of protective factors. Although more is being done to address this issue than has been done in the past, it remains a major concern, and it is an issue that requires a strong national response.
Effects of International Volunteering and Service: Individual and Institutional Predictors

Despite unprecedented recent expansion of international volunteering and service (IVS), there has been relatively little research on impacts. This paper proposes a conceptual model for impact research based on existing research evidence published in English. The model suggests that outcomes for host communities, volunteers, and sending communities vary depending on individual and institutional attributes and capacity. How institutions structure and leverage individual capacity influences who participates and how they serve, and shapes the impact of volunteer action. The conceptual model provides directions for future research.
Speech Fluency Fluctuations during the Menstrual Cycle

This study sought to determine whether changes in disfluency characteristics accompany biological and emotional changes during the menstrual cycle. Four extemporaneous speech samples were collected from each of 12 women, one at ovulation (when the average woman experiences her greatest feelings of self-esteem and self-confidence) and one at premenstruation (when she experiences a significant increase in anxiety level) for two consecutive cycles. The mean total frequency of the women’s speech disfluencies produced at premenstruation was significantly greater than the mean total of their speech disfluencies produced at ovulation. The disfluency type that accounted for much of the difference in total frequency of disfluency between the two cycle points was revision-incomplete phrase. The tendency for these nonstutterers to produce more speech disfluencies at premenstruation than at ovulation is similar to a tendency we have observed in stutterers.
Transient Osteoporosis of Pregnancy of the Bilateral Hips in Twin Gestation: A Case Series

Transient osteoporosis of pregnancy has been described as a rare, self-limiting disease of unclear etiology that presents as severe pain, which typically affects pregnant women in their third trimester. We describe 3 cases of primigravid pregnant women with twin gestation who reported unilateral hip pain and who were diagnosed with transient osteoporosis of pregnancy of the hip by magnetic resonance imaging. These women were advised to undergo limited weight bearing and activity modification to minimize the risk of fracture. Each patient was able to proceed through her pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum course without complication, with symptom resolution, and return to unrestricted activity.
On the tachyonic terms in the string effective action

We discuss the structure of the effective action and the corresponding σ-model s-functions for the massless and the tachyonic modes of the closed Bose string theory with an emphasis on the issues of covariance and field redefinition ambiguity. It is shown that the leading terms in the effective action which are linear in the tachyonic field can be represented in a local covariant form. We consider the D = 2 critical Bose string theory as a special case.